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.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

BATAVIA – Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on March 16 in honor of fallen Genesee County Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello.

Sergeant Sanfratello also served as a Board Member for the Town of Alexander. This memorial act is concurrent with the half-staff order already in place in honor of New York National Guard members Casey Frankoski and John Grassia, who died during a federal deployment at the southern boarder.

“From the Town Board to the Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello dedicated his life to improving the lives of his neighbors and protecting his community,” Governor Hochul said. “My heart goes out to Sergeant Sanfratello’s family and loved ones. May the courage he showed throughout a lifetime of service be a comfort to those he leaves behind.”

On March 10, Sergeant Sanfratello died in the line of duty in Batavia. Originally from Batavia, Sergeant Sanfratello served in law enforcement for more than two decades. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy; his children, Ian, Kyla and Alexis; and countless other family and friends.

Provided photo

LOCKPORT – Highway superintendents from Orleans County attended a press conference in Lockport today with State Sen. Rob Ortt to speak out against a proposed $60 million cut to CHIPS, which is used for road paving and improvement projects.

Pictured in front row, from left: John Papponetti, Commissioner of Orleans County DPW; Jason Watts, Medina Public Works superintendent; Eric Maxon, Kendall highway superintendent; and Ed Morgan, Orleans County Legislator and retired Murray highway superintendent.

Back row: John Olinger, Ridgeway highway superintendent; Kurt VanWycke, Carlton highway superintendent; Mike Neidert, Albion highway superintendent; Roger Wolfe, Yates highway superintendent; Devan Freeman, Lyndonville Public Works superintendent; Tracy Chalker, Clarendon highway superintendent; Dale Root, Shelby highway superintendent; Mark Radzinski, Gaines highway superintendent; and Dale Brooks, Barre highway superintendent.

Ortt said he will press Hochul and the Legislature to not decrease CHIPS funding.

“Local roads and bridges are essential to our communities, and need regular maintenance and continued investments to guarantee a strong economy and better future for our residents,” Ortt said. “This job is made more difficult by skyrocketing costs for materials and labor, in addition to proposed funding cuts by the Governor. I am proud to stand alongside our local highway and public works officials calling for an increase in state funding to CHIPS and in support of critical investments in our infrastructure.”

Ortt said Hochul is proposing a $60 million cut in CHIPS funding and a $40 million reduction in State Touring Route aid for a $100 million drop in local road funding.

“At the same time, we have been hit with record high inflation of nearly 60 percent on highway construction materials, which obviously sends the cost for projects through the roof,” Ortt said. “So, a combination of less funding and much higher costs means fewer projects getting done, which translates into further deterioration of our infrastructure.”

 Papponetti, the Orleans County DPW commissioner, said local roads account for 87 percent of all roads in the state and carry 48 percent of all the vehicle miles traveled. However, they receive less than 12 percent of taxes and fees paid to the state for maintaining local roads.

“It costs five times more to rebuild a bridge and 16 times more to replace pavements that have become deficient than maintenance treatments and repairs to kept our infrastructure in a state of good repair,” Papponetti said. “This is not a time to be cutting, but a time to be increasing our investment in local roads and bridges.”

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.

Provided photo

HOLLEY – Holley Rotary Club President Shannon Brett, right, presents a Paul Harris Fellow award to Elaine Berg during the club’s meeting on Monday.

Berg has been an active member of the club for six years. She also is involved in many community organizations, including as a member of the Murray Town Board.

A Paul Harris Fellow is Rotary’s top award and is named for the founder of the organization.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is seeking nominations to recognize artists and others who promote cultural activities in Genesee and Orleans counties.

GO Art! created the Genean award for GENesee and OrlEANs Counties, which “recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties,” GO Art! said.

The nomination deadline is April 5. GO Art! wants to recognize the following:

• Organization of the Year – This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization for its outstanding achievements in 2023. (Last year’s winner was Dance Reflections by Miss Heather in Albion.)
• Individual Artist of the Year – This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their achievements in 2023 or career-long body of work. (Last year’s winner was David Burke, a painter from Bergen.)
• Arts and Culture Supporter of the Year – This award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector during 2023. (Last year’s winner was the late James R. Owen of Batavia. GO Art!’s library is now named in his honor at Seymour Place in Batavia.)

For more information about the nominations, click here.

Provided photo

ALBION – The Albion Lions Club recently recognized some long-time members for reaching milestones with the club.

Pictured from left include Dr. Satya “Kash” Sahukar, 50 years as a Lion; Ron Albertson, 10 years; and Mary Janet Sahukar, 20 years. Chris Buongiorne, not pictured, also has reached 10 years with the local service club.

LOCKPORT – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt will have a news conference today with highway leaders in Orleans and Niagara counties to express their concern over possible cuts in CHIPS funding from the state.

The governor’s budget proposed a $60 million decrease in CHIPS money for roads, bridges and culverts around the state.

Orleans County Commissioner of Public Works John Papponetti and Niagara County Commissioner of Public Works Garret Meal and several town highway superintendents from both counties will be at the news conference at 10 a.m. at the Town of Lockport Highway Garage.

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.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse dome will illuminated in blue and yellow in this photo from March 18, 2022 in a show of support for the Ukrainian people who have been under attack since Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The dome of the Orleans County Courthouse will be illuminated blue in memory of Genesee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty early Sunday morning during an incident at Batavia Downs.

“All of us mourn the death of Sgt. Sanfratello and this is our community’s way of recognizing his bravery and commitment to public safety during his 32 years of service,” said County Legislator Merle “Skip” Draper, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee.

The dome will be illuminated blue for one week, beginning tonight.  Sgt. Sanfratello’s funeral will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Call Arena at Genesee Community College.

“We send our deepest condolences to his family and to all his fellow law enforcement officials, especially those in the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, who are devastated by the loss of their colleague,” said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature.

KENDALL – The Kendall carnival will be back in July, but the event won’t have amusement rides.

Organizers of the event announced that a ride company wouldn’t commit to the carnival this year. The Kendall Fire Department is reducing the event from three days to two days, and this year it will be advertised as field days.

“Our Carnival will look different this year,” the department announced on Facebook. “Unfortunately due to circumstances out of our control as of right now we will not have rides at our carnival. We will be changing the name to field days and going to a two day event July 12th and 13th.”

Kendall is the last fire department in Orleans County that does a carnival. Fire department officials said they contacted several ride companies but none were able to commit to the event in Kendall.

Many of the other events will be back including a firemen’s parade on July 12 at 7 p.m. and beer tent that night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

There will be a tractor pull, cornhole tournament, chicken barbecue, cruise-in and fireworks on July 13.

The department also announced the bands for the event:

• Highway 31 on Friday, July 12, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Begging Angels on Saturday, July 13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Shotgun Pauly on Saturday, July 13 from 9 p.m. to 1a.m.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board is making a formal request to the Orleans County Legislature to make up the loss in property taxes for the village after the county acquired three properties in the village last year.

The board on Wednesday evening passed a resolution, calling on the County Legislature to make up the loss of at least $11,000 in property tax revenue for the village through a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).

The properties won’t come off the tax rolls until next spring when the village sends out its tax bills.

In September the County Legislature approved spending $250,000 for the former Bank of America site at 156 S. Main St. It will become the treasurer’s office. That building has a drive-through and is more easily accessible than the current office on East Park Street, county officials said.

The bank is assessed for $125,000, which accounted for $2,391.25 in village taxes in 2023-24, with a village tax rate of $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The county in October approved buying the former GCC building at 456 West Ave. Orleans paid $975,000 for the building owned by Herring Enterprises of Holley. The county intends to move the district attorney’s office and probation department from the Public Safety Building to the GCC site. The Public Safety Building will be reconfigured with more space to be used by the Sheriff’s Office.

The GCC site is assessed for $450,000. That building generated $8,608.50 in village property taxes in 2023-24 with the village tax rate at $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The Legislature also agreed to pay James Herring Sr. $500,000 for 25.7 acres of vacant land adjacent to the site with a lot off Allen Road. That vacant land is assessed at $23,900.

The Village Board is asking for a PILOT agreement in perpetuity with 3.5 percent annual increases.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said he would like the resolution to the Legislature be part of a larger discussion about the county sharing revenues with the village.

The board didn’t state whether the PILOT should be based off the assessed value of the properties or the sale prices.

The board discussed whether the request to the county should be in a letter or a formal resolution. The board chose a resolution, “because a resolution is stronger than a letter,” said Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley.

Village officials found a similar resolution the board made more than a decade ago when the Albion school district bought farmland from Dragan Farms, taking some property off the village tax rolls. The school district declined to make up the loss in tax revenue to the village, Village Board members said on Wednesday.