Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Ben Restivo, shown here putting pressure on Depew quarterback Joe Pagano during last week’s win, and his Purple Eagles teammates visit Springville Friday in another B2 Division test.

Seeking a victory to clinch at least a tie for a second straight division title, Albion visits Springville at 7 p.m. Friday in a B2 contest.

Albion, which shared the B2 title with Dunkirk last year, is currently 3-0 in the division with two games remaining (4-0 overall).

That gives the Purple Eagles a one game lead over a trio of one loss teams including Olean which is 3-1, Lackawanna and Medina/Lyndonville/Barker which are both at 2-1.

Albion’s only other remaining B2 contest will be at rival Medina on October 12.

Springville is 0-3 in the division and 0-4 overall.

Albion has featured a balanced attack through the first four games as quarterback Bryce Pritchard and running backs Ugene Harrison and Brilliance Johnson have each rushed for 4 touchdowns. Pritchard has also thrown 3 touchdown passes and Nate Moore has 3 TD receptions.

The Purple Eagles defense has also come up big forcing a dozen turnovers and allowing an average of just under 7 points per game.

Albion holds a 4-3 lead in the all-time series against Springville including a wild 40-34 season opening victory last year. Pritchard threw 2 touchdown passes to Moore in that contest while Harrison rushed for 2 scores and Johnson 1.

Medina/Lyndonville/Barker will visit first year team Maritime/Health Sciences in an interdivisional game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tift Field in South Buffalo.

Roy-Hart will visit Akron at 7 p.m. Friday in a C North Division game.

In 8 man football, Holley will host Oakfield-Alabama/Elba for Homecoming at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The Hawks are 1-1 and the Hornets 2-0.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.6343-A/A.10574) to protect barbershop, beauty shop and salon service providers against individuals who steal their services.

The bill closes a loophole in the law to include the failure to pay for services provided by a barbershop, salon, or beauty shop. The new law will make it a class A misdemeanor.

“Beauty salons and barber shops are no different than other small businesses whose livelihoods depend on the support of their communities,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation closes a nonsensical loophole that gives these businesses equal protection under the law once and for all.”

Under current law, an individual who knowingly fails to pay for a service is not subject to criminal prosecution, leaving certain small business owners at risk of great financial loss. This bill will amend the law to protect those merchants who provide nonmaterial products by making it a criminal offense to obtain services from a barbershop, beauty shop or salon without paying for that service.

“With this new law, we are taking a major step forward to prevent theft and protect beauty shops and barber shops across New York,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “These small businesses are cornerstones of communities from Buffalo to Brooklyn, and when they lose out on compensation for the services they provide, it often brings significant financial hardship. By strengthening the law to allow for theft of services prosecution, we are bringing peace of mind to small business owners who work tirelessly day in and day out.”

Samantha Burch sent in this photo of the lightning last night around 11:15, looking south from 31.

“There were lightning bolts that went all the way across the sky from east to west but it started raining so hard that my camera couldn’t focus through it,” she said.

It has continued to rain this morning. The temperature will take a big drop today from 71 to 47 tonight, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) is demanding answers after it was revealed the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has placed several level-two sex offenders in the same housing as individuals with special needs. According to the report, these sex offenders are being placed in homes without notice, raising concerns about how widespread this occurrence may be.

“This practice must stop immediately,” said Ortt. “In no circumstance should the most vulnerable members of our society be placed in the same home as individuals convicted of preying on the vulnerable. The level of governmental incompetence displayed here is astonishing.”

Earlier this year, the New York State Senate passed legislation that would prohibit sex offenders from residing in community residences that also house individuals with developmental disabilities. This legislation (S3027) has repeatedly passed the Senate but was stalled in the Corrections Committee by Assembly Democrats. This previous session, it was not carried by any member of the Assembly Majority.

“This is only further proof that Democrats of our state have their priorities completely out of line,” said Ortt. “Instead of protecting our residents with developmental disabilities, they are concerned with protecting illegal immigrants and granting sexual predators the right to vote.”

Medina urged to add public restroom in downtown

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Officials cut the ribbon on May 29 dedicating a new Visitor’s Center in Medina. The Tourism Committee took over Santa Claus house in Rotary Park, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. From left are Dave Miller, volunteer; Kelly Kiebala, a member of the Tourism Committee; Linda Hansler, volunteer; Alfred Nixon, volunteer; Mayor Mike Sidari; Orleans County Tourism Coordinator Dawn Borchert; Jim Hancock, head of the Medina Tourism Committee; and Maureen Sanderson, Pat Bellucci, Bob Farman, Gail Miller and Barb Filipiak , volunteers.

MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee changed the location for its welcome center this summer and the more prominent location in downtown Medina resulted in a big increase in visitors.

Jim Hancock, chairman of the Medina Tourism Committee, shared the news with the Village Board on Monday evening when he gave a report about the season.

The visitor center used to be in City Hall. Last year, only 50 people stopped by the site. This year, with the Tourism Committee at the Santa House at Rotary Park, there were 184 visitors who stopped by for information about Medina, Hancock said. Those visitors were from 28 states and three countries.

“It was really nice to welcome them to Medina,” Hancock said.

The Tourism Committee’s volunteers have been running a welcome center for 10 years now, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They keep the welcome center staffed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“It was so much more enjoyable for them because we actually had visitors,” Hancock said. “We did tremendously better than we have ever done before.”

The Village Board approved the use of the Santa House this year and the board gave the Tourism Committee permission to use it again next year. Hancock said the committee will soon move out its brochures and tourism supplies so the building can be prepared for the upcoming Christmas season.

Visitors also provided feedback about downtown Medina and Hancock said the strongest suggestion was to have a public bathroom. He said the Village of Holley has “a gorgeous setup” at its canal park with public bathrooms and showers.

Hancock urged Medina to add public restrooms, a project that he said could be part of the village’s waterfront revitalization plan.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This playground at Butts Park will be removed and replaced with a new one this weekend, with volunteers doing much of the work along with the Medina Department of Public Works.

MEDINA – A big turnout of volunteers is expected on Friday and Saturday to help build a new playground at Butts Park, Mayor Mike Sidari said.

Takeform Architectural Graphics, the Medina Fire Department and Medina teachers will all be helping to construct the new playground, as well as other volunteers.

The Medina Department of Public Works is taking out the old playground and will ready the site for the new construction.

Volunteers will be at the park to start work on Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m.

“It will be a great community event, a community build,” Sidari said.

In other action at the Village Board meeting on Monday:

• Renewed an agreement with Medina Central School where the district will pay the village $60,000 to have a police officer dedicated to the school district as a resource officer for 10 months. If that officer has to miss a day at the school to fill in on a regular shift, the district’s cost will be reduced by $350 each day. The $60,000 is the same as 2017-18.

• Hired Donato Rosario as a new firefighter/EMT. Rosario, 19, of Albion participated in a job shadow program with the fire department two years ago when he was a senior in high school.

He enjoyed it so much he switched his career plans from chiropractor to being a firefighter.

“This is exactly what our  shadowing program is all about,” Fire Chief Tom Lupo told the Village Board.

Rosario currently works for COVA with its ambulance service based in Hamlin. He will start with Medina on Oct. 8.

• Approved village water for the Aldi store on Maple Ridge Road, which is doing a small addition and store remodeling, the mayor said.

The company has to pay the village a $175 tap-in fee, and also assume the costs of running  a line to the site. Aldi also has to pay 1 ½ times the water rate as village residents.

• Announced that Beggar’s Night will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 26, the last Friday in October. Many of the downtown businesses will be handing out treats to children in costume. Police Chief Chad Kenward said regular trick-or-treating hours will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31.

• Medina Business Association President Cindy Robinson informed the board that Ale in Autumn will be this Saturday and about 650 people are expected to attend the event, which includes beer tastings at many downtown locations.

Jason Smith

ELBA – One of the three finalists to be the next superintendent at Elba Central School currently leads the school district at Lyndonville.

Jason Smith, Lyndonville’s school superintendent since December 2011, is being considered to lead Elba.

Smith, who started his career as a social studies teacher in Albion, was a principal at Elba for seven years before he was hired at Lyndonville.

Smith lives in Batavia. Elba would be a much closer commute if he is picked to be the next superintendent of the school district in Genesee County. Keith Palmer of Albion is the current superintendent of Elba. He is retiring in November.

The two other finalists include Ned Dale, principal of Cosgrove Middle School in Spencerport, and Matt Stroud, principal of Alexander Elementary School.

The Elba Board of Education will conduct a final round of interviews with the three candidates in early October, with the next superintendent to be appointed by Nov. 26.

Tops Markets is seeking to lower its assessments for its stores in Albion and Medina. If Tops is successful in court, the company would pay about $100,000 less in taxes in Orleans County.

Tops, which filed for bankruptcy in February, has Article 7 proceedings against Albion and Shelby for the two stores in Orleans County.

In Albion, the store at 408 West Ave. is assessed for $2,750,000. Tops wants the assessment lowered to $1,775,660. The tax rate is a combined $45.74 for the Town of Albion ($2.75), Village of Albion ($17.73), Orleans County ($9.86) and Albion Central School ($15.40).

At a $2,750,000 assessment, Tops pays a $125,785 tax bill. The Albion store is about 50,000 square feet. If the assessment is reduced by $974,340, the company would pay $44,566 less in taxes.

The company also is seeking a reduction for the store in Medina, which is part of a 90,000-square-foot plaza at 11200 Maple Ridge Rd. That building, which also includes a gas station, is assessed for $3,471,000.

The tax rate for the property is $52.04 and includes the Town of Shelby ($3.65), Village of Medina ($17.18), Orleans County ($10.09) and Medina Central School ($21.12).

The Medina site is assessed for $3,471,000. It is owned by Medina Center LLC, which along with Tops is seeking a lower assessment. They want it lowered to $2,665,800. If successful, the $805,200 reduction would lower the taxes by $41,903 from $180,630.

The towns of Shelby and Albion were notified in late July that they assessments would be challenged in court. The towns set the values with their assessors and the towns are responsible for defending the assessments if they are challenged.

However, three years ago Orleans County approved a new policy where the towns wouldn’t have to bear the full burden of an assessment challenge by themselves if the assessments were over $3 million. The villages, school districts and county would all be asked to help finance a legal battle.

At the time the owners of the Orchard Manor nursing home in Medina and the Villages of Orleans, a nursing home in Albion, were challenging their assessments.

The towns have the lowest tax rates and stand to lose the least with an assessment challenge, while the county, villages and school districts have more money at stake.

With the new policy the Albion Tops is just under the $3 million threshold so the Town of Albion will have to defend the case by itself. However, in Medina the assessment is over $3 million and the other taxing entities are being asked to help with each paying a share that reflects the percentage of their tax rate to the whole. For the Village of Medina, the $17.18 tax rate represents 33 percent of the total. The school district will pay 41 percent, while the county pays 19 percent and the town, 7 percent, as part of the agreement.

The Medina Village Board on Monday agreed to contribute to the legal defense as part of the agreement with the other entities. If the county, school district or village decided not to help with the legal defense, the agreement calls for the town to pay the full share.

Matthew Brooks, the village attorney, has been hired to defend Shelby with the assessment challenge.

NYSAC will have ‘Mandate Monitor’ to track impact of state mandates on county taxes

Chuck Nesbitt

ROCHESTER – Charles “Chuck” Nesbitt Jr., chief administrative officer of Orleans County, was elected today to serve as president of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).

NYSAC is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate, advocate for, and serve member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.

“I look forward to serving as NYSAC’s president and advocating for our counties in both Albany and Washington,” said Nesbitt, an Albion resident. “Our Association provides a strong platform for us to come together to voice our needs as the local governments closest to our communities.”

Since 2005, Nesbitt has served as the chief administrative officer of Orleans County. Prior to that he was an economic development specialist for Empire State Development in Rochester. He has also served as president of the New York State Association of County Administrators and Managers since 2008.

Nesbitt announced that during his presidency, he will focus on tracking the impact of existing and new state mandates on counties and county taxpayers. Under this initiative, a “Mandate Monitor” will examine the impact of implementing the Raise the Age law and the ongoing impact of other state mandates that consume most or all of the property taxes collected at the county level.

“Mr. Nesbitt is an experienced and respected county leader, and he will be a tremendous asset to NYSAC during a time when the county voice must be included in state and federal policy decisions,” said NYSAC Immediate Past President and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.7827/A.10548) naming a portion of the State Highway System in honor of General William “Wild Bill” Donovan. The bill designates State Route 104 in the town of Lewiston as the General William ‘Wild Bill” Donovan Memorial Highway.

“General Donovan provided an incredible service to our nation and had a profound impact on World War I, World War II, and the modern American intelligence community,” Governor Cuomo said. “It is a privilege to honor General Donovan’s service and valor through this legislation, ensuring his legacy will remain in our memory for generations to come.”

General William “Wild Bill” Donovan, a native of Buffalo, is known as the Father of American Intelligence. He is the only American to ever be awarded this nation’s four highest military awards: The Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross, The Distinguished Service Medal and The National Security Medal

General Donovan was a Decorated World War I veteran and founded and led the Office of Strategic Services, the predecessor of the CIA, during World War II. General Donovan also received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart, as well as a number of other military honors. General William Donovan died on February 8, 1959 at the age of 76, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

“General Donovan is one of the greatest military heroes our country has ever seen, and it is important that we have something that celebrates the contributions he made to our country,” said State Sen. Robert Ortt. “While many may not be aware of the extraordinary life this patriot lived, hopefully by renaming this highway, it will spark interest from others into learning who this man was, while also honoring his legacy.”

MEDINA – A new 5-kilometer race on Veterans Day will be a benefit for veterans in Orleans County.

Organizers Jennifer Thom and Sarah Levanduski-Surdel are creating Operation Honor, a non-profit organization, to raise money for veterans. Proceeds from the first race will go to the Warrior House in West Shelby, which provides a hunting retreat for wounded vets and children who have lost a parent in war.

The Medina Village Board approved the 5k during its meeting on Monday. The race will start at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club on Bates Road. The route goes through village and ends at Junior Wilson.

Operation Honor is seeking sponsors and participants for the 5k. For more information, check the group’s Facebook page.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) called out the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Cuomo administration for what he feels is a clear use of state departments for political gain.

Last weekend, it was revealed that New York City and eight other counties across the state received STAR school rebate checks as early as June, with these eight counties comprising 74 percent of the Democratic vote. Meanwhile, the majority of upstate counties, which lean heavily Republican, wouldn’t receive their school rebate checks until late September or October.

“Once again, we are seeing that the level of service and treatment you receive from the government is all dependent upon the letter next to your name on your voter registration,” said Ortt. “Our governor loves to have his name in the papers every day bashing our president for creating divisiveness in our country, however, he continues to treat Republicans and Conservatives in our state like second-rate residents. Gov. Cuomo is the face of hypocrisy.”

Historically, STAR checks had not been delivered to families until the late summer into the early fall. However, with this year’s Democratic primary drawing a higher level of interest than usual, residents in these heavily Democrat-registered counties received the money they were owed by the state and Cuomo much earlier than expected.

“It is incredible what a primary can do for government efficiency,” Ortt said. “For a department that is notorious for unresponsiveness and delay, the fact that these select counties received their STAR checks far earlier than normal isn’t by happenstance. The fact that this administration is pitching this as a coincidence demonstrates how little they think of New Yorkers’ intelligence.”

Photo provided by Alec Sherman

ALBION – Albion High School’s Class of 1968 held its 50th reunion on July 27-28. Friday evening was a class mixer at the Village Inn and Saturday featured a picnic at the Eagle Harbor Road home of classmate Mark Restivo. About 80 class members attended the functions with several coming from out of state.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board is planning to add a 2 percent occupancy or bed tax, with the funds targeted to boosting tourism and economic development in the village.

The village wants to promote those efforts in the village, but is limited with its resources right now. The board doesn’t want to raise property taxes.

It also has had its revenue from the local sales tax frozen since 1996 through a formula from the County Legislature. Medina also only gets $45,523 in state AIM (Aid and Incentives to Municipalities), an amount that has been unchanged for several years and is a tiny fraction of what the state gives a city.

Orleans County currently imposes a 4 percent bed tax that raises about $35,000 to support county tourism initiatives.

Medina wants to add an additional 2 percent tax for hotels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging establishments within the village.

Mayor Mike Sidari said he saw where Niagara Falls implemented its own bed tax to help with tourism and economic development projects.

Medina will see an increase in rooms with the renovation of the Bent’s Opera House to be partly used as a hotel. A new chain hotel, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, also is expected to soon break ground on Maple Ridge Road.

Before the Village Board approves the bed tax, village officials wants to make sure legally whether Medina has to specify how the money will be used. The proposal right now calls for it to go towards economic development and tourism.

However, Trustee Marguerite Sherman would like some leeway. She said replacing sidewalks and other community projects also could be considered a benefit for tourism and economic development.

The mayor said he will check with NYCOM (New York Conference of Mayors) to see if the village has to be specific in how it uses the bed tax.

Medina also will need the State Legislature to give the village the OK to collect the tax.

Ortt gets perfect score, while Hawley and Norris also backed bills for small businesses

The National Federation of Independent Business today released its legislative voting record and gave State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) a perfect score.

Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Mike Norris (R-Lockport) also had near-perfect scores for their votes in the State Assembly. Hawley and Norris both represents parts of Orleans County.

The NFIB analyzed eight votes on bills in Democratic-led Assembly and Republican-controlled Senate out of more than 100 measures that had been tracked by the NFIB, including budget bills, regulatory actions and the New York Health Act.

Ortt was in line with NFIB in 8 out of 8 votes, while Hawley and Norris voted with 7 out of 8 bills tracked by NFIB. Click here to see the report card.

NFIB wants to see the state reduce taxes and regulations on businesses.

“Running a small business in New York State has become more difficult with each passing day,” Ortt said in a statement. “Because of the overbearing regulations we see imposed on our state’s business owners by reckless Albany politicians and bureaucrats, it’s more difficult than ever for entrepreneurs to run with their ideas or for a decades-old family business to continue operations.

“While many prefer to fill the state coffers off taxes collected from small businesses, I am proud to stand with the mom and pop operations across this state. These businesses are the job creators of our state and the backbone of our local economies. Legislators must stop the nickel-and-diming of New York’s employers, and understand that without them, there is no future for our state’s economy.”