BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
Borrello, Sempolinski address region’s concerns at Ellicottville town hall session
ELLICOTTVILLE —
State Sen. George Borrello
hosted a town hall meeting at the Ellicottville Town Center on July 16 where a group of about 30 residents asked questions covering everything from energy bill hikes to Medicaid cuts to local issues with infrastructure, drug activity and homelessness.
Joined by Assemblyman
Joe Sempolinski, Borrello first spoke of recent activity in Albany, saying some of the topics of discussion included affordability, public safety and energy — things he said were not addressed during the latest legislative session.
“Unfortunately, in a lot of ways, they went the wrong direction, and that’s the concern that I’m having,” the senator said.
“One of the big issues is the burdens that regulations place on agriculture. What I’m hearing from farmers is there’s a lot of things putting strain and pressure on their ability to feed us.”
Sempolinski, who took office in January, said he’s honored to be the voice of the folks in his district and to make sure their voices are heard in Albany. He
said it can be frustrating, but there have been a lot of successes already in blocking bad things from happening, noting the defeat of the bill to limit dairy farmers to 700 cows.
Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said one of their goals is to help whoever reaches out to their offices, especially getting constituents in contact with the right people to address whatever issues or questions they might have.
“The best part of the job is helping someone who’s gotten caught up in the red tape of government,” he added.
A Cattaraugus resident asked about the rising costs of energy, notably through New York State Electric and Gas, wondering why the increases keep happening and how they’re different from National Grid. Borrello said Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democratic majority’s push for alternative energy such as wind and solar is extremely expensive infrastructure, and a portion of those costs are put back on the consumer.
“They’re not making wind and solar more affordable — they’re emaking traditional forms of energy less affordable, and that’s the agenda,” he added.
Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, agreed with Borrello, saying
bad policy from Albany is the general driving force behind increased energy bills.
Another resident asked about the impact the cuts to Medicaid will have on rural healthcare services.
Borrello said about 44% of New Yorkers have coverage through Medicaid — about 7.5 million people, according to the state Department of Health. The senator said Medicaid’s reimbursement levels to rural hospitals are far below
the real costs of that care, as well as in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and care for people with developmental disabilities.
“We have the power within our own state budget to fix this, to make sure all our rural hospitals get everything they need, if they would just address the waste, fraud and abuse that’s already been identified, and that’s the part that really upsets me,” Borrello said.
A Seneca Nation resident
Signs it’s time to replace gutters
Home improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional.
A gutter replacement might not inspire the same level of excitement as a room addition or an overhaul of an outdoor living space, but new gutters can help to prevent roof damage and make properties safer by ensuring rain water is directed away from walkways.
Homeowners who suspect it might be time for a gutter replacement can look for these signs of fading gutters.
• Cracks or splits: Cracks or splits at the seams of the gutters where two pieces connect is a telltale sign they need to be replaced. Cracks or splits are can slowly lead to separation of gutter pieces, which will lead to leaks. But not all cracks or splits are found at the seams. In fact, some homes feature seamless gutters, which also can crack or split. Regardless of where they’re found, cracks or splits are a warning signs of fading gutters.
• Rust: Rust is rarely a good sign whether you’re looking at a vehicle or even garden tools. Rust also is a bad sign in relation to gutters. Gutters are painted, and not only for aesthetic purposes. Paint on gutter also serves to protect them from water. When paint begins to flake, gutters will begin to rust and may even produce noticeable rust flakes on the ground below. Rust on gutters and
rust flakes beneath them are indicative of gutters that need to be replaced.
• Gutters pulling away from the home: Gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home is a sign that they need to be replaced. Gutters are fastened to a home during installation, which ensures they can withstand rain and water. Over time, those fasteners can wear down, ultimately leading to gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home. Though gutters can be refastened, eventually they will need to be replaced.
• Pooling water: Pooling water in a gutter may just be a sign that gutters need to be cleaned. However, pooling water on the ground directly beneath gutters indicates they’re not effectively directing water away from the home.
• Water damage inside: A home’s interior might not be the first place homeowners look when inspecting for damaged gutters, but a flooded basement or crawl space could indicate a gutter problem. Gutters and downspouts are designed to direct water away from a home when functioning
properly. When that isn’t happening, water can pool beneath the foundation, leading to pooling water and other water damage in basements and crawl spaces.
Gutter replacement projects may not be exciting, but new gutters can make a home safer and prolong the life of a roof and other features on a property.
asked about the ongoing issues with the city of Olean’s sewage overflows into the Allegheny River and what Borrello and Sempolinski could do to help the situation. Borrello said he and Sempolinski have both been aware of the ongoing discussions and noted that Nation and Olean officials recently met to discuss various solutions.
“The DEC has been tolerant with them and this facility that is a century old
and really outdated and needs to be replaced,” the senator said. “It’s now being forced to go in the right direction. We had a meeting not that long ago on an alternative, on a modern facility, so we’re going to push for that.”
“This is something I hear a lot about from everybody downstrea, whether it be the Seneca Nation or Salamanca or Allegany,” Sempolinski said. “Where George and I come in is we represent every one of those folks in those communities… I concur with the senator that this is something where we need a long-term solution.” Other topics brought to Borrello and Sempolinki’s attention that they said they’d look into further and help where they can included a proposed gravel pit project on South 9 Mile Road in Allegany; hindrances with vehicle registration for antique (50-plus year) vehicles; a state DOT project planned for Route 353 in Little Valley and its impact on the county fairgrounds; upstate regions having to support the New York City area; and the continued issues of drugs and homelessness in the Southern Tier, and the lack of programs and policies needed to address them.
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
State Sen. George Borrello addresses a crowd of about 30 Cattaraugus County residents during a town hall session July 16 in the Ellicottville Town Center.
New video marks West Valley demolition milestone
WEST VALLEY
Did You Know?
Chicken is a wildly popular food source that contributes 90 percent of the world’s poultry meat production according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Chicken lovers may wonder if white meat really is, as some suggest, a healthier option than dark meat. That answer is somewhat elusive, and a sideby-side comparison of the two conducted by a registered dietitian for EatingWell affirms that elusiveness. One cup of dark meat (3.4 grams) is higher in saturated fat than the same size portion of white meat (1.4 grams), and that’s arguably the reason behind the former’s reputation as a less healthy option than the latter. But
some may note that the fat content in dark meat makes it juicier and therefore requires less seasoning than white meat. Chicken seasoning tends to be high in sodium, which can offset some of the nutritional benefits of white meat compared to dark meat, particularly since the sodium content in each type of meat is roughly the same (133 milligrams for dark meat, 104 milligrams for white meat). Individuals who have certain health conditions, such as diabetes and pancreatitis, should opt for white meat over dark meat because they have much to gain from eating a low-fat diet. Others can consult with their physicians to determine if their best option is white meat or dark meat.
& Sporting Supplies
Out & About FOOD PLOT SEASON
& FERTILIZER, LIQUID
A new video has been released for the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) and its contractor as they highlight the safe completion of the Main Plant Process Building demolition.
The video features subject matter experts from EM and contractor CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley (CHBWV) with more than 200 years of combined experience in nuclear decommissioning and environmental cleanup.
“The purpose of this video is to thank every employee here and commend them for their safety and compliance with local, state and federal regulations while performing this work,” said Bryan Bower, WVDP Director. “It all started 20 years ago with the deactivation and decontamination of the Main Plant. Dedicated men and women went room by room and removed contaminated piping and equipment to help us achieve this major milestone. This is truly an incredible workforce.”
The Main Plant Process building was the largest, most complex demolition of a radioactively contaminated facility at the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) to date, achieving a 2025 priority for the cleanup program. Some employees have worked their entire careers in the building, supporting operations, deactivation and now the completion of the demolition.
The building’s successful demolition will further reduce environmental risks and position the site for the next phase in cleanup. WVDP officials reported the demolition was completed 30 days ahead of schedule
and $30 million under budget.
The video features subject matter experts who provided technical support and oversight to ensure that this project was performed safely and compliantly.
“We have excellent craft and skilled workers at the site,” said Stephen Bousquet, WVDP assistant director of the Office of Project Management. “They work hard every day to ensure that the work done here is protective of the public and environment.”
EM’s planned approach to safely deconstruct the Main Plant incorporated best practices and lessons learned from WVDP and the greater DOE complex. It included the use of
deliberately planned and sequenced demolition, implementation of robust work controls and use of specialized tools and techniques.
“The engineering and planning for this project was extremely detailed and comprehensive, so we could execute this work safely at a deliberate speed,” CHBWV President Jason Casper said. “This is a spectacular group of people performing this work. It’s truly been a team effort among EM, CHBWV, union workers and subcontractors.”
The video can be found by visiting CHBWV’s website at CHBWV.com, under “Project Videos” or by visiting the “CHBWV West Valley” YouTube page.
Sempolinski sponsors Organ Donation Fairness Act
ALBANY — Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski is sponsoring a bill to create the Organ Donation Fairness Act to ensure people with physical or mental disabilities are not discriminated against if they need an organ donation.
“No one should be denied a life-saving organ transplant because they have a mental or physical disability,” Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, stated July 21 in a press release. “I want to make sure that people with disabilities are viewed as equals when they need an organ donation. That’s why I am sponsoring this bill.”
Sempolinski cosponsored a federal version of the bill, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, when he was a member of Congress, representing the 23rd Congressional District.
“This issue is near and dear to my heart,” the assemblyman said. “My daughter, my hero, Jojo, has multiple congenital heart defects. She also has Down Syndrome. Jojo’s life and the lives of all New Yorkers with disabilities are as precious and sacred as anyone else’s life and they deserve equal treatment and consideration if they need an organ transplant.”
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda sponsors the bill in the Senate. He thanked Sempolinski for carrying the bill in the Assembly.
“All life is sacred — and just because an individual has a physical or intellectual disability, doesn’t mean
they should be lower on the list to receive life-saving care,” Ortt stated. “The Americans with Disabilities Act expressly prohibits discrimination against these individuals, yet it still exists in our healthcare system when a person with disabilities is in need of an organ donation. This legislation would level the field and protect individuals with disabilities from discriminatory practices.”
Ortt is the former chairman of the Senate’s Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee and Sempolinski is the Ranking Member of the Assembly Mental Health Committee and a member of People with Disabilities committee. Their legislation, S02206 in the Senate and A6924 in the Assembly, is under review by the Senate and Assembly Mental Health Committees.
Family members and other advocates for the disabled, including the National Down Syndrome Society and the ARC, have called for the legislation and more transparency in the organ transplant eligibility process.
Similar laws have been adopted by other states.
“I look forward to working with Sen. Ortt and our colleagues in the Senate and Assembly to get this incredibly important bill passed in the coming legislative session,” Sempolinski said. “I also want to thank Sen. Ortt for asking me to join him in championing this effort to protect New Yorkers with disabilities.”
Steinbroner family celebrates 85 years of reunions
BY DEB EVERTS
SALAMANCA
— The Steinbroner family celebrated five generations of memories at their 85th annual reunion July 11-13 when descendants of George and Alice Steinbroner met new cousins and got reacquainted with familiar faces.
The three-day event kicked off Friday evening, July 11 with a family reception, attended by 68, at the Ellicottville Brewing Company in Little Valley. Saturday’s main event took place at Allegany State Park with 100 attendees who enjoyed the daylong gathering July 12. A goodbye breakfast, catered by Katie‘s Fly-In at the Kill Buck Pavilion, was enjoyed by 61 on Sunday morning, July 13, followed by the annual Euchre tournament.
Paula Fucarino, reunion president and a grandchild of George and Alice, said the Steinbroner family currently has 305 living descendants across 26 states with 10 states represented this year. She said 361 were originally
part of George and Alice’s branch of the family tree.
In 2015, Fucarino expanded the scope of the Steinbroner Family Reunion to include the families of George’s three other adult siblings, John, Arthur and Irene. She said the family welcomed a few newcomers this year.
“More people came to our 75th reunion, but so many have moved away or passed on, and the younger kids don’t have the investment of a family reunion,” she said.
Fucarino’s greatgrandparents, George Steinbroner and Catherine Mahoney, who married in July 1886 in Meadville, Pa., had five children together — Joseph Wilhelm, George Patrick, John Frederick, Arthur Lawrence and Irene Catherine — with a total of 581 descendants. She said their son, George, and his wife, Alice, had the majority of descendants with 361.
The annual Steinbroner reunion began in 1940 with the families of George Steinbroner and the former Alice Hogue, who married in November 1907. Together, they had 14 children, 12 of whom reached adulthood — Mary, Lucille, Alice, Jeanette, Ruth, Marjorie, Sue, Gerald, Thomas, Frederick, John (Jack), George, Daniel and Frances (Lord), who was the youngest child and only one still living.
Fucarino said George
AUTO CORNER
Did You Know?
Drivers undoubtedly have noticed their vehicles need less frequent oil changes than cars once required. The longtime standard oil change interval of once every 3,000 miles no longer applies, and that’s thanks to the pivot away from conventional oil to synthetic oil. The molecular structure of synthetic oil and its ability to perform better at extreme temperature means drivers can now drive significantly longer distances between oil changes. In fact, Car and Driver notes that synthetic motor oils provide better startup performance and flow at temperatures down to minus-40 Fahrenheit and
then endure extremely high temperatures without oxidizing, thickening or turning black. The reason synthetic oils need less frequent changes is that they can maintain their superior properties two to three times longer than conventional oils. Though each vehicle manufacturer is different and drivers are urged to consult their owner’s manuals regarding synthetic oil change interval recommendations, it’s not uncommon for modern vehicles to range between 5,000 and 7,000 miles before they need an oil change. Some synthetic oil manufacturers even note their products can last more than 10,000 miles.
and Alice lived and raised their family in Salamanca, living on Penn Avenue and River Street. All their children attended the former St. Patrick’s Catholic School through graduation, and George was a railroader like most men in the family.
“All the children remained very close, but it was primarily the three sisters, Alice, Lucille and Jeanette, who have since passed on, that kept the traditional gatherings going throughout the years,” she said.
SOCIAL MEDIA HAS made it easier to find more family members. Fucarino said they have found many more cousins through their Facebook page — “I’m a Steinbroner.”
The Steinbroner family even has its own logo and song. Fucarino said her two cousins, Tom and Joe of California, brought guitars to the 2004 reunion to play a song they wrote, and it has been “The Steinbroner Spirit Song” ever since, embodying the family’s unity and commitment.
A verse of the song goes, “The Steinbroner spirit, it’s been growing through the years. Who else can you count on, to share the laughter and the tears? Our family has lost and mourned, but we have gained and grown. We will always have each other, we will never be alone.”
Fucarino said her love for Reunion developed when she was a child, as the annual event was often the only time she got to spend with many of her cousins.
“Allegany State Park is where the memories
(of reunion) for me began. Since I was a young child playing in the creek, I knew one day I wanted to be the one to continue the fun for all the cousins to come,” she said. “Even today, it’s still often the only time we see each other. Everyone’s lives are busy, but Reunion brings everyone together. Give that one day to your children that your parents gave to you, full of memories and bonding.”
As reunion president, Fucarino said she always encourages all the family members to come, especially the younger generations, because it develops a sense of identity as part of a family with a shared past.
“Changing things up helps keep the younger generations interested and, if you can get the parents involved, hopefully the children will stay involved,” she said. “I know for me, it’s comforting to know that I’m part of something so much bigger.”
Fucarino, who resides in Florida, has served as full-time president since 1991. She said creating those memories for her aunt and uncles and all the cousins is why she has dedicated as much of herself to the reunion all these years. She said it’s important to keep the family together, especially now, because of her Aunt Fran, their matriarch and everyone’s love for her.
“Think about it — God, faith and family — that is really it,” she said. “To keep this going, it takes energy, enthusiasm and passion that influences everybody. Family is so important.”
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski
family ties strong. The main reunion event, held Saturday, July 12 at Allegany State Park, was well-attended by 100 descendants of George and Alice Steinbroner, as well as those of his siblings, John, Arthur and Irene.
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY SALAMANCA
-Steve Miller Band announced July 16 that it has canceled its entire 2025 tour, including the band’s scheduled outdoor performance at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino on Saturday, Aug. 30.
In a statement, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said extreme weather conditions are making touring unpredictable and the risks “unacceptable.”
“You make music with your instincts. You live your life by your instincts. Always trust your instincts,” the band’s statement read in part.
The band has canceled all 31 scheduled dates of its American tour, which was slated to begin Aug. 15 in Bethel, N.Y., and traverse the entire country before concluding in Anaheim, Calif., on Nov. 8.
“The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and massive forest fires make these risks for you our audience, the band and the crew unacceptable,” the band’s statement continued. “You can blame it on the weather... The tour is cancelled.”
Refunds for ticket purchases made through Ticketmaster. com will be issued automatically. Refunds
Steve Miller Band cancels August casino show, 2025 tour
for tickets purchased in person at any Seneca Resorts & Casinos retail site must be requested in person, with proof of purchase.
Ticketholders who purchased tickets through a third-party ticket broker must contact that third-party entity to seek a refund. Third-party refunds will not be available through Ticketmaster or any Seneca Resorts & Casinos retail site. Seneca Allegany
Resort & Casino will present an outdoor concert as planned with Lonestar and Montgomery Gentry, featuring Eddie Montgomery, on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets for that show are still available, starting at just $25. In addition to Lonestar and Montgomery Gentry, other upcoming performances and events at Seneca Allegany Resort &
Casino include:
• July 26 – Terry Bradshaw. Tickets start at $40.
• Aug. 9 – Boozy Bingo. Tickets start at $20.
• Sept. 13 – Seneca Sips Beer & Wine Festival. Tickets start at $35.
• Sept. 20 – Bret Michaels: PartiGras Tour 2025.
Tickets start at $50.
• Sept. 27 – Bare
Knuckle Boxing. Tickets start at $45.
• Oct. 25 – Aaron Lewis & The Stateliners. Tickets start at $50.
• Nov. 7 – Ron White. Tickets start at $50.
• Nov. 8 – Dwight Yoakam. Tickets start at $55. To purchase tickets, Seneca Resorts & Casinos uses all paperless ticketing for all events at all of its properties. Tickets may be purchased online at senecaalleganycasino. com or ticketmaster. com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at The Logo Shop inside Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino. A secure link, sent by either email or text, allows guests to save tickets to their phone or mobile device.
Photo courtesy Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller Band announced it has canceled its Aug. 30 performance at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino’s outdoor concert series, along with its entire 2025 tour.
Randolph dancers return from magical Disney World performance
RANDOLPH
—A select group of talented dancers from Expressions Performing Arts Center (EPAC) recently returned from the performance opportunity of a lifetime — taking the stage at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.
The dancers, ranging in age from 7 to 19, were invited to perform as part of the Dance the World Program, showcasing their hard work, dedication and passion for dance in “the most magical places on Earth.”
The team performed in the parade down Main Street USA in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, in a parade at Disney Springs and as a part of the Dance the World showcase gala at Disney’s EPCOT park, delivering a high-energy, choreographed routine to a cheering crowd of family, friends and Disney guests.
“It was an unforgettable experience,” said EPAC owner Melissa Anderson. “Our dancers worked incredibly hard to prepare, and they represented our studio and community with so much grace, talent, and professionalism.”
To perform at Disney was a dream come true for so many of the young performers, Anderson said, and it was great to see the dancers, instructors and families coming together to make amazing memories.
“Like our good EPAC friends, Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, we’ve always said, ‘Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten,’ and we made sure our whole instructor team was on our performance stage, even if they couldn’t be there physically,” Anderson said. “Our showcase performance
contained a variety of choreography sections compiled from all of our instructors.”
In addition to the performance, some members of the group were also able to take a master class with Brandon Armstrong, a current cast member of the TV series, “Dancing with the Stars.”
This trip also marks another milestone for EPAC, which continues to provide its students with enriching performance opportunities, Anderson said. EPAC students have represented the studio with performances for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Hersheypark and previous appearances in Disney World parades and stage shows, as well as various local events, festivals, parades and their two annual recitals.
The EPAC competition teams have also won numerous awards, regionally, nationally and internationally, including being awardwinning finalists in the World Dance Championships, Anderson said. These experiences all underscore EPAC’s commitment to not only training strong dancers but also nurturing confident, wellrounded individuals.
Expressions
Performing Arts Center is located at 75 Main St. in Randolph and offers a full range of dance and performance classes for all ages and abilities, including ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, hoop dance, liturgical dance, combo classes for younger dancers starting at 1.5 years old and opportunities for those interested in being a part of their competition teams in jazz/contemporary, hip hop, tap and pom pom dance at youth and high school
level. Enrollment for the 2025–26 school year is now open. For more information, visit www.expressions performingarts. com, or contact the studio directly at info@expressions performingarts.com or (716) 499-3513.
Photo provided
Dancers from Expressions Performing Arts Center in Randolph recently had the opportunity to take the stage at Disney World. Pictured (front row, from left): Novelle Morton, Torrey Smith, Sofia McCue, Nichole Smith, Ellie Colgrove, (middle row) Chloe Braley, Serena Hill, (back row) Lily Milford, Owen Anderson, Kimberly Grodecki and Korina Cronk.