By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2025 at 7:48 am
Voters will elect 4 members to Board of Education
HOLLEY – Voters in the Holley school district today will vote on a proposed $30,774,000 budget, as well as other propositions and will also elect four members to the Board of Education.
The budget increases spending by 3.91 percent or $1,159,000 from the $29,615,000 in 2024-25.
The tax levy will increase 1.49 percent from $7,952,214 to $8,070,702. That is $212,931 under the district’s allowable tax cap, Holley school officials said.
Voting is today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle/High School Foyer.
The budget continues all existing school day academic programs and courses. State aid covers 70.3 percent of the budget and Holley is budgeting an increase in state funds from $20,725,520 to $21,620,241.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to elevate the educational experience in Holley, we’ve approached this year’s planning with a renewed focus on innovation, growth and excellence,” district superintendent Karri Schiavone and BOE President Anne Winkley wrote in a message to the community. “Our goal is not only to sustain high-quality learning, but to elevate it – providing new opportunities that inspire students, support educators, and engage our community.”
The positions include:
Proposition One – Budget at $30,774,000
Proposition Two – Authorization to purchase school buses and similar vehicles at an estimated maximum cost of $250,200.
Proposition Three – Authorization to collect $212,394 for Community Free Library, which is up $5,554 or by 2.7 percent.
Board of Education – There are four seats up for election for the Board of Education. Three names are on the ballot. A write-in will determine at least one of the seats. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will each serve a three-year term. The candidate with the third highest votes will serve a two-year term and the fourth-highest vote-getter will serve a one-year term.
Candidates on the ballot include:
Tracy Van Ameron – A senior scientist in Software Engineering at L3Harris, Van Ameron is currently on the BOE. She and her husband Jeremy have three children.
“As a parent of three very different children, I have found myself invested in many aspects of education including general education, accelerated programs, special education, Career and Technical Education, arts and music and sports,” Van Ameron stated in the school’s newsletter. “I have learned a tremendous amount through my children by being involved in their education.”
Jessica L. Sniatecki – The Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Healthcare Studies at SUNY Brockport, Sniatecki also is a current member of the Holley Board of Education. She and her husband Anthony have a daughter who is a second-grader at Holley.
“I believe that the top priority of the district should be preparing its students for successful futures,” Sniatecki stated in the newsletter. “This requires that schools are accessible and welcoming to all students, flexible in their educational approaches to both challenge high-achieving students and provide support for those who need it, able to hire and retain quality school staff, and work in partnership with parents and community members to facilitate student success.”
Stephanie Merkley – An employee at Liberty Pumps in Bergen, Merkley is married with two daughters. She is currently on the Board of Education.
“I have worked as a substitute for the school in years past,” she stated in the newsletter. “I had two children, and several nieces and nephews attend the school, and I’m looking to assist the town in any way possible in ensuring all children are given the benefit of an education they deserve. I have seen different sides of the school environment, and I think this opportunity will allow me to bring that experience forward in a way that will benefit all students.”
HARTLAND – On Monday at approximately 5:09 p.m., the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call for a motor vehicle accident involving a child, that occurred in the driveway of a residence on Ellicott Road.
Deputies from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, where a young child was found to be unconscious and trapped underneath a vehicle. Deputies, along with various EMS, law enforcement and community members worked to extricate the child from underneath the vehicle.
Once the child was freed from the vehicle, lifesaving interventions commenced. Mercy Flight arrived on scene and transported the child to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where the child is currently in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
All parties involved in this incident are actively cooperating with the investigation, which appears to be accidental in nature at this time.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2025 at 10:50 pm
Superintendent says budget makes it 16 straight years within the tax cap
MEDINA – The Medina school district will present a $46,648,693 budget to voters on Tuesday. Overall spending is up 10.6 percent or by $4,485,772 from the $42,162,921 in 2024-25.
However, the tax levy would increase by 2.0 percent from $8,990,990 to $9,170,809 and is $124,272 under the district’s allowable tax limit of $9,295,081.
District Superintendent Dr. Mark Kruzynski said this marks the 16th straight budget Medina is within the tax cap. Medina has an allowable tax cap of 3.4 percent for 2025-26, Kruzynski said.
Voting will take place on Tuesday in the District Office Boardroom at One Mustang Drive, from noon to 8 p.m.
Kruzynski provided these budget highlights in a message to the community:
Maintains all academic, support, extra-curricular and athletic programs, including modified sports and clubs
Purchases three full-sized buses and one half-sized bus
Expands professional development for staff
Purchases new marching band uniforms, which have been in use for 18 years
Purchases a new marching band trailer to replace the marching band bus, which is no longer roadworthy
Provides school supplies to all students
Kruzynski said there are some staff reductions but those will be accomplished through attrition, by not filling some positions of retiring staff.
“The budget was developed with the vision and mission of the Medina Central School District, guiding all budgeting decisions,” Kruzynski said in his message to the community. “Additionally, the long-range planning of our Board of Education has allowed the District to submit a budget below the tax cap for sixteenth straight year.”
Kruzynski said the district had an allowable cap of 3.4 percent.
“We appreciate the hard work and expertise of these dedicated individuals,” he said about the BOE. “Our Board members have worked diligently with the administrative staff to create a fiscally responsible budget, and one that exemplifies excellence in education.”
There are also two candidates on the ballot for two positions on the board that are each about three years. The term for the highest vote-getter starts sooner on May 21 while the second-highest candidate starts on July 1.
The candidates include:
Kristin A. Grose – A Human Resources Manager at Orleans Community Health, Grose also is a Community Action of Genesee & Orleans board member, GLOW Workforce Job Development board member, and graduate of the Leadership Orleans Class of 2023.
“Our students deserve a strong educational foundation, exposure to a wide variety of experiences, and the support and encouragement of our whole community in order to help them succeed,” she stated in the school’s budget newsletter.
Grose said she wants to help re-establish a PTSA, increase community engagement and involvement by encouraging the use of the volunteers in the district, help create opportunities for students to engage with the community, and utilize volunteers to help increase student access to extracurricular clubs and activities.
Donnell Holloway – A current member of the Board of Education, Holloway is currently operations manager at Tesla. He also was a member of the Village of Medina’s Police Advisory Committee, and served on the National Night Out Planning Committee.
“The school district offers a substantial amount of after school programs and extracurricular activities,” Holloway said. “However, the student body isn’t always aware they are being offered. I firmly believe we can improve utilization by improving communication.”
Holloway also believes the district can better connect with community partners and nonprofit organizations.
“This would help ensure we are providing the right services to our student body,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2025 at 3:17 pm
4 candidates seeking 3 spots on Board of Education
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proposing a $17,474,375 school budget for 2025-26 that goes before voters on Tuesday. Polls are open from noon to 8 p.m. in the Stroyan Auditorium Foyer.
The spending is down 1.1 percent. Property taxes would go up 1.0 percent from $4,711,576 to $4,758,692. Lyndonville is $142,007 under its allowable tax cap.
“We take the stewardship of your money very seriously,” Sharon Smith, district superintendent, said in a budget message in the school newsletter. “Despite rising costs across every aspect of our operation, we’ve kept the tax levy increase to just 1%, while preserving and enhancing the programs that make Lyndonville Central School District exceptional.”
State aid accounts for 69.3 percent of the budget, but the aid is down by $462,542 from $12,576,350 in 2024-25 to $12,113,808 in the 2025-26 proposed budget.
The district is offsetting some of the state aid reduction with reduced spending, an increase in taxes of $47,116 and $214,701 more from its reserves.
The district, in its budget newsletter, reports student enrollment is projected to increase by 10 students to 548 in the next school year.
Besides the budget which is proposition one, voters will be asked to consider:
Proposition #2 – Approval to purchase one, 64-passenger school bus for use in the transportation program of the District, at a maximum estimated cost of $183,000, using funds from the District’s Transportation Vehicle Reserve Fund 2018.
Proposition #3 – Permission to establish a capital reserve fund, “Transportation Vehicle Reserve Fund 2025,” for the purpose of purchasing vehicles to be used in the transportation program of the district. The ultimate amount of the fund shall be no greater than $900,000.
Proposition #4 – Authorization to establish a “Building Capital Reserve Fund 2025” for the purpose of funding the construction, reconstruction, addition to, renovation, alteration and improvement of district buildings, facilities, grounds and real property. The fund shall be no greater than $4 million.
Proposition #5 – The annual appropriation for the operation of the Yates Community Library, separate and apart from the annual school district budget, is to be increased from $135,316 to $146,722 with the district authorized to levy and collect taxes for the library.
There are four candidates for three 3-year terms on the board:
Vernon Fonda, a BOE member the past six years, is involved with the Lyndonville Youth Baseball Softball League including as president for nine years and a coach for 12 years. He is a former PTA president for four years.
“I want to assure our staff that we will support them and help them continue helping our students reach their goals,” Fonda stated in the district newsletter. “For years, our district has improved its ranking across the county in education. Our Music Department is second to none. Our numbers of participants in athletics are trending upwards. We have a wide range of extracurricular clubs for our younger generation. Our SRO program has done a wonderful job making our school safe, while fostering a great relationship with local law enforcement. I want to continue seeing our district moving forward while being fiscally responsible.”
James Houseman has managed business chains that he said will help in the tracking of fiscal responsibilities.
“I believe in practical, common-sense solutions,” he said in the school newsletter. “These solutions address problems directly and efficiently. My top priorities include parental rights in education, ensuring a healthy and safe learning environment, and fiscal responsibility. Success comes from prioritizing what truly impacts and empowers our children. They must be prepared to contribute productively to society.”
William Jurinich, a former BOE member for eight years, also is a long-time member of the Yates Carlton Sportsmen’s Club, including as vice president for four years. He also was a member of Lions Club for several years. He drove a school bus for Lyndonville for more than 10 years.
“I have attended the last couple of school board meetings,” he said. “I heard some good things and some not so good things. There is a good mix of school board members, and it should stay that way. With me being a little older, age 68, I would represent a large group of people that live in the district. I believe my past experience and views would be a good asset to the board and school district.”
Joanne Suhr is a retired Lyndonville school teacher. Her husband Harold is not seeking re-election to the BOE. Mrs. Suhr has served on the Town of Yates Planning Board, the Town of Yates Bicentennial Committee and many committees and organizations within the school district.
“I am motivated to run for the LCSD BOE because I hope I can contribute to the district in a positive way,” she said in the district newsletter. “As a retired teacher from the district, I appreciate the strengths of our school and hope to improve on many of the weaknesses. As a taxpayer and business owner, I strongly believe the district must be fiscally responsible while doing everything we can to enhance our children’s experiences. I am very proud of our community and want to see our district build on our strengths.”
Photos and information courtesy of Medina Lions Club
MEDINA – On a beautiful Saturday, May 3rd, the Medina Boy Scout Troop 28, the Medina Girl Scouts 82096, and the Medina Lions gathered at Lions Park along the Erie Canal for a community beautification and cleanup event.
The goal was to enhance the park’s aesthetics by spreading mulch around the trees and bushes. There were approximately 30 volunteers, because as they say, many hands made light work.
Special thanks go to Eric Washak of the Village of Medina Public Works for donating and delivering the mulch to the park. It was interesting to learn that the village obtained this mulch from trees cut earlier this year.
A shoutout to Scout leaders, Todd Draper and Mindy Cogovan, along with their scouts, for their efforts.
Also, a loud GRRRRRRRRRRRR to Lion Tim Winters for bringing his tractor to help move the mulch, and the many Lions who assisted.
Visit Medina Lions Park to enjoy a picnic or take a peaceful walk.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2025 at 1:55 pm
Photo by Marsha Rivers: These dandelions stand in a front yard on East Park Street in Albion.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a frost advisory for Orleans County and much of upstate New York tonight.
The advisory is in effect for Orleans from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. with temperatures in the mid and upper 30s that will result in frost formation.
“The greatest threat for frost will be well inland away from the cities and Lake Ontario,” the Weather Service stated.
The frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left unprotected. The Weather Service advises people to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
ALBION – The recently-enacted New York State budget gives Governor Kathy Hochul authorization to close three prisons in the state and Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson wants to make sure that the Orleans Correctional Facility and Albion Correctional Facility are not on that list.
Although the budget did not state which facilities could be closed, Johnson sent a letter to the Governor’s Fingers Lakes representative underscoring the importance of the two facilities to the community.
In the letter Johnson wrote, “According to the latest numbers released by the United State Census Bureau, Orleans County was fortunate to be one of a few upstate counties to actually see a population increase from 2023 to 2024. This modest gain could be wiped out with closing of our correctional facilities and a closure of either or both of these facilities would have very negative consequences for our community.”
Johnson continued, “These facilities employ many people who live in our community, who are raising families here, who coach our youth sports teams and serve on local boards. So, even as the Governor has stated no correctional employee will lose their job, their transfer to another facility out of our community will shrink our tax base and have a negative economic ripple felt by businesses across Orleans County.”
Johnson also stressed that the two correctional facilities represent one of the few state allocation of significant resources in Orleans County.
“There is also an issue of fairness when it comes to the state’s allocation of what I will call ‘institutional’ dollars,” she said. “Orleans County does not have a SUNY university, any state office buildings, or been the recipient of large-scale, state-supported economic development initiatives. The two correctional facilities are what drives state dollars into our county.”
The Governor has not released a timetable for any decisions.
Here is the letter dated May 15 to Mr. JW Cook, Fingers Lakes Regional Representative for the Office of the Governor:
Dear Mr. Cook:
As Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, I write to you today regarding language included in the New York State budget to close three prisons. While there has been no public announcement on which prison will be closed, I am concerned that the two facilities in Orleans County – the Orleans Correctional Facility and the Albion Correctional Facility – could be at risk.
According to the latest numbers released by the United State Census Bureau, Orleans County was fortunate to be one of a few upstate counties to actually see a population increase from 2023 to 2024. This modest gain could be wiped out with closing of our correctional facilities and a closure of either or both of these facilities would have very negative consequences for our community.
These facilities employ many people who live in our community, who are raising families here, who coach our youth sports teams and serve on local boards. So, even as the Governor has stated no correctional employee will lose their job, their transfer to another facility out of our community will shrink our tax base and have a negative economic ripple felt by businesses across Orleans County.
It would also undoubtedly place further strain on our social services. Considering that the entire tax levy of Orleans County does not cover state mandated programs, we can ill afford any decline.
There is also an issue of fairness when it comes to the state’s allocation of what I will call “institutional” dollars. Orleans County does not have a SUNY university, any state office buildings, or been the recipient of large-scale, state-supported economic development initiatives. The two correctional facilities are what drives state dollars into our county.
Last, I question whether it is prudent to be closing any prisons given the most recent labor issues. We know corrections officers are overworked in very trying conditions in state prisons. So increasing the number of inmates at the remaining prisons, even if the number of corrections officers increases, would seem to be only making matters worse.
Orleans County has always been a welcoming community to corrections officers and their families. Orleans Correctional Facility and Albion Correctional Facility have long been part of our community. I hope this will matter as decisions are made about the futures of corrections facilities in the state. Thank you for your consideration.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2025 at 8:02 am
Albion students researched Daniel Walterhouse and secured headstone
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Matthew Passerall of the VFW in Albion places a GAR marker by the new headstone for Daniel Walterhouse, a Civil War veteran who lived at the Orleans County Alms House or Poor House for about 15 years until his death in 1910.
The new headstone was unveiled during a ceremony at the Alms “Poor” House Cemetery behind the Orleans County Emergency Management Agency on Countyhouse Road.
Civil War re-enactors mostly from the 140th N.Y. Vol. Infantry attended the service and later did a military gun salute. From left in back include David George, Doug Mergler, Wes Miller, Michael Ryan, Nathanael George and Jude Melin.
The re-enactors also brought a 34-star flag from the Civil War which is set near the new headstone.
The headstone for Walterhouse was installed by the Orleans County Department of Public Works before Saturday’s ceremony.
Two Albion eight-graders secured the 230-pound Civil War era headstone from the Veterans Affairs office in Washington, DC.
Anton Schwarzmueller, vice chairman of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for New York State, attended the ceremony and presented letters of appreciation from the organization to Kendall Peruzzini, center, and Mary McCormick.
The students started researching Walterhouse last summer. They initially were helped by Civil War researcher George Wilkinson of Michigan. They set out to dig into local record books for primary source evidence
McCormick and Peruzzini visited Albion Town Clerk Sarah Basinait to look over handwritten death records. They saw that Daniel Waterhouse died on Aug. 20, 1910 and was buried in the “County Farm” Cemetery.
Then they visited Catherine Cooper, county historian, to look over Alms House ledgers from the late 1890s to early 1900s. The Alms House operated on Courthouse Road from 1833 to about 1960. It was a site for poor residents, and others with no other place to go.
Walterhouse was listed annually in the registers for approximately 15 years until his death in 1910. The “Record of Inmates” registry notes he was admitted twice, once in 1893 and again in 1895.
Peruzzini and McCormick also looked over the National Archives records on Walterhouse that verified his Civil War service and eventual residence over his final years at the Alms House.
“This was the conclusive evidence we needed to link our Civil War soldier to the one buried here,” Peruzzini said.
Since the cemetery is county property, the two attended a County Legislature meeting to get its permission to seek a headstone and have it placed at the cemetery. The Legislature approved the request.
There were then able to apply to the Veterans Affairs office in Washington, DC for a Civil War era headstone. The request was approved “with great promptness” and the 230-pound headstone arrived six weeks later.
“All this research culminates today in Mr. Walterhouse’s long overdue recognition, and the formal unveiling of his headstone,” Peruzzini said. “Along with Mr. Walterhouse, this recognition in some way also honors the many forgotten, soldier or not, who lived and died here at the Orleans County Alms House.”
The re-enactors fire their guns in a salute for Daniel Walterhouse, who was born in 1823 in Western New York.
During the outbreak of the Civil War, Walterhouse was accepted into state service in Washtenaw County, Mich. on May 16, 1861, and later mustered in at Lenawee County on June 20, 1861, with over 1,000 other men, joining Company K of the 4th Michigan Infantry, McCormick told more than 50 people at the ceremony on Saturday.
In his two years of service his company would fight in northern Virginia and Maryland regions in places like Bull Run, Malvern Hill and Antietam.
On July 1, 1862, he fought with Gen. George McClellan against Robert E. Lee and the Confederates at Malvern.
The day would end with over a thousand men dead and 6,000 wounded, McCormick shared. Walterhouse was taken prison, and would later during an escape attempt be stabbed in the leg below the left knee. A few months later at Antietam he would smash his right ankle falling off a wagon during battle.
“These two major injuries put him in hospitals in both Washington and Philadelphia,” McCormick said. “This ultimately ended his ability to serve after two years of faithful service. These injuries would significantly hamper him through his future life as a farmer.”
Through his pension records, McCormick and Peruzzini learned Walterhouse moved to Niagara County at some point after the war and was living in the Niagara County Alms House in the late 1880s. He was a widower with no one to care for him because immediate family all stayed in Michigan.
In the late 1890s he moved to the Orleans County Alms House and would live there for 15 years until his death in 1910.
“One of the last to be buried in this cemetery, today we honor Daniel L. Walterhouse with this long overdue headstone for his service and dedication to our country,” McCormick said.
Scouts and their leaders from Troop 64 in Albion raise the American flag near the start of the service on Saturday.
Albion students played a big part in clearing overgrown brush from the cemetery in 2010-11 in a service learning project led by their teacher, Tim Archer. Students and the county reset stones, and also had an interpretive made listing many of the residents buried in the cemetery. About 200 residents are buried there.
Retired Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin speaks during Saturday’s ceremony. Lattin visited Archer’s class in 2010 and Lattin’s comments to the class back then started an effort to reclaim the overgrown potter’s field as a more suitable cemetery for the residents buried there.
Albion student Rigo Baltazar leads the group in the pledge of allegiance. Tim Archer is at right. He has helped guide many of the service learning projects with students at Albion Central School. The 34-star flag from the Civil War is in back.
Jax Gotte, an Albion Boy Scout, places an American flag by Walterhouse’s headstone.
Mike Donahue served as the bugler in the playing of Taps near the end of the ceremony.
These participants in Saturday’s ceremony gather for a group photo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2025 at 7:13 pm
League has been part of Albion community since 1956
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Midget League celebrated the opening of another season on Saturday. Scott DeSmit, the league commissioner, served as emcee and passed the microphone to the players to introduce themselves in front of the crowd at the Midget League Field behind the Town Hall on Clarendon Road.
These teams include Elks Rotary at left and some of the Vets at right.
These teams include Carlton at left and Elks Rotary at right.
The Midget League has been an annual tradition in Albion since 1956. The league has expanded with teams from Elba, Hamlin, Holley and Brockport, as well as central Orleans teams with Barre, Sandstone, Carlton, Elks Rotary and the Vets.
There are 11 teams in total and each will play a 15-game regular season schedule which is slated to conclude on June 30. The playoffs are scheduled for July 7 and 9 with the championship game to be played on July 12.
DeSmit and the league were able to give out 28 prizes worth about $1,700 that were donated by the community.
Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Bicentennial Ox threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then greeted many of the players with high fives. Orly is the county’s mascot for the 200th anniversary of Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2025 at 6:10 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Holley students and community volunteers spent about four hours today working on the Vietnam War memorial outside the VFW. The group reset about 500 bricks, removed weeds and put down a perimeter of mulch. They also painted the shells by the Vietnam War era tank.
Some of the volunteers also worked on the site for a few hours the previous week.
The Holley Interact Club and EarlyAct sent a group of about 100 students in the community to pick up litter, clean headstones at Hillside Cemetery and for the first time work on the memorial by the tank.
Gage Campbell goes underneath the tank to pick up broken glass and debris.
Jack Breuilly, center, removes bricks while Gage Campbell climbs them before they were reset. Gage’s dad Matt Campbell was able to get the lights working at the site.
The memorial initially was installed in 2009 as part of an Eagle Scout project led by Dylan Lotzow.
The volunteers wanted to get the site looking good in time for Memorial Day on May 26.
Provided photos: This group picked up trash along the canal trail and at the Holley Waterfalls.
Students also cleaned headstones at Hillside Cemetery.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Ryker Knight gets the site along the tank ready for mulch.
Logan Lane, right, and Jack Breuilly paint the top of the shells for the tank.
These Holley students yank out weeds and reset bricks along the tank.
Karri Schiavone, the Holley district superintendent, thanks the students and other volunteers for their efforts to help the community. Holley Mayor Mark Bower also said he appreciates the efforts for the group for the annual clean sweep.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2025 at 8:56 am
Photos courtesy of American Legion Sheret Post in Albion: (Left) Legion Commander Brad Rouse, left, congratulates Phil Warne for 50 years of service to the Legion. Warne is a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War era. (Right) Rouse thanks Ralph McMurray for his service to the Legion. McMurray is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War era.
ALBION – The American Legion Sheret Post 35 celebrated 50-plus years of service for members followed by a complementary Steak Dinner for them and their guests.
The following were recognized: Phil Warne, 50 years of service; Dr. John Fernandez with 50 years of service, Gus Revelas with 53 years of service, Ralph McMurray with 58 years of service, Ted Swiercznski with 62 years of service, Lester Marble with 60 years of service, and Bob McGaffick with 71 years of service.
(Left) Brad Rouse commends Lester Marble, a United States Marine Corps veteran who served in combat in the Korean War. (Right) Ted Swiercznski accepts a certificate from Rouse and Legion. Swiercznski is an Air Force veteran who served during the Korean War Conflict.
Bob McGaffick, who served in the Army during the Korean War Conflict, was proudly represented by his great-grandson during the celebration for long-time Legion members.
Immediately following the steak dinner, a fundraiser was held to raise money for flags and grave markers for veterans’ grave sites.
Monetary donations were also accepted from Don Jones at $100, Gary Dieboldt at $50, and Tim DeRuyscher at $50.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2025 at 5:54 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kairo Bennett holds up a sign trying to get people to buy a burger, hot dog or other food today. The Masonic Lodge was serving up the grilled and fried goodies in the parking lot at Save-A-Lot as a fundraiser towards a new concession stand at Bullard Park.
The Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program (AYSAP) is pushing the project and wants a two-story building with concessions and storage in the first floor and a second-floor for a press box.
Geno Allport, AYSAP president, said the building is likely $20,000 to $30,000. The concessions stand would be available to be used by other organizations doing events at Bullard, he said.
“We want everyone to enjoy it – not just football,” Allport said.
The building would be positioned close to the 50-yard line of the football field.
The Masonic Lodge served up food from the grill. From left include Ed Wolfe, John Hollenbeck and Jeff Holler in back.
The next fundraiser for the concessions stand will be a beef on weck dinner on Saturday, May 31, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Albion Elks Lodge. There are 300 ticket available at $15 each. There will also be a basket raffle and 50/50 drawings.
Many businesses and service organizations are donating and assisting with the event.
These kids were out drumming up support for today’s fundraiser. From left include Oliver Dillard, Zurie Dillard, Gavin Jackson, Gunner Jackson and Kairo Bennett.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
LOCKPORT – On Tuesday, Senate Bill S.2099, which would have permitted firearms suppressors for rifles, was voted down in the senate environmental conservation committee.
The legal use of suppressors for hunting is permitted in 38 other states, with a total of 42 states allowing the legal sale and possession of suppressors. The ATF has strict guidelines in place for who can legally own a suppressor – the process involves paying an additional tax on purchase, filling out multiple forms, and passing an ATF background check.
“One of the reasons I ran for Senate was to give hunters and sportsmen in my district a voice in Albany,” Ortt said. “But in a legislature dominated by New York City extremists, who consistently show contempt for law-abiding gun owners and a complete ignorance of firearms and the tools that make them safer to use, defending our Second Amendment rights gets harder every year. I will keep fighting to pass this bill and protect the constitutional rights of gun owners across New York.”
Often misportrayed by Hollywood, firearms suppressors do not completely silence a weapon. They do cut down the noise substantially, but do nothing to add to the danger or lethality of firearms.
Suppressors simply make it easier on the ears for hunters and sportsmen who choose to utilize this tool. An individual who is hunting is often exposed to the loud firing of their weapon, risking hearing loss. Senate bill S.2099 sought to easily remedy that situation.
“It is disheartening to hear that the bill was defeated. There are many misconceptions around suppressors from cool Hollywood action movies that skew the perception of actual functionality,” said Joe Olscamp, CEO of Escarpment Arms. “I hope that someday we can have an open discussion on the benefits surrounding their use – and I thank Senator Ortt for his continued support in working to legalize suppressors here in New York.”
Senator Ortt intends to re-introduce this bill in the next legislative session.
