Month: August 2013

Our Letters Policy

Posted 24 October 2023 at 3:00 pm

We appreciate input from our readers, and we publish letters to the editor without charge. The letters should be written by the person who submits the letter and not be “ghost written” by someone else. While open speech and responsibility are encouraged, comments may be rejected if they are purely a personal attack, offensive or repetitive. Comments are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Orleans Hub. Although care is taken to moderate comments, we have no control over how they are interpreted and we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of comments and the rationality of the opinions expressed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content and brevity. Please limit the length of your letter (we suggest no more than 500 words) and provide your name, telephone number, mailing address and a verifiable email address for verification purposes. Letters should be emailed to news@orleanshub.com.

Albion man pleads guilty to crime spree, faces 5 years in prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2024 at 11:41 am

ALBION – An Albion man pleaded guilty to five crimes today in Orleans County Court and faces a maximum of five years in prison, plus five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on May 29.

Alexander Gelo

Alexander C. Gelo, 32, was wanted on a warrant when he charged following a traffic stop on Feb. 28, 2023 on Ridge Road in the Town of Gaines. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred on Feb. 14, 2023 when Gelo allegedly made threats to physically harm a witness in a criminal proceeding against Gelo.

Today in court Gelo pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a charge that carries 3 ½ to 15 years in prison. Gelo admitted in court today to having a loaded 9 mm handgun.

He also pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • Menacing in the second degree for displaying a semiautomatic handgun to a person on Sept. 19, 2022 with the intent to scare the person, causing a reasonable fear for safety.
  • Criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree for having someone else’s Bank of America credit card on Sept. 21, 2022 with the intent of using to benefit himself.
  • Aggravated harassment in the second degree for using Facebook messenger on Feb. 11, 2023 to send threatening messages to a woman.
  • Assault in the third degree for hitting a woman in the head with a hammer on April 23, 2023.

Gelo will be held in the Orleans County Jail without bail until sentencing.

In another case in county court today, Garrett Strickland, 31, was sentenced to six months in the county jail for violating his probation.

Strickland, 31, of Medina admitted he didn’t notify probation of a change in his address to Holley, missed several probation appointments and consumed alcohol. He was on probation for bail jumping in Genesee County.

New pastor will start at Presbyterian Church in Holley on April 7

Posted 27 March 2024 at 11:16 am

Press Release, First Presbyterian Church of Holley

Philip Benier

HOLLEY – The First Presbyterian Church of Holley is pleased to announce they have called Rev. S. Philip Benier to serve as our pastor beginning April 7.

Rev. Benier has led numerous worship services at the church during the past year and a half as a Pulpit Supply from the Presbytery of Genesee Valley so he is not “new” to Holley.  Rev. Benier is a graduate of Brite Divinity School, Ft. Worth, Texas and worked as the assistant to the Director of the Presbyterian Night Shelter, handling all grant information as well as filing and providing presentations on homelessness in that Texas community.

He served a congregation in Toledo, Ohio prior to coming to the Rochester area where he was associated with Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church in Brighton. His previous background is in banking for 17 years and then he worked in healthcare, assisting individuals with special needs to provide them with the best of care.

The Holley church looks forward to our partnership with Rev. S. Philip Benier and invite everyone to join us on any Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.  We’re the brick church at the traffic light.  The address is 34 E. Albion Street, Holley.

Come get to know us as we strive to achieve our mission statement: “We are a God-loving, deeply rooted, compassionate, inclusive, charitable church, a symbol of hope, growing in service to our Holley community and beyond.”

Large veteran group has Barker pointing to a strong run for top N-O softball honors

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 March 2024 at 10:12 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s large veteran group includes, in front, Madelina Pavlock, Kaylee Stoll, Mady Flint, Arnie Sturtevant and Macie May. In back are Rachel Sutter, Anna Bowerman, Natalie Brandel, Peyton Bradley, Samantha Murphy and Petra Bish.

Having finished in the runner-up spot last spring, Barker returns a veteran laden squad with which to again challenge for top Niagara-Orleans League softball honors.

That large veteran group includes seniors Petra Bish (Outfield), Anna Bowerman (Infield), Natalie Brandel (Pitcher/Inf.), Macie May (OF), Samantha Murphy (OF) and Rachel Sutter (Utility) along with sophomores Peyton Bradley (P/Inf.), Madelina Pavlock (U), Kaylee Stoll (Inf.) and eighth graders Mady Flint (P/Inf.) and Arnie Sturtevant ((P/U).

Brandell and Bradley both earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring while Bowerman and Stoll were second team selections.

“We have a real good group back with three pitchers which is big for us,” said Aileen Gilbert who is co-coaching the team with Bill Moeller.

Barker’s graduation loses included first team All-League infielder Mia Herman along with Honorable Mention selections Lilly Monthony and Aaliyah Wheat.

Barker, which went 9-3 in N-O competition and 14-4 overall last spring, is scheduled to open the league campaign against defending champion Akron on April 10. The Lady Bulldogs have five non league games scheduled prior to that beginning at home against Pembroke on Thursday.

Medina’s Winter Scholar/Athlete teams

Contributed Story Posted 27 March 2024 at 9:29 am

Contributed Photos – GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL – Compiling a composite grade point average of 93.106, the Medina girls varsity basketball team has earned a New York State Scholar/Athlete Team Award. In front are Alexa Demmer. Adeline Castricone, Angel Mulcahy and Tzofia Meland. In back are Iyla Lilleby, Elaina Bitsas and Ariel Smith. Missing are Honesty Hill and Neveah Moss.

GIRLS VARSITY SWIMMING – The Medina girls varsity swim team earned a Scholar/Athlete Award by compiling a composite average of 95.643. In front are Madeline Mark, Madelynn Rutledge, Allie Frentz, Madison Farley, Madisynn Stanton, Payton Denniston and Maya Anderson. In back are Talia Rupp, Madison Watts, Sophia Goyette and Isabelle Perez. Missing is Malloree Rinker.

BOYS VARSITY SWIMMING – The Medina boys varsity swim team earned a Scholar/Athlete Award by compiling a composite average of 92.811. In front are Bradley Goyette, Owen Sargent, Aidan Papaj and Jackson Reese. In back are Bryson Ford, Caiden Class and Juan Velazquez. Missing are Brandon Brueckner, Hunter Walczak and Jobi Wheeler.

VARSITY WRESTLUNG – The Medina varsity wrestling team has compiled a composite average of 92.805 to earn a Scholar/Athlete Award. In front are Luke Duffina, Reece Senske, Jacob Duffina, Brennan Allen and Brody Fry. In back are Conor Crandall, Kole Campbell, Liam Castricone, Sawyer Kingsbury and Austin Seefeldt. Missing are Ethan Carson and Lathan McEwen-Miller.

BASKETBALL CHEERLEADING – The Medina basketball cheerleaders earned a Scholar/Athlete Award by compiling a composite average of 92.322. In front are Michelle DeLaTorre, Emiliana Bartista, Aurora Owczarczak, Penelope Schalck, Paisley Pasnik and Jenelle Stalker. In back are Arabella White, Mia Kujawa, Mahri Harmer-Owen and Peyton Morgott. Missing are Peyton Allen, Maria Ball, Sophia Greco, Katelyn Hilobuk and Aubrey Rizzo.

Senate Republicans unveil housing legislative package for NY

Posted 27 March 2024 at 8:40 am

Provided photo: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt speaks during a news conference in Albany, highlighting a housing legislative package.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive package of legislation designed to incentivize home ownership, improve access to affordable housing options in communities and help protect homeowners against “squatters.”

The package includes tax credits and incentives, removes regulatory burdens, and incentivizes new construction, as well as continued investment and improvements in existing housing stock.

In addition, it will directly address the recent increase in outrageous cases of “squatters” who inhabit a home without permission from the law-abiding, taxpaying property owners who actually own the home.

“Housing affordability is one of the biggest issues facing our state,” Ortt said. “Our conference has a plan to revitalize our existing housing stock by removing blight from our communities and replacing it with good quality housing units, to work with local communities on what housing strategies are best for them, to expand and create incentives for development, and to establish means-testing for rent-regulated housing to ensure that affordable housing units are occupied by those who truly need them.”

Included in the package unveiled today are proposals that would:

  • Create a first-time homebuyer tax credit to give new homeowners an income tax credit based on their local property taxes, making the American dream more affordable for New Yorkers (S.8826, Helming);
  • Create a home renovation tax exemption to provide five years of property tax relief to homeowners who invest in their property. This will incentivize the revitalization of our existing housing stock, bringing abandoned and dilapidated homes back to life and expanding the housing stock of the future (S.8838, Helming);
  • Establish a housing infrastructure tax credit to provide a credit of up to ten percent of costs for infrastructure projects related to the construction of new homes or multiple dwellings (S.8578, Helming);
  • Establish a tax credit of up to $2,000 to incentivize the installation of manufactured homes and the expansion of manufactured home communities to provide more affordable housing opportunities (S.8458, Helming);
  • Provide means-testing for rent-regulated housing to ensure that affordable housing units are occupied by those who need them (S.8887, Martins);
  • Create a Local Housing Task Force to bring together local government officials, state agencies, and stakeholders to develop best practices to incentivize housing development and address state regulation that prevents development (S.8896, Martins);
  • Extend the successful 421-a tax incentive for developers (S.7560, Palumbo);
  • Establish the crime of squatting as criminal trespass in the third degree (S.5979, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick); and
  • Expedite the method where a property owner may evict a squatter from residential property (S.8867, Mattera).

Wildlife Refuge welcomes public for eagle watch on Saturday

Posted 27 March 2024 at 8:25 am

Press Release, Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – To celebrate spring and the return of migratory birds, the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge kicks off the season this Saturday with its annual Eagle Watch.

Visitors are able to stop by the refuge’s Cayuga Overlook on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see and learn about bald eagles from the volunteers of the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. The Cayuga Overlook is located on Lewiston Road in the Town of Alabama, and offers excellent viewing of resident bald eagles flying near their nest.

The spot is a haven for wildlife photographers. Herons, geese, swans, birds of prey, and many varieties of ducks can also be seen at this location, which offers parking. Cayuga Overlook is open from dawn to dusk daily.

A free program on bluebirds is also offered Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at the refuge’s visitors’ center at 1101 Casey Rd., Basom. Carl Zenger, who maintains the bluebird, purple martin, and kestrel nesting colonies at the refuge, will share his knowledge from years of bluebird data collection.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge includes 10,283 acres of federally protected lands at the intersection of Niagara, Genesee and Orleans counties. In 1973, the Oak Orchard Creek Marsh section was designated a National Natural Landmark.

The refuge is also a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area that supports approximately 266 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, plus reptiles, fish, amphibians, and insects. The refuge includes forests, grasslands, walking trails, a visitors’ center, exhibits, and a nature store, visited by 50,000 – 75,000 people each year.

For more information, go to finwr.org or call the refuge visitors’ center at 585-948-5445. The visitors’ center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pam Canham, Mary Lou Tuohey to serve as co-chairs of Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Posted 27 March 2024 at 8:12 am

Walk will be Sept. 7, starting at State Street Park in Medina

Provided photo: Medina Mayor Mike Sidari joins Nicole Tuohey and her mother Mary Lou Tuohey in cutting symbolic elephant links to start the Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 9, 2023 at State Street Park in Medina. Nicole sold the elephant links for $1 and she raised about $2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter.

Press Release, WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

MEDINA – The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is excited to announce that Pam Canham and Mary Lou Tuohey will serve as co-chairs of the 2024 Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Canham is retired from the Orleans County Office for the Aging and Tuohey owns Case-Nic Cookies in Medina.

“I learned both professionally and personally, Alzheimer’s disease affects us all,” Canham said. “I’ve had many family members with dementia and it definitely makes caring for them even harder. My goal is to help eradicate this disease so my children do not have to become the caregiver of someone with dementia.”

“I am excited to once again participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I walk in honor, memory and support of my mom, dad and two aunts who all passed from Alzheimer’s,” Tuohey said. “Remember those who forget to remember…”

The Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at State Street Park in Medina.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The Alzheimer’s Association provides 24/7 care and support to those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, and accelerating critical research to combat this devastating disease.

According to the latest Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report, nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York State alone, there are more than 426,000 people living with the disease, along with 543,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/WNYWalk.

With increase in suicide, government should offer more help for people in crisis

Posted 27 March 2024 at 7:57 am

Editor:

Suicide rates are higher than they should be and not enough is being done to lower them. In the United States suicide is one of the leading causes of death in young adults.

Currently there are government funds that go toward suicide prevention, but there is more that can be done. The government should take more action in the efforts to lower suicide rates.

The average number of suicides went up from about 81 per day in 2001 to about 121 in 2020. More than 90% of people who die from suicide have experienced some sort of mental illness. Between 2021 and 2022 suicide deaths increased 2.6% in the United States alone. In 2021 there were over 48,000 deaths by suicide.

Local governments could get more involved by holding mental health meetings in public places, with trained professionals to help people with suicidal thoughts, and give them a place where they can speak freely with others who have similar thoughts. These could be held almost anywhere with a decent size room, like a town hall.

The government could also create offices or help centers that are open 24/7 so that people have a safe place to go when they need help. If someone needs urgent help and feels they need to see someone instead of calling the hotline, they can go to a help center.

These offices or centers can also help spread community awareness about what others can do to help. This information center could serve as a location for people who want or need more information on suicide prevention, to get advice from professionals. Professionals at these centers can help families find ways to help a person struggling to cope, until they feel up to going in to get help themselves. These centers would be government funded.

These are some actions that the different levels of government can take toward reducing the rate of suicide in the United States. Their ability to help is crucial to saving lives. If attention is not brought to this subject, then there might not be any meaningful change.

Ryleigh Weader

12th grade student

Holley

Mustangs down Lakemen in lacrosse opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 March 2024 at 7:24 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Dylan Lonnen puts a shot on the goal during the Mustangs season opening win over Wilson at Vets Park this evening.

Rebounding from an early four goal deficit, Medina rallied to down Wilson 11-8 in a season opening Class D Division lacrosse game at Vets Park this evening.

Dylan Lonnen and Lucius Wagner each scored 3 goals and Jacob Rissew 2 to lead the Medina attack as Will Prest, Cole Callard and Liam Castricone each netted 1.

Wilson built up a 5-1 lead early in the second quarter, including 3 goals by Connor Peck.

However, Medina came battling back to score 4 of the next 5 goals and slice the deficit to 6-5 at the half. Lonnen scored 2 goals during that stretch as Prest and Wagner both had 1.

The Mustangs stayed within one, 8-7, at the end of the third period on goals by Callard and Wagner.

That set the stage for a strong Medina finish as the Mustangs erupted for four unanswered goals in the decisive final period to claim the win.

Lonnen scored the equalizer just 1:32 into the period.

Rissew followed up with the go ahead and what proved to be the game winning goal on a power play with 6:26 remaining.

Wagner and Castricone then tacked on insurance goals to lock up the win.

Medina next hosts Depew at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Medina’s Will Prest works between a pair of Wilson defenders to advance the ball.

Holley artist creates painting celebrating solar eclipse

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2024 at 3:07 pm

Andrea Newman selling posters of painting as fundraiser for Holley festivals

HOLLEY – Andrea Newman, an artist from Holley, created a painting celebrating the upcoming solar eclipse. Holley is in the path of totality and very close to the center line of the eclipse. (The center line will pass over neighboring Brockport.)

Andrea Newman

Newman’s acrylic painting on canvas shows Holley’s lift bridge over a shallow Erie Canal. At about 3:20 p.m. on April 8, Holley will be in darkness as the sun is blocked by the moon. Totality will last for almost four minutes.

It is a rare event. Orleans County was last in a total eclipse in 1925.

“I’m excited,” Newman said today. “It’s going to be a great day.”

Newman was asked by Holley Mayor Mark Bower to create a painting commemorating the eclipse. Bower saw an eclipse poster featuring the Erie Canal with many of the canal towns listed on the border of the poster. He was disappointed Holley wasn’t included.

He reached out to Newman, a former Holley Board of Education member who works as an artist. She also is an adjunct communications professor at SUNY Brockport.

She is happy to help the Holley community celebrate the eclipse. She is selling posters of the painting as well as digital downloads through her Etsy site (click here). Proceeds will be donated to the village to go towards community festivals.

Newman experimented for a few days on creating a silhouette for the painting. She settled on the lift bridge for the scene in Holley, because she said the lift bridge is such an iconic landmark.

“It’s going to be a monumental day,” she said about April 8. “It’s so cool it’s coming right this way.”

OCH reports unprecedent patient satisfaction in latest survey

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 March 2024 at 2:16 pm

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is proud to announce an unprecedented achievement in patient satisfaction with the release of its fourth quarter 2023 survey results.

Garnering responses from 49 patients, the survey achieved an exceptional overall score of 4.98 out of 5, surpassing the previous high of 4.84. This milestone comes during a year when Orleans Community Health received more than 300 surveys, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health.

The fourth-quarter survey, designed to gauge patient satisfaction across various facets of care and service delivery, reflects the collective efforts of the Orleans Community Health team, Robinson said. Patients overwhelmingly praised the care and services they were being provided.

“This survey was designed with a focus on providing the best care to patients,” Robinson added. “These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who consistently strive to deliver the highest standard of care to our patients.”

Kim Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, said surpassing their previously high score is a testament to their continuous efforts to improve and enhance the patient experience.

“We are immensely proud of our team’s dedication to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient who walks through our doors,” Gray said.

Robinson added that Orleans Community Health remains dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvements, leveraging patient feedback to drive positive change and innovation in healthcare delivery. The organization looks forward to building upon it success and further elevating the patient experience in the coming months.

The upcoming eclipse will be spectacular—but watch your eyes!

Posted 26 March 2024 at 2:00 pm

By Dr. Robert Ford, Chief of Optometry, Oak Orchard Health

As you may know by now, a rare total solar eclipse will happen Monday, April 8, 2024, and the Western New York region is one of the best places to experience it. Our region is in the path of totality—a narrow band of area across Earth where the moon briefly covers all but a thin disk of sunlight around its edges. The excitement begins at 2:07 p.m., when the moon begins to cover the sun, at 3:20 p.m., the total eclipse will begin and last for about 3 minutes. It is a spectacular moment to witness as day turns into night in a matter of seconds and the stars begin to shine.

The dark side of looking at the sun

The only safe way to view the event is with special solar viewing glasses. They are made with filters that block Ultraviolet—or UV—light. And it is best to plan to wear special viewing glasses for the entire event rather than risk any exposure.

UV sunlight can burn your eyes’ retinas in less than a minute or two. Even a partially concealed sun is unsafe to view with the naked eye. Even though daylight will begin to dim, the ultraviolet rays will still be just as strong. The same is true when it is cloudy or you’re wearing sunglasses or looking through your home’s or vehicle’s windows.

Oak Orchard Health has safety glasses for viewing

Oak Orchard Health will be giving away ISO Certified eclipse viewing glasses to their current patients in our offices starting April 2. They are appropriate for adults and children. Limited supply is available and there is no cost.

You can also find places to purchase special eclipse viewing glasses by Googling The American Astronomical Society, a trusted organization, or see if your local library has them available, as the organization StarNet Libraries has distributed millions of the special viewing glasses to libraries around the U.S.

Precautions about other devices

If you are taking photos with your phone or camera, you still need to wear your viewing glasses. But there are certain devices that are unsafe to view the eclipse through even if you are wearing your viewing glasses: telescopes and binoculars. This is because such devices use magnifying lenses that will ruin the protective structure of the viewing glasses and damage your eyes anyway.

Watching out for kids

As for young children, remember to protect their eyes as well as your own. Providing them with viewing glasses can still be risky unless you control every second of your children’s behavior. So, the safest way for children to view an eclipse is indoors, on a television or computer screen, to be sure their eyes are never exposed to harmful rays. If your children are a bit older—teenagers—and want to experience the eclipse outdoors, just make sure they know to wear those special viewing glasses even as daylight dims. They may think, like other folks, that it is safe to look directly when it is not.

What to do about accidental exposure

After the eclipse, if you or a loved one have accidentally viewed direct sunlight and notice blurred or distorted vision, a change in the way you see colors, a blind spot, or a headache—usually within a few hours or the next day—make an appointment with an eye doctor right away. We have openings at our Brockport office. Just call (585) 637-3905 extension 3.

Sometimes, the symptoms of sun damage will go away after a few weeks or months. Sometimes, that damage is permanent.

For more on eclipse viewing safety, visit aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/solar-eclipse-eye-safety

Oak Orchard Health has a comprehensive Eye Department that includes two experienced Optometrists and a full suite of eyewear including contact lenses.

 

Lots of praise for Sidari in final meeting as Medina mayor

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2024 at 10:43 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mike Sidari enjoys some punch during a brief reception at Monday’s Village Board meeting, his last time presiding over the Village Board meeting as mayor. He is chatting with Gabrielle Barone, center, and Debbie Padoleski.

Barone is vice president for business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency. She said she frequently reached out to Sidari about possible business projects in Medina. Padoleski is retired as Medina’s village clerk/treasurer. She was elected trustee last week and starts April 1 on the Village Board.

Sidari has been Medina mayor the past eight years, and was a trustee for two years before that. Sidari opted not to seek re-election last week. Marguerite Sherman, the current deputy mayor, starts her term on April 1. There will be a 5 p.m. swearing-in that day for Sherman and the new trustees, Mark Prawel and Padoleski.

There will be an open house on Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. for people to stop by and see Sidari at the village clerk’s office at 119 Park Ave.

Mike Sidari, center, reads a statement near the end of the Village Board meeting on Monday at the senior center. From left include trustees Jess Marciano, Marguerite Sherman, Tim Elliott and Diana Baker.

Sidari has been mayor during a time of several major business projects in Medina, as well as several community initiatives including a new dog park, skate park, an upgraded Pine Street Park with a splash pad, and much improved Boxwood Cemetery.

Sidari also helped Medina with the successful application for a $4.5 NY Forward grant from the state for downtown and waterfront projects. The state is expected to soon announce how that grant will be spent in the community.

The mayor said people have often remarked about Medina’s success during his tenure as mayor, with many telling him he was doing a great job. He was quick to respond it’s been a team effort in Medina.

“The one thing I can lay claim to is surrounding myself with some of the best trustees, department heads, workforce, committee members and business owners that a mayor can ask for,” he said, reading from his statement. “There are too many people that have contributed to the village, I can only say a general sincere heart felt public thank you to all of you. Your efforts and forward thinking made my job easier to navigate.”

The trustees may have disagreed, but Sidari said all were focused on reaching a resolution that was best for the village.

“I can honestly say all of them had the best interest in this place we call home,” he said. “It has been said that a political is in this for himself, a public servant is in this for the people. All of us have been public servants for the people of Medina.”

He encouraged residents to become active in the village.

“There are many opportunities to volunteer,” Sidari said. “If someone is thinking about throwing their hat in for a board position, get involved in a committee or two, come to board meetings and learn how things get done.”

Sidari said he made a promise to himself when he was elected mayor eight years was to do his best for the village “and try not to get too many people made at me. I hope in the eyes of the community I kept that promise.”

Sidari said he is available to help the new board during the transition to a new administration.

“Remember, it’s a must that all of you work together.”

He thanked his wife Brenda to putting up with all the meetings, phone calls and emails day and night.

The Village Board members and the crowd at the meeting stand and applaud Mike Sidari near the end of Monday’s Village Board meeting.

He was praised by department heads for his leadership while they managed their departments with planning projects, handling personnel issues and adhering to budgets.

Code Enforcement Officer Dan Gardner, Police Chief Todd Draper, Fire Chief Matt Jackson, DPW Superintendent Jason Watts and Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess all commended Sidari for his work as mayor.

They also praised Tim Elliott for his eight years of service as a village trustee. He lost a close election last week.

Jada Burgess said she witnessed Sidari’s dedication to the village, and praised him for “serving with integrity, knowledge and always being available to the taxpayers.”

The mayor worked with volunteers to implement improvements to the parks, including a skate park, new basketball court, a splash pad and now the early stages of an inclusive playground at Skate Street Park.

“His motto hasn’t ever been ‘I did this,’” Burgess said. “It has been, ‘We did this,’ knowing that the members of this community are what continues to move Medina forward in a  positive direction.”

Burgess thanked Sidari for helping her grow in her position as clerk-treasurer for the village.

She also praised Trustee Elliott for his service on the board.

“His insight has been refreshing, often bringing an out-of-the-box thinking which is beneficial to the board,” Burgess said about Elliott.

Lady Hawks aim for a rebound season

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 March 2024 at 10:37 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Helping to lead the Holley varsity softball team into the upcoming season are returnees Layne Walker, Leigha Walker, Gabriella Houseknecht and Natalie Foose. Missing are Teanna Church and Ryleigh Weader.

Looking to rebound from last spring’s winless league campaign, Holley is scheduled to begin tuning up for the Genesee Region softball season by visiting Geneseo on Thursday for a non league contest.

Holley returns a veteran nucleus of six players including seniors Teanna Church (Outfield), Ryleigh Weader (Infield), Layne Walker (First base), Leigha Walker (Catcher), Gabriella Houseknecht (Pitcher/OF) and junior Natalie Foose (Third base). Leigha Walker earned G-R All-Star honors last spring.

Sophomores Skylar Gallagher and Lily Newman look to help out with the key pitching duties.

The Lady Hawks roster also includes juniors Kylee Dann (Inf.) and Alyssa Armstrong (Inf), sophomores Alexa VanAmeron (Shortstop) and Cadence Lujan (Inf/Of) and freshman Serenity-Ann Rath (Utility).

Holley’s graduation losses included G-R All-Star pitcher Tia Hoffarth.

Holley is slated to open the G-R season at Pembroke on April 10.