By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 January 2025 at 8:48 am
Neal Keirn relished ‘dream job’ past 18 years, especially train excursions for Medina Railroad Museum
Photo by Brody George, conductor: Neal Keirn of Middleport waves from the engine as he passes the Medina Railroad Museum on Friday, his last day as engineer before retirement. He began his dream job exactly 18 years earlier on Jan. 17, 2007.
MIDDLEPORT – Neal Keirn began his dream job with the Falls Road Railroad on Jan. 17, 2007.
On Friday, exactly 18 years to the day, he climbed into engine #2035 for the last time.
Keirn has had a passionate infatuation with the railroad since he was a little boy, growing up across from the tracks in Middleport.
“As a kid I hung around the railroad,” Keirn said. “I’d be watching them switch cars and the engineer would let me climb in the engine with him. I got the idea that would be a fun thing to do.”
As he grew older and reached his teens, he began to understand how the railroad worked and about becoming an engineer.
“But in the mid ’70s, Penn Central had gone bankrupt, four other railroads that served the area went bankrupt and the other railroads weren’t hiring,” he said. “Conrail was the major railroad, made up of seven bankrupt railroads.”
Realizing a career on the railroad didn’t look promising, Keirn went to work for Middleport Lumber (Rhinehart’s).
“I was happy working there,” he said. “I eventually delivered coal for them. I ended up there for 20 years.”
When GVT took over the Falls Road line, Keirn got to know the guys through Rhinehart’s, he said. When the train would be switching cars for Barden Homes, Keirn would go out and talk to them.
Engineer Neal Keirn is shown at the controls of Engine 2035 last summer when he was featured on WKBW Channel 7 by feature reporter Mike Randall, shown here blowing the whistle as they went through Medina.
A couple of years later, Keirn met the general manager of the railroad, Matthew Ronski, who said he wanted to see Keirn.
“How would you like to come and work for the railroad,” he asked Keirn.
Keirn’s reply was, “Let me think about it,’” followed by an immediate, “yes.”
About two weeks later, Keirn was at the engine house in Lockport when he was told there was going to be a big increase in traffic on the Falls Road Railroad, which goes from Lockport through Orleans County to Brockport.
“We are going to need more help,” the manager told Keirn. “Get your training going.”
Keirn started his engineer’s training and received his license when he turned 40.
A short time later, Keirn learned what the increase in traffic was when the announcement came out that Western New York Energy was building an ethanol plant in Medina. That would end up requiring as many as 65 grain cars brought in and out every week and a half. Tropicana’s expansion in Brockport now requires 15 to 18 tank cars in and out every week. More business resulted when Helena Chemical relocated to Allis Road, just east of Medina.
“When I first started, we ran on Falls Road two days a week, now we’re running three days,” Keirn said. “The other days, we are in Batavia. The way it sounds, more business is coming for Falls Road.”
He has loved nearly every minute of his job, especially being engineer for Medina Railroad Museum’s excursions. Praise from Rick Henn, Museum board member and head conductor on train excursions, has meant the world to Keirn, he said.
“I tried very hard to do a good job, starting slowly and stopping smoothly with all the young passengers,” Keirn said. “It was very rewarding to hear I was doing my best.”
“We can always tell when you’re running the train,” Henn once told Keirn.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: The sign on the front of the locomotive signals Neal Keirn’s last day as engineer on the Falls Road Railroad, before he begins retirement.
For 10 years, Keirn has trained locomotive engineers and numerous conductors, in which he took a lot of pride, he said.
The only downside to his job has been four incidents at grade crossings, Keirn said, none of which were his fault. Two occurred on Hulberton Road; another was when a woman skidded onto the tracks in Batavia on a snowy day; and another last June when a truck stalled on the tracks on Fancher Road. Fortunately, none of the incidents resulted in any serious injuries.
Keirn is married to the former Roberta “Gilly” Blount of Medina and they have two daughters.
Keirn turned 67 last July and he began to think about retiring at the end of the year.
“I was exploring my retirement options when the representative from the railroad’s retirement fund asked me how firm I was on that date,” Keirn said. “He told me if I stayed into 2025, it would mean more in my retirement.”
That’s when he realized if he stayed until Jan. 17, he would have completed exactly 18 years on the job.
He has lots of things planned for his retirement, not least of all is working on his model trains. His wife does all sorts of crafts and he helps her when she needs something built. In September they are planning a family wedding in San Diego.
“I’ve enjoyed what I accomplished with the railroad and I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Keirn said.
On Friday, one of his daughter’s made him a sign for the front of his engine, which read, “Last Run, Engineer Neal Keirn, 1/17/2025.”
He had a special whistle which he blew, along with the traditional warning blasts at each crossing along the way. In Medina, he slowed the train and waved out the window to well-wishers who came out to give him one final goodbye wave.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2025 at 9:22 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – It was the biggest crowd yet this season for the Finally Fridays! Concerts at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
More than 200 people attended this evening’s concert by the rock and roll band Stanton.
Dillon Hirsch sings with the band this evening. He is filling in for the band’s usual singer, Greg Stanton. Mike Zelazny is playing the guitar at right.
The Stanton band playing cover tunes from Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty, Tragically Hip, the Byrds, Joe Cocker, Traveling Wilburys, Barry McGuire, J.J. Cale, America, Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, the Who, Beatles, Steppenwolf, Roy Orbison, Kiss, Rolling Stones, Monkees, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Marshall Tucker Band, Van Morrison and John Mellencamp.
The band includes Dillon Hirsch on vocals (usually Greg Stanton), Matt Stanton on bass (back left), Frank Sarchia on drums, Rick Braham of guitar (lower left) and Mike Zelanzy on guitar (lower right).
This group worked together on a puzzle while listening to the music.
Finally Fridays! is a free musical series during the winter months of January and February.
The series started in January 2002. Concerts start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
The series kicked off with Creek Bend on Jan. 3, followed by 2nd Time Around on Jan. 10.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cervical health and encourage proactive steps in preventing cervical cancer.
The New York State Department of Health reports that around 843 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year in New York State. Additionally, nearly 255 females lose their lives to this disease annually. With proper care, early detection, and education, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
Cervical Cancer and Prevention
Cervical cancer develops slowly over time, often starting with abnormal cells on the cervix. In most cases, it is caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV. Regular screenings, such as Pap smears and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) tests are important for the early detection of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine also offers further protections against common cancer-causing strains of HPV. It is most effective when given before exposure to the virus.
“Scheduling routine screenings and receiving the HPV vaccine can significantly decrease the risk of cervical cancer, states Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
Take Action
During Cervical Health Awareness Month, GO Health is encouraging individuals to:
Get screened regularly: Women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every 3 years, or both Pap and HPV tests every 5 years if recommended by their doctor according to the National Cancer Institute.
Get vaccinated: The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls, between the ages of 11-26, but can also be started as early as age 9.
Talk to your doctor: Talk to your healthcare provider about cervical health, screenings, and the HPV vaccine, especially if you have concerns or a family history of cervical cancer.
“We encourage all women to prioritize their health by scheduling their screenings and learning more about HPV prevention,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Through education and access to screenings, we can continue to fight cervical cancer and empower individuals to take control of their health.”
Third annual event on March 17 connects 600 students with healthcare careers and employers
Photo by Tom Rivers: Audra Fisher, a secretary with the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, and Justin McAdoo of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company show students how to “stop the bleed” and put on tourniquets during the March 22, 2024 GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. There were 575 students from 31 school districts in the four rural GLOW counties, including the Orleans County school districts of Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
Press Release, GLOW With Your Hands
BATAVIA – GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare is building momentum for its third annual hands-on career exploration event for students to experience healthcare careers.
More than 600 students from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties will take part in the event at Genesee Community College on March 17. Students will learn first-hand about exciting career opportunities in the healthcare sector by meeting representatives and professionals from a variety of healthcare organizations, careers, and training programs.
“The support of our regional sponsors play an integral role in the success of GLOW With Your Hands,” said Angela Grouse, Co-Chair, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “We ask for your help in motivating the future leaders of our community to these impactful careers.”
Sponsorships for the March 17th event are available at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000), and Bronze ($500) levels.
“Since 2019, GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing and Healthcare have welcomed over 5,000 local students, educating them about the abundant local opportunities while providing businesses an interactive event to engage with those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare,” said Karyn Winters, Co-Chair, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “By supporting this year’s event, our sponsors grow real opportunities for our students.”
For more information about GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare sponsorship, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2025 at 7:53 am
Provided photos: Lyndonville School Board President Jerod Thurber, center, congratulates Hank on completing therapy dog training. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, is at right and Jason Barnum, the school resource officer, is at left.
Jason Barnum holds Hank soon after the dog became a part of the school community about a year ago in January 2024.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district celebrated a special graduation during the Board of Edcation meeting on Tuesday.
Hank, an English Cream Golden Retriever, has completed therapy dog training. Hank has been in the schools for about a year with his handler, Deputy Jason Barnum of the Orleans County Sheriff’s office. Barnum is also the school resource officer.
“Deputy Barnum and Hank have certainly made a positive impact on the students and staff at the Lyndonville School,” said Sheriff Chris Bourke. “I appreciate the partnership the Sheriff’s Office has with Lyndonville School District to provide a school resource deputy and Hank.”
Bourke said Hank and Barnum are a “dynamic duo” that make a positive impact in the school community, by fostering trust, safety and emotional support for students and staff.
Hank stays with Barnum and his family when not at school. Hank doesn’t do police work but is a school therapy dog, supporting the social, emotional and mental health of students.
As part of Hank’s year-long training, school counselors, administrators, and members of faculty and staff also attended trainings to develop programing, supervise Hank in a school setting, and support him. Hank and Barnum received training from the Eye of Oden K9 Training from Kent.
Hank is at Lyndonville through a collaboration between the school, county and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. The Lyndonville Area Foundation and the Lyndonville Lions Club donated towards materials and supplies for Hank.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released the following statement on her appointment to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).
Established in 1977, HPSCI is responsible for overseeing the U.S. intelligence community, which encompasses the intelligence and related activities of the U.S. government, including the Military Intelligence Program.
“I am honored to have been named to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 119th Congress, and thank Speaker Johnson for this prestigious appointment,” Tenney said.
“At this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, I am committed to ensuring that our intelligence community has the resources and support necessary to strengthen our national security capabilities,” she said. “Facilities such as Fort Drum, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and Rome Lab in upstate New York are critical to our national security.
“I am dedicated to advocating on behalf of these premiere defense sites as a part of our critical national security asset base. I look forward to working with President Trump, Speaker Johnson, HPSCI Chairman Crawford, and my colleagues to strengthen our defense capabilities and uphold essential oversight of our nation’s intelligence operations.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said, “In an increasingly dangerous world with hot wars around the globe, multi-faceted threats from China, and terrorists within our borders, the mission of our intelligence community is vitally important. Congress has a responsibility to conduct thorough oversight of these intelligence systems to ensure we are safeguarding the American people and our national interests while also strictly adhering to the Constitution.”
ALBION – David Sidari has been appointed as an interim member of the Albion Board of Education.
On Monday, the BOE officially appointed Sidari, former Albion BOE member for 25 years, to fill the vacancy left by Ocie Bennett Jr., who stepped down in December 2024 to take a position at Albion High School.
“I look forward to filling the vacant board seat for the rest of the school year,” Sidari said. “Having retired from the board at the end of last year, I am familiar with the other members and look forward to working with them again. A lot of great things are taking place including school culture improvement and, most importantly, student achievement.”
Sidari was on the board until his fifth term expired on June 30, 2024.
Mickey Edwards, Superintendent of ACS, said he is looking forward to working with Sidari for the remainder of the academic year.
“It was an honor to have worked closely with Dave on the board and we are grateful to him for stepping up as we navigate this transition,” Edwards said.
The superintendent of schools also said he is excited that Bennett is returning to work as a teaching assistant in Albion High School.
“It’s like he never left,” Edwards joked. “We are pleased to extend a warm ACS welcome to Ocie as he returns to work at the high school.”
Previously, Bennett worked in Albion district for 20 years before resigning for another opportunity in 2021. He was elected to the Albion BOE in 2022.
“We are all excited for Ocie’s return to Albion CSD and for his continued impact upon our district as he supports our students, staff, families and community,” said Jennifer Ashbery, principal at Albion High School.
There will be three seats open in the BOE election this spring: two 5-year terms and one 2-year term.
Once the results are in, the two candidates with the most votes will be appointed to the board for full five-year terms. Whoever comes in third will take over for Sidari this July and be up for re-election in 2027.
Nathan Stefanini from Albion, who is assigned to the Company D in the 427th Brigade Support Battalion, received a promotion Dec. 19 to the rank of private 1st class.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced the promotion today.
Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.
The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state’s executive agency responsible to the governor for managing New York’s military forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 January 2025 at 2:48 pm
MEDINA – A Medina man has been charged with arson for a fire last month on Bates Road that forced the evacuation of residents from the home.
Zach Natale, 31, today was charged with second-degree arson, second-degree burglary and reckless endangerment in the first degree, Medina Police Chief Todd Draper said.
Medina police and the Medina Fire Department responded to the fire on Dec. 17 at Bates Road, with assistance from other local fire departments.
The cause of the fire was investigated and the preliminary investigation determined the fire to be suspicious in nature.
Following an extensive joint investigation, Natale was charged today, Draper said.
Following processing at the Medina Police Department, Natale was transported to the Orleans County jail for arraignment.
The primary investigating officer on this case was Ofc. Dustin Meredith. Draper said the Medina PD appreciates the joint investigative efforts of the Medina Police Department, Medina Fire Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
“We would like to also thank all mutual Departments, Orleans County dispatchers, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 unit,” Draper said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 January 2025 at 10:08 am
MEDINA – The village about two years ago was approved for a state grant to put in fast charging stations.
The state committed to a $245,184 grant for two direct-current fast charger pedestals. The project costs jumped to a projected $370,000 with National Grid and the state Department of Environmental Conservation to pay the additional expenses.
The village has been working with the Barton & Loguidice engineering firm on the design and engineering work for the project, which is planned for the Canal Basin. The stations, the first fast chargers in the county, would go in a median in the parking lot where there is access to three-phase electricity.
The project, however, is going to be handed off to the state which is doing a $1.345 million redesign of the basin and the parking lot.
The Village Board on Monday paid $3,750 to Matt Zarbo, a managing engineer with Barton & Loguidice. That money will be reimbursed by the state.
The state has its own firm working on the Canal Basin parking lot redesign. The basin will be transformed into a “waterfront gateway” with green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities. It’s one of eight projects to be funded with a $4.5 NY Forward grant.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Medina’s fast-charging stations are planned for the Canal Basin near the median where there is access to electricity. There would be four spots with each station having two places to charge up electric vehicles.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 January 2025 at 9:32 am
David Wagenhauser, a Democrat who ran for Congress in the NY-24th District, has passed away at age 65.
Wagenhauser is being praised for giving voters a choice in a district with a heavy Republican advantage. He lost the election this past November to Claudia Tenney.
“He was a common-sense, realistic moderate,” said Jess Marciano, a Medina village trustee who is active in the Orleans County Democratic Party. “I was very excited for his campaign. I don’t feel well represented by Claudia Tenney.”
Wagenhauser went door to door in Medina, and learned about local issues, Marciano said, including the STAMP manufacturing site just across the Orleans County border in the Town of Alabama, and the prospect of large wind turbines in Shelby.
Wagenhauser, a retired lawyer from Waterloo in Seneca County, made the trek frequently across the sprawling district.
He died on Jan. 11. His calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Doran Funeral Home in Seneca Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Waterloo.
Wagenhauser grew up in Spencerport and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at SUNY Brockport and put himself through law school at Syracuse University. He was a marathon runner and a self-taught carpenter who enjoyed restoring his old home in Waterloo.
In a message posted on his campaign website, he said Congressional representatives from Upstate don’t do enough to help the area with better job prospects and a more affordable cost of living. He longed for a bipartisan approach with less bickering in Congress. He blamed “extremists and ultra-partisans” for making governing “a chaotic nightmare where finger pointing and insults replace common sense, hard work and achieving real results.”
“I’m not a knee-jerk Democrat,” he wrote. “I believe in getting things done to make people’s lives better. It starts with finding common ground. I’ll work with anyone who can help me in my fight to deliver results for the people and communities of Upstate NY.”
His daughter, Dana Wagenhauser, served as his campaign manager.
“My father was a fighter for all – family, friends, and strangers alike – until the end,” she posted on Facebook, informing his supporters of his death. “His fierce intellect, conviction, and heart will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
“A strong and confident man, my father worked very hard in his effort to represent the people of the district, with the goal of being a voice for those who were not being heard. It was an exhausting endeavor, and we thank each of you for all you did for us during the campaign season. We could not have done it without you.”
BUFFALO – Bishop Michael Fisher has directed parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo to take up a special emergency collection in response to the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires in Southern California.
Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church in the U.S., has launched a dedicated disaster relief donation campaign. All funds raised in the diocese will assist those displaced or suffering because of the fires. One hundred percent of all donations will be allocated to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, which will provide critical humanitarian relief to those most in need.
In addition of the upcoming special collection in parishes, gifts also may be made online through www.catholiccharitiesusa.org and by accessing the LA Wildfires Disaster Relief “Give Now” button, or by texting FIRES to 20406.
In his request to diocesan priests requesting the special collection, Bishop Fisher said, “I know the generosity of our people and their deep care for those in need. I trust that you will find the best way of making these needs known to the faithful of your parish community. Please include an intercession for all those affected by the fires in the Universal Prayer at Masses.”
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
MEDINA – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has determined that the cleanup requirements to address contamination related to the former Bernzomatic Facility site at 1 Bernzomatic Drive, under New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program have been met.
The site is in the Village of Medina in the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby. The site is about 15 acres and is bound by New York Central Railroad and a vacant commercial property to the north, vacant wooded land to the south, Bernzomatic Drive to the east, and wooded land and commercial property to the west.
From 1969 through 2014 site operations involved the machining, assembly, packing, and shipping of hand-held torches by the Bernzomatic Corporation.
Current site activities include dry goods storage and material assembly, packaging, and shipping of air duct components.
The cleanup activities were performed by the Newell Operating Company and B360 Holdings LLC with oversight provided by the DEC. The DEC has approved a Final Engineering Report and issued a Certificate of Completion for the site.
The following activities have been completed to achieve the remedial action objectives:
Demolition – The eastern machine building was demolished, and the concrete slab was removed. Following removal, the building footprint was backfilled with clean fill.
Excavation – Excavation and off-site disposal of about 23 tons of contaminated soil exceeding the Restricted Commercial Use soil cleanup objectives was performed. The excavations were backfilled with clean fill.
In-Situ (in-place) Reductive Chlorination – Groundwater at the site is impacted with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). To prevent groundwater contamination from migrating off-site, Liquid Activated Carbon and Biological amendments were injected into the ground to breakdown the VOCs.
Site Cover System – The site cover system includes hard cover (building foundations, asphalt pavement, and concrete sidewalks), and 1-foot of clean soil cover in landscaped areas.
Site Management Plan (SMP) – Development of a SMP for long-term management of residual contamination.
Easement – An Environmental Easement was recorded to prevent future exposure to any contamination remaining at the site and to ensure implementation of the SMP.
Photos from LaBella: These images show some of the cleanup work at the former Bernzomatic site in Medina.
NYSDEC has approved the Final Engineering Report Approved, which:
1) Describes the cleanup activities completed.
2) Certifies that cleanup requirements have been achieved for the site.
3) Describes any institutional/engineering controls to be used. An institutional control is a non-physical restriction on use of the site, such as an environmental easement, when contamination left over after the cleanup action makes the site suitable for some, but not all uses. An engineering control is a physical barrier or method to manage contamination such as a cap or vapor barrier.
4) Certifies that a site management plan for any engineering controls used at the site has been approved by NYSDEC.
The following institutional controls have been put in place on the site:
Site Management Plan.
Groundwater and Land Use Restrictions.
Environmental Easement.
Vapor intrusion must be evaluated for any buildings developed on-site.
The following engineering controls have been put in place on the site:
Cover System.
Next Steps: With its receipt of a Certificate of Completion, the applicants are eligible to redevelop the site. In addition, the applicants are eligible for tax credits to offset the costs of performing cleanup activities and for redevelopment of the site.
