MEDINA – The Village Board expects to decide at its April 25 meeting whether it will allow alcohol to be served during blues concerts on Thursday evenings at State Street Park.

The Orleans Renaissance Group is organizing the concerts over five weeks from July 7 to Aug. 4. The group has modified its application to village to include alcoholic drinks from Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and 810 Meadworks.

The board wants to see permits from the State Liquor Authority before deciding whether the village will give its OK.

The board on Monday was notified April 29 will be the annual Arbor Day celebration with third-graders joining village officials for a tree-planting at 10 a.m. on West Avenue.

Jim Hancock, chairman of Medina’s Tourism Committee, said a new kiosk is coming to the Canal Basin. Takeform is giving it a new, modern look and will highlight Medina attractions and events. A grant could help with the expense, he said.

MEDINA – Village officials are in the throes of work on the 2022-23 village budget. The spending plan needs to be adopted by April 30.

The board held a public hearing on the tentative $6,368,175 budget on Monday evening. That tentative budget would set the tax levy at $3,735,640 and the tax rate at $21.47.

Mayor Mike Sidari said the rate will certainly be under $20 per $1,000 of assessed property. The board wants to get the rate to a minimal increase over the $18.77 in the current 2021-22 budget. That $6,109,526 budget raised $3,259,119 through the tax levy.

“We still have budgets to go through,” Sidari said during Monday’s hearing. “We will work our best to get down to the tax limit.”

The board voted Monday to override the tax cap with the budget, but that doesn’t mean the board will exceed the cap which for Medina is only about a 1 percent increase.

“We all know expenses are running high,” Sidari said. “We don’t know what’s going on with gas, with tires, with salt. There are several issues affecting our budget. We will try to get it down as low as we can.”

Provided photo: Layala Evans (Newfane) wears the goggles as her partner Makenna Elsenheimer (Royalton-Hartland) observes. Classmates Bailey Brewer (Royalton-Hartland), Che’Zahriah Mitchell (Lockport), Dylan Martin (Lockport) and Nasir Fountaine (Lockport) look on.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Orleans Career and Technical Education Center students in the Security and Law Enforcement program recently conducted an experiment in class showing how impaired driving can affect your reflexes.

Teacher Dudley Gilbert had the students all work with a partner as they donned Fatal Vision Simulation Goggles. The goggles simulate specific impaired behaviors such as alcohol, drowsy and distracted driving, marijuana and opioid use.

Students attempted to walk a straight line as their partner walked by their side to make sure they did not hurt themselves.

“By experiencing the behavioral effects of impaired driving, my class is more aware and knowledgeable of the consequences associated with drinking and drugging while operating a motor vehicle,” said Mr. Gilbert.  “It will also help them if they become a police officer to note the reactions and coordination of a driver if they conduct a traffic stop.”

Distracted driving contributes to thousands of fatalities and serious injuries every year.

MEDINA – Organizers of the Medina Dog Park have the Village Board approval to make a change in the plans for the park by putting a fenced-in area for small dogs on right side of the driveway instead of the left, or the south side instead of the north.

Alaina Zapf, president of the Friends of the Medina Dog Park, met with the board on Monday and shared how moving the small park section would allow the park to utilize existing trees as well as one side of the fencing already in place.

The plan would basically elongate the current fenced-in area for dogs, she said. The plan calls for a 100-by-100-foot enclosure for small dogs

The area on the south side also is up higher and less “swampy” than the north side, Zapf said.

The park is at 260 North Gravel Rd., by the village’s former compost plant. It is across the street from The Gallagher, a barn used for weddings and special events.

The park opened in September 2020, and Mayor Mike Sidari said he sees increased use at the site.

The dog park is a place for dogs to socialize and get some exercise near the village. The dog park is a first in Orleans County. The park is a place for where the dogs can roam leash-free.

Charts courtesy of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The number of confirmed Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties continues to climb after very low numbers in February and most of March.

Orleans is reporting 83 new cases the past week from April 6 to 12, while Genesee has 119 new cases.

That is up from 54 in Orleans and 62 in Genesee the previous week. The week before that from March 23 to March 29 there were 25 cases in Orleans and 33 in Genesee.

Both counties remain low for community spread, according to the federal CDC.

The Genesee and Orleans County health Departments reports that another Genesee resident passed away from Covid bringing Genesee’s total Covid-related deaths to 185 during over two years of the Covid pandemic. Orleans has had 113 Covid-related deaths.

The new Covid cases in Orleans include 53 from lab tests and 30 from at-home tests. Genesee’s  119 cases include 75 from lab tests and 44 from at-home tests.

Statewide the positivity rate for tests is up to 5.32 percent or 6,546 confirmed positives out of 123,079 tests on Tuesday. The 7-day positive rate is 4.35%, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today.

“As we inch closer to the Easter and Passover holidays and many New Yorkers prepare to travel and gather with their loved ones, it is critical that we continue to utilize the tools at our disposal to prevent COVID spread and protect those around us,” Governor Hochul said. “Those who are traveling should get tested before they leave home, and those who test positive should stay home and discuss possible treatment options with their doctor.”

Provided photo: A Holley student helps serve the senior citizens attending the 2019 Senior Citizen Breakfast.

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Please join us for the annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, May 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Holley Elementary Café.

The Holley Central School District would like to thank the senior citizens in our community for all they’ve done to support our students and schools over the years, and for all they continue to do.

You must be age 55 or older and a resident of the district to attend. RSVP by Monday, May 2 to Connie Nenni in the District Office at 638-6316, ext. 2003.

Transportation is available! Please let us know when you RSVP if you need a ride.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – For the 15th consecutive year, the National Foundation of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has named Albion Central School District as a Best Community for Music Education.

While 738 districts around the country received the recognition this year, few have maintained Albion’s continued success. Albion was the only school in the county to earn the award in 2022 and one of just four in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming (GLOW) region, joining LeRoy, Pembroke and Perry school districts. Lockport and Roy-Hart are the only districts from Niagara County honored this year.

The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.

Albion’s music department returned to normalcy this school year, bringing live music back after Covid-19 precautions lifted. High school students in both band and chorus performed in the annual Veteran’s Day concert in early November before select seniors performed during the long-held event, Senior Tea.

November also saw the return to live shows as the high school cast and crew of Totally Not a Musical took the stage followed by the middle school’s performance of No Dogs Allowed.

Music set the holiday mood as each school held its own festive holiday concert throughout December. Many Albion students traveled to the All-County Music Festival held at Holley in February before Albion was honored to host the second All-County Festival at the beginning of March. All ages joined in song for the all-district chorus concert, also in early March.

The auditorium was packed full for the spring musicals. Alice in Wonderland, performed by the middle school, was a huge success while Shrek the Musical, presented by the high school, impressed attendees of all ages.

The district’s music departments continued to connect directly to the community, too. Many current and former students and staff performed at the annual Albion High School Alumni Foundation Holiday Concert. High school band and chorus students brought their talents to the town as they took part in holiday caroling the day before winter break, another long-standing tradition.

Music will remain throughout the school year with spring chorus and band concerts and marching band performances coming soon. Community members are always encouraged to attend.

Founded in 2006, the NAMM Foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. The organization represents the generosity and philanthropy of the music products industry and is funded through trade association activities and donations. For more information, visit NAMMFoundation.org.

HOLLEY – Visitors to Holley’s Canal Park soon will be able to enjoy the results of an Eagle Scout’s project.

John Patt of Holley, a member of Troop 94 in Kendall, is building a pavilion in the park to earn his Eagle Scout badge. The pavilion is 12’ x 12’, will sit on a four-inch concrete pad and have a tin roof in barn red to match other nearby structures.

John, a son of Jim and Debbie Patt of Holley, got the idea for the pavilion because he said there wasn’t anything like that along the canal in the Holley area for walkers or visitors to get out of the weather and rest.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, John Patt will make improvements to this kiosk in Holley Erie Canal Park, including a new map.

And he wanted to give back to the community, he said.

Before he could begin his project, John made a presentation for the village and mayor.

A week after contacting the mayor, John got a call saying that Mayor Kevin Lynch was okay with it.

Next John met with representatives of the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts. They also signed off on the project.

It took two months of planning and meetings.

John went online to look for ideas for pavilions, then used that information to create his own plan. Next he made a list of materials he would need. Scoutmaster Ken Spohr is very knowledgeable about construction, and helped John, said Debbie Patt.

More support came from Dan Klips, owner of Stockham Lumber, who also happens to be an Eagle Scout. He went over John’s list and made suggestions. Other help came from fellow Scouts and their parents.

Spohr owns an auger and brought his equipment to dig the post holes, then John and his helpers had to finish digging the holes by hand.

In addition to the physical labor, John had to raise funds for his project. He visited many organizations and community members, doing presentations and asking for money. The initial cost was estimated at $1,700, but in the end, with the cost of paint, it will be closer to $2,500.

The Holley June Fest takes place in the park the first Saturday of June and John said the pavilion will be a really nice thing to have for that.

Also part of his Eagle Scout project will be to refurbish a nearby kiosk which holds a map and list of things in Holley. The kiosk needs painting and the map needs to be replaced, John said.

John, a senior at Holley Junior-Senior High School, is pushing to have his Eagle Scout project finished by the end of April.

MEDINA – Orleans County could soon have three more locations for disc golf.

Greg Reed, the YMCA director in Orleans County, has been reaching out to local municipal leaders for an 18-hole course. Reed wasn’t able to reach an agreement for an 18-hole course, but is instead has preliminary approvals for a 9-hole course at Gulf Street Park in medinas, a 9-hole course at Bullard Park in Albion and a smaller pop-up course in Holley.

Reed shared the news with Medina village officials on Monday. The board supports the course at Gulf Street Park. The projects are funded with a grant.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation gave the Y $20,000 to $24,000 to develop the projects with tee boxes, signs and baskets that are mounted in small concrete foundations – 8 inches wide by 20 inches deep.

Median village officials on Monday told Reed to work out the concrete foundations and some tree clearing at the park with Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent.

Each hole is about an acre in size. Reed said the courses are “transient” and can easily be taken out and put somewhere else if needed.

The grant from the Wilson Foundation includes utilizing the WNY Disc Golf Association as a design consultant on the courses.

The courses tend to be on a mix of open land and paths in wooded areas.

“You want obstacles,” Reed said during a previous meeting. “That’s what makes it more fun.”

Reed applied for the Wilson Foundation grant during a time of indoor Covid restrictions on gyms and fitness centers. He was looking for a way to get people outside and active.

He would like to form leagues to have regular players on the courses, which would also be open to others who just want to give it a try.

Reed said there are disc golf courses at Lakeside Beach State Park in Carlton, Golden Hill State Park just across the county line in Barker, and in the Town Sweden, near the Holley community in eastern Orleans. He considers the Medina and Albion areas to be “disc golf deserts.”

Reed also asked the Medina Village Board to allow Rotary Park to be used for a bike share program, where already volunteers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday after Memorial Day.

The bikes would be rented out through an app. The volunteers would unlock the bikes and have bike helmets available.

Village officials want to check with the volunteers to see if they would want that responsibility and also want to research any potential liability for the village by  having the bikes on village property.

Reed said there would likely be three to five bikes available through the program.

Village officials said they would make a decision at their next meeting on April 25.

WATERPORT – Spending the summers at the family’s cottage on Lake Alice proved to be the guiding factor on deciding where Peter Bartnik would spend his retirement, while continuing to pursue his entrepreneurial interests.

Peter Bartnik

Bartnik, who grew up in the Rochester suburb of Chili, went to Potsdam State College and got his bachelor’s degree in computer science, followed by a master’s in innovative marketing at Syracuse University.

He invented contact management software for an insurance company, and when he left there, he went into business on his own. He borrowed $7,000 from family and friends to start his business and his first sale was one copy of his software for $99.

At one point he didn’t want to be a programmer anymore and went to live with his brother in Massachusetts, where he got a job as a telemarketer.

“I became good at it,” he said.

He decided to move back to Rochester in 1991 and went to work for the Sutherland Group, a computer re-seller.

“I began to envision myself in the position I wanted to be,” Bartnik said. “I envisioned myself at the top of the board. In three months, I was there.”

Several other jobs followed, one with a company in Buffalo for 20 years. He ran their Rochester office until 2018. Lincoln Financial Group was their biggest customer, selling them more than 1,000 computers a year, he said.

“They asked me if we had an asset disposal company to take their old computers,” Bartnik said. “We do now,” was his answer.

He formed Computer Systems Asset Disposal and it grew rapidly. They did $100,000 worth of business the first year, and in five years hit $5 million.

Bartnik sold the company in 2020 for what he said was “enough money to retire comfortably.” And he did just that at the age of 55.

“June 2020 was the best month of my life,” he said. “I got married to the love of my life, sold my business and got a recording contract.”

Bartnik explained he also writes country music and his songs have been pitched to Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban.

The song he wrote for his dad is titled “The Man I Hope to Be.”

He has 13 songs under contract with Merf Records.

It was also 2020 when Bartnik bought the house next to his family’s cottage.

His current endeavor is an online venture called “SeeNewYorkWithUs.com,” in which he goes to places, such as restaurants, museums, wineries, cideries and distilleries.

“We don’t tell them we’re reviewing them,” Bartnik said.

He had met Kellie Schrader a few years ago and reconnected with her as videographer.

“She is a terrific videographer,” he said.

After reviewing a site, Bartnik puts together a “Daycation” and posts it on his website. He recently finished Medina, then started on a feature of the Buffalo waterfront and plans to do Cooperstown, Corning and Lockport next.

His website is on track to have 150,000 followers by the end of the year, and he projects one million followers next year.

His website is designed in a way that anyone with a smart phone can open it up, type in a location and up pops a map for everything to do in that area.

Bartnik has visited 26 countries and 39 states.

“I highlight all the great things to do in an area – small towns and big towns. I just love helping people have the best possible travel experiences,” he said.

Brody Stirk of Albion has a following on YouTube

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brody Stirk is filmed by his mother Janna Stirk today overlooking Sandy Creek near Bullard Park. Brody has nine YouTube videos so far about science and autism. He is working on some videos about Albion, including some off-the-beaten path.

ALBION – Brody Stirk has autism. The 10-year-old isn’t afraid to let the world know.

Some people with autism will use masking to hide their flaws or characteristics.

“I myself don’t do masking,” Brody said in a YouTube video he made about autism. “I show myself.”

Brody Stirk is shown in a video about the autism spectrum disorder. Brody urges compassion for those with autism. He said having autism isn’t a disability, but a super power.

Brody, an Albion fourth-grader, has teamed with his mother Janna Stirk to make nine videos so far on his YouTube channel – “Brody Educates – Welcome to the world of science.”

Brody, in his videos that tend to be 5 to 9 minutes, has done features on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Keuka Lake (where his parents were married), Pelicans, Dolphins, Flying Boats, Mamba Mia, Star Sailors, Ten Tickles (The Common Octopus) and Ants in my Pants.

He has 230 subscribers to his channel so far. He started posting videos about two months ago.

His mother records him on her iPhone and she edits the videos. Brody is happy to do the research for the videos, and do the talking.

He said he is bringing science – “with a sense of humor.”

His mother is amazed to see him transformed into a very confident chatterbox on the videos. He shares lots of facts and also mixes in some jokes and bloopers.

In his video about ants, Brody tells his audience some “fun facts” including that ants have five eyes – two big eyes and three little tiny eyes. They have an exoskeleton where their bones are on the outside of their body. And ants do a lot of work every day taking care of their colonies. They can carry 50 times their weight which Brody would be like him picking up his dad’s pickup truck.

Brody and his mother feel the most proud about a video released April 2 on Autism Awareness Day.

Brody shares that 1 in 44 kids have autism. He was diagnosed at 2 ½. People with autism are on a spectrum with variety of levels of function. Not everyone is affected the same.

Brody Stirk has nine videos so far posted on YouTube.

He shares that people with autism often communicate differently. It may be hard for them to pick up social cues. They often don’t get sarcasm and may avoid eye contact.

“It can make it harder to make friends,” he said.

He and others with autism will often hyper fixate, and get obsessed on ideas, which he said can be both a blessing and a curse.

Many top inventors or the richest people have autism. It helps them really focus on a task and can lead to a major breakthrough. Brody mentioned Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, and Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, who are believed to be on the spectrum.

He urges people to celebrate neurodiversity, and show them compassion, empathy and understanding.

“People experience and interact with the world in different ways,” he said in his video. “There is no right or wrong way to experience the world.”

Brody also doesn’t like to hear autism referred to in a negative way, as if it’s an affliction.

“It makes me very upset when people say autism is a disorder,” Brody said. “I say it is a super power.”

Brody said many of his classmates and teachers have seen his videos and he feels like a celebrity. His video about Keuka Lake was mentioned by Finger Lakes tourism official and was shared over 100 times on Facebook. He goes to Keuka Lake with his parents, Janna and Morgan Stirk. That’s where they were married. Brody declares it the most beautiful lake in the world.

He is planning more videos about science and also wants to show off special spots in Albion, including those that are often overlooked.

He is happy to use the videos to show himself, a person with autism.

“Just don’t call autism a disorder,” he said today during an interview at Bullard Park. “It’s a different-ability.”

Brody Stirk takes a break today on the railroad tracks behind Bullard Park. He was out to see the waterfalls on Sandy Creek and the aqueduct holding the railroad over Sandy Creek.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Craig Scott, inspirational speaker and Columbine survivor, recently visited Lyndonville Central School to spread the importance of valuing yourself and others and spreading kindness whenever possible.

The speaker held three age and content appropriate assemblies and two training sessions for select students and staff.

Inspired by his sister, Rachel Scott, Craig discussed the importance of kindness. His message in each assembly was that people will never know how far a little kindness can go. By being kind to others, you may start a chain reaction and others will be kind too.

The message to our 10th through 12th grade students incorporated kindness with setting goals, valuing self/others and making the world a better place as they graduate and begin their journey into adulthood. Our 6th through 9th grade students discussed respect and kindness to self and others and being aware of actions and words, especially online. They were encouraged to find ways to have a positive impact.

The message to our elementary students focused on instilling kindness and compassion, and they discussed bullying and being brave enough to do the right thing, even when it is difficult.

Craig encouraged all students to do five things regularly:

1. Use kind words and do kind things
2. Accept and include others
3. Choose positive influences
4. Set goals
5. Keep a journal

Students who volunteered to be part of a leadership group called Friends of Rachel, developed seven projects to continue and sustain kindness throughout the district. In the next few weeks, these projects will unite students and show how each of us matters and contributes to making the world a better place.

“Craig Scott did an outstanding job connecting with each age group of students and provided insightful training for our staff,” said Interim Superintendent Sharon Smith. “It is the hope that Lyndonville’s chain of kindness will grow and continue to promote a positive school culture and climate for years to come.”

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

PEMBROKE – On April 11th, the Genesee County Health Department Weights and Measures Department received a complaint from a customer that purchased fuel from the TA Travel Center (8420 Alleghany Road) in Corfu on April 6. After purchasing fuel, the car sustained damaged due to a high level of water in the fuel.

After further investigation by Weights and Measures, the TA Travel Center received a similar complaint on April 6 and completed an investigation. Weights and Measures found that there was water in the fuel tank above the New York State limit and the establishment immediately discontinued pulling fuel from the problem tank on April 7.

Customers are asked to contact the TA Travel Center at 585-599-4577 and to select option 4 if they purchased regular (87 octane) or mid-grade (89 octane) fuel at this station from April 6-7 and your vehicle required repairs. Proof of purchase and vehicle repair is needed to file the claim.

Brian Benjamin accused of using authority when he was state senator for campaign contributions

Brian Benjamin

Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has been charged with bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit those offenses, Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today.

Benjamin, 45, of Harlem is accused of use of his official authority while a New York state senator to direct a state-funded grant to an organization controlled by a real estate developer in exchange for campaign contributions.

Benjamin is also charged with two counts of falsifying records in connection with the preparation of contribution forms that falsely reported certain contributions made by campaign donor as being made by other individuals, and false statements Benjamin made in a questionnaire he submitted while seeking to become Lieutenant Governor.

He surrendered to the FBI in Manhattan this morning and was presented before United States Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge J. Paul Oetken.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As alleged, Brian Benjamin used his power as a New York state senator to secure a state-funded grant in exchange for contributions to his own political campaigns. By doing so, Benjamin abused his power and effectively used state funds to support his political campaigns. My Office and our partners at the FBI and DOI will continue to ensure that politicians who put themselves over the public interest will be prosecuted.”

Benjamin could face a maximum of 20 years in prison. He is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with Kathy Hochul for governor. Benjamin was appointed lieutenant governor on Aug. 26. Hochul was sworn in as governor on Aug. 24, following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, issued this statement about Benjamin’s arrest: “Mere months after heralding a new era of open, honest and trustworthy government, our governor finds her right-hand man in federal custody, making it evident her declaration was nothing more than hollow rhetoric,” Hawley said. “We’ve now had four consecutive executive administrations in which either the governor or lieutenant governor have come under severe criminal scrutiny, and if that doesn’t tell New Yorkers it’s time for a change in our state government, I don’t know what would.”

State Sen. Rob Ortt issued this statement: “Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin’s arrest today on federal corruption charges is another stain on New York State Government, and calls into question Governor Hochul’s judgment.

“Over the past few days and weeks, Kathy Hochul and the Majorities in Albany have reinforced their support for Brian Benjamin despite news of federal investigations. Governor Hochul said herself this morning that she’s “changed the culture of Albany.” Unfortunately, it looks like business as usual in our state Capitol.

“Kathy Hochul and Senate Democrats might tolerate this corruption, but New Yorkers don’t and neither do I.

“I’m calling on Governor Hochul and Senate Democrats to stop hiding from the truth and join me in demanding Brian Benjamin’s resignation.”

Update: Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement at 5:10 p.m.: “I have accepted Brian Benjamin’s resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them.”