By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2023 at 10:55 am
A legal challenge from Democrats in Orleans County seeks redistricting of the legislative districts in County Legislature.
Democrats say the districts are out of balance in size and the boundaries need to be modified after some population shifts in the county.
The legal challenge was filed in the State Supreme Court by Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Lewis of Carlton, former party chairwoman Jeanne Crane of Crane, Jonathon Gilman of Kendall, Rev. James Renfrew of Clarendon, Agnes Recco of Lyndonville and Jessica Marciano of Medina.
They name in the lawsuit the Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Majority Leader Don Allport, Minority Leader Fred Miller, Clerk of Legislature Lisa Stenshorn, and County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch.
The county shifted from a former Board of Supervisors among the 10 towns to a seven member Legislature in 1980. There are four districts and three at-large or countywide positions. With the at-large positions, one must live in the east end of the county, another from the central section, and the other from the west end.
Chart from legal filing by Orleans County Democrats.
The four legislative districts are each about 10,000 people, but Democrats say there is too much of a population variance to meet the standard of “one person, one vote” with equal representation among the districts with voting. With some districts larger than other in population, some residents have their influence on the Legislature “minimized or diluted,” the petition alleges.
Democrats say a 10 percent deviation is allowed, but the Orleans legislative districts exceed that.
Democrats in the legal filing note the 2020 census showed a drop of about 2,500 people in the county or a 6 percent reduction since 2010. The two most populous towns in the county both saw declines, but the drop was steeper in Albion compared to Ridgeway. Democrats say that degree of change is just one example of the districts no longer being close to uniform.
The Legislature about a decade ago did tweak two of the districts. The district for the towns of Ridgeway and Yates (represented by Lynne Johnson) was shifted slightly into Shelby to make it closer in population to the other three legislative districts. That gave more people to Yates and Ridgeway, while subtracting some from the district (represented by Bill Eick) that includes that towns of Shelby, Barre and Clarendon.
The Democratic Party leaders contend the districts are gerrymandered, in “favor of one particular party over all others.” There are six Republicans on the Legislature. Fred Miller is the lone Democrat and represents the district that includes the towns of Albion and Gaines. Miller has run unopposed in recent elections without a Republican challenger.
These charts from the Democrats are in a lawsuit saying there is too much variation among the districts.
The Democrats are seeking to have the districts reapportioned to be nearly the same size by population and not have “unacceptably high population deviations between the legislative districts.”
The Democrats, specifically, contend there is a more than 30 percent difference in population, comparing the east side of the county, the central towns and the west end.
The Democrats who filed the lawsuit are represented by the Penberthy Law Group of Buffalo.
County looking to engage company to help determine if redistricting needed
UPDATE at 1:11 p.m.: Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said the county started the process of redistricting, an effort that was not the result of the lawsuit from the Democrats.
The county authorized the Planning Department to enter into an agreement to review the 2020 census data to conform with election law. The agreement was with The Research Foundation of the State University of New York which is connected to SUNY New Paltz and The Benjamin Center, Welch said.
However, the person assigned to the job took another position in Albany and won’t be able to do the redistricting review.
The county on Dec. 14 reached out to CGR, a research firm in Rochester but the company is unable to do the work right away, Welch said
The county is working on an agreement with Skyline Demographics Consultants, Inc. to determine if changes are needed to the legislative districts to be compliant with NYS Election Law, Welch said.
“We are working with Skyline Demographics to adjust the districts which are outside of the 2.5 percent deviation that is allowed by the law,” he said. “A 1 percent change is roughly 100 residents so this new law will require some adjustments between Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4.”
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the issue at a public hearing the near future, he said.
“The timing of this change is dependent upon the scheduling of public hearing, the time required to inform the public of proposed changes and the time petitions are due for the for these districts and if there is agreement in a proposed map,” Welch said in an email. “There are a lot of moving parts to have the final districts in place for an election.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2023 at 9:36 am
Goal: learn about themselves and many facets of the community
Photos by Tom Rivers: Patrick Weissend, a graduate in the 2018 Leadership Orleans class, facilitated the opening retreat on Thursday. Weissend, vice president and branch manager of the Bank of Castile in Medina, was in the debut class of the program and remains active on the steering committee.
LYNDONVILLE – The new class of Leadership Orleans kicked off an opening retreat on Thursday at the White Birch Golf Course.
The 25 class members from agriculture to manufacturing, education to government, small business owners to nonprofit service providers.
Katie Oakes, horticulture educator for the Cooperative extension and U-Pick manager for Lynoaken Farms, said she looks forward to learning more about the county.
They will meet monthly in the coming year, building leadership skills and gaining knowledge, experiences and meeting people from many different sectors in the community.
There have been 123 graduates from the program so far. Some of them have gone on to serve on local government or non-profit boards. The goal of the program was to build up citizen capital and have more informed leaders to help the community face its challenges.
The program receives a stipend from the county, and there are many sponsors of programs throughout the years. The class members also pay tuition to be in Leadership Orleans.
The schedule for this year includes the two-day opening retreat in January, legislative affairs in February, economic & workforce development in March, community health in April, communities & culture in May, outdoor leadership in June, tourism & recreation in July, volunteerism in August, agribusiness in September, education in October, simulated society in November, closing retreat on Dec. 7 and graduation on Dec. 14.
The sixth class is full with 24 members. Skip Helfrich, director of Leadership Orleans since it started, said the program is strong with lots of interest from the community. There are already 15 people who want to be in next year’s class.
Here are the members of the 2023 Leadership Orleans:
Jen Batt, director of community services for Arc GLOW
Julie Berry, author and owner of Author’s Note in Medina
Gabe Bruning, owner of Mountain Mule Ciderhouse
Angela Conway, elemental school principal at Albion Central School
Tracy Cliff, deputy clerk for Orleans County
Carl Creasey, training manager with Claims Recovery Financial Services in Albion
Jesse Cudzilo, executive director at GLOW YMCA in Orleans County
Cass Eagle, store manager and classroom instructor for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
Taylor Gilbert, credit representative with Farm Credit East
Kristin Gross, benefits specialist for Orleans Community Health
John Fitzak, legislator for Orleans County
Shelly Harling, Yates town clerk
Katie Harvey, director of personnel and self insurance for Orleans County
Meg Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation
Dana Joy, clinical supervisor for GCASA
Gwen Large, volunteer and member of Lyndonville Lions Club
Kristy Lindner, senior engineer of quality at Baxter Healthcare
Jamie Lyndaker, director of operations for Genesee Community College in Orleans County
Nellie Moyer, operations manager at Claims Recovery Financial Services
Brian Neal, manager at Orleans Poverty Hill Farms in Albion
Katie Oakes, horticulture educator for Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Sarah Osborne, probation supervisor at Orleans County Probation Department
Michael Restivo, financial advisor for Brighton Securities
Jessica Rockcastle, senior human resources representative at Baxter Healthcare
Elizabeth Tuttle, youth services librarian at Hoag Library in Albion
Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak introduces himself to the class. Fitzak recently retired as a corrections officer and is working to develop a marina on the Erie Canal in Albion, where he owns a bottle redemption center.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 7:18 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Gaines Basin Road canal bridge is reflected in the shallow water of the Erie Canal this afternoon in Albion.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 4 a.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday with 3 to 5 inches in the forecast, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Monroe and Wayne counties.
“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact Friday morning and evening commutes.”
The high temperatures in the forecast in the coming days include 31 on Friday, 34 and sunny on Saturday, 39 and partly sunny on Sunday, and 42 with showers likely on Monday, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 6:57 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – Gary Simboli, a retired Albion chorus teacher and musical director, performed for residents at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation center in Albion on Wednesday.
Simboli performed songs from his show, “Accentuate the Positive.”
“The residents absolutely enjoyed his performance,” said Kristin Bloom, activities director at The Villages. “His message was about positivity and trying to see the positive side of life even when things are rough.”
The Villages hosts live entertainment at least twice a month, Bloom said.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Wednesday voted in favor of H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and H. Con. Res. 3, condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. These pieces of legislation passed the House with a vote of 220-210 and 222-209.
Congresswoman Tenney also spoke today on the House Floor in support of these bills and the compassionate services provided by pro-life pregnancy centers like Compass Care Pregnancy Services, a pro-life pregnancy center in Western New York that was firebombed in June of last year.
“The right to life is among the most basic and fundamental rights of our self-governing Constitutional Republic,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Children born alive from a botched late-term abortion deserve the same medical care as all other newborns, and if someone takes their life, it should be considered murder. This commonsense bill should have passed in a strong bipartisan manner, but instead, Democrats are doubling down on their radical abortion-on-demand agenda, including now by denying living, breathing newborns the right to live. All life is sacred, and I will always advocate for compassionate pro-life policies.”
“Further, while every American has the right to peacefully protest, radical pro-abortion extremists have resorted to committing violence against pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. We must do more to ensure the safety and security of these facilities, which is why I introduced the Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act last Congress. Regardless of one’s views on this issue, I am disappointed that congressional Democrats could not join with us in even condemning this violence by these extremists.”
Strong support for these bills also comes from local pro-life leaders, including Rev. Jim Harden, CEO of the firebombed pro-life medical network in Buffalo.
“Since the illegal leak of the Dobbs decision, Christian pro-life organizations like CompassCare have been under constant and organized attack by pro-abortion terrorists, vilification by pro-abortion politicians, and censorship by big tech,” Harden said. “Meanwhile, the violent crimes against us have gone largely ignored by federal law enforcement, causing the need for us to engage private investigators to find the perpetrators.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 3:12 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Firefighters responded to a smoke-filled house on Ridge Road in the town of Gaines. They were dispatched at 12:04 p.m. to 13242 Ridge Rd., at a home owned by Tammy and Michael Blue.
Their son, Tim Blue, was first on the scene and saved two dogs from thick smoke in the house, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
Tim Blue was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not need to be transported to a hospital, Bourke sad.
Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters arrived on scene and worked with the family to get out the other pets, including four cats, a gecko and two small dragons.
Firefighters responded from Albion, Carlton, Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway. Orleans County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 12:05 pm
Orleans Hub honors a group of “outstanding citizens” each year who make a big difference in the community. The county is fortunate to have many residents who step up to serve others, lead businesses and take on other difficult challenges.
This past year we were particularly impressed by the following for their efforts to make Orleans County a better place to live.
Pastor prioritizes service, bringing together people from many backgrounds
Pastor Al Wilson welcomes 500 kids and their families to an Easter egg hunt on April 9 outside the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion. Wilson and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries led several events last year that served several hundred people.
Pastor Al Wilson and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries in Albion started their community outreach efforts in 2021. A big effort that year was serving 1,000 chicken barbecue dinners for free around Christmas.
In 2022, Wilson and the church upped that to 2,000 free dinners on Dec. 10. Wilson and the church did much more last year. Besides weekly church services on Friday evening at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, Wilson and the church volunteers organized and executed several big outreach efforts.
They started a ministry outside Arnold’s Auto Parts on West Bank Street, where a refrigerator outside Arnold’s that is stocked with food. People are welcome to grab food any day, at any hour. That ministry started in March 2022.
In April, the church organized an Easter egg hunt with 3,000 eggs scattered on the courthouse lawn for 500 children. There were other larger prizes from nine golden tickets. Food also was served.
“While we worship God inside of four walls, he also wants us to be out in the community,” Pastor Al said during the recent chicken barbecue. “It’s all about spreading love and holiday cheer.”
Pastor Al portrayed Santa during other holiday events. He was a very energetic Santa, welcoming children and ending each of those visits by saying, “Go Bills.”
The church has partnered with other groups in the community for the events, including the Masonic Lodge, Arnold’s Auto Parts, the Albion Merchants Association, Hands 4 Hope and Best of Tymes Party Rentals.
Wilson has prayed at community events, offering the invocation and benediction. He attended a session about brainstorming ways to help the community through the closing of the Albion Main Street bridge.
But most of his efforts have been in outreach, bringing joy and food, while promoting fellowship among the residents of the community.
“It’s such a blessing to help meet the needs of the community,” Wilson said on Thanksgiving after serving nearly 200 turkey dinners for free at the Masonic lodge. “It’s bringing the community together of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths.”
Kendall Scarecrow Fest organizer makes event a big annual tradition
Becky Charland is the chair of the planning committee for the Kendall Scarecrow Festival. She is shown on Oct. 1 with a scarecrow with a bow hunting theme. Charland helped start the first scarecrow fest in 2010.
Becky Charland thought a scarecrow fest would be a fun fall activity for the Kendall community. What started in 2010 has turned into a major event.
The scarecrow fest was Oct. 1. It attracted several hundred people, maybe more – no one keeps track of people, including the many who arrive early and stay late.
Charland leads a team of volunteers that have been running the scarecrow fest for over a decade.
Community members decorate their scarecrows in a different theme each year, with “favorite outdoor activity” the theme in 2022. Some of the entries included scarecrows playing baseball, fishing, bow hunting, relaxing by the water and doing other activities.
Charland and the team solicit donations for many activities at the festival. People can build their own scarecrows, paint pumpkins, ride ponies, get their face painted, leap in a bounce house, and enjoy a hay ride.
The band Rebel’s Posse also played country, southern rock and classic rock music at the gazebo while many people enjoyed chicken barbecue dinners.
Charland, a former executive director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, knows how to put on an event that is fun for the community.
Lyndonville native won’t let challenges stop ambitious restoration of 3 Main Street buildings
Robert Smith sees lots of potential for Lyndonville’s Main Street with three storefronts nearly ready.
Robert Smith has worked as a financial advisor for nearly four decades in Palm Springs, Calif. He comes home to Lyndonville frequently to see family and friends, and in recent years to push forward a transformation of three downtown buildings.
That project is nearly complete, and Smith is excited to see how the three available storefronts will help boost his hometown. In the spring, he also expects to have four hotel rooms available in the downtown.
Smith has faced challenges with the project, from Covid restrictions that shut down construction to supply chain issues. Initially, the project called for an overhaul and modernization of four buildings, but one of the sites was torn down after the roof collapsed in February 2020 due to heavy snow and ice. Smith sees the cleared land from the former Pennysaver building as outdoor patio space.
He has created opportunities for entrepreneurs with the project. They can lease a storefront or smaller space as pop-up vendors.
The project makes for a more inviting Main Street. Lyndonville Mayor John Belson praised Smith for working through many of the challenges that threatened to derail the project.
“It’s amazing,” Belson said about the repurposed buildings. “Hopefully it will help bring Lyndonville back. Having it come to fruition is good for the town, village and everybody.”
Teacher, a former wrestling champ, starts Wrestling Academy in former Albion restaurant
Provided photo: Mike Sanders leads a practice at the Albion Wrestling Academy, which meets at the former Apollo Restaurant on Route 31.
A former Sectional wrestling champ from Albion returned to the area in 2018 to work as an English teacher at the middle school. Mike Sanders, 36, taught and coached five years in Florida and five years in Virginia before coming back to Albion.
He credits the sport of wrestling for helping him learn the values of discipline, setting goals and bouncing back from defeats and disappointment. Sanders also was an All-American wrestler at Gannon University in the 133-pound class.
He wanted to start a youth wrestling program in Albion. When he was a kid, he said he benefitted from those programs in Kendall and Holley.
Sanders started a wrestling academy in 2018, with 44 kids using space in one of the high school cafeterias. Twice a week, Sanders and the volunteers moved 90 chairs and 15 tables to set up for practices. The season was abruptly cut short because of Covid-19 restrictions in mid-March 2020.
The second year, the program was based out of Sanders’ garage. He had 35 wrestlers in the academy, coming to his garage from Monday through Friday for training. In 2021, the program in its third season shifted to the Pratt Theater on Main Street with 60 wrestlers.
Last year the academy moved into its own space – the former Apollo Restaurant on Route 31 in Albion. It had been vacant for about 20 years.
The space was available throughout the week, and peaked with 95 wrestlers last year. The kids – boys and girls – are eager to get there for practices. Parents praise Sanders and his team of volunteer coaches for keeping the kids focused with a physical sport, and also for learning strategies mentally.
“I want to give back to them,” Sanders said during an interview in early November. “It’s mental skills and controlling your emotions. It’s showing up every day and facing challenges.”
Sanders juggles the duties of running the academy with his full-time job as a teacher and the varsity wrestling coach for the school district.
“We want to grow the sport and help the kids build the traits needed to be successful in sports, the classroom, and beyond,” Sanders said.
Medina man delivered meals, offered friendship to seniors for 34 years
Photo by Ginny Kropf: David Bogden of Medina is shown in September loading his car with containers of hot and cold food for delivery to Meals on Wheels recipients.
David Bogden for 34 years delivered meals on wheels on a route covering 48 miles. He retired in November. No one else is even close to his 34 years of bringing meals and offering friendship to home-bound seniors in Shelby, West Shelby, part of Ridge Road and in the muck.
“He was here all the time,” said Vicki Havholm, program manager for Meals on Wheels. “The seniors loved him. He was such a good person to come all these years every day.”
Bogden responded to an ad seeking drivers for the program. He was working on the family’s 700-acre farm at the time, milking 72 cows and also hauling fertilizer.
After the cows were milked early in the morning, he decided he could spare a couple of hours around lunch time to help out. His route took him to about a dozen homes.
He delivered more than warm meals from Monday through Friday. He was a steady friend for shut-in seniors.
Bogden and other Meals on Wheels drivers also are a vital contact with the outside world for seniors who are alone or have no relatives in the area.
Bogden has found three clients deceased. Bogden has assisted people who have been confused or fallen.
“He was a godsend after all these years,” Havholm said.
Albion couple leads effort to provide food and fellowship at new ‘OK Kitchen’
Faith Smith and her husband Mike have a desserts ready on June 2, the opening day for the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship. Mrs. Smith led the effort to start the kitchen a new location in 2022. The “OK Kitchen” served 7,000 meals in seven months, with the Smiths delivering many of them to people without transportation.
Faith Smith has served as volunteer director of a community kitchen in Albion for 11 years and counting.
Last year, she partnered with Harvest Christian Fellowship on Route 31 to open the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in a new fellowship hall and new kitchen at the church.
Smith and her husband Michael were determined t make sure the site’s change of address – away from Main Street at the previous location of Christ Church – wouldn’t leave out some of the previous participants, people who might not have transportation to Harvest Chrstian Fellowship.
After meals are served on Thursdays at the “OK Kitchen,” the Smiths take about 100 meals to senior citizens and others who tend to be homebound in their houses or apartments.
The Smiths bring compassion and concern for local residents who are often in tough circumstances.
They have built strong connections with many churches and organizations to donate food to the kitchen and take turns preparing the meals, which totaled about 7,000 in seven months. On most recent Thursdays near the end of 2022, the volunteers served about 250 meals. There were 350 turkey dinners served on Thanksgiving.
The Smiths say they are amazed at home the community steps up. The couple inspires confidence in the givers, and Faith and Michael Smith make it a fun and meaningful time for those who volunteer preparing and serving the meals.
Mrs. Smith has stressed the “Ok Kitchen” is open to all, regardless of their situation. Many of the people who come on site are there mostly for the fellowship, for the chance to sit down and have a meal and conversation with others.
“This is 100 percent community-based, supported by the community,” Mrs. Smith said. “It’s the fellowship kitchen. It’s for everyone.”
Tim Cooper reopens The Walsh, historic landmark in Medina, after 3 years of renovations
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The historic Walsh Hotel at 525 West Ave., Medina, reopened in 2022. (Right) Catherine and Tim Cooper relax in what is now the Tap Room at the renovated Walsh Hotel. Mr. Cooper has spearheaded several ambitious renovations over the years in Medina.
When he’s not doing his main job, Tim Cooper likes to take a derelict property and give it new life. Cooper, a local funeral director for 35 years, has worked on several projects over the years in Medina.
He is drawn to older buildings with a distinct architectural style or neglected sites on verge of being lost. One of his projects brought back a 1947 Medina fire truck, which he now takes to community parades.
Cooper faced down his biggest challenge with The Walsh, a prominent historic bar on West Avenue. He reopened the site this past summer after three years of meticulous renovation giving Medina’s bustling restaurant and bar scene another prime location.
“I had looked at it in December 2018 when Polar Express was running at the Medina Railroad Museum,” Cooper said. “I like to retore old buildings to modern use and living, while incorporating the historic design details that made them distinctive.”
Cooper said The Walsh is a unique bar, restaurant and hotel venue. The site first opened in 1852 when the railroad went through Medina. It has hosted dignitaries over the years, with famous visitors including Babe Ruth in 1920 and Adolph S. Ochs Jr., New York Times publisher, who lunched at the site in 1925.
Cooper remodelled the downstairs, while the upstairs remains a work in progress. He gutted the barroom. He added a window for more light, moved the staircase to the outside of the building, took out a cooler, replaced a rotted section of floor, moved a wall, put a second bar on the north side in a dining room called the O’Brien and Ceallaigh (Irish spelling of Kelly) Tap Room. This room is available to rent for private parties and social gatherings.
He also upgraded the heating and cooling, did lots of painting, maintaining the tin ceiling and tin wainscoting, and making roofing and siding improvements on the outside.
“The Walsh is a survivor,” Cooper said. “It has character. It has survived the decline of the railroad, Prohibition, the Depression and massive social changes. It started out and thrived because of its proximity to the railroad and I think that has come full circle. There are a few more chapters in the Walsh’s history. It is still a landmark – and a feisty, enduring one.”
Hoags keep giving to Albion community
Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay initially gave $25,000 towards the capital campaign for a new public library in Albion, which is Mr. Hoag’s hometown. The couple would boost that donation to $250,000, and when the new building opened in July 2012 it was named in their honor.
The Hoags haven’t stopped giving to library. Their donations have reached $1 million and that allowed the library to pay off its mortgage last year – a decade ahead of schedule. That resulted in a 10 percent library tax cut for property owners in central Orleans County.
The Hoags several times sent in annual checks of about $100,000, $200,000 or $250,000 since the new building opened. Mr. Hoag encouraged library officials to pay down the mortgage.
He never wanted a press release or photo op when he sent in more money.
“Mo” Hoag said in a previous interview that a vibrant public library can be an equalizer for children in his hometown, a community that he said has endured too many business closings.
He grew up in Albion and graduated in 1961 as valedictorian. He lived in big cities throughout the country, as well as Geneva, Switzerland during a successful 30-year career in chemical manufacturing. He and his wife have settled near Baltimore, his wife’s hometown.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoag come to Albion for his class reunions. He helps plan the Class of 1961’s annual get-togethers.
Hoag said Albion was an “ideal place” to grow up in the 1950s. It was “a thriving little town” with industry and small businesses. But many of the food processors, including Hunt’s and Lipton’s, left town decades ago.
The Hoags have also given to the bronze statue in honor of Charles Howard, the Santa Claus School founder. They also fund generous scholarships at $12,500 for students pursuing engineering.
The couple remains a big benefactor, and a big believer in Albion
Jonathan Doherty was tenacious in serving community
Jonathan Doherty, center, of Albion received a “Special Recognition Award” in May 2018 from the Orleans County Legislature. He receives his award from legislators Don Allport, left, and Skip Draper.
Jonathan Doherty was very busy in late April and early May 2022. He helped at community cleanup events, stooping to pick up trash and also helped paint a shed for Community Action.
He was out selling tickets for the upcoming turtle race at the Strawberry Festival in June. In that race, rubber turtles are dumped into the canal and the first five win prizes for their ticket holders. The turtle race is an important fundraiser for the festival.
Doherty was untiring in the many roles where he served the community. He was an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities. He served as president of Self Advocate All Stars, and pushed for better public transportation, especially on weekends and weeknights for people with disabilities.
Doherty died at age 38 on May 5. His loss continues to be deeply felt in the community. He was one of Orleans County’s most active volunteers.
A strong force for good in the community, Jonathan was involved in numerous organizations – the Boy Scouts, Orleans County Historical Association, the Albion Lions Club, Albion Alumni Association, the Self-Advocate All Stars, Albion Strawberry Festival Committee, the Albion Summer Music Festival (Rock the Park) – and others.
“I’m never home,” Doherty said in July 2016 in an Orleans Hub article when he won the Volunteer of the Year in the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. “I like to get out in the community and support the community because I live here. It’s fun to help the different groups.”
Jonathan had a lot of fun in Albion. He joyfully participated in karaoke competitions. He volunteered with a Boy Scout troop in Albion, where he attained scouting’s highest rank of Eagle. An integral part of the Albion landscape, he was often seen walking along Main Street holding a cup of coffee, even in snow storms.
He spoke out at County Legislature meeting in 2010, asking the body to pass an official resolution, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities. The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution.
“He was a quiet leader who had a lot of good things to say,” said Don Colquhoun, the retired executive director of the former Arc of Orleans County. “He was fearless.”
Others stepped up to serve others, celebrate their community
We also want to commend the groups of volunteers who made the food distributions possible throughout the year in Albion, Lyndonville and Medina. Those people who have picked up heavy boxes of food during extreme heat, cold and rain have been outstanding in trying to help other people.
The year of 2022 also saw the return of local festivals, parades and other community events after many were sidelined due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns. We appreciate the volunteers who organize these events, putting in numerous hours coordinating vendors, securing permits with a goal of providing a fun time for the community.
The Town of Yates also celebrated its bicentennial last year and volunteers organized several events to help the town celebrate its 200th anniversary. Those organizers also deserve thanks for helping the Yates community take pride in the big milestone.
‘Vaping is the number one issue we are dealing with’ – GCASA prevention educator
Provided photo: Thomas Forrestel (Medina Junior/Senior High School Dean of Students), Diana Fulcomer (Prevention Educator at GCASA) and Julie Webber (Medina CSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction) promote a vaping awareness program on Jan. 18.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – “A big concern among our educators at the Junior/Senior High School and parents is vaping,” said Julie Webber, Medina’s director of curriculum and instruction.
The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for everyone because it contains nicotine and it is highly addictive. They can also contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
“We saw the problem as being a great opportunity to partner with GCASA and educate parents on the signs their children are vaping,” she said.
Diana Fulcomer, prevention educator with Genesee Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, told Webber she had the perfect interactive program that they could offer to anyone in the community who would like to attend.
“Vaping is the number one issue we are dealing with,” said Fulcomer. “E-cigarettes have been in the US since 2007 and marketed as a safer or better alternative to the traditional cigarette. In 2016, the FDA( Food and Drug Administration) began regulating these products. At that time consumers still thought they were safer than tobacco. That is not the case at all. These companies are targeting our youth, which is easy because we are all enticed by anything that is new and innovative. We still don’t have all the research and the information we have shows that they are dangerous. Not only because of the possible nicotine addiction, but because some students are cannabis vaping as well.”
The community is invited to the Mustang Parent Academy’s Hidden Mischief: Unlock the Vape Mystery from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the Junior/Senior High School Auditorium, located at 2 Mustang Drive in Medina.
This program is designed to create an awareness of current vaping trends and of ways youth conceal these devices or use everyday items for drug use. The interactive youth bedroom will give each participant an opportunity to search and find vaping paraphernalia, devices and drug references.
Each participant will learn how everyday items can be converted to hide or use drugs such as nicotine or marijuana. In addition, it will create an awareness of the possibilities of how easy these items can be purchased over the internet or at local vendors.
Refreshments will be provided free of charge and childcare will be available for ages 4-12 years of age. Transportation can be provided if needed. Call to reserve a spot at 585-798-2700, option 4.
“Prevention is the key,” Fulcomer said. “The more education parents have on the dangers, the better. We will also show how to start an open conversation with your child about this topic.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 January 2023 at 8:06 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Dave Realick, right of Holley, quartermaster of District 7 and past commander of District 7 of the VFW, swears in Abe Zino of Gasport as new District commander at the VFW in Medina on Wednesday noon.
MEDINA – The VFW Lincoln Post in Medina was the setting for the swearing in of District ‘s new commander on Wednesday.
Dave Realick of Holley, quartermaster and past commander of District 7, conducted the ceremony in which Abe Zino of Gasport was sworn in as new commander. He replaces Roger Cordle of Lockport Post 2535, who recently stepped down.
Zino, who was senior vice commander of the district, has been a member of the VFW since 1999. He is also a member of Post 2535 in Lockport.
He joined after serving 28 ½ years in the Navy, retiring as a chief petty officer.
Joining the VFW is a great thing to do, Zino said, noting the fellowship and community service among the veterans.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2023 at 8:53 pm
Mayor Angel Javier Jr. is at left, Trustee Tim McMurray is at right.
ALBION – Three of the trustees on the Albion Village Board voted “no confidence” in Mayor Angel Javier Jr., saying he acted unilaterally in breaching a union contract with Albion police officers.
Trustees Tim McMurray, Zachary Burgess and Chris Barry this evening voted for a “vote of no confidence” and that the mayor be censured. They asked village attorney John Gavenda to see if there are any legal steps that can be taken for the mayor’s removal from office.
Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley didn’t vote with the other three. Mayor Javier, after the meeting, called the vote of no confidence ‘bull s—.”
The three trustees said Javier acted in conduct unbecoming of a mayor by acting on his own accord and breaching the union contract.
Javier reduced officers’ salary by 5 percent after a firm looked over officers’ pay and determined they had received $236,000 in overpayments over five years based on a miscalculation by the village. The officers switched from 40-hour weeks with five 8-hour shifts to 84-hour pay periods every two weeks, with seven 12-hour shifts. That change was intended to help reduce overtime in the police department.
Javier contends the village made a mistake in the officers’ pay rate, dividing the annual salaries by 2,080 hours instead of 2,184 when the new agreement started with the 84-hour pay periods. Using the smaller number of 2,080 hours resulted in higher hourly pay rates.
McMurray doesn’t believe an error was ever made by the village. He faulted Javier for not sitting down with police union leaders and discussing the issue at length before lowering their pay. If the issue had gone to arbitration, McMurray said the village would have lost.
He also faulted Javier for promoting “false narratives” in the media about the issue which created “a hesitant working relationship with the PBA and unwarranted public scrutiny.”
McMurray also said the report from Bonadio Group has been wrongly characterized as an audit when it was “merely a confirmation of information.” But McMurray said the report used the 2,184 hours to determine the hourly rate when the PBA insists it should have been 2,080 hours. A settlement agreement in November between the board and the Police Benevolent Association says the hourly rate will be based on dividing the annual pay by 2,080 hours.
“The mayor has damaged the reputation of the Village Board of Trustees with the public, PBA and other departments within the village resulting in decreased morale and several employees attempting to and or actually leaving their positions as result,” McMurray said in introducing the resolution.
Javier was elected to a four-year term as mayor last March at age 32. He ran under the Republican line and independent “Better Together Albion Strong.” He was the top vote-getter among three candidates.
He said this after the meeting that he was right to raise the issue of overpayments. The Village Board in November settled with the union when it raised other issues that the union said would cost $714,000 for Fair Labor and Standards Act violations.
Javier said he remains committed to the job as mayor and being a good steward of the village tax dollars.
The PBA said the issue cost the village at least $38,000 with $16,000 for the Bonadio Group, $15,000 to make police officers whole and $7,500 to pay for the police officers’ attorneys. McMurray citing those costs as an unnecessary expense.
Ron Vendetti, a former village code enforcement officer, spoke at the meeting and told the board members they should try to get along and work together for the community.
“Everyone needs to settle down a little bit,” Vendetti said. “You look like the federal government with all the infighting.”
LOCKPORT – Two people have been charged with assault after a 2-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after ingesting fentanyl on April 25, Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti said this afternoon.
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive 2-year old male. Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with South Lockport Fire Company and Rapids Volunteer Fire Company responded, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s office.
The child was transported to Eastern Niagara Hospital and the criminal investigation was turned over to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau.
An investigation into the home, parents, and circumstances of the 2-year-old’s cardiac arrest determined that the child ingested fentanyl. The child is receiving treatment and recovering, Filicetti said.
Jaynalyn Smith, 20, was charged on Dec. 15 with first-degree assault and second-degree assault. She was remanded to the Niagara County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Dustin Houghton, 23, on Jan. 9 was charged with second-degree assault and released on $5,000 bail.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2023 at 4:15 pm
ALBION – Three people were sentenced to state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Isaiah Casanova, 22, of Medina was sentenced to a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years in state prison for third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and violating his probation.
Casanova admitted in a previous court appearance that he driving a vehicle in August that had a 9 mm gun in the glove compartment. As a prior convicted felon, he isn’t allowed to have a gun. He also was driving a vehicle with a suspended registration.
Casanova apologized in court today. His attorney Ian Penders asked for leniency for Casanova, who was working a full-time job and in treatment.
“He is a good kid who screwed up,” Penders told the court. “He was on a path to getting his life together.”
Quincy Casanova, 25, of Medina was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years to prison for attempted assault and violation of parole for an incident on Aug. 11 where he stabbed his brother. A second felony offender, he also will have a year of post-release supervision.
Matthew S. Williams, 35, of Batavia was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison for fourth-degree grand larceny. He took about $10,000 worth of truck batteries, radiators and agricultural parts from Torrey Farms.
Nicholas Amos, 43, of Medina was arraigned on five counts of second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He allegedly got in an altercation with five different people on Oct. 9 in Medina and five people were stabbed.
The judge agreed to keep bail at $1,000 in cash or $10,000 bond, which was originally set at the town court.
The judge issued orders of protection for the five victims in the case.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2023 at 12:30 pm
ALBION – The chief operator of the village’s water treatment plant will be recognized by the local chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Adam Rush is receiving the Charles Walter Nichols Award for environmental excellence. It will be presented Jan. 26 during the annual awards banquet for the Genesee Valley chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Rush started working at the village water plant in 2015. He was named provisional chief operator in 2019, with the appointment becoming permanent in October 2020. The water plant treats an average of 1.5 million gallons a day and has a capacity for 3 million gallons. Besides the village, the water goes to the towns of Carlton, Gaines, Murray, Barre and Albion.
The plant completed a biomass boiler system last year that uses wood pellets. The plant will soon have a new fluoride building to keep fluoride separate from the main plant.
Rush and water plant workers also have undertaken a rigorous paint and preservation plan to help preserve and update the aesthetics of the plant.
“I enjoy working in the water industry as it involves many facets of science and business to maintain a quality product at an affordable cost,” Rush said. “I find myself working with the lab director one day staying vigilant with the many ‘emerging contaminants’ in source water to identify and adequately treat the water. The next day I am working with our IT team and CISA to ensure adequate cybersecurity measures are in place to prevent attacks.”
The plant is preparing for another big project with upgrades and expansion of the filtration system, new pumps and other equipment. That should bring the capacity up to 4 million gallons. That excess capacity would be a big asset for the village in recruiting new businesses to the community.
“These many projects require ample knowledge of engineering to review plans and construction projects to ensure we are receiving an acceptable final product that we have the know-how to operate and maintain,” Rush said. “Most importantly, providing water that is potable and of good aesthetic quality at a reasonable price to our friends and family throughout our distribution system is probably the most satisfaction you can get from any career.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2023 at 9:51 am
KENDALL – The Town Board heard from residents and property owners who are in favor or against proposed regulations for short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs and Vrbo.
The board held a public hearing Tuesday evening, with at least 125 people attending the nearly 2-hour meeting in the junior-senior high school auditorium.
Some of the speakers would like to see the town work with short-term rental owners without passing new regulations. The town can regulate the sites through existing codes for property maintenance, noise and garbage pickup, some of the speakers said.
The town is proposing one law that would not allow any new short-term rentals in the waterfront districts north of the Lake Ontario State Parkway. The existing rentals would be grandfathered and allowed to continue. Kendall officials said there are eight to 10 of those rentals in that area.
Town-wide Kendall is proposing an annual $1,000 annual licensing fee with the town for the rentals, and wants to require those property owners to have $3 million liability insurance.
Town of Kendall officials welcome about 125 people to a public hearing on Tuesday night at the school auditorium. Pictured from left include Planning Board Chairman Bruce Newell, Town Councilwoman Barb Flow, Town Councilwoman Margaret Lynn Szozda, Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, attorney Henry Zomerfeld, and Councilman Paul Jennings.
Paul Nau, owner of Lake Runner Charters for the past 37 years, keeps his boat at Bald Eagle Marina and has customers come for charters for 77 days. About 90 percent of his customers are from out of state and they stay in STRs. Nearly all of them are middle age or older. They are just looking to relax, enjoy a getaway by the lake. They patronize local restaurants.
If the short-term rentals close due to higher operating costs, Nau said he will have to relocate to Niagara County.
“Kendall is a beautiful area,” he said. “Bald Eagle is one of the best marinas on the lake.”
The manager of Lures Restaurant at the marina also said the STR regulation would hurt Lures with rents out lodging, making that business even more challenging as it comes off Covid restrictions and staffing shortages.
Jason Manchester of Lomond Shores is president of a homeowners association where residents live among 6 short-term rentals. He said the residents there few complaints about the STRs. Occasionally someone rides a golf cart on the road or is speeding, or a dog gets loose. The issues are resolved among the neighbors, without bringing in the town or law enforcement, Manchester said.
“Be neighborly,” he said. “Talk to your people. We have no issues.”
Josh Brusso of Kenmore Road said the $1,000 fee looked like a “money grab” from the town. He said some of the complaints about transients in the STRs are common among year-round residents, too – speeding, setting off fireworks, trespassing.
He is concerned the regulations would drive up costs for STRs.
“Let’s try to keep it affordable so it isn’t just for elites,” he said.
Lydia Richardson, a deputy town clerk, urged the Town Board to hold off on adopting regulations to give more time for documents about complaints and other issues to be filed with the town. Right now there are petitions submitted for and against the regulations. Richardson said some have accused Town Board members of having a personal stake in the issue because they live near short-term rentals. She wants the town to be protected in case there is a legal challenge about a conflict of interest.
Some of the residents spoke in favor of the law, saying having STRs as neighbors drives up their property insurance costs. They said some of the STRs are loud, especially at night when the homeowners want peace and quiet after working in the city.
“I want a quiet street and not be surrounded by STRs,” one resident said. “I’m worried the whole street will become STRs.”
Several residents said they didn’t think the STRs were allowed on the private one-lane roads. The town code doesn’t allow businesses on those roads, where the residents pool resources to have the roads plowed and maintained. Some of the residents on those roads said having STRs there exposes everyone on the road to liability if a transient resident was hurt in an accident. They could sue the residents about the road’s maintenance, one resident said.
About 20 of the rental owners have joined together to hire an attorney to oppose the town’s proposed regulations. The hearing limited speakers to 3 minutes. So about a dozen property owners took turns reading a response prepared by attorney Steven Barshov of Sive, Paget & Riesel in New York City.
Some of the Town Board members live close to STRs. Those board members should state their conflict of interest and recuse themselves from the town discussion and any voting on the issue, Barshov said.
He said there are several “defects” with the regulations, including conflict with the Kendall Comprehensive Plan and the Kendall, Yates & Carlton Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.
The cottages and second homes in Kendall have been rented out long before “the computer-based marketing platforms of VRBO and Airbnb.” Owners used to use newspapers and more traditional forms of advertising to market the sites, he said.
“Thus, the entire basis of the Proposed Local Laws – that ‘short term rentals’ is something new or novel in Kendall – is utterly false,” Barshov wrote as part of an 8-page letter to the Town Board.
He also said it was “irrational” to single out airbnbs, VRBOs and other short-term rentals and to allow bed and breakfasts because the latter are owner-occupied. Kendall is proposing the short-term rentals have a responsible caretaker on-call if the owner doesn’t live in Kendall. Barshov said that is a reasonable requirement and not objectionable.
Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata presides over a public hearing where speakers were limited to 3 limits. The hearing was delayed about 10 minutes because of a line of people waiting to sign in and get into the school auditorium. About 125 people attended the hearing that lasted about 1 hour, 40 minutes.
The town’s property maintenance codes already address issues with poorly maintained structures and don’t require the regulations for STRs, Barshov said.
The $1,000 annual licensing fee is “absurd,” he said. That fee and the $3 million liability insurance are intended to make people close their STRs or to not consider starting those as businesses, he said.
Barshov questioned other provisions of the regulations, including a limit of two people per sleeping room, sprinkler systems above the second floor of buildings used as STRs, and a ban on parking recreational vehicles, campers, trailers or motor vehicles larger than a 1-ton pickup truck.
“The character of a neighborhood is not destroyed by occupants of short-term rental properties doing exactly what residential property can do,” Barshov wrote. “Again, the requirement is imposed to STRs less attractive to users.”
Barshov also said the Town Board has misstated the issues with STRs, portraying an “STR war zone” that doesn’t exist. There are only a few isolated incidents and none are “malicious,” he said.
“There are no reports of rampant misbehavior or anything like it at STR properties,” he wrote.
The attorney noted that the Orleans County Planning Board was overwhelming in recommending against the regulations last month. He wants more time to get the comments from the board members at that Dec. 22 meeting so they can be included in Kendall’s official record. He urged the town to not rush through the process and hold open the public hearing.
Cammarata, the town supervisor, said comments will be accepted until the close of the business day on Friday. Those comments can be dropped off or submitted to the town clerk.
