A flood watch is in effect for Orleans and other Western New York counties from 1 p.m. on Monday to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The warming temperatures, snowmelt and rainfall will enhance the risk for ice jam flooding, The Weather Service said. Rainfall during the watch period will average between a quarter and a half inch.

The counties in the flood watch Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne and Wyoming.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Wreaths are shown on veterans’ graves at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina on Saturday. The wreaths were placed there in December as part of the Wreaths Across America program.

The area gets a break from the harsh cold this week. Today is forecast for a high of 39 and low of 34. Monday calls for rain in the forecast before 3 p.m. with a high near 40, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Tuesday will reach 43 with a low of 23, with some precipitation likely. Wednesday will reach 27 with a chance for snow showers. On Thursday it will be sunny with a high of 25, followed by a high of 36 on Friday and a high near 47 on Saturday.

Provided photo: EJ, a canine with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, is pictured with his handler and partner, Deputy Richard Bull.

Press Release, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office

LOCKPORT – It is with great sadness that Sheriff James R. Voutour announces the sudden passing of Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Canine EJ, handled by his partner Deputy Richard Bull.

Bull discovered Canine EJ unresponsive inside his kennel on Friday. Preliminary findings suggest Canine EJ passed away from a medical condition known as gastric torsion of the stomach. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Canine EJ was born on September 25, 2015 in Hungary and began his career with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office in March 2017. Canine EJ was purchased in part from many generous community donations to Niagara County Law Enforcement Foundation.

“The Community has always been great supporters of our Canine Division as well as the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Voutour.

Canine EJ and his partner, Deputy Bull, were New York State certified in criminal apprehension, area searches, building searches, muzzle deployment, tactical high-risk deployment, tracking and advanced narcotics detection.

During their career as a canine team, Deputy Bull and Canine EJ were responsible for several successful tracks, the recovery of numerous pieces of evidence and discovery of illegal narcotics. They also conducted several demonstrations at various events throughout Niagara County, including Lockport Blue, D.A.R.E., Young Marines and the Niagara County Fair.

“While Canine EJ’s tenure with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office was short, he undoubtedly will be remembered for his hard work, loyal friendship to Deputy Bull and service to Niagara County,” Voutour said.

Canine EJ was named after LCpl. Eric James Orlowski, a United States Marine, fellow Marine and friend of Deputy Bull, who was killed in action on March 22, 2003 during Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.

Sierra Mendes had a leg amputated due to injuries from a serious car accident

Sierra Mendes

HOLLEY – The Holley Elementary School celebrated students’ reading achievements during a high-energy assembly on Friday and also introduced students to a recent graduate.

Sierra Mendes graduated in 2012. She recently suffered the amputation of one of her legs due to damage from a  serious car accident in 2012.

Mendes wants to receive a running blade which will help her to run once again with her sister. The Holley Elementary Student Council plans a special Walk-A-Thon on Feb. 8 to raise funds for the running blade.

Elementary Student Council faculty advisor Sally Martin introduced Sierra to students Friday afternoon during the annual Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) assembly.

Martin explained to students that Sierra was involved in a serious car accident five years ago and suffered severe injuries to her legs. Her right leg continued to cause her so much pain, she decided to undergo an amputation, and now has a metal leg which allows her to do almost everything except run, an activity she used to love to do with her sister.

Sierra now lives in Rochester and told Orleans Hub that Holley faculty reached out to her after she started a Go Fund Me account.

“Everyone has been so supportive,” Sierra said. “I loved running and have missed it, it would feel like a personal triumph to be able to run again.”

Pre-K students hold up letters that spell out READING.  Students were told they all have a talent for reading. Behind the students are Grace Azzolino, children’s librarian at the Holley Community free library, and Sierra Mendes.

In addition to the upcoming Walk-A-Thon, Martin said collection containers for donations have been placed at local businesses for Sierra.

The Holley grad also talked to students about the importance of reading, as the PARP program promotes literacy. She said until she was about 14 years old, she read everyday – all the time.

“The time I have spent reading is what I treasure most,” she said. “If you love to read you will never be bored and you will never be lonely.”

The assembly included games. Kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders participated in the “Relay Read” race, while 3rd and 4th graders took part in the “Slide and Read” race, and 5th and 6th graders participated in the “Toss and Read” competition.

Students selected for the annual PARP limo ride to McDonald’s for lunch.  Two students from each grade in grades K-6 will take a ride in limo next Wednesday for lunch at McDonald’s. Two pre-K students were also chosen. They will join principal Karri Schiavone for a special treat at a time to be determined.

The Holley PTSA sponsors the PARP program and this year they provided T-shirts for all students. Art students at Holley High School were asked to submit designs for the shirt.  The design of Andrea Payne, a 12th grader, was chosen.

“Overlooked Orleans” – Volume 4, Issue 3

CLARENDON – Of the New York State Historic Markers erected by the NYS Department of Education, the overwhelming majority cover locations deemed significant to the earliest history of Orleans County including Native American and pioneer sites. The marker situated at the Town Park on Holley Byron Road in Clarendon calls attention to one of the earlier settlements in our area.

The marker reads, “Farwell’s Mills, here Eldred Farwell, first white settler of town, built the first mills in Clarendon, saw mill in 1811, grist mill in 1813.”

While consulting several seminal publications on early Orleans County history, the spelling of Farwell’s name is clearly debated; here, the State Department of Education uses a shortened spelling. Arad Thomas records Farwell’s name as Eldridge in Pioneer History of Orleans County, New York, but this historian would prefer to reference Farwell’s name as spelled by David Sturges Copeland in his History of Clarendon from 1810 to 1888 where he records the name as Eldredge.

Perhaps this is a detail that would only concern Farwell himself, but his contributions to the early settlement of Clarendon are also duly noted within the pages of these books. Born to William and Bethel Eldredge Farwell on March 6, 1770 at Charlestown, New Hampshire, Eldredge settled in the vicinity of Clarkson along the Ridge Road. From other publications, we know that his brother Isaac settled nearby to the west of the Ridge Road and Lake Road intersection in the same location.

As so many historians have recorded, the story of Clarendon’s foundation occurred by happenchance after the unfortunate escape of Isaac Farwell’s horse around 1810. Following the animal’s trail along the bank of Sandy Creek, it is said that Eldredge stumbled upon a waterfall and while recognizing its potential for power, decided that he should settle the area. Farwell purchased approximately 210 acres the following year and relocated his wife and five children to the area in the spring of 1811. With that acreage upon which the beautiful waterfall sat came the mill privilege, providing him with the opportunity to construct a grist mill on the site.

In the unsettled wilderness of Orleans County, the role of the mill owner was one of significance, prestige, and prominence. Grist millers held the key to survival, providing an invaluable service to settlers who needed to grind corn and wheat into flour. Settlers could travel west, east, or south to “nearby” locations to grind their grains, but trips to these areas were marred by unimproved roads, swamps, and waterways without bridges. The convenience of a local miller, of course, was preferred and Ambrose Ferguson was hired to labor in the mill at the astonishing rate of $20 per month.

Farwell’s establishment of a grist mill in 1811 followed by a saw mill in 1813 provided a significant amount of political capital to the 43-year-old pioneer. When the town held early elections for the position of supervisor, he was selected by his neighbors to the post. He operated the first post office at the location then known as “Farwell’s Mills,” which his sons later assisted in delivering mail to Byron Center by horseback when the stagecoaches operated between Rochester and Buffalo. He was later selected as a judge in the court of common pleas and from that point on was known locally as Judge Farwell.

When William Morgan disappeared in 1826, presumed to have been kidnapped and murdered by Masons, a series of trials took place in Orleans County involving local men accused of participating in the conspiracy. Elihu Mather, brother of Gaines pioneer James Mather, was accused of driving the carriage carrying Morgan through Orleans County. The exhaustive process of selecting unbiased jurors resulted in Judge Farwell’s participation in the defense’s challenge of Stephen Martin as a potential juror. According to Farwell, Martin had expressed an opinion of guilt, telling him explicitly that the masonic institution was corrupt, that Morgan was forcibly carried by carriage along Ridge Road, and that Morgan was most certainly in the carriage driven by Mather. The testimony resulted in Judge Addison Gardiner setting Martin aside as a juror.

The site on which this marker sits was donated to the Clarendon Grange in 1940 by Morris Brackett, Chief Game Protector of the NYS Conservation Department and a descendant of Farwell.

Erratum: Volume 4, Issue 2 noted that B. T. Roberts was removed from the pulpit of the Methodist Church in Albion – Roberts was living in Albion and relocated to Pekin, NY, but did not serve as pastor of the Albion Methodist Church. A huge thank you to Pastor Randy LeBaron for the correction!

Provided photo: Food service students include, from left: Alexzandra Sciegel (Medina), Joseph Gates (Medina), Franco Eaton (Lockport), George Dueno (Lockport), Shamaria Howard (Medina), Jarrett Mason (Lockport), Shaniece Bailey (Lockport), Josh Woods (Lockport), Angel Gotay (Lockport) and teacher Jessica Kronenberg.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Students in Jessica Kroneberg’s VIP Food Service Program recently put their culinary talents to a great use by helping to prepare a thank you lunch for first responders and military personnel.

The Orleans Career and Technical Education students made some side salads and desserts for military and first responder representatives who participated in a First Responders/Military Career Day at the center.  The students showed off their skills with a salad displayed like the American flag and red, white and blue fruit kabobs.

The representatives said they appreciated the students’ hard work.

GAINES – A new leadership program kicked off this week with a two-day retreat at Tillman’s Village Inn.

The program has been years in the making. Orleans has been one of the few counties without a leadership program. The new Leadership Orleans became a reality this year after the County Legislature set aside $33,000 last year to get the program off the ground.

Charlie Nesbitt, a retired state assemblyman, also has been critical in rallying sponsors for the program and urging people to participate. The debut class has 25 members and is led by director Skip Helfrich, a graduate of the program in Niagara County.

Nesbitt spoke during a reception for program participants and sponsors on Thursday evening.

“You know a successful community or county when you see it,” Nesbitt told the group. “These communities and places are successful from the efforts and decisions and vision of individuals.”

Nesbitt said one person can sometimes change the trajectory of the community. He cited George Eastman in Rochester or Henry Ford in Detroit. Some people, in contrast, can change the community in a negative way, Nesbitt said.

He pushed for Leadership Orleans so key people in the community could better understand how local government, businesses and other sectors work. The class draws on a cross section of the community. The program picked residents who have demonstrated leadership abilities, interest in community affairs, and a commitment to Orleans County’s future.

Charlie Nesbitt, a retired state assemblyman, addresses members of the class and supporters of the program on Thursday evening at Tillman’s Village Inn. Nesbitt has been influential in securing sponsors for the program and urging people to be in the class.

“It’s an exciting program to come into our county and it will offer a strong network for more people,” said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.

Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Society & Museum, welcomed the chance to learn more about the county through Leadership Orleans.

“It will give a broad exposure to Orleans County,” he said.

Nesbitt hopes the class participants will develop close ties and work together to strengthen the community.

“What you are going to get out of this is a broad understanding of how our community works,” he said.

Helfrich is the director and he works out of an office at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee in Albion. Helfrich is the president/owner of Human Energies, a human resources and organizational development consulting firm. He leads many retreats for other leadership programs.

Participants had many team-building exercises over the two days and also took a personality inventory. People are one of four personalities according to the DiSC personal profile system. D’s like control and can be dominant; I’s are influencers who like recognition, S’s are steadfast supporters who don’t like confrontation; and C’s are cautiously analytical who like facts and data, and don’t like irrational acts.

Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers also put together a trivia quiz for the group about local history and other interesting Orleans facts.

Leadership Orleans is a one-year tuition based program that requires enrolled individuals to commit to a two-day opening retreat, one full day per month of program participation over a ten-month period, and a two-day closing retreat/graduation ceremony.

Each month the group will learn about a different sector of the community, including government, arts and culture, volunteerism and non-profit organizations, community health, tourism and recreation, agribusiness, economic & workforce development, and education.

Jim DeFilipps, a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, introduces himself to the class on Thursday using some drawings of things he likes and things he dislikes.

The class members include: Robert Batt, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County; James DeFilipps, deputy for Orleans County Sheriff’s Office; Kaitlyn Delamarter, executive director of United Way of Orleans County; Marlee Diehl, retired recruiter and past district governor for Rotary; Staci Everetts, vice president of human resources of Claims Recovery Financial Services;

• Ed Fancher, executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee; Doug Farley, director of Cobblestone Society & Museum; Jodi Gaines, CEO/founder of Claims Recovery Financial Services; Jackie Gilbert, owner/vice president of Darrell’s Place; Nadine Hanlon, clerk of Orleans County Legislature;

• Steve Hicks, financial advisor with Brighton Securities; Kathy Hodgins, director of treatment services for GCASA; Tim Hollenbaugh, service manager/sales for Bentley Brothers, Inc.; Brett Kast, orchard manager for Kast Farms; RJ Linder, credit representative for Farm Credit East;

• Amit Misra, director of manufacturing for Baxter Healthcare; Josh Mitchell, funeral director with Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes; Eddie Moss, director of computer services for Orleans County; Nick Nesbitt, owner/manager for Nesbitt Fruit Farms & Nesbitt Bros. LLC; Jessica Root-Olinger, manager for Dale S. Root Trucking LLC;

• Mike Ryan, manager of operations for RTS Orleans; Lisa Tombari, executive assistant for Talis Equity; Heidi Truschel, community relations manager for the Arc of Genesee Orleans; Eric Watson, president of Watson Enterprises; and Patrick Weissend, vice president and branch manager of Tompkins Bank of Castile.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is calling on all New Yorkers six months of age and over who have not yet received a flu shot to get vaccinated as soon as possible. According to the Department of Health, cases of influenza rose by 54 percent and new cases were diagnosed in all counties of the state over the past week. In addition, 1,606 New Yorkers have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, the highest weekly number since Department of Health reporting began in 2004.

“With flu cases on the rise, New Yorkers should take steps to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their loved ones,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am directing the Department of Health to work with local providers to help protect our communities from this flu outbreak, and I urge all New Yorkers to visit local health centers and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

For the last six weeks, influenza has been geographically widespread across New York. As of January 13th, 17,362 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported and 5,267 people have been hospitalized with influenza in New York State this season.

“Influenza is a potentially deadly disease, and getting vaccinated is the best thing New Yorkers can do to protect themselves and those around them, followed by good hand hygiene,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “To address the high number of cases we’re seeing across the state, Governor Cuomo has directed the Department of Health to work with healthcare associations to take action against the flu and coordinate on issues of hospital capacity and surge planning. I urge all New Yorkers to get vaccinated immediately.”

In addition to calling on all New Yorkers to get vaccinated, Governor Cuomo directed the Department of Health to take the following actions:

• Continue surveillance of hospitals statewide on bed capacity and supply of vaccines and antiviral medications;

• Coordinate with Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Association of New York State, and the Community Health Care Association of New York State to support hospitals on capacity issues and encourage them to review their surge plans to expand capacity;

• Ensure that New York continues to have an adequate supply of flu vaccine and remaining in close communication with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding vaccine availability. CDC is currently reporting adequate supplies of flu vaccine nationwide; and

• Promote the usage of HealthMap Vaccine Finder, developed by Google and supported by the CDC, a free and helpful online service that allows users to search for locations offering immunizations. To find a flu vaccine near you, please visit: www.vaccinefinder.org.

To receive a flu shot, contact your local health care provider or pharmacy, or find information about vaccination clinics by contacting your local health department.

In addition to getting a flu shot, it’s important to practice good hand-hygiene:

Unlike some viruses, influenza is easily killed by soap and hot water.

Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds to protect yourself from germs and avoid spreading them to others.

Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to use when soap and water are not available. Choose a product with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Do not cough or sneeze into your hands. Instead, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. People with the flu are infectious for up to 7 days after symptoms begin.

For more information about the flu, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Abigail Leverenz, 6, of Albion gets her photo taken with Roscoe, a pig that weighs 1,002 pounds during intermission at Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus.

The circus returned to Albion with the cast performing many daring feats inside the high school gym.

The circus was in Holley on Wednesday. After being in Albion today, Billy Martin’s has two shows (5 and 7:15 p.m.) in Medina on Friday at the middle school, and will be at Kendall 7 p.m. on Jan. 26. Click here to see the full schedule.

Unicycle star Wesley Williams rides a 20-foot-tall unicycle. He is new to the cast this year.

Colleen shows her skills with Hula Hoops. She was able to twirl 20 at once.

Roger Vaila, a long-time performer with Billy Martin’s, does his funny routine on the trampoline. In this scene he thinks he lost one of his legs when he tried to get on the trampoline.

The Diggity Dog Revue was popular with the crowd as many dogs performed feats of balance. Hans and Colleen are holding the rope while one of the dogs balances on its hind legs.

Slinko is back as a crowd favorite.

Cody Smith, left, and his friend Garon Thompson, both sixth-graders at Albion, hold a snake during intermission.

Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, joined the House of Representatives in a 230-197 vote to keep the government funded for four more weeks. The U.S. Senate needs to pass legislation too or else federal funding will lapse at midnight on Friday.

Collins said the House bill would prevent a government shutdown through Feb. 16. In addition to continuing government funding, the bill includes language to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, Collins said.

“Today, House Republicans voted to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, yet again providing certainty to millions of low-income children,” Collins said in a statement. “The bill also includes short-term funding to keep the government open and make sure our nation’s military has the resources they need to keep us safe.

“I am confident that we will come to a solution on a long-term funding bill while taking care of the DACA situation, but as negotiations continue I hope that Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats stop playing politics with the health of our nation’s children and vote to keep the government up and running.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, D-Rochester, voted no today.

“Sadly, this plan fails to adequately address the urgent priorities facing Congress, including bipartisan matters like reauthorizing Community Health Centers, defending veteran’s health care, addressing the pension crisis, and protecting more than 700,000 DREAMers – things Republicans and Democrats agree we need to act on,” Slaughter said. “It also turns a blind eye to victims who are still in desperate need of help in the wake of some of the worst hurricanes, mudslides, and wildfires our nation has ever experienced. That’s why I’m voting against this latest misguided proposal.

“I’m disappointed that Washington Republicans continue to lurch from crisis to crisis without any real plan. They hold the Senate, the House, and the White House – it is past time for them to govern responsibly. Without fiscal responsibility, the American people and the world are once again forced to wonder whether the greatest superpower on the planet can keep the lights on. This is no way to run the government of the United States.”

5 Democrats have now stepped forward for 27^th District

Nate McMurray

Grand Island Town Supervisor Nate McMurray has announced a campaign for Congress, trying to unseat Chris Collins for the 27^th District, which includes Orleans and seven other counties.

McMurray, 41, is the fifth Democrat to step forward to challenge Collins, the Republican incumbent.

McMurray is vice president of development at Delaware North in Buffalo. He said he would have frequent town hall meetings throughout the district. He was critical of Collins for seldom holding a town hall meeting.

McMurray was elected as a Democrat in town where Republicans are in the majority. He has been in the news for successfully pushing the state to allow cashless tolling at the Grand Island Bridges. McMurray saw the tolls as a barrier to economic progress.

McMurray announced his candidacy on Sunday at the Brickyard Brewing Company in Lewiston. He currently lives in Grand Island, which is outside the 27^th District. He grew up in North Tonawanda, which is part of the 27^th. McMurray doesn’t have to live in the district to run for the seat. He said he would move back to the 27^th if elected.

His campaign released a statement of support from City of Tonawanda Mayor Rick Davis: “Nate will bring the perspective of the average American to his representation of the 27th District. Too often people elected to Congress are well off financially and they do not think of the many struggling households we have in our area. Nate will be the voice those families need in Congress.”

McMurray is one of seven children raised by his widowed mother in extreme poverty. McMurray said his mother laid a good ethical foundation in her home, but was stretched to the limit by the demands of putting food on the family’s table and caring for her children.

With the help of New York’s public education system and public scholarship programs, McMurray become a Fulbright Scholar, received advanced degrees including a law degree, and became fluent in Korean and Chinese. He spent time overseas and has had a successful business career. He missed Western New York so he returned home. He is married and the father of two boys.

Other candidate hopefuls include Joan Seamans, owner of a photography studio in Williamsville; former Erie County Assistant District Attorney Sean B. Bunny; Mumford businessman Nicholas Stankevich; and engineer Thomas P. Casey of Erie County.

Press Release, GCC

The Genesee Community College History Club is excited to release its spring Historical Horizons Lecture Series line up. The series provides the community with access to renowned authors and historians as they take a deep look at the events and movements that have shaped our nation’s history.

“The spring series line up will provide very unique perspectives on bloody battles and war, the Trail of Tears, and immigration,” says GCC’s Associate Professor Derek Maxfield. “This series is sure to inform and even entertain.”

Photo courtesy of Richard Belisle: Kevin R. Pawlak, an Albion native, is the featured speaker in February at both the Medina Campus Center and the Batavia Campus.

• Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 7 p.m. / Medina Campus/ Maple Ridge Rd, Medina

Author Kevin R. Pawlak will discuss his book “Shepherdstown in the Civil War: One Vast Confederate Hospital.” During the Civil War the small town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia was suddenly flooded with Confederate soldiers wounded in battle. Homes and churches transformed into triage centers and in all, the town, into “one vast hospital.”

• Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 7 p.m. / Batavia Campus/ Room T102

Kevin R. Pawlak will join us again to present “The Jewels of War: Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan, and the Battle of Antietam.” Pawlak is also the director of education for the Mosby Heritage Area Association in Virginia. The Battle of Antietam is America’s Bloodiest single day. In totality, twelve hours of fighting on Wednesday, September 17, 1862 left approximately 23,000 casualties. During this lecture, Pawlak will assess the dramatic events of the battle from the unique perspective of the commanders on the field.

• Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 7 p.m. / Batavia Campus/ Room T102

GCC adjunct professor Danny Hamner will present “The Removal Crisis of 1832: How Nationalism, Political Ambition and the Electoral College Shaped the Trail of Tears.” Often, the “Trail of Tears” is remembered as the inevitable tragedy of an indigenous people swept aside by the rising forces of modern America.

While there certainly were large historical forces transforming America in the early 19th century, the removal crises of the period were ultimately shaped by the personalities, politics and needs of the movement. The mix of personal ambitions and zealous nationalism linked the destiny of the Cherokee Nation to Henry Clay’s presidential aspirations with catastrophic but not inevitable results.

Matthew Ballard

• Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 7 p.m. / Batavia Campus/ Room T102  (Rescheduled from 12/6/17)

Orleans County Historian Matthew R. Ballard, MLS will present “Fear of the Unknown: Creating the Illegal Immigrant in 19th Century America”. Immigration to the United States is a relative topic in current events; however, the establishment of the “illegal immigrant” only dates back to the turn of the 20th century.

In the earliest years of immigration, Europeans were accepted without restriction, but an influx of new immigrants during the latter half of the 19th century raised concerns about political impacts on American society. Uncertainty and unfounded fears created excessive restrictions focused on limiting access to specific ethnic/ racial groups, religious groups, the disabled, the infirmed and those likely to become a “public charge”.

All lectures in this series begin at 7 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building. All lectures are free and open to the public.

Press Release, Greater Rochester Enterprise and Invest Buffalo Niagara

Earlier today Invest Buffalo Niagara and Greater Rochester Enterprise were notified that the Buffalo-Rochester Metro Corridor has not been selected to advance in Amazon’s second North American headquarters (HQ2) site location review.

While this news is certainly disappointing, we’re proud of the comprehensive proposal we put forth on behalf of Buffalo and Rochester. The joint collaboration between Buffalo and Rochester has been an inventive exercise in big picture, regional thinking focused on the attraction of new capital investment and jobs in Western New York. By linking efforts, the combined Buffalo-Rochester Metro Corridor offered a sophisticated, robust and compelling proposal that showcased the talents of our 2.2 million people and our extremely livable communities.

Our region boasts a number of key differentiators, including well-documented affordability, low operating costs, ease of travel—via bicycle, public transit, or automobile—extensive access to leisure/lifestyle activities, dynamic development site locations, an existing and evolving innovation ecosystem, 60+ colleges and universities, and a central location within the internationally significant U.S./Canada community. We also offer a highly-skilled talent pipeline, strong regional competency in radio-frequency identification (RFID), sustainable packaging, flight controls, drone technology, high-performance computing, software development, and data analytics, to ensure that companies located here remain competitive within the global economy.

Overall, this joint effort yielded much information regarding how our two communities can work together to promote our region to future suitors and top-tier talent throughout the world. And our organizations will continue to work toward attracting new companies to our region that are similar to many of those who already selected Upstate New York as their place to do business, including: Athenex, Cloudcheckr, Datto, ON Semiconductor, Sentient Science and Trove Predictive Data Analytics.

Thank you again to the many community and regional stakeholders who contributed to the compilation of our RFP response. We look positively ahead to the prospect of pursuing additional opportunities on behalf of the region.

Matt Hurlbutt, President and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise

Tom Kucharski, President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara

Photo by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Ethan Billings, a junior at Kendall, recites his winning oratorical speech from this year’s American Legion Oratorical Contest to members of the Kendall Board of Education on Wednesday evening.

Billings was second in Orleans County and placed 3rd at the regional competition held Jan. 14. Kendall High School Principal Carol D’Agostino described Billings as a quiet young man, “and one of those students you want around everyday.”

Says district didn’t properly notify residents of project, and veered from scope of work approved by voters

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall’s capital project included a dramatic change to the exterior and front entrance of the junior-senior high school.

KENDALL – Julie Christensen, school district superintendent, on Wednesday evening responded to a recent critical audit by the State Comptroller’s Office.

The Comptroller’s Office faulted the district for not informing the public enough about the $25.2 million capital project, which stretched from 2012 to 2017.

Key findings of the audit released Jan. 5 criticized the Kendall Central School District for not properly informing district residents prior to voting on a proposition for a district-wide capital improvement project because the Board and district officials did not develop or provide the public with a formal project plan detailing the scope and related costs, the Comptroller’s Office said.

The audit also states that because bids for the project came in significantly lower than anticipated, the Board decided to expand the original scope and spend the remaining authorized appropriations.

“Project reports did not include cost information or sufficient information to allow the Board to properly monitor the project’s progress or determine whether expenditures were properly authorized, funding sources were being used properly, or sufficient funds remained,” the audit states.

The State Comptroller’s Office recommended that the district provide voters with specific information on what will be included in proposed capital projects, including detailed descriptions of the improvements to be made and the locations where work will be performed as well as ensure the district stays within the scope of a capital project, and actively monitor capital project activity.

Christensen spoke during Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting. She said the audit results were frustrating as the State Comptroller’s Office, “doesn’t really understand” the process the district must follow. She said the district does not have project details when a capital project is first proposed as the expense of design work is significant and is not undertaken until after a project is approved by voters.

She also called some of the detailed expenses the Comptroller’s Office would like to see reported, “unreasonable, we may not have access to all the details,” Christensen said.

Kendall School Board President Nadine Hanlon said the Comptroller’s Office, “should let us know what our duties are when it comes to a capital project.”

The district recently held a public information meeting regarding the next capital project it would like to pursue. Christensen said that moving forward, the Board of Education will make certain to take action on budget summaries of capital projects to ensure that they are included in board meeting minutes.

In their written response to the Comptroller’s Office, Christensen and Hanlon noted the district provided the community with information about the proposed capital improvement project during a public forum in April 2013. Information about the scope and locations was posted on the district website, in the district newsletter and displayed on boards in the offices and at events beginning in Jan. 2013 and continuing through the duration of the capital project.

“The Board will continue to provide the community with information about the scope and location of work; including as much detail as possible given required design work and unforeseen conditions that may impact scope.  This information will continue to be shared at the Board meetings, on our website and in District newsletters,” Christensen and Hanlon wrote.

A written project and budget was shared with the board and monthly updates on the plan and budget was reviewed at board meetings for the duration of the project, Christensen and Hanlon wrote. “In the future, the Board will ensure that these documents are formally approved and clearly reflected in the Board minutes.”

The response noted that the capital improvement project stayed within the voter authorization of $25.2 million and, “in actuality, the District stayed below the authorized amount … The Board will continue to stay within the scope of the capital project as authorized by the voters.  The Board and District will ensure an updated project plan is available at the District Office for public review,” the District’s response states.

Additionally, the response states that Turner Construction Company and the Turner Project Manager attended most Board of Education meetings before, during and after construction to directly answer questions, and that the Board will continue to monitor project activity and individuals responsible for oversight through regular communications.

Christensen and Hanlon state that they are pleased, “the Comptroller’s Office will be developing a guidance document on Board roles and responsibilities during a Capital Improvement Project to ensure expectations are understood clearly from your office’s perspective.”

To see the Comptroller’s report on Kendall’s capital project, click here.