LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates began preparations to commemorate their 200th anniversary over a year ago, and now they are very excited to host the first of three celebratory “fairs” to recognize their bicentennial (1822-2022).
On Sunday, the Town will have “A Family Fair” featuring live music from the Lyndonville School band and choir, a number of inspiring songs by a gathering of church choir members from the local churches, and a mix of medleys performed by the Crescendo Barbershop Quartet out of Buffalo.
There will be a bounce house, face painting and sidewalk chalking. Free ice cream will be served while it lasts!
The event will take place outside the Yates Community Library, 15 N. Main St., and it is recommended that folks bring their favorite lawn chair.
Historical artifacts will be on display at the Town Hall throughout the afternoon.
The event will run from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The committee members who put together the 200th celebrations include: Jim Simon (chair), Susan Hrovat (deputy chair), Dawn Metty (town historian), Brad Bentley, Kelly Cousins, Cindy Grabowski, Ginny Hughes, Russ Martino, Cal Stinson, Georgette Stockman, Joanne Suhr, Valerie Wells, Tom Wenhold, and Katie Whipple.
Susan Hrovat, the coordinator for the July 3rd event, is particularly hopeful that local families will attend this kick-off event.
“I am blessed and grateful to have grown up in and to be a part of this wonderful, patriotic farming community, and I am honored to be involved with a great team of volunteers to help celebrate our bicentennial,” she said.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon looks forward to future press releases to highlight the two other major events.
“Please join us to celebrate and honor the rich history of the Town of Yates, to instill community pride in our town, and to inspire future generations,” Simon said. “Our second and third major events are: “A Street Fair” on Friday, August 19th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Lyndonville; and “A Grand Finale Lake Fair” on Saturday, September 24th, 1 to 9 p.m. at the Town Park.
Those students all are active volunteer firefighters
Provided photos: Pictured from left include Lt. Steve Cooley (Medina Fire Department Public Information Officer), Justin McAdoo (Medina), Mike Schultz (Diesel Technology Teacher) and Jennifer Raduns.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Jennifer Raduns wanted to do something to honor the memory of her grandson Liam.
The six-month old baby was beaten by his father in 2016 and later died from his injuries. She shared the heartbreaking story with students at the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers before she handed out scholarships to Justin McAdoo (Medina), Ben Kalbfliesh (Starpoint) and Evan Davis (Niagara Falls).
The students were chosen because they are all actively involved in volunteer fire departments. “I wanted to pay homage to the first responders who tried to save Liam’s life,” says Ms. Raduns. McAdoo graduated from the Diesel Technology Program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center and volunteers with the Ridgeway Fire Department. He wants to be a career firefighter.
Kalbfliesh is a graduate from the EMS program at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center. He is a firefighter and EMT and volunteers with Wendelville Volunteer Fire Department and Tri Community Ambulance.
Davis is a graduate from the EMS program at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center as well. He is a certified EMT and a member of Tri Community Ambulance. All the young men have shown outstanding dedication to their communities.
From left include Lt. Steve Cooley (Medina Fire Department Public Information Officer), Ben Kalbfliesh (Starpoint), Evan Davis (Niagara Falls) and Jennifer Raduns.
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, the county’s STOP-DWI coordinator, announced that local law enforcement agencies will actively participate in the STOP-DWI July 4th Weekend High Visibility Engagement Campaign which runs from July 1-5.
Americans love to celebrate the Fourth of July with family, friends, food and fireworks, but all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation’s roads. The fact is this iconic American holiday is also one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to impaired-driving crashes.
During this campaign, law enforcement agencies and local STOP-DWI programs will collaborate across the state in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.
The sheriff urges people to plan a safe way to get home. They could call a sober friend, family member, taxi or Uber.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2022 at 9:15 am
ALBION – A Medina man was arraigned in Orleans County Court on Wednesday for first-degree assault for allegedly stabbing a person in the chest on May 11 in Medina.
Deante Johnson, 19, was arraigned on two different indictments in court on Wednesday. For the May 11 incident, he also faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree and menacing.
In a separate indictment on April 26, he allegedly brandished knives at a home where the resident had an order of protection from him. He was arraigned for first-degree criminal contempt, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and menacing.
Johnson entered not guilty pleas during the initial court appearance. He is next due back in court on July 20.
Judge Sanford Church set bail at $10,000 cash and $50,000 bond.
In other cases in County Court on Wednesday:
• Dakoda Watson, 23, of Holley was sentenced to six months in the county jail and five years probation. He was violated an order of protection and slashed tires on a vehicle. He was ordered to pay $653 in restitution for the tires.
“I deeply regret everything I’ve done,” Watson told Judge Church during sentencing. “I wish I could take it all back.”
• Matthew Daugherty, 27, of Lockport was sentenced to a year of probation and two years of shock camp for criminal possession of controlled substance in the seventh degree.
• Joshua Rothmund, 37, of Holley appeared on a probation violation. There has been a warrant for his arrest out of Livingston County for four years. Even though he faces a misdemeanor, Judge Church said he would set bail at $2,500 due to Rothmund not appearing to probation for four years.
• Gileyla Arroyo, an incarcerated woman at the Albion Correctional Facility, admitted to trying to have fentanyl and methamphetamine brought into the prison on June 2, 2021.
She pleaded guilty to attempted promoting prison contraband in the first degree and faces up to another 1 ½ to 3 years in prison. She will be sentenced on Sept. 21, 2022.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 June 2022 at 6:57 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Carolyn Wagner, a board member of Orleans County Adult Learning Services, stands near the window of Case-Nic Cookies, where she has set up a basket raffle to benefit the literary organization.
MEDINA – A basket raffle to benefit Orleans County Adult Learning Services will be the first major fundraiser the organization has attempted during more than a decade of service.
OCALS, which receives funding from United Way of Orleans County, is hoping to raise much-needed revenue and create more awareness in the community by holding the basket raffle at Case-Nic Cookies.
“A lot of people still don’t know who we are,” said Carolyn Wagner, a board member of OCALS.
Wagner organized the raffle and is very grateful for the support she has received – from local businesses and individuals.
A total of 44 baskets are on display in Case-Nic’s window and tickets for the raffle can be purchased in the store. There are baskets suitable for children, gardeners and adults with many other interests, as well as a variety of gift certificates.
Like other raffles Case-Nic has participated in, customers buy as many chances as they wish, then indicate the baskets they want to win on a form.
The raffle starts Friday and ends with the winners drawn on July 29. Wagner will call winners on July 30, she said.
OCALS, which was founded to promote literacy in Orleans County, works with the schools, families, young people and adults to improve reading skills. All tutors are volunteers, and more are always needed.
“I know the stigma people endure who can’t read,” Wagner said. “Our services are free and confidential for all ages.”
Wagner said she joined OCALS board because she is passionate about reading.
Recently, OCALS participated in Medina’s Community Yard Sale by having its first ever book sale. Wagner said they sold 1,000 books.
OCALS is accredited by Pro-Literacy, a nationally based literary organization.
Before the pandemic, they were serving 100 individuals a year and providing more than 1,200 units of service.
Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center
BATAVIA – GLOW With Your Hands is on the search for volunteers to help support the day long, hands-on career exploration event for GLOW Region students on September 27.
Launched in 2019, GLOW with Your Hands is an annual hands-on career exploration event in which over 800 middle and high school students from 25 school districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties learn about high-growth and high-demand career opportunities in agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and the skilled trades among others.
Volunteers are needed in all aspects of the event including hard hat and student bag assembly, post-event clean up, table and chair setup, and guiding students throughout the day. Volunteers ensure the event runs smoothly in a timely manner.
“The success of GLOW With Your Hands would not be possible without the help and hard work of our volunteers,” said Jay Lazarony, GLOW Workforce Development Board Executive Director. “Volunteers make the student experience worthwhile, educational, and enjoyable! There are many moving parts to the event, the more people helping us out, the better this day will be for our future generation.”
Annually, the event averages roughly 100 volunteers, with 50 to 75 individuals working directly with the students. Some volunteers will be paired with students individually for assistance. There are several vendors that rely on volunteers to facilitate a positive learning environment to make sure students are having fun and staying safe.
“Volunteers play an important role to encourage students to participate in hands-on career demonstrations and ask employers questions that can help them understand job opportunities in their own backyard,” said GLOW With Your Hands Volunteer Committee leader Karyn Winters. “We are a volunteer-based event, the people involved are invested in the future of GLOW region students and want them to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Volunteers must be at least 18 years or older. Additional information and volunteer applications are available by clicking here: https://www.glowwithyourhands.com/volunteer.
Additionally, GLOW With Your Hands leaders encourage community members to consider joining the program’s organizing committee and sub-committees.
“Our initial volunteers enabled GLOW With Your Hands to become a reality, and we welcome new leaders to support the continued growth of these opportunities,” Lazarony said. “Our organizing committee and sub-committees are always in need of new energy and new ideas as we build the best experience for our youth.”
ALBION – Pat’s Long Bridge Repair, LLC has earned Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition as prescribed by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of vehicle repair and service by means of voluntary testing and certification for automotive repair and service professionals.
To be eligible for this recognition, a company must have 75 percent of its automotive professionals ASE certified. In addition, there must be a certified technician in each area of service offered. To remain in the program, a business must renew each year and confirm their professionals’ certification status.
Pat’s Long Bridge Repair, located in Albion, has been in business since 2015. Patrick and Marissa Olles, and their employee, Lukas Moore, are each ASE certified. The areas of certification include engine repair, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, heating and air conditioning, engine performance, light vehicle diesel engines, and service advisor. The shop also offers NYS inspections, alignments, and tire sales.
“We are so proud of our new status with ASE,” said Marissa Olles. “This is the result of nothing but hard work and countless hours spent learning in the real world. It’s an honor to share this with our customers, and we hope they all recognize how much this means to us.”
Pat’s Long Bridge Repair, LLC is the only public ASE Blue Seal repair facility in a nearly 40-mile vicinity.
“Businesses that have earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition have gone the extra mile in support of their customers,” said Timothy Zilke, ASE President. “Employing ASE-certified professionals is an important element in their overall customer satisfaction program. We salute those businesses who achieve this goal and thank them for helping promote quality automotive repair and service.”
Established in 1972 as a non-profit organization, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a driving force in the transportation industry. As an independent third party, ASE upholds and promotes high standards of service and repair through the assessment, certification and credentialing of current and future industry professionals who possess the essential knowledge and skills to perform with excellence. Today, there are approximately 250,000 Certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit www.ASE.com.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Photo courtesy of DEC: Thomas Russell Jr. of Albion caught this record-setting fish on June 15 at Cayuga Lake in Seneca County.
ALBION – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a new state record for smallmouth bass was set on June 15, opening day for bass harvest season.
Thomas Russell Jr. of Albion reeled in an eight-pound, six-ounce smallmouth bass from Cayuga Lake, Seneca County. Russell’s bass surpassed the previous record by two ounces, a tie between fish caught on Lake Erie in 1995, and in the St. Lawrence River in 2016.
“Smallmouth bass are one of New York’s most popular freshwater sportfish and it’s exciting to share the great news of Mr. Russell’s record-breaking catch,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “New York’s Finger Lakes are truly an angler’s paradise, providing exceptional fishing opportunities for a variety of sportfish.”
Pound for pound, smallmouth bass are considered one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish in New York. When hooked, they will often leap acrobatically out of the water, making them a highly desirable sportfish for anglers to target. They can be found across the state in cooler lakes, rivers and creeks in rocky/gravelly areas.
Mr. Russell submitted details of his winning catch as part of DEC’s Angler Achievement Awards Program, which keeps track of state record fish. Through this program, anglers can enter freshwater fish that meet specific qualifying criteria and receive official recognition of their catch and an embroidered patch commemorating their achievement.
This is the second state record set this year. On May 8, the state record for channel catfish was broken when Bailey Williams of Watertown reeled in a 35-pound, 12-ounce channel catfish from the Black River in Jefferson County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2022 at 9:13 am
6 celebrated for earning American citizenship in program through BOCES, World Life Institute
Photos by Tom Rivers
WATERPORT – Natalia Torres, right, is congratulated for earning her American citizenship. She was part of a recognition ceremony on Tuesday evening at the World Life Institute on Stillwater Road.
Torres is congratulated by WLI director Dr. Linda Redfield Shakoor, and ESL teachers Monica Beck, back left, and Malvy Rivera.
Six WLI students in the past year earned their American citizenship including Torres, Carina Diaz, Paula Hernandez, Damaris Olivaras, Silvia Rosario and Alejandro Marmelojo.
Carina Diaz walks up to be recognized as a new American citizen. WLI has now had 40 students earn their citizenship in the past two decades in a preparation program run through the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
The citizenship ceremonies used to be held in the federal courthouse in Buffalo but they have been cancelled at that location since Covid-19. WLI leaders wanted to recognize the new citizens during the recognition program on Tuesday.
All of WLI students who have taken the citizenship test have passed. No one has ever failed from the program, Redfield said.
“It’s your hard work,” she told the students. “We’re just guiding you.”
The new citizens – Carina Diaz and Natalia Torres – are recognized while Martin Rosario, an American citizen, serves as the flag bearer and holds the American flag.
The group recited the pledge of allegiance and sang, “America the Beautiful.”
World Life Institute and O/N BOCES also presented certificates for “outstanding achievement in English” to students. Most of the students work at local farms and other agricultural businesses. The students recognized on Tuesday are from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Italy and Mexico.
The students were praised for spending about 15 to 20 hours a week learning English while juggling full-time jobs and often young families.
“How they fit it all in is beyond me,” said Deborah Wilson, one of the teachers in the program. “The students are so awesome to keep progressing every year.”
Many of the students have been in the program for several years. Wilson said many couldn’t read or write in English and have advanced to a high school level after a few years.
This trio – Juan Gomez-Ojeda, Jorge Jimenez and Humberto Velasco – was recognized for their achievement in English. The WLI runs several classes at the school. The program draws students from Waterport, Albion, Barker, Oakfield, Batavia and Elba.
Dr. Clark Godshall, BOCES superintendent, commended the group for their commitment to learning. He said “it’s a continuing journey” to keep gaining skills.
“I am most proud of you,” he told the students.
Susan Diemert, a BOCES literacy specialist, has been with the program for more than 20 years. She praised Redfield and the WLI staff for their dedication to the students. Diemert encouraged the group to consider other programs at BOCES, including nursing and any of the building trades.
“It could help you move along in a different direction in life if you so choose,” she said.
The students and new citizens were recognized in an outdoor ceremony next to the school on Stillwater Road. The WLI built the school in 1997. Besides ESL classes, the school hosts art and pottery programs for its students.
Jose Iniguez addresses the students and new citizens. He started as an apple picker at age 15. He remembers back in 1994 when Redfield would come to a labor camp on Densmore Road in Albion, teaching English. Iniguez took her classes, and eventually became an American citizen. He now is co-owner of a large apple farm based on Stillwater Road.
Iniguez, 47, urged the students to keep pushing themselves in advancing their English skills. He encouraged them to follow their dream. For him, the dream has been to be a farmer growing apples.
“Please keep doing this,” he said about taking the English classes. “Don’t stop.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2022 at 8:08 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – Dave Viterna, right, and Marty Hobbs perform “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond as part of the opening concert for the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association’s summer concert series.
The Dave Viterna Group performed blues and classic rock for 2 ½ hours for a crowd of more than 500 people.
The attendance at the concert, are well over 500 people, is a record for an OONA concert, said one of the organizers, Tracy Panczyszyn.
The lineup for the rest of the series includes:
July 5 – The Brick Band performing country, classic rock and patriotic
July 12 – Old Hippies playing nostalgic rock and folk
July 19 – The Who Dats performing dance rock
July 26 – Feedback playing pop, motown and R & B
Aug. 2 – Mr. Mustard performing The Beatles, period
Kathleen Furlong sells 50/50 raffle tickets. OONA was able to give away $600 from the raffles and keep $600 to help pay for the concerts and support other community causes.
There is a $2 admission charge to attend the concerts.
Don Knapp of the Clarendon Lions Club cooks hot dogs. The Lions have been a long-time food vendor at the OONA concerts. There are several other food and beverage vendors at the concerts.
The Clarendon Lions Club teams includes, from left: Tom Persia, Vivian Ward, Kevin Johnson, Don Knapp, Beth Johnson in back, Roger Boynton, Melanie Adams and Randy Robishaw. June Knapp also was part of the Clarendon group on Tuesday evening.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 June 2022 at 10:52 pm
In the primaries for governor today and with nine days of early voting, Kathy Hochul has a big lead among local Democrats and Lee Zeldin topped a Republican field of four candidates in Orleans County.
The results include:
• Governor (Democrat) – Kathy Hochul, 405; Thomas Suozzi, 74; and Jumaane Williams, 40.
• Governor (Republican) – Lee Zeldin, 924; Andrew Giuliani, 465; Rob Astorino, 392; and Harry Wilson, 364.
• Lieutenant Governor (Democrat) – Antonio Delgado, 280; Ana Maria Archila, 92; and Diana Reyna, 86.
• Murray Republican Committee, District 2 (elect 2) – Michael Christopher, 32; Gerald Rightmyer, 25; Daniel Seeler, 10; and Anthony Peone, 7.
• Murray Republican Committee, District 3 (elect 2) – Louise Passarell, 44; Kathleen Case, 37; Kerri Neale, 28.
• Murray Republican Committee, District 6 (elect 2) – Kellie Gregoire, 42; Adam Moore, 35; and David Knapp, 26.
• Yates Republican Committee, District 1 (elect 2) – Roger Wolfe, 79; Russell Martino, 74; and Steven Colon, 22.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 June 2022 at 9:24 pm
Photo contributed: Diana Dudley plays the historic organ at the Cobblestone Church accompanying soloist Maarit Vaga at a prior patriotic service. The service will again take place at 11 a.m. Sunday, followed by a picnic on the museum grounds.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum’s patriotic service this year will have a new twist to it, according to director Doug Farley.
Harkening back to its early roots, the focus will be more on patriotism, featuring patriotic songs, poems and readings designed to make one proud of America and all that it stands for, said Bill Lattin, who has planned the service with Maarit Vaga. The service will begin at 11 a.m.
Lattin said this is the 50th year for the service, which he started in 1971 when he became curator of the Cobblestone Museum. The service was skipped the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lattin said the early services were patriotic with a keynote speaker, but one year the local Congregational Church’s pastor could not preach on Sunday, so suggested the people attend the service at the Cobblestone Church. Eventually three local churches began to participate and it evolved into more of a religious service.
Now Lattin said they decided to go back to the original format.
In addition to a solo by Vaga, Lattin’s granddaughter Phoebe Kirby will play a patriotic song on her guitar and Lattin will play an Edison cylinder record by comedian Cal Stewart on his Edison machine.
“We want people to go home feeling jolly,” Lattin said.
After the patriotic service, attendees will move outdoors to enjoy a good old-fashioned picnic with hotdogs on the grill.
Everyone is asked to bring their own lawn chair and a dish to pass. Hotdogs and beverages will be provided. A free will offering will be received.
The service has been planned by Bill Lattin and Maarit Vaga, while Farley is in charge of the picnic.
Lattin said the Cobblestone Society has had many different programs over the years and they carry on for a while and most fizzle out.
“The Fourth of July patriotic service is the only one that has lasted,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 June 2022 at 12:38 pm
MEDINA – The village will be replacing a deteriorating wooden kiosk display by the Canal Basin with a new sign. The new one will have multiple panels and will have a more modern look.
The Orleans County YMCA is using a $10,000 grant to pay for most of the cost.
The Village Board on Monday approved spending $9,308 for the cost of two displays cabinets and LED lighting, as well as the freight to have it delivered. The board approved that so it can utilize a grant that needed to be spent by the end of June.
The board hasn’t decided yet on the design. There is one option with four panels and another with eight panels.
The village’s Tourism Committee is working with Takeform in Medina on the project. The sign will have an aluminum body and aluminum filler panels. The display will have a urethane paint finish.
This concept would cost $18,500 total and would have four interchangeable panels as well as a map of Medina. It would have a header sign and be illuminated.
This option includes eight display areas with multiple flanking panels. It would be $16,000.
Jim Hancock, chairman of the Tourism Committee, said the money over the $10,000 could be raised with fundraising. Mayor Mike Sidari said the village cannot accept donations directly for the project. An outside entity would need to collect any donations to pay for the costs over the $10,000. That would be $6,000 to $8,500, depending on which option is selected.
Hancock asked that the sign touting Medina attractions be in the spot for the former gazebo. That is up higher from the canal bank and next to the parking area. Hancock thinks it would be seen by more people and be more accessible.
The main sign display would be 4 feet in height by 7 feet wide.
The cost doesn’t include a concrete pad to set the sign on. Hancock asked the village DPW help with that part of the project.
The board members said they will continue to discuss the issue. The board approved part of the sign on Monday so it could utilize the $10,000 grant.
Photo courtesy of Rob Ortt’s office: State Sen. Rob Ortt speaks during a news conference outside the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda on Monday with Congressman Brian Higgins (right), EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia (left) and Chad Staniszewski, acting regional director for DEC.
NORTH TONAWANDA – Niagara County will receive $3.9 million of the more than $250 million in funding recently awarded across the country to 265 communities.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia was joined Monday by U.S. Representative Brian Higgins to highlight the important work to be conducted in Niagara County using part of this funding.
New York communities received about $10.5 of that money, including a $3.9 million grant to Niagara County. The funding is in part from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a total of $1.5 billion to advance environmental justice, spur economic revitalization, and create jobs by cleaning up contaminated, polluted, or hazardous brownfield properties.
EPA will be awarding Niagara County a Revolving Loan Fund grant that supplements previous Brownfields grant funding the Agency awarded to the county. These new funds will be used to for loans and subgrants for site cleanups throughout the county. Priority sites for this funding include a former junkyard, a vacant office building, and a former industrial building.
“Niagara County will benefit from the powerful tool of brownfields, which helps overburdened communities in New York address local inequities by providing a means to revitalize properties and promote environmental health, economic growth, and job creation,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The Brownfields program transforms communities, and BIL gives the program a huge infusion of funding with a historic $1.5 billion dollars that will be leveraged to make a real and lasting on-the-ground difference for communities across the country.”
Brownfield projects can range from cleaning up buildings with asbestos or lead contamination, to assessing and cleaning up abandoned properties that once managed dangerous chemicals. Once cleaned up, former brownfield properties can be redeveloped into productive uses such as grocery stores, affordable housing, health centers, museums, parks, and solar farms.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law that I led to passage included a historic $1.5 billion for the EPA’s Brownfields program, and now those dollars are jumpstarting long-delayed clean-ups at toxic sites from the Mohawk Valley to Niagara County,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer. “Cleaning up these polluted sites is critical to breathing new life into these communities to attract businesses and create new good-paying jobs. This $10.5 million federal investment will not only ensure that municipalities will not have to take on debt to clean up these waste sites, but will protect the health of our families, environment, and will accelerate economic recovery.”
“Brownfields are a serious threat to the environment and to public health,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “Cleaning them up and turning them into usable spaces like parks, recreation facilities, and housing revitalizes our communities and spurs local economic development. I’m proud to have fought to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that helped provide the funding for this cleanup and I applaud EPA for working to address contamination across New York State.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is laying the foundation for healthier, cleaner and vibrant communities, while supporting jobs right here at home,” said Rep. Brian Higgins. “This $4 million federal investment, represents a significant boost to a program that will play a critical role in transitioning Niagara County’s old, industrial sites to destinations that are new, exciting and welcoming to the public and to economic opportunities.”
New York State Sen. Rob Ortt said: “Niagara County and Western New York is currently in the midst of a rebirth with new and exciting projects emerging from once polluted parcels of land. Our region, which was built on the industrial sector, is still recovering from environmental mistakes of the past. But with funding from programs like the Revolving Loan Supplemental Grant Fund, and the Brownfield Tax Credit at the state level, we are making tremendous strides forward toward cleaning up our communities and repurposing once vacant land for new commercial and residential usage. I thank the bipartisan efforts at our federal level for helping to make this funding available to our county, and I look forward to the new projects that are created from this program.”
