File photo by Tom Rivers: Edgar Rosario had his face painted for the Dia de Los Muertos “Day of the Dead” celebration at Mariachi de Oro Mexican Grill in November 2014. Edgar is pictured near murals inside the restaurant near the bar. Thursday’s Day of the Dead in downtown Medina will include opportunities for face painting.
MEDINA – A popular Mexican holiday – Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – will be celebrated in downtown Medina on Thursday, an effort led by the Mariachi de Oro Restaurant, the Medina Business Association, GO ART! and the New York State Council on the Arts.
The event is a chance to learn about and enjoy the Mexican holiday with activities from 3 to 8 p.m. The festivities will include crafts, face painting and food tastings at businesses on Main Street from 3 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. one block away on West Center Street at the farmer’s market site.
Activities under a big tent will include live mariachi music, more food, dancing, and traditional Mexican arts displays. A full schedule can be found at www.MedinaDoD.com.
“We’re really excited to invite whoever wants to come,” said Leonel Rosario, co-owner of Mariachi. “We’re excited to bring people to Medina.”
Rosario’s restaurant has hosted the event before, but space is limited.
“Now there’s no limit,” he said. “The goal is for more people to enjoy it. We can only fit so many. There are more businesses involved. It’s going to be huge.”
Provided photos from GO Art! – Leonel Rosario, pictured with an ofrenda, will create an altar of food and flowers for Dia de Los Muertos on Thursday in Medina.
The Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration is a time of joyful remembrance of deceased loved ones, filled with an array of colors, scents, sounds and stories. Centered around the Christian observance of All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1 and 2, the celebration includes images and ideas about the roles of ancestors in our lives, that trace back to Mexico’s indigenous peoples.
Traditionally, people believe that this is the one time of the year when souls can return to earth for a day and commune with their families and friends. Families will clean and refresh gravesites of loved ones and spend the night in a candle-lit vigil in the cemetery with the whole community.
Artist Antonio Cruz Zavaleta will create a sand painting under the tent on Thursday. Created out of basic sand and colored pigments, the three-dimensional paintings can often be found in the streets of the Mexican city of Oaxaca alongside public ofrendas. They vary from simple scenes to elaborately shaded and constructed mosaics.
Beautiful altars (ofrendas) in homes welcome the returning souls and feature candles, wild marigolds, incense, photographs, mementos and loved ones’ favorite foods like fruit, tortillas, tamales, chocolate, and bread.
Rosario, who is also the chef at Mariachi de Oro, will create a large ofrenda at the tent festival site, in the style of his hometown in Oaxaca, Mexico. Artist Antonio Cruz Zavaleta will also create a sand painting under the tent, another decorative art found in Oaxaca for the holiday. There will be a community altar available for attendees to decorate and add photos and memories of deceased loved ones.
Mexican celebrations of the holiday often include animated skeletons and colorfully decorated skulls (calaveras), emphasizing life’s continuing vibrancy in the midst of mortality. From 3 to 5:30 p.m. Medina downtown businesses are offering crafts based on Mexican traditional arts such as paper flowers and banners (papel picado), mask making, collages, bracelets, decorating sugar skulls and ceramic skulls, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Attendees will also enjoy food samples like pan de muerto (bread of the dead), cookies, Mexican tea and other culinary specialties.
Festivities under the tent will be capped with live music by the band, Mariachi Zelaya, and traditional food and beverages created by Mariachi de Oro Mexican Grille of Medina. Activities under the tent are free and open to all ages.
Crafts & Tastings on Main Street – 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Activities
Bracelets – Ellen J Goods
Face Painting – Celebrity Day Spa
Flower Collages – Herbalty Cottage
Paper Mask Making – Meggie Moos
Francisco Rosario is pictured with the ofrenda, an altar that was at Mariachi de Oro for Dia de Los Muertos. An ofrenda will be available at the Farmer’s Market on West Center Street for attendees to decorate and add photos and memories of deceased loved ones.
Provided photo: Tournament organizers, members of Mac McNeil’s family and volunteers met to recap this year’s event and to present a check to NY Warrior Alliance. Front row left to right are Tammie Miller, Denice Wright, Sue Miller, Kim Salmon, Cindy Diehl of Hickory Ridge, Amy Tausch NY Warrior Alliance President and Kevin Diehl of Hickory Ridge. Back row is Chris Miller, Michele Bison, Kathy Snyder, Tim Wright, Jeff Miller, Bob Salmon and Brian Ryan.
Press Release, NY Warrior Alliance
HOLLEY – Last month 132 golfers teed it up at Hickory Ridge for the 8th Honoring Heroes Golf Tournament in one of the largest tournaments there this year.
This year’s tournament was not only a fundraiser for the NY Warrior Alliance, a non -profit organization that was founded in 2008 to support wounded warriors, but it was also a chance to honor Mac MacNeil, a veteran that helped raise over $100,000 for the Alliance over the years. He passed away in October 2017.
In the final accounting, the tournament last month raised just shy of $26,000, by far the biggest fundraiser for the Warrior Alliance.
MacNeil had a passion for helping vets. Over the years he spent many hours contacting businesses for monetary donations and gifts for raffles. He would spend days in front of stores collecting donations and was the conduit for organizing the tournament through Cindy and Kevin Diehl, the owners of Hickory Ridge.
With Mac’s passing last year the continuation of the tournament seemed in doubt as there was no one willing to step up and organize. Fortunately a group of Mac’s family and friends still saw the need for the warriors to receive the care and funding the tournament provided and through the help and generosity of the Diehls and Hickory Ridge were able to put this year’s tournament together, not only for the Warrior Alliance but also to carry on Mac McNeil’s’s legacy and to honor his memory.
At the tournament’s banquet, Faye McNeil, Mac’s widow, gave an emotional speech about Mac’s dedication to helping veterans and how his dedication inspired those who volunteered to help organize and who gave of their time this year. Her speech was met with a standing ovation and very few dry eyes.
The New York Warrior Alliance was formed by Amy Tausch to support wounded warriors. This is a non-profit organization with an all-volunteer group. There are no administrative costs as 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to those in need.
The organization has made many trips to Walter Reed Hospital over the years with truckloads of supplies to aid the Warrior Transition Brigade and the caregivers who stand by their warriors. While the group is still supporting the wounded at Walter Reed, they find the need is dwindling as fewer warriors need attention. The Warrior Alliance is now transitioning more towards helping local warriors, their caregivers and families.
Plans are underway for next year’s tournament which has been scheduled for July 14, 2019.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2018 at 9:14 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Gregory Hallock, GO Art! executive director, is pictured Friday evening during the opening reception for a new gallery in downtown Albion.
There are 14 artists and 35 pieces featured in the group exhibit of Orleans County artists. The Salih Studio is serving as the exhibit space at 24 East Bank St.
Hallock said GO Art! formed in 1992, merging the arts councils in Genesee and Orleans counties. There has been dedicated space for artists to show their work in Batavia, Genesee County. Hallock and GO Art! wanted a gallery in Orleans County as well.
Suzanne Wells, one of the artists in the opening exhibit, looks at some of the paintings and other artwork in the show.
Other artists in the exhibit include Janet O. Root, Rich Della Costa, Connie Mosher, E. Pearls, Rosie Patronski, Walter Jakubowski, Rebeccah Demaray, Chris VerSteeg, Judy Wenrich, Arthur Barnes, Shirley Nigro, Idris Salih and Kim Martillotta Muscarella.
Kim Martillotta Muscarella and Judy Wenrich check out the art at the gallery during the opening exhibit. Martillotta Muscarella also has a gallery, Marti’s on Main, in Albion. She is pleased to see GO Art! open the site in Albion.
“The more the merrier,” she said. “I wish 10 more people would open galleries.”
This painting by Rebeccah Demaray was picked as the judge’s choice. Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper served as the guest judge.
There will be new shows at the gallery monthly from April through December, with opening receptions the fourth Friday, from late March to late November.
Gallery hours are Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Pennywise, which was created by the Hand family in Albion, won first place for “scariest” in the scarecrow contest. Pennywise moved to different locations in the downtown, and needed a new mask after some vandalism.
ALBION – Energize Albion has announced the winners of the three different contests during the Halloween season.
The awards for the Scarecrow Contest include:
Scariest – First place to the Hand family for Pennywise. Second place to Albion Agencies for Darth Vader.
Funniest – First place to the Crawford and Requa families, plus friends Breanna and Hannah, for Cousin Itt. Second place to the Pollock and Himes families for Gru.
Most Original – First place to Albion Agencies for Darth Vader. Second place to First Presbyterian Church of Albion for Polly Pray & Play.
Awards for Storefront Decoration Contest:
First Place – 365 Fitness on East Bank Street
Second Place – Xpress Fitness at Main Street
Awards for Yard Decoration Contest:
Most Artistic – First place to the Pate family on West Academy Street. Second place to the Nigro-Hill residence on East Avenue.
Brightest – First place to the Francis family on Platt Street. Second place to the Kelly-Schicker residence on West Academy Street.
Honorable mentions were also awarded to Gary and Laura Simboli of West Academy Street and the Avino family on Caroline Street.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 October 2018 at 7:39 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Hailee Mitchell scored both goals in Kendall’s sectional championship win this afternoon.
An underclassmen dominated No. 4 seeded Kendall girls soccer squad trimmed No. 2 Fillmore 2-1 this afternoon to capture the Section V Class D1 championship at Perry.
Junior Hailee Mitchell scored both goals for Kendall as all of the scoring came in the first half.
Junior Katherien Pearson made 9 saves in goal for Kendall in the first half and freshman Kailie Regan 6 stops in the second half.
“We’re a young team and they’ve really exceeded expectations,” said Coach Pam Barchet. “They work so hard. They won every ball and played smart. They really stepped up.”
The sectional championship is the first since 2015 for the Lady Eagles and the 11th in the program’s history.
Kendall now faces the winner of the D1 title contest, either Andover or Hinsdale, in the Section V Class D state qualifier on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.
The Lady Eagles improve to 14-5 while Fillmore finishes at 17-1.
Section V Volleyball Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville bow
In Section V volleyball quarterfinal matches this afternoon Kendall lost 23-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-21 to CG Finney in Class D3; Holley bowed 25-17, 25-12, 25-15 to Warsaw in Class C2 and Lyndonville was downed 25-10, 25-18, 25-14 to York in Class D2.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 October 2018 at 7:34 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Olean’s Calista Heister leaps over Albion goalie Sydney Mulka as she stops a shot on goal as Aly Knaak follows the play. The action took place during the Purple Eagles sectional final loss to the Lady Huskies this afternoon at Williamsville East.
A two goal scoring burst late in the first half off corner kick opportunities sparked No. 7 seed Olean to a 3-0 victory over No. 4 Albion in the Section VI Class B1 girls soccer championship game at blustery, rainy Williamsville East High School this afternoon.
Justine Brooks scored what proved to be the game winner for Olean on a rebound shot off a corner with 9:55 to go in the opening half. She then scored again off a corner with just 38 seconds to go in the half.
Keeping the momentum, Olean then broke the contest open when Calista Heister scored her 56th goal of the season just 37 seconds into the second half.
Albion goalie Sydney Mulka was kept busy as she made five big saves in the first half, including a diving stop and a sliding save. She also had two more big sliding saves in the second half.
Albion finishes the season at 17-1-1 while Olean advances to the Section VI Class B state qualifier game against the B2 winner (Fredonia or Allegany/Limestone) with a 17-2-1 record.
Albion’s Kendall Derisley battles with Olean’s Alexis Gibbons for the ball.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2018 at 9:07 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association organized the Beggar’s Night event in downtown Albion on Friday. Many businesses and local organizations handed out lots of candy.
This photo shows staff of Roots Hair Salon on east Bank Street. They include from left: Jenna O’Connor as the Queen of Hearts, Amber Mogle as Cruella de Vil, Katie Pahura as Captain Hook and Gretta Smith as Maleficent.
Albion teachers Julie and Chris Keller hand out treats. The Teachers Association has been a regular stop at Beggar’s Night for several years. The two kids include Rhett Ernst as a cowboy and Lainah Fisher as Minnie Mouse.
The First Presbyterian Church welcomed trick-or-treaters.
This group from the church was happy to hand out candy. From left includes Joanne Johnson, Linda Garrison, Annette Pearl and Kim Remley.
There was also a witches’ dance on Main Street, which was closed to traffic from State Street to the Erie Canal.
About a dozen people dressed up as witches for the dance.
Provided photo: Kylie Hughson, owner of Tease on East Bank Street, was a wicked witch and created an elaborate display.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2018 at 8:42 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Bob Hiller, manager of The Medicine Shoppe, wears a pirate costume and his wife, Lee Hiller, is dressed up as a doctor while the hand out candy to children for Beggar’s Night in Medina on Friday. There was a big line of kids and their parents behind the downtown stores while they waiting for the event to start at 5:30 p.m.
Organizers say at least 800 kids were dressed up in costumes for the event.
Amina Baity, 7, of Medina gets candy from a dinosaur at Kathy Bogan’s law office.
Kathy Bogan dressed up as a stormtrooper and her husband Kevin was Darth Vader. Kathy is holding their dog, Daisy, which was Chewbecca from Star Wars.
Many teachers wore costumes and passed out candy at Rotary Park. Lisa Pavlak (mermaid) is an elementary art teacher, Anne Downey (Groucho Marx) is the elementary school nurse and Mark Fitzpatrick is a seventh grade social studies teacher.
Karen Jones, a high school English teacher, passes out candy to one of the kids. She was also promoting the We Read program.
This group from ATB Staffing includes from left: Bonnie Seelbinder, Barb Dunham, Mary Lou Blount and Bob Blount.
Jack Dougherty, 4, of Brockport is joined by his father Jarrod Dougherty at the start of Beggar’s Night. They are chatting with Police Chief Chad Kenward and Kathy Blackburn, who dressed as Snow White.
Bruce Deyarmin of Medina and his son Austin, 2, get in line for the candy processional. Austin wanted to be a firefighter for the event.
Amanda Mank and her daughter Chloe pass out candy at The Fringe, which is owned by Vanessa Lhommedieu, who dressed as a safari guide.
Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association and owner of the English Rose Tea Shoppe, greets kids on the sidewalk in front of her store.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 October 2018 at 9:45 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Nate Moore, who scored the Purple Eagles lone touchdown, goes high to haul in a pass during this evening’s sectional semifinal loss to visiting Cheektowaga.
A stingy defense keyed No. 4 seed Cheektowaga to a 28-6 victory over No. 1 Albion in the semifinals of the Section VI Class B football playoffs this evening at Albion.
The Warriors defense set the tone in the first half by holding the Purple Eagles to a minus 28 yards on four possessions.
The Cheektowaga offense likewise did its job during that span building up a 14-0 advantage at the half on a 10 yard touchdown run by quarterback Keshone Beal with 1:31 to go in the first quarter and a 29 yard TD pass from Beal to Jason Solamon with 2:51 remaining in the second quarter followed by a two-point conversion run by Beal.
The Warriors then put a firm lock on the victory by upping the advantage to 28-0 in the third quarter after Beal scored on an 8 yard run and then hooked up with Solamon for a 58 yard scoring strike.
Albion finally crossed into Cheektowaga territory midway through the third quarter reaching the 19 before the drive was halted by a pass interception by Fred Parsons, a pick which set up the Warriors final touchdown.
The Purple Eagles avoided the shutout when quarterback Thomas Furmanski hooked up with Nate Moore for a 61 yard touchdown pass with 6:23 to go in the final quarter.
Albion finishes the season at 8-1 while Cheektowaga takes an 8-1 record into next week’s final as the Warriors look to defend their Class B title against the winner of the Pioneer vs. Fredonia semi.
Albion’s Ugene Harrison looks to pick up yardage against the Warriors stingy defense.
Halloween is meant to be a scary holiday, but not when it comes to driving. Drinking and getting behind the wheel and driving can turn the roads into a horror fest.
“While our local community is spending time trick or treating and hosting parties with loved ones, Orleans County law enforcement agencies, and the NY State Police will be taking to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives,” said Sheriff Randy Bower, who is also the county’s Stop DWI coordinator.
The STOP- DWI Halloween Crackdown Enforcement Initiative runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, and is promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation.
Although completely preventable, alcohol-impaired driving increases around the holidays, and can prove deadly. In 2015, 311 deaths occurred on New York State highways due to alcohol-impaired driving. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.
All it takes is a little planning. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
The sheriff urges people to “Have a sober plan.” People who will be drinking should plan a safe way to get home. They can call for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi, public transportation, or Uber.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2018 at 3:29 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest will be hosting a concert and fund-raising event on Saturday with a goal to bring in enough money to replace a broken furnace at the church.
The furnace that heats the sanctuary needs to be replaced, and three other furnaces are also well used, said Marilyn J. Kasperek, pastor UMC of the Abundant Harvest.
“We don’t have money sitting aside for furnaces,” she said. “We have one down and more are aging.”
The Corfu-Pembroke Community Band will be in concert on Saturday at the church’s fellowship hall, 3622 Knowlesville Rd. The fellowship hall is across the road from the church building.
The 4 to 6 p.m. event gives concert goers an opportunity to push their favorite songs onto the concert playlist. Those donations can also begin at 2 p.m. Lively competition of donation levels for songs should keep everyone in suspense, including the band, Kasperek said.
Her husband, Ken, is the lead trumpet player for the band, which will lay 14 songs.
It will cost about $5,000 to replace the furnace for the sanctuary. Kasperek and the church would like additional funds in case the other furnaces need repairs in the near future.
“We’re trying to be proactive,” she said.
The fund-raising event on Saturday also will be beef on wick sandwiches, salt potatoes, Italian sausage with peppers and onions, and other food items will be available for purchase from to 2 to 6 p.m.
Area businesses have donated a variety of nice door prizes that those attending will have an opportunity to win.
“We’re hoping people enjoy the music and have fun at it, too,” Kasperek said.
Many have donated door prizes for the event, including Valu Home Center, Jeff Smith, Kreher’s Family Farm, Avanti Pizzeria, Alabama Food Mart, Village House in Albion, Roberts Farm Market, Abundant Harvest Pie and Gift Shop, ACE Hardware Medina, MAAC Thrift Depot, Della’s Chocolates, Panek’s Farm, Tops Markets in Medina, Mariachi De Ore Mexican Restaurant, Cheryl Babcock USBORNE, Sourced Market & Eatery, Country Club Restaurant, Linda Baker and Rudy’s.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2018 at 10:32 am
ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will have the opening reception today for a new gallery in downtown Albion.
Salih Studio is now serving as a satellite location for GO Art! to display artwork. Today’s reception will be the unveiling of a group show by artists in Orleans County. The reception will go from 6 to 8 p.m.
There will be new shows at the gallery monthly from April through December, with opening receptions the fourth Friday, from late March to late November, said Gregory Hallock, Go Art! executive director.
Gallery hours are Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2018 at 10:08 am
HOLLEY – The Republican candidate for governor said he can pull off a big upset on Nov. 6 and defeat incumbent Andrew Cuomo for governor.
However, Marc Molinaro said upstate voters will have to turn out, big time.
Molinaro, 42, is the Dutchess County executive. He is a former state assemblyman and was elected mayor at age 19 of the Town of Tivoli, which has about 1,000 people near the Catskill Mountains.
He is trailing Cuomo in the polls by about 20 percent in a six-candidate field. The governor has far outspent Molinaro in the race.
“Can we win?” Molinaro asked 250 people at the Orleans County Fall Republican Rally on Thursday night. “Yes. But we have to show up.”
A strong response from upstate can tilt the election to Molinaro. It has happened before, when a Cuomo was governor and was defeated by a Republican who wasn’t given much of a chance of winning. George Pataki in 1994 defeated Mario Cuomo, Andrew’s father, who was seeking a fourth term. Andrew is trying for a third term as governor.
Molinaro said Cuomo has a “culture of corruption” in the state government and in his inner circle. (Nine people, including two Cuomo aides, were indicted for federal corruption charges as part of the state’s upstate development efforts, including the Buffalo Billion program.)
Molinaro said the Cuomo Administration trades campaign contributions for state contracts and projects.
The state ranks last in the country for a favorable business environment. Th high taxes and burdensome regulations chase away businesses and residents, leading to an out-migration from the state that is only topped by Alaska, Molinaro said.
“Communities are being hollowed out,” Molinaro said about upstate.
The state has added jobs under Cuomo, but 88 percent of those are in New York City, Molinaro said.
Molinaro takes the microphone from Steve Hawley. Molinaro is a former state legislator who served in the Assembly with Hawley.
Molinaro was praised by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who worked with Molinaro when he was a state legislator before becoming Dutchess County executive. Hawley said Cuomo is a “bully.”
Molinaro would lead a push to reduce taxes, fees and mandates, Hawley said.
“He is an infinitely better man than our current governor,” State Sen. Robert Ortt said about Molinaro.
The Republican candidate would be a strong voice at the State Capitol and throughout the state for small businesses, the Second Amendment and making the state affordable for families, Ortt said.
“If you own a business in New York State, you have to support Marc Molinaro,” Ortt said.
Molinaro said the election is chance to reclaim a government with an increasing liberal agenda.
“On Nov. 6 we can take back our government,” Molinaro said. “Don’t make the mistake of voting for a man who is already running for something else.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2018 at 8:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Rep. Chris Collins of Clarence addresses about 250 people during Thursday’s Fall Republican Rally at Hickory Ridge.
HOLLEY – U.S. Rep. Chris Collins and Orleans County Republican leaders are trying to mobilize voters to support Collins on Nov. 6.
He is on the ballot after suspending his campaign in August following his arrest on federal insider trading charges. Collins reversed course last month, and returned to the campaign trail after Republicans from the eight counties in the district tried to find a last-minute candidate to replace him.
“I for one will not allow the NY-27th to be a seat for Nancy Pelosi,” Collins told 250 Republicans at the Orleans County Republican Fall Rally on Thursday. “This is too important to not work our butts off.”
Collins was praised for his voting record and commitment to President Donald Trump.
“Congressman Collins has been on the right side of the issues,” State Sen. Robert Ortt told the Republican crowd. “He has been a key Trump supporter. We have to get out and we have to keep that seat.”
The local congressman was the first member of Congress to publicly support Trump’s campaign for president.
“We have to protect the seat,” said Ed Morgan, the Orleans County Republican Party chairman. “The country is headed in the right direction.”
The Orleans County Republicans have a yearbook for every fall rally. A page in this year’s program was devoted to President Trump and his accomplishments, including a strong economy, 4 million new jobs and lower unemployment rate.
Collins’ campaign literature was at each dining spot at the Republican Rally on Thursday.
“Keep our Congressional Seat Republican. Keep Congressman Chris Collins in Office.” That was the headline of the page in the yearbook.
Collins is commended for backing Trump and supporting tax cuts, rolling back “job-killing regulations,” supporting the travel ban, backing new Supreme Court justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and “enforcing immigration laws to protect our borders,” among many issues cited by the local Republicans.
Collins, who has been in Congress for six years, said the progress will be reversed if Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives.
His race against Nate McMurray, a Democrat who is Grand Island town supervisor, is close with polls showing a slight lead for Collins in a district that is the most Republican of all districts in New York. Collins said Democrats have a chance to flip the House to their control.
“The thought of Nancy Pelosi as speaker should scare the bejesus out of everyone,” Collins said. “All of the progress will be gone.”
Pelosi and a Democratic majority would result in “total gridlock” with no more legislative victories for the President, Collins said.
Democrats would also head important committees. Maxine Waters, for example, would lead the Financial Services Committee. The California congresswoman, “can’t balance a checkbook,” Collins said.
“They are incompetent,” he said about the Democrats in Congress. “It’s one 80-year-old after another.”
He said the focus with a Democratic majority would be to remove Trump as president.
“Every committee meeting would be an inquisition on the Trump Administration,” Collins said.
He urged Republicans to elect Marc Molinaro as governor, and work to keep the State Senate in Republican control.
Collins has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and has proclaimed his innocence. A February 2020 trial date has been set in the case.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 October 2018 at 8:41 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Brianna Wakefield and Albion’s Leah Pritchard and their Lady Eagles and Purple Eagles teammates will be looking to claim sectional championships on Saturday.
Saturday will be a huge one for both the Albion and Kendall girls soccer teams as the Purple Eagles and Lady Eagles will be seeking to capture sectional championships.
Undefeated (17-0-1) Albion will be seeking its first ever sectional title as the No. 4 seeded Purple Eagles face No. 7 Olean (16-2-1) in the Section VI Class B1 championship game at Williamsville East at 3 p.m.
Kendall (13-5) will be taking aim at claiming its 11th sectional crown as the No. 4 Lady Eagles take on No. 2 Fillmore (17-1) in the Section V Class D1 championship contest also at 3 p.m. at Perry.
Albion, which reached the sectional finals for the first time last year dropping a narrow 1-0 decision to Newfane, advanced to the title contest by defeating No. 5 Springville 3-1 in the opening round and No. 1 East Aurora 2-0 in the semifinals.
Offensively the Purple Eagles have been led by Abby Scanlan with 17 goals and 6 assists and Brylie Hapeman with 15 goals and 17 assists. Goalie Sydney Mulka anchors the defense.
Olean, which is sparked offensively by Calista Heisler who has 55 goals and 12 assists, downed Dunkirk 7-0 in the opening round, City Honors 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Alden 2-1 in the semifinals.
Kendall, which last captured a sectional title in 2015, advanced to the finals by downing No. 4 Alfred-Almond 4-1 in the quarterfinals and No. 9 Arkport-Canaseraga 6-0 in the semis.
The Lady Eagles offense has been led by Hailee Mitchell with 24 goals, Grace Levett 11 and Alezya Brown 9.
Fillmore, which belted No. 3 Avoca-Bradford 7-0 in the semifinals has received goal production from 20 different players this season led by Emily Hatch’s 18.
