By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2021 at 2:08 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from December 2013 shows an artificial Christmas tree on the lawn of the Courthouse Square. The Albion Merchants Association is raising money for a large live Christmas tree.
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association is seeking donations to have a Christmas tree planted in the Courthouse Square.
The group has an $800 fundraising goal for a “Fat Albert Colorado Blue Spruce” tree. It is trying to hit the fundraising goal soon so the tree could be planted this spring by Preston’s Lawncare.
Artifical trees have been set up at the Courthouse Square in the past by the Village of Albion DPW. More recently, the DPW has set up that tree at the Waterman Park, where there is a large Santa mural. The Albion Betterment Committee is working to have a bronze Santa statue in that park, about a half block south of the Erie Canal.
The Albion Merchants Association said the live tree planted at the Square would be used for events, including tree-lighting, Christmas caroling, family photo opportunities and the annual Hometown Holiday celebration in December. It would also add to Albion’s ambiance as a “Santa village,” said Natasha Wasuck, who is spearheading the project for the AMA.
Photo by Elliott Neidert: This drone photo from February 2017 was taken by Elliott Neidert. It shows the Courthouse Square with a light coating of snow.
Photo courtesy of Albion Central School: Heidi Blickenstaff, who portrayed Katherine Blake in the Broadway production of Freaky Friday, met through video conference with Albion cast members Saturday.
Posted 1 April 2021 at 8:54 am
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION — The Albion High School Arts Department recorded their production of Disney’s “Freaky Friday” on Saturday, and also met a Broadway actress who starred in the show.
In an effort to make this year’s show extra special, the high school production team invited Heidi Blickenstaff, the original cast member who portrayed Katherine Blake in the Broadway production and actress in the recent Disney film (2018), to meet and greet the student cast, crew and orchestra before recording their production of “Freaky Friday.”
Ms. Blickenstaff talked about how the magic of music and theater is needed in this world, especially in the time of the pandemic, giving the students a new appreciation for the show. She also talked about what this show means to her: what themes are present throughout the script, how the music made her feel, and what audiences can gain from watching this production.
We are so appreciative to Ms. Blickenstaff, the production team, High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery, and the district administrators who helped to make this happen!
The virtual show will be available for the public to stream on April 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and April 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be bought at www.albionk12.org.
ALBION – Despite pandemic illness restrictions, local churches are offering a variety of worship opportunities this Holy Week.
Many churches will be pre-recording or streaming live services on their Facebook, YouTube, or regular web pages. Some will hold in-person services with mask & distance requirements in place.
At least two churches in Albion will present Maundy Thursday Communion Services and Good Friday Tenebrae Services: Albion First Baptist (30 West Park St.) Thursday & Friday at 5 p.m., and Albion First Presbyterian (26 East State St.) Thursday & Friday at 6 p.m.
Most area churches will hold in-person Easter Celebrations at their regular worship times. Alleluia! He is Risen! Come hear the greatest story ever told, again or for the first time.
– Submitted by Rev. Aleka Schmidt, pastor of First Baptist Church and president of the Albion Area Ministerium
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 March 2021 at 6:21 pm
Provided photo: This historical marker will soon be placed by the Erie Canal in Albion to commemorate Marquis de Lafayette, who as a young French aristocrat and military officer served with George Washington.
ALBION – A new historical marker will be dedicated April 14 in Albion. The sign will be placed by the Erie Canal near the gazebo on Platt Street.
The project is led by a middle school service learning class taught by Tim Archer.
The sign will commemorate Marquis de Lafayette, who as a young French aristocrat and military officer served with George Washington and was instrumental in the Continental Army securing American independence from the British monarchy.
The marker will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on April 14 in an informal event that includes the service learning class and Seventh Grade History Club.
In 1824 Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, he was met with great enthusiasm in visits across 24 states.
Lafayette sailed on the Erie Canal on June 6-7, 1824, travelling between Lockport and Rochester during his farewell tour.
The sign is paid for from the Orleans County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. The marker notes Lafayette’s journey on the Erie Canal during the farewell tour, and the sign will also include The Lafayette Trail logo.
The Lafayette Trail Inc. notified the Albion officials that the organization is planning bicentennial celebrations of Lafayette’s farewell tour in 2024-2025.
Press Release, Albion Mayor Eileen Banker and the Albion Village Board
Provided photos: Roland Nenni holds a gift from the Albion Village Board, which he was presented today in the Albion Village Board meeting room. Nenni has his last day in the office today, ending a 29-year career in law enforcement. He has served the past decade as Albion police chief, while also leading the Holley Police Department the past five years. Nenni also has served as the SWAT commander for Orleans County and teaches at the Rural Police Academy at GCC.
ALBION – Chief Roland Nenni started his career with the Albion Police Department in 1994 after serving for a year and a half with the Holley Police Department. Chief Nenni served in many roles with the Police Department prior to him being promoted.
During the late 1990’s, Nenni as an officer completed the DCJS Crime Prevention Officers School and Community Policing School. Because of this training he was instrumental in forming many neighborhood watch groups in the village. As an officer he spent hundreds of hours teaching the community crime prevention measure, safety measures and conducted many security surveys for residents and businesses.
One of the many roles was to serve as the department’s lead trainer. Nenni completed held many training certifications which allowed the Albion Police Department to intensely train officers at an extremely high level.
In 2002 while on vacation in Florida, Nenni had an opportunity to have a discussion with executives of a new police technology called Taser. As a result of that meeting the Albion Police Department was one of the first agencies in New York to deploy Tasers to every officer. Taser is now a standard item amongst law enforcement.
Early in his career he was assigned to the Department’s Emergency Response Team which later became part of the Countywide SWAT Team. During this time he completed a SWAT Basic School conducted by the US Army at Ft. McLellan Alabama and the FBI Sniper Scout School. He then completed the Tactical Medic Course and Team Leader Development Course.
While on the team, Nenni served as a sniper, team medic, and tactical team leader. He was one of the developers of the Countywide SWAT Team which combined all the law enforcement agencies in Orleans County into one SWAT Team. Nenni continued to serve on the team as a Co-Commander and then became the Overall Team commander in 2014.
When promoted chief of the Albion Police Department in 2011, the Albion Police Department became the first agency in the county and region to accomplish several initiatives. The Albion Police are dispatched and respond to all EMS and Fire Calls. Chief Nenni obtained AEDs for every police vehicle in an effort to save lives as officers often arrive on scene of medical emergencies before other responders.
The Albion Police Department was the first agency to outfit every police vehicle with a patrol rifle and provide train every officer with advance training with them. The Albion Police Department was the first agency to place less lethal munition in every vehicle. Up until this point there were very limited less lethal options for officers. The Albion Police Department has responded throughout the county to provide this option to other law enforcement agencies during incidents.
The Albion Police Department also expanded its training requirements for officers during Chief Nenni’s tenure. The required training for officer in NYS consists of 1 or 2 required training sessions a year. Chief Nenni built the training up to make many offices instructors in various areas. The Albion Police Department now trains in over 15 to 20 specific disciplines and is always expanding. The Police Department recently changed its Policy Management that will require policy training several times a week.
The Albion Police Department is the only agency in the county to be accepted into the US Department of Defense 1033 Program. This program provides equipment free of charge to law enforcement. Chief Nenni has obtained over $1.6 million in equipment from this program. This equipment consists of armored vehicles, robots, generators and utility vehicles. These items were made available to all the agencies in the county and have assisted agencies outside Orleans County.
In 2015 Chief Nenni started the County Wide National Night Out. This event grew over the years and involved many civic and service organizations. The 3-plus hour event is held in August and averaged 1,500 to 2,000 attendees and provided services to members of the community. Those who attended were able to make connections with professionals that could help with any life event that a person could experience. Also, in 2015 the Albion PD was the first agency in Orleans County to implement body cameras and complete video recording throughout the entire police station.
Chief Nenni became certified in high levels of incident and event management. This allowed the Albion Police Department to manage large events such as the Strawberry Festival, several running races including the Metro 10 and other events that take place throughout the year. Those who attend these events don’t see the hours and plans that Nenni establishes to make them safe and enjoyable.
The Village of Albion has seen many serious incidents during Nenni’s time as police chief. While many of these incidents were tragic, the ultimate successful conclusion was made possible because of the training and dedication of the entire Police Department.
The Albion Village Board would like to sincerely thank Chief Nenni for his dedicated service to the Albion Police Department and most important to the residents of the Village of Albion. To say Chief Nenni gave 150 percent to the department and the citizens of the village is an understatement.
The board wishes Chief Nenni much happiness, good health and continued success in the next chapter of his life!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2021 at 8:27 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Police Department Sgt. Brandon Annable, left, and Lt. David Mogle are pictured outside the Albion police station on Platt Street. The two officers worked on a police reform plan that was required by all 500 law enforcement agencies in the state.
ALBION – The police reform and reinvention plans for the Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office were both sent to the state by their governing bodies last week.
The Albion Village Board and Orleans County Legislature both voted on Wednesday to send the plans to state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo last June gave all 500 law enforcement agencies until April 1 to submit the plans after public feedback.
Albion gave residents a chance to comment on the police department through a five-question online survey.
“What we heard was vastly positive,” Lt. David Mogle told the Village Board last week.
The Sheriff’s Office held at least three public forums. Both the Sheriff’s Office and Albion PD formed committees with residents to go over the agencies’ policies for use of force and de-escalation, community relations, and training of officers on bias in profiling.
Mogle said the process allowed the Albion PD to hear from the community. One concern from the committee is people don’t like the tinted windows on the Chevrolet Tahoes driven by officers. Mogle said as those vehicles are rotated out the replacements won’t have tinted windows in the future.
The committee also suggested the Albion PD have more officers spend time in school buildings. The department currently has a dedicated school resource officer, Chris Glogowski. He has worked at the school district since February 2019, with the district contributing $81,250 annually to the village to have the officer dedicated to the schools.
More officers could spend time in the schools with the district’s approval and if it works with the Police Department’s staffing, Mogle said. Those officers could spend part of a shift with the school resource officer, Mogle said.
The department, under Police Chief Roland Nenni, has annual training for officers that far exceeds the annual state requirements. Albion officers do annual training with firearms, use of force, updates in laws such as bail reform and “Raise the Age,” Emergency Vehicle Operation Course, Stinger Spike Strips (vehicle pursuit termination efforts), administering Narcan, using tourniquets and other First Aid, and defensive tactics, Taser and use of less lethal bean bag shotgun, reality-based training focused on de-escalation, Bloodborne pathogens, and active shooter training.
The department has long banned the use of chokeholds. It has a policy against racial-based profiling. The Albion PD also is looking to add a Racial Justice training, the department states in its reform and reinvention plan.
The Sheriff’s Office is responsive to the community, embracing more training to de-escalate volatile situations, Sheriff Chris Bourke said during a public forum on Feb. 4.
Bourke said deputies have received more training in responding to people in a mental health crisis. They are trained to help de-escalate those and other potentially volatile situations.
The Sheriff’s Office operates with the purpose that “all persons have the right to dignified treatment under the law; protection of this right is a duty which is binding upon all members,” according to the community relations policy.
Sheriff Chris Bourke
The policy about bias-based profiling states that all members of the Sheriff’s Office “will not affect a stop, detention, or search of any person which is motivated by race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation.”
Bourke said the Sheriff’s Office has about 100 employees with 45 at the county jail. There are usually 22 to 24 deputy sheriffs, which includes two investigators, three sergeants, a lieutenant and one civil sergeant. The Sheriff’s Office currently has two vacancies for deputies and an investigator.
Jeff Gifaldi, the chief deputy, said the Sheriff’s Office has three patrol cars out 24-7, except on the weekends, when it is increased to four cars.
The Sheriff’s Office also runs a marine patrol from April 1 to Nov. 1 with a full-time deputy and 10 part-timers. The work in 26 miles of water along Lake Ontario, as well as Lake Alice, Glenwood Lake, the Erie Canal and other smaller bodies of water, Bourke said.
The Sheriff’s Office also runs the 911 dispatch center with nine full-time dispatchers and two part-timers. Last year they handled 32,000 calls.
“We’re proud of the services you provide in Orleans County,” County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said during last week’s meeting.
She faulted the state for threatening a funding cut for the municipalities that didn’t submit a plan by April 1.
“I commend the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for all of their labor getting this plan together under threat of no funding, which wasn’t fair to you,” Johnson said.
To see the police reform for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2021 at 10:31 am
Event will fill some of void with no Strawberry Festival
ALBION – There may not be an Albion Strawberry Festival the second weekend in June, but there will be some community activities.
The Albion Merchants Association announced it will have a food truck rodeo from noon to 7 p.m. on June 12. Interested vendors can send an email to albionmerchantsassociation@gmail.com.
The Albion Village Board last week gave its approval for East State Street to be blocked off to traffic between Main Street and Platt Street for the event. The board said it supports the food truck rodeo as long as the public health guidelines for Covid are being followed.
The state has currently limited outdoor gatherings to no more than 200 people. That crowd size limit, and the uncertainty for the future, prompted organizers to cancel the typical Strawberry Festival for the second year in a row. The festival draws several thousand people for a parade, food court, live music and other activities. Holley also cancelled its June Fest which would have been June 5.
The Merchants Association would like to have live music in the Courthouse Square during the food truck rodeo.
The organizers of the Strawberry Festival 5K/8K also are planning that race for 8 a.m. on June 12, and may release the runners in smaller groups to spread them out on the course.
There will also be a craft fair with food and other activities on June 12 at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex. That event will be a fundraiser for COVA.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 March 2021 at 9:56 am
Runners released in waves every 10 minutes at Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Emily Douglas of Oakfield, left, and Nicole Zinkievich of Medina cross the finish line at Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K on Saturday in Albion. The race ended in the parking lot at the elementary school.
The event was first 5K of 2021 in Orleans County with nearly 100 completing the distance. That included 69 on the course in person with another 11 who did the 3.17 miles virtually. More are expected to do the race virtually.
Most of the course went along Route 31 from the elementary school to Mount Albion Cemetery and back.
The race was cancelled a year ago during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s race included precautions against Covid. There was no large gathering at the start or finish of the event.
The runners were also released in smaller groups of no more than 25 every 10 minutes, with groups starting at 1 p.m., 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30. People also had the option of doing the distance virtually at a different time and location.
Edna Hyer of Orchard Park is close to the finish line. She won the 80 and over age group for women.
Arian Cayea of Medina was second overall in a time of 18:02.
Michael Dee of Syracuse won the race in a time of 16:47 for the men. The fastest woman was Mary Bostwick of Cheektowaga in 25:36.
The race was organized by Wolfpack Multisport. That group is planning for the Albion Strawberry Festival 5K/8K in Albion on June 12. The main festival has been cancelled but there will be other events that day, including the 5K/8K.
The Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K started in 2015 to honor the memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who died at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014. The “Run for Wayne” highlights the second leading cancer death among men, but is often treatable if detected in the early stages.
The race is slighter longer than a typical 5K at 3.17 miles. Burlison lived 3 months and 17 days after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Burlison was active in several musical groups in the community and also helped start the Albion Running Club. He lost more than 150 pounds through better nutrition and exercise and completed a marathon and half-marathons.
Photo by Tom Rivers: An Albion firefighter directs traffic on March 19 at a car accident with minor injuries on Route 98 in Gaines near the five corners.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2021 at 3:03 pm
ALBION – A committee of Albion firefighters and village officials will be studying if a fire district would make more sense for the fire department, rather than having it part of the village budget.
The fire department is in the village budget, with the towns of Albion and Gaines paying the village in a fire protection contract.
In a fire district, the fire department expenses would be removed from the village budget and the fire district would be its own taxing entity.
The Holley Fire Department recently was moved out of the Holley village budget and is now part of a joint Murray Fire District with the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company.
The Albion Village Board on Wednesday voted to research the formation of a district. Joe Grube, a former Gaines town supervisor, will lead the study. Grube is the current vice president of the Albion Fire Department. He is in line to become the president in May.
He sees the biggest benefit of a fire district is the clear breakdown of the costs of operating a fire department. Right now, the costs are blurred in the village budget. For example, a mechanic in the DPW of the village works on fire trucks while on “village time.” That cost as well as insurance and upkeep of the fire hall aren’t necessarily defined in the village budget.
Grube said the possibility of creating a fire district is “very preliminary.” One issue that needs to be resolved is whether a fire district can cover two towns. Grube said he has only seen fire districts in one town or in part of a town.
The village and fire department discussed exploring a fire district about three years ago, but the effort has been languishing. Grube wants to see the “benefits and detriments” of a district for the towns of Albion and Gaines, and the village of Albion.
“The biggest benefit will be transparency in the costs,” he said. “Right now it is very cloudy because so much of the costs are buried in village budget.”
If Albion does form a fire district, there would be elected commissioners. There would be public hearings and a public referendum for a district to be created.
If the district moves past the preliminary stage, Grube said he expects the committee would expand to include representatives from the two towns.
If there is a new fire district, there would be a separate tax from the fire district that would be part of the tax bill that comes out in January. It would also mean the village tax rate would likely go down because the fire department wouldn’t be included in the village budget. However, there would be a new tax for village residents with a fire district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2021 at 10:55 am
Orleans County Planning Board gives OK to project with new showroom, service area
Photo by Tom Rivers: George Bidleman (left), owner of Orleans Ford in Medina, and his business partner, Sam LaNasa, are shown in July 2018 after they acquired the Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion. They are expanding the site with two additions, including a new showroom and service area.
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday evening voted in support of a plan to expand the Bidleman Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion.
George Bidleman, one of the partners at Orleans Ford, purchased the former Don Davis Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership on Route 98 about three years ago. Bidleman is co-owner of the Albion dealership along with Sam LaNasa, who works as general manager for Bidleman at Orleans Ford.
The new owners have dramatically increased the inventory and staff at the Albion dealership. Now they are looking to put in a new showroom and a new service area.
The Albion location was built in 1967 and opened as Nesbitt Motors. LaNasa and Bidleman have lots of space at the site with 22 acres at 4048 Oak Orchard Rd.
The new showroom will go on the north side of the building with the service area addition on the back end of the building for auto repair, maintenance and detailing. The current front office will become an administrative area.
The show room will provide much needed floor and display area for the sales staff, Bidleman representatives told the Planning Board on Thursday. Construction could start in July and take about six months.
Planners back sporting clay shooting site in Shelby
This map shows the area and layout planned for a sporting clay site in Shelby Center.
The Planning Board also recommended the Town of Shelby approve the site plan and a special use permit for an outdoor recreation facility at 11380 Main St. in Shelby Center.
William Keppler wants to open a sporting clay site with 10 stations in agricultural residential district near Alabama Street in the Shelby Center hamlet.
There would be about 150 to 200 feet between each station. The layout is designed so no shots fired would towards Alabama Street. The first four stations would have people shooting south, and then the other six stations would have people shooting to the east.
The 193-acre parcel is currently used as a hunting preserve and for agriculture.
Keppler said he anticipates 5 vehicles at a time, but could hold up to 30. There would be entrances from Alabama Street or Main Street. The perimeter goes from the hamlet of Shelby Center to the eastern boundary, which is a bend in the Oak Orchard River.
