By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2020 at 12:41 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The top of the façade on the three-story Bent’s Opera House is painted this morning. The building has been given an extensive renovation the past two years, and the new paint is a very visible change to the site on Main Street, at the corner of West Center Street.
Bent’s was originally built in 1864-1865 and is one of the most striking buildings in downtown Medina. The site is expected to open this spring with a restaurant on the first floor, boutique hotel on the second floor and events space on the third floor.
Here is how the building looked in September 2019, with scaffolding on the side facing East Center Street.
This photo from October 2013 shows the building when a crew arrived to install “cribbing” as a temporary support so the rotted beams could be removed and the new supports installed. That allowed structural support beams for the southeast corner building. At that time, the Orleans Renaissance Group owned the building.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Batman, a lab mix, takes off running in the Medina Dog Park. His owner, Alaina Zapf (in back), is president of the Friends of the Medina Dog Park, which raised $20,000 for the park. The group is trying to raise $5,000 more for a small dog enclosure, more equipment in the dog agility section and a water station.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2020 at 11:25 am
Another enclosure coming for small dogs, with more equipment headed for agility section
MEDINA – After three years of fundraising and planning, a new dog park has opened in Medina. The site is at 260 North Gravel Road, next to the former composting plant.
The dog park is just south of Boxwood Cemetery and across from The Gallagher, a barn used for weddings and special events.
The new Medina Dog Park opened last month and has two fenced in areas, one for large dogs and an agility area.
A separate enclosure for small dogs should be added soon. (In the meantime, small dogs can run and play with the large dogs.)
“It’s a great opportunity to have this in our community,” said Alaina Zapf, president of the Friends of the Medina Dog Park.
Cindy Davis, left, holds Johnny, a French bulldog, while Batman and Bailey greet her. Alaina Zapf, right, is thankful for a park to bring her dogs.
The group has raised $20,000 towards the project. It is trying for $5,000 more that would add the 100-by-100-foot enclosure for small dogs, and also more equipment in the agility area and also a water station near the entrance for dogs to rinse their paws and get a drink.
Zapf brought her two dogs, Batman and Bailey, to the park on Wednesday afternoon. When she lived in North Carolina, she would drive 15 minutes to take the two lab mixes to a dog park. When she moved to Medina, she wanted a place for her dogs to get exercise and socialize with other dogs.
She pitched a dog park to the Village Board, which supported having it next to the former compost facility.
The site is open dawn to dusk. It is already popular, especially from 3 to 6 p.m., said Cindy Davis, owner of The Pet Nanny. She brings several dogs to the site.
Johnny chases after a tennis ball while walking on a bridge in the agility section of the dog park. Cindy Davis is in back.
Davis was there on Wednesday afternoon with Johnny, a French bulldog.
“This is his active time,” she said when she arrived at the dog park with the little bulldog.
When she opened the two gates to get inside, Johnny took off as a blur, running the length of the enclosure.
Johnny also met Zapf’s dogs – Batman and Bailey – for the first time. They quickly became friends and chased each other around the fenced-in area. They also tried the agility area, using some old equipment from Butts Park. A new playground was put in a Butts in 2018. The village saved a tunnel and bridge for the dog park.
The dog park is a first in Orleans County. People have inquired about it from Rochester to Buffalo. Zapf is thrilled to see the response to the park so far.
“So many dogs do not have adequate room to run around,” she said. “Here they can get all that energy out. They are happier and less aggressive.”
Bailey explores the enclosed area at the dog park.
She thanked the community for donating to the project and supporting fundraisers. The Friends of the Medina Dog Park weren’t able to do some fundraisers planned this year due to Covid-19 pandemic. People interested in donating can check the group’s Facebook page.
The sign will also soon be updated to reflect that the park is open. There will be smaller signs on one of the fences listing people who donated at least $500 in money or in-kind services to the park. There will also be plaques on the three benches, listing those benefactors.
Zapf, 30, led the effort for the dog park while working on her doctorate in clinical psychology. She graduates in May.
She reached out to Davis, the Pet Nanny, to walk her dogs while she was away in class. They became friends and Davis became a big proponent of the Dog Park. She is vice president of the Friends.
She has brought several dogs to the park, where they can be leash-free. Their first trip, the dogs spend most of the time sniffing around the park.
The second time back, they take off running and “go crazy” with delight, Davis said.
Their owners or handlers need to pick up after the dogs. There are plastic bags at the site. There is also a bin of toys.
Cindy Davis and Alaina Zapf have the dogs trying out the bridge at the agility section of the park.
Provided photos: The following members of the Medina Fire Department were recognized during an awards program on Tuesday, from left: Joe Simmons, Adam Fisher, Lieutenant Jake Crooks, Bob Urtel, Tim Miller, Steve Long, Captain Mike Young and Chief Matt Jackson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2020 at 8:48 am
MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department normally presents in awards during a firemen’s ball in October. But that event may be cancelled this year.
Fire Chief Matt Jackson decided to present the awards on Tuesday afternoon.
“These past few months have definitely been something we will talk about in the future,” Jackson said about the Covid-19 pandemic. “They have been challenging times that we will share with our children and our grandchildren. But, through these challenging times, our team has worked together to adapt and overcome. To strengthen through adversity. And to persevere. I want to thank you all for your continued professionalism through this trying time. Through the mixed emotions we have all encountered, we have all continued to work hard with compassion and empathy. Everyone has been doing an outstanding job.”
Medina firefighters nominate members of the Fire Department for an award. Jackson presented the following awards and citations:
Medina firefighter/paramedic Steve Long, left, accepts a Meritorious Service Medal from Fire Chief Matt Jackson.
• Meritorious Service Medal: Firefighter/paramedic Steven Long was off duty on Feb. 10, 2020 when he arrived at an accident scene moments after the vehicle crash. The vehicle was approximately 150 feet off the road in a snow-covered field on its side.
Further complicating the scene were multiple downed powerlines and frigid conditions. While risking his personal safety and without personal protective equipment, Long began his scene and patient assessment.
Long found one conscious female outside the vehicle who was being helped by other bystanders. The female passenger advised Long that her husband was still trapped inside the vehicle and not responding. Seeing multiple child restraint seats, Long also needed to search for any possible children that were accompanying the couple. After finding no children in or around the vehicle, Long turned his attention towards the only other vehicle occupant, Chief Jackson said on Tuesday during the awards presentation.
Long began his assessment of the awake, but non-responsive driver as chief officers from the Wolcottsville and Rapids Fire Departments arrived. Long continued all patient care while fire crews used hydraulic tools to cut and gain more access to the patient. Once extrication was complete, Long gave his report to the Mercy Flight crew and the patient was airlifted to ECMC. Accolades for Long’s actions at this scene were received from not only the Wolcottsville Fire Chief, but also from family members of the patients, Jackson said.
Medina firefighter Joe Simmons, left, receives a Silver Lifesaving Medal from Chief Matt Jackson.
• Silver Lifesaving Medal: In the early evening of June 5, 2020, the Village of Medina Fire Department was dispatched to a reported pool drowning, with updates from Medina Police Officer Jake Reeves advising that CPR was in progress on a 16-month-old child.
Firefighter/paramedic Joe Simmons was the first paramedic on scene and immediately recognized the severity of the incident. Simmons quickly guided Officer Reeves to place the patient in the ambulance and he initiated ALS protocols including intubation while other crew members continued performing CPR.
Although there were six other firefighters directly involved with patient care, Simmons was the lead paramedic and was responsible for coordinating a well-executed effort to revive the child, Jackson said.
After more than seven minutes of CPR and other lifesaving actions, Simmons and his team were able to revive the patient and achieve ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation). With the patient stabilized, the patient was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital where the patient received further lifesaving actions before being transferred by Mercy Flight to Oishei Children’s Hospital.
The patient was able to make a full recovery and was discharged home six days later.
“Simmons’ attitude and skills were of the highest quality throughout the duration of this incident,” Jackson said. “His calm demeanor and ability to coordinate patient care under dire circumstances directly contributed to this young life being saved.”
The following also received a Unit Commendation: Captain Mike Young, Lieutenant Jake Crooks, firefighter/paramedic Adam Fisher, firefighter/paramedic Bob Urtel, firefighter/EMT Tim Miller and firefighter/paramedic Steve Long.
• Longevity ribbon for 10 years of service: Lieutenant Steve Cooley.
• BLS ribbon and Fire Academy completion ribbon: Tyler Harrington.
Chief Jackson praised the firefighters for their dedication to the job.
“Every day, the members of this department make life-or-death decisions and provide outstanding care to residents and visitors to the Village of Medina and entire West Battalion of Orleans County,” Jackson said. “Our awards are nominated by fellow firefighters or officers and the recipients receive these awards for acts performed that involve extreme bravery, teamwork or exceptional lifesaving efforts.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2020 at 8:06 am
MEDINA — Visitors can see their loved ones at the Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center on Bates Road in Medina.
The nursing home welcomed back visitors on Monday. They are limited to 30-minute visits, which must take place in either the main lobby or outdoor patio.
“This brings us great joy as we recognize that everyone misses each other,” Amanda Luckman, the admissions marketer for Orchard, said in a letter to families on Monday.
Orchard is limiting the visits to two people per 30-minute session, and they must wear masks, and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet with no hugging.
Orchard was hit hard by Covid-19, with 24 residents dying among the 58 who contracted the virus.
Orchard has been Covid-free for several weeks and has received permission from the state Department of Health to welcome visitors.
The DOH was requiring facilities to be Covid-free for 28 days before visitors could see nursing home residents. The DOH announced yesterday that beginning on Thursday that timeframe will be reduced to 14 days. The nursing homes also must have a safety plan approved by DOH before visitors are allowed.
At Orchard, the visits all must be scheduled. The visitors need to complete forms about their health and recent travel. They also must have their temperature checked.
The visit areas will be clearly marked and sanitized between each visit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2020 at 10:29 pm
Kevin Lynch elected Holley mayor in a close vote
Photo by Tom Rivers: Village of Holley Clerk-Treasurer Deborah Schiavone, right, announces the results of the village election at 9:45 p.m. from the steps of the Holley Gardens/village office at the former Holley High School. From left, waiting for the results, are Village Trustee Rochelle Moroz, Mayor Kevin Lynch and resident Kerri Neale.
Three incumbent mayors were all re-elected today in village elections in Orleans County.
Mike Sidari was elected to another term in Medina, Kevin Lynch won a close election in Holley, and John Belson will continue in Lyndonville.
The elections were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Albion, Lyndonville and Medina were originally slated to go to the polls on March 18. Gov. Andrew Cuomo initially moved the village elections to April 28, but then pushed them back again, this time to Sept. 15.
The Village of Holley has been holding its election the third Tuesday in June in recent years. It also was pushed back to Sept. 15.
Here are the results from the four villages:
• In Albion, Christopher Barry and Kevin Sheehan were elected as village trustees, with Barry getting 54 votes and Sheehan, 51. They outpolled Maurice Taylor, who received 17 votes.
• Holley had the closest election, with Lynch holding off Skip Carpenter, 86 to 78. Lynch was appointed to mayor in July after serving as deputy mayor.
He said Carpenter, a retired postmaster and former mayor, is well known in the community.
“The people know us,” Lynch said. “We’re old Holley people.”
Lynch said the village will be pushing to complete a $4.5 million water and sidewalk project next year, and also will be pursuing grant funding for an upgrade at the sewer plant.
Voters also elected Connie Nenni, 122 votes, and Mark Bower, 120 votes, as village trustees.
• In Lyndonville, John Belson was elected to another term as mayor with 39 votes. Darren Wilson received 16 as a write-in.
There were two trustee positions up for election, but only one name on the ballot. Danny Woodward Jr., who was on ballot, was elected with 37 votes. AnnMarie Holland also was elected with 29 write-in votes.
Others to receive write-in votes included Andrew Cousins with 15, and patrick Whipple, Steven Shaw, Michelle Dillenbeck and James Tuk with 1 each.
• In Medina, it looked like the incumbents were all unopposed. But Mayor Mike Sidari and Trustees Tim Elliott and Marguerite Sherman faced a write-in campaign from Mary Hare for mayor and Charles Hartway for trustee.
The incumbents all were re-elected. Sidari received 104 votes to 59 for Hare. Sherman had 124 votes and Elliott received 118, to 56 for Hartway. Tim Hungerford and Peter Huth both also received two write-ins.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Volunteers stand behind a sign in the yard of Kathy Vicknair during a three-day fundraiser to raise money to update the recovery room at Medina Memorial Hospital, in honor of the late Nancy Albanese, who worked there for more than 40 years. From left are Michaelene Prest, Pat Howe and Jean Weatherbee.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 September 2020 at 2:37 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Plans to honor a long-time nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital may have been put on hold due to the pandemic, but they got a big boost from a fundraiser Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the home of Kathy and Vic Vicknair of Lyndonville.
Nancy Albanese was an employee of Medina Memorial Hospital for more than 40 years, where she worked in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room). After her death Aug. 21, 2019, her family wanted to do something for the hospital in memory of Albanese.
Jean Weatherbee, left, sprays hand sanitizer on Susan Pawlaczyk of Middleport, before she checks out the yard sale and raffles which will benefit renovations at Medina Memorial Hospital in honor of the late Nancy Albanese. Looking on, from left, are Kathy Vicknair, who offered to host the fundraiser at her home on Lyndonville Road; Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation; and Kim Gray, director of surgical services at the hospital.
Albanese’s brother David Shanley of Orchard Park contacted the hospital to see what they could do. He learned the Recovery Room where Albanese had worked for so long was in need of a lot of renovation, and the family intended to donate an amount of money to accomplish it. But after the community and hospital employees heard about it, they wanted to be involved, and a public fundraiser was planned.
Originally, the event was going to take place in April the gift shop and lobby, said Heather Smith, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. Then the pandemic brought an end to all events.
Dozens of baskets and gifts which had been donated for a raffle were packed up and taken to the Vicknair’s home until the Hospital Foundation could decide how they could use them. They talked about the shortage of money, and they discussed having an event in the hospital parking lot. That meant, however, they could only run it one day and that would cut down on their profit.
Then Kathy Vicknair came up with the idea to have it at her house. She was familiar with fundraising, having started a Pink Crystal Ball in 2007 to support those diagnosed with breast cancer. She ran that for five years, then took five years off and had another the following year.
“We knew we had to come up with some answer soon,” Vicknair said. “Then I went to bed one night and woke up at 4 a.m. and thought, ‘Why don’t I have it here.’ We can do it outside to make sure everything is Covid safe. We are blessed to have had good weather.”
They collected 63 baskets for the raffle and half of her garage full of large-ticket items, including Josh Allen’s No. 17 Bills jerseys donated by Vicknair’s cousin Patrick Boyle.
Then they added a yard sale, with several tables full of donated merchandise.
When guests arrived, their hands were sprayed with sanitizer and everyone was required to wear a mask.
Initial plans in the Recovery Room were to apply fresh paint, purchase a new nurse’s desk and chair, install a new privacy curtain system and install new locked storage cabinets for patient’s possessions. Now they have been expanded to include floor tiles and lighting.
The room will be refurbished from floor to ceiling, Smith said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2020 at 12:38 pm
Provided photo
MEDINA – Jamie Murphy, the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center activity director, visited the Medina Fire Hall today. She presented firefighter Stephen Miller with brownies to show appreciation to the firefighters for their service, especially today on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. That day about 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks, including 343 New York City firefighters.
There will be a 9-11 observance today at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Square in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2020 at 8:45 pm
MEDINA – The food distribution next Friday morning in Medina will shift from the high school to the Ridgeway Fire Hall, 11392 Ridge Rd.
The entrance will be on Horan Road and the line will be facing north towards Ridge Road, where vehicles will exit.
There will also be a food distribution tomorrow, Sept. 11, in Albion at the same location as previous Albion distributions – the Community Action Main Street Store at 131 Main St.
In the Albion event, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee has partnered with Foodlink and Orleans County Office for the Aging to provide households with boxes of emergency food in response to the Covid-19 public health crisis.
The events are advertised to start at 9 but could begin earlier if the delivery trucks and volunteers are in place.
This is a drive-thru model with no walk-ins. People should have their trunks cleaned out so boxes of emergency food can be put into it.
There is no pre-registration. It is a first-come, first-served basis with boxes for about 300 vehicles.
With the Medina event, the office for the Aging and Foodlink partner with the Calvary Cupboard at Calvary Tabernacle Church to distribute the food.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 September 2020 at 3:12 pm
AJ’s Play Date expects to be a draw in the region
Photos by Tom Rivers: Adam and Kerry Papaj are pictured with their sons, Aiden (11) and Arik (7). The family opened AJ’s Play Date on Aug. 24 at 627 West Ave., at a former women’s gym across from Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
MEDINA – A Medina family has opened a new business that caters to children who love to play.
AJ’s Play Date opens at time when many youth programs have been shut down or curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adam and Kerry Papaj have transformed a site for a former women’s gym into a one-of-kind playground with other activities that get kids ages 2 to 12 jumping, climbing, building and exploring.
There is lots to do at AJ’s Play Date, which opened Aug. 24 in Medina.
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.
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.
Arik Papaj climbs up the enclosed stairs that are part of the playground.
Mrs. Papaj said the playground has been well received by all children in the past two weeks. 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.
There are also many activities for sensory motor play – touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing – and fine motor play for skills such as writing, pushing Lego blocks together and opening and closing latches.
If kids need a break from the main play room, they can try the calming room with a lighted cube and translucent Legos.
Kerry Papaj, a speech pathologist at Lyndonville Central School, designed the playground to help children on the autism spectrum who may have sensory processing issues. She is shown on the trampoline.
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.
AJ’s is currently limiting the site to less than 25 percent of its capacity or no more than 25 children at a time.
The Papajs offer the space for two hours and preregistration is required. Then AJ’s closes for an hour to allow for a deep cleaning.
It is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., for four two-hour sessions, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for two two-hour play times.
A boy ventures down the web walk in the playground.
Kerry and Adam are both very involved in youth sports programs in the Medina area. Mrs. Papaj was a volleyball and softball coach at Lyndonville. She is president of the LOYAL youth soccer organization in Medina, Lyndonville and Roy-Hart.
Mr. Papaj is a Medina school bus driver. He will open the business at 9 a.m. after doing his morning bus runs. He coaches his son’s U12 baseball team.
The family wanted an indoor play area in Medina. They said there are few options for indoor playgrounds in the region, especially those that are sensitive to children with sensory processing issues.
They see AJ’s as complimenting a growing business scene in Medina that is drawing visitors from outside the community.
Adam and Kerry Papaj teamed with Hank Brummer to offer Challenge Island.
The Papajs also teamed with Hank Brummer of Newfane to offer Challenge Island, a STEAM program with activities for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
Challenge Island uses space in a room next to the playground. That room will also have a concessions stand. Challenge Island uses many household products or supplies that are used to solve engineering problems.
Brummer also offers the Challenge Island at the Niagara Shores Campground in Olcott. The program offers hands-on learning using household items such as paper toll rolls to demonstrate momentum, energy and other scientific principles.
“It’s getting kids active,” Brummer said. “It’s getting them away from computers and getting them socializing.”
Aidan Papaj rides the bolster swing. The playground is sanitized after every group uses it. It takes a solid hour to wipe down and spray all the equipment.
AJ’s hopes to give home-schooling families or kids doing schoolwork remotely a chance to get out and play and do other educational activities.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 September 2020 at 9:47 pm
Jim Lustumbo is retiring after owning the site since 1986
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The sale of Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park to a Los Angeles-based investment firm was announced Tuesday.
MEDINA – A change in ownership was announced at Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park this week.
Jim Lustumbo, who has owned the park since 1986, has decided to retire and sold the park to Pinnacle Investment Firm from Los Angeles. The sale was effective Tuesday.
Lisa Villareal, one of three members of Pinnacle Investment Firm, spent several days in Medina, getting familiar with the park and orienting personnel on running the site.
Lois Austin will remain as onsite park manager, while Danny Dunn will continue to do maintenance.
“You are going to see a smooth transition,” Villareal told a handful of residents who attended a meeting Tuesday at the park.
Pinnacle Investment Firm owns mobile home parks in Texas, Missouri and Alabama, but this is their first 55-plus park, Villareal said.
“Things seem to be running smoothly here, and we want to keep it that way,” she said. “We don’t want to change management style.”
In a letter to all park residents, the new company said they were extremely excited to get going and look forward to providing exceptional management, including prompt maintenance service, as well as maintaining a safe and enjoyable place to live.
Jim Lustumbo discusses the sale of Lakewood Village Mobile Home Park in Medina with Lisa Villareal with Pinnacle Investment Firm of Los Angeles, who took over as new owners as of Sept. 1.
Lakewood Village was developed by Barbara Waters and her sister, the late Marcia Tuohey, in 1970. They eventually sold it to Frank Pavia, who was Jim Lustumbo’s uncle. The Lustumbos lived in Rochester, and when Jim inherited the park from his uncle, he and his wife Margaret moved to Medina and have run the park ever since.
Jim Lustumbo poses with Lisa Villareal from Pinnacle Investment Firm after announcing the sale of the park to the Los Angeles-based company.
Jim said he loves the park, but health conditions have convinced him it was time to retire.
“I’ve had two heart attacks, the last one in January,” he said. “What I’ve loved most is the people.”
He and Margaret will continue to live in the park and operate the storage buildings. They have bought a new camper and plan to spend much of their time camping.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the time,” Jim said.
Since taking over the park, the Lustumbos have added nearly 30 new mobile units and developed the area on the north side of the lake.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 September 2020 at 3:30 pm
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust is making several thousand dollars available in grants to community organizations and projects.
The grants generally range from $200 to $500 and are awarded to qualifying not-for-profit organizations and/or programs in the Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby region.
Funding is intended to help programs that clearly benefit this community and that have favorable tax and regulatory status.
The Trust has distributed nearly $40,000 to local programs and scholarships since 2010. The most recent grants went to The Arc of Genesee/Orleans to rebuild the nature trail at Camp Rainbow to make it wheelchair accessible. St. John’s Episcopal Church’s grant will assist in the restoration of a stained glass window sill and frame.
Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here assisted in the purchase of a pop-up shelter, table and chairs for community education programs. Boxwood Cemetery Commission’s grant will help with the rehab the tombstone of the first Medina resident. And the Medina Historical Society were funded for a monthly speaker series.
In addition, the grants contributed to some larger programs. Orleans County Adult Learning Services (OCALS) grant partially funded a new community outreach program. Orleans County YMCA’s grant helped with the cost of their Before and After School Enrichment Program, while P.Raising Kids Child Care Center was assisted with an upgrade to the group’s kitchen.
To apply for a grant, organization leaders need to fill out a Sandstone Trust Application form and mail to Sandstone Trust, Post Office Box 25, Medina, by the application deadline, Oct. 31.
Application forms can be obtained as follows: In person at Medina Parts Co. (NAPA) 345 N. Main St. or Michael Zelazny, CPA 511 Main St.; By regular mail request sent to Sandstone Trust, PO Box 25, Medina, NY 14103; or online from the Sandstone Trust web page, www.sandstonesociety.org.
Questions may be sent by email at sandstonesociety@gmail.com or calling Michael Zelazny, CPA at 585-798-1006.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2020 at 10:17 am
Chris Busch influential in setting Medina’s standards in historic district, Maple Ridge Corridor
File photo by Tom Rivers – Chris Busch, shown here in 2014 with the Bent’s Opera House in back, served many years as chairman of the Village of Medina’s Planning Board and Medina’s Tree Board. In his role with the Orleans Renaissance Group, the organization pushed to save the bent’s Opera House, a project now led by Roger Hungerford.
MEDINA – The leader of Medina’s Planning Board has resigned after two decades of major investment in the downtown business district and also along the Maple Ridge Corridor.
Chris Busch has been serving as chairman of the Village Planning Board and also the Historic & Architectural Preservation Review Board.
Busch, in an Aug. 5 letter to Mayor Mike Sidari and the Village Board, said “it is time to move on” after more than 20 years on the Planning Board.
Busch led the boards that implemented design standards in the downtown historic district and also on the Maple Ridge Corridor. Those standards for signs, facades and building construction established a blueprint for guiding the growth on Main Street and on Maple Ridge.
“Over that time, with a great deal of cooperation, hard work and vision, much has been accomplished,” Busch wrote in his letter.
Medina has seen major investment in the historic downtown sites, and also significant growth on Maple Ridge with several new commercial buildings.
“The Planning Board is in good hands,” Busch said in the letter. “Seated on the current board are some of the finest, most qualified and dedicate people I have ever known.”
Busch, who also led Medina’s Tree Board for more than a decade and helped plan for planting 1,000 trees, said he would be willing to serve on an ad hoc committee, waterfront committee or in an advisory committee. He remains active with the Orleans Renaissance Group, which oversee the farmers’ market and the Farm-to-Table dinner, as well as other cultural events in Medina.
Sidari and the Village Board accepted Busch’s resignation during their meeting last week.
“I want to add our thanks for his many years of service and our deep regrets for his resignation,” Sidari said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2020 at 10:02 am
MEDINA – Two career firefighters at Medina have resigned to become members of the North Greece Fire Department.
Adam Vanderheite and Joseph Simmons both submitted letters of resignation that were accepted by the Village Board last week.
Simmons will continue with Medina until Sept. 21. He thanked the Village Board and Fire Chief Matt Jackson for the opportunity to work in Medina the past three years.
“I have learned the importance that quality Fire/EMS is to the communities in Orleans County and how grateful the citizens are that Medina offers these services,” Simmons wrote in his letter.
Vanderheite’s resignation is effective Sept. 25. He worked two years for the Medina FD. He said he was grateful for the chance to become a professional firefighters and work alongside “some outstanding individuals.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2020 at 2:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: This mural in Medina’s Canal Basin depicts a man and mule on the Erie Canal. The mural was painted by Ben Northern and installed about 20 years ago.
MEDINA – The Village Board approved a 60-day moratorium on any public art projects in the historic district. This will give the village time to update its ordinance for public art and perhaps create a new Public Arts Commission.
The moratorium was approved on Monday, following a public hearing at the Senior Center, where the Village Board will now be holding its public meetings.
Arthur Barnes created this mural of a mule-drawn packet boat that is displayed in the Canal Basin.
The moratorium doesn’t include three murals that were approved last week by the Village Planning Board. Those large paintings will be buildings on Proctor Place.
The Village Board is looking to form a group with representatives from the Village Board, Planning Board and people with expertise in the public art.
They will make a recommendation that will likely accommodate public art while preserving the integrity of the historic structures and character of the downtown.
If there are any changes to the zoning ordinance, there will need to be a public hearing where the community will have a chance to voice their opinion.
Village officials have been pushed to face the issue after the Form Foundation submitted proposals for four murals, with three in the historic district. One of the murals – the “Canalligator” – is already done.
Another one with a floral pattern would be on the other side of the same cinder block building as the Canalligator on Proctor Place. Another project, “Fake It Til You Make It” – will be on the back of 410 Main Street. The mural would go from the floor to the top of the cinder block wall.
The Planning Board approved certificates of appropriateness for the projects after consutlign with the State Historic Preservation office. The Planning Board on Aug. 18 approved the murals, saying the current code is vague.
SHPO also advised the board that the murals with modern art are compatible in historic district as long as they aren’t painted on main thoroughfares, aren’t painted on historic stone or on prominent architectural features.
The current regulations in the historic district are focused on the front facades of buildings and the historic architectural features – not the backs of buildings and cinder blocks.
“I think it’s time for the village to come into the 21st Century with modern art,” Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said at a meeting earlier this month. “I think there is a place for it and a place not for it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2020 at 9:21 am
MEDINA – The Village Board approved 12 members of a committee that will be tasked with looking at police policies and determine if reform is needed in the Medina Police Department.
Daniel Doctor, Pastor Jovannie Canales, Mayor Michael Sidari, Jacquie Chinn, Lt. Todd Draper, Scott Robinson, Sherry Tuohey, Chief Chad Kenward, David and Cynthia King, District Attorney Joe Cardone and Public Defender Joanne Best all have been named to the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is requiring all 500 municipalities in the state that have law enforcement agencies to form committees with local elected officials, the police leaders and citizens and study the operations of the departments and determine if reform is needed.
The municipalities must adopt a plan by April 1, 2021 to be eligible for state funding. That plan could show that no changes are needed in the department.
“With more than 500 law enforcement agencies in our large and diverse state, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution,” Cuomo said last week. “To rebuild the police-community relationship, each local government must convene stakeholders for a fact-based and honest dialogue about the public safety needs of their community. Each community must envision for itself the appropriate role of the police. Policies must be developed to allow the police to do their jobs to protect the public and these policies must meet with the local communities’ acceptance.”
The committee needs to look at the following issues:
Review the needs of the community served by its police agency, and evaluate the department’s current policies and practices;
Establish policies that allow police to effectively and safely perform their duties;
Involve the entire community in the discussion;
Develop policy recommendations resulting from this review;
Offer a plan for public comment;
Present the plan to the local legislative body to ratify or adopt it, and;
Certify adoption of the plan to the State Budget Director on or before April 1, 2021.
Police Chief Chad Kenward and Mayor Mike Sidari said they reached to a cross section of the community for the committee and have Black and Hispanic residents, senior citizens, representatives from the district attorney and public defender, the school, the business community, the Village Board and the police department.
One local resident spoke during Monday’s Village Board meeting and asked to be considered for the committee. Michael O’Keefe is a defense attorney and a village resident with a law office on Main Street.
He said police reform is needed. He has reviewed body camera footage from Medina police officers and from other nearby communities.
“I am seeing a consistent wrong,” O’Keefe said. “They are not performing their jobs.”
Chief Kenward said he and Sidari went with the guidelines in picking a representation from the community for the committee.
“I didn’t feel we needed three attorneys,” Kenward said.
Cardone, the district attorney, and Best, the public defender, are both attorneys.
O’Keefe said he brings a skill set that would be beneficial to the committee.
Village Trustee Owen Toale said if O’Keefe was on the committee someone else would have to be taken off.
“These are 11 people who are extremely well qualified,” Toale said. “They are vested in our community.”
O’Keefe can submit his concerns to the committee and speak out during a public hearing that is required before the plan is sent to the state, Village Board members said.
