By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2019 at 11:36 am
LYNDONVILLE – A Lyndonville man who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma three years ago will do rigorous hiking next week in Iceland to raise funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
John Klatt, 66, is a retired Lutheran pastor and served congregations for 35 years in the Thousand Islands, Western New York and Herkimer. He grew up on a farm on Alps Road and graduated from Lyndonville in 1971.
Provided photos: John Klatt and his sister Mary Schlabach participated in a training hike on the Shortoff Trail in Asheville, NC.
Three years ago he moved close to home and was working on renovating a house on Townline Road with his wife, Bonnie.
He was feeling over-tired and realized he fractured 10 vertebrae in his back due to the multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the blood plasma that weakens the bones.
He endured chemotherapy and a stem cell treatment. He hasn’t had any active cancer the past two years.
Klatt is thankful for the treatments at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. He has raised nearly $8,000 which he said will aid in more research for people battling multiple myeloma. (Click here for more information on Klatt’s fundraising page).
“Roswell was a life-saver,” he said at his home in Lyndonville. “I received great treatments. It was just what I needed.”
Multiple myeloma is currently an incurable blood cancer. Klatt said his treatments have made the myeloma manageable.
He walked on a treadmill to help in his recovery. He also finished many of the projects around his house.
John Klatt and about 10 others headed to Iceland spent a day bonding and hiking on a training hike on the Shortoff Trail in Asheville, NC.
Klatt has long enjoyed walking and hiking, going on journeys in the Adirondacks, Appalachians and Catskills.
He was thumbing through the CURE magazine, when he read about the opportunity to hike in Iceland. His sister, Mary Schlabach, and 10 others will join him. All have been affected by multiple myeloma as survivors, caregivers or loved ones of those with the disease.
“I am honored that one of those participating on the 12-person team to Iceland will be my sister Mary Schlabach who was one of my caregivers following my stem cell transplant in 2016,” Klatt said.
Klatt and the other hikers will trek for five days of challenging and spectacular hiking. The hike is often called “Fire and Ice.” Hikers on a single will cross lava fields and volcanoes, and then be by stunning glaciers.
Klatt and the hikers have prepared for 7 to 8 hours of daily hiking, going about 6 to 8 miles each day. They will be staying in mountain huts.
The event is organized by Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma in a collaboration between CURE Media Group, GSK and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Since its creation in 2016, MM4MM has raised nearly $2.5 million, which 100 percent going directly to cancer research.
Press Release, Cornell University, NYS Integrated Pest Management Program
ELBA – Local onion growers – Matt Mortellaro, Guy Smith, Chuck Barie, Emmaline Long and Mark and Max Torrey – received an Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Award from the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.
The six are muck onion farmers in Elba who meet weekly during the growing season for what is known as Muck Donut Hour, to discuss crop protection tactics. The state’s IPM develops sustainable ways to manage pests and helps people use methods that minimize environmental, health and economic risks. The award honors individuals who encourage the adoption of IPM in their businesses, schools, communities, and farms, and who develop new tools and tactics for sharing these practices.
Onions grown in muck soil—organically rich former swampland where production practices are unique and intense—are one of the most valuable crops in New York, with an average value of $34.6 million. In the Elba muck and surrounding pockets in Orleans, Genesee, and Livingston counties, eight farms produce 40 percent of the New York onion acreage on 3,000 acres. Mortellaro, Triple G, CY, and Big O (Torrey) farms account for almost 75 percent of that production.
In 2005, onion thrips infestations were nearly uncontrollable in New York. Populations of the vegetable-loving insect were resistant to multiple insecticides, and the hot and dry conditions created a worst-case scenario, causing crop losses exceeding 30 percent.
The Elba muck growers helped Cornell researchers conduct dozens of research trials and host large-scale demonstrations on their land, in an attempt to understand the biology, ecology, and management of thrips.
“The result culminated in a practical thrips management program, which includes regular scouting of onion fields followed by sparing use of insecticides designed to minimize resistance,” said Brian Nault, Professor of Entomology at Cornell AgriTech.
The Elba growers are now able to successfully manage their thrips infestations. They average between 1- 4 fewer insecticide applications and have saved an average of $113/acre, which is approximately $6,000-$226,000 per farm per year. In addition to regular scouting, the other key tool in the IPM arsenal is information exchange and discussions at the Muck Donut Hour, which Christy Hoepting, Senior Extension Associate with the Cornell Vegetable Program, describes as a way she keeps her “finger on the pulse” of the pest complex each year.
A CCE tradition for over twenty years, the Muck Donut Hour is held weekly during the growing season. There growers and researchers discuss the latest research findings, scouting and spray reports. Hoepting notes the willingness of the muck onion farmers to entrust their crops to Cornell’s research, and their transparency in sharing spray records.
“The Elba growers are undeniably brave,” Hoepting said. “To so wholeheartedly adopt IPM practices demonstrates the extent of their faith in Cornell’s research on their farms. The risk of a pest spiraling out of control in a high-value onion crop is frightening. Clearly, these growers believe in solid science and go above and beyond to support it.”
Steven Beer, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology at Cornell University, says, “without the cooperation of the Elba onion growers, it is not likely that so many IPM-themed tactics would have been adequately tested under real grower conditions. They set the standard for other growers.”
The Elba muck onion farmers are: Matt Mortellaro, a third generation muck farmer and co-owner of G. Mortellaro & Sons, with his brother Paul.
“Matt is a fearless leader in adopting IPM strategies,” Hoepting said. “He is committed to sustainable onion production and environmental stewardship, and is a strong advocate of onion IPM.”
Guy Smith, a fourth generation muck farmer, owns Triple G Farms with his brother Greg and nephew Gary. Guy represents the Elba growing region on the board of directors for the New York Onion Research and Development Program.
Chuck Barie and Emmaline Long are Crop Production Managers for CY Farms LLC, which grows 120 acres in Batavia and Elba. Chuck has been responsible for planting, spraying, irrigating and harvesting the onions for over twenty years. Emmaline joined the farm in 2014 after graduating from Cornell. She scouts CY’s entire onion acreage weekly, including counting thrips, to implement IPM. Together, she and Chuck make pest management decisions. CY has the ability to micro manage every 5-20 acre onion field based on each area’s precise pest management needs.
Mark and Max Torrey are a father and son onion growing duo, and 11th and 12th generation farmers with Torrey Farms Inc. Max serves as the General Manager for Torrey’s onion operation, Big O Farms. As the largest grower in Elba, the Torrey’s pest management practices affect everyone.
“Their commitment to implementing resistance management strategies and following IPM spray thresholds has been instrumental in preserving the longevity of insecticides remaining effective against thrips,” Hoepting said.
The award was presented to the growers during their Muck Donut Hour on Tuesday.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday signed legislation (S.2680A/A.1108B) to allow state and local candidates to use campaign funds to pay for child care expenses, enabling more parents to run for public office.
“Women face too many barriers when it comes to running for office and frankly child care expenses shouldn’t be one of them,” Governor Cuomo said. “By signing this measure into law, we will build on the historic progress we’ve made toward gender equality and empower more parents – and mothers in particular – to seek public office to ensure the decision makers in Albany reflect the people they are elected to represent.”
Specifically, the bill amends state election law to allow campaign funds to be used to pay child care expenses that are “incurred in the campaign or in the execution of the duties of public office or party position.” The bill’s provisions are effective in 60 days.
“We are committed to continuing to break down barriers for women in New York,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the NYS Child Care Availability Task Force. “I know firsthand the challenges mothers, and all parents, face running for office and balancing responsibilities at home, work, and on the campaign trail. Despite more women being elected in the state and nationwide, women are still underrepresented at all levels of public office. This legislation will make it easier for women to run for office and advances our efforts to achieve full equality for all.”
In New York, about 33 percent of the state’s executive and legislative officials are women, compared with a national average of 29 percent of state executive and legislative officials, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am thrilled that my bill allowing state and local candidates to use campaign funds for child care expenses was signed into law. Child care expenses are a heavy burden for many families across the state, and these expenses should not prohibit qualified parents from seeking public office. This new law will allow more young parents to run for public office, and we need their experiences represented in government. Thank you to Governor Andrew Cuomo for his leadership, and thank you to former congressional candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley for spearheading this important issue nationally.”
Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal said, “‘Run, momma, run,’ is the rallying cry for the cadre of women and mothers who are considering and running for elective office. This law will encourage more women to run, ensuring that legislators begin to look more like the communities they represent. By making child care an allowable campaign expense, we pay more than mere lip service to that reality, and begin dismantling some of the institutional barriers that women and mothers continue to face.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2019 at 4:51 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Logan Gerling of Lyndonville, the reserve champion for 3 pullets or chickens, is happy watching the bidders push the price up during Saturday’s animal meat auction at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
The auction raised $12,950 for 4-H’ers who sold beef, hogs, poultry, lambs and meat rabbits.
Buyers paid well above the market rate for the animals as an incentive to the 4-H’ers for their work in raising the animals.
Buyers in the 4-H meat auction include HLW Acres Poultry Processing, Kate Hardener, Hartland Abattior (2), Bentley Brothers (5), David Piedmonte, Discount Groceries & More (2), Laverne Lear, Apex Clean Energy (2), Amy Machamer of Hurd Orchards (3), Joe Sidonio (3), Lee Shuknecht, Lamb Farms, Timothy Winters of Western New York Energy, William Gerling (2), Mike Southcott of Southcott Insurance, Genesee Feeds, Jared Utz, Nellie Szucs (2) and Hulane Farm (2).
Some rabbit raisers talk during the auction. They include, from left: Owen Shaw, Will Gregoire, Brian Shaw and Jacques Gregoire. Most of the rabbits in the auction sold for at last $100, with $345 the highest bid.
Rylie Lear, 19, of Waterport raised the the reserve champion steer, which sold for $1,612 to Hartland Abattoir Corp. in Gasport. Andy Beach, left, and Zach Welker helped the auctioneer spot bids from the crowd.
Jack Cecchini of Medina leads a blue ribbon hog into the ring for the auction. Zach Welker lets the auctioneer know a bidder has the price going up. General Feeds was the buyer.
Grace Gregoire of Murray had two rabbits in the auction, with one selling for $100 and the other for $50. Skip Lear, back left, helps with the auction while Ryan McLenithan of Cambridge is the auctioneer.
Ed Neal, an Albion dairy farmer, sits next to his friend, Jim Veazey, one of the owners of Lamb Farms which bought a pig at the auction that was raised by Neal’s granddaughter, Melissa Robinson of Albion. The auction was a social opportunity for many people in the ag community in Western New York.
Melissa Robinson, 16, of Albion leads a blue-ribbon pig in the ring. Lamb Farms paid $3.25 a pound or $728 for the 224-pound animal.
John Gabalski, 18, of Byron holds a rabbit before his turn in the ring.
Amelia Sidonio, 17, of Holley puts her arm around Teagan Shaw, 8, of Kent who was selling a rabbit for the first time during Saturday’s 4-H Animal Meat Auction.
GRAND ISLAND – After meeting with leadership of the area’s Customs Border Protection (CBP), Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) declared his opposition to the Lake Erie Off-Shore Wind Project.
During a briefing and tour at CBP headquarters, Collins learned that the project could interfere with the CBP radar system used to detect vessels crossing the U.S. border from Canada.
The Off-Shore Wind Project is a part of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mandate to produce 9,000 megawatts of renewable energy. In the proposed plan, Diamond Wind, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi, would place wind turbines several miles off shore Lake Erie going from the Town of Evans to the Pennsylvania line.
“Here is another example of Governor Cuomo putting his agenda before the safety of the people who live in Western New York,” said Congressman Collins. “Customs Border Protection uses this radar system to keep hard to spot foreign entities out of the U.S. and protecting our community. I cannot allow my constituents to be exposed to this dangerous risk.”
Collins indicated that he would introduce federal legislation that will prohibit these turbines from interfering with the nation’s border security.
“Unfortunately, many see projects like this as easy answers to sustainable renewable energy without looking at the real costs,” added Collins. “In this case, the costs are too great when considering keeping our lakeshore border secure.”
The wind project is currently still in the planning phase and there has not been a formal application submitted with the State. However, with Governor Cuomo’s aggressive “New Green Deal” agenda, this project can begin moving forward. Collins joins Erie County officials, Town of Evans officials and local residents who oppose the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2019 at 1:22 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Calvin Nichols sings classic rock songs with the Rock Soulgers during Rock the Park on Aug. 4, 2018. Four bands and five other acoustic acts will perform Saturday at Bullard from 3 to 11 p.m.
ALBION – Bands and acoustic performs will be rocking this Saturday at Bullard Park in the sixth annual Rock the Park.
The annual event has been rebranded to the Albion Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park. There will be food and alcohol vendors as well (and also nonalcoholic drinks). There also are many arts and crafts vendors.
Rock the Park was initially spearheaded by the Albion Lions Club in an effort to raise funds for upgrading Bullard Park. Contractors are currently working on $800,000 in improvements to the park, including a new amphitheater, splash park, pavilion and utility building.
The construction has shifted the musicians and vendors to the east side of the park. The amphitheater will be available for next year’s music event.
“With the construction going on people are seeing the results of what was the reason for doing this,” said Zack Burgess, co-chairman of the event with Ron Albertson.
Burgess has booked many of the bands and performers. He is a member of the band Zero, which performs at 5:30 at the 120-by-40-foot beer tent. Four bands will play in the beer tent from 3 to 11 p.m.
There also is a smaller tent, 40-by-20-foot, for five acoustic acts to perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All of the bands and acoustic acts have a connection to Albion or Orleans County, Burgess said.
“This will really be a celebration of the local musicians,” he said. “It is rare to see so many on the same stage on the same day.”
The committee for the festival wants to keep building on the event. Last year’s Rock the Park attracted about 500 to 600 people. Albertson and Burgess said donations are up this year from sponsors and the event’s social media pages have nearly doubled the traffic from last year.
“We’ve gained momentum, and you don’t want to slow down momentum once you got it going,” Albertson said. “I think we’ll have a fantastic turnout, I really do.”
Admission for Rock the Park is free, except for a $5 charge to enter the beer tent.
The full schedule includes:
11 a.m. – Festival opens
11 a.m. – Craft and artisan vendors open
11 a.m. – Food vendors open
11 a.m. – Gregg Albertson plays the acoustic stage
11:45 a.m. – Unorthodox plays the acoustic stage
12:30 p.m. – Highway 31 plays the acoustic stage
1 p.m. – Kids games open
1:15 p.m. – What About Jane plays the acoustic stage
2 p.m. – Burial Harbor plays the acoustic stage
3 p.m. – Beer Tent opens
3 p.m. – Shotgun Pauly plays the beer tent stage
4:15 p.m. – The Trellis Cooper Band plays the beer tent stage
Governor also signs legislation criminalizing 3D printed guns
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation criminalizing the manufacture, sale, transport and possession of firearms and major components of such weapons that are undetectable by a metal detector, including 3D printed guns (S.1414-A/A.0763-A), and expanding laws requiring the safe storage of firearms (S.6360/A.8174).
This legislation builds on New York’s strongest in the nation gun laws, including the Red Flag Bill signed in February that prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm, and legislation Governor Cuomo signed yesterday extending the background check waiting period and banning bump stocks.
“3D guns and improperly stored firearms pose an enormous risk to our children and today we’re addressing both dangers head-on to keep our families safe,” Governor Cuomo said. “These measures continue New York’s legacy of enacting the strongest gun laws in the nation by helping keep firearms out of the hands of children and by acknowledging and addressing technological advancements like 3D printed guns.”
Criminalizing Undetectable Firearms
Recent technological developments, such as 3-dimensional printers and laser cutting machines, have led to the fabrication of fully operational firearms using materials that are undetectable by metal detectors. These weapons pose a serious threat to public safety and risk the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. This measure helps protect New Yorkers by making it illegal for any person to knowingly possess, manufacture, sell or transport such weapons in New York State.
Amending Safe Storage Laws
By enacting some of the strongest safe storage measures in the nation, Governor Cuomo has taken enormous strides toward preventing unnecessary gun violence across New York State. However, until now, our laws have failed to address the unintended – and often deadly – consequences of leaving unsecured firearms in places accessible by children.
This measure will ensure that firearm owners safely store their weapons when they live with someone under the age of 16 or have reason to know will be accessible by someone under the age of 16. At the same time, it will continue to permit properly licensed or supervised individuals under the age of 16 to hunt or practice at a firing range in accordance with existing law. Nicholas Naumkin, a 12-year-old from Saratoga Springs who was tragically killed by his friend while he was playing with his father’s gun, inspired this legislation.
Rebecca Fischer, executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, said, “Today, New York State has again made it a priority to protect our children and communities with this strong, sensible gun violence prevention legislation. New Yorkers Against Gun Violence has been fighting for 25 years for a child access prevention law in New York State to prevent unintentional shootings, teen suicides, school shootings, and gun thefts. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and to our New York lawmakers who have the courage to take action and enact life-saving laws.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2019 at 7:31 am
Two people seek money from Crosby’s employees on Monday night in Albion.
ALBION – Two people allegedly attempted to rob the Crosby’s North convenience store on Monday night. The suspects entered the store and displayed a handgun and demanded money from store employees.
The suspects then immediately left without getting any money from the store at 202 North Main St., Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said.
The Albion PD was dispatched to store, just north of the canal, at 9:50 p.m.
Suspect descriptions are as follows:
• Suspect 1 is a white male wearing blue jeans, black hoodie with “ZOO YORK” in white bold letters on the front and two white stripes on the rear, with a black bandanna with sunglasses covering his face. The suspect described as having a lighter-colored receding hairline and missing teeth.
• Suspect 2 is a white female wearing black sweatshirt, black baseball hat, light-colored bandanna with sunglasses covering her face. She has short curly blonde hair with brown in it.
Both suspects were last seen eastbound on foot on Caroline Street.
If anyone was in the area of the store around the time of the incident or if anyone has information, they are asked to contact the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627.
The suspects ran from the store and headed east on Caroline Street.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 July 2019 at 8:25 pm
PERRY – A veteran skydiver who died in an accident Saturday at Perry-Warsaw Airport was affiliated with Pine Hill Airport in Barre for many years.
Richard Cordero, 68, of Bergen ran Rochester Skydiving at Pine Hill for more than a decade. He left around 2014 when former airport owner Gene Haines decided to sell the airport.
News reports say Cordero, who had thousands of jumps to his credit, died when his parachute cords became tangled and he plummeted into a cornfield.
He was well-known in the Pine Hill area and was very dedicated to the sport of skydiving, said Ace Caldwell of Albion, a member of Pine Hill Airport for more than 30 years. Caldwell has cooked breakfast on Sunday mornings at the airport for decades, and he said Cordero’s wife would sometimes come in for breakfast, but if the weather was sunny, Richard was in the air.
LYNDONVILLE – At the Lyndonville Area Foundation’s annual July meeting, its Board of Directors were presented with a significant monetary gift from Lyndonville resident Anna Stelianou.
Accompanying Ms. Stelianou at the meeting was Mr. Steve Goodrich, Commander of Houseman-Tanner VFW Post 1603 of Lyndonville.
Ms. Stelianou’s donation will enable the Foundation to fund memorial wreaths to be placed upon each military veteran gravesite within the Town of Yates on an annual basis. There are approximately 400 gravesites – each painstakingly identified and mapped out by Mr. Goodrich. After the first wreath purchases later this year, Ms. Stelianou’s substantial donation allows the Foundation to invest the remainder and thus continue to purchase the wreaths each year into perpetuity. The wreaths will be purchased through the Houseman-Tanner Post and the “Wreaths Across America” program.
The gift by Ms. Stelianou to the Lyndonville Area Foundation was made in the memory of her parents, Konstantina and Ary Stelianou, who arrived in Lyndonville in the early 1920s as immigrants from the small island of Lemnos, Greece. The Stelianous set up business with a small store serving lunches, candy and ice cream. By 1933 they had six boys and a baby girl, all living in a small apartment above the store.
As Ms. Stelianou relates, “The Depression was on and I’m sure they had a difficult time. I have an idea there were a lot of community members helping them.” She adds, “Many thanks for all those who made my parents feel welcome in this new world and in helping them achieve the American Dream.”
Her donation was also made in memory of Ms. Stelianou’s five older brothers – all of whom were veterans of either WWII or the Korean War.
“When Steve Goodrich emailed me regarding this donation and shared a little of Anna’s background, quite honestly, I was floored,” said Darren D. Wilson, president of the Foundation. “I know Steve was, too.”
Speaking to her brothers service to our country, Mr. Goodrich reminded us, “We are immensely humbled by this gift, but it is we who cannot repay the debt.”
The “Wreaths Across America” program takes place on Dec. 14. Beginning in September, Mr. Goodrich will be reaching out via Facebook and other outlets seeking volunteers to assist himself and members of the Houseman-Tanner Post to lay the wreaths at each gravesite.
MEDINA – Three Medina residents face drug charges after an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in the village of Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force is reporting today.
John L. Crossley
The Task Force on July 25 executed a search warrant at 321 West Ave., with assistance from the Orleans County Multi-Agency SWAT Team, the Medina Police Department, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Police seized over 2 ounces of crack cocaine with a street value of over $6,000, cash, scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia.
The following were charged:
Christopher C. Taylor
John L. Crossley, 68, of 525 West Ave. was charged with 7 counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are Class B felonies.
Christopher C. Taylor, 35 , of 321 West Ave., was charged with 2 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and 4 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Stacey L. Culver, 35, of 321 West Ave. was charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Stacey L. Culver
All three were arraigned in Ridgeway Town Court by the Town Justice Joseph Kujawa. Taylor and Culver were committed to the Orleans County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. Crossley was committed to the County Jail on no bail due to his previous criminal history. They are to return to the Ridgeway Town Court on July 31 at 10 a.m.
The Medina Fire Department also responded to the scene and transported one of the suspects who ingested crack cocaine during the search warrant execution, the Task Force said.
Further charges are pending in this investigation.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation to establish an up to 30-day waiting period for individuals who are not immediately approved to purchase a firearm through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (S.2374/A.2690) and to close existing statutory loopholes to prohibit ownership or sale of a bump stock (S.2448/A.2684).
This legislation builds on New York’s strongest in the nation gun laws, including the Red Flag Bill signed in February that prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm.
“For too long gun violence has plagued communities across our nation and while the federal government turns a blind eye, New York continues leading the way forward to protect our families and our children,” Governor Cuomo said. “By signing these measures into law we are strengthening our nation-leading gun laws – banning devices whose sole purpose is to create the most bloodshed in the shortest timeframe and providing law enforcement the tools they need to stop firearms from falling into dangerous hands.”
Extending the Background Check Waiting Period
Current federal law requires gun dealers to conduct a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check on a potential purchaser prior to selling a firearm, which immediately provides the dealer with one of three possible notifications. These notifications include “proceed,” “denied,” or “delayed.”
In the case of a “delayed” response, the dealer must wait three days before completing the sale. The FBI may continue to investigate the individual past the three-day timeframe but oftentimes by the time law enforcement has determined that the potential purchaser is ineligible, the sale has already been completed. By extending the waiting period up to 30 days, law enforcement is provided with sufficient time to complete a background check and help ensure that only those eligible to purchase and own a firearm are able to do so.
Banning Bump Stocks
In 2017, bump stocks and other devices that accelerate the rate of fire of firearms came to national attention after a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada that killed 58 people. These devices are attached to semi-automatic weapons and allow shooters to fire ammunition faster than any human could.
Machine guns, and firearms that simulate machine guns, are already illegal under New York law, because of the immense public safety risks these weapons pose. Bump stocks and similar devices pose a similar threat to public safety, and this legislation will prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, shipment and sale of any items that accelerate the firing rate of firearms, rifles or shotguns.
Senator Luis Sepúlveda said, “There is absolutely no need for military-grade weaponry on the streets nor homes of New York State. Bump stocks and other devices that allow firearms to shoot faster than any human ever could are evidently an acute danger to the public, and have already caused too many tragedies across our country. As we sign this bill into law today, our thoughts are with the families of victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting and all others who have lost their lives due to this deadly technology. Today we commit to greater safety, prevention, and accountability for the people of New York State, for whom we must continue to strive to foster lives free from the devastation of gun violence.”
Assembly Member Patricia Fahy said, “Law enforcement and gun violence advocates have been resoundingly clear – there is no legitimate reason for any individual to possess a device that is capable of turning a legal, semiautomatic firearm into a fully-functioning machine gun, and yet the Federal Department of Justice estimates that 520,000 bump stocks have been sold just since 2010. My legislation closes loopholes and ensures bump stocks are fully banned in New York to help prevent horrific tragedies such as the one in Las Vegas in 2017. I thank Speaker Heastie and Governor Cuomo for their continued leadership and for once again nation-leading on gun control in New York.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2019 at 11:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE — Participants in the Small Animal Grand Master Showman competition on Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair include, from left: Lydia Hofmann, Jacques Gregoire, Brian Shaw, Amelia Sidonia (grand master champion), Audrey Pask (reserve champion), Kaitlyn Johnson, Maci Manicki and Carissa Klossner.
They qualified for the competition after finishing in the top 2 earlier in the week during showmanship contests for poultry, rabbits, dogs and miniature horses.
Audrey Pask and Jacques Gregoire qualified for poultry, while Amelia Sidonio and Brian Shaw were the top showmen for rabbits. Kaitlyn Johnson and Lydia Hofmann were the top two in dogs, while Carissa Kossner and Maci Manicki qualified for miniature horses.
For the grand master showman competition, the eight participants all had to show rabbits, dogs, miniature horses and poultry, and were quizzed about their knowledge of the different breeds.
Amelia Sidonio won the grand master showman for small animals. She is holding a rabbit named Rex that won best in breed.
Amelia, 17, was the reserve grand master the previous two fairs. She has been showing rabbits since she was 5 when she was a Clover Bud.
She is going into her senior year at the Harley School in Rochester. She wants to major in agricultural business in college.
Brian Shaw of Kent, one of the small animal grand master showman participants, shows a black lab named Betty during the competition. Sheena Bakos of Middleport served as judge for part of the contest.
The participants needed to lead the dogs and miniature horses on a pattern. They were also asked questions about the rabbits and poultry.
Bakos said Sidonio, the grand master showman, was attentive to the judges and knew the anatomy and breed information of all the animal species.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2019 at 10:38 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair presented citizenship awards to fair royalty on Saturday for 4-H’ers who were active at the fair in many roles. From left include Hugh Gabalski, duke; Lydia Scharlau, duchess; Will Gregoire, king; Rylie Lear, queen; Jackson McGrath, prince; and Alysa Murray, princess.
Rylie Lear, 19, of Waterport was chosen as queen. She shows dairy and beef cattle, and swine. She won the grand master showman competition for the third straight year, which features the top showman from nine breeds of livestock. Lear was praised for helping younger 4-H’ers get ready for shows. She is a mentor and role model, sharing her knowledge about animals.
Will Gregoire, 16, of Murray was named king. He was recognized for his years of participation in 4-H. At this year’s fair he showed poultry and cavies, and competed in the wildlife identification contest. He also worked 40 hours in the 4-H Senior Council Stand, cooking and serving food.
Nicole Mrzywka of Holley, last year’s fair queen, and Will Trembley, the duke, helped present awards on Saturday at the fair.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.6579A/A.8420) further decriminalizing marijuana use in New York State.
New York’s existing marijuana laws disproportionately affect African American and Latino communities, and this legislation will address those racial and ethnic disparities by reducing the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine, and by creating a process for individuals who have been convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana to have their records expunged.
The governor first proposed the further decriminalization of marijuana in 2013, and again in the FY 2020 Budget. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.
“Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by laws governing marijuana for far too long, and today we are ending this injustice once and for all,” Governor Cuomo said. “By providing individuals who have suffered the consequences of an unfair marijuana conviction with a path to have their records expunged and by reducing draconian penalties, we are taking a critical step forward in addressing a broken and discriminatory criminal justice process.”
This legislation will make marijuana enforcement fairer and more equitable by:
• Reducing the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine and removing criminal penalties for possession of any amount of marijuana under two ounces; and
• Creating a process for individuals with certain marijuana convictions to have their records expunged both retroactively and for future convictions.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Decriminalizing marijuana is an essential part of reforming our state’s broken justice system. For too long, communities of color have been disproportionately targeted and negatively impacted. The Senate Democratic Majority will continue our efforts for full legalization and regulation of marijuana, and today’s decriminalization is a good first step.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “This law is an important step in righting decades of injustice caused by the state’s current drug laws. Decriminalizing marijuana and expunging records for those with low level offenses will go a long way towards helping our communities, and especially people of color, who have been devastated by them. By removing the barriers and stigma that come with these records, we clear the path for many New Yorkers to find a job, housing and go on to live successful and productive lives.”
Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, D-Bronx, said, “Marijuana possession gives those convicted a criminal record that will follow them throughout their lives, potentially limiting their access to education, affecting their ability to obtain employment leading to a potential inability to provide for their families. The creation of a mechanism for expungement, both retroactively and forward-looking, is a step in the right direction in finally ending the heavy-handed war on drugs that has decimated communities of color. I want to thank the Assembly sponsor and Majority Leader of the Assembly Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their commitment to this issue and ensuring this bill becomes law.”
