Holley/Murray

Water violation dismissed against Murray

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 9 November 2016 at 10:04 am

MURRAY – A violation against the Town of Murray for not sufficiently protecting the public water supply has been dismissed.

Town attorney Jeff Martin made the announcement during his report at the Murray Town Board meeting on Tuesday evening. Martin represented the town during an administrative hearing at the Orleans County Health Department.

The violation stemmed from an incident in August, when a farmer was utilizing a fire hydrant to irrigate fields. The town allows for bulk water usage from hydrants and the process is monitored by Murray Highway/Water Superintendent Ed Morgan.

The hearing resulted in “beneficial dialogue regarding ways to better regulate the use of hydrants,” Martin told board members. He noted that according to Morgan, there are 377 fire hydrants in the town.

Councilman Paul Hendel thanked Martin for his work representing the town.

“Thanks to your hard work, the truth comes out,” Hendel said.

Council members noted that the violation was issued based on a photograph – the county health department did not travel to Murray for a field inspection before the violation was issued.

Discussion of the bulk water/hydrant use issue continued later in the meeting when resident Kerri Neale reported his wife had recently seen a tanker truck being filled with water from a hydrant and that the cap was left off the hydrant when the tanker left.

Neale said he called Ed Morgan, who told Neale he would check into the situation and that a meter had been assigned. Neale asked that the town be vigilant in monitoring bulk water use and to make sure meters and back-flow devices are used.

Supervisor Morriss said Morgan knows the norms of water usage in the town and would be alert to any unusual incidents of high usage. Morgan was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting. (Morgan, the county’s Republican Party chairman, was at Donald Trump’s victory party in New York City.)

Hendel said if the current procedure for bulk water usage in the town leads residents to question the integrity of water, then, “We need to take a look at our procedures to see if there is something we need to tighten up on or do in a different way.”

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Scout adds fence by new Veterans’ Memorial for Eagle project

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2016 at 5:44 pm

Photos courtesy of Melissa Ierlan

CLARENDON – Volunteers and local Boy Scouts were busy on Saturday erecting a new fence at Hillside Cemetery. The effort was organized by Ben Downey for his Eagle Scout project. Ben is a member of Troop 59 in Clarendon.

The top photo shows Ben, right, with his father John Downey, left, and Ed Morgan, the Murray town highway superintendent and member of the Holley Rotary Club. Morgan volunteered to set the fence posts and install the fence on Saturday.

The Rotary Club was among the donors to the project with Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, the Clarendon Lions Club, American Legion, VFW, David and Josh Mitchell, and Ben’s family all contributing to the $3,000 project, which included a discounted price from EM Enterprise.

The fence was put up by the new Veterans’ Memorial, which was dedicated this past Memorial Day. That project was coordinated by Jacob Crandall for his Eagle rank.

That memorial includes five granite etched stones (for the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard), a pentagon-shaped concrete base and a 25-foot flagpole.

The fence will include commemorative plaques to recognize donors who contributed in memory of deceased veterans.

Matthew DeSimone also picked a Clarendon site for his Eagle Scout project this year. Matt led an effort to have new blacktop under the pavilion at the town park with picnic tables all repainted and repaired.

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New book honors 8 men from Holley who died in Vietnam War

Photo by Tom Rivers: Michael T. Keene, the author of a new book on the eight young men from Holley who died in the Vietnam War is pictured on Friday at Hillside Cemetery. Keene said he wanted to honor the sacrifice of the men, their families and the Holley community by writing Vietnam Reflections: The Untold Story of the Holley Boys.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2016 at 9:42 am

HOLLEY – Michael Keene, a Vietnam War veteran, was paying his respects at the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial about three years ago.

The memorial includes pedestals for each of the 280 soldiers who died in Vietnam from the Rochester area. Those pedestals include plaques that lists the soldiers’ names, when they were born and when they died. It also lists their high schools.

Keene kept seeing Holley. As he walked through the memorial, he saw Holley listed eight times for the soldiers’ high school. He thought that was a staggering loss for such a small town.

“I was struck by how many boys went to Holley,” Keene said. “It had to have a tremendous impact.”

Keene, an author from Pittsford, has written books about the Erie Canal, famous crimes in Western New York and insane asylums. He is retired after a career as a financial advisor.

He wanted to find out about the soldiers from Holley, and how the town persevered with such a profound loss – one of the highest per capita casualty rates in the country.

Keene has just released his seventh book, profiling the eight Holley graduates who died in Vietnam. Keene interviewed family members, best friends and war buddies.

“Vietnam Reflections: The Untold Story of the Holley Boys” is available at local book stores – The Book Shoppe in Medina, Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, and the Holley village office. Keene will have a book discussion and book signing on Jan. 14 at the American Legion in Holley at 2 p.m. The book will soon be in wider distribution.

He decided to write about the “Holley boys” while passing through Clarendon and seeing a sign pointing to Holley, 3 miles away. He remembered Holley from the Vietnam War Memorial. He wanted to see the town.

He drove towards Holley and realized just how small it was. The village has about 1,800 residents. The school graduates less than 100 students a year.

Keene wondered how a community would hold up, losing eight men in a protracted way. Keene thinks it might be easier on a community to suffer a one-time event, rather than a series of deaths over five years.

“It was traumatic for Holley,” Keene said about the Vietnam War deaths. “It wasn’t a moment in time. It was a slow, unfolding tragedy.”

The community came together in its grief over the losses of Gary E. Bullock, Howard L. Bowen, David D. Case, John P. Davis, George W. Fischer Jr., Paul S. Mandraccia, Ronald P. Sisson and Gary L. Stymus.

Keene spoke with their loved ones. About 50 years after the soldiers’ deaths, the pain endures for their families and friends.

“I hope people here enjoy the book and feel a sense of pride,” Keene said on Friday during an interview at Sam’s Diner in Holley. “I hope they feel their loss is acknowledged.”

Keene said he could relate to the Holley soldiers. Like them, he played Little League, was active in Boy Scouts, and went to sock-hops and drove cars too fast.

‘I hope people here enjoy the book and feel a sense of pride. I hope they feel their loss is acknowledged.’

Collectively, the eight soldiers were awarded 40 medals for combat and valor, including seven Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, Silver Star and the Vietnamese Cross for Gallantry.

Keene in the nearly 250-page book gives background on the Vietnam War, and life in Holley. A recurring theme in his interviews was the pride in the community for the school’s marching band that was led by Ray Shahin in the 1950s and early ’60s. The band won six state championships and some of the “Holley Boys” were proud members of the band.

“Ray Shahin was an amazing character with the sheer breadth of his career,” Keene said. “He is extremely integral to the story.”

The soldiers grew up with parents who worked on a muck farm and at the Duffy Motts plant. Keene said duty and hard work were valued.

Keene interviewed 35 people for the book. He thanked Marsha DeFilipps, the Holley and Murray historian, for helping to connect him to the soldiers’ families and friends.

Keene dedicates the book to David States, another solider from Holley who died in Vietnam. In his case, he lived in the community briefly and didn’t graduate from Holley, but his loss was another painful burden to bear.

“I feel connected to this little town,” Keene said. “This book is really a tribute to the men who died and to Holley.”

The fallen:

John P. Davis, 30, was killed in action on July 21, 1965

David Duane Case, 20, was killed in action on September 16, 1965

Ronald P. Sisson, 23, killed in action on Dec. 16, 1965

Howard L. Bowen, 20, when killed in action on Nov. 8, 1966

Gary E. Bullock, 24, when he was killed in action on Jan. 31, 1967

Gary Lee Stymus, 26, was killed in action on May 25, 1967

George Warren Fischer Jr., 23, was killed in action on August 3, 1968

Paul Scott Mandracchia, 18, was killed in action on April 16, 1970

For more on Keene and his books, click here.

Holley students offer treats, music at Dessert Concert

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 November 2016 at 9:53 am

HOLLEY – Sweet treats and good music were enjoyed by those attending the Dessert Concert on Wednesday evening at Holley Middle School/High School. This photo shows the Concert Choir singing “Take Me Home” by Pentatonix.

The evening featured an array of desserts and nearly 30 performances by students. Teacher/Concert Choir director Kelly Marzano noted here was a “nice variety” of musical selections and that many new singers were performing for the first time.

“The students get to chose what (musical piece) interests them,” Marzano said.

The concert was presented by the Holley Music Department and students and their families brought items for the dessert portion of the evening.

Glenn Thrower (left) and Nick Schutz teamed up for two duets. Here they perform “The Greasy Spoon” from Sponge Bob Square Pants. Their second selection was “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer.

Jessica Mandigo (left) and Makenzie Ferranti perform “Some Things are Meant to Be” from Little Women.

Kayla Thrower performed “Nothing” from A Chorus Line.

Matt Skehan performed classic Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight”

Alexis Penna played acoustic guitar and sang “All I Can Do Is Write About It” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

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Holley students stage presidential debates with a final showdown on Nov. 1

Provided photos: These Holley students have been doing mock presidential debates with another one scheduled for Nov. 1. The students include from left: Alex Mounts (Gary Johnson), Kayla Thrower (Hillary Clinton) and Glenn Thrower (Donald Trump).

Posted 28 October 2016 at 12:50 pm

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – The Holley Current Events class invites the public to a mock presidential debate on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School Auditorium. This debate is the final debate in a series of three that students Kayla Thrower (as Democrat Hillary Clinton), Glenn Thrower (as Republican Donald Trump) and Alex Mounts (as Libertarian Gary Johnson) competed in during October.

Alex Mounts portrays Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate.

The entire Current Events class will be available at the end of the final debate to conduct a Q&A session with the audience.

During the series of mock presidential debates, Current Events students were assigned the roles of presidential candidates, presidential advisors or moderators. The candidates worked with their advisors to prepare for each debate. MS/HS students, staff and faculty were invited to attend the debates at the end of the day on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 in the MS/HS Auditorium. The audience completed ballots to determine the winner of each debate. A panel of six teachers and three moderators also completed ballots after each debate.

Current Events Teacher Nick D’Amuro was pleased with the support from the audience.

“I am so happy to hear from teachers and students that they are excited about these debates and the election,” said D’Amuro. “I am so excited that our students are going above and beyond to discuss the current political climate.”

Glenn Thrower portrays Republican Donald Trump.

District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo agrees.

“Nick and his students did an outstanding job with each and every debate,” said D’Angelo. “I was very proud to attend them and was impressed with the number of students and staff in the audience each time. This activity was a perfect example of authentic instruction and learning. I am confident that our students’ knowledge of both the political issues surrounding this presidential election as well as our political process have been greatly enhanced by these debates.”

The students prepared for five weeks to impersonate the candidates, adopting much of their personas and mannerisms. They debated issues such as immigration, terrorism, war, gun laws, health care, free trade, jobs and taxes.

Moderators were senior McKenzie Hendrickson and juniors Jessica Sedore and Hanna Waterman. These students kept the candidates on task while D’Amuro kept track of time. Because students were instructed to vote for the candidate who had the best argument at each debate, the results varied.

Kayla Thrower makes a point as Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party candidate.

After the first debate, Alex (as Johnson) was the winner of the popular vote with 75 votes, while Kayla (Clinton) was the winner of the panel vote with seven votes. After the second debate, Glenn (Trump) was the winner of the popular vote with 61 votes and Alex (Johnson) was the winner of the panel vote with four votes.

“The students in our district tend to lean towards the ideals of Trump on several subjects,” said D’Amuro. “However, the other candidates did such an excellent job with their arguments that I think students, along with teachers, really kept an open mind. In our political system, many voters make up their minds before November rolls around, based on their own opinions, so to see teachers and students really thinking about their choices was excellent.”

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Holley elementary students turn pumpkins into children’s book characters

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 26 October 2016 at 11:10 pm

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

HOLLEY – Averie Johnson, a kindergarten at Holley Elementary School, decorated this pumpkin to look like a character from Pinkalicious.

The library at Holley Elementary School is once again filled with colorful characters from children’s books. It’s the third annual Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

Entries are being judged this week and winners will be awarded on Monday, which is Halloween. Julie Bader, Holley Elementary School Library Media Specialist, says the event is a time for students to remember favorite characters from beloved children’s books and to “introduce them to new characters they can read about.”

Here, a big orange pumpkin is transformed into “Clifford the Big Red Dog” by kindergartener Jack Breuilly.

Second-grader Aiden Kelley chose Ralph the mouse from The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Note the drawing of the motorcycle behind the pumpkin.

Second-grader Cayden Cook used felt to turn a pumpkin into a plump guinea pig.

This Fifth Grade entry is a strikingly realistic interpretation of the dog in Max…..

Second-grader Aubrey Hazard chose to make a llama from the Llama Llama Time to Share book.

A pumpkin becomes Pete the Cat with his magic sunglasses and skateboard in this kindergarten entry.

Pikachu by kindergartener Cameron Kelley.

A metallic blue Sonic the Hedgehog by a second-grader.

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New sign promotes Holley Business Park

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Holley and Orleans County officials are pictured by the new sign for the Holley Business Park on Route 31 near the east side of the village. Pictured, include, from left: Don Wharram of the Holley Municipal Electric Department; Matt Campbell, superintendent of the Holley Municipal Electric and Water Department; Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty; and Orleans County Legislators Ken DeRoller and John DeFilipps pose next to the recently installed Holley Business Park sign.

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 23 October 2016 at 9:37 am

HOLLEY – There is a new sign promoting the Holley Business Park, a site off Route 31 that has low-cost electricity for companies.

The design, funding and installment of the sign was a collaborative effort among the village and the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

The Orleans EDA owns the business park. The new sign was installed by Holley’s municipal electric and Department of Public Works. The village crew also removed the former sign.

“We spent a year and a half designing the new sign,” said Jim Whipple, executive director of the Orleans EDA. “It is the same as the one in Medina and was budgeted ($10,000) for this year.”

The sign was made by Takeform Architectural Graphics in Medina. Whipple credits Ken DeRoller and John DeFilipps, who serve on the EDA board of directors, along with County Legislature Chairman David Callard for assuring that funding for the sign was provided at the county level.

The sign, “provides a professional entrance to the park,” Whipple said. “That is how we want to portray our properties in the county.”

The sign is illuminated at night, and Campbell says landscaping will be installed in the spring.

Mayor Sorochty says he appreciates the efforts of the EDA and Orleans County in making the new sign a reality.

“It is a nice addition to the business park and shows the county’s commitment to filling the park,” he said.

Legislator DeFilipps added that the sign also demonstrates the county’s “commitment to marketing the park,” and the efforts of the county, the village and the Town of Murray to work together on the project.

Legislator DeRoller said the Business Park encompasses 45 acres and noted the sign will help to “incentivize anyone who has an interest in coming to Holley.” He said Holley has much to offer businesses including municipal power and water.

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Board of Education members thanked for service at Holley

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 October 2016 at 9:08 am

Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Members of the Holley Central School Board of Education include, seated, from left: Sal DeLuca, Jr., John Heise and Mark Porter. Standing: Melissa Ierlan, Anne Winkley, President Brenda Swanger, and Vice President Robin Silvis.

HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Central School Board of Education were recognized during their regular meeting Monday evening as part of the upcoming observance of School Board Recognition Week, which begins Oct. 24.

District Clerk Connie Nenni presented members with gift cards and thanked them for their hard work.

“They do not get the recognition they should,” Nenni explained. “They work for free, some for many years, and we really appreciate everything they do.”

During the meeting, school attorney Jeff Martin reported on a question Assistant Superintendent for Business Sharon Zacher had asked at the September meeting, regarding the PILOT agreement for the Holley Save-A-Lot grocery store, which closed recently.

Martin said a PILOT was granted to the property owner in 2013 and runs through 2023. The Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement phased in property taxes over that 10-year period and Martin explained if the PILOT continues, the property owner will be obligated to make the required payment which goes to 40 percent of assessed valuation next year. If the PILOT agreement is terminated, the property owner will have to pay property taxes in full. Martin noted the building is currently assessed at $300,000.

Superintendent Robert D’Angelo reported that he will join school principals soon to begin making classroom visitations as part of the district’s ongoing effort to improve scores on assessment tests and classroom instruction. D’Angelo said he looks forward to the visits which will start now that the first several weeks of the school year are complete.

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Holley applies for $2.2 million grant for sidewalks

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 13 October 2016 at 9:44 am

File photo by Tom Rivers: Holley’s Parade of Lights passes through the Public Square in this photo from December 2013. The village is seeking community volunteers to help bring back the event, and work on the June-Fest.

HOLLEY –Village of Holley leaders say they are making progress to improve sidewalks in the village.

The Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening approved applying for a $2.2 million TAP grant which would help to repair approximately 25,000 linear feet of sidewalks in the village.

Mayor Brian Sorochty said areas targeted for repair encompass both sides of Route 237, Geddes Street from Van Buren to the Public Square, and the northeast quadrant of the village (from Rt. 237 to the lift bridge).

In September, Holley held an informational meeting regarding the grant for residents, who were encouraged to show their support for the effort through letters.

The TAP – Transportation Alternatives Grant – is an 80/20 federal matching grant. Trustees have discussed the possibility that the village’s 20 percent ($455,000) could come from in-kind services from the Department of Public Works.

During the September informational meeting, Tom Lajewski of O’Connell Associates said that if the village is awarded the grant, it could be a couple of years before construction begins.

Meeting today to plan for upcoming community events

Additionally, Mayor Brian Sorochty told Orleans Hub, that the village is hosting a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the Village Offices, 72 Public Square, regarding the upcoming “Festival of Lights” and “June-Fest” events.

Sorochty said village leaders are looking for community participation and hope to form a committee to assist with organizing the events. June-Fest was not held this past June, giving the village time to re-organize the event.

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Murray and Holley each chip in to help local museum

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 13 October 2016 at 9:31 am

Photo by Kristina Gabalski: The Murray-Holley Historical Society operates this museum, a former train depot, on Geddes Street Extension.

HOLLEY – The Murray-Holley Historical Society has received an increase in funding from the Town of Murray under to 2017 tentative budget, which was approved Tuesday evening by the Town Board.

Town Supervisor John Morriss said the budget contains $1,000 for the historical society.

“That’s good for us to know,” said John Kenney Jr., historical society member and former Holley mayor. “It’s definitely needed. Business costs don’t go down, they continually go up.”

Kenney addressed Town Board members regarding the support the historical society receives from the town. He provided the board with financial information from the past 10 years and discussed utility costs for the society’s museum and garage which are located on Geddes Street Extension in the village.

Kenney explained that the village recently provided slightly more than $860 in support to help cover costs.

File photo by Tom Rivers: The museum includes many local artifacts including the church bell from the former United Methodist Church that was in the Public Square. The church closed when the congregation moved to Route 237 in Clarendon.

“Maintenance is a major problem for us,” he said, and explained that he joined the historical society when he was serving as mayor.

“I encourage you to join the historical society,” Kenney told members of the Town Board. “It will enable you to have a good insight about what is going on and what the needs are.”

Kenney also provided details about the historical society’s fundraising efforts. He said a pulled-pork dinner is planned this Saturday at the American Legion in Holley.

“The money raised is used to cover the cost of utilities and maintenance of the buildings,” Kenney said. “The financial burden is too much, a lot comes out of our own pockets.”

He said the Murray/Holley Historical Society participated in the Orleans County Heritage Day held in September and emphasized the historical society is a valuable part of the community.

As an example he discussed a cross-state bicycle trip that stops in Holley. The trip brings people from across the country and the world to Holley and historical society members provide a respite and refreshments for participants.

“I hope it is something we all a take pride in,” he said of the historical society and its museum.

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