Fire Department leaders say Albion FD has long been underfunded; bigger budget needed for equipment

Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion Fire Department Deputy Chief John Papponetti, standing at lower right, goes over the current budget issues and challenges facing the Albion Fire Department. He presented benefits of a new Albion Joint Fire District to about 80 people this evening during a public hearing about the joint fire district. The hearing was held in the LGI room at Albion High School.

ALBION – The Town Boards for Albion and Gaines, as well as the Albion Village Board were unanimous this evening in voting to form a new Albion Joint Fire District.

The new joint district will be its own taxing entity, with its own elected fire commissioners. It will replace the current setup where the Albion Fire Department is part of the Albion village budget, with the Albion Village Board serving as a commissioners overseeing the department and determining its funding.

The towns of Albion and Gaines both provide funding through fire protection contracts with the village.

The new joint fire protection district would likely have an annual budget of about $750,000 to $850,000. That is more than double the current $350,000 for the fire department.

That amount is much too low and doesn’t include any money for reserve funds to help pay for fire trucks and equipment, said John Papponetti, the deputy fire chief.

He went over slide and information for more than a half hour during a public hearing at the LGI of the high school. The hearing went for about 50 minutes.

“The village realizes that the funding for the fire department is insufficient to meet current standards of today and the future, and that the department is not adequately equipped and needs better equipment, vehicles and facilities,” Papponetti said.

Deputy Fire Chief John Papponetti said the fire department needs more funding to meet the demands for new equipment, from trucks to turnout gear. The current budget of $350,000 is less than half of what the fire department needs, he said. The map on the screen shows Orleans County with Albion Joint Fire District in the red outline.

With an $850,000 budget the tax rates for fire protection would change from the current 93 cents per $1,000 in Albion and 80 cents in Gaines to about $2.00 for the two towns and village, according to the presentation from Papponetti.

The new joint fire district is pending a permissive referendum. If there is a petition submitted by enough registered voters in Albion and Gaines, the joint district would go to a public vote. (The attorneys didn’t have all the details on a referendum this evening, but it typically requires a petition with at least 5 percent of the registered voters in the last gubernatorial election. The petition would need to be submitted within 30 days of today’s vote.)

If the joint district stands – with or without a referendum – it would take effect on Jan. 1. That’s when it would start with its own budget, and the joint district would own the fire trucks and equipment. The village is keeping the fire hall on Platt Street and will lease the space to the fire district.

The first five commissioners were appointed this evening and they will serve terms from July 1 to Dec. 31. Al Cheverie and Gary Mumford represent the Town of Gaines. The Albion Village Board had one appointment and chose former village trustee David Buczek. The Albion Town Board had two appointees and chose Chuck Nesbitt and Jeremy Babcock. Cheverie and Babcock are current members of the Albion Fire Department.

If the joint fire district goes forward, there will be an election for five fire commissioners in December. In that first election, the candidate with the most votes gets a five-year term, then the fourth most gets four years, down to the candidate with the fifth-most votes getting a one-year term.

After that first election, there will be an election for just one position for a five-year term in the following years.

Doug Heath, attorney for the Town of Gaines, welcomes the public to ask questions during the hearing. He was joined at the table by the Town Boards for Albion and Gaines, and the Albion Village Board, as well as the attorneys for each municipality and advisor Raymond DiRaddo who has provided legal advice to fire districts for 40 years.

Papponetti said residents will have a greater say in the department through the election of commissioners. Any bonding or establishment of reserve accounts by the joint district will also need voter approval.

The fire department faces a need for a new ladder truck and an engine in the not-too-distant future. The cost of the fire trucks has more than doubled since 2011. Papponetti said ladder trucks in 2024 are now about $2.2 million with a fire engine at about $1.2 million.

The Village Board hasn’t established reserve funds to prepare for these big purchases, he said. Papponetti said the fire department currently competes for funds in the village budget with other departments – police, DPW, cemetery, clerk’s office, recreation and other needs.

The fire department currently operates on about a $350,000 budget, with the village paying $113,456 (32 percent), the Town of Gaines at $120,422 (35 percent) and the Town of Albion at $116,122 (33 percent).

Papponetti said the fire department would come out of the village budget with its own tax bill in January. It should result in a lower village tax bill, although village residents would pay the new fire district tax.

Pete Sidari, an Albion firefighter and former Albion Village Board member, asked if the village is keeping the fire hall and leasing it to the joint fire district. Other new joint fire districts have had villages just transfer the fire halls to the new district. None of the questions asked at the hearing were answered during the meeting.

The villages of Holley and Lyndonville both recently moved the fire department out of their budgets and into fire districts. Raymond DiRaddeo, a Rochester attorney, has worked with fire districts for about 40 years. He said more communities are putting the fire service in fire districts to ensure there is proper funding.

One resident, Jake Walter, said he didn’t like that the annual elections are in December, which he said is a busy time for people who haven’t gone south. He said the timing of the vote seemed to discourage voters.

Laura Bentley also said the fire protection taxes would more than double with a joint fire district.

Papponetti said the fire department budget would need to go up significantly, even if the joint district doesn’t go through. He said there isn’t enough money right now to run the department and have money set aside for new trucks and equipment.

“It’s very difficult to operate in this current environment,” he said about having the department in the village budget. “It’s like living paycheck to paycheck. There are no reserve accounts. The funding is inefficient.”

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has gone on the record in opposition to a state legislative proposal that would create 10 regional industrial development agencies, a proposal that would lump Orleans into part of a nine-county “Finger Lakes Region.”

The bill (click here) is sponsored in the State Senate by James Skoufis, a Democrat from Cornwall, Orange County. Assemblywomen Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, introduced the bill in the Assembly.

The Orleans Economic Development Agency is one of 109 IDAs in the state. The state legislation would group Orleans with the following other counties in the Finger lakes Region: Monroe, Wayne, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca and Yates.

Skoufis and Wallace say the regional IDAs would result is less “shopping around” from companies seeking the best tax incentive deal and other benefits.

The regional IDA would have a 15-person board with representatives from the counties.

“Many of these 15 appointed members of the regional agency could not be expected to be familiar with Orleans County and the communities served by our local IDA,” Orleans County legislators stated in resolution opposing the regional IDA.

County legislators said the local Orleans EDA already has a longstanding policy that it won’t accept an application for financial assistance from a company in a community served by another IDA “unless that IDA makes a written request that Orleans County IDA undertakes that project, thereby eliminating the concept of applicants ‘shopping around’ for a better deal,” Orleans legislators said.

The County legislature said it prefers to keep the economic development agency locally run, with members who have a deep understanding of Orleans County and who are accountable to local residents.

The County legislature forwarded its resolution of opposition to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Senate Majority Leader Rob Ortt, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Congressman Joseph Morelle and New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday approved $92,728 for youth programs.

The Youth Bureau Resource Allocation Plan was developed by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and Department of Social. The joint plan will use state funding from the State Office of Children and Family Services.

The allocations are in four different programs: Municipal Youth Development Program, $45,611; Municipal Youth Sports & Education Opportunity Funding, $18,398; Municipal Youth Sports & Education Opportunity Funding (infrastructure), $10,344; and Municipal Youth Team Sports, $18,375.

Here is a breakdown of the funding:

Municipal Youth Development Program

• ARC GLOW Camp Rainbow – $5,000
• Cornell Cooperative Extension – $1,500
• GLOW Works, Inc. (healthcare) – $1,000
• GLOW Works, Inc. (manufacturing) – $1,000
• Hoag Library Summer Reading – $1,500
• Holley Joint Youth Recreation – $2,500
• Medina Joint Recreation Committee – $2,000
• Orleans County Juvenile Adjustment Services – $16,000
• ROAR Support – $2,500
• Village of Albion Recreation – $5,770
• Orleans County Youth Bureau – $6,841

Municipal Sports & Education Opportunity

• Medina Joint Recreation Committee – $1,500
• Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy – $5,319
• Miss Heather’s Competition Dance – $1,500
• Village of Albion Recreation – $7,319
• Orleans County Youth Bureau – $2,760

Municipal Sports & Education Opportunity (infrastructure)

• Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy – $5,172
• Town of Carlton – $5,172

Municipal Youth Teams Sports

• Holley Joint Youth Recreation – $2,500
• Holley Soccer Club – $4,000
• Kendall Recreation – $1,800
• Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy – $1,000
• Village of Albion Recreation – $7,238
• Orleans County Youth Bureau – $1,837

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak, right, reads a proclamation in honor of Eddie Moss, left, for his 17 years of service as a county employee.

Moss started as a computer specialist with the Department of Social Services, and was promoted to the county’s director of computer services in 2014. That job title changed to information technology director. He is retiring on Friday.

Moss, a Medina graduate, served nine years in the U.S. Air Force. He lived several places around the globe before returning to Medina.

He and staff of seven others work with the county employees and keep the technology working, from the 400 computers at work stations and offices, to all the printers, switches, servers, cameras and a digital phone system – “anything that has technology in it,” Moss said.

The IT department also manages the mobility technology for more than 30 patrol cars for the Sheriff’s Office, as well as vehicles for the Emergency Management Office.

“It’s a big job,” Moss said. “It’s very complex.”

The IT staff moved from Central Hall on East Park Street to the new addition on the County Office Building in June 2019.

Moss was praised for his work for the county on Tuesday by the County Legislature, which held a reception for him after the county meeting.

“As a true public servant,  you have shown a dedication to the task of keeping the technology in Orleans County up to date, in an ever-changing environment,” legislators said in a proclamation.

Patrick McGurn, the deputy director of the IT department, said Moss has been a great leader for the IT staff.

“He is very understanding of our team,” McGurn said. “He has been great to work for.”

McGurn said the IT works behind the scenes and is critical to a county workforce of about 460 employees.

“We put out the fires,” McGurn said.

Eddie Moss accepts a proclamation from County Legislator John Fitzak.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, accepted a proclamation from County Legislator Don Allport on Tuesday evening. The Legislature proclaimed May as “Community Action Month” and also commended the agency for its 60th anniversary. Other agency officials in photo include Bonnie Malakie, Director of Children & Youth Services; Barb Shine, chairwoman of the board of directors; Tina Schleede, chief financial officer; Katrina Chaffee, Director of Community Services and Reporting; and Bruce Schmidt, vice chairman of the board.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday presented a proclamation in honor of Community Action’s 60^th anniversary and also May as Community Action month.

“We are grateful to Orleans County for this proclamation, and we are proud of the work we do for our community,” said Community Action’s director Renee Hungerford.

Hungerford explained Community Action agencies connect millions of individuals and families for greater opportunity, transforming their lives and making communities – and the nation – stronger. In 2020, the year impacted by Covid-19, Community Action nationwide served more than 9.5 million people (or 26 % of the 37.2 million Americans living in poverty).

Last year, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee assisted over 4,000 individuals to help them overcome the impacts of poverty and to work toward achieving self-sufficiency.

Highlights from 2023 include: 4,021 individuals assisted; 1,541 benefited from food pantries; 5,405 meals served at the Holley center; 288 children and families supported by Head Start programs; 96 homes weatherized; 311 individuals assisted to avoid eviction; 421 adolescents received education on making good life choices through ACT; and 2,739 received transportation trips.

Helping people in need has been the focus of Community Action agencies throughout the country since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964.

His speech in January of that year paved the way for fighting the “war on poverty,” and led to his signing the Economic Opportunity Act, which became the initial funding source for what are now Community Action agencies.

“We are proud of the work we do to continue to fight President Johnson’s War on Poverty,” Hungerford said. “I am grateful to Orleans County legislature for their support of our agency and the important work we do to raise up the communities that we assist. Also, many thanks to the donors and volunteers who help make our positive outcomes possible.”

This year is the 60th anniversary of Community Action agencies nationwide. It is the 59th anniversary of the establishment of Community Action in Orleans County.

It was 1965 when chairman of the Orleans County Board of Supervisors, Raymond Pahura, appointed a committee to study ways in which Orleans County might benefit from the Economic Opportunity Act (War on Poverty).

Arden McAllister, a Medina history teacher who represented the Migrant Ministry, was named temporary chairperson of that committee. An action committee was also formed which included Clayton Scharping, sanitary inspector; Arthur Nenni, Welfare Commissioner; and Zelma Duckett of the Migrant Ministry. This committee was formed to study local needs for housing, migrant labor and youth training, as well as problems facing older Americans.

In June of that year, the Rev. Jack Smith of Christ Episcopal Church in Albion was appointed the first chairman of the newly formed Orleans Community Action Committee, with programs funded with 90 percent Federal funds and Orleans County contributing 10 percent. Vice chair was the Rev. Johnnie Johnson from Shiloh Baptist Church, secretary was Zelma Duckett and treasurer was Paul Bower, a bank official in Albion.

In July, 1965, Jerim Klapper was selected as the first executive director, and under the anti-poverty programs the following were begun: Head Start, Family Planning, Legal Aid, Neighborhood Youth Corps and People’s Opportunity. The agency was incorporated on Sept. 13, 1965.

Head Start and later Children’s Health Assurance Program were formed to teach children and help with good health practices. Next came the Eastern Orleans Community Center – Community Action’s satellite office in Holley, to assist with senior citizens and pre-schoolers.

This was followed by Community Action Transportation System (CATS) to transport senior citizens, and Community Action Resource and Educational Service (CARES), which was a mobile van traveling the county to inform residents of the programs available under the newly formed Orleans Community Action Committee.

Since 1965, many programs have spun off and many new programs were developed. After Klapper resigned in in 1968, David Bower became executive director until 1970, followed by Emma Ford until 1972, at which time Charles Pulley took over the helm until 1992.

Upon his retirement, deputy director James Scharping became executive director. He retired in Sept. 30, 2005 and Edward Fancher, who was then operations director, became executive director. Sadly, in May 2020, Fancher died after a courageous battle with cancer. Renee Hungerford joined the agency as executive director in October 2020.

“Now, more than 50 years later, we have grown to be an agency with an operating budget of more than $7 million and employ more than 130 people,” Hungerford said.

The agency serves both Orleans and Genesee counties with sites in Albion, Holley, Medina, Kendall and Batavia. The agency began providing services in Genesee County in the 1970s, and was officially designated as the Community Action agency in Genesee County in 1988. In 2008, the legal name was changed to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee to better reflect the service area.

Programs they operate are CATS, Emergency Services, food pantry, weatherization, child care resource and referral, ACT, job skills and budgeting workshops, tax assistance, a thrift store and employment skills training site, and have expanded Head Start to include Early Head Start. They collaborate with other local agencies, such as United Way, Ministry of Concern, Department of Social Services in Genesee and Orleans counties, Office for the Aging, Red Cross and many more.

“As we continue to grow, we are increasing our efforts on becoming a data driven, results oriented organization,” Hungerford said. “This enables us to measure our impact and ensure resources are directed toward the greatest needs of our communities and the mission of helping people become self-sufficient.”

One admits to trying to bring contraband into prison, while an inmate admits to throwing urine at CO

ALBION – Two people today pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court to committing crimes at Orleans Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison.

Adeosun Hughes, 24, of Rochester admitted he tried to bring a ceramic razor blade into Orleans Correctional on April 15, 2023. He was there visiting.

He pleaded guilty to attempted promoting prison contraband and faces 1 to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on July 3.

Hughes is currently at Wyoming Correctional Facility for a 2-year sentence for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Isaiah Yarborough, 26, from New York City admitted he threw urine at a corrections officer while Yarborough was incarcerated at Orleans Correctional on May 16, 2023.

Judge Sanford Church asked Yarborough if the urine was thrown at the CO with an intention to harass, annoy or alarm.

“Yes,” Yarborough responded.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment of an employee by an inmate and faces a 1 ½ to 3-year maximum sentence on July 3.

Yarborough is now at the Wallkill Correctional Facility, serving an 8-year sentence for attempted robbery in the 1st, criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd, and attempted robbery in the second degree.

Darrin Brown, 34, formerly of Orleans County and now of Lockport, was congratulated by the judge for completing a treatment program. Because Brown was successful in the program, a felony charge of fourth-degree grand larceny has been vacated. He instead faces a misdemeanor petit larceny charge and doesn’t have to go to jail.

“I want to formally congratulate you for completing the program,” Church told Brown. “Thank you for hanging on and actually doing it.”

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBION – Two inmates attacked staff at the Orleans Correctional Facility, injuring four officers in two separate attacks this month.

Both of the incarcerated persons are eligible for release and parole in the next year.

On Wednesday, April 10, an inmate was being disruptive and yelling in one of the facility dorms. To de-escalate the situation, two officers escorted the inmate out of the dorm and ordered him to submit to a pat frisk for contraband.

Prior to the pat frisk, the inmate turned suddenly and attempted to punch one of the officers but missed. The two officers forced the inmate to wall with a body hold and then forced him to the ground.

The inmate was combative on the ground, and OC spray was administered with no effect. The officers forced the inmate’s arms behind his back and applied handcuffs. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant.

The inmate was brought to his feet and escorted to a Special Housing Unit. When officers removed his handcuffs, he struck one officer in the left eye. Staff used body holds again and forced him to the ground.

On the ground, the inmate bit one of the officers in the calf and refused to release the bite. OC spray was utilized with no effect. Staff used force to successfully get the inmate to release his bite. Handcuffs were applied and the inmate became compliant.

Three officers were injured in the attack. One officer sustained a swollen eye and small laceration to the corner of his eye. The officer who was bit, sustained broken skin to his calf and medical staff deemed his exposure to be significant. The third officer sustained a hand injury subduing the inmate. The three officers were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The inmate, 45, is serving a 25 years to life sentence after being convicted in Nassau County in 2002 for Murder 2nd, Robbery 1st and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd. He is eligible for a parole hearing in August of 2025.

The second attack occurred inside of a dorm on Saturday, April 20. An inmate approached the officer’s station in the dorm and struck the officer in the jaw. The officer immediately grabbed the inmate in a body hold and forced him to the floor.

On the floor, the inmate grabbed the dorm phone from the officer’s station and struck the officer in the head with the phone. The officer administered OC spray which had no effect. Another inmate in the dorm attempted to pull the inmate off the officer.

The inmate grabbed that inmate in a choke hold and bit his ear. The officer administered a second round of OC spray which this time was effective. The inmate released the choke hold and became compliant. He was placed in handcuffs and escorted to a Special Housing Unit.

The officer sustained abrasions and swelling to his head and a laceration to inside his cheek. He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The inmate who attempted to help the officer sustained a laceration to his ear that needed seven sutures to close.

The inmate, 32, is serving his third stint in state prison. Currently, he is serving a seven year sentence after being convicted in Erie County in 2019 for Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd. Previously, he served prison stints in 2009 and 2013 for weapons possession.

He is eligible for conditional release on April 29.

“The fact that the two inmates, who should be on their best behavior with their freedom in sight, completely disregard that and this is another example of the disastrous impact the HALT Act has had on our prison system,” said Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President. “Any normal person should be doing everything they can to gain their freedom, yet these two inmates know there isn’t an internal disciplinary system left.

“In both these attacks, our only hope is that the criminal charges in both attacks will somewhat hold the inmates accountable. It is the last line of defense we have to protect staff and other inmates from being attacked,” Gold said. “We already know that the supporters of HALT could care less about our members, but you would think that they would change their mindset when other inmates that are attempting to help officers become victims as well!”

Team at county named tops in Finger Lakes Region for connecting youth and families to services

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Danielle Figura (speaking at right), director of Mental Health and Community Services for Orleans County, accepts a recognition award on Tuesday from the Orleans County Legislature after the County Mental Health Department received the “Best Overall Quality Performance” of the Finger Lake Region for Children’s Health Homes of Upstate New York.

At left are Karen Krug and Alan Girangaya, both care managers for the County Mental Health Department. Melinda Rhim (not pictured) also is coordinator of Care Management Services for the department. (In back from left are County Legislature Vice Chairman Bill Eick; Lisa Stenshorn, clerk of the legislature; Kim DeFrank, county treasurer; and Legislator Skip Draper.)

The Mental Health Department serves youth and their families in Orleans County as part of the Children’s Health Homes of Upstate New York. Health Home Care Management programs under the state Department of Mental Health. The county serves youth and their families by connecting them to additional supports and resources in the community to improve their overall physical and emotional health, Figura said.

Organization marking 50^th anniversary in New York

Photos by Tom Rivers: Motorcyclists get ready on May 7, 2023 for a 50-mile ride around Orleans County. The event started with a rally outside the Orleans County Courthouse.

ALBION – Motorcyclists want the public to know they are back on the roadways. The motorcyclists urge drivers to “look twice” and use extra caution when making a left turn or pulling out onto the roadway.

“Many collisions are caused by drivers not seeing an oncoming motorcycle, or by misjudging the speed of the motorcycle,” said Chuck Persons, president the past 17 years of the Orleans County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE).

The organization will have a motorcycle safety and awareness rally at 2 p.m. on May 5 outside the Orleans County Courthouse. The motorcyclists will then go on a 50-mile in the county that ends at the V.F.W. Post 1463 on East Center Street in Medina. Participants can begin to assemble outside the courthouse on East State Street at 1 p.m. on May 5.

Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, reads a proclamation on Tuesday declaring May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Orleans County.” He presented the proclamation to Chuck Persons (left), president of ABATE in Orleans County; and Don Sloper, the group’s vice president.

The rally and ride is held every spring to alert the public that motorcycles are back on the highway and to promote safety and rider education among motorcyclists.

“With the warm weather, motorcycles are back on the roads,” Persons said.

This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of ABATE of New York. Founded in 1974, the organization actively promotes educating riders and motorists to safely share the road and to drive aware, Persons said.

ABATE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights, safety, and freedoms of all motorcyclists. ABATE’s position is to support all efforts and initiatives that will lead to accident prevention and rider safety.

The local chapter meets on the second Sunday of every month at noon at the V.F.W. in Medina.

Photos courtesy of Kelly Kiebala: Pictured from left include Albion Rotary Club secretary and sponsor Bonnie Malakie, new Club Member Taryn Moyle, Rotary District 7090 Governor Scott Marcin, Albion Club President & sponsor Doug Farley, and new club member Bill Lattin.

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club welcomed two new members to the service organization last week, when the club was also addressed by District Governor Scott Marcin, a member of the Amherst South Rotary Club.

The new Albion members include Taryn Moyle and Bill Lattin. Moyle works as manager of the Child Care Resource & Referral program for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc.

Lattin is retired as county historian and director of the Cobblestone Museum. He remains active at the museum and the Orleans County Historical Association.

The two were indicted at the Rotary meeting last Thursday at The Tavern on the Ridge, the former Village Inn on Ridge Road.

At left, Rotary Club of Albion President Doug Farley and at right, Rotary District 7090 Governor Scott Marcin.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Peach blossoms pop out in the fruit orchards at Watt Farms on Route 98 in Gaines.

Watt’s has a mix of many apple trees with their white flowers and peach trees with their pink blossoms.

This is one of the most striking times to take a drive around Orleans County, with the orchards in bloom.

I like the looks of the orchard at Watt’s, where there are still many of the older-style fruit trees with the limbs in wild angles. It is quite a sight when the trees are blooming.

Many of the local orchards are now high-density plantings with the trees in perfect alignment and the branches trimmed nice and short. The fruit growers can pack in the trees and maximum the output with the high-density plantings. It’s easier too on the farmworkers who didn’t need to get as high on ladders.

Orleans County should promote the blossom season. This is one of the best times of the year.

These geese hang out and enjoy the spring day at Watt’s on Sunday evening.

It’s going to chilly on Wednesday and Thursday nights. It could drop to 27 on Wednesday night and 32 on Thursday. The colder temperatures could hurt the blossoms, diminishing the fruit crop. Chris Watt, the orchard owner, admitted he is a bit anxious about the chill.

He would like it to be warmer at night and to see the bees buzzing in the orchard, pollinating the flowers.

YMCA on Saturday hosted benefit for Ahmed Cherif

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Neven, an 8-year-old volunteer with Voice Gavel Club, left, walks 9-year-old Ahmed Cherif down the runway during a fashion show Saturday at the YMCA. The fashion show was one of many events which took place at the Y to benefit Ahmed’s medical treatments. (Right) Mariem Cherif, left, chats with French interpreter Marie Scott of Lyndonville during a benefit Saturday at the YMCA in Medina to benefit Cherif’s son Ahmed. Looking on is Scot’s daughter Anma, 3. Mariem and Ahmed came to Medina a year ago from Tunisia seeking medical help for Ahmed, who faces multiple health problems.

MEDINA – A crowd of people filled areas of the YMCA Saturday during a fundraiser to benefit 9-year-old Ahmed Cherif, who came from Tunisia a year ago with his mother Mariem seeking medical help.

Organized by volunteers from World Life Institute in Waterport and the Voice Gavel Club (junior Toastmasters), the afternoon featured numerous events for children and adults, including a bounce house, henna painting, bookmark making station, paint pouring workshop, bake sale, concession stands, arts and crafts table, face painting, basketball game and walk with Ahmed during a youth fashion show.

Highlight of the afternoon was auctioning off a painting by a young artist named Aricia, a grade 10 student at St. Robert Catholic High School. The painting was donated by the Voice Gavel Club of Toronto and sold for $300.

Ahmed’s mother mingled with the crowd and shared her joy for the support they have received. She told about selling her car, quitting her job as an accountant and leaving everything behind to bring Ahmed here.

“She was very brave, going to the unknown,” said Marie Scott of Lyndonville, an interpreter who speaks French with Mariem.

“It’s so hard leaving Ahmed’s dad back in Tunisia,” Mariem said. “But I am so happy with Ahmed’s progress. Since I met Project Life things started moving ahead.”

Mariem is also attending English as a Second Language classes twice a week at World Life Institute Education Center in Waterport, under sponsorship of Orleans-Niagara BOCES.

While Ahmed still isn’t able to speak, there was no mistaking his joy on Saturday as he danced around with the other boys and girls.

Noori Bibi, vice president of the YMCA board, said the event was a huge success in her eyes.

“It was wonderful to watch people enjoy the many activities and the atmosphere,” she said. “There were people from not only our community, but neighboring places like Buffalo and Rochester, as well as Canada, who came to show their support. I am so proud of all the young people and what they accomplished on the day. I am also very grateful to all the volunteers and the Medina local businesses and the YMCA for their generous support. I know Ahmed and Mariem felt the love and support from the wider community.

“And although Ahmed doesn’t have the voice or words to express himself, he certainly showed his joy by dancing throughout the event,” Bibi said. “This was a great start to our fundraising efforts for Ahmed. Thank you to everyone who supported this and participated, and please keep on supporting Ahmed by donating on our website.”

Click here to donate through World Life Institute.

YMCA hosted a benefit Saturday in support of Ahmed Cherif, a 9-year-old from Tunisia who came to Medina with his mother for treatment of multiple medical conditions.

MEDINA – The village will soon have a committee working on the planning and fundraising for a new all-inclusive playground at State Street Park.

The playground would serve children with and without disabilities. Mike Sidari, the village mayor for eight years, will be on the committee for the project. His term ended on march 31 and didn’t seek re-election.

He told the Village Board on Monday the committee would likely include representatives from the Medina Parks Committee or perhaps a new “Friends of State Street Park.”

There have been two proposals so far submitted for the playground, with another one expected.

Sidari said the committee will meet with the companies making proposals and try to determine the best fit for the village. Sidari said the proposals so far range from $360,000 to $500,000.

One proposal from GameTime included PowerScape playgrounds with large decks and uprights to provide strength and capacity. Other features include sensory wave seats, RoxAll See Saw, inclusive whirl, Bunny Spring Rider, four-bay swing frame, including two with a belt, two with enclosed tot, two with Zero G, one expression swing and one expression swing with a universal seat.

There would also be a freestanding sensory wave arch climber with sensors, four benches, geotextile rolls and wood fibers.

The Rochester Community Foundation told Sidari charitable foundations would likely contribute to the project. Sidari also said the Medina Rotary Club has agreed to be a pass-through for any donations locally towards the project. The Rotary Club would accept the funds and then direct them to the new playground, Sidari said.

Mayor Marguerite Sherman believes the playground will be a big draw in the community, drawing visitors too who don’t have an accessible playground in their town.

“I think it will bring in a lot of people, and will get a lot of use,” Sherman said. “People are looking for accessible areas. If you build it they will come and they will bring their families.”

Sherman attended a recent conference by the NYS Canal Corp. where state officials encouraged canal communities to make their recreational opportunities more accessible for people in wheelchairs and with other disabilities.

Sidari said there are many disabled veterans who would welcome an accessible playground so they could be with their children.

In other action at Monday’s Village Board meeting:

•  The board set 6 p.m. Thursday at the Senior Center for a final vote on the village’s budget for 2024-25. There will be a workshop on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to further scrutinize the budget.

“We are putting a lot of time and thought into it,” Sherman said.

• The board voted to seek a $50,000 state engineering planning grant for the development of an engineering report to identify sources of inflow and infiltration. The village’s share is $10,000.

• Appointed Bill Chmylak as a Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator.

• Approved a permit for Leonard Oakes Estate Winery to sell alcohol at up to seven blues concerts this summer at State Street Park.

“I was skeptical about alcohol in the parks, but it is very well laid out,” Sherman said about the layout at the concerts, which drew up to 800 people. “It’s just wonderful for our community.”