By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 April 2022 at 7:59 am
MEDINA – Downtown Medina will soon be ablaze with color when the giant pots of flowers are placed throughout the area.
Mary Lewis from Creekside Floral is head of Medina Area Partnership’s Beautification Committee, and she said they always look to the community to help cover the cost of the flowers.
It was about 10 years ago the Medina Business Association, which became Medina Area Partnership, started the project of beautifying downtown Medina.
“Asking the local community to help with the cost of these flowers gives them the opportunity to recognize or honor a loved one,” Lewis said.
Lewis explained a community member can sponsor a specific flower pot for $50 in honor or in memory of a loved one. Businesses can also donate to the project. Donors are recognized with a plaque on a pot and their name on an interpretive panel by City Hall.
The giant pots of flowers will be placed up and down North Main Street to the railroad tracks, and on East and West Center streets. Four hanging pots will be placed at the four corners downtown.
The pots are traditionally filled with petunias, because they can withstand the heat, Lewis said. This year they will add grass for variety.
Anyone with questions may contact Lewis at Creekside Floral. Donation forms are available on the Medina Area Partnership website at www.medinaap.org. The deadline for sponsoring a pot is May 1. Checks should be made payable to Medina Area Partnership and dropped off or mailed to Lewis at Creekside Floral, 509 Main St., Medina.
Donations of any amount are also welcome and are used to assist with other beautification projects in Medina.
Agreement includes suspending fuel tax to lower gas price
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement to address key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Budget.
Gov. Kathy Hochul
This bold and fiscally responsible plan makes historic investments in communities across the State that will bring relief to New Yorkers recovering from the pandemic and launch New York’s economic comeback.
The State’s reserves in this plan will increase to a record level of 15 percent of State Operating Funds spending by FY 2025, as proposed by the Governor in her Executive Budget.
“As we make our comeback from the Covid-19 pandemic we are embracing this once-in-a-generation opportunity to usher in a whole new era for New York, with a bold budget that brings much-needed economic relief to New Yorkers and looks to the future with historic investments in education, health care and infrastructure,” Hochul said.
The historic budget will include major priorities that deliver for New Yorkers, including:
Tax relief for middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses;
Suspending fuel taxes to tackle the high cost of gasoline which has surged in recent months as a result of the war in Ukraine;
Helping to support small businesses most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, like restaurants, by authorizing the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages;
Billions of dollars to rebuild the health care workforce, support home care workers, and build the health care system of the future;
A historic investment in education to strengthen our higher education institutions and support our teachers and school employees;
Increasing funding for and access to child care;
A historic investment in pandemic recovery funding;
A comprehensive housing plan to make living in New York more affordable;
A record-level investment in a five-year transportation infrastructure plan;
A record investment in clean energy infrastructure, climate resiliency and preservation;
Improving ethics oversight and restoring trust in state government by replacing JCOPE with a new Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government; and
Moving forward toward a safer, more just New York by cracking down on the trafficking of illegal guns, stopping the cycle of repeat offenders, protecting the victims of domestic violence and hate crimes, and investing in mental health infrastructure.
With a conceptual agreement in place the legislative houses are expected to pass bills that will enact these priorities.
Since the Governor proposed her Executive Budget in January, additional revenue has been forecast and surplus funds have been realized. The total budget for FY 2023 is currently estimated at approximately $220 billion, based on a preliminary assessment of the negotiated changes to the Executive proposal.
The spending plan will include the $2 billion for pandemic assistance that Governor Hochul indicated was available for use when the Executive Budget was released in January, but had not been included as a spending line-item.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville is one of at least 145 school districts and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State to receive the Utica National Insurance Group’s “School Safety Excellence Award” for 2022 at the Titanium with Honors level.
The honor is presented annually and recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe.
Lyndonville received its award at Utica National’s 40th school safety seminar, one of seven such seminars the company hosts in the state. For over 45 years Utica National has kept kids and school staff safe and currently insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York alone.
Lyndonville officials accepted a certificate to commemorate the district’s safety efforts and a $500 award for use in furthering those efforts from Utica National representatives.
Utica National’s School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels – titanium, platinum, and gold – in which schools can each earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation, and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety and other areas, and are measured using specific, quantifiable surveys.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2022 at 2:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Emily Mojein, left, and Leah Orsini, Covid response specialists with the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments, are at a table highlighting volunteer opportunities through the department, namely through VALOR – Volunteer Alliance Linking Our Responses.
VALOR assists the health department with health emergency repsonses, humanitarian projects and in trainings for prepared and safe communities.
The group is among nine organizations at a Volunteer Fair today from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hoag Library.
The volunteer fair is being organized by the Albion Rotary Club. There is a cake available celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club.
Alex Krebs (left), president of the Rotary Club, and Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, promote their organizations.
Farley said the museum is seeking two summer interns which receive a stipend, as well as many volunteers to help with tours, grounds upkeep, the gift shop and used book sale, general office tasks and help with special events.
Organizations can be part of an online directory listing volunteer opportunities. For more information, email Robert Batt at rpb23@cornell.edu.
“So many Orleans County organizations are able to have the impact they do because our friends and neighbors are willing to volunteer and contribute,” said Batt, who is executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. “We hope this event and the volunteer opportunity directory will be a good way to help connect those looking to help and organizations looking for a hand.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2022 at 12:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Maverick Durrant, a first-grader at Medina, pets a rabbit at the high school as part of the Medina FFA Animal Appreciation Day celebration.
More than 20 species of animals are featured for students to visit. A steady stream of kids in grades Pre-K to 12 stopped by to see the animals.
The event is popular but wasn’t able to happen in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid-19.
A tortoise named Herman is on the move. The turtle is owned by Austin Seefeldt, a freshman. Austin said the tortoise is a “mover” that doesn’t like to sit still.
Danielle Schmidt holds an angora rabbit named Sarah. The rabbit stunned many of the students with its size, but FFA advisor Todd Eick said the rabbit really isn’t that large.
“It’s more fluff than anything,” he said.
The FFA has three rabbits and they are named “Sarah,” “Jessica,” and “Parker.”
FFA students Danielle Schmidt and Lily Carpenter took the lead in organizing the Animal Appreciation Day.
Lily Carpenter brought in her dog Biscuit, a 10-year-old Shih Tzu. “He loves the attention,” Lily said.
She also brought a hamster in for students to see. She named the hamster “Irwin” in honor of Steve Irwin, the famed crocodile hunter.
Lily said the FFA officers wanted to bring back the day with animals.
“The kids really love it,” she said. “It’s so cute to see how excited they get.”
Regan Timmer, a senior, shows her painted horse Kodak to some of the kids. This was Kodak’s debut at the school.
“It’s something cool the kids don’t get to see all the time,” she said about her horse.
The llamas were a popular spot. Mason Eick and Brody Christiaansen tended to the creatures in their pen.
Katlyn Koch, a freshman, introduced students to the goats.
These chickens added to the menagerie at the high school today.
ALBION – Thirteen Albion high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society during a ceremony Wednesday night.
Pictured, front row, from left include Audrey Pask, Clara Bolton, Emily Richardson, Natalie Baron, Hailey Crawford, Samantha Hand and Natalie Bertsch. Back row: Dallas Ecker, Amari Jones, Nicholas Andrews, Vincent Molisani and Jacob Foote. Not pictured: Brianna Sample.
The National Honor Society was founded in 1921 and is built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Inductees must prove to exhibit all four qualities and be recommended by a faculty member. Last year’s inductees led the ceremony, which included recognition of outstanding high school teachers.
Math teacher Mr. Chad Owen was chosen as the recipient of Albion’s NHS Excellence in Teaching Award. Mr. Richard Gannon received recognition for exemplifying scholarship, Mrs. Sawyer Green service, Mr. Bradford Nickerson leadership and Mrs. Sandra Climenhaga character. All faculty honorees were picked by the current NHS members.
Current members, inducted in a ceremony in 2021, are Carson Bader, James Beach, Katelyn Beach, Olivia Bieber, Jeffrey Brown, Collin Capurso, Hannah Coolbaugh, Nicolina Creasey, Ann Faery, Ethan Ferchen, Tyler Gibson, Emily Graham, Kenzi Hapeman, Emily Harling, Leah Kania, Adrian Kingdollar, Alyson Knaak, Kyle Kuehne, Charley London, Allison Mathes, Sydney Mulka, Hannah Papponetti, Leah Pritchard, Reuben Rivers, Belen Rosario Soto, Aurora Serafin, Paris Smith, Presley Smith and Colleen Usselman. The advisor of Albion’s NHS is Mrs. Suzanne Newton.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2022 at 9:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: A plaque inside the Hoag Library in Albion recognizes the gifts from Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay.
ALBION – Last month the Hoag Library in Albion paid off its mortgage – 10 years ahead of schedule.
The fast-paced payoff is thanks to Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay. They gave another $200,000 to close out the mortgage. That will result in a 10 percent cut in the library taxes.
The Hoags have been steady donors to the library. Initially they gave $25,000 towards the capitol campaign for the new library about a decade ago. But they increased that by $225,000 to $250,000 and secured the naming rights for the building.
In July 2015, they sent another $100,000 check and then another $100,000 arrived on April 14, 2017. In 2018, they sent a check for $250,000, then gave another $100,000 and the latest at $200,000. That makes for a cool one million in total.
Mr. Hoag said the donations were never about getting his name on the library. He just wanted to help his hometown and believed the library was a great way to improve access to education and opportunity for everyone.
Hoag grew up in Albion and graduated in 1961 as valedictorian. He lived in big cities throughout the country, as well as Geneva, Switzerland during a successful 30-year career in chemical manufacturing.
The Hoags live in Baltimore and come back to Albion for annual class reunions. Mr. Hoag stays in touch with many of his classmates. He saw the community struggle, with the closing of many businesses including Liptons. He viewed a vibrant and modern library as a way to help counteract those losses.
Hoag Library has become a vital part of the Albion community since opening nearly 10 years ago in July 2012.
When the new library opened, circulation went way up, programs saw bigger crowds and meeting rooms were booked. The library is a gem for the community, a symbol of success for citizens committed to a noble cause.
The Hoags made the daunting task of building a new library easier and they haven’t stopped with their support.
They have never requested a photo opportunity or press release. They send in the checks unannounced with a note from Mr. Hoag to use it to pay down the mortgage.
The Hoags also fund generous scholarships for Albion college students pursuing engineering. Those scholarships are for $12,500. They also donated towards the bronze statue of a Santa in downtown Albion that will celebrate the life of the late Charles Howard, who started a Santa School in Albion.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoag, we thank you for your support of the Albion community.
CHILDS – This late 19th century lithograph of Jesus knocking at the door is one of several Victorian prints which hang in the Cobblestone Church. It is a variation on a famous painting entitled, “The Light of the World,” by William Holman Hunt, completed in 1853. Our example at the Museum is simply based on the text:
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone listens to My voice and opens the door, I shall come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20
The print above, circa 1900, from a private collection, is much more like Hunt’s original painting, also based on the text:
“I am the Light of the World, the one who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.” John 8:12
With these two texts in mind, biblical validation is given for what became a very popular evangelistic image, widely reproduced in many forms and places.
One of the most outstanding examples of this subject may be found in the Carlton United Methodist Church, off Archbald Road. Here Hunt’s famous painting was recreated in stained glass by Haskins Studio from Rochester NY, circa 1935, for the Waterport Methodist Church. When that church building was given up in 1988, the window was moved to its present location. It is the only stained glass window of this subject matter in any Orleans County church.
Great symbolism was used by the artist in portraying Jesus in this manner. In essence, He is knocking at your door, but because there is no latch on the outside, you must open it up from the inside in order let Him into your own heart. The lantern Jesus holds is the light which has become symbolic of Him.
Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) in his famous hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” wrote, “Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light.” It portrays the moment when human destiny hangs in the balance, when Divine Love patiently waits upon human reluctance. Its basic message calls for a decision.
Jesus is dressed in a white robe which in itself is a symbol of light, faith, joy, life and purity. Over it is draped a red mantel which symbolizes divine love. This is fastened with a large breast plate which signifies His priesthood. A golden crown denotes Him as Christ the King. Entwined with this is a crown of thorns, which signified suffering and the crucifixion, while the halo reflects His holiness. He stands at the door of the human heart, barred with nails and rusty hinges. The threshold is overgrown with brambles as He approaches in the night time.
He brings a twofold light. The lantern represents the light of consciences, for it reveals sin. Its radiance sheds light upon the door, thicket and an apple on the ground-a symbol of the first sin. The other light is from Christ’s face which proclaims hope. His expression is one of tenderness, thus asking admittance.
“There’s a stranger at the door
Let Him in.
He has been there oft’ before
Let Him in.”
Now for a moment, we return to our first print located in the Cobblestone Church. In this variation we note Jesus is dressed in a yellow or golden colored mantel which symbolically represents the goodness and bounty of God. By contrast however, the color purple of the robe underneath symbolizes His martyrdom.
The famous painting that these works is based on are shown here. It is located at Keble College in Oxford, England. It measures a little less than 36 inches in height.
William Hunt (1837-1910), self-portrait, 1867
William Holman Hunt was born in London and studied painting at the British Museum and the National Gallery. In 1844 he entered the Royal Academy where he joined with two other artists, Sir John Everett Millais and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, to develop the Pre-Raphaelite theories of art.
In 1848 they formed the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. During the 1850s, Hunt went to the Holy Land to portray scenes from the life of Jesus of Nazareth, aiming to achieve historical and archaeological truth. He returned to Palestine in 1869 and again in 1873 for further study.
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood attempted to restore the artistic principles and practices regarded as characteristic of Italian Art before Raphael. They seemed to lower the exalted to the commonplace, but never aimed to protest injustice, ugliness or misery. Hunt strove to fuse truth, beauty and decorum in biblical and evangelical culture with which he was absorbed.
Another one of Hunt’s famous paintings is shown above. It is entitled “The Scapegoat,” 1854, which has a most haunting aspect of its overall imagery.
We end the story with Hunt’s famous painting, seemingly a prediction, entitled, “The Shadow of Death,” 1870-73.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2022 at 9:26 pm
Charts from Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
The number of confirmed Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties doubled in the past week, the local health department reported today.
Orleans had 54 new confirmed cases with 35 lab-based tests and 19 at-home tests. Genesee has 62 confirmed cases with 41 from labs and 21 at-home tests.
The 54 cases in Orleans from March 30 to April 5 compares to 25 in each of the previous two weeks.
In Genesee, the 62 cases from March 30 to April 5 compares to 33 the previous week and 23 the week before that.
The federal CDC continues to rank the two counties as low for Covid community spread.
Statewide the percent of Covid tests that were positive on Tuesday was 3.67 percent, 4,358 out of 119,484 tested. That compares with 2.54 percent a week before when 3,243 were positive out of 127,873.
The seven-day average for positive tests was 3.22 percent on Tuesday, compared to 2.45 for the seven days ending last Tuesday.
“As we approach the spring holidays of Easter and Passover, it’s important we all do what we can to protect our families and reduce the spread of Covid-19,” Governor Kathy Hochul said today. “Make sure everyone in your family who’s eligible is vaccinated and boosted. If you’re attending family gatherings or traveling, take a test before and after. And if you test positive, talk to a doctor about the available treatments.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2022 at 4:27 pm
District proposes capital reserve to transfer $13 million from overfunded post-employment benefit reserve
ALBION – The Board of Education approved a $38,298,690 budget on Monday evening that will go before voters on May 17.
The budget keeps the tax levy at $8,449,039. This is the 14th time in the past 16 years that taxes have either stayed the same or decreased.
The district was faulted in an audit last month from the state comptroller’s office for building a surplus of funds in excess of the statutory limit by $17.3 million.
The audit said Albion on a regular basis would overestimate appropriations, resulting in the district levying more real property taxes than needed and the accumulation of a sizable surplus fund balance.
The district has a multi-year plan to reduce the surplus. Those funds protect the district from any future swings in state aid, which accounts for about 75 percent of the district budget.
Board of Education member Margy Brown said she is proud of the district’s financial position and hopes the district can continue to hold taxes largely in check for another decade or more.
Brown, a member of the district’s finance committee, said Albion has taken an “extreme conservative” approach in guarding the district finances from spikes in taxes.
Kathy Harling, the board president, in a response to the comptroller’s office, said the district’s leadership has had a collective goal over the years “to minimize the impact of inconsistency of funding levels from the State Education Department while trying to maintain an effective instructional program insulated form swings in state aid revenues.”
The audit offers a chance “for continuous improvement” and Albion will be looking to implement some of the recommendations from the comptroller’s officer.
One suggestion is moving most of the funds in a post-employment benefit reserve to a capital reserve fund.
The May 17 vote includes a proposition to establish a Capital Improvements Reserve Fund for acquisition, construction, reconstruction, expansion, renovation, alteration and improvements of buildings, facilities, sites and real property in the district, or the district’s share of any projects undertaken by the Orleans-Niagara BOCES. The district wishes to set the amount at $15 million.
Albion is proposing to transfer $13,831,050 coming from the District’s Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund. That is the amount the state comptroller’s office said the account is overfunded.
“This is essentially a savings account which will be used to pay for necessary repairs of our buildings in the future,” Harling wrote in a budget message on the district website. “We are extremely proud of our school facilities and grateful for the investment our community has made in them.”
Even with the transfer, the Employee Retirement System would remain fully funded at $1,730,335, the district said.
That $13.8 million plus another $7,195,000 in a capital reserve fund would cover most, perhaps all, of the construction costs for $26.69 million capital project approved by district voters on Dec. 14. The project that includes work at all three schools, as well as the bus garage, and new synthetic playing surfaces for football, soccer and softball.
Albion could pay for the project without taking out a bond. That would save in financing costs and interest. The state would still pay Albion back over 15 years the state share, plus interest.
“We will save the taxpayers a ton of money by not paying interest over 15 years,” said Rick Recckio, the district’s business administrator.
To transfer the $13.8 million, the district needs to create the new capital reserve fund. It will be set at a maximum of $15 million.
The $38.3 million overall school budget maintains all current programs and also adds summer programs and after-school opportunities to help students make up for lost classroom time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Maintenance/custodial expenses also were increased from $1,506,661 to $1,863,092. Major maintenance items included in the 2022-23 plan are painting, carpet replacement, energy efficiency, health and safety updates, blacktop striping and stair tread replacement.
The vote on May 17 will be from noon to 8 p.m. in elementary school conference room A.
Propositions to be voted on include:
Proposition 1 – School budget at $38,298,690
Proposition 2 – Bus purchase at $550,000
Proposition 3 – Hoag Library at $648,964
Proposition 4 – Establishment and proposed initial funding and utilization of a capital improvements reserve fund
Two board seats also will be up for election. They are currently filled by Kathy Harling and Wayne Wadhams. Both positions are five-year terms.
‘For too long, excessive overdraft fees have hurt the most financially vulnerable New Yorkers.’ – Attorney General Letitia James
Press Release, NY Attorney General Letitia James
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James led a multistate coalition of attorneys general to call on the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo to eliminate all overdraft fees on consumer bank accounts.
In a letter to each financial institution, Attorney General James urged each bank to eliminate overdraft fees by this summer to create a fairer and more inclusive consumer financial system. Numerous studies have shown that overdraft fees have disproportionately affected vulnerable families and communities of color by unnecessarily saddling them with additional debts that they cannot afford.
“For too long, excessive overdraft fees have hurt the most financially vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “Working families and low-income New Yorkers cannot afford to continue to be harmed by this unfair and punitive practice, while banks reap big profits. I am calling on the largest consumer banks in the nation to do the right thing and remove overdraft fees. We need a fairer and more inclusive banking system that supports all New Yorkers.”
Overdraft fees have had harmful effects on millions of consumers nationwide. In some instances, consumers can be charged as much as $35 for a purchase of $5 or less. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, a study of overdraft-related fees charged in 2019 found that more than $11 billion in fees were charged, with 84 percent of those fees assessed to consumers with the lowest average account balances.
Another study by the Pew Charitable Trust noted that more than 90 percent of such fees are paid by a small subset of consumers, who generally paid three or more such fees per year while earning less than $50,000.
The reports found that consumers of color were disproportionately impacted by these fees. The consequences are devastating to consumers’ financial health and, in the worst-case scenarios, result in individuals losing access to banking services.
Earlier this year, Citi Bank announced that it would eliminate overdraft fees, which followed a similar announcement late last year by Capital One. Citi Bank is the largest U.S. bank to take this step.
Joining Attorney General James in sending the letters are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii (along with the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection), Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina (all except Bank of America), Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after it was announced Social Security field offices would return to in-person services starting April 7.
“After months and months of limiting services to countless seniors in Western New York and all around the country, Social Security field offices are finally reopening. The delayed return to in-person services was yet another example of this administration’s failure to adequately provide for the American people. Without the successful advocacy of myself and my Republican colleagues, this situation could have continued for much longer. I am proud to have led the charge in Congress to have in-person services restored, and I will always fight for the needs of my constituents.”
Jacobs has called for return to in-person services for months. In October, Jacobs led 50 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi urging the SSA to work with the AFGE to reopen in-person services as soon as possible.
Later, Jacobs introduced the Having Employees Return to Duty (HERD) Act to require government workers to return to work at pre-pandemic staffing levels to provide in-person services for constituents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2022 at 11:43 am
Orleans County has its first confirmed case of the avian influenza. It was detected in a backyard flock, said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.
There are no other details about what type of bird, how many tested positive and the location.
The state Department of Agriculture and Markets on March 25 announced the spread of avian influenza among fowl and said it would ban all live shows and exhibitions in the state with chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese.
The state will reassess the status of the ban in May, at which time the Extension will be able to determine if fowl will be included the annual 4-H Fair in late July.
The current outbreak of avian flu is rapidly expanding nationwide, Ag and Markets said on March 25. It has also been detected among snow geese and wild ducks.
“People can still protect their flocks by getting them under cover and avoiding outside contamination,” Batt said. “There’s a possibility of prevention with some urgency and diligence.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent avian flu detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been found in the United States.
Ag and Markets advised commercial and hobby poultry farmers to increase their biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the disease. Poultry owners should keep their birds away from wild ducks and geese and their droppings. Outdoor access for poultry should be limited at this time.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2022 at 10:32 am
ALBION – The school is proposing to spend $1.8 million for an emergency classroom notification system.
This would be the first time Albion has dipped into its share of its $2,238,441 share of the state-funded Smart Schools Bond Act, a $2 billion fund approved by voters state-wide in 2014.
Those funds can be used classroom connectivity, classroom technology, community connectivity, Pre-K classroom improvements, elimination of temporary classroom or trailers as classrooms, or school security enhancements.
Albion’s Technology Committee has endorsed the proposal, Edward’s said.
Albion school officials said the district project falls under safety and security enhancements. The new emergency classroom notification would replace a PA/clock system with classroom speakers and displays. This will be a digital system with audio and display notification, said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent.
In addition to the $1.8 million, Albion would need to spend $70,000 to upgrade the IT network to support the system with $15,000 coming from Smart Bond and $55,000 from the E-Rate federal technology fund.
There won’t be any local cost because the funding is already set aside from the state, Edwards said.
Albion residents can review the proposal online and send any comments in the next 30 days to Edwards by email at medwards@albionk12.org. There will also be a public hearing about the proposal in about a month.
If the board adopts the plan following public comments, it will go to the State Education Department for review. Edwards said the state has been spending about eight to 10 months reviewing the plans from other districts.
Albion would have about $400,000 left of its share of the Smart Schools Bond Act that will be “evergreen funds” that could be used in the future, Edwards said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 April 2022 at 8:27 am
NY takes $400K of local sales tax revenue from Orleans
Counties across the state want the new state budget, which is now nearly a week late, to stop grabbing local sales tax revenues for state responsibilities.
The state annually has diverted more than $300 million in sales tax that should stay with counties and New York City, the New York State Association of Counties reported.
That includes $404,477 taken from Orleans County with $290,276 in AIM-related payments and $114,201 for fiscally distressed hospitals. The AIM (Aid and Incentives to Municipalities) is a state responsibility but was changed when the state was reeling in the early days of the Covid pandemic when state revenues took a big hit.
The diverted revenue includes $59,149,715 in AIM and $250 million statewide for hospitals.
NYSAC said the state should stop raiding local revenue, especially at a time when there is so much federal money in the state budget.
In the past three years, the state has taken more than $677 million in local sales taxes to put in the state’s general fund, NYSAC said.
“These are local taxpayer dollars that should be used for meals on wheels, veterans’ services, child care, parks, and 9-1-1 services; not used to plug holes in the state’s financial plan,” said NYSAC President Martha Sauerbrey, Tioga County Chairwoman.
Governor Kathy Hochul in her executive budget proposed eliminating the diversion of local sales taxes to support the AIM program.
The NYSAC Board of Directors last month adopted a resolution asking the state to end this practice.
“Local tax revenue should stay in the community where it is collected,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, president of the NYS County Executives Association. “This is money that is meant to be reinvested in programs that support the people who pay those taxes in their own communities, not footing the bill for state and federal responsibilities.”
ALBION – The Board of Education approved a $38,298,690 budget on Monday evening that will go before voters on May 17.
Counties across the state want the new state budget, which is now nearly a week late, to stop grabbing local sales tax revenues for state responsibilities.
