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COVID Update: 62 new positive tests reported since yesterday

By Press Release

Press release:

  • Genesee County received 62 new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Pembroke.
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
    • Thirty-three of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Twenty-four of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
    • Six of the new positive cases are residents at Le Roy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility, six of the new positive cases are residents at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, and one of the positive individuals is at the VA Medical Center.
  • Orleans County received 28 new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Kendall, Ridgeway and Shelby.
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.
    • Ten of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Twenty-five of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Two of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Accident reported in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A two-vehicle accident is reported at South Lake Road and Telephone in Pavilion.

The accident is blocking and injuries are reported.

Pavilion fire is responding. Pavilion requests a Le Roy ambulance emergency, an ALS ambulance emergency, and a BLS ambulance, nonemergency (ALS: advanced life support; BLS: basic life support).

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: There are a total of four ambulances responding.

UPDATE 7:33 p.m.: There is no entrapment.

Batavia Downs Gaming ramping up for summer concert series; Don Felder, Molly Hatchet set to appear

By Mike Pettinella

Batavia Downs Gaming is gearing up for the resumption of its summer concert series and will have a brand-new stage for the performers to belt out their tunes.

Directors of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation today supported an expenditure of about $110,000 to purchase the stage from Audio Images Sound & Lighting, a local company located at 2 Treadeasy Drive, Batavia.

“This is a quality stage -- and the price is outstanding,” said Henry Wojtaszek, WROTB president and chief executive officer. “We have been paying $120,000 a year to rent a stage and now we can buy one for less than that and it will last easily for five years.”

Wojtaszek said WROTB will continue a separate contract for operation of the lights and soundboard on concert dates.

As far as the 2021 lineup, he reported that seven of the eight concerts are confirmed. Currently, only July 30 is open. The other dates are June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13.

Acts scheduled to visit Batavia Downs Gaming this summer include Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles; Molly Hatchet, and Steve Augeri, former lead singer of Journey.

In other developments:

  • Chief Financial Officer Jacquelyne Leach said that November was a “break-even month,” putting a further damper on the year that saw proceeds up by $1 million through February compared to the same time frame in 2019 before COVID-19 reared its ugly head.

“As a result, there will be no earnings distribution for 2020, but the surcharge, which goes to the municipalities (supported by WROTB) is $725,000,” she said, adding that the $64,000 in surcharge generated in November will be distributed in a couple weeks.

Leach reported that the $3.1 million Payroll Protection Program loan received by Batavia Downs Gaming for COVID-19 pandemic relief is expected to be “fully forgiven” per program guidelines.

She also provided projections for the 2021 operating plan with expected distributions on an annualized basis totaling $1.4 million in earnings and $812,705 in surcharges.

  • The board approved the corporations’ vehicle use policy, and was informed by Wojtaszek that plans call for downsizing the fleet, which is at about 40 vehicles currently.

He said WROTB could save money by reducing the number of cars and trucks, and giving a stipend instead to those who currently are using company vehicles extensively. Less than 10 people have use of company cars on an everyday basis, he noted.

  • Salaries for WROTB officers approved for 2021 are as follows: Wojtaszek, president/CEO/general counsel, $191,846; Leach, $144,746; Scott Kiedrowski, VP/Operations, $107,420; William White, VP/Administration, $107,399; Michael Nolan, COO, $119,704.

Cornell Cooperative Extension selects Sikorski as its new executive director

By Mike Pettinella

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Jocelyn Sikorski of Alexander is the new executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.

Sikorski, who has served as executive director of the Genesee/Orleans County and City of Batavia Youth Bureaus since 2012, will begin her duties at the CCE office at 420 E. Main St. on Jan. 25.

“We are excited to bring Jocelyn on board,” CCE Board President Lucine Kauffman said in a media release. “She brings such a wealth of knowledge with deep roots in youth development and a true understanding of local community needs.

“She has a proven track record of management, advocacy and education, which translates well to the position of executive director.”

The agency’s search committee had interviewed two candidates – Sikorski and Julianna Frisch of Brockport – and both made virtual public presentations on Nov. 30 via Zoom.

Sikorski will take over the reins of the 100-year-old organization that provides programs in youth development, agriculture, nutrition, leadership, and community and economic development.

Recently, Sikorski played an integral role in the establishment of the Liberty Center for Youth afterschool program, which saw the relocation of the City Youth Bureau from MacArthur Drive to City Church’s St. Anthony’s campus on Liberty Street.

She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Brockport State College, and has worked for Genesee County’s youth bureau since 1999.

Her community and civic activities include serving on the Genesee County STOP-DWI Board, GLOW YMCA Corporate Board and Genesee United Way Board and Allocations Committee. She is a past president and board member of Batavia Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Leadership Genesee Class of 2007.

Genesee County Manager Matt Landers, speaking for county employees, said "while we are sad to see Jocelyn leave Genesee County government, we wish her all the best in her new position."

"Jocelyn has served the youth of this county well over her 21 years of service. I look forward to working with Jocelyn in her new role over at CCE and am confident she will serve that organization well for years to come," he said.

Landers advised that he and his staff will be reviewing the Youth Bureau in its entirety before determining the next step.

"Whenever a department head leaves, there is an opportunity to examine how service is delivered and an opportunity to reimagine county government," he said.  

An email to Sikorski for comment was not returned at the time of the posting of this story.

File photo by Howard Owens.

Youth Board backs RFP for possible outsourcing, but wants city to keep in-house program 'on the table'

By Mike Pettinella

A citizen advisory committee supports fast-tracking a request for proposal to outsource youth services for the City of Batavia, but hopes the city would consider managing its afterschool and summer recreation programs if none of the applications received are accepted.

During a Zoom videoconferencing meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Interim City Manager Rachael Tabelski and County/City Youth Bureau Executive Director Jocelyn Sikorski reviewed a six-page RFP with the City Youth Board.

The document, drafted by Sikorski, is earmarked to be sent out on Dec. 21 to local organizations interested in providing youth services to the city for the 2021-22 fiscal year that begins on April 1.

David Twichell, president; Paula Fischer, Kristen Gloskowski, and City Council liaison Al McGinnis represented the City Youth Board at the meeting.

“So, I guess that we're doing this as a cost-saving measure,” Fischer said, framing the city’s decision to move from an in-house operation to contracting with an outside agency. “Obviously, if things come in and aren’t a cost savings, we as a board would like to see what we could do within a budgeted amount … taking the 20-percent cut or whatever … to replace a youth coordinator, director … and hiring back part-time staff at the Liberty Center and running the program in the summer like we have in the past.”

The Liberty Center for Youth on the St. Anthony’s campus of City Church on Liberty Street serves as the city’s afterschool location.

“That is still on the table I would imagine,” she said. “I guess my question is that we’re putting out the RFP, but there still is that alternative that we don’t accept any of them and go back to running it in-house like we have for years.”

Tabelski countered by saying that it would be best to make that determination after receiving RFPs, adding, “I would hope that we find a suitable proposal.”

Sikorski concurred, stating that the city has the right to refuse any proposal, “but I think that we have community-based organizations that are capable of providing this service in Genesee County, who can make it work fiscally, not only to maintain the level that we’ve had, but also to save the city money, honestly.”

Twichell: Keep an In-House Plan on the Table

At this point, Twichell summarized the youth board’s position that it would like the city to keep its options open.

“We understand that the RFP is a good attempt to save the city money but we just want to have that left on the table that if push comes to shove, and the RFPs don’t pan out, then we might be able to set up, like we used to have it (although) we might have to reduce services at certain parks or whatever,” he said.

As far as filling vacant youth positions in the city, McGinnis said in a difficult budget year, Council wouldn’t be able to guarantee that this year.

Twichell responded, “We would like to make it aware that youth services, now, is the only department in the city without any staff.”

Tabelski explained that youth services are not classified as a city department, but are under the umbrella of administration, supervised by the assistant city manager (which is vacant at this time).

That prompted Fischer to ask if some of the administrative staff could be reassigned to the Liberty Center “like we did with (former employee) Lydia (Schauf) when we reassigned her to the YMCA during the pandemic when the youth center was closed.”

Tabelski said that Civil Service job descriptions prevented that from happening, but Fischer maintained that youth services, with a budget of around $234,000 (out of a $24 million city budget) shouldn’t “bear the brunt of your budget woes.”

“I don’t think that hiring one youth coordinator is going to break the bank or the budget,” she said. “And we’re talking about five or six part-time people … there’s a lot of different things that we could look at.”

Participation Fees: To Pay or Not to Pay

All agreed that the objective is to continue existing youth programs for Batavia and Genesee County, and the RFP incorporates that by listing eight key components: creative arts; library, media and technology; activities that include science, math and technology; homework help/tutoring; recreation and sports; science and nature; indoor and outdoor activities, and snacks/meals.

“There also is an assessment process to determine that the agency is meeting program goals and objectives, and continuing to participate with the county youth bureau,” Sikorski said. “We do several things collaboratively between the city and the county, and that relationship should continue.”

She mentioned events such as youth recognition awards, youth leaders conference, annual youth conference, and National Night Out. An outside agency running the program would have to comply with performance measures.

Cost to participants also came up, with Fischer pointing out a section on page 3 of the RFP that indicated “no, or very low cost to the City of Batavia families” for summer recreation.

“I am pretty sure the direction of City Council was that there would be no cost to families,” said Fischer, who, in recent weeks, has spoken out against what she perceives as the city’s rush to bring in another organization, such as the Genesee Area YMCA, to run the youth program.

Tabelski said she was not opposed to eliminating “very low cost” and leaving it as “no cost” for the summer rec program.

Fischer said she didn’t think it would be fair to have a city taxpayer have to pay an additional fee for their child or children to participate in city youth functions.

“I don’t think a city taxpayer should have to pay for their child to go – if you’re paying your city taxes, that should be it,” she said. “So, people paying taxes could be taxed again to send their kid to a parks program where someone else is getting it paid by their town or getting a sliding fee scale.”

Sikorski advised that if they go the route of “no cost,” then it would be free to all participants across the board “because if the town is contributing like they have for decades to that cost, then it’s applicable to everybody.”

“Working with other municipal recreation programs, there was at one point in time where our rules and regulations stated that they could not charge; (that) none of our programs could charge a fee,” Sikorski offered. “That changed in the early 2000s, and luckily a lot of our recreation programs do not charge. Some of them may ask for a donation for field trips or a small fee per week depending upon their child. And I’m talking small, I mean minimal, like $5 per kid.”

Scoring Based Upon Selection Criteria

McGinnis said the RFP needs to go out as soon as possible with the city’s 2021-22 proposed budget due to City Council by mid-January.

“We have a very tough budget this year … and this being a piece of it, we have to know where we stand,” he said.

Fischer, Twichell and Gloskowski said they were satisfied with the RFP and the timeline.

Tabelski noted that the RFP does not include a cost for these services.

“The reason you do an RFP is to find competitive pricing for services, so we don’t dictate a price to the market, we let the market come back to us,” she said.

She said the plan is to form a selection team after the RFP deadline of Jan. 15 -- with the Youth Board as part of that team -- to score the proposals, using a matrix that awards points for each of items in the selection criteria, as follows:

  • The eligible agency’s capacity to effectively, efficiently and immediately provide needed service, program design and developmentally appropriate programs;
  • The eligible agency’s proposal to meet the goals and objectives of the City of Batavia’s Youth Service & Recreation Plan;
  • The price of service;
  • The ease of utilization and accessibility of the Program to parents;
  • The capacities to provide ongoing staff development, staff availability, qualifications, rate of turn over, ability to fill vacancies;
  • The documentation that all applicable health and safety codes and licensure or registration requirements are met;
  • The fiscal solvency of the agency;
  • The capacity and experience in serving children with disabilities;
  • The capacity and experience in serving children and their parents where they are Limited English Proficient.

Tabelski said RFPs are operational and issued by the city manager or Department of Public Works, for example. Approvals are made by City Council once the RFP process is completed.

In this case, the selected agency, as well as those not chosen, are to be notified by Feb. 5.

BHS grad and doctor of pharmacy administers first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Olean hospital

By Press Release

Submitted photo and information.

Batavia High School graduate Elliot Marino, Pharm.D, BCPS, clinical manager, pharmacy, administered the first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday at Olean General Hospital. Katie Bocher, second-floor RN, was the first frontline healthcare worker at the facility to get innoculated.

The hospital received its first supply of the vaccine and began vaccinating physicians, nurses and staff who work in high-risk areas of the hospital.

Marino attended Batavia city schools from K-12 and graduated in 2008.

McCarthy foundation and Gilmartin team up to provide 300 meals from D&R Depot to UMMC staff

By Press Release

Submitted photo and press release:

The Batavia-based David M. McCarthy Memorial Foundation, in conjunction with Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company Inc. and food provided by D&R Depot, provided 300 meals to the employees at the United Memorial Medical Center this morning.

This year has been so difficult for so many, especially the doctors, nurses, first responders, aftercare workers, kitchen staff, office staff, maintenance staff and administrators.

We thought what better way to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication than by providing a nice meal for all who are trying to keep this community healthy and safe and get back to some type of normalcy.

Our foundation, which formed in 2007, after David passed away has committed to helping all types of youth athletics in the Genesee County area. Through our annual golf tournament at Batavia Country Club and Bowling Tournament at T.F. Brown's, the foundation has donated more than $65,000 in total to youth athletics.

Partnering with Gilmartin, which has seen firsthand the toll this coronavirus pandemic has taken on the local community, we hope this small gesture will bring a morale boost to everyone at the hospital.

Photo, from left: Pete Stevens, Mike McCarthy, Brian McCarthy, TJ Woodward and Matt Meyer.

Genesee County's Impaired Driving Crackdown runs Dec. 17 to Jan. 1

By Press Release

Press release:

The Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in the statewide special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

Law enforcement Officials across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Thursday, Dec. 17 and will end on Jan. 1. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.  

The STOP-DWI Holiday Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Super Bowl weekend and St. Patrick’s Day.

“Have a Plan” to find a safe ride because impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. Have a very safe and Happy Holiday season!

Town planners schedule public hearings on Ellicott Street Road solar projects for Jan. 19

By Mike Pettinella

Residents on both sides of the fence concerning a plan to place two community solar projects on land owned by Donald Partridge at 5117 Ellicott Sreet Road will have to wait a bit longer to express their views in front of the Town of Batavia Planning Board.

Planning Board Chair Kathy Jasinski said several Ellicott Street Road residents – including some who spoke out at the Genesee County Planning Board meeting last week -- were ready to voice their opinions again at tonight’s meeting via Zoom videoconferencing.

Planners are considering a proposal to place a 5-megawatt solar farm on 18.2 acres of a 65-acre parcel and a 4-megawatt system on 19.6 acres of a 71-acre parcel of farmland off Route 63, southeast of the city.

“A lot of people were on the Zoom call but I told them they were not allowed to talk tonight, but will definitely have their chance at the public hearings next month,” Jasinski said.

The public hearings for the referrals, called Trousdale Solar I and Trousdale Solar II, are scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 19.

Partridge, a planning board member, has indicated that he would abstain from any voting on the project, which is being developed by Cypress Creek Renewables LLC.

Jasinski, when asked if she thought putting two nearly 20-acre solar arrays next to each other went against the town’s zoning limitation of 20 acres, said that she sees them as two separate entities as they are 50 feet apart and have separate power connections.

“The only thing they share is an access drive,” Jasinski said, “so I really believe they are two different projects.”

At the county planning meeting, Nancy Brach of 5168 Ellicott Street Road contended that two side-by-side solar farms, at almost 40 acres, went against the parameters of the zoning regulation.

In other action, town planners:

  • Put an application from LandPro to build a storage and maintenance facility at 4554 W. Saile Drive on hold while it reaches out to other agencies who may be interested in seeking lead agency status for the State Environmental Quality Review.

Jasinski said the town planning board wants to be the lead agency, but the scope of the project requires a coordinated review, possibly including the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Transportation, and Department of Agriculture and Markets.

“I will write to them to see if they want to be involved in this process,” Jasinski said, adding that the board pushed the site plan review back to its Jan. 19 meeting.

  • Will be seeking lead agency status for Rochester Regional Health’s plan to build a four-story, 140,000-square-foot medical office building at 8103 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98).

Jasinski said a public hearing for this referral is unnecessary since a special use permit is not required on property zoned Commercial.

She said the board will put this on the agenda of its Jan. 5 meeting, while the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals will consider an area variance due to the building height on Jan. 21.

Since yesterday, 65 new COVID cases reported, 50 recovered

By Press Release

Press release:

  • Genesee County received 64 new positive cases of COVID-19. 
    • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield and Pembroke.
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
    • Fifty of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Twenty-four of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
    • Three of the new positive cases are residents at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation.
  • Orleans County received 19 new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Carlton, Clarendon, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Yates.
    • The individuals are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
    • Five of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Twenty-four of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Three of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

Consultant: 'Stars are aligned' for beautification, expansion of City Centre Mall and Bank Street area

By Mike Pettinella

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mall_concourse.jpg

Everything is coming together at the right time for the City of Batavia to embark on an ambitious revival of the City Centre Mall and surrounding area, according to Ed Flynn, director of planning for the consulting firm of LaBella Associates in Rochester.

“We think the stars are aligned at this point,” said Flynn, during a presentation at Monday night’s City Council meeting at the City Hall Council Board Room. “We’ve got the agreement in place, executed for the City Centre. We’ve got the $1 million in DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) funding. And we’ve got a ton of other projects that are either in the pipeline or in the works downtown that are going to complement each other as they happen.”

Flynn, a Batavian, said LaBella Associates is the lead consultant for the state funded DRI project, working in conjunction with Underberg & Kessler LLP (legal) and Archer (graphic design).

An advisory committee also played a key role in pinpointing how the city will spend the $1 million, along with looking “at other things besides the mall property, and the mall building itself,” Flynn said.

Members of the advisory committee are Interim City Manager Rachael Tabelski, Public Works Director Matt Worth (recently retired), Water/Wastewater Superintendent Bill Davis, Batavia Development Corporation Director Andrew Maguire, City Council Member Jeremy Karas, Paul Gister of National Grid, Business Improvement District Director Beth Kemp, and Genesee County Economic Development Center President Steve Hyde.

The group’s proposal centered on creating a comprehensive package of information about the mall and the city – “getting that information into one place,” Flynn said – along with defining mall concourse improvements, providing cost estimates, exploring additional funding, reaching out to the public and stakeholders, preparing for future development and satisfying agreements with owners of businesses in the mall.

“We have been working to not only determine the best ways to use the resources of the $1 million DRI grant at City Centre, but also future components of what the interior of our City Centre Mall and the entire campus would look like,” Tabelski said.

Key points of Flynn’s presentation included a plan for concourse renovations and options for mall merchants to enhance the façades of their businesses.

It also brought to light a theoretical component outside of the scope of the DRI -- a three-story, 70,000-square-foot residential/commercial building on the east side of the mall at the corner of Alva Place and Bank Street, adjacent to where the proposed new police headquarters would go.

“That is conceptual based on the market,” Flynn said, adding that developers have inquired about opportunities for housing and, possibly, commercial ventures. “It’s a vision of what could work and what is deemed by the public as acceptable.”

Flynn said the DRI grant would just about cover the cost of concourse work, which would consist of removing and replacing the floor tile (which currently doesn’t match); painting walls, columns and crossbeams; installing low-level lighting, and removing and replacing the silo entryways “that never have been very attractive or functional.”

He noted that the city already has invested about $600,000 to repair the roof – a longtime problem, with that investment completing its DRI responsibility.

Private investment to upgrade individual storefronts (not a cost to the city) for mall business owners are optional, Flynn said, but incentives of up to 75 percent reimbursement may be available.

As far as Bank Street is concerned, Flynn said the mixed-use building has the potential to generate $19 million in private, new investment.

“Obviously, there would be a lot of tax revenue that would be created as part of that, but also with all of the new folks living downtown and some of the commercial activity – it would create a lot of vitality downtown and start to enclose Bank Street, which is pretty wide open right now,” Flynn said.

He also presented figures revealing that there will continue to be plenty of available parking – at least 590 spots -- even with the new building, when considering off-street parking lots and Alva Place and on-street parking.

“I think the takeaway from this is with the project, you’ll be able to satisfy both the DRI and the mall agreement objectives; also, be able to potentially develop some lots … at the City Centre and create some tax revenue … and also that you have enough funding to actually do what you need to do at the mall with the DRI funding,” he said.

At that point, Tabelski reminded Council members that one portion of the roof has yet to be completed – near Dan’s Tire Service – and bids for that work will go out this spring. That piece is part of the agreement between the city and mall merchants, she said.

Council Member John Canale asked about the Downtown Theatre 56 plan to complete its façade work with the DRI money it obtained, but Tabelski said the cost of all the interior work left no money for the outside renovations.

“Our intent is to look at a Main Street grant to complete that façade work,” she said.

In a related development, Council approved a resolution to apply, through the Batavia Development Corporation, for a New York Main Street grant for up to $500,000 to assist Theatre 56 with the completion of its project.

In a memo to City Council, Maguire outlined the BDC’s successful track record of obtaining Main Street, Anchor and Building Improvement Fund grants, and noted that matching funds for the Theatre 56 project would include money from the Batavia Players and its DRI.

Maguire, responding to a question from Council Member Rose Mary Christian about the return to the city in property and sales taxes, said he couldn’t provide an exact figure, but would research it and get back to the board.

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Renderings at top of the City Centre Mall entryways and concourse and rendering at bottom of a conceptual building on the Bank Street corridor, courtesy of LaBella Associates and the City of Batavia.

North Bergen Food Pantry and Rose Garden Bowl partner to help bring Christmas to more than 100 area youths

By Press Release

Press release:

The North Bergen Community Food Pantry and the Bergen business, Rose Garden Bowl, have worked together to assure that more than 100 area children experience some of the magic of the holidays in the form of Christmas stockings this year.

This is the second year that the two organizations have collaborated on their Christmas Angel Stocking Program, soliciting donations of stockings filled with toys and personal items.

Donations are being made by bowling league members and patrons of Rose Garden Bowl, members of the North Bergen Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Byron congregations, and local families.  

The number of stockings donated has more than doubled — from 45 in 2019 to 109 stockings in 2020. In all more than 60 generous donors have gathered items for the stockings that will be distributed to 47 families. Recipients of the stockings are largely families that are clients of the North Bergen Food Pantry.   

 “We’ve seen a 100-percent increase in patrons visiting the pantry since March,” said Dave Fish, pastor at the North Bergen Presbyterian Church that organizes the Pantry services. “There has always been, and will always be, need in our community but the impact that COVID is having on families in our region is devastating.

"It’s the pantry's mission to lessen that impact by feeding both body and spirit. Assuring that children experience some of the magic of Christmas is an important ingredient of that mission.”  

“We believe in giving back to our community and was encouraged by the response of our Rose Garden Bowl family of patrons to our request for stocking sponsors this year” said Christina Sardou, co-owner at Rose Garden Bowl. “Initially I was concerned that the number of people who could participate might be affected by the pandemic, but the opposite was true. Peoples’ eagerness to assist has been both humbling and inspiring.”

The program started in 2019 when Sardou suggested the idea of partnering on the program.

“Dave and I had had a few conversations about the Food Pantry and we had stored some surplus frozen foods for the pantry at times when their space was limited,” Sardou said. “During these conversations, I asked if he had considered doing something for local children at Christmas, and described how the Church and the Rose Garden Bowl family and friends might collaborate to create a Christmas stocking drive. The rest is history.” 

The North Bergen Community Food Pantry — North Bergen Presbyterian Church, 7068 N. Bergen Road, Bergen. Pantry hours: the third and fourth Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. and the third and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information visit the Pantry’s Facebook page.

Rose Garden Bowl and Viking Valhalla Restaurant — 21 Buffalo Road, Bergen. (585) 494-9900). Family-owned and operated since 1954. For more information about banquets, bowling and volleyball, visit rosegardenbowl.com or on Facebook.

Cornell Extension board invites the public's input for strategic planning survey

By Press Release

Press release:

The Board of Directors of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Genesee County is embarking on a strategic planning process to help determine future programming priorities.

They are seeking input from numerous stakeholders in order to fully explore the current and future needs of our community.

Community members of all ages and businesses are invited to participate in this survey, whose final results will be shared through a public document outlining the future direction of CCE of Genesee County.

The needs assessment survey can be accessed directly here

Surveys are also available in paper format. Anyone needing accommodations to be able to complete the survey should contact the local extension office.

Phone is (585) 343-3040.

Batavia Downs handle skyrocketed during 2020 meet

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Despite the many challenges faced in every aspect of the business from day one right through the final race due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Batavia Downs was able to race safely throughout the duration of its dates and just completed one of its most successful meets with regards to nightly handle. 

“The 2020 season was a rousing success because all parties involved in the racing product worked together to insure the health and safety of everyone on the grounds at all times,” said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live racing at Batavia Downs. “With the help and cooperation of the New York State Gaming Commission and the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association headed by Bruce Tubin, we were able to formulate a safety plan that got us through the entire meet without incident.

"That in turn allowed us to engage our customers with quality racing all year and put up record breaking betting numbers despite the absence of a live crowd. That is an accomplishment that all of our racing participants should be proud of.”

Henry F. Wojtaszek, president and CEO of Batavia Downs added “I am very pleased with another flawless race season at the Downs as everyone pulled together to ensure the facility was safe for our horsemen and horse women, staff and customers. Safety during COVID was our number one goal while still offering a fun, family-oriented and exciting harness racing atmosphere.” 

Despite racing 21 less dates than 2019, bataviabets.com, the online betting arm of Western Regional Off Track Betting (WROTB), saw a huge 67-percent increase in total handle on Batavia Downs and the nightly handle average saw a spectacular 151-percent increase during the 42-night schedule.

The increase exhibited the strong following the track has via its export signal customers and their taking advantage of the generous monthly rewards of up to 8 percent on their wagers through the bataviabets.com wagering platform. 

Another contributing factor was the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program that Batavia frequently utilized during the meet. It helped expose the product to a greater audience through free program pages and enhanced betting pools and the track saw major handle increases on nights where the Strategic Wagers were offered. 

The OTB handle which includes Batavia bets and our EZ-Bets rose by 52 percent, the track’s export handle grew by 35 percent and the total betting that included only very limited on-track betting in the clubhouse rose by 21 percent.

Scott P. Kiedrowski, vice-president of Operations said “We are thrilled with our numbers for the 2020 meet here at Batavia Downs. All of our staff did exceptional work under the most difficult circumstances.”

Haight added it was a record total betting number since WROTB reopened the track in 2002.

The dash winning driver of the meet was Jim Morrill Jr. who notched his third driving title at the Downs. In 408 starts Morrill won 102 races with 72 seconds and 53 thirds for a .391 UDR and winnings of $507,686 for the meet. Morrill also scored his 7,500th career victory at the Downs this past November.

Finishing second was Billy Davis Jr. who had 486 starts with 91 wins, 87 seconds and 54 thirds and $422,477 in purses, and Drew Monti who had 404 starts with 75 wins, 71 seconds and 62 thirds with $374,608 in earnings rounded out the top three.   

The dash winning trainer of the meet was Gerry Sarama who captured his first conditioning title at Batavia. Not only did he win 64 races, finish second 36 times and third 28 more for winnings of $286,068, Sarama also registered career training win 1,000 at Batavia this year. 

Shawn McDonough was second with 31 wins, 24 seconds and 39 thirds out of 214 starts with $138,544 in purses and Maria Rice was third with 30 wins, 30 seconds and 20 thirds from 174 starts and $184,833 in winnings. 

Upon approval from the New York State Gaming Commission, live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, July 21.

Fully involved garage fire is reported on Main Road, Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A fully involved garage fire is reported at 590 Main Road, Pembroke.

The detached garage is about 50 feet from the residence and has multiple cars in it. 

The residence has been evacuated of people and pets.

Pembroke fire, Indian Falls fire, and the City's fast team dispatched.

UPDATE 5:38 a.m.: A second alarm requested. Alabama fire, Town of Batavia fire, Corfu fire, Darien fire, requested to the scene. Route 5 is being closed between the county line and just east of the Pembroke Fire Hall. 

UPDATE 5:47 a.m.: Firefighters have two lines on the garage and the fire is knocked down. The house was not involved though some vinyl melted. Alabama is being diverted from the fire to a fill in at Indian Falls Fire Hall.

UPDATE 5:53 a.m.: State Department of Transportation requested to standby. The road will need to be salted after the fire response is completed.

UPDATE 5:54 a.m.: The garage is all metal. "We're going to need to pull it apart to get it out," a chief reports. The house is fine and "all cooled down." Minimal damage to one vinyl window. 

UPDATE 5:58 a.m.: Town Highway is responding in about 45 minutes for the icy road. "Perfect timing," a chief responds.

UPDATE 6 a.m.: Alabama did have a tanker responding to the scene. It can go back in service. Darien fire can go back in service.

UPDATE 6:15 a.m.: Town of Batavia and City Fire Engine 11 can go back in service.

UPDATE 7:22 a.m.: East Pembroke is back in service.

Attorney Thomas Burns 'elated' over appointment as part-time City Court judge

By Mike Pettinella

Batavia City Council members tonight voted in favor of appointing attorney Thomas A. Burns as the municipality’s part-time City Court judge and the lifelong Batavian said he couldn’t be more pleased.

“I’m very, very happy. And it’s kind of ironic that I was admitted to practice law 32 years ago this date, and in about 15 days, I turn 60, and I’ve been in this town my whole life and I love this community,” Burns said by telephone following Council’s Conference and Business meetings at the City Centre Council Board Room. “I’m just elated that Council has the confidence in me to do a good job.”

Burns will assume the role that became vacant with the death of David Saleh on Oct. 29. His term begins on Jan. 1 and runs for six years.

Burns, as he mentioned, was admitted to practice law in New York State on Dec. 14, 1988, after receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University at Buffalo and his Juris Doctor from Buffalo State University.

He has been practicing criminal defense and litigating civil matters from his Batavia offices since then. He and his wife, Kelly Donohue Burns, an attorney with the Genesee County Public Defender’s office, have a grown daughter, Elizabeth, who works in the commercial field in Boston.

Burns said it is his responsibility to make sure he is accessible when called upon to wear the robe.

“It’s the obligation of a person assuming a judicial position not to get involved in too many cases that are going to involve conflicts,” he said. “You have to be available for not only the time of the court, but the last thing in the world that you want is your conflict providing judge (cases where Rogers recuses himself) to have a boatload of conflicts.”

City Council President Eugene Jankowski said the board interviewed applicants and decided to move forward with Burns.

“Personally, I voted for Mr. Burns because I believe that at this point, he is the best applicant to serve our community and the people of Batavia,” he said. “Hopefully, that will continue on and he will do a great job.”

Council Member Robert Bialkowski said he had nothing against Burns on a personal level, but voted against the appointment due to previous friction between City Court Judge Durin Rogers and Burns.

“I know that in the past he has had a conflict with Judge Rogers,” Bialkowski said following the meeting. “He’s filed complaints with the judicial district against the judge, so I see there would be an animosity. And the other thing, today with there being so many court cases handled by the public defenders -- what happens? – somebody has to recuse themself.”

Bialkowski said he was thinking about “the smoothness of the court” in casting the “no” vote.

“Judge Rogers was the elected judge and he’s full time, so the part-time judge would have to work for the full-time judge. I just see a lot of conflict that’s all,” he said. “I know that Mr. Burns is an excellent attorney and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him, but I don’t like to see people put in a position of conflict.”

Bialkowski also noted mentioned that he could foresee Burns having to recuse himself in cases involving his wife in her role with the Public Defender’s office.

When he brought that point up during the meeting, Jankowski replied that there is a "similar situation right now (as Rogers' wife, Paula, also is an attorney in Genesee County) and it's working just fine."

Burns, when informed of Bialkowski’s comments, expressed a measure of surprise.

“Let me say this. We’re all grown people and lawyers are litigators and advocates for their perspective positions and I understand my function – my function is a part-time judge,” he said. “I am not the elected judge. I am there to adhere what the Office of Court Administration expects of me to be fair and impartial and to support the full-time judge and providing coverage of the court – dealing with conflict issues that the judge might have. And if he steers it my way, it’s my obligation to take care of those cases.”

Burns said it was “unfortunate” that Bialkowski feels that way, but “there certainly is no conflict from my perspective.”

In other action, Council passed the following resolutions:

  • Contracts with Empire Access for $3,500 to connect city facilities with fiber internet and $8,400 annually for a five-year service agreement;
  • Granting of access to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to perform environmental cleanup work at 267 Bank St., a small parcel of the Dwyer Stadium property;
  • $114,720 contract with Architectural Resources of Buffalo for engineering services in connection with the Jackson Square renovation project, one of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative awards;
  • Appointments of Ryan Duffy and Connie Boyd to three-year terms as members of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Jacobs calls delivery of COVID vaccine a 'historic day'

By Press Release

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement in response to the first COVID-19 vaccines being administered in the United States.

“This is a historic day. Operation Warp Speed has lived up to its mission and is now delivering the first round of COVID-19 vaccines to high-risk Americans, including the brave men and women working on the frontlines in our nation’s hospitals," Jacobs said. "I commend the President, the Operation Warp Speed team, and the thousands of American researchers who worked tirelessly to ensure this ambitious goal was achieved.

"The administration is set to deliver millions of vaccines around the country over the next few months and make them available to any American who wants one. While we can finally see the light at the end of tunnel, I encourage Western New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue to wear a mask and social distance – we are approaching the end, let’s finish strong.”

The federal government has an initial agreement with Pfizer for the purchase of 100 million doses of their vaccine. Furthermore, the FDA is set to consider Emergency Use Authorization of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate on Dec. 17th.

For more information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, individuals can visit the CDC’s website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect.html

COVID report includes 109 new cases, 97 recoveries, 21 hospitalizations, two deaths

By Press Release

Press release:

  • Genesee County received 109 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday afternoon.
    • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Alexander, Batavia, Bergen, Bethany, Byron, Darien, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield, Pavilion and Pembroke.
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
    • Ninety-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Twenty-one of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
    • Thirteen of the new positive cases are residents at the New York State Veterans Home.
    • We received notification of two deaths of community members. One of the individuals was over the age of 65 and one of the individuals was under the age of 65. To protect the individual and their family we will not be releasing any further information. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this community member during this very difficult time.
  • Orleans County received 55 new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The new positive cases reside in Albion, Barre, Carlton, Clarendon, Gaines, Kendall, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby.
    • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
    • Sixteen of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Sixty-seven of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
    • Four of the current positive individuals are hospitalized.

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Yellow Micro-cluster Zone: Batavia and part of Genesee County have been designated as a being in a Yellow micro-cluster Zone. We are waiting on the state to update the map. Go to https://forward.ny.gov/micro-cluster-strategy for updates. The following restrictions are now in place in these identified locations: for nonresidential gatherings 25 people maximum, indoors and outdoors; residential gatherings 10 people maximum, indoors and outdoors; House of Worship 50-percent of maximum capacity; Businesses are open; Dining indoor and outdoor dining permitted, four person maximum per table, and bars and restaurants close at 10 p.m. for on-premises consumption; Schools are open with 20-percent weekly testing of in-person students and faculty.

We continue to encourage everyone whether located in a micro-cluster zone or not to limit gatherings as much as possible, properly wear masks/face coverings, social distance at least 6 feet, frequently wash / sanitize your hands and frequently shared surfaces to minimize the spread. If the rates continue to increase further restrictions are possible.

Rapid Testing:  Preregistration is required for rapid testing clinics. 

Orleans County will be hosting a rapid testing clinic on Dec. 16th from 1 – 4 p.m., preregistration is required. The focus is for asymptomatic individuals and is free. This is a self-administered rapid test at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 Route 31, Albion -- please use the Taylor Hill Road entrance. To schedule a test for the Orleans County drive-thru clinic, please register online at https://on.ny.gov/36ZqTxF (this is the registration link). If you have a printer, complete and bring your GO Health Intake Form https://bit.ly/GOIntakeForm with you (see the link below). If you need assistance with online registration because you don’t have internet, call the Orleans County Health Department at (585) 589-3278.

To register for upcoming Genesee County Drive-thru testing clinics, preregistration is required, go to https://on.ny.gov/3qihbhF  (this is the registration link). Genesee County Drive-thru test clinics are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. If you have a printer, complete and bring your GO Health Intake Form https://bit.ly/GOIntakeForm with you (see link below). Anyone needing additional help for online registration may contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555.

 For both Genesee and Orleans to help the process please note the following guidelines:

  • If you have a printer, complete the GO Health Intake Form https://bit.ly/GOIntakeForm and bring it with you. If you completed the Intake form online please print it out and bring it with you – if you don’t have a printer, the form will be provided for you at the clinic
  • Make sure you have a pen in your vehicle.
  • Everyone in the vehicle is to have their mask on when they pull up at the testing site.
  • For those who are getting tested, they may get a call fairly quickly from an unknown number -- answer the phone. Staff cannot leave messages and can only give results to the individual tested or the guardian of minor children. Hard copy results will be emailed within 48 hours if we have a valid email address.

Quarantine and Isolation:

  • If you believe you are a contact or have been notified you are a contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, it may take a few days for contact tracers to initially contact you due to the volume of contacts. Please self-quarantine. Stay away from other household members, use separate bathroom facilities (or sanitize after each use), have meals delivered.
  • If you are being tested for COVID-19 it is important that you self-quarantine until you get your test results whether you have symptoms or not. If you are symptomatic, meaning you are coughing, have a fever or other symptoms, self-quarantine even if you are an essential worker until you get your results back, if you have COVID-19 you may be spreading it! That means to stay home and limit contact with other people, even in your household.

Business Reminder: It is important to periodically review your Business Safety Plan that was developed earlier on in the pandemic. As part of the plan businesses were encouraged to develop contact sheets for all patrons to assist with contact tracing in the event of a potential COVID-19 exposure. This will help in investigations and will limit the necessity of press releases which will help limit potential spread. 

COVID-19 101 Reminders: If a person is identified as a contact, they will be notified by the County Health Department, quarantined and if warranted, swabbed if indicated. Limited information is provided to the public in compliance with HIPAA regulations and out of the respect of those impacted by this virus.

  • When, and if, there is a situation where potential contact is made in a public location where contact tracing doesn’t have actual names of close contacts, we will send out a media announcement to help seek contacts.
  • If you are experiencing ANY COVID-19 related symptoms STAY HOME! Do not go to work, do not go to the store, do not go anywhere, YOU are spreading the virus. STAY HOME!

We encourage everyone to remember to be polite and respect individual privacy. If you have a complaint about someone or a business use the appropriate channels provided by the state. Using social media to air your complaints and accusing individuals / businesses of wrongdoing generally does nothing to fix the problem. Be compassionate of other people and spread kindness.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
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Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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