By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Tom Drennan greets some of his supporters, including Michael Hanlon at left, during a chicken barbecue dinner this evening at the Elks’ Club in Albion. Drennan, the current chief deputy at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, is running for sheriff and faces a Republican Primary on Sept. 10 against Randy Bower.
ALBION – Tom Drennan’s supporters showed up in force today to buy chicken barbecue dinners and lend support for the chief deputy seeking to become the next county sheriff.
Drennan has worked 23 years for the Sheriff’s Office, starting as a road patrol deputy in September 1992. He has been promoted to lieutenant, criminal investigator, major and chief deputy.
He is running a campaign with a message that “Experience Matters.” He faces Randy Bower in a Republican Primary on Sept. 10. Drennan has the Republican Party endorsement. Former Medina police investigator Don Organisciak has the Democratic Party endorsement for the Nov. 3 election.
Drennan’s supporters include a who’s who of local law enforcement leaders, including District Attorney Joe Cardone. The DA says he can’t endorse a candidate, but he said Drennan would be an asset for the county as sheriff.
“I’ve worked with Tom for 23 years,” Cardone said. “There hasn’t been a major investigation he hasn’t been involved with. He brings years and years of experience and good judgment to the job.”
Tom Drennan was out directing traffic on Route 98 during the 10-mile race in Albion, the debut of the Metro 10 that included about 400 runners.
David Green, a retired sheriff, served in that role for 20 years as a Democrat. Green is now the vice chairman of the Democratic Party and has taken some heat from Democrats for backing Drennan.
Green said he has known Drennan since he was a young boy. Green was friends with Drennan’s parents, the late Jack and Helen Drennan.
“I have known him and his family for 50 years,” Green said at the Drennan benefit this evening.
Green was sheriff when Drennan was hired 23 years ago. Green said Drennan has received many promotions and completed numerous training classes, developing contacts in the law enforcement community.
“The other two (Bower and Organisciak) are both good guys,” Green said. “But I think Tom is the best prepared. He’s worked hard to get to this point.”
Four members of the civilian staff at the Sheriff’s Office, who all work with Tom Drennan, serve up chicken barbecue dinners. The group includes, from left: Sandy Wolfe, Nicole Spohr, Debbie Hughson and Allison Lavigne. Karen Narburgh also is pictured at the end of the line. The group served 700 dinners today.
Allison Lavigne works as civilian staff in the office with Drennan. She and her civilian co-workers helped serve the chicken dinners today. They support Drennan to lead the Sheriff’s Office.
“He’s one of the most honest and respectful people I’ve ever met,” Lavigne said. “I believe he has the county’s best interest at heart. It’s not personal for him. He’s thinking of the county.”
Rocky Sidari, a former Albion fire chief, has 25 years with the Fire Department. He also started as a county cornorer in January, and he said Drennan has been helpful since Sidari started the new job.
“Whenever we had a serious fire, he’s been there,” Sidari said. “He’s dedicated and professional. It doesn’t matter the call, he’ll jump in. Honestly, I think he’d be one of the best sheriffs we’ve ever had.”
Drennan greeted people at the Elks door during the benefit. He said he’s pleased with the campaign and the encouragement from the community.
“The support has been awesome,” he said. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been enjoyable.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – David Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, says he doesn’t like a siting board determining if the wind project will happen in Yates and Somerset. He wants to hear from Yates residents in “bona fide survey” before the Legislature takes a public stance on the project.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature, under pressure to publicly renounce a wind energy project in Yates and Somerset, will wait to see the results of a survey of residents, Legislature Chairman David Callard said Wednesday.
He addressed the issue after several residents and members of the Save Ontario Shores citizen group spoke against the project that could bring 60 to 70 turbines, peaking at 570 feet tall, to the two towns.
“They would be far more detrimental to the health and safety than any financial benefit,” said Yates resident Cynthia Hellert.
Deb Holt, a resident of Murray, said the big turbines are in a major migratory bird path. She worries about the impact on birds, wildlife, and also with nearby residents due to shadow flicker and low-frequency sound.
The Somerset Town Board and Niagara County Legislature have both gone on record opposing the project by Apex Clean Energy of Charlottesville, Va. Those boards voted following a survey of Somerset residents that showed strong opposition to the project.
Yates officials announced on Aug. 13 the town would survey residents about the project and would establish a committee including a representative from the Town Board, Apex and Save Ontario Shores.
“We’re waiting on a bona fide survey from Yates so we can see what the people say,” Callard said. “We want to find out what people say before we make a determination.”
Yates resident Cynthia Hellert speaks against a proposed wind energy project during Wednesday’s Orleans County Legislature meeting.
Callard said Yates has the more direct role in the project. He didn’t want to “tell the town what to do” just like he doesn’t like it when the state dictates how the county should respond to an issue.
Although the Legislature hasn’t formally weighed in on the project, Callard noted the Legislature has been consistent in supporting home rule, the right for a local community to welcome or oppose a project.
The state has taken home rule away with the wind turbine project by giving a state siting board the final vote on the project, Callard said. That seven-member board only includes two representatives from the local community, he said, giving the local towns a minority vote.
Besides the two local representatives on the siting committee, the seven-member group is chaired by the state Department of Public Service and includes the leaders of four other state departments: Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), Empire State Development and the Department of Health.
“It’s tilted to the state,” Callard said.
Apex officials are working on a scoping documents that identify potential issues in 41 categories, including health and safety issues, state and local law compliance, wildlife and numerous other issues. The company told town officials on Aug. 13 the document could be ready within two months.
Agnes LaPorte of Somerset urged Orleans officials to push back strong against the project.
“In Somerset we’re constantly bombarded with this windmill thing,” LaPorte said.
Some of the Somerset landowners are refusing to lease land for the turbines, which LaPorte said will push more turbines to Yates and Orleans County.
“They will come to your area,” she said. “It will destroy the area.”
Callard said Niagara County and Somerset officials welcomed Apex, assuming the community would want the project. Then the survey results came out.
“They did a 180 when they realized the people were against it,” Callard said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Super Cruise planned for today on Main Street in Medina has been pushed back a week because Elvis’s wife had a baby, a little early, today.
Terry Buchwald, an Elvis impersonator, has been providing entertainment for the finale of the Cruise In series at Medina for several years. He arrives on a motorcycle and sings from a stage on Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m.
Buchwald and about 300 classic cars will be ready for the Super Cruise next Wednesday with cars arriving at 4 p.m. and Buchwald at 6, said David Green, coordinator of the series.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Gary Withey was inundated this morning with customers wanting the newest item at Fischer’s News Stand, which is closing on Sunday after more than a century as a fixture in downtown Albion.
The store is selling Fischer’s T-shirts in red or blue with the store logo. One of Withey’s friends, Jack Burris, dropped off 100 this morning at 7. By noon there were 20 left.
Withey is pictured at the store with employee Missy Schening. They are wearing the new shirts.
“It’s insane,” Withey said about the rush on the shirts. “I’m speechless and I’m never speechless.”
Burris is giving the proceeds from the shirt sales to Withey. If all 100 sell, Burris expects he can give Withey $1,000.
Withey has owned the store for 20 years. Other news stands closed in Medina, Batavia, Rochester and other Western New York communities. Withey kept his going in a challenging business environment.
“I’ve been self employed for 25 years and it’s tough,” Burris said. “I give him props for sticking it out for 20 years. I have nothing but respect for him for what he did the past 20 years.”
Gary and his wife Denise became owners of Fischer’s in January 1995. They ran the business as a team. Last October, Denise suffered catastrophic kidney failure. She was on dialysis until her death at age 51 on Feb. 27.
Her husband will start a new job in September as a medical courier for ACM Medical Laboratory in Buffalo. Withey won’t have to work holidays and weekends in the new job.
He said he is thankful for the community support, including the latest push to buy a Fischer’s shirt.
The supply is nearly gone, and Burris said he will order more from Digital Ink Arts. D.J. Button at Digital Ink turned the shirts into a reality on Tuesday evening, after Burris had the idea only on Saturday.
“This is just to show support for Gary,” Burris said. “The shirts look really cool.”
Fischer’s will be open until 1 p.m. on Sunday. For information on getting a shirt, go to the store or email fischerstees@gmail.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2015 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – Five people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Jan. 24 at the intersection of Gaines Basin Road and West Countyhouse Road. Albion Fire Chief Harry Papponetti said it is one of three intersections in the Albion community prone to frequent collisions.
ALBION – Reducing speeds, adding signage and perhaps flashing lights may be the answer to reducing some of the accidents at three notorious intersections in the Albion community, Fire Chief Harry Papponetti told the Village Board this evening.
The intersections are all outside the village. The Albion Fire Department is frequently called to extricate trapped drivers, clean up roadways, direct traffic and provide emergency care.
On Friday the Fire Department was back at the intersection at Gaines Basin and Albion-Eagle Harbor roads after an accident. One person needed to be extricated from a smashed vehicle.
Four people were taken to the hospital following a two-car accident on Friday at the Gaines Basin Road and Albion-Eagle Harbor Road intersection.
“We have three very serious intersections and the town and county aren’t doing anything about it,” Papponetti told the Village Board.
Gaines Basin Road has another dangerous spot at the intersection with Countyhouse Road, Papponetti said. Another bad intersection is on Route 31 at Eagle Harbor Road.
All three of the intersections have been the scene of fatal collisions and many serious accidents over the years, he said.
Village officials and Police Chief Roland Nenni agreed the three spots are dangerous. He said county dispatch could generate a report on all of the accidents in recent years.
Mayor Dean London said the Village Board could write a letter to the town and county, as well as the state Department of Transportation, asking them to look into making the spots safer for motorists.
Firefighters sweep up debris after three vehicles were involved in an accident on Route 31 at the Eagle Harbor Road intersection on March 2.
Papponetti said there was another bad intersection in Albion at Holley Road and Riches Corners Road. But there have been few accidents there since the speed was reduced near the intersection, he said.
Gaines Basin Road has become busier since Wal-Mart opened about a decade ago. Papponetti also thinks some motorists try to avoid Main Street and the traffic lights and use Gaines Basin as a short cut.
Albion-Eagle Harbor Road has dips on the west side of Gaines Basin and a curve on the east side. Papponetti said he would like to at least see the speed be reduced. Village Attorney John Gavenda said there should be a four-way stop there.
The DOT responded to pressure about one dangerous intersection in the county. The state last year agreed to reduce the speed on a stretch of Maple Ridge Road near the Salt Works Road intersection in Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – An agency that serves people with disabilities in Orleans County voted to merge with a sister agency in Genesee County.
The Arc of Orleans County and Genesee ARC are already sharing a director, Donna Saskowski. The Arc of Orleans board of directors wants to join the two agencies, seeing an opportunity for reduced administration costs while preserving needed services for residents, said Don Allport, a member of the Arc board and a past president for the agency.
“The services will stay here,” Allport said during today’s Orleans County Legislature meeting. He is also a county legislator.
“It was a unanimous vote,” he continued. “We’re looking to a bright future.”
Allport said the smaller-county ARC chapters have struggled with Medicaid reductions and reimbursement changes through the Affordable Care Act.
“The smaller Arc’s are being forced to combine,” he said.
However, he thinks Orleans and Genesee are the first to do it.
The Genesee ARC board still needs to approve the merger and Allport said that board is expected to back the union this evening.
An exploratory committee has been looking at the issue with help from a consultant. The agency in Genesee County operates on about a $13 million annual budget with 340 staff members. In Orleans, the Arc has a $12 million budget and about 300 employees.
Saskowski, in an interview earlier this month, said some of the ARC chapters in the state are reducing programs and staff due to shrinking government reimbursements and other fiscal challenges.
“We might be able to provide services in a better manner and be more stable as an agency,” Saskowski said about a possible merged agency.
Two counties with a bigger land area, Livingston and Wyoming, have a single ARC chapter, the Arc of Livingston-Wyoming.
LYNDONVILLE – It would be easy to judge someone like Victor Woods. He’s a convicted felon. He spent time in a maximum-security prison after masterminding a $40 million credit card scheme.
But his message is stronger than any assumption someone can make about him: There is nothing more powerful than a dream.
Woods is set to bring his message to Lyndonville and share it with parents, families and community members, along with staff and students. All are invited to the Stroyan Auditorium on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. as part of the school district’s annual Back to School Night.
Woods will speak to staff on Sept. 3 and will return to speak with students on Sept. 9-10.
“When young people hear my story, I am able to draw them in and tell them how I put those skills to use to change my life around,” said Woods, speaking about the skills that landed him in prison but later became the transferable skills needed to become a national speaker and best-selling author.
Woods served 6 1/2 years in prison for a $40 million credit card conspiracy.
He is the founder and CEO of Success International Incorporated, a former radio talk show host of “Real Talk with Victor Woods” and is currently negotiating movie deal based on his life story.
He also worked tirelessly for over seven years to obtain a major book deal. After receiving 70 rejection notices, he self published, marketed and sold 50,000 copies of his book, A Breed Apart. His diligence paid off and he eventually caught the eye of Simon and Schuster and closed a major book deal chronicling his life story.
“You can have someone come in and tell a kid that you shouldn’t do this and that, but it is different hearing it from someone who didn’t graduate from high school, got a GED, got into an armed robbery ring,” he said.
Woods has been speaking to groups for over 19 years, sharing his story and empowering those who feel like there is nowhere to go. He spoke last year at a superintendent’s conference and that’s where Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith found out about Woods. After hearing Woods speak and being captivated by what he had to offer, Smith started working on bringing Woods to Lyndonville.
“I want them to hear from someone new and different,” Smith said. “I want Victor to share with the students, staff and families the power of community and how we can work as a team.”
His visit is made possible with the help of two groups. The Lyndonville Area Foundation is sponsoring the event on Sept. 3 for parents and the Lyndonville Lions Club is helping to subsidize his interaction with the Young Entrepreneurs Club on Thursday, Sept. 10.
“When you start talking about life, it doesn’t matter if you are in the Appalachian Mountains or the city, we’re talking about the kids,” added Woods.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Holley man accused of rape; Others face DWI, burglary charges
ALBION – A Holley man was arraigned on rape charges on Monday, while two face charges of burglary and another man was arraigned for felony driving while intoxicated.
Anthony Rowe, 20, of Public Square in Holley allegedly had sexual contact with a 14-year-old victim on July 14. He has been charged with second-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Rowe, who has no prior criminal history, pleaded not guilty. He posted $10,000 bail in a lower court, and Judge James Punch kept bail at that amount. The judge also issued an order of protection for the victim of the alleged crime.
Two people were arraigned on burglary charges.
Matthew Ritzel, 26, of Hamlin allegedly broke into a house on Kendall Road in Murray and took items from the dwelling on June 3.
He has been charged with second-degree burglary and petty larceny. Ritzel has no prior criminal history. Judge Punch kept bail at $2,500.
Francisco Guerrero, 37, of Brockport allegedly broke into a home on Hurd Road on July 1 in Murray and took items.
He was arraigned on second-degree burglary and petty larceny. He has posted $40,000 bail set in a lower court. Judge Punch kept bail at that level.
A man accused of his fifth alcohol-related offense had his bail increased from $10,000 to $50,000.
Bradley Dunaway was arraigned on felony driving while intoxicated, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and reckless endangerment.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2015 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Will Medina’s next fire chief have at least 8 years of experience as a career firefighter or 10 years?
Will the chief have at least 2 years in a supervisory role, as a captain or perhaps an assistant chief?
Should the Village Board insist the next chief be required to live in the village?
These are some of the criteria the board is debating as it gears up to fill the fire chief position. Todd Zinkievich has retired from the position, effective Sept. 28. Michael Maak, a captain with the department, is the current officer in charge.
Trustee Marguerite Sherman wants to see how other fire departments with paid staff have filled the chief’s position. She said insisting on at least 2 years experience as a captain could prevent potential outstanding candidates from applying.
Trustee Michael Sidari said at least 2 years experience in the captain’s or deputy chief’s role should be a requirement for the next chief.
“I want someone with leadership experience,” Sidari said at Monday’s Village Board meeting. “It’s hard to go from being a firefighter to leading a department.”
Sidari said fire departments structure their leadership in different ways. Medina, for example, doesn’t have an assistant chief or lieutenant position. It has two captains: Michael Maak and Jonathan Higgins.
Village Board members said they would continue to discuss minimum qualifications for the fire chief, including a valid intermediate EMT card.
The fire chief leads 13 paid firefighters and a roster of call men that respond to about 3,000 calls a year.
In other fire department news, the board declared a 1977 pumper truck as surplus. That truck has been out of service for about a decade and is currently stored in Knowlesville at the Ridgeway fire station. Maak said he thinks it could fetch at least $2,000.
The board also accepted the resignation from R.J. Morgan as a call man and removed Albert Thompson from the call men roster. He is in the Navy.
Genesee Community College staff members recognized with Chancellor’s Awards include, front row, from left: Rebecca Dziekan, Patricia Hume, Kathy L. Palumbo, Joyce A. Chizick, Dr. Christopher D. Caputi and Heather Jones. Back row: GCC President James M. Sunser, Lyndsey J. Oliver-Farewell, Timothy M. Palmer and Charles Scuggs.
Press Release, GCC
BATAVIA – Seven members of the Genesee Community College staff team have been recognized by State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community.
The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.
The following faculty and staff members earned the 2015 award and were honored at a reception on the Batavia Campus.
Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Christopher D. Caputi, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program – Chris earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Physical Therapy from D’Youville College and a Post-Professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical University.
He spent time at Wyoming County Community Hospital and Kenmore Mercy Hospital as a staff physical therapist and worked as a physical therapist for Guthrie Healthcare System in Sayre, Pennsylvania and Crystal City Physical Therapy in Corning. He currently provides outpatient physical therapy evaluations and treatment for Sports Plus Physical Therapy in Batavia. Chris joined the College in 2007 as an adjunct professor and quickly became a full-time faculty member in 2008.
He is actively involved with students on campus as the academic coordinator of Clinical Education and advisor of the Physical Therapy Club. Chris also currently serves as a member of the Academic Innovation Committee, Academic Senate and Global Education Committee at GCC. He is an Equity and Diversity representative and a College Foundation captain. He resides in Tonawanda, NY.
Charles Scruggs, Assistant Professor of History – Charles came to GCC in 2007 after spending time as a tutor and substitute teacher for the Geneseo School District. He also held teaching assistant positions at SUNY Albany and the University of Notre Dame after earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Princeton University and his Master’s Degree in Political Science from SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs.
Charles continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Master’s of Science in Education Degree in History Education in 2003. He has taught a dozen different courses at the College, both traditional and online. Charles serves on a number of committees at Genesee, including the Academic Senate, the Innovation Committee, the Global Education Committee, the Sustainability Committee, the Early Intervention Committee and the Online Faculty Advisory Committee.
He has participated in professional programs at Cornell University, received a travel grant to participate in a NATO Advanced Studies Institute in Scotland and a PIER Institute at Yale University on the culture and politics of revolution in Latin America. He resides in Rochester, NY.
Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
Heather Jones, Associate Professor of Fine Arts – Heather was appointed to Genesee Community College as a full-time instructor of Fine Arts in 2008 and was promoted to associate professor in 2014. She participated in the development and programming of the Roz Steiner Art Gallery, working with architects in the gallery design and the Gallery Advisory Board to develop the gallery vision.
Heather holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Alfred University and a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She serves on the GCC Sustainability Committee, Fine Arts Committee and acts as the chair for the Curriculum sub-committee. Heather has also developed new course curriculum for the College, including a 2D hybrid art course, an arts topic course and an international study abroad program.
She is a working artist creating social commentaries on environmental issues and is the owner of two active small businesses. GlassFeather Studio offers arts workshops to the local community and Good Nature Press offers book packaging, writing, graphic design and illustration services. Prior to GCC, Heather taught as an arts adjunct professor for seven years at a variety of colleges and served as the director of Camp Stella Maris in Livonia, NY until 2002. She resides in Conesus, NY.
Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
Rebecca Dziekan, Director of Health and Physical Education – Rebecca began her career at GCC as the College’s athletic trainer and instructor of Health and Physical Education (HPE) in 1996. She took advantage of many professional development opportunities and became director of Health and Physical Education in 2007 and earned rank of full professor in 2011.
Rebecca has created new courses for HPE programs and created two concentrations to the Fitness and Recreation Sport Management Program (Personal Training and Golf Management). Her service to the College is extensive as she is an acting member of the Academic Senate, CAST (Campus Area Safety Team), Assessment Committee, Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee, GCCA Faculty Rep and Secretary, Creativity Committee, General Education Committee and more.
Her relationship with the community includes the development of the Genesee Sport and Wellness Camp in an effort to improve student skills in sports and the Play to Get Fit Challenge, which challenges 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in the GLOW area to record the most minutes spent physically active outside regular school hours in an effort to battle childhood obesity.
Rebecca is a graduate of The (SUNY) College at Brockport, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, and Indiana State University with a Master’s Degree in Science. She is a member of the Pavilion School Board of Education and head coach for Pavilion youth baseball, basketball and soccer.
Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Lyndsey J. Oliver-Farewell, Technical Specialist, Records Management – Lyndsey joined the College in 2004 as a peer tutor at the Albion Campus Center. She held the position of technical assistant and associate at Albion and Medina Campus Centers before being hired as a technical specialist in Records Management in Batavia in 2010.
In her current capacity, Lyndsey is regularly relied upon to manage large projects with a high degree of accuracy. Of her many responsibilities, one is the management of the credit course schedule of approximately 1,500 sections each semester. Lyndsey earned an Associate Degree from GCC before continuing her education at The (SUNY) College at Brockport where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Kathy L. Palumbo, Director of Nursing – Kathy has been the director of Genesee’s Nursing Program since January of 2009 and prior to that, she taught in the program for 18 years. She is the only director of a program which prepares students for professional licensure. The Nursing Program admits and regularly graduates students twice a year, making it the second largest program of study at GCC.
Kathy supervises and evaluates 13 full-time faculty and staff, and depending on the semester, 25-30 part-time faculty, more than all other healthcare programs combined. A graduate of the University at Buffalo, Kathy earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree of Science in Nursing. Recognizing the importance of communication and connection to the surrounding community, Kathy actively participates in a number of community organizations and activities.
Most recently, she was invited to become a member of the Genesee County Health Department Quality Assurance Committee. She is also on several nursing advisory committees, including the University of Rochester, The (SUNY) College at Brockport, Daemen College and Roberts Wesleyan University. In collaboration with the Genesee County Health Department, Kathy was responsible for organizing flu clinics and supervising student administration of the H1N1 vaccine to the community, including children, when there was an urgent need to immunize against the flu strain. She is also on the board of the Genesee Valley Nurses Association which has been the recipient of grant funds to assist nursing students in the Rochester area with emergency funding, allowing them to continue their education. Kathy resides in Darien, NY.
Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
Joyce A. Chizick, Adjunct Instructor of Art and Business – Since she began teaching at GCC in the fall of 2000, Joyce has taught a total of twelve different courses in a variety of disciplines including Art, Business Administration, Fashion Merchandising Management and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Her classes are dynamic and lively, utilizing humor, singing, dancing, acting out different works of art, in addition to traditional group work, discussions and presentations. Joyce serves as a member of the Global Education Committee at the College where she has presented several programs and assisted in over 20 others.
She is also a member of the Fine Arts Committee, an advisor for the Western Art History Club, and has served as a mentor in the Honors Program. Numerous GCC campus events benefitted from Joyce’s creative touch as she dedicates her time to activities such as the annual fashion show and Encore and other scholarship fundraising events. Joyce earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from The State University of New York at Buffalo and also obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from SUNY Empire State College. She resides in Lyndonville, NY.
Timothy M. Palmer, Adjunct Instructor of History – Timothy has taught as an adjunct instructor for the College since 1992. He has held classes in traditional classroom settings, developed and taught online classes, traveled extensively to satellite facilities to teach, and has taken his enthusiasm and dedication into the New York State Corrections System, most notably Attica Correctional Facility. Timothy earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in History from The (SUNY) College at Brockport and taught as an adjunct professor at his alma mater from 1999 to 2011.
A voracious reader, Timothy keeps up with current developments in his discipline spending three to four hours a day reading monographs and journals. He has authored several published articles that reflect his research interests and desire to keep in tune with the latest scholarship, which he brings to the classroom to the benefit of his students.
His passion for teaching is obvious to the most casual of observers and in 1996, he was awarded the Genesee Community College Phi Theta Kappa Award for Teaching Excellence. In addition, Timothy earned the Art Lee History Award and Robert Griswold History Award at The (SUNY) College at Brockport and the Teaching Excellence Award, presented by the GCC Student Government. He resides in Greece, NY.
Award for Excellence in Classified Service
Patricia Hume, Executive Secretary, Development and External Affairs – Patty, who joined the Genesee Community College staff in 2006, serves as the secretary to the College Foundation Board. She oversees the records and work flow of the office, and schedules all meetings and activities for the Board, which has nine committees and 31 members. Among its many functions, the Foundation Board organizes “Encore,” an annual holiday tradition which is the major fundraising event for student scholarships and involves many of the College’s departments as well as an extraordinary number of citizens from the region.
Patty serves as the central liaison for “Encore” and is crucial to its long-running success. Patty is also responsible for the important and voluminous digital records held in the office’s custody, which includes data entries on some 35,000 constituents, often appended with tightly secured personal information. She maintains an active presence at virtually all major College events and is willing to go beyond the scope of her position to help her colleagues. As an alumnus of Genesee Community College herself, Patty, class of 1988, is a strong supporter and booster of all things GCC. She resides in Pavilion with her husband Ted and son Aiden.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Marlee Diehl, a member of the Albion Rotary Club, is pictured with Kevin Crosby, the current district governor for District 7090, which includes about 70 Rotary clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario. Diehl will become district governor on July 1, 2016.
ALBION – A member of the Albion Rotary Club will become District Governor next July 1, leading a district of about 70 clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.
Marlee Diehl was to take over as district governor in 2017, but the next district governor stepped down from consideration. The current district governor, Kevin Crosby, said input from the district’s leadership was unanimous in having Diehl assume the reins a year ahead of when she had planned.
“She is very dependable and she’s a tremendous asset for the district,” Crosby said after a recent visit with Albion Rotarians.
Diehl has been active in many district events and committees, helping to plan and lead district conferences and training sessions. She served as assistant district governor for three years.
“I was struck right away by her involvement and her commitment,” said Crosby, a Lockport resident and member of the Buffalo Sunrise Club. “She has always stepped up and done not only what we asked her to do, but more.”
Diehl has been active in Rotary since 1994, when she joined a club in Hamilton, Ontario. Diehl’s husband Bill is twice a past president of the Albion Rotary Club. They met at a Rotary conference in Toronto in 2009, when they were both at a training session for incoming Rotary presidents.
Bill was to be president of the Albion club for the first time in 2009-10, while Marlee was to be president of the Hamilton, Ontario club. They became friends at that conference and would marry in December 2011. Mrs. Diehl emigrated and now lives with her husband in Carlton.
As district governor, Diehl said her focus will be celebrating Rotarians, especially those with a long commitment to helping their communities.
For about 35 years she worked as a recruiter, helping companies find executives and leaders in management. While connecting with business leaders, she noticed many wore Rotary pins or had Rotary posters on their walls.
When she was looking for an outlet for community service, she turned to Rotary and joined the Hamilton club in 1994.
She is also active at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion and the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – An Albion woman pleaded guilty to three crimes today in Orleans County Court and will face state prison when she is sentenced on Oct. 19.
Elsie Biaselli, 71, of East State Street admitted to violating probation, and two counts of offering a false instrument.
Biaselli has a prior conviction of promoting prison contraband for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs in to inside Attica Correctional Facility, where her grandson was an inmate. Biaselli was sentenced to five years on probation in 2013.
She violated her probation by not disclosing she was a convicted felon on an application for a pistol permit.
She told Judge James Punch today she “had problems remembering” that she was a convicted felon when she filled out the pistol permit application in February.
But Punch didn’t believe her and said she could instead go to trial and face up to 7 years in state prison.
“If you’re going to play games with me I’m not going to do it,” Punch told her in court. “Let’s get off the baloney here.”
Biaselli responded, “I lied,” in reference to the pistol permit application.
“You did with the intent to defraud the government?” Punch pressed.
“Yes,” she answered.
Biaselli also admitted to filing a false instrument by making a false statement on a welfare application, claiming a grandchild was a dependent who doesn’t live with her.
Biaselli told the judge she thought her granddaughter, who was living out of state, would move in with her. But Punch said the application asked if there were dependents living with her at the time of the application.
“So you lied?” Punch asked her.
“I guess so,” responded Biaselli.
“So you could defraud the government?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You did it so you could cheat them and get more money in your pocket?” the judge asked. “Is that right, ma’am?”
“Yes,” Biaselli said.
The admission to felonies represents a “significant violation of probation,” Punch said.
Because Biaselli is a second felony offender, the judge said he can not sentence her to probation or county jail. She will be sentenced to state prison on Oct. 19 with 2 to 4 years the maximum.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – Scotty McMurray, a member of the St. Mary’s team in the Albion Midget League, follows Jordan Holloway, a pitcher for the Batavia Muckdogs, onto the Dwyer Stadium field on Sunday. St. Mary’s was invited to be in the dugout before the game and follow the players on the field for introductions and the National Anthem.
Nick Andrews joins Muckdogs infielder Alexander Fernandez in a trot onto the field. Both were introduced by the announcer.
The St. Mary’s team, led by coach Andrew Campbell (left), waits by the Muckdogs dugout before introductions.
Muckdogs catcher Brad Haynal and Deyonci Farley of St. Mary’s wait to take the field.
St. Mary’s and Muckdogs players stand in the outfield for the National Anthem. The group includes, from left: Zack Olles of St. Mary’s, Travis Brewster for the Muckdogs, Stone Garrett for the Muckdogs, Christian Swierczinski for St. Mary’s, Shane Hastings for St. Mary’s, and Galvi Moscat for the Muckdogs.
After the anthem, St. Mary’s players Christian Swierczinski, left, and Shane Hastings sprint off the field.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – For decades now, Burger King has been an oasis of flowers, grass and small trees on a section of Main Street dominated by asphalt.
The Albion Betterment Committee on Saturday morning presented the store’s owner, Mark Cammilleri, with a “Landscape Award” for his years of upkeep and commitment of a colorful lawn with lots of flowers. Cammilleri is pictured with Linda Davis, who has been planting and maintaining the flowers for many years.
“We want to recognize their longevity of commitment,” said Gary Kent, a director with the Albion Betterment Committee. “It’s clean and there are tons of flowers blooming.”
Cammilleri’s father James bought the Burger King store in Albion in 1989. He wanted perennials and green space.
“Curb appeal is very important,” Cammilleri said. “This isn’t your normal, bland landscape.”
Cammilleri credited Davis for planting the flowers, and developing a plan so different ones are blooming from spring to late summer.
The Betterment Committee recognized Albion Agencies with a Landscape Award last week. That business has been locally run since 1844. Kent and the Betterment Committee also wanted to honor a franchise owner for years of effort with flowers and lawn beautification efforts.
Linda Davis and Mark Cammilleri are pictured with Albion Betterment Commitee directors, from left: Gary Kent, Gary Derwick (second from right) and Joe Gehl.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Two people were sentenced to state prison today for drug crimes, and another woman, accused of $28,000 in fraudulent credit card purchases, had her sentencing adjourned a week while the court considers a restitution plan.
Javonie McKinney, 41, of Holley was given two years in state prison, plus two years of post-release supervision.
McKinney on June 1 pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He faced a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison.
McKinney apologized to his family and the community during sentencing today. His attorney Thomas Keane asked for leniency, saying McKinney was only involved in one drug sale and wasn’t a major drug dealer.
“He has seen the error of his ways and wants to start a new life,” Keane told Judge James Punch during sentencing.
The judge noted McKinney was a second felony offender “with a serious and substantial criminal history,” and the latest charge against McKinney involved selling cocaine.
McKinney also is required to pay $100 in restitution to the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, a $325 court surcharge and a $50 DNA fee.
A Lockport woman was sentenced to a year in state prison, plus a year of post-release supervision. Katrina Drake, 24, pleaded guilty on June 1 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
She admitted she had hydrocodone and sold it from a parking lot across from the Save-A-Lot in Albion in November.
Drake’s attorney Dominic Saraceno asked that Drake not be sentenced to state prison. Punch said she has been on probation before without success.
A woman from South Carolina had her sentencing adjourned for a week. Carly S. Wells, 25, will spend the next week in the county jail without bail.
She pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny on June 1. She allegedly racked up $28,000 in fraudulent purchases and/or cash withdrawals on someone else’s credit card.
On June 1 she agreed to pay $2,500 in upfront restitution. She is contesting the figure of $28,000.
As part of a plea deal on June 1, she would not be sentenced to state prison. If Judge Punch gives her a prison sentence, she can withdraw the plea and go to trial.
