Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association
  • Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association (UMNA)
  • 🏘️About The Neighborhood
    • Points of Interest
    • Hills & Parks
    • Gardens & Gardening
    • Neighborhood History & Lore
      • Ice Skating On Lake Riley In Cobbs Hill Park
      • Thousands Of Bodies Buried In Upper Monroe! Where Are They?
      • The R&ERR Brought Rapid Growth To Upper Monroe
    • Businesses & Non-Profits
  • ✍️Join UMNA
    • Current Members
    • Information & Requirements
    • Privacy Policy
  • 💵Donate
    • Donor List
  • 💪Get Involved
    • Help create a friendlier neighborhood
    • Help revitalize Monroe Avenue
    • #ShareTheCare of our community gardens
    • Help preserve, enhance & celebrate the historic and unique characteristics found in Upper Monroe
  • 📃2025 Work Plan & Budget
    • 2025 UMNA Work Plan
    • 2025 UMNA Budget
    • Multi-year Monroe Avenue Revitalization Plan
  • 🆕Programs
    • Adopt-A-Block
    • Block-By-Block
    • Fire Extinguisher Giveaway
    • Garden Stroll In Upper Monroe
    • Neighbors In Need
    • Neighbor-To-Neighbor
    • Public Art Projects
    • Sign Replacement & Banners
    • Students In Need
    • Resources for Renters
      • Property Condition Related Issues
      • Eviction Related Issues
      • Rent Stabilization Related Issues
      • Additional information
  • 📣Hot Topics
    • Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition (MARC)
      • Monroe Avenue Community Mobilization
        • GlowMonroe | Beautification & Livability
          • Adopt-A-Block
        • GrowMonroe | Economic Development
          • Monroe Fresh Finds Community Garage Sale
        • SafeMonroe | Public Safety & Crime
          • Homelessness, poverty & vagrancy along the Monroe Avenue Corridor
    • Landmark Status For All Of Cobbs Hill Park
      • The Backstory: Two Pavilions, Two Standards
      • What About A Master Plan for Cobbs Hill Park?
    • Road Related Construction or Redesign Projects
      • PROJECT: 2025 Preventative Maintenance Project (Culver/University)
    • Public Safety Task Force
      • List of Recent Incidents
        • Vehicle Vandalism
        • Conflicts associated with vagrant individuals
        • Conflicts associated with a group of juveniles
    • Code Compliance "High Priority" Cases
      • Case: Vacant Properties on Crosman Terrace
      • Case: Parking Lot - Code Compliance & Maintenance
    • Care Of Our Green Streetscape
    • Invasive Species & Pests
    • Conversion to LED Streetlights
    • Cobbs Hill Village Redevelopment
    • Zoning Alignment Project (ZAP)
      • ZAP Community Engagement Through January, 2024
      • ZAP Final Phase
    • Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
      • COMPLETED | 297 Rosedale Street | Variance Application | Public Hearing May 22, 2025
  • 🗓️Events & Meetings
    • Sunday, June 22nd | UMNA General Meeting
    • Thursday, July 10th | Outdoor Lawn Games in Cobbs Hill Park
    • Saturday, July 12th | Monroe Fresh Finds Community Garage Sale
    • Tuesday, August 5th | National Night Out
    • Wednesday, August 6th | Outdoor Lawn Games in Cobbs Hill Park
    • Saturday, August 9th | Monroe Fresh Finds Community Garage Sale
    • Thursday, September 11th | Outdoor Games in Cobbs Hill Park
    • Saturday, September 13th | Monroe Fresh Finds Community Garage Sale
    • Online Calendar Link
    • 2025
      • Saturday, June 14th | Ladybug Day
      • Saturday, June 14th | Monroe Fresh Finds Community Garage Sale
      • 2025 May 18: Plant Exchange + Lemonade Social
      • 2025 May 15: Bird Walk In The Grove
      • 2025 May 3: CLEAN & PREEN
      • 2025 March 16th: UMNA Annual Meeting
      • 2025 February 5: Security & Public Safety | MARC ACTION TEAM
      • 2025 February 3: Community Forum on Vehicle Vandalism/Theft, Homelessness & Other Concerns
      • 2025 February 3: Economic Development | MARC ACTION TEAM
      • 2025 January 28: Beautification & Livability | MARC ACTION TEAM
      • 2025 January 25 | Discussion: Conversion to LED Streetlights
    • 2024
      • 2024 December 2nd | Help Reboot Monroe Avenue
      • 2024 November 30th: Small Business Saturday
      • 2024 November 13: UMNA General Meeting
      • 2024 November 10th: Monroe Branch Library 110th Anniversary Celebration
      • 2024 October 29: Results of the Monroe Avenue Revitalization Community Input Survey
      • 2024 October 19: Plant Exchange + Cider Social
      • 2024 October 14: Sunrise Ceremony | Indigenous Peoples Day
      • 2024 October 1: 2025 Preventative Maintenance Project Public Meeting #2
      • 2024 September 7th: Discussion of Public Safety in the Pinnacle Rd Area
      • 2024 September 5th: Exploring The Architectural Heritage of Upper Monroe
      • 2024 August 31st: Vacant Properties on Crosman Terrace
      • 2024 August 29: Guided Walk Through Washington Grove
      • 2024 August 21: A discussion about bringing "Garden Walk" to Upper Monroe
      • 2024 August 20: Informal UMNA leaders conversation at TRATA
      • 2024 August 14: Help tidy up Monroe Avenue with Walking For Rochester
      • 2024 June 27: Ladybug Day
      • 2024 June 24: Informal UMNA leaders conversation at Bar Bad Ending
      • 2024 June 19 & 22: Invasive Plant Removal on Pinnacle Hill
      • 2024 June 20: Monroe Avenue Community Input Launch Party
      • 2024 June 12: UMNA General Meeting
      • 2024 May 23: Plant Exchange + Lemonade Social
      • 2024 May 21: Informal UMNA leaders conversation at Bar Bad Ending
      • 2024 May 11: Restore The Children's Garden
      • 2024 May 4: Clean & Preen | City of Rochester Clean Sweep Program
      • 2024 April 25: Walking Tour of Washington Grove
      • 2024 April 23: Informal UMNA leaders conversation at TRATA
      • 2024 April 16: 2025 Preventative Maintenance Project Public Meeting #1
      • 2024 March 30: Tidy Up Monroe Ave For Eclipse Visitors
      • 2024 March 23: UMNA Annual Meeting
      • 2024 February 13: Alternatives to a downtown Business Improvement District
      • 2024 January 13: Special Meeting regarding the Zoning Alignment Project
    • 2023
      • 2023 November 14th: General Meeting
      • 2023 October, 27th: "Thousands Of Bodies Buried In Upper Monroe! Where Are They?"
      • 2023 September 10th: Monroe Avenue Clean-up with Walking For Rochester
      • 2023 September 7th: Guided Walk Through Washington Grove
      • 2023 August 31st: "Architecture In The Wild: Exploring Upper Monroe"
      • 2023 August 19th: #UMNAsocial at Cobbs Hill Park
      • 2023 August 3rd: #UMNAsocial at TRATA
      • 2023 July 30th: Monroe Avenue Clean-up with Walking For Rochester
      • 2023 June 15th: Guided Walk Through Washington Grove
      • 2023 June 6th: General Meeting
      • 2023 April 29th: Clean & Preen | Clean Sweep
      • 2023 13th & 15th April: #UMNAsocial
      • 2023 April 4th: General Meeting
  • 📰Newsletters
    • e-News June 13, 2025 (Special Edition)
    • e-News June 8, 2025
    • e-News June 3, 2025
    • e-News May 27, 2025
    • e-News May 22, 2025
    • e-News May 17, 2025 (Special Edition)
    • e-News May 12, 2025
    • e-News May 8, 2025
    • e-News April 28, 2025
    • e-News April 15, 2025
    • e-News March 28, 2025
    • e-News March 14, 2025
    • e-News March 7, 2025
    • e-News February 19, 2025
    • e-News February 10, 2025
    • e-News February 3, 2025
    • e-News January 27, 2025 (Special Edition)
    • e-News January 23, 2025
    • e-News January 17, 2025
    • e-News January 08, 2025
    • e-News December 28, 2024 (Special Edition)
    • e-News December 19, 2024
    • e-News December 13, 2024
    • e-News December 2, 2024 (Special Edition)
    • e-News November 27, 2024
    • e-News November 21, 2024
    • e-News November 11, 2024
    • e-News November 4, 2024
    • e-News October 27, 2024
    • e-News October 16, 2024
    • e-News October 10, 2024
    • e-News September 13, 2024
    • e-News September 3, 2024
    • e-News August 29, 2024
    • e-News August 22, 2024
    • e-News August 13, 2024
    • e-News August 7, 2024
    • e-News July 30, 2024
    • e-News July 22, 2024
    • e-News July 15, 2024
    • e-News July 11, 2024 (Special Edition)
    • e-News July 08, 2024
    • e-News July 02, 2024
    • e-News 2024 ARCHIVE
    • e-News 2023 ARCHIVE
  • 🚓Police & Public Safety
    • Police Reports
    • Volunteer Involvement
    • Fire Department
  • 🚛City Services
  • 📚Monroe Branch Library
  • 📞Voting, Elections & Elected Officials
    • Voting
    • Elections
    • Elected Officials
  • 🛠️Contractor & Business Services List
  • 🌟Awards & Recognition
    • Pinnacle Award for long-term commitment to Upper Monroe
    • Reservoir Award for community building in Upper Monroe
    • Wendell Harrison Award for business commitment to Upper Monroe
    • Highland Award for commercial or rental property ownership in Upper Monroe
    • Portage Award for organizational partnership with Upper Monroe
    • Crosman Award for a notable gardenscape in Upper Monroe
    • Culver-Cobb Award for the notable restoration or improvement of the exterior of a residence
  • 📧Contact
  • ⛓️Information & Links About Rochester Neighborhood Groups
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On this page
  • Voice/Text
  • Social Media Links
  • The UMNA Leadership Team
  • Officers
  • Community Connectors

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📧Contact

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PreviousCulver-Cobb Award for the notable restoration or improvement of the exterior of a residenceNextInformation & Links About Rochester Neighborhood Groups

Last updated 8 days ago

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Email

umna@uppermonroe.org

Voice/Text

585-542-8310

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uppermonroe/

NextDoor: https://nextdoor.com/pages/upper-monroe-neighborhood-association-rochester-ny/


The UMNA Leadership Team

Officers

President, Rome Celli | umna@uppermonroe.org | 585-542-8310

Rome is a 64 year old Rochester native. He has been a NYS licensed real estate broker for over 40 years. Rome has had quite a bit of experience serving as board president of community groups including two other neighborhood associations, many non-profits as well as president of a local town chamber of commerce and an elected member of a local school board. Rome served for one year as interim president of UMNA in 2023 before being elected president in March, 2024 and then re-elected in 2025.

Rome lives on Werner Park.

Rome's term as president ends in 2026. His term as a board member also ends in 2026.

Vice President, Tim Guyot | vp@uppermonroe.org

Tim has been in Monroe county since 2005 and moved to Upper Monroe in 2018. He appreciates the vibrance and variety in our neighborhood and is ready to engage more to support the neighborhood goals. He's held various positions on the board of the Rochester Amateur Radio Association for the past 8 years, and is familiar with the operation of local not-for-profit organizations. His current areas of interest for the neighborhood are maintenance and improvement initiatives, encouraging support for local businesses, and bringing attention to nearby activities and attractions. Tim was first elected to the position of VP in 2024. He was re-elected to that position in 2025.

Tim lives on Alliance Avenue.

Tim's term as vice president ends in 2026. His term as a board member also ends in 2026.

Treasurer, Patrick Casey | treasurer@uppermonroe.org

Patrick was born in California and later moved to go to school. More recently he lived for a time on Long Island before settling here in Rochester. Patrick purchased his first home in Upper Monroe a little over one year ago with his husband, Emiliano Brini. Patrick is currently a data analyst for RIT’s Institutional Research, Data, and Analytics. Both Patrick and Emiliano have been an active members of UMNA since the day they moved into their home; participating at meetings as well as social events. Patrick was elected Treasurer in 2025.

Patrick lives on Suter Terrace.

Patrick's term as treasurer ends in 2026. His term as a board member ends in 2027.

Secretary, Rebecca Seal | secretary@uppermonroe.org

Rebecca moved to the Upper Monroe neighborhood with her husband John in 2014, and works as an occupational therapist for the Rochester City School District. She was and still is attracted to this neighborhood for its diversity, dog friendly vibes, proximity to the city, and abundance of parks within walking distance. While Rebecca is new to serving on a community board, she looks forward to being part of a team that supports the vitality, safety, and respect of all our neighbors. Rebecca was first elected to the role of board Secretary in 2024. She was re-elected in 2025.

Rebecca lives on Alliance Avenue.

Rebecca's term as secretary ends in 2026. Her term as a board member also ends in 2026.

Community Connectors

Each Community Connector is associated with a particular geographic area of Upper Monroe. Click on each name to see a photo of the individual and a map of the area covered.

Click to learn more about the UMNA Community Connector program and contact us.

Kelly Abernathy | Culver Road, Hinsdale Street (section), Werner Park | kelly@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Kelly grew up in the Finger Lakes region and settled in Rochester after living out of state for 30 years. She and her husband landed in the Upper Monroe neighborhood and found it has ideal access to all the things they love about Rochester. Kelly is a therapist, transformational coach, advocate and activist. She loves running, hiking, vintage and working on her house. Upper Monroe has been providing ample opportunities to engage in the activities Kelly is most passionate about. She hopes to support UMNA’s efforts to continue to enhance a beautiful, dynamic and connected neighborhood where everyone feels safe and included.

Kelly lives on Werner Park. Her term will expire in 2027.

Kristen Ashley | Crosman Terrace (section), Pinnacle Road (section), Shepard Street (all) | kristen@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Kristen originally moved to Upper Monroe and the 2 family she owns on Shepard Street in July 2008. After six years, her family with two growing boys moved to Brighton. She returned about 2.5 years ago after the boys grew up. She was thankful to come back to a neighborhood she knew and reconnect with neighbors here. She is now the proud owner and landlord of the Shepard Street house. She looks forward to continuing to participate and connect even more with neighbors in the neighborhood.

Kristen lives on Shepard Street. Her term will expire in 2027.

Janet Clarke-Hazlett | Pinnacle Road (section), Rosedale Street (section), and Roosevelt Street (all) | janet@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Janet has lived in the Rochester area for almost 50 years, 11 of them in the Upper Monroe neighborhood. She is an enthusiastic promoter of Upper Monroe, especially our friendly neighbors and supportive businesses. Now retired from a career as an academic and school librarian, Janet is an avid walker, volunteer, quilter, traveler, and devoted Grandma. She has experience managing the finances of an HOA. Janet steps into this new role after serving as UMNA treasurer in 2024.

Janet lives on Roosevelt Street. Her term will expire in 2026.

Jennie Dickerson Gemignani | Avondale Park, Belmont Street and Hinsdale Street (section), Rosedale Street (section) | jennie@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Jennie Gemignani and her family, including a spouse, three children, two cats, and one dog, chose Rochester as their new home in late 2021. Of the nine different places she has called "home," Rochester is the favorite.

When she's not sitting on her front porch on Avondale Park, Jennie enjoys reading, writing, and CrossFit.

With a background in education and human resources, Jennie looks forward to making connections that help Upper Monroe feel like a welcoming place for everyone.

Jennie lives on Avondale Park. Her term will expire in 2027.

Peter House | Engel Place (all), Field Street (section), Laburnam Crescent (section) and and Pinnacle Road (section) | peter@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Information about Peter will be posted soon.

Peter lives on Laburnam Crescent. His term will expire in 2027.

Daniel Jones | Harwood Street (all), Laburnam Crescent (section), Luzerne Street (all), Overdale Street (all), Palisade Park (all) and Suter Terrace (all) | daniel@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Daniel has lived in the Monroe Ave area since 1999 and in the Upper Monroe area (Palisade Park) for over 23 years. Daniel joined UMNA in 2024, in part because he personally experienced the positive benefits of what a community and neighbors coming together for a greater cause can achieve. He hopes to bring that same experience as a Community Connector to the neighborhood he loves. Daniel lives in Palisade Park with his wife Julie and dog Honey. He is self-employed as an independent instructor providing older adults with computer, internet, mobile and social networking skills to enhance their lives and keep them connected.

Daniel lives on Palisade Park. His term will expire in 2027.

Fatima Razic | Crosman Terrace (section), Field Street (section), Laburnum Crescent (section) and Pinnacle Road (section) | fatima@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Fatima is a widely known professional songwriter, producer, actress, model as well as a successful entrepreneur and business owner. Originally a refugee from Bosnia, a small country on the Balkan peninsula, Fatima bought her home on Crosman Terrace in 2022 and is living her American dream. She was featured on the cover of Rochester Women Magazine last year with an in-depth article. Over recent months she's organized two informal mixers at her home in an effort to bring neighbors together. She also happens to be a big fan of DIY home improvement projects so you might see her getting dirty in her back yard. Her goals include building bridges in the neighborhood and helping to keep the positive momentum in our area moving!

Fatima lives on Crosman Park. Her term will expire in 2027.

Jeanne Weber | Alliance Avenue (all), Pinnacle Road (section) | jeanne@uppermonroe.org

Click image to enlarge.

Jeanne and her husband purchased their home in Upper Monroe on Alliance Avenue in 1990. Volunteering in the Neighborhood for 30 years and watching their neighborhood grow in many ways has been gratifying. Jeanne is currently retired and teaches skiing, enjoys hiking and kayaking.

Jeanne lives on Alliance Avenue. Her term will expire in 2027

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