Fate uncertain for beloved restaurant in Public Square

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The back wall of Sam’s Diner lies in a pile of rubble today. The wall gave out at about 9:30 a.m. The diner wasn’t open yet and no one was injured.

The situation has closed traffic in the Public Square while the building and the those near it are checked to make sure they are stable.

“It’s heart-breaking,” said Holley Mayor Mark Bower.

The Gitsis family has owned the diner for nearly 50 years. Sam Gitsis opened it in 1978. It is one of Holley’s most popular gathering places.

George Gitsis, the son of Sam Gitsis, is the current owner. He tried in recent months to get an engineer and masons to work on the back of the building but could not get people to commit to the job, Bower said.

“From day one, George and his father, mother and sister have done wonderful work in Holley,” Bower said. “I’m just wanting this business to survive. It’s such an asset to Holley.”

A special operations team from Monroe County is at the scene to check the stability of Sam’s. There are also many local firefighters, code enforcement and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

A drone was sent up to give officials a close view of the building to see if there was any additional movement in the walls, said Rick Cary, the Murray fire chief.

The local officials will continue to assess the stability of the building, and that will determine if it can be shored up and reopened eventually, Cary said. A construction company may need to come in and help with the evaluation.

“I expect the restaurant will be closed for a significant amount of time,” Cary said.

Dr. Dan Schiavone has his dental office next door to Sam’s. He is closed today and hopes he can see patients on Monday.

Schiavone, a former Holley mayor, worries about many of the Public Square buildings from the late 1800s.

“These are historic buildings and we do our darndest to save them,” Schiavone said. “But we’re losing the integrity of the Public Square.”

Show will stream on Paramount Plus starting April 26

James Madejski works as a writer in the film and television industry in Los Angeles. He wrote one of the episodes of the new series, Knuckles.

ALBION – An Albion native will have his name in the credits for an upcoming series on Knuckles, a character from Sonic the Hedgehog. (Click here to see the trailer.)

Knuckles, an Echidna warrior, gets his own six-episode series that streams on Paramount Plus beginning April 26. He teaches a human the ways of being a warrior.

James Madejski, 34, wrote one of the episodes. He has been working in the film and television industry in Los Angeles for more than a decade.

He is currently writing for a Netflix show that will premiere its second season in 2025.

Madejski, the son of Sandra and Dr. Tom Madejski, graduated from Albion in 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree in screen writing and play writing from SUNY Purchase, and then headed to LA.

“I am very fortunate on the amount of work I’ve done, and the people I’ve worked with,” Madejski said by phone on Thursday.

He has been able to work steadily, except for last year’s strike by the Writers Guild of America. But now the business is full steam ahead.

“It is an interesting time in Hollywood and an exciting time,” he said.

Madejski has done a variety of jobs in the film and television industry, with his goal to be a screen writer.

He started his career with four years at a studio, learning the business of screenwriting –“What sells and gets people excited.”

He was a writer’s assistant for a year on Shadowhunters. He felt like he landed his big break as a script coordinator for Doolittle, starring Robert Downey Jr. Madejski’s name appeared in the credits and he flew to London for part of the production.

He made connections with the creator of Knuckles through Doolittle.

Madejski said writers in Hollywood need to be witty with material that connects with an audience. They also need basic values such as dependability.

“Be personable and have a good attitude,” he said. “There are no bad ideas and you need to try to make everyone’s ideas as good as they can be.”

Madejski said the industry in LA fits the saying, “A lot of it is who you know.”

He has gradually built a network. He worked with his boss on Knuckles before. “He knew he could trust me,” Madejski said.

Knuckles is an unusual series with live-action animated characters and humans together on the screen. Madejski urges people to watch “a fun and silly show.”

He is grateful to be working in television and film, which he has loved since he was a kid.

“My goal is to continue what I’m doing now, and work my way up in writer’s rooms and maybe get a feature film,” he said. “Working in this industry is a roller coaster, but the highs are very high.”

Press Release, Lee Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – Lee Whedon Memorial Library will be holding programs in March and April in recognition of the total solar eclipse happening on April 8.

Orleans County is in the path of totality for the eclipse, making it an ideal place to view the astronomical event.

A mobile planetarium from the Challenger Learning Center will be at the library Thursday, March 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Geared for ages 5 to 16, this is a wonderful opportunity for youth to be introduced to the movements of the night sky. Presentations are in 20-minute blocks. Call the library to sign up today!

The library will also be hosting a viewing of the solar eclipse from their location on April 8. The program begins at 2:30 p.m. and will include activities, games and snacks for all ages, followed by a chance to see the eclipse. Safe solar-viewing glasses will be provided at no cost.

Eclipse viewing glasses are available to anyone in the community and can be picked up at the library through April 8, while supplies last.

To register for our events, call (585) 798-3430 or visit the library.

ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern is moving its offices to the First Presbyterian Church of Albion following a dispute over a hike in its monthly lease charge from the Village of Albion.

The village raised the monthly rate for the Ministry of Concern by 35 percent from $1,146.67 to $1,550.96 a month, which includes utilities at the Albion Visitor’s Center. Jami Allport, the GOMOC director, told the Village Board that increase at the third floor of 121 North Main St. wasn’t sustainable for the agency. She asked for a smaller increase of 2 to 4 percent.

But the majority of the board believed the rent, at 48 cents per square foot, was below market rate. The new rate put it at 65 cents a month per square foot, which was still about half of what the first and second floor tenants are paying.

Kevin Gardner, an elder at the Presbyterian Church, read about the issue in news reports. He suggested to the church that it offer to rent out space to the Ministry of Concern.

Allport checked the space at the church with some of the GOMOC board members. The church is making four rooms available to GOMOC, plus use of memorial lounge for board meetings – and at a rate less than the $1,146.67 monthly charge from the village before the increase.

The office space will be accessible on the back end of the church. That is also the entrance to the church office. There is a church parking lot on Platt Street and sidewalks leading to the entrance.

“We are very thankful and grateful for the space,” Jami Allport said today. “ We will pay rent but at more manageable amount. It’s fair for both parties.”

The Ministry of Concern will have an open house for the community in April to see the new space for the agency.

The Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the church, said two of the rooms were recently redone following a third floor water leak that caused some damage to the rooms. Two other rooms will be painted and electrical outlets will be added for the new tenants.

The church used to offer space to BOCES for GED classes. AA also uses a room in the church, and they will shift to another spot.

“That building has more than enough room for all of us to grow together,” Thaine said. “It’s mutually beneficial. It gives the congregation an opportunity to engage with a ministry they haven’t engaged with much before.”

The main church sign on Main Street has space to highlight the Ministry of Concern. Thaine said other signs on Platt Street and East State Street could direct people to GOMOC office.

The Ministry of Concern is known by many as “The Agency of Last Resort.” It provides services to many people in crisis, including working poor who are facing hardship.

The Ministry of Concern has in-house advocates who work on behalf of clients with utility companies, landlords and other entities as necessary. Eligible individuals and families can receive help with personal care items, short-term emergency housing and financial assistance with prescriptions and utilities.

The Furniture Program also accepts donations of gently used furniture and non-gas appliances which are subsequently delivered without cost to people in need.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Adam Blosenhauer of the Murray Joint Fire District is on the scene of a brush fire on Hindsburg Road in Murray on April 10, 2023.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14.

Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to help prevent wildland fires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

“While we’re seeing record breaking fires in Texas right now, we’re also at a higher risk here in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Before the annual burn ban goes into effect next month, we’re encouraging New Yorkers who burn woody debris to do it carefully, don’t burn on windy days, and have water or equipment ready to extinguish it if needed. All fires must be attended until completely out.”

This winter season did not provide typical snow cover across much of New York State, leaving dormant vegetation from last year’s growing season exposed where it is susceptible to the daily fluctuation of spring weather. DEC is advocating extra vigilance before the burn ban goes into effect, as Forest Rangers and local firefighters have already responded to early fires in multiple counties. These fires were caused by debris burning with wind carrying the fire to grassy and wooded areas.

Since the ban was established, the eight-year annual average number of spring fires decreased by 42.6 percent, from 2,649 in 2009, to 1,521 in 2018. Warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions.

Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: John Follman, left, treasurer of Lyndonville’s Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post, presents a check to David Kusmierczak, president of the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council, toward the purchase of their next van, while van service coordinator Phyllis Schrader looks on.

ALBION – As the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council gets ready to put a new van into service, donations are already being accepted for the next new one.

On Tuesday, the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post in Lyndonville presented a check to David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans’ Council, toward the purchase of the much-needed van.

The check was presented by John Follman, treasurer of the Lyndonville Post, on behalf of post commander Steve Goodrich.

The van service, which provides free transportation for veterans to medical appointments, is coordinated by Phyllis Schrader, who said they are approved for five vans by the Buffalo Veterans’ Administration. The VA pays for all gas and repairs, but the local veterans’ agency must buy the vans.

Two of the five were ready to be replaced, with the last one, a 2010 with 109,000 miles, being out of service since last July.

All of the vans purchased are late-model and low-mileage, Schrader said.

The vans, driven by volunteers, will take veterans to medical appointments at any medical facility approved by the VA, mostly to Batavia, Buffalo, Rochester and Canandaigua.

Volunteer drivers are always needed, Schrader said.

Bank of America, former GCC coming off tax rolls, costing village $11K

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Legislature last year bought the former Bank of America on South Main Street, pictured at left,  to be used by the treasurer’s office. The county also bought the former GCC building to be used for probation and the district attorney’s office.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board said Orleans County’s acquisition of two buildings last year will cost the village about $11,000 in lost tax revenue.

The village wants the county to make up that difference.

The county in October approved buying the former GCC building at 456 West Ave. Orleans paid $975,000 for the building owned by Herring Enterprises of Holley.

The site is assessed for $450,000. That building generated $8,608.50 in village property taxes in 2023-24 with the village tax rate at $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The county intends to move the district attorney’s office and probation department from the Public Safety Building to the GCC site. The Public Safety Building will be reconfigured with more space to be used by the Sheriff’s Office.

In September the County Legislature approved spending $250,000 for the former Bank of America site at 156 S. Main St. It will become the treasurer’s office. That building has a drive-through and is more easily accessible than the current office on East Park Street, county officials said.

The bank is assessed for $125,000, which accounted for $2,391.25 in village taxes in 2023-24.

Both properties will still have to pay village taxes in the 2024-25 budget when the tax bills are due in June. They become exempt from taxes for the first time in September with school taxes, county officials said.

The Village Board worries about a shrinking tax base in the village. In the 2023-24 budget, the overall assessed value dropped by 1.08 percent or by $1,663,794 – down from $154,457,302 to $152,723,508.

Most of the loss in tax base was from the assessed value being lowered at the plaza at 318 West Ave. That plaza includes Save-A-Lot, Pro Hardware, Dollar Tree and the vacant spot formerly for Gordman’s. That value for the site was reduced from $1,856,300 to $816,000 as part of a settlement between the Town of Albion and the owner, A & D Properties (Westwood Financial).

The reduction was a drawn-out process and local officials were expecting an assessment drop. But the county’s purchase of the two buildings caught Albion village officials by surprise.

The Village Board is working on either a letter or a formal resolution to be sent to the county, asking to make up for the lost tax revenue.

The state government has PILOTs (payment in lieu of taxes) with many municipalities around the state when the state acquires land for parks, forests and other purposes. The state gives the City of Albany $15 million a year as the state capital to help make up for no property taxes in the city for so much of the state property. In Albany, 64 percent of the city is tax exempt.

‘As Americans, we have a solemn responsibility to reckon with our history and that includes understanding the painful legacy of slavery in New York.’ – Gov. Kathy Hochul

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

ALBION – Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie today announced their appointments to the Community Commission on Reparations Remedies.

Governor Kathy Hochul

The Commission, formed through legislation signed in December 2023, acknowledges the horrific injustice of slavery and is tasked with examining the legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against people of African descent, and the impact these forces continue to have in the present day.

“As Americans, we have a solemn responsibility to reckon with our history and that includes understanding the painful legacy of slavery in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “We have assembled an extraordinary group of highly-qualified individuals to serve on the new Commission, and will review their final recommendations.”

The commission is tasked with examining the legacy of slavery and its lingering negative effects on people currently living in the State of New York, with the goal of issuing a report comprised of recommendations for appropriate action to address these longstanding inequities.

In the process of compiling recommendations, the commission will hold public hearings to solicit input from stakeholders. This written report of findings and recommendations must be submitted to the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leaders of the senate and the assembly, and the Governor of the State of New York no later than one year after the date of the first meeting of the commission.

The commission members include:

• Jennifer Jones Austin is the CEO and Executive Director of FPWA, an anti-poverty policy and advocacy nonprofit with 170 member organizations; its work is centered on economic opportunity and upward mobility. She is a radio host, an author, and public speaker, and sits on the board of many organizations including the National Action Network, the Fordham University Feerick Center for Social Justice, the Center for Law, Brain and Behavior at Harvard University, and the NYC Board of Correction for which she is Chair. Ms. Jones Austin is the chairperson and a commissioner of the NYC Racial Justice Commission, the first commission of its kind in the nation tasked with targeting and dismantling structural and institutional racism across the city. Ms. Jones Austin is also a member of The African American Task Force for Vaccine Equity and Education, which is dedicated to helping overcome their inequitable barriers Black communities face during the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine; and she was a co-sponsor of the New York Police Department Reform and Reinvention Collaborative to end racialized policing and the criminalization of poverty. Ms. Jones Austin previously co-chaired the Mayoral Transition for Bill de Blasio and the NYC Procurement Policy Board. Ms. Jones Austin is an appointee selected by Governor Hochul.
• Timothy R. Hogues serves as the Commissioner for the Department of Civil Service and President of the Civil Service Commission. He was nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve in these roles in April 2022 and unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate in June 2022. Prior to joining the Department of Civil Service, Commissioner Hogues served as the Personnel Commissioner for Erie County where he was responsible for overseeing services provided to over more than 130 appointing authorities and approximately 24,000 employees countywide through the implementation and maintenance of services that support and facilitate the recruiting, selection, hiring, development, and retention of local government and school district employees in accordance with Civil Service Laws and Regulations. Commissioner Hogues began this role after being appointed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz in 2019. Commissioner Hogues is a proud graduate of University of Buffalo where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration and Management. Mr. Hogues is an appointee selected by Governor Hochul.
• Linda Brown-Robinson is the Immediate Past President of the Syracuse Onondaga NAACP. A born and raised proud New Yorker and a native of Mt. Vernon, Linda’s activism first took hold upon relocating to upstate New York in 1968, where she joined a number of boards. She recalls that one of her first impactful boards was then known as the “Community Folk Art Gallery.” A former Board Member of FOCUS Greater Syracuse, and past member of the Executive Committee for the Onondaga County Democratic Committee, Ms. Brown-Robinson currently serves on the Democratic 5th Ward Committee. Ms. Brown-Robinson is a 2021 InterFaith Leadership Award recipient and was recently appointed as the NYS NAACP Western Region Director, where she oversees 11 Upstate NAACP Branches. Ms. Brown-Robinson is an appointee selected by Governor Hochul.
• Darrick Hamilton, Ph.D. is a university professor, the Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy, and the founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School. Dr. Hamilton served as a member of the economic committee of the Biden-Sanders Unity Task Force and he was a surrogate and advisor for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. He has advised numerous other leading Members of Congress, as well as various 2020 presidential candidates. Dr. Hamilton holds a Ph.D from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a BA from Oberlin College. Dr. Hamilton is an appointee selected by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins.
• Linda Tarrant-Reid is an author, historian, freelance journalist, photographer and community activist. Although most of her career has been focused on literary pursuits, she is currently administrating grow! Eat, a project to grow fresh produce to distribute free-of-charge to the food insecure in Westchester County. The initiative is a program of The Lincoln Park Conservancy, of which Ms. Tarrant-Reid is the Executive Director. Ms. Tarrant-Reid Linda graduated from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Virginia with a BA in English. Ms. Tarrant-Reid is an appointee selected by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins.
• Seanelle Hawkins serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Rochester, an affiliate of the National Urban League. Dr. Hawkins is an expert in community engagement and cultural change, advocacy, transitional and permanent supportive housing, fiscal stewardship, strategic planning, and staff development. Her nonprofit executive leadership includes over 20 years in various executive leadership roles for nonprofits and program consultancies in New York and Washington, DC. She also serves as an adjunct professor at St. John Fisher College in its doctoral program of Executive Leadership. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Hawkins received her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, master’s in strategic leadership at Roberts Wesleyan College, and her Doctorate of Education from the Executive Leadership Program at St. John Fisher College. Dr. Hawkins is an appointee selected by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins.
• Dr. Ron Daniels is Founder and President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), a progressive, African centered, action-oriented Resource Center dedicated to empowering people of African descent and marginalized communities. As the administrator for the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC), IBW has emerged as a leading organization within the U.S. and global reparations movements. Dr. Daniels serves as the Convener of NAARC. Dr. Daniels holds a BA in History from Youngstown State University, an MA in Political Science from the Rockefeller School of Public Affairs in Albany, New York and a Doctor of Philosophy in Africana Studies from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati. Dr. Daniels is a Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus at York College, City University of New York where he taught courses in Political Science. Dr. Daniels is an appointee selected by Speaker Heastie.
• Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq. is the Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College. She is an author, activist and attorney with a long-standing commitment to racial and social justice. Ms. Daniel Favors earned her JD from New York University, where she was a Root-Tilden-Kern public interest scholar. Ms. Daniel Favors graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in African and African American Studies, with a Minor in Spanish Language. She hosts the Lurie Daniel Favors Show on Sirius XM’s Urban View Network, a national, daily talk show that tackles issues of race, gender, culture, politics and the law. Ms. Daniel Favors is an appointee selected by Speaker Heastie.
• Rev. Dr. Deborah D. Jenkins is Founding Pastor of Faith @Work Christian Church, Coop City, sustaining the ministry for almost 19 years with over 30 years of youth development experience which began as a Child Protective Services Caseworker, expanding to co-founding the Knowledge Development Center which provided quality afterschool services to Black and Latino males which included the New York Newsday Stock Market Game and other empowerment programming. Dr. Jenkins currently serves as NYPD Clergy Liaison in the 45th Precinct with a purpose to bridge the gap between community and law enforcement and works as an adjunct professor at John Jay College in the Public Administration Department. Dr. Jenkins earned her BA from Herbert H. Lehman College, her MA in Policy and Administration from Brooklyn College and her MDiv and DMin from New York Theological Seminary. Dr. Jenkins is an appointee selected by Speaker Heastie.

Legislation S.1163A/A.7691, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Hochul in 2023 acknowledges the significant role the institution of slavery played in the establishment and history of New York. The legislation established the community commission on reparations remedies, composed of nine members who are especially qualified to serve by virtue of their expertise, education, training, or lived experience in the fields of African or American studies, the criminal legal system, human rights, civil rights, reparations organizations and other relevant fields.

Prior to the American Revolution, there were more enslaved Africans in New York City than in any other city except Charleston, South Carolina, and the population of enslaved Africans accounted for 20 percent of New York’s population, while 40 percent of colonial New York households owned enslaved Africans. This was an integral part of the development of the State of New York, and the consequences of the institution of slavery – and subsequently, discrimination and systemic racism borne of that institution – can still be observed today.

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Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

ALBION – The Albion Police Department is warning people about another phone scam making its rounds in the area.

This scam involves someone pretending to be a police officer who tells the victim(s) that there is a warrant out for their arrest or that they have pending criminal charges.

During the phone call the scammer will usually ask the victim(s) for money or some type of monetary gift card i.e.) Apple, Sephora, Razer Gold etc. The scammer will state that the victim(s) can purchase these cards and provide them with the information on the card to avoid being arrested.

Scammers are very convincing.  They’ll provide you with a badge number, names of law enforcement officials and judges and courthouse addresses. They will spoof the phone number so it appears on caller ID as if it is coming from a government agency or the court.

During the phone call, the scammer will tell the victim(s) not to tell anyone what is going on and to keep the matter private.

The Albion Police Department wants to remind everyone that these are fraudulent calls and that police departments will not call individuals over the phone and ask for personal information such as bank accounts, social security numbers, credit card information etc.

If you receive a call asking for any of the above information along with any individual asking for gift cards or money in lieu of being arrested the phone call is fraudulent in nature and you are being scammed.

The Albion Police Department asks that if you are a resident of the Village of Albion and have any questions, comments or concerns or believe that you may have possibly been a victim or target please call the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board intends to pursue state funding for local park improvements and try again for the Restore NY program.

The board on Wednesday said it would apply for a parks grant for a lodge at Bullard Park and some projects in the smaller “pocket parks.”

The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Inc., a not-for-profit organization, will do the legwork on the application – teaming with the village to identify projects and the scope of the work.

The not-for-profit can’t be the applicant for the grant through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. A municipality needs to seek the money, G-ACRE members Kim Remley, Ron Albertson and John Grillo told the Village Board on Wednesday.

G-ACRE will work with the village’s grant writer, G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, to complete the application, which is expected to be due in July. The application will then be submitted by the village.

The village in December 2016 was awarded a $499,605 state grant for Bullard projects, including a splash pad, amphitheater, new bathrooms and other improvements.

G-ACRE would like to make a new lodge the focus of the new application. A lodge in the park would be available year-round and could be rented out by community members. The lodge could have space for up to 90 people.

The group will also look at projects in the smaller neighborhood parks. That could include a fenced-in area for a dog park. Village Trustee Tim McMurray said St. Joseph’s Park on Clinton Street is being considered for the dog park.

Albion last year applied for $2 million through the Restore NY grant program. The village sought to assist 22 properties in the downtown area. Albion didn’t get the grant that would have covered 90 percent of building improvement projects in vacant or underutilized buildings.

Jay Grasso of G&G said the state has made $60 million available for the program this year. The board said it wants to try again. Grasso said the village will submit a notice of intent to apply for Restore NY by March 25 and there will likely be two public meetings about the grant, which is due to be filed in May.

Albion’s grant will be modified from last year’s. Grasso said other compelling projects emerged after the grant was submitted last year. He said he would work with the board and community to determine the most viable projects for the program.

Restore NY last year was available for projects ranging from $50,000 to up to $400,000. Most of the projects include drywall, utility work, plumbing and other improvements to make space more usable for residential and commercial uses.

Albion qualifies as a severely distressed community, making it eligible for Restore NY funding, Grasso said. That state program seeks to revitalize the heart of community centers, bringing funding for residential and commercial projects. Communities can apply for up to $10 million through the program.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week the new round of $60 million for Restore NY.

“With Restore New York, we’re putting up $60 million in funding to breathe life back into communities all across our state,” Hochul said in a statement on Feb. 21. “This program gives municipalities the support they need to turn blighted, rundown buildings into housing, commercial hubs, and more, and any local leader ready to unlock their community’s potential should apply.”

There are 2,303 National Grid customers without electricity in Orleans County, the power company’s outage map showed at 9:30 p.m.

Most of those customers should have the electricity back on by midnight.

Powerful winds have knocked down many trees in the county, especially on the eastern side in Clarendon, Murray and Kendall as well as Carlton in central Orleans.

There are 19,642 National Grid customers in Orleans County. The biggest outage includes 1,722 customers in Kendall, part of Murray north of the village of Holley, and Carlton east of Route 98.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board is reaching out to the county, state and federal levels for help with the deteriorating Brown Street canal bridge.

The structure from 1912 has been closed to vehicular traffic since July 18, 2012 after an inspection by the state Department of Transportation showed serious deterioration of major elements of the steel truss floor system.

The Village Board wants the bridge to get a major rehabilitation or be removed. A letter was sent to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle, State Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson.

“State or Federal resources are needed now to improve the status of this bridge,” according to the letter from Mayor Angel Javier Jr., Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley and trustees Tim McMurray, Chris Barry and David Buczek.

The board states in the letter the bridge was last rehabbed in 1955 – 69 years ago.

The bridge remains open for pedestrians, but village officials said rusty bridge pieces are falling into the canal. The board included photos in the letter of the bridge, calling it a “biohazard” for the Erie Canal.

“You can see clearly from the pictures the erosion of paint, rust, steel fragments, missing bolts and concrete that have fallen into the canal,  contaminating it and its tributaries, like Sandy Creek,” according to the letter from the board.

The village officials note the Brown Street bridge is the third north-south crossing eliminated in the village, with the Clarendon Street bridge demolished and Clinton Street railroad crossing closed.

The village in December asked the DOT to work on the bridge by repairing or removing it – at the very least have it painted.

“We have talked to local and regional officials about this bridge, and everyone passes it to someone else,” the letter states. “Who is the final arbiter? Who will help determine if this bridge is to remain or fall into the canal? Will someone please respond to this request for HELP? Or will we again hear crickets?”