Tax collection projected to reach $350 million annually and potentially create 30,000 to 60,000 jobs

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced an agreement on legislation (S.854-A/A.1248-A) to legalize adult-use cannabis.

The bill would establish the Office of Cannabis Management to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework that would cover medical, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp. The bill would also expand New York State’s existing medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs.

The legislation provides licensing for marijuana producers, distributors, retailers, and other actors in the cannabis market, and creates a social and economic equity program to assist individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement that want to participate in the industry.

The development of an adult-use cannabis industry in New York State under this legislation has the potential to create significant economic opportunities for New Yorkers and the State. Tax collections from the adult-use cannabis program are projected to reach $350 million annually. Additionally, there is the potential for this new industry to create 30,000 to 60,000 new jobs across the State.

“For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences. After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “Legalizing adult-use cannabis isn’t just about creating a new market that will provide jobs and benefit the economy – it’s also about justice for long-marginalized communities and ensuring those who’ve been unfairly penalized in the past will now get a chance to benefit. I look forward to signing this legislation into law.”

The New York State Cannabis/Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act contains the following provisions:

Establish the Office of Cannabis Management

The Office of Cannabis Management would be charged with enforcing a comprehensive regulatory framework governing medical, adult-use cannabinoid hemp. It would be governed by a five-member board, with three members appointed by the Governor and one appointment by each house. OCM would be an independent office operating as part of the New York State Liquor Authority.

Medical Cannabis

The agreement would allow people with a larger list of medical conditions to access medical marijuana, increase the number of caregivers allowed per patient, and permit home cultivation of medical cannabis for patients.

Adult-Use Cannabis

The agreement would create a two-tier licensing structure that would allow for a large range of producers by separating those growers and processors from also owning retail stores. The legislation creates licenses for producers and distributors, among other entities, and the legislation will implement strict quality control, public health and consumer protections.

A social and economic equity program would facilitate individuals disproportionally impacted by cannabis enforcement, including creating a goal of 50% of licenses to go to a minority or woman owned business enterprise, or distressed farmers or service-disabled veterans to encourage participation in the industry.

The Bill proposes a new cannabis tax structure that would replace a weight-based tax with a tax per mg of THC at the distributor level with different rates depending on final product type. The wholesale excise tax would be moved to the retail level with a 9 percent state excise tax. The local excise tax rate would be 4 percent of the retail price. Counties would receive 25% of the local retail tax revenue and 75 percent would go to the municipality.

Cannabinoid Hemp

The agreement would permit the sale of hemp flower in the cannabinoid hemp program, and allow for smokeable forms only when adult use retail stores are operational.

Adult-Use Cannabis Tax Revenue

All cannabis taxes would be deposited in the New York state cannabis revenue fund. Revenue covers reasonable costs to administer the program and implement the law. The remaining funding would be split three ways:

• 40 Percent to Education
• 40 Percent to Community Grants Reinvestment Fund
• 20 Percent to Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund

Municipal Opt-Out

Cities, towns, and villages may opt-out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses by passing a local law by December 31, 2021 or nine months after the effective date of the legislation. They cannot opt-out of adult-use legalization.

Traffic Safety

The New York State Department of Health will work with institutions of higher education to conduct a controlled research study designed to evaluate methodologies and technologies for the detection of cannabis-impaired driving. After completion of the research study, DOH may create and implement rules and regulations to approve and certify a test for the presence of cannabis in drivers.

The legislation includes additional funding for drug recognition experts and law enforcement to ensure safe roadways.

The use of cannabis by drivers will remain prohibited.

Personal Possession and Home Cultivation

The following conditions apply to growing cannabis at home and personal possession of cannabis outside the home:

• Personal possession outside of the home: up to 3 ounces cannabis and 24 grams of cannabis concentrate
• Home possession: Amending limits of what is permitted in the home, which must be kept in a secure location away from children
• Home grow: permitted under the bill subject to possession limits in 18 months for adult recreational use and subject to regulations of the Medical Program being promulgated no sooner than 6 months:
• 3 mature plants and 3 immature plants for adults over 21
• 6 mature plants and 6 immature plants maximum per household

Criminal Justice and Record Expungement

The cannabis penalty framework would be restructured to avoid the criminalization seen in prohibition. Reduced penalties would be implemented for possession and sale.

• Creates automatic expungement or resentencing for anyone with a previous marijuana conviction that would now be legal under the law and provides necessary funding
• Adds cannabis to the clean indoor air act which establishes a baseline on where cannabis can be smoked or vaped
• Municipalities and local governments are permitted to make laws that are more restrictive than the CIAA. Contains various provisions to ensure that cannabis is treated as a lawful substance and to prevent discriminatory enforcement

Protections for the Use of Cannabis and Workplace Safety

Unlawful discrimination would be prohibited and workplace safety protections would be implemented.

Public Health and Education Campaign

OCM will establish a robust public health and education campaign and work with neighboring states and associations to coordinate actions and policies to protect regional health and safety.

“There were many important aspects of this legislation that needed to be addressed correctly – especially the racial disparities that have plagued our state’s response to marijuana use and distribution as well as ensuring public safety – and I am proud we have reached the finish line,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Thank you to the Senate sponsor, Senator Liz Krueger, for her tireless efforts to get this legislation advanced and done right. I am glad we are stepping up to give New Yorkers the fair and equitable adult-use marijuana market they deserve.”

Photo from State Sen. Rob Ortt’s Office: State Sen. Rob Ortt, left, presented a Small Business of the Month award today to Brody Hoffmeister, owner of Rudy’s Soda Bar & Café in Medina.

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt

MEDINA – Today, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt recognized Rudy’s Café in medina as his Small Business of the Month for March. Rudy’s Café, located in Medina, has been a staple of the community for three generations, serving residents from around Orleans County and across all of Western New York for decades.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, times were difficult for Rudy’s. However, thanks to their wonderful customers, survival has been made possible through take-out dining and gift card purchases.

Rudy’s Café is so much more than just a local dining establishment, however. The establishment has played a large role in serving local seniors and providing assistance to other small businesses in town.

Thanks to the helping hands of local residents, they have donated over $1,000 in gift cards to local police, firefighters and other first responders. The establishment has also been instrumental in giving back to front-line workers, catering to Medina Memorial Hospital’s medical professionals. Rudy’s continues to give back, having donated to various national health organizations over the years, such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“It’s my honor to recognize Rudy’s Café as my Small Business of the Month,” said Sen. Rob Ortt. “Not only do they serve up great food, but they also embody what it means to be a community establishment. The Covid pandemic has been extremely difficult for small businesses across our nation and specifically family-owned restaurants. I am thrilled to see Rudy’s has been able to adapt and survive and look forward to stopping by for a delicious meal for years to come.”

Rudy’s was established by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Debra Russo in 1988 and was operated by their daughter Kelly until October of 2019. The establishment is now operated by Kelly’s son Brody and his siblings.

Museum welcomes visitors to see display of ‘Americana’

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Doug Farley, left, director of the Cobblestone Museum, and Bill Lattin, former director, show a giant book of Currier and Ives prints which is part of a Currier and Ives exhibit now on display at the Cobblestone Museum’s art gallery.

CHILDS – After being limited for the past year due to the Covid pandemic, the Cobblestone Society Museum has decided to resume programming with an exhibit of Currier and Ives prints in their art gallery.

Director Doug Farley said he and former director Bill Lattin were talking recently about ways to increase visitation in the off season.

“This building is heated all year, unlike the other buildings in the Cobblestone Complex, and it has a public restroom, so it made sense to use it during the fall and winter,” Farley said.

They developed a plan to keep exhibits up year-round for a couple of years, he said. After the Currier and Ives exhibit is taken down in September, local artist Tom Zangerle of Medina will have a one-man show of his paintings through next spring. He will also have things for sale, Farley said.

“It’s good to give local artists a chance to show their works,” Farley said.

Lattin said the next exhibit after Zangerle’s will likely be of a historic nature.

Of the 75 prints hanging now in the gallery, 95 percent belong to Lattin’s collection of more than 200 Currier and Ives prints, and the other five percent are the museum’s.

“Currier and Ives is certainly Americana,” Lattin said.

He explained Currier and Ives prints date from 1834 to 1907. He said Nathanial Currier established his printing business in 1834. In 1867, he took on a partner, James Merritt Ives.

While Lattin is an avid antique collector, he prefers things from the 19th century, he said. He acquired his first Currier and Ives print of President Garfield in the late 1950s as a gift. It was colored, and he explained if Currier and Ives prints are colored, they were colored by hand.

Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, stands next to one of the most popular Currier and Ives’ prints, “Little Daisy,” which is part of an exhibit now on display at the Museum’s gallery.

Lattin also said Currier and Ives were way ahead of Henry Ford. They had long tables in their print shop and hired women to color the prints. One woman would have red watercolor and would color all the parts that should be red, then pass the print to the next woman, who might have the blue color. She would then pass it on to the next to paint the green parts. They had the original assembly line, Lattin said.

He said Currier and Ives appealed to a wide spectrum of the population.

“We normally think of Currier and Ives as pictures of bucolic countryside scenes, such as the Homestead in Winter,” Lattin said. “This collection is not what you’d expect. These prints are smaller and represent the prolific imagery they produced.”

His collection includes prints of political nature, religion, Temperance and death bed scenes which were popular in their day.

One of the most popular Currier and Ives prints was “Little Daisy,” which was given as a free gift to anyone who subscribed to Young Folks Gem Magazine, which was established in 1872. Lattin said he was at an antique mall in Salamanca a week ago the Little Daisy prints were selling from $40 to $60.

The exhibit is open by appointment only any time Monday through Saturday by calling (585) 589-9013. Evening or Sunday appointments may also be possible.

40-foot-high obelisk was planned for Courthouse Square

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 1, No. 9

ALBION – A recent reference question brought this impressive design to light. This image of a towering 40-foot obelisk was one of several submissions under discussion in 1912 for a proposed monument in memory of the Pioneers of Orleans County which was to be erected in Albion at the Courthouse Square.

The Orleans County Pioneer Association was formed in 1859 “to preserve and perpetuate the remembrance of interesting facts connected with the early history of the settlement of Orleans County” and to pay tribute to the settlers who could ”recollect when here was nothing but a dark, unbroken wilderness.”

In June 1910, in anticipation of the upcoming centenary of the original settlement of the county, the Pioneer Association appointed a committee to take charge of the formation of the Orleans County Pioneers Monument Association which would be charged to raise $3,000 to erect a suitable monument in memory of the pioneers.

At a special meeting of the Orleans County Pioneer Association held on Feb. 23, 1911, President John Bidleman was authorized to get approval from the Legislature to erect the monument on the County Courthouse Square. He was also instructed to “secure assistants in the towns to circulate subscription papers among the families of the pioneers for funding the monument.”

The Medina Daily Journal of July 10, 1911 reports the appointment of the following as committee members of the Orleans County Pioneers’ Monument Association: President: Dr. R.W. Bamber, Two Bridges, Supervisor: Daniel D. Daum, Clarendon, Vice-President: Dr. John A. Hartman, Albion, Secretary: Harry E. Colburn, Albion.

It was noted that Dr. Bamber would try to raise $10,000 for the project.

On July 20, 1911, a committee was formed to obtain designs and an estimate of costs. Members included Irving L’Hommedieu of Medina, Lafayette H. Beach of Albion, Jacob Tillis of Gaines, Harry Wellman of Kendall and Dr. W.R. Bamber of Carlton.

A meeting was held on November 23, 1911 to inspect the designs. “Several prominent monument manufacturing concerns and some noted sculptors appeared before the committee and presented miniature models” (Medina Tribune). The cost of the models presented ranged from $3,000 to $15,000. It was reported that the committee hoped to secure a design for less than $10,000.

A final choice was made on December 17, 1911, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. The design, by sculptor Alfred Dreyfus of New York, was of a pioneer woodman in bronze, with long hair, bare-headed, sleeves rolled to elbows, long skin coat, with belt leather leggings, portrayed with uplifted axe, swinging it to chop a fallen log. The total height of the monument would be 18 feet and the cost $6,000.

However, the project did not come to fruition after all. There is no record available of how much money was actually gathered. And, it would seem that there was some dissension. The Medina Daily Journal of June 17, 1912 “decried the action of the Pioneer Association in opposing the Ridge Road Centennial” as “unfortunate.” The Centennial, planned for 1913, was to honor the State’s appropriation in 1813 of $5,000 for the improvements which made it “a great military and emigration highway.”

In actual fact, the two publications which chronicle the Association (Pioneer History of Orleans County, New York, by Arad Thomas and Record of the Orleans County Pioneer Association,) are more evocative than any monument, for they contain compelling first-hand accounts of the settlers’ early trials and tribulations.

They may be accessed at your favorite library or online at the following links: Pioneer History of Orleans County, New York (click here) and the Record of the Orleans County Pioneer Association (click here).

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt

Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt on Friday was joined by State Senators Ed Rath, George Borrello, and State Assemblymen Angelo Morinello and Mike Norris to discuss a newly introduced resolution (J541) to rescind Governor Cuomo’s arbitrary 11 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants. The event was held at Soliday’s Restaurant in Niagara Falls – just one of the many restaurants that the arbitrary mandates of Gov. Cuomo have severely impacted.

Last November, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.74 that imposed a 10 p.m. curfew for bars, restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, and other facilities throughout the New York State. Earlier this year, he extended the curfew to 11 p.m. Just last week, he lifted it all together for gyms, fitness centers, casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and billiard halls beginning April 5. However, he left the 11 p.m. curfew in place for bars and restaurants. Western New York’s positivity rate currently sits below 3 percent.

“Earlier this month, we heard the Democrat Majorities claim that they had revoked the Governor’s emergency powers and had taken back authority from him,” said Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt. “Clearly, that was all theatrics, or else this egregious, non-scientific mandate would no longer be in place. These arbitrary rules remain in effect at the whim of one man, our embattled Governor, and they continue to harm our small businesses. The longer Democrats in the State Legislative Majorities refuse to act in bringing our commonsense proposals to the floor, the longer these bars and restaurants will be forced to suffer. The prolonged inaction by Democrats is killing our state’s restaurant industry.”

Legislative Republicans have been leading the charge to repeal the Governor’s emergency powers since last May. On March 5, the Majorities put forward a Democrat-negotiated bill with the Governor’s office supposedly intended to remove the Governor’s emergency powers. However, that bill did not go far enough and was not an actual repeal, as has been made clear since its passage. Arbitrary rules, including the curfew on restaurants and bars, remain in effect, further harming our small businesses.

Under the bill passed by the Majorities – and agreed to by the Governor’s office – directives already made by the Governor remain in effect. He maintains the ability to modify or extend them. Senator Gianaris stated, “if there is something in there you don’t like, put it in a resolution and call for its repeal. We have the ability to do that with a simple majority.”

Since the beginning of the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, the Senate Republican Conference has introduced an amendment to fully rescind the Governor’s emergency powers 33 times. Each time, Senate Democrats have unanimously voted against this amendment.

“The Governor’s use and abuse of his emergency powers has resulted in countless Executive Orders that not only defy sound science, but common sense,” Borrello said. “There is no better example of this than the 11 p.m. curfew, whose underlying premise is that at 11:01 p.m., the coronavirus becomes more transmissible and only in certain places, like restaurants. While senseless, this edict and others like it, have been far from harmless. They have pushed many restaurants and bars to the financial brink with overly harsh restrictions that have made it difficult, and even impossible, to sustain their operations and keep employees on the payroll.”

Oak Orchard Health has been approved for $3,737,875 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan to expand Covid-19 vaccination, testing and treatment for underserved populations.

Oak Orchard also plans to use the funds deliver preventive and primary health care services to people at higher risk for Covid-19; and expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units.

Mary Ann Pettibon

“This is great news for all of us at Oak Orchard Health and is another reminder of the importance of all the work we do,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO Oak Orchard Health.

The expanded services will be offered at Oak Orchard sites in Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the funding on Friday. The money is part of nearly $400 million for 63 community health centers across New York State.

The senators said the community health centers are on the frontline of health care in the United States, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and provide a critical health care safety net during times of crisis.

“New York’s Community Health Centers are a cornerstone of the state’s healthcare system and have been our frontline armor in the battle against Covid-19, especially in underserved and disadvantaged communities where Covid hit the hardest,” Schumer said. “This critical federal investment, that I fought to secure in the American Rescue Plan, will help community health centers maintain their vital operations, providing health care to those at high risk of contracting Covid-19, and continuing to administer vaccines to as many New Yorkers as possible.”

Distribution of funding will begin in April through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA-funded health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver affordable, accessible, quality, and cost-effective primary health care to high-need urban, rural, and frontier communities across the country.

Health centers serve 1 in 5 people living in rural communities, and 1 in 11 people nationwide. More than 91% of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and nearly 63% are racial or ethnic minorities.

“In the midst of this global pandemic, people across New York are turning to community health centers for affordable primary and preventative health care,” said Senator Gillibrand. “CHCs provide a wide-range of services to some of our most underserved populations and this funding will help address the pandemic challenge and the health disparities it has exacerbated within our communities and ensure these centers can continue providing quality care to every New York community.”

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina players and coaches celebrate with the championship trophy after downing visiting Lackawanna 68-57 this evening in the Section VI Class B2 title contest. In front are Hayden Woodroe, Matt Henning, Tyler Chinn, Brian Fry and Jarin Rhim. Standing are Assistant Coach Adam Hellwig, Christian Drisdom, David Berry, Dontae Rhim, David Rhim, Anthony Rutty, Joe Cecchini, Ricky Wood and Coach Eric Hellwig.

That 50 year long drought is over!

Turning back a late challenge, top seeded Medina downed visiting No. 2 Lackawanna 68-57 this evening to capture the Section VI Class B2 championship, the Mustangs first sectional title since 1971.

Medina went up by as many as 21 midway through the third quarter but Lackawanna came battling back to within 8 in the final two minutes. However, the Mustangs weathered the storm as baskets by Jarin Rhim and Tyler Chinn followed by free throws by Chinn and Brian Fry finally locked up the hard earned victory and the elusive sectional title.

Medina’s Brian Fry goes up for a layup as Shyheim Smalls defends for Lackawanna.

“I told the kids that the best things don’t come easy and they came back, regrouped and answered the challenge,” said Coach Eric Hellwig. “I think our experience was the difference. “It’s quite an accomplishment. The kids have a lot to be proud of. They are an incredible group. They are a real tight group.”

Fry finished with a game high 22 points, Chinn 19, Jarin Rhim 10, Joe Cecchini 9 and Christian Drisdom and Dontae Rhim 4 each.

Julienn Clement scored 28 and Ashlin Alexander 15 to lead Lackawanna.

Getting point production from six different players and capitalizing on a rash of Steeler turnovers, Medina jumped out to a 17-11 first quarter lead. Chinn and Fry both had a pair of layups, Jarin Rhim, Drisdom and Dontae Rhim one each and Cecchini a three in the stanza.

Tyler Chinn puts up a shot for Medina as Sunday Ikegwnonu and Ajiah Turner come in to defend for Lackawanna.

Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs used a 22-10 second quarter scoring edge to increase the advantage to 18, 39-21, at the half.

Fry scored 7, Chinn 6, Cecchini 3 and Jarin Rhim, Drisdom and Dontae Rhim one each in the stanza.

Interestingly 16 of Medina’s 17 first half baskets were layups.

The Mustangs advantage soared to 21, 48-27, three minutes into the third period after two layups by Fry, one by Jarin Rhim and a three by Chinn.

Lackawanna though came battling back. Three threes by Alexander and two by Clement helped the Steelers cut the deficit to 13, 55-42, at the three-quarter mark.

The Steelers pulled to within nine, 55-46, at the outset of the decisive final period after another three by Clement.

The teams then traded scores for the next four minutes as a fast break layup and a free throw by Fry along with a jumper by Chinn helped keep Medina up by nine, 61-52 with 3:20 remaining.  A jumper by Jarin Rhim and a layup by Chinn then boosted the advantage back up to 13, 65-52, with 2:10 remaining.

Lackawanna though refused to fold. Baskets by Alexander and Archie Saeed and a free throw by Shyheim Smalls rallied the Steelers to within eight, 65-57 with 1:20 remaining.

However, the Steelers would get no closer as two free throws by Chinn with 1:02 to go and another by Fry at the 40 second mark finally put a lock on the victory and the title for the Mustangs.

“Lackawanna has a good team but they are young so I think our experience was the difference,” said Hellwig. “We got challenged in the second half but with our experience we were able to regroup, battle back and answer the challenge.”

Medina finishes the season at 14-1 and Lackawanna at 12-3.

The Mustangs advanced to the title contest by downing Niagara-Orleans League rival Newfane 64-55 in the semifinals while Lackawanna  edged Akron 47-43.

Medina captains Tyler Chinn, Brian Fry and Jarin Rhim hold the sectional championship trophy high. Click here to view the last 30 seconds of the game and the presentation of the Sectional Championship patches.

Medina’s Jarin Rhim looks to put up asLackawanna defender Julienn Clement attempts to block.

Chrisitian Drisdom goes in for a layup for the Mustangs as Adam Almontaser defends for the Steelers.

Medina’s Joe Cecchini puts up a jumper against a block attempt by Julienn Clement.

Dontae Rhim with an acrobatic shot against Lackawanna defender Shyheim Smalls.

Grant will help landlords, homeowners with costs to remove lead

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

In January of 2019, the Genesee County Health Department received a $1.3 million federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address lead-based paint hazards in residential buildings within the counties of Genesee and Orleans.

Of this $1.3 million, HUD has directed that $1 million be used specifically for lead-based paint hazard reduction activities, while $300,000 to be directed to other health-related home repairs, maintenance and upgrades.

“The funds were initially earmarked strictly for use in the City of Batavia and the Village of Albion,” said Darren Brodie, Lead Coordinator for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Fortunately, in December of 2020, HUD approved an expansion of the Genesee-Orleans Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program to include qualified properties throughout all municipalities in both counties.”

Eligible homeowners and landlords with eligible tenants may apply to receive these funds. Landlords are required to match 10 percent of the total project costs. For example, a landlord would be required to pay $500 toward a $5,000 project, or $2,000 toward a $20,000 project. Buildings containing more than one unit are accepted, even if all units are not eligible based on the requirements described below.

No match is required for owner-occupied dwellings. All recipients of these grant funds are required to maintain ownership of the residence for 5 years following project completion.

Projects are bid on and completed by a pre-approved list of local contractors, all verified as properly trained and EPA-certified in lead-safe work practices. Contractors who wish to be on our list should contact this office.

Applications can be obtained by contacting lead program staff at the Genesee County Health Department. Program staff can quickly determine your initial eligibility and will help to guide you through the application process, which requires document gathering and filling out forms by the owners and tenants.

In order to be eligible to receive these funds you must meet all of the following requirements:

• low income tenants or homeowners (call for details regarding vacant units);
• dwelling was built prior to 1978;
• dwelling contains lead-based paint;
• dwelling houses a family with at least one child under the age of 6 living there or visiting frequently, or an expectant mother.

If you need help determining if your family or home fits the criteria, contact lead program staff.

For additional information contact the Genesee County Health Department at: 344-2580 ext. 5555 or visit the website at www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/health/index.html.

Active cases drop in past week in 2 counties from 124 to 91

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 11 new confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the total in the two counties to 7,124 since March 2020.

In Orleans County there are 4 new positive cases reported today for a total of 2,533 confirmed cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases include residents in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 40s, 50s and 60s.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is reporting 1 of the new positive individuals was under quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans is reporting 2 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. No one from Orleans County is currently hospitalized due to Covid.

The G-O Health Departments said one of yesterday’s reported positives has been removed after it was learned that person was not a resident of the county. Yesterday’s count should have been 2529.

In Genesee County there are 7 new positive cases for a total of 4,591 confirmed cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases are residents in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 40s, and 70s. (One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Genesee County Jail.)

Genesee is reporting 24 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Two Genesee residents are currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Active Cases: The number of active cases in the two counties decreased from 124 a week ago to 91 today. That includes Orleans, which is down from 41 to 37 actives cases, and Genesee, which declined from 83 to 54 cases.

Revised Skilled Nursing Facility Visitation: There are strict guidelines issued by the state (click here), but here are some highlights:

• Visitation can be conducted through different means based on the facility’s structure and residents’ needs.
• All who enter the facility will be screened for signs and symptoms of Covid-19, and denial of entry of those with signs or symptoms or those who had close contact with someone with Covid-19 infection in the prior 14 days (regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status);
• Hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred);
• The use of face coverings or masks (covering nose and mouth);
• Social distancing at least six feet between persons;
• Instructional signage will be throughout the facility and proper visitor education on Covid-19 symptoms, infections control precautions and other applicable facility practices (e.g. use of face covering/mask, specified entries, exits and routes to designated areas, hand hygiene);
• Cleaning and disinfecting high frequency touched surfaces in the facility often, and designated visitation areas after each visit;
• Appropriate staff use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• Effective cohorting of residents (e.g. separate areas dedicated to Covid-19 care);
• Resident and staff testing conducted as required

For the revised Adult Care Facility Visitation, click here for guidelines from the NYS Health Department.

ALBION – A committee of Albion firefighters and village officials will be studying if a fire district would make more sense for the fire department, rather than having it part of the village budget.

The fire department is in the village budget, with the towns of Albion and Gaines paying the village in a fire protection contract.

In a fire district, the fire department expenses would be removed from the village budget and the fire district would be its own taxing entity.

The Holley Fire Department recently was moved out of the Holley village budget and is now part of a joint Murray Fire District with the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday voted to research the formation of a district. Joe Grube, a former Gaines town supervisor, will lead the study. Grube is the current vice president of the Albion Fire Department. He is in line to become the president in May.

He sees the biggest benefit of a fire district is the clear breakdown of the costs of operating a fire department. Right now, the costs are blurred in the village budget. For example, a mechanic in the DPW of the village works on fire trucks while on “village time.” That cost as well as insurance and upkeep of the fire hall aren’t necessarily defined in the village budget.

Grube said the possibility of creating a fire district is “very preliminary.” One issue that needs to be resolved is whether a fire district can cover two towns. Grube said he has only seen fire districts in one town or in part of a town.

The village and fire department discussed exploring a fire district about three years ago, but the effort has been languishing. Grube wants to see the “benefits and detriments” of a district for the towns of Albion and Gaines, and the village of Albion.

“The biggest benefit will be transparency in the costs,” he said. “Right now it is very cloudy because so much of the costs are buried in village budget.”

If Albion does form a fire district, there would be elected commissioners. There would be public hearings and a public referendum for a district to be created.

If the district moves past the preliminary stage, Grube said he expects the committee would expand to include representatives from the two towns.

If there is a new fire district, there would be a separate tax from the fire district that would be part of the tax bill that comes out in January. It would also mean the village tax rate would likely go down because the fire department wouldn’t be included in the village budget. However, there would be a new tax for village residents with a fire district.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has joined the Great Lakes Task Force.

The Senate and House Great Lakes Task Forces (GLTF) are a bipartisan, bicameral group that works to enact policies that promote the environmental health of the lakes and economic prosperity for the Great Lakes region.

The group was founded in the 1980s and has worked on numerous projects to improve lake infrastructure, promote economic development, improve drinking water quality, and combat invasive species. The House GLTF is currently co-chaired by Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Dave Joyce (R-OH).

“The Great Lakes are a cornerstone of our Western New York economy, culture, and recreation. Ensuring they are healthy for generations to come, while also working to prevent severe flooding in our lakeshore communities are major priorities of mine,” Jacobs said. “Joining this task force, along with my membership on the Northern Border Caucus, puts me in a strong position to advocate for productive and impactful Great Lakes policies, as well as ensure the needs of our local economies and residents are met.”

Recently, Jacobs also successfully secured funding for the IJC’s expedited review of Plan 2014 in the latest appropriations bill. In addition, he has supported the Water Resources Development Act that funds an important Coastal Resiliency Study and he successfully advocated for increased outflows from Lake Ontario to help prevent severe shoreline flooding.

“I am committed to working to advocate for policies that protect our lakeshore communities and small businesses while giving them the best environment to thrive,” Jacobs said. “I am excited to join this task force and continue my work to advocate for Western New York in Congress.”

Press Release, State Senator Rob Ortt

Yesterday evening, New York Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued a formal letter to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) demanding the Commission immediately hold a meeting for the purpose of formally commencing a full and comprehensive investigation into the latest troubling allegations that the Governor has broken the law and acted unethically. His call follows Attorney General Letitia James’s urging that JCOPE investigate these allegations.

It was widely reported by the Washington Post, Times Union and New York Times that Governor Andrew Cuomo used the power of his public office to prioritize Covid testing for his own family members and top inner-circle friends. He did so during the height of the Covid pandemic – at a time when Covid testing resources were extremely limited and in high demand in New York’s most vulnerable communities, and thousands of people were catching and dying from the virus.

In the letter, Leader Ortt specifically cites the Governor’s likely violation of provisions of the Public Officers Code of Ethics as set forth in Section 74, paragraphs d, f, h of subdivision 3 of the Public Officers Law. These provisions of the Code of Ethics apply to all government employees, including the Governor himself.

“It does not take a stretch of the imagination to see a clear connection between Governor Cuomo using his official position as the head of state government and the unwarranted privileges provided to his own family members and close associates. Obviously, while these actions would be egregious during normal times, they are particularly unconscionable because they occurred early on during the pandemic, at a time when testing was in short supply and high demand,” Leader Ortt stated in the letter.

For months, Governor Cuomo has been immersed in scandal, and his administration is engulfed in multiple ongoing investigations. Republican State Senators have repeatedly written the Attorney General’s office, Senate Committees, the New York Congressional Delegation, and JCOPE urging subpoenas and further investigations to provide oversight and hold the Governor accountable for his troubling actions. Unfortunately, most of these requests – including matters that the Conference has referred to JCOPE over the years – have been ignored and brushed aside.

Yesterday, members of the Republican Conference asked for the Governor’s diversion of COVID testing resources to be investigated by Attorney General James. However, the Attorney General said she does not have jurisdiction to “investigate these ‘troubling’ reports of the Governor’s preferential treatment for COVID-19 tests, and urged a state ethics commission to do so.”

Leader Ortt concluded, “These are deeply troubling revelations and the people of New York need answers. Ethics are in short supply right now in the Cuomo Administration. This demands an investigation and JCOPE must step up to do its job. Anything short of this will demonstrate that JCOPE itself lacks ethics and should be disbanded.”

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is renewing his call for the governor’s impeachment following a report that the governor secured state-administered Covid tests for himself, members of his family and those with close political and personal ties to him during a period in the pandemic in which government labs only had the capacity to process several hundred tests each day.

State police resources were also reportedly used to transport these tests to state labs for faster processing.

“It has become abundantly clear the governor is willing to take actions that benefit himself and those close to him at the public’s expense,” said Hawley. “Somebody with such misguided convictions has no place continuing as our governor, and we need to move forward with impeachment proceedings as quickly as possible. Of course he could still do the right thing and resign.”

Press Release, Assemblyman Mike Norris

LOCKPORT – Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) renewed calls for state budget surpluses to be spent toward improving infrastructure and improving access to broadband internet service for communities across upstate New York. He said that between the one-shot federal stimulus investment and increased tax revenues coming into the state, there was no need for any tax hikes.

“Everyone has agreed that despite the pandemic we now have more money coming into our state than we originally anticipated,” Norris said. “While this is welcome news, this is not the time to increase spending that we cannot sustain year after year. A smart use of this funding would be to make much-needed capital improvements to our local roads, which have not seen a funding increase in nearly a decade, and to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to broadband internet, a service that is more necessary than ever before and will certainly continue to be essential to the daily life of every person moving forward.”

In addition to serving as a member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, overseeing the budget process, Norris has also been appointed as a member of the Joint Budget Conference Committee on Transportation.

He said he welcomes the opportunity because it gives him another platform to advocate for increased funding for local road programs, like the Consolidated Local Street and Highway (CHIPS) Program and Extreme Winter Recovery program. While the governor’s proposed cuts to these programs were restored in the Assembly’s one-house budget, Norris said more must be done as CHIPS, the program responsible for the maintenance projects of local roads, bridges, sewers and culverts, has not had a funding increase since 2013.

Norris has been a proponent for expanding broadband internet across the state, particularly in rural communities where it can be particularly challenging for distance learning, remote work and even emergency services.

“Without access to high-speed broadband service schoolchildren will not be able to do their homework even after full-time, in-school instruction returns,” Norris said. “Businesses will not be able to compete. These services are essential and have been for some time. The pandemic only highlighted how far behind too many communities in our state still are. We must correct this, especially since we have the opportunity and funding now to do so.”

Norris is also calling for the reimagining of the state’s existing economic development programs to fund an initiative he created, known as the New York Business Emergency Relief Act of 2021 (A.4692). This legislation offers grants to reimburse small employers for revenues lost during the pandemic shutdown.

He said he was encouraged to see that his idea has gained traction in the state Legislature and a similar proposal was included in the Assembly’s one-house budget.

“This measure is absolutely essential,” Norris said. “These businesses were shut down by no fault of their own. The state has an obligation to help them get back on their feet before more jobs are lost and more New Yorkers have to move out of state.”

Norris said he also hopes to see funding restorations to essential constituent programs that fund libraries, support veterans, including the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Counseling Program, and to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are protected from Covid-19 and have greater educational and long-term care options.