School district wants to hire more African-Americans, include literary works by black authors

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Anita Chinn, center, was among a group carrying a long “Black Lives Matter” poster down East Center Street, on a walk from Rotary Park to State Street Park.

About 100 people participated in a “Walk for Peace & Inclusion” this evening. The event was in response to the killing of George Floyd in custody of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25. Floyd was on the ground and died after being held down for nearly nine minutes while an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.

His death has spurred nationwide protests and marches for more than two weeks and already led to legislation being passed in Albany banning chokeholds by police.

More legislation is likely on the way against police brutality and more accountability, including unsealing police officer’s disciplinary records. Many legislators and activists also are calling for spending less money on law enforcement and more on community development.

Elizabeth Novak, 26, of Albion holds up a sign that says, “Your Fight is My Fight!” Novak said she is a proud Mexican-American who supports the Black Lives Matters movement. The other side of the signs said, “Chicanos for BLM.”

These demonstrators hold a sign, “Please I Can’t Breathe” in the walk down East Center Street with about 100 people. George Floyd spoke those words while he was held down by a police officer.

Medina native Carolyn Chinn, now of Georgia, gave the opening remarks. Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward is at left and Mayor Mike Sidari is in back.

Chinn graduated from Medina in 1973. She said her family was the first black family to move to Church Street and had their house burned down. They weren’t wanted in the neighborhood. Two years ago she was back home in Medina, driving a Mercedes-Benz when she said she was pulled over by a Medina police officer for no other reason than “driving while black.”

Jennifer Chinn holds her cousin Mari on the walk on East Center Street to State Street Park. She was at the event, wanting to see the community “come together as one and be united as one.”

She said white people don’t get pulled over for driving a nice car. White people don’t have to talk to their children about how to respond when pulled over by police. “Yes sir, no sir” and keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times, Chinn said.

She said Medina should have more community policing, with officers walking the streets and getting to know residents better.

She said the death of Floyd, which was videotaped, has struck a chord with the country. Floyd cried out for his mother before  becoming unresponsive with an officer’s knee on his neck.

Chinn read the names of more than a dozen other people who have been killed by police officers. She said the country is grappling with discrimination. She said hard discussions are needed.

“I am fighter, I am a survivor,” she said. “We can do this together.”

Mayor Sidari also addressed the group, telling them he has an open mind and open heart. He said the community needs to acknowledge “an imbalance not only today but going back to the beginning of our country.”

“Let’s keep this discussion moving forward,” Sidari said.

The Walk for Peace was organized by Cheryl Thompson, a school district employee.

Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward, a 1992 Medina graduate, said the department strives to be responsive to the community. All officers now wear body cameras, and the department has increased its training, and will do more.

Kenward said he is “disgusted and enraged” at Floyd’s death by the Minneapolis officer.

He said he wants to hear from the community “on where we need to go and how to get there.”

Mark Kruzynski, superintendent of Medina Central School, is joined up front by Dan Doctor, the district’s director of community outreach.

Kruzynski said the district’s workforce doesn’t reflect the makeup of the student body, where about 10 percent of the students are black. Kruzynski said Medina would work to hire more African Americans and also would have students read books by black authors. Right now, all of the books read in the school are by white writers.

“We’re going to review our hiring practices so we have a staff that is more reflective of the community,” Kruzynski said. “We are going to become better, I promise.”

Dan Doctor, the district’s director of community outreach, is shown speaking while someone holds up a sign that says, “Silence is Betrayal.”

Doctor said the community needs to continue a march for justice, for better opportunities for students. The parents and guardians of students need to be more engaged in their kids’ education.

Doctor said it truly takes a community to raise a child. He said the march for justice includes students who excel at school.

“Our actions speak louder than words,” Doctor said. “Faith without works is dead.”

Rich Damey, pastor of Faith Bible Baptist Church, said he is sad that many Americans are marginalized right now. The death of George Floyd has galvanized the country, and highlighted the systemic injustices – “our economic and social systems are very biased.”

Damey urged everyone in the crowd and community to ask themselves what they can do for black lives.

“The voice of the African-American community is being heard throughout the world like never before, in an unprecedented way,” Damey said. “You have the world’s ear.”

Greg Boose, a deacon at Glad Tidings Baptist Church, leads the crowd in singing, “Every Praise.”

Nathaniel Little, elder at Glad Tidings Baptist Church, said God made black and white people in his image. “Until your heart changes there will not be change,” he said.

Anita Chinn and about 100 people knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd. That’s how long his was down on the ground with a police officer’s knee on his neck.

Medina Lt. Todd Draper and Police Chief Chad Kenward joined the group in taking a knee in memory of George Floyd.

The group, which included several Medina teachers and staff members, kneels as a tribute to George Floyd.

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MEDINA – A Medina police officer and firefighters were able to help revive a young girl on Friday evening.

A police officer was at a residence one minute after being dispatched at 6:26 p.m. The girl was moved from a pool by a family member and wasn’t conscious or breathing.

Jake Reeves, a Medina police officer, took over CPR from a family member and a neighbor. Reeves began a series of back blows and chest compressions and then carried the child to the ambulance where a team of on- and off-duty firefighters took over patient care.

The child was in cardiac arrest and advanced life support treatments were initiated. Firefighters on scene achieved return of spontaneous circulation and the patient was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital for further care while awaiting a medevac unit from Mercy Flight for transport to Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.

“We have been in contact with the family, although the child is still being treated at the hospital, the child is conscious and talking,” according to a joint press release from the Medina Police and Fire Departments. “The family wishes to remain anonymous at this time but they also would like to express their gratitude to all personnel and agencies involved in this incident.”

This incident highlights the training and hard work of many in the chain of survival – early recognition, calling 911, professional dispatching, bystander CPR, quick response of the Police and Fire Departments, the talented hospital staff, specialty air transport by Mercy Flight and the specialized care offered at Oishei Children’s Hospital. All of those things together has led to a successful outcome, each link in the chain is vital.

Both agencies would like to recognize the efforts of all village police officers and firefighters who responded to this incident. Responding from the Police Department were Officers Reeves, Zangerle and Prawel. From the Fire Department, the on-duty crew of Captain Young and Firefighters Simmons, Urtel and T. Miller. Off-duty crew members were Lieutenants Cooley and Crooks along with Firefighters Fisher and Long.

“I’m really proud of these members of the Medina Fire and Police Departments,” said Fire Chief Matt Jackson. “This was a very stressful incident and time was essential. The teamwork and ability to remain calm while performing at the highest level was a testament to the training and experience these guys face day in and day out. I’m also very happy for this family. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that this outcome was the direct result of a collaborative effort by family, the Medina Fire Department, the Medina Police Department, Medina Memorial Hospital, Mercy Flight and Oishei Children’s Hospital. Outstanding job by everyone involved!”

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File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Medina’s graduation in June 2016 shows the Daisy Chain and graduates inside at the High School Auditorium. This year’s commencement will be split into three services and will be held outside at Vets Park.

MEDINA – The school district will have three graduation ceremonies on June 26, with attendance capped at 150, in order to meet the new guidelines from the state.

Medina High School Principal Michael Cavanagh announced today there will be three commencement services for the Class of 2020 at Vets Park, with the services at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Medina has about 110 graduates in the class. They will be grouped alphabetically according to last name.

“We are very pleased that we will be able to keep many of our time-honored traditions such as the Daisy Chain but we are still solidifying many of the details,” Cavanagh said in a notice to the community.

The district will have a rehearsal on June 25 for each of the three ceremonies. Medina will distribute all end-of-year items at the rehearsals, such as graduation attire, scholarships, Top Ten medals and cords.

“Looking forward to a fantastic ending for a truly unprecedented school year,” Cavanagh said.

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MEDINA – Boy Scouts from Troop 28 in Medina held a drive-in “Scouting for Food” event today at The Grove United Methodist Church to benefit local residents.

The troop took safety precautions by wearing masks and gloves, and observing social distancing. Pictured are Adam James Horton, Hunter Walczek, Jensen Knickerbocker, Roman Vella, Nathaniel Miller and Tyler Miller with their leaders Tim Miller, Aaron Thomas and Sam Vella.

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MEDINA – The Medina Department of Public Works put out flowers today along Main Street. Mary Lewis, left, and Kathy Blackburn, right, of the Medina Area Partnership’s Beautification Committee and Mayor Mike Sidari were there when the first planters were placed. The Beautification Committee said they are still accepting donations. Stop by Creekside Floral to see Lewis for an application to donate.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Edee Hoffmeister has been a hairdresser for 40 years. Today was the first day she wore a mask and also a face shield while working. It’s required by the state.

“I hate it,” said Hoffmeister, owner of Celebrity Day Spa. “I feel very claustrophobic. But I’m very happy to be open. I’ll do what I have to do.”

Hair salons and barbers have many restrictions as part of Phase 2 of the state reopening the economy. People who enter the business are given a temperature check when they step inside. If it’s a 100 degrees or more, they aren’t allowed to stay inside.

They are asked if they have had any Covid-19 symptoms the past two weeks — cough, fever, chills, or loss of taste or smell.

They are asked if they have had a Covid-19 test in the past 14 days, or if they have been in close contact in the past 14 days with a person who is confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19.

Hoffmeister and her staff also have to have a Covid-19 test every two weeks. She took one in Batavia on Friday.

Her business is significantly curtailed, however. She can cut hair and color it, but she can’t do nails, facials, pedicures or body treatments. She can’t trim a beard.

After a haircut, she has to disinfect the chair and counter and wait 10 minutes before the next customer.

Hoffmeister has been preparing for today for several weeks.

“I’ve taken many, many webinars to keep our customers safe,” Hoffmeister said.

Jaye Sullivan, left, shows Julie Harrington some of the dresses in the infants’ clothing section at Blissett’s Specialty Shop. Sullivan, owner of the business, sells wedding dresses and formal gowns, and also rents out tuxedos.

She said she will have to disinfect any dresses that are tried on. She will use a steamer to do that before the dress can go back on the rack.

She will be doing appointment only for people to look through the formal clothing.

“I think it’s going to be a long time before the businesses get the traffic back to where it was,” she said.

The sign outside Blissett’s reflects life in a pandemic.

Sullivan said many weddings have been rescheduled for next year with some pushed back to 2022. Some of the weddings are going on this year, but in front of small crowds with receptions scheduled for later in the year when the restrictions on crowd sizes are expected to be larger. Right now, the maximum gathering is limited to 10 people.

Businesses also are going to have to do more work with cleaning and disinfecting inside their shops.

Harrington, the customer pictured from Lyndonville, was shopping for a dress today for her granddaughter. Harrington drove down Main Street and noticed more cars parked in the downtown.

“It’s nice to see more people out,” Harrington said.

Mary Lewis, owner of Creekside Floral at 509 Main St., is pictured looking through a window that hangs down as a glass partition in front of the registers.

Lewis wanted something besides plain Plexiglass as a partition. Her employees are wearing masks and hand sanitizer is available in the store. She will limit the number of people inside, but Lewis said that is seldom an issue.

She also has color-coded phones so the same employee answers the same phone each shift.

She has been doing curbside pickup and making deliveries the past 10 weeks, before opening the doors of the store today to the public.

“It feels sort of normal,” she said. “It’s nice to see people. It’s refreshing.”

Lynne Brundage, owner of ellen j goods, greeted customers today at the shop with vintage and antique furniture and home décor. She ellen j goods opened seven years ago. Brundage and her employees are wearing face masks.

She posted a sign on the front door, urging customers to wear a mask if they enter the store at 435 Main St. She has hand sanitizer by the front door.

“People are excited to come in and browse,” she said.

Brundage kept busy the past 10 weeks by shipping items throughout the country. She did more Facebook videos and Instagram posts to highlight items. Today she was happy to see people in person.

Bonnie Heck, owner of Herbalty Cottage, welcomed customers back inside the business at 415 Main St. She sells high-grade organic herbs, teas, balsamic vinegars, gourmet oils and other natural products.

The capacity of the Himalayan Salt Room has been reduced from six to three people.

The store was closed to the public the past 10 weeks, but people could order by phone. Heck would set the orders outside by the door. She was happy to have people back inside today.

“It feels good to be here,” she said. “We’ve missed our customers and clients.”

Heck is wearing a mask inside and asking her customers, too, as well.

She has hand sanitizer for when people enter the store. She will add floor decals on Monday that encourage people to stay six feet apart.

She has reduced the capacity in the store, allowing up to six inside the main store room. She won’t be doing any in-store tastings during Phase 2.

She has a Himalayan Salt Room, and has reduced the capacity from six to three people.

Gloria Fierch, owner of The Book Shoppe, is shown looking through the partition on the front counter, where she also has hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes.

Fierch and her husband Fred bought the book store on Dec. 2. She said people seem a little leery to be out shopping inside stores, due to concerns about Covid-19. She has been handling many orders through deliveries and by shipping books and gifts.

“It’s a big relief,” she said about the store opening its doors once again.

She takes Covid-19 seriously and urges the community to continue to take precautions.

“We need to continue to take measures to combat this so we can move on,” she said.

Laura Gardner owns a lily and a sparrow at 438 Main St. She gave her hand sanitizer a floral design, and her decals on the floor, showing six-feet separation, also have a floral design.

“It’s just a different way of doing things,” she said.

Gardner doesn’t have any employees at the store, which sells designer clothing, leather handbags, perfume, jewelry, vintage glassware and note cards.

She made some sales during the 10-week shutdown, posting products on social media and shipping them through the Postal Service.

“It wasn’t a sustainable way to do business,” she said. “I’m a brick-and-mortar store.”

Susan Fuller, owner of Della’s Chocolates, was able to stay open the past 10 weeks because she is considered a food business. She has run the operation by herself, without any employees.

She put in a partition by the cash register and stepped up the cleaning. She also wears a face mask.

She has done deliveries, curbside service and shipped her chocolate and candy. She is glad more of her neighboring businesses are now open, too.

“If you’re creative, you can make it,” she said about a challenging time to be in business. “It’s good it’s starting to get back to normal, although it will be a new normal.”

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Provided photo: A school bell from the Medina Free Academy is now on display in the lobby at Medina High School.

MEDINA – The lobby in Medina High School now displays a cast-iron bell that used to ring at Medina’s first public school – the Medina Free Academy on Catherine Street.

That school opened in 1851. The bell was made a year earlier in Buffalo. When the Medina Academy opened in 1851, it was only the third school in the state to offer free education for students. Most academies then were tuition-based, Lacy said.

The school was knocked down in 1922 and a new school was built there and served as the high school until 1991. When the Academy building was razed in 1922, the bell was stored in the basement of Central School, an elementary school on South Academy Street.

After fire destroyed Central School in 1967, contractor Carl Petronio Jr. was hired to clean up the rubble and discovered the bell. He removed it to storage and recently donated it to the Medina Historical Society.

Craig Lacy, former Historical Society president, realized the significance of the 700-pound bell. He contacted Barnes Metal Finishing Company, which restored the bell.

Mark Kruzynski, the Medina school superintendent, is happy to have the bell on display in a prominent location in the high school. The district had a base made to display the bell as part of a current capital project. The base looks like Medina sandstone but is actually cultured stone. The district used similar stone with the upgraded entrance to Vets’ Park.

Kruzynski said the bell is an important artifact in the community’s public school history. He also hopes the bell can be used in future graduation ceremonies in the high school. Perhaps the bell could be rung to kick off the commencement ceremony, he said.

“We wanted it to be seen by a lot of people and also to be protected,” Kruzynski said about the location in the school’s lobby.

This image shows the Medina Free Academy, which opened in 1851 with the average attendance of about 300 to 400 students. The bell tower is at top.

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MEDINA – Denny and Robin Dubai, volunteers at the Medina Emergency Food Pantry At St. Peter’s, donated a sheet pizza to manager Dan Leverenz, left, and the workers at Aldi for their dedicated work during the pandemic. The store is located on Maple Ridge Road.

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Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Veterans from Medina spent the morning on Memorial Day visiting local cemeteries and memorials, offering a gun salute and playing Taps. The top picture shows the Honor Guard by the American Legion Post on Main Street and Glenwood Avenue.

The veterans assembled a small group and continued a Memorial Day observance, trying to stay six feet apart due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

These six Marine Corps veterans stand in front of the Vietnam War memorial at the American Legion in Medina. From left are Randolph Wells, Jim Freas, Tom Walders, Nick Fitzak, Don Hinman and Dave Morien.

Jim Freas, leader of the Honor Guard, joins the veterans at St. Mary’s Cemetery for the gun salute and playing of Taps.

Tom Walders plays Taps at Boxwood. Walders recently joined the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Glenn Whitmore, left, and Dave Kusmierczak are pictured by the Vietnam War Memorial by the Erie Canal.

Lance Cpl. Nick Fitzak, left, and Tom Snyder, a veteran of the Navy, are pictured at the VFW post. Fitzak works for Snyder at Medina Lumber & Hardware.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Steve Johnson salutes after he presented flowers at State Street Park during a Memorial Day ceremony today at about noon.

It was a smaller service today due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local veterans insisted on having a service to honor veterans who have served the country.

To see a video of the gun salute and Tom Walders playing Taps at the service, click here.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley reads the names of veterans from the Medina area who have died since last Memorial Day. Jim Freas, one of the organziers of the service, is in back.

That roll includes:

• Donald Durow, Army; Charles Marcinowski, Army; Raymond Callard, Army; Walter Hird, Air Force; Kenneth Schaal, Marines; John Baron, Navy; Charles Sutliff, Navy; Jack Bellack, Army; Leonard Balcerzak, Army; Douglas Birch, Army; Eugene Schwarzott, Navy;

• Steven Sills, Army; Robert Holtz, Air Force; William Ames, Navy; Frank Nicometi, Army; Robert Simpson, Army; David Watts, Army; Curtis Bentley, Army; James Johnson, Marines; Leonard Levandowski; Frederick Grant, Air Force; Peter Hallows; Jake Grehlinger, Army;

• William Brazzell, National Guard; Charles Marcinowski, Army; Roger Seefeldt, Army; William Renouf, Navy; Joseph Nieboer, Navy; Charles Sutliff, Navy; Gordon Tooley, Army; William Arnett, Army;

• Lavern “Bud” Fuller, Army; Eugene Schwarzott, Jr., Navy; Leonard Balcerzak, Army; Curtis Bentley, Air Force; and David Watts, Army.

Bernard Nowak, a former Navy chaplain, shared a prayer during the service. Nowak now serves as the priest for Holy Trinity Parish in Medina and Middleport.

Veterans gather by the World War I cannon at State Street Park. That cannon was refurbished and rededicated at last year’s Memorial Day.

Steve Earl carries the flag for the American Legion from State Street Park to the VFW after today’s Memorial Day service at the park.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Honor Guard carries the flags down Main Street in Medina during a procession from the Olde Pickle Factory to State Street Park. Pictured from left include Lance Cpl. Nick Fitzak, Adam Johnson, Steve Earl, Greg Stanton and Tom Snyder.

The walked the usual route for the Memorial Day parade in 80-degree heat. Normally the veterans are joined by the Medina Marching Band, youth sports leagues, fire departments and the community organizations.

This year the parade was cancelled due to concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.

The five veterans decided to continue the Memorial Day tradition, carrying the flags from the United States, the American Legion and the VFW post.

The Honor Guard heads out on the walk from the Olde Pickle Factory on park Avenue, for a mile to State Street Park on Route 31.

Greg Stanton carries the American flag next to Tom Snyder as part of an Honor Guard procession down East Center Street today just before noon.

A man removes his hat and salutes while the Honor Guard walks by on Main Street.

The Honor Guard heads down Main Street. Tom Snyder, right, wore his Navy uniform.

Snyder said today’s march on Memorial Day was much quieter than the usual Memorial Day parade. He said it was a more reflective walk, and he thought of two of his friends from the military who were killed in service to the country.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Madison Bale is hugged by Emma Herman this evening when a caravan from the Orleans County Christian School stopped with signs and gifts for seniors at the school.

Madison and Emma are both seniors at the school, which meets at the Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship Church on Route 63 in Shelby.

There are three seniors in this year’s class at the school and they all live in the Medina area. There will be a small graduation ceremony on June 11 at the church for the three students and their families.

Madison Bale has been attending the Orleans County Christian School the past four years. She likes the close-knit community at the school.

“It was a great place for me,” Bale said. “It gave me the one-on-one with teachers. Everybody is great there.”

She plans to work at Voss Manufacturing in Sanborn after graduation. She has been doing a co-op internship at Voss in Automated Manufacturing and Engineering through the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

Emma Herman poses with her sign in her front yard. Emma plans to start a dog-walking business.

Amy Herman and this group helped greet the seniors. Amy is Emma Herman’s mother. The caravan of greeters included a fire truck from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

Ben Bielisky received balloons and a graduation gift. He wants to be a video game programmer.

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