SHELBY – Mike Fuller has worked 40 years plowing and building roads in the Town of Shelby, including the past 10 years as highway superintendent.

He has helped the town expand its water system, and wants to push for more public water access in Shelby.

Mike Fuller

Fuller, 61, also makes the town highway department available for clearing land and helping to make land more attractive for businesses being wooed by the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Fuller, the fire chief for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company the past 12 years, said he is grateful for such an active role in the community. He is seeking another four-year term as highway superintendent.

“All of my men are very conscientious and don’t waste money,” Fuller said of the Highway Department, which incudes four motor equipment operators and three part-timers who mow cemeteries and town property.

Ed Houseknecht forced a Republican primary on Thursday with voting from noon to 9 p.m. at the Shelby Town Hall on Salt Works Road.

Houseknecht and Fuller are both 61. They were classmates as kids at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Medina.

Ed Houseknecht

Houseknecht was the superintendent of the Medina Department of Public Works for 23 years. He worked for the DPW for 30 years and then entered the private sector with Sergi Construction. He helped install the water and sewer mains in Albion and Medina with the major road reconstruction projects in those villages about a decade ago.

He returned to the public sector when he was appointed as the Orleans County highway superintendent, serving in the job for six years until retiring from the position in 2010.

Houseknecht has his own excavating company, Ed Houseknecht LLC. He installs water, sewer and septic – “any kind of digging,” he said.

Houseknecht said he is open to more shared services and cooperation with neighboring muncipalities, including the Village of Medina.

“I’m all for doing more with less,” he said.

He sees big potential with the vacant land for businesses in Shleby. He said his experience with infrastructure could pay off in developing that land for new companies. Houseknecht was the Medina DPW superindent when the orginal Medina Business Park was developed near Bates Road and Route 31A.

“I’m about doing some things that will move the town ahead,” Houseknecht said. “My entire life I’ve got my job based on my qualifications and what I can produce. If I’m the highway superintendent, I’ll be fully accessible.”

When he was Medina DPW superintendent, he was given a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award by the Rotary Club, even though he isn’t a member. Houseknecht was recognized for helping to develop Rotary Park in downtown Medina.

When he was county highway superintendent, he was named employee of the year, an award that typically doesn’t go to a department head.

Houseknecht was instrumental in shifting major utilities as part of the nursing home renovation and addition project. The county didn’t contract that work out. Houseknecht and highway department tackled the job.

Houseknecht noted he has nearly 30 years of management experience, as well as his own skills in running heavy equipment.

“My whole purpose for wanting to do this is to make the town better,” Houseknecht said about seeking election as Shelby highway superintendent. “At this stage I have some talents that would behoove the taxpayer to have people come here and be involved.”

The highway department plows and maintains 46 miles of town roads, and also plows 18 miles of county roads and 14 miles of state roads.

Fuller said the town is utilizing computer technology in its sanders to “use just the right amount of salt to save taxpayers’ money.”

He said he is working to upgrade town roads, making them wider and stronger with more durable materials. That will allow the roads to better endure and handle bigger tractor trailers and farm equipment.

“The town roads weren’t built for that kind of equipment,” he said.

But the town needs to respond to the changes in agriculture and local industry, as more farms and companies utilize larger vehicles and equipment, Fuller said.

He is pleased the town is nearly done with Water District No. 11 and will open bids for Water District No. 10 later this month. The town is working on District No. 12 as well.

In addition, Fuller said he works with the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District to upgrade town culverts to help with drainage of farmland.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

SHELBY – A Medina man is hospitalized this morning with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a car Monday night in the Town of Shelby.

The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. in the 11400 block of Harrison Road. Christopher M. Caldwell, 37, had been a passenger in a 2003 Chevrolet 4-door sedan operated by Danielle E. Conrad, 38, of Irondequoit in Monroe County.

At some point the two got into a domestic dispute and Caldwell was dropped off on Harrison Road. Conrad drove off, but returned to pick up Caldwell a short time later. She apparently drove past him at one point, then drove down the road and turned around. During all this time they were conversing with each other by cell phone.

Conrad drove down Harrison Road a second time and this time she struck Caldwell. He was flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.

Conrad is charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with .08 percent (or more) Blood Alcohol Content, operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device, and vehicular assault 2nd degree (Felony). She will appear in Town of Shelby Court later this morning.

Shelby firefighters assisted at the scene and Medina Fire Department Ambulance transported Caldwell to the awaiting helicopter.

The incident investigation and arrest was conducted by Deputy D.J. Pahuta, with assistance from Sgt. G.T. Gunkler, Investigator S.E. Brett, Deputy T.N. Tooley, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan.

SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company has been approved for a $39,855 federal grant, Congressman Chris Collins announced today.

“This important funding will allow our department to purchase new auto extrication tools and improve safety in the local community,” said Andrew Benz, fire chief of the Shelby Fire Company. “The tools that we are currently using are over 20 years old. We are appreciative of Congressman Collin’s efforts on behalf of our department.”

The money is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which is designed to help first responders improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

“Providing the necessary funding for our first responders is an excellent and prudent use of federal money,” Collins said. “Our local heroes need the proper resources to do their jobs and protect our communities. Many small fire companies and emergency medical service providers are unable to purchase necessary equipment upgrades due to financial limitations. This funding will help create more efficient and effective first responders, and I am honored to help these local fire companies secure federal grants.”

Pride Pak plans new facility in Medina Business Park

SHELBY – A Canadian company has decided against using a vacant manufacturing site in Medina and instead is planning a new facility for a vegetable processing, packaging and distribution facility.

Pride Pak Canada Ltd. wants to build a 66,000- to 80,000-square-foot facility in the Medina Business Park on Maple Ridge Road. That building, plus equipment, would be an $11 million investment, said Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

The company would like to break ground this fall on the project. It is working to pick a contractor.

The Town of Shelby voted on Tuesday evening to seek a $734,000 grant through the state Office of Community Renewal to assist Pride Pak with the project. The Ridgeway Town Board had sought the grant for Pride Pak but the application is being reintroduced because of the change in location for the project.

The company would have 40 employees in its first year, another 40 the second year and would reach about 200 at full capacity, Barone said.

Pride Pak was interested in the former BernzOmatic property. That site in Medina was vacated last year by Worthington Cylinders. The site is a 180,000-square-foot facility at 1 BernzOmatic Drive.

Pride Pak decided instead for a new building. The company may expand beyond the new building in the future, Barone said.

The Orleans EDA previously approved a property tax discount for Pride Pak if it bought and used the BernzOmatic site. In addition to a discount on property taxes, Pride Pak was approved for a sales tax exemption for equipment and building materials, an estimated savings of $280,000.

In addition to the jobs and boost in tax base, Pride Pak would benefit the local economy by buying some local produce, and packaging it to be distributed to grocery stores. The company wants to expand its operations from Canada and better serve a large northeastern US grocery chain, Orleans EDA officials said.

Pride Pak also has been approved for 1 megawatt of hydropower, which is deeply discounted electricity from the New York Power Authority.

Photos by Tom Rivers

SHELBY – Phoebe Allen, 6, of East Shelby rides a horse that is led by Leah Sheelar. There were several horses available for rides today at Old Tyme Day at the East Shelby Community Bible Church.

The church celebrated its annual old-fashioned festival today, and a few thousand people were served pie, hot dogs, popcorn and candy – all for a penny.

The church also treated people to wagon rides, candle-making, horseback rides and many other activities that were light on technology.

Sandra Snyder of Medina stays busy making popcorn, which proved a popular snack even on a hot and humid day.

Lydia Miller, 9, of Albion shows her skills in walking with stilts.

These “townspeople” showed up at the town meeting agitating for women’s rights. They include, from left: Brie Olsen, Olivia Doberstein and Becca Nigro.

The church brings to life the West Jackson Corners hamlet for Old Tyme Day and the community held a mock election for mayor.

Here is one of the ballots for mayor. Each candidate ran an energetic campaign during the festival today, delivering stump speeches and passing out propaganda.

Alice Root, a volunteer with the church, has the pies ready for the crowd. The church served up 285 pies – more than 2,000 slices of pie altogether.

The pie and everything else were only a penny today.

Doug Fairbanks of Arkwright in Chautauqua County leads this wagon ride.

West Jackson Corners was full of people and activities by the church on East Shelby Road.

Erik Olsen, pastor of the church, leads the town meeting at West Jackson Corners.

Susanne Keryk, left, and her daughter Karen made flowers and animals out of balloons. Susanne’s son Keenan was also a balloon artist.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Norma Chambers opened a hair salon in her Shelby home last week at 4503 Mill St. She has been in the hair-cutting business for a half century.

SHELBY – Norma Chambers started cutting hair more than 50 years ago. She started at her small shop – “The Shelby Center House of Beauty.”

With a growing clientele, she moved the business to downtown Medina, changing the name of the business to “Clip Joint.” She started hiring people.

She was successful, and would own and operate five Clip Joint hair salons, with businesses in Medina, Albion, Holley, Middleport and Lockport.

Chambers, now 77, employed many people out of beauty school. That gave them the basics of the business, but Chambers said she worked with them to do more and really hone their skills.

“I trained people how to cut hair successfully,” she said today.

Norma Chambers isn’t ready to retire. She is pictured outside her home and the location for her hair salon.

She is semi-retired now, but still wants to cut hair. Chambers last week opened the Norma Chambers Buzz ‘en Cut. Her great-granddaughter, 9-year-old Nevaeh Mae Roberts, thought of the name for the business.

Chambers works out of her home at 4503 Mill St. She takes customers by appointment only.

“I can’t retire,” she said. “I’d rather work. It’s too much fun.”

Her daughter, Rita Scupien, worked at Clip Joints for about 30 years. She recently moved back to Shelby after living in Florida. She said her mother was a mentor to many women in the hair-cutting business.

Chambers enjoys the history of the Shelby community. She has collected some key artifacts, including this millstone from a former mill. She had a friend, the late Tony Kozody, move it to her house with a loader.

“She is a trusting ole’ soul who believes in people and wants to give them a chance,” Scupien said. “Because she went through some hard times herself, she was always willing to help the young girls. She is a very giving person.”

Chambers said she has made numerous friends through the years with so many customers.

“I love the people,” she said. “I like to make people look good.”

Chambers is available by appointment only. Call (585) 318-4561 for more information.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Emil Smith is pictured doing a blacksmith demonstration in August 2012 with his friend George Borelli. Smith hosted the event at his property on Route 63, just south of the Village of Medina.

A new season has begun with exhibits and demonstrations to highlight local painters, sculptors and others in the creative arts.

Emil Smith was a mainstay at these events in recent years, as both a supporter of the artists and an exhibitor of his metal sculptures. The art community has been mourning his loss since his death on April 15. Smith, 54, was driving a truck in Wyoming County when he was killed in an accident.

“All artists are united,” said Arthur Barnes, a painter and long-time friend of Smith’s. The two grew up in Shelby and knew each other since they were kids. “We’re kind of a brethren.”

Smith created this cross with a crown of thorns. It’s in his front yard on South Gravel Road.

Smith’s work was immense, heavy and tall and that made it difficult to set up in local galleries.

But some of his smaller sculptures – a pinecone candle holder, a cattail and roses – were exhibited and they were popular with the public, said Noelle Wiedemer, co-owner of Wide Angle Art Gallery on Main Street in Medina.

“There was a ton of interest in his rose,” Wiedemer said.

Some metal sculptors will engineer their work and have very polished pieces. Smith created on the spot.

“He used a very organic process and he sometimes he brute-forced pieces into place,” said Kim Keil, co-owner of the Wide Angle gallery. “He was learning new techniques.”

Some of his work – metal creations of large crosses, birds, lady bugs, swamp scenes and flowers – have been on display for about a decade in his front yard and across the street on Route 63.

Emil Smith created these 11-foot-high iron crosses as a memorial to his father, Garra Smith. They are pictured on the Smith Farm, on the east side of South Gravel Road.

Smith put the crosses up in 2003. They were intended to be temporary, but the community gave him such good feedback he decided to keep them up year-round.

The three crosses are a traditional cross (center), an Oync cross (left) and a Celtic cross.

Smith took up the blacksmith arts after taking a welding class. He wanted the welding skill so he could do more projects on the farm.

Smith took old metal pieces – sometimes rusted corrugated water pipes, CO2 cylinders, ice tongs, a ball hitch, and other scrap pieces – to create animals out of metal.

Wide Angle Art Gallery was trying to keep permission from village officials to have some of the larger pieces on display on Main Street, Keil and Wiedemer said.

Smith wasn’t just an artist. He was one of the biggest cheerleaders for other artists. He attended almost every artists’ reception. He was generous in praising their efforts.

“People that support the arts are hard to come by,” said Kim Martillotta Muscarella, owner of Marti’s on Main, an art gallery on North Main Street in Albion.

“Not only was Emil an art appreciator, he was an artist,” she said.

Smith was a regular at the First Friday art openings at Marti’s. After seeing that exhibit, he liked to go listen to live music at the former Elsewhere Café in Albion. He was also a regular at the Boiler 54, which featured live music in Medina.

Smith enjoyed opera, playing the blues harmonica and liked to quote Shakespeare, sometimes while wearing a kilt. He loved Celtic culture. He was one of the leading performers in the Highland Games, where competitors throw heavy stones, sheafs and large poles. Smith could outpower many of the competitors who were half his age.

But he was a “gentle giant” who loved nature, his family and the arts, his friends said.

“He was one of those characters who will be missed,” Barnes said. “He really liked people and he liked to talk to people. He was a good guy.”

The local artists are interested in pursuing one of Smith’s ideas. He talked to the galleries about an art trail that would run along the canal villages from Lockport to Brockport. He wanted to see the galleries on the trail work together for an art festival.

Provided Photo – The Shelby firefighters pictured above, at a controlled burn last month, include, from left: Tim Fearby, Justin Myhill, Marcus Watts, Scott Petry, Jessica Reigle and Chuck Arnett.

The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company is putting on its annual pancake breakfast this Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the Maple Sunday celebration. Pancakes will be served with real maple syrup from Wolfe Farms in Middleport.

The event will be at Shelby’s recreation hall on Route 63, just south of the village of Medina.

The fire company is hoping to raise $5,000 at the event, which would pay for two sets of turn-out gear for firefighters. The fire company is required by the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration to replace turnout gear every 10 years, firefighter Michael Lamar said.

Photos by Valerie Childs
SHELBY – This house on Telegraph Road in Shelby was taken down in a controlled burn this morning by firefighters from the Western Battalion.

Valerie Childs, a Ridgeway firefighter, took the pictures.

Shelby has been using the vacant house for training drills, including bail-out exercises and interior firefighting skills.

Today, Shelby was joined by firefighters from Lyndonville, Ridgeway and East Shelby in burning down the structure, which has been vacant for several years.

About 30 to 40 firefighters were part of the controlled burn, which took about two hours.

Provided photo

SHELBY – A Shelby plow truck is on its side after tipping over at about 9:30 a.m. this morning on South Gravel Road between Fletcher Chapel and Oak Orchard Ridge Road.

The Town Highway Department is on site and firefighters are assisting with traffic control.

Provided photos
SHELBY – Four junior firefighters with the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were out this morning clearing the deep snow from 24 fire hydrants.

The top photo shows, from left: Tiffany Petry, Mike Busch, Vinny Viterna and Samantha Dawn.

Here is the group after clearing a path to the hydrant.

Three other firefighters – Scott Petry, Jim Way and Serina Blair – also helped with the snow-moving task. Petry is shown with back to camera in this photo.

Firefighters from other departments have also been shoveling snow from near hydrants. Residents are welcome to adopt a hydrant in their own neighborhoods to make sure hydrants are accessible in case of an emergency.

Provided photo

SHELBY – A section of Route 31A in Medina was closed this morning after an accident on the road near BMP America and Takeform Architectural Graphics. There were no injuries in the accident, but the road needed to be closed so tow trucks could be brought in, an Orleans County dispatcher said.

Shelby firefighters are providing traffic control.