Holley hires officer for Police Department
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2022 at 8:09 pm

Provided photo

HOLLEY — Holley Police Chief Bob Barton shakes hands with Jacob Buzard who joined the Holley Police Department as a part-time officer. Buzard will start the police academy at Genesee Community College on April 12.

Buzard is originally from Albion and now lives in Brockport.

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Albion school approves nearly $200K revenue deal with solar company
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2022 at 4:21 pm

ALBION – The school district stands to receive nearly $200,000 from a Florida-based company installing a new solar project on Gaines-Waterport Road.

DG Gaines LLC of Juno, Fla. has agreed to an Educational Contribution Agreement with the school district where ACS will receive $95,000 before the project’s commercial operation date and then another $95,000 a year later. The company will also provide the district with $500 annually for 15 years through a payment in lieu of taxes for $7,500 total in the PILOT.

That brings the total revenue to the district at $187,500.

The district opted for the Educational Contribution Agreement to avoid the PILOT impact on calculating the tax cap. With the tax cap calculation, PILOTS received in the prior year and projected in the current year are added and subtracted from the calculation, which has an impact on the district’s ability to levy taxes in the first and last year of the agreement, school officials said.

In other action during Monday’s Board of Education meeting:

• Panek Farms will continue to work 63 acres of the school district’s land in a lease at $70 per acre annually. That adds up to $4,410 for the district.

The Board of Education approved the deal on Monday evening that extends the lease for five more years.

Margy Brown, a board of education member, said the Panek family has donated to FFA in addition to maintaining the farmland.

“I’m very appreciative of Panek Farms and their support of the kids at Albion Central School,” she said.

• Accepted a $7,379.60 donation from the Xerox Corporation to support a summer camp program at the school district. The funding was secured by Elissa Nesbitt, a former Board of Education member who works at Xerox.

• Approved a new $500 memorial scholarship in memory of Francis “Fritz” Neidert, a former Albion fire chief and long-time firefighter. His family created the scholarship to be awarded to a graduate who wants to be a firefighter and has been accepted to a college program for fire science technology.

• Agreed to change the name of the High School Multicultural Club to the Diversity Club. The group said changing the name should help bring more members to the club and make more people feel included. The club’s main goal is to bring people together.

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Hawley supports lawsuit challenging state regs for mandatory quarantine, isolation
Posted 5 April 2022 at 3:58 pm

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today joined his colleagues for a press conference in which Sen. George Borrello (SD-57), Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I-Schoharie), and Assemblyman Michael Lawler (R,C,I,SAM-Pearl River) announced their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Department of Health regulation establishing isolation and quarantine procedures for those suspected of having a communicable disease.

Hawley and those who’ve brought the lawsuit forward assert its implementation through the regulatory process violates the separation of powers.

Regulation 10 NYCRR 2.13 would empower the Department of Health to forcibly isolate and quarantine individuals exposed to communicable diseases, potentially in locations that aren’t their homes. Adopted on Feb. 22, 2022, the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council is set to renew the rule on an emergency basis today. Steps have also been taken by the council to make the regulation permanent.

“The role of the Legislature is to protect the public from dangerous policies like this, which would never survive scrutinous debate in the Assembly,” said Hawley. “When a bill containing most of the same measures this rule does was put before the Assembly in years past (A.416, Perry), it had only a single sponsor, so it seems to me the governor is truly trying to subvert our constitutionally-sanctioned legislative process to put this proposal into law. By subverting the Legislature, the governor has silenced the voices of the people they represent, who almost certainly would not wish to grant their government this overreaching authority.”

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Jacobs says change in U.S. energy policies would bring down ag input costs
Posted 5 April 2022 at 2:02 pm

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined 96 colleagues in calling on President Biden to reverse his anti-American energy policies and take steps to bring down the cost of fertilizers for farmers.

“Most common fertilizers are petroleum-based,” Jacobs said. “With prices skyrocketing and foreign supplies becoming less accessible, it is critical action is taken to bring down fertilizer costs for farmers.

“Farmers are struggling under increased fuel costs, labor shortages, and inflationary pressures on inputs. If we do not act now, it could spell even higher prices for American consumers. The President could take immediate steps to bring prices down across the board.

“His policies have been destructive to the U.S. energy industry, and in turn, our farmers. The President must allow for increased U.S. oil and gas production, take steps to allow for easier access to alternative fertilizers, and ensure critical minerals are made part of the Department of Interior’s mission.”

Recently, Jacobs also co-sponsored numerous pieces of legislation designed to restore American energy independence and bring fuel costs down for farmers and the American people as a whole.

“Farming is an industry of incredibly narrow margins – any action the President can take immediately to lower the inflationary pressures facing our farmers, in large part due to his bad policies, must be a priority,” Jacobs said.

The full text of the representatives’ letter to President Biden:


Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our serious concern regarding record-high fertilizer prices impacting American farmers going into the spring planting season. Fertilizer is a primary input and major expense for producers across the country, and price increases will have a significant effect on farm profitability and the prices of food and consumer products.

Since January 2021, according to the most recent data from the United States Department of Agriculture, the prices of key fertilizer sources have substantially increased as follows: anhydrous ammonia (by 203%); urea (by 141%); liquid nitrogen (by 162%); monoammonium phosphate (by 74%); potash (by 125%); and farm diesel (by 95%). Ongoing supply-chain bottlenecks and the rising cost of energy are among the factors sending fertilizer prices soaring, and disruptions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will only compound the problem. As a result, Americans will pay more at restaurants, grocery stores, and elsewhere.

We are therefore urging your administration to review all available options to lower the cost of fertilizer, including but not limited to: eliminating the cross-border vaccine mandate for transporters of essential commerce; urging the USDA to use its existing authorities under the food supply chain and pandemic response resources to provide support for farmers facing financial difficulties; ensuring agricultural minerals like phosphate and potash are part of the Department of the Interior’s crucial mission; increasing U.S. gas production; and approving pending export permits at the Department of Energy for liquefied natural gas.

Quickly undertaking such measures is the most immediate – and perhaps only – near-term opportunity to partially remedy the high costs of fertilizer hurting American farmers and, ultimately, American consumers. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Oak Orchard Health celebrates Albion expansion
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2022 at 1:36 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of the Oak Orchard Health board of directors toss ceremonial shovels of dirt today at about noon. Oak Orchard is putting a 2,250-square-foot addition behind its site at 301 West Ave.

This photo shows Mary Anne Pettibon, Oak Orchard Health chief executive officer, with OOH board members, including Karen Watt, chairwoman of the board; David Jewell, PhD, vice chairman of board; Renee Biedlingmaier; Randy Dumas; Rene Cibrian; Sue Meyer; and Lynda Watroba. Albion Village Trustee Joyce Riley also joins in the celebration.

Milestone Construction Partners in Rochester is the builder for the addition.

The new addition is funded with $757,000 from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The addition will include a large community room for Covid testing and vaccinations, as well as educational programs. That could include training on breast feeding, diabetes control and other public health issues. The addition will also have new bathrooms.

“We’re out of space,” said Karen Watt, the board leader. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to enlarge and have groups come in.”

Representatives from Congressman Chris Jacobs, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley attended the ground-breaking.

Mary Anne Pettibon, Oak Orchard CEO,  noted that Oak Orchard started about 50 years ago in Albion, initially serving a farmworker population. Oak Orchard has grown to now include 12 locations and serves the general population.

It is planning to open a health care site in Medina in August, and will be adding dental care in Albion and a mobile unit offering medical services.

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Albion graduation will stay outside instead of going back to gym
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2022 at 10:13 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: High School Principal Jenn Ashbery speaks during the commencement for the Class of 2021 on June 25, 2021. That was the first time the ceremony was held on the football field.

ALBION – The high school graduation ceremony will remain outside on the football field.

Jenn Ashbery, the high school principal, announced the plan during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

Commencement is typically held in the high school gym but was moved to the football field last year on June 25 for the first time. In 2020, there wasn’t a live ceremony. The district compiled a video of grads receiving their diplomas individually.

Last year in the return to a live ceremony each graduate was limited to three tickets. This year there won’t be a limit on attendance and graduates can invite as many people as they want.

The ceremony at Spierdowis Field is planned for 7 p.m. on June 24. In case of rain it will be moved to June 25 at either 11 a.m. or 5 p.m., Ashbery said.

There will also be another change: the graduates won’t sit in the bleachers. Instead they will be up the front in chairs so the class president, valedictorian and salutatorian can see their faces when they give their speeches. Last year, the students were sitting behind the speakers.

Other upcoming events for the Class of 2022 include:

  • May 12 – Honors Convocation, High School Gymnasium
  • June 10 – Crash simulation in high school parking lot
  • June 10 – Senior Prom at Hickory Ridge
  • June 17 – Class Night at Middle School Auditorium
  • TBD Baccalaureate
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GCC hosting business pitch competition on April 19
Posted 5 April 2022 at 9:09 am

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Every solid business venture starts with one thing – a pitch! Whether making a sale or convincing an investor, your idea pitch has to be organized, well-thought out, powerful and convincing! GCC is here to help get you prepared!

If you have a passion you’d like to turn into a business but you aren’t sure if anyone else will think it’s a good idea, consider participating in GCC’s Business Idea Pitch Competition on Tuesday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at GCC’s Batavia Campus.

The competition is free and open to the public and prizes of $100 for first place and $75 for second place will be awarded to the most outstanding competitors in the “most likely to succeed” and “most creative” categories. Pitches will be judged by local business leaders.

Among the leading causes for startup failure is a lack of basic business experience. In lieu of losing thousands of investment dollars, today’s entrepreneurs have found another way to gain that experience before launching their startup – education.

GCC offers both degree and certificate programs in entrepreneurship to prepare emerging business owners and investors for success.

To register for the Business Pitch Competition, please email Dr. Lina LaMattina, GCC Director of Business Programs at lmlamattina@genesee.edu or Amy Conley, GCC Professor of Accounting at avconley@genesee.edu by April 13.

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Residents urged to take active part in National Public Health Week
Posted 5 April 2022 at 8:52 am

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

This week is National Public Health Week and this year’s theme is “Public Health is Where You Are.”

“National Public Health Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness about what public health is,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “This week is used to help educate and highlight the issues that are important to improving the health of individuals, our community and our nation.”

This year, there are daily themes for National Public Health Week and although these are complex issues, there are still small things that you can do to help the health of individuals and our community.

• Monday, April 4th – Racism: A Public Health Crisis

Racial inequities in health care, income, housing, education and many other factors have become more apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic. These inequities impact the health and well-being of community residents. We encourage you to start conversations about health equity and have an open dialogue about how biases and inequities contribute to health disparities in our community.

• Tuesday, April 5th – Public Health Workforce: Essential to our Future

The public health workforce is essential to our future! Thank a Public Health Professional for all the work that they have done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, but also what they will continue to do in the future to help the health of our community.

Wednesday, April 6th – Community: Collaboration and Resilience

Come together as a community to improve housing, education, food, transportation and the environment. Share your voice and opinions about the health of your community by completing the Community Health Assessment survey.  You can access the survey by visiting the following links:

English: click here

Spanish: click here

You can also make an impact by joining a community garden, donating food to a local food pantry, or volunteering at a local food distribution event.

• Thursday, April 7th – World Health Day: Health is a Human Right

Celebrate World Health Day by protecting our planet and our health. Even doing small things such as walking or cycling to work, buying your groceries from local producers, recycling and buying less plastic can make a difference.

• Friday, April 8th – Accessibility: Closing the Health Equity Gap

While there are public health resources available where we live, some barriers can make it hard for people to access and use these resources. These barriers could be physical, mental, financial, or cultural. Advocate for your neighbors and engage your local leaders to support health equity in our community.

• Saturday, April 9th – Climate Change: Taking Action for Equity

Understanding and addressing climate change is critical to protecting human health and the environment. By working together, we can lessen the impacts of climate change by making choices that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Small things such as using water efficiently, buying used items, reusing or repurposing items, and reducing your food waste can all make a difference.

• Sunday, April 10th – Mental Wellness: Redefining the Meaning of Health

Each year, one in five American will experience mental illness. To improve your mental health, eat a well-balanced diet, engage in physical activity such as walking or hiking, participate in activities you enjoy and connect with others. Seeking help from a mental health professional is a sign of strength, not a weakness. If you are struggling with depression, contact a mental health provider or call Care + Crisis Helpline at 585-283-5200, or text 741741.

GO Health hopes that you will help celebrate National Public Health Week by participating in some of the ideas described above to help make our community healthier, stronger and safer. By working together, we can build a healthier community and help everyone in Genesee and Orleans Counties live a healthier life.

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O/N students excel in culinary and welding competitions
Posted 5 April 2022 at 8:21 am

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: From left include the Culinary ProStart team of Grace Hodkin (Newfane), Melanie Nagel (Newfane), Troy Kelly (Medina) and Angelo Soliday (Medina). The team won $5,000 which will be used to fund their trip to the national competition.

The Culinary ProStart team of Troy Kelly, Angelo Soliday, Melanie Nagel and Grace Hodkin brought home the first place trophy to the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center from the NYSRAEF (New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation) ProStart Invitational.

The competition was held March 25-26 at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York where the team, taught by Chef James Atzrott, competed against several other teams from New York State.

The Orleans/Niagara team was handpicked because of their good grades, attendance and professionalism. The students showcased their knowledge, passion, creativity and skills in front of educators and industry leaders and the public at the event.

The team created their own menu and wowed the judges with beetroot gnocchi with lemon ricotta and walnut crumble, curried cod with mussels and raspberry cranachan which is a Scottish dessert.

“It was an awesome experience for them,” said Chef Atzrott. “They worked very hard and they were very emotional when they won.  We were all ecstatic.”

The team won $5,000 which will be used to fund their trip to the national competition where they will compete on May 6-8 in Washington, DC.

Pictured from left include Sawyer Braley (ON BOCES), Isaiah Reading (KenTon BOCES), Tyler Gibas (Ellicotville BOCES), Collin Hoffman (LaGuidice BOCES), Thomas May (ON BOCES) and Jenette Grizer (Ellicottville BOCES).

Two Orleans/Niagara BOCES students took home the top prizes at the Niagara Frontier Weld Off this past weekend.

Welding students Sawyer Braley (Albion), a senior at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, and Thomas May (Niagara Wheatfield), a junior at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, placed in the top six at the competition.

There were 27 students at the event, which was held at Northland Training Center in Buffalo on March 26th. The students competed for $950 cash prizes and a $1,000 scholarship.

The event included raffle giveaways, hands-on demonstrations with Dynabrade and the world acclaimed metal sculpture, Barbie the Welder, who gave an inspiring speech to the crowd.

According to the American Welding Society, the industry will encounter a shortage of about 300,000 welders by 2024. Orleans/Niagara BOCES is doing its part getting the next generation of welders prepared for the future.

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75 Lyndonville students see Broadway play at Shea’s
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2022 at 7:59 am

Teachers also send inspirational notes to every student in district

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – A group of 75 Lyndonville students and eight teachers as chaperones went to Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo on Saturday to see the Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird.

The trip was possible through funding by the Lyndonville Foundation, Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville Music Boosters. Lyndonville teachers Meghan Coyle, Chris Vaughn and Katy Franks organized the trip for the students.

Lyndonville teachers also write personalized notes to every student in the district, grades K to 12. Teachers taped notes to students’ lockers and desks. The effort to encourage kindness in the district was coordinated by School Psychologist Penny Barry and Elementary Principal Dr. Elissa Smith.

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New Albion mayor, trustees sworn into office
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2022 at 8:55 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – New Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. takes the oath of office this evening. June Persia is holding the Bible while Village Attorney John Gavenda administers the oath. Javier’s father Angel is in back.

Javier, 32, was elected on March 15, receiving 378 votes to 195 for Vickie Elsenheimer and 137 for Kevin Graham.

Today’s organizational meeting was the first meeting for the new Village Board. Javier is joined on the board by Tim McMurray and Joyce Riley, who were elected on March 15. They join Zack Burgess and Chris Barry. Javier appointed Barry as the deputy mayor. Burgess was elected about a year ago and Barry was appointed to the board in May 2020 and then was elected in September 2020 in a year when the election was delayed six months due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Javier and the board will be busy this month putting together the village budget that must be adopted by April 30. The board will have budget meetings April 6-8, and April 11-15 “as needed.”

The board also approved resolutions to have the village recreation director work on two or three layouts for frisbee golf at Bullard Park.

The board also voted to have DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura compile an unofficial survey of streets and sidewalks in the village, which will help prioritize repairs in the future.

The board also voted to seek out a developer for the village website and wants to begin planning use of social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

The board also wants to established a “Loved Ones” initiative at Mount Albion Cemetery with mapping of the cemetery, cleaning of grave stones and have an internal database maintained and eventually published by the village deputy clerk.

Joyce Riley takes the oath while her mother Alma holds the Bible and sister Wanda is in back.

Tim McMurray is sworn in as trustee. He is joined by his children, Kali and Bryden, and his aunt and uncle, Ron and Jill Albertson.

The board also appointed Tracy VanSkiver, the former village code officer, to serve as clerk-treasurer. She succeeds Linda Babcock, who is retiring. Mary O’Sullivan was appointed the deputy clerk-treasurer.

Other appointments include:

  • Registrar – Tracy VanSkiver; Deputy Registrar – Mary O’Sullivan
  • Village Attorney – John Gavenda
  • Fair Housing Officer – Tracy VanSkiver
  • Planning Board – Matt Hand
  • Zoning Board of Appeals— Anthony Wynn
  • Recreation Committee – Geno Allport, Annette Finch, Bernard Baldwin, Mike Beach, Terry Wilbert and Susan Oschmann
  • Historic Preservation Committee – Loretta Tomasino and Adam Fischer
  • Library trustee as mayor’s appointment – Diana Dudley
  • Grievance Committee – Anthony Wynn, Kim Remley and June Persia
  • Official banks for village monies – First Niagara, Bank of America, KeyBank and J.P. Morgan Chase
  • Official newspaper to carry legal notices for village – The Daily News in Batavia
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Leg leader, in state of county, mourns lives lost due to Covid
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2022 at 5:06 pm

‘Over 100 of our brothers and sisters are gone – lost to Covid-19. We want to honor those men and women as much as we can – the moms, the dads, the sisters, and brothers. No life lost is ever a statistic.’

Photo by Tom Rivers: Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, speaks during a meeting on March 23.

ALBION – Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the county has nearly recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, which strained many local businesses the past two years.

“We still aren’t fully back but we’re getting there,” she said.

Johnson gave a “State of the County” at the beginning of the March 23 County Legislature meeting.

The county mourns the loss of 113 residents to Covid-related illness during the pandemic.

“Over 100 of our brothers and sisters are gone – lost to Covid-19,” Johnson said. “We want to honor those men and women as much as we can – the moms, the dads, the sisters, and brothers. No life lost is ever a statistic. They are people – they loved and were loved.”

Johnson said the greatest tribute to honor those lost to Covid “is to show love to our neighbors.”

She praised the 400-plus county employees for continuing to serve residents during the pandemic, and also push forward projects.

“As we have been – since day one of this crisis – county government has an all-hands-on-deck approach to help Orleans through this unprecedented pandemic.”

She commended the Health Department and a team of staff and volunteers for efforts at vaccination clinics.

She praised residents for keeping their businesses going and for starting new enterprises.

“The spirit of innovation and creativity is here – it was always here – now it’s our job to help this spirit to continue.”

The county went from an austerity budget with job cuts at the beginning to the pandemic to a budget with a robust capital plan for new bridges, and upgrades in the county infrastructure, as well as a contract to make high-speed internet available to every address in the county by the end of this year.

“We are building in a way that has never been seen in recent memory,” Johnson said.

She commended the team of county legislators in trying to serve residents. The state of county is strong and getting stronger “with unity of spirit and purpose,” she said.

“Change is constant, and change is inevitable,” Johnson said. “We will evaluate the old to keep the good and rather than fighting change, we must embrace it and shape it and own it – because that is what Orleans County residents do, that is what New Yorkers do and that is what Americans do.”

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K9 handler in Medina will be paid some OT for caring for dog
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2022 at 11:22 am

MEDINA – The Village Board reached an agreement last week with K9 Handler Jacob Reeves where he will be paid 3 ½ hours a week of overtime for caring for the dog. That will be overtime at 1 ½ times the minimum wage or about $70 a week total.

The agreement goes through May 31, 2023 and is retroactive to June 1, 2021. It doesn’t include time from November 2020 to May 31, 2021.

The agreement was also approved by the union representing Medina police officers. Village Board members said it’s standard that K9 handlers be compensated for some of their care they provide K9 dogs in the off hours.

In other action from last week’s board meeting:

• The board approved a $50 fee from code enforcement for permit applications for residential solar systems. That covers cost of inspections.

The board however opted against a fee for standby generators. Code enforcement officer Dan Gardner said many municipalities have fees for those generators but Medina board members said they didn’t need see a need. Those units are inspected by electrical companies, but the village code officer.

• The board tabled a request from the Orleans County YMCA to have four bikes available for rent at the Visitor Center at Rotary Park on Main Street. The Y considered the Canal Basin but would prefer the more visible Rotary Park. Village board members said they want more details about the proposal before making a decision.

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14 submit letters to be on Medina visioning committee
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2022 at 7:52 am

MEDINA – Village officials wanted to hear from the community who is interested on serving on a committee that would brainstorm ways – big and small – to make Medina better.

Fourteen people sent in letters of interest. Those people have been invited to an initial 9:30 a.m. meeting on Saturday, April 9, to go over the committee’s role and see if they want to make a commitment to serve in the volunteer role.

Once the village has a commitment from the potential members it will appoint them. Mayor Mike Sidari wants to hold off on going public with the committee members until they agree to serve.

The mayor said he expects the group – the Medina Strategic Planning and Visionary Committee – will meet frequently in the next two years or so to identify projects to move Medina forward.

They will lead public meetings to get residents’ feedback on current and future needs in Medina, and brainstorm ways to make the village more attractive to residential and business development.

Initially the Village Board was presented with a list of nine people to serve on the committee. They have experience on other boards or running businesses. Kathy Blackburn, chairwoman of the Medina Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, said that group could help Medina establish goals and projects to keep the momentum going for the community.

But the Village Board opted to give residents a chance to submit a letter of interest to be on the committee. The group members will likely range their own ideas to help Medina. They also will be asked to lead public meetings to solicit feedback from the community.

Mayor Sidari said he read an article from the NYS Conference of Mayors that highlighted how a visioning committee can make a big difference in advancing a village, especially for economic development. Many prospective companies are looking at more than suitable land and infrastructure when deciding where to locate their business.

Those companies want to be in a community with vibrant schools, parks and neighborhoods, Sidari said.

The new committee will look at ways to improve and attract more investment in the downtown, neighborhoods, housing, the historic district and other zoning overlays.

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Albion native offering telemedicine in virtual urgent care
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 April 2022 at 7:19 am

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Robin Sidari runs Immediate Care For You with telemedicine services.

ALBION – An Albion native has returned home to offer an increasingly popular way of providing medical services.

Robin Sidari, daughter of Carol Culhane of Gaines and the late Jerome Sidari, has a doctorate of nursing as a board certified family nurse practitioner. It is her desire to fit healthcare into busy lives in a convenient and safe setting by offering virtual urgent care.

Sidari graduated from Albion High School in 1990. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Brockport State College and entertained the idea of going into pre-med, but changed her mind. She worked as a lab technician for a time, then went back to school for nursing at Monroe Community College. After receiving her two-year degree there, she went to work at Strong Memorial Hospital in 2009 in their cardiovascular surgery unit.

In 2010, Sidari decided to become a nurse practitioner graduating in 2014 from the University of Rochester, after which she started working in outpatient cardiology at Strong. Then she moved to Rhode Island for two years, where she worked in a CVS Minuteclinic. After returning to Rochester, Sidari went back to Strong to work in advanced heart failure/heart transplant unit for a year. Next followed four years in urgent care at Strong.

Desiring to further her education, Sidari enrolled in Chatham University, where she obtained her doctorate in nurse practitioner in 2021.

After facing the Covid pandemic, Sidari left Strong to pursue a career in a new health field – telemedicine.

“Much of my career includes treating patients of all ages in an urgent care setting, both in person and through telemedicine,” Sidari said.

In addition to her clinical experience as a nurse practitioner in urgent care, she also has extensive experience in the specialty of cardiology. She has cared for the mildly ill to the critical ill patient. She has seven years’ experience teaching nursing students at both the RN and nurse practitioner levels.

Sidari said telemedicine is becoming popular all over the country, but is often not available in rural areas. She said the advantages of telemedicine are a patient doesn’t have to wait hours in a waiting room full of sick people, transportation is not a problem with the high cost of gas and there is no wait to get an appointment.

She is qualified to treat patients of all ages, from babies to adults, with acute illness or injury which needs same-day care. She calls her practice ICU (Immediate Care for You). She treats minor injuries, such as allergies, flu, upper-respiratory infections and urinary tract infections; minor injuries, from abrasions, animal and insect bites to strains and sprains; and skin conditions. She can also refill prescriptions.

Anyone with a condition which requires more serious care Sidari will refer to their primary care doctor or the emergency room.

Sidari is licensed to practice in New York, Rhode Island, Wyoming and Florida. She charges one fee for a 30-minute telemedicine visit, and only accepts credit cards.

Patients can log on to her website at www.icareforyouonline.com, or she may be reached by phone at (585) 228-7874. She is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday or at other times on a limited basis in case of an emergency.

Sidari may also be contacted on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/icareforyouonline.

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