Le Roy

I hope you have taken a look at the LeRoy Pool Poll from Sunday's LeRoy Penny Saver, and maybe even filled it out.

I'm curious to know what everyone's thoughts are on the poll?

I've heard some interesting feedback already, such as why do we have to fill out our names and addresses, asking if you are a homeowner or if you rent could make people feel that their opinion may be weighted or even discounted based on the answer, what about those who may be don't own or rent but who are old enough to have an opinion and to contribute to the economy, it sounds negative and doesn't focus on the earning potential...

What are your thoughts? Do you think it hits the topics? Do you think it accomplishes the purpose? Do you have any thoughts about specific questions? Is it thorough enough? Is it confusing?....

As always, I look forward to the enlightening conversation and thank you in advance for your participation.

LeRoy's 9th annual "Turkey Trot" 5K Run/Walk drew a crowd Saturday morning. People of all ages met at the Summit Street tennis courts to raise money for LeRoy Nursery School.

"Past students and board members come out to run," said current board member Debbie Chipre, "people come back. It's a small community."

With the help of several sponsors, trotters raised $700 in funds that will be used to support the nursery school.

The 5K course, which is the equivalent of 3.1 miles, began at the tennis courts and ran the length of Summit Street and back. All participants received a Turkey Trot T-shirt and the chance to win one of several raffle prizes.

"Our bigger sponsors donated the money and the smaller ones provided the products for our raffles," said Karen Samis, president of the nursery school board of directors.

Race winners took home a turkey and raffle winners got to choice from several prizes including Mary Kay products and gift certificates to local businesses.

LeRoy native 18-year-old Jake Krautwurst was the first to cross the finish line, clocking in at 18.30 minutes. The rest of the participants weren't far behind. While some chose to run, others walked and a few children rode bicycles.

The 10th annual Turkey Trot is already planned for Nov. 6 next year. Until then, you can support the nursery school, of course. The next fundraiser is a special breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 6 at McDonald's in LeRoy.

Why do you think we have so many abandonned houses in LeRoy?

What do you think should be done with the houses?

The renters of a home at 26 Union St. in the Village of Le Roy got a couple of free nights in a hotel after a county code enforcement officer condemned their dwelling Saturday night.

The Le Roy Fire Department initially responded to a call of a possible gas leak, but Chief William Wood said today there was no leak. The renters, he said, were advised to call the fire department after noticing a shift in the foundation to ensure there was no gas in the house.

"The shift was gradual, but over the past couple of days, it's moved quite a bit," Wood said.

Wood said he knew immediately that the building needed to be condemned, but wanted a code enforcement officer to confirm the decision. The Le Roy code enforcement officer was out of town, and none of the code enforcement officers from surrounding jurisdictions thought they had the authority to respond to the scene. Eventually, Tim Yaeger, Genesee County emergency coordinator, authorized the county's code enforcement officer to respond.  He condemned the house.

Wood didn't know where the renters might be following the two nights of accommodations provided by the Red Cross, but they can't move back into the house until the owner repairs the foundation.

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I'm very curious to know your thoughts on sidewalks.

What do you think about sidewalks? What do sidewalks say about a community? Are some sidewalks more important than others? What is your favorite kind of a sidewalk (slate, brick, cement, dirt path...)?

Bryan M. Hargrave, 22, of 61 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with two counts of burglary in the third degree. Hargrave allegedly broke into two Pavilion businesses on Sept. 23. He is accused of breaking into Pavilion Drainage Company on Route 63 and taking some cash from the office area. On the same day, he allegedly broke into BW's Bar on Perry Road, this time allegedly taking cash and an iPod. The investigation was conducted by deputies John Baiocco and James Diehl, with assistance from investigators William Ferrando and Roger Stone. Additional charges against Hargrave are pending. Hargrave was released under supervision of Genesee County Justice.

Bart Arthur Towne, 41, of 1795 Phelps Road, Corfu, is charged with attempted petit larceny. Towne allegedly attempted to steal televisions and other items from BJ's Wholesale Club by concealing the items inside a box labeled as a file cabinet. He presented the box at the register for purchase.

Erica M. Raphael, 24, of 335 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of stolen property. Raphael is accused of possessing stolen NYS Official Prescription sheets from Batavia Ophthalmology and allegedly forging a prescription for hydrocodone tablets. Raphael allegedly attempted to get the prescription filled at Oakfield Family Pharmacy.

A 17-year-old resident of Bergen is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth was apprehended after a random K-9 search at Byron-Bergen High School. During the search of the east side parking lot, a K-9 alerted on a car. Marijuana was allegedly located in the car and the marijuana was seized by law enforcement.

Gary W. Merritt, 50, of 9570 Bernd Road, Le Roy, is charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree. Merritt allegedly fired shotgun rounds at a neighbor's house. The rounds struck a glass door while the resident was standing near the door. The alleged incident occurred Saturday at 3:15 p.m. and was investigated by Deputy James Diehl. Merritt was released under supervision of Genesee County Justice.

Darryl Stephen Johnston, 34, of 111 Copeland St., is charged with petit larceny. Johnston is accused of stealing five bottles of booze off the bar at the Pizza Pantry in Corfu. The bar was closed at that time of day on Aug. 28. Johnston was arrested at his home in Rochester on Nov. 4.

Paul S. Banach, 22, of 166 Lake Road, Avon, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop for a stop sign, speeding and driving left of pavement markings. Banach was stopped Saturday at 2:50 a.m. by Deputy Jason Saile on Route 262 in the Town of Byron.

Arthur W. Hale, Jr., 48, of Foxe Harrow Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving left of pavement markings. Hale was allegedly observed crossing a double yellow line once, and a dotted yellow line twice on Route 33 in Stafford by Sgt. Greg Walker at 2:03 a.m. on Saturday. The officer stopped Hale and determined that he was allegedly driving drunk. Hale was also cited for failure to keep right and refusing to take breath test.

David M. Jackson, 32, of Bethany, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Jackson was arrested by State Police at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday. No further details available.

Following a tearful morning in court, a Caledonia woman is in jail after allegedly failing to abide by the terms of her release under supervision while awaiting sentencing for burglary in the second degree.

Nicole L. Green, 23, cried before Judge Robert Noonan entered the courtroom, weeped during a brief hearing, and cried while hugging a companion before being led away by a bailiff.

Green pled guilty Aug. 31 to burglary after being accused of stealing jewelry and guns from a friend's house in Le Roy. She also reportedly refused to return a borrowed car.

This morning, Green was not sentenced on that conviction.

Green, whom her attorney said is pregnant, reportedly missed appointments with Genesee Justice and failed to pass substance-use tests.

Attorney Ann Connor told Judge Noonan that because of her pregnancy, Green should be allowed to remain free, but Noonan flatly rejected the suggestion.

"The pregnancy would be at higher risk at liberty than in custody," Noonan said.

Within the past few minutes, two minor accidents in the Le Roy and Bergen area have been reported. In both cases, it sounds like cars slid off the roads.

A fire chief said, "We have snow covered roads. It's slippery. You can't see the double yellow line. You (dispatch) might want to call DOT."

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A youth in Le Roy has been arrested by undercover agents for allegedly trying to buy an unlicensed handgun.

The youth is not being identified by the Sheriff's Office and the case is being turned over to family court.

Members of the Local Law Enforcement Drug Task Force were called into the investigation to help with the arrest after the Sheriff's Office learned that the youth was making inquiries in the Le Roy area about buying a gun.

The youth is being charged with attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Mary A. Brairton, 20, of 6790 Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with aggravated DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to reduce speed on a curve, leaving the scene, unlicensed operation and aggravated unlicensed operation. Brairton was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Bernd Road, Monday at 12:42 a.m.  and allegedly fled the scene. Brairton was reportedly found later by Deputy Frank Bordonaro at her residence and taken into custody.

David S. Taylor, 49, of 2384 Titus Ave., Rochester, is charged with DWI, speeding and moving from lane unsafely. Taylor was allegedly driving on Route 33 in the Village of Corfu on Sunday at 12:04 a.m. when he was allegedly seen by Village police traveling at a high rate of speed and swerve into the oncoming traffic lane.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my opponent for Le Roy Town Council, 2-year term, Kelly Lathan, on her win this evening. I will be calling you tomorrow (thought it kind of rude to call this late as your daughter might be sleeping).

Thank you so much to every one who helped and supported me with my campaign. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet so many new people and hear their concerns. This has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to many more.

Le Roy firefighters are responding to a report of a tractor-trailer fire at Ontario Service Center, 8700 Vallance Road in Le Roy.

Pavilion firefighters are on standby.

UPDATE: 10:25 p.m.: Auxiliary personnel have been requested, too.

UPDATE: 11:47 p.m.: Mission acccomplished; Le Roy responders back in service.

My name is  Kermit Arrington.  I am running for my 6th term as Le Roy Town Justice. I am a lifelong LeRoyan and have dedicated 56 years to LeRoy municipal government. After graduating from LeRoy High School I served in WWII in the 758th 64th Tank Division and also did a stint in the military police.  I spent 34 years working at the Le Roy department of Public Works supervising that department the last 20 years of my career.  After retiring I was hired as a special investigator for Jones Chemical where I worked for ten years. 

In 1989 I was given the  award of Le Royan of the Year.  I am very proud of this achievement and have served on the steering committee to seek and elevate this prestigious award.  I have spent my life dedicated to sports in Le Roy; umpiring and refereeing baseball and football from the Little League and Tyro , through the high school  and college level. For many years I was the quarterback of the semi-pro All Le Roy football team The safety and well being of our youth have always been a deep concern of mine.  I am a lifelong member of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder and  volunteer fire department where I served as Foreman for a term.  My other associations include Rochester Football Officials Assoc., WNY District Umpires Assoc., WNY Superintendent Assoc. , American Water Works Assoc.

My service as the LeRoy Town Justice began over 20 years ago when I won my first election to the bench.  I hear almost 1600 cases per year. The Le Roy Town Court is self supporting and brings in revenue to offset the town budget.  As a sitting judge, I look at both sides of each case as the Constitution requires.  I  consider myself to be fair and above reproach.  I am a member in good standing of the Genesee County Magistrates Association and the American Judges Association. 

With your support I will continue to see to it that justice is served in the Le Roy court.

Kermit Arrington

Le Roy Fire is being dispatched to Tops Market, 128 W. Main St., for a general fire alarm.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: First responder, "Nothing showing."

UPDATE 12:48 p.m: Alarm company confirms, unintentional activation during maintenance.

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My name is Darryl Sehm and I am seeking the position of LeRoy Town Justice in the upcoming November 3rd election.

I have lived quietly in LeRoy for over 40 years and recently retired from a 34 year career in Law Enforcement.  I served 7 years as a Police Officer, 13 years as a Detective, 10 years as a Detective Sergeant, and the last 4 and 1/2 years as Chief of Police.

It was an honor and a privilege helping people in the community with their problems on

a daily basis.  It was very satisfying to be able to resolve conflicts, solve crimes and help restore some sense of order to victims' lives. 

I still have a strong desire to serve the public.  As I neared retirement I contemplated the idea of running for Town Justice sometime in the future.  This would allow me to continue to serve the public, except this time I would be able to serve the community in which I live.  This would provide me an opportunity to give something back to LeRoy.

If elected, I pledge to protect the rights of the people, be a stabilizing presence in LeRoy Town Court, and to be fair and impartial in the administration of justice. 

I was just recently endorsed by the Genesee County Deputy Sheriff's Association.  These are the road patrol Deputies that work throughout the County, including the Town of LeRoy and who assist the Village of LeRoy Police.  I was honored by their support and I feel it clearly demonstrates their faith in my ability to serve as a LeRoy Town Justice.  That being said, I feel it is my obligation to hold all police to a high standard in court if I am elected. 

During this campaign, I have knocked on the doors of over 2,000 residences in LeRoy.  It has been an honor to listen to the questions and opinions of so many people on their doorstep. 

I would greatly appreciate your support on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Darryl Sehm  

Three Genesee County companies made the 23rd Annual Democrat and Chronicle list of Top 100 companies in the region.

The local companies are: Lapp Insulators LLC, 130 Gilbert St., LeRoy; Liberty Pumps Inc., 7000 Apple Tree Ave., Bergen; and, Manning Squires Hennig Co. Inc., 8426 Seven Springs Road, Batavia.

Here's what the D&C says is criteria for making the list:

The Top 100 companies are ranked by revenue growth using a mix of dollar and percentage increases over the three most recent fiscal years. To be eligible, companies must be privately held, independent, have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue and headquarters in the Rochester region, which includes Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Livingston, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Seneca and Yates counties.

The D&C said the average growth rate for the Top 100 companies over the past two years was 25 percent.

My name is Jennifer Keys and I am a candidate for Town Council in Le Roy. I am running for office because I strongly believe that community involvement and public service are intrinsic responsibilities of citizens.  My husband and I chose Le Roy to raise our family for it’s unique qualities -- strong school district, beautiful picturesque village and rural values. We plan on making this community our home for many, many years to come.

I hold a Master’s degree in World History and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Political Science.   I left my full time job as a Care Coordinator at St. Joseph’s Villa to raise my family.  I also worked at Berkshire Farms as a respite care provider and as an adjunct instructor at Monroe Community College.

My community service experience includes my membership on the Le Roy PTSO, YWCA mentor program, former PAC-TAC (Police and Citizens Against Crime) volunteer scheduler,  former Rape Crisis Counselor and a Faith Haven “Friend” to teenage and young adult women in crisis pregnancies.  I also founded a neighborhood watch organization in the Swillburg neighborhood in Rochester, where we lived for 12 years.

While communities across NY have had unique challenges because of the recession, I also see opportunities for Le Roy and Western NY.  My issues include: economic development, where I see the empty storefronts and hope that we can attract locally owned businesses, “Green” energy integration, recreation (and particularly mitigating the Le Roy municipal pool to a conclusion that satisfies the community’s needs), and of course most of all, listening to the concerns of Le Roy citizens.  I feel that I can also bring budget and fiscal sound policies to the table.

The key to good government is an open dialog with the citizens.  If elected, I will make that a priority.

Kenardo Roshay Fields, 19, of 7 Watson St., Batavia, is charged with trespass. Fields was reportedly banned from College Village and was found there yesterday at 11:38 p.m. hiding under a bed.

Arnold D. Jock, of Hogansberg, is charged with trespass, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct/fighting. Jock was arrested by State Police at the Holiday Inn on Park Road, Town of Batavia, at 6:12 p.m. yesterday. No further details are available.

Joshua L. Baltz, 33, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Baltz was arrested by State Police in the Town of Batavia at 10:33 a.m. on Oct. 15. No further details available.

Jesse P. Boop, 20, of Avon, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Boop was arrested by State Police yesterday at 10:15 a.m. in the Town of Bethany. No further details are available.

Gary J. Dempsey, 42, of Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt and disorderly conduct. Dempsey was arrested by State Police in Le Roy at 11:11 a.m. yesterday. No further details are available.