By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2015 at 12:28 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – Firefighters try to put out the smoky remains from a fire at West Ridge Mobile Estates in Murray on late Friday.
The fire appears to have started in the back end of the mobile home and spread.
The home is owned by Cathy and David Scheck. Their daughter and grandson also live at 16699 Ridge Rd.
The mobile home suffered extensive damage. Mrs. Scheck said everybody got out without being injured, including the family dog. They were still looking for their cat at about 11:30 p.m.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 10:52 p.m. Firefighters form Holley, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, Kendall and Morton responded to the scene.
Firefighters pull insulation and clothes from the laundry room as they work to put out the fire on Friday night.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 30 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – This house at 10 Jackson St. in Holley is currently owned by the Environmental Protection Agency, and is expected to soon be transferred to the Village of Holley Development Corporation and then sold.
HOLLEY – The eight “Diaz homes” that have sat empty for more than a decade will soon be on the market.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Village of Holley Development Corporation on Monday evening authorized Board President Daniel Schiavone to work with the EPA to make two minor changes to an agreement with the federal agency before signing the contract.
Once the village and the EPA also sign the agreement, ownership of the homes will be transferred to the Development Corporation and the Board of Directors will decide how to move forward to sell the properties.
Under terms of the agreement, the EPA will receive 50 percent from sale of each of the properties – after closing costs and not counting legal fees.
“I think this is the best deal we are going to get,” Schiavone told board members. “I’m not sure if it’s in our best interest to keep negotiating. There is a buyer for all these homes. Anything will sell if the price is right and it’s our mission to get these homes inhabited and back on the tax rolls.”
He explained the EPA wants to show they didn’t just hand over the properties after spending millions of dollars in cleanup costs.
Schiavone will now work with the EPA to settle two items in the agreement before it is signed by the three parties involved: Clarification regarding how lead abatement is defined and making sure language is correct referring to the Village and the VHDC.
The EPA wants lead abatement done in the homes before they go back on the market, but did not make clear if such abatement could be accomplished per New York State guidelines.
The Development Corporation does not have funds to pay for abatement and Schiavone explained the EPA has suggested the cost could be built into the sale contract of the homes. Additionally, acronyms for the village and the Development Corporation were swapped in places in the agreement and need to be corrected, he said.
The homes are scattered in the area along and off South Main Street (Rt. 237) in the southwest portion of the village, in the neighborhood where the Diaz plant was located.
The properties include: 26 South Main, 27 South Main, 37 South Main, 38 Geddes, 6 Jackson, 10 Jackson, 11 Jackson and 14 Jackson.
The EPA purchased the homes following a chemical leak at the Diaz plant in January 2002.
The homes have been cleared by the EPA of contamination, with the exception of lead, which exceeds EPA levels, Schiavone explained.
“All have been appraised by the EPA,” he noted. “It’s not as disastrous as you might think.”
Schiavone said it is possible the Development Corporation could stand to gain as much as $200,000 to $250,000 from the sale of the homes. Those proceeds will “… allow this organization to move on to other projects in the community,” he said.
The Board of Directors additionally appointed Jeff Martin as group’s real estate attorney during the Monday meeting. Schiavone said Martin has agreed to no upfront costs for his services. He will be paid after the Development Corporation receives funds from the sale of the homes.
The Holley Village Board might move on signing the agreement at its next regular meeting, July 14. The Development Corporation meets again July 27 at 7 p.m.
Holley Village Trustee Skip Carpenter attended Monday’s meeting and said the EPA this summer is expected to install a new waterline on South Main Street to aid in cleanup efforts at the Diaz site. The water line project will also involve installation of new sidewalks.
Carpenter explained the EPA eventually will bring in additional power to facilitate future cleanup at the site.
“The cleanup is sizable,” he noted, but said there is no word on when that work will take place or how long it will last.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Holley graduates are excited are turning their tassels to symbolize the completion of their high school journey. Samantha Barniak, left, Cheyenne Bartlett and Faith Battaglia are pictured during commencement today at the school auditorium.
There were a lot of Smartphones out capturing scenes from graduation at Holley.
Commencement was moved inside due to the rain. Graduation is usually held outside at the soccer stadium.
The 77 graduates in Holley’s Class of 2015 are heading out to college and careers with advantages over graduates from much bigger communities, Holley commencement speaker said today.
Samantha Zelent is a social worker at the school district. She is also a graduate. And she is grateful for the chance to grow up in Holley and be part of the community today.
The Class of 2015 picked Samantha Zelent, a social worker at the junior-senior high school, to be the keynote speaker today.
“Show pride in where you come from,” Zelent told students during graduation today. “You’re not just from Holley. You are from Holley. Holley is truly an amazing place to be.”
She told the class she has been blessed with close-knit friendships and a caring community.
She recalled bringing some of her friends from Geneseo State College home when she was a student there. They went to Sam’s Diner for breakfast and Zelent, then Samantha Heise, was warmly greeted by many of the diner customers, who asked her how college was going. Her Geneseo classmates were impressed by the community.
Lucas Silvis holds his diploma with his mother Robin Silvis, who is a member of the Holley Board of Education.
More recently, this school year Zelent’s husband John was diagnosed with cancer. Zelent took a leave of absence and she felt the love of the students, who sent her frequent texts and Facebook messages.
“Because Holley is so small you have opportunities that others at bigger schools don’t have where they are just a number,” Zelent said. “Here there is an opportunity to know people on a personal level.”
Zelent urged the students to surround themesleves with peace and love.
“Go into the world and do well,” she said. “But more importantly go into the world and do good.”
Class Salutatorian Nicole Boyle urged her classmates to be conquerors and “go out there and show what Holley kids are made of.”
Emily Radford delivers her valedictory address.
Holley Central School Superintendent Robert D’Angelo and Susan Cory, the middle-high school principal, greet graduates at commencement.
Cory said the Class of 2015 has worked hard to prepare themselves for the next step in their lives. Of the 77 in the class, 53 will go to college, two in the military and 17 directly to the workforce. One foreign exhcange student will return home to Thailand, while a few students are undecided with their next step.
The Class of 2015 is collectively graduating with 450 college credits.
Joe DeFelice stands and is recognized for winning one of the scholarships announced today. Holley’s class was awarded about $16,000 in scholarships.
Taylor DeSimone is recognized as a scholarship winner and one of the Top 10 graduates in the class.
Board of Education President Brenda Swanger presents a diploma to Nicholas Pifer, who received the loudest applause during the ceremony. Nicholas was also recently crowned prom king.
Brenda Swanger also presents a diploma to Glenn Robb.
The diplomas are stacked and ready to be handed out at graduation.
Students file out of the auditorium after the commencement program.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am
An occasional series off the beaten path
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – Orleans Hub has highlighted some of the dirt roads in Orleans County and we found another one recently. A section of Hindsburg Road south of Route 104 lacks pavement.
This photo shows the spot on Hindsburg Road where the pavement ends. It’s a section of the road between East Transit Church Road and West Brockville Road. This photo was taken looking south.
There aren’t very wide shoulders on this road. Wildflowers are close by, however.
The canal bridge over Hindsburg Road was built in 1911 but has been closed in recent years. I was surprised to see how much vegetation has spread and encroached on the bridge.
New York State doesn’t want anyone exploring by the old bridge.
HOLLEY – Police Chief William Murphy is warning village residents of several vehicle break-ins and larcenies, specifically in the areas of East Avenue and North Main, Perry, Geddes, High and South Main streets.
The Holley Police Department is investigating several vehicle break-ins and vehicle larcenies that have occurred in the last two months, including 10 such cases with items stolen in the last four days. These break-ins are primarily taking place after midnight and before 6 a.m., Murphy said.
The department asks all residents to report any suspicious activity they see or hear by calling 911 so the police may investigate.
“We are also asking the residents to make sure they have their vehicles locked and their valuables taken out of their vehicles,” Murphy said.
This is an ongoing investigation, and if anyone has any information concerning the people involved, please call police by dialing 911, he said.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Stacey Kirby shows third-graders at Holley Elementary School where she incorporated their work into a mural of the biome at Holley Falls. The mural was unveiled at the school Wednesday evening and will hang in the third grade hallway at the school.
HOLLEY – The cafeteria at Holley Elementary School was the scene of the unveiling of a very special work of art Wednesday evening.
Local artist Stacey Kirby unveiled a mural of the “Biome at Holley Falls” which she painted in conjunction with students in Karen Quaranto’s third grade class.
These sketches were made by the third grade students, and Stacey Kirby incorporated the artwork into the mural.
This close-up of the mural shows the leaves at the bottom.
The mural depicts the waterfalls with the colors of changing autumn foliage in the background. In the foreground at the bottom of the painting, are leaves scattered in a grassy area. The leaves were drawn by the students during a visit to the park earlier in June and incorporated into the painting by Kirby.
Quaranto says the project was funded by a grant from GO ART! – the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
“The mural project integrated science and social studies,” she said, as well as including art.
Holley third-grader CeCe Farruggia poses with the biome of “The Arctic” which she created with a group of students in her class. The biomes were on display during the unveiling of the Biome at Holley Falls mural which the students created with local artist Stacey Kirby.
In addition to the mural, Laurence Dabney, a former Holley art teacher, helped students to create four dioramas of different biomes – the ocean, the arctic, the rainforest and the desert.
The mural helped students to learn about and experience their own local biome, Quaranto said. A biome is defined as a distinct ecological community of plants and animals living together.
“The kids loved it,” she said of the project.
The project included observational drawing by students at the falls with Kirby, an Albion native. She also visited third-graders at the school to demonstrate her painting techniques and how observation plays a key role in painting realistically.
Kirby says she enjoys working with the students and seeing how they react to the process as well as what facets interest them.
The mural will now hang in the third grade hallway for all to enjoy.
Students in Karen Quaranto’s third grade class at Holley Elementary tell the audience about their project to create a mural with Stacey Kirby of the biome at Holley Falls during an unveiling of the painting Wednesday evening.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 17 June 2015 at 12:00 am
CLARENDON – The Town Boards of Clarendon and Barre will hold a joint public hearing on Tuesday, June 23, to gather public input regarding the potential consolidation of their town justice courts.
The hearing is set for 7 p.m. at the Clarendon Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
The merger would eliminate one justice position in the Town of Clarendon. Currently, Justice Richard DeCarlo is the sole justice in the Town of Barre following the retirement of Town Justice John Henderson, Jr.
Clarendon has two judges, Tom DiFante and Richard H. Kemp. Kemp reportedly intends not to seek re-election.
Members of the Clarendon Town Board during their regular meeting Tuesday evening continued to discuss the possible consolidation – under which both towns would maintain their own facilities and the single Clarendon and Barre town justices would have jurisdiction in both courts.
“It’s very confusing to me and I’m sure to the rest of the board,” Town Supervisor Richard Moy said. “I worry about the court system going forward.”
Already, courts on the west side of the county – in the towns of Ridgeway, Shelby and Yates – are consolidated and Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, told town board members that it might make sense to consolidate courts in the eastern and central sections of the county as well.
Cardone made it clear that town justices have control over district attorney nights in their courts.
“The judges set the docket,” he said. “If the judge wants us five nights a week, we will be here.”
If consolidation occurs, Cardone said the towns will shape the way the courts function.
“There is no downside to the Town of Clarendon consolidating,” he said. “Revenues from what happens in Clarendon will stay in the Town of Clarendon.”
Cardone said the advantage of the consolidation is that the town would have one judge and get a second judge at no additional cost.
Clarendon Town Justice Tom DiFante also attended the meeting.
“As a judge, it doesn’t make much of a difference to me,” he told the board. “There is no huge benefit to consolidating or not consolidating.”
He noted that the court clerks in both towns have expressed concerns about additional work they might face if consolidation occurs, and added that consolidation would give him jurisdiction in the Town of Barre, which he does not currently have.
Both Moy and DiFante said they believe one justice is sufficient for the town and DiFante suggested that both towns could run their courts separately for one year with one justice and then re-visit the possibility of consolidation.
Supervisor Moy noted that $30,000 is available from the state for courts considering consolidation and another $50,000 is available if consolidation takes place.
Cardone said he would reach out to court officials on the west side of the county to see if some might be available to attend the public hearing on June 23.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – Village residents elected two incumbent trustees to continue on the Village Board.
Brian Sorochty, the current deputy mayor, was the top vote-getter during today’s election. He received 93 votes followed by 82 for Trustee Skip Carpenter. They were both elected to two-year terms.
Sondra Knight made her first run for public office and received 53 votes.
There were 132 voters in the election out of about 900 eligible voters.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 June 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – Mid-morning downpours Friday forced Holley Elementary students to move their annual Flag Day ceremonies inside, but the wet weather didn’t dampen their spirit.
Instead of parading from the school to the railroad depot on Geddes Street Extension in the village, students, their teachers, friends and family members paraded through school hallways to the gymnasium while patriotic songs played over the public address system.
Flag Day is officially observed June 14, but this year the holiday falls on a Sunday, so the annual event at Holley Elementary was today.
Following the “parade” the gymnasium became a sea of red, white and blue and ceremonies included the “Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,” the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” performances of patriotic music by members of the Holley Elementary Band and Chorus, the presentation of annual “Good Citizenship” Awards to students.
Holley Community Free Library Director Sandra Shaw thanks students for their donation from the “Raise the Roof Fund” during annual Flag Day ceremonies at the school Friday morning. Members of the Holley Elementary Student Council raised $1424.21 to help the library pay for a new roof. A check was presented to the library
during the ceremonies.
Student Council advisor and Holley Elementary vocal music teacher Sally Martin says funds were raised in several different ways including collection containers set up by students around the village and a literary-themed scavenger hunt around the school for words which form famous quotes from books. The money will go to help pay for a new roof for the library.
This was the 58th annual celebration of Flag Day by students at Holley Central Elementary School. According to www.usflag.org, Flag Day is believed to have originated in 1885 at a public school in Wisconsin as “Flag Birthday,” because June 14 is the anniversary of the adoption of the Flag Resolution of 1777 which designated the Stars and Stripes as the US flag.
Holley Elementary 5th grader John Patt performs with the Elementary Band during Flag Day ceremonies at the school on Friday morning.
A number of Holley Elementary students were honored Friday morning during the annual Flag Day celebration with Good Citizenship Awards, and. each received a patriotic T-shirt.
Photos by Tom Rivers – The refurbished Salisbury Fountain in downtown Holley is pictured during last Saturday’s parade in Holley.
Members of the Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps march through the Public Square in Holley during last Saturday’s parade. The Public Square area has been nominated by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation for the state and national registers of historic places.
The Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies perform on Route 31 in downtown Holley during last Saturday’s parade that passed through the historic district.
HOLLEY – Downtown Holley is among 26 sites throughout the state that have been nominated for the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The nominations reflect the breadth of New York’s history, ranging from one of the last amusement park rides left at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair in Queens, to the site of a 1943 school segregation fight in Rockland County, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today.
“New York has a rich heritage, and important events in the history of this state and this nation have occurred in virtually every corner of it,” Cuomo said. “By placing these sites on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, we can ensure that they will be preserved and enjoyed by New Yorkers and visitors for years to come.”
Holley’s downtown was backed for the State and National Register by the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. Here is what it said about the Holley district:
Holley Village Historic District – The district’s 37 properties make up the commercial and institutional core of the village as it developed from 1822 to 1931; it was built along a distinctive street plan that was oriented to the Erie Canal’s irregular alignment as it spanned Sandy Creek.
Commissioner of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Rose Harvey said, “These sites are the physical reminders of the incredible scope of architectural vision, craftsmanship, innovation and history across New York State. Listing these landmarks will give them the recognition and support they deserve.”
State and National Register listing can assist property owners in revitalizing buildings, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.
Spurred by the state and federal historic rehabilitation commercial tax credits administered by the State Historic Preservation Office, developers invested $500 million statewide in 2014 to revitalize properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Homeowners using the state historic homeowner rehabilitation tax credit invested more than $9.8 million statewide on home improvements to help revitalize historic neighborhoods.
The state and federal government have both added several sites in Holley and Clarendon to the registers in recent years, including Hillside Cemetery, the Old Stone Store, and at least two cobblestone houses in the community.
The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archeology and culture of New York State and the nation. There are more than 120,000 historic buildings, structures and sites throughout the state listed on the National Register of Historic Places, individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.
Once the recommendations are approved by the state historic preservation officer, the properties are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed and, once approved, entered on the National Register.
HOLLEY – Beginning on June 29, Holley children are eligible to receive free meals this summer. Free breakfast and lunch will be served at the Holley Middle School/High School Dining Hall.
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the school district will provide meals to children under the age of 18 living within the Holley Central School District, regardless of income level. Pre-registration is not required.
Breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. The program ends on Aug. 28. Meals will not be available on July 3 in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
Breakfast options will include fresh baked toast or bagels, English muffins, cereal, yogurt, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, fresh fruit, juice and milk. Lunch options will consist of a variety of food that may include grilled meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, salads, subs or wraps.
Adults, including Holley staff members, may also purchase breakfast and lunch from the district during this program. Breakfast is $2.25 and lunch is $4.
“We’re very pleased to provide this program to the community,” said District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo.
He encourages the community to take advantage of this program when children are attending the summer recreation program, summer school, or sports programs. The program is available to children not participating in a summer program at Holley.
Transportation will not be provided by the school district for those who wish to participate in the free meal program.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 10 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Board backs effort for county-wide study of police services
HOLLEY – Village Board members in Holley want to install video security cameras in the Canal Park to cut down on vandalism, protect improvements and repairs, and increase safety for those using the park.
Trustees voted during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening to authorize a change in scope of the canal park improvement project to include the security measures.
The cameras will cost $50,000-$60,000, Mayor John Kenney said. The village received a grant for improvements to the park and the resolution passed authorizes the mayor to request an amendment to the agreement to include security/safety measures. The mayor says the original list of items included in the grant did not include cameras.
He says the cameras will monitor what is happening in the park and help in the prosecution of violators. “Instead of the village having to cover the cost of repairs, (the cameras) will be a means to get some restitution,” Kenney said.
He noted incidents of vandalism often increase during the warm weather months when school is out.
In other action, Village Board members adopted a resolution supporting Orleans County’s efforts to apply for a Local Government Efficiency grant to study how police services can best be provided in the county.
The resolution states that law enforcement responsibilities are a significant burden assumed by villages and exploration of new and innovative ideas could bring a significant benefit to village and county residents.
The resolution authorizes and directs the police chief and other necessary personnel to cooperate with the information gathering process of the grant application and the study.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The big parade in Holley on Saturday gave elected officials and those seeking public office a chance to promote their candidacies and connect with the public.
In the top photo, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and his community liaison Barry Flansburg pause for a moment on the parade route along Route 31 in downtown Holley.
Randy Bower, left, had a large contingent of supporters wearing red during the parade, helping him in his campaign for Orleans County sheriff. Holley is Bower’s hometown.
Village trustees Skip Carpenter, left, and Brian Sorochty ride together in a golf cart in Holley’s pararde. They are both up for election on June 16 with Sondra Knight also on the ballot. Holley will elect two of the three candidates to two-year terms.
Sondra Knight, right, walks the parade route, trying to build support for her campaign for the Village Board.
Holley Mayor John Kenney, left, and Village Trustee Kevin Lynch ride together in the parade. They were both elected to two-year terms last June and won’t be on the ballot for the June 16 village election.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A costumed dalmatian dog waves to the crowd as part of a float for Wiley’s Ark Animal Care in Holley during this morning’s parade in Holley.
The annual Murray Holley June Fest is today in Holley and included the hour-long parade in the village, with a route from the VFW through the Public Square and to the Holley Canal Park.
Holley Scouts make their way through Public Square.
Members of the Holley youth baseball team smile for the crowd and toss some candy.
Members of Primetime Brass in Rochester, one of six marching bands in the parade, give an energetic performance in the parade.
Primetime Brass and the Public Square are reflected in this instrument.
Bill Billotti, owner of Holley Collectibles, watches the parade from his storefront.
The Ghost Riders fill downtown Holley with music.
The Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies proved popular with the crowd.
The clock tower of the former United Methodist Church in the Public Square offered a nice viewing station for the parade.
Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drums and Bugle Corps brings a powerful presence to the parade.
The Hamburg Kingsmen Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps march down Route 31 in the Public Square.
Clarendon Fire Company and other local fire departments join the parade processional.
There will be a free 7 p.m. drum corps concert today at the Holley Woodlands Soccer Field, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A pack of runners, including Tristan Bridges in blue, takes off at the beginning of the 5-kilometer race in Holley this morning.
Bridges of Brockport was first in the 30-39 age group with a time of 18:52.
The 19th annual Jim Ferris Memorial Race drew about 100 runners to Holley this morning for the race in honor of a Holley native who was a top runner in the Rochester region. Mr. Ferris died in 1994.
Jane Ferris, Ferris’s daughter, handed out medals during an awards program. She thanked the Holley community for continuing the race.
“Running was my father’s passion,” she said. “It’s an honor to keep his memory alive after 21 years.”
Kenny Goodfellow, 25, of Rochester was the top overall winner with a time of 16:25. He is pictured on the Erie Canal near the 2-mile mark.
Kristina Martin of Holley was the second fastest woman with a time of 18:57.
Tom Dutton, 69, of Livonia finished the course in 23:17, the fastest time for men 40 and older.
A group of runners travel down the towath by the Erie Canal as part of the race this morning.
Chris Wilber of Brockport and Albion native Trisha Byler of Rochester race near the end of the course. Wilber, 24, was fourth fastest man in 18:27 and Byler was the fastest woman with a time of 18:31.
Timothy Skrypnik of Holley prepares to cross the finish line. He completed the course in 25:23.
Samuel Glushefski, 8, and his brother Jesse Glushefski, 19, finish the race together in a time of 24:57. The brothers are from Clarence and attend the Old Paths Bible Baptist Church in Clarendon, where several members ran the race today and volunteered at a water stop.
