Senator Ortt tours FMC

 

New York State Sen. Robert G. Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) toured FMC Corporation’s Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport this week and presented workers with a proclamation celebrating the 75th anniversary of FMC assuming full operations of the plant.

In issuing the proclamation, Sen. Ortt noted specifically FMC’s planned future investment in the plant, the plant’s economic benefit to the community, new hiring efforts, corporate environmental goals, and workplace safety records.

“The company is an important contributor to the Middleport and eastern Niagara County economies; that economic contribution is set to grow as FMC makes major investments in new employee hiring, product offerings and capital improvements at the Middleport plant,” the proclamation stated.

Plant Manager Brent Sensenich is looking to hire seven new employees, increasing the plant’s workforce to over 70, to meet global demand for agricultural science products to protect and increase food supplies. The Middleport plant formulates and packages a number of key product lines to protect over 100 crops in more than 75 countries worldwide.

“FMC’s Agricultural Sciences Plant in Middleport plays a key role in FMC’s global leadership position in agricultural sciences,” Sen. Ortt’s proclamation further stated.

“We appreciate very much Sen. Ortt’s support for industrial facilities and his encouragement on our 75th anniversary as we continue to work hard for the betterment of our local community and to provide sustainable employment opportunities in our region,” Sensenich said.

The proclamation recognized that “FMC is also committed to the safety of its employees, with ongoing safety training to keep workers safe at home and on the job; that commitment has enabled the Middleport plant to go more than two years as an accident and injury-free workplace without an OSHA recordable incident.”

Regarding environmental goals, FMC announced in August the goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and will use science-based targets aligned with keeping the global temperature at one-and-a-half degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.

Transformers make their way through Gasport

Yesterday, two VERY heavy wide loads made their way through Gasport. Each load weighed 800,000 pounds. Here's the Orleans Hub report with photos:

https://orleanshub.com/giant-transformers-get-escort-from-medina-to-royalton/?fbclid=IwAR2ayvs6Y_4pltWuODQVqkotMWKFwgE4cJkYKS8eyZTghPqILmxsp4SMD8k

Many people have speculated that the giant devices are batteries for local solar farms. They are not. They are transformers for outfitting a new electrical substation that manages a high-voltage line that runs from Royalton to Elma. Here's a 2017 article about that:

 https://energycentral.com/news/power-agency-backs-219-million-upgrade-elma-royalton

Niagara County redestricting plan

The Niagara County Redistricting Commission today released its proposed map for the county’s 15 legislative districts based on 2020 census data. Redistricting takes place once every 10 years. The commission also announced two public hearings for the public to comment on the plan before it is forwarded to the Niagara County Legislature.

“The five members of the commission reviewed the initial census data and unanimously decided that, given the relative stability in population across the county and the fact the current legislative map was unanimously adopted by the Legislature 10 years ago, our focus would be to bring districts into compliance with a minimal amount of disruption to the current district map,” said Steve Brady, chairman of the Redistricting Commission. “The map we are proposing would make no changes to 10 of the districts and only slight population adjustments to the other five.”

Brady said the commission will present the map, explain the redistricting process and accept public comments at two public hearings scheduled for:

• Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.in the Niagara Falls City Hall Council Chambers located at 745 Main Street, Niagara Falls, New York

• Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers, Niagara County Courthouse 175 Hawley St., Lockport, New York.

“I think it’s important for the public to understand the different parameters we have to work under to ensure the redistricting map is constitutional and how that impacts our suggested district lines,” said Brady. “I look forward to their comments.”

The maps and other redistricting information can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/8ybs4v8c.

 

Superintendent update on strategic plan

Dear Community Members,

During the summer of 2020, the Board of Education identified the need to develop a long range strategic plan for our District. Over the past year a committed group of citizens and District employees have spent countless hours in meetings, hosting focus groups, analyzing a community survey and considering additional information presented to them. Their service to our District is greatly appreciated and has resulted in what we believe to be a quality plan that will help sustain a continuous improvement in the quality of our educational program.

On Wednesday, October 13, the Board of Education will host a public hearing regarding the District’s proposed strategic plan. The plan includes four goals and supporting objectives and measures. The goals include:

School Safety, Security, and Learning Places: The Royalton-Hartland Central School District will create, implement, and maintain a caring, safe and orderly learning environment. The facilities and grounds will meet the current and future needs of the students, staff and community.

Academics: The Royalton-Hartland Central School District will strive to ensure that all students will receive a rigorous academic course of study.

College and Career Readiness: The Royalton-Hartland Central School District will strive to ensure that all students will receive a comprehensive K-12 course of study in preparation for college and career.

Student Supports and Services: The Royalton-Hartland Central School District will strive to ensure that all students will receive a comprehensive set of supports and services to address challenges that impact student learning.

We continue to monitor guidance that helps our schools navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. I ask you to continue to monitor your child's health each morning and if needed, keep them home if they are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms or running a temperature of over 100 degrees. I also encourage you to regularly check our District Website to see updates on the CDC, NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Education and Niagara County Department of Health websites. All those who are eligible should also consider obtaining a COVID vaccination.

As always, I hope that you will make an effort to reach out directly or follow me on Twitter @DrStopinski

Sincerely,

Dr. Hank Stopinski

Superintendent of Schools

The strategic plan can be downloaded here:

https://www.royhart.org/cms/lib/NY01913927/Centricity/Domain/4/Strategic%20Plan%20Final%20Draft.pdf

Wolcottsville BBQ

 

Michelle's Memorial

 

September distribution for Food Pantry

If you know of a family in need in the towns of Royalton or Hartland, the Gasport Food Pantry & Clothing Closet will have its monthly distribution tomorrow

 

 

Homecoming parade

 

High speed chase in Gasport

 Here are details of the kidnapping and car chase that went through Gasport -- even on the Canalway Trail at 75 mph -- over the weekend

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/orleans-da-releases-kidnapping-information/article_94503ace-fda3-5fc0-8a59-92e15e6308cb.html?fbclid=IwAR21Yk3OxRqikW9NwtoHa5q2y-8VI9S44IrN6TMJiw_zNF0HooSdayoXC78

New ride at Becker Farms

 

Down on the Farm

 

Class of 1996 mini-reunion

The Royalton-Hartland Class of 1996 is having a 25 Year mini-reunion at the New York Beer Project in Lockport this Saturday evening (9/18).

For more details, visit the event page:

https://facebook.com/.../rhcs-class-of.../561719338304960/

To see that page, you must be an approved member of the Class of 1996 page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/150336088454318

 

Hartland Conservationists chowder sale and flea market

 

Roy-Hart potential threat

Earlier today, Roy-Hart received notice of a potential threat. After investigating with law enforcement it was determined that it wasn't credible.

The situation had escalated to a stressor for a lot of families as students heard rumors and texted parents and friends.

Saddle-up for Roswell

 

TC ends regular bingo

 

At the September meeting, the membership of the Terry's Corners Fire Company voted to discontinue their regular weekly bingo.

TCFC will hold Quarterly SPECIAL bingo events throughout the year. Information on when the special bingos will be held will be posted to their Facebook page.

TCFC would like to thank their regular attendees who have supported them throughout the past years. They couldn't have kept it going so long without you.

Running for Judy

Here's a wonderful report about Zechariah Cartledge, the young lad from Florida who runs for first responders lost in the line of duty. He ran for Judy Spencer and presented the flag to her family personally

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/running-for-judy/article_623c548b-3633-5e4f-a40a-796f95ebf6d1.html?fbclid=IwAR0pN1do_zIvzFXVEECDB9_UoTesSlpJHMZUsJ5md2ofu7EZvlKigE6AR2o

Aurora Genet is opening a new business

 

Aurora Genet is opening a new business in Gasport. Her grand opening is Saturday, September 18th from 9-3pm. After that, her hours are M-F 9-3 and Sat 9-12. She'll be closed on Sundays.

We wish her the best of luck. It's good to see a business starting-up in our community.

Splash pad and park closed during memorial service

 

IMPORTANCE NOTICE FOR THE TOWN OF HARTLAND...

THE HARTLAND TOWN PARK WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING THE SPLASH
PAD FOR THE ENTIRE DAY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH.

THE PARK WILL REOPEN SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS, UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION

Comment period extended for Canal tree removal program

The New York State Canal Corporation has announced the public comment period for its Earthen Embankment Integrity Program is being extended to October 15, 2021. Members of the public wishing to register a comment may do so by emailing NYSCC-Embankments@bergmannpc.com.

This project concerns the removal of trees that could affect the integrity of the canal bank. The Canal Corporation will remove trees and brush smaller than 3 inches in diameter at breast height that impede inspections, and trees larger than 3 inches that are dead, diseased, and imminently dangerous to property and people.

This impacts 125 miles of embankment across the state, including the entire stretch of the Canal through our community.

Details about the program can be found here: https://canals.ny.gov/Earthen_Embankment/index.html