User login
Recent comments
- don't count your money just...
by william tapp - Now that is a laid-back cat....
by Dave Olsen - I agree with the 2 comments...
by Dave Olsen - Austin claims "O'Henry",...
by George Richardson - Anyone who ever read more...
by George Richardson - Right on, Peter! Government...
by C. M. Barons - Posted by Peter O'Brien on...
by Bea McManis - I agree, Thomas. Turning...
by Lorie Longhany - This is great news for...
by Thomas Mooney - Howard yoe are right , both...
by Thomas Mooney




Recent posts
- GCEDC set to break ground on new agri-business part off Route 5
- Conversations with Calliope- Immediacy and Reason
- Oliver hangs loose and wins Pet of the Week
- Dog runs under stopped car and refuses to leave
- This week at Batavia Christian Fellowship
- Something meaningful for the Oak Street Roundabout
- This week at Batavia Christian Fellowship
- Home on State Street has apparent natural gas leak
- 'Cinderella' off to a good start
- Man accused of stealing car from Tonawanda arrested by Lancaster Police
Site Sponsors
- 3 D Wine & Liquor
- Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
- Affordable Floor Covering
- Alex's Place
- Amelia's Antiques and Collectibles
- Anglican Community Church
- Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
- Batavia Cycle Center
- Batavia Downs Casino
- Blue Pearl Yoga
- Bonarigo & McCutcheon
- Bontrager's Auction
- Carlson's Studio
- Castilone Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep
- Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
- Center of Attention Auto Spa
- Center Street Smokehouse
- Charles Men's Shop
- Classic Home Improvements
- Clor's Meat Market
- The Color Salon
- Crazy Cheap Cars
- D&R Depot Restaurant
- D'n'R Fireplaces and Stoves
- Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern
- The Enchanted Florist
- Fastec Automotive
- Genesee Dental Group
- Genesee Feeds
- Great Kutz
- Herbly Wonderful
- Holland Land Office Museum
- House of K
- The Insurance Center
- Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's
- Kravings Kafe
- Lamb Family Medicine
- Lewis and Lewis
- Main St. Pizza Company
- The Mane Attraction
- The Manor House
- Mark Lewis Agency
- Matteo & Mullen, CPA
- Matty's Pizzeria
- Max Pies
- Movies in Motion
- O'Lacy's Irish Pub
- Oliver's Candies
- Optique
- Pauly's Pizza
- Pellegrino Auto Sales
- Present Tense Books
- Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center
- Reeb Family Moving
- Roxy's Music Store
- Select Collision
- Settler's Family Restaurant
- Small World Realty
- South Main Country Store
- Southside Deli
- Suzanne Interiors
- T.F. Brown's
- Total Image Hair Salon
- T-Shirts Etc.
- Valle Jewelers
- Vintage & Vogue Inspirations
In search of decline — can't find it
After a chat with City Councilman Bob Bialkowski this morning, I went in search of the "pockets of decline" that he mentioned. Bob said to check out the southside of the city around Jackson, Maple and Thorpe streets, if I wanted to find the "problem" neighborhoods.
That was where I thought to find the trash and debris, the buckled-under homes and general malaise. Not so. At least not by this city boy's estimation. I've seen streets in Rochester, streets in Buffalo, New York, Chicago, even some in Canandaigua that would make those Batavia blocks look like paradise on high, like a stroll through Green Acres.
At the very worst, I spotted some peeling paint, a couple (maybe) ramshackle porches, a stray tricycle or two, a leaf-swollen gutter — maybe. But really, what I saw as I drove down Dawson Place, Ganson Avenue and Thorpe Street were people. What I saw were people outside, sitting on their stoops, walking their sidewalks, talking to each other, mowing their lawns. I saw a community. I saw regal, Victorian-looking homes, a little bruised, sure, but not broken, not even bent.
So, maybe I wasn't looking in the right place. Maybe I wasn't looking with enough intent — I should say I was driving my car. Maybe those homes are rotten and rotting from the inside, really putrid and crumbling, which could explain why everyone was outside, hanging out. Or maybe — and this may be closer to the truth — maybe some Batavians have unusually high standards, higher standards than I have ever cultivated myself.
What do you think of these (and other) neighborhoods in the city? Are they in decline? Are they run down? Do you live there? Is that how you see it? Is Councilman Bialkowski on the ball? Or is he over the top?
- philip.anselmo
- Login or register to post comments
Weather for Batavia, NY

Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 61 F
Forecast:
Sat - Partly Cloudy. High: 59 Low: 45
Sun - Sunny. High: 62 Low: 47
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)


-
November 7, 2009 - 8:00am - 3:00pm
-
November 9, 2009 - 4:00pm - 8:00pm
-
November 11, 2009 - 5:00pm - 9:30pm
-
November 12, 2009 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
-
November 14, 2009 - 9:00am - 3:00pm

















































