Community Action, Office for the Aging team up for the service

ALBION – A handyman to perform minor repairs for seniors in Orleans County is something Orleans County Office for the Aging’s director Melissa Blanar has wanted for years.

Annette Finch, director of Emergency Services for Community Action, said it has been a dream of hers for a very long time.

The dream has been realized with the announcement of James Westphal of Albion, hired as county’s first handyman.

His position is funded by a $10,000 grant from the WNY Covid-19 Community Response Fund, which Finch learned about and applied for. It is effective until 2023.

“This gives Melissa and I the opportunity to look for other grants to continue the service,” Finch said.

“We are very excited about this program,” Blanar said. “We get calls all the time from seniors who don’t have family in the area.”

“Now they have a place to turn,” Finch said.

Westphal is highly qualified for the handyman position, Finch said. He also had to pass a background check because the job requires him to go into the homes of senior citizens.

Westphal had been working as an inspector for power plants, when his job was terminated due to cutbacks in the Covid pandemic.

“We gave him this opportunity to go back to work,” Finch said. “He is very friendly and everybody loves him.”

Prior to his job as a power plant inspector, Westphal worked for 15 years as a sales person for Coca Cola and Budweiser.

“I enjoy having a job,” he said.

The handyman position is part time now, but Finch hopes she’ll be able to eventually put him on full time.

Westphal knows Community Action’s maintenance supervisor Greg Gilman, and works together with him very well, Finch said.

The handyman service is available to seniors 60 or older who reside in Orleans County, Blanar said.

Finch would love to be able to offer it in the future to disabled younger adults.

Finch said the service is a collaboration between Community Action and the Office for the Aging. Community Action acquired the grant and hired the handyman, while the Office for the Aging will accept and screen requests for handyman projects.

Requests for minor repair work can be made by calling Samantha at the Office for the Aging at 589-2863, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The types of projects Westphal will be able to handle include installing handrails, grab bars or handheld shower heads; installing smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors; repairing stairs; minor ramp repairs; limited window repairs; minor electrical repairs; replacing lightbulbs; taking out or installing window air conditioners; fixing faucets; unclogging drains; minor flooring repairs; minor roof patching; weather stripping; adjusting doors; repairing existing storm doors; installing locksets and deadbolts; installing heat tape; and repairing or installing mailboxes.

Some projects may be ineligible for the handyman service, or if there is a job which Westphal can’t do, Community Action or the Office for the Aging will refer it to the appropriate agency, Blanar said. For instance, if a furnace quit, it could be referred to HEAP.

In a case where a repair might be expensive, the senior might be asked to pay for the materials, Finch said.

Press Release, RESTORE

RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, is recruiting volunteers for an upcoming training cycle in early March.

There is an urgent need for volunteers in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Volunteer Advocates are responsible for taking crisis phone calls from their home and providing information and advocacy to sexual assault survivors at a hospital or police station. Volunteers offer support, information and resources to survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. The time commitment is flexible, and at the volunteer’s discretion. All applicants will be screened and must complete 32 hours of training prior to beginning their volunteer commitment.

The training will take place in a virtual setting, with optional in-person hybrid sessions, depending on Volunteers’ comfort level. All RESTORE services are dynamically responding to the changing Covid-19 protocols and using a variety of communication methods, depending on the needs and comfort level of the survivor.

Those interested in volunteering for RESTORE must be at least 20 years of age, have reliable transportation, and be comfortable working with those in a crisis situation.

For further information about volunteering with RESTORE, email restore@ppcwny.org.

RESTORE leads the community response to sexual violence through advocacy and education, by providing the safety, support and validation that changes the lives of all those affected.

RESTORE 24-hour hotlines: 585-546-2777 (Monroe County) and 1-800-527-1757 (Livingston, Wyoming, Orleans and Genesee Counties).

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) on Wednesday evening issued the following statement regarding the vote on the budget resolution to begin the budget reconciliation process.

“Two weeks ago, President Biden preached unity, cooperation, and bipartisanship. However, his actions have failed to match his promises. In addition to the more than 40 executive orders and actions he has signed, Democrats in the House and Senate are now working with his blessing to advance a massive, partisan Covid-19 package.

“We passed a $900 billion Covid-19 relief package one month ago. While I agree there are still important issues to address, such as funding for local governments and boosting vaccine distribution, this unilateral approach to relief legislation is damaging and unproductive.

“I was encouraged the President met with Republican Senators this week about a deal. While I oppose using the reconciliation process for Covid relief, I am ready to address these challenges and will work with the administration and Congressional Democrats if they meet us at the negotiating table.”

Law enforcement agencies in Orleans County will increase patrols for driving while intoxicated from Friday through Monday as part of a STOP-DWI Super Bowl Crackdown Initiative, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

Although STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol-related fatalities, there are still too many, Bourke said.

Law enforcement agencies across the state will have increased patrols on impaired driving during Super Bowl weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement, increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify and arrest impaired drivers.

The enforcement crackdown is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

If people are drinking, Bourke urges them to plan a safe way to get home. They should call for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi or Uber, he said.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is reiterating his demands for legislative hearings into the Cuomo administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in nursing homes following a press conference held by legislative colleagues Wednesday regarding a report from the Attorney General’s Office that revealed the department was undercounting Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes by as much as 50 percent.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski), Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt (R-Tonawanda), “Fox and Friends” co-host Janice Dean and a Capital Region family who lost their loved one to Covid-19 in a nursing home last April were all in attendance.

Additionally, Hawley is demanding a termination of the governor’s emergency powers, and also requesting that his colleagues in the Majority compel administration officials to attend legislative hearings on the matter by issuing subpoenas against them.

“I am hopeful that seeing the real pain the governor’s wrongdoings brought to an everyday family will be an eye-opener for my colleagues in the Majority and compel them to take getting to the bottom of this matter seriously,” Hawley said. “It has become too obvious to ignore that efforts were made to actively hide the severity of this tragedy, and I am hopeful this week’s shocking developments will spur those in the Majority to do what’s right for those who lost their loved ones.”

ROYALTON – There were no injuries today in a fire at 6023 Mann Rd., the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Deputies and firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 1:21 p.m. When Deputies arrived, the front of the residence was covered in flames. There was no one inside the residence at the time of the fire.

The fire was extinguished by Wolcottsville, Middleport, Newstead, Terry’s Corners and Gasport Chemical Hose Volunteer Fire Companies.

There is no estimate of damage at this time. The resident of the house will be staying with family and friends. The investigation is ongoing by Niagara County Origin and Cause, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined the entire New York Republican Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Acting Attorney General Wilkinson requesting the Department of Justice immediately issue subpoenas for Governor Cuomo, the Secretary to the Governor, the New York State Commissioner of Health, and their staff on all documentation and communications related to their nursing home policies during the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to a thorough update on the Civil Rights Division’s inquiry into New York State’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis in nursing homes.

“Attorney General James’ report proved what we have suspected for months. The actions of Governor Cuomo, Commissioner Zucker, and administration officials have obscured the toll of the Governor’s mandate forcing Covid-positive patients back into nursing homes with other high-risk elderly individuals. He had a duty to ‘follow the science’ and protect the most vulnerable in our population. Instead, his order can only be categorized as a failure in leadership and a betrayal of public trust,” Congressman Jacobs said. “Rather than take responsibility for his actions, and work transparently to correct such a disastrous mistake, Governor Cuomo and his administration have tried to shift blame and obstruct elected officials pursuing the truth. A full and thorough federal investigation into this cover-up must be conducted, and those responsible must be held accountable.”

“Today, my colleagues and I continue the fight towards justice for the people of New York. We will work to ensure that Acting Attorney General Wilkinson and President Biden support this pursuit for the truth about Governor Cuomo and his administration, considering the scathing evidence presented in Attorney General James’ recent report. Tens of thousands of innocent people in our great state died, and unlike the Governor, we care,” Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) said.

“The families and loved ones who lost parents and grandparents and so many other New Yorkers care deeply about the Governor’s attempts to cover up the true consequences of his fatally flawed nursing home policy,” Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-1) said. “In light of the Governor’s own Attorney General’s report, it’s clear that what happened here is criminal. These families and New Yorkers demand further answers and accountability, and we won’t rest until they get it.”

“For months, my colleagues and I have pushed for an independent investigation into Governor Cuomo’s mishandling of nursing homes that led to thousands of deaths during this pandemic,” Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) said. “Even after there were alternative facilities to treat COVID-positive patients, the governor mandated nursing homes take COVID-positive patients even if they couldn’t care for them. Now, we learn that his department of health covered up the true number of lives lost and underreported it by thousands. In October, the Department of Justice announced that it was administering an inquiry into this matter, and I sincerely hope their investigation continues independently without any interference from the Biden Administration.”

“I am grateful that the Department of Justice launched an investigation into Governor Cuomo’s reckless handling of the COVID-19 nursing home outbreak. The great people of New York’s 2ndCongressional District sent me to Washington to fight for them, and I am proud to join my colleagues in demanding justice for every Long Islander who lost a loved one due to these failed policies,” Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-2) said.

“Thousands of New York families who lost a parent or grandparent due to New York’s disastrous nursing home policies deserve nothing less than full transparency and accountability,” Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) said. “If the Biden administration and their Department of Justice are truly committed to following the spirit of independence and impartiality, they should join with us as we work to further uncover the depths of Governor Cuomo and New York State’s incompetence. It is the only remedy to ensuring such horrific public health mistakes never happens again.”

2 more deaths reported in Genesee County from Covid

There are 50 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today in Genesee and Orleans counties, the G-O County health Departments said this afternoon.

In Orleans County there are 30 new positive cases for a total of 2,219 confirmed cases since last March.

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, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

Of the new cases 4 were on quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments said.

Orleans also is reporting 10 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are four county residents currently hospitalized due to Covid-19.

The new confirmed cases include 7 residents at Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina, one at  the Villages of Orleans Health & Rehab in Albion, and one is an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison.

Albion Central School is reporting that two students from the high school have tested positive for Covid-19.

One of the students is a fully remote learner so the Department of Health determined there is no need to quarantine any additional students or staff.

The second student is a hybrid learner and was last in the building on Jan. 22. Due to the 48-hour look-back period, the Department of Health determined there is no need to quarantine any additional students or staff, the district state don its website.

In Genesee County there are 20 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a total of 3,896 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, 60s and 70s.

Genesee is reporting 21 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are 22 Genesee residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

There are also two more deaths from Covid-19 in Genesee for 109 total during the pandemic. The two deaths reported today include a community member over age 65 and a resident of the Batavia VA Medical Center who was over the age of 65.

Rapid Test Results: Genesee County conducted a drive-through rapid test clinic on Tuesday. Out of the 290 tested, 14 were positive for Covid.

Local company will be Berkshire franchise, running offices in Medina, Wrights Corners and Orchard Park

Provided photo: Rita Zambito is pictured with her son Mark and her daughter Mandy Gotham. They will be running three real estate offices as part of a franchise with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

MEDINA – A local real estate business, that has grown to be in the top 10 in sales in Western New York in recent years, announced today it is becoming a new franchise for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Zambito Realtors, which started in 2006 by Rita Zambito, sees advantages for customers and her 35 employees in joining Berkshire, a company with a national presence. Zambito will continue to run its offices in Medina and Wrights Corners, Niagara County, and will be opening a new office in Orchard Park.

The Medina and Wrights Corners offices will be called Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Zambito Realtors, while the Orchard Park site will be Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Western New York Properties. Zambito’s daughter, Mandy Gotham, lives in Orchard Park and will run that office.

“We decided to join the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network because of its unique technology and marketing tools that will give our agents access to more when assisting clients in looking for their next home, more data, more properties and more neighborhood information,” Zambito said in a news release. “Taking our local expertise and adding the global network and reach that only Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices can offer us, our agents and our clients will have an unbeatable advantage in the marketplace.”

With their brand transition, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Zambito Realtors and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Western New York Properties agents gain access to Berkshire’s referral and relocation networks, and its “FOREVER Cloud” technology suite, a powerful source for lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more.

“We feel it will truly benefit our clients and our agents,” said Zambito’s son Mark Zambito, an associate broker and co-owner of the business. “Their brand is globally known. Their technology and reach is why we aligned ourselves with them.”

Berkshire vetted the Zambito business for several months, to make sure it was a good match, Zambito said in an interview.

He praised his mother for her work in building the business. She started as a real estate agent in the mid-1990s for Stovroff-Potter. She opened her own business about a decade later and Mark joined her after he graduated from college.

Zambito Realtors opened in December 2006 with the mother and son running the business with four agents on North Main Street. In 2019, they moved to a bigger site on Maple Ridge Road and also opened the office in Wrights Corners.

Mandy Gotham, Rita Zambito’s daughter, also has joined the real estate company and she will be running the Orchard Park office.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zambito Realtors to our network,” said Chris Stuart, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Zambito Realtors has long been Western New York’s hometown real estate company and I know their service to the community will expand moving forward. Zambito agents represent the same Berkshire Hathaway principles of trust, integrity, stability and longevity. Their leadership’s mission to uphold the integrity of their professionals through building lasting relationships with their clients creates the long-term success we are looking for.”

Zambito Realtors will continue to offer insight and guidance for all types of real estate transactions, from single-family homes, multi-family homes, vacant land, commercial listings, farms with specific expertise in equestrian properties, according to the news release from Berkshire.

Gino Blefari, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, also welcomed the company to the network.

“Zambito Realtors demonstrates a commitment to their community beyond their business, which is a wonderful example of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices mission to be dedicated to our clients and continuously improve their lives,” Blefari said.

Orleans receives 500 vaccine doses this week, but needs many more to meet demand

Orleans County has 500 Covid-19 vaccine doses this week, with the doses split up among the Health Department, Orleans Community Health, and some local pharmacies and healthcare providers.

The county is projected to get a 16 percent increase next week in the vaccine, Public Health Director Paul Pettit said, but the amount is still far short to meet the expanded eligibility groups. (Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday said the 1B vaccine prioritization group eligibility could be expanded to restaurant workers, taxi drivers, and developmentally disabled facilities.)

“The supply is still nowhere near the amount we need for all of the eligible groups,” Pettit said on Tuesday evening in a conference call with local government officials.

The local vaccines are currently are being administered through pharmacies (people 65 and older); Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital doing healthcare workers, people in the 1A group and some residents 65 and older; and the Health Department, which is targeting essential workers.

Gov. Cuomo on Tuesday said he received assurances from the federal government the supply to the state would be increased by 20 percent the next three weeks.

“That is a good sign with more vaccine starting to flow,” Pettit said.

The Health Department will have a vaccine clinic on Thursday at the Ridgeway Fire Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Those slots are currently filled. Pettit sympathized with residents who keep checking for vaccine appointments but they tend to be full.

“It’s very challenging,” Pettit said. “Once they are posted, they’re immediately gone.”

The public health director said it could take several months to have work through all the eligible groups, which will continue to expand.

“This will be a prolonged event over the next three, four, five, six months,” Pettit said.

The county will need many volunteers for the vaccine clinics, which will likely be expanded to other days in the week once there is more vaccine.

Justin Niederhofer, deputy director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Agency, is coordinating the personnel for the clinics.

“We are looking for more volunteers,” he said. “We’re going to be in that for the long haul.”

Emergency Management can be reached at (585) 589-4414.

Cuomo in an update on Tuesday said about 1.7 million vaccine doses have been administered so far in the state – 1,414,241 first doses and 321,204 second doses. That state has about 19 million residents.

“We’re in a footrace to vaccinate the entire eligible population while continuing to keep the infection rate low,” Cuomo said. “We’re moving heaven and earth to administer as many doses as possible, but on a global level we are experiencing high demand and scarce amounts of the vaccine. We have much more distribution in place than we have supply, and as soon as we have more doses from the federal government we can get those shots in the arms of New Yorkers as quickly and fairly, while continuing to make sure the communities hardest hit have access to and trust in the vaccine.”

Agency recognizes other staff for milestone anniversaries

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

Ask any of Amy Klos’ coworkers or supervisors and they’ll all say the same thing when it comes to the 21-year employee’s job performance at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: She’s the one that holds things together.

Amy Klos

“Amy is always available to us no matter what is happening, she can multitask better than anyone and she always gets the job done well,” said Shannon Murphy, director of treatment at the Batavia clinic on East Main Street. “Amy truly cares about every staff member and our patients, and on most days, she is the glue.”

Murphy’s glowing assessment reflects the commitment and dedication that Klos has provided to the agency since starting as a secretary at its former Growney building location at Bank Street and Washington Avenue in 1999.

Since then, she has taken on more responsibility and, just recently, was promoted to the position of customer relations manager for GCASA’s Batavia and Albion clinics as well as the Opioid Treatment Program facility in Batavia.

A lifelong Oakfield resident, Klos found her way to GCASA after receiving a two-year degree from Central City Business Institute in Syracuse in the mid-1980s and working at the office of Dr. Yeong Lee, a Batavia pediatrician.

“I found out about the GCASA job from women who worked there and took their children to Dr. Lee,” she said. “They told me that they were in need of a secretary at GCASA, they posed the question and checked it out.”

Klos said she and two or three others worked in the front office (located in the basement of the Growney building) checking clients in, answering the telephone and verifying health insurance.

“I worked there for about 10 years before moving to the agency’s current location on East Main Street,” she said. “John Bennett was running the outpatient clinic – he now is GCASA’s executive director – and I was his secretary and also worked in the front office at the same time.”

As time passed, Klos moved into the director of treatment secretary position while continuing to assist the support staff, and in the late 2000s, she was elevated to supervisor of the Batavia office, overseeing a half-dozen employees.

“The agency was expanding at that time – the numbers in the clinic were increasing and the opioid epidemic also hit, which increased our workload and productivity,” Klos said, “and along with that came changes to policies and procedures.”

Three years ago, Klos was promoted to supervisor of the treatment and OTP (methadone) clinics and now has added an oversight role at the Albion clinic.

She said she is tasked with getting everyone on the same page, so to speak.

“Generally, the responsibilities across the clinics are very similar, so we’re trying to make all three offices the same as far as protocols and policies,” she explained. “There are some slight differences depending upon the doctor you’re working with, the day of the week and the prescribed dosage.”

Klos is a key player in the integration of services and procedures and, when at full strength, she is supervising eight full-time and part-time secretaries.

She said the best thing about GCASA is the “teamwork” displayed by the staff, which, by the way, includes her daughter, Katie, a nurse.

“The employees here help each other out and it’s great to know that people have your back. And it’s also nice to know that you can help people,” Klos said. “Change happens frequently but no matter what, you still have the basics. You have to remember to say please and thank you. That goes a long way and too many people don’t realize that.”

Klos said she strives to make a positive impact upon clients’ lives.

“When people are struggling, giving them a helping hand really does make a difference. I say to patients all the time, “I’m here if you want the help. If you don’t want the help, that’s up to you, but we’re here to help you 100 percent along the way.’”

When not on duty, Klos is keeping an eye on her mom, Ann Perfitt, who lives across the street from her in the village; joins in her husband as they “flip houses” on the weekends, enjoys outdoor activities and has fun with the family dog, Sam.

Murphy said she hopes Klos stays with the agency for another 20 years.

“Personally, I have had the pleasure of working next to Amy for over 15 years. She is diligent, smart and able to do her job while truly caring about everyone involved,” Murphy said. “I cannot imagine what I would do without her right next to me and as my friend. She truly is loved by all.”

In other GCASA news, the following employees were recognized recently for their longevity with the company:

• 5 years – Brenda Post, QA/corporate compliance officer, Genesee County Clinic; Shandi Temperato, chemical dependency counselor, Orleans County Clinic.

• 10 years – Diana Fulcomer, prevention educator, Orleans Prevention Program; Cherlyne Gerould, payroll manager, Genesee County Administration.

• 15 years – Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention, Orleans Prevention Program; Nick Mardino, maintenance, Orleans County Clinic.

• 20 years – Cyndi Mardino, secretary, Orleans County Clinic; Stephanie Nadolinski, house manager, Atwater Community Residential Program.

• 30 years – Kim Corcoran, human resources/administrative assistant, Genesee County Administration.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Two students from Albion’s Carl I. Bergerson Middle School received the Board of Education’s Character and Leadership awards for the month of February.

Olivia Peterson

In the virtual meeting, Middle School Principal Brad Pritchard presented Olivia Peterson with the Character Award and Joseph Schobelein with the Leadership Award.

“There are often times in life when individuals are faced with adversity and, during these difficult times, how we respond to those moments can often set the course for our future,” Pritchard explained. “Olivia has recently overcome great adversity in her life but her outstanding character shined as she fought through a very difficult situation.”

Described as “resilient,” Pritchard said Peterson “pushed forward each day with a positive attitude and a sense of humor.”

“Olivia’s teachers admired her maturity and focus,” Pritchard continued. “Her ability to pick herself up and push forward was remarkable.”

Joseph Schobelein

Schobelein, an eighth-grader, was the recipient of the Leadership Award because he “models leadership by example.”

“He is always polite, considerate, and he has worked so hard to improve academically and socially over the past 2.5 years,” Pritchard said. “Joe is an extremely hard worker who persists with his tasks until they are mastered.”

In addition to his tremendous work ethic and leadership in the classroom, Schobelein has demonstrated kindness to others.

“When you ask people about Joe, everyone has the same response – Joe makes every day brighter with his humor,” Pritchard said.

Schobeleine is humble, he is modest about his achievements and lives up to our value statements of “Valuing everyone, every day.”

We are proud to recognize Olivia and Joe as leaders, not just in work ethic but in character, in our Albion community.

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, R-Lyndonville, is again stating the critical need for Congress to approve federal aid for counties, town and villages.

Congress has approved two relief packages due the Covid-19 crisis, but hasn’t included direct aid to the governments on the front lines to fighting Covid-19, she said.

Every day without aid to villages, towns and counties “pushes us deeper into crisis,” Johnson said Tuesday evening during a conference calls with other local officials.

“Congress has almost entirely left behind local governments,” she said.

The Biden Administration is proposing $350 billion to states, counties, towns and villages. Johnson wants to see Congress support that level of funding. If Congress doesn’t approve the funding, Johnson said it would mean “more jobs lost, continued disruption in services, and less chance for economic recovery.”

The $350 billion in the Biden plan is part of a $1.9 trillion package presented by the president. Some Senate Republicans have countered with a $618 billion proposal that does not include direct relief to state and local governments.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: This display paying tribute to the four chaplains who died when their ship sank Feb. 3, 1943 was created at the Holley First Baptist Church a year ago by members of VFW and American Legion posts in Orleans County. The veterans won’t be doing the honorary service this year because of Covid-19.

Cathy Fox, president of the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliary, and Steve Johnson place a wreath during a service in 2019 at the Holley First Baptist Church, paying tribute to the four chaplains who went down with their ship while trying to save fellow soldiers during World War II.

HOLLEY – For the first time in many years there won’t be a Four Chaplains Memorial Service at the First Baptist Church of Holley.

According to Cathy Fox, president of the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliary, they have decided to cancel the event this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The service would have taken place this week to commemorate the sinking of the USS Dorchester on Feb. 3, 1943, off Newfoundland, killing all but 230 of the 904 passengers on board.

The Dorchester was a 314-passenger civilian ship converted to carry 900 military passengers and crew.

The four chaplains on the ship were George Lansing Fox, a Methodist minister; Alexander D. Goode, a Reform Rabbi; Father John P. Washington, a Catholic priest; and Clark V. Poling, a minister in the Reformed Church of America.

On the morning of the ship’s sinking, the chaplains had donned their life jackets and were on the deck handing out life jackets and helping the soldiers into lifeboats. It became evident very soon there were not enough life jackets to go around, and the four chaplains each took off theirs and gave them to others. A survivor in one of the lifeboats told the story of watching the chaplains link hands and start praying in their own religion, as they slipped under the water.

On Dec. 19, 1944, all four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross. Additionally, Congress later authorized a special medal, the Four Chaplains’ Medal, which was presented to the next of kin of each of the four chaplains.