By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2025 at 10:04 am
Fire chiefs urge county to work on new EMO site
File photo by Tom Rivers: The emergency management office was built as early 1960s bomb shelter. It has a leaking roof and a shortage of space. The building is 8,000 square feet – 80 by 100 feet. Most of the structure is underground. It isn’t handicapped accessible and doesn’t have enough space for the emergency management office, said Justin Niederhofer, the EMO director.
ALBION – Orleans County officials have downsized the plans for a new emergency management office, seeking to reduce the expense from an estimated $10 million to an estimated $2.3 million.
The lower price would be covered entirely by state and federal grants and would give the emergency management office and first responders a modern facility for offices and training.
The County Legislature on Tuesday approved a $6,000 contract with Vanguard Interiors and Design of Buffalo for structural design and interior layout of the Emergency Management Office at 14064 West County House Rd. in Albion.
Justin Niederhofer, the county’s EMO director, said the new facility will be “bare bones” but will still be a much-needed improvement.
The county was awarded a $2 million grant from U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Aug. 18, 2023 towards the project, the maximum in federal funding towards the facility. Orleans also has been awarded $600,000 towards upgrades of the EMO site.
The county is looking to spend $2.3 million towards the new building. Some of the grant funds would also go towards demolition of the existing site. That 8,000-square-foot building – 80 by 100 feet – was built as an underground bunker in the 1960s.
The new facility would have offices for the EMO staff, space for training, a classroom and a backup 911 dispatch – “the bare essentials,” Niederhofer said.
‘The current building dating from the early 1960s is cramped, dilapidated and unsuitable for the operations of the EMO staff and for fire service training classes.’ – Orleans County Fire Advisory Board/Orleans County Fire Chiefs Association
The County Legislature received letters of support for a new EMO this month from the Orleans County Fire Advisory Board/Orleans County Fire Chiefs Association, Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company and Carlton Volunteer Fire Company.
“The current building dating from the early 1960s is cramped, dilapidated and unsuitable for the operations of the EMO staff and for fire service training classes,” wrote Robert Freida, chair of Orleans County Fire Advisory Board/Orleans County Fire Chiefs Association. “For too many years the plan to modernize this facility has been ignored or cancelled as it has been the previous two years. The fire service in Orleans County has a rich history and being mostly volunteer, saves the taxpayers an enormous amount of money.”
Freida sent his letter on Jan. 21. He urged the county to set aside some of its own funds to make the project a reality.
“We understand that county finances are limited for a project such as this, but we implore you to earmark funds in addition to the $2 million provided through Senator Gillibrand’s office, to construct a modern facility that is long overdue,” Freida said. “We are not asking for anything extravagant, just a good quality construction that can be utilized for training and emergency operations for the next several decades.”
Freida, the fire chief at Clarendon, also sent a letter from the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company in support of a new EMO site. In that letter, Freida cited the following benefits:
Improved Training Opportunities: “An advanced training facility with modern technology would provide hands-on, realistic scenarios for responders to practice and refine their skills.
2. Enhanced Collaboration: “A larger, modernized space would accommodate multi-agency exercises, fostering improved coordination among fire, police, EMS, and other critical partners.”
Community Preparedness: “The facility could also serve as a resource for public education, offering community members training in CPR, first aid, and disaster preparedness.
Recruitment and Retention: “Volunteer membership is at an all-time low not only county and statewide but nationally. A state-of-the-art training facility demonstrates the county’s commitment to emergency services, which can attract and retain highly qualified personnel.”
In the Jan. 13 letter from the Carlton Fire Company, Fire Chief Seth Dumrese and President David Bertsch said the 1960s’ building is inadequate for the emergency management office and for training for first responders.
“The building needs improvements and has for years and it would not be feasible to spend more money on the current building,” Dumrese and Bertsch wrote in their letter. “There is not enough room for many of the training classes/programs needed by our personnel or enough room for an emergency operations center if the need arose. We would respectfully request that constructing a new Emergency Management Office be a priority in 2025 for the Legislature.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2025 at 9:03 am
HAMLIN – Kendall and Hamlin card players completed the second night of their euchre tournament on Wednesday, and Kendall holds a lead over their rival.
Kendall won the opening day on Jan. 22 with a 157-point lead in the euchre action at the Kendall Fire Hall. The games shifted to the Hamlin Exempts Hall on Wednesday and Hamlin won by 2 points, with Kendall holding a 155-point lead after two days.
The two-town tournament, which goes back at least 70 years, culminates next Wednesday at Kendall. The losing team needs to buy the winners a fish fry dinner at The Grove 1848 in Kendall.
There were 72 card players on Jan. 22, followed by 76 last evening.
Governor trying to fill employment needs in nursing, teaching, technology and engineering
Photo by Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul: Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday was in Syracuse to unveil her plan to offer free community college tuition for adult learners ages 25 to 55 in New York State. The Governor highlighted her proposal at Onondaga Community College to showcase the region’s readiness for Micron to support New York State as a global hub for Semiconductor manufacturing and R&D.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday unveiled her plan to offer free community college tuition for adult learners ages 25 to 55 in New York State.
The Governor highlighted her proposal at Onondaga Community College to showcase the region’s readiness for Micron to support New York State as a global hub for Semiconductor manufacturing and R&D. The plan, part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State, furthers her commitment to creating more workforce development opportunities to ensure every New Yorker has the opportunity to pursue a degree or credential for jobs in high-demand fields.
“When my dad got a college education, our whole family got a shot at a better life – and I want New Yorkers to have that opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “Under my plan, every New Yorker will have the chance to pursue a free associate degree at SUNY and CUNY community colleges to help fill the in-demand jobs of tomorrow.”
New York State Opportunity Promise
Governor Hochul is steadfast in her commitment to making higher education more affordable and building the workforce that New York needs. The FY 2025 Enacted Budget included an historic expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program to help more New Yorkers cover the cost of college.
Additionally, the Governor has continued to expand workforce development, apprenticeship, and microcredential programs to prepare New Yorkers for in-demand jobs. The Governor’s free community college proposal, NYS Opportunity Promise, is the next level of this commitment by making an associate degree more affordable and obtainable.
Across New York State, there are more than four million working-age adults who do not have a college degree or credential. The Governor’s proposal would cover tuition, fees, and books at any SUNY or CUNY community college for these adult learners who have never earned a degree and are pursuing an associate degree in a high demand field, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY’s community colleges are incredible engines of upward mobility, and Governor Hochul’s Free Community College plan will literally change the lives of New Yorkers seeking a degree in a high-demand field. SUNY campuses like Onondaga Community College are leading the way in meeting the needs of our adult learners and regional employers.”
New York as a National Workforce Hub
Upstate New York has been designated as a National Workforce Hub to dramatically expand domestic memory chip manufacturing in the United States. Federal and state incentives played a key role in securing Micron’s $100 billion investment in the White Pine Industrial Park in the town of Clay in Onondaga County – one of the largest economic development projects in U.S. history.
In total, the project is expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs statewide, including an average of 5,600 construction jobs per year paying federal prevailing wage. When complete, the complex will include the nation’s largest clean room space at approximately 2.4 million square feet, grow domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and enhance our national security by expanding the United States’ chipmaking capacity.
Additionally, Governor Hochul announced earlier this month that GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor manufacturer in Saratoga County, will invest $575 million to build a new center for advanced packaging and testing, along with $186 million for research and development at its Malta facility over the next decade.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “A knowledgeable workforce is essential to securing a strong future for New York State and offering no-cost higher education will open doors to in-demand careers. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing workforce development initiatives that are transforming the lives of New York families.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2025 at 10:02 pm
The unemployment rate in Orleans County was 4.0 in December, which is down from the 4.6 rate a year earlier in December 2023, according to the state Department of Labor.
The county had 100 more people employed at 16,400, while the number unemployed was at 700, down by 100 from December 2023.
Nationally the unemployment rate was at 3.8 percent (compared to 3.5 percent a year earlier) while the statewide rate was 4.1 percent (compared to 4.4 percent a year earlier).
Here are some of the local unemployment rates in December 2024:
Orleans, 4.0 percent
Niagara, 4.3 percent
Genesee, 3.4 percent
Wyoming, 4.3 percent
Livingston, 3.6 percent
Erie, 3.9 percent
Monroe, 3.5 percent
Here are the unemployment rates for each month in Orleans County during 2024:
ALBION – Hoag Library is pleased to announce its collaboration with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) to offer free tax preparation services to eligible community members.
Program Details:
Eligibility: Individuals with a 2024 federal adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less and investment income of $11,600 or less qualify for this service.
Session Dates and Times: TAP sessions at Hoag Library are scheduled for the following dates: Feb. 10, 24; March 10, 24; and April 7, 14.
Each date offers four time slots:
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
12:30 to 2 p.m.
2 to 3:30 p.m.
3:30 to 5 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, please contact Hoag Library at 585-589-4246.
Don’t miss this opportunity to file your taxes accurately and for free with professional guidance at Hoag Library.
Photos and information from Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club exited their den to hold a winter fundraising event at the Medina Lanes bowling alley on Saturday.
The first ever Snowflake Tournament saw over a dozen four-person teams compete for the coveted “Golden Champions” bowling pin award. Non-bowlers were welcomed as well, as a tailgate buffet of pizza and wings helped them to cheer on their favorite team. The competing teams donned their best Hawaiian apparel as they stayed true to this year’s tournament theme of “Lions Go Hawaiian.”
There was a large display of Bills gear in the crowd as bowlers and non-bowlers alike were in anxious anticipation of the Bills AFC Championship game. Raffles and a 50/50 drawing saw winners take home cash and prizes that included two, one hundred level Buffalo Sabres game tickets.
First, second, and third place awards were handed out as the sponsored team by Mr. Russell Martino bowled their way to the winner’s circle. The Lions awarded the Golden Champions pin to the winning team at the completion of the tournament festivities. Since the Lyndonville Lions are planning for this to be an annual event it will be incumbent for the reigning champions to return next year to defend their title.
Russ Martino sponsored the winning team and they hold the championship trophy, “The Golden Pin.”
The Lions would like to encourage and challenge other local Lions organization to bring teams to next year’s event in an effort to dethrone the champions. The planning committee has yet to confirm the exact date of next year’s tournament but the theme will be “Lions go to Mardi Gras.” Get your beads and hats ready for next year’s event.
Since the Lyndonville Lions have been awakened, they are planning several up-and-coming events. The Lions will be supporting the planned Lyndonville Area Community Easter Egg Hunt that has traditionally been sponsored by the local religious organizations in the Village of Lyndonville.
In early May, the Lions will hold their 4th annual community vision screening and free eyeglass clinic, with the exact date to be made available in the near future. Planning is under way for the 51st annual July Fourth Celebration, which hopes to return numerous marching bands to the parade, top level bands to the “Fire Cracker Concert” series and an evening fireworks display.
The leadership of the Lions, along with the bowling committee members, would like to thank all those who made this first tournament a big success. Committee members were extremely happy at the turnout and results of this fundraising event. They were so pleased that several members dusted off their recipe cards for shrimp creole and gumbo in anticipation of next year’s event.
The Lions would like to wish all a safe end to winter and speedy arrival of spring and the Easter season. May God continue to bless all of us and this great nation we live in.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2025 at 3:52 pm
Joshua Biaselli in guarded/critical condition at Strong
ALBION – The Albion Police Department are publicly identifying the man who was seriously injured on Monday when he allegedly jumped on a moving car on Main Street.
Joshua Biaselli, 40, remains at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester in guarded/critical condition, said Lt. W. Brandon Annable of the Albion PD.
Biaselli was injured after jumping on a moving vehicle and falling and hitting his head on the roadway in an area in front of Hoag Library at about 2:05 p.m. on Monday.
First aid was rendered to Biaselli immediately after he fell to the road, said David Mogle, police chief. Biaselli was transported by Mercy Ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2025 at 12:13 pm
Soldier from Albion was killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2009
Jason Johnston
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is seeking to have a section of Route 31A named in honor of Jason Johnson, a soldier from Albion who was killed in combat in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb on Dec. 26, 2009.
Johnson was a specialist and paratrooper with the U.S. Army. He was 24 when he was killed. He is the only soldier from Orleans County killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan during the War on Terror.
The Legislature last June sought to have Route 98 in Orleans County named for Johnston. The State Legislature and Go. Hochul need to give their approval.
The County Legislature on Tuesday rescinded that resolution from last year because 98 already has been named the “Veterans Memorial Highway.”
The Legislature now is asking the state to name the Route 31A corridor between Powerline Road to Route 98 in Albion in memory of Johnston.
Legislators asked State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley to take up the issue in the Legislature.
Johnston is survived by his parents, Brad and Jenny Johnston; and his sisters, Carrie, Heather and Holly; and several nieces and nephews.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2025 at 11:20 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: County Legislator Don Allport speaks during Tuesday’s County Legislature meeting. He opposed seeking another two-year extension to an extra penny on the local sales tax.
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Don Allport wants the sales tax to be 7 cents in Orleans County, instead of 8 cents.
Allport said cutting a penny from the sales tax would save people more than $5 million a year on expenses in the county. He thinks those savings would be injected back in the local economy, helping businesses and ultimately leading to even more sales tax revenue.
But none of the other county legislators are willing to take that chance. They worry not having that extra penny in sales tax could lead to a dramatic increase in property taxes or a reduction in local services.
The state gets 4 cents for every taxable sale while the county also receives 4 cents. The county used to get 3 cents, but it was raised to 4 cents on June 1, 1993. The county needs State Legislature’s permission every two years to keep the 4-cent tax.
That permission comes due this year. The County Legislature on Tuesday voted to start the process for the state to renew the sales tax by an extra penny. It would extend the 4-cent local share to Nov. 30, 2027.
The county takes in about $23 million in sales tax a year. That extra penny is worth nearly $6 million.
If the county lost that revenue – $5.75 million – it could translate into a 29.2 percent property tax increase, going from $19,639,000 in the tax levy for 2025 to $25,389,000.
Allport, however, thinks the county would see more sales tax with residents spending more at businesses because they would have more money in their pockets.
“This was supposed to be a temporary tax,” Allport said about the extra penny in 1993.
But those temporary taxes never seem to go away, he said.
“If that $5 million was put back in the local economy the businesses could use it,” Allport said. “The residents could use it. People would put it back in the local economy.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2025 at 10:05 am
Issue could ultimately go to public referendum
Photo by Tom Rivers: Debbie Berry, a retired chief clerk for the Surrogate Court in Orleans County, speaks on Tuesday against a district court in Orleans County. She said the 10 local town courts are serving the people well.
ALBION – Orleans County legislators, with two dissenting, are reviving a push for a district court in Orleans County.
The issue was going to a public referendum last November but was pulled when county officials were notified of a procedural flaw. In order to bring the issue to a public vote, the county first needs approval from the State Legislature with its support of a District Court.
County legislators, in a 4-2 vote on Tuesday, passed a resolution requesting the State Legislature to establish a countywide district court in Orleans.
“This is just the first step,” said Legislator John Fitzak, R-Carlton.
He supported the resolution along with Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, R-Lyndonville; Legislator Bill Eick, R-Shelby; and Legislator Ed Morgan, R-Murray.
Legislators Don Allport, R-Gaines, and Fred Miller, D-Albion, opposed the resolution.
Miller said there was significant opposition to the proposal during public hearings in May and June last year from local town justices and town officials, who say the current system is cost effective and responsible to the community.
The local Magistrates Association said a district court would ultimately be more costly, even if the state takes on the salaries of the judge, clerks and security.
Allport doesn’t have confidence the state would assume the costs of a district court. Even if it does initially, it could push the expense to the county and towns if the state is feeling a budget crunch in the future, Allport said.
“This is not the correct time to approach the state on this,” Allport said, citing what he said are $40 billion in budget shortfalls in Albany. “I’m not sure there is a right time.”
Fitzak said the vote to request state support is another step in a process that could be drawn out. He and Johnson said it is unknown if and when the State Legislature would vote on the issue.
“I wouldn’t hazard a guess on the timetable,” Johnson said.
She said a district court would be beneficial to the county in many ways, offering a streamlined system with full-time hours that would benefit people in the court system.
She cited a report from local officials looking at the costs of the local court system. Joe Cardone, the now retired district attorney, helped push the issue and prepare the report.
Cardone, during public hearings last year, said state aid should cover most of the cost of a district court. The county would provide the facility with the state is expected to cover the salaries for judges, clerks and security.
Cardone said having the cases be handled by a full-time court would move matters more expeditiously through the courts system. He said it would be a savings for the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender and law enforcement by having a centralized court, rather than a patchwork of 10 town courts.
Legislator Ed Morgan said county residents will get a vote on the issue if the State Legislature backs the proposal.
“The Orleans County taxpayers will have the final say,” Morgan said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2025 at 8:38 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Craig Lane on Tuesday was appointed as Orleans County’s new commissioner of the Department of Public Works.
ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Public Works has a new leader. Craig Lane on Tuesday was named the new commissioner of the DPW, which oversees two divisions, highways and buildings and grounds for the county.
Lane has worked for the DPW for about four years following a 20-year career in Air Force where he was a logistics readiness officer.
Lane was hired as a motor equipment operator for the DPW. He was named deputy commissioner about two years ago and has been interim commissioner after John Papponetti left the DPW.
Lane oversees about 30 employees. The Highway Division is responsible for overseeing 196 miles of county highways, 64 county bridges, the fuel farm and snowplowing for the county parking lots.
The Buildings and Grounds Division is responsible for 20 buildings with 28 departments which include preventive maintenance, new construction and refurbishing along with a crew of janitorial services.
“It’s busy,” Lane said about the DPW. “I spent most of my formative years as a civil servant so this is a natural fit.”
Lane is a Clarendon native. He now lives in Gaines. He is president of the Holley Rotary Club, and serves on the Gaines Planning Board and is a commissioner for the Albion Joint Fire District.
United States Attorney Trini E. Ross, Western District of New York
BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christian A. Poole, 32, of Medina was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Poole joined a chatroom on the Telegram application, where he observed child pornography and downloaded at least 60 photos and videos.
In May 2022, the Medina Police Department seized Poole’s electronic devices, including his cell phone. An initial search of the phone recovered several videos of child pornography. Subsequently, a forensic review recovered approximately 423 images and approximately 560 videos containing child pornography. Some of the images and videos included depictions of violence against children.
Poole made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was held pending a detention hearing on Jan. 29.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Todd Draper, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2025 at 2:05 pm
MEDINA – A career exploration event on March 17 aims to show students from 28 school districts in the GLOW region the many careers available in the rural counties.
This will be the third annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. About 650 students from the four counties are expected to experience interactive workshops, see “medicine in action” and connect with over 65 regional employers, training programs and post-secondary institutions.
“From nursing and mental health to emergency services and respiratory therapy, students will discover a universe of possibilities and forge their own paths to success,” said Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance and co-chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.
She spoke at an event last week at Medina Memorial Hospital, highlighting the upcoming career exploration initiative.
Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, said the GLOW With Your Hands events in March and September have been big successes for students to see careers in trades, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.
Several groups are working together on the event, such as Orleans County Job Development, Livingston County Area Chamber, Wyoming County Business Education Council, the GLOW workforce development offices, Genesee County Economic Development Center, Genesee Community College, and Medina Memorial Hospital,
“Our mission is clear: to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals and ensure a thriving healthcare workforce right here in the GLOW region,” Winters said. “We’re not just talking about jobs; we’re talking about building careers, fostering and retaining talent, and strengthening our communities.”
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial, said she is pleased to welcome interns and students at the hospital, calling it “an incredible opportunity to connect with students and inspire the next generations of healthcare professionals.”
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at Medina Memorial Hospital, said healthcare is a “dynamic and rewarding field, one that requires compassion, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to learning.”
Gray said Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial have partnered with many educational programs to help students gain hands-on experience and insight into many careers in the healthcare field. OCH and Medina Memorial open their doors to the Allied Health program at Orleans/Niagara BOCES, University at Buffalo, GCC, NCCC, Daemen University and D’Youville University.
“I am personally proud to be part of this work, and I want to emphasize just how essential programs like GLOW With Your Hands are in helping students explore the world of healthcare,” Gray said. “These events allow students to interact directly with professionals, ask questions, and experience first-hand what it is like to work in a hospital or other healthcare setting.”
GLOW With Your Hands showcases an array of opportunities available in healthcare right here in the local community.
This group is promoting the GLOW With Your Hands healthcare career exploration event on March 17 at GCC in Batavia. From left include Mark Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital; Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at OCH and Medina Memorial; Madison Davis, a senior at Lyndonville; Courtney Slack, Allied Health instructor at Orleans/Niagara BOCES; and Kelly Kiebala, director of Job Development and the administrator of the Orleans County Youth Bureau.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Medina Memorial and Orleans Community Health, noted it is the 100th anniversary of the hospital at the current site at 200 Ohio St.
The smaller facility gives staff and students a chance to see a range of healthcare services.
Mark Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital, said working in the GLOW region offers employees a lower cost of living than in the cities and suburbs.
“The healthcare sector is in dire need of workers, especially in rural communities, and we want to convey to the students that they can have a successful and rewarding career in healthcare without having to leave the area because they think these opportunities don’t exist here,” Shurtz said.
Angela Grouse, director of Education to Employment Initiatives at Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce, said the rural counties have careers in healthcare and offer the chance for much lower cost of living.
“We don’t want people to have to drive 50 to 60 miles for healthcare,” she said.
Her message to students considered a career in healthcare: “There is a better cost of living and a quality of life, while working in rewarding careers,” she said.
There are still sponsorship opportunities for the March 17th event at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) levels.
