HOLLEY – Firefighters at the scene of a massive fire on Sunday night were hampered due to low water pressure.

A watermain owned by the Monroe County Water Authority on Route 31A broke earlier in the day. Holley Fire Chief Harris Reed didn’t know about the watermain break.

When firefighters started arriving to the scene of the fire at about 11 p.m., they hooked into hydrants near a 4,000-square-foot house with four apartments.

But the water pressure was weak, far short of what was needed to stop a fire tearing through the house.

“Unfortunately it happened at a time when we needed it the most,” Reed said about the watermain break.

The Kendall Fire Department brought its new pumper-tanker to the scene. The truck at right could carry water and has a nozzle in front to spray the water. The truck had to leave the scene and come back several times to get refilled with water.

If Reed had known about the watermain break, he would have right away put out a mutual aid call for tankers, the fire trucks that typically carry 1,500 to 3,000 gallons of water. He didn’t think the tankers would be needed in the village with fire hydrants. Tankers are typically used in rural areas without hydrants.

When the water flow trickled from the hydrants, Reed put out the call for tankers. But firefighters lost precious time in getting water on the house at the corners of routes 237 and 31.

He praised the Village of Holley Department of Public Works and Town of Murray Highway Department who tried to up the pressure in other water lines near the site.

Firefighters stand back while the house burns. They weren’t able to get much water out of the nearby hydrants. The water from up high from Clarendon’s ladder truck didn’t have much water pressure or volume, said Harris Reed, the Holley fire chief.

Reed said village and fire department officials are discussing the experience and learning from it. They will develop a procedure for notifying the fire department whenever there is a waterline break that could affect the water pressure and volume.

“We will have better procedures because there was a lot of miscommunicating,” he said. “All the way around it was a learning curve for everybody. This has never happened in the village before (with a watermain break during a fire).”

Even if there hadn’t been a watermain break, Reed said the house would have been badly damaged. Perhaps the front one or two apartments could have been saved, he said.

“That’s definitely the largest fire I’ve ever seen in this village,” said Reed, who has been a firefighter with Holley for more than 20 years.

Dale Niehous of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company speaks with Harris Reed, the Holley fire chief, at the scene. Reed asked nearby fire departments to bring tanker fire trucks to the scene that carry water.

He said firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to two neighboring residences and a garage. All 11 residents in the house safely got out and none of the firefighters were injured, Reed said.

There were 13 fire departments and about 50 firefighters who responded to the scene, with additional help filling in at other fire halls. The Wyoming Correctional Facility also brought a crew of inmates to help roll hoses and clean up fire equipment once the fire was under control. The inmates arrived about 3 a.m. and stayed about three hours.

Firefighters set up dump tanks to fill with water on Route 31. Normally a dump tank is used in a rural area without a public waterline or hydrant.

Bill Eick is new vice chairman of Legislature

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville was re-elected by her county legislator colleagues on Monday to continue as chairwoman of the seven-member Legislature. She just finished her first two-year term in the role.

ALBION – Lynne Johnson has the unanimous support from her Legislature colleagues to stay as their leader.

During the Legislature’s organizational meeting on Monday afternoon, Johnson was picked as the chairwoman of the seven-member group. Bill Eick of Shelby is the new vice chairman, also getting unanimous support. He succeeds Don Allport.

Johnson just finished her first two-year term as the chairwoman. She has been on the Legislature for 12 years.

“She’s a great leader,” said Legislator Skip Draper. “She pulls everybody together, helping to shape the county in a positive direction.”

Johnson said filling the vacancy in the chief administrative officer is an immediate priority. Chuck Nesbitt served in the position for 14 ½ years. He stepped down last month for a job in the private sector.

Johnson said expanding high-speed internet in the county also remains a top goal. She will be in Syracuse on Thursday for a meeting with Rural Development about a federal grant program that could bring high-speed internet to some underserved areas in Orleans and Niagara counties.

Lynne Johnson signs the oath of office, with County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard at right.

She also said she will continue to speak out against high Lake Ontario levels that has damaged the shoreline with flooding and erosion. She praised Gov. Andrew Cuomo for approving state funding and resources to help the shoreline communities, including $17 million awarded in October for projects in Orleans County.

Johnson said the county and the municipalities along the lake will be busy working to implement those projects through the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative.

The projects include wastewater infrastructure for Kendall and Hamlin, $9,053,000; Yates Town Park upgrades and expansion, $2,531,000; Upgrades to public town road ends/culverts in Kendall, $1,500,000; Point Breeze Boat Launch improvements in Carlton, $751,000; Lakeside Park Road East stabilization in Carlton, $385,000; Lakeside Park Road West improvements in Carlton, $235,000; Thompson Drive turnaround to become beach access in Kendall, $131,000; Route 237 right-of-way in Kendall, $40,000; and installing markers on submerged structures in Orleans and Niagara, $50,000.

The state last month also approved funding for a regional dredging plan that includes the Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze.

“The governor has been very gracious to Orleans County with the grants lately,” Johnson said.

County Legislator Bill Eick of Shelby signs the oath of office administered by County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard.

Eick, a retired dairy farmer, has been a county legislator for 14 years, and served 20 years on the Shelby Town Board prior to joining the Legislature.

He said the county needs to adjust to the state’s criminal justice reforms, including an expansion of staff for the public defender. The top floor at the County Clerks’ Building, where the Legislature used to meet and have its offices, is being renovated for the Public Defender’s Office. The Legislature has moved to the new addition at the County Administration Building.

Legislators Ken DeRoller, left, and Fred Miller raise their right hands and take the oath of office on Monday afternoon.

Bill Eick’s right hand is shown while he takes the oath.

• During its organizational meeting on Monday, legislators voted to see the salaries for the chairwoman at $18,496 for 2020, $13,985 for the vice chairman and $12,239 for the five other legislators.

• The Legislature also named Don Allport as the Republican majority leader and Fred Miller as the minority leader. Miller is the lone Democrat on the Legislature.

• Legislators also reappointed Nadine Hanlon as clerk of the Legislature and records management officer, Kathy Bogan as the county attorney, and John Papponetti as commissioner of the Department of Public Works.

• The Legislature also approved paying the Orleans Economic Development Agency $190,000 for 2020, in quarterly payments of $47,500, for work to retain and create new jobs in the community.

• The Legislature appointed Skip Draper of Shelby, Paul Hendel of Holley, Carol D’Agostino of Kendall, John Misiti of Medina and Jim Panek of Albion to the Orleans EDA board of directors.

ALBION – Two boys, age 13, pleaded guilty in Family Court on Tuesday to conspiracy in the second degree for a plan to bring weapons to the middle school to harm classmates.

One of the boys also pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment for sending a “disturbing image” to a female classmate, said Joe Cardone, the district attorney.

The two boys will be sentenced on Feb. 25 by Judge Sanford Church. There are no sentencing promises as part of the plea agreement. The judge could decide the boys need to be detained at a juvenile detention facility, or he could give them a lesser punishment.

A third boy charged in the case has an upcoming court appearance and has been cooperative, Cardone said.

Because they are juveniles their names aren’t to be publicized by the media.

Cardone said the boys remain suspended from school and are under adult supervision. They also need to continue their mental health appointments.

The three were charged on Nov. 7 after law enforcement discovered a credible plot against the school.

The students allegedly used Discord, a social media platform for gamers, to make grave physical threats to at least one other student. The threats spread to other social media platforms as the threads were shared.

Police seized various items that included legally purchased firearms, Police Chief Roland Nenni said during a Nov. 8 press conference.

There was concern last week on social media that the alleged attack from November had a target date for Friday, Jan. 3. Nenni responded on the district website and in a news release that there was no evidence last week of a planned attack for Friday.

Albion police had seven officers at the school at different times of the day, including an officer in each school building. There weren’t safety incidents.

“Once again our police force has given us wonderful support,” Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

The attendance on Friday was only 50 percent throughout the district which has about 1,800 students.

Provided photo: Crosby Stores and ExxonMobil presented $1,000 to for a STEM program at Albion. Pictured from left include: Brenda Thompson, Crosby Stores District Leader; Sabrina Lipowski, Territory Sales Advisor for Reid Petroleum; High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery; and Superintendent of Schools Michael Bonnewell.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Charles C. D’Amico High School is the recipient of $1,000 in grant funds that will be used to boost the school’s STEM programs.

Albion received $500 from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program, and Reid Petroleum and Crosby Stores matched that award with an additional $500 to be used to support math and science education.

Executives from Crosby Stores stated, “Since its inception, the Educational Alliance Program has provided grants to help with funding to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education programs. Partnering with ExxonMobil, the Reid group strives to help give students the tools and technology they need to connect what they see in the classroom with what they see in the real world. It is part of ExxonMobile and the Reid Group’s efforts to support STEM education within the communities we serve.”

Some of the funds will be used in the High School for the Python computer programming class. Micro:bits were recently purchased for the Python class. A Micro:bit is a programmable device which can be programmed using Python or graphical code blocks.

Students can program the device to respond to changes to motion, light, magnetic field or button presses. The Micro:bit is used to teach the Python programming language to students while providing the opportunity to solve open ended problems. The students enjoy working with the Micro:bits and these new funds will be used to purchase additional Micro:bit accessories.

Funds will also be used to support project-based learning in the science and technology classrooms. Accessories for the technology department’s router table will be purchased, allowing our students to design and create projects with materials that can be milled down to 1/16 of an inch.

Also, a steam generator will enable students to bend wood in the production of fishing nets here at the high school. Additional supplies will support the new aquarium for our Living Environment classroom as students study and research the small scale ecosystem and its relation to our local community.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

State Sen. Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) is calling for the Senate Majority to take action on Senate Bill 6861, which would repeal the state’s recently enacted criminal justice reforms.

Rob Ortt

Since being enacted on January 1, 2020, news outlets have documented countless stories of individuals committing crimes within hours of required release due to changes in New York State’s new criminal justice and bail laws.

On Sunday, an individual in Hoosick Falls was arrested for smashing in a young woman’s windshield with an ax. After being arrested by police, the individual was immediately released with only an appearance ticket. Because of New York State’s new bail reform, the presiding judge was unable to detain this individual.

In New York City, an individual was arrested three times within the span of one week for assaulting Jewish residents in anti-Semitic, religiously motivated hate crimes.

On Long Island, a 22-year-old allegedly burglarized four businesses before being caught by police. After his arrest, the individual was released due to New York State’s new bail reforms. Authorities then say the individual broke into another establishment less than 24 hours after he was originally arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead. Investigators claim the 22-year-old committed five burglaries in the span of four days.

“New York State’s new criminal justice reforms endangers millions of New York residents,” said Sen. Ortt. “Thanks to Democrats and their reforms, our judges and law enforcement have been handcuffed, while criminals and lawbreakers have been given ‘get out of jail free’ cards. The acts of violence and crimes committed due to the newly enacted reforms are in direct response to the implementation of New York State Democrats’ wayward policies.”

Senate Bill 6861, which Ortt cosponsors, would restore judicial discretion in setting a securing order with respect to a defendant’s prior felony convictions, failure to make an appearance in court, or subsequent arrests while awaiting trial.

“Our judges need to have the power of discretion returned to them in order to ensure that dangerous offenders remain behind bars while awaiting trial,” said Ortt. “The new bail reforms have created far too wide of a scope for those eligible to be released without bail and has put the public at risk. We must allow our judicial system to review each case independently, and allow our judges to make the best ruling they can based on their experiences and the circumstances of each case.”

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke took the oath of office on Monday afternoon, the start of what he said is a challenging new era for law enforcement.

Bourke is the county’s new sheriff following the retirement of Randy Bower and Bourke’s election in November. Bourke served as undersheriff the past four years. He has worked 35 years in the Sheriff’s Office, starting his career as a correction officer and then was a deputy sheriff before working 18 years as a lieutenant. He was supervisor of the Marine Patrol, and also was a K9 officer for 20 years.

Bourke took the oath with other key leaders of the Sheriff’s Office: Undersheriff Michael Mele, Chief Deputy Jeff Gifaldi and Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson.

“We’re excited to have all of our people in place,” Bourke said after the swearing in. “We have a great team of employees at the Sheriff’s Office.”

Sheriff Chris Bourke signs the oath of office, which was administered by County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard. Undersheriff Michael Mele is at back left.

Bourke takes the helm of the Sheriff’s Office during a time of new state laws for bail reform, discovery, speedy trial and centralized arraignment. Twice a day the county will need to be able to arraign defendants in a centralized location. The county has proposed using a larger room in the jail for the arraignments, with a judge, public defender, district attorney and staff available in the morning and evening.

Bourke said he is particularly concerned the local judges are unable to set bail for defendants facing serious charges.

“This is turning the criminal justice system upside down,” Bourke said. “And of course it was done without any funding from the state.”

The county’s jail population has fallen by nearly half since the bail reform provisions started a week ago. It’s gone from the 70s each day to the 40s, said Wilson, the jail superintendent.

Bourke said he looks to continue many of the programs that were started by Bower, including addiction and mental health services in the jail for inmates.

He also wants to continue to the strong community partnerships with local clergy, schools and other local agencies and organizations.

Michael Mele, the undersheriff, takes the oath of office while his mother Mary Jo Mele holds The Bible. Mele was the chief deputy the past four years. He has worked at the Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. He started his career with the Holley Police Department for four years.

Jeff Gifaldi is the new chief deputy. He was an investigator with the Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in law enforcement since 2001 with the Sheriff’s Office and Albion Police Department. His wife Kelly and daughter Anna, 4, joined him during the swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent, is at back left.

Scott Wilson takes the oath of office while Bourke holds The Bible. About 100 people attended the ceremony on Monday in the legislative chambers of the Orleans County Adminsitration Building. Wilson has been the jail superintendent since 2011.

Provided photo: Scott Robinson and Alix Gilman are the owners of the Shirt Factory in Medina. Mr. Robinson is the president of the newly formed Medina Area Partnership.

MEDINA – The Medina Business Association has been dissolved and a new organization, Medina Area Partnership, has been formed to help grow and promote the greater Medina area.

Scott Robinson, who owns Shirt Factory Café with his wife Alix, has been named acting president of Medina Area Partnership. He said MAP will be an official 501c6.

MAP will also include both members from within the 14103 zip code and several outside businesses which have a vested interest in the continual progress of the area, such as Takeform and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Robinson said.

Cindy Robinson (no relation to Scott) has served as president of Medina Business Association for the last 14 years. She said for more than a decade the MBA has represented the Medina business community through events, communications and marketing.

“The Medina Area Partnership will create new ways to promote our area, while continuing successful events like Ale in Autumn and Wine About Winter,” Cindy said.

Cindy said she is more than willing to take a step down and spend more time in her store, the English Rose Tea Shoppe.

She explained the MBA had always operated since its inception under the umbrella of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, and the membership decided it was time to be on their own.

“We have the funds and the manpower to stand on our own,” Cindy said. “This will allow us to apply for our own grants.”

“MAP aims to expand our focus while continuing to place an emphasis on the growth and success of our downtown business community,” Scott said. “The leadership, reputation and success of the MBA over several decades has allowed us to graduate into this new organization. There’s a reason the Buffalo News, Step Out Buffalo, Buffalo Spree and countless blogs have written about Medina in recent years. Our small community is a giant in the area, pulling together many voices with a common goal of being better tomorrow than we are today. What we’ve known about Medina for years is no longer a secret to those outside the area.”

The decision to end the Medina Business Association in favor of a new independent organization came after several informational presentations to the membership throughout the fall of 2019, leading to a vote by members to dissolve the MBA as an organization. This action will allow MAP to take over previous successful events, while continuing to add a focus on the greater Medina area.

Jim Hancock, head of Medina’s Tourism Committee, said he thinks this new direction will be very favorable for the village and the surrounding area. He has had conversations with MAP on how they and the Tourism Committee can work together more closely for the betterment of Medina. In the past, the MBA and Tourism Committee have worked together to sponsor events such as the annual day-long Christmas celebration and visits by the schooner Lois McClure to the Medina Canal Basin.

“We are all alike. We promote Medina,” Hancock said. “I think MAP may attract more companies located outside the village. It’s good to broaden our scope.”

MAP aims to provide a network for collaboration, education, growth and profitability, Scott said.

Cindy added the Chamber of Commerce was also all in favor of the dissolution.

“It’s a lot off my shoulders,” she said. “MAP is in good hands.”

Scott and his wife are both avid promoters of Medina. Cindy explained that Scott and Alex are both Medina natives who moved to Washington, D.C, where they met. After they married, they wanted to come back to their home town. Scott is also in marketing, which Cindy said will be a definite benefit for MAP.

As membership continues to grow, MAP is proud to announce the continuation of the successful Wine About Winter event, which is scheduled the first Saturday in February. Tickets can be purchased at www.medinaap.org/events.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ethan Kuhn of Kendall, winner of the 83rd annual oratorical contest through the American Legion in Orleans County, delivers a 10-minute speech on Monday before the Orleans County Legislature and a crowd of about 75 people in the legislative chambers of the County Administration Building.

Kuhn won the contest with a speech, “Keep Politics Out of Football.” He was critical of Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players who chose to kneel during the national anthem as a protest against what they said is racial injustice.

Kuhn said “taking a knee” was a disrespectful approach by the NFL players. He said they could have pushed their cause through social media without offending so many in the country.

Lauren Miller of Kendall was second in the county contest. She and Kuhn both advanced to the District level contest on Sunday in Kenmore.

Kuhn runs cross country and track at Kendall, and is working to become an Eagle Scout.

Jared Fearby

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature and Albion Board of Education both observed a moment of silence for Jared Fearby during their meetings on Monday.

The 2016 Albion graduate drowned on Friday when he went fly fishing on Johnson Creek near Alps Road in Yates.

Jared was a senior at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry School in Syracuse, studying conservation biology. He played on the varsity baseball and golf teams at Albion, and was active with the concert band as a trumpet player. He also played the piano and enjoyed classical music.

His mother, Lynn Fearby, is part of the management team for the Orleans County government as coordinator of administrative services for the County Mental Health Department.

The family will receive friends at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, 21 West Ave., Albion on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. His funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Thursday at Albion First Presbyterian Church, 29 E. State St. Memorials may be made to PAWS, 3371 Gaines Basin Road, Albion NY 14411.

HOLLEY – Fire investigators have been sifting through the rubble from a massive fire Sunday night at a 4,000-square-foot house at 46 West Albion St.

The fire has been ruled accidental but investigators haven’t been able to determine the cause, said Justin Niederhofer, one of the county fire investigators.

Investigators say they believe the fire started in the kitchen at one of the four apartments. The fire caused extensive damage to the building.

“When the damage is that severe the cause of a fire is often undetermined because there is so much damage and you can’t rule things out,” Niederhofer said this morning.

The Orleans County Highway Department had an operator on site with an excavator on Monday, slowly lifting and moving debris to help investigators try to pinpoint a cause in the fire.

Niederhofer said the investigators have more interviews to do, and they will be looking at photos from early in the fire at the back side of the house to see if those images offer clues to what caused the big blaze.

Niederhofer and Cole Hardenbrook, two county fire investigators, were at the site on Monday with three fire investigators from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

The fire displaced 11 residents, including three elementary school children, a high school senior and a baby.

The house was built in 1880 and is owned by Stanley Passarell. Tax records show it is assessed for $105,800 and lists the address as 1 South Main St., which is the corner of routes 237 and 31.

Site by canal also created as a ‘spiritual space’

MEDINA – Patricia Greene has never wanted to be anything but an artist, but opening her own studio has been a long time coming.

On Friday, Greene celebrated the grand opening of The Quiet Eye at 121 East Center St., the building she and husband Alex have spent three years renovating.

Alex Greene, who did the work renovating his wife’s new studio, shows the antique door he acquired for the bathroom. He also made the floors from old pallets, which he cut and arranged in a herringbone pattern.

Darlene Hartway, director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed those in attendance and congratulated the Greenes on their new venture. Barry Flansburg, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley, presented Patricia with a certificate.

“You’ve done a beautiful job here restoring this place,” Flansburg said. “This is a wonderful addition to Medina.”

Sam Campanella with SCORE added his congratulations. He mentors members of Orleans Economic Development Agency’s Microenterprise Assistance Program, which Patricia took in the spring of 2017. Program leader Diane Blanchard said Patricia will do a wonderful job here.

Greene grew up in Syracuse and graduated from Buffalo State College with a bachelor of arts degree. She and Alex moved to Medina in 2001.

The first time Patricia saw the small building on East Center Street, she said it looked like a shack, but she wanted it. As far back as 60, 70 years ago, it was a monument store and a law office. Several other entities have operated there over the years, including a church.

Patricia was curious what the building originally looked like and went to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library to see if they had a picture. Library director Catherine Cooper went to her computer and brought up a picture which had recently been sent to her by a distant relative of a Medina resident who lived in Australia. The person said she thought the picture belonged in Medina. It was a picture of the building in the 1930s.

Patricia Green relaxes in the space she will use to do readings at her new business, The Quiet Eye.

Alex said remodeling the building was fun, and they used antique furnishings as much as possible. The floor is made from slats from old wood pallets, which Alex laid in a herringbone pattern. Patricia painted the walls with eight layers of alternating processes, including stencils, sponging, painting and washing.

The sign over the door identifies the studio as a “Fine Art, Creative & Spiritual Space.”

In addition to art classes, Patricia will also offer private spiritual readings, something in which she became interested many years ago. In fact, as a child she made her own set of tarot cards, before she even knew what tarot cards were.

Gina Miller of Carlton admires an hourglass her husband Terry made for Patricia Greene to use when she does readings.

“Although I had these abilities, I never considered myself a medium,” Patricia said. “After my father passed away seven years ago, I encouraged my sister to further her education. Then a voice in my head said, ‘What about you.’ I always thought I’d be a massage therapist and decided to go to massage school. Then the night before I was supposed to go sign the papers for school, my spiritual mentor called and told me not to do it. ‘You’re supposed to go to metaphysical school.’”

She followed that advice and spent two years studying prophecy and healing at the Fellowship of the Spirit at Lily Dale in Chautauqua County.

She almost went in business with someone in Buffalo, but she wanted to be in Medina.

“I had seen this building and I wanted it,” Patricia said. “One of my teachers had given me a reading and said one day I would own my own place. It will be 15 minutes from your house and when, at the end of the day, you put your feet up, you will be overlooking water.”

The Quiet Eye is located in front of the Canal Basin, overlooking the Erie Barge Canal.

“I am blessed,” Patricia said.

Patricia will offer morning classes and workshops in oil paint and mixed media. She will do readings by appointment on Mondays and Fridays.

She can be reached by calling (585) 798-5860, on Facebook at TheQuietEye or by e-mailing PatfGreene@gmail.com.

Provided photos

BROCKPORT – Larry Swanger, in blue shirt, was given a  surprise party on Saturday at the Tap Room in Brockport for his 30-year career as Clarendon highway superintendent. Swanger retired on Dec. 31.

His wife Brenda planned the party, which was attended by about 75 people. Swanger is pictured with Highway Department employees – Eric Collyer, Danny Scroger, Larry Swanger, Jamie Steffen and Pete Surowy.

The highway crew made Swanger this diorama, which includes the Clarendon water tank. That was built in 1998. The town did a major expansion of public water lines during Swanger’s tenure.

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HOLLEY – The Holley community is rallying to assist the residents of a 4,000-square-foot building that was destroyed in a fire Sunday night.

The fire displaced 11 residents, including three elementary school children, a high school senior and a baby.

None of the residents were injured, but they lost their possessions in the blaze. Three cats and a dog also died in the fire, that broke out about 11 p.m. and quickly tore through the house owned by Stanley Passarell.

The Eastern Orleans Community Center and St. Mary’s Catholic Church are both accepting donations for the residents affected by the fire.

Four GoFundMe fundraising accounts also have been set up.

Allona Macey was one of the residents in the building. She lived there with her boyfriend and their 4-month-old daughter. Macey has created a GoFundMe (click here).

“Tonight we lost everything,” she wrote on GoFundMe. “Furniture… clothes. Many things that can never be replaced. A fire started in my neighbor’s apartment and spread to the whole building. Unfortunately we don’t have renter’s insurance. We left with the clothes on our back. I literally don’t even have shoes. A neighbor was kind and gave me some but they are too small. We are trying to raise money to replace our things and get a new home. Prayers are needed I’m just so overwhelmed I even left without my glasses. Any donations are very much appreciated.”

Linda Geer is organizing a GoFundMe for her high school classmate, Tina Cairns and Tina’s daughter Tori. (Click here for more information).

“Tina Cairns and her daughter Tori who lost everything – their home, vehicle, all belongings, and three beloved cats – to a horrible fire on Sunday. No one should ever have to go through this. Whether you know this family or not, imagine losing everything. Thankfully, they were able to get out without injury but let’s help this family get back on their feet. Any amount helps. I believe in love and giving when people need it most. And while in this world, it is hard to control the atrocities that go on, this is a chance to help a fellow sister in need.”

Desiray Appoloney is organizing a GoFundMe for her friend who was one of the residents in the Holley building, living there with her fiancé and their three children. (Click here for more information.)

“Last night my best friend her fiancé and their 3 children lost everything in a house fire,” Appoloney writes. “With it being so close Christmas and the New Year’s, you can imagine how devastating this would be. They are going to need help with not only finding a new home but refurnishing as well. She also lost her vehicle in the fire so that is one more giant loss. Any form of donation is so very appreciated!”

Heidi Causyn created this GoFundMe (click here) with the funds to be shared among the four families that are now trying to find another place to live.

“Looking to raise money, donations of clothing, house hold items and anything else to help 4 families who lost everything in a major house fire tonight in the village of Holley!!!!!” Causyn writes. “We will get sizes and genders of all members involved shortly. We know children were involved from the ages of 4 months and up. One family lost their dog!! As a community let’s help these families out. All money and donations will be split between each family. If you would like your donation to go to a certain family please say so in the comments of your donation!!!!”

Firefighters had a long night Sunday battling the fire.

“Reimagine Erie Canal’ would grow tourism, reduce flooding in canal towns, and improve irrigation for upstate farmers

Press Release, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled a $300 million plan to reimagine the Erie Canal by creating recreational activities on the Canal to boost tourism, mitigating flooding, enhancing irrigation and recreational fishing and restoring wetlands.

The governor is recommending the New York Power Authority Board, which now oversees the Canal Corporation as a subsidiary, approve the $300 million investment over the next five years at the board’s January meeting.

“When the Erie Canal was created in the 19th century it set the state and the nation on a path to prosperity, and this year we will repurpose the canal to fit our state’s 21st century needs,” Governor Cuomo said. “This bold and visionary plan to transform this historic waterway will build on the success of the Empire State Trail, grow tourism across Upstate New York, improve resilience of today’s Canal communities and ensure the economic sustainability of the waterway into the future.”

A first phase of funding will start this year that will have two parts: a $100 million economic development fund to invest in communities along the Canal and a separate $65 million investment in solutions that will help prevent ice jams and related flooding in the Schenectady area.

The remaining $135 million of the plan’s funding will subsequently be allocated to research recommended by the Reimagine Task Force, as well as to solutions related to flood mitigation, invasive species prevention and ecosystem restoration.

New Economic Development Fund for Canal Communities

In the first phase of the program, a $100 million economic development fund will support projects that adaptively reuse canal infrastructure to enhance water recreation, tie the Canal’s new recreational improvements to the Governor’s Empire State Trail, celebrate historic canal structures, and develop unique canalside attractions and activities. Roughly $25 million of that will be allocated immediately to a set of initial projects:

• Connecting Communities: The “Brockport Loop” project in Monroe County will connect SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State Trail and the village of Brockport through the transformation of a canal guard-gate into a pedestrian bridge and overlook, with a supporting grant of $2 million from the Ralph Wilson Foundation.

• Celebrating “Iconic Infrastructure”: Interactive, hydro-powered illumination of Canal “movable dams” – initially in Amsterdam and Canajoharie in the Mohawk River valley – will celebrate the Canal’s heritage and its history as an engineering marvel.

• Expanding Water Recreation: A new whitewater destination, at the north end of Cayuga Lake near Seneca Falls, will rely on existing water control infrastructure to construct an active water sports course adjacent to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, to increase eco-tourism and sport visitors to the region.

• Adapting Industrial Property for New Uses: Winner of the Reimagine the Canals competition, a canalside pocket neighborhood, will be developed by Madison County in Central New York at a former industrial property in Canastota along the Old Erie Canal – demonstrating a new model for 21st century canalside living.

• Developing Destination Accommodations: The historic Guy Park Manor, on the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, will be reborn as a hospitality destination and a pedestrian bridge constructed across the already-existing Canal lock will provide access to additional overnight accommodation along the Empire State Trail on the opposite side of the river.

Resiliency Improvements Strengthen Canal Communities

To help mitigate chronic summer and winter flooding in the Mohawk River Valley, an initial allocation of approximately $65 million will be used for deploying an icebreaker and undertaking dredging and filling in certain portions of the Mohawk to prevent ice jam formation; developing an Ice Jam Monitoring and Early Warning System to better alert communities to potential flooding; and retrofitting the New York Power Authority’s Vischer Ferry power dam in Niskayuna to help mitigate summer flooding and ice jams around the Schenectady and Scotia areas, including the historic Stockade District.

At the recommendation of the Task Force further studies will be undertaken to better assess additional approaches to both reducing flood vulnerability in the Mohawk and tackling the rise of aquatic invasive species across the Canal.

Improved Irrigation for Farmers

The plan also includes establishment of an irrigation district in Western New York to enhance drought resiliency by ensuring that farmers in those counties have reliable access to water during the critical summer growing season. Guaranteed access to water is needed to expand the production of high-value fruits and vegetables, specifically in areas that today cannot access canal water.

To ensure water is available during periods of low rainfall, canal outflow infrastructure will be modernized as part of a “smart water management system” that can better respond to changing weather conditions. A new grant program operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will underpin additional private-sector investment in irrigation infrastructure.

World-Class Fishing and Restored Wetlands

To create world-class fishing in Western New York, the new plan recommends managing water releases from the Canal to enhance fish habitat, improve angling opportunities, and extend the fall fishing season in Lake Ontario tributaries. It also includes funding to expand public fishing access along key streams in Orleans, Monroe and Niagara counties.

In addition, it identifies a program to divert Canal water to restore and re-nourish wetlands in Central New York that were compromised a century ago by the Canal’s construction. This will allow areas in close proximity to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory stopover for more than 1 million birds each year, to be significantly enhanced to further attract naturalists, locals, and visitors from throughout the region and beyond.

Reimagine the Canals Task Force Shares Recommendations in Report

Ideas in this plan originated from the Reimagine the Canals Task Force recommendations. The Reimagine the Canals Task Force, launched by Governor Cuomo in May of 2019 to pursue a comprehensive investigation of how the 195-year-old Erie Canal could be reimagined for the 21st century, issued its full set of findings to the Governor today in an official report. The Task Force set out to:

• Identify potential new uses for the Erie Canal aimed at improving the quality of life for New Yorkers

• Evaluate how the Erie Canal can support and enhance economic development along the canal corridor

• Identify new opportunities to enhance recreation and tourism along the Erie Canal

• Assess how the Erie Canal can help mitigate impacts from flooding and ice jams to improve resiliency and restore ecosystems in canal communities, and

• Discover opportunities for using Erie Canal infrastructure to expand irrigation for Western New York farms.

The Task Force is chaired by Joanie Mahoney, New York State Thruway Authority chair and former Onondaga County Executive. Mahoney is overseeing Task Force work in Central New York. Former Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy serves as regional co-chair in Western New York, and Joseph Martens, former Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner, serves as regional co-chair in the Mohawk River valley.

In addition to economic development and operational recommendations, the findings, detailed in the Reimagine the Canals Task Force Report released today, include solutions for strengthening storm resiliency along the waterway, improving irrigation for farmlands, expanding fishing opportunities in Western New York and restoring wetlands in Central New York.

The Task Force engaged with municipal leaders, stakeholders, local business owners, scientists and other experts, along with community members, to identify opportunities and solutions that support a new vision for future investments in the waterway. Many of the ideas that the Task Force explored came from the completed Reimagine the Canals competition, held last year by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation. SUNY’s Rockefeller Institute of Government, on behalf of the Task Force, conducted a series of outreach sessions during the summer in five canal communities – Lockport, Brockport, Schenectady, Utica and Syracuse – to solicit new ideas from the public at large. Ideas were also solicited on a Reimagine the Canals website, offering more distant canal users an opportunity to provide their views to the Task Force.

The “Reimagine” initiative builds on successful efforts by Governor Cuomo to invest in the canal corridor, including the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative and successful Taste NY program, which have stoked new industries, businesses and housing in canal communities. Harnessing the Canal’s full potential to attract more tourism and recreation is a key focus of the Initiative. Governor Cuomo and state agency and authority staff will collaborate with Empire Line communities and continue to consult with Task Force members and other stakeholders to ensure the success of projects as they move forward.

There are 1.6 million trips taken annually on the Erie Canal Trailway, the former towpath used by mules and horses to pull barges in the canals’ early days. The Trailway is part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Trail, which at 750 miles will be the largest state multi-use trail network when completed in late 2020. Governor DeWitt Clinton began work on the original Erie Canal on July 4, 1817.

“As an upstate New Yorker who lives near the Erie Canal and is a frequent visitor to canal communities, I know how this plan to reimagine the canal can unlock even more potential to make it a major tourism magnet,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The canals have played a crucial role in New York’s history and growth, and with the implementation of these new exciting projects, the canals will remain a vital force and make a positive contribution to the economic well-being and quality of life in the 225 communities they travel through.”