Local News
ALBION: Protection Board asks for 20 percent matching cash grant
The Orleans County Farmland Protection Board is asking the county Legislature to OK money to participate in the Farmland Protection Plan. A proposal has been on the drawing boards for the past few years, but the money and timing were never right, due to the requirement for a 20 percent matching cash grant from the county, in order to apply for a state grant.
“What is being proposed here is nothing new,” said county Legislator William Eick. “But it’s an ongoing topic, and every year it’s, ‘Is there money to go ahead with the project?’ I think if we would have done it 10 years ago, we would have been in better shape. But who knows when the best time is? I think it is a very worthwhile grant to go after.”
The Orleans County Farmland Protection Board is a county board, paid for by the Legislature. The board’s purpose is to oversee the preservation of agriculture and farmland through economic enhancements and development. The state offers a grant program for counties to develop a farmland protection plan.
According to Farmland Protection Board member Barry Flansburg, for years they have wanted to create a plan, but the 20 percent matching cash grant has stopped them from applying because they do not have a budget.
“What a plan does is provide a comprehensive survey of the current state of ag and farm land in the county,” Flansburg said.
He also said that the plan provides an assessment of what the economic development opportunities are in the agricultural industries and is a way to determine how the county will take advantage of agricultural opportunities.
“Given the fact the Orleans County is an agricultural county, I think it’s basic and important that we have an understanding of farmland protection and a plan in place,” said Legislator David Callard. “I would encourage the Legislature to provide $10,000 toward the end of the year, so we can begin this process. I think it is vitally important.”
Legislator Gary Kent showed concerns about the proposal and asked what the minimum amount needed was to start this process. Though a minimum couldn’t be established, Farmland Protection Board members said that Genesee County used $80,000 to start its plan 10 year ago. The board believed it would need between $40,000 and $50,000. This means that with the state grant, between $7,000 and $10,000 would be needed from the Legislature. The money would help pay for a consultant who has an economic background, to create the plan.
In other news:
n Legislator Lynne Johnson commended Genesee County for adopting a resolution to collaborate with Orleans County on the possibility of a regional jail.
“That is where we need to go,” Johnson said. “There is no question that these rural counties can’t afford multi-million dollar jails by themselves. Genesee County did a very good thing here in jumping on that with us.”
- Local News
-
-
Teens accused of harassing mosque parishioners
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Dad gets 6 months in child's death
An Orleans County man who pleaded guilty in June to criminally negligent homicide in his daughter’s death was sentenced Monday to serve six months in jail.
-
Teens accused of harassing Carlton mosque
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Community Action helps children prepare for school
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee completed its annual back to school drive Thursday, helping more than 200 children get supplies.
-
Remembering 9/11
Each year a group gathers in Albion to remember those who lost their lives that September day nine years ago. Holding tributes and candlelight vigils, the Orleans County American Legion has hosted the event to pay tribute to those involved in 9/11.
-
Special gift pushes trust campaign over the top
The Sandstone Trust of Medina has exceeded its 2010 summer campaign goal on the strength of a very special memorial gift which was made public this week. The immediate family of the late Fern J. Blackburn (widow of Paul R. Blackburn) presented a major contribution to the Trust committee in an amount equaling 20 percent of the entire summer campaign goal of $25,000. With this support, the total of summer gifts stands today at approx. $27,000, leaders said.
-
District confirms leave of absence
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department issued an appearance ticket Aug. 21, requiring a district administrator to appear in Batavia Town Court next month to answer a charge of driving while intoxicated. The Holley Central School District can confirm that the administrator has been on leave since Aug. 3, which includes the alleged time of the incident.
-
Village improves skateboard agreement
The Village of Albion board had good news for skateboarders and Santa Clauses on Wednesday, approving the Town of Albion’s offer to help pay for skate park equipment and offering to assist with the upcoming celebration of legendary Santa Claus Charles Howard.
-
Fifty-six years strong for Camp Rainbow Fund
The Camp Rainbow Fund, which inherited its new name six months ago from the former Journal-Register Camp Fund, continued this summer to do good work on behalf of children in Orleans County. A total of $5,074 was raised from the public to send boys and girls “into the sunshine of Camp Rainbow,” located on Town Line Road in the northern part of Ridgeway.
-
Natale introduces book about spirituality, sexuality
Maintaining a relationship with God can be difficult for anyone who is tempted by the distractions of everyday life — money, sex, addictions. But faith goes deeper than the labels affixed to these indulgences and the churches people go to seeking guidance.
- More Local News Headlines
-
