2025 March 16th: UMNA Annual Meeting

All UMNA meetings are FREE and open to the public. General meetings provide information & encourage discussion. Business/Annual meetings include decision-making. Only UMNA members may vote.

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2025 March 16th: UMNA Annual Meeting

All UMNA meetings are FREE and open to the public. General meetings provide information & encourage discussion. Business/Annual meetings include decision-making. Only UMNA members may vote.

Day, Date & Time:

Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm

Location:

The Lodge at Lake Riley in Cobbs Hill Park <>

This program is FREE and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of UMNA to attend.

Photos from the meeting

Official Meeting Minutes

Below you will find the text of remarks by Trish Corcoran that capture some important information about this area. Please scroll on the embedded document to read the complete text.

Meeting Agenda

Program presentation

We'll celebrate our neighborhood's love affair with Cobbs Hill Park by getting a first look at the newly renovated Lodge at Lake Riley. Then we’ll hear about Cobbs Hill Park from several presenters. Alvin Mitchell will talk about community basketball in Cobbs Hill Park and his efforts to support that community by cooking and giving away free food. Trish Corcoran will connect the long history of Cobbs Hill Park with Native Peoples. Peter Debes will talk about the new name for a group that supports Rochester's only urban old growth forest located in Cobbs Hill park and why the new name is important. Tom Pastecki will talk about the ongoing effort to expand Landmark Site status to sections of Cobbs Hill Park that are not currently recognized or protected.

Some background about the presenters

Alvin Mitchell, informal "Mayor" of Cobbs Hill Park

Most people know Alvin because he cooks and distributes free food to anyone who wants it next to the basketball courts during warm weather. Some will also refer to Alvin as "the commissioner" of basketball in Cobbs Hill Park, too. Alvin lives in Upper Monroe on Palisade Park. When he's not cooking or organizing basketball, you'll commonly see Alvin working out on the physical fitness equipment or jogging in Cobbs Hill Park.

Trish Corcoran, educator and co-chair of the Indigenous People's Day Committee

Trish (she/her) (Tonawanda Onondowaga, Bear Clan) is a mother of two and one generation removed from Indian Boarding School. She is a member of the Tonawanda Onondowaga and a teacher at The Harley School. Trish has done costume and prop design for theater. She has Montessori training and a BFA from RIT. In the past Trish has been a professional ice hockey coach and trainer (from beginners to Olympians and NHL). She is a naturalist and steward of the Harley Pollinator Garden. Trish is currently a member of the Indigenous People's Day Committee, Tonawanda Historical Society and Seventh Generation Land Defenders.

Peter Debes, newly elected president of the board of directors of Friends Of The Grove.

Peter, who grew up next to The Grove, is a retired high school science teacher in the Rochester City School District and a professional naturalist. For many years he led eco-tours with a company he co-founded in Rochester, Nature Discoveries, Inc. In addition to working along side many community volunteers in The Grove, he has served on the board for many, many years.

Tom Pastecki, vice president of the ABC Street Neighborhood Association.

Tom is currently VP of the ABC Streets Neighborhood Association. He has also served in a variety of roles on the ABC Street NA board including a stint as president. Among the many projects Tom led over the years he has a long history of supporting Cobbs Hill Park. The photo above shows Tom speaking before the Rochester Preservation Board in support of the application to expand Landmark site status to areas of Cobbs Hill Park that are currently unprotected.

Annual Business Meeting

a. Final report for 2024

b. Proposed Slate of Board Members (two year terms)

Community Connector: Kelly Abernathy, resident of Werner Park

Area: Werner Park, Culver Road, Hinsdale Street (portion)

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's term will expire in 2027.

Community Connector: Kristen Ashley, resident of Shepard Street

Area: Shepard Street, Crosman Terrace, Pinnacle Road (portion)

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's term will expire in 2027.

Community Connector: Janet Clarke-Hazlett, resident of Roosevelt Street

Area: Rosedale Street, Roosevelt Street, Pinnacle Road (portion)

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, and is interested in being more involved in UMNA. Janet steps into this new role after serving as UMNA treasurer for the past year.

Janet is a current board member. Her term will expire in 2026.

At Large: Patrick Casey

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.

If elected at this meeting, Patrick's term will expire in 2027. Patrick lives on Suter Terrace

Community Connector: Daniel Jones, resident of Palisade Park

Area: Laburnam Crescent, Luzerne Street, Overdale Street, Palisade Park, Suter Terrace, Harwood Street

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's term will expire in 2027.

Community Connector: Fatima Razic, resident of Crosman Terrace

Area: Crosman Terrace, Laburnum Crescent, Pinnacle Road, Field Street (portions of each street)

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's term will expire in 2027.

Community Connector: Jeanne Weber, resident of Alliance Avenue

Area: Alliance Avenue, Pinnacle Road (portion)

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's term will expire in 2027.

Community Connector: OPEN - Rosedale Street, Avondale Park, Belmont Street, Hinsdale Street (portion)

Community Connector: OPEN - Engle Place, Field Street (half), Laburnam Crescent (portion), Pinnacle Road (portion)

c. Proposed Slate of Officers (one year terms)

President: Rome Celli

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. Initially Rome initially served for one year as interim president of UMNA in 2023 before being elected president in March, 2024.

Rome is the current board president. If re-elected at this meeting, Rome's term as president will expire in 2026. Rome is a current board member. His term as a board member will also expire in 2026. Rome lives on Werner Park.

Vice President: Tim Guyot

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 elected to the position of UMNA vice president in March, 2024.

Tim is a current board member. His board term expires in 2026. He lives on Alliance Avenue.

Tim is the current board vice president. If re-elected at this meeting, Tim's term as vice president will expire in 2026. Tim is a current board member. His term as a board member will also expire in 2026. Tim lives on Alliance Avenue.

Secretary: Rebecca Seal

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 elected to the position of UMNA secretary in March, 2024.

Rebecca is a current board member. Her board term expires in 2026. She lives on Alliance Avenue.

Rebecca is the current board secretary. If re-elected at this meeting, Rebecca's term as secretary will expire in 2026. Rebecca is a current board member. Her term as a board member will also expire in 2026. Rebecca lives on Alliance Avenue.

Treasurer: Patrick Casey

If elected at this meeting, Patrick's term as treasurer will expire in 2026. His term as a board member will expire in 2027. Patrick lives on Suter Terrace.