CLARENDON – Tracy Chalker, the Clarendon town highway superintendent, has already had to spring into action four times recently with highway workers to remove fallen ash trees from Clarendon roadways.

The ash trees in town have been decimated by the emerald ash borer, which have caused widespread destruction to ash trees throughout the country.

“It will be a total disaster in four, five years with ash trees coming down,” Chalker told the Clarendon Tow Board on Tuesday.

Town Councilman Allen Robinson said the state and county should consider a pre-emptive plan to take down trees off the right-of-way that are in danger of falling into roads and taking down wires.

“There’s a lot of dead trees,” Robinson said. “There will be a lot of trees that will be flopping in the roads.”

Town Supervisor Richard Moy said he has been taking an informal inventory of the ash trees, and they are in big numbers around town.

“There are so many of them,” he said.

Chalker and the highway workers were praised by Town Councilman Marc Major for their speedy response in removing the trees. Major is also a volunteer firefighter and he said the highway workers are quickly on scene when a tree comes down in the road.

LOCKPORT – Niagara County officials lifted a travel ban at 1 a.m. last night. County officials urge motorists to use caution while driving as some roadways may still be flooded.

A state of emergency continues for storm-related cleanup efforts, according to a statement from County Legislature Chairwoman Rebecca Wydysh, Director of Emergency Management Jonathon Schultz and Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

LOCKPORT – Niagara County has issued a state of emergency and travel ban due to flooding. Niagara County officials are saying emergency travel only.

The state of emergency and travel ban have been declared by chairman of the County Legislature Rebecca Wydysh, Director of Emergency Management Jonathon Schultz and Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

A flash flood warning remains in effect until 10:15 p.m.

Congressman says policies discourage people to pursue work during time of labor shortage

Photos by Tom Rivers: Congressman Chris Jacobs speaks during last Friday’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn. The event was organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Just right of Jacobs seated include other speakers: Chris Zeltman, representing U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

ALBION – One way to help fill the labor shortage locally and across the state and country is to end the extra benefit allotment for people claiming unemployment, Congressman Chris Jacobs said.

He is urging New York state officials to not extend the $300 weekly in federal unemployment assistance.

Local state legislators – State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley – said they would support ending the extra unemployment assistance.

They all spoke about the issue during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

Many local businesses have struggled to fill job openings. So far 26 states have decided to opt out of the extra benefit before the official end date of Sept. 6.

Patricia Payne, a board member for the P.Raising Kids Child Care Center in Medina, urged the local, state and federal officials to help solve a childcare crisis locally, where she said there are too few slots for people to work or go to college full time.

Hawley said restaurants, in particular, “are closing left and right” due to staffing shortages. He said the government should stop sending people checks “to sit on their derriere.”

Ortt said he is concerned the Democrat-majority in the State Legislature will continue the extra unemployment benefit at a time “when people can’t find people to work.”

Jacobs on Monday held a press conference with Jim Butera, president of the WNY Chapter of the NYS Restaurant Association and owner of Butera’s Craft Beer and Craft Pizza, to discuss the labor shortage caused in part by enhanced unemployment benefits.

“In February, against numerous warnings, Democrats and President Biden forced through a massive partisan package filled with unnecessary spending,” Jacobs said in a news release. “The result is they have made it more lucrative to stay home than to seek employment,” Jacobs said. “This has become detrimental to our economic recovery, and many businesses are losing money, shortening hours, or closing down entirely because they cannot find employees. Unfortunately, this translates to longer wait times, higher prices, and shortages of numerous products families need.”

Jacobs introduced the Help Wanted Act (H.R. 3148) in May to combat these disincentives and prioritize our economic recovery. The legislation would restore work search requirements, remove the expansion of unemployment to individuals who voluntarily left their job, and clarify that general safety concerns related to Covid-19 are no longer sufficient grounds to claim unemployment benefits.

During Friday’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn, Patricia Payne, a board member for the P.Raising Kids Child Care Center in Medina, said a child care shortage locally is a factor preventing many people from going to work or college full time.

She said there needs to be higher reimbursement rates from the Department of Social Service for child care providers, and there also need to be more childcare slots, whether through at-home daycare or at childcare centers.

“We are in a childcare desert area,” Payne said during the luncheon.

Jacobs said more childcare options “need to be part of the economic development model.”

Concert at Point Breeze cancelled this evening

A cabbage field on Long Bridge Road near Route 31 in Albion was inundated with water on Saturday evening. Another storm is in the forecast later today.

The concert featuring The Brick Band has been cancelled this evening with the threat of severe thunderstorms. The concert has been rescheduled for Aug. 10. This is the second straight week the weather has wiped out the concert at the Orleans County Marine Park.

“The weather doesn’t look as bad as last Tuesday but it is still scary enough,” said Frank Panczyszyn of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association. “We didn’t want to take any chances.”

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. for Orleans and much of western and central New York.

An air quality alert also has been issued for Orleans and much of western and central New York until midnight.

“Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of 100 for fine particles,” the Weather Service said. “The air quality index was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: Vehicles head down Route 31 in Holley’s Public Square on Sept. 14, 2020 during a “Back the Blue” ride in Orleans County. A second ride is planned for Aug. 1.

HOLLEY – A second “Ride for the Blue” in support of law enforcement is being planned for Aug. 1, with the procession to travel more than 50 miles throughout Orleans County.

Last year the first “Back the Blue” event attracted about 500 vehicles, including 300 motorcyclists. It took the procession about 25 minutes, from start to end, to pass through the Public Square in Holley. But on Route 104 in Gaines, where the speed limit was 55, it took 14 minutes for the vehicles to pass by.

David Paul is helping to organize the event which will start at his property at 3823 Countyline Rd. in Murray. He is expecting a bigger turnout this time.

Participants in the ride are welcome to Paul’s property to begin staging at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 1. There will be speakers from 11:15 a.m. to noon with the ride to start at noon.

“Someone needs to stand up and support the police,” Paul said. “They are the first ones you call when you need help.”

The route is planned to go from Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road to Route 104 west to Route 63 south to Medina (with a detour due to bridge being out on 104 near Culvert Road), then Route 31 eastbound towards Albion and Holley with the ride ending on Monroe-Orleans Countyline Rd. (Paul said he believes the Route 31 bridge in Knowlesville will be open briefly for the fair and the ride. If not, an alternative will be worked out.)

The ride order includes an Orleans County Sheriff’s Office patrol car, the Holley Fire Department, motorcycle, other fire trucks, vintage cars and trucks, “everybody else” and all big trucks and dump trucks.

About 300 motorcyclists participated in last year’s ride.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion Central School District has hired 24 new employees heading into the 2021-22 academic year, as approved by the Board of Education.

The list includes 14 teachers, three administrators and seven non-instructional staff members due to numerous retirements and in anticipation of schools reopening this fall.

“We are excited about the new year and what it will bring,” said Superintendent Mickey Edwards. “We are confident that all our employees, including new, are ready to provide our students with the best learning experiences and strive towards our mission of ‘Achievement, Character and Success for Life.’”

The following are the new hires and their positions:

Teaching Staff
Emily Lutey – MS/HS Spanish
Amanda Kast – ES 4th Grade
Miranda Allen – HS Special Education
Bethany Bowman – ES Kindergarten
Katreyel Walton – ES 3rd Grade
Tammie Golden – MS CTE
Bayli Schlierf – HS Special Education
Kateri Moskaluk – MS 7th/8th Math AIS
Niccole Nicholson – K-5 Social Worker
Julianne McGrath – MS Counselor
Caton McKenna Conde – HS English
Jennalyn Long – 6-12 Social Worker
Megan Hanrahan – ES Kindergarten
Delaney Dominguez-Salerno – ES 4th Grade AIS

Administrators
Angela Conway – ES Principal
Rebecca Manfreda – Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
Mariah LaSpina – MS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Non-Instructional Staff
Christina Burgio – ES Teacher Aide
Emily Hyde – Teacher Aide
Sarah Williams – Cleaner
Mattea Woolston – ES Clerk
Christine Bloom – ES Teacher Aide
Jill Scharping – ES Teacher Aide
Mollie Radzinski – Community Schools Public Relations Coordinator

Provided photos

ALBION — Zeke Given of Angry Bees Apiary in Genesee County was up high in a lift on Monday and removed the nest of honeybees on a statue of Joseph at the Holy Family Parish in Albion.

The bees, including the queen, were successfully extracted without being harmed, Holy Family said in a message to the Orleans Hub.

Zeke Given and his friend Brad Mudrzynski go up in a lift to remove the nest of bees. Jeremy Neal of Poverty Hill Farms in Albion provided the lift for the two to remove the bees from the church on West Park Street.

Since photos of the nest were posted Saturday on the Orleans Hub, the situation created a lot of buzz in the community.

Zeke Given, right, and his friend Brad Mudrzynski were happy to complete the job.

Additional cost will be paid 100 percent from employees

MURRAY — The Murray Town Board on Monday voted to expand the town’s health insurance policy to include domestic partners of employees. However, the cost of adding the partners to the health insurance will be 100 percent funded by the employees with domestic partners.

That differs from the health insurance plan for employees with spouses, where the employees pay 15 percent of the cost, which is $1,078.12 per month ($12,937.44 per year) for a two-person plan.

Town officials said Murray is the first town in Orleans County to include domestic partners in the health insurance.

Two Councilman Paul Hendel urged the board to consider a domestic partner like a spouse.

“This is the 21st Century,” Hendel said during Monday’s board meeting. “People are doing things different than in the 1950s.”

Councilman Lloyd Christ said he favored offering the health insurance to domestic partners, but didn’t want taxpayer dollars going towards the coverage.

The state and health insurance providers allow domestic partners to be included in the coverage. Murray said the employee will need to show proof of a domestic partner, who can be the same or the opposite sex. Some factors to be considered will include joint residency and length of relationship. A blood relative won’t be considered as a domestic partner.

Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said the issue has been widely debated around town in recent months. He said it is an “emotional topic.”

An employee with a domestic partner on the town’s health insurance plan will need to periodically provide proof of the relationship. The town also needs to be notified if the relationship ends so the coverage can be discontinued for the partner.

Town officials are having the cost of the plan come from the employee so the town isn’t pursuing the payment from the partner.

“The town shouldn’t be chasing after money from someone who doesn’t work for us,” said Councilman Michael Mele.

With the payment coming from the employee, the town can be assured of the money in case the relationship ends and the town isn’t immediately notified to discontinue coverage.

Kellie Gregoire, a resident, spoke in favor of the town offering the health insurance to a domestic partner, but not having the town pay towards the insurance for the partner. Gregoire said marriage is a legally binding agreement.

Louise Passarell, the town assessor, said many of the domestic partners have been in relationships for years and those relationships shouldn’t be viewed as “transient.”

The Canadian government announced it will reopen its border on Aug. 9 to vaccinated US citizens.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement:

“The last 16 months have been extremely challenging for everyone – but they’ve been especially difficult for those individuals who were separated from their friends, family and loved ones and for the businesses along the border that have struggled because of the pandemic.

“With vaccination rates continuing to increase every day in both the U.S. and Canada and infection rates remaining low, we are pleased that the Canadian government is finally reopening its borders to fully vaccinated individuals beginning August 9. An open border with our neighbors to the North means families will be reunited once again and much-needed relief for our border communities that depend on cross-border trade and supply chains.

“This is a significant step in our state and nation’s recovery, and we must continue our work to get even more New Yorkers fully vaccinated so we can put COVID behind us once and for all.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

“Canada’s announcement that it will open the border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens is tremendous news for New York families, businesses and communities. New York and Canada have a deep and valuable economic partnership and I’m grateful for this smart and thoughtful policy.”

ALBION – The Main Street Store at 131 South Main St. will host a pop-up food pantry on July 26 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The site’s parking lot was used for a food distribution on many Fridays from April 2020 until last month. With the new setup, people will need to park their vehicles and walk up and choose the food items they prefer.

Each individual is encouraged to bring their own bags or boxes. There won’t be bags or boxes given out at the site. There will be a sign-in sheet before walking through.

One proposal calls for repealing new bail and discovery laws

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY, NY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference last week unveiled the “Victims’ Justice Agenda,” a package of bills designed to protect crime victims and reverse the troubling rise in violent crime rates throughout New York.

“In 2019, One-Party Rule in Albany started a troubling trend by putting their thumbs on the scales of justice and passing the first of their many criminal justice ‘reforms,’” Ortt said. “Two years later, we’ve seen it over and over again: violent criminals given nothing but comfort, and their victims given nothing but pain. If this wave of violence truly is an emergency, as the Governor recently announced, we must get back to the basics of public safety. That begins by reversing out-of-whack priorities that favor criminals over law-abiding New Yorkers. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of our continued initiatives to restore common-sense and public safety in New York.”

The rise of violent crimes in major cities throughout New York this year follows the implementation of Democrats’ dangerous bail and discovery reforms in 2019, the disbanding of the NYPD’s “anti-crime” unit, a billion-dollar cut to New York City police funding, and an overall pro-criminal, anti-police climate fostered under all-Democrat rule.

Senate Republicans’ Victims’ Justice Agenda follows the lawmakers’ push to “Protect Those Who Protect Us” in May, and a Parole Reform package of bills unveiled last month. Safeguarding victims is another critical part of an ongoing criminal justice agenda geared towards restoring common-sense and public safety in New York.

Keynotes of the Victims’ Justice Agenda include:

• S.3842 (Serino) – Adds certain offenses committed by a family member to the list of crimes qualifying for bail. Protects victims of domestic violence by allowing judges more discretion in securing orders in certain cases related to domestic violence.
• S.6290 (Lanza) – Makes hate crimes eligible for bail. Earlier this year, an anti-Semitic synagogue attacker in the Bronx was released without bail, after a judge overturned another court order that defied current bail reform laws.
• S.6153 (Boyle) – Ensures repeat offenders qualify for bail and pre-trial detention when the principal has been convicted of one or more misdemeanor or felony offenses. Earlier this year, an Oswego man was arrested 18 times over the span of four days, on charges ranging from stealing, harassing, resisting arrest, and trespassing. None of the repeat crimes he was charged under were bail eligible, and he was only held with bail after his 18th arrest for burglary and larceny.
• S.4563 (Griffo) – Criminalizes anti-Semitism under state human rights law – in April, it was revealed by the Anti-Defamation League that New York leads the nation in anti-Semitic attacks. Recent demonstrations in New York City have also descended into multiple hateful attacks against members of the Jewish community, in the wake of violent terrorist attacks against Israel and anti-Israel rhetoric by some New York state legislators.
• S.171 (Tedisco) – Authorizes imposition of life imprisonment without parole sentence for persistent violent felony offenders. Persistent felons have three or more felony convictions.
• S.1521 (Tedisco) – Relates to setting bail for defendants who pose a threat to public safety. This bill would provide judges with discretion when setting bail for dangerous defendants.
• S.1523A (Tedisco) – Repeals bail and discovery reform.
• S.2565 (Jordan) – Relates to making a murder as the result of a drive by shooting murder in the first degree. In the wake of the tragic murder of an 11-year-old child from Troy in September 2020, Senator Jordan introduced this bill to strengthen penalties for those who terrorize innocent communities through drive-by shootings.
• S.2277 (Helming) – Relates to requiring health care facilities to report incidents of a sexual offense to the departments of both health and education.
• S.6766 (Serino) – Relates to protecting witnesses in criminal prosecutions from intimidation and threats.
• S.6923 (Lanza) – Strengthens penalties for crimes committed on MTA property, similar to the hate crime statute. Random attacks and a declining quality of life on the New York City subway system have recently deterred many from riding the subway.

Earlier this month, the Governor declared a “disaster emergency on gun violence,” a move that was met with mixed reaction due to his recent record on criminal justice “reforms.” Though it was a long overdue acknowledgment of rising violence in areas throughout the state, the declared emergency does nothing to address Democrats’ recent “reforms” or other pro-criminal, anti-cop policies and rhetoric coming from Albany.

“As a former prosecutor and chair of the Senate Codes Committee, I repeatedly sounded the alarm on what would happen if Albany’s many criminal justice “reforms” were signed into law. A revolving door has been created for those who terrorize our communities. Violent crime has risen to levels not seen in many years. Our first responsibility as public servants is to protect public safety. We can restore common-sense now by enacting this “Victims’ Justice Agenda,”” said Deputy Republican Leader Andrew Lanza.

“As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I understand the many challenges facing our law enforcement community.  While some changes to our criminal justice system were warranted, we must ensure that safeguards are in place to protect our communities and residents.  These so-called reforms favor offenders over law-abiding citizens and have led to a sense of lawlessness, where those perpetrating violent crimes have no fear of being held accountable for their actions.  It is time to restore common-sense criminal justice policies,” said Senator Patrick Gallivan.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson speaks during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn.

ALBION — Orleans County won’t be seeking contributions from towns and the school districts to pay for an expansion of broadband internet, County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said.

The Legislature next week expects to vote on a proposal to close the internet service gaps in the county. The county sought a request for proposals (RFPs) for companies to provide wireless internet service for 1,351 addresses in the county currently without access to the service.

The county has estimated it will cost $4.1 million to put the infrastructure in place for the service. Residents would then likely pay a subscription to internet providers for the service. County officials plan to use some of the American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project. The County Legislature in late June accepted $3,918,951.50 from U.S. Department of Treasury, the first half of the county’s payment with the other half expected in about a year.

Johnson said some of county’s share in Rescue Plan funds plus other county revenue will be used “to build out a robust broadband infrastructure across Orleans in the near term.”

She made the announcement during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn. That event was organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

“We believe this is such an important project for the county that we will not be asking for American Rescue co-funds from the towns or school districts,” she said. “This will give our towns and villages more options to utilize their rescue funds in a manner that most benefits each local company.”

Companies had until July 1 to submit proposals where they would co-locate their technology on existing county-owned communication towers.

Those sites include at the Emergency Management Office on West County House Road in Albion, Route 31A in Clarendon, Maple Ridge Road in Medina, Route 31 in Albion next to Public Safety Building, West Avenue in Lyndonville, Route 237 in Kendall, Route 237 in Holley by the water tank. If necessary, additional towers may need to be constructed to meet the county’s service goals.

The total of unserved addresses in the county includes 74 in Albion, 302 in Barre, 35 in Carlton, 57 in Clarendon, 39 in Gaines, 16 in Kendall, 41 in Murray, 287 in Ridgeway, 206 in Shelby, and 294 in Yates for 1,351 total.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Alaina Zapf, president of the Friends of the Medina Dog Park, is shown Saturday at the park at 260 North Gravel Road next to Medina’s former compost plant. She was presented with her Orleans Hub award for being an “Outstanding Citizen” of 2020. Orleans Hub wasn’t able to have its usual awards presentation as a group celebration due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Zapf was instrumental in organizing and raising funds the dog park. She worked with village officials and contractors to get the project open last year with the initial fenced in area for dogs as well as an agility section.

The dog park is a place for dogs to socialize and get some exercise near the village. The dog park is a first in Orleans County. The park is a place for where the dogs can roam leash-free.

Zapf said there are more improvements coming, hopefully in late summer or early fall. That includes a water station for dogs to get drinks and rinse their paws. A small enclosure will also be constructed.

That fenced in area will be 100 by 100 feet. There are currently four memorial benches and two more are coming. Zapf also said security cameras will be added, as well as sponsor signs.

The Friends also want to raise funds for more agility equipment for dogs. The group’s fundraising efforts have been hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic. For more information on the Friends of the Medina Dog Park, click here.

ALBION — The Orleans County Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday and among the proposals will be a farm and artisan market in Lyndonville at 29 South Main St., the former site of the Pennysaver.

The structure had its roof collapse on Feb. 22 from heavy snow and ice. The building from 1899 also had suffered deterioration with its support beams. The building was knocked down in March and the site is now vacant.

In other referrals for the Planning Board on July 22:

• Request for site plan review in Albion for a proposed 9,000-square-foot addition to an existing manufacturing facility at 4015 Oak Orchard Rd.

• Request for site plan review and a special use permit in Kendall for a 5 mega-watt solar farm at 1771 West Kendall Rd.

• Request for site plan review and a special use permit in Ridgeway for a recreational pond under 1 acre at 2901 County Line Rd.

• Request for permit and site plan review for another recreational pond under 1 acre at 3117 Knowlesville Rd.

• Request for site plan review in Ridgeway for 73-foot diameter by 32-foot high tank storage for chemical bulk storage at 3956 Allis Rd.