Photos by Peggy Barringer – Robert Guzik, center, fills a Red Kettle with an estimated $200 donation this afternoon. He is joined by Tim Brigham, Tops store manager, and Dar Bowman, the Tops customer service manager.

By Peggy Barringer

MEDINA – Robert (Bobby) Guzik has been saving his change all year to donate to the Red Kettle at Tops in Medina. Guzik, 24, of Medina has been blind since birth. He has made a big donation to the Red Kettle in annual tradition for about five years.

“I want to help people,” Bobby said this afternoon. “I’ve seen people having trouble, and I want to help make some people’s lives easier.”

Bobby came in to make the donation with his sister Lois and his grandmother, Gracie, who is a frequent shopper and well known at Tops. They did not exactly how much was in the small backpack and quart jar filled with coins. Customer service manager, Dar Bowman, estimated there was “about $200.”

Gracie said she was happy her grandson was putting the money in the Red Kettle. She won’t have to count the pennies and put them in sleeves. She said Bobby learned from his grandfather to be kind.

Bobby Guzik gets ready to fill the Red Kettle with some asisstance from Tops store officials.

“I’m glad to be helping people,” Bobby said. “I live the life that I do even though I’m blind.”

Ronnie Barhite is coordinator for the Red Kettle in Medina. Proceeds from the drive go to Community Action programs in Orleans County.

“The money stays in Orleans County and goes to various organizations used to help keep people in their homes, and with food, medicine, and utilities,” Barhite said.

Bobby has lived in Medina all his life and went to public school. He graduated from Medina High School with honors. He went on to graduate from Genesee Community College in 2012, earning two degrees in Computer Support & Operations and Computer Systems and Network Technology. He volunteers at GCC’s radio station, WGCC, helping with “technical stuff.”

He said the radio station received all new equipment last week and he has been helping to set everything up. He also fixes computers. He is currently looking for employment.

Orleans Hub and The Daily News of Batavia were both there when Bobby made his donation today.

“My friends will be happy to see me in the paper,” Bobby said.

A generous Secret Santa sweetened the pot with a $100 bill.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Medina National Honor Society members Aaron Feltz, left, and Jason Hellwig raised money for the annual Red Kettle Drive this evening at the Tops store in Medina.

The National Honor Society makes big commitment to the Red Kettle, volunteering in shifts from 3 to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays. They started on Monday and will commit to 2 ½ weeks at the Red Kettle, with their final day on Dec. 23.

“They do a great job,” said Ronnie Barhite, the Red Kettle coordinator for Medina. “The kids are nice and friendly.”

Medina National Honor Society students Jenna Kickbush, left, and Amanda McCauley were joined in ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle this evening by student Shane Freeman, center. Shane was there to work towards a 10-hour community service requirement to graduate. All Medina students need to fulfill at least 10 hours of community service to graduate.

Having those 5 ½ hours covered each weekday also gives Barhite peace of mind knowing the kettle is being run by energetic bell ringers.

Feltz, NHS treasurer, said he has more success getting donations by making eye contact and greeting the shoppers.

Hellwig, the NHS president, tries to engage people in conversation.

“We’ve got to know a lot of people out in the community,” he said.

The Red Kettle Drive in Orleans County benefits Community Action. The agency hopes to raise about $25,000 through the drive.

MEDINA – The Village Board has set Jan. 12 for two public hearings, one to establish a 15-minute parking space by Napa Auto Parts and the other to establish regulations for temporary storage shelters.

Napa owner Craig Lacy requested two 15-minute spots by the business at 345 North Main St. The Village Board wants to try one first and see if that eases the parking problem for Napa.

The village has a 2-hour parking limit on Main Street, but village officials agree many motorists overstay that limit.

Police Chief Jose Avila said the police department asks people to move if there are complaints and they stay in one spot beyond two hours. Police officers will give tickets if motorists complain and don’t move.

The Napa spot is different than most on Main Street because the business is at the corner of Main Street and a one-lane road leading into the Canal Basin parking lot, Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said.

She doesn’t want to create 15-minute spots all along Main Street, but she said Napa is in an unusual position at the corner of the one-lane road. The Napa spots also get used by tenants in some of the upper floor apartments.

“I support the one spot but I don’t want to open up a can of worms,” she said.

Chief Avila supports the one 15-minute spot and he said the village could always add another if needed.

Medina will have the hearing on the 15-minute spot at 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Shelby Town Hall. The 15-minute spot would apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The village also set at 5:05 p.m. hearing on Jan. 12 for temporary storage shelters. Code Enforcement Officer Martin Busch said the temporary storage containers – Pods and shipping containers – are becoming increasingly popular.

Some of these containers stay on sites for months, resulting in deteriorating appearance in property and in complaints, Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch wrote in a letter to the Village Board.

The Planning Board has proposed regulations for temporary storage containers that establish them as portable storage units without a permanent foundation. They may include cargo containers, truck trailers, construction trailers and bulk solid waste containers.

The village is proposing a maximum of two cargo containers per site for no more than 60 days per calendar year. If homeowners suffer a fire or flood and need the container longer, they can seek a demolition or building permit with the cargo container to be removed a week after the demo or building permit expires.

The regulation proposes similar standards for portable storage containers and establishes setback requirements.

Semi-truck trailers are limited to commercial or residential sites. Construction trailers are allowed in commercial, residential and industrial sites but must be removed a week after a building permit expires or certificate of occupancy is issued.

Bulk solid waste containers are allowed for up to 45 days in a year. They must be kept at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines and at least 10 feet from front property lines, according to the proposed regulation.

File photo by Tom Rivers – The former Starlite Dry Cleaners has been vacant on Main Street in Medina since a fire damaged the building a decade ago. Environmental concerns have been a holdup in the site’s redevelopment.

MEDINA – The village is taking another step in trying to remove obstacles for redeveloping two vacant storefronts on Main Street.

The former Starlite Dry Cleaners at 331 North Main St. has been empty since a fire in the building a decade ago. Its neighbor at 333 North Main also is vacant.

Before a redevelopment can move forward, the village will need to assess the extent of any contamination at the two buildings.

Great Lakes Environmental in Buffalo said remediating the side-by-side sites, with a partial takedown, would cost $177,000.

Addressing the environmental issues is critical for the two sites to be contributing locations to Medina’s Main Street and community, said Mayor Andrew Meier. The village plans to seek state Superfund asisstance to help with the redevelopment.

Before it can get to that step, the village needs to make the buildings safe to enter for closer inspection. The Village Board on Monday hired Marks Engineering in Palmyra at a cost not to exceed $1,495 to help with that task.

“There has been interest in both parcels, but the environmental issues have been a real buzz-kill,” Meier said at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

Marks will work as consultant with the village on the project, helping to determine demolition and removal of unstable, burned-out portions of the building. The company will evaluate demolition options, evaluate subcontractors, prepare estimated contractor fees and correspond with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

“We need to determine if and what extent the contamination,” Meier said. “This will allow for the next steps.”

A previous owner stopped paying taxes at Starlite. Normally the property would then be owned by Orleans County, but the county hasn’t accepted the property due to the potential environmental liabilities.

Meier and the Village Board want to get the sites back as contributing assets for the community.

Marks will also work with the village as it deals with the DEC with potential costs for cleanup of hazardous substances and wastes at the Medina MGP site, located in the footprint of the Canal Basin parking lot west of Starlite.

The DEC has notified the village it will be expected to reimburse the state for any costs by the DEC to clean up that site. Marks will work with the village in responding with the DEC.

MEDINA – The Medina sewer plant is in line for $1.2 million in upgrades whether the village government dissolves or not.

The Village Board voted on Monday to borrow $1.2 million in interest-free money from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation. The money will be paid back over 30 years from sewer users. The sewer project isn’t funded by property taxes or through the village’s general fund.

“We wouldn’t be assessing tax to support this,” Medina Mayor Andrew Meier said at Monday’s board meeting.

The sewer plant is one of the village’s economic assets, Meier said. The plant is currently underutilized. The village treats about 1 to 2 million gallons of sewage each day at the plant, which has a permitted capacity for 4.5 million gallons. The plant could handle even more, about 8 million gallons a day, he said.

The village will upgrade infrastructure and components at the site and also will boost the capacity to 10 or 11 million gallons with the $1.2 million project, Meier said.

That excess capacity could be used to attract big users in the village or the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway, he said. Village officials also are discussing providing sewer services to the Town of Alabama in Genesee County for the proposed STAMP project.

Meier sees Medina and the Route 63 corridor as ideally situated for STAMP-related businesses. Besides a close proximity to high-tech companies at STAMP – Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park – the Route 63 area is within a 30-mile radius for low-cost hydropower from the Niagara Power Project.

“This is very much a pro-economic development project,” Meier said about the upcoming sewer work. “It shows Medina is open for business.”

The village will be seeking bids for the project, which is expected to be complete in 2015.

Press Release, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul’s Office

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Rico J. Vendetti, 44, of Rochester pleaded guilty to Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) Conspiracy, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“Similar to the storyline of a well known Charles Dickens novel, this defendant operated a sophisticated theft ring which utilized a gang of thieves to steal from numerous stores in Western New York,” Hochul said. “Unlike the fictional version, however, Vendetti relied upon adults to commit innumerable instances of shoplifting, and then turned to the internet to dispose of the merchandise. The defendant’s operation also led to the death of an elderly man who owned a comic book collection targeted for theft by Vendetti. As this prosecution demonstrates, the Office will use the full extent of federal law to bring all organized crime rings to justice.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony M. Bruce and Scott S. Allen, who are handling the case, stated that beginning in 2004 or 2005, the defendant began dealing with a number of shoplifters or “boosters” who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise from stores such as Walmart, Sears, Home Depot, JoAnn Fabrics, Tops and Wegmans.

The merchandise was sold to Vendetti for 25¢ on the dollar. The defendant then sold the merchandise on eBay for about half of its retail value, primarily to out-of-state customers.

Prior to July 5, 2010, the defendant learned of 78-year-old Homer Marciniak’s comic book collection, with an estimated value of $30,000, and began to plan and carry out a home invasion robbery. On July 5, 2010, Albert Parsons, Donald Griffin, and a third individual entered Marciniak’s Medina home.

During the robbery, Marciniak’s valuable collection of collectible comic books was stolen and Marciniak was beaten. Several hours after being treated for bruises and lacerations suffered during the robbery and released from the hospital, Marciniak was readmitted to the hospital where he died of a heart attack.

Charges are pending against defendants Parsons, Griffin and Arlene Combs. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Terry Stewart was convicted of engaging in a racketeering conspiracy in connection with the case and is awaiting sentencing. Brandon Meade was convicted of conspiring to transport and transfer stolen property with an aggregate value of $5,000 in interstate commerce and is also awaiting sentencing.

The plea is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Troopers from the Troop A Major Crimes Unit of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Batavia, under the direction of Captain George Brown, Detectives from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Scott Hess, Detectives from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn, Officers from the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jose Avila and Officers from the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli.

U.S. Attorney Hochul also praised the work of Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone who brought this case to the attention of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

MEDINA – A secret group is conducting “push polling” about Medina’s village government dissolution, trying to intimidate residents to oppose dissolution, Mayor Andrew Meier said.

He issued this statement today:

“Numerous constituents have been in contact with my office about intimidating, high-pressure telemarketing calls they have been receiving. Pollsters ask leading questions about village dissolution, and refuse to say for whom the “poll” is being conducted or who is paying for it. The Village of Medina is not responsible for these calls. Residents are urged to exercise caution with respect to any and all coercive campaign tactics.”

Meier labeled the tactic a “push poll” where an individual or organization attempts to influence or alter the view of voters under the guise of conducting a poll.

The dissolution of the village government goes before village voters on Jan. 20.

C.L. Helt, Architect, Inc. in Charlotte, NC – Here is a rendering for the proposed new Family Dollar in Medina.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board accepted a site plan for a new Family Dollar store as complete, with the project to face scrutiny from the Orleans County Planning Board before getting a final vote by the village planners.

The Durban Group, which is based in North Carolina, met with the Village Planning Board on Tuesday for the new building.

The company wants the project at 11300 Maple Ridge Rd., almost across the street from Tim Hortons. That company originally wanted to build there but the state Department of Transportation said Tim Hortons needed to put a turning lane on the state road.

Tim Hortons opted instead to build on the north side of the road. The Family Dollar won’t need a turning lane because it has much less traffic volume without a drive-through.

Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch said the Family Dollar complies with the village design standards.

“It’s not your standard pole-barn dollar store,” he said.

The project will likely be on the County Planning Board agenda for 7 p.m. on Dec. 18.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Runners round a bend on the towpath along the Erie Canal, which was part of the 5-kilometer course on Saturday for the second Home for the Holidays 5k.

There were 103 finishers in the race, which was up from the 85 in last year’s debut event.

Nolan Bouchane of Lyndonville finishes the race in 19:20, the second fastest time. Bouchane, 18, is a student at the University of Buffalo.

Sam Morgano of Orchard Park won with a time of 18:37. Tammy Putt of Allegany was the first woman to finish with a time of 19:36.

Some of the participants ran in Santa hats, jingle bells and other holiday outfits. This group includes, from left: Teresa Wilkins of Medina, Mercedes Houseman of Albion, and Debbie Tompkins of Medina.

The race started and finished next to the American Legion on Main Street.

Photos by Peggy Barringer

MEDINA – There were activities from morning to night for Medina’s Old Tyme Christmas Celebration on Saturday.

The “Home for the Holidays”event included a Cutest Little Elf Contest. The top photo shows the winners, including from left: Madelene Wilcox of Buffalo, second place; Jaelyn Castricone of Medina, first place; and Aurora Owczarczak of Medina, third place. Jaelyn got to ride in the noon parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet folks in the downtown.

Cutest Elf contest winner Jaelyn Castricone gets to ride with Santa.

All the cutest elf contestants were invited to walk in the noon parade to celebrate Santa’s arrival.

Melodee and Kadinz Sager of Medina decorate cookies at Case-Nic Cookies.

Maddysen Snook with her grandpa Christopher Seefeldt, both of Medina, enjoy the parade with Santa’s arrival.

Shawna Baldwin paints Olaf, a popular request, on Elizabeth Giarla of Barker at Wide Angle Gallery.

Catherine Cooper, director at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, reads classic Christmas stories during Story Hour at the library.

Horse-drawn wagon and sleigh rides were provided courtesy of Hartland Carriage of Gasport.

Jodi and Russ Peters sing Christmas Carols for the folks gathered at The Bread Basket.

Georgia Thomas wears some vintage clothes at the Medina Historical Society open house. Georgia said that the house was decorated circa 1850 with a tabletop Christmas tree with natural-type ornaments of ribbons, lace and gingerbread cookies.

Erik Wilcox of Buffalo was the winner of the Ugly Sweater Contest held at Tea & Couture Atelier.

Erik’s “ugly” sweater includes a cut-out framing his ipad playing Christmas videos and taped-on Christmas lights. He and his family learned of the Medina Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration by searching online. They thought it would be the perfect location for them to meet up with his mother Carol, of Greece, NY. They each traveled halfway for a family day of fun.

Matt C.M. Contracting is a repeat grand champion

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Matt Mundion and his giant igloo – The North Pole – was named grand champion in Saturday’s Parade of Lights. Mundion and his business, Matt C.M. Contracting, also won last year for a float with a team of deer pulling a sleigh stacked with presents.

Mundion this time built a framework of wood and attached white fabric on the outside to give an igloo look. He used two of the deer from last year – Rudolph and Dasher – as part of the display.

He also built a door in front so he could see to steer the igloo. He drove a four-wheeler underneath the igloo to travel the parade route.

Mundion is pictured under the igloo with Heather Schrader.

Other winners in the parade include:

Business/Commercial: Weed Man with Dancing Derrick Bradley on top of the float.

Service Organization: Albion FFA, which had a Polar Express themed float.

Not-For-Profit: Medina Band Boosters

Religious: Orleans County Christian School (with a Charlie Brown theme)

Fire Company: Shelby Fire Company

Other groups: Medina School Transportation Department. Pictured include, from left: Rob Dennis, transportation director; and drivers Tina Dennis, Linda Draper, Bonnie Carpenter and Mike Lyons.

Littlest Elf Award (for best design for involving youths and adults): Medina Head Start

Star Award: Bentley Brothers (Laura Bentley fills the snow machine on top of the float)

Community Spirit Award: Waterport float

Santa’s Pick: Habitat for Humanity

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The 6th annual Parade of Lights in Medina this evening included a long lineup of floats with holiday lights. The event for the first time also included fireworks.

That display preceded the parade. In the photo above, Travis Phillips (orange hat) of Medina holds his daughter Evelyn while standing next to his wife Kristen. Their son Jaxon also joined them for the fireworks at 5:45 p.m. on Main Street, just before the start of the parade.

The fireworks went off north of Main Street. They gave a nice glow on the historic downtown business district.

The parade also include a grand marshal for the first time. Randy Bushover served in the role. He urged the residents to give back to Medina, their neighbors and family.

“Everyone of you is a light for your community,” Bushover told the crowd.

Orleans Hub will soon have highlights from the parade.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Many volunteers are at the State Street Park in Medina this morning, decorating Christmas trees and setting up a Nativity scene and other signs of the upcoming holiday season.

In the top photo, Dennis Dubai and Christine Limina string lights on trees at the park on Route 31, on the east side of the village.

Debbie Feltz and Gage Masters add lights to one of the trees.

The Medina Lions Club takes the lead in decorating the park. The “Decorate Medina” committee pays for bulbs and other supplies for the annual display. Pete Kaiser of the Lions Club heads the decorating effort.

“It should be nice tonight when the lights are on with all the people here for the Parade of Lights,” Kaiser said.

Lions Club members David Bellucci, with hammer, and Andrew Meier, right, join other volunteers in setting up one of the scenes at the park.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A giant snowman makes its way down Main Street in a lighted float by MAK Plowing and Landscape in Medina. The 6th annual Parade of Lights included many businesses, civic groups and other organizations.

The parade drew a big crowd to downtown Medina as well as spectators along Park Avenue.

The floats received some last-minute setting up in the parking lot at the Olde Pickle Factory. 810 Meadworks, which celebrated its opening today, also debuted in the parade. The float is show in the Pickle Factory parking lot.

The Medina Transportation Association had a patriotic theme for its float. Several bus drivers marched down Main Street waving flags and dressed as soldiers while bus driver Mike Lyons dressed as Uncle Sam.

A school bus is decorated to look like a giant flag. The vehicle is the new bus for the marching band. Students submitted design ideas to bus drivers. Last year the bus drivers turned a bus into a pirate ship.

“We do it for the kids,” said Mike Lyons, one of the drivers. “Each year we try to do something.”

The Medina FFA created a float with a theme about toys that escaped. Many of the FFA members were dressed as presents. In the top of the float, Josh Wells is the Jack-In-The-Box. He is pictured with elves, Chantelle Kidney (left) and Abigail Maines, the FFA president.

The Orleans County Christian School participated in the parade and had several characters from Charlie Brown.

The Albion FFA had a Polar Express themed float. The newly formed Roy-Hart FFA also participated in the parade for the first time.

Matt Mundion of Matt C.M. Contracting created this float of the North Pole. Mundion made an igloo using scrap wood for a frame. That supported the fabric to give the igloo its white look. Mundion steered the igloo with a four-wheeler inside.

Regan Stacey and Tom Follman portray characters from the Frozen movie. They were featured on the float for Habitat for Humanity.

Dancing Derrick Bradley returned with the Weed Man from Albion.

A member of the Medina Marching Band performs for the crowd. Even his trombone was decorated for the occasion.

The Medina Fire Department has its ladder truck decked out for the parade. Several other fire companies joined in the parade.

East Shelby firefighters, including fire chief Mike Fuller (right), dressed as reindeer for the parade.

Orleans Hub will post more photos from the parade tomorrow.