Photo by Tom Rivers: Brian Bartalo, the Holley school superintendent, said there is a “gray area” for athletes wearing masks during high school events. Pictured in back are Connie Nenni, left, the district clerk and Robin Silvis, the BOE president.

HOLLEY – School leaders who watch high school sporting events or who see photos on the Orleans Hub notice that many of the athletes have their masks pulled down and aren’t covering their nose or mouth.

Some of the opposing players aren’t even wearing masks.

Brian Bartalo, the Holley school superintendent, said other students and parents see that and wonder why other students can’t do the usual musical, marching band or chorus concert.

“It’s created consternation for the music and drama folks,” Bartalo told the Board of Education on Monday.

Board member Anne Smith brought up the topic, saying she sees many of the sports photos on the Orleans Hub with masks that don’t seem to be properly worn.

Bartalo said the New York State Public High School Athletic Association allows a “gray area” with the masks. The association calls for athletes to wear masks at all times “unless unable to tolerate face covering for physical activity.” If they feel they can’t tolerate a mask, they can lower it, Bartalo said.

If athletes decide to lower their masks, referees or game officials have told the schools they aren’t going to “police” it, Bartalo said.

Coaches are taking athletes at “face value” if they lower their masks, it’s because they can’t handle playing the sport with the mask on, said Robin Silvis, the board president.

HOLLEY – When the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was signed by President Biden last week, Holley Central School was expecting the package would include $1,114,999 for the district.

That follows the $373,533 approved last March for Holley in the $2.2 trillion CARES Act. That initial funding helped the district pay for additional costs of PPE and other Covid-19 expenses.

Turns out Holley is getting the $1,114,999, plus another $2,428,000 in the American Rescue Plan. The district was notified of the unexpected funding on Monday at 2 p.m.

Sharon Zacher, the district assistant superintendent for business, said Holley has until Sept. 30, 2023 to spend the money. So far the only stipulation known for the money is at least 20 percent needs to go to “loss of learning costs” to help students get caught up who fell behind during the pandemic, Zacher told the Board of Education on Monday evening.

The $2.4 million takes some pressure off the district in the next two to three years. Holley is plugging the $1,114,999 into the proposed 2021-22 budget. Zacher was concerned the following year how the district would respond with the loss of that funding from the budget, especially if state aid didn’t increase significantly.

“This eases the worry about when the $1.1 million is gone,” Zacher said about the additional $2.4 million.

She updated the Board of Education on Monday about the budget progress so far. Next month the board will vote on a budget to present to voters in May.

Right now the budget is at a 3 percent spending increase, $26,553,900 compared to the $25,780,000 for 2020-21. The budget was also at $25,780,000 the previous year.

Zacher’s draft proposal would increase taxes by 2 percent, from $7,427,919 to $7,576,477. That would be just under the district’s allowable tax cap for next school year, which is a 2.029 percent increase.

Holley has the usual budget increases with staff raises and the costs of health insurance. Next school year, Zacher said Holley should budget for an additional bus attendant, some equipment for Buildings and Grounds, a new kettle at $25,000 for the kitchen, and a bigger expense for repair costs for take-home devices for students.

Zacher expects to receive more information from the state and federal governments about the $2.4 million and how it can be used by the district.

“We want to hear more before making a recommendation,” she told the board.

Generous government relief for so many puzzles long-time reporter

By Ginny Kropf

Photo by Tom Rivers: Ginny Kropf has worked as a local reporter for the past half century.

It has been several years since I’ve written a column, but after all we’ve been through this past year, there is lots to write about.

It was just a year ago our country basically shut down due to Covid-19. During that time, some have shown how ignorant they can be by refusing to do something as simple as wearing a mask, while others have been responsible and worn a mask in public – something very basic which could have achieved overwhelming results, had everyone done it in the beginning.

There might not have been more than 500,000 deaths, with loved ones dying alone, millions and millions spent in health care and healthcare workers and hospitals taxed to the limit – and beyond.

But that, hopefully, is in the past. And if everyone – with no exceptions for any reason – gets the vaccine, we can lay this Covid demon to rest.

My husband Al and a 98-year-old friend were able to get our first shots a week ago and the second is scheduled at the end of March. Hopefully then we can feel comfortable going out in public, but I’m sure we will continue to wear our masks for the near future.

So much has been lost in this past year – and not only human life. I had rented Camp Rainbow for a day last summer to have a graduation party for our great-granddaughter, who wanted to come here from South Carolina to have her party with us. That, of course, didn’t happen.

There have been birthday parties nearly every month which had to be canceled. And weddings canceled or downsized. And tragically, funerals which could only be for a handful of relatives or friends.

But we have survived it.

However, the effect of the virus is going to be long-lasting.

Last summer, Scott Robinson, who is part owner of the Shirt Factory Café and founder of the Medina Area Partnership, said many restaurants would fail due to the pandemic.

I can only speculate as to the hardship dealt to business owners of every kind – especially the travel and tourism industry.

As much as I am sure the stimulus checks sent by our Federal government are needed, I also have a great concern.

Has the government considered how that money is going to get paid back? Also, I feel there was no responsible action taken by either party when deciding who should get the checks.

I am getting $2,000 from the government – $600 in December and now the $1,400. For our household, that totals $4,000 between Al and I, just dropped into our accounts. While I’m sure many legitimately needed the money, many, many more did not.

Al and I aren’t rich, but we certainly don’t want for anything. A gentleman I know is quite well off and donated his first check to a charity, and I’m sure he’ll do the same with this second check. When I heard the checks were going to anyone making less than $75,000, I wanted to scream!

The poverty level for a family of five is $30,680. Yet anyone making up to $75,000 is going to get “free” money from the government. Not good thinking on my part. I could easily survive on $40,000 a year if I had to.

Then there are the extended unemployment checks. Just sent to practically anyone. I know a person whose unemployment check is almost twice what her part-time salary was. And I know a handful of people who won’t go back to work because they can get the extended unemployment. An employer in Genesee County told me when they re-opened after initially having to shut down, half of their work force refused to come back to work.

In Medina, another company CEO has the same problem. He said a stipulation was included with the unemployment checks that if a person’s job was available and he didn’t go back to work, his unemployment checks would end. UNLESS – he or she had reason to fear Covid. So, the CEO said, the employees just said they had a health problem which made them afraid of Covid and they are staying home collecting unemployment, while the company is struggling to complete its work.

While I’m on the subject of our government, how absolutely stupid and irresponsible to open our borders. Of course, the illegal immigrants will be so grateful, they will vote for the party who let them in. But how many more can the working people in our country sustain.

Dean Bellack of Medina has a sign in his office written by Thomas Jefferson decades ago, which reads, “Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who are not.”

How long before we get to the point where the unemployed people outnumber the working population? What then?

Al and I are thankful we are in our 80s. We’ve seen the best years.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Karri Schiavone, Holley Elementary School principal, tells the Board of Education on Monday that the school had a great first day with students in grades K through 2 back this week without the hybrid schedule.

HOLLEY – It felt like the first day of school at Holley Elementary School on Monday for students in kindergarten through second grade.

It was the first day without the hybrid schedule, where students were in-person for two days a week, alternating with half their class to keep the capacity down in the classroom and on buses.

Holley school officials did the calculations and found they could bring students in those grade levels back for four days of in-person a week. Wednesday will remain a day for remote learning.

“It was so smooth,” Karri Schiavone, the elementary school principal, told the Holley Board of Education on Monday evening. “It was happy kids and happy teachers everywhere.”

Students were able to meet some of their classmates in person for the first time this school year. Some of those students were only known as faces on a computer screen for Zoom video conferencing.

The district needs to work out details for the student drop-off because there was a line out to Perry Street.

“We need to tweak the arrival and dismissal times for cars,” Schiavone said.

Otherwise, she said the shift to bringing more students back has gone “fantastic.”

She praised the Buildings and Grounds staff for rearranging desks and tables to meet the 6-foot social distancing guideline from the state. The food service, transportation, district office, teachers and support staff “all made it work,” Schiavone said.

Holley wants to bring back more students for in-person each day but Schiavone said the social distancing guideline would need to be lowered. Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, said school officials around the state are expecting the guideline to be reduced to 3 feet, as long as students are wearing masks. That change would allow for more students on buses, more in classrooms and more in the cafeteria.

“We expect the changes will come,” Bartalo said.

This elementary classroom has plastic barriers on the desks as an added protection against the spread of Covid-19.

If the distancing isn’t lowered from 6 to 3 feet, Bartalo said the district will still try to bring back more students, but may not be able to do more full grade levels.

The district wants to have more students in-person by April 19, which is the start of the final quarter when students will be gearing up for final exams and state assessments.

Bartalo noted that Monday was very close to the one-year anniversary of when schools last year were closed to in-person learning due the Covid-19 pandemic. March 13 was last day for in-person learning in 2020.

“Today was our youngest students and we will start working are way up,” Bartalo told the Board of Education.  “We can all agree that having 5- and 6-year-olds at home on a computer being supervised in very challenging.”

The district early in the school year increased the in-person days to four days for students in prekindergarten, those in self-contained special education classes and the alternative high school, which is held in a wing of the elementary school.

Those groups are all smaller classes of no more than 12 students where the district can meet the social distancing requirement, keeping desks 6 feet apart.

The district also brought back for four days of in-person learning about 100 students with IEPs who have a learning disability and need some additional educational services.

Holley on March 1 also allowed students at the WeMoCo in Spencerport to attend in-person classes four days a week.

“Our goal is to get all of the hybrid kids back for the fourth quarter,” Bartalo said.

That will depend on the state changing the social distancing to 3 feet. He said he is encouraged by the number of new cases in the county being the lowest since October, while more people are getting vaccinated from Covid.

There will be increased law patrols from law enforcement for driving while intoxicated or impaired beginning today through March 21.

This special traffic enforcement detail is designed to reduce alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. It is sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

“As New Yorkers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, I urge them to do so safely and responsibly,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “There is zero tolerance for impaired driving in New York. It is grossly reckless on the part of the driver, and it puts all those on the road in danger. Impaired drivers will be caught and held accountable, so plan for a safe ride home.”

During the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day campaign, which occurred March 13 through March 18, law enforcement throughout the state issued 77,444 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 1,944 arrests for DWI.

These STOP-DWI enforcement campaigns occur throughout the year. During the recent Super Bowl campaign, which was held from Feb. 5 through Feb. 8, law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 26,127 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations and made 846 arrests for DWI.

Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said law enforcement agencies in Orleans County will join forces to increase DWI patrols the next five days.

The sheriff urges people who are drinking to plan a safe way to get home. They can call for a ride from a sober friend or family member, or reach out for a taxi or Uber.

Village residents will go to the polls today to vote for trustees on the Village Board in Albion and Medina.

In Albion there are two candidates running for one open seat on the board, a three-year term. Voting is from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Office, 35 East Bank St.

The Democratic Party nominated Zachary Burgess of Hamilton Street, and the Republican Party nominated Joe Martillotta of North Main Street. They are seeking to fill a vacancy created when Kevin Sheehan resigned as trustee to become the village code enforcement officer.

The election is back on the schedule for the third Tuesday in March. Last year’s election was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was finally held on Sept. 15.

Burgess, 31, works for Bentley Brothers as a sales representative. He also has been very active in the Rock the Park music festival at Bullard Park. He serves as co-chairman of the event which has been renamed as the Albion Summer Festival. Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19. Burgess and the organizers are hoping this year’s festival with many bands can happen the first Saturday in August.

Through that event, Burgess said he has worked with many village officials and community members. He also is a member of the Albion Lions Club.

Martillotta, 69, retired in 2009 after 36 years as a high school social studies and economics teacher. He and his wife Debbie did extensive renovations of 469 East State St. and opened the Crooked Door Tavern on Jan. 31, 2011. It was his dream of owning a restaurant and bar. They operated the business for more than three years, selling it in April 2014.

Martillotta owns other properties in the village.

“I’ve been paying taxes for years in the village – lots of them,” he said.

He has long advocated for shrinking the size of local government through consolidation. That is an issue he wants to explore.

In Medina there are two candidates for two trustees. Owen Toale is seeking re-election. He is joined on the “Accountability Party” by Jessica Marciano, a member of the Parks Committee. Todd Bensley, who has been on the board for six years, isn’t seeking re-election.

Voting is from noon to 9 p.m. at Senior Center on West Avenue.

Toale has 10 years experience on the board and is the current deputy mayor.  Marciano is making her first run for the Village Board. Toale is retired as the publisher of the former Journal-Register in Medina.

“I’m privileged to serve with a board that understands the needs of the village and has no hidden agendas other than to make Medina a better place to live,” Toale posted on his Facebook page. “I think the progress that has been made in the village with the cooperation of village residents has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Toale noted the trustees each have departments to oversee, and are involved in different committees in the village government. He also has been the chief negotiator for union and department contracts for the past five years.

“Previous administrations have hired labor attorneys at the cost of $150 an hour to negotiate their contracts,” Toale said. “Working with another trustee I have managed to get the contracts done and save the village thousands of dollars in lawyer fees while being fair to the unions and the village.”

He said he works on village budgets that maintain services without an “excessive tax load.” He said he is pleased to see Marciano step up and run for the board.

“Jess is a newcomer to the process but has spent time on the Parks Committee along with attending board meetings for quite some time,” Toale said. “She is learning the role of trustee and will become an asset to the village.”

State Assembly members Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, and Mike Norris, R-Lockport, both voted against the State Assembly budget proposal.

The two Assemblymen both represent parts of Orleans County. Hawley said the Assembly budget proposal misses an opportunity to overhaul the state’s business climate, especially with a big influx of federal aid. Norris said the Assembly budget will chase more residents and businesses out of the state.

Assemblyman Hawley issued this statement:

“Following an incredibly generous allocation of federal aid to the tune of approximately $100 billion that would, according to a member of Sen. Chuck Schumer’s staff, wipe out our state deficit for the year entirely, we have been presented a tremendous opportunity to overhaul our state’s business climate and bring our economy roaring back through this recovery like never before.

“We have been given a clean slate with which we could finally make New York a competitive place to do business and create economic opportunity but, unfortunately, our colleagues in the Majority seem to be more interested in burdening our state with billions in new taxes in their budget proposal, even as we have seen a mass exodus of New Yorkers in recent years.

“This proposal by the Majority is a clear sign of a shifting paradigm in Albany, as it goes far above what even the governor proposed this year under the assumption our state would receive only minimal aid, as opposed to the massive package headed our way. Clearly the governor has lost any effective leverage in the budget process and is being walked over by radical progressives, and this proposal shows exactly why he needs to step down. We need a leader in this budget process who can stand up to ideologues and do what’s best for everyday working people, and Gov. Cuomo is in no position to be that person.”

Assemblyman Norris issued this statement:

“Today I voted against the $208.3 billion budget that imposes an additional $14.6 billion in new taxes on New Yorkers.

“While I am encouraged that so many of our communities’ priorities that I have been advocating for during this year’s budget process have been included in the Assembly’s one-house budget, this overall spending plan breaks the state’s spending record at over $208 billion and would impose an additional more than $14 billion in new taxes — a measure that is totally unnecessary given the state’s increased revenues and additional $12.6 billion in federal stimulus. If these tax hikes are enacted, our state’s out-migration problem will only worsen and our economy, which is in critical condition already, will further suffer.

“I urge leaders to remove these tax hikes and to produce a final budget agreement that is more fiscally prudent and responsible in order to protect our economy, create jobs and support New Yorkers’ path to recovery. That path should support investments in broadband, small business support, libraries and education, infrastructure, and resources for veterans and people with developmental disabilities who need our help now more than ever.

“We can make that happen with this one-shot investment from Washington, and be fiscally responsible at the same time without forcing more New Yorkers out-of-state by permanently driving up taxes.”

ALBION – When school was closed suddenly last year to in-person learning, and there wasn’t a prom or typical graduation ceremony, community members responded by adopting seniors and giving them gifts to help them feel appreciated during a difficult end of their school year.

The Adopt A Senior effort is coming back for this year’s class, which experienced the disruption of their junior year and have now gone through a senior year with no homecoming, no senior tea, and scaled down activities. Seniors are on a hybrid schedule, attending in-person classes two days a week or going fully remote.

Plans for the prom and commencement remain up in the air as the district waits to see if the state eases restrictions on crowd sizes.

One of the parents of the Class of 2021 is managing the Adopt-A-Senior program, seeking to provide a “morale boost” for the 140 students in the class.

Adopters of a student can expect to spend about $25. They will be randomly paired with a senior, who will provide a list of interests and future plans.

People who want to spend more or give gifts to a senior they know are still welcome to do that outside of the Adopt-A-Senior program. People are welcome to adopt more than one senior.

The adopters will be notified privately which senior they have adopted, and the seniors’ information will only be shared with the adopters. The program will only go forward if there are adopters for all students.

If you are interested in adopting a student, or multiple students, you can send a private message on the Adopt-A-Senior Facebook page or by emailing albionseniors2021@gmail.com.

Health Department reports another Covid death in Genesee

There are 36 new Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties since Friday for a total of 6,922 cases in the two counties since last March.

In Orleans County there are 10 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,479 positive cases during the pandemic, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon) The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 40s, 60s and 70s. One of the new positives is a resident at the Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

Of the new cases, 2 were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans is reporting 18 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases in the county has declined from 37 on Friday to 28 today, as recoveries outpace new confirmed cases.

There are currently 3 county residents who are hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 26 new positive cases for a total of 4,443 cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside 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, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 19 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases increased from 56 on Friday to 65 today.

There are currently 3 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are reporting a Genesee resident over age 65 has passed away due to Covid. The state Health Department lists 120 deaths in Genesee County due to Covid.

“We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family,” the local Health Departments said in a news release. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this very difficult time.”

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

Wedding sizes: Starting today, the Governor is allowing weddings at up to 50% of the venue capacity or up to 150 people (whichever is smaller) at weddings/catered events.

See section D (In-person and Catered Events) of the Interim Guidance for Food Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency updated February 24, 2021.

There are strict guidelines to be followed and responsible parties are to notify the local health department if they plan to host in-person and catered events above the state’s maximum social gathering limit, which is 50 people as of Feb. 24.

All venues/event planners are to complete the Genesee Orleans (GO Health) COVID-19 In-Person and Catered Events Notification Form (click here) no less than 5 days prior to the event – for events above NYS’s maximum social gathering limit. Those who ignore the guidance can be fined and/or lose their license to operate.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced toll plaza removal and interchange reconstruction will resume on the New York State Thruway’s former ticketed system this week and is expected to be completed, weather permitting, by the end of summer 2021.

This next phase of construction is the second and final portion of the $355 million cashless tolling design-build project which went live on Nov. 14, 2020 and was immediately followed by the removal of toll plazas at six high-volume interchanges statewide.

“New York remains committed to continuing our infrastructure investments throughout the Covid-19 crisis,” Governor Cuomo said. “The completion of this project saves drivers time, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality along our Thruway system. Even in these trying times, New York State will never put the brakes on building a stronger and better future.”

Beginning this week, the design-build contractor, Cashless Tolling Constructors, LLC, will begin removing toll plazas at six additional interchanges along the Thruway’s former ticketed system statewide. When completed, 52 toll plazas, approximately 230 individual toll booths, will be removed creating highway speed, true open-road tolling by the end of summer 2021, weather permitting.

The second wave of removal and road reconstruction is scheduled to begin at the following interchanges:

• Exit B2 (Berkshire Spur – Taconic Pkwy)
• Exit 23 (Albany – I-787)
• Exit 25A (Rotterdam – I-88)
• Exit 34A (Syracuse – I-481)
• Exit 47 (LeRoy – I-490)
• Exit 48 (Batavia)
• Canaan Toll Barrier (Booths removed in Nov. 2020)

During construction, drivers should expect traffic shifts and increased construction activities near toll plazas. Motorists should use caution while driving in these areas, as they will be active construction zones with 20 MPH posted speed limits until the toll booths are completely removed and interchanges reconfigured.

“This monumental project is one of the largest projects in the Authority’s nearly 70-year history and is transforming our transportation infrastructure by modernizing and enhancing services for the hundreds of millions of travelers that rely on our system each year,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll. “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the Thruway is ushering in a new chapter as all of the former toll plazas are removed, creating a truly free-flowing, open-road system that is safe, more modern, and more suitable for the growing 21st century economy.”

At police reform session, Holley PD viewed as ‘stepping stone’ to other larger departments

Photos by Tom Rivers: Roland Nenni, Holley police chief until he retires on March 31, speaks during a forum on police reform last Thursday at the village office in the former Holley High School.

HOLLEY – The Holley Police Department responds to about 1,000 calls annually, and many are lockouts, alarms going off, and building checks.

But increasingly, the department responds to people in mental health crisis. Holley Police Chief Roland Nenni said more mental health personnel are needed in the community to help assist individuals in a mental health crisis.

In Orleans County, two classes of law enforcement officers, about a dozen in each class, have taken week-long crisis intervention training, learning techniques to de-escalate situations with people suffering a mental health issue.

“It’s not enough,” Nenni said about the training for officers. “It’s definitely not enough.”

The county would benefit with a  team of trained specialists who could quickly be deployed to a crisis situation. “With SWAT, you’re bringing a sledgehammer to the problem,” he said.

Nenni said there needs to be more psychiatric facilities with beds for people to stay.

“We’re trying to find better ways of dealing with mental health,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

Nenni spoke last Thursday during a meeting about police reform. Those meetings are required for the 500 law enforcement agencies around the state. They need to submit a plan to the state by April 1, and show that they have given the public a chance to air concerns about how the police departments are responding to community needs.

“We have a great community and we have a great police department,” Nenni told about 20 people at the meeting.

About 20 people attended the session last week about the Holley Police Department.

Nenni said the mandate on law enforcement agencies of all sizes around the state for police reform is “insulting” to departments like Holley, which have banned chokeholds and have a policy for use of force.

Holley officers have had body cameras since October 2017. They carry AEDs in their patrol cars in case they go to a call and someone is in cardiac arrest.

The Holley PD does about 25 to 75 arrests each year. In the past 10 years, Nenni said officers have used force about a dozen times.

Holley’s policies and its police reform plan will be posted on the Village of Holley website and Facebook page before the April 1 deadline.

“What the governor is mandating, we already have that,” Nenni said. “Our orders exceed the policies mandated by the governor.”

But the purpose of the meeting on Thursday was to hear from the community what Holley PD could be doing better.

Diane Rouse, a local resident, said more mental health services are needed to assist the police and respond to residents who need help. There are bigger issues, too – poverty and drug abuse – that are part of the mental health issues and crime in the community, Rouse said.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said law enforcement often are called to people “hysterical” with mental health problems that may been even more extreme from drug use.

“I have a lot of respect for law enforcement,” Cardone said. “These men and women walk into very volatile situations and have to make decisions quickly. We’re asking law enforcement to diffuse situations and these are very difficult situations.”

Nenni expects to see more resources for mental health services. In Orleans County, a crisis intervention team should be run from the county and not from the Holley PD and individual law enforcement agencies, Nenni said.

“This is on the national radar,” he said. “We’re keenly aware of the problems that mental health causes for law enforcement.”

‘I have a lot of respect for law enforcement. These men and women walk into very volatile situations and have to make decisions quickly. We’re asking law enforcement to diffuse situations and these are very difficult situations.’ – DA Joe Cardone

Another focus of the police reform mandate from the governor is to make sure the public feels they are being treated fairly by law enforcement, Cardone said, whether they are victims of crime or the defendants.

Joanne Best, the county’s public defender, also attended the Holley forum.

“We don’t honestly get a lot of complaints from our clients that the police did something wrong to me,” Best said.

She suggested the law enforcement agencies make annual reports public, and detail how many calls, how many arrests and the results of those arrests.

Nenni is a Holley resident who also is Albion’s police chief. He is ending a 29-year law enforcement career on March 31. He said it has been an honor to lead the department in his home community.

Nenni, the leader of the Orleans County SWAT team, was praised for his service by Joe Cardone, the county’s district attorney.

“I can tell you he will be sorely missed,” Cardone said. “He has done great work in Albion and Holley and throughout Orleans County.”

Best also praised the retiring police chief for being “extremely accessible.” She also commended Nenni for leading numerous community events, from the National Night Out at Bullard Park in Albion to DWI simulations at Holley and Albion schools. In those mock accidents, students role play being in an accident, with firefighters extricating them from vehicles. In Holley, there has been a court re-enactment with the drunken driver sentenced to state prison.

Bob Barton will take over as acting chief of the Holley Police Department. He is retired from the Greece Police Department and has worked as a part-time officer in Holley for several years.

The Village Board has appointed Bob Barton to serve as acting chief beginning April 1. Barton is retired from the Greece Police Department and has worked as a part-time officer in Holley

Barton said he prefers working in a small town, where it is easier to get to know the residents and businesses.

“Being a cop is getting to know your community and letting your community get to know you,” he said. “I like being a local cop because a local cop gets to know the people. That’s what it’s all about.”

Holley currently has one full-time officer, a part-time chief and about 10 other part-timers. Mayor Kevin Lynch said Holley is looking to fill another full-time position.

John Kenney, a former Holley mayor, said the department acts as a “stepping stone” for new officers to get experience and then move on to bigger departments. The turnover can make it challenging to maintain consistent staffing. Right now, Nenni said there are about 6-7 open shifts a month that aren’t staffed.

When a Holley officer isn’t on duty, there is usually a Sheriff’s deputy or state trooper close by.

Cardone said law enforcement will likely face another new challenge. He expects the State Legislature and governor to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Cardone believes that will result in more serious and fatal car accidents and other problems for the community.

“There is no question that will lead to more issues,” Cardone said. “There is no question this is a very difficult time for law enforcement.”

Press Release, Heritage Wind

BARRE – The Heritage Wind Community Grant Program is now accepting applications for its Spring 2021 grant cycle.

The program provided more than $20,000 last year to support local organizations working to build healthy communities, increase environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and promote education, including the following: Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA), United Way of Orleans County, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Supportive Care of Orleans, Medina Central School District, Barre Volunteer Fire Department, Christ Community Kitchen, Arc of Genesee/Orleans, Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum, Orleans Community Health Foundation and the Barre Historical Committee.

Grants are typically awarded in $250 to $4,000 increments, with priority given to proposals that demonstrate meaningful impacts to the greatest number of area residents. We will be accepting applications until April 25 on our website (click here).

The focus areas for the Heritage Wind Community Grant Program are as follows:

• Building Healthy Communities – Programs that support public health, good government, open communication, citizen resources, and/or enhance the quality of life in the community.
• Economic Development – Apex Clean Energy supports and encourages the entrepreneurial spirit. It is part of our mission to serve as a catalyst for economic opportunity and development within the communities where we operate.
• Environmental Sustainability – Programs that possess a strong link to environmental revitalization, sustainability, or education thereof, empower residents to be stewards of the environment, and/or encourage partnerships to address environmental concerns and sustainability.
• Promoting Education – Programs that support educational institutions, the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and training programs for careers in the wind industry. This may include curriculum development, literacy, school readiness, and other initiatives that help students grow into young leaders. Vocational training institutions that help build a skilled workforce are also included and encouraged to apply.

Local organizations working in the Town of Barre or the broader Orleans County community are encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the grant program, please contact Brian O’Shea at brian.oshea@apexcleanenergy.com or by phone at (952) 393-2986.

4 million visitors on towpath and trail system in 2020

Photo by Tom Rivers: George Sokolsky, center, and his friends Jim Balmer, left, and Brad Alexander walk the Erie Canal in Albion while practicing social distancing in this photo from last April. The trio from Brockport walked stretches of the Erie Canal almost every day, gradually working their way from Brockport to Lockport. That’s about 40 miles along the towpath.

Press Release, Parks and Trails New York, New York Power Authority

ALBANY – Use along the Erie Canalway Trail and Champlain Canalway Trail increased in 2020 by about 30 percent with 4 million users last year, according to the 2020 Who’s on the Trail report from Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation.

The Canalway Trail system as a whole saw an estimated 4.2 million visits in 2020, including just under 4 million visits to the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail between Albany and Buffalo and approximately 288,000 visits to the 90-mile Champlain Canalway Trail between Waterford and Whitehall.

The visits to the Erie Canalway Trail show a more than 30% increase over 2019 usage figures. These figures reflect the significant investments that were made as part of the completion of the Empire State Trail, and the increased interest and participation in outdoor recreational activities due to Covid-19.

“The Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails have proven to be an invaluable resource for individuals seeking refuge and recreation during these difficult times,” said Brian Stratton, Canal Corporation director. “Their integration into the recently completed Empire State Trail allows outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to experience our iconic Canal system and the bucolic landscapes of Upstate New York. The Canal Corporation was proud to complete several trail projects in 2020, which not only closed gaps along the trail, but also enhanced the overall safety and experience for all trail users.”

In 2020, PTNY counted visits at seven locations along the Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails. Electronic counters recorded usage at Tonawanda, Camillus, DeWitt, Canastota, German Flatts and Schoharie Crossing on the Erie Canalway Trail and at Schuylerville on the Champlain Canalway Trail.  All seven locations saw the heaviest use on weekends and holidays, suggesting the trail is particularly popular for recreational activities. Peak usage for all locations occurred between May and September, though the busiest month varied by location.

The majority of locations for which there was data for both 2019 and 2020 showed significant increases in visitation, with usage at Lock E-18 in German Flatts more than doubling in 2020. Niawanda Park in Tonawanda saw the highest number of annual visits ever recorded along the Erie Canalway Trail, with over 300,000 cyclists, walkers, runners, joggers, and other users enjoying the trail.

Each year PTNY issues a Who’s on the Trail report that provides a detailed summary of trail use at several sites along the Erie and Champlain Canals. Locations vary each year to ensure that usage is measured in all parts of the state.

The reports include the most popular stretches of trail and the most popular day, time, and season for trail use. Collectively, these numbers tell a compelling narrative about the trail’s popularity and offer further justification for continuing to invest in these popular resources. Click here to see the full report.

The usage figures are based on a methodology employed by the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Alta Planning and Design to estimate the annual number of users (8.6 million) expected to use the now-complete 750-mile Empire State Trail.

“The increase in visitors to the Canalway Trail system in 2020 is a testament to the critical importance of the trail as public health infrastructure, providing opportunities for New Yorkers across the state to get outside during the pandemic,” said Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York. “The completion of the Empire State Trail has made the trail an even more valuable resource, filling in gaps and creating connections that make the trail more accessible to all. We expect visitation to the Canalway Trail system to continue to increase as more New Yorkers and out-of-state visitors take advantage of this popular resource for recreation and tourism.”