Kendall

Judge sets trial for Kendall man facing charges for sexual abuse against children

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 September 2016 at 5:37 pm

David Perry Sr. also faces charges for child pornography

ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge James Punch set Nov. 1 for jury selection for a trial against a Kendall man faces numerous charges for crimes against children.

Jury selection will start at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1 with the trial to continue the next day.

David P. Perry Sr.

David P. Perry, 67, of Norway Road was arrested on March 9 for multiple charges related to sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of five girls ranging in age from 13 to 15. In May, Perry was arrested and charged with 15 counts of possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16 years old.

Approximately 15,000 images of suspected child pornography were found on Perry’s devices that were submitted for analysis. Many of the images found were children between the ages of 2 and 9 years of age, Undersheriff Chris Bourke said when Perry was charged in May.

David P. Perry Sr., 67, of Norway Road allegedly forced juvenile victims to smoke marijuana and drink alcoholic wine and vodka over several months in 2015. At times, the victims would reportedly consume these substances to the point of becoming impaired and intoxicated, Bourke said.

He was charged with sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child because Perry would allegedly make five girls undress, then he would perform various criminal sexual acts and sexual abuse, according to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. It is also alleged that Perry would force the victims to pose for pictures while undressed or partially dressed.

The judge set the trial date after District Attorney Joe Cardone told Punch that a plea deal couldn’t be reached. Cardone said he wants Perry to serve a sentence for both sexual abuse crimes and the child pornogrpahy, with the sentences added together, rather than a concurrent sentence where Perry would only serve a sentence for the most severe crime.

“He wanted a better deal,” Perry’s attorney David Morabito told Judge Punch in court this afternoon.

Cardone said he isn’t offering a better deal for Perry, given his serious charges.

The Kendall resident blurted out in court that he “really hasn’t been offered one,” referring to a plea deal.

Punch chided Perry for his comment, telling him he should let Morabito, the attorney, speak on his behalf.

Morabito said he wanted a Huntley hearing to determine if some evidence could be suppressed. Punch set that hearing for 10 a.m. on Oct. 7.

The judge also moved back a civil trial set for early November so the trial could get started against Perry.

“When you have young witnesses that takes priority,” Punch said.

Perry remains in the Orleans County Jail on $500,000 bail.

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Kendall pride on display at Homecoming

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 September 2016 at 6:59 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – It’s Homecoming in Kendall and students celebrated the special week with a parade on Friday evening. This year, classes had to create floats in a biome theme. The top photo shows the junior class with their rainforest-themed float. They are headed down Route 237 near the Kendall Elementary School.

These junior high students join the parade with their float which was in a savanna theme.

Sarah Pieniaszek, a senior, is in a boat on top of the seniors’ float which is in an underwater theme.

These two seniors, Kacey Menge (left) and Lizzie Rath, carry goldfish on the parade route. Rath is dressed as a mermaid.

The senior float makes its way down Route 237 before heading to the junior-senior high school, where there were games and a carnival for the community, as well as an alumni soccer game.

Sophomores, including Anna Oakley (left), created a float with an alpine theme.

The freshmen made a Cowboys and Indians float. Kendall’s Homecoming continues today.

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Kendall, Holley look to combine wrestling program

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 22 September 2016 at 9:15 am

Kendall no longer in Urban/Suburban program with Rochester

KENDALL – Kendall and Holley school leaders are working to combine their junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams.

The Holley Board of Education gave its approval during their regular meeting Monday evening, and Kendall Central Superintendent Julie Christensen says Kendall BOE members gave tacit approval during their regular meeting Sept. 14.

Christensen said she expects the board to vote on the combined team during their October meeting. She explained that many districts are no longer offering the sport, and Holley and Kendall forming a combined team will mean that Kendall students who would like to wrestle will have the opportunity.

Combining wrestling teams is one of several ways the two districts are currently sharing services, Christensen said. Other areas include transportation runs for students with disabilities who have placements in other districts, including schools outside Orleans County.

Holley and Kendall are also exploring shared extracurricular clubs such as 4-H and robotics.

“Some could be hosted by Kendall, some by Holley,” she said.

Sharing services is a way of “sharing the wealth” of the two districts, allowing both Holley and Kendall to “expand opportunities” for their students while still maintaining their own district identities, Christensen explained.

• Community Forum planned Oct. 5

Superintendent Christensen says community members are invited to attend a community forum Oct. 5 hosted by the Board of Education at 7 p.m. in the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria.

The Board is seeking input from residents regarding strategies and methods to promote Kendall. Topics such as the importance of broadband Internet will likely be discussed, Christensen said. She explained that suggestions for enhancing the quality of life in Kendall will help both the school district and the community to encourage people to consider making Kendall their home and school.

• Urban/Suburban withdrawal

Superintendent Christensen also explained the Kendall School District was notified in late summer that the 15-mile transportation limit would be upheld and therefore not provide transportation to Kendall for students in the Urban/Suburban Inter-district transfer program.

“We looked to relay options with our neighboring districts, but the drop off and pick up times would result in students missing too much instructional time,” Superintendent Christensen said. Additionally, “A midway pick up posed some safety issues for students,” she said.

Kendall joined the Urban/Suburban program just last year and two students who live in the Rochester City School District participated.

“We really enjoyed our students and wish them well in their new school districts,” Christensen said. “We hope that the transportation issue will be resolved in the future.”

Kendall passes moratorium on industrial solar projects

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 21 September 2016 at 9:31 am

Residents urged to support petition lowering speed limit by school

KENDALL – Town Board members on Tuesday evening enacted a moratorium on industrial solar energy generation facilities by adopting Local Law 1 of 2016.

The moratorium of 180 days is meant to give the Town Board time to enact a local law regulating construction of industrial solar facilities.

It does not pertain to residential installations on or around homes, Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata noted.

Councilman Bruce Newell reported that the Kendall planning and zoning boards have begun work on a code for large-scale solar projects in the town. The Town Board adopted Local Law 1 of 2016 after adding wording that development of solar energy facility regulations be referred to the Town Planning Board. The town continues to look into the NYS Affordable Solar Program for Community Distributed Solar.

Newell said he had hoped to have some numbers to report for Tuesday’s meeting, but continues to pull information together.

In other business, Supervisor Cammarata encouraged all town residents to sign a petition calling for a reduction of the 50-mile per hour speed limit on Roosevelt Highway (Route 18) outside the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.

A group of concerned parents and community members is working to have the state lower the speed to as low as 20 miles per hour in the school zone during school hours.

“We as a community should be asking the Department of Transportation to assist us with this request,” Cammarata said.

He noted that Holley and Albion have reduced speeds outside their schools which are located on busy roads, and that the conditions outside the Jr./Sr. High School in Kendall are dangerous.

“We don’t want any more accidents,” Cammarata said. “Safety is a predominant issue. I would ask all residents to sign the petition.”

The town supervisor also reported that with Key Bank’s decision to close the First Niagara branch in the Village of Holley, the Town of Kendall will begin looking at other financial institutions to meet banking needs.

“We will have to travel farther for deposits, Brockport or Albion,” Cammarata explained. “It’s a hardship for us and an added expense … if we get a better program with a different financial institution than Key Bank, then we will make that change.”

Cammarata said the Town Board will make its decision by the time of the annual reorganizational meeting in January.

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Kendall students wear blue, say thanks to police officers

Staff Reports Posted 19 September 2016 at 9:49 pm

Provided photo, Kendall Central School

KENDALL – Kendall students and staff wore blue today to show their appreciation for local law enforcement officers. Students also signed a card for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and State Police, thanking them for their service in the Kendall community. This picture shows Deputy Jeff Cole, left, shaking a student’s hand, while State Trooper Belson is thanked by student Jeremy Browe.

Students Sienna Friedman, left, and Justin Ryan are pictured with Deputy Cole.

The school district served cake to the officers, the student body, and staff. Kendall school leaders also gave a tour of the building, which was recently renovated, to the officers. Many of the students personally said thank you to the officers and shook their hands. The two officers also ate a school lunch with the students.

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Carol D’Agostino named Kendall Lions’ Citizen of the Year

Staff Reports Posted 19 September 2016 at 8:24 am

Provided Photo, Kendall Lions Club

KENDALL – Phil D’Agostino, a member of the Kendall Lions Club, presents the Citizen of the Year award to his wife, Carol, during a Lions Club meeting on Sept. 15.

Carol D’Agostino is principal of the Kendall Junior/Senior High School. In addition to going above and beyond in her duties as principal, Mrs. D’Agostino actively represents the Kendall community on several Orleans County boards and committees, including the Orleans County United Way and the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

She is very active in the Kendall community as a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, the Lawn Chair Ladies and the Kendall Innovations Advisory Committee.

The Kendall Lions are grateful for her work and proud to recognize her as the club’s Citizen of the Year.

New Carton Road bridge opens in Kendall

Staff Reports Posted 16 September 2016 at 9:39 am

Provided photo: Orleans County has replaced a bridge from 1959 on Carton Road in Kendall.

KENDALL – After several months of work, the new Carton Road bridge is open in Kendall.

Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport replaced the bridge for $793,729. It replaces a bridge from 1959.

The project is part of an $8 million bond the county took out in 2014 for a series of infrastructure projects over three years.

The Orleans County Highway Department and the County Legislature will have an official bridge opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sept. 28.

Aerial views of new roofs on Albion, Kendall schools

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 September 2016 at 7:47 am

Photos courtesy of Bruce Landis

Contractors have been busy this summer at Albion and Kendall school districts replacing roofs at both school districts. The top photo shows work at the new front entrance to the junior-senior high school at Kendall.

Bruce Landis of Photo by Bruce in Albion took photos from up high of the new roofs.

Kendall has replaced roofs on both the elementary school and junior-senior high school buildings as part of the capital project that included many other upgrades and improvements to the school campus. Elmer W. Davis of Rochester did the roof work $5,782,177.

Albion tackled about $2.5 million of roof work over the summer. J & B Installations replaced about two-thirds of the roof on the middle school (pictured) and about half of the elementary school roof over the summer.

This photo shows nearly the entire Albion school campus, where school starts on Wednesday.

Kendall community sees transformation of school campus

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 September 2016 at 10:05 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: The new main entrance to Kendall Jr./Sr. High School. Work should be completed on the exterior and roofline areas by late September, administrators say.

The new main entry to the Jr./Sr. High School, which features floor to ceiling windows, is still being completed.

KENDALL – An open house on Thursday gave the Kendall community a chance to see a new-look school campus. The changes were greeted with enthusiasm.

“I think the students will be excited by the new spaces,” Kendall Jr./Sr. High Special Ed teacher Len Pizzi said Thursday evening as he stood in a newly renovated classroom in the science wing of the school.

The open house gave students, parents and residents an opportunity to see the nearly competed Phase II of the district’s capital improvement project.

Kendall residents approved the $25 million capitol project in May 2013.

Most rooms in the science wing now have vaulted ceilings and exposed beams which give a modern, clean, industrial feel to the space.

Pizzi noted the vaulted ceilings are similar in design to those in other parts of the building, including the Commons area and the new cafeteria, which was completed in Phase I of the project.

The science rooms are also equipped with smart boards which, Pizzi says, make it easy for him to go right from lecture/note taking to an audio visual presentation of the subject being discussed.

The newly renovated Jr./Sr. High School Main Office has a clean and modern look. “It’s very nice, staff member Rhonda Oliver said. “I love coming to work.”

In Ben Veit’s Regents Physics/7th Grade science room, incoming 7th-grader Owen Shaw and his parents, Melissa and Nate, were also impressed.

“They thought of everything,” Mr. Shaw said.

Owen noted that the renovations help make him more excited about starting school next week.

Many activities were planned during the open house, which ran from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Students were able to locate and set up their lockers, meet with teachers and administrators, and enjoy refreshments.

The Sports Boosters held their Chicken Barbecue, the PTSA offered cool refreshments with root beer floats, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Kendall Music Boosters and the Orleans County Department of Mental Health had information tables in the Commons area.

Jr./Sr. High School nurse Bethanie Mason stands in the new nurse’s office, which can now accommodate wheelchairs. This will be Mason’s first full year as school nurse. “I think the kids will like it,” she said. In addition to the main office and the nurse’s office, the Jr./Sr. High counseling office also underwent renovations.

Additionally, parents and community members working to have the speed limit reduced in front of the school had a table with information and a petition to sign in hopes of gaining support from county and state legislators.

Chorus and band students performed, and a Prevention Needs Assessment Survey Data presentation – based on students’ substance abuse at Kendall – was held at 6 p.m.

Superintendent Julie Christensen said students visiting the new science wing for the first time thought it was “so cool.”

When she told them a corridor seating area was equipped with wireless access, they responded enthusiastically, “it just got even better.”

There is still work to do to complete Phase ll, most of it on the roofline on the exterior of the building. Christensen said work will be completed for Homecoming in late September.

Classrooms in the renovated science wing are spacious with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.

The Commons area, which underwent renovations in Phase I, now has furniture including sofas, upholstered chairs and tables and chairs. Teachers and administrators say the area now has a “college” feel. It was formerly the seating area for the cafeteria. 3088 A corridor seating area in the newly renovated science wing is high tech – it has Internet access

Classrooms in the renovated science wing are spacious with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.

Kendall Jr./Sr. High vocal and instrumental music students provided entertainment during the Open House. They are seated on new furniture in the Commons area of the school.

Doorways to science rooms now feature clear-glass windows.

Gaines, Kendall seek 6-month moratorium on industrial solar energy applications

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2016 at 4:27 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board has backed a proposed six-month moratorium on applications for industrial solar energy generation facilities in two towns.

Gaines and Kendall want time to update their zoning ordinances for large-scale solar projects, those encompassing more than a half-acre of land. The moratorium does not apply to solar projects for homes.

The Planning Board also suggested the towns allow solar projects at farms because the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets considers solar that does not exceed 110 percent of a farm’s electrical needs to be on-farm equipment, which is allowable in an agricultural district.

In other action, the Planning Board last Thursday:

The Lonowood Art Company in Albion designed the sign for El Sol Nace.

• Backed a freestanding sign for a tortilla-making business on Route 31 in Albion. Gabriel Rodriguez is constructing a new building for El Sol Nace, a business on Route 31 that will sell tortilla, work boots, cowboy boots and also handle money transactions, such as wiring funds.

Planners already approved the site plan for the building, but the freestanding sign wasn’t in the original application. The sign would be nearly 4 feet by 7 feet at 439 West Ave.

Planners said the new sign should not be placed in a way that obstructs sight lines from vehicles attempting to exit the property. It also needs to be set back at least 15 feet from the front property line and 5 feet from the side property line, which is the village sign ordinance.

• Recommended the Town of Shelby issue a permit for Jonathan R. Daniels of Waterport to operate a motor vehicle repair shop at 11352 Maple Ridge Rd. Daniels will use a structure that has been home to a motor vehicle repair shop for several decades on Route 31A in the Hamlet District.