Orleans Hub celebrates ‘outstanding citizens’
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Orleans Hub held its annual awards program this evening at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. The Hub recognized eight residents as “outstanding citizens” for their efforts to better the community.
Front row, from left: Krista Wiley-Neale, Lori Laine, Cheryl Maxon (representing her son, Dan Schiavone), and Peter Sidari. Back row: Pastor Mike Outten, Andrew Szatkowski, Jerome Pawlak and David Green.
David Green: The retired Orleans County sheriff has remained an active community member in his retirement. For nearly 20 years he has been a key leader in a classic car show, which runs about 10 weeks in Medina. The car shows draw about 100 cars on a typical Friday. The “Super Cruise” brings about 300 cars when Main Street is closed off and Elvis impersonator entertains. Green also remains an active volunteer with the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and helps organize East Shelby’s annual swap meet at fairgrounds, which usually raises $5,000 to $10,000 for fire company.
Mike Outten: The pastor of North Point Chapel in Albion led his congregation in its move to the former United Methodist Church building in Albion. The building has found new life with the congregation, which has started new ministry programs while keeping a historic structure intact.
Krista Wiley-Neale: A veterinarian who owns Wiley’s Ark Animal Care in Holley was key in restarting the Holley June Fest and also in expanding the Festival of Lights in December. Wiley-Neale also serves on the Village of Holley Development Corporation Board which was able to complete the sale of eight “Diaz homes” in 2017. Those houses will be returned to the tax rolls after about 15 years of being vacant. Wiley-Neale also is a member of the Holley Rotary Club, which tackles several community projects each year.
Jerome Pawlak: The long-time grocer has been generous to numerous community efforts over the years, while also serving on the boards of directors for United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the Orleans Economic Development Agency and many others. He has coached Little League, youth basketball and been an active member of his church.
Peter Sidari: The county’s Emergency Management Office received a $75,000 grant for a new fire safety trailer last year. Sidari, an Albion firefighter who works as a fire safety educator for the North Greece Fire District, was key in picking out the design of the new trailer and insisting on kid-friendly decals and characters on the trailer that serve as a billboard, helping to reinforce the message of having a fire escape plan. Many firefighters served on the committee to design the trailer. Sidari was key to the effort, including the training of 42 volunteers who will lead kids through the program.
Dan Schiavone: The Holley dentist served as chairman of a village-created development corporation that took possession of eight homes from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and then resold them. The organization had a big breakthrough in 2017, getting the EPA to relinquish eight houses that had been off the tax rolls for about 15 years. The EPA took ownership of them after a chemical leak in January 2002 at the former Diaz Chemical. Schiavone worked with the EPA, a real estate company and the village officials to see the sales through completion.
Andrew Szatkowski: The Medina resident organized a toy drive that resulted in about 700 gifts to be given away to children at Christmas. Szatkowski set up the donations for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when thousands of people were in downtown Medina for a Christmas celebration, capped by the Parade of Lights. The toys were given to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, which distributed them to families in Orleans County.
Lori Laine: The Kent resident has been enthusiastic in painting rocks with kindness messages and placing them in the community, including delivering them to nursing home residents. Laine organizes rock-painting parties on Tuesdays in Albion. She has promoted community through the rocks. Laine also is an active promoter for Donate Life, urging people to be organ donors. She also spearheaded a first-time pet parade in October for Albion’s Fall Festival.
