16 stops gave tasting of wine, beer and mead

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These friends were out today at Albion’s annual Sip N’ Stroll. From left include Brandi Buzard, Shelby Buzard, Mary Kay Jenks, Peggy Lyman and Shanna Johnston.

In back at left is Tracy Birge, co-owner of Autumn Moon Farm in Bergen. They are all in Argento’s Bakery & Deli, one of 16 stops that served wine, beer or mead.

There were 379 people on the Sip N’ Stroll, believed to be the most in its history and topping the 357 from last year.

The Batavia Pedal Party carries a group of people down Main Street.

Dominic Wilder of Albion gets a taste of wine from Ken Kibler of Main Street Winery in Arcade. Christina Tilbe is behind Wilder at the Downtown Browsery. She said she enjoyed seeing so many people having fun in Albion.

Sam Kingsbury performs at Wish and Wonder Tattoo on East Bank Street. A grant from Go Art! paid for six musical performers during the event. Other musicians included Sebastian Erakare at Hearth & Home Real Estate, Andy & Mandy at 39 Problems, Jim Aina at Arnold’s Auto Parts, Steve Novak at The Lockstone/Tinsel, and V3 at Dubby’s Tailgate.

David Mantle from the Thousands Islands Winery serves wine at Wish and Wonder Tattoo.

“It’s really fun,” said Andrew London, Wish and Wonder owner and a first-time host for the event. “People like the vibe.”

Darian Papia of Becker Farms in Gasport serves tastes of wine to Marie Wehling, Mollie Radzinski and Crystal Hallenbeck. They are at 101 East Bank Street.

The check-in crew greets people at Dubby’s. Right to left include Marlene Seielstad, Brenda Benjovsky, Tara Neace and Kim Hazel. Seielstad was chairperson of the event.

She noted it’s the biggest fundraiser for the Albion Merchants Association.

“It brings more than 350 people to downtown Albion and through the doors of the businesses,” she said. “They have a great time and it showcases our businesses.”

The wheelbarrow full of wine bottles was a prize. The wheelbarrow was donated by Luddy’s, with the wineries also donated bottles of their wine.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The candidates for mayor in Albion – Joyce Riley and Tim McMurray – speak during Thursday’s candidate forum at Hoag Library. Riley is running under the Democratic Party and independent “Vote for Albion” lines, while McMurray has the backing of the Republican Party. The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. on March 18 at the Village Hall at 35-37 East Bank St.

ALBION – The candidates for the upcoming Village of Albion election all said they are ready to work hard for the community, but they said it takes more than a Village Board for Albion to move forward with challenges with becoming more affordable, increasing housing options, attracting businesses and improving the quality of life.

The candidates – Joyce Riley and Tim McMurray for mayor, and Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan for trustee – urged more community participation in the village government, civic organizations, youth programs and other groups.

The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, with voting at the Village Hall on 35-37 East Bank St.

Riley and McMurray have both been on the board for nearly four years as trustees. The current mayor, Angel Javier Jr., isn’t seeking re-election. Riley is backed by the Democrats and the independent “Vote for Albion” lines while McMurray has the Republican line.

Riley worked as a registered nurse and later supervised an ambulatory surgical unit in Washington, D.C., overseeing 200 employees. When she retired, she moved back to Albion in 2015. She is the oldest of 10 siblings. She praised her parents for her upbringing.

She has served on the Albion Board of Education, and boards for Hoag Library, Orleans Community Health Foundation and the Cobblestone Museum. Riley said she will put in the time to research issues and move projects forward.

“It requires more than great ideas,” she said. “It requires a commitment to the process and seeing it to completion. I have the determination to see it to the finish line.”

She acknowledged village taxes and water rates have gone up significantly in recent years. But she said the big increases should be over. She said the village didn’t have reserves for needed equipment purchases, such as two new dump trucks, and upgrades to the water treatment plant. The village has begun setting aside funds in reserves which should lessen a tax jolt in the future, Riley and McMurray both said during a candidate forum on Thursday at Hoag Library.

The village’s tax levy is up $612,407 over the past three years – 21.5 percent. The tax levy went from $2,851,056 in 2022-23 to $3,463,463 in 2025-26. The fire department also was moved out of the village budget in 2025 when Albion formed the Albion Joint Fire District, which is its own taxing entity.

The village tax rate is currently at $15.99 per $1,000 of assessed property. Riley said if she is elected mayor she would fight hard to keep the upcoming budget at a $15.99 rate.

The new terms start on April 1 and the budget needs to be adopted by April 30 for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

About 50 people attended the forum at Hoag Library with Michael Bonafede serving as moderator. The forum can be viewed on the Orleans Hub’s Facebook page. The forum was sponsored by the Orleans Hub and Lake Country Media.

McMurray has been very involved in the community as a youth football coach the past 18 years, and through other events, including the Strawberry Festival and lighted parade in December. He served in the Marine Corps. McMurray worked at the former Chase and North American Mortgage call center in Albion, as well as in construction. He most recently was with Sanzo Beverages as a merchandizer stocking beer.

He has attended numerous local events and conferences in Albany to reach out to other local and state officials to build support for the village.

His campaign is focused on better “communication” from the board to the community. He wants to start livestreaming the board meetings so people can see the board’s decision-making and know what issues are before the village government.

He also wants to canvas local business owners about their needs.

“Communication is key,” he said. “It’s paramount.”

He wants to be mayor to help Albion become more vibrant in its business and residential districts. He noted the recent closing of the Thrive freeze dry complex on East Avenue. He said he would work with the Orleans Economic Development Agency to find a new business for that site on East Avenue.

“I feel our village has been stagnant for the last umpteen ears,” he said. “Turning the village around is my biggest point.”

He wants Albion to update its comprehensive plan with lots of community input. That plan can be a guide to the future, including updates to the business district, perhaps allowing awnings and more modern colors with paint.

The trustee candidates include, from left: Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan. Allport and Sheehan are on the Republican line while Robinson is on the independent “Vote for Albion” line.

Many residents are quick to complain on Facebook, but they can be ambassadors, spreading positivity about Albion, Issac Robinson said.

He moved to Albion about 15 years ago with his wife to be near her family. Robinson is a former Army medic who used to own the Robinson’s Redemption business in Albion near Walmart. He owns a bottle redemption business in Lockport and works in the arcade industry.

He is running under the independent “Vote for Albion” to give people a choice in the election. Two trustee terms are up for election. Jami Allport and Kevin Sheehan both are backed by the Republican Party.

Robinson sees many strengths in Albion, but he said the frequent complaining by residents is self-defeating. He called on residents to post positive reviews of businesses and spread positivity. Albion needs to share its “pride” in the community, he said.

Taxes are high for village residents, and he said he wants to maintain services without overwhelming taxpayers.

He thinks there would be more participation from residents at meetings by moving the starting time back from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Kevin Sheehan has been active in the community for about 30 years, from youth sports, as a previous Village Board member, as a current fire commissioner and other roles with COVA Ambulance and the Orleans County Auxiliary Police. Sheehan said the community needs the younger adult generation to be step forward with helping to run and lead the community.

“We’re losing future generations,” he said. “The residents are losing touch with the village.”

Sheehan, a former Albion code enforcement officer, said village officials can be creative in helping businesses succeed in Albion. He was the code officer when Dubby’s Tailgate opened its food and entertainment business in a former warehouse on Platt Street. He sees potential in many sites around the community for businesses and housing.

Sheehan is retired as a union plumber and pipefitter. He said he has the time and expertise to help with many of the issues facing the Village Board.

As the community is aging, Sheehan said there should be more housing options for seniors, including “cluster homes.” He was on the board with the redevelopment of the former grammar school on East Academy Street into senior apartments.

Jami Allport said many residents feel left out of the decision-making by the board. She said she would bring their voice to the board’s discussions. She works as executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and also as Albion’s cheerleading coach at the school.

“People should always feel comfortable approaching their elected officials,” she said.

Many local families feel the financial stress from escalating taxes and other costs, Allport said.

The village needs to avoid any future sharp increases in taxes and rates because it can be very hard on many residents, she said.

She would like to see the village poll existing businesses on how they are doing, what are their concerns and what they see as the strengths in Albion. The village should also reach out to businesses that have closed or moved to other communities, she said.

The candidates from left include Joyce Riley, Tim McMurray, Jami Allport, Issac Robinson and Kevin Sheehan. D.J. Button in back worked the sound board during the forum.

The candidates were asked if they see opportunities for shared services with other governments.

Robinson only sees animal control as a realistic possibility. The village has a part-time animal control officer, and that service could be taken over by the county, Robinson said. Ending other village departments “would be a huge loss to the community,” he said.

Riley said she was instrumental in a shared service agreement between the town of Albion and the village for code enforcement that saved both municipalities money. She has been working with Gaines officials on a grant proposal for shared water billing.

McMurray said municipalities could join together in buying equipment for leak detection in waterlines and sewerlines.

The collapse of a roof at 20 East Bank St. last month forced about 15 residents out of their apartments and temporarily closed some first floor storefronts. Candidates were asked about code enforcement and what can be done to prevent other buildings from a roof collapse or disrepair.

Riley said the code enforcement officer can issue violations and send letters, and often will need support from the village attorney if the issue goes to court. She would like to see Albion implement a vacant building registry, where owners of vacant buildings pay the village an annual fee and need to provide a plan for the site. Medina has a similar law that has helped reduce the number of vacant sites.

“It works in other places,” Riley said. “The question is does the village want it to work here?”

McMurray said a simplified code would help property owners, who now see many redundancies in the village property maintenance rules. He urged community members to alert code enforcement to roofs and porches that are shot.

Allport also said neighbors can make complaints to have code enforcement check on properties.

Robinson said it comes down to enforcing the code.

Sheehan, a previous code officer, said the code officer would need to be invited by the owner to inspect a roof or upper level apartment, or would need a warrant to check inside.

Michael Bonafede, the debate moderator and a former Board of Education president, thanked all the candidates for their willingness to be on the board.

“It’s about putting people together who can work together as a team and get things done,” he said.