Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Carol D’Agostino, Kendall’s Jr./Sr. High School principal, presents a diploma to Alanna Gordon on Friday during commencement at the school auditorium. Gordon was one of 54 graduates. She has passed the NYS Boards as a CNA and hopes to work in a nursing home.

District Superintendent Julie Christensen addressed the crowd. She 77 percent of the Class of 2017 graduated with at least Regents diploma and 72 percent are entering college. Five percent of the class are entering the Armed Forces.

Christensen told graduates that graduation is a process that continues every day of their lives.  “Your fireworks begin today,” she said, “reach for the stars … work hard, exhibit a passion for your chosen path … be bold, be courageous, be your best.”

Members of the Color Guard, Matthew Murray and Allen Tonas, present the flags. Miguel Aguirre and Lyndsay Wright served as Marshals.

Members of the Band Ensemble, directed by Ashlea Strouse, perform “America the Beautiful.”

Graduate Alexis Payton gives the invocation. District Superintendent Julie Christensen is at left.

Salutatorian Chelsea Wright told graduates as they complete this chapter of their lives, there is no way to escape change.

“When faced with challenges we do not crumble, we must learn to adjust as we go,” she said.  “You will be the ones who change the world.”

Wright will attend St. Bonaventure University in the fall and major in accounting.

The 2017 Commencement Address was given by Kendall Class of 2000 graduate Michael Turbeville.  Turbeville returned to Kendall as a high school teacher in 2006, but decided to change careers and graduated from the Police Academy in 2015.  He now works for the Rochester Police Department in the Lake Section.

Turbeville advised graduates on “How to Succeed According to Turbs.”

He challenged them to take a step back and slow down. “You don’t have to have life figured out,” he said.

Turbeville also told graduates to be kind.  “No one has ever said, ‘this has been a great day,’ from the back seat of a police car,” he said, and noted he deals with the challenges of police work through kindness.

“I think of how I want to be treated,” Turbeville said.  “You can respond with anger and fear or love and kindness. Different and bad are not synonyms. We can disagree and still be kind.”

Lastly, he advised students to be humble as they make their way into the next phase of their lives.

Cooper James Rowley receives his diploma. He will attend Monroe Community College in the fall, majoring in agriculture and food studies.

Elizabeth Rath gives the valedictory address. She challenged her fellow graduates to, “jump out of your comfort zone … take this passion, this excitement and drive it into the world.”

Rath said the compassion and support graduates have received all their lives from family and friends in the Kendall community have given them a strong base as they move forward. She will study biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester this fall.

James Longrod gives the benediction.

With class officers facing fellow graduates, tassels are moved from right to left, to signify commencement is completed and they have graduated high school.

The Kendall Class of 2017 acknowledges the crowd before leaving the stage.

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KENDALL – The Kendall Town Board has adopted a standardized residential/home business/non-commercial solar permit process which also moves the town closer to Clean Energy Community designation.

The New York State Energy Research and Development  Authority (NYSERDA) is offering a $2,500 grant to municipalities which adopt a uniform NYS solar permit process. Town of Kendall Code Enforcement Officer Paul Hennekey has advised the Town Board that the state process is consistent and compatible with the Town’s zoning code and permitting process.

Under the NYS Unified Solar Permit process, a permit fee of $20 for each application is established. Town leaders said that cost is consistent with current town fees.

Councilperson Bruce Newell said the adoption of the state solar permit process moves the town forward on one of four high impact actions necessary for Clean Energy Community certification and additional grant funds.

“We are making good progress,” Newell said during Tuesday’s meeting.

The New York State Unified Solar Permit process streamlines the approval process for local solar projects. Additionally, Kendall is moving forward on other high impact actions including energy reviews and energy tracking – a benchmarking policy which tracks and reports energy use in municipal buildings.

Newell said Kendall is also working to convert lighting in municipal buildings to LED as well as street lighting to LED.

As part of the LED street light conversion effort, Town Board members passed a resolution authorizing the supervisor to sign a non-disclosure agreement with National Grid- subject to review by the town attorney.

“This moves us towards overall certification,” Newell said.

He added that the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council has informed him that small communities like Kendall can aggregate LED lighting together with other small communities in order to obtain additional support from National Grid in the process.

Governor Cuomo announced the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative last August.  The initiative supports local government leaders across NY State to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable development projects in their communities.

It also advances the Governor’s Reforming the Energy strategy by demonstrating the importance of communities in helping New York reach its goal of 50 percent of the state’s electricity coming from renewable energy resources by 2030.

United Shoreline praised for advocacy for shoreline property owners

Councilperson Newell and Supervisor Tony Cammarata discussed the United Shore effort by residents along the Lake Ontario shoreline to band together as a group to advocate at the local, state and national levels for residents and businesses adversely affected by the high water levels of Lake Ontario this spring and resultant flooding and property damage and loss.

The group met for the first time Friday, June 16, and plans a second meeting this Friday at the Hamlin Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Newell and Cammarata said United Shore is trying to be a voice for south shore property owners along Lake Ontario.

“It’s a small group of people we hope will grow much larger,” Cammarata said. “The group wants to contact representatives on a repeated bases…. you don’t have to be a lakeshore resident to join, you can join to help your fellow neighbor.”

Earlier in the meeting, Supervisor Cammarata commended Kendall Highway Superintendent Warren Kruger for his continuing work to help residents along the shoreline and assist the state and Army Corps of Engineers in its work.

Cammarata said officials from Homeland Security have walked the shoreline from the Town of Yates east to talk to homeowners and businesses and assess damage in Orleans County.  If the agency finds there is at least $27 million in damage along the entire south shore, the governor can petition President Trump to declare the flooding and damage a major disaster, opening up FEMA monies and more assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers beyond technical support, Cammarata said.

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Provided photos: Bill and Dorrie Hardenbrook were honored as Citizens of the Year by the Kendall Lions Club on Thursday. They are pictured with John Becker, right, a member of the Lions Club.

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club held its annual Officer Installation and Awards dinner on Thursday at the Kendall Fire Hall.

The Lions Club honored Bill and Dorrie Hardenbrook as as Citizens of the Year. The Hardenbrooks were honored for their extensive service to the community especially through their many years of work with the Kendall Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary.

The following were also recognized:

The Lions honored Kendall Highway Superintendent Warren Kruger (left) with a special Appreciation Award for his outstanding service to our community with special thanks for his leadership in the recent windstorm and lakeshore emergencies. He is pictured with Tony Cammarata, the Town Supervisor and Lions Club member.

Lion Candy Minigiello was honored as Lion of the Year for her service to the club and community. She is pictured with Lions Club President Tom Minigiello.

The highest award available for the Lions Club in New York State, the Robert J Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Lions Don and June Knapp and outgoing president Lion Tom Minigiello. These honorees poses the highest examples of Lionistic character, ideals, purpose and service.

Lion Don Knapp, a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and his wife June, a member of the Kendall Club are Lion’s Lions. In addition to exemplary service to their own clubs and several other local clubs they are active at both the district and state levels. During the winter months while living in Florida the volunteer their service to the Bradenton Lions Club.

Tom Minigiello, the club’s outgoing president, quickly assumed a leadership role after joining the Kendall Lions Club. He served two terms as president as well as being an active participant in club service.

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Provided photos

KENDALL – A newly formed group, United Shoreline, met on Lomond Shores West in Kendall on Friday evening, discussing the erosion and flooding damages from the high Lake Ontario. There were about 120 people who attended, including Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata.

“Anytime you have a group with a vision that is positive – they’re not looking to be negative or riotous – they’re all concerned citizens and taxpayers,” Cammarata said today. “They’re looking to get some assistance from our governor and president. They’ve taking some major losses and are looking for some assistance.”

Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata and Highway Superintendent Warren Kruger spoke to the United Shoreline group on Friday evening.

United Shoreline wants the International Joint Commission to look an alternative plan to for regulating lake levels. The new Plan 2014 took effect for the first time this year. There was record rainfall in April and May, pushing the lake level to about 2 1/2 feet above normal.

United Shoreline wants to help document the damages to properties, and let government officials know the damage has hurt many property owners in small towns, including Kendall, Carlton and Yates in Orleans County.

Dawn Herbeck, one of United Shoreline’s organizers, said much of the media attention on the erosion damage has focused on the Town of Greece.

“This isn’t just Greece’s problem,” Herbeck said. “This is the Somerset’s problem, this is Carlton’s problem – it’s all of our problem.”

Residents put pin tacks at spots on the map that have seen significant land losses from the high lake levels.

Cammarata said the state has offered programs to help homeowners and municipalities with some of the losses from the erosion. The town and residents are looking for more information on the programs from the state, including $7 million to assist homeowners with interior and exterior damages.

PathStone is helping property owners pursue funding in that program.

“The state is trying to do the right thing,” Cammarata said today. “I think it’s a work in progress.”

Officials from Homeland Security were out inspecting damage in Yates, Carlton and Kendall in the past 10 days. Cammarata said the damage may exceed the federal disaster level, which could bring additional funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

He also shared a request from the Coast Guard that any barrels used to mark docks or help weigh down property be marked with a red X to identify the barrels as nonhazardous containers.

United Shoreline is happy with the turnout – 120 at the first meeting. The group had to shuttle people to the meeting using golf carts because Lomond Shores is a one-lane beach road.

“We were very pleased considering we’ve only been in existence for about a week,” Herbeck said.

United Shoreline will have additional meetings in other lakeshore towns, trying to build numbers to give the group more clout in advocating for the riparians – the shoreline property owners.

The next meeting will be Friday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamlin Town Hall Gymnasium, 1658 Lake Rd, Hamlin.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: These backyards in Kendall were flooded from the high Lake Ontario in early May. Many residents have lost chunks of their backyards due to erosion, with the lake getting closer to their houses.

KENDALL – A new group – United Shoreline – has formed to send a strong message on behalf of the thousands of residents and property owners along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.

United Shoreline will have its first public event on Friday at 7 p.m. at 16031 Lomond Shore West in Kendall.

“We need to unite and get a louder voice,” said Dawn Herbeck, one of the organizers of the group. “This is effecting all of us. It’s encroaching our homes right now.”

United Shoreline is reaching out to Orleans County residents, property owners, government officials and other stakeholders who want to find solutions for the high lake levels that have been eroding land, threatening homes and businesses.

Herbeck would like to see the organization spread to include Niagara, Monroe and other communities along the lake.

She sees strength in numbers with the organization pressing for answers and solutions to high waters.

There is a sense of urgency because many residents, including Herbeck, have lost big chunks of land due to the erosion.

Herbeck is a resident of Kendall along the lake since 2014. Many of her neighbors have homes along the lake that have been in their families for generations.

They have lost docks, stairs and lots of land to the lake in the past two months. It’s not uncommon to see trees floating by, Herbeck said.

The group wants to form committees to be tasked with working on issues for the lakeshore property owners.

Friday’s meeting on the street at Lomond Shore West will help the group measure the interest in United Shoreline.

“It’s not a complaint session,” Herbeck said. “We need to move forward.”

For more information, contact the group by email at unitedshore2017@gmail.com.

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Provided photos

KENDALL – The Kendall school district celebrated the 80th birthday of the elementary school on Friday. Roger Herman, who is 90, happened to be in the school on the first day it opened after Christmas break, back when it was a K-12 school. Herman is joined by his wife, JoAnn, and their great-grandson, Louie Conte.

He addressed students during the celebration at the school. He is the father of Carol D’Agostino, the high school principal.

Sharon Smith, the elementary principal, also addressed students during a slide-show of historical images. Roger and JoAnn Herman are joined by their great-grandchildren.

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ROCHESTER – A Kendall team ran a 5-kilometer race Saturday evening, the culmination of a 10-week training program.

There were about a dozen girls in grades 6-8 from Kendall in the Girls on the Run program, with running buddies in the high school. Lindsay Hammer, Tracie Heise, Amy Leone and Leanne Zito all served as the advisors.

The 5K on Saturday was the Monroe Community College’s Brighton campus.

“They had hundreds of girls running from all over the county,” said Julie Christensen, Kendall Central School superintendent. “It was fun to watch all these girls push themselves to achieve.”

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KENDALL – The Town of Kendall Republican Committee has announced its slate of candidates for town offices for this November’s election.

The committee backed all of the incumbents up for election except Town Clerk Amy Richardson. She has the Conservative Party endorsement. Richardson didn’t pursue the Republican endorsement and the committee decided to endorse Janet Bolton, committee member John Becker said.

The other endorsements include:

• Tony Cammarata for Town Supervisor

• Warren Kruger for Town Highway Superintendent

• Bruce Newell and Wayne Martin Jr. for Town Council

• Debra Drennan for Town Justice

Bolton is a first-time candidate. She is retired after more than 20 years at BOCES (WEMOCO).

“Janet will bring a high level of professionalism, efficiency and customer service to the Town Clerk’s Office, as well as being a Notary Public,” the Republican Committee said in an announcement. “The focus of the Kendall Republican Committee is as always to support candidates who provide a high level of value and service for the taxpayer’s dollars.”

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Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Boy Scouts and local veterans prepare to fold a large United States flag during a Memorial Day observance today at Beechwood Cemetery.

The flag is folded 13 times during the process. Marietta Schuth read the meaning of each fold as it was accomplished.

A parade makes its way north on West Kendall Road on its way to Beechwood Cemetery on Tuesday evening. The Town of Kendall observes the Memorial Day holiday on May 30 – the traditional Decoration Day.

The parade reaches the Beechwood Cemetery.

Kendall Supervisor Tony Cammarata thanked members of the Town Board and the the Kendall Town Clerk for their efforts to organize this year’s ceremonies.  He said Memorial Day offers an opportunity to show, “respect for the men and women who offer themselves up in defense of this nation…. and put service before self.  We also honor those who paid the ultimate price. Never forget, never forget, never forget,” Cammarata emphasized, how fortunate we are in this country to have a volunteer force of men and women willing to defend Americans.

Members of the Kendall High School chorus sing The Star-Spangled Banner.

State Senator Robert Ortt said he particularly enjoys participating in ceremonies in Kendall each year.  Ortt is a veteran from the war in Afghanistan. He said he remembers everyday four soldiers with whom he served, who did not come home.  “I came home because somebody else did not,” he said.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said that among American holidays, “perhaps there is none more sacred than Memorial Day. It is our sacred duty to honor those who defend our United States and our fallen heroes.”

Those in attendance listen as Kendall High School students read the Role of the Honor Dead.

Kendall Town Council members Bruce Newell and Barb Flow place a wreath at the grave of a veteran.

The playing of Taps by a member of the Kendall Community Band concluded the ceremonies. After the first trumpet player completed his playing, another trumpet player at the back of the cemetery echoed by playing Taps a second time.

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Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Damp weather forced the National Honor Society 27th Annual Spring Walk in Memory of Grace Lang, Amber Liese and Libby Jurs inside Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Thursday afternoon.

Students, teachers, administrators, family and friends of Lang, Liese and Jurs walked the halls inside instead of walking laps outside on the track.  Organizers said participants made 20 “laps” around the school between 3 and 4:30 pm.

Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Principal Carol D’Agostino (in blue Team Libby T-shirt) walks with her “team” including members of Libby Jurs’ family. D’Agostino said the annual Walk is one of the many ways the Kendall community comes together to help others.

“It’s an opportunity to celebrate their lives,” D’Agostino said of Lang, Liese and Jurs.

Grace Lang was a Kendall school nurse who died of cancer in 1990.  Amber Liese was a Kendall student who died of cancer shortly after graduating in 2010, and Libby Jurs, also a Kendall school nurse, died of cancer in 2015.  D’Agostino noted money raised helps to fund cancer research.

A photograph of Libby Jurs welcomed participants to the fundraising event.

Participants in the Grace Lang, Amber Liese and Libby Jurs Walk make their way through the halls of Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.  Organizers said they hope the event will raise more than $1,000.

The hallways became congested at times as participants made their “rounds.”  Organizers said more than 40 people took part in the 2017 Walk which benefits the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society, Teens Living with Cancer, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, Kendall Volunteer Ambulance and the Kendall Senior National Honor Society.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: Members of the National Guard place sandbags along a residential property in Kendall on May 7.

65,000 sandbags and counting

KENDALL –  Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata is sending out, “One big thank you to the Kendall community for your help in trying to resolve this crisis with mother nature.”

Residents and organizations have worked hard to help homeowners and property owners along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Cammarata made his comments during the regular meeting of the Kendall Town Board Tuesday evening.

“I would like to extend a personal ‘thank you’ to Warren Kruger and the Highway Department for all their work, time and effort to help the residents of this town,” Cammarata said.

He noted the innovative process Kruger, the highway superintendent, designed to fill sand bags utilizing the town’s salt spreaders. The National Guard, inmates, Kendall residents and residents from neighboring communities have been working the past two weeks to fill sandbags and distribute them to residents along the lakeshore.

“We had filled 65,000 sandbags as of yesterday, it’s probably above that by now,” Cammarata said.

He also thanked Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Senator Robert Ortt, Governor Cuomo’s Office, the National Guard, the Kendall Fire Department and Ladies’ Auxiliary for their assistance.

The Ladies’ Auxiliary, the Masonic Temple, the Kendall Lions and community members have worked to keep the National Guard and sandbag volunteers fed each day with breakfast and lunch. Cammarata said donations of food have also come from Tops, Wegmans, Pizza Shack and many others.

He thanked the Fire Department, local churches and the Kendall Central School District for their efforts to mobilize volunteers for the sandbagging efforts, and Town Clerk Amy Richardson for her efforts in obtaining necessary permits for residents trying to save their property.

“Kendall is a special community,” Cammarata said.  “People in Kendall always come together when there is a crisis. From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone in Kendall. We are people helping people and will continue as we try to curtail mother nature in this dilemma we are facing.”

“I can’t say enough praise,” Council member Barb Flow said during her report, regarding the volunteer efforts of those in the community to help residents along the lakeshore.

Cammarata read two letters from lakeshore residents thanking the town, the highway department and volunteers for their assistance.

Jim Locicero of Bald Eagle Drive called the sandbags and assistance in placing them, “a gift from heaven.”

Barry Scorse of Lomond Shore praised the highway department’s quick response. “They’ve done a tremendous job,” Scorse wrote.

In other business, Flow gave a brief update on the Dollar General project from Planning Board Chair Andrew Kludt, who has been communicating with the engineering firm. The new site plans are being drawn to reflect conditions required by the town in approving the project. Construction will likely begin in September, Kludt indicated.

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Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Jeremy Browe, an 11th-grader, calls out to passers-by outside the Kendall Elementary School to bring in customers for the Class of 2018 Hot Dog Cookout during school budget voting Tuesday evening.

KENDALL – The proposed school budget for $17,415,783 passed, 183-50, during today’s vote.

The budget increases taxes by 1 percent, from $4,669,245 to $4,715,842.

• Voters also approved a proposition to spend up to $250,000 from the School Bus Reserve Fund to buy motor vehicles for the district, including passenger buses. That passed, 184-48.

• Residents also elected two members to the Board of Education. Lisa Levett, 182 votes, was elected to a five-year term and Jason ReQua, 176 votes, was elected to a term for just over a year, running from May 17, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

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