Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that General Motors plans to invest nearly $154 million in its Western New York Lockport Components plant.
The investment will be used to renovate the facility and purchase and install new machinery and equipment used in the production of the stator module, a key component in an electric motor. Electric motors will be used in a variety of GM’s future Ultium Platform-based electric trucks and SUVs. Facility renovations will begin immediately.
“With this major investment at its Lockport facility, General Motors is taking the next steps to advance an all-electric future,” said Governor Hochul. “Not only will this investment provide a boost to Western New York’s economy, but it will play a critical role in supporting our efforts to electrify the transportation sector and reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.”
Gerald Johnson, GM Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, said, “GM’s investment in Lockport reaffirms our commitment to manufacturing in Western New York and our confidence in this team because they will build a crucial module in our electric motor assembly for our future EV trucks and SUVs. We appreciate the support from the state of New York, and it was an important factor in making this investment possible.”
As Lockport Components, which is a unionized facility located on Upper Mountain Road, prepares for electric motor component production, the facility will continue to build a variety of components that support GM’s current truck and SUV production.
Lockport Components currently produces radiators, condensers, heater cores, evaporators, HVAC modules, oil coolers and other components used in a variety of GM trucks. GM currently estimates Lockport Components will add approximately 230 positions between 2023-2026. Actual staffing plans will be finalized closer to the start of production as the facility transitions to support EV motor component production.
Empire State Development (ESD) will provide up to $5.65 million in Excelsior Jobs Program “green” investment tax credits in return for investment commitments to move the project forward.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, “The auto industry is a critical economic driver in Western New York. General Motors’ renovations at its Niagara County facility will help the region continue to lead the way with the next generation of electric vehicles and support New York’s transition to the green economy.”
New York State has also been supporting the location through the allocation of 18 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.
Lockport Components was founded in 1910 as the Harrison Radiator Company for the purpose of designing, manufacturing, and selling automotive radiators and components. With more than 1,500 employees, the site is focused on continuous improvement through a joint team process between UAW Local 686, Local 55 and plant management.
Senator Robert Ortt said, “I am pleased that General Motors is reaffirming their investment in the people and city of Lockport with today’s announcement. Western New York can and should continue to be a leader in providing good manufacturing jobs, innovation for our future economy, and an exciting place to raise a family.”
Assemblymember Michael Norris said, “General Motors and Harrison Radiator has truly been a critical foundation of our Lockport community and Western New York region through several generations of hardworking and dedicated employees and remarkable innovation within the industry. General Motors, by way of this significant investment in the Lockport Plant, has now renewed its commitment to our region and workforce, making the Lockport Plant a key part of the next generation of innovation in the automobile sector. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to General Motors and its workforce for its steadfast and long term leadership and history in Lockport and Western New York and I look forward to continuing to support its team and economic initiatives that will retain and grow good paying jobs in our region as this next exciting chapter begins.”
Congressman Chris Jacobs issued this statement this afternoon: “I applaud General Motors for recognizing the immense value of our region and for making an investment that will revolutionize their plant here and keep Western New York a leader in advanced manufacturing. Investments like these will ensure good-paying jobs and innovation thrive here, and I look forward to working with General Motors to support this effort and bring our WNY manufacturing industry into the future.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 January 2022 at 8:29 am
ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee has reached its goal of raising $100,000 for a bronze statue of Santa on Main Street in Waterman Park.
The group has been raising funds for nearly seven years for the statue, a base, bench, interpretive panels and other features celebrating the life of Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa Claus School in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966. The school continues today in Howard’s name in Midland, Mich.
The Betterment Committee has hired Brian Porter to create the bronze statue. Porter made the statue of the soldier outside the former Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA.
The Albion Betterment Committee had this sign honoring Charles Howard erected in 2015 on Route 98 in Albion.
In November, the Betterment Committee was at $64,000 for the project. It did a community appeal to close the gap, and Maurice and Courtenay Hoag came through with a major donation, said Joe Gehl, one of the ABC’s directors. The Hoags have been a major benefactor for a public library in Albion that bears their name.
“Obviously, we’re very excited in having attained this milestone, which will allow us to enhance the Park and make it more tourist-friendly,” Gehl said.
The Betterment Committee said the statue should be done and dedicated in June 2023 during the Strawberry Festival.
The group wanted to recognize Howard who also operated Christmas Park in Albion and is revered among Santa portrayers even today. About 200 of the “Santa’s” attended a convention in Albion in 2015. That Santa convention “raised awareness of the community-building potential represented by greater acknowledgement of his place in history,” the ABC directors said.
The Betterment Committee has put up new signs in Albion celebrating Howard’s legacy, and also were successful in getting the state to declare part of Route 31 in Albion as the Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway. Those signs went up in December 2020 right before Christmas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after it was reported the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) reached a deal to resume in-person services at Social Security field offices. Jacobs has been advocating consistently for this outcome.
“For months my office has heard from concerned constituents who have been in desperate need of in person services, and for months I have been calling for the Social Security Commissioner and the head of the AFGE to come to a workable arrangement to restore in-person services at SSA field offices.
“Now, I am glad to finally say those efforts were successful. While we wait for final details on reopening plans, this is welcome and long overdue news. The fact of the matter is this shouldn’t have taken this long, and the administration has no excuse for denying in-person services to thousands of seniors for months, especially those in NY-27 and other rural communities who have very limited access to the internet.
“I am proud to have led the charge to get these services returned to in-person availability, and I will keep fighting to ensure the needs of my constituents are met.”
In October, Jacobs led 50 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to Acting SSA Commissioner Kijakazi urging the SSA to work with the AFGE to reopen in-person services as soon as possible.
In November, 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.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
ROYALTON – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced that beginning Tuesday, Feb. 1, target shooting will be prohibited at Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located in DEC’s Regions 8 and 9.
The closure will bring the WMA into compliance with recently adopted regulations for WMAs statewide that prohibit target shooting.
DEC adopted statewide regulations following a public comment period last year and is exploring additional options to provide safe and ecologically sound target shooting at alternative locations throughout the state.
DEC is prohibiting target shooting at the WMA’s dirt mounds along Owen-Bartel Road in the town of Royalton to protect public safety, reduce lead contamination in the environment, provide additional wildlife habitat, protect down-range power lines, and promote an overall cleaner and safer Tonawanda WMA. DEC will undertake lead abatement activities in the Owen-Bartel Road area after the mounds at Tonawanda are closed.
Tonawanda WMA is located in Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Erie counties and consists of 5,600 acres. The WMA offers hunting, particularly waterfowl, as well as trapping, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor- and wildlife-related activities. Tonawanda and nearby Oak Orchard WMAs were designated as a Bird Conservation Area because of important bird habitat. For more information, click here to be directed to the DEC’s website.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 January 2022 at 11:56 am
Photo courtesy of Iroquois Job Corps: Dennis Essom, left, Iroquois Job Corps Center director, and Luke Kantor, Center manager, pose with Christi Horanburg, Career Transition Readiness instructor, who was recognized as Employee of the Year for 2021.
MEDINA – The Iroquois Job Corps Center manager Education and Training Resources has announced that Christi Horanburg, Career Transition Readiness instructor, has been chosen as the Center Director’s Employee of the Year for 2021.
According to Center Director Dennis Essom, Horanburg has been a key staff member at Iroquois Job Corps Center for the past 8 1/2 years. Her role in the program is to work with their young adults to ensure they have the career transition readiness skills that will assist them in future pursuits of employment.
“Teaching our students about career success standards, core values of ETR, assisting with resume writing, job searches, relocation efforts for apartment finding, tutoring/assistance for ASVAB military testing and placements and promotion of Job Corps Advanced Trade opportunities are just a few of her many tasks here at the Iroquois Job Corps Center,” Essom said. “Ms. Horanburg’s classroom is in many ways a final step for our graduates to get ready for life after the program. Countless numbers of students have benefited into their early careers due to her dedication, hard work and perseverance.”
The Iroquois Job Corps located south of Medina is a federally funded vocational and academic training program. At Job Corps, young adults between the ages of 16 to 24 work on bettering themselves through career technical training and high school equivalency programs.
“Our residential, college style center allows students to live on campus and take advantage of meals, recreation activities, clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, drivers’ education programs, work-based learning internships and more at no cost to eligible students,” Essom added.
After shutting down due to the pandemic, Essom said Iroquois Job Corps is now open for business. Having been approved for traditional enrollment, they are starting to bring back students for normal classes.
More information about the Job Corps program can be found by clicking here or by calling the Center at (585) 344-6700.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 January 2022 at 10:19 am
$4 million increase in state aid among 5 school districts
The local school districts would get funding increases in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal.
The five school districts in Orleans County – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – would see a combined increase of $2,575,615 in Foundation Aid and $4,083,015 in total state aid.
The breakdown for each district includes:
Albion – Foundation Aid up 3.00 percent or by $669,226, from $22,307,559 to $22,976,785. Total state aid up 1.48 percent or by $429,558, from $28,998,219 to $29,427,777.
Holley – Foundation Aid up 6.02 percent or by $659,179, from $10,941,047 to $11,600,226. Total state aid up 7.57 percent or by $1,314,422, from $17,361,095 to $18,675,517.
Kendall – Foundation Aid up 4.52 percent or by $367,633, from $8,138,171 to $8,505,804. Total state aid up 4.54 percent or by $634,283, from $13,984,659 to $14,618,942.
Lyndonville – Foundation Aid up 4.85 percent or by $323,396, from $6,674,631 to $6,998,027. Total state aid up 5.96 percent or by $627,901, from $10,536,659 to $11,164,560.
Medina – Foundation Aid up 3.00 percent or by $556,181, from $18,539,370 to $19,095,551. Total state aid up 3.84 percent or by $1,076,851, from $18,539,370 to $19,095,551.
Hochul’s executive budget sets $31.3 billion in total school aid, which is up by $2.1 billion or 7.1 percent. That includes a $1.6 billion Foundation Aid increase and a $466 million increase in all other school aid programs.
“It’s definitely helpful for us this year, and will help us to overcome the inflationary pressures we are facing in the budget this year, particularly in heating and fuel costs,” said Mark Kruzynski, Medina district superintendent.
Medina’s increase would be 3 percent in Foundation Aid, and 3.8 percent in overall state aid. That is less than many other districts.
“While the 3 percent Foundation Aid increase isn’t the jaw dropping increase that many wealthier suburban districts are slated to receive, our Foundation Aid was not held back as much as those districts were during the previous 10 years,” Kruzynski said.
The New York State School Boards Association praised Hochul for a budget that provides at least a 3 percent Foundation Aid increase to each of the 700 school districts in the state.
“The proposed 7.1 percent school aid increase would provide $1.6 billion in additional Foundation Aid in 2022-23 and would enable individual school districts to direct the aid where it is needed most, while easing potential impacts on local taxpayers,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Robert S. Schneider. “The minimum 3 percent Foundation Aid increase Gov. Hochul has proposed for districts already at full funding also is welcome as all districts face increasing costs.”
State legislators will weigh in on the governor’s budget proposal in the coming months with a budget deadline on April 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 January 2022 at 8:08 am
It’s going to be cold the next two days in Orleans County, with highs of only 11 today and 12 on Friday, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The wind chill values will be as low as -5 today and -10 on Friday. The overnight low will drop to 4 tonight followed -3 on Friday night.
The sharp drop from Wednesday, when temps were in the high 30s, caused snow melt. The subsequent rapid refreeze has led to slick spots on sidewalks and any untreated road surfaces, the Weather Service said.
“If you are out an about be careful as some of this ice may not be visible underneath any recent snowfall,” the Weather Service said. “Exercise caution as you head out this morning.”
Saturday is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high near 22 followed by a mostly cloudy Sunday, with a high near 25.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 January 2022 at 4:23 pm
Charts from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 1,659 new Covid cases in the two counties the past week. That is the second most during the nearly two-year Covid-19 pandemic, but is down from the 2,703 the previous week.
Orleans County is reporting 645 new cases from Jan. 12-18, down from 855 the previous week, and Genesee has 1,014 new cases, down from 1,848 from Jan. 5-11.
Combined, the two weeks represent 4,362 cases or 4.4 percent of the combined population of 98,731 in the two counties – 40,343 in Orleans and 58,388 in Genesee.
The G-O Health Departments also said one Orleans County resident and three from Genesee County passed away due to Covid in the past week. All four were over age 65.
“We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of these individuals and their families,” G-O Health stated. “Our deepest condolences are extended to the families and friends of these individuals.”
Genesee has now had 169 Covid-related deaths and Orleans has had 105 during the pandemic, G-O Health officials said.
ALBANY – The New York State Senate Republican Conference today called upon Governor Kathy Hochul and Democrat One-Party Rule to end one-size-fits-all Albany mandates and return to a system of governance based on facts, collaborative decision making, and guidance.
“Nearly two years ago, New York became the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ortt said. “Our state was shut down, our schools were closed, and our economy was decimated. Nearly 700 days later, the results speak for themselves. One-size-fits-all Albany mandates didn’t work under Governor Cuomo, they don’t work under Governor Hochul, and New Yorkers are fed up. It’s past time to return to a system of governance based on facts and collaboration – not politics and dictation.”
Specifically, Senate Republicans are calling for an end to statewide school mandates and healthcare/workforce mandates, among other mandates – and to instead shift to recommendations and guidance. Additionally, local control over public health response(s) would be restored, as decisions on mandates would be left to acts of local governing bodies, under one Senate Republican proposal.
Challenges presented by some of the statewide mandates include:
Massive healthcare staffing shortages, based on the original vaccination mandate and upcoming booster mandate – impacting regions of the state differently;
Cancellation of “elective” surgeries based on state definition of capacity;
Numerous school and childcare closures, which have resulted in even more learning loss and mental health decline among schoolchildren;
Children 12 years and older kept out of extracurricular activities if not boosted when there is a Covid exposure, yet still able to attend school and travel on the bus;
To qualify for the oral antiviral medications priority eligibility is given based on race and ethnicity; and
A potential vaccine mandate for school children.
Today’s announcement follows Senate Republicans’ unveiling of their “Take Back New York” 2022 Agenda, and is the first part in a multi-pronged plan to restore accountability to the state government in the aftermath of disgraced ex-Governor Cuomo’s rampant abuses of power.
Last year, Senate Republicans led the charge to end disgraced ex-Governor Cuomo’s emergency powers – a months-long effort designed to compel the Senate Democrat Majority to check his authority in the wake of the nursing home scandal and coverup, and curb Cuomo’s many other abuses of power throughout Covid-19 pandemic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 January 2022 at 1:38 pm
ALBION – An Albion who stabbed a 17-year-old in the chest in a domestic dispute last May was sentenced to five years in state prison this morning.
Isaiah Alexander, 62, was sentenced for first-degree assault and third-degree assault. He initially was charged with attempted murder, but the 17-year-old male recovered from his injuries to his upper chest. A 20-year-old woman also suffered a severe laceration to her hand.
Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church gave Alexander the maximum sentenced in a plea agreement. Alexander will also face five years of post-release supervision.
“Fortunately it didn’t do worse damage,” Church said about the stab wound.
Joanne Best, the public defender, said Alexander was assaulted during an altercation at Oak Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park. He was hit over the head with a broken glass candle holder, she said.
Alexander has “virtually no criminal history,” she said, and has been a very hard worker for many years at local farms.
She asked the judge for less than the maximum sentence.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said Alexander had been drinking the night of May 11 when the altercation then ensued. The DA asked for the maximum sentence because of the “very serious conduct.”
Judge Church also issued three orders of protection in court today for people in the altercation with Alexander on May 11.
In another sentencing today, Melissa Kuhn, 20, of Holley was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for violating her probation. She admitted in court on Jan. 5 that she didn’t report to probation soon after being released from county jail and also by communicating with a co-defendant who she was forbidden to talk with.
Kuhn was on probation after admitting to being the driver for people in a burglary on Fruit Avenue in Ridgeway.
ALBION – The Pistol Permit “Recertification” Process, also recently referred to in the news as “renewal” of your pistol permit, has been a topic of much discussion and also has caused many inquiries through the Orleans County Pistol Permit Office.
Nadine Hanlon, Orleans County Clerk, would like to provide the following information to make the recertification process easy.
The “New York State Pistol/Revolver License Recertification” is a process handled entirely by the New York State Police Pistol Permit Bureau in Albany. The Orleans County Pistol Permit Office cannot accept these forms for filing.
The recertification process is in addition to the usual local processing of activity on your Orleans County Pistol Permit – it is a summary of your current pistol permit status to Albany, which is mandatory every 5 years.
The Orleans County Pistol Permit Office does not have information on your current recertification status.
If you do not have internet access, please call the NYS Troopers in Albany at: 1-855-lawguns (1-855-529-4867) to determine your recertification status with them, and for further inquiries.
For those with internet access, you can access the New York State Police Pistol Permit website through the Orleans County Pistol Permit website, by clicking here, or search “Orleans County, NY – Pistol Permits.”
From our website, you can then access the following links on the NYS Police Pistol Permit website, as follows:
• Recertification – New York State Pistol/Revolver License Holder: New York State firearms laws require pistol/revolver license holders to recertify their status every five years. Click here for more information.
The status of submitted recertification forms can be conveniently checked by clicking here. You will need to have your New York State Driver License or Non-Driver Identification Card in order to check or complete your recertification status.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 January 2022 at 9:47 am
BARRE – The State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) has issued a siting permit for Heritage Wind to build 33 turbines in the Town of Barre that will have the capacity to generate 184.8 megawatts of electricity.
Houtan Moaveni, ORES executive director, issued the decision on Jan. 13.
The project will contribute approximately $54 million in host community benefits and payments in lieu of taxes to the Town of Barre, Orleans County, and local schools over the course of 25 years.
The turbines would have a maximum blade tip height of 675 feet, making them the largest land-based turbines in the state. Each turbine will be able to produce 5.6 megawatts of power.
The project also includes 12 miles of access roads, two permanent meteorological towers, approximately 36 miles of collection lines from the wind turbines to the collection substation, a temporary construction laydown yard of approximately 13 acres, an operations and maintenance facility consisting of two buildings totaling approximately 4,000 square feet, and other components.
Moaveni, the ORES director, said six turbines within 2 miles of Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area will be subject to greater scrutiny for avian impacts.
He cited the benefits of the project in providing $54 million to the local communities over 25 years and also contributing the state’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. The Barre project will offset up to 112,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Provided photo: Breanna Girangaya, Libbie Pechora, volunteer chaperone David Weaver, Casey Onisk and Hayley Lipke teamed up on a section of the canal on April 24 last year in Holley. Casey Onisk designed the shirts with an Earth Day theme. Holley had 68 volunteers for the Canal Clean Sweep, covering 9 miles of the towpath. They also picked up garbage and debris along all of the village streets.
Registration has opened for Canal Clean Sweep 2022. Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is organizing the 17th annual Canal Clean Sweep April 22-24 in celebration of Earth Day and Celebrate Trails Day.
Community service clubs, co-workers at a business or organization, Scouts or even families are encouraged to register for a spot or section of the canal. Or they can check back later to register as a volunteer for a public event. Use the Event Finder Map on Parks & Trails website.
Most events will occur on Earth Day weekend, April 22-24. However, volunteers can pick another day if it works better.
Click here to fill out a form to register a Canal Clean Sweep event, indicating the clean-up location, how many volunteers are expected, and what t-shirt sizes are needed.
After registering for a Canal Clean Sweep event, Parks & Trails will provide more information and materials.
Last year, more than a hundred communities, not-for-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, and social clubs took part in 120 cleanup and beautification events along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail.
