Provided photo, Albion Central School

ALBION – Some residents at the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion last week enjoyed a game of bingo with members of the Rotary Interact Club.

The following Rotary Interact Club members are pictured from left: Vivian Rivers, Haley Bader, Emily Blanchard and Nikki Eldred with Villages residents Joy Wieme, center, and Lucille Bloom, right.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Earl Schmidt stands in the main office of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, where a inside service window is being added, doors widened, and space reconfigured to make the place more accessibility for veterans and more secure for staff.

The County Legislature has authorized up to $7,560 for the project, which is expected to completed later this month at 13996 Route 31 West, next to The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center.

The sign out in front of the office will be changed from Veterans Administration to Orleans County Veterans Service Agency.

Schmidt, the new director of the Veterans Service Agency since December, said the Veterans Administration sign is confusing to the public. Some residents and veterans think the county office is part of the VA, and Schmidt said the county site isn’t affiliated with the federal agency, although he can help veterans navigate the VA bureaucracy.

Bert Mathes, a Buildings and Grounds employee for the county, measures the new window in the office.

Buildings and Grounds employees are making doors wider for veterans in wheeelchairs and motorized scooters so they can get through the front door and a bathroom.

Schmidt said he expects there will be an open house for the community after the project is done.

ALBION – Graduating seniors at Albion this year will have an opportunity for two new scholarships. The Board of Education on Monday approved the Evan Ferchen Memorial Scholarship and a scholarship funded by the Knights of Columbus.

Evan Ferchen was 8 when he died on March 27, 2010, two days after heart surgery. Evan was born with Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome.

His family created the scholarship and will give $250 to a graduating senior. The recurring scholarship will focus on seniors who display character and determination, regardless of academic ranking.

“This award will go to someone who tries their best and perseveres, exhibiting diligence and ability to overcome difficulties,” according to the scholarship description. “Conscientiousness and hard-working attitude are also traits which will be considered for this scholarship.”

The Knights of Columbus is giving $200 to a graduating senior for the “Knights of Columbus Council No. 1330 Thomas A. Kirby Memorial.” The recurring scholarship is named for Thomas A. Kirby, an attorney who served as the first grand knight for the Knights of Columbus in Albion. He was an active leader in the organization from 1908 to 1922.

He was also very active in the community and the church. The Knights of Columbus want to award the scholarship to seniors with a 90-plus grade point average who are pursuing college or vocational school. The also want to recognize a graduate who has shown “extraordinary service and dedication to the community” and who helps “those in need who are less fortunate.”

The scholarship will be picked by a committee at the school.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion firefighter James Fisher is on the Albion ladder truck while flames shoot out of the top of the house at 364 West Park St.

A chimney fire caused significant damage to the home of Brian and Debbie London. Firefighters were dispatched to the site at about 6:30 p.m. No one was injured in the fire.

The Londons are well known in Albion and they have lived in the house for about 20 years. They are well liked by their neighbors, said their next-door neighbor, Tim Lindsay. Mrs. London owns Bloom’s Flower Shop in Albion. Her husband is an electrician and a fishing guide.

Albion firefighters Charlie Monacelli, right, and James Fisher are in the ladder truck, trying to let out smoke and ventilate the attic. Several area fire departments responded to the scene.

ALBION – The Orleans County Fire Training Tower will get a $70,000 repair and upgrade. The tower/burn building on East County House Road was inspected by LaBella Associates and that inspection showed defective burn room panels per National Fire Protection Association 1403 standards, county legislators said last week.

The Legislature approved two bids for the training tower. Fire Facilities and Sun Prairie of Wisconsin will supply parts and materials not to exceed $26,759 and Call’s Metal Building Erectors, Inc. of Somers, Wisc. will provide the labor at a cost not to exceed $22,785, for a combined total of $49,544.

The Legislature also authorized about $21,000 in other work, including new paint on the staircase, new window latches and locks, a new concrete pad in front of building and other repairs to the training facility which was built about 15 years ago.

The Legislature also appointed the following voting members to Fire Advisory Board for 2016: Will Francis, Albion FD; Jerry Bentley, Barre FD; Andrew Niederhofer, Carlton FD; Robert Freida, Clarendon FD; Allen Turner, East Shelby FD; Chris Chilson, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray FD; Kevin Dann, Holley FD; Michael Schultz, Kendall FD; Scott Buffin, Lyndonville FD; Josh Wolck, Medina FD; Randy Davis, Morton (H-W-M Fire District); Francis Woodard, Ridgeway FD; and Andrew Benz, Shelby FD.

The following were appointed as voting members of the Emergency Medical Services Council: Chuck Prentice, Albion; Patrick Lamka, Barre; Lynn Miller, Carlton; Donald Mosier, Clarendon; Michael Fuller, East Shelby; Debbie Fiorito, FHM; Susan Dann, Holley; Sue Maslyn, Kendall; Tina Woolley, Lyndonville; Steve Cooley, Medina; Kristin McAdoo, Ridgeway; John L. Miller II, Shelby; Jason Spencer, COVA Ambulance; Al Cheverie, Orleans County Health Department; Dale Banker, EMS coordinator; Randy Bower, Orleans County sheriff; and Allen Turner, Orleans County dispatch.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery now includes the image, signature and words from one of the most famous Americans.

“The Lincoln Stone” was added to the cemetery on Dec. 27. Brigden Memorials in Albion created the memorial, which was paid for by Rajean Furmanski and Douglas Rich.

The large granite grave stone is near the front of Mount Albion, just east of the Civil War section near the western entrance of the cemetery. Furmanski has long admired Lincoln for his leadership during the Civil War, for seeing the country through such a tumultuous time.

“Without him there would be no Union,” Furmanski said about Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president. “He did so much for the country.”

The Lincoln Stone is 5 feet, 8 inches in height. It includes a quote from his inauguration on March 4, 1861. Furmanski said those words, urging no hatred, goodness for all and direction from God would serve the country now, more than 150 years after Lincoln’s death.

“How wonderful to use those words today,” Furmanski said.

Furmanski said there are numerous cemeteries and public places with memorials for Lincoln, including many bronze statues in his likeness.

She wanted a Lincoln display in Albion. She reached out to Jason Zicari, the cemetery superintendent, and he suggested the spot on a hill near the front of the cemetery. He is near many people that were buried in the cemetery in the mid-1800s.

The stone can be seen by passing motorists and walkers.

“He is there for the people to see and enjoy,” Furmanski said. “It’s a historic cemetery up there and this adds a touch of history.”

The stone also includes Lincoln’s signature. Furmanski is pleased with how “The Lincoln Stone” turned out.

“We were so shocked when we saw it,” she said. “He just seems to come alive.”

She is hopeful someday an Albion student will portray Lincoln during the Ghost Walk, where students portray famous “residents” of the cemetery each fall.

Albion has a connection to Lincoln. Grace Bedell, the girl who wrote a letter to Lincoln encouraging him to grow a beard, grew up in Albion.

Furmanski also expresses her love on the stone to her son Roger “Rogee” and grandchildren, Thomas and Elizabeth.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters from Albion and Medina are pictured on Sept. 11 during a memorial service on the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

ALBION – Albion Fire Chief Harry Papponetti worries about the future of the all-volunteer Albion Fire Department.

He said it is increasingly difficult to find volunteers able to spring into action for fire and other emergency calls. Many families have both parents working, and there are other demands on people’s time, making it a challenge to find volunteers who can put in the needed training, respond to calls and complete other tasks in the Fire Department.

Papponetti has seen the success of junior firefighter programs at other departments, including the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Shelby has welcomed a new wave of younger firefighters in recent years.

“We have to start this program or else we won’t have volunteers in the future and the village will need a paid fire department,” Papponetti told the Village Board on Wednesday.

Albion used to have an Explorer program but Papponetti said those participants were limited in what they could do in training.

“Our hands were tied with the Explorer program,” he said.

With junior firefighters, they can’t be interior firefighters, but they can take state firefighter courses and work towards becoming a certified firefighter. They are also covered through the Fire Department’s insurance program.

“We have to look at recruitment,” Papponetti told the Village Board.

The board gave Papponetti permission to pursue the program, although the board wants a final say after it sees the application process and more details.

Papponetti said the Fire Department responded to 430 calls in 2015 and already has been on 40 calls the first 27 days of 2016.

The fire chief also updated the board on the Fire Department’s new fire truck. It is expected to arrive and be in service in April. The new truck will replace two for the Albion Fire Department – a pumper from 1974 and a smaller truck used to respond to motor vehicle accidents. That truck from 2004 has extrication equipment.

ALBION – Three people have been backed to run for two trustee positions during the March 15 village elections.

Both Albion Republican and Democratic parties held caucuses on Tuesday evening to nominate candidates to fill open seats currently held by Peter Sidari and Gary Katsanis.

Gary Katsanis

Republicans supported Katsanis for a four-year term, while Democrats backed Sidari and political newcomer Mattea Navarra-Molisani.

There was light turnout at the caucuses with only six registered Republicans at the GOP caucus at the County Clerks Building, and 11 Democrats at Hoag Library.

Katsanis is the lone Republican candidate. He was elected to the board in March 2014 to fill the remaining two years of a term vacated by Fred Miller when he was elected county legislator.

Katsanis, 57, is retired after working in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica.

He said he brings an analytical approach to village business.

“I listen and then make an informed decision,” he said.

He said the village faces many issues, from upgrades at the water plant, downtown revitalization, keeping up with aging infrastructure and providing many other services. After two years on the board, Katsanis said the work is challenging.

“It’s a lot harder than I thought,” he said. “I can’t do it by myself.”

Katsanis said working with the Department of Transportation and other state agencies, even for what seems like simple projects with signage, takes effort and coordination.

The Democrats have two candidates with Sidari and Navarra-Molisani.

Sidari, 55, was elected to the board four years ago. He works as a fire safety educator for the North Greece Fire District.

Peter Sidari

Sidari said the current board works well together and is moving along projects, including a solar installation at the sewer and water plants. He also is pleased there is more open dialogue with the Albion Town Board. He wants to have Gaines officials at the table so the community can look for ways to share services and make government services more affordable.

The DPW also is transitioning to a new leader with Dale Brooks, the former superintendent, now the Barre highway superintendent. Sidari said the village will be looking to hire a new superintendent.

He praised village department heads and employees for stepping up efforts to work with other communities. Albion runs Holley’s sewer plant under the direction of Aric Albright, and Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni also is serving as Holley’s police chief. Albright and Albion water and sewer personnel also are running Elba’s plants.

“That has helped bring in some resources to the village,” Sidari said.

Ultimately, the village needs more aid from the state to reduce taxes and continue the existing services, Sidari said. The state provides an average of $277 in per capita aid to cities through Aid and Incentives to Municipalities or AIM funding. Villages only get about $7 per capita.

The Village of Albion has 6,056 residents and receives $45,249 in state aid, or $7.47 per person. The city of Salamanca in Cattaraugus County has 5,815 people and receives $928,131 in AIM funding or $159.61 per person.

Mattea Navarra-Molisani

If the state gave villages $100 in per capita aid it would make a huge difference for Albion, Sidari said. The village has about 6,000 residents and $100 per person in Aim funding would mean $600,000 for the village.

“Nothing drives me crazier than the disparity in AIM funding,” Sidari said.

The Village Board passed a resolution last year, seeking more equity from the state with AIM. The governor’s budget proposal for 2016-17 doesn’t change how the money is divvied up.

Navarra-Molisani, 40, has worked 11 years for Claims Recovery Financial Services. She is currently a claims operation manager.

She is familiar with Housing and Urban Development regulations and thinks that federal department could bring resources into the village.

She said she would bring an attention to detail and a new perspective to the board.

“I think the Village Board could use fresh thoughts and new eyes,” she said.

Her family has long been involved in the community. Her father Vinny Navarra owns a downtown building that used to be home to CRFS before the company outgrew the site that is now home to a fitness center, hair salon and liquor store.

Navarra-Molisani said the village needs to work to retain its younger generation and make the community more attractive for younger families.

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There wasn’t enough snow to go sledding in December, and January got off to a slow start with snow accumulations.

But Sunday’s snowfall, about 4-5 inches, plus more today brought some hearty folks out to Bullard Park.

The top photo shows Adam DeVault of Holley with his daughter Grace, 3, preparing to head down the hill at Bullard.

The temperatures were only in the teens, with driving wind, but DeVault welcomed the chance to play in the snow.

Cousins Tessa DeValut, 9, (standing) and Kylie Cary, 4, of Holley reach the bottom of the hill.

Tessa DeVault tries to block the fierce winds as she climbs the hill.

Jonghyeon Lee, 20, of South Korea has been interning the past 8 months at Intergrow Greenhouses in Gaines. Lee said he has been eagerly waiting for snow so he could try skiing.

Tessa DeVault makes her way up the hill and Jonghyeon Lee is headed down. Temperatures were only in the teens at about 1 p.m.

The snow and wind created near whiteout conditions. This photo was taken of Adam DeVault and his family at the base of the hill.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Adam Johnson owns a building with three storefronts in downtown Albion, 39-41-43 North Main St.

ALBION – The new president of the Albion Merchants Association believes downtown Albion can again be a thriving business district.

Adam Johnson said there is already a good nucleus of businesses, but he said many of the merchants are struggling and the historic buildings are costly to properly maintain.

He urged the community to support the merchants in downtown. There are a variety of shops, and several new ones have recently opened.

“Hopefully we can get people to open their eyes and take notice,” Johnson said. “The potential is there, people have just been conditioned to look past it.”

Johnson, owner of Blue Top Management, owns about a dozen properties, including a mobile home park near Syracuse. He bought the building in downtown Albion last year. He has sat on a bench outside the building and observed there is a lot of traffic on Main Street, but not too many cars pull over and stop in downtown.

Johnson said local officials and businesses should work on branding the community with stepped up marketing efforts. He thinks the artistic nature of many of the businesses, with hand-made crafts, clothes and other products, could be part of the Albion brand.

The community also has a wealth of stained-glass windows and other artistic features – even the ornate doors on many of the historic buildings. He said the architecture of the buildings from the 1800s is an asset and should be better highlighted as an attribute for the downtown.

“We really have a lot of appeal,” he said.

The challenge is to make local residents and visitors aware of the downtown strengths and the merchants.

Johnson wants to engage the community and local officials to build a stronger downtown. He tried last year to get the Albion Village Board to pursue a Main Street grant that offers matching funds for downtown buildings owners. The board didn’t pursue the grant last year, but Johnson is hopeful the board will try this year.

Medina was awarded a Main Street grant last month. Holley also used a Main Street grant to improve its downtown, with the transformation of the former Tagg’s Tavern into a restaurant and bar the biggest project. Other buildings were painted, and received new awnings and windows.

Albion received a Main Street grant about four years ago. Johnson said there are many buildings in the downtown that would benefit from the grant.

Johnson was elected president of the Albion Merchants Association on Tuesday by the group’s members. He succeeds Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore. Other officers for 2016 include: Paula Brooks, vice president; Lisa Stratton, treasurer; and Sarah Brigham, secretary.