Skip to main content

Le Roy

Candlelight vigil in Le Roy honors the memory of Joshua Mouery

By Howard B. Owens

More than 100 Le Roy High School students and community members attended a candlelight vigil tonight at the Le Roy Fire Hall in honor of Joshua Ian Mouery, who died six days ago at age 16.

The vigil was organized by Le Roy students Joseph Pratt, Josh Janiszeski and Amy Kaplun.

Pratt said Mouery was a best friend and urged all who attended to remember all of the good times with Josh and carry him in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

Man indicted on 16 counts involving six children under 17

By Billie Owens

These are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Marino M. Marasciulo III is indicted on 16 criminal counts, including third-degree rape, all alleged to have occurred in the Town of Bergen. In late January or early February, 2013, this adult over the age of 21, allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a person under 17, a Class E felony. In count two, the defendant is accused of allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with a person under 17, also a Class E felony. In count three of the indictment, the defendant is accused of forcible touching, a Class A misdemeanor. In or about July 2012, for intentionally and for no legitimate purpose, Marasciulo allegedly forcibly touched the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of degrading or abusing such person or for the purpose of gratifying the actor's sexual desire. In count four, Marasciulo is accused of a Class A misdemeanor, in or about July 2012, for allegedly knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less that 17 or directed or authorized such child to engage in an occupation involving substantial risk of danger to her life or health. In count five, the defendant is accused of the same conduct as in count four but in April or May 2013 and with a second child under 17. In counts six and seven (Summer of 2012), eight (Summer of 2012 -- May 2013) and nine (late January or early February 2013) the defendant is accused of the same conduct but with a third, fourth, fifth, and sixth child, respectively. The remaining seven counts, all Class A misdemeanors, are for unlawfully dealing with a child for allegedly providing alcohol to a person or persons under 21.

Shadow S. Jonathan is indicted for the crime of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony, for allegedly intending to cause, and causing, physical injury to another person or a third person by means of a dangerous instrument, a wooden beam, on Sept. 13 in the Town of Alabama. On the same date, the defendant is also accused of attempted assault in the second degree, a Class E felony, for allegedly intending to cause physical injury and attempting to cause such injury by means of a dangerous instrument, a metal stake.

Nicole M. Dellapenna is indicted for second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony, for allegedly intending to cause physical injury to another person, causing injury to the person or a third person by means of a dangerous instrument, a knife, in the Town of Le Roy of Aug. 24. She is accused of criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly knowingly possessing a dagger or dangerous knife or other dangerous instrument or weapon with intent to use the same unlawfully against another.

Matthew A. Beccue is indicted for allegedly driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony. On Nov. 22 in the City of Batavia, he drove a 1994 Chevrolet in the parking lot of a gas station and on Route 63 and on Liberty Street all while allegedly intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of aggravated driving while intoxicated, also a Class E felony, for allegedly have a BAC of .18 or more.

Law and Order: Registered sex offender turns himself in on change of address charge

By Howard B. Owens

Wayne D. Potter, 30, of Batavia, is charged with failure to notify of change of address and offering a false instrument for filing. Potter is a registered level 2 sex offender. He allegedly failed to register a change of address and turned himself in after learning police were looking for him. Potter was jailed without bail.

Stephen A. Lewis II, 33, of 14 Highland Park, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Lewis is accused of damaging the door of another tenant at 14 Highland Park, Batavia, with a shovel. Lewis was jailed on $1,000 bail.

James Rocco Soccio, 32, of Ross Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from an unregistered motor vehicle charge. Soccio posted bail and was released.

James J. Preedom, 29, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Preedom is accused of pushing another person during an alleged incident reported at 3:30 a.m., Monday. Preedom also allegedly broke a chair and damaged a wall.

Jeffrey W. Kuyal, 22, of 839 Chili Ave., lot J147, Churchville, is charged with petit larceny; Jazmin L. Kuyal, 25, of 66 Lake Street, Le Roy, is harassment, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. Jeffrey was arrested by Le Roy PD for allegedly shoplifting from a village business. As he was being led from the store by a police officer, Jazmin allegedly struck Jeffrey in front of police. Police say Jeffrey and Jazmin are cousins. When a police officer attempted to arrest Jazmin, Jazmin allegedly struggled with the officer and became combative, refusing to get into the patrol vehicle. Jazmin was also found to have a warrant out of Orleans County. Jazmin was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Mark Anthony Cicero, 45, of Dolbeer Street, Perry, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to obey traffic device. Cicero was stopped at 12:20 a.m. on Perry Road, Pavilion, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Randy J. Rowe, 32, of Rochester, was arrested as a fugitive and is also charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Rowe was arrested in the Town of Batavia on Monday by State Police. No further details released.

NOTE: The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is now posting a list of people with outstanding warrants. The list can be found on the county Web site under NEW Warrants. For the current list, click here (PDF).

Law and Order: Woman accused of hitting person's head with a brick

By Howard B. Owens

Rose H. Chiauzzi, 22, of 154 W. Court St., Warsaw, is charged with felony assault and criminal mischief, 4th. Chiauzzi allegedly grabbed a brick during an argument in the Village of Le Roy and struck the victim on the back of the head causing an injury that required an ambulance transport to an area hospital. Chiauzzi also allegedly damaged the windshield and sunroof of the victim's vehicle. Chiauzzi was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Jeffrey W. Scott, 31, of 14 Lake St., Apt. #3, Le Roy, is charged with issuing a bad check. Scott allegedly wrote a check based on insufficient funds at a business in the Village of Le Roy and then failed to make payment for the check.

Heather K. Wilcox-Villa, 43, of 9624 Clipnock Road, Stafford, is charged with petit larceny. Wilcox-Villa is accused of shoplifting at a business in the Village of Le Roy. She allegedly concealed a bottle of perfume in her purse and left the store without paying for it.

Marcus Allen Ciociola, 18, of West Main Street, Corfu, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Ciociola allegedly kicked another person during at dispute. He was jailed on $800 bail.

Andrei Peter Sliker, 23, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st. Sliker allegedly violated an order of protection. He was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Todd Patrick Gately, 22, of Long Pond Road, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, uninspected motor vehicle and failure to obey traffic device. Gately was stopped at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday on Townline Road, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Judith E. Peterson, 53, of Lancaster, is charged with DWI. State Police responded to a report at 11:18 p.m., March 23, on Bernd Road, Le Roy, of one vehicle striking a car parked in a driveway following a report of a domestic dispute. Troopers located Peterson walking on Bernd Road. State Police alleged Peterson was driving the vehicle that struck the parked car and then tried to leave the scene on foot. She allegedly failed field sobriety tests and had a BAC of .17.

Le Roy fire puts new Rescue 66 into service

By Howard B. Owens

The Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department dedicated a new truck Monday night and officially put it in service.

The truck is a 45-foot-long heavy rescue, Rescue 66, that replaces a Peterbuilt that was put into service in 1994.

A rescue carries no water. Rather it is filled with tools that can be used on every type of call a fire department might handle, from structure fires and accidents to water rescues.

In fact, the new truck contains a compartment just for an inflatable boat.

"We used to mount a steel boat on top of one of the pumpers and tie it down and drive down the road with a boat on top of a pumper," Chief Tom Wood said. "Now we have an inflatable boat in a compartment on a truck where it's always ready to go at a moments notice."

The cost of the truck was $690,000 and paid for by fire district taxes.

Among the trucks tools are cutting and spreading tools for vehicle extrication, various axes and saws and picks, a couple of extra hoses, brooms for brush fires and a cascade air tank system.

"It's basically a rolling tool box," Wood said.

The air tank system will give Le Roy the ability to refill air packs for City of Batavia fire as well as other departments in the county. Typically, Darien fire has responded to fires in the city to provide support on air pack supply, but the new truck will provide another option for City fire.

At 45-feet-long, Rescue 66 is among the biggest rescue trucks in the county.

It can carry six firefighters.

"It rolls on every call for us, whether it's a brush fire, because it's got rehab on it for heat, structure fire air, or just for manpower," Wood said. "If another department in the county calls for manpower, this is the truck that's going to go."

Deacon Dave Ehrhart performed the blessing for the truck and the department members who attended the ceremony.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer firefighter, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Chief Tom Wood shows off some of the tool storage on Rescue 66.

Compartment with inflatable boat, engine and water rescue gear.

'Baseball Furies' win LCCP dodgeball tournament

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Le Roy Christian Community Project hosted its 2nd annual tournament this past Saturday, March 22. Ten teams, consisting of 6-10 players competed in the all day tournament. The teams were: Gone Postal, Don’t Hassle the Hoff, The Rotarians, The Dodgefathers, Baseball Furies, Squad Grey, One Dodge Wonders, Perpetual Hedonism, Dirty Dodgers, and Boom Goes the Dynamite.

The teams and spectators came out to Our Lady of Mercy Parish Center in Le Roy to raise funds for the organization and enjoy a fun-filled day of competition.

The tournament ended with a match between Baseball Furies and Don’t Hassle the Hoff. Don’t Hassle the Hoff came from the losers bracket and took set 1 with a game count of 3-2, forcing a second and final set. It looked like team Don’t Hassle the Hoff was going to take the gold, leaping to a 2-0 start the second set, but Baseball Furies answered back with three straight wins to close out the tournament. Medals from Joe's Awards and Trophies of Batavia were awarded to each member of the team.

Overall Results:
1st Place - Baseball Furies
2nd Place - Don't Hassle the Hoff
3rd Place - Perpetual Hedonism
4th Place - Gone Postal
5th Place - One Dodge Wonders & Squad Grey
7th Place - Dirty Dodgers & Boom Goes the Dynamite
9th Place - The Dodgefathers & The Rotarians

Pictured are the tournament champions, the Team Baseball Furries: Jarrod Miner, Thomas Sigler, Brandon Dries, Tyler Streeter, Brad Streeter, Joe Chimino, Jamie Chimino, Joe Chimino, Sr. Jordan Charcola and Tim Ruffin.

Law and Order: Man accused of stealing more than $3K from grandmother

By Howard B. Owens

Bruce Jeramie Brade, 33, of Galloway Road, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and seven counts of forgery, 2nd. Brade allegedly stole checks from his grandmother over the course of several months in 2013 while he was living with her. The value of the checks allegedly totaled $3,680. Brade was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Landon Wayne Carroll, 32, of Buell Street, Akron, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Carroll was stopped at 12:32 a.m. Saturday on Oak Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards.

Samantha L .Tennity, 19, of Hall Street, Batavia, was arrested on a City Court Warrant. No further details released. Tennity was reported by the Sheriff's Office, also, as being arrested on a bench warrant from Town of Batavia Court. She was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

Tiffany M. Neal, 22, of 115 State St., upper, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Police responded to a call for assistance at Neal's residence and allegedly found Neal and her 1-year-old child living in "deplorable conditions." Neal was issued an appearance ticket. DSS assisted in the investigation.

Joshua L. Baltz, 37, of Old Meadow Lane, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Baltz is accused of shoplifting from Kwik Fill.

Lauralee Pacer, 28, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment. Pacer allegedly sent a man she knew 75 "unwanted and annoying text messages that served no legitimate purpose."

Samantha A. Bowles, 24, of East Main Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay a fine from a previous conviction on disorderly conduct. Bowles was jailed on $200 bail.

Joey Aaron Evans, 23, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to comply with drug court. Evans was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Chiyannon J. Bundy, 26, of Main Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear. Bundy was jailed on $200 bail.

Kyle Robert Washington, 24, of South Lake Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, public appearance under the influence of a narcotic or drug, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a public highway. Washington was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Saturday at 572 E. Main St., Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Tracy Lee Moore, 47, of Asbury Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, refusal to take breath test and failure to keep right. Moore was stopped 2:08 a.m. Sunday on Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Dalton Allan Long, 19, of West Main Street, Caledonia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Long is accused of possessing property that was reported stolen in Oakfield in September 2013.

Jeffrey L. Smith, 44, of Vinton Road, Irondequoit, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Smith is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart. Smith reportedly left in a vehicle and was located later, allegedly in possession of stolen property.

Michael Francis Hurley, 42, of Marine Drive, Buffalo, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient headlamps. Hurley was stopped at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Crash on bridge over Route 490, Le Roy responding

By Billie Owens

An injury accident is reported on a bridge over Route 490 in Le Roy. One car is blocking traffic. Le Roy fire and ambulance are responding.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: "Patient transported. Roadway cleared. Le Roy assignment back in service," says the chief on scene.

Le Roy PTSO hosts weeklong Scholastic Book Fair starting Monday

By Billie Owens

The Le Roy Parent Teacher Service Organization will host a weeklong Scholastic Book Fair beginning Monday, March 24, at Wolcott Street School.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 24-25; from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 26-27; and from 4 to 8 p.m. March 28.

Wolcott Street School is located at 2-6 Trigon Park. Find the Book Fair in Room 103.

Students, faculty and the community are invited to attend the event, which helps inspire children to become lifelong readers. Funds raised will help purchase books for classroom libraries at the school.

The Book Fair offers specially priced books and educational products, including popular series, award-winning titles, new releases, adult bestsellers, and other great reads from more than 100 publishers.

The Book Fair helps celebrate the monthlong Parents As Reading Partners initiative. Parents As Reading Partners — or PARP — is a collaborative effort among parents, staff, and community to build a reading partnership between the home and school. PARP programs encourage parents to read with their children for at least 15 minutes per day. Experts say learning to read is the single most important activity in a child’s education.

Book Fair customers may help the school build classroom libraries by purchasing books through the Classroom Wish List program. In addition, the Book Fair will feature the “All for Books” program, which allows youngsters to share the thrill of reading by donating loose change to purchase books from the Book Fair for students who can’t buy books and for classroom libraries.

Scholastic matches monetary donations with a donation of up to 1 million books, which go to national nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping families in need, such as the Kids in Distressed Situations and Kids In Need Foundation.

Thank You Le Roy

By Jennifer Keys

I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to serve you the last four years. I have learned a great deal during this time and look forward to public service again in the future. I completed most of what I started out to do and started a few new things too. It has been an amazing time that I am grateful for. Congratulations to my running mate, Bill Kettle; to Bob Taylor on winning re-election; and John Mangefrida for running and putting himself out there. Bill is an amazing candidate with awesome ideas and a great deal of energy. Having him in office is an exciting time for our community. Thank you so much to everyone who helped during the election and to everyone who voted. Thank you to my amazing family for all of your help and sacrifices the last four years. Don't give up on your ideas and vision; anyone who knows me knows I certainly won't.

Envision a Re-Charged Le Roy!

Incumbents get unexpected challenger in Corfu; Taylor and Kettle win in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

The only election in Genesee County tonight that was supposed to be contested was in Le Roy, but a last-minute write-in campaign in Corfu made that vote suddenly interesting.

Nick Skeet -- son of former mayor Todd Skeet -- decided just a week ago or so that he wanted to try and win a seat on the village board.

He got 17 write-in votes tonight, which wasn't enough to close the gap on incumbents Art Ianni (31 votes) and Ken Laurer (53 votes).

"I don't like some of the things going on at meetings," Skeet said after the votes were tallied. "I still don't like the way the village is being run. I think we can do a better job. I just think everything can done for the better interest of Corfu. There are details I don't like that I'd rather not get into."

Asked if he was targeting a specific incumbent with his write-in campaign, he said he wasn't. Asked to explain what was bothering him at meetings, he wouldn't go into details.

The village government has been a bit of a soap opera for about two years, ever since an investigation was opened into missing court funds. A year ago, Ralph Peterson was elected mayor and immediately became a controversial figure in local politics. Facing pressure to resign, Peterson took medical leave and has been on leave for about six months.

Meanwhile, in Le Roy, one incumbent won reelection and another lost.

The winners were Robert Taylor, a longtime village trustee, and Bill Kettle, a local businessman. Trustee Jennifer Keys lost as did challenger John Mangefrida.

Taylor had 279 votes, Kettle, 267, Mangefrida, 228 and Keys, 191.

To Le Roy, NY Village Residents - Vital Issues Before You For Your Consideration-Vote is Tomorrow, Tuesday, Village Hall

By Douglas Hill

Letter to the Editor: 

Bob Taylor’s and John Mangefrida’s political ad, they placed in the Le Roy Pennsyaver this week, is incorrect and misleading.  Decide for yourselves.  John is not running for re-election for Village Board Trustee, since he is not currently on the Village Board.  Trustee Jennifer Keyes and Trustee Bob Taylor are the only two running for re-election.  This is conspicuous in the title of Bob’s and John’s ad, yet only Bob speaks in this ad, as far as accomplishments, to currently being a Village Board Trustee in Le Roy.  Why?  It isn’t merely expedient to have had this ad go to print with what is an incorrect assertion that both Bob and John should be re-elected.  That is not possible for any voter or for all us to collectively re-elect them both!  It suggests, falsely that they are both currently on the Village Board. 

Also, while I used to deliver the D & C newspaper every morning to Bob Taylor’s house, when I was a teenager in Le Roy, and John Mangefrida and Jim Bonaquisti were in my high school graduating class in Le Roy, NY, these are not reasons one way or another for me to vote for them.  In the 20 years since I returned and have lived in Le Roy, NY, having returned as an adult, I have emphasized with new Le Roy residents, and old ones, that who we elect to represent us in our local Village and Town governments, should always be the most qualified candidate(s).  How long one has lived in Le Roy, NY, should not matter.  Each of our candidates on Tuesday have lived here for a number of years if that is how any of us decide who to vote for.   After 30 days of living in Le Roy, NY, one is qualified to vote here, and that for me is all that’s necessary to determine whether or not one is a Le Royan or not. 

What we need above all else in a candidate is intelligence, integrity, and current and well thought out ideas.  We need to elect people to our local public offices who are not looking for what will only lower our taxes, or make one or a few of us happy who may have clout here, but we need to elect individuals who will consider the impact now and in the future of his/her proposals and decisions.  A Le Roy Village Board Trustee should not do what is only expedient now, but should also consider the future impact of his/her votes. 

Bill Kettle is also running for the Village Board on Tuesday, and he and John Mangefrida are not currently on the Village Board.  But it is Jennifer Keyes and Bob Taylor who are running for re-election Tuesday, two who are currently leading us, and Bill Kettle is Director of the Le Roy Business Council, and the owner of the largest building on Main Street where his gym is located (Main and Mill Streets).  John said at the ‘Meet the Candidates Night,’ last week that he had been a Village Trustee in the past, but when he was or what he accomplished on the Board I don’t know.  
Our two current Village Trustees running for re-election, Jennifer Keyes, and Bob Taylor, are both taking a wait and see approach to the issue of whether our switch from a full-time code enforcement officer between the Village/Town to a part-time one, is enough. 

Jennifer Keyes, however is concerned that it won’t be enough, given that prior to the full-time one’s retirement there were complaints that full-time coverage wasn’t adequate.  Bill Kettle has stated that for the Village a part-time shared code enforcement officer, as we have now, isn’t going to be enough.  At the ‘Meet the Candidates’ Night’ last week, John cited the cost of a full-time one, and the need, we are told by the State is to consolidate and be cost effective with what services are provided by our Village.  John also cited the long length of time that can pass before a code enforcement violation is resolved, no matter how much coverage we have from a code enforcement officer.  He said the codes are written by the State, and they favor the property owner.

But, however long it takes to resolve a complaint or to determine that a code has been violated and then to determine whether or not the violation has been resolved, depends on whether there is enough time in a code-enforcement officers’ week to see that this is all accomplished.  The more code enforcement coverage we have, the more code complaints and violations can be responded to simultaneously, and the quicker, and the more consistently our Village properties will be up to code.  This is common sense. 

Maybe in the Town, that which is not a part of the Village, part-time will work, but consider this.  In the Village there are far more individual parcels and they are more densely situated, with far more structures on them, than in the Town.  I think, as someone who has restored a large home in Le Roy, where I live, 12 - 14 Church Street(s), and who has bought and torn down a four-unit tenement apartment house that was next door to my home (what was on the 14 Church Street property until 2001), I’m in a position to know about structures, 14 Church Street having been an example, that went without much maintenance for years, had obvious code violations, and could not be saved.  For years 14 Church Street was in very poor condition, yet fully rented.  I bought it to eliminate this blight on my neighborhood and on the Village of Le Roy. 

We need a full-time code enforcement officer for the Village.  Our homes, whether we own them, or rent, are our lives often, and whether or not our neighbors (often very close to us in the Village), take care of their properties has a health/safety/financial effect on each of us.  Not only that, but properties kept up are a boon to the Village that can then do more for the public because we have a larger tax base.  Our tax base shrinks the more we have properties not kept up.  And, our tax base has shrunk a lot in the past twenty years that I have been a resident here, having returned as an adult.  The result of a lower tax base is a decrease in services we can have such as full-time code enforcement, as only one of several examples in Le Roy, NY. 

A lower tax base has resulted in taxes being raised over the course of time on our properties even though they are worth less.  If any of us want to sell our properties and relocate, or to downsize and remain in Le Roy, potential buyers will compare our assessed property values and the tax rate here, with other properties and tax rates in other communities.  If Le Roy, NY’s properties, as seen by a potential buyer, will likely continue to lose value, and they have in the past, and if we have a higher tax rate, that buyer may buy elsewhere.  Wouldn’t you? 

Each of us who buys, owns, and then may list property here in Le Roy, wants to have the confidence that owning here is a comparatively good investment to where else we could live.    If we want Le Roy, NY, to remain steady in all respects and to possibly grow, than we have to be concerned with code enforcement.  We need a local Village of Le Roy government that supports our needs as individual property owners to be looked after.  We cannot individually do this on our own, and we need our local government to effectively and consistently provide this function to all of us. 

Please vote and please take the time to find out where the candidates stand on issues important to you.   Voting is on Tuesday, March 18th, at the Village Hall (corner of Main & Clay Streets, Routes 5 & 19), Le Roy, NY. 

Thanks for your time reading my thoughts and concerns for the Village of Le Roy, NY.  
Douglas Hill, Church Street, Le Roy. 

Driver can't get out of vehicle after striking tree on North Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A car is off the road and the driver says he's unable to get out after striking a tree in the area of 8673 North Road, Le Roy.

That's near the county line.

The driver denies any injuries.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

UPDATE 11:56 a.m.: Subject is out of the vehicle. Units still responding can back it down.

Munson Street closed to traffic for pump detail

By Billie Owens

Le Roy Fire Police are told to shut down Munson Street at both ends -- Wolcott and at Gilbert -- so a flooded basement can be pumped out.

UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is back in service.

Please Vote on March 18, 2014

By Jennifer Keys

I am up for re-election this year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity to serve you the last four years and to ask for your support in the election on 3/18/2014. I am endorsed by the Democratic, Conservative, and Re-Charge Le Roy Parties. Bill Kettle is running with me and makes an excellent candidate with local ties and a great deal of energy and ideas!

I campaigned on finding a solution to reopen the pool, the value of the comprehensive plan, coming up with a solution to blight, and working together with the Town Council. There have been some successes and some controversy; I’d like to take this opportunity and this excellent forum (thank you, Howard and Billie) to update you.

The pool was a very close call. Prior to my being sworn in the board voted to close it permanently. Fortunately, I was able to keep the dialogue going long enough for a group of citizens to come forward with a plan that called for private resources to fix and reopen it. Between the Town, the Village, and the Pool Committee we have been able to keep it running during the summer for our citizens to utilize. In addition, Jackie Whiting has been able to connect with recreation programs from other communities to open it for their use as well. There is even a scholarship fund to assist people in need with pool memberships. This year was a record breaking year for usage thanks to the concerned citizens who believed it was important enough to use their own resources on. The pool required working with two levels of local government, reaching across parties, and utilizing citizen expertise.

I have attended several government workshops conducted by the NYCOM (New York Conference of Mayors) and Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council to learn more about code, planning, and comprehensive plans. The state places great importance on comprehensive plans, including requiring them for grant applications. We have been working to come up with a cost effective way to update our plan without increasing the burden on tax payers. I continue to advocate for it, to reference it in decision making, and to learn more about it and its uses. According to the state it is worthy of the public effort that went into making it.

Blighted buildings are a big issue for us. As you probably recall even our Town Supervisor, Steve Barbeau, campaigned on that issue. They are unattractive in general, but particularly when they line the corridors to our community for everyone to see. This is an issue that I continue to work on with the Village Board and our Town Supervisor. As a Town we have a new code enforcement officer who has recently completed all of his training. The Town Supervisor works closely with him to address this issue with our input. Some of the solutions out there are costly to tax payers. Recently, though, this has been an issue that the Attorney General has become very interested in and my running mate, Bill Kettle, and I will work with his office to utilize their resources to get the job done. Le Roy is a picturesque community that anyone would be lucky to live in.

Our Village Board has a great working relationship with our Town Board. Supervisor Barbeau is accessible and easy to work with and the lines of communication have opened up a great deal. I have personally worked on code, blight, National Historic Registry, and the website with him. I will continue to work with the Town Board as you deserve seamless government.

I have also worked on a few things that I did not campaign on. I voted to support a letter from our board to our state officials asking them to take another look at the Safe Act. I developed the Main Street Revitalization Committee and am in constant contact with Main Street Businesses and Building owners. We have been working for the last year, at their request, towards an application for National Historic Registry Status for Main Street and a portion of West Main. This is an honorary status that opens up tax credits and other funding streams for building owners to help them maintain their properties and even do updates. There are no restrictions on status, only on public money that may be used by owners. Owners who use their own funds or private funds are free to do as they wish to their buildings.

There has been healthy debate on controversial issues, including the Wiss and Robbins Nest. While people may disagree with my votes on some of these topics please understand that my votes are always based on numerous conversations with constituents and an analysis of the cost versus benefit of each situation. I research every topic in depth and always seek and welcome feedback from everybody.  You elected me to represent you and I take that very seriously.

I am sure we do not always agree on issues, but I believe that we all agree that Le Roy is a beautiful and wonderful community to raise a family. I have worked very hard for you over the last four years and will continue to do so. This is the community we chose and I will continue to try to make it the place where all of our children want to raise their families as well. You will find that my running mate has a similar vision and drive, so please consider supporting both of us on Election Day. With Bill Kettle and Jennifer Keys you get Re-Charged Trustees who look towards the future. When you “Envision Le Roy” what do you see? 

I am always accessible, your voice counts, trusteekeys@rochester.rr.com.

Le Roy candidates love their community, residents concerned about delapidated properties

By Howard B. Owens

Village living conditions were of the greatest concern to residents at a candidates' forum in Le Roy on Monday night.

Property upkeep by landlords and homeowners, vacant and abandoned properties, the care for the village demonstrated by downtown business owners, and the condition of streets and sidewalks were all touched on by residents at some point.

Meanwhile, the candidates talked of their love for Le Roy and desire to make the village a place where people want to live and raise families.

"We choose to live here," said Jennifer Keys. "We're not lifelong residents. We're here because it's a great community. You can walk down the street after dark and be safe. I love the architecture. The community. These are things we can sell to get other people to come here."

Keys, who won her first term on the village council four years ago, is seeking reelection along with incumbent Robert Taylor. There are two four-year terms up for election and joining the fray in the March 18 election are John Mangefrida and William Kettle.

Keys opened the forum in the dining room of the Greens of Le Roy by talking about her first bid for election four years ago. She campaigned on the pool, the comprehensive plan, working better with the town, and the matter of blighted houses. She said she was able to work with others to help get the pool reopened, which now serves record numbers of patrons, communications with the town have improved, and the council is still working on the comprehensive plan. Blighted houses, she said, remain an issue.

Kettle noted his dedication to the village as a Main Street property and business owner.

"If you're going to be in the game, you've got to be able to step up to the plate and I'm willing to do that," Kettle said. "I'm committed to Le Roy. I'm invested. I'm vested. I love Le Roy, as everybody here on the board does."

Mangefrida, whose been a trustee before, said he decided to run again because he loves the village. He recalled that during his military duty he knew he could count on the people of the community to help watch over and care for his family.

"It isn't about policies," Mangefrida said. "It's about maintaining the quality of life in Le Roy. We need to take care of our infrastructure and take care of the things that have gotten us here. If elected, I'm going to listen to everyone and make informed decisions and represent the people of Le Roy."

Taylor noted that except for the years he was away in college, he's lived his entire 72 years in Le Roy.

"We do this because we all love the community, and that's the only reason," Taylor said. "Without a good foundation, nothing lasts forever, and we've lasted a long time because Le Roy has a good foundation."

When the Q&A started, much of the discussion focused on vacant and abandoned housing. It's a vexing problem because these are typically properties that the banks refuse to foreclose on because it's cheaper just to pay the taxes and any fines related to lack of upkeep.

There's also a problem with property owners -- both landlords and homeowners -- who let their property fall into disrepair to the point of them being a nuisance to neighbors and other residents.

 "We all have a right to live in a village that is kept up and if it takes a sharp stick, then we need code enforcement that does it," Kettle said.

These are tough problems, Taylor said.

"The amount of problems we have are not going to be fixed in 10 minutes, but they are being addressed," Taylor said.

One resident called for a full-time code enforcement officer.

Mangefrida took a realist tact to the question and said the money to pay for a full-time officer, rather than a shared part-time officer with the town, would have to come from somewhere.

"Do we hire a full-time code enforcement officer?" Mangefrida asked. "If we hire a full-time code enforcement officer with the current budget are we willing do without one of our part-time police officers? Because that's what it's coming down to in running a village in the State of New York."

Another residents probed candidates on how much they know about the comprehensive plan, which he suggested needed to be revised to meet changing times.

Keys said the plan was last revised in 2007 and has been under review during her time in office.

John Mangefrida

William Kettle

Robert Taylor

Jennifer Keys

Law and Order: Vine Street resident allegedly threatens EMS personnel after requesting help

By Howard B. Owens
Tonia Doell

Tonia M. Doell, 44, of 14 Vine St., Batavia, is charged with three counts of menacing, 2nd, one count of criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of attempted assault, 2nd. Doell is accused of requesting medical assistance at 2:21 p.m. and when Mercy EMS personnel arrived at her residence and attempted to enter, Doell allegedly threatened them with a kitchen knife. Doell was arraigned and jailed without bail.

Jason D. Lang, 27, and Ashley R. Keene, 26, both of 244 Liberty St., Batavia, are charged with grand larceny, 4th. Lang and Keene are accused of stealing 10 pairs of eyeglass frames valued at more than $1,600 from the Lencrafters location in Hamburg. Hamburg detectives received several calls identifying Lang and Keene as the suspects after police posted pictures of the shoplifting suspects on Facebook and Buffalo media outlets picked up the story. Upon further investigation, Lang and Keene were asked to appear at Hamburg PD and did so voluntarily. Hamburg detectives report that Lang and Keene confessed to the theft. They were issued appearance tickets.

Pamela Kristene Goerss, 43, of Oak Hill Road, Silver Springs, is charged with DWI, speed not reasonable and prudent, unlicensed operator, leaving the scene of an accident and parked in roadway. Goerss was reportedly operating a 2011 Volkswagan Jetta southbound on Perry Road at 3:16 a.m. Sunday when she was involved in an accident. The other vehicle left the scene. Goerss also allegedly tried to drive away from the scene, but her vehicle became disabled. The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the other vehicle and driver. Anybody with information can contact Deputy Frank Bordonaro at (585) 343-5000. Goerss was jailed on $500 bail.

Brian Lee Smith, 52, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd, and aggravated family offense, a felony. Smith is accused of yelling a vulgar word at the victim, who has an active order of protection in place, Smith allegedly yelled at the victim while she was in her own driveway. Smith was jailed on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.

Bryan R. Bartholomew, 27, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Bartholomew allegedly violated an order of protection by being at the residence of the protected party. Bartholomew was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Matthew D. Derrick, 29, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Derrick is accused of being involved in a domestic incident March 6.

Dariel A. Giffith, 21, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Griffith is accused of striking another person in the hand during a dispute on South Swan Street at 4:56 p.m. March 6.

Jon David Vega, 48, of 78th Street, Howard Beach, was arrested on two bench warrants for alleged failure to appear. Vega was arrested upon his release from the Monroe County Jail on unrelated charges. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

Christina M. Colantonio, 27, of Snipery Road, Corfu, is accused of failure to appear after appearance ticket served. Colantonio was located walking westbound on West Main Street near Union Street by Officer James DeFreze and she was arrested on an active warrant. Colantonio posted $500 bail and was released.

Heather Daffney Stone, 19, of Elwood Drive, Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant related to a third-degree burglary charge. Stone was released from Monroe County Jail on an unrelated matter and taken into custody on the burglary charge. Stone was held without bail.

Johnny Uylesse Troche, 28, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd. Troche allegedly threatened another person with a knife at 9:26 p.m. Saturday.

Francisco Rodriguez, 37, of Portland Avenue, Rochester, is charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes. Rodriguez was stopped at 8:43 p.m. Saturday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, for alleged failure to dim high beams by Deputy Joseph Corona. Rodriguez was allegedly found in possession of more untaxed cigarettes than legally allowed.

Christina Sandra Baudanza, 37, no address given, was arrested on a Family Court warrant. Baudanza was arrested upon her release from the Wyoming County Hospital. She was arraigned in Family Court and released to a social service worker who took her to temporary housing.

Katie Lee Winnie, 20, of Exchange Street, Attica, was arrested on bench warrants related to charges of petit larceny and possession of marijuana. Winnie allegedly failed to appear for a court date in the Town of Batavia. She turned herself in and was jailed on $500 bail.

Eric X. Williams, 22, of Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 10:46 p.m. on Feb. 24. No further details released.

Joshua J. Clark, 37, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Clark was stopped at 1:50 a.m. Friday at the junction of routes 5 and 63 by State Police.

Woman given second chance on drunken driving charge sent to jail for six months

By Howard B. Owens

A Pavilion mother twice arrested under provisions of Leandra's Law will have to serve six months in jail after blowing a chance to avoid lockup given to her by Judge Robert C. Noonan a year ago.

Angela R. Kruse, 42, will also be on probation for five years.

Kruse was first arrested in Le Roy for driving drunk with her children in her car in June 2012. She was arrested again four months later in Wyoming County following a rollover accident.

Kruse appeared before Noonan last March after going through rehab and was told if she could stay out of trouble for 11 months she could have a chance to put her Genesee County charge behind her, but she violated the terms of her release and appeared before Noonan again today to answer for the lapse.

Authentically Local