By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 August 2019 at 8:17 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Karol Hughes, president of the Albion Police Benevolent Association, on Monday evening presented a check for $500 to the Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program. Geno Allport, right, is commissioner of AYSAP, which includes about 100 kids, ages 6 to 14 in four teams of football and cheerleading. Johnathan Eibl, second from left, and Mason Lynch are both 8th-graders on the varsity football team in AYSAP.
Hughes said the Albion PBA wanted to donate to a local organization that works with youth. The PBA has a dozen members in the Albion Police Department.
Allport said the donation would likely be used for equipment. He said new helmets are $150 each. AYSAP charges families $125 to be on a team. The program also is looking to refurbish the pads on the blocking sleds.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2019 at 7:50 pm
Photo courtesy of Hoag Library
ALBION – Buffalo and Brandy performed on Thursday at Hoag Library to wrap up the summer reading program at the library, which had a theme, A Universe of Stories.
The total attendance for the summer reading programs was 1,868, including 84 at the wrap-up party on Thursday.
There were 266 participants in the summer reading program, from young children to adults, said Teresa Gaylard, Hoag’s children’s librarian.
The young children completed 503 literacy activities, while kids read for 1,499 hours and adults finished 276 books.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2019 at 11:59 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – An inspector stands in a culvert and watches the Orleans County Highway Department and the Town of Albion Highway Department put in and compact fill material this morning.
The inspector is making sure the material is properly compacted and done at the same time on each side of the culvert on Clarendon Road.
A section of Clarendon Road was closed on July 8 and should reopen in late August in time for the new school year.
Andy Morrison of the Orleans County Highway Department operates a Vibratory Roller to compact a crusher run material for the new culvert on Clarendon Road.
The town was awarded a $174,000 Bridge NY grant to cover 100 percent of the project’s costs. However, the construction bids for the project were way over that cost, with the low bid $130,000 over budget.
The town was looking to replace the culvert with a 3-sided precast concrete culvert. The County Highway Department, now led by John Papponetti, re-evaluated the project to see if the costs could be lowered. Papponetti is an engineer.
Papponetti and the Labella Associates engineering firm determined an arch pipe would work for the culvert. That was significantly less money.
The town and county highway employees do the labor-intensive work of compacting the fill material. It needs to be compacting at the same rate at each side of the culvert. If not, there is a chance the arch pipe could be distorted.
The town was awarded the Bridge NY grant back in January 2017. Mike Neidert, the town highway superintendent, said he appreciates the assistance from the county in getting the project done under budget.
“The county highway has been great,” Neidert.
The state grant will pay the county’s personnel and equipment costs, and also for the town’s material costs. The county has had three people assigned to the project, with the compaction today requiring a bigger crew from the county as well as three town highway workers. All of the labor costs for the town and county will be reimbursed through the Bridge NY grant.
The arch pipe is 128 inches wide at its peak and 83 inches high at the peak. It moves water from the west branch of Sandy Creek.
“There are times when you get a lot of flow through there,” Neidert said.
The section of Clarendon Road will be reopened in time for school in early September.
This is the second big culvert project the County Highway Department has completed. Last year, the Highway Department put in a new concrete culvert on Culvert Road in Ridgeway. Click here for more information on that project.
Papponetti said the county would like to work with local municipalities to put in one of two culverts each year. That way the infrastructure work continues to go forward, especially when it can be difficult to secure state and federal funding for projects.
A successful Albion project, getting done on time and under budget, should help the local communities stand out in applying for bridge and culvert grants, Papponetti said.
“These projects are graded on your ability to deliver them on budget, and on schedule,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2019 at 7:13 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign says the Peebles in Albion is closing but the store is actually changing over to a Gordmans, which is expected in early 2020.
ALBION – The Peebles store at the Route 31 plaza in Albion will be changing over to a Gordmans, another retailer with designer name brand apparel, home decor, gifts, fragrances, clothing and other items.
Gordmans and Peebles are both owned by Stage Stores. Stage bought Gordmans in April 2017.
The Albion store has a big banner announcing the store is closing. It is actually going to switch over to a Gordmans, which might not happen until January or February, employees said.
Peebles uses 16,240 square feet of the Route 31 plaza, which also includes Save-A-Lot and the Dollar Tree.
Peebles has been a mainstay in the Albion plaza since 2007.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Rev. Randy LeBaron has launched a Go Scatter Ministries after serving the past 15 years as pastor of the Albion Free Methodist Church. The Albion church is the first church in the Free Methodist denomination. LeBaron had the longest-serving tenure of any pastor in the church’s history.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2019 at 3:44 pm
‘Refill with Randy’ podcast will explore many spiritual topics
ALBION – In his 23 years as a pastor in Western New York, the Rev. Randy LeBaron notices people often feel the most comfortable with him outside the church walls, during encounters at the grocery store or Tim Hortons.
That is when they will often ask questions and share many of their deepest worries.
Randy LeBaron has coffee and checks his phone on Tuesday at Tim Hortons in Albion. He expects to launch the “Refill with Randy” podcast in October, which will take a conversational tone in discussing the Christian faith.
LeBaron, 45, wants to reach people where they are, and will soon launch a podcast, “Refill with Randy” to discuss spiritual issues and highlight Christian ministries in the community. He will have guests on the podcast to discuss how they live their faith.
“I want to take the stigma away from evangelism,” he said over coffee Tuesday at Tim Hortons in Albion, where he is a frequent customer and known by the owner, staff and many patrons. “It’s not standing at the street corner with a sign or hitting people over the head with the Bible. It’s sharing Christ’s love in a tangible way and sharing how Christ changed you.”
LeBaron served as pastor of the Albion Free Methodist for 15 years until June 30. He has started Go Scatter Ministries and is now a conference evangelist for the Free Methodist Church, providing pulpit supply and being available for conferences, retreats, funerals, weddings, baptisms and other services.
Since July 1 he has preached at the Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church, Albion First Baptist, First Presbyterian of Albion, and the Colonial Heights Free Methodist Church in Niagara Falls, where he was pastor before coming to Albion.
LeBaron and his wife Sheryl, a third grade teacher at Albion, have four children, ages 17, 15, 12 and 9.
LeBaron is the longest-serving pastor at the Albion Free Methodist Church. When it opened in 1860, it was the first church in the denomination, which now has more than 1 million members in 82 countries.
During his tenure at the Albion church, LeBaron estimates he preached 1,400 sermons. He also baptized 112 people and performed numerous weddings. He spoke at baccalaureate services, Lenten lunches, and served in ministries in the Orleans County Jail and the local nursing home.
He joined his church on mission trips to Chile, Peru and Bulgaria, and also went to Israel. Last month he attended a Christians United for Israel conference in Washington, D.C.
Randy LeBaron baptizes his daughter Ashlyn during an outside service at the Albion Free Methodist Church in 2017. Rick Holz, left, assisted with the baptism.
He feels committed to Orleans County. That’s why he is developing the podcast, “Refill with Randy,” and staying active with Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation. He was a founding member of PACT, a group of pastors in Orleans County that has tackled several community issues, including the opioid crisis. He also has been a chaplain the past two years for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
LeBaron said he wants to help equip people to know Jesus Christ and then live out that relationship and impact their families and communities.
During his tenure at Albion, 10 people from the congregation became ministerial candidates in the Free Methodist church, taking on ministry roles in their careers.
The Albion church also modified its sanctuary, trading pews for comfortable chairs and reorienting the sanctuary to accommodate 60 more people. The church uses a contemporary music team with a keyboardist, lead guitarist, drummer and bass guitarist.
“Our goal was to bring the building up to date,” he said.
The church typically averaged 200 to 250 for Sunday services.
One of LeBaron’s goals is to help people discover their SHAPE – spiritual gifts, heart (passion for God and compassion for others), abilities and talents, personality, and education and expertise.
“I expect AFMC to thrive,” LeBaron said about the church. “I am excited about being outside the church walls. I have more flexibility.”
He has social media accounts for Go Scatter Ministries and is crossing denominational lines for preaching.
LeBaron, who calls himself a “people person,” is excited about the upcoming podcasts. He thinks it will be an opportunity to reach many more people.
He wants to go on location and highlight the efforts of Hands 4 Hope, Care Net, PACT, the Community Kitchen and other ministries in the community. He also wants to have conversations on the podcast with Christians in the community, hearing how they live out their faith.
“I want to highlight the ways people are being the hands and feet of Jesus,” he said. “I want to help people put feet on their faith. This will be in a conversational tone just like you would over coffee.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 August 2019 at 1:10 pm
ALBION – Charging stations for electric cars in the downtown business district could draw visitors to Albion, project an image of a progressive community, and also would be good for the environment, the Albion Village Board was told on Wednesday.
Representatives from the Albion Betterment Community said they want to put a dual-port charging station at the village-owned parking lot just north of the Presbyterian Church on Main Street.
The station would be mounted on a pedestal and could charge two vehicles at a time.
The state is offering incentives up to $4,000 per port or $8,000 for a dual station. That should be enough for the full cost of acquiring the station, Betterment Committee co-directors Joe Gehl and Gary Derwick told the Village Board.
The Albion Betterment is willing to front the money and wait for the reimbursement through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Gehl and Derwick asked the Village Board for assistance in installing the station, with the DPW putting in a concrete pad for the station and the village then assuming the ongoing electric bills.
The ABC met with Brockport village officials recently, where there are four charging stations that result in a $140 monthly bill, Gehl said.
The stations help local merchants because electric car owners will visit businesses and local sites while their cars are being charged.
“Business owners are looking for help on bringing people in,” Derwick told the board. “While they are getting their cars charged, they are looking for things to do.”
The Betterment Committee also urged the Albion Village Board to pursue a second charging station through the NYSERDA program. That would result in four stations total in the downtown, with two ports on each site.
That village station could be near the canal or another location to be determined.
The state has $5 million in incentives through NYSERDA for the stations and about half the money remains available, Gehl said.
Mayor Eileen Banker said she wanted to check with Brockport officials first about the ongoing cost of the electric stations and if they have been an asset to the business district.
Banker and other village trustees were open to the electric stations. Banker said it might be better to do one first at the village-owned lot by the church and then pursue a second dual-port station.
Trustee Stan Farone said it might be better to pursue two locations while the state is offering the incentives. He said electric cars are an emerging technology that isn’t going away.
Banker said she would check with the village’s grant writer, Jean O’Connell and Associates, about preparing an application.
“If the money is available through NYSERDA, why not go for it?” she said.
Two village trustees, Stan Farone and Gary Katsanis, will work with the Betterment Committee to work on the issue.
Photo courtesy of Dawn Allen: The Pillars on West Countyhouse Road is pictured during the holiday season in 2014.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 August 2019 at 9:28 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Tony McMurtie is pictured in April 2015 during the annual Titanic Ball at The Pillars. He started the Titanic Ball on the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s fateful voyage in April 2012. The inaugural gala also launched the opening of the grand ballroom at the Pillars.
ALBION – The popular Ghost Hunters television series on Aug. 28 will feature The Pillars in Albion.
The paranormal detectors will try to find evidence of “the lady in the window” who seems to appear in some photographs, looking out from the attic.
A crew of about 25 spent two weeks in Albion and at The Pillars on West Countyhouse Road in May.
Tony McMurtie, owner of The Pillars, said he had lots of questions for the Ghost Hunters. He was stunned by their discoveries, although he said he can’t discuss it publicly.
“When you see this episode it will blow your mind away,” he said.
McMurtie restored the property with Scott Root and turned it into a business that hosted special events and parties for several years. The 7,000-plus square foot Victorian home is now just a residence.
“The Pillars is a hidden gem for Albion,” he said.
McMurtie said he has heard things in the house over the years. He sent his father a picture of The Pillars and Tony’s dad is the one who asked about a woman looking out the attic window.
The Ghost Hunters initially ran for 11 seasons on SyFy from 2004 to 2016. It is now on A&E, with the season premiere at 9 p.m. on Aug. 21. Click here to see a teaser of the episode on The Pillars.
McMurtie said he hopes the show will shine a positive light on the Albion community.
“It puts Albion on the map,” he said about the upcoming episode. “There hasn’t been a lot of focus on Albion.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 August 2019 at 9:12 am
ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council welcomes feedback from the community about arts and cultural programming in Orleans County.
GO ART! board members and staff will be at the Hoag Library on Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to hear from community members.
GO ART! currently has a satellite art gallery in Albion and administers about $70,000 in grants annually for concerts and other cultural programming in the two counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 August 2019 at 6:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jane Grein, a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, touches the bottom of The Good Shepherd stained-glass window, which has cracks and is bowing out at the bottom due to the weight of the window.
The lower section will be removed and straightened out by Godfrey Miller Studios in Rochester. It is one of three windows to be repaired for $7,300. Christ Church is using a $3,000 grant from New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program for the window work.
Jeffrey Mueller, owner of Godfrey Miller Studios, is on the ladder removing part of the window in the vestibule of the church. He is assisted by his employee, Tony Disano.
This window was damaged during a wind storm and many of the pieces were found outside the church. Mueller will put the window back together in his studio. He said the repaired window should be back in place in about a month.
Jane Grein holds a box with many of the window pieces from the vestibule window.
“They’ve been broken for several years we just didn’t have the money,” Grein said.
There are large stained-glass windows on both sides of the sanctuary. Many of the windows have stress cracks or are bowing out on the bottom from the weight of the windows. Grein fears the cracks and problems will get worse, with more costly repairs needed.
“We’re so lucky to have these windows,” she said. “We really want to preserve them, not just for us but for the community to enjoy for generations to come.”
The building was erected in 1830 by the Presbyterians, and has been home to the Episcopal Church since 1844. The United Methodist Church also meets in the building for services on Sunday.
This memorial window for one of the church founders, Zephaniah Clark, also has cracks and some bowing. It is one of three that will get repairs in an upcoming project. Clark lived from 1794 to 1888 and was a member of the Episcopal Church in Albion for 42 years.
Grein said the church welcomes donations for the window upkeep. Checks with a designation for the windows can be sent to Christ Church, 26 South Main St., Albion, NY 14411. For more information, contact the church at (585) 589-5314 or christchurchalbion@yahoo.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 August 2019 at 10:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The band Vette performs to close out a benefit today for the Moody and Weis families. Rob Williams, right, is joined by Alex Fitzak, center, and Cole Moore, who all play the guitar. Shelby Harmon is the drummer. Taylor Whittier is usually the lead singer.
Vette followed the Who Dats and Lonesome Road at the benefit which was held at The Gallagher in Medina.
Dina Farone of Lyndonville helps serve chicken barbecue dinners. There were 640 dinners sold.
Many of the attendees wore “Albion Strong” shirts for the two families.
Photo courtesy of Jenna Bruning: A line of people wait to get inside The Gallagher on North Gravel Road for the benefit, which started at 2 p.m. today and continued to about 9 p.m.
It was a full house inside the Gallagher with many people outside as well.
The benefit was a fundraiser for the two families following a tragic car accident on June 18. Brennan Moody passed away in the accident and his friend Sean Weis was badly injured. The accident was 10 days before high school graduation. Two other classmates were in the accident but weren’t seriously injured.
Erin Moody, Brennan’s dad, said the family continues to appreciate the support from the community.
“It feels really good to know everybody is behind us,” he said.
Chloe Weis, 19, is Sean’s sister. She said her brother has made a remarkable recovery, and had his neck brace removed two weeks ago. He expects to start online college classes this fall at Monroe Community College.
Chloe approached The Gallagher today and saw a long line of cars and then a full house inside the events center.
“It’s heartwarming to see so much support,” she said. “My family thanks everybody. We appreciate it so much.”
Aaron Robinson calls the winners for the baskets and other prizes. More than 150 baskets were donated by community members for the auction. Emily Aydelotte helps Robinson call off the winning tickets.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 August 2019 at 9:28 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Matthew Mooney sings “Anthem” from the musical, Chess, on Saturday evening at the Cabaret at Studio B in Albion. Mooney a 1993 Albion graduate, was one of about 20 alumni to perform in a benefit for the Albion Music Boosters.
Mooney is active in the Buffalo theater scene and also works as a CNA for Catholic Health. He is studying to become a registered nurse.
Mooney also sang “I Can See It” from the musical, The Fantasticks.
There were two performances by alumni on Saturday of “Celebrating Home: Where Greatness Began.” It is a first-time fundraiser.
The Music Boosters support the music program at the elementary, middle and high schools. The Boosters fund scholarships for the honors choirs/bands, pay for year-end celebrations, and other efforts to help the music program.
Angela Tarricone, Class of 2017, sings “Gimmie Gimmie” from the musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Tarricone is an Education and Theater major at Brockport State College.
A saxophone quintet performed selections from “Carmen.” The group includes, from left: Charlyne Olick, Class of 2015; Riley Seielstad, Class of 2018; Nick Ettinger, Class of 2015; Nate Grammatico, Class of 2019; and Mike Grammatico, Nate’s grandfather and a retired Albion music teacher.
Erin Moody, Class of 1995, sings “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. Erin owns Moody’s Automotive in Albion.
Miranda Allen, left, and Cheya-Rain Eagle, both from the Class of 2016, sing, “Get Happy/Happy Days are Here Again.” Allen is majoring in mathematics in college and Eagle is studying to be a music therapist.
Riley Seielstad, Class of 2018, performs to a sold-out crowd at the Cabaret at Studio B. Riley is singing, “Summertime.”
Justin Barleben, Class of 2009, sings “Smile” from Charlie Chaplin. He is a teacher in the Buffalo area.
Kathleen (Adduci) Barleben, Class of 2009, performs “The Secret of Happiness” from the musical, Daddy Long Legs. She also is a teacher in Buffalo. She and her husband Justin sing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus.
The Billies, a barbershop quartet with members from the Class of 2019, sings, “Beyond the Sea.” They include Jacob Ettinger, Nate Grammatico, Enoch Martin and Evan VanAmeron.
Other performers at the concert included Alec Sherman, Class of 1968; Gwendolen Martillotta Ferchen, Class of 1991; Mike Thaine, Class of 1986; and Gary Simboli, Class of 1981.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2019 at 9:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Benjamin Bloom of Medina watches a motorcyclist burn rubber at the intersection of Brown Road and East Bacon Road, the spot where Jaquan Ford of Rochester was fatally injured in an accident a week ago.
Bloom, wearing the RIP shirt with Ford’s image, led a contingent of more than 100 motorcyclists from Rochester to pay tribute to Ford, who was 28.
Savanity Davis is Ford’s older sister. She thanked the motorcyclists for supporting the family during their loss. Davis said her brother was quiet and served as a “connecter” for the family. She lives in Brooklyn and didn’t realize how much her brother grew to love riding motorcycles. Jaquan played hockey when he was a kid.
“Together we have lost someone who has left a very large footprint,” she told the group gathered.
The friends and family of Jaquan Ford pause for a moment of silence and hold balloons up high.
Many balloons were released for Ford.
Ben Bloom addressed the group this evening. Bloom was riding just ahead of Ford a week ago. They were on their way to Caroline Street in Albion to visit a friend.
Bloom drove back after a few minutes and saw Ford laying in the intersection after a collision with a pickup truck.
The two had been riding together for about 5 years and were best friends. Bloom said Ford worked 9 to 5 and used part of wages to pay his brother’s college tuition.
Bloom said Ford enjoyed the family feeling among the motorcyclists. Bloom appreciated the big turnout of riders who made the trip to Orleans County today.
“Family, this is what Quan would have wanted,” Bloom told the assembled crowd. “This means the world to me.”
Bloom was one of the first to get to Albion on the ride this evening from Rochester. He burned a tire at the crash site to leave a mark for Ford.
A loved one of Ford’s is shrouded in smoke while a rider burns rubber at the intersection.
Family and friends tied balloons at a makeshift memorial for Ford at the intersection.
Chris Baxter and her son, Ezra Bloom, brought balloons to the memorial gathering for Ford.
Eliza Banks, 27, of Holley takes a video of the long line of riders arriving in Albion along Brown Road just after 6 p.m. Banks has been riding for three years.
“Any time a fellow rider passes away, we do a ride together,” she said. “We all have love for each other.”
She said Ford was a member of the Lower 9 Motorcycle Club in Rochester, which has members from Orleans County.
She said it is difficult and frustrating to ride in the city of Rochester, with the frequent stops and busy traffic.
In Orleans County, the roads are open and it feels safer for the riders, she said.
Banks said the motorcyclists rally around each other. There was a benefit on Monday in Rochester for Ford and more than 100 riders attended and donated to his family.
Banks said riding a motorcycle is a great stress reliever.
“The minute on get on them it’s my escape,” she said about riding. “The minute you get on them you’re free. If you’re having a bad day, you get on the bike and it goes away.”
A rider keeps a sticker on his motorcycle to honor the memory of his friend, Jaquan “Kicks” Ford.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2019 at 5:33 pm
ALBION – The Albion PTA has many activities planned this school year to raise money for field trips, books for students and other programs.
The PTA is bringing back the Harlem Wizards, which last played a game in Albion on Oct. 4, 2011. The Wizards have been performing since 1962. They showcase fancy dribbling, teamwork and wild dunks, as well as comedy.
Albion teachers will play the Wizards during the benefit game. The PTA will also be selling food and 50/50 tickets during the fundraiser.
Th PTA each year spends about $5,400 to cover the costs of on field trip for each classroom from pre-kindergarten through grade 5. Those trips this past school year included a walking trip for PreK to Cone Zone for ice cream, Strong Museum of Play in Rochester for kindergartners, Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester for first-graders, Genesee County Park for second-graders, the Brick Lab in Spencerport for third-graders, Erie Canal Cruise in Lockport for fourth-graders, and Rochester Museum of Science and Strasenburgh Planetarium for fifth-graders.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Some Albion PTA members include front row, from left: Kenny Haylett, Jennifer Haylett, Matt Hand and Megan Gotte (vice president). Back row: Dave Allen, Rose Allen (president), Stacey Andrews (treasurer), Crystal Hand, Susan Dick and Heidi Pask (secretary).
The PTA also puts on three dances in the elementary school, and organized a book fair where every student could receive a book paid for by the PTA.
The group also supports a spelling bee, providing awards and covering the cost for Albion students to compete in the regional competition.
The PTA will be at the elementary school open houses on Sept. 17 and Sept. 19 and welcomes new members to join the group. There is a $4 membership fee and that includes $2 each to the state and national PTA.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2019 at 1:49 pm
ALBION – The Board of Education accepted a memorial bench from the Class of 2019 in honor of their classmate, Brennan Moody, who was killed in a car accident on June 18.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Brennan Moody performed in many school musicals for Albion.
The Class of 2019 donated $1,367.73 to purchase the bench in memory of Brennan. The bench will be placed outside the chorus and band rooms at the high school. Brennan was heavily involved in the band, chorus and musical programs at the school.
The Board of Education on Monday also presented the class officers with leadership and character awards for helping their classmates and community after the loss of Brennan. Three other classmates were in the accident and one, Sean Weis, also sustained serious injuries.
Kathy Winans, the class advisor, nominated the officers for the award. She said they handled the tragedy “with amazing character, grace and sensitivity.”
The officers attended calling hours, the funeral service and reception for Brennan. They had magnets made and distributed at the funeral service with Brennan’s image performing in the role of John the Baptist from the musical, Godspell. “Brennan Moody – Always in our Hearts,” the magnets read. “Because I knew you I have been changed for good.”
The Class of 2019 officers for Albion were recognized with leadership and character awards on Monday by the Board of Education. Pictured from left include Kirk Allison, class treasurer; Harrison Brown, secretary; Kate Krieger, vice president; and McKenna Boyer, president. Kathy Harling is president of the Board of Education.
The officers had guitar picks made with Brennan’s name to be shared with his classmates for graduation. The officers also struck a balance with graduation, making that a celebration as well.
Margy Brown, a BOE member and Harrison’s mother, also praised Winans for guiding the class and the officers through the tragedy.
“The leadership you have shown these kids they will take through their lives with them,” Brown said.
There will be an “Albion Strong” benefit with a chicken barbecue beginning at 3 p.m. this Sunday at The Gallagher, a barn and event center at 244 North Gravel Rd. in Medina.
The event will support the Moody and Weis families.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2019 at 9:32 am
ALBION – The Albion school district has followed the state’s lead in requiring all students to be immunized and to no longer allow religious exemptions for vaccines.
The Albion Board of Education approved the new policy during its meeting on Monday. The district last school year had seven students out of the total enrollment of about 1,800 students opt out of immunizations due to religious reasons, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.
Those students need to get their vaccines or they won’t be allowed at school, under the new policy.
The only option for not being immunized is proof from a physician that certifies the vaccine is detrimental to the student’s health.
“Except for this exemption, the District may not permit a student lacking evidence of immunization to remain in school for more than 14 days, or more than 30 days for an out-of-state or out-of-country transferee who can show a good faith effort to get the necessary certification or other evidence of immunization,” according to the policy.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on June 13 signed legislation to end religious exemptions for vaccines, after one of its worst outbreaks of measles in years.
“The science is crystal clear: Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to keep our children safe,” Cuomo said in a statement after signing the legislation. “This administration has taken aggressive action to contain the measles outbreak, but given its scale, additional steps are needed to end this public health crisis. While I understand and respect freedom of religion, our first job is to protect the public health and by signing this measure into law, we will help prevent further transmissions and stop this outbreak right in its tracks.”
