GOP legislators say per gallon price could rise by 55 cents with new tax

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

SANBORN – Members of the Senate and Assembly Republican Conferences today held a listening session with stakeholders across various industries to discuss the potential impacts of the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA), a proposal being advanced by Albany Democrats that could increase the cost of gas by as much as 55 cents per gallon and increase home heating costs by more than 25 percent. Another listening session was held earlier this month in Albany.

The legislation (click here) would impose a carbon tax of $55 per ton of fossil fuel emissions in order to reach renewable energy mandates under the CCIA, passed by the Legislature in 2019.

The session was led by Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Robert Smullen, ranking members of the Senate and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committees, and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, ranking member of the Assembly Energy Committee. Discussions revolved around the potential impacts on small businesses, farms, and various sectors of the energy industry. The session provided an opportunity for lawmakers to listen to testimony directly from stakeholders from across those industries.

“No matter how well-intended, legislation has to be weighed for its potential drawbacks. In this case, many of us have serious concerns for people we represent in rural regions who rely on their cars,” Senator Stec said. “Public transportation isn’t an option. When someone can’t afford to fill their gas tank, that means kids will miss out on after-school activities, home health aides won’t be able to get to the people who need their care and the cost of essential goods and services will go up. Many people, especially seniors on fixed incomes, have trouble keeping their homes warm during winter. A much bigger fuel bill would only add to their misery when the mercury dips well below zero for weeks at a time. A tax of this magnitude would be incredibly regressive, hurting lower-income New Yorkers the most.”

“New Yorkers are still reeling from the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and our economy continues to struggle,” Senator Ortt said. “This out-of-touch bill would be another hit to hardworking New Yorkers and small businesses who will be faced with skyrocketing costs at the pump and increased heating costs. We need to work together on real solutions other than the typical Albany tax-and-spend policies that continue to inflict harm on our already struggling taxpayers and small businesses.”

According to the Tax Foundation, New York currently has the 7th highest gas tax in the country, at 43.12 cents per gallon with  California currently the highest at 62.47 cents per gallon. This legislation would raise New York’s tax to 98.12 cents per gallon, an increase of more than 127 percent, and would make New York’s gas tax more than 57 percent higher than any other state. New York State has repeatedly been named one of the worst business tax climates in the nation by the Tax Foundation.

“Here in Western New York there is no real other option than to drive in order to get to work or school or for essential errands like picking up groceries or going to the doctor,” said Assemblyman Michael Norris of Lockport. “Our entire regional economy depends on New Yorkers’ ability to afford gasoline prices – and not just individual motorists but also the commercial trucking industry that supplies our region with the goods we all need. With everyone working so hard to rebuild after the economic shutdown, raising gasoline prices now is a misstep and will make it that much harder for businesses, families, and those who are already struggling to survive.”

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK– Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after the Biden administration announced yet another extension of the U.S. – Canadian border restrictions until at least Sept. 21st.

“Extending the closure of the U.S. – Canada border again without answers demonstrates the sheer inability of this administration to adequately plan or provide transparent answers to the American people. Our shared border should have been open months ago. This administration’s failure to do so has forced our small businesses to suffer economically from another missed tourism season, and more heartbreaking, they have prolonged the suffering of thousands of families.

“Enough is enough. The President needs to stop passing the buck and reopen the U.S. – Canada border immediately.

The Department of Homeland Security extended the current restrictions on land travel from Canada to the United States until Sept. 21st. The border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020. On August 9th, 2021 Canada began allowing fully vaccinated Americans into the country.

Jacobs introduced the Northern Border Reopening Transparency Act in June to force the Biden administration to provide answers to Congress and the American people on its efforts to reopen the U.S. – Canada border.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Stop signs are up on Linwood Avenue at the intersection with Ingersoll Street in Albion, making it a 4-way stop.

The Village Board in late February voted to add the stop signs after some residents in that neighborhood had complaints that traffic is too fast in that area, making it dangerous to people on bikes and for drivers trying to get out of their driveways.

Mayor Eileen Banker said the new 4-way stop should slow down traffic. There was previously a stop sign going north-south at the intersection. Now they have been added for east-west at the intersection north of the Erie Canal on the east side of the village.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – The band Maufrey performs Thursday night during TedFest V, a three-day music festival at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The band from Buffalo was performing at the stage at the Curtis Pavilion. They play “funk jam,” including some music by The Allman Brothers, David Bowie, ZZ Top and Bruce Hornsby.

Bill Braytek performs with the band Maufrey on Thursday. The live music festival continues today and Saturday with 32 bands in Western New York.

TedFest in previous year’s was a one-day event at Bond Lake in Sanborn, Niagara County. This year it was expended to three days on three stages at the fairgrounds to accommodate more bands and give them more time to perform, said Bashar Srouji, TedFest founder and organizer.

He puts on the event as a tribute to the late Theodore “Teddy” Wishowski, who died in a car crash in Lewiston at age 23 on July 17, 2016. “this festival is a way to reconnect with him,” Srouji said about TedFest.

The fairgrounds provides a venue to better showcase the musicians, and make it a multi-day event with RV hook-ups, vendors and concessions.

The poster for TedFest includes a Buddha with five arms. It is similar to one of Teddy Wishowski’s tattoos which had a Buddha with 12 arms.

This photo shows Bobby and the Pedestrians getting set up in the Lartz Building which also included space for several vendors.

Steven Plennert, owner of PHD Hemp in Niagara Falls, is selling hemp products as part of the festival. Plennert said the CBD oil is popular for helping people with inflammation and anxiety.

Bobby and the Pedestrians, an Albion-based band, was among the performers on Thursday. Bobby Skrzypek is the lead singer and front man for the band which plays “high-energy reggae rock.” He is shown playing a ukulele.

Thom Jennings of Albion, center, joined Bobby and the Pedestrians for a few songs on Thursday night. They led off by performing “Fire on the Mountain” by the Grateful Dead. Thom’s son Trevor is the drummer for the group.

Alex Kielbasa, a performer with Bobby and the Pedestrians, lets out some vape smoke. He also plays the didgeridoo, a wind instrument.

TedFest V tickets are $25 for a single day pass and are available online by clicking here. That link also includes a schedule for the bands.

Last year’s season was cancelled due to Covid restrictions

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Medina Marching Band is in action Thursday evening during a performance for parents and the community as part of this week’s band camp.

The band’s show this year is “Together Again.” Last year’s season was cancelled statewide. Medina is the defending state champion in the small school division. It won the Small Schools 1 Division at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse on Oct. 27, 2019.

This year will be Medina’s 54th season competing as a marching band. There are 55 schools in the program and Medina is the fourth smallest school, said Jim Steele, Medina’s marching band director for 30 years.

Jim Steele, Medina’s band director, said he looks forward to the upcoming season. He said the band is in a rebuilding effort, especially with the younger grade levels.

This year the numbers are down in Medina to 87 students in the band in grades 7-12. Steele said the group typically has at least 105 students. Statewide the marching band numbers dropped with the pandemic wiping out a season and also making it difficult to run a normal band program with social distancing at 12 feet for bands most of last school year, and many students going to remote education.

Band camp returned this week with students at the school outside from 1 to 9 p.m. They will be back today from 1 to 5 p.m. Students received the music months ago and have been learning the notes on their own this summer. With band camp, they learn the marching formations and to play while on the move.

The season’s first competition will be Sept. 18 in Hilton. Medina hosts its Fall Festival of Bands show on Sept. 25.

The band goes over its program on Thursday evening. Kaylee Lacey, up high, is drum major this season.

Other band leaders include TJ Burgess and Megan Zakes as assistant drum majors; Jaxon Phillips (head of percussion); Color Guard captains, Gabby Flores Medina and Aries McMurray; Color Guard managers, Ava Chambers and Madison Owens; Trombone, Julio Doval; Front end ensemble (pit), Mia Hobbs and Paige Dix; Trumpet, TJ Burgess and Ben Griffin; Mellos, Seagan Majchrzak; Saxophone, Megan Zakes; Clarinets, Gracelin Mahnke; Flutes, Dakota Alexander and Emma Wagner; Uniform managers, Regan Timmer and Victoria Potter; and 6 band managers, Phallon Rivera, Bailey Clare,  Kayleigh Wright, Henry Rigerman, Gabe Mark and Lillian Wilson.

Steele said he appreciates the “amazing” support of the Medina community for the band and the dedication of the students.

He is hopeful there won’t be any disruptions to the season.

“I told the students to just enjoy the moment,” he said. “We’re hoping we can get through the season without any hiccups.”

Steele hugs Jeff Pask who is stepping down from working as the drum instructor for the band the past 12 years. Pask wants to spend more time with his grandkids. Steele said Pask is always welcome back, even if its just to ride the bus with the band.

Active cases increase from 81 to 99 in 2 counties since Monday

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported an increase in the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 from three Monday to 11 today. That includes three in Orleans and eight in Genesee.

The number of active Covid cases in the two counties also is up from 81 on Monday to 99 today.

The G-O Health Departments provided the first Covid update today since Monday. There are 19 new cases in Orleans in the three days and 30 in Genesee.

The 19 new positive cases in Orleans include people in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. The three Orleans residents who are hospitalized are up from one on Monday. Orleans also is reporting 18 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

In Genesee, the 30 new cases are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 80s. The eight people who are hospitalized with Covid is up from two on Monday. Genesee is also reporting 10 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

Orleans and Genesee are in the Finger Lakes region where the 7-day positivity rate for Covid tests is at 4.1 percent, and 3.5 percent on Wednesday when the region had 234 positive tests out of 6,634. The Capital Region currently has the highest 7-day positivity rate at 4.7 percent.

State-wide the positivity rate on Wednesday was 3.03 percent or 5,138 positive tests out of 169,710. This is the first time the state is over 5,000 new cases in a day since April 17 when there were 5,704 new cases. A year ago, there were 631 new cases in the state and the positivity rate was 0.8 percent.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCAHRD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is putting out the following statement and information regarding assistance to individuals trapped in Afghanistan.

“My office is actively helping individuals trapped in Afghanistan, and we stand ready to aid others in need,” Jacobs said. “We are working diligently to assist NY-27 constituents and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants who are in harm’s way in Afghanistan. If you are a petitioner or a family member of someone trapped or know of someone who is, I urge you to share this contact information and reach out to my office as soon as possible.”

Anyone in need of assistance in NY-27 is urged to call Congressman Jacobs’ Geneseo District Office at 585-519-4002 or the Clarence District Office at 716-634-2324. In addition, they can contact the office by clicking here.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.1465/A.1073) requiring banks to take several actions that prevent overdraft fees. The legislation requires banking institutions that maintain checking accounts to pay checks in the order they are received.

If a bank receives a check for a greater amount of money than the balance in the account, it may decline to pay the check. However, the banking institution must honor any smaller checks that can be paid with the existing account balance.

“The Covid pandemic had a devastating effect on our economy and as a result, many New Yorkers still struggle to pay their bills, and the arbitrary overdraft fees that banks have continued to issue only add insult to injury,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation will require banks to take several actions that reduce the opportunities for charging overdraft fees and keep more money in New Yorkers’ pockets. We continue to face the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and this commonsense bill will help many of the state’s residents who need it most.”

Under current law, if a banking institution receives a check for a larger amount of money than the funds in the account, it will not only dishonor that check, but all subsequent checks, even if there are sufficient funds in the account to pay them. This legislation requires banks to honor subsequent checks if they can be paid using funds in the account.

KENDALL – The Kendall community is being asked to take in an active role in helping to select the district’s next superintendent of schools. Residents can participate by filling out a survey that is available now and then attending forums with the finalists in October.

Julie Christensen is retiring Dec. 31 after 14 years of leading the district. Kendall is working with Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES 2 District Superintendent Jo Anne Antonacci in the search process for the next district leader.

A survey has been mailed to district residents and also is available online to assist the search committee. Click here to see the survey.

“It is very important for the Kendall Board of Education to hear from the community,” Antonacci said during Wednesday’s BOE meeting. “Send back your surveys.”

Candidates for the job have until Sept. 17 to submit an application. Antonacci said the position will be advertised locally, regionally and state-wide, and also through the network of 37 BOCES superintendents.

She thinks the small-school atmosphere along Lake Ontario will appeal to candidates. In a brochure describing the district for prospective candidates, Kendall is highlighted for a 100 percent high school graduation rate. The district is featured by “U.S. News and World Report” as among the top seven percent of best schools in the nation.

Kendall also has a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Agriculture and Math (STEAM) program that provides students with first-hand experiences with STEAM-related occupations at local companies. The brochure also notes that many Kendall students take college classes through GCC as well as options for Advanced Placement courses.

The district operates on a $20 million budget and has 84 certified staff and 68 other support staff. The median teacher has 10 ½ years experience and the median teacher salary is $55,844.

The brochure also notes a district enrollment of 775 students, a tax rate of $14.98 per $1,000 of assessed property and a per pupil cost of $25,782.

“Kendall Schools takes great pride in the fact that it is a small school district and can provide students with the individualized attention to help them meet their full potential,” the brochure states.

The brochure also notes all Kendall students from kindergarten to grade 12 have access to 1:1 computer devices and interactive boards have been installed in all classrooms.

“The district is using technology to help students advance their learning and prepare for future careers,” according to the brochure.

Kendall in its next superintendent is looking for an educator “who is a strong advocate for increasing levels of achievement and citizenship for all learners.”

The district wants a superintendent with effective communication skills to engage all stakeholders, classroom and/or building-level experience, a solid background in curriculum development and improving instruction experience with human resources, finance, and facilities management.

The district also states in its brochure for prospective applicants that the ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to equity for all, will support a well-rounded educational program inclusive of the arts and extracurricular activities, will champion district accomplishments and promote growth and innovation. The ideal candidate also will invest in developing strong relationships with the Board of Education and the Kendall community.

Meet the finalist forums have been scheduled for Oct. 21, 27 and 28. The goal is to have the next superintendent start on Jan. 1, 2022.

Board of Education approves reopening plan for 2021-22 school year

Photos by Tom Rivers: Nathan Loescher, a parent of three children in Kendall school district, urged the Board of Education to make mask wearing optional for students. “I think it should be a personal choice,” Loescher said during the Board of Education meeting at the junior-senior high school cafeteria.

KENDALL – The Board of Education on Wednesday evening approved a reopening plan that school officials say will have the start of the school year looking much like the year ended last June in terms of Covid restrictions and guidelines.

Students will need to continue wearing masks when social distancing isn’t possible in classrooms. They will be required to wear masks in hallways, common areas, on buses and if they are playing indoor sports such as volleyball. When students are playing outdoor sports, wearing a mask will be optional, Julie Christensen, the district superintendent, said in giving an overview of the reopening plan.

This is the main entrance to the Kendall Junior-Senior High School. The school year will begin with students needing to wear masks when they are closer to 3 feet from another person.

Social distancing is now considered 3 feet instead of 6 feet. That distance was reduced late last school year by the state Department of Health.

Kendall was able to offer in-person education for five days a week last school year and was able to space students out in the classroom at the 6-foot social distancing. The district’s student population has shrunk in recent years and the declining numbers have allowed Kendall to space out students for social distancing.

The district will be offering band, chorus and intramurals. Most students will eat lunch in their classrooms, and some will be in the cafeteria.

The district will have masks available for students. Bus drivers and cafeteria workers will be required to wear them.

The district plans to have some rapid Covid tests that it can administer and get almost immediate feedback if someone is positive for Covid.

“As you know things change on a daily basis,” Christensen said in going over the plan.

She said state and federal guidance from health officials has shifted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Right now the American Academy of Pediatrics, the federal Center for Disease Control and state Education Department are all recommending students, teachers and staff wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Christensen also noted that Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who will become governor next week, has said the state may mandate masks for all students.

The Covid cases have been on the rise in Orleans County, the state and country with the spread of the Delta variant. Orleans is currently listed as a “red” zone by the CDC with high community spread of Covid.

“This is all subject to change,” Christensen said about Covid guidelines. “The Delta numbers are quite high.”

Three parents spoke at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting and encouraged the district to make mask wearing be optional for students. The parents who spoke were respectful, unlike some parents in other districts who have shouted and berated school board members over mask-wearing policies.

Nathan Loescher spoke at Kendall’s meeting. He has three children. He said the mask-wearing policies don’t seem to make sense, especially because people don’t have to wear them indoors at diners and restaurants.

“I think it should be a personal choice,” Loescher told the board.

Two other parents spoke and didn’t like that teachers would be required to wear masks. That makes them harder to understand and students can’t see facial expressions and how teachers mouth words.

A father of two young children in the district said the masks and Covid protocols are making young children too preoccupied with germs, to the point where they are afraid to see relatives including their grandparents.

“We’re scaring the crap out of them,” the father said.

During the Board of Education meeting, which was held in the cafeteria of the junior-senior high school, a group of kids ran by to the soccer field. They were in a close group, laughing and bumping into each other. None wore masks.

The Kendall father said it didn’t seem to make sense that there were no masks on those kids but the district would have a policy to wear masks inside when social distancing not possible.

“There is confusion all over the place,” the father said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The staff of the Medina Literacy Zone held an open house today at the education center of the Holy Trinity Church at 211 Eagle St. They also gave out backpacks and back-to-school supplies.

The staff members include, from left: Julie Johnson, case manager and job readiness training instructor; Carolyn Graff, literacy instructor and TASC examiner; Shelly Smith, literacy instructor for TASC; and Melinda Grimble, literacy instructor for TASC.

TASC stands for Test Assessing Secondary Completion Examinations, a program formerly known as the General Education Development Program (GED).

The Medina literacy Zone is program through the Orleans/Niagara BOCES. Today’s program included representatives from some of the zone’s 40 partners in the community. Some of those organizations include Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, the Orleans County Mental Health Department, Orleans County YMCA and United Way.

There were 55 backpacks available for students. The Medina Area Association of Churches paid for 25 of the backpacks and staff at the Medina Literacy Zone paid for 30. The Orleans/Niagara BOCES paid for the school supplies.

“We know many of the parents are struggling financially due to Covid and we wanted to take some stress off of them,” said Melinda Grimble, a literacy instructor in the program.

This is the classroom for Shelly Smith, a literacy instructor for TASC. She hangs stars from the ceiling with names of recent students who completed the program and passed the TASC.

Her students range in age from 16 to 60. Last year during the Covid pandemic the Medina Literacy Zone distributed 30 laptops so students could do online learning and attend Zoom videoconferencing sessions.

“Our first goal is to build confidence and hope that they can do this,” Smith said. “Then we build their skills.”

The program has a coffee cart and a $500 donation from MAAC keeps that stacked for much of the school year.

For more information on classes at the Medina Literacy Zone, call (585) 798-1420.

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that up to $500 million in American Rescue Plan emergency rural health care funding will be newly available, Senator Gillibrand is encouraging all eligible New York entities to apply ahead of the deadline.

Applicants may apply for Impact Grants by October 12^th and Recovery Grants on a continual basis until funds are expended. Senator Gillibrand fought hard to pass the American Rescue Plan package, which included this funding to expand access to Covid-19 health care services and nutrition assistance for New York State’s rural health care facilities, tribes, and rural communities.

“The federal government is delivering on its promise to provide direct relief to our nation’s rural communities. I am so pleased to announce that up to $500 million in emergency federal funding will help bring immediate relief to thousands of rural health care systems struggling to recover from the economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic and will help strengthen their long-term sustainability,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I strongly encourage all eligible New York entities to apply before the October 12th deadline.”

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

1. Public bodies
2. Community-based nonprofits
3. Federally-recognized Tribes

What is an eligible rural area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, towns, townships, and federally-recognized Tribal lands with no more than 20,000 residents as determined by the latest U.S. Census data are eligible for this program. Facilities and projects must be located in — and primarily serve — rural areas. Population statistics may be adjusted to exclude long-term prison populations, and the first 1,500 service members living in government quarters on a military installation.

How to apply

Recovery Grants are available to help public bodies, nonprofit organizations and tribes provide immediate Covid-19 relief to support rural hospitals, health care clinics and local communities. Recovery Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are expended. These funds may be used to:

• Increase Covid-19 vaccine distribution and telehealth capabilities;
• Purchase medical supplies;
• Replace revenue lost during the pandemic;
• Build and rehabilitate temporary or permanent structures for health care services;
• Support staffing needs for vaccine administration and testing;
• Support facility and operations expenses associated with food banks and food distribution facilities.

Impact Grants are available to help regional partnerships, public bodies, nonprofits, and tribes solve regional rural health care problems and build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system in response to the pandemic. Impact Grant applications must be submitted to your local USDA Rural Development State Office by 4 p.m. local time on Oct. 12. USDA encourages applicants to plan and implement strategies to:

• Develop health care systems that offer a blend of behavioral care, primary care, and other medical services;
• Support health care as an anchor institution in small communities;
• Expand telehealth, electronic health data sharing, workforce development, transportation, paramedicine, obstetrics, behavioral health, farmworker health care, and cooperative home care.

USDA encourages potential applicants to review the application guide at www.rd.usda.gov/erhc.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Four of the Medina Village Board members are out visiting downtown merchants today to hear how from them how they think the village could better assist the business owners.

This photo shows Mayor Mike Sidari in front crossing Main Street, followed by trustees Jessica Marciano, Marguerite Sherman and Owen Toale.

The merchants on the south end of Main Street were very positive so far, the board members said. They were expecting to hear concerns about parking, but Sidari and the trustees said the merchants on this end of Main Street seem happy with the municipal and private lots for parking.

The board is looking at an overall parking plan for the downtown. Sidari and the board members also said they are optimistic Medina will be awarded a $10 million grant through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which would provide funding for several projects, including with Medina’s waterfront.

The board members will be out again next Wednesday to meet with more business owners in the downtown. Pictured from left include Mayor Mike Sidari and trustees Marguerite Sherman, Jessica Marciano and Owen Toale. They are wearing new shirts that they paid for themselves.

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