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St. Joseph School inducts 10 new students into National Junior Honor Society

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

St. Joseph Catholic School is proud to announce that it has inducted 10 new students into its National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

Parents, family and friends gathered at St. Joe’s earlier this month for this special ceremony to recognize select students for their outstanding efforts.

Matthew Landfried, Todd Bowman, Karen Green and the current NJHS members welcomed these new members with a ceremony sharing what the NJHS is all about. They shared that not only is the society about academics but it also serves to honor students that have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship.

The students in eighth grade that were honored this year were: Jayce Ashton, Michael Cianfrini, Camden King and Amanda Nguyen.

The students in seventh grade that were honored were: Veronica Bochicchio, Maylee Green, Kaylie Kratz, Amelia McCulley, Arabella Rogers and Aaron Treleaven.

Joseph Scanlan, Ph.D., shared some special words of encouragement and congratulations to end out the evening. Congratulations to all these hardworking students!

46th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Pembroke Town Park starts at 12:15 sharp Sunday afternoon

By Billie Owens

Photos and information from PCD Kiwanis:

 

The PCD Kiwanis 46th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held beginning at 12:15 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 1st.

It's at the Pembroke Town Park on Route 77 next to the high school.

It's for ages 2 - 10 years.

This is a outdoor event, so please dress accordingly. 

For more information please contact Pat at 762-8419. 

See you Sunday!

Save the Date -- in December -- for GCC Foundation's Encore Gala in new arena

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release: 

The Genesee Community College Foundation will be shaking things up this December with a new venue for the 27th annual Encore Gala. Before the first crocuses and daffodils are up, GCC suggests that all community members "save the date" for the 2018 Encore celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1 in the brand new Richard C. Call Arena at the Batavia Campus. 

The annual Encore Gala raises funds for student scholarships giving the local community the opportunity to support students through the College Foundation, while enjoying a very special evening that kicks off the holiday season.

This year, co-chairs Thomas A. and Kim M. Cox, pictured above, are working with the GCC Foundation to plan something truly exciting for the 2018 Encore Gala under the theme, "Let it GLOW."

"We are honored to chair the 2018 Encore Gala and are excited to be having this event in the new Richard C. Call Arena," Kim Cox said with an enthusiastic smile. "In addition to the new venue, we have many surprises planned for the evening."

Tom, a retired superintendent of Gananda Central School District and Kim, retired superintendent of Le Roy Central School District, both recognize the importance of education and supporting the Foundation's scholarship program at GCC. Their career-long passion for education made them a perfect couple to chair the 2018 Encore Gala. Tom and Kim currently reside in Conesus.

"From the first committee meeting, it was clear that the 2018 Encore celebration would be a unique celebration," Richard Ensman, executive director of GCC Foundation said. "Tom and Kim have some great ideas, but the real motivation behind Encore comes from the scholarship opportunities it funds for GCC students." 

For more information about Encore please contact the Foundation Office at (585) 345-6809, or via email to foundation@genesee.edu.

City Yard Waste Station opens for season April 2, use Law Street entrance

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City Yard Waste Station, located at the curve on Law Street, will open for the season on Monday, April 2nd.

The station will be open from noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until November when time changes to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The station will also be closed on May 28th -- Memorial Day, July 4th -- Independence Day, Sept. 3rd -- Labor Day and Nov. 22nd -- Thanksgiving.

City residents are requested to bring all yard waste material (grass, leaves and limbs) to the Law Street Yard Waste Station as there is no spring curb side pickup of these materials.

No tree stumps, no building materials or other debris will be accepted.

Use Law Street entrance to enter and exit the City Yard Waste Station.

Crossroads House celebrates 20 years of providing comfort care, launches $20 campaign

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

Crossroads House is celebrating 20 years of providing comfort care to the residents of Genesee, Wyoming and surrounding counties.  The Board of Directors officially recognized the milestone at their meeting this month.

It was held at Batavia’s Original pizzeria, one of the newest Medal Level Business Sponsors of Crossroads House.

Kathy Panepento, along with a core of dedicated individuals, opened Crossroads House in 1998 at 11 Liberty St., the former manse of the First Presbyterian Church. They recognized an unmet need in the area for specialized end-of-life care when in-patient care wasn’t feasible and in-home care was no longer possible.

During these 20 years, the small staff and large core of volunteers have served more than 470 of your loved ones, friends and neighbors by providing the very best in end of life care without charge to the residents or their families.

Panepento remains active at Crossroads House as the director of Resident Care and End of Life Doula Services. The End of Life Doula program is an exciting new opportunity for the community by enhancing the care already provided at Crossroads House and offering doula services beyond the walls of 11 Liberty St.

As a part of the 20th anniversary recognition, Crossroads House has launched a 20 for 20 campaign. This is a one-time campaign to not only honor the two decades of service but to pay it forward and allow Crossroads House to continue caring for the dying for the next 20 years and beyond.

To participate in the campaign, Crossroads House asks for a $20 donation and a challenge to 20 of your friends or loved ones to give $20 and have them challenge 20 of their friends and loved ones and so on.

There are several ways to participate:

You can text to give

By texting GIVE20 to (585) 229-6360

You can give online at:

crossroadshouse.com/20-20-donations/

You can give on our Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/CrossroadsHouse

You can always give by check:

Simply put “20 for 20” on the memo line

(checks made payable to Crossroads House)

Mailed to:

Crossroads House

PO Box 403

Batavia, NY 14021

Crossroads House would like to thank our generous community for lovingly carrying us through the first 20 years and we look forward to giving back for many years to come.

Crossroads House is “A Gift To The Community, Made Possible By The Community.”

Group formed by Le Roy Rotary Club members serves first community dinner

By Howard B. Owens

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A new community dinner in Le Roy made its debut Tuesday night at the Masonic Hall on Bank Street hosted by a new nonprofit group created by the Le Roy Rotary Club.

Rotary members decided to form the nonprofit and start hosting free community dinners again after Grace's Kitchen shut down in 2015.

The dinners provide a hot meal in a community setting along with food provisions for the week to community members who seek the assistance.

Previously: Le Roy Rotary forms nonprofit corporation to help serve nutritious meals to community members

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Batavia PD investigating armed robbery at Arby's

By Howard B. Owens

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A subject armed with what appeared to be a firearm, according to Batavia PD, entered Arby's on West Main Street, Batavia, at about 11 p.m. Sunday and demanded money from employees.

The perpetrator then fled the area with cash obtained during the robbery. 

Police said no further information is being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information in reference to the case may contact Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk at (585) 345-6357 or the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

 

 

St. Jerome Guild Fashion Show is noon April 15 at Ascension Parish

By Steve Ognibene

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The St. Jerome Guild is sponsoring its annual fashion show is at noon on Sunday, April 15th, at Father Solumba Hall at Accension Parish, 15 Sumner St., Batavia.

Fashions presented by models of women, men, teen, children and toddler clothing.

Pre-sale tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under can be purchased at the St. Jerome Gift Shop at the Jerome Center 16 Bank St., Batavia, M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 - noon.

Included in the ticket is a catered lunch by the Dibble Center. Basket Raffles will be available.

For any questions or donations contact Annette Labarbera at 585-734-9102.

Here is a list of participating stores:

JCPenney's
Jerome Collection from Guild Gift Shop
Kohl’s
Marshalls
Peebles

History of the Guild:

The St. Jerome Guild Inc. has been serving the Batavia Community and hospital for more than 100 years. In 2017 it celebrated its 100th anniversary.

During that time the Guild has sponsored many fund raisers to support our local hospital. These include dinner dances, Mother’s Day dinners, flower sales, and lottery raffles.

In the past 100 years the Guild has donated hospital equipment, ambulances, equipped the coronary care unit at the former St. Jerome Hospital. In the past years the Guild has annually donated $10,000 to the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation in a directorship program.

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Local history buff reminds us that 'every antique has a story to tell'

By Billie Owens

Picture of Holland Land Office and image of Joseph Ellicott provided by Anne Marie Starowitz.

Anne Marie Starowitz, who serves on the board of the Holland Purchase Historical Society, reminded us today that "every antique has a story to tell."

The reminder comes in time to mention again that the Holland Land Office Museum is currently preparing for its 12th Annual Batavia Antique Show & Sale April 6-7 at Batavia Downs.

Before retiring from a 45-year teaching career in Le Roy and Batavia, the lifelong Batavia resident says she delighted in taking her fourth-grade students on tours of the museum.

She would explain to the children what an antique was -- a collectable object such as a piece of furniture or work of art that has a high value because of its age and quality, and that has a personal value because of its story.

A large gold mirror on display at the museum happens to be the subject of one of her favorite stories -- and pictures.

Archived as number "90.699   Mirror, Wall" -- it is described as a "Pier mirror; plate glass with rococo gold gilded frame. 51x108. Gesso design of roses, vines and leaves; stands on a wooden base with similar gesso design; 4 legs, 10 inches high; topped with marble slab."

"What I tell the children when I show them the beautiful mirror is that it stood in Dean Richmond’s home on Main Street. ... That brings me to the parking lot next to St. Joseph’s Church and the black wrought-iron fence. I ask them to imagine a very big white house with big pillars standing proudly in the space where you park your car when you visit the library or go to church.

"That will then take me to the story of the library, the beautiful original room dedicated to Dean Richmond Junior by his mother Mary Richmond. Dean Junior died at a young age and a plaque over the fireplace explains how the library got its name.

"I have a favorite picture of mine with one of my classes sitting in front of the mirror. This beautiful mirror stood in grandeur in a living room in the Dean Richmond Mansion."

Another beloved olden object at the museum is a desk.

​"93.148    Desk, drop-front" -- "Drop front desk, constructed of mahogany wood; Sheraton style butler's type. Birdseye maple desk interior; parallel sides; 4 drawers, top one of which drops to form a writing surface; interior has bottom section of three open cubby holes with drawers at sides; three graduated height drawers at front; 4 turned legs at bottom. Purchased from the great granddaughter of Robert Morris with the desk originally coming from the Morris home in Philadelphia."

"Since my students at the time went to Robert Morris School, seeing a desk that belonged to Robert Morris was quite exciting," Starowitz recalled. "A signer of the Declaration of Independence and the United State Constitution sat at this desk. It makes the history come alive."

Her favorite person from local history is Joseph Ellicott, the founder of Buffalo and Batavia. His surveying equipment is displayed in the museum. The room where he sold land to the first settlers to this area creates an image of the great man in the minds of the children, according to Starowitz.

"Either you like antiques or you don’t," Starowitz said. "It is just a preference. I for one love antiques, every piece of furniture we own or piece of art has a story that we like to share with family and friends."

She encourages those who would like to see antiques, artifacts, learn their stories, view the displays, to visit the Holland Land Office Museum. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

"A side note, if you have an antique, write your story about it, tape it to the underside or someplace on your antique where its story can continue."

And, of course, she encourages the antique aficionados to stop by the 12th Annual Batavia Antique Show & Sale next month.

CTE students inducted into the National Technical Honor Society

By Billie Owens

Inductees in the 2018 Batavia Career and Technical Center's National Technical Honor Society.

Submitted photo and press release:

This month, the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Chapters inducted 49 career and technical students from Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.

Evening candlelight ceremonies took place at Elba High School.

These students met the rigorous criteria set forth by this national organization. The minimum grade point average for acceptance is a 3.0. Students are also selected based upon credit hours completed, attendance, volunteer service, and membership in other student organizations.

The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State. 

The 2018 Batavia Career and Technical Education Center NTHS Inductees:

Agri-Business Academy

Almadelia Salinas Guzman          Pavilion

Jade Vogel                                   Pavilion

Animal Science

Sarah Murray                               Caledonia-Mumford

Auto Technology

Hannah Tiede                              Batavia

Building Trades

Nicholas Bonamici                      Attica

Christian Bradt                            Oakfield-Alabama

Zachary Heaton                          Attica

Dylan Lang                                 Pembroke

Anthony Leitten                          Le Roy

Eric Lewis                                   Pavilion

Jordon Ludwig                            Pembroke

Breanna Montford                       Attica

Julius Ohlson                              Oakfield-Alabama

Karl Steffenilla                            Pavilion

Lucas Stucchio                           Byron-Bergen

Cosmetology

Hayle Conte                                Le Roy

Kayla Heinlein                            Pembroke

Emma Hopfinger                        Attica

Elizabeth Kowalski                     Elba

Shelby Ulm                                 Attica

Criminal Justice

Shawn Busch                              Attica

Cyle Felski                                  Pembroke

Amanda Knauss                         Pembroke

Electronics

Cole Ackert                                 Attica

Benjamin Bowman                     Byron-Bergen

Dwight Czworka                         Attica

Dominic Donley                          Batavia

Seth George                               Alexander

Thomas Pattridge                       Alexander

Chase Roth                                Alexander

Joshua Schulik                           Caledonia-Mumford

Mary Snyder                               Pavilion

Graphic Arts

Caleb Cottone                            Pembroke

Hannah Stockschlaeder             Attica

Health Careers Academy

Kaitlin Ange                               Batavia

Brionna DeMichel                      Byron-Bergen

Kaitlyn Freeman                        Pembroke

Melissa Jarnot                           Attica

Health Dimensions

Summer Anderson                    Caledonia-Mumford

Taylore Dorman                        Pembroke

Samantha Feldmann                Alexander

Nicole Welka                             Byron-Bergen

Justice Academy

Tyler Wood                               Pembroke

Metal Trades

Matthew Kurowski                    Attica

Anthony McMaster                   Batavia

Andrey Musiyevich                   Caledonia-Mumford

Anthony True                            Pavilion

Programming and Interactive Media

Donovan Kelley                        Caledonia-Mumford

Taylor Tyczka                           Attica​

Appeals court rules a variance required for duplexes in Le Roy's Presidential Acres

By Howard B. Owens

Pete McQuillen has plans for more development at his property in Presidential Acres in the Village of Le Roy.

But that apparently won't include duplexes, which just became a lot harder for him to build on those lots with an appellate court ruling last week that found he would need to seek a variance from current zoning to build duplexes.

Asked about the court decision this morning in an email, McQuillen did not have a lot to say, other than that his plans for new construction will "mirror" the findings of a recent Genesee County housing needs assessment report.

"However, I am not just ready to relay my plans for the balance of the subdivision," McQuillen said. "I will say we have an OPEN HOUSE on April 14 and April 21 showing our brand new patio home. Again, mentioned as a need in the study."

The legal battle between McQuillen and residents of Presidential Acres has been ongoing for nearly a decade and in February, McQuillen received a court ruling that would allow him to build duplexes on his lots.

The plaintiffs -- Randolph Bartz, Jane Bickett, Candace Bower, David Boyce, Robert Boyce, Elizabeth Boyce, Joseph Condidorio, John Green, Joseph Mckay, Stephen Moulton, and Ronald Paganin -- were able to get that decision overturned last week, however.

The case stemmed from an appeal in 2015 by David Boyce of the Zoning Board of Appeals' decision to grant a building permit for a duplex on Lot 18. The ZBA relied on the fact that two lots already had duplexes, built by McQuillen and his partners, on them and therefore a variance wasn't necessary.

When the ZBA denied the Boyce appeal, Boyce and the other residents sought relief from the courts. Judge Emilio L. Colaiacovo sided with the ZBA and the village, but the Fourth Division of the state Appeals Court ruled last week that the right to build duplexes in what is clearly an R-1 zone had not vested.

Amy Kendall, attorney for the plaintiffs, said the ruling gave her clients exactly what they sought all along -- no duplexes without a variance approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Le Roy.

Such a variance, she said, would be a hard bar to pass.

"I can tell you without hesitation that my clients are pleased with the outcome," Kendall said.

Sex abuse conviction overturned on appeal for Pavilion resident

By Howard B. Owens

The 2015 conviction of a Pavilion man on sexual abuse charges has been thrown out on an appeal because of what the court deemed the improper use of testimony by an expert witness.

The State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, ordered that Beniluis Ruiz receive a new trial on counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of criminal sexual act in the third degree, as well as five other counts in his original indictment.

The court ordered Ruiz released from prison last week, about nine months shy of his scheduled release on his four-year prison term. He's scheduled to appear in Genesee County Court on March 30 for further proceedings in his case.

Ruiz was convicted following a jury trial in 2015. At his sentencing before Judge Robert C. Noonan, now retired, Ruiz maintained he was innocent.

In the trial, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell called on an expert witness to testify about the symptoms commonly exhibited by children who have been sexually abused.

That testimony would explain to a jury some of the seemingly contradictory behavior of a child who has been sexually abused. For example, they won't necessarily tell a mother immediately, or they might recant statements later -- what the court referred to as admissible evidence regarding a "pattern of secrecy, helplessness, entrapment [and] accommodation."

This expert, however, also testified about a perpetrator's conduct, which the court found was used to point to the defendant's guilt rather than as just an explanation of conduct.

"The expert explained 'grooming' and other behaviors associated with perpetrators of child sexual abuse," the court stated in its ruling. "Her detailed description of a typical perpetrator’s modus operandi, moreover, closely tracked the victim’s testimony concerning defendant’s conduct, and the prosecutor on summation urged the jury to conclude that defendant’s interactions with the victim fit the description of a typical perpetrator’s conduct as described by the expert.

"In sum, that part of the testimony of the expert describing the conduct of a typical perpetrator was not directed at explaining the victim’s behavior. Rather, it was presented 'for the purpose of proving that the [victim] was sexually abused.' "

Criminal Justice Day is April 9 -- during National Crime Victims' Rights Week

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Each year in April, the Office for Victims of Crime helps lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), which will be observed this year April 8-14. The 2018 theme is “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims” and it emphasizes the importance of inclusion in victim services.

Monday of that week, April 9, is designated Criminal Justice Day 2018: "Surviving and Thriving After Trauma." It will be held locally at Genesee Community College from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Conable Technology Building, Room T102, 1 College Road, Batavia. The day is sponsored in part by GCASA and Our Lady of Batavia Knights of Columbus.

Cost to attend is $20 per person / $10 per student or senior (62+) and lunch is included.

For registration, contact Genesee Justice at 344-2550, ext. 3929, or e-mail: Holly.McAllister@co.genesee.ny.us

Keynote Speakers:

Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb of Cattaraugus County. Sheriff Whitcomb is a dynamic and powerful speaker who lectures on topics such as: post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and protecting and treating those exposed to trauma. 

Eva Abrams, a survivor of the Holocaust, along with her daughter, Bonnie Abrams, who is Director of the Center of Holocaust Awareness and Information in Rochester. Eva was born in Oradea, Romania, in 1926 and was 17 when the Nazis occupied her hometown and sent her family to a ghetto. Her family was then deported to Auschwitz a month later.

Criminal Justice Day 2018 Partners are:

  • Batavia City Police
  • Justice for Children Advocacy Center
  • Genesee Community College
  • Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA)
  • Genesee County District Attorney’s Office
  • Genesee County Mental Health
  • Genesee County Office for the Aging
  • Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
  • Genesee County Youth Bureau
  • Genesee Justice
  • Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties
  • RESTORE Sexual Assault Services
  • YWCA of Genesee County

GCC Nursing Alumni announce debut Gatsby Gala May 4 at Batavia Downs to fund scholarships

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Nursing Alumni Committee has established a new scholarship opportunity for future Nursing Program students to help mitigate financial obstacles to GCC student success.

The committee is excited to invite the entire community to kick off National Nurses Week at the Batavia Downs at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, for the premier of the Gatsby Gala to support the GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship.

There are nearly three million nurses working in the United States today. It is a demanding and skilled profession oftentimes with intense emotion. GCC's Nursing Program produces qualified and skilled job candidates for the healthcare field each year. Now, under the direction of the Alumni Affairs Office, the Nursing Program Alumni are working hard to help ensure every qualified Nursing Program student can and will succeed.

The Gatsby Gala will include dinner and dancing for all and chances to win big with door prizes and a cash raffle! Tickets are only on sale until April 20 -- so contact the Alumni Affairs Office at alumni@genesee.edu today.

You can also get your tickets and RSVP online at here. Tickets to the gala cost $100 per person and all proceeds go directly to the GCC Nursing Alumni Scholarship.

In addition to attending the Gatsby Gala, there are opportunities to sponsor the scholarship at a number of levels. The sponsorship opportunity detail is available here and includes commitments of $100 - $3,000 and includes In-kind Support for those wishing to customize their sponsorship. All sponsorship levels include a variety of benefits from free advertising to photos, and GCC Foundation recognition.

All sponsorships must be submitted by April 20 for full recognition. 

The Nursing Program Alumni committee includes:

  • Committee Chair -- Michelle Grohs, director of Surgical Services, Maternity and Women's Health at Wyoming County Community Health System;
  • Decoration Chair -- Heather Glosser, Warsaw Central School District School nurse and owner of Glosser Family Farms;
  • Food and Beverage Chair -- Susanne Roggow, Spectrum Human Services nurse;
  • Ticket Chair -- Stephanie Durfee, GCC Nursing Program instructor;
  • Hospitality Chair -- Laurel Sanger, GCC's director of Nursing Program;
  • Entertainment Chair -- Kelli Pease, WCJW radio personality and GCC Communications instructor;
  • Photography Chair -- Maureen Spindler, GCC's visual communications specialist and photographer;
  • Communications Chair and Event Emcee -- Scott Gardner, president of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce;
  • Sponsor Chair -- Jennifer Wakefield, GCC's assistant director of Alumni Affairs. 

For more information, contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.

Easter Bunny visits Premier Genesee Center during Job Fair there Saturday

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos. Information provided by Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

The folks at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation got a jump-start on Easter and invited a Big Bunny in a snappy vest over on Saturday (March 24).

A Community Easter Egg Hunt was held on the front lawn for children 12 and under at the nursing facility, located at 278 Bank St. in Batavia.

The event ran in conjunction with a Job Fair (which produced a good turnout and resulted in the hiring of five new employees).

Also, inside the nursing facility were many activities for children including basket raffles, face painting, crafts, cotton candy, cookies and other refreshments, and as noted, a visit from the Easter Bunny.

There were also raffle tickets for sale for two bicycles that were awarded.

City gets push back on sump pump letters sent to Redfield and Bogue residents

By Howard B. Owens

During heavy rainstorms, the sewer pump station that serves the Bogue Avenue and Redfield Parkway area of Batavia can back up and reach the point of potential failure, according to City officials, so last week, about 100 area residents received letters asking them to meet with the City about their sump pumps.

Under City code, sump pumps are not supposed to pump water into the sanitary sewer system and reducing those connections could help avoid a problem at the pump station in the Redfield Parkway area.

"About 100 houses got the letter and even if only half of them had sump pumps (connected to the sanitary system), even if it's only five gallons a minute, that's five gallons times 50 connections, all of the sudden it's 250 or 300 gallons per minute," said Matt Worth, interim city manager. "Add that on top of normal flow downstream to the pump station, it can become overloaded. If there's a mechanical failure, that can cause the system to back up."

And what gets backed up into people's basements, starting with the person who has the lowest basement, is "dirty" water, Worth said.

That's a problem the city would like to avoid.

The letter Redfield and Bogue residents received apparently caused some residents to believe the City was going to force them to disconnect their sump pumps from the sewer system and find some other way of getting rid of water that flows into their basements.

Worth said that isn't the case at all.

"We’re trying not to be draconian about it," Worth said. "The request is for people to call, make an appointment, we’ll come, and have those discussions. We’re trying to offer as low-cost solutions as possible."

The code that prohibits sump pumps from pumping stormwater into the sanitary system has been on the books since at least 1966, Worth said, and it also provides a "grandfather clause" for homes with sump pumps built prior to enactment of the ordinance.

Two things about the clause: The clause isn't effective if pumping the water into the sewer system is determinant to the system; and, if there is no other solution available, then the resident can continue to pump water into the system.

About a dozen residents from the Redfield area attended Monday's City Council meeting and a few spoke to voice their concerns about the letter.

Don Fryling said he thought the City was just trying to dump its problem off on residents.

"Perhaps the city should update the pump station instead of pushing the problem back on the residents," Fryling said.

Jim Owen suggested the City try to secure a grant to pay for a new pump station.

Worth said a new pump station isn't really a solution because the federal and state grants used to help build the wastewater treatment plant prohibit "clean" stormwater from being processed at the plant, so the City can't intentionally take action to ensure stormwater is being mixed in with sewer water.

So far, the City has met with 15 residents and found only four sump had pumps that were pumping water into the sewer system. All four voluntarily agreed to mitigate the condition.

With that information, Council President Eugene Jankowski suggested residents simply talk with the City and figure out what the situation is for themselves.

"To the people who spoke today, I guess, my request to you is meet with Jim (Ficarella) and see if you can help the City and find a mitigation, and if you can’t, then you can’t," Jankowski said. "If you can’t do it, you can’t do it. Some of you can help and assist and there are ways to fix your problem and give the city a break and relieve some of the pressure on that pump station. That will help the rest of your neighbors out as well. Nobody is forcing you to do anything."

Law and Order: Elba resident accused of pawning property of another person

By Howard B. Owens

Matthew Scott Williams, 30, of Hundredmark Road, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of criminal property, 5th, and falsifying business records, 2nd. Williams is accused of selling another person's property at Pawn King in Batavia. He was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Latiqua S. Jackson, 24, no permanent address, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with a court-ordered program. Jackson was jailed without bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Walnut Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. The youth was arrested at 11:26 p.m. Sunday on Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Jacqueline M. Biglow, 55, of Prune Street, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. Biglow was charged after police were dispatched to Prune Street at 4:54 p.m., Monday, for a report of an aggressive dog running at large in the area.

Jeremy S. LaCarte, 40, of Kibbe Avenue, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with court conditions. LaCarte posted bail and was released.

Roseann Cooper, 48, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Cooper is accused of shoplifting at Tops Friendly Market in Batavia. She is accused of concealing $33.54 worth of merchandise in her purse and leaving the store without paying.

A 16-year-old resident of Gilbert Road, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The youth is accused of hosting a party at 9:55 p.m. Friday at his residence where he was serving alcohol to people under age 21.

Tyler Lee Walls, 21, of Upper Holley Road, Holley, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and criminal possession of marijuana, 4th. Walls was stopped at 8:21 p.m. Friday on Holley Byron Road, Byron, by Deputy Christoper Erion and K-9 "Destro."

James Andrew Douglas, 67, of Alger Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, and speeding. Douglas was stopped at 2:13 a.m.,Saturday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Tyler John Henderson, 29, of Maple Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Henderson was stopped at 1:07 a.m. Saturday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

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