By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2019 at 5:36 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
A contractor hired by the State Canal Corp. removes tree stumps along the Erie Canal this afternoon by Canal Road, between Holley and Brockport.
The state Canal Corp. has hired Hohl Industrial of Tonawanda and Tioga Construction of Herkimer to remove tree stumps, and do packing and grading of the embankments where trees were cut down about a year ago.
This is the second of an embankment maintenance program for the Erie Canal in Monroe and Orleans counties that will enhance the canal’s safety and security, the Canal Corp. said.
The work started about a month ago near Marshall Road in Medina and contractors have been moving east.
This photo from Thursday shows a crew near Eagle Harbor in Albion, removing tree stumps and clearing some vegetation.
The Canal Corp. initiated the tree-clearing and embankment maintenance in accordance with guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration, Army Corps of Engineers and Association of State Dam Safety Engineers. The consensus among these experts is that trees have no place on embankments, as their root systems can cause seepage and potentially lead to erosion and potential embankment failure that can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life, the Canal Corp. said.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Child Victims Act will be included in the 2019 Executive Budget. This legislation ensures those who abuse children are held accountable criminally and civilly and that survivors of childhood sexual abuse have a path to justice.
Cuomo advocated for passage of the Child Victims Act last legislative session but Senate Republicans refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. Governor Cuomo included the Child Victims Act as part of his Justice Agenda for the first 100 days of the new legislative session.
“There has been a degradation of justice for childhood sexual assault survivors who have suffered for decades by the authority figures they trusted most,” he said. “That ends this year with the enactment of the Child Victims Act to provide survivors with a long-overdue path to justice. For years Senate Republicans unconscionably blocked passage of this critical bill, but in partnership with a new progressive legislative majority we have an opportunity to ensure perpetrators of these heinous acts are held accountable and that survivors of childhood sexual abuse get their day in court.”
This bill would provide necessary relief to child victims of sexual abuse by amending New York’s antiquated laws to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions, regardless of when the crime occurred. Under current law, child sexual abuse offenses cannot be prosecuted after five years from their occurrence and civil lawsuits for this conduct must be brought within three years from the victim’s 18th birthday.
This legislation:
• Increases the amount of time during which perpetrators of these crimes may be held criminally accountable;
• Allows victims of these crimes to commence a civil lawsuit at any time before they reach 50 years of age;
• Provides victims whose claims have been time-barred a new opportunity for their day in court by opening a one-year window for them to commence their action;
• Eliminates the need to file a notice of claim for sexual offenses committed against a minor;
• Requires judicial training with respect to crimes involving the sexual abuse of minors;
• Authorizes the Office of Court Administration to promulgate rules and regulations for the timely adjudication of revived actions.
This bill is consistent with legislation sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal.
KENDALL – The State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas today announced that work is complete on a $5.8 million project that repaved and rehabilitated 7.2 miles of the Lake Ontario State Parkway between Route 19 in Hamlin, Monroe County, and Route 237 in Kendall, Orleans County.
The work improved rideability and enhanced safety along the four-lane Parkway, which provides access to Hamlin Beach State Park, a major summer tourist attraction.
“Improvements and upgraded pavement quality along this section of the Lake Ontario State Parkway will smooth the way for area travelers for years to come,” Karas said. “Pavement rehabilitation projects like this are just one of many ways Governor Cuomo and the State Department of Transportation are working to move the Finger Lakes Forward.”
The project laid new pavement over the Parkway concrete and rehabilitated ramps at several interchanges. It also added new wrong-way signage, pavement markings and striping. In addition, the highway shoulders were narrowed from 12 feet to 8 feet in width.
Consistent with Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative, the project was designed to minimize impacts to the traveling public. The project started in May 2018 and the Parkway remained open to traffic throughout construction, with at least one lane of traffic maintained in each direction. On and off ramps to the interchanges at Hamlin Beach State Park were kept open between Memorial Day and Labor Day to limit impacts to the summer tourism season. Access to the park was maintained throughout the project.
Senator Joe Robach said, “The completion of the Lake Ontario State Parkway road improvement project is great news for our region and the people who use this highway every day. While we are still a few months away from camping and enjoying the beautiful beaches at Hamlin State Park, these improvements will benefit the thousands of tourists who visit every year. I was pleased to help advocate for these needed repairs and improvements that will improve safety for commuters and pedestrians in the area.”
Senator Rob Ortt said, “The completed paving of over seven miles of the parkway is a welcome development for residents of the area and visitors alike. I hope this is just one of several significant improvements we are able to make on the Parkway. Not only will the rehabilitation of this parkway help improve driver safety for those who utilize this road daily, but improvements in access to Hamlin Beach will make viewing our beautiful lakeshore easier for tourists that wish to experience some of the beauty our region has to offer.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley said, “I am extremely proud to announce that such a large stretch of the Lake Ontario State Parkway has been repaved and rehabilitated. This is a crucial scenic highway in Western New York that provides an avenue for sightseeing, fishing, tourism and travel to the Midwest and Canada. I would like to thank local officials, residents and state lawmakers for their help in delivering this long-awaited project and I look forward to smooth and safe travel for years to come.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, “Investments in infrastructure projects not only modernize our local roads and bridges, but also help spur economic development. Building a strong, efficient infrastructure network is incredibly important as we seek to attract new investment and more jobs to Monroe County, and the Lake Ontario State Parkway project is no exception. Monroe County is proud to be investing $33 million in road and bridge projects in 2019 and we thank the New York State Department of Transportation for sharing our commitment with this community.”
Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said, “We are pleased to see some significant progress on the Lake Ontario State Parkway and we are hopeful that this is the start of an ongoing effort by the DOT to preserve and maintain an important piece of Orleans County’s transportation system.”
The stretch of Lake Ontario State Parkway west of Route 98 in the town of Carlton, Orleans County, has closed to vehicular traffic until spring. A detour is in place for motorists to exit at Route 98 and take Route 18 to continue west.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2019 at 11:59 am
There are two upcoming open houses for the community to hear about a proposed wind energy project in Barre.
Apex Clan Energy is proposing 47 turbines in Barre that would be 591 feet at the highest tip height.
Clear Skies Above Barre has concerns about the environmental and public health impact of the turbines. Clear Skies will host open house at the Barre Town Hall on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Clear Skies will present a map of proposed turbine locations, and discuss other issues including environmental and health concerns with turbines, why a PILOT payment plan isn’t the best option for the community, “character and fitness” of Apex, and some pros of the project.
“Please join our community for pizza and conversations as we share our specific concerns about the proposed Industrial Turbines in the Town of Barre, Orleans County,” Clear Skies said in an announcement about the meeting at the Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd. “Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to swing by. It will be a laid-back event, so stop in anytime between 1-3 p.m.”
Apex also is hosting an open house at the Heritage Wind office at 49 N. Main St. in Albion. The public is welcome to meet Dave Phillips, Apex Clean Energy’s vice president of environmental, at a dinner and open house on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to ask environmental-related questions, and share feedback. Sandwiches and light refreshments will be provided.
Phillips oversees environmental-related activities for Apex’s land-based wind and solar projects. He leads a coordinated effort with Apex’s project development, business development, and asset management teams to carefully select greenfield sites; support the environmental aspects of project operations, sales, and acquisitions; and bring projects to market that are fully compliant with state and federal regulations, Apex said.
Important aspects of Phillips’s role at Apex include overcoming permitting obstacles with respect to eagles and listed species and working proactively with consultants and regulators to find reasonable solutions for studies, impact avoidance, mitigation, and permitting when necessary.
He is a member of the board of the American Wind Wildlife Institute and serves on the Wind Wildlife Research Fund Advisory Council.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2019 at 9:05 am
Citizens group angry that Barre officials declined to push for bigger turbine distances from houses, property lines
Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said the board has been inundated with documents, for and against the wind turbine project. The board decided it wouldn’t update the town’s zoning ordinance for wind energy projects that was adopted in 2008.
BARRE – Residents and Apex Clean Energy have been waiting for the town to decide how it will update its zoning ordinance for wind turbines, with the town setting parameters for turbine height, and setbacks from houses, property lines and roads.
The ordinance would also set rules for shadow flicker, noise and other environmental issues, as well as the decommissioning of the turbines.
Clear Skies Above Barre, a citizens group, submitted its recommendations to the town and many other residents also weighed in. Apex Clean Energy offered its suggestions.
The Town Board on Wednesday made its decision: the ordinance would remain unchanged from when it was passed in 2008. The board opted to have a State Siting Board decide what is appropriate for turbine heights, setbacks and the other environmental issues.
The resolution from the Town Board noted that Clear Skies and some citizens requested amendments to the town’s wind energy ordinance and Apex asked for opposing amendments. With the opposing views, as well as reams of information about issues with turbines, the Town Board will have the Siting Board be responsible for considering the different impacts.
Board members Richard Bennett, Tom McCabe, Lynn Hill and Sean Pogue voted in favor of the resolution, with Larry Gaylard abstaining because he has a lease with Apex.
Kerri Richardson, president of Clear Skies, told the board she is disappointed it didn’t bolster protections in the ordinance for residents. Clear Skies worked for many months on the issues, researching and working with a consultant to offer input for the board.
Kerri Richardson, president of Clear Skies Above Barre, said the Town Board has failed to protect residents with a proposed project that includes 47 wind turbines that would peak at 591 feet tall.
“It showed it reality it didn’t matter, the time and effort we have done to protect our neighbors, our children and the community,” Richardson said. “That’s infuriating.”
The town should have pushed to update the ordinance, especially because Apex is proposing turbines that are nearly 600 feet tall, which would be the largest on-land turbines in the United States, Richardson said.
“Town Board you have handed over the decision to the state,” she said. “You were elected to protect us. You just gave away the opportunity to protect our citizens.”
The seven-member Siting Board has five state representatives including the chairman of the Department of Public Service, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, commissioner of the Department of Health, chairman of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the commissioner of Economic Development.
Two other ad hoc members from the local community will be on the board to review the project. One local resident has been appointed so far – Robin Nacca, who lives on Route 98. Her property is adjacent to land that has been leased for a possible turbine.
The town law from 2008 caps the turbine height at no more than 500 feet. That would be too small for Apex, which is proposing 47 turbines that would be 591 feet high, at maximum tip height.
Ben Yazman, the Apex project manager, said Apex will seek a waiver for the height through the Article 10 review process.
Yazman said Apex has met many times with town officials, offering suggestions for the town ordinance that he said would address local concerns. He wanted to avoid having the Siting Board decide turbine height, setbacks and many of the other issues, with the town instead reaching a decision.
The Barre turbines are planned to generate 4.2 megawatts per turbine, nearly triple the power from the models from a decade ago which were about 400 feet high.
Town Board member Richard Bennett said the board has been accused of not caring about the health and safety of residents. Bennett bristled at that suggestion and said the community will have plenty of opportunities to voice its concerns about the turbine project through the Article 10 process that the state.
Barre opted its wind ordinance in 2008 when a different developer was looking at the town for a project that didn’t end up materializing. Apex has proposed some revisions to the ordinance “to modernize the technological standards of the law,” Yazman has said.
Clear Skies pushed for farther setbacks than the current town law. The current ordinance says the turbines need a property line setback of at least 1.5 times the tip height. That is for the property lines where the turbine is located.
The current ordinance also says the turbines need to be at least 1,000 feet from any existing residential or commercial building.
Apex has agreed to 1,500 foot setbacks from residential buildings. Yazman also suggested 1.5 times the tip height for setbacks from property lines for non-participating property owners, or landowners without an Apex lease.
Clear Skies said the setbacks should be six times the turbine height. That would be at least 3,600 feet or more than a half mile for 600-foot-tall turbines.
She also said the minimum setbacks should be the same for all residents, with lease holders not having them closer to their houses. That way all residents have equal protection from infra-sound, shadow flicker, ground vibrations and other adverse effects, Richardson said.
Town Councilman Tom McCabe said the board has wrestled with the issue for over a year.
“Information has been inundated on us,” he said. “We’ve dug into it and it’s been a long drawn-out process to figure out what to do.”
Richardson acknowledged there are many conflicting reports and studies about turbines. Board members and residents need to thoroughly vet the information, and check to see a wind developer is funding favorable research.
“I’m not going to deny there are studies on both sides of the project and that’s what makes it difficult to decipher,” she told the board.
Town Board member Richard Bennett bristled at comments that the board was passing on its responsibilities for protecting the health and safety of residents. Bennett said there will be plenty of opportunities to weigh in on these issues through the Article 10 process.
“This isn’t over yet,” he said.
Vance Wyder, a resident of the nearby Tonawanda Indian Reservation, wears a headdress with eagle feathers. He holds an eagle feather that was sent to him from Colorado. Wyder said wildlife needs to be protected. “I know we need power,” he said. “But how do we incorporate it to protect the eagles?”
George McKenna, a Barre resident, said the board shouldn’t have made a decision about the ordinance until it had negotiated a community benefits package with Apex. The company has said the community will likely receive about $1.5 million in revenue to offset taxes.
McKenna said that is a low number for a 200-megawatt project. Barre should push for more money, but has lost some of its bargaining power with the decision on Wednesday.
“If you’re going to negotiate, negotiate while you have leverage,” he said.
Richardson, who is McKenna’s daughter, also said the town made a decision to soon on the ordinance.
“The $1.5 million is very minimal,” she said. “If we’re going to be benefitting, we need to be negotiating before we settled.”
She noted the $1.5 million wouldn’t all go to directly to Barre taxpayers. It will likely be split among the town, Albion school district and Orleans County.
John Metzler, a vocal critic of the turbine project, said the board should have a moratorium on any decisions about the proposed Heritage Wind until the town residents are all canvassed for their opinion on whether the project is good for Barre. He reiterated his concerns about the turbines’ effect on human health and local wildlife.
Iva McKenna told the board it could have easily followed suggestions from the World Health Organization about siting turbines. The board should have included assurances about property value guarantees in the ordinance.
“This community will be changed very dramatically by the pockets of a few,” she said.
Town Supervisor Sean Pogue acknowledged that lease holders will see the biggest financial benefit with the project. However, he said all Barre property owners should see a tax reduction if the project goes forward.
“As far as we’re concerned if that wind energy complex comes into town everyone who pays taxes will get a financial benefit,” Pogue said.
The board was asked how it came to its decision, to keep the wind ordinance unchanged because the board members haven’t publicly debated the issue among themselves. At Wednesday’s meeting, “Resolution #3” was on the agenda with no additional description. The board voted on it without discussion.
George McKenna said he was baffled why the town didn’t push for more distance from turbines to houses and property lines.
“If we could have only one thing it would be setbacks,” he said. “We want setbacks that protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents.”
During the meeting on Wednesday, Pogue asked Richardson how many of the 63 members of Clear Skies live in Barre. Richardson said 84 percent are Barre residents, 6 percent are land owners who didn’t live in Barre and another 10 percent are outside Barre.
Pogue asked to see the names of the Clear Skies members. He said Richardson has requested numerous documents from the town about the Apex project, including a review of postcards sent to the town in support of Heritage Wind.
“It works both ways,” Pogue told her. “How about fairness.”
Richardson said the Clear Skies members are all volunteers, and some have put their own funds into researching the project. Some members have requested anonymity because they fear retribution. She said she would reach out to the membership to see who is comfortable with their names being released to the Town Board.
Pogue said he just wants to be sure the group is comprised of Barre residents.
The Adult Educational Opportunity Center (AEOC) is visiting every Genesee Community College campus center in January to help any current or potential student through College Entry Point and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Workshops. The remaining events are listed below.
Any current or potential student can attend these workshops:
• Batavia Campus – 1 College Road, Batavia; Wednesday, January 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Albion Campus Center – 456 West Ave, Albion; Tuesday, January 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Medina Campus Center – 11470 Maple Ridge Road, Medina; Thursday, January 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thursday, January 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The AEOC will also be at GCC campus centers in Arcade, Dansville and Lima. To see the complete calendar of AEOC support workshops, financial aid sessions, College Entry Point events, click here.
One of the most popular workshops the AEOC offers are the “FAFSA Fests” (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). During these sessions, anyone can receive help in completing the FAFSA and TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) forms. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the AEOC office at 1-888-394-2362 or via email at AEOC@genesee.edu to reserve a seat in any session and to learn about what information and materials are required for participation.
All of the AEOC services are free and available to anyone, not just students of Genesee Community College. With dozens of events taking place throughout the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties, the AEOC is readily available.
To learn more about any of these AEOC services, click here or contact the AEOC office at 1-888-394-2362 or via email at AEOC@genesee.edu.
Provided photo: This photo from a previous Kendall Lions Club chicken barbecue shows the club at work getting the popular meal ready.
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club will have its annual chicken barbecue on Saturday, Feb. 2, with the proceeds to benefit Teresa Leicht and her family. Teresa has been battling cancer. Her husband Peter is a physical education teacher at Kendall Jr.-Sr. High School and has made a big impact on the lives of Kendall students in his teaching and in his roles as coach and athletic director, the Kendall Lions Club said.
Lion Phil D’Agostino has chaired and developed the chicken barbecue into one of the Lion Club’s most successful fundraisers since 2004. The proceeds go directly to the community.
The chicken barbecue is held each year the Saturday before the Super Bowl. The barbecue has helped many Kendall residents with medical bills due to accidents, cancer and other illnesses.
While assisting an individual or family in need is the club’s first choice, the Lions Club has also used past funds to support youth programs in the community, purchase an AED for the fire department and support programs in the school.
Tickets can be purchased from any Lions Club member or emailing hunterborn@rochester.rr.com. Advance sale tickets only, available until Jan. 26.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today vowed passage of legislation in the first 100 days of the new legislative session to combat gun violence and make New York’s nation-leading gun laws even stronger.
First, the Governor vowed to pass the Red Flag Bill, also known as the extreme risk protection order bill, which would prevent individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing any kind of firearm. This legislation builds on New York’s strongest in the nation gun laws, and, if passed, would make New York the first in the United States to empower its teachers and school administrators to prevent school shootings by pursuing court intervention. In addition, the Governor will push to ban bump stocks and extend the background check waiting period for purchasing guns from three to ten days.
“The scourge of gun violence in our nation is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and we are not going to wait for the federal government to act on passing gun safety legislation,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York already has the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, and we are taking additional steps to make our laws even stronger and keep our communities, and our schools, safe. Together, we will pass this common sense legislation and send a clear message to Washington that gun violence has no place in our state or nation.”
Red Flag Bill
No law currently exists in New York State that enables a court to issue an order to temporarily seize firearms from a person who is showing red flags, like violent behavior, or is believed to pose a severe threat of harm to himself, herself, or others unless that person has also been accused of a crime or family offense. In addition, no state in the nation currently empowers its teachers and school administrators to prevent school shootings by pursuing court intervention.
The law would provide all necessary procedural safeguards to ensure that no firearm is removed without due process while ensuring that tragedies, like the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, are not repeated. In this mass shooting, the shooter was reported by multiple sources to be disturbed and dangerous yet was allowed to purchase and possess deadly firearms. In fact, more than half of all perpetrators of mass shootings exhibit warning signs before the shooting, according to a recent analysis. In these cases, an extreme risk protection order could have prevented countless, needless deaths.
Governor Cuomo previously advanced the legislation to keep guns away from individuals who pose a danger with the launch of a statewide campaign to pass the Red Flag Gun Protection Bill last June. The campaign included a series of bus tours to schools across the state to stand in solidarity with students, teachers and school administrators who support the bill and other common sense gun reform.
Ban Bump Stocks
The 2017 Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 people demonstrated the deadly consequences of bump stocks, which can be attached to semi-automatic weapons to simulate machine gunfire. Bump stocks serve no legitimate purposes for hunters or sportsmen and only cause unpredictable and accelerated gun fire. There is no reason to allow for their continued sale in New York State.
Extending the Background Check Waiting Period
Governor Cuomo previously advanced legislation to establish a 10-day waiting period for individuals who are not immediately approved to purchase a firearm through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Current federal law requires gun dealers to conduct the NICS background check on a potential purchaser prior to selling a firearm, which immediately provides the dealer with one of three possible notifications: “proceed”, “denied”, or “delayed”.
In the case of a “delayed” response, the dealer must wait three days before the sale is eligible to go through, even though the FBI continues to investigate these individuals past the three-day timeframe. Oftentimes, by the time it has been determined that the potential purchaser was, in fact, ineligible, the individual has already been sold the firearm upon completion of the three-day waiting period. Extending the waiting period to ten days would allow sufficient time to complete the background check and builds on legislative efforts to ensure that only those eligible to purchase and own a firearm are able to do so.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2019 at 2:54 pm
MURRAY – The Town of Murray no longer has Ron Vendetti working as its code enforcement officer. The Town Board during its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday did not make an appointment to the position.
The town will have Melissa Ierlan, Clarendon’s code enforcement officer, fill in for some inspections. All contacts at Murray should still be made with Val Mauro, the deputy clerk.
“It is anticipated that after interviews with qualified applicants we will be able to fill this position for the foreseeable future with a quality candidate who embodies our mission of customer satisfaction and community involvement,” Town Supervisor Robert Miller said in a letter announcing the code enforcement change. “This transition may cause some minor delays, but we expect to offer uninterrupted service while we manage this situation. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated.”
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from March 2015 shows the bridge on Route 18 over Oak Orchard River when it was limited to one lane so the Department of Transportation could make repairs.
Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation
CARLTON – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists about a new traffic pattern in place along the bridge carrying Route 18 over Oak Orchard Creek in the Town of Carlton, Orleans County.
The bridge, which is currently posted for 28 tons, will now be reduced to a one-way alternating traffic pattern using a traffic signal at each end of the bridge.
This pattern is expected to continue for the next several weeks as NYSDOT is currently planning repairs to the bridge, allowing for two-way traffic to resume.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2019 at 1:54 pm
ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to a year of weekends in the Orleans County Jail for sexual misconduct.
Robert Tetrault, 37, pleaded guilty on Oct. 15 to two counts of sexual misconduct and faced up to a year for each Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum of two years in jail.
Tetrault entered an Alford plea, which is a guilty plea without admitting to the criminal act. He allegedly had sexual intercourse and committed another sex act against a child, both girls under age 18. Tetrault proclaimed his innocence in Orleans County Court.
He already spent seven months in the county jail since his arrest. County Court Judge Sanford Church credited the time served for the first count against Tetrault, and the judge said Tetrault would serve a year of weekends in jail for the second count.
Tetrault’s attorney, Joanne Best, asked for that sentence. She said Tetrault has a job as a crew leader for a business that does siding and roofing. She read a letter from the owner of the business saying Tetrault is a valued employee.
Tetrault acknowledged he has an extensive criminal history. He said he is determined to be a productive citizen.
“I’ve been doing good and I will keep up doing good,” he told the judge. “I’ve made changes.”
If Tetrault served weekends in jail, he could keep his job and help support his family, Best said.
Judge Church agreed to the sentence. Tetrault will have to pay a $1,000 supplemental sex offender victim fee, $175 court surcharge, $50 DNA databank fee, and $25 crime victims fee.
The judge also issued orders of protection for the two victims, with those orders lasting five years from today.
In other sentencings this morning:
• A Wyoming County man was sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation for grand larceny in the fourth degree.
Dean Smith Jr. accepted more than $13,000 for two construction jobs for Orleans County homeowners and didn’t do the work. He said he used the money to buy materials and pay employees.
He faced similar charges in Wyoming County and was sentenced there last Thursday to the same sentence. The sentences in Wyoming and Orleans will be served the same time, although he might have to spend a few additional days in the Orleans County Jail because the Wyoming sentence started last week.
Judge Church also ordered Smith to pay $8,450 in restitution to one victim and $4,800 to the other one in Orleans County, plus a 5 percent surcharge for both.
“I do apologize to the victims for what happened,” Smith said at sentencing. I didn’t mean for it to happen I was robbing Peter to pay Paul. The only person to blame is me.”
• Sarah MacDonald, an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, was sentenced to another 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for attempted promoting prison contraband in the first degree. She said she asked to have to suboxone sent to her to help her fight withdrawals from her drug addiction. The suboxone was intercepted by corrections staff. She didn’t receive it.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2019 at 1:18 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Four people sustained non life-threatening injuries and were transported to Medina Memorial Hospital today after this vehicle slid off the road and hit a tree and fire hydrant on Route 31 on the western end of Albion.
Two ambulances from COVA took the four people, including two children, to Medina Memorial. The accident occurred at about 12:15 p.m. on Route 31 between Allen’s Bridge and Long Bridge roads.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2019 at 9:15 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Trees in front of the Albion Middle School are pictured on Tuesday afternoon when it got foggy.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory today until 1 p.m. for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.
Up to 2 inches of snow is expected, with the greatest amounts north and east of Buffalo, the Weather Service said. Winds gusting as high as 40 miles per hour will produce areas of blowing snow.
Today is forecast for a high of 23. The overnight low will fall to 12, according to the Weather Service.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2019 at 8:19 am
Skip Helfrich, Leadership Orleans director, leads a retreat on Wednesday. He went over personality profiles, and how different types of personalities tend to thrive or struggle in different situations. Some people thrive on getting things done in an efficient manner. Some are very focused on details. Others are very social and like to involve many people in the process.
LYNDONVILLE – Leadership Orleans welcomed the second class of the program with a kickoff retreat over two days that will help members learn about themselves, their classmates and the community.
The class has 26 members and started with a two-day retreat on Wednesday at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. That retreat will conclude this evening.
Leadership Orleans started in 2018. The year-long program meets monthly and the comes from a cross section of the community, including government department heads, farm leaders, agency directors and other business officials. The program picked residents who have demonstrated leadership abilities, interest in community affairs, and a commitment to Orleans County’s future.
Each month the group learned about a different sector of the community, including government, arts and culture, volunteerism and non-profit organizations, community health, tourism and recreation, agribusiness, economic & workforce development, and education.
This year’s class includes:
• Delano Alvarez, Quality Associate III, Baxter Healthcare
• James Bensley, Dir. Dept. Planning and Development, County of Orleans
• Melissa Blanar, Dir. Orleans County Office for the Aging, Orleans County
• Michele Bokman, Director of Operations, SUNY GCC
• Beth Brown, Business Administration Manager, Orchard Dale Fruit Company, LLC
• Sean Casher, Human Resources Business Partner, CRFS, LLC
• Nicole Davis, Director of Residential Services, GCASA
• Angela DiRosa, Executive Director, Orleans Community Health Foundation
• Daniel Doctor, Community Outreach Liaison, Medina Central School District
• Jessica Downey, Health Educator/Community Outreach, Orleans Community Health
• Ellen Eaton, Dir. of Recruiting and Employee Experience, Quorum Group dba Takeform
• Elizabeth Haibach, Librarian, Hoag Library
• Tessa Hartway, Dir. Of Marketing and Branding/Business Development, Talis Equity
• Carly Ward, Dir. of Planning and Oper., Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, Inc.
• Vanja Zinaja, QA Manager, Baxter Healthcare
Skip Helfrich leads a discussion at the opening retreat.
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Press Release, Department of Environmental Conservation
Photo from DEC: Asbestos-laden materials are shown at illegal dump site in the Town of Alabama.
TOWN OF ALABAMA – On Jan. 3 DEC conservation officers charged an Albion man for dumping asbestos-laden materials on state land after a seven-month-long investigation.
Carl J. Rivers, 49, was arrested on felony charges of endangering public health, safety, or the environment in the 3rd degree, a class E Felony, as well as a violation level charges of unlawfully disposing of solid waste in Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area in Alabama, Genesee County.
In May 2018, environmental conservation officer Gary Wilson was notified of an illegal dumpsite on Klossen Road. Wilson investigated the dump site and immediately notified the DEC Spills unit and investigators with DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI) unit.
Investigators from DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement’s Environmental Forensics Unit (EFU) and the State Department of Labor’s Asbestos Control Team assisted with the case. DEC Spills unit hired a contractor to clean up and remove the hazardous debris, which was brought to a registered facility.
Rivers, already in custody on an unrelated charge, was transported to the Town of Alabama Court for arraignment. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison and/or a fine up to $150,000.
The violation carries a penalty of up to 15 days in jail and/or a fine of $1,500 to $15,000.
Rivers is due back in court on March 7. The DEC was assisted in this case by the State Department of Labor – Asbestos Control Bureau, the U.S. EPA, and the New York State Police.
