Press release:

Six Flags Darien Lake, the Thrill Capital of New York, will continue its search for more than 1,500 employees with a first-of-its-kind drive-thru hiring event on Saturday, April 10, and Saturday, April 17.

Applicants should apply online beforehand for positions at the park, waterpark, and hotel and campground and then interview from the comfort and safety of their own cars at the park. Positions require no previous experience with training provided and offer flexible scheduling, competitive wages, and great benefits.

“This innovative new hiring process is a safe and convenient way to connect with job applicants while still providing the familiarity and comfort of a face-to-face interview,” said Six Flags Darien Lake President Chris Thorpe. “We’ll be able to answer questions in-person and make same-day job offers in an easy and inviting format.”

The drive-thru hiring event steps include:

• Applicants apply online at https://www.sixflags.com/darienlake/jobs/ prior to the hiring event they plan on attending;
• Applicants will receive an email to sign up for an interview time on April 10 or April 17, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; 
• Once the interview is scheduled, applicants arrive at the park’s toll plaza to check-in at their scheduled time and then proceed to their hiring department’s designated drive-thru interview area; 
• Interviews will be done at a safe distanced from the interviewee’s car; 
• Interviewees will be required to wear a face covering throughout the process, as will the interviewers;
• Once hired, applicants will finish their onboarding on the spot.      

Darien Lake offers new rates for many frontline positions, starting at $12.50 per hour, for employees 14 years old and up.

A variety of positions are available including lifeguards, ride operators, cashiers, front gate ticket takers and sellers as well as positions in Medical Services, Security, Guest Relations, Accommodations, Retail and Food Service. 

Six Flags Darien Lake offers great benefits including paid internships, scholarship opportunities, insurance plans, in-park discounts, plus rewards and recognition programs.

A Six Flags seasonal job can be a great option for students, teachers, retirees, or anyone looking for a second job or one that allows them to work around a busy personal schedule. Six Flags also offers unlimited theme park and waterpark admission for employees, free tickets for family and friends, exclusive team member events, and more. 

Applicants who are unable to participate in the drive-thru hiring event, may apply online anytime Visit us at https://www.sixflags.com/darienlake/jobs/ for more information.

A pole and wires are down at 13 E. Main St. in the Village of Corfu, in front of Buttercrumbs Bakery. Corfu fire is on scene and mutual aid is requested from East Pembroke fire. Unknown injuries.

UPDATE 9:24 a.m.: The road is shut down by a deputy stationed at routes 33 and 77. Mercy medics are on scene. Command says wires are hanging about 6 feet over the roadway so the roadway is closed to traffic. The power company was contacted and has an ETA of an hour.

UPDATE 9:32 a.m.: The roadway is also closed at Snipery Road and Route 33.

UPDATE 9:35 a.m.: An RG&E rep is on scene now. Tractor-trailers are going to be detoured to Boyce Road, a north/south connector of routes 5 and 33, east of Route 77. Barricades are being put up.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: Command reports the barricades will remain in place and the roadway closed/detoured for at least a couple more hours.

UPDATE 12:02 p.m.: Command reports that it is National Grid on scene and they will continue to their work, but a lane will be opened for traffic to resume. The Corfu fire assignment is back in service.

Press release:

• Genesee County reporting 27 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in the:
    • West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke)
    • Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) 
    • East Region (Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Pavilion, Stafford)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 90s. 
• Twenty-six of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.  
• Nine of the current positive individuals are hospitalized. 
• Two of the new positive individuals are inmates at the Genesee County Jail. 

Orleans County reporting 11 new positive cases of COVID-19.  

• The positive cases reside in the:
  • West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby)
  • Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre)
• The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 50s and 70s.
• One of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Three of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• Four of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

City fire was dispatched to a residence on Elm Street for a garbage container fire and it turned out there was extension into the house.

The fire is out.

Firefighters are commencing overhaul.

UPDATE 5:56 p.m.: City fire is clearing the scene.

April is National Poetry Month, and as we did last year, we've asked Batavia Players to read some poems for us. Today, "Pangur Ban" is read by Dorothy Gerhart.

You, members of our community, are also invited to submit videos of yourself reading a poem. Please record your video with your camera set to produce a horizontal frame, keep it steady, well-lit with good quality audio. You can send us your video via wetransfer.com, emailed to: howard@thebatavian.com.

Municipal leaders would be pleasantly surprised if the final New York State budget for 2021-22 includes the restoration of Video Lottery Terminal funding generated from activity at Batavia Downs Gaming.

“If it is indeed true that we will receive the $440,789 that we typically have gotten or even a portion thereof, we could bring back some of the programming we cut in our budget – such as equipment for various departments and overtime for special police details,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski said today.

Tabelski said City Council did not budget for the VLT money, which has become a volatile issue in state budget negotiations – in, then out and then back in again at a reduced amount.

She was reacting to a press release shared by state Sen. Edward Rath III this morning, indicating that the state’s final budget bill includes $800,000 in VLT aid to be split among the city, Town of Batavia and Genesee County.

Rath said that he strongly opposed when the VLT provision originally was left out of the Senate One-House budget.

“Many of our communities are beginning to recover from COVID and the financial implications, to cut their funding at such a critical time would be detrimental,” he said.

Tabelski said she wouldn’t support using VLT money to fund hiring or unfreezing of positions. Instead, she said she would recommend funding police, fire and/or public works positions that were previously unfunded should the state fully restore its Aid and Incentives for Municipalities.

“The AIM payments have been more stable; with the VLT money, we’ve been on a rollercoaster,” she said.

Previous VLT allocations resulted in $200,392 coming to Genesee County and $160,388 coming to the Town of Batavia.

County Manager Matt Landers said he budgeted $160,313 – a 20-percent reduction -- in VLT aid in 2021, but, until recently, was concerned that the county wouldn’t even receive that much.

As far as the Town of Batavia is concerned, Supervisor Gregory Post said the board did not budget for this funding in 2021 because “it has not been reliable.”

“We always were waiting until the last minute (to see if it would be coming),” Post said. “In 2020, when we did budget for it, we received notice that we wouldn’t be receiving it at the expected time.”

Post said the town received part of the VLT funds in 2020 and the rest, minus 5 percent, early in 2021.

He said the $160,388 in unanticipated revenue is “good news” and will help the town “attenuate significant loss in revenue from Genesee County.”

Landers and Tabelski thanked Rath and Assemblyman Stephen Hawley for their efforts to restore the full amount.

“We are grateful to both Senator Rath and Assemblyman Hawley for lobbying for this revenue that benefits the county, city and town greatly,” Landers said.

A spokesperson for Rath moments ago confirmed that the full amount of VLT funding has been put back into the budget, and expected it to be passed over the next several hours.

Press release:

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses* incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:

• The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
• The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
• There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien.

*Please note: If the funeral was prepaid then it is not eligible for these funds.

If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include:

• An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
• Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.
• Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. We are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.

At Bohm-Calarco-Smith, Burdett & Sanford and H.E. Turner & Co. Inc. we’re dedicated to assisting any community member in this process, regardless of the funeral home they choose to work with. Please contact our office at (585) 344-4295 today to let us support you and your loved ones during this trying time.

An expert in pediatric infectious diseases with Rochester Regional Health is encouraging all young people, 16 years and older, to get vaccinated for COVID-19 but in Genesee County, for 16- and 17-year-olds, getting vaccinated is going to be more difficult.

Of the three vaccines being administered around the state and the nation are from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for 16- and 17-year-olds.

There are no clinics for the Pfizer vaccine planned for Genesee County, which means 16- and 17-year-olds looking to get vaccinated will need to travel Rochester or Buffalo to get the shot in the arm -- twice.

"We are encouraging the 16 and 17-year-olds to sign up for the state-run vaccine sites that provide the Pfizer vaccine which can vaccinate those who are 16 and older," said Nola Goodrich-Kresse, public information officer for the Genesee County Health Department.

There are several state-run clinics in our region, Goodrich-Kresse said.  Individuals aged 16 and 17 can check the state site for vaccine locations and check to make sure they are for the Pfizer vaccine.

"Currently, we do not know when or if Pfizer will be provided again locally," Goodrich-Kresse said.

Dr. Cynthia Christy, associate chief of pediatrics for Rochester General Hospital, who spoke to regional media yesterday to encourage young people to get vaccinated, acknowledged that COVID-19 poses little health risk to most young people but said people age 16 and older should consider what it could mean for people around them if they became contagious.

"I would imagine that teenagers do have the sense that nothing is going to impact them and that if they got it, they would be fine," Christy said. "So I think the angle for them is, well, what about your family? What about your grandparents? You probably would be fine if you got it, but this way will prevent you from impacting anyone you love."

For young people, who have been consistently less susceptible to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, the Pfizer vaccine is believed to be 100-percent effective, Christy said, and the side effects are minimal (slightly sore harm, possible low-grade fever).  

"As I said before," Christy said, "tell them 'let's bring this pandemic to an end, let's keep me from getting an infection, and let's keep my family and friends safe.' "

Photo: Dr. Cynthia Christy during video conference with regional media.

Press release:

Secure a spot for you and the family for the 18^th annual Family Game Night! Spots are still available and with registration closing Friday, make sure you call to register before spots fill up!

The Genesee County Youth Bureau will host the event in celebration of National County Government Month. The event will take place on Thursday, April 29^th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at County Building 2, 3837 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Family Game Night will be a “Grab 'n’ Go” style event. Families will drive up to the main entrance of County Building 2 and staff will greet them with a family tote that will consist of information about the services provided by the Genesee County Departments as well as prizes and activities.

Each bag will also have snacks, beverages and of course a brand new board game for families to start their own “Family Game Night” at home.

The theme for this year’s County Government Month is “Counties Matter.” Many county residents aren’t aware of the many important services provided by County Government. Each county department will provide information that showcases their roles and responsibilities to our residents. 

As we know, counties are on the front lines protecting our communities. Now more than ever, Genesee County residents are seeing firsthand the essential functions counties perform. The county provides critical services to all our residents, beginning at birth and spanning throughout their entire lives.

There is no cost for this event. Adults must be accompanied by a child to receive the board game. Please call the Youth Bureau for more information or to register at 344-3960. Registration is required by April 9^th and is only open for the first 30 families to RSVP.

A controlled burn of grass is now out of control and about 100 feet from a residence at 555 Council House Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The dispatcher notes that this is against the open burn ban. It is in effect until mid-May.

Alabama Fire Department is responding and a tanker is requested from Shelby. Command asks that a Department of Environmental Conservation agent be contacted about the grass fire and the closest one available is in Avon.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: Command reports fire is under control.

Director Karyn Winters (photo at right) on Monday afternoon updated members of the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee on BEA activity over the past year – emphasizing the many adjustments that were made to counteract COVID-19’s negative effect on programming and finances.

Afterward, in a telephone interview with The Batavian, she expounded upon some of these measures, which included introducing the Genesee County Premier Workforce Membership to big companies.

“The time seemed right this year because we knew that with our smaller businesses – the mom-and-pop shops who have normally been able and have been very supportive of the BEA – that things were probably going to be very tight budget-wise,” said Winters, a Pavilion native who has been serving as BEA director since 2017.

Winters said she expected a decrease in contributions this year due to the impact upon small businesses due to the coronavirus, but also realized that the larger companies were flourishing.

“We knew that our friends at Liberty Pumps, business is booming there, weren’t stretched financially, and we could ask for a lump sum of money to support us as the need was there to hire immediately,” she said. “We knew that this would be a good opportunity to approach those larger companies to just continue to support our mission.”

Seven Companies at the ‘Premier’ Level

Liberty Pumps, along with Bonduelle USA, Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), HP Hood, O-AT-KA Milk Products, Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning, and U.S. Gypsum, signed on to contribute $5,000 annually for the Premier Workforce Membership.

“We thought it might be valuable for those companies to save them some time and energy to just approach them once a year and say, for a flat rate, they could provide funding for all BEA events and services, rather than following up with them for donations for different events throughout the year,” she said.

These seven companies will receive: a gold sponsorship (valued at $2,500) of the GLOW with Your Hands career exploration event scheduled for Sept. 28 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds; a BEA Business Membership; sponsorship for all BEA summer career exploration camps and career days; a job fair for graduating seniors in June; and funding and support for purchasing specialized equipment needed in elementary, middle and high schools.

“The job fair is important for companies that have entry-level openings – where they can meet and potentially hire senior class members on the spot,” Winters said. “How nice for those seniors who might not be on the track to go to college to say I have a job lined up and my employer potentially has benefits that I’m going to need as an adult. I see it as a win-win for different organizations and for our community in general.”

Winters said having to cancel BEA’s various in-person career events during the 2020-21 school year and switch to virtual settings was disappointing, to say the least.

A Back to the Blackboard Moment

“Most of our programs have been in person, and we’ve never experienced anything like this where we’ve had to completely reinvent ourselves to allow us to continue to provide that career exploration programming while maintaining social distancing,” she said. “So, it was very much a back to the blackboard, rethink everything kind of moment for us … There was a lot of prediction of what we could do, and then just kind of diving in and going for it.”

She said the BEA utilized YouTube, Zoom and Google Meet to show career interviews and to connect people as best as possible.

“Even with Junior Achievement, one of the programs that we administer here in Genesee County, we had to reimagine the online format, and had to make sure that people were aware that the program still existed,” she said. “Nothing really changed except for a new format.”

Still, Winters said she can’t wait for a return to in-person learning and programming.

“I think this whole experience has kind of reinforced the importance of interacting with different people who have different perspectives and backgrounds. It just enhances what students are aware of career-wise and what is possible for them, too,” she offered. “I’m not saying that ‘virtual’ can’t provide that, but there’s something about the in-person that is that much more valuable, and I am looking forward to bringing that back when it is safe to do so.”

When exploring the BEA’s finances, it is evident that it is getting the most from its budget – which was a bit more than $71,000 for 2020-21.

Winters said the agency receives most of its backing from the school districts that are part of Genesee Valley BOCES, and also gets money from the business members and Genesee County.

Cost-sharing Makes Things Work

“Since we’re a shared service, each district pays on annual fee (which is partially reimbursed by New York State), she said, noting that school money covers her salary and benefits. “Schools receive great, quality programs at a fraction of the cost.”

Businesses pay anywhere from $100 to $220 per year, depending upon the number of employees, she said, with this money supporting career day events, scholarships and summer career camps.

“It makes those camps affordable for families, too, as we only charge $95 per student,” she said.

Funding from Genesee County has leveled out at $3,107 annually for the past five years, which equates to 40 cents per student based on 7,717 students under the Genesee Valley BOCES umbrella.

In her report, she noted that Wyoming County contributes $4,300 to its workforce development program, which breaks down to 89 cents per student.

“That is there more to point out how other counties are supporting their workforce development office and the value of that support,” Winters said. “It’s not necessarily to shame the county because I am more than grateful that Genesee County does contribute to the BEA. I think it is important that they do contribute.”

Winters said county funding is “crucial because we typically run a $1,000 to $3,000 deficit each year and that helps to fill our gaps so that we come out pretty balanced.”

Stein: County is Doing What it Can

Following Monday’s Human Services Committee meeting, Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein was asked about the county’s contribution in light of the challenges the BEA had been facing.

“The contract is based on our budget that we put together last November,” Stein said. “And because we have to budget that year ahead, changing that now -- without a full conversation -- is not going to happen.”

Stein pointed to the county’s “generous” history of sharing sales tax with outside agencies, but acknowledged that currently the county is “handcuffed in supporting those agencies that we would really like to.”

“The BEA has always been one that we knew that was shorted for the activities that they are doing, and the career exploration that they provide for our young people, and to bring them back to the careers that are here at home,” she said. “Yes, Karen makes a great case, but we also have the partnership in workforce development at the GCEDC, which helps to augment those career explorations. That’s one of their pillars and I know that they work really well together, right now, especially for our food processing industries and our mechatronic career exploration.”

Winters also thanked the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce for donating office space to the BEA at its Park Road location.

“That is a huge part of our budget. Because we have that connection and the Chamber believes in our mission, it allows us to operate on a shoestring budget,” she said.

As things seemingly are getting back to normal, Winters said plans are to hold three career exploration camps for middle school students in July – two culinary arts camps (Taste of Italy and Cookie Camp) and Camp Hard Hat. Each camp will be limited to 15 students.

For more information on the June job fair and the July summer camps, go to the BEA website – www.beagenesee.com.

Submitted photo and press release:

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s Head Start Program is joining forces to celebrate the upcoming Week of the Young Child – April 10-16 with the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

The local Head Start program serves more than 250 young children, ages birth – 5 years, and their parents in Orleans and Genesee counties. Like NAEYC, Head Start programs are committed to delivering best practice early childhood education that help young children thrive and learn in an environment dedicated to ensuring children reach their full potential.

The 2021 Head Start Book Fund Campaign -- "Build a Library … Create a Reader" will put books in the homes of local Head Start Children on a monthly basis.  

Esther Leadley, longtime active member of the Community Action Board of Directors, has worked tirelessly in advocating for the “Young Child” throughout her career. Her enthusiasm and passion for young children has initiated the Head Start Book Fund Campaign where children exposed to more books can increase their vocabulary and nurture beginner reading skills.

“It’s about our local children and their future," Leadley said. "I hope others will join me in this annual project that “builds home libraries and helps create readers for our Head Start children.”

Head Start donors can help “create readers” with a $60 donation that will ensure one take-home book for one local Head Start child for each of 12 months. A donation of $120 will ensure a take home book for two Head Start children; one book for each of 12 months.

Online donations can be made by clicking here. Or checks can be made payable to Community Action of Orleans/Genesee and mailed to 409 State St., Albion, NY  14411.

Peter Joseph Mancuso, 32, of Northwood Drive, Williamsville, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged that he caused damage to a person's vehicle at 8:44 p.m. March 6 on Roberts Road in Alabama, in violation of an order of protection. Mancuso was arraigned in Genesee County Court April 5, released on his own recognizance and a subsequent order of protection was issued. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto, assisted by Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Jeanna Marie Hattaway, 34, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal trespass. Hattaway was arrested after she entered Walmart at 9:35 p.m. April 2, in violation of a June 12, 2018 Notification of Restriction from Property that was issued by Walmart Stores Inc. Hattaway was issued an appearance ticket and is due in BataviaTown Court on April 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

The 4-H Family & Consumer Science Club is holding a Hanging Basket Sale.

All proceeds benefit the club.

Hanging baskets of petunias and million bells (calibrachoa) are $20 each, no order limits.

Order now through May 3rd. The baskets will be available for pick up Friday, May 7th, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. It is located at 420 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Colors will be first come first serve at the time of pick up.

Please pay by cash or check made payable to "CCE Genesee."

To order, contact a 4-H FCS Club member or email Alicia Spoth:  aliciamkeller@outlook.com

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) led a letter with congressmembers Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) in calling on Governor Cuomo to release billions in rental assistance funding allocated to New York State by Congress in December.

“Tenants and landlords across New York State have suffered enormous economic hardship during the pandemic," reps. Jacobs, Tenney, Garbarino, Zeldin and Malliotakis wrote. “Congress recognizes this reality, and it is why we allocated funds to assist New Yorkers in need.

"We are concerned that more than half of the money provided under the CARES Act remains unspent, while none of the $1.3 billion provided in December has been spent. Numerous other states have already distributed this funding. It is imperative these funds reach their intended recipients promptly.”

Specifically, the representatives are asking the Governor to provide a timetable for the creation of the application portal the state government said it would be using for distribution. The representatives are also asking that the Governor disclose if he intends to add additional eligibility requirements to receive the funding above what is required by the federal government.

New York received $1.3 billion in federal funding for residential rental assistance in the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress in December and will be receiving another $1.4 billion under the American Rescue Plan. In addition, $100 million was provided under the CARES Act.

Full text of the letter is below:

Dear Governor Cuomo,

We write to request information on New York State’s implementation of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. As you know, New York received $1.3 billion in federal funding for residential rental assistance in the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress in December and will be receiving another $1.4 billion under the American Rescue Plan. In addition, $100 million was provided under the CARES Act. We are concerned that more than half of the money provided under the CARES Act remains unspent, while none of the $1.3 billion provided in December has been spent.

We respectfully request your reply within 14 days of receipt of this letter with answers to the following questions:

• Your administration indicated it will be setting up a universal application portal for all applicants across the state. Is that portal ready? If not, when will it be?
• Will the state be adding additional eligibility criteria to receive funds above what is set by federal law?

As you know, tenants and landlords across New York State have suffered enormous economic hardship during the pandemic. Congress recognizes this reality, and it is why we allocated funds to assist New Yorkers in need. Numerous other states have already distributed this funding. It is imperative these funds reach their intended recipients promptly.

Press release: 

The Byron-Bergen Central School District’s Board of Education (BOE), has named three finalists for the next Superintendent of Schools. 

Debra List, president of the Byron-Bergen Central School District’s BOE, said she is pleased with the high-quality candidate pool and is enthused about the potential the three finalists have to offer. 

“Choosing the best superintendent for the district is the board’s main priority,” List said. “The field of candidates was diverse, which made narrowing the field to three very difficult. We are confident that one of these candidates will be the best choice for our school district and community.”

The three finalists are Patrick McGee, Jennifer Sinsebox, Ed.D., and Tracy Marchianda. 

McGee is currently the principal of Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School, a position he has held since 2015. From 2013 until 2015, he served as the assistant principal of Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School. Before that, McGee was the dean of students from 2012 until 2013. He began his career in education in 2007 as a fifth-grade teacher at Byron-Bergen Middle School and served in this role until 2012. Throughout his career at Byron-Bergen CS, he has served in many leadership capacities including: overseeing and supporting the growth of a Video Coaching Model to assist teachers with professional development; increasing the number of Advanced Placement courses offered; implementing an agriculture program; and revitalizing an FFA Chapter. Under McGee’s tenure, Byron-Bergen High School was named U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John Fisher College in Elementary and Special Education, and a master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from the Buffalo State College. McGee earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester and also holds New York State certifications as School Building and District Leader, as well as Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities. 

Jennifer Sinsebox, Ed.D., is the executive director of Curriculum and Data Management at Wheatland-Chili Central Schools, a position she has held since 2008. From 1996 until 2008, she served as a special education teacher at Wheatland-Chili Central Schools. In 1993, Sinsebox started her path in education as a Special Education teacher at Bloomfield Central Schools. Sinsebox is also an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Brockport, a post she has held since 2015. During her tenure at Wheatland-Chili CS, she: organized district family/community engagement parent university workshops; assisted in the creation of a five-year Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education district plan; and directed and facilitated the district strategic plan with the development of the district comprehensive improvement plan. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Special Education from Nazareth College. Sinsebox holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from The State University of New York at Brockport and also holds New York State certifications in School District Administration, as well as Elementary and Special Education. Sinsebox completed her doctorate in Education in 2020.

Tracy Marchianda has been employed by Geneva City School District since 2011, and currently is the assistant superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Accountability, a post she’s held since 2020. Her leadership roles at the Geneva City School District include director of Innovation and Multi-Language Learners, director of Innovative Programming and Student Services, and principal of North Street Elementary School. Marchianda is presently an adjunct professor at the University of Rochester. From 2000 until 2011, she served the Bath Central School District, first as the principal of Vernon E. Wightman Primary School, and then as the director of Curriculum and Instruction. In these roles, she facilitated a comprehensive curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development program for a high-needs rural school district. Marchianda started teaching in 1989 as a second- and fifth-grade teacher at Dundee Central School District where she also served as a staff development trainer and English Language Arts coordinator. 

Marchianda earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia, and two Master of Science degrees in Education from Elmira College. She is in progress of earning her doctoral degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Science of Learning from the University of Buffalo. She earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from the State University of New York at Brockport and also holds New York State certifications as School District administrator and supervisor, as well as literacy specialist, and elementary teacher.

The three candidates will interview with stakeholders on Wednesday, April 7 and conclude the process with final separate interviews with the Board of Education on April 13, 14 and 15. 

The anticipated start date for the new superintendent is July 1.

Kevin MacDonald, district superintendent of the Genesee Valley BOCES, who is acting as the search consultant, said the Board has developed and implemented a process that will help determine the best candidate.

“This is a thorough search process,” MacDonald said. “Finalists will visit the Byron-Bergen Central School District to meet with stakeholders. The process concludes with final rounds of interviews with the Board of Education.”

Press release:

The final budget bill includes the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) aid for the City of Batavia, Town of Batavia, and Genesee County in the amount of $800,000. Originally left out of the Senate One-House Budget, Senator Ed Rath was vocal in his opposition to the elimination of this critical aid.

“I am pleased to see this aid restored," Senator Rath said. "Many of our communities are beginning to recover from COVID and the financial implications, to cut their funding at such a critical time would be detrimental.

"To think that the only areas that were exempt from the VLT aid were areas represented by Republican senators was troubling. This cut would have been detrimental, and I am glad that the aid was restored."

The VLT funding was included in part KK of the Public Protections and General Government Budget Bill (S.2505-C).

For the second straight season, Batavia High varsity girls’ basketball standouts Mackenzie Reigle and Bryn Wormley have earned Monroe County League Division 4 honors.

Reigle (18 points per game) became a two-time Division 4 Player of the Year while Wormley (17 ppg) was selected to the first all-league team for a second time. The senior guards each hit the 1,000-point mark this season en route to leading the Lady Blue Devils to a 10-5 record and an appearance in the Section V Class B1 tournament title game.

For their varsity careers, which began in the seventh grade, Reigle and Wormley scored 1,117 and 1,049 points, respectively, and are in a select group of BHS players to enter the 1,000 point club. Others are Tiara Filbert (1,574), Ryann Stefaniak (1,357) and Madison McCulley (1,015).

At Monday night’s team banquet at Batavia’s Original pizzeria, Coach Marty Hein said both girls were selected as Ronald McDonald House All-Stars, but the annual exhibition game will not be played this year due to COVID-19.

Photo: Bryn Wormley, left; Coach Marty Hein, and Mackenzie Reigle at the Batavia High varsity girls’ basketball banquet Monday night. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have vaccination and testing clinics with appointments available for residents in Genesee and Orleans counties.

“Whichever COVID-19 vaccine is available is the right vaccine to get now! All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives,” said Paul Pettit, director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

“We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic. Residents in Genesee and Orleans counties are eligible to attend either clinic location when vaccine is available.”

Starting today, April 6^th, vaccine is now available for people age 16 (only Pfizer vaccine if 16- and 17-year-olds with a parent/guardian present with them) and older. Pfizer is a two-series dose, 21 days apart (three weeks), and is recommended for people aged 16 and older. Moderna is a two-series dose, 28 days apart (four weeks), and is recommended for people aged 18 and older. Johnson & Johnson is a one-series dose and is recommended for people age 18 and older.

It is important to note that you must be able to return for the second dose 21 days for Pfizer or 28 days for Moderna after the first dose at the location, you received your initial vaccination. You will be making that appointment after you are vaccinated. If you cannot make that date, please do not make an appointment for a two-dose series until you can make both appointments.  

Visit the vaccination webpage at:  https://bit.ly/GOHealthVaccine. Choose either the Moderna Clinic, the Johnson & Johnson Clinic or the Pfizer Clinic button for whichever clinic site works best, to make your appointment. When you register, it will also show which vaccine will be at the clinic during that day. When clicking one of the clinic buttons to register you will see what vaccine is available or, if there is not a clinic or it is full, it will show "No Appointments Available." Check the links often for added clinics.

In Genesee County, the clinics are held at the Athletic Center at Genesee Community College in Batavia and in Orleans County, the clinics are held at the Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina.

If you are interested in making an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccination, now is the time to do it locally!  

Free Rapid COVID-19 Test Clinics have been moved to the respective health departments. Anyone over 4 years of age (with parent/guardian present) can make an appointment for either county at https://bit.ly/GOHealthTesting. 

Testing clinics for this week:

04/07/21 – Genesee County Health Department (GCHD)

04/07/21 – Orleans County Health Department (OCHD)

04/08/21 – GCHD

04/09/21 - OCHD