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Le Roy Winterfest is this Saturday

By Billie Owens

Le Roy Winterfest 2011 will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Stroll through the village and visit all the participating businesses to get a full card for Business Bingo.

All full-card Bingo sheets must be turned in at the Community Holiday Bazaar by 3 p.m. this Saturday at the Moose Family Center on Bank Street in order to be entered into a drawing for prizes. Plus, vote on your favorite window display (see front of Bingo cards).

Cafe Le Roy will be offering a free scoop of ice cream to everyone. Santa Claus will arrive at the Community Holiday Bazaar at 1 p.m. Follow his parade down Main Street to the Moose Family Center.

Community Holiday Bazaar at the Moose Lodge will feature more than 15 vendors raising money for the LCCP, Backpack Fund, and Le Roy Food Pantry. Non-perishable food and canned goods will be collected at the bazaar. Donors get one raffle ticket for each item donated or they can buy tickets.

There will be an LCCP Bake Sale at the Moose. Gift wrapping available at the bazaar (donations accepted). Town of Le Roy building will be open with a child craft/activity and restrooms.

An inflatable playground will be at the fire hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Woodward Memorial Library will host Village Harpers from 3-3:30 p.m., enjoy the movie "Polar Express"  and eat popcorn starting at 10:15 a.m., and a craft to take home while supplies last.

Law and Order: Corfu car passenger accused of violence against woman behind the wheel

By Howard B. Owens

Patrick Raymond Krieger, 21, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with menacing, 3rd, reckless endangerment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Krieger was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Jason Saile and Deputy James Diehl into a 9-1-1 hang up call in the Village of Corfu at 3:50 a.m., Saturday. Krieger is accused of grabbing the steering wheel of a vehicle he was riding in and jerking it in an alleged attempt to scare or cause harm to the female driver. The vehicle nearly struck a tree and a mailbox when the driver lost control of the car. Krieger then allegedly took the ignition key and shoved it into the neck of the woman and made threats of physical harm. When the woman wouldn't exit the vehicle, Krieger allegedly grabbed her by her throat and hair and threw her out of the car and onto the ground. Krieger was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Nicholas J. Pascucci Jr., 21, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate stop lamps. Pascucci's vehicle was stopped by Le Roy Police on Friday afternoon for an alleged traffic violation. The officer suspected there may be narcotics in the car and requested the assistance of the Sheriff's K-9 unit. The K-9 reportedly alerted on the vehicle and Pascucci was found allegedly to be in possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Pascucci was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Willie C. Armstrong, 40, of Tolland Avenue, East Hartford, Conn., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Armstrong was charged following a traffic stop at 4:30 p.m., Nov. 20 on State Street, by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Christopher Nathaniel Johnson, 24, of Salina Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Johnson was charged following at traffic stop at 8:41 p.m., Saturday, on Route 33, Bergen, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Photos: Kathy Hochul 'shops local' in Genesee County to support local business

By Howard B. Owens

When Rep. Kathy Hochul stopped into Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles this afternoon, a constituent asked her what could be done to create more jobs. "Shop in local stores so they can expand and hire more people," Hochul said.

That was the theme of Hochul's visit to Batavia and Le Roy on Saturday.

While Saturday was dubbed as a "shop local" day by a group of national conglomerates, Hochul said it didn't really matter who was behind the push. The important thing was that this holiday season it's important for consumers to remember to spend at least some of their gift-giving dollars in locally owned stores, which provides more benefit to local communities than big box retailers.

Hochul stopped in at Adam Miller, Charles Men's Shop and the Enchanted Florist in Batavia, and then went out to Le Roy where she did some Christmas shopping at Vintage and Vogue and then visted the Jello Museum, where she also found a couple of gifts.

Injury accident reported in Le Roy near Tops

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with injuries has been reported on West Main Road, Le Roy.

One person reportedly has a head injury.

At least two ambulances have been requested to the scene.

Traffic is being shut down at Gilbert and at Le Roy Bethany Townline Road.

Le Roy Fire Department, Le Roy Ambulance Service and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 8:46 p.m.: One patient is a sign-off. Mercy EMS put back in service.

Le Roy Moose Lodge donates plush toys to UMMC for children dealing with trauma

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Monday, members of the Le Roy Moose Lodge donated a dozen plush stuffed moose toys to United Memorial Medical Center’s Emergency Department. The Tommy Moose program is a national initiative started by the nonprofit Moose International. The toys are distributed to children in crisis by police officers, firefighters, emergency responders and hospitals. The friendly looking toys comfort and distract children in traumatic situations.

The toys donated to United Memorial were purchased by Moose members Judy Mills, Catherine Campbell, Shirley Schutt, Malinda Dykstra and an anonymous donor to the lodge. More information on the Tommy Moose program can be found at www.MooseIntl.org.

Pictured in the photo from right to left are Catherine Campbell, UMMC registrar, Bonnie Bezon, Emergency Room nurse manager, and Judy Mills.

What You Get for the Cost of a Pizza

By Jennifer Keys
What You Get for the Price of a Pizza

When I was running for Town Council 2 years ago I started attending both Town and Village Board meetings so I could learn as much as I could about everything that our local government does. The Village was in the process of discussing what to do with the municipal pool. They were concerned that there was not enough use of it to support the expense to fix it. The list of repairs they had were quite costly. They stated that since constituents were not coming to meetings or calling them at home that there was mass apathy about the pool. There had been discussion about circulating a survey to gauge interest. At a meeting that fall (2 years ago) the board began a discussion that appeared to be going in the direction of closing the pool without the survey. Another Village resident and I spoke up and asked that they not do that and instead conduct the survey as previously agreed to.

A “survey” was circulated in the LeRoy Pennysaver. It asked some personal information and was not anonymous. It was not well responded to. About only 126 surveys were returned. The majority of those surveys supported having either a pool or a spray park. Given that this was not a significant percentage of the population it was disregarded and again the finger was pointed at mass apathy.

I did not win the seat that I sought on the Town Council, but I continued to attend meetings and to speak up about the pool. When I was campaigning for Town Council the pool was a big issue. Every person, save 1, that I spoke to who spoke about the pool came right out and said they wanted it and that it was a shame it had not been opened recently. I then decided to run for Village Board in 2010.

The back and forth about the pool went on for a few months and then at a Village Board meeting prior to the March 2010 Village elections a resolution to permanently close the pool was passed. I was then elected, along with Bob Taylor, and I was reminded that the people wanted the pool and that was I was elected.

being sworn in I continued the discussion about the pool. During the time since March 2010 a group of concerned citizens came forward with a plan to address the repairs that are needed for the pool to be brought up to code and opened. They solicited donations and have raised enough money to not only complete the repairs that are required, but also to update some of the facilities. They presented their idea to the Village Board this past spring, early summer, and asked that their donations be accepted and the pool be opened. In addition, to monetary donations they had donations of time, labor, and materials.

The back and forth continued and finally this past July the mayor put forth a resolution that in summary declared the pool and its buildings surplus. The pool could then be sold to LeRoy Pool, LLC for $1.00 and the land leased for 99 years. LeRoy Pool, LLC would then own and run the pool. The resolution also contained a pledge of $11,000 per year from the Village budget to the pool. This was in line with what the Village had budgeted for the past several years (until this last summer 2011 when it was not budgeted for). This resolution passed 4-1. The difficulty is that there was no such entity as LeRoy Pool, LLC.

During this time as well, concerned citizens who were in support of the pool packed the Village Boardroom during several meetings to speak up and discuss why they supported the pool (or not, as was the case with one person). In addition, a petition was circulated in support of opening the pool and pledging to help fund raise to keep it going. This petition was presented to the Village Board.

Rather than be discouraged, the group of concerned citizens asked the Town Council if they would buy the pool and run a recreation program out of it as they had in the past. In return the group would still contribute the money they had raised, as well as complete the needed repairs. They would continue on as a pool committee and continue to raise money to support the pool, which the Village funded the $11,000 that was agreed upon and the Town fund the same amount of money it had put towards the pool in the past. This is the same pledge that the group had made to the Village as well. The Town did not want to purchase the pool, but agreed that they would follow through on this plan if they could lease it for $1.00. They drew up a contract and signed it. The contract was sent to the Village attorney and the Village Board. The contract has yet to be voted on by the Village Board.

In addition, it should be noted that during the time between the resolution’s passing and the Town’s agreement to lease the pool, a group of concerned citizens (myself included) met with a representative from the County Health Department who shared with us what needs to be done in order to bring the pool up to code. Of the items that were listed, at least 2 had already been addressed before the pool was closed, depth markers around both pools and arrows on the pipes in the pump house showing direction of flow along with what the flow is. The rest are not anywhere near the cost that has been suggested, ie: putting garbage cans with lids in the locker/bathrooms, placing soap dispensers in the showers, hot water in the showers, a chlorine and ph test kit, and new resuscitation masks. In regards to the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) pools with single drains are permitted in pools, such as the Le Roy pool, under certain conditions, including the drains being big enough to prevent blockage by a person and/or having an emergency shut off. This will be researched further and ensured that it meets the Federal Code.

A concerned citizen who has been very straightforward in negotiating all of this and who has supported opening the pool from the very beginning also put together the figures in regards to how much it will cost the average household to keep the pool going under these circumstances. $14.98 or the cost of a pizza. The sum of all of this discussion and indecision is the price of one pizza per year or a cup of coffee per month.

Community given time to increase enrollment, funds to keep Holy Family School open

By Howard B. Owens

From Kevin Keenen, director of communications, Catholic Diocese of Buffalo:

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, has delayed any decision until next March. He wants the local community to come together and see if they can increase enrollment and raise the necessary funds to keep HFS open for the long term. This will require significant time, effort, increased enrollment and financial sponsorship by the Le Roy community and surrounding areas. Father Michael Rock, canonical administrator of the school, has called a meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 in the Holy Family School gymnasium to rally the community to action.

While a final decision will not be made until March 1, 2012, we must continue to plan for the possible merger of the two schools. The bishop will not make a final decision until the local community has acted on this opportunity.

Make no mistake about it: this is a clarion call for the HFS community to develop a realistic plan that will not only increase enrollment, but also place the school on solid financial footing for many years to come.

It is now up to the community to take action to make significant, long-term financial commitments to build Holy Family School into a stable, growing Catholic elementary school. We pray that their efforts will succeed and the end result with be even greater Catholic identity in the classroom, stronger academic programs and exciting new opportunities in the years to come for Catholic elementary school students in Le Roy, Genesee County and beyond.

School bus and car accident without injuries is reported in Town of Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A no-injuries accident involving a car and school bus is reported in the Town of Le Roy at Route 19 and Vallance Road. An officer is responding to take a report. No word on whether children are on the bus, which is obviously going to be delayed due to the mishap.

Update 3:31 p.m.: "I'm at 19 and Vallance. Got a better location?" the officer says to dispatch, noting there's a car on the shoulder of the road at that location, but no school bus. The officer says he going to check with the driver of the vehicle and comes back on and says the school bus was actually a school van, which apparently already left the scene.

Grand Jury Report: Man charged with first-degree Gang Assault

By Billie Owens

This week the Genesee County Grand Jury issued the following indictments.

Bradley A. Clark is accused of criminal mischief, 2nd, a class D felony, for allegedly intentionally damaging another person's property on May 22. He is alleged to have damaged a 2007 Ford Fusion in an amount exceeding $1,500. He is also accused of criminal contempt in the first degree, a class E felony, because he allegedly violated an order of protection in the City of Batavia on May 22 and caused property damage exceeding $250. In a separate indictment, Clark is accused of first-degree Gang Assault, a class B violent felony. On July 3, he allegedly intentionally caused serious physical injury to another person and was aided by two or more persons present. In count two of the second indictment, Clark is accused of using a dangerous instrument, his footwear, to seriously injure a person in the area of Center Street in the city. That is a class B violent felony -- first-degree assault.

Ronald L. MacGregor is accused of knowingly using a forged prescription for the drug Oxycodone on Oct. 1, 2010, in the City of Batavia. He is also accused of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. Between Oct. 5, 2010 and Sept. 28 of this year, he allegedly used a falsely altered prescription for Oxycodone in the Village of Le Roy. Both counts of the indictment are class D felonies.

Shannon M. Graham is indicted for a misdemeanor crime of driving while intoxicated. It is alleged that on June 9, in the Town of Alexander, Graham drove a 2001 Hyundai on routes 20 and 98 while intoxicated. In count two of the indictment, Graham is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a class E felony. Graham, it says, should have known his license was suspended and that he had in effect three or more suspensions imposed on at least three separate dates for failure to answer, appear or pay a fine.

Jose L. Morales is indicted for burglary in the third degree, a class D felony, for allegedly knowingly entering a church in Bergen with the intention of committing a crime some time between Jan. 10 and Jan. 11. He is also accused of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intentionally damaging another person's property. This included a rear door, office doors, furniture and file cabinets. In the third count of the indictment, Morales is accused of petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing money and postage stamps from a church in the Town of Bergen.

Fire hydrants on Myrtle Street, Le Roy, vandalized

By Howard B. Owens

A Le Roy fire chief reports that all of the fire hydrants on Myrtle Street have been vandalized. 

The caps have been stolen.

The chief asks dispatch to contact Monroe County Water Authority. The hydrants will all need to be flushed and recapped.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: A Le Roy police officer on scene, making a criminal mischief report.

Route 19 bridge over Thruway being shut down due to icy conditions

By Howard B. Owens

There have been several minor vehicle accidents on the Route 19 bridge over the Thruway in the past 20 or 30 minutes.

Law enforcement on scene has requested Le Roy fire police to respond and shut down Route 19 at Griswold Road and at North Road.

Fire crews will be able to roll over the bridge to get in position, but will need to proceed very, very slowly.

Road crews are being dispatched to the bridge to salt the road.

There are at least three, and probably more, accidents being handled by troopers.

Only minor injuries have been reported.

St. Joe's, Holy Family schools notify parents of merger

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County's two Catholic elementary schools are apparently planning a merger, according to a letter sent home to parents.

The letter obtained by The Batavian was sent to parents of children at St. Joe's in Batavia and Holy Family in Le Roy. It states:

Local leadership has agreed that the schools will reconfigure next September for the beginning of the 2012-13 school year. Following a thorough analysis of several reconfigurations, the model emerging as one of the favorites: Pre-K to 8 and an after-school programs at the current St. Joseph School site; Pre-K and an after-school program at current Holy Family site.

The letter states that a name has not yet been selected for the reconfigured school.

The letter is signed by Kevin Robertson, principal of Holy Family, and Karen Green, principal of St. Joseph School.

The reason for the merger, according to the letter, is driven a lot by the declining elementary school population in Genesee County.

The number dropped by 7 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the letter.

"We need to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of all of our parishioners," the letter says. "That requires a more equitable distribution of parish income."

Discussions among local leaders began in the early fall, according to the letter, which invites parents to provide feedback on various options for curricula and programs in the reconfigured school.

Fight at McDonald's in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Three people were reportedly fighting in the parking lot of McDonald's restaurant in Le Roy. Police are now on scene. Two of the individuals left and are walking toward "the eagle." They are described as youths, one has long brown hair.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: The police have been provided with two names, both males.

Owl Valentine Holder at Woodward Memorial Library

By Trisha Riggi

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Create a cool owl holder for all of your Valentine's Day cards.

This program is for grades 1-3 and registration is required. Limit 20

Visit online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org or call 585-768-8300 to register.

Event Date and Time
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Movie Discussion - Interstellar, pre-registration required

By Trisha Riggi

Wed., May 13 starting at 6:00 p.m.

Interstellar, starring Matthew Mcconaughey has been called "a must-see masterpiece," "beautiful, epic," and "one of the most exhilarating film experiences so far this century," Interstellar is definitely a conversation-starter!

Watch this film at home (available for loan at the WML) and then join us in a staff-led discussion.

Registration is Required.

Visit us online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org or call 585-768-8300 for more information.

Event Date and Time
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Le Roy Winterfest "Stroll through the Village"

By lucie griffis

 

Downtown business merchants are inviting shoppers to a “Stroll through the Village” as part of the village’s Winterfest on Dec. 3.

The businesses on Main, Bank and Mill streets, along with the Moose Family Center on Bank Street, will offer full-card business bingo to be entered to win prizes. Participants must visit all business and receive a stamp from each one, then turn in their card by 3 p.m. at the holiday bazaar. Cards will be available at all businesses.

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: Man arrested on warrant for allegedly breaking victim's nose

By Howard B. Owens

Robert L. Williams, 21, of 112 State St., Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, and disorderly conduct. Williams was arrested on a warrant. He is accused of punching another person onOct. 22, which resulted in the alleged victim suffering a fractured nose. Williams was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Tanyka N. Blanding, 33, of 7 Madera Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI and criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Blanding was arrested by Le Roy Police in the early morning on Sunday. Blanding was stopped after the car she was driving allegedly almost collided with a police car on Lake Street. At the time of her stop, she was allegedly found in possession of brass knuckles. Blanding was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Dustin J. Good, 24, of 2937 Merle Road, Attica, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Good was stopped at 11:12 p.m., Friday, on North Lyon Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Fleming.

Kenneth M. Gray Jr., 24, of 77 Myrtle St., is charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to keep right, operating in violation of restriction and inadequate tires. Gray is accused of hitting a street sign and a parked car on Hutchins Street near Ellicott Street. Gray was stopped some time later on South Main Street by Officer Darryle Streeter. Gray was arrested without incident. The investigation was handled by Officer Jason Ivison.

Jeffrey Matthew Kaczmarek, 42, of Alleghany Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, driving left of pavement markings in no-passing zone and violation of conditional license. Kaczmarek was stopped at 11:23 p.m., Saturday, on Attica Road by Deputy Jason Saile.

Steven Michael John Kaczmarek, 25, of Gilhooly Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kaczmarek was arrested at 4:03 a.m., Friday, after deputies were called to an address on Gilhooly Road to investigate the report of a domestic incident. 

William Thomas Foley, 19, of Main Road, Stafford, and Kristian Nicole Elderbroom, 19, of Marlton Circle, Liverpool, are both charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, 1st. Foley and Elderbroom are accused of hosting an underage drinking party Nov. 13 at a location on Main Road in Stafford.

Ryan D. Wilson, 19, of Alexander Road, Attica, and Jay W. Schafer, 19, of Broadway Road, Darien, are charged with harassment, 2nd. Wilson and Schafer are accused of punching another person while at College Village at 2:42 a.m., Sunday.

Jesse Lee Harner, 25, of Country Route 41, Friendship, is charged with violation of a child-support order. Harner was turned over to the Sheriff's Office after being arrested by Cuba Police officers on a warrant out of family court.

Jered Michael Brown, 23, of North Baxter Street, Sutton, W. Va., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Brown was stopped at 1:57 a.m., Friday, on Route 5 in Pembroke by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Mercedes Anne Marchese, 20, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with false written statement. Marchese is accused of making a false written statement to the Sheriff's Office on Nov. 6.

Dajuandrick A. Gardner, 16, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Gardner is accused of choking a 15-year-old boy in the Town of Bergen at 7:40 a.m., Oct. 3.

Local candidates: Jackie Whiting, candidate for county legislature, District 5

By Howard B. Owens

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here is the response from Jackie Whiting, candidate for county legislature, District 5.

As the legislator from Le Roy, one of the issues I'd like to focus on is the I-90/490 interchange. This is one of only two Thruway exits in the state of New York that doesn't have any business development. This has been a point of concern for Le Royans since the Genesee Economic Development Corp. purchased the property years ago.

For all these years, promises have been made to my friends and neighbors in Le Roy about bringing business to that land, but nothing has been done. The main stumbling block to getting that property developed is the lack of essential utility services and I am ready and willing to work with anyone who can prepare that property for business development. I'd like to be a part of helping the GCEDC make this a successful project.

I would also like to serve on the legislature's Human Services Committee, which oversees the county departments that deal with our seniors. I have a long history of senior advocacy having served as program coordinator at both the Genesee County Office for the Aging and The Greens of Le Roy. The continued viability of the Genesee County Nursing Home, one of our most important safety nets and assets, is an issue that lies close to my heart. Our seniors have spent a lifetime paying the taxes that created and supported our nursing home and it is the responsibility of the legislature to do what they can to ensure its continued existence.

I would ask the residents of Le Roy to vote for me because I am a person who gets things done. They know I understand and care for the people of Le Roy and they know I am going to work extremely hard for them. I've spent my entire adult life working to make the great community of Le Roy even better. I serve on the school board, I was president of Le Roy Youth Football and Le Roy Knights, Inc. I am a member of the Le Roy Business Council so I understand the challenges small businesses face. I spend my days and nights promoting our kids, our businesses and our community.

I want to take that experience and dedication to the Genesee County Legislature where I can continue to advocate for our senior citizens, our youth and our business community. I feel I am prepared to do that and I am the only candidate who has been attending legislation subcommittee meetings for the past several months. I will bring knowledge and insight of current county issues right from the start, so I ask for the support of Le Roy residents with their vote on November 8th.

Sincerely, Jackie Whiting

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