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Car reportedly leaves scene of accident in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle has reportedly fled the scene following a two-vehicle accident at South Lake Road and Buffalo Road in Bergen.

One person reports a back injury.  

One vehicle is in a ditch.

Bergen Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding. A second ambulance was dispatched but has been canceled.

A possible suspect vehicle has been located on Route 19 near North Road.

UPDATE 7:30 p.m.: One person transported to Strong.

Law and Order: Le Roy resident accused of stealing credit card, making purchases

By Howard B. Owens

Shannon Lee Marvin, 30, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with grand larceny. Marvin is accused of stealing a credit card from a person in Bergen in November and making several purchases with the card. Marvin was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Abigail M. Russell, 19, of Hamburg, is charged with petit larceny. Russell is accused of shoplifting a bag full of groceries from a local store at 12:01 p.m., Jan. 4. After receiving a report of the larceny, Russell was located by a Batavia patrol officer, identified as the suspect, and arrested.  She was released on an appearance ticket.

Walter M. Rhynes, 30, of Rochester, is charged with harassment 2nd. Rhynes is accused of trying to strike an employee of a local hotel at 1:29 p.m., Jan. 1. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Brittany N. Leach, 28, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief 4th. Leach is accused of damaging a door and a vehicle on State Street at 11:10 p.m., Jan. 4. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Marcus T. Hill, 29, of East Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. The warrant stems from an incident reported at 9:45 p.m., April 25 (no details released) and was issued July 28 after Hill allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered. He was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Hailee N. Callicutt, 21, of Batavia, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, driving without insurance, driving on a suspended registration, and driving a vehicle with an obstructed view. Callicutt was stopped by Officer Peter Post at 10:02 p.m., Jan. 1, on Liberty Street.  She was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian Graziaplena, 70, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Graziaplena reportedly drove his car into a tree at 4:23 p.m., Jan. 1, on North Lyon Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket and released to a sober third party.

Dean C. Siminski, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Siminski allegedly sent a letter to a person covered by an order of protection. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Eric Tyler McGrain, 29, of Donlin Drive, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, speeding, refusal to take breath test, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely. McGrain was stopped at 1:21 p.m., Jan. 8, on College Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Trisha R. Santora, 39, of Batavia, is charged with eight counts of petit larceny and eight counts of falsifying business records 1st. Santora was arrested by State Police for an alleged crime reported in November. She was issued an appearance ticket. No further details were released.

Kyle A. Hillyard, 29, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Hillyard was stopped at 1:35 a.m., Jan. 9, by State Police in the Town of Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian P. Demko, 44, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Demko was arrested by State Police following an investigation in an incident reported at 7:42 p.m., Dec. 26, in the Town of Batavia. He allegedly made a threat toward another person. He was released on his own recognizance. No further details released.

Neighbor, volunteer firefighter may have helped save woman trapped in burning mobile home

By Howard B. Owens

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When Bergen Assistant Chief Garrett Dean arrived on the scene of a structure fire at 84 Woodside Lane, in the Hidden Valley Meadow Park, Thursday night, he observed a mobile home with flames shooting out of one corner of the residence and was informed by a neighbor that a woman may be trapped inside.

The neighbor said he had tried kicking in the front door but the door was blocked, possibly by the woman who lived there.

Dean said he was able to reach around the door, grab her and carry her to safety with the help of the neighbor.

"They said they talked to the neighbors and the neighbors said they were pounding on the door, but couldn't get a reply," Dean said. "I believe the neighbor that was pounding on the door was the one that actually kicked the door in and when I got on location helped me get her out."

At first, the woman wasn't breathing, Dean said. With the assistance of the neighbor, he used first-aid techniques to get her breathing again.

It felt like minutes but was probably only about 30 seconds, he said.

The resident, whose name has not been released, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital but Dean said he's been informed she may be transferred to Syracuse for a higher level of treatment for her smoke inhalation.

"She was very lucky," Dean said. "It's a good thing this is a very tight-knit community. They're all older adults that live here and they take very good care of each other."

Departments from three counties responded to the fire.

The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation.

A firefighter at the scene also needed treatment at the scene for minor smoke inhalation but remained on scene following treatment.

Top photo: Reader-submitted.  Bottom photos, Alecia Kaus/Video News Service.

Alecia Kaus/Video News Service contributed to this story.

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Bergen business owner takes food prep to a whole other level

By Joanne Beck

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There’s a joke at Bergen’s Craft Cannery about the necessity to document even the most minute details.

Except that it’s not so much a joke as it is a principle for owner Paul Guglielmo. And it was just that type of meticulous business practice that earned the Bergen businessman a coveted Safe Quality Food certification.

“Let's say it's required to have a bachelor's degree to do food safety. This would be like getting a doctorate, Ok? It's really rigorous in the sense that the joke is, you know, if you sneeze, there's a procedure and a form to fill out. But the truth is, it's just a really, really dedicated paper trail on everything you do and everything that comes in and out of your building,” Guglielmo said during an interview with The Batavian. “I’m an entrepreneur flying by the seat of my pants, and I don't necessarily have the time or the wherewithal or even the intelligence to put all these systems in place. And this puts systems in place for you and essentially forces you into a system that is used by some of the most successful plants in the world.”

Graduating from that Safe Quality Food program — similar to obtaining a doctorate degree — has meant more and higher-level opportunities, including acquiring the business of “bigger, regional brands,” he said. 

About the cannery ...
It may help to put this into perspective by knowing more about Craft Cannery, a Genesee County hidden secret tucked behind Liberty Pumps at 7100 Appletree Lane in Bergen. Craft Cannery specializes in taking recipes from individuals, restaurants or food production brands, and adjusting them for large production. The cannery then takes those more voluminous recipes and produces, bottles, labels, and ships the final goods for companies across the region.

Guglielmo branded his family name for a tomato sauce seven years ago and had been producing it at a nearby site in Bergen. That has morphed into specializing in sauces, dressings, oils, marinades, teas, soups, meat sauces, meal-in-jars and other items under other local labels, including Uncle Tony’s, Sticky Lips BBQ, Uncle Ralph’s, Old Pueblo Grill, Red Osier and dozens of other “high profile” brands, he said. 

The cannery is one of six USDA-certified manufacturing canneries in New York State, which allows the company to produce meat-based products. Led by Guglielmo, with the support and input from his wife Ryann, and a team of seven employees, the cannery most recently earned Safe Quality Food certification through Safe Quality Foods Institute. That entailed a two-day audit after what Guglielmo describes as a “year in-the-making” preparation with the help of a quality assurance consultant and SQF practitioner. 

The Audit …
So what exactly is a Safe Quality Food certificate? It’s a methodical system of checking all aspects of the cannery’s business practices to ensure that all ingredients, operations, documentation and canning/bottling processes are noted and verified as meeting the guidelines of being safe, quality food. The auditor takes a randomly selected batch of product and tests it based on things like the ingredients, where they’re from, when they were shipped to the site, how they were prepared, the temperature at which they were cooked, and the backup paperwork on all of it. 

“In late July they did the audit; it was two days going through everything with a fine-tooth comb. Now that we have (SQF status) it’s a big deal,” Guglielmo said.  “It unlocked the door for us … it took us to the next level.” 

From the airwaves to bottling …
Guglielmo started out in media as a radio host for 15 years. A budding entrepreneur, he took his childhood experience of canning tomatoes with his grandfather and decided to bottle and sell his elder’s tomato sauce under the label Guglielmo’s. He was doing that in a manufacturing plant in Bergen before discovering that “I can do bottling for a living,” he said. That was a “pinch yourself moment."

“I was loving running this little sauce business. I’m more of a bull in a china shop, full-speed ahead. (The SQF process) forces you to slow down,” he said. “If you want to work with big brands, then you need to have this certification. And it allowed us to start to work with some big brands. And so it has really been a breakthrough moment for us.”

Through a connection with "Coach" Tony Perry, the founder of Permac, and who was planning to soon retire, Guglielmo drove out at 4:30 in the morning to meet with the early riser about buying his Bergen-based operation. A deal was made, and Guglielmo’s grew into Craft Cannery. He started Guglielmo's sauce with 20 cases of marinara sauce in the summer of 2014, and today the product is available in over 500 stores, including Wegmans, Tops, and Whole Foods, and hundreds of locally owned small businesses across the Northeast.  The operation moved into 5,000 square feet behind Liberty Pumps. That move included going more automated, which, contrary to popular belief, required more employees and not less, he said. He and partners Tom Riggio and Jay Perry, the son of Coach Tony, are hoping to expand the current site in the near future.

Guglielmo, who lives in Rochester with his wife Ryann and their 3-year-old son Leo, believes in giving back to the community. He is a Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 award recipient, serves on the Board of Directors for Rochester Rotary and Big Brothers Big Sisters, has spoken to culinary arts students as a member of Genesee Valley BOCES Culinary Board, and is heavily involved and active in the community.

His wife is in marketing, and she helped with Guglielmo’s logo and public relations efforts. She has enjoyed watching her husband navigate the entrepreneurial world. He admittedly has had some tough lessons, and learned that it’s ok to oversee employees and direct them on what to do, he said. In fact, he learned that his employees welcomed the idea and were looking for guidance versus ample latitude to figure things out on their own. He credits his and the team’s resilience to keep going even on the hard days, because the good ones will come around again. 

It has been that kind of education that has strengthened his business skills, Ryann said. 

“It’s been such a journey to see Paul become a leader … as the sauce came around, it was just him and I working every festival. Now he’s leading a team of nine people,” she said. “He takes such pride and taking care of his team, he takes that so seriously. He is really becoming a great leader and he cares about his team.”

His next big goal is to triple the size of his current plant and break ground by 2023.

“I like Bergen. Genesee County has been really, really great,” the 38-year-old said.

Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF family of food safety and quality codes are designed to meet industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain – from the farm all the way to the retail stores. Audits will be conducted once a year to maintain the SQF status, with the first two being scheduled in advance, followed by surprise, unannounced visits beginning in year three. The time, effort and tracking have been worthwhile for his bottom line, Guglielmo said. 

“I want nothing more than to produce safe, quality products for my customers,” Guglielmo said. “The thing I am most proud of is how hard every single team member has worked towards this SQF certification. The approval of our SQF program is a testament to this Craft Cannery team. We’ll always be committed to food safety, and we’re ready to keep working and making products our clients – and their customers – love.”

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Top photo: Craft Cannery owner Paul Guglielmo shows some labels for his own product, Guglielmo's tomato sauce, at the company site in Bergen. Labels are just a portion of his business that also includes recipe creation, cooking, bottling and shipping of several local and regional brands. Cannery partner James Perry is shown pouring product into bottles and employee Steven Coakley watches a line of labeled product move along an assembly line. Photos by Howard Owens.

Mobile home fire reported in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

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A mobile home fire is reported at 84 Woodside Lane, in the Hidden Valley Meadow Park, Bergen.

One person has been taken from the residence by a firefighter.

Bergen Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched

UPDATE 8:04 p.m.: This is a working structure fire.  Byron, South Byron, Stafford, responding. 

Grand Jury Report: Woman accused of cocaine possession in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Danielle R. Tooley is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. On Nov. 24, in the Town of Bergen, Tooley is accused of possessing more than 500 milligrams of cocaine.  On that same date, she is accused of driving a 2008 Volvo on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, while her license was suspended.

Vehicle on its side following accident in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

A vehicle is on its side a person is reported entrapped following an accident in the area of 7235 South Lake Road, Bergen.

Bergen Fire and ambulance along with Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 12:05 p.m.: The patient has been extricated.

Bergen mayor reflects on some of the successes in the village in 2021

By Virginia Kropf

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As 2021 draws to a close, the village of Bergen can look back on a year of successes, while looking forward to new improvements.

This week, mayor Anna Marie Barclay reflected back on some of the positive advancements made in the village this year, the most notable being the buildings on Main Street which were restored with a Main Street grant which Barclay applied for and received two years ago.

As a result of the façade restoration, four new businesses have opened on Main Street – Pivot Acupuncture owned by Barclay’s son and daughter-in-law Derek and Lainy Barclay, TK Flooring, a laundromat, and Alvamar Healthy Foods.

Barclay would like to have a Main Street open house, perhaps in the spring when Covid is not a concern.

The village has recently redone several village streets with oil and stone, preserving them for another five years, the mayor said. They were able to carry over state money for road repair. Two small streets, Spring Street and Leroy Street are left to do, she said.

As part of the Federal American Rescue Plan, Bergen received $112,000, half of which is reserved for their stormwater, wastewater, and Covid mitigation issues.

“We wanted to come up with a plan for the most efficient way to use the money,” Barclay said. “Our proposal is to finish mapping our stormwater infrastructure. After that, we will use the funds left to update and repair our stormwater infrastructure. We have maintained our system but there is work that needs to be done.”

She added it has been 10 to 12 years since the stormwater infrastructure was mapped.

Now that people can be outside more, due to Covid, we plan to build a new restroom in Hickory Park.

“Our parks and trails and disc golf course are used extensively by our residents and those outside our village,” Barclay said. “The new restroom will have a utility section in the center, with the restrooms on each end. That will allow all the pipes to be in the center, making them inaccessible to vandals.”

Vandals were recently caught on camera tearing down and destroying a new fence village workers had just installed. They have been identified and dealt with by the Sheriff’s Department. The village has cameras in all their parks, the mayor said.

The last of the funds from the American Rescue Plan will be used for wastewater improvements.

“We’ve been wanting for a long time to have spare parts at our wastewater plant,” Barclay said. “This money will go toward the purchase of expensive supplies we need on hand.”

Barclay said they attended seminars and listen to webinars on how the money could be used.

Bergen didn’t receive a Genesee Valley Restoration/Rehabilitation grant, which the mayor applied for, but she is going to reapply, she said.

The money would be used for much-needed preservation work on the Tully Building, which houses the village offices. Barclay explained the building is made of Bergen brick and therefore is soft and porous. This allows water to come in through interior walls. They have secured an architect to design the painting scheme on the exterior. When the mural on the south wall was painted, the brick beneath that was sealed and preserved, Barclay said.

Another project the mayor is hoping to complete is paving the trail in Hickory Park because it is used extensively.

Since becoming mayor eight years ago, Barclay has secured $1.4 million in grants to improve the village. She said it would be late next spring or early summer before they will know if they receive the new grant she is re-applying for.

Top photo: Anna Marie Barclay, mayor of Bergen, stands in front of the American Legion building on Main Street, which is one which has completed façade restoration with a Main Street grant.

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TK Flooring is a new business in Bergen which has taken advantage of a Main Street grant to improve its façade.

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Brette-Ashley Wilcox Schmitt's photography studio was one of the first to have its façade restored. The building dates back to the mid-1800s.

Photos: Village of Bergen in the Christmas spirit

By Virginia Kropf

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The Village of Bergen ushered in the holiday season with a tree lighting and fire truck parade on Monday night.

The parade started at 6:30 p.m. at the fire hall and traveled throughout the village, ending in Hickory Park where Santa and Mrs. Claus placed a wreath on the veteran’s memorial.

Along the parade route, elves passed out gift bags to children, containing hot cocoa, candy canes, and a cookie. The Bergen Business and Civic Association put together 350 bags of goodies to be handed out along the parade route, according to mayor Anna Marie Barclay.

A stop was made in Ward Park, for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. A limited number of artificial trees are set up there for village residents or businesses to decorate.

Submitted photos.  Top photo:  The Sapienza children are eager to help the Bergen Fire Department decorate its trucks for a parade through the village Monday night.

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Trish Hemmerl-Plucknette donned a Santa hat to video Bergen’s Christmas parade Monday night.

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Santa hangs from one of Bergen Fire Department’s trucks, which was decorated for a Christmas parade Monday night.

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Bergen’s Christmas parade Monday night ended in Hickory Park, where Santa and Mrs. Claus placed a wreath on the veteran’s memorial.

Law and Order: Batavia resident in jail faces new drug charge

By Howard B. Owens

Michael Robbins, 61, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Robbins was allegedly found with an unidentified substance on him during an interaction with police at an incident at 7:20 p.m., Aug. 28. The substance was tested and found to allegedly contain methamphetamine and fentanyl. Robbins was arrested at the Genesee County Jail, where he is being held on other charges, and issued an appearance ticket.

Matthew W. Kurtz, Sr., 52, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th, attempted assault 3rd, and harassment 2nd.  Kurtz is accused of shoving another person and throwing an object at that person during a disturbance reported at 7:10 p.m., Nov. 16, at a location on Liberty Street, Batavia.  He was arraigned in City Court and ordered released on his own recognizance. 

Jesslyn F. Bigelow, 24, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving without insurance, driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. Bigelow was stopped at 1:56 a.m., Nov. 13, on Jackson Street, Batavia by a Batavia patrol officer. Bigelow was issued traffic tickets.

Christine Caplis, no age or residence provided, is charged with theft of services. Caplis allegedly failed to pay for services provided by a local restaurant on Ellicott Street, Batavia, at 8 p.m., Nov. 4. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Ziyad Ziyad Alhojaji, 22, of Geraldine Parkway, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny.  Alhojaji is accused of shoplifting from Walmart in Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Tonya Marie Weber, 37, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Weber is accused of shoplifting from Five Below on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. Weber was released on an appearance ticket.

Michael R. Mullen, 37, of Oakfield, is charged with 10 counts of sex abuse, 1st (contact with a person less than 11 years old), course of sexual conduct, 2nd, with a child less than 11 years old, and 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Mullen was arrested by State Police on Saturday. He was ordered held in jail. No further information released.

Theresa A. Gillette, 44, of East Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Gillette is accused of stealing in Bergen in an incident reported at 10:51 p.m., Sept. 14.  She was arrested by State Police and ordered held in jail. No further information released.

Sean M. Harloff, 31, of Farmington, is accused of grand larceny 4th. Harloff was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 12:53 p.m., July 6. He was ordered held in jail.  No further information released.

Michaela R. Bohn, 22, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. Bohn was arrested by State Police in relation to an incident reported at 11:51 p.m., Nov. 10, in the Town of Batavia. She was released to a third party. No further information released.

Law and Order: Man accused of assaulting in attack on North Lyon Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Eric A. Spikes, 44, no permanent address, is charged with assault 2nd, two counts of burglary 2nd, menacing 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Spikes is accused of physically attacking and injuring another person during an incident on Aug. 26 at 12:17 a.m. on North Lyon Street, Batavia, where multiple children were present.  He was arrested on a warrant. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Katherine Jessica Vail, 29, of Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and reckless endangerment 2nd.  Vail is accused of driving drunk and striking a pedestrian and his dog at 6:11 p.m., Saturday, on South Lake Road, Bergen.  VAil was released on an appearance ticket.

Jeffery Michael Johnson, 33, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI Drugs and driving left of the pavement markings.  Johnson was stopped at 3:46 a.m., Saturday, on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy David Moore.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jonathan Micahel Reed, 28, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of sex offender failure to report a change of address/status within 10 days. Reed is accused of failure to register a new internet service provider and account within 10 days.  He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and jailed without bail.

Aaron Michael Reagan Hatt, 25, of Federal Drive, Batavia, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, DWI, driving without a license, and failure to signal.  Hatt was stopped at 2:13 a.m, Sept. 19, on Wortendyke Road, Batavia, by Deputy Morgan Ewert. Hatt was released on an appearance ticket.

Zachary James Chittenden, 34, of Boyce Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and no or inadequate plate lamps.  Chittenden was stopped at 2:38 a.m., Sunday, on Hartshorn Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Philip M. Escobar, 32, of Kirvin, Texas, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear in Batavia City Court.  He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Mark B. Havens, 59, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, assault 3rd, and grand larceny 4th. Havens is accused of striking another person in the face causing injury and taking the person's mobile phone, and damaging a computer during an incident reported at 3:40 p.m., Nov. 7, at an address on Liberty Street, Batavia.  Havens was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Jason L. Johnson, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Johnson was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with another person at a business on East Main Street at 11:58 p.m., Nov. 5, and when police identified Johnson, they arrested him on charges from an unrelated incident.  He was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and a broken crack pipe in his jean pocket.

Jaequele M. Tomlin, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd.  Tomlin is accused of damaging property on Watson Street during an incident reported at 10:24 a.m., Nov. 4.  She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Paul A. Inostroza, 30, of Batavia, is accused of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, reckless endangerment 2nd, attempted assault 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Inostroza allegedly attacked another person at 12:50 a.m., Sept. 5, at a location on East Main Street, Batavia.  He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Erik Pokornowski, 30, of Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, failure to stop at a stop sign, and moving from lane unsafely.  Pokornowski was stopped at 1 a.m., Oct. 30 on East Main Street, Batavia, by a Batavia police officer.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Gilberto N. Natal, 33, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Natal allegedly grabbed another person during an argument and threw the person to the ground in an incident reported at 3:45 p.m., Oct. 27, on South Lyon Street, Batavia.  Natal was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Timothy M. Henry, 26, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny.  Henry is accused of stealing $74.54 in merchandise from the Walmart in Warsaw. He was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket.

Michael P. Jansma, 32, of Attica, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Jansma was stopped by State Police at 9:45 p.m., Saturday, in the Town of Pembroke. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Crystal S. Duncan, 36, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Duncan was stopped by State Police at 10:26 p.m., Friday, in the Town of Batavia. Duncan was released on an appearance ticket.

Allyson P. Lawrence, 27, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Lawrence was arrested by State Police in the Town of Batavia, at 4:48 p.m., Nov. 7.  She was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Valarie L. Mancini, 64, of Shortsville, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and driving while impaired by drugs. Mancini was stopped at 6:15 a.m., Nov. 10, by State Police, in the City of Batavia.

A 15-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with criminal mischief 3rd.  The youth was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 10:50 p.m., July 24.

Man, dog struck by vehicle in Bergen, minor injuries

By Howard B. Owens

A man and dog out for a walk on South Lake Road and Clinton Street Road were struck by a vehicle.

Minor injuries were reported.

The vehicle is still on scene.

Bergen Fire and ambulance responding.

Law and Order: Sheriff announces pair of DWI arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Jameson Arland Crocker, 34, of Godfreys Pond Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, failure to keep right, driving to the left on a crest grade or curve, driving left of pavement markings.  Crocker was stopped at 3:01 a.m., Thursday, on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

James Michael Fodge, Jr., 49, of North Lake Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.  Fodge was stopped at 11:34 p.m., Thursday, on Buffalo Road in Bergen by Deputy David Moore.

Libertarian VP candidate visits The Firing Pin with message of limited government

By Howard B. Owens

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Photos and story by Philip Casper.

Spike Cohen, 2020 Libertarian Vice Presidential Candidate, visited The Firing Pin in Bergen to raise money for the Erie County Libertarian Party in an event called “Shoot Guns With Bazookajew”.   Duane Whitmer, Erie County Libertarian Party Chair helped facilitate the event and while there, Spike introduced himself to everyone at the shop and listened while many voiced their concerns about the state of affairs in NY, and the United States as a whole.  Topics ranged from vaccine mandates to gun control, to widespread government overreach.

Cohen stated “We aren’t going to be able to set NY free if we continue to vote for the people that got us in this mess.  Republican, or Democrat.  There is an alternative out there, and this is it. You are the power.”  Whitmer, who recently ran for Erie County Comptroller said “Bringing a pro-second amendment candidate to one of the biggest defenders of the second amendment in the country was a wonderful experience and I’m glad to be a part of it. I’m thankful for the guys at The Firing Pin for all they do.”

Pat Kimball, owner and lead instructor of First Line Defense delivered a safety message before everyone entered the range, and gave brief one on one training sessions to promote safe, and proficient firearm handling.  The libertarian party believes that every person has a right to arm themselves in self-defense.

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Law and Order: Batavia man accused of violence against victim in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Quentin Isiah Bloom, 24, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, unlawful imprisonment 2nd, and false personation. Bloom is accused of getting into an argument at 1:35 a.m., Nov. 3, at a residence on South Lake Avenue, Bergen, and of pushing a person to the ground and getting on top of the victim, which obstructed the victim's breathing.  The victim managed to break free, according to the Sheriff's Office, and Bloom pushed close the door of the apartment they were in, preventing the victim from leaving. A deputy on scene at that time managed to push the door open and separate Bloom from the victim.  Bloom allegedly provided the deputy with a fake name.  He was arraigned and ordered held in jail.

Dominque Sincer Betancourt, 19, of Lincoln Avenue, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal mischief. Deputies responded to Walmart at 3:14 p.m., Nov. 7 for a report of a larceny. Betancourt is accused of throwing merchandise outside of the store without paying for the merchandise. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Edward Joseph Allen, III, 32, of Pin Tail Crossing, Farmington, is charged with grand larceny 4th, DWI, and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.  Allen allegedly stole a debit card from another person at 2:22 a.m., Nov. 6, at a residence on Emily Court, Bergen.  Allen is also accused of driving drunk the morning of the larceny incident. He was arrested by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush and Sgt. Mathew Clor.

 

Law and Order: Bethany man arrested after report of a disturbance on Putnam Road

By Howard B. Owens

Tyler Lynn Vanskiver, 25, of Putnam Road, Bethany, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief 4th, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, unlawful imprisonment 2nd, and menacing 3rd.  Vanskiver was arrested after deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Putnam Road, Bethany.  He allegedly obstructed the breathing of a woman and prevented her from calling 9-1-1 in the presence of two children.  He was arraigned in Town of Bethany Court.  His release status was not included in the press release.

Catherine Ann Klinkbeil, 53, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving while impaired by drugs.  Kilnkbeil was stopped at 4:32 p.m., Oct. 12, by Deputy Chad Cummings.  She was arrested Oct. 28 by Deputy Chad Cummings, processed at the jail, and released on an appearance ticket.

John William Murphy, 48, of Beaver Meadow Road, Bergen, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd.  Murphy is accused of not surrendering a firearm to authorities in accordance with an order of protection.  Murphy was released on his own recognizance.

Bergen resident’s letter stirs political pot days before the election

By Joanne Beck

Right-leaning party members have been quiet long enough, prompting Bergen resident Gary Fink to speak out, he says.

“The silent majority has been silent for two long,” he said to The Batavian Monday. “The Left is getting more and more insane; they’re destroying the economy and destroying the family.”

Fink opted to put his words to paper and send out the no-holds-barred letter to every resident in Bergen at the end of October. It begins with citing the country as being “in crisis” and encourages votes to oust Democrats from office. He said that although the Bergen Republican Committee members thought it was “a little harsh,” they helped the effort by addressing envelopes, Fink said. 

“I spent $1,000,” he said. “It’s to let them know we’re coming for them in 2022.”

Fink has received mostly positive feedback, he said, for the letter specifically endorsing Town Council candidates Jim Starowitz and Theresa Whalin. Democrat Town Council candidate Anne Sapienza has known Fink for more than 30 years. 

“I obviously was shocked,” she said. “I knew we had our difference of opinions … I’m sad and disappointed. This country is so divided. We will never ever get back to decency with letters like that.”

Genesee County Republican Committee Chairman Dick Siebert did not know anything of the letter and explained that by Fink’s official affiliation. Three years ago he registered with the Conservative Party. The letter was written on behalf of Conservatives, Republicans, and anyone else with right-leaning proclivities, Fink said.

At any rate, the letter wouldn’t have been endorsed by his committee, Siebert said.

“The Republican Party has nothing to do with him; he does not speak for the Republican Party or anyone I am aware of,” Siebert said. “I don’t believe in hate mail.”

Michael Plitt, chairman of Genesee County’s Democrat Committee, echoed Sapienza’s disappointment, especially because Fink is also Bergen Planning Board’s chairman and is therefore a town official, he said.

“The Bergen Republican Committee has denied responsibility, so whoever paid for it has not made any filings with the State of Board of Elections as required by law that I have seen,” Plitt said. “Anne has run a clean race making the case to voters on her experiences and track record as a Bergen Town Councilperson.  All of the 2021 Genesee County Democratic candidates have run clean campaigns that we can be proud of.”

Fink said that his official status was not part of the letter and that he wrote, sent, and paid for it as a private citizen. Plitt has been asked why more people don’t run for elected office, and he now has the answer in black and white, he said

“The letter is an exhibit A as to why people do not run for office,” he said. 

Phone calls to Starowitz and Bergen Republican Committee Chairman Bob Bausch were not immediately returned. The Batavian could not reach Whalin due to a disconnected number. 

Updated 11/1/21 at 5:21 p.m.

Bergen Republican Committee Chairman Bob Bausch said that the letter has nothing to do with the party, and that Fink wrote on his own behalf. Bausch picked up a list of registered Bergen voters when in Batavia, and gave them to Fink per his request, and committee members that assisted with the mailing process did so individually, Bausch said.

"He's got his opinions," Bausch said. "The Party did nothing to support or deny it." 

Updated 11/1/21 at 10:30 p.m.

Conservative Committee Chairwoman Julie Ann Bolas Carasone said that the Conservative Party did not endorse or support Fink's letter, and, in fact, endorsed Democrat Anne Sapienza for the Bergen Town Council race.

“Mr. Fink and every voter can and should vote for the person that they feel will do the job, regardless of whomever their party endorses,” Carasone said. “But sending out a letter and making it look like it was something that the Conservative Party supported was not right. We do not work that way, and we at the Genesee Conservative Party want to make sure that we are able to work together for the betterment and the future of the communities that we live in, and if that means working across party lines, we will do that.”

Below is a copy of the letter:

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Liberty Pumps celebrates newest expansion

By Press Release

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Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) joined state and local partners in celebrating the latest expansion by Liberty Pumps at a groundbreaking event today.

Liberty Pumps hosted the celebration at the site of their upcoming Materials Center. The 107,00 square-foot expansion is anticipated to support 30 additional jobs at the family- and employee-owned manufacturer.

“We’re excited to begin another project that will benefit our approximately 300 employees, and add to our presence in Genesee County,” said Charlie Cook, CEO and Chairman of Liberty Pumps. “This project will relieve congestion in our current structure and free up much-needed manufacturing space for large pump systems. That’s become a significant part of our business, and we’re pleased to better support our customers with this addition.”

The addition to Liberty Pumps’ facilities, 7000 Apple Tree Avenue, continues the company’s growth in Genesee County. Since opening in 1965, Liberty Pumps has become a leading manufacturer of sump, effluent, and sewage pumps and systems for residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial applications.

The project breaking ground will be the third expansion by Liberty Pumps since 2000 at Apple Tree Acres, a 185-acre business park developed by the GCEDC.

Upon completion, Liberty Pumps will have approximately 350,000 square feet of facilities at Apple Tree Acres.

"With each expansion and investment, Liberty Pumps has shown a path to grow our economy, reward our talented workforce, and support our community," said GCEDC President & CEO Steve Hyde. "We're excited that another milestone is fast approaching. This groundbreaking celebration is just the start of more great activity in Bergen and at Apple Tree Acres. We thank Liberty Pumps for leading the way."

Photos by Howard Owens

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Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

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Shelly Stein, chair of the Genesee County Legislature with Charlie Cook, CEO of Liberty Pumps.

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Town of Bergen Supervisor Ernie Haywood

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Law and Order: Driver found to have several outstanding warrants, alleged drug possession during traffic stop

By Howard B. Owens

Tommy Crawford, 32, of Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminal impersonation, unlicensed operation, aggravated unlicensed operation, and failure to stop at a stop sign. Crawford was arrested on Oct. 10 following a traffic stop at 1:09 a.m. on  Miller Avenue. He is accused of providing police with a false name. After Crawford was identified, officers determined he was the subject of multiple outstanding warrants issued by the City of Batavia along with several issued by other agencies. He was also allegedly in possession of crack cocaine. He was arraigned in City Court and bail was set at $100.

Devon A. Wright, 19, of Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration and unlicensed operation  3rd. Wright was arrested on Oct. 9 for charges stemming from an incident on Sept. 29 on  Dellinger Avenue, Batavia. He is accused of fleeing from a vehicle and locking himself inside a residence following a traffic stop.  He was issued an appearance ticket.  For prior coverage of Wright,  click here.

Anthony Natrigo, 23, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and no or inoperable tail lamps. Natrigo was stopped at 2:17 a.m., Oct. 9, on East Main Street by a Batavia police officer. He was processed at police headquarters and released on tickets.

Katherin A. O’Brien, 28, of Pavilion, is charged with felony  DWI. O'Brien was stopped by State Police in  Warsaw on  Saturday. She allegedly had a BAC of .17. She was arraigned in Town of Warsaw Court and released on her own recognizance.

Stephanee Mae Surabian, 33, of State Street Road,  Batavia,  is charged with grand larceny 3rd and five counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Surabain allegedly failed to report to  DSS that the father of her children was residing in her home or that he was earning wages while receiving benefits. Surabain allegedly received $7,919 in  SNAP benefits she was not entitled to receive. She was arraigned in Batavia Town  Court and released on her own recognizance.

Sarita Gajmerkami, 28, of  Chestnut Ridge,  is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18  or greater, and failure to keep right. Gajmerkami was stopped at 7:26 p.m., Oct. 14, on  Route 33, Bergen, by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush. She was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Diana Marie Walworth, 33, of Town Pump  Circle, Spencerport, is charged with felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and driver view obstructed. Walworth was stopped at 5:29 a.m., Oct. 10, on  I-490 in  Le Roy by Deputy Trevor Sherwood. She was issued an appearance ticket.

 

Law and Order: Inmate accused of bringing contraband into jail

By Howard B. Owens

William Anthony Nicholas, 28, of Telegraph Road, Medina, is charged with promoting prison contraband. Nicholas allegedly possessed contraband while being held in the Genesee County Jail. The type of contraband was not identified in the press release. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael Patrick Caito, 30, of South Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI.  Caito was reportedly involved in a multi-vehicle accident at 7:04 p.m., Oct. 4, on  Route 33 in Bergen. He was charged with several other, unspecified,  traffic violations.  His vehicle allegedly crossed over the double center line and struck two vehicles. He then reportedly left the scene and continued eastbound and was located a distance away from where his vehicle had become disabled. He was issued an appearance ticket.

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