Medina

Medina Village Board urges state to amend criminal justice reforms

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2020 at 9:12 am

MEDINA — The Medina Village Board is urging the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to amend criminal justice reforms that started on Jan. 1.

The “drastic changes in the laws” are “overly broad and vague and having unintended consequences at the municipal level,” according to a resolution approved by the board on Monday evening.

The criminal justice reforms don’t allow judges to set bail in many cases where there used to be discretion for bail.

The state also overhauled the discovery process and now requires an expedited timeline to provide materials such as police reports, radio transmissions, body-worn and dash-cam video, laboratory test results and volumes of other materials and data related to prosecution. There is now a mandate to turn over voluminous trial-related material within 15 days.

The new laws were approved as part of the state budget last year, without public or law enforcement input.

The changes have put more demands on police departments, court systems and district attorney’s offices, forcing many of them to add staff to be in compliance with the laws.

The Medina board said the increased costs come without state aid during a time of a state-imposed tax cap of about 2 percent.

The Medina board said prosecutors and courts are being consumed by the demands for misdemeanor and felony cases, making it impossible to prosecute vehicle and traffic infractions within the timeframes of the new discovery mandates.

The Medina board asked for the following amendments proposed by the New York State Conference of Mayors, which still meet the intent of the criminal justice reforms:

• Ensure that cities and villages are provided with additional financial and operational support to offset the cost of the mandated measures;

• Allow 60 days for prosecutors to disclose evidence to the defense for criminal charges;

• Excuse from the accelerated discovery requirements any charge not involving a misdemeanor or felony;

• Adjust the 20-day arraignment requirement to accommodate local courts that meet on a monthly basis;

• Allow prosecutors to withhold sensitive information, such as victim contact information, without having to obtain a court order.

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Burger King in Medina looks to add charging station for electric cars

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 February 2020 at 8:25 am

MEDINA – The Burger King on Maple Ridge Road in Medina wants to add an electric charging station for electric cars.

Burger King has talked with Dan Gardner, the village code enforcement officer, about the approval process for installing a charging station.

Gardner advised the Village Board on Monday about the charging station, which would be the first in Medina or Orleans County to be available to the public.

The village currently doesn’t have specific language in its code for electric charging stations. The board asked Gardner to work with Chris Busch, the Planning Board chairman, to consider how the village code could be amended to include electric charging stations.

Gardner said Burger King hasn’t made a formal application to install a charging station, but is serious in making one available.

Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said she would like to see a charging station in the downtown business district as well. She said the charging stations draw visitors to a community.

“People with those cars plan their trips around a charging station,” she said.

The state has offered grants for communities to put in charging stations.

Click here to visit the Medina Burger King online.

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Medina FD will pursue federal grant for new ladder truck

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2020 at 10:11 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Fire Department’s ladder truck, shown at a fire on Marshall Road on March 13, 2016, is 24 years old. The Fire Department is seeking a federal grant that would pay about 95 percent of the costs for a new truck, estimated at $1,450,000.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina is applying for a federal grant that would pay about 95 percent of the costs of a new ladder fire truck.

The Village Board this evening authorized Fire Chief Matt Jackson to submit an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The new Quint ladder truck would cost an estimated $1,450,000 with Medina’s share about $70,000.

The grant application is due by 5 p.m. on March 13. The grants likely won’t be announced until November or December.

“I think we have a good chance with the age of our current vehicle and the condition it is in,” said Mayor Mike Sidari.

Medina’s current ladder truck is from 1996. The ladder is 75 feet long. Medina would like a truck with a 100-foot-long ladder.

If Medina is awarded the grant in late 2020, it would likely be another year from then before the new truck is ready because it takes about 11 months for a manufacturer to build the truck.

Village officials said Medina is already spending about $70,000 a year on the current ladder to keep it going.

“We’re being nickel and dimed with the mechanical issues,” said the fire chief.

Medina faces another issue if it gets a new ladder truck. The fire hall is too small for a new truck.

Currently there is only two inches of clearance from the top of the truck to get in and out of the bay in the fire hall. The new trucks are 4 inches above the top of the door.

Fire Chief Jackson is suggesting the village consider a 75-by-50-foot addition to the fire hall with two taller bays to allow more space to get trucks in and out of the building.

An addition would be an estimated $1.3 million to $1.5 million for the building, and extending heating and other utilities, as well as engineering costs.

“With the size of the vehicles today it’s inevitable someday,” Jackson told the board about an addition to the fire hall.

Medina wants to have the building designed and ready to bid out if the grant for the new fire trucks comes in. Mayor Sidari said there would likely be grants to help with an addition, with the village likely having to finance some of the costs.

It will be a moot point though if the village doesn’t receive the FEMA grant. The fire department has received FEMA funds before for equipment and towards a fire truck.

(Editor’s Note: This article was updated. The original post said the current truck has a ladder that is 96 feet long. It is 75 feet long.)

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Medina churches kick off Lenten lunches this week

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 February 2020 at 2:39 pm

MEDINA – Lenten lunches at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street will begin Feb. 27, hosted by the Medina Area Association of Churches.

Ecumenical in nature, the lunches are prepared by a different church each week.

MAAC has been sponsoring the lunches at the Presbyterian Church every Thursday during Lent for many years. Lunches begin at noon, followed by hymns and a short, meaningful reflection. They are done by 1 p.m. to accommodate those who have to go back to work.

This year, speakers will explore the theme of “Suffering and Sacrifice,” according to Jim and Barb Hancock, members of MAAC.

Everyone is invited to stop in and share a meal and fellowship. Take-outs are also available.

The first meal on Feb. 27 will be chicken casserole, prepared by the First Presbyterian Church. March 5 will be spaghetti and sauce prepared by Holy Trinity Parish. March 12 will be pulled pork prepared by Alabama Full Gospel Church. March 19 will be beef-on-weck prepared by the First Baptist Church. March 26 will be sloppy joes prepared by the Methodist Church of Abundant Harvest (Millville and Knowlesville). The final meal April 2 will be chili prepared by Oak Orchard Assembly of God.

There is a suggested donation of $5 per meal, with all proceeds going to Orleans County Meals on Wheels and Crop Walk.

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Author visits Medina school and promotes mental wellness

Posted 21 February 2020 at 4:56 pm

Provided photo: Author Sarah Klaiber is shown with students Robert Lewis, Jr., Isabelle Perkins, Kamaryon Warren, Hailey Session, Patrick Grollmes and Erin Allis.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Author Sarah Klaiber says her battle with depression inspired her to write her book, Treasures.

“It was about my journey about appreciating the positives in my life and helping to improve my mental wellness with more natural means,” she said.

She recently read her book to students at Medina’s Oak Orchard Elementary. “I want them to know that it is OK to feel blue sometimes and to look to the things in their lives that make them happy, their treasures so to speak. There are so many people, young and old, who suffer from depression and I think it is great that schools are now focusing on that and how to help students cope with these emotions.”

Studies show that one in five young people will experience a mental health challenge each year, with issues like depression and anxiety acting as significant impediments to academic success for students. There is a campaign in many schools to promote mental health understanding and dialogue, and decrease shame, prejudice and point students and parents to available resources like guidance counselors and social workers.

School librarian Molly DeBottis appreciated the message that Klaiber shared with the students. “Her message is so important about happiness and mental health,” DeBottis said. “It is good that we are starting at a younger age discussing this with them.”

The school librarian also is grateful that Klaiber discussed the writing process with the Medina classes.

“It helps them to see the possibilities about being an author and what they are capable of,” DeBottis said.

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Medina church makes push to get new building done on Maple Ridge

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Calvary Tabernacle Church hopes to open its doors by summer. The new church is located on 36 acres of land on Maple Ridge Road, just east of Salt Works Road.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 February 2020 at 10:19 am

MEDINA – Building a new church is a dream come true for the Rev. Vincent Iorio and his congregation.

Twenty-five years ago Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God purchased the former Medina High School building on Catherine Street, where they have held services ever since, welcomed the Orleans County Christian School and rented space to the Medina Area Association of Churches clothing depot.

About two years ago, the church began to plan for a new, modern edifice and they sold the high school to local businessman Roger Hungerford. Hungerford plans to turn the building into upscale apartments, but he has allowed the church to continue holding services there until they can move into their new church.

The Rev. Vincent Iorio, pastor of Cavalry Tabernacle Church, stands in the entryway of his new church which is being built on Maple Ridge Road. The church is now reaching out to the community for donations to finish the project by summer.

Iorio and his congregation began making plans for their new church and purchased 36 acres of land on Maple Ridge Road, between Tops and Salt Works Road. Construction began a year ago on the 10,400 square-foot building, where to date all utilities are in, and rooms are all framed and insulated.

Sale of the old high school provided funds to construct the church to its present state – 70 percent complete, the Rev. Iorio said.

“Now we are asking the community to help us,” the pastor said.

The Rev. Iorio said the church started fundraising five years ago. They have spent half a million to date, most of which came from the sale of the high school, but another $400,000 is needed.

The new church will seat 150 and have a sound booth, kitchen and fellowship hall, classrooms, a youth room, nursery and area for their Foodlink ministry.

The stage takes shape in the sanctuary of Calvary Tabernacle Church, which is being built on Maple Ridge Road.

“We are the largest Foodlink supplier in Orleans County,” the Rev. Iorio said. “In 2019, we served 1,488 families via our Food Pantry, and an additional 150 to 200 area families per week through the Mobile Food Pantry distribution, which takes place the second and fourth Thursday of every month.

The church also offers counseling services through their “Still Waters Counseling Center,” at no cost to clients. In 2018, 550 counseling sessions took place, assisting many local individuals, couples and families.

The Rev. Iorio invites the residents of Orleans and neighboring counties to come and see what they do every week.

“Please consider helping us complete the building so we can continue serving your neighbors right here in your own back yard,” the pastor said.

Everything is ready to go to finish the church, he said.

“We just need money and good weather,” he said.

He said any amount will be much appreciated. Donations may be mailed to Cavalry Tabernacle Church, P.O. Box 625, Medina.

Information about online giving and the church’s community outreach ministries is available at www.caltabag.org.

The Rev. Iorio stressed that his new church is being built by local contractors, such as Art Hill Excavating, Top Gun Construction, Heveron Electric, Superior Concrete, Albion Plumbing and Heating, Schuler Construction and NES Contracting.

He also added a thank you to the army of Calvary and community volunteers who contribute their time assisting with the food ministries, in particular. Anyone interested in volunteering can call the church office at (585) 798-3738.

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Bridal and prom show highlights many resources available in Medina for big day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2020 at 8:37 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Sarah Martin models a bridal gown from Blissett’s Specialty Shop on Sunday during a fashion show, featuring wedding gowns, prom and bridesmaid dresses, as well as tuxedos.

Medina: The Grove United Methodist Church hosted the second annual Blissett’s Specialty Shop Wedding & Prom Showcase. Besides the fashion show, the church hosted displays by many local businesses that offer services for weddings and proms.

Lindsay Fulwell models one of the bridal gowns. She walks through a circular arch provided by The Wed Shed of Lyndonville, one of the vendors at the show.

The bridal and prom showcase returned last year after a hiatus of about a generation. Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s, wanted to showcase the local businesses that provide high-quality services for formal events.

“Support your local businesses,” Sullivan said. “There is so much here that we offer.”

Darian Kinney models a formal gown in front of about 100 people during the fashion show at The Grove.

Kelsey Evoy models a wedding dress and Charlotte McGrath wears a dress for a flower girl during the fashion show.

Riki Lake models a formal gown on Sunday.

Alana Koneski wears a formal dress for the mother of the bride.

Jamie Fulwell models this wedding dress, with flowers by Creekside Floral.

Some of the models in the fashion show gather on the stage at the finale of the fashion show. Blissett’s provide the gowns while Ashlee’s Place provided the tuxedos. From left include Tyler Waldriff, Riki Lake, Kelsey Evoy, Darian Kinney, Jamie Fulwell, Lindsay Fulwell, Ellie Gross, Michelle Lewis, Sarah Martin and Tanner Waldriff.

Some of the vendors at the bridal and prom show on Sunday included: The Creative Studio in Medina, Case-Nic Cookies in Medina, Roots in Albion, Bent’s Opera House in Medina, Della’s Chocolates in Medina, Party Tents Plus in Medina, The Wed Shed in Lyndonville, The Gallagher in Medina, Creekside Floral in Medina, Brittany Ford Photography in Buffalo, Tupperware sold by Judy Szulis in Medina, LMR Entertainment in Medina, Village Spin in Medina, Blissett’s Speciality Shop in Medina and Zambistro Catering in Medina.

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Medina Winterguard competes at Batavia

Posted 16 February 2020 at 8:46 pm

Provided photos: Medina’s varsity winterguard is shown during its competition on Saturday in Batavia. Medina finished in third place.

Courtesy of Medina Marching Band

BATAVIA – Medina’s winterguards competed for the third time this season on Saturday when they traveled to Batavia. The Batavia show consisted of 18 guard units from WNY and Canada competing in 7 different classes.

In the SA class, the Medina Varsity guard came in 3rd with 67.85, bested by Orchard Park in 1st with 69.32 and Batavia in 2nd with 68.65.

In the RA class, the Medina JV guard came in 3rd with a score of 67.48, topped by Orchard Park in 1st with 69.09 and Gates in 2nd with 68.01.

Winners in the other classes are Legacy in Novice class with 43.92; Venture Cadet with 61.31; Lancaster in A1 with 63.85; Luminosa in Senior class with 69.69; and Legacy in Independent A with 74.12.

The students continue practicing several times per week even through school breaks. Medina’s next competitions are Feb. 29 at Marcus Whitman, Lancaster on March 7, at home in Medina on March 14, followed by Jamestown on March 21. The championships are March 28 at the Gates-Chili school.

Medina’s JV winterguard came in third place at the Batavia event.

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YMCA in Medina hosted 11 sanctioned boxing bouts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2020 at 10:42 pm

Theo Irwin, Medina grad, wants to bring back more boxing events to Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers: Caleb Rivera is declared the winner in a bout against John Rondon. It was one of 11 sanctioned boxing matches by USA Boxing today at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina.

MEDINA – The Orleans County YMCA hosted 11 boxing bouts today, which were sanctioned by USA Boxing. These are believed to the first sanctioned boxing matches in Medina since the 1950s.

Medina native Theo Irwin, 26, served as promoter of the event. He also runs a boxing gym in Rochester and had five of his fighters in the ring today.

Irwin started boxing when he was 6 and fought in 29 sanctioned matches. He has been a boxing coach the past three years. This Tuesday he will begin leading a non-contact boxing class at the YMCA in Medina on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. That class is open to people of all ages.

Ellison Rivera, in red, lands a punch against Cameron Overton.

About 200 people attended the boxing matches today, which was considered a good crowd, especially at a new venue. Irwin would like to have Medina host boxing again in the future, at least once annually. He said the local Y is ideally located between Rochester and Buffalo.

Irwin runs a construction business, framing houses during the day. He is at the gym almost every day at the Montgomery Neighborhood Center on Cady Street in Rochester.

Theo Irwin coached five of the boxers today. He wears a green robe in honor of his Irish heritage. He also served as promoter of the event today in Medina. He would like to make Medina a regular site for boxing matches in the Niagara Region. He said Medina is ideally located between Rochester and Buffalo. The Niagara District of USA Boxing extends from Syracuse to Jamestown.

Sharee Smith, right, eyes his opponent, Javon Taylor of Lockport.

Sharee Smith, 15, has been training with Irwin the past three months. Today’s was Smith’s fourth fight. He lost in a technical knockout to Lockport’s Javon Taylor, who was making his debut in a sanctioned boxing match.

After the bout Sharee said he was eager to get back in the ring. The 150-pound fighter wasn’t discouraged by the defeat.

He said boxing is a great way “to blow off steam.” He also plays football. He likes training with Irwin, one of seven or eight regulars in the gym.

“He’s positive,” Sharee said. “He’s a good role model.”

Boxing takes discipline, and self motivation.

Sharee knows the biggest key for a boxer: “You got to have heart and lot of people don’t have it,” he said.

Theo Irwin, right, checks on his boxer, 15-year-old Sharee Smith. Sharee took some tough punches in the first round. Irwin gave him positive feedback, and encouraged him to move around more in the ring.

Shares Smith and Javon Taylor battle in the ring. Jimmie Phelps is the referee. Taylor would win the bout in the third round in a technical knockout.

Theo Irwin checks on Sharee Smith after the second round. The boxers fought for two minutes and then had a one-minute break in between rounds.

Irwin’s father Mark was active with USA Boxing for about 20 years, including seven years as the chief official. Irwin, a former Medina village trustee, also boxed in his early 20s.

“It’s conditioning and discipline,” he said about the sport. “A lot of it is mental toughness because a lot of the training is solitary. You have to be disciplined. A non-disciplined isn’t going to last long.”

About 200 people watched the boxing today at the YMCA in Medina. This photo shows Javon Taylor of Lockport vs. Sharee Smith of Rochester. Jimmie Phelps is the referee.

Joe Taylor, 35, of Lockport trained two of the boxers who fought today, including his son, Javon, 14. Javon won in his debut.

Joe Taylor is a top-ranked kick boxer. He competes for the world title on March 21 at the King of the Cage United States Cruiserweight Championship. The match will be the main event at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Fall. His father, the late Johnnie Taylor of Medina and Lockport, was a professional boxer who fought at Madison Square Garden.

Taylor takes time to train kids who want to try boxing. He said the sport demands focus and discipline, and that can be transformative to the teens.

“It makes kids want to do the right thing and not the wrong thing,” he said. “The kids love it.”

After the matches ended, Theo Irwin takes apart the ring, which was originally used at the former Boston Garden and now is owned by a gym in Rochester.

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EDA approves $120K sales tax break for Bent’s Opera Hall project

Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo from September shows contractors working on the Bent’s Opera House, a dominant structure at the intersection of routes 63 and 31 in Medina’s historic downtown business district.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2020 at 3:14 pm

MEDINA – The Orleans Economic Development Agency approved a sales tax break on the $1.5 million in furnishings and kitchen equipment at the 30,000-square-foot, three-story site at 444 Main St., which is being turned into a restaurant, 10-room hotel and events center.

The sales tax exemption will save Bent’s Opera House LLC $120,875 in sales tax on $1,550,911 in expenditures, which includes $821,869 in kitchen equipment and restaurant furnishings, $499,491 in hotel furnishings and fixtures, and $120,875 on furnishings and fixtures at the events center on the top floor.

In paperwork filed with the Orleans EDA, Bent’s listed a target completion date for the project for this coming September. Bent’s expects to create 22 jobs at the site and draw customers from Rochester, Buffalo, Canada and nearby Niagara County, as well as other states and European countries. The jobs will pay an average of $43,318 a year, according to the Bent’s application with the EDA.

The Bent’s redevelopment is led by Medina businessman Roger Hungerford.

“The event center is going to provide a venue that is unparalleled in the United States given the fact that it is a renovation of a 155-year-old opera house,” Bent’s officials stated in the EDA filing.

The EDA said Bent’s qualified for EDA assistance because the site will be a tourism draw with a high-end farm-to-table restaurant, 10 unique hotel rooms, and an event space for up to 180 people.

The door is open for the many construction workers who have been working to save the Bent’s Opera House and transform it into its new purpose as a restaurant, hotel and events center.

The developer hasn’t sought any other EDA assistance for the project, including a discounted phased-in property tax through a PILOT or a sales tax abatement for construction materials.

The property previously was tax exempt when it was owned by the Orleans Renaissance Group. Now it is generating property taxes for the Village of Medina, Town of Ridgeway, Orleans County and Medina school district.

In an application with the EDA, Bent’s officials said the events center will host concerts, weddings and receptions, shows and speakers.

“Grand chandeliers will draw people’s eyes up to the restored, decorative ceiling on the third floor,” wrote Lisa Tombari, director of historic properties and operations for Talis Equity, a Hungerford company. “The entire third floor is being renovated, leaving the stage and stage side boxes with their original decorative wood and trim.”

The stairs from the second to third floor are the original from when the opera house was built in 1865. The hardwood floors will be restored for the events center.

On the second floor, where there will be 10 hotel rooms, many of the original doors, doorways, window trim, hardwood floors and ticket booth will remain intact and restored to their original beauty, Tombari wrote.

The farm-to-table restaurant will be open seven days a week with the bar area having room for 20 people and the restaurant seating approximately 55.

“While our intent is to preserve as much as possible, the first floor of the building was most recently a bank and most original items have been removed long ago,” Tombari said in the application. “We are replacing the windows and doors to look like the originals, but at the same time will be energy efficient.”

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