Month: February 2023

February 10, 2023
B650 4th Street, Niagara Falls, New York 14301

Statement Regarding Decision by The Hon. Philip J. Roche To Dismiss All Charges Against Hornell High School Assistant Principal Eli Marcus:

Yesterday, the Steuben County Court dismissed all charges against Eli Marcus. Eli is relieved by the Court’s decision. Eli has staunchly maintained his innocence since the beginning of the investigation. Shortly after the charges were announced, the Hornell City School District Board of Education stated that the charges were not justified. Eli is a family man and life-long educator. With the support of his family, friends, and colleagues, Eli looks forward to putting this saga behind him.

Michele G. Bergevin, Esq.
Mark C. Murphy, Esq.
Attorneys for Eli Marcus

ALFRED, NY, February 10, 2023 – Known for being friendly and offering a warm welcome even in the winter, Alfred, NY is ranked number one in a February 2023 nationwide survey to earn the nickname College Town USA for the home of Alfred State College and Alfred University.
Data analysis by Washington Post Reporter Andrew Van Dam defined the Ultimate College Town by ranking US Census Urban Areas with the largest share of college students. Urban Areas follow population-density patterns, not municipal borders.
Alfred is No. 1 by a wide margin. Winning the number one national ranking for the Ultimate College Town proves that Alfred’s picture-perfect environment away from big city worries stands out among all other university and college towns in the country. Van Dam called Alfred “the collegiest” a term he coined.
Van Dam describes Alfred as a village wedged into Western New York’s hills that is home to both a public and private school, Alfred State College and Alfred University. As noted in the Washington Post, “Students make up an astonishing 85 percent of the town’s population… If you go left at the town’s only stoplight, you’re on one campus. Turn right, you’re on the other. Now that’s a college town.”
Alfred is at the center of the US Northeast. Located along the I-86 freeway, Alfred is a convenient and attractive college town for students from a wide region and around the world. According to NASA’s Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC), there are 104,464,746 people within 350 miles of Alfred. That amounts to approximately one-third of the US population.
Students across New York and from many states choose Alfred to take advantage of a caring academic community, enjoy low student-to-faculty ratios for personal attention, and be part of something special.
Alfred State College (ASC) President Dr. Steven Mauro said, “Living in the Ultimate College Town gives you access to both beautiful campuses and a supportive tight-knit community, including world-class faculty who judge their achievements by how students succeed at launching their careers. With students making up 85 percent of all residents in our village, you know we are student-centered. Great ideas and innovations are shared across Main Street, many alumni met their spouses at the sister school, and everyone benefits from the wealth of recreation to share fun, fitness, and fellowship in such a friendly environment.”
Alfred University (AU) President Dr. Mark Zupan said, “While there is only one traffic light in Alfred, there are plentiful and potent intersections that benefit faculty, students, and staff—including those offered by our sister school, Alfred State College, and the friendly surrounding village. Set in a safe, bucolic valley in the Finger Lakes region of New York, our students make bold discoveries by pursuing multiple pathways and integrating their interests. Alfred University’s purpose is to help our students identify and realize their purpose. The combination of our small size, wide range of programs, applied learning opportunities, and commitment to student engagement through mentoring allows Alfred University to be a talent incubator and socioeconomic development engine.”
Village of Alfred Mayor Becky Prophet said, “In this beautiful valley of Western New York, the word Alfred is applied to three communities that coalesce into a single multifaceted gem. The Village of Alfred, nestled between the two schools, makes an intersection and a gathering place for the valley. There is nothing like the sum of the Alfreds anywhere in the US or, perhaps, in the world. We are the most collegiate of all college towns. We are an excellent place to grow up. We are a fine place to raise a family. But most of all, Alfred is the best place to combine daily life and learning. In Alfred, we live to learn and learn to live for all of our lives.”

February 10, 2023

Richard Ball, whose the State AG & Markets Commissioner, is giving the Governor’s State of the State speech today at 12 Noon, at Hornell City Hall.

See Below:

State of the State Presentation
Location: Hornell City Council Chambers, 82 Main St, Hornell, NY 14843
Date & Time: February 10th at 12pm
Commissioner: Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball

February 9, 2023

Statement From The HornelL Board of Ed: “The Board of Education has been advised, as expected, that all the charges on which Assistant Principal Marcus was indicted last June have been dismissed by the Steuben County Court. We are glad to have this part of the legal process behind us, so that we can remain fully focused on the education of our students.

“In light of the manner in which this claim was brought forward, and in respecting the criminal investigative process, the district was advised not to investigate these claims internally. With the criminal piece behind us, the district is now engaged in that process with an independent entity. Out of respect for the process, and in the interest of the privacy of all concerned, we will have no further comment at this time.”

February 9 2023

State Police:

On February 8, 2023, at 9:43 P.M., Troopers out of SP Amity responded to a vehicle collision on the I-86, west bound in the town of Almond. Investigation determined that a 2017 Dodge Ram, operated by Donald J. Rose, 62 of Angelica, NY was traveling east bound in the west bound lane on the I-86. The 2017 Dodge Ram struck a 2021 Ford tractor trailer traveling west bound, head on. Rose was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Ford was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital my Mercy Flight for injuries.

This is still an ongoing investigation

NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in the investigation.

February 9, 2023

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R, Corning) spoke on the Assembly floor this week, about the unfairness of the state assembly’s new rules. From now on, Republican legislators are allowed to introduce only four pieces of legislation a year, into committee. Palmesano maintains, these rules do not apply to the Democrat majority in the assembly.

February 10, 2023

The American Red Cross recently honored Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) as a 2023 New York state ‘Legislator of the Year.’ Nick Bond, CEO of the Western New York Region for the Red Cross, highlighted that Palmesano helped promote 256 blood drives in his district in 2022 alone. Along with blood drive promotion, Palmesano has worked closely with the organization on the ‘Sound the Alarm’ fire safety program that installs free smoke detectors in homes in addition to promoting and supporting the Red Cross’ critical ‘Services to the Armed Forces’ program.

“I am truly humbled and want to thank the American Red Cross for this tremendous honor. Please know that I look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership in the future. Thank you so very much to all the dedicated staff, board members and volunteers across the state for your incredible, selfless commitment to helping those in need by providing invaluable support for so many,” said Palmesano. “Whether it be providing critical assistance during an emergency or disaster, providing smoke detectors to families, serving our veterans or saving lives through your critical blood drives, the work you do at the Red Cross is truly God’s work. I cannot thank you enough for all you do to serve the people of the 132nd Assembly District and across this state, nation and world.

“It is important to raise public awareness that the Red Cross does far more than just blood drives. Their Sound the Alarm program has installed countless free smoke alarms for residents across our state and they have provided fire safety education to many. The Services to the Armed Forces program continues to help active-duty military members and veterans with important services and programs.

“The American Red Cross relies on the hard work and dedication of countless volunteers. They are the real heroes who continue to put the needs of others in front of their own. While there is nothing we can say to fully thank them, we will continue to highlight their efforts that provide critical services for the most vulnerable and how they are saving lives daily,” concluded Palmesano.

Palmesano is urging residents of the 132nd Assembly District to save a life and donate blood today. He recently posted a county-by-county blood drive schedule for February on his Facebook, available here. Appointments can be made by using the blood donor app, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Feb 9 2023

“The Village of Canisteo has provided Fire and Ambulance Service for the Town of Hartsville for several years. Upon renewing this year’s contract, the Town of Hartsville requested to have their contract remain at the same level from the previous year with no increase, and pay a monthly prorated fee to continue service through March until they could meet with the City of Hornell. The City of Hornell gave all local municipalities an April 1st deadline to contract with them. Canisteo agreed to Hartsville’s requests, with no increase for service and continue to provide service without a signed contract for their residents. The Village of Canisteo will continue to support Hartsville as we all are navigating through this difficult time in ensuring we can provide EMS services to our residents and neighbors.”

February 9, 2023

Emergency Medical Services talks continue. Hartsville Town Supervisor Kriste Gerhard says both Canisteo Mayor Monica Recktenwald and Hornell Mayor John Buckley, want contracts for the ambulance service, which Hornell and Canisteo provide for Hartsville residents. Canisteo also provides Fire Dept service to Hartsville. The call for ambulance service goes to Canisteo first, and if Canisteo cannot provide ambulance service, Hornell is the backup and Hornell takes the ambulance call. According to the Hartsville Town supervisor, Hornell’s contract calls for the Hartsville Town Board to pay $654.00 per ambulance call, to be paid within 30 days of the ambulance call. Also the patient would be required to file payments with their own insurance company. Hartsville’s supervisor also says, Canisteo Mayor Recktenwald wants $49,000 a year from the Hartsville Town Board for ambulance service. Supervisor Gerhard also says, both Mayor Buckley and Mayor Recktenwald want the contracts by April. The Hartsville supervisor says Hartsville does it’s budget in November, so that, according to Hartsville Supervisor Gerhard, is making it so Hartsville will have to dip into reserve funds in order to pay for ambulance service. “We do have a contingency fund,” Gerhard tells WLEA. “That will help with paying Hornell, it should cover up to about $15,000 to $20,000, but that dips into Hartsville’s reserve funds that we were trying to plan for.”

Mayor Buckley says Hornell has been having productive conversations with Hartville, and Hornell hopes to be able to partner with them. Buckley says he’s hopeful that things can be worked out with Hartsville.

We were unable to reach Canisteo Mayor Monica Recktenwald by this posting, but when we hear from the Canisteo mayor, we’ll get her comments aired immediately.

Update – 11:55
From Mayor Monica Recktenwald:

The Village of Canisteo has provided Fire and Ambulance Service for the Town of Hartsville for several years. Upon renewing this year’s contract, the Town of Hartsville requested to have their contract remain at the same level from the previous year with no increase, and pay a monthly prorated fee to continue service through March until they could meet with the City of Hornell. The City of Hornell gave all local municipalities an April 1st deadline to contract with them. Canisteo agreed to Hartsville’s requests, with no increase for service and continue to provide service without a signed contract for their residents. The Village of Canisteo will continue to support Hartsville as we all are navigating through this difficult time in ensuring we can provide EMS services to our residents and neighbors.

February 9, 2023

There were a lot of Hornell businessmen and women at the Downtown Revitalization Grant money last night at Hornell City Hall. “It was a packed house,” said Hornell Mayor John Buckley. “Kicking off the Downtown Revitalization Small Grant Fund. We had a presentation from Ed Flynn from LaBella And Associates, as well as James Reynolds from Insights. Those are the two companies we are partnering with to administer the program. Was very encouraged by the participation, we’re putting together a committee to actually review the applications as they come in, and we’re very excited for the future of Downtown Hornell.”

Applications for the downtown grant funds are due march 15th, the grant money will be awarded in july Biz’s can apply for up to 50k for commercial renovations Up to 25k for upper floor residential project.