Scott Roblee, guitarist of Audibull plays "The Star-Spangled Banner" for the Village of Le Roy. Scott said he wanted to “boost everyone’s morale“ during these difficult times because “we only have this one life, and we need to cherish every second."
Dozens of townsfolk came to watch live, and a video was also streamed on Facebook live.
Photos by Philip Casper.
Submitted photo and information:
LE ROY -- Some good news to report -- working ventilator parts destined for New York City are being manufactured right here in Le Roy. Aluminum Injection Mold Co. LLC was contacted regarding building a mold one week ago with a challenge to mold plastic over an aluminum extrusion being produced in Ohio.
Typically it would have taken five to seven weeks to construct a mold like this to produce a ventilator part. But Aluminum Injection Mold knew of the urgency that was required and decided they were all in, whatever it took.
The ventilator part was one of several from an MIT design. An engineering firm from Long Island was the driving force, coordinating and building the ventilators to go into hospitals treating coronavirus patients.
By Tuesday evening, Aluminum Injection Mold made their first attempt to mold the ventilator part and continued long exasperating hours straight through the night until they succeeded.
By the yesterday morning, they had achieved making the ventilator parts that were then driven to the engineering firm in Long Island for trial.
Today (April 2), Aluminum Injection Mold received word that the ventilator parts are working well and has been given the go ahead to start producing more.
The company is owned by Gerald Ayers, president, and Tom Bergman, vice president.
Press release:
A moment of crisis says a lot about a person and a community. Faced with stress, uncertainty and fear, we all react in different ways. What your United Way team has witnessed over the past few weeks, in the face of the COVID-19 health crisis, has been inspirational. So many in our community have shown impressive leadership, selfless acts, and sincere caring.
In response to the health crisis and in adherence with recommendations of state and local Departments of Health, we have postponed the May 13th Day of Caring until further notice.
We know you might want to help now. You can reach out to the United Way of Genesee County office to learn of volunteer and in-kind donation needs of our local nonprofits.
As our community moves from responding to this crisis to recovery, we know that nonprofits are going to need our community’s support more than ever. We hope to reschedule the Day of Caring to best support local nonprofits as they begin to rebuild their operations. Stay tuned for more information and thank you for standing United.
Together we can make a difference.
Take care and stay safe,
Tammy, Susie and Jane
From Senator Charles Schumer's Office:
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer today sent a new letter to President Trump this afternoon (April 2) calling on the administration to immediately appoint a senior military officer as "Czar" to complete and rapidly implement a government-wide plan for the increased production, procurement and distribution of critically needed medical devices and equipment, with full and complete authority under the Defense Production Act (DPA) he originally pushed to invoke.
Schumer says that with more than 85,000 cases of COVID-19 spreading across all 62 counties in New York, that the present personnel are "not up for the job." There's a continued shortage of masks, gowns and other personal propection equipment, and ventilators.
"No one is really in charge of getting these critical items to where they are needed," Schumer said.
He emphasized that as the coronavirus spreads rapidly and its toll grows more severe, a state of affairs further compounded by the administration’s tardy response to the crisis, the immediate appointment of a senior military officer to help remedy the country’s well-documented shortage of protective equipment, tests, and medical supplies is paramount.
Read Schumer’s letter to President Trump here.
All Town of Bethany meetings are cancelled for the month of April at this time due to the COVID-19 issue under this State of Emergency.
The Town offices are closed to the public until further notice but are minimally staffed during the Towns normal work hours.
Bethany Town Court is closed until further notice.
If you have to make a payment or need something please call so we can safely fulfill your needs.
Remember self quarantine and keep your distance. If you do not have to venture to the store stay home. It may save someones life.
If there are seniors or shut- ins in the Town of Bethany that need assistance please contact the Town Supervisor and we will make arrangements to help.
Carl Hyde Jr.
Bethany Town Supervisor
For additional support, to apply for a loan, or to deposit your check from your mobile phone, please visit www.tvfcubatavia.com today!
Press release:
New Cases
Cumulative Data
OPERATIONAL UPDATES
From the Genesee County Office for the Aging:
Handyman Program Update
The Handyman Program for Genesee County residents age 60 years and older will be limiting services during this time.
Due to the guidance provided by the State* and to protect the safety and well-being of the service recipient, requests for IN-HOME Handyman services will be prescreened and a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outdoor repairs will continue.
Requests for Handyman services may be made by calling NY Connects/Genesee County Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.
The Handyman Program is funded by the Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging and is administered by the PathStone Corporation.
*UPDATED by Governor Cuomo's office at 4:01 p.m. today (April 2) NYS on PAUSE Extended: it mandates that nonessential workers work from home, and everyone is required to maintain a 6-foot distance from others in public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get the facts.
A Batavia author has penned a paean to The Stumblin' Inn in Elba, the storied landmark that burned down two years ago this summer.
Daniel J. Crofts was to speak at the Holland Land Office Museum April 23 about his fictional short story "Ignis Invictus,* a Eulogy for the Stumblin' Inn" as participants noshed pastries and sipped hot coffee during the kaffeeklatsch known as Java with Joe E., cancelled because of coronavirus, naturally.
"I worked in Elba for a little over five years, and had passed by the Inn every day," Crofts said in a recent email. "But it wasn't until reading The Batavian's coverage following the July 2018 fire that I learned just how important it had been to the Elba community.
"I have always been interested in storytelling, and felt that a short story that would function as a sort of memorial for the Stumblin' Inn would be appropriate and, perhaps, welcomed."
Crofts said his tale is about a man from out of the area who drives into Elba, sees the wreck of the Stumblin' Inn (after the fire had occurred but before the debris was cleared), and treats it disrespectfully.
Then he meets a mysterious, supernatural guide (like the ghosts of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," or Virgil from Dante's "The Divine Comedy") who takes him on a journey through the history of the Stumblin' Inn, its predecessors, and Elba in general (insofar as it is relevant to the Inn).
Of course, Crofts' book ($10.50) is stocked at the Holland Land Office Museum, which is temporarily closed because of the pandemic.
HLOM Offers Online Book Sales
It is among a number of intriguing titles in the HLOM bookstore inventory, which are available for purchase online.
Also on the list: "The Story of the Muck as Told By Those Who Worked There," ($12) written by the late William F. Brown Jr., and researched by Anne Marie Starowitz; and "Up South -- Folk Stories Whispered on the Summer Wind and Seen Through the Green Leaves" ($24.99), by Lynda Breckenridge Gaetano; and "Transfiguration and Hope -- A Conversation About Time and Hope" ($21.99) by D. Gregory Van Dussen, about spiritual journeys infinite and eternal, and the power of grace.
There are battlefield maps for purchase and titles about wars and veterans, baseball, the Erie Canal, Buffalo gangsters, Native Americans and pioneers, railroads, Genesee County architecture, haunted places, leading citizens, lore, and WNY amusement park rides.
A tiny brass cannon collectible can be had 10 bucks. It spurs remembrance of the actual cannons that stood outside the museum for more than a century. Last November, those were carefully dismantled and sent to Altoona, Pa., for a $20,000 period-accurate restoration, half paid by the museum and half through funds from an ongoing fundraising campaign called "Ready. Aim. Donate."
And if you need some soap to wash your hands good and clean of COVID-19, the bookstore's online inventory also lists prettily wrapped, handmade goat's milk soap, three cakes for $12, with fragrances such as green tea, rose hip, and lavender mint.
Meanwhile, HLOM is using this time of closure to take stock of its operation and programs and is asking people to complete a survey to help them better serve the community.
(Ignis Invictus is Latin for: Fire or Passion + Invincible or Undefeated, etc.)
Editor's Note: Below is a YouTube video of the Stumblin' Inn fire July 8, 2018, by Elba resident Lucine Kauffman, along with our news partner WBTA:
Also, video of the cannons being loaded for their restoration trip.
Gov. Cuomo's briefing for April 2, 2020
For 35 years, Nick Ficarella has been serving delicious pizza, wings, subs, pasta and more to the community, initially at a shop situated across from Southside Deli on Liberty Street and, for many years, at his current location at 21 Liberty St.
Unfortunately, the spread of the COVID-19 has forced the Batavia native to temporarily close his store, giving – in his words – “our staff a well-deserved mental and physical break and doing our part to stop this spread of this terrible pandemic.”
Ficarella, speaking to The Batavian this afternoon, said he is shutting things down for a few weeks, not because business has fallen off, but primarily to protect the health of employees, their families and friends and customers.
“Business-wise, the support has been huge,” he said. “We have been seeing long, long lines at the pick-up window. The issue is more about staffing.”
In post on his Facebook page, Ficarella wrote that he will provide daily updates through social media – “to keep your belly’s (sic) hungry and your spirits high” – and also will be updating the website with new features to enhance the ordering experience.
“We’ll be back bigger and stronger,” he said. “We’re going to add some new features, including online ordering. In the meantime, I would like to thank the community and look to continue to serve the great people of Genesee County and beyond like we have since 1985, when there is an end to all this madness.”
Interview with Teresa VanSon, director of the Genesee County Job Bureau.
UPDATE: Oops, I messed up and didn't save the code for the video player right prior to the interview. Sorry. Here's the recorded interview.
UPDATE: Here are resources mentioned during the interview:
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Genesee County Job Development Bureau
This morning we're talking with District Attorney Lawrence Friedman about how social distancing and quarantines are affecting the justice system.
UPDATE: This is a reposted recording of the live stream interview to fix a dropped signal at the beginning of the interview.
April is National Poetry Month and so, as we shelter in place, The Batavian will strive to bring a little light into your life with poetry.
This morning, we present Emilio Viera reading Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare. Viera is a member of Harvester 56 Theater/Batavia Players.
We welcome your contribution to our daily video posting. Submit a video of yourself reading a favorite poem to howard@thebatavian.com.
Tonight at 8 o'clock, The Batavian is hosting a live poetry reading featuring three Western New York poets, Scott W. Williams, Maria Sebastian, and Christopher M. Waide. Here's a link to the YouTube live stream so you can set a reminder for yourself to watch.
Below is a video from YouTube about Sonnet 29.
Press release:
Today's competitive workforce is in a constant state of evolution even before the COVID-19 Pandemic. The introduction of new systems, products and services, and the drive for improved efficiencies in an ever-challenging marketplace require employers to evaluate, update and realign teams to best meet the changing demands of their industry.
To help employees build their skill sets and keep up, Genesee Community College is excited to open enrollment for its first micro-credential programs available this fall semester, which begins Aug. 31.
Micro-credentials are academic programs, similar to degree programs that have been dramatically trimmed to just nine to 15 credit hours that include only core courses relevant to specific skills, training and knowledge in that discipline.
Designed to be earned in as quickly as one semester, a micro-credential is the ideal way to build a resume to take advantage of career advancement opportunities, get started in a new industry, or even to explore a career path without the commitment of an expensive or time-consuming four-year degree.
GCC's micro-credential programs offer students a high-quality education in a reduced time frame and limited cost -- only course tuition plus course-related books and fees.
The first micro-credential programs GCC has made available for enrollment for the Fall 2020 semester are:
"Since its inception, Genesee Community College has prioritized the needs of the communities we serve by helping to ensure our graduates and their employers benefit from the most current and relevant technologies available," said Kathleen (Kate) M. Schiefen, Ed.D., provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.
"Micro-credentials allow us to deliver on both of those priorities in a very big way. For many people, from incumbent workers to those facing layoff, a micro-credential in one or two semesters with incredibly reasonable tuition and 100-percent online access can change a career trajectory and help secure a whole family."
The online learning component of the new micro-credentials is another way the programs enable student success, particularly for those who may be juggling the responsibility of family, healthcare needs, transportation issues or jobs.
Upon completion of a micro-credential program, students receive an official college transcript that documents their earned academic credit as well as a specific digital badge that highlights those core skills and competencies that employers search for on resumes, LinkedIn pages and other social media channels.
The digital badge, representing the earned micro-credential, sets a GCC candidate apart from the rest.
Additionally, earned micro-credentials generate SUNY academic college credits which are transferable and can be applied toward additional academic degrees in the future including:
Individuals who are interested in earning a micro-credential in Human Resource Management should contact, Lina LaMattina, Ph.D., GCC assistant professor and director of Business and Commerce, LMLattina@genesee.edu, 585-343-0055, ext. 6319.
To discuss the NYS Coaching Certification Micro-Credential, contact Becky Dziekan, GCC professor and director of Health and Physical Education, 585-343-0055, ext. 6424 and rldziekan@genesee.edu.
"GCC is excited about developing additional micro-credential programs in the near future," Schiefen added. "While these are ideal for working adults looking to advance in their careers by attaining the skills necessary to keep up with their changing job duties, micro-credentials are also perfect for young adults to help them qualify for entry level positions or to explore brand new career paths."
From Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer:
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has severely damaged many small businesses and left thousands of hardworking Western New Yorkers unemployed. As your State Senator, I am working to provide critical support to employees who are out of work and struggling small businesses.
Recent changes have been made to the New York State Unemployment Assistance Program as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, more residents -- including some small business owners -- are eligible for benefits.
Below is information that may be helpful in answering any questions you may have.
In addition, the state is waiving the seven day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines.
Those who need to apply for unemployment can do so here.
Please continue to check my website, ranzenhofer.nysenate.gov, or connect with me on facebook for the latest updates regarding the resources available to employees and employers.
A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the city at Clinton Street and East Avenue. City fire and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 9:27 a.m.: The westbound lane is completely blocking traffic. Two vehicles are involved. Law enforcement in on scene and asking for assistance in traffic control.
UPDATE 9:42 a.m.: Occupants in both vehicles required no medical attention; bother were sign-offs. How the accident happened is being determined.
Update - 12:45 p.m.
“We know that businesses across the Empire State are bearing the brunt of this developing economic crisis, and that means hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers’ livelihoods are at risk. But we have a resilient workforce in New York State — and that will not be diminished,” said New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “The keys to the success of our economy and job market are our forward-thinking employers and the hardworking men and women who make up our workforce. Through innovative thinking, strategic partnerships, and high-quality training, we have made New York’s workforce the best in the nation, and we will continue that work. As New Yorkers weather this public health crisis, our Governor and the NYS DOL will be right here, working alongside all of you, to reenergize our economy and our workforce, and ensure New York State remains prosperous on the other side of this unprecedented challenge.”
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Press release:
The New York State Department of Labor continues to deal with what a spokesperson says is “unprecedented inundation” of its phone and online filing system.
According to the agency, between March 23 and March 28, its phone system recorded more than 8.2 million calls, compared to 50,000 in a typical week – an increase of 16,000 percent. The online filing system received 3.4 million visits, compared to 350,000 in a typical week.
The department reports it is taking the following steps to reduce volume and increase capacity:
-- Asking New Yorkers to help reduce the surge by only filing unemployment insurance claims on certain days, based on the first letter of their last name.
-- Streamlining the process to make it quicker, and automating additional pieces of the process so there are fewer reasons a filer has to call.
-- Reminding New Yorkers that even if filing is delayed, you WILL still receive the entire benefit you are entitled to.
-- Dedicating 700 staff to DOL’s Telephone Claims Center.
-- Enlisting hundreds of additional staff – reassigned from within DOL, borrowed from other agencies and new outside hires, who are currently being onboarded and trained.
-- Extending the call center hours, including expanding service to Saturdays and processing applications on Sundays.
-- Adding more than 20 additional servers to support the website's capacity.
“We will continue to double down on all of these efforts to serve every New Yorker who is filing for unemployment insurance. We thank you for your patience,” the spokesperson said.
The New York State Department of Labor is dedicated to ensuring that every New Yorker who is entitled to UI benefits will receive all benefits due. New Yorkers seeking to file an unemployment insurance claim can visit labor.ny.gov or call the Telephone Claim Center at (888) 209-8124.
The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc at all levels of government, producing a degree of uncertainty that has municipal leaders frozen in their tracks.
If that’s not enough, tack on a proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to shift funding of hospitals and nursing homes to the counties – a potential move that, according to Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell, would devastate the county budget.
“If the state gets to go down this road, we could be in a world of hurt that we haven’t seen from the days when we owned the (Genesee County) nursing home and were financing deficits,” Gsell said during this afternoon’s County Legislature Ways & Means Committee meeting, which was live-streamed by Zoom on YouTube.
Calling it a “switcheroo that the governor has pulled,” Gsell reported to the committee that mandating county funding of “distressed hospitals and nursing homes” could be a way New York State generates more revenue – by taking more of counties’ sales tax – without having to increase the burden on counties already obligated to fund Medicaid.
“I’m not really sure where this came from,” said Gsell, adding that Genesee County is on board with the New York State Association of Counties’ plea to state lawmakers to reject proposals that would undo local Medicaid caps and result in higher property taxes for struggling homeowners or cuts to vital local services.
Gsell said it is essential that state legislators accept the $6.7 billion in new federal healthcare funding included in the first stimulus package – action intended to help states and local governments through this public health crisis.
He said the governor's proposal is a “backdoor way” of putting New York counties in a $250 million hole while attempting to plug a state budget gap that could reach $15 billion due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“To involve us in two fiscal entities and, obviously, vital services that we have no control over, no veto or anything else – and we haven’t seen any of the details – is both scary as well as quite off the beaten path,” Gsell said.
The county manager acknowledged that things will be much clearer after the 2020-21 state budget is passed (it could happen at midnight tonight), but he and the county legislature still are taking an ultra-conservative approach when it comes to spending.
He said the county’s current budget calls for approximately $864,000 in outside agency funding, (not including Genesee Community College) for tourism promotion, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County Economic Development Center, public libraries, Holland Land Office Museum, GO ART! and Finger Lakes Regional Planning.
County Treasurer Scott German reported that the sales tax reserve stands at $1.1 million, and that money from the infrastructure reserve that was earmarked for the new county jail now has been put on hold.
Gsell confirmed that the county will revisit the jail project in the spring of 2021, noting that – due to the effect that the state’s bail reform law has had on jail population -- the plan to build a four-pod jail could be reduced to three pods. He also said they will be looking at the possibility of a shared-services arrangement with Orleans County.
The Ways & Means Committee also put the brakes on, at least temporarily, a $125,000 project to construct a building to house fuel trucks, mowing and facilities equipment and a grader at the Genesee County Airport.
Highway Superintendent Tim Hens said that the new building – which would replace a 70-year-old pole barn that is in “rough shape” – is necessary because wind and cold weather were causing the trucks’ fuel lines to freeze.
The project had been previously approved by the Public Service Committee and went out to bid, Hens said, adding that Thompson Builds came in as the low bidder at $109,000. That price was to build the frame and shell; county employees will be used to put down the concrete floor and do the electrical work.
Hens said he hoped the project would continue, but in light of the county’s fiscal situation, offered a second option: storing the fuel vehicles in a bay or two of new hangars that are set to be built this summer with money from a state grant.
In an effort to rein in expenses, Hens said he already has cut $600,000 from the 2020 budget by pulling back on capital projects and has deferred another $800,000 in projects scheduled for 2021.
Legislator Gary Maha said he thinks the building is needed, “but I don’t think it’s the right time to spend that kind of money.”
“We don’t know where we’re going to be when this whole thing is said and done,” he said. “We put a stop on the jail. The jail is needed, but we put a stop on that. And I think we need to put a stop on all capital projects until we know where we are budget-wise.”
Legislators Andrew Young and Rochelle Stein agreed, prompting Ways & Means Chair Marianne Clattenburg to request more information about construction costs and referring the project back to the Public Service Committee.
April is National Poetry Month and so, as we shelter in place, The Batavian will strive to bring a little light into your life with poetry.
We intend to post a video of a poetry reading every day throughout April. Mostly, the poems will be read by community members. We turned to Harvest 56 Theater and the Batavia Players for poetry readings, and have several videos in the queue already but we invite you to make a video of you reading one of your favorite poems, as well. Email your video to: howard@thebatavian.com
We will also supplement these posts with some of my favorite videos related to poetry on YouTube.
Tomorrow night at 8 p.m., The Batavian is hosting a live poetry reading featuring three Western New York poets, Scott W. Williams, Maria Sebastian, and Christopher M. Waide. Here's a link to the YouTube live stream so you can set a reminder for yourself to watch.
Our first poem of the series is "Hope is the thing with feathers" by Emily Dickinson, read by Malloryann Flanagan, a member of Batavia Players.
Below is a video essay about one of Emily Dickinson's poems that I highly recommend.
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