Month: February 2023

February 15, 2023

BATH, NY – From Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker: “I reviewed the judge’s decisions that led to this, it all relates back to grand jury presentation. We have the ability to appeal that, as a matter of law, and we have, today filed an appeal with the court, and we’ll be serving the defendent with the same thing. So we will be appealing that decision. We’ll also make an application to reargue. Obviously, we’re making that with the same judge that made the decision, so that may not be get any traction, but we will pursue the appeal, and see what happens. Obviously, I don’t agree with the judge’s decision, but for right now, he is the judge and it’s binding. So we’re working with the judge to see if we can change that.”

On June 1, 2022, Assistant HornelL Principal Eli Marcus was charged with 10 counts of child endangerment. On February 9, 2023, Judge Phil Roche dismissed all of the charges against Principal Marcus.

Wlea News has reached out to the Hornell School Board, and are waiting for a response.
As soon as a response is issued, we will post it.
“The Board of Education has read the article posted on the WLEA’s website that speaks to the District’s Attorney’s response to the Steuben County Judge’s Decision to dismiss all charges against Mr. Marcus. The district has not received anything formal beyond this article and likely will not unless there is a change from the judge’s original decision to dismiss these charges. Given that, it would be inappropriate for the district to offer further comment at this time.”

February 15, 2023

Editors note: background – Senate Republicans sued the Senate Democrats, because Senate Democrats would not a full vote by the whole state senate, on the Hector LaSalle nomination for New York State Court Of Appeals. There were 39 votes against LaSalle, 20 yes votes for LaSalle. This is a definite victory for progressive New York City Democrat state legislators, that believed LaSalle was “too conservative” and “too anti-abortion” for the court of appeals. GOP Legislators deride that idea, saying that LaSalle is a liberal, but not part of the “woke” movement. That has been said on the Wlea Newsmaker Program, by State Senator George Borrello and others, such as Assemblyman Phil Palmesano.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL : “As I have said from the very beginning, the Constitution requires a full Senate vote on a Governor’s nomination for Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. While long overdue, the Senate has finally acquiesced to a vote on the floor on the nomination of Justice Hector LaSalle.

“This vote is an important victory for the Constitution. But it was not a vote on the merits of Justice LaSalle, who is an overwhelmingly qualified and talented jurist.

“Now that the full Senate has taken a vote, I will work toward making a new nomination. I remain committed to selecting a qualified candidate to lead the court and deliver justice. That is what New Yorkers deserve.”

From Rockland County Republican Chair and State Chair Candidate Lawrence Garvey:
New York Republicans once again forced the Democrats to do the right thing. Today’s vote shows just how important a strong Republican Party in our state is. We will keep holding their feet to the fire.”

February 15, 2023

ALBANY, NY – State Senator Tom O’Mara, in the video seen below, grills a state official, on the issue of the costs that the Climate Action Council want to impose on taxpayers, because of the state’s version of the green new deal.

February 15, 2023

HARTSVILLE, NY – Hartsville Town Supervisor Kriste Gerhard says, the Hartsville Town Board is in negotiations with the City of Hornell and Village of Canisteo, over ambulance contracts. “Both mayors have been very responsive and understanding of Hartsville’s needs and concerns,” Gerhard tells WLEA. Also, negotiations are going on in order to transfer the Slate Creek School House, to the Hartsville Historical Society.

Hartsville’s Town Board is also in the process of purchasing a new roller for the town highway department, and the town board is announcing, that they are hiring a third MEO/CDL employee for the highway dept in Hartsville. Anyone interested in that position, should contact the Hartsville Town Clerk, at 607-698-4940.

February 15, 2023

Canisteo Mayor Monica Recktenwald says the village is hiring part time police officers. If you are interested in being a part time police officer for Canisteo – send a resume to the P.D. – or to village hall.

February 15, 2023

CANISTEO, NY – Last night at Canisteo Village Hall, they voted on resolution to enact Local Law #2 of 2023, the Senior Citizens Tax Exemption for persons 65 and older, and it passed.

Mayor Recktenwald tells Wlea News, the board hasn’t signed a contract with Hornell yet for ambulance service, but they have passed the motion to hire Mark Butler to represent the Canisteo to set up billing contracts for ambulance calls.

Republicans had a caucus on January 30 in Canisteo – the candidates are Mayor Recktenwald and trustee candidates Jack beers and James Dineen.

February 15, 2023

State Senator Tom O’Mara announced that he is seeking nominations for the Senate’s 26th annual “Women of Distinction” program to honor local women making outstanding contributions to area communities.

O’Mara and his Senate colleagues annually select a “Woman of Distinction” honoree from their respective legislative districts.

“The ‘Woman of Distinction’ tribute is a meaningful recognition. I look forward to this annual opportunity to recognize an outstanding area citizen,” said O’Mara, whose 58th Senate District encompasses all of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Yates counties, and part of Allegany County (the towns of Alfred, Almond, Amity, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, and Willing). “We all know someone who makes an enormous difference to the community at large. Whether she is a service provider, a law enforcement officer going above and beyond the call of duty, a teacher, a business leader, or simply a community resident known for her good deeds, I’d like to see her recognized.”

Nominations can be submitted online at www.omara.nysenate.gov.

O’Mara’s past “Women of Distinction” honorees have included:
> Carol Berry of Hornell, a longstanding regional library professional and director of the Dormann Library in Bath;
> Virginia “Ginny” Houseknecht of Watkins Glen, a longtime area Cornell Cooperative Extension educator and leader, and founder of the Southern Tier Parkinson’s Disease Support Group;
> Beverly “Bev” Stamp, co-owner and operator of Lakewood Vineyards in Watkins Glen, a long-time and beloved ambassador of New York State’s nationally and internationally renowned wine and grape industry;
> Lauren R. Snyder, a public health professional from Penn Yan who served as the Yates County Public Health Director for 28 years before retiring in 2009;
> Linda Thomas, owner and operator of the Wellsburg Diner and recipient of a prestigious “Small Business Excellence Award” from the U.S. Small Business Administration;
> Dawn R. Smith, Transition and Care Management (TCM) Program Manager at the Bath VA Medical Center and a well-known local veterans advocate;
> Carmella Hoffmann, Owner and Operator of Sunset View Creamery in Odessa (Schuyler County);
> Kathryn J. Boor, a native of Chemung County and the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University;
> Pauline “Polly” Holbrook, a longtime stalwart of civic affairs in the city of Hornell and the Canisteo Valley; and
> Natasha Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

February 15 2023

Senator Chuck Schumer is taking a victory lap, over the number of judges which President Joe Biden, has gotten confirmed by the Democrat U.S. Senate.

@SenSchumer –
“This Senate has confirmed more judges by this point in a president’s term than under either of the two previous administrations, and we’ll keep going.”

February 14, 2023

CANISTEO, NY – 8.95% is the preliminary number for Canisteo-Greenwood’s increase in foundation aid from the state. That’s according to CG School Superintendent Tom Crook. He says, this is the last year that the Governor had to fully fund foundation aid for schools. The superintendent for Canisteo-Greenwood says that if the governor didn’t fully fund, Hochul would have been in violation of a settlement agreement a few years back.

The superintendent also says, the concern now is what happens with state aid for the 2024-2025 school year.