Photos and information submitted by Marsha Geiger.
Noah Burke, Luke Geiger, and Nicholas Grover were honored by Pack 112 of Batavia on Sunday for receiving both the Arrow of Light Award and the Super Achiever Award. The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting. To earn the Super Achiever Award, the boys had to complete all 20 Webelos achievements.
A proposed new cancer center at UMMC will help the hospital treat more patients in Genesee County and provide those patients with a comprehensive, one-stop location, according to spokeswoman Colleen Flynn.
New new $6.5 million addition to the hospital will be fitted in the triangle area on the west side of the hospital known as the Summit Street entrance.
The wing will handle chemotherapy, radiology, infusion and include a linear accelerator. The staff will include a board-certified oncologist and a radiation oncologist.
"This has been in planning for a long time," Flynn said. "It will help save some patients that 45-minute drive each way to Rochester. One of our goals was to keep care in Genesee County for those who are our most vulnerable."
The proposed expansion will be reviewed this week by the Genesee County Planning Board and the City of Batavia Planning Board.
The new building will be 9,850 square feet and while it is currently planned as a one-story addition, the construction engineering will allow for a second floor to be added if needed, Flynn said.
UMMC, already expanded to 800 employees since the affiliation with Rochester General, will add more employees as a result of the addition, Flynn said.
Plans for the cancer center were started many months ago, before the affiliation with Rochester General was finalized, but the affiliation is helping the process along.
A license is required for a linear accelerator and Rochester General happened to have obtained a license it had no immediate plans to use. The NYS Department of Health has approved the transfer of the license to the UMMC location.
Among the issues planners will consider with the addition is the loss of parking outside the Summit Street entrance.
There are currently 15 spaces. The expansion will require 20 spaces, creating a deficit of 35 spaces.
Officials plan to draw on the 71 spaces in the existing parking lot on the west side of Summit Street, which is shared with 207 Summit St. and 215 Summit St.
Employees will park at St. Jerome's on Bank Street, which currently has 50 to 60 extra spaces available and is already served by a shuttle for hospital employees.
The shared parking lot will have signs and markings to ensure the spaces closest to the cancer center are reserved for cancer center patients.
Officials hope to break ground on the new facility in the Spring with completion and opening for patient treatment in January.
The County Planning Board meets at 7:30 p.m., Thursday.
Also on the agenda is a plan by Darien Lake Theme Park to add a new ride called the Turbo Twister. The slide, which covers an area that is 191 feet by 76 feet, features an 80-degree drop angle to start, an inclosed tube, and it propels people at an average speed of 35 feet per second.
Plus, the agenda includes plans by East Pembroke Fire District for a new, voter-approved fire hall.
A municipal budget is more than the tally of ledger entries. It is a policy statement. It is the tool elected officials use to set the agenda for what kind of community a city is or might become.
As the Batavia City Council nears its deadline for setting the 2015-16 budget, the spending decisions it makes could impact the quality of life for residents and the potential for economic growth and job creation for years to come.
The big decisions facing the council are whether to fund Vibrant Batavia for one more year, whether to retain the assistant city manager position, and whether to continue to invest in economic development.
There are those in the community who advocate for cuts in all these areas and some on council seem inclined to follow those suggestions.
In his latest budget memo, which is on the agenda for tonight's City Council meeting, City Manager Jason Molino doesn't respond to the call for cuts to these initiatives, which he sees as key to Batavia continuing on the strategic plan path it started in 2010.
He does offer proposed spending cuts that would halve the proposed tax increase.
"The budget is about understanding the different issues at hand, and the different liabilities the city faces and recognizing you have different projects and balancing your priorities," Molino said. "It comes down to how committed are you to the strategic plan, to community empowerment and economic growth. These are all policy questions."
When the council convenes at 7 p.m., they'll hold a memo that calls for:
This brings the property tax rate down to $9.21 per thousand, a cut of 9 cents off the original proposal. The average assessed home would see an annual tax increase of $6.30 cents.
In an interview Sunday, Molino discussed the need for funding Vibrant Batavia to help improve local neighborhoods, sticking by the strategic plan for economic growth; and the benefits of the assistant city manager position.
The policy issues involving Vibrant Batavia go beyond just the policy commitment the City Council made two years ago to neighborhood revitalization. It also touches on sound budgeting practices and not falling into the poor habits that dug Batavia into a deep financial hole nearly a decade ago.
Stripping out the recommended $45,000 to fund Vibrant Batavia wouldn't necessarily lead to a reduction in taxes, not unless the council wanted to finance the tax cut with reserve funds.
The $45,000 earmarked for Vibrant Batavia doesn't come out of the 2015-16 budget. It is money left over from the 2014-15 contingency fund.
The contingency fund is set aside for unexpected expenses and emergencies. Since there were no big draws on the fund in 2014-15, there is money available to help finance the city pursuing its strategic initiatives.
"If you go back eight years, the city used its fund balance each year to the point that it actually had a negative fund balance," Molino said. "That was the downfall of the city's financial position. It got to where they didn't have a fund balance to balance the budget. The fund balance is not something you can rely on to balance your budget."
Contingency funds, fund balance, reserve funds, are all intended for one-time or short-term expenses, just like a family saving for a vacation or a new car, not for operational expenses, Molino said.
So the first policy question the council needs to answer this budget session is whether it wants to use uncommitted funds to finance a reduction in the proposed tax rate, essentially using one-time funds to finance operational expenses.
If it doesn't, the next policy question to answer is whether the council wants to stick to its own strategic plan.
The strategic priorities of the plan:
"I view it as investing in the community, taking $45,000 a year and putting it toward a project that is intended to increase civic engagement in your community, and civic engagement is what makes your neighborhood a neighborhood," Molino said.
An example of such a neighborhood locally is Redfield Parkway, Molino said. Redfield, with its flags and Christmas trees and its own events and obvious neighborhood pride, might serve as an inspiration for other neighborhoods
"That's not the model that needs to happen on every street in Batavia, but what it does is allow residents to talk with each other on an individual level. That's sounds soft and fluffy, but that's what makes safer streets and it's what makes neighborhoods."
Molino said he understands some of the negative feedback generated by Vibrant Batavia, but it's important to grasp the larger vision.
"It's not like building a street or building a building," Molino said. "It's not tangible in that sense, but there is value to it and it needs to develop over time. It took decades and decades for Batavia to become a vital community. That didn't happen over one or two years. You can't expect to reverse decades of downward spiral in just a year or two."
Molino agrees with Council President Brooks Hawley, who fears all of the money and effort that has gone into getting Vibrant Batavia to only its second year of existence will be wasted if the council fails to fund it in 2015-16.
"If the decision comes to completely discontinue Vibrant Batavia, then we're out all that energy and effort," Molino said. "We haven't given it enough time to blossom and succeed. Ironically, all of the negative attention around Vibrant Batavia is that same negative culture it was intended to address.
"If we could harness all of that negative energy and turn it into positive energy, we would reach our goal twice as fast," Molino added.
The same policy and strategic planning questions apply to economic development (which we didn't discuss specifically) and the assistant city manager position.
The council agreed to create the position a year ago and in June Gretchen DiFante beat out a field of 60 applicants to win the job.
She's been a great choice so far, Molino said, and the work she's done in less than eights on the job has already more than paid for her $75,950 annual salary.
"She's accomplished a lot of work," Molino said. "What Gretchen has done on just one item, flood insurance, is something that has never been done in this city before. We're talking about moving more properties out of the floodplain in six months than had happened in Batavia all the years before."
So far, 12 properties are no longer considered part of the floodplain, Molino said.
"Combine that with the possible accelerated program on flood insurance so that residents can see real reductions in their flood insurance in the next year, that's impacting thousands of property owners predominately on the Southside," Molino said.
A reduction in flood insurance costs will have a real, tangible, economic impact on the city, Molino said.
"We have a great team of people working on that and a great leader working on that, and that's just one item," Molino said.
DiFante has also played a critical role, Molino said, in addressing the police and fire radio communication issue -- which DiFante had said was the biggest liability issue facing the city at one point.
Her overall responsibilities, besides flood insurance, include overseeing administrative services, including finance, the clerk-treasure, personnel, information technology, the youth bureau and assessment, with additional projects such as how to handle a burgeoning population of feral cats, the Redfield gateway and strategic planning.
An assistant city manager also frees up Molino to work on other projects. Not only would he never have had time to handle the flood insurance issue himself, even the attempt would take him away from other projects.
With DiFante on staff, Molino is free, with the help of staff, to pursue another complex, difficult problem facing the city: Abandoned and vacant properties, something he hopes to focus on this year.
"We need to climb some serious mountains and drive some serious growth, not just in the city but in the community as well," Molino said. "Of course, there's a limited amount of resources. If you keep cutting resources, you can't expect the same output."
Jessica Lynn McGowan, 29, of Attridge Road, Churchville, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and unlicensed operator. McGowan was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Bradley Mazur into a situation on Route 19, Le Roy, at 9:44 a.m. Sunday. She was jailed on $500 bail.
Dana M. Faiello, 32, of East Avenue, Hemlock, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on an overnight parking ticket. Faiello was taken into custody by State Police in Geneseo and turned over to Batavia PD. She paid $100 bail and was released.
James A. Chase, 35, no residence, Batavia, is charged with violation of sex offender registry. Chase was the subject of a warrant and following pubication of his status as a wanted person Friday, Chase turned himself in at Batavia PD headquarters. He was jailed without bail.
Stephen S. Bogle, 28, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bogle was arrested after police responded to the parking lot of the Richmond Memorial Library to check on a reported suspicious vehicle.
Kevin Charles Greene, 60, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Greene allegedly stole $37.42 in merchandise from Walmart.
Pierre A. McMullen, 32, of Buffalo, Christopher A. McCullen, 43, of Buffalo, and Craig A. Elston, 30, of Buffalo, are all charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 4th. The three were arrested in an ongoing investigation into an incident reported at 11:55 a.m., Jan. 25. The investigation is being conducted by State Police. All three were held on cash bail. No further details released.
Robert P. Nowak, 57, of Pembroke, is charged with menacing, 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, and making a terrorist threat. The alleged incident was reported at 3:30 a.m., Saturday. The case is being handled by State Police. No further information released.
Dave Twichell shared this photo he took this morning of the spiky ice on a tree on Tracy Avenue, Batavia.
The formation is known as "rime ice," which is formed by the rapid freezing of cold water droplets of fog onto a cold surface.
With the snow piling up and more coming, Joe Bradt sends in this photo and a timely reminder: Keep your furnace vents clear of snow.
A plugged intake or vent can lead to furnace malfunction and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Rome Sentinel has a related story.
Among the highlights of Friday's installation dinner for the Darien Volunteer Fire Department was the recognition of William Brunea for his 60 years of dedicated service to the department. Joining Brunea was his wife of 65 years, Irene.
Jeffrey Luker was named Firefighter of the Year.
Becca Neeland received the department's annual scholarship, which was presented by Cheryl Furlong.
The line officers sworn in Friday were Joseph "China" Marino Jr., chief; Jeffrey Luker, 1st assistant chief, David McGreevy, 2nd assistant chief, Mark Starczewski, 3rd assistant chief, Kenneth Fisher, fire captain, Paul Redden, fire lieutenant, William Brunea, fire police captain, and McGreevy, mechanic.
The department responded to 308 calls in 2014.
It currently has 39 active members, three probationary active members, 14 associate members, two active life members and 19 retired life members, for 77 total membership.
A former Marchias resident has been identified as the Attican Motel resident who told authorities he was armed Friday night, leading to a four-hour standoff that ended after the use of teargas. He's been charged with a felony.
Michael A. Balla, 39, was arrested by Attica PD, Chief Dean Hendershott announced this evening, and he is being held in the Genesee County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
Balla is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 2nd.
Authorities say Balla called 9-1-1 and reported that he had a loaded gun, that he did not want anyone coming there because there would be an explosion when they walked in the door.
Hendershott was dispatched to the scene and he requested backup from deputies in both counties along with State Police.
A State Police negotiator tried to talk Balla out of the Attican's Room 101 and the State Police robot was used at one point to check the room and as a communications device to try and convince Balla to surrender.
When he didn't teargas was fired into room.
After being taken into custody, Balla was transported to Wyoming County Community Hospital for treatment of an apparent overdose and a mental health evaluation.
He was arrested on the charge when he was released from care at 3:30 p.m.
Balla is schedule for a felony hearing at 4 p.m. Feb. 10 in Alexander Town Court.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
In a field of nine Class B Section V schools the Batavia High School cheerleaders placed third today in the sectional championship event.
Information and photos submitted by Justine Bonarigo.
Collin Wickings gets a helmet adjusted before taking a snowmobile ride in Oakfield this morning.
Genesee Sno Packers hosted their annual ride for clients of Genesee ARC, an event that had to be cancelled last year because there wasn't enough snow on the ground. This year, plenty of snow.
Colleen Fisher getting ready for her ride.
Members of the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department were out in their district this morning clearing snow away from fire hydrants.
Photo submitted by Tera Bonner.
UPDATE: Tera sent in more pictures and the following statement:
Nine firefighters from the Pembroke Fire District spent 36 man hours clearing snow and ice from 115 hydrants today.
What may seem like a tedious, endless shoveling job, it's definitely an important one that needs to be done.
The Pembroke Fire District would like to remind you that a clearly visible, accessible fire hydrant could save your home, a neighbor's home, or even someone's life. If a fire hydrant is buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they first arrive at a fire. You can perform a valuable public service and protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking the responsibility for shoveling out and clearing any fire hydrants near your home during and after a heavy snowfall. With more snow sure to be on the way, we would like to offer these suggestions:
Make sure hydrants near your home are cleared after each snowfall.
Clear away any snow and ice in the area surrounding these fire hydrants so the firefighters have room to connect a hose.
Look out for your elderly or handicapped neighbors by taking a few extra minutes to shovel out their hydrants.
Shoveling a few extra minutes today may make all the difference later.
Press release:
The Batavia Police Department has received several complaints of an organization claiming to be an affiliate of the “Organization for Police Officers,” or “Batavia Police Union,” soliciting money to donate to the Police. The Batavia Police Department and Batavia Police Benevolent Association are not soliciting donations via telephone. The Batavia Police would also like to use this time to remind everyone not to give out personal information over the telephone. IE: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, addresses.
Late this morning, about 11:50 a.m., an SUV heading north on Batavia Byron Road drifted into snow along the edge of the roadway and the driver was unable to maneuver the car back into the driving lane. The vehicle struck a utility pole with a transformer on it and sheared it off at its base.
There were no injuries, but the road was closed and power was knocked out in the area.
Stafford fire responded to the scene.
A person is reportedly barricaded inside the Attican Hotel, 1180 Alexander Road, Attica. The person is believed to be armed.
Genesee County Emergency Management has issued a shelter in place order.
There are detours around the affected area and roads are closed.
The incident started about an hour ago.
UPDATE 12:30 a.m.: No change in the status of the situation. Road blocks are established on Route 98 at Stroh Road, at Route 98 and Old Buffalo Road and at Prospect and North Street in the Village of Attica. State Police and Attica PD are on scene. Authorities are not making any other information available at this time.
UPDATE 12:36 a.m.: Subject is in custody. Shelter in place is lifted.
UPDATE 2:10 a.m.: The subject called 9-1-1 around 10 p.m. and was connected with Genesee County dispatch. He claimed he had weapons and was going to harm himself, Attica PD Chief Dean Hendershott said. Hendershott was first dispatched. Hendershott arrived on scene and ensured the area was secure. Dispatchers had intermittent contact with the subject and talked to him about giving up, but he wouldn't. At that point in time, Hendershott said, he decided to issue the shelter in place order for the immediate area and a reverse 9-1-1 call was made to residents on Colony Run. Lockdowns were initiated at Tops, Family Dollar and Burger King and Prospect Street was closed at East Avenue.
Assisting a the scene were deputies from Wyoming and Genesee counties and troopers from the State Police. The State Police SWAT team and the bomb squad were called in.
The bomb robot attempted to establish communications with the subject, but the robot got no response. The door was knocked down and the robot entered the hotel room -- Room 101.
After the suspect didn't comply with law enforcement orders, officers fired tear gas into the room and then the subject surrendered.
No weapons were found in the room.
Hendershott said it appeared that the subject had taken too many of the pills prescribed to him and he had been drinking.
The subject was taken to Wyoming Community Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
Despite the presence of two long-established local jewelry stores, national retail chain Kay Jewelers is planning a new store in Batavia Towne Center.
Syracuse-based COR Development has received $6 million is tax abatements -- to help finance the construction of the strip mall in 2006, and then remodel a portion of it in 2013.
Tax abatements for retail developments, which are authorized by Genesee County Economic Development Center, are controversial in New York and have been criticized by both Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli and Sean Ryan, a member of the Assembly representing Buffalo.
When COR sought its second round of tax abatements in 2013, the anticipated retailers going into the area once occupied by Lowe's were Dick's, Marshall's and Kohl's, though DIck's seemed to be the only sure thing at the time.
The GCEDC Board approved the $1.7 million in abatements with a finding that the tax relief would help bring new business to Batavia that would provide goods and services that are not readily available to local residents from current retailers.
It's important to note, that the proposed location for Kay's -- sandwiched between the AT&T Store and Sally's Beauty Supply -- is not part of that 2013 expansion and is not covered by the second around of abatements, though it is covered by the 2006 round of $4.3 million.
We've contacted a representative of COR Development for comment and have not received a response.
Lease agreements are not public record, so we don't know whether Kay Jewelers is receiving a discounted rent bolstered by the tax breaks.
Officials at GCEDC were unaware of COR's intention to lease space to Kay and have not offered a comment on the plans.
Batavia is served by two locally owned jewelry stores: Valle's, on Jackson Street, and Lambert's, on West Main Street.
Jim Lambert said he's heard rumors for months that Kay was planning to open in Batavia and was disappointed to learn the new shop would be in a tax-subsidized development.
"Nobody gave me any tax breaks to open my business," Lambert said. "Everything we do, we do on our own. We don't get anything."
Kay Jewelers, with an advertising budget that includes radio, TV and glossy national magazines, plus the ability to heavily discount, absorb losses and give credit to high-risk borrowers will provide the local shops with formidable competition, Lambert said.
"For a place like us or Valle's, you just can't compete with their budgets for advertising and so forth," Lambert said.
He said he finds it interesting that Kay would open in Batavia, with a population of less than 25,000, when the chain is closing stores elsewhere.
"I'd be surprised if they could do $1 million here," he said.
It's not like they don't have several other stores in Western New York already, he said.
"Personally, I didn't think it would actually happen," Lambert said. "I thought Kay's would be smarter than invest all that money in Batavia, but they afford to lose money for years and use it as a tax write-off. I can't afford to lose money."
The owners of Valle's wanted to get more information on the issue before commenting.
Besides Valle's and Lambert's, Kay will be competing with JC Penney and Walmart. Lambert noted that Walmart is already the largest seller of jewelry in the nation.
How much more can the market be divided and everybody still stay in business? Lambert wondered. Given the revenue demands of the chain, he said he will be surprised if Kay lasts in Batavia through two Christmas seasons, but in the meantime, the local businesses could be hurt substantially.
He's Ted and she's Mary and together they're the new owners of John & Mary's in Batavia.
If that sounds a little confusing, it might help to know a bit of the history of the venerable Erie County group of entries.
John Guida opened his first sandwich shop in Cheektowaga in 1952. Mary, his wife, insisted her name be added to the sign, so it was. (Mary Guida is 88 and reportedly still working.)
Ted Ulm was born and raised in Cheektowaga and went to culinary school, became a chef, worked in a supper club and a bakery and hooked up with an instructor who owned a Greek catering business when he was 18.
"Once I learned the ropes, he could run two jobs a day," Ulm said.
That led to a connection with John & Mary's and eventually, Ted Ulm owned his own John & Mary's location in Cheektowaga.
He opened another location in Alden in 1999, which he still owns. He opened another in Arcade that he later sold, but he does own Theo's Greek Family Restaurant in Arcade.
He married Mary in 2009, and the coincidence of her name has led many people, Ted said, to assume his name is John.
The name may be different, but the quality is the same, Ulm said.
"Everything I make is all homemade, our dough, our sauces, our Souvlaki is out of this world," Ulm said. "I win awards with it all the time."
"It's a bigger menu, but it's all quality food," he added. "We use all of John & Mary's recipes. I stick by what they did in 1952. Their homemade hot sauce, top-line mayonnaise, top of the line cold cuts."
This John & Mary's is actually the second in Batavia. There was a John & Mary's here in 1974 and '75.
When Ted and Mary moved to Corfu, they started thinking it was time to bring John & Mary's back to Batavia.
From the time Ted opened his first John & Mary's in 1990, he expanded the menu so that there would be something for everybody.
There's a full Greek menu and a full Mexican menu, Ulm said.
"John & Mary's is a place where a family can come and everybody will be happy," Ulm said.
John & Mary's is located at the old Scooter's location, 3711 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.
CORRECTION: The information about Mary Guida came from the John & Mary's web site, which is apparently very out of date. Mary Guida passed in 2007.
Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) recently announced the return of his government conference to be held in Albany May 3 through May 5. Hawley said the conference is a great opportunity for local officials across his election district to discuss issues related to their counties, towns and municipalities.
“I am excited to host the government conference once again,” Hawley said. “There are not enough opportunities for local officials to brainstorm and share ideas and solutions related specifically to the operation of local government. Our trip will partially consist of a number of workshops led by representatives of state agencies and policy experts. I encourage all newly elected officials to attend the event and use this time to gain valuable insight into the workings of state and local government.”
Hawley is asking those interested to contact his district office at 585-589-5780 by Feb. 25. The approximate cost of the trip is $450, all inclusive. The local government trip to Albany was originated by Hawley’s father, former Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley.
A traveling display designed to help young people learn more about the dangers of drinking and driving has arrived at Genesee Community College.
Arranged by the STOP-DWI program, which is funded through fines paid by drunken drivers, the display features the stories of young people killed by drunken drivers.
There are at least eight different displays that travel throughout the state, created by the state association of STOP-DWI programs, each with a different theme.
The theme currently on display at GCC features athletes.
The exhibit includes:
Artifacts: Personal items from the crash victims, such as: photographs, closes, drawings and sports equipment.
Statements: Accounts from survivors, family members, friends and members of the community affected by the crash.
Newspapers: Local news coverage of the crash.
Timelines: The chain of events leading up to the crash and the events immediately following.
Aftermath: Victims' statements read at trial and the outcome of any court proceedings available at the time of the exhibit’s creation.
It's a powerful message that reminds viewers of the impact of a fatal DWI-related accident, said Sheriff Gary Maha.
"This is first time I've seen this," Maha said. "To me, this is the real thing. These are victims, innocent victims, who have been tragically killed by drunk drivers. We see it often in our community from time to time.
"I hope young people come out and look at this and read these stories and eventually won't drink and drive," Maha added.
Photo: Jocelyn Sikorski, county youth bureau, Deputy John Baiocco, Matt Landers, assistant county manager and administrator of STOP-DWI, and Sheriff Gary Maha.
An electrical cord is reportedly on fire in the basement of 3507 S. Main Street Road, Batavia.
East Pembroke fire with mutual aid from Town of Batavia dispatched.
Press release:
Town of Batavia has a water main break at the corner of Shepard Road and Ellicott Street Road. Until it is repaired residents will not have water or will experience low pressure on the following roads: Ellicott Street Road, Shepard Road, Putnam Road, Batavia- Stafford Townline Road and Batavia-Bethany Townline Road.
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