Board also wants to honor adults who work and volunteer on behalf of children in Orleans County
HOLLEY – The Orleans County Youth Board wants to honor local youths for their community service and adults for their work on behalf of children in Orleans County.
The Youth Board is sponsoring its 36th annual Youth Recognition Dinner on May 10. The Youth Board each year recognizes about 20 youths for their outstanding community service or if they have taken on an extraordinary role in their family.
In addition to the youth awards, at least two adults will be honored for their service to young people.
The Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award recognizes a youth-serving professional whose work surpasses normal expectations.
The Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award is given to an adult who provides service as a volunteer to Orleans County youth.
Nominations are due to the Youth Bureau by March 30. For more information, call the Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960, or email youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us, or click here to see an application.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2018 at 11:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A cannon from World War I that has been a fixture at State Street Park for about 80 years is leaving Medina for several months. A group of local veterans gathered at the park this morning to watch it be loaded on a flatbed owned by Automotive Solutions.
The cannon, manufactured in 1916, was fired during World War I. The cannon was moved from the front of State Street Park on Friday by the Medina DPW to back of the park so it could more easily be loaded up for a five-hour trip to Altoona, Pa. That is the location of Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration.
“It’s a piece of history,” said Jim Freas, commander of the VFW in Medina.
Steve Johnson is commander of the American Legion in Medina. His grandfather also served in World War I a century ago.
“This cannon is part of our heritage,” Johnson said. “We have to preserve our history.”
George Bidleman, owner of Orleans Ford, is paying $40,000 to have the cannon restored. Bidleman started at Orleans Ford as general manager in 1987. In 2002, he became the owner. He said the cannon is a prominent memorial, a reminder of the sacrifices of veterans.
“They all risked their lives,” he said about veterans.
Bidleman, center, is pictured with local veterans and Eileen Banker, chief of staff for State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The cannon was manufactured in 1916 and was fired during World War I. Every Memorial Day for about 80 years, the Medina community has gathered by the cannon for the solemn ceremony.
The cannon, however, has become badly deteriorated and will be restored for $40,000. George Bidleman of Orleans Ford is raising the funds for the project.
The cannon will be stripped down. The parts will be repaired and re-manufactured if necessary. The gun will be primed and painted with epoxy primer and finished to match the original WWI paint scheme.
The Orleans Renaissance Group first pushed for saving the cannon about two years ago. The VFW and American Legion both supported the effort. The ORG raised $12,000 that will be used for site improvements for when the cannon comes back, which could be in time for Veterans’ Day in November.
Local veterans including David Kusmiersczak and Glenn Whitmore watched the cannon be pulled to the road in the park, so it could be put on the truck.
The cannon is a British Heavy Field Gun known as a B.L. 60 Pounder, manufactured in 1916 by Elswick Ordnance Company, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
It weighs 6 tons, is a 5 inch/127mm caliber, 21 feet in length and 6 feet in width. The gun was originally issued to battery in France, April 1917 and fired 2,871 rounds during its first tour. It was returned to England in 1917 for repairs and reissued to battery in France, September 1918, firing an additional 1,471 rounds.
Chris Seefeldt, left, of Automotive Solutions works with owner Shawn Callard, right, to secure the cannon on the truck for the trip to Pennsylvania.
The cannon is strapped down for the trip.
Automotive Solutions heads down State Street with the cannon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2018 at 10:56 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Two veterans’ groups, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, each presented checks this morning for $200 to Lt. Todd Draper of the Medina Police Department. Draper is also the handler/partner for Kye, the department’s K9.
Steve Johnson, left, is commander of the American Legion in Medina and Jim Freas, right, is commander of the VFW post.
Draper said the $400 will go into the department’s K9 account. Draper is hopeful there will soon be a new vehicle for the K9. The current vehicle is from 2008 with more than 120,000 miles.
Kye is a Belgian Malinois that works each day with Lt. Todd Draper. Kye joined the department in 2012.
David Kusmiersczak, a member of the American Legion, joins Freas in greeting Kye this morning.
Provided photos: The Medina Mustang Cadet Guard includes, front row, from left: Madison Owens, Ava Chambers, Kailey Steele and Raelyn Baker. Middle row: Alayna Smith, Brooke Woodrow, Brooklyn Garrow and Kiana Cleveland. Back row: Phallon Rivera, Kayleigh Wright, Kendra Lonnen, Gabriella Flores-Medina and Bianca Islam.
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band hosted its Winterguard show, “Colorburst” on Saturday with 21 guards from Western NY and Canada performing.
In the Novice class, Medina took 2nd place while the Cadet guard took 1st place with a score of 64.88.
In Regional A, the Gates-Chili JV guard won 1st place with a score of 73.28. In the A1 class, Batavia won 1st with a score of 72.09.
The Magic of Scout House, an adult group from Canada in the Senior class, won 1st place with a score of 73.42. The Ventures, another guard from Canada in the Independent A class, won 1st with a score of 76.13.
Medina Varsity Winterguard includes front row: Brianna McMullen, Sabrina Quiros, Erin Dietz, Sarah Goodin and Kaela Grosslinger. Middle row: Talishiona Feitshans, Aries McMurray, Destiny Jones, Avery Vanderwerf and Haily Hurt. Back row: Melanie Poynter, Danielle Schmidt, Laura Washak, McKenna Callard, Paige Martin and Alyssa McMullen.
Medina’s Varsity Guard in the Scholastic A class took 1st place with a score of 76.29. Victor’s Varsity Guard in the Scholastic Open class won 1st place with a score of 76.30.
The event was well attended and the weather cooperated making travel much easier for the guards and spectators. This show is a major fundraiser for the Band Boosters. Medina’s next performance is Saturday, March 24, in Corning before the Championships on April 7.
Medina Pony Cadet Guard includes kneeling, from left: Mila Molina, Kylie Poynter, Analise Warner and Brook Twiss. Standing: Hannah Spark, Elaina Bitsai, Kaylee Twiss, Ki’Mani Poole, Adrianna Brege and Kaiana Garner.
Chuck Baker sent in this photo of his granddaughter, Raelynn Baker, who is in Medina’s Cadet Guard. Her mom, Diana Baker, is an instructor in the program.
HOLLEY – U.S. Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence, stopped by the American Legion post in Holley on Friday to discuss a federal proposal called the REVAMP Act.
Congressman Collins
The Reforms to Encourage VA Meaningful Progress Act of 2017 was introduced last year. The pilot program would give veterans’ organizations access to federal funds to maintain veterans’ posts.
The Jewell Buckman Post 529, located next to the Post Office on Route 31, needs a new roof, and faces a myriad of other repairs, including floor tiling and concrete steps, and several other issues.
Post leaders, including Commander John Pera, met with Collins on Friday afternoon to discuss the challenges with the building.
If authorized, REVAMP would provide competitive grants up to $75,000 for VFW and American Legion whose primary purpose is to honor, promote and advocate for veterans.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2018 at 5:18 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Mike Boring and his daughter Shelby are pictured Saturday at Discount Groceries and More, which opened on March 1 at 11 South Main St.
Boring wanted to bring a business to downtown Lyndonville, which has experienced an increasing number of vacancies in recent years.
“I remember when all of these buildings were filled up,” he said about Main Street. “Hopefully we can get more businesses down here.”
He sells many grocery items at deep discounts. Many of the groceries are past their “best by” date, but Boring said they are still fresh and good to eat.
Boring works with suppliers at Amish-owned stores in Ohio and Mennonite-owned stores in Pennsylvania. He has established many relationships with those communities through his work as a driver for local Amish and Mennonite, who return to their home communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio for weddings, funerals and other events. Boring has driven the local Amish and Mennonite about 100,000 miles a year.
He has 25 years in the trucking business and also runs a small farm in Lyndonville with beef, sheep and horses.
He will be looking to expand the inventory at the new store, adding bread, dairy products and soda, and possibly more in the future.
Discount Groceries and More is currently open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2018 at 9:40 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This group of hockey players met at Bullard Park on Saturday and played street hockey for about two hours in memory of Chadd Froman, who died unexpectedly on Oct. 8 at age 31. Chadd was a regular in the hockey games every Sunday for about 15 years.
Many of his family and friends gathered Saturday to play in honor of Froman. Chadd was an active local musician who worked as a graphic designer.
Jake Froman, Chadd’s father, is pictured with Chadd’s son Kaiden during the hockey tournament on Saturday. Jake said the group wants to make the event an annual celebration in honor of Chadd. They’d also like to return to playing more often at Bullard.
For many years the players would play for a couple hours on Sunday and then head back to Jake Froman’s house for lunch and then watch football.
Chadd enjoyed playing with the group, and relished the camaraderie with his friends and family, his father said.
Kaiden Froman, 10, looks to make a shot during Saturday’s action at Bullard Park.
These players wait for their turn to get in the game.
LYNDONVILLE – The Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 in Lyndonville selected delegates for the American Legion Boys State which will be held at SUNY Morrisville from June 24 through June 29.
Kane Flynn and James Wachob will be the two delegates. They are currently juniors in high school and will be seniors next school year at Lyndonville Central School.
Pictured, from left, include: John Follman, Post Chairman Joe Hausler, delegates James Wachob and Kane Flynn, Post Commander Steve Goodrich and Carl Boyle.
At Boys’ State, students learn about government operation and structure. The delegates run for government offices in the different levels of state government. They operate the level of state government which they are elected. The draft legislation, vote on bills, and make and pass budgets.
ALBION – Orleans County Undersheriff Christopher Bourke reports that Friday at 3:20 p.m., an Albion man was arrested on 18 charges related to the sale and distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine in Orleans County
Jason C. Abron
Jason C. Abron, 44, of Lydun Drive was charged following a three-month joint investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force. During the investigation, Abron allegedly sold cocaine and crack cocaine to an undercover officer on numerous occasions.
Abron was charged with 8 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd (Class B Felony), 8 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd (Class B Felony), 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th (Class C Felony), and 1 count of Unlawful possession of Marihuana.
Abron was taken into custody without incident following a vehicle stop by the Orleans County SWAT Team on Linwood Avenue in the Village of Albion. Simultaneously, search warrants were executed at 23 Lydun Drive and 142 East State St. in the Village of Albion. A quantity of drugs, cash, ammunition, scales and packaging material were seized during the search.
Abron was arraigned in the Town of Carlton Court by Justice Patricia Russell and was remanded to the Orleans County Jail on no bail. Abron is scheduled to appear in the Town of Albion Court on March 14 at 3 p.m. Abron has four prior felony convictions.
Other agencies assisting with this investigation and arrest were the Albion Police Department, the Genesee County Local Law Enforcement Drug Task Force, and The Orleans County District Attorney’s Office.
RIDGEWAY – About 20 firefighters from the West Battalion – Lyndonville, Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby fire departments – participated in an ice water rescue training this morning at Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.
Valerie Busch, a member of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, sent in these photos.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2018 at 8:43 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The downtown clock in Middleport is pictured recently in the Niagara County village.
Daylight saving time is back. It officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, when clocks move forward an hour.
AAA urged motorists to be aware of drowsy driving from “springing forward” and losing an hour of sleep.
“While many are looking forward to the end of winter, few realize the added dangers that can come as a result of a time change, especially when behind the wheel,” said Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations, AAA Western and Central New York. “This hour change can disturb sleep patterns, perhaps even resulting in drowsy driving.”
In addition to the change of daylight, children, pedestrians, joggers, walkers and bicyclists will likely become more active outdoors. AAA said motorists and pedestrians both need to be more vigilant and avoid distractions.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 10 March 2018 at 8:21 am
The Pioneer Homestead – Historical Album of Orleans County, New York
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 10
A question recently surfaced following my last article about Elizabeth Denio, one pertaining to the life of the pioneer settler Elizabeth Gilbert of Gaines. The question made me think about how women have appeared in the earliest recollections of our area’s history, if they make an appearance at all.
I was reading through Carol Kammen’s On Doing Local History and focused in on a common pitfall of local historians; trusting the published local historical narrative. What Kammen means by this is that we often fail to revise “what is held as truth.”
Much of our understanding of local history in Orleans County comes from the pages of Arad Thomas’ Pioneer History of Orleans County and Isaac Signor’s Landmarks of Orleans County, the second publication drawing from the chapters of Thomas’ publication. In these pages, the pioneer woman rarely makes an appearance and when she does her name is obscured by the significance of her husband. Elizabeth Gilbert is perhaps one of the exceptions.
On March 3, 1807, Elizabeth Gilbert purchased 123.5 acres of land approximately one mile east of Fairhaven in Gaines. It is Signor who references this land transaction, completely overlooked by Thomas over twenty years earlier which demonstrates the significance of Gilbert’s purchase of land at a time when men were more likely to conduct such business. As the story is told, Mr. Gilbert was known to suffer from fits of epilepsy and was discovered dead in “the road” in the middle of winter (the road presumed to be Ridge Road). With her niece, Amy Scott, Elizabeth cared for a yoke of oxen, cows, and young cattle over the winter before relocating to Canandaigua around 1811 or 1812.
Arad Thomas refers to Gilbert almost exclusively as “Widow Gilbert,” a woman defined by her marriage to her unnamed husband. In his description, she was a “hardy pioneer” who “cut down trees to furnish browse for a yoke of oxen and some other cattle…” When Noah Burgess and his family arrived at Stillwater in Carlton, he was unable to complete the trip across land to Gaines due to illness. It was “Widow Gilbert” who used her oxen to bring the family and their personal property to their new land along the Ridge Road. Mary “Polly” Crippen Burgess, Noah’s wife, who was described as a “strong, athletic woman,” proceeded to “chop down trees and cut logs for a log house” while “Mrs. Gilbert drew them to the spot with her oxen.” Men passing through assisted the women in raising the cabin walls.
Another notable story involves the wife of William McAllister, the first settler of what became the Village of Albion. Purchasing approximately 100 acres in 1810, McAllister constructed a log cabin in 1812 on a parcel of land where the County Clerk’s building now stands. Mrs. McAllister’s tenure in Orleans County was short as she died the same year the cabin was constructed. With no cut lumber for building a coffin and no clergyman to conduct a religious service, McAllister and other men constructed a makeshift box from roughhewn planks and wood spikes to bury the woman. To this day, Mrs. McAllister’s true identity remains a mystery.
While exploring these stories, I was drawn to one other mention of a very accomplished woman highlighted by Isaac Signor. He writes that Mr. Calvin G. Beach, the editor of the Orleans Republican, conducted his business with the assistance of his wife who, according to Signor, was “a woman of rare literary attainments, who was a contributor to many of the papers and magazines of that day.” Apparently her attainments were far from significant enough to mention her by name. Mrs. Juliette Hayward Beach was a noted poet and writer and was asked by Henry Clapp to review Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass manuscript. Literary critics have suggested that Walt Whitman wrote “Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd” for Juliette, whose jealous husband prohibited her to write the poet.
As we delve deeper into the pages of local history, we must recognize that there are many more subjects and points of interest that remain untouched by the prying eyes of local historians. Sometimes, that research forces us to reconsider what we have come to hold true for so many years.
The Beloved Wild will be released by Macmillan this month
Melissa Ostrom
ALBION – Melissa Ostrom, known to many as an extraordinarily gifted teacher of English Composition at the Albion Campus Center of Genesee Community College and also known as a widely published short story writer, is now being recognized as an accomplished young adult fiction author.
Ostrom, who lives with her husband and children in Holley, has taught for GCC for over a decade. Her first novel, The Beloved Wild, will be released by Macmillan this month.
Macmillan (click here) promotes the book with this teaser:
“A debut YA American epic and historical adventure from Melissa Ostrom about striking out for your own destiny.
“She’s not the girl everyone expects her to be.
“Harriet Winter is the eldest daughter in a farming family in New Hampshire, 1807. She is expected to help with her younger sisters. To pitch in with the cooking and cleaning. And to marry her neighbor, the farmer Daniel Long. Harriet’s mother sees Daniel as a good match, but Harriet doesn’t want someone else to choose her path—in love or in life.
“When Harriet’s brother decides to strike out for the Genesee Valley in Western New York, Harriet decides to go with him—disguised as a boy. Their journey includes sickness, uninvited strangers, and difficult emotional terrain as Harriet sees more of the world, realizes what she wants, and accepts who she’s loved all along.”
Ostrom is the winner of a 2008 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Master Teacher Award for her engaging classroom teaching style, her passion for excellence in writing, and her devotion to student success. Her reputation as an exemplary educator at GCC is well known.
There will be a book launch party for The Beloved Wild at Lift Bridge Bookstore, 45 Main St., Brockport on April 14 at 2 p.m.
Hoag Library in Albion will also host a book discussion with Ostrom on April 26 at 7 p.m. She will discuss how the history of the Orleans County settlers inspired her to write her novel. The event is sponsored by the Cobblestone Society and Museum, Hoag Library, the Orleans Chapter DAR, and the Orleans County Historical Association.
For those interested in learning more about Melissa’s writings, check out her blog by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 March 2018 at 12:53 pm
State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, said the state broadband grants announced last week only brings “peanuts” to Orleans and Niagara counties.
Orleans was approved for $36,669 in in state funding to expand broadband to 154 addresses with Hughes Network Systems LLC will be the contractor for the work in Orleans. Niagara County was approved for $173,487 for 955 addresses.
The Orleans numbers pale compared to other rural GLOW counties. In Genesee County, the state is providing $118,603 in grants for 519 addresses. In Livingston County, the state grants total $274,203 for 881 addresses, and in Wyoming County, the grants include $727,528 for 1,031 addresses.
Ortt released this statement today:
“After many broken promises – and half a billion dollars later – many residents of Niagara and Orleans County will not be receiving quality broadband services promised by the state. Significant work is underway by the private sector, but we are years away from seeing those results.
“When I saw the press release hailing the accomplishments of the New NY Broadband and announcing its conclusion, I asked ‘What about Orleans and Niagara?’ Apparently, someone else noticed that omission because another ‘final’ award went out, delivering peanuts and sub-par satellite coverage to many of my constituents. In a modern economy, families, schools, and small businesses rely on basic internet services and the state has absolutely failed them on this issue.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 March 2018 at 11:52 am
Some candidates see dissolving police force with county takeover as way to make village more sustainable for taxpayers
ALBION – Seven candidates for three open positions on the Albion Village Board shared their ideas for moving the village forward during a two-hour candidate forum on Thursday evening.
Michael Bonafede, the forum moderator, said the village is fortunate to have seven qualified candidates run for the March 20 election.
“These aren’t career politicians,” Bonafede said at the forum, which was held in the elementary school cafeteria. “They’re like us. They’re not doing it for the money. It is easy to run down local politicians. But these are our friends and neighbors.”
Eileen Banker
The Republican team – Eileen Banker for mayor and Gary Katsanis and Stan Farone for trustee – includes two current trustees, Banker and Farone. Current Mayor Dean London isn’t seeking re-election. The Republican trio said Albion is on the right track by securing grants for upgrades at Bullard Park, the sewer plant, and other village projects.
Bullard, once the upgrades are done, will make Albion more appealing for young families, Banker said. Bullard will get a new spray park and other improvements with a state grant covering most of the cost.
The GOP candidates said the village has partnered with local organizations for festivals and community events. The village has also established partnerships with nearby municipalities where Albion provides personnel while running the Holley Police Department, and Holley and Elba sewer plants.
Gary Katsanis
Katsanis, a former village trustee, said the shared services are a way for Albion to maintain services while staying under the 2 percent tax cap.
Farone and Banker both praised the village employees and department heads for their work in Albion and with the partnering municipalities in the shared service programs.
The village also created a local development corporation and secured a $75,000 grant to tackle zombie houses, vacant sites that have been foreclosed by banks.
Stan Farone
Banker said grant writing efforts are paying off with $668,000 secured in the past three years. The village just was notified it was approved for a state grant for $300,000 for a new vacuum truck.
The Republicans said they were strongly in favor of keeping the village police force. A study last year from the Center for Governmental Research looked at alternatives for policing in Orleans County. One alternative would be dissolving the village police departments and having the County Sheriff’s Department take over the service in the villages. That would cut the village taxes in Albion by approximately $6 to $8 per $1,000 of assessed, while increasing the tax rate in the county by $1.50 to $2, according to the study.
The Democratic-endorsed candidates – Joyce Riley for mayor, and Sandra Walter and Jason Dragon for trustee – said they would consider dissolving the police department, to bring down villages taxes to make the community more affordable for residents. They want assurances the Sheriff’s Department and State Police would fill the void if there wasn’t an Albion police force. (The police department couldn’t be dissolved unless it was approved by village residents in a referendum.)
Joyce Riley
“We realize our police department consumes a lot of our money, and our community is satisfied with the way they are doing the current policing, and I am here to say to you, ‘Please take another look,’” Riley said. “Because as we have a decreasing tax base we are not going to be able to afford this over the long term. We need an active government that is actually going to look at to see if we can deliver services in a different way.”
Albion currently keeps a minimum of two officers on duty at all times, including overnight shifts when there aren’t too many calls. The study from CGR said Albion could have one officer on overnight and that would save taxpayers about $100,000.
Riley would like to try going to one officer overnight. Banker, Farone and Katsanis all said they want to keep two officers on at night for officer and community safety. Farone said officers respond to drug overdoses and provide Narcan to help bring someone out of an overdose.
“They are the first responders,” Farone said.
Jason Dragon
The current local taxing system is grossly unfair to village residents, Dragon said. The village residents pay a village tax rate of $17.76 per $1,000 of assessed property. Moving just outside the village lines can save the average homeowner more than $1,000 in taxes.
Dragon said the tax burden in the village discourages investment and chases out residents and businesses.
“The tax base in the village is stagnant,” Dragon said. “Outside the village it isn’t. People view the village as too expensive.”
Sandra Walter
Walter also said the current taxing structure is punishing village residents, leading to deterioration in the community.
She said the Village Board needs to look at all village services, including police, and decide what the community can afford and if a different municipality can provide the service.
“Everyone does love the police force,” she said. “It’s great to have such an outstanding police force. But we need to look down the road not only at them but everything to make sure we are sustainable.”
Kevin Doherty is running under the independent “Spark Some Action” party. He operates a communications maintenance business. He has been president of the board of trustees for the Hoag Library the past seven years when the organization built a new library and secured more than $1.3 million in donations from the community for the project.
Kevin Doherty
Doherty said the village needs to adopt a Wegmans mentality where the focus is on customer service and being the best village it can possibly be.
“It’s clear from the past few years that whatever we’re doing isn’t working,” he said during the forum that was attended by about 60 people.
Doherty worries the village will continue to lose people and be stagnant with the same approach to the village government.
“The people running this year and the folks who sat in the chairs for the Village Board are good people with good hearts but pulling together for a common goal just hasn’t been accomplished,” he said. “The cure for Albion is more people and more accessible residential property.”
A village government with a focus on customer service will change the perception many have that Albion is in decline.
“We need to have people who want stores, who want restaurants, who want shops and happy people draw the attention of potential manufacturers,” Doherty said.
Michael Bonafede, former president of the Albion Board of Education, served as the forum moderator. He said the community is fortunate to have several candidates running in the March 20 election.
Banker works as the chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley. She also is on the board of directors for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and on the advisory council for Genesee Community College. She also has been a member of Albion Fire Department Auxiliary since 1979.
“The reason why I’m running for mayor is I think it’s important to be involved in your community,” Banker said. “Being on the board for the last two terms (eight years) has enlightened me to the struggles municipalities face. Our current board is not divided in any way. We are united with the same philosophy of what can we do best for the village and its residents.”
Farone, a Kodak retiree, is a founding member of the Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance. He helped start the Energize Albion group, which has planned several events in Albion. He is along-time volunteer with the Fire Department. He also works part-time for the Mental Health Association of Orleans & Genesee Counties as a project manager, based out of the Albion drop-in center at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex.
He surged residents to volunteer in the community and attend village meetings. “We have to make this village grow and we can’t do it with the help of everybody,” he said.
Katsanis is retired after working in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica. He is a member of the Albion Lions Club, the Albion Merchants Association and was active with the Albion Main Street Alliance.
“I have the time, I have the skills and I have the willingness to work,” Katsanis said. “I support our community and I believe in our community.”
Riley is a former member of the Albion Board of Education. She worked as a registered nurse and later supervised an ambulatory surgical unit in Washington, D.C., overseeing 200 employees. When she retired, she moved back to Albion in 2015.
“If you like what we currently have, I’m not for you,” she said. “I have the experience. I have the know-how and I have the tenacity.”
Walter retired about two years ago as a claims processor for CRFS in Albion. Before that she was a supervisor in collections for Dime Bank and North American Mortgage in Albion.
“Many of you care about our community,” she said. “The future of this village is up to you.”
Dragon works as a software engineer/consultant. He also manages the website for the Orleans County Democrats. Dragon grew up in Albion, moved away and returned. Despite its challenges, Albion remains an attractive place to live, Dragon said.
“We have too many uncontested elections in this county,” Dragon said. “People deserve a choice come election time.”
Doherty, in addition to leading the Hoag Library and running his communications maintenance company, was a long-time 4-H leader and Fair Board volunteer, as well as a member of the Albion Board of Education and his church’s vestry.
“The Village of Albion needs a mayor who is a leader,” Doherty said. “I have a proven and documented record of team play, team building and team leadership which are just what the Village of Albion needs right now.”
To see a video of the forum on YouTube, click here.
“Harriet Winter is the eldest daughter in a farming family in New Hampshire, 1807. She is expected to help with her younger sisters. To pitch in with the cooking and cleaning. And to marry her neighbor, the farmer Daniel Long. Harriet’s mother sees Daniel as a good match, but Harriet doesn’t want someone else to choose her path—in love or in life.
