By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2020 at 9:52 am
KENDALL – The Covid-19 pandemic didn’t stop the 84th annual annual oratorical contest through the American Legion in Orleans County.
The Kendall Junior-Senior High School hosted the event on Friday, with two finalists from both Albion and Kendall.
Students needed to prepare and deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech on the U.S. Constitution. They needed to give the speech from memory.
William Barnosky and Ashley Ames competed from Albion, and Kendall’s representatives included Willow Clark and Layne Pearson.
Barnosky won first place and Clark was second. They advance to the regional competition in Buffalo in January.
This group includes front row from left: Carol D’Agostino, Kendall High School principal; Nadine Hanlon, clerk of County Legislature and former Kendall Board of Education president; American Legion members Charles Eberhart, Gary Befus and Phil Warne; County Legislature Chair Lynne Johnson; and Rich Gannon, Albion social studies teacher and coordinator of the oratorical contest at Albion. The students in back include Willow Clark of Kendall, William Barnosky of Albion, Ashley Ames of Albion and Layne Pearson of Kendall. Hanlon, Johnson and Warne served as judges.
“The oratorical event is one of the true highlights of our school year,” said Carol D’Agostino, the Kendall principal. “It is our goal to sponsor as many student-centered activities as possible, of course safely, so that our students are not denied these educational experiences. We are always proud to welcome our veterans to Kendall to judge our students’ speeches.”
William Barnosky improved from his third place finish last year in the competition. His sister, Melissa Barnosky, twice was the state champion in the event, advancing to the national competition in 2018 and 2019.
The participants in Kendall’s oratorical contest are shown last week. They include, front row, from left: Katie Driesel (AP US Teacher), Chuck Eberhardt, Grace Levett, Abigail Barrett, Sara Mattle, Sharon Bennett, Urbine Bennett and Michelle Goudreau. Middle row: students Riley Borkholder, Willow Clark and Layne Pearson. Back row includes Al Pulcino, Scott Galliford, Joe Sidonio and Carol D’Agostino.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 December 2020 at 8:48 am
In this very uncertain Pandemic year of 2020 remote learning, zoom meetings and virtual events have become the norm, changes which certainly has affected sports at all levels.
Locally, the Niagara-Orleans League is preparing for what will be a most unusual season of “virtual” boys and girls swim meets.
The “virtual” meets, which would match Albion vs. Medina for example, will have each team swimming the events at its own pool. The times of the teams would then be compared by a computer program to determine the winner of each event and the overall winning team.
“It’s not ideal but it gives the kids an opportunity to do something and right now there is not a lot that they can do,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley.
Practice sessions for the season are scheduled to begin on December 14 with the first of the virtual meets being slated for December 22 with Newfane vs. Albion, Medina vs. Roy-Hart and Barker vs. Akron.
The meets are slated to be held without spectators.
The first meets had been scheduled for December 10 but when the start of practices were moved back from November 30 to December 14 the first three meets (Dec. 10, 12 and 17) had to be rescheduled and are now slated for three Saturdays in January.
Practices for the winter season’s “High Risk” sports of basketball land wrestling are scheduled to begin on January 4 as of now. However, an update on the status of those sports is expected to be released by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association by December 21.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2020 at 10:37 pm
Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming had more than 1,000 cases combined last month
This graph from the health departments in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties shows how the cases have surged in the past month. Click here to see a detailed chart on cases in the three counties.
The number of Covid cases in the three local rural counties of Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties soared in November, with the combined total of 1,133 new cases topping that the first eight months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The three counties, from March through October, had 975 Covid cases combined. At the end of November, the combined cases was at 2,108.
Orleans had been the most hard hit by Covid through October, driven by an outbreak in the spring at two nursing homes, which combined had 147 cases by late June. In Late October, Orleans had the most of the three counties with 399 cases, followed by 375 in Genesee and 201 in Wyoming.
But the cases have really taken off in Genesee in November and so far in December. Genesee reported 575 new cases in November, with 132 more the first four days of December.
Wyoming also has more in November than in the previous eight months, with 330 new cases in November, compared to the 201.
Orleans didn’t see as much of an increase as Genesee and Wyoming last month, but the 224 new cases is still the most in a month for Orleans. Although the cases are on the rise in Orleans, the severity isn’t as bad as in the spring and early summer, when the county suffered 55 deaths from Covid, including 54 in nursing homes. Orleans has now had 58 residents die from Covid through the first nine months of the pandemic, by far more than Genesee and Wyoming.
Wyoming has suffered eight deaths while Genesee was at seven the end of November, but has added five more so far in December.
Here is a monthly breakdown of the Covid cases and deaths in the three counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2020 at 4:35 pm
Health Dept. reports 3 deaths at nursing home in Batavia
There are 74 new confirmed Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties reported today. There also have been three deaths in Genesee County due to Covid, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.
In Orleans County, there are 24 new positive cases of Covid, bringing the total to 686 cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s and 60s.
Three of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Health Departments reported.
Six of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Orleans also is reporting that eight residents are hospitalized from Covid, up from six on Thursday.
• Albion Central School officials were notified today that a staff member in the elementary school has tested positive for Covid-19. The Health Department has completed contact tracing for the staff member and determined there is no need to quarantine staff or students, the district stated on its website.
• Medina Central School also is reporting a student in the high school tested positive for Covid. That student hasn’t been in the school building in more than three weeks.
An elementary student also tested positive who was last in the school building on Nov. 30. “Everyone who will be placed on quarantine due to school contacts has been notified, although the Department of Health may reach out to others if they determine that any potential exposure has occurred outside of the school,” Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, wrote in a letter to the community today.
In Genesee County, there are 50 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 1,086 cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Elba, LeRoy, Oakfield, and Pembroke.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
Of the new cases, 15 are residents at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Batavia. The Health Departments today are also reporting that three residents at The Grand have died from Covid, with two over age 65 and one under 65.
“We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of these community members during this very difficult time,” the Health Departments stated in a news briefing.
Genesee also is reporting 29 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Genesee has 15 residents hospitalized with Covid.
In the past nine days, since Nov. 25, Genesee has 259 new confirmed cases, from 827 to 1,086, and six more deaths.
In Orleans, there are 99 more cases, up from 587 to 686, since last Wednesday (Nov. 25) and one more death.
• 3-County Data: To see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, click here. There are currently 370 active cases in the three counties with 183 in Genesee, 77 in Orleans and 110 in Wyoming.
• Statewide Data: Of the 208,297 tests reported yesterday, 11,271 were positive (5.41% of total). That compares to 9,855 positive tests on Wednesday (4.84% of total). A week ago, the state reported 8,176 positive tests or 3.72% of the total.
“Our largest two problems right now are the 70 percent spread in households and small gatherings, aggregated by the holiday season, and lack of compliance with restrictions,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “It’s driven by social fatigue, social resentment, social noncompliance and lack of government enforcement. If people don’t follow the restrictions, you’re going to see an increase.
Cuomo today reported the total hospitalizations from Covid are at 4,222, compared to 4,063 the previous day and 3,103 a week ago.
Cuomo today also announced that 20 million Covid-19 test results have been reported to New York State since the pandemic began.
“There are capacity and protocol restrictions in bars, restaurants and gyms,” Cuomo said. “The lack of compliance is a problem and I need the local governments to enforce those restrictions. I understand Covid fatigue and that people are resentful of these regulations, but if you don’t enforce the restrictions, and if the restrictions are violated, then they’re pointless. They have to be enforced. New York State has one of the nation’s lowest infection rates and the vaccine—the weapon that ends the war—is on the way. The question is how long it will take.”
• Rapid Testing: Genesee County will be hosting 2 rapid testing clinics on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. The focus is for asymptomatic individuals and is free.
This is a self-administered rapid test at the Genesee County Emergency Management Office & Fire Training Facility, 7690 State Street Rd. in the Town of Batavia. To schedule a test, please register on-line (click here). Anyone needing additional help for online registration may contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555. To help the process please not the following guidelines:
If you completed the form online, please print it out and bring it with you.
Make sure you have a pen in your vehicle.
Everyone in the vehicle is to have their mask on when they pull up at the testing site.
For those who are getting tested, they may get a call fairly quickly from an unknown number…answer the phone. Staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individual tested or the guardian of minor children. Hard copy results will be e-mailed within 48 hours if we have a valid e-mail address.
Orleans County will be holding a rapid testing clinic on Dec. 16. More details to come.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2020 at 2:47 pm
MEDINA – Five of the career firefighters in the Medina Fire Department are on quarantine until Dec. 12 after testing positive for Covid-19.
That still leaves Medina with 16 firefighters to respond to EMS and fire calls, enough to handle all of the shifts until the department is back at full strength, said Lt. Steve Cooley.
One of the firefighters lost his sense of smell, which has been a leading indicator if someone has Covid. That prompted the department to be tested on Wednesday.
Of the 21 Medina firefighters tested for Covid, five results came back positive. Four of the firefighters have symptoms. The five who tested positive hadn’t been in contact with the public doing their official duties the previous 48 hours of testing positive, Cooley said.
The fire department feels fortunate to have made it this far without any confirmed cases among the staff, given their frequent responses to assist people with illnesses.
“We made it 8 full months,” Cooley said. “It’ a miracle we made it this far with the amount of interactions with have the public who have it.”
The Medina firefighters have been responding to more calls of people suffering from Covid, including several with severe symptoms.
“We’re seeing an increase in the community in the numbers,” Cooley said. “Our thoughts are with those families.”
The department has been doing temperature checks for firefighters when they report to work since March, and requiring them to stay home if they have any symptoms.
The Medina FD also will be increasing its cleaning and disinfection procedures with ambulances and equipment.
“We would like to thank all our partners in public safety and all those that have reached out to us offering assistance,” Cooley said.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Monday, December 7, in observation of the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the attack, more than 2,400 Americans were killed, including 40 New Yorkers.
“Seventy-nine years ago, more than 2,400 brave souls were tragically lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor,” Cuomo said. “We must never forget that day and how it forever altered our nation’s history. New Yorkers are eternally grateful to the men and women of our Armed Forces who have committed their lives to defending our nation, and as we thank them for all they do to keep us safe, we must also honor the sacrifice of those we have lost by upholding the ideals our nation was founded upon.
“While this date continues to live in infamy, it should also remind us how a galvanized nation can come together as one to fight to protect our democracy. During these times of crisis, division and adversity, let us reflect on how much we can overcome when we are united, and work together to help forge a better future for all Americans.”
MEDINA – The Orleans County Health Department has received a positive Covid-19 test result from an individual who was at Mariachi De Oro in Medina on:
Wednesday, December 2nd, from 3 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, December 3rd, from 11 a.m. to noon.
Contact tracing is in progress. However, unidentified individuals may have unknowingly been in contact with the positive cases.
We advise all individuals who were at Mariachi De Oro on the stated dates and times to monitor their symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms of Covid-19 develop, contact your primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until you receive your test results.
Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
(Editor’s Note: Mariachi has closed its dining room for about two weeks and will be doing take-out orders only until the dining room reopens.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 December 2020 at 9:53 am
BARRE – The Town of Barre will hold a public hearing today at 6 p.m. for its proposed ordinance on wind energy projects.
The Town Hall is closed to the public due to Covid-19 concerns. People can be part of the hearing by calling (585) 589-5100, enter 5, and then 4321#.
The hearing will also be live on YouTube by clicking here.
Comments and questions can be texted to 588-590-6069, emailed to spogue@townofbarreny.com, the right side of YouTube, or the drop box to the left of the front door.
All comments must be in by the close of business on Dec. 14. Comments and questions with responses will be posted on the town website.
Bridge building, Jeddo, 1916, Orleans County History Department collection.
By Catherine Cooper, County Historian – Vol. 1, No. 2
RIDGEWAY – Part of the fascination of local history is that it adds layers of depth to our experience of our surroundings.
The accompanying photograph is of men building a bridge at Jeddo in 1916. However, the background brings into consideration several factors: the determination of the early settlers, how a determined re-routing of water led to the formation of a vibrant settlement, and an appreciation of oral history for preserving the details that enhance the story.
On June 11, 1916, the steel bridge spanning Jeddo Creek on Ridge Road collapsed and fell into Johnson Creek. The Medina Daily Journal of June 12, 1916 reported:
“The water raised so high Saturday and Sunday that it washed out the abutments and foundation of the bridge spanning the creek.”
Town of Ridgeway officials acted quickly. Highway Superintendent Harry Waldo and Town Supervisor Burt Smith declared the bridge a “total wreck” and on June 14 at a special meeting, the Town Board called for a proposition to raise taxes by the sum of $5,000 to construct a concrete archway or bridge over Jeddo Creek at Ridge Road, this proposition to be voted on July 5.
On June 22, 1916, it was reported that a “substantial temporary bridge which could be crossed by a detour has been completed over the creek at Jeddo, consequently travel on the Ridge highway will not be interrupted while the stone arch, planned to take the place of the old bridge, is being erected.”
This bridge was completed by November.
The 1916 bridge collapse was not the first such at Jeddo. A severe flood in 1897 washed out a dam and the foundation of the mill. Yet another flood occurred in 1902. Jeddo residents may have wondered if these occurrences were the result of a stealthy re-routing of the creek by earlier settlers. This intriguing item of local lore has thankfully been preserved in an oral history interview conducted by former Historian Arden McAllister with Horace Bird in 1978.
According to Mr. Bird, the land around the Jeddo area was wet and swampy, and was referred to as “Wild Cat Swamp.” The creek then was but a stream which moved sluggishly along the south side of Ridge Road and joined the Oak Orchard River south of Ridgeway Corners.
Pioneer settler, Jeremiah Brown, took his oxen and dug a trench across Ridge Road to divert the water. Farmers on the north side were furious as their land flooded, so they filled in the trench. Jeremiah persisted with re-digging the trench and soon the volume of water draining north created a channel which joined with Johnson Creek and necessitated the construction of a bridge. The drained farmland proved very suitable for fruit orchards. The volume of water proved suitable for a mill and soon the settlement grew to include a saw mill as well as a cooperage, a blacksmith shop, a store, and for some time, a jelly factory.
Too often, we traverse historic Route 104, aware of the hamlets only as areas to reduce speed. Next time, take note of the jaunty oversize bowling pins at Jeddo Mills Antiques and salute the determination of the settlers, bridge builders, millers and merchants who lived there.
The president and vice president of Save Ontario Shores (SOS) testified at New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) virtual public hearing on Monday (Nov. 30), regarding draft regulations that would make it easier to develop large-scale industrial wind and solar projects in New York State.
ORES, which is controlled by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, would be able to sidestep local laws protecting public health, environment, property values, recreation and tourism in order to advance the governor’s green energy agenda.
SOS Vice President Kate Kremer called it “outrageous” that ORES is advancing regulations, with far reaching implications for rural towns, during a pandemic.
“Developers with current applications for projects, including Apex’s Heritage Wind in Barre, are taking steps to quickly move to this new project-friendly regulatory system,” she said. “For rural communities it is a new process that is hopelessly stacked against them.”
Noting that the state has extended unemployment insurance, the tax filing deadline and the deadline for Covid-related residential and commercial evictions, SOS is calling on New York State to extend the deadline for implementation of the green energy regulations.
“These hearings are part of a fundamentally flawed process,” Kremer said. “SOS was informed that if we wanted to see the public comments on the draft regulations, we would have to go through the Freedom of Information Law process that can take months. This newly formed office should post documents on its website. Making citizens go through the lengthy FOIL process to see public comments or the hearing transcripts is outrageous!”
ORES has said it has the legal authority to make these hearings virtual under executive orders issued by the governor. This action makes the hearings less accessible to the very people that will be the most impacted by them, rural New York residents who, in too many cases, do not have access to high speed internet and do not have reliable phone connections.
From a technical standpoint, the virtual public hearing was cumbersome and confusing. SOS continues to request that the in person public hearings in Western New York that were replaced with web-based hearings, be rescheduled when it is safe to do so.
In her testimony, SOS President Pam Atwater quoted Karen Schneller-McDonald of Hickory Creek Consulting LLC, an environmental expert engaged by SOS: “The proposed regulations do not reflect an understanding of environmental science and now conventional methods to review and mitigate environmental impacts. Many sections read like they are written by someone with little or no understanding or experience with wetland science, watershed management, ecology, and best practices for stream protection. This does not serve the best interests of the people of New York State and protection of our water resources.”
“One has to wonder what New York State will look like if projects go through with little or no science-based analysis of the impacts,” Atwater said. “There’s been a lot of criticism regarding the rejection of science at the federal level and it appears that New York State is following suit.”
Save Ontario Shores was formed in 2015 to oppose the Lighthouse Wind Project, which calls for the installation of 47 industrial wind turbines in the towns of Somerset and Yates in Niagara and Orleans counties. The wind turbines would tower to almost 600 feet, taller than the One Seneca Building in downtown Buffalo.
The virtual public hearing was one in a series across the state conducted by ORES regarding the proposed changes to the siting process. The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act requires ORES to hold four public hearings in different regions of the state to solicit comment on the uniform standards and conditions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2020 at 7:45 pm
ALBION – Santa Claus will be coming to town on Dec. 19. The jolly old elf has shied away from many in-person gatherings this season due to Covid-19 concerns.
But he will be greeting people on Dec. 19 at the Hoag Library parking lot from 1 to 2 p.m. in Albion. He will visit with children and their families as long as they are wearing masks and adhering to social distancing. Santa may also take a ride around the village to wave to youngsters.
The Albion Lions Club is planning the event, which will also will include a visit by Deputy Jeff Cole and his K-9 Otto, and an appearance by Dominic the Donkey and his horse friend.
The Lions Club also is doing a toy drive and letters for Santa. The toys can be dropped off at Roots Hair Salon at 29 Bank St., Jeff Colonna’s can redemption center on Hamilton Street, and 169 State St. in Medina. Dan Conrad, the Lions Club president, will deliver the toys as Santa at the Community Kitchen, the event at the Hoag parking lot, through the Hands 4 Hope ministry and also will visit some homes in the community to give out the presents.
The letters to Santa can be dropped off at Roots Hair Salon, Bloom’s Flower Shop at 139 S. Main St. and 169 State St. in Medina.
That address in Medina is for Best of Tymes Party Rental. It will be hosting Santa this Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. with cotton candy, popcorn and a hot cocoa bar.
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Health Department has received multiple positive Covid-19 test results from individuals who were at Eli Fish in Batavia on Wednesday, November 25th, from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Contact tracing is in progress. However, unidentified individuals may have
unknowingly been in contact with the positive cases.
We advise all individuals who were at Eli Fish on the stated date and time to monitor symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms of Covid-19 develop, contact a primary care provider to seek testing immediately and self-isolate until the test results are received.
Symptoms of Covid-19 include but are not limited to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2020 at 4:52 pm
Genesee reports a death from Covid at Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Batavia
Orleans and Genesee counties today are reporting 53 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the two counties.
In Orleans, there are 21 new cases, bringing the county’s total to 662 positive cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Gaines, Murray, Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said in an afternoon news briefing.
Two of the new cases are residents of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina, the first new cases there since June. Orchard had 58 of its residents test positive for Covid during the spring surge.
Orleans today is reporting two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Six county residents are currently hospitalized due to Covid-19.
In Genesee County, there are 32 new positive cases of Covid for a total of 1,036 cases since March.
The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pavilion, Pembroke, and Stafford.
The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
One of the new positive individuals is a resident at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia. The Health Departments also said one of the previously reported individuals at the VA Medical Center is not a current patient and has been removed from the facility count.
The county also is reporting 32 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
In Genesee, there are 16 residents hospitalized from Covid, up from 13 the previous day.
A resident of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia also has died after contracting Covid-19. The resident is over the age of 65. This is the ninth Genesee resident to die from Covid.
• 3-County Data: Click here to see an online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. There are currently 327 active cases in the three counties, up from 297 on Wednesday. The active cases today include 177 in Genesee, 59 in Orleans and 91 in Wyoming.
• Statewide Data: Of the 203,440 tests reported yesterday, 9,855 were positive or 4.84% of total. That is up from 8,973 new positive cases on Tuesday or 4.63% of total.
The total hospitalizations were at 4,063 on Wednesday, which was up from 3,924 on Tuesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2020 at 3:25 pm
Residents urged to take survey, sharing internet needs, frustrations
A group from Orleans County wants to document the high-speed internet gaps in the county, and hear how a lack of internet access is affecting businesses, students and residents.
The Orleans County United Way received a $50,000 grant to study the issue. It has hired a consultant who has interviewed school, business and community leaders on the issue. Mary Beth Debus, president of Program Savvy Consulting, also has prepared a survey for residents to share about their internet access and how it affects them. (Click here to see the 48-question survey.)
The United Way has formed a steering committee for the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative. The committee includes Dean Bellack, executive director of the Orleans County United Way; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; Kelly Kiebala, director of the Orleans County Job Development Agency; Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County; and Greg Reed, director of the Orleans County YMCA.
“We are in the information-gathering stage,” Bellack said.
Debus is working to have the community interviews done and surveys tabulated for a report in March. That information will allow the county to then pursue funding through the state or federal government, or through at least 20 foundations.
County Legislator Ken DeRoller said the internet shortcomings are a major barrier for businesses and students, who need high-speed internet access to file reports and do assignments. The lack of high-speed internet, especially in the more rural areas, also is a deterrent to attracting residents, who expect high-speed internet not only for work and school, but for leisure when watching Netflix or other videos and television.
Even migrant farmworkers want high-speed internet when they are staying in Orleans County. Not having it can be a deterrent to attracting farm labor, DeRoller said.
There are 10,500 housing structures with about 14,000 units in the county. DeRoller said about 30 percent do not have access to high-speed internet. Many others don’t have enough bandwidth to accommodate multiple devices at once in a home.
That is a concern shared by the five school district superintendents in Orleans County. Many students have been frustrated with remote learning at home because they can’t download homework or watch teachers give instruction through videos.
“It has become so clear there are real barriers to various needs within the community,” Debus said.
Another consultant has estimated it would cost $4 million to bring broadband to everyone in the county, through a combination of cable and wireless. DeRoller said Orleans County is ready to apply in a new road of federal funding, with applications expected to be accepted in January.
The cost of the service also is a barrier for some residents. The survey will ask that question: if the needed bandwidth is too costly?
The committee also believes there is a knowledge gap for many residents, especially senior citizens, with using computers. They might want to order groceries online and pick them up or have them delivered but might not know how to use Instacart.
The survey and study could show there is a need for computer literacy educators in the community to help people use the technology, including downloading and using apps.
There is also an option for telehealth services where residents could communicate with healthcare professionals through Facetime or other video conferencing. The survey asks residents if they know how to use that technology.
The committee is currently focused on phase 1, the data gathering. Phase 2 of the initiative will list the internet needs in the county and “how to get there” with funding the project.
The group has three focuses with the high-speed internet expansion: employment, education and equity.
DeRoller said the internet isn’t a matter of convenience. It’s a critical issue for the county residents and making the community attractive for living and working.
“We need to be competitive in this environment,” he said.
BROCKPORT – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the Park Avenue/Fayette Street bridge over the Erie Canal in the village of Brockport, Monroe County, will temporarily close next Tuesday for approximately four months to rehabilitate the structure.
Construction will include the replacement of the flooring system to strengthen the bridge in anticipation of increased traffic volumes during the replacement of the nearby Route 19 (Main Street) lift bridge, which will require a long-term closure beginning in 2022.
During this winter closure there will not be a detour posted, though motorists may use the nearby Main Street lift bridge to cross over the canal. All construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.
