By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2020 at 12:12 pm
Orleans County has had fewer people working during the pandemic than in the last 30 years. It is likely even longer than that, but the state Department of Labor data only goes back to 1990.
The DOL this week released employment data for November 2020. The state report shows 15,800 people were working in the county in November. That is the fewest of any November since 1990.
The most workers the county has had in a November was in 1998 when there were 20,300 workers, according to the DOL. In November 1990, the first year of the statistics available online, Orleans had 18,300 workers. In November 2019, there were 16,700 employed.
The 15,800 working last month is actually a big improvement from April, when the state Department of Labor counted 14,300 workers in Orleans. That was the peak of the government shutdown on nonessential businesses.
The 14,300 was the only time in the past 30 years Orleans has dipped below 15,000 workers.
The highest level of employment in the 30 years: June and July in 1998 when the county had 20,800 people working.
To see the data on Orleans, click here and search under Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2020 at 10:15 am
Unemployment rate continues to go down from pandemic high
The latest data from state Department of Labor shows the number of people working in Orleans County is down by 1,000 people from a year ago, when there wasn’t a Covid-19 wreaking havoc on the economy.
The DOL reported there were 15,800 people working in Orleans County in November, down from 16,800 in November 2019. The county’s unemployment rate last month was 5.4 percent, compared to 4.4 percent the previous November.
Here are the unemployment rates and number of unemployed in the Orleans County during the pandemic:
March: 5.4 percent, 900 unemployed
April: 15.9 percent, 2,700 unemployed
May: 11.5 percent, 1,900 unemployed
June: 10.8 percent, 1,900 unemployed
July: 12.7 percent, 2,300 unemployed
August: 9.8 percent, 1,700 unemployed
September: 5.5 percent, 900 unemployed
October: 6.0 percent, 1,000 unemployed
November: 5.4 percent, 900 unemployed
Nationally the number of people working is down by 8.7 million, from 158.9 million in November 2019 to 150.2 million last month. In New York, the number of people employed shrunk by 790,000 in the 12 months, down from 9.15 million to 8.36 million.
The Rochester metro has 30,000 fewer workers, down from 500,100 to 470,000, while the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro is down by 19,500 workers — from 517,300 to 497,700.
The employment data for other nearby counties (with November 2019 in parentheses) and the change in the number of people working:
Erie, 5.9 percent (4.2) – Decline from 423,200 working to 407,300
Genesee, 4.6 percent (3.8) – Workers down from 28,400 to 27,000
Livingston, 5.6 percent (3.9) – Decline from 29,500 to 27,700
Monroe, 6.0 percent (4.0) – Down from 346,900 working to 326,100
Niagara, 6.0 percent (4.7) – Decline from 94,100 employed to 90,500
Ontario, 4.6 percent (3.6) – Down from 53,300 working to 50,100
Orleans, 5.4 percent (4.4) – Down from 16,800 workers to 15,800
Wyoming, 4.7 percent (4.0) – Decline from 17,100 to 16,400
New York City is suffering the highest unemployment rates — 16.0 percent in Bronx, 12.1 percent in Kings (Brooklyn), 9.3 percent in New York County (Manhattan) Richmond (Staten Island), 9.8 percent and Queens, 11.6 percent.
Tompkins and Columbia counties have the lowest rates at 4.0 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2020 at 8:49 am
Provided photos: Roy and Phyllis Salmon are shown with their son, Scott; grandson, Dale Salmon, and daughter, Trudy Salmon.
Roy and Phyllis Salmon were married on Dec. 24, 1960 at a church in Eagle Harbor.
WATERPORT – Phyllis and Roy Salmon are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today. Phyllis is retired from Marine Midland Bank in Albion and Roy is retired from Albion School as bus driver.
They have lived on their farm in Waterport their entire marriage. They have two children, Scott and Trudy, and a grandson, Dale Salmon.
Mr. Salmon is the third generation on the farm. He raised beef cattle and cabbage until the mid-’80s. Now it’s outsourced for corn and soybeans.
“Their secret is to work hard and have always put the family first,” said their daughter, Trudy. “My parents are content to have us around and the chaos and laughs we bring.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2020 at 6:49 pm
Genesee County tops 1,000 cases so far in December
Message from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments: Covid-19 is widespread throughout Genesee and Orleans counties. With the high prevalence of active cases, we are changing the way we are reporting the positive cases to regionally rather than listing each of the towns. Detailed demographic data is still being captured by the state.
The Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments reported 65 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties today.
In Orleans County, there are 15 new positive cases of Covid for a total of 1,133 positive cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and the East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 70s and 80s.
Four of the new positives are inmates at the Orleans Correctional Facility, a men’s prison.
Of the new cases, one was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments reported in a news brief this evening.
The county also is reporting 14 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Orleans has 8 residents currently hospitalized due to Covid, which is up from 2 a week ago on Dec. 16.
Since Dec. 1, Orleans has 510 new confirmed cases of Covid, going from 623 cases to 1,133.
Genesee suffers 14th death this month from Covid
In Genesee County, there 50 new confirmed cases of Covid for a total of 1,956 positive cases since March.
Genesee County started December with 954 cases during the pandemic. It has added 1,002 more in just over three weeks.
The new positive cases reported today reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Corfu, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Stafford and Pavilion).
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
Of the new cases, 16 are residents at LeRoy Village Green, 6 are residents at Premier Genesee, and 3 are residents at New York State Veterans Home in Batavia.
Genesee is reporting that 74 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are 20 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid, which is down from 24 a week ago on Dec. 16.
Genesee County also is reporting a resident over age 65 has died due to Covid, the 14th death in the county from Covid in December. Genesee has now suffered 21 deaths in the pandemic after people were sickened by the coronavirus.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 December 2020 at 4:52 pm
Photos contributed: Volunteers who worked to pack food and gift boxes for more than 60 families posed for a picture at The Grove United Methodist Church in Medina on Saturday. From left are chairwoman of the MAAC Red Barrels, Sherry Tuohey, Bev Woodward, Robin Dubai, Judy Holbrook, Barb Vreeland, Kathy McMoil, Ruth Cleveland, Diane Mazur and Denny Dubai. The number of volunteers was limited because of Covid restrictions.
MEDINA – Christmas came a little early to more than 60 families in the Medina area on Saturday.
It was the day local firefighters delivered food and gift boxes from MAAC’s Red Barrel program.
Sherry Tuohey, who heads the annual Christmas program, said the number of families who applied for holiday assistance this year was a little less than other years, yet they still provided Christmas boxes to more than 180 adults and children, as well as 19 senior citizens.
Volunteer Diane Mazur chooses gifts and packs a box for a family who was helped by MAAC’s Christmas Barrels. The barrels were delivered Saturday by local firefighters.
The boxes were delivered by firefighters from Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby, who also picked up the full barrels from local businesses and organizations.
Due to the Covid pandemic, Tuohey said it was a challenge this year to still be able to run the program and adhere to the restrictions in place.
“Everything had to be tweaked this year,” Tuohey said.
First, the barrels had to be picked up earlier than usual so they could quarantine for three days before volunteers started unpacking them. Then, when the barrels were sorted and the boxes packed, they had to quarantine for three days before firefighters could deliver them.
Also, there was a limit of 10 volunteers at a time at The Grove United Methodist Church, where the barrels were unloaded and boxes packed up. And, the church was unable to serve breakfast to the firefighters as a thank you. Instead, they gave each firefighter, and any family member who came with them, with breakfast in a bag.
“We tried to patronize local businesses in providing breakfast for the firefighters,” Tuohey said.
Sue Metzo checks the paperwork for the more than 60 boxes of food and gifts which were delivered to adults, children and seniors on Saturday, through the MAAC Red Barrel program. Metzo was in charge of the program for many years.
Cinnamon rolls came from Case-Nic Cookies, Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels provided bagels and Della’s Chocolates made chocolate firemen’s badges and helmets. Little bottles of cider came from Roberts’ Farm Market and bottles of chocolate milk were purchased from Sure Fine in Albion. Gift cards from Tim Hortons and a candy cane completed the breakfast, which was put in festive red plaid bags.
Food for the gift boxes was purchased from Tops and Aldi’s, Tuohey said. Each family received, not only gifts for everyone, but food for a complete Christmas dinner. New this year was the addition of personal care items, an idea of Kathy McMoil, who gathered all the items and made up a bag for each gift box. The committee also included a roll of wrapping paper and Scotch tape this year.
Kristin McAdoo and her dad Don Marchner, members of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, were among the firefighters who volunteered Saturday to deliver gift boxes to more than 60 families for MAAC’s Red Barrel program.
Lt. Steve Cooley of the Medina Fire Department coordinated efforts of the firefighters, who have volunteered their services for several decades. They start in November when they deliver the barrels to sites throughout the Medina area. This year 41 barrels were delivered, and Tuohey said many of them were overflowing when they were returned.
“We couldn’t do this without so many volunteers and the cooperation of the community,” Tuohey said. “We thank the businesses who allowed us to place barrels in their building and the individuals who knitted and crocheted hats, mittens and scarves.”
It may be a lot of work, but Tuohey said it is so rewarding.
“Some families have already reached out to thank us,” she said.
Lt. Jacob Crooks of the Medina Fire Department checks addresses on some boxes of gifts and food, which were delivered to families in Medina on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2020 at 4:09 pm
Provided photo
A new billboard recently went up near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. That’s the home of the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills’ main nemesis the past 25 years in denying the Bills an AFC East title. That changed this season with the Bills winning the division and eyeing a deep run in the playoffs.
Megan Baker, a Kendall graduate, lives in Quincy, Ma. She stopped by the billboard with her friend, John Ryan, a Rochester native. They are both proud members of the Bills Mafia.
Fox hosted the online competition and the Bills fans won for the best in the NFL. Their reward: a billboard recognizing the honor. Bills fans voted to have the billboard near the Patriots home field.
The Bills will be in Foxborough on Monday to play the Patriots beginning at 8:15 p.m. The Bills are 11-3 so far this season and the Patriots are 6-8. Other AFC East teams include the Miami Dolphins at 9-5 and the New York Jets at 1-13.
Buffalo on Saturday clinched its first AFC East title since 1995.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that plans are currently under development to allow fans to attend the Buffalo Bills’ first home playoff game in more than two decades under strict Covid-19 protocols.
Under the proposal, which is being developed cooperatively between the Bills and New York State, fans in attendance would be required to receive a negative Covid-19 test result before being allowed into the stadium. Contact tracing will also be conducted after the game. If implemented, this plan could serve as a model for reopening entertainment venues across New York.
“New Yorkers are incredibly proud of the Buffalo Bills and with their first home playoff game in more than 20 years coming up in just a few weeks, we are working closely with the team to develop a plan to allow a limited number of fans to attend the game,” Governor Cuomo said. “Not only would strict mask and social distancing guidelines be in effect, but under the current proposal, this would be the first stadium in the nation to require that all fans obtain a negative Covid-19 test before entering. If a final agreement can be reached and the plan works, this could also serve as a model for reopening other entertainment venues across the state. Bills fans have been waiting decades for another home playoff game and after such a tumultuous year, they deserve the opportunity to be able to root for their team in person, as long as it can be done safely. Go Bills!”
Under the plan submitted by the Bills to the state, team staff will control all exit and entry points to the stadium and only fans with a documented negative Covid-19 test would be allowed inside. To facilitate testing prior to the game, the State Department of Health would facilitate the deployment of rapid testing resources. If implemented, this would be the first stadium reopening plan in the nation to require testing and contact tracing.
Once inside the stadium, fans would be required to wear a mask at all times and adhere to strict social distancing protocols. Fans who refuse to comply with these protocols would be removed from the stadium by Bills’ security personnel. Ushers will also be present in throughout the stadium to ensure all fans are in compliance. As part of the state’s review, personnel from the Department of Health have traveled to other stadiums outside of New York where similar protocols are in place to confirm their effectiveness.
Tailgating would remain banned under this plan and New Yorkers are being reminded to avoid gatherings and parties before, during and after the game as these events are prime for viral spread.
Dr. Howard Zucker says New York State prepared to allow 6,700 fans in for playoff games. Fans will be tested before entering the stadium, with potential contact tracing to follow. Zucker says it will be a kind of first-in-the-nation plan to allow fans this way.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2020 at 10:58 am
New population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that New York had the biggest population decline in the country since 2019.
The state’s population shrunk by 0.65 percent or 126,355, down from 19,463,131 on July 1, 2019 to 19,336,776 on July 1, 2020.
That compares to the national population growing by 0.35 percent during the year, or up another 1,154,170, according to the report released Tuesday from the U.S. Census Bureau.
New York hasn’t gained population since the last Census in 2010, when there were 19,378,102 residents. If the latest estimate reflects the population in the 2020 Census, the state could see its congressional seats reduced from 27 to 25, with less political clout for New York.
The Empire Center in Albany attributed the decline in the past year to foreign immigration falling off sharply in New York. Previous Census estimates show the main factor for the state’s lack of growth is due mainly to an outmigration flow of 1.4 million people to other states since 2010, the Empire Center said.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday signed the New York Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2020 (S.8806 / A.8280C) into law, requiring designated State agencies to establish an automatic voter registration system as proposed by the Governor in State of the State in 2019 and 2020.
This modernized system will expedite voter registration and create a straightforward process for New Yorkers applying for services at designated agencies to also register to vote. The law will help increase voter turnout while reducing administrative barriers to processing voter registration applications.
“The right to vote is one of, if not the most, sacred pillars of our democracy and for too long, bureaucratic red tape has made it unnecessarily difficult for New Yorkers to exercise this right,” Cuomo said. “From instituting early voting to making necessary reforms to the absentee ballot process, New York has already made elections more accessible, but we are far from finished. With this new law on the books, we are taking this work a step further and not only instituting automatic voter registration, but creating a single uniform platform for registering online.”
The new law designates the Department of Motor Vehicles and other State agencies that interact directly with New York residents to work with the State Board of Elections to integrate agency and voter registration applications. This new, single application will serve as both an application for services and a voter registration application.
Only eligible voters may register, and applications will be transmitted to the State Board of Elections with the signature and consent of the applicant. Applicants will also be given the opportunity to choose a political party. Pursuant to changes agreed to by the Legislature, the DMV will come online in 2023, followed by the Department of Health, Department of Labor and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in 2024. The State University of New York will come online in 2025. This system will remove yet another barrier to voter participation by making it easy for New Yorkers to register to vote.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2020 at 9:50 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Personnel at the first Orleans County rapid test clinic last Wednesday take rapid tests of people in vehicles. They submitted self-administered tests of nasal samples. The county did 420 tests that day with 12 testing positive, or 2.9 percent. On Monday, there were 22 positives out of 546 for 4.0 percent.
ALBION – Orleans County in recent weeks has had one of the highest positivity rates in the region for Covid-19 tests.
The county currently has a 9.0 percent positivity rate over the past 14 days. Only Genesee, at 10.1 percent, is higher among the nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region.
The percentage in Orleans is expected to drop as the county does weekly rapid tests for people who are asymptomatic.
The county’s rate for the past 7 days is 8.6 percent, down from the 9.0 percent over two weeks. The 8.6 percent the past seven days is the third highest in the Finger Lakes, behind Genesee at 11.4 percent and Monroe at 8.7 percent.
The first rapid testing clinic in Orleans County a week ago had 12 positives out of 420 tests, or a 2.9 percent positive rate. On Monday, there were 546 tests with 22 positives, or 4.0 percent. Of the positives, 21 were Orleans County residents, said Paul Pettit, the public health director in Genesee and Orleans.
Here is how the nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region compare in the past week, and two weeks for percentage of tests that are positive for Covid-19:
Genesee, 7-day average – 11.4%; 14-day average – 10.1%
Livingston, 7-day average – 6.9%; 14-day average – 6.5%
Monroe, 7-day average – 8.7%; 14-day average – 8.7%
Ontario, 7-day average – 7.0%; 14-day average – 7.0%
Orleans, 7-day average – 8.6%; 14-day average – 9.0%
Seneca, 7-day average – 7.7%; 14-day average – 7.0%
Wayne, 7-day average – 6.7%; 14-day average – 6.4%
Wyoming, 7-day average – 8.6%; 14-day average – 8.3%
Yates, 7-day average – 3.8%; 14-day average – 4.7%
Orleans County will be doing the weekly rapid testing clinics until at least late January. In Genesee, there are two a week. Oak Orchard Health also did a rapid testing clinic on Friday evening with 140 tested.
“I think we’ve turned a corner to provide that access to our residents, which was something we struggled with,” Pettit said.
Orleans has its next clinic on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Click here for registration information.
Pettit praised the staff at the Health Department, Orleans County Emergency Management Office and other agencies and businesses for providing the personnel for the clinics. About 40 people have helped with the clinics.
“This is a great collaboration,” Pettit told elected officials on a weekly conference call on Tuesday evening. “It takes a lot of hands to make it work. It looks like things are running very smooth. We should all be very proud of that.”
Genesee County next hosts a rapid testing clinic on Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Genesee County Emergency Management/Fire Training Center on State Street Road in Batavia. Click here for registration information.
The clinics in Orleans and Genesee are open to people outside the host county.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2020 at 8:31 am
Provided photos
KENDALL – Santa makes a connection with a Kendall child during a visit on Tuesday evening. Santa made 31 stops in the Kendall community on Tuesday, visiting homes of children who are housebound due to a Covid-19 quarantine.
Kristen Ostrander, who has two children in the district, said she felt bad for kids in mandatory or precautionary quarantine during the holiday season.
“Hearing that these kids were missing out on the best time of the year, broke my heart,” she said. “Being in quarantine stinks in general but to be in quarantine during Christmas is terrible.”
Santa delivers a gift bag and a friendly greeting to this boy.
Ostrander last Friday posted in a Facebook group for Kendall parents. She asked if anyone wanted to me with a project for the students that are in quarantine this holiday season.
“Never did I think I would get such a huge response from our community,” Ostrander said. “Not only did I have people contacting me from Kendall but other counties and even from another state. Everyone wanted to help make Christmas a little brighter for the students in quarantine.”
Ostrander received gift bags, snack items, craft items, coupons for free ice cream cones from Circle R Farms, monetary donations towards Redbox codes and McDonald’s gift certificates.
“I’m so thankful for everyone that helped me,” Ostrander said.
Ostrander also reached out to Santa to see if he would stop by the homes. Santa was able to give nearly four hours Tuesday, going house to house for the kids in quarantine.
“It was not your normal visit from Santa, but we made it work,” Ostrander said. “The kids were just as happy to see Santa through a window or door.”
Nate Smith, a Kendall ninth-grader, smiles when Santa stopped by.
The Hardenbrook family was happy to see Santa on Tuesday.
“It was an awesome time,” Ostrander said. “Many times I was fighting back tears. The joy the kids had when they saw Santa was priceless.”
Kristen Ostrander and Santa spread some holiday joy on Tuesday in Kendall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2020 at 7:35 pm
Former Congressman Chris Collins, who starting serving a 26-month sentence in a federal prison in October, has been pardoned by President Donald J. Trump.
Chris Collins
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump for president on Feb. 24, 2016. He also was a frequent Trump surrogate, appearing on many news programs to speak on behalf of Trump and his policies.
Collins was charged with conspiring to commit securities fraud and making false statements to the FBI. He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and on Oct. 13 he reported to a minimum security federal prison camp in Pensacola, Fla.
In a news release from the White House, President Trump granted the full pardon “at the request of many Members of Congress.”
The news release notes that Collins served in Congress for nearly seven years, and “spent his early career as a successful businessman and entrepreneur, before devoting his life to public service.”
Collins was elected County Executive for Erie County in 2007, and served one four-year term.
“During his tenure in Congress, Mr. Collins was known for his particular focus on the wellbeing of small businesses, agriculture, and sciences,” according to the White House press release.
Trump also pardoned Duncan Hunter, a California congressman who pled guilty to misusing campaign funds.
Nate McMurray lost a close race to Collins for the 27th Congressional District in November 2018. He said on Twitter soon after the news broke about Collins that Republicans should denounce the pardon.
“Disgraceful, but sadly we predicted it,” McMurray tweeted. “No justice. No ethics. No dignity.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2020 at 7:00 pm
2 counties combined pass 3,000 Covid cases since March
Orleans and Genesee counties reported a combined 119 new cases of Covid-19 today. Together the two counties have passed 3,000 cases during the pandemic with 1,118 in Orleans and 1,906 in Genesee.
The 3,024 cases is about 3 percent of the combined population of the two counties, which is 97,632, according to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates – 40,352 in Orleans and 57,280 in Genesee.
In Orleans County, there are 44 new confirmed cases reported today with the new cases in Albion, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Of the new cases, 1 is a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina and 1 is an inmate of the Orleans Correctional Facility. Orchard Rehab has now had 62 resident test positive during the pandemic and Orleans Correctional has had 17 inmates with confirmed cases of Covid.
Of the 44 cases, 2 of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Orleans is reporting 19 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Orleans has seven residents hospitalized due to Covid-19.
Albion Central School said an elementary school staff member and a high school student have tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.
The student learns remotely and the last day the staff member was in school was Tuesday, Dec. 15. Contact tracing and the quarantine of students and staff members was implemented according to health department guidelines, the district posted on its website
Medina Central School reported today a high school staff member tested positive for Covid-19. “Anyone who needs to be quarantined has already been contacted, and the Department of Health has determined that no further quarantines are required from the school,” District Superintendent Mark Kruzynski wrote in a letter on the district website.
In Genesee County, there are 75 new confirmed cases. They live in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Bergen, Byron, Corfu, Darien, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield and Stafford.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
Of the new cases reported today, 7 are residents at LeRoy Village Green, 3 are residents at Genesee Senior Living, and 1 is a resident at Premier Genesee.
The county is reporting 57 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been
from the isolation list.
Genesee also has 16 residents hospitalized due to Covid, the Health Departments reported.
Due to the increased positive cases reported yesterday, the Health Departments said there was a mistake in calculating the number of active cases. The number reported was 343 but should have been listed as 247. Today’s number is correct at 266. Orleans is at 168, the most in the pandemic for that county.
Percent Positive 7-day average as of Dec. 20 – Genesee: 10.5%; Orleans: 8.7%
GOWANDA – In the wake of yesterday’s announcement by the Cuomo administration that Gowanda Correctional Facility is one of three state prisons scheduled for imminent closure, a contingent of state legislators, including Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, joined with local officials and union representatives to denounce the cost-cutting move.
They noted that the decision will devastate employees and their families and undermine the community’s already vulnerable economy.
“Governor Cuomo’s announcement that the Gowanda Correctional Facility will close is not only untimely but demonstrates an ill-will toward hard-working Western New Yorkers. It is no secret that Gov. Cuomo and his allies in Albany have buckled under the pressures of pro-criminal special interest groups, but to make this announcement the week of Christmas is especially cruel,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
“The closure of this correctional facility will devastate the local community, cost Western New York hundreds of jobs, and will force families to uproot and relocate during what is already a very challenging time,” Ortt said. “The brave men and women who show up every day to ensure the protection of New York’s residents deserve better than this.”
“After months of putting their health and safety at risk to do their jobs in the midst of a pandemic, the hardworking men and women who staff Gowanda Correctional Facility have received their holiday ‘thanks’ from the state: notification that their place of employment is closing in a matter of weeks,” said Senator George Borrello, whose 57th Senate District encompasses the Cattaraugus County portion of the Village of Gowanda.
“What looks like a few lines on a budget spreadsheet to the Governor and DOCCS officials represent the economic anchor for these employees, their families and the entire Gowanda community,” Borrello added. “Decades of investment in the infrastructure, programming and personnel of the prison is being decimated in one stroke.”
Senator Patrick Gallivan, whose 59th Senate District includes the village’s Erie County portion, said: “The impact this decision will have on the dedicated men and women who work at the Gowanda facility and their families, especially at this difficult time for so many people, is concerning, as is the impact on the community. My office will work with DOCCS and the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), AFSCME, CSEA and PEF to ensure the best possible outcome for all those affected. I thank all of the hardworking public servants at the Gowanda Correctional Facility for their professionalism under these very difficult circumstances.”
The slated closure of Gowanda is one of three prisons targeted under the plan announced by the NYS Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS). The 2020-21 State Budget gave the Governor the authority to close an unspecified number of prisons with 90 days’ notice. The other facility closures announced this week include the Watertown Correctional Facility and the Annex at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. Altogether, more than 1,000 employees will be affected, including more than 600 at Gowanda.
“Once again, in a rush to check the ‘done’ box, best practices like transition planning and facility repurposing go out the window. It is a poor way of managing what is arguably one of the state’s most critical operations and a terrible way to treat public servants who have devoted themselves to the important work and rehabilitation that takes place inside these walls,” said Senator Borrello.
Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio, who represents the 148th Assembly District and is the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Corrections, underscored the fact that these closures will further undermine public safety in the state.
“This is the latest of the governor’s attempts to systematically dismantle the corrections system in New York state, which he has done since day one. The employees who work in corrections will be in greater danger from assault as inmates are transferred within the system,” said Assemblyman Giglio.
“The closure of these facilities further illustrates this administration’s lack of concern for public safety and the protection of our citizens. In addition, this action shows complete disregard for the men and women who work at these facilities, as well as their families,” he added.
Gowanda Mayor David Smith indicated that while the state’s offer to work with employee unions on arranging voluntary transfers to other facilities may work for some families, for others, it will be impossible.
“Most Gowanda Correctional employees have deep roots in this community. They have spouses with jobs, children in the local school district and extended family in the area. The notion that they can easily relocate in just a few weeks’ time is simply insulting,” said Mayor Smith.
“It is impossible to overstate how economically devastating this closure will be to our community. As the largest employer in the area, it drives most of our economy, either directly or indirectly. This rapid closure, without any plan in place to repurpose the facility and replace those jobs, is incredibly reckless,” the Mayor added.
NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President Mark DeBurgomaster emphasized the importance of the state pausing its closure plans until the epidemic of violence within the prison system is addressed.
“The job of a corrections officer has always been a difficult and dangerous one. However, in recent years, the violence inside our prisons has escalated to unprecedented levels. Additional closures will only exacerbate the situation by forcing the existing prison population into a decreasing number of facilities, further jeopardizing the safety of NYSCOPBA members and the inmate population,” said DeBurgomaster. “Rather than help the state, such a situation will increase its challenges, and its costs, and make it even harder to recruit new corrections officers. This is a lose-lose proposition. Together with everyone here today, I urge the Governor and the Commissioner to revisit this decision.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2020 at 1:07 pm
Provided photos from Orleans Community Health
MEDINA – Leighann VanAuker, director of the emergency department at Medina Memorial Hospital, was among 46 employees at Orleans Community Health to receive the Covid-19 vaccine this morning.
Mary Williams, the director of HR for Orleans Community Health, administered the vaccine shots.
The OCH employees traveled to Unity Health in Rochester to receive the vaccinations.
This group received the vaccinations and includes from left: Kate Brauen, director of pharmacy; Mary Williams, director of HR; and Rebecca Mannella, director of human resources education.
Jessica Capurso, director of marketing, outreach and health education for OCH, receives her vaccine.
“The clinic went well this morning,” Capurso said. “No adverse effects. The employees were very excited that this happened.”
Elizabeth Wagner, who works with physicians as the medical staff coordinator, gets her shot of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr. Christine Cameron, family medical doctor, also was among the first at OCH for the vaccine.
