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Le Roy

Homemade Wine Making at Woodward Memorial Library

By Trisha Riggi

Wednesday, October 5 from 7-8 pm. This is an adult program presented by Jocelyn and Joe Rebisz. Join us for an evening of wine making. Registration is required, call 585-768-8300 or visit us online at www.woodwardmemoriallibrary.org.

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Board Game Night at Woodward Memorial Library

By Trisha Riggi

Thursday, Apr. 25 from 6-8 p.m. 

Join the fun with a group of adults that love to play board games. Many games to choose from!!

This is an adult program and registration is required.

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

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Personal injury accident reported at Main and Mill in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with injuries has been reported at Main and Mill streets in Le Roy.

One person reportedly suffered facial lacerations and an "altered state of consciousness."

Le Roy fire and ambulance dispatched.

The vehicles are out of the street, so Le Roy's equipment is being held in the hall.

Serious accident on Route 19, Le Roy, could have been a lot worse

By Howard B. Owens

Big vehicles and a quick reaction by one driver may have helped keep a serious accident from turning tragic, according to officials at the scene of a 2:20 p.m. collision on Route 19 and Perry Road in Le Roy.

The driver of a 1991 Cadillac was apparently following a friend's car too closely, according to State Police Sgt. Kurt Schmitt, and when the friend's car slowed to make a left-hand turn onto Perry Road, the Caddy's driver, Timothy Coates, 17, of Churchville, had to take evasive action.

Coates, who was the most seriously injured in the accident, tried to brake and clipped the left rear of his friend's car before swerving into the northbound lane of Route 19.

Heading southbound in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck was Matt Hendershott, 28, of East Bethany.

"The Caddy just came into my lane and that's about all I had time to see," said Hendershott, a volunteer firefighter with the Bethany department. "Apparently I took evasive action because I left skid marks on the shoulder."

Hendershott was not injured.

"If we have a call tonight, I'm responding," Hendershott said.

Schmitt confirmed that the investigation showed that Hendershott reacted quickly and avoided a head-on collision with the Cadillac.

"It could have been very serious," Schmitt said. "We were discussing earlier that they came within a foot of hitting head on. Because somebody was paying attention to their driving and reacted quickly, we avoided a more serious situation."

Asked by a reporter if the Cadillac's size was a factor, Schmitt that in his personal opinion, it was.

"It's one of those old battle wagons," Schmitt said. "The smaller cars are more economical but in cases like this, that's not always better."

Coates was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy Flight with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

"We have positive thoughts about his condition," Schmitt said.

He will likely be cited for following too closely.

Le Roy Fire Chief Mike Sheflin thanked the volunteers from Le Roy and Pavilion for their quick response to the scene.

He said it was also helpful that the driver of the car Coates was following was an off-duty EMT.

The driver, Matthew Mandoler, 21, of Rochester, was able to provide emergency responders with a quick assessment of the scene and victims.

"The more information we can get when we arrive on the scene, the more quickly we can formulate a plan," Sheflin said.

Once on scene, it took the volunteers only 12 minutes to extricate Coates.

A passenger in Mandoler's car, Mike Schockow, said Mandoler took charge of the scene immediately after the crash and until emergency responders arrived. He did his best to keep everybody calm and organize help for the victims.

"I'd never seen anything like this before," Schockow said. "I was kind of having a panic attack. I'd never been in an accident before and it was scary."

Neither Schockow nor Mandoler were injured.

A passenger in the Cadillac suffered a minor arm injury.

Besides Le Roy fire, Pavilion fire, State Police and Mercy Flight, responding to the scene were Le Roy Ambulance and Mercy EMS.

(Initial Report)

Serious car accident in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A three-car accident with serious injuries is reported at Route 19 and Perry Road in the Town of Le Roy. Mercy Flight is airborne. Extrication is required for the occupant(s) of one vehicle. Traffic police are needed.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service and Pavilion Fire Department and are responding along with Mercy EMS.

UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: The patient needing extrication is out of the vehicle.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, but we don't have the destination.

UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: All units back in service. The roadway is reopened.

Police Beat: Shower curtain allegedly used to block woman's breathing

By Howard B. Owens

John P. Wittkopp, 28, of 24 Columbia Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and strangulation, 2nd. Wittkopp turned himself in at police headquarters Monday following an investigation into an alleged incident on Sunday. Wittkopp is accused of striking a woman in the head and pinning her to the ground with a shower curtain, obstructing her breathing.

A 16-year-old of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. The youth is accused of shoving another person during an argument.

Christina M. Maynard, 30, 501 Third Ave., Dayton, Ky., is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Maynard was stopped at 8 p.m., Tuesday, on Jefferson Avenue by Officer Matthew Fleming. Maynard was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Paul M. Paradise, 31, of 9 W. Main St., Waterloo, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Paradise is accused of sending numerous text messages to his estranged wife in violation of an order of protection.

Possible fuel fire reported at Kwik Fill in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A possible fuel fire has been reported at the Kwik Fill, 7010 W. Main Road, Le Roy.

The spill and fire was reported by a neighbor who said the fire may have been put out using a fire extinguisher.

Le Roy Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:55 p.m.: First chief on scene reports no fire showing. Trucks can respond non-emergency.

UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: First engine on scene. A chief reports, "It was just a minor cleaning issue. No issues at this time."

Car hits building on Genesee Street in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly hit a structure, knowns as building #3, at 18 Genesee St., Le Roy.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service dispatched.

UPDATE 4:02 p.m.: There is apparent structural damage to the building. The code enforcement officer requested to the scene. Responding units can come in non-emergency.


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Officer Slocum: 'Good luck on your retirement'

By Howard B. Owens

A dispatcher signed off tonight wishing Officer Kyle Slocum, Le Roy PD,  'Good luck on your retirement." He added, "We will miss you."

Slocum finishes his final shift at 3 a.m.

Best wishes, Officer Slocum. Thank you for your service.

Two-car accident at Route 19 and Parmelee in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident is reported at Route 19 and Parmelee Road in Le Roy. The caller says one vehicle is smoking, both are leaking fluids. All occupants are out of the vehicles.

Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service responding.

UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: Fire police will be needed to direct traffic. The accident is at the top of the hill at the intersection. The roadway is blocked. Traffic will be shut down at Selden Road. There are two patient sign-offs and no one will be transported. A standard and a flatbed tow are requested.

UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: The roadway was reopened a few moments ago.

Fight on Main Street in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A fight is reportedly in progress at 40 Main St. in Le Roy. At least two police cars are en route.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Three people were involved. Police have the situation under control.

Police Beat: Jail inmate accused of trying to get a friend to cash forged checks

By Howard B. Owens

Ryan M. Shrauger, 41, of 6 Hull Park, Batavia, is charged with forgery, 2nd, possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and petit larceny. Shrauger is being held in the Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges. Shrauger allegedly forged checks and asked an acquaintance to cash them for him at a local financial institution.

Nicholas F. Donoghue, 21, of 206 Callan Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Donoghue is accused of providing alcohol to a person under age 21 while in the park on Munson Street, Le Roy.

Duffy L. Starks, 19, of 20 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Starks was arrested on a warrant issued following an investigation into an incident in the city June 6. Starks was taken into custody without incident when he was found in a vacant apartment at 1 Dawson. Starks is being held without bail.

Ryan Michael Carr, 23, of Filner Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Carr is accused of making more than 140 phone calls to known persons in the Town of Alexander. The calls were allegedly harassing in nature. Carr was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Pamela Lynn McKenzie, 36, of Covell Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. McKenzie is accused of stealing jewelry from a store at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Two-car accident in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with minor injuries is blocking traffic at West Main Street and West Avenue in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service is responding.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: The roadway reopened.

Le Roy resident earns nursing degree

By Billie Owens

Jennifer J. DeMarco, of Leroy, has earned an Associate in Science in Nursing degree from Excelsior College.

Excelsior College (www.excelsior.edu) is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals.

Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.

Le Roy police make arrest in weekend burglary at central school

By Howard B. Owens

The case of a burglary at Le Roy Central School over the weekend has been solved, according to Le Roy Police.

A 24-year-old village resident and a juvenile have been charged with burglary, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

The duo, along with an alleged accomplice, are accused of stealing a computer system, several cameras and camcorders. Some of the property has been recovered.

Charged were Kyle Nash, of 7 Myrtle St., Le Roy, and a 15-year-old suspect whose name was not released.

Bishop Williams, 18, of 106 Lake St., Le Roy, was charged with criminal trespass, 3rd. Williams is accused of being on school property, but he reportedly left before the alleged burglary took place.

Assisting in the investigation was the Le Roy School District and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Based on a scanner conversation: A mother learned of "the situation" shortly after this post went up and spoke with a son about it and he surrendered some cameras to her (the mother-son relationship is a bit of an assumption). A police officer said, "the cameras appear to have come from the burglary at the school the other night."

Le Roy pool deal wasn't a done deal after all

By Howard B. Owens

Expectations where high that a plan to transfer ownership of the Le Roy municipal pool to a private volunteer group would save the pool, but the deal fell apart at the last minute.

A group of volunteers rejected the proposal because they didn't want to assume long-term ownership of the pool, and Mayor Ged Brady said state law prevents the village from using volunteer labor to make much needed repairs.

"I don't think any of us (volunteers) want to take over. That was not our purpose," said group leader and former county legislator Mike Welsh. His group's proposal for several weeks has been to raise several thousand dollars, and complete the state-required pool safety repairs on donated volunteer labor. 

Taking over operations of the pool was never part of the group's plans, Welsh said.

"We are certainly not going to accept (the village's deal), because this is not practical," Welsh firmly said. "It's not even reasonable!"

But village trustees said that if the village is going to be the lead agency on pool repairs, state law requires that the job be bid out to contractors and that prevailing wage must be paid to workers.

For more on this story, read the coverage from The Batavian's news partner, WBTA.

PROGRESS THROUGH CHANGE- A COMMUNITY FIGHTING FOR IT'S POOL

By lucie griffis

Tonight was the night.  They rescinded closing the pool. It is still on the table.  Discussions are open.  They have committed to forming a committee to discuss all legalities.  The voices were strong for and questions were flowing, but it is amazing that we, the taxpayers, both direct and indirectly, have to fight for this.  As Mr. Welch stated this has come down to a public safety issue too.  

Our mayor had a nice letter that he and Mr. Welch had discussed things and we were lead to believe there was a LeRoy Pool, LLC that was interested in purchasing and running the pool.  We were mislead.  There is no group.  It is still the volunteers and private donors.  One thing is for certain THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE COMING!  Granted not everyone wants the pool and as one person stated weighing needs and wants.  Well I believe if we are going to rebuild our industry here we need to start at the foundation of this community- THE POOL!  One taxpayer stood up and said when they started looking at our community they thought it was great we had a community pool.  She was, however,  saddened that the first year they were here the pool closed.  That was a selling feature to move here!  

I would like to say tonight I believe we all stood up for what is right.  I would like to stress that I am especially happy they rescinded the closing and even happier that Jennifer Keys, Village Board member motioned to have it that they committ to getting the committee together to check into all legalities and such for volunteers and donations.  As Mr. Rogers, another board member, stated we are closer than ever to coming to an agreement.  We are by no means near the end, but if we can unite as elected officials and citizens this will get done.  

We have that welling of support that got the pool built.  We have that community spirit.  We are beginning a new era of growth through change.  

I was very impressed that even our Town Board was in attendance.  It was mentioned that maybe even the Village could lease or sell it to the Town to run as they already have our Recreation program.  The possibilities are endless!

Just a reminder to never be afraid to have passion and stand up for what you believe in the possibilities are limitless!  When we each use our voices and come together anything is possible!

The Day of the Pool Discussion

By Jennifer Keys

Tonight we will be discussing the pool at the board meeting at 7 at the Le Roy Village Hall. Below is a letter that the mayor has distributed to Village Board members, various local media, and has had me distribute to the Le Roy Business Council. I hope he won't mind that I have blogged it here; I did let him know that was my intention, though, and did not get any opposition. I will simply type it here in its entirety and exactly as the Mayor typed it. I will not paraphrase or summarize as I would like you to look at it and draw your own conclusions. Please note that the previous board voted to close the pool at the board meeting prior to Bob Taylor and me being sworn in. We were not a part of that decision. Please do attend the meeting as I know you have strong opinions and that is what makes democracy work. As always, thank you for reading. Thank you, Howard, for giving us this space to use.

"Dear Mr. Welsh,

     Thank you for your visit Wednesday, it was a very informative meeting. I came away with two important insights. First, your ease with which you can raise funds and second, your recognition of the Village Board's reticence to expand infrasturcture costs in a time of difficult budgets.

     The primary reason that the Village Board unanimously decided to close the LeRoy Pool was based on projected expenditures for both current and future repairs and operations. However, we know that repairs and operations can be done by a private entity for much less cost than if done by the Vilage. The proposed schedule of repairs presented that you presented in your letter of July 12, 2011 clearly illustrates this, for example:

                       Removing the surrounding deck of the large pool and replacing it with correctly pitched deck and attending to various drain connections would cost the Village an estimated $45,000, the Welsh proposal estimates that it can be done for "free" with donated materials and labor.

                       Installing an "unblockable" drain cover would cost the Village an estimated $8,000 (without contingency) as opposed to $4,135.48 as estimated in the Welsh proposal.

     Your group has shown skill and ability in their desire to restore the pool. They have a proven record as fundraisers that is to be admired. However, the emerging reality is that in the next few years the Village will have many calls for funding of infrasture maintenance and improvement projects. It is also known that finances for the Village will become increasingly more difficult as the impact of the 2% tax cap is fully felt.

     Given these realities and the welling up of support from a segment of the Village and the Town, I will ask for the following resolution in the next meeting of the Village Board:

Be it resolved-

        That the Trustees of the Village of LeRoy declare the pools and associated buildings surplus.

        That the Trustees sell the pool and related buildings to a new entity such as "LeRoy Pool, LLC" for $1. The Village would retain the right to purchase the facilities for $1 should "LeRoy Pool, LLC" decide to sell all or part of the facilities.

         That the Trustees lease a plot of land that encompasses the pools and related buildings to "LeRoy Pool, LLC" for ninety nine years (or other appropriate period) for $1. We avoid the cumbersome New York State process of turning public parkland into private land by this lease.

         That in its annual budget the Village will provide a payment for services rendered to the citizens of the Village of LeRoy. A starting amoung for the 2012-2013 and the next four budget years is suggested to be $11,000. This more than covers the Village's non personnel costs based on the last years of operation.

     This is the best possible outcome-the formalized "LeRoy Pool, LLC" can continue to take advantage of low cost repairs and fund raising from the willing. The Village has a budget item that would experience little volatility-very helpful in the 2% tax cap era, and takes the Village out of the pool business. Apparently the Town has indicated a willingness to financially support the pool as it has in the past. Together the Village, Town, user fees and fund raising provide a strong base of operations. After the above resolution has been passed by the Village Board, representatives from Village and the "LeRoy Pool, LLC" can meet to formalize the agreement.

     Hopefully this note expresses the intent and spirit of our meeting.

     Best Wishes,

            George E. D. Brady, Mayor

            The Village of LeRoy

 

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