With new social distancing protocols in place, the Batavia City School District opened all four of its campuses today for the 2020-21 academic year.
In 2018, The Batavian reported on school district policies that prohibited school board members from talking to the public about their individual views on school district policy.
In 2020, only one superintendent -- Mickey Edwards in Byron-Bergen -- informed us that only the superintendent was authorized to speak to reporters about district issues and that any statements from board members needed his approval. If we sought their individual views, they could speak as private citizens but he informed us he didn't have their private email addresses. We issued a FOIL request for their district email addresses, which we received.
Though only one superintendent attempted to claim to be the gatekeeper for school board statements this time around, the practice of school board members continuing to avoid public accountability for their position on policy issues is unabated in 2020.
We attempted to survey every school board member in Genesee County on their views related to school reopening in the age of coronavirus. Only two school board members out of 52 in the county responded with individual answers. Alice Ann Benedict, Batavia city schools, responded via email as requested. John Reigle answered the questions as part of an interview about his appointment as a trustee to Batavia city schools.
The school boards in Byron-Bergen, Le Roy, and Oakfield-Alabama provided group responses. John Cima, board president for Pembroke, provided a response that he said was made on behalf of the board.
We did not offer school boards the option of a group response but they did anyway.
We wonder how many teachers in Genesee County would give their students a failing grade for failure to follow instructions, turning an individual assignment into a group assignment?
There was no response whatsoever from Alexander, Elba, and Pavilion.
School board members are elected individually not as groups. The voting public has a right to know -- and every reason to expect -- what each individual school board member thinks about issues of public importance related to their school districts. The failure to be transparent -- and worse yet, forced group conformity -- deprives the public of a robust public debate, something essential in a healthy democracy, about important issues.
The requirement that the views of school board members go through a vetting process -- either superintendent approval or a homogenized group statement -- clearly violates the very idea of the First Amendment, depriving school board members of their right to speak freely and the press of its responsibility to accurately report on government policy.
This new strategy of a group response under the guise of "we speak with one voice" is no less noxious to the concept of a free and open society. It requires conformity and stifles dissent. It clearly sets up a chilling effect on free speech.
School board members will tell us they willingly go along with this "one voice" policy but we have no real idea which board members secretly feel their individual viewpoints are being unfairly kept from the public. "Individuality is fine as long as we all do it together," Frank Burns said in an episode of "M*A*S*H." That's long been the cry of the conformist in their discomfort with dissent. But good policies can't be fashioned without dissent and dissent can't be tested for its durability without healthy public debate.
These policies, as we saw and reported on in 2018, can even have a chilling effect on candidates for open seats in school board elections. How does a democracy continue to function when candidates for office refuse to answer questions for voters?
The Batavian will continue to press for school board members to be open and honest with the voters who elect them.
Responses to our questions:
Here is a list, by district, of elected officials who did not respond individually to our questions.
Batavia
Alexander
Byron-Bergen
Elba
Le Roy
Oakfield-Alabama
Pavilion
Pembroke
Press release from AAA:
Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.19, down 3 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.57. The New York State average is $2.28 – down a penny since last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.73.
AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:
- Batavia -- $2.22 (down a penny since last week)
- Buffalo -- $2.25 (no change since last week)
- Ithaca -- $2.21 (down 1 cent since last week)
- Rochester -- $2.26 (down 1 cent since last week)
- Rome -- $2.32 (down 1 cent since last week)
- Syracuse -- $2.22 (down 2 cents since last week)
- Watertown -- $2.32 (down 2 cents since last week)
With road trip season in the rearview mirror, pump prices have dropped along with demand. The Energy Information Administration reports that gasoline demand dropped last week, which is helping to bring pump prices down.
Low demand will likely help pump prices to continue their descent as summer fades to fall. Even back-to-school season didn’t lead to an increase in demand for gasoline since so many students are studying virtually.
From GasBuddy:
"Seasonal factors, as expected, are pushing gas prices down in most areas across the country. In addition, oil prices have hit a rough patch on renewed concerns about the economy and falling demand, leaving motorists the beneficiaries for the next few weeks," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
"No one should be in a rush to fill up as prices will likely continue to trend lower, especially as the summer gasoline requirement ends on Tuesday, ushering in cheaper to produce winter gasoline and a return to less fragmentation in supply since winter gasoline is common nearly coast to coast, making it less of a headache to produce fuel since it can be used universally."
A possible robbery is reported at the Bergen C-Store, which is near the intersection of Route 33 and Route 19 in Bergen.
Law enforcement patrols are looking for a blue or black Hyundai or Kia occupied by two black males.
UPDATE 5:50 a.m.: A deputy on scene reports this was shoplifting, not a robbery.
The Old Hippies and What About Jane teamed up Saturday for an evening of memorable music as part of a summer concert series sponsored by the Elba Betterment Committee in the Elba Village Park.
Food venders included Dubby's Wood Fired Pizza (pictured below), Los Compadres, Lori's Delectable Edibles (desserts), and Bubble Tea.
The final concert of the season will be Wednesday featuring the Corfu Pembroke Community Band in an All-American-themed evening that will include the Betterment Committee hot dogs and hamburgs and serving Mom's apple pie. And, of course, there will be ice cream. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Photos by Kelly Dudley.
Jason Smith shared this photo of a male cardinal feeding a female cardinal in the backyard of his Batavia home.
A caller reports a bridge is on fire in the area of 9963 Covell Road, Pavilion.
Pavilion fire is dispatched.
A driver is reportedly irate following a motor-vehicle accident at Bliss Road and Lewiston Road in Oakfield.
Injuries are reported.
Oakfield fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 8:55 p.m.: There are possibly six injuries, including a pregnant female. A second ambulance is requested.
UPDATE 9:06 p.m.: A third ambulance requested.
A group of area residents gathered in front of City Hall carrying signs today protesting the lack of visitation with seniors in nursing homes.
A rider is down in the roadway after the report of an accident involving a motorcycle in the area of 240 State St., Batavia.
City fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.
Dispatchers are asked to check on the availability of Mercy Flight.
UPDATE: Mercy Flight was not required. No further word on injuries.
WIth What About Jane and the Old Hippies
Kelly Boyle delivers a few remarks this afternoon at Town of Batavia Fire's Station 1 to thank the volunteers for their service to the community as part of an ABATE motorcycle ride around the county to recognize firefighters.
Boyle said, "We thank you because you're there for us. You save us no matter who we are, white, black, or brown, you are there to help us when we need it most."
ABATE a national nonprofit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts which has a chapter in Genesee County -- also visited Mercy EMS, City fire, Stafford, and Le Roy today in their "Ride for the Red."
(ABATE is dedicated to preserving motorcyclist rights, promoting safe operating practices and raising motorists' awareness of motorcycles.)
The Just Kings Social Club distributed 80 backpacks containing school supplies to children at Austin Park on Friday evening.
The club raised funds to support the project through sales of chicken dinners and other fundraising events.
A member of the club said there are still some funds available for school supplies if there were any parents who could not bring their children by for a backpack. The Kings can be contacted through their Facebook page.
Rochester and Southern Railroad is in the process of replacing a bridge abutment on Mill Street in Le Roy that was heavily damaged July 15 when a Waste Management garbage truck struck the bridge.
The truck was powered by compressed natural gas with the tanks on top of the truck. With the tanks, the truck stood 13' 6" tall. Unfortunately, the bridge clearance was only 12' 6". The gas tanks exploded on impact, causing a large crack in the foundation of the bridge.
A spokesman for R&S said crews still take at least another three weeks to replace the abutment but with the work, the bridge will be ready to "meet the next century."
Rail service is not affected by the repair. there are temporary structural supports under the bridge during the project.
Mill Street is closed to thru traffic during the repairs.
Members of the volunteer Corfu Rescue Hook & Ladder Co. #1 carried the U.S. flag through the village yesterday evening in remembrance of those who fell on Sept. 11, 2001.
Photos submitted by Tyler Lang.
A semi-truck has rear-ended a sedan in the Easy Pass lane of Exit 48 of the Thruway in Pembroke.
Unknown injuries.
Pembroke and Indian Falls along with Mercy EMS dispatched.
UPDATE 8:49 p.m.: The occupant of the sedan is likely a sign off.
The gaming floor at Batavia Downs reopened this week, along with Fortune's and the Backstretch Grill, and the Grandstands will be opening soon, after a six-month closure mandated by the State of New York in the battle against COVID-19.
Race fans, however, are still prohibited at this point from attending live harness racing.
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Update: Sept. 11, 3 p.m.
Even at a fourth of maximum capacity, Batavia Downs Gaming will be able to keep its employees on the job but, unfortunately, monetary distributions to the municipalities it serves will suffer.
That’s the perspective of Henry Wojtaszek, president and chief executive officer of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. that oversee operations at the casino, harness race track and OTB parlors in 15 counties plus the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.
A public benefit corporation, WROTB returns a portion of its profits to counties and the two metropolitan communities.
“You know, we've done the math, we've done some projections, and we certainly can pay our bills probably at 25 percent,” Wojtaszek said on Wednesday, the day the gaming facility was allowed to reopen – but only at a quarter of the maximum occupancy. “If we remain pretty steady, we can pay our bills. We can keep our employment levels pretty close to where we were before.”
Wojtaszek said “difficulty” comes into play when considering profit and return to municipalities – “which is obviously one of the big reasons why we exist.”
“We exist to make sure we create jobs and create an environment for people to have an entertainment venue, but also to return money to the municipality. So that's going to be a little tough. But I think for now, even at 25 percent, we can cover our costs.”
He said the business has to dig itself out of a “deep hole” caused by ongoing utility and building maintenance costs and unemployment insurance and by having to pay employees still on the job.
Despite the setbacks, Wojtaszek said he it is “very rewarding to see people come back so quickly.”
“We were having people call us all the time during the last six months," he said. "They were stopping at the front door. A lot of emails following our Facebook page. So, when we knew we had a pretty good following of people who want to come back here, we'd like to think we do deliver great customer service."
Batavia Downs has had to cancel its summer concert series due to the pandemic, but six of the eight bands have been rescheduled for next year, Wojtaszek said.
“And we’ve added two,” he said. “We have Queensrÿche signed up for sure. And then the eighth band will remain silent until I confirm it. But it's a great band. They'll be probably the best band we've ever had here.”
Statement from Rep. Chris Jacobs:
“The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has preserved roughly 12 million rural jobs during the pandemic and I support the $150,000 threshold for automatic forgiveness of a PPP loan included in the Senate GOP bill considered yesterday. Unfortunately, every Senate Democrat voted against advancing this critical legislation. Small businesses, workers, and families are facing a major uphill battle as we rebuild our economy, and Congress must act to provide critical relief. I urge the Democrats to stop playing games with American’s livelihoods and work with Republicans and the White House to advance something more than a partisan wish list.”
NOTE: The vast majority of $659 billion Paycheck Protection Program loans, 85 percent, were for $150,000 or less. These are very small businesses and independent contractors. These loans accounted for only 26 percent of the loans approved by the SBA. About 15 percent of the borrowers received 74 percent of the funds. Currently, these small businesses must complete a loan forgiveness form and provide documentation on how the money was distributed (payroll, rent, and utilities are the primary expenses eligible for forgiveness). With automatic forgiveness, these small businesses would need only submit a signed document stating that the funds were used within the guidelines of the program.
For 34 years, Myrtle Burrell dedicated herself to keeping the children of Le Roy safe as they crossed Main Street at Wolcott. In honor of the crossing guard, who passed away in July at 92 years of age, a bench was dedicated to her today at the intersection.
Along with community members and local leaders, Burrell's family was on hand for the dedication.
Pictured above, from left, are Jim Burrell, Brendan Burrell, Michael Burrell, Danielle Grzymala, Gregg Burrell, Evan Grzymala, Greg Grzymala, Matt Burrell and Corlin Burrell.
We made this video in August when What About Jane performed in the Elba Village Park as part of the Elba Betterment Committee's summer concert series. The band will be back this Saturday with the Old Hippies for a double-bill End of Summer concert starting at 4 p.m.
There will be an FM radio broadcast (92.7) so concertgoers can sit in their cars, to help maintain social distancing, and listen to the show. It will also be livestreamed.
Food trucks will include Dubby's Wood Fired Pizza, Los Compadres, Lori's Delectable Edibles (desserts), and Bubble Tea.
Donations for the bands will be accepted. The event has been approved by the Health Department.
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