By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2023 at 7:52 am
Stacey Kirby Steward has completed several projects at library
Photos by Tom Rivers: Stacey Kirby Steward was up high on scaffolding in the Hoag Library on June 20, 2020, working on a mural of three swans flying over the countryside in Albion.
ALBION – Stacey Kirby Steward’s artwork has been a part of Hoag Library since it opened on July 7, 2012.
On Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m., the library will host a reception to celebrate Steward’s artwork and give the public a chance to meet the artist, an Albion native who lives in Spencerport.
Stacey Kirby Steward designed a stained-glass window for the library with a swan.
Her first project was designing a stained-glass window featuring a swan, a gift to the new library from Bill Lattin. The window paid homage to the public library’s first 112 years as the Swan Library, in a former mansion.
The library moved into the new 14,600-square-foot building just over a decade ago. The building is about 2.5 times the size of the former Swan site. It has lots of room for art, and Steward has filled some of those spaces.
In June 2020, she completed a 23-foot-long mural in the Curtis Room at Hoag Library. The library’s main meeting room displays the large painting of three swans soaring over the Albion countryside with the Gaines Basin Road bridge in the background.
The family of the late Marion Moore paid the artist fee for the mural of the swans in flight over Albion. Moore served as director of the Swan Library from 1961 to 1973.
Besides the three swans flying over the Erie Canal, the painting also highlights the farm fields, Lake Ontario and a cobblestone schoolhouse. Steward used a drone to get aerial views of Albion, looking down on the area near the Gaines Basin Road canal bridge.
In her latest project, Kirby painted six paintings of different animals reading well-known books. She showed the animals in their environment, reading the books for inspiration. There are raccoons consulting a cookbook while making a concoction of soup, for example. In another painting, a skunk reads Dale Carnegie’s self-improvement book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
A grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) funded the project.
Hoag Library executive director Betty Sue Miller, left, and Stacey Kirby Steward last week hold her painting of a beaver building a dam. The beaver consults “Cathedral” by David Macaulay. In this critically acclaimed book, Macaulay uses pen and ink drawings to show the construction of a great medieval cathedral, the imaginary Cathedral of Chutreaux. It is one of six new paintings created by Steward at the library.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 February 2023 at 11:11 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health celebrated a milestone Thursday in the life of a patient at Medina Memorial Hospital.
Harold “Nick” Nickson was born Feb. 9, 1923 in Preston, England. Upon learning it was his birthday, the nursing team at the hospital’s patient care unit picked up balloons to help him celebrate.
Harold “Nick” Nickson celebrated his 100th birthday at Medina Memorial Hospital with his wife Linda, left, and daughter-in-law Becky.
He is a British veteran who served in the Navy during World War II. He moved to the United States around the age of 35.
“I loved America because the people were always so kind and good to me,” Nickson said.
He would later meet his wife, Linda, who he worked with at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. They were married in 1985.
Nick was also an avid soccer “football” player, something he enjoyed until he turned 50. He played in the UK, Boston, California, Mexico and New York. In addition to his career, he was part of the Bedford Hills Fire Department.
Nick and Linda moved to the Medina area to be closer to family, especially their daughter-in-law Becky. Becky and Linda described Nick as a “kind man who never asked for anything in return – a true gem.”
Amanda Luckman from Orleans Community Health asked Nick what it took to reach 100 years of age. He replied, “To be with the one you love and the one who loves you.”
“I just hope if I make it to 80 I look as young as Nick does at 100,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health.
Provided photo from GLOW With Your Hands: dan Ireland, president of the United Memorial Medical center in Batavia, speaks during a news conference today at GCC about the upcoming healthcare exploration event.
BATAVIA – The success of GLOW With Your Hands in workforce recruitment in the manufacturing sector and the urgent workforce need for healthcare providers has once again brought businesses, educational organizations, and economic development agencies from across the region to collaborate to provide an incredible opportunity for GLOW region students to learn about the careers in their own backyard in the healthcare sector.
Approximately 600 students in grades 8-12 from 28 schools will gather at Genesee Community College on March 24 to connect with various healthcare businesses and organizations to learn about the multitude of gratifying jobs in healthcare and science-related fields throughout the GLOW region.
“Our collaboration once again focuses on supplying GLOW region employers with the resources that will facilitate the ongoing development of our future healthcare workforce,” said Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance Director and Co-Chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “We are very excited to provide another hands-on career exploration experience for students across the GLOW region.”
Healthcare is an essential component of the regional economy as evidenced by various developments and expansions across the GLOW area. GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare will provide the healthcare sector with the opportunity to meet and recruit its future workforce as these projects are completed and start operations.
“The GLOW region gives United Memorial Medical Center access to an educated, well-trained workforce because of our partners in the private sector, which is why we continue to make significant investments in the area,” said Dan Ireland, president of United Memorial Medical Center. “These investments will create hundreds of new jobs and we need the next generation of workforce candidates to fill them.”
“We are all aware of the current challenges in the healthcare sector, especially in rural areas such as the GLOW region,” said Angela Grouse, Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Area Chamber and Co-Chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “Our goal is to showcase local healthcare organizations and businesses to our students as they plan to start their careers so they can be a part of the workforce solution.”
“We are always trying to find new strategies and services that prepare our students to enter the workforce upon graduation,” said Justin Dueppengiesser, Executive Director, Wyoming County Business Education Council. “The GLOW region is special because we have so many organizations working together that passionately want to find job and career opportunities for our youth to keep them here.”
Students will also have the opportunity to interact with colleges, universities, and secondary and post-secondary training programs to learn about the career pathways offered through these academic institutions.
“It means so much to our GCC community, as not only do students get to interact with local healthcare organizations to learn about different careers, but this also gives us a chance to expose GLOW region students to affordable options available at our college that can lead to good-paying careers in the healthcare sector,” said Maureen Welch, Director of Respiratory Care at Genesee Community College.
Various healthcare businesses and organizations have demonstrated their appreciation of the value of this event with generous support including: ESL Federal Credit Union, Livingston County Area Chamber Of Commerce: Education to Employment, Wyoming County Community Health Services Skilled Nursing Facility, Rochester Regional Health, M & T Bank, UR Medicine | Noyes Health, Workforce Development Institute, Lifetime Assistance, Blossom Modern Home Care Solutions, Batavia Downs, Episcopal Senior Life Communities, VNA of WNY, and the Iroquois Job Corps.
There are still sponsorship opportunities for the March 24th event at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) levels.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2023 at 3:58 pm
Flowers, murals would help soften blighting effect from jail
ALBION – What were they thinking? In 1970 the leaders of the county government put up perhaps the most unsightly building in these parts, and they put it in the heart of the Courthouse Square – some of our best real estate.
The Orleans County Jail, a concrete monstrosity, sits on the Square with the County Courthouse, the Clerks’ Building, seven churches, the U.S. Post Office, the former Swan Library and other impressive sites. The Courthouse Square with its 34 buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Courthouse Square represents the best of the community’s creativity, wealth and ambition in the 1850s to early 1900s. We were a community daring to dream big back then. For example, the Presbyterian Church, with a steeple reaching 175 feet high, is the tallest building in the county. It was built in 1874.
This photo from a drone was taken in February 2017 by Elliott Neidert. It shows some of the Courthouse Square, including the county jail in the lower left.
But, about 100 years later, the county leaders put a giant turd among our best buildings. No effort was made to fit in with the other neighboring structures. We didn’t need an opulent jail. But the county couldn’t have missed the mark more with this building. They put a blight on the landscape with a building that resembles a big boring box.
The Courthouse Square is an amazing achievement by the residents in the 19th Century. Buildings constructed with flourishes – columns, arches, even a dome. There are 43 Tiffany stained-glass windows at one church and a large rose window at another facing Main Street. The folks back then didn’t do the cheapest thing or most cost-effective possible. And they didn’t build with a “sameness” that is so typical in small towns and suburbs today.
Photo from Orleans County Department of History: The previous county jail was built in 1903 out of Medina Sandstone and was demolished for a new jail in 1970.
The jail was done in an architectural style dismissively called “brutalism” by former County Historian Bill Lattin.
In retrospect, the county leaders would have better served the community by keeping the jail built in 1903 from Medina Sandstone. It could have been repurposed as an administrative office for the Sheriff’s Department, or other county offices. The new ugly jail could have been built elsewhere in Albion – away from the masses.
Yes, it is terrible. But what can we do to make it better, to give something back to the Courthouse Square, to not be such a scourge?
I would suggest at the minimum some landscaping with flowers, bushes, shrubs or small trees on front side of the building facing Platt Street, especially on the north half closer to State Street. The other half of the building closer to Park Street has a few small trees, but that side could use an uplift as well. I would mobilize the master gardeners and have them work some of their magic.
I’m a big fan of public art and I think murals would make a dramatic difference on this building. There are long walls of concrete on the first floor of the building. Two long murals on each side would make the site far less depressing and soul-crushing. Or it might be better to have four or five smaller murals rather than two long ones.
Photo by Tom Rivers: These fruit trees are in blossom in the spring of 2018 at Watt Farms in Albion. A mural of an orchard in bloom would enliven the exterior of the county jail.
There could be an Erie Canal theme on the one side. I would suggest a tugboat with a lift bridge in the background. The other long mural could be an agricultural scene. You can’t go wrong showing fruit trees in blossom. The murals would highlight part of the Albion landscape.
The county should seek proposals from the artist community. They may have better ideas on how to make the building better blend in with a historic district and not stick out like such a sore thumb.
The county will officially be 200 years old in 2025. These murals could be part of a bicentennial celebration.
The residents from more than a century ago embraced creativity and wanted the buildings to inspire the community. It’s not too late for the jail to give off some positivity.
Dr. Jeffery Kelly, a 1978 Medina graduate, won a prestigious award for his work in chemistry. (Photo from Scripps Research)
LA JOLLA, CA — Jeffery Kelly, PhD, the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, has been awarded the distinguished 2023 Wolf Prize in Chemistry.
The honor recognizes Kelly’s research developing therapeutic strategies that amend misfolded proteins that toxically aggregate in the body—a hallmark of many severe diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Kelly shares this award with Chuan He, PhD, University of Chicago, and Hiroaki Suga, PhD, University of Tokyo, for “pioneering discoveries that illuminate the functions and pathological dysfunctions of RNA and proteins and for creating strategies to harness the capabilities of these biopolymers in new ways to ameliorate human diseases.”
“Receiving the Wolf Prize was a genuine surprise and is an immense privilege, especially considering all the incredible scientists who could have been chosen and who have been chosen before me,” Kelly says. “I am grateful to the remarkable scientists who selected me for this award, to numerous gifted trainees in my laboratory for their creative experimental contributions, and to my Scripps Research colleagues for cultivating the discovery culture that has made me a better scientist.”
In the award citation, the Wolf Foundation highlighted Kelly’s work in “developing a new and clinically impactful strategy to ameliorate disease caused by pathological protein aggregation.” Kelly has had a significant impact in understanding how proteins fold, misfold and aggregate in toxic quantities in the blood, the foundation noted, which leads to a host of severe diseases affecting both the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
With these key insights, Kelly and his lab have focused on translating their discoveries into therapies that can help alleviate these conditions. This includes the FDA-approved drug tafamidis (Vyndaqel® and Vyndamax®): a treatment that slows the progression of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (a neurodegenerative disease), and familial and sporadic TTR cardiomyopathy disease (a condition that ultimately causes heart failure).
“Kelly’s foundational research into protein folding homeostasis and novel therapeutic discoveries have made a global impact, which this award helps showcase,” said Peter Schultz, PhD, Scripps Family Chair Professor and President and CEO of Scripps Research. “His pioneering, multifaceted work—which is at the intersection of chemistry, biology and biophysics—has not only transformed the scientific world, but more importantly, has shaped the lives of countless patients.”
Kelly has won numerous additional awards and honors for his groundbreaking research in protein folding mechanics and multi-disciplinary therapeutic strategies. This includes the 2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the 2021 Royal Society Robert Robinson Award in Synthetic Organic Chemistry–SuFEx team, the Edward E. Smissman Award from the American Chemical Society and the 2016 American Institute of Chemists Chemical Pioneer Award, among many others.
Kelly earned his PhD in organic chemistry at the University of North Carolina and went on to Rockefeller University for postdoctoral work. He also graduated from Fredonia in 1982. He joined Scripps Research in 1997 and served as dean of the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences from 2000 to 2008.
“I thank the Wolf Foundation for celebrating humankind’s quest for basic scientific knowledge and for creating an awareness in young people through this award that pursuing fundamental knowledge is fun and wholesomely addictive,” Kelly said.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Kelly is a 1978 graduate of Medina High School. He is the son of Janice Kelly-Mack and the late John W. Kelly. He heads The Kelly Laboratory at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. He was recognized in 2003 in the inaugural group of distinguished alumni at Medina High School.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today introduced the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act. This bill would exempt $3,000 worth of firearms from bankruptcy proceedings, allowing Americans to maintain their Second Amendment rights through tough financial times.
Current bankruptcy law allows debtors to maintain items to support a base quality of life, including a primary residency, car, clothing, household appliances, and even musical instruments.
But there is no current exemption for a firearm that can be used for self-defense, a constitutional right. This important piece of legislation ensures that Americans can keep their firearms to defend themselves, no matter their financial state.
“No American should ever have to sacrifice their constitutional rights because of their financial situation,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Second Amendment is a constitutional right for all Americans, even those experiencing financial hardship. I am honored to lead this important legislation that protects the rights of gun owners everywhere, no matter their financial situation.”
Additional co-sponsors include Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-9), Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), and Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-5).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2023 at 9:35 am
The Erie Canal water levels will again be about a foot lower for the 2023 navigation season, the Canal Corp. announced on Wednesday.
This is for the area between Lock E-30 in Macedon and Locks E-34/35 in Lockport.
This is the second year that levels have been reduced as the Canal Corporation continues to monitor more than 200 known seeps along the canal’s earthen embankments, the Canal Corp. said.
“Levels may vary slightly depending on the location,” the Canal Corp. stated. “The reduced water levels should not impact vessels transiting the canal within the navigation channel but may impact some docks and boat launches.”
In addition, water levels in the Glens Falls Feeder Canal will be approximately two feet lower than historic levels as seeps continue to be monitored there as well.
The Canal Corporation said it monitors and inspects these earthen dams on foot via daily and uses advanced technologies like drones and thermal imaging.
The 199th navigation season opens May 19 and closes Oct. 11.
Press Release, Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center
WARSAW – Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) is excited to announce a federal award in the amount of $497,736 over the course of four years through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA).
R-AHEC will offer no-cost mental health first aid training in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. R-AHEC has been providing the mental health training since last year with funds from Wyoming Foundation and the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. So far, R-AHEC has trained 221 youths and adults.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an international, evidence-based program that teaches people to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist with minor and/or major medical issues, MHFA prepares participants to interact with individuals experiencing mental health challenges and crises. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through reaching out and offering appropriate support.
“Never has it been more important for our communities to talk about mental health and substance use,” says Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which helped bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. in 2008. “This program is breaking down barriers and stigma so that together we can learn how to better support one another. Without mental health, there is no health.”
R-AHEC will offer MHFA to approximately 200 individuals annually through this funding, providing them with the skills and resources they need. Training will be offered to the public and focus on participants from specific groups such as veterans, law enforcement, educators, parents, caregivers, first aid responders and healthcare workforce.
R-AHEC has six partners for this project: Clarity in Allegany County, Spectrum in Wyoming County, and the Departments of Mental Health/Hygiene in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Orleans counties.
“Since taking the Mental Health First Aid training with R-AHEC myself and my staff have utilized the skills we were taught numerous times,” said Jessica Hibbard, Associate Dean of Library and Academic Support Services at Genesee Community College. “Having these skills and knowing how to seek more help if needed give us peace of mind and confidence as we go about our day-to-day, knowing that we have the tools we need should we encounter a mental health challenge or crisis. The instructors were informative and engaging and the curriculum was designed with inclusivity in mind, which was very appreciated. This training should be mandatory for anyone working with the general public.”
95% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they could now identify common Mental Health challenges.
99% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they could now identify common signs and symptoms of Mental Health challenges.
95% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they had a better understanding of worsening signs and symptoms of Mental Health challenges.
97% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they would share the knowledge, skills, and resources presented during this event.
99% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they would be able to use much of what they learned.
If you are interested in more information, taking MHFA training, or partnering to provide the training, please contact Krysta Smith at (585) 786-6278 or via email at ksmith@r-ahec.org.
Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center, Inc. (R-AHEC)’s mission is “to improve health and healthcare through education.” R-AHEC is part of the National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program.
R-AHEC serves a predominately rural 12-county region, headquartered in Warsaw in Wyoming County. Counties include Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. R-AHEC addresses the health needs of its rural and underserved communities by focusing on: Workforce Development, Housing, Education and Health Information Technology Support. For more information, visit R-AHEC’s website at www.r-ahec.org.
Provided photos: Pictured from left include Lion Ken Dunham who sponsored his wife, Barb Dunham, and Jeff and Charlene Smith as new members, and Lion Jim Hancock who sponsored Andrea Walton.
Press Release, Medina Lions Club
MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club inducted four new members during their monthly dinner meeting on Tuesday at the Junior Wilson Sportsman’s Club.
Lion Ken Dunham sponsored his wife, Barb Dunham, and Jeff and Charlene Smith. Lion Jim Hancock sponsored Andrea Walton.
The ceremony was led by Lions District Governor Judy McKnight, and current club President Jim Punch.
Lions Club International is the largest service club organization in the world. The Medina Lions Club was founded in 1935, and has the mission “We Serve.”
Medina Lions members conduct vision screenings in area elementary schools and pre-schools; participate in many community events, some of which are the Parade of Lights and the Community Yard Sale; host the Scarecrow Festival and an annual chicken barbecue; and operate a Medical Loan Closet to meet the medical equipment needs of area residents.
For more information about the Medina Lions Club contact Jim Punch, President at jimppunch@gmail.com.
‘We are going to have a state-of-the-art learning lab. It’s going to be completely transformed.’ – teacher Bill Rakonczay
Provided photo: Bill Rakonczay teaches in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – The Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program has been awarded a $250,000 naming rights grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to upgrade the classroom at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES site.
Once the renovations are completed, it will be one of the premier Career and Technical Education CNC labs in the country, said AME teacher Bill Rakonczay.
“We are thrilled to have received this very generous grant from the Gene Haas Foundation,” he said. “The director of the Gene Haas Foundation, Kathy Looman, encouraged me to apply for the funds because she said she has heard a lot about our program, and from what she saw from our social media accounts. I think that speaks volumes about what we do here.”
The AME program teaches students CNC (Computer Numerical Control) programming, CNC set-up and operation, along with Engineering Principals. They also partner with NASA for their HUNCH program with the students making parts for the stowage lockers that go to the International Space Station.
The HUNCH mission is to empower and inspire students through a Project Based Learning program where high school students learn 21st century skills and have the opportunity to launch their careers through participation in the design and fabrication of real world valued products for NASA.
“Gene Haas Foundation is thrilled to partner with Orleans/Niagara BOCES on this upgrade to their facility,” Looman said. “This naming program is an endorsement of the best CNC programs in the world. This grant was established for the purpose of highlighting those programs in order to raise the standard of Manufacturing Technology programs everywhere. We would like to thank William Rakonczay and the entire team at Orleans/Niagara BOCES for the success it has had as we look forward to the future.”
The upgrades to the classroom will take place over the course of this summer and next year’s classes will be walking into the new Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Lab. “It is a very exciting time for me and for the students,” Rakonczay said. “We are going to have a state-of-the-art learning lab. It’s going to be completely transformed and I know I will be here all summer long to watch that happen. I can’t wait.”
The Gene Haas Foundation has played a very important role in Rakonczay’s program for many years providing scholarships to his students to continue their education. Gene Haas, the sole funder of the foundation bearing his name is the founder and owner of Haas Automation, the largest machine tool builder in the western world.
The foundation was founded by its namesake in 1999, to focus on manufacturing education in the form of scholarships for CNC machinist training. It donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community.
There are over 300,000 manufacturing jobs that are currently unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers. Those numbers continue to grow daily due to retirements.
“I get calls all the time from companies who desperately need machinists,” Rakonczay said. “There are just not enough trained workers out there.”
The AME program at OCTEC has introduced many students to careers in manufacturing and improves the pathway for them to careers thanks to the generosity of many local companies who have donated machines, provided mentors and shadowing opportunities. The Gene Haas grant will help Mr. Rakonczay to attract and educate the next generation of machinists to help populate the workforce.
“I am so grateful to the contributions that this grant and my business/community advisors have made to my classroom and students,” said Rakonczay. “It is going to change the lives of many of our students and make us a top notch facility. We are the first BOCES as well to receive this award. This is just amazing.”
To follow along the journey of the renovations of the lab, follow the OCTEC AME Class on Facebook.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2023 at 2:38 pm
Chart from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
The number of confirmed Covid cases has doubled in Orleans County in the past month. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reports today there were 96 confirmed Covid cases during the week from Feb. 1-7. That compares to 45 on Dec. 28-Jan. 3, 52 on Jan. 4-10, and 41 on Jan. 11-17.
The cases have been trending up in Orleans with 72 from Jan. 18-24 and 84 from Jan. 25-31.
In Genesee County the cases are showing a slight decline from late December and early January. The 67 in the past week compares to 72 from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, 83 from Jan. 4-10, 73 from Jan. 11-17, 60 from Jan. 18-24 and 61 from Jan. 25-31.
Both counties currently are listed at the medium community level by the federal CDC.
The seven-day average for positive tests statewide was at 5.29 percent on Tuesday. Orleans and Genesee are part of the nine-county Finger Lakes Region where the positivity rate is at 6.50 percent. Western New York has the highest rate at 12.48 percent while Long Island is the lowest at 4.02 percent.
Gov. Kathy Hochul urges people to take basic steps to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections that are more common in the winter season.
“I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy,” Hochul said. “Be sure to stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) will be using National Pizza Day on Thursday as an opportunity to show his appreciation for the work of local police departments.
He will be sending pizzas from local shops to numerous departments around his district and will be personally making deliveries to five locations in Batavia and Albion.
The departments to which Hawley will be sending pizzas include:
New York State Police – Albion Station
Albion Village Police Department
Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Batavia Police Department
New York State Police – Troop A Headquarters in Batavia
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2023 at 9:19 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature will take comments during a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Thursday for a redistricting proposal for four legislative districts in the Legislature.
The hearing will be in the legislative chambers at the County Office Building, 14016 Route 31 West in Albion.
The seven-member Legislature has four legislative districts, each with about 10,000 people, and then three at-large or countywide positions.
The four legislative districts are allowed to have up to 5 percent variance in population. But the current districts, without changes, are at 11.7 percent deviation, which is out of compliance with state and federal law.
The county worked with Skyline Demographic Consultants, Inc. to bring the four legislative districts within an acceptably close size.
The county is looking to add part of western Murray to a district that currently is the towns of Albion and Gaines. That gives the Albion-Gaines (District 3) more people and also takes away from District 4 that includes Murray, Kendall and Carlton. The Murray section going to District 3 includes 522 people from Murray’s election district 5.
During the last redistricting about a decade ago, the county added a small part of Shelby to District 2 that included Yates and Ridgeway. This time the county is looking to move more of that area back into District 1, the Shelby-Barre-Clarendon district. That represents a shift of 418 people, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
County officials are pushing to get the boundaries set for the four districts because it is the start of the election cycle with candidates interviewing political party leaders for endorsements. Candidates also will need to get petitions signed to get on the ballot for a primary and the general election.
The county’s population in the 2020 census was 40,343 people. That census block population shows 1,456 incarcerated people at two state prisons in Albion. Those people are not included the county redistricting process for the legislative districts.
County officials are taking out the 1,456 population for the prisons. That number has then been subtracted from the 40,343 in the census and with another small adjustment the total for the county is 38,891 for redistricting. Dividing that by the four legislative districts puts the ideal district at 9,745.
The redistricting changes would move 940 people into different districts, which is 2.4 percent of the population, said Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer.
State law allows a 5 percent deviation. A plus or minus of 2.5 percent from the ideal would be 245 people.
The redistricting proposal puts the deviation at a maximum of 4.2 percent, with District 1 down by 2.02 percent from the ideal and District 3 at 2.22 percent over the ideal.
District 1 with most of Shelby, all of Barre and Clarendon would be 9,548 people, or down 197 people or 2.02 percent from the ideal.
District 2 with Yates, Ridgeway and small portion of Shelby would be 9,725, or 20 fewer than the ideal or under by 0.21 percent.
District 3 with Gaines, Albion and part of western Murray would be a population of 9,961, which is over the ideal by 2.22 percent or 216 people.
District 4 with Carlton, Kendall and most of Murray would total 9,747 people, only 2 more than the ideal or off by just 0.02 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2023 at 8:00 am
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch from 7 p.m. Thursday until 7 a.m. on Friday for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee, Erie and Chautauqua counties.
There will be southwest winds from 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the Weather Service said. “Scattered power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
The highs in the forecast in party sunny and 39 today, showers and 51 on Thursday, cloudy and 40 on Friday and partly sunny and 32 on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2023 at 10:55 pm
President Joe Biden’s 1 hour, 12-minute State of Union address is getting different reactions from the Congressional representatives.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) issued this statement:
“Tonight, President Biden once again tried to take a victory lap despite the endless crises caused by his administration. From the economy to national security, the President has continued to fail this country. The list is endless, but to start, inflation has risen over 13%, 4.5 million illegal aliens have flooded across our Southern Border, and homicides are up 13% since Joe Biden took office.
“Despite Biden’s disastrous presidency, our Republican House Majority is committed to delivering real results for the American people. In the first month that Republicans have been in the Majority, we have fully reopened the Capitol to the American People, voted to defund Biden’s 87,000 new IRS Agents, established a bipartisan Select Committee to hold the Chinese Communist Party Accountable, stood up for the right to life and voted to end unconstitutional and overreaching vaccine mandates.
“Republicans will continue fighting to preserve our self-governing Constitutional Republic and defend our individual rights. We will keep our communities safe, make life more affordable, and make the government more transparent. And we will always hold Joe Biden and the federal bureaucracy accountable to the American people.”
Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25) released the following statement:
“The President outlined a bold agenda that reflects our shared democratic values, and I look forward to continuing our work on behalf of families in our community.
“We know that families across America are struggling, and they’re counting on us to provide support during these challenging times. That’s why my colleagues and I have been working to deliver on the issues that matter most—particularly our successful efforts to lower prescription drug costs, bolster healthcare services veterans, and strengthen the future of our manufacturing economy.
“As we look towards the future, I hope to build upon this progress and continue working to lower costs, improve quality of life, and ensure every American has the ability to not only survive, but thrive. We will continue our efforts to reduce gun violence and strengthen public safety, to protect women’s reproductive healthcare, to expand the Child Tax Credit, and grow our innovation economy to enhance competitiveness with countries like China.
“I am optimistic that over the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities to collaborate with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to find common ground and advance these priorities.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this response:
“The State of the Union is strong, thanks to the leadership of President Biden and the hard work of New Yorkers in Congress like Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries.
“In his address to the nation, President Biden highlighted significant achievements that are making a difference in the lives of all Americans – including New Yorkers: the Inflation Reduction Act is creating green jobs while fighting the climate crisis, the CHIPS and Science Act is attracting growing, innovative companies like Micron, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is helping once-in-a-generation projects like Gateway to move forward.
“There is more work to do in order to make New York and the nation more affordable, more livable and safer. I commend President Biden for highlighting efforts to combat the gun violence crisis, and I look forward to working together with our federal partners to keep New Yorkers safe. President Biden’s focus on the affordability of child care and housing is crucial, as these are significant costs driving affordability issues. The President’s Unity Agenda – including the Cancer Moonshot, and access for mental health care and actions to combat the opioid epidemic – is a bold platform in lockstep with our priorities in New York.
“President Biden is right: America’s best days are ahead of us. With hard work, collaboration and smart investments, we can make the New York dream a reality for all.”
