By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 May 2025 at 9:54 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Pastor Sohail Akhtar of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church offers a prayer and welcome at the annual volunteer appreciation luncheon for the Medina Food Pantry, located in the church’s basement.
Jim Hancock is congratulated by Robin Dubai at a luncheon for volunteers at the Medina Food Pantry, located in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Hancock has announced he will step down at the end of the year as treasurer of the food pantry after more than 40 years.
MEDINA – The Medina Food Pantry, operated out of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, paid tribute to its many volunteers at an annual appreciation luncheon last week.
Robin Dubai, food pantry coordinator, said some of the volunteers go “above and beyond,” like Jim Hancock and Sally Grimm.
Grimm is volunteer coordinator and Hancock, who has been treasurer for more than 40 years of the pantry’s 46-year existence, has announced he will step down from the position at the end of year.
“It’s time for someone else to take over,” he said.
Volunteer Michelle Capstick has offered to assume the duties, Hancock said.
The Medina Food Pantry serves an average of 60 families a month, according to Dubai. Eligible families must live in Medina and present proper ID. Each family is entitled to a paper bag filled with non-perishable food items and meat when it is available.
As coordinator, Dubai shops for meat and groceries items that are not donated. Meat is purchased through donations and a Foodlink grant.
“Jim instigated a fundraiser in the village recently, and it was a great success,” Dubai said. “The community was great to us.”
She also said hunters will sometime donate venison from a deer they shot, and many people love that meat.
“We are blessed to have food and monetary donations,” Dubai said.
She also said they are very thankful for their dedicated supporters, like Lake Wine and Spirits and Cindy Hewitt, who continually collect donations for the food pantry.
The food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday.
Sally Grimm, left, and Robin Dubai introduce volunteers for the Medina Food Pantry at their appreciation luncheon last week. Grimm is volunteer coordinator, while Dubai is food pantry coordinator.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The north end of Main Street in Medina is shown in September 2023.
Press Release, Village of Medina
MEDINA – The Village of Medina will host two informational meetings for its NY Forward Small Project Fund on Tuesday, June 3rd from 9 to 10 a.m. at City Hall, 600 Main St., and Thursday, June 5th from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Medina Senior Center, 615 West Ave.
The Small Project Fund is funded through the Village’s 2022 NY Forward (NYF) grant award and is designed to fund smaller projects within the NYF Target Area. A total of $270,000 will be made available for eligible applicants with projects that can demonstrate readiness, visual impact, economic impact, quality of life improvements, and alignment with the NYF program priorities.
Eligible applicants may receive up to 75% of total costs for their project, but individual award amounts may vary depending on demonstrated need and project scoring.
The information session will be led by representatives from LaBella Associates, the consultant team selected to support the Village in administering the Small Project Fund. The LaBella team has guided several communities through similar Downtown Revitalization, Restore NY, and NY Main Street funding programs and will share these experiences with Medina property and business owners.
The information session will review the eligibility and criteria of the Small Project Fund program, highlight experiences from past projects, and offer property owners and business owners an opportunity to ask questions about the projects they are considering.
“We are very excited to kick off the Small Project Fund process and to make these NY Forward resources available to smaller projects in the Village,” said Mayor Marguerite Sherman. “This funding will leverage the momentum from the Village’s other NY Forward projects and help spur visual improvements and economic activity that will bring positive impact to our local business district.”
A Small Project Fund application has been added to the Village’s website along with the fund administration plan. Interested property and business owners in the downtown business district are encouraged to review and complete the application prior to the meeting to determine their project’s eligibility and readiness.
Interested applicants should visit www.villagemedina.gov to access the application and attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn more about the Small Project Fund program. Project applications must be received by 4 p.m. July 3 to be considered.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2025 at 8:45 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. from Michigan is shown dredging the Oak Orchard Harbor on Aug. 26, 2021. The dredging barge is near the breakwall at the end of the Oak Orchard channel. Before this, the harbor was last dredged in August 2014.
POINT BREEZE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the Oak Orchard Harbor will be dredged beginning in mid-June, the first time sediment will be cleared out of the channel in about four years.
The dredging is part of a $2 million contract that also includes dredging the Great Sodus Bay. The Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded the contract to Michigan-based Dean Marine & Excavating on May 13.
“Oak Orchard Harbor is an important part of our local tourism and recreation economy, so ensuring the safe passage of boats in and out of the harbor has always been a top priority of ours,” said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature. “We look forward to the dredging project getting underway later this year and thank the Army Corps of Engineers for their collaboration and leadership.”
Dredging of these harbors ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports more than $24 million in business revenue and labor income to the transportation sector combined, the Army Corps stated in a news release.
“Great Sodus Bay and Oak Orchard Harbor are critical components of the Great Lakes Navigation System, supporting economic growth in the local economy and ensuring safe refuge for boats on Lake Ontario,” said Lt. Col. Robert Burnham, USACE Buffalo District commander. “We look forward to delivering these projects on time and within budget, ensuring their waterfronts continue serving the local community and the country.”
Dredging will focus on the mouth of Oak Orchard Harbor first, followed by the inside of Great Sodus Bay past its piers. Work is scheduled to take place from mid-June through the end of August.
A total of approximately 15,000 cubic yards of material from Oak Orchard, and 20,000 from Great Sodus is contracted to be dredged and placed in designated open lake sites.
“With this contract awarded, it is full steam ahead for the dredging of Great Sodus Bay and Oak Orchard Harbor. As one of Lake Ontario’s strongest defenders in Washington, I’m proud to deliver the federal support to help our Lake Ontario communities set sail towards a brighter future,” said U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. “This critical dredging protects jobs and millions of dollars in business revenue across the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. I will never stop fighting to deliver all the resources we need to ensure a thriving and well-protected Great Lakes for generations to come.”
Oak Orchard Harbor is a shallow-draft harbor. Recreational boating facilitated by the harbor supports $6.8 million in business revenue, 94 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $6 million in labor income to the nation, the Army Corps said.
Great Sodus Bay also is a shallow-draft harbor on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Recreational boating facilitated by the harbor supports $9.3 million in business revenue, 142 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $8.7 million in labor income to the nation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2025 at 10:26 pm
ALBION – The Albion school district budget at $44,750,485 was resoundingly approved, 231-48, an 82.8 percent approval rate.
The budget holds the line on the tax levy, with no increase for the 17th time in the past 19 years.
Other propositions include:
Authorization to spend $1 million for new buses (Passed 243-45)
Authorization to collect $657,560 for Hoag Library (Passed 222-65)
Establish a capital improvements reserve fund (Passed 225-59)
Establish a technology reserve fund not to exceed $3 million (Passed 228-59)
Approval of multi-year transportation contract with Student Transportation of America (Passed 230-44)
Three people were also elected to the Board of Education.
Lauren Stirk (248 votes) and John Kast (241 votes) were elected to five-year terms. Chris Kinter (189 votes) was elected to a two-year term.
HOLLEY – The school district’s proposed $30,774,000 budget passed with 260 voting yes and 88 opposing.
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.
Other propositions include:
Proposition Two (Passed 249 to 98) – Authorization to purchase school buses and similar vehicles at an estimated maximum cost of $250,200.
Proposition Three (Passed 267 to 78) – 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.
The vote totals include:
Tracy Van Ameron – 263 (3-year term)
Jessica L. Sniatecki – 244 (3-year term)
Stephanie Merkley – 221 (2-year term)
Janet Klossner – 65 write-ins (1-year term)
KENDALL – Voters gave strong support for a proposed $21,424,159 budget. It passed, 175 to 61.
The budget will increase the tax levy by 2.95 percent or another $147,922 to $5,162,224. The district’s tax rate of $10.60 per $1,000 of assessed property is amongst the lowest in the region, Kendall school officials said.
Other propositions include:
Proposition 2 (Passed 186 to 61) – Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund Usage to allow spending up to $350,000 to purchase purchase of transportation vehicles to replace existing vehicles in the transportation program.
Proposition 3 (Passed 184 to 64) – Establish a Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund at a sum not to exceed $10 million. It will be used towards future vehicle purchases.
Proposition 4 (Passed 190 to 58) – Building Capital Reserve Fund Usage to allow an increase to the local funding of the $12.68 million capital improvement project. The sum may not exceed $260,000.
Board of Education , 1 open seat – Bryan Hardenbrook was elected to a 5-year term with 170 votes to 74 for Scott Martin.
LYNDONVILLE – The budget at $17,474,375 was approved, 216 to 103.
The budget decreases spending by 1.1 percent. Property taxes will go up 1.0 percent from $4,711,576 to $4,758,692. Lyndonville is $142,007 under its allowable tax cap.
Other propositions include:
Proposition #2 (Passed 235 to 88) – 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.
Proposition #3 (Passed 221 to 97) – Permission to establish a capital reserve fund, “Transportation Vehicle Reserve Fund.” The ultimate amount of the fund shall be no greater than $900,000.
Proposition #4 (Passed 223 to 96) – Authorization to establish a “Building Capital Reserve Fund” at no greater than $4 million.
Proposition #5 (Passed 203 to 121) – Funding for Yates Community Library at $146,722.
There are four candidates for three 3-year terms on the board. The candidates in the top three with votes are elected:
Vernon Fonda, 202 votes
James Houseman, 196 votes
Joanne Suhr, 176 votes
William Jurinich, 169 votes
MEDINA – The Medina school district’s $46,648,693 budget passed 233 to 96. That puts the approval at 70.8 percent of the voters.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2025 at 8:17 am
2 seek one spot on Board of Education
KENDALL – Eligible voters 18 and older in the Kendall school district will vote on a proposed budget, propositions and also will elect a member to the Board of Education.
Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the Kendall Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
The district is proposing a $21,424,159 budget, which is up by 2.40 percent or by $502,327 from the $20,921,832 in 2024-25. The district has 708 students.
The proposed tax levy would increase 2.95 percent or by $147,922 from $5,014,303 to $5,162,224. The tax rate of $10.60 per $1,000 of assessed property is amongst the lowest in the region, Kendall school officials said.
State aid covers 67 percent of the budget or $14,427,435.
The budget will be proposition one on the ballot today.
Other propositions include:
Proposition 2 – Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund Usage to allow spending up to $350,000 to purchase purchase of transportation vehicles to replace existing vehicles in the transportation program.
Proposition 3 – Establish a Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund at a sum not to exceed $10 million. It will be used towards future vehicle purchases.
Proposition 4 – Building Capital Reserve Fund Usage to allow an increase to the local funding of the $12.68 million capital improvement project. The sum may not exceed $260,000.
Board of Education – There are two candidates for one five-year term.
Bryan Hardenbrook, a machinist with SPX Flow Rochester, is married with two children.
“I would like to continue to serve Kendall, my lifelong home,” he stated in the school newsletter. “I have the perspective of a parent of a special needs student, a firefighter, a graduate of a CTE program – I would like to continue to use my experiences to help the community I love.”
Scott Martin, an engineer and member of MCC faculty, he has three children in the Kendall school district.
“I am a US Army vet having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said in the school newsletter. “I am currently an Engineer at SPX Flow and Faculty at MCC teaching Engineering and Technology courses.
“I have three kids at Kendall Elementary and volunteer as a youth baseball, football and basketball coach in Hamlin and Kendall. My goal is to make sure Kendall remains one of the top schools in the county and teaches our children what they need to grow and be successful adults. I will ensure district decisions are transparent and parents are not left in the dark wondering what’s in their child’s curriculum. I believe the best way for my children to be successful after high school is for them to have the best education possible, and I want to do my part to help make that happen.”
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.
