Photo by Ginny Kropf: Dean Bellack, left, director of United Way of Orleans County, and George Bidleman, local automobile dealer, stand outside Orleans Ford in Medina.

MEDINA – A local car dealer is stepping up to help United Way of Orleans County by sharing his profits during the month of March.

For every vehicle sold during the month, George Bidleman will donate $25 to United Way and also offer buyers the opportunity to match the donation.

Bidleman is owner of Orleans Ford in Medina and Bidleman Chevrolet in Albion, and also has ownership in Hartway Motors in Medina.

He has long believed in the mission of United Way having served as a board member about 15 years ago. Since last year, he has been president of the board.

“United Way is the best way to give back locally,” Bidleman said. “I don’t want the money I donate to go out of our county. I welcome anything I can do locally.”

Sales average from 285 to 375 vehicles monthly between the three dealerships, Bidleman said.

United Way of Orleans County’s executive director Dean Bellack said this could mean a substantial donation, and it’s wonderful to see local businesses come up with their own promotions to benefit United Way. He said even smaller businesses could do something in their stores on a lesser level.

“It all helps,” Bellack said. “It gives a sense of community, and I hope others will also follow the lead of George and his dealerships. If we all come together, things like this will make us stronger.”

United Way’s allocations are up 20 percent this year, with requests exceeding the amount to give, Bellack said.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The clocks on the former United Methodist church in Holley’s Public Square loom large on Friday morning.

Daylight Saving Time starts tonight at 2 a.m. with clocks going forward an hour. Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 7.

AAA warns that as Americans “spring forward” and set their clocks ahead one hour, they will be losing an hour of sleep. The change in daylight hours means motorists could experience drowsy driving and added distractions behind the wheel, AAA said.

AAA urged motorists to take precautions against drowsy driving and be alert for kids walking home from school or playing outside.

“While many people are looking forward to the end of winter, few realize the added dangers that can come as a result of a time change, especially when behind the wheel,” said Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations, AAA Western and Central New York. “This hour change can disturb sleep patterns, perhaps even resulting in drowsy driving.”

Holley’s Public Square was busy on Friday morning. The former church has been a landmark in the square for more than a century. The four clock faces on the clock were refurbished in 2015 after being bare for many years. Glenn Hughson, owner of the former United Methodist church building, put back the clocks and their mechanical systems.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign.

They issued a joint statement this evening, urging the governor to step down following allegations of sexual harassment from six women.

“Confronting and overcoming the Covid crisis requires sure and steady leadership,” Schumer and Gillibrand said. “We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct. Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign.”

After the statement from Schumer and Gillibrand, Tom DiNapoli, the state comptroller, also Tweeted for Cuomo to resign.

“These allegations are extremely disturbing and are impairing Governor Cuomo’s ability to lead, as our state struggles through a crisis and must make critical budget decisions,” DiNapoli said. “It is time for him to step down.”

118 new cases in 2 counties in the past week

Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting 23 new Covid-19 cases today in the two counties. There are 118 new cases in the two counties in the past week, for a total of 6,886 since last March. Those new cases in the past seven days include 32 in Orleans, and 86 in Genesee.

In Orleans County there are 7 new cases reported today for a total of 2,469 during the pandemic. The new positive cases reported today are 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, 30s, 50s and 60s.

Of the new cases 3 were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

Orleans also is reporting 7 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 16 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,417 positive 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, 60s and 90s.

Genesee is reporting 24 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed

from the isolation list. There are currently 3 Genesee hospitalized due to Covid.

Active Cases: The number of active cases in the two counties declined from 108 to 93 in the past week. In Orleans County, the active cases was up from 34 to 37, while in Genesee the active cases dropped from 74 to 56. Two weeks ago there were 148 active cases in the two counties.

EAST SHELBY — Due to the high winds and falling temperatures, Orleans-Recovery Hope Begins Here is forced to cancel its bonfire and Gospel sing-a-long with Pastor Joe Szalay that was planned from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the East Shelby Community Bible Church.

The event won’t be rescheduled due to the outdoor burn ban from March 16 to May 14, said Don Snyder, president of Orleans-Recovery.

Workers granted up to 4 hours of excused leave per injection

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.2588-A/A.3354-B) granting public and private employees time off to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

Under this new law, employees will be granted up to four hours of excused leave per injection that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. This legislation becomes effective immediately.

“Our essential employees have been on the front lines of this pandemic since day one, and as we begin to work toward a new normal in a post-pandemic world, it is critical that these employees are able to get vaccinated as quickly as possible to protect themselves and their families,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation will allow both public and private employees to take time off to get vaccinated without exhausting the leave they have earned, putting us one step closer to getting every single New Yorker vaccinated and defeating this virus once and for all.”

Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, D-Staten Island, said, “The quicker and more efficient we can get residents of New York vaccinated, the faster we can reopen businesses, further extend business hours in a safe manner and once again achieve normalcy in our daily lives. We all realize that the vaccine roll-out has not been smooth, to date, but with the federal administration bringing forth a clear plan to get more vaccine in arms, this law ensures that hardworking New Yorkers are not forced to choose between losing wages and receiving their vaccination.”

Several members of NY delegation in Congress call for his resignation

Photo by Mike Groll/ Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo: Andrew M. Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a press conference in the Red Room at the State Capitol in Albany on March 25, 2020.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing increasing pressure to resign today, including from the majority of New York’s Congressional delegation who are Democrats.

The governor, however, said he won’t be resigning. He urged the public – and the politicians – to allow an investigation be complete about allegations of sexual harassment against him. Six woman have stepped forward so far to complain about inappropriate comments or contact by the governor.

“Women have a right to come forward and be heard, and I encourage that fully,” Cuomo told reporters in a conference call. “But I also want to be clear, there is still a question of the truth. I did not do what has been alleged. Period.”

Members of the State Legislature have been calling for his resignation the past week, including Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat and the leader of the State Senate.

Today, 13 of the 19 Democrats in the House went public in demanding Cuomo step down, including Brian Higgins of Buffalo.

“Over the past several weeks we have heard stories of strong and brave women,” Higgins said in a statement. “I previously issued a statement supporting ongoing, independent investigations into the early accusations, but given continuing new accounts, it is clearly time for the Governor to resign.

“This is a challenging time for New York. There is too much important work to be done. We need to move forward.”

Congressman Chris Jacobs, a Republican whose district includes Orleans and seven other counties, also issued a statement urging the governor to step down from office.

“As I’ve said from the beginning, the sexual assault and harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo are deeply troubling,” Jacobs said. “I continue to support the Attorney General’s investigation and believe it is imperative. And while I strongly believe in due process, the revelations that the Governor and his staff worked to conceal the truth and undermine his accusers are unconscionable and disqualifying.

“It is clear to me that this crisis of his own making is a distraction from the very important work that needs to be done right now to move our state forward,” Jacobs said. “The Governor is incapable of leading our state and can no longer effectively carry out the duties of his office. “The investigations must continue, and he must be held accountable for his actions, but for the good of our state, he must resign.”

Tax revenue from Airbnb locations doubled in third and fourth quarters

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Woolston family has operated Cedar Valley Lodging on Park Avenue in Waterport since 1986. Pictured from left include Irene Woolston, Dana and Lynda. They are joined by their dog, Sunny.

Orleans County lodging operators saw business take a dramatic drop a year ago in March when Gov. Andrew Cuomo put New York on “Pause.” That order closed many businesses temporarily, and urged people to stay home for nonessential travel.

The local lodging operators saw many cancellations and few bookings from March through June. But then business really started to pick up, especially for smaller operators with only a few rooms. That appealed to families looking to get away but not wanting to be around too many people during a pandemic.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Andrew Meier is shown at the check-in desk for the Hart Hotel in Medina. Corporate clients were down last year, but the site attracted new customers from Western New York who went on “stay-cations.”

The numbers show that overall the county didn’t see a drop in the bed tax, the 4 percent tax charged for people who stay in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, lodges and 68 rentals in the county through Airbnb.

The total bed tax collected for 2020 was $58,438.45. That is about 100 dollars more than the $58,424.31 in 2019, according to data from Kim DeFrank, the county treasurer.

“Initially we had many cancellations and refunds and that was painful,” said Andrew Meier, owner of the Hart House Hotel in downtown Medina, which has eight rooms available.

“But then business picked up and we saw a shift in guests. There was less corporate and faraway visitors to more stay-cationers.”

Meier said the Hart House saw more customers the second half of the year who were from Western New York. People looking for a change of scenario and short getaway after being confined to their residences, especially with schools shifting to on-line learning and more parents working from home.

Laura and John Olinger opened a cottage and guest house at the Bridges last year, next to Narby’s on the Oak Orchard River. The Olingers worked about a year getting the places ready, and thought the timing was bad when they opened the cottage in May. They book customers through Airbnb.

“After Covid hit we didn’t think we would get much business but we were booked solid,” Mrs. Olinger said.

Nearly all of the guests we within driving distance. Many spent the weekend in the area and went to Niagara Falls or they visited wineries. Many just wanted a break from their daily routine.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Joan Page opened the Bell Tower Lodge in 2015 at the former Kenyonville United Methodist Church. The site on Oak Orchard River Road has five rooms for rent.

“It’s been people from Rochester and Buffalo, and some from New York City,” Olinger said. “We had people close by from Middleport and Holley. They just wanted to get away for the night because of Covid.”

The Olingers are adding a house boat that can be rented and they are putting in new floating docks.

The bed tax had its biggest gains in Airbnb rentals, with the second half of 2020 doubling the bed tax revenue from the same time in 2019, said DeFrank, the county treasurer.

Joan Page owns the five-unit Bell Tower Lodge, the former Kenyonville United Methodist Church. She opened it in 2015 following three years of renovations.

She does most of her bookings through Airbnb. Her bookings “tanked” in the spring due to Covid, with the restrictions and health concerns. She said she lost $8,400 in cancelations. She was worried but then in the summer and fall she was busy.

“I had a lot of families who were basically losing their minds and needed a getaway,” Page said.

The site appealed to customers too because there are only five rooms and only a few other customers. That eased their concerns about being around lots of other people during a pandemic.

“We were appealing because we’re not 40 rooms,” she said. “Having fewer rooms proved advantageous.”

Page and other operators all said they intensified their cleaning in between customers.

Page said her revenue which recovered later in the year was still down from 2019. She said she already has several bookings this spring and summer. She is pleased to see more people in the region looking for a vacation in the rural areas, and not necessarily going to resorts or the glamour of a city for a getaway.

“I always thought that our little area is an undiscovered heaven,” Page said.

Dana Woolston said Cedar Valley, which overlooks Oak Orchard River, is a popular getaway for fishermen and people who want a break from the hustle and bustle.

Dana Woolston operates Cedar Valley Lodging on Park Avenue in Waterport. The five lodges overlook the Oak Orchard River and has repeat customers going back 30 years. Many are fishermen.

Cedar Valley took a hit last spring and summer. New York’s travel restrictions, requiring many out-of-state visitors to quarantine for 2 weeks once in New York, kept many of the Woolston’s long-time customers away.

Dana Woolston put in new hardwood floors, fans, lights and made other improvements during some downtime at the lodging business last year.

“We had some cancellations because people were afraid once they got here they would get fined,” Woolston said.

With weddings capped at 50 people by the state for much of 2020, Woolston said there were a couple cancelations at Cedar Valley for wedding parties.

He said the overall revenue was down about a third in 2020, but did pick up in the second half of the year.

Cedar Valley saw some new faces last year, with families looking for an escape. Woolston also sees a growing clientele in drivers for local Amish. Some of those drivers are helping Amish relocate from Pennsylvania or Ohio to Orleans County where real estate is less costly.

Woolston’s parents, Glenn and Irene, started Cedar Valley in 1986. Dana has remodeled the five sites, putting in new hardwoods floors that he said are easier to clean. There are new fans, lights and other upgrades.

“Most of our customers come from word of mouth,” he said. They come for the secluded lodging along the Oak Orchard River. When you come down here you are in a different world.”

The motel tax has been on the rise in Orleans County in recent years. Prior to the $58,438 in 2020 and $58,424 in 2019, the motel tax generated $51,002 in 2018. In 2017, the bed tax generated $45,374. The county uses the funds for tourism promotion.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion’s Charles D’Amico High School is pleased to announce that four of its students have been inducted into Orleans/Niagara BOCES National Technical Honor Society.

Jacob Coolbaugh

The first of the inductees is Jacob Coolbaugh, a senior at the High School. He is in Computer Technology at the Orleans Career & Technical Education Center (OCTEC).

According to Coolbaugh, he is planning on majoring in Cyber Security at Genesee Community College.

“My goal is to be a cybersecurity expert and work at a reliable company,” Coolbaugh said.

In addition to his academic successes, Coolbaugh also competes on Albion’s Swim Team.

Benjamin Hickman

Benjamin Hickman is focusing on Electricity and Electronics at OCTEC. Currently, Hickman’s goal is to head straight into the work-force after graduating this spring.

“My goal is to get and keep a job,” Hickman explained.

On top of his scholastic accomplishments, Benjamin is also a swimmer for Albion in addition to being a trap shooter.

Elijah Lloyd

The third inductee is Elijah Lloyd and is also a senior at Albion High School. Lloyd is focusing on Security and Law Enforcement and plans to attend the University of Buffalo for Computer Engineering once he graduates.

“My goal is to become a State Trooper,” Lloyd said.

Succeeding not just as a student but as an athlete as well, Lloyd also plays on Albion’s basketball team and runs track and field.

Jakob Talbot

Lastly, Jakob Talbot was also inducted into the NTHS. Talbot has been studying Electricity and Electronics at OCTEC and plans to further his education by attending college for electricity wiring or computer programming.

“My goal is to accomplish my future plans,” Talbot stated.

His accomplishments don’t stop there, Talbot was recognized for being on Honor Roll, a member of National Honor Society, and a tri-sport athlete in the Purple Eagle Athletic Program as a member of the track and field, wrestling, and cross country teams.

All four inductees were also recognized for their perfect attendance as well as being members of SkillsUSA, a national organization that provides leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development experiences for its students.

New York Farm Bureau is disappointed the state’s growing eligibility list for people to get the Covid-19 vaccine doesn’t include farmworkers.

NYFB President David Fisher issued this statement on Wednesday, a day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited a mass vaccination clinic in Syracuse. The governor this week announced the age eligibility for the vaccine would be lowered from 65 to 60 years old. Farmworkers haven’t been included among the eligible essential workers for the vaccine.

“It is frustrating that Governor Cuomo visited a location synonymous with New York agriculture, the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, to announce the expansion of the state’s COVID vaccine eligibility list, yet he still refuses to protect farmworkers by including them in the ongoing rollout of phase 1b,” Fisher said in a statement. “The CDC recommends that food and agricultural workers be eligible for their own safety and that of our food system. It is time do what is right and prioritize the essential workers who help ensure New Yorkers have food on their tables.”

There are 19 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today in Genesee and Orleans counties, bringing the total to 6,863 in the two counties since March a year ago.

In Orleans County there are 6 new cases reported today for a total of 2,462 cases during the pandemic.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

One of the newly positive individuals was under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said today.

In Orleans, 3 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There is currently 1 county resident hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee County today reported 13 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,401 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, 50s, 70s and 80s. (One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.)

Genesee is reporting 4 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 5 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

$1,400 stimulus checks, $12 million in aid to local governments in Orleans County

President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden this afternoon signed the $1.9 trillion America Rescue Plan that will deliver $1,400 checks for Americans with household incomes less than $150,000 or individuals earning less than $75,000 a year.

The legislation also includes $300 in weekly federal unemployment payments through Sept. 6. That weekly amount was $400 in an earlier bill approved by the House, but then was reduced to $300 by the Senate and in the final version approved by the House on Wednesday.

The America Rescue Plan passed without any Republican support in the House or Senate, although Biden said Republican governors, mayors and county executives pushed for the relief package.

The plan includes $23.8 billion for New York to the state and local governments, including over $12 million for the Orleans County government, the 10 towns and four villages.

That amount per municipality in Orleans includes:

• Albion: $880,000
• Barre: $210,000
• Carlton: $310,000
• Clarendon: $380,000
• Gaines: $350,000
• Kendall: $290,000
• Murray: $510,000
• Ridgeway: $690,000
• Shelby: $550,000
• Yates: $260,000
• Orleans County: $7.83 million

The village amounts will be taken from six of the 10 towns listed above. The village amounts haven’t been released yet.

Biden is scheduled to give a national address tonight about the $1.9 trillion plan. He signed the bill into law this afternoon at the White House. Biden said the funding is about “rebuilding the backbone of this country” and “giving people in this nation, working people, the middle class folks, the people who built this nation a fighting chance, that is the essence of this.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement on the $1.9 billion plan:

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action, and the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that President Biden signed into law today meets that mandate. This historic package is both what the American people demanded and what they deserve – a lifeline to state and local governments, essential workers, and small businesses; a stimulus for our vaccination efforts; a boost to lift Americans and children out of poverty; a catalyst for our economic recovery and revitalization.

“Everyone who worked tirelessly to make this legislation a reality – especially President Biden, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, our Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and our New York Democratic Congressional Delegation – should be proud of what they accomplished today.

“It’s fitting that this legislation was signed one year to the day since the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 virus a pandemic. Let today be the day we finish one of the longest, darkest chapters of our history, and together start building a revitalized, resilient, renewed America.”

Photo from Medina Central School: Pictured from left include Sofia Lopez, teacher Leah Gates and Natalia Olsen.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Two sixth grade students at Medina’s Clifford Wise Intermediate School have won awards for writing from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Aurora Women’s Club.

GFWC (Aurora Branch) is a volunteer organization that offers a wide range of programs for community service, while providing members with opportunities for education, personal development and social interaction. The group’s purpose is to promote education at all levels, support partition in the arts, preserve natural resources, stress good citizenship and leadership development, and serve the needs of the community.

Every year the GFWC sponsors creative writing contests for poetry and short story to provide an avenue for students to freely express themselves, as well as draw upon their experiences through writing.

English Language Arts teacher Leah Gates worked with her students on submissions.  She was thrilled to hear that Natalia Olsen (sixth grade) won second place in Category 3 for Poetry for her poem “The Tornado” and that Sofia Lopez (sixth grade) won an honorable mention in Category 3 for her short story “Rain”.

Both students received certificates and ribbons and Natalia also received a monetary award for her second place finish.

“We are so proud of these talented young students,” say Principal Christopher Hughes and Assistant Principal Jennifer Stearns.