Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Batavia Police Department, and the Village of LeRoy Police Department will be participating in a coordinated effort with the Genesee County STOP-DWI program to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.
Law enforcement officers and STOP-DWI programs across New York State will be participating in a combined effort to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, prevent injuries, and save lives.
The campaign, which runs through January 1, aims to educate people about the dangers and consequences of driving drunk. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York State 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. If you are going to drink, drink responsibly. Don’t drink & drive.
Designate a driver. Don’t let alcohol take the wheel.
While the holidays can be a time for joy and celebration for many, it can be a time that is lonely, sad, and stressful for others. This can be particularly true for people living with mental health and substance use conditions.
“It is important for folks to focus on self-care and seek support,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “We encourage individuals to prioritize their mental well-being and connect with the resources available in our communities.”
Here are some strategies to support your mental health:
Connect with others for support. Meaningful connections are critical to our mental health. Make time for the important relationships in your life. Connect with yourself through self-care. When you are ready for help, reach out and ask for help. Help is available.
Take care of your body. Eat healthy. Be physically active. Get enough sleep. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Spend time outside. These things may help to keep your mental health on track.
Take care of your mind. Write down your feelings. Take deep breaths to calm your mind and slow your heart rate. Celebrate your small accomplishments, which can lead to larger goals.
“It is okay to not be okay,” stated Lynda Battaglia, Director of Mental Health and Community Services for Genesee County. “Help is always available if you or someone you know is having a hard time around the holiday, or those struggling with mental health, substance use, or feeling overwhelmed.”
“There are people in the community that are available to help,” stated Danielle Figura, Director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department. “If you or someone you know is feeling lonely or missing someone, reach out to your local mental health department or someone you trust.”
The following are some mental health and substance use resources available:
Genesee County Mental Health- 585-344-1421
Orleans County Mental Health- 585-589-7066
Genesee and Orleans County Care & Crisis Line- 585-283-5200
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- Dial 988 or visit 988Lifeline.org.
Veterans Crisis Line- Dial 988 (press 1)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline- 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – A confidential, free 24-hour that can provide referrals to local treatment facilities and support groups.
To find a local treatment facility, visit FindTreatment.gov.
To find support for issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol, visit Samhsa.gov/find-support. For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:
Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555
Orleans County: 585-589-3278
Follow GO Health on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GOHealthNY.
The Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, comprised of police officers from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Batavia Police Department, charged a Le Roy man with two counts of the criminal sale of a controlled substance, third degree, and two counts of the criminal possession of a controlled substance, third degree, on Dec. 18 as the result of an investigation into the possession, transportation and sale of crack cocaine in and around Genesee County.
Brant G. Matthews, 29, was taken into custody on a sealed indictment warrant out of Genesee County Court Dec. 18 after it was alleged that he sold a quantity of crack cocaine to an agent of the Genesee County Drug Task Force in the city of Batavia on two occasions.
Matthews was arraigned in Genesee County Court and released on his own recognizance in accordance with bail reform laws.
Task Force members were assisted by uniformed deputies of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Batavia Police Department and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office.
Ebony Lauren Jenkins, 24, of Child Street, Rochester, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh degree, and resisting arrest for an incident that occurred at 4:37 p.m. on Dec. 14 at North Lake Road in the Town of Bergen.
Jenkins was charged after she was allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance Dec. 12. She was contacted on Dec. 14 by Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for an unrelated matter and it is alleged that Jenkins attempted to resist arrest when responding deputies took her into custody for the aforementioned charge, deputies said.
Jenkins was issued appearance tickets and released. She is due to appear at 3 p.m. in Bergen Town Court on Jan 17.
A 30-year-old Webster man was charged with introducing dangerous contraband into prison, first degree for an incident that allegedly occurred at 9:15 a.m. Dec. 18 at Genesee County Jail, 14 W. Main St., Batavia.
Kenneth Scott, of Daniel Drive, was arraigned on Dec. 19 in CAP Court.
Amanda Knauss of Batavia was charged with petit larceny after it was alleged that she stole property valued at $230.75 on Dec. 16 from Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia. Knauss, 30, was issued an appearance ticket for 3 p.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia Town Court.
Donald Stephen Lewandowski, of Back Street, Corfu, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, first degree, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree, and driving while intoxicated, for an incident on Dec. 20, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said.
Deputies responded to Sharrick Road in the Town of Darien at 6:58 p.m. Dec. 20 for the report of a property damage accident. Lewandowski, 45, was identified as the operator as a result of an official police investigation. He allegedly crashed his vehicle while in an intoxicated condition and attempted to flee the scene, deputies said.
Lewandowski was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing, and was also charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident and unlicensed operator, speed not reasonable and prudent, failure to keep right, moved from lane unsafely and no seat belt.
Lewandowski was held at Genesee County Jail awaiting arraignment at CAP Court scheduled for Dec. 21.
A 36-year-old Le Roy man was charged with second-degree criminal contempt after allegedly failing to appear in Genesee County Grand Jury on two occasions after being served subpoenas, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said.
Joseph Daniel Summers Jr., of Myrtle Street, was issued an appearance ticket for 1 p.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia City Court.
Deajah D. Johnson, 22, Diamond L. Reed, 25, and Jahki T. Jackson, 24, were each charged with petit larceny and conspiracy, sixth degree, on Dec. 19, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said.
Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to a larceny in progress at Walmart in Batavia on Dec. 19, and as deputies arrived on scene, the three above-named individuals were allegedly pushing out a cart full of stolen items, deputies said.
Reed and Johnson were taken into custody without incident. Jackson took off on foot and, after a brief foot pursuit, Jackson was also taken into custody. Johnson, Reed and Jackson allegedly stole merchandise from the store. Jackson was also charged with obstruction of governmental administration, second degree.
Johnson, Reed and Jackson were released on appearance tickets and are to appear at 10 a.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia Town Court.
Assisting in the investigation were Sergeant Michael Lute, Investigator Ryan DeLong, Investigator Erik Andre, Deputy Schildwaster, Deputy Jeremy McClellan, Deputy Travis DeMuth and Deputy Jenna Ferrando.
Donte J. Roberson, no known address, was charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing traffic cones on Dec. 17. The 42-year-old was issued an appearance ticket for 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at Oakfield Town Court.
Emilia Carolyn M. Santiago, 28, was charged with petit larceny, conspiracy, sixth degree, and possession of burglary tools, after being stopped at 7:19 p.m. Dec. 14 while leaving Dick’s Sporting Goods at 4180 Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia.
Santiago had pending charges with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and was placed under arrest, deputies said. After a search of Santiago, it was allegedly found that she had stolen goods in her handbag that she was carrying while leaving the store.
Santiago, of Stevens Street, Buffalo, was taken to Genesee County Jail and was arraigned on Dec. 15 and released pending another court date.
New LED lights line the median of Redfield Parkway, Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.
Now, in addition to the colorful Christmas tree and holiday lights bedazzling streets such as on Redfield Parkway, folks can also observe the brighter, whiter LED lights that have replaced all former dingier yellow city lights as part of a city light replacement project.
The replacement was to be wrapping up soon, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said, as crews worked their way from both ends of the city, moving from Redfield Parkway east and Lehigh Avenue westward, until they met in the middle.
City Council approved the purchase of 948 street lights at a cost of $226,038, and future replacement of all National Grid street lights in the city. The nearly $1.7 million plan (Phase I) has an estimated savings of more than $161,000 annually.
What does LED mean? Light-emitting diode. So in this season of all things merry and bright, Batavia's city streets are trying to do their part.
For more complete story, first reported on The Batavian, go HERE.
An LED light on a light pole, also decorated for the holidays, in Downtown Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.
A photo of Downtown Batavia in September 2019 that captures the orange glow of the former high-pressure sodium lamps that used to illuminate the city. The new LED lights produce a white light. Photo by Howard Owens.
A photo taken on Jackson Street, Batavia, in January 2015 of a bike rider also shows the orange glow of the former high-pressure sodium lamps that once illuminated the city. These lights were owned and replaced by National Grid. Photo by Howard Owens.
With those words, or something to that effect, Scott Woodward accepted his father’s advice and took a shot at qualifying for the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at SUNY Brockport.
“When I went to college, I competed for one of the two-year ROTC scholarships between my sophomore and junior year,” said Woodward, (photo at right), a 1989 graduate of Batavia High School. “I was interested in ROTC, but it was never pushed on me.
“My dad asked me to give it a shot and see if you like it or not. I ended up getting the scholarship and, from there, it just kind of came naturally to me, and I did pretty well at it.”
“Pretty well” is quite the understatement.
Today, Woodward is five months away from a 30-year career in the Army and has progressed through the ranks to earn the title as Brig. Gen. Scott C. Woodward – making his parents, Tim and Maria, his family and his hometown proud.
PROMOTED TO BRIGADIER GENERAL ON DEC. 7
Woodward was promoted from colonel to brigadier general by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff on Dec. 7 at a ceremony in McLean, Va. His promotion was delayed for several months due to a confirmation hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
The 52-year-old Batavia native, who now serves as the Deputy Commanding General-Training at the Army’s Combined Arms Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., said he sometimes has to pinch himself to make sure it’s not a dream.
“It’s weird,” he said during a phone interview with The Batavian earlier this week. “I had to catch myself because I’m still trying to say ‘Colonel’ sometimes (when talking about himself) because I was a Colonel for seven years.”
For an officer to reach such an elite level, it takes a combination of service and leading others, said Woodward, who was commissioned as a second lieutenant after completing the ROTC program.
FOUR DEPLOYMENTS IN IRAQ
Woodward has all of that, and more, on a resume that includes four deployments in Iraq during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve, along with deployments in Bosnia-Herzegovina for Operation Joint Forge and Kuwait for Operation Desert Spring.
“It was March 2003, as a captain during OIF, when I was experienced combat,” Woodward said. “I went over there as a troop commander during the ground war – the initial invasion, we went all the way from Kuwait to Baghdad.”
He took on a different role during Inherent Resolve in 2014 after being promoted to lieutenant colonel.
“I was a G3 (operations officer) for the First Infantry Division … right when the whole ISIS thing really kicked off,” he noted.
TAKING ON LEADERSHIP ROLES
Woodward has excelled at various posts in the states, as well, including:
-- The Armor Colonels assignment officer, Senior Leader Development, Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington DC.
-- Operations Officer, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.
-- Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff G3/5/7, HQDA, Washington DC.
-- Executive Officer to the Commanding General of US Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, Va.
He is a graduate of Armor Officer basic course, Aviation Officer advanced course, the Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College, where he earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College.
Woodward said that being a commander is vital to moving up the ladder in the Army, and he was fortunate to be selected to lead men and women every step of the way, as a captain of a tank company and reconnaissance troop in Fort Stewart, Ga., as a lieutenant colonel of a cavalry squadron at Fort Riley, Kan., as a colonel of a cavalry regiment at Fort Irwin, Calif.
'RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB'
Last August, Woodward was named the new Combined Arms Center-Training Deputy Commander during a ceremony in Fort Leavenworth.
The previous Commanding General Lt. Gen. Theodore Martin (photo at left) said Woodward was the right person for the job, which oversees around 1,400 enlisted men and women and civilians.
According to an Army public relations’ article, Martin pointed out that he had served with Woodward at the Training and Doctrine Command.
“I’ve seen what this officer can do,” Martin said. “I saw what he did in the Mojave Desert leading the Blackhorse (11th U.S. Cavalry) Regiment and I have nothing but high hopes and great expectations for what you will do for CAC Training.”
Woodward said he calls Kansas home, having met his wife, Judy, there in 2006, and having been stationed there five times. One of his two daughters graduated from the University of Kansas.
Speaking about his new job, he said, “Essentially, I manage the training enterprise for the entire Army; all the training aids, training devices, simulators, simulations, ranges, the constructive simulations that we run for our corps and divisions.”
It’s a high-level management position with a $2.3 billion portfolio every year, he added.
WORKING WITH 'THE BEST' PEOPLE
For someone who thought he would give the Army four years and move on, Woodward said his motivation to serve is as strong as ever.
“I would say that the thing that keeps me in the Army -- the thing that keeps me motivated -- is the people,” he offered. “I’m serving with the best people in the world. And I think the job we do on a daily basis is worth it to me and to the people I serve with and what we do for the American public, I believe in it.
“And that's what keeps me motivated and staying in. I still think I'm making a difference in people's lives. And I still feel like I can contribute.”
Woodward was quick to add that he’s “proud” to be from Western New York and from Batavia.
His Batavia family is well known, with his parents, Tim and Maria (Gilmartin), and brother, T.J., having owned and operated Gilmartin Funeral Home for many years. His sister, Michelle, now resides in Atlanta.
STAYING LOYAL TO THE BUFFALO BILLS
Military service is not foreign to the Woodwards and Gilmartins as Tim served in the New York Army National Guard and his late brother, Mike, was in the Navy. Both grandfathers, the late Earl Woodward and Darwin Gilmartin, served in the Navy during World War II.
Woodward has two grown daughters, Savannah, who lives in Newport News, Va., and Sydney, who resides in Charlottesville, Va.
Although he hasn’t been in Western New York for quite some time, his love for the Buffalo Bills hasn’t waned.
“The Bills played out here a couple weeks ago against the Chiefs and I went to the game with a Bills’ jersey on,” he said excitedly, talking about Buffalo’s thrilling 20-17 victory. “I’m still and always will be a Bills fan.”
Combined Arms Center-Training Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Scott Woodward speaks to Soldiers from CAC-T headquarters and subordinate organizations after he and CAC-T Senior Enlisted Advisor Sgt. Maj. Chris Kohunsky led the Soldiers on a group run Dec. 15 at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Photos courtesy of Tisha Swart-Entwistle, Combined Arms Center-Training Public Affairs.
Students from Batavia Middle School stop to visit the City of Batavia Fire Department on Thursday. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Each year at Batavia Middle School, staff and administrators coordinate a Give-Back Day for students, and this year's event took them to several local places to spread a little seasonal cheer.
"Every student in our building creates gifts for community agencies and businesses that support our school, and then we personally deliver them the next week to show thanks and appreciation," Middle School Principal Nate Korzelius said. "It is a wonderful experience for our students and they enjoy this opportunity to give back."
They had a full itinerary on Thursday, dropping off thank-you treats, visiting and caroling at The Manor House, Richmond Memorial Library, the Department of Social Services, Tim Horton's, WBTA, the city fire and police departments, Probation and Child Protective Services, Family Court, STEP, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Pizza 151, YMCA, Mancuso Bowling Center, Genesee County Animal Shelter, Cinquino's Pizza, the city school's administration office, and Miss Batavia, which also included lunch.
Batavia Middle School students deliver some thank-you goodies to City of Batavia Fire Department staff. Photo by Steve Ognibene
City of Batavia Fire Department staff receive hot drinks from BMS students during the give-back day. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Students from Batavia Middle School break out their best vocals for seasonal caroling Thursday at Tim Hortons in Batavia. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Staff members from WBTA in downtown Batavia, including new company owner Jim Ernst, center on right, share in the excitement of a visit from BMS students during their give-back tour throughout the community on Thursday. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia City Police officers welcome BMS students Thursday as they deliver thank-you gifts to the police station. Photo by Steve Ognibene
UConnectCare recognized 11 employees with longevity awards this week. Seated from left, Sheila Rolle Smith, Jeff Helenbrook, Barb Bowman; standing from left, Allison Parry-Gurak, Lauren Swimline, Trisha Allen, Judy Pratt, Nicole Anderson. Others honored were MaryLou Szewczyk, Peter Whyman and Jocelynn Congdon. Submitted photo.
Press release:
For two decades, Jeff Helenbrook has been the go-to guy when it comes to maintenance, repairs and related responsibilities at UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse).
Helenbrook was honored for his 20 years of employment at the nonprofit agency this week -- receiving a standing ovation from his fellow employees at a reception at Terry Hills Restaurant.
He and 10 other employees were recognized with longevity awards by UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett.
“Jeff started with the agency on a part-time, temporary basis after his antique store was hit by a semi and destroyed,” Bennett said. “He came to work at Atwater (Community Residence) and was only going to stay on until he got the insurance money.”
As it turned out, the settlement took about eight years so Helenbrook stayed on at the agency, keeping the buildings, according to Bennett, “in tip-top shape.” Helenbrook’s job title today is facilities director.
An antique car buff, Helenbrook received the original catalogs of the 1930 Franklin and 1936 Pierce Arrow, two of the several vintage autos that he owns.
Others recognized at the luncheon:
15 years – MaryLou Szewczyk, counselor; Peter Whyman, residential tech.
5 years – Allison Parry-Gurak, director of Residential Services; Barb Bowman, counselor; Jocelynn Congdon, grant/data coordinator; Judy Pratt, counselor; Lauren Swimline, intake coordinator; Nicole Anderson, counselor; Sheila Rolle Smith, case manager; Trisha Allen, Reentry Project director.
The City of Batavia's new police station is one step closer after City Council approved the first round of bids for construction work Thursday. File Photo of facility rendering.
Two special meetings, a few pointed questions about contractor obligations, and nine votes solidified a move that City Council members, management and members of the police department celebrated Thursday at City Hall.
Council unanimously approved contracts worth $11,185,898 for the construction portion of the new police station to go up on the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place in downtown Batavia.
“I’ve just gotta say this, going out after 12 years. This has now become probably one of the major accomplishments of my career in government,” Councilman John Canale said during the specially scheduled business meeting. “And I am just so very, very happy to finally see this happen.Unless you go through that building, you have no idea what our police department has worked under, the types of conditions that they have worked under.”
Canale opted not to run for reelection to his Third Ward seat during this year's general election, and this was likely his last official piece of business for his term. He was one of nine yes votes for the following bids:
Building Innovation Group was chosen as the lowest of seven bidders for the general contracting portion of the police facility with a bid of $5,468,698.
Kaplan Schmidt Electric, Inc. was lowest of five bidders for electrical work with a bid of $1,365,500.
HVAC mechanical contracting went to Crosby-Brownlie, Inc. out of four bidders, with a bid of $1,897,200.
MKS Plumbing Corp. was the low bidder out of three proposals for plumbing and fire contracting, with a bid of $895,000.
Seven bidders pitched for site contracting, and Ingalls Development was the low bidder with $1,559,500.
Council members Paul Viele and Bob Bialkowski asked questions about the contract, including if it was “written in stone,” and whether the city would be hearing months from now that a mistake was made and a vendor needed more money.
“We do have contingency in the overall project budget,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski said. “But these are the contracts that we will be executing for the work that was in the bids.”
Viele also wanted to know about timeline: Is there one and is the contractor made to abide by it?
There is an 18-month time period for the project completion, Tabelski said.
Bialkowski also wanted some assurances about the contractor — what happens in the event a main or sub contractor stops working or files for bankruptcy?
“I don’t want to see a building half completed,” Bialkowski said.
There are provisions in the standard contract for such situations, City Attorney George Van Nest said, though “we’re not sitting here expecting that to happen.”
“Not that it’s never happened, obviously,” he said.
The public works and architectural team has checked references and feels comfortable with the lowest bidders chosen, Van Nest said, and there are bond claimsin case a contractor becomes insolvent, he said. Should a contractor cease working on the job, it goes to another contractor, he said.
“I understand Mr. Bialkowski’s concerns,” Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. said, referencing the situation at Ellicott Station, where the contractor walked off the job after closing his company.
The total police facility project is estimated to be $15.5 million, paid for with a $13 million loan at 3.75 percent interest from the USDA and a $2.5 million grant, Tabelski said.
“We would love to deliver on budget or under budget,” she said, later adding that “we’re really excited to see these bids awarded today.”
After the vote, which also included members Kathy Briggs, Al McGinnis, David Twichell, Rich Richmond and Tammy Schmidt, the audience with police department staff representation applauded.
Jankowski, a retired lieutenant, once worked at the current station on Main Street also known as Brisbane Mansion. He said that “it’s been a long road” to get to this point.
“I want to thank you for sticking through this project, it’s been 10 years, probably more,” he said. “Thank you for doing the right thing.”
Bialkowski shared some history that there was a former police station on School Street, and recalled how “you walked up the stairs, and right at the top of the hallway was the desk sergeant."
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Member of the Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to prioritize repayment of the state’s billions of dollars in outstanding federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) loans.
The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) imposes a 6.0 percent gross federal unemployment tax rate on the first $7,000 paid annually by employers to each employee, resulting in a maximum federal tax of $420 per employee per year. Employers in certain states may credit up to 5.4 percentage points of state unemployment taxes paid against the 6.0 percent tax rate, meaning that the typical FUTA tax is $42 per worker per year.
However, employers in states whose unemployment insurance funds have outstanding federal advances for two or more consecutive years, like New York, could have their FUTA credit reduced by an additional 0.3 percent for each year the outstanding balance is not repaid in full. This means that New York small businesses, through increased employer taxes, will bear the brunt of Governor Hochul’s irresponsibility and inaction in paying back the state’s federal UI loans.
“Governor Hochul’s inaction in paying back New York’s outstanding federal UI loans in a timely manner irresponsibly places that burden on our small businesses and hardworking families,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “At a time of skyrocketing inflation due to President Biden and Governor Hochul’s far-left fiscal policies, Main Street businesses across New York are struggling and are now facing even higher taxes as a result of New York failing to repay its outstanding federal UI loans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, far-left officials in New York forced businesses to shut down, causing disastrous effects on our economy. Now, these same businesses will be forced to help repay the state’s federal UI loans despite the fact that the state had other means to repay the debt. This is reckless management from Governor Hochul and only serves to further hurt New York businesses while they’re already reeling from many other pressures. Today, I sent a letter to Governor Hochul urging New York to prioritize repayment of the outstanding federal UI loans to prevent additional harm to our small, local businesses and workers in New York.”
The Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their monthly Board Meeting for January 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The public is invited to attend.
The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents with a variety of programs, events, and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.
The Holland Land Office Museum will be closed to the public in January from Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, Jan 27. The staff and volunteers of the museum will be working on getting the museum ready for a brand-new year in 2024 full of new exhibits, displays, programs, and special events.
The museum exhibit spaces will be undergoing major facelifts for our new exhibits. The museum will be resuming its regular operating hours of Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
For further information or questions please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
When the museum reopens in February, it will be “Reimagining History”. This project developed by Museum Curator Tyler Angora is the steppingstone into a new era for the Holland Land Office Museum. “Reimagining History” will showcase a redesign of exhibits and exhibit spaces on the bottom level of the original structure of the Holland Land Office.
Our permanent exhibit, “The Land Office,” will be presented with a new flow of story and presentation of artifacts. Also, the opening will showcase the newly revamped and enlarged exhibit, “98 Years Since the Sun Went Out.” In its new location in the old room where The Land Office” used to reside, it will triple in size and truly show what Genesee County looked like back in 1925 when the last total solar eclipse occurred over this area.
There will be more history integrated into the exhibit along with many new objects! On Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. the museum welcomes all to view the new edition of “98 Years Since the Sun Went Out” and of “The Land Office.” You won’t want to miss it!
Bethany town residents will be able to fill their water totes for the last time from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the town hall, Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. says.
“We knew it was on loan. I asked for an extension and we didn’t get it. Everybody knew this might happen. We just need to figure out the next step. I’m not done thinking outside the box,” Hyde said Thursday morning. “We’ve got a lot of bottled drinking water for residents; that’s a good thing. We will continue with the bottled water program until all 24 pallets are handed out to those whose wells have gone gone dry.”
Even with the tanker, it has been a completely flawless operation, he said, given the cold temperatures. There have been several times that the water valve has been frozen and needed to be thawed out. As winter progresses, that would have continued to be a difficulty to contend with, he said.
“The weather’s a huge factor in where we’re going and what we’re able to do. Mother Nature is just being difficult; first she put us in this drought and then she brought all this cold weather,” he said.The pump housing is aluminum. We can’t heat it up with a torch; aluminum does not like torches and heat, it could expand and crack.We’ve had to pour warm water on it to thaw it out. It’s not easy.”
He commended the town board and community members for pulling together and working out solutions so far.
“We are resilient in Bethany, and we will do what we have to, to come through this,” he said. “Everybody has done a great job to get us to this point.”
Having the 6,700 tanker from the state was a temporary fix that was appreciated, and more residents have water totes as a result of it, he said. For now, they will have to travel to Batavia, Pavilion or Stafford to meet their water supplies. He has not heard of any dry wells recharging to the point of being filled on their own, he said.
“We are talking, we are trying to figure something out,” Hyde said. “We did have the hall booked for Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve parties, and those were canceled.”
The volunteer fire company usually has several breakfast fundraisers the first part of the year, and those too have been canceled without water, he said.
“We don’t know when the water is coming back,” he said. “It really upsets the apple cart. Unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of bad news.”
Matthew and Mary Smith, left, and Jason Smith on right, visit with Hiroshige Yamabe during his eighth visit to Batavia since he was an exchange student in 1988 at Batavia High School. Photo by Joanne Beck
Of all the locales seen so far — Cooperstown and the beverage trail, Myrtle Beach, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the must-see for all international visitors, Amish country in Ohio, and cities from Los Angeles to Boston — Hiroshige Yamabe quickly pinpointed his favorite place in America so far.
“Batavia, of course,” he said.
Yamabe, whose American friends call Hiro, is getting to know Batavia and Western New York fairly well after his eighth visit this week. His first one was as exchange student from Tokyo, Japan when the Smith family hosted him — from parents Jim and Mary to son Jason — and they have forged a relationship that has endured more than three decades.
Yamabe is director of procurement and strategic sourcing for Jacques Marie Mage, a luxury eyeglass and sunglass company. His job often takes him to California and Connecticut, which are nice to visit, but they’re not the same, he said, as Batavia’s homey — he needed some help with the phrasing — laudable appeal.
“So I feel, like, more relaxed, and they're something I expect, the ground on the earth's crust — salt of the earth,” he said Monday during his visit to Jason Smith’s Batavia home.
Yamabe has come to regard the Smiths as true friends and a second family, he said. And Batavia as his second home. Jason Smith met him as a fellow student and musician at Batavia High School, after his original host family didn’t work out. The Smiths agreed to take the teenager in, and he lived with them for about seven months.
Since then, Jason has visited him in Japan, attended his wedding, and Yamabe in turn went to Jason’s wedding, and has made several return trips to a Smith residence — whether it be the parent’s home, Jason’s apartment and now at Jason’s own family home.
This trip was one of a culinary experience — touring many local haunts, including Eli Fish Brewing Company, Rancho Viejo, Miss Batavia Diner, Cinquino’s, Southside Deli and Avanti Pizza & Wood-Fired Kitchen, which serves up huge slices, Jason said, in Medina.
The reunited classmates also visited the late Jim Smith’s grave, as Yamabe has been kept up to date on all of the family news through the decades, and called Jason once he learned his host dad had died earlier this year.
“They made a decision that they accept me. It was my pleasure to be hosted,” Yamabe said. “So I'm very pleased with that. I always like to think of, like, the family and all the friends here … I always think that's a good experience, is the love from the family here.”
Mary Smith recalled how Yamabe’s first host family didn’t quite work out. She didn’t share the details but said that the high school principal reached out to Jason, a student at the time,to see if perhaps his family would be able to help out. They stepped up and offered to host this visitor who eventually grew so close to the family that they didn’t want to see him go back to Japan.
“We had a big party for him and there’s a lot of crying kids, it was very sad when he had to go back,” she said.
She remembered how he liked the Buffalo Bills, so they gave him a Bills jersey for Christmas — and he was “thrilled,” and how his Christmas cookies had to be bare, with no icing, since he’s not one for sweets. When it snowed, Yamabe would shovel the driveway right down to the nub of the blacktop, which seemed to impress the Smiths, she said.
“It was like losing a family member,” when he returned to his home, she said.
They have exchanged gifts over the years — Mary has a curio cabinet full of Japanese keepsakes -- and Jason’s table had some goodies from this trip — a hand-crafted knife, one of the Japanese region’s specialties, and some candies, including Kit Kats, which are pronounced kitty katto, and mean triumph, Yamabe said. They are considered a good luck item to give to people, and the tiny wrapped packages even include lines to write messages to the recipient.
Of course, of all the tangible items, there are the memories of spending time together, trying each other’s cuisine — Yamabe enjoyed his first garbage plate — and meeting up with old friends, as Yamabe has done with BHS classmates. And when Jason and Hiro get together, they talk about their jobs (Jason is superintendent of Batavia City Schools), their wives and families and life in general.
“We became good friends in high school. We're just kind of continuing naturally. And he came back and I've been there twice,” Jason said. “We just pick up where we left off.”
What's more Western New York than a garbage plate? (Other than Buffalo chicken wings, perhaps) Hiro had to check one out at Miss Batavia Diner during this trip to Batavia. Submitted Photo
Checking out the changes at Batavia High School, Hiro posed for a few photos along the way. Submitted Photo
Remembering a 'musician of note,' Hiro pauses at the musical wall of fame to see a plaque for Ken Hay, who has died since tge 52-year-old participated in the music program as a visiting student from Japan. Submitted Photo
Class of 1991 BHS grads Steve Tanner and Jason Mapes reminisce with Hiro at Eli Fish Brewing Company, which wasn't there when Hiro first came to town as an exchange student from Japan in the late 1980s. Hiro enjoyed the craft beverages, and meeting up with students he hung out with 35 years ago. Submitted Photo.
Steve Tufts, Class of BHS 1991, talks about old times with Hiro at Eli Fish in Batavia. Submitted Photo
Facing forward in the center is Pastor Ryan Macdonald during the City Church annual toy giveaway Tuesday evening at St. Anthony's in Batavia. Submitted Photo
The City Church Activity Night Annual Toy Giveaway, a night to assist those in need during the holiday season, was a huge success on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at St. Anthony’s on Liberty Street in Batavia.
Every child received a gift or two that attended the event, organizers said. There were even 30 bicycles that were given away to children that needed or wanted a bike. Pastor Ryan Macdonald, the lead pastor of City Church, said that “there was a time when I was a child that we had nothing.; I remember those days.”
“Now that we have the means to help families, that’s what we want to do,” he said.
City Church’s volunteers all came together for a night of fun, joy and community, organizers said. Approximately 28 businesses, community members, and church members made a difference by making some sort of donation of toys and/or financial support.
“Our slogan is, ‘we do life together,’ and we certainly did not do this night alone,” Macdonald said With a stage full of toys, makeup, sports equipment, and games, children were walking away with smiles on their faces, organizers said. There were carriage rides provided by Cherry Grove: The Yohe Family Farm, and chili was given to all in attendance.
And of course, Santa and some of his elves made an appearance for visits and photo ops with the children.
Next year, City Church plans to continue this tradition of helping and blessing its community, organizers said, and they encourage you to not spend Christmas alone and welcome you to join them on Christmas Eve at 8:30 or 10 a.m. at 210 E. Main St. and/or at 6 p.m. at 114 Liberty St., Batavia.
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, amidst the festive decorations and merriment, there are poisoning potentials.
Our number one call last December and this December is for pain medicine mishaps for all ages in the 54 counties we serve. That means an unintentional overdose, taking a double dose of a medicine, or a child getting into the wrong medicine. So far this December, our poison center is seeing a high number of calls for exposure to cleaning products and children who have swallowed something they shouldn’t like a battery or toys.
“One way to safeguard against an unintentional exposure this holiday season is by storing purses and coats up high just in case loved ones bring along any medications that could harm little ones. Offer a safe place to store or a medication lock box,” says Mary Beth Dreyer, Upstate New York Poison Center Health Education Program Manager. “Remember, we are available 24/7, even during holidays, to help in times of need."
Common Poisoning Potentials
Decorative Plants: While visually appealing, certain decorative plants can be toxic if ingested. Keep these out of reach of kids and pets: mistletoe, holly berries, amaryllis, Jerusalem cherry, and yew. Remember to call for any plant ingestions to help keep yourself or a loved one safe.
Alcohol & Cannabis: Secure and keep out of reach of children during holiday parties.
Decorative Lights: Keep batteries and light bulbs away from small children, as they can be harmful if swallowed.
Medication: Keep suitcases and purses out of reach of children and pets. Designate a safe space for coats, purses, and bags.
Dinner Time: Combat food poisoning by keeping hot food hot and cold food cold. Refrigerate or freeze any perishable food within two hours.
Kids Toys: Many children’s toys contain lithium button batteries (flat, coin-like batteries). If eaten, they can get stuck in the throat or on the way to the stomach and cause a blockage or serious burns. Call our poison center or seek immediate medical attention if you think your child swallowed a button battery.
Household Chemicals: Never mix chemicals, use cleaning products in a well-ventilated area, and store them out of reach from children and pets.
Empowering students, maximum potential, socially responsible citizens.
Those are some of the words “that popped out to me when I first became a principal when I started to dig into learning a little bit about Batavia,” High School Principal Jennifer Wesp said during Tuesday’s Batavia City Schools Board of Education meeting. “And then things like safe and nurturing environment, high moral character, and successfully meeting life’s challenges. So coming into this, I really was focused on how can we make sure that our culture is helping our students to rise to be the best students that they can be? And how can they take hose steps to really show the independence that they have within themselves?
“So I just wanted to say that I really grounded myself in the mission and vision as I started to think about the work that I was going to do,” she said. “So with that, as you know, our strategic plan as a district is really amazing. And this is really the roadmap that we use in the high school to plan all of the things that we’re doing, some of the policies and procedures that we’ve updated, the messaging we’re giving our students.”
Her journey, as she put it, began in the summer with a three days of four-hour meeting of the minds from across district buildings, to share concerns — “there had been some unrest at the end of the year, lots of things where people were talking about different things that were going on” —and some of the needs that staff wanted to discuss with the district at large, she said.
“And it really gave me my first taste of what is Batavia about, what are we looking at, what are we looking to build upon, what are the great things?” she said. “So this kind of helped, just being in the meeting and meeting people across the district to start to formulate some of the things and actions that we are going to take as we work on our goals together.”
Two specific areas emerged from those meetings for more exploration, she said, which was done with interviews and surveys to obtain direct feedback from the “stakeholders” involved. The two areas led to questions:
In what ways might we be able to handle and best manage student behaviors in class?
How might we help students emotionally regulate in order to avoid and manage conflicts?
Assistant Principals Omar Hussain and Jessica Korzelius took a part of the presentation and piece of the response to create three goals to help students to progress personally and academically.
The goals involve purposeful reading, a safe and orderly environment, and well managed emotions.
More specifically, the goals mandate that students will:
Learn strategies to develop/manage/execute emotional regulation levels to increase positive student behaviors in the classroom, school and community;
Engage in purposeful reading (authentic text), writing and collaborative discussion protocols for 100 minutes a day; and
Provide a school environment that is safe and orderly for all.
Just what is authentic text? The New York State Education Department defines it (and other forms of media) as being produced from authentic resources and used as "a tool to promote students’ language and culture learning."
"Through authentic resources, students see how words and structures are used in a given cultural context for real-world communicative purposes. When authentic resources are well-chosen and implemented, they can motivate and support students’ target language use and cultural understanding," the SED website states.
Hussain touched on the idea of independence in a way that he thought was “pretty sweet,” and seemingly simple. The school’s co-mayors suggested a program of allowing seniors the option to hang out for a “sunrise/sunset” privilege, captured with fun props in photos at Van Detta Stadium, and done with the assistance of a student parent group. It was an alternative senior study hall that “the underclassmen, they’ll love it too,” he said, and includes a late arrival for seniors and study halls housed in the library, aka the “Senior Lounge.”
Korzelius talked more about strategies to help students “understand themselves better,” and that use restorative practices. Such strategies can involve family members and counselors, and the work is focused on repairing the damage done to oneself and relationships with others.
“There’s the alternative to suspension room,” she said as an example of the restorative piece. “For an overall wellness experience for students.”
There’s a strong emphasis on the positive, all three said, and that includes mental health as part of a social and emotional learning component.
“It’s just really empowering our students to see the leaders in themselves … it’s celebrating students,” Korzelius said.
A holiday donation from Knights of Columbus members, including Gary Doody and Craig Mollon, on left, and Dan Perl and Bernie Hoerbelt on right, helped to feed children at the Agri-Business Child Development Center in Batavia. Submitted Photo
The Knights of Columbus presented 40 hams to the Agri-Business Child Development Center, which in turn gave them to the families of the children under its care. The Knights represent nearly 50 members of the local council.
The Catholic men’s organization represents over 2,000,000 worldwide members who promote charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The local council uses fundraisers to donate to local charities.
Photo of Leadership Genesee Class of 2023 courtesy of Laurie Pfaff LG 2009. 1st row (left to right): Morgan Hoffman, Carol Hunt, Gabrielle Lanich, Chelsea Peyman, Melissa Stein, Barbara O’Rourke, Daniel Calkins, Jaden Ohlson, Lauren Becht 2nd row: Gail Tenney, Roger Caldwell, Jessica Patnode, Staci Williams, Jacob Cone, Sarah Jarkiewicz, John Jondle, Melissa Kasmarek, Kaitlyn Krna, Josh Dykstra, Doug Curella Jr., Kathy Riggs-Allen 3rd row: Josh Graham, Terry Thompson, Levi Olsen, Laurie Watson, Kyle Sentiff
Press Release:
Leadership Genesee (LG) presented awards honoring the 26 members of the Class of 2023 at the Annual Graduation Celebration at Terry Hills on Nov. 30.
Class members from the private sector include Alleghany Farm Services, Genesee Patrons Cooperative Insurance Co., Hunt Real Estate ERA, Lizzie’s Ice Cream Camper, RRH United Memorial Hospital, Liberty Pumps, Porter Farms, Tompkins Financial, Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, Freed, Maxick CPAs, P.C., Tonawanda Valley Federal Union and UConnectCare (GCASA).
Also included from the public sector were members from Batavia Housing Authority, Byron Bergen Central School, City of Batavia Fire Department, Genesee County Department of Social Services, Health Department, and Office for the Aging, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee Community College, Mercy Flight/ Mercy EMS, and NYS Unified Court System.
Leadership Genesee Director Peggy Marone said at graduation, “As a group, you have shared so much quiet courage for what life throws your way, it’s the kind of courage that’s inspiring to everyone you meet, whether they know about it or not. It’s the way you hold yourselves and show the world the grit and backbone you have and without even knowing it, you become a lesson for someone who might not know they need it, but they do… we all do. You have a collective character that will stay with me for a long time.”
Leadership Genesee is a year-long community education committed to exploring Genesee County and encouraging the leader within all of us. We aim to provide well-prepared servant leaders for Genesee County ready to accept responsibility for our community’s shared concerns.
One participant said, “The experience exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I have gained a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the community I work in. I gained a better understanding of my leadership style and how to adjust to others’ styles to better serve and support them.”
The Class of 2024 will begin their journey in January. Leadership Genesee is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For more information about Leadership Genesee, please visit our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/leadership-genesee.
City Church's annual Toy Giveaway is Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., and will be held at St. Anthony's Community Center, 114 Liberty St., Batavia.
Every child will walk away with a toy this night. We will also have carriage rides, food, art projects to do, basketball, games, and friendship! We want to be a blessing to our community and those around us. Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate with us! We do life together.
For at least two weeks, I'm going to be unable to do much work.
Friday morning I was diagnosed with a detached retina in my right eye. I'm having surgery this morning. I get to spend the next week in a constant facedown position. It will be at least two, possibly three, weeks before I can return to work.
Well, history repeats. Almost exactly.
Last Wednesday, I covered the food distribution at St. Anthony's and noticed no issue with my vision. I remember specifically looking through the viewfinder on a couple of photos and lining up how the scene was framed and didn't notice any problem with my vision. That night, I covered a candlelight service in Le Roy, and as soon as I put the viewfinder to my right eye, I knew something was wrong.
I was diagnosed with a detached retina on Friday. Today, surgery.
Again, at least two weeks of facedown recovery. I looked just now at notes to readers in 2016 and I was actually out of work for three weeks. This time, the doctor is saying a week or two of recovery. The detachment in 2016 occurred because I got hit in the eye with a basketball. This time -- it happened on its own. This time, I also got to the doctor faster and am getting treatment sooner.
Issues with Deal of the Day should be directed to Kara Richenberg, kara@thebatavian.com
Press releases and news announcements, as always, should be sent to news@thebatavian.com
Mike Pettinella will help a little more with coverage, which I greatly appreciate, but he has limited availability because of other responsibilities.
We have a big pool of freelance photographers available to help us out now -- many more than in 2016 -- but they all have full-time jobs, families, etc. I'm sure they will step up where they can, but we also encourage community groups to submit their own photos and information about events to news@thebatavian.com.
I will be turning off the scanners in my house for the duration. I don't want to feel tempted to get on the computer to post something or feel frustrated that I can't go out to cover something.
We will inevitably miss some stories. This wouldn't be as much of an issue if we had more help. We would have more help if more people would sign up for Early Access Pass. This circumstance clearly highlights why it is important for you to join Early Access Pass. To join, click here.
