Medina voters today elected Marguerite Sherman as mayor, with Debbie Padoleski and Mark Prawel as village trustees.

MEDINA – Village residents today elected Marguerite Sherman to be Medina’s next mayor. Sherman received 330 votes to the 158 for Mike Maak.

Sherman has been a village trustee the past 10 years and is the current deputy mayor. She is a retired special education teacher.

Voters also elected Debbie Padoleski and Mark Prawel as village trustees. Padoleski received the most votes for trustee with 267 followed by 198 for Prawel, 195 for Jeff Pasnik, 185 for Tim Elliott and 91 for Mat Mosher.

Sherman was pleased to see the interest in several candidates for the board. Many of the recent village elections have been uncontested for the incumbents.

“I’m excited for a new beginning,” Sherman said after the results were announced at about 10:30 p.m. “I’m grateful to the village residents for putting their faith in me.”

Sherman said all seven candidates have a lot to offer the village. She urged the candidates who came up short for election to stay involved in the village and perhaps volunteer to be on a village committee.

Padoleski is retired from the village as clerk/treasurer. She said the new trustees and board will be busy working to get the budget adopted by the end of April. She looks forward to digging into the budget details to see if there are possible cost savings for taxpayers.

“I’m anxious to get to work,” she said at the Senior Center, after waiting 90 minutes for the paper ballots to be counted.

Prawel is a retired Medina police officer and owner of an auto repair business. He said the village’s rising tax levy is pressuring many residents, making the community unaffordable.

Sherman will replace Mike Sidari as mayor after his eight years in the role. Sidari didn’t seek re-election.

He was at the Senior Center after the polls closed and waited to hear the results. Like most residents he said he is concerned about the tax burden in the village, and the need to put an addition on the fire hall. The board should continue to work with the Economic Development Agency to help businesses expand in Medina and entice new ones to choose the village.

Medina also has land that could be developed for housing which would boost the tax base, Sidari said.

“I wish the new board the best,” Sidari said.

The terms for the new mayor and trustees start on April 1.

GameTime design: The proposal for Medina from GameTime includes sensory wave spinning seats. “The high back molded sensory seat with handles and front pommel design helps children maintain a neutral body position while spinning,” the company states. A RoxAll SeeSaw also has high backs and side rails. “Each of the four seats on this innovative see-saw are designed to accommodate users of all abilities as they enjoy the rocking motion with their friends. The center saucer is designed for users to transfer easily to and from a mobility device and the durable, heavy-duty springs are made to last!” GameTime states.

MEDINA – The village is in the early stages to bring an inclusive playground to State Street Park, the Village Board announced last week.

The playground would be accessible to children with disabilities and mobility issues. The village is looking to partner with the Rochester Community Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Foundation to have the new playground in Medina, Deputy Mayor Marguerite Sherman said.

The project from GameTime would be $492,321 with Medina’s only commitment to perhaps be some site work, with no direct financial contributions, Sherman said.

Mayor Mike Sidari’s term as mayor ends March 31, but he is willing to help work on the project when he retires, Sherman said.

“Right now we’re just laying the groundwork,” she said.

The proposal for an inclusive playground at State Street Park State includes PowerScape playgrounds with large decks and uprights to provide strength and capacity.

Other features include sensory wave seats, RoxAll See Saw, inclusive whirl, Bunny Spring Rider, four-bay swing frame, including two with a belt, two with enclosed tot, two with Zero G, one expression swing and one expression swing with a universal seat.

There would also be a freestanding sensory wave arch climber with sensors, four benches, geotextile rolls and wood fibers.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Bill Dunn looks at his boarded up home in Lakewood Village after a fire broke out there today. Medina firefighter Lt. Steve Cooley said the home is uninhabitable. The cause is under investigation.

MEDINA – A mobile home in Lakewood Village was left uninhabitable after a fire broke out at noon today.

Owner Bill Dunn had left the home about 20 minutes prior to neighbors seeing smoke spewing from the structure, when they called 911.

Lt. Steve Cooley said Medina responded first, followed by Shelby, Albion and East Shelby.

Dunn returned home after getting a call from firefighters that his home was burning. He stood and looked as his brother assisted in boarding up the windows. He said he will stay with his sister until he can decide what he is going to do. He said he was thankful his cat got out safely.

Cooley said his department was busy with several EMS calls at the same time.

Fire damage at the front of the home is extensive, although firefighters knocked it down in 15 minutes, he said.

The fire is under investigation by Medina Fire Department and Orleans County Emergency Management’s investigative team.

Dunn has lived in Lakewood Village for 24 years.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman

MEDINA – Firefighters from the Medina Fire Department and Shelby Volunteer Fire Company respond to a fire at 39 Lakewood Village.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at noon for reports of smoke spewing from one of the mobile homes.

No other information is available.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA –Michael Bonafede, center in back, served as moderator of a candidate forum on Tuesday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.

A YouTube video of the nearly 2-hour forum with seven candidates is now available (click here). Orleans Hub and The Lake Country Pennysaver sponsored the forum.

The candidates are seated at a table and include, from left: Marguerite Sherman for mayor, Michael Maak for mayor, Austin “Mat” Mosher for trustee, Tim Elliott for trustee, Debbie Padoleski for trustee, Jeff Pasnik for trustee and Mark Prawel for trustee.

The election is on Tuesday with voting from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center on West Avenue.

• MAYOR – There are two candidates running for mayor on a two-year term. Current trustee Marguerite Sherman, a retired special education teacher, is on “The Village Party” line and Michael Maak, a retired Medina firefighter, is running under the “Roots of the Past, Eyes on the Future Party.”

• TRUSTEE – Five people are seeking two two-year trustee positions on the Village Board.

Current trustee Tim Elliott and retired village clerk/treasurer Debbie Padoleski are running with Sherman on the “The Village Party.” Elliott is an entrepreneur who currently works for LynOaken Farms. Padoleski retired in 2021 after a 41-year career in the village clerk’s office.

Austin “Mat” Mosher and Jeffrey Pasnik are running with Maak under “Roots of the Past, Eyes on the Future Party.” Mosher is a former Medina firefighter and Pasnik is a council rep for North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters in Cheektowaga. Mosher now works as regional safety manager for United Refining Company and Kwik Fill’s safety and compliance officer.

Mark Prawel,  a retired Medina police officer, is running under the “United Party.” He also owns an auto repair shop in Medina.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Natalie Herbert, left, and Gabriella Wilson perform with Caiden Class in back as part of the Medina varsity winter guard’s performance on Saturday at the Medina Junior-Senior High School gym.

Medina did a take on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and is set to songs of the last several decades. Class depicts Dick Clark and at times played his saxophone.

There were 25 guard units competing at the event, up from 19 from a year ago at the Winter Guard Show in Medina with some in exhibition with no scores given. About 500 people attended the competition.

The scores were made available today from the show. The results include:

• Hinsdale in Novice – not scored.
• Cadet class – Greece in 1st place with 67.89; Victor in 2nd place at 65.85 ; Medina in 3rd with 59.95.
• Regional A – Gates Chili in 1st with 71.35; Naples in 2^nd at 67.82.
• A1 class – Gates Chili in 1st with 74.29; Jamestown in 2nd with 68.76.
• Scholastic A – Victor in 1st with 81.21; Orchard Park in 2nd with 76.69; Lancaster in 3rd at 74.99; and Medina in 4th with 70.09.
• Independent A – Gates Chili in 1st with 86.32.
• Senior class – Luminosa in 1st with 82.72; and Lakeside in 2nd with 69.05.

Victor took 1st in the Scholastic A class with a show entitled “The Vibrant City.” The scene is set in New Orleans.

Students say story of rebellion in France inspired cast and crew ‘to stand up for what you believe in’

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Jackson McGrath portrays  Enjolras, a young revolutionary, in Medina’s production of Les Misérables, a story of the 1832 June Rebellion in France. Enjolras is the leader of the student revolutionaries.

Medina will perform the musical at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Medina Junior-Senior High School.

Arianna Lake plays the role of Éponine, the daughter of the Thénardiers (right), who is played by Caiden Class. Éponine becomes a ragged street waif and a thief like her father. She secretly loves Marius, one of the revolutionary leaders.

The revolutionaries prepare themselves for battle. “One Day More” is the eve of the rebellion.

Alex Balaban, far right, plays the role of Marius, one of the leaders of the fight.

There are 70 students in the cast and crew, from grades 7 to 12. This is Medina’s second musical production since bringing the program back to Medina after a shared program with Lyndonville for about a decade.

Rachel Trillizio and Anna Ferlito are directors of the show for Medina. They wanted to build on the success of last year’s musical, “Little Mermaid.”

They said Les Misérables is demanding musically and emotionally.

“We decided to go all out for this show,” Trillizio said during a break in a rehearsal this week. “We are proud of the legacy the students are creating.”

Students auditioned for the roles in November with three rehearsals in December to help get younger students acclimated to the demands of this show, Trillizio said.

(Left) Elaina Huntington plays the role of Madame Thenardier, and helps her husband run an inn. She is complicit in most of her husband’s crimes and schemes. (Right) Logan Trillizio plays the role Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601. He is taunted by Javert, a prison guard played by Ryder Jones.

Logan Trillizio as Jean Valjean is finally released after 19 years of imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread. But he breaks parole, changes his identity and constantly is hunted by Javert.

Ryder Jones in the role of Inspector Javert said his character of the policeman is duty-bound to enforce the law, but it becomes more complicated when he sees Valjean may be a good man, and not just a common thief.

“He is conflicted because just because (Valjean) broke the law that doesn’t make him a bad guy,” said Jones, a junior in his first musical.

The cast in inspired by the message of the musical, of the young revolutionaries risking their lives.

“This is about standing up for what you believe in,” Jones said.

 Elaina Huntington, a senior, agrees the message has resonated with the students.

“This is a very heavy show,” she said. “Are you willing to die for your beliefs? Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?”

Alex Balaban plays the role of Marius and Madelyn Lewis is Cosette.

They feel their newfound love slipping away. Marius decides to join his friends in the rebellion.

Courtesy of Photos by Bruce: The cast is shown on the set of Les Misérables.

Provided photos:  David A. Harris holds the seal made at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina for his promotion to 3-Star General at Bolling Air Force Base. With him, from left, are Mark Traxler of Medina, VFW Quartermaster Mike Mowvzarczak, VFW Commander Pat Little, Harris’ great-uncle Jim Freas and Dan Anderson, former commander of the VFW, who met Harris when they served together in Germany.

MEDINA – Jim Freas is proud of his family’s military service.

Freas is a Marine who served two tours in Vietnam. His younger brother Jim was also in the Marines and an older brother served in the Army during World War II.

Now Jim has more reason to be proud.

Jim Freas posted this message on the sign in front of Medina’s VFW Lincoln Post 1483, celebrating his great-nephew David A. Harris Jr.’s promotion to 3-Star General. Harris is a member of the local VFW.

His great-nephew David A. Harris has recently been promoted to 3-Star General in the Air Force in ceremonies at Bolling Air Force Base.

Although Harris grew up outside of Philadelphia and now lives on Bolling Air Force Base with his wife Ashley, he has ties to Medina. While visiting Jim and Lynn Freas several years ago, Jim said Harris fell in love with the place and joined the Lincoln VFW Post. He is also friends with Dan Anderson, who he met while serving in Germany.

Harris has had an illustrious career in the Air Force, most recently as lieutenant general deputy chief of staff, Air Force Futures, Headquarters, United States Air Force, the Pentagon.

He is a master navigator and basic parachutist with 2,500 flying hours. Among many, many impressive assignments, he has served as vice superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs; deputy director of operations for Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.; and director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements for Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Prior to his current position, Harris was the deputy commander, Ninth Air Force, and deputy, Combined Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia.

Harris’ major awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Bronze Star medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

Attending his promotion to 3-Star General was Jim and Lynn Freas, Dan and Diana Anderson, Pat Little, Scott Little, Mike Mowvzarczak and Mark Traxler, all members of the local VFW.

Making the ceremony even more special was the fact Harris held a large metal seal of the United States Air Force, which was made for him by students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina. Jim’s granddaughter is a member of BOCES’ welding class.

Jim said Harris and his wife visit Medina two or three times a year, and he expects their next visit to be in April.

Jim Freas and his wife Lynn of Medina attended the promotion of Jim’s great-nephew to 3-Star General in February at Bolling Air Force Base. From left are Freas, Gen. David A. Harris Jr., Lynn Freas and Harris’ wife Ashley.