By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – A “One Medina” sign is displayed along West Center Street. The campaign seeks to dissolve the village of Medina and merge the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway into one town.
MEDINA – Mayor Andrew Meier is refuting claims from the Ridgeway town supervisor that village tax dollars have been used for the “One Medina” campaign.
Brian Napoli, the town supervisor, criticized Meier in a chain email for not telling the truth about the funding for One Medina “after bragging that it is privately funded without taxpayer money.”
Meier has been critical of Ridgeway and Shelby for hiring a PR consultant and attorney to oppose a dissolution plan being considered by the village. He said the village hasn’t spent money on “One Medina.”
“Absolutely no taxpayer dollars have been spent on One Medina projects,” Meier said in a mass email to village and town officials, as well as to local reporters. “It is a private group that has no affiliation with the village whatsoever.”
Meier sent the first email on Friday to village and town officials, as well as the reporters. He is trying to set up a meeting among the village and two towns to discuss shared services, consolidation and possibly dissolution. Napoli said he wants dissolution off the agenda.
Village Trustee Michael Sidari has asked Meier and the other officials to remove reporters from the emails. But Meier, in an email this morning, wants reporters to stay in the loop.
“This is a very important policy discussion, and the people deserve access to the substance of our communications,” Meier said. “Inclusion of the press promotes transparency and is wholly appropriate.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The first email went out on Friday, an entreaty by Medina Mayor Andrew Meier. He sent several potential meeting dates to village officials and members of the Shelby and Ridgeway Town Boards.
Meier’s email came after a Village Board meeting on June 23 when town officials urged the Village Board to hold off on setting a date for a public referendum on dissolution of the village government. Shelby and Ridgeway officials wanted to first discuss more shared services or consolidation of functions among the entities.
Ridgeway Town Councilwoman Mary Woodruff responded to Meier’s email, saying the full board from the municipalities should all attend. (Members of the media have been copied in these emails.)
“I cannot support partial boards meeting to discuss these pertinent topics,” Woodruff said in an email on Monday. That was the format in past shared services and consolidation talks, she said.
Village Trustee Mike Sidari suggested at the June 23 meeting that two representatives from each board meet to discuss shared services and consolidation. He said the mayor and two town supervisors should be excluded because of a lack of trust and “butt-heading” among the three leaders.
Meier on Monday agreed with Woodruff, saying the full boards should attend the meeting.
“Given the time and resources spent by the village in developing the dissolution plan, and the resources consumed by the towns in discrediting it, we owe our residents an open, transparent, and unfiltered discussion,” Meier said.
That drew a response from Brian Napoli this morning, where he insisted dissolution won’t be part of the discussion, only shared services and consolidation of services.
“As for being discredited, the plan was discredited from the beginning,” Napoli wrote. “Manipulating the choice of committee members, along with placing yourself and Mark Irwin on the committee, was blatant disregard for openness, fairness, transparency, and unfiltered discussion. Then, narrowing the focus of the committee so they could only come to one conclusion…yours.”
Napoli also criticized the Center for Governmental Research, the village’s selection as a consultant for the plan.
“The last joke was hiring second rate consultants to justify your misguided idea,” Napoli said. “The taxpayers in Medina did not get fair value for their money.”
Napoli also alleges Meier used village taxpayer dollars for the “One Medina” campaign “after bragging that it is privately funded without taxpayer money.”
After Napoli’s email at 9:37 a.m., Sidari followed with one at 10:13 a.m. He told the officials to “drop the attitudes, roll up our sleeves and come to a working solution to the problems we are facing.”
He said residents have demanded officials from the village and two towns work together on the community’s problems.
“Wrong has been done on both sides of the lines,” Sidari said. “However both sides are showing a willingness to work on the same goal.”
He urged the elected officials to come to the upcoming meeting with an open mind “and leave the attitudes at the door.”
Sidari also requested the media be excluded from emails about planning for the upcoming meeting.
“I am sure they are thriving on this ongoing showing of remarks and accusations,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Village wants to encourage wineries, microbreweries
Photo by Tom Rivers – Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association, speaks in favor of new regulations making it easier for wineries to open in the village’s business districts.
MEDINA – The Village Board approved new zoning regulations for wineries and microbreweries that are designed to encourage the operations in Medina while giving the village more oversight on the businesses.
The revised regulations state that wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies will all be allowed uses in the Downtown Historic District. The village doesn’t want to limit those businesses to the downtown. They would also be allowed in the General Business District as well as the Light Industrial and Industrial Zones.
The owners of the businesses will need to secure a Special Use Permit. That will give the village more say in the operations for odor, storage, noise and other issues.
The Village Board approved the new regulations in a 4-0 vote. Mayor Andrew Meier abstained from the vote and discussion about the issue. He owns 113 West Center St., the R.H. Newell building.
Larissa and Bryan DeGraw and their friend Morris Babcock are working to establish 810 Meadworks inside that building in Suite 1, where a barbershop was most recently located next to the Shirt Factory Café.
Mr. DeGraw addressed the board on Monday, urging the village to approve the new regulations. A meadery, which combines some of the arts of making wine and beer, also uses honey in its product. DeGraw believes the meadery will be a draw, bringing visitors to other businesses in the community.
Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association, spoke in favor of the new regulations, saying the microbreweries and wineries would make the downtown and business districts a bigger attraction.
Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman asked if the wineries could hurt other businesses by consuming too many of the parking spaces.
Robinson said the MBA puts on many events that draw hundreds and sometimes thousands of people to the downtown. Those visitors find spots to park.
“Parking won’t be a huge issue,” she said.
Martin Busch, the village code enforcement officer, said the size of the available downtown buildings will limit the size of the breweries and wineries. The village doesn’t have too many sites where the projects could work.
But there are some buildings that have potential for the projects. He sees them as a lift for the other downtown businesses by drawing young adults or “millennials.” Right now that age group is a coveted consumer.
“The millennials are not looking for the cookie-cutter product,” Busch said. “They want a real product and a microbrewery fits that.”
Busch said the village has several large municipal parking lots that can accommodate more customers for the downtown.
“They might have to walk a block,” he said. “The impact would be more foot traffic. You would have people walking by other businesses.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Worthington Industries will keep its Medina plant open until July 31 on Bernz-O-Matic Drive.
MEDINA – A manufacturing company that makes torches will stay open in Medina a little longer.
Worthington Industries will continue production until July 31 in Medina. The company most recently set June 20 as its last day in Medina.
In December, Worthington officials said the plant would shut down on May 1 and put 152 people out of work.
The shutdown dates have been pushed back due to increased production, company leaders have said in letters to the Medina Village Board. Mayor Andrew Meier shared the latest letter during Monday’s board meeting.
Worthington operates the former Bernz-O-Matic and is shifting production from Medina to a site in Wisconsin. Many of the employees have worked at the plant for decades.
Worthington bought Bernz-O-Matic in 2011. Bernz-O-Matic had operated in Medina since 1969, making torches. Worthington makes cylinders for the torches in Wisconsin. By shifting the torch production to Wisconsin, the company says it can do everything at one site, saving in transportation costs.
Worthington planned to ramp up production in Medina, to have extra product while the company shifts production to the site in Wisconsin.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – David Barhite, a former Medina village trustee, addresses the board on Monday and asks that village residents have a say in a public referendum whether the village government should be dissolved.
MEDINA – Several former village trustees for Medina are urging the current board to put the issue of village dissolution to a public vote.
“We know first-hand how difficult it is to maintain services while holding taxes steady,” according to a letter signed by several of the trustees that was read during Monday’s Village Board meeting.
David Barhite, a trustee until he wasn’t re-elected in March, shared the letter on Monday. The former trustees have service dating back 30 years. They said the current village government and tax structure is not sustainable unless there are rising home values, new construction or enlarged village borders through annexations.
Otherwise the village faces a declining tax base that will push tax rates even higher unless there are cuts in services and personnel.
A dissolution plan would reduce village taxes by about 30 percent while preserving current services.
Former Medina Mayor Marcia Tuohey doesn’t support dissolution. She said village taxes could be reduced with more cuts in the village budget.
“We urge the Village Board to put the plan up for a public vote so that the people – not the politicians – can have the final say,” the letter states.
The letter was signed by Barhite, James Hobbs, James Lustumbo, Judy Szulis, Bernard Amos, Wilson Southworth, Kelly Kiebala, Patricia Crowley, John P. Anderson, Robert Rice, Adam Tabelski, Norma Huth, Susan Squires and Timothy Cooper.
Wilson Southworth, a former village trustee, said villagers are double taxed for services. They pay both a town and village tax. If Shelby and Ridgeway exempted village residents for some services, such as snow plowing and highway, that would be a significant savings, Southworth said.
“To me it’s quite simple: don’t charge people for double,” he said. “It’s simple and it’s fair. Just let us pay for the services we receive.”
Southworth said the current unsustainable model in the village “will only get worse” without significant changes. He fears the tax base will continue to drop and taxes rise if the village doesn’t get some relief.
Not all former village officials favor dissolution. Marcia Tuohey, Medina’s mayor about 25 years ago, said the community could lower its taxes by reducing village expenses, including new equipment purchases, contingency, and other costs, such as trees, municipal dues, tourism and economic development.
The dissolution plan eliminates some village positions, mostly low-paid or volunteer ones on Planning and Zoning boards and other village committees. The village could do away with some of those posts right now to save some money, Tuohey said.
“If you support this plan eliminating them, why not have the guts to do it now and start saving tax dollars,” she said during Monday’s board meeting.
Village officials should also work with the towns for better coordination of services to benefit the village and towns of Ridgeway and Shelby, Tuohey said.
“I believe because the mayor and Village Board focused on the dissolution issue, the financial responsibilities and management of services have been neglected,” Tuohey said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Mayor will seek joint session with town leaders
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ridgeway Town Supervisor Brian Napoli said promised state aid for a village dissolution shouldn’t be counted on. “A state guarantee means nothing,” he said.
MEDINA – A dissolution plan won’t be going to a vote by village residents until the Village Board can meet with town leaders in Shelby and Ridgeway.
“I don’t think at this point the public is ready for that,” said Village Trustee Mark Kruzynski at Monday’s board meeting.
Kruzynski and Michael Sidari pushed for a joint meeting with the towns, noting the dissolution discussions have been polarizing in the community and haven’t included the town officials.
Sidari first suggested the meeting among village, Shelby and Ridgeway officials exclude Mayor Andrew Meier, and town supervisors Brian Napoli of Ridgeway and Skip Draper of Shelby.
“There is a lot of butt-heading going on and a lack of trust,” Sidari said about the trio of leaders.
Meier said the mayor and town supervisors should be a part of the discussions because they are the chief executive officers with a big knowledge base of their respective governments.
“That would be a pretty big doughnut hole to have them be absent,” Meier said.
Village attorney Matt Brooks said it wouldn’t be legal to ban elected officials and residents from such meetings. The full Village Board authorized Meier to extend an invitation to the Town Boards to discuss the dissolution plan.
Village Mayor Andrew Meier said the current village government with high tax rates and a shrinking tax base is “unsustainable.” He is pictured next to Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman.
Meier welcomes the conversation, but he doesn’t want dissolution to be dragged out. He wants village residents to have a say on the issue in a public referendum.
Town leaders from Shelby and Ridgeway attended the Village Board meeting on Monday and urged the Village Board to look at ways for more shared services with the two towns, rather than just dissolving and having village functions passed to the towns, taxing districts or local development corporations.
The village tax rate is about $16 per $1,000 of assessed property. Dale Stalker, a Shelby town councilman, said about $10 of that rate is driven by emergency services – police, fire and ambulance – with the other $6 in services that are duplicative of the towns.
Stalker said there are ways to share those services and reduce costs to the community.
Ridgeway Town Councilman Jeff Toussaint also urged the Village Board to look closer at its budget and services to find ways to reduce costs.
Meier said the village has cut positions in DPW and police in an ongoing push the past 15 to 20 years to run a lean government. Meier said DPW has half the staff it did two decades ago.
The village faces an “unsustainable” model: its tax base is shrinking while its tax rate escalates, he told about 50 people during the board meeting.
Ridgeway Town Councilman Jeff Toussaint said the Village Board can reduce village taxes with better management of its budget and village staff, including making some hard choices about services already provided by the towns.
Medina’s combined village and town tax rates are about $20 per $1,000. With dissolution, it would fall to $14.30 in Ridgeway and $13.10 in Shelby.
Outside-village residents in Ridgeway currently pay a $6.71 rate for town, lighting and fire protection. That would rise 46 percent to $9.83 if the village dissolves and services are picked up according to the dissolution plan.
Shelby residents would see a 10 percent increase with dissolution with the current rate for outside-village residents going from $8.36 per $1,000 of assessed property to $9.17.
Toussaint said the towns shouldn’t have to subsidize the village, but Meier said the current system makes the village subsidize services to the towns with village residents double-taxed for many services. Dissolution would make the rates more equitable and fair, narrowing the gap between the village and outside village, Meier said.
Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman was elected in March. She doesn’t see dissolution as the answer. She sees more taxing districts if dissolution goes through, with less representation on the boards for the taxing districts and LDCs.
“I don’t want to give up on this village yet,” she said.
Meier said the dissolution plan shouldn’t be viewed as the village giving up. The plan brings balance to the tax rates, making Medina more affordable and attractive for residents and businesses, he said.
“I’m certainly heavily invested in the village,” he said. “I’m far from giving up on it.”
Toussaint also said the projected savings with dissolution aren’t very much. The plan identifies $277,000 in savings spread over three budgets that total about $11 million. That’s less than 3 percent. Toussaint said those savings would only be achieved if everything went according to the plan perfectly.
Toussaint and Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor, questioned the $541,000 in additional state aid that has been identified for the dissolution. They doubt the money will be long-lasting. Napoli said the state has reduced promised funds for highway maintenance and assessing services.
“A state guarantee means nothing,” Napoli said about the additional aid with a dissolution.
About 50 people attended the Medina Village Board and many aired their views about a possible village dissolution.
Sherman said there is no certainty for residents that the dissolution plan, as proposed, would be followed by the two towns. She worries about service cuts for villagers.
“There’s no guarantee services will continue year to year,” Meier responded. “If we do nothing there is no way we can continue our level of services, unless we tax our residents into oblivion.”
Nathan Pace works as a local attorney. He was chairman of a previous committee that looked at shared services and consolidation among the village and two towns. The group favored dissolving the village and then merging the two towns.
He was critical of all the bickering among the village and towns, and their reluctance to sit down and discuss how to strengthen the overall community.
“It’s irresponsible,” Pace said. “Please come together. We have to sort this out. It is not that hard to sit down and come together.”
MEDINA – After a several-month investigation into the possession, sale and distribution of marijuana in the village of Medina, two people were arrested on Friday and police are searching for a third suspect.
The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, along with the Medina Police Department and the Orleans County Multi-Agency Swat Team executed three search warrants in Medina.
Police executed two search warrants at 510 West Ave. apartments A7 and A5A and the third search warrant at 228 Eagle St.
Police seized over a pound of marijuana, a stolen loaded 22-caliber handgun, a 22-caliber rifle, more than $2,500 in cash, scales, packaging material and other drug paraphernalia.
Rodrick Griffin
Kelly Moriarty
The following were arrested:
Rodrick S. Griffin, 31, of 238 Eagle St., Medina. He was charged with one count of criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree, four counts of criminal sale of marijuana in the third degree, five counts of criminal sale of marijuana in the fourth degree.
He also faces four counts of criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, one count of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.
Kelly A. Moriarty, 34, of 238 Eagle St., Medina. She was charged with one count of criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree and one count of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.
Both Griffin and Moriarty were arraigned in the Town of Ridgeway Justice Court by Town Justice Dawn Keppler. Griffin was committed to the Orleans County Jail on $75,000 cash bail or bond. Moriarty was committed to the County Jail on $10,000 cash or bond.
Both were to return to the Ridgeway court this morning at 9 a.m.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation, the Task Force reported today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – A committee studying the dissolution of the village of Medina is handing off its plan to the Village Board.
The Medina Dissolution Committee approved a plan last week that would cut taxes for village residents. Property owners outside the village in the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway would see an increase in their town taxes as the two towns pick up some of the services currently provided in the village, according to the plan.
The Village Board will discuss the plan during its 7 p.m. meeting on Monday at the Shelby Town Hall on Salt Works Road.
Village residents would see a drop in taxes ranging from 27 percent in Ridgeway to 34 percent in Shelby. The rate in Ridgeway would drop from $19.49 per $1,000 of assessed property to a projected $14.30, according to the plan. That $5.20 reduction would save a homeowner with a $70,000 house $363 a year in taxes.
Village residents in Shelby currently pay a combined $19.80 rate ($16.45 to the village and $3.35 to the town). That would drop 34 percent to $13.10 and would cut the tax bills from $1,386 for a $70,000 house to $917.
Dissolution Committee members say the ultimate goal is to dissolve the village and then merge the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway. That would bring additional state incentives and provide more efficiencies, committee members said.
If the two towns don’t merge, their residents outside the village would see their taxes go up if the dissolution plan is followed by the towns. Town officials from both Shelby and Ridgeway have said the towns don’t have to follow the plan. The two towns haven’t said how the towns would handle services if the village dissolves.
Ridgeway residents outside the village currently pay a $6.71 rate for town, lighting and fire protection. That would rise 46 percent to $9.83 if the village dissolves and services are picked up according to the plan.
Shelby residents would see a 10 percent increase with dissolution with the current rate for outside-village residents going from $8.36 per $1,000 of assessed property to $9.17. That would raise taxes for a $70,000 home from $585 to $642.
The plan sees $277,000 in cost savings and $541,000 in additional state aid for $818,000 in overall benefit.
Village residents will have the final say in dissolution in a public referendum if the Village Board decides to put it on the ballot or if residents force a public vote through a petition.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 June 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA No arrests have been made from an early Sunday morning brawl when a patron outside O’Brien’s Tavern was stabbed and three gun shots were fired up in the air.
Medina Police Chief Jose Avila said an investigation is continuing.
The person who was stabbed suffered minor injuries. The shots that were fired don’t appear to have been directed at anyone, Avila said.
The incident occurred on the south side of O’Brien’s. The bar was packed with the band Zero performing on Saturday night and into early Sunday.
Students get a lesson from Mr. Byrne on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.
Story and pictures courtesy of
Tim Lincoln, Medina teacher
A group of Medina 8th grade students explored Washington, D.C. and its rich history from Wednesday to Friday last week. The trip marks the culmination of a two-year study of the history of the United States, its government, and the remarkable individuals that have influenced our great nation.
Throughout the trip, students were able to make connections to their study in the areas of history, literature, and science. Eighth-grader Leah Sheelar felt that the trip was more valuable than a typical week at school. “We were able to learn social studies first-hand, visiting the White House, Capitol Building, and the monuments.”
On Wednesday, students explored the Newseum, which featured the late Tim Russert’s office on display. Russert, a Buffalo native and dedicated Bills fan, was the moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” for 16 years. Following dinner at Fuel Pizza, the students visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. and FDR memorials.
Thursday’s itinerary included a subway ride from the hotel to the National Mall, where students visited several museums at the Smithsonian Institution. Future science majors Ian Joseph and Jacob Bensley enjoyed the hands-on activities at the Smithsonian Institution, especially the Air and Space Museum.
Nick Boyle and Bryan Bale were particularly moved by their visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Bale remarked that the museum “made it feel like you were one of (the Jews in Germany).” Each student is given an ID card and a brief biography of a concentration camp resident prior to the tour, providing a powerful first-hand narrative of the atrocities experienced by the victims of the Holocaust.
“Bao Bao” at the Smithsonian Institution
On the early summer evening, fireflies abundant, students were led on a tour of the monuments by Medina teacher and aspiring docent, Joe Byrne. Destiny Satkowski was most impressed by the Vietnam Memorial. “You could feel the energy and the respect for the veterans that gave their lives for their country.”
The trip concluded on Friday with a guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery and a visit to the National Zoo. At the zoo, students were able to visit Bao Bao (Chinese meaning “Treasure”), a panda born at the zoo in August of last year.
Overall, the trip was invaluable to the group. The adventure provided a tremendous learning opportunity for the students, while creating long-lasting memories for classmates and teachers.
The trip was made possible through the efforts of Medina parents, teachers, and administrators in conjunction with First Choice Travel in Batavia.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The Orleans Economic Development Agency has hired a consultant to do a feasibility study for a new hotel in Medina.
Orleans County doesn’t have a brand name hotel in the county. That is one reason why county officials believe Orleans has the lowest visitor spending of any county in the state. Many of the visitors are day-trippers. A brand name hotel could prompt more visitors to stay and spend money in the county.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency voted on Friday to pay Interim Hospitality Consultants $3,500 to do a feasibility study for a hotel in the Medina area. Interim is based in Tallahassee, Fla.
Cobblestone Inn officials have visited the county twice to look at potential sites for a hotel, said Jim Whipple, EDA chief executive officer.
The company prefers Medina over Albion because Albion is on Route 98 and not too far from the cluster of hotels in Batavia.
“Medina is away from the Batavia strip,” Whipple said.
Cobblestone hotels tend to locally owned and in smaller markets. Whipple thinks Orleans County could prove to be an ideal marketplace.
Many visitors come for family events, reunions, graduation parties and business travel, as well as for other special events, he said. The proposed STAMP site in the town of Alabama, which is projected to bring 10,000 jobs to the community, could also make the Medina area attractive for a hotel.
Interim will evaluate the market potential of a new hotel; project levels of market penetration, occupancy and average room rate for the first five years of operation; comment on appropriate number, types and sizes of guest rooms, food and beverage facilities, meeting rooms and other amenities; prepare projections of cash flow from operations; and provide a written conclusion on financial projections for a proposed hotel.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Brunner International is planning a 48,000-square-foot addition to its complex at the corner of Route 31 and Bates Road in Medina.
MEDINA – Brunner International will save more than $500,000 in local taxes, plus another $1 million in financing costs through deals approved Friday by the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
The company is investing $13.5 million in an expansion in Medina that will add 35 new jobs. Brunner also will keep 363 existing jobs in the community as part of a 48,000-square-foot expansion at the corner of Bates Road and Route 31.
The EDA board agreed to back a tax-exempt bond for the company’s project. That will save Brunner an estimated $1,066,000 in financing costs for the $13.5 million loan.
The EDA isn’t financially liable for the loan, said Jim Whipple, the EDA executive director.
The agency can use the tax-exempt bonds as an incentive for companies doing industrial expansions, he said.
The EDA approved a tax savings plan known as a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) on Friday. The 15-year agreement will save Brunner $426,012 in property taxes to the town of Ridgeway, Orleans County and Medina Central School. The project is just outside the village of Medina.
The PILOT applies to the entire Brunner property, not just the addition. The entire complex, which is about 300,000 square feet, has an estimated assessment of $1,761,000. Brunner will pay 25 percent of the tax burden for the property in the first year with an additional 5 percent added each of the following years until it is paying the full tax burden in year 16.
The PILOT also commits the company to paying $639,018 in taxes over the 15 years.
The company expects to spend $1.9 million for building and equipment improvements. The Orleans EDA waived $76,000 in sales tax plus $53,252 in the mortgage recording tax for the expansion. That saves the company an additional $129,252.
The EDA will collect a $38,000 fee for its role in the project. That fee was determined by multiplying 2 percent by the $1.9 million in building improvements.
When the fee is subtracted from the sales and mortgage tax savings, the EDA estimated the Brunner will see $91,252 in first-year savings. That doesn’t include the savings through the PILOT and bond financing spread over many years.
Brunner produces components for heavy-duty trucks and trailers. It is working to have the new addition up and operational by the end of the year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Tom Snyder (pictured) and his father Warren five years ago opened Medina Lumber and Hardware at 305 East Center St. They have gradually grown the business and have plans to expand their home and garden to a neighboring Medina sandstone mill that was built in the 1840s.
The former mill has either been vacant or used for storage the past century. Tom Snyder will use the first floor for home and garden supplies, and may sell sporting equipment in the second floor.
MEDINA – When Somerset Lumber shut down in Medina in February 2009, Tom Snyder and his father Warren feared there would be a void in the community, especially for contractors and do-it-yourselfers.
The Snyders opened Medina Lumber and Hardware on June 5, 2009. They initially focused on lumber but have gradually expanded their selection of hardware items since then, with renovations and added inventory to the hardware store about a year ago.
“We have what I call the ‘Cheers Effect,’” the younder Snyder said. “When you walk in here everybody’s knows your name. We have a positive attitude and we offer great service.”
Snyder works as a contractor in the community. He has learned what customers want from bigger projects to smaller ones. He shares what he has learned with customers from his experiences working with older buildings and more modern ones.
“We enjoy helping people solve their problems,” he said.
The father and son team with four employees in the business. The Snyders seem more potential at the site. They are working on renovating a former mill behind the hardware and lumber store at 305 East Center St. That former mill was built in the 1840s. It has been either vacant or used for storage the past century.
Ken Nice, a mason from Knowlesville, works on a window sill in the former mill from the 1840s. Nice is removing the old wood and will replace it with a sandstone sill.
The Snyders are putting in windows made from repurposed wooden barn beams from the late 1800s. They claimed the wood from a barn that fell down.
They are making other upgrades to the building and expect to start selling home and garden supplies from there later this month.
Tom Snyder is working to upgrade the former mill along the canal. He is standing on the second floor, which he said may be used to selling sporting equipment in the future.
The hardware and lumber store will have an anniversary celebration today from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be free hot dogs and hamburgers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and other prizes. Several experts in shingles, decks and other supplies will also be at the store to take questions from the public.
Photos by Sue Cook – The graduates switched their tassels over after receiving their diplomas. From left: Athan Brown, Joshua Parker and Justin Boardway.
‘It’s smaller classes, so it’s a more personal experience. You get to know the teacher better and the teacher gets to know you.’ – OCCC graduate Athan Brown
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Three seniors at the Orleans County Christian School graduated Thursday night. Joshua Parker, Athan Brown and Justin Boardway walked the stage with heads held high as they received their diplomas.
School Administrator Linda Strickland led the graduation ceremony. After knowing the young men so well, she admitted it was difficult and amazing to watch them go.
“It’s bittersweet because you’re excited that they’re moving on to the next step, and yet, we have just little quirks and little things and you miss it terribly,” said Strickland. “I guarantee they will be back next year to visit. It really is a family atmosphere.”
Nearly all 19 families with students enrolled attended the commencement. The school had 25 students this year, taught by a small group of teachers that provide an education with a Christian foundation. This is the school’s 18th year.
“It’s smaller classes, so it’s a more personal experience,” said Brown, one of the graduates. “You get to know the teacher better and the teacher gets to know you.”
Provided photo – Pastor Brandon Scholes took this selfie on stage with the graduates before delivering his keynote. A video at the beginning of the commencement showed students taking various selfies and snapshots of each other throughout the year.
During the keynote address, Pastor Brandon Scholes, who teaches Bible classes, told the audience that the Bible always leads to Jesus. He reminded everyone that the Bible’s teachings remind them to be humble and to do things in the name of God instead of for their own personal glory.
“Gentlemen, I hope in my prayers that you always come back to this great question, even when you think there’s greater questions that loom,” Scholes said. “Does my heart, does my life, does my motivation in this point to Christ? When you come back to this question, you realize it’s never too late. There’s nothing you can do or can’t do that would change His love for you.”
During the laying on of hands in prayer, Pastor Scholes told the young men that their gifts are from Heaven and that if they have struggles, temptation or fear, they can turn to the Lord for help because through Jesus all things are possible.
Athan Brown was this year’s valedictorian. He joined the school five years ago. He received a SkillsUSA tassel from BOCES for his study in Allied Health, which is a medically oriented program. Athan is planning to go to NCCC to become a Registered Nurse. Athan earned a $1,500 scholarship granted by the New York State Board of Regents for scholastic excellence.
“Athan will excel in anything he wants to do. He just masters everything,” said Strickland.
Athan Brown receives his diploma from Administrator Strickland.
Justin Boardway joined the school five years ago and also received a tassel for his SkillsUSA BOCES study of Computer Technology. Justin is planning to attend GCC for computer networking and repair.
Strickland said that she was not surprised that Boardway had chosen to go on to study computers, noting his success at BOCES being a clear guide for a future.
Joshua Parker joined the Christian school in 5th grade after struggling with being bullied in his previous school. He said the significantly smaller class sizes and tight community formed between the students made for a good atmosphere.
“People don’t shun you away here. They let you come into their lives,” he said.
Parker is planning to take online courses that are computer-oriented, though he is not sure exactly what major or degree he plans to work toward yet. Strickland feels that once Joshua seeks work, he will be able to find a job that will make him happy and continue his success throughout his life.
Teacher Carole Watson, who had the graduates at different times throughout their education, was very happy for them as well.
Watson said, “All three are awesome young men. We’re very proud of them and we’re going to miss them a lot.”
The graduates were given a standing ovation and some of their classmates shed tears at their leaving, but no one doubts that they are bound for greater things.
The new label for Blanc d’ Orleans features artwork by Jackie Fleckenstein.
Press release
Hospice of Orleans
MEDINA – Approaching her 90th birthday, Eloise Oakes asked her family to stop giving her “stuff.” Instead, she suggested contributing to Hospice of Orleans in her honor.
The wine-making family obliged and have continued, even since her death five years ago, by designating one of their white wines, Blanc d’ Orleans, as a beneficiary to Hospice. From every bottle sold, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery donates $1 of the proceeds to what they deem “an exceptional organization.”
LOEW will release its 2013 vintage of Blanc d’ Orleans from 6 to 9 p.m. today at 10609 Ridge Road, Medina. The public is invited.
“Our ‘White of Orleans’ reflects the pride in our heritage, our legacy and our little corner of the world,” said Wendy Oakes Wilson, LOEW president. “Jackie Fleckenstein’s artwork showcases the beauty and character unique in our region.”
The event will include board and staff from Hospice for a “Meet and Greet,” an introduction to J.L. Fleckenstein and her artwork that was chosen for the label, music by Mike and Lisa Zelazny, a free glass of Blanc d’ Orleans paired with First Light Creamery cheeses, and a couple of testimonies from the Oakes family as to “why Hospice means so much to us.”
