By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 July 2023 at 10:48 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Supporters of Albion’s summer recreational program at Bullard Park gathered Friday to issue a request to the community for help in feeding the approximately 100 children who attend every day. From left are John Grillo, village of Albion Recreation director; Jeff Holler, member of Albion’s Masonic Renovation Lodge; Ykeeta Wilson and her husband, pastor Al Wilson with the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries; Nicole Holler; Kyle Webb, member of the Masons; and Annette Finch, Grillo’s sister and volunteer at the program.
ALBION – A group of community members who support Albion’s Summer Recreation Program have joined forces to provide lunches for children attending the program.
John Grillo, Albion’s Recreation director, joined with Pastor Al Wilson from the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries and his wife Ykeeta, Jeff Holler and Kyle Webb from Albion’s Masonic Renovation Lodge and Grillo’s sister Annette Finch in asking anyone in the community to help provide lunches for the children any day from Monday through Friday until the park’s program ends on Aug. 4.
There are 146 children registered for the program so far, with an average daily attendance of 100 the first week, Grillo said.
“Many of these kids got free breakfast and lunch during school, and that was the only meal they had in a day,” Finch said.
Now some of those children go to a refrigerator outside Arnold’s Auto Parts on West Bank and Liberty Street to get food available for free. The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries keeps the refrigerator stocked with food. Valerie Atwell and Vickie Elsenheimer have been in charge of keeping a dozen to 20 bag lunches there every day.
Any church or organization who would like to help with a meal can contact Lisa DeCarlo at Arnold’s Auto Parts.
“My goal is to make this program better every year,” Grillo said about summer recreation in the village.
Finch commended the Wilsons and their Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries for the support they have given the Albion community, along with the Albion Masons, Wendy Rivera (who donated $100 for pizza), and Arnold and Sandy DeCarlo, who also donated $100. Thanks also went to the Goodness Program in Buffalo, who donated drinks and snacks.
Finch contacted Foodlink in Rochester, who donated beverages and snacks.
The volunteers are now trying to collect enough donations to have tacos in a bag for lunch on a Tuesday.
Since starting their ministries in Albion a year and a half ago, Pastor Wilson said they have spent $40,000 on “spreading the love” in Albion. This includes special events and free food at Easter, Christmas, a Halloween “Trunk and Treat” event at the Arnold Gregory complex and continuing efforts to feed the homeless.
“Collaboration is the key,” Ykeeta said. “Our goal is to reach a broader population so we can help all those in need.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation toward food can log on to Cash App/Royal Body Shop or stop at Arnold’s Auto Parts.
Grillo also reminds the public of the Kids’ Carnival scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at Bullard Park. The Masons and Royal Body Shop will be providing free hot dogs, French fries and drinks. Children are welcome from all over the area, he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2023 at 8:21 am
ALBION – The Village of Albion Recreation Department’s tennis camp won’t start today due to wet courts outside Albion High School and the forecast calling for more rain.
There won’t be a tennis camp on Tuesday, the Fourth of July, but the camp will start Wednesday and continue through Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
There is no pre-registration needed for the camp. Walk-up registration will be on Wednesday. An adult doesn’t need to be present for registration, but is encouraged, said John Grillo, the village’s recreation director.
Tennis experience is not required for the camp, which is funded by the U.S. Tennis Association.
Basic tennis skills will be taught to beginners along with tennis drills and low-level tennis competitive match situations. Scoring, rules and regulations will be taught along with tennis strategies, Grillo said.
Experienced tennis players will have an opportunity to drill and play matches throughout the week.
Tennis balls will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their own racquet. However, if players don’t have their own racquet, one will be provided.
This shows an invitation to a July 4th event 175 years ago, which coincidentally, also fell on a Tuesday.
Bonfires and bell-ringing marked the first anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777.
Within a few years, every town and village honored the date with speeches, parades, picnics, bonfires and fireworks.
In 1848, the village of Gaines celebrated Independence Day with a Ball, a dance event held at the Assembly-Room, music provided by Hamilton’s Cotillon Band.
The graphic on this attractive invitation features two mermen, each entwined in ferns, heralding the event. Several different fonts are used in the text.
A cotillon was a group dance popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was a social dance performed by four couples and a forerunner of the square dance. The first and third couples, then the second and fourth couples danced a sequence of geometric figures. It was a lively event, no doubt.
At that time, Gaines was a busy and prosperous settlement. Landmarks of Orleans County noted that in 1835 the village had seventy houses and more than 400 inhabitants.
There were four lawyers, two physicians, one saddler, two tailors, one painter, four blacksmiths, one cabinet maker, three tanneries, three wagon shops, three scythe factories, an ashery, four dry goods stores, two groceries, four shoe shops, two hotels and an academy. No doubt, this invitation was also extended to the residents of the nearby hamlets: Fairhaven, Gaines Basin, Eagle Harbor.
While cotillon dances are no longer in vogue, fireworks have long been a staple of July 4th celebrations. The village of Lyndonville hosts a spectacular show each year. Interestingly, the Medina Tribune, July 11, 1861, reported that a beautiful display of fireworks had been held in Lyndonville “on the anniversary of our National Independence.”
WATERPORT – Students from Brazil, Indonesia, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico last week received certificates for their improvement in English at the World Life Institute Education Center on Stillwater Road. There were about 45 students, family members, and friends who attended the evening ceremony.
Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Continuing Education O/N BOCES, congratulates agricultural students at the World Life Institute Education Center in Waterport.
Orleans/Niagara BOCES offers English and Civics programs in collaboration with the World Life Institute in Waterport. Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Adult Continuing Education of O/N BOCES, congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue taking on new challenges. On hand were ON BOCES Literacy Specialist Susan Diemert and ON BOCES board members Tom Klotzbach and Wayne Wadhams.
Daniel Payan Payan of Plummer Farms Lyndonville shows his certificate of recognition.
There were displays of student work inside the school, including examples of their written work and art projects. PowerPoint presentations were on view in the computer lab. The evening began with a catered meal provided by Mariachi D’Oro restaurant and live music provided by Michael Pavone of Brockport.
Many of the new students work at Intergrow in Albion and other agricultural facilities in Albion, Lyndonville and Waterport.
Julia Stewart-Bittle of Geneseo, right, explains the value of art education while students learn English. Linda Redfield, one of the program’s teachers, is at left.
Julia Stewart-Bittle of Geneseo, representing the CAMPS program of the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, described the value of art activities as part of the learning experience for these students throughout the ON BOCES program period, from July 2022 to June 2023. Thanks to the New York State Council on the Arts funding which provides this art education as well as featuring student artwork in exhibits in several venues.
Lorienda Smith was honored as a volunteer teaching and preparing students for the United States citizenship exam.
Alan Nunez of Plummer Farms addresses the audience in English.
One student, Alan Nunez of Plummer Farms in Lyndonville, spoke to the crowd in English expressing his gratitude and English achievements he experienced in the adult program since February 2023.
Nunez also succeeded in getting his New York State driver’s license with the assistance of instructors in the evening program.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2023 at 1:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Leah Ou played the pipa, a Chinese folk instrument, during a noon concert on Saturday at the Hoag Library.
She performed as part of a new concert series at Hoag this year, featuring many musicians who haven’t performed in Orleans County before.
The pipa has been played for about 2,000 years. Ou in her performances emphasize pride in Chinese musical culture and authenticity of expression.
Leah Ou was born in Chengdu, China, and started her classical training at age 6. She has been performing and teaching professionally for more than a decade. She now lives in Rochester and
has performed in the World Music Concert at Eastman School of Music, the Hidden Garden Concert at George Eastman Museum, an interactive demonstration of the pipa for SUNY Geneseo Musicology students.
The Hoag concerts eries is organized primarily by Jim Doyle, an adult reference librarian at the library. He also has been running Jim’s Guitar Studio for 23 years in Albion, and is a founding member of the Rochester Guitar Club.
Ou’s was the fourth concert in the series. The remaining schedule includes:
Trio Ghidorah: Saturday, August 19, at noon
Sunshine Quan: Saturday, September 23, at noon
Maya Ana Loncar: Saturday, Oct. 14 at noon
Rochester Mandolin Orchestra, Saturday, Nov. 4 at noon
Dr. Lynn McGrath, Saturday, Dec. 9 at noon
The concerts are free to the public with support from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and Friends of Hoag Library.
Growing up I would often hear my father talk about his time in the military. He originally joined the Army in 1948 and was stationed in Germany during The Korean War.
He described his time there as extremely difficult and often dehumanizing so, at the end of his enlistment, he transferred over to the Air Force where he was deployed to France and ran a carpentry shop in Paris. He said it was like night and day as he went from being made to march barefoot in the snow to being treated like a high-class citizen. He loved his time there and would talk about getting espresso at the local cafés and even getting to meet Jimmy Stewart when he and his fellow airmen were used as extras during the landing scene in the movie The Spirit of St. Louis.
For as long as I can remember I had always wanted to go to Paris to experience it like my dad did. I was also interested in exploring my heritage since my father’s family originally came from from France. My last name, LeBaron, is French for “The Virtuous Man”. It can also be translated as “The Macho Man” but I didn’t want to be confused with a certain wrestler from the 1980s.
Anyway, back in 2018 I got my chance to visit the City of Love. While leading a Missions’ Team to work with The Roma in Bulgaria we had to catch a connecting flight in Paris so we decided to extend our layover by a couple of days before heading on to Kyustendil.
In many ways Paris was pretty much what I expected as far as the sights and sounds. We did the typical touristy things like visiting The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame (so thankful to see before it burned), The Louve,and The Arc de Triumph.
We also sampled a lot of the local fare such as street crepes filled with meat, fruit, or the French favorite Nutella. My daughter Ashlyn was with me and tried the French Onion Soup and I think she would agree with me in saying that it didn’t hold a candle to The Village House’s. I did get to sip my espresso in a local café but realized that it was much cheaper to go to Starbucks (yes, you read that right) as a tiny espresso could run $8 or more while a Venti-sized cup at Starbucks was under $4.
A couple things that actually surprised me while staying there. The first was the heat. It was 104 degrees and we had to walk everywhere, and the second was that escargot was nowhere near as gross as I would have expected. As you can see from the pics I struggled putting the snail in my mouth at first but, once I did, the texture resembled that of a portobello mushroom and I rather enjoyed it. My ultimate takeaway was that with was that with enough butter and garlic anything is edible.
It was a short stay but ultimately I was able to connect with my roots, reminisce about my dad’s stay there, share some good memories with my daughter, eat some fantastic food, and check a major thing off of my bucket list. Ironically it still didn’t compare to the time spent in Bulgaria but that’s another story.
I hope this coming Tuesday, July 4th that you all have a great time celebrating the freedoms that so many fought, and continue to fight for and stay safe. See you in 2 weeks!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2023 at 7:50 am
Provided photos
HOLLEY – Holley Police Chief Bob Barton administers the oath of office to Chris Glogowski of Holley last week. Glogowski, a member of the Albion Police Department, is joining the Holley Police Department as a part-time officer.
Chief Barton also swore in two other new part-time officers. A.J. Fisher of Albion (left) and Tony Ardillo of Spencerport are currently in the police academy and are expected to be working in Holley once they graduate in December.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2023 at 11:18 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Luci Taylor-Welch is shown at the probation department office on Friday, her last day of work in the office. Taylor-Welch has been the probation director in Orleans County for 23 ½ years.
ALBION – Luci Taylor-Welch has a heart for the social work profession, wanting to help steer people to a better life, connecting them with services and support.
She also majored in criminal justice and believes consequences are needed for people breaking laws and putting the community in danger.
She found a 35-year career in probation fulfilled both of those passions.
Taylor-Welch is retiring as the probation director in Orleans County. She started with the department as an intern 35 years ago and was a probation officer and served in other roles before becoming interim director in December 1999, and then the permanent director.
Taylor-Welch, a Kendall resident, earned her associate’s criminal justice degree at Genesee Community College and then her bachelor’s in social work at Brockport State College.
“This career has been a mix of criminal justice and social work,” Taylor-Welch said during an interview on Friday, her last day in the office at the Orleans County Public Safety Office. “The first priority is public safety and then rehabilitation as long as it keeps the community safe.”
Taylor-Welch leads a department with a probation supervisor and six probation officers. Sarah Osborne, a probation supervisor, will take over as probation director on July 10.
The department works with about 350 caseloads, who are juveniles who have broken laws, and adult sex offenders, drunken drivers and others who see probation officers, from either once a month to six times a month.
Probation officers do home visits of probationers, and meet with them at the Public Safety Building or talk with them over the phone.
Some of the probationers are not happy about being assigned a probation officer. Some of those people say they weren’t at fault and don’t deserve to be in the criminal justice system, Taylor-Welch said.
People who deny responsibility don’t tend to make much progress while on probation. But others who participate in treatment – either drug and alcohol addiction counseling through GCASA, or domestic violence counseling – can make changes and lead better lives without putting others and themselves at danger, Taylor-Welch said.
“We see many troubled people who come from dysfunctional families,” she said. “Some people are able to rise above – they turn their lives around. They go to treatment. They get a job. They get married.”
Probation tries to work with the people by connecting them to treatment professionals and other services so they can break a cycle of destructive decisions.
“Some of the people are not ready to be helped,” Taylor-Welch said. “You have to recognize you have a problem and need help, and be amenable to that help.”
Probation can seek violations from a judge if people are violating terms of their probation by not going to treatment, by not communicating with probation, and by continuing to use alcohol and drugs.
If the judge determines probation has been violated, the probationer could be sent to jail or prison, or have probation extended with more oversight from the probation department.
If probation is seeking a violation from a judge, the probationer has likely missed many appointments and made many missteps, Taylor-Welch said.
She is a firm believer in consequences, or else people have little motivation to change.
“There has to be accountability,” she said. “People need skin in the game. You can’t do all the work for them. If people aren’t held accountable, it breeds more bad behavior.”
Taylor-Welch said the department has responded to the “Raise the Age” legislation from the state. The state raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. The state used to prosecute 16 and 17-year-olds as adults.
Now they are largely kept out of jails. Some are sent to juvenile detention facilities.
She also noted she has seen juveniles who have broken laws and been in the criminal justice system get on the right track with guidance from teachers, coaches, friends and parents of friends. Sometimes having a job can provide the right direction and motivation, she said.
Taylor-Welch said new “Clean Slate Act” legislation is a concern because it seal prior criminal records after a certain time. She said a person’s criminal history is part of a treatment and supervision plan, especially with drunk drivers and sex offenders.
Taylor-Welch not only is retiring from Orleans County. She is ending a two-year tenure as president of Council of Probation Administrators in NYS, leading an organization of the probation directors from throughout the state.
Taylor-Welch said working in probation is a rewarding career, but she said there is a “cumulative stress” of a job where the workers see the impact of crimes, especially on young children.
Some of the former probationers she worked with have sent her messages, congratulating her on her retirement.
“Several have reached out and said thank you for helping us,” Taylor-Welch said. “It’s been a great career. I’ve had many great mentors and worked with many great people.”
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she has approved a request from the New York State Police to raise the maximum age to apply to become a New York State Trooper from 29 to 34.
The requirement change reinforces Governor Hochul’s commitment to expanding public safety initiatives across New York. In addition to raising the age requirement, earlier this year, the Governor announced more than $66 million in the budget to fund additional New York State Police academy classes and increase the number of New York State Troopers dedicated to addressing serious crime.
“Public safety is my top priority, and the State Police are the tip of the spear in our efforts to combat gun violence and keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said. “By raising the maximum age of new recruits, we are widening the pool of people who can help us with this incredibly important work. After doubling the number of graduating classes from the New York State Police Academy starting next year, this new rule will help the State recruit more Troopers and protect the people of New York.”
The Governor’s plan provides for two additional classes each year allowing for four unprecedented classes annually. This will accelerate the rebuilding of the force and expand the number of troopers dedicated to addressing violent crimes and quality of life issues such as removing illegal guns from the streets and combating the flow of drugs within some of the state’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
State Police has redesigned its recruitment program to reach more potential female and minority candidates. This includes meeting with leaders in communities that are underrepresented within law enforcement, with the goal of building positive long-term relationships. The State Police has also taken the 30X30 pledge and is committed to increasing its percentage of female recruits to 30 percent by 2030. The agency has recruitment teams in each troop to network at events and within neighborhoods.
Candidates can learn about becoming a New York State Trooper and sign up to take the exam at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.
The next Trooper Entrance exam will be held simultaneously with the application process from July 2023 through September 2023, and will be administered online at authorized testing centers to make the exam more accessible. Individuals will be able to apply beginning July 1, and can schedule a time to take the exam as early as July 10.
The State Police has contracted with Pearson VUE, which will offer the Trooper Entrance Exam at 54 testing centers in New York State, more than 280 locations in the United States, and 100 military locations around the world. Candidates can choose where and when they take the exam. The online testing process makes it more convenient and accessible for anyone interested in becoming a trooper.
Minimum Exam Qualifications – US Citizen; 20-34 years of age (The maximum age may be extended one year for each year of full-time active military duty – up to a maximum of 7 years); High school diploma or equivalents; Additional requirements can be found by clicking here.
Salary and benefits – Starting salary: $59,612; After one year: $84,331; Full benefits & retirement.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 July 2023 at 8:54 am
Neil Keirn, engineer on the Falls Road Railroad which goes through Orleans County, was photographed on television during a feature on Wednesday by WKBW-TV’s feature reporter Mike Randall.
Becoming an engineer was the dream of a lifetime for Neil Keirn of Middleport.
And knowing the impact of the railroad on industry in Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties makes the job even more meaningful.
Keirn and the railroad were featured by Mike Randall on WKBW-TV’s Channel 7 on Wednesday.
Keirn is a lifelong Middleport resident who grew up near the railroad and dreamed all his life of becoming an engineer. He watched the trains go by his house, and as he got older began to wonder where they were going and where they had come from. He would go watch the engine switch cars for businesses in his home town, and sometimes he was allowed to ride on the engine.
When he married Medina native, the former Roberta Blount, they bought a home in Middleport close to the railroad. There was an old garage on the property, which Keirn tore down and replaced with a 24’ by 30’ building. The bottom was his shop and the second floor became home to his extensive model train layout.
Keirn had jobs delivering coal for 20 years, then drove truck for Shelby Crushed Stone for five years and put in three years at Home Depot.
He was in his mid 40s when family and friends convinced him he should pursue his dream of becoming an engineer.
“I enjoyed all my jobs and did my best at them, but being an engineer is what I always wanted to do,” Keirn said.
When the late Matt Wronski, general manager of the Falls Road Railroad, asked Keirn if he’d like to go to work for the railroad, he jumped at the chance. Wronski was engineer when the railroad learned the ethanol plant was coming to Medina and they knew they would need more help.
Neil Keirn engineers the train going through Orleans County on Wednesday, while Mike Randall, WKBW TV’s feature reporter, blows the whistle at a crossing. The image was taken from television.
Keirn studied all the manuals, learning air brake and train handling rules.
“When I started actual training, they were surprised at how much I already knew,” Keirn said.
His first day as a trainee on the railroad was Jan. 17, 2007. By March 2, he was promoted to conductor, followed by promotion to student engineer on April 9. On May 11, he became engineer.
“This is what I always wanted to do,” Keirn said.
The Falls Road Railroad is one of five owned by David Monte Verde of Rochester, president; Mike Thomas and John Herbrand. David’s son Charlie oversees operations with Dan Finucane, who is director of operations; Genesee Valley Transportation in Batavia is the parent company, whose other holdings are Depew and Western in Lancaster; the Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern in Utica; and Delaware and Lackawanna in Scranton, Pa. Scranton is the largest and busiest operation, running six to seven days a week on 90 miles of trackage.
Locally, the railroads provide a tremendous benefit to industries, particularly the agricultural industry. The Falls Road Railroad runs two days a week from Lockport to Brockport, serving Rhinehart’s in Middleport, Millennium Roads in Lyndonville, the Western New York Energy’s ethanol plant and Helena Chemical in Medina, Growmark in Knowlesville and Nutrien AG Solutions in Fancher. In Brockport, customers are Bonduelle and Lineage Logistics, located in the former Owens-Illinois glass factory. Three of Owens-Illinois’ customers get rail cars from Falls Road.
At least half a dozen industries are served by GVT in Batavia, in addition to six more customers that transload at GVT’s warehouse in Batavia.
While the working trains are his regular job, Keirn also enjoys engineering excursion trains for the Medina Railroad Museum. This includes an Easter train, Day Out with Thomas, fall foliage trains and Polar Express.
“I practice how smooth I can operate on the excursion trains,” Keirn said. “My goal is to brake smoothly so passengers don’t realize they’ve come to a stop and start slowly so they don’t realize they are moving. I take pride in that.”
Keirn’s final goal is retirement, and he has tentatively set that date for a year and a half, when he will be 67.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 July 2023 at 8:18 am
MEDINA – A 25-year tradition will continue when 650 cyclists arrive in Medina July 9 during the Cycle the Erie Canal event.
Cyclists from all over the United States will start in Buffalo on July 9 and arrive in Medina early afternoon, said Jim Hancock, chair of Medina Tourism, which is planning welcoming events. The cyclists set up at Medina Central School, in what has come to be known as “Tent City.” They depart the next morning and head to Fairport. They will be welcomed at rest stops in Albion and Holley.
In Medina, Hancock and Dawn Borchet, head of Orleans County Tourism, will mark the route for the cyclists from the canal to the school and back. Boy Scout Troop 35 will help unload the trucks carrying the cyclists’ gear.
The event is coordinated locally by the village’s Tourism Committee, Medina Central School District and the state’s Parks and Recreation Department. The Village Tourism Committee members will man an informational booth to answer questions and offer assistance. Local businesses, such as Della’s Chocolates and Case-Nic Cookies, will be on site to offer their goodies.
Massage therapist Mike Webster will be on hand to provide relief to weary cyclists.
“While the cyclists are in Medina, the village’s Tourism Committee provides a variety of activities to showcase our beautiful village,” Hancock said.
This includes a shuttle bus to transport cyclists downtown and around to different highpoints and the downtown business district. This includes the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame, the Visitor’s Center, Medina Historical Society, Canal Basin and State Street Park for the Who Dats concert. An employee from Author’s Note will be on hand to make books available at the school, and will have their store open on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Also new this year, North Star Cruises will have cruises on the canal from noon to 8 p.m. Cruises are one hour long and will begin on the hour. Cost is $25 per person. Anyone can call (716) 514-9378 to make a reservation.
A concert in the park will take place at the pavilion in State Street Park, featuring “The Who Dats” from 4 to 6 p.m. The general public is also invited to attend.
Zambistro’s catering will provide dinner and a send-off breakfast to all cyclists.
At 7 p.m. music will be provided on campus for the cyclists by Dave Stockton’s “Loose Change.”
This event is made successful year after year due to efforts by the Medina Central School District and Medina Tourism Committee, Hancock said.
Cyclists participating in Cycle the Canal will arrive in Buffalo on July 8, where they will be treated to a ride downtown and Niagara Falls, wine tasting, music and a speech by Craig Williams on “Erie Canal History.” The trip ends in Albany on July 16.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2023 at 6:13 pm
MEDINA – A new kiosk that will highlight attractions and services in Medina should be in place later this summer by the Canal Basin.
The Orleans County YMCA is using a $10,000 grant to pay for most of the cost. Takeform in Medina is designing and making the kiosk.
Several members of Medina’s Tourism Committee attended the Village Board meeting on Monday to provide an update on the project.
The central part of the kiosk will include a map of Medina and the surrounding area in the 14103 zip code. That central part will have a lighted panel to be visible at night. There will be eight flanking panels, with four in a dark blue background and the other four in light blue.
“It’s really going to be quite impressive,” said Jim Hancock, chairman of the committee.
The committee is working with Takeform to finalize the panels and have the kiosk installed likely near the end of August, Hancock said.
Rendering by Takeform: The kiosk will include a map of the Medina community in the 14103 zip code and then the 8 flanking panels.
The panels will highlight the history and development of the village, exploring the Great Outdoors (the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, canal trails, the Bluebird Trail, Glenwood Lake, village parks), the Erie Canal, cultural attractions (Medina Railroad Museum, local architecture, performing arts), culinary options (restaurants, farmers’ markets, familiar fast foods and places to get a drink).
Other panels will highlight community and local government services, and community events and festivals during all four seasons.
The panels will have a laminate that will be graffiti resistant. The panels can be updated and swapped out in the future.
“It’s information that residents and visitors would find of value,” Hancock said.
There will also be QR codes on the display to direct people to the Orleans County Tourism website with current information and a longer list of events and activities in the Medina community.
A three-day state health advisory for air quality in Orleans County and across the state will end at midnight.
In Orleans County, the state Department of health and Department of Environmental Conservation have been in the “Unhealthy” category, according to the Air Quality Index.
That index had Albion at 174 at 5 p.m. today, which is in the “Unhealthy” range. On Saturday, the AQI is forecast to drop to the moderate level between 50 and 99 AQI.
The air quality has been unhealthy the past three days due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires.
“As we prepare to celebrate this holiday weekend, New Yorkers should continue to check the latest air quality in their region before heading outside,” Governor Hochul said in a press release this afternoon. “We remain committed to protecting public health and will continue to update New Yorkers to help everyone stay safe outdoors as conditions continue to change.”
The smoke plume is expected to be gradually pushed from southwest to northeast Friday night into Saturday.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that civil service exam application fees are now waived for all New York State civil service exams, beginning on July 1, 2023 through December 2025.
The removal of fees for all state exams was one of several actions included in the FY 2024 Budget to help modernize New York’s public workforce.
“As our state continues to grapple with an affordability crisis, civil service exam fees place yet another burden on New Yorkers – particularly the passionate New Yorkers seeking meaningful careers in state service,” Governor Hochul said. “By waiving these fees, my administration is standing by its commitment to modernizing New York’s workforce and lowering barriers to ensure that our civil servants reflect the rich diversity of our state.”
Civil service exam fees can serve as a substantial barrier to entering public service, particularly for candidates from traditionally marginalized communities. While fee waivers previously existed for veterans, as well as individuals that are unemployed or receiving public assistance, the majority of test-takers were required to pay an exam fee.
The removal of exam application fees for state civil service exams is one of several actions taken as part of the FY 2024 Budget to modernize New York’s public workforce and streamline government operations.
Additional actions include offering civil service exams on an ongoing basis at 12 state-operated testing centers to be established across the state and expanding the state’s existing 55-B hiring program to increase job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Together, these actions reaffirm the Governor’s commitment to making government work better for New Yorkers.
The Governor also recently announced thousands of state jobs are open and available for immediate hiring in the health and human services fields across ten state agencies as part of the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Program to help address the statewide workforce shortage in critical health and safety titles across state government.
To learn more about working for the State of New York and how to take the next step in pursuing a rewarding career in public service, please visit the Department of Civil Service website.
MEDINA – Starting July 1st, the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will go completely fine-free. We eliminated late fines on children’s items two years ago. Now we are eliminating late fines on all our materials. Additionally, we will be eliminating all previously existing fines. Lost and damaged fees will still be charged.
Borrowers are still responsible for returning items in a timely manner. Reminder emails, calls, or postcards will still be used to ensure items are returned. After 28 days, any unreturned materials will be marked lost and the borrower charged the full replacement cost. If materials are marked lost and then returned, the replacement charge will be removed.
“Several libraries in Niagara and Genesee counties have already eliminated late fines and we are excited to do the same,” said Lee-Whedon Director Kristine Mostyn. “Studies have shown the exclusionary impacts of late fines and that they have no impact on the rate of unreturned materials. Eliminating late fines will provide equitable access to our services and aligns with our mission.”
Anyone with questions can contact the library at 585-798-3430.
By Randy LeBaron
