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Medina’s Aedan Bunch receives state-wide citizenship award through Masons

Provided photos: Aedan Bunch is honored as DeMolay of the Year during a recent ceremony.

Staff Reports Posted 8 November 2020 at 9:01 am

First from WNY to receive DeMolay of the Year since 2006

MEDINA – Medina High School senior Aedan C. Bunch recently received an award from NYS Masons for his achievements in DeMolay. The DeMolay is a nationwide  program sponsored by Masons to guide young men of all backgrounds toward good citizenship, community service, and personal responsibility.

The last time a young man from Western New York received this honor was in 2006. The award, known as the Order of the Tribune, was conferred in a ceremony by leaders from each York Rite Masonic Body and the Grand Master of Masons in New York, William M. Sardone. The award includes an emblematic medal and a knightly sword of honor.

Aedan Bunch is pictured in his DeMolay regalia. This award also includes a knightly sword and medal.

Aedan also received other DeMolay awards, including the ”Representative DeMolay Award” for leadership, and a “Distinguished Service Award” for his efforts in helping his peers during the pandemic.

Each DeMolay Chapter nominates a young man by submitting a recommendation to The New York Grand Chapter of the State of New York, Royal Arch Masons through the offices of the Grand Chapter Masonic Youth Committee who coordinates and presents the award each year under the control of the New York DeMolay Executive Officer.

To be considered for this award the candidate can not be a current or past State Master Councilor or Deputy State Master Councilor and he must clearly demonstrate that he lives by the virtues taught in DeMolay through demonstrated outstanding service to his Chapter, to DeMolay, to his community, his faith community, and to his school. Above all these virtues a candidate for this award should be an example and mentor to his peers, in his DeMolay Chapter and the community.

Aedan, a son of Steven and Ann Webster Bunch of Medina, represents the virtues and tenants of Order of York Rite Tribune through his unyielding kindness and unyielding quiet strength of character. Aedan set an example through his extreme ownership to challenges he faced. It is through this discipline, commitment, and hard work he shows his peers and community what commitment looks like.

Currently Aedan competes for Medina on the varsity cross country team. He attends The Norman Howard School in Rochester, New York through a placement from the Medina Central School District.

He has been recognized by his school as an example by scoring a school all time high score for the Pacer Test. In addition to his school, Aedan was selected by the leadership of Camp Talisman, North Carolina, to attend a session as mentor and planner tasked with helping those campers leaving home for the first time as well as planning and leading activities for an entire day.

He has been selected to return to Camp Talisman this coming summer as a member of Crew where he will be part of team assigned to lead and mentor a group of youth in the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This year’s Order of York Tribune was preceded by an awards ceremony for awards for merit and achievement. Aedan received numerous awards for merit so much that he was awards a “three-bar” hanger for his achievement pennants. He was also awarded with the Representative DeMolay Award which is a merit award earned through a reflective process where a young man provides examples of how he is improving his character, challenging himself, achieving his goals, and leading by example.

Aedan also receive a Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in helping his peers during the pandemic whereby he organized “Operation Cookie Drop” sending a few homemade cookies through the mail during the shutdown.

Aedan also was installed as the Lakes Region Master Councilor for New York DeMolay by the Grand Master of DeMolay International and the New DeMolay Executive Officer, Peter Brusoe.

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Volunteers, donations welcome for wreaths on veterans’ graves in Medina

File photo by Tom Rivers: Wreaths are shown on veterans’ graves at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina in January 2017.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 November 2020 at 8:07 am

MEDINA – Boxwood Cemetery will again be the site of the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony, a program started at the cemetery in 2015 by Kathy Blackburn.

The first year, there were 15 wreaths placed at Boxwood on graves in the veterans’ section at the front of Boxwood Cemetery. Last year, Blackburn and other volunteers placed more than 100.

They have had support from the American Legion, VFW, Junior Wilson Club and Sacred Heart Society, and are looking for a corporate sponsor this year. Ideally, Blackburn would like to see a local company step up to sponsor the program and have its employees volunteer to help. Last year local Girl Scouts volunteered and this year both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from Troop 28 will volunteer.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, greets Dave Barhite of Lyndonville prior to last year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina. Kathy Blackburn, right, started the program and is looking for donations for wreaths this year.

“We appreciate the Scouts volunteering, and are excited to have them helping again this year,” Blackburn said.

The deadline for donations is Nov. 30, and anyone may send a check for $15 to Village of Medina, marked for “Wreaths Across America,” 119 Park Ave., Medina NY 14103. Donors may specify if they want their wreath placed on a certain grave.

Volunteers are also needed to place the wreaths during the ceremony Dec. 19. They may contact Blackburn at kblackbu@rochester.rr.com, and should arrive at Boxwood Cemetery at 11:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin at noon.

“This is a great program,” Blackburn said. “I am happy to be involved, because my father and uncles all served in World War II.”

Wreaths Across America was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, who found his company with an abundance of wreaths near the end of the holiday season. Worcester had visited Washington, D.C. as a 12-year-old and seeing Arlington National Cemetery made a lifelong impression on him.

The experience followed him throughout his life, reminding him his good fortune was due in part to the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

So Worcester contacted his local senator and arrangements were made for wreaths to be placed on graves at an older section of Arlington, which had been receiving fewer visitors each year.

As Worcester made plans to donate wreaths for those graves, other individuals and organizations stepped up to help. A local trucking company offered to provide the transportation to Virginia. Volunteers from the local American Legion and VFW posts, along with members of Worcester’s community, gathered to decorate each wreath with red bows. Members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. helped organize the wreath-laying, which included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The annual tribute went on quietly until 2005, when a photo of stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet. Suddenly, the project received national attention. Thousands of requests poured in from all over the country from people wanting to help with Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project at their national and state cemeteries or to simply share their stories and thank Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes.

Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Worcester began sending seven wreaths to every state, one for each branch of the military and for POW/MIAs. In 2006, with help from the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at more than 150 locations around the country. The Patriot Guard Riders volunteered as escort for the wreaths going to Arlington, which began the annual “Veterans Honor Parade” that travels the east coast early each December.

Groups of volunteers eager to participate in the wreath-laying event grew each year, and according to Worcester’s website, it became clear the desire to remember and honor the country’s fallen heroes was bigger than Arlington, and bigger than this one company.

In 2007, the Worcester family, with help from veterans and other groups and individuals, formed Wreaths Across America. The next year more than 300 locations had wreath-laying ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries. And that year, the U.S. Congress unanimously voted Dec. 13 as “Wreaths Across America Day.”

From more than 100,000 wreaths in 2008, volunteers laid more than 700,000 memorial wreaths in 2014 at 1,000 locations, including Pearl Harbor, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge and the site of the World Trade Center tragedy of Sept. 11. The goal of covering Arlington National Cemetery was met in 2014 with the placement of 226,525 wreaths.

Blackburn first heard about Wreaths Across American when Medina resident Shirley Whittleton suggested it at a meeting of the Boxwood Cemetery Association, of which Blackburn is president.

“I looked into it and decided it wouldn’t be that difficult to do,” Blackburn said.

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Medina observes a belated Arbor Day

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 November 2020 at 9:41 am

Provided photo: Members of Medina’s Tree Board and village officials planted a tree in State Street Park on Thursday morning, in honor of Arbor Day. From left are Tree Board member Jake Hebdon, Medina trustee and Tree Board/village liaison Marguerite Sherman, Tree Board member Nick Mroz, Tree Board Chairwoman Kathy Blackburn, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari and Tree Board member Bob Sanderson.

MEDINA – Arbor Day began in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees.

Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated in April, but because of Covid-19, the day was postponed this year to Nov. 5.

Usually, a celebration of Arbor Day takes place with school children in Medina, but again, the pandemic forced the village to change those plans.

On Thursday, village officials and members of the Tree Board gathered to plant a tree in State Street Park, near the bandstand.

“Medina is designated as a Tree City USA, and with our continued plan to assess and replace trees within the village, we will continue to build a better urban development,” said Kathy Blackburn, the Tree Board chairwoman.

As a Tree City USA, a city or village has the duty to evaluate trees which should come down, decide where new trees will be planted and choose the species.

Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. Trees can reduce the erosion of soil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife.

The Arbor Day Foundation is one of the world’s largest nonprofit conservation organizations dedicated to planting trees. The Foundation plants and distributes more than 10 million trees each year. More than 3,300 communities, such as Medina, are recognized through the Tree City USA program for planting and nurturing trees.

Members of Medina’s Tree Board, with Blackburn, are Jake Hebdon, Nick Mroz and Bob Sanderson. Marguerite Sherman, village trustee, is a tree board/village liaison.

Blackburn added volunteers for the Tree Board are always welcome.

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Medina will present conceptual design of new skate park on Saturday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2020 at 9:18 am

Public welcome to give feedback for new setup at Butts Park

MEDINA – The Medina Skate Society and village officials will do a presentation on Saturday about a new skate park.

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will host a display with a conceptual drawing of the skate park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be comment and question period from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The designer of the park will be available by a conference call to share his ideas of the park.

The Skate Society was able to secure a matching grant to upgrade the park with up to $250,000 from the Tony Hawk & Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundations. Medina was up to $215,000 in local funding in August. It has until Nov. 30, 2020 to see if it can fully maximize the grant.

The new skate park will be named in memory of Luke Nelson, a skateboarder from Middleport who often used the park. He was 23 when he passed away on April 22, 2017. His family has donated to the park and helped organize the fundraisers to upgrade the site.

The Skate Park is at Butts Park on South Main Street. That park will continue to be a memorial for John Butts, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valiant actions in World War II.

The new public concrete skate park will have a smooth surface and new equipment for skaters, bikers, scooters and in-line skaters. The park will also be an architectural work of art, said Alex Feig, president of the Medina Skate Society.

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MAAC puts out the red barrels in annual toy drive

Photos by Ginny Kropf: From left, Medina firefighters Lt. Steve Cooley, Donato Rosario, Steve Long, Adam Fisher, Bob Urtel and Don Miller gather around the MAAC Red Christmas Barrels, which they delivered Wednesday to businesses throughout the Medina area.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 November 2020 at 1:37 pm

MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches Red Barrel program has been a Christmas tradition for decades, and in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, organizers were determined to do it again this year.

“We thought we could safely make it happen,” said Sherry Tuohey, who has headed the program for the past several years. “It has taken much more thought than in prior years.”

Tuohey also said MAAC anticipated, because of Covid, the need in the community would be greater this year.

On Wednesday, members of the Medina Fire Department delivered a record 38 barrels to various locations in the Medina area.

One thing which was different this year is MACC didn’t serve breakfast to the firefighters at the Grove United Methodist Church. Instead, Tuohey said they are going to put together a “goodie” bag to show their appreciation to the firefighters for volunteering to deliver and pick up the barrels every year.

Because of Covid, the schools could not accept a barrel this year, so Tuohey had to find some new locations. In addition to all the usual locations, such as several downtown businesses, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, YMCA and churches, barrels have been put at all local banks, Ace Hardware, Valu, Dollar General, Country Club Family Restaurant, Avanti’s Pizza, Della’s Chocolates, AJ’s Play Date and Filomena’s Favorites.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of many local businesses,” Tuohey said. “This is a wonderful community to be part of.”

Medina Fire Department lieutenant Steve Cooley, left, and firefighter Donato Rosario get instructions from Sherry Tuohey, who heads the Red Barrel program for Medina Area Association of Churches. Last year, Tuohey was responsible for redesigning the barrels with colorful holiday decals.

The Red Barrels accept donations of toys, gifts and new hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and socks for all ages.

Because of Covid, there will be no mitten trees this year.

Precautionary measures will be taken. After the barrels are picked up Dec. 9 by the firefighters, the items will be quarantined for a minimum of three days before volunteers start unloading and sorting. After boxes are packed for families, they will be quarantined for another three days before they are given out.

In addition to a gift box, families will receive food for their Christmas meal. This will include a ham, potatoes, stuffing, vegetable, fruit and dessert.

Last year, the MAAC Christmas giveaway served 262 individuals, including 153 children in the Medina community. This also included 15 senior citizens.

Tuohey stressed that all donations received in the MAAC Red Barrels stays in Medina and goes to families in the Medina school district who live in Medina and Knowlesville zip codes. Gift boxes will be delivered by Medina firefighters on Dec. 19.

Monetary donations are also needed and welcome by sending a check to Christmas Box Program, in care of MAAC, 536 Orient St., Medina.

To be eligible for a gift box and holiday meal, applicants must apply from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 at St. Peter’s Church at 1355 West Ave. or from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10 and 17, and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 12 and 19 at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God at 324 Catherine St. Use the Ann Street entrance.

To be eligible, applicants must bring proof of household (birth certificates or Social Security card), proof of residence (any utilty bill) and proof of income. Income guidelines apply.

Covid-19 guidelines require a mask and social distancing.

From left, Medina firefighters Bob Urtel, Steve Long and Adam Fisher are ready to deliver 38 Red Barrels to local businesses to be filled with donations of toys and winter outerwear for children in the Medina school district.

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Medina Committee on Police Reform taking public comments on Nov. 18

Staff Reports Posted 5 November 2020 at 8:11 am

Residents urged to take surveys and participate in the process

MEDINA – A committee on police reform and reinvention welcomes public comments during a Nov. 18 meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Medina Theatre, 603 Main St.

The Medina Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative has been actively engaged with reviewing current Medina Police Department policies and procedures, while also reviewing new additions and modifications for consideration, said committee member Scott Robinson.

Following the public comment received on September 23, the committee launched an email address and survey to increase participation in the process.

Click here for a link to the survey in English and click here for the survey in Spanish.

Through the remainder of 2020, the committee will be reviewing public comments, policy and procedure recommendations, and additional recommendations being offered by stakeholders from the community and committee.

On June 12, Governor Andrew Cuomo initiated an executive order entitled the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. The core objective was that each local government with a police department needed to review the policies, procedures, and strategies of the police department.

To achieve this, each head of government must work with the leader of the police department to compile a group of community stakeholders who will review these activities. In medina’s case, Mayor Mike Sidari and Police Chief Chad Kenward worked to form a committee.

The committee includes faith-based leaders, business owners, the district attorney, public defender, a representative of the public schools, and others.

Consistent with the Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order, after receiving community input, a plan will be submitted for acceptance to the Medina Village Board and provided to the state by April 1. The submission will seek to include the comments and suggestions from committee members, community members, and additional stakeholders.

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Medina library hosted costume day for more than 100 kids

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 November 2020 at 11:47 am

Photos courtesy of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – More than 100 children and their families stopped by Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Friday for costume day.

Kids were invited to stop by the library and show off their Halloween costumes.  Every child received a treat bag and a book of their choice.

Here are some photos of the children in their costumes.

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Medina hires 4 firefighters, now back to full strength in Fire Department

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2020 at 10:01 am

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has hired four full-time firefighters to bring the Fire Department back to full strength with 21 full-time staff.

Village officials interviewed candidates last week and hired the following

  • Scott Buffin, paramedic
  • Justin Desabrais, EMT
  • James Cullin, EMT
  • Paul Urquhart, EMT

The firefighters respond to about 3,000 calls a year and run an ambulance service for western Orleans County.

A federal grant will pay part of the salaries for the four new members of the Medina FD, said Mike Sidari, the village mayor.

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Grand marshals named for Medina’s Parade of Lights

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 November 2020 at 9:52 am

Local organizations, businesses urged to participate in ‘reverse parade’

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Fire Department won Best in Class for the fourth consecutive year in 2018. The department has decorating fire trucks for the parade for several years.

MEDINA – The grand marshals of the Parade of Lights have been named. David and Trudi Schwert have helped plan and organize the parade since it started about a decade ago.

“The Schwerts have been active members of our planning committee from the beginning,” said Jim Hancock, the parade chairman. “They are not able to participate this year, but we wanted to recognize them for their years of support.”

The committee working on the parade didn’t want to cancel the event, which typically draws about 8,000 spectators and 40 floats.

Hancock has announced the committee has decided they could safely put on the parade, with some very distinctive changes. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Medina school campus.

The event will be a reverse parade, with entries displayed throughout the campus, while spectators will drive by in their cars.

This will eliminate crowds downtown and people coming in close contact with one another.

Hancock has put out a plea for businesses, individuals and organizations to enter a float. Applications can be found on the event’s website, www.christmasinmedina.com.

The floats will be lined up throughout the parking areas of the school campus from 5 to 8 p.m. Spectators in their cars will enter in the west driveway of Oak Orchard School and wind their way through school grounds to Clifford H. Wise Middle School and Medina High School, exiting onto Maple Ridge Road.

Hancock said the Medina Police Department will provide traffic control for cars attempting to turn onto Maple Ridge Road. They are also planning to light up the intersection to insure everyone’s safety.

The school grounds will have room for 35 to 45 floats, Hancock said.

One new event this year will be a “Light up Medina” contest, headed by Pat Payne and Cindy Robinson. Homeowners and businesses are being encouraged to decorate their places for the holidays. There will be prizes in five categories for residents and two categories for businesses.

The two business categories are Christmas Spirit – traditional, and Christmas Spirit – innovative.

Home categories are Most Whimsical, Best Use of Lights, Probably Visible from Space, Christmas Spirit and Community Spirit. Entry blanks can also be found on the Christmas in Medina website. Prizes will also be awarded in various categories to parade entries.

Medina has traditionally held a Christmas in Medina celebration the same day as the Parade of Lights, but that is still being decided, according to Scott Robinson, president of Medina Area Partnership. He said details will be announced as soon as they have finalized plans.

There will be no fireworks this year to cap off the day and start the parade, according to Hancock. The tree lighting in Rotary Park will take place, however, the time has not yet been decided.

The Medina Fire Department had a Santa sitting in the Fire Department’s rescue boat for last year’s parade.

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AJ’s Play Date celebrates grand opening in Medina

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 November 2020 at 11:14 am

Provided photos: AJ’s Play Date in Medina celebrated its grand opening Saturday with a ribbon cutting, coloring contest and giveaways. From left are owners Adam and Kerry Papaj; Jon Costello, mentor with SCOPE; Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Diane Blanchard, coordinator of Orleans Economic Development’s Microenterprise Assistance Program; Dorothy Daniels, MAP instructor; Mike Sidari, Medina mayor; and Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller.

MEDINA – AJ’s Play Date in Medina celebrated its grand opening Saturday with a ribbon cutting, coloring contest and giveaways.

Adam and Kerry Papaj opened AJ’s Play Date on Aug. 24 at 627 West Ave., at a former women’s gym across from Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The Papajs transformed the site into a one-of-kind playground with other activities that get kids ages 2 to 12 jumping, climbing, building and exploring.

AJ’s Play Date opens at time when many youth programs have been shut down or curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kerry Papaj, a speech pathologist the past 26 years at Lyndonville Central School, designed the playground and the space at AJ’s. There is a trampoline in the center of the playground, and swings, stairs, a spiky spinner, a webbed bridge, tunnels and other obstacles for gross and sensory motor play.

Staff, children and parents dance to “YMCA” during the grand opening of AJ’s Play Date in Medina on Saturday. The afternoon featured a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. with local officials, disc jockey JT Thomas playing Halloween music; a coloring contest; and more. Harper and Mackenzie Gilbert, right, enjoy activities during the grand opening of AJ’s Play Date on Saturday.

The Papajs also set up a double train table, two doll houses and pretend play center with a kitchen, laundry, grocery store and ice cream/bake shop.

The family created the space to be friendly with children on the autism spectrum who have sensory processing issues. AJ’s has activities for gross motor play, such as jumping and running.

AJ’s is named for Adam and sons Aiden and Arik, whose first and middle initials are all AJ. The family had been considering the indoor playground center for the past three years. They were aiming to open on March 1, but Covid-19 delayed the project. They weren’t able to receive the playground equipment until July.

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Medina businesses were determined to give out candy for Beggars’ Night

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2020 at 8:07 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Kathy Blackburn dressed as Cinderella and hands out boxes of candy and treats to a lineup of vehicles for beggars’ Night in Medina.

The event is normally in Medina’s downtown with about 1,000 kids dressing up in costumes and going to each business for candy.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the big crowd of children wasn’t allowed by the Orleans County Health Department. The state has capped gatherings to no more than 50 people.

Medina Area Partnership brainstormed how the event could continue and decided to do it drive-through at the Medina Central School campus.

MAP members filled more than 600 boxes and bags with candy. About 500 were gone in the first hour. The event was advertised as 5 to 7 p.m., but cars were lined up by 4:30.

Cindy Robinson hands a happy kid a box of treats.

Kathy Blackburn gets more boxes of treats ready for kids. Many of them dressed up in costumes for Beggars’ Night.

“The kids have had a rough year,” Blackburn said. “The Medina Area Partnership thought it would be great for the kids to continue Beggars’ Night. So many things have been taken away from them this year. We didn’t want to take Halloween away from them, too.”

Medina is having trick-or-treating on Saturday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the village.

Karen Canning, the GLOW traditions program director and coordinator, is dressed in a Day of the Dead mask. Cannign has helped organize big Day of the Dead celebrations in Medina in recent years.

There won’t be a big party this year, but there are craft supplies, including materials to make a mask like hers. Those supply are at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library and the Orleans County YMCA.

There are also instructional videos for celebrating the Day of the Dead on MedinaDoD.com.

Mariachi De Oro Mexican Grill on Maple Ridge Road also has an ofrenda on display at its outdoor patio. An ofrenda or home altar includes bright aromatic marigolds, with petals forming a path to lead the souls home.

Candles give welcoming lights and incense gives additional guidance and guards against unfriendly spirits. Photos, mementos and favorite foods of loved ones are placed on the altar in this Mexican tradition to honor ancestors.

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Medina teachers continue Maple Ridge cleanup effort

Posted 30 October 2020 at 1:10 pm

Provided photo and article from Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina Teacher Association members spent a fall day cleaning up Maple Ridge Road. The teachers have been doing this for 20 years and adopted the stretch of highway which they clean in the spring and fall every year.

The 23 participants who took part this year stayed socially distanced as they cleaned up the roadside.

Todd Bensley, a high school social studies teacher, said it is a great opportunity for them to give back to the community.

“It’s a way to support the MTA’s efforts in the community and give myself and my colleagues a chance to see each other outside of the school day and connect with teachers in other buildings at our district,” Bensley said. “We even found a $20 bill!”

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W. Oak Orchard Street-Gwinn Street now a four-way stop in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2020 at 9:44 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The traffic light at West Oak Orchard Street and Gwinn Street was changed to a flashing red light. The Village Board on Monday voted to make the intersection a four-way stop. The signs will be added soon.

The Village Board voted to experiment with a flashing red light to start this school year and board members say it has worked well.

Medina built a new road through the campus and that has moved a lot of traffic, including some buses, away from the West Oak Orchard-Gwinn intersection, making it no longer necessary to have a traffic light, said Police Chief Chad Kenward.

The village will keep the flashing light in place for as long as it keeps working. The unit is an older light and the village said it is difficult to find parts if it malfunctions.

• In other action, Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the department has four vacancies and will be interviewing nine candidates this week.

Cody Doran, a career firefighter, announced he is resigning from Medina FD to join the Henrietta Fire District. His last day in Medina is Nov. 16. He thanked the Medina community for the opportunity to serve the community as a firefighter. Doran said he is leaving Medina due to a residency requirement.

There would be five vacancies but the Village Board welcomed back Bob Urtel, a former Medina firefighter who is leaving the Lockport Fire Department to return to Medina.

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Oak Orchard students give Medina’s retiring K9 a big sendoff

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina Lt. Todd Draper and Kye, the department’s K9 the past 8 ½ years, walk down the driveway at Oak Orchard Elementary School during a retirement sendoff for Kye.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2020 at 8:59 pm

Kye will call it a career on Nov. 13 after 8 ½ years with Medina PD

MEDINA – They lined the sidewalks along the bus loop at Oak Orchard Elementary School today at about 1 p.m., holding signs with hand-drawn images of Kye and messages of love for the Medina Police Department’s retiring K9.

Kye, a Belgian Malinois, has been a part of the department since 2012, working with handler Todd Draper, a lieutenant with the Medina PD. Draper and Kye stop by the school every year with Draper reading the book, Officer Buckle and Gloria, a story of a school safety officer upstaged by his canine partner.

About 275 students made posters with messages for Kye.

Draper would typically read the book in the auditorium to a large group of students. This school year, so far larger group gatherings aren’t allowed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Draper instead recorded a video of him reading the book that was shared with students last week. He and Kye attend many community events and have met many of the students, teachers and staff at the school over the years.

“He has been our special guest every single year at Oak Orchard,” Julie Webber, the school principal, said about Kye and Draper.

Kye and Lt. Todd Draper were popular guests at the school this afternoon.

She wanted the school to show their appreciation to Medina’s K9 team. The students were out on both side of the bus loop to say goodbye to Kye. There are 275 students in grades Pre-K to 3 at Oak Orchard this year, not counting the students who are full time remote learners.

When Draper let Kye out of the police vehicle at the start of the bus loop, the school played “Who Let the Dogs Out” on the loudspeaker. Then the school played “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang.

Draper kept the dog in the middle of the bus loop where he couldn’t be petted by the students, another Covid restriction.

Draper had Kye did some tricks with his Kong toy and a rolled towel to the delight of the students.

The community can say goodbye to Kye and meet the new K9, Phoenix, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Medina Dog Park on North Gravel Road. The new K9 handler will be Medina police officer Jacob Reeves.

Nov. 13 will be the last official day for Kye. Reeves and Phoenix will start that day as the new K9 team.

In his retirement, Kye will stay with Lt. Draper and his family, but no longer will be joining Draper at work.

Draper said he has built many relationships with Medina students and community members through Kye. Kye’s main duties have been tracking, drug detection, building searches and criminal apprehension. Kye and Draper have attended many public events and visited local schools and done many demonstrations for the community.

“There’s no doubt I’ve been able to have many positive interactions with kids and adults because of Kye,” Draper said. “They don’t know my name but they know Kye’s name.”

These students included artwork with their posters for Kye.

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Medina approves $4 million of infrastructure projects

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2020 at 9:04 am

Village accepts construction bids for water line, sewer plant upgrades

MEDINA — The Village Board on Monday evening approved three construction bids for about $4 million to upgrade infrastructure in the village.

Most of the work will be at the wastewater treatment. Medina awarded two bids for the sewer plant.

Villager Construction of Airport was approved as the low bidder for phase 2 of an upgrade project at the sewer plant for $2,845,000. The company was about $164,000 less than the next lowest bidder.

The other project is for electrical upgrades at the plant. Medina accepted the low bid of $438,000 from the Concord Electric Corporation in Rochester. There were four other bidders ranging from $459,310 to $647,835.

Medina is adding a new ultraviolent disinfection system to the plant as part of this project. It will have a new concrete chamber between the Gravity Thickener Building and Secondary Clarifiers to house the new UV disinfection system.

The project includes re-routing existing sludge piping, combined effluent piping, and storm water piping that is currently in the location of the proposed UV concrete chamber.

Villager Construction will need to remove existing grit concentrator, piping, fittings, and associated equipment located in the Grit Removal Room.

The company will install a new grit concentrator and associated appurtenances including piping,

fittings, valves, control panel, accessories and all appurtenances.

Villager will need to modify the microscreen filter area for the new filter system, provide modifications to existing water system piping to accommodate installation of new

filter system, provide and install new filter system, blowers, accessories, and appurtenances, as well as other upgrades.

Village Board urged to reject low bidder for East Avenue project

The board also accepted Milherst Construction Inc. of Clarence Center as the low bidder on the East Avenue forced main extension and pump station rehabilitation for $533,880. That was $34,835 less than the next lowest bidder, Villager Construction. There were six bidders on the project, with the highest at $880,875.

Wendel, an engineering firm hired by the village, discussed the project with Milherst and reviewed other municipal project done by the company and recommended Medina accept the bid.

Medina officials were urged to reject Milherst as an irresponsible bidder. Matt Kent, an analyst with New York Foundation for Fair Contracting, said Milherst has a prior felony conviction for defrauding New York State in an 8-year unemployment insurance scheme that defrauding the state $79,616. The company had workers collect unemployment while they worked off the books. Milherst pleaded guilty to grand larceny in 2016.

The company was forced to pay back the $79,616 and a penalty of $12,461 to the state Department of Labor.

Company leaders also haven’t always disclosed that conviction in questionnaires to municipalities when they submit bids on construction bids, Kent said.

Village officials said Milherst has settled with the state for the grand larceny and the company receives strong reviews for its construction work.

Owen Toale, Medina’s deputy mayor, said rejecting Milherst would mean Medina would have to spend about $35,000 more on the project.

“Wendel has recommended them. They do quality work,” Toale said. “My responsibility is to the 6,000 residents of the Village of Medina – $35,000 is a lot of money.”

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