HOLLEY – A new fitness center will soon be opening at Holley Elementary School for use by the students, staff and community. The creation of the fitness center is due to the Carol White Physical Education Program, a multi-year $441,000 federal grant for Holley.
Lisa Campbell, the district’s Director of Physical Education, was instrumental in securing this grant for the district. Holley has used the grant money to purchase state-of-the-art fitness equipment to outfit the center.
Initially, the fitness center will be open two nights per week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting in late fall/early winter. The center will be supervised by a Holley staff member and Holley Security Officers will be on duty during the community use hours.
During the evening hours, children under the age of 10 will not be permitted to use the equipment. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form in order to use the equipment.
“I invite you to use the fitness center as your schedule permits, as it is just one more service that the school district provides the community, and we are very proud to do so,” said Robert D’Angelo, Holley school district superintendent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
‘Law enforcement is a brotherhood. We’re all brothers and sisters out there and when something like this happens it hurts.’
Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni
Police officers from every department in Orleans County attended the funeral in Rochester today for Daryl Pierson. About 1,000 law enforcement officers were at the funeral at Blue Cross Arena.
Pierson, 32, died a week ago when he was shot by a man wanted on a parole violation. That man fled from police after a traffic stop.
The contingent from Orleans County included eight officers and Police Chief Roland Nenni from the Albion Police Department, three officers from the Sheriff’s Department, one from the county jail, two officers from the Medina Police Department and four officers from the Holley PD.
“Law enforcement is a brotherhood,” said Nenni, chief of the Albion PD. “We’re all brothers and sisters out there and when something like this happens it hurts.”
One Albion police officer Kyle Edwards worked with Pierson at the Rochester PD before Edwards transferred to Albion about four months ago. Jeff Cole, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, attended the same police academy class with Pierson.
Nenni said the funeral for Pierson was “very touching” and a great tribute to the 8-year veteran of the RPD.
The funeral was also a reminder of how dangerous the job can be for police officers. Nenni said officers in Albion and other departments in Orleans County often have to apprehend parolees.
“We come in contact with parolees a lot,” he said. “It could have been any one of us.”
The officers attended the funeral on their own time.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A fountain that was originally installed 100 years ago in the Public Square will be rededicated on Sept. 20 after being refurbished.
The Salisbury Fountain was originally given to the village by Mrs. Abraham Salisbury. According to a plaque, it was “Presented through the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.”
Holley is using a state street-scape grant to make improvements to the fountain. K.M. Verhagen did much of the restoration work. The fountain was disassembled and sandblasted. New stainless hardware was installed and broken casting was welded. It was also cleaned, primed, and repainted. The detailing was done by local artist Howard Barry.
The work is complete but the scaffold and plastic will remain around the fountain until the 10 a.m. unveiling on Sept. 20. The community is welcome to the dedication ceremony.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
27 pieces of artwork are for sale to raise money for art scholarships
Photos by Tom Rivers – This painting was done by Christine VerSteeg of Kendall and is on display in Bindings Bookstore in Albion. There are 27 paintings in the Palettes of Orleans.
ALBION – The Chamber of Commerce has organized a public art project for the second straight year. Artists created 27 paintings on canvas that are displayed at local businesses.
The Palettes of Orleans project will conclude with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, 10609 Ridge Rd., Medina.
The community is welcome to submit bids for the artwork. The proceeds will go towards art scholarships at each of the five school districts in Orleans County.
“We have a lot of really nice pieces,” said Samantha Roskowski, coordinator of the project for the Chamber of Commerce. She also painted a canvas on display at Creekside Florist in Medina.
Five Star Bank in Albion displays this painting by Connie Maines.
The Palettes of Orleans debuted last year with 70 paintings on palettes. This year the numbers were reduced and the format was switched to an 11-by-14-inch canvas.
The list of participants includes:
Albion
Arnold’s Auto – Mark G.
Bloom’s – John Hewitt
Bindings Bookstore – Chris Versteeg
Knight’s Pride – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella
Hazy Jade – Connie Mosher
Orleans County Chamber of Commerce – Ed Rosko
Orleans County Farmers Market – Kim Nesbitt
Tillman’s Historic Village Inn – Sue Wells
Five Star Bank – Connie Maines
Marti’s on Main – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella
Kendall
Partyka Farms – Amanda Wilmier
Medina
A Lily & A Sparrow – Glenda Gross
Apple Blossom Florist – Connie Maines
Ashlee’s – Brandi Zavitz
Blissett’s – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella
The Book Shoppe – Jen Scott
Case Nic Cookies – Nicole Tuohey (also sponsored by OC Farmers Market)
Creekside Florist – Samantha Roskowski
C&H PC – Clara Lake
Della’s Chocolate – Jen Scott
East Center Stop N’ Shop – Jim Nicholson
English Rose Tea Shoppe – Patricia Worrad
Lakes Wine N Spirits – Clara Lake
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery – Eric Valley
Orleans County Farmers Market – Kim Nesbitt
Roberts Farm Market – Todd Eick
Rosenkrans – Mrs. Hamm
Vision 2000 – Glenda Gross
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Kendall resident has been involved in numerous community causes
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ken DeRoller is pictured outside his Kendall home where he lives with his wife of 46 years, Susan.
KENDALL – A Kendall resident has decades of giving back to the community, through the Fire Department, leading the local Planning Board, and serving in the Lions Club and other public offices.
Ken DeRoller, 68, is being recognized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with a community service award. He will be honored on Sept. 20.
“Community service is my passion,” DeRoller said at his home on Kendall Road. “I appreciate our environment and our community.”
DeRoller grew up in Spencerport, but visited Kendall often as a kid. His parents had a cottage on Norway Heights. Just before his sophomore year in high school, the family moved to the cottage year-round. He married a Kendall native, the former Susan Preston. They raised two children in Kendall, Marc and Kelly. The DeRollers have three granddaughters.
Mr. DeRoller worked 38 years at Kodak, retiring 12 years ago in the information technology department as a business analyst. He also worked with materials handling and logistics for the company.
He joined the Fire Department and was an active firefighter for 18 years. He continues as a social member.
He served 25 years on the Town Planning Board, including 15 years as its chairman. DeRoller was particularly interested in the lakefront and making better use of the 7 miles of lakefront in Kendall.
He helped write the comprehensive plan that made it possible to turn a former Salvation Army Camp into the Cottages of Troutburg. The first cottages are being built and the infrastructure is going in for the Cottages at Troutburg, a project that could add 400 cottages to the Kendall tax rolls, adding tax base and residents to shop at local businesses, DeRoller said.
County Clerk Karen Lake-Maynard, right, administers the oath of office on Jan. 2 to the following legislators, from left: David Callard of Medina, Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville, Ken DeRoller of Kendall and Fred Miller of Albion.
DeRoller also led the Kendall-Yates-Carlton Waterfront Plan, which took nearly two decades to develop and secure approvals from state and federal officials. The plan promotes recreational opportunities along the 24 miles of shoreline in the three towns. The plan was instrumental in helping the county secure grants for the Marine Park and also for the dredging of the Oak Orchard Harbor.
DeRoller enjoys digging into the details of plans and budgets. He worked as town assessor for four years, and also has been a member of the Orleans Economic Development Agency for the past 12 years.
“He has a passion for Orleans County, for economic development and for everything he does,” said Jim Whipple, Orleans EDA director. “I couldn’t ask for a better board member or a better person.”
DeRoller gives each role in the community his full attention, Whipple said.
“He’s a real asset for Orleans County,” Whipple said.
DeRoller also has been a member of the Lions Club for 30 years and in June was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, the Lions’ top award for humanitarian service. He works with the Leos, the youth component of Lions which includes about 70 students at Kendall.
He urges the students to come back to Kendall as adults and give back to the community.
“He has been instrumental with the Leo’s Club, doing community service projects with the students,” said Terry Bliss, a past president of the Kendall Lions Club and former district governor.
He said DeRoller acts a mentor to many in the community. He also helps line up speakers for the club, bringing in local and state community leaders to address the Lions.
DeRoller joined the Orleans County Legislature in January. He is the Public Safety Committee chairman. He also has pushed the local village and town boards to press the state for more infrastructure funding. He secured formal resolutions from each village and town board about the issue.
Well-maintained roads and bridges are critical for the county’s economic development and quality of life, DeRoller said. He also helped rally residents to submit 70 letters asking the state to better maintain the Lake Ontario State Parkway.
DeRoller said he’s thankful for the Kendall community and the many ways he’s been able to contribute.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It was another dazzling sunset last night on a warm September day. This photo shows the sun setting behind the Albion Central School campus, looking west from the soccer fields.
Today is forecast to reach 81 degrees. The temperatures will drop on Thursday with a high of 69 and low of 49. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the highs are forecast at 62 degrees.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department recently conducted a three-day Speed Enforcement Detail in the School Speed Zone on East Avenue.
The Police Department conducted the detail during the opening week for the Albion Central School on Sept. 3-5. The Albion Police Department received a $5,040 grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to participate in the statewide Police Traffic Services Program.
The goal of this grant is to increase seatbelt usage and reduce speeding, and aggressive, distracted and other dangerous driving behaviors in an effort to reduce serious injury and death from traffic crashes.
During the opening week of school Albion Police Officers issued 72 Uniform Traffic Tickets for various Vehicle & Traffic Law violations including the following:
63 – Speeding in School Zone Tickets;
3 – Uninspected Motor Vehicles;
2 – Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 3rd Degree;
1 – Unregistered Motor Vehicle;
1 – Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle;
1 – Seatbelt Violation;
1 – Stop Lamp Violation.
The main factors that cause fatalities in motor vehicle accidents continues to be speeding, not wearing seatbelts and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The safety of our streets continues to be among the top goals of the Albion Police Department. We will continue to strive to make our community safe.
Staff Reports Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
President Obama in a prime time address tonight said the U.S. is building a global coalition to “degrade and ultimately destroy” militants in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Obama said the effort could require years of effort.
“We will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are,” Obama said. “That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.”
Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, released this statement after the President’s address laying out his strategy to eliminate the ISIS threat.
“It is clear, we cannot allow for the same mistakes that have gotten us into this situation,” Collins said. “The current events in Iraq and Syria prove the absence of American leadership enables and emboldens our enemies, and puts our country and citizens at risk. I fully support actions to eliminate the threat posed by ISIS and protect our citizens at home and abroad.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Andrew Cuomo and his running mate, Kathy Hochul, have about 60 percent of the state-wide votes with 55 percent of precincts reporting. That is enough for the Associated Press to declare them winners.
Cuomo and Hochul faced spirited challengers in law professors Zephyr Teachout for governor and Timothy Wu for lieutenant governor.
Hochul, a former member of Congress whose district included Orleans County, campaigned hard in New York City in recent weeks. Neither she or Cuomo made an appearance in Orleans during the campaign.
Orleans is hardly Democrat country. Republicans have about a 2 to 1 edge in enrollment. Voting today in the Democratic primary was particularly meager with 248 voting for Cuomo, 119 for Teachout and 36 for Randy Credico, a comedian and activist. There are about 5,500 registered Democrats in the county so today’s vote totals – 403 – was less than 10 percent of the Democrats.
Hochul had a bigger majority in Orleans than Cuomo. She received 297 votes to Wu’s 103 or 74 percent of the total. Cuomo received 61 percent of the Orleans vote.
Hochul issued this statement at 11:04 p.m.:
“I am sincerely honored that Democrats from every corner of this state have put their faith in me to be their nominee for Lieutenant Governor. As a proud daughter of Buffalo, I have a deep gratitude for the support and encouragement they have shown to me. And I would also like to thank Tim Wu for running such a spirited campaign.
“I congratulate Gov. Cuomo, who has once again shown that he is the choice of all New Yorkers. His accomplishments over these past four years have been nothing less than extraordinary, and his vision for the future of our state is exactly what we need to keep New York moving in the right direction.
“New York has made so much progress under the leadership of Gov. Cuomo. From creating jobs to cutting taxes, to getting government to function once again, we have turned this state around, and this November, we will continue our march forward.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Robert Ortt, mayor of North Tonawanda, is pictured on Monday speaking at a pro-gun rally in Albion. He defeated Gia Arnold today in a Republican primary, getting 71 percent of the three-county vote.
NORTH TONAWANDA – Robert Ortt won a decisive victory in a Republican primary today against Gia Arnold of Holley.
Ortt, the North Tonawanda mayor, received 71 percent of the vote from Republicans in three counties, 4,927 votes to Arnold’s 2,007.
Ortt received 78 percent of the votes in Orleans County, 829 to Arnold’s 229.In Niagara County, Ortt had 3,998 votes to Arnold’s 1,154. The district also includes a portion of western Monroe County, where Ortt received 100 votes to Arnold’s 24.
He now has the Republican, Independence and Conservative lines for the Nov. 4 election against Johnny Destino, a Niagara Falls attorney running as a Democrat.
They are vying for the seat currently filled by George Maziarz, who opted not to seek re-election.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed to this victory tonight,” Ortt said in a statement tonight. “We won this race the same way we will win in November – with grassroots campaigning, taking our message directly to the voters of Niagara, Orleans and Monroe Counties.
“Albany is broken and we need a proven public servant to fight on behalf of the residents of the 62nd Senate District. As a combat veteran and mayor of my hometown of North Tonawanda, I have dedicated my life to public service and am committed to fighting for the values of my community.”
Ortt, 35, said he will work to reduce the cost of government and help create good-paying jobs.
“I will commit myself to standing up for your constitutional freedoms, something I swore to do when I put on the uniform of a United States solider,” he said. “Tonight is only step one. Tomorrow we continue to take our message to every corner of the 62nd Senate District to ask for their support in sending a combat veteran and chief executive to Albany.”
