By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 14 September 2016 at 7:35 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Joe Sidonio poses with his family Tuesday evening at the Holley Middle School/High School where voting in the Murray District 4 Republican Committee Primary took place. His daughter, Amelia, is on the left and wife, Amy Machamer, is on the right.
MURRAY – Joe Sidonio was the top vote-getter in Tuesday’s town Republican Committee primary in District 4.
Sidonio received 87 votes. Incumbents Kimberly DeFrank and Edwin Bower received 71 and 57 votes respectively.
The results mean that Sidonio now becomes a member of the committee and Bower loses his seat. DeFrank also was elected.
Sidonio said he is ready to work to move the Murray Town Committee forward in a positive way. “It’s a privilege and an honor to be elected,” Sidonio said.
Murray is a community with wonderful people, he noted. “I want to hear what they have to say.”
He said he worked to stick to the issues during his campaign and was encouraged Monday evening when he returned home after a Planning Board meeting and saw balloons tied to one of his political signs.
“It meant a lot,” Sidonio said. “Politics can be negative.” The fact a resident had decorated his sign, “comforted me,” he said.
Turn-out for the primary was very high with 215 people voting. Officials at the polls remarked that 52 people from outside Murray District 4 came to vote, but had to be turned away as party members had to reside within the District 4 boundaries to be eligible to vote.
Sidonio said he had been concerned that turnout might be low, but the high numbers, “send a message to the Republican Party – that this little district wants freshness and fresh ideas.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2016 at 1:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Sheena Hamiter, a high school social studies teacher at Holley, portrayed her great-grandmother Jessie Moore during Saturday’s Ghost Walk at Hillside Cemetery. Jessie had 13 kids, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren total about 250. She lived to be 100.
Hillside Cemetery highlighted prominent people in this historic cemetery with the Ghost Walk, an event that was part of the Orleans County Heritage Festival. About 50 people attended the Ghost Walk before it was called off due to a lightning storm.
Allen Smeltzer, a Genesee Community College student, portrayed Jewell Buckman, the first soldier from Orleans County to be killed in World War I about a century ago. The American Legion Post in Holley is named in Buckman’s honor. Several GCC students volunteered to serve as ghosts and guides during the Ghost Walk.
Cindy Davis, Clarendon’s town assessor, portrayed Irene Gibson, a lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. Gibson was also a teacher. “She was a rather remarkable woman,” Davis said.
This is the backside of a monument dedicated on May 19 to Carl Akeley, the famed taxidermist who grew up in Clarendon. Akeley was portrayed at the Ghost Walk by Tom Rivers, the Orleans Hub editor. Akeley is buried in the Congo. He died there in 1926 after getting the fever. The memorial stone is carved from black African granite and bears the shape of the continent that Akeley worked tirelessly to preserve and protect.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2016 at 8:17 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The American flag by the Holley Jewell Buckman Post (American Legion) is pictured during a lightning storm last night. The storm barreled through the area with high winds and took down several trees and wires.
Here is how the scene looked without lightning in the background.
It started to downpour at about 8:15 p.m. in Holley. This shows the Public Square in the storm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2016 at 7:38 am
Pawlak family opened store in former Jubilee in February 2012
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Save-A-Lot store in Holley will close on Sept. 17 after 4 ½ years. The Pawlak family will continue to operate the Save-A-Lot in Albion and some of the Holley employees have been offered jobs in Albion.
HOLLEY – The Save-A-Lot store on Geddes Street will close on Sept. 17. The Pawlak family opened the store on Feb. 15, 2012 to great fanfare. A crowd of 300 people turned out for a grand-opening celebration. Holley had been without a grocery store since Jubilee closed in September 2006.
Unlike the former Jubilee store, Save-A-Lot had to contend with Dollar General in Holley, which appears to do a brisk business.
Village officials have been worried about the Save-A-Lot because it didn’t seem busy, and the shelves haven’t been fully stocked in recent months.
“We recognize that retail business is changing,” Jerome Pawlak and the Pawlak family said in a news release. “Competitive realities, a slow economy, and cost deflation the past two years in the food industry have forced us to make the decision to close the Holley Save-A-Lot Food Store. Unable to compete with these trends, we recognize the closing of our Holley location is the necessary course of action for us to take.”
The Pawlak family has been operating the Save-A-Lot in Albion for more than a decade. Pawlak said some of the employees at the Holley store have been offered jobs in Albion.
“My employees gave it their best and I’m thankful to them,” Pawlak said.
The Holley store will close at 5 p.m. on Sept. 17. The store received more than $1 million in renovations to become a Save-A-Lot.
The closing of the grocery store follows the announcement from First Niagara that the bank in Holley will also be closing next month. First Niagara has been acquired by KeyBank.
“We would like to thank the Holley community and especially our associates for your support, friendship, and the memories you have given us,” Pawlak said.
HOLLEY – There will be a free electronic waste recycling event on Saturday at the Holley Junior-Senior High School at 16848 Lynch Rd. Residents are encouraged to bring their old e-waste and properly recycle it.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) is hosting the event.
“Our first electronic recycling event in April was a massive success and I look forward to the same result in Holley,” Hawley said. “The ‘going green’ movement is crucial to ensuring a safe and clean environment for future generations, and this is a free event where residents can do their part and have some fun at the same time. I am encouraging all my residents to participate and bring their old printers, computer monitors, cell phones and other old or unusable electronic devices they wish to recycle.”
The event goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can dispose of cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, audio-visual equipment, small devices, and undamaged old-style TVs.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 7 September 2016 at 11:14 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Village Board members have been discussing their concerns over the condition of sidewalks in Holley for some time. This photo shows sidewalks on Geddes Street.
HOLLEY – Village Board members have been concerned about deteriorating sidewalks in the community for years.
A federal grant could bring sought-after dollars to replace walkways in disrepair. Village Trustee Connie Nenni said the village is applying for a federally funded Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant which seeks to offer transportation choices for non-motorized users which are safe, reliable and convenient.
“The grant uses sidewalks as a form of transportation,” Trustee Nenni said.
The village needs personal letters of support from the community and is planning an informational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Office, 72 Public Square, just prior to the next regular Village Board meeting.
The village is light on downtown parking availability, Nenni explained.
“Some people may prefer to walk to dance class, the library, restaurants, canal concerts, church, or athletic events at the school or soccer fields – if the village had decent sidewalks,” she said. “Right now, when people walk in the village, they are usually seen in the road.”
With the focus of the grant to use sidewalks as a form of transportation, Nenni emphasized letters of support should focus on how sidewalks facilitate getting people from one place to another.
Sidewalks are also used recreationally and for exercise, she noted, but that use is not the focus of the TAP grant. Time is also of the essence. The village has only a few weeks to prepare and apply for the grant, making it important for residents to attend the Sept. 13 meeting, Nenni added.
SYRACUSE – Several dancers from Lisa’s Dance Boutique competed at the talent showcase at the State Fair, with some of the dancers making it to the finals, which featured the top 25 acts from qualifying rounds.
The top photo shows a group that made it to the top 10, finishing seventh. They performed a dance called “Me Too.” The dancers were led by instructor Heather Kelley.
The group includes, from left: Leah Weinbeck, Madison Isenberg, Tori Allen, Savanna Isenberg, Olivia Amoroso, Julia Frederick, Kylie Towne and Allison Amoroso.
The dancers are shown in action performing “Me Too.”
This group made it to the finals, performing “Footloose.” They include, from left: Savanna Isenberg, Julia Frederick, Allison Amoroso, Leah Kania, Charlie London, Deanna Schubmehl, Leah Weinbeck, Cora Bennage, Madigan Neumann, Kylie Towne, Hannah Coolbaugh, Olivia Amoroso and Leah Pritchard.
Madison Isenberg, a soloist, made it to the semifinals with her lyrical dance to “Human.”
These contestants – Hailey Bader, Emilie Weinbeck and Carly Fox – performed at the maxi level. Hailey and Carly performed a tap duet to “Feedback” and advanced to the semifinal round as did Emilie with her lyrical solo to “Piece by Piece.”
This mini group – Olivia Amoroso, Allison Amoroso, Kylie Towne and Julia Frederick – advanced to the semifinal round with their lyrical number to “Not About Angels.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2016 at 4:37 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HULBERTON – The hamlet of Hulberton on the Erie Canal welcomed a big crowd of people today for the 40th annual St. Rocco’s Italian Festival. People flock to the community for Italian food, the Western New York Bocce Tournament and the chance to see old friends.
The top photo shows Jon Bower, 19, of Holley concentrating on his next shot in Bocce. He competed on the Erie Canalway Tree Farm team. There are 24 teams in today’s tournament.
The festival is the fund-raiser for the Catholic parish in Holley and Kendall, which includes St. Mary’s Church in Holley and St. Mark’s in Kendall.
A building that used to be used by a quarry company is now a dining hall and kitchen for the annual spaghetti dinner. Volunteers had enough dinners for 200 people. This picture was taken at about 2:30 p.m., when there was a lull in the dinner crowd.
Lena Pellegrino, a former Holley resident who now lives in Brockport, tends to the fried dough at the food pavilion.
Dan Mawn is in the back while a stack of sugar waffles wait to be consumed. The festival draws people from throughout the region for the food and fellowship.
The Brick Band from Holley had the festival grounds rocking.
Ed Morgan keeps watch on a pot of spaghetti. Volunteers started working on the dinners on Wednesday, first preparing meatballs for today’s crowd.
Jean Valente of Kendall serves one of the spaghetti dinners.
Charlene Poprawski, left, and Olivia Welch add sugar, and cinnamon and sugar to friend dough, which was popular with the crowd. Long-time volunteers said they were encouraged to see many younger people helping to put on the annual event, which is always the Sunday before Labor Day.
Bocce players measure to see who is closest to the small ball.
Festival-goers watch the bocce and enjoy a moment to catch up with their friends.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 September 2016 at 7:36 am
‘Best food in the league’ is also great bonding, chance to welcome students for new school year
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The concessions stand at Holley’s Woodlands Field was busy on Thursday evening while Holley hosted three games in a soccer tournament. Two principals and the office staff at the junior-senior high school volunteered to make burgers, French fries, chicken fingers, soft pretzels and nachos. They also fetched drinks from the busy spot.
The top photo shows Principal Susan Cory, left, and High School Secretary Roxanne Wagner. The high school office staff and principals volunteer in the concessions stand two or three times a year. That takes some pressure off the Sports Boosters and allows parents to watch their kids play in the games, Cory said.
She said the group had fun working together last night, and serving the food to the public, including many students.
“It’s a great way to start the year and see the kids and tell them we’re excited to see them,” Cory said.
She said other teachers and staff in the school district also volunteer for stints in the concessions stand during the soccer season.
Penny Cole, secretary for the guidance department, gave many people enthusiastic greetings.
Paula Barrus, the attendance clerk at Holley, collected money from people going to the Holley-Albion girls soccer game last night. It cost $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids to go to the game.
Roxanne Wagner is at the front window getting an order. It was fast-paced for the volunteers in the concessions last night.
Sal DeLuca, a Board of Education member and volunteer coach, cuts some of the home-made French fries. Holley has a reputation for an expansive menu with good food at its concessions stand, Cory said. “We have the best food in the league,” she said.
Dan Courtney, the assistant principal and athletic director at Holley, serves up an order of chicken fingers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2016 at 7:37 pm
This photo which was widely shared on Facebook shows a hose for irrigation connected to a fire hydrant without a backflow prevention device by the hydrant. It shows a hydrant on Fancher Road in Murray.
(Editor’s note: This article was updated from the original to state the towns could face a $100 fine, although that likely would be waived once the towns assure the Health Department they are in compliance.)
ALBION – Two towns in Orleans County were sent violation notices last week for not having backflow prevention devices by a fire hydrant when farmers were using water for irrigation.
Carlton and Murray both allow farmers to use water from hydrants, just like most towns in an agricultural community. However, the Orleans County Health Department saw instances in the two towns where backflow devices were not by the hydrants.
It is the towns’ responsibility to ensure backflow devices are by the first point of connection, in these cases the fire hydrants, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans County.
“It’s not the farmer or any other end user that are in violation,” Pettit said today. “It’s the towns that are responsible for the water districts.”
The towns could face a $100 fine by the Health Department. That fine likely would be dropped if the towns respond by next week and ensure the Health Department they are in compliance by not allowing hook-ups to the system without backflow devices by the hydrant, Pettit said.
Water with bacteria or contaminants from a hose could get in the main water system without a back flow device, he said. In the case of a fire where there could be a big draw or change in pressure in the water system, water from a hose could be pulled into the main waterlines if there isn’t a backflow device, possibly contaminating the public water supply, Pettit said.
The Health Department sent letters to all 10 towns, reminding them to use backflow devices by hydrants for outside users.
“We have a great working relationship with all of the towns,” Pettit said. “But we wanted to make sure they all are doing their due diligence to protect our water supply.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 30 August 2016 at 2:00 pm
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: One of the homes affected by a leak from Diaz Chemical sits on the northwest corner of the South Main Street/Jackson Street intersection. During Monday’s meeting of the Village of Holley Development Corporation, President Dan Schiavone said the home is appraised at $62,500 with lead clean-up is expected to cost $3,400.
HOLLEY – Members of the Village of Holley Development Corporation have given approval for VHDC President Dan Schiavone to sign an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency which would transfer ownership of the eight “Diaz homes” in the village from the EPA to the VHDC.
VHDC members met Monday evening at the Village Hall to discuss two significant changes in the agreement. The two parties have been at an impasse for nearly a year over terms regarding lead abatement.
“After months and months of not hearing (from the EPA),” Schiavone said the EPA now has told him they have been looking into situation and the latest agreement offered includes a 90 percent/10 percent split on the sale of the homes. That means 90 percent of the sale price goes to the EPA and only 10 percent goes to the VHDC.
Initially, the VHDC had hoped to receive much more on the home sales. A previous agreement had included a 50/50 split with the EPA.
“The 90/10 percent split is awful,” Schiavone said. “The LDC isn’t going to make any money for future projects.” He noted that fees and closing costs are not subject to the split.
“We thought we would have a nice chunk of change,” he said. “We will be lucky to get ($5,000-$7,000). That will not take us very far.”
He said the EPA explained that the 90/10 split is how the agency handles agreements between the federal and state governments. In the case of the Diaz homes, the VHDC is “acting on behalf of the state,” Schiavone said.
“The best we can get on the sales is 10 percent.”
The federal agency has been caretaker of the former Diaz site since the company declared bankruptcy in June 2003, following a chemical leak in the community on January 2002.
“We will grumble, but we will sign the MOA,” Schiavone said about the agreement. He recounted efforts the committee has made to come to a more favorable agreement including contacting Sen. Charles Schumer who assisted in their efforts.
Schiavone said the EPA is “anxious to get out of paying for the properties. They have been pinned down for code violations and have had about enough.”
But he said he feels the VHDC will not be able to make further progress with negotiations. The local LDC was formed to get the properties sold and back on the tax rolls.
“We need to get the project moving forward again,” Schiavone said.
On the lead abatement issue, the agreement requires lead clean-up completed by a certified contractor. Those who purchase the homes would be responsible for having the clean-up work completed. Documentation of certified clean-up must then be provided to the village code enforcement officer before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Schiavone said the EPA will disclose its reports on contamination levels in the homes as well as the estimated cost of lead clean-up to prospective buyers. Schiavone said the EPA told him that once the agreement is signed, ownership of the properties would be ready for transfer in six weeks.
“In federal government talk that means three months,” Schiavone mused. The VHDC will also assume responsibility for maintenance of the properties as soon as the agreement is signed by all three parties involved – the VHDC, the Village of Holley and the EPA.
Those in attendance at Monday’s meeting, including Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty, discussed the possibility that the village could provide mowing for the properties. The agreement further stipulates that the EPA must approve of the final sale price of the homes.
VHDC member Krista Wiley expressed concern over the stipulation and requested Schiavone inquire if a time deadline could be placed on the EPA to respond to a written notice of a final sale price. She said she also worries that the VHDC might get stuck with the properties if the EPA “doesn’t agree with the price.”
“I think there is potential in all the properties,” Schiavone said. He agreed to discuss the possibility of setting a time limit for the EPA to respond the the sale price. Schiavone said the committee would meet again once the quit claim deeds are on the way.
“Then we will have to decide how to sell the homes,” he said. The committee has a real estate attorney to provide guidance and has discussed auction, RFPs, listing with a real estate agent, or a mix of methods as possibilities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2016 at 6:23 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Last month’s golf tournament to benefit wounded veterans and their families raised $23,000, the most in the five years since Hickory Ridge Country Club started the event.
The proceeds go to the NY Warrior Alliance, an all-volunteer organization that provides financial support and basic essentials for wounded warriors and their caregivers.
Amy Tausch (left), president of the NY Warrior Alliance, accepts the check for $23,000 from Mac McNeil and Cindy Diehl of Hickory Ridge this morning.
McNeil served in the Army from 1956 to 1959. He works in the golf course’s pro shop and has been a dedicated tournament volunteer, securing numerous donations from businesses in Orleans and Monroe counties. He and other volunteers also set up outside Wal-Mart stores in Albion, Brockport and Greece, and collect donations from the public that go to the golf tournament total.
“I absolutely believe we should help vets who are wounded,” said McNeil of Hamlin.
Hickory Ridge has now hosted five golf tournaments for wounded warriors, and they have collectively raised $80,000. Diehl, co-owner of the golf course, said her staff willingly volunteer that day and even turn in tips for the cause.
The NY Warrior Alliance started as a ministry at Northfield Church in Pittsford. Tausch said the group supports veterans and their family members. She urged veterans and their family to reach out to the organization.
“Our goal is to continue to serve in New York,” she said.
For more information on the NY Warrior Alliance, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2016 at 4:40 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers A Holley fire truck and firefighter are near the scene of a gas leak on Thursday morning in the Village of Holley. Residents who signed up for the “Orleans Aware” notification system were told to shelter in place with their windows closed.
HOLLEY – On Thursday morning more than 500 people were sent notifications through their phones about a big gas leak in the Village of Holley.
The village residents were told to shelter in place, close their windows and not turn their electricity on or off. This was the first time Orleans County emergency management officials deployed the system while in the field.
Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management director, was in Holley, and called a colleague to post information on street closings and safety instructions for village residents. That was sent through the “Orleans Aware” app.
The county introduced that app on May 25. It includes information about hazardous weather, detours, evacuation routes, emergency shelters and the option for families to create their own disaster ready plan for their home.
Some Holley residents complained on the Orleans Hub Facebook page that there should be a robo-call emergency notification system because many didn’t know about the shelter in place message. Banker said Orleans Aware functions as a real-time notification system.
It just needs more people to sign up. Orleans and Genesee were the first two counties to introduce the mobile app on May 25. The county has used the app to send out notices about the Route 98 construction in Albion and Gaines, railroad crossing improvements, and other road projects.
For more information on Orleans Aware, click here and here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2016 at 3:33 pm
HOLLEY –NYSEG employees work to repair a gas leak on a main at the corner of Van Buren and Jackson streets this morning.
Village residents have been given the all-clear to open windows after the gas leak. A 2-inch main was hit at the corner of Van Buren and Jackson streets after 7 this morning. Keeler Construction has been working to install a water main on Jackson Street near the former Diaz Chemical plant.
Crews from NYSEG arrived about 8:30 and had the gas line shut off around 9:30.
The company dug three holes – on Van Buren, Geddes and Jackson streets – to turn off the gas leading to the leak. This photo shows a closed off gas line on Van Buren Street.
Van Buren Street is closed to traffic while the gas line is repaired.
Firefighters from Holley, Kendall, Clarendon, Hamlin and Brockport took readings around the village. Although there was the smell of gas in the air, gas was only detected on Van Buren Street, said Harris Reed, Holley’s deputy fire chief.
Residents from two homes were evacuated due to high levels of gas detected on Van Buren, Reed said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2016 at 12:26 pm
HOLLEY – Village residents are urged to stay indoors and close their windows due to a big gas leak this morning on Van Buren Street.
NYSEG is on scene trying to make a repair to a 2-inch line after it was hit by a contractor this morning.
Numerous firefighters are also at Holley taking gas readings.
Residents are urged to shelter in place, and to not turn phones or appliances on or off until the leak is repaired and the gas dissipates. Turning the devices on or off can trigger static in the lines, a dispatcher said this morning.
