Officials note interest in Cuba cheese factory site as production ends
BY BOB CLARK
CUBA — Several groups have expressed interest in the former cheese factory south of the village, officials report.
During an Allegany County Industrial Development Agency board meeting held Jan. 8 in Belvidere, Cuba town Supervisor Lee James reported that two firms are showing interest in the facility, closed on Dec. 31 by Great Lakes Cheese as production moved to a new facility in the towns of Franklinville and Farmersville in Cattaraugus County.
James, who joined the meeting remotely
from the office at the former cheese plant, was giving a tour of the facility to one of those parties at the time of the meeting. She did not identify the parties, but indicated one was a local developer “with a track record” of success in subdividing larger facilities, while the other was a 6-year-old local business looking to grow.
Matt Wilkinson, vice president of Great Lakes Cheese Co., told the IDA board that the last cheese was made at the facility on New Year’s Day, with all production now having been moved to the new $700 million facility on Route 16. “As of the moment, we don’t have any
company that has a genuine interest in doing something in the (Cuba) facility,” he said, adding interested parties have inquired about everything from using the site as a warehouse to one person asking for GLC to continue to make cheese at the site for sale under a private label.
The facility was using the wastewater treatment plant to handle water from the boilers providing heat for the space, but the state has ordered the wastewater plant demolished as part of the process to open a new plant at the Franklinville facility. As such, the campus is
Sempolinski gets first Assembly term underway
New Assemblyman
Joe Sempolinski of Canisteo was officially sworn into office on Jan. 2. But he enjoyed another ceremonial swearing-in Jan. 7 with his wife and daughters on hand at the Capitol in Albany.
He said he was ready to get started on his first term representing the 148th Assembly District.
“It’s an honor and the privilege of a lifetime to represent the people of Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben counties in Albany,”
Sempolinski said. “I can promise that I will never stop fighting for the people of the 148th District and will work to make New York a safer, more affordable
place to live, and raise a family for them.”
He said his priorities are to protect the people’s inherent constitutional rights, cut wasteful government
spending and reject any proposal that prioritizes criminals over crime victims.
“Our constitutional rights are continuously challenged, our government has continued to spend excessively and we’ve lost focus on who we should be delivering for: New Yorkers,” he said. “We must be ready to return to common-sense policies that will enrich New York taxpayers, not ask them to continually foot the bill for initiatives and programs that don’t deliver on what they promise.”
Assembly Minority
Leader Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, and the Assembly Minority Conference welcomed, in all, six new members during the public swearing-in ceremony.
“It is an exciting time to return to Albany as we welcome our newest members to the (conference),” Barclay said. “Each individual has a proven track record of hard work, professionalism and a deep love and respect for this great state.”
In addition to Sempolinski, the new GOP members of the Assembly are Andrea Bailey of Geneseo, Paul
and Daniel Norber of Great Neck.
While Western New York has sent five of the new GOP Assembly members to Albany, Democrats retain firm control of the Assembly, Senate and governor’s office.
Sempolinski, 41, won the Assembly seat in November
Bologna of Clarence, Patrick Chludzinski of Cheektowaga, Andrew Molitor of Westfield
over Great Valley Town Supervisor Dan Brown. Sempolinski, who has also served as the Steuben County
Photo provided
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (right) takes the oath of office Jan. 7 while his wife, Angie, holds the Bible. State Supreme Judge Ray Walter presided over the ceremony.
WNY has first woman troop commander in NYSP history
Wellsville’s
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
Less than a dozen concerned citizens gathered Jan. 13 prior to the regularly scheduled village board meeting for the second public hearing concerning keeping chicken coops in the village. Currently, the harboring of chickens is
BATAVIA — History has been made in Western New York as the first woman in the 107-year history of the New York State Police has taken over as troop commander.
Maj. Amie P. Feroleto stepped into her role as Troop A commander on Thursday, bringing with her 22 years of “dedicated service, extensive experience across multi-
proposed
ple troops and roles, and advanced educational credentials that underscore her exemplary leadership and commitment to public safety,” the NYSP said in a press statement.
Feroleto, a native of Castile in Wyoming County, oversees all state police patrol and investigative operations across the eight counties of Western New York —
including Cattaraugus and Allegany counties — managing more than 400 sworn and civilian personnel.
Since beginning her NYSP career in 2002, Feroleto has steadily risen through the ranks. Her diverse roles have included uniform trooper, sergeant, station commander, lieutenant and captain. Additionally, she
served in the Professional Standards Bureau, gaining valuable experience in oversight and accountability, the NYSP stated.
Feroleto holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and a master’s degree in criminal justice, “reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and professional excellence,” the press
release idndicated. Her career, spanning service in Troops A, B, D, E, H and K, “demonstrates her adaptability and wide-ranging expertise.”
“This historic achievement not only recognizes Major Feroleto’s individual accomplishments but also sets an inspiring precedent for future leaders in law enforcement,” the release stated.
chicken law lays egg; third hearing set for February
not allowed. Yet, Police Chief Tim O’Grady says there are somewhere between five and 50 individuals keeping illegal fowl. No charges have been brought against them.
O’Grady did admit that the reason the chicken section of the village’s Animal Control Law is being rewritten is because of
complaints.
“We’re trying to help you guys,” O’Grady reasoned with the crowd. “It’s unfortunate the law wasn’t enforced. We’re trying to give the people who have chickens the right to have chickens.”
The latest draft of the law for the keeping of chickens is based on a current law in the Livingston County village of Lima. The five-page document outlines the requirements for enclosures and location, minimum pen size, design and placement, inspections, waste disposal and addresses slaughter and calls for neighbor approval. It requires permits and sets fines for violations and outlines enforcement.
One visitor commented, “This document is too much. About 3,000 words need to be taken out of it.”
The size of the flock, pen requirements, smell and waste disposal were not the main complaints with the latest draft of the law. A man owning a rare size,
10-acre site within the village brought up his concern with the law — calling for obtaining the approval of adjacent neighbors to harbor chickens. The law calls
expected to lose most of its heating in February.
Auctioneers will begin an inventory next week for a month-long auction ending March 28. Buyers will have 75 days to remove their purchases, he said.
“Our intent then would be to mine the building for materials,” he said, discussing wiring, glass and other materials that can be reclaimed or recycled, “then demo to bare soil.
“What we didn’t want to do was put a burden on Cuba ... and then it becomes an eyesore on the community,” he said. “In the meantime, it’s already been going for two years... we’re willing to take a look at any options that come up out there.”
for adjoining property owners to approve the issuance of a permit by signing the permit application.
The absence of an adjoining property
or facility for a redevelopment plan, Wilkinson said, “It’s a possibility — it’s possible.”
owner’s signature will nullify the application. A new application is required each time there is a change in an adjoin-
“GLC would plan to retain the land itself,” he said, indicating the Ohio-based Epprecht family which owns 80% of the company has real estate holdings. The company owns around 400 acres of land in the area, but only about 15 acres where the plant sits would likely be part of a transaction or donation.
“Hopefully we can figure out very quickly if we have someone interested,” said Craig Clark, the IDA’s executive director. “We’ve had a lot of people look at it.”
When asked if the company would consider donating the land
➡Cuba Cheese Factory
Maj. Amie P. Feroleto
WELLSVILLE —
Members of the Movie Theater Committee were pleased with the response to a survey concerning the future of the Main Street theater that was offered to the public in December.
There were nearly 900 replies to the survey with some coming from as far away as California. The survey asked for input from the public regarding what they would like to see happen to the theater, which has been a venue for cinematic entertainment since a little after the turn of the century.
The overwhelming response was that the theater should be reopened for use as a movie theater with many citing a variety of movie experiences to be utilized including the running of recent movies, classic movies and documentaries and including special presentations and religious movies.
Many emphasized
the family value of an operational movie theater with clean, comfortable seating, clean restrooms and affordable concessions. They emphasized the need for children’s and family programming and called for weekend matinees.
The survey also inquired about the responder’s favorite memory of attending the Wellsville theater.
While several mentioned first dates that led to marriage and lifetime commitments, others recalled, sneaking Texas Hots into the theater and attending the movie theater as part of their high school graduation celebrations. Many also recalled the first movies they’d seen at the theater and with whom they attended, including such movies as “Gone With The Wind,” “Goldfinger,” “Psycho,” “Ghostbusters,” “PT 109,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Frozen,” and many others.
Among the many comments one person
reasoned that reopening the theater would be a good thing, pointing out the convenience of, being able to see a movie without a 30-minute drive.
“Most of the movies I’ve seen there were on evenings,” a respondent said. “I would not have been able to fit in a trip to Hornell or Olean and see the movie.”
Operational for nearly 100 years, the movie theater building closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after it was included in the county’s tax sale.
The village of Wellsville purchased the building and has done some repairs to stabilize and protect the structure; however, there has been some damage.
Last summer the Movie Theater Committee was organized and is currently looking at options to restore and reopen the theater.
Wellsville theater committee pleased with response to survey
Sempolinski
Republican chairman, served for a few months as the congressman for this region’s 23rd District after winning a special election in 2022.
He served as chief of staff to his predecessor, former Assemblyman Joe Giglio, who retired. He was district director for former U.S. Rep. Tom Reed and was development director for Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean.
Sempolinski has been named the ranking member of the Assembly Mental Health Committee and will also serve on the Assembly Educa-
tion, Environmental Conservation, Higher Education, Labor and People with Disabilities committees.
“I served on the Education and Labor Committee in Congress and I am the proud father of a daughter with Down Syndrome, so these committee assignments make a lot of sense and are close to my heart,” he said. “I am looking forward to hitting the ground running once the legislative session opens.”
His wife, Angie, and daughters, Jojo, 6, and Maddie, 5, attended the swearing-in ceremony
along with other friends and family members.
He is keeping his district office in Olean at 700 W. State St., the location of Giglio’s office. John Eberth will serve as Sempolinski’s chief of staff and Mason Palude as his district director. Both had worked for Giglio as well.
“I inherited a great team,” Sempolinski said. “John and Mason
have a wealth of experience and knowledge. They are as committed as I am to serving the constituents of the 148th District.” A lifelong resident of the Southern Tier, Sempolinski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University and later earned a Master of Arts and a Master of Philosophy degree at Yale University.
The 1963 film “PT 109,” telling the story of John F. Kennedy’s heroics in World War II, was recalled as one of many films shown over the decades at the Wellsville movie theater.
home improvement
(BPT) — If you live in a home or apartment with minimal kitchen space due to its wall and cabinet configurations, you probably know how challenging it is to replace major appliances. For example, most newer refrigerators are designed with larger kitchens in mind, so
they simply won’t fit in smaller kitchen spaces. This leaves you without many options unless you’re willing to undergo a complete kitchen renovation. Looking for another solution to your small kitchen dilemma? You’re in luck. With the new LG Counter-Depth MAX™ Refrigerator with Zero Clearance™ (LF24Z6530S), you no longer have to worry about your refrigerator sticking out beyond your current counters or not being able to fully open the doors. And even better, you’ll be able to enjoy a stylish, contemporary design that’s built for today’s living, available in stainless steel to complement
various kitchen styles. In addition, its restyled bar handles and the freezer pocket handle combine for easy opening and an attractive look.
The Counter-Depth MAX™ Refrigerator with Zero Clearance™ features an innovative zero clearance hinge system and 45% thinner doors that take up less space (compared to previous LG Counter-Depth MAX model LRYKC2606), letting you install the refrigerator in tight spaces and still fully open both doors.* This reduces the need for extra space while maximizing the refrigerator’s square footage and achieving a sleek, built-in look - without the cost of a built-in.
New refrigerator design reduces clearance constraints
A contemporary solution for minimal kitchen spaces
If you’ve had to opt for older, smaller refrigerators in the past simply to cope with your limited kitchen space, you’ve probably been frustrated not only by the minimal storage offered by these fridges, but also their complete lack of modern features and technology.
However, the LG Counter-Depth MAX™ Refrigerator with Zero Clearance™ gives you the best of both worlds: You’ll appreciate the sleek design that will complement any kitchen, and you’ll also enjoy
the larger interior than traditional counter-depth models. At the same time, you’ll benefit from its advanced cooling technology, which will give you the cutting-edge performance you expect from today’s models. For example, this refrigerator offers Smart Cooling Plus™ Technology, which will maintain the optimal temperatures and humidity needed for enhanced food freshness.
The Slim SpacePlus® Ice System also increases the shelf and door bin space, and the dual ice makers automatically create three types of ice: standard ice cubes, crushed ice and slow-melting
round Craft Ice™ - so you can have plenty of ice on hand when you need it for entertaining large parties. You can even automatically increase its ice production with just a touch of the control panel, or through the LG ThinQ® app on your smartphone. You can feel confident in your choice, because LG is ranked the #1 appliance brand in the U.S.** Discover how to achieve the sleek style you’ll love for your kitchen while also getting the storage space you need from LG’s largest-capacity Zero Clearance™ refrigerator at LG.com.
Remedies for common electrical problems
Electricity is now a standard home feature. And when something goes awry with a home’s electrical components, homeowners may need to act fast to restore things to proper working order. Certain electrical problems are common in residential homes. Even homeowners with doit-yourself skills should bring in an experienced electrician when their homes develop electrical problems, as electricity is nothing for novices to play with. Here’s what to look for and how to remedy common issues, courtesy of East-West
Electric, Inc., Safe and Sound Electric LLC, and American Home Shield.
Flickering lights:
Flickering lights merit attention. While lights can flicker when bulbs are not screwed in tightly, this also could be a sign of a faulty connection that is creating arcing and overheating. A failure to address flickering lights might lead to a fire. An electrician can inspect wiring and fixtures to see where the problem may lie, and replace any necessary components.
• Degraded electrical wiring: Older homes may have aging electrical wiring that is worn out in places. This can cause arc faults, which occur when an electrical current veers off its intended path. Arc faults can cause electrical fires. Installing arc-fault circuit interrupters on the circuit panel can help. Traditional circuit breakers only trip with overloads and short circuits. AFCIs continuously monitor
flow and will only trip during unwanted arcing conditions.
• Insufficient power: Those who reside in older homes might experience insufficient electrical power. Electrical grids homes are built using the technology of that time and may not be capable of handling the many devices that homeowners plug in today. Circuits may trip often when one or more electrical devices are used on the same circuit. The only way to remedy this issue is to replace the existing electrical system with a restructured one that can handle the supply of power.
• Buzzing sounds: Electrical outlets and switches in a home should always operate silently. Buzzing or unusual sounds heard near switches and outlets indicates there is a problem.
Turn off the power to that fixture and consult a professional electrician to see what might be the issue. Warmth around light fixtures: Hot ceiling lights or other lights could mean that a homeowner is exceeding the recommended bulb wattages for that fixture. Check the bulbs, and consider switching to compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that do not produce as much heat as incandescent bulbs.
• Higher energy bills: Energy bills can spike for a number of reasons. Outdated electrical devices that draw a lot of power or a leakage in the system are two potential causes of higher energy bills. Homeowners can call an electrician to assess the energy efficiency of a home and suggest changes.
ing property owner.
“This would pit neighbor against neighbor,” the landowner said, citing that past confrontations and grievances between neighbors could impact the signatures needed for approval. Others said the neighbor approval section gives too much control to what a landowner does on their own property to their neighbors.
Another resident pointed out, “We do not need the approval of our neighbors to have
six cockatoos in our homes,” while others objected to dogs and cats that are harbored throughout the village. It was quickly pointed out that dogs are licensed and vaccinated under state regulations and are under the jurisdiction of the local dog control officer. Concerns with the newly proposed law includes the limitation of flock size to just six hens with no roosters allowed. It was pointed out that a person would have to lose their entire flock in order to maintain it at six, should one chicken die.
Another commented the new law is opening up a can of worms and pitting neighbor against neighbor. She said, “The new law should be out, and the old law enforced. The existing chickens should be rehomed.”
Once again it was suggested that a law regarding chickens could lead to horses, cattle, elephants and even alligators being harbored within the village. “Where would it stop?” she asked.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ earns TANYS Awards for the Palmer
CUBA — The Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) announced the Palmer Opera House received six awards for the recent production of “Miracle on 34th Street,” directed by Diane Willard and produced by Michele Conklin.
achieved: Meritorious Achievement for some advanced theatrical skills; Excellence for theatrical skill base not routinely noted in non-professional theatre; and Outstanding Achievement, defined as theatrical skill rarely seen in non-professional theatre. Information about upcoming shows and events can be found on the Palmer Opera House website, palmeroperahouse. com, or by calling (585) 209-5512.
After 50 minutes of hearing complaints about the proposed law and the harboring of chickens within the village in general, Mayor Randy Shayler addressed the group.
The awards include: Excellence in Direction to Diane Willard; Excellence in Scenic Painting to Connie Doyle and Lynn Fulmer; Excellence in Scenic Shift to the Cast and Crew; Excellence in Stage Presence to the carolers, street people, pedestrians and children; Excellence in Acting to Paul Nelson for the portrayal of Kris Kringle; and Meritorious Achievement in Acting to Izzy Tinder for the portrayal of multiple roles.
TANYS has three categories for awards when they are
“The reason for this hearing is to see what you think is wrong with the proposed law,” he said. “The thing we need to keep in mind is that we’re trying to get an enforceable law. Not everyone is going to be happy. There is a law in place now, and any of you who currently have chickens are in violation.
“We want to make this work,” the mayor said. “This is not the final resolution.”
As the hearing came to a close it was decided that O’Grady would contact Lima officials to inquire as to how their law is working. It was also decided that the third chicken hearing will take place in 30 days on Feb. 10 at a time to be announced.
