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.

The national average gas price is up again, after demand reached an all-time high, AAA Western and Central New York said this morning.

The average price in the state is $3.20 per gallon, compared to a year ago when it was $2.20. A month ago the average price was $3.13.

Locally, the average prices include:

• Orleans: $3.186
• Genesee: $3.168
• Niagara: $3.059
• Monroe: $3.145

AAA said the national average price for gas is on the rise after demand reached an all-time high.

“Summer travel is in full swing as many people look to vacation after the pandemic put plans on hold for some time,” AAA said in a news release. “With oil prices above $70 per barrel, pump prices will likely remain high (above $3 per gallon) throughout the busy summer driving season.”

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a special weather statement, saying a a line of scattered thunderstorms will affect northern Wyoming, eastern Orleans, Genesee and northwestern Monroe counties until 9:15 tonight.

At 8:30 p.m., the Weather Service radar indicated thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Point Breeze to near Varysburg.

Winds in excess of 30 miles per hour are possible, along with brief torrential downpours and frequent lightning.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Sandstone right fielder Rocco Sidari makes a nifty sliding catch during this afternoon’s Albion Midget League playoff championship game against Rotary.

Bases loaded walks accounted for all of the scoring as Sandstone shutout Rotary 5-0 in the Albion Midget League 12U Division playoff championship game this afternoon at Sandstone.

Omer Fugate went the distance on the mound for Sandstone allowing just one hit and striking to 14.

Omer Fugate hurled a shutout with 14 strikeouts for Sandstone.

Sandstone grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning on a two-out single by Elliot Trapiss followed by three straight walks. The single was Sandstone’s only hit of the afternoon.

Four more walks plated a run in the bottom of the third inning to make it 2-0.

Sandstone then put a lock on the win on three bases loaded walks in the fifth frame. Another walk, an error and a hit batter loaded the bases to set up the threat.

Trailing just 1-0, Rotary did get the bases loaded with two out in the top of the third inning on three walks but Fugate got out of the jam on a grounder back to the mound.

Sandstone right fielder Rocco Sidari then turned in the defensive play of the day with a sliding catch for the first out in the fourth inning.

Rotary did get two runners aboard in the fifth inning on a single by Declan Meiers and a walk and again in the sixth on a walk and an error but Fugate bore down to get out of both jams with clutch inning ending strikeouts.

Sandstone, which went undefeated during the regular season, advanced to the finals with wins over Barre/Elba 14-11 and Carlton 9-0.

Rotary rebounded from an opening round 8-2 loss to Carlton to defeat Barre/Elba 15-2 and Carlton 10-3 to gain a spot in the title contest.

Rotary’s Noah Harrison goes to his knees to make a throw to first base for an out

GLOW Women Rise has recognized two women from Orleans County with Grit Awards, in recognition of their work in the community. The two award winners – Freddie Stewart and Jessica George – exhibit tenacity, fearlessness, and spirit in their work advocating for an underrepresented group, the organization said.

Freddie Stewart

Freddie Stewart has worked for Head Start of Genesee-Orleans for 44 years, tirelessly providing comprehensive services to thousands of children and families in the region.

She began this career as a parent, being drawn to the Head Start philosophy of advancing racial and ethnic equity while developing a student’s literacy, social, mental, emotional, and physical skills. During her lifetime of service, Stewart has exemplified the Community Action mission of treating others with dignity and respect.

“I continue to serve Community Action’s Head Start program because it still holds onto the foundation of acceptance, of being more than just a philosophy of tolerance, but one of inclusion,” Stewart said. “Head Start continues to strive to provide comprehensive programing for low-income children and this charge is to be carried out always mindful that a person’s dignity remains intact whether you are guiding a child, or partnering with a parent or member of the community.”

Stewart continues to view her role of service to the children and parents as a privilege. Head Start continues to stand, along with a few other “war on poverty” programs that provide needed support within our community, GLOW Women Rise said.

Throughout the years, Stewart has witnessed many changes and evolutions to the program and its goals and just as she did when she first began this journey, she continues to steadfastly exemplify a gentle tenacity and loving spirit as she shows up, cares, and continues to carry the progressive and inclusive message of Head Start forward.

Jessica George

Jessica George is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault inside jails, prisons and detention centers in New York State.

She started her own nonprofit in 2018, BreathOne Healing Centered Care, where she provides trauma-informed services to people returning to the community from incarceration.

“My commitment to ending mass incarceration requires the focus to be on successful re-entry services,” George said. “My role is to connect people to community, their families and support their healing, both from their time in prison and from what originally put them in prison in the first place. I do this work to uplift the community.”

George believes when there is help for the forgotten, this leads to real healing both for the individuals and the community together.

“This keeps our communities safer and gives those individuals who are healing an opportunity to be an asset to their community,” she said. “I am working towards the world I want to see. And I love what I do everyday!”

From the “Atlas of Niagara & Orleans Counties NY,” 1875

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director — Vol. 2 No. 28

Every generation has enjoyed moments, even briefly, when more pressing tasks were accomplished, and a time of relaxation, albeit short, could be enjoyed with family and friends. Such was certainly the case for those living in the Hamlet of Childs and the surrounding countryside in the Town of Gaines.

One such diversion occurred on or about 1835. Historians in 1879 recalled with affection a certain horse race that took place in Gaines on the James Mather farm, southwest of the village on an elevated piece of land east of what was then the Albion Road(Route 279). Mather was an “old-order” farmer that arrived as reports say, “with money,” and paid cash for his land in 1810.

Horses from the neighboring Coloney Farm, Town of Gaines Centennial, 1909. Courtesy Gerald Coloney Monagan

The grandstand for the horserace and starter’s stand were located at the east part of the field. Five or six horses contended for the prize stakes. The race is further described by unnamed eye witnesses, as follows:

“The horses were not started as is the custom now, but they were ranged in line across the track and started off at the tap of a drum. It was a running race and was attended with a good deal of excitement. There was a great crowd in attendance, and many came from distant places. The road leading to the race ground was filled with booths and hucksters’ wagons, and the village streets were filled with teams and horses hitched to fence posts and trees. One of the features of the race was the great number of gamblers who came upon the race ground with their roulette tables, dice tables, and other instruments of their profession, and tempting little piles of gold and silver coin were displayed upon the tables. This race was the first and last of its kind, we believe, ever held in Gaines.”

Five Mile House, circa 1909. Only the back wing remains today.

“Following this race, much attention was paid to the improvement of speed in horses, and for years the favorite ground for trying their speed and training trotting horses was the stretch of hard road on the Ridge east from Proctor’s Corners, and the straight mile stretch from East Gaines to the Five Mile House. Election days generally brought the horses out in full force. There were running races, trotting under the saddle, and trotting before light wagons; and although there was no recognized organization to direct the conduct of the races, as they were wholly impromptu, yet order was observed, and there was quite as keen an interest in the result as though all the machinery of the race course as now understood had directed the contest.”

Other regional recreational activities described in the “Historical Album of Orleans County,” written in 1879, included shooting matches, fox-chases, wrestling matches and hunts. In those days, great hunts were of frequent occurrence. These shooting contests usually involved choosing “sides,” as two or more teams competed for the honor of shooting the most live game. Fair play dictated that equal numbers of hunters must be entered on each side. After a full days hunt, the teams would meet at the tavern and count their spoils. The side with the least good fortune, suffered the expense of supper and copious libation for the opposing team. It was said that the “frolic” was fondly remembered for the full year between hunts. One member of the hunting party offered his remembrance:

“There is a tradition of a big hunt that took place about 1840, embracing a line of hunters extending across the entire Town of Gaines from Ridgeway to Murray along the Ridge Road, who struck north in the woods with the object of driving the game towards the lake and bringing the line of hunters in a concentric circle around the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek. The prime object was to exterminate the wolves that infested the forest and killed the farmers’ sheep. It was spoken of as a very successful undertaking; great quantities of large and small game were shot; the sport was very exciting, and as the focus of the hunt was approached it became somewhat dangerous to the hunters on account of close quarters and rapid shooting. The result of the hunt was said to be satisfactory and for a number of years it was a topic of never failing interest among the participants.”

Photo courtesy Enfield Historical, c.1920

Another pastime enjoyed by both youths and adults, alike, featured the arrival of the circus. E. Earl Harding (1895-1980) grew up with his parents at their home at Five Corners. He reminisced about the annual event that often took place in a field just south of his home near the present day bowling alley on Oak Orchard Road. His remarks follow:

“When the circus came to town it was a really big deal for us kids. It generally came by rail road and set up in a field north of Albion, that being very close to my home. All of us kids would get up early in the morning and go up to watch them unload, and help where we could. We would watch the elephants walk down, and watch them set up tents. If you could get a job carrying water or something, maybe you could get a pass into the circus. That night after the circus, they would load, and be on their way the next morning. The next morning we would get up early and go up to the circus grounds and snoop around. We were quite apt to find a few coins on the ground that people had lost out of their pockets. You just went to look around and see what you could find. It kind of prolonged the excitement of the circus.”

Earl Harding talked about church life, which loomed large in the life of nearly all pioneer families. In addition to the spiritual aspects of attending church service every Sunday without fail, he also had fond memories of the Sunday School picnics held at the lake. His remembrance follows:

“When it came time for the Sunday School picnic down at Lake Ontario, Dad would load up the surrey and all of us kids with our lunches and we’d go down to the lake for the Sunday School picnic. Well we wouldn’t get there an awful lot before it was time to eat. After eating, we’d get a swim and a little time to play, and then it was time to start for home again. You didn’t go very quickly. Dad had a team on the surrey and that pulled us along a pretty good clip. It took about an hour and a half to get from our farm to Point Breeze and the same going back. It was a big day! We went to the Oak Orchard side of the Point. At that time there was a big hotel on the west side. Along the front of the hotel was a row of bath houses where you could change your clothes. It was a huge hotel with a big veranda around it, both an upstairs and a downstairs veranda.”

Photos courtesy of Michael Smith

ALBION – The statue of Joseph up high at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on West Park Street in Albion has a big nest of honeybees.
Michael and Faith Smith noticed the nest and the bees on Friday afternoon, and Mr. Smith went home to get his camera.

The positioning of the nest makes it appear that Joseph is holding the cluster of bees.

“He’s got the whole hive in his hands,” Mrs. Smith said.

This is about 75 feet up high from the steps in front of the church.

UPDATE: Holy Family Parish sent the Orleans Hub a message, saying it will have the hive and bees safely removed soon.

Photo courtesy of John DeVault

HAMLIN – Kendall’s class of 71 met for the group’s 50th reunion on Friday, July 16th, at Hamlin Beach State Park.

Front row: Charles Sorg, Lori Passineau, Pat Austin, John DeVault, Lorraine Crombe Thompson, Cathy Ruggles, Betty Couch Montgomery, Diane Abel, Eileen Rayburn Young and Marianne Wilson Kepler.

Back row: Paul Harper, Kraig Courtney, Ivy Skutt DeVault, Jane Albert Weitzel, Dale Cliff, Brenda Melidio Terry, Frank Holderfield and Annie Ward.