By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 2, No. 10

MEDINA – George Kennan was indeed on home ground for this final lecture of a 200-lecture, nationwide tour. He had worked at the Union Bank, just across the street from Bent’s Opera House, in the 1870s. His home was on the same block, 127 West Center St., currently the location of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.

Though he wrote and lectured on Russia a century ago, George Kennan’s observations on Russia have an eerie familiarity today. Born in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1848, he became adept at using the cutting-edge technology of the day: the telegraph.

He was a military telegrapher during the Civil War and soon was assistant chief operator for the Western Union in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yearning for travel and adventure, he eagerly pursued a Western Union opportunity to participate in a plan to connect communication between Europe and America by means of an overland cable route through British Columbia, the Behring Straits, Siberia and Russia. In 1865, Kennan was hired by the Russian-American Telegraph Company to travel to Siberia as part of a team to survey the land for stringing a cable.

A remote and vast area, Siberia presented many challenges. The group traveled on whaleboats, horses, rafts, dog sleds and reindeer sleds, had hair-raising brushes with death along precipices, became acquainted with nomadic tribes – the surly Chookchees and the more pleasant Koraks.

The hardy travelers ate manyalla, a staple tribal food made of clotted blood, tallow, half-digested moss taken from the stomach of a reindeer. They sampled alcohol made from fermented toadstools. They dressed in layers of clothing made of reindeer skin, they slept in yurts and outdoors, built fires from trailing pine, and survived a minus 68 degrees below zero night.

Upon his return, Kennan wrote a vivid account of his many adventures in Tent Life in Siberia. Having been smitten by the “travel-bug,” he vowed to return to Russia. Availing of his treasure trove of colorful travel tales, he embarked on a series of lecture tours to raise money for a second trip and in 1879, he set off for the Caucuses, a remote and mountainous region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

Kennan explored this region at a critical time in its history. Russia had gradually asserted its power over the area throughout the 18th century but in name only as its highhanded treatment and insensitivity to ethnic allegiances created a simmering hostility. It was home to a myriad of fiercely independent khanates and kingdoms whose ethnic distinctions were reflected in the 40 different dialects spoken.

Kennan learned about the intricacies of the “adat” and the “gortse,” the customary laws of honor killing. He described his guide, Akhmet, as “a tenth century barbarian.” Akhmet had killed at least fourteen men and he was amazed that Kennan had never killed, gone on raids, protected his cattle or avenged blood. In Akhmet’s opinion: “Humph! Yours must be a sheep’s life.”

Welkenna, the home of George and Emeline Weld Kennan, is shown from a photograph taken during the construction of the Medina Post Office in 1932.

Upon his return “penniless but happy,” Kennan compiled his journal adventures in his next book, Vagabond Life. It was at this point that he connected with Medina. His brother, John, a cashier at the Union Bank, secured a job for him. George boarded with John at 200 West Center St., and fell in love with Miss Emeline Weld, who lived just across the street. They married and moved to Washington D.C. where Kennan was hired by the Associated Press, but they maintained the family home in Medina and returned frequently.

Kennan’s travels in Russia had left him with a largely favorable impression of the government. The Russian practice of using exile to Siberia as punishment was long established but had increased after the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Tales of extreme cruelty filtered through to the West.

In 1885 Kennan signed a contract with Century Magazine for a series of articles on the exile system. Accompanied by artist George Frost, they set out optimistically, but soon encountered scenes of despair. Every subsequent prison visit and conversation left them harrowed and in despair. Kennan’s opinion changed, he concluded that the Russian system of exile was “one of the darkest blots on the civilization of the nineteenth century.”

He wrote about his experiences in Siberia and the Exile System which was translated into 19 languages. He lectured extensively, advised government officials, and effectively caused a shift in opinion regarding the tsarist regime. He was the recognized expert on Russian issues for many years. He returned to Russia in 1901 but was expelled immediately. He believed that the overthrow of the tsarist regime was inevitable. He disliked Lenin and feared his extremism.

By 1920 he had to accept that the Bolsheviks were firmly in power. In an article first published in the Medina Tribune, July 12, 1923, he wrote:

“Let no one be deceived. The Russian Leopard has not changed its spots. The first essentials of Republican institutions are freedom of elections, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press, and these things the new Bolshevist “constitution” does not guarantee – or even promise.”

George Kennan died at his West Center St. home on May 15, 1924. Emeline passed away on May 28, 1940. They are buried at Boxwood Cemetery.

(Diplomat George Frost Kennan (1904-2005) was a cousin. They shared a birth month and date – Feb. 16 – as well as a passionate interest in Russia. Both wrote and lectured on Russian affairs and ironically, both were expelled from Russia by the governments of their time.)

84-year-old firefighter again leads Carlton in responding to most calls

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – Richard Brakenbury, left, is congratulated by past Carlton Fire Chief Andrew Niederhofer after Brakenbury won the Chief’s Award for 2021.

Brakenbury, 84, is one of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company’s primary drivers. He has led the fire company for responding to the most calls for at least the past two years, and has been among the most active firefighters for decades.

He responded to 168 calls in 2020 and more than 50 percent of the department’s 300-plus calls in 2021. He lives next door to Station 1 in Waterport on Waterport-Carlton Road and is often the first at the fire hall for a call.

“I just like doing it,” Brakenbury said. “It gives me something to do.”

He still gets up in the middle of the night for some of the calls. He drives the fire company’s pickup truck for emergency and fire calls.

Brakenbury is a Kodak retiree and a Carlton firefighter for 65 years. He takes annual driver training.

He said Carlton has many long-time dedicated firefighters. He also is encouraged by a new group of younger members.

Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak, left, presents a commendation to Martin VanWyke in honor of his 60 years as a member of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company. VanWyke remains an active member as one of the primary drivers.

His sons are also long-time members with Kurt at 35 years and Gary at 30 years. VanWyke also received certificates from the offices of State Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and the Firefighters Association of New York State.

David Starkweather, right, receives the President’s Award from Ed Cooper, the fire company president. Starkweather was praised for his efforts leading recent renovations to the Carlton Rec Hall. He manages the kitchen and bar for the site that hosts about a dozen events a year.

Starkweather said new windows will be going on the west side of the building as part of an exterior remodel.

He volunteers about 40 hours a week at the rec hall. He is recently retired as a tugboat captain for the Canal Corp.

“He always has great enthusiasm,” Cooper said about Starkweather. “He is willing to tackle any job.”

Carlton line officers and other officials are sworn in for 2022.

Fire Company Officers for 2022: Ed Cooper, president; Richard Brakenbury, vice president; Valerie Niederhofer, secretary; Tom Yockel, treasurer; and the following as directors – Martin VanWycke III, Jocelyn Yockel, David Starkweather, Jacob Marks, Robin Hughson and Robert Brown III.

Line Officers for 2022: Dale Niehaus, chief; Andrew Niederhofer, first assistant chief; Seth Dumrese, second assistant chief; James Fisher, captain; Matt Hughson, first lieutenant; Noah O’Kussick, second lieutenant; George Snell, Jr., chief mechanic; Ed Cooper, chaplain; David Bertsch, EMS coordinator; Robin Hughson, EMS captain and Terry Williams, Fire Police captain.

Ladies Auxiliary: Debbie Yockel, president; Liz Janus, vice president; Cindy Micalizio, secretary; Gayle Ashbery, treasurer; and trustees – Pam Boyer, Cheryl Denson and Jenna VanWyke.

This was the first Carlton Volunteer Fire Company banquet since 2019 after the events were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.

Debbie Yockel, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, presents a check for $1,000 to Fire Chief Dale Niehaus to be used for the fire company.

Matt Hughson receives a gas card in appreciation for responding to calls in 2021. Andrew Niederhofer presents the card. Other firefighters also received gas cards for their service.

Prince N.K. Wilson, left, and Raul Cruz have been charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of two men in Alexander, Genesee County.

ALEXANDER – An Albion man has been charged with second-degree murder after two men were found dead at an Alexander farm on Friday night, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is reporting.

Prince N.K. Wilson, 23, of Albion and Raul Cruz, 18, of Warsaw were both charged with attempted murder in the homicide deaths of two men at an Alexander farm at 10216 Alexander Rd.

Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene of a burning dwelling on Friday night. Two Hispanic men were found stabbed and deceased inside. The Sheriff’s Office said they were victims of a homicide.

Wilson was taken into custody in Batavia while Cruz was arrested in Warsaw after a 9-hour manhunt. They are being held without bail.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office isn’t releasing any more information right now, including the names of the victims. First they want to notify the families of the two men. The investigation in the case is ongoing.

Assisting the Genesee County Sheriff’s office are State Police, Warsaw Police Department, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, Albion Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and state DEC. Assisting at the scene were the Genesee County Emergency Management Office and Alexander Fire Department.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the article said Wilson was facing serious charges in Albion but that is a different Prince Wilson.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Pastor Albert Wilson and his wife Ykeeta stand by the refrigerator and food cupboard their church provided for the community outside Arnold’s Auto Parts.

ALBION – A new church which recently started offering services in Albion is showing its community support by helping to feed the hungry.

Greater Royal Body Shop Church, started by Pastor Albert Wilson and his wife Ykeeta, meets at 7 p.m. Fridays in the conference room at the Arnold Gregory Hospital Complex.

With support from Dan and Lisa DeCarlo of Arnold’s Auto Parts, Royal Body Shop Ministries has placed a refrigerator and cupboard full of food outside Arnold’s at 116 North Liberty St. Pastor Wilson dedicated the site at 1 p.m. Saturday, with Jack Burris from Hands 4 Hope, village trustee Stan Farone, local chef Jeff Holler, church members and other community supporters.

“While we worship God inside of four walls, he also wants us to be out in the community,” Pastor Wilson said.

While food in the refrigerator and cupboard is available to anyone in the community, it is hoped people will only take what they need.

Lisa DeCarlo, a member of Greater Royal Body Shop Church, shows a refrigerator stocked with food in front of Arnold’s Auto Parts at 116 N. Liberty St. The refrigerator and a cupboard will be kept stocked by the church and volunteers and will be available to anyone in the community who needs food 24/7.

Burris said his volunteers go to Rochester to get surplus food and sometimes they have a hard time getting rid of perishable items.

“It will be a blessing to have a refrigerator to put perishable food in,” Burris said.

The refrigerator and cupboard will be kept stocked by Royal Body Shop Ministries and volunteers from Hands 4 Hope when they have food available.

Local chef Jeff Holler will periodically prepare meals and have them in the refrigerator for families to take home and heat up.

Farone said this is a great thing the church is doing, and he is very happy about it. He said there is no doubt there is a need for such a service in Albion.

Village trustee Stan Farone, left, participates in the ribbon cutting with Pastor Albert Wilson and his wife Ykeeta, center, Dan DeCarlo from Arnold’s Auto Parts and other volunteers including Kevin Lemcke and Jack Burris of Hands 4 Hope.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Connie Rodas serves a tasting of wine from Schwenk Wine Cellars to Lisa Girvins, who attended today’s Sip N’ Stroll in Albion with her friends Libby Bentley and Amanda Clemens.

About 300 people attended the event which included tastings from about a dozen wineries, distilleries and breweries.

Paul Swchenk, left, is the owner of Schwenk Wine Cellars in Kent. They were serving out of the Coffee Joint.

Today’s event was expanded up Main Street from the downtown to include Bloom’s Flower Shop, the Main Street Thrift Store, Dubby’s Tailgate and the Arnold Gregory Complex. A limo bus was available to shuttle people to the different locations.

Souvenir wine glasses were available at The Lockstone, one of two registration sites with the other at Dubby’s.

The event is a fundraiser for the Albion Merchants Association, a chance to highlight participating businesses, as well as offering a fun outing for the community.

Julia Fleming, right, serves for Yoga Pants Vodka which was hosted by Snell Realtors with a Mardi Gras theme. Karen Burke is joined by friends Halle Deuil and Krista Jurs.

This grape balloon display signified that the Downtown Browsery was one of the stops on the Sip N’ Stroll.

Stephanie Balk made these frosted cookies for the Sip N- Stroll. They were available at the Downtown Browsery.

Carrie Riley, second from left, and her friend Beth Stanley of Albion sample wine from Thousand Islands Winery, which was served by David and Nancy Mantle from The Parlour in the former Swan Library.

Lead singer Lonnie Froman and The Who Dats performed for a big crowd at the after-party at Dubby’s Tailgate.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Georgia Thomas of Medina shows off Ukrainian Easter eggs which are part of her collection. She will give a talk and demonstration on making them at the Medina Historical Society’s meeting March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society’s March meeting will have a different format this month, when it moves to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Historical Society member Georgia Thomas will lead the meeting at 7 p.m. March 28 with a talk on the history of Easter eggs and demonstration on making Ukrainian Easter eggs.

With Ukraine being so prevalent in the news right now, Thomas thought it would be very timely to do a program on Ukrainian Easter eggs.

Thomas has a collection of several dozen Easter eggs of all kinds, including traditional American ones, porcelain eggs, a Faberge egg, Polish egg, an emu egg and even the plastic eggs which can be filled with goodies.

“It’s Easter and we all like Easter eggs,” Thomas said.

She said Easter eggs were first decorated thousands of years ago, and are symbolic because they signify rebirth, as chickens normally start laying profusely in the spring. The tradition dates back to pagan times, then early Christians picked it up and it has continued ever since.

Thomas said King Louis XIV had the first chocolate egg at Versailles. Nicholas II and Alexander III had Faberge eggs made from 1885 to 1917. She added that Cadbury made the first filled candy egg in 1875.

Former presidential wife Frances Folsom Cleveland, a one-time Medina resident, is credited with opening the White House to visitors for an Easter egg hunt. It is said the President’s hand was swollen from shaking so many hands.

Dolly Madison and Abe Lincoln also had Easter egg rolls on the Capitol lawn. World War I and II put an end to Easter egg hunts (or rolls), but President Eisenhower brought them back while he was in office. Thomas was a little girl of 8 when her family took her to Washington, D.C. and she joined in on an Easter egg hunt.

“I found an egg and it was not until I was older and started researching Easter eggs that I realized I was part of that historic event,” Thomas said.

During her program March 28, Thomas will show the entire process of making a Ukrainian egg with the art of pysanky. A small tool with a metal tip is put in beeswax, where it is sucked into the tip and used to draw on a raw egg.

“You can usually buy pysanky eggs at the Broadway Market,” Thomas said. “To me Ukrainian Easter eggs are the most beautiful, but they are also very expensive.”

She also said the Ukrainian custom is if one doesn’t make enough pysanky eggs a monster will be let loose.

“With what is going on now in Ukraine, I guess they didn’t make enough eggs, because a monster has certainly been let loose on the country,” Thomas concluded.

Everyone who attends the meeting March 28 will receive a token egg to take home.

Georgia Thomas holds one of her Ukrainian Easter eggs and a kiska used to decorate them. Making traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs is a painstaking process, as outlined in Georgia Thomas’ book on “Eggs Beautiful.” Her collection of Easter eggs includes Ukrainian ones, a Faberge egg, porcelain eggs and even an emu egg.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Noah Poler puts up a shot for the Genesee Region League against Niagara-Orleans League defender Jarin Rhim (Medina) during the annual Exceptional Senior game this evening at Albion.

Completing the sweep, the Genesee Region League boys likewise outlasted the Niagara-Orleans League 86-82 in overtime in the Exceptional Senior game this evening at Albion.

The N-O sent the contest into overtime on late baskets by Jarin Rhim (Medina) and Jahmeek Riley (Albion), the later coming with just four seconds to go knotting the score at 72-72.

The G-R though claimed the win by outscoring the N-O 14-10 in the extra period as Zach Marscelli (Elba) had a two and a three, Gaige Armbrewster (Oakfield-Alabama) a pair of baskets, Kam Cusmano (Oakfield-Alabama) a bucket and CJ Gottler (Elba) his fifth three of the evening.

Aiden Petrie (Roy-Hart) and Connor Gunby (Newfane) both had a pair of baskets for the N-O in the overtime.

The N-O held a slender 21-19 lead at the end of the first period but the G-R rallied into leads of 40-33 at the half and 57-51 at the three-quarter mark.

Gottler scored 11, including three threes, in the first half and Marsceill had a pair of threes in the third period for the G-R.

Vinny Buscarino (Roy-Hart) hit two threes in the opening period for the N-O as Tyler Gibson (Albion) and Brady Harrington Newfane had two baskets each. Harrington also scored 6 in the third and Riley 6 in the fourth.

Gottler finished with a game high 17, Marsceill 14, Armbrewster 11, Kam Cusmano and Aaron Lund (Wheatland-Chili) 9 each and Colin McCulley (Notre Dame) and Cody Henry (Notre Dame) 7 each to set the pace for the G-R.

Buscarino finished with 14, Harrington 12, Gunby 11, Petrie 10, Riley 10, Paul Smith (Wilson) 8, Gibson 7 and Rhim 7 to lead the N-O.

The N-O now holds a 12-9 lead in the series.

Roy-Hart’s Vinny Buscarino drives to the basket for the N-O as Colin McCulley (Notre Dame) defends for the G-R.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Alezya Brown tries to drive to the basket for the Genesee Region League against Niagara-Orleans League defenders Abby Scanlan (Albion) and Ella Hill (Akron) during the Exceptional Senior game this evening at Albion.

Setting the tone for the evening the Genesee Region League outlasted the Niagara-Orleans League 60-55 in overtime in the Exceptional Senior girls basketball game this evening at Albion.

The G-R sent the contest into overtime on a basket by Chase Harding (Attica) with just two seconds to go knotting the score at 51-51.

Keeping the momentum, the G-R then outscored the N-O 9-4 in the four minute overtime period to claim the win.

Ella Lewis (Lyndonville) had a basket and two free throws in the OT for the G-R as Libby Snyder (Kendall) and Laci Sewar (Elba) also had buckets.

The N-O held leads of 15-11 after one period, 28-19 at the half and 43-39 after three-quarters but the G-R came battling back with a 12-8 scoring edge in the final period to force overtime.

Giahna LaFromboise (Akron) scored 6 in both the first and second periods for the N-O while Karlee Rounds (Lyndonville) had 6 in the third and Kelsey Schlagenhauf (Oakfield-Alabama) 5 and Natalie Whitmore (Alexander) 4 each in the fourth for the G-R.

Lewis and Schlagenhauf both finished with 9 to lead a dozen G-R scorers as Dakota Brinkman (Elba) had 8, Whitmore, Snyder and Rounds 6, Maddie Primm (Byron-Bergen) and Alezya Brown (Kendall) 4, Sewar 3, Emma Kramer (Alexander) and Harding 2 and Emily Gadd (Attica) 1.

Lafromboise scored 16 and Ella Hill (Akron) 10 to pace the N-O as Abby Scanlan (Albion) added 8, Claire Halstead (Roy-Hart) and Jensen McGhee (Newfane) 6, Ava Owens (Roy-Hart) 5 and Sydney Mulka (Albion) 4.

It marked the 21st edition of the Exceptional senior game with the N-O now holding a 12-9 lead in the series.

Albion’s Sydney Mulka puts up a shot for the N-O as Kelsey Schlagenhauf (Oakfield-Alabama) defends for the G-R.

Orleans won’t ask towns to chip in after expenses fall below $2,050,000

Photo by Tom Rivers: Genesee Community College is shown at the main campus in Batavia in this photo from Feb. 13, 2018.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature put towns on notice for 2021 that the county wouldn’t keep absorbing the full costs for climbing community college charge-backs.

The Legislature in October 2020 voted to cap the county’s share of the charge-backs to $2,050,000. Anything beyond that would be passed to the towns in the county.

The county started the new policy in 2021 but the towns won’t be getting a bill from the county to help with community college expenses. That’s because the cost dropped nearly$400,000.

In 2020, the county was billed $2,214,515 for charge-backs to the home county of a community college student.

In 2021, the cost decreased to $1,839,535, a drop of $374,980.

Community colleges were supposed to be funded with the state paying a third, the student paying a third, and the local town/county covering the other third.

But the state has pulled back on its contribution, putting more pressure on students and local municipalities, Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, said when the county capped its contribution at $2,050,000 on Oct. 27, 2020.

The charge-backs to the county topped $2,050,000 in other recent years. It was $2,086,538 in 2018 and $2,188,769 in 2019, County Treasurer Kim DeFrank said.

She said there was a decline in community college enrollment by county residents last year, resulting in less expense to the county.

If the cost goes over $2,050,000 in 2022, the town share will be based on credit hours of residents in those towns.

Most community college students from Orleans go to Genesee Community College. But Orleans County has paid towards local students who attend other community colleges in the state, and some are far more costly than GCC, including the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Sue Slingerland of Medina took this photo of a snowy owl on Wednesday afternoon on Lewiston Road, north of Oakfield.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather advisory for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties, beginning at 7 p.m. today through 6 p.m. on Saturday.

There are total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

Other parts of Western New York are forecast to see more snow. Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and southern Erie could get 5 to 10 inches of snow.

In Orleans County, today is forecast for a high of 41 followed by a high near 26 on Saturday. The highs then include 47 on Monday, 44 on Tuesday, 49 on Wednesday and 57 on Thursday, according to the NWS in Buffalo.

Photo contributed: From left, Anne Downey, a volunteer at Medina Memorial Hospital; Maggie Stewart, development coordinator at Supportive Care of Orleans/Hospice; and Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation, hold bouquets of flowers Hospice donated to the hospital.

MEDINA – A donation to Medina Memorial Hospital from Supportive Care of Orleans/Hospice this past week brought cheer to staff and patients.

Hospice donated 200 bouquets to the hospital left from their annual spring fundraising flower sale. Heather Smith, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, helped distribute the flowers to patients and department employees.

“It was pretty wonderful to see people leaving the hospital with beautiful bouquets,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach. “This gesture definitely brightened the day of many. It is another example of how amazing our community is.”

Congressman also highlights $379K for ag/tech learning center at Cooperative Extension

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC – With the passing of last night’s two-bill omnibus package in the House of Representatives, Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has secured critical funds for district projects. Jacobs released the following statement on the votes.

“I voted for the defense portions of the omnibus, which included funding for our national security agencies, military aid for Ukraine, and expanded funding for CBP and ICE – a need I heard directly when at the border last week. However, I voted against the non-defense portion of the omnibus because it contained partisan policies that erode the Second Amendment and grow domestic spending at a time when we are still grappling with 40-year record inflation,” Jacobs said.

Specifically, Jacobs was able to secure funding for several projects including:

• Niagara Orleans Wireless Broadband Initiative – $3,877,500
• Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag/Tech Community Response & Learning Center in Orleans County – $379,432
• Lockport Memorial Hospital Campus of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital – $2,000,000
• GLOW YMCA Healthy Living Campus – $900,000
• Dansville YMCA Branch – $105,000
• Royalton-Hartland Agriculture Center for Excellence Outdoor Learning – $515,685
• Wyoming County Fire Training Center – $597,289

“This year, each member was afforded the opportunity to submit community project funding requests to support critical projects in their district. We held an extensive search to locate projects of importance in this district and secure federal funds for them,” Jacobs said. “My community project requests focused heavily on a priority I have had since taking office – supporting rural communities in NY-27 and ensuring they every resource to prosper now, and generations into the future. Whether building out high-speed broadband infrastructure, educating the next generation of Western New York farmers, or improving emergency services – these goals and initiatives are reflected in the funding I secured for my district.”

Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, made this statement: “Congressman Jacobs has delivered on his promise to close Orleans County’s rural digital divide. Our families, farmers, students, seniors, and businesses will finally have a level playing field with the rest of the state and nation. Reliable high-speed broadband service will literally be life changing for people in this community. We have not seen this level of commitment in the 15 years since forming the NORA Rural Broadband Initiative and are beyond grateful that Congressman Jacobs took up the mantle on our behalf. It clearly made all the difference.”

Robert Batt, Executive Director of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, made this statement: “Congressman Jacobs was the first to get behind this project in response to community needs identified during the pandemic. The CCE AgTech Community Response & STEAM Learning Center at Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension will provide drive-through emergency response assistance 365 days a year to residents of Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming and Niagara counties, if necessary.

“When not in use as a rural emergency response center, the modern interior’s walls can flex to create classrooms or expansive hands-on learning spaces for CCE’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture/Arts, Math (STEAM) and Robotics programs. This flex center can be the site of vaccine or medical screening clinics one day and AgTech workshops the next.  We are grateful for the funding to expand the capacity and curriculum at Cornell Orleans while at the same time creating a permanent community resource center for Orleans County residents and our neighbors during extreme weather events, other local and national emergencies.”