Editor:

My name is Joyce, and I have had the privilege of serving the Village of Albion as a trustee for the past four years. I have lived in Albion since the age of 10, educated here, and raised my family here and retired here to be near family and friends.

Albion is not just where I live — it is who I am. Now I am asking my neighbors for the opportunity to serve as your next Mayor, and I want to share a little of what we have accomplished together.

When I took office, I stepped in to close out a critical Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that was in jeopardy. With no prior experience in that process, I learned what was needed to successfully and appropriately complete all required reports and paperwork and got it done in time – protecting the village and program participants from losing their financial investments.

I stayed current on communications and, as a result, entered the Village into a class action suit regarding PFAS contamination. Many said we would not qualify. I believed we could, because we test for it and it is not present in our water system, but present in some neighboring farmland. After our department head completed the required paperwork, approximately a year and a half later, we received $75,000 — with the prospect of additional payments for up to ten years. I was also instrumental in the purchase of two new dump trucks that were aged from 1992, that were a risk to the drivers and the public. We secured a USDA grant for $50K and bonded the remainder.

I collaborated with the Town of Albion to establish a shared code enforcement agreement, writing the Memorandum of Understanding myself to ensure both municipalities benefited fairly. I am currently working with the Town of Gaines on a water billing collaboration and grant that has the potential to expand to multiple municipalities — reducing personnel costs, improving reporting accuracy, and revenue generation.

I have written multiple grants for this community: Music in the Parks (twice), a $5,000 GO Art! grant for a local artist Bill Schutt to create a solar-powered lamppost from 100-year-old steel salvaged from the Main Street bridge, and a second artist grant for a new gateway sign on the east side of town celebrating Albion’s connection to Charles Howard — the original Santa Claus. Our staff at the Pollution Control Facility crafted a park bench from that same historic steel, complete with a time capsule, now registered in the International Time Capsule Society. The lamppost and bench are both on display as part of our new Erie Canal Park.

I am in the office regularly and make it a priority to monitor the village’s general, water, and sewer budgets weekly with our clerk. When the sewer fund faced cuts that were not fiscally sound — leaving it in the red — I worked with the Supervisor to develop a PowerPoint presentation to justify a necessary increase and make the case to restore that department to a healthy footing. Our sewer team has always run lean; they deserved support from us recognizing their needs.

None of this work happens alone. I am grateful to the dedicated department heads I work alongside every day: Tracy VanSkiver (Clerk/Treasurer), Jay Pahura (DPW), Levi Boyer (Water), Rick Albright (Sewer), Chief Dave Mogle (APD), Jason Zicari (Cemetery), Chris Kinter (Code Enforcement), John Grillo (Parks and Recreation), Harry Papponetti (Animal Control) and Susan Starkweather Miller (Village Historian). This village runs because of dedicated people like them.

I would also like to recognize the community residents, schools, businesses and property owners that I have worked with on other projects, such as the beautification of the Erie Canal Park. Tim Archer and Carrie Kozody from our Middle School provided a platform showcasing the interest and talents of our youth at many venues around historical events in our town. The students’ parents showed up for them as did many others. This is how we change! Everyone doing their best in their roles in the community together.

As your Mayor, I will carry forward the same commitment to fiscal responsibility, shared services, grant funding, and community pride that has guided my four years as trustee. I will work to bring businesses to our village through the Economic Development Agency and other creative endeavors, continue expanding our pocket parks through grants, advocate for a senior center befitting our county seat, and complete a new Comprehensive Plan that will move this village forward.

On March 18, 2026, I humbly ask for your vote. I am running on both the Democratic line and the independent “Vote for Albion” line. This is not about party — it is about the place we all call home.

Sincerely,

Joyce Riley

Candidate for Mayor, Village of Albion

Editor:

March 18th is almost upon us…

I may not have known our Mayor for as long as many of you. Time alone isn’t always a fair determinant; quality of time spent certainly can be.

In my dealings and discussions with our Mayor, I have found her to be many things: honest, concerned, invested, committed, compassionate, cooperative, accepting, as well as several additional positive qualities.

At the same time, I’ve not found our Mayor to be: selfish, curt, exclusionary, negative, attacking, accusatory, hurtful, blameful, or a myriad of other traits that proliferate some in our village and society as a whole.

Leadership is an outgrowth of one’s core beliefs when put into action. Our Mayor is in fact about action. Is action swift? Sometimes, but usually not when it comes to challenges that face an entire community.

Our Mayor takes the necessary time to listen, investigate, mobilize resources, make an informed presentation of the facts, and then seek collaborative action. It is not that our Mayor can’t be swift in action, but rather chooses to lead with wisdom before, during, and after that action. Therein lies a distinct difference in the Mayoral election before us.

I urge all of you to consider our Mayor’s accomplishments and progress toward action, in spite of the challenges before her. Our Mayor stepped into her current role from her prior service to and experience with the Village of Medina.

She chose this even though she knew the challenges and issues facing her, us, and the village in the form of tax rates, personnel, equipment, infrastructure, governance, the list goes on. She knowingly asked to take on these responsibilities and she is asking yet again after a short two years as our Mayor. She wants to continue her work and we need her to do so.

Many of you have continued to ask, “What can I do?”

Here is your answer: on March 18th, Go to the polls, vote to re-elect Mayor Sherman.

Respectfully,

Brian Wiesinger

Medina

Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Marguerite Sherman for Mayor.

I have known Marguerite Sherman since 1973 when I moved my family to Medina. Marguerite was then an elementary school student at Oak Orchard School.

Over the past 53 years I have witnessed her love and commitment to Medina and its residents.  She has worked, and will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of Medina’s physical appearance, safety, and financial stability.

It is my opinion that Marguerite should be re-elected as Mayor.

Sincerely,

David Boice

Medina

Editor:

I am recommending Deborah Padoleski for Mayor of Medina. I’ve known Deb since Fourth Grade and we worked together at Super Duper right out of High School – me in Produce and she in the Deli.

If one wants to acquire people skills quickly, definitely work a retail or service job. Deb nailed it and taught me a few things along the way.

Later, her 41 years of experience in the Village Clerk’s Office totally prepared her to be our Mayor.

Intrinsically honest, experienced, people-oriented, and humble describes Deb perfectly.

I also believe any of Mark Prawel, Dean Bellack and Jeff Wagner deserve your votes for Village Trustee. All of them are disciplined critical thinkers and doers.

I co-own a business on Main Street and I know that our Business District is the envy of small towns for miles around.

But as one travels outward into Medina’s neighborhoods, there is not so much to envy. As a Realtor, I can see the tax burden wearing on our village.

Over the past several years, there has been much talk, but very little results from the mayor’s office. It’s time to change.

There comes a time for every organization where a “Great Disruption” is needed to break the chains of status quo. I believe that time for Medina is now.

While serving on the MCSD Board of Education, I often reminded myself of that famous saying, “Good is the enemy of Great.” Most recently we’ve heard it in reference to the Buffalo Bills. It means that we sometimes get so comfortable being good, that we stop striving to be great.

This is a transformational election for Medina. It is very important to choose wisely on March 18th.

It isn’t high school student council. This is real life and real consequences.

Not just for us, but for our heirs and beyond. It’s our legacy we are voting on.

Let’s get the right people in place to bring a culture of discipline and accomplishment to Medina government. It’s time to break free of the same old visionless bureaucracy.

It’s time for Medina to be Great!

Deborah Padoleski for Mayor of Medina.

David Sevenski

Medina

Editor:

As Medina residents who have raised a family in this community, we care deeply about the direction our village takes and the kind of leadership guiding it. In a small community like Medina, leadership is measured not only by words but by actions. Over the past several years, Mayor Marguerite Sherman has demonstrated both.

She has consistently shown a commitment to preserving the things we value most about Medina while also encouraging thoughtful progress and new ideas. Medina has a proud history and a strong sense of community. Mayor Sherman understands that protecting that character is important, but she also recognizes that communities must continue to move forward. What stands out to us is her ability to balance those priorities. She respects Medina’s past while working to position the village for a stronger future.

Another quality that deserves recognition is her understanding of the financial pressures residents face. Taxes are a real concern for many families, and Mayor Sherman has made it clear that reducing the burden on taxpayers matters. At the same time, she has actively pursued grant opportunities and outside funding for projects that benefit the community without placing additional strain on residents. That approach shows both responsibility and creativity.

We also know Marguerite as an outstanding schoolteacher and a dedicated advocate for students and families. Her background in education has shaped her ability to listen, empathize, and problem solve—qualities that translate directly into her work as mayor. She has always put people first, and those who worked with her in the school community know how deeply she cares about helping others succeed. That same commitment is evident in how she leads our village.

Leadership also means having a clear plan and the experience to carry it out. In this election, it seems clear that there is one candidate who has both a vision for Medina and the track record to back it up.

For these reasons, we encourage our fellow residents to support the re-election of Mayor Marguerite Sherman.

David and Melissa Cotter

Medina