Work crews were planting plants in the middle of the Oak Street Roundabout today, which reminded me of a few conversations I've had around town recently -- what to put in the middle of the roundabout? Mere plants won't do.

There should be something important and meaningful there.

And in thinking about it -- it's Batavia, it's Oak Street -- what would be more meaningful and appropriate than a statue of John Gardner, and perhaps the word "LOVE"?

So there's a suggestion: Let's get a committee together, raise some money and make it a little shrine to Batavia's most famous literary figure.

A one-vehicle accident has been reported in the roundabout on Oak Street.

The car apparently hit several traffic cones.

The initial call indicated there may have been an injury and City Fire and Mercy EMS were dispatched. A police officer who was first on scene reported no injuries and fire and EMS were canceled.

UPDATE: Police on scene have requested the nearest available tow. The car is stuck on the median, its front axle is damaged and the rear tire is going flat. The car is a Saturn.

There are apparently no injuries in an accident at 196 Oak St., just in front of Bob Evans Restaurant.

Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS have responded.

No word on if traffic is blocked.

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A semi-truck was temporarily stuck on Oak Street roundabout this evening.

The cause may have been a broken air line to the brakes, according to Batavia Police Officer Chris Camp. 

The line may have broke because of the current height difference between the brick inner turning circle and the outer asphalt area.

The truck was stuck on the circle for only a short time. It was no longer on scene by the time I arrived and I live close by (hence, no picture).

For those who don't know, as Camp explained to me, air brakes on trucks work differently than car brakes. On trucks, the brake pads are separated from the wheel and held apart by air pressure. In this case, when the air line broke, the brake pads contracted, causing the tire to stop spinning.

I happened to catch this truck going through the roundabout this morning, and the driver seemed to make it through just fine. He went, though, only half way onto the brick area.

As you can see, he's tilted a bit, so one of my questions is -- doesn't the DOT plan to level the asphalt with the bricks? My assumption was yes, but the sides of the curbs are bevele -- as if they're meant to be driven on -- leaving the asphalt inches below the bricks.

It was clear from the tire marks on the bricks that many drivers have discovered that it's OK to drive on the red roadway.

Three people were reportedly injured in a three-car accident at Oak Street and Richmond Avenue.

Traffic is blocked at this time and two cars will need to be towed.

Emergency crews are on scene now.

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Word is this morning, driver frustration is high on Oak Street, as portions of the road have been reduced to a single lane near Main Street.  Traffic is backing up southbound with occasional long lines both east and west on Main (but, then, long lines at Main and Oak aren't unusual).  A DOT supervisor at the site said "if the weather cooperates" the work will be done, from Oak to the Thurway, will be done in three days.

Meanwhile, if you're coming from into town from north of the Thruway, consider entering Batavia on State Street.

I recently heared a rumor that Oak Street will be going from a road that is two lanes each way, to a road that is only one lane each way. If this is true, this will be a disaster! How is anyone supposed to make a left turn onto Richmond, Allen or LaCrosse with the traffic coming from the other way in one lane? Do we expect everyone behind them to patiently wait for them to turn? This will be a road of disaster and road rage along with backups! Why do we we need parking along both sides of the street? People can park there now but no one does! The developers are beginning to make a mess out of things!

Batavia residents will continue to pay for trash collection through their property taxes... at least, for now, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer. City Council took up the issue last night, debating whether it might not make more sense to switch to a non-exempt fee system. Fischer cites an example brought up by Councilman Sam Barone last night who said that the Genesee ARC costs the city $900,000 per year in trash collection, yet the group is exempt because of its non-profit status. Council will take up the issue again in April.

Eight property owners from Oak Street told the City Council last night that they oppose the state's proposal to reduce that street from four to three lanes, one heading north, one south, and one that would be used for turning only. A public informational meeting will be held on the proposal on December 18.

Last month, the state Department of Transportation came to the Batavia City Council with a proposal to transform Oak Street from four lanes to three and use the center lane for turns only, according to the Daily News. At least one Oak Street resident, Carol Grasso, plans to oppose that proposal because it would mean that vehicles would no longer be able to park on the street. (Parking is currently allowed, save between the hours of 7:00 to 9:00am and 4:00 to 6:00pm.) Grasso will voice her disapproval of the project at this evening's Council meeting.

In other news, this year's Toys for Tots campaign has kicked off for the season. Wal-Mart in Batavia will host a collection this Saturday and Sunday. Other barrels will be out for collection at the Genesee County Career Center, the Batavia City Fire Department, HSBC Bank and Hospital Heart Rehab Center. Call Ed Weiss at (585) 343-8279 if you would like to donate or to find out how your business can host a collection barrel.

Crossroads House will remain closed temporarily for construction and to allow the home to potentially locate a new full-time director and better organize its internal management. Crossroads, a "comfort home for the terminally ill," is funded almost exclusively by public donations. The group hopes to be back open soon.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.