news

Concert raised $7,000 for Burlison scholarship

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A concert on Friday night, with nearly 20 different musical acts, raised more than $7,000 towards a memorial scholarship in honor of Wayne Burlison, an elementary music teacher who died on March 26 after fighting colon cancer.

The top photo shows David Martin, a member of The Hit Men based in Rochester. Burlison was a member of the group and wrote music for the popular parade band.

Burlison’s colleagues, friends and family are trying to raise $10,000 for a scholarship is his memory. The Albion Alumni Foundation will administer the fund with a plan to offer a $500 scholarship each year. Burlison’s wife Lisa, an elementary school teacher, will help select the scholarship winner.

Burlison was an active musician in the community, and several of the groups he played in performed during Friday’s concert. He also was a leader in the Albion Running Club.

The Running Club is organizing a 3.17-mile walk and run on March 28 that will start at 12:01 p.m. at the school. Proceeds from the “Run for Wayne” will go towards the scholarship.

The distance is a little longer than the 3.1-mile 5Ks. The 3.17 represents 3 months and 17 days, the amount of time Burlison lived from his cancer diagnosis until he died.

Rachel Curtin, the elementary school principal, sings and plays the piano during the concert on Friday that was attended by about 600 people at the middle school auditorium.

“I am very grateful for the students who performed, assisted, and/or attended,” High School Band Director Mike Thaine posted on the band’s Facebook page. “It was a wonderful tribute to Mr. Burlison, and raised more than $7,000 toward his memorial scholarship.”

Clarendon Scout leader receives BSA’s top award

Staff Reports Posted 2 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America on Saturday recognized three adult volunteers with Silver Beaver awards, the top recognition given by the BSA. The following were recognized, from left: John G. Maier of Lockport, Linda J. Wohlers of Clarendon, Donald H. Morris of Lockport.

BATAVIA – The local council of the Boy Scouts of America honored a Clarendon woman and two other adult volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the Scouting program.

Linda Wohlers of Clarendon, Donald Morris of Batavia and John Maier of Lockport all were presented with Silver Beaver awards on Saturday during a volunteer awards dinner by the Iroquois Trail Council.

The Silver Beaver is a National BSA award that recognizes distinguished service to local youth. Each recipient is a long-tenured volunteer who has also made significant contributions by way of service to his or her local community.

Linda Wohlers has volunteered for 20 years to the Scouting program, serving as a Tiger Leader, Den Leader, Webelos Leader, Cubmaster, Commissioner and Committee Member.

John Maier’s Scouting history includes current roles as a Cubmaster, Troop Committee Member and Merit Badge counselor. A former Webelos leader, he is also an active member of the camp promotions team, district training team, and commissioner staff.

Donald Morris has served the whole family of scouting with exemplary dedication. Over the past 40-plus years, he has been involved in Scouting with 3 different local councils; Finger Lakes, New York; Blue Grass Council, Kentucky; and most recently Iroquois Trail.

The council was itself recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with the 2014 Journey to Excellence Gold Award for program excellence.

Local Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders were recognized for program excellence in the areas of advancement, camping, membership recruitment and retention, and helping Scouts to meet their funding needs.

Several youth members were also recognized. Cub Scout Tyler Mutka of Corfu topped the list with Popcorn Sales of more than $4,200. The sale raises money for Scout programs, and also qualifies Tyler for a national college scholarship program. This is Tyler’s fourth year as top seller among Scouts in a five-county area. Other Scouts who will be inducted into the scholarship program are Cameron Kreger of Lockport and Ethan Nelson of Avon.

The Iroquois Trail Council provides development, leadership, and life skills to more than 3,000 youths in Orleans, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston counties.

3 are sentenced for crimes, including drug sales and a break-in

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Three people will spend time in either the local county jail or state prison after being sentenced today by Orleans County Court Judge James Punch.

Joseph B. James, 33, received the longest sentence, 1 ½ years in state prison with another year of post-release supervision.

James pleaded guilty in court on Nov. 3 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. James was living in Albion when he was arrested on April 1. He admitted in court he had cocaine with the intent to sell on March 3, 2014.

A Brockport woman was sentenced to three months in the county jail for selling cocaine for $100 to an undercover officer on May 29, 2013.

Cynthia Winkelman, 46, of Skyline Circle pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. She has no prior criminal record. Winkelman faced up to a year in the county jail. Punch gave her three months.

“You sold a very small amount of this substance and you have no prior criminal history,” Punch said during sentencing. “However, it is very serious to sell an illegal drug.”

An 18-year-old girl from Medina was sentenced to six months in jail for her part in a burglary in Albion on May 19. The defendant was granted youthful offender status so her name won’t be published and her record will be sealed for the crime.

The judge issued orders of protection for the victims and also said the defendant will be on Probation for five years when she is out of jail.

Wind chill advisory follows today’s snowstorm

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The front steps of the Orleans County Courthouse may have been shoveled today, but they show signs of a wintry blast that hit the county.

After more than a foot of snow fell in Orleans County, the area will see temperatures drop to -2 below tonight, the National Weather Service advised. A wind chill advisory remains in effect for Orleans and several other Western New York counties until 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

The temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 19 on Tuesday, with a high of 29 on Wednesday and a low of 9 degrees. Thursday will be cold with a high of 13 and temperatures falling to -6, the Weather Service said.

Snow showers are in the forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Collins, NY senators react to Obama’s budget proposal

Staff Reports Posted 2 February 2015 at 12:00 am

President Barack Obama unveiled a $3.99 trillion budget proposal today that would lift the automatic spending caps imposed in 2013. The spending plan is drawing mixed reaction in Congress.

“Old habits die hard,” said Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence. “Just three years ago, President Obama agreed to budget levels that address our nation’s spending addiction and ballooning deficit. Now, he’s abandoned that promise and proposed a 7 percent spending increase.

“Rather than promote pro-growth policies that create a favorable environment for job creation, the president’s budget looks to spend our way to economic growth. This flawed approach will only increase the deficit and worsen the financial burden on our children and grandchildren. Families across the country are being forced to make hard decisions to live within their means. It’s time President Obama learned to do the same.”

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, issued this statement through his Twitter account.

“President’s budget invests in smart programs that grow the middle class while making smart cuts. It should be a blueprint for both parties,” Schumer said. “If GOP takes this budget & sticks it in a drawer, they’ll prove they’re more interested in helping special interests than the middle class.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, issued the following statement on the President’s budget:

“The President’s budget is not just a starting point for discussions with Congress, it is fundamentally a statement of values,” Gillibrand said. “With his proposal, the President rightly makes the growth of the middle class a priority and focuses on addressing the challenges working families across the country face. On issues like paid family leave, affordable child care and early childhood education, the President’s budget provides an important first step toward fair economic policies that will strengthen our workforce and economy. I believe we can and must go farther, and will reintroduce the FAMILY Act to ensure that working Americans, no matter where they live, have access to paid leave.”

Gillibrand also praised Obama for including $31 million more for addressing sexual assaults on college campuses.

In November, Gillibrand led a coalition of senators in urging the President to request additional funding for Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to hire and train staff focused on sexual assault cases. The investment will help provide for adequate investigations and enforcement of Title IX related to campus sexual violence on colleges and universities across the country, Gillibrand said.

“I also want to applaud the President’s addition of $31 million for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which is responsible for addressing campus sexual assault complaints,” Gillibrand said. “The ability to hire and train new staff focused on sexual violence is part of the comprehensive reform that survivors and advocates have urged us to adopt.”

Ridgeway Fire Company installs officers, honors firefighter of the year

Contributed Story Posted 1 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos
The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company held its annual installation dinner on Saturday night and named Don Marchner, left in top photo, as the firefighter of the year for 2014. Marchner responded to 279 of the fire company’s 290 calls.

Marchner was also installed as the fire company’s new fire chief. He is pictured with First Assistant Chief Jason Bessel, center, and Second Assistant Francis “Woody” Woodward, who served as fire chief in 2014.

In memory of her husband, Larry Petrie, Harriet Petrie presented the Ridgeway EMS with a new suction machine.

Front row, from left: EMS Captain Kristin McAdoo and Harriet Petrie. Middle row: Katie Tuohey. Back row: Guy Scribner, Chris Seefeldt, Glen Busch II and Charlie Smith.

The 2015 officers include, front row: Laurie Marchner, secretary; Kristin McAdoo, EMS captain; Valerie Childs, director; Stacey Seefeldt, vice president.

Second row: Ricky Tuohey, safety officer/director; Francis Woodward, 2nd assistant chief; Don Marchner, chief; Mike Kelly, president.

Third row: Jim Marciszewski, captain; Jason Bessel, 1st assistant chief: Matt Natale, foreman; Todd Hansler, sergeant at arms; and Glen Busch II, treasurer.

Many musicians join for Burlison scholarship benefit

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2015 at 12:00 am

About 600 attend concert at Albion Middle School

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Nearly 20 musical acts performed on Friday night in a concert for the Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship. Burlison was an active member in several groups at the school district and also with community bands.

The top photo shows Albion native Travis Klossner, a member of The Hit Men in Rochester. Burlison performed in the group and played many different instruments for the band, which is popular at many local parades.

Burlison was 36 when he died from colon cancer last March 26. He was an elementary band teacher at Albion, and also worked with the marching band, jazz ensemble and other musical groups.

“He was very much loved and involved in a lot of things,” High School band director Mike Thaine told about 600 people who attended the concert. “This is a celebration of music in our schools and Wayne’s legacy was a love for music.”

An ensemble from the marching band, including Riley Seielstad on saxophone, performed early in the concert. The drum majors include Char Olick, left, and Meredith Patterson.

Burlison was a member of the Mark Time Marchers based in Churchville. Wayne wrote several of the band’s parade songs. His brother-in-law Bob Pastecki is the group’s leader.

Retired Albion instrumental teacher Mike Grammatico plays in a saxophone duet with his grandson Nate Grammatico, one of Burlison’s students.

Burlison was a member of the praise band at the Albion Free Methodist Church. Tom Smith and Linda Logan sing one of Burlison’s favorite songs, “Beautiful Things.”

Karen Conn (right), a music teacher and music therapist at the school, performs with her daughter Shannon Vanderlaan, a 2011 Albion grad and oboe major at The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

Albion music teachers perform in a jazz combo in this photo taken from the side of the stage. The group includes, from left: Greg Martillotta on drums, Lindsey Fix, Mike Thaine and Gary Simboli.

Megan Zambito, an elementary vocal teacher, and retired Albion teacher Alec Sherman sing, “Somewhere Out There.”

The Albion Alumni Foundation will manage the Burilson scholarship. The group is working to raise $10,000 to endow the scholarship. Another fund-raiser will be March 28 and includes another passion of Burlison’s: fitness.

The Albion Running Club is planning the “Run for Wayne” that will cover 3.17 miles and is open to walkers and runners. (A shorter course will also be available.) For more information, click here.

Harsh cold, winter storm in forecast

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – A snow-covered tractor is pictured next to an apple orchard on Riches Corners Road in Albion today.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon, when 7 inches or more of snow could fall in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties.

The Weather Service warns there will be heavy snow and blowing snow, resulting in snow-covered road and poor visibility, creating hazardous driving conditions.

The temperature is forecast for a high of 17 on Sunday with temperatures falling to -2 overnight with a wind chill at -20 degrees. The temperature is forecast for a high at 10 degrees on Monday with a low of -3.

Some cattle are out in a field along Route 237 this morning in Clarendon.

DOT will discuss plans to improve Route 531

Staff Reports Posted 31 January 2015 at 12:00 am

State decides against extending expressway westward towards Orleans County

SPENCERPORT – The State Department of Transportation will have a public hearing on Thursday at Spencerport High School to discuss its plan to improve the safety of the Route 531 terminus.

The DOT estimates it will cost $14.2 million to upgrade the current terminus at Route 36. The project won’t extend the expressway west towards Orleans County.

There will be an informal open house on Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spencerport High School cafeteria area. Project displays will be staffed by the project team to describe the status of the project and collect public input.

A formal public hearing will start at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. A short presentation will outline the alternatives that were studied for the project including engineering, traffic, environmental, and right-of-way aspects and the basis for selecting the preferred alternative. Oral comments will be recorded and written comments will be received.

This project is a direct result of the Route 531 Extension Study that was concluded in 2009, DOT officials said. It was determined that the expressway would not be extended and Route 31 would not be widened.

However, the information collected during the study indicated that spot improvements to improve safety and reduce congestion at the existing Route 531 terminus as well as along the Route 31 corridor.

Since this new project was initiated to address the needs at the terminus, the DOT has looked at several possible alternatives and measured them against the purpose and need statement. Each involves a significant change to how the intersection at Route 531/36 and 31 operates today.

The preferred design alternative consists of a conventional four-legged, at-grade, signalized intersection at Route 531 and Route 36. The Route 531 to Route 31 transition would be just south of existing Route 31, along the existing eastbound on-ramp.

Route 531 would connect directly to Route 31 and would transition from a four-lane expressway to a two-lane rural arterial west of Route 36. The main through movement that currently turns right onto Route 36, then left at the proceeding Route 31 / Route 36 signalized intersection would continue straight along Route 531 to Route 31.

Route 31 would be widened to add a center median to separate the eastbound and westbound travel lanes from where the “new” Route 531 lanes tie into Route 31 all the way to just east of Gallup Road. Former Route 31 would be transformed to a cul-de-sac approximately 2,000 feet west of Route 36, which would continue to provide access to the residential homes located on the north side of Route 31. A continuous two-way left turn lane between Gallup Road west towards Salmon Creek Road would be provided to ease travel at intersections.

The DOT expects to open construction bids in the summer 2016, with construction to start that fall and be complete in the fall 2017.

For more information on the project, including renderings of the site improvements, click here.

Scouts find ways for winter fun

Contributed Story Posted 31 January 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

The Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America held its annual Cub Winter Fun Day on Jan. 17 at Letchworth Park’s Trailside Lodge.

There was a snowball throw, Iditarod race, nugget run, a tug of war, tube race and other events.

Pack 3062 from Holley placed in all seven competitions with one first place, two second place ribbons and four third place ribbons.

Pictured include, front row, from left: Lilly Moore, Gabe Lindsay, Tyler Moore, Damian Frazier, Miguel Pulcino, Ethan Gonzalez, Dawson Arnold and Braden Read.

Back row: John Patt, Hunter Smith, Ronald Thorn, John Kuhls and new Cubmaster Wayne Thorn.

Cub Scouts in Medina in Pack 28 and 35 had fun in their annual Pinewood Derby today at the United Methodist Church.