HOLLEY – Police Chief William Murphy is warning village residents of several vehicle break-ins and larcenies, specifically in the areas of East Avenue and North Main, Perry, Geddes, High and South Main streets.
The Holley Police Department is investigating several vehicle break-ins and vehicle larcenies that have occurred in the last two months, including 10 such cases with items stolen in the last four days. These break-ins are primarily taking place after midnight and before 6 a.m., Murphy said.
The department asks all residents to report any suspicious activity they see or hear by calling 911 so the police may investigate.
“We are also asking the residents to make sure they have their vehicles locked and their valuables taken out of their vehicles,” Murphy said.
This is an ongoing investigation, and if anyone has any information concerning the people involved, please call police by dialing 911, he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The federal Environmental Protection Agency has denied a grant application to identify brownfields, sites in Orleans County that may be contaminated and need environmental remediation.
The EPA sent a letter on May 28, notifying the Orleans Economic Development Agency of the news.
The EPA had 730 grant requests, but only had enough money to approve 253 projects, David R. Lloyd, director of the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, wrote in a letter to Jim Whipple, Orleans EDA chief executive officer.
The EDA sought the funds through the EPA’s National Brownfields Program Grant competition.
Lloyd urged the EDA to try for a brownfields grant next year.
“I commend your efforts and appreciate the time and energy you put into preparing your grant proposal,” Lloyd said in the letter to the EDA. “Although your proposal was not selected, we thank you for your continued efforts to return brownfields to productive reuse.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Contractors have been busy transforming a vacant storefront at an Albion plaza, readying the space for Dollar Tree.
The sign is up for the store – on the building and by Route 31 – and crews have been prepping the inside of the space for the store. Dollar Tree is expected to open in late July, said Ron Vendetti, Albion village code enforcement officer.
Dollar Tree used to have a store in Medina. There is one in Brockport. The company will use about 9,000 square feet in the plaza, which is home to Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot, Save On Beverage Center and Peebles.
Provided photos –Â The Millis family poses for a picture at the June 5 golf tournament in memory of David Millis of Albion. The group includes, front row, from left: Julie Mersdorf, Haley Mersdorf, Brett Mersdorf, Andrew Millis, Kennedy Barber and Joan Millis. Back row: Zachary Millis, Brian Millis, Diane Millis, Jade Millis, Jay Mersdorf, Karen Barber, Gary Barber and Brooks Barber.
ALBION – The family of David Millis has now hosted 10 memorial golf tournament that have raised $125,000 for Orleans County families battling cancer.
The family held the most recent tournament on June 5 at Batavia Country Club and raised about $12,500. The money was again donated to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund, which is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to assisting local families with their fight against cancer. The money is used to assist with prescriptions, medical insurance, nutritional supplements, hospital beds and many other needs.
The Millis family would like to thank major sponsors, golfers, dinner guests, volunteers, and raffle prize donors to help make this tournament another great success.
This year the tournament had 136 golfers and 186 dinner guests.
Jim Klein, Justin Klein, Jon Klein and Matt Wood won this year’s tournament.
Golfers and dinner guests had a chance to find purple golf balls hidden throughout the golf course and banquet hall to help raise pancreatic cancer awareness, which David passed away from. Anyone who found a golf ball throughout the day won a prize.
“I am so pleased with the golf tournament again this year,” said David’s wife Joan Millis. “I am so proud of my family, they do a wonderful job making sure everything runs smoothly and everyone had a nice time. I’m happy the proceeds will again go to the Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund. We are very happy it helps people who live locally. I would also like to thank everyone who sponsored, people and businesses who contributed raffle prizes, volunteers, golfers, dinner guests and all of our friends and family who have always been there for us. I know Dave is so proud of his family as I am.”
Next year’s tournament will be on June 4.
For more information and pictures from the tournament, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am
SOMERSET A survey of residents in the Town of Somerset shows strong opposition for the proposed wind project by Apex Clean Energy, including if the company downsized the turbines from about 600 feet in height to less than 495 feet.
Somerset town officials announced the survey results last week. The town mailed about 1,100 surveys and 644, or nearly 60 percent were returned. To see the survey results, click here.
Apex has proposed a project with 60 to 68 wind turbines in Somerset and Yates. The turbines would peak at about 570 feet in height to the top of the turbine blade when it’s straight up from the tower’s base.
The Somerset survey shows 61 percent “strongly oppose” the project while 17 percent “strongly support” it. Another 6 percent said they “moderately oppose” it while 12 percent “moderately support” the project.
Even if the turbines “were set back far and away from residences and lot lines of non-participating landowners,” 55 percent said they still “strongly oppose” the project, while 23 percent strongly support it.
If the turbines and the blades were reduced to less tan 495 feet in height, 56 percent in Somerset said they still strongly oppose the project, while 17 percent said they would strongly support it.
Apex said the project would bring significant revenue to reduce taxes in Somerset. Even with that revenue, 49 percent said they still strongly oppose the project while 27 percent said they would strongly support it with “a significant property tax decrease.”
If the project brought significant electricity costs savings to residents, 48 percent of respondents said they would still strongly oppose the project while 27 percent said they would strongly support it.
The survey results prompted Daniel Engert, Somerset town supervisor, to tell reporters he would actively oppose the turbine project in Somerset.
Somerset and Yates don’t have the final say on the project. That rests with a seven-member siting commission that will include two representatives from Somerset-Yates.
Besides the two local representatives on the Siting Committee, the seven-member group is to be chaired by the state Department of Public Service and will include 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.
Officials from the Town of Yates are considering a town-wide survey, said Town Supervisor John Belson. The town did a survey before in 2007. At that time most respondents had a “favorable” view of wind energy. That was before there was a proposal for turbines that are about 100 feet higher than most commercial wind turbines.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced resurfacing projects totaling $75 million will be completed this year on approximately 428 lane miles of state highways across New York. That includes Route 98 from Route 31A to Route 104 in Orleans County.
Funding for these projects was accelerated into this construction season in order to repair widespread damage from deep frost over the winter.
“It’s important to keep the state’s highways in top shape, and after another harsh winter, we’re expediting critical repair projects to ensure the roads are safer for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will speed up much-needed resurfacing and rebuilding efforts, which is good for motorists across the state.”
These accelerated paving projects are in addition to more than $437 million in capital construction funds dedicated to paving an estimated 2,311 miles of state roads in the 2015-2016 State Fiscal Year.
Depending on the location, the New York State Department of Transportation’s resurfacing projects will include paving over sections of rough road, removing the worn top layer of pavement from all travel lanes and shoulders, repairing base concrete and/or asphalt and installing a new asphalt riding surface.
Wherever practical, pavement that is removed will be recycled and reused, either at the same location or in future construction. Traffic signal vehicle detectors will be replaced and new pavement markings will be installed as needed.
“By accelerating essential resurfacing projects into this construction year, we are able to mitigate some of the damage caused the severe freeze-thaw cycle that contributed to advanced road deterioration this winter,” said DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald.
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess is pleased to announce that 12 children from Orleans County will attend the NYS Sheriffs’ Association’s Summer Camp this year.
Located on Keuka Lake in Yates County, the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. The camp has been in operation since the mid-1970s and is supported by the NYSSA’s honorary members through their contributions and annual dues. This year, as in the past, the camp will accommodate hundreds of deserving kids from across New York State from June 28 through July 4.
Throughout their week-long stay, these children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriff’s Deputies and other law enforcement personnel from across the state. Included are D.A.R.E. presentations, boat- and bicycle-safety programs, law-enforcement equipment & technical demonstrations, pistol & archery competitions, and a talent show.
Upon completion of their stay, all campers will be awarded a certificate for their participation in a program of Good Citizenship & Law Enforcement Studies.
The following children are the 2015 Orleans County attendees:
From Albion: Maria Cruz, 12, Kaitlyn Ramirez, 12, Raul Cruz, 11, Vanessa Perez, 10, Alejandro Samsel, 10, Anayeli Cruz, 9, Charles Samsel, 9, and Raja Warren, 9.
From Kent: Brianna Sample, 10, and Aries Schuster, 10.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Club celebrates 40th anniversary and names ‘Citizen of the Year’
Photos courtesy of Helen Unterborn
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club celebrated its 40th anniversary last Thursday and presented several awards to members of the club, as a well as the “Citizen of the Year.”
Kim Corcoran receives the Citizen of the Year award from Kendall Lion Tony Cammarata, who is also the town supervisor.
Corcoran is the leader of the Kendall lawn Chair Ladies. That group started in 2012 for the town’s bicentennial celebration. Corcoran and some of her friends decided to add some excitement to the local parade.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Kim Corcoran, second from left, is pictured with the Lawn Chair Ladies during their performance in Albion on June 13 during the Strawberry Festival Parade.
Corcoran and her friends formed the Lawn Chair Ladies and had a dance routine on the parade route during the 200th anniversary celebration for Kendall. The women, while wearing pink boas, choreographed a number with lawn chairs.
They were an immediate sensation and now perform at many community events during the year. The group has about 20 members who practice regularly.
Corcoran grew up in Kendall and was in the marching band. After a 35-year career in New York City in the advertising and publishing business, Corcoran moved back to her hometown in June 2011. Corcoran also is the town historian.
Tony Camarrata is presented the award for “Lion of the Year” by Debbie Ryan, a member of the Lions Club.
The club’s highest honor is a Melvin Jones Fellow, givien for years of community service. Ken DeRoller (left), last year’s recipient, presents the Melvin Jones Fellow to 30-year Lion Dan Peckham. Dan’s wife Peggy joined him in the presentation.
Lion President Randy Unterborn presents the Robert Uplinger award for outstanding service to Lions and the community to Lion John Becker as his wife Wendy looks on. Becker is a former Kendall town supervisor.
The Kendall Lions Club celebrated 40 years of service on Thursday. Lions and guests were invited to come dressed as they would have in 1975 the year of our charter. In honor of our 40 years of service and in recognition of charter president Ray Ernenwein, the Lions Club presented Lions Camp Badger with a check for $1,500. This donation at an opportune time for the camp as it has been damaged by flooding.
Terry Bliss, a Kendall Lions Club member and past district governor, presents a check for $1,500 for Camp Badger to Judith McNight, first vice president in the district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Preach Freedom (center), a former member of the acclaimed band Rusted Root, performed in Medina on Saturday night at the beegarten. Freedom was joined by Marla Harris and Steve Davis at the concert in Medina.
That venue is in an open-air courtyard in the back of the R.N. Newell shirt factory building at 111 West Center St. The site the previous three years welcomed musicians as the Boiler 54.
The former Boiler 54 performance venue is now “the beegarten.”
It looked like there wasn’t going to be music at the spot this year, until 810 Meadworks owners Bryan and Larissa DeGraw pushed to keep the space open for the season.
“This space is unbelievably unique and to let it sit here and not be used was very frustrating to me,” Mr. DeGraw said. “People in years past who did the work to make the space what it is I just feel blessed to use it.”
Preach Freedom and Connect perform at the beegarten.
For more on the band Preach Freedom and Connect, visit www.preachfreedomandconnect.com. Freedom is singing, “No Woman, No Cry,” a reggae song originally by Bob Marley.
Thom Jennings of Albion put together the concert series, drawing on his contacts and musician friends. Jennings reviews concerts for The Niagara Gazette and also has promoted and organized concert series.
His son, Thom Jennings Jr., met Preach Freedom at a concert a few years ago and gave him a ride to Freedom’s home in Buffalo. Preach has stayed in contact with the Jennings family. During a Rusted Root concert in North Tonawanda in August 2013, Freedom welcomed Thom Jr.’s brother Trevor to the stage to play the drums in an encore with the band.
Preach Freedom and Connect perform in downtown Medina.
The lineup of musicians at the beegarten includes Eliot Lewis on July 22. He is the keyboardist for Hall & Oates. The series continues every Saturday evening until Aug. 15.
DeGraw and his wife own 810 Meadworks. They will produce meads, which are alcoholic drinks made by fermenting honey with water and often fruits, spices, grains and hops.
DeGraw hoped by continuing the concert series he could introduce more people to mead, and he said that has been working.
“I feel like we’re part of Medina and entertaining Medina,” DeGraw said. “We want people to feel at home here and decompress from life.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
‘He was a performer. He worked constantly for the next gig. He loved to entertain people.’ – Derek Piedmont, Jim’s brother
ALBION – Scott Fleming, lead singer for Shattered Decision, addresses the crowd during a benefit concert today in honor of Jim Piedmont, who played in local rock and roll bands for about 30 years. Piedmont was 48 when he died from a heart attack on April 4.
Piedmont played in about 20 bands, beginning when he was a teen-ager. He played guitar, sang and did the sound. (He was the sound man for Nik and the Nice Guys when the band played in a Super Bowl in Atlanta.) He also set up many bands, putting together talented local musicians.
“Jim was a staple in the local music scene,” said Scott Fleming, who performed in a band with Piedmont.
Shattered Decision plays in honor of Jim Piedmont. The band includes, right to left: Darrin Albanese and Sabastian Piedmont (Jim’s nephew) on guitars, Joe Piedmont (Jim’s brother) on drums, Scott Fleming as lead singer, and Rob Reid on guitar.
Fleming hadn’t sung in band for 25 years – until today when members of Shattered Image and Split Decision joined for the group Shattered Decision.
About 150 people attended the benefit, including many members of the local music scene, the musicians and their fans.
“It’s a testimony to the people he touched, that he played with and that he performed,” Fleming said.
This poster promoting today’s musical celebration includes a photo of Jim Piedmont.
Fleming asked Shattered Image and Split Decision six weeks ago if they would be interested in getting together for concert in honor of Piedmont. The musicians said yes, and four other bands – Triple Play, Whiskey Rebellion, Bad Manners, and Ditchwater Rising – also took the stage at the Elk’s Club.
Piedmont and his family moved from Rochester to Albion when Piedmont was entering ninth grade. He was a popular student, serving as senior class president. He made many friends, and always loved music and entertaining others. He did a memorable impersonation of Gene Simmons from KISS during one talent show.
Piedmont earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Geneseo. He didn’t want a corporate job or a regular office job. He worked at Brunner for a while and recently moved to Florida and was working for a high-end boat company, making and painting the boats.
Rob Reid plays today in memory of his friend, Jim Piedmont.
Piedmont’s passion was music, literature and performance, his brother Derek Piedmont said. He remembers Jim reading him “The Hobbit” when they were kids.
“He was a performer,” Derek said. “He worked constantly for the next gig. He loved to entertain people.”
He called his brother “an old soul.”
Rob Reid played in bands with Jim Piedmont.
“People gravitated towards him,” Reid said.
Sabastian Piedmont, left, and Darrin Albanese play in Shattered Decision. Sabastian said his late uncle helped him pick out his musical instruments.
Playing in the rhythm section of a band was symbolic of the supportive role Piedmont played in many people’s lives, Reid said.
Derek said his brother was in great shape, but had undiagnosed hypertension. His death has been a shock to his family.
Piedmont is missed by his many friends, especially those in the musical community, Fleming said.
“Jim was a staple in the local music scene,” Fleming said. “He played with a lot of people and he played for a lot of people. It’s terrible that he’s gone.”
Scott Fleming, right, and Rob Reid said Jim Piedmont’s death leaves a big void locally.
