London

ALBION – The village’s new elected mayor is no stranger to the Village Hall, and the village departments and employees.

For 21 years Dean London worked in the Albion Police Department, retiring as chief about two years ago. The Republican was cross-endorsed by Democrats for Tuesday’s election. He was unopposed on Tuesday and received 233 votes.

London takes office on April 1. He said there won’t be a big shake-up in the village government, including people who serve on committees. He will make those appointments in early April, and will assign the four trustees to departments and committees, trying to match their strengths with the opportunities to serve.

“We’re going to take some time to assess,” London said Tuesday night.

He wants to see the replacement of the Clarendon Street bridge move forward, as well as continued upgrades to the water and sewer plant.

The village should look at forming a local development corporation that could own some derelict properties in the village and then either sell them to the highest bidder or find a partner for redeveloping the land. London sees two deteriorated houses on Liberty Street near the new library as good candidates for the LDC, which would then work to find a buyer to have the land redeveloped.

London said the village faces many challenges, namely a shrinking tax base and many demands for services and infrastructure upgrades.

He said the trustees elected on Tuesday bring strengths to the board. Eileen Banker has been on the board for more than four years. She works as Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s chief of staff.

“She brings experience and a history,” London said.

Banker said she was disappointed by the low turnout for the election. Village elections typically draw 800 to 1,000 voters. Albion needs more community involvement, Banker said.

Banker led the trustee candidates with 170 votes. Stan Farone received 147 for the other four-year position and Gary Katsanis received 148 votes for a two-year position. The Republicans defeated a Democratic Party team that included Terry Wilbert, Patricia Cammarata and Sandra Walter.

Farone made his first run for elected office. A Kodak employee for 33 years, he is a long-time member of the Albion Fire Department, serving as a past president. He was a co-founder of the Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance about four decades ago and remains on the group’s board of directors.

Farone wants to see improvements to Bullard Park, and a plan for reusing vacant sites and cleaning up run-down houses in the village. The Village Board also needs to work with the towns of Albion and Gaines to promote tourism and economic development in the community, Farone said.

Katsanis worked in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica. He praised the outgoing board led by Mayor Dean Theodorakos for working hard on the budget.

That spending plan needs to be approved by April 30. The current board didn’t leave all of the work on the budget for the new team that starts April 1.

London said the board will have the benefit of experienced trustees – Banker and Pete Sidari – plus some new members.

“Gary Katsanis and Stan Farone bring a new perspective,” London said.

ALBION – Dean London has been elected mayor in the Village of Albion with 233 votes. He had both the Republican and Democratic Party endorsements.

London’s fellow Republicans also secured three trustee positions. Eileen Banker received 170 votes and Stan Farone had 147. Both will serve four-year terms as trustee. They were up against Democratic candidates Terry Wilbert and Patricia Cammarata. Wilbert received 93 votes; Cammarata had 87.

Gary Katsanis was elected for a two-year term as trustee with 148 votes. He beat out the Democrat Sandra Walter, who received 94 votes.

Photos by Sue Cook – The marketplace of Dictionopolis, the land of words, is populated by word vendors, the Spelling Bee (Jules Hoepting), and King Azaz’s advisors.

Front row from left: The Terrible Trivium (Samantha Hollenbeck), the Princess of Reason (Hailey Bader), Milo (Riley Seielstad), the Princess of Rhyme (Analys Torres), and a Dictionopolis Vendor pose with other cast members.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – A cast and crew of nearly 80 Albion Middle School students are performing the musical “The Phantom Tollbooth,” which is based on the book of the same name by author Norton Juster.

Director Carrie Kozody explained that the school provides the Drama Club with a budget to purchase the rights to the play or musical of their choice. After that, ticket sales from each show help to fund the costumes and other items needed for the performance.

When asked how a play or musical is chosen, she responded, “I look at it and decide is it entertaining, what is the music, and would the team enjoy producing it?”

The Humbug (Emma Tower) attempts to dissuade Milo from rescuing the princesses, assuring him that the journey is just too difficult and a waste of time. The Spelling Bee (Jules Hoepting) stands by and watches as the Humbug explains the hardships of the trip.

“The Phantom Tollbooth” is the story of a very bored and uninterested boy named Milo (Riley Seielstad). One day a mysterious tollbooth appears in his bedroom with a little car. He drives the car past the tollbooth and instantly finds himself in a magical, imaginative world where he learns many valuable lessons.

On his adventures he meets many fascinating characters including Tock the Watchdog (Matilda Erakare) who accompanies him throughout the Kingdom of Wisdom. He brings peace to the lands of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis after returning the princesses of Rhyme (Analys Torres) and Reason (Hailey Bader) to the kingdom. Returning home, Milo finds that if he just uses a little thought and imagination, suddenly the real world around him is an incredible, interesting place.

Kozody said that the production is made of 44 cast members and 32 crew members. All of them are students from the middle school ranging from grades 6 to 8. Her Assistant Director is Kevin Feder. Both are teachers at the middle school.

The Whether Man (Molly Wadhams) greets Milo as he enters the Kingdom of Wisdom and performs a number explaining that the state of the weather is not her purpose.

Auditions for the show began in December. The students began practicing for the show in January immediately after returning from their winter break. The students were supposed to have a full dress rehearsal on Wednesday for an empty auditorium, but the blizzard canceled school forcing the first live-audience performance to be done in front of fellow students.

During the December audtions, Riley Seielstad was cast as Milo. When asked why she auditioned, Seielstad said, “I did a past show. It was a lot of fun to be with all my friends and a good experience.”

Seielstad was excited to be Milo. In the schools previous show of “Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass,” the story of Alice in Wonderland, Seielstad played Tweedle Dee. She will have family attending all three of the performances to cheer her on, as will most of the students.

Milo, Tock (Matilda Erakare), King Mathemagician (Dalton Wilkins), and several miners perform “Hail Digitopolis” in the number mines of the land of numbers.

For the audition process, all of the students sang “Jingle Bells” for Kozody and also chose a segment from the play to read lines of various characters. Seielstad explained that because it is the first time they are performing the lines, they may either memorize them or read them off the paper verbatim.

“I chose Riley for Milo,” explained Kozody, “because she has a clear and distinct singing voice.” Kozody explained that Seielstad had a very good audition and just also happened to be a passable boy in the clothing chosen for Milo.

Alongside Milo is the faithful companion Tock the Watchdog, the other main lead role. Matilda Erakare was very excited to become the character.

When asked why she chose to audition, Erakare explained, “I come from a musical family. It just kind of runs through my family.” She also admitted that she is somewhat shy, especially about singing in front of people. “But once I get going…” she said with a huge smile.

Director Kozody applies makeup for Erakare before the show ensuring that any skin showing from her dog hood is covered.

“Matilda has grown in acting skills,” Kozody said. “She was the Red Queen in Alice. She has strong singing skills and acting skills.”

Because the audition process does not allow students to pursue specific roles, Kozody allows the students to suggest what role they would like to play, and then takes the nature of their audition into consideration when selecting the cast. Kozody estimates that approximately 75 students auditioned and roughly 30 to 40 more signed up to try and get a role on the crew.

The students all performed beautifully and showed very strong talent. It would be no surprise if many of them were to continue performing into high school, college or even beyond that. The cast includes many strong singers and dancers, as well as a great aptitude for acting.

The students take a last bow on stage at the end of the show.

The students will perform again on Saturday at noon and at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. The school is located at 324 East Ave. in Albion. The doors open a half-hour before each show.

File photo by Tom Rivers – An airplane comes in for a landing at Pine Hill Airport on Sept. 8 in Barre. The airport is the only one in Orleans County with a hard-surface runway.

BARRE – The Orleans County Legislature is giving its support to a grant application to pave a ramp area and connector west of a hangar at the Pine Hill Airport in Barre.

The Vintage Aircraft Group, owner of the airport, is seeking a state grant through the Department of Transportation for the funding. It would require a 10 percent local match and VAG would pay that share, about $6,000, said Gene Haines, VAG president.

He wrote a letter to the Legislature on Wednesday, seeking the county’s show of support for the project as part of the 2013 Aviation Capital Grant Program through the DOT.

Pine Hill Airport is the only one in Orleans County with a hard-surface runway. About 20 volunteers keep the airport functioning.

Haines was scheduled to address the Legislature on Wednesday, but that meeting was canceled due to the blizzard. He is expected to be on the agenda March 26. The Legislature today voted to support the application.

“We’d like to assist him in moving forward,” said David Callard, Legislature chairman.

Photos by Tom Rivers

The Albion Rotary Club had its annual St. Patrick’s ham dinner today at the American Legion. Here Rotarians Becky Karls, right, and Deb Boyer serve up a takeout dinner. Albion student Jasmine Ballines, left, volunteered as a “runner.”

Albion Rotary Club members Don Bishop, center, and Dick Remley, right, serve up a ham dinner for Eric Brown. Michael Bonnewell, Albion school superintendent and a Rotary Club member, serves in the food line.

Leeanne McKenna, center, won the iPad raffle. She is joined by her grandchildren Piper Chatfield, left, and Thomas Green.

The Irish dancers class at Spotlight Studio performed several dances. Three of the members include, from left, Zoey Chatifeld, McKenna Boyer and Faith Chaffee.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Albion DPW Superintendent and Lions Club member Dale Brooks, left, reviews plans for Bullard Park in Albion with Kevin Howard, a Lions Club member, and John Grillo,the recreation director. Annette Finch, in back, is on the Recreation Committee.

ALBION – If the Albion Recreation Committee had its choice for a priority project at Bullard Park, the group said it would favor a spray park.

“We would be a leader in Orleans County is we did this,” said John Grillo, the Albion recreation director. “It would draw people here.”

The committee helped form a master plan for Bullard Park about three years ago that called for reseeded fields, a concession stand, lodge, walking trails, relocated bathrooms, the spray park and a walking trail.

The village sought state funding to help with the project, but was denied in 2012 and 2013. Village officials don’t want to give up on Bullard improvements, but the work will likely have to go in stages and the money may need to come from the local community.

The Lions Club wants to help with upgrades. The Village Board has agreed to create an account in the village – “Rebuild Bullard” – and village staff will process any donations.

The Lions initially thought replacing the main playground equipment might be the first project as part of rebuilding Bullard. But Grillo and Recreation Committee members said they think the spray park would draw more people to Bullard and have the most benefit for the community.

“It would draw a lot of kids and families,” Grillo said after a meeting at Hoag Library to discuss Bullard. “It would be a blast.”

Grillo remembers the popularity of wading pools at two village parks until they were removed about 25 years ago. He sees how spray parks are an attraction in other communities, including Batavia.

The spray parks do not pose a threat of drowning. They have big sprinklers.

The spray park would ideally be located in the center of Bullard, just west of the Pee Wee Park, according to a conceptual plan. If the village can raise the money, bathrooms with a changing area should be next to the spray park. The bathrooms and changing area could be part of a concessions area for the park.

Grillo said the lodge would his choice for a second priority. He sees that at other parks and then are used by the community throughout the year.

Annette Finch, Recreation Committee member, said the lodge could function as a senior citizen center for seniors to play cards and have meetings. Holley and Medina both have sites for seniors, but Albion doesn’t have a site.

The village will seek a rendering for the improvements that can be showed to the public, as well as cost estimates for the projects.

The Lions Club and village leaders also said they will try to get a sense of community support – in terms of dollars – that can be raised for the project. The village may reach out to neighboring townships and the county for financial contributions to make the projects happen.

The Lions scheduled a meeting for 7 p.m. on April 15 at Hoag for the next session at the park.

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Hoag Library opened in July 2012, more than doubling the space from the previous library.

ALBION – After 15 years of leading Albion’s public library, Susan Rudnicky is no longer director of the center on Main Street.

The Swan Library Association board of trustees voted tonight to end Rudnicky’s tenure. The board named a trustee, Terry Wilbert, to serve as temporary library administrator during the search process for a new leader. Wilbert will take a leave of absence from the board.

Rudnicky led the organization during its relocation from a 6,000-square-foot converted home on North Main Street to a 14,600-square-foot new building that opened in July 2012. She is also president of the Cobblestone Society Museum’s board of directors.

Susan Rudnicky

“This transition is not about good or bad, or about the past, but clearly reflects the Trustees’ determination to match skill sets with program needs,” Board President Kevin Doherty said in an email announcing the change in leadership. “We have a breath-taking new facility, constructed with the support of an over $1 million capital campaign from this community, and as Trustees, we have a responsibility to maximize the community value of the Hoag Library.”

Wilbert, a retired guidance counselor and school administrator, worked in the Albion, Pal-Mac and Livingston Manor School Districts, and also at the Ulster County BOCES and the Rochester Urban League. He has been a soccer coach for the Oakfield-Alabama Central School and a number of community clubs. Wilbert is a candidate for the Village Board in the March 18 election.

Doherty said a search for a new director will begin immediately and will involve community members. He said he expects there will be a good pool candidates and a new director will be picked “in a reasonable time.”

“There may be additional re-alignments of duties plus improved offerings and services in the coming year,” he said.

Provided photo

ALBION – Teachers at Albion Elementary School dressed in blue today in support of Wayne Burlison, the elementary band teacher who is fighting colon cancer.

Teachers wore blue and signed a “Go Team Wayne” banner. Mr. Burlison’s wife Lisa teaches second grade at Albion.

Today happens to be “National Dress in Blue Day.” This started in 2009 on the first Friday of March to bring national attention to colon cancer and to celebrate the courage of those affected by this disease.

Provided photo

Provided photo – Jep, a 6-month-old beagle, hopped a fence this morning and is on the loose in Albion.

(Update – Dog has been found and will be reunited with owner.)

ALBION – An Albion family is looking for their 6-month-old beagle puppy, which jumped a fence this morning on Temperance Street.

The tri-colored dog is named Jep, after a character from the Duck Dynasty show. Jep is wearing a silver metal collar.

“We love him dearly,” said the dog’s owner, Kristen Ostrander.

For more information, contact Ostrander at 330-2741.

District plans new playground for elementary school

ALBION – The school district has a relatively small budget gap that it is working to close before the spending plan is approved by the Board of Education next month.

The district has a $139,000 gap to close if it doesn’t want to raise taxes and still maintain the same level of staff and programming. The district could reduce the gap if the State Legislature directs more state aid to Albion, compared to what Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed in his budget.

The governor’s budget in January gave Albion about $330,000 more in state aid, just shy of a 2 percent increase. The state Legislature has historically tended to provide more than the governor’s proposal, but those increases have been relatively small increases in recent years.

“That’s not a large gap compared to the past,” Shawn Liddle, the district’s assistant superintendent of business, said about $139,000.

If Albion’s state aid is unchanged from the governor’s budget and it makes no other reductions, property owners would be looking at a 1.6 percent tax increase, which is already under the state-imposed 2 percent tax cap.

School administrators and Board of Education will continue to look for ways to pare expenses, Liddle said. He expects the Board of Education to approve a budget on April 7. That will then go before voters in May.

The district’s budget gap is relatively small partly because five veterans teachers and staff are retiring. They will either be replaced with less experienced employees at lower salaries or those positions may not be filled at all, Liddle said.

“We’re continuing to look at our staffing levels,” he said this morning.

The 2013-14 budget totaled $33.3 million. That budget included a 1.5 percent tax increase, the first time Albion raised taxes since the 2006-07 school year. The tax levy, at $8,446,946, is down compared to the $9,094,194 levy in 2006-07.

Liddle discussed the budget during Monday’s Board of Education meeting. The BOE also recognized Freeze-Dry Foods in Albion. George Lawson, the company’s general manager, was picked as a “Friend of Education.”

Freeze-Dry is storing new playground equipment for the elementary school at the company’s East Avenue site, the former Lipton’s in Albion. The district was able to buy the equipment at a discount but didn’t have its own space to store it during the winter.

The new playground includes painted steel posts and plastic decking and slides. It will replace a playground with a lot of wooden pieces. The new playground should be installed in the spring or summer, Liddle said.

Photos by Sue Cook – Judge Cosworth, played by Reed Markle, and Margaret Mason (Iva McKenna) observe as Miss Peabody (Jann Davis) eats one of the desserts in the baking contest during the play of “Just Desserts.”

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

BARRE – For the past 25 years the West Barre United Methodist Church has made a habit of putting on a yearly performance to raise money for the church.

After missing last year due to scheduling conflicts, the tradition is back by popular demand. The church also serves dinner before the performance.

The tickets sold help the church to raise money, while also entertaining the public. Jean Peglow e-mails the group small summaries and then a play is decided on. The church purchases the script books and pays per performance.

Sometimes the script requires tweaking to keep it both appropriate for church and family-friendly. The shows are sell-outs almost every year and the group stresses that this is a community event, not just a church event.

“We want everyone to know that people who go to church can have fun,” said Iva McKenna.

Iva McKenna, playing Margaret Mason, applies makeup to her husband, George McKenna, for his role as Edna Mae Carter.

This year the play was a comedy mystery requiring audience participation. This is the first time the church has ever performed a murder mystery and the first time they have asked for audience participation.

Previous years have varied greatly including a western and a radio show. The shows have always been a comedy. The group begins practicing in January to prepare for a late February or early March show under the direction of Alice Mathes.

The show for this year was “Just Desserts” written by Craig Sodaro. The curmudgeonly old Judge Cogsworth is reluctantly judging a baking contest. The winner will receive $1,000 for a charity of her choice.

Three women are chosen to bake goods for the competition: Edna Mae Carter, Lucy “Scooter” Bright and Margaret Mason. The contest begins, but things turn sour when suddenly the judge drops dead. It is then up to the audience with the help of the head of the contest, Miss Peabody, to determine which of the three contestants are the guilty party in the murder.

George McKenna recalled their early practices. “Jim couldn’t get out more than a line or two without cracking up laughing,” he said in reference to Jim Peglow who was Lucy “Scooter” Bright.

During the intermission the audience members, including Dennis Smith in red sweater, are asked to search the sanctuary for clues and listen to the testimonies of the suspected. Attentive audience members may be able to solve the mystery with the presented clues and a good eye on the situation.

Most years include the same actors and the group jokes about their amateur abilities. During the play gender pronouns are frequently confused due to men playing the role of women, lines are forgotten, and characters grab the wrong props, but all of it adds up to more audience laughter and serves the performance well instead of detracting from it. All of actors are members of the church.

“We’re just not afraid to get up and make fools of ourselves,” jokes Reed Markle.

“We really had to poison Reed. He’s not that good of an actor,” says Jim Peglow with a laugh. Pointing to George McKenna, he added, “And next year we hope we’re men.”

“I’m confused. I’m very confused. I’ve been confused the whole play,” wails Jim Peglow while still in character, but breaking the fourth wall after forgetting his lines. The other actors and the audience laugh while the director attempts to get things back on track.

The group is making one final performance of “Just Desserts” this evening at 6 p.m. The performance is not offered with dinner to make sure the kitchen crew and other family members are able to attend at least one performance. There is no cost. Parking and seats fill up quickly. The church is located at 5337 Eagle Harbor Rd.