Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – The Albion Police Department is currently investigating numerous larcenies and burglaries from vehicles and buildings. These crimes are occurring from late evening to the early morning hours.

Vehicles and buildings are being entered and a wide variety of items have been stolen. The crimes have been limited to unlocked vehicles and buildings.

Residents are strongly encouraged to lock vehicles, garages, sheds and other outbuildings. Residents are also asked to call 911 immediately when they see or hear something suspicious.

The Albion Police Department has developed persons of interest in the cases and has collected evidence. The Albion Police Department has been assisted in the investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Air and Marine.

The Office of Air and Marine has provided the Albion Police Department with personnel utilizing extremely expensive and technologically advanced equipment to aid in the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call the Albion Police Department at 585-589-5627.

ALBION – Fran Nayman had an annual holiday tradition: He would buy baskets full of jams, jellies, apple butter, salad dressings and other goodies from Watt Farms Country Market.

He did it again this year, paying for 27 of the baskets. They are at Watt Farms, paid for and waiting to be picked up at 3121 Oak Orchard Rd.

Nayman died in a fire on Friday at his small engine repair shop. He was 76.

Watt Farms doesn’t know where the gift baskets were destined. Karen Watt said Nayman would typically buy 25 to 30 gift baskets each holiday season for friends.

She would like people who normally received the baskets from Nayman to stop by the farm market on Route 98. The farm market will close for the season after Monday. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until then. For more information, call Watt Farms at (585) 589-8000.

Dr. Jamal Janania worked at Albion Urgent Care Center

ALBION – A doctor who joined a new Albion healthcare site when it opened in November 2012 has had his medical license revoked by the state Department of Health.

Dr. Jamal Janania no longer works for Orleans Community Health and its Albion Urgent Care site, OCH officials said today. They said they would not comment further on the matter.

Janania had his medical license revoked last month after state DOH officials deemed he was guilty of professional misconduct for fraudulent practice, filing a false report, and violations of education law.

Janania has had a license in New York since Nov. 2, 2009. He began work at the Carthage Area Hospital in June 2009. He was twice suspended for failure to complete patient records. He was terminated from Carthage on Sept. 7, 2011 for record keeping, tardiness and absences, according to the DOH report on Janania.

He then worked at Mountain Medical Services in northern New York from January 2012 to May 2012 and was terminated for record keeping, “and time and attendance issues,” the DOH said.

He also sought a medical license in Kansas in 2006 but was denied in March 2008 for failure to meet licensing requirements, the DOH said.

When Janania sought work at Lewis County General Hospital on April 30, 2012, and then at Oswego Hospital on June 11, 2012, he did not disclose his past terminations, nor did he reveal his medical license application had been denied in Kansas, according to the DOH. Janania also was licensed to practice medicine in Florida in 2012.

When he applied to Orleans Community Health in October 2012, he disclosed in his application he had prior employment suspensions, but did not disclose he had been terminated.

In a hearing with DOH officials, Janania said he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder in 2005, and that ADD affected his record keeping. He said the ADD did not affect his performance in practicing medicine.

The DOH also faulted Janania for not disclosing he had a license in Florida in his job applications in 2012. He called that an “oversight,” according to the DOH report.

The DOH hearing committee ruled that Janania committed fraudulent practice. “(Janania) intentionally and repeatedly misrepresented and concealed information from potential employers in an effort to mislead them about his professional history and qualifications.”

The doctor was found to have filed a false report based on lies in his employment history on job applications, the DOH said.

Janania was found guilty of violations in education law for failing to disclose his employment terminations and the reasons for those dismissals when he applied for other jobs.

The DOH committee said misrepresentations in a job application “brings into question his reliability in matters more directly related to patient care.” The committee also said poor record keeping is poor patient care.

Fire victim was active in local politics, Main Street presence for half century

Fran Nayman is pictured in 1978 when he was Albion town supervisor and a member of the Orleans County Board of Supervisors.

ALBION – He battled a stroke and other health scares, but Fran Nayman wouldn’t let those issues keep him down. He stayed committed to his customers and his community.

“The things he dealt with would have broken most people,” said Nayman’s friend Gary Kent. “He just pushed himself and kept going. He amazed me.”

Nayman was 76 when he died Friday in a fire at his shop. Nayman’s, a small engine repair business, was a presence on Main Street since 1959.

Nayman was active in local politics, serving as a village trustee, Albion town supervisor and an Orleans County legislator. He had been out of public office for about three decades, but Nayman stayed supportive in the background, encouraging candidates and offering advice and money for their campaigns.

That’s how Kent became close with Nayman, beginning in 2001 when Kent made his first run for public office. Kent grew to admire Nayman, especially his iron will. Nayman committed to physical therapy to improve his health so he could come back home after stays in an assisted living facility and also the county nursing home.

“It was a testament to his endurance,” Kent said.

Nayman graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology and retired as a engineer at RG & E. At Nayman’s, he fixed small engines for lawnmowers, snowblowers and other equipment.

“He died doing what he wanted to do,” Kent said. “There’s where he wanted to be.”

Nayman was a life-long bachelor. He quietly supported many civic causes and organizations, Kent said.

“His death is a big loss for Albion,” Kent said. “He could be counted on for a lot of things. He had a gruff exterior, but he was like a cupcake inside.”

Even when he was limited to a wheelchair, he had friends drop him off at his shop so he could work.

Jeanne Crane, the Orleans County Democratic Party chairwoman, said Nayman took out many ads supporting Democratic candidates. He also opposed the sale of the county nursing home and took out ads stating his opinion on that sale.

His shop was in a prominent spot on Main Street and let both Democratic and Republican candidates put their campaign signs on his property.

He might disagree with local officials, but Crane said Nayman always took the high road.

“He was opinionated but I never saw him get angry,” she said. “He was so even-tempered.”

Crane worked with Nayman for about four decades in local politics, trying to build the Democratic Party. Nayman told Democrats they only had a chance at winning if they were committed to public service and a zealous campaign.

“He always used to say, ‘If you’re going to run, you need the desire to win or else you’re not going to win,'” Crane said.

Even as he struggled in recent years, Nayman sent Crane birthday cards and called at least monthly to check in on the Democratic doings. He wanted the party to be thinking early about fielding candidates for local elections.

“He was someone who was always in the background,” Crane said. “He was always there for us.”

Brad London sold Nayman his ads for The Lake Country Pennysaver. Nayman regularly took out ads in recent years, letting the community to know he was still in business.

“He was always optimistic about serving his customers,” London said. “I really looked up to him. He had a determination and drive.”

Nayman always ran a holiday ad in The Pennysaver, thanking his customers.

“The friendships we’ve made throughout the years have been our greatest pride,” the ad would state. “Holiday greetings and thanks to all.”

To see Nayman’s obituary, click here.

After sitting vacant, building reclassified as residential

Photo by Tom Rivers – The former New York State Electric and Gas building at 366 Washington St. had its zoning changed from commercial to residential after the building sat empty for more than a year. The new owner wants the zoning to be changed to allow for business uses.

ALBION – Charles Maloy sees a vacant building on Washington Street as a site with potential for employees and business, all generating economic activity in the village.

Maloy recently purchased the former New York State Electric and Gas building at 366 Washington St. The 4,215-square-foot building is in good shape and Maloy said it would make for an ideal site for businesses that do auto repair, construction, HVAC, roofing/siding, distribution, storage, landscaping as well as other uses.

There is a big obstacle to the site’s reuse: the location’s zoning. It is zoned residential. The site was zoned for commercial use but after it sat vacant for more than a year, the zoning was changed to residential.

Washington Street is considered a residential street. However, Maloy noted the Albion Correctional Facility is down the street and the Village DPW garage is at the corner of King and Washington streets. There are several vacant lots on the street. A new house hasn’t been built on the street since 1992, he told the Village Board last week.

Maloy said there is little chance the NYSEG building would be redeveloped for housing. The site is assessed for $192,000.

“Without a solution this property will be obsolete,” Maloy told the Village Board. “It is well built, very versatile and would lend itself to commercial uses.”

The village doesn’t want to spot zone properties, assigning zoning to sites that don’t match neighboring properties.

Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti sees two viable alternatives that avoid spot zoning. The former NYSEG property backs up to a commercial district on Route 31. The back of the NYSEG property touches the railroad tracks and a district that is zoned commercial. The village could zone the property commercial and there wouldn’t be spot zoning.

Vendetti has also suggested an adaptive overlay district for some of the vacant commercial sites in the village in residential neighborhoods. Many of the sites had their zoning reverted to residential, which makes it difficult for the buildings to be reused, Vendetti told the board.

The adaptive reuse proposal would allow for special permits to be issued from the village for some of the sites. Vendetti said the special permits would require more oversight and control from the village than if the sites were zoned commercial.

He sees the plan as a way to get more vacant structures as a contributing assets to the community. He noted the village has struggled in recent years with a shrinking tax base.

Village Board members said they want to consider the options and will get back to Maloy soon.

“I took a chance on it,” Maloy, a Rochester resident, told the board. “The highest and best use for it is as a commercial building.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Officials from the Town of Albion at left met with officials from the Village of Albion at right during a joint session this evening at Hoag Library.

ALBION – Officials from the village and town of Albion had a rare joint meeting this evening and they talked about ideas to make local parks and the downtown business district stronger, while also sharing services for highway projects.

The Town Board said it would give $8,000 toward the village parks program. The village currently spends about $50,000 annually on parks. The town officials said they want the village to specify where the town money will go for parks.

Village officials said it was a reasonable request. The attorneys for the town and village will discuss how an agreement should be written for any town funding at the parks.

The town also said it would be interested in helping pay towards an event coordinator. Sid Beaty has been serving in that part-time position. She helped plan a debut downtown concert series on Thursdays last summer, as well as other events.

The village is debating bringing her back at about $10,000 a year. Trustee Stan Farone said the Village Board is pleased with her work, but the village budget is a challenge.

The town would consider helping pay towards Beaty’s position, but Town Supervisor Matt Passarell would like a list of projects Beaty would work on. Town Councilman Jake Olles also would like to have Beaty or whoever serves in the role possibly be available for projects in the town.

The town is also open to helping fund the downtown concert series, but Passarell said he would like to see a plan for promoting the event.

When Olles asked the village how the town could help with the concert series, Farone was quick to respond.

“Money,” Farone said.

Farone and village officials said they want the concerts to return in 2015. The village is open to another venue for the concerts besides a closed off East Bank Street.

Bobby Skrzypek And The Pedestrians performed last July in the Albion concert series.

Farone said the canal bank area is being considered. Town Councilman Todd Sargent said the green space by a village parking on Main Street, between the Presbyterian Church and El Gallo restaurant, also might be a good possibility.

The town and village officials were praised for their service by Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore and president of the Albion Merchants Association.

Ricker was unable to attend the meeting this evening, but Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop, handed each official a letter from Ricker.

Ricker said many of the downtown merchants are struggling as many shoppers are “Walmart-minded.” The Merchants have organized many events and promotions. Ricker asked the elected officials to shop at the locally owned businesses and attend many of the downtown events.

“If the leadership in our town shopped locally and supported the downtown businesses and talked about that, others may follow suit,” Ricker said.

The two boards talked about an idea to have speakers in the downtown playing music and broadcasting announcers at local parades. Wireless speakers could be added to Main Street and the downtown for about $10,000, village officials said.

Olles initially proposed the idea last year. He said he would continue to support the effort with town funds.

The village and town also committed to working out any issues to get the final pieces installed in the downtown from a Streetscape grant. Some concrete planters with trees still need to be introduced to the downtown as part of the grant.

The village and town have stepped up their efforts with shared services for highway projects in recent years. Todd Sargent, a town councilman, also works for the village DPW. He said the village, towns and county have done far more road work and other projects together recently than 20 years ago.

“We’re doing more now than ever before,” he said.

About once a week the municipalities work on a project together. Passarell said the municipalities should document that work to show the state the shared services at the local level.

Passarell said he would be open to more shared services. He would like to discuss the village maintaining town water and sewer lines. The town has nine water districts that the town highway workers maintain. The village provides the water for the districts.

The two boards said they would like to continue the joint meetings, perhaps once every six weeks to two months. They want to identify ways to reduce costs.

“We all have a responsibility to deliver services to taxpayers and try to keep taxes down,” said Town Councilman Richard Remley.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa Claus didn’t let some snow and bitter cold keep him from stopping at Albion’s Hometown Holiday event in Albion today. Santa posed for pictures from noon to 3 p.m. at the Salih Studio at 24 East Bank St.

In the top photo, Santa chats with sisters Liana, left, and Alayna Flugel.

Santa bears a striking resemblance to Steven Stauss, a senior at Albion High School and a star lineman on the football team.

In the bottom photo, Santa poses with Johnathan Eibl, 7, of Albion, while Idris Salih, the studio owner, takes the photo.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The fellowship hall at Holy Family Parish Lyceum was transformed into a stage and performance venue on Saturday for the 5th annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas.

About 50 performers were part of the cast for three shows. About 500 people attended the event, which is a fund-raiser for a memorial scholarship in honor of Nicholas Kovaleski. His sister Michayla (top photo) performs as the Sugar Plum in a dance from The Nutcracker.

Nicholas’s mother Kelly Kovaleski shared reflections about her son, who died from leukemia at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis. He would have graduated last June. She said her son wanted to join the military.

She said her Nicholas “lived with purpose.” The scholarship in his memory honors graduating seniors who “Live with Purpose.”

Marcy Downey sings “More Than Wonderful.” She also sang a duet – “How Great Thou Art” – with Joise Waverly.

Several dancers, including Madeline Bilicki (center), perform “Waltz of the Flower.”

Rose Allen sings “A Baby Changes Everything.” Santa Claus is in the background.

These dancers, including Katie Rustay at right and Michayla Kovaleski at left perform “You Wouldn’t Cry.” There were 18 differents acts for the show.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa Claus had breakfast in Albion on Saturday at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street and then posed for photos at the Salih Studio on East Bank Street.

In this photo, Idris Salih, right, takes a picture of Marianne Aarons of Clarendon and her grandchildren from Albion. She is holding grandson Max Hoffman. His sisters, Camille and Celeste, are in the back row.

It was a whirlwind day for Santa, who also appeared at the Hoag Library and Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot as well as several other local spots.

Mrs. Claus visited Knight’s Pride on Main Street and welcomed children, including Maida Cruz-Kelley, 7, of Albion, to sign the magic scroll and also write letters to Santa. Children were told if they weren’t good their names might vanish from the scroll when she gives it to Santa.

Mrs. Claus also made ornaments with children and joined then for cookies.

“I’m worried about Santa,” she told some of the kids. “He has been very busy lately.”

There were many activities in the downtown and on Main Street for the third annual Hometown Holiday sponsored by the Albion Merchants Association. The band, The Fauxtones, also performed in the Pratt Performing Arts Center.

A goodwill offering was taken to benefit the Orleans County United Way. The group of Albionites includes, from left: Sebastian Erakare on lead vocals and guitar; Ben Schell on drums; and Jan-Mikael Erakare on vocals and bass.

ALBION – The victim in Friday’s fire at Nayman’s, a small engine repair shop at 205 North Main St., has been identified as the business’s owner, Francis Nayman, 76.

The fire and death have been ruled accidental with no foul play suspected, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said.

“This determination is based upon the evaluation of the scene combined with an autopsy performed by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office,” Nenni said.

Police and fire investigators believe the fire was caused when Nayman came into close proximity of a portable propane heater. That caused Nayman’s clothing or the wheelchair he was sitting in to ignite, Nenni said.

Nayman is a long-time owner of the business. He suffered a stroke several years ago and was limited to the wheelchair. He inspired many in the community with his work ethic. He also was active in the local Democratic Party for decades.

Albion Police and the Albion Fire Department were dispatched to Nayman’s at 3:51 p.m. on Friday for a possible structure fire. Firefighters entered the building with smoke and a fire on the floor in the center of the mechanics area of the business.

The fire was quickly extinguished and the smoke was ventilated. Nayman’s badly burned body was found on the floor by a wheelchair that was also heavily damaged, Nenni said.

The incident was initially ruled suspicious due to limited physical evidence initially observed and the circumstances surrounding where the body was located, the police chief said.

The official case ruling will be made when lab results are returned following additional forensic tests to be performed, Nenni said.

The incident was investigated by the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit, New York State Police ID Unit, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Orleans County Coroner’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Shelcy Plueckhahn, right, opened Capable Hearts today at 12 East Bank St., Albion. She is pictured with her sister Jewel Shingleton.

ALBION – A new gift store with Christian books and inspirational messages opened today at 12 East Bank St.

Capable Hearts is more than a business, said owner Shelcy Plueckhahn. She sees the store as a ministry for the community. She wants the site to be used for Bible studies, youth groups and as a support for people enduring grief.

Plueckhahn knows about suffering a devastating loss. Her son Demitrios Alexandris was 14 when he died in October 2009. Demitrios had several disabilities and was well-loved by his Albion classmates.

He was expressive in sharing his Christian faith. He drew a heart for his mother and that drawing hangs inside Capable Hearts. It also is the store’s logo.

“Losing Demitrios was the hardest part of my life,” Plueckhahn said. “This store is like having my son here. This is him continuing with his messages. He started it and we’re going to continue it.”

Plueckhahn and her family created this display which she calls “the ladder of hope.” It includes resources to help people with their grief.

Plueckhahn works full-time as a family advocate at Head Start. She is running the new business with her family and friends. She is selling books, archangel figurines and other gifts to cover the costs of the storefront and programs.

“Our mission is reaching out to people,” she said.

She knows not everyone is comfortable in a church setting. She hopes the store will provide a place for people to connect with God and others in the community.

For more information on Capable Hearts, visit capablehearts.com.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A section of Main Street in Albion has been blocked off for about six hours today while police and fire investigators were on scene at Nayman’s, a small engine repair garage at 205 North Main St. The street was expected to be reopened after 10 p.m.

ALBION – A fatal fire remains under investigation and the person who died in the fire is not being identified because police are not 100 percent sure who it is, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said tonight.

There will be an autopsy Saturday morning by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. The autopsy as well as the fire scene investigation should provide more answers about the cause of the fire and death, as well as the deceased’s identity, Nenni said.

Albion firefighters were quickly on the scene after the dispatch call went out at 3:51 p.m. when there were reports of smoke coming from Nayman’s, Nenni said. Firefighters were already out for another call in the community.

They quickly put out the fire at Nayman’s and discovered a burned body inside. Police and fire investigators originally ruled the fire and death suspicious, and that hasn’t been ruled out, Nenni said.

“We’re still deeming it suspicious,” he said at about 10 p.m. today. “Right now it’s an unknown.”

Albion police officers and firefighters were joined in the investigation by Orleans County fire investigators, New York State Police crime and identification technicians, and investigators from the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

“We will know more tomorrow,” Nenni said. “We’re still deeming it a suspicious incident.”