HAMBURG — Nate McMurray, Democratic candidate for the 27th Congressional District, has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins and State Senator Tim Kennedy.
“I am proud to once again offer my endorsement to Nate McMurray in the special election to fill the NY-27 congressional seat,” Higgins said. “As a local leader, Nate has worked in a bipartisan fashion to bring much needed changes to his town and its government. Nate is tenacious and persistent, and will undoubtedly be a dogged advocate for Western New Yorkers. As a member of Congress, Nate will join me in working to deliver real results for the people of Western New York.”
“We need another voice in Washington that truly reflects the values and priorities of the hardworking families in Western New York,” Kennedy said. “Nate McMurray isn’t afraid to work hard or stand up for what’s right. I’m proud to stand with him, and I hope you will too.”
McMurray has the endorsement of the Democratic and Working Families parties in an upcoming special election, likely April 28.
“I’m honored to receive the backing of Rep. Higgins and New York Senator Tim Kennedy, two Democratic legislators I greatly respect,” McMurray said. “We have a lot of work to do, from making healthcare affordable to all Americans to improving what is one of the worst job markets in the country. But I know with the support of representatives like Senator Kennedy and Representative Higgins, we can start to make real improvements in the lives of people in NY-27.”
Editor’s Note: For the special election the Republican Party has endorsed State Sen. Chris Jacobs of Buffalo and the Libertarian Party is backing Duane Whitmer, an accountant from Hamburg.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2020 at 1:28 pm
Monroe County Executive Executive Adam Bello has issued a travel advisory for Monroe County due to deteriorating road conditions. He said he made the decision after consulting with town supervisors and Sheriff Todd Baxter.
The travel advisory doesn’t restrict travel but people are strongly encouraged to avoid any unnecessary travel.
Bello urged people out traveling to use “extreme caution.”
Monroe, like Orleans, has a winter weather advisory until 6 a.m. on Saturday.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Some local onions from the Elba muck are shown in this photo.
Press Release, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer
WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are calling for investigations into unfair trade subsidies to Canadian growers, as New York State onion farmers struggle against an influx of produce, priced below the price of production, coming across the border.
“New York State is home to prime onion-producing land, yet our farmers are unable to sell their goods in a domestic market that is flooded by cheap Canadian exports,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Farmers across the country have been struggling to keep up with growing production costs, while Canadian exporters have been able to dump cheap onions onto the market at prices comparable to 30 years ago.
“Since Canada has similar production costs, the only way this could be happening is through some type of government subsidy that is lowering their costs,” Gillibrand said. “This would amount to an unfair trade practice and needs to be immediately investigated. I stand with the National Onion Association in calling on the U.S. International Trade Commission and the United States Trade Representative for a full review of Canadian pricing, subsidies and exporting practices.”
New York State is home to Orange County’s famous “Black Dirt” Region, one of the premier onion-producing regions in the nation. Yet, New York farmers, including those who grow highly-prized black-dirt onions, are being forced to sell produce at market prices comparable to the 1980s.
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that Orange County onion growers received between $5.25 and 5.75 for a 50-pound bag of medium yellow onions, which would amount to around $13.00 or $14.00 today. Today, those farmers are offered only $7.00 per 50-pound bag, less than $2.00 more than what they were paid nearly 30 years ago.
“Some of the best onions in the country come right from Orange County’s Black Dirt region, as well as from other upstate counties,” Schumer said. “However, due to Canada’s suspected unfair pricing practices, cheap Canadian onions are flooding United States markets and leaving New York onion farmers at a steep competitive disadvantage.
“As costs of production, labor, and equipment continue to rise, it’s time for the US International Trade Commission and US Trade Representative to immediately investigate Canadian onion exporters’ pricing practices along with the Canadian government’s trade regulations and level the playing field once and for all, allowing New York farmers to finally harvest the massive potential of their onions.”
Gillibrand’s and Schumer’s push for an investigation into the onion industry will help identify which factors contribute to unfair prices and ensure increased market transparency.
The two senators from New York sent a letter on Feb. 6 to the U.S. International Trade Commission and the United States Trade Representative.
In their letter, the senators asked for the following:
1. Initiate a fact-finding investigation into the alleged unfair pricing practices of Canadian onion exporters, including:
a. A review of any potential anti-competitive pricing practices, including the sale of Canadian onions in the U.S. market at prices below the cost of production;
b. A comparison of U.S. and Canadian tariffs and nontariff trade regulations that apply to onions; and
c. A review of Canadian government subsidy programs that support reducing the costs of shipping, fuel, imported seed and farm inputs, or crop price guarantees relating to onions through either country-wide or provincial-level support, or any other market-distorting practices;
2. Keep their offices apprised of any findings that result from such an investigation; and
3. Work in tandem with other relevant U.S. government entities, including the Office of the United States Trade Representative as the agency moves to implement and enforce obligations as part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and other international trade agreements, to address and rectify any discriminatory pricing or other unfair trade practices relating to Canadian onion imports.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2020 at 11:44 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Donald Buchanan, co-owner of The Snack Shack on main Street, shovels the sidewalk in front of the business on Main Street in Albion. He was getting the ready for the lunch rush.
ALBION – Orleans County will be closing the government offices at noon today to try to discourage people from travelling on what are expected to be snow-covered roads.
All non-essential services will be closed at noon today.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Orleans County until 6 a.m. Saturday.
All five public schools in the county are closed today.
Photo by Marsha Rivers: A Byron-Bergen school bus picks up two students this morning in Byron. The school district in Genesee County stayed open today.
No confirmed cases in New York State in rapidly evolving outbreak
Press Release, Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments
While there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in New York State, the Public Health Departments in Orleans and Genesee counties urge local residents to take precautions and be vigilant with the virus.
“There are currently zero confirmed cases of 2019 Novel CoronaVirus (2019-nCoV) in New York,” stated Paul Pettit, director of Genesee & Orleans Counties Departments of Health. “While the risk for Orleans and Genesee County is currently low, things are rapidly evolving with this outbreak. In response, our departments have been proactively taking actions to safeguard our communities.”
The 2019 novel coronavirus may cause symptoms including cough, fever, trouble breathing and pneumonia.
The coronavirus is spread from someone who is sick through the air by coughing or sneezing, close personal contact, or touching surfaces where the virus is present (after someone who has the virus touched, coughed or sneezed on a surface).
Common signs of infection or coronavirus are similar to a cold or influenza (flu). Therefore the health department encourages everyone to take the same prevention steps as recommended for the seasonal flu, as flu is still a greater risk to our residents.
Get the flu vaccination if you have not done so already; wash hands with soap and water for at 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with people who are sick; stay home if you are sick; regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.
If symptoms worsen or you have reason to believe you may have 2019-nCoV, contact your primary care provider and/or dispatch for an ambulance (for worsening symptoms) and advise them of your travel history.
As of February 1, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided the following guidance for anyone who has returned from China:
• Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who traveled to the Hubei Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine (separation / confinement), to safeguard they are provided proper medical care and health screening.
• Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in the rest of mainland China within the 14 previous days will undergo proactive entry health screening at a select number of ports of entry and up to 14 days of monitored self-quarantine to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk.
• Foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled to China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the U.S. for this time.
“We are in contact with the New York State Department of Health and other partners and are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event a suspected and/or confirmed case is detected in our counties,” Pettit said.
The state health department has an information call center for questions and answers about travel and symptoms regarding 2019-nCoV. The number is 1-888-364-3065.
The Health Departments will provide updates as appropriate.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2020 at 8:42 am
Beth Parlato, former Darien town justice, backed for Congress
ALBION – The Orleans County Conservative Party Committee has endorsed Diane Shampine for Orleans County Clerk and Beth Parlato for Congress.
Shampine is currently the acting county clerk, following the retirement of Karen Lake-Maynard. Shampine and Nadine Hanlon, the clerk of the Orleans County Legislature, are both seeking election to a four-year term as county clerk.
The local Conservative Party Committee also endorsed Rocky Sidari of Albion for a four-year term as one of the county coroners.
The 27th Congressional seat up for election this year, following the resignation of Chris Collins on Sept. 30. He has since been sentenced to 26 months in prison for insider trading and lying to the FBI.
A special election will likely be April 28. The Conservative Party isn’t endorsing a candidate for the special election, but is backing Beth Parlato in a primary on June 23. Parlato, a former Darien town justice, works as a family law attorney in Erie County.
“We have never had someone so conservative be nominated to run for our district,” said Paul Lauricella, chairman of the Conservative Party in Orleans County. “Beth is everything that true conservatives have been waiting for – both socially and politically. She’s the real deal. She’s fresh and doesn’t have the baggage that some of the other candidates have like voting for Cuomo’s budgets among other things that the Democrats will go after like a shark in bloody waters. She will align herself with the Conservative Freedom Caucus, something our last Congressman distanced himself from. She’s pro-America and pro-27th District, citizens first and if elected will support the President’s agenda. She has the right endorsements and has raised more than $400,000. She’s ready to fight to win. We’re happy to back her.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2020 at 5:44 am
All 5 school districts in Orleans County – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – are closed today, with all school activities cancelled.
There are icy road conditions this morning with a forecast for more snow, with 3 to 7 inches expected during the day.
Other closings
• This evening’s “Finally Friday’s” concert at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina has been cancelled due to weather conditions. Serendipity Swing has rescheduled for Friday, March 13.
• The Albion and Medina Campus Centers for GCC will be closing at 2 p.m. due to weather. The main campus in Batavia and the other GCC campus centers are still planning to remain open.
• The Father-Daughter Dance at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion also is cancelled and will be rescheduled.
• The All-County Music Fest won’t practice today but the concert is on schedule for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Lyndonville.
• Christ Church Community Kitchen which is located at 26 South Main St. in Albion will be closed tonight due to the winter storm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2020 at 9:59 pm
A winter storm warning is in effect for Orleans County through 6 a.m. Saturday.
The mixed precipitation through the early overnight hours will change to heavy snow, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
There could be total snow accumulations of 7 to 14 inches and ice accumulations of a few hundredths of an inch.
“Travel could be very difficult,” the Weather Service said. “Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility later tonight and Friday. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning and evening commutes on Friday.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2020 at 8:55 pm
Time will be served with child pornography conviction
ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison today, with the time to run concurrently with a federal child pornography conviction.
Andrew Campbell
Andrew Campbell, 33, on Jan. 29 was sentenced to 6 ½ years in prison by a federal judge for possession of child pornography.
Campbell also faced charges in Orleans County Court for unlawful surveillance in the second degree. Campbell admitted in court on Oct. 31 to using an iPhone to record two girls without their consent.
Today he was sentenced on that charge. The mother of one of the girls who was recorded asked County Court Judge Sanford Church to not have Campbell serve this sentence as part of the federal charge. She wanted additional time for Campbell in prison.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said his office coordinated the local case with federal prosecutors. Campbell pleaded to the top federal count, and received the 6 ½ year sentence, with Cardone saying the surveillance charge was likely a factor in the length of that sentence.
Cardone said Campbell’s crime has many “ripple effects” for the victims, who feel violated.
“The defendant’s conduct has had a tremendous impact,” Cardone said. “They will be impacted the rest of their lives.”
Campbell apologized to the two girls in court today, and also to the mother of one of the victims.
“My client is remorseful and apologizes for that and wishes he could change things,” said his attorney, Michael O’Keefe.
Campbell was living in Albion and recently relocated to North Carolina and was to enroll in a sex offender program, O’Keefe said.
“He has admitted his guilt,” O’Keefe said. “He is willing to treat his problems. It won’t happen again. He is glad he got caught so he can treat his problem.”
One of the girls videotaped by Campbell spoke in court and gave a tearful response on the pain and betrayal she feels from the crime.
Her mother said the violation has damaged the family, including her daughter’s siblings.
The mother said not adding more time to the sentence felt like another victimization for the two girls.
“He is receiving no consequence for the crime against these girls,” she said.
The mother didn’t want a plea deal in the case and said her daughter was willing to testify at trial.
She blamed Campbell for being a predator.
“He is an arrogant, selfish and deceitful person,” the mother said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2020 at 3:45 pm
ALBION – Two downtown business owners, Amber Mogle and Courtney Henderson, have led an effort to have Albion be considered for the “Hometown Takeover” by HGTV.
They have submitted a 2-minute, 12-second video showing the downtown and historic sites in Albion, highlighting some of the deterioration and the potential. The video starts with a drone image showing the Courthouse Square. (Click here to see the video.)
“They did a great job highlighting the positives in the village,” said Mayor Eileen Banker.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Courtney Henderson, left, and Amber Mogle pushed to enter Albion in Hometown Takeover, an HGTV series. They both run businesses on East Bank Street.
She is one of three community leaders who make an on-air pitch in the video. Banker said she is proud to have grown up and stayed in Albion.
“We are a home-grown hometown,” Banker said in the video, while standing on an East Bank Street sidewalk. “People grow up and raise their families here.”
Dan Monacelli, a retired Albion school principal, speaks in the Pratt Opera House on the third floor in downtown Albion.
“What we’re looking for is someone to come on back in this town and give us the spark that we need so we continue to grow and stay close,” he said in the video.
Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy and the Cabaret at Studio B, is shown outside her business on Bank Street.
“Things are alive here in Albion, New York and they can even get better,” she said. “HGTV we need your help, looking for you.”
Henderson and Mogle narrate the video, which shows many scenes from the community’s business district, neighborhoods, the Erie Canal and popular sites, such as the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.
“Albion is Friday Night Lights, Albion is family dinners, Albion is Sunday morning church. We are a small but mighty town, filled with love, history and diversity.
“Our community comes together in times of joy and celebration. More importantly our town comes together in times of heartache and loss.”
They highlight famous residents – Charles Howard who started a Santa Claus School, George Pullman who lived in Albion before striking it rich with the railroad industry, and Grace Bedell, the girl who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, encouraging him to grow a beard.
“Albion is the home of the Santa Claus School which reminds us every day to believe, to believe in magic, believe in ourselves and believe in our little town and all of its potential,” the video states.
Henderson and Mogle said the downtown business owners are committed to the community, and keeping their historic buildings alive.
“As individuals we are doing our best with revitalization efforts but our historical buildings on Main Street need and deserve more of a facelift than we are capable of doing alone,” they state in the video. “A Hometown Takeover in Albion, New York would improve our community and make lasting impact on the quality of life for our residents.”
Henderson and Mogle a week ago decided to push to enter the contest after seeing people post about it on Facebook. People wanted to see Albion enter, but no one seemed willing to take the lead.
Mogle set up an on-line fundraising page, seeking $1,000 to hire a videographer. That fundraising pitch went live at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. The next morning it was halfway there. It’s at $1,350 as of 3:30 p.m. today.
Albion graduate Joram Bierdeman was hired to make the video. Henderson wrote the script on Saturday morning. Bierdeman arrived that morning for filming and completed the video by Sunday. It has more than 2,000 views on YouTube.
Henderson and Mogle both said they’re happy to see such positive feedback on social media to the video.
“I feel like it summarizes Albion,” Henderson said today from her women and children’s clothing shop, Milk and Honey. “It was fun to put together and see it come alive.”
Henderson, 31, and Mogle, 30, have become big Albion boosters. Henderson is president of the Albion Merchants Association. They are optimistic about the community.
“I love this place,” said Mogle, who turned a former pizza shop into a hair salon, Roots. “I see the potential. I feel like our town is so beautiful and I don’t think people realize it.”
HGTV is looking for towns with a population less than 40,000, communities with great architecture longing to be revealed, and a Main Street that needs a facelift.
“If they choose us they will be blown away by the beauty of this town,” Mogle said.
ALBION – A 69-year-old Albion man has been arrested for selling crack cocaine in the Village of Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.
Hosie Scott Jr.
Hosie Scott Jr. of Garden Park Apartments was charged on Tuesday with 2 counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are Class B felonies.
Scott was arraigned in County Court by Judge Sanford Church and released own his own recognizance because the state’s new bail reform doesn’t allow bail to be set for those charges.
Scott is to return to the County Court on Feb. 27.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Task Force and Albion Police Department in the case. The Task Force said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges and arrests are pending.
Orleans/Niagara BOCES has long recognized how their partnership with companies in the community have allowed their career and technical education (CTE) students an opportunity to gain on-the-job training.
Although classrooms, at the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers, are set up to closely resemble job conditions and situations, having a chance to work at an actual company helps students to further develop their skills, whether it is technically, or soft skills like initiative, confidence, teamwork, communicating and work ethic.
Bailey Newton of Royalton-Hartland, a welding student, interned at Voss Manufacturing in Sanborn.
Orleans/Niagara BOCES Work Based Learning Coordinator, Susan Francis, says that CTE students generally work during school time with the internship length being decided upon between their teacher and the employer.
“We find that this partnership serves as an important connection between industry and education and helps to develop students’ knowledge, skills and credentials necessary for success after graduation, whether they are going into the workforce or continuing on to college,” Francis said.
The Computer Technology teacher at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, Mark Leffler, said he was thrilled when Verizon Media formerly Yahoo! agreed to take on his student, Michael Ung.
“Yahoo! is one of the top technology companies in the world,” Leffler said. “Michael is spending several hours a day over a two week span working with IT staff there. He is gaining firsthand experience with a world-class company that is sure to give him an advantage when starting college and his career.”
Michael says he has loved the opportunity.
“It has been wonderful working here and I have learned a lot,” he said. “I have been able to help out in their server room and would love to work here after I graduate from University at Buffalo with my Computer Technology degree.”
Ryan French, Senior Manager of Data Center Operations, says that Verizon Media formerly Yahoo! is looking to expand and that they will be looking for employees like Michael.
Welding students Bailey Newton and Lucas Frew and Automated Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) students Madison Bale and Luke Smeal are interning at Voss Manufacturing in Sanborn.
Orleans Career and Technical Education Center Welding teacher Eric Farrell says he chose Bailey for this opportunity because he is an excellent student who is focused and goal driven. “Voss is an excellent company for our students to work at,” Farrell said. “Voss focuses not only on the skills that we have taught them, but also cross trains them in many other areas so they can be a well-rounded employee. I am very grateful to all the staff that work with and help to train our students in this program.”
AME teacher Bill Rakonczay adds that the exposure to state-of-the-art machines at the job site is a great experience for his students.
“This helps them to take what they learn in class and apply that in the workforce. In my class we might have three axis machines, but at Voss they will work with five axis machines. It is a great opportunity to further enhance their training.” Lucas Frew’s teacher, Steve Frey says it has been a great fit for him. “This has been a great opportunity for Luke because he has a passion for welding. I know he will be successful and an asset to Voss for years to come.”
Graphic Communications Niagara Career and Technical Education student Claire Szathmary has been at ICS Cards learning the ropes of designing magnetic strip cards.
“Having the experience in an actual course related environment is such a great opportunity to view industry opportunities and various workflow plans,” said her teacher Susan Staddon-Zelasko. “It gives students insight to how further develop their plan post-graduation. Claire has been able to rely on support and feedback from her coworkers within the company regarding her portfolio and other college decisions.”
“I think career and technical education has been getting a new image over the years,” said Ms. Francis. “I think more people are seeing the value of vocational training and how it can lead to well-paying jobs without incurring the high debts of college or allowing them to support themselves as they go to college. We are very thankful to all the companies that are willing to work with our students. These experiences help our students to apply their knowledge and also give local companies a chance to see if these students are a good match to be potential employees. I feel it is a win-win for everyone.”
‘The reforms adopted last year are too extreme and an immediate repeal of these bail reform changes must be implemented.’ – Assemblyman Mike Norris
Provided photo: State Assemblyman Steve Hawley speaks at a rally on Tuesday in Albany with law enforcement and legislative colleagues. Assemblyman Mike Norris, back of Hawley at left, also joined the rally against the state’s new bail reform law.
ALBANY – Two local State Assembly members – Steve Hawley of Batavia and Michael Norris of Lockport – joined hundreds of law enforcement officers, district attorneys from around the state and lawmakers from the Senate and Assembly to call for a repeal of new bail laws that are causing a major statewide public safety outcry.
Just this week, a Brooklyn man who was arrested and subsequently released for suspected burglary was arrested again for brutally attacking and trying to rape a subway rider in Bay Ridge, Hawley said.
“Seemingly each day we have individuals who are arrested on violent crimes being released into society only to be arrested again after committing more heinous crimes, and that is appalling,” said Hawley, R-Batavia. “We are only about six weeks into new bail laws taking effect and the consequences have been frightening to say the least. I stand with law enforcement across the state in calling for a full repeal of bail reform so we can go back to the table and ensure the public and crime victims are protected first, rather than criminals.”
The Assembly Minority Conference is pushing Assembly Bill 8855, which calls for a full repeal of bail reform.
“New Yorkers from Buffalo to Long Island are wondering why their state government is allowing this to happen and I could not agree more,” Norris said. “That’s why I continue to speak out against this outrageous law which has gone way too far and is adversely impacting public safety within our state.”
Norris said people who are concerned about this issue can contact the governor’s office or sign a statewide petition calling for repeal. You can find the petition online by clicking here.
“It is time for the downstate driven majorities in the state Senate and Assembly and the governor to recognize that the reforms adopted last year are too extreme and an immediate repeal of these bail reform changes must be implemented so law enforcement and elected officials can come together in the meantime to discuss reasonable long-term modifications in a professional dialogue,” Norris said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2020 at 10:32 pm
President Donald J. Trump was acquitted to conclude his impeachment trial today in the U.S. Senate. The vote was largely by partly line.
Only Republican Mitt Romney of Utah would join 47 Democrats in finding Trump guilty of abuse of power. Romney was among 53 Republicans who all found Trump not guilty of the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress.
New York is represented by two Democrats in the Senate. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, voted to convict Trump on both articles.
Schumer chastised the Republicans in the Senate for refusing to allow more witnesses and evidence in the trial. He called it a “sham trial.”
He made these remarks after the vote on his Facebook page:
“Madison and Washington were right. There’s no greater subversion of our democracy than for powers outside our borders to determine elections within.
“For an American president to deliberately solicit such a thing—blackmail a foreign country to help win an election—is unforgivable.
“Once President Trump realized he got caught, he tried to cover it up. Together, the defenses advanced by President Trump’s lawyers are as dangerous to the republic as they are preposterous.
“Unable to defend the president, arguments were found to try to make him a king.
“Republican Senators denied the Senate’s right to examine relevant evidence, to call witnesses and documents, to properly try the impeachment of President Trump.
“The verdict will be meaningless. This wasn’t a trial by any stretch of the definition. The American people know it.
“I direct my final message of this trial to the American people: Don’t lose hope.
“There is justice in the world, and truth, and right.
“There have been dark periods in our history, but we always overcome.”
Gillibrand issued this statement to the media after Trump was acquitted:
“The Senate failed the American people today. Despite overwhelming evidence that President Trump abused his power and obstructed Congress, Senate Republicans voted to acquit him, putting their personal ambitions and political futures ahead of the Constitution they swore to uphold.
“I voted to convict President Trump because I believe in our democracy and our Constitution. No man or woman is above the law, especially the president.
“History will remember those who stood up for our country and the rule of law, as well as those who were complicit in the degradation of our democracy. I am proud to be the former.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2020 at 4:52 pm
ALBION – An expert did an indoor air investigation of the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School and found no significant issues that would account for a high rate of breast cancer.
The Albion Teachers Association has been pushing for an environmental assessment of the building. The ATA said there is a high breast cancer rate among the teachers and staff.
The ATA in May told the Board of Education that the ATA counted 25 teachers and staff who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. That includes cafeteria workers, clerical staff and teacher aides, as well as teachers.
Nellie Brown speaks during a community meeting in Albion on Jan. 31, 2019.
The district reached out to Nellie Brown, director of the Workplace Health and Safety Program for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, for the indoor air study.
Brown was at the district on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 for an indoor air investigation of the school building, which is 179,300 square feet. The original school was built in 1957 with remodeling in 1965, 1985, 2000-2002, and 2004. The building occupancy includes 850 students and 98 staff.
Brown’s report was given to the school on Jan. 17. The Board of Education discussed it during its meeting on Monday.
“In general, our building was well built, has been well cared for and well maintained,” said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.
The district will give the report to James Bowers, an epidemiologist who studies diseases for the state Department of Health.
Kathy Harling, the Board of Education president, said she was pleased with the findings in the report.
Brown in her investigation focused on five areas:
1. Insufficient ventilation: The carbon dioxide measurements showed there is sufficient ventilation, and temperature and humidity meet requirements by the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers).
Brown did suggest that the district’s buildings and grounds staff mow grass away from uninvent air intakes. (There were some grass clippings on the air intakes at courtyard A and B.)
Brown also made other observations: no HVAC at the band office, room G7 has an air-conditioner but no ventilation; An AccuTemp oven should be moved further down the range hood for better exhaust; Room J11 restroom exhaust vent draws poorly – the vent screen is covered in lint and needs regular cleaning; Both the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms exhaust have little to no flow – the system needs to be evaluated for operation; Restroom exhausts for J1 and J2 had slow flow – all other restroom exhausts worked well.
2. Inside sources of air contaminants: Consider upgrading vacuum cleaners to HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) if not already using. Recommendations were made to discontinue products/dispensers of perfumes and fragrances, and to discourage the use of products not purchased through the school district’s purchasing program. (The district buys environmentally products from the “green list” but some teachers and staff were bringing in their own cleaning products.)
3. Outside sources of air contaminants: No significant issues.
4. Biological sources of air contaminants: There have been historical water problems. Carpeted classrooms have carpet right up to the sinks/water fountains. The infrared moisture meter indicated numerous rooms with drips and splashes of water on the carpet. As moist areas can lead to mold or bacterial growth, it is desirable to have hard flooring in front of sinks/water fountains.
Removable, cleanable floor mats could be located at exterior doors; this is very useful to stop dirt and moisture being tracked into the building where they can provide habitat for fungal growth in carpets.
Water stains were observed on the ceiling in several rooms. While these were found to be nonactive as per the infrared moisture meter, potential sources of the moisture should be identified and resolved. Care should be taken to make sure that moisture from watering plants does not wet carpet so as to prevent fungal growth in carpet. Plants should not be allowed to drop debris into the univents.
5. Building fabric sources of air contaminants: No significant issues.
(Click here to see Brown’s more detailed report from her investigation. You have to scroll through the information from Monday’s Board of Education meeting to get to the report.)
Bonnewell said the district has already addressed many of Brown’s findings. The district hasn’t yet replaced carpeting with tile by sinks in classrooms. Bonnewell said there is some concern that tile could be slippery if it gets wet.
Brown also met previously with the cleaners and buildings and grounds staff to over the materials they use for cleaning the school. She provided an indoor environment training program to staff on April 12 and June 10.
Brown also spoke for an hour during a community meeting on Jan. 31, 2019, outlining numerous chemicals that can be potential causes of breast cancer or endocrine disrupters.
Brown, during that meeting last January, said determining the causes of elevated breast cancer rates is challenging due to the complexity of the disease and many risk factors involved. It also takes a long time for breast tumors to develop, at least a decade after an exposure to a carcinogen.
(Click here to see an Orleans Hub article from Feb. 1, 2019, headlined, “No easy answers in determining if Albion teachers have elevated cancer rate.”)
