ALBION – The Albion Village Board removed “provisional” from Albion Police Chief David Mogle’s title on Wednesday.

David Mogle

Mogle recently passed the Civil Service test for police chief. He has been leading the Albion Police Department since Roland Nenni retired on March 31, 2021.

Mogle has worked with the Albion PD for 14 years. His appointment was made permanent by the Village Board on Wednesday. His base salary is $95,000, which doesn’t include any longevity pay.

Mogle leads a department with 12 other officers. He said he prefers the small-town atmosphere in Albion.

“The people here treat us like human beings,” he said about the Albion community. “The people wave to us and say hi. It’s just different.”

Mogle said smaller departments like Albion face retention challenges because they don’t pay as much as city and larger suburban departments. Some of those departments can offer lifetime health insurance, which is too costly for Albion.

But Albion is more attractive for officers in other ways, mainly with a community atmosphere that is respectful of officers.

Mogle and his family are committed to Albion. Mogle’s wife Amber Mogle owns the Roots hair salon on East Bank Street. Mogle father, David Mogle, owns DK Autobody on Childs Street. Mogle and Albion police officer Chris Glogowski also teamed up to open The Coffee Joint in downtown Albion in October.

The Village Board on Wednesday also voted to make Lt. Brandon Annable’s salary at $90,000 a year, plus longevity pay.

In other action on Wednesday, the Board:

• Approved Owen Frederiay and Vincent Tarricone as new members of the Albion Fire Department.

• Voted to create a Civil Service position with a full-time water plant operator trainee position. Chief operator Adam Rush said a senior operator who is also the lab director will soon be retiring and trainee can work alongside that employee. Rush said the village reduced the full-time positions at the water plant by two in 2012.

Provided photos and information courtesy of Hoag Library

ALBION – The Neal family, owners of Poverty Hill Farms on West Countyhouse Road, brought some of their Holstein and Jersey calves to Hoag Library today as part of the summer reading program.

The top photo shows Bright Hapeman feeding a 2-day old Holstein calf with the help of Kasey Neal.

Jody Neal from Poverty Hill Farms shared information about the calves with the children, who gathered under an outdoor tent by the library.  He talked about different breeds they have on the farm, how much they eat, weight, and how much milk cows can produce.

Matthew Bloom in yellow shirt is petting the 7-month Jersey calf with some assistance by Addy Neal. Her brother Zachary Neal, left, also offered pointers.

The Neal farm is part of the Upstate Niagara Co-Op and brought a cheese snack for the kids to show them how milk from the cows on their farm goes to their home.

HARTLAND – The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a 68-year-old man died this morning when he struck a tree with his vehicle on Ridge Road in Hartland.

The accident happened at about 8 a.m. today. The Sheriff’s Office isn’t releasing the man’s name at this time pending notification of his family.

The driver was the lone occupant in the vehicle. The driver was unresponsive at the scene and had to be extricated from the vehicle.

Niagara County deputies along with EMS crews from Mercy Ambulance and Mercy Flight Helicopter rendered aid but the male succumbed to the injuries on scene, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office said.

The Niagara County Accident Investigation Unit will be investigating the accident.

Medina was finalist last year, missing out to Rochester and Newark in Finger Lakes Region; Smaller villages eligible for up to $4.5 million with $10 million for metro areas

Photo from Governor’s Office: Gov. Kathy Hochul announces the state will make $200 million available for downtown revitalization. She spoke on July 13 in Jamaica, Queens.

The Village of Medina, which has been a finalist for a $10 million downtown revitalization grant, will get another shot at millions from the state.

However, Medina would now be eligible in a new program – NY Forward, where the grants are targeted for downtowns in hamlets and villages. Instead of $10 million, the grants would be for up to $4.5 million, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

She announced the state is making $200 million available for downtowns – $100 million to invigorate smaller and rural downtowns and $100 million for downtown areas in metropolitan areas.

Medina is in the Finger Lakes Region. Last year it missed out on the $10 million to the Village of Newark in Wayne County and the City of Rochester.

Other previous $10 million grant winners in the Finger Lakes region include the City of Geneva in 2016, the City of Batavia in 2017, the Village of Penn Yan in 2018 and Seneca Falls in 2019.

Medina was one of five finalists for the grant in 2019 and in 2021.

Medina had a committee that identified residential, commercial and tourism projects that would build on recent successes and investments in the downtown and canal area.

“Yes, this is disappointing for the village,” Mayor Mike Sidari said when Medina missed out last year. “However, we need to look at where we were 10 years ago and where we are now. Our village has been transformed, from our downtown to our recreation areas. We have a lot of hard-working dedicated residents and business owners working to continue to improve our village. Let’s be proud of what we have and continue to make Medina one of the most outstanding communities in WNY and the Finger Lakes.”

Medina’s application in 2021 sought funding for streetscape Improvements, multi-use trail along the Medina Railroad from the museum to Main Street, upgrades to Canal Village Farmer’s Market, improved waterfront access and amenities at the Canal Basin Park, enhanced programming at State Street Park (ice skating rink, enhanced lighting, boat tie-ups, benches and bicycle racks, and a construction of a nature trail), boat tie-ups and docking facilities at the Lions Park, viewing platform and at Medina waterfalls, wayfinding signage, small grant fund for local businesses, adaptive reuse of the old Medina High School to turn into apartments, and redeveloping the Snappy facility on Commercial Street by the Erie Canal into a mixed-use commercial and residential space.

Gov. Hochul announced the downtown revitalization availability last week in Jamaica, Queens, a past winner for the $10 million.

The governor announced that the $100 million for smaller and rural communities would be through the NY Forward program, while the metro areas would be through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

“New York’s downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities and regions, and today we’re taking comprehensive action to support them,” Hochul said last week. “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative has ignited a renaissance in these spaces, which are critical to the continued growth of businesses and local economies, and I am proud to support this vital program. As we grow our downtowns, we are proud to launch a new program — NY Forward — that will provide crucial support to New York’s smaller and rural communities to help bring them back to the bustling towns and villages they once were.”

Hochul announced NY Forward to build on DRI’s momentum. She said NY Forward will support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities with a focus on hamlets and villages. NY Forward is meant serve smaller communities and support local economies that often have a feel and charm that is distinct from larger, metropolitan urban centers funded through DRI, she said in a news release.

The state us assigning a consultant to work with NY Forward communities through a planning and technical assistance process to develop a slate of readily implementable projects, with each regional economic development council nominating the winners.

NY Forward differs, however, by providing capacity-building workshops and technical assistance from consultants to assist communities in developing their full applications and throughout the implementation process, Hochul’s office said in the news release.

NY Forward also offers two funding options for each region—two $4.5 million awards or one $4.5 million grant and two $2.25 million grants.

Applications for NY Forward will launch later this month and winners are expected to be selected later this year.

For more information, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A basketball hoop at Bullard Park manages to stand out in the snow in this photo from Feb. 6, 2021.

ALBION – The village has been approved for a $40,000 grant from the James and Juli Boeheim Foundation towards two new basketball courts at Bullard Park.

The Village Board announced on Wednesday the funding was approved and the board thanked resident Susan Oschmann and the Orleans County United Way for their efforts to secure the funding.

Oschmann has been coordinating 3-on-3 basketball tournaments to raise money for the new courts, and also recruited Roosevelt Bouie, a former Kendall basketball star who then had a Hall of Fame career at Syracuse playing for Coach Boeheim.

Bouie credited intense basketball games at Bullard when he was a kid for helping to develop him as a player. Bouie also worked during the summer at Bullard as a park supervisor. It was his first job.

“I owe quite a bit to Bullard park,” Bouie said in a previous interview. “It used to be the mecca of basketball.”

The United Way wrote the grant on behalf of Albion for the funding.

Village officials are eyeing the current skate park area for the new courts. The current basketball court hasn’t been upgraded in at least 30 years. The hoops and poles have been removed due to the poor condition of the court. A temporary hoop has been set up for the summer parks program in part of the parking lot.

There will be another 3-on-3 “Bounce for Bullard” tournament on Aug. 6. The cost is $20 per team. For more information contact Oschmann at susanoschmann@gmail.com for the registration form and rules.

ALBION – The village should move its summer concert series from a parking lot by the Erie Canal to Bullard Park, where there is a new amphitheater that would make for a much better venue for the bands and also the spectators, the Village Board was told on Wednesday.

John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, said the concerts would get a bigger turnout up at Bullard, where there is more shade, playground equipment for children, and more parking.

The Albion Fire Department could also use a grill at the park for hot dogs and hamburgers. The department would likely sell more food and beverages at Bullard than the current spot by the firehall, Grillo said.

“The bands and the people know we have a beautiful amphitheater,” Grillo said during Wednesday’s board meeting. “I wonder why we are doing them in a spot where people are uncomfortable.”

Ron Albertson sings “One Way Out” by the Allman Brothers during an open mic night on June 19, 2021. It was the debut event at the new amphitheater. That outdoor stage will host several bands on Aug. 6 for the Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park.

The village kicked off its canal concert series a week ago with the band Eagle Creek. The six-week series runs on Thursday evenings through Aug. 18. (The village approved a change in the lineup with the band Breakout to replace Jonesie & The Cruisers on Aug. 4.)

The concerts last year and last week have been attended by about 100 people. The events are funded with a grant administered through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. There is no stipulation the concerts be next to the canal, Grillo said.

“I’m in favor of Bullard Park,” he said. “We’d draw tons more people.”

The board didn’t respond to Grillo’s comments on Wednesday.

Photo and information from Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Orleans Career and Technical Education Center Secretary Sabrina Stabler, Evan Harris (Medina), OCTEC Principal Mike Mann and Orion Groth (Albion) are pictured recently after Harris and Groth  received the Duke Sevenski Lincoln Post VFW Memorial Scholarship. The awards are for $500 each.

Harris was a student in the Building Trades program and Groth was in the Electricity/Electronics program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center (OCTEC).

They were awarded the scholarships during the end-of-the-year celebration. The students will use the money to pursue their careers.

ALBION – The village board room was packed on Wednesday with many residents concerned about whether the village had been overpaying its police officers, and whether those funds – $236,000 over five years – should be recouped.

A CPA firm last week presented the results of a forensic audit, looking at officers’ pay checks over five years, since the village shifted from having officers work five 8-hour shifts a week to 12-hour shifts. With the 12-hour shifts officers worked seven shifts every two weeks for 84 hours of straight time. The change was made to reduce overtime in the police department and to give officers more days off.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr., left, and Trustee Chris Barry spoke at the meeting. Barry faulted the mayor for reducing officers’ pay one pay cycle before the issue had been fully researched.

The CPA firm, The Bonadio Group, said the village made an error in determining the hourly pay rate. The annual salaries should have been divided by 2,184 hours. That’s 84 hours multiplied by 26 weeks.

However, the village used the hours in a 40-hour week or 2,080 for the year. When the salary was divided by 2,080, instead of 2,184, the hourly rate was about 5 percent higher than it should have been.

Bonadio said 15 officers were overpaid ranging from $650 to a maximum of $27,000.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. unilaterally lowered the officers pay to what he believed was the correct rate. That lasted one pay period in June before the police union filed a grievance and three other board members – Chris Barry, Zack Burgess and Tim McMurray – voted to have the officers continue to be paid at the rate they were getting.

That was before Bonadio submitted its report on July 12.

“We didn’t have evidence in front of us,” Burgess said during Wednesday’s meeting.

Barry said the issue remains unresolved without a final report. He is holding off on making a decision until there are more details.

Village Attorney John Gavenda said the village will have hearings with the police officers’ union as it works to resolve the issue.

“We’re working our way through the process,” Gavenda told residents during Wednesday’s meeting. “We have hearings coming up with the police department. We don’t have answers right now to everything.”

Javier was urged to look into the issue by a village employee in April. He said it came as a shock that the pay rates seemed to be off. Javier said the “potential overpayment” continues and the numbers grow each pay period.

“It is compounded with overtime and everything,” he said.

He has reached out to the state comptroller’s office for an opinion and a course of action.

Some residents spoke at Wednesday’s meeting. Lori Laine, a business owner in the village, said she thinks the village should go to the correct pay schedule with the officers, but not seek any repayments if the village made an error in calculating the pay. She didn’t think that would be fair to the officers.

Her husband Tom Laine also urged the village “to put the brakes on it” and not continuing paying officers at the higher rate.

Javier, in an interview on Sunday, said he wants to hear from the state comptroller’s office about the issue, whether the village needs to pursue getting money back from overpayments.

Kevin Sheehan, a former village trustee and deputy mayor, said the village will lose officers if Albion goes after money caused by a village mistake. Other officers won’t want to come and work at Albion, Sheehan said, calling the issue “a load of crap.”

“You know how hard is it to get people here,” Sheehan said. “No one will want to come here. You’re stepping over dollars to save dimes.”

He said he is sympathetic to the officers, many who are early in their careers with young families and mortgages.

“They’ve made financial commitments,” he said.

The number of confirmed Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties is holding steady, with 86 confirmed cases in the two counties from July 13 to July 19, compared to 81 the previous seven days.

In Orleans, the Covid cases increased from 28 to 36, while in Genesee they decreased from 53 to 50.

However, there have been three more confirmed Covid-related deaths. The two in Genesee bring the total to 195 since the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020. The additional Covid death in Orleans puts the county at 120 Covid-related deaths during the pandemic, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

In New York State, the seven-day positivity rate, ending on Monday, was at 8.93 percent statewide. Orleans and Genesee counties are in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, where the seven-day positivity rate is at 6.87 percent. The rate is the highest in Western New York at 10.39 percent and the lowest in the Southern Tier at 6.64 percent.

ALBION – Two people were sentenced to state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Michael Borrero, 24, of Medina was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Borrero, a second felony offender, isn’t allowed to have a firearm. He admitted in a previous court appearance he had a shotgun on Jan. 8 and fired twice in the ground towards another person, who Borrero said came to his home and was threatening him.

Borrero apologized in court today for the incident.

Judge Church said he was imposing the minimum sentence required by law.

“You’re still young, you’re only 24,” Church told Borrero. “You just have to learn not to do these things.”

In another sentencing, a former Orleans Correctional Facility inmate was sentenced to another 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for promoting prison contraband in the first degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Vernon Bostick Jr., 34, allegedly had Buprenorphine, a narcotic that can be used to treat pain as well as addiction to narcotic pain relievers.

The 1 ½ to3 years will be added to his current sentence for attempted burglary in the second degree and burglary in the third degree, which were committed in Monroe County. Bostick is now incarcerated at the Mohawk Correctional Facility. He told the judge after sentencing he thought the sentence would be included as part of the burglary sentence and he wouldn’t have to face additional time in prison.

Judge Church said Bostick was aware of the sentencing parameters during a plea agreement. Bostick has the option to appeal within 30 days.

In other cases in County Court today:

•  Stephen Lopez, 38, of Medina pleaded guilty to felony DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He could face up to four years in prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 21.

He was charged on Feb. 2 after he was stopped by police for allegedly driving while drunk. He registered a BAC of 0.11 percent. He allegedly had cocaine in the vehicle. The District Attorney’s Office said cocaine in the car weighed 0.71 ounces.

•  Joshua Rothmund, 37, of Holley pleaded guilty to violating his probation back from 2016 when he was convicted of criminal contempt in the second degree in Livingston County. Rothmund hasn’t reported to Probation for four years. He faces up to nine months in the county jail when he is sentenced on Aug. 24. The judge said the sentence could be weekends if Rothmund maintains his employment.

• Roy A. Watson Jr., 33, of Batavia pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the fourth degree. He admitted to entering a home in Medina without permission and damaging items. He may be need to pay $650 in restitution. That amount will be determined during sentencing on Oct. 19. Watson faces a maximum of 60 days in jail or four months of weekends. He could also receive a conditional discharge and three years of probation.

Information submitted by Michelle Capstick, director of Joint Recreation Commission summer program

MEDINA – Director’s notes: The Joint Recreation Commission – Mary Woodruff, Jeff Toussaint, Ed Zelazny, Jada Burgess, Jess Marciano, John Pratt and Marguerite Sherman – are pleased that children are enjoying all the activities at the park and pool.

They would like to thank Case-Nic Cookies for showing the kids how they make cookies, Marguerite Sherman for the donation of peanut butter, jelly and bread, Mackenzie Sullivan for snacks, the Stalker family for cupcakes, the Taylor family for snacks, Genesee-Orleans County Youth Bureau for tennis equipment, John Grillo from the Albion Recreation program for inviting us to their carnival and an anonymous donor for sponsoring the purchase of wristbands at the carnival for 17 children.

If your child is enrolled in our program be sure to sign up for Remind (click here) to keep informed as to what is happening.

These kids enjoy playing Gaga Ball at Bullard Park in Albion.

Peek at Pool from last week submitted by Hannah Kenward: The 2nd week of swimming has been a splashing time for everyone. It’s hard to believe that the first session will be winding down next week. Kids have been improving their kick and strokes, as well as having fun jumping in the pool and being with their friends. Second session schedule can be found on the Joint Recreation Commission Summer Recreation Program Facebook page or in person at the pool beginning Tuesday. Sign up will be at the pool from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the remainder of the week.

Playing at the Park from last week submitted by Hayden Woodroe: Monday we set up a big game of kickball for all of the kids and got to play the board games Sorry and Trouble. Tuesday 15 of the kids went to Case-Nic to tour the bakery as well as made their own special M&M cookies. At Case-Nic we learned all about the history of the business and how they have made their cookies throughout the years.

On Wednesday we went on our first field trip crossing out of Medina. The Albion Recreation group set up a beautiful carnival with countless games, activities and food for all of the kids to enjoy. Thursday we walked up to the tennis courts and the kids got to learn how to play tennis with each other. The kids also played many of their own fun made-up games at the park.

After many kids talked about the Splash Pad at Albion’s Bullard Park from the day before, we took everyone up to Pine Street Park on Friday. Everyone enjoyed cooling off after playing in the park at the Splash Pad.

This week we have special trips planned to Mark’s Pizzeria, the Medina Fire Department, and the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge.

Tax cut and sales tax suspension proposed for some goods and services over 2 years

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – The New York State Senate Republican Conference today announced the introduction of legislation to eliminate the state sales tax on various goods, services and transactions for two years.

As families continue struggling with rising costs due to record high inflation, the time is now for a meaningful and long-lasting tax cut that New Yorkers will immediately see in their wallets, checkbooks and household budgets.

“The families we represent are cutting their budgets to make ends meet. As elected leaders, we must also find ways to tighten our belts,” Ortt said. “For far too long, our bloated, fiscally irresponsible state government has ignored the struggles of middle-class consumers. It is high time for Albany to give it back to the taxpayers by eliminating sales tax on goods and services that the political ruling class takes for granted. We need to do the right thing and provide desperately needed relief to hardworking New Yorkers.”

The legislation, which would deliver $2.6 billion in annual tax relief to New Yorkers, is also being advanced by Assembly Leader Will Barclay and Assembly Republicans.

The bill would eliminate the state sales tax for two years on the following items:

• Gas
• Personal Care Items
• Housekeeping Supplies
• Prepared Food

Families already dealing with inflated bills for groceries and gas are skipping summer plans, and will soon be confronted with rising back-to-school costs. The average American family has lost $6,800 in annual income over the past 18 months, thanks to record inflation.

With so many struggling to make ends meet, the Senate Republican Conference’s Inflation Relief Plan would directly address the needs of consumers who want to live their lives free from economic oppression.

“Everyday New Yorkers are struggling with oppressive inflation on top of the state’s record-high costs of living and doing business,” Ortt said. “Our Inflation Relief Plan will help to address Albany’s out-of-control taxing and spending, while also providing New York families with much-needed relief. The time to act is now.”

This legislation is one component of a comprehensive plan that will be outlined in coming weeks by the Senate Republican Conference to address the inflation crisis and make our state more affordable for hardworking New Yorkers.

There are new presidents for the boards of education in Albion and Medina. Wayne Wadhams was appointed as the leader in Albion and LuAnn Tierney is the president for Medina. Both are retired teachers and coaches.

Wayne Wadhams

Wadhams retired in June 2017 after a career as a technology teacher and coach – football, track and field, and girls basketball. Wadhams started his teaching career at Albion at the former Waterport Elementary School. He continues to volunteer as the pole vault coach for Albion.

He also is on the board for the Orleans/Niagara BOCES and currently is a member of the Leadership Orleans Class of 2022.

He succeeds Linda Weller who briefly stepped in as president after Kathy Harling resigned in early June due to a conflict with her job as an attorney. Harling was the president for nearly three years. Weller, during the organizational meeting on July 6, was elected by the other board members to serve as vice president of the Board of Education for 2022-23.

Tierney follows Arlene Pawlaczyk as president of the Medina BOE. Pawlaczyk remains a member of the BOE. She didn’t seek re-election among the board members to continue as president.

Alissa Mitchell is the new board vice president. Wendi Pencille was in the position. She didn’t seek re-election to the BOE and her term ended on June 30.

Tierney has been on the board for two years. She is a retired physical education teacher at Roy-Hart and a GCC adjunct professor for nine years. She also is a track and field official.

The other school districts in Orleans County – Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville – are keeping the same board leaders.

In Holley, Robin Silvis is president and Anne Winkley is vice president. Kendall is keeping Lisa Levett as president and Rachel Fisken as vice president. In Lyndonville, Ted Lewis was re-elected by the board to serve as president and Sue Hrovat stays as vice president. Lewis has led the board for more than a decade.

Provided photos: Health Occupations Technician teacher Courtney Slack and Orleans Career and Technical Education Center Principal Michael Mann are pictured Jovany Trejo of Albion who was awarded a $500 scholarship.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Two Health Occupations Technician students, in Courtney Slack’s class at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, took home scholarships.

Congratulations go to Gracelin Mahnke (Medina) and Jovany Trejo (Albion). Gracelin received a $250 Red Cross Outstanding Student Scholarship and Jovany received a $500 Connect Life Scholarship at the end of the year ceremonies.

Health Occupations Technician teacher Courtney Slack and Orleans Career and Technical Education Center Principal Michael Mann are shown with Gracelin Mahnke of Medina.