By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 May 2022 at 9:35 am
The Niagara-Orleans League will be represented by a quartet of teams Thursday in the semifinal round of the Section VI baseball playoffs.
In Class B1, No. 8 seed Albion will visit No. 4 Lew-Port at 5 p.m.
The Purple Eagles, after needing a last inning rally to nip Dunkirk 7-6 in the opening round Monday, ousted top seeded City Honors 11-3 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday while the Lancers blanked No. 5 Olean 3-0.
The victor will advance to Saturday’s B1 final at 3 p.m. at Grand Island against the winner of the No. 3 Depew vs. No. 2 Maryvale semifinal.
The Class B2 semifinals will be a nearly all N-O affair as No. 8 Akron visits No. 5 Roy-Hart and No. 6 Medina travels to No. 2 Southwestern for 5 p.m. contests.
All three N-O teams scored lopsided wins in the quarterfinals on Tuesday as Akron blanked top seeded Alden 12-0, Roy-Hart bested No. 4 Fredonia 12-1 and Medina topped No. 3 Eden 10-1. The other quarterfinal saw Southwestern down Allegany-Limestone 7-4.
Roy-Hart and Akron split a pair of meetings during the N-O season with each team winning on its own field.
Medina also met Southwestern in last year’s B2 sectionals and the Mustangs blanked the Trojans 10-0 in the quarterfinals at Vets Park.
Thursday’s semifinal winners will advance to the B2 title contest at noon on Saturday at Grand Island.
Section VI has gone cashless for finals tickets
Section VI has announced that it has moved to all-digital ticketing through GoFan for all post season championships.
The Section VI press release stated that “All tickets for Section VI Championship events at neutral sites will need to be purchased on-
line ahead of time at: https://gofan.co/SectionVI.
Once purchased on-line and upon entry, fans must show their phone to redeem their ticket(s)
with an event staff member at the gate. NO screenshots or printed tickets will be accepted.
Event staff assistance will be available at Section VI Championship sites.
For GoFan Digital Ticketing Help go to: https://get.gofan.co/digital-ticketing-guide.
Section VI WILL NOT TURN ANY SPECTATORS AWAY… BUT IF CASH IS THE ONLY OPTION THE
TICKET PRICE WILL BE $10 PER PERSON.
ON LINE TICKETS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL THE FOLLOWING SECTION VI EVENTS:
Track & Field Class Meets at: East Aurora 5/26, Randolph 5/26, Falconer 5/27, Wilson 5/27, Jamestown 5/28
Track & Field State Qualifier at: West Seneca West 6/3 & 6/4
Softball Finals & Regionals at: Will North 5/26, Depew 5/31, Allegany-Limestone 5/31, Will North 6/1, Grand Island 6/4
Baseball Finals & Regionals at: Grand Island 5/28, Depew 5/28, Jamestown 5/28, Niagara Univ. 5/30 & 6/4, Salamanca 6/4.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2022 at 8:12 am
Map from NYS Legislative Task Force On Demographic Research And Reapportionment – Orleans County will be split into two different congressional districts, with the 25th district stretching from Rochester to part of Orleans, and the sprawling 24th district that has some of Orleans and Niagara counties, and goes all the way through the Finger Lakes to Oswego and Jefferson County. The 25th is Democrat leaning while the 24th is solidly Republican.
Orleans County will no longer be represented in Congress by Chris Jacobs after this year.
Chris Jacobs
New redistricting maps (click here) have been finalized and Jacobs, if he is elected in November, would be in the 23rd Congressional District that is dominated by Erie County and also includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.
Some of Orleans – the northern towns and some more – will be in the 25th Congressional District that includes the City of Rochester and Monroe County. Joe Morelle, a Democrat from Irondequoit, currently represents the Rochester area in Congress.
The other part of Orleans will be in a sprawling district that goes from Niagara and stretches through the other GLOW counties, the Finger Lakes and up to Oswego and Jefferson counties.
Claudia Tenney, the current representative for the 22nd Congressional District that includes Utica, has announced plans to run for the 24th district.
“We’re going to miss Jacobs,” said Skip Draper, Orleans County legislator and Republican Party chairman. “He represented us well.”
Joe Morelle
Draper said having the county split into two different districts has benefits and disadvantages.
“My concern with being paired with an urban area that has all the population is that is where all the attention will go,” Draper said. “I hope that is not the case. They need to understand we’re part of the district and Orleans County is important, too.”
He was concerned a decade ago when the county was no longer fully in one Assembly District. Shelby was in one district and the other nine towns in a different one. Mike Norris had Shelby and parts of Niagara and Erie counties, while Steve Hawley had the majority of Orleans, Genesee and part of Monroe County.
“Having two assemblymen represent us has worked out,” Draper said. “I don’t know it’s necessarily a bad thing to have two congressional reps.”
He is disappointed all of the county isn’t in the same district with other similar-size rural counties in the GLOW – Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.
Claudia Tenney
“I’d like to be in the GLOW because that’s where all the partnerships are,” Draper said. “But we don’t have a lot to say about it. Whoever is in the seat we will work with them.”
With the split county, the 25th Congressional District would include the Orleans towns of Yates, Carlton, Kendall, Gaines and Murray and about a third of Clarendon. The other towns – Ridgeway, Shelby, Albion, Barre and two-thirds of Clarendon – would be in the 24th.
Tenney has been quick to launch a campaign for the 24th District, releasing a news release with endorsements from several of the Republican Party leaders in the district.
“After reviewing the revised maps, which were released in the dead of night, I am announcing my candidacy for New York’s 24th Congressional District,” she said in a news release. “As drawn, the 24th District includes areas I currently represent in Congress such as Oswego County.”
This shows the boundaries for how Orleans County will be split into different congressional districts.
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning & Development
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from August 2016 shows corn on Brown Road in Albion.
ALBION – Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in its existing, certified agricultural district during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law. The annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property that consists of predominantly viable agricultural land.
During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from County Agricultural District No.1, which in 2016 became the sole agricultural district in the County as a result of a consolidation process.
This opportunity supplements, but does not replace, enrollment in an existing agricultural district during a more comprehensive review process held once every eight years. The next eight-year anniversary review – the only time during which parcels can be both added and removed – will not occur until 2024.
Presently, there are over 116,837 acres in County Agricultural District No. 1, including an additional 137 acres through six lots last year.
Requests for inclusion in District No. 1 will be evaluated, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. To enroll, owners must complete and sign a Letter of Intent for Annual Enrollment form.
These are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development (589-3197) or online by clicking here.
Completed forms should be sent by July 1st to:
Corey Winters, Planner
Orleans County Department of Planning & Development
14016 Route 31 West
Albion, NY 14411-9382
Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that an owner’s property will be added to Agricultural District No 1. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify your land for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact your local assessor.
Any qualifying lot must be included entirely rather than partially.
Agency recognizes staff and supporters for efforts to fight substance use disorder
By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist
Provided photos: Joy Mercer, left, and Charlotte Crawford received Friends of GCASA awards on Monday at the agency’s annual meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant.
BATAVIA – Understanding the importance of enlisting all segments of the community to fight the scourge of substance use disorder, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse leaders on Monday afternoon recognized its board of directors, staff, scholarship recipients and “friends” at the nonprofit agency’s annual meeting.
About 80 people attended the luncheon meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant.
Four individuals and one business were presented with Friends of GCASA awards:
• Mickey Edwards, superintendent of Albion Central School (and former superintendent at Byron-Bergen Central School), Friend of GCASA Prevention;
• One World Projects, Harvester Avenue, Batavia, Friend of GCASA Residential Services;
• Hon. Sanford A. Church, judge for the Orleans County Court Multi-Bench in the Eighth Judicial District of New York (and former Orleans County public defender), Friend of GCASA Treatment;
• Joy Mercer of Corfu, licensed mental health counselor, Friend of GCASA Treatment;
• Charlotte Crawford of Batavia, R.N., interim executive director at Crossroads House and retired chief executive officer at Lake Plains Community Care Network, Friend of GCASA Recovery.
Four students each received $1,000 GCASA Foundation Scholarships as a result of their enrollment in fields related to substance abuse prevention/treatment:
• Kendra Lonnen, a 2022 graduate of Lyndonville Central School, who will be attending Genesee Community College to study Human Resources, with a goal of becoming a social worker;
• Sarah Volpe, a 2022 graduate of Elba Central School, who also will receive an associate’s degree in General Studies from GCC this summer. She will be attending Daemen University in the fall with direct entry into the Physician Assistant program.
• Samantha Kabel, a 2022 graduate of Alexander Central School, who also will be attending Daemen University in the fall to study Pre-Medicine Biology;
• Tess Pettit, a 2019 graduate of Albion Central School, who is graduating from Houghton College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
“It is our honor and privilege to recognize the people that support the work that we do here at GCASA, and to be able to assist in the education of those who are choosing to pursue careers that ultimately will make a positive difference in the lives of so many of our neighbors,” GCASA Chief Executive Officer John Bennett said.
Recipients of GCASA Foundation Scholarships are, from left, Sarah Volpe, Kendra Lennon and Samantha Kabel.
Bennett underscored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic upon substance use disorder prevention and treatment, noting a remarkable spike in anxiety, depression and other mental health problems among those dealing with drug and alcohol issues.
“At the same time,” he said, “filling vacancies for mental health and substance use disorder professionals has become a huge concern. The increase in individuals leaving and the lack of individuals coming into the workforce have created even more problems for a system that has been hit hard by the pandemic.”
He said that the profession is bouncing back to some extent, but “the challenge of the next year or two is to figure out what is the new normal.”
Calling his staff “the heart and soul of this organization,” Bennett thanked GCASA employees for “persevering and keeping our doors open over the past two years.”
“You are truly amazing and I and the board of directors appreciate you more than you can imagine,” he said.
Outgoing Board President Virginia Taylor, Ph.D., presided over the election of new board members and the slate of officers. Bennett commended Taylor, a Higher Education Administration consultant, for her dedication and passion to the GCASA mission during her six years as a board member.
Elected to three-year terms were Jerry Ader, Genesee County public defender; Don Allport, Orleans County legislator; Gary Graber, Darien Town justice; Gretchen Rosales, superintendent at Elba Central School; Jennifer Wakefield, GCC Foundation director of Development & Alumni Affairs.
Officers elected were Tim Batzel, president, Alexander Central business administrator; Katie Cotter, vice president, specialist with WNY Independent Living, and Fred Rarick, secretary-treasurer, Batavia attorney.
In 2021, GCASA provided 812 comprehensive substance use disorder evaluations through its outpatient treatment services, with 249 admitted to the Batavia Outpatient Clinic, 191 admitted to the Albion Outpatient Clinic, and 124 admitted to the Opioid Treatment Program.
Forty-three individuals were admitted to the Atwater Community Residence in Batavia, with another 18 admitted into supportive living.
GCASA’s Prevention educators served 28,938 youth and adults in various programs, while the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force membership stands at 441.
The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road in Batavia served 477 individuals, hosting activities five to six days per week throughout the year, while Employee Assistance Program counselors provided services to 46 people.
By Chrissy Krueger RN, RD, CDN, CDCES,
Diabetes Education Specialist, Oak Orchard Health
Let us start by talking about diabetes since I am a Diabetes Educator, at Oak Orchard Health and have been a registered nurse and dietitian for 15 years. Much of this information will be helpful whether you have diabetes or not. I will also discuss nutrition tips that are helpful to everyone.
Two main types of Diabetes
With type 1 diabetes, genetics and viruses are often the main reasons why people get this. With type 1 diabetes, your own immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. This is a problem as no one can live without insulin. Insulin is key to helping our bodies obtain energy. Type 1 diabetes most often affects younger people, but it can also be found in people in their 30s-40s and even older.
Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes; some risk factors include family history, age above 35, and high blood pressure. Two main things are going on with type 2 diabetes. Your insulin doesn’t work the way it should and over time, you may not make enough insulin. Both these factors make it difficult for your body to obtain energy and lead to high blood sugars.
What does weight have to do with it?
Two risk factors found in many people with type 2 diabetes are also very common among people living in America today. You guessed it! Being overweight and inactive. Per the CDC 73.6% of adults and 22% of adolescents are overweight/obese. Physical activity stats are not much better. Only 23% of adults are meeting the physical activity guidelines, which is very similar to our younger folks.
Just having a diagnosis of diabetes puts you at increased risk of heart disease. Not surprisingly being overweight/obese also places you at higher risk.
What you eat helps control diabetes
Eating heart-healthy foods is one of the key tools to managing your diabetes. It also is effective for disease prevention. There is no diabetic diet currently endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. Overall, your nutrition plan should be individualized, so it fits within your lifestyle. Yes, it is true carbohydrates do affect your blood sugar more than other nutrients. However, carbs are your main source of energy for your body. So, what is a person with diabetes supposed to do? Include healthy carbs, spread your intake of carbs throughout the day, pay attention to the portion size, and have balanced meals.
For diabetes, we often review the meal planning method called carb counting. In this plan, you learn what foods are high in carbs, and what is a portion, and then learn to have a consistent amount at each meal. By following this type of plan, you will have blood sugars that are more predictable. Another type of plan commonly used is called the plate method. It is based on a 9-inch plate. Half your plate should include non-starchy veggies, ¼ is for starch and ¼ is for protein.
For people on insulin pumps or 3-4 injections of insulin per day, some learn how to adjust the insulin to the number of carbs they will eat. This gives people much more flexibility in their eating habits.
Carbohydrates are not necessarily bad for you
For everyone out there, carbs are not bad, just like fat and protein are not bad if eaten in moderation. They make up our nutrients and nutrients are what we all need to live on. It is true; however, if you have diabetes, it is important to pay attention to the number of carbs you eat. Instead of eliminating an entire food group, work on including a variety of heart-healthy food choices most often and limit your intake of less healthy ones. With diabetes, you can really have your cake and eat it too! Just do not eat the whole cake whoever you are!
This article gives you a peek at diabetes and nutrition. There is so much more to know so if you have questions, talk with your primary care physician or a diabetes educator.
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Adult Survivors Act (S.66A/A.648A), creating a one-year lookback window for survivors of sexual assault that occurred when they were over the age of 18 to sue their abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred.
“Today, we take an important step in empowering survivors across New York to use their voices and hold their abusers accountable,” Governor Hochul said. “The fight against sexual assault requires us to recognize the impact of trauma within our justice system. I am proud to sign this legislation, which is part of our collective responsibility to protect one another and create an environment that makes survivors feel safe. While our work is not done, eradicating sexual assault begins with our ability to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice and this legislation is a historic step forward.”
In 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, which created a one-year lookback window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims otherwise barred by the statute of limitations.
Similar to the Child Victims Act, the Adult Survivors Act will empower survivors of sexual offenses that occurred when they were over the age of 18. The one-year window will begin six months from signing and will allow survivors to sue regardless of the statute of limitations. For many survivors, it may take years to come to terms with the trauma of sexual assault and feel ready to seek justice against an abuser, while possibly experiencing fear of retaliation or shame.
In 2019, New York extended the statute of limitations to 20 years for adults filing civil lawsuits for a select number of sex crimes. However, that legislation only affected new cases and was not retroactive.
Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault Joanne Zannoni said, “Sexual assault survivors often need time before they are ready to come forward. The Adult Survivors Act offers a window of opportunity for survivors to hold their abusers accountable. This can be an important part of survivors’ healing.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2022 at 1:22 pm
Darren Wilson
LYNDONVILLE – A prominent community leader in Lyndonville is facing child pornography and weapons charges.
Darren D. Wilson, 61, has been charged by the State Police with 10 counts of possessing a sexual performance of a child and criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree.
The State Police on Monday charged Wilson. Last month the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Computer Crimes Unit received information from Internet Crimes Against Children on a possible case involving child pornography. Further investigation revealed that Wilson was in possession of child pornography and multiple unregistered pistols, State Police said.
Wilson is a trustee on the Lyndonville Village Board, president of Lyndonville Lions Club and president of the Lyndonville Area Foundation.
He has been turned over to the Orleans County Jail pending arraignment, State Police said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2022 at 11:37 am
Jimmer Szatkowski and friends have raised $265K for ALS research
Provided photo: Jimmer Szatkowski has on boxing gloves to show he plans to fight ALS.
MEDINA – Friends and family of Jimmer Szatkowski will be selling #teamjimmer wrist bands and T-shirts on Saturday at the Canal Village Farmers Market in Medina.
The pop-up event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will raise funding for ALS research and trials.
Andrew Szatkowski, Jimmer’s brother, is leading the event on Saturday. Besides the merchandise, “we will be giving out hugs, happiness, and good vibes!” Andrew said.
The event is in May, which is ALS awareness month. All of the proceeds go directly to the Healy Center for ALS research, Andrew said.
His brother Jimmer was diagnosed with ALS in April 2021. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Jimmer, 49, is a Medina native. He now lives in the Syracuse area and owns two Chick-fil-A restaurants, with sites in Cicero and Clay.
Jimmer has already raised over $265,000 for ALS with donations through the Tackle ALS website.
“I was diagnosed with ALS in April 2021,” Jimmer writes on his fundraising page. “God is good always, and I am still climbing by his Grace. I accept nothing besides His greatness. I intend to fight this disease and to help a whole lot of people along the way. Please join me in the fight.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) cosponsored the Accessing America’s Critical Minerals Act to boost domestic supply chains for critical minerals for advanced manufacturing and technology development.
“Right now, America’s adversaries, like China, are rushing to corner the market on advanced manufacturing – especially regarding semiconductors. This presents both an economic and national security threat to our nation, and we must take decisive action to increase our competitiveness and secure our supply chains,” Jacobs said. “One solution is to increase our utilization of the vast resources America currently harbors in terms of critical minerals. Accessing and utilizing American minerals ensures we end our dependence on hostile foreign nations for the raw materials necessary to produce advanced technologies, and it also has the added benefit of creating countless additional American jobs.”
The Accessing America’s Critical Minerals Act specifically directs United States federal agencies to expedite the permitting process for mineral mining to allow for increased domestic production. Additionally, it sets up a channel for the Small Business Administration to communicate directly with Congress on the progress of permitting and streamlines federal agency involvement to improve efficiency.
“Securing supply chains and increasing domestic production of critical technologies is of paramount importance to ensuring our long-term economic and national security,” Jacobs said. “I am proud to join this effort to move us one step closer to increased domestic production, and I will continue my effort to ramp up American advanced manufacturing.”
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of the Prison Redevelopment Commission focused on reimagining closed prisons for innovative redevelopment opportunities across New York State.
The fifteen-member panel, first announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 State of the State address, is comprised of leading experts across real estate, community and economic development, criminal justice reform, and government. The panel will be led by Hope Knight, Commissioner, President and CEO of Empire State Development and Darren Walker, President at the Ford Foundation.
“As New York continues to move forward, we are looking at ways to revitalize our economy, including reimagining shuttered state prison properties as hubs of regional opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “As I promised in my State of the State, I have created a commission of public and private sector leaders, as well as economic development experts from around the country, to best connect our industry and workforce goals with action plans that will both save taxpayer money and bring these buildings to new life as economic engines. Our ultimate goal is to put New Yorkers to work, and I am confident this newly formed Prison Redevelopment Commission will help create an action plan to do just that.”
The closures identified by Hochul last fall are in addition to the more than 20 that have been closed over the last 15 years. The closures provide an opportunity to transform these facilities in more creative and productive ways, paving the way for opportunities to spur investment and job creation.
The commission includes leadership from State agencies as well as foundations, regional leaders and stakeholders, and economic development experts who will be focused on developing an action plan to turn empty prisons, many of which were job centers in their rural communities, into opportunities for communities to thrive. The commission’s first meeting was held today.
The members of the Commission are:
Anthony Annucci, Acting Commissioner, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
Erik Kulleseid, Commissioner, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Jeanette Moy, Commissioner, Office of General Services
Robert Mujica, Director, New York State Division of Budget
Roberta Reardon, Commissioner, New York State Department of Labor
Steve Acquario, Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties
Heather Briccetti, President and CEO, The Business Council of New York State
Jeff Buell, Principal, Redburn Development
David Buicko, President and CEO, Galesi Group
Penny Hill, Dean for Economic Development and Workforce Initiatives, Hudson Valley Community College
Christa Hines, Executive Director, Hudson River Housing
Stanley Richards, Deputy CEO, Fortune Society
Ryan Silva, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council
Deanna Van Buren, Founder, Designing Justice and Designing Spaces
“Closing prisons is critical to address the blight of mass incarceration, but it can’t end there — to achieve justice for all, we must turn every stone and explore prison redevelopment opportunities that ensure individuals and communities have the economic opportunities needed to thrive,” said Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation. “I am honored to join Governor Hochul’s prison redevelopment commission to position New York as a leader in reducing prison populations and improving the well-being of communities, towards safety, opportunity and justice for all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2022 at 3:24 pm
Valerie Wells is shown with a banner that recognizes her father.
LYNDONVILLE – There are 100 banners of soldiers going up in the Lyndonville community. Of the 100 banners, 56 are of veterans who have passed away.
The Village of Lyndonville DPW and Town of Yates Highway Department started putting them up today.
The banners are going on utility poles on South Main Street, Lake Avenue, Maple Avenue, North Main Street and North Lyndonville Road.
Valerie Wells coordinated the effort. She approached the Lyndonville Village Board last July about the initiative. Wells said she is amazed at the interest and support for the effort.
She thanked the Lyndonville DPW, Town of Yates Highway Department, area business sponsorships and Lyndonville Foundation for their support of the program.
The banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for three years. Applications for new banners in 2023 will be available in August. For more information, Wells can be contacted at (585) 339-8500 or by email: vwells022@gmail.com.
Lyndonville joins other Orleans County communities with similar banners including Medina, Albion, Holley and Barre.
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing that he will be making Covid-19 home test kits available through his office for free to any local organizations that could assist in distributing them to people who need them.
Any groups interested in obtaining test kits are encouraged to reach out to the Assemblyman’s office in Albion at 585-589-5780 to learn more details and schedule a pickup.
“When it comes to Covid-19, we never truly know what lies ahead, and like the Boy Scouts say, it’s wise to ‘be prepared,’” Hawley said. “I encourage any and all local organizations that could put these tests to use to reach out and take advantage of this opportunity.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2022 at 1:37 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved a five-year contract with full-time employees in the Sheriff’s Office who aren’t deputy sheriffs. (The deputies have their own union.)
The agreement with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Employee Association includes about 60 employees who work as a civil clerk, communication coordinator, cook, correction lieutenant, correction officer, correction sergeant, correction sergeant first class, public safety dispatcher and senior civil clerk.
The contract includes 2 percent annual increases from 2022 to 2026. In addition, the contract adds a new step 8 and all eight steps receive a 75-cent increase per hour from 2022 to 2024, and a 50-cent increase per hour in 2025 and 2026.
The pay increases 75-cent and 50-cent pay increases per hour adds between 1.5 to 3 percent more in pay for employees, depending upon their grade and step, said Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer.
The employees who are on the lower end of the pay scale will see the higher percentage increase, Welch said.
The agreement also increases the longevity to include 35 years, and includes a holiday for the day after Thanksgiving.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 May 2022 at 10:43 am
Meals will be served on Thursdays at East Avenue church
ALBION – Mike and Faith Smith are about to embark on a new mission in their goal to help feed the needy in the Albion area.
After running the Community Soup Kitchen at Christ Episcopal Church for 13 years, the couple is now planning to open Orleans Koinonia Kitchen (the Orleans OK Kitchen) at Harvest Christian Fellowship, 560 East Ave.
Faith said the name Orleans Koinonia Kitchen was suggested by the Rev. Tim Lindsay, who explained “koinonia” is Greek for fellowship. The Smiths want make sure everyone who comes to the OK Kitchen, as it will be known, knows they are seen as a person, not a number.
They plan to hand out goodie bags each week and will have a birthday box in which they will record the birth month and day of everyone who comes to dinner. The week of their birthday, they will receive a personalized card and a gift. Faith said they are looking for donations to buy gifts for birthday observances.
“It’s the little things like that which count,” Mike said.
The Smiths are concerned getting to Harvest Christian Fellowship on the outskirts of town might present a problem for some individuals looking for a meal. The Smiths are hoping some church might have a bus and be willing to adopt the soup kitchen as a ministry. This would entail parking at a chosen site downtown and taking people to the OK Kitchen at 4 p.m. and returning them at 5:30 p.m. each Thursday night.
While the former Community Soup Kitchen was open on Friday nights, the new OK Kitchen will be open on Thursday nights, as Harvest Christian Fellowship’s kitchen is not available on Fridays.
The first meal on June 2 will be tacos, a favorite of attendees, Faith said.
Lindsay said he offered the use of his church’s kitchen because “giving back to the community is the thing to do.”
“The soup kitchen not only puts food in their belly, but a smile on their face and warms their heart,” Faith said.
Anyone wishing to adopt a Thursday night to prepare a meal, make a donation of food or money or volunteer any night may contact Faith at OKKitchen2022@gmail.com or by calling (585) 319-1578. Donations may be made conveniently through Venmo or Paypal.
The Smiths and Christ Episcopal Church ended their relationship after a difference of opinion.
Jim Theodorakos, warden of the vestry along with Kevin Doherty, said the split was caused by miscommunication between the church and the Smiths.
Faith said she was summoned by the church to bring in receipts for all the transactions she had conducted as head of the soup kitchen, which she did.
Theodorakos said the church found nothing awry with the books.
Faith said she was asked for her keys shortly before Christmas.
In January, Faith reached out to Harvest Christian and shortly after, Pastor Lindsay opened up the new kitchen and dining room for use as a soup kitchen.
“We regularly had five groups who came in every month to cook and serve food,” Faith said. “This time we want the entire county to be involved, whether it’s Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, churches or friends having a ‘girls’ night out.”
Mike and Faith Smith stand in the new dining room at Harvest Christian Fellowship at 560 East Avenue, which has offered its facility for the site of a new soup kitchen called Orleans Koinonia Kitchen. They will begin serving free meals there from 4 to 5:30 on June 2.
The Smiths are looking for individuals and groups to volunteer to help on a regular basis or whenever they can.
Faith said they were crushed when the soup kitchen at Christ Episcopal Church closed – with no notice to the community.
“For some of these people, it was the only hot meal they got in a week,” she said.
Not only did they receive a hot meal at the soup kitchen, but they would be sent home with a meal.
The Community Soup Kitchen was started in 1994 by former church rector Jeff Haines and Alex Krebs. The Smiths took over in 2009.
“It’s the friendships we made that I’m crushed to lose,” Faith said.
She said the kitchen was supported heavily by the community. Food was donated by Walmart and Community Action.
“We still go and get donated food to give out,” Mike said.
Neil and Kathy Samborski from Lyndonville still drive to Rochester to pick up excess food from Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, BJs, Sam’s Club and the Inner City Mission.
“What I’ve missed these past months is seeing the people who were so appreciative,” Faith said. “If food was short one week, we might have only had grilled cheese and tomato soup, yet no one complained.”
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from April 3, 2017 shows a painted turtle on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road in Gaines.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are nesting in May and June, and asked motorists to “give turtles a brake.”
In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year by unsuspecting drivers when turtles cross roads to find nesting areas.
“While a turtle’s shell provides protection from predators, it does not protect against being struck by vehicles while crossing roadways,” Seggos said. “Vehicle strikes are a major cause of mortality among turtles and New York’s native turtles are more susceptible at this time of year as they seek sandy areas or loose soil in which to lay their eggs. Especially in these coming weeks, DEC urges New York drivers to be on the lookout for turtles and slow down, particularly on roads near rivers and marshy areas.”
Drivers who see a turtle on the road are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the vehicle can safely stop, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing, if drivers are able to safely do so.
Motorists are advised not to pick turtles up by their tails, which could injure the turtle. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up safely by the sides of their shell.
Snapping turtles have necks that can reach far back and have a strong bite, so if motorists try to help a snapping turtle, they should pick it up by the rear of the shell near the tail using both hands or slide a car mat under the turtle to drag it safely across the road. Do not drag the turtle by the tail as that can dislocate the tail bones.
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to help if you find an injured turtle.
DEC reminds people not to take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit.
All 11 species of land turtles native to New York are in decline. Turtles are long-lived species and it takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Even losing one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population.
By Chrissy Krueger RN, RD, CDN, CDCES,
