By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2019 at 9:19 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jim Fiegel of Albion is one of the featured artists in this weekend’s open art studio. He will be showing his work at 614 Moore St. He creates abstract paintings using a combination of acrylic, enamel, and water-based paint. He paints on Plexiglass and his paintings are curved. He also creates his own wooden frames and has LED lights behind the Plexiglass.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will be highlighting about 40 artists this weekend with an open studio tour.
The event features 18 Orleans County artists on Saturday, and then Genesee County artists on Sunday.
Many of the artists will be painting on location, either at art studios, businesses or other public venues. GO Art! encourages people to go on a driving tour to see the local artists. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.
Maps and additional information about each artist can be can be found on the GO Art! website by clicking here.
The Orleans County artists and the locations include:
• Chris Manaseri, 14504 Lakeshore Rd., Kent
• Shirley Nigro, 4688 Oak Orchard Rd., Barre
• Idris Salih, 24 East Bank St., Albion
• Renee C. Swanson, 810 Meadworks/Hart House Hotel, 113 West Center St., Medina
• Christy Valsente, 76 S. Main St., Holley
• Judy Wenrich, 229 North Main St., Albion
• Janet Root, 1213 Center Rd., Kendall
• Arthur Barnes, 12389 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina
• Jim Fiegel, 614 Moore St. #A, Albion
• Connie Mosher, 229 North Main St., Albion
• Kim Muscarella, 229 North Main St., Albion
• Chris Versteeg, 229 North Main St., Albion
• Albion NY Rocks, 4688 Oak Orchard Rd., Barre
• Ninandré Bogue, 810 Meadworks/Hart House Hotel, 113 West Center St., Medina
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has launched a statewide education campaign on New York’s new Red Flag gun safety law.
The Governor on Wednesday at Farmingdale State College hosted the first of three conferences to help teachers, school administrators and parent representatives understand the new law and how to use it to keep schools safe.
The law, part of the nation’s strongest gun laws, establishes a new civil procedure that allows a concerned family member, school official or member of law enforcement to obtain a court order – known as an Extreme Risk Protection Order – to remove and keep guns away from individuals who pose a serious risk of harm to themselves or others.
This court order specifically prohibits a person from purchasing or possessing a firearm, rifle or shotgun while the order is in effect. The new law became effective August 24, 2019. Additional conferences are planned for later this fall in Manhattan and Albany.
The Governor also launched a call center and a new website offering information and links to step-by-step instructions about how to apply for an Extreme Risk Protection Order. The call center will be staffed by individuals trained to answer inquiries from family members, police and educators. These staff members will have access to extensive resources and contact information for local law enforcement, school officials, the court system, and mental health agencies to ensure callers are referred to the appropriate services. The call center, which is now open, can be reached at 877-NYS-0101 and will be operated Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“This common-sense gun safety measure can save lives and today is about understanding how to use it,” Governor Cuomo said. “When we get to a point as a society where we are designing schools in anticipation of an active shooter scenario, something is seriously wrong. Here in New York we have passed the strongest gun protection laws in the nation to keep people safe, and they work. With the Red Flag law, we are empowering educators and parents who believe an individual may be dangerous to themselves or others to take action for the safety of their community.”
Extreme Risk Protection Order
An Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO, may only be issued by the Supreme Court of the county where the subject lives upon the sworn application of a police officer, district attorney, family or household member, or principal or another qualified school official designated by the principal.
Warning Signs
Some of the following characteristics may indicate an individual’s near term risk for violent behavior against oneself or others:
• Making threats of violence
• Taking steps towards enabling violent threats
• A history of perpetrating violence
• Bringing a weapon to school
• Recent intensification of anger and impulsiveness
Taking Action
If educators or parents fear a child poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, they should:
• Involve law enforcement. While statute allows school officials to apply directly to the court for an ERPO, schools should contact local law enforcement with relevant information.
• Take immediate measures to protect yourself or others. In the case of a threat of violence, call 911.
• Alert authorities to notify any intended target of violence.
• Consult with school authorities or call law enforcement to determine if an ERPO is appropriate.
The Application
The ERPO application and all supporting documents are available on the Office of Court Administration’s (OCA) website (click here):
The application must include facts supporting the request for an ERPO. The legal standard the court will apply is probable cause.
Possible facts to check off on the application include:
• Threats or acts of violence
• Violations or alleged violations of an order of protection
• Pending charge or conviction for an offense involving the use of a weapon
• Reckless use or display of a gun
• Any history of violating an ERPO
• Recent or ongoing substance abuse (within 6 months)
• Recent acquisition of a gun, ammunition or deadly weapon (within 6 months).
Issuance of an ERPO
• A temporary ERPO may be issued immediately upon the submission of an application, if the court determines there is probable cause to believe the person is likely to engage in conduct that would result in serious harm to anyone.
• If the court issues a temporary ERPO, it must hold a hearing within 3-6 business days to determine whether to issue a final ERPO.
• Final ERPOs are effective for up to 1 year, after which they may be renewed
• Whenever an ERPO is issued (temporary or final), the court must suspend any firearm license issued to the subject of an ERPO.
• The issuing court may order police to search for guns in the subjects possession, including those located within a residence.
Coordination and Safeguards
• The issuing court must notify and produce copies of the ERPO to the New York State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), local law enforcement, and local firearm licensing officers.
• DCJS is required to immediately report the issuance of ERPO to the FBI for entry into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This will prevent respondent from purchasing guns while the order is in effect.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2019 at 8:08 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Rosenkrans created this sign to welcome the Ale in Autumn crowd on Sept. 30, 2017. The event started in 2009 and usually included about 24 beer-tasting stops.
MEDINA – A popular event in downtown Medina, the annual Ale in Autumn, has been cancelled on Sept. 28, “due to unforeseen circumstances,” said the Medina Business Association.
Ale in Autumn started in 2009. About 700 people typically buy tickets to sample beer at 24 locations in the downtown.
“While this pains us greatly, it is unavoidable at this moment in time,” the MBA said in a statement about the cancellation. “We do, however, plan to continue the event next year when these issues have been resolved. We also plan to continue with Wine About Winter in February of 2020. All ticket sales will be refunded promptly. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this matter, and we look forward to a bigger and better event in the Fall of 2020.”
When the Medina Business Association first started Ale in Autumn in 2009, the organization hoped an event with beer tastings would bring in a few outsiders and get more locals to visit Medina merchants.
Ale and Autumn has done far more than that. It quickly sells out and creates a buzz on Main Street.
Businesses welcome the chance to serve as a tasting location because that means hundreds of people will come inside the stores.
Local state senator sponsors legislation requiring local reps on Siting Board in order to have quorum
Press release, State Sen. Rob Ortt
Photo by Tom Rivers: State Sen. Rob Ortt speaks last week during a forum about health impacts from wind turbines at Erie County Community College.
CALEDONIA – Today, Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) joined Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R-Caledonia) to oppose New York’s handling of proposed Article X projects across the state.
Due to Gov. Cuomo and the energy policy his administration has laid out for the state, small and rural communities across upstate and Western New York will be forced to contend with state implemented solar and wind energy production facilities.
New York State’s Article X law allows the governor and his administration to bypass requirements for local representation on these state energy projects and proceed with siting board planning without any input from local residents or officials.
In New York State, the Leader of the Senate Majority, Speaker of the Assembly, and governor all have the ability to appoint representatives to energy project siting boards from a list submitted to them by the local representatives in the locations where they are proposed. However, Article X states that should the governor, Leader of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly fail to select local representatives from the submitted list of candidates, the project may move forward absent of any local representation.
As of May 2019, in 19 out of 25 ad hoc eligible projects across the state, the governor, leader, and speaker have all failed to appoint a full slate of local representation to the project’s board.
Because of this systemic failure of state leaders (Gov. Cuomo, Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie) to appoint local representatives, Sen. Ortt and Assemblywoman Byrnes have joined forces to sponsor legislation requiring local representation on these Article X siting boards.
Senate Bill 6338 (A8311), which is sponsored by Sen. Ortt and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Byrnes, would require local ad hoc selections to be appointed to energy project siting boards in order to constitute a quorum. Currently, a quorum may be formed without these local appointees.
Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) said, “Local representation is vital for these projects, yet to date, Gov. Cuomo, Speaker Heastie and Leader Stewart-Cousins have failed to do their duties as legislative leaders by neglecting to select local members for project siting boards. When Democrats took full control of the state legislature, they made a promise that we would be one state and the interests of all New York’s residents would be looked after. Unfortunately, these words ring hollow as they continually fail to do their jobs and appoint local members to these upstate and Western New York energy project siting boards.”
Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R-Caledonia) said, “The hypocrisy we’re seeing from the Democrat leadership in Albany is shameful and undercuts the idea of a representative democracy. By failing to appoint local community members to siting boards, they’re leaving our communities in the dark. Our communities have a right to participate in the decision making process and I am proud to sponsor legislation that ensures that the Democrat leadership does their job.”
Senator Pat Gallivan (R-Elma) said, “It is imperative that Article X siting boards include local and regional membership and I am disappointed that legislative leaders and the governor have failed to act on the recommendations of community representatives. This legislation will ensure that local voices are heard and have direct input in the decision making process, as state law intended.”
Sen. Pam Helming (R-Canandaigua) said, “Local input is critical to the success of any project, especially those that could fundamentally change the character of a community. This legislative proposal is about restoring transparency and protecting the rights of local residents and communities. All too often we see projects move forward before important questions from neighbors have been addressed. We owe it to taxpayers to project their rights and property values by restoring transparency and accountability in the permitting process. I appreciate the leadership of Senator Ortt and Assemblywoman Byrnes on this important issue and look forward to working with them both on behalf of our region.”
Senator Rich Funke (R-Fairport) said, “While I strongly support renewable energy I also believe just as strongly in ensuring that local communities have a say in any projects that may impact their municipality. Article X includes a process for local appointees but unfortunately, the Governor and the Senate and Assembly Majorities have thus far ignored their responsibilities under the law. I call on Governor Cuomo to act immediately and make local appointments to the siting board so that the voice of my constituents and that of my colleagues can be heard.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2019 at 3:22 pm
Tammi Bale delivered 1,583 pairs to Open Door Mission in 2018
Provided photo: Tammi Bale, left, of Clarendon is pictured on Nov. 26 last year when she delivered 1,583 pairs of new socks to the Open Door Mission in Rochester.
Tammi Bale has kicked off her fourth annual “Just Socks, Ma” program. She collects socks in honor of her late son, Robert, and gives them to a homeless shelter in Rochester.
Last year just after Thanksgiving she delivered 1,583 pairs of new socks to the Open Door Mission in Rochester.
Bale collects the socks in honor of her son, Robert Bale. He had a good job as a HVAC technician, often working 50 hours a week. He also had a secret addiction. He used heroin. His family didn’t know it, nor did his roommate or close friends. On March 10, 2016, he had a fatal overdose at age 28.
Robert was a hard-working young man who didn’t want to burden other people, even at Christmas, his mother said. When Tammi Bale asked her son what he wanted for a present, he responded: “Just socks, Ma.”
She has collection boxes for the socks at several locations in Orleans and Monroe counties.
In Orleans they are at Dustin’s Pizzeria in Holley, Avanti Pizza in Albion and Tim Hortons in Albion.
In Monroe County, the drop-off sites for socks include: Galaxy Auto Parts, 4974 W Ridge Rd., Spencerport; Cam’s Pizzeria, 336 East Ave., Rochester; Snuggery’s, 380 S Union St., Spencerport; and ROCovery Fitness, 1035 Dewey Ave., Rochester.
The boxes will be out until Nov. 19.
Bale will also accept socks at a collection box on her porch at Thomas Estates, 327 Sunset Drive, Clarendon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2019 at 2:45 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Dollar General is closing its store in Albion at 449 West Ave. Employees said the store needs to be out of the building by Oct. 14.
The building is for sale for $219,000, and is listed by Hanna Commercial Real Estate in Buffalo.
Dollar General has four other stores in Orleans County: Route 18 in Kendall, Route 31 in Holley, Maple Ridge Road in Medina and Ridge Road in Medina (just south of Lyndonville).
Dollar General and Zaremba Development proposed a store in Gaines on Route 104 across from a cobblestone schoolhouse built in 1849. The school and two other cobblestone buildings in Gaines are part of a National Historic Landmark. That Dollar General has been opposed by the State Historic Preservation Office, many local historians and the Cobblestone Museum.
Gaines town officials say they haven’t heard from the developer in several months about the project.
The Albion store has faced stiff competition with Walmart down the road, as well as the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, both close by.
BATAVIA – The excitement and intrigue of the new 2019-2020 academic year is not only happening in classrooms, labs and studios across Genesee Community College’s seven campus locations, but in the Board of Trustees Conference Room as well. The following new members of the College’s Board of Trustees have begun to serve their terms.
Phillip DiMartino
Phillip DiMartino of Batavia – After attending Genesee Community College in 1980, he began a career with Brunswick Bowling and Billiards, a national firm that once managed more than 100 bowling centers around the world, as well as sold both commercial and personal bowling equipment and products.
During his tenure, he achieved the Ring of Excellence honor for top sales performance and was a member of the Bowling Hall Fame-Batavia. He then joined the John Deere/Sentry Insurance in 1996, earning President Club status for top sales. Now, as an independent insurance broker for Moore Insurance Agency, he specializes in insuring equipment and auto dealerships.
Mr. DiMartino served on the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation Board for six years. He is a life-long resident of Batavia, where he and his wife Susan raised their two children and most recently welcomed their first grandchild.
Sarah Noble-Moag
Sarah Noble-Moag is a co-owner and manager of Noblehurst Farms in Linwood, a multi-family, seven-generation farm corporation. Noblehurst manages a dairy herd, cultivates acreage for dairy forage, is a proud member of Craigs Station Ventures producing Craigs Creamery Cheese, and operates a methane digester and food recycling business that generates electricity to run the farm and Creamery located in Livingston, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
Mrs. Noble-Moag oversees human resource and personnel management of the farm staff and the Linwood Management Group connecting personnel with key resources, professional development and training opportunities, as well as industry events. She is the past president of the Board of Education for the Pavilion Central Schools and continues to serve on the audit committee. She also serves on the Agricultural Affiliates Board of Directors providing leadership to build a strong agriculture workforce in the Northeastern U.S., as well as on the Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation and the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation.
She is a strong advocate for affordable, quality public education in rural communities. She is a graduate of Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology with a BS degree in Consumer Economics and Public Policy and a graduate of Class VI of LEAD New York. Mrs. Noble-Moag is an elder in the Covington Presbyterian Church and was honored in 2016 as a “Woman of Faith” by the Presbyterian Church USA for building bridges of reconciliation. She and her husband, Timothy Moag, CPA have three grown children and five young and very active grandchildren.
Mary Alice Panek
Mary Alice Panek began her education at Genesee Community College with a degree in Humanities in 1977, and continued on to SUNY Brockport for Bachelor’s of Arts in English and a Master’s of Science in Education. She retired from Pembroke Central School District where she began teaching secondary English and continued at the elementary level. During her career, she trained teachers in technology as well as mainstreaming students into regular classroom as well as launched the elementary level STEM program at Pembroke.
In addition, Mrs. Panek has presented best practices in technology at conferences across the United States. She served on the board of the Genesee Region Teachers’ Center, the Stafford Historical Society and participated in veterans outreach programs. She is the chairman of the Town of Stafford Republican Committee and a member of the Genesee County Republican Committee. Mrs. Panek resides in Stafford with her husband Ron and they own Stafford Nurseries, a Christmas tree farm.
Student Trustee
Neil F. Gillotti
Neil F. Gillotti is the new student representative on the Board of Trustees for the 2019-2020 academic year. Neil is majoring in Computer Information Systems and anticipates graduating with an associate degree in May 2020. He is a nontraditional student, enrolling in Genesee Community College after many dynamic life experiences.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2007-2011, where his military training allowed him to earn college credit. As a GCC student, he is involved in many activities outside of the classroom including being an officer of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a member of the Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board and Outdoor Adventure Club.
His work experience includes being a computer technician, a driver at Nut-tos Peanut Co., a Key Bank Call Center service specialist and most recently a seasonal landscaper at Bergman Landscaping. He resides in Middleport, and he states is very passionate about extreme sports.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 September 2019 at 11:26 am
Chef at ‘Harvest’ experimenting with locally grown produce
MEDINA – Medina’s newest eatery – a farm-to-table restaurant – is scheduled to open next spring on the ground floor of Bent’s Hall.
The historic building at the corner of Main and West Center Street has been undergoing restoration for three years, and two culinary experts have already been hired as chefs in the restaurant which will be called “Harvest.”
Chef Lionel Heydel plates the main course of beef bourguignon at a private tasting dinner for 12 guests at the Big Barn, a 1905 barn in Middleport restored by Roger Hungerford into a club/guest house. Heydel and sous chef Jose Ocasio are experimenting with dishes using locally grown foods and looking for input in planning their menus for the new restaurant scheduled to open in the spring at Bent’s Hall.
Lionel Heydel of France and Jose Ocasio of Puerto Rico met the building’s owner, Roger Hungerford, in Florida. Hungerford was impressed with each of their credentials.
Heydel, 44, grew up in Strasbourg, near the Rhine River, and studied at culinary school in France. He came to the United States at the age of 22.
He is a third-generation chef, although he did not want to be a chef, he said.
“I wanted to be a mechanic,” Heydel said. “I was also big in soccer and was drafted to be part of the city team, but I always loved cars and motorcycles.”
But his father kept hounding him that he was going to get hurt and the job was so dirty.
“He asked me why I didn’t go to culinary school, so I finally enrolled,” Heydel said.
After World War II, his grandfather took an American flag and waved it in the street, Heydel said.
“That was a hint for me and my future,” Heydel said.
His grandfather owned a brewery, which the family converted into a bistro. His father served in the Algerian War, and when he came back he entered hospitality and management school in Switzerland. Then he told Heydel’s grandfather if he didn’t pass the family business down to him, he’d leave town and start one somewhere else. Being an only child, the grandfather didn’t want to see his only son leave, so he agreed.
Heydel’s father built on a 26-room hotel and fine dining restaurant with a lounge and small bistro in back. At 13, Heydel was working in the restaurant, helping in the baking section.
“I also washed dishes and worked wherever they needed me, as long as it was away from the stove,” Heydel said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Chef Lionel Heydel joined other chefs and food service workers from Medina restaurants for the Aug. 8 Farm to Table dinner on Main Street, where about 225 six-course, gourmet meals were served.
After he finished culinary school, he worked as chef at Michelin Star Restaurant, but it was mandatory he serve in the military, so he joined the Gendarmerie (SWAT team) for 18 months.
Then he decided to come to the United States and arrived in Orlando, Fla. in April 1998. He got a contract with Hilton, which sponsored him for 18 months. He returned to France for a year, but returned to Orlando in 2000 with an investor’s visa and opened a restaurant in Winterpark.
In 2017, he was approached by Hungerford, who asked him to come to Medina and work on his restoration project.
“He didn’t realize he would fall in love with the project,” said Tessa Hartway, director of marketing with Hungerford’s company, Talis Equity.
Lisa Tombari, director of historic restoration for Talis Equity, said Heydel fell in love with the town because it felt like back home.
Heydel said here in the United States is very similar to where he grew up – the same seasons, grapes and farm crops.
While Heydel said although he was trained in classic French cuisine, he is open to dishes from all cuisines.
He has already spent months searching out recipes and identifying local farmers who can supply produce for his recipes. The menu will change with the seasons, and he will utilize what is in season, Heydel said.
“We will always stress quality over quantity,” Heydel said. “I have done that in everything in my life.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Scaffolding can be seen on the front and upper stories of Bent’s Hall at the corner of Main and West Center Streets, as restoration work on the historic building continues. A new restaurant called Harvest will be located in the lower left corner.
Ocasio was born and raised in Puerto Rico, a child of a military family. His dad was in the Navy and an uncle served in the Navy. His grandfather was in World War II and had a coffee farm, where Ocasio grew up. His grandma had a small business, running a bar and cooking for construction people.
“I fell in love with the kitchen,” he said.
He was working in the kitchen at 14. He knew he would some day enter the military or culinary school. When he entered technical school, the class he wanted was full and the professor said he had to choose a second course. Culinary class was available and he entered it.
“I loved it,” Ocasio said. “The instructor at school was a chef at the Marriott and said I had talent. He also had a private catering business and asked me to come and help him. When the Culinary School of Puerto Rico had a culinary competition, I joined his team representing our country. We won, then flew to Chicago in July 2010 to represent Puerto Rico in the international competition. We won a silver medal.”
Chef Lionel Heydel, left, and assistant chef Jose Ocasio pose in the street across from Bent’s Opera House, the sandstone building at the corner of Main Street and West Center, in which a farm-to-table restaurant is scheduled to open in the spring.
In the competition they had to prepare a pork chop, apples, potatoes, salad, appetizer and dessert in one hour and 20 minutes. Ocasio made braised pork chop with applesauce, potato hash, fruit tart and a salad of mixed greens with berries and champagne vinaigrette.
Back in Puerto Rico, Ocasio finished culinary college. His dad had retired and Ocasio decided to relocate to the United States. He arrived in Orlando seven years ago and entered Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, where he met Heydel, who was a professor there.
“I recognized Lionel’s talent and wanted to learn from him,” Ocasio said. “He was willing to teach everybody and share what he knew. I graduated and told Lionel the day he opened his own restaurant, I was going to work for him. I didn’t care if it was washing dishes. Six years later, I got the call.”
Ocasio in the meantime worked for a farm-to-table restaurant in Orlando as a line cook. In less than a year he was promoted to sous chef, then to executive chef. He was there three years when the restaurant was sold and he went to DFRG Steak House. A year and a half later, he was promoted to corporate chef and sent to open new restaurants in Texas, Atlanta, Raleigh, N.C., and Chicago.
He prides himself on his ability to cook everything and whatever is available. At one restaurant, a farmer would come to the back door with whatever he had that day, such as a bucket of green beans, and Ocasio would have them on the menu that night.
When the call came from Heydel about opening a restaurant in New York, Ocasio, 26, asked, “New York City?”
Heydel replied, “No, Medina,” and Ocasio went online to find Medina.
“It was always my dream to work for Lionel,” Ocasio said.
Ocasio is thrilled with the small-town atmosphere.
“The first morning in the area we had breakfast at Darrell’s and I saw how people treat each other,” Ocasio said. “I immediately fell in love with the area. After a tour of Bent’s, I realized what a great opportunity we have. I am anxious to see what we can do with food to bring people to Medina.”
(Editor’s Note: This is part three of a series on the restoration projects in downtown Medina spearheaded by Roger Hungerford and Talis Equity.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2019 at 10:07 am
1,200 students expected for ‘GLOW With Your Hands’ on Sept. 24
Photos courtesy of Kelly Kiebala: Organizers with next Tuesday’s GLOW With Your Hands event at the Genesee County Fairgrounds assemble hard hats on Monday for students to wear during work simulations.
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Fairgrounds will welcome 1,200 students on Tuesday to see local options for careers in the trades, advanced manufacturing and agriculture.
The first-time “GLOW With Your Hands” career exploration event will include about 50 interactive sessions.
The event will include 24 schools from the four rural GLOW counties, as well as Roy-Hart in Niagara County. Organizers say Lyndonville and Kendall are sending students for hands-on activities with trades such as welding, bricklaying, electrical wiring, heavy equipment operation, advanced manufacturing and other jobs.
Agriculture, for example, is increasing high-tech in utilizing software for running equipment, and tracking inputs and yields.
The event wants to highlight careers that are high-paying and in demand for local businesses in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Unemployment rates are currently very low locally and nationally. There is a demand for workers across the country, said Jim Whipple, executive director of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
Many businesses will be reluctant to do an expansion or commit to a community if they don’t think there are enough skilled and dedicated workers.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul attended a news conference on Aug. 7 to help promote the event and encourage local school districts to send students for the career exploration.
Hochul said at the news conference that for far too long guidance counselors and parents have emphasized college as the prime path to success for high schoolers. Hochul said that often leads to piles of debt for students and families, while not addressing workforce needs in their hometowns.
“I want to make sure these doors are open to lift young people out of poverty,” Hochul said about the careers in trades. “You don’t need a four-year degree for success.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Tuesday that New York State is the first state in the nation to implement a ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and nicotine e-liquids, following a vote on emergency regulations by the Public Health and Health Planning Council.
The ban is the latest in a series of actions to combat the increase in young people using vape products, largely as a result of e-cigarette companies marketing flavors that are intended to get children addicted to nicotine.
The ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and nicotine e-liquids is now in effect. However, the Department of Health will provide retailers with an approximate two-week grace period before conducting visits to enforce the flavoring ban beginning on Monday, October 4.
Local health departments and the Department’s District Offices, with State oversight, will handle enforcement. Retailers who violate the ban will face fines of up to $2,000 per violation, which is defined as each unit of flavored e-liquid or product containing e-liquid that is possessed, manufactured, sold or offered for sale.
“It is undeniable that vaping companies are deliberately using flavors like bubblegum, Captain Crunch and cotton candy to get young people hooked on e-cigarettes – it’s a public health crisis and it ends today,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York is not waiting for the federal government to act, and by banning flavored e-cigarettes we are safeguarding the public health and helping prevent countless young people from forming costly, unhealthy and potentially deadly life-long habits.”
On Sunday, Governor Cuomo directed the Department of Health to convene an emergency meeting of PHHC to consider this ban. The Governor also directed State Police and DOH to immediately partner to ramp up enforcement efforts against retailers who sell to underage youth, with the possibility of criminal penalties, in addition to announcing that he will advance legislation to ban deceptive marketing of e-cigarettes to teens and children.
As part of the Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act of 2009, the U.S. Congress banned the sale of cigarettes with flavors other than menthol and tobacco.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “The alarmingly high numbers of young people in New York State who are using vape products is nothing short of a public health crisis. These regulations are a part of many critical steps we are taking to combat this disturbing trend. We will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to prevent nicotine addiction and bad marketing practices under Governor Cuomo’s leadership.”
Flavors are largely responsible for the dramatic increase in use of e-cigarettes by youth and are a principal reason that youth initiate and maintain e-cigarette use. According to Department of Health data, nearly 40 percent of 12th grade students and 27 percent of high school students in New York State are now using e-cigarettes, and this increase is largely driven by flavored e-liquids.
High school use in 2018 (27.4%) is 160 percent higher than it was in 2014 (10.5%). While New York’s high school student smoking rate dropped from 27.1% in 2000 to a record low of 4.3% in 2016, aggressive marketing strategies promoting flavored e-cigarettes is primed to turn that trend.
MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library hosted its sixth annual LibraryCon on Friday. There were more than 40 kids in attendance.
The highlight of the evening was the zombie apocalypse, which started with two zombie women ambling throughout the building. By the end of the night many had succumbed to the invasion.
Those that survived were able to get their face painted, play super-hero bingo, and learn about super-hero movie effects.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2019 at 4:45 pm
ALBION – Beth Giordano would drive by the billboard on Route 98, at the village’s north line, and would be upset at the typical message being prominently displayed, celebrating alcohol.
The billboard is next to the Oak Orchard Estates mobile home park and is on one of the county’s busiest thoroughfares. Giordano knew many kids and local residents were seeing the sign promoting alcohol.
“Week after week I saw the beer ads up there and it breaks my heart because the kids see it,” she said. “The school buses go by it, and it’s right next to the Albion sign that says, ‘A Great Place to Live.’”
Giordano wanted to send a different message with the billboard. She and her husband John decided to rent the billboard with a thankfulness message for 12 months. The first one went up last week. It proclaims a community challenge, asking people to “show the world who or what YOU are thankful for.” They are encouraged to post their responses on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at #ThankfulinOrleans.
“I know they are thinking about thankfulness every time they go by there,” Giordano said today.
She and her husband have lived in Point Breeze for more than 20 years. They have owned a building in downtown Albion since 2007 at 25-27 East Bank St.
They have run youth centers in the community.
“I have a huge heart for Albion, for the children and families,” said Giordano, who works a Christian counselor. “I know alcohol itself can be very damaging to teen-agers and their families.”
The East Bank Street location will be the base of the new ministry or community care center called “Rise Above.” Giordano wants to help girls and women rise above depression, anxiety and other challenges in their lives.
With the billboard, she will open up the display to other community organizations, and will keep with a thankfulness theme. The Giordanos have reserved it for 12 months, but won’t have it for December because that month was already taken.
“Our goal is to put more encouraging things on it,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2019 at 3:08 pm
Provided photo: This bike rack at Lee-Whendon Memorial Library in Medina was created by the welding class at Orleans-Niagara BOCES. It was added to the library about two years ago.
MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina is latest local site to be approved as “bike friendly” by Parks & Trail New York.
The library filled out a survey and application through Parks & Trails. The library on Park Avenue offers a bicycle repair station outside the main entrance for anyone to use. Lee-Whedon also offers WiFi internet access, computers, a fill-up water fountain and a welcoming community space.
Other Medina sites that are certified as “bike friendly” include the Bunkhaus Hostel, Fitzgibbons Public House, the Orleans County YMCA and The Hart House Hotel.
Tinsel, an ice cream shop in Albion, also is deemed bike friendly in Orleans County.
To see a map of the sites recognized by Parks & Trails, click here.
Parks & Trails started the bicycle-friendly certification program in 2017 to recognize and promote businesses that provide special accommodations for bicyclists.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2019 at 1:54 pm
MEDINA – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has announced its 21stannual award winners, with Western New York Energy named the Business of the Year.
WNY Energy has operated an ethanol plant in Medina for 12 years. The company has about 50 employees and provides a big market for purchasing local corn. The company buys about 20 million bushels of corn annually to make about 60 million gallons of ethanol.
WNY Energy and the award winners will be recognized during a dinner on Oct. 17 at White Birch Country Club in Lyndonville.
The award winners include:
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Dan Schiavone, a Holley dentist who has been active in the community, including as chairman of the Holley Local Development Corporation which has helped redevelop some distressed properties in Holley.
• New Business of the Year: Milk and Honey in Albion
• Small Business of the Year: Albion Ace Hardware
• Agricultural Business of the Year: H.H. Dobbins in Lyndonville
• Phoenix Award: Zambito Realtors in Medina
• Business Person of the Year: Greg Reed, executive director of the Orleans County YMCA
• Community Service Award: Jack Burris who his leadership with the Hands for Hope ministry
• Hidden Gem: Cabaret at Studio B in Albion
• Employer of the Year (presented by the Orleans County Job Development Agency): Takeform
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 September 2019 at 11:19 am
10-by-14 cabin was built by Boy Scouts in 1930
GAINES – If efforts are successful, visitors to the historic Gaines Basin No. 2 cobblestone school on Gaines basin Road will have another attraction to look at.
The Orleans County Historical Society, which is restoring the schoolhouse, has been given a log cabin, which they hope to move behind the school.
The idea was born about a year ago when Bill Lattin, retired as both the Orleans County historian and director of the Cobblestone Society Museum, was talking with Al Capurso at a Cobblestone board meeting.
Bill Lattin looks at the crumbling stones and oil tank from the chimney of a log cabin which has been donated to the Orleans County Historical Society. The cabin was built in 1930 by Boy Scouts and sits in back of the home of Pat and Ralph Moorhouse on Linwood Avenue. Pat’s father was one of the Scouts and her grandfather supervised the work. A limb fell off a nearby tree, knocking the chimney down.
“Al made the suggestion that it would be nice to build a replica of a log cabin on the Cobblestone Museum grounds,” Lattin said. “I could see by the look on the board members’ faces, that wasn’t going to fly.”
Lattin commented it was the mission of the Cobblestone Society to preserve historic buildings, and asked why they didn’t consider preserving a log cabin, instead of building one.
Capurso asked where they would find one.
“I said, ‘On Linwood Avenue in Albion,’ and his jaw dropped,” Lattin said.
Lattin knew the property owners, Pat and Ralph Moorhouse, and when they were contacted, they agreed to donate the deteriorating log cabin if it could be moved.
The Cobblestone Building and Grounds Committee felt they had enough on their plate without taking on another project, so Capurso presented the idea to the Orleans County Historical Association, which agreed to allow the cabin to be moved behind the Gaines Basin cobblestone schoolhouse – if Lattin and Capurso could raise the $6,000 needed to get it in shape to move.
The log cabin was built by Boy Scouts in 1930 as a place to camp out, which makes it kind of unique, Lattin said.
“It’s one of a kind,” he said.
It is 10 feet by 14 feet and barely six feet tall at the peak. The Scouts also constructed a cot of sorts inside and a fireplace. On the outside in back is a tank, which held oil and was rigged so a drop of oil would fall periodically on the fire, keeping it burning.
What makes the log cabin so special is that Pat Moorhouse’s grandfather supervised building the cabin, and her father Ferris Benton was one of the Scouts.
The log cabin is already beginning to deteriorate badly and the front has sunk at least a foot into the ground.
“If it is not preserved now, it will soon rot out,” Lattin said.
Rick Ebbs, a local contractor who has been working on restoration work at the schoolhouse, agreed to tackle the project. He expects to line the interior and exterior with plywood to brace it so it can be lifted with a fork lift. He hopes to be able to move the fireplace intact as well.
“If we have to rebuild it stone by stone, it will spoil its integrity,” Lattin said.
Lattin hopes to interest some Scout troops in helping with restoration of the cabin.
“This would be a wonderful Eagle Scout project,” he said.
Lattin said they have already received about $1,000 in donations toward the project. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation or donate services in kind can contact the Orleans County Historical Association at P.O. Box 181, Albion. Latin said anyone who donates $50 or more will receive a copy of Irene Gibson’s book, Historic Sites in Orleans County.
Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian, points to the spot behind the Gaines Basin cobblestone schoolhouse where a nearly 100-year-old log cabin will be situated. The cabin sits in back of Pat and Ralph Moorhouse’s home on Linwood Avenue, and they have agreed to donate it to the Orleans County Historical Association.
Lattin said the timing is perfect, as they just learned a drivable lane has been completed up to the towpath on the east side of the Gaines Basin Road canal bridge. The northernmost point of the Erie Canal is just 900 feet west of the canal bridge.
“This was one of the only roads in the county which crossed the canal and didn’t have access to the towpath,” Lattin said. “We hope to have a kiosk and sign which tells people they can stop and see an authentic log cabin and one-room schoolhouse.”
The schoolhouse was built in 1832 and is the oldest documented cobblestone building in the region. It was used until 1944, when the district centralized. Constructed of local fieldstone, it also shows early use of Medina sandstone for quoins.
It is the last remaining structure of the pioneer-era Erie Canal hamlet known as Gaines Basin. It was falling into ruin until the Orleans County Historical Association took interest in it several years ago and Jim Panek, who owns the land, agreed to donate the building and surrounding lot to the Historical Association.
When restoration is complete, the schoolhouse will serve as a small museum and meeting place.
