By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 February 2024 at 1:09 pm
MEDINA – The Iroquois Job Corps Center is teaming with the Medina Rotary Club in a project adding Buddy Benches to village parks.
Job Corps students are building four of the benches, with the cost of the materials covered by the Rotary Club. John Thomas, operations director at the Job Corps, is a member of the local service group.
Rotary also is paying for the materials for Adirondack chairs that students will build, with the chairs then sold to community members in a fundraiser for Rotary. Seven of the chairs are complete. The Rotary is finalizing the cost for the chairs.
“The chairs and benches are beautiful and very well constructed,” said Peter Bartula, Medina Rotary president. “It works out great for everybody. They learn a skill and the community benefits with new benches for the parks.”
(Left) Iroquois Job Corps’ carpentry student Jeremiah Caldwell works on one of the buddy benches which will be placed in four local Medina parks as a way to spread goodwill. (Right) Students in the carpentry program at Iroquois Job Corps Center work on Adirondack chairs, which the Medina Rotary Club will sell to raise money for the community.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 February 2024 at 11:40 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: John Betts and Laura Scarantine from Medina Memorial Hospital’s Respiratory Services Department will be able to perform pulmonary function testing with the addition of that benefit to the hospital.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the latest addition to its comprehensive healthcare services at Medina Memorial Hospital, with the introduction of pulmonary function testing.
This service is now available through the hospital’s Respiratory Therapy Department, continuing their efforts to offer important services all in one location, according to Scott Robinson, director marketing, communications and outreach.
Pulmonary function testing is a crucial diagnostic tool that measures how well the lungs take in and exhale air. This advanced testing allows health professionals to access respiratory function, diagnose lung conditions and develop personalized treatment plans for patients with respiratory issues.
Key features of Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital’s pulmonary function testing service are:
State-of-the Art Technology. The Respiratory Department at Medina Memorial Hospital is equipped with the latest in pulmonary function technology. This ensures accurate and reliable results for healthcare providers to make informed decisions about patient care.
Comprehensive Respiratory Care: With the addition of PFT, Medina Memorial Hospital expands on its comprehensive range of respiratory care services. The hospital’s experienced respiratory therapy team is dedicated to delivering high-quality care to individuals with a variety of respiratory conditions.
Patient-Centered Approach: The addition of PFT services aligns with the goal of Orleans Community Health to make healthcare services more accessible and convenient for the community.
“The addition of pulmonary function testing to Medina Memorial Hospital brings a need to the community that previously was not accessible or convenient for the average individual,” said Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer of Orleans Community Health. “Patients may come in for testing who have asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, shortness of breath, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), constant coughing or other respiratory concerns their doctors might have.”
Orleans Community Health invites the community to learn more about the pulmonary function testing service and other healthcare offerings at Medina Memorial Hospital by contacting the Respiratory Therapy Department at (585) 798-8044.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 February 2024 at 11:19 am
Jeff Lewis served many years as a VP with PathStone
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Medina native Jeff Lewis talks about his vision for the future of the Medina Railroad Museum. He was named its executive director in January.
MEDINA – The new director of the Medina Railroad Museum is no stranger to Medina.
Jeff Lewis, now a resident of Carlton, was born in Lockport and grew up on Elm Street in Medina. After graduating from Medina High School, he spent 1969 to 1974 in the Navy, where he served on a submarine.
His career led him to PathStone in Rochester in 1976, where he was vice president of direct service operations, retiring in 2022. During his years there, Lewis led a group of more than 200 people in the Northeast, Midwest and Puerto Rico to provide job training, job development and placement and specialized training. He was also the IT director.
He was enjoying retirement buying and selling old bottles, coins and stamps, when he got a call from Nyla Gaylord, director of United Way of Orleans County, who told him the Medina Railroad Museum was looking for a director. In December he met with the museum’s board president, George Bidleman, and started in his new position after the holidays.
“What I hope to bring to this museum is professionalism to the staff, consistent policies and procedures and a level of excellence,” Lewis said. “I am also experienced in grant writing.”
He has already developed a work plan for employees and presented it to the board. Among all the employees and board members, they represent more than 200 years of experience in trains and model railroading, Lewis said.
“With their help, we will move this museum to a place where we are the best museum in New York, and certainly the best train museum.”
His goal is to create interactive displays so visitors get to do more than just look at static displays.
“The role of a museum is not only to protect and preserve the history of a community, but to share it,” Lewis said.
He plans to create relationships with area merchants to benefit them and the museum.
“If we can find partners in the community, we will be good neighbors,” Lewis said. “I lived in this community. I love this community. This is home.”
Staff are already busy archiving and cataloging everything in the museum.
Lewis will work alongside Dawn Winkler, who started at the museum in 2005, working with museum founder Marty Phelps and his fiancée, Linda Klein. Winkler eventually moved into the director position, until leaving in 2018, only to be brought back in late 2022. She has assumed the position of operations director/events coordinator.
“I look at Dawn as a partner in operating the museum,” Lewis said. “Not only do we need to focus on our collection and interactive displays, but to expand rail events.”
Currently the museum hosts an Easter train, Day Out with Thomas, fall foliage trains and Polar Express. With the recent purchase of a third dining car, dinner/murder mystery trains are a possibility.
Winkler said their combined events bring 32,000 people a year to Medina.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt
LOCKPORT – New York State Republican leaders Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Will Barclay penned a letter to Governor Hochul requesting that she use her Executive Authority to deploy the New York State National Guard to the State of Texas and New York Canadian Border to assist in efforts to stop the illegal flow of migrants into the country.
The letter was sent in response to continuing illegal border crossings that have shown no signs of slowing down. Rather than ending the migrant crisis, Governor Hochul’s unacceptable responses have had the effect of fueling the crisis with a continued influx of taxpayer dollars.
“More than 8 million border encounters have occurred since President Biden took office. In 2023, over 2.5 million migrants entered the country through the southern border. In December alone, 302,034 encounters were reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. On New York’s Northern Border, 91,640 illegal crossings were reported in the past year,” stated the letter by Leaders Ortt and Barclay.
The letter continued, “Immigration reform is a matter that must be dealt with on the Federal level. However, we hope you agree that the states’ sovereign right to protect its citizens and its communities must be valued above the actions of federal authorities. For this reason, we urge you to deploy the National Guard immediately to assist the State of Texas and New York Canadian border in efforts to stop the flow of migrants coming into our country illegally.”
“In 2006 and 2007, Army National Guard troops were sent to assist US Border Patrol in four states along the southern border as part of Operation Jump Start. In fact, I, Senator Ortt, was stationed and served in Nogales, Arizona during this time, demonstrating a clear precedent for this action.”
In her recently proposed Executive Budget, Governor Hochul has earmarked $2.4 billion in taxpayer dollars for migrants, bringing the total to $4.3 billion over the last two years. Meanwhile, schools throughout New York State are taking cuts to their budgets and students have been kicked out of their schools because of the need to house migrants in school buildings. And the latest announcement from Governor Hochul charged the Department of Civil Service to roll out a taxpayer state run program that will provide training and state government jobs specifically for migrants. The Governor and her Administration have proved they prefer to provide services for migrants at the expense of taxpayers.
“Our constituents and colleagues are demanding action, leadership and results in response to the migrant crisis. An effective response is long overdue. We encourage you to use your authority to deploy the National Guard at the Texas and New York Canadian borders and help advance legislative measures that directly address concerns brought on by the migrant crisis. We must urge President Biden to finally secure America’s borders,” closed Leaders Ortt and Barclay.
BATAVIA — It’s time for high school seniors to get a jump-start on applying for scholarships.
Arc GLOW is accepting applications for the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship for eligible high school students in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. A total of four $1,000 awards will be presented to recipients at their spring school scholarship ceremonies.
To qualify for consideration, applicants must be planning to attend college in the fall to pursue a degree in human services, special education or other disability-related field, including: psychology, social work, nursing, therapeutic recreation and physical, speech and occupational therapies.
Applications have been mailed to 28 GLOW area high schools and it’s also available on the Arc GLOW website at www.arcglow.org/news/arc-glow-scholarship. The due date for completed applications is April 23, and must include two letters of recommendation, a resume or personal biography and a copy of high school transcripts. Recipients will be asked to provide a college acceptance letter.
Now in its 19th year, the scholarships are presented in memory of Mary Anne Graney, a special education teacher and disability advocate who died in 2004.
This program began in 2006 with the presentation of the first scholarship recipient. To date, $59,000 in scholarships have been awarded to area high school students.
For questions or more information, please contact scholarship coordinator Sandy Konfederath at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1715.
A Wyoming County man is accused of accepting payments for work as a contractor and then not starting or finishing the jobs.
David J. Fladie of Varysburg was charged last week on three counts of grand larceny in the 3rd degree and three counts of scheme to defraud in the 1st degree, Sheriff Chris Bourke said today.
The charges involve three separate cases. The amount of funds taken from the victims totaled $63,700. Fladie surrendered to Investigator Brian Marsceill on Jan. 25 at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, where he was processed and released. Later that same day, Fladie surrendered himself at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, where he also was processed and released, according to a news release from Sheriff Bourke.
Fladie is to appear in the Town of Murray, Town of Clarendon, and Town of Clarkson Courts.
The arrests are the result of a several month-long cooperative investigation led by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Sheriff Bourke, and the New York State Department of Financial Services – Criminal Investigation Bureau, under the direction of Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris.
Provided photo: The Assembly Republican conference spoke against possible prisons closures on Wednesday in the state capitol.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) recently joined his colleagues in the Assembly to oppose Gov. Hochul’s proposed plan to close up to five New York state prisons within the next year.
Yesterday, members of the Assembly Republican Conference held a press conference to discuss the dangers this initiative would present for correctional facilities, their staff and inmate populations. Correction officers across the state have been speaking out in recent weeks about the poor working conditions due to understaffing and low pay.
Over the last year, New York’s prison population has grown by roughly 1,400, making these issues all the more apparent. Hawley has multiple prisons within his district including Albion and Orleans Correctional Facility and nearby Attica & Wyoming Correctional Facility. Hawley is frustrated the governor is moving forward with this proposal and is calling on his colleagues in the Legislature to push back against this policy.
“This decision by the governor is unnecessary and unreasonable,” said Hawley. “Correction officers should not have to worry about being out of a job and unable to provide for their families. Closing prisons like this will only make the current staffing crisis worse and push prospective officers out of the field. Inmates will be crowded into smaller prisons, making it a more dangerous environment for staff members. We’ve already seen numerous officers sustain injuries due to overcrowding and increased violence. I hope the governor will recognize these problems and give our correction officers the tools they need to do their jobs.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), member of the Ways and Means Committee, on Wednesday voted in favor of H.R. 7024, Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 357-70.
“The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 is a pro-growth, pro-worker bill which ensures that hardworking Americans, family-owned farms, and small businesses that have suffered for far too long under Biden’s disastrous policies receive much-needed economic relief,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This comprehensive bill was shaped by critical feedback from Main Street Americans across the country and New York’s 24th District.
“This package, focused on renewing President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will boost our economy and give manufacturers the tools they need to bolster our global competitiveness. Not only does passing this bill work to preserve over 7,300 jobs in New York, but it would also retain $622 million per year in R&D-related wages for our state. I am thrilled that this bill, which will increase desperately needed economic growth, passed the House today. By voting in favor of this bill, I reiterated my commitment to supporting fiscally conservative economic policies implemented by President Trump that deliver much-needed relief for the hardworking taxpayers of NY-24.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Morelle announced on Wednesday the passage of legislation he authored to support America’s manufacturing industry.
The provisions of Congressman Morelle’s American Investment in Manufacturing (AIM) Act were included as part of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, enacting a technical change to the U.S. Tax Code allowing businesses to continue deducting interest expenses.
“I’m proud to have delivered on my promise to uplift our local manufacturers and end a harmful tax hike,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “My legislation will permanently preserve the previous earnings before interest and taxes formula, allowing for a greater investment in manufacturing firms across the country and strengthening the backbone of our economy. I’m grateful these important provisions were included in the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues across the aisle to enact solutions like this that support our manufacturing sector.”
Interest on business expenses is generally tax deductible but capped. At the end of 2021, the formula for calculating this deduction became more restrictive. Known as the Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization standard (EBITDA), depreciation and amortization were removed from the calculation, limiting the ability to deduct interest expenses.
This change has had a disproportionate impact on the manufacturing sector of our economy, as manufacturing firms are often required to take out loans to finance large capital investments in their facilities and equipment.
AIM—as a part of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024—will now restore the full EBITDA standard for deductions for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023, and before January 1, 2026. Taxpayers may use the EBITDA standard for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021, and before January 1, 2024 – effectively making the changes retroactive. After December 31, 2025, the standard returns to EBIT.
Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is inviting New Yorkers to take part in the free “FEBRUARY 15 Canalway Challenge.”
Participants pledge to complete 15 miles walking, running, hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing anywhere within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor by the end of February.
Participants can log miles at national, state and local parks, on the Canalway Trail, or even in their own neighborhoods. Finishers receive a 15-mile recognition sticker, magnet, and set of commemorative postcards. Registration is open to individuals, teams, and organizations. Sign up at: www.canalwaychallenge.org.
“The FEBRUARY 15 Challenge provides great incentive for people of all abilities to embrace winter and enjoy the outdoors, while working toward a fitness goal,” said Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “The Canalway Corridor, including the many state and national parks located within it, have much to offer in every season, and we hope this challenge motivates New Yorkers to get outside in winter.”
FEBRUARY 15 is part of the Canalway Challenge, which is open to people of all fitness levels and offers a range of mileage options, including 1 mile for people with mobility challenges, 15 miles, 90 miles, 180 miles, and 360 miles.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2024 at 7:55 pm
Provided photo
RIDGEWAY – Kevin DeHollander is shown with a freshly painted historical marker on Presbyterian Road. He is shown on Tuesday after Melissa Ierlan delivered the marker to the site in Knowlesville.
The marker notes that the first religious society in the Town of Ridgeway was organized in August 1817 and the first church was dedicated in 1832. This marker originally was put up in 1932.
Irelan has now scraped and repainted nearly 40 of the markers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2024 at 3:59 pm
Amy Laureano
KENDALL – A faculty basketball game on March 7, with teachers from Holley playing Kendall, will raise money for a scholarship fund in a memory of a beloved Kendall first-grade teacher.
Amy Laureano passed away on July 30. A memorial fund in her honor goes to help students in different ways.
“She was a teacher in Kendall for over 20 years and had an immense impact on not only our students, but our community as well,” said Kendall teacher Taylor Kingsbury. “She is missed by all who knew her.”
Kendall vs. Holley faculty basketball game starts at 6 p.m. on March 7 at the Kendall High School Gym. Cost is $2 per person or $8 per family. There will be contests, prizes and basket raffles. Concessions will be available from Jimmy Z’s.
The Kendall Lions Club also will be having a chicken barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 with proceeds going to the Amy Laureano Memorial Fund. The barbecue will be at the Kendall United Methodist Church. Tickets can be purchased at the main offices for the elementary school or junior-senior high school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2024 at 9:47 am
Photo courtesy of Karen Russo: Snow covers the railroad tracks behind Bullard Park in Albion on Monday.
The area will get some sunshine and blue skies, as well as temperatures above freezing in the next five days.
Today includes a high near 42 followed by a high near 39 on Thursday, said the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Friday in Orleans County will be mostly cloudy with a high near 34, while Saturday is sunny with a high near 37. Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high near 36, followed by a mostly sunny Monday with a high near 33.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today nominated former President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize for his groundbreaking efforts to foster peace and cooperation between Israel, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates through the Abraham Accords.
In 2020, President Trump negotiated the normalization agreements between Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan, which were signed in December 2020 and January 2021.
Trump also worked diligently to lay the groundwork for a future normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt in 1978 and for the Oslo Accords in 1994. Yet, the Abraham Accords, achieved by President Trump, continue to go unrecognized by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee. On Tuesday, Tenney nominated former President Donald Trump to recognize his efforts in achieving these historic normalization agreements.
“Donald Trump was instrumental in facilitating the first new peace agreements in the Middle East in almost 30 years,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “For decades, bureaucrats, foreign policy ‘professionals,’ and international organizations insisted that additional Middle East peace agreements were impossible without a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Trump proved that to be false.
“The valiant efforts by President Trump in creating the Abraham Accords were unprecedented and continue to go unrecognized by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, underscoring the need for his nomination today. Now more than ever, when Joe Biden’s weak leadership on the international stage is threatening our country’s safety and security, we must recognize Trump for his strong leadership and his efforts to achieve world peace. I am honored to nominate former President Donald Trump and am eager for him to receive the recognition he deserves.”
Gradual phase-in to lower overtime threshold in agriculture starts in 2024
File photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer plants seeds on May 23, 2019 in Carlton on Waterport-Carlton Road.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the launch of the State’s new Farm Employer Overtime Credit advance portal, which is now open for farmers to register and begin preparing the documents they will need to apply for reimbursement.
Later this year, eligible farm employers may apply to the Department of Agriculture and Markets for a certificate of advance payment of eligible overtime paid to their employees between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2024. As tax season opens, this opportunity is part of Governor Hochul’s plan to support New York’s farmers through a series of new and increased tax credits and other initiatives.
“Our farmers and farm workers are essential, and I want to do everything in my power to ensure that they can thrive in their work to bring fresh, local products to the tables of New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “The Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a big part of that, reducing the tax burden for our farm businesses while allowing them to continue supporting their hardworking staff. I encourage all eligible farmers to learn more about this program, get registered and talk to their tax preparer so they can be prepared to apply later this year.”
The Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a refundable tax credit available for eligible farm employers who pay overtime wages after January 1, 2024, based on the gradual phase-in of the overtime threshold in New York State. Farmers can apply for this refundable credit if they or their business:
are an eligible farmer; and
employ eligible farm employees that were paid eligible overtime.
Farm employers are encouraged to prepare to apply this year by taking the following steps:
Ensuring that they are registered for a NY.gov ID through My.NY.gov.
Taking the farm employer eligibility assessment to establish if they (the farm employer) expect to meet the eligible farmer income requirements for their tax filing type at the end of the tax year.
Discussing the program with their tax and payroll advisors to ensure they are keeping necessary records during the January 1 – July 31 period this year.
Registering their farm in the online portal now if they plan to apply for the advance payment in 2024. The application portal can be accessed by visiting taxcredit.agriculture.ny.gov.
Optionally, choosing to delegate authority to a representative (e.g., a tax preparer), who may complete and submit the application on the farm employer’s behalf later in the year.
After July 31, farm employers may upload supporting payroll documentation to the portal and submit to the Department of Agriculture and Markets AGM for a certificate of advance payment of eligible overtime paid between Jan. 1 and July 31. Applications must be submitted to AGM by Sept. 30.
After eligibility review, AGM will issue a certificate of advance payment to each approved farm employer. With a certificate of advance payment, the approved farmer or business owners (for example, partners or shareholders) can then request their share of the advance payment from the New York State Department of Tax and Finance (DTF). This request must be made no later than November 1, using the online services account at DTF’s website.
“Farm labor is a critical issue, and we at the State are working hard to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to support their workforce and while meeting their food production goals,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “I encourage farmers to take a look at the resources we have available, learn more about the Farm Employer Overtime Credit program, and talk to their tax and payroll advisors to ensure they can take part in this great opportunity.”
The Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a refundable tax credit available for eligible farm employers who pay overtime wages after January 1, 2024, based on the gradual phase-in of the overtime threshold in New York State. Farmers can apply for this refundable credit if they or their business:
