ROCHESTER – An Albion man pleaded guilty in federal court today to converting to his own use machinery belonging to the United States Federal Aviation Administration, a charge with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Justin D. Weese of Albion pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Weese was an employee of the Federal Aviation Administration. In June 2014, he was tasked with taking a welder, a mower, and a trailer to a scrap yard. Instead, Weese kept the items for his own personal use, stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley E. Tyler, who is handling the case. In addition, Weese was supposed to take an all-terrain vehicle to be traded in for a newer model. He kept the vehicle for his own use, Tyler said.
The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 6.
MEDINA – After winning honors for creativity, teamwork and problem solving in local, state and regional tournaments, the Medina High School has earned the right to travel to Destination Imagination’s Global Finals. It is the largest creative thinking and problem solving competition in the world, to be held May 20-23 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Medina’s team members from the 10th grade team include: Kristian Snyder, Aedoon Cayea, Sarah Granchelli, Nicholas Bogan, Madeline Winters and Martha Gardner. Nicole Goyette is the coach.
Team members from the 8th grade team include: Jessica Granchelli, Alissa Blount, Margaret Griffin, Ray Paull, Kody Leno and Brandan Heschke. Lois Donovan is the coach.
They will compete with other teams in the Making Waves and Improv Games challenges. There are seven open-ended challenges that require young people to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), in addition to improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork and community service.
“I am so proud of the teamwork and dedication these kids show to all aspects of their lives,” said Team Manager Nicole Goyette. “They are great kids!”
The Medina teams were lucky to each receive a grant from ThermoFisher in Rochester to cover the costs of their trips to compete. The remaining funds were provided by a grant from Baxter Inc. in Medina.
Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million young people and adults who have benefitted from taking part in its acclaimed Challenge Program. This year, another 100,000 young people have competed in tournaments throughout the U.S. and in 30 countries to earn a spot at the Global Finals competition in May.
The Medina teams will be among more than 16,000 students representing more than 1,400 teams that will advance to Global Finals, which is being sponsored by Disney and will be held at the University of Tennessee.
“The Destination Imagination Program allows students kindergarten through university students to learn and experience the creative process,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO of Destination Imagination. “Quantitative reasoning, problem solving, risk taking, collaboration, presentations and thinking on your feet are some of the important skills learned in the program.”
This year, vocal pop group The Exchange will kick off Global Finals with a performance at the Welcome Ceremony on May 20. The band members will also host a vocal skills workshop for participants and perform at the annual 3M Duct Tape Costume Ball during the four-day event.
This year’s Global Finals Innovation Expo will house dozens of hands-on exhibits from NASA, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, National Geographic, Oracle Academy and many other innovative companies. In addition, students and families will have the opportunity transform their surroundings in an all-new Scotch Imagination Treehouse exhibit, sponsored by 3M and Scotch.
Destination Imagination participants and attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in more than 100 skills workshops ranging from 3-D printing to Broadway dance to computer science.
Destination Imagination is an educational program where student teams are immersed in the creative process needed to solve open-ended Challenges, and then present their solutions at regional and state tournaments. If they win at those levels, they may receive an invitation to Global Finals.
ALBANY The state Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would allow for a higher state minimum wage in New York City and nearby counties.
The legislation, which faces opposition in the Senate, seeks to phase in a minimum wage that would reach $15 an hour by the end of 2018 in the city and Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) said the legislation is misguided and does not improve the already suffocating business climate that New York has perpetuated in past years. The 2015-16 State Budget provides no tax or regulatory relief for small businesses or the middle class.
Hawley issued this statement:
“As the owner of small businesses for over four decades, I know the struggles of operating in New York’s tax and fine environment,” Hawley said. “I voted against a minimum wage increase because when businesses are legally obligated to pay their employees more, they are therefore able to hire less employees and therefore create less jobs. A more viable option to help taxpayers would be a widespread middle class tax cut, something the Assembly Majority again failed to include in this year’s budget. My district is heavily agriculturally based and a minimum wage hike would jeopardize the ability of farming operations to hire additional employees, especially on an hourly basis. I will continue to support my district’s business interests and alternatives exist that would address the root problem of high taxes and regulations that is hindering our middle class and business community.
“Furthermore, this bill raises the minimum wage to a much higher rate in New York, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau Counties than the rest of New York State. This is another piece of evidence highlighting the growing disparity between upstate and downstate and why we should allow the public to decide if they would support a division of New York into two separate states by passing my legislation, Assembly Bill 4167. New Yorkers deserve this choice now more than ever considering downstate interests dominate our legislature while the social and economic concerns of millions of upstate New Yorkers are ignored.”
Hawley is the owner of an insurance agency based in Batavia and the former owner/operator of Hawley Farms.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 7 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Legislator worries about shrinking school enrollment
KENDALL – Kendall Central School District residents will see five propositions, including the 2015-16 budget, on the May 19 ballot.
School Board of Education members and District Superintendent Julie Christensen presented the budget during the annual meeting on Wednesday.
The proposed 2015-16 budget is $15.07 million and is Proposition 1 on the ballot. The budget includes a 0 percent increase in the tax levy.
Although enrollment continues to decline, there is no reduction in staff. The overall budget represents a 1.62 percent increase over the 2014-15 budget.
Christensen explained that the budget remains relatively flat because increases in cost of living have been offset by a decrease in pension costs, a decline in health insurance costs and energy savings from the district’s energy performance contract.
The proposed tax rate for Town of Kendall residents is $17.39 per $1,000 of assessed value. Property owners will see an estimated increase in their tax bill of $3 for a house assessed at $100,000, “mostly due to the PILOT agreement for the Cottages at Troutburg project,” Christensen said.
Proposition 2 would create a school bus replacement reserve fund not to exceed $100,000 annually.
Proposition 3 would allow the purchase of school buses to replace existing vehicles at a sum not to exceed $250,000.
Proposition 4 would allow the creation of a capital improvement reserve fund not to exceed $5 million.
Propositions 2, 3, and 4 will have no additional taxes if approved, the district said.
Proposition 5 is the election of one, five-year term member to the Board of Education. Current School Board President Nadine Hanlon is the incumbent and is seeking re-election. She is the only candidate for the single open seat.
Hanlon says she has enjoyed serving the last five years on the board. “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge,” she said. “It’s been a pleasure to work with this board.”
She noted that she looks forward to moving ahead with the district’s “wonderful capital project” and the Urban/Suburban program that would welcome Rochester students to Kendall.
Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller attended the meeting. During the public comment portion of the hearing, DeRoller expressed concern over the average loss of 28 students from the district each year and explained Orleans and Niagara counties are working together to bring broadband to the community, which would help draw more businesses and new residents.
He also discussed the PILOT for the Cottages at Troutburg which is impacting the school budget for the first time.
“There are new investors” for the project, DeRoller said about the development at the former Salvation Army camp by Lake Ontario “It is a positive and robust picture at this point.”
DeRoller also said Kendall is in a “tough spot” due to a “flattening of the assessment roll.” He explained additionally there has been, on average, the construction of only one new home in Kendall each year over the last 10 years.
He explained the county, school district and town will work together to help the community grow.
“We have tough work ahead of us,” he said.
The Annual District Vote will be held May 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School gymnasium. Voters must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of the Kendall Central School District for at least 30 prior to the vote. Proper ID is also required. Applications for absentee ballots can be obtained through the district clerk.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Emil Smith is pictured doing a blacksmith demonstration in August 2012 with his friend George Borelli. Smith hosted the event at his property on Route 63, just south of the Village of Medina.
A new season has begun with exhibits and demonstrations to highlight local painters, sculptors and others in the creative arts.
Emil Smith was a mainstay at these events in recent years, as both a supporter of the artists and an exhibitor of his metal sculptures. The art community has been mourning his loss since his death on April 15. Smith, 54, was driving a truck in Wyoming County when he was killed in an accident.
“All artists are united,” said Arthur Barnes, a painter and long-time friend of Smith’s. The two grew up in Shelby and knew each other since they were kids. “We’re kind of a brethren.”
Smith created this cross with a crown of thorns. It’s in his front yard on South Gravel Road.
Smith’s work was immense, heavy and tall and that made it difficult to set up in local galleries.
But some of his smaller sculptures – a pinecone candle holder, a cattail and roses – were exhibited and they were popular with the public, said Noelle Wiedemer, co-owner of Wide Angle Art Gallery on Main Street in Medina.
“There was a ton of interest in his rose,” Wiedemer said.
Some metal sculptors will engineer their work and have very polished pieces. Smith created on the spot.
“He used a very organic process and he sometimes he brute-forced pieces into place,” said Kim Keil, co-owner of the Wide Angle gallery. “He was learning new techniques.”
Some of his work – metal creations of large crosses, birds, lady bugs, swamp scenes and flowers – have been on display for about a decade in his front yard and across the street on Route 63.
Emil Smith created these 11-foot-high iron crosses as a memorial to his father, Garra Smith. They are pictured on the Smith Farm, on the east side of South Gravel Road.
Smith put the crosses up in 2003. They were intended to be temporary, but the community gave him such good feedback he decided to keep them up year-round.
The three crosses are a traditional cross (center), an Oync cross (left) and a Celtic cross.
Smith took up the blacksmith arts after taking a welding class. He wanted the welding skill so he could do more projects on the farm.
Smith took old metal pieces – sometimes rusted corrugated water pipes, CO2 cylinders, ice tongs, a ball hitch, and other scrap pieces – to create animals out of metal.
Wide Angle Art Gallery was trying to keep permission from village officials to have some of the larger pieces on display on Main Street, Keil and Wiedemer said.
Smith wasn’t just an artist. He was one of the biggest cheerleaders for other artists. He attended almost every artists’ reception. He was generous in praising their efforts.
“People that support the arts are hard to come by,” said Kim Martillotta Muscarella, owner of Marti’s on Main, an art gallery on North Main Street in Albion.
“Not only was Emil an art appreciator, he was an artist,” she said.
Smith was a regular at the First Friday art openings at Marti’s. After seeing that exhibit, he liked to go listen to live music at the former Elsewhere Café in Albion. He was also a regular at the Boiler 54, which featured live music in Medina.
Smith enjoyed opera, playing the blues harmonica and liked to quote Shakespeare, sometimes while wearing a kilt. He loved Celtic culture. He was one of the leading performers in the Highland Games, where competitors throw heavy stones, sheafs and large poles. Smith could outpower many of the competitors who were half his age.
But he was a “gentle giant” who loved nature, his family and the arts, his friends said.
“He was one of those characters who will be missed,” Barnes said. “He really liked people and he liked to talk to people. He was a good guy.”
The local artists are interested in pursuing one of Smith’s ideas. He talked to the galleries about an art trail that would run along the canal villages from Lockport to Brockport. He wanted to see the galleries on the trail work together for an art festival.
Provided photos – Dr. David Voss, left, is pictured with Jim Simon, dean of the campus centers in Albion and Medina.
Press Release, GCC
The Albion and Medina Campus Centers of Genesee Community College are pleased to announce the Spring 2015 Students and Instructors of the Semester.
Each semester, one student and one instructor at each campus center are awarded the honor for outstanding academic or teaching performance.
Dr. David Voss has been selected as the instructor of the semester at the Medina Campus for the Spring 2015 semester. He teaches Chemistry at the Medina Campus, and also teaches at Medina High School and SUNY Buffalo’s Post Baccalaureate Program. David received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a PhD in Bioinorganic Chemistry at the University of Buffalo.
Dave feels most rewarded as a teacher when he watches a student realize that they can do something they thought they were not capable of doing. When asked what he likes about working at GCC, Dave replied, “It is a great place to continue your education – a place with a supportive staff and faculty fully invested in seeing their students succeed.”
His advice to new instructors is to love what you do and love your kids!
He was nominated by multiple students because he cares about his students and is always willing to work with them, even if it means coming in early or staying late. They also like that he always answers their questions to the best of his ability and that “his puns are so corny that they are funny.”
In his personal time, Dave enjoys sports and reading. He states the best book he ever read was “Napoleon’s Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed the World.” He also enjoys watching the television series “Mad Men.” He is married with four children, a dog and a cat.
Melissa Ostrom
Melissa Ostrom has been selected as the instructor of the semester at the Albion Campus Center. She teaches English Composition at the Albion Campus. Melissa has a Master of Arts in English from Middlebury College and a Secondary English Education Certification from SUNY Fredonia. She currently works with teachers as a public school curriculum consultant and previously was an English teacher at Kendall High School.
Students appreciate Melissa’s positive attitude and her willingness to help students. The student who nominated her said, “She helped me understand the material and she is very bubbly. She does not seem to get annoyed at anything or anyone.”
She is married with two children and her hobbies include cooking, writing fiction and making pottery. Melissa’s advice to new instructors is “Be kind; this does not mean lenient or inordinately flexible but every student can benefit from an instructor’s kindness.”
Keith McKinney
Keith McKinney has been selected as the student of the semester at the Medina Campus. Keith is currently a General Studies major with plans to transfer to either UB or Brockport to obtain his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.
Prior to GCC, Keith served in the US Army as a Legacy Leader. While in the Army, Keith was honored with numerous military awards and decorations. Once he retired, he decided to attend GCC and become a history teacher.
When asked what he likes most about his college experience thus far, he commented that he thoroughly enjoys learning new ideas, differences in cultures and opinions, and the opportunity to openly discuss such subjects.
Keith is a very generous and giving person, as expressed by the instructor who nominated him as our student of the semester. Her comments are echoed by other faculty, students and staff.
Keith volunteers and participates in many activities everywhere he goes. Keith shared that the major influences in his life include his family, friends, as well his GCC instructors and staff. When asked if he had any advice for new college students, he said “Be open to new ideas and challenges.”
Keith’s long-term goal is to teach at GCC.
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore has been selected as the student of the semester at the Albion Campus for the Spring 2015 semester. She is a full-time student majoring in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies.
Mandy is consistently on the President’s List and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She is graduating from GCC in May and will continue her education in the fall at SUNY Brockport where she will pursue a degree in Social Work.
Instructors who nominated Mandy noted her academic achievement and exceptional work ethic. One instructor stated, “She comes to class prepared, focused and ready to learn. She is a role model for fellow students.”
Mandy advises new students to make sure to schedule due dates in advance so you have plenty of time to study and complete assignments. Mandy interns with Susyn Tillman at “All About U” counseling and the Parenting Program through the Ministry of Concern.
Mandy lives in Lyndonville and enjoys spending time with her daughter and going for walks with her family.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Chris Busch, chairman of the Medina Tree Board, spent a good part of today trimming more than 100 trees in the village.
This tree, a hackberry on Gwinn Street, was planted three years ago and has doubled in size since then. Busch removed some of the lower branches so the tree wouldn’t obstruct pedestrians or have low-lying branches out into the road.
Trimming the tree also help funnel energy into the top of the tree, which will make it grow taller, faster, Busch said.
Besides the trees on Gwinn Street, Busch also trimmed trees in downtown Medina.
He estimated the village has planted about 600 trees in the past decade. Most of those have been on main arteries in the village. The Tree Board has years of work ahead as it looks to plant trees on more side streets, Busch said.
The National Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Medina “Tree City USA” designation for its commitment to community forestry.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 6 May 2015 at 12:00 am
$23.3 million spending plan holds line on taxes
HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Central School District Board of Education held their annual meeting and budget hearing on Tuesday.
Sharon Zacher, assistant superintendent for business, presented the $23.3 million 2015-16 school budget, which does not increase taxes. The budget maintains current programs and services and shows a 7.06 percent budget-to-budget decrease from 2014-15.
The decrease in the 2015-16 budget was possible, “because of additional debt paid down in the 2014-15 school year,” Zacher said.
According to the district, the average tax rate will be approximately $22.44 per $1,000 of assessed value.
District residents will vote on the budget on May 19 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School foyer.
Zacher said in order to vote, residents must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the Holley Central School District for at least 30 days before the vote and must have proper ID.
In addition to the budget, voters will decide on two additional propositions. The first would authorize the purchase of two full-sized school buses, one wheelchair bus and one 30-passenger school bus at a total cost not to exceed $355,000.
The second additional proposition authorizes the district to raise $108,072 to support the Community Free Library in Holley. Library Director Sandra Shaw attended the meeting and said the budget is a 2 percent increase over the last year’s budget and follows the tax cap.
“The majority of the money is for payroll,” Shaw said, noting she has five staff members.
Two candidates are running for three open seats on the Board of Education.
Jeff Martin, the school district attorney, said voters will be able to write-in a candidate’s name for the third vacant seat. Voters cannot vote for more than three candidates in total.
Anne Winkley and Mark Porter are current board members and are running for re-election. The third seat up for election is now occupied by John (Jack) Welch, who is not seeking re-election.
Winkley said she hopes to continue to provide students in the district with the best possible education, “and make sure our mission statement stays in place (while being financially) responsible to the community.”
Porter said he would like to continue to work with administrators, teachers, staff and students to ensure, “we have successful students coming out of Holley.” Porter has also stressed the need to be financially responsible to taxpayers students and staff.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has added two new members to its board of directors and the organization is planning to raffle off a new 4-wheeler this year.
The Chamber had its annual meeting this morning. Brooke Pontillo, a senior account executive for Toshiba Business Solutions, remains president.
Linda Kludt from Kludt Farms in Kendall is the new vice president. Greg Piedmonte from Precision Packaging Products in Holley is the Chamber’s new treasurer.
Other new board members include Albion Town Councilman Jake Olles and Patrick Pollard from Hinspergers Poly Industries in Medina.
The Chamber will be selling tickets for the 4-wheeler at its office, 102 N. Main St., and also during the Orleans County 4-H Fair in July, the Metro 10 race in Albion on Aug. 22 and during the Chamber’s annual awards dinner on Sept. 18. The 4-wheeler is a 2015 Polaris Sportsman ETX ATV.
Provided photo – Two Albion elementary students, Lucy Rivers (left) and Leah Kania, both won first place in the grades 3 to 5 category in the recent poetry contest. They are pictured at Bindings Bookstore in Albion.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council teamed with two local bookstores for a student poetry contest in April, which is National Poetry Month.
The contest was open to all students between kindergarten and college levels. In Orleans, no one entered at the high school or college levels.
Prizes and certificates were awarded in grade-grouped categories.
The following were award winners in Orleans County:
Grades K-2
First Place: Abigail Worsley for “Angels”
Honorable Mention: Logan Poupore for “April”
Grades 3-5
First Place: Leah Kania for “Snow”
First Place: Lucy Rivers for “Sharing My Room”
Honorable Mention: Ayesha Way for ” I Got a Pet”
Grades 6-8
First Place: Annabella Salisbury for “Life” and “Choices”
First Place: Nate Sherman for “Science Fair”
Honorable Mention: Jordan Lugo for “My Demon”
Honorable Mention: Jenny Benton for “Lay Your Head Down, Darling”
