Turning math into playtime was the theme of Family Fun Night at Jackson School last night. 

The elementary schoolchildren and their parents were given a booklet with math problems to solve, and then they went through various game boards to help them solve those problems.

Prizes were award to students who successfully filled in their booklet with the correct answers.

In Connors and Ferris Bowl play on Thursday, Pembroke notched one more victory for 2016, making it a total of four against four losses, by beating Notre Dame, 20-0.

In a rain-soaked game, there were only six pass attempts between the two teams, so the ground game dominated, and Pembroke dominated on the ground, with Zachary von Kramer rushing for 188 yards on 33 attempts and two TDs for the Dragons. Nick Clark added another 44 yards on a single run that went for a score. 

Jordon Weatherwax gained 51 yards on 16 carries for Notre Dame. 

Notre Dame's Caleb Wolcott led all defensive players with 12 tackles. Jim Zickl added seven tackles for the Irish.

For Pembroke, Von Kramer had eight tackles and Brian Seweryniak added seven and a sack. Jarrod Carrow had an interception.

In the area's other Connors and Ferris Bowl game, Perry/Mt. Morris beat Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 27-0.

Section V playoffs begin tonight. The #1 seed in Class B, Batavia, hosts University Prep, coming in at #8, at Van Detta Stadium tonight. Game time is 7 p.m. Alexander, the #1 seed in Class D, also has a 7 p.m. home game against Lyons. 

Pembroke/Notre Dame game photos by Rick D. Franclemont. 

A storm passing through Western New York today could bring as much as two inches of rain to Genesee County, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood watch has been issued locally because of the potential for rapidly rising water in populated areas, especially along feeder streams.

The watch is in effect until 4 p.m.

The NWS reports that an elongated low-pressure zone over West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania is directing widespread soaking rain to zones north from the Southern Tier across the Genesee River Valley and Finger Lakes to the Eastern Lake Ontario region.

Press release:

Diana Kastenbaum, the Democratic Congressional Candidate for NY-27, has called upon Rep. Chris Collins to step forward and declaratively disavow Trump’s recent statements that the election is rigged. As a an elected official himself, Mr. Collins should persuade Mr. Trump that he should accept the outcome of the election if Secretary Clinton wins. That is what we know in this country as a peaceful transfer of power. That “peaceful” transfer of power is the very essence of what a democracy is all about.

“There used to be civility amongst opponents running for public office. However, the tone the Trump campaign and all of its surrogates have set forth, including Mr. Collins, is anything but civil. The time has come for all patriotic Republicans to speak out against this unprecedented attack on our core beliefs and our fair election process.”

Legislators are faced with a number of hard choices as the county's 2017 budget comes together.

Increases in mandated spending, increases in personnel expenses, flat sales tax revenue and unsettled questions about expenses related to the soon-to-be-former Genesee County Nursing Home means the county needs to raise more money than allowed by the tax levy cap.

County Jay Gsell laid out several options for the legislators, except one, but Chairman Ray Cinifrinit put it on the table: Voting to override the tax cap limit.

To override, the Legislators would have to hold a public hearing and then vote on a resolution. That would have to be done before completion of the budget process, so approving the resolution wouldn't necessarily mean there would be a tax increase above the cap amount.

"I'm suggesting that we at least pass the resolution," Cianfrini said. "That's just good planning."

Gsell said he won't submit a budget proposal, which is due within 48 hours, that includes a tax increase above the cap amount.

The formula for figuring the cap takes into account the $14 million in increased assessed value for real property in the county, but the county can only use a portion of that increase for any pre-cap increase in the levy.

If the county were to raise no more money from the levy than in 2016, it would put the tax rate for the county at $9.69 per thousand of assessed value.

The rate can't go past $9.86 to stay under the levy cap. 

If Gsell accepted all of the funding requests by various county departments, which by direction were already frugal requests, the tax rate would be $10.27.

To get the rate down to at least $9.86, Gsell said there will be no new hires for county staff, except two new corrections officers, and he's looking at using $1 million from the county's reserves, as well as diverting 1 percent of the sales tax that would normally go to next year's capital projects (think roads and bridges), for another $800,000 in savings. He's also cutting 10 percent from all non-mandated services, except for mental health related services, Genesee Community College and the Chamber of Commerce (the tourism office helps generate revenue for the county and gets funding from the hotel bed tax).

Here's the list of programs and agencies slated for a 10 percent cut from their funding requests:

• GO-ART!
• Business Education Alliance
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Holland Land Office Museum
• Housing Initiative Committee
• Genesee County Economic Development Center
• Libraries
• Mercy Flight
• Soil & Water Conservation District

Legislator Andrew Young expressed concern about the county once again dipping into reserve funds to balance a budget. He noted that practice can't last forever. He is also concerned about diverting funds from capital projects when the county is looking at a $15 million bill for road and bridge repairs over the next five years.

So take those two revenue diversions off the table, that leaves Legislators with two big options -- raise taxes above the levy cap, or go to what Gsell called "the nuclear option," the "scorched earth policy."

That option is completely eliminating a service the county currently provides but isn't mandated by state law. Those options include closing county parks and eliminating the road patrol deputies in the Sheriff's Office.

Such drastic cuts could also include elimination all funding for the nine programs and services listed above.

"If they (the legislators) don't like what I recommend in terms of how the revenues are put together," Gsell said after the meeting, "that's when I have to go back to the expense side of the equation and get rid of $1 million to $2 million worth of expenses."

But Gsell warned legislators that drastic cuts will certainly bring about intense pushback from the community.

"We tried that with Genesee Justice a few years ago and I believe there were 200-plus people at a public hearing over in the court facility," Gsell said. "Everybody and the kitchen sink came in and said that's the worse thing the county has ever thought of, let alone tried to do as far as county government goes. So that's just a caution."

The two-and-a-half hour meeting Wednesday also included a lengthy discussion about how to eliminate some of the overtime costs within the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Gary Maha, Undersheriff William Sheron (top photo), Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble and Jail Superintendent William Zipfel participated in the conversation.

The two main areas of overtime expense are deputies in training with their four-hour daily commute to and from basic training in either Niagara Falls or Monroe County and prisoner transport of female inmates between Genesee County, which doesn't have a jail that can house female inmates, and the jails in the area that can accept female prisoners.

Currently, deputies are taken off of road patrol for transports.

The Sheriff's Office budget requested three new corrections officers to handle the transports, but the discussion headed toward a proposal to hire two new corrections officers and find retired law enforcement officers to work part-time help with transports.

County Attorney Charles Zambito, soon-to-be County Judge Zambito, said once he's judge he can probably make sure the calendar is adjusted to ensure prisoners to be transported are scheduled for appearances in batches, reducing the number of transport trips. 

Jail expense is also going up, Zipfel said, because of the changing demographics of the jail population. There is more time and expense with medical transportation and dealing with mental health issues, including more one-on-one watches for inmates who may be suicidal.

"The jail population is aging and getting sicker with every month that goes by," Zipfel said. "We're encountering more people who have drug and alcohol addictions, more people who are older. We've had several people recently in their 70s and 80s who are getting sentenced because of drug and alcohol addictions."

The legislature will meet again on the budget next Wednesday.

Batavia Town Supervisor Gregory Post sees himself as "a merit-based guy" -- someone who believes in rewarding those whose job performances consistently exceed the expectation of the Town Board.

"And we have those type of people here," he said. "Employees who come in early and stay late, who have a high level of expertise, and who warrant a level of compensation that will enable us to recruit the best people and retain them."

But, Post is also a realist, and he has come to the realization that the town's contribution to staff health insurance premiums has reached a tipping point.

The supervisor fielded health insurance-related questions on Wednesday night, following the board's favorable vote on a resolution that mandates that the town pay up to 95 percent of the monthly premiums for its employees for 2017.

Rates under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Gold Standard Plan that the town will be purchasing range from $456 per month for an employee-only plan to $1,300 per month for a family plan. Employees hired prior to Sept. 18, 2013 will contribute 5 percent of the monthly cost and those hired after Sept. 17, 2013 will contribute 25 percent.

All told, the town is projecting in the neighborhood of $250,000 in health insurance premium costs.

"Traditionally the town's compensation package has been to provide health insurance, but eventually we will have to find something less expensive (to the town) and less generous (to its employees)," Post said, adding that the current formula is "unsustainable."

 "The staff is already aware that this will be addressed in 2017. Workshops will start in December."

Post said he expects health insurance costs to go up about 2 percent in 2017, although the tentative budget allows for a 12-percent increase to cover possible changes in employee status throughout the year. He said the board will be negotiating with both union (Batavia Town Employees Union) and non-union employees to come up with a more equitable payment plan.

When asked about the level of compensation throughout the town's organization, Post said that salary, health insurance, pension contributions, vacation time, etc., factor into the pay scale.

"One thing that stands out is that the staff here is the community's biggest asset," he said. "We've seen a 40-percent increase in the assessed value in this town over the past 10 years. The return on our investment (to employees) has been tremendous."

In a related development, Post shared a report from Daniel Lang, codes official, that indicated the town has received a more favorable rating from the Insurance Services Office, action that could lead to reduced liability insurance premiums for homeowners and business owners. This new rating, from a 9 to a 4 (the best score is 1), is for all one- and two-family dwellings and for all commercial and industrial buildings in the town.

The ISO is an organization that tracks property and casualty insurance risk, evaluates and rates a community’s ability to handle fires.

In other action, the board:

-- Set public hearings for Nov. 9 in connection with sewer rates (7 p.m.) water rates (7:05 p.m.) and the town budget (7:30 p.m.) for 2017.

The proposed rates for Sewer Districts No. 1 and No. 2 in the town are $6.13 per 1,000 gallons, a 10-percent increase from the 2016 rates. The water rates would go up by about 3 percent, with the base rate set at $5.10 per 1,000 gallons and the agriculture rate set at $3.73 per 1,000 gallons.

As previously reported first on The Batavian, the town's projected tax rate for 2017 is $2.64 per thousand of assessed valuation, up from the $1.42 rate in 2016. The tentative budget calls for a tax levy of $1 million.

Per public hearing notice guidelines, proposed salaries for the elected public officials in the town are as follows:

Supervisor -- $30,000
Deputy Supervisor -- $15,000
Councilpersons (3) -- $10,000
Town Clerk/Tax Collector -- $66,229
Highway Superintendent -- $18,035
Town Justices (2) -- $25,235

-- Transferred $89,600 from the unappropriated unexpended fund balance to cover additional equipment, water meter and meter reading instruments for both water and sewer districts in 2016.

-- Allocated $9,237 as the town's share to support Genesee County school districts' 2017 summer recreation programs. Batavia will receive $3,442, followed by Pembroke ($2,080), Oakfield-Alabama ($997), and Elba, Byron-Bergen and Alexander ($906 each).

Deputy Supervisor Dan Underhill (due to the death of his father, David) and Councilwoman Patti Michalak were absent.

Press release:

The HEAP Clean and Tune benefit opened Aug. 1 and will run until Nov. 4 or until funds are exhausted. Anyone interested in the Clean and Tune program must contact Genesee County DSS at 344-2580. 

Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

You may be eligible for a benefit if:

·         You are the homeowner;

·         Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted on the table below;

·         Your primary heating equipment is more than 12 months old;

·         Your primary heating equipment or chimney has not been cleaned within the last 12 months;

·         You do not have a service contract with your vendor that includes clean and tune services;

Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.

Here are the current income eligibility guidelines:

2016 HEAP            Elderly or Disabled figures                

Household Size

Max Monthly Income

1

$2,300

2

$3,007

3

$3,715

4

$4,423

5

$5,130

Press release:

Project Lifesaver has given parents of autistic children in Genesee County peace of mind, now local caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairments may also benefit.

Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Genesee Senior Foundation Inc. and the Genesee County Office for the Aging are partnering in this project to save lives.

Citizens enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small personal transmitter around the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office immediately, and a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer’s area. Most who wander are found within a few miles from home, and search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. Recovery times for Project Lifesaver clients average 30 minutes — 95-percent less time than standard operations.

Ruth Spink, director of the Office for the Aging, notes that, “For individuals with dementia, wandering can become a behavior at any time. Don’t wait for it to happen, be proactive and protect your loved one.”

Caregivers who are caring for a loved one at home in Genesee County and are interested in participating in Project Lifesaver, may call the Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.

Each unit costs $250 with annual expenses of about $50 for batteries, etc. The Genesee Senior Foundation which is affiliated with the Office for the Aging is accepting donations for Project Lifesaver.

Spink said, “We very much hope that some folks will be moved to make a contribution. Any amount will help to underwrite the cost of a unit for families who are not in a position to pick up these costs. We would hate to see the expense be a roadblock to keeping someone safe in our community.”

Donations may sent to the Genesee Senior Foundation, 2 Bank St., Batavia, New York 14020, with notation “Project Lifesaver.”

Spink added, “We also want to remind folks of our Caregivers Program which offers long-term care services, support, and options counseling. In addition to that foundational program, we are in the first year of a five year New York State Health Department regional grant project, Western New York Alzheimer’s Caregiver Partnership.

"With that grant, we are now even better equipped to serve caregivers through additional resources offering consultation, respite services, transportation, education, joint enrichment activities, and support groups. No one should be expected to go through this challenging disease alone. We encourage people to call our office. We’re here to help.”

Press release:

Batavia and Genesee County will play host to the upcoming Rotary District 7090 2016 District Conference on Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 23. More than 300 people are expected to attend the conference to be held at Batavia Downs Gaming, and it will be the first group to utilize the brand-new Hotel at Batavia Downs, in addition to other Batavia lodging locations.

Rotary District 7090 consists of 70 chapters located in both Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada. The annual gathering allows Rotary members to become immersed in several areas and initiatives of the service club, while also learning about the community they are visiting.

The conference includes an annual meeting and district leadership luncheon, education events, hands-on projects, parties and more.

On Friday night, many of the Batavia restaurants will be busy with a “dine around” event – where conference leaders have arranged for several local restaurants to reserve seats for members and are encouraging exploration within the area. The conference also has a day trip to Letchworth State Park in Wyoming County planned for guests.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has been assisting conference planners with their visit and estimate that the three-day event will result in a $60,000 economic impact on Genesee County.

Christopher J. Campbell, 38, of Chaddock Road in Bethany, is a registered sex offender who, on Oct. 18, was charged with failure to report a change of address as required by law. It is a felony. He formerly resided on West Main Street Road in Batavia. Campbell was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and jailed in lieu of $5,000 cah bail. He is due to return to court at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Parker, assisted by Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Saile.

Teresa M. Bosdyk, 54, of Water Street, Perry, is charged with DWI, speeding lane violation and not wearing a seat belt. The defendant was involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 11:50 p.m. on Oct. 18 on Ellicott Street Road in Bethany. It appears she crossed into the oncoming lane and struck a tractor-trailer. Further investigation revealed she was allegedly driving while intoxicated. Bosdyk was transported via Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital for evaluation of her injuries. She will return to Bethany Town Court at a later date. Additional charges are pending. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Howard Carlson, assisted by Deputy Andrew Hale.

Douglas Duane Brown Jr., 34, of Meadow Farm, North Chili, is charged with insufficient tail lamp, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, aggravated DWI, per se, with a BAC of .18 or more, DWI. The defendant was stopped on Alexander Road in the Town of Alexander at 11:50 p.m. on Sept. 22 for an alleged equipment violation. Further investigation allegedly revealed that the defendant was driving while intoxicated. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, assisted by Howard Carslon.

Adam Louis Zichitella, 18, of Cole Road, Colden, is charged with DWI, operation of a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or more, and stopping, standing or parking upon a highway. The defendant was found parked roadside in the southbound lane of Route 77 in the Town of Alabama at 12:43 a.m. on Sept. 25. An investigation allegedly revealed that the defendant was allegedly driving while intoxicated. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy McClellan, assisted by Deputy Howard Carlson.

.

For the first time in program history, Pembroke's soccer team has advanced in sectional play, beating Cal-Mum on Wednesday night 4-0. The Dragons entered the tournament as the #2 seed. Jamil Marable had two goals while Spencer Cowell and Ryan Curtis each added a goal and an assist.

More photos can be seen at : http://francletography.photoshelter.com/gallery/2016-10-19-Cal-Mum-Boys-Varsity-at-Pembroke/G00008SZ5ALDrX.o/C0000ONQk3dqJ1PM

Press release:

Genesee Valley Educational Partnership Drag Race Club will be hosting a car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 22. The profits from the car wash will benefit the Drag Race Club.

The car wash will take place at the BOCES Genesee Valley campus, located at 8250 State Street Road in Batavia. Upon arrival, follow the signs through the campus.

Students from the Conservation, Metal Trades, Health Dimensions, Automotive Technology and Collision, Custom and Repair are working together to build a drag car.  The students have been working on disassembling a Ford Ranchero. 

Once a year, the Sheriff's Office is required to test its backup emergency dispatch center and tonight's the night for dispatchers to work out of the location at 14 W. Main St., instead of their normal home on Park Road.

The facility is configured exactly like Park Road for an easy transition from one location to the other.

The backup facility would be used if Park Road couldn't be used for some reason.

The room in the old Sheriff's Office on West Main was the dispatch center for the Sheriff's Office for decades before the Park Road office was built.

These days, emergency dispatchers handle all traffic in the county for the Sheriff's road patrols, Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, State Police and the fire departments.

Dispatchers handle somewhere in the neighborhood of 30,000 calls for service annually.

Investigators have spent the day trying to track down new leads that might help them discover who was involved in yesterday's robbery of the M&T Bank branch in Elba.

The robbery was reported at 2:35 p.m. yesterday and seems to have involved two men dressed in masks, gloves and hoodies who fled in a stolen car before switching cars about a block away from the bank.

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said a team of investigators spent the day canvassing the area looking for witnesses or images from surveillance cameras that might assist in developing leads.

Investigator Joseph Graff told our news partner 13WHAM that investigators are also checking with costume shops to see if any connection can be made between the masks and gloves the suspects were wearing and a recent purchase.

Brewster said the Sheriff's Office is conferring with the FBI and law enforcement in Monroe County.

The initial getaway car was stolen from a car dealership in Rochester and had a stolen plate on the rear of the car.

Anybody who might have information that can assist in the investigation can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

Photo released this afternoon of the second suspect.

There is a report of a combine on fire in Pavilion, across from the high school, at 7014 Big Tree Road.

Pavilion fire dispatched.

A consolidation plan enacted by Batavia City Schools four years ago has led to cost savings in some key areas, Sandra Griffin, now a retired principal from Batavia Middle School, told the school board at Tuesday's meeting.

Overall, personnel costs have decreased by $31,000.  

The first year of consolidation, in 2012-13, there was a $1.2 million cost savings, but since then the district has added new staff or AIS support and personnel for arts and music. Even so, there has been a payroll savings each year since consolidation.

When consolidation was implemented, district administration moved from its offices on Washington Avenue to offices at Batavia High School, closed Robert Morris School and shuffled grade levels between Jackson, John Kennedy, and Batavia Middle School.

One of the biggest areas of cost savings was in operations and maintenance, which is down $414,000.

Unemployment costs are down $103,000.

Utility expenses are down $292,700.

The one area of increase is bussing, which has jumped $484,000, the result of a more open bussing policy which has mean 305 more students are able to take a bus to and from school.

Tenants at Big Tree Glen on West Main Street Road are settling in and the Conifer Realty LLC/United Memorial Medical Center joint venture is taking on a "community" feel.

That's the word from Joan Mrzywka, community manager of the apartment complex that currently has occupancy in 54 of its 56 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Six of the apartments are specially designed for handicap or HVI (hearing vision impaired) persons. 

"Things are going really well thus far, just a few minor glitches," said Mrzywka, an Albion resident and former prerschool teacher who has been on the job for about a year.

Mrzwyka was joined by Town of Batavia Planning Board members, Conifer executives and the local media on a tour of the facilities on Tuesday night.

Big Tree Glen, which opened a couple months ago, features seven eight-plex buildings, with four first-floor apartments and four second-floor apartments. The building that houses Mrzwyka's office also includes a community room, fitness center, computer room (with four workstations) and a 24-hour accessible, security camera-equipped laundry room.

Mrzywka said the familes there are of all age groups. Eligibility is based on family and individual incomes in relation to Genesee County's median income.

Monthly rental rates are as follows:

Three-bedroom -- $812 (50 percent of the median income), $916 (60 percent).
Two-bedroom -- $704 (50 percent), $713 (60 percent).
One-bedroom -- $569 (50 percent), $570 (60 percent).

Rent does not include electricity but does include gas (which is used for heat and hot water), sewer and water, Mrzywka said.

Conifer plans to build 40 more apartments (all one- and two-bedroom units) as part of its Phase II project. It received site plan approval from town planners on Tuesday night and will be petitioning New York State in anticipation of breaking ground next spring.

"The residents here are expecting us to build more; there is such a need for housing in this area," Mrzywka said.

Company officials reported that they are working on two projects in Monroe County -- a supportive living facility in Webster in collaboration with Rochester Regional Health System and an 80-bed House of Mercy homeless shelter in the City of Rochester.

Photos: View from West Main Street Road, Community Room at Big Tree Glen, 3727 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Academically, Batavia High School is in good shape, Principal Scott Wilson told school board members at Batavia City Schools regular meeting Tuesday night.

Last year, the high school hit a 95-percent graduation rate and Wilson is pleased with regularly hitting a 90-percent-plus rate, but repeating 95 percent will be a daunting challenge, he said.

In eight of the 10 regents exams, the school has improved its passing rate. He said there as been a steady growth in improved scores, especially in math, where staff has invested more time and resources.

"I'd like to see a higher passing rate, but a slow and steady climb is continuing to sharpen the saw," Wilson said.

He described the passing rate for students in advanced placement classes as "healthy."

Last year, 49 percent of students went on to a two-year college and 25 percent to a four-year college. Wilson would like to improve those numbers, but, "those are good numbers and very healthy for us."

About 19 percent of graduates leave school, after study at BOCES, with skills to enter the workforce in a trade.

The introduction of Chrombooks into the classrooms has gone over well with students and parents, Wilson said.

"All you have to do is walk the halls and see the progress in action," Wilson said.