Contributed Story Posted 30 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Submitted photos
ALBION – Many of the employees at The Villages of Orleans dressed up today. These four were winners of the costme contest at the nursing home on Route 31.
The group includes, from left: Dylan Miller with Eleanore; winner of “Just Plain Awesome” Costume; Rachael Steen; winner of “Ugliest” Costume; Morgan Haak; winner of “Cutest” Costume; and Dee Marks; winner of “Scariest” Costume.
Many of the staff members dressed up today for Halloween. The judges are pictured in front, from left: Lucille Bloom, Virginia McMurray and Mary Driesel, who are all residents of The Villages.
Staff members include, from left: Dylan Miller with Eleanore, Tanya Adams, Kay Sheffer, Rachael Steen, Betsey Wheeler, Kim Brueckner, Annette Barone, Matthew Blanar, Dee Marks, Sue Williams, Elissa Hyde, Sandy Money, Morgan Haak, Michelle Neal, and Deb Donnelly with Buddy.
Some CRFS employees dressed up with a “Price is Right” theme. They include, front row: Inda MacFarland, Allie Morris, Pam Allen and Judy Kennedy. Back row: Felicia Cunningham, Jose Strussenberg, Kristin Gross, Ashleigh Soule and Monica Seniuk.
Five Star Bank in Albion continued its tradition of dressing up for Halloween. The group this year had a “Spice Girls” theme. Pictured include, from left: Dean Marconi, Deb Yockel, Jamie Bennett, Becky Dillenbeck, Susan Plummer, Bethany Hodgins and Amy Bigley.
HOLLEY – Genesee Community College history professor Derek Maxfield will bring to an end the month-long series of events on “Hillside Heritage” with a lecture on Monday at Hillside Cemetery in Holley.
Maxfield will discuss “Victorian Death and the Civil War.” The events at the cemetery, including three public lectures and a very successful ghost walk, are part of an initiative to bring more attention to the plight of the Gothic Revival chapel at the cemetery, which was completed in 1894.
Derek Maxfield
Efforts are underway to raise funds to restore the beautiful Medina sandstone building designed by Rochester architect Addison Forbes. The chapel and cemetery are included on the National Register of Historic Places.
The lecture on Monday will combine two of Maxfield’s research interests in one talk – Victorian culture and the Civil War. By 1861, Victorian culture with its many social rules dominated American society and set the standards of conduct for the ladies and gentlemen of the era.
These same social mores played an important role in bringing about the great war between the states. But the war far exceeded what the Victorians or anyone else expected bringing a cataclysm of suffering and death that would change values and culture profoundly.
The Monday lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the chapel at Hillside Cemetery. In keeping with the season, the lecture will be delivered without the aid of any technology and the chapel will be lit with only oil lamps and candles – producing an appropriately spooky effect. While the lecture is free, donations to the chapel restoration fund will be gladly accepted.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Gloria Jasso last week received her high school diploma from Brockport after years of study, beginning with English classes at her Kendall home in 1998.
WATERPORT – Gloria Jasso was 22 when she went to her first class, English as a Second Language.
It was 1998, and she and some of her farmworker friends gathered in Gloria’s home in Kendall to be taught by Linda Redfield.
Jasso grew up in rural, impoverished Mexico and never attended school. That wasn’t unusual for girls in Michoacan, the poorest state in Mexico. Jasso grew up in a mountainous region. She learned some reading and writing from her aunt.
“There were no schools or teachers,” Jasso said.
She started working at Herberle Farms in Hamlin in 1994. She would work there for 19 years, picking apples, trimming trees, planting strawberries, and working in the warehouse.
Gloria Jasso is pictured with one of her tutors, Deanne Borrie (left) and teacher Linda Redfield, right.
After work, she would take classes. In the winter, when she wasn’t working for the farm, she could spend even more time learning, attending classes in Medina and later in Brockport. She also learned splelling, English, math and other skills by helping her four children with their homework.
Once she learned words in English, she wanted to learn more. It was the same with math. As she mastered some skills, she kept pushing herself.
“As soon as I was learning a word in English it made me more excited to learn more,” Jasso said.
For 17 years she learned, improving her English, math, computer skills and education.
She considered getting a General Equivalency Diploma, but opted for a more challenging high school diploma. Last week, she was presented with that diploma through the National External Diploma Program.
“She had the intention to always improve herself,” said Linda Redfield, one of her teachers.
Redfield is the education director at the World Life Institute on Stillwater Road in Waterport. The school hosted a celebration for Jasso on Wednesday.
Jasso said her teachers and several volunteer tutors were instrumental in her success, in completing the many classes and building her confidence.
She completed many of her classes on-line and met with teachers twice a week at the public library in Brockport. She was looking for a tutor to help check her work. Several people stepped forward, including Deanne Borrie of Kent.
Borrie and the tutors declined any payment, even gas money, despite Jasso’s offers. Borrie said she is grateful to have Jasso as a friend and is inspired by her work ethic and her generous nature.
Jasso and her husband Efrain Arellano recently moved into their own house in Brockport. They have four children, including daughter Tania, who was the valedictorian at Kendall in 2015.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Tania Arellano was a star for Kendall in athletics and academics. She was the valedictorian of the Class of 2015.
Tania now plays soccer and basketball at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. Tania is a business and accounting major, and scholarships are covering her college costs.
“She is very smart,” Jasso said about her daughter. “I am so proud of her.”
Tania was deeply committed to her schoolwork at Kendall, and took a rare absence from school in 2011 to accompany her mother to Albany, when Jasso was honored as a “student of the year” by the New York State Association of Adult Continuing and Community Education.
Jasso and her husband have three other children: Johnny, a 10th grader; Princesa, a sixth grader; and Diego, a fourth-grader. They attend school in Brockport.
Jasso said she is looking to update her resume and may pursue job training.
“I have to see what’s available,” she said.
Redfield said Jasso’s achievement is remarkable.
“She never had an education in her home country,” Redfield said.
Jasso thanked her teachers and tutors for their help on the educational journey. In addition to Borrie, Frank and Jeanne Lauta, Bill and JoAnne Camaan, and Frank and Tracy Panczyszyn all volunteered as tutors with Jasso.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Don Organisciak
HOLLEY – William Murphy, the former Holley chief who worked at small and large police departments in a 30-year law enforcement career, would be Don Organisciak’s first choice for undersheriff, the candidate for sheriff said on Wednesday.
Organisciak, a retired Medina police officer and investigator, is endorsed by the Democratic Party in the Nov. 3 election for sheriff. He faces Randy Bower (Republican and Conservative lines) and Tom Drennan, who is running under the Reform and Independence lines.
Bower has said Chris Bourke, a lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Office, would serve as undersheriff and Drennan last week said Brett Sobieraski, a sergeant with the Rochester Police Department and a Kent resident, would serve in the role if Drennan is elected.
Murphy, an Albion native, started his career with Holley in 1985. He went on to work at the Albion, Rochester and Greece police departments and then retired. However, he took the opportunity to return to Holley as police chief about 7 ½ years ago.
He led the department with 10 part-time officers until Sept. 1.
“He would be my first call,” Organisciak said about Murphy.
The sheriff candidate said Murphy’s experience with small, medium and large departments would be an asset. Murphy has been an officer and worked in management, Organisciak said.
“He has a good background,” Organisciak said. “If I had to leave the office or go out of town, I would feel comfortable leaving him in charge.”
Organisciak has said the election should be about the sheriff. However, he wants the public to know if he is elected he will have a qualified and experienced undersheriff in the post.
“I want someone I can trust, someone with a level head, someone who can communicate with the staff and the citizens, and Bill can do that,” Organisciak said.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
ALBION – Classical guitar teacher Jim Doyle of Albion performs a duet with student Hattie Starr of Lyndonville as part of the Rochester Guitar Club outreach program Tuesday evening in Albion at the Hoag Library.
Members of the Rochester Guitar Club performed at the library as part of the club’s Round Robin Outreach program, which provides an opportunity for members
to perform alone or together and to encourage new members.
The club is for lovers of acoustic guitar and music performed included several different styles – from Scott Joplin to Bach. The event drew a large crowd to the community room area of the library.
Members of the Rochester Guitar Club perform “Maid Colleen” together as part of their program Tuesday evening in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – This photo is looking south on Waterport Road from Stillwater Road on Wednesday, when it was raining for most of the day.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory today for Orleans County and much of Western New York. The advisory is in effect until 11 p.m.
Southwest winds from 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 mph, are expected. The strong winds could make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and could take down tree limbs, resulting in power outages.
Today is forecast for a high of 52 degrees with showers likely.
This photo shows Clarks Mills Road, a dirt road in Carlton along Oak Orchard River, during the rain on Wednesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – On Monday, a Williamson man showed up in court an hour late for his sentencing. Nathan L. Parsad, 24, struggled to stand up and keep his eyes open while in court.
Orleans County Court Judge James Punch delayed the sentencing for three days because Parsad was under the influence of drugs. Parsad admitted in court on Monday he had recently used heroin and another drug.
Today, Parsad spoke clearly and stood up straight during sentencing.
“I would like to apologize for the other day,” he told Judge Punch during sentencing.
Parsad’s attorney, Nathan Pace, said Parsad has struggled with drug addictions for several years, despite the support of a loving family.
Parsad was driving on Jan. 12 on Ridge Road in Gaines when he was in an accident. Parsad and two of his passengers – Caitlin E. Jones, 29, of Canandaigua and Eric L. Shirley, 28, of Canandaigua – all faced drug charges after police found drugs in the vehicle.
Parsad applied to be in the county’s Drug Court, which can result in reduced charges with successful completion of the program. But he was removed from Drug Court after testing positive for drug use.
He could have faced up to 2 ½ years in state prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance. As part of a plea deal, he was given a maximum of a year in jail.
Punch told Parsad his actions have an effect not only on him, but society. The judge said Parsad poses a danger to the community because he has a history of selling drugs, and operating vehicles under the influence of drugs.
“Frankly, you’re a mess,” the judge said. “Your condition here on Monday, that was really disturbing. I could see first-hand what cocaine and heroin can do to an otherwise healthy, intelligent person.”
Parsad declined probation, which could have required treatment. The judge said Parsad has rejected treatment.
“I hope you find redemption on your own,” Punch told Parsad when he was sentenced to jail.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – The St. Mary’s Archer’s Club on the Oak Orchard River in Carlton has been busy with anglers this week despite a lot of rain.
This group is pictured on Wednesday afternoon after a big downpour that morning.
Andrew Lang of Pittsburgh, Pa. caught this brown trout. He arrived on Sunday and is spending the week fishing in Orleans County.
Some of the fishermen said the fish haven’t been as plentiful as in the past, but they said the rain will raise the water levels in the Oak Orchard and bring more fish up the river.
Many of the fishermen made long treks across the state or out-of-state to try to catch salmon and trout from the Oak Orchard.
This trio from Orange County crosses the river, with fast-moving water from the rain, together on Wednesday. The group has been coming to Orleans County to fish the past 10 years.
The grounds at the Archer’s Club include lots of muddy footprints from all of the rain.
This fisherman has a net close by in case he hooks a big fish.
While the fishermen are in town to catch fish, they said they enjoy being outdoors with the changing leaves. Catching a big salmon or trout is just a nice bonus.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 28 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – The Holley Elementary School Library is currently filled with Halloween pumpkins that are bursting with personality. The library is hosting its 2nd annual “Book Character” Pumpkin Decorating Contest. (The top photo shows Junie B. Jones, which was made by a third-grader.)
Holley Elementary Library Media Specialist Julie Bader says winners will be announced on Friday. The contest is open to students and their families and follows the theme of “My Favorite Book Character.” Classrooms can also participate in the contest.
In a first grade entry, mini pumpkins are used to create Eric Carle’s “Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
The entries this year, “have exceeded my wildest dreams what they have come up with,” Bader says.
She explains the contest encourages reading favorite books as well as discovering new characters students may not have known before. It also reaches out to families and parents in hopes that they will work along with Bader to instill a love of reading and literary characters in students.
A pre-K entry features a classic children’s book character: Humpty Dumpty.
No carving of pumpkins is allowed. Participants paint, decorate and embellish their creations with a wide-range of artistic materials.
First, second and third prizes will be awarded for Pre-K- first grade; second through third grade; and fourth through sixth grade.
This pumpkin goes pink as Wilber from Charlotte’s Web in an entry by a fourth-grader.
A sixth-grader utilizes a pumpkin turned on its stem end to create a zombie fish character.
This entry by a Holley fifth-rader features innovative use of props to create the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.
A pre-K/Kindergarten entry features mini pumpkins decorated as Ten Little Ladybugs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Tom Kuryla, commissioner of the Orleans County Department of Social Services, is pictured in the hallway outside the DSS offices on the second floor of the County Administration Building on Route 31. He started as DSS commissioner in 2010, and welfare fraud recoveries and cost avoidance have doubled since then.
ALBION – The raid at the Murray Superette on Tuesday, when three people were arrested in a food stamp trafficking scheme, is the latest sign Orleans County officials, including the district attorney and law enforcement agencies, are taking welfare fraud very seriously.
Three Salamaca brothers – Alexander, Myron and Olec – were all arrested on Tuesday and jailed on $20,000 bail. Police believe their fraud could reach into “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
The Salamaca family owns the Murray Superette on Route 104. Police say store owners and some employees accepted customers’ food stamps for cash at 70 percent to the customer, and then allowed customers to purchase items not authorized by the food stamp program, including cigarettes and lottery tickets.
At least 50 people have been identified for using their food stamp benefits in exchange for cash and that number should grow, said District Attorney Joe Cardone.
The arrests on Tuesday followed 15 months of investigation, including work from the county’s Welfare Fraud Unit in the Department of Social Services. The two full-time investigators, Marie Snyder and Scott Twitchell, have a solid understanding of the social services programs, and know the red flags that can show welfare fraud, DSS Commissioner Tom Kuryla said.
“If there is welfare fraud, we’re going to find out,” Kuryla said. “We owe it to the taxpayers to show that we’re working on their behalf, too.”
Kuryla joined the Orleans County DSS as commissioner in 2010, after being deputy commissioner in Seneca County, where he oversaw the fraud investigations.
The Orleans fraud numbers have doubled in the past five years.
Year
Fraud recovery
Cost Avoidance
2009
$39,313
$352,938
2010
$40,417
$968,742
2011
$75,984
$1,423,272
2012
$84,472
$1,598,814
2013
$83,100
$1,610,684
2014
$88,613
$1,799,478
2015*
$52,013
$1,401,658
Source: Orleans County DSS. The 2015 data represents the first nine months of the year.
The county added a second full-time investigator in 2013. Orleans County leads similar-size nearby counties in welfare fraud detection and recovery.
Wyoming County investigators prevented an estimated $1,343,000 in unentitled benefits in 2014, and also recovered $62,000 in fraud, according to an April 18, 2015 article from The Daily News in Batavia. That report also said Genesee County prevented $787,716 in improper benefits and recovered $20,000 in fraud in 2014.
When the investigators with Orleans DSS detect fraud, they will often work with local law enforcement, which makes the arrests.
Tom Drennan, chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, went over the game plan for making arrests and executing search warrants with about 20 officers from several agencies on Tuesday morning when the Murray Superette was raided and three people charged in a food stamp trafficking scheme. Drennan and the officers are pictured at about 6:30 a.m. at the Gaines Town Hall. Orleans County’s Welfare Fraud Unit has been involved in the case.
Some of the candidates for county-wide offices have said the county isn’t doing enough to crack down on welfare fraud. Kuryla said the county is a leader with its efforts and is doing everything “reasonable” to detect fraud and prevent it when people seek public assistance.
He said there has been some pushback from people who don’t like seeing people arrested, denied benefits or forced to pay back assistance.
“Some people think we’re beating up the poor,” Kuryla said. “That is not the case. We want to give people the appropriate assistance that they need. We’re absolutely trying not to hurt anybody who deserves benefits.”
An improving local job market and the county’s welfare fraud crackdown has brought down the county’s overall welfare caseload and cost, Kuryla said.
The caseloads for Family Assistance and Safety Net (assistance for people without children or who have been on welfare for more than 5 years) have been reduced from 758 in 2014 to the current level of 592, Kuryla said.
The reduced caseloads should reduce the county’s welfare costs by at least $200,000 this year, “conservatively,” Kuryla said.
“The numbers are coming down,” he said. “Many people realize it’s easier to get a job than to come in here and try to fool them.”
He said identifying the fraud takes people with their sole focus on looking for the red flags, and responding to referrals from the public and a hotline. Kuryla said county officials are discussing adding a third welfare fraud investigator to keep up with the workload and pursue more leads.
