By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2025 at 5:16 pm
TOWN OF ALABAMA – The staff at the Genesee County Economic Development Center and the STAMP technical team have made a recommendation among the three proposals to develop a massive data center at STAMP, a manufacturing park off Route 63.
The GCEDC staff and the STAMP technical team favor the proposal from Stream US Data Centers, LLC from Dallas, Texas for Project Double Reed.
The details of that proposal include:
900,000 square-foot data center on 59.2 acres
Total capital investment: $6,320,000,000
Incentive amount: $471,560,000
Generate $218,450,978 in local municipal revenue over 20 years
Sales tax exemption: $462,560,000
Mortgage tax exemption: $9,000,000
Estimated tax incentives: $471,560,000
Direct jobs: 122 ($88,505 average), plus 46 indirect
PILOT $127,723,298 over 20 years, $5,000,000 in year 1 to $7,993,252 in year 20
Other local municipal revenue: $90,727,680 over 20 years, with $52,036,384 in year 1, $2,036,384 from years 2 to 20. Includes $1,920,000 sales tax revenue, $116,384 in fire district for $2,036,384 a year, plus a one time $50 million for substation.
Many speakers during three public hearings on Feb. 3 spoke against a data center at STAMP, saying a data centers would be huge consumers of electricity, about 200 megawatts of lower-cost hydropower.
Speakers during the public hearings said a data center near a wildlife refuge and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation would be very disruptive, due to the noise and sheer size of the data center. The buildings, ranging from 750,000 square feet to 900,000 square feet, would be about five to six times the Albion Walmart Supercenter which is 155,000 square feet.
Mark Masse, GCEDC’s chief executive officer, issued this statement today:
“The first step in this process is for the GCEDC STAMP Committee to review all the supporting materials that accompany the recommendation to the Board, and if they agree with the conclusion, approve moving the recommendation to the full Board at the March 6, 2025 Board meeting. This matter will be discussed at the STAMP Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
“The staff and technical team assessed several factors in our recommendation to the Board, including thorough review of the responses to relevant comments raised at the February 3, 2025 public hearing. We also took into consideration the number of good-paying jobs that would be created, the footprint of the project, including electric and water needs and impacts on the local community.
“Another factor that was considered in our recommendation was which project would have the least impact to the STAMP footprint as GCEDC staff continues to focus on bringing advanced manufacturing and semiconductor supply chain companies to STAMP.
“Staff ultimately concluded, in close consultation with the technical team, that STREAM US Data Centers, LLC project had the fewest impacts, particularly from an environmental standpoint, and provided the best overall fit at the STAMP site.
“GCEDC staff and the technical will be prepared to discuss our recommendation to the GCEDC board at the March 5th STAMP Committee meeting.”
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today announced he will bring Western NY’s Alissa Ellman, a disabled Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and was suddenly fired this past week from her job working for the Buffalo VA, as his personal guest to attend President Trump’s Joint Session of Congress.
Under new DOGE directive and President Trump, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, of which 30% are veterans, have been fired in the past month, including 2,400 VA employees, like Ellman.
“Alissa Ellman dedicated her life to service for our country, both in the Army, where she suffered injuries, and here in Western NY helping her fellow veterans while working at the Buffalo VA,” Schumer said. “Firing her, firing veterans and slashing thousands from the VA workforce is outrageous and should be reversed. This is not how you treat our veterans – it’s not just unacceptable, it’s un-American.”
This fire first, ask questions later approach towards cutting jobs and funding is unacceptable, especially when caring for our veterans, Schumer said. Federal jobs give preference to veterans, allowing them to continue serving our country in what was previously a stable government career, which is why approximately 30 percent of the federal workforce are veterans.
“DOGE cuts and Trump’s funding freeze have created chaos in Western NY and kneecapped far too many vets,” Schumer said. “I am all for cutting out inefficiency, but you use a scalpel, not a chainsaw. Jobs and care for our veterans in Upstate NY is not government waste. Even funding to help vets suffering from toxic burn pit exposure, like Alissa, was put on the chopping block. Our nation told our veterans that if they put their lives and health on the line to protect our freedoms, we would take care of them, and now we need the Trump administration to uphold that promise.”
Alissa Ellman said, “I am speaking out because I cannot see how employing veterans in the federal government is fraud, waste, or abuse. Veterans are some of the best people I know. Veterans have sacrificed for this country; they are the ones who have been defrauded – their talents wasted and service abused. For many of us these jobs are more than a job, they are how we continue our service, continue our devotion to make America a better place. I’m not telling you my story for pity; my life will be fine. But we need to be making more thoughtful cuts to the federal workforce, not our vets.”
These funding cuts have also directly hit care for veterans in Upstate NY, with VA workers being laid off in Rochester, Canandaigua, Buffalo, and just last week in Steuben County at the Bath VA facility impacting treatment for veterans suffering from addiction and substance use disorder. Schumer said now more than ever veterans are concerned about their benefits, and VA staffers are concerned about their jobs especially with the Trump administration saying more mass firings are coming soon. Schumer has been leading the charge to stop this in the Senate, most recently demanding VA Secretary Collins demanding they reverse the mass terminations of VA employees and reinstate the workers ensuring our nation’s veterans receive quality healthcare.
Biography for Alissa Ellman:
Alissa Ellman joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17, and she returned from basic training to high school ten days before the September 11th attack which further spurred her desire to serve her country. She deployed to Afghanistan voluntarily from January 2003 to June 2004 as a flight operation specialist. She returned to the Afghanistan with Halliburton from 2005-2008 managing flight line operations in Kandahar. In 2008, Alissa returned to Western New York, started a family and later graduate Magnum Cum Laude from Niagara University with a degree in Special Education.
In 2018, Alissa was diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer, pheochromocytoma, associated with toxic burn pit exposure during her service in Afghanistan. After 5 years of treatment at the VA, she was deemed 100% disabled, a diagnosis she never envisioned, but knew that she continued to want to serve her community.
In December 2023, she began to apply to work at the Buffalo VA working for the education department to help fellow veterans as that means to give back. Not taking the job for the money, receiving only a few dollars more per month on top of her VA disability payments, but to continue to help the community she cared so deeply about, eventually being hired in April 2024.
She met all the training and meeting production numbers, and in January had a 200% daily production average. When the VA began announcing the cuts under the new administration, she told her friends she was safe because she always exceeded work goals, but she was wrong.
Last week, Alissa found herself locked out of her computer, with both her and her boss thinking at first it was an error, only to later find out she had been fired. Alissa said she never felt so disrespected after giving so much.
She will attend President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress Tuesday evening, March 4th as Senator Schumer’s honored guest.
Courtesy of Baldwin Wallace Student Government: Leah Kania, left, and Aniya Qualls are the new student government leaders at Baldwin Wallace.
BEREA, OH – Students at Baldwin Wallace University elected Leah Kania of Albion as student body president. Kania, a graduate of Charles D’Amico High School in Albion majoring in voice performance, is passionate about student advocacy and progress and is committed to fostering a forward-thinking campus environment.
“As I take on this new leadership position, I am most excited to continue the conversation for positive change and work to propel BW forward to benefit the current and future student body! #YJ4L,” said Kania.
Kania officially took office, along with vice president Aniya Qualls of Elyria, Ohio, during an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The new leadership team is eager to work alongside faculty, staff and students to address key campus initiatives and enhance student life at Baldwin Wallace. Their dedication to advocacy and meaningful change will help shape a vibrant and supportive community for all students. Their term of office runs until the spring election in 2026.
Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,500 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 65 academic areas. Located in Berea, 12 miles from downtown Cleveland, BW offers students the cultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2025 at 9:00 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health honored three people on Saturday with a Bowen Award, given in honor of the man who pushed to start Medina Memorial Hospital a century ago.
During a gala at Bent’s Opera House, set to a Roaring ’20s theme, Orleans Community health recognized Roland Howell, the late Van Hungerford, and the late Dr. Ekran John Boulous. The event was the third annual gala to benefit Medina Memorial and Orleans Community Health. About 100 people attended with many dressing in a flapper style from that era.
(Left) Megan Johnson, president of the OCH Foundation, welcomes the crowd to the event. Johnson said many community members are very supportive of the hospital and OCH services in the community.
(Right) Marc Shurtz, the OCH/Medina Memorial chief executive officer, said the organization is getting stronger, and adding more services to the community.
Many smaller hospitals in the region have either closed or cut back services, Shurtz said. Medina Memorial added an Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in October, and has expanded with wound care, podiatry, more general surgery and other services.
Orleans Community Health will soon start construction on the $1.9 million Medina Healthcare Center. This outpatient clinic will be done in phases and will include primary care providers. OCH seeks to address a gap in accessible outpatient services. The planned renovations include more than 13 exam rooms, improved parking and a dedicated entrance on the south end of the campus.
“Our plan is to bring more needed care to the community,” Shurtz said. “We not only want to be sustainable for years to come, but we want to increase the services we’re providing.”
About 100 people attended the gala at Bent’s Opera House with music by Ken Ryan and the Professionals.
Many of the attendees dressed up in a Roaring ’20s style. A bigger event is being planned in September for the 100th anniversary of the hospital.
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services at Medina Memorial, shares about the late Dr. Ekram John Boulos, who was honored with one of the Bowen Awards on Saturday.
Dr. Ekram John Boulos
Dr. Boulos passed away at age 69 on Dec. 14, 2022. He worked as an ENT surgeon for nearly 50 years and was a specialist in otolaryngology – head & neck surgery.
Gray said Dr. Boulos was very dedicated to his patients and the staff at Medina Memorial. He insisted on music in the operating room, sometimes classical, rock, jazz “and sometimes something completely unexpected,” Gray said.
“It set the tone, brought comfort, and, in many ways, reflected the rhythm of his work,” she said.
He gave many of the patients, nurses, staff and other doctors nicknames, some of which stuck for decades, Gray said.
“It was his way of breaking the ice, making people feel at ease, and reminding everyone that medicine, at its core, is deeply personal,” Gray said. “It wasn’t just about treating ailments. It was about making connections, building trust, and bringing a little lightness to even the most serious of situations.”
Gray read a letter from Dr. Boulos wife, Neveen. She said she and her husband arrived in the medina community in 1981 with “open arms” from Dr. Adeeb, Dr. Ghaly, Dr. Brooks, Dr. Bath, Dr. Sterling, Dr. Blanchette, Dr. Rho, Dr. Zimmer, Dr. Abassey and their families.
“But it wasn’t just them,” Mrs. Boulos wrote. “It was the entire Medina community. From the very beginning, we felt at home here, embraced by kindness, warmth and generosity. Medina became more than just a place to live; It became a part of us.”
Jeanne Crane, a retired nurse at Medina Memorial and former president of the Foundation board, tells about Van Hungerford and his contributions to Medina Memorial. The late Hungerford was a successful entrepreneur at SigmaMotor in Middleport. The company manufactured a pump for open heart surgery and later developed an infusion pump.
Hungerford served on the hospital board for a 12-year term beginning in 1966. Twelve years is the maximum length for a board member.
“During this time there was a doctor shortage and the board contacted local students enrolled in medical schools,” Crane said.
Medina Memorial held “Medicine Balls” to raise scholarship money to entice physicians to come to the hospital, Crane said and recalled attended a few of the events, usually held at Middleport Fire Hall or the Armory in Medina. Those scholarships have helped bring doctors to the community, Crane said.
Hungerford was chairman of the Finance Committee and Building Fund. In 1969 as chairman, he solicited $424,952.
“While chair of this committee, he would make recommendations how money should be spent and worked with insurance companies for reimbursements,” she said.
In 1969, he pushed to the have emergency room staffed 24-7 by physicians.
“On behalf of Orleans Community Health, the hospital and foundation board, I am so honored to be able to honor a man who gave so much to our hospital and our community,” Crane said.
Dawn Meland hugs Roland Howell after he presented with the Bowen Award on Saturday. Meland is a former board member for both the hospital and OCH Foundation.
Meland praised Howell for his many years of supporting the hospital and Orleans Community Health. She praised his “humility and kindness.”
“His impact can’t be overstated,” Meland said.
Howell, 96, remembers Bowen from back when Howell was a teen-ager and as a young adult. Howell praised the optimism and leadership of Bowen, who pushed to establish the hospital in 1925.
“He was very dynamic,” Bowen told the crowd at Bent’s. “He wanted to build this hospital and he got it built.”
Howell served 12 years on the board, mainly in 1980s when the hospital did an addition and put a focus on quality assurance.
“It is unique today,” Howell said about a hospital in a smaller community, especially one that is adding services.
“The fact that this standalone hospital still exists in this community is a rarity and tribute to all of the people here,” Howell said. “I’m pleased I was a part of it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2025 at 7:31 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Melting snow left pooling water last week at the intersection of Ingersoll and East State streets in Albion.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a flood watch for Orleans County and portions of western and central New York.
The flood watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon due to a significant snow melt and about a half inch of rainfall.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the Weather Service said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. The most prone areas for flooding will be where ice jams typically develop.”
Today’s high will reach 34 in Orleans County, but will then climb to 51 on Tuesday and 57 on Wednesday. The high on Thursday will be near 40, according to the Weather Service.
The Medina Mustang JV and Varsity winterguards traveled to Lancaster on Saturday to compete for the 5th time this season.
A total of 24 guards from NY, PA and Canada came to compete. Medina’s JV guard performed in the Cadet class and came in 2nd place with a score of 57.28, bested by Ventures Cadet with a score of 59.55.
Medina’s varsity guard competed in the A1 class and came in 4th place with a score of 60.85, with the Ventures in 1st place with a score of 68.35.
The next opportunity to see these two Medina guards perform is Saturday, March 8 in Medina at the high school. A total of 25 guards will be performing and the doors open at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m. This is a great opportunity to see these students and adults display their talents and it will give you a greater appreciation of what winterguard involves.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 March 2025 at 5:22 pm
ALBANY – Daniel Martuscello, the commissioner of Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, said today that corrections officers who remain on strike on Monday will lose their health insurance.
Their dependents on their health insurance plans also will be cut off, and they won’t be eligible for health insurance through COBRA.
“My message to you is this is the final push,” Martuscello said in a message posted on the DOCCS Facebook page.
Corrections officers have been on strike for nearly two weeks, beginning at Elmira and Collins facilities on Feb. 17. By the next day the strike had spread to the majority of the prisons, including Albion and Orleans.
“I want you to come back to work today,” Martuscello said. “If you missed your shift, you should still report, and know that we will continue to have open dialogue on making facilities safer places to work.”
MEDINA – A friend came upon this intriguing A.J. Richards photograph of a group of ladies this week and rescued it from the ignominy of a Lockport thrift store bin. Not only is the photo in good condition but wonder of wonders – the names are clearly written on the reverse!
However, the date, nature of the group, and the occasion were lacking. Naturally the challenge was accepted!
Judging by the clothing, the period appears to be late 1920’s. The ladies are wearing decorative collar sashes, so they are obviously members of a group or club. The clue in determining the date and subject of the photograph turned out to be the words “District Deputy” which follow Bessie Gaze’s name on the reverse. A search of the New York State Historic Newspapers unearthed the following paragraph in the Medina Daily Journal of May 20, 1927:
“The Welcome Rebekah Lodge of Medina was highly honored at a New York State Rebekah assembly held at Buffalo this week by having one of its members appointed to a state office.
Mrs. Jessie Breitbeck, past District Deputy, was installed as assembly conductor.
Mrs. Bessie Gaze also received her appointment as District Deputy, President of the Orleans District.”
The Daughters of Rebekah, generally referred to as the Rebekahs, was founded in 1851 by then U.S. Vice-President, Schuyler Colfax. It is the women’s group associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.). The Odd Fellows originated in England in the 1700’s as a mutual aid society to assist smaller tradesmen (“odd fellows”) and their families when in need.
The name “Rebekah” honors the biblical character who offered hospitality to a humble stranger.
The group’s stated objectives were to “aid in the establishment and maintenance of Homes for aged and indigent Odd Fellows and their wives, the care, education, and support of orphans of deceased Odd Fellows and deceased sisters of the Rebekah degree” as well as to cultivate social relations among these groups.
The Medina Welcome Rebekah Lodge, No. 146 was instituted on Feb. 6, 1895, by Charles M. Morgan, Grand Master. At that time the membership boasted 38 “brothers” and 32 “sisters”. The I.O.O.F. Lodge rooms were in the Downs & Kearney Block, 108 West Center St., Medina.
Armed with Medina directories from 1908 and 1941, and using the online Orleans genweb site, we pieced together the following information about the ladies in the photo:
Lina Blood was the wife of Seldon P. Blood, a feed store owner. They lived at 208 West Oak Orchard St., Medina. Lina died in 1949 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
Ida Boyce was the wife of Charles W. Boyce, a manager at the N.L.& O. Power Company. They lived at 618 West Center St., Medina. Ida died in 1989 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery,
Vernita Boyce was the wife of Clarence H. Boyce, an electrical contractor. They lived at 224 Highland Ave., Medina. Vernita died in 1971 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
Jessie Breitbeck was the wife of Fred C. Breitbeck, a foundry worker. They lived at 1031 Gwinn St., Medina. Jessie died in 1983 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
Alice Brown was the wife of William N. Brown, a Post Office carrier. They lived at 305 Park Ave., Medina. Alice died in 1950 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
Harriett Bulmore was the wife of Fred Bulmore who owned the Synthetic Granite Vault Co. which was located at 514 Erie St., Medina. The couple resided at 117 Frank St. Harriett died in 1953 and is buried in West Ridgeway Cemetery.
Ethel Croach was the wife of Arthur W. Croach, a rural delivery mail carrier. They lived at 110 Elizabeth St., Medina. Ethel is buried in West Ridgeway Cemetery.
Bessie Gaze was the wife of W. Henry Gaze, a foundry worker. They lived at 207 William St., Medina. Bessie died in 1937 and is buried in West Ridgeway Cemetery.
May E. Montgomery, a linotype operator at the Daily Journal, lived at 210 William St., Medina. She died in 1955 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
Addie Servoss was the wife of Burt L. Servoss. She died in 1938 and is buried in Boxwood Cemetery.
Georgianna Strouse was the widow of Harvey Strouse. She lived at 409 South Academy St., Medina. She was a seamstress at the Robert H. Newell Shirt Factory for many years, died in 1970 and is buried in Millville Cemetery.
Our thanks to Todd Belfield for rescuing this photo which provides a glimpse into the past.
Photos and press release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester on Thursday in commemoration of Susan B. Anthony Day earlier this month.
Western New York has a long history in the women’s suffrage movement, including one of Hawley’s relatives, Ella Hawley Crossett. Ella was an influential leader at the local level and was a long-tenured member of the executive board of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association (NYSWSA).
Hawley is proud of Western New York’s history during the suffrage movement and hopes these local heroes will serve as an inspiration for future generations.
“It was an honor to be able to visit the Susan B. Anthony House,” Hawley said. “Our region has a rich history in the fight for women’s suffrage and equal rights. I hope everyone takes time to learn more about our history and the impact figures like Susan B. Anthony and my relative, Ella Hawley Crossett, had on our nation.”
ALBANY – CSEA and the State of New York reached a temporary agreement due to the ongoing security staff strike at New York State prisons. This agreement aims to protect civilian staff while maintaining prison operations during the strike.
Key provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) include:
No security duties for civilian staff
Personal safety measures
Fair scheduling
Limited civilian tasks in restricted areas
Programming suspension
Expedited assignment dispute process – If an employee believes an assignment is hazardous or violates the MOA, they can dispute it. Employees will have access to a CSEA representative and can refuse hazardous work under PESH. An expedited arbitration process will resolve disputes. The arbitrator will issue immediate verbal rulings, followed by written decisions and good faith efforts will be made to resolve disputes informally before arbitration.
“We applaud Governor Hochul for taking this action that protects CSEA members who have showed up to their jobs every day during the crisis,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “CSEA’s top priority is safety. CSEA members play a critical role in safeguarding inmates’ health and wellness, and these provisions ensure their safety while doing their jobs under these extraordinary circumstances.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 March 2025 at 11:57 am
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association is looking forward to its Sip N’ Stroll tasting event on March 15, which will include some new stops and also a pedal bar.
There are 18 vendors who will be offering tastings of wines, ciders, beers, meads and other drinks. The stops include Dubby’s Tailgate, Hearth & Home Real estate, The Smoke Shop, Plaza Liquor Store, 39 Problems, Rise & Grind, Brushstrokes, Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, Arnold’s Auto Parts, Pretty Sweet Bakery, Project U, The Downtown Browsery, The Lockstone, J3 and Roots, and 101 East Bank St.
The AMA expects 300 to 400 people for the event, which is the AMA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds go back towards other community events and projects.
Tickets for the 4 to 7 p.m. are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. (Click here for more information.)
Marlene Seielstad, the event chairwoman, said the Sip N’ Stroll is a fun outing for many people and its brings them into the doors of many local businesses.
“It makes people aware of all the businesses we have in downtown Albion,” Seielstad said.
Provided photo: The Batavia Pedal Party will have a 10-person bike for the Sip N’ Stroll. The bike also is battery powered and equipped with turn signals, brake lights, backrests, seat belts and a platform area.
The route is stretched out from Dubby’s Tailgate near Route 31 and Platt Street, to the downtown and across the canal at the Lockstone. There will be a bus to give people rides or they could try the Batavia Pedal Party, which has room for 10 people to power a pedal bar.
Karen Conn is on the committee working on the Sip N’ Stroll. She also owns the Hearth and Home Real Estate Professionals on East Avenue. She hosted one of the wine-tastings and will be doing it again on March 15.
“It was so fun,” she said about having so many people in the business to sip wine.
There will also be baked goods to sample and there will be live entertainment with Gary Simboli, Steve Novak and the Zackstreet Boys during the 4 to 7 p.m. event.
The committee includes Seielstad and Conn of Hearth and Home, Debbie Prest of Red Check, Rebecca Alexander of Dubby’s, Anita Finley of Oak Orchard Canoe and Kayak Experts, Faith Smith of Touch of Faith Cleaning, and Natasha Wasuck of The Lockstone.
