Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of Phase II of New York State’s $15 million Regional Dredging Project.

The dredging project is part of the State’s $300 million Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) effort to repair and build resiliency in communities recovering from damage caused by high water levels and flooding along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

“Communities along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have endured so much already at the hands of flood waters and our dredging operations are playing a critical role in creating more resilient shorelines,” said Governor Hochul. “With this work now complete, residents and tourists alike will benefit from enhanced access of these critical waterways, helping to bolster local economies and promote safe recreational boating.”

The objective of the REDI Regional Dredging Project, established in 2019, is to provide a comprehensive approach to ongoing dredging needs for harbor navigation channels used primarily for recreational boating and refuge.

The dredging removed built-up sediment from the bottom of the waterways to allow for continued safe harbor and passage of watercraft. Through two phases, the project tackled maintenance dredging of 20 harbor navigation channels. Over 75 percent of the dredged sediment was beneficially reused in a variety of ways including beach renourishment, littoral placement, and general fill.

Dredging undertaken as part of the REDI Regional Dredging Program included:

• Salmon River/Port Ontario, Sandy Pond Outlet (Oswego County)
• Olcott Harbor, Golden Hill State Park (Niagara County)
• Oak Orchard Harbor, Johnson Creek (Orleans County)
• Sandy Creek, Braddock Bay, Long Pond Outlet, Irondequoit Bay (Monroe County)
• Bear Creek Harbor, Pultneyville, East Bay, Port Bay, Blind Sodus (Wayne County)
• Clayton French Creek Marina, Henderson “The Cut” (Jefferson County)
• Ogdensburg “City Front Channel,” Morristown Navigation Channel (St. Lawrence County)
• Little Sodus Bay (Cayuga County)

“On behalf of all the member counties of the Lake Ontario Regional Dredging Management Council (formed as a shared services initiative by the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance), our sincere appreciation goes to the Governor and all of those who made this vital economic-generating project possible,” said Orleans County Legislative Chairman Lynne Johnson.

Final sediment disposal and site restoration is ongoing. The harbors included in the Regional Dredging Project along the southern shore of Lake Ontario are estimated to generate $94 million in economic activity, with $3.8 million in state tax revenues and an additional $3.8 million for local communities annually. These harbors support more than 1,350 local jobs.

The REDI Regional Dredging Project was managed by a multi-agency team made up of the Office of General Services, Department of State, Department of Environmental Conservation, and New York Power Authority, with support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During Phase III, anticipated to take place in 2022, the state will transition program management to the counties and provide the information they need to update, expand and implement an existing Regional Dredging Management Plan to keep the channels operational in the years to come.

The State’s initial support for the REDI Regional Dredging Project was designed to give Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River counties the time needed to develop long-term operational, maintenance, and funding plans to maintain recreational navigation channels in the future.

“Their leadership and funding will help keep our waterways safe and navigable,” said Niagara County Legislature Administration and Finance Chairman David E. Godfrey. “In doing so, our lakeshore counties can continue to attract sport fishermen and boaters both locally and internationally.”

Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said, “The small towns and communities along our lakeshore are heavily dependent on access to Lake Ontario, and the ability to navigate along the waters stemming from the lake has a direct economic impact on these lakefront communities. The completion of Phase 2 of the REDI Commission’s regional dredging project will mean a more sustainable long-term future for the Lake Ontario waterfront region, and I applaud New York State for recognizing how important each of these 20 dredging sites are for their respective areas.”

Assemblyman Michael Norris said, “The completion of Phase II the REDI Regional Dredging Program is a critical component to ensuring the protection of our harbors, providing continued access for boaters and fishing charters, and enhancing key economic activity along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. I am proud to support the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative and commend Governor Hochul for her partnership and investment in these important infrastructure projects.”

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley said, “The completion of these critical dredging projects throughout the 139th Assembly District and the western portion of our state is fantastic news for the future of our area, ensuring that these waterways can be safely accessed for generations to come.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

As 2021 comes to an end, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to wish you a healthy and Happy New Year!

2021 was a very busy year for the Health Department and a majority of staff efforts were focused on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, staff have also been working hard to ensure conditions in the community promote optimal health for the residents we serve.

The Community Health Services staff have been working diligently at Covid-19 testing and vaccination clinics, conducting Covid-19 case investigations and gathering/analyzing local Covid-19 data.

In addition, staff have been educating on lead poisoning, investigating disease/foodborne illness outbreaks, providing guidance to pregnant moms and families with new babies as well as providing migrant health outreach to assist farm workers in both counties.

Staff of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness team have been instrumental in planning, organizing and implementing the mass testing and vaccination clinics that occurred throughout the first six months of 2021. In the last six months, staff have been administering smaller testing and vaccination clinics that have been held weekly at the respective health departments.

The Environmental Health Team members have been active in assisting with Covid-19 testing and vaccination clinics, but also assuring the community is safe from foodborne illnesses by conducting food inspections and issuing health permits to temporary food service establishments. Staff have also been inspecting septic systems, enforcing the NYS Clean Indoor Air Act, and offering free rabies clinics in both counties.

The Lead Program continues to promote education and outreach to enhance lead poisoning prevention and promote testing of children to determine potential lead exposure. Through a federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, GO Health addresses lead-based paint hazards and other housing issues by funding health-related home repairs, maintenance, and upgrades to eligible homeowners and landlords.

In October, GO Health was awarded a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand the primary prevention of childhood lead poisoning to the entire GLOW region.

Staff within our Children’s Programs spent the first half of 2021 assisting with Covid-19 contact tracing and vaccination clinics. In the second half of the year, Service Coordinators have been instrumental in assisting parents and caregivers during the Covid-19 pandemic. They provided education, case management, support and referrals to help children succeed and have a good quality of life.

The Public Health Education team have worked diligently to provide up-to-date data and information related to Covid-19 to the community through press briefings, press releases, social media and website updates. GO Health launched their joint website this past spring, which is a centralized location for residents of Genesee and Orleans Counties to access forms and find resources.

Weights & Measures (W&M) completed 345 inspections accounting for over 1,160 devices within the two counties. These tests involved pumping more than 21,000 gallons of fuel and using more than 5 million pounds of test weight ensuring all commercial weighing and measuring devices meet NYS standards. The department collected 132 fuel samples confirming fuel sold within both counties meet a variety of parameters. In the last two years, the W&M program has shown a savings in excess of $100,000 through GO Health shared services.

In 2022, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties will be developing the new 2022-2024 tri-county Community Health Assessment (CHA)/Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and in partnership with local hospital systems, Community Services Plan. We will be looking for community members in all three counties to assist in the process by participating in community conversations and taking the Community Health Assessment survey. We are also looking forward to completing the Public Health Accreditation Process in November of 2022.

“It is our pleasure to serve the residents of Genesee and Orleans counties,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We thank you for the opportunity and look forward to a productive 2022. We wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy New Year.”

For information about GO Health, visit GOHealthny.org. For the Genesee County Health Department, call 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 and for the Orleans County Health Department, call    585-589-3278.

State sets new pandemic high with 74K new cases in one day

The number of active Covid cases in Orleans and Genesee counties is back on the rise after a brief reprieve.

The active cases in Orleans are up from 130 on Monday to 215 today, and from 218 on Monday in Genesee County to 272 today. (A week ago there were 211 cases in Orleans and 231 in Genesee.)

The state hit a record high for new cases in one day with 74,207 on Wednesday. Those results were reported today by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

That passes the 67,090 on Tuesday. Before that the record was 49,708 positive tests on Dec. 24.

New York City, with 43,985 new cases on Wednesday, has the majority of the record 74,207 cases in the state. Long Island also is seeing a surge in cases with 5,772 new cases in Suffolk and 6,861 in Nassau.

Closer to Orleans, there were 1,290 new cases on Wednesday in Monroe County, 2,252 in Erie County and 376 in Niagara. There were 66 in Genesee and 34 in Orleans.

In the past three days there have been 159 new positive cases (20 home tests) in Orleans County. There have been 66 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

In Genesee, there are 219 new positive cases (34 from home tests) since Monday. There have been 155 more recoveries since Monday.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also is reporting four people are hospitalized in Orleans due to Covid and Genesee has 28 residents in the hospital from Covid.

Three residents from Genesee County also have passed away from Covid, bringing the total deaths in the county from Co vid to 158 since the pandemic started in March 2020.

‘We will miss you and never forget you.’ – Tillman family

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mark Tillman, front right, will close Tillman’s Village Inn after today. He is pictured with some of his employees today including Kim Achzet (front left), an employee for 33 years. In back from left: Marty Wolfe, manager of Fair Haven Inn, employee for 13 years; David Sharp, employee for 7 years; Victoria Mortensen, general manager and employee for 21 years; Tracey Frasier, employee for 15 years; and Sammy Davis, employee for six years.

GAINES – Today is the last day of business for Tillman’s Village Inn after 70 years of operation by four generations of Tillmans.

Mark Tillman, 66, is retiring. He has been working at the restaurant since he was a young boy, first sorting beer bottles for his father, Bill.

Mark lived upstairs at the Village Inn the first three years of his life, and his parents used the liquor room as his nursery when he was a baby.

Tillman has been full-time at the Village Inn since 1977 after serving three years with the Marine Corps. His daughter Samantha has joined him in recent years at the VI.

Mark said the business is still successful and isn’t a “Covid casualty” like many other restaurants around the state and country, which had to close the inside to customers for months due to Covid restrictions.

Tillman wants to retire while “I still have some spring in my step.” The building is for sale.

Mark said closing the business has been difficult and emotional due to the close relationships with so many customers and his employees.

“We’re nothing without the community,” Tillman said today.

He has followed his father’s example of taking on any job that needed to be done at the restaurant. He strove to offer quality food without making people feel they needed to dress up fancy.

Mark motivated his staff by offering respect, rather than fear.

“It’s how you treat people,” he said.

File photos: Tillman’s Village Inn is the only remaining stagecoach stop on Ridge Road still serving the public with food and lodging. It’s been in near continuous operation since 1824. The Tillmans served about 4 million pounds of prime rib over the years.

Mark wanted to retire about two years ago but wanted to see his employees through the early days of the Covid pandemic, when the community and state faced high unemployment. He believes the employees are in demand now and better able to transition to other jobs. But it’s still hard for him to say good bye to the staff. Two of the current waitresses have been at the VI for more than three decades. June Avino has worked there nearly 38 years and Kim Achzet has been with the Village Inn for 33 years.

Victoria Mortensen, the general manager the past five years, started as a server 21 years ago.

She praised the Tillman family for their trust and confidence in her.

“Knowing the Tillmans has been one of my greatest blessings,” Mortensen said. “To start as a server and work up to general manager, for that I will always be grateful.”

The Village Inn has enduring popularity, she said, by offering quality food at affordable prices.

“It’s a beautiful venue and it’s a great place to work,” Mortensen said. “Everyone gets along. It’s like a family.”

Mark is the third generation to run the business. For many years he worked next to his brother Tom with Mark managing the dining room, the staff and the books while Tom ran the bar and kitchen.

The two have taken out an ad in this weekend’s Pennysaver thanking the community and their employees for all the support over the seven decades.

“There is never a good time to say goodbye to a successful business where many of you, your parents, grandparents and beyond celebrated ‘LIFE,’” the two brothers write in their message. “However, this IS the time, to both say goodbye and thank you. You made the Tillman family and the Village Inn family shine for over 70 years. We will miss you and never forget you.”

The Tillmans bought the Village Inn in 1951 when it was a dilapidated structure at the intersection of routes 98 and 104.

This large dining room showcases the original timber frame construction of the carriage barn with antiques and historic photos. The original inn has been enlarged by incorporating two historic barn structures that previously serviced the horses and carriages of early visitors. The hand-hewn beams were shaped by axes and machetes nearly 200 years ago. Tillman displays many artifacts from the bygone era – saddles, harnesses, food barrels and many historical photos. The restaurant’s liquor license is framed from the early 1900s. In 1905, the license cost $150, a fee payable to the state.

Tom and Mark’s grandfather Sam and their father Bill took on the challenge of running the restaurant 70 years ago. They were from Rochester and recruited their buddies from Kodak to help upgrade the building.

The Tillmans built a thriving business often serving 600 to 700 people a night, a destination restaurant known for prime rib. Many wedding receptions, banquet parties, first dates and funeral receptions have been held at the Village Inn.

Mark Tillman said he feels honored the site was a venue for such important gatherings in so many peoples’ lives.

He also praised Norbert Hausner, a Rochester architect, who helped design renovations and expansions at the Village Inn, bringing the family’s vision to reality. The family never wanted a sterile party house atmosphere. It wanted the building to honor its historical roots as a stage coach stop on the Ridge.

“In 1951, our parents and grandparents traveled from their homes in Rochester, to a small farming hamlet in the center of Orleans County to chase a dream,” Mark and Tom write in their thank you message to the community. “You – our customers and staff – made that dream a reality in helping establish a WNY institution in hospitality.”

Provided photo

ALBION – Kim DeFrank, left, and Melynda Brown took the oaths of office this morning from Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon.

DeFrank was elected in November to second four-year term as county treasurer. Brown is the deputy county treasurer.

DeFrank of Murray has worked in the treasurer’s office for 27 years. Brown of Knowlesville has worked there for nearly 22 years.

DeFrank said she enjoys working with the public in her job as treasurer. Her office functions as an accountant for the county, keeping the financial books and tracking all of the funds in the county government.

DeFrank said she has pushed to keep the office open to the public, even during the Covid area. That has been accomplished by putting in a Plexiglass barrier at the front desk.

The Covid pandemic has changed one important function of the treasurer’s office – the annual property tax auction. That is usually held in May but has been pushed back by the state to November the past two years. DeFrank said she looks forward to that going back on a spring schedule so there is more time to close out the transactions within the same calendar year.

DeFrank also was recently appointed treasurer of the New York State County Treasurers and Finance Officers Association. She said that state-wide association offers many resources county treasurers around the state.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved 2 percent raises for the management team in county government for 2022 and 2023.

One legislator, Don Allport, opposed the raises during a meeting last week, saying these are uncertain economic times and taxpayers are already getting hit with high inflation.

Other county officials said Orleans needs to be competitive to keep its department heads and other members of the management team. The raises are at the same rate as employees in the CSEA and other unions.

In other action, the Legislature:

• Approved spending $10,175 audiovisual equipment in the legislative chambers at the County Office Building. The county is adding cameras and equipment. The room opened in June 2019 as part of a new addition to the  County Office Building. At that time, county officials didn’t foresee public meetings would go remote during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The county’s Computer Services Department will work with Audio-Video Corporation of Albany for the upgrade in the meeting room.

• Appointed the following to the County Planning Board: Daniel Strong (at-large central) of Kent, Darryl Sanford (at-large central alternate) of Albion, Christopher Kinter (Town of Albion) of Albion, Kevin Parker (Town of Albion alternate) of Albion, and David Knapp (Town of Murray) of Holley.

• Approved an agreement with Lynne Menz Designs of Kent to provide Tourism Coordinator Services to Orleans County in 2022 at a cost not to exceed $18,720. The Legislature also approved an agreement with Lynne Menz Designs to provide design services to Orleans County in 2022 at a cost not to exceed $22,000. This agreement includes costs associated with advertising design, publication design, social media, photography and video production to be paid on a project basis.

• Authorized a $2,500 stipend for Dawn Borchert, the county’s tourism director, to perform the functions of a Marine Park Manager.

• Approved an additional $20,000 for the County of Orleans Industrial Development Agency (COIDA) for economic development services for 2021. This is extra to the $190,000 the county allocated for the agency in the county budget. The $20,000 comes the federal American Rescue Plan and will be used to advance small businesses.

DEC commissioner says NYS going ‘foam free’

Press Release, Department of Environmental Conservation

ALBANY – Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers that the State’s ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and “packing peanuts” begins Jan. 1, 2022.

While an estimated 65 percent of New Yorkers are living in communities that have already banned polystyrene, New York’s statewide ban on polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging is among the first in the nation. DEC and partners continue outreach efforts to advise affected entities about the ban, particularly sellers and distributors of disposable food service containers, such as retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals and schools.

“Nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers already live in communities that are ‘foam free,’” Seggos said. “New York City and Long Island are seeing the benefits of their foam bans with reduced litter on their landscapes and waterways. Now the rest of the State is poised to reap the benefits of a cleaner environment. DEC continues to focus on outreach to educate affected entities, but we know the foam ban will work and we look forward to less waste in our landfills in 2022.”

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam is a major contributor to environmental litter, causing negative impacts to wildlife, waterways and natural resources. EPS foam is lightweight, breaks apart easily, and does not readily biodegrade, rendering it persistent in the environment and susceptible to becoming microplastic pollution.

In addition, EPS foam containers and loose fill packaging are not accepted by most recycling programs in New York State because the foam is difficult to recycle, easily contaminates the recycling stream, is often soiled, and has low value.

Starting Jan. 1, New York’s ban prohibits any person engaged in the business of selling or distributing prepared food or beverages for on- or off-premises consumption from selling, offering for sale, or distributing disposable food service containers that contain expanded polystyrene foam in the state.

In addition, no manufacturer or store will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose fill packaging in the state. Disposable food service containers made of expanded polystyrene foam banned under the law include bowls, cartons, hinged “clamshell” containers, cups, lids, plates, trays, or any other product designed or used to temporarily store or transport prepared foods or beverages, including containers generally recognized as designed for single use.

Initially, DEC will focus its efforts to achieve compliance with outreach and education to ensure a smooth transition for affected stakeholders, with enforcement to follow as needed.

Examples of covered food service providers required to comply with the ban include:

• Food service establishments, caterers, temporary food service establishments, mobile food service establishments, and pushcarts as defined in the New York State Sanitary Code;
• Retail food stores, as defined in Article 28 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, which include any establishment where food and food products are offered to the consumer and intended for off-premises consumption;
• Delis, grocery stores, restaurants, cafeterias, and coffee shops;
• Hospitals, adult care facilities, and nursing homes; and
• Elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

Under the law, any facility, regardless of income, operated by a not-for-profit corporation or by a federal, state, or local government agency that provides food and meals to food insecure individuals at no or nominal charge may request a financial hardship waiver of the requirements of the law. Examples include community meal programs, food pantries, and places of worship. For more information, visit DEC’s website.

Testing will be offered at campus center through next week

Photo by Tom Rivers: The sign at the entryway of the GCC campus center in Albion directs people down the hall for Covid test. The service started today and will continue through the end of next week.

ALBION – A free Covid testing site started today at the GCC campus center in Albion. It will continue Thursday and Friday this week, and Monday through Saturday next week. The testing site at 456 West Ave. is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It’s one of 13 new testing sites being paid for by the state to help identify people who are positive for Covid so they can isolate and not spread the virus.

The site offers tests by appointment, as well as walk-ins. It will offer RT-PCR testing. Rapid antigen and rapid PCR tests will also be available within a few days of opening, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said. Click here for more information about making an appointment.

The state set a new pandemic record for positive Covid tests on Tuesday who 67,090. That passes 49,708 positive tests on Dec. 24.

The positive tests on Tuesday included 41 in Orleans County and 84 in Genesee.

On Tuesday, the percentage of tests that were positive was 18.50 state-wide. The 7-day average state-wide for positive tests is now 14.61 percent.

Orleans about three weeks ago had the highest positvity rate in the state, but now is much lower. The percent of positive tests over 7 days in Orleans County is at 8.2 percent and in Genesee it’s 9.5 percent.

Press Release, GCASA

BATAVIA – The public is invited to attend an open house on Jan. 6 for the new detoxification center located on the campus of Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse at 424 East Main St.

The open house is scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m.

This photo shows the common area of the new center.

The two-story, 20-bed facility provides a next and vital step in the continuum of care offered by GCASA, said Kathleen Hodgins, the agency’s chief clinical officer.

“Finding the strength to seek help isn’t always easy,” she said. “We’re here to let those struggling with substance use disorder know that they’re not alone. Help is available, and it starts with our detox center admissions’ process.”

Attached to the rear of the Atwater Community Residence, the detox center is expected to open for business on Jan. 10.

GCASA Executive Director John Bennett said the 8,600-square foot facility will enable local residents in need to stay close to home for their treatment.

“It will be fully staffed by medical and substance use counseling professionals — specially trained and certified to assist those who require short-term services,” he said.

Construction began last January, with Javen Construction of Penfield as the general contractor.

Residents interested in attending the open house are asked to RSVP by clicking on this link.

Provided photo: Cobblestone Society Membership Secretary Gail Johnson receives the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award from Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum.

GAINES – The Cobblestone Museum has recognized two dedicated supporters for their service to the museum, which is a National Historic Landmark in Gaines.

Toni Plummer, a member of the Board of trustees, was presented with the Proctor Award, which is given annually to someone who goes above and beyond to assist the museum in an extraordinary manner.

Plummer was praised for embracing the museum’s role “to educate as well as entertain.” She arranged for visits by boards members to see other museums and how they’ve navigated issues that are relevant to the Cobblestone Museum’s future goals and growth.

Her idea of hosting future Ladies Luncheons at the Vagg House led to a successful trial run this past fall, with help from some fellow trustees, said Sue Bonafini, the museum’s assistant director.

Plummer also was a key organizer in the Christmas Tour of Homes, a pre-Covid holiday favorite, Bonafini said.

Plummer also led the Marketing Committee and updated the museum’s gift shop to include products from many regional vendors. She also served on the Nominating, Personnel and Strategic Planning Committees in the past year, as well as the Executive Committee.

Gail Johnson was named “Volunteer of the Year.” She serves as membership secretary and on the executive board.

“She works tirelessly behind-the-scenes as head of the Membership Dinner Committee to complete necessary work for the event’s success,” Bonafini said. “She interacts with businesses and private donors to secure auction items. Each component of the evening, including registration tickets, bid slips and more, meets her vision for this important fundraiser and most often touches her hands before it reaches yours.”

Johnson in recent years has spent hours preparing envelopes for all bulk mailing projects. She has become the “go-to volunteer” when an individual is needed to sell or collect tickets at events, Bonafini said.

She also serves on the Strategic Planning and Welcome Center Committees, and has been critical in securing support for the Welcome Center. That project has $575,000 committed to the $750,000 fundraising goal.

ALBION – Orleans County will continue to work with lobbying firm in 2022 at a cost of $90,000 for the year, the same rate as 2020 and 2021.

The County Legislature last week agreed to pay Park Strategies $5,000 a month for government affairs services at the federal level and $2,500 a month for government affairs services at the state level.

Park Strategies was founded by Al D’Amato, the former U.S. senator from New York. The firm has given Orleans County a “louder voice” at the state and U.S. capitols, county officials said.

The firm assists county officials in setting up meetings with representatives from the state and federal governments. Park Strategies also makes the county aware of legislative that could be helpful or harmful to the county, and brainstorms ways to pursue funding for critical projects in the county, including expansion of high-speed internet.

This will be the eighth year the county has contracted with Park Strategies. County officials believe the relationship has benefitted residents.

Park helped make the county’s case to the state Department of Transportation for canal bridges to be repaired. The state spent about $10.7 million recently to fix seven bridges.

The state also has repaved portions of the Lake Ontario State Parkway, committed to dredging harbors on Lake Ontario and also allocated funds to protect lakeshore properties from flooding.

The county also will receive $7.8 million from the federal in American Rescue Plan money, with some of those funds going to expand broadband internet.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) announced their legislation, the Reservists Opportunity Act (H.R. 5063), was signed into law by President Biden as part of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Jacky Rosen (NV) and Joni Ernst (IA).

“Ensuring America’s military is ready to face any threat to our nation requires us to retain the best men and women our country has to offer,” Jacobs said. “The Reservists Opportunity Act helps accomplish that goal by streamlining the process for our citizen-soldiers in the National Guard and Army Reserves to access active-duty opportunities. I’m proud to have successfully led this bipartisan effort to set our military up for future success, and I look forward to seeing our citizen-soldiers find new opportunities to serve our nation.”

The Reservists Opportunity Act (H.R. 5063), would allow for members of the Army Reserves and National Guard to access the Army’s “Tour of Duty” system from personal devices, greatly improving access and making it easier for reservists and guardsmen to access active-duty opportunities. Currently, this system can only be accessed at locations with Department of Defense (DoD) network access.

“When members of our National Guard and Reserve want to step up to serve full-time, the last thing that should stop them are technological barriers,” said Rep. Tim Ryan. “This Reservists Opportunity Act will ensure these servicemembers can access the opportunities available for active-duty service from their personal devices. I’m proud to have worked with my Republican colleague Chris Jacobs and Senators Joni Ernst and Jacky Rosen to get this important legislation across the finish line for our Guard and Reserve members.”

“Providing ease of access for Citizen Soldiers to find their next opportunity to serve is vital to their growth as soldiers and the readiness of the reserve force,” said ROA’s Executive Director, retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips. “ROA is proud to have been an initial partner with Congressman Jacobs in allowing the Tour of Duty system to be accessed at home, removing any barriers to soldiers looking to be ‘twice the citizen’ and schedule the next time they can serve their country in uniform.”

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

MURRAY –   On Tuesday at 1:15pm, the Orleans County Sheriff’s 911 Communication Center received a call from a male located in a trailer on Newport Drive in the County Line Mobile Home Park in the Town of Murray. The subject reported that he had struck his girlfriend in the back of the head and she was bleeding and unconscious.

As deputies and other law enforcement officers were responding to the scene, the woman in the house called and stated that the male wished to engage with police to cause a “suicide by cop” situation.

Law enforcement arrived and contact was made with the male subject. Eventually, the woman and three teenage children exited the trailer. The woman was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for injuries she had sustained.

Negotiation attempts continued for approximately three hours. At this point law enforcement could hear what appeared to be a person in distress over the phone that had been placed in the residence. Entry was made into the trailer and the male was discovered vomiting and nearly unconscious. Deputies administered two doses of Narcan in an attempt to revive the individual. Monroe Ambulance and Murray Fire/EMS were moved up to the scene and the man was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The man had threatened suicide while on the phone with the 911 dispatchers and apparently ingested some type of substance while in the trailer. The woman told deputies at the hospital that she had taken pills in an attempt to commit suicide. Both individuals were placed in custody by deputies under 941 of the Mental Hygiene Law and turned over to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Holley Police Department, State Police, Albion P.D. and the NYS D.E.C. Police. We are extremely pleased that we were able to bring this standoff to a peaceful resolution.

‘The future of farming and food security in our state hangs in the balance’

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, along with members of the Senate Republican Conference, yesterday sent a letter to the Farm Laborers Wage Board, urging board members to vote against the reduction of the overtime threshold beyond the current 60 hours established in the Farm Laborer Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA) of 2019.

Rob Ortt

“As we start the new year, the agriculture industry continues to struggle under burdensome state mandates and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Ortt said. “Lowering the overtime threshold will push workers to other states and drastically lower production, leaving family farmers with a serious risk of losing their livelihoods.”

In January, the New York State Farm Labor Wage Board will revisit the threshold set in 2019 and make a determination on whether to lower the threshold to 40 hours. Ninety-six percent of farms in New York State, most of which are family-owned, are unable to cover the costs of paying time and a half; a threshold reduction would result in less hours for employees to work and smaller paychecks. With farms being local economic engines, this Albany mandate would have devastating effects on communities across New York State.

In their letter, the Republican legislators cited a recent study conducted at Cornell University. The study found that if the overtime threshold was lowered to 40 hours, two-thirds of dairy farmers would make significant changes to their operation, including leaving the industry or investing out of state, and half of fruit and vegetable farmers indicated they would decrease their operations or exit the industry.

“Even the most resilient of these New Yorkers would be forced to relinquish labor-intensive dairy or crops operations, relocate to other states or abandon agriculture entirely,” said Senator George Borrello, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  “I urge the members of the Wage Board to listen to researchers as well as those on the front lines, including farm workers, and reject any overtime changes. The future of farming and food security in our state hangs in the balance.”

Fellow Members of the Senate Republican Conference Senator Pam Helming, Senator Mike Martucci, Senator Patty Ritchie, Senator Sue Serino, Senator Fred Akshar, Senator Patrick Gallivan, Senator Anthony Palumbo, Senator Tom O’Mara, and Senator Alexis Weik also signed onto the letter.