Photo courtesy of Karen Krieger: This photo shows the driveway leading to the Medina campus center for Genesee Community College this morning.
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced SUNY and CUNY will waive application fees for veterans and their spouses.
Applicants are required to pay a fee ranging from $50 to $65 when applying to SUNY or CUNY campuses, and this measure will waive that fee for all veterans and their spouses for all state operated campuses.
The Board of Trustees for both SUNY and CUNY will include resolutions on the agenda for their next board meetings to implement the change. The governor made the announcement on Monday, which was Veterans Day.
“Generations of New Yorkers have fought to preserve the freedoms and ideals of this state and nation at great personal sacrifice, and we must do everything we can to support them once they get home,” Governor Cuomo said. “Waiving the SUNY and CUNY application fees for veterans and their spouses will help these brave men and women and their families take the next steps in adapting back to civilian life and will help ensure they have the tools they need to succeed.”
SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, “The least we can do for our servicemen and women who have served valiantly is to assist in any way possible with their education ambitions to study, learn and advance their lives. I applaud Governor Cuomo for recommending this needed action that will serve as a constant reminder to our veterans that at SUNY we honor their service and sacrifice and we stand ready to provide the highest quality education as they transition into civilian life.”
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “CUNY is proud of the diversity and academic excellence that the more than 3,300 veterans enrolled in the university bring to our campuses. Extending the fee waiver to their spouses will represent an important addition to the roster of services and opportunities the university already provides its student-veterans. CUNY applauds Governor Cuomo for this worthy recognition of the contributions of veterans, not only to our country, but to our campus communities as well.”
New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Director Colonel (U.S. Army, Ret.) Jim McDonough said, “SUNY and CUNY are home to some of the largest student veteran populations in the country. This is a testament to the value they bring to veterans and their families who are advancing themselves through education. The elimination of application fees for those who have served and their spouses represents another way Governor Cuomo and New York are working to create an easy and affordable transition back home with this important measure.”
The Western New York Public Health Alliance is urging everyone over the age of six months to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves from the effects of influenza.
Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children.
It is important that people understand how the flu vaccine works. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Most flu vaccines in the United States protect against four different flu viruses (“quadrivalent”); an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses. There are also some flu vaccines that protect against three different flu viruses (“trivalent”); an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one influenza B virus. Two of the trivalent vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 and older to create a stronger immune response.
It is also important to understand when to get a flu shot. You should get a flu vaccine before flu viruses begins spreading in your community, since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu. Make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.
Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.
Flu vaccines are offered in many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even in some schools.
Even if you don’t have a regular doctor or nurse, you can get a flu vaccine somewhere else, like a health department, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, and often your school, college health center, or workplace.
The Western New York Public Health Alliance (WNYPHA) is a not-for-profit organization comprised of the Health Commissioners/Public Health Directors and other community public health leaders from the eight counties of Western New York. Their mission is to support collaboration across WNY to further public health initiatives and priorities. As part of this mission, the WNYPHA works to provide health education and information to prevent disease and improve population health.
With the celebration of Veterans Day yesterday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced that Gov. Cuomo and state leaders have committed to creating New York’s first veterans’ cemeteries in communities around the state which will serve as a proper and respectful final resting place for our state’s military heroes.
The Director of New York State Veterans Affairs, Jim McDonough, recently said that constructing a special cemetery for veterans in Pembroke is one of his top priorities.
Hawley has been a strong proponent to create veterans cemeteries for many years, sponsoring A.5347 and A.887 which would provide the funding mechanism to preserve and maintain such cemeteries in the future. Hawley, the son of a World War II veteran, served in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves.
“Our brave veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to preserve American liberty and freedom for generations to come, and these cemeteries will serve as a unique monument for friends, family and fellow veterans to appreciate their legacy,” Hawley said. “When an individual serves their country in the military, he or she also serves their state, and they deserve a final resting place with their fellow veterans. It is beyond time that New York steps up and gets this done.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2019 at 12:58 pm
Bellavia gives keynote speech, praising Orleans as a caring community
Provided photo: David Bellavia is pictured with Kendall Junior-Senior High School Principal Carol D’Agostino and Kendall Boy Scouts – Brian Shaw, Jayden Pieniaszek and Ryan Barrett. Those Scouts, plus Noah Rath, built a war memorial in Kendall as part of the Eagle Scout projects for the four. They each took a different piece of the project, which was dedicated on Sept. 29. Scouting is one of the local programs that receives funding from the United Way.
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County United Way kicked off its annual fundraising campaign last week at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. There were 150 people at the event, which included a keynote speech by Lyndonville native David Bellavia, who was presented the Medal of Honor on June 25 by President Trump for acts of valor on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq.
He led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents, saving the lives of the members of his unit. He is the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the nation’s highest honor for military service.
Bellavia praised his experience in the Army. He now travels the country encouraging people to enlist and serve. He said military service brings together people of varying backgrounds, beliefs and skin color, uniting them in a common goal.
“It could be Philadelphia or Colorado or Medina, no matter where you’re from we are one team,” he said.
Bellavia said Orleans County has a history of people who serve willingly in the military and in their local communities.
“I’m super proud to be part of this community,” he told the crowd. “You raise patriots out here.”
Bellavia said Orleans County has always valued veterans and put them “on a pedestal.” He sees that pride in the country and for its veterans at the annual Fourth of July celebration in Lyndonville.
Bellavia said small-town Orleans County has hard-working people who strive for a greater good, despite differences.
“There is a standard here,” he said. “Democrats and Republicans we don’t hate each other much in Orleans County. We’re all neighbors.”
David Bellavia addresses 150 people at the United Way event. His photo is on a banner than includes another Medal of Honor recipient from Lyndonville, Forrest Vosler. Bellavia said Vosler was “an absolute stud” for his actions in the World War II. Vosler was assigned as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed the “Jersey Bounce Jr.” with the 358th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group stationed out of England. On Dec. 20, 1943, the Jersey Bounce Jr. was on its 28th combat mission. Vosler was hit with an exploding shell in the chest, face and eyes while in flight. He continued to deliver defensive fire upon German aircraft until the attacks subsided. After the aircraft plunged into the frigid waters of the North Sea, Vosler crawled out of the aircraft onto a wing as other crewmembers pulled a fellow solider out of the craft. Realizing that the unconscious soldier would slip into the cold water, Vosler grabbed him by the waist and held him in place until inflatable dinghies were ready for use.
The neighbors theme was focus of the United Way kickoff.
Mary Yockel, retail floor supervisor for Main Street Store run by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, said Community Action has been instrumental in her gaining job skills. She offered one of the testimonials during the kick-off rally last week.
“It’s neighbors helping neighbors, that’s what the United Way does,” said Dean Bellack, the United Way executive director.
“I want to add one more thing to that: It’s neighbors helping neighbors because you never know. You never know when your neighbor will be in trouble. You never know when you’ll be in trouble.”
He shared from a personal experience how a United Way-funded agency, Hospice of Orleans’s bereavement program, assisted his family with the recent loss of a loved one.
The United Way campaign directs funding to 14 agencies: 4-H, Arc of Orleans for Camp Rainbow and Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts, the Community Kitchen at Christ Church in Albion, GCASA, the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Hospice of Orleans, Orleans County Adult Learning Services, Orleans County YMCA, 2-1-1 WNY (which directs people in crisis to agencies), Senior Citizens of WNY, and the Town of Yates Recreation Program. (Other agencies can receive funding if the donor designates.)
Dean Bellack, executive director of the United Way in Orleans County, said the organization has more companies doing workplace campaigns to raise money for the United Way. Bellack said the organization also has increased its visibility in the community in the past year.
Bellack used the kick-off celebration as a chance to recognize businesses for ongoing support, and some for recently running workplace campaigns for the first time.
Baxter Healthcare was recognized with the “Award of Excellence” for running ambitious campaigns for several years. Baxter employees have been the leading donors for United Way.
Baxter was also presented with a “Caring Company Award” for matching those employee contributions.
Roush CPA PC in Medina also received the Caring Company Award.
The following were recognized with “Welcome Awards” for starting new workplace campaigns: Lake Ontario Fruit, a packing house on Route 104 in Gaines; Orleans Ford in Medina and Bidleman Chevrolet, Buick GMC in Albion; Hinspergers Poly Industries in Medina, Saint-Goblin Adfors in Albion; and Pride Pak in Medina.
The Albion school district was presented with a “Commitment Award” for the school employees’ long-standing support of the United Way. Bullock said about 110 school employees give to the United Way.
David Green, the retired Orleans County sheriff, received the volunteer of the year award for his efforts to raise money for the United Way with 50/50 raffles at the Classic Car Cruises in Medina. Green has been helping with those events for many years.
The United Way also recognized Chris Leavitt, 14, of Medina as a top volunteer. Chris helped Bellack prepare floats to be in local parades this past year.
For more on the United Way of Orleans County, click here.
Some of the award winners recognized by the United Way at the kick-off celebration include, front row, from left: Dean Bellack, United Way executive director; Kevin Foley, plant manager for Baxter Healthcare in Medina – Award of Excellence and Caring Company Award; Chris Leavitt, Volunteer of the Year; Marlene Garza, human resources assistant for Lake Ontario Fruit, Welcome Award; and Melinda Edwards, human resources supervisor for Lake Ontario Fruit. Back row: Greg Budd, general manager for Hinspergers Poly Industries in Medina, Welcome Award; David Green, Volunteer of the Year; Holly Roush of Roush CPA PC, Caring Company Award; and Tina Moule, administrative assistant for Lake Ontario Fruit, Welcome Award.
Provided photo: These students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina tour the Yahoo! Lockport site. The students include, from left: John Thomas (Medina), Max Rambach (Medina), Seth Fiegel (Medina), Tyler Kam (Lockport), Harrison Seifert (Lockport), Dustin Gillis (Lockport), Paul Herrmann (teacher), Joe Spellan (Barker) and Colin Heim (Lockport).
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
LOCKPORT – Students in the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s Computer Technology class recently spent a day at Yahoo! in Lockport.
Teacher Paul Herrmann and his class were able to tour the data centers and customer care centers.
“The students got to explore the server rooms, switch rooms, shipping and receiving and of course how they heat and cool the building,” said Mr. Herrmann. “Just a great experience for the computer technology students. They get a taste of information systems at its grandest scale.”
Yahoo! has over a billion consumers and employs over 10,000 around the world.
“It was interesting to walk around the building and see how they operate everything,” said student Seth Fiegel of Medina. “They have server rooms filled with racks. A really big shipping and receiving department with things coming in constantly. There were tons of parts.”
Asked what he wants to do when he graduates, he said, “I want to work there!”
Classmate John Thomas of Medina also had high praise for the visit.
“It was amazing!” Thomas said. “We learned a lot about the server rooms. We also learned a little bit of science, too. How the heat from the servers go in and up and then they have the cold air come through to make sure that everything is not overheating and such. We saw where all the hardware is stored in the warehouse. They have trucks coming in every single day. There are a lot of boxes. The experience was awesome!”
Press Release, State Police Major Edward J. Kennedy, Troop A Commander
In preparation for the anticipated winter weather forecast, the State Police encourages motorists to exercise due care when traveling.
The State Police will be out across the region checking all major routes of travel to ensure that motorists are as safe as possible. The State Police need your assistance to make this possible. Motorists traveling in areas impacted by the snow are asked to leave with extra time to make a slow and careful drive to your destination. Take into consideration snow accumulation on the roads, the current snowfall rate, the wind, and visibility. Use your best judgment to determine if driving is prudent.
Keep the following tips in mind:
Get the latest weather forecast before leaving with your local weather apps, monitor radio or TV stations.
Always clean your windows and mirrors fully of any snow and ice before driving.
Keep a full tank of gas
Fluid levels are sufficient (windshield washer fluid, ant-freeze)
Spare tire is sufficient and you have the jack and wheel wrench
Use headlights at all times to increase your visibility to others. Remember, if your windshield wipers are in use due to weather, then your headlights must be on.
Drive prudently. If the conditions are adverse, you should decrease your speed accordingly.
Brake early
Do not use cruise control. This decreases your reaction time to apply braking.
Look out for events farther down the road. Creating more time to react can make a difference.
Be aware of maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles. Give them room to work.
If you do not absolutely have to go out on the roads, then don’t.
If you do go out, is your vehicle prepared?
Is your trunk supplied to help you to be safe in case you are stopped or stranded in an area without assistance readily available:
Gloves, blankets, warmers, tool kit, first-aid kit, non-perishable foods, water, working flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, etc.
Shovel, ice scraper, de-icer, snow brush, rock salt or cat litter, tow chain or cable, jumper cables or battery charger, etc.
If you are involved in a collision or leave the roadway:
If you drive off the roadway and are stuck in a snow bank or ditch, stay in your vehicle and call 911. Do not exit your vehicle unless it is an absolute emergency. You put yourself at risk of being struck by another vehicle.
Roll your windows down a few inches or turn your vehicle off if you are stranded in snow for a period of time with your vehicle running. Covered mufflers can cause serious physical injury or death due to inhalation of carbon monoxide.
If you should become stranded on the Thruway or any roadway, know your location by being aware of your direction and mile post marker. This will help emergency personnel reach your location as quick as possible.
We take security very seriously at Orleans Hub. We purchased an SSL security certificate two years ago so that bad actors can’t steal our viewers’ information or hack our site.
The SSL certificate encrypts information on the site so that it can’t be compromised in cyberspace. The certificate expired today, and it was set up to renew automatically.
A glitch at our remote hosting service caused a failure in the auto-renew system, however, so the certificate was expired from midnight until about 8:20 a.m. At that time, the certificate was renewed and encryption was restored.
It appears that we did not experience any security breaches during this time period, but we’re reviewing our logs to make sure. We’d like to assure our viewers that our site meets or exceeds all security requirements for all internet browsers, and that we never collect your personal information for any reason, in any way.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2019 at 7:47 pm
‘He is the glue that keeps us all together’ – VFW commander Dan Anderson
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Leaders of two veterans’ organizations in Medina today presented awards to Jim Freas for his service to veterans.
Freas, a Vietnam War veteran, is past commander of the VFW and Legion in Medina. He also is involved with the Marine Corps League based in Albion.
Pictured from left include Dan Anderson, VFW commander; Jim Freas; Glenn Whitmore, Commander of American Legion Post #204 in Medina; and Steve Johnson, vice commander of the Legion in Medina.
Click here to see a video of the awards presentation.
Freas, 80, is a past commander of both the VFW and American Legion in Medina. He also was county commander of the Legion for Orleans County. He served in the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1969 and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. After Vietnam, he joined the Army Reserve for 10 years.
Freas is in the Honor Guard and attends about 50 funerals for veterans each year. He helps contact veterans to make sure they have a presence at funerals for veterans.
He also is the emcee of the annual Memorial Day observance at State Street Park and contacts the veterans’ organizations for their role in the event.
Jim Freas, right, was part of an Honor Guard that did Veterans Day observances at monuments for vets in Medina, including this one by the Orleans County YMCA, which was originally the Medina Armory. Dave Kusmierczak is at left.
Dan Anderson, commander of the VFW, presented an award to James “Gunny” Freas for “meritorious and distinguished service” to the VFW Lincoln Post # 1483 and the VFW of the United States.
The American Legion in Medina presented Freas with a “certificate of appreciation” for his many years of dedication to the Legion and the country. The certificate was signed by Glenn Whitmore, Legion commander, and Steve Johnson, Legion vice commander.
Anderson of the VFW moved to Medina six years ago after 23 years in the military. He said Freas was the first one to welcome him to the community and the VFW.
“He has done so much for the veterans around,” Anderson said about Freas. “If anyone has a question about the VFW or Legion, he knows the answer or will find out. He is the glue that keeps us all together. Jim seems to be everywhere.”
Freas said he enjoys the time with the veterans in the organizations. He praised the veterans for attending the funerals, often in rainy and cold weather.
“We have a good bunch with a lot of dedicated guys,” he said.
He welcomed more younger veterans to be part of the Honor Guard, which attends funerals and other functions.
Freas has attended all 12 Patriot Trips led by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, where about 100 people go annually to see memorials to veterans in Washington, D.C. Freas helps as a guide and also raises money to cover some of the costs of the trip.
He was asked why he is so involved in the many efforts.
Provided photo: Susie Miller (center), assistant director of the Office for the Aging in Orleans County, accepts the County Employee of the Year award on Thursday. She is joined by Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the County Legislature, and Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director.
ALBION – The Orleans County Employee of the Year has shown her dedication to senior citizens for many years. Susie Miller, assistant director for the Office for the Aging was honored last Thursday during an employee luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn.
The employees of the month were also recognized at the luncheon. From the monthly honorees, a county committee picked the Employee of the Year.
Miller started working as a Community Service Worker in the OFA and two years later was promoted to Aging Services Specialist. She became the Assistant Director in January 2015.
In her time as an Aging Services Specialist and Assistant Director she has worked with thousands of older adults to navigate through health insurance options.
Information, education, counseling, and assistance may be given about health insurance including Medicare, Medicaid, employee coverage, Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap policies, Medicare Part D, EPIC, Medicaid Managed Care, and Medicare Fraud & Abuse, said Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director.
Regular changes in the health insurance industry, and the growing baby boomer population, continue to result in a constant demand for health insurance counseling services. In 2018, the county estimated a savings of $1,129,000 to older adults in Orleans County through health insurance counseling from Miller and the county’s other health insurance counselor.
“These are dollars saved for older adults on limited budget to spend in the county to live,” Welch said.
Miller also volunteers to speak at public events to spread the word about what Office for the Aging has to offer. She has spoken at churches, civic groups, community events and summer picnics.
“This employee will tell you she loves what she does and is committed to the work she does every day,” Welch said. “She truly is an advocate for the clients that she serves.”
She also assists clients with conflict resolutions on medical claims that were not billed correctly. This can take hours and many phones calls. The numbers of clients served continues to rise yet the county funding remains stagnant.
Miller created a comparison meeting during open enrollment to be able to serve more clients that we could not fit in for a one on one counseling session. She also accepted the challenge of creating a schedule for a newly hired aide so that clients could get services sooner than later.
“It is not easy trying to schedule slots when certain clients request certain days and times, and also trying to schedule our aides to be in the same area of the county on the same day,” Welch said. “By changing up the schedule we will see some mileage savings in the future.”
Miller also was an important part of a large grant Office for the Aging received to start a volunteer transportation program in 2018. Office for the Aging was granted $70,000 over a three-year period to make a needed service into a reality. That program now has 18 trained volunteers and 30 riders. There have been more than 100 rides given in seven months.
“She is a team player and is always asking what she can do to help out,” Welch said. “She keeps office morale up and truly cares about staff.”
The Employee Assistance Committee also recognized employees of the month. The EAP Committee receives nominations from fellow employees and department directors and then the nominations are reviewed and discussed by the committee and a selection is made.
The employees of the months for the past year were:
• October 2018: Scott Snook (Computer Services)
• November 2018: Torry Tooley (Sheriff)
• December 2018: Joanne Marek (County Clerk),
• January 2019: Jeffrey Gifaldi (Sheriff)
• February 2019: Ronald Mannella (Weights and Measures)
• March 2019: Elizabeth Jubenville (Social Services)
• April 2019: Rebekah Karls-Judd (Office for the Aging)
• May 2019: Susan Miller (Office for the Aging)
• June 2019: Wayne Krull (Highway)
• July 2019: Katie Harvey (Personnel & Self Insurance)
• August 2019: Danielle Figura (Mental Health)
• September 2019: Jennifer Szalay (Social Services)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2019 at 3:39 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Russell Young plays Taps today at Butts Park in Medina while the Honor Guard stands at attention.
Young and the local veterans stopped at several war memorials in Medina for observances on Veterans Day. The group of about 15 veterans also stopped by Orchard Manor, a nursing home on Bates Road, for a service and to visit veterans there.
Click here to see a video of the veterans offering a prayer, a rifle salute and then the playing of Taps at Vets Park.
These veterans, including Steven Earle (third from left) of Lyndonville, do a rifle salute by the Korean War Memorial at Pine Street Park on Park Avenue. This is across from the Olde Pickle Factory. Employees at Baxter Healthcare who are veterans stepped outside the building to observe this tribute to veterans.
Dave Kusmierczak salutes while Taps is played by the Korean War Memorial. Kusmierczak began each stop by reading the Veterans’ Prayer.
“We thank theee for the privilege of life and the blessings we enjoy through thy graciousness in our country, the land in which we are given the freedom of speech, religion and the pursuit of happiness,” Kusmierczak read. “Assist us to know thee better and that thou art the God of the universe and our ideal.”
Mark Traxler carried the American flag at each of the stops by the veterans today. He is putting the flag away after the observance at Pine Street Park.
The veterans today started their ceremonies by the American Legion Post near the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge.
From there they went to the Company F Memorial in front of the YMCA, at the Butts-Clark Monument at Butts Park on South Main Street, the Korean War Memorial on Park Avenue, by the tank at Vets Park, by the cannon at State Street Park and by the monument at the VFW.
Veterans also did an observance at the Orchard Manor nursing home and visited with veterans there.
Veterans gather by the monument outside the Orleans County YMCA, which was originally used to train soldiers when the facility was the Medina Armory. The bronze statue of a soldier was dedicated in September.
Tony Vicknair puts his rifle away after the gun salute by the YMCA. The group then headed to its next stop at Butts Park. Steve Johnson is behind Vicknair.
The veterans in the honor guard take their places by a tank before the observance at Vets Park on West Oak Orchard Street .
This is the monument in front of the tank at Vets Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2019 at 2:52 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – A tractor trailer from Grand Island hit a guard rail and slid off the road at about 1:30 p.m. today. This photo is looking east on Route 31A, just west of Townline Road near Barre.
The driver of the truck for JS Trucking wasn’t injured.
This is looking west at the scene. The accident closed a section of Route 31A. Shelby and East Shelby firefighters were on the scene with a crew from the Albion Fire Department called to help clean up leaking fuel from the tractor trailer, which was empty.
Road conditions are slick due to the freezing temperatures and falling snow.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Mark Traxler carried the American flag during Veterans Day observances at local veterans’ memorials in Medina, including at this photo at Butts Park. Dave Kusmierczak of Medina in back read the veterans’ prayer during the observance today.
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a package of bills to enhance support and bolster protections for New Yorkers who serve or have served in the armed forces. The package consists of 14 bills that protect the rights of active duty military members and veterans in a number of areas, including access to education, employment, voting, discharge status protection, and general services and benefits.
“Our veterans put their lives on the line to defend our nation, and we must honor them and support them just as they supported us,” Governor Cuomo said. “This package of bills includes a wide range of protections and benefits to help ensure the veterans across our state get the services, educational and employment opportunities, and respect they have earned through their many sacrifices.”
Governor Cuomo’s actions today build upon his longstanding commitment to the nearly 750,000 veterans living in New York State. Under his administration, New York has enacted the nation’s largest fund for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, certifying over 600 businesses to date; convened the state’s first-ever Summit on Veterans and Military Families; launched the Justice for Heroes Initiative to fund legal clinics at law schools that provide assistance to veterans; provided funding for nonprofits that offer peer-to-peer support for veterans and their families; and waived the application fee for veterans taking Civil Service exams.
Governor Cuomo’s efforts have made New York the most veteran-friendly state in America.
The 14 bills signed today are listed below by category.
Education
• S.1660A / A.4654A Enacts Program for Veterans to Receive High School Diplomas
Currently, the State Education Department has a program called Operation Recognition, which allows New York State veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam veterans and who joined military service prior to graduating from high school to be awarded high school diplomas. This bill would extend that program to all New York State veterans, including those who deployed in Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Employment
• S.3300 / A.6297 Requires Employers to Prominently Indicate if a Work Opportunity Is Set Aside for Disabled Veterans
Section 55-c of the Civil Service Law authorizes 500 positions be set aside for disables veterans. However, currently employers are not required to publicly post whether positions are 55-c eligible. This bill requires employers to prominently display in their job postings that a job is 55-c eligible so that qualifying veteran applicants know of the opportunities available to them.
• S.6474 / A.8282 Adds an Additional Year of Service Credit an Applicant Can Use to Deduct from Their Age When Applying for Certain Public Service Positions
This bill allows for a veteran to deduct up to seven years of military service from their age in order to qualify to sit for placement exams for certain public service positions, such as in the NYPD or FDNY. Currently, one must be 35 or younger in order to take the test, and applicants can deduct up to six years of military service from their age to qualify. The measure allows someone to deduct more time in service to recognize that they will be better prepared to serve in these important positions.
Health and General Services
• S.4049A / A.5660 Mandates a Report to Determine How Many Homeless Veterans Are Living in New York State
This bill mandates a report to be completed by the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services, the Office of Temporary and Disability Service, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Children and Family Services to determine the number of homeless persons in New York State who are veterans. The study would gather information on the number of homeless veterans living in the state, including how many of them have children, so advocates and policy makers can better develop solutions to address this problem.
• S.5285A / A.1093B Allows More Veterans to Have Paid Leave for Health Reasons
Under current law, State employees who are veterans may get additional paid leave from their work to receive health-related services without loss of pay. This bill allows municipalities to offer their veteran employees the same opportunity, reflecting policy in place for veterans who are employed by the State.
• S.4477A / A.6792A Requires the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Mobile App Be More Easily Accessible
The mobile application known as the New York State Veterans’ App has been helpful to veterans across New York by providing a multitude of material on federal and state veterans benefits, programs and services. The app has not always been easily accessible or promoted by the Division of Veterans’ Services. This bill requires the Division of Veterans’ Services to easily direct veterans to the app through its website.
• S.5991 / A.7594 Updates the Duties of the Women Veterans Coordinator at the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services
This bill updates the duties of the women veterans coordinator within the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services to ensure that the coordinator more effectively addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by the State’s women veterans population.
• S.2377 / A.1804 Requires State Agencies to Document Important Information Pertaining to the Lives of Veterans
This bill requires the New York State Departments of Health and Corrections and Community Supervision to collect certain information pertaining to the veteran populations they service.
Voting
• S.5184 / A.7293 Makes Military Voting Provisions Available for School District Elections
Current law allows those who are serving in the military to register as military voters in New York State and to receive an absentee ballot for all federal, state, and local elections. Unfortunately, such provisions do not extend to ballots for school district elections; this bill makes military voting available for all school district elections for which absentee ballots are already authorized.
Discharge Status
• S.6467 / A.8095A Requires Division of Veterans’ Services to Maintain a Discharge Upgrade Advisory Board Program
This bill directs the Division of Veterans’ Services to maintain a Discharge Upgrade Advisory Board Program. Under the program, Division staff would review the evidence submitted by veterans seeking to appeal their discharge status and issue written, non-binding advisory options to assist veterans during the United States Armed Forces’ appeals processes.
• S.6527 / A.8096 Requires Local Veterans Service Agencies to Assist with the Completion of the Discharge Upgrade Application
Local Veterans Service Agencies provide valuable assistance to veterans located within their jurisdiction, and this bill requires these agencies to assist veterans in the process of submitting an application for a discharge upgrade.
Taxes and Other Fees
• S.1681 / A.7289 Extends the Real Property Tax Exemption to Active Members of the Armed Forces
Currently only seriously disabled veterans, not active members of the armed forces, are eligible for a real property tax exemption when they must modify their homes to accommodate a service-related disability. This bill ends this discrepancy and extends the tax exemption to seriously injured active members who stay in service despite their disability, so they can take full advantage of it when making modifications to their property.
• S.6260 / A.7234 and S.6306 / A.8109 Authorize Specified Counties to Waive Fees for the Construction and Improvement of Veterans’ Organizations
Veterans’ organizations throughout New York play an important role in ensuring that veterans can experience a sense of community. These organizations have been required to pay certain fees when building or making capital improvements to their facilities, and the organizations have been placed in a position of having to increase dues and potentially discourage veterans from participating. S.6260 / A.7234 authorizes Nassau and Suffolk counties to waive for veterans’ organizations certain fees for construction of and capital improvements. S.6306 / A.8109 authorizes Washington and Saratoga counties to do the same.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2019 at 10:47 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: The World War I cannon at State Street Park in Medina has a light coating of snow this morning. The cannon was rededicated on May 27 following more than a year of restoration work by Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration, in Altoona, Pa.
The National Weather Service is forecasting 6 to 10 inches of snow today through Tuesday for Orleans County and Western New York.
A winter storm warning is in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday. The Weather Service said the snow will be most intense in Niagara Frontier with the greatest accumulations expected inland from the Buffalo metro area.
Conditions will deteriorate this afternoon and evening as snowfall rates increase and temperatures begin to drop, the Weather Service said.
Since 1935, the B.L. 60 Pounder British field gun has been the centerpiece of the World War I memorial in Medina.
Provided photo: Operation Honor flag winners include Eli Van Buren, Arian Cayea and Katie Olinger.
MEDINA – The second annual Operation Honor 5k run/walk was Saturday and raised $4,000 in much-needed funds for the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council Van Service.
The money was raised through sponsorships and participation fees to be in the race/walk that started at the Junior Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club on Bates Road.
Sarah Levanduski-Surdel and Jenn Thom organized the second annual event and thanked the sponsors, participants and volunteers.
First place in the 5k run was shared by the male winners Arian Cayea and Jack Hill who tied with a time of 18:04. The first female winner was Katie Olinger who clocked in with a 25:49. Cayea and Hill donated their first place American flag prize to the third place winner Eli Van Buren.
Funds from this year’s event will provide support to keep the vans running and replacing them when needed. The medical van service is an all-volunteer organization from office staff to drivers and provides transportation to medical appointments to over 1,600 veterans yearly with over 4,800 hours of volunteer service.
