Medina urged to have more diversity on police force

MEDINA – The Village Board heard from two residents that its proposed police reform plan needs to do more to ensure Medina police officers are respecting everyone and not violating constitutional rights.

Michael O’Keefe, an attorney in Medina, said he sees body camera video from some of his clients that show officers are infringing on peoples’ rights.

He said videos posted on YouTube by local resident Ken Ortiz show some officers violating Ortiz’s rights. O’Keefe said officers broke down the door of Ortiz’s room at midnight about nine months ago and still haven’t repaired it. O’Keefe said breaking down the door on a harassment charge against Ortiz was too much of a reaction from police.

“Things right in front of us are being ignored,” O’Keefe said during a public hearing through Zoom videoconferencing on Monday.

He would like to see citizen review board to help oversee the Police Department. O’Keefe said the complaint process for the public about officers also should include a way for people to share concerns about the police chief. Mayor Mike Sidari said any complaints about the police chief can be addressed to the mayor and Village Board.

Ortiz, who is a frequent critic of the police on social media and through YouTube, said the Police Department needs to more quickly make body camera video available to the public and the police chief should also wear a body camera when interacting with the public. Ortiz said the mayor often isn’t responsive to his requests for information.

Ortiz said he continues to speak out because he said not all residents are being treated fairly by the Police Department.

“We need to have more ethical police officers,” he said during Monday’s hearing which was held through Zoom video conferencing. “There is never an officer who is held to the standard.”

He urged Medina to have a more diverse police force with women and Black officers. Ortiz also said Medina should have a drop box for people to dispose of weapons.

The comments from O’Keefe and Ortiz were made during a public hearing on Monday about a “Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan” due the state by April 1.

Medina formed a committee led by local business owner Scott Robinson that has updated and reviewed policies on use of force, mental health, body worn cameras, community relations, civilian personnel complaints, performance evaluations, handling deadly force incidents, use of firearms including taser and less lethal shotgun.

The committee has recommended establishing a Community Policing Board that would include a cross-section of the community and meet regularly. That community policing board would work towards forming better relations between law enforcement and the community.

“These relationships can be beneficial to convey information in both directions,” according to the report from Committee on Police Reform Collaborative. “This Board may also be tasked with aiding in community relations events.”

Some other highlights of the plan include:

• MENTAL HEALTH and PROCEDURAL JUSTICE – The committee in Medina also is recommending increased training for Medina police officers in mental health and procedural justice.

The regular mental health training schedule should seek out opportunities for crisis intervention training and mental health first aid.

Medina has already sent an instructor for certification in “Principled Policing.” That program covers areas such as History of Policing, Communication, Racial Bias, Decision Making, Trust Building and Core Values.

“Regular training in this area may help officers deal with the difficulties of modern-day policing,” the committee report states. “All of these training areas can be reinforced through reality based training, including interactive scenarios involving use of communication skills.”

• COMMUNITY POLICING/RELATIONS: The Committee recommends that the Medina Police Department take efforts to increase community policing and relations. The committee recommended the Medina Village Board put $10,000 in the next budget to assist with these community policing initiatives.

The committee recommended open community meetings hosted by the Medina Police Department. These meetings can be used to relay relevant information, and hear public concerns.

The Medina PD should also do an annual public survey to gather input from local citizens on police activities.

Some other ways to strengthen community interaction with the department could be more officers on foot patrol, bike patrol and community activities. The committee recommended an annual gathering open to the public where police officers can have positive interactions with the community.

Medina might also consider assigning a Community Policing Officer to focus on creating opportunities for positive interactions with the community.

• ACCREDITATION: The Committee recommends that the Medina PD attempt to obtain NYS accreditation status. The NYS Accreditation Program provides outside guidance and oversight to law enforcement to ensure performance in areas such as policies, procedures and training.

• FUNDING: The committee said funding should be increased at the local and state levels for law enforcement and mental health services. The Medina PD could pursue state grant funding for mental health, training and equipment.

The committee also said Medina should fund an investigator position in the Medina PD. “A designated position should result in a higher rate of case closures, which it is assumed will also increase public confidence,” the committee stated in the report.

Medina needs to submit a report to the state by April 1. Gov. Andrew Cuomo last June approved an executive order requiring all 500 municipal police agencies in the state to have the public involved in studying current police policies, with possible recommendations for changes. Those reports need to be submitted to the state by April 1 or Cuomo said the state will withhold funding from communities that don’t do the report, which needs to include public meetings.

Cuomo, in his executive order, said the communities with police departments need to go over their policies on use of force by police officers, crowd management, community policing, implicit bias awareness training, de-escalation training and practices, restorative justice practices, community-based outreach and citizen complaint procedures. The communities may find no changes are needed, Cuomo said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Firefighters from the Medina area were dispatched at 4:30 p.m. to the Country Club Family Restaurant at 535 Main St. for reports of a structure fire.

The fire was limited to an office in the back of the restaurant. Steve Cooley, Medina Fire Department lieutenant, said an alert bystander at the restaurant used a fire extinguisher on the flames and smokes and then shut the door.

“That was the perfect thing to do,” Cooley said.

That action contained the fire until firefighters arrived and sprayed water in the room. They encountered high heat and smoke in the office, Cooley said.

Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson said there is minimal damage from the fire, which didn’t spread beyond the room.

He expects the Country Club will be closed the rest of today and will have to do a “deep cleaning” tonight. The Orleans County Health Department is expected to have to give the OK for the restaurant to open.

Fire investigators from the Medina Fire Department and Orleans County Emergency Management Office are on the scene to determine the cause.

Firefighters entered the back of the Country Club Restaurant to get at the fire. They are shown getting ready to put away the hoses.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments today are reporting 33 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties, bringing the total to 6,598 in the two counties since last March.

In Orleans County there are 19 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,400 cases during the pandemic.

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,30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

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

Correction for the West Region: an individual was removed who was not an Orleans County resident. The correct number of positives for Tuesday is one less at 2,381.

In Genesee County there are 14 new positive cases reported today for a total of 4,198 confirmed cases since last March.

The new positive cases reside in the 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 23 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 14 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

This is each of the 10 regions 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days.

Statewide: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Covid-19 positivity rate was 2.85 percent yesterday, the lowest since Nov. 21.

On Tuesday there were 6,189 positive tests out of 216,813 test results for a positivity rate of 2.85 percent. There were 5,876 people hospitalized due to Covid in the state on Tuesday, which was down 101 from Monday. The hospitalizations due to Covid is down 698 in the past week in the state.

There were 99 deaths reported from Covid on Tuesday, bringing the state-wide total to 38,135 during the pandemic.

“New Yorkers have shown courage and fortitude in the face of this unprecedented pandemic, and it’s thanks to them that we’re seeing a decline in hospitalizations and in the Covid positivity rate,” Cuomo said. “The vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel and we’re continuing to aggressively expand our statewide network of distribution sites, but we need more supply to thoroughly vaccinate the population and begin our transition to a post-pandemic world.”

Press Release, United States Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. – Western District of New York

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced today that Giosdeivy Duarte Torresilla, 31, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2017, the defendant traveled with four co-conspirators from Miami, Florida, to Hamburg, NY. Torresilla then provided his co-conspirators with numerous counterfeit access devices, which consisted of gift cards that the defendant had re-encoded with account numbers for actual credit card or debit card accounts at multiple financial institutions, including banks and credit unions.

Torresilla obtained the account numbers unlawfully by “skimming” them from payment terminals at gas station pumps. The co-conspirators used 129 different counterfeit access devices to purchase gift cards at various Walmart stores in Erie, Niagara, and Orleans counties. After purchasing the legitimate Walmart gift cards, the co-conspirators sent the gift card numbers to a co-conspirator in Miami, Florida. The gift cards were worth $120,689.02.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Acting Thomas A. Braun.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 6 at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.

Illuminating Orleans, Volume 1, No. 7

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

MEDINA – In 1925, Sister Mary Johnson, a member of the Baptist Church of Rochester, felt called to assist the Black people of Medina who had been searching for a spiritual haven. With the assistance of Elder Caldwell and Rev. Henry Young of East Rochester, Sunday services were held at 811 Genesee Street, Medina, the home of Sister Johnson. At first, attendance ranged from five to 12 people.

They were given the use of a 12- by 18-foot building at 404 West Oak Orchard Street, which had been purchased for $20. The first service was held in this building on December 15, 1926. There were nine members: Sister Mary Johnson, Brother Thomas and Sister Martha Chambers, Brother John Royal, Brother Arthur and Sister Lydia Johnson, Sister Grace Schyler and Sister Alice Jones. The first offering was 10 cents a week, with special offerings on Sundays and holidays. Church history records that the location was “tried by fire and water”, once flooded and once almost destroyed by fire.

In 1929, the community purchased the lot at 404 West Oak Orchard Street from Charles Gilbert for $500. The cornerstone for the new wood frame building was laid in the winter of 1930 and it was erected by Brother Robert Johnson and Deaconess Sister Mary Johnson with the help of others who donated their time and labor.

Deaconess Mary Johnson gave her first lesson in the new Glad Tidings Baptist Church building on Dec. 11, 1931.

The name “Glad Tidings Missionary Baptist Church” was formally adopted in May 1937. Membership increased from 65 members in 1952 to 125 in 1956. A basement was completed in 1954 and an addition to accommodate the growing congregation was completed in 1957. A flood in 1968 destroyed church records and the basement kitchen. The church was also incorporated in this year.

By 1973, the condition of the 1930s building had deteriorated and a decision was made to replace it with a new Barden pre-structured building at an estimated cost of $50,000.

This ambitious project was completed under the leadership of Pastor Oscar Amos, and the new church, with the distinctive cross in front, was dedicated May 23, 1973.

The Mission has been served by many dedicated pastors including Rev. Willis Eavens who served from 1932 to 1954.

Dr. Rev. Lambert Duncan is the current and longest serving Pastor of the church, having served for 35 years. He has been New York Chaplain for six years. Originally from New York City, he lives in Rochester and is retired from Kodak. He holds three Doctorates from the Carolina University of Theology. His wife, Sister Elaine, holds a Doctorate in Christian Counseling and is also active in the church. Pastor Duncan’s focus is on outreach to the entire community.

Elder Neil Samborski and his wife, Kathy, have been associated with Glad Tidings for ten years. This Lyndonville couple are actively involved with the food ministry, distributing food from the Open Door Ministry in Rochester. Elder Samborski is also actively involved with the Medina Area Association of Churches.

In keeping with the church’s missionary goal, the Samborskis have undertaken several missionary trips to Malawi in South Africa, through the African Mission for Christ Worldwide. Elder Samborski is also a bishop of the newly founded church at Ntaja, Malawi.

Current officers of the church are: Elders: Elder Nathan Little and Elder Neil Samborski, Mothers of the Church: Sister Mattie Jackson and Sister Glennis Chinn, Deacons of Ministry: Deacon Gregg Boose and Deacon Jack Byrd. The Deaconesses of Ministry are: Mother Mattie Jackson, Sister Kathy Samborski and Sister Easter Boose. Sister Elaine Boose is President of Usher Ministry.

The church takes as its motto the words of Matthew 28: 19-20, urging members to spread the Christian message. Glad Tidings Missionary Baptist Church has been the “Mother Church” for the establishment of several other churches locally. The legacy of Sister Mary Johnson and the original founding members flourishes.

The Glad Tidings congregation has gathered in prayer at this 404 West Oak Orchard St., Medina, location for 95 years.

ALBION – The Orleans County District Attorney’s Office is applying for a $170,000 state grant to help the county with its expenses to meet new state regulations for discovery, or the evidence to be shared with the defendants and their lawyers.

The DA’s Office has added two employees and purchased equipment to comply with the regulations. That equipment connects the DA’s Office, law enforcement agencies, defense attorneys and others to share discovery materials.

Beginning last year the state required the DA’s offices and law enforcement agencies to turn over evidence to defendants and their lawyers within 15 to 30 days after arraignment. Discovery often includes police reports, 911 calls and recordings, and DNA results.

The state is making the $170,000 available to the county through what is expected to be a one-time grant, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

There will be $40 million available statewide. The funding covers expenses retroactively from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Contributed Photos – Getting set for competition at Daytona Bike Week Brandon Newman, left practices on the ice at Glenwood Lake in Medina and Ryan Wells practices in Florida for the season opener.

The local area will be well represented by riders and race teams at the up coming Daytona Bike Week where the highest level of competition in the Motorcycle Flat Track world will be held for the series debut at Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs, Florida.

Local Crusaders Motorcycle Club track champion Ryan Wells is teaming up with former Medina competitor Tanner Dean to race in the Singles Class with the 1st Impressions Racing Team from Jaacksonville Florida. He competed with Waters Autobody Racing last year until an injury sidelined his 2020 racing efforts.

Aidian Roosevans and Hunter Bauer will be riding for the Waters AutoBody Racing Team this coming season.

Brandon Newman from Medina will be competing as a privateer effort on a KTM 450SFX with support from his father Brian Newman and sponsors All Metal Works and RLJ Racing as well as many local supporters and fans. Both Brandon and Brian have been regular racers at the Crusaders Motorcycle Club course and even during the winter months Brandon has been practicing and sharping his skills on the ice at Glenwood Lake.

The Waters AutoBody Race Team will be fielding a two rider AFT singles team with riders Aidan Roosevans from O’Fallon Illinois and Canadian Hunter Bauer from Niagara Falls, Ontario.

“We are super excited to have been able to put together a strong team after joining forces with NKR Canada and FRA Trust this season to compete and bring young talented riders to the sport of flat track racing,” said team owner Rhonda Waters. “Dave and I are extremely happy to have been selected to be a KTM support team this year and with help from our local sponsor, Hebeler Sales and Service, RLJ Engines and Dyno Tech Research we have a strong package to take to the track.”

“American Flat Track is the professional race series equivalent to NASCAR but for the two wheeled enthusiasts,” adds Waters. “The organization was acquired by Daytona Motorsports Group and the sport has experienced a resurgence and has acquired national sponsors to fund the series.”

The opening rounds of the competition are scheduled for March 12 and 13. The races are scheduled to be broadcast live on Track Pass NBC Gold and broadcast after the event on NBCSN.

No chokeholds and no bias-based profiling among the standards

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville Village Trustee Darren Wilson, right, and Mayor John Belson discuss policies for the Lyndonville Police Department on Monday. The village will have a 6 p.m. public hearing on March 29 for the community to comment on the new policies.

LYNDONVILLE – The village, which only has one part-time police officer, is working to adopt policies for the department to be in line with an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

All law enforcement s agencies in the state, regardless of size, need to submit a plan to the state by April 1. That plan needs to include the department’s use of firearms and force, efforts to build community relationships, a policy against bias-based profiling and how the departments investigate hate crimes.

Lyndonville currently doesn’t have those policies on the books but will be adding them to meet the state deadline. The Village Board discussed the policies on Monday afternoon and will continue the discussion during its March 1 board meeting. The village will have a 6 p.m. public hearing on March 29 to take comments form the community. Residents can also submit written comments online through the village website. (Click here for more information.)

The police patrol car is pictured on Monday afternoon outside the Village Hall on Main Street. The village has one part-time officer.

Bill Larkin has served as the village’s part-time officer since 2006. The mayor, currently John Belson, oversees the department. The officer does road patrol, and enforces local and state laws in a village of 838 residents in 1 square mile.

The officer investigates criminal and civil complaints, as well as domestic disputes and family matters. The officer responds to intrusion alarms and motor vehicle accidents.

Lyndonville is using the policies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office as a model to meet the state requirements. Drafts of those policies can be reviewed by clicking here.

Some highlights of the proposed policies include:

Community Relations: Police officers shall be courteous, furnish their name and badge number, and “must treat persons with as much respect as that person will allow. They also must be mindful that the people with whom they are dealing are individuals, with human emotions and needs.”

The Police Department participates in many community events, including the Fourth of July celebration, Halloween, Christmas in Lyndonville celebration, Memorial Day and also events at the school district. The department “is committed to building a stronger community by building trust and relationships through community policing,” the policy states.

Use of Force: The Lyndonville PD bans use of chokeholds.

Police officers, after completing firearms training, shall carry a firearm while on duty. After the required training, sworn officers will carry OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, a baton or ASP (Armament Systems and Procedures) and an EMD (Electro-Muscular Disruption) system, commonly referred to as an X-26 Taser, the policy states.

Police officers, in the performance of their duties, as authorized to use reasonable and legitimate force in specific cases. This policy, founded in the standards of federal constitutional requirements and state statutes, provides guidance regarding the use and justification for the use of force, including deadly physical force.

Use of Deadly Force: The Lyndonville Village Police Department personnel may use deadly physical force under the following circumstances, and then only when no other reasonable alternative is available:
A. To defend himself or another person when the officer has reasonable cause to believe there is imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to himself or another;
B. To apprehend a resisting person who is committing or has committed a crime in which deadly physical force is being used or threatened and the officer has reasonable cause to believe that such person will cause death or serious injury unless immediately apprehended;
C. To kill a dangerous animal or an animal so badly injured that humanity requires that it be removed from further suffering. In the case of an injured animal, permission of the owner should be obtained, whenever possible. Care should be taken to protect bystanders from a ricocheting bullet and, if possible, avoid killing of an animal in the presence of children.
D. Members of the Lyndonville Village Police Department shall only fire their weapons at a person to stop and neutralize an assailant to prevent him/her from completing a potentially deadly aggressive act or in the instances as described in this section. For maximum stopping effectiveness and minimal danger to innocent bystanders, the officer should shoot at “available target center mass”. The officer’s intent and purpose is only to stop the deadly aggression or prevent the escape of the subject.
E. No distinction shall be made relative to the age or gender of the intended target of deadly physical force.
F. Self-defense and imminent threat of deadly physical force/serious physical injury shall be the guideline for employing deadly force.

Bias-Based Profiling: The village explicitly states that any racial or ethnic profiling by members of the Police Department is strictly prohibited.

“It is the policy of the Lyndonville Village Police Department that all members will not affect a stop, detention, or search of any person which is motivated by race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation,” the policy states.

Investigation of Hate Crimes: Lyndonville will seek to identify and investigate hate crimes in accordance with the Hate Crimes Act of 2000.

“Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate and bias and designed to infringe upon the rights of individuals are viewed very seriously by this agency and shall be given high priority,” the policy states. “This agency shall employ necessary law enforcement resources to identify and arrest hate crime perpetrators. Also, recognizing the particular fears and distress typically suffered by victims, the potential for reprisal and escalation of violence, and the far-reaching negative consequences on the community.”

In Orleans County there are 5 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today, bringing the total to 2,382 since last March, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 40s, and 60s.

One of the new positives was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Orleans is reporting that 5 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 2 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 15 new positive cases of Covid-19, bringing the total 4,184 positive cases since last March.

The new positive cases reside in the 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, 70s and 80s. One of the new positive cases is a resident of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.

Genesee is reporting that 18 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are 12 Genesee residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after the House Committee on the Budget met yesterday for the markup of the Covid-19 budget reconciliation package. During the hearing, Jacobs introduced a proposal to provide needed accountability for state nursing home death disclosures.

“Our government and its leaders have a responsibility to be honest and transparent. Unfortunately, it has become clear that has not been the case with the Cuomo administration and during the Covid pandemic,” Jacobs said. “Governor Cuomo’s attempts to coverup the actual number of nursing home deaths in New York represent a serious betrayal of the public trust. At yesterday’s budget hearing I introduced a proposal to build additional safeguards into the new Covid relief legislation to protect families in New York and around the country, and to ensure our governmental leaders will be honest and transparent with the citizens they are sworn to serve and protect.”

Jacobs introduced a motion to instruct, which if passed, would have built in a provision requiring all governors to submit written certifications confirming the number of nursing home deaths as a result of Covid-19 in their state is accurate before receiving aid.

The Section VI Executive Committee met Monday afternoon and voted to allow home schools the option of allowing up to two of their spectators, per athlete for the remainder of the winter season.

The new policy goes into effect on Wednesday, February 24. The Section had committed to reviewing the ‘No Spectators’ verdict at its last meeting on January 28.

“As we stated late last month, it was our intent to review local data and trends this week”, Section President, Brett Banker said. “In addition, we surveyed all member schools in an effort to gauge their thoughts. It was clear that school districts supported a Section-wide policy and that is what we have created.”

In the sports of basketball and swimming, the host districts will have the prerogative to allow up to two home spectators per athlete. Since hockey, bowling and skiing are held at private businesses, the prevailing parameters at each facility will be followed. For instance, the majority of hockey facilities allow only one spectator per athlete.

“As a Section we do not have the authority to override the protocols of private facilities, we are guests and because of that, those standards will still apply”, Banker continued. “Each school district will be responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all spectators and participants in their buildings by requiring masks and enforcing social distancing”.

Schools have the autonomy to adjust down if they deem that the foot print of their facilities are insufficient to safely host two spectators from the host school for each athlete. It is clear from the survey that not all home sites can host spectators from both schools while following social distancing regulations.

“We realize that based on the differences in facilities and staffing across the Section, we need to offer schools some flexibility to create protocols that work for them,” Banker noted. “We are grateful for the support of our schools, school leaders, and the patience that so many have displayed.”

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans County Weights & Measures Department

With the current spike in fuel prices, the Genesee-Orleans County Department of Weights & Measures wants the public to know that all pumps in service are up to date with their state-mandated inspections and have been approved for use.

“We pumped over 13,000 gallons of fuel testing and verifying fuel meters last year,” stated Ronald P. Mannella, Weights and Measures director in the two counties. “If a pump is out of tolerance and under delivering, it is removed from service until repaired. Our tolerances are tight in order to establish fairness and equity in the marketplace.”

Of the 457 petroleum pumps between the two counties, only one was found under delivering and out of tolerance in 2020.

$10.7 million project improves traffic flow in canal towns

Photo by Tom Rivers: Traffic passes over the Gaines Basin Road canal bridge on Nov. 26, 2020. The bridge reopened after a major rehabilitation, one of seven canal bridges that were upgraded as part of a $10.7 million initiative by the state Department of Transportation. The Gaines Basin bridge was closed for about six months for the construction work.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Cuomo today announced the completion of a $10.7 million project to rehabilitate seven historic single-lane bridges across the Erie Canal in the towns of Murray, Albion, Gaines, Ridgeway and the Village of Medina.

The state Department of Transportation replaced the steel flooring and raised the legal weight limit on all seven 100-year old truss bridges to allow farm equipment, trucks and other commercial vehicles to safely pass while simultaneously improving the flow of both people and commerce throughout the region.

The historic project builds on the regional Finger Lakes Forward initiative, which has already invested over $8 billion to revitalize communities and facilitate commerce along the Erie Canal and the surrounding region.

“New York has made unprecedented investments to upgrade the state’s infrastructure to increase public safety while boosting economic activity along the Erie Canal,” Governor Cuomo said. “The historic Erie Canal is critical for doing business in the region and we’re proud to honor the Canal’s commercial legacy by bringing these bridges into the 21st century. This project will ensure that locals and visitors alike get where they need to go quickly and safely.”

Construction on the project began in December 2018 and has included repairs to the structures and installation of high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel flooring systems and truss elements of the bridges. Each bridge also received a fresh coat of paint. Work took place at the following locations:

• Bennetts Corners Road, between Route 31 and Gulf Road, in the Town of Murray.
• Telegraph Road, between Route 237 and Groth Road, in the Town of Murray.
• Transit Road, between Route 31 and West Brockville Road, in the Town of Murray.
• Densmore Road, north of Route 31, in the Town of Albion.
• Gaines Basin Road, between Albion Eagle Harbor Road and West Bacon Road, in the Town of Gaines.
• Bates Road, between Telegraph Road and Portage Road, in the Village of Medina.
• Marshall Road, between Route 31 and School Road, in the Town of Ridgeway.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said, “The residents of Orleans County are very grateful to Governor Cuomo and the NYSDOT for providing the funding to complete seven Erie Canal Bridge rehabilitation projects. After two years of construction efforts we now have safe and reliable access over the canal for our emergency services, commuters, and farmers. These bridges not only are a part of our rich heritage, but provide vital connections to our local businesses and residents. Investing in infrastructure is an easy thing to ignore, and you don’t know it’s too late until you are in crisis mode. It’s great to see this kind of investment paying dividends in developing reliable infrastructure that will keep our economy strong.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Erie Canal is a treasured part of the history of New York State and continues to play a vital role in sustaining the economic health and well-being of the Finger Lakes Region. The rehabilitation of these bridges demonstrates our commitment to improving the canal’s infrastructure to meet the needs of a 21st century economy while still respecting the important role the canal and the bridges have played in the history of not only the region but also the entire state and nation.”

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “The rehabilitation of these seven iconic bridges over the Erie Canal is another example of Governor Cuomo’s continued investment in canalside communities that ensures these vital crossings continue to support the economic needs of the region. The Canal Corporation is proud to collaborate with the Department of Transportation on this project as it greatly improves the safety for all vehicles, including local farming equipment and emergency responders, crossing over the bridges and for the boats passing underneath on the canal.”

Leaders from 3 rural counties tell governor they have been left out with Covid vaccine

Photo by Tom Rivers: The clock leading to the entrance of GCC in Batavia is pictured with the Conable Technology Building at left in this file photo.

BATAVIA – The leaders of the three rural counties of Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming have sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, asking that the state utilize GCC’s campus in Batavia as a mass vaccination clinic for the three counties.

“These counties have consistently been left out of the Covid-19 response with delays in testing supplies and now with very limited vaccine allocations. All three counties are medically underserved and having a regional clinic with less than a half hour commute would benefit these communities,” according to the letter which was signed by Rochelle Stein, Genesee County Legislative Chairwoman; Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislative Chairwoman; Rebecca Ryan, Wyoming County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman; Paul Pettit, Genesee Orleans County Health Departments Director; and Dr. Gregory Collins, Wyoming County Health Department Medical Director.

If properly staffed through assistance by the National Guard the officials said that the GCC clinic would have the capacity to vaccinate 2,000 people per day.

“With the three counties vulnerable and underserved populations, the county Local Health Departments also request to continue receiving allocations for their vulnerable populations locally to meet the needs of those with transportation/access issues while also supporting a larger regional clinic at GCC,” the officials wrote.

The clinic would be strategically located between Buffalo and Rochester. The site at GCC would provide closer access to a mass vaccination clinic for residents in the three rural counties, and also would draw the eastern and western portions of other contiguous counties with the college campus easily accessible off the Thruway, the officials wrote.

“Our three counties look forward to working with your office to provide this much needed and more equitable solution to meet the needs of the more rural communities,” the officials concluded in the letter to the governor.