By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2018 at 11:22 am
MEDINA – Cody Crane urged his Medina classmates to educate themselves about the dangers of addiction, and say no to popping pills, underage drinking and drugs.
Crane, a senior at Medina, worked with GCASA to put on a 2-hour forum about the opioid epidemic on Tuesday evening.
Crane nearly lost his brother to an overdose. JJ Crane was a panelist at the forum, and he shared how he started drinking and using drugs in high school. It escalated to cocaine and heroin after high school, and nearly killed him on Aug. 1 when he had an overdose.
JJ hasn’t used drugs since then. He is nearly six months without using, and currently stays in a halfway house in Niagara County.
“I was scared one day I would wake up and my older brother who I love so much wouldn’t be here,” Cody told about 50 people at the forum. “I’m proud of how far he has come. He has worked so hard.”
JJ said he turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with anxiety and depression. The addiction grew more compulsive. He would work and use own money to buy drugs, and he often stole to get drugs or ran up big debts with drug dealers.
“It’s who you know and how far are you willing to go,” he said. “I needed the drug because without it I would have withdrawals and would shake to the point of almost being in a seizure.”
JJ said the addiction took over his life.
“I’m an addict,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I’ve put my family through.”
JJ’s mother Chris urged parents to be aware of what’s going on in their children’s lives, even if that means searching their rooms.
“Don’t pretend,” she said.
Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, said stigmas can push many addicts from seeking treatment.
JJ said the judgement he feels from many in the community steered him away from seeking treatment when he knew he was in trouble with his addiction almost three years ago. After a near fatal overdose on Aug. 1, he had enough.
JJ said he knows people look down on him because of his past drug use.
“Once I started recovery, I knew it would change the way people look at me,” he said. “To them I’m an addict or a junkie. I don’t want to be judged. I don’t want people to think so little of me.”
GCASA prevention educators said that stigma prevents many from seeking treatment, or having a relapse.
Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, said addiction doesn’t discriminate. She urged people to be compassionate to addicts and their families.
“Addiction is a disease,” she said. “That is somebody’s child, or somebody’s mom or dad.”
JJ Crane said he no longer worries too much about other opinions. He is committed to fighting his addiction.
“Now I tell myself it doesn’t matter what other people think,” he said. “It only matters what your family thinks and your real, true friends.”
GCASA urged people to seek help. They can walk into the GCASA clinic on Route 31 in Albion.
Kathy Hodgins, the treatment coordinator in Albion, said the addicts and their families show courage and resilience in seeking treatment and fighting the addictions.
“A lot of families get tired and want to give up,” she said. “They need strength, because even recovery takes a toll.”
GCASA shared this slide showing when people start using drugs. If people can get through their early 20s without trying drugs, they almost always will never start using them.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) applauded President Trump on an optimistic and heartfelt first State of the Union address.
“President Trump had a record-setting first year of his presidency,” said Collins. “The United States was suffering under the failed policies of President Obama, which resulted in high unemployment, slow economic growth, burdensome regulations on businesses, and a lax approach to trade around the world.”
Collins statement continues:
In 2017 alone, the Trump Administration eliminated 22 regulations for everyone one new regulatory action, created 2.1 million new jobs, lowered taxes for American families, and saw an average of 2.5 percent GDP growth. Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, hundreds of businesses have given wage increases and bonuses to more than 3 million workers across America. Under President Trump, we have seen significant progress overseas and are winning the war against ISIS.
The President talked about his $1 trillion plan to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, which would create jobs across America. A key factor will be streamlining the permitting process to take less than two years, in comparison to the sometimes seven- to ten-year process it currently takes to get approval to build things like roads, bridges, and highways.
Additionally, President Trump is committed to fixing the problems created from President Obama’s executive order on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which he implemented unilaterally instead of working with Congress. Trump emphasized the need for Congress to pair any DACA solution with increased border security, elimination of the visa lottery, and ending chain migration to make sure we are not faced with similar problems years down the road.
Trump also discussed pursuing trade deals that treat the United States fairly and protect American workers. And in a world of growing threats, Trump has committed to rebuilding our military and strengthening efforts to combat terrorism.
“I am confident that President Trump will lead us to greater opportunities as we build a safe, strong, and proud America,” Collins said. “As we look back on this past year, I applaud the Trump Administration’s success and look forward to continuing our work to Make America Great Again.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2018 at 9:28 pm
Gary Katsanis, Stan Farone are GOP candidates for village trustees
ALBION – The Albion Republican Committee tonight picked its candidates for the March 20 village election with Eileen Banker topping the slate as the mayoral pick.
She will be joined on the ballot by Republicans for village trustee, Gary Katsanis and Stan Farone.
Banker has been on the board the past eight years as a trustee, including the past four years as deputy mayor. She works as the chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Dean London, the current mayor, is not seeking re-election. He nominated Banker to be his successor during the Republican caucus at the Hoag Library.
“She is very committed and dedicated to the village,” London told the room of about 35 Republicans.
Banker also is on the board of directors for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and on the advisory council for Genesee Community College. She also has been a long-time supporter of the Albion Fire Department. (Her husband Dale is a former chief and the current emergency management coordinator for Orleans County.)
Banker said she favors continued shared services with neighboring municipalities. She said the Department of Public Works shares equipment and personnel with local town and the county highway departments.
Albion also has agreements with the Village of Holley for providing personnel. Roland Nenni, the Albion police chief, also leads he Holley department. Albion sewer staff also run Holley’s sewer plant and the sewer system in Elba.
“We are looking at shared services and that is huge,” Banker said after the caucus.
She said the village has some positive projects in the works, including a major upgrade at the Bullard Park this year, including a new spray park. A state grant is covering nearly $500,000 of the work.
Albion has also started offering a downtown rental subsidy program to encourage more businesses to locate in the historic district.
The village also created a new local development corporation with a focus on acquiring vacant houses and getting them occupied and back on the tax rolls.
“There is no quick, easy answer,” she said about the vacant houses and some of the empty storefronts.
One issue Banker doesn’t support is eliminating the village police force. A study by the Center for Governmental Research said an option in local law enforcement services would be eliminating the village police departments and have the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office provide the service in the villages. That would result in a big tax cut for village residents while raising county taxes.
Banker doesn’t want to see the village lose local control, or have a slower response time for police calls.
“We have a police department that is second to none,” she said. “We have top-of-the-line police officers and with our police chief.”
Republicans also backed Stan Farone for the Village Board. Farone, a Kodak retiree, has been on the board for one term. He helped start the Energize Albion group, which has planned several events in Albion.
“We have started a lot of projects,” he said. “I want to see them finished.”
He is looking forward to the work at Bullard Park and sees the LDC making a difference in getting residents living in many of the vacant houses.
Farone works part-time for the Mental Health Association of Orleans & Genesee Counties as a project manager. He works out of the Albion drop-in center at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex.
Gary Katsanis previously served as a village trustee. He was backed for a return this evening. (Former Mayor Ed Salvatore also received six votes to be a trustee candidate, but Farone had 22 and Katsanis, 30.)
Katsanis is retired after working in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica.
Banker said she is pleased to see Farone and Katsanis want to be on the board. Banker said Katsanis is “a numbers guy” who digs into the “nitty, gritty.”
Katsanis was on the board when the village started discussing a project that would have solar panels on village-owned land. Those panels are expected to be in place at the sewer plant this year, reducing electric bills by $100,000 a year, Katsanis said.
The Democratic Party endorsed its candidates on Monday with Joyce Riley for mayor, and Jason Dragon and Sandra Walter for village trustees. There is still time for candidates to submit petitions to run as independents.
Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower, who is also the county’s Stop DWI coordinator, said there will be stepped up DWI enforcement this weekend from local law enforcement agencies, including the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and Medina, Albion and Holley police departments.
The STOP-DWI Super Bowl Crackdown will run from Feb. 2 to Feb. 5. This crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives 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, Bower said.
In 2016 there were 283 people who died on New York State highways due to Alcohol-Impaired Driving (Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or higher). It is illegal to drive with BAC of .08 or higher in New York State.
The key to keeping yourself and others safe on the highway is to “Have A Plan,” Bower said.
He urged people who will be drinking alcohol to plan a safe way to get home. They should consider calling for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi, public transportation, or Uber.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Adam Krenning, Albion FFA advisor and agricultural teacher, helps unload food donated by local farmers during the FFA’s annual food drive on Dec. 16. More than 35,000 pounds of food was donated by local farmers.
Local farmers can now get a state tax credit for produce donations to food banks and other emergency food programs.
The credit is worth 25 percent of the fair market value of the donations, with the credit capped at $5,000 a year. For example, if a farmer donated $12,000 worth of food, the farmer could be eligible for 25 percent of that or $3,000 in a tax credit.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today urged New York farmers to pursue the tax credit, beginning January 1, 2018.
The tax credit is expected to save farmers a total of $10 million annually. According to the New York Farm Bureau, farmers across the state donated more than nine million pounds of food in 2017, which helped provide more than seven million meals to New Yorkers in need.
“This administration is committed to stomping out hunger in every corner of New York, and by establishing an incentive to increase access to farm-fresh products, we are one step closer to this goal,” Governor Cuomo said. “Refunding farmers for their generous food donations not only supports the state’s agricultural economy, but encourages more New Yorkers to help end hunger in our communities once and for all.”
Following a recommendation of Governor Cuomo’s Anti-Hunger Task Force, the tax credit was enacted to compensate farmers for costs associated with harvesting, packaging, and distributing local products to eligible food pantries, food banks and other emergency food programs across the state. Increased donations will help meet the growing demand for fresh, healthful foods in underserved communities across New York.
The tax credit is supported by the New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy. Eligible donations include fresh fruits and vegetables grown or produced in New York State and provided to emergency food programs that qualify for tax exempt status. To claim the credit, the taxpayer must receive proof of the donation in the form of a receipt or written acknowledgment from the eligible food program.
A fact sheet on eligibility requirements for the tax credit is available by clicking here.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said, “Our farmers aren’t just great at growing food, every year they are among the leading donors to food banks, food pantries and similar organizations. Their donations provide fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables to millions of New York families that may otherwise go without. At the Governor’s direction, the State has worked hard to develop this tax credit to reward farmers for their generosity and spur economic growth in the agricultural industry, and to feed even more New Yorkers who need it most.”
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “New York Farm Bureau is excited to see the rollout of the Farm to Food Bank Tax Credit. This has been a priority issue for our organization’s members who routinely donate to their regional food banks and local pantries. The credit will help offset the costs of picking, packing and transporting the food to the donation centers, while also increasing access of fresh, local food to New Yorkers in need. We appreciate Governor Cuomo and his agency staff’s efforts to make this day a reality.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2018 at 11:37 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nathan Pace, a Medina attorney and assistant public defender, served as moderator of last Friday’s Legislative Luncheon for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
GAINES – The average annual salary in Orleans County for private sector jobs is only $23,870. That is far too little for a family to make ends meet, said Nathan Pace, a Medina attorney who also works as an assistant public defender.
He represents many low-income residents in criminal cases. Pace said low-paying jobs keep families in poverty. They can’t make mortgage payments and there will be strain on a family due to the financial pressure, making it harder for them to stay together.
“We need to increase that number,” Pace said about the $23,870 average.
He served as moderator at Friday’s Legislative Luncheon organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. About 85 people attended the event.
Pace said the county needs more manufacturing jobs that pay $40,000 to $80,000 a year. Those wages would allow families to pay their bills without undue worry.
Pace said he sees people in poverty turn to crime, looking for extra money or trying to cope with the extreme stress in their lives.
One local business leader said there are good-paying jobs available, but it’s difficult to find enough committed and qualified employees.
Hinspergers Poly Industries in Medina makes custom-made pool covers and other products. It has operated in Medina since 2002. Greg Budd, the plant manager, said the company had to turn away about 10-15 percent of its business last year because of workforce instability. The extra work was instead went to a Hinspergers plant in Canada.
“It’s frustrating,” Budd told the crowd at the Chamber event. “I could have grown more.”
The company has 65 positions in Medina but last year 116 people were on the payroll. That means 51 people were briefly with the company but didn’t stay, Budd said.
“It’s extremely difficult to find good and qualified workers,” he said. “It’s a critical issue. It’s the greatest challenge I have.”
Three state legislators attended the Legislative Luncheon and said New York has much more work to become business friendly, and to attract and retain jobs – as well as dependable workers.
Michael Norris and Steve Hawley are both Assembly members with portions of their districts in Orleans County.
Norris, R-Lockport, said he favors promoting vocational training. He wants to see local school districts direct more students to those programs. Norris said the state should also step up with its support of BOCES and vocational training.
“Job retention is one of the greatest issues we face,” Norris said. “I want to encourage the BOCES programs because these are good-paying jobs.”
State Assemblyman Michael Norris said he supports more investment in vocational training programs to help businesses have qualified employees. Others in the photo, from left, include Nathan Pace, moderator of the forum; Michael Kracker, deputy chief of staff for Congressman Chris Collins; and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Norris and Hawley, R-Batavia, both decried the governor’s proposed $168 billion budget. They want to see more cuts, especially in the Medicaid program, which requires a contribution at the county level of about $8 million a year.
Hawley favors reduces business owners’ costs for workers’ compensation, for example. He wants to end the Scaffold law, which drives up insurance costs for businesses.
Rob Ortt, a state senator, was critical of the governor’s economic development efforts, which haven’t stopped the population exodus from upstate.
“If the jobs are here young people can stay here and raise families,” he said. “If they’re not, they won’t stay here.”
He said the governor has suggested eliminating tips for workers at restaurants and bars, and making them be paid at least minimum wage. Ortt said that would hurt the restaurants and bars, and also would result in lower pay for the workers who rely on tips.
“If people are leaving your state, there’s a reason,” Ortt said about the Cuomo initiatives. “There are better economic opportunities in other states.”
The legislators were asked what could be done to drive more economic development to the historic downtown business districts. Ortt noted the state has a Main Street grant program to help building owners with some renovations and upgrades. Albion, Holley and Medina have all received a Main Street grant in the past five years. Albion tried for a second Main Street grant the past two years but was rejected by the state.
Michael Kracker, the deputy chief of staff for Congressman Chris Collins, also said the recent tax reform passed by Congress and President Donald Trump is giving businesses more money for capital investments and to reward employees. Kracker called the tax reform, “a big accomplishment.”
He expects Congress will now turn to infrastructure and expanding high-speed Internet in rural areas, which he said are critical issues for businesses.
In support of National Wear Red Day this Friday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) is encouraging residents to join him in wearing red to support women’s cardiac health. Heart Disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.
“National Wear Red Day is an important event that raises awareness for cardiac health and helps encourage individuals to live a healthy lifestyle,” Hawley said. “Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, but education and action are integral parts of changing that statistic. I will be wearing red on Friday, and I encourage my fellow residents to show your support and do the same.”
Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI) are important numbers to be aware of and monitor for optimal cardiac health. For more information, or to join the conversation and show your support, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2018 at 10:41 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Joyce Riley, a retired nurse and former Albion Board of Education member, was nominated for Albion mayor during the Democratic Party caucus this evening at Hoag Library.
ALBION – The Democratic Party has three candidates to run for the Albion Village Board during the election on March 20.
The Democrats held the party caucus at the Hoag Library this evening and nominated Joyce Riley for mayor, and Jason Dragon and Sandra Walter for trustees. The positions are all for four years. The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall, 35-37 E. Bank St.
The Republican Party will have its caucus at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Dean London, the current mayor, has said he isn’t running again.
Riley is a former member of the Albion Board of Education. She worked as a registered nurse and later supervised an ambulatory surgical unit in Washington, D.C., overseeing 200 employees. When she retired, she moved back to Albion in 2015. She lives on Linwood Avenue.
“I think it would be very good for the village to have someone coming in who wouldn’t be an insider, someone who has open eyes,” Riley told 19 Democrats who cast votes at the caucus.
Riley said she worries about the village’s shrinking tax base and declining population. That will make it a challenge to maintain existing services without raising taxes.
“We need to form alliances and work collaboratively with the towns, county and the other villages,” Riley said. “The business owners and residents all have an investment in this community. I believe you can get good ideas from anybody. We’re married to what’s best overall.”
Riley said she would have an open-door policy and would welcome input from “people who want the best for the community.”
Sandra Walter
The Democrats also endorsed Walter and Dragon for village trustees.
Walter ran for the board four years ago and wasn’t elected. Her concerns from four years ago haven’t gone away. She said she worries about the decline in the community. She sees it when she goes for walks around Albion.
Walter retired about two years ago. She worked as a claims processor for CRFS in Albion. Before that she was a supervisor in collections for Dime Bank and North American Mortgage in Albion.
The West Bank Street resident said the village residents are overtaxed, and that has led to some of the decay in the neighborhoods. The high taxes also chase out some residents and businesses.
Jason Dragon
Walter said the Democratic Party candidates will present their platform soon, and will have ideas for reducing the village taxes.
Dragon, an East Avenue resident, works as a software engineer/consultant. He also manages the website for the Orleans County Democrats.
Dragon grew up in Albion, moved away and returned. Despite its challenges, Albion remains an attractive place to live, Dragon said.
“Our goal is to make sure Albion continues to be a good place to live in the next 20, 30 and 40 years,” he said at the caucus.
Dragon said the government may need to change how it provides services to be more efficient and in line with the resources in the community.
Orleans had 13th most ag revenue out of 62 counties last time in Census
Photo by Tom Rivers: Onions grow on the muck, which covers about 5,000 acres in Orleans and Genesee counties.
WASHINGTON – Farmers have a week to respond to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture.
Every five years the National Agricultural Statistics Service does the Census of Agriculture. Producers should respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail by February 5. The online questionnaire offers new timesaving features.
The Census of Agriculture is the only NASS questionnaire mailed to every producer across the country. The Census provides a complete account of the industry, its changes, and emerging trends. Census data are widely used, often relied on when developing the Farm Bill and other farm policy, and when making decisions about disaster relief, community planning, technology development, and more.
“We are asking producers to help show our nation the value and importance of American agriculture,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We need to hear from all of our farmers and ranchers, no matter how big or how small their part of agriculture. The Census is their voice, their future, their opportunity. Please respond now.”
The 2012 Census of Agriculture showed a big jump in farm revenue in Orleans County. The revenue from farms totaled $150.3 million in 2012 for sales of fruit, vegetables, milk, livestock and other farm products, a 48.8 percent jump from the $101.0 million recorded in 2007, according to the Agricultural Census.
Orleans ranked 13th of the 62 counties in New York for farm revenue. Wyoming County claimed the top spot in the state at $318.5 million in 2012.
State-wide, the numbers increased 24.9 percent to $5.52 billion in 2012. That was up by $1.1 billion from the $4.42 billion in 2007.
Everyone who received the 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire is to return it, even if they are not currently farming, NASS said. The first few qualifying questions on the form will determine whether completing the entire questionnaire is necessary.
After the Feb. 5 deadline, NASS will begin following-up with additional mailings, e-mails, phone calls, and personal appointments. To avoid these additional contacts, farmers and ranchers are asked to complete their Census as soon as possible.
“It is important that every producer respond to the Census of Agriculture so that they are represented and reflected in the data,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “These statistics can directly impact producers for years. Without their input, our hardworking farmers and ranchers risk being underserved.”
For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov. For questions or assistance with the Census, call toll-free (888) 424-7828.
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Albion attorney, Kevin R. Allen, following a two-week investigation into allegations of fraud, grand larceny and other misconduct.
Undersheriff Christopher M. Bourke reports that Mr. Allen, 31, of Gaines Basin Road was charged with Grand Larceny 2nd Degree, Petit Larceny, and Scheme to Defraud 2nd Degree following the investigation into complaints of misconduct from two separate clients.
One client alleged that Allen was paid for attorney services to commence divorce proceedings and was then advised the divorce was finalized when in fact, the process had not been started. A second client reported that Mr. Allen was hired to bring a civil lawsuit against certain companies on behalf of the client as well as assist in collecting monies owed from a divorce. To date, Allen has allegedly collected more than $57,000 from the victim and had not filed any claims on behalf of his client.
It appears that Allen allegedly engaged in behavior that violates the established rules for professional conduct by attorneys as well as the N.Y.S Penal Law, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said.
Allen was arraigned by Town of Albion Justice Joseph Fuller and was remanded to the custody of the sheriff at the Orleans County Jail on $10,000 bail. Allen is scheduled to return to the Town of Albion Court on March 14 at 9 a.m.
Anyone with concerns or additional information on this case or other cases should call Investigator Jeffrey Gifaldi at 585-590-4125.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 29 January 2018 at 4:57 pm
‘The book is a resource for anyone dealing with transitioning students. Teachers and parents can often be bewildered by their 7th grader and changes in attitude.’
John Adriance
Former Albion Middle School students who had John Adriance for 7th grade Social Studies may remember well writing a paragraph about themselves during the first week of the school year.
Adriance taught at Albion from 1979-2006 and recently compiled an e-book with the help of his son Patrick, which features 165 of the paragraphs and is entitled, “There Are a Lot of Things I Could Tell You About Myself, But I’ll Keep It Short: Expectations, Self Perceptions, Aspirations, and Concerns on the Eve of 7th Grade.”
The paragraphs were selected out of over 2,700 which Adriance reviewed. The names of the students who wrote the paragraphs are kept private, he says, and explains that the paragraph writing assignment served a number of purposes.
“I wanted to get to know the students, their likes and dislikes so that I wouldn’t offend them,” Adriance says. “I wanted them to know I was interested in them and that I cared.”
The paragraph also provided Adriance with a sample of the students’ writing, enabling him to assess their grammar and communication skills.
Adriance saved all the paragraphs he collected over his 27 years at Albion and eventually began to consider compiling a book of them.
“The book is a resource for anyone dealing with transitioning students,” Adriance said. “Teachers and parents can often be bewildered by their 7th grader and changes in attitude.”
Seventh grade is a time of great changes for young people as they begin adolescence and move from childhood to adulthood. Young people become more social and their friendships change, Adriance observed, some begin to have boyfriends and girlfriends.
He said the paragraphs reflect the emotional and physical changes 7th graders experience and range from the unusual to the thought-provoking, providing a unique and personal window into the world of young people ages 11 and 12.
Patrick Adriance designed the cover and other illustrations in the book.
“The book helps one to learn what they value and what concerns them,” Adriance said. He added that many of the same issues came up over the nearly 30 years of paragraphs, while other things changed – more students coming from broken families, for example, and less and less use of cursive handwriting.
Adriance worked with his son, Patrick, a 1994 graduate of Spencerport Central High School, to edit and publish the book. Patrick also provided 16 illustrations for the book designed to compliment the thoughts that are conveyed and to create a humorous vision in the reader’s mind.
Patrick, who lives in North Carolina, said he enjoyed working with his dad on the project.
“I was blown away that my dad had saved all of these student passages from his entire career,” Patrick said. “To me, it just shows his dedication and love of teaching.”
Patrick said both he and his dad learned a lot about the process of publishing e-books and found formatting the illustrations proved especially challenging, but he hopes to publish more e-books in the future.
“There Are a Lot of Things I Could Tell You About Myself, But I’ll Keep it Short” was published in December 2017 through Amazon, iBooks, and Barnes and Nobel. Click here for the Amazon link to the book.
Adriance said his years of teaching at Albion were very rewarding and he enjoyed the 7th grade age group.
“They are a nice group to teach,” he said. “They are still open-minded.”
MIDDLEPORT – The Royalton-Hartland Board of Education will have a special meeting today to appoint Dr. Henry (Hank) Stopinski as the district’s next superintendent of schools.
Dr. Stopinski has served for the past eight years as the Founding Principal/Head of Schools at the Health Sciences Charter Schools in Buffalo, where he has been responsible for all aspects of governance, budget, capital projects and curriculum development.
“I am pleased to be selected as the next superintendent of Royalton-Hartland schools,” Stopinski said. “It has a rich history and a community that believes in a focus on college and career readiness. As superintendent, I will strive to build solid relationships with the community and work collaboratively with the Board of Education, teachers and staff. I look forward to be an active member of the community and participating in the rich traditions that exist in the school district.”
Prior to working at the Health Sciences Charter Schools in Buffalo, Stopinski served seven years as the Director of Career and Technical Education at the Capital Region BOCES in Albany, and nine years as Director of the River Valley Technical Center in Springfield, Vermont.
He has extensive teaching experience as a secondary science teacher, agricultural education teacher and adjunct professor at Vermont Technical College.
Stopinski was recognized as a national Young Teacher of Agriculture, led a national FFA delegation to Russia and created a community based agricultural program that earned national recognition. He has been recognized for his youth leadership as a basketball and track coach, FFA advisor, Scout leader and member of his church.
Stopinski earned his Bachelor and Master of Education degrees from Castleton State College, in Castleton, Vermont. He later earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He holds a permanent certification as a New York State School District Administrator.
Dr. Clark J. Godshall, District Superintendent for the Orleans-Niagara BOCES, facilitated the search process in conjunction with the Royalton-Hartland Central School Board of Education for an individual to replace current Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Roger Klatt, who is retiring in June.
“We started with 21 applicants, then narrowed the field to 3 finalists,” said Sara Fry, president of the Roy-Hart Board of Education. “The input from the stakeholders who participated in the interview process was a guiding factor in the selection of Dr. Stopinski as the new superintendent. His diverse educational background and commitment to overall higher standards will be an asset to our district. In addition, his collaborative leadership style and previous experiences will benefit all our students, personnel and parents. I hope everyone will join me in welcoming Dr. Stopinski to Roy-Hart. We look forward to him becoming active in the community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2018 at 11:58 am
Statue of soldier expected to be installed later this year outside former Armory in Medina
Provided photos courtesy of Lynne Menz
LOCKPORT – Brian Porter of Lockport has been working the past year to create a model of a soldier who looks like one of the young men who trained at the Armory in Medina. The Company F Monument Committee raised $65,000 for a 7-foot-high bronze statue, which is on target to be installed later this fall. It will go on top of a Medina sandstone monument outside the former Medina Armory, which is now a YMCA.
Members of the committee visited Porter’s home studio on Saturday to give a clay model of the statue a final stamp of approval. The model will be moved to the University of Buffalo’s foundry for the mold and casting process.
Those pictured include, from left: Lynne Menz, Cathy Fox, Kathy Iorio, Bill Menz, Jim Freas and Lynne Stewart. Sculptor Brian Porter is in back.
Bill Menz is chairman of the committee that has worked about 10 years on the project. Porter’s model looks like a pre-WWII soldier.
The Company F Memorial Committee is moving along with its effort to have a 7-foot-high bronze statue erected outside the former Armory in Medina.
For about 75 years the Armory on Pearl Street was used as a training site for soldiers . The statue will honor those soldiers and help people appreciate the building’s past in preparing soldiers to defend the country.
Porter is an assistant professor of art at Erie Community College. He created the statue for the Seabees Memorial in North Tonawanda.
The Medina project is the first where he is incorporating 3-D imaging to assist in creating the molds for the cast bronze statue. Porter also collected accessories such as the WWI campaign hat, backpack and a rifle that was carried the day the soldiers left Medina in October 1940.
Lynne Stewart, daughter of WWII veteran Glenn Stewart, holds back her emotions at her first viewing. “He would have been so proud of this,” Stewart said. Porter also was moved by her reaction in seeing the clay model of the solider.
Committee members include three daughters of Company F veterans. The daughters were in attendance to inspect the clay model for approval on Saturday. This was the first time that Lynne Stewart and Kathy Iorio viewed the larger-than-life rendition and were overcome with emotion.
Retired Staff Sargent Jim Freas also saw the model for the first time on Saturday. He shared his expertise and suggested a change to the hand position that would be more representative of marching protocol during that period in military history. The committee members in attendance unanimously approved the sculpture with the requested change.
The final “stamp of approval” was placed by Chairman Menz as suggested by Porter. Menz strategically planted his thumb print on the soldier’s knee as a sign of his approval and also to symbolize his initiative, concept and creation of the Company F Memorial.
Jordan Rath and his son Landon, 3, look at the giant clay soldier. Jordan is a stone mason who will be assisting with the installation. Jordan’s father Brad Rath was involved in Phase I of the memorial as a supplier of sandstone and consultant.
Welder John Kage and Jordan Rath have been recruited by Menz to assist Porter with attaching the finished statue to the existing Medina Sandstone monument. The installation is expected to be this fall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2018 at 11:17 am
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. today until 1 p.m. on Tuesday for Orleans County, with 3 to 5 inches of snow expected, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Motorists should plan on slippery roads, especially for the Tuesday morning commute.
The advisory includes the counties of Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, northern Erie, Genesee, Livingston and Ontario.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2018 at 8:37 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, speaks during the Legislative Luncheon on Friday. About 85 people attended the event at Tillman’s Village Inn. The luncheon was organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
ALBION – The county is moving forward with several initiatives, including a $10 million expansion of the County Administration Building on Route 31.
Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, cited that project, as well as $5 million infrastructure work with roads, bridges and culverts as big efforts for the county government this year.
She spoke on Friday during a Legislative Luncheon organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
Johnson said the county has stepped up services, including adding a full-time tourism director, adding another full-time animal control officer, and working on a land bank with Niagara County, and also waterfront development plans along Lake Ontario and the Erie Canal. The county also took the lead with an upcoming study on the public water resources in the county, looking at village and town water infrastructure to see if there can be efficiencies in delivering the service.
The County Legislature last week also announced its plans to declare the opioid epidemic and its effect on the county “a public nuisance.” The Legislature also wants to establish a cost recovery procedure for the county’s expenditures incurred for services due to the epidemic. The county in September voted to join a growing number of municipalities in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for allegedly fueling an opioid crisis.
“We’ve taken the offensive,” Johnson said about opioid lawsuit.
The county will also continue to press for lower Lake Ontario water levels. Johnson has been a vocal critic of Plan 2014 approved in December 2016. She worries that the shoreline faces more flooding this year because the lake is 9 inches higher than a year ago, she said.
She also wants to see progress on high-speed Internet. Orleans and Niagara County have formed the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance with one of the main goals to expand broadband Internet in the two counties.
“Rural broadband is the number one priority for NORA,” she said. “We have not given up on that.”
Johnson said the county will take the case to Washington.
The county representatives were asked at the luncheon about the 22,000-square-foot addition planned for the County Administration Building and whether any sites were considered in the village.
Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer, said only the Arnold Gregory Office Complex on South Main Street would have been a possibility and that site is already nearly full. The county wouldn’t want to see that building come off the tax rolls, Nesbitt said.
The addition will accommodate the Public Health Department and Board of Elections, which are currently outside the village in space owned by Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. Comprehensive acquired the nursing home and the neighboring public health building as part of the $7.8 million acquisition on Jan.1, 2015.
The county also has already been approved for a $3,682,748 state grant towards the addition and a $200,000 grant through State Sen. Robert Ortt’s office to help with the project.
“If we didn’t get those grants we probably wouldn’t have moved forward with the project,” Nesbitt said.
Provided photos courtesy of Lynne Menz
