Provided photo: Raymond Santoro of Holley will present an educational program of World War I music at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Cobblestone Museum’s Vagg house.

CHILDS – Music and history will be combined in an evening of entertainment Oct. 27 at the Cobblestone Museum’s Vagg house.

At 6 p.m., former museum director Bill Lattin and Holley native and pianist Raymond Santoro will present and educational program on “The Music of World War One.” Featured will be many of the songs made popular during the first World War.

Lattin has selected a half dozen songs to play on an Edison cylinder phonograph, patented in 1913. These include “General Persing March,” “Just Before the Battle Mother,” Don’t Take my Darling Boy Away” and “Round Her Neck She Wears a Yellow Ribbon.”

The music in the years building up to the war was noticeably more upbeat than the music that followed during the war years, which later even included some anti-war sentiment in the tunes, explained museum director Doug Farley.

Santoro is a gifted pianist, who will entertain on a Gulbransen piano, playing songs like Irving Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” his first big hit in 1913. Music by George M. Cohen will also be featured, including “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Grand Old Flag.”

Seating in the Vagg house is limited so reservations are required by calling (585) 589-9013. Light refreshments will be available. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

LOCKPORT – New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt was joined on Friday by Assemblyman Mike Norris, Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski, Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti, and the owners of local gun store Escarpment Arms to call for an end to New York’s unconstitutional firearm and ammunition background check requirements.

Rob Ortt

In a letter to the governor, Senator Ortt and fellow conference members urge Governor Hochul to shelve the recently implemented requirements and fees for background checks on gun and ammo purchases. The background check process has proven to be a failure which has resulted in the deprivation of a fundamental Constitutional right.

Prior to this requirement, there were no barriers to purchasing ammunition and Federal NICS background checks for firearms were nearly instantaneous. With the implementation of the new background check process, New Yorkers are experiencing lengthy delays, sometimes hours or even days, before being approved – and in some cases are being denied, even if they are lawfully able to purchase and possess firearms or ammunition.

“Gun owners in New York State face some of the most restrictive laws and regulations in the nation, yet gun-related crimes remain an ongoing issue,” Ortt said. “These unconstitutional infringements on our second amendment rights clearly have no impact on how criminals get their hands on guns or ammo, and police should be able to focus their efforts on stopping illegal gun crime, instead of being handcuffed to their desks running background checks and creating an invasive database of law-abiding citizens.”

Members of the conference have been strongly opposed to the idea since it first came about in 2013 as part of the SAFE Act – and just two years after its introduction, the process was deemed technologically infeasible.

“​​New York State continues to place burdensome laws and obstacles on law-abiding New Yorkers who simply wish to exercise their constitutional rights while not focusing on the lawbreakers who continually commit the illegal gun crime we witness daily. This new law does nothing to stop criminals, who do not go through the background check process, from getting their hands on the ammunition they use to commit murder and crimes that endanger our communities,” said Assemblyman Mike Norris.

Since the implementation, gun store owners and constituents across the state have called, emailed and written to convey their opposition to the requirements and have also expressed concerns about the security of personal data like birthdays, social security numbers, and credit card information being transmitted and maintained.

“The downstate politicians that control the New York State Legislature continue to pass these nonsensical gun laws that are not only unconstitutional, but do absolutely nothing to make our communities safer or address gun violence,” said Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski. “We need to stop placing more burden and cost on law-abiding gun owners and focus our energy on those who obtain guns and ammo illegally.”

“Following the implementation of these new regulations I have had complaints from many residents who were legally trying to purchase ammunition,” said Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti. “Their complaints centered around the lack of need for this, along with the cost and delays they experienced. This legislation goes right along with other new laws in this state that infringe upon the rights of legal gun owners. We should be focusing all of our efforts on the criminals committing gun crime that aren’t concerned with following the law.”

“These barriers to purchasing firearms and ammunition that have been put in place are doing nothing more than obstructing law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights,” said Joseph Olscamp, CEO of Escarpment Arms, Inc. “Criminals are being released with minimal punishment while Gun Owners and licensed, legitimate businesses are being penalized. It is an unnecessary risk in an already precarious economic atmosphere. Ultimately, New Yorkers are being left waiting on an extremely flawed system to give them permission to protect themselves while creating a database that the Federal Government is not allowed to create or keep.”

“For far too long, lawmakers in this state have prioritized criminals and cast aside the rights of upstanding citizens to further their own out-of-touch agendas,” Ortt said. “I believe it’s only a matter of time before these unconstitutional regulations are struck down in court and I ask the Governor to do the right thing and call an end to them, so this doesn’t burden our court systems, like these regulations are doing to our police force, businesses and constituents.”

Penny Lane in Liverpool, England. What a thrill it was to do all the Beatles stuff there!

Let’s go on an adventure together….one last time!

I wrote my very first “Travel Thoughts by Kim” article for the Orleans Hub and Lake Country Pennysaver in January 2020. After sharing adventures and tips with you twice a month for almost four years, I’m sad to say that this will be my final article. It has been so much fun sharing my adventures with you all – especially during the Covid period when reliving those adventures helped give us all something to dream about while stuck in our homes. I appreciated every time someone stopped me in a store or restaurant to tell me how much they enjoyed reading my stories and when some even shared their adventures with me. It has truly been an honor to have the opportunity to do this, but, as with all good things, it’s time for it to come to an end. 

To close out this run, I thought I might share some of my most memorable experiences and parting thoughts with you. Here goes:

If I had to choose just one “beachy” place that I would do again and again, it would be Bermuda! It is a laid back island with so much to offer, including Horseshoe Bay Beach – ranked in the Top 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WORLD with its pink sand, clear aqua sea, and stunning views. The resorts in Bermuda are very expensive to stay at, so in my opinion, traveling there by cruise ship is the way to go. Find one that docks there for multiple days so you can come and go as you please to enjoy the island, but have your lodging and most meals on ship. Compare – things may be different when you go, but I found that to be the best way to experience Bermuda affordably. 

One of my favorite memories is swimming with dolphins in Bermuda. I not only swam with them, I danced with one and ended our dance with a kiss!!!

I love cruising! My top two most incredible experiences on a cruise were: #1: Transatlantic – sailing across the ocean for seven days was incredible! And, the destinations were the Azores, Ireland, and England when I got across the pond. Awesome – I’d love to do another transatlantic with different ports. # 2: Mediterranean – I cruised out of Rome with stops in Italy, France, and Spain that were all mind-blowing experiences! I hope someday to also do one of the Greek islands.

My first ever time sailing on a catamaran was on the ocean in Costa Rica – AMAZING!

I only did one all-inclusive resort adventure – so far. It was a Riu resort in Costa Rica. Riu has some incredible packages that are more affordable, in my opinion, than some of the other all-inclusive resort options, but they don’t scrimp on the luxury experience. And, Costa Rica was wonderful – I recommend it as a vacation destination! 

If you’re looking for the most stunning scenery in the world, you can’t beat South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and other states in that general area right here in the good ole USA. Absolutely incredible! I found myself constantly just looking over the landscape in absolute awe saying “thank you, God, for putting this here for me to enjoy”.

Some experiences I will hold as cherished memories – in no particular order, just as they come to mind:  Swimming with dolphins in Bermuda, walking in the steps of the Beatles in Liverpool, England, seeing the beautiful countryside of Ireland and Scotland, visiting the crash site of Buddy Holly in Clear Lake, Iowa, eating lobster caught fresh that day in Maine, just being in Graceland, sitting in the sun with a gelato on a hot day in Tuscany, visiting family in Kauai, Hawaii, sharing special adventures with dear friends, and taking a cross country motorhome trip with my brother and sister-in-law. This by no means diminishes all the other amazing experiences I’ve had as I visited all 50 states and several countries – it’s just that I don’t have the space to list them all!!!

Any travel regrets, so far? NONE!!! I absolutely loved every single adventure I’ve ever been on – everywhere I go I have fun and find wonderful things to see, do, and learn about. I find something fascinating and inspiring everywhere I go. I guess if I HAD to talk about regrets, it would be that I wish I had scheduled more time in some of the places I thought I could do justice to in a few days – they always proved me wrong.

Looking over the bay in Monaco by the royal palace that Princess Grace lived in.

So, thank you to all who have read my adventure stories over the past four years. I hope I gave some inspiration to those who were looking for somewhere interesting to travel to or brought a bit of the world to those who are not able to travel. If you want to read any of my past posts, just type my name in the search box on the Orleans Hub site and it should bring up anything I’ve written. All my articles have links to the more in-depth posts on my blog.  

You can still keep up with my future adventures and photos by visiting my blog at https://thoughtsbykim.com. I will write about any new adventures I happen to go on – near or far. If you subscribe to the blog, it will notify you if I write a new post. Or, you can just visit periodically to see what’s new. Type in a key word in the search box to pull up older posts – for instance, if you wonder if I ever wrote about New Orleans, type in “New Orleans” and it will bring up any post that mentions it for you to peruse.

Happy Adventuring… ”Life’s too short! Go on the trip! Buy the shoes! Eat dessert first!”

KNOWLESVILLE – Jim Hancock, head of the Medina Lions’ Club Scarecrow Festival, wants to remind the public that the event today at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds is all inside.

Even with the forecast for rain, Hancock said that will not hamper activities at all.

“This is a rain or shine event,” Hancock said.

The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SHELBY – The Town of Shelby filed a motion in State Supreme Court on Friday to join Orleans County in seeking to prevent a sewer main from coming into Shelby and depositing wastewater into the Oak Orchard Creek.

The Shelby Town Board voted on Tuesday to seek to intervene in the Orleans County lawsuit. On Friday, attorneys Jeremy Sher and Jeffrey Allen of Bond, Schoeneck & King in Rochester filed the motion on behalf of Shelby.

The attorneys state Orleans County brought a proceeding to stop construction of the pipeline from the STAMP manufacturing site in Alabama. The Genesee County Economic Development Center is seeking to build the sewer line that would go nearly 10 miles from STAMP along Route 63 to Oak Orchard Creek. The sewer line is under construction and getting close to Shelby.

The motion on behalf of Shelby states the town opposes the construction of the pipeline in Shelby.

The attorneys ask to be heard on Oct. 23 in State Supreme Court at the Orleans County Courthouse “or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard.”

Scott Wengewicz, Town Supervisor in Shelby, said Shelby should be a party in the lawsuit.

“As a party, the Town would receive notice of and an opportunity to respond to all filings in the lawsuit and make its own filings if it believes that Orleans County is inadequately representing the Town’s interests,” he said on Friday.

Orleans County on Sept. 11 filed suit in State Supreme Court to stop a sewer line from coming into the Town of Shelby and depositing up to 6 million gallons of what Orleans says is “contaminated” water into the Oak Orchard Creek.

The county alleges that the Genesee County Economic Development Center formed a “sham corporation” in STAMP Sewer Works to make the 9.5-mile-long sewer main happen.

Orleans officials worry the sewer discharge could impair the water quality of the creek, cause flooding and hurt economic development opportunities at the Medina Business Park.

STAMP would send up to 6 million gallons a day of wastewater at full capacity. The first two tenants at STAMP – Plug Power and Edwards Vacuum – would have a daily discharge of 50,000 gallons of treated wastewater, GCEDC said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Barre firefighter Gary Rowley lets Albion kindergarten Ethan Dona spray water at a target in the elementary schoo, parking lot today to conclude Fire Prevention Week at the school.

Firefighters visited classrooms from prekindergarten to grade 5 earlier in the week. Today about 800 students went to different spots in the parking lot to see fire trucks, a fire rescue boat, and see some of the tools and equipment used by firefighters.

Carter Klips, a kindergartener, checks out the inside of the Albion ladder truck. He is shown some of the gear by Rob Conner, a past fire chief for Albion. Carter was impressed there was a small refrigerator in the truck.

Aubrey Stinson, below, and Amelia Fisher crawl through a room simulated to have smoke. They are third-graders. (This week is also homecoming at Albion and Aubrey has on some face paint.)

The smoke simulator is in a fire safety training trailer owned by the Orleans County’s Emergency Management Office. It has a fog machine to simulate smoky rooms. Students were urged to “Stay Low and Go.”

These third-graders climb on the Carlton rescue boat.

Mark Farone of the Barre Volunteer Fire Company assists Maisyn Stirk with spraying water at a target.

Charlie Monacelli, an Albion firefighter, shows some of the tools used by firefighters. Monacelli took the day off from work today and volunteered to help with fire prevention week. He has a kindergartener at Albion.

More people could be added to group looking at land use in town

BARRE – The Town of Barre has named members to a committee to update a comprehensive plan from 2017.

The group will be headed by Town Councilman George McKenna. Other members approved by the Town Board on Wednesday include John Depatie from the Planning Board, Cyndy Van Lieshout, Scott Burnside, town assessor Stephanie Underhill, Larry Gaylard from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Wes Miller of the Planning Board, Kelly Dudley of the ZBA, Kathy Klein and Gary Palmer.

The Town Board said more members could be added. McKenna said he would like to see a more diverse representation with more people from small businesses outside of agriculture and some younger adults. He said the current members include many from the ag community.

McKenna said the current members cover different communities of the town, from barre Center, East barre, West barre and South Barre.

He expects the comp plan will include a survey for residents to weigh in on many issues, including large-scale solar and wind energy projects.

Barre will be working with Barbara Johnston from LaBella Associates on updating the plan, which sets policies and goals for land use. Barre has about 2,000 residents and just under 800 households. There are 34,563 acres in the town and agricultural is just over half of the total.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue said there will be many opportunities for public to weigh in on the plan in the coming months.

If there are any amendments to the plan, there will be at least one public hearing for the residents to comment on the changes.

POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum will celebrate its second haunting on Oct. 20 and 21.

The project was first suggested last year by board member Anne Martin to raise funds for continued operation of the lighthouse, and it was a big success, according to Lighthouse Museum board president Chris Manaseri.

“Anne has done her homework to investigate more about some of the local shipwrecks on Lake Ontario over the years, and has constructed a short story featuring the widow of a lost crew member on a steamboat that sank near Point Breeze,” Manaseri said.

Martin portrays the lost sailor’s widow in narrating the story to visitors. A few other board members also play roles to make the story come to life, Manaseri said.

“She’s done a very clever job of incorporating actual local history with the lighthouse and the ‘spirit’ of Halloween, spiced with a little humor as well,” he said. “It’s actually one more creative way to interpret local history through the lighthouse, one of the major missions in which we are involved. We wanted to create a safe venue where families with young children could do something together in the community around Halloween.”

Martin said she knew the Lighthouse board was looking for a new fundraiser and she thought it might be a creative way to drum up donations and, of course, more interest in the little neighborhood lighthouse.

“I read Jim Kennard’s book Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario and found it so fascinating,” Martin said. “I found the wreck of the Samuel F. Hodge and the Ontario, both located just off Point Breeze. I have some community theater experience and put it to use creating the story line and acting. I’m also a self-confessed Halloween freak and used to decorate my home in Indiana for Halloween prior to our move here three years ago, so I had a lot of Halloween decorations just sitting in my attic. We have no trick or treating in our isolated neighborhood, so this was a terrific outlet for me on both counts.”

Martin plays the role of the wife of Martin Deeley, the only fatality on the Samuel F. Hodge,  and the commander of the Ontario, where all 120 lives were lost. She also gives a nod to the original lighthouse keeper, John Kelly.

“My character Eileen Deeley, is creative license, but the stories I tell to visitors about the three gentlemen are historically accurate,” Martin said. “And I do work a sighting of the Lake Ontario serpent into the story, which was also creative license.”

The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Cider and donuts will be offered and the lighthouse will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“This gives the lighthouse one last hurrah for donation opportunities before we close it for the winter,” Manaseri said.

He said they will have a large tent to protect visitors against rain or wind, which can be brisk at Point Breeze. They keep the event to the early hours for young children and families.

Press Release, Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon

YATES – The Town of Yates cancelled the Oct. 12 Town Board meeting, and apologizes to those who arrived and planned to attend the meeting.

It is rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.

The public is advised that the Yates Town Board plans to vote on a resolution to approve the tentative budget for 2024 at the Oct. 18 meeting.  If the resolution passes, then the tentative budget becomes the preliminary budget for 2024 and will be subject to a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, at the Town Hall.

Photo by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – A kitchen fire in a mobile home resulted in extensive water and smoke damage to a mobile home owned by Terry Brooks at 14975 Roosevelt Highway.

Brooks said she moved a gas stove and was cleaning around it when she noticed flames. She promptly left and was able to get her dog “Raisin” out of the house. Raisin is a Pembroke Welsch Corgi. Her cat also scampered safely out of the home.

Brooks said she expects she will stay with her son in the short-term.

Andrew Niederhofer, Carlton’s assistant fire chief, said the fire was limited to the kitchen but there is smoke and water damage in the structure.

Firefighters were dispatched to the site at 3:06 p.m. Carlton was joined by Kendall, Albion and Medina firefighters in responding to the call.

BARRE – The Barre Town Board has been working to bring public water to three roads where the wells often run dry, have sulfur water or other harmful micro-organisms.

The town was able to line up resident support and financing for the project. It was slated to be constructed in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic scuttled those plans.

Barre has pushed again this year to revive Water District No. 10. The project includes about 40 dwelling units and covers 23,350 linear feet or about 4 1/2 miles on Angevine, McNamar and Transit roads.

The town sought bids this spring and construction cost has doubled, presenting a big challenge for the Town Board and the property owners in the district.

Some of the landowners who backed the project before say it is now too expensive. Barre officials estimate they need at least 20 to 21 of the property owners to give their approval. Town Board member George McKenna went door to door recently asking those residents if they still back the project. He said he got 15 “yes” answers and 15 against it. He wants to hear from everyone in the district before the town moves forward.

“If we don’t have a clear majority, which we don’t, how do we justify this?” McKenna said during Wednesday’s Town Board meeting.

Town Supervisor Sean Pogue agreed the project has become very costly. He worries the construction prices would only go up if Barre delayed on the project and tried again for new bids.

The water district was estimated to cost $1,101,000 before Covid in 2020, but is now estimated at $2,125,000.

The annual debt payments would be $1,086.26 over 38 years for each full dwelling unit, about double the amount before construction costs soared. Each water user can also expect to pay about $400 annual for their water bills, on top of the debt service payment.

Town Board member Kerri Richardson said those annual water expenses are too much for many in the district.

“We don’t want to inflict a financial hardship on our residents for something they can’t afford,” Richardson said.

She said many senior citizens on fixed incomes have expressed their concern about the financial impact of the project, which is a 38-year annual commitment.

Town Board member Dave Waters also said the rising costs are alarming to many of the residents. He said some younger families especially want access to public water, and may not move into that area without it.

Before Barre makes a decision, whether to accept the construction bid for the project or hold off, it wants to hear from all of the landowners in the proposed district. The town officials will try to contact every one of them to get their opinion, and make sure they understand the full financial impact of going forward.

McKenna said he feels for residents with poor water quality or not enough water. Many of them pay more than $500 a year to operate and maintain their well water systems.

The proposed district includes 14,500 linear feet of 8-inch water main on Angevine Road between Oak Orchard Road and East Barre Road; 5,250 feet on McNamar Road between Angevine Road and Transit Road; and 3,600 feet on Transit Road between McNamar Road and Mansfield Road.

If the project is stymied, Barre might be able to serve Transit Road in a joint project with Clarendon, or cut out some of the fire hydrants at $7,700 apiece. The town might also be able to find more grant money for the project, McKenna said.

Bridget O’Toole, the Barre town attorney, urged the board to not scrap the project and do a redesign yet.

She thinks further delaying the work and hoping to trim some costs could prove “to be a penny wise and a pound foolish,” ultimately leading to even more expense.

Town Board considers ethics policy for officials, employees

SHELBY – The Town Board is being encouraged to insert a clause in a code of ethics policy that would forbid members of the local Republican Committee from also serving on the Town Board or other elected positions in the town.

Jim Heminway spoke during a Tuesday public hearing at the Town Hall and said the local GOP committee has a lot of influence in the town government. If there is a vacancy on the board, the committee makes a recommendation to fill the spot that is typically followed by the Republican-dominated board, Heminway said.

The positions, when up for election, are often without opposition.

“In Shelby if you get an appointment you’ll win an election because there is so little competition,” he said during the hearing about the proposed code of ethics.

The committee also yields power when it doesn’t endorse someone, or withholds an endorsement of an incumbent, Heminway said.

Charlene Pratt, whose husband John is on the Town Board and sister Darlene Rich is the town clerk, said she favors no political committee activity for sitting elected officials.

“If you’re on one you shouldn’t be on the other,” Pratt said.

Joe Root spoke during the hearing and said it difficult to find residents willing to serve in the town government, as well as filling the spots on a political committee.

He urged the board not to ban political involvement for people in elected positions or as appointed town employees.

“There are not enough people to fill the positions now,” Root said at the hearing.

The current proposed code of ethics doesn’t include the stipulation that town employees and elected officials can’t serve on political committees.

Shelby has nearly 5,000 residents. Pratt said there are enough people in town to fill elected and appointed positions in the town government, and also have other people on political committees.

Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz said the Town Board will continue to consider the issue. The ethics policy could be voted on during a November Town Board meeting.

The town has an employee handbook that outlines ethical standards, and there is also a model code of ethics for municipalities to consider from the state comptroller’s office. That model policy (click here) doesn’t include a provision for employees or elected officials to not be on a political committee.

Shelby’s proposed policy includes provisions that people can’t use their position with the town for personal gain or to benefit their families or an organization they are affiliated with.

Municipal resources – money, vehicles, equipment, materials supplies and other property – must only be used for lawful municipal purposes and not for personal or private purposes.

There is also a nepotism provision where municipal officials and employees can not participate in any decision to appoint, hire, promote, discipline or discharge a relative for any position within the municipality, and no supervisor shall oversee a relative.

The policy also prohibits municipal officers or employees from seeking political contributions, whether gifts, money or service from a subordinate employee.

Town employees and elected officials also shall not disclose confidential information unless required by law or in the curse of exercising his or her official powers and duties.

The ethics code also prohibits town employees and officers from soliciting gifts. No gifts shall be accepted with a value exceeding $75 in one year, or if a gift is intended to influence an employee or elected official in exercising their duties.

A gift can include anything of value – money, a service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, or some other item or promise, according to the policy.