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She recently had open heart surgery and was facing serious health issues.

There will be a candlelight vigil in her memory tonight at 8 o'clock at the hall of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, 6153 Main Road, Stafford.​

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

A Canadian proposal to reduce the amount of milk products imported from the United States, and to impose a tariff, could have perilous financial consequences for Western New York dairy farmers and cooperatives such as O-AT-KA in Batavia, which exports 20 percent of its goods to Canada annually.

At a press conference this morning in the plant's cafeteria off Cedar Street, Sen. Charles Schumer vowed to bring all his clout -- built over 18 years in the Senate -- to bear to stop the limitations being put forth by the nation's trade ministry in conjuction with its agriculture department under new government leadership.

Last year, U.S. dairies produced 200 billion pounds of milk; 85 percent of that was consumed by Americans and 15 percent was exported, said O-AT-KA CEO Bill Schreiber.

"Canada's trying to put in a new rule that would be devastating to O-AT-KA and Western New York," Schumer told the media, union employees, dairy farmers and local officials in attendance. "That ultra-filtered milk came in duty-free. Now they're trying to change that. ...  and the Province of Ontario wants to keep out (U.S.) dairy sales."

For O-AT-KA, the restrictions would amount to a loss of 180 million pounds of annual milk production -- which is 20 percent of $95 million in yearly sales, or $19 million, according to Schreiber. 

WIth more than 350 employees, the facility is one of the largest employers in the Genesee County. Upstate Niagara Cooperative, made up of nearly 400 dairies, is the majority owner of O-AT-KA.

WNY dairies are poised for growth, despite recent declines in milk pricing -- from $25 per hundredweight (the name of the commodity pricing unit) to $15 currently.

In 2012, O-AT-KA invested $16 million to build a new two-story addition to allow "ultra-filtration" capabilities in order to expand its product line and boost sales to other producers in the United States and abroad, especially Canada. Products include non-fat dry milk powder, buttermilk powder, whey powder, canned evaporated milk, butter, fluid condensed milk, iced coffee, nutritional beverages and other drinks. Ultra-filtered milk is used in cheese making.

Schumer said the recently proposed Canadian trade barriers could hinder plans for growth.

"We have good neighbors in Canada, but every so often something happens," the senator said. "This proposal would bring our mutual agreement to a screeching halt. It would put O-AT-KA and New York's dairy farmers in grave jeopardy. It would imperil the whole Upstate economy."

When asked "Is there really anything you can do?" if another nation, like Canada, implements a trade rule you don't like, Schumer replied: "Yes, a big leverage is tariffs. It's not a one-way street. It's not just exporting to Canada; we import from Canada, too."

It boils down to the fact that "we just have a stronger dairy industry and they're trying to build their's."

The rules, if implemented, would take effect in about six months.

"I'm here to go to bat for you," Schumer said. "I'm going to send a shot across the bough."

Schumer is calling on the U.S. Trade Representives and the USDA to work to protect U.S. dairy exports by ensuring that Canada doesn’t impose restrictive trade rules and honors its commitment to open borders to Upstate New York farmers.

The proposal to limit U.S. dairy imports comes on the heels of the "Trans-Pacific Partnership," referred to commonly as TPP, being signed in New Zealand last month after seven years of negotiations. Besides New Zealand, it is made up of Canada and 10 other Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Ratification is anticipated over the next two years.

According to the Toronto Sun (Feb. 4. 2016), the pact could impact many industries in Canada, including agriculture, and some opponents fear it could hurt the economy and result in layoffs in some sectors. As part of the deal, Canadian dairy farms are slated to get $4.3 billion in subsidies from their government over a span of 15 years to offset losses from an increase in dairy imports from TPP trading partners.

Schumer made it clear that he opposes big trade agreements like TPP, just as he opposed and voted against NAFTA during the Clinton Administration.

Here's a copy of Schumer’s letter to both the USTR and USDA:

Dear Ambassador Froman and Secretary Vilsack:

I write to you with strong concerns about reports that Canada is weighing policy and regulatory shifts that would undermine one of New York’s most important export markets. Just a few years ago, two dairy companies made investments worth tens of millions of dollars in Upstate New York to produce ultra-filtered milk specifically for export to the Canadian cheese market. These sales are possible as a result of the duty-free access for this specific product that Canada agreed to under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Recent reports indicate that Canada is considering administrative actions to limit Canadian companies’ capacity to use this product in further processing and that Ontario is advancing a new, targeted pricing policy designed to crowd out New York’s dairy sales. Further restraints on dairy trade are unacceptable, particularly coming on the heels of Canada’s recent pledge to expand access to its tightly restricted dairy market under TPP. 

New York has made sizable investments in exporting into Canada under specific rules laid out by the Canadian government. Those sales now help support dairy farmers and rural communities across the state. New Canadian barriers to market access would have an outsized impact on New York’s dairy sector. As the country’s third largest milk producing state, a significant impact on New York’s ability to tap into key foreign markets also will impact farmers in surrounding states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Moreover, this latest example of dairy market-access restrictions appears to represent a continuation of persistent Canadian regulatory and policy shifts aimed directly at impeding dairy trade. 

We must hold Canada to its commitments and ensure that our exporters do not encounter barriers to the products they are already shipping to Canada. I urge you to strongly reject this and similar efforts to impair the value of concessions the U.S. previously secured under NAFTA. Thank you for your attention to this important priority with one of this country’s largest trading partners.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

An accident with injuries was reported near McDonald's restaurant about 10 minutes ago. The address is 4129 W. Main Street Road. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics responded and now a third ambulance is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: Two patients are being transported to UMMC. They had no loss of consciousness and both got out of the vehicle(s) on their own.

Press release:

Mostert, Manzanero & Scott, LLP, presented a summary of the audit process undertaken, the scope of their engagement and audit results to the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) Board at the March 24 meeting.    

The GGLDC Board engaged the certified public accounting firm to perform an independent audit of 2015 financial statements. The independent audit was designed to issue an opinion on the financial statements of the GGLDC for the year ending Dec. 31; a management letter to the Board of Directors management; and, a report about internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.  

Included in the management letter is a statement from Mostert, Manzanero & Scott, LLP, affirming that no material deficiencies in internal controls were identified during the audit. The firm also affirmed that, in their opinion, the audited financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the GGLDC as of Dec. 31,  in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“I am pleased with the continued positive audit results, and it speaks to the professionalism and transparency of the organization,” said Thomas Felton, president and chairman of the GGLDC.  

In 2015, the GGLDC, including Genesee Agri-Business, LLC (GABLLC) activity, received $1.2 million in grant revenues.

These grants included a NYS Homes and Community Renewal grant that supported infrastructure development at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park (GVAB) and the LeRoy/ Bergen America’s Best Communities grant, as well as an Empire State Development grant to support the development and marketing of the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).  

The GGLDC also recognized grant revenue from National Grid, which supported Buffalo East Technology Park (BTEP) infrastructure, an annual Community Benefit Agreement payment with CNL Income (Darien Lake) to support infrastructure in Western Genesee County, and an annual PILOT Increment Financing payment from Genesee County that supports a bond payment for infrastructure at the GVAB Park.

Currently, there is $6.9 million of land held for sale and development under the agencies control including 57 acres at the Gateway II Corporate Park, 67 acres at the BETP, 250 acres at the GVAB Park, 34 acres at Med Tech Park, and the Upstate MedTech Centre Building including an Innovation Zone for entrepreneurial businesses.

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Alumni Hall of Fame welcomed three new members Wednesday when its 2016 class became enshrined as the ninth group to receive the special honor.

The new honorees -- Robert "Bob" P. McJury, Barry G. Miller (posthumously), and Uletha M. Jones -- were recognized at an induction ceremony in the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus and a reception followed.

Robert P. McJury (above, center) was a member of the GCC Class of 1978 and graduated with an associate degree in Business Administration. Shortly after graduating from the College, “Bob” was hired by Moore Business Forms, where he worked for the next 18 years, ascending the ranks from an account executive to national account sales manager and earning multiple President’s Club and Sales Achievement honors.

Highly successful at his profession, McJury was pursued for some time by TLF Graphics in Rochester, a company he eventually joined. Shortly after starting with TLF, Bob and two business partners took a risk and purchased the company, putting everything they had on the line. Since the acquisition, TLF has seen a constant trajectory of growth, both in sales and job creation in the Rochester region. TLF Graphics is now a multimillion dollar company with more than 100 highly satisfied employees and has been named to the Rochester “Top 100” Company list on multiple occasions.

Aside from his great success in the business world, what sets Bob apart is his quiet and humble support of his community. Generous donations, fundraiser and business support are just some of the ways that he gives back to the Fairport area, where he now resides. A property owner of two sizeable barns, McJury regularly provides storage space at no cost for various community organizations, including the local Boy Scouts. He also works with The Advent House, a local hospice center, to store donations for its annual garage sale which generates more than $30,000.

The local community has come to rely on the generosity of McJury, especially during tough times. Recent tragedies including the deaths of local students have been aided by Bob, who provided donations of ribbons to help raise money for scholarship funds in memory of those that were lost. Bob is also a tremendous supporter of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR), providing services and support to those who have been diagnosed and are battling and recovering from the disease.

Starting with his humble beginnings, Bob has become an invaluable asset to hundreds, if not thousands of others.

(Above, Barry Miller's sister, Pam (Miller) McCarthy, center, accepts her late brother's award.)

Barry G. Miller was recognized posthumously and remembered as a community-minded individual who dedicated his life to helping others. A lifelong resident of Bergen, Miller lived to give back to his hometown, tragically dying while on duty with the Bergen Fire Department last year.

Barry graduated from Byron-Bergen High School in 1983 and attended GCC thereafter, earning an associate degree in Computer Repair Technology in 1986. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in Organizational Management.

Miller served his community through the Bergen Fire Department and as a member of the town board. He joined the fire department shortly after his high school graduation and remained a member, eventually becoming chief of Emergency Medical Services, until his line-of-duty death in 2015. Barry started the BFD Explorer Program where he mentored members and provided the needed training for becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT).

He also served on the town council for several years and was appointed the deputy supervisor under Don Cunningham. Miller is remembered as an integral part of the Bergen community by organizing and participating in numerous Genesee County events.

After working as a computer repair technician and advancing his career to vice president of Business Methods, Inc., in the 1990s, Barry started Miller Millworks, Inc.; his own company that provided cabinet and finish carpentry in Bergen since 1996. As owner and CEO, Barry was a contractor and cabinet maker of lecterns, podiums, decks and media centers. He also owned the Beaver River Lodge in the Adirondacks, a 125-year-old hotel located in the Hamlet of Beaver River Station.

Barry will always be remembered as a highly supportive resident of the Bergen community and someone who was proud to help. Revered as an extremely generous man, one of his favorite ways to demonstrate his love and support of others was by supporting battered women and serving the people of Bergen and Genesee County. Beginning years before his death, Miller served as one of the Genesee County coroners. He was killed on Sept. 23, 2015 while responding to an emergency call when the ambulance he was riding in was involved in a motor-vehicle accident.

Uletha M. Jones (above, center) began her highly successful career in nursing by obtaining an associate degree in Business Administration from GCC in 1989. She continued on to earn a B.S.N from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, a M.S.H from the University of Phoenix and a D.N.P from Duquesne University School of Nursing.

Currently serving as a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve, Jones performed two tours of active duty including deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 where she served as a trauma and intensive care nurse. While performing and fulfilling her military duties, Uletha has also taught nursing at Pensacola State College (Florida) and worked per diem at several hospitals including Strong Memorial Hospital, the National Naval Medical Center (Maryland) and the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton in California. She currently works at Finger Lakes Community College as an assistant professor of Nursing, in addition to working as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Highland Hospital in Rochester and as member of the nursing faculty at Kaplan Test Prep, Inc., in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Jones is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau and the National League of Nursing. She continues to help others through her work and proudly serves her country. Uletha currently resides in Batavia.

The GCC Hall of Fame is located in the Conable Technology Building of the Batavia campus on the second floor corridor, and features photos of alumni who have distinguished themselves through business and personal achievement, as well as service to the community.

A possible barn fire is reported at 9313 Alexander Road, Alexander. The location is between Pike and Dodgeson roads. A passerby reported seeing smoke coming from the roof. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: It's just steam from processing maple sap into maple syrup. No fire. Responders are back in service.

Press release:

On Saturday, March 19, the longtime owner of the Stafford Trading Post, and beloved nurse Shell Mouery, had a very serious heart attack, and she is fighting for her life after a very difficult surgery and subsequent challenges.

For nearly 20 years she has given every ounce of herself to the community and treated all of her patrons and coworkers as family. There's a good chance that almost everyone who reads The Batavian has had their life touched in some way by Shell.

In addition to the wonderful prayers of hundreds of people, the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department and SCOPE have generously decided to assist with a fundraiser on Sunday, April 3. Details are below. The money raised will help defray some of the costs of her medical treatments.

We thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, continued patronage at the Trading Post, and everything you, as the community continue to do.

If you have any questions ro would like to donate, please contact Bill Fox at 356-4992 or Stephanie Call at 356-1660.

WHAT:  Chicken BBQ & Chinese Auction Fundraiser

WHEN:  Sunday, April 3 -- Doors open at 10 a.m., chicken ready at 11:30 a.m., first come, fire served.

WHERE:   Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road, Stafford

COST:   $10

(Submitted photo of Shell Mouery.)

UPDATED March 26: Shell Mouery passed away yesterday afternoon (March 25, 2016). There will be a candlelight vigil in her memory tonight at 8 o'clock at the Stafford Fire Hall, 6153 Main Road, Stafford.

Christopher Brian King, 24, of Pearl Street Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested March 23 on an outstanding bench warrant issued by Town of Batavia Court on March 8. He was jailed in lieu of $500 bail. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Robin Lynn Holman, 53, of Buffalo Road, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested on March 11 after allegedly stealing property on Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. She was issued an appearance ticket and is to appear in Town of Bergen Court on April 6. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Erion.

Glendon Stephen Alexander, 19, of East 95th Street, Brooklyn, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arrested at 8:23 p.m. on March 23 following an investigation of a complaint at College Village that the defendant allegedly unlawfully possessed marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket for April 21 in Town of Batavia Court. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Rachel Diehl.CorfCorfu

Here's a photo taken in Genesee County this chilly spring morning and submitted by reader Jason Smith. 

Le Roy police officers chased a speeding vehicle northbound, then eastbound, winding up off Route 383 at an apartment complex on Robert Quigley Drive in Scottsville, Monroe County. 

The scofflaw driver drove through the complex and exited at a driveway off North Road. After talking with Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, Le Roy officers are turning to the Village of Le Roy.

The driver remains at large. "Monroe County is going to fish around" for the suspect. Authorities have the license plate number of the four-door silver Saturn SUV sedan and the name of the registered owner, a white male who lives in Batavia.

The officer told a dispatcher the car windows are tinted and it was difficult to see the operator, but it was possibly a black male.

Speeds reached nearly 90 mph at one point. Traffic was reportedly light on the pursuit route. The driver was said to have ran at least one red light during the pursuit.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: They thought the suspect vehicle was located at the registered owner's residence on Bank Street. But an officer says: "There's no way they had time to get back to Batavia. I'm wondering if they took a plate off?" Reply: "Both plates (on vehicle); cold to the touch." They are running plates in the system on a couple of vehicles. Investigation continues.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: A registered owner they had been seeking to question just pulled up at the residence. No mention made of the vehicle he is in.

An accident with possible minor injuries is reported at 605 Scribner Road. The vehicle is off the roadway and there are wires down.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments and Mercy medics are responding.

Press release:

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce another exciting Job Fair with more than 35 companies expected on Thursday, April 7, from 12  to 2 p.m. at the College's centrally located William Stuart Forum.

Genesee's Career Services Center continues to solicit businesses from all types of industries to join the popular, two-hour event that introduces potential new employees to employers, and also provides businesses an opportunity to present their trade and services to the local community.

The event is free to employers and attendees. Employers must register; job seekers are not required to register prior to the event but must sign in upon arrival. As of March 16th, the following employers are scheduled to be in attendance:

Participating employers include:

Aflac New York

City of Batavia Youth Bureau

Coastal Staffing

Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort 

Genesee ARC

Genesee County AmeriCorps, Genesee County Youth Bureau

Genesee County Human Resources

ESL Federal Credit Union

Fidelis Care 

Hidden Valley Animal Adventure

Home Depot (The) 

Independent Living of the Genesee Region 

KR Communications

Living Opportunities of DePaul

Masis Staffing Solutions, LLC

NY Air National Guard

Paychex 

Pembroke Travel Plaza

People's, Inc.

Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc. / Sallie Mae

Premier Designs, Inc.

Remedy Staffing 

Palermo, Ricky

Rochester AmeriCorps 

Rochester City Police Department / City of Rochester 

Subway

United States Army

UNISYS

U.S. Army National Guard

U.S. Department of Agriculture

United Memorial Medical Center

Velocitii

Verizon Wireless

WBTA FM & AM

YWCA's My Sister's Closet

For more information, visit:  http://www.genesee.edu/career/events/. For a detailed listing of job opportunities by employer, please email a request for the list to career@genesee.edu

Press release:

The RGRTA Board of Commissioners approved a new value pass structure at the March 3rd Board meeting to make it easier for RTS customers to enjoy the ride in and between Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties. The pass changes will go into effect on April 1 and are as follows:

Previous Value Pass

   New Value Pass

$9 Cost – $10 Value

 $10 Cost – $11 Value

$17 Cost – $20 Value

 $20 Cost – $23 Value

Because RTS operators are not able to make change on the bus (per RTS policy), buying value passes require the customer to have the exact dollar amount. At $10 and $20 dollar increments, the new value passes offer the same added value while requiring our customers to have a standard dollar amount. Also making it more convenient for our customers is that the same value pass is good in all seven of our Regional counties.

In Wyoming County, the 10-Ride Loop, Dial-a-Ride Half Fare and Dial-a-Ride passes will be replaced with value pass options that can be used in neighboring counties.

Prior to being approved by the RGRTA Board of Commissioners, RTS held public information sessions and public hearings in each county where the public had the opportunity to submit their comments and questions. RTS also welcomed comments and questions from the public online and through the mail.

For all other information, visit www.myRTS.com.

Ashley A. Goodenow, 25, of Bank St., Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. She was arrested at 4:30 p.m. on March 22 after it was alleged that she struck another person during an argument on Bank Street. She is to be in city court on March 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins.

Michael J. Antonucci, 33, of Alexander Road, Attica, is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 12:15 a.m. on March 3 for two separate counts of second-degree criminal contempt after it was alleged that he violated a stay-away order of protection when he communicated with a protected person by text messages on two different occasions. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in Batavia City Court on April 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins, assisted by Officer Felicia DeGroot.

Robert Dean Cook, 36, of Walden Creek Drive, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that on March 22 Cook called a party who has a complete a stay away order of protection and Cook is prohibited from contacting. He was issued an appearance ticket and is to be in city court on March 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards.

Kenyon H. Barnes, 31, no permanent residence, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Batavia City Court at 5:35 p.m. on March 22. Barnes was jailed in lieu of $1,000 bail and is to be in city court today. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Cronmiller, assisted by Officer Arick Perkins.

A 17-year-old Batavia resident was arrested on a bench warrant at 4:01 p.m.on March 21, which was issued because the youth allegedly failed to complete community service as part of a sentence for a conviction on a trespass charge. The trespass incident occurred on Sept. 19. The youth was released and is due back in Batavia City Court on May 3. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Jamie Givens.

Press release:

The Postal Service welcomes its newest Village Post Office (VPO) to the Bethany community. Through the Postal Service’s VPO partnership with the Bethany municipality, local residents and businesses now can enjoy access to some postal products and services at Bethany Town Hall, 10510 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.

“When the East Bethany Post Office suspended operations in September, we decided we could offer basic postal services as a convenience to our residents through the VPO option,” said Bethany Town Clerk Debbie Douglas.

“Customers with more complex postal needs will have to drive to one of the nearby Post Offices, but if someone needs stamps or wants to drop off mail, we can help with that.”

The Bethany VPO provides a specific range of services that include the sale of First-Class postage booklets and rolls, Priority Mail Flat-Rate postage and acceptance of mail. It operates in conjunction with normal business hours:

                        9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

                        10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Wednesday

VPOs are designed for non-Postal Service establishments, such as an existing community business, town hall, library or government center. Business establishments interested in applying for a contract with the Postal Service to start a Village Post Office in their local community should contact: vpo.inquiry@usps.gov.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

(Photo of Gregory J. Vogt.)

Press release from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office:

On Tuesday, March 22, the Genesee County Probation Department conducted a search at 5919 Cook Road, Byron, the residence of Gregory J. Vogt, presently under supervision of the Probation Department.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also assisted at the scene.

Various items were seized during the search and as a result of the investigation, Vogt is charged with:

• Six counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, Class D felonies, for alleged possession of two switchblade knives, a metal knuckle knife, a gravity knife and a blackjack while having previously been convicted of a crime;
• Five counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class A misdemeanors, for alleged possession of five rifles and one shotgun, which he is not allowed to possess due to having been convicted of a felony;
• Unlawful possession of marijuana regarding Vogt's alleged possession of a quantity of marijuana;
• The DEC filed charges for allegedly illegally taking a deer, trapping without a license, and taking wildlife in "contravention of the Environemntal Conservation Law."

Vogt was jailed on $25,000 bail and is to reappear in Byron Town Court at 5 p.m. on March 28.

The case was investigated by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Young, the county Probation Department and the DEC.