Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION — Neil Johnson, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Albion, volunteers with his wife Joanne in putting the messages on the church sign on Main Street. For the past week, the church urged the community to honor mothers. Johnson was getting ready for a new message for the sign at around noon today. Next up: “Things are happening at this church.”

8 teams start season in Albion Midget League

Photos by Tom Rivers – Shawn Whittier throws out the ceremonial first pitch to start the Albion Midget League season.

Shawn’s brother Taylor smiles after catching the first pitch.

ALBION – More than 100 players on 8 teams kicked off the Albion Midget League season today with a ceremony at the Albion Midget League field behind the Town Hall on Clarendon Road.

Shawn Whittier, son of the late Carlton Clippers coach Scott Whittier, threw out of ceremonial first pitch to start the season. His brother Taylor served as catcher. The Carlton team on Thursday dedicated a new backstop in honor of Whittier, who was a player on the team as a kid and coached the Clippers for eight years.

Coaches and players from the eight teams passed the microphone and introduced themselves with the Actives, last season’s champion, getting the first chance to use the microphone.

Caleb Hyde, a member of the Actives, introduces himself during opening day ceremonies.

Greg Bennett, an assistant coach for the Rotary Lions, holds the microphone while player Jason Dash says his name to the crowd.

Albion mayor: ‘We’re not going to stop having parades’

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Albion marching band performs during a Memorial Day parade last year along Route 98.

ALBION – More police officers, more flag men, more barricaded side streets. That’s what Albion and other communities may face if the want to continue having parades during Memorial Day and for other community celebrations.

“They put out these requirements and it puts the dollars on us,” Roland Nenni, the Albion police chief, told the Village Board.

The state Department of Transportation wants detailed plans from communities at least a month in advance of a parade on a state road. The DOT says the municipality will either have to post a detour when there is a parade or have police officers, peace officers and certified flag men at strategic locations along the parade route.

In Orleans County, auxiliary police officers technically aren’t peace officers and can not be used to meet the DOT requirements, Nenni said. And the fire police from the Fire Department also aren’t technically peace officers or certified flag men.

Albion wants to limit the number of police officers and Department of Public Works employees for traffic control because of over-time costs. Those employees likely would be busy with other tasks anyway, especially during the Strawberry Festival.

“We’re not going to stop having parades, and we’re not going to spend a small fortune for having parades, I mean come on,” Mayor Dean Theodorakos said.

Nenni believes there is way to use fire police for traffic control during a parade. If they are on the route to provide emergency egress for fire trucks, Nenni thinks they could also direct traffic and appease DOT’s requirements. The village could also sent up pylons at some intersections to block off traffic.

“We’ll work to comply as cheaply as possible,” Nenni said.

Many communities have complained about the new requirements from the DOT, and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, said he is in “continuous contact” with the DOT, telling them to back off the onerous requirements.

“Our community has maintained many proud traditions throughout the generations, and holding parades to honor our veterans, fire departments and citizens is an integral part of our identity,” Hawley said. “The DOT’s plan seeks to bring all of that to an end. Meddling in a practice that we have conducted safely and successfully for countless decades is a glaring example of big government run amok.”

Two illegal aliens also charged after Albion raid

Cruz (left) and Carrillo-Ramos (right)

Press release, Major Felony Crime Task Force

ALBION – An Albion woman was charged with welfare fraud and grand larceny on Wednesday following a two-month investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, Department of Social Services Welfare Fraud Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mary A. Cruz, 32, of 14870 East Lee Rd. allegedly received $46,934 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to for a day care from April 2010 to March 31, 2013, the task force reported.

She was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Judge Kevin Howard and committed to the county jail with bail set at $10,000 cash or $10,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Town Court at 9 a.m. on June 19.

The investigation also revealed that an alleged undocumented resident was living in the house. Rochel Carrillo-Ramos, 24, was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. He was arraigned by Judge Howard and committed to jail with bail set at $5,000. He is also being held on a federal detainer for allegedly re-entering the country illegally after being deported.

As a result of the search warrant execution, the task force reported another man was hiding in a closet who was determined to be in the country without legal documents. Marvin Ramirez-Tomas, 22, was transported to the federal detention center in Batavia, where he is held on a federal retainer.

Police seized more than $1,600 in cash and numerous fraudulent documents during the raid, the task force reported. The investigation is ongoing and more charges and arrests are pending, the task force reported.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Low-lying fog this morning gives Albion a mysterious feeling, especially along the Erie Canal, where this tugboat is pictured near the Ingersoll Street lift bridge. The spire at the First Baptist Church and the top of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on West Park Street are under a shroud of fog, but they remain visible landmarks.

ALBION – The Village Board intends to resubmit a grant to upgrade Bullard Park. The village sought state funds last year for $430,000 worth of park improvements, including two reseeded ball fields, new playground equipment and a 6,400-foot-long hiking trail carved through the park.

The grant wasn’t approved as part of the Consolidated Funding Application process, which places an emphasis on projects with a regional significance.

Mayor Dean Theodorakos on Wednesday said the Bullard upgrades are worth pursuing and would enhance the community. The board is considering paying J O’Connell and Associates of Clarence up to $3,500 to resubmit the grant with some changes. The firm told Theodorakos it has ideas to strengthen the application.

The village could also pay LaBella Associates of Rochester $1,000 to resubmit the grant from a year ago with few changes.

The state hasn’t set a deadline for when the applications are due. Last year the deadline was in early July with the grants announced in December.

Theodorakos said he wants to hear more from J O’Connell and Associates on how the village could improve the grant before committed money to the firm.

Village officials may also seek a grant to replace sanitary sewers on portions of Crimson Drive, Caroline Street, and East State Street between Platt Street and just past Ingersoll Street. The village needs to do an income survey of residents in the project area to see if the majority of residents are low- to moderate-income. That would make Albion eligible for the state grant. LaBella said it would do the income surveys for $500 with Albion also paying the costs for mail.

The board may decide how it wants to proceed with the grants at its May 22 meeting.

Village officials are moving ahead with another project. The board approved paying Chatfield Engineers of Rochester $3,630 for work designing a parking lot on Main Street.

The board wants to expand an existing lot with about 20 spaces to a bigger lot with 40 spots. The lot is located between the Presbyterian Church and the former Sneezy’s Bowling Alley.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Circulation has surged at Hoag Library in Albion since the new site opened in July.

ALBION – A new building with more space for books, meeting rooms and parking spaces resulted in a record-high for circulation for Albion’s public library.

Albion’s library actually closed for five weeks last year, during June and the first week of July, while the library collection and staff moved from the historic Swan Library site in the downtown to a new building on South Main Street. The combination of circulation at Swan and the new Hoag Library totaled 93,089 in 2012, up 20.9 percent from the 77,019 in 2011.

“Isn’t that an amazing jump?” said Susan Rudnicky, Hoag Library director. She provided the data during the annual meeting of the Swan Library Association on Monday.

This year the circulation is growing at a faster rate. It totaled 39,504 for the first four months of 2013, compared to 22,993 in the same period last year, a 71.8 percent jump. Rudnicky expects the library to break the 100,000-barrier in circulation for the first time this year.

“Clearly, we are exceeding our projections,” said Kevin Doherty, the library board president.

The new library increases the space from about 6,000 square feet at the Swan site to 14,600 at Hoag. The new building has eight wired computer terminals plus five laptops. Three meeting rooms are frequently in use.

The library also faces a rising budget as debt payments are due for the project. The library association took out a five-year $600,000 construction loan and borrowed $1.6 million to be paid back over 20 years for the project. The debt service payments will increase from $64,961 in 2012 to $141,000 this year. That is the main reason the library budget will increase from $658,908 to $678,978 in 2013.

The library has cut the staff from 13 to 12 employees, which resulted in a reduction in salaries and benefits from $366,873 to $330,608. The board also trimmed the budget for library materials from $85,396 to $72,000.

The association will see some debt service relief in the coming years once the five-year loan is paid off and the interest shrinks with the other loan as the principal owed is reduced.

“This is the worst we will have it,” Rudnicky said about the debt payments. “It will get better.”

Doherty noted the naming rights for the children’s library are still available for $75,000. That would provide immediate debt reduction for the library.

Albion Central School residents will vote May 21 for a proposition for the school district to collect $654,000 for the library. That covers the majority of the library budget. The $654,000 is up from $641,210 voters approved for the library last year. Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. in the elementary school conference room A.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Knights of Columbus members in Albion are pictured with Scouts and their leaders on Tuesday when the K of C presented $1,800 to the Scouting organization. Pictured, front row, from left: Rebecca Flanagan, president of Venturing Crew 164; Nicole DeCarlo, advisor of Venturing Crew; Aaliah Knickerbocker, a Webelo; Steve Karas, K of C grand knight; and Bob Ballard, deputy grand knight. In back: Carl Laubacher, past grand knight for the K of C; Justin Kirby, assistant Scoutmaster; Freeman Lattin, senior patrol leader for Troop 164; Rob Seymour, Cubmaster; and Matt Ballard, K of C member.

The Knights of Columbus in Albion shared its fund-raising success with three Scout groups and also the religious education program at Holy Family Parish. The Knights had an annual Palm Sunday chicken barbecue and raised $1,800 for Pack 164, Troop 164 and Venturing Crew 164. They each were given $600 from the K of C.

The Knights used other fundraisers to buy a 40-inch LED television with a Blu-Ray player for the religious education program at Holy Family Parish. The TV will be used during faith formation classes and youth group social events.

The Knights of Columbus purchased this TV with Blu-Ray player for the religious education program at Holy Family Parish. Pictured, from left: Carl Laubacher, past grand knight; Steve Karas, grand knight; Nancy Sedita, religious education director; Matt Ballard, K of C member; and Bob Ballard, deputy grand knight.

Historic churches will showcase architecture May 18-19

Photos by Tom Rivers – The First Presbyterian Church in Albion completed a $300,000 renovation and restoration of its interior about five years ago, including work on the rose window.

The Pullman church includes this stained-glass window, an early work by the famed Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company of “Christ the Consoler.”

ALBION – Historic churches around the state on May 18-19 will open their doors to showcase the architectural wonders inside the buildings.

Two Albion churches, First Presbyterian and Pullman Memorial Universalist, are participating in the third annual “Sacred Sites” tour in New York, an event aimed to raise public appreciation for the churches as community treasures with stained-glass windows, pipe organs, ornately carved pews, decorative paintings and murals.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy is spearheading the Sacred Sites tour. The organization has provided about $7 million in grants to churches in New York since 1986. The two Albion churches are among the recipients of Sacred Sites awards.

Both churches are eager to participate in the tours and will be open both days from noon to 3 p.m.

“We love showing off our building,” said Lee Richards, pastor of the Pullman church at 10 East Park St.

The Pullman Memorial Universalist Church was built with Medina sandstone and includes 41 Tiffany stained-glass windows.

The church was built in 1894 with money from railroad manufacturer George Pullman, who grew up in Albion. The building is an excellent example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the NY Landmarks Conservancy stated. The church has 41 Tiffany stained-glass windows including one of “Christ the Consoler” that was featured in Tiffany brochures in 1898.

Richards believes the seven historic Albion churches have potential to draw more tourists to Albion. The community is unusual to have so many historic churches so close together on the Courthouse Square. They are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pullman and the Presbyterian Church have both committed to being open on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon on May 22 until the end of summer. The churches want to be available for canal visitors and community members who want to stop in to pray and tour the sites. The churches hope the other congregations in the Square will also open their doors and have docents available to lead tours.

The Presbyterian Church, with its 175-foot-high spire, is the tallest structure in Orleans County.

“Each church has something that is very special and should be shared,” said Martha Mitchell, an elder at the Presbyterian Church.

The church at 29 East State St. was built in 1874 and includes a 175-foot-high spire, the tallest structure in the county. Five years ago, the congregation completed a $300,000 restoration and renovation of its interior.

“We did a beautiful renovation that restores the church back to its Victorian décor,” Mitchell said. “We have a rich heritage with all of our nice windows and stories.”

Even the pews inside the First Presbyterian Church are works of art.

For more information about Sacred Sites, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Gertie Albano is pictured inside her shop, Gertie’s Groovy Garments, at 107 East Bank St., Albion.

ALBION – Gertie Albano knows about the financial pressure of trying to provide a teen-age daughter with the latest styles.

Albano said Orleans County parents may feel they need to pay big dollars for trendy clothes for their daughters while driving to malls near Rochester and Buffalo.

Albano has opened a new store that offers fashion at affordable prices. Gertie’s Groovy Garments has dresses, blouses, shirts, pants and other clothes for girls and younger women. Albano sells everything for $19.99 or less. Most items are $12.99.

“I’m sure there are parents who don’t want to drive to malls or put it on charge cards,” Albano said today at the store, 107 East Bank St.

She also sells prom dresses and jewelry, all for less than $20.

Albano, a Waterport resident, worked in local child care centers for several years. She bought fashionable clothes for her daughter through wholesalers. Albano had to buy the clothes in bundles of six. She gave one item to her daughter and then sold the other five at clothing parties. That went well enough to convince Albano to open her store on April 1.

“We don’t have enough variety in this town,” she said. “I like individuality.”

Gertie’s is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, contact Albano at 205-5236.

ALBION – There is an election in Albion today, although many people likely don’t realize it because it’s such a low-key campaign.

The community will pick a new member for the board of trustees for the Swan Library Association.

There are actually four seats open, but only one candidate, Terry Wilbert, agreed to be on the ballot. The other three openings will be left to the discretion of the 11-member board. The board could appoint members to fill the spots, or the positions could be left vacant until the next election in May 2014, said Kevin Doherty, board president.

Voting will be from noon to 7 p.m. today at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St. Voting is open to residents in the Albion school district. They will need proof of identity and residence.

The annual meeting, when the library reviews its proposed budget and circulation numbers, will begin at Hoag tonight at 7.

The board includes nine members who are elected by the public and two members who are appointed, one by the president of the Board of Education and one by the mayor of Albion. Doherty said the library board has talked about reducing the number of seats, which would require approval from library users in a public meeting.

Doherty and other board members believed all 11 members were needed when the community was working to not only run a public library, but to also build a new complex for the library. Now that the building project is complete, board members are open to reducing the size of the board.

“It’s been an item for conversation,” Doherty said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Boy Scouts from troops in Albion and West Barre this morning set 720 flags on the graves of veterans in Mount Albion Cemetery. Scouts work with the American Legion every May to make sure the graves receive flags.

Eight-year-old Devin Marchu, above, places a flag on the grave of William S. Lattin, a World War II veteran, while Anthony Freeman, 10, places flags for veterans in the Civil War section of the historic cemetery on Route 31.