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Santa committee looking at other Main Street site after resistance over parking lot

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Albion Betterment Committee is backing off plans to put a bronze statue of Santa Claus with a “Santa House” in a vacant spot next to the First Presbyterian Church after several merchants and past Village Board members expressed concerns that the land should be used for public parking. The Betterment Committee is looking at other sites, including Waterman Park, a spot on Main Street next to Cropsey and Cropsey.

ALBION – The Village Board was encouraged to support efforts for a bronze statue of Santa Claus in honor of Charles Howard, the Albion native who ran a Santa Claus School from 1937 until his death in 1966.

However, the Village Board was urged not to allow the Howard memorial to be erected on vacant land next to the First Presbyterian Church. The village took down a building that was considered unsafe five years ago with the goal of creating a parking lot. The spot hasn’t been turned into parking yet, but several merchants said they don’t want to see that potential go away.

Greg Schmitt of the Olde Coach Inn said he only has three parking spaces now for his business. He would like to add a sports bar, but not having access to the parking would hurt that effort.

Dean Theodorakos was mayor of Albion when the building was demolished. He spoke at the public hearing Wednesday about using the space for a Santa statue and memorial. Theodorakos favors keeping it for parking. He also urged the village to enforce existing two-hour parking in the downtown. He also shared his concern that a Santa House, which could sell merchandise and refreshments, be self-supporting and not be a drain on village finances.

The Albion Betterment Committee shared concerns about the aesthetics of a big parking lot on Main Street. Theodorakos said there were plans for green space if the village moves forward with the bigger lot.

(Editor’s note: I’m on the Santa committee and spoke during the public hearing. I suggested the village put historic-looking lights in the median of the parking lot and some small trees to be a buffer looking at the former Sneezy’s bowling alley and to help with the aesthetics of the space.)

As a committee member I favor the Waterman Park site on Main Street, a half block south of the canal. The site is owned by the village and much of the landscaping is done. The Memorial Art Company in Buffalo visited Albion twice about three years ago to look at spots for a potential quarryman memorial site.

That company, which has created and installed several bronze statues, thought Waterman was the best spot. It’s high-profile on Main Street with two intersecting sidewalks. The company didn’t like the land by the Presbyterian Church because a bronze would look so small next to a 175-foot-high building.

Waterman could be renamed the Charles W. Howard Memorial Park. Murals could added with a Santa theme and Christmas trees planted to create a Christmas feel (my opinion).

The Village Board would need to vote on making public space available for any Santa projects.

Maureen Bennett is a vendor across from Waterman in the Uptown Browsery. She thought the location with a statue would give a lift to several of the businesses that would be close by to the statue.

Community members have pitched other sites for a Santa statue and House, including this spot at the corner of Ingersoll and West Bank streets. I think it’s too far from Main Street and wouldn’t be a springboard for other businesses to piggyback off of. If the statue is on Main Street, I could see businesses opening with a Santa theme, or selling Santa-related merchandise.

The site at the former Swan Library also has been suggested for the Santa statue. The property is now privately owned by Chad Fabry. He wants to remove the large tree. Some people, including Village Trustee Pete Sidari, have suggested the statue could go there. (I don’t think the statue would “connect” well with the site. It would be harder to create a Santa theme here and I think the statue would look out of place.)

Ken McPherson is a graduate of the Charles Howard Santa Claus School, which is now in Midland, Mich. McPherson said Howard is well regarded among the Santa community. More than 200 attended a Santa conference in Albion a year ago.

The Betterment Committee would like a Santa statue to be made of bronze and placed in a prominent part of town, serving as a icon, much like the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, which is featured in the film “A Perfect Storm” and remains a big part of the identity of this Massachusetts community.

McPherson is also on the local Santa committee. He said a statue would be a nice way to recognize Howard’s impact in the community and with the people who portray Santa around the world. McPherson would like to see a display of memorabilia of Christmas Park that tells the story of that site created by Howard on Phipps Road. However, McPherson said he wants a project that has strong support in the community.

Albion residents Lori Laine and Gary Condoluci also voiced support for the bigger project of a statue and “Santa House.” Laine said that combination would be a bigger draw to the downtown. However, she said she would support the statue at first, with the possibility of developing a Santa House later on.

Adam Johnson is working to develop a restaurant in the downtown. He submitted a letter that was read at the public hearing. Johnson didn’t want to give up parking spaces for a Santa House that he said doesn’t have a viable long-term plan. Johnson said he favors the statue at Waterman Park.

Resident Mark Parker also shared concerns about the viability of running a Santa House and the burden on the village with ongoing maintenance.

Another issue raised on Wednesday was whether Howard’s family would support a memorial project. Howard’s grandchildren attended the Santa convention a year ago and gave verbal support for the project. Village Board members said they want to see that in writing. McPherson said he knows Howard’s granddaughter, Jane Holland of Williamsville, and would see if she would state her support for the project.

Charles Howard is pictured in 1965 in one of the last times he wore the Santa suit. The 50th anniversary of his death is on May 1.

Condoluci said he remembers when he was a kid and visited Christmas Park and Howard.

Condoluci urged the Village Board to “take a leap of faith” and allow a Howard memorial to be created on village-owned land on Main Street.

“I remember Charlie Howard,” Condolucci said. He was a big deal. He is a very proud and vibrant part of Albion history.”

Interviews, internships help prep students for careers

Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jonathan Higgins, a captain with the Medina Fire Department, interviews Meghan Hurley on Wednesday during mock interviews with Albion seniors in the school’s internship program.

Hurley has been interning at the Medina Fire Department with paramedics. She is considering a career as a nurse aesthetician.

Albion has 19 students in internships this semester and 17 were interviewed on Wednesday, with students preparing cover letters and resumes.

Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, interviews Kyle Smith, who is interning with the EDA and considering a career in business.

Mary Leto, assistant superintendent at Albion Central School, interviews Olivia Prest, who has been interning at D & K Autobody. She is interested in a welding career.

(Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, interviewed Katelyn Perry, who has been interning in Hoag Library with communications and also at Bloom’s Flower Shop. She is interested in a career in journalism.)

Medina students clean up school, community to make IMPACT

Posted 21 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – Cattrianna Hernandez (left), Megan Seefeldt and Madison Kenward clean up on the high school campus on Monday.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Instead of leaving for their half day at school, many Medina High School students chose to stay behind and help to clean up around the school and the community on April 18.

Students, along with their teacher-mentors, divided into groups and kicked off the day with a luncheon and some team-building activities in the auditorium. Students had to work together with some string to make a star and had to see how long they could keep balloons afloat before they hit the ground. The teams then headed to their assigned locations, whether it was the high school or the community to help out for the afternoon.

Jon Sherman, Lillian Duffield, Lincoln Pace and Connor Berg assist with clean up outside the Medina City Hall.

The idea originated from the IMPACT (Influencing Many People As Concerned Teens) students themselves and the staff thought it was a wonderful idea.

“The students were picking up trash outside the school, fire station and police station and Medina’s parks, painting picnic tables, cleaning trophy cases and cubbies around the school,” said Assistant Principal Julie Webber. “They also wrote letters and put together care packages for our military. I am so proud of our students for helping out in the community.”

Nick Bogan, Melanie Hibbard, Trevor Luthart, Courtney Bailey, Ian Wagner and Madison Holland do team-building activities in auditorium prior to departing for day’s activities.

Medina grad, acclaimed author, has new book out

Staff Reports Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

MEDINA Julie Berry discusses her latest book, “The Passion of Dolssa,” with the Medina Historical Society on Tuesday. Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, is promoting her ninth novel with book launch parties, including Tuesday’s visit to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Berry now lives in Los Angeles. Her latest young adult novel is a historical thriller published by Viking Children’s Books. “The Passion of Dolssa” is set in 13th Century Europe. Dolssa is a mystic accused of heresy and sentenced to death. She flees and is chased by an inquisitor until she is rescued by a pair of peasant girls. Dolssa’s presence creates problems for the tavern-owning sisters and other village residents.

Her book is available at The Book Shoppe in Medina and Bindings Bookstore in Albion. For more on Berry and her books, click here.

Rochester men sentenced in burglary that led to death of elderly Medina man

Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, U.S. Attorney William Hochul’s Office

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Rico Vendetti, 45, of Rochester was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Vendetti was convicted of racketeering following a home invasion robbery that led to the death of an elderly Medina man.

In addition, Donald Griffin, 28, of Rochester, who was convicted of committing murder in aid of racketeering, was sentenced to 240 months in prison as well.

“This case – which began with shoplifting and ended with murder – justly earned the defendant a lengthy sentence in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “As the case also demonstrates, this Office will utilize all of the tools given by Congress, including the racketeering laws, to bring organized criminals to justice. While unfortunately nothing law enforcement does can restore Mr. Marciniak to his family, certainly today’s sentence brings a measure of closure in that justice has been served.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr., who, along with retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce, handled the case, stated that beginning in approximately 2005, the defendant utilized a number of shoplifters who engaged in shoplifting of items from stores such as Walmart, Sears, Target, JoAnn Fabrics, Home Depot, Tops Markets, Wegman’s, and various chain drug stores, most of which were located in Monroe and Genesee counties.

The shoplifters stole merchandise that Vendetti told them he needed which he subsequently sold through eBay accounts he maintained. The defendant paid the shoplifters would buy from the boosters, the defendant told them he would pay them about 25¢ on the dollar of the normal retail price of the merchandise. Using the defendant’s merchandise lists, the shoplifters went into the stores, at times alone and at times in teams, to shoplift.

Among the items stolen in this fashion were breast pumps, Crest Whitestrips, cross stitch and needlepoint kits, electric toothbrushes and replacement heads, computer memory sticks and flash drives, pet supplements and DNA tests for pets, razors, razor blades and replacement razor heads, tool sets, vacuum cleaners, binoculars, batteries, plumbing fixtures and KitchenAid mixers. In total, Vendetti obtained and then sold over $700,000 in merchandise.

In July 2010, the defendant, the former owner of Eastside Gold & Car Audio, formerly in Rochester, hired co-defendant Arlene Combs to travel from Rochester to the Medina home of 78-year-old Homer Marciniak to steal Marciniak’s valuable comic book collection. Combs recruited co-defendants Griffin, Albert Parsons, and Juan Javier for the home invasion, promising each $1,000.

In executing their plan, in the early morning hours of July 4, 2010, Combs, along with Griffin, Parson, and Javier, drove from Rochester to Medina and cut Marciniak’s phone line. In the early morning hours of the following day, July 5, 2010, the gang returned to Marciniak’s home. Wearing ski masks and gloves, Griffin, Parsons, and Javier forcibly entered Marciniak’s home through a first story window.

During the course of the burglary, Marciniak, who had a serious heart condition, woke and confronted the burglars. Griffin struck Marciniak in the face and then, along with Javier, bound his hands with bed linens. Javier then verbally threatened Marciniak with a BB gun in hand. Griffin, Parsons, and Javier ultimately located the comic book collection along with several strong boxes containing cash, coins, and other valuables.

After Griffin, Parsons, and Javier fled the scene with Combs, Marciniak freed himself and was taken to Medina Memorial Hospital for treatment of his facial injuries. After Marciniak was treated and released, however, he suffered a heart attack, was re-admitted to the hospital, and died shortly thereafter. Medical experts concluded that the blow Griffin struck, as well as the emotional trauma caused by the burglary, directly contributed to Marciniak’s cardiac arrest and resulting death.

Griffin, Parsons, and Javier gave the comic books to Combs who, along with another codefendant, Terry Stewart, took the comic books to Vendetti later in the day on July 5. When Vendetti learned that the burglary resulted in Marciniak’s death, Vendetti disposed of the comic books.

Law enforcement officials within the Rochester Police Department identified the defendants during the course of a separate investigation in October 2010. The defendants were arrested soon thereafter. Soon after the arrest, Vendetti attempted to obstruct justice by agreeing to have a phony witness submit a false affidavit, and by telling codefendant Brandon Meade to “keep his mouth shut” if approached by law enforcement.

Convicted in connection with this case:

Rico Vendetti was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on April 20, 2016.

Donald Griffin was convicted of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering: murder, and sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on April 19, 2016.

Arlene Combs was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on March 22, 2016.

Albert Parsons was convicted of a violent crime in aid of racketeering: assault resulting in bodily injury, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2016.

Juan Javier, who was 17 at the time of the burglary, was prosecuted as an adult in Orleans County, and sentenced to seven years in state prison.

Terry Stewart was convicted of racketeering and was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison.

Dayon Shaver was convicted of conspiring to traffic in stolen goods across state lines on March 21, 2016, and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

Brandon Meade was convicted of conspiring to traffic in stolen goods across state lines and was sentenced on January 21, 2016 to time-served after serving nine months in federal prison.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Scott Hess, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn, the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jose Avila and Officers from the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli. Special assistance was provided by Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone.

Bell in historic Medina church removed

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – The new owner of the former United Methodist Church in Medina had a crane brought in on Tuesday morning to remove the church bell.

MEDINA – The 4,500-pound bell was removed from the tower in the former Medina United Methodist Church on Tuesday morning.

The church building was recently acquired by The Church of God Pentecostal, a Hispanic congregation that has been meeting in Medina for about three years. The weight of the bell was causing some structural problems in the building, said Sergio Rosario, the church pastor.

He said the bell is about 120 years old. Some community members have offered to buy the bell, but Rosario said he and the church plan to keep it for now.

The church was built in 1876 and originally had a steeple. It toppled after a windstorm in 1889.

The congregation of about 20 to 25 people is working “little by little” to improve the building and make it a viable church for years to come, Rosario said.

The former congregation held its last service at the site, 222 West Center St., on Oct. 27, 2013. The United Methodists moved to the former Apple Grove Inn, following nearly $1 million of renovations to the former restaurant.

The United Methodists moved out of the historic church, built in 1876, due to its deteriorating condition. It sold the building, with all of its contents, as is to The Church of God Pentecostal.

Medina will plant 61 trees for Arbor Day

Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Village named ‘Tree City’ for 9th straight year

Provided photo – Hundreds of Medina school children participate in Medina’s annual Arbor Day celebration. This year’s Arbor Day celebration will be a State Street Park.

Press Release, Medina Tree Board

MEDINA – Arbor Day 2016 will mark the ninth year in a row that the Village of Medina has been awarded the Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The award honors Medina’s commitment to community forestry.

Overall, this year Medina will plant 61 trees, mostly along areas of West Center Street with additional plantings on West Avenue, Gwinn Street and State Street Park.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA is a national designation.

“We commend Medina’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

Medina’s annual Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, at State Street Park, corner of State Street and East Center Street in the village. Hundreds of K-2 school children from Oak Orchard School are expected to attend and participate. Mayor Mike Sidari will read the annual Arbor Day Proclamation.

Newly elected, Sidari is looking forward to his first Arbor Day as mayor. A long-time supporter of tree planting in Medina, he is pleased to be part of the annual event.

“J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day 144 years ago and during a speech he was quoted ‘This Arbor Day generations will come together to plant trees for future generations to enjoy.'” said Sidari. “I have said previously that we have a great Main Street and now we have to improve our side streets. With the ongoing urban forestry efforts on our side streets, these too will become a show place for generations. I am pleased that the Village of Medina will be taking part in this tradition.”

This year, a large number of the 61 trees being planted were made possible through a generous gift from Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport and Kitchen World in Williamsville. Several of the trees being planted in State Street Park are representative of the hardwoods used by the company in their cabinet making operations. Those trees include maple, birch and cherry.

Medina resident Robert Sanderson approached Tree Board Chairman Chris Busch with the idea of sponsoring tree plantings. Sanderson is vice president of marketing and a managing partner at Candlelight Cabinetry.

“The Tree Board was absolutely thrilled with Bob’s offer and the generous support from Candlelight and Kitchenworld,” Busch said. “It made perfect sense to have such a great woodworking company sponsor tree plantings. As budgets grow tighter, we were extremely grateful for the support.”

Hawley asks Speaker Heastie to take up “2 New Yorks” legislation

Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) said today that he is tired of the Legislature providing a disproportionate amount of aid to New York City, and showing a blatant disregard for the needs of upstate New Yorkers.

Hawley wrote to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie asking him to bring the “Two New Yorks” legislation to the floor and allow a vote to gauge public opinion on the issue. The bipartisan, non-binding measure would be an important step toward understanding whether New Yorkers feel that the amount of aid allocated upstate and the amount sent downstate is equitable, Hawley said.

“In the eyes of the Legislature, NYC and its welfare policies take precedence over upstate businesses and taxpayers,” said Hawley. “I have introduced legislation that will simply gauge the interest of New Yorkers in a non-binding way. For instance, the battle over minimum wage and the implications it would have on farmers and upstate small businesses was completely overlooked by our downstate counterparts. Such disconnect has been present for many years, which is why this legislation is long overdue.”

Hawley’s letter includes:
April 13, 2016

Honorable Carl E. Heastie
Speaker of the Assembly
Room 932 LOB
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Speaker Heastie:

I respectfully urge you to report Assembly Bill 4167 out of the Local Governments Committee to allow a full vote on the Assembly Floor. As you may know, A.4167 would allow voters to vote yes or no in a nonbinding referendum to indicate their preferences on whether New York should be divided into two states.

I believe that upstate and downstate New York citizens have differing needs, wants, and desires regarding legislation and budgetary requirements. Upstate citizens are representative of less urban and more rural values, while downstate citizens tend to be more city oriented. There are also distinct social and political differences. Upstate citizens are more reflective of conservative to moderate traits while downstate citizens are reflective of moderate to liberal traits.

In light of the fact that there is a philosophical view of the SAFE Act dividing Upstate and Downstate, now again, we have seen a division with the two minimum wages. It is apparent that now would be the perfect opportunity to take up my legislation and allow a referendum for citizens to indicate their preferences.

Again, I urge you to assist in reporting this piece of legislation out of committee so that the people of this great State are able to indicate their views. After all, isn’t this what being a representative is all about – actually finding out what constituents’ viewpoints are on issues affecting their lives as New Yorkers? Please contact me with any questions or concerns you have regarding this bill. Let the people’s voice be heard.

Sincerely,

STEVE HAWLEY
Member of the Assembly

2 plead guilty to felonies in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Two people pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday and could be sentenced to state prison.

Norman Henhawk, 58, of Ridge Road in Holley admitted he was driving drunk and without a license on Dec. 5. Henhawk went through a stop sign and hit another vehicle, causing injuries to people in the other vehicle and Henhawk’s passenger, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Henhawk has two prior felonies and several misdemeanors. He said he had seven or eight beers before driving on Dec. 5. His Blood Alcohol Content was 0.17 percent, more than double the legal limit.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, DWI misdemeanor and driving with BAC .08 percent or more. He could face a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 29.

In another case, a Brockport man admitted he stole $3,533 worth of copper from a trailer on South Holley Road on Aug. 28.

David Corbitt, 52, of Capen Road pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree. Corbitt has five prior felonies and two parole violations.

He could be sentenced to a maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison on July 25.

Albion police arrest several for making meth in downtown

Staff Reports Posted 19 April 2016 at 12:00 am

7 arrested after warrant issued to find stolen property

Photo by Tom Rivers – Police search an apartment at 28A East Bank St. this morning.

ALBION – Five people have been arrested after police searched an East Bank Street apartment this morning and discovered methamphetamine was being produced at the site, 28A East Bank St.

Albion police officers executed a search warrant at the apartment. The warrant was related to a police investigation from a burglary that occurred on April 11 at the Vape Shop, 15 East Bank St., Police Chief Roland Nenni said.

As a result of the search warrant, the Police Department recovered stolen property from a burglary. The search warrant also resulted in the seizure of over 4 ounces of methamphetamine and the volatile chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, Nenni said.

The methamphetamine was being produced in the apartment and was in production when the search warrant was executed, the police chief said.

“Methamphetamine is extremely dangerous to produce and is just as dangerous when ingested,” Nenni said. “Today’s arrests resulted in a dangerous operation being shut down and a large amount of methamphetamine being taken off the street.”

Albion Police were assisted by a specialized team from the New York State Police that handles the mitigation of methamphetamine production operations and by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. The methamphetamine seized will be sent to a criminal laboratory for official testing. The chemicals and precursors used in the methamphetamine production were rendered safe and will be taken to a hazardous waste disposal site.

As a part of the investigation the Albion Police were assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in an additional search warrant execution on a vehicle on East Bank Street operated by a suspect who was taken into custody. That search warrant resulted in the seizure of additional stolen property.

Arrested were as follows:

Tara A. Ryan, 19 of 28A East Bank St., Albion. She was charged criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree, (A2-Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor), unlawfully growing cannabis (A-Misdemeanor), and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation).

Nicholas D. Barrett, 19, of 28A East Bank St., Albion. He was charged criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree, (A2-Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor), unlawfully growing cannabis (A-Misdemeanor), and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation).

Ryan J. Adkins, 22, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 6, Lockport. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Maja L. Pugh, 19, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 6, Lockport. She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Bridgette A.M. Fronczak-Reilly, 19, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 6, Lockport. She was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Shane J. DiPilato, 18, of 1 Nelson St., Holley. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd degree (A2 Felony), unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (E-Felony), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-Misdemeanor).

Zachary A. Deville, 22, of 101 Brown St., Albion. He was charged with burglary in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), grand larceny in the 3rd degree (D-Felony), conspiracy in the 4th degree (E-Felony), endangering in the welfare of a child (A-Misdemeanor), and criminal mischief in the 4th degree (A-Misdemeanor).
All seven were arraigned and placed in the Orleans County Jail on no bail. They are to return to the Albion Town Court on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

A juvenile male was also taken into custody and was charged with crimes in relation to the burglary. The juvenile male will be returning to Family Court at a later time and was released to a parent.

Nenni said additional arrests and charges are pending.

Firefighters battle brush fire behind Mount Albion Cemetery

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Rob Conner, an Albion firefighter, sprays water on a brush fire at about 4 p.m. today. The fire was in a hedgerow in a field behind Mount Albion Cemetery.

Barre brought its brush fire truck and firefighters to assist Albion in putting out the fire. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a burn ban through May 14. The DEC was also called to the scene.

Albion and Barre firefighters work on extinquishing the fire, which was just west of the cemetery near Route 31.

James Neal from the Barre Fire Company heads to the scene to help put out the fire.

Music teacher honored for outstanding work by RPO

Staff Reports Posted 19 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Kelly Follman

ROCHESTER – A Waterport woman who teaches music in the City of Rochester was one of four teachers honored last week by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for outstanding work in the classroom.

Kelly Follman is an instrumental and vocal teacher at Francis Parker School #23 in the Rochester City School District. Follman directs the Compass Choir and two bands, as well as directs and produces two elementary musicals each year.

She holds the position of Eastman Pathways program liaison between the city school district and the Eastman School of Music. This year, she is a recipient of the RCSD Board of Education “Yes We Can” Award for her work with children in urban education, specifically at Francis Parker School.

Follman is a woodwind specialist who performs in area pit orchestras and serves as costumer for community theater productions. She passionately believes that children in the city of Rochester should have access to the same music-making opportunities as their peers in surrounding communities, and works diligently to achieve this, according to a news release from the RPO.

Photo: RPO

The four teachers recognized by the RPO include, from left: Kathleen Sullivan of Pine Brooke Elementary School at Greece Central School District; Kelly Follman of Francis Parker School #23 in Rochester City School District; Brian Bohrer of Rush-Henrietta High School; and William Baldwin, Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton Central School District.

She was recognized last Thursday during the 28th annual RPO Musicians’ Awards for Outstanding Music Educators. Founded in 1988, the Awards program works to strengthen the relationship between area music educators and the musicians of the RPO.

The awards commend those teaches who have shown both educational and musical excellence and who recognize the positive influence they have on musicians and audiences of the future. Administrators, educators, parents and students submit nominations that are then reviewed by a committee comprised of community educators and RPO musicians.

“We want to see how they engage students in the classroom, and how they are creating an atmosphere of excitement toward music,” explains Anna Steltenpohl, chair of the Awards committee and RPO oboe and English horn player. “We want to see how they are bringing music alive.”

For more on the awards, click here.

Sanders, Trump take Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Orleans County proved friendly country for Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump in today’s presidential primaries. (The top photo shows a Trump sign in Holley on Route 31.)

Sanders received 877 votes to Hillary Clinton’s 650 or 57.4 percent to 42.6 percent. Clinton is the projected statewide winner for the Democrats. She served as one of New York’s senators after being in the White House as first lady.

Trump was an overwhelming winner for the Republicans, getting 63.3 percent of the vote or 2,532 votes followed by John Kasich at 757 (18.9 percent), Ted Cruz at 654 (16.4 percent) and Ben Carson at 55 (1.4 percent).

Turnout wasn’t as high as predicted. The county Board of Elections printed enough ballots for an 80 percent turnout.

There were 1,527 Democrats who voted, or 28.7 percent of 5,320 registered Democrats. Republicans had a bigger turnout with 3,998, or 38.6 percent of 10,360 registered Republicans.

In addition, there were 399 absentees, and 293 had been returned by today. The ballots will be counted in a week as long as they have been postmarked by today. The County Board of Elections also said an unknown amount of affidavit ballots may be part of the final count.

A Medina resident on Park Avenue displays a Sanders sign.

Turnout is brisk so far in primary

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – The polls were busy in the first hour after voting started at noon today in the presidential primary. This photo shows Albion voters at Hoag Library.

Democrats are choosing between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for president, while Republicans can pick Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich or Ben Carson. (Carson has suspended his campaign, but he remains on the ballot.)

Orleans County Board of Elections officials are expecting a big turn out. They have ballots available for an 80 percent turnout. That would more than double the 38.2 percent turn-out rate in this past November’s election.

Today’s primary is highly unusual in New York. Normally the front-runners have their parties’ nominations locked up by the time New Yorkers vote in the primary. This time, the Democratic and Republican nominations remain up for grabs.

Several people were guarded about who they were voting for today when asked by the Orleans Hub. One Democrat said he has been a long-time Hillary Clinton supporter but recently switched to Bernie Sanders, although the voter said he has concern about Sanders’ age at 74.

That Democratic voter said Clinton has been entrenched in politics for too many years and has lost touch with working class people.

A Republican who used to be a local elected official said he favored Trump, but switched to Cruz about two weeks ago due to the Texas senator’s commitment to the Constitution. The local Republican voter said Trump has waffled too much, especially on issues with the Constitution.

Trump has been endorsed by the Orleans County Republican Party, while the local Democratic Party is backing Clinton.

Polls will be open to 9 p.m. and sites include:

Albion: Hoag Library, 134 S. Main St.
Barre: Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
Carlton: Town Hall, 14341 Waterport Carlton Rd.
Clarendon: Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
Gaines: Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
Kendall: Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
Murray: Holley Junior-Senior High School, 16848 Lynch Rd., Holley
Ridgeway: (Districts 1, 3, 6-7) Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Co., 11392 Ridge Rd.
(Districts 2, 4-5) Ridgeway Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
Shelby: Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.,
Yates: Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

Student’s car bursts into flames at Albion

Staff Reports Posted 18 April 2016 at 4:02 pm

ALBION – A high school student’s car burst into flames this afternoon just before the student dismissal at about 2:20 p.m.

Mike Neidert, the Albion highway superintendent, was the first on the scene with a extinguisher and knocked down most of the flames. Albion firefighters also responded.

Two other cars had some heat damage – a deformed light cover or slight melt to the bumper, said Michael Bonnewell, the school district superintendent.

Nobody was injured from the incident.