By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2019 at 3:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Village of Albion was joined by five seventh-graders today in planting a tree on South Clinton Street near McDonalds. Garric Winterkorn, left, and Willem DeRuysscher shovel dirt to plant the tree.
The seventh graders are pictured with Mayor Eileen Banker, who shared remarks during a tree-planting celebration.
Pictured from left include Willem DeRuysscher, Garric Winterkorn, Hannah Pahura, Julia Fuller, Mayor Eileen Banker and Mia Olles.
Hannah Pahura, one of the seventh-graders, also spoke about a tree’s worth, including offering shade, improving air quality, protecting topsoil, and providing shelter for many species of birds.
“When you plant a tree, you plant hope,” Pahura said.
Her father, Jay Pahura, is Albion’s DPW superintendent.
Tim Archer, the service learning teacher at Albion, helped organize today’s tree planting ceremony. The newly planted tree is a sugar maple.
The village is working to become a Tree City USA Community.
Albion is using a state grant to do a survey of all the village-owned trees. That initiative includes a tree management plan and will identify spots to plant new trees.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2019 at 3:54 pm
Jennifer Ashbery
ALBION – The Board of Education has hired the next high school principal at Albion.
Jennifer Ashbery, the vice principal at the elementary school the past six years, will start as the high school leader on July 1.
She was one of two finalists interviewed by the Board of Education on Monday night.
Ashbery is a 1993 graduate of Albion. She worked as a fifth grade teacher for 14 years before shifting to administration six years ago.
“I’m just excited and honored,” she said today about her new position at the school district. “I see an opportunity to lead and be a positive influence.”
She said she will work with teachers and staff “where the overarching focus will be on students, helping them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.”
Ashbery said she has been fortunate to grow up and work at Albion Central School. She said her time as a student at the former Waterport Elementary School, from fourth to sixth grades, was particularly critical for her.
“That was really instrumental in developing a passion for education and teaching,” she said.
Ashbery has twin daughters who are currently sixth-graders at Albion.
The district currently has an interim principal following the resignation of Matthew Peterson. He left Albion in January to work as principal at Oakfield-Alabama Central School.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion elementary teacher Joyce Monacelli speaks during Monday’s Board of Education meeting and asks the district to be more open and cooperative with teachers as they seek answers whether staff have a high rate of breast cancer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2019 at 9:56 am
Teachers concerned because many staff have been diagnosed with breast cancer
ALBION – The Albion Teachers Association told the Board of Education the district is moving too slowly in addressing teachers’ concerns whether there is a high incident of breast cancer in the elementary school and if the environment in the school is a culprit with the cancer.
“We’ve been stonewalled,” Chris Keller, ATA president, told the board during its meeting on Monday. “We’re not going away until this building is inspected by an impartial third party.”
The Teachers Association said the district needs to have an independent environmental assessment of the school to ensure that it is safe for staff and students.
That assessment is scheduled to happen on Sept. 23 by Nellie Brown, director of the Workplace Health and Safety Program for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She was at a Jan. 31 meeting at Albion, and spoke for more than an hour, outlining numerous chemicals that can be potential causes of breast cancer or endocrine disrupters.
She met with district custodial and maintenance staff on April 12 for a “Tools for Schools” training and will be back on June 10 for a similar training that will be available for teachers and other staff. That training includes some air sampling but isn’t an extensive building investigation.
Keller, the ATA president, said teachers were upset they weren’t notified or welcome to be part of the April 12 training. Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said Brown wants to do the training with small groups of up to six people at a time. The district first wanted to focus on custodial and maintenance staff for the training.
James Bowers, an epidemiologist who studies diseases for the state Department of Health, will likely be back in the fall to study if the elementary school shows a high rate of breast cancer. If the study shows that, Bowers said the report wouldn’t determine a “smoking gun” that would be the cause of the cancer.
Bonnewell was faulted by two board members, Elissa Nesbitt and Kathy Harling, for not at least letting the ATA know that Brown would be at the district on April 12 for the training.
Bonnewell apologized and said he would strive for better communication going forward. He said he has been pushing for the building investigation by Nellie Brown.
The district superintendent also has brought in James Bowers, an epidemiologist who studies diseases for the state Department of Health. He attended Monday’s board meeting and said he expects to start a study in the fall, looking at the history of people who have worked in the elementary school who were diagnosed with breast cancer or other serious health issues.
If that report shows a high incidence of breast cancer, Bowers cautioned the study wouldn’t be able to pinpoint a specific cause. He has completed many of these studies at other schools and communities.
“We can’t ever find a smoking gun,” he said.
His focus will be determining if there is a higher, lower or average rate of breast cancer at the elementary school compared to the rate in the community’s population.
Angie Wolfe, a kindergarten teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, said the preliminary data gathered by teachers shows there is a high incidence. The ATA has counted 25 teachers and staff who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. That includes cafeteria workers, clerical staff and teacher aides, as well as teachers.
The 25 cases is up from the 22 that were presented to the Board in January. Wolfe said more people have stepped forward.
The diagnosed cases include nine in the past five years and 16 in the past 10 years.
Wolfe said she is “disheartened and very discouraged” at the pace in finding answers about why there seems to be a high incidence of breast cancer.
“In presenting the information to the district office I was hoping compassion would be shown and action would be taken,” she told the board.
Margy Brown, the board president, said the district is committing to the environmental study and ensuring a safe school for students and staff. She said the board and administration want a good working relationship with the ATA as they pursue answers.
Keller wants to see the timeframe speeded up.
“We don’t have several years to wait to identify if we have a serious problem in the elementary school,” Keller told the board.
He would like to see the building assessment done before Sept. 23, the date scheduled with Nellie Brown.
Nesbitt and Harling, two of the board members, agreed the process “is taking a long time.”
“I am for doing whatever it takes to make this right,” Nesbitt said. “We owe it to our staff and our people.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2019 at 9:02 am
ALBION – The vice president of the Albion Board of Education has resigned, citing a busy schedule that makes it difficult to devote time to the board.
Steve LaLonde
Steven LaLonde was elected three years ago. He leaves with two years remaining on the term.
“I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve on the board of this fine organization for the past three years, and I offer my best wishes for its continued success,” LaLonde wrote in a May 8 resignation letter.
LaLonde was viewed as a likely successor to Margy Brown as president of the board.
LaLonde has a doctoral degree in statistics, measurement and evaluation from Syracuse University. He is retired as a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. He and his late wife, Kathy, raised three children who graduated from Albion.
LaLonde has been busy in his retirement.
“I find myself traveling more and more often, and am less able to devote the proper attention and focus to the very important matters of the school board,” he wrote in his letter.
LaLonde’s resignation comes too late for the position to be on the ballot in the May 21 election.
There are four candidates – David Sidari, Joyce Riley, Gregg Boose Sr. and Linda Weller – running for two five-year seats on the board.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2019 at 3:29 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Six people including two children have been taken by ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after an accident this afternoon at the intersection of Albion-Eagle Harbor Road and Gaines Basin Road.
A deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office said no one was seriously injured in the accident. One of the drivers failed to yield at the intersection, causing the accident.
This intersection is the scene of many accidents in recent years. There isn’t a stop sign on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road at the intersection, while the stop signs are elevated on Gaines Basin to try to draw more attention to the intersection.
Albion firefighters and COVA Ambulance responded to the accident. They were dispatched to the scene at 2:36 p.m.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Village of Albion officials and Rock the Park organizers gathered Wednesday for a photo at Bullard Park, where contractors this week started site work for upcoming construction of a splash park, amphitheater and new utility building with bathrooms and a pavilion. Pictured from left include: Mayor Eileen Banker, Trustee Stan Farone, Bernie Baldwin, recreation director John Grillo, Deputy Mayor Gary Katsanis, Lions Club President Ron Albertson, Zack Burgess and Beth Webb, organizer of kickball tournament at this year’s Rock the Park which is being expanded into “Albion’s Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2019 at 7:38 am
$800K in improvements includes splash pad, amphitheater, new bathrooms and pavilion
ALBION – The bulldozers and other construction equipment arrived on Monday at Bullard Park doing site work for the long-awaited improvements at the village’s most popular park. In the coming months, a splash park, amphitheater, utility building with bathrooms and a pavilion will be constructed.
“I think it’s going to be absolutely great for our community,” said John Grillo, the village’s recreation director. “It will enhance our recreation program.”
Titan, a construction company from Gasport, was busy doing site work at Bullard Park on Wednesday. The village’s summer recreation program, which normally is at Bullard, will shift to Veterans Park on Brown Street this summer due to the construction.
The village has park supervisors during the summer and they will be at the splash park during the peak demand hours. The water also will have automatic shut-offs when the splash park isn’t being used.
Grillo expects it will be very popular during the summer.
“There have been days when it’s super hot and we’ve thought about closing the parks because of the heat index,” he said.
The splash park will be near a shaded area next to the playground at the park. Grillo said many local families don’t have swimming pools. The splash pad will provide much-needed relief.
“It’s going to be great for children,” he said.
A stone base is in place for where a utility building will be constructed, which will include new bathrooms for the park. This building will be centrally located at Bullard.
The village is doing about $800,000 worth of upgrades at the park. The village in December 2016 was awarded a $499,605 state grant for Bullard projects.
The village also received $97,500 from the county and $45,000 from the town of Albion, money that was through a revolving-loan fund that needed to be spent for handicapped accessibility at the park. Those funds will be used for sidewalks to the amphitheater and splash pad, to make them accessible to people in a wheelchair.
“It’s definitely an exciting feat for Albion,” said Mayor Eileen Banker during a ground-breaking celebration on Wednesday.
She thanked community volunteers including the Rebuild Bullard Committee for their work with grants and a vision for park.
“This is going to be something for the kids and for families to have family time and get away from the electronics,” she said.
Titan moves soil as part of the site work. The former bathrooms in back are now being used as a storage building. The Village Department of Public Works removed the toilets and sewer connection.
Zack Burgess has helped organize with the Rock the Park Festival, which is in its sixth year on Aug. 3. Burgess and his band performed in the event, which raised money for the park. He was motivated to improve Bullard for his niece and nephew.
Rock the Park has expanded this year into “Albion’s Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park.” It will include arts and crafts vendors and a kickball tournament. The event is moving to the east end of the park due to the construction.
The amphitheater won’t be ready in time for this year’s festival. The new stage can be used for Rock the Park in the future, as well as other concerts and community events.
Ron Albertson, president of the Lions Club, also helps organize Rock the Park. He sees the amphitheater and the spacious park as a venue for drawing “big name” bands and musicians to Albion.
The park improvements will help distinguish Albion as a community, he said.
“Quality of life means everything,” he said. “We’re competing to draw people to our community.”
Dusty DeCarlo of the Albion DPW delivers a load of stone.
The Albion DPW is providing $166,370 of in kind services as part of Albion’s local share for the state grant. The DPW took down a pavilion and storage building last fall to make way for the new utility building. The DPW also ran a new sewer line across Route 31 near the Bullard entrance. That sewer line will service the park.
The DPW also will be running 600 feet of waterline for the splash pad and utility building, several feet of sewer line, and will be doing the electric service for the amphitheater.
Village crews also are hauling stone from Barre Stone Products and moved the concrete sections of the retaining wall for the amphitheater.
These concrete pieces will intersect and serve as a retaining wall as part of the new amphitheater.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 May 2019 at 12:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Marti’s on Main kicked off a new season of art shows on Friday, with Shirley Nigro the featured artist this month.
Nigro of Albion owns the Fired Up – Ready to Paint Ceramics business in Batavia. She makes ceramics in a style known as bisque wear. She also makes dolls, necklaces and other multi-medium artwork. She is known for her faces and has been featured in books and magazines.
Her goal with her artwork is to encourage people “to open their minds that anything is possible.”
“I Got You Babe” is dedicated to women suffering breast cancer – and their caregivers.
Nigro creates faces on vases, rocks, anything solid really. Her work amazes her friends and other local artists who joined her Friday at Marti’s for a reception.
“I’ve never met somebody who has such a continual flow of unique and original ideas,” said Connie Mosher, an artist from Gaines. “I don’t know how one person can come up with all of these characters.”
Nigro also makes the clothes, hair and bodies for the characters and gives them a three-dimensional look.
This piece is titled, “Diamonds are a girls best friend.”
Nigro is pictured with some of her artwork at Marti’s, which is celebrating its ninth season in Albion.
The gallery is located at 229 South Main St., and is owned by Kim Martilotta Muscarella. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
The lineup of art shows this year includes:
• June – Chris Manaseri
• July – Mickey Campbell
• August – Jeremiah Curtis Knight, Rebekah Knight Papke, Adana Knight Zambito, Lily Zambito, Maleah Knight, McKinley Knight and Kitty Papke
• September – Pat Greene
• October – MCC Professors Group “For Drawings Sake” with Peter Monacelli, Jason Smith, Kathy Ferrell, Jason Flack, Jim Downer and Dave Werberig
• November – Brockport Artist Guild with Becky Maynard, Priya Banergee, Nancy Radzik, Roseanne Mascari, Jennifer Wells Dickerson, Gretchen Lee Carletta, Pamela Bradley, Leonard Ippolito, Bonnie Gloris, Leslie Kofron and Richard Hart
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2019 at 4:30 pm
ALBION – Hoag Library has three new trustees on its board of directors, and two current trustees will continue in their positions.
The library had its annual election and meeting on Monday. There were three candidates on the ballot for three positions. Maurice Taylor received the most votes and won a four-year term. Debbie DiBacco and Linda Weller each were elected to three-year terms. Taylor and DiBacco are both new to the board. About 80 people voted in the election.
At the annual meeting, the board also welcomed Dan Conrad as the new representative on the board for the Village of Albion. He replaces Elissa Nesbitt. Conrad serves at the will of Mayor Eileen Banker.
Nicole Bellnier also is staying on the board as a representative for the school district. She serves at the will of the president of the Board of Education, Margy Brown.
The library board has nine members overall with seven elected and two appointees.
Kevin Doherty was re-elected by the board to serve as president. He has one year remaining on the board before he is term-limited in 2020. Terry Wilbert was elected the board’s vice president and Anitrice (Riley) Bennett was elected treasurer.
The library is seeking $714,920 in the tax levy as part of the May 21 school budget vote, which is the same amount as 2018-19. That $714,920 is one of the propositions during the noon to 8 p.m. vote at the school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2019 at 2:55 pm
ALBION – The Village of Albion is planning an Arbor Day event on May 15, which will include planting a tree on South Clinton Street near McDonalds.
The 1 p.m. celebration will include students from Tim Archer’s service learning class at Albion Middle School, as well as Mayor Eileen Banker.
Last year the village had its first Arbor Day celebration in many years. The village is taking steps to become a Tree City USA Community. Albion is using a state grant to do a survey of all the village-owned trees. That initiative includes a tree management plan and will identify spots to plant new trees.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2019 at 9:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It didn’t take long for Hoag Library’s new sign to be up and working today. A crew from Toth’s Sports arrived this morning with the sign and had it installed and operating by afternoon.
The company worked with the library to design a sign that matched the look of the library, which opened in 2012.
The sign will be used to promote programs and events at Hoag. The first event to be posted on the sign: the library’s annual meeting.
The Daktronic sign has high resolution and clarity. The sign’s face is about 4 feet high and 7 ½ feet wide.
