Sidonio allegedly drove vehicle towards town employee, swerving at last second

Joe Sidonio

MURRAY – Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio has been charged with second-degree reckless endangerment after allegedly driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed and swerving at the last second to avoid a town highway worker in the town parking lot.

Sidonio, 65, was charged at 4:35 p.m. on Wednesday by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. The incident allegedly occurred on June 12 at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Murray Highway Department.

The Sheriff’s Office in a news release said Sidonio  drove his truck at a high rate of speed towards the employee who was getting into his vehicle after a day of work.

“Sidonio then swerved at the last second to avoid a collision that could have resulted in serious physical injury to this individual,” according to the press release from Chief Deputy Rob Riemer.

Sidonio was processed at the county jail, released on his own recognizance and given an appearance ticket to appear in Murray Town Court at 5 p.m. on Aug. 9.

An order of protection was issued for the worker.

Sidonio last month lost a Republican primary for another term as town supervisor to Gerry Rightmyer, 350-237.

UPDATED AT 5:56 P.M.: Joe Sidonio’s attorney Robert C. Singer issued this statement and press release on behalf of Sidonio:

Joseph Sidonio of Holley, New York, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless engagement filed against him by a Town of Murray Highway Department employee. The charge alleges that Mr. Sidonio, the current Murray Town Supervisor, recklessly swerved his truck, at a high rate of speed, towards a town employee who was driving out of the town parking lot on June 12, 2023.

Mr. Sidonio entered his plea of not guilty last night in Murray Town Court. At the arraignment, both the sitting justice and the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office indicated that they were moving to recuse themselves from the case due to a conflict of interest. The case was transferred to the 8th Judicial District for reassignment to a different court. The recusal of the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office will require the appointment of an independent Special Prosecutor.

Sidonio’s attorney, Robert C. Singer, Esq., of Singer Legal PLLC, stated, “Joe Sidonio pleaded not guilty because this allegation is categorically false and completely unsupported by the evidence. We look forward to challenging this spurious accusation, brought by a disgruntled town employee, for the purpose of a politically motivated attack.”

Attorney Singer added: “I am puzzled by the fact that the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office saw fit to investigate this allegation and, later, issue a press release about it, when everyone else involved in this matter – the Judge and the DA’s Office included – believed it was appropriate to recuse themselves so that an independent person can evaluate this case on its merits. My hope is that the Sheriff’s Office will reconsider its further involvement in this case and recuse itself from the investigation.”

ALBION – Village Board members were asked to consider whether the Albion Visitor’s Center would make a better village hall than the current village office at 35-37 East Bank St.

Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley thinks the visitor’s center may be a better building for the village office. The visitor’s center is at 121 North Main St. with more parking and is handicapped accessible with an elevator going to the second and third floors.

She made the suggestion during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting. She didn’t call for any quick action but asked the other board members to go to the Visitor’s Center and try to imagine the possibilities.

“Would it be good for the community (for the village office) to be on Main Street?” she asked. “It’s ADA complaint.”

Tracy VanSkiver, the village clerk-treasurer, said the Visitor’s Center currently makes the village some money, renting out space to Assemblyman Steve Hawley, the Orleans Economic Development Agency, Darlene Benton and the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. Those rents are about $4,000 a month.

The Village Office is currently located at 35-37 East Bank St., next to the police station on Platt Street.

If the village did move its village office to the Visitor’s Center, the current village office could be used by the Police Department. Police Chief David Mogle said the police department is cramped for space next door at 106 North Platt St.

For example, an interview room is used as an evidence room and for officers to take lunch breaks.

Mogle said the department would still like to keep its space at Platt Street where the interview room has cameras, there is a holding area, processing area and lockers. Having use of the village office would give the department more space for training and make it easier for the public to stop by. Right now there aren’t any public parking spots right next to the police station.

Mogle said the Visitor’s Center “looks like a village hall” as an anchor building in the downtown.

The village has owned the Visitor’s Center since 2002. It took over the 8,061-square-foot building that was in the midst of a big construction project. The former Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce was approved for a $585,000 grant from the federal Housing and Urban Development for the renovation. That grant didn’t cover all the costs and the village stepped in to finish the project.

The building from 1890 was in major disrepair before the Chamber and village took on the project.

The first floor of the Albion Visitor’s Center with Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s district office at left. The suite at right is currently vacant. An elevator provides handicapped accessibility to the second and third floors.

‘They have been absolutely incredible.’ – Ben Curfman, pastor of North Point Chapel

Photo by Tom Rivers: Ted Newsome, a member of the Liberty Baptist Church at left on ladder, and Rick Bachorski, right of the North Point Chapel, work on a project in the kitchen at the North Point Chapel.

ALBION – A group of 20 people from a church in Mississippi raised $30,000 and traveled 1,200 miles to help a congregation in Albion this week.

The Liberty Baptist Church from Waynesboro, Mississippi has a team of people cleaning the North Point Chapel, finetuning the sound system and working on overhauling the kitchen so the church can prepare and serve meals in its fellowship hall.

Ted Newsome is a truck driver and farmer from the church in Mississippi. He and many of the other Liberty Baptist members took off work and used their vacation to make the trek to Albion. They rode in a bus, and also brought a truck and U-Haul with tools and supplies.

“We need serving as much as people need to be served,” Newsome said.

Liberty Baptist also has another group of 16 people from its church in New York City this week doing a service project at Hell’s Kitchen.

Phillip Gandy, the church’s pastor, said Liberty Baptist has been doing projects in many states for about 20 years now. Gandy was in Albion in February to check out the church and assess if Liberty Baptist could be helpful to North Point Chapel. Both churches are members of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Gandy believed Liberty Baptist could raise money and get the kitchen functioning again.

Liberty Baptist embraces the projects wanting to be of service to other churches and also welcoming the chance for Liberty Baptist members to work close together.

“This is the best team-building I know of for a church,” Gandy said about the mission trips.

Provided photo: This group from Liberty Baptist Church in Mississippi arrived in Albion on Tuesday evening and will be leaving Monday morning. They are shown outside the North Point Chapel at the former United Methodist Church at the corner of East State and Platt streets.

The Liberty group ranges in age from 13 to 78.

Newsome, one of the volunteers, said the Albion community has already shown the group kindness. Their first day on the job a neighbor brought over lasagna dinner. “It was delicious,” he said.

Ben Curfman has served as North Point Chapel pastor just over a year. He and his wife Rebekah and their six children relocated to Albion from the mountains of western North Carolina.

Curfman made other Southern Baptist churches aware the Albion site would welcome assistance with projects in a historic building, and also outreach to the community.

Besides working on the building, the group from Mississippi will team with North Point in offering a bounce house and serving cotton candy and popcorn on Saturday. Curfman expects more traffic that day due to the community yard sales in Albion.

Liberty Baptist also will be part of the praise band during the service on Sunday morning at 10:30.

Liberty Baptist brought materials to upgrade the kitchen, and even brought new appliances. Curfman said the church from Mississippi has been a blessing.

“They have been absolutely incredible,” he said.

North Point rented out a house in Waterport through Airbnb for some of the Liberty Baptist members, while others are staying with a North Point family.

Curfman said another church from North Carolina helped North Point in the spring by moving pews, reorganizing the sanctuary, and building a baptistry for people to be baptized.

North Point members also went on their own mission trip, traveling to Silver Creek in Chautauqua County for a day to help a church there get ready for a Vacation Bible School.

Curfman said he let the network of Southern Baptists churches know that North Point welcomes assistance with projects at the building and with community outreach. He said the response from out-of-state churches has left a strong impression on the North Point congregation.

‘It should be inspiring to people who can see there are people from all over the country who care about Albion,” Curfman said. “I just put the word out and explained our situation, that we want to be here a long time and be of service to the community. We’re blessed with this location in the heart of Albion.”

ALBION – The upcoming Rock the Park in Albion is expanding to two days of music and will include a 200-foot-long slip and slide down the sledding hill at Bullard Park.

Organizers have been urged to expand the event to two days. Rock the Park – Albion Summer Music Festival will start on Friday, Aug. 4 and will feature an open mic the first evening beginning at 6 p.m. on the main stage. Food trucks and a beer tent will open at 4 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Saturday, Aug. 5, features a lineup of nine bands. Food and craft vendors, kids games, and basketball tournament all begin at 11 a.m. A corn hole tournament starts at 1 p.m.

The Albion Fire Department will team with the Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Corporation, Inc. for the slip and slide. There will be three slides going down the sledding hill and the fire department will keep them slippery with water. There won’t be a charge to go down the slide but donations will be accepted to the Bounce for Bullard effort to put in new basketball courts at the park.

The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Corporation, Inc., a non-profit formed to help raise money for the park, on Wednesday evening presented a $2,000 check to the village towards a new pavilion that is under construction. The check was presented to the Village Board by GACRE board members Ron Albertson, Dan Conrad and Susan Oschmann. It came from the proceeds from last year’s festival.

Albertson said more volunteers and sponsors are welcome to help with the event next month.

The music lineup for Aug. 5 includes:

• Carlton Station on acoustic stage at 11 a.m.
• Chris Moore on acoustic stage at noon
• Shotgun Pauly on main stage at 2 p.m.
• Eclipse on main stage at 3 p.m.
• Driven on main stage at 4 p.m.
• Zackstreet Boys on main stage at 5 p.m.
• Highway 31 on main stage at 6 p.m.
• The Who Dats on main stage at 7 p.m.
• Nerds Gone Wild on main stage at 8:30 p.m.

Provided photo: Javen Feliciano, a student in Iroquois Job Corps’ carpentry program, shows his joy at volunteering to help build a roof over the dog run at PAWS in Albion.

MEDINA – Iroquois Job Corps staff are paying tribute to one of their students, who they claim is “a wonderful young man.”

Javen Feliciano learned at a very young age the benefits of volunteering.

Now 25, Feliciano is a student at Iroquois Job Corps, where he volunteered with other students in the carpentry class to build a roof over the dog run at PAWS animal shelter in Albion.

But that isn’t his first experience volunteering.

Feliciano’s story was shared in the Massachusetts publication, Wicked Local.

Feliciano was 12 years old and growing up in Fall River, Mass. when he crossed the street one day and saw two young ladies working in a planter along the sidewalk. He spontaneously asked if they would like some help.

One of the ladies, Sara Riley, called Feliciano’s mother and asked her permission. The young man stayed and helped them for four hours in the hot sun, pulling weeds, shoveling dirt and debris and sweeping the medians.

“And all the while, he had the most brilliant smile,” Riley said. “He simply enjoyed helping us and we simply enjoyed the fact there are people in the world who genuinely want to make a difference.”

A passing motorist was so touched by Feliciano’s work, she thrust a $10 out her window and asked the ladies to buy ice cream for the boy.

A week later, when Feliciano turned 13, the two ladies arranged a police escort to city hall, where he sat at a roundtable meeting with community leaders, and the mayor of the city extended his personal gratitude and presented a citation for Feliciano’s service.

Feliciano enrolled at Iroquois Job Corps this past January, at the age of 24, where he is in the carpentry program. In that short time he has been named Student of the Month and dorm wing leader. He became OSHA certified, trained in scaffolding and greenhouses, is power tool certified and participates in Job Corps’ Leadership Program.

Feliciano says his motto is, “We rise by lifting others.” He came to Jo Corps because he was seeking a better opportunity and wanted more for his life.

“While doing research I found that Iroquois Job Corps offers many resources and skills to be successful, such as medical trades and hard trades,” Feliciano said. “My goal here is to leave as a better man with a valuable skill set.”

Pictured from left include Nathan Woodworth, Tommy Fox, Lane Woodworth and Jonathan Frasier.

Press Release, Orleans County Clay Crushers

The Orleans County Clay Crushers had four student athletes travel to Ohio to compete in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Nationals.

They participated in Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays. In Varsity Trap, Tommy Fox shot 189 out of 200, securing him 45th place out of 957 registered participants.

In Junior Varsity, Jonathan Frasier finished 40th out of 443 register athletes with a score of 175/200, Nathan Woodworth finished 44th place in JV Trap with a score of 174/200 In the Intermediate Advanced Trap Division. Lane Woodworth finished in 40th place out of 336 registered athletes with a score of 174/200.

In Junior Varsity American Skeet, Jonathan Frasier 161/200 and Nathan Woodworth 157/200 finished 98th and 111th place out of 205 registered athletes. Lane Woodworth finished 56th out of 162 registered athletes with a score of 167/200 in the Intermediate Division.

In Sporting Clays, Jonathan Frasier finished 138th out of 239 registered athletes and Nathan Woodworth finished 143rd in the Junior Varsity Division. Lane Woodworth Finished 97th out of 188 registered athletes.

Thanks goes out to the coaching staff and volunteers that make the Orleans County Clay Crushers a great organization!

State requiring school to drop Raiders; Students suggest either Bandits, Bulldogs or Bucks

BARKER – The school district won’t be keeping the Raiders as a mascot after being notified it no longer meets state regulations against use of indigenous names and mascots.

The Board of Regents adopted the new regulations on April 18 and they took effect on May 3. Barker was notified by the state it needed to make a change.

The district has begun the process of picking a new mascot and logo. The district sought student and staff input and received more than 100 different ideas, district superintendent Dr. Jacob L. Reimer wrote to the community on July 11.

The district narrowed the most common suggestions to nine, and then asked students in a survey to pick among those names. That has been narrowed to the three most popular choices: Bandits, Bulldogs, and Bucks.

The district is now asking the community to weigh in on the three names in an online survey that is available until Aug. 4. Click here to take the survey, which also gives an option to submit a another name for a mascot.

“We know that changing our name and mascot is a difficult decision, but we will always be Barker at heart,” Reimer wrote in his letter. “Our goal through this process is to continue reinforcing the bonds we have as a school and larger community. With our upcoming capital project and the changes occurring around our campus, we have an opportunity to take our little slice of paradise here in Barker and make it stronger than it has ever been.”

One nearby college changed its mascot from Raiders about a decade ago. Roberts Wesleyan College dropped the Raiders and became the Redhawks. The college has someone wear a redhawk costume as Reggie the Redhawk at many athletic events.

The state Education Department said the new regs were instituted after many indigenous peoples said mascots have been used without the express consent of such peoples. And that is contrary to the requirements of the regulation and New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act.

The state Education Department in Regulation Part 123 includes a quote from Ronald F. Levant, EdD, former president of the American Psychological Association.

“The use of American Indian mascots as symbols in schools and university athletic programs is particularly troubling because schools are places of learning,” Levant said. “These mascots are teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often, insulting images of American Indians. These negative lessons are not just affecting American Indian students; they are sending the wrong message to all students.”

MEDINA – Anyone who has been curious about what the Iroquois Job Corps Center does is invited to attend two upcoming community open houses scheduled July 27 and Aug. 4.

Each open house will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and community members can visit any time during those hours.

“We encourage our local neighbors and community members to come out to the Center and take a tour of campus, speak with our instructors, meet the Center leadership staff and learn about what a typical student does when participating in the program,” said Luke Kantor, Outreach and Admissions manager. “When people see all the great things we do here it can be a real eye opener and helps dispel some false information. We really do help change lives for the positive.”

Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training provider helping young people ages 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives by empowering them to get great jobs and become independent, Kantor said.

The Iroquois Job Corps Center has current student openings for brick masonry, carpentry, paint, electrical, certified nursing assistant and certified medical assistant.

The Center is set up like a college campus, with dormitories, training areas/classrooms, recreation facilities, student dining areas and more. The campus works directly with employers, both national and local, to help students fill available positions for in-demand jobs.

While in the program, students can also earn a high school diploma or high school equivalent, along with their driver’s license. Job Corps offers tuition-free housing, meals, basic healthcare, a living allowance and funds to assist with career transition.

Job Corps also provides transitional support services, such as help finding employment, housing, child care and transportation. An important benefit of living close to a Job Corps Center, Iike Iroquois, is that local students can drive to and from campus Monday through Friday as non-residential students and still live at home.

Kantor said it was important their students are ready for their next step after the program and aim at one the three E’s – Employment in their field of study joining the workforce, Enrollment in higher education to advance their skills and certifications and Enlistment in the military.

“Our students work hard over the year or so they are here to better themselves,” Kantor said. “We are here to assist with guidance, support, the necessary instruction for their future careers and that extra bit of encouragement when they need it.

The community is requested to RSVP for one of the Community Open House days to Kantor at (585) 344-3401, (585) 205-3653 or by e-mail at Kantor.Luke@jobcorps.org.

Iroquois Job Corps is located at 11780 Tibbets Rd., Medina, off Route 63.

Provided photo: Shoppers check out the vegetables from Human Farms and Greenhouse at Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The market this Saturday will move back to its former location at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue for the rest of the summer. The market has been at the former NAPA Auto Parts Store on North Main since the winter.

MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market will return to its former site at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue, beginning this Saturday.

The market, which had been located at that site across from the post office since 2015, moved into the former NAPA Auto Parts Store at 345 North Main St. last November when owner Craig Lacy offered use of his building for the winter.

This provided the market a larger, warmer location for winter operations, for which the market was grateful, said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.

“However, as it turns out, the winter site – while a game changer for cold weather – is not as good for a summer market,” Busch said.

“Most people expect a summer farmers’ market to be an outdoor experience,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market since its beginning. “The indoor location was fantastic for winter, but for summer people prefer the atmosphere of a festive outdoor market.”

The West Center Street site offered food vendors, live music and other activities, which were a draw for people walking through and enjoying downtown, Miller said.

“People are drawn to a place where they hear music, smell food and see other people having fun,” she said. “It may be a little windier and perhaps a little wetter on occasion, but the colored canopies and customers milling about will definitely prove a more fun summer experience.”

Their first day back on the corner this Saturday the market will have lots of great vendors, live music, food vendors, community tables, artisans and crafters and kids’ activities, including the crowd favorite kids’ scavenger hunt, Miller said.

“Stop by and see us and enjoy the market,” she said.

Market hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market will return to the NAPA site in November, Busch said.

More information is available on the market at Canal Village Farmers’ Market Facebook page or by e-mail at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.

ALBION – The Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service got a boost toward a new van with a $1,000 donation Monday from Albion Elks Lodge.

When a grant was made available to the Albion Elks from their Grand Lodge, they interviewed several organizations and decided to give the $1,000 to the Veteran’s Van Service.

Those who attended the check presentation included David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans’ Council; Nancy Traxler, Veterans’ Service officer; Paul Fulcomer, former Veterans’ Service officer; Phyllis Schrader, coordinator of the van service; Elks members Marv and Joan Christ, Ken Draper, Lynda Standish and April Flesch; and the volunteer van drivers.

The veterans’ van service is operated under the auspices of the Orleans Joint Veterans’ Council. The program is run by all volunteers, including Phyllis Schrader, who schedules drivers and generally oversees the program.

She provided information on the number of volunteer drivers and miles driven taking veterans to medical appointments. Currently the program has 21 drivers and 10 office people.

To date this year, 328 trips have been made, transporting 406 veterans. Volunteer drivers have donated 309 hours and driven 1,912 miles.

Last year, 867 veterans were transported by 20 volunteer drivers who logged 4,446 hours.

Schrader explained the van service has a fleet of five vans, and only buys late model, low mileage vehicles. The one they currently need to replace has 120,000 miles, she said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a check to Veterans’ Van Service, 13996 Route 31 West, Albion.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

KENDALL – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Orleans County Special Response Team (S.R.T.), executed a search warrant at 16683 Kenmore Rd. on July 6.

The search warrant was based upon an investigation, conducted by Deputy David Lauer and Sgt. Adam Hazel, that the resident, Brandon J. Baker, 32, was allegedly in illegal possession of two long guns in violation of an Orleans County Court Order of Protection prohibiting him from possessing any firearms.

The S.R.T. Team conducted a “Knock and Announce” search warrant at 7:23 a.m. and entered the residence when no one answered the door. Once inside of the residence, Baker was observed and taken into custody without incident.

A search of the residence was conducted, and two 12-gauge shotguns were recovered.

Baker was transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office where he was arrested and charged with two counts of criminal contempt 2nd degree. Baker was also arrested on an outstanding Orleans County Family Court bench warrant for failure to appear.

Baker was then transported to the Orleans County Jail where he was processed and held for C.A.P. Court arraignment on all charges.