Press Release:
The Salvation Army in Batavia would like to announce that our annual toy drive will be this Friday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We are once again partnering with WBTA Radio and Ken Barret Chevrolet Cadilac to collect toys for kids in need right here in Genesee County.
We will be live on the air all day from Ken Barrett at 229 West Main Street. Bring a new unwrapped toy and stop in for a cup of coffee and a donut.
Of the nine people at Thursday’s Batavia City Schools capital project public hearing, only one was a district resident who came to hear the presentation.
The remaining people in the auditorium were district staff, board members and an architect from the project design team. Although Herb Schroeder was the lone attendee, he came armed with a list of questions about the $45 million district-wide project.
Is this being paid for with a grant?
No. $6.9 million is coming from capital reserves, and the remainder of $38 million from a loan, to be paid back with reimbursement from the state.
What if the state reneges? It’s a lot for the taxpayers to handle if the state reneges.
None of the presenters had ever heard of the state backing out of its commitment to reimburse a district for a capital project. These projects must be approved by the state Education Department after voter approval.
Have you looked into the price of traditional turf (in addition to the artificial turf that’s part of the capital project)?
No. Superintendent Jason Smith wasn’t saying that he wouldn’t look into it, but from everything that coaches and the Clark Patterson Lee team have advised, artificial is the way to go to help address the drainage issues with the fields at Batavia High School, Smith said.
“Drainage issues are going to be a problem no matter what you do … it’s a lot of money, that’s my biggest pet peeve,” Schroeder said.
Even professional associations are considering going back to natural turf after some athletes have gotten injured on the artificial material, he said.
The plan calls for two synthetic turf fields for the high school, a baseball and softball field each, for about $7 million of the total cost. A proposed turf field at Van Detta Stadium upset a fair number of people — prospective tax-paying voters — so The Batavian had previously asked Smith why turf for the high school.
The fields behind the State Street site have been prone to excess water and drainage issues for years, he said, since the school was built on a swamp. “We have received complaints from families,” he said and had to move several games to Genesee Community College as a result.
Synthetic turf raises the playing field, alleviates pooling water, and provides “a better quality playing field for the kids,” he said. Installing this type of material would permanently fix the swamping issue, he said.
“Most of us don’t see it as a luxury anymore,” he said.
Robert Morris was closed in 2011 due to declining enrollment, so what are your projections for the next five years?
Enrollment is flat, with a slight increase at Robert Morris with the universal pre kindergarten, pre-school and pre-school special education programs enrolling kids ages 3 to 5.
After using the one reserve for this project, are there any reserves left?
Yes and no, Smith said.
“Man, that’s a politician,” Schroeder said with a small chuckle.
Business Administrator Andrew Lang explained that there are some reserves already in place, including a teacher’s and employee’s retirement system reserve, and a reserve that the district created this past budget season to begin building up an account for future needs. This project, however, will drain this one particular reserve of $6,928,000.
A shift from getting a grant to borrowing the money “scares me,” Schroeder said, but he pledged his support.
“I’m going to vote for your project,” he said.
This was the second presentation in the last two weeks, with the first one drawing only about three or four people. Board President John Marucci isn’t concerned about the low attendance. In fact, he believes it’s a testament to the district’s competence in disseminating the information and answering questions sufficiently before next week's vote.
“I guess I was a little worried walking in and seeing that there's only one person here. But the more I thought about it, the more I think the community is comfortable with the job that we did. They're happy with what we've done. And I think the vote next week will show that it'll pass with flying colors,” Marucci said. “If this would have been a full auditorium, I would have been real worried. Just because that would tell me that, I think, there might be some people that have some real questions on the job we've done. I think just seeing the one gentleman here tonight asking some great questions, that just showed that I think the community has paid attention to the flyers that we put out, the videos we put out, and they're happy with what we've done.”
As for what seemed to be one of Schroeder’s biggest sticking points, the artificial turf, not only has that not been a major complaint, but many people have wanted to see more of it installed throughout the district, Smith said.
“When I talk to the teams and the coaches, they’re excited about it. Also, I should have mentioned it will give us more practice area for our soccer team to practice on because our soccer team does play on turf at Van Detta, so they like to practice on turf,” he said. “It's not a full soccer field, but they can still get that turf experience of playing on turf, which they do at Van Detta and other schools, so there's more benefit besides just softball and baseball.”
Board Vice President John Reigle agreed, adding that the artificial field raises up the playing surface and helps to get the players out of a flooded field.
“It’s a great asset for the district,” Reigle said.
The project will also involve some reconfiguration of grade levels. Kindergarten will move from Jackson Primary to Robert Morris; second grade will move from John Kennedy Intermediate to Jackson and fifth grade will move to John Kennedy from the middle school.
The district performs a building conditions survey every five to seven years, and the architect Clark Patterson Lee recommended a detailed scope of work that was prioritized from one to three, Smith had said in a prior interview, with mostly ones and twos being chosen for the project. Much of the work is being done to shore up 20-year-old infrastructure, such as the high school’s boiler system, roof, and the gym at Robert Morris.
Nothing is on the list to be expanded, such as extra classrooms or other such student space, which makes sense according to enrollment projections. By the district's calculations, total enrollment topped out at 2,383 in 2013 and fluctuated until it peaked for the last time in 2020 at 2,190, declining to 1,978 in 2023. Estimated total enrollment will be 1,933 in 2024, 1,902 in 2025, 1,880 in 2026 and 1,858 by 2027.
All of the schools have many of the same upgrades, including PA/clock and fire alarm replacements, phone system replacement, blue light notification system, information technology infrastructure improvements and pavement replacement for Jackson, John Kennedy, and the middle and high schools.
Jackson is also in line for building-mounted lighting and the replacement of a failing retaining wall on the east side between the school and its neighbors. John Kennedy would also get a new roof, an upgraded gym divider curtain and regraded softball field and other amenities.
Batavia Middle School “is getting the most renovations to the interior space,” Smith had said, “where it’s needed.”
“The whole school really needs a lot of work; it’s a historic, beautiful building, and we're trying to home in on that to give it the attention it needs,” he said. “I think that foundation repairs is an example of that.”
The breakdown of the $45 million is:
The project is to have no additional tax increase for district residents, officials said.
Voting will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 14 at designated sites, depending on where you live.
For residents living north of Route 5 (Main Street), vote at Robert Morris, 80 Union St., in the Multi-Purpose Room.
For residents living south of Route 5, vote at Batavia High School, 260 State St., in the library.
More information about the project:
Click here to view our BCSD Reimagined Project Website
Click here to view our BCSD Reimagined Project Factsheet
Click here to view our BCSD Reimagined Project Newsletter
Click here to view our BCSD Reimagined Project Video
H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home's annual Remembrance Service was held at Northgate Free Methodist Church on Wednesday.
The service is an opportunity for area residents to honor and remember loved ones who have passed.
Pastor Vern Saile led the service.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Press release:
David Wagenhauser announced today that he is challenging Representative Claudia Tenney for New York’s District 24 Congressional seat in 2024. Wagenhauser, who grew up in Upstate NY, has served as a Public Interest/First Amendment Attorney and Executive Director for a public interest group in Washington, DC. He was the Vice President of his family’s home care business for 15 years and served a full term as an elected Village Trustee in Brockport, NY.
Wagenhauser launched his website (DaveforUpstate.com) and released a video to announce the kick-off of his campaign. “It’s time Claudia Tenney came home.” He continued, “Tenney has become more interested in fighting partisan battles, booking TV and radio time and inciting social media outrage, than in working to solve the problems she complains about daily.”
Wagenhauser notes he offers a clear alternative to Tenney’s often combative, ultra-partisanship that is the “politics as usual” in DC today. “Instead of simply blaming others for problems, we need to be working to find solutions. That means finding common ground for the common good.” He added, “You don’t have to agree with someone to work with them and improve the lives of our neighbors.”
Wagenhauser seeks significant government reform. “They go in rich and come out richer,” he stated. “We need meaningful Congressional reform, including working to put an end to stock trading, an end to corporate financing of elections, and an end to gerrymandering.” He also called for the passage of term-limit legislation. “Washington is broken and needs leaders who will step up and lead by example.”
Are Social Security and Medicare endangered? “It’s not a threat, it’s a plan,” he said - referencing the Republican Study Committee’s stated intention to cut these programs. Tenney is a member of this group. Wagenhauser also acknowledged the importance of reducing the cost of prescription drugs. “Steps have been taken to get these costs down, but Tenney has fought reforms every step of the way.” He continued,“Tenney is largely bankrolled by corporate interests and PACS, including Big Pharma titan Pfizer.” Wagenhauser’s website details many of these transactions.
“I will fight for the hard-working women and men of Upstate NY. That means jobs that provide families livable wages that keep ahead of inflation. I’ll support legislation such as the “CHIPS” act that will deliver tens of thousands of good careers to Upstate NY, giving opportunities for our kids here.” Tenney voted against that job-creating Bill.
“It has become clearer by the day that Claudia Tenney does not represent Upstate values - integrity, respect, civility, independence and helping our neighbors,” Wagenhauser stated. “I invite everyone to join me as I run to reform a broken Congress, protect Social Security and Medicare and empower our hard-working families to prosper.”
Voters in Elba, by a 95-22 margin, approved a $14.8 million capital improvement project on Thursday.
The proposition read:
Authorize the Board of Education of the Elba Central School District be authorized to undertake certain capital improvements consisting of construction and reconstruction of the K-12 Main Campus school building and facilities, site improvements and the acquisition of certain original furnishings, equipment, and apparatus and other incidental improvements required in connection therewith for such construction and school use, all at an estimated maximum aggregate cost of $14,875,000; and to appropriate and expend from the existing capital reserve fund $900,000 for such costs, and that the balance of such cost, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax to be collected in annual installments, with such tax to be offset by state aid available therefor; and, in anticipation of such tax, debt obligations of the school district as may be necessary not to exceed $13,975,000 shall be issued.
Opening at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, the Batavia Players bring to life Scrooge and his ghosts in a performance of Charles Dickens's “A Christmas Carol” at Main St. 56 Theater in Batavia.
There are also performances on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors.
The musical is directed by Patrick Burk, with music directed by Kathy White.
Photos by Howard Owens
Press Release:
National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 4-8, 2023. This is the time of year to remind everyone that there is still time to get vaccinated against influenza (“the flu”).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year to reduce the risk of getting the flu and lessening the symptoms if you get sick. The best time to get vaccinated is before flu season has started, but it is never too late to get the flu shot.
Flu usually peaks between December and February and can continue into May.
“It is important for those at higher risk, including young children, pregnant women, adults 65 years and older, and individuals with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma or lung disease, to get the flu vaccine,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “It is also important for people who live with and care for people who are at higher risk and those who care for infants under 6 months old."
Below are the number of reported flu cases for Genesee and Orleans Counties since 2019 according to the New York State Department of Health. It is important to note that during 2020-2021 there were significantly less confirmed cases of flu partly due to a heightened awareness of practicing precautions like staying home when sick, limiting social gatherings and frequent handwashing during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York State Department of Health Confirmed Cases of Influenza:
Genesee County
- 2019-2020 - 598
- 2020-2021 - 7
- 2021-2022 - 182
- 2022-2023 - 743
- 2023-2024 (as of 11/25/2023) - 9
Orleans County
- 2019-2020 - 266
- 2020-2021 - 8
- 2021-2022 - 100
- 2022-2023 - 647
- 2023-2024 (as of 11/25/2023) - 5
In addition to the flu shot, the following practices are recommended to stop the spread of illnesses:
- Stay Home When Sick: If you develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or fatigue, stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and use hand sanitizer when soap is not available. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and manage stress to support a strong immune system.
To find a vaccine site near you visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/ For the Genesee and Orleans Counties Wastewater Dashboard that tracks RSV, COVID-19, and flu in local sewersheds, visit the GO Health Wastewater Dashboard.
For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:
Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555
Orleans County: 585-589-3278
Follow GO Health on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GOHealthNY.
Press Release:
During the holidays we often have social gatherings, rituals, and happy memories. You may set certain expectations for the holidays that unintendedly lead to anxiety. Finances may be tight, or you may be worried about seeing family members. Some may use gambling to escape those problems.
If you are gambling to cope with the stress of the holiday season or gambling to try to make extra cash for the holidays, it may be time to sit down and evaluate your gambling.
If you think gambling is negatively affecting your life, you may notice some of the warning signs in yourself or a loved one. Gambling can be easy to hide from your family and friends, but the stress and anxiety of hiding can take a toll on you, have you experienced:
- Gambling with increased amounts of money to get to the desired level of excitement.
- Becoming restless and irritable when you try and cut back on your gambling.
- Thinking about gambling all the time.
- Planning for the next time you gamble or thinking about ways to get money to gamble.
- Gambling when you are feeling stressed and anxious.
Recognizing these warning signs can be the first step in reaching out for support. If gambling is adding to your holiday stress, there is help available.
The Western NY Problem Gambling Resource Center 716-833-4274 is here to help. Visit NYProblemGamblingHELP.org to be connected to the resource center closest to you. Do not let the stress of your gambling ruin your holiday season. Reach out today and be one step closer to a healthy holiday season.
When tapped to play St. Nicholas for the Bethlehem Walk Wednesday evening, Dan Dedo didn’t cut any corners.
His wife made him a lavish suit of a metallic gold vest and a long hooded, red crushed velvet cape, and he wore a thick white, curly-haired beard and carried his own tall wooden staff that a friend had made for him. His hat, purchased with a gold cross on the front and back resembling that of a bishop, completed the outfit.
Being unfamiliar with St. Nicholas, Dedo also did some research so he would be prepared for his duties during the event at Batavia First Presbyterian Church.
No matter how long ago St. Nicholas originated, he still has a lesson for the modern-day world, Dedo said.
“It reminds everybody that it's a season where we should all be kind and generous to those in need and that St. Nicholas was that way throughout the year, which we have to remember, too,” he said. “So I enjoyed learning about him.”
St. Nicholas, who in later decades has been called St. Nick, served as the inspiration for Santa Claus, who is said to travel by way of sleigh and reindeer to rooftops and climb into chimneys to deliver his gifts to strangers’ homes. Dedo learned about his much earlier existence.
“Well, I was given a book that I read for everybody here. And then, I did some research online. St. Nicholas was born in 200 AD in what is now Turkey. His parents were rich; he became a priest in the Greek church, and his parents died and left him all their money. And St. Nicholas gave all the money to people in need: the sick, the hungry, people that needed housing,” Dedo said. “And there's a story about an old man with three daughters. And to get married in those days, you had to have money for a dowry. And they had no money, and the old man was worried about his daughters. So St. Nicholas heard about this, and at night, he threw a bag of gold through the window of the house. And they were overjoyed. And she was able to get married, then the middle-aged girl came of age to get married. And he did it again, he threw another bag of gold into the house.
“Now, when the third daughter was old enough to get married, the old man was waiting to find out who this generous person was. And St. Nicholas liked to give anonymously. So he climbed up on the rooftop and threw the bag of gold down through the chimney. And the girl had hung her socks and stockings to dry under the chimney,” he said. “And the legend has it that the bag of gold fell into the stocking. And I mean, he inspired a lot of generosity and kindness on the part of other people. So we still remember him to this day for that reason.”
The event venue had tables full of nativity sets — collections on loan from Laura Dommer and Liz Saleh, plus a few others brought in from other church members — and hot homemade soup, decorated sugar cookies, music, children’s games and lots of mingling.
Sheryl Maier and her daughter Tallulah were browsing a table of nativity scenes, and it didn’t take long for Tallulah to spot her favorite one.
“I like this one,” she said, pointing to a puzzle nativity. “I like doing puzzles, and I like doing puzzles of baby Jesus.”
As it so happens, her mom read the five-year-old the story of St. Nicholas at home before they attended the event, so Tallulah was quite familiar with the tall bearded chap when they arrived. He gave her some gold coins (chocolate wrapped in foil), and he walked around handing out the symbolic gift St. Nicholas threw into poor people’s homes as a token of compassion.
Olivia Fanton had gotten some coins but was waiting to eat her Italian wedding soup first. It was too hot at the moment, she said. The 11-year-old Batavia Middle School student had checked out the nativity scenes and especially liked one lone white decorative angel.
“That’s my favorite,” she said. “I like the face of the angel.”
It was one piece of a collection that Dommer no longer had assembled together, she said. When she heard that Olivia liked the angel, she decided to follow in the footsteps of St. Nicholas and give it to the sixth-grader.
“I did it because she has a Bills shirt on,” Dommer joked.
In what Genesee County Manager Matt Landers labeled a “spirited but good process,” the county settled a three-year deal with the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association that lands at just under a half million dollars for the first year.
The agreement between the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the county includes raises of 7.5 percent for 2024 that will have a budget impact of $480,546 for items such as overtime salaries, hourly on-call, holiday and special pay, social security and Medicare taxes, and retirement expenses.
“I think at the end of the day, both sides are getting everything they want with the signing of the contract. So I'm pleased that we can get this done,” Landers said during Wednesday’s Ways & Means meeting. “I think the vote was very favorable, It was better than the CSEA contract. I think there was one no."
The union contract also includes raises of 5 percent for 2025 and 3 percent in 2026.
The agreement was negotiated with the county Legislature, Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Sheriffs’ Association. The Ways & Means Committee agreed to pass it onto the full Legislature for a final vote next week. That meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Committee Chairwoman Marianne Clattenburg said that the contract serves two purposes: not only to “show our appreciation to the workforce and to retain, but also to recruit,” she said.
If approved, the total total budget expense would be broken down as follows:
“It’s a three-year deal, just like with the CSEA. And the logic now is, any kind of adjustments you could do in year one and then we go through and smooth it out. We've learned from prior ones not to go into a five-year deal, and I'm pleased with it,” Landers said. “It was a spirited process, but based on how the vote went, our team and internal management team was happy. It was a good process.”
Alexander beat Elba on Wednesday in Girls Basketball 72-65.
No stats were submitted for the game.
Photos by Debra Reilly.
Going up against defending Class B champions Waterloo, the Notre Dame Girls Basketball Team came up a little short on points to fall 61-58 on Wednesday.
The Lady Irish were led by Freshman Sofia Falleti, who dominated with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Also contributing to the Irish were senior Nina Bartz with 14 points and Emma Sisson with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Photos by Pete Welker.
The Batavia Blue Devils are officially 1-0 on the season after defeating Brockport 57-51 in the team's 2023-24 season home opener.
Carter Mullen and Justin Smith led the way, with Mullen scoring 16 points and Smith scoring 14. Joey Marranco scored 10 points.
The Blue Devils held on to win despite being outscored 19-13 in the final quarter.
Also in Boys Basketball on Wednesday, Le Roy beat Cal-Mum 78-49. Merritt Holly scored 31 points. Jean Agosto and Aaric Luce each scored nine.
Note: Merritt Holly scored 13 points in the third after Cal- Mum pulled to within 3 early in the period extending the margin to 16 after three.
To view or purchase photos, click here.
Photos by Steve Ognibene
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