At least three people are sick from natural gas fumes inside the residence at 101 Ross St. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. The call to dispatch was made by National Fuel.
O-AT-KA Milk Products was issued a notice of violation by the DEC on April 24 for chemicals and waste materials being spilled into a lagoon south of Ellicott Street.
The company is complying with all DEC demands and requirements for dealing with spills from its dairy processing plant at the corner of Cedar and Ellicott streets, said David Crisp, director of business development for O-AT-KA.
The spills were brought to the attention of the DEC by Attica resident John Volpe (pictured above), a Native American well known locally for his environmental work.
Volpe said he's concerned about the health and well being of the fish, turtles, frogs and other wildlife in the lagoon, which is part of a 110-acre wildlife refuge owned by Chapin Manufacturing. The creatures, Volpe said, are part of the chain of life.
"This is how we look at our own life," Volpe said. "These are our teachers. All of our relations means just that. They’re all of our relations. You don’t leave out a worm or an eagle or whatever. We’re supposed to watch it and we’re supposed to protect it. That’s one of our jobs as among the people who walk this earth. It should be everybody’s job."
Volpe shared documents he said show serious environmental damage to the lagoon, including photos of more than 100 dead fish and dissection photos taken of dead animals -- such as turtles, frogs and fish -- showing medical issues (Volpe emphasized several times that he and his helpers never killed any animals, but merely took for samples and evidence animals they found dead).
The DEC letter accuses O-AT-KA of violating its SPDES (State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit and three sections of environmental law.
The letter specifically accuses O-AT-KA of causing a drop in water quality standards for pH, solids and water color from spills on at least six separate occasions. The spills, according to the DEC, contained milk and/or cleaning solutions.
The letter also specifically cites a fish kill of various species April 15.
O-AT-KA was accused of discharging water that causes or contributes to conditions in violation of state code; discharging industrial waste in violation of state code; and discharging pollutants at a frequency or volume in excess of permitted standards.
The company was given until May 7 a turn over a document called "Best Management Practices" as well as a summary of response actions, investigations and corrective measures taken for each reported spill since August 2013.
By yesterday, O-AT-KA was required to complete a facility review and submit a corrective action plan designed to prevent or minimize potential damage from future spills.
The DEC also required O-AT-KA to install a continuous recording pH meter.
Crisp said O-AT-KA has been fully compliant with the DEC's requirements, an assertion confirmed by Linda Vera, spokeswoman for the DEC in WNY.
"O-AT-KA has taken a number of actions to mitigate and prevent additional discharges," Vera said.
Crisp said a DEC official was on hand one day recently when an alarm sounded from the new system indicating there was an increase in pH in the outflow line to the discharge pipe and the officials saw firsthand that plant workers responded immediately to correct the problem.
"It really comes down to how dedicated O-AT-KA is to the highest level of environmental protection," Crisp said. "That's why we're working with the DEC to assure O-AT-KA is in compliance with the SPDES permit."
There were two spills of milk, Vera said. One in August and another in October. She said steps were taken to prevent future spills and there have been no similar discharges since October.
"The remaining incidents were related to cleaning solution discharges," Vera said. "Action was taken after each incident to determine the source, and O-AT-KA added monitoring equipment and changed practices to mitigate the issue. During DEC's early May inspection, the probable source was identified. A deteriorated flooring in one of production areas allowed cleaning/disinfection solution to seep into a deteriorated pipe beneath floor. O-AT-KA is taking necessary actions to repair piping and floor."
It's still possible O-AT-KA could be fined for the spills, but the DEC has made no determination yet on further enforcement actions, Vera said.
One source we spoke to for this story suggested we look at the notice of violation delivered to O-AT-KA in context of how many DEC violation notices are handed out locally in a year, suggesting that there's nothing remarkable about a company getting a letter of violation.
According to the DEC's database of spills, there have been 76 incidents reported in the past 12 months in Genesee County. Eight of those have been tied to O-AT-KA, which more than any other source in the county. Only three of those spills -- where the size of the spill is known -- involve 100 gallons or more, and two of those involve O-AT-KA. Those are a spill of 125 gallons of milk product in August 2013 and 3,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide in January.
There were 48 incidents countywide reported in the prior 12 months, none involving O-AT-KA.
The series of spills has been a concern to Chapin, CEO Jim Campbell said, and company officials have met several times with O-AT-KA officials to review the measures taken to prevent future problems.
The 110-acre preserve includes nature trails available to employees and the area is teaming with wildlife, Campbell said. Andris Chapin, a family owner and chairman of the board, is keenly aware of environment issues, Campbell said, and once a year takes interested employees on a nature trail walk through the preserve.
The company also has an environmental manager. He is Mark Volpe, who is also the plant manager and is John Volpe's brother.
Campbell said Chapin is confident O-AT-KA is responding appropriately. It's his understanding, he said, that O-AT-KA has spent more than $100,000 on preventative measures. He said O-AT-KA has recently brought in new executives with a good deal of technical experience in environmental issues.
"They've done a great job and have a great solution in place," Campbell said.
John and Mark Volpe started monitoring and measuring the Chapin's 110-acre habitat in 2008, acquiring and maintaining detailed records on the species and quality of life in the preserve.
It was through that process that John Volpe became increasingly concerned about spills from the O-AT-KA plant, which he said go back further than the August 2013 date covered by the DEC letter.
As he saw more and more environmental damage to the lagoon, he began raising concerns to the DEC, to the point, he believes, that some officials at the DEC started trying to avoid his phone calls.
In his workshop at his home in Attica, Volpe showed dozens of presentation boards displaying charts and tables documenting discharge dates, water temperatures, pH readings and photos of dissected animals and dead fish.
When Volpe found dead fish, he and his helpers photographed where each fish was found, collected them, brought them back to Attica, weighed and identified the species of each fish and photographed each one individually.
The dead fish included sunfish, bullhead and bass.
The DEC was slow to act on contamination issues at the lagoon, contends Volpe.
"Why didn’t the DEC do this and cite them sooner so maybe these fish would still be alive?" Volpe said. "This is not the first fish kill. We’ve had other fish kills."
Volpe's wife caught in a net one bass near death. It was blind, had lost all its slime and was emaciated. The Volpes have nursed it back to health. It's eating again and its eyes have cleared of the haze that covered the pupils. The fish has become more active in its tank.
The blindness and loss of slime is a result of a high pH in the water as well as sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide reaching the lagoon.
Volpe is also concerned about the water temperature in the lagoon, which he said was above 60 degrees in March (he takes the water temperature every day) and the turtles and frogs need the water below at least 50 degrees to hibernate.
There is also evidence of frogs "toxing out," Volpe said. The toxins in the water cause their legs to shoot straight out, become rigid and they can't jump. Eventually, they die.
Volpe was arrested in February and accused of illegal possession of protected turtles and birds of prey.
The DEC had known for years and years about Volpe's conservation efforts involving wildlife, his friend and supporter Mike Bastine said during a meeting at Volpe's house. It was only after Volpe started making waves about O-AT-KA that the DEC decided to come down hard on Volpe.
"If you look at the implications from the spills that he has documented, that has a much greater impact on the environment than the violations they subjected him to," Bastine said. "Is the issue really about protecting the environment and the animals and the life around us? No, not really.
"They think if they can shut that part of his work down, he's going to go away and say, 'they beat me,' that he'll have to throw in the towel because he can't defend himself. They're hounding us saying we need a permit to hold a feather or care for turtles, but that's our responsibility and that's our custom. It's our job. It's our duty to step in an assist."
In her e-mail response to a series of questions, Vera did not respond to the accusation that Volpe has been targeted for enforcement because of his O-TA-KA complaints.
She said the DEC had been monitoring O-AT-KA independently of Volpe, but found his work helpful.
"DEC's actions have been ongoing, and are not dependent on Mr. Volpe's findings," Vera said. "However, some of the discharges discovered by Mr. Volpe, have provided assistance in mitigating the discharges and investigating potential sources."
Volpe said he's also concerned because the lagoon sits over the Batavia's aquifer. All of the city's water is pumped from wells in the area. He thinks the contaminants could seep into the aquifer.
City Manager Jason Molino said that really isn't a concern. Even if any contaminants reached the aquifer, the city treats all of its water before it's distributed.
Molino's confident, he said, the DEC has things under control.
"We've spoken with O-AT-KA and the DEC," Molino said. "I think the DEC is aware of the situation and has responded to it and are in constant communication with O-AT-KA. Otherwise, it's outside our jurisdiction."
This photo is from Genesee County's GIS map. The photographs that comprise the map were taken in April 2013. The Chapin Lagoon is in the lower left. O-AT-KA's plant is in the upper right. There is a dirt road that Hanson Aggregates uses running from Ellicott Street. Beside it is a drainage ditch, which apparently is how runoff from O-AT-KA reaches the lagoon. We have no confirmation of what the milky white substance is in the lagoon, but there is no spill around that time period reported in the DEC database.
Sign by drainage pipe that runs under Ellicott Street to a stream that runs to the Chapin Lagoon.
One of the no trespassing signs marking the property line of Chapin's 110-acre wildlife refuge.
Children who came to the Richmond Memorial Library this morning had a chance to be entertained by and learn about improvisational acting.
Karen L. Eichler and Andrew M. Spragge, of Defiant Monkey Improv, told the children (and parents) about improv and performed skits.
Above, Eichler, playing Billie Bob Horton, squirts a security guard for Billy Bob Thornton with a water pistol while trying to gain access to the actor's mansion. The scenario and scenes were suggested by the audience.
In the final skit, Eichler and Spragge were assisted by Jean Berry and Gina Bergman. Eichler and Spragge couldn't move their bodies on their own. Berry and Bergman had to manipulate their hands, arms, legs and heads appropriate to the dialogue, or at times initiating movements that drove the dialogue. In this scene Eichler is Spock and Spragge is Capt. Kirk and they've just encountered a one-eyed monster that apparently communicates through clicks.
Press release:
A water main repair is scheduled for Tuesday June 3 on Bank Street in the City of Batavia. This work will require Bank Street to be closed to traffic from Chandler Avenue to Ross Street until the repair is completed. The road will be closed at approximately 8:30 a.m.
The repair may cause temporary discolored water in the area or low pressure. Please check to make sure that water clarity has returned before doing any laundry or other activities which could be adversely affected.
Press release:
Jam At The Ridge Presents: Josh Thompson In Concert - Performance Location Change
As you may know, a preliminary injunction has been issued against amplified outdoor concerts at Frost Ridge at this time. To fully comply with the court order and meet our commitment to our guests, the Josh Thompson Concert scheduled for June 7th, 2014 at 5 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) is being moved to:
J W Jones Hall
366 Leicester Road
Caledonia, NY 14423
Maps: Google Bing
The firefighters of Caledonia have been very gracious to provide this space and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. This location is only 14 minutes from camp and is easy to find. If you have any trouble, please come to camp and get a map.
Ticket-holders, please go directly to the venue at the address above.
Campers, please register at the campground and take the FREE shuttle to the venue.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us keep the music alive at The Ridge.
ADDITIONALLY: The attorneys involved in the two lawsuits over Frost Ridge met in conference Friday in the chambers of Judge Robert C. Noonan. The meeting was primarily to go over the calendar of motions and appearances in the case, but attorney Karl Essler was introduced as legal counsel for the Zoning Board of Appeals. Somehow, the ZBA, which has consistently found that Frost Ridge is a legal nonconforming use within the Town of Le Roy's zoning laws, was not notified it was a party to one of the lawsuits. The ZBA was not represented at a hearing that proceeded Noonan's ruling on the current injunction against amplified music and alcohol service at Frost Ridge. David Roach, attorney for Frost Ridge, said Essler will be permitted to file a written argument in the case without opposition from the plantiff's counsel. It's unclear how the additional information might or might not lead to a modification of Noonan's ruling. No date was announced for the next court proceeding.
It has been quite a week for Notre Dame senior Alec Covel.
On Thursday he signed to play for Division II Mansfield University, and the very next day, he pitched the Fighting Irish past Arkport 11-5 to win the Class DD Section V Championship.
“It’s a good way to go out,” Covel said. “There isn’t really much left to do, but hopefully we can finish the season off and keep it going as long as we can.”
Oh, and by the way, he will receive his diploma on Saturday evening.
Things got off to a rocky start for Covel and the Irish, as Arkport took a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning after Brandon Stephens drove in the first run on an RBI triple, and then scored on a passed ball.
The Blue Jays would let Notre Dame back into the game, as they tied the game at 2 on the heels of four Arkport errors.
“We got some gifts early and then later I thought we earned them,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Rapone. “Early in the game they certainly gave us some and we gave them some. We didn’t play well defensively and I think it affected Alec a little bit because he never really got into a rhythm.”
In the second Notre Dame would start to get things going at the plate.
Jarrod Wall scored the tying run after getting on base on an error and then advancing to third on two passed balls before third baseman Jordan Wood committed his second error of the game (scoring the first two runs of the game) on a grounder by Tyler Prospero.
The Irish took the lead after pitcher Nate Warzcok walked Tyler Stroud with the bases loaded.
On the very next at bat, Andrew Mullen would drive in his second and third runs of the game on a 2-out 2-run double.
The defending Class DD champs would continue to battle, not allowing Covel to get into a groove on the mound.
Arkport scored two more runs to cut the lead to 5-4 in the third after Josh McDaniel knocked in a run on an RBI single and Wood scored on an errant throw by Mullen.
“They kept me off balance,” Covel said. “They kept taking their time, untying their shoes and all that. They were in my head a little bit. I was frustrated for awhile but then I found it and finished off well.”
The senior hurler would finish off well, allowing just one run in the final four innings.
The Irish would shake off the surge by the Blue Jays as they broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth.
Jason Hart got things rolling with a one-out walk, followed by a walk by Covel and a single by Tyler Stroud to load the bases.
Mullen would strike again, driving in another run on a single before Cal Tygart drove in two on a double.
If you recall, it was Hart who hit five three-pointers in the Section V championship game not three months ago. Well, in the Section V baseball title game, he reached base safely in all four plate appearances and scored three times.
“Jason just gets on base,” Rapone said. “He walks, he gets on with an error, a flare…he just seems to have that knack of being able to get on base. With Covel hitting behind him, he’s scored a lot of runs this year.”
Notre Dame got two more runs after the shortstop bobbled a Louis Reynolds ground ball that plated Tygart and Mullen.
It looked as if the five-time Section V champions were going to make a run, down 10 to 4 in the fifth.
Covel looked as if he was struggling, allowing three hits to load the bases after errors in the infield.
After Stephens struck out, Craig Lewis drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and Warzcok singled to reload the bases.
But, Rapone stuck with his senior ace and, as great players do, he dug himself out of the hole.
On a 3-2 pitch with two outs Covel faked a pitch and caught McDaniels stealing to end the inning.
“Alec is a seasoned pitcher,” Rapone said. “He’s not going to get rattled because of what’s going on. He made a heads-up play with a 3-2 count, knowing the runners were going to running. He did the fake with a swing-around pick-off. He’s just a smart baseball player.”
Covel would finish off the final two innings 1-2-3 to end the contest and finally get the Irish over the hump after losing to the Blue Jays in the finals in 2001, 2005 and 2012, while being eliminated in the semifinals in 2009.
“We’ve been the bridesmaids a lot of the time,” Rapone said. “Arkport has been on the other side a lot of the time, too. It was nice to come out on top, especially for our seniors.”
Stroud was named the Class DD tournament Most Valuable Player after going 5-for-7 with four RBIs in three games, while also striking out 13 batters and allowing just one run on three hits in the semifinals against Jasper-Troupsburg.
“From Little League it’s something you dream of,” Stroud said. “Now it’s finally here.”
Covel finished the game allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out eight batters to pick up the win.
Mullen went 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs, while Louis Reynolds had two RBIs and reached base three times.
Warzcok allowed eight runs on six hits and walked seven batters in four and one-third innings pitched for Arkport (14-5).
Notre Dame (15-3) will play Class D winner Whitesville on Tuesday at a site to be determined for the opportunity to play in the Far West Regional.
To purchase prints, click here.
A has hit a tree in the area of 39 North Lake Ave., Village of Bergen. Unknown injuries.
Bergen fire and ambulance, and Mercy EMS responding.
UPDATE 2:42 a.m.: Assignment being held to a single Bergen engine.
A motorcycle accident is reported on Sumner Road near the sharp turn at Simonds Road. The rider and his bike are in a ditch. Unknown injuries. Law enforcement is on scene. Darien fire and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 5:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight, although available, will not be needed, according to medics on scene.
UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: The subject has been transported to ECMC. The Darien assignment is back in service.
Batavia PD tracked down a suspected shoplifter from Tops a short time ago behind Falleti Ice Arena. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was found riding his bicycle with the alleged stolen merchandise -- a 30-pack of Budweiser -- strapped to the back.
Three Christians from Genesee County were carrying signs in front of the Planned Parenthood facility on West Main Street, Batavia, this afternoon.
Chris Connelly said the trio felt led by the Lord to inform people about abortion and what they believe goes on at the facility. He said the group has been at the location every day since Friday and will continue as long as they feel God is calling them to the mission.
"We need to expose sin and call it for what it is," Connelly said. "We're out here to let people know, not condemning them. We're out there to let them know -- people who have had the procedure -- that like any other sin it can be forgiven. It can be washed by the blood of Christ, but they need to turn from that. They need to know there are other options."
He said what they're doing is about truth and love.
"We're commanded to love people," Connelly said. "There cannot be love without truth."
Mona Doyon (left in the picture) said anybody who needs help can come to them and be provided with help toward options other than abortion.
"For anybody who has had it, we don't want to cast stones," she said. "We're not here to judge anybody. We just want to bring truth and maybe help them. We don't want anybody at all to think we're out here being angry, protesting, or anything. We just want to bring the truth."
Also pictured, Alexis Logsdon.
CLARIFICATION: Connelly says they were out last Friday and will be there on Fridays (not every day) for as long as they feel led to be present.
Iraq War veteran James Carney was laid to rest today with military honors, including a giant American flag hung across West Main Street Road by the ladder trucks from City of Batavia and Town of Batavia.
Carney died unexpectedly at age 27. He was being treated for PTSD but was said to be rebuilding his life in Boston at the time of his death.
Funeral arrangements by Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel (full obituary).
Previously: Family dealing with unexpected death of veteran who was overcoming post-war struggles
Center Street and School Street (between Center and Liberty) are closed today for repaving.
The Houseknechts are back in the vending business.
John and Tom, who sold Loose Ends in 2008, after the family sold its Pepsi bottling company, has re-acquired their former business.
The new name is Crickler Vending. Crickler after the former Pepsi-Cola Batavia Bottling Corp., which was founded in 1890 as Crickler's.
"It looked like a good business opportunity and it's a business we're familiar with operating," Tom Houseknecht said.
The company has distribution centers in Rochester, Buffalo and Horseheads. Houseknecht said they consider their market areas Rochester, Buffalo and Elmira.
There are no plans to operate a distribution center Genesee County at this time, Houseknecht said.
The brothers re-acquired the business May 17 and immediately started re-branding their delivery trucks.
The second annual Spring Celebration hosted by the Le Roy Christian Community Project is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, in Trigon Park.
Fun, food, friends. Here's what in store:
Chicken BBQ tickets are available at Hobby Horse, 5 Star Bank, Le Roy Village Fitness, The Bank of Castile, Curves, and at the LCCP office (7 E. Main St.) or from any of its board members.
Check out LCCP's Facebook page for more info. and updates. The phone number to 768-7540.
Gold Sponsors of the event are Tompkins Bank of Castile, Ryan Plumbing, Heating & Fire Protection, and the Rotary Club of Le Roy.
Press release:
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is pleased to announce the Decentralization Re-grant recipients for 2014 in Genesee and Orleans counties, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts. This year GO ART! received 27 applications to the Reach Grant Program requesting a total of $65,696.00. With $41,600 available, 26 of the applicants were awarded grants.
GO ART! is also pleased to re-grant two Ripple Grants ($2,500 each) to provide funding for the creation of new work by local individual artists who wish to involve the community in their creative process. One Arts Education Grant (recently renamed the Spark Grant) was awarded as well in the amount of $2,000. This grant provides funds to individual artists to create programs to work directly with children in a K-12 public school setting.
Reach Grant Program Award Recipients in Genesee County
2014 Ripple Grant Recipients (both in Batavia)
The Decentralization Regrant Program (known locally as Reach, Ripple and Spark) was first developed in 1977 by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in response to a mandate by the New York State Legislature to encourage greater participation in the state’s cultural funding at the local level. Local decision-making is the basic principle of the Decentralization Regrant Program in supporting a wide range of community-based professional and avocational arts programs in diverse communities throughout the state, and in helping to support the work of individual artists. GO ART! is proud to administer the NYSCA Decentralization Regrant Program in Genesee and Orleans counties.
The grant process begins in the summer with grant workshops held throughout Genesee and Orleans counties. Individuals, nonprofit organizations and local government agencies submit applications in the fall for community-minded artistic and cultural programs. These proposals are reviewed by a panel (there are separate panels for the Reach, Ripple and Spark grants), made up of artists, community leaders and educators from the two counties. The panel then submits funding recommendations to the GO ART! Board of Directors for approval, and grants are awarded. Through the Decentralization Regrant Program, GO ART!, NYSCA, and the New York State Legislature hope to expand, upgrade and increase arts and cultural programming in Genesee and Orleans counties.
A caller to dispatch reports "her daughter was asked to do lewd acts on a school bus." City police are responding.
A two-car accident with injuries is reported at 7228 Griswold Road. It's at the intersection of Griswold and West Bergen roads. LeRoy fire and medics are en route.
UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: A responder on scene reports that there is one minor injury.
UPDATE 5:46 p.m.: Medics are back in service; there was no patient transport.
UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.
The City of Batavia has received two significant awards, City Manager Jason Molino announced at a press conference held at the Fire Hall this afternoon.
The city is receiving a Strategic leadership & Governance Program Excellence Award from the International City/County Managers Association, and Firefighter Chuck Hammon is being honored by NYS Child Safety Advisory Board with a Shining Star Award for his efforts to increase the number of child safety seats installed in the city.
The ICMA will recognize the City of Batavia at its 100th annual conference in Charlotte, N.C., in September.
The award recognizes the creation and implementation of the city's strategic plan.
"With input from the community and the hard work of City Council and staff, we have been able to create an effective planning process that has demonstrated real results in efficient operations and meeting the service needs of our residents," Molino said. "Though our continued efforts to improve our operations, make sound decisions and strong investments, the city is being recognized for making a meaningful impact for our residents, businesses and visitors alike."
Hammon was recognized because over the past three years, he's taken the city's child safety seat program from almost nothing -- only two trained installation technicians -- to a program with 18 technicians and more than 150 installations and inspections a year. Batavia has one of the most active fire stations for child safety seats in WNY now, Molino said.
Press release:
"For too long, Western New York's veterans have been denied the honor of being laid to rest among their fellow heroes right here in our community," Congressman Chris Collins said. "Today's announcement of a veterans’ cemetery in Pembroke finally rights that wrong. This location will allow veterans from all around our region to be properly and locally honored for their service to this country."
Background: The VA has selected a 132-acre parcel on Indian Falls Road in the Town of Pembroke (Genesee County) as home for the long-anticipated Western New York Veterans’ Cemetery. Currently, the closest veterans’ cemetery is located in Bath, approximately 100 miles away.
Press release from Sen. Charles Schumer's office after the jump:
Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected a site for the long-awaited Western New York Veterans’ Cemetery. The cemetery will be located on a 132-acre parcel at 1232 Indian Falls Road in the Town of Pembroke, Genesee County, just north of the Pembroke Thruway exit.
This veterans’ cemetery will be the first and only of its kind in the Buffalo-Rochester area, and will save thousands of military families from having to travel upward of 100 miles to visit their loved ones at what is now the closest veterans’ cemetery in Bath.
Schumer, along with various veterans groups, have led the charge to bring this much-needed veterans’ cemetery to Western New York. They've argued that a lack of a national veterans’ cemetery within a 75-mile radius of Buffalo and Rochester meant that it is long past time to establish a national veterans’ cemetery at a closer location for the hundreds of thousands of veterans living in the region.
The site is located approximately 30 miles from Buffalo and 48 miles from Rochester. The cemetery will provide a fitting burial option to approximately 96,000 currently underserved veterans and family members living in Western New York.
Schumer said this site selection is great news for the many thousands of deserving veterans living in Buffalo, Rochester, and beyond. With this new cemetery in Pembroke, these veterans and family members will be able to have a proper military burial near their homes in Western New York, and their families will be able to pay their respects without having to travel over 100 miles – something that can be a tremendous burden for many families.
“I am pleased that after four years of hard work, we finally have a site in place," the Senator said. "After serving our country so valiantly, and for so many years, it is only appropriate that we develop a national shrine, on a beautiful piece of land right in our backyard, for our veterans’ final resting place.”
Schumer has long argued that it is critical for a veterans’ cemetery location to be located in Western New York. He has pushed the VA as well as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to decide on a site and conduct the necessary environmental reviews as quickly as possible. Half of New York’s veterans are 65 years of age or older, and it’s well overdue to plan for their future and to ensure that they are treated with the honor they deserve.
Schumer has heard from local veterans groups that veterans in Western New York desperately want to be buried in a national shrine, but don’t want to force their families to travel far away to visit, at potentially great hardship. Some veterans have reported that families are delaying interring the cremated remains of their loved ones, with the intention of making this new cemetery their loved one's final resting place.
Today, more than 22 million veterans are eligible for the honor of burial in a national cemetery. Veterans with discharges other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children, may also be eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery. Those who die on active duty may be buried in one, too.
Schumer joined with Western New York vets for years in calling for the VA to locate the first federal veterans’ cemetery in the region. Around 2009-2010, the VA updated its burial policy, which changed the threshold of veterans required to construct a new national cemetery to 80,000 veterans within 75 miles of a proposed site.
With this new policy, the region was more than qualified, with 96,000-plus veterans in Western New York who live beyond 75 miles from the nearest available national cemetery -- in Bath. Moreover, a total of nearly 300,000 veterans across Western New York could be served by this cemetery. Schumer has fought from the start to push the VA to move forward in finding a site for this cemetery, and he has pushed the process through a variety of roadblocks.
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