Once, when she was lieutenant governor, Kathy Hochul was dispatched to Genesee Community College to deliver then Gov. Andrew Hochul's message to local leaders on that year's state budget.

Now as governor, Hochul has assigned state department heads to deliver the budget message in Genesee County.

On Tuesday, state Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon told a couple of dozen people attending the briefing that the governor's proposed 2024-25 state budget will not add a fiscal burden to New Yorkers, and that the budget is balanced while increasing spending on fighting crime, ensuring New York's economic competitiveness, fixing broken infrastructure, fighting climate change, supporting education, addressing the migrant crisis, making advancements on housing, and improving access to mental health care.

The total spending plan is $233 billion, a 4 percent, or $6 billion, increase over the current budget.

The budget "does not increase income taxes and comes without cuts to services," Reardon said.

"Fighting crime remains a top priority in this budget," Reardon said. "The governor is proposing to make record investments and improvements in the justice system. The endgame here is to make New York a safer place to live, work and visit. Her plan allocates $40 million to crack down on retail theft, a recent issue that has impacted small businesses everywhere. The governor is also committing $40 million dollars to address domestic violence and $35 million to combat hate crimes across our great state."

The governor also wants to significantly increase spending on mental health issues. This will undo the wrongs of the past, Reardon suggested.

"We will rebuild our mental health system from top to bottom, which is needed after decades of underinvestment," Reardon said. "The governor's proposal earmarks $4.8 billion to overhaul the state's mental health continuum of care, and that is a 45 percent increase from 2022. Investments include $24 million for criminal justice-related programs, $37 million to help members of our homeless population who are struggling with mental health issues, and $43 million for supportive housing. This is a complex problem that requires a multi-pronged approach. The governor wants to devote $55 million to create 200 new inpatient psychiatric beds so New Yorkers can receive the care that they need. And we know that mental health also has a very significant impact on our youth, which is why she wants to commit $45 million to support services specifically for young New Yorkers. That funding will power school-based services and peer-to-peer counseling."

Reardon also said Hochul is proposing $35 billion in total school aid, which Reardon said is a $125 million increase from the prior fiscal year.

"In this region, school aid is increasing by $26 million to a total of more than $2.6 billion in funding," Reardon said.

What about creating jobs?
Prior to her talk, The Batavian was given an opportunity for a short, exclusive interview with the labor commissioner, so we asked how the state budget would help New York businesses hire more workers.

"As you know, the governor is really focused like a hawk on upstate economic development," Reardon said. "There are a lot of measures in the budget to help. There's the on-ramp program that ESD (Economic State Development) is running. There will be training centers along the I-90 corridor in support of the chip fab industry and advanced manufacturing. Also, she's got money in the budget for Geneseo and Brockport for the colleges. And obviously, there's a lot of infrastructure money for bridges, highways, potholes, all of that stuff. She's really focused on that."

The Department of Labor, Reardon noted, is really focused on helping people find careers "that they love."

"That is really one of the best things about the Department of Labor," Reardon said. "We do it every day. She's a huge supporter. She always has been and we work together very closely. She's working on targeted industries, but we help everybody. If you want to go to work in a chip fab or advanced manufacturing, we'll help you do that. But if you also want to work locally and stay here, we'll help you do that, you know, whatever your need is, we connect workers to training to employers to wraparound services if they need it. This is a really big priority for the governor."

As a follow-up question, we asked if we could expect any additional spending to assist business parks in Genesee County, such as WNY STAMP or the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. As Reardon said that was something she would need to look into and get the information to The Batavian, a staff member gave a head shake of, "No."

Press Release:

On Sunday, February 18, 2024, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 14 McKinley Ave. in the City of Batavia. Initial fire units arrived on-scene four minutes after the initial dispatch, reporting heavy fire from the front door of the residence, and requested a second alarm.

Crews stretched a hose line and made entry into the building for fire attack and searched for any occupants as other crews were securing a water source on McKinley. Crews quickly reported that the initial fire hydrant was inoperable and immediately began to look for another one in the area. While this water disruption was only for a brief amount of time, the high winds caused the fire to grow extremely fast resulting in the order to evacuate fire crews from the building and fight the fire defensively.

All residents were able to exit the structure prior to fire department arrival. One adult resident was transported by ambulance to Strong Memorial hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and burns to the lower legs. The house consisted of an upper and lower apartment, suffered significant fire damage and is considered a total loss, displacing seven people.

Fire investigators were able to determine the origin to be a downstairs bedroom in the center of the residence, in the area of a mattress. The cause is unknown.

The City of Batavia Fire Department checks the nearly 600 fire hydrants in the city annually. This consists of checking for proper operation, pressure, and greasing the caps. If a hydrant is deemed to be damaged or out of service, it is reported to the Water Department. The Water Department responds promptly and works very hard to ensure these hydrants are operational.

While the damage to the hydrant on McKinley is unknown, it could have been from a wide variety of causes. The Water Department was notified of this hydrant being out of service and since that time is now operational and in service. Currently the City has only one fire hydrant out of service, and crews are working to get that hydrant in service. It is important to note that even with multiple crews checking, and correcting hydrant issues as they arise, things can happen that are out of our control and unknown.

If anyone sees an issue with a hydrant, I urge you to contact the Fire Department so it can be checked and fixed.

The City of Batavia Fire Department was assisted by the City of Batavia Police, Water
Department, Codes Department and DPW, as well as the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, the Town of Batavia Fire Department, the Elba Fire Department, Oakfield Fire Department, Stafford Fire Department, Leroy Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, Bergen Deputy Chief Garrett Dean, National Fuel, National Grid and the Salvation Army. Special thanks to Assistant City Manager Erik Fix and DPW Director Brett Frank for responding to assist and provide refreshments for responders.

Press Release:

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is looking for both older adults and volunteers to participate in its free Home Visitation and Friendly Phones programs in Genesee and Orleans counties. 

Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide one-hour weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors aged 60 or older who have limited ability to leave their homes.

“Social isolation, especially during the cold and dreary winter months, can impact the health and well-being of older adults,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager, of Catholic Charities. “Volunteers can help make a difference in alleviating some of the loneliness with regular conversations and socialization.”

During visits, participants and volunteers often engage in friendly conversation and partake in activities such as board games, puzzles, and crafts. Volunteers do not help with personal or medical care, banking, shopping, or transportation.

Interested volunteers must be at least 21 years old, and an interview, and background check are required. Training will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

The Home Visitation Program is funded through a grant from the Muriel H. Marshall Fund through the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

If interested, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614 to request an application as a participant or for more information on volunteering.

Press Release:

Scott D. German, Chairman of the Genesee County Republican Committee, held a meeting on Feb. 15 to endorse candidates for the November Election.

All candidates were given the opportunity to address the Committee and the following were endorsed:

• Present Congresswoman Claudia Tenney 
• Present NYS Senator George Borrello
• Present NYS Assemblyman Stephen M. Hawley
• Present NYS Supreme Court Justice Debra Chines 
• Genesee County Sheriff candidate Joseph Graff
• Genesee County Treasurer candidate Kevin Andrews, present Deputy Treasurer 
• Genesee County Coroners Karen Lang, present Coroner and candidate Drew Klotzbach

With endorsements being made for the Republican candidates petitions will be circulated starting Feb. 27.

If you have any questions you can contact Chairman German at 585-409-4870 or email at GeneseeChair@yahoo.com

Press Release:

CAN-USA Sports is excited to announce the return of the Battle of the Badges, City of Batavia Police vs City of Batavia Fire. Sunday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at just $10 and proceeds benefit the David McCarthy Memorial Foundation.

The City of Batavia Police Department took the inaugural battle of the Badges Cup last year with the event raising over $3,000 for the David McCarthy Memorial Foundation. 

“We are looking forward to getting these two great departments together for the 2nd straight year. The David McCarthy Memorial Foundation has helped so many families in our community over the years and we are excited to donate the proceeds to such a meaningful organization again this year.” official quotes from Detective James DeFreze (Detective-City of Batavia Police) & Matt Morasco (City of Batavia Fire Department). 

Kids 12 & under are free to enter and tickets are just $10 with proceeds benefiting the foundation. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mccarthyicearena.com or in person at the Ice Arena.

POLICE ROSTER: 

• #11 - Jim DeFreze
• #13 - Steve Quider
• #15 - Connor Borchert
• #18 - Steven Cronmiller
• #20 - Chris Lindsay
• #36 - Adam Tucker
• #54 - John Gombos
• #57 - Matthew Smith
• #58 - Chance Hudson
• #62 - Eric Hill
• #69 - Aric Perkins
• #72 - Matt Lutey
• #74 - Brian Moscicki
• #76 - Felicia DeGroot
• #83 - Ricky Messmer
• #98 - Andrew Mruczek

FIRE ROSTER: 

• #7 - Josh McCarthy-CBFD
• #10 - Ryan Whitcombe-CBFD
• #12 - Chris Morasco-CBFD
• #15 - Matt Morasco-CBFD
• #19 - Zechariah Gowanlock- CBFD
• #31 - Steve Hammerl-Rochester FD
• #32 - Colin Cooper-CBFD
• #36 - Mark Sacheli-CBFD
• #37 - Bob Tedford-CBFD
• #39 - Mike Morris-CBFD
• #44 - Jeff Whitcombe-CBFD
• #51 - Brian Fix-CBFD
• #56 - Russ Borden-Town of Batavia FD
• #57 - Chad Brade -CBFD
• #59  - Allison Hubert-CBFD
• #67 - Karl Zufall-CBFD
• #96 - Andy LaForce-Buffalo Airport FD

If you or someone you know owns a local business that would like to help sponsor the event, please contact Marc Witt, General Manager/Ownership – CAN-USA Sports, mwitt.canusa@gmail.com for opportunities.

Low-key, unpretentious, cold beer at affordable prices -- that seems to be what keeps customers coming back to Kelly's Holland Inn on Evans Street in Batavia.

On Sunday, owner Gerry Potrzebowski celebrated the 50th anniversary of his father becoming the bar's owner.

Potrzebowski was still in high school when his father took on bar ownership on Feb. 17, 1994.  The young man started working there a couple of years later, when he turned 18 and bought it from his father 11 years later, and he has plans to celebrate his 40th year as a tavern owner in August 2025.

"When my father first opened in 74, Doehler's was down the road," Potrzebowski said. "There were three full shifts. I mean, Doehler's was one of the big industries here. Then they closed, and all that changed. We used to have a kitchen, but after they closed up, there was no need for it."

Today, the clientele is a lot of local residents, but hockey at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena is also a big draw. Potrzebowski himself played hockey for 40 years and was a long-time member of the Batavia Men's League. He's still involved with the league but stopped playing after back surgery a few years ago.  Kelly's is a frequent hangout for league members.

Potrzebowski figures Kelly's and The Harvester are the only two true neighborhood, or corner, bars left in the city of Batavia.

"People that come to the hockey games -- we get a lot of people from out of town -- they're like, 'Wow, this is like a place out of the past.' They remember a lot of places like this that were once in Buffalo and Rochester. They come in, and they're like, 'Wow, this is like the bar we grew up with.' There aren't a lot of bars like this anymore."

Steve Pies, co-owner of Max Pies, who is also a Southside resident and long-time member of the men's hockey league, said Kelly's is a local institution.

"Gerry Potrzebowski is one of the most genuine, kind-hearted people you'll ever meet," Pies said. "Kelly's Holland Inn attracts all walks of life, and the mystique atmosphere is always consistent.  The most inexpensive and coldest beer in Batavia.  A true gem to our community."

The kitchen may be gone -- replaced by a chip rack, or the "food court," as Potrzebowski said customers call it -- but nearly everything else has remained pretty consistent at Kelly's for these past 50 years. It's still a friendly place for a cold one and good company.  The biggest change recently, Potrzebowski said, is closing hours. Before the pandemic, bars stayed open until 2 a.m.  Now, most are closed by 10 p.m.  That's been driven by customer behavior, Potrzebowski suggested.

"I'd say 99 percent of the people who come in here have been hard-working people," Potrzebowski said. "That's what we cater to. We ain't no highfalutin place. It's pretty much, come in, have a couple of beers. The thing that is way different is from when I first started (the pandemic); bars were open until two o'clock every day, and that doesn't happen anymore.  People go home early. Everybody is home, and that's just the way the business is now."

Photos by Steve Ognibene. Steve Ognibene conducted the interviews for this story.

If you’re planning to visit Genesee County Park to see the total solar eclipse on April 8, you might want to take some refreshments, a blanket, and for certain — Alexander Hamilton.

County Highway officials have suggested charging $10 per vehicle for parking that day due to the expected surge in visitors and the need for additional staffing, overtime, traffic control, and related additional expenses. 

“So we're on the list with the Chamber of Commerce. We're also on the list with Rochester Museum and Science Center. We received a telescope from them, and then we also received eclipse glasses, 1,000 eclipse glasses to hand out, so we'll be doing that at the gate when we collect the fee to park,” Deputy Highway Superintendent Paul Osborn said during Tuesday’s Public Service meeting. “Since it's April 8, it's a month earlier than we normally would open the park, so we have to turn the water on ahead of time. Plus, we're going to have it at three o'clock when the actual event takes place. So we have staff that has to do traffic control and whatnot, so we're gonna have additional overtime.”

Parking will be directed to fill several lots, he said, and on Memory Lane, with no clearcut way to know just how many visitors will actually come to the park that day.

“There’s no perfect thing. I mean, we’re anticipating a quarter of a million people added to the county area, so we’re hoping that it could be less, it could be more,” he said. 

Assistant County Engineer Laura Wadhams added that the Chamber of Commerce staff has said to expect the day to be busy.

“The Chamber of Commerce is telling us they are expected to come to this region that day, they’ll be split up between Rochester and Buffalo and all those places, but Genesee County is in the path of totality,” she said.

The path of totality — when the moon completely covers the sun, creating a total eclipse -- will provide a few minutes of eerie and atypical darkness for the region, given it will be around 3 p.m. in the afternoon. 

The park’s path will be one-way in and out, from Bethany Center Road in and out the Raymond Road entrance, Osborn said. The parking fee is to generate $14,000 of revenue for the county park, which would offset that extra staffing expense, he said.

“So there has been a lengthy process with the Rochester Museum and Science Center and the Transportation Authority, looking at how many cars came into the one out west in 2017. And the traffic patterns in and the traffic patterns out, along with the fact that we are a day trip from the greatest population centers, and all of the hotels in Rochester and Buffalo are already booked out,” Legislative Chairwoman Shelley Stein said. “That kind of supports the math that has gone into their estimates.”

If you check out most charts of the path of totality for the impending eclipse, it travels from the southwest United States and hits nearby locales of Rochester and Buffalo, though Genesee County Chamber staffers have listed several local sites for viewing, including Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Corfu, East Bethany, Oakfield, Pembroke and Stafford.

For more information about the eclipse, additional viewing locations and related events, go HERE.

NEW LISTING!!! 151 Vine Street Batavia-City. Don’t pass by this great city home!! You will be pleasantly surprised as soon as you pull into drive and see the oversized 3 car garage with 4th pavilion style bay-perfect for your grill and picnic table. Your friends will be jealous! Inside the home features inviting large oak kitchen with loads of cupboard space, spacious dining area and large and bright living room. This home was made for large gatherings and entertaining! Not only is there a good size first floor bedroom and bath; there is also another large room which would make awesome office/playroom with pretty french doors leading to large and bright heated and fully glassed three season room! Featuring a cozy, free standing, fireplace to take the chill out! This room features sliding glass doors leading to a large deck, which also connects to side enclosed back porch which once held a busy -and still intact-barbershop! Before you go outside, don't forget that if you go upstairs there are THREE MORE big bedrooms and another full bath! There is plenty of storage and closets throughout the home, and don’t forget the large full dry basement! This home packs a lot in-you will be amazed! Delayed negotiations until Monday Feb. 26th Call Reliant Real Estate today, call 344-HOME (4663).

Update Feb. 24: Soul Food Brunch will be held at GO Art, at 201 E. Main Street, Batavia.

Press Release:

Chicken and waffles. Shrimp and grits. Greens. And lemon pound cake for dessert.

These traditional “soul foods” and much more are on the menu of the first Soul Food Brunch, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at The Recovery Station, 5256 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia.

“What better way to bring folks together and celebrate Black History Month than with food and conversation?” said Kenyetta Reese, case manager at UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse). 

Reese is organizing the event, which is free and open to the public, while sisters Sheila Rolle-Smith and V.J. Rolle-Belle are coordinating the effort, along with others, to put the food on the table for all to enjoy.

“We’re delighted to be a part of this event,” said Rolle-Smith, a case manager at UConnectCare. “This gives us a chance not only to share our black history but to learn from each other in a festive setting. It’s really all about respect for one another.”

Reese is reaching out to the community for groups wanting to assist in making the brunch a success.

“Volunteers are definitely welcome. And we’re always looking for Black-owned businesses to showcase," she said.

To sign up for the event, go to The Recovery Station’s Facebook page or contact Reese at kreese@uconnectcare.org. The deadline to register is Feb. 23.

Oakfield-Alabama, coming in as the #3 seed, beat #14 seed Geneseo to open Class C1 sectional play on Tuesday 67-53.

Ryan Caitlin scored 20 points to lead the Hornets. Alea Groff scored 19, and Jess Sosnowski scored nine.

The Hornets jumped to a 22-11 lead in the first quarter and led at the half 38-22. Then Geneseo pulled to within five points in the third quarter but O-A held tight in the final quarter for the win.

O-A takes on Lyons at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Also in Girls Basketball on Tuesday:

• Notre Dame gets first-round win over Lyndonville in Girls Basketball
• Elba gets first-round win, Reilly tops 1K career points
• Alexander picks up first-round win in Girls Basketball
• Pembroke beat Red Creek, 56-40. Seneca Calderon scored 15 points and had five rebounds. Elle Peterson scored 11 points. Peyton Liss and Reagan Schneider each scored eight points.
• Byron-Bergen beat Holley 50-27
• Pavilion beat South Seneca 51-47

In Boys Basketball: Batavia lost to Geneva 55-40. Casey Mazur scored 13 points, and Carter Mullen scored nine points.

To view or purchase photos, click here.  

Notre Dame beat Lyndonville 31-26 in a first-round Class D sectional game on Tuesday.

Emma Sisson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five steals. Sofia Falleti scored eight points and had eight rebounds. 

Notre Dame is the #6 seed in the tournament and will play #3 seed Elba on Friday in Elba at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Photos by Pete Welker.

Sydney Reilly topped 1,000 career points in an Elba Lancers 98-32 win on Tuesday in a first-round, Class D sectional win over Romulus.

The Lancers are the #3 seed in the tournament and next take on Notre Dame (#6) on Friday at Elba at 6 p.m.

No stats were submitted for the game.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Alexander beat Wheatland-Chile 45-25 on Tuesday the Class C2 first-round sectional playoff in Girls Basketball. 

Alyssa Kramer scored 17 points for the Trojans. Hayden Bezon scored 11 and Holly Bykowski scored 8.

Alexander is the #5 seed and next plays #5 seed Cal-Mum on Friday at Alexander in the Class C2 quarterfinal. Game time is 6 p.m.

Photos by Brennan Bezon.

It was a good run — squeezing out every ounce of use from a mobile command vehicle the last 20 years — and it’s now time to make another considerable purchase to upgrade Genesee County Emergency Management’s ability for on-the-go operations, Coordinator Tim Yaeger says.

He gave a presentation Tuesday to the Public Service Committee about the current vehicle’s status, purchased for $157,000 nearly two decades ago, along with how much for a new one, with more interior space to accommodate more than twice the people, communication equipment, three work stations, single telescoping with two mast-mounted cameras, internet, a bathroom, kitchen area with amenities, and on-board gas generator.

Ticket price? About $724,000.

“This thing has been added on and morphed over the last 10 years, and probably at most, we've updated some of the equipment in there. But its capacity to maintain and keep stuff where it needs to be, it just doesn't have the capacity. So it's just starting to age, mechanically, or visually, inside it just looks unkempt, but it still functions. But we struggle with it,” Yaeger said. “I’m leaning towards a year to a year and a half to take possession of another vehicle.”

While there initially seemed to be adequate space inside, there isn’t enough internal working space — fitting about four law enforcement people in the command area — for command staff and officials, he said, especially after COVID brought about a general sense of people not wanting “to be on top of each other” when working indoors.

By the time a new vehicle is purchased and delivered, this one would be at least 20 years old, having been used an average of 14 times a year for everything from a plane crash to events at Darien Lake. The propane tank needs to be replaced, and the front tires, brake lines, leveling system and generators are all a concern at this point, Yaeger said.

He recommended a manufacturer that makes the Snap-on Tool trucks, and a customized vehicle would have upgrades of two cameras for viewing from more than just the front as is the case now; seating for 10; a large command center area; an on-board bathroom, which isn’t always important for urban units but is for rural Genesee County, he said; and it can be retrofit for future needs and is a “50 percent improvement from what we’re using.”

Yaeger said he’s “guessing around a $50,000 value” for the current vehicle and that, after scouting for a new mobile unit the last few years, the package would include a $27,000 discount and delivery. He will be getting Homeland Security funds to replace radio equipment.

"I'm using all my security money. So the 800 megahertz radios are all going to be replaced with new ones, and we are going to have a couple of remote heads. So in the command area, there's a capability for you to be in the Command Area and hear what's going on, obviously, and talk, but most of the radio equipment's going to be in the back. That's all going to be new," he said. "We are going to reuse some of the UHF and VHF equipment because we can add that to the current vehicle, and it's not that old. But that's all that's allowable under Homeland Security, and I can afford it with the Homeland Security funding. We have to replace the equipment. But other than that, there's nothing to purchase.

“I fear the longer we wait, it’s not going to get less expensive,” he said. “Right now, it would be a capital project.”

He joked that on the plus side, County Manager Matt Landers spotted that it came with a Keurig coffee maker. Landers said that he had anticipated this expense in the 2024 budget with an assets allocation of $675,000. The remaining cost would come from a sales tax reserve.

“So anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000 is the additional amount that we're going to have to pull from a 1% sales tax reserve,” Landers said. “And we'll accomplish that through a budget resolution that we will bring forward to the public service (committee) next month, and then the full funds will be available in the budget, then Tim can go out and procure that vehicle. 

“Tim, 19 years ago, made the determination that this was something that was needed in the community. It is a significant cost, which is something that I'm mindful of. However, it does act in some ways, as I said, as an insurance policy,” Landers said. “You don't know how important it is until there's a crisis or something's happening, in which case you're going to need it. So we'll be glad to have it on hand in the event of that crisis. And it's just unfortunate that it costs so much money.”

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Water Department is repairing a water main break on North Spruce Street Tuesday afternoon.  The length of time the water will be off is unknown in the surrounding area. 

Traffic may be closed in the area while the repairs are being made.  Please use an alternate route.

As always, when the water is restored, it may be discolored.  Please refrain from doing any laundry until the water runs clear.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated.

Frank Capuano shared these photos he took of an albino squirrel who is a regular visitor to his yard in Batavia, sharing corn with his friends.