News for the week of Jannuary 22, 2001
News for the week of
January 22, 2001

In Features:

A summary of local town budgets for 2001
Comparing the 2001 budgets of the towns on the west side of Monroe County may be like comparing apples and oranges, but it’s also interesting to know how much one’s home town is spending in comparison to its nearest neighbors. Spending by west side towns in 2001 will range from a low of $1.5 million in largely rural Riga to nearly $8 million in Chili with its extensive infrastructure. more

Brockport school bus garage vote January 24
Brockport Central School District residents will vote January 24 on a $6.6 million bus garage proposal. The proposal includes the purchase of 130 acres of land on Redman Road, the construction of an eight-bay garage, the renovation of the old bus garage into a teacher training facility and the construction of new athletic fields. more

Energy saving begins at home
According to industry experts, many consumers can expect to see their natural gas heating bills rise at least 50 percent this winter due to a combination of cold weather and low inventories. Whether you heat your home with oil, natural gas, or electricity, the Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), offer some tips to help you save money and stay warm this winter. more

Here comes the judge
Imagine being called "the Honorable …" at the age of 25. Hilton resident Michael Sciortino recently earned that title at the tender age of 25 by being appointed as Parma's new town justice. The appointment may make him the youngest to ever hold that position in New York state. more

Kendall firefighter dies of injuries sustained while on duty
Richard Buongiorne may have been one of Kendall’s newest firefighters, but his impact on the department he loved will be felt far longer than the short time he served. more

Kendall school receives land donation
Kendall’s native son, Kevin Noon, was recently able to do his part in helping the Kendall Central School district realize a long time dream — the building of a "campus community." more

Mortgage tax revenues take a plunge in Monroe County towns
Towns and villages in western Monroe County saw a sizable decrease in mortgage tax revenue received in 2000. The county collects an almost one percent tax on all mortgage filings – both actual sales and refinances – then shares, according to a set formula, the revenue with local municipalities and the state. more

Pan-AM Expo Centennial gets underway
Buffalo and Western New York are getting ready to celebrate the centenary of the 1901 Pan American Exposition with a series of special events and tie-ins with the University of Buffalo, Erie County Historical Society and other cultural institutions. more

RWCCO announces Fanfare Contest
The Roberts Wesleyan College-Community Orchestra will conduct a search for a celebratory fanfare written for an orchestra. The contest is open to any serious musician, or budding composer. Manuscripts which will be judged by the RWCCO Fanfare Contest Committee must be submitted by March 2. Cash prizes of $500 each will be awarded to the two composers whose works are selected. The winning compositions will be premiered at the April 28 concert. more

Studying the lake
Among the more prominent activities at the State University College at Brockport is the biology department's faculty and student research studies of Lake Ontario and southern shore. more

Sweden residents protest annexation proposal
Thirty-two residents of Holley Street in the Town of Sweden have signed a petition opposing a proposal to annex an undeveloped 5.6 acre parcel to the Village of Brockport. Developer Rich Miller has proposed the annexation, saying that it would improve his chances of receiving a federal grant to build assisted living units there. Miller’s plans call for a 32-unit building for residents age 62 and older on 2.5 acres of the property. more

T'ai Chi Chih workshop coming to GCC
Individuals interested in the ancient art of T'ai Chi Chih are invited to Genesee Community College's introductory T'ai Chi Chih workshop Saturday, February 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop covers basic movements of the art, and gives participants the opportunity to practice T'ai Chi Chih movements. more

Youth Hall of Fame Nominations sought for Spencerport Area C of C
The promotion of the quality of life in Spencerport has been the primary focus for the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce since its inception thirteen years ago. A new program, introduced last year with the corporate support of M&T Bank, continued that tradition. more


In Briefly:

Additional flu shot clinics scheduled
Monroe County health officials have scheduled additional flu clinics, as follows: Monday, January 22 - 3 to 7 p.m.; Monday, January 29 - 3 to 7 p.m.; and every Wednesday through February 28, noon to 7 p.m. All clinics will be held at the Monroe County Health Department, 111 Westfall Road. more

Bus garage vote January 24
Brockport Central School District residents will vote January 24 on a $5.3 million bus garage referendum. The price tag includes the cost of purchasing approximately 110 acres of land on Redman Road, the construction of an eight-bay bus garage and parking facilities for the district’s 100-plus bus fleet. more

Community service award announced
The Brockport Clarkson Sweden Joint Recreation Commission has announced the winner of its 2000 Community Service Award. Brockport Central School District Superintendent James Fallon will receive the prestigious award at an April 5 banquet. more

County and Deputy Sheriff PBA reach tentative contract agreement
Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle, Undersheriff Patrick O'Flynn, who chaired the county's negotiating team, and Monroe County Sheriff PBA President Daniel Finnery announced last week that they have reached a tentative four-year collective bargaining agreement. more

County sponsors emergency preparedness training
The Monroe County Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is sponsoring a seven-hour training program to familiarize elected officials, emergency responders, municipal employees, and the private sector with the impacts of hazardous weather and its influences on public safety practices and protocol in Monroe County. more

Hamlin Fire Department elects new officers
The Hamlin Fire Department has held its annual election of firematic and civil line officers for 2001. more

Line dancers meet at C-C school
Anyone who is looking for a place to line dance will find it in Churchville on Friday nights, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Village Elementary School (Park Road entrance). more

Meals On Wheels winter relief volunteers urgently needed
Meals On Wheels, a program of the Visiting Nurse Service, provides hot meals and warm smiles to Monroe County's frail elderly and homebound. During the winter months, the program's need for volunteers is especially crucial, as many retired volunteers travel south to warmer climates. more

SFD officers for 2001 appointed
Spencerport Fire Department Civil and Line Officers for 2001 are: President - Dave Wieme; Vice President - Dan Dollinger; 2nd Vice President - Mike Read; Secretary - Sal Muniz; Treasurer - Bill Jones; Sergeant at Arms - Russ Young; Directors - Ken Cunningham, Bob Dool, John Guck, Lynd Hicks, Bill Vandertang, Don Wainwright. more

Skating Party scheduled
The Churchville Lions annual ice skating party and races are scheduled to be held on Sunday, February 11 at the Church Lodge, Churchville Park. more


In Schools:

Brockport students donate poetry book
With all the focus on the strong and stringent standards of New York state, writing has become a pinnacle of all classrooms. In a cooperative venture between the Seymour Library of Brockport and two 5th grade classes at the Fred W. Hill School, students are extending their reading and writing skills utilizing interesting and challenging projects. more

Executive director of Regional Leadership Academy named
Dr. Francis Murphy will lead a regional effort to stem a growing shortfall in school administrators. Murphy will play a pivotal role in closing the gap between a dwindling pool of qualified leaders and an expected 50 percent turnover in school administrators over the next five years. more

GCC, BOCES offer GED prep program
Genesee Community College and the Genesee Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services are offering a College Transition/GED Prep Program once again in 2001. The program gives individuals without a high school diploma the opportunity to work toward their GED - and prepare for enrollment in college. more

Helping Byron-Bergen teens find jobs
So you want your snow shoveled whenever there’s more than a dusting, or you need someone to babysit the kids for that occasional evening out. If you live within the Byron-Bergen school district, you’re in luck. The Gillam Grant Community Center runs a Teen Employment Service that connects ambitious teens with paying customers. more

Hilton Music Boosters' Dinner Theater scheduled for February 2
Tickets of the fourth annual Music Boosters Scholarship Dinner Theater to be held February 2 at Hilton Firemen's Exempt Hall are now available. more

Hilton's Quest Elementary School applications due March 1
Hilton School District's Quest Elementary School, a K-6 school located at 225 West Avenue, has issued a call for applications for September 2001, according to Principal Anita Clark. more

Hilton showcases technology, business
and family/consumer science connections
Hilton High School program coordinator for technology, business and family consumer science, Deborah Godlove, invites all interested parents and community members to attend a "Showcase Night" Thursday, January 25, at 6:45 p.m. at Hilton High School, 400 East Avenue, Hilton. more

Spencerport's new superintendent begins January 29
When Phillip Langton begins his new job as Spencerport's superintendent, the first thing he plans to do is listen. Langton is gathering names and setting up appointments with district staff and people in the community. more

Sponsors for Senior Bash 2001 needed
Parents of Spencerport graduating Class of 2001 are busy planning the "Senior Bash," which will be held right after this year's Senior Ball on June 2. This year's Bash will be held at Spencerport High School, and will include various activities - sports, games, refreshments, and socializing until early in the morning. more

Student aid applications first step for college-bound students
Those who plan to enter college in the fall should note that now is the time to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and other applications required by the colleges. more

SUNY Brockport professor leads way to healthy work environment
Thomas Golaszewski, health science, has an in-depth knowledge of work-related health issues. He also has a national reputation for his expertise in developing ways of assessing and improving the health and well being of employees. more


In Seniors:

Free income tax preparation available for seniors for 2000 returns
Tax-Aide, a free Income Tax Counseling Service for older persons sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, under their Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program, will be offered in Chili. more

Generations tackle crafts together
It was an inter-generational day for children from Lakeside's Child Care Center as they spent part of a recent morning with Lakeside Beikirch Care Center (LBCC) residents. The residents worked with the children and their teachers to make Native American drums as part of the new activity program designed to give the children a chance to interact with the residents of the Care Center. more

Genesee County income tax and property tax credit assistance
The Genesee County Office for the Aging is available to offer free income tax preparation for low to moderate income taxpayers and property tax credit (IT-214) assistance. more

Hilton seniors celebrate anniversary
Hilton-Parma senior citizens, as well as participants and guests, will celebrate the seventeenth anniversary of the Hilton-Parma Senior Citizens Center with a dinner dance and party from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 17 at the Hilton Exempt Club, South Avenue, Hilton. more

Tax preparation for seniors available in Hilton
Help with tax preparation will be available for Senior Citizens in the Hilton community. AARP members will be on hand to prepare state and federal income taxes, Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning February 13 at the Village Community Center, 59 Henry Street, Hilton. more


In Sports:

Blue Devils Icers win nailbiter
Jimmy Baker scored early in the third period with an assist from Sean Curry to break a 1-1 tie and give the Brockport Blue Devils a 2-1 win over Hilton January 10 at Lakeshore. more

Blue Devils volleyball sweeps Hilton
Second-ranked Brockport rebounded from a loss to top-ranked Webster and defeated Hilton on the road 15-10, 15-4, and 15-5 on January 13. Junior Kim Demmans racked up 25 assists to go with her three kills and four aces to pace the Blue Devils attack. Senior Stephanie Ayres added 10 kills and two aces and junior Lynn Sorel contributed 8 kills and two aces. more

Bright Raven Gymnastics teams win second place
Bright Raven Gymnastics Level 6 and 4 Teams finished in second place at the Graffiti Invitational held January 5-7 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. The Bright Raven Level 5 team earned third place. Each team brought home a banner to signify their accomplishment. more

Hilton Girls hoops beat Blue Devils
Trailing 25-21 at half-time, the Hilton Cadets girls basketball team outscored Brockport by fourteen points in the second half in a 48-38 come-from-behind win January 11. more

SCS fall teams win award
Five Spencerport athletic teams have been awarded the MCPSAA Team Sportsmanship Award for the fall 2000 season. This award is voted on by their fellow competitors and teams in their league. more

Spencerport tournament nets thousands for American Cancer Society
Spencerport's fourth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Tournament, organized by varsity basketball coach Mike Blackwell, raised $7,500 for the American Cancer Society. That is a 25 percent increase over last year's total of $6,000. The tournament was held at Nazareth College December 27 and 28. more