Felipe Oltramari is becoming director of planning for Genesee County at a potentially very interesting time.

It's a time when trends nationally are changing and a time when the county could be on the verge of unprecedented growth.

Oltramari's appointment was approved by the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday and will be official once it's approved by the full legislature next week.

The 36-year-old native of Chile takes over for Jim Duval, who went to work for the planning department 1976, the year Oltramari was born (Duval became director in 2000). Oltramari worked for Duval for 10 years and said Duval did a fantastic job of running the department.

"If I can do half the job he did, I’ll be a very successful planner," Oltramari said.

Oltramari moved to the United States when he was 12 after his mother married a Kodak employee. He graduated from Irondequoit High School and then got a bachelor's degree from SUNY Geneseo in biology with a concentration in environmental science. After earning his master's in 2002 in environmental land planning from SUNY ESF (Environmental Science and Forestry, near Syracuse), he went to work in Genesee County's planning department.

"I'm looking forward to leading the department," Oltramari said. "We have a great staff. Holly McAllister and Jill Babinski have both always done a great job for county residents."

With the early success of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park and the STAMP proposal in Alabama, the county planning department -- which acts as technical assistance and advisory for town and village planners -- could become very busy in the next few years.

Helping to managing growth, planning it intelligently and protecting natural resources will part of Oltramari's duties.

"One of the things the county has to keep in mind is we have great natural resources," Oltramari said.

Chief among those resoures is great farming soils, Oltramari said. while only about 8 percent of the Earth's surface has prime farm soils, Genesee County is about 50 percent prime farm soils.

So much good soil is even more valuable when you consider the water availability in this region.

"That’s one thing that makes us a bread basket for our state, and our country at one point," Oltramari said. "That’s one thing that we have to remember, how to manage and take care of our resources and not take it for granted."

One way to do that is through what's known as new urbanism, or planning around form rather than use.

"Before we worried about factories next to homes," Oltramari said. "But now the factory might be in China and things get assembled and shipped here. The global economy has changed the way local economies work. I think one of the things we'll see is people worrying less about what the use is next door and instead worry about how it looks and sits next their property, how it relates to their property."

Oltramari is looking at trends in places like Miami and Denver, and even Buffalo, to plan growth around tighter clusters of mixed-use development, where homes are more neighborhood friendly and shopping and work are close by.

Such developments help save space, and can help protect farm land.

Unlike places such as Clarence and Williamsville, which has already been through periods of sprawling growth, Genesee County has an opportunity to manage its growth in a way that better preserves resources and promotes community.

"If we grow in a smart way, don’t waste space, treat it like we should, we'll be a successful county," Oltramari said.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported on Alexander Road, just south of Goodman Road. Alexander Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: One patient was transported to UMMC. Alexander is back in service.

No matter how much John A. Cabrera Jr. wants to prove to the community he's a good person, he's going to have to wait, Judge Robert C. Noonan told the church burglar this morning.

The 22-year-old Cabrera told Noonan he knew had made mistakes and he was sorry for hurting people.

"In your crime spree, you victimized people who are the people who help others in the community," Noonan said. "Nothing but a long prison term would be appropriate. I'm glad you want to turn your life around, but it's going to be a long while before you can do that."

In October, Cabrera admitted to three Class D felonies of burglary and escape.

With a possible maximum sentence of two-and-a-third to seven years on each count, Noonan came close to giving Cabrera the max. Cabrera will serve two to six on all three counts, served consecutively, which means he could be in prison for six to 18 years. If he's released any time before 18 years, the balance of the sentence will be served on parole.

Cabrera's crimes included a burglary of St. Paul's, St. Mary's, Ascension West, First Baptist and St. James.

"I'm very, very sorry for what I did," Cabrera told Noonan. "Looking back on it, it's never worth it to hurt somebody, especially in a community setting like a church. It effects a lot of people. You hurt everybody in the church."

The Oct. 9 plea also satisified any uncharged crimes Cabrera may have committed and in court today Cabrera was ordered to pay restitution to a Town of Batavia women he also stole from.

He will also be required to pay restitution to Genesee County for damage he did to the jail when he escaped.

His total restitution to the churches and the woman total $7,018. Whatever balance remains unpaid upon his release from prison will be paid in $200 monthly installments, Noonan ruled. The churches and the Batavia woman will be paid first, followed by the county, before the insurance companies are paid.

"What I did was wrong," Cabrera told Noonan. "Either way, whether it was churches or somebody else, it was wrong. I'm ready to change, to seek help and to pay my debt and pay restitution. I want to do what is right. I don't want this to linger after I get out. I don't want to be remembered for the bad things I did after I get out. I want to be remembered for doing good because I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person."

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman argued that given the scope of the crimes and the nature of the victims, Cabrera should receive the maximum possible sentence.

Attorney William Harper, representing Cabrera for the Public Defender's Office, asked Noonan to consider that Cabrera never had any contact with law enforcement prior to his early summer crime spree.

He noted that Cabrera had a mental health and drug problem, which he sought help for on his own before the crime spree even started, but never really got help.

There's also an indication, Harper noted, that Cabrera's church burglaries didn't begin until after Cabrera started using bath salts.

"Bath salts wreaked havoc with his ability to deal with his mental health issues and refrain from engaging in criminal activity," Harper said.

Noonan said he was sympathetic to Cabrera's mental health issues, but the issues were not of the severity or nature that he couldn't recognize what he was doing was wrong. Presentence reports, Noonan said -- not withstanding Cabrera's own statements in court -- indicate that Cabrera believes the normal rules of society do not apply to him.

We recently ran contests for two local businesses where people were asked to Like the businesses on Facebook and register for the contest.

• Paul Carr is the winner of our Hardcor Audio contest. Paul wins an XM Snap.
• Jerri Papke is the winner of our Valle Jewelers contest. Jerri wins a Chamilia bracelet.

Watch for more Facebook contests soon. Businesses, if you are interested in increasing the number of people who follow you on Facebook, contact Lisa Ace at (585) 250-4118.

At one time, it seemed unthinkable that the Genesee County Legislature would cut or eliminate funding for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

At a budget discussion Wednesday, Legislator Ray Cianfrini raised the topic and found at least some level of support from Frank Ferrando, Marianne Clattenburg and Annie Lawrence.

No action was taken, but the legislators agreed to discuss the topic further.

There is a budget hearing -- where the public will comment, but not legislators -- at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the Senior Center, as the county moves toward wrapping up its 2013 budget process.

"I want to go on the record that I am opposed to funding GCEDC to the tune of $215,000," Cianfrini said. "It's no secret, and I'm told, that they are planning bonuses again this year, or salary adjustments, or whatever they're going to call them. I'm vehemently opposed to this and I'm not even sure it's legal."

Ferrando said he agrees with Cianfrini's overall position, but wonders if a compromise position can be found.

Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC, has said the county share of funding is critical to meeting operational expenses for the industrial development agency.

Mary Pat Hancock expressed concern that a cut in funding might send the wrong message to potential businesses looking to set up shop in Genesee County, that it might signal that Genesee County doesn't want the business.

County Manager Jay Gsell said he knows businesses are sensitive to any perception that the county isn't committed to meeting their needs. He said when Pepsi and Alpina got wind of possible restraints on infrastructure spending, executives from those companies expressed concern.

So Ferrando's idea is that if the funding is truly essential to the GCEDC, set it aside in the budget, but don't give it to the agency until staff members come before the Ways and Means Committee and makes a case for specific expenditures.

Ferrando acknowledges that setting the money aside would mean it gets neither reallocated to other programs nor returned to taxpayers, at least for a year, but at least it mutes the perception that the legislature is funding bonuses for GCEDC executives.

"Right now, they are very successful in many ways," Ferrando said. "I'm very appreciative of what they're doing for our county, but if they don't need the money, we do need it now. That's the only point I'm trying to make. If there is some process where we can determine that they need it, then we give it to them. If they don't need it, we sure as heck do."

Clattenberg leaned more toward just ending the subsidy, Lawrence seemed to lean toward Ferrando's idea of having GCEDC make a case for funding when they need it.

After discussing another matter, the topic came up again and Hancock expressed reservations about cutting funding to the agency.

"Certainly, I see your concern, but to wash it right from under them and say no, I'm not so sure that would be a helpful message (to the business community)," Hancock said.

Legislator Robert Bausch noted that for 30 years the IDA existed and there was no controversy over bonuses to staff. It's only something that has come up in the past few years.

That's because, he said, for 30 years the IDA didn't do anything. Now it does. Now it is making things happen.

"They did nothing and you didn't incentivize them to do anything," Bausch said. "The first issue you have to address is that now they have incentives and they're doing something."

Hancock's advice to legislators when faced with constituents who complain about the bonuses and the county's funding share is to tell them that for every dollar the county puts into GCEDC, $16 is returned.

Lawrence noted that when the legislature met with the GCEDC board over the summer and expressed concern about how staff was compensated, the concerns largely fell of deaf ears.

"Yes, they're doing great things for our county and project a growing work force, but they have to come to a realize that here are the facts," Lawrence said. "It's dollars and taxes."

Legislator Shelly Stein, who now represents the legislature on the GCEDC board, said the county's issue with bonuses and funding hasn't fallen on deaf ears. Employment contracts are being renegotiated and she said she doesn't believe that next year bonuses will be paid. However, any bonuses that might be announced in early 2013 are for 2011 successes.

While Cianfrini said he supports GCEDC, the work they do and believes Hyde and team are doing a great job, he thinks cuts to their funding may need to come sooner rather than later.

"My recommendation is that we reduce their contribution by the amount that they pay out in bonuses or salary adjustments," Cianfrini said. "If they feel the necessity to pay out then they really don't need our money and the money can be allocated to other programs that need funding, or we adjust our tax rate."

Updated with additional information from the Sheriff's Office at 6:38 p.m.

A Batavia woman was arraigned on two felony drug counts today in county court.

Tracey Brewer (aka Tracey Cook), 47, of 52 Columbia Ave., Batavia, is accused of selling hydrocodone and oxycodone.

She was arrested Tuesday on a sealed grand jury indictment. She is charged with one count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Brewer's arrest followed an investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

She is accused of making the sales April 4 and April 18 at her Columbia Avenue residence to an undercover agent.

Batavia PD assisted in her apprehension.

Brewer was released following arraignment under supervision of Genesee Justice.

A man already serving a 15-year prison term for molesting a toddler admitted in county court today that he also molested another child under age 11 in March.

James L. Little Jr., 41, formerly of Batavia, could get three-and-a-half years tacked onto his current sentence after accepting a plea deal from the District Attorney's Office.

Little was escorted to court by state prison guards and appeared in court shackled and in a kelly green jumpsuit.

He entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse in the first degree.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Batavia PD first arrested Little earlier this year for molesting a 2-year-old. Only after he was sentenced on that first charge did the second molestation, which occurred prior to Little's first arrest, come to light. 

Fifty-three-year-old Beverly Hensel was accused in court documents of supplying Little which child porn starting in 2008. She's entered a guilty plea to possession of child sexual performance and is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 9.

A disabled woman in a wheelchair got stuck in the basement at the School House Manor Apartments in Oakfield after the elevator malfunctioned.

Oakfield fire and rescue is at the scene trying to get her to the main floor and a service company has been called. The address is 1 N. Pearl St.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: The woman has been removed from the basement and placed safely on the first floor. Oakfield is back in service.

Announcement:

Due to the pending sale of the Administration Building at 39 Washington Ave., the Batavia City School District Administration Offices will be relocated to Batavia High School, 260 State St., starting Friday, Nov. 9.

The offices will all be accessible through the State Street parking lot.

Superintendent/Personnel -- Room 48

Registration/Curriculum -- Room 40

Student Services -- Room 43

Buildings & Grounds -- Room 41

Business -- Room 45

Boardroom -- Room 49

All phone numbers and extensions will remain the same. Any questions, please call 343-2480, ext. 1000.

Roque Guillermo, 45, of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with incest in the third degree, a Class E felony. Guillermo is accused of having sexual relations with a member of his family Sunday evening. Guillermo was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $20,000 bail. The case was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto and Investigator Kris Kautz.

Paul Nawotka, 41, of Mead Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment, 2nd. Nawotka was arrested following an investigation into a domestic incident Feb. 6. Nawotka was allegedly found in possession of a billy club. The case was investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson and Trooper Caton Baines.

Press release from Kathy Hochul:

“Early this morning I called Chris Collins and congratulated him on being elected to Congress. I encouraged him to work across the aisle and offered to assist him in any way I can. I also volunteered to help him make a smooth transition in January to ensure our constituents are well served. Congress can do better, and the people of this country deserve better than what Washington has given them.”

For the first time in his life, Brooks Hawley, son of a state assemblyman and grandson of a retired state assemblyman, ran for office, and he won a convincing victory.

Hawley, who was appointed to a council-at-large seat at the beginning of the year, was part of a three-way race for two seats on the Batavia City Council and, according to unofficial numbers, received 3,559 votes.

Jim Russell and Laura Russell-Ricci are only 40 votes apart with between 1,300 and 1,800 absentee ballots yet to count.

"I’m very honored that the residents of Batavia have chosen me to stay on city council," Hawley said. "I was appointed and now I’m reelected and I want to thank the Republican, Conservative and Independent parties, but mostly my beautiful wife for supporting me through the campaign."

For her part, Russell-Ricci was pleased to make such a strong showing in a city where Democrats are generally at a disadvantage.

"I love it that not everybody decided they had to vote party line, but that it was about the better candidate," Russell-Ricci said. "I’m proud to be a part of that, that even with a D after my name, I could still put up some good numbers."

Jim Russell left the GOP party at Terry Hills while only partial results were tabulated so wasn't available for comment tonight.

Earlier: Genesee County election results.

The final, UNOFFICIAL voting tallies are in for Genesee County. So far, the votes are:

NY-27:

• Chris Collins -- 11,508
• Kathy Hochul -- 10,758

Batavia City Council

• Brooks Hawley -- 3,559
• Russell -- 2,328
• Ricci -- 2,286

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: There are 1,300 to 1,800 absentee ballots remaining to be counted in the City of Batavia, according to election officials.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.:

Here's some additional results from Genesee County.

President:

• Barack Obama -- 8,886
• Mitt Romney -- 13,701
• Gary Johnson -- 348
• Jill Stein -- 97

Senate:

• Kristen Gillibrand -- 11,027
• Wendy Long -- 10,035

State Senate

• Justin Rooney -- 6,185
• Mike Ranzenhofer -- 14,983

State Assembly

• Steve Hawley -- 18,583
• Mark Glogowski -- 1,127

Each election for the past several elections, Judge Robert C. Noonan has been the on-call judge to consider any cases of people who say they registered to vote but were turned away at their polling place.

Typically, these are people who moved but the revised registration didn't quite catch up with them.

Noonan said in 2000, a highly contested election, there were a few people who showed up for the 6 p.m. hearing time, but with the exception of one school board election, there have been no such appeals in the intervening elections.

Until tonight.

At least five people showed up to the elections office to make their case to Noonan.

Among them, Kevin LaRocco, who moved back to Le Roy two weeks ago from Orleans County. He said simply that he was just looking for a chance to vote and he hoped Noonan would give it to him.

Noonan said he reviews documents and most of the time, the matter can be resolved easily, but there is a provision to hold a short hearing if necessary.

Usually, however, that isn't necessary.

"We like people to vote," Noonan said. "I like people to vote."

It's Election Night, that means, at least in Stafford, pancakes for dinner.

The Le Roy-Stafford Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual pancake dinner at the Stafford Fire Hall.

In the bottom picture are some of the volunteers (starting with the bottom left): Cassie Winspear, Tiffani Bragg, Charlene Schoenenberger, Mackenzie Lowe, Cassie Sprauge, Jenna DeFisher, Kytlyn Williams, Kimberly Clark, Jim Taillie, Laurie Taillie, Dave Goodwin, John Gremer, Betsy Gremer.

City fire is dispatched to 4 Highland Park for a possible fire in the wall of the residence.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: Engine 15 on location. Nothing showing.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: There was an electrical outlet fire and it's now out.

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Calling it an Election Day tradition, Chris Collins drove to Batavia today for lunch at the Pok-A-Dot. Collins had lunch at the Dot the day of the GOP primary when he beat David Bellavia.

The Pok-A-Dot, he said, is kind of like a lucky charm.

Collins had no other campaign stops to make today with the race now in the hands of the voters of the NY-27. 

While Collins said he feels good about his chances against incumbent Kathy Hochul, he is short of predicting victory, knowing it's likely to be a close vote.

In an effort to both save the Genesee County Nursing home some money and maybe find some billing revenue it isn't currently getting, the Public Service Committee approved two contracts Monday to outsource some of the facility's billing.

Christine Schaller, nursing home administrator, presented the contract proposals to the legislators.

She said she was motivated to help the nursing home operate more efficiently so it can continue to serve the community.

The first contract is with Beth Platt & Associates for physician billing.

When nursing home residents see a physician, the doctor files an "encounter form" with the nursing home and staff must figure out which insurance company receives the claim and complete the proper paperwork. Different companies have different forms and different software.

Currently, the process costs the nursing home about $6 per claim. The billing service will charge $2 per claim.

"We would like to outsource this to a company that does this all of the time," Schaller said. "It will be faster and cheaper."

Schaller also said that physician billing for the Genesee County Nursing Home is about one-third the revenue of similarly sized operations.

"It should be more than it is," Schaller said. "I don't know why it is what it is."

It's possible there will be no new revenue found by outsourcing billing, but the contractor might find a reason billing is lower than expected and bring the figure up.

The second contract is for billing for rehab stays for nursing home patients.

The contract is for $48 an hour, or an estimated annual cost of $12,480, with MDS Consultant.

Again, between Medicaid, Medicare and the half dozen other insurance providers, billing can be complicated and it's possible the nursing home isn't receiving all the revenue it should for these stays.

Both contracts will also help the nursing home meet corporate compliance standards, which will go over well with state auditors when they visit.

"I can't guarantee this, but I think we're going to generate more revenue than the services are going to cost," Schaller said.