Stories from

On Sunday, 12 homeowners -- nine from Batavia and three from Corfu -- opened their homes as part of the Landmark Society of Genesee County's "House & Garden Tour," the proceeds of which went toward the restoration of St. James Episcopal Church.

For $20, self-guided tourists travelled to all of these beautiful homegrown gardens and then enjoyed a reception and dessert at St. James in the evening.

Here are some pictures from a few of the gardens:

 

 

 

Abigail, age 7, showed us her cat-face Monday at GoArt!'s annual "Picnic in the Park." She had just been to the face-painting booth.

While I was there taking pictures, I ran into some, shall we say, figures of historical interest.

Jacob Richardson came dressed in the get up of a Revolutionary War soldier, complete with weapons and an old-fashioned belt (which soldiers needed to keep all their materials together, since their uniforms had no pockets).

Richardson was there to represent "Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship," a program of Batavia Assembly of God Church.

Also, a horse and carriage ride, just like the old days.

Also, Genesee County native Lynda Breckenridge Gaetano, author of the "Up South" series, was there to promote her books.

Gaetano now resides in Austin, Texas, but was raised on a dairy farm in Bethany. Her books are set in Genesee County and, all total, span a time frame ranging from the early 1800s, when pioneers first came to the "woody wilds" (as worded in a promotional pamphlet produced by the publisher, Blue Stocking Press) of Genesee County, up until the time of the World War II years.

They include a mixture of folk tales, real life stories and local history, all told from the perspective of a wizened sugar maple tree.

Gaetano has published her work in three volumes: "Spring," "Summer" and "Autumn." She hopes to publish the "Winter" volume soon.

The title, according to Gaetano, is based on a phrase her uncle and brother used whenever they would go to the Southern Tier to pick up goods.

"A lot of people don't know that in Genesee County, the Southern Tier is higher (in elevation) than the Northern Tier," Gaetano said.

Water from these high elevations goes south to form the Genesee River, which flows north into Lake Ontario. Hence, whenever you're travelling southward in the Genesee region, you are going "up South."

Gaetano said she was happy to be back in Genesee County promoting her books. While she has lived down South for many years, she still considers Genesee County home.

"You meet good people wherever you go," she said, "but there's something special about this place."

Her "Up-South" books are available for purchase at the Holland Land Office Museum in Batavia. Two of them -- "Spring" and "Summer" -- are available at the Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia, and the "Spring" volume is on the shelves of the Corfu Free Library, Le Roy's Woodward Memorial Library and Oakfield's Haxton Memorial Library.

Here are some other photos of the Fourth of July festivities and attractions:

Mariachi music and dance.

The Batavia Players performed selections from their recent musical, "On Broadway Too!"

 

Elle Fronckowiak and Beth Ryan were there representing Genesee County Right to Life.

April Meier, dressed in a bridal gown, represented Susan Meier Photography.

Dick Lawrence, a prevention educator who works with senior citizens on medicine safety and related topics, was there to represent Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (GCASA).

We hope everyone had a pleasant Fourth of July and enjoyed the fireworks!

When Robin Cotler and the Images Evolution Dance team performed in the town of Ladek Zdroj, Poland, last year, they probably never expected to be invited back so soon.

Cotler -- the founder and director of Images Evolution and its housing studio, "Images in Dance" -- travelled with her students to the small mountain town last year as part of a cultural exchange program. She said they were recommended by a previous participant.

"Soul Force" is the name of the work they performed for the people of Ladek Zdroj. It was so well received that the group was invited to come back this year for a repeat performance and commissioned to perform another piece as well.

"As far as I know, we're the only company they've invited two years in a row," Cotler said, adding that performing groups are normally asked to come back every other year or so.

Dancers' ages range from 16 to 23. They are pictured above, along with Cotler (left). They are, from left, Joseph Cotler (back), Krista Montrone, Emily Drilling, Robert Tyler, Kristen Drilling, Laura Neth (back), Charity Newton (front), Noelle Cotler, Stephanie Denzler and Stephanie Breining.

Last night, on the eve of their departure for Poland, Images Evolution treated locals to "Soul Force" -- and to a premiere performance of "I Am," the new piece they are bringing to Poland -- at its Liberty Street site.

Cotler got the idea for "Soul Force" from research she had done on the founding of the United States. "Soul Force," according to Cotler, was the name some of the first Americans gave to the idea behind founding our country.

"The whole purpose of the U.S. being formed," Cotler said, was so that people could live together in peace, freedom, and respect. That's kind of gotten lost."

Images Evolution's performance is about these ideals and how things like greed, vanity and political manipulation have gotten in the way.

"I Am," on the other hand, has more personal themes.

"It's almost a sequel (to "Soul Force")," Cotler said. "It's about finding yourself, and finding love for yourself. Once you love yourself, then you are able to love others."

Here is a selection from "Soul Force."

And here is a selection from "I Am."

Cotler sees dance as an art that helps to "open people up and break down defenses." She is very happy to bring that art to Ladek Zdroj, a community she called "the definition of underserved and underfunded."

In addition to bringing Image Evolution's performance to the people of Ladek Zdroj, Cotler will be helping to create a dance academy there.

"Last year we formed some real bonds," she said. "(The people of Ladek Zdroj) talked to me about having me help them pioneer a new program."

She hopes that by helping to get this new dance company off the ground, she will be providing the town with a resource for creative, artistic expression that would not otherwise be available.

"Images in Dance" offers dancing lessons to children, teens and adults, and has locations in Batavia, Akron, Perry and Brockport. For more information, visit their website (www.imagesindance.com), call 343-2818 or e-mail imagesindance@yahoo.com.

Well, it's official -- Batavia resident Lisa Barrett's song, "When You Look at Me," is now the best original song in the world.

"It's difficult to grasp the 'in the world' part," Barrett said in a thank-you letter to her fans. "I feel like I'm dreaming this!"

After five months of anticipation, "When You Look at Me" was selected as the winner of "Best Original Song," an international contest that started off with 100 music videos from around the world, on Monday.

This victory is especially meaningful to Barrett because of her nephew, Austin, in whose memory she wrote and performed the song. Austin died of cancer just shy of his second birthday.

"I’m so grateful  to all of you, the voters who have stood by me and supported me and this song in memory of  Austin," Barrett said. "I am touched beyond words, and I feel so honored. Your kindness will not be forgotten, and Austin’s spirit will live on through the music."

As the winner, Barrett will get:

• her own web page on www.bestoriginalsong.com
• promotion from Best Original Song to record labels, recording artists, producers and music agents
• a press release to various media outlets, including music magazines (including this Nashville-based publication) 

Barrett is also the featured artist on Best Original Song's website right now.

The Batavian warmly congratulates Barrett on a job well done. For previous Batavian coverage, see:

Batavia singer/songwriter has high hopes for very personal song

Singer/songwriter Lisa Barrett advances to next round in world competition

Batavian Lisa Barrett moves up in international song contest

Lisa Barrett one of three finalists in worldwide songwriting competition  

Thanks to the loyalty and support of her many voters, Lisa Barrett's song,"When You Look at Me," is now one of three finalists in the international contest for "Best Original Song."

Yes, she's made it to the sixth and final round.

Barrett, who lives in Batavia, says she's very grateful to all of the people who have gotten her this far. She submitted the following to The Batavian:

There's so much I'm feeling...an array of emotion.

I do have butterflies this time around! I also feel like I'm watching this happen to someone else.

I'm so grateful to all who have been voting and standing by me. I wouldn't be here without them. 

I'm taking this all the way to #1 because it's too important to me! There's so much more I need to do on this journey.

There are so many more songs to sing and write, so many more people to heal with the music. 

I will continue bringing awareness for pediatric cancer research in Austin's memory.

I also do this in memory of my dad, Sigmund Racki. I look to carry on his legacy and his love for music. He always told me and my sisters that we could do anything if we just set our minds to it.  (Well dad, I did just that)

This competition has brought back so many memories of Austin, both happy and sad.

I remember one time in the hospital when Austin pointed to me.  He wanted to sit with me, and then fell sound asleep. 

I also remember visiting his home. I walked in and talked with my sister, Gail. Well, Austin heard my voice and came running with his arms outstretched towards me. He jumped in my arms with the biggest smile! That was in December, and it was the best Christmas gift I could have received. With so much sadness, I try to hold onto those happy moments in my heart. 

Finally, it's time to put a Western New Yorker on the map! 

Voting for Lisa's song will last through Monday. Here is the procedure:

1. Go to www.bestoriginalsong.com

2. Click on "Click Here to Listen"

3. Select Stage 6 - June 13th Show Date

4. Vote for and/or download "When You Look at Me"

For previous coverage, see:

Batavia singer/songwriter has high hopes for very personal song 

Singer/songwriter advances to next round in world competition

Batavian Lisa Barrett moves up in international song contest

On Thursday, John Kennedy Elementary School's parent group proudly posed with their picture in PTO Today, a nationally recognized magazine covering school parent group activities. Pictured from left are Jill Halpin (treasurer), Jen Houseknecht (president), Paul Kesler (John Kennedy principal), Sherri Wahr (vice president) and Cheri Kolb (secretary).

A writer from PTO Today contacted Houseknecht in October after reading The Batavian's article, "John Kennedy School welcomed new families, highlighted community."

According to Wahr, it was the parent group's effort to "bring the community into the school" that piqued PTO's interest.

John Kennedy's Community Night started six years ago as a way to welcome new students and their families, and, at the same time, introduce families to Kesler, whose job as principal started that year.

Kesler called it the "brainchild" of former parent group members Shari Ange and Heather Parker.

"It started off real basic," Kolb said. "Each year we've elaborated more on it, added more activities for the kids and (invited) more organizations."

Local organizations that have attended include the City of Batavia police and fire departments. Detective Rich Schauf, Kesler says, makes it a point to be there every year. Other participants include Cain's Tae Kwon Do, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, Images in Dance and many others.

People from these groups are very appreciative of this opportunity to showcase their services and connect with the school community. Kesler said that many of them often ask when the next Community Night is going to take place.

Beyond that, some of the vendors at Community Night have worked with the parent group on various school events throughout the year.

"Pauly's Pizzeria has helped us with just about every fundraiser," Wahr said, adding that the restaurant provided the sauce for the school's Pasta Night.

Additionally, Kolb said that the Boy Scouts gave the parent group a plaque this year in acknowledgement of their support of Community Night.

If you ask Kesler or any member of the parent group what has enabled their outreach to the community to be so successful, they will all likely say the same thing: the community spirit among parents, teachers, staff and students at John Kennedy.

"The amount of apprecation and gratitude shown by the principal and staff (has been important)," Kolb said. "Everyone from the secretaries to the custodial staff to the teachers, etc. They always do whatever they can to help."

Houseknecht pointed out that the parent group also has "a large number of parents we can count on for continued support."

"It's really a group effort," Kesler added. "Community night happens because a community of people make it happen."

This includes the students, who always ask what they can do for, and how they can help with, any school event or function. One of the goals the parent group has for next year is to get fifth-graders, who run the games at the school's Family Fun Night, to volunteer on Community Night.

"We'd love to have the fifth-graders kind of mentor the kindergarteners," Halpin said. "Since they're on their way out, they can share their experience and what they love about John Kennedy with the students who are just coming in."

As members of a thriving and supportive school community, the parent group members seem cautiously optimistic about the school district's current budget woes (see yesterday's article, "Public begs for city schools' Suzuki Strings programs to be saved," for coverage).

"I think we have such a supportive community that we'll get through it," Wahr said.

"Change will come," Kolb said. "Other school districts have been through the same thing and come out of it, reached the other side, and seen better times financially. I think it will be the same way with us. It's just a matter of keeping intact what we have in the meantime."

"The community and the schools are going to have to work together more closely," Halpin said. "The onus is going to be on the parents and community to provide activities for the kids that aren't covered in the budget."

Kolb said that efforts to do so will require persistance and the willingness to look for "creative ways to support these programs."

To read the PTO Today article, click here.

If you would like your organization to be featured at next year's Community Night, call the school at 343-2480, ext. 5000.

Kolb said that "as many organizations as are interested" are welcome to participate. They use the gym, the cafeteria, the hallways and the outside area for the event, so there's plenty of room.

Batavia resident Lisa Barrett is now one of six finalists to have advanced to round five in the international contest, "Best Original Song."

If she makes it through this round, she will be one of three finalists to make it to the last one. One of these three finalists will win the contest.

Voting for Lisa's song, "When You Look at Me," will start at 8 p.m. on Monday, and will continue through June 13. To vote:

1. Go to www.bestoriginalsong.com

2. Click on "Click Here to Listen"

3. Select June 6 through 13 Show Date

4. Vote for and/or download "When You Look at Me."

For previous coverage, see: 

Batavia singer/songwriter has high hopes for very personal song

Singer/songwriter Lisa Barrett advances to next round in world competition

To see a story YNN did on Barrett recently, click here.

Pictured are John White and Ben Zhao, both of Clarence, who were two of many youngsters who came to Darien Lake Theme Park yesterday to get free tickets.

Why do they get such special treatment? Well, the short answer is that they could be helping bring a fortune into Genesee County.

John and Ben are two of almost 1,600 kids, ages 12 to 18, who are competing in the Darien Lake Baseball Tournament, which starts today and involves youth from all over the Northeast and part of Canada.

According to Kelly Rapone, who works for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, there are a total of 106 teams, with 15 kids on each team. Kids from outside of Genesee County will, of course, be accompanied by their families.

This is likely to be a major boon not only for Darien Lake Theme Park -- which is sponsoring the tournament -- but also for the county in general. In addition to Darien Lake tickets for the kids, all visiting families receive welcome packets with visitors' and dining guides.

But what exactly is this tournament, and how did it come about?

According to Rapone, this is a "public-private venture to grow our economy through sports."

It all started a couple years ago with a conversation between Chris Suozzi of Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), Neil Turvey of A-Turf (a Cheektowaga-based company that specializes in synthetic grass surfacing for sports fields), and former Senator Mary Lou Rath. They met to discuss possible opportunities for Genesee County.

"There are a lot of synergies right here (in Genesee County)," Suozzi said. "Our location is real prime -- right on the New York State Thruway, between Buffalo and Rochester."

Suozzi and Turvey then got involved with Tom Lichtenthal, the Town of Batavia engineer, and Craig Yunker, who owns the Batavia Turf Farm on Bank Street Road.

Up until now, the Turf Farm has mainly been used for youth soccer games. Turvey would like to develop a baseball training center there, as well as space for baseball and softball games next to the soccer field.

Turvey, of Lockport, said this "is just phase one."

"We hope to eventually have 11 fields for baseball and softball."

Before taking on the ambitious task of "taking baseball (in Genesee County) to the next level," as Suozzi put it, he and Turvey wanted to have a baseball tournament  here to see if it would be successful.

Suozzi said this idea came from an observation of how well local soccer teams have done with their tournaments.

With this in mind, and having connections with Darien Lake, he set up a meeting between himself, the theme park's general manager and Turvey. It was agreed that Darien Lake would sponsor the tournament.

"Our hope is that this will be economically impactful," Suozzi said. "When people and families come in, it brings sales tax dollars to our community. That's something people don't realize -- events like this are a real draw for that."

"We're expecting to see somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 people this weekend," Turvey said, "and around 7,500 people total."

The teams are divided into three groups: 10- to 12-year-olds, 13- to 15-year-olds and 16- to 18-year-olds. The 10- to 12-year-olds are playing today and tomorrow at Pembroke High School, at 8750 Alleghany Road in Corfu, and at the Pembroke town park, which is right behind the high school.

Next weekend (June 11-12), the 13- to 15-year-olds will play at three Batavia sites -- Batavia High School at 260 State St., John Kennedy Elementary School at 166 Vine St., and GCC at 1 College Road -- and Barrie Park, just outside of Albion.

Finally, the 16- to 18-year-olds will play Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19 at these same four locations and at Pembroke High School.

Four games are played at each location every day of the tournament. Start times for each game are 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. They are free and open to the public, and food is available.

As difficult and time-consuming as it has been to coordinate this whole thing, Turvey is grateful for the amount of support the tournament has gotten from the Genesee County community.

"Everybody's been fantastic," he said. "The government agencies, the hotels, the chamber...the schools have also been very supportive."

If you have any questions or would like more information, call Turvey at (716) 462-8155. I spoke with him a minute ago, and he said that today's games are still on; they're just waiting for the weather to clear up a bit.

SUPPLEMENTAL PHOTOS:

A rather "impressive" wooden bear guards the entrance to the Darien Lake lodge (right near where the kids came to pick up their tickets). Here he is a bit more close up.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to stop by Oliver's Candies parking lot -- at 211 West Main St. in Batavia -- today for their bumper-to-bumper brochure exchange.

Set to run from 3 until 4:30 p.m., this event is a great opportunity to learn about the many attractions in Genesee County and the surrounding region. Representatives from each organization will be there to talk with people and provide information.

The following organizations from Genesee County are participating:

• Oliver's Candies
• Simply Homespun
• Batavia Bus Service, Inc.
• Coffee Culture
• Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
• D & R Depot
• Jell-O Gallery and the Historical Le Roy House
• Batavia's Original (formerly Pontillo's)
• Copper Top Gardens

Other organizations from our region will include:

• Hidden Valley Animal Adventure (Wyoming)
• Genesee Country Village & Museum (Monroe)
• Genesee Country Campground (Livingston)
• Barn Quilt Trail (Orleans)
• Watt Farms (Orleans)
• Orleans County Tourism
• Artists of the Oak (Orleans)
• Medina Railroad Museum (Orleans)

"Yankee Doodle Brochure Distribution" will also be represented.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 343-7440.

Joe Gerace, left, Dorothy Schlaggel and Justin Calarco-Smith share a passion for helping cancer victims. As members of the Genesee Cancer Assistance Board of Directors, they took time to speak with me today about the upcoming Festival of Hope and 5K walk/run, the organization's major annual fundraiser.

Batavia Downs, at 8315 Park Road in Batavia, will host the event on Friday, June 3.

The 5k walk/run

The 5k walk/run is a new feature that was added to the Festival of Hope two years ago.

Registration starts at 4 p.m., followed by a "Lap of Honor" for cancer survivors at 5:45 and the official race at 6:15.

Schlaggel, an honorary board member and founder of Genesee Cancer Assistance, said this is not really going to be a "race," per se.

Calarco-Smith agreed.

"The competitiveness is still there," he said, "but it will be a competition to see who can raise the most money, not who gets to the finish line first."

People can run in teams or individually, and they can have people sponsor them or sponsor themselves.

Kids and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate.

"It's a family oriented event," Schlaggel said. "We want families to get involved because we help families."

Gerace, who is the Treasurer of Genesee Cancer Assistance, said that they welcome people from all different walks of life.

"We'd like to have school groups, church groups, business groups...anybody," he said.

Winners will be organized according to two overall categories: male and female. They won't be grouped by age.

Awards will be given to the following people (taken from the event flier):

• Individual walker and runner raising most in donations
• Team walkers and runners raising most in donations
• Team walkers and runners with most participants

Jogging strollers are allowed, so parents of small children should feel free to participate.

Admission is $25 for people 18 and over, $15 for people under 18.

"That money doesn't have to come out of your own pocket," Schlaggel said, having especially kids in mind. "You can go to your friends, your neighbors, or anybody you want and ask if they'll help you get into the race."

Registrants will get a T-shirt along with admission. There is no formal deadline, and people can register any time right up to, and including, the night of the race.

Additionally, for $5, kids will be able to do a "fun run" inside the track.

The festival

The Festival of Hope started in November 1995 and, in Schlaggel's words, has "just gotten bigger and bigger every year."

People don't have to run or walk to come to the festival. Anyone can go just to hang out or check out the activities for free -- although there will be costs for specific activities and for the food.

Features of this year's festival include:

• A Chinese auction
• Outdoor raffles, which will include jerseys signed by Buffalo Sabres Derek Roy and Jason Pominville
• $10 haircuts from licensed practitioners
• Massages
• Manicures from BOCES students
• Face-painting for the kids
• A "kids' zone," where, among other things, kids will get to make their own ice cream sundaes
• Free pizza from all of the local pizzerias in Batavia (served in the evening)
• Luminaria (candles), and possibly also a video, commemorating cancer victims and survivors

Calarco-Smith said they also hope to get Sabretooth, the Sabres' mascot, to make an appearance.

Gerace, Schlaggel and Calarco-Smith are inviting everyone to come, even if they don't plan to participate in the race.

"Genesee Cancer Assistance is always there when you need them," Calarco-Smith said. "We invite people to come spend an evening with us, and just see what we're all about."

"Once you're out there," Gerace said, "you'll be hooked, and you'll want to come back every year."

Schlaggel responded to this by recalling a little girl with leukemia who started coming to the festival years ago.

"Now she's about 24 years old, and she comes every year with her mom and grandmother."

All of the money raised through the festival and the race will stay right here in Genesee County.

Genesee Cancer Assistance

After the American Cancer Society closed its Batavia chapter about 20 years ago, Schlaggel, who used to serve on their board, wanted to form a local organization to address the difficulties facing families and individuals battling cancer.

She's had a couple of personal brushes with cancer herself. Her brother died of cancer in the early 1980s, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989.

"At some point in their lives, everyone is somehow affected by cancer," Calarco-Smith said.

Schlaggel was lucky enough to survive her bout with breast cancer, and is being honored this year as a survivor.

"A lot of people think I'm dead," she commented, "because it says, 'In honor of Dorothy Schlaggel.' I'd like everyone to know that I'm very much alive."

Calarco-Smith said the local assistance group wouldn't exist if not for her.

"It all started with her," Calarco-Smith said. "It's time she gets recognized for everything she's done for the people here in Genesee County."

Assistance given by Genesee Cancer Assistance -- which is an entirely local organization with no administrators and only one paid employee -- varies from case to case. Some of their most common provisions are assistance with co-pays and the purchase of wigs for patients going through chemotherapy.

In cases where people need to travel to receive treatment, Genesee Cancer Assistance will also pay for gas mileage and, if necessary, for babysitters. There was even a case where a woman living in a second-floor apartment couldn't stand the summer heat while undergoing chemo, so they paid for an air conditioner.

"(Assistance) is need-based," Schlaggel said.

Whatever a person or family's needs are, the demand for such a group can't be denied.

"Cancer is our number one killer (in the United States)," Gerace said. "But Genesee Cancer Assistance just keeps getting better, bigger and stronger."

"We won't go away until cancer goes away," Schlaggel said.

Some other important notes

If anyone needs a break during the evening, Gerace said Batavia Downs is permitting people to set up "comfort stations" on the grounds.

"People can bring chairs and pitch a tent if they want to get out of the sun for a minute. We want them to be comfortable."

Gerace also wants to assure people that alcohol will not be allowed at the event, which will take place in the downstairs portion of the Downs and outside.

"If anyone wants to drink or gamble, they'll have to go to the second floor."

If you have any questions or would like more information, call Justin Calarco-Smith at 356-1668 or email manumana@aol.com.

To learn more about Genesee Cancer Assistance, go to www.geneseecancerassistance.com.

Supplemental Video: Lincoln Tunnel Challenge (NYC)

Speaking of races, here's some "home video" footage I took while walking/running the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge with my cousins and siblings about a month ago. Hopefully, this will give people some inspiration and "pep."

This race through the Lincoln Tunnel, which takes runners from the New Jersey side to the New York City side and back again, is held every year to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Lisa Barrett, of Batavia, is very grateful to everyone who voted for her song in the international contest, "Best Original Song." Thanks to her voters, she has made it to round four and is now a top 12 finalist.

Voting for this round starts at 8 p.m. on May 23 and runs through May 30. To vote, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to www.bestoriginalsong.com

2. Click on either of the two bars on the homepage that read "Click Here to Listen."

3. Select Show #1 -- May 23rd Show Date

4. Vote for and/or download "When You Look at Me."

This information was submitted by Barrett. If she makes it to the next round, she will be one of six finalists and have only two more rounds to go before she wins the competition.

See the April 29 article, "Batavia singer/songwriter has high hopes for very personal song," for previous coverage.

(Pictured from left, Wayne Guenther, Al McGinnis, Amy Barone.)

It's that time of year again -- time to vote for the Batavia City School District budget and fill seats on its board of education.

Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.

Voting locations are: Batavia Middle School (for residents of City Ward 1, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 2, District 1, 2 or 3); Jackson School (for residents of City Ward 3, District 1 or 2; City Ward 4, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 5, District 1); and Robert Morris (for residents of Ward 5, District 2 or 3, or Ward 6, District 1 or 2).

There are three candidates. One is an incumbent, two are newcomers.

Wayne Guenther, the incumbent, is now approaching the end of his second term. He is a retired teacher with years of experience in education.

Amy Barone, one of the newcomers, is a loan servicing manager at Five Star Bank and a lifelong resident of Batavia. She is also the mother of two students in the district.

Al McGinnis, the other newcomer, is a retired manager for Brown & Root Services, an international oil and construction firm. Prior to that, he was a soldier. He has lived overseas, as required by both jobs, but with an official residence here in Batavia for the past 30 years. Places he has lived and worked include the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He is married, and has a son who graduated from Batavia High School.

The candidates took time to answer some questions about the budget, their motivations for running, and other issues.

Wayne Guenther

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are reelected?

Well, I think as a group we (the school board) do fine. We work out problems that come our way and we try to come to some sort of resolution. The problem is that a lot of things are out of our hands, as far as what the state requires. The local board really has very little say with regard to expenditures. I would like it if we could broaden that a little so that there is more control locally. I would also like to see the mandate relief (the state) promised, rather than having them just tell us what we can and can't do.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

I taught fifth grade in Oakfield for 33 years and have dealt with education my whole life.

What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?

I think some kind of a moratorium is necessary. In what form, I'm not sure -- we have to talk about that. We need to take a long look at who this would affect. For example, do we want to drop these activities for juniors and seniors who have spent the past few years fundraising (for senior trips)? We'll try to come up with some parameters everybody can live with. But I do think that some kind of moratorium is necessary, because a lot of parents have complained that there are too many fundraisers. Most of the parents of kids who are involved in these trips do the major portion of the fundraising and pay out of their own pockets. We want to see what we can do to help out.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

None of us are real happy with it, but we've checked all of our expenses, and a lot of them (are expenses) we're locked into. That can't be changed. We looked into where we could cut without hurting anyone. None of us are happy with a tax increase, but until we get revenues other than local, we'll have to live with it.

A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough, and teachers in other Genesee County districts are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?

That's a contract item, and right now it's all settled until next year. The board is looking for an increase in pay by the teachers (into their own benefits), but that will have to be negotiated. Also, I'm really not 100-percent sure that many school districts have teachers who pay much more than Batavia teachers at present.

What will happen if the budget gets voted down?

We'll have to present a second budget to the public, or pass a contingency budget. That would mean the district couldn't buy any new equipment (including buildings and grounds equipment and some instructional technology) and there would no longer be public use of school resources without pay. Our budget is pretty much bare bones as it is though. We're not talking about much money, and actually it's less than what the contingency budget would be because the number fell below what that would allow. So if the budget is defeated, that won't change a whole lot.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I truly believe that each citizen of a given area should give back to (his or her) municipality in some form or other. I do it through education, because it's what I know.

Do you have any closing comments?

I just hope there's a good turnout. Over the past few years, a very small percentage of people who were eligible to vote did so.

 

Amy Barone

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?

Well, I'm very new to this whole thing. I'd like to just get in there, learn what the board can do and help improve any deficiencies that exist, if there are any.

One thing I would like to see is an improved public perception of the school board. I think a lot of people are looking at the school board and saying that they're not doing their job. But I don't think they understand everything that goes with being on the board. This involves trying to come up with a budget that's good for the kids while also satisfying the taxpayers, faculty and staff, etc. They're really doing the best they can for all parties involved.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

I'm a lifelong resident of Batavia with two children in the Batavia schools. I served on the City of Batavia Youth Board from 2008 through 2010 -- I stepped down when my sister was appointed director, so there wouldn't be any conflict -- and I currently serve on the Genesee County Youth Board.

In addition, I am actively involved with the Five Star for Kids program, which is a partnership between Five Star Bank and the YMCA that allows us to work with fifth-graders in the district. This is a program that helps prepare them for the middle school and teaches them about how to treat others and be responsible members of their schools and community. Finally, I've worked with the United Way Day of Caring on behalf of Five Star Bank for the past four years.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

It's been a tough budget year, from what I've heard. I don't know if the community really, truly understands the budget process. Not that I fully understand it myself yet, but I believe the board did the best they could with what they had to work with.

The community should understand that if the budget is voted down and we end up with the contingency budget, things are not going to be any better. We're not going to be able to bring back anything we've already cut.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I have two children and several nieces and nephews in the district, and as a member of the community I have a vested interest in its success. I feel that my financial background can benefit the board, the school district and the community.

 

Alfred McGinnis

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?

Well, first of all, you don't make changes until you've actually sat on the board and found out what's going on. If I'm elected, that's what I'll do.

I will say this: One item I dislike is their cell phone tax. In opening up my cell phone bill a short time ago, I reviewed it for nothing better than to see why my bill was 20 percent higher than the offered charge. In truth, it wasn't very much of a pittance, and Albany allows cities to affix a cell phone tax on city residents. Fair enough. I could easily move, (but) I choose not to do so. What bothers me is that our school board chose to remain silent on this issue, rather than explain to the public that they could and would (impose the tax) and, more importantly, where the windfall is going. It was a failure on the board's part not to sit down with Batavia residents beforehand. When you're in that position, you have to be up front with people on what you do. Not being up front questions your value and integrity. We are the people they work for, not the other way around.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

My life has been constant, non-stop budgets. I worked for Brown & Root Services for over 20 years as a manager, (after spending years as a professional soldier). In the business world, we refer to a budget as a W.I.P -- a Work In Progress. They have to be modified all the time -- sometimes they need to be expanded, sometimes they need to be constrained. Schools are no different. A school district is like a business. The superintendent is your CEO or manager, and the school board is your Board of Directors.

The budget involves a detailed study, and unfortunately sometimes personal issues. When you eliminate a position, you're not just impacting one person. You're impacting a whole host of people you don't see. Every employee has a family he/she won't be able to support because he/she no longer has a job. Initially, you look at it as a cold number, but then you have to look deeper. You have to look at how it affects your bottom line long-term. For example, if you decide to cut a position, you've taken care of a fiscal issue -- but then who's going to do the job? You can't cut a teacher's position and then say, "So now I'm going to cut 15 students, too."

Tangibles (meaning returns on investments) are the same in schools as they are in business. In schools, the return on our investment is how well educated our children are and how fortified they are for higher education and for life. If they do well, they'll make our country stronger. That said, you still have to be straightforward and honest. If I tell the shareholders -- which are the taxpayers -- that I'm raising their taxes, I have to be able to tell them why. And I have to be able to tell them that I raised their taxes -- I can't just blame it on the board; there's no such thing. Even if you didn't vote for a tax increase, if you're on the board you had better be able to explain yourself. As a manager at Brown & Root Services, I couldn't just hide behind statements like, "Well, the company told me this." If you're going to do that, you shouldn't be in that position. You either own up to your responsibilities or get out.

What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?

In the business world, your product has to be the best on the market. (In the schools), our product is our children. That said, I view overnight trips as educational experiences. It broadens the students' horizons, lets them see something they haven't seen before, talk to kids outside of their school, live with the difficulties of being on a bus...these help prepare them for real life.

I understand the financial concerns. There are taxpayers on fixed incomes, and believe me, I understand that. But we can't afford to have a product out of our "factory" (school district) be inferior to other districts.

I think we can find the money.  We may have to go to unconventional sources, just like in business, but we can't be narrow-minded about this. Narrow-mindedness has destroyed businesses and can hamper our children's education.

In my experience, it is imperative that we broaden these kids' horizons. They should see that there are different communities and cultures out there that are not necessarily better or worse than their own. We need to enrich the students so that they can put their prejudices aside and see the world as a great place to live. As a result, they will be able to enrich others when they go out into the world. Will we see a monetary gain here? Not right away, but five years from now...

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

I went to a school board meeting in June, and I thought both the board and (Superintendent) Margaret Puzio did an excellent job of explaining the budget and how it had mostly to do with state mandates. Did I agree with everything they said? Well -- I can't make any negative comment until I've been there. As in business, you've got to go through the books. I will not fire a shot at the board of education until I've had a chance to sit there and see what they do. I have no right to do that until I've see how they operate; that's just unprofessional. When I'm in that position, then I'll have valid reasons to make suggestions.

A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough and teachers in other districts in Genesee County are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?

That's a valid concern, but I've got to look at the whole picture. The worst thing you can do is take a snapshot and then make decisions based on that. I have to be able to look at the past history and the evidence. Talk is cheap -- cold hard facts are what drive a budget. You can say (hypothetically) that Oakfield teachers pay more into their benefits than Batavia teachers, but show me. It may be true, but I have to present facts. Emotions have no place in budgets. All they do is destroy your bottom line, which is: Are you getting the best product for the money you're spending? (If you let your emotions impact the budget), you'll regret it.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I've been retired for some time, but I liked being a manager and working on budgets. Even if I had strong dislikes while I was doing (a budget), there was the ultimate satisfaction that came with it.

As citizens, we each have not only the right but the obligation to contribute what we can to our community. One would have to ask oneself why at age 61, and retired, I would want to run for a school board seat that pays nothing, takes up my time and otherwise disrupts my retirement. I'll actually be spending more money on this than I'll ever see a return on (financially), but my return will be satisfaction. If one of our young grows up to be a successful professor or doctor, then I'll have a return on my investment.

When I say "our young," I mean all of our young. Even if we don't have children in school -- my son is all finished with his schooling -- they are all our children, and we have a moral obligation to make sure they get the best education possible.

I'm well retired and certainly neither need the money nor wish to waste my time on vendettas. My only goals are a better run board and a school budget that I feel can be better managed and at a lower cost to the Batavia stockholders (aka taxpayers).

Do you have any closing comments?

Well, this is disconcerting to me: There are two candidates running together -- one of them is on the board already, the other one is trying to get on the board -- and I found out that both of them are members of the Democratic Party, and that the Democratic Party wants them to do this. This smacks of Third World politics. It's the kind of thing I would see in the Pacific, in Africa and in the Middle East, and we don't need to see it in Batavia.

When you see something like this, it means there's a hidden agenda. People are supposed to run on their own merits so that the populace can have a choice. You don't run as a gang. This looks like a way for the Democratic Party to influence the outcome of the election. The school board should be nonpartisan. This makes it a political toy, and that's wrong -- purely wrong. Taxpayer money should not be any party's political tool.

What will happen is that taxpayers won't get a return on their investment because partisan politics will interfere. The way information is presented to the public will be based on a single party's standpoint, and we won't get an honest, balanced budget.

McGinnis claims to have received this information from a source from within the Democratic Party. Guenther and Barone were both given a chance to respond.

Here are their replies:

Wayne Guenther

I'm not a member of any political party -- I'm registered as unaffilliated. I met Amy the night of the budget hearing, and I know her sister and her dad but that's it. And I agree -- political parties should not have anything to do with the school board. I'm really surprised to hear this kind of stuff (referring the accusation).

Amy Barone

The only response I have to that is that this is not a political race -- it's a race for the kids. I don't feel that party lines are relevant. I'm running for my kids and for the district, not for any political party. That said, I may have supporters in the Democratic Party, but I also have supporters in the Republican Party.

The Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia, will hold its budget vote and Board of Trustees election tomorrow from noon until 9 p.m.

All residents of the Batavia City School District are eligible to vote. Voting will take place in the library's Gallery Room.

The results of the election will be posted tomorrow. Call the library at 343-9550 for more information.

Batavia resident Lisa Barrett is hoping a lot of people will get online and vote for her song, "When You Look at Me," which has made it into round three of the international "Best Original Song" contest.

If she wins, she'll get her own Web page, and her song will be sent to dozens of recording companies, music labels (large and small), producers and agents.

Barrett's song was one of 100 from around the world chosen for the contest. Of those, 48 made it to round two and, you guessed it, "When You Look at Me" was one of them.

Now it's one of 24 that have made it to the third round. If Barrett makes it through this round, she'll be halfway to her goal of winning the competition.

Voting began this week and extends through Monday. In order to vote, go to www.bestoriginalsong.com and set up an account -- it's free and only takes a minute.

Barrett wrote and performed "When You Look at Me" in memory of her nephew, Austin, who lost a brave battle with cancer in February of 2000, just shy of his 2nd birthday.

"My goal is to touch people's lives with the music in Austin's memory," Barrett said. "I feel I'm doing this not only for Austin, but for all children who have lost their battles, or are still struggling with life-threatening illnesses."

She came up with the idea for the song about a year after Austin died.

"I walked by his picture, and this particular time I stopped (to look at it). My eyes met his, and I said out loud: 'I can almost feel your touch when you look at me.'"

According to Barrett, "something happened" in this instant that changed her life.

"It was like a switch went on. I heard a melody in my head, with the lyrics coming at the same time. I felt compelled to grab a pen and start writing."

It took her a few weeks, but when she finally finished the song it became, in her words, "a wonderful grieving outlet."

"After that," Barrett said, "the switch kept going on for other songs. Whenever something hit me hard emotionally -- whether it made me feel sad, happy, angry or it was funny -- I would write a song about it."

Her songs are not just about things that affect her directly. As she got further along in this new chapter of her life, she became inspired by other people's experiences as well.

In recent years, she wrote a musical called "Can't Bully Me Now," which deals with the experiences of children who are bullied in school. This song has been performed multiple times by students at St. Joseph School in Batavia, and educators from other districts have expressed interest in it as well.

The amazing thing is that prior to the composition of "When You Look at Me," Barrett had never been a songwriter.

"I didn't plan this. It's a path that has been laid before me, and I follow it, not always knowing where I'm going next."

Along the way, she has learned that "even after so much pain, the sun can shine again."

Originally recorded at Affinity Music in Nashville, Tennessee in 2005, "When You Look at Me" is part of an album with the same title. Barrett wrote and performed 10 other songs for this album, one of which -- "Share Your Light" -- was the theme song selection for Western New York's National Night Out in August 2010.

In an ironic turn of events, Barrett decided that the time had come to turn "When You Look at Me" into a music video around the same time that officials from Best Original Song contacted her. They had found her music online and were interested in having her as a contestant.

Barrett said she submitted her entire album. They chose "When You Look at Me."

"It was like everything was coming full circle. It brought back to me the reason I had done everything in the first place."

She and her husband, Kyle, filmed the music video this past winter at Genesee County Park. They were there one day, and found that the atmosphere was ideal.

"The snow was falling perfectly," Barrett recalls. "And I just said to my husband, 'We've got to do it now.'"

Shooting at the park in the winter was not easy. Barrett said her "toes were frozen" as she made this video.

But she kept going, and it was worth it in the end.

Have a look:

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Once you've created an account and are logged in, click on either of the two bars on the home page that read "Live Show! Click Here to Listen," then click on "Third Stage Show #1." From there, you'll know what to do.

Remember, you only have from now through Monday to vote!

Final Note: Barrett's CD can be purchased through her Web site, www.lisabarrettcd.com. Portions of the proceeds benefit Essential Care, a pediatric home care program of Hospice Buffalo for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Top photo -- of Barrett at Affinity Music -- taken from www.lisabarrettcd.com, second photo submitted by Lisa Barrett.

The big honkin', humongous SUPER MAMMOTH Indoor Garage Sale at St. Joe's School is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday. It's located at 2 Summit St. in Batavia.

While planning it hasn't put Chairwoman Kathy Stefani in seventh heaven, she knows the proceeds are heaven sent, so to speak, and will be used to buy state-of-the-art instructional technology for the school.

Now in its seventh year, this thing has grown quite a bit since its inception.

Stefani, a St. Joseph's parent, began chairing the sale as a fundraiser for St. Anthony's School in Batavia, where her children attended until the school closed several years ago. She's the one who gave it the name MAMMOTH, because "even (during the first year) it got real big."

"It's gotten to the point where it's not just a sale," Stefani said. "It's really an event."

It will fill all the main areas of the school -- both upstairs and downstairs -- as well as the green space outside, which will feature a 20-by-40 foot tent in which lawnmowers and outdoor furniture will be sold.

Volunteers have been collecting donations all year, and have spent the last two weeks setting up. The latter process has included the tasks of washing and pricing the items.

Speaking of prices -- bibliophiles will definitely want to get to showroom #2 (a.k.a. the gym), where a large variety of books for all ages will be sold for only 25 cents each.

And for $20, you can own a 49-star American flag.

Shoppers will have a total of 19 cashiers, two of whom will be "express cashiers," to assist them.

In addition to antiques, furniture, books, needful things and other goodies to which customers have come to look forward to, there are some exciting new features this time around.

• Clor's Chicken BBQ will be sold outside, with picnic tables and benches available for sit-down meals.
• A bake sale, featuring all homemade items, including cakes and fresh-brewed coffee.
• Because there is so much merchandise this year -- "tens of thousands of items," according to the ad flier -- Stefani and other volunteers will be restocking tables at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the sale. So, if you are not a morning person, you will still have plenty of choices if you come in the afternoon!
• A special attraction will be an Artisan Doll Shoppe, staffed by an expert in vintage and collectible dolls who will be able to answer questions and offer free appraisals.

Jenna Raphael, of Batavia, spent a lot of time with the quaint little structure she affectionately calls "her house" during baseball season last summer. She had hoped that it would inspire people to take pride in their community.

Unfortunately, somebody came to give the opposite message...

The little red house, which is at Dwyer Stadium and manned during Muckdogs games as an information area for the public, was vandalized some time during the last few months.

Muckdogs General Manager Travis Sick discovered the damage after the winter snow melted. He said there's no way to be sure when the incident actually took place.

Furthermore, since no one is at the stadium at night, there is no way to determine who the vandals are. Sick suspects it may have been a group of kids in the area.

Fortunately, the damage was not extensive. The door was kicked in and the lock severed (above photo); parts of the door were broken off, so it will need to be fixed. There was also some debris on the floor inside that was not there before.

Nevertheless, Sick and Raphael both see this as a "disappointing and almost ironic" incident (Sick's words).

"The sign says 'take pride in your community,' and someone decided not to do that," he said.

Raphael agreed.

"It's hard for me to understand what motivates kids and adolescents to do this," Raphael said. "I don't think there is enough to occupy youth in this community, therefore they turn to these types of mischievous behaviors."

Locted near the stadium's Kid's Zone and, Sick says "off the beaten path," this house was given to Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (GCASA) last year. GCASA staff repainted it and made the above sign.

Raphael used it as a station from which to share information with Muckdogs spectators about Genesee County Drug Free Communities Coalition's (a GCASA program) efforts to address and improve environmental conditions that can lead to problem behaviors -- drugs, alcohol use, crime, fighting, etc. -- among our youth. For information on the coalition and, by extension, how this fits in with their overall mission, click on the following link: http://thebatavian.com/blogs/billie-owens/gc-drug-free-communities-top-10-finalist-international-honor/22803).

"Vandalizing a house (with a sign) that says 'take pride in your community' shows a lot of disrespect," Raphael said, adding that it "sends a distasteful message to those who continually work to make Genesee County a healthier and safer place to live."

She hopes to use the house again during the Muckdogs' upcoming season, in spite of what happened.

Because there is really no way to find out who the culprits are, no charges are being pressed. But Sick is encouraging any community members who are in a position to do so, to keep an eye out for suspicious activity at the stadium at night.

"If you see anyone walking around that shouldn't be there, call the police."

Top photo taken by Linda Cummings