By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2024 at 9:16 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Michael Christopher, center, accepts a special recognition award this afternoon from County Legislator Skip Draper, right, and Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Christopher is retiring after a career as a corrections officer at the county jail. Christopher started in 1992 as a part-time correction officer and became full-time in 1994. He worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted in 2011 to correction sergeant, in 2016 to sergeant first class, and in 2020 he achieved the rank of lieutenant.
Christopher has taken on multiple job assignments within the jail including Incarcerated Individual Disciplinary Coordinator, Classification Coordinator, Livescan Coordinator, Fire Safety Coordinator, and Municipal Police Training Council Certified Instructor. He also served on the Orleans County Safety Board for several years.
“I appreciate Orleans County for hiring me and having faith in me and moving me up in the ranks,” Christopher told county legislators. He is known among his co-workers as “Cadillac.”
Mike Christopher accepts the special recognition award from Legislator Skip Draper. Joining Christopher are his colleagues from left: Sgt. Dawn Basinait, Sheriff Chris Bourke, Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson and Sgt. Chris Shabazz.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2024 at 4:03 pm
Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Pera
ALBION – The great-grandchildren of the late Judy Grabowski presented a check today for $685 to the PAWS Animal Shelter on Gaines Basin Road in Albion. The money came from a Super Bowl Square fundraiser with some of the players donating extra for PAWS. Donna Vanderlaan, a PAWS board member, is in back.
The donation was presented by Caleb, Leah and Eli Prior of Hilton on what would have been Grabowski’s 86th birthday. PAWS was one of her favorite organizations to give to, said her daughters Pat Fredendall of Holley and Elizabeth Pera of Hamlin.
Grabowski was known as “Mema” to the great-grandchildren. She was a Holley resident who donated often to PAWS in memory of friends who passed away, and as memorials for pets in the family that also passed.
Grabowski’s great-grandkids play with some of the animals at PAWS.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
MEDINA – Have you been feeling sluggish lately? Have you been told you are overweight? Has your healthcare provider told you that you have prediabetes or are at risk of prediabetes?
Do you have a parent, brother, or sister with Type 2 diabetes? Have you had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds?
Are an African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native person? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of, have prediabetes, or be at risk of type 2 diabetes (Type 2).
The Orleans County Health Department has reviewed feedback from a recent survey and will be hosting the Lifestyle Change Program starting March 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave. in Medina.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 29.7 million people 18 and older with prediabetes,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Of the 38.4 million people who have diabetes, 8.7 million are undiagnosed. The Lifestyle Change Program helps those who are at risk or have been diagnosed with prediabetes to take charge over their lives.”
According to the New York State Department of Health Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System 2021 report, Genesee County has 13.4% of adults and Orleans County has 11.4% adults diagnosed with prediabetes, Pettit said.
Taking 26 hours over the span of a year will help individuals take control over their health. The group will meet weekly for 16 weeks and then the rest of the year will get together 1-2 times a month.
For many the program removes the risk of prediabetes, for some it delays the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Those who follow the program can lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% or 71% if over the age of 60, according to the CDC.
Now is your time to take control of your health and lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Register for the class now! This is the first series of the lifestyle change course that will be offered. If you are unable to attend this series of classes, there will be classes offered throughout Genesee and Orleans Counties in the future.
For more information on GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2024 at 2:18 pm
133 ‘Hometown hero’ banners can be picked up Wednesday, Thursday at village office
File photo: The banner for Asa Hill, a Civil War soldier, was among the 133 banners that debuted in 2021. He was wounded in battle and lost a leg due to the injury. He came home to Shelby and was a farmer until his death in 1881.
MEDINA – A new group of Hometown Hero banners will go up this spring and 133 banners that first went out in 2021 won’t be back.
The banners from three years ago will be available for pickup at the village office at 119 Park Ave. on Wednesday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and then on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mary Woodruff, coordinator of the program, will be at the village office on the two days. She has the banners organized with a signature sheet in the crate with a serviceman/woman’s last name.
She asks people having someone else picking up a banner to notify her at mbwoodruff16@gmail.com.
“I am most humbled by your tolerance while you all waited so patiently for your banners,” Woodruff said in a message to the families. “2021 was the year that broke the record of banners sponsored by all of you. While cleaning each banner, I was sure to say goodbye to each serviceperson and a prayer for each also. I get sentimental when the banners are sent back home where their families/friends have waited for their return.”
This year there will be 78 new banners going up. They will join others from 2022 and 2023, making for about 190 total.
The banners are on a three-year cycle from when they first go out and then are “retired.”
Woodruff thanked the Medina Village Board, the DPW led by Superintendent Jason Watts and village clerk’s office led by Jada Burgess for assisting with the banners and supporting the effort.
“When you think the world is becoming a negative hive of angry, uncaring people stroll down the streets of Medina and your attitude will soar towards positivity in a moment!” Woodruff said.
Woodruff in July will start to accept applications for new banners for 2025. Woodruff said she already has a waiting list for 2025.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 February 2024 at 10:04 am
MEDINA – The Medina Business Park continues to be a finalist for big economic development projects, Medina village officials were told by an Orleans Economic Development Agency official.
The park, one of the largest certified shovel-ready sites in upstate, has 355 acres available and plentiful access to water, sewer, natural gas and low-cost electricity.
Many aspects of Medina are also a strong selling point, including a vibrant downtown and improved parks.
However, the gateways leading into the village need improvement, said Gabrielle Barone, the EDA’s vice president for business development.
She urged the Village Board to try to spruce up properties on South Main Street, and East and West Center streets. Many of these properties have chipping paint, items piled on the front porches and feel neglected.
“We have to do something about the appearances of the gateways,” Barone told the Village Board last week. “We don’t show well as to where people want to live with housing.”
Barone said the main arteries leading into the village have made upgrades in recent years, but she would like to see the community work to make it better.
Barone told the board that a Fortune 500 company had Medina as its second choice out of 85 sites.
“You’re dealing with some really heavy hitters,” she said. “We have to do something to show ourselves and promote ourselves.”
The companies have site selectors visit or company reps make the trip themselves.
Medina emerges as a strong contender, but Barone believes the look of some of the neighborhoods hurts in landing some of the prospective businesses.
Mike Limina, retired jewelry store owner in Medina, also told the board the community needs to work on the appearance of the gateways and some of the neighborhoods.
“We’ve got used to it,” Limina said at last week’s board meeting. “When you drive by it everyday you don’t notice it until it hits you.”
Barone said the village and its residents impress many of the site selectors and companies, but need just a little more to stand out from the many other competing communities.
“It just takes a lot of continued effort,” she said. “There are so many things they are looking at it.”
Provided photo: Making plans for the Soul Food Brunch on Feb. 27 at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road, Batavia are, from left, UConnectCare employees Kenyetta Reese, case manager; Sheila Rolle-Smith, case manager, and Melissa Vinyard, The Recovery Station coordinator.
BATAVIA – Chicken and waffles. Shrimp and grits. Greens. And lemon pound cake for dessert.
These traditional “soul foods” and much more are on the menu of the first Soul Food Brunch, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at The Recovery Station, 5256 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia.
“What better way to bring folks together and celebrate Black History Month than with food and conversation?” said Kenyetta Reese, case manager at UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse).
Reese is organizing the event, which is free and open to the public, while sisters Sheila Rolle-Smith and V.J. Rolle-Belle are coordinating the effort, along with others, to put the food on the table for all to enjoy.
“We’re delighted to be a part of this event,” said Rolle-Smith, a case manager at UConnectCare. “This gives us a chance not only to share our black history but to learn from each other in a festive setting. It’s really all about respect for one another.”
Reese is reaching out to the community for groups wanting to assist in making the brunch a success.
“Volunteers are definitely welcome. And we’re always looking for Black-owned businesses to showcase,” she said.
To sign up for the event, go to The Recovery Station’s Facebook page or contact Reese at kreese@uconnectcare.org. The deadline to register is Feb. 23.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2024 at 7:44 pm
‘The squeaky wheel gets the oil and we need to start squeaking’
MEDINA – Village officials say they aren’t abandoning hope that the Orleans County Legislature will hear their plea for a bigger slice of the local sales tax pie.
“We need to be in it for the long haul,” said Village Trustee Jessica Marciano. “This is going to be a long fight.”
The Medina Village Board last year sent a formal resolution to the county, asking for an increase in the local sales tax. All four villages in the county, and eight out of the 10 towns sent resolutions to the county, asking for more sales tax. The county hasn’t increased the amount the towns and villages since 2001. The 10 towns and four villages collectively receive $1,366,671 in sales tax.
The total local amount has more than doubled since 2001, and grew another $600,000 in 2023 to $23.1 million. The amount has now grown by more than $5 million since the $17.7 million in 2019. The county keeps 94 percent of the total.
The Village of Medina this year will get $160,160 of the total, which is expected to be near $25 million. That is less than 1 percent of the total in the county.
Mayor Mike Sidari said it is frustrating to get such a low amount because many of the businesses in the village are generating the sales tax that the county is reaping.
Marciano said the village shouldn’t relent and accept such a low number, especially as the village grapples with trying to prevent a big tax increase to pay for services, including a new ladder truck and addition to the fire hall.
Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson last month was asked about distributing more of the local sales tax to towns and villages, but she said in a brief response that would only push up county taxes. She spoke at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Luncheon.
Marciano said county legislators need to see village and town taxpayers as county taxpayers, too, who need relief in their town and village taxes.
“The county is doing a disservice to their own residents,” Marciano said about the sales tax freeze to towns and villages. “We’re a major population center, and we have all these people who want services.”
Mayor Sidari said the village also gets short shrifted by the state with AIM payments or Aid and Incentives to Municipalities. Medina gets $45,523 in AIM from the state as a village of 6,047 people or $7.53 per person.
But other small cities with similar populations as Medina get far more in AIM. The City of Mechanicville, population 5,163 in Saratoga County, gets $1,649,701 for a per capita $319.52. The City of Salamanca in Cattaraugus County, population 5,929, gets $928,131 in AIM funding or $156.54 per capita.
Michael Maak, a retired Medina firefighter and a candidate for mayor in the March 19 election, said Medina should push to become a city to access the AIM funding, and also to get more of the local sales tax. That is a drawn-out legal process that needs the blessing of the state Legislature, something that hasn’t been approved in about 75 years, Maak said during last week’s Village Board meeting.
He said Medina shouldn’t give up the fight for more money in the sales tax and from the state for AIM.
“We provide a lot of services and they should give us what we’re due,” Maak said. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil and we need to start squeaking.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2024 at 3:25 pm
Gas prices were up an average of 8 cents nationally for regular unleaded in the past week to $3.28 a gallon, following a 5-cent jump the previous week.
However, the price is unchanged in Orleans in the past week – $3.384 a gallon, according to AAA.
In New York, the statewide average is up 2.5 cents from $3.279 a week ago to $3.304 today.
Here are the average prices in Western New York counties today:
Orleans, $3.384
Genesee, $3.234
Wyoming, $3.365
Livingston, $3.416
Monroe, $3.227
Niagara, $3.204
Erie, $3.324
Chautauqua, $3.348
Cattaraugus, $3.237
Allegany, $3.392
AAA issued this statement about gas prices:
“After months of barely budging more than a few cents, the national average for pump prices moved into the fast lane, surging 8 cents since last Monday. A significant contributor is a shutdown at the large BP-Whiting refinery in Indiana, which was offline for more than two weeks due to a power outage. The refinery processes 435,000 barrels of crude oil per day, and the shutdown caused prices throughout the Midwest to climb, pushing the national average higher as well.
“In New York State, we are seeing only a few cents difference since last week, which is more typical for this time of year. This past week, we saw a decrease in gas demand, but fluctuating oil prices and a tight gas supply increasing prices.
“With February Break this week in the northeast, we could see a spike in gas demand result in another increase in pump prices locally.
“This morning, oil prices range from $78 to $83 per barrel, a $2 increase from one week ago. Diesel prices are also fluctuating. The national average price for diesel is $4.10, up 10 cents from one week ago, and down from $4.51 a year ago. The New York average for diesel is $4.41, up 1 cent from a week ago, and lower than $5.14 one year ago.”
Summer release expected for ‘A Wonderful Way With Dragons’
Press Release, Leighthouse Obedience
Photo courtesy of Leighthouse Obedience: Cosmo makes his debut in film in the upcoming ‘A Wonderful Way With Dragons.’ He is shown on the set of an abandoned farmhouse used in the film.
ALBION – Cosmo, a Siberian Husky trained by Ron and Pat Leight of Albion, will have a starring role in an upcoming movie, “A Wonderful Way With Dragons.”
The film is written and produced by Delfine Paolini, and stars Violet McGraw, most recently known for her work on “M3gan”.
This drama/fantasy takes us to a pandemic world where six children and their wild dog remain abandoned on an enigmatic island. Their struggle to survive becomes paled by individual desires for each other and for power. Click here to view trailer. A summer 2024 release date is expected.
Ron and Pat, owners of Leighthouse Obedience training, have been training, showing and competing with their Siberian Huskies for over 30 years. They were a little leery about committing Cosmo to the film.
“We have always had Siberians and they are a breed known for not excelling in the obedience arena,” Ron said.
Siberians are very much about wanting to have fun. They are mischievous, highly predatorial and not a breed that can be allowed off lead as they will run.
So when the Leights received a phone call from a movie producer who wanted a well-behaved, highly trained Siberian who could do off lead work, along with specific tricks, the Leights were hesitant.
“We had only done photo shoots in the past,” Pat said.
On one particular photo shoot they were hired by a pet catalog company for a cover photo shoot of one of their Siberians off lead in the Tug Hill wilderness. According to Pat, “I told Ron ‘never again’. Even though the event went off without a hitch and our dog did her down stay, it was very stressful and we were uncomfortable with off lead work because of the peculiarities of the breed.”
Once the Leights found out they had a year to train for the movie, they decided they were up to the challenge and yet again they found themselves doing off-lead work in the wilderness, this time specifically in a small town called Jeffersonville, in the foothills of the Catskills.
They took time off from training classes and dog shows to spend all of 2023 working on specific tricks for the movie. They feel so blessed that their dog, Cosmo, is sweet, gentle and highly trainable.
“He was a big hit during the 4 weeks we were on set and the cast consisted of mainly children, who all fell in love with him,” Pat said. “To Cosmo filming the movie consisted of daily treats and belly rubs from fellow cast members and back to the Airbnb each night to a big comfy bed.”
Cosmo has multiple AKC titles, including a championship, and was up for the daily set challenges, the heat and the “stop and start” schedule.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2024 at 10:08 am
ALBION – The Village Board has been asked by the Albion Betterment Committee and Orleans County Chamber of Commerce to try again at developing a local law addressing vacant buildings in the community.
The Betterment Committee and Chamber on Feb. 6 sent a letter to the Village Board.
“For several years, there have been a number of buildings within the village that are left vacant and in various stages of deterioration,” the letter states. “There are entrepreneurs who are seeking space in which to conduct their business either through purchase, or renting, and are willing to make the investment in the community. Albion’s downtown has the structure and appeal of a thriving, quaint village, but our development is stalled because storefronts sit vacant and unused instead of opening their doors to new businesses.”
The Betterment Committee and Chamber say they have a vision for a bustling downtown with “great potential for growth of the local economy through small, family-owned businesses.”
The letter was discussed briefly at Thursday’s Village Board meeting. Trustee Tim McMurray said he doesn’t disagree with the sentiment of the letter. He and Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley have been discussing the issue with the Albion code enforcement. The board is asking the Planning Board to look at local laws in other communities for vacant buildings.
McMurray cited the example of the Village of Montour Falls as one example.
Montour Falls charges $125 when buildings are vacant or abandoned and are put on the village registry. If the site stays vacant for a year, the owner is charged $500 for a residential structure for the first unit, and then $100 more for each additional unit. Commercial building owners are charged a $1,000 fee if the building is vacant a year or 15 cents per square foot, whichever is greater.
Owners of the properties also need to submit a plan to Montour Falls to rehabilitate or reoccupy the buildings, or to stabilize and maintain them. A third option would be a plan for demolition.
Albion considered a vacant building registry but it was roundly criticized during a public hearing on Aug. 11, 2021 and the initiative has been stalled. Several building owners said proposed fines in that ordinance would punish property owners who are already struggling.
The Albion proposal in 2021 would have assessed a $250 fee if a commercial site went vacant for more than 30 days, with $1,000 tacked on if the site was empty for a year, $2,000 if it went a second year, $3,000 for a third year and $4,000 for each subsequent year.
The Betterment Committee and Chamber are asking the village to take up the issue again, and come up with a proposal that is amenable to the property owners and facilitates a more vibrant downtown.
“There are many similar municipalities who have created ordinances that inspire the kind of change we would like to see, many of these are available as a matter of public record,” according to the letter from the Betterment Committee and Chamber. “We would like to see our local leaders follow their lead, and implement codes that have been proven to work.”
Buffalo State University and Hamilton College have announced students from Orleans County made the Dean’s List for the fall semester.
The following had GPAs of at least 3.5 and were full-time students, making the Dean’s List at Buff State:
Alexis Creasey of Albion, majoring in Psychology
Nicolina Creasey of Albion, majoring in Speech-Language Pathology
Hannah Heil of Medina, majoring in Fashion and Textile Technology
Isabel Ramsey of Medina, majoring in Graphic Design
Emily Schoolcraft of Medina, majoring in Childhood Education
Hamilton College in Clinton, NY announced that Jonathan Pietrafesa of Medina made the Dean’s List with a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0. Pietrafesa is a senior majoring in cinema and media studies.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 February 2024 at 8:21 am
Provided photo: Jim Hancock, left, with Medina Lions is presented with a collection of eyeglasses and cases from Joe Byrne, an eighth-grade teacher and president of the Medina Teachers’ Association. More than 70 pairs were collected from faculty and staff to show their appreciation for what the Lions Club does to provide vision care to Medina students.
MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club was recently presented with a donation of more than 70 pairs of eyeglasses by the Medina Central School district.
Lions Club president Jim Hancock accepted the donation and thanked the school for its act of kindness.
The donation was initiated by Joe Byrne, an eighth-grade social studies teacher. He sent an e-mail to staff, urging them to start the new year with a vision of giving.
Throughout the month of January, donation boxes were placed in the main offices of Oak Orchard Primary, Wise Intermediate and Medina Junior-Senior High School.
The donations benefit the Lions Club Eyeglasses Recycling Program, which accepts used eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, hearing aids and eyeglass cases.
“Let’s make a difference in someone’s life by providing the gift of clear sight,” Byrne urged in his e-mail.
School Superintendent Mark Kruzynski added his approval of the project.
“The Lions Club has been very active in improving vision for anyone who needs help,” Kruzynski said. “For many years now, members of the Lions Club have been providing free vision screenings to all our kindergarten students so that any vision issues can be identified while they are still young. I am proud that our faculty and staff have been able to donate over 70 pairs of eyeglasses to the Lions Club, so that those in need will not have to worry about vision care. Thank you to the Medina Teachers’ Association for organizing this eyeglass donation.”
Hancock said the Lions are very thankful for the donation. He said of 85 to 95 students
who annually have their vision screened by Medina Lions, typically 10 percent are found with some problem. In the case where a family may not be able to pay for an eye exam or eyeglasses, the Lions Club will step in and help.
He added his appreciation for the school’s donation, and said they will be turned over to the district Lions, which then recycles them. Last year, Medina Lions turned in almost 600 pairs of eyeglasses to the district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2024 at 8:03 pm
Event will be timed with special events leading up to solar eclipse on April 8
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Home, Garden & Outdoor Show on April 6-7 at the 4-H Fairgrounds at a time when the community should see an influx of visitors due to the solar eclipse on April 8.
The Chamber is seeking vendors for the annual Home, Garden & Outdoor Show, which this year will include food trucks, a chicken barbecue, family activities, camping, a bonfire, fireworks and music, said Darlene Hartway, Chamber executive director.
“We are looking forward to combining this historic event with our showcase of the many wonderful businesses available in our area,” Hartway said in a letter to prospective vendors. “We are expanding our show to include a multitude of programs, workshops, events, and fun activities for all ages. We will be utilizing more buildings and outdoor space to accommodate the increase in vendors and attendees. Camping for the weekend event is also available.”
Hartway said the Chamber has boosted the advertising budget and purchased new signage to promote the entire weekend of events.
For more information about being a vendor, contact Hartway at director@orleanschamber.com or at (585) 301-8464.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension is teaming with the Chamber, the Albion Merchants Association and Orleans County Tourism Department for many events at the fairgrounds.
The solar eclipse path of totality will pass through Western New York and Orleans County with the duration of the totality about four minutes beginning at approximately 3:18 p.m. on April 8, a Monday. The partial eclipse starts at 2:04 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
Events at the Fairgrounds for Eclipse Over Orleans include:
April 5 (Friday) – Camp sites available. Visitors will receive Orleans County gift bag with discounts to local businesses.
April 6 (Saturday) – Chamber Home, Garden & Outdoor Show with food vendors and kids’ activities, and a chicken barbecue by Elks. The day is capped off with fireworks at Fairgrounds at 8 p.m.
April 7 (Sunday) – Chamber Home, Garden & Outdoor Show with food vendors and kids’ activities. There will also be an Orleans County scavenger hunt with prizes for top three teams and one unique hidden prize. There will be a campfire sing-along with s’mores by the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen from 7 to 9 p.m. The Albion Free Methodist Church will lead a Glow Party at 8:30 p.m. at the pavilion with a DJ.
April 8 (Monday) – There will be food vendors and kids’ activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be kids’ activity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring the Orleans County 4-H nutritional program leading a session on astronaut food, including hands-on cooking.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2024 at 3:39 pm
ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern made a plea for the Albion Village Board to back off a 35-percent increase or a hike of about $400 in the monthly rent for the local not-for-profit.
Jami Allport, the GOMOC director, told the Village Board on Thursday the increase is “unsustainable” and will force them to seek another location.
She asked instead for the board to impose a 4 percent increase.
The board raised the rent starting back in Oct. 1 from $1,146.67 to $1,550.96 a month. That amount also includes utilities.
Allport attended a September board meeting and asked that the increase only be 2 percent, the same rate for the other tenants at the Albion Visitor’s Center, a village-owned building at 121 North Main St.
Allport said she asked the board then to let her know if the 35-percent increase would be imposed. She said during the Thursday meeting she didn’t hear back from the board so she assumed GOMOC wouldn’t be charged the higher rent.
But she recently received a delinquency letter from the village, saying GOMOC owes four months at the higher rate, or about $1,600.
Allport said GOMOC is funded through donations and some grants. The higher rent takes away funds for the GOMOC to help people in need, she said.
“We are the agency of last resort,” she said. “We are their last hope.”
The Ministry of Concern uses 2,386 square feet on the third floor of the building. It was previously paying 48 cents a square foot. With the new rate at $1,550.96, the square footage is 65 cents a month.
That is below the $1.65 a foot paid by Assemblyman Steve Hawley for 860 square feet on the first floor ($1,416.77 total); $1.30 by the Orleans Economic Development Agency for 1,686 square feet on the second floor ($2,196.06 total).
Joyce Riley, the deputy mayor, said all of the rates are below market.
“We’re not good landlords because we’re not charging enough,” she said.
The village needs to bring up the GOMOC rate “to respond responsibly to everyone,” she said.
Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said the village is trying to be fair with the rental charges.
“We can’t give it away for free,” he said.
Allport responded that GOMOC isn’t looking for free rent, and is amenable to paying more, perhaps a 2 to 4 percent increase.
Village Trustee Tim McMurray suggested the rate increase just be 5 percent, which would still be $57.33 more a month and keep GOMOC as a tenant. Pushing them out with a big increase would leave the village with no rental income from that space, McMurray said. He also said GOMOC as a non-profit shouldn’t be assessed such a big increase.
The board discussed the issue more in executive session and decided to keep the 35 percent increase intact.
