By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 21 November 2017 at 6:04 pm
HOLLEY – Holley kindergarten students and their guests celebrated Thanksgiving this morning with a feast with all the trimmings in the elementary cafeteria. When three perfectly roasted turkeys were brought out from the kitchen, the crowd broke into loud applause.
Mom and daughter Jessica and Paysen Soehner wait anxiously for their meal.
Clayton Vonglis was joined by his grandma, Barbara Fink.
Each of the three kindergarten classes had its own table.
Kindergarteners and their families dig in to turkey and all the trimmings.
Kindergarteners made the muffins and butter for the feast themselves.
A bakery rack filled with pumpkin pies is ready to serve for dessert.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2017 at 8:00 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Tree-cutting crews from Mohawk Valley Materials in Utica worked along the north side of Erie Canal embankment in Holley this afternoon. They are shown working on the section between the lift bridge and Bennetts Corners Road.
MVM started clearing trees in Medina last month and is working eastward to Fairport. The State Canal Corporation is paying the company $2.6 million to remove trees on 145 acres of canal property.
MVM has several powerful pieces of machinery to cut down and move trees.
The Canal Corporation is having the trees removed because it worries the tree roots make the canal banks vulnerable to leaks. The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can result in leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.
MVM hauled away some of the trees and wood chips. This photo shows wood chips being sprayed on the north canal bank.
There was a long line of vehicles and machinery on the north side of the canal in Holley while the trees were being cleared. The contractor won’t be touching any trees on privately owned land.
The tree removal is phase one of a vegetation management project. The strip of land near the towpath will eventually be mow-able. The stumps will be removed and grass seed will be spread.
“The (trees’) removal will restore the integrity of the embankments and improve the Canal Corporation’s ability to properly manage their condition, keeping the communities that surround the canal safe from potential flooding due to structural failures,” the Canal Corp. states on its website.
The fallen trees are lined up near the towpath in Holley.
“This type of vegetation can provide pathways for seepage, which can potentially weaken embankments and result in failure, leading to flooding of lands surrounding the canal,” the Canal Corp. stated. “Furthermore, the heavy vegetation prevents Canal employees and other inspectors from being able to thoroughly monitor the integrity of the Canal’s embankments.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 15 November 2017 at 2:41 pm
HOLLEY – Village Board members voted Tuesday evening to authorize the village to apply for RESTORE NY funds for the proposed Holley Gardens project, which would repurpose the old Holley High School for use as a mixed-use senior housing and commercial development as well as village office space.
The village will apply for $1 million in RESTORE NY funds. The Restore NY Communities Initiative provides municipalities with financial assistance for the revitalization of commercial and residential properties.
Charlie Oster, development coordinator for Edgemere Development and Kim Russell, executive VP of Home Leasing, spoke during a public hearing on the application held immediately before the board vote.
“If this sounds like deja vu, it is,” Oster told trustees.
In July 2017, the Holley Village Board endorsed developers’ efforts to seek grant funding from NYSERDA, the NY Main St. Grant Program and the Empire State Economic Development Fund through a NYS consolidated Funding application.
“We haven’t heard back yet,” Oster said regarding the July applications, although he indicated word could come anytime now.
He said developers are re-submitting an application for funding from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which was not funded last spring on the first application.
The village must apply for the RESTORE NY funds, Oster said, it cannot be a private developer.
In addition to the RESTORE NY funds, developers are seeking $7-8 million in tax incentives and $3 million in low-interest loans for the project which includes 43 units of senior housing, space for village offices and restoration of the auditorium for use as meeting space.
Developers and Mayor Brian Sorochty continue to urge residents to write letters of support for the Holley Gardens project.
Letters from seniors in the community in need of such housing are especially vital, Kim Russell said.
Sorochty said officials are not certain right now what the impact of the potential elimination of the Federal Historic Tax Credit in the Tax Reform bill might have, but the possibility exists that it could have a negative impact. The program provides a 20 percent federal income tax credit for owners of income-producing properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
He encouraged residents to contact their Congressional representatives to express their support that the tax credit remains available.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2017 at 12:01 pm
Overcomes gap on Election Day with absentee ballots
Photo by Tom Rivers: Election Commissioners Kathy Case, left, and Janice Grabowski count the absentee ballots from the Town of Murray this morning. Peter Reese, an attorney for Joe Sidonio, is standing and watching the count. Bob Miller, right, won the election after the absentees were counted.
ALBION – Bob Miller has emerged as the winner in the Murray town supervisor race after a big lead in the absentee ballots today.
On Nov. 7, Miller trailed Joe Sidonio by 16 votes, 558-542. Miller had 26-vote lead in the absentees that were counted this morning, 47 to 21 for Sidonio. The final tally is 589 for Miller, 579 for Sidonio.
The count ends a hard-fought race between the two candidates. Miller won a very close Republican primary against Sidonio, when Sidonio also have a slight lead only to be overtaken with the absentees.
Sidonio stayed in the race with the Conservative and Independence lines.
Miller, a retired state trooper, is currently a town councilman. He will succeed John Morriss as town supervisor. Morriss didn’t seek re-election.
There were four additional absentee ballots that weren’t counted today. Those included tenants in a house owned by Sidonio’s mother-in-law. Miller challenged that the four weren’t living in the house at the time of the election and had moved away.
Even if those were counted and Sidonio got those votes, he would still be behind by 6. (Sidonio also questioned another ballot of someone he said was living in North Carolina, and not locally.)
Peter Reece, an attorney hired by Sidonio to oversee the count this morning, said the gap is too much for Sidonio to overcome.
Miller’s term begins Jan. 1.
This morning’s count took about 2 1/2 hours. Miller received his 47 votes under 10B (Republican), while Sidonio received 14 under 10C (Conservative) and 7 more on 10F (Independence).
Press Release, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $825,000 in federal assistance for the Town of Murray in Orleans County.
The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Specifically, the Town of Murray will receive a loan of $456,000 and a grant of $369,000. This funding will finance construction of a water system that will extend public water service to 21 residential users who currently have inadequate access to safe and portable water in Water District #3 located in Orleans County.
“This federal investment is good news for the town of Murray,” said Senator Schumer. “These federal funds for the Town of Murray will help boost economic development, protect public health and support critical water infrastructure upgrades. I am proud to announce this federal investment and will continue to fight to make sure that rural communities have the tools they need to grow and prosper.”
“This is an important investment for the Town of Murray,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “These federal funds will help facilitate a critical project that will bring safe and reliable water to residents in the Town of Murray. I will continue to fight for funding in the Senate that protects the health and quality of life for residents and improve economic development opportunities in our state.”
John Morriss, Murray Town Supervisor, stated, “Water District #3 Ext #1 is the latest water district in the Town of Murray to be funded by USDA Rural Development. The Town currently owns and operates over 265,000 feet of water lines in 15 water districts. This water district extension will bring safe, reliable, potable water and fire protection to 21 households adding approximately 15,000 feet of water lines. We at the Town of Murray appreciate Rural Development’s continuing support of our infrastructure improvements.”
USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2017 at 11:00 am
MURRAY – The winner of the election for Murray town supervisor should be finally determined on Wednesday morning when absentee ballots are counted.
Joe Sidonio holds a 16-vote lead over Bob Miller, 558-542. So far 70 absentee ballots have come in to the Board of Elections office in Albion.
If there are 70 valid absentees on Wednesday, Miller would need 44 to win.
Sidonio had a 7-vote lead after the Republican Primary in September, but Miller got 19 absentees to Sidonio’s 5, giving Miller the Republican line in the Nov. 7 election. Sidonio had a rematch with backing from the Conservative and Independence parties.
The absentees will be opened on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Board of Elections.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 November 2017 at 1:51 pm
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – Members of the Holley community commemorated Veterans Day Saturday with ceremonies at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month at Jewell Buckman American Legion Post 529. Reverend Ohyer offers the benediction during Veterans Day ceremonies in Holley.
First Vice Commander Charles Eberhart of the American Legion said the day was a time both to thank and to celebrate veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who, “left the security of their homes … to defend our freedoms. Today a grateful nation says thank you,” Eberhardt said.
Members of Cub Scout Pack 62 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dee Thousand of the American Legion Post 529 Ladies Auxiliary thanked veterans for their sacrifices. She noted dates of the formation of all U.S. Armed Forces, which she said represent 242 years of service to our country and communities.
Mark Morreall, Second Vice Commander and Post Adjutant, read a poem he had written. He noted veterans are, “The walls of our kingdom and the fabric of our flag.”
Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty said that with the current political divisions in our country, “we too often forget how wonderful and free this country is.” He noted Americans enjoy their freedoms because, “brave young men and women voluntarily serve our country. Thank you for your bravery and your service,” he told veterans.
Koryn and Kayla Neale distributed their Care Packs to veterans. They said they collected 1,000 items and made 38 care packs this year, exceeding their goal of 35.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 10 November 2017 at 9:34 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – Students at Holley Elementary School on Thursday afternoon honored local veterans with an assembly to acknowledge “our real life heroes.”
Holley Elementary Students spell out “Veterans Day” by noting the noble characteristics of those who served the United States in the armed forces.
One hallway featured photos of relatives of students and faculty/staff who have served in the military.
Members of local Scout troops led the pledge to the flag.
Local veterans attending the ceremonies salute during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sally Martin directs the Elementary Chorus as they sing, “Everyday in America” in honor of local veterans.
Many Holley Elementary students dressed in patriotic colors for the Veterans Day observance.
Members of the Pre-K class performed a special song, recognizing veterans for their strength and bravery and thanking them for their service.
Patriotic artwork by students filled hallways at the school. These three-dimensional cards thanked veterans for protecting freedoms enjoyed by Americans. One card said: “Thank you for serving our country. Thank you for keeping us safe. Thank you for helping our country. Thank you for keeping us free.”
Holley Elementary security guard Christopher Vigliotti, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and retired member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, was guest speaker. He explained the purpose and importance of Veterans Day to the students and said he is proud to be a part of the Holley community which, “stands firmly and proudly behind service men and women.” Vigliotti reminded students that veterans should be appreciated every day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 November 2017 at 9:52 pm
MURRAY – Murray residents will have to wait a week to find out the winner of the race for town supervisor because the election is too close to call.
Joe Sidonio leads Robert Miller, 558-542, with 80 absentee ballots to be counted.
It feels like déjà vu from the Republican primary when Sidonio had a 7-vote lead when the polls closed. Miller, however, emerged the victor when the absentees were counted, getting 19 to Sidonio’s 5.
Sidonio had a rematch today under the Conservative and Independence parties. (The incumbent town supervisor, John Morriss, didn’t seek re-election.)
Some other results in Murray include Michael Mele, 801 votes, and Paul Hendel, 723, being elected as councilman. Michael Whalen received 225 under the Conservative line.
Tonia Ettinger and Sanford Church both received 509 votes in Murray for Orleans County judge, which is a county-wide race.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Koryn (front) and Kayla Neale pose at the Holley Village Hall with some of the items they have collected this year to create care packs for area Veterans. This year their goal is 35 packs, up from 25 last year.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 7 November 2017 at 7:21 pm
HOLLEY – This Veterans Day marks the fourth year Koryn and Kayla Neale have collected donations for care packs to distribute to veterans in the Holley community.
The girls are the daughters of Kerri Neale and Dr. Krista Wiley-Neale and are students at Holley Central School. Koryn is in 5th grade and Kayla is in 6th grade.
Koryn says they decided to start the care pack drive after hearing first-hand experiences of members of their extended family and the struggles and challenges they faced after returning home from service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“We talked to our mom about doing something,” Koryn says. “We felt veterans weren’t getting the appreciation they needed after risking their lives so we can be free.”
The girls collect both monetary donations and items including Kleenex packs, chap sticks, cough drops, sugar free candy, pens, small notebooks, small lotions, toothpaste, mouth wash, soap, gum, mints, combs, Q-tips, razors, Suduko books, cross word puzzle books, calendars, coupon books, gift certificates, socks and hats.
“We try to think of things that would be useful,” the girls said.
These are some of the items included in the Veterans Day Care Packs.
Boxes for collection of donations are set up around the Holley community including the Village Hall, the Holley Library, the offices of Dr. Steven Thompson, DDS and Dr. Daniel Schiavone, DDS (both dentists also donate oral care products), the VFW, American Legion, KD Flooring & Supply and Wiley’s Ark Animal Care.
Items are then sorted and placed in patriotically decorated gift bags for distribution. Last year the girls personally handed out 25 care bags filled with over 20 items including a personal note of thanks. Koryn said one year she included a poem she had written in the thank you card.
They visit the Marines birthday party event at the Holley VFW, which this year is Thursday, Nov. 9, and the Veterans Day ceremonies at the American Legion Hall to distribute the care packs.
Local veterans have been both surprised and touched by the care packages, said the girls and their mom, Dr. Krista Wiley-Neale say.
Particularly with Vietnam Era and older Vets, “this has been their first experience with children thinking of them,” Wiley-Neale says.
The collection box is shown at the Holley Village Hall.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 1 November 2017 at 8:15 am
HOLLEY – The Holley Elementary School Library held its 4th Annual “Book Character” Pumpkin Decorating Contest from Oct. 9-30. Winners were announced on Tuesday.
Aurora Arnold received 2nd Place in first and second grade entries for Fancy Nancy from the Fancy Nancy series.
Cameron Kelley received 3rd Place in the first and second grade entries with Monsters Love Underpants.
Layla Kingdollar took 1st Place in third and fourth grade entries with the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.
Teanna Church received 1st Place in fifth and sixth grade entries with a pumpkin turned strawberry from The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear.
Addison Probst made Fancy the Peacock from Just Plain Fancy. It took 2nd Place for third and fourth grade entries.
A large pumpkin was transformed into a very convincing Troll.
Students and teachers at Holley Elementary held their annual Halloween Parade on Tuesday. The annual event is popular with parents and grandparents who come to watch the parade make its way through the hallways of the elementary school, principal Karri Schiavone said.
Members of the pre-K class march together in colorful costumes.
HOLLEY – Students demonstrate how to play pickleball on a repurposed tennis court at Holley Central School.
As part of the final phase of the capital project at the school district, the existing tennis courts at the Middle School/High School were repurposed as tennis, pickleball and basketball courts.
In addition to adding outdoor physical education stations for students, these areas are available for community use when school is not in session. The remodeled courts opened earlier this month, and students and community members have been using them daily ever since.
Finishing touches are being applied to the new tennis courts installed on another part of the MS/HS campus, but they are not open for use yet.
Students enjoy playing tennis on the newly remodeled court.
Through the Capital Project, over $30 million of improvements have been made to district facilities, at zero impact to taxpayers.
“The entire project has provided the district with one of the finest facilities in Western New York,” said District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo. “I’m pleased to be able to bring these benefits to our students and community. Our long-term goal for the campus is to maintain it as a state-of-the-art school facility and learning environment. We thank the community for their patience and continued support of this project as we’ve completed each phase.”
Students play a quick game of pick-up basketball on the new court.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 17 October 2017 at 9:36 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Holley Central Pre-K teacher Amie Callen, left, received the Soaring to New Heights Award from Elementary School Principal Karri Schiavone during the Board of Education meeting Monday evening.
HOLLEY – The elementary school will soon unveil new student report cards with a 4-point scale that indicate how students are progressing towards meeting standards.
“There will be no more A’s, B’s or C’s,” Eelementary School Principal Karri Schiavone told the Board of Education on Monday.
The new report cards will, “measure students’ mastery of learning standards, we want them to master standards,” she said.
Schiavone provided board members with a draft of the new report cards elementary students will be receiving this school year.
“You are the first to see this,” Schiavone told the BOE. “It is a totally different way of reporting to parents.”
Schiavone said the school has been working for three years to develop a report card that is standards based.
Report cards will indicate when students have met district and state standards. “You can’t put a percentage on that,” Schiavone said.
Holley Central Board of Education members were honored during Monday’s regular meeting for their service to the district. School Board Recognition Week is October 23-27. Each board member received a travel mug filled with candy. The mugs have a district logo on one side and a note of thanks on the other side for the time and dedication members give to students, staff and the Holley community.
She explained report cards will also show an assessment of students’ learning behaviors such as participating in school discussions and demonstrating behaviors good students have.
Schiavone said the school will plan a parent information night for primary and intermediate grades before the First Quarter report cards are sent home.
“We want clarity for parents,” she said.
In other action at the board meeting:
• Pre-K teacher Amie Callen received the Soaring to New Heights Award. Schiavone said Callen had applied for and received a $500 scholarship to obtain books for her classroom library.
“I know the time and energy she puts into her classroom,” Schiavone said of Callen, who was nominated for the award to recognize the extra effort she makes to provide learning supplies for her students.
• Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES district superintendent Jo Anne Antonacci reported to board members regarding the services BOCES is currently providing to the district.
During her report, she commended Holley graduate Steven Klatt, whose team from Braised in the South, recently won the Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race.”
The 31-year old Klatt studied culinary arts at BOCES and was a student of chef Kevin Bedard.
“It’s a wonderful accomplishment,” Antonacci said. “Congratulations to all of you.”
Antonacci said Klatt’s success is evidence of what students can accomplish after graduation, and that students of BOCES programs find meaningful employment. “It’s a tribute to the culinary program,” Antonacci said.
HOLLEY – The Holley Rotary Club has donated $1,000 for music supplies for students at Holley Central School. Past Club President John Heise, left, presents a check for $1,000 to Zachary Busch, the High School/Middle School band teacher. A portion of the allocation was recently given to elementary and secondary bands to purchase reeds and music scores for students who could not afford them.
The Holley Rotary Club supports youth in other ways. The club sponsors families at Christmas, annually sends four students to a leadership weekend in Canada, is active in Youth Exchange, sponsored the High School Interact Club, annually provides $2,000 in scholarships, provides needed school supplies for students, sponsors students for trips, and supports Eagle Scout projects and other efforts.
MURRAY – The New York State Department of Transportation today announced that the bridge carrying Telegraph Road over the Erie Canal in the town of Murray, Orleans County, is open after being closed for repairs the last three weeks.
The bridge was closed on September 26. Steel repairs were made to restore use of the bridge for vehicles with a maximum weight of 4 tons.
The bridge is one of seven canal bridges in Orleans County scheduled to be fully rehabilitated beginning next summer.
