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$440,000 NYSS Excelsior finals at Batavia Downs Wednesday

By Tim Bojarski
rec-time-batavia-downs-track-record.jpg
Photo of Rec Time courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

A loaded 15-race card has been drawn for Wednesday night at Batavia Downs and it features the $440,000 New York Sire Stake Excelsior finals. A total of 64 state-bred Standardbreds will start in eight $55,000 Excelsior divisions and combined with seven overnight events valued at $71,500, the total purses up for grabs that night total $511,500.

All of the 3-year-old events are full of very talented horses, many of which have competed on the New York Sire Stake circuit at some point over the summer. Most from this group have already raced at Batavia this year, but none put on a more memorable performance than the pacing filly Rec Time (Huntsville-Ms Malicious).

When trainer Deborah Daguet sent Rec Time behind the gate in a $57,000 NYSS leg at Batavia on August 16, she was overlooked by the betting public at 9-1. But she turned some heads when she moved from third in the stretch to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3 and set a new Batavia track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies. It was her first NYSS start of the year after having won four Excelsior races with two seconds in six starts. She has not raced since that start, but Rec Time has been freshened up and qualified back in preparation for this event, going 1:55.2 at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs.

Looking to set records of her own is Mark Ford’s High Fashion Star (Huntsville-High Fashion Model) who is the highest money earner in the field with $102,964 deposited on the strength of her five wins and four seconds this year. Beside the Excelsior series, High Fashion Star has also competed in the Lynch Memorial at Pocono and Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs. She too just qualified at The Meadowlands in a very impressive 1:53.4 going gate to wire.

The “Glamour Division” of second year male pacers is another evenly seeded field.

Storm The Court (Huntsville-Soft Wind Hanover) has bounced between the NYSS and Excelsior races all summer for trained Mark Silva, winning once at the top level and three times in the latter. He went gate to wire in his outing at Batavia on August 8 in an impressive 3-1/4 length, 1:54.1 victory and has since paced in 1:51.4 at Tioga, getting beat only a head after cutting the mile again. He is one to watch.

That Dog Will Hunt (Huntsville-Mikayla Rose) was the one who beat Storm The Court in 1:51.4 at Tioga after benefiting from a perfect trip. However he made a uncharacteristic break at Yonkers in his last start in an overnight race and was placed as a result. It would appear the break was an anomaly and that trainer Jennifer Bongiorno will have That Dog Will Hunt ready to be a major contender here.

Stephen Crevani’s Bullville Stephano (Artiscape-Bullvillestephanie) already has a lifetime mark of 1:49 at Pocono earlier this year and just got beat a neck in 1:50.3 in an overnight there two weeks ago. He has two Excelsior wins this year including a 1:54.4 walk in the park at Batavia on August 8. There is no question that Bullville Stephano has the speed and versatility to win this race.

The 3-year-old trotting fillies are led by Woolco (Chapter Seven-Upside Hanover) who spent the better part of the summer competing in the NYSS where she won once and finished second as well and actually finished eighth in the points standings to qualify for the $225,000 NYSS finals that were held at Yonkers on Saturday (Sept. 9). However trainer Bob Krivelin opted to enter the Excelsior final instead as her three wins there saw her finish fifth in those standings.

Ron Burke had Destiny’s Darling (Chapter Seven-Moonlight Cocktail) racing in NYSS events her last three starts where she finished second and third to that top division’s leader, Royal Filly. However the bulk of her starts were in the Excelsior series over the summer and that’s where she qualified for the final. She does appear to have a class advantage as a result of her recent outings.

Serendipity (Chapter Seven-Vida De Vie) is a George Ducharme trainee who is an eight-time winner this year that includes her last start at Batavia. Serendipity hasn’t missed the board since June, hasn’t missed a check all year and should be considered a serious contender.

Looking at the second year trotting males, David Dewhurst’s City Of Hope (Met’s Hall-Doin The City) is possibly the hardest working 3-year-old in to go as he already has 23 starts this year with a very impressive 11 wins as a result. After sweeping a three race series at Saratoga, City Of Hope went on to win three Excelsior legs and bankroll $110,294 so far this year. He has been known to make an occasional break, but when he’s on his game, he is dangerous.

Looking at his rivals, trainer Ron Burke has Kennebago (E L Titan-First Class Act) coming into this final off two consecutive wins, both of which were on the front end. And Seven Over (Chapter Seven-Overpowering Lindy) is a four-time winner this year for trainer Per Engblom, the last of which was at Batavia. His 1:54 mark at Vernon is the fastest of this bunch and he did compete in the NYSS earlier this year.

Whereas the 2-year-old pacing division for both genders seems to be very evenly matched races that should provide excellent betting opportunities, the first-year trotters appear to have several horses who stand out in both races.

The 2-year-old filly trotters will have to contend with a strong entry from the Batavia-based stable of trainer Steve Pratt and the pair just happened to finish first and second for points and earnings in this division of the Excelsior series this year. Barn CJ (Crazy Wow-Fractured Dream) has won six of seven Excelsior starts with one second and earnings of $65,000. Barn Dreamer (Devious Man-HB All Our Dreams) has won four of six Excelsior starts with two seconds and earnings of $50,000. And both trotters won their last outing and that was at Batavia Downs.

The main competition and biggest challenge for the Pratt entry is Marcus Melander’s Dozen (Chapter Seven-Sequin) who comes into this final on a four race win streak, all in Excelsior action that earned the filly $44,638. Her last win was at Vernon Downs where she took a lifetime mark of 1:55.4 and the one start she did not win was a third place finish in a NYSS start at Saratoga. It’s also interesting to note that every time Dozen faced both Barn CJ and Barn Dreamer, she won.

The 2-year-old male trotters should put on quite a show with four horses peeking at the right time.

John Stark Jr.’s Tobern (Crazy Wow-Bertaux) won five in a row over the summer, including one NYSS start and an 18-length romp at Batavia on August 4. He’s the top money earner in this field with $98,650 and has been the picture of consistency all year, never missing the board in seven outings.

Dan Daley’s Fringed (Crazy Wow-Jinx Muscles) suffered through breaks and terrible draws all summer and although he seems to have gotten over his bad manners, his poor posts have continued. However, despite starting from the six and eight hole in his last two outings, he won both times convincingly and beat Tobern in both of those races.

Then there is the entry (coupled by ownership) of Woweress (Crazy Wow-Chaperess) and Barn Credit (Credit Winner-Nothing But Nice) who are both more than capable of winning. Woweress is trained by George Ducharme and in six starts has two wins including one 7-3/4 length jog in 1:58.2 at Batavia. Barn Credit is another Pratt trotter who, although somewhat camera shy with only one win, has hit the board five out of six times this year.  

Post Time for the first race on Wednesday is at 6 p.m.

Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

HLOM to host ghost stories and ghost walks on west side of town

By Press Release

Press Release:

Join us on Friday, September 29, and Thursday, October 19 at 7 p.m. as Connie Boyd shares the spooky, sinister, and weird documented stories from the West Side of Batavia's past. Come and listen to tales of murder, ghosts, body-snatching hangings, and abandoned cemeteries. 

This presentation is the same as our Ghost Walk, perfect for those who don't want to or aren't able to go on our guided Ghost Walks. Tickets are $5/$3 for museum members. If you would like to attend please contact the museum at 585-343-4727.

“This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by
GO ART!”

Please join the Holland Land Office Museum for a West Side Ghost Walk on Fridays in October. The walks led by Connie Boyd will take place on October 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7 p.m. We will also be adding second walks beginning at 7:30 on October 6, 13, and 20.

Take a walk on the west side and hear tales of murders, hangings, grave robbing, ghosts, and other eerie happenings from Batavia's past. Hear stories of Joseph Ellicott, E. N. Rowell, and other famous and infamous Batavians.

Admission is $15.00 or $10.00 for museum members and reservations are required with purchase. Tours are limited to 20 people each. The tour begins and ends at the museum and is approximately 1 1/2 to two hours in length.

For tickets or more information, please call (585) 343-4727, email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com, or stop by at 131 W. Main St. Batavia.

Elmira College recognizes annual key award recipients

By Press Release

Press Release:

Elmira College recently announced this year's recipients of its annual Key Award. This year's award was given to 783 students in 16 states. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school.

This year's recipients included:

  • Bethany Gracie of Bergen
  • Brennan Royce of Pavilion
  • Isabella Walsh of Batavia
  • Loretta Sorochty of Batavia
  • Kaidance Kimble of Byron
  • Riannon Newbould of Oakfield
  • Austin Pangrazio of Oakfield
  • Ava Chatt of Oakfield
  • Corina Dunn of Le Roy
  • Ella Radley of Batavia

"This award is given to students with the potential to excel academically, serve as leaders, and go on to enjoy success in life," said Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "We hope they will choose to make Elmira College their place."

Gunslinger Hill, Mugshots Bro take Batavia features

By Tim Bojarski
gunslinger-hill-1.jpg
Photo of Gunslinger Hill courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

A $15,000 Open I Handicap for each gait topped the bill at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 9) and both winners took new seasonal marks as a result of their efforts. 

In the feature pace, Gunslinger Hill (Drew Monti) made it two in a row after taking advantage of a perfect trip. 

Gunslinger Hill took an early lead, but soon found himself in the pocket behind Avon Seelster (Kyle Cummings) who would then battle the parked-out Nox Vegas Bluechip (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the half in :55.3. As the race progressed up the backstretch, Nox Vegas Bluechip began to lose touch with Avon Seelster, forcing Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) three-wide and The Longest Yard (Kevin Cummings) four-wide as they headed into turn four. Coming out of that bend, the outside horses started to fade, but Gunslinger Hill took to the passing lane and paced past Avon Seelster before holding off The Longest Yard by a length to win in 1:52.4.

It was the eighth win of the year for Gunslinger Hill ($14.60) and pushed his earnings to $68,580 for owner Ron Viele. Jeniffer Giuliani trains the winner. 

The top trot went to Mugshots Bro (Jim Morrill Jr.) who led at every station enroute to his victory. 

Morrill pushed Mugshots Bro off the gate and got the top as they passed the quarter in :27.4. Once settled on the point, Mugshots Bro slowed the half to :57.1 before hitting the gas and opening up a two length advantage over Special Prosecutor (Drew Monti), Lougazi (Ray FIsher Jr.) and Johnny Boy (Kevin Cummings) who were fanned three across the track from three-quarters to the top of the stretch. As they headed down the lane it became a two-horse race between Mugshots Bro and Lougazi, who was flying. Morrill and Fisher both rocked and knocked to the wire where Mugshots Bro hung on by a head in 1:57.1. 

Mugshots Bro ($6.50) got his fifth win of the year for owners Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr. and trainer Rose Russo. 

Kevin Cummings had a driving hat trick while Jim Morrill Jr. and Joe Chindano Jr. both had two wins on the card. Trainers Ryan Swift and Jeniffer Giuliani also had two wins apiece during the night. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 13) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,182 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the race 15. Wednesday will also feature eight divisions of the $440,000 New York Sire Stake Excelsior finals that kick off in race two. 

Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

mugshots-bro-1.jpg
Photo of Mugshots Bro courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Notre Dame’s running with the Irish 5K set for September 30

By Press Release

Press Release:

Notre Dame will host our 2nd annual 5K Run on September 30. This will coincide with our ND’s Homecoming Football game vs. Geneseo/MM at 1 p.m. Alumni are welcome! 

There will be a kid’s fun run starting at 10 a.m., with the 5K Run/Walk following at 11 a.m. Food and ice cream trucks will be available after the run.  

Long-sleeve T-shirts are guaranteed to participants who sign up before September 22. Proceeds to benefit Notre Dame High School Athletics Department. For more information and to sign up visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Batavia/NotreDamesRunningwiththeIrish5KRunWalkNopay.

Gaige Armbrewster named to the 2022-23 SUNYAC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll

By Press Release

Press Release:

The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) recognized SUNY Cortland's Gaige Armbrewster of Batavia on its statewide 2022-23 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. Earning a place on the list required a minimum a 3.3 cumulative grade point average through the spring semester.

Open house for UR Imaging set for Tuesday

By Press Release

Press Release:

UR Medicine Imaging care is now available at UR Medicine’s Batavia Medical Campus, and a community open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12. The event will be held at 7995 Call Parkway. 

Services include CT scans and walk-in X-rays, and ultrasound imaging will be available beginning this winter. The practice is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. 

The new UR Medicine Medical Campus, which opened in May 2022, is also home to adult and pediatric allergy and immunology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology and audiology, oncology, urology clinics, and a primary care practice. Adding imaging services along with the specialty clinics brings comprehensive care into one convenient location for residents of Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties.

Rotary's Corvette fundraiser is underway, first early bird prize announced

By Press Release
corvette-winner-2023.jpg
Submitted photo of John Kinsella proudly displays a check for $50,000 he received from the Batavia Rotary Club in the 2023 fundraiser. Pictured with him are, from left, then club President John McGowan, Laurie Mastin, and Lisa Ormsbee, event chairs, and Mike Hodgins, chairman of the club's Scholarship Committee that awards $18,000 in college scholarships annually to area students.

Press Release:

The major fundraiser for the Batavia Rotary Club is underway, and once again a Corvette or $50,000 is the prize. 

The first winner was announced on September 5 since an early bird component has been added. Early bird prizes are $500 each and will be drawn the first Tuesday of the month now through January. Early bird winners' tickets will be placed back into the drawing for the grand prize.

"This is the major fundraiser that allows our club to make so many contributions to the community, such as $18,000 in college scholarships to area students each year," said President Susie Ott.

Rotary is also contributing $250,000 toward the Healthy Living Campus under construction on Main Street, a joint project for the YMCA and United Memorial Medical Center.

Most recently, Rotary offered a $150,000 matching pledge for the renovation of the local hospital's Intensive Care Unit, Ott said.
Rotary's motto is Service Above Self, she explained. Rotarians actively engage in projects to improve the local community. All proceeds from this fundraiser go toward community service projects.

"Fundraisers like this Corvette event are critical for helping us help others," said Lisa Ormsbee, who co-chairs the event with Laurie Mastin. 

The winner may choose between a 2024 Corvette made available through Joe Basil Chevrolet or $50,000. In addition to the grand prize, there are 10 additional prizes of $500 each, Mastin explained. The early bird winners will be drawn monthly, then five $500 winners will be selected the night of the grand prize drawing on Jan. 19, and will be live on Facebook.

"Your odds of being an early bird winner are great because fewer tickets will have been sold early on," she observed. "So we encourage folks to go online and buy early." 

Persons interested in purchasing tickets may go to www.bataviarotaryraffle.com or contact any Rotarian. Only 4,500 tickets are sold. For more information, go to www.bataviarotary.com

GO ART! announces upcoming classes in September

By Press Release

Press Release:

Brick Builder Club - GO ART! is running a free 4-week Brick Builders Club. The Club will take place starting Saturday, September 9, and run through September 30. This Club meets at GO ART! from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Building bricks are provided by GO ART! Brick Builders is open to ages 5 - 100+. 

Each week there will be a planned activity but it is fine if club members would like to free build. Because Club members will have to leave their creations at GO ART! each week's creations will be photographed and put up on our website (with parental permission).

Pillow Making Sewing Class - GO ART! is offering a Pillow Making Sewing Class with local quilter and sewing extraordinaire Peg Berhorn. The class will be held on Friday, September 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at GO ART!, 201 East Main St., Batavia. Open to participants age 12 and older, those who sign up should expect to attend both classes to complete the project. 

The cost is $20/person for non-GO ART! members and $18/per person for members, total, and all materials and tools will be provided. Contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313, email jfisher@goart.org, or sign up online at goart.org. Registration is requested by September 14. Participants will learn some of the basics of sewing if they do not already know how to sew and also complete a pillow to bring home!

Poetry and Prose Club - Starting Thursday, September 28 from 6-7 p.m. at GO ART! come and learn some of the basics of creative writing and participate in some fun creative writing activities (blackout poetry, object poetry, short stories and more) to get your creativity flowing or you can just come and network with other creative writers. There is no cost to participate in this program. Please bring a notebook with you (or a computer) to keep your work on.

Free Teen Animation Workshop - GO ART! is offering a 4-week Teen Animation Workshop for children 12-16 at the Hoag Library (134 S Main St, Albion, NY). This workshop will run on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. September 30, October 7, 21, and 28. 

This workshop is FREE but registration is required. To register your teen please contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313 or email jfisher@goart.org. Registration is requested by September 27. This workshop will be instructed by Jess Moffet, a recent graduate of RIT.

Batavia's strong second half team effort gives them first home opener win 33-14 over Wayne

By Howard B. Owens
Batavia takes the lead with 3.8 seconds at haltime 20-14.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia takes the lead with 3.8 seconds left in the second quarter, making 20-14 at halftime
Photo by Steve Ognibene

In the closing seconds of the first half, the Batavia Blue Devils scored a go-ahead TD over Wayne Central to regain a lead the team wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way, leading to a 33-14 win. 

It was the team's home opener and made the Blue Devils 2-0 under new head coach Alex Veltz.

Bronx Buchholz was 7-11 passing for 59 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also gained 130 yards on the ground on 15 carries, scoring twice.

Cole Graz snagged our receptions for 18 yards and a TD. He also had an inception on defense.

Carter Mullen had one reception for an 8-yard TD.

Mekhi Fortes, 14 carries, 85 yards, 5.5.

Zailen Griffin, nine rushes for 82 yards and a TD.

The Blue Devils take on Honeoye Falls-Lima this Friday in HFL. Game time is 7 p.m. 

Photo by Steve Ognibene
Cole Grazioplene scores first touchdown for Batavia in first quarter.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Cole Grazioplene scores the first touchdown for Batavia in the first quarter.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Deadline for comments about proposed remediation plan is Sept. 21

By Joanne Beck

 

Ex-Eaton remediation site
The targeted site for remediation by ex-Eaton Corporation at 34-40 Clinton St., Batavia, shown in green.
Image submitted.

Public comments about a remediation project on the city’s east side will be taken up to Sept. 21, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials say.

The project, first outlined in an April 21, 2023 article on The Batavian, is part of the Clean Water Act for Basket Place LLC, located at 34-40 Clinton St., Batavia. 

Action on the privately owned Basket Place parcel was to begin in May to address contamination, with a site-specific health and safety plan and a Community Air Monitoring Plan to be implemented during remediation activities. 

These plans were to establish procedures to protect on-site workers and residents and include required air monitoring as well as dust and odor suppression measures.

The applicant’s project description is "to remediate the soil and groundwater at the Ex-Eaton Site located in Batavia, NY. The remediation will be done by soil mixing using a zero-valent iron-based reducing agent to clean up current volatile organic compounds. Soil mixing will be done using large-diameter mixing augers and a small backhoe. No excavation is proposed. The project will impact 0.099 acres of Federal Wetlands which will be restored after remediation and proper erosion control measures will be implemented."

According to the state DEC, the State Environmental Quality Review determination found that the project is an "Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed."

The state Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination was that: 

"A cultural resources survey has been completed and cultural resources were identified. Based on information provided in the survey report, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has determined that the proposed activity will have no adverse impact on registered or eligible archaeological sites or historic structures. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required."

From Coastal Management:

"This project is not located in a Coastal Management area and is not subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act."

Opportunity for Public Comment:

Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than Sept. 21, 2023.

Contact: Courtney M Scoles, NYSDEC Region 8 Headquarters, 6274 E Avon-Lima Rd, Avon, NY, 14414, or call (585) 226-2466 or email DEP.R8@dec.ny.gov 

Graham, the little manufacturing gem in Batavia making big equipment for a global market

By Howard B. Owens
graham manufacturing tour 2023
Photo by Howard Owens.

If you want to make sparks fly, there are some folks at Graham Manufacturing in Batavia who want to talk with you.

Graham makes big things out of big pieces of metal, and that means welding. Graham invests a lot of money in training the people it hires so they learn to become world-class welders.

"We've got a welding school now where we're training our own welders," said Don Fonda, plant supervisor at Graham. "We partnered with Arc and Flame in Rochester. We're paying for people to take classes there. They're actually Graham employees, and we pay them to go to classes. Those are 12-week classes. If they do well, they come here. If they do so-so, we send them for another 12 weeks."

Plant Operations Manager/Commercial Randy Franklin said the welding work Graham needs is specialized and requires a great deal of skill. 

"We have really high-quality standards here," Franklin said. 

He explained, "We're not just building widgets.  It's not the same every single time. We like people who can solve problems. There's a variability in the workflow. It's a good place to work. I mean, it's been around for over 80 years, so it's been a pretty decent place as a bedrock or just providing an opportunity for people in the area."

When Graham, which has always been based in Batavia, was a smaller company, BOCES provided three or four young welders a year that Graham could hire, but now, with 300 employees locally and $150 million in annual revenue, there's a bigger demand for welders, as well as other manufacturing specialties, at Graham, so hiring has become more of a challenge.

Alfred State has a solid welding program, and it is a source of new hires for Graham, but as Fonda explained, if the graduates are not already from the GLOW region, they're likely not coming to Batavia for a job.

So he and Franklin want to get the word out to more local residents looking for a rewarding career -- good pay and solid benefits -- that Graham might be a good fit.

"I think there's a perception that all of this type of equipment is being built elsewhere in the world," Franklin said. "We haven't done a really good job of broadcasting where Graham is and what we do. So we wanted to try to get some more eyeballs on the type of equipment that we build and the opportunities for people in the area."

Graham's longstanding specialty has been equipment used in the oil and gas industries, extracting and refining fuels, but in recent years, Graham has fulfilled contracts for the Department of Defense, fabricating equipment for aircraft carriers and submarines.

"Oil and gas is very cyclical -- demand follows, essentially, the value of a barrel of oil," Franklin said. "The executives, like 10 to 12 years ago, they wanted to be able to even that out because no one enjoys layoffs. They wanted to find a nice baseline, so they went after the Department of Defense."

That large load leaving Graham down Clinton Street a few weeks ago -- that was a piece of equipment for an aircraft carrier. That's all Franklin could say about it.

But the folks at Graham are clearly proud of that shipment. There's a picture of it on a wall in one of the plant buildings. It's the largest load of the year -- 225 long, 17 feet wide, with a gross vehicle weight of 486,000 pounds.

Another poster on the same wall notes that Graham has shipped 2,584 pieces of equipment with a gross weight of 5,980,587 pounds.

For all the success of Graham, and the company's reputation as a place where people work long careers, it's hard finding the right people in Batavia, Franklin acknowledged. And it's getting hard. 

"It's tough being in Batavia," Franklin said. "You know, it's in between two cities in New York State, so that makes it difficult. In those higher population areas, obviously, it's easier to pull in people, and then, to top it off, the state doesn't make it very easy to maintain a business and hire people."

The rapid growth of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, the growth of WNY STAMP and the related business growth in Pembroke is also making the job market more competitive, Franklin agreed.  All of that growth is driven by incentives offered by GCEDC and the state's economic development packages.

"I don't know if our politicians really truly understand that the decisions that they make have ripple effects," Franklin said. "It's hard to be a competitive business when other new businesses are receiving tax breaks. We just have to try to be flexible and figure out different ways to be competitive with them."

As an example, he said this past summer, a benefit Graham offered was allowing employees to work four nine-hour shifts during the week so they get a half-day off on Friday, and hence a longer weekend to stay at home or take a brief vacation.

Franklin said Graham is looking at other creative ways to offer benefits to Graham employees.

"But regardless of where you are in the country, or even the world, hiring people is a challenge," Franklin added.  "In that way, it's not like we're unique to this area."

There are currently 35 openings at Graham in a variety of jobs -- welders, of course, but also engineers, CNC machine operators, buyers, and more -- and Fonda said Graham might be a hidden little gem for area residents who are looking for a career. 

"I don't think a lot of people would even know we're here," Fonda said. "We're kind of tucked back on a little street. You might see us a little bit from Main Street, and maybe a bit behind Miss Batavia, but for the most part, I don't think a lot of people know we're here. And I'm not sure a lot of people know we're hiring."

graham manufacturing tour 2023
Don Fonda, plant supervisor, and Randy Franklin, operations manager/commercial, at Graham Manufacturing in Batavia.
Photo by Howard Owens.
graham manufacturing tour 2023
Photo by Howard Owens
graham manufacturing tour 2023
The Sequoia Project. Graham built four U-tube freeze condensers that will be installed at a facility in Thailand to support Lactide alcohol distillation. Randy Franklin said this is a whole new industry that Graham is supporting to make and market low-carb, renewable biomaterials that will revolutionize the sustainability and safety of packaging product materials used in everyday lives. The polymers could produce 3D printed materials, compostable coffee capsules, tea bags, flexible packaging, and food service ware.
Photo by Howard Owens.
graham manufacturing tour 2023
Graham is providing equipment for a Houston-based refinery, supplying large-scale replacement parts for existing equipment installed at facilities around the world. This is a tube bundle that allows the customer to restore the performance of their equipment after years of coating on the tubing, which reduces its capability to condense fluids, thus reducing the amount of product refined and revenue.
Photo by Howard Owens.
graham manufacturing tour 2023
Photo by Howard Owens.
graham manufacturing tour 2023
Photo by Howard Owens.
graham manufacturing tour 2023
Both India and China are growth markets for Graham. For India, Graham is supplying a large-scale vacuum system to increase India's overall refining capacity. Graham now has an office in India to better help the company meet market demands there. In China, Graham is fabricating parts for existing refineries as well as new refineries. 
Photo by Howard Owens.

Batavia Home Fund launched in effort to grow area housing stock

By Joanne Beck
City View Residences
2021 File Photo of the ribbon-cutting for City View Residences at 45 Ellicott St., Batavia.
Photo by Mike Pettinella

City and Town of Batavia officials and the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) announced the creation of the Batavia Home Fund (BHF), an incentive-styled program designed to improve and grow the area’s housing stock on Friday. 

The fund was created to address shared housing goals and establish methods to fund beneficial activities to enhance the area’s housing stock, including investments to rehabilitate vacant and blighted buildings as well as the conversion of rental properties into single-family homes.

Seed funding for the fund has been provided through a grant of $100,000 that was recently approved by the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation, a GCEDC affiliate.

“Maintaining a vibrant, strong residential housing stock within the City helps to eliminate blight and encourage smart, sustainable growth,” Batavia City Council President Eugene (Geno) Jankowski Jr. said.  “The creation of such a fund furthers the City's strategic goal of enhancing our housing stock, as we have recently experienced through investments to create residential units at City View Residences and Liberty Square.

“The Batavia Home Fund compliments the Town's focus on agricultural, commercial, and industrial growth,” said Town of Batavia Supervisor Greg Post.  “It’s important that as we continue to generate investment from these sectors with our economic development and public sector partners, we will have quality housing stock for the people who are pursuing these careers.”

The Batavia Home Fund will be supported by host benefit agreements with developers and homebuilders for future multi-family housing projects in the City and Town. Projects will be considered by a committee of City, Town and GCEDC officials to determine how funds raised will be utilized.

The new program mimics the successful Batavia Pathway to Prosperity (B2P) program, which enables brownfield remediation projects with funding from projects with a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement (PILOTs) in the City of Batavia.

It was also this program philosophy that fueled the creation of the Ellicott Station development, a four-story apartment complex at 50 Ellicott St. in downtown Batavia. The project has since been stalled after the announcement that Savarino Companies closed down operations, and the construction trailer was recently spotted being removed from the premises.

The Batavian reached out to City Manager Rachael Tabelski late Friday for an update on any progress with Ellicott Station and will provide that when a response is received. The latest update was that company CEO Sam Savarino had not communicated with city officials, and they had planned to meet with the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal this month about the situation. 

As for this latest initiative, Tabelski said that “with the successful remediation of brownfield sites in the City, we believe the next step in Batavia’s growth is to provide a more robust offering of housing options.” 

“The intent of the Batavia Home Fund is to encourage and incent developers and homebuilders to view Batavia as a market opportunity and, in turn, work with community stakeholders to identify areas where housing options can be developed.”

GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde said the City and Town-led effort supports public demand for housing investments and the capacity for a growing manufacturing workforce to contribute to the economy and community. GCEDC had fully supported the Ellicott Station project as a workforce housing complex, which ended up landing as a very low to low-income complex once ready for tenant applications.

From 2015-2020, Genesee County’s private sector employment increased 4.4 percent, along with Batavia’s food and beverage sector growing to almost 1,000 employees, the press release stated. These statistics and data support the county’s need for approximately 4,800 units over the next 20 years, as determined in a housing study conducted by Labella Associates in 2018.

“Improving Batavia and Genesee County’s housing stock will only enhance manufacturing growth opportunities,” Hyde said in the release. “With our food and beverage cluster nearing 1,000 workers at the Agri-Business Park and Plug Power and Edwards Vacuum set to hire hundreds of engineers, technicians, and operators at STAMP, this fund is ideally suited to attract and retain talented professionals so they can live in close proximity to their places of employment and contribute meaningfully to our community.”

Rockin' the Downs chair rental raises $10K for Make-A-Wish

By Press Release
batavia downs make-a-wish

Press release:

Western Region Off-Track Betting (WROTB) and Batavia Downs President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek were joined by staff from Make-A-Wish Western New York as Batavia Downs Presented them with a check for  $10,379.  These proceeds were from this past summer’s Chair Rentals, Glow in the Dark Jewelry and Can Coolers sales at Batavia’s Rockin’ the Downs Summer Concert Series.

“We were so pleased to continue our partnership with Make-A-Wish Western New York this past summer,” Wojtaszek said.  “The volunteers who were onsite to help raise awareness and these much-needed funds were wonderful ambassadors of Make-A-Wish.  All of us here at Batavia Downs are proud that we could help them in their efforts to grant wishes for so many young Western New Yorkers.”

Throughout the 8 concerts of Batavia Downs’ Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series, volunteers at the Make-A-Wish chair-rental booth rented out chairs and sold glow jewelry and Make-A-Wish branded can coolers.  The chairs were adorned with the Make-A-Wish logo and the message:  The person sitting in this chair is helping to transform lives.

“Make-A-Wish is incredibly appreciative of our ongoing partnership with Batavia Downs for the “Rockin’ the Downs” Summer Concert Series, “ said Ben Marchione, Regional Director, Make-A-Wish® Western New York.  “It provides us with an amazing opportunity to raise both crucial awareness and funds to help support children and families fighting critical illnesses not only in the Batavia community but throughout the 17-county region. Our volunteers love being a part of it, and a highlight of every season is meeting the many families touched by the organization and the incredibly generous concertgoers who support our involvement and mission wholeheartedly. Thank you to Batavia Downs for making it possible. It is only through vitally important partnerships such as this that we are able to continue to serve our essential mission, and we are thankful.”

The 2024 Concert Series lineup is expected to be announced before the year’s end.

Photos by Howard Owens

batavia downs make-a-wish
batavia downs make-a-wish

 

 

Law and Order: Driver accused of driving impaired, resisting arrest in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Anthony Lawrence Corsaro, 33, of Park Hill Drive, Dansville, is charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, driving while impaired by drugs, following too close, and moving from lane unsafely. Corsaro was arrested by Deputy Zachary Hoy on Aug. 30 in connection with a traffic complaint reported at 6:50 p.m. on June 29 on Route 63 in Pavilion. Corsaro was issued traffic tickets and released.

Danny D. Williams, Sr., 34, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Williams was arrested on Aug. 24 after an investigation into a disturbance on Harvester Avenue on Aug. 21, where he allegedly violated an order of protection. Williams was arraigned in City Court and held without bail. 

Bradley R. Jordan, 30, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Jordan was initially arrested on Jan. 20 after a disturbance. He was charged with aggravated family offense, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal mischief 4th. A warrant was issued on Feb. 4 after he allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arrested on Aug. 28. He was additionally charged with bail jumping 2nd. Jordan was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Bleyke Z. Culver, 27, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated family offense and criminal contempt 2nd. The arrest on Aug. 25 is the result of an investigation into an incident where Culver was found inside a residence on Walnut Street in violation of an order of protection. Culver was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $200 cash bail, $1,500 bond, or $1,500 partially secured bond. 

Victoria L. Jacques, 53, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment 2nd. Jacques was arrested on Aug. 27 following an investigation into a disturbance where Jacques allegedly struck another person and grabbed the person by the neck. She was arraigned and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Justin M. Witherspoon, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. It’s alleged that Witherspoon damaged property on Aug. 27 during a dispute with a neighbor. Witherspoon was issued an appearance ticket.

Hailee N. Callicutt, 22, of Albion, was arrested on Aug. 29 on a warrant. Callicutt was initially arrested on Jan. 1, 2022, on charges of obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest, as well as numerous traffic violations. The warrant was issued on Sept. 20 after Callicutt allegedly failed to appear in court. She was arraigned and released.

Patrick Dale Blackwell, 68, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and dazzling headlights. Blackwell was stopped at 12:02 a.m. on Aug. 31, on Park Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell.

Cynthia Marie Gosler, 38, of Wakefield Avenue, Buffalo, and Rashawn Lamont Gosier, 44, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Gosler and Gosier are accused of stealing merchandise from Target in Batavia on Aug. 25 at 11:06 a.m. Gosler was held pending arraignment. Gosier was held pending arraignment on an NYS Parole warrant.

Nicholas Joseph Breau, 31, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Breau allegedly through an item at another person during a disturbance reported at 12:20 p.m. on Aug. 31 at a location on Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia.

Amy Meredith Gambino, 32, of French Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, criminal contempt 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, and harassment 2nd.  Gambino is accused of striking two children under the age of 17 and an adult, causing that person alarm during a disturbance in the Town of Darien at 3 p.m. on Aug. 28.

Alana M. Diefendorf, 26, of Bergen, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration 2nd and endangering the welfare of a child. Diefendorf was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported in the Town of Bergen at 8:49 p.m. on Sept. 5. The State Police did not release a summary of what led to the charges. Diefendorf was issued an appearance ticket.

Sponsored Post: Just Listed and an open house - 11 Linwood Ave., Batavia

By Lisa Ace
Sunny Rathod, 11 Linwood

11 Linwood Ave., Batavia. OPEN HOUSE Sat. Sept.9th from 1pm - 3pm. This cherished home has been lovingly owned for 65 years and offers timeless appeal. Recent upgrades include fresh paint, updated flooring, updated electrical outlets, and updated windows enhancing its classic charm. With 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, it's the perfect cozy haven. The main floor's inviting living spaces are bathed in natural light. A partially finished basement adds valuable space, perfect for various needs. Adjacent to the garage, a 3-season room provides extra versatility for relaxation or gatherings. Step outside to discover a deep, private backyard, a hidden oasis for gardening, play, or quiet moments. Additional features include a 1.5 garage. This ranch home, steeped in history and upgraded for modern living, invites you to continue its legacy. Don't miss this one! Offers are due on Tuesday, September 12th at 3pm.

Summer Slash dismantles top mares at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski
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Photo of Summer Slash courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

After coming up short in her last outing, Summer Slash got back to her winning ways while imposing her will on a field of top pacing mares in the $15,000 Open I Distaff Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 6).

In a reversal of tactics, Ray Fisher Jr. sent Summer Slash to the front for the first time since April and made short work of her competition once settled. Summer Slash held a gapped avantage setting fractional times of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.3, while the pocket-sitting Skyway Venus (Joe Chindano Jr.) and the breezing Xenia’s Chip (Dave McNeight III) tried to keep pace at that station. But that turned out to be an exercise in futility as Fisher shook the lines and Summer Slash found another gear. With her tail flagged and her head held high, Summer Slash ripped around the last turn and flew down the lane to win by an easy 3-½ lengths in 1:54 flat, tying her lifetime mark.

It was the third win in her last four outings and eighth win of the year for Summer Slash ($3.20) who is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorsesummer and trained by Ryan Swift, who had three winners go postward on Wednesday.

An equally impressive performance was put in by Casie’s Believer (Joe Chindano Jr.) who jogged in the secondary featured $11,500 upper-lever condition pace for fillies and mares.

Casie’s Believer was also the commander of fractions from the start and was hard-pressed by Diamondtequilashot (Ray Fisher Jr.) from the quarter to the five-eighths. At that point, Diamondtequilashot called it a night, forcing Mcdelicacy (Kevin Cummings) to go three-wide and engage Casie’s Believer up the backstretch and into the far turn. Mcdelicacy tried her best, but it wasn’t good enough as Casie’s Believer accelerated into the straight and bolted for the line, winning by 3-½ lengths in a season’s best 1:54.4.

Casie’s Believer ($15.80) registered her 28th lifetime win for Chindano, who also owns and trains the winner.

Jim Morrill Jr. had a driving grand slam during the night with three of those winners being trained by Cory Kreiser. Two of Kreizer's trainees were longtime equine veterans who added to their lofty lifetime win totals. They were 11-year-old trotter BJ Anthony who got his 52nd career win and the 12-year-old pacer Sudden Change N who posted career win 51.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 9) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $903 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the race 13.

Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.

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Photo of Casie’s Believer courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

GCEDC board to consider Hood expansion to create 48 new jobs

By Press Release

Press Release:

As announced by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, HP Hood plans to invest $120 million to expand its footprint at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in the town of Batavia.  The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider an initial resolution for the proposal expansion at its meeting on Thursday, September 7th.

The $120 million project includes the construction of a 32,500 sq ft expansion to accommodate its automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS) refrigerated warehouse.  The project will also include new batching and processing systems and other upgrades which will allow the company to increase capacity and begin a new production line.

 The expansion would create 48 new jobs while retaining 455 FTEs, more than doubling the company’s initial employment commitments in 2017. HP Hood’s project is the fifth $100+ million project in Genesee County in the past three years, including Plug Power’s expansion and Edwards Vacuum announcements at STAMP and Horizon Acres Associates in Pembroke in 2023, and Plug Power’s initial project at STAMP in 2021.

 “Since 2011, the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park food and beverage industry has attracted over $600 million of private sector investment supporting over 1,000 jobs,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steven Hyde. “This investment and jobs has generated significant benefits for our community as Genesee County and Batavia are truly the leading dairy-processing hub of the Northeast.”

The GCEDC will consider sales tax exemptions estimated at $4.52 million, a property tax abatement estimated at $549,705 based on an incremental increase in assessed value, and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $536,000 bringing the value of the proposed financial agreements to approximately $5.6 million. For every $1 of public benefit, HP Hood is investing $16 into the local economy resulting in a local economic impact of $49.87 million in wages and tax revenue.

The GCEDC board will also consider a final resolution from Oak Orchard Solar 3 LLC for a 5 MW community solar farm in the town of Batavia. The $9 million project is projected to generate $4,000/megawatts (AC) annually + a 2% annual escalator of revenues to Genesee County and the Elba Central School District, along with a host agreement with the Town of Batavia.

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