MEDINA – Starting July 1st, the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will go completely fine-free. We eliminated late fines on children’s items two years ago. Now we are eliminating late fines on all our materials. Additionally, we will be eliminating all previously existing fines. Lost and damaged fees will still be charged.
Borrowers are still responsible for returning items in a timely manner. Reminder emails, calls, or postcards will still be used to ensure items are returned. After 28 days, any unreturned materials will be marked lost and the borrower charged the full replacement cost. If materials are marked lost and then returned, the replacement charge will be removed.
“Several libraries in Niagara and Genesee counties have already eliminated late fines and we are excited to do the same,” said Lee-Whedon Director Kristine Mostyn. “Studies have shown the exclusionary impacts of late fines and that they have no impact on the rate of unreturned materials. Eliminating late fines will provide equitable access to our services and aligns with our mission.”
Anyone with questions can contact the library at 585-798-3430.
MEDINA – Inquiring minds want to know: will Blue Thursdays go on as scheduled tonight?
“Yes, we will be performing as scheduled,” said Ken Daluisio of The Print Shop in Medina, underwriters the music series. “Air quality has improved dramatically since yesterday, and all indications are from local weather meteorologists that it will continue to improve as the day goes on.”
Yesterday, Canadian wildfires caused visibly poor air quality across WNY that actually smelled of wood burning and produced a heavy haze. People were advised to limit outdoor activities.
“Wednesday was discernably bad,” said Chris Busch of medinaalive.com and co-producer of Blue Thursdays. “There’s a little haze today but nothing like what we experienced yesterday. No wood burning smell. Rochester weather predicts it clearing as the day progresses. That said, if you feel uncomfortable coming, you should do what’s best for you.”
The show with Bill Schmitt & the Bluesmasters begins at 6 p.m. at State Street Park in Medina. Numerous food and beverage vendors will be on hand. The event is free and open to the public.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2023 at 11:01 am
Provided photo
MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club honored outgoing president Ben McPherson, right, and welcomed the club’s new leader, Peter Bartula, during the club’s meeting on Wednesday evening at the Shelridge Country Club.
McPherson led the club for three years, during a time when membership grew from eight to 23 and the club added fundraisers and community service projects.
The club also is marking its 100th anniversary. It officially formed on June 4, 1923.
McPherson, a financial advisor, said he enjoyed his tenure as president. He joins Gary Lawton as the only presidents to serve three straight years. (Lawton was president from 2006 to 2009.) The club typically rotates its leadership after a year.
“I have truly had a great time leading a club that has done so much for the community over the past 100 years,” McPherson said today. “Being born and raised in Medina it was important for me to find a group that worked towards a better tomorrow and Rotary was that group for me. I feel like the success we had in both growth and new events all stemmed from a great environment and energy that has been in the club even before my time.”
McPherson said the club’s members work towards common goals and have a great spirit of camaraderie.
“We are always open to new ideas and try to foster a group that is inviting to everyone,” McPherson said. “Most people don’t realize how much is poured into these smaller organizations like Rotary, Lions, etc. They are foundational to our communities and anyone interested should find out which club suits them best. I am excited to be a part of the future of the club and know it is going to be in great hands with Peter as President!”
Bartula is retired from a computer sales business. He also runs a travel website, SeeNewYorkWithUs.com.
Medina Rotary meets at noon the second and fourth Wednesdays each month at Shelridge.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina ladder truck from 1996 is shown in March when the fire department had an open house showing the tight quarters at the fire hall, especially for the ladder truck which only has 2 inches of clearance in pulling in and out of the fire hall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2023 at 9:28 am
MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department will be getting a new ladder fire truck, but it might be another 2 ½ years before the truck is in service.
The Village Board voted on Monday evening to accept the bid for $1,698,995 from Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisc. to build the new fire truck with a 100-foot-long ladder.
The truck will replace a 27-year-old ladder truck with a 75-foot ladder. The new truck will have a 300-gallon tank, which is less than the 400 gallons on the current truck. That will make more space on the truck for cabinets and also for the longer ladder.
The current truck from 1996 has “continuous mechanical problems” and is sometimes out of service or unreliable, said Fire Chief Matt Jackson.
He said the lead time for receiving the new truck is about 27 to 30 months. The new truck could be ready around Christmas 2025, he told the Village Board.
The bid is about $100,000 less than the $1.8 million estimate. The board in April authorized a bond resolution for up to $1,990,000 towards the cost of a new ladder truck.
Medina officials will be pursuing grants and low-interest financing that should result in a smaller bond.
The new ladder truck is too big to fit in the current fire hall. The Village Board is planning for an addition on the fire hall to accommodate the larger truck.
The Barton & Loguidice firm has proposed an addition to the fire hall that would be approximately 62 feet, 8 inches by 88 feet, 8 inches. That expansion, plus repairs to the existing fire hall, would be about $4.5 million, according to a report from the Barton & Loguidice.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2023 at 10:16 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Police Chief Todd Draper, left, administers the oath of office to four new members of the Medina Police Department. The officers taking the oath, include from left: Miles Erickson, Brandon Clouser, Felicia Holtz and Kyle Daly.
The four officers are currently in the police academy. Erickson, Clouser and Holtz are in the academy in Niagara County and will graduate in August while Daly is in Monroe County’s academy and is scheduled to graduate in October.
The officers also have to do three to four months of field training with a Medina police officer.
As part of the oath, the officers promised to support and uphold the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of New York.
“I pledge to promote and protect the mission, goals and policies of the Medina Police Department, through integrity, loyalty and respect,” the officers said in the oath. “I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and trust. I will at all times, through my words and actions, work to build and maintain that trust.”
Chief Todd Draper congratulates Kyle Daly and gives him a pin for the Medina Police Department.
Draper said it’s unusual to have four new officers in the academy and joining the department at about the same time.
“We look forward to getting the new hires on the road,” Draper said.
MEDINA – The Village of Medina will host two public meetings on Tuesday for the $4.5 million NY Forward grant.
Medina is a recipient of a statewide initiative that provides funding for high-priority projects designed to boost local economies and transform village centers where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family. The village has formed a Local Planning Committee to identify projects for the $4.5 million.
At 5 p.m., the second committee meeting will be held in the board room at the Medina Central School at 1 Mustang Drive. This meeting will provide an overview of the public engagement conducted thus far and present key findings from the downtown profile. This meeting is open to all members of the public, with time reserved at the end of the meeting for public comment.
Beginning at 7 p.m., a public workshop will be held in the board room at the district office. This meeting will include a general overview of the NY Forward process, a review of the overall schedule, information about project identification and will include an interactive visioning exercise so community members can share their ideas and perspectives about which types of projects will help transform Medina’s downtown.
The Village of Medina is committed to hosting open, inclusive and accessible meetings. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Jeanette Petti at jpetti@bergmannpc.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2023 at 2:11 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman
MEDINA – The Class of 2023 celebrated their commencement on Friday evening at Vets Park. The ceremony was held outside with a sprinkle of rain.
There are 98 members of the Class of 2023. They are shown on the field at the start of the ceremony.
A large American flag in held high by the ladder trucks from the Medina and Shelby Fire Departments. It was at the entrance of Vets Park and provided a striking backdrop for the ceremony.
Senior Class President Tatyana Baity and Gabriel Mark receive their diplomas from Principal Michael Cavanagh, School Board President LuAnn Tierney and school board member Jennifer Buondonno.
Valedictorian Dana Faith De Vera (left) and Salutatorian Lillian Wilson (right) gave speeches to their classmates.
De Vera’s entitled her message, “All of Our Yesterdays.” She thanked the family, teachers and friends for all of their help to the students during their educational journeys.
De Vera said her family moved across the world in 2008, leaving the Philippines. She acknowledged the sacrifice of her parents in seeking a better life for her and her brother, Owen. She is grateful the family moved to Medina.
She said the Covid pandemic posed challenges to students and the school district.
“We never really got to experience high school to the fullest,” De Vera told her classmates. Their ninth grade year was abruptly halted in mid-March and they didn’t return to school in-person until the following September.
In 10th grade, the students were on a hybrid schedule, with some days in school and some out of school with students doing schoolwork remotely on “off” days.
“Then there was eleventh grade, everyone was back in school, but there was still social distancing and masks until the middle of the year,” she said. “After masks were no longer enforced, just imagine the shock of seeing your hallway crush without a mask for the first time. Lastly, senior year, our first and last ‘normal’ year. Can you believe that? Some of our firsts in high school were also going to be our lasts.”
De Vera offered this advice to her classmates: “Don’t spend your life waiting. Be present in every moment of your life, and may you stay forever young.”
Salutatorian Lillian Wilson entitled her message, “Life Is Like A Movie.” She praised her classmates for completing high school.
“I’ve always been a big movie watcher, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that life is like one long movie,” Wilson said. “You’re the protagonist of your own story, but there will always be antagonists, and struggles you will have to overcome. We’ve all had so many different high school experiences, and along the way, we’ve all had our own successes and failures, with some regrets sprinkled in there, too.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2023 at 2:18 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – Pauline Martin Firestone, age 103, was a member of the Daisy Chain about 85 years ago in Medina. Today she stopped by the high school to check today’s Daisy Chain that will be part of the graduation ceremony this evening.
The top 16 girls ranked academically and the top two boys create the 56-foot-long Daisy Chain ina tradition going back more than a century in Medina.
Pictured, from left, in front row include: Madelynn Rutledge, Kelsey Lemoi, Isabella Gray, Camryn Eick, Adeline Castricone, Iyla Lilleby, Taylor Frentz and Addison Taylor.
Second row: Madisynn Stanton, Caiden Class, Lexoni Russo, Baileigh McAdoo, Pauline Martin Firestone, Miriam Fike, Lorelei Sanders, Savannah Watts, Emma Jacobs, Brookelyn Nawotka, Angel Mulcahy and Alexander Balaban.
Pauline Martin Firestone is shown with family members with the Daisy Chain. From left include Alissa Dunham, Pauline Martin Firestone, Paula Firestone and Margaret Martin.
Margaret Martin and Alisa (Martin) Dunham are both teachers at Medina Jr/Sr High School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2023 at 10:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Dave Viterna Group performed this evening at State Street Park in front of 1,000 people to kick off the second annual Blue Thursdays concert series.
The band includes Dave Viterna, “Scooter” Scott Felice on drums and Marty Hobbs.
Dave Viterna played to a big crowd in his hometown this evening at State Street Park.
The concert series has expanded from six to eight events this year. The Orleans Renaissance Group has partnered with The Print Shop in organizing the concerts. Modern Mercantile and Main Liquor in Medina are sponsors for the different musical performers.
The 1,000 people passed last year’s crowd size, which were typically about 800. There is no admission charge.
People come to the concerts from Orleans County, and the surrounding counties of Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie, said Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group.
“It’s good music in an idyllic setting with great food,” Busch said. “People love this kind of opportunity to enjoy good music and food with the company of their friends.”
David Brown, front, and Otoniel Garcia of Middleport run Empanada, which serves Mexican pastries and other handheld pies in a buttery crusts with fillings. Brown and Garcia are among several food vendors for the concert series. They started their food business last year and are a new vendor for Blue Thursdays.
People of all ages enjoyed the concert, including this girl while she was on the teeter-totter.
These kids head down the slide at the park. Other kids and adults played corn hole, but most people were happy to enjoy the music while sitting in lawn chairs.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Representatives of the Village of Medina and Medina Sports Boosters met Wednesday with Tom Biamonte to discuss Shelby Stone’s donation toward new basketball courts at Butts Park in Medina. Seated at left are Biamonte, an owner of Shelby Stone, and Medina Mayor Mike Sidari. Standing are Diana Baker, village trustee; Lisa Christiaansen, treasurer of the Sports Boosters; Melissa Valley, president of the Sports Boosters; and Jess Marciano, village trustee.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 June 2023 at 6:15 pm
MEDINA – Plans to build two new basketball courts in Butts Park got a big boost with the recent announcement that Shelby Stone would donate 518 tons of crusher-run stone toward the project.
Medina has long been overdue for basketball courts, said Medina Sports Boosters’ president Melissa Valley. After a couple of years of working on it, the basketball courts are now a “go.”
“Every town should have them,” Valley said. “Although basketball wasn’t something the village committee had put much thought into, they agreed having courts would be a positive addition to Medina. With the recent help of Shelby Stone’s great donation, we have been able to move forward with the project. Tom Biamonte and Paul Pass, owners of Shelby Stone, are making this wonderful contribution, which has been a major part in finalizing this project.”
Valley initially contacted Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, who was receptive to the idea.
“They will be well used by kids,” Sidari said. “Now they are out in the streets and playing all over the place.”
Shelby Stone’s donation equates to a savings of $9,000, Sidari said.
“We are happy to support our community,” Biamonte said. “Our quarry has been a part of the Western Orleans County area since 1980.”
“We strive to do our best for the community and make Medina a great place to live,” Valley said. “We are never disappointed, as time and time again we see businesses and the community members step up and show they also want the community to thrive. The donation from Shelby Stone is tremendous. Tom has been great to work with. His generosity and eagerness to make this huge contribution was overwhelming and we are incredibly grateful.”
Total cost of the project will be $133,000, of which the village will use $110,000 out of the American Rescue Plan Fund. The town of Shelby recently committed to $10,000 to covering the cost of the basketball hoops and Medina Sports Boosters will also make a financial contribution.
“We are also appreciative of the relentless support the village is providing in seeing this project will come to fruition,” Valley said. “Their dedication to improving Medina is evident, and with these contributions, it shows when we all work together, good things happen.”
Construction is scheduled to get underway in July. American Paving of Clarence will do the site work, with final work completed by Super Seal of Rochester.
“The kids in the community are excited for the courts to come to the village,” Valley said. “I’m so glad we can give them something to look forward to and a place where they are eager to go outside and play. So many life lessons are learned on an athletic field or court, so the community getting behind this is really a great thing.”
