batavia

Press release:

The Batavia Improvement District’s Summer in the City festival presents GO ART!’s Chalk the Walk. As part of the bash that is Summer in the City, which is sponsored by the Batavia Improvement District, there will be some extra artistry and competition.

GO ART! will be presenting the second annual Chalk the Walk on Aug. 15th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Artists, professional and amateur and young and old, will be able to purchase a square section of concrete by the City Center to decorate with chalk pastels. There will also be a children’s section for fun scribbling. Using materials available, artists will follow the theme “GO ART!...Where does art take YOU?” to create inspired pieces for a crowd of at least 2,000 people.

Prizes will be awarded to those whose pieces are most outstanding. Adult First Prize will be $250. People’s Choice Award will be a $20 Alex’s Place gift card, two T-shirts, and two mugs. The Youth Prize will be a basket of goodies worth more than $50.

A jury will select the winners for Adult First Prize and the Youth Prize. People’s Choice will be chosen by the general public by way of donation voting (ie: the art piece that receives the most donation money will be the People’s Choice winner). All donations collected for the People’s Choice Award will go to funding GO ART! youth programming.

To sign-up for this event, people need to register online at http://www.goart.org/chalk-the-walk/ or register in person at GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, from Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. People can also sign up and pay the day of the event but it is highly encouraged to do so ahead of time. Remember, no one is officially registered until payment is received.

Fees are $20 for adults (18+) and $10 for Youths (17 & under). Every registered artists will receive a box of chalks and a drink to get them started. There will be a chalk swap area where people can trade out their chalks for other colors they need. Artists are encouraged to bring their own chalks as well.

It is important to assure that each artist and their work, as well as the event itself, is respected, so there will be rules and regulations. These are available on the Web site at at http://www.goart.org/chalk-the-walk/.

People can find updates on Chalk the Walk by going to the Web site: http://www.goart.org/chalk-the-walk/ or by following Chalk the Walk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BataviaStreetPaintingFestival.

Chalk the Walk is currently seeking financial sponsors to make this exciting event happen and those interested should e-mail or call Gena Korn at americorps@goart.org or at (585) 343-9313.

CONTACT PERSON: GENA KORN
PHONE #: 585.343.9313
E-MAIL: americorps@GOart.org

July 21st - EMERGENCY RESPONDER NIGHT

All Day - Wade Henry - Entertainment Tent
8am-12pm - Final Set-up of Merton & Kennedy Building - Merton Building

    4-H Club Exhibits in place
    4-H Community Service, Promotional & Project Displays

9am - 4-H Market Swine Show & Showmanship - Show Ring
10am - Open Class Rabbit & Chicken Show    - Merton Building
12pm - 4-H Market Goat Show & Showmanship - Show Ring
2:30pm - 4-H Market Sheep Show & Showmanship - Show Ring
2:30pm - 4-H Meat Goat Show & Showmanship - Open Dairy Building
2-8pm - Mr. Scribbles - Exhibition Building
5-10pm - MIDWAY OPENS - Amusement Area
5:30pm - PARADE LINE-UP, Raceway 5 Pits - Fairgrounds
6pm - 4-H Beef Show & Showmanship - Show Ring
6:30pm - GENESEE CO. FAIR GRAND PARADE through the Fairgrounds
7:30pm - Barrel Racing - Horse Arena
8pm - Fair Queen Part 1 - Entertainment Tent Stage
10pm - EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS CLOSE 

For more information on this year's fair and daily events, please click here to visit our site!

Guy Clark Jr., owner of Cedar Street Sales and Rentals, said that as far as he knows, he has the only test-drive lawn for lawnmowers in the area.

Over a period of months, Clark and his sons Connor (pictured with Guy) and Adam transformed what had just been a strip of weeds next to the store's building into a well-manicured lawn where customers can test drive the complete line of Cub Cadet riding mowers.

Clark went all local in designing and building the test drive area. Jon Ehrmentraut of Le Roy designed the yard. The grass came from Batavia Turf. Tri-County Glass and Armor Building Supply provided materials for a new door from the shop into the yard. Sterling Tent made the awning over the door, and the landscaping was purchased from local nurseries.

Clark figures the little park-like addition to his business will also be suitable for community after-work parties.

Press release:

The City of Batavia recently ranked as the 14th best city to start a business in New York State, according to NerdWallet, a finance Web site which provides information and comparison tools to consumers preparing to make financial decisions.

The analysis was conducted in connection to a dramatic increase in revenue by New York-based businesses, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. It evaluated many factors, including total population, number of businesses with paid employees and unemployment rates. NerdWallet analyzed 83 cities throughout New York State.

“Batavia’s high ranking as one of the best communities in New York to start a business is reflective of tremendous growth of entrepreneurship and economic development in our region,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). “There are a wide range of small business resources made available to entrepreneurs by GCEDC and our partners at the Batavia Development Corporation, the City of Batavia and the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID).”  

According to NerdWallet, Batavia’s strengths include an above-average economy, a significant number of existing businesses and a relatively low cost of living.

The ranking included criteria gathered for a total of 83 communities in New York State, each with a population of at least 10,000. The analysis calculated the overall score for each location based on each city’s business climate and economic health using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Additionally, results from the analysis indicate that college towns are “good for business,” noting that most of the top-ranking cities are home to at least one college or university, many of which are campuses of the SUNY system.

“Batavia and Genesee County are fortunate to be located geographically between (the) two major metropolitan regions of Buffalo and Rochester, both of which have a number of prestigious centers of higher education,” Hyde said. “This exposes our residents to many educational and employment opportunities that often are the result of the education and training provided through Genesee Community College.”

Earlier this year, Batavia/Genesee County was also ranked by Site Selection Magazine as one of the top micropolitans in the United States. The ranking recognized the GCEDC for achieving $58.07 million in new capital investments for Genesee County and the creation of more than 140 new jobs in 2014.

Kim M. Mobley, 52, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of grand larceny, 4th, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, menacing, 2nd, and obstruction of governmental administration. Mobley allegedly possessed a knife and menaced several individuals during an altercation on Hutchins Street. Mobley is also accused of stealing money from an officer who had seized it from an arrestee as property or evidence. She was put in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Bobby L. Mobley Jr., 40, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and obstruction of governmental administration. Mobley is accused of attempting to interfere with a police investigation. The incident occurred on Hutchins Street. He was held in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

A 17-year-old is charged with grand larceny, 4th. The youth allegedly broke into vehicles parked in a lot at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, and stole items. The youth was put in the Genesee County Jail on $100,000 bail for an unrelated matter.

Christopher D. Hallas, 28, of York Road, Le Roy, is charged with aggravated DWI, DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, use of a loaned vehicle without an interlock device, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Hallas was the operator of a one-car accident that occurred in Le Roy. He allegedly has two prior DWI convictions in 10 years. He was put in the Genesee County Jail on $15,000 bail.

Jason P. Wickson, 33, of Cedar Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing and menacing, 3rd, following an alleged domestic incident on Cedar Street. Wickson is accused of choking, threatening and causing injury to the victim. He was held at the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Joseph M. Marranco Jr., 44, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and resisting arrest following an investigation into a shoplifting incident at Tops Market in Batavia. Marranco allegedly fled the store on a bicycle and was located on Redfield Parkway by Batavia Police. After a brief foot chase, he was arrested. He was put in the Genesee County Jail on $2,500 bail.

Dain O. Kilian, 31, of Livingstion Street, Warsaw, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and dark tinted side windows. Kilian was pulled over on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Kilian allegedly gave a fictitious name and was found to have a suspended driver's license. He was put in Gensee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Julie L. Dutton, 20 of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon with the intent to use, criminal mischief with the intent to damage property and second-degree menacing with a weapon. Dutton is accused of brandishing a knife and attempting to cause serious physical injury to another person during an altercation at her residence. Dutton also allegedly damaged the victim's cell phone. She was issued an appearance ticket and was already in custody on another matter.

Richard M. Schiersing, 39, of Sand Hill Road, Caledonia, is charged with petit larceny, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, concealing or destroying physical evidence and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Schiersing allegedly stole and discarded evidence from a pending arrest while in custody. The incident occurred on West Main Street in Batavia. He was put in the Genesee County Jail.

Albert W. Donovan II, 32, of North Lake Road, Bergen, is charged with aggravated DWI, DWI, failure to keep right, moving from a lane unsafely and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway. Donovan was pulled over on North Lake Road in Bergen by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Latiqua S. Jackson, 21, of East Main Street, Batavia, was arrested inside the courtroom of Batavia City Court on a warrant for a petit larceny charge and unlawful possession of marijuana. Jackson is accused of stealing a computer tablet from a residence on Hutchins Street in April. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail.

Justine D. McWethy, 28, of Fairway Drive, Batavia, was arrested on the execution of a bench warrant. McWethy allegedly failed to abide by the contract of her release. She was put in Genesee County Jail on $2,500 bail.

Two dogs are reportedly locked inside a vehicle parked outside of Denny's restaurant on Main Street in Batavia. An animal control officer is called to respond. It's about 83 degrees.

A car has reportedly hit a pedestrian in the area of 42 Clinton Ave., Batavia.

The car has left the area.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 5:04 p.m.: City fire back in service.

(Pictured: Vanessa Andrews, Jim Andrews, Bob Mullen, Gina Mullen, Peg Patterson, director of development at Crossroads House, Anthony LoCastro, Paul Ohlson, founder of Care-A-Van Ministries, and Jeff Allen, executive director at Crossroads House.)

Proceeds from the fifth annual Jerry "Rat" Cone Memorial Run were donated to Crossroads House this afternoon. The total amount raised from the bike run was $1,192. CMA Barnabas Riders put on the pancake breakfast and Care-A-Van Ministries provided tailgate grilling for the event.

The way District Attorney Lawrence Friedman sees it, Kasean Shannon is a dangerous sexual predator who is unable to comprehend the damage he does to his victims and therefore should spend the maximum amount of time available in his plea deal in prison.

That is 15 years.

Judge Robert C. Noonan agreed.

"The defendant says he made a mistake," Friedman said. "That's how he characterized his sexual assault on five females. He said he never intended to hurt them. I think that shows his total lack of understanding of what he's been doing over the years."

Before handing down the 15-year sentence on his guilty plea to attempted first-degree rape, Noonan told Shannon, "You're a predator and a serial sex offender. You don't seem to have any regard for the female person on this earth when you want what you want."

Shannon was also sentenced on his guilty pleas to sexual abuse, incest and criminal contempt. 

None of Shannon's victim's appeared in court, as they could have, to plead for a stringent sentence, but the mother of his child did speak to the court, urging Noonan to not issue an order of protection in her name or the name of their child.

"I am very much in love with him and wish to get married to him as soon as I can," the woman said. "I know what he did is awful, but I want our daughter to know him. She needs to know what he did, but she also needs to know him and make up her own mind about him and not what everybody says about him."

Rarick urged Noonan to sentence Shannon to only five years, giving him time to learn from his mistakes and turn his life around.

Shannon told Noonan that he knows what he did is wrong.

"I'm willing to learn from what I've done," Shannon said. "I will enter any program I need to enter in. I want to be there for my daughter."

Once released, Shannon will be on parole for 15 years.

A 30-year-old Attica resident will spend at least the next year of his life in state prison for a burglary in Batavia last November, though he would rather spend the time with his young son.

Jason L. Cramer Sr., told Genesee County Court Judge Robert C. Noonan that he knows he has a drug problem, but that's no excuse of his criminal activity.

"I know what I did is wrong," Cramer said. "I intend to use whatever time you give me as a time to better myself and become a better man."

His attorney, Fred Rarick, said Cramer started using heroin when he was 16.

"He continued to use heroin even though he knew it might lead to his death, even though he knew that it might lead, as it could today, to time in prison," Rarick said. "In spite of that, he's been unable to combat his addiction."

Rarick said he thought his client would benefit from rehabilitation programs available through the Department of Corrections. 

Noonan sentenced Cramer to an indeterminate one to three years, which is a slightly less than the maximum sentence available to the judge.

Tonight's Jackson Square concert, featuring Penny Whiskey, is being moved to City Centre because there may be rain.

The show is at 7 p.m.

A Batavia resident was jailed without bail following a motor-vehicle accident in a parking lot near Tim Horton's on Main Street at 9:51 .m., July 10. 

Richard M. Schiersing is charged with DWI, combined influence of drugs and alcohol.

Police initially responded to the area after receiving a report of an erratic driver.

Schiersing was reportedly driving a 2005 Scion XA and hit a curb and allegedly committed numerous traffic offenses before striking a vehicle in the parking lot between the U.S. Post Office and Tim Horton's, located at 20 Main St., Downtown. 

Officer Kevin DeFelice conducted a standardized field sobriety test, which Schiersing allegedly failed. A drug recognition expert was called in to assist in the investigation, lead to the charge of combined influence of drugs and alcohol.

Lauren L. Heale, 26, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with petit larceny. Heale allegedly stole a video game system from a residence. She was jailed on $500 bail.

Ashley M. Morgan, 24, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The incident happened on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia.

Tyler J. Cutajar, 19, of 80th Street, Niagara Falls, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop by Deputy Joseph Corona on Alleghany Road in Darien.

The City of Batavia is just beginning what will be a nearly two-year process to review and rewrite its comprehensive plan, and one topic of discussion that will certainly come up is whether -- or to what degree -- should the city adopt what's known as "form-based codes."

Form-based codes move community planning and development away from complex regulatory zoning codes and into a planning document that sets the parameters of what a community wants to be. A community is still divided into zones -- commercial, residential, industrial, for example -- but the form-based code sets the vision for the kind of structures that should be encouraged and what the outcome of new construction or remodeling should be.

An increasing number of communities throughout the United States are going to a form-based code process and Felipe A. Oltramari, director of planning for Genesee County, and Derik Kane, a senior planner with the county, presented a seminar Wednesday night for a handful of community planners on form-based codes.

City Manager Jason Molino attended, as did Matt Gray, a member of the city's Planning Board.

"This is one direction we could go in," Molino said. "It may not be, but that's a discussion you need to have to see if there is a consensus in the community."

The comprehensive plan process is built around the idea of gathering input and feedback from members of the community who care enough and engage enough to ensure their voices are heard. Consultants will be hired -- the city has a $100,000 budget for the comprehensive plan process -- and many meetings will be held, where views and visions will be aired.

The city's current comprehensive plan was drafted in 1997. The city is currently collecting bids from consultants to help with drafting a new plan. Soon, the planning board will review those bids and make a recommendation to the City Council. Meetings, hearings and reviews will begin once the contract is awarded.

Molino expects the city will hear concerns about how difficult the current planning process is. It's already a common complaint, that it's too hard to develop either commercial or residential real estate, that the regulatory process is cumbersome, arbitrary and too much is left open to interpretation.

Form-based codes are designed to fix those issues, which are so common to traditional zoning regulations.

Gray, owner of Alex's Restaurant as well as three restaurants in Raleigh, N.C., has some experience dealing with Byzantine planning methods. He's also been on the other side now for a few months, trying to make decisions about development applications.

"Form-based codes will help developers and the inspection department administer new building," Gray said. "From that angle, I think it will facilitate a much quicker and better-understood design. Period."

One outcome that has been consistent for communities that have implemented form-based codes is developers are more attracted to those communities. It's economically beneficial for them to build where the planning process is clear, concise and simplified. 

A form-based code could help increase interest in the city's Brownfield Opportunity Area sites, all of which are already drawing some degree of developer interest, Molino said.

"Everything we've done and tried to begin (regarding) redevelopment of the BOA sites is about making it easier for the developer to come in and start redevelopment," Molino said. "This may dovetail right into that. This may be our perfect transition into what else we can do."

Form-based codes are a favorite planning tool of new urbanism's acolytes.

New urbanism promotes more mixed-use communities with a density of structures that is less car-oriented and tailored more toward pedestrians and bicyclists.

A form-based code does not necessarily have to lead to a community vision that follows the goals of new urbanism, but it can help in that process.

A key concept of form-based codes is something called the "transect," a word borrowed from the world of natural environment planning. A transect is a gradient between the lowest land -- sea level, up to the mountains, and all of the changes in environment and microenvironments in between. 

In a form-based code environment that takes on a large geographical area, a transect is planned between the very rural to the very urban.

The idea is to find the right form base for each point on the continuum of the transect. Those zoning areas are written into the code, based on what the community wants. The process that uncovers these wants, dreams and desires and concerns is known as the charrette.

Gray thinks a form-based code could help the City of Batavia.

He's seen firsthand what sprawl does to a community, which is why he and his family returned to his hometown after living in Raleigh for a while.

"We couldn't take the commute anymore," Gray said. "It took 40 minutes to get to work and it really wasn't that far."

If a form-based code implemented along new urbanism's lines helps spur greater commercial and residential development Downtown, that could help alleviate the traffic congestion building up on the west side of the town, Gray said.

Whether Batavia adopts a form-based code, either for the whole city, or just a portion, such as Downtown, will really be up to the community members who participate in the comprehensive plan process, Molino said.

As it proceeds, there may be no demand for form-based code, or people may decide that the current code is good enough even as complicated as it is, or perhaps some new idea pops out.

"A form-based code isn't the only option," Molino said.

There are big changes afoot at p.w. minor.

Owners Andrew Young and Pete Zeliff are working to quickly transform and grow the once nearly moribund Batavia-based shoemaker they rescued last year. 

As a part of the transformation,Young and Zeliff came up with a new visionary statement to "dream big, get shit done and know how to have fun." They believe the three goals capture their approach to business and what they need to achieve to be successful. 

Before Young and Zeliff purchased p.w. minor, the company's main goal was to stay open. Now the goals are growth and expansion. 

"We came in with a positive attitude, bold ideas and a huge vision," Young said. "It's a different way of doing things and employees really like it."

To fulfill their vision, Young and Zeliff plan on bringing back production from China and creating more jobs. In April, the company received a $900,000 state-backed aid package to help move jobs from China back to Batavia with the goal of creating at least 100 jobs locally. They have already expanded the local staff by 25 new employees.

Two recent hires bring big-time experience to the rejuvenated company. One is a Batavia native who was eager to return home but continue her career in fashion product development; the other has made the West Coast to East Coast migration because she's excited by the opportunity and fresh energy at the new p.w. minor. Both fit into the shift of culture Young and Zeliff are trying to inoculate into the 148-year-old shoe company.

Kristine McCarthy, a 1999 graduate of Batavia High School, arrived at p.w. minor last month with 12 years experience in accessories with two top name fashion companies in New York City.

McCarthy moved to NYC after graduating from the fashion program at Buffalo State College in 2003; she landed a job with a catalog company. In addition to working for the catalog company, McCarthy has worked in the accessories department for Ann Taylor in material sourcing and Coach in product development. McCarthy and her husband, Brian, who also grew up Batavia, enjoyed living in the city but decided to return to their hometown to raise their son, Jack, and be closer to family.

She began searching for jobs in Batavia last winter and came across all the media coverage about the changes at p.w. minor. She reached out to Zeliff and Young via e-mail and expressed her interest in working for the company. Young, intrigued by her career experience and local background, offered her a position. Hiring a product developer was also a big hole they needed to fill.

During her first month on the job, McCarthy has started working with the purchasing team to source new materials and the design team to execute product samples. She is currently overseeing the production of eight new shoe designs for next Spring. Her goal is to make the products both comfortable and fashionable.

One of the aspects of her job at p.w. minor that is different from her other jobs is the ability to watch the shoe designs come to life at the factory.

"It's different being at the factory," McCarthy said. "This job is a lot more hands-on and I'm gaining more knowledge because of it. I want to learn as much as I can about the manufacturing of a shoe and every detail that goes into it."

She is eager to learn from Young and Zeliff and be a part of the company's growth.

"It's such an exciting thing to be a part of," McCarthy said. "They are both intelligent and there is so much I can learn from them. They are great leaders and have great energy."

Erika Williamson, a pattern maker for a Nike development center in Beaverton, Ore., decided to accept a job at p.w. minor and relocate to Batavia to obtain experience working in a factory. 

"If I wanted to work in a factory for Nike, I would have needed to relocate to China or Sri Lanka," Williamson said. "To me p.w. minor was a great opportunity to not have to relocate overseas."

Williamson never heard of p.w. minor until she randomly received a call from a recruiter a month and a half ago about an opening for a pattern engineer. After learning more about the company and having three phone interviews, she was flown out to Batavia and offered a job on the spot.

She has been designing shoes since she was 12 years old and has 10 years worth of professional experience in fashion. She earned a degree in Arts and Apparel Sciences from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. After college, she worked on the fashion segment for KUSI news in San Diego and then moved back to Oregon to do various contract jobs in the apparel industry. 

At Nike she worked on the production floor. She spent two years sewing shoes in production and three years in footwear development. Although she liked designing sports performance shoes at Nike, her passion lies within fashion and developing more high-end style shoes.

Williamson has already started working at p.w. minor drawing and drafting patterns for new shoe designs. One of her goals is to design a comfortable high heel for women who are always on the go. She plans to design a 2- to 3-inch leather heel that is dressy but doesn't leave behind painful blisters after a long day at work.

"I really like working in a factory," Williamson said. "Coming from working on the production floor at Nike, I have found people are more down to earth here. I enjoy working on the equipment and interacting with people. It's a very hands-on job which I love."

Williamson also plans to use her skill in commercialization and full product testing she gained at Nike to get the factory running efficiently after all the production is brought back from China. When she first started working at the development center at Nike, the business unit was small and only three employees worked there. However, in three years the unit grew and became the most sought after group in the company, which led to the creation of 30 jobs. From her experience, she predicts p.w. minor will significantly expand in the next few years.

"With what p.w. minor wants to accomplish and the resources they have, I think within the next three to five years we are going to be seeing a huge growth within the company," Williamson said.

In the near future, Young will be hiring more new employees. 

"We also have some heavy growth plans that will require more hiring," Young said.