By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2022 at 1:02 pm
MURRAY – The Town of Murray didn’t follow its usual schedule of a town-wide property assessment revaluation for 2022. The town, and others in Orleans County, usual do the re-val every three years.
But with a real estate, with many properties selling way above assessed values, Murray officials opted to wait on a re-val this year.
The Town Board decided it’s going to continue to wait – until at least 2024 for the next town-wide re-val.
“It is a chaotic time in the real estate market,” Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said on Monday evening after the Town Board meeting. “We felt it might be a false market that might correct itself.”
Of the 10 towns in Orleans County, only Clarendon and Barre did re-vals in 2022. The other towns opted to wait until 2023 to see if the market prices hold.
Murray officials announced on Monday they won’t do the re-val in 2023, either. Sidonio said the high inflation and the rising interest rates should impact the market. The Town Board now will look to do the re-val in 2024.
There has been a real estate boom in Orleans County, with median sale prices up 16.7 percent in 2021 from the previous year and 25.8 percent in two years. The median sale price in Orleans County went up 68.5 percent over four years – jumping from $81,000 in 2017 to $136,500 in 2021, according to data from the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors.
“We hope it will slow down some,” Town Assessor Stephanie Holts said about the real estate market. “It’s so hard to predict with what’s going on in the world right now.”
Murray has 2,121 parcels, including in the Village of Holley. The town assessor’s office is planning to send a data mailer by the end of the year that shows each parcel owner all the information for that parcel. Owners will be asked to verify that information and note any additions.
Even though the town hasn’t done a re-val, that doesn’t mean property owners tax bills are staying the same. The state has put Murray’s equalization rate at 78 percent, meaning the assessed values of properties town-wide are at 78 percent of their market value.
With the upcoming school tax bills coming out in September, the equalization rate will be applied to the tax bills so they reflect a 100 percent market value.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: From left, family physician Nancy Ciavarri, Community Action’s Director of Operations Jackie Gardner, director of community services and reporting Katrina Chaffee, case manager and health coach Jeanette Worsley and director Renee Hungerford pose in the space set aside in the Holley Community Center for a health clinic.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 August 2022 at 9:06 am
HOLLEY – A grant from the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System has enabled Community Action to offer health care from the Community Center in Holley.
On Thursday morning the program was presented to a full house of local citizens who regularly take advantage of programs offered at the center, including daily lunch.
Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action, shows a video outlining her “Axis of Care” program to a lunch crowd Wednesday at the Holley Community Center.
Community Action’s director Renee Hungerford described her “Axis of Care” program which received an $84,000 grant to provide a free health clinic, including visits from Oak Orchard Health’s mobile health unit.
The first visit by the mobile health unit is scheduled for Aug. 24. It will provide lab services and have a nurse practitioner.
Tele-health will be available in both the Albion office and Holley center.
The health coach in Holley will be able to do referrals, coach clients on proper diets and provide guidance on insurance.
“It will be a one-stop shop,” Hungerford said.
The need for a health clinic in Holley was identified when Hungerford asked the Holley Community Center manager Debbie Rothman what other services Community Action could offer.
The primary answer was “healthcare,” Hungerford said. She added that it has been proven the social determinates of good health are food, healthcare and a roof over your head.
“We have the ability to help provide that,” Hungerford said.
Case manager and health coach Jeanette Worsley, left, chats with Beverly Selden of Holley, a frequent participant in the daily meal program at the Holley Community Center.
She said Orleans County has the third lowest health outcomes out of 62 counties in New York State. There are 13,450 patients for each primary care provider, she said.
Working in cooperation with Community Action to provide healthcare will be Oak Orchard Community Health, Orleans Community Health and GCASA. A peer counselor from GCASA will be on site once a week. They will partner with Orleans Community Health to provide tele-health visits.
There will be a fee for health visits, based on income. For those who have no health care insurance, someone will be on site to help clients sign up for Medicaid or health insurance.
Case manager and health coach Jeanette Worsley will post a schedule when the Holley clinic will be staffed.
One regular visitor to the Holley Community Center who is happy to see this new health program started is Beverly Selden. She comes for dinner every day, she said.
“It gets me out to be with people, and I help where they need me,” Selden said. “It provides a nourishing meal to a lot of people who might not otherwise get one. It has gotten me through the last five years of my life. I had fallen into bankruptcy and had medical problems. They supported me during it all. The medical clinic will benefit a lot of people. I will take advantage of it any way I can.”
Rothman, with help from her assistant Rachel Escobar, said they serve an average of 40 people daily, and recently had a record 71 attend.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Local veterans in the Honor Guard stand at attention on Aug. 14, 2021 during a rededication of the Fancher monument on Route 31. The monument was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 for 10 men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II. The flagpole includes the American flag and a commemorative World War II flag.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 August 2022 at 10:25 am
MURRAY – The World War II memorial in Fancher is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The memorial was dedicated 73 years ago today. A year there was a rededication after the memorial was upgraded.
The memorial is made from local Medina sandstone. There is a four-sided clock as part of the monument.
Provided photo: The VFW in Holley notes today is the 73rd anniversary of the dedication of the Fancher war memorial.
The site is a memorial for the 10 men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II. The site includes a plaque that states the monument is a memorial for John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, John Kettle, Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Richard Merritt, Camille Nenni, Floyd Valentine and Richard Vendetta.
The Fancher WWII Memorial was approved and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 3, Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio was advised in a letter dated Aug. 9 from D. Daniel Mackay, deputy commissioner of historic preservation and deputy state historic preservation officer.
“As you may know, the National Register is the nation’s official list of properties worthy of preservation,” Mackay wrote in his letter. “Listing on the National Register recognizes the importance of these properties to the history of our country and provides them with a measure of protection.”
Owners of properties son the National Register also may qualify for state and federal income tax benefits if privately owned, while municipalities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for state historic preservation matching grants, Mackay said.
Sidonio said he is thrilled the site has been deemed worthy of the National Register. He continues to appreciate the efforts from the community, including a generous donation from former resident Fred Fioritio, that led to the site being restored last year.
The monument was in disrepair with mortar crumbling, the clock often not working and the landscaping unattractive.
Sidonio said the site is again a fitting tribute for the 10 young men from the community who died in World War II.
The site in June was approved for New York State Register of the Historic Places. The Fancher Memorial’s nomination for the National Register of Historic Places then was by reviewed by the federal agency and approved on Aug. 3.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The former Odd Fellows Hall at 89 Public Square has an owner who plans to get to work soon working on apartments in the second floor and office space in the first level.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2022 at 11:28 am
HOLLEY – The former Odd Fellows Hall, a building from 1890 at the northeast corner of the historic Public Square, has new owners in Michelle and Richard Gallo of Murray.
The village has tried for years to save the build and find an owner with a plan to return the site as a vibrant part of the community.
Michelle Gallo
Dan Schiavone, chairman of the Village of Holley Development Corporation, said he’s confident the Gallos will be good stewards of the building.
“We’re optimistic that the Gallos will make the necessary improvements to the building in order to preserve its historic significance in the village,” Schiavone said. “At one time, we weren’t so sure of the building’s future and thought it might be end up being demolished. Today, we have renewed hope in the future of this very important historic building in Holley’s Public Square.”
The couple owns Gallo’s Performance Auto Parts & Truck in Brockport and also a restaurant in Hamlin – Gallo’s Bar & Grill. Mrs. Gallo said they will turn the upstairs into two apartments and the first floor into offices for two businesses. They renovated a house on Hindsburg Road and they enjoyed that process of upgrading that property.
Mrs. Gallo said she hears from people about a need for residential and office space in Holley.
“We’re excited about the building,” she said. “We hope to get to work soon. First it will be a clean out and then repair.”
The Village of Holley Development Corporation has owned the site and looked for resources to stabilize the structure. It received a $50,000 grant from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to repair the roof. The Gallos won’t use the grant for the roof work if it means the couple will need state approval for any changes to the building.
Mrs. Gallo said she is waiting to hear the details from the state about any restrictions on the building owner if the grant is utilized.
The Village of Holley Development Corporation was able to secure the grant, and also paid off back taxes on the property, with the county forgiving late fees and interest on the taxes.
“We thought these actions would make the property more attractive to a private investor,” Schiavone said. “We’re happy with this outcome and the new outlook on Odd Fellows Hall.”
The Landmark Society of Western New York in 2018 named the building to its “Five to Revive.” That is an annual list of preservation priorities in the region.
The Landmark Society said the Holley building was at risk due to neglect and masonry deterioration.
“Larger and more imposing than its immediate neighbors, this anchor building is a key element in Holley’s downtown commercial district,” the Landmark Society said in October 2018. “A new owner and a plan for reuse are critical to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Holley.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2022 at 8:58 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Who Dats performed on Friday evening by the gazebo at Holley’s Canal Park, playing classic dance rock music.
The band includes Lonnie Froman as the lead singer, John Borello on guitar, Alona Kuhns on guitar, Ed Hilfiker on guitar and Alex DeSmit on drums.
Holley’s concert series started on July 8 with the Ghost Riders and continues through Aug. 26. The concerts are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and there is no charge to attend.
The events are organized by the Village of Holley with most of the funding from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Most of the crowd brought their own lawn chairs for the concert on Friday.
The concert lineup for the rest of the season includes:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2022 at 9:25 am
Roofs, grants, amenities at park among issues that need attention
Photos by Tom Rivers: Holley village officials discuss village business during their monthly meeting Tuesday evening. Pictured from left include Trustee Rochelle Moroz, Deputy Mayor Connie Nenni, Mayor Mark Bower, Village Attorney John Sansone, Trustee John Morris and Trustee Jim DeFilipps.
HOLLEY – Mayor Mark Bower, who was elected last month and started on July 4, spent two years as a trustee on the Village Board.
He said many issues are often discussed at length, but then continue to linger with little action.
He wants to the Village Board and officials to push to complete projects and address issues in a more timely manner. He acknowledged the village has a small staff and limited resources.
Mayor Mark Bower said he doesn’t want issues to linger in the village.
But he said he will push each month to highlight needed work in the village, and give an update on the status of addressing the issue.
“We have talked about certain issues for month after month,” he said. “Let’s nail down completing a few things that we have been talking about.”
Bower presided over his first meeting on Tuesday evening as mayor. He brought up many issues that he said need attention.
Roofs on village-owned buildings
That includes several roofs on village-owned properties, including the sewer plant, bathrooms and shower building by the canal, gazebo by the canal and the Holley-Murray Historical Society depot.
Estimates for the sewer roof came in at $20,000 to $22,000. The board didn’t vote to accept a bid yet. It is considering using some of its federal American Rescue Plan Act funding or supplementing money from insurance.
“We have a lot of roofs that are sadly in need of a lot of repair,” Bower said.
The board also is considering using its share of the ARPA for a new police car and paving High Street.
The depot for the historical society is owned by the village, with the historical society owning the contents. Bower said non-profit organizations have a better chance of securing grants for building upgrades. He said it may make sense to transfer ownership of the depot to the historical society. Not only would the historical society be in a better position to obtain a grant, but the historical society can actively do fundraising for the project. The village shouldn’t seek donations, Bower said.
He wants to discuss the issue with the historical society.
Fireman’s Field
The village also owns the fireman’s field across from the elementary school on North Main Street. The land is leased to the fire department, which maintains the field and also rents out a lodge area for events.
Bower would like to see more amenities at the field, including a splash park, and possibly an ice rink in the winter and covered bocce courts in the warmer weather.
He thinks the fire department would be in a better position to receive grants and do fundraising for upgrading the park. That may mean transferring ownership to the fire department. The village would keep the land for a telecommunications tower and continue to receive that revenue. He wants to talk with fire department leaders about how to best improve that site.
Grants
The village with its high poverty index is eligible for may state and federal grants, Bower said. Holley should identify projects and go for funding, he said. However, those grants often still require some local dollars and time from village personnel. Bower said it will be a balance for how much Holley can handle financially and also with its limited manpower.
He would like to see Holley pursue grants for upgrading waterlines, the sewer plant, sidewalks and other infrastructure. There are also grants for homeland security for the police station, community development and other projects in the village.
The village is working to finish up a sidewalk and waterline project, and wants to repave High Street.
Bower said the board should identify projects and see where Holley has the most need and best chance for securing funding.
The board already is going after one grant. The board voted on Tuesday to pursue a grant to develop a new comprehensive plan for the village, which could mean updating zoning and codes.
That grant could be for up to $180,000, with Holley paying 10 percent or $18,000 of the cost.
The project would include putting Holley’s local laws online so people could easily look up the local codes. People could also see zoning maps online.
Mylynda Kuba, the Holley code officer, said the comprehensive plan hasn’t been updated since 2010.
“Our zoning map has some holes in it where there isn’t zoning,” she told the board. “That’s kind of scary.”
The board voted to hire Bergmann, a Rochester planning firm, to prepare the application for the grant which is due to be filed by July 29. Bergmann will be paid $105 an hour for its work on the grant application, at a maximum of $5,000.
Mayor Mark Bower said more signs are needed to direct people to the Holley waterfalls.
Bower also said a grant is due next month that could add signage in the village to direct people to attractions, including the Holley waterfalls. He said many business owners tell him visitors aren’t sure how to get to the waterfalls. He also wants signs directing people to the community garden and original canal loop.
Police Chief get formal appointment
Bob Barton speaks during a forum in March 2021 during a meeting about police reform and community policing in Holley.
The Village Board removed “acting” from the title of Police Chief Bob Barton. He has been leading the department for about a year following the retirement of Roland Nenni.
Barton is retired from the Greece Police Department and worked as a part-time officer in Holley for several years.
He will be paid $35,000 annually to serve as police chief. He was praised by Village Board members for getting the department to full strength by hiring several part-time officers.
Barton was appointed as permanent chief after he recently passed the police chief test through Civil Service.
“He’s performed the duties quite well,” Bower said. “He presents himself as a chief. He is professional in every way. His reports are detailed.”
Holley raises rates for food vendors
The board voted to increase the daily fee for food vendors from $25 to $30 a day. The yearly permit will go from $250 to $300 a year. Debbie Schaivone, the village clerk, said Holley’s rates for food vendors are lower “than just about everybody.”
Other action
The village will bring back the Mayor Vaughn Appreciation Award. Bower said he discovered Holley used to give out these awards to citizens. It was last presented in 1983.
“We would like to reactivate the award and acknowledge contributions made to the village and show our appreciation to residents,” he said.
The board responded to a request from the Orleans County United Way to have a sign displayed about its annual fund-raising campaign. Bower said he would talk with the DPW staff to pick a spot. He wants to know how long the United Way would like the sign to be displayed.
The board approved spending $425 for eight weeks of summer concerts by the canal. That is in addition to funding from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
The board voted to coordinate with the county cleaning up 54 South Main St., a site that has been “seemingly abandoned” with tall grass, vines and shrubs “encapsulating the entire structure.”
Neighbors have complained about the unsightly appearance, and the “proliferation of vermin,” according to the village resolution.
Holley officials are hopeful the site will be sold through the county tax auction next year. In the meantime, village officials want the site maintained. The board said it will pursue having any expenses to village be recouped as part of the sale at the auction.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2022 at 9:43 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Holley Village Office has been vacant for about two years since the village moved the office to the former Holley High School in August 2020.
HOLLEY – The former village office is now for sale.
The Village Board voted this evening to list the property with Mary Fudge of Early Sunrise Realty in Holley. The listing price will be $79,900.
The two-story building is about 3,000 square feet. It has been vacant since Holley moved its village office to the former Holley High School in August 2020. The village is the main tenant in the old school, which also includes 41 apartments.
The village will need to clear out the building to get ready for the listing. Some of the furnishings and office equipment have been declared surplus and will be sold through Auctions International.
“The first step in selling is to empty it out,” said Mayor Mark Bower.
Village Trustee Jim DeFilipps said selling the former office will benefit the village by having the site on the tax rolls.
The former village office is located at 72 Public Square.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2022 at 12:35 pm
Natural gas needed to heat up soil as part of $20 million cleanup
Photo by Tom Rivers: David Macone, a lead thermal technician for AECOM, speaks during a public hearing on Monday about the company’s need for trailers of compressed natural gas as part of the cleanup at the former Diaz Chemical site at 40 Jackson St. Mylynda Kubo, the village code enforcement officer, is at left.
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley Planning Board approved the site plan to allow two trailers of compressed natural gas at the former Diaz Chemical site at 40 Jackson St.
The AECOM environmental services company, a contractor hired by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, said the trailers with natural gas are needed as a backup heating source as part of the cleanup at the site.
If used at capacity the trailers would need to be replaced every 3 ½ days, said David Macone, a lead thermal technician for AECOM.
The trailers would be kept in a fenced in area that would be locked. There would be an automatic shut-off if the heat gets too high or if there is a malfunction.
The natural gas is needed to heat up soil to 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). AECOM will use piped-in natural gas for the project. The trailers are a backup if more gas is needed especially during very cold weather, Macone said.
Provided photo: Many heater wells have been constructed as part of the thermal treatment project in Holley.
Planning Board Chairwoman Sandy Heise highlighted a letter from Justin Neiderhofer, the Orleans County deputy emergency management director. He said he supports the project with the natural gas trailers because it will ensure the project moves along without disruption. Having the trailers on site doesn’t pose a significantly greater risk, he said.
The biggest risk is when the trailers are swapped out. Niederhofer said the trailers come with several safety features to reduce the risks.
“The alternative option would be to not allow them to bring in the trucks, and have this ground decontamination process take up to a year longer, extending the length of the overall risk to the community,” Niederhofer wrote in a July 7 letter.
Murray Joint Fire District Chief Harris Reed attended Monday’s public hearing about the trailers of natural gas at the property. Reed said he favors the plan because it will speed up removal of contaminants from the soil.
However, he asked that AECOM pay to have 30 volunteer firefighters be trained in responding to an emergency at the site. Reed would like a group of firefighters from Murray, Clarendon, Kendall and Brockport be trained at the state academy in Moutour Falls. He said the cost would be about $3,000.
Macone said he couldn’t give official approval for that request on Monday without checking with the company, but he expected AECOM would approve the funding.
The EPA has hired AECOM for the second and final phase of a thermal treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater at the Diaz Chemical Superfund site in Holley.
The system is being used to treat the remainder of the on-site contamination. EPA started constructing the system in May 2020, using samples and other information obtained during the first phase of treatment that used a smaller-scale version of the system.
EPA treated about 10% of the contaminated soil and groundwater at the site under that first phase, which was completed in October 2018.
The thermal cleanup is a $20 million project. That doesn’t include the $12.5 million the EPA has already spent on the cleanup, using money from the Superfund. The EPA removed buildings, pipes, drums and tanks. Only two warehouses remain from Diaz, which declared bankruptcy and abandoned the site in 2002. The company operated for about 30 years in Holley.
The final phase of treatment targets 1.5 acres of the site and will be performed in two stages. The thermal treatment system is projected to operate for up to four years to clean up the site.
Thermal treatment system
The thermal treatment system uses heat to turn the contaminants in the soil and groundwater into vapors. The vapors will then be captured by extraction wells and treated by a combination of compression, cooling, condensation and granular activated carbon. The system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In addition, EPA will excavate soil from two areas. The excavated soil will be consolidated, thermally treated, and disposed of off-site, the EPA said in a previous news release. The excavated areas will be backfilled with clean soil. EPA will monitor the air around the perimeter, monitor noise, and follow a traffic control plan to minimize disruptions to the neighborhood.
After the second phase of operations is completed, EPA will remove the treatment equipment and restore the property. This will include regrading the site to ensure it has proper drainage and revegetation so as to prevent erosion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2022 at 5:24 pm
Site will now be reviewed for National Register
Photo by Tom Rivers: Richard Christopher of Albion places a commemorative wreath by the monument in Fancher during a rededication ceremony of Aug. 14, 2021. The monument is a memorial to 10 10 men from the Fancher area who died in World War II. Richard is the son John Christopher, who was killed on November 26, 1943 when the transport ship carrying his unit was struck by a German glider bomb and sunk off the coast of Algeria. He was laid to rest at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.
MURRAY – The Fancher Memorial, a monument at “The Curve” on Route 31, has been approved for New York State Register of the Historic Places.
Daniel Mackay, deputy commissioner for Historic Preservation and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, notified Murray Town Supervisor on June 27 that a state review board “following a detailed review” recommended the site be included on the New York State Register of Historic Places and that recommendation has been approved.
The Fancher Memorial also has been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places where it will be reviewed by the federal agency.
The designation is lofty statue for a site that was deteriorating just over a year ago. A $10,000 donation by former resident Fred Fiorito spearheaded many upgrades for the memorial, which was rededicated on Aug. 14, 2021.
The monument, made of Medina sandstone with a green mortar and four clock faces, was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 as a monument to 10 young men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II.
John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, Floyd Valentine, John Kettle Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Camille Nenni, Richard Merritt and Richard Vendetta left the hamlets of Fancher, Brockville and Hulberton and went off to war and didn’t return.
The monument was in disrepair with mortar crumbling, the clock often not working and the landscaping unattractive.
The monument’s improvements last year included new mortar, new movements and electric wiring for the clocks (which will now automatically fall back an hour and spring an hour ahead during the time changes), a new replica bronze plaque on the north side of the property, and a repainted flag pole which now also includes a World War II flag below the American flag. There also are sandstone steps on the north side with the stone donated by Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio and set in place by the Town Highway Department.
Sidonio thanked Erin Anheier for writing the nomination packet for the Fancher Memorial to be included on the state and national registers.
He said a big community effort made the upgrades possible for the monument. About 200 people attended the rededication last August.
The monument is a powerful tribute from a small community to the sons who perished in war, Sidonio said. He is proud that the community hasn’t neglected the site.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2022 at 1:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Holley graduates toss their caps by the flag pole in front of the junior-senior high school after commencement on Saturday.
Holley graduated 60 students in the Class of 2022.
The graduates follow a processional inside the auditorium for the 73rd annual commencement program.
Libbie Pecora, the class president, gave a welcome message and led the group in reciting the pledge of allegiance. She urged her classmates “to not let the fear of failure hold you back.” Behind Pecora are District Superintendent Brian Bartalo and High School Principal Sue Cory.
Class Vice President Breanna Girangaya announced the class gift. The Class of 2022 will give some of its remaining class funds to the other high schools classes that have been hampered in fundraising due to Covid cancellations and restrictions. The Class of 2022 also set aside money for the buildings and grounds staff to treat themselves for all of their extra hard work with cleaning the buildings in the pandemic.
Grace McKeon sings the Star Spangled Banner.
Salutatorian Adriana Botello delivers her speech. She said the class wouldn’t be derailed by Covid. They pushed to get their school work done and still be involved at school. She said she is fortunate to be at a school with “beautiful souls” who are kind.
“We are lucky we are such a small class where we could watch each other grow,” she said.
Valedictorian Cora Bennage wrote her speech almost entirely from favorite quotes collected from her classmates to give them a voice in the ceremony. Her speech also featured a section in Spanish for the native speakers in the audience.
She quoted from the Kung Fu Panda movie when she reminded them that each day is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.
Kirsstin Althoff stands to be recognized as one of the scholarship winners. About $35,000 in local scholarships were announced during the commencement program.
Thomas Dobri stands after being recognized as a scholarship winner.
Retired Holley biology teacher Dan Burke gave the commencement address. Burke retired a year ago after more than 30 years at Holley. In addition to teaching biology, he was a baseball coach and musical director. He was picked by the class to give the speech.
In retirement Burke has followed a lifetime passion by studying history at Arizona State University. Burke said he wanted to major in history right out of high school but was swayed by his father who didn’t think there would be good job prospects with that major. Burke had a career selling pharmaceuticals before starting a teaching career at Holley.
He urged the grads to never give up learning and to “embrace the uncertainty of your future.”
He didn’t expect to become a teacher. But he answered an ad about a job in Holley. He wanted a more meaningful career, even though he took a big pay cut.
He said he is so grateful for his time in Holley. When he retired a year ago, he received 1,200 messages from former students, thanking him for being their teacher, coach and director.
He was struck by how successful and happy the Holley graduates were in their careers and family lives. They have excelled as teachers, lawyers, doctors, mechanics and skilled tradespeople.
“I was struck by what good and decent people they all are,” he said. This is a wonderful place. This is a wonderful school.”
Burke gave the grads a final message: “Give more than you take from this world.”
Zander Carpenter takes a selfie with Principal Sue Cory. This was Cory’s last commencement as principal. She is retiring.
She said the graduates lived up to this year’s theme at the school district of “family.” She thanked the students for being passionate, caring, opinionated and compassionate.
“You are a special group that rallies and supports others,” she said.
Emily Webster is congratulated by the Board of Education members after getting her diploma. James Tette poses for a photo with Principal Cory.
Kayla Pagano celebrates getting her diploma and is congratulated by the Board of Education.
A sign outside the school near the flag pole praises the Class of 2022 for their graduation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2022 at 10:26 pm
Connie Nenni and John Morriss elected village trustees
HOLLEY – Mark Bower was elected Holley’s next mayor today, receiving 122 votes to 33 for former mayor John Kenney.
Mark Bower
Bower is a current village trustee. He has been on the board for two years. He is a retired Hilton elementary school principal and director of staff development.
He said he wants to build strong partnerships with other organizations in the village, including the fire department, historical society, Community Free Library, Rotary Club and other residents and groups.
“I am big on outreach,” he said.
Bower, 65, sees a village on an upswing and he wants to keep the momentum going.
“There is a lot of work to do and there is a lot of good things going on,” Bower said.
He wants to see a sidewalk project completed for East Union Street and Park Place. The village needs to keep pursuing grants for infrastructure and community development.
“Our access to the Erie Canal really helps us (with grant funding),” he said.
Bower’s two-year term as mayor starts on July 1. He will succeed Kevin Lynch who didn’t run in this election.
Residents also re-elected Connie Nenni as village trustee with 123 votes.
She was the only trustee candidate on the ballot. The other spot was filled by write-in votes and John Morris had the most with 92 followed by Skip Carpenter with 18.
Nenni is a former village clerk who works as the school district clerk and administrative assistant for the superintendent of schools.
She said she is proud of the board’s recent work with the redevelopment of the former Holley High School, new sidewalks in Holley and increases in pay for Holley police officers. She would like to see more upgrades to village waterlines and sidewalks.
Morris is a former Murray town supervisor and village trustee.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2022 at 1:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Holley Elementary School held its Flag Day celebration this morning with a parade from the school down North Main Street through the Public Square.
There are about 550 students in grades prekindergarten through 6. They walked together by grade level, carrying flags with many wearing red, white and blue.
Holley’s Flag Day parade is a tradition going back to 1957. There wasn’t a parade in 2020 because students weren’t in school in person due to Covid. Last year there was a parade but now ceremony at the Murray-Holley Historical Society depot.
This year the parade and ceremony where back, and the school presented citizenship awards.
The students head out of the school while “You’re A Grand Old Flag” was played on the loudspeaker.
Scott Wheeler, the elementary school band director (in red shirt), leads the band in performing the Star Spangled Banner.
Students recited the pledge of allegiance and sang patriotic songs during the service.
This railing at the historical society museum is decorated for Flag Day.
Shoaid Yunus, right, carries an American flag and walks with his little brother, Zide, who is in Holley’s PreK program.
Brianna Pelligrino, a sixth grader, participated in the parade with a patriotic dinosaur.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2022 at 8:27 am
HOLLEY – The June 21 village election has two people running for mayor, including John Kenney, a former Holley mayor, and Mark Bower, a retired Hilton elementary school principal and director of staff development.
Kenney is a retired Holley math teacher. He served several terms as mayor and trustee until June 2016 when he stepped away from public office. Bower currently is on the board as a village trustee.
Kevin Lynch, the current mayor, isn’t running for the position.
There are two trustee positions open, but only Connie Nenni, an incumbent, is seeking a two-term term. The other trustee will be elected by a write-in vote.
Voting will be from noon to 9 p.m. in the main entrance (ground level) of the Village Office at 1 Wright St., which is the former Holley High School.
Kenney is running under The Dove Party, with Bower under the Historic Holley Party, and Nenni with The Peoples Party.
