Skip to main content

Batavia Players present 'The Last Five Years' this weekend

By Howard B. Owens

batplayersmay112017.jpg

Amy Martin and Joe Kusmierczak star in the Batavia Player's production of "The Last Five Years," a musical written and composed by Jason Robert Brown and produced and directed by Kathy White, with performances this weekend at the Harvester 56 Theater.

Show times are 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m., Sunday.

batplayersmay112017-2.jpg

batplayersmay112017-3.jpg

batplayersmay112017-4.jpg

Photo: Hill and Clouds off Route 63, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

oakfieldhillclouds2_2017.jpg

Leaving Oakfield on Route 63, this hill, with its clean line against the sky, always catches my eye. Yesterday, I thought the clouds stretching off into the distance made it look even more interesting.

Simulators used to help O-A students learn about the dangers of distracted driving

By Howard B. Owens

o-asavealifetour2017-2.jpg

Haily Davis, a senior at Oakfield-Alabama High School, reacts to her attempt to keep control of a car in a simulator while also texting. The simulator was part of the Save A Life Tour, which stopped by O-A yesterday, giving students a chance to experience just how distracting distracted driving can me. Another simulator mimicked the difficulty and dangers of driving drunk.

Davis said the simulator really opened her eyes to how hard it is to text and drive at the same time.

"I learned that it’s not as easy to text and drive as I thought it would be and that’s it’s not just you," Davis said. "You have to be careful because of other people running red lights or other people turning when they’re not supposed to be. If you look down and swerve into the other lane you could hit somebody."

o-asavealifetour2017.jpg

o-asavealifetour2017-3.jpg

oasim2017fix.jpg

Photos: Byron-Bergen hosts annual DWI for seniors

By Howard B. Owens

byronbergendwidrill2017.jpg

Byron-Bergen High School hosted its annual DWI accident simulation for seniors in advance of their prom. The drill, staged with first responders  from the Bergen Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, Sheriff's Office, the Coroner's Office, and H.E. Turner Funeral Home. The simulation comes with a strong message about the dangers of drinking and driving, including serious injuries, a fatality, and a DWI arrest.

byronbergendwidrill2017-2.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-3.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-4.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-5.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-6.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-7.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-8.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-9.jpg

byronbergendwidrill2017-10.jpg

Le Roy's Randa Williams selected for Woman of Distinction award

By Howard B. Owens
randawilliams2017ranzdistinction.jpg
      Randa Williams

Press release:

Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has honored Town of Le Roy resident Randa Williams, as a Woman of Distinction at the 20th annual ceremony, for her involvement with Girl Scouts for more than five decades.

“Randa’s hard work and commitment to the Girl Scouts has introduced the value of community service to thousands of girls, and her efforts have paved the way for many women to serve as firefighters. She exemplifies the true spirit of America as a business executive, citizen and dedicated servant to our community,” Ranzenhofer said.

Williams has participated in every aspect of scouting, from Assistant Den Mother to Day Camp Director and Cookie Manager. The Genesee Valley Girl Scouts has recognized her service with many awards, including Great Scout Award, Green Angel Award, Achievement Award and Honor Award. More recently, she is involved with her granddaughter’s troop.

“I am humbled and grateful for Senator Ranzenhofer's recognition,” Williams said. “I hope to continue to be deserving of it for many years to come.”

In the early 1980s, she decided to join a local volunteer fire department, but her application was denied because of her gender. She sued the town, village and three fire clubs to allow women to serve as firefighters, and her case became national news. She ultimately prevailed.

In the past 10 years, she has rescued many horses from being slaughtered. She currently owns and cares for five horses that she has saved. Additionally, she has also served as lead speaker at the Take Back the Night Program at SUNY Brockport.

From 1982 to 1995, Williams owned and operated Sams Auto Parts; she is current owner of MHL Performance, a speed parts company in the Town of Bergen. She received a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Empire and a master’s degree from SUNY Brockport. She has four children– Trisa, Emma, Thomas, and James– and 14 grandchildren.

City to host meeting tonight on new water main on Vine Street

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Department of Public Works will be holding an informational meeting regarding the scheduled installation of new water main on Vine St (East Main to East Ave), Chase Park (Vine St to Elm St), and Elm St (Chase Park to East Ave), and the installation of new sanitary sewer on Elm St (East Ave to North St) this year.

The meeting will be held Thursday, May 11, 2017 at City Hall, in the 2nd floor Board Room at 6:00pm. A brief project overview will be given with staff available to answer questions and review the construction plans. 

Bill Farmer sees decade-long vision for Creekside Inn finally coming into focus

By Howard B. Owens

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017.jpg

A group of writers and photographers, mostly food and wine critics from Monroe County, were in Le Roy last night to be the first to experience Farmer's Creekside Inn.

Ten years have passed since Bill Farmer, chairman of Catenary Construction in Rochester and a specialist in historical preservation of concrete and masonry buildings, saw the Creekside Inn for the first time.

It wasn't a pretty sight. Three years earlier the Creekside had been destroyed by a fire people in Le Roy still talk about.

"Part of it is the environment," Farmer said about what attracted him to buying and restoring the 200-year-old building. "It was a vision when I first looked at the building, and it was in dire shape.

"It was collapsing. It was ravaged by fire. But I took a look at the environment, the setting, the historic structures that are across the creek, the composite of the village itself, the post office across the street, and I thought this was just an unbelievable setting that was unrecognized."

He decided to set out and create a dining and hospitality destination that was second to none in Western New York.

The preview dinner last night was the first time Farmer could see that vision start to come into focus in a meaningful way. There's still a lot of work to do on the interior of the building before Farmer's Creekside Tavern & Inn opens to the public on June 5, but Farmer said he has the right people in place to make it happen.

"It’s really overwhelming-- this event, this private little dinner we hosted tonight was a culmination of a fast track of putting the kitchen together, hanging the final fixtures," Farmer said. "The floors are only three days old. It’s really a tad overwhelming to see it come so beautifully, full of life, and so many people here enjoying the experience and seeing the staff perform. I just feel so flattered and honored to have the staff we have."

It's been eight years since The Batavian first paid a visit to the Creekside and met Farmer. We've dropped in several times over the years since and been impressed each time with the attention to detail; the quality Farmer is investing in the building. The new floors are real hardwood; the interior railings are oak, the fixtures are the highest quality and the amenities -- exterior patio and bar with a gas fireplace, a tavern, a fine dining room, guest rooms on the top floor -- are well thought out and designed.

As the opening day approaches, it's clear Farmer has given the same attention to detail in hiring his staff, with Chris Grocki as general manager and Sean Wolf as executive chef.

"I’ve always felt blessed by the people that I employ," Farmer said. "I've had people working for me now for well into a 30-year span. I value my employees. I recognize their efforts. It’s just so rewarding when you put together a good team, and they go out and execute the plan. That holds true with everything we do whether it’s real estate development or masonry and concrete services, masonry restoration services, and now it's going into our food and hospitality services."

Farmer said he decided on Grocki and Wolf as his top leadership in the restaurant several months ago and said throughout the process he's convinced he made the right choices.

During his opening remarks before the dinner, Grocki was equally effusive about his new boss.

"Opening a restaurant is a labor of love, and we’ve got a family here that has no shortage of it," Grocki said, adding, "I’ve never had the pleasure of working for somebody who has gone for it in quite this way. You always say, 'You don’t do anything like anybody else does.' and clearly that’s true."

One of the key people in helping the restaurant, tavern and inn come together so beautifully, Farmer said, was interior designer Jason Longo. Longo said Farmer was a special client.

"Chris and I had worked on a project before, and I called Chris one night," Longo said, "and I was nearly in tears, and I said, 'I can't believe that in my career' -- which has been going on for some time now -- 'that I've ever worked on a project where people gave everything, from the carpenters to the electricians. Every single person who has worked on this project is so invested and so involved.' "

Farmer said he just had a passion for the project since the day he saw the building and has made sure he's had the right people in place to make sure the vision became a reality.

"It seemed pretty clear to me when I came to the building, looked at the site, saw the surroundings, stone building, 200 years old almost, I hate to say it, but for me, it was a no-brainer to get involved in," Farmer said.

"You’ve got to have a passion for it," he added. "I think that’s the driving force. I fell in love with this place. I fell in love with the building. The site. Part of the experience of rehabbing and building it and meeting all the challenges and solving all the issues are a great part of it."

The dinner consisted of multiple courses loosely paired with wines, mostly from the Finger Lakes. It started with a ceviche of Alaskan halibut, bitter spring greens, truffle chicken, followed by a surf and turf and a dessert of foie gras. Wines included a Hermann J. Wiemer Blanc de Noir 2011, Ravines Dry Riesling Argetsinger Vineyard 2012, Palo Cortado 'Peninsula' Sherry' and a Benanti Etna Bianco 2015, among others.

The idea, Grocki said, was to give guests a sample of what will be served in the tavern and in the fine dining room, known as the Cleveland Room, which will serve fine dining, destination, and special occasion meals four days a week. The fine dining room, the tavern, the patios, all told, will seat 400 people.  

Farmer thinks the Creekside Inn will become a destination location, drawing people from throughout the region, especially Buffalo and Rochester.

"I had no idea initially how important of a project this would be, but over the years it’s become apparent," Farmer said. "I’ve realized this is a significant, significant project for Western New York, the Town of Le Roy, the county. It’s a very meaningful project, and I’m flattered and privileged to be that guy doing it."

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-2.jpg

Truffle chicken

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-3.jpg

Surf and turf

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-4.jpg

The tavern, still under construction

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-5.jpg

One of the inn's guest rooms.

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-6.jpg

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-7.jpg

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-8.jpg

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-9.jpg

Bill Farmer, Sean Wolf, Chris Grocki

farmerscreeksidemediameal2017-10.jpg

Bill's son, Bill, daughter Hailey, who will run fine dining, her son Ryder, and Bill Farmer.

GC Veterans Service Agency announces Memorial Day veterans ceremonies

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency:

Below is the Memorial Day schedule of ceremonies in Genesee County for Monday, May 29. All ceremonies will include at least full military honors: wreath laying, rifle salute and taps.

7 a.m.  –  Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Genesee County Park, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 193. (GC Park & Forest: 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany)

8 a.m.  –  Williams Park (Batavia) WWI Memorial. This memorial honors the 35 Batavians who gave their lives in the First World War. (Williams Park: 101 Pearl St., Batavia)

8:30 a.m.  --  Batavia VA Medical Center, at the main flagpole, sponsored by the VAMC. (Batavia VAMC: 222 Richmond Ave., Batavia)

8:45 a.m. (approx.)  --  NYS Veterans Home, at the main flagpole, sponsored by the NYS Veterans Home. (NYS Veterans Home: 220 Richmond Ave., Batavia)

9:30 a.m.  --  Upton Monument. This monument honors the dead of the Civil War, and all wars since. (Upton Monument: Junction of Main and Ellicott streets, Downtown Batavia)

10 a.m.  –  Veterans Plot on Harvester Avenue. This memorial honors all war dead of all wars in Elmwood and St. Joseph’s cemeteries.

10:30 a.m.  –  UMMC Jerome Center (16 Bank St., Batavia). This is the site of the Genesee County War Memorial, honoring all war dead from Genesee County. The Batavia Concert Band will perform patriotic music starting at 10 a.m., with ceremonies to follow. The names of county veterans who have died since the previous Memorial Day will be read and a flag placed to honor each of them. Memorial services will be carried out by Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post #332; Hansen Brothers Marine Corps League Detachment #951; Veness-Strollo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1602; Disabled American Veterans Chapter #166; and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #193. (Note: There will be a new sound system in use.)

Western Regional Off-Track Betting sees highest Derby handle ever, also the Downs' busiest day ever

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Representatives from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB) announced Tuesday that wagering at WROTB locations on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby was its highest total ever at $2,031,741, beating 2014’s record handle.

Handle was up over $200,000 over last year’s handle -- a 12-percent increase. Batavia Downs Gaming also posted a record gaming handle of $3.5 million for the day.

“This was an incredible day of wagering," said WROTB President Henry Wojtaszek. “We at WROTB want to thank our patrons for coming out to our branches, EZ bets, Batavia Downs and for using our online service Batavia Bets.com.

"We appreciate their patience on our busiest day. We could not have pulled this off if it wasn’t for our dedicated OTB branch and Batavia Downs staff, who worked tirelessly on Derby Day. We send congratulations to all our winners including the 34 patrons who hit the Trifecta and to the person who hit the $75,000 Superfecta.”

Derby wagers placed just at Batavia Downs Gaming totaled $91,330, an increase of nearly 58 percent over last year. Wagering using BataviaBets.com, WROTB’s online website, on the Derby was $98,352.50, a record. Batavia Bets.com signed up 720 new accounts on Friday and Saturday, also a new record.  Buffalo ranked #4 in the country in terms of Derby viewership.

“It’s exciting to see that interest in the Kentucky Derby is alive and well in Western New York, “ said Todd Haight, general manager of Racing at Batavia Downs Gaming. “We had a record number of attendees at our onsite party.

"We’ll have another party for the Preakness with live mutuels sellers, food, free play and a complementary Preakness wager like we had for the Derby.”

The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is scheduled for 6:48 p.m. on Saturday, May 20.

About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates 19 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Regional OTB has generated over $215 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.

Man on lawnmower tangled up in lilac 'tree'

By Billie Owens

A woman called 9-1-1 to report "her husband is on a lawnmower, stuck in a lilac tree," says a dispatcher. "We're trying to figure out what's going on."

A first responder is en route to help.

The location is 8156 State Street Road, Batavia.

UPDATE 2:01 p.m.: A state trooper who responded said the family dog's barking alerted the woman to the problem and she called dispatch. Her husband had riden the lawnmower under the tree and a branch landed on his chest, pinning him in and causing the seat to recline (instead of the seat breaking, a safety feature). Because he was stuck in a reclining position, he could not reach the lawnmower's controls. He was stuck like that for about 20 minutes before the trooper arrived on scene. 

BOCES students given something to brag about: working for NASA

By Howard B. Owens

boceshunch2017.jpg

Getting to work on parts that NASA will actually use on the International Space Station is definitely something to brag about, said Dominick Brown, a senior at Batavia High School (at right, in photo above) and a student in BOCES precision machinery program.

Brown and about a dozen other students are part of a program begun this year at BOCES by teacher Tim Gleba, who persisted in his pursuit last year to get Batavia's machine shop course accepted into NASA's HUNCH program. HUNCH is a nationwide program started in 2003 that gives high school students the chance to design and manufacture hardware for NASA. The program has since expanded to include culinary arts as well so that students can come up with ready-to-eat meals for astronauts.

Students have made single-purpose storage lockers to hold experiments being taken up to the space station and one of the next projects is new handrails.

Brown's reaction was like a lot of students in a video presented by NASA scientist Florance Gold, Ph.D, yesterday at a press conference about the program in Batavia. The students all said the program inspired them to think about engineering, science and aerospace careers and gave them the confidence to think it might be something they could pursue.

"It’s really awesome that we actually get to work for NASA and it’s something I can put on my resume," Brown said. "I’m always bragging to my friends, ‘OK, I work for NASA now.’ It’s kind of cool. I’m definitely very grateful for everything my teachers and NASA have presented to me to be part of this amazing program. I’m crazy grateful. Unlike test hardware, we’re making actual hardware that is going into the space station, so it’s something that I can say, ‘I made parts that are in the space station.’ ”

boceshunch2017-2.jpg

Tim Gleba with the first part his precision machine students made for NASA.

boceshunch2017-3.jpg

boceshunch2017-4.jpg

NASA scientist Flo Gold

boceshunch2017-5.jpg

Nancy Hall, an aerospace engineer with NASA, who works at the Glenn Research Center in Ohio.

A couple of weeks ago, BOCES students were able to visit the facility. Hall said it's special getting to work for NASA.

“One thing I want to pass onto the students is think about the opportunity you have in front of you," Hall said. "You’re going to be making parts for NASA, which is just neat in itself. Even myself, working for NASA, I still pinch myself."

boceshunch2017-6.jpg

Amanda Phelps, a HUNCH support machinist with one of the storage lockers designed and made by high school students.

boceshunch2017-7.jpg

Motorcycle Awareness Ride is Saturday at Stan's in Batavia

By Billie Owens

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the ABATE-Genesee County Chapter is hosting a Motorcycle Awareness Ride and 2017 "Bike Blessing" on Saturday, May 13.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 10:45 at Stan's Harley-Davidson dealership at 4425 W. Saile Drive, Batavia. A free pancake breakfast will be served from 9 to 10 a.m., courtesy of CMA Barnabas Chapter.

Kick-stands up for ride at 11 a.m. The ride will be about 100 miles long.

At the end of the run, food will be available at Ken's Charcoal Pits on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

Plus, there will be 50/50 raffles and door prizes.

"Bikers make lousy speed bumps. Drive Aware." Come out and ride and get everyone "used to seeing us back on the road for 2017."

Cost is $15 per rider, $5 per passenger.

For more information, email   roadcaptian110@gmail.com

Back porch fire reported on Broadway Road, Darien

By Howard B. Owens

A back porch fire is reported at 1401 Broadway Road, Darien.

Darien fire and Corfu fire along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Fire is out. Checking for extensions.

Mr. Eco encourages students at John Kennedy to help care for our environment

By Howard B. Owens

mrecojk2017.jpg

With song and dance, Mr. Eco entertained students at John Kennedy School this morning, providing lessons along the way about the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

The event was sponsored by the Building Technologies Division at Siemens and hosted in conjunction with the fourth-grade innovators' STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programming at John Kennedy School and the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

Mr. Eco uses hip-hop, sing-along, dance and between-song patter to emphasize the active role people play in creating a sustainable environment, decreasing energy usage, increasing recycling, and working to keep communities free of litter. He has performed for more than 135,000 children across the United States, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, Colombia, St. Lucia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

mrecojk2017-2.jpg

mrecojk2017-3.jpg

mrecojk2017-4.jpg

mrecojk2017-5.jpg

mrecojk2017-6.jpg

mrecojk2017-7.jpg

mrecojk2017-8.jpg

mrecojk2017-9.jpg

mrecojk2017-10.jpg

Hawley issues statement on Tax Freedom Day

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

“New York’s taxes and spending have reached monumental proportions. It is a shameful reflection of the policies pushed by New York City elites and state leaders that our families must work over four months a year to pay off their collective tax burden.

We have some of the highest property taxes in the country right here in our state, and it is abundantly clear that many businesses and families would rather uproot and relocate to more tax-friendly states than remain in New York.

We need to cut business and income taxes to incentivize families to remain in our state and reinvest in our citizens rather than spending money on programs for illegal immigrants and Hollywood movie producers.”

City Council rejects rezoning request that would have brought housing for disabled to Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Three pieces of property snug in the middle of other housing and commercial parcels should remain, at least for the time being, available for industrial use, the City Council decided Monday night on a 3-6 vote.

The decision ends, perhaps permanently, a bid by DePaul Properties to build an 80-unit apartment complex at 661, 665 and 679 E. Main St., Batavia, that would have provided housing for people with disabilities, elderly residents lacking mobility, and veterans with special needs.

Developer Mark Fuller didn't rule out trying to build the complex sometime in the future -- the property is likely to be rezoned as part of the city's revision of its comprehensive plan -- but he sounded a sour note as he discussed the council's rejection of the rezoning resolution, and hence, his project.

"I really don’t want to go into communities where we’re not well received," Fulle said. "There’s yet to be a community that hasn’t wanted us to come in. If the community is still against it if it’s zoned differently, I just don’t know that I want to put energy into a community that is not behind it."

Fuller is a Genesee County resident and said he was baffled by the community's response to the project proposal, which would have represented a $25 million local investment by DePaul and increased the current tax revenue for the city four times over the current tax revenue, plus generated significant revenue for sewer and water hookups.

The PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement DePaul Properties was willing to enter into for the project would have actually obligated DePaul to pay more in taxes than otherwise required for a nonprofit under Property & Tax Law section 581(a).

In other communities where Fuller has overseen the development of DePaul projects there has been nothing but positive feedback he said, including West Seneca, which he said saw an increase in property values around the DePaul project there.

"We had a press conference in Rome this morning where 80 people showed up thanking us for coming and every single City Council member came up and thanked me for developing there," Fuller said. "We have a lot of projects across the state. We get calls all the time, so I think I’m going to put my energy into communities that want the redevelopment and investment."

The housing is needed in Batavia, Fuller said, because currently the people who might live in the complex are stuck in substandard housing for their needs or unable to live independently because of the lack of adequate housing for their needs. The market for this housing is very different from standard rentals, he said, and wouldn't be competition for existing landlords.

Fuller's comments came after a lengthy City Council session that included public comments both for and against the project and remarks from council members who both supported and opposed letting DePaul build on the property.

The nay votes came from Bob Bialkowski, Paul Viele, Kathy Briggs, Al McGinnis, John Canale, and Council President Eugene Jankowski.

Many of the DePaul supporters were clients of DePaul or otherwise associated with the organization.

Quentin Call said that DePaul has been an asset to every community where it has built a project and that even though it's a nonprofit, through a special Payment In Lieu of Taxes arrangement, DePaul will increase funding for the city over the property's present commercial use. 

"I’m not sure if any industrial uses have been proposed for the property, however in regards to the PILOT program, any industrial facility that might come in would be seeking that designation as well," Call noted.

Pastor Marty Macdonald, from City Church, and himself a local landlord, said he believes, based on his experience as a landlord and pastor of a large church, that the community needs the additional handicapped accessible housing from DePaul.

"I’m going at this from a humanitarian position, but business side as well, that there is a need for housing and there is going to be a greater need for housing," Macdonald said. "Batavia will not stay the same as it is. There are too many great things going on. I’m thankful for that and I hope you are, too."

Batavia resident John Roach was among the speakers casting doubts on the need for more apartments in Batavia. He said including DePaul, there are an additional 180 to 190 apartment units currently on the drawing board for Batavia.

"You’re already going to have one 100 new apartments in areas that are already zoned for it," Roach said. "We don’t need these 80 rooms."

George Gallegher said something industrial or commercial should go on the property, not apartments run by a nonprofit.

"This isn’t the best use of our land resources that are capable of generating tax income," Gallegher said. "Now they want to add two more tax exempt PILOT programs again right on Main Street. The people that I talk to who are well versed in where properties should be and how they should be used, they said that’s not very smart."

John Gerace argued the property should remain zoned industrial.

"The City Manager apparently must be clairvoyant to say that there will never be any development on that property that is industrial," Gerace said. "Who knew what happened in the city years and years ago --- what’s going to happen down the road a year from now, two years from now, and what that property could be used for and on the tax record."

DePaul, he said, like anybody else, was just looking to make money.

"DePaul is going to receive dollar for dollar tax credits," Gerace said. "That’s $25 million in tax credits. Why do they want to build this? Because there’s money in it. And yes, will it serve a purpose for our community, absolutely, and I’m all for helping our seniors, our veterans, our needy folks. This is not the project for it, unfortunately, and it should not be here in Batavia. I don’t know why it’s not in Le Roy."

It's not clear where Gerace is getting the $25 million tax credit figure. There's no public document available to support the assertion. Also, there already is a DePaul project being considered for Le Roy.

When it came time for council members to address the issue, Councilwoman Patti Pacino spoke up first and said as somebody about to turn 70, her need for a place to live such as DePaul is only about a decade away. She said her and her husband, a disabled veteran, will want a place with the ease-of-access the DePaul project was offering and that currently there isn't an adequate supply of such housing in Batavia.

"You know what, I don’t want to live in Le Roy," Pacino said. "I don’t want to live in Stafford. I don’t want to live in the Town of Batavia. I want to live in the city I grew up in and I helped make better in any number of ways, working with children, church organizations, City Council.

"There are lovely apartments here if you happen to be a young person," she added, "but guess what guys, all the sudden you look in the mirror and you’re looking at your mother’s face and her hand is coming out your sleeve."

She said she favored tabling the resolution until the city completes its comprehensive plan and the county completes its housing study so the council could make a decision with more information available. The motion to table failed on a 4-5 vote.

Councilman John Canale also supported tabling the resolution, but ultimately voted against the rezone, saying it was one of the hardest decisions he's wrestled with in four-and-a-half years on council, but it was what his constituents wanted.

"I feel that at this point I just can’t support this because I know we wouldn’t be sitting here talking about rezoning if DePaul hadn’t come froward with this project," Canale said.

Councilman Adam Tabelski spoke at length about the rezoning issue, arguing that dropping the industrial zone designation was the only reasonable approach the council could take.

"That (industrial zoning) is very difficult to justify in my opinion when nobody is out marketing it as such," Tabelski said. "The fact is, industrial development has not had a history at all at that site. In fact, as Councilman (Bob) Bialkowski mentioned, its history has been residential and commercial. If we are waiting for some factory to be built on this location, we’re waiting for a ship that is never going to come in."

Tabeliski noted that nearly every property to the east of the three parcels is currently residential and all the properties to the west are commercial.

"Across the street, you have an ice cream shop, a gas station, a car wash and an auto parts store," Tabelski said. "It makes no sense to me how a C2 designation is somehow out of character with that immediate neighborhood."

He said keeping the property zoned industrial is just inviting something out of character, that will upset area residents, to be built on the property. The council should listen to the city's own planning board, which recommended rezoning, and the County Planning Board, which also supported the rezoning.

"These are the experts who are supposed to guide us on land use, both in the short term and the long term, and to ignore their expertise and experience does them and us a big disservice," Tabelski said. "We have a reputable developer knocking on our door willing to invest $25 million in our community and our goal is to create opportunities for our residents. I think we need to welcome it."

Batavia Area Jaycees to host premiere 'Tap Batavia' on June 10, tickets $35 in advance

By Billie Owens
The premiere of the Batavia Area Jaycees' Tap Batavia will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.
 
This is a roving fundraiser and a portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to Genesee Cancer Assistance to support local residents battling cancer.
 
Participants pay $35 in advance to get a Tap Batavia T-shirt -- which you must wear to participate -- and tickets for one beer at each of the following locations, valid only between 4 and 9 p.m. on the day of the event:
  • Bourbon & Burger Co.
  • Center Street Smoke House
  • City Slickers Bar & Grill
  • O'Lacy's Irish Pub
  • T.F. Brown's

Plus, pizza and wings, courtesy of T.F. Brown’s, served at T.F. Brown's between 8 and 9 p.m. June 10 only.

*Must be 21 or older to attend this event. *Event T-shirt MUST be worn to redeem beer tickets. *Please Drink Responsibly. *NO REFUNDS.

For tickets, please contact:

Mark Ditzel @ 585-409-7708

Jennifer Shaffer @ 585-409-9980

Got metal junk? Volunteers for Animals want it on the first weekend of June

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Come out and support the animals of the Genesee County Animal Shelter. Volunteers for Animals are collecting scrap metal to raise money for the animals one weekend only -- on Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Shelter parking lot, 3841 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Metal of any almost kind will be accepted this first weekend in June only: railings, doors, garbage cans, file cabinets, bicycle frames, gutters, pipes, poles, fencing, window frames, lawn furniture, tools, shelving, washing machines, dryers, stoves, wheel barrows, wagons, etc.

But they CANNOT take propane tanks, A/C units, or refrigerators!

Scrap service provided by Ed Arnold EAS Scrap Processors, of Corfu.

All proceeds benefit local shelter animals.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
Tags: Jobs offered
Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
Tags: Jobs offered

Authentically Local