By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2024 at 9:18 pm
GLOW With Your Hands will highlight opportunities in healthcare among local rural counties
BATAVIA – School districts in Orleans County will be sending students to Genesee Community College for the second annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.
The event will show many of the career opportunities in local healthcare. There are 575 students from 31 school districts expected to meet with businesses and organizations from the healthcare industry in the four rural counties – Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.
There will be about 200 representatives from workforce, education, first responders, and healthcare training providers across the GLOW region.
In addition to hands-on demonstrations and face-to-face interactions with healthcare organizations, students will each participate in two self-selected healthcare career workshops in fields including EMS, nursing, surgery, research science, pharmacy and several others.
The event is made possible by GLOW region workforce development leaders, educators, and community organizations and sponsors, led by Double Platinum sponsor ESL Federal Credit Union, and Platinum sponsors Wyoming County Community Health System and Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2024 at 4:25 pm
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are the front-runners for the Republican and Democratic nominations, respectively.
Early voting starts on Saturday for the presidential primary for both the Democratic and Republican parties and continues each day until March 30. The presidential primary will be April 2.
President Joe Biden, the Democratic incumbent, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican challenger, already have gained enough delegates to secure their parties’ nominations.
The ballots in the primary in New York State will include Biden and Trump, as well as other names who ended their campaigns after the state’s filing deadlines.
For the Democratic Party, besides Biden the ballot will include Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips.
For the Republican Party, in addition to Trump, the ballot will include Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie and Nikki Haley.
Early voting will be at one spot in Orleans County – The Board of Elections Office at 14016 State Route 31, Albion NY 14411.
Early voting dates and hours:
March 23 (Saturday) – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 24 (Sunday) – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 25 (Monday) – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 26 (Tuesday) – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March 27 (Wednesday) – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March 28 (Thursday) – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 29 (Friday) – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 30 (Saturday) – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Democratic primary also four delegates from the 24th Congressional District for the National Convention: Dia Carabajal, Daniel Farfaglia, Lorie Longhany and John Hurley.
The 24th District in Orleans includes Albion, Barre, Clarendon districts 2 and 3, Ridgeway and Shelby.
In the 25th District, there are seven candidates to be delegates for the National Convention. Voters will elect four from the seven. Those candidates include Shelly Clements, Anthony Plonczynski-Figueroa, Yversha Roman, Jamie Romeo, Adam Bello, Samra Brouk and Stephen Gregory Devay.
The 25th District in Orleans includes Carlton, Clarendon district 1, Gaines, Kendall, Murray and Yates.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
Photo from NY State Senate Republican Conference: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt speaks at a news conference on Wednesday in the State Capitol.
ALBANY – Members of the State Senate Republican Conference on Wednesday were joined by New Yorkers for Affordable Energy Executive Director Daniel Ortega at a Capitol press conference to call for a cost-benefit analysis of New York’s climate policies and to oppose a costly new mandate, the New York Heat Act.
Since Democrats passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, Republicans have demanded answers about its cost, expressed concerns about its mandates and questioned if its goals were realistic or achievable.
Further, the Senate Republican Conference has unanimously opposed new energy costs and mandates such as the NY Heat Act/Affordable Gas Transition Act. These policies will raise rates for at least 75 percent of New Yorkers, eliminate thousands of good paying union jobs and slap up to $50,000 in costs on homeowners who may be forced to transition from natural gas to electric heat.
“There is no better example of how glaringly out of touch Albany Democrats are than their extreme, unrealistic energy policies that will continue to hike costs for ratepayers and take reliable energy sources offline. The latest example is the NY Heat Act – the Senate passed it last year, and again yesterday, and the Senate and the Governor both have versions of this bad policy in their budgets,” Ortt said. “The bottom line, this is another extreme energy policy that will raise rates, eliminate jobs, limit access to a clean, reliable energy source. Not to mention it will force huge costs on homeowners to transition from natural gas to electric heat.”
New Yorkers are already struggling to pay high utility bills, largely driven by policies conceived by Democrats. Even before CLCPA was passed in 2019, 25 percent of the delivery charges on utility bills were made up of New York State taxes and fees.
Since then, things have only gotten worse. According to an analysis by the Empire Center for Public Policy of the first CLCPA report published by the Department of Public Service last summer, rates have already been driven upward by as much as 9.8 percent.
Passing the NY Heat Act would be a disaster for most ratepayers. While the bill caps utility costs for 25 percent of New Yorkers according to its sponsors, the money needed to continue to operate the grid will merely be picked out of the pockets of the 75 percent of those who do not receive any assistance. This is a classic political bait and switch, where a small group benefits while hard working middle-class families bear the burden. Further, the NY Heat Act would eliminate the “100-foot rule” for gas service that would lead to thousands of utility workers losing their jobs.
“We need common sense and not extreme climate ideology to lead the way,” said Daniel Ortega, executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy. “New York is blessed with an abundance of resources. If we plan carefully, we can reduce emissions, protect jobs and keep costs reasonable for consumers. In order to get there, we must pause on our current course, appropriately measure the costs already imposed and stop passing new mandates like the New York Heat Act, which only make things worse.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 March 2024 at 10:24 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Noah Fox plays the role of Joseph in Lyndonville’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Here he is singing about his coat of many colors. Fox is one of about 75 students in the cast, crew and pit orchestra for the production.
Shows are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday at Stroyan Auditorium, 25 Housel Ave. Tickets are $5 at door or can be purchased online (click here).
Fox, a junior, made his debut in Lyndonville musicals last year when he was The Tinman in the Wizard of Oz.
“There are many emotional songs,” he said about Joseph. “It should be fulfilling for the audience. People are really pouring their hearts out on the stage.”
Elizabeth Whipple, a senior, plays the role of the narrator, helping to explain the scenes and story. She also gives high-energy performances with the cast.
She tells how Joseph is one of 12 sons of Jacob. Joseph is his father’s favorite and Jacob doesn’t hide his feelings for Joseph, giving him a multi-colored coat.
That causes jealousy and anger from Joseph’s 11 brothers. They become more bitter when Joseph has a dream suggesting he will one day rule over them.
Amber Grabowski plays the role of Reuben, one of the brothers. They pretend to be saddened by Joseph’s departure, and tell their father he was attacked and killed. They sing, “One More Angel in Heaven.”
Joseph wasn’t killed by his brothers. He ends up taken to Egypt to be a slave for the wealthy Potiphar. Mrs. Potiphar, played by Laci Giarla, makes advances to Joseph, who rejects them. However, Potiphar sees the two together, jumps to the wrong conclusion, and throws Joseph in jail.
Joseph wins make the respect of Potiphar by interpreting a dream that helps the country build up supplies and food to withstand a famine.
The cast sings “Go, Go Joseph” as Joseph is encouraged to follow his own dreams.
Maximus Hilton is Potiphar and sings in an Elvis style, “Song of the King.” He describes his dream involving seven fat cows, seven skinny cows, seven healthy ears of corn, and seven dead ears of corn.
In interpreting the dream, Joseph declares that Egypt will see seven years of plentiful harvests, followed by an equal period of famine.
Joseph is the second musical performed by Lyndonville since a partnership ended with Medina after 2022.
Last year Lyndonville performed The Wizard of Oz and that showed Lyndonville, the smallest school district in the county, that they could pull off a full-length musical on their own.
Elizabeth Whipple, the narrator in Joseph, said last year’s show gave the Lyndonville students added confidence they could produce a top-quality musical.
She said she is grateful Lyndonville offers the program with so many dedicated teachers and staff working with the students.
“It’s been so fulfilling for many years,” Whipple said. “It’s a safe space for everyone. The friendships built here will last for years.”
She said Joseph brings a strong message of forgiveness, and to be grateful for what you have before it’s too late.
The cast of 75 is mostly students in grades 7 through 12. Director Jennifer Trupo for the second year has elementary students in the show. There are 17 in grades 5-6 in the chorus.
Trupo said the musicals bring together many students from different backgrounds and interests.
“Theater makes such a big change in people,” she said. “I’m proud of these students. The grow so much and they really love each other.”
New York Farm Bureau is reporting that its members donated 8 million pounds of food to regional foodbanks across the state last year through the Harvest for All program.
The number was announced this month at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Omaha, NE.
Once again, New York State had the second highest donation total in the country, only behind Florida.
The “Harvest for All” donation program is a nationwide annual farm donation partnership linking Farm Bureau and Feeding America in each state. In New York, NYFB’s YF&R Committee and Feeding New York State administer the statewide donation partnership. The food is then distributed among the 10 Feeding America food banks throughout the state.
The work highlights the importance of our regional food banks in helping reduce food insecurity in the state. NYFB and Feeding NYS continue to advocate for full funding of Nourish NY and the Healthy School Meals for All programs in the New York State budget. The vital programs, in part, provide food banks with resources to purchase healthy, local food which benefit New Yorkers in need and the state’s farming community.
“New York agriculture has a long commitment of giving back,” said Rich De Meyer, New York Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers chairman. “We understand the importance of fresh, healthy food to our communities, and how it makes a difference. I would like to thank every farm that donated last year and to give thanks to Feeding New York State for its work to bridge the connection between our farm families and those in need. New York Farm Bureau will continue to work hard to build a stronger food system and increase food access for all New Yorkers.”
Dan Egan, Feeding New York State Executive Director said, “Feeding New York State thanks the farmers of New York for their incredible donations of top-quality fresh food. Our 10 food banks feed millions of our neighbors, but we could do none of this work without the farmers who produce our food. My dad used to say, ‘Work is love made visible.’ Our work together is how we all love our neighbors. We look forward to the year ahead with hope for a good growing season, good health and good shared work.”
Scott Oldenburg, left, is the Albion FFA advisor. Kaitlynn Basinait, second from left, is the FFA president. They help unload 37,000 pounds of produce and donated food from local farmers on Dec. 9, 2023. The food was delivered to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
The map in the Blooms Report shows the best places to see roses, lilacs, tulips, cherry blossoms and magnolias.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the start of spring with the launch of the New York Blooms Report, a weekly report to help New Yorkers identify the best places to see roses, lilacs, tulips, cherry blossoms, and magnolias at more than 30 partner attractions across New York State.
The reports, managed by I LOVE NY and designed to encourage and help travelers plan a spring getaway, feature on-site information from staff at a variety of botanical and public gardens, farms, State Parks and historic sites across New York.
The first reports are online starting today, and will update every Wednesday afternoon through June, exclusively on iloveny.com/blooms.
Governor Hochul’s announcement marks the start of spring tourism in New York and builds on the Governor’s commitment to supporting New York’s $123 billion tourism industry.
“Spring is an exciting time in New York as the temperatures get warmer, the birds return from their winter migration, and the flowers bud and bloom in both our own gardens and in the many parks and botanical gardens throughout the state,” Hochul said. “I encourage residents and visitors to stop and smell the roses – and a host of other flowers— while also discovering all that our parks, farms, historic sites and gardens have to offer.”
The new New York Blooms Reports will be compiled weekly using the on-location field observations from the arborists, gardeners and caretakers at over 30 sites throughout the state’s 11 vacation regions.
The reports track the stages of bloom for each of this year’s five selected blooms, ranging from “no activity yet” to “full bloom” to “past peak/done blooming.” Partner sites will also share photos to be featured in the report, and information about any unique or exciting flowers in their given locations.
Additionally, reports will provide news about springtime flower events to encourage travel, from renowned celebrations like the Rochester Lilac Festival and Albany Tulip Festival, to smaller garden shows and exhibitions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2024 at 8:01 pm
TOWN OF ALABAMA – An Olcott man was discovered dead in the Town of Alabama, an apparent homicide victim, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office said today.
Michael G. Poole, 59, of Olcott was located Tuesday afternoon during the investigation into a missing person out of Niagara County.
The preliminary investigation indicates that this appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the public, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone who may have information related to this incident is asked to contact the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.
This investigation is ongoing, with no further details released at this time.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 March 2024 at 4:28 pm
Renee Hungerford of Community Action, Karen Kinter of Oak Orchard Health join intensive program lasting 18 months
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford, left, and Karen Kinter have both been accepted into the prestigious Health Leadership Fellows program by the Health Foundation for WNY.
ALBION – Two women in leadership positions in Orleans County have been chosen for a very prestigious honor by the Health Foundation of WNY.
Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, and Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, recently learned they had been accepted into the Health Leadership Fellows program for Cohort 11.
Both women said applying for that honor had been on their minds for a long time, and without the other knowing about it, they each applied this year.
The application is followed by an extensive interview process, in which the accepted individuals are chosen. Kinter and Hungerford learned of each other’s selection when the list was published.
The Fellows program’s goal is to strengthen collaboration among hundreds of nonprofit professionals who serve young children and older adults in western and central New York.
Their belief is, “When leaders at local nonprofits collaborate and share a sense of purpose, they can work together to solve the region’s toughest health issues.”
Hungerford noted she and Kinter already have a working relationship.
“We have already partnered with each other through my Axis of Care, and I used to work at Oak Orchard Health,” Hungerford said. “Healthcare is a frustrating system, and I want to help fix it.”
Kinter was amazed that two people from Orleans County would be accepted into the program at the same time.
“Both Renee’s and my organization are quite large here in this area, but they don’t compare with the size of city organizations,” Kinter said.
Two others from Orleans County also completed the program recently: Paul Pettit from the Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments and Dean Bellack of Medina, the former United Way director in Orleans County.
Bellack earned the honor because of relationships he developed with outside foundations while director of United Way of Orleans County and weekly phone and Zoom calls with non-profit agencies.
“We are going to be with a bunch of people who want to do innovative projects,” Hungerford said. “We will be asked to come up with a project based on solving healthcare issues in our area.”
The program lasts 18 months, during which time participants will be asked to attend four sessions of two or three days each in a residential setting, away from their jobs.
“They want to be sure our full focus is on this,” Hungerford said.
“I’m very excited that Renee and I will go through this highly regarded program together,” Kinter said. “It will allow us to strengthen both our organizations and communities. Through our collaboration along with many other regional healthcare leaders, we’ll be able to improve the care and services we provide. The recent opening of the Warming Center in Albion was a great example of community collaboration. Oak Orchard Health was happy to be part of that effort.”
“The Health Leadership Fellows Program is important for our community and the people we serve,” Hungerford said. “I look forward to learning and collaborating with Karen and all the other regional health leaders. The issues we face in healthcare are complex and this program gives us the tools to develop initiatives to help.”
Topics addressed will include personal leadership, leading change, communicating as a leader and results-based leadership and collaboration. Each cohort of fellows is made up of about 40 professionals from health-related and safety net organizations throughout western and central New York.
Their graduation is scheduled for November 2025.
The Health Foundation of WNY has been funding community health since its inception in 2002. Since awarding its first grants in 2004, the Foundation has awarded more than $30 million to fund programs in 16 counties in western and central New York. Funding has been focused on programs that improve health outcomes for two of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the region – older adults and children from birth to age 5 who are impacted by poverty.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2024 at 3:47 pm
Voters turnout was up in two out of the three villages that held elections in Orleans County compared to their most recent elections.
Lyndonville had the highest percentage of voters cast ballots at 25.4 percent, followed by 14.3 percent in Medina and only 3.3 percent in Albion. (Holley, the other village in Orleans County, has its election in June.)
Medina in recent years has had unopposed candidates and typically drew less than 100 voters on election day.
In Medina, the turnout was only 1.2 percent in 2022 with 39 voters out of 3,389. The three candidates were all unopposed.
Last March’s election two trustee candidates were unopposed with Jess Marciano getting 53 votes and Diana Baker, 49.
Judy Szulis, one of Medina’s election inspectors, was pleased to see a steady flow of people during the nine hours of voting on Tuesday. She said she saw many new people at the polls, including younger adults.
Medina had seven candidates on Tuesday for three positions. Marguerite Sherman was elected mayor with 330 votes, and new trustees were elected with Debbie Padoleski receiving 267 votes and Mark Prawel, 198.
Medina’s biggest turnout in recent memory remains Jan. 20, 2015 when nearly 1,500 people voted to determine whether the village should be dissolved. There were 949 “no” votes that day and 527 that said “yes.”
Voters who ventured to the polls on Tuesday were battered with chilly weather and some blasts of snow.
A year ago in Lyndonville, two candidates ran unopposed with Kimberly Kenyon receiving 19 votes and Terry Stinson, 23.
Tuesday there were only two names on the ballot for three positions on the Village Board. But write-in campaigns helped bring out 140 voters. John Belson was re-elected mayor with 66 write-in votes. Danny Woodward Jr. was on the ballot and was re-elected trustee with 94 votes. He also got 33 for mayor. Anne Marie Holland also was re-elected as trustee with 62 as a write-in.
The election was quieter in Albion on Tuesday compared to two years ago when the village had three people running for mayor and four candidates for two trustee positions. More than 700 people voted in that election.
Albion only had two names on the ballot on Tuesday for trustee, but two people mounted write-in campaigns, and one was successful in getting elected.
Greg Bennett, was endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican parties. He led all candidates with 87 votes. William Gabalski also was elected with 44 votes as a write-in, nipping Jeff Holler, who had the line Republican line and received 38 votes. Faith Smith was close with 36 write-in votes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2024 at 1:23 pm
ALBION – Three people were sentenced to incarceration in Orleans County today by Judge Sanford Church.
Cody Scharlau, 34, of Medina was sentenced to six months in the county jail, plus five years of probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Public defender Joanne Best asked that Scharlau just be given probation. She said he has struggled with drug addiction, and will benefit from programs required to be on probation.
Judge Church said jail was needed due to the crime.
“Possessing cocaine and drug paraphernalia is not acceptable in our community,” Church said during sentencing.
In other cases:
• Angel Marrero, 46, of Rochester was sentenced to two years in state prison and three years of post-release supervision for three burglaries in Orleans County. He also has to pay $7,253 in restitution to State Farm.
Marrero didn’t have any criminal conviction since 2009, but a recent relapse into drug addiction led to the crimes in Orleans County, Best told Judge Church.
“He admits he has severely fallen off the wagon,” Best said. “He has a pretty serious drug addiction problem.”
Marrero in June 2023 stole tools and electronics from a Ridge Road site in Murray, and then in July burglarized two sites on South Holley Road in Clarendon, stealing a generator, shotgun, jewelry and copper piping.
•Alexander Blount, 34, of Medina was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for violating his probation.
Blount was on probation for reckless endangerment in the first degree. He started a fire inside an apartment on Telegraph Road in Ridgeway that put people in danger who lived in other apartments in the building.
•Jayah Osby, 24, of Albion pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He faces six months in the county jail and five years of probation when he is sentenced on May 22.
Osby was charged on Aug. 21 after being searched by Albion police officers who located cocaine, marijuana and distribution bags for sale as well as $600 in cash. There was an active arrest warrant for Osby at the time.
In court today, Osby admitted he had 29 grams of cocaine.
•Jonathan Dodson, 38, ofHolley was arraigned for felony driving while intxciated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the 1st degree. He was charged in Barre on Dec. 29.
• Lawrence Miller, 31, of Medina was arraigned for DWI, AUO in the 1st degree and resisting arrest for a rollover accident on June 25, 2023 on Maple Ridge Road.
Miller allegedly walked away from the scene of the accident, and didn’t comply with law enforcement officers near the scene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2024 at 9:30 am
The National Weather Service is advising that moderately heavy snow squalls could hit this afternoon with winds at 30 to 40 miles per hour, resulting in possible whiteout conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, northern Erie, Genesee, Livingston and Ontario counties.
“Motorists today and early evening should be wary of quickly changing weather conditions, including dramatic reductions in visibility and possibly roadways that could experience a quick glazing of ice,” the Weather Service said.
Orleans could get 1 to 2 inches of snow today during the day, and then another 1 to 2 inches at night.
The high will reach 36 today followed by highs of 30 on Thursday, 32 on Friday, and 36 on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2024 at 8:40 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle, is shown in October 2020 for a news article about how local fishing-related businesses adapted during the Covid pandemic. Narburgh said Narby’s was busy during Covid. “We’re getting more people who were stuck at home and haven’t fished for years,” she said then. “They want to be out of the house.”
CARLTON – Narby’s Superette & Tackle, a mainstay for more than a half century in Carlton, is now closed.
Sharon Narburgh, Narby’s owner, made the announcement on Facebook on Tuesday. For 58 years she was dedicated to Narby’s, which was a gas station with groceries and a tackle shop at 1292 Oak Orchard Rd.
“Your loyalty and support have meant the world to me and I am truly humbled by the relationships we have built over the years,” Narburgh stated. “Although Narby’s Superette & Tackle may be closed, the memories and friendships forged within its walls will always remain cherished.”
Narburgh said she is closing due to unforeseen circumstances and for the good of her well-being.
“Thank you once again for your kindness, your loyalty, and your friendship,” she said. “You have made this journey unforgettable and I am forever grateful.”
Narburgh was one of the Point Breeze area’s biggest proponents for many years. She was instrumental in promoting the local fishing industry and often urged the community to see even more potential for the area.
She tried to get a covered wooden bridge at “The Bridges” to replace one of the spans that was taken out about a decade ago.
She was honored by the Orleans County Legislature in October 2010 after she retired from a volunteer role of running a fishing hotline. Every day for nearly 30 years she listened to the fishing stories from her customers and local charter boat captains, and managed to compile their observations in a fishing report that became a go-to for local and out-of-town anglers.
County legislators praised her “for providing a long and familiar voice” and for her dedication to the fishing and tourism industries in the county.
Narburgh and her late husband Bill were the first business to sell fishing licenses in the state. Before, only municipalities sold the licenses. The Narburghs became active in promoting the industry, attending many sportsfishing trade shows on behalf of Orleans County, promoting Lake Ontario and the tributary fishing.
The Albion Rotary Club in 2016 honored Sharon Narburgh as a Paul Harris Fellow, the club’s highest award. She is shown with Dick Pilon, left, and Bill Downey of the Rotary Club.
Narburgh was recognized by the Albion Rotary Club for her long-time commitment to the club’s fishing derby. Narburgh sold more than half of the tickets for the fishing derby, which was last held in 2019.
Narburgh also was a key leader in the 2013 community effort when Point Breeze was named “The Ultimate Fishing Town” by the World Fishing Network.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2024 at 11:46 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2024 at 11:19 pm
ALBION – Village residents elected Greg Bennett and William Gabalski to the Village Board today.
Bennett received the most votes with 87 for a four-year term as a village trustee. He was endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic Party for the election. He works as a locksmith at the Albion Correctional Facility. He also has been a long-time youth baseball coach.
Jeff Holler was backed by the Republicans, but he was edged for a seat on the board by William Gabalski who ran as a write-in candidate.
Gabalski received 44 votes, with Holler at 38. Faith Smith also ran as a write-in and received 36 votes. (Kevin Doherty received a vote, too, as a write-in.)
Bennett and Gabalski will take the spots of Chris Barry and Dave Buczek, who didn’t seek election this time.
Gabalski ran a campaign saying Albion is becoming increasingly unaffordable due to rising taxes.
Bennett wants to build a strong Albion team, pushing people to put aside differences and animosity for the good of the community.
The new four-year terms start on April 1 with the most pressing task to have the village budget adopted by the end of April.
BATAVIA – School districts in Orleans County will be sending students to Genesee Community College for the second annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.
