batavia

Information provided by Batavia City School District:

Residents of the Batavia City School District are invited to become Budget Ambassadors and make recommendations regarding the school budget.

The district and its administration and the Board of Education welcome your assistance during the 2018-19 budget process.

No experience is necessary. Ambassadors will be expected to attend three sessions, all from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in District Administration Conference Room #49 (located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia).

The session dates are:

• Monday, Jan. 29
• Monday, Feb. 5
• Monday, Feb. 12

If interested, please notify the district in writing via postal mail or email by Thursday, Jan. 4.

Mail letter of interest to:

Christopher J. Dailey

Superintendent

260 State St.

Batavia, NY 14020

OR 

Email:   CJDailey@bataviacsd.org

For questions or additional information, please contact the District Office at 343-2480, ext. 1000, or email Superintendent Dailey at the email address above.

There's brick-oven pizza in Batavia now, handmade by Ken Mistler.

You might know Mistler's restaurant as City Slickers but that's changed, too. The entire restaurant, not just the front, fast-food counter, is now Ken's Charcoal Pits (new signs have been ordered for the building, but haven't yet been installed).

Mistler added the brick oven to the enclosed (during winter) patio on the west side of the restaurant and started serving pizza two weeks ago.

He makes it himself. He described the pizza as artisanal, Neapolitan-style and wood-fired. The oven cooks the pizza at 750 to 800 degrees, so each pizza cooks in about 90 seconds. It comes out hot, with a crisp crust and a bit of that wood-fired flavor.

There are seven pizza options on the menu and he also offers a vegetarian pizza and all pizzas can be made with gluten-free dough.

The pizza oven is fired up from 5 p.m. 'til closing time on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Ken's Charcoal Pits is located at 59 W. Main St., Batavia.

Lee Uzarowski, 50, of Main Street, Akron, is charged with DWI, no tail lamps, driving left on crest of grade or curve, and driving left of pavement markings. Uzarowski was stopped at 1:28 a.m. today on Hopkins Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Matthew Clor.

Lamar Lee Mobley, 23, of Warren Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Mobley was stopped at 10:17 a.m. Thursday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Deputy Howard Wilson.

Press release:

Officials from the Batavia Development Corporation, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and the Batavia Business Improvement District, collaborators on the Foodie Challenge, recently presented the proceeds from the People’s Choice Tasting Event to Chef Burgio and Culinary Arts students. Chef Tracy Burgio noted how this $750 donation would support student activities.

“This contribution to the Culinary Arts Club will help to enrich our students’ culinary education by helping to fund field trips, projects and student competitions,” Chef Burgio said.

“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Batavia Development Corporation and the freshLAB project. It is our hope that this partnership sparks more involvement with our community partners,” said Jon Sanfratello, executive principal of the Batavia CTE Center and Campus.

Photo: Barb Shine, front, left, and Pierluigi Cipollone from the Batavia Development Corporation; Mary Vandenbosch, student; Steve Pies, Batavia Development Corporation; Chef Tracy Burgio, Culinary Arts instructor, Batavia CTE Center; Danny Pernesky, Debra Moore, students. Back left: Austin Deck, student; Jon Sanfratello, executive principal, GVEP Batavia Campus; Julie Pacatte, Batavia Development Corporation; Tom Turnbull, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

More after the jump:

 

“I want to leave a legacy of Puerto Rican cooking to my family. I want to leave that legacy to my kids,” said Victor Figueroa, of Batavia.

Figueroa will get that opportunity after being named the People’s Choice winner and Selection Committee Top Contestant at the freshLAB’s Foodie Challenge, held at Batavia Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) on Sept. 23.

Figueroa was one of eight competitors who created a sweet or savory dish for the challenge. He found inspiration from his culture’s love of finger food by creating Puerto Rican Cheeseburger Empanada with passion fruit chili sauce – a secret family recipe.

As the winner, Figueroa will be offered free tuition to attend the freshLAB restaurant ownership Boot Camp and the opportunity to win $30,000 to open his own restaurant on Main Street, Batavia.

Local restaurant creativity advocates conceived the freshLAB restaurant incubator to strengthen the local food service industry and to capitalize on more that $20,000,000 that leaves Genesee County each year when residents eat, drink and pay for entertainment elsewhere. The project is funded, in part, by USDA Rural Development to intentionally link regional agriculture to the menu.

The proceeds from the Foodie Challenge, $750 in total, were donated to the Culinary Arts Club at the Batavia CTE Center.

Chef Tracy Burgio, the Culinary Arts instructor at the Batavia CTE Center, and four students guided the contestants through all-day cooking preparations.

“I hope this will open the door for my students in seeing the path from the classroom to an actual career,” Chef Burgio saida.

During the competition, the kitchen was open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for contestants to prepare their dishes. They were required to create at least 150 samples, with one ingredient being locally sourced.

Gina Bianco, of Middleport, created Eggplant Busiolo -- her mother’s recipe. She enjoys cooking homemade, authentic food that comes from the heart. In fact, Bianco’s confident she could open a restaurant using family recipes.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own restaurant. I have my own food truck. My mom was a cook and my dad was a cook, and I have good, traditional family recipes,” Bianco said.

At 5 p.m., the contestants had to stop cooking and plate their food. Ticket holders were then invited to sample the food and cast their votes for their favorite dish.

“I read an article about this competition and I thought it would be fun to support people who want to start their own business,” said Janice Spiotta, a counselor at Churchville-Chili Central Schools.

Her friend, Catherine Johnston, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Pavilion Central Schools, also enjoyed the event.

“I’m a foodie and this is a great event,” Johnston said.

Friends Andrea Fetterly, from Batavia, and Wendy Bailey, from Churchville, have been on a weight-loss journey together. They chose to attend the Foodie Challenge because they wanted to get food ideas for their families and be able to sample food, instead of sitting down to eat a large meal.

Andrea enjoyed Figueroa’s dish, while Wendy raved about Bianco’s eggplant and a dish called “Bahama Mama” made by Daniel DelPlato, of Batavia.

Ronald Smith, of Rochester, is a roofer by trade but has always dreamed of opening his own restaurant. He wanted to bring diversity to the competition with his dish of Pollo de Miel.

“So many cultures have good food but people don’t travel far to eat,” Smith said. “People don’t get that exposure and I want to bring that to them.”

Additional contestants included Lisa Casey, Judy Hysek, Christopher Hysek and Rob Rudnicki, all of Batavia.

Officials from the Batavia Development Corporation, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and the Batavia Business Improvement District, collaborators on the event, recently presented the proceeds from the People’s Choice Tasting Event to Chef Burgio and Culinary Arts students.

Chef Burgio noted how this $750 donation would support student activities.

“This contribution to the Culinary Arts Club will help to enrich our students’ culinary education by helping to fund field trips, projects, and student competitions,” Chef Burgio said.

“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Batavia Development Corporation and the freshLAB project. It is our hope that this partnership sparks more involvement with our community partners,” said Executive Principal Sanfratello.

Joseph Lee Henry, 31, of Chaddock Avenue, Hornell, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation first, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, and moved from lane unsafely. Henry was stopped at 11:47 p.m., Tuesday, on Tinkham Road, Darien, by Deputy Eric Meyer. Henry was also cited for inadequate exhaust and illegal stickers. He was jailed without bail.

Thomas A. Culver Jr., 38, of Wood Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for his intermittent jail sentence for several weekends. He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Roseann Cooper, 48, of Pearl Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a charge of second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Cooper posted $500 bail and was released.

Aisha I. Culver, 19, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Culver was arrested in Le Roy by State Police. No further details released.

The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation presented Outstanding Italian-American awards last night at Terry Hills to Thomas Cecere and Justin Calarco-Smith.

Cecere and Calarco-Smith, both lifelong Batavia residents, were honored for their service to the community.

For more about Cecere and Calarco-Smith, click here.

Photos by Frank Cupuano.

Photos and information submitted by Batavia City Schools:

As part of a school-wide STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) Day, all students in Batavia Middle School rotated through three grade-specific learning stations to participate in a variety of interactive STEAM-based activities.

Fifth-graders, at one station, used a Bloxel application and kit to design and build their own video game settings and characters, then upload them for virtual gaming adventures. At another, they created useful items -- such as wallets, bookmarks and lanyards -- using nothing but decorative duct tape and their imaginations. At the third, they tried different size wheels on a robotic car to determine how wheel size changed the amount of time it takes to travel a given distance.

Sixth-graders played challenging coding games at one station. At another, as part of learning about simple machines, they worked in groups to build a catapult and test its launching capabilities by hurling an eraser down a measured track. After each shot, they returned to their building table to make adjustments that would improve their machine’s performance. At their third learning station, the students made paper jack-o-lanterns lit by a small bulb that was powered by a circuit they had completed.

Seventh-graders also created circuits using copper tape and a battery laid out on a piece of paper and used the power to light a small bulb that completed a picture they had drawn on the reverse side of the paper. At another station, they simulated the popular Escape Experiences exercise and solved puzzles to discover the necessary information for unlocking a mystery box. At a third, they used several different apps to drive and design programs for driving robotic sphero balls. 

Eighth-grade students had the opportunity to program a robotic space-rover so it would move around to pick up and capture objects. At another station, the classroom became a live computer game with scenarios and situations being announced, then students determining what their next move should be. At their third station, students learned how to create a flip book out of index cards -- a book with a series of pictures that depict gradual changes from one page to the next, so that when the pages are flicked rapidly, it looks like a moving picture. 

The kits for these learning adventures were provided through the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Library Services, which also helped to plan and facilitate the Middle School’s STEAM Day.

It's been a few years since baseball fans at Dwyer Stadium could see the names of hitters at the plate and their batting averages, but when next spring's first "play ball" is called that will have changed.

Crews were at the stadium today making long-desired (by the fans) repairs of the outfield sign that will restore the lighting to the upper portion where players' names and averages appear.

The project is part of the city's maintenance budget for Dwyer.

Seniors at Batavia High School participated in Make a Difference Day by volunteering at various agencies throughout the county this morning.

Among the 20 agencies where students volunteered were the Arc of Genesee Orleans, Batavia Business Improvement District (BID), Batavia Housing Authority, Batavia Peace Garden, Crossroads House, Habitat for Humanity, the VA, YMCA and YWCA.

Rain changed the nature of many activities and cut short outdoor activities.

Above, students who volunteered at the VA, instead of doing grounds cleanup, helped around the maintenance shop, including assisting in the repair of a snowplow blade. Pictured are Ray Mlodozeniec, John Lidiaga, Tapanga Wheaton, Madison Schady and J.T. Turnbull.

Below, photos of students picking up litter on Liberty Street as part of their volunteer effort for the BID.

From Sarah Gahagan:

Yesterday's destination for B Squad was the Batavia Police Department. We ran 1.35 miles and met up with Detective Matt Wojaszczk and Assistant Police Chief Todd Crossett. Both men enjoy running and staying physically active. They spoke about how critically important it is to lead a healthy lifestyle, especially with their demanding jobs.

One of the highlights of this visit was discussing the importance of developing and maintaining a good reputation for yourself, one that you can be proud of. Remembering to surround yourself with positive individuals who are going to lift you up, rather than drag you down.

While job hunting and looking for college recommendations you want to stand out and shine. Outstanding qualities like honesty, punctuality and good decision making are all highly sought after. This starts with the choice of how you represent yourself in school, in public and even when you think no one else is watching.

Each of our B Squad boys practiced a firm handshake and graciously thanked our two local heros! It was a great opportunity!

A 61-year-old woman suffered arm and leg injuries last night when her own car ran over her in the driveway of her home on Edgewood Drive, Batavia.

A Sheriff's Office accident report says Roxanne Winegar thought she had put her car into park before exiting her vehicle at 11:04 p.m. The vehicle was still in gear and it rolled backward. Winegar was knocked to the ground by the driver's side door then a tire ran over her arm and leg.

She was taken by Mercy EMS to UMMC.

We were not able to obtain her current medical status from UMMC.

Town of Batavia fire also responded to the scene.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Travis Demuth.

(Initial Report)

Dolce Panepinto works tirelessly to protect the rights of injured workers by making sure that those responsible are held accountable. If you or a family member are injured at work, or in your private life, contact us today for a free case evaluation at 585-815-9003.

Below are some previous litigation highlights: 

• A $1.275 million settlement was reached during trial for a plasterer/drywall finisher who was injured while working inside of a building. Our client suffered serious injuries to his back, neck, knee and wrist as a result of a fall down a wet staircase, a condition that had been created by the building owner. 
• A $1.25 million settlement was reached on behalf of a satellite dish Installer who suffered a herniated disc in his back. Our client was performing an installation when icy conditions at his work site caused him to fall. 
• A $1.2 million verdict was reached on behalf of a Laborers’ Local 210 laborer who suffered serious shoulder and neck injuries as a result of a fall at a job site. Our client was performing renovation work in an existing structure when the ceiling collapsed onto him, knocking him off his ladder and down onto the ground below. 
• A $950,000 settlement was reach on behalf of a roofer who suffered back, shoulder, and knee injuries. Our client was removing an existing roof from a commercial structure when it collapsed beneath him sending him crashing through to the concrete below. 

Please call Kristin Allen at 585-815-9003 for any of your workers’ compensation needs.

An elderly female was run over by a vehicle in the driveway in the 100 block at a double-digit address on Edgewood Drive, Batavia, and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:33 p.m.: The woman is being transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Press release:

New York Sea Grant, the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center, and the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council will offer a new hands-on resiliency building training at the daylong Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council Regional Local Government Workshop on Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 17, in Batavia.

Preregistration is requested by Nov. 7. It will be held at the Quality Inn & Suites on Park Road in Batavia.

Attendees will participate in interactive scenario-building and decision-making exercises and develop response strategies to better prepare for impacts on natural and built environments during extreme weather events and other community challenges.

Small group discussions will include how a community can save money on flood insurance, information about the New York State Risk Assessment Tool, and details on the Flood Smart Community and Climate Smart Community programs.

The resiliency training sessions will include representatives from the National Weather Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of State, and the Town of Greece.

"We are pleased to partner with New York Sea Grant, the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center, and all the resiliency track presenters to help regional communities reduce areas of vulnerability and better prepare to preempt or manage future extreme events," said David S. Zorn, executive director of the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council.

The resiliency track is one of three distinct tracks offered at this semi-annual Regional Local Government Workshop cosponsored by the nine counties of the Genesee-Finger Lakes region.

For registration details, questions and more information, contact David S. Zorn, 585-454-0190, ext. 14, dave.zorn@gflrpc.org, or visit http://www.gflrpc.org/fallworkshop.html.

New York Sea Grant is a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, and one of 33 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For updates on New York Sea Grant Great Lakes and marine district activities, visit www.nyseagrant.org. For more information on the NYSG Great Lakes Coastal Community Development Program, see www.nyseagrant.org/ccd.

Press release: 

The City of Batavia is proud to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) announced that the City of Batavia has received the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget presentation for the third consecutive year.

The award represents a significant achievement by the City. It reflects the commitment of the City Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the budget award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well the City’s budget serves as:

• A policy document

• A financial plan

• An operations guide

• A communications device

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

The City of Batavia is one of only three cities in the State of New York to achieve this award. In total there are only eight municipal recipients of the award in New York State. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.

It provides top-quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in Washington, D.C. The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. 

After issuing a press release yesterday, WXXI changed the air dates today. See changes below.

Oliver's Candies and P.W. Minor will be featured in upcoming segments on "Homework Hotline," WXXI’s live statewide educational television program.

It provides students in grades four through 12 with the tools needed to succeed in school and will look at four Western New York businesses, two in Genesee County. They are part of a series of video segments that show how everyday items are made.

The features will air as part of "Homework Hotline" at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 18 25 through Nov. 9 15 on WXXI-TV and online at homeworkhotline.org. 

On Oct. 25 (NOT the 18th) Oliver’s Candies will be featured. The segment shares how the Batavia candy company got started and how they are still making the same candy that was made in 1932. And, viewers will get a closer look to see how peanut brittle is made.

On Nov. 1 (NOT Oct. 25) P.W. Minor will be featured, offering viewers a firsthand look at how this 150-year old Batavia shoe company’s hands-on process hasn’t changed much since they first began.

These segments will be available online at homeworkhotline.org once they have aired.

Produced by WXXI in partnership with Rochester Teachers Association (RTA), "Homework Hotline" supports academic achievement across a variety of New York State Learning Standards. Teachers from the Rochester City School District host the show – teaching mini lessons in various curriculum topics to give more depth to problem solving and complex content. To learn more about "Homework Hotline," visit: homeworkhotline.org.

"Homework Hotline" is made possible with state funding provided by the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and local support from Rochester Teachers Association.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at​ East Main and Bank streets in Downtown Batavia. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.

Affordable Floorcovering, in Batavia, is turning 20 this year, giving customers deals to celebrate the anniversary.

Jeffery Ackerman started the family-run business in 1997, with the mission of providing good, quality floor coverings, with a huge cost savings.

Affordable Floorcovering is currently owned by Bruce Robertson and Dave Kaczmarak, both residents of Warsaw.

Robertson and Kaczmarak have known each other for more than 14 years. They met when their daughters were in third grade.  

They bought the store from Ackerman in 2015, located at 4152 W. Main Street Road in Batavia.

“The opportunity came up where we could go into business together,” Robertson said.

Kaczmarak has been installing for Affordable Floorcovering for more than 23 years. He had been a previous store owner, and wanted to get back into owning one. Robertson said he always wanted to own a business.

“[The opportunity] came up and we both just wanted to take advantage of it,” Robertson said.

Affordable Floorcovering is a discount-warehouse-style flooring store, specializing in low-cost alternatives to regular retail stores. They sell, carpet, tile, wood and laminate flooring. They deal directly with the major manufacturers’ outlet departments, bringing customers savings.

It's also a green company, committed to preserving the environment.

Robertson said they have been busy running the store, so they haven’t made plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Instead, they have planned to promote the anniversary and are running deals and specials throughout the rest of the year.

“We wanted to pass it onto the customers, instead of celebrating it ourselves,” Robertson said.

Affordable Floorcovering is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The website is located here. 

When they took over the store in 2015, Robertson said they added a computer, which was something that Ackerman did not put in at the time.  

“Other than that, I wouldn’t say there are a lot of differences,” Robertson said.

Robertson said the way they go about business, trying to bring in more business, is different.

“We’re just trying to bring in new business, keep stuff new and fresh as much as we can,” Robertson said. “We try to keep the prices the same as before, always affordable.

Jacob J. Camerera, 26, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawfully growing cannabis. Camerera was arrested after police responded to a neighbor illegally burning garbage at 10:03 a.m., Sunday. While Officer Mark Lawrence and Sgt. Daniel Coffey were explaining the violation of the Batavia Municipal Code, they noticed marijuana plants growing on the roof of Camerera's residence. Camerera was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Guy J. Bontrager, 46, of Werner Road, Attica, is charged with trespass. Bontrager allegedly drove an ATV on leased property on Spring Road, Alexander, without permission at 5:48 p.m. Oct. 1 causing inconvenience to deer hunters in the area.

Woodrow C. Horseman, 41, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Horseman allegedly pushed another person against a wall and then threw that person's phone in the road when the person tried to call the police. The incident was reported at 3:17 p.m., Thursday.

Jeffrey D. Freeman, 37, of South Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Freeman was allegedly involved in a domestic incident at 9:50 a.m. Thursday on South Spruce Street, Batavia.

Sy Jesman T. Brown, 32, of Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation. Brown was arrested by State Police following a traffic stop on the I-490 in Le Roy at 9:15 a.m., Sunday. Also arrested and charged with criminal impersonation, 31-year-old Natassia V. Travis, of Rochester. Karaya D. Cummings, 28, of Rochester, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operation. All were ordered held on bail. No further details released.

St. James Episcopal Church will host a Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m., Saturday. All pets are welcome.

The event will be held on the church's front lawn. All pets must be leashed or in a cage. If you can't bring your pet, you are encouraged to bring a picture.

Diane Cox wrote this about the event:

A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets. This custom is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

Francis, whose feast day is celebrated in October loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

For single householders, a pet (aka furbaby) can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find their furbaby overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature.

Our furbabies are family: we love them, we talk to them, you can purchase health insurance for them, we now have human choices in veterinarian health care, pet therapy; we grieve for when they cross the rainbow bridge, and we can choose for them to be laid to rest with us. 

The bond between person and furbaby is like no other relationship because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.