Photo by Tom Rivers: About 1,000 toy turtles float down the Erie Canal in Albion during the Amazing Turtle Race in June 2015, an event which is part of the annual Albion Strawberry Festival.
Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is offering competitive sponsorships up to $500 for events or festivals taking place in the National Heritage Corridor from May through November 2020.
Applications are due by Feb. 20. Qualifying events must promote or celebrate the distinctive historic, cultural, scenic, or recreational resources of the canal corridor. Eligible applicants include municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
Events that celebrate the bicentennial period (1817-1825), encourage use of the New York State Canalway Water Trail, or participation in the Canalway Challenge or inclusive recreation for people with accessibility needs will be given priority consideration.
About the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves New York’s extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York. www.eriecanalway.org
About the New York State Canal Corporation
The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, oversees the operation and promotion of the New York State Canal System. The Canal Corporation’s mission is to operate and maintain a premier waterway and trail system that honors the historic legacy of the Erie Canal and offers unique recreational and tourism opportunities, while also promoting sustainable economic development throughout the canal corridor. For more information on the New York State Canal System and the Canal Corporation, please visit www.canals.ny.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2020 at 1:50 pm
Photo courtesy of Bruce Landis, Photos by Bruce
GAINES – Bruce Landis took this photo – “You want it when?” of Dave Clark working in the harness shop at the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines. This was taken on Sept. 14 during the Old Timers Fair at the museum.
The image earned a first place award at the Professional Photographers of America International photo competition, and will be on display at their annual convention in Nashville Tenn., from Jan. 18-21.
Landis has worked as a professional photographer locally since 1974. In 2017 he was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with a “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2020 at 10:42 am
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency this morning approved an amendment to its Uniform Tax Exemption Policy to better address larger-scale solar projects.
The policy amendments gives developers the opportunity to negotiate a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) revenue agreement with multiple municipalities through the EDA.
Currently, the developers need to work with multiple taxing jurisdictions, and the agreements without the EDA are capped at 15 years.
The EDA can negotiate longer deals, sometimes for 25 years or more. The added years often can help companies secure financing and provides a long-term predictable stream of revenue for the municipalities, EDA officials said.
The agency had a public hearing on the proposal on Thursday before it was adopted today.
Jim Whipple, the EDA executive director, said the solar projects typically have been small-scale but large projects are being eyed throughout Western New York, including one in Clarendon. Other towns are being approached for solar projects.
Solar companies last year built projects with several thousand solar panels in Albion by the sewer plant on Densmore Road and in Ridgeway on Route 31 and Allis Road. The Albion project didn’t have a PILOT, while Ridgeway negotiated the deal in its town.
If the EDA approves the updated policy, towns still have the option to negotiate their own PILOTs, Whipple said.
“We’re not going to do it unless the taxing entities want it,” Whipple said this morning.
County Legislator Ken DeRoller, a member of the EDA board of directors, said the EDA isn’t looking to push an unwanted project on the towns.
“There is still home rule and the taxing entities have to come to us,” DeRoller said.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 January 2020 at 8:11 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Doug Farley has served as director of the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines since 2017. He has since developed a full schedule of events in an attempt to grow the museum. This year’s schedule includes more than half a dozen new events, in addition to most of the old favorites.
GAINES – When Doug Farley became director of the Cobblestone Museum in 2017, his goal was to grow the museum and make it a year-round destination, and this year’s schedule of events alludes to that success.
The museum will be open by appointment during May and will open for the season from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning June 3.
However, the Sunday Painters Art Classes will start the season with their first class on Jan. 26. The successful classes are a return event, and will take place at 1 p.m. for four weeks on the last Sunday of January, February, March and April. Medina artist Pat Greene will teach the classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students.
Greene has created a new syllabus for each class. Participants will start with a blank canvas and leave with a finished painting. Farley called Greene a “real professional.” People who have taken her classes said she is very helpful, he said.
New this year is a bus trip April 4 to Corning Museum of Glass. The trip will include admission to the museum and lunch on the bus.
A Cobblestone Spring Trivia night is also new, with a date in April to be announced. Maarit Vaga has volunteered to be emcee for the night and has her questions ready. Farley suggests putting together a team of two or four, even six contestants. The evening will include wine and refreshments.
A Mother/Daughter Tea on May 10 (Mother’s Day) is a new event, organized by Georgia Thomas of Medina. A short program on the history of Mother’s Day will be included. Cobblestone Society members will have priority, but it will be open to the public if space permits.
The group who participated in the Cobblestone Museum’s bus trip to view cobblestone buildings in the Rochester area are pictured here in front of an Amish cobblestone home near Palmyra. The tour this year will take participants to the Sodus area in August.
The Cobblestone Society is honored to welcome Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension to the museum on June 6, when the 4-H program will host their statewide 4-H Fashion Show from 10 a.m. to noon in the cobblestone church. After lunch at Tillman’s Village Inn, a group tour of the cobblestone campus will follow.
A Civil War Re-enactment at a date to be announced in July or August is new. The Lewiston Reenactment Group will portray a Civil War field hospital with nurses and surgeons demonstrating skills and medical tools of the era.
A fall history bus trip Oct. 10 will take participants on a narrated tour of cobblestone homes in the Finger Lakes area, while viewing fall foliage along the way. The trip will feature a tour of the facilities at Ganondagan State Historic Site near Canandaigua, the Seneca Arts and Cultural Center and the full size replica of a 17th century Seneca Nation Longhouse.
The last new venture for the Cobblestone Society this year is creating a float to take to local parades, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Cobblestone Society. Parades will include Holley’s June Fest Parade June 6, Albion’s Strawberry Festival June 12 and 13, Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Celebration and Medina’s Parade of Lights Nov. 28.
Returning for a second year is Cobblestone Museum Day March 21 at Lures Restaurant at Bald Eagle Marina, Kendall. Lures will donate a portion of the proceeds from guests who eat at the marina from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Deniz of Fairport, center, plays the violin during an April 14 performance by Elderberry Jam at the Cobblestone Church in the Gaines hamlet of Childs. Nearly 200 people attended the concert. Elderberry Jam will be back for another concert at the church on April 26.
Farley is also thrilled to have been contacted by Elderberry Jam, an extremely popular fiddlers’ group from the Finger Lakes area, asking if they could return. The Museum waited several years to book them for their first appearance last year, when they packed the cobblestone church.
The Cobblestone Society’s Membership/Fundraising dinner will take place May 6 at Carlton Recreation Center. The evening will feature dinner catered by Michael Zambito, live and silent auctions and raffles throughout the event.
The third annual Progressive Organ concert and dinner will move to Holley and Brockport this year on May 16, with visits to the Morgan Manning House and two historic churches. A catered dinner will follow.
The opening exhibit June 7 is “Historical, Hysterical and Naughty,” featuring some very unusual novelty pieces from the collections of Bill Lattin and the late Rene Schasel.
The Cobblestone Patriotic Service July 5 will celebrate the museum’s cobblestone heritage and 60th anniversary. The nation’s independence will be observed with patriotic songs and readings at 11 a.m. At noon, all churches in the community will be welcomed for a picnic lunch on the side lawn. A freewill donation will be received.
Sue Starkweather Miller will host the annual summer garden bus tour, at a date to be announced in July. The trip will visit four or five new gardens in Orleans County.
The Cobblestone Museum is working with Orleans County Tourism to put together events for the 10 days of the Orleans County Heritage Festival Sept. 11 to 20. A celebration of the storied history of Orleans County will be celebrated by many different partners throughout the county.
An Old Timer’s Fair and Antiques Appraisal is scheduled for Sept. 12. The museum will come alive with artisans and re-enactors as they recreate the feel of Orleans County life in the 19th century. Admission is free for the fair, but a small fee per item will be charged for the appraisal service. A Chiavetta chicken barbecue will take place for dining on site or takeout from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until sold out.
The Cobblestone Tour of Homes on Sept. 26 will branch out to several fine examples of cobblestone structures in western Orleans and Niagara counties. Self-drive or bus tour options are available.
Photo by Tom Rivers: These girls portrayed students at the District No. 5 Schoolhouse at the Cobblestone Museum during a Ghost Walk on Oct. 8, 2017. The girls include, from left: Meganne Moore, Kelsey Froman, Ella Trupo, Autumn Flugel and Liana Flugel. The museum will have another Ghost Walk on Oct. 17.
The Cobblestone Ghost Walk on Oct. 17 will showcase Orleans County happenings at the conclusion of the Civil War.
The Cobblestone Museums Gift Shop will again be turned into a Holiday Shoppe on Nov. 6, 7, 8 and Dec. 5, featuring a Christmas wonderland of decorations and gifts at low cost. There will also be Christmas music at special times.
The Cobblestone Society will hold its annual meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at a location to be announced.
The final event of the year is the Christmas Tour of Homes on Dec. 5, featuring Christmas displays and homes in Holley. Diana Flow is working with the Holley Historical Society to select homes that will be on the tour. Again, a self-drive or bus option will be available.
Further information on all events is available on the Cobblestone Museum’s website or by calling the museum at 589-9013.
Farley and the museum also continue to explore options to create an Orleans County Welcome Center at the Cobblestone campus.
“It will be a very busy year,” he said.
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By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2020 at 10:29 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans Economic Development Agency had a public hearing today at 11 a.m. to give the community a chance to comment on amendments to an EDA policy that would include solar projects in a Uniform Tax Exemption Policy. The change would make it easier for the EDA to work with municipalities in PILOT agreements for solar, especially larger-scale projects. Pictured from left include: Derek Vallese, Albion Central School business administrator; Gabrielle Barone, EDA vice president of development; Dan Strong, Town of Albion and Gaines code enforcement officer; Brian Napoli, Ridgeway town supervisor; Tony Cammarata, Kendall town supervisor; and Jim Whipple, EDA chief executive officer.
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency for the first time today live streamed a meeting as part of a new requirement from the state for industrial development agencies.
The governor signed the legislation on Aug. 27, requiring industrial development agencies to live stream meetings beginning Jan. 1. The video recordings must be posted on the agency’s website within 5 days and must be available to the public for five years.
The Orleans EDA had a live recording of the meeting through YouTube and the EDA posted the video on its website today. (Click here to see the video of the 33-minute meeting.)
The EDA has a camera in the corner of their meeting room on the second floor of the Albion Visitor’s Center, 121 North Main Street. The camera is in the upper left corner in the top photo.
When the governor signed the legislation, he made this statement: “Industrial development agencies are tasked with revitalizing communities and fostering economic growth at the local level, but most New Yorkers don’t have time to attend meetings and participate in the process. This new measure will help foster civic engagement and get more residents involved in the meetings and hearings that will ultimately have a huge impact on the future of their communities.”
The EDA for several years on its website has posted agendas and documents from its meetings for the public to see. (Click here to see a link to the agenda and documents for the Jan. 10 EDA board meeting, which will also be live streamed beginning at 8 a.m.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2020 at 9:11 pm
Chloe Schnitter, a junior from LeRoy, created the first-place design in a contest by GLOW Women Rise. Chloe is attending Genesee Valley Educational Partnership studying graphic arts.
BATAVIA – A Lyndonville student has one of the top designs for a logo to celebrate the 100thanniversary of women’s suffrage.
GLOW Women Rise will present awards to the winners of the 2020 logo contest on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The presentations will take place at the YWCA of Genesee County at 301 North Street, Batavia.
Emilee Kassay, a senior from Lyndonville studying graphic communication at Orleans/Niagara BOCES, created this design which was awarded second place in the contest.
GLOW Women Rise invited students in grades 8-12 to design a logo for the organization to use for a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the United States.
GLOW Women Rise will have kick-off event, a Women’s Empowerment Forum on March 7. GLOW Women Rise will also celebrate International Women’s Day which was created to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and promote taking action for equality.
The first place award for the logo contest goes to Chloe Schnitter, a junior from LeRoy studying graphic arts at the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership; second place goes to Emilee Kassay, a senior from Lyndonville studying graphic communication at Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
The winning logos created by the students will be used on GLOW Women Rise web site, various promotional pieces, shirts, and tote bags.
GLOW Women Rise is an all-volunteer group working to empower, engage, and elevate women in the GLOW region. For more information on GLOW Women Rise, email glowwomenrise@gmail.com or find GLOW.Women.Rise on Facebook and Instagram.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2020 at 4:53 pm
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency is looking to amend its Uniform Tax Exemption Policy to accommodate solar projects, especially larger-scale projects that could cover several hundred acres.
The policy amendments would give developers the opportunity to negotiate a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) revenue agreement with multiple municipalities through the EDA.
Without an updated policy, the companies would need to work out revenue agreements individually with towns, the county and school districts. Those entities also cannot approve a PILOT for more than 15 years, said Jim Whipple, EDA chief executive officer. The EDA can approve a deal for 25 years or longer.
Companies with large-scale projects prefer a longer-term agreement so there is certainty with those revenue costs with municipalities. The longer-term arrangements also help companies secure financing for the projects, and also provide predictability in revenue for municipalities, the EDA said.
The EDA had a public hearing on the amended policy this morning at 11 a.m. The EDA board of directors could vote to adopt the change during its monthly board meeting on Friday at 8 a.m.
Solar projects typically have been small-scale but large projects are being eyed throughout Western New York, including one in Clarendon. Other towns are being approached for solar projects.
Solar companies last year built projects with several thousand solar panels in Albion by the sewer plant on Densmore Road and in Ridgeway on Route 31 and Allis Road. The Albion project didn’t have a PILOT, while Ridgeway negotiated the deal in its town.
If the EDA approves the updated policy, towns still have the option to negotiate their own PILOTs, Whipple said.
The EDA is trying to offer an option for PILOTs beyond 15 years and for towns and other taxing entities that don’t want to take the lead in crafting a PILOT. But Whipple said the EDA will only pursue a PILOT with a solar company if the towns want the EDA to be involved.
Tony Cammarata, Kendall town supervisor, and Brian Napoli, Ridgeway town supervisor, both attended today’s public hearing. So did Derek Vallese, Albion Central School business administrator, and Dan Strong, Town of Albion and Gaines code enforcement officer.
“We won’t come in and do a wind or solar project without the complete support of the municipalities,” Whipple said about a PILOT agreement.
In the case of wind energy, the Town of Barre has asked the EDA to help with a PILOT. Apex Clean Energy is proposed a project in Barre. Apex also wants to have turbines in Yates and Somerset. Yates hasn’t asked the EDA to help with a PILOT agreement. The town governments at Yates and Somerset have both opposed the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2020 at 2:26 pm
ALBION – A former inmate in the Orleans County Jail was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison today for an assault on a county corrections officer.
Valerie Allen, 32, admitted to punching a female corrections officer on April 8, and also to biting the officer’s finger and pulling her hair. Allen was charged with second-degree assault.
Allen was in the county jail awaiting sentencing after she pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment of an employee by an inmate. She admitted in court previously to throwing urine and toilet water at corrections officers on Oct. 13, 2016.
She was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison on that charge. She has been at the Albion Correctional Facility since April 22.
Allen is a Allegany County native who also previously was convicted unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamines in the third degree.
“You continue to have a lack of respect for authority and the rules for society,” County Court Judge Sanford Church told Allen at sentencing today.
Also in court, the judge set Jan. 27 for the start of a trial against a Niagara Falls man who allegedly stole three dirt bikes from a Ridgeway garage on Oct. 16, 2018.
Michael Dubuc, 41, faces charges of third-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
This map was prepared for the Orleans Economic Development Agency by the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development.
Press Release, Orleans Economic Development Agency
ALBION – The Orleans County Economic Development Agency has announced a census tract in Orleans County has been designated as a Federal Opportunity Zone by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The tract, totaling 2,442 acres, includes the village of Albion and parts of the towns of Albion and Gaines.
“This Opportunity Zone is a welcome designation for the central part of the county,” said Jim Whipple, chief executive officer of the Orleans EDA. “The tax benefits give us new tools to attract potential investment here in areas that are particularly suited for more real estate, retail, commercial and cultural development.”
Opportunity Zones (O-Zones) were added to the tax code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Dec. 22, 2017. An O-Zone is a low-income census tract with an individual poverty rate of at least 20 percent and median family income no greater than 80 percent of the area median.
As an economic development tool, the zones are designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities by providing tax benefits to investors.
“I am very excited about the possibilities for community investment represented by the Federal Opportunity Zone in Orleans County,” said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of Orleans County Legislature. “Investors will be able to access the extraordinary tax benefits offered by the program by investing in business and reals estate in our own backyard.”
Under certain conditions, investments in O-Zones may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Investors can defer tax on any prior gains invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) until the earlier of the date on which the investment in a QOF is sold or exchanged, or Dec. 31, 2026.
If the QOF investment is held for longer than 5 years, there is a 10 percent exclusion of the deferred gain. If held for more than 7 years, the 10 percent becomes 15 percent. If the investor holds the investment in the Opportunity Fund for at least 10 years, the investor is eligible for an increase in basis of the QOF investment equal to its fair market value on the date that the QOF investment is sold or exchanged.
Individuals can get the tax benefits, even if they don’t live, work or have a business in an opportunity zone. They can invest a recognized gain in a Qualified Opportunity Fund and elect to defer the tax on that gain.
“With over 1,700 parcels in Albion’s village included in the Opportunity Zone, we look forward to working with eligible project developers,” said Eileen Banker, mayor of the Village of Albion.
“The designation of a portion of the Town of Gaines selected as an Opportunity Zone opens the door for investment here,” said Joe Grube, Gaines town supervisor. “The creation of housing or small businesses can help the Town of Gaines by increasing the tax base and bringing new employment opportunities to the area.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2020 at 9:02 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: The former Starlite Dry Cleaners site on Main Street in Medina has been knocked down and removed. This photo is from 2014. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has more work to do on the land.
MEDINA – The state Department of Environmental Conservation will have a public meeting on Jan. 22 to discuss the next steps with the cleanup of the former Starlite Dry Cleaners site at 331 North Main St.
The DEC is proposing a $490,000 remediation for the next phase which includes removing 8 feet of soil and other work.
The DEC has already taken down the building at the site, which was badly damaged in a fire in 2004. The location is a State Superfund Site and is listed as a Class 2 site in the State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites. A Class 2 site represents a significant threat to public health or the environment, with action required, the DEC said.
The meeting on Jan. 22 begins at 6:30 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave. DEC staff will discuss the remedy proposed for the land.
The DEC plan includes:
• Excavating contaminated soil to approximately 8-feet below surface grade in an approximately 300-square foot area;
• Disposing offsite an estimated 90-cubic yards of contaminated soil;
• Importing clean material that meets the established Soil Clean-up Objectives for use as backfill;
• Treating contaminated soil and groundwater through injection of a chemical reducing agent 10-ft above and 10-ft below the top of bedrock;
• Collecting and analyzing end-point soil samples and post-remedial groundwater samples to evaluate the effectiveness of the remedy;
• Implementing a Health and Safety Plan and Community Air Monitoring Plan during all ground intrusive activities;
• Implementing a Site Management Plan for long term maintenance of the remedial systems;
• Recording of an environmental easement to ensure proper use of the site.
Provided photo: Little Falls Canal Place was chosen the 2008 Heritage Award recipient.
Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for nominations for the Erie Canalway Heritage Award of Excellence, which celebrates outstanding places within the National Heritage Corridor where people have come together to make the Corridor a more vibrant place to live, work and visit.
The award recognizes local investment in places, including parks, trails, historic buildings and canal structures, streetscapes and entire communities. Municipalities, community groups, private entities, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit a nomination by Feb. 28, 2020.
The nomination asks applicants to make a compelling case for “What makes their place great?” Recognition for excellence is selected based on the applicant’s effectiveness in helping to advance one or more of the goals set forth in the Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan.
Award recipients benefit from statewide recognition and the promotion of their efforts as best practices to inspire others within the Corridor. A formal presentation of awards will take place in June.
Past recipients include: Lockport Locks District, Lockport; Canal Place, Little Falls; School Street Hydroelectric Facility, Brookfield Renewable Power, Cohoes; Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville.
About the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves New York’s extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway.
It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York.
Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his 10th State of State address today. Here are some of the reactions:
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher:
“Governor Cuomo recognizes that this will be a challenging year in Albany. Many challenges also exist in rural communities across New York State as farm families look to rebound following years of low commodity prices, extreme weather events, trade barriers and mounting regulations.
“Fortunately, Governor Cuomo is proposing significant tax cuts in his State of the State that are priorities of New York Farm Bureau. These include tripling the Current Income Exclusion for farmers who file under the personal income tax. The Governor estimates that this will reduce taxable income and liability for estimated 4,000 farmers. He is also proposing to make the Investment Tax Credit refundable for taxpayers whose primary source of income is from farming operations, allowing farm families to receive the full benefit of their credits earned.
“The Governor is also looking to expand the procurement of New York farm products in schools by expanding the New York Thursday program. New York Farm Bureau also supports further deregulating craft beverage laws and expanding broadband and cell service to rural areas. New York Farm Bureau believes that by working together, we can accomplish many of the goals that unite us all to benefit agriculture, a leading economic engine in this state that we all need.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia):
“I am hopeful that this year represents more of a collaborative effort between parties to address the serious issues facing New York. A looming $6 billion deficit, rising taxes and serious public safety concerns with recent criminal justice changes will be solved through compromise and common-sense reform rather than partisan crusades and political grandstanding against Washington D.C.
“Last year was a clear indication that New York City politicians will do just about anything to advance their radical agenda no matter the grave consequences for New York’s families and those motivations are not moving our state forward.
“Many of Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State proposals focus on political pomp and circumstance and increased spending rather than serious underlying issues like a $6 billion deficit, oppressive tax burden, embarrassing out migration, dangerous bail reform laws and struggling small businesses. We cannot continue to tax and spend our way to economic vitality.
“Despite these challenges, my focus remains on repealing threatening ‘criminal justice reforms,’ cutting taxes, protecting family farms against onerous new labor regulations and preventing the implementation of more pro-illegal and pro-criminal policies as we witnessed last year. As always, I will continue to reach across the aisle and work with members of any party to make real progress toward a brighter and more prosperous New York.”
State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda):
“After one year of Democrat control, New York is worse off than it was 12 months ago from both a safety and financial standpoint. Today’s State of the State has done nothing to assure me of any change for the better. Instead of addressing our state’s $6 billion budget deficit or the daily release of dangerous criminals back into our communities, Gov. Cuomo is focusing his attacks on gun owners and Styrofoam food containers. Democrats care more about illegal cigarettes than they do illegal immigrants. We need a serious plan to address the serious dangers New York continues to put on community safety and taxpayers’ wallets.”
NYS Association of Counties in response to Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Medicaid comments:
“Governor Cuomo has worked diligently to provide property tax relief to homeowners and small businesses across New York. He championed freezing the local share of Medicaid as the most direct way to achieve this goal. This policy has saved local taxpayers more than $1 billion in property tax growth since 2013. The vast majority of counties have not breached the property tax cap, in large part due to the Medicaid freeze championed by Governor Cuomo.
“Counties have a long history of working with the state to bring efficiencies. NYSAC was a member of the first Medicaid Redesign Team, and we look forward to providing the county perspective and contributing to future discussion to create a more fiscally sustainable Medicaid program for state and local taxpayers.
“We thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership and commitment to advancing proposals that control property taxes.”
New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider:
“Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed some laudable goals – such as closing the achievement gap, enhancing school safety, advancing net neutrality protections and expanding pre-K and afterschool programs – in his State of the State address. These are all goals that school board members can rally around, to be sure.
“We are encouraged by the governor’s promise of increased funding to support some of these initiatives, as school boards expect to have limited ability to raise additional local revenue if the property tax cap is again below two percent.
“We cautiously await the governor’s budget proposal. With adequate funding from the state, school boards are optimistic that they can continue to make progress toward closing the achievement gap, creating safe havens for learning, addressing the vaping epidemic and meeting the growing mental health needs of students.
“One easy way lawmakers can improve school safety is by allowing school boards to make decisions about whether schools should be used as public polling places, when boards determine that holding elections in schools presents a safety threat or a disruption to learning.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the governor and lawmakers so that we may best prepare students to meet the challenges of the future through a vibrant educational system.”
The circus will be back performing at local schools this month and one of this year’s acts includes Olate Dogs, the $1 million winner of America’s Got Talent in 2012.
Olate Dogs is a canine act that appeared with the Cole Circus in 2012 and later that year won the top prize on America’s Got Talent. They have been featured in Las Vegas and have since toured the nation presenting their delightful dogs.
Other new attractions include Sasha, a Russian foot juggler; Ivan, doing Cyr Wheel acrobatics; The Ayalas, perch pole balancing; and all-time Favorites – The Arestov Costume Quick-Change Act and “Slinko.”
Children 12 years and younger will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets are $15 at the door, or $10 in advance, available at each school office.
Part of the proceeds from each event are shared with an organization from each school.
The schedule in Orleans County includes: Medina on Friday, Jan. 17, 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. in the Wise Middle School gym; Holley Intermediate School, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6:30 PM; Albion High School, Thursday, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.; and Kendall Jr.-Sr. High School on Friday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m.
HAMBURG – Nate McMurray, Democrat running in the Special Election in NY-27, has called for ethics reforms in light of multiple members of Congress resigning after guilty pleas and Chris Collins repaying himself over $100,000 from a decades-old campaign loan.
McMurray is calling for Congressional pensions to be forfeited if the member resigns after a felony guilty plea. He first called for pension forfeiture in an October letter to the judge overseeing Collins’ case after Collins pled guilty. Now, McMurray plans to introduce legislation to codify pension forfeiture for members of Congress who break the public’s trust.
“Taxpayer-funded pensions should not go to corrupt members of Congress who abuse the public’s trust. Americans from California to Western New York deserve better,” said McMurray. “No felon former Congressmember should continue to profit off of their crimes. We will send a clear message to every dirty politician – Chris Collins, Duncan Hunter, and anybody else, Democrat or Republican that they will pay when they break our trust.”
Collins also paid himself back over $140,000 for a personal loan he gave to his 1998 campaign. McMurray also announced plans to introduce legislation to stop this corrupt practice by requiring the repayment of personal loans within two years of the election.
“Political campaigns should not be personal piggybanks, and we must close loopholes that allow someone like Collins to raise money and put it into his own pocket 20 years later,” said McMurray.
McMurray also criticized Collins’ efforts to seek a light sentence for his crimes.
“Chris Collins must pay his debt to society and to the voters he lied to and cheated. The rich and powerful should not dictate the terms of our criminal justice system and the U.S. Probation Office should not be recommending a slap on the wrist to one of the president’s cronies after he committed multiple felonies,” McMurray said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2020 at 4:25 pm
ALBION – The Albion Board of Education voted on Monday to continue a clay target shooting team at Albion High School.
The team, the Clay Crushers, debuted last year and finished 9th out of 65 teams at state meet. Patrick Brien and Alex Rustay both received All-State honors last year.
Three of the team members – Brien, Rustay and Shane Hastings – competed at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship at Mason, Mich.
The Board of Education approved the team for the 2020 season, which starts in March. However, the board declined a request to expand the participation eligibility to students as young as 12. The board opted to keep participation at the high school level for this year, wanting to get at least another year of experience for the team.
The Albion team members participate at the Barre Sportsmen’s Club. The Albion team competes against other schools that do their trap shooting on their home trap fields. They compare their scores online. Shooters try to hit 50 targets, which are sent out of a machine at 43 miles per hour.
Although students younger than the high school level can’t be on the school team they can still participate in clay target shooting through the Barre Sportsmen’s Club beginning at age 12.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Andrew Uderitz of Albion takes a shot at the trap target last April. The ammunition is donated by local sportsmen’s clubs and the Friends of the NRA.
