By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Thomas the Tank Engine gets a wave as the train heads out for its final 25-minute ride today at about 5:30 p.m. About 2,500 people rode the train today.
Thomas returned to Medina last week for the 12th annual event. He will be in Medina on Sunday for the final day of this year’s “Day Out With Thomas” at the Medina Railroad Museum. About 9,000 people are expected to ride the train during his four days in Medina this year.
Viennah, 1, is held by Josh Nickerson of Gerry, near Jamestown, while the bubble machine generates lots of bubbles at the Thomas event today at the Medina Railroad Museum. In addition to riding the train, there was numerous activities at the museum and on its grounds for children.
Sir Topham Hatt, one of the characters in the Thomas children’s show, meets with some the visitors to the museum at the Day Out with Thomas.
David Murphy, engineer on the Thomas train, waves to the crowd as the train departs for a 25-minute ride.
Cody Catlin of Carlton welcomed riders to the train, which includes five railroad coaches from 1946-1947. The WNY Railway Historical Society owns the coaches.
Some of the young riders peer out the windows and wave from the train.
Hugh James, treasurer for the Medina Railroad Museum, is pictured at the front of a maze he designed in 2005, when Thomas first came to Medina. The “Sodor Engine House Maze” is a substitute for a hay bale maze. Volunteers set up the Thomas maze with 96 fence posts.
James said the Thomas event provides critical revenue to keep the Railroad Museum operating throughout the year.
“Thomas was a life-saver,” James said. Revenue from the Thomas event also helped pay for a new roof on the 301-foot-long museum building, a former freight house.
The Thomas event remains popular, but attendance is down from the 18,000 in 2005 when the event was packed for six days. James said about 60 to 70 volunteers and paid staff help run the Thomas event.
The museum also runs Polar Express rides close to Christmas that have about 11,000 riders. The museum also has many other excursion trips throughout the year. Click here for more information.
Thomas continues to be a big draw for the museum. Most of the riders are from Buffalo and Rochester, with a small percentage from Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photos – Medina Sandstone Society President James Hancock, left, accepts a $25,000 check for the Sandstone Society from the Medina Masonic Lodge. The Masons gave the money of memory of Roberts Waters, a long-time Mason and also the president of the Sandstone Society until his death at age 90 on July 29, 2015. The masons in the photo include, from left: Lodge Master Alan Kozody, Jonathan Incho, Allan Kropf, and Robert Donovan, district deputy grand master.
MEDINA – The Medina Masonic Lodge has given $25,000 in memory of their long-time member Robert Waters to an organization that promotes local history and supports many community causes.
Waters was president of the Medina Sandstone Society until his death at age 90 last July 29. The Masons donated the $25,000 to the Sandstone Society, which will likely use the money to grow the Sandstone Trust, a fund used for community projects.
Waters pushed to create the Sandstone Trust, which has about $100,000 in the endowment fund. In the Trust’s five years it has given about $20,000 worth of grants to local programs, projects and organizations. Most of those grants run from $200 to $600 or even $1,000 in unusual cases.
The Sandstone Society board of directors will decide how to use the $25,000. Hancock said he expects it will go to the Sandstone Trust, which could result in more grants to be given annually for the community.
“It was a wonderful gesture on their part,” Hancock said about the donation from the Masonic Lodge.
The Masons sold their building on West Center Street in January to the World Life Institute. Some of the proceeds from the sale were used to make the donation in memory of Waters.
“Everybody was just overwhelmed,” Hancock said about the gift. “It was such a nice thing for them to do for Bob.”
The Masons continue to be active in Medina. They are meeting at the lodge in Middleport, while working on community service efforts in Medina.
The donation from the Masonic Lodge to the Sandstone Society was announced on Wednesday during an event at City Hall, where there is a Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. This group pictured includes, front row from left: Sue Holland of the Sandstone Society; Barb Waters, wife of Mr. Waters; and Jim Hancock, current Sandstone Society president. Back row: Medina Masonic Lodge members Robert Donovan, Robert Harrold, Lodge Master Alan Kozody, Jonathan Incho and Allan Kropf; and Sandstone Society members Peggy Schreck, Don Colquhoun and Tim Moriarty.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Pride Pak gets big response for new jobs
Provided photo – About 200 people poured into the Medina United Methodist Church in the first 15 minutes of a job fair this afternoon. About 15 businesses were on site during the job fair from 1 to 5 p.m.
MEDINA – The first-ever Medina Area Job Fair was packed with job hunters this afternoon. There were about 15 companies at the job fair, with Pride Pak drawing the most attention.
Pride Pak has a vegetable processing plant under construction on Maple Rudge Road. The company is eyeing Aug. 1 for the opening of the facility, but will hire staff before then for training, said Mauro LoRusso, vice president of finance.
Pride Pak expects to have 40 employees in the first year, and will hire for the production line, maintenance, clerical, fork lift operations, and janitorial. LoRusso said he was impressed with the long line of potential employees at the job fair.
“It’s more than I expected,” he said about the turnout.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Pride Pak Canada, which is opening a new vegetable processing facility in Medina, had a long line of job seekers looking for employment at the site on Maple Ridge Road. The following company officials are pictured at the Pride Pak booth today, from left: Mauro LoRusso, vice president for finance; Amanda Chronis, human resources administrator; and Angelo Karr, vice president.
Medina village officials pushed for the job fair with the Orleans County Job Development Agency. Michael Sidari, Medina mayor, said there are many companies in Medina looking to fill jobs, from technical skills to human services.
“There are quite a few jobs around,” he said.
Two extra tables had to be added after the job fair opened to accommodate people filling out job applications. Sidari was pleased to see so many residents show up.
“You get the feeling that people really want to work,” he said.
Kelly Kiebala, the Job Development director, said there at least 200 open positions in the county. The job fair included representatives from agencies that provide child care, transportation and housing. Kiebala said those agencies can help fill barriers to employment.
Sarah Levanduski-Surdel, client program manager for Adecco, has worked as a job recruiter for the past decade for Adecco in Batavia and Lockport. She said it is a tight labor market currently, with companies looking to fill many positions. The businesses have also boosted their wages, partly because of the increase in the minimum wage for fast food workers to $9.75 per hour.
“We don’t have enough people to fill all of the jobs,” she said.
Some people are still reluctant to start at entry level positions. Levanduski-Surdel urges people to take those jobs.
“You have to start somewhere,” she said. “The jobs are out there. Don’t be afraid to get some experience in a job you don’t see yourself in in 10 years.”
Sarah Levanduski-Surdel lives in Shelby and has watched the 62,000-square-foot Pride Pak facility take shape.
“Something new with new opportunities for people is awesome,” she said.
MEDINA – The community shouldn’t be alarmed if they see a large presence of police at Medina Memorial Hospital today.
Orleans Community Health, parent organization of the hospital, is holding a “Dangerous Person” drill at Medina Memorial, preparing staff and law enforcement in case a gunman or somebody else threatens the site.
Medina residents and hospital visitors should expect a large police presence at the hospital today from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hospital’s leadership staff also will be in a four-hour training on Tuesday with a certified instructor to prepare and respond to dangerous situations.
Hospital officials have been preparing for the drill for several months.
Wendy Jacobson, CEO and president of Orleans Community Health, said there has been an increase in “drug-seeking behavior” at hospitals, in general, with people showing up demanding prescription narcotics.
Medina Memorial and the Urgent Care site in Albion have both bolstered security. Medina Memorial wants staff and law enforcement to be prepared in case a dangerous person is on site.
A dangerous person could be someone seeking prescription narcotics, or perhaps a partner of a staff or patient with a restraining order.
The hospital in the past has been the site for large drills for hazardous materials and mass casualties, but never for a “dangerous person.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The walkway to the Albion Middle School is pictured Monday evening while the trees are in bloom in front a Vietnam Memorial.
Voters will go the polls today at the five school districts in Orleans County to decide whether to pass budgets, propositions and elect members to the Board of Education.
Here is a snapshot of each school district:
ALBION – The proposed $33,890,990 school budget keeps taxes at the same amount, $8,355,939, as the 2015-16 budget. The district’s tax rate for the current school year, $16.06 per $1,000 of assessed property, is the lowest of all districts in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties. The Albion rate is estimated to fall to $15.87 in 2016-17, school officials said.
Other propositions include:
Authorization to spend up to $460,000 for buses;
Approval to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library, which is up 1 percent from the $680,411 for 2015-16.
Choosing one of four candidates for a five-year term on the Board of Education. The candidates include Dylan Hellems, Steven LaLonde, Kevin Doherty and Anitrice Riley.
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the elementary school, conference room A.
HOLLEY – The proposed $24.4 million budget for 2016-17 includes a 1.99 percent increase in the tax levy. The budget is 4.73 percent higher than the current year budget. The nearly 5 percent budget-to-budget increase is due to the district’s share of the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Capital Project, school officials said.
The proposed budget maintains current staffing and programs, and brings the average tax rate to approximately $22.81 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Besides the budget, voters will decide the following: Proposition 2 for the purchase of schools buses – two full-sized and two 30-passenger school buses not to exceed $339,000; Proposition 3 is the budget for the Community Free Library in Holley of $116,061.
Additionally, three candidates are running for two 3-year term seats on the School Board. John Heise and Brenda Swanger are running for re-election, and Christine Klafehn is also running for an open seat.
Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the foyer of the Holley Middle School/High School.
KENDALL – The proposed budget increases spending from $15,065,842 to $17,392,234, predominantly due to the debt incurred with the recent capital improvement project. The budget-to-budget increase, however, is completely offset by an increase in state aid from $9,884,890 to $11,855,939, school officials said.
The proposed tax levy remains unchanged in the 2016/17 budget, and the tax rate will be $17.39/$1,000 assessed value for a Kendall resident.
One seat on the School Board of Education is up for election this year. Incumbent Charles Patt is seeking another term. Debra Szczepanski is also seeking a term on the Board. The five-year term will run through June 30, 2021.
Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School Gymnasium.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proposing a budget that will reduce taxes by 3.4 percent, continuing a downward trend in the tax burden.
The district is proposing a budget that seeks a tax levy of $4,266,578, which is down from $4,416,578 in 2015-16. The previous year, 2014-15, the district’s tax levy was $4,666,578. Lyndonville has reduced the tax levy by $400,000 in two years, a drop of 8.6 percent.
The district’s $13,254,000 budget is nearly the same in expenditures as in 2015-16. The 2016-17 budget is $108 more than the $13,253,892 in 2015-16.
Other propositions include:
$91,589 for Yates Community Library (up from $90,653).
Establish 2016 Transportation Reserve Fund to fund bus and vehicle purchases, not to exceed $720,000 over 8 years.
Authorization to purchase one 66-passenger school bus at a maximum estimated cost of $110,000. School officials say the bus proposition and Transportation Reserve Fund will not have an impact on the tax levy.
Three incumbents on the Board of Education are all running unopposed for three-year terms. They include Harold Suhr, Terry Stinson and Rick Mufford.
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the Stroyan Auditorium forum.
MEDINA – The school district’s budget for 2016-17 reduces taxes for the fourth straight year. The $35,825,184 budget is up about $1 million from the $34,802,870 in 2015-16.
The state has boosted aid by nearly $900,000 and Medina is tapping some of its reserve funds to lower taxes in 2016-17, school officials said.
The new state budget boosts aid to Medina from $23,769,997 to $24,860,152. That increase is a big factor in Medina’s ability to cut taxes by 1.3 percent, from $8,774,760 to $8,660,915.
The budget keeps all existing programs and also boosts the gifted and talented offerings.
There are six people running for three three-year terms, including incumbents Lori Draper and Wendi Pencille. Retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi also is running for the board along with Timothy Dunham, Virginia Nicholson and Brenda Lindsay. (Draper and Pencille are seeking re-election and John McCarthy opted against seeking another term.)
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the District Office.
Photo from NY State Police – This 2006 Chevrolet Impala was split in two after hitting a tree on Platten Road last night at about 11:30 p.m.
Press Release, NY State Police
YATES – Troopers are investigating a one-car accident which occurred just before midnight on Platten Road in the Town of Yates.
Melanie Cantabrana, 23, of Medina was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Impala eastbound on Platten Road at a high rate of speed when she drove off the roadway and struck a large tree. The force of the impact split the vehicle in two ripping the motor and transmission from the vehicle.
Cantabrana was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC with multiple fractures and internal injuries. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the accident. This accident is still under investigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2016 at 12:00 am
The school budgets and propositions at all five school districts in Orleans County passed by big margins today.Medina and Lyndonville presented budgets that reduced taxes, while Albion and Kendall didn’t raise taxes. Holley will increase taxes by 1.99 percent.
In Albion, the results include:
School budget passed, 444-94;
Authorization to spend up to $460,000 for buses, 452-86;
Approval to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library, 385-153.
Choosing one of four candidates for a five-year term on the Board of Education. Steven LaLonde was elected with 310 votes. Other candidates included Dylan Hellems, 31 votes; Kevin Doherty, 114; and Anitrice Riley, 93.
In Holley, the results include:
School budget passed, 373-207;
Authorization for the purchase of schools buses, 368-213;
Approval to collect $116,061 for Community Free Library, 418-166.
Choosing two 3-year term seats on the School Board. Brenda Swanger, 423 votes, and John Heise, 370, were elected. Christine Klafehn received 266 votes.
In Kendall, the results include:
School budget passed, 282-90;
School Bus Replacement Capital Reserve Fund passed, 294-80;
Voters elected Charles Patt, 218 votes, to another five-year term on the Board of Education. He outpolled Debi Szczepanski, 163 votes.
In Lyndonvile, the budget passed with more than 90 percent approval, 132-11.
Other propositions all passed including:
$91,589 for Yates Community Library, 121-22;
Establish 2016 Transportation Reserve Fund to fund bus and vehicle purchases, not to exceed $720,000 over 8 years, 125-15;
Authorization to purchase one 66-passenger school bus at a maximum estimated cost of $110,000, 124-16;
Three incumbents on the Board of Education – Harold Suhr, Terry Stinson and Rick Mufford – all were re-elected to three-year terms. Mufford received 123 votes, with 118 for Stinson and 116 for Suhr.
In Medina, the budget passed 522-59.
Six people ran for three three-year terms on the Board of Education. Incumbent Board President Wendi Pencille was the top vote-getter with 425, followed by Lori Draper with 384 and Brenda Lindsay with 369. Those three were elected. Other candidates include Timothy Dunham, 181; Virginia Nicholson, 165; and retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi, 160.
MEDINA – The Village of Medina in collaboration with the Orleans County Job Development Agency will host the premiere Medina Area Job Fair on Thursday, May 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Medina United Methodist Church (former Apple Grove), 11004 West Center Street Ext, in Medina.
The facility has plenty of space for parking in the adjacent lot, and transportation is also available through the Orleans Transit Service’s Dial-a-Ride by calling at least 24 hours in advance to 585-589-0707.
Participants include the newest addition to the Medina area, Pride Pak, along with many others such as ATB Staffing, Brunner, Child Care Resource & Referral (Community Action), Genesee Community College, Imagine Staffing, Iroquois Job Corps, Orchard Manor, Orleans County Adult Learning Services (OCALS), Orleans County Job Development’s Youth/Young Adult Employment Program, Orleans Transit Service, P-Raising Kids, Pathstone, Takeform, and more.
“We wanted to highlight the import of employment in the Medina area and the positive community we have here for living, working and playing, especially given the new businesses we are welcoming here such as Pride Pak along with the robust existing corporate base,” said Mayor Michael Sidari.
The Orleans County Job Development Agency is assisting with the event.
“The more opportunities we can facilitate by partnering with other agencies, both in the public and private sector, the better we are able to help both job seekers to find employment and businesses to develop a strong workforce, enhancing the economic vibrancy of Orleans County,” said Kelly Kiebala, director of Job Development.
Those seeking employment are invited to attend. They should bring a current resume and come dressed for success. Assistance with resume development, application completion and/or interview skills will be available on site by OC Job Development counselors.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
MEDINA – Fast Fitness and the Orleans County YMCA joined forces for a 12-week “Boot Camp Challenge” that was completed by 50 people. The challenge also raised $350 for the Y’s “Strong Communities” scholarship program to make the Y affordable for families.
The photo shows Kim Lockwood, left, owner of Fast Fitness with Mike Eaton and Shauna Parkinson of the Y.
Eaton had the idea for the Y and Fast Fitness to partner on the Boot Camp Challenge.
“The turnout for this challenge was very impressive,” Eaton said. “Bringing two gyms together and watching the progress made by everyone shows how much this community is committed. It was truly a joy to work with everyone and I look forward to more challenges.”
The Y and Fast Fitness plan to offer the challenge again in late summer or early fall, said Parkinson, the Y executive director.
“Enhancing the health and wellness of our community is our mission,” Parkinson said. “It was incredible the we were able to collaborate with Fast Fitness to provide an exceptional program, developed by Mike Eaton, that improved the lives of over 50 people.”
The Boot Camp Challenge was open to members and nonmembers of both facilities, and classes were held at both sites. Utilizing the resources of both the Y and Fast Fitness, Eaton developed a comprehensive and challenging program that engaged over 50 people, Parkinson said.
“A testament to Mike’s leadership and success as a fitness instructor, hundreds of pounds were lost and the quality of participants lives were improved through their participation in the program,” she said. “Both organizations benefited from the collaboration, Fast Fitness had several people participating in a program and getting exposure to new programs and services in the women’s-only facility. The same was true for the Y and a donation was given to the Y to benefit our scholarship assistance program.”
Jocelyn Beach won the challenge by losing the most weight.
“It was great for two organizations to come together to support the health and wellness of our community,” Lockwood said.
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) announced the locations and times of his upcoming Town Hall meetings in Orleans County on Saturday.
“I am excited by the opportunity to listen to the questions and concerns of my constituents in Orleans County,” Hawley said. “Positive feedback and constructive criticism keep me motivated to fight for better public policy each day. I use the concerns and ideas of my constituents to shape my initiatives, legislative votes and the programs I fight for during budget negotiations.”
The schedule for Saturday includes:
Village of Medina/Town of Ridgeway, 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Medina Fire Hall, 600 Main St.
Town of Barre, 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m., Barre Fire Hall, 4709 Oak Orchard Rd.
Village of Albion/Town of Albion, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Albion Fire Hall, 108 N. Platt St.
Village of Holley/Town of Murray, noon to 12:30 p.m., Holley Fire Hall, 7 Thomas St.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health next Wednesday, May 18, will have a “Dangerous Person” drill at Medina Memorial Hospital, preparing staff and law enforcement in case a gunman or somebody else threatens the site.
Hospital officials have been preparing for the drill for several months. It follows an incident on Saturday when a 24-year-old man went to Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport at 5 a.m., demanding drugs. The man said he had guns and a bomb. He was later arrested and charged with first-degree robbery.
Police had the hospital and surrounding neighborhood on lockdown until 10 a.m. Saturday. The suspected guns and bomb were a fake, The Buffalo News reported today.
Wendy Jacobson, CEO and president of Orleans Community Health, said there has been an increase in “drug-seeking behavior” at hospitals, in general.
Medina Memorial and the Urgent Care site in Albion have both bolstered security. Medina Memorial wants staff and law enforcement to be prepared in case a dangerous person is on site.
A dangerous person could be someone seeking prescription narcotics, or perhaps a partner of a staff or patient with a restraining order.
The hospital in the past has been the site for large drills for hazardous materials and mass casualties, but never for a “dangerous person.”
“Unfortunately it is necessary,” Jacobson said about the emergency drill. “We’re well ahead of it.”
Medina residents and hospital visitors should expect a large police presence at the hospital on May 18 from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hospital’s leadership staff also will be in a four-hour training on May 17 with a certified instructor to prepare and respond to dangerous situations.
MEDINA – Medina staff and students are pictured in front of the high school on May 4, when teachers across the United States staged walk-ins for Reclaim Our Schools Day. The walk-in was a demonstration of support for public education and the fight to make sure that every child gets the school they deserve.
Medina Central School District’s staff and some of their students walked into school together to show their support for their students and their schools. Teacher Joe Byrne said it was a great way to unite educators, parents, support staff, community members and students.
“As we entered our schools we want to show how we advocate for the public education that all children deserve,” Byrne said. “It was a positive experience and a great way for our staff to show solidarity.”
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band Boosters picked leaders for the 2016-17 school year at the Boosters’ May 2 meeting. These individuals will serve the organization for the 2016-2017 year.
Sitting, from left: Kelly Allen/Treasurer; Trisha Laszewski/Past President; Mindy Kenward/President; Julie Granchelli/Vice President; Holly Roush/Secretary.
Standing: Doug Waild/Transportation; Amy Strickland/Chaperones; Diane Grosslinger/Uniforms; Ellen Eaton/Delegate; Karey McMullen/Delegate; Kelly Squire/Student Accounts; and Kathy Dreyfus/Publicity.
The Boosters will continue to hold meetings during the summer to begin organizing the fundraising events through the summer and fall. These meetings are held on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the band room. While these people are elected to head up the various committees, the Boosters welcome parents and friends to join the effort.
The band will be competing in the Seneca Falls Pageant on May 20-21, and the Gorham Pageant on June 3-4. The Band Banquet is June 11.
MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club last week provided copies of the book “Flat Stanley” to second graders at Oak Orchard Elementary School. Medina teacher Tammy Vandegenachte (back, second from left) and her second grade class received books from Rotarians, including Edee Hoffmeister (back left) and President Bill Bixler (back, third from left). They joined students and Principal Dan Doctor in this photo. The Rotary Club also presented Flat Stanley, a Scholastic book, to other second graders.
The Medina Rotary Club uses fundraisers throughout the year to support community projects, including scholarships.
MEDINA – Medina High School English teacher Karen Jones recently had an honored guest in her classroom. Medina High School alumni and author, Julie Berry, paid a visit to Mrs. Jones’ 7th and 9th period seniors to discuss her book, “All The Truth That’s in Me.” The students had just finished reading it for an assignment.
The book is about a young woman named Judith and what happens to her after her best friend and she disappear from their small town. She returns permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those around her and eventually finds her voice again.
The book has won critical acclaim and has an Edgar Award nomination, A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten Title, A Junior Library Guild Selection, A School Library Journal Best Book of 2013, A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book for 2013, A Horn Book Fanfare 2013 title, a 2014 TAYSHAS Top Ten Pick and was on the short list for the Carnegie Medal.
“It was such a pleasure to have Julie in my class. We went to school together,” says Mrs. Jones. “It was a great opportunity for my students to be able to discuss the book with her. She also shared with them her new book that has recently been released. I am very appreciative she came in and spent time with all of us.”
