The Genesee County Health Department receives funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to carry out the Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP). Residents in the Town and City of Batavia are eligible to participate.
The program offers free home evaluations for asthma triggers, indoor air quality, lead-based paint hazards, fire risks, and other health hazards. At the home evaluations, residents are educated on asthma management, childhood lead poisoning prevention, carbon monoxide poisoning, radon gas, fire safety and prevention, and other home safety issues. Safety and cleaning supplies are also available to eligible participants.
Staff from the program are going door to door in the City of Batavia to raise awareness about the program and look for participants. At the homes we visit, we leave a door hanger or flyer with contact information for the Health Department.
During the summer we are focusing on Ward 3 (north of Main Street from Oak Street to State Street) and Ward 4 (the western edge of the city to Oak Street north of West Main Street and to Pearl Street south of West Main Street). We will be covering other areas of the City later in the year. Information on the streets we are visiting each week will be posted on the Health Department’s Facebook and Instagram account under GOHealthNY.
Go to https://bit.ly/HealthyNeighbors to request a home visit from the Healthy Neighborhoods Program for yourself or to refer someone to the program. Once the Health Department receives the request, a staff member will reach out to schedule a home evaluation. For more information, call Healthy Neighborhoods Program staff at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 or visit www.GOHealthNY.org.
Northeast Grocery, Inc. (NGI), the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets (Tops), and New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that will expand corporate administrative employment opportunities for those with disabilities at competitive wages.
“Our companies have a long-standing commitment to the sustenance of the communities we call home, both literally and figuratively,” said Mike Miller, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Northeast Shared Services (NSS), NGI’s shared services group. “Central to that is opening doors for everyone to have access to career pathways that increase their independence and foster personal and professional growth. We couldn’t be prouder to partner with NYSID and take even bolder action to help those who bring such unique and diverse skillsets and perspectives.”
NYSID’s member agencies offer support services to individuals with disabilities, including meaningful employment. Under the new agreement, NYSID member agencies will staff for janitorial and mail fulfilment services for NGI’s respective Schenectady and Buffalo, NY headquarters. Janitorial services will be carried out on-site, while mail fulfillment services will occur at the Center for Disability Services mail fulfillment integrated business in Albany, NY. The janitorial and mail fulfillment contracts will create about 20 jobs at the start, and employees with disabilities will work in integrated settings and earn competitive wages.
"We are thrilled to partner with an organization that prioritizes employing individuals with disabilities. While the effort is 'socially good,' it also helps to significantly boost our economy by offering competitive wages and meaningful work. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities is 67 percent, but NYSID and NGI are working hard to improve that number to create strong New York State communities,” said Maureen O’Brien, president and CEO of NYSID.
Both Price Chopper/Market 32, founded in 1932, and Tops, founded in 1962, have been supporting that effort for decades, offering a variety of employment and training opportunities geared toward the recruitment, retention and advancement of workers with disabilities at what are now almost 300 retail locations combined across New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
“This partnership is a celebratory mile marker along the journey that our companies committed to many years ago – a journey to equitable and accessible employment in our communities,” said Yvone Clark Rogers, NSS director of diversity, equity, inclusion and talent. “To be a neighbor among the families that are spread across the vast regions in which we operate, means we have a vested interest in the fulfilled lives of many, and in being an environment where they are represented and valued. This is an exceptional example of how businesses can operationalize their values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Price Chopper/Market 32’s Hiring Advantage Program provides on-site, hands-on exposure to a variety of jobs so that individuals, including those with disabilities, can determine which occupation best suits their career goals for placement with the company. Tops has formed several strategic partnerships with local schools and support providers to develop employment pipelines for those with disabilities. Both companies also closely collaborate with state agencies and community-based organizations that prioritize employment opportunities for the disabled. NGI’s agreement with NYSID now elevates these innovative strategies to corporate administrative operations.
“We strive to be a model for good corporate citizenship, not just in the retail grocery industry, but beyond,” said Miller. “Over the years we have witnessed the incredible impact our career development programs have made in the lives of those with disabilities and, in turn, the countless ways their talent and dedication have positively altered the trajectory of our companies. We couldn’t think of a better way to pay their contributions forward than by working alongside NYSID to create even more opportunities for growth and advancement.”
NGI and NYSID are already pursuing an expansion of this partnership, under which a NYSID member agency operating a custom apparel business would become the exclusive provider of an employee-facing e-commerce storefront for all NGI-, Price Chopper/Market 32- and Tops-branded apparel. Individuals on the autism spectrum would create branded merchandise and fulfill orders in an integrated work setting at competitive wages.
“All working-age New Yorkers deserve the opportunity to pursue a career or vocation of their choosing and it falls on each of us to do our part to open doors and reduce barriers to employment for those with disabilities,” said New York State 108th District Assembly member John T. McDonald III, RPh. “It’s one of many reasons why I’m proud the State has made NYSID one of its preferred source providers of products and services. However, we can’t do it alone and I applaud NGI, one of New York’s largest employers, for taking this bold step and incorporating these principles in the private sector. These jobs will help foster greater independence and self-reliance for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, which is key to their health and wellness.”
"Creating opportunities for people with disabilities is important for a fair and inclusive society,",” said New York State 111th District Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara. “As the father of a son with autism, this goal is very personal to me. Studies show that having a job helps people with disabilities become more independent. The partnership between NGI and NYSID is a great example of how we can make the workforce more inclusive, and I am committed to expanding these opportunities to make a difference."
Fame Racing – Radio Controlled Car Racing (SAT 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SUN 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; MON 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; TUES 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; WED 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; THURS 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; FRI 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SAT 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm)
Fair Trivia Hunt – All Day (July 20th-26th) – Exhibition Building – DAILY PRIZES Events & times on the schedule are subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.
Supervisor Hensel has called a special meeting for the sole purpose of conducting an inspection of the condition of the highways and restoration of the areas which were disturbed during the construction of the water system. The Board will not take any action this meeting.
The meeting is July 24 at 1 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m. if possible) at Byron Town Hall. 7028 Byron Holley Rd.
The Members of the Byron Town Board will be meeting at the Byron Town Hall to conduct a site inspection of Town of Byron Water Improvement Benefit Area #1. This Inspection is for informational purposes only.
Representatives for the contractors, engineers, County and State highways, have, along with local officials, been invited to participate.
Some of the financial burden has been taken off of city leaders’ and local taxpayers’ shoulders with the announcement of a $1.2 million state grant that will be used for the ice chiller at the McCarthy Ice Rink in Batavia.
The funds are part of $7.3 million pool for climate-smart communities projects across New York State, and Batavia was chosen as one of several municipalities to receive financial assistance for a project that city and Genesee County officials have deemed worthy of the “Climate Smart Communities” initiative.
County Manager Matt Landers appreciated the opportunity to support the state Department of Environmental Conservation in making the announcement, he said Tuesday at the Evans Street ice arena, considering that it’s for “vital funding for new climate projects.”
“This support underscores our commitment to sustainability and highlights the innovative efforts of our local communities in addressing climate change,” he said. “We look forward to seeing these projects have a positive impact on Batavia and beyond.”
City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. also lauded the funding that city leaders had applied for in December 2023 as part of budget discussions and future planning for how to pay for the chiller, expected to cost upwards of $4 million.
“The Ice Arena and the programs provided year-round make it a unique gathering place for all our residents to enjoy. It's much more than just a place for people to ice skate and play hockey; it’s also used for many different events throughout the year. Monday, August 5, in a few weeks, the arena will be hosting the Batavia Police Department's Community Night. It's an annual event that strengthens the community police partnerships and promotes safe neighborhoods,” Jankowski said.
Jankowski said city leadership, including the City Council and City Manager Rachael Tabelski and her team are pleased with the growth of the ice arena as a community hub since operations were award to local businessman Matt Gray.
"Matt is a distinguished member of our community and serves on various boards and organizations. He's very committed to the ongoing revitalization of our downtown," Jankowski said. "His successful venture at Eli Fish Brewing Company in the heart of our downtown demonstrates his keen business knowledge which will be a valuable resource in operating the ice arena.
“That's why the award we're announcing today through the New York State Climate Smart Communities program is so important to the future and success of our ice arena,” he said. “The grant will enhance the operations of the arena as a result of various energy efficiencies. The modern equipment that's being installed will not only reduce operational costs, but will also reduce emissions and lessen the arena’s environmental footprint.”
The ice chiller caused considerable conversation during city budget talks after the council approved inevitable knee-jerk responses to keep the rink going with a failing chiller system two years ago. A council meeting in June 2023 brought out new operating manager Matt Gray and hockey league members to speak to the rink’s importance and reasons why the council should move forward with the big-ticket purchase.
A rapidly failing ice chiller wasn’t likely to survive another full season, and without a working chiller, of course, there would be no ice, no hockey program, and no evolving 12-month facility that had just celebrated “a great first year,” Gray said at the time.
Investing more and more money into the refrigerant necessary to keep the chiller going was a losing strategy, he and Tabelski said.
She presented two options for purchasing a new chiller, and the less expensive one included this potential grant that just came through. In July 2023, the council approved a $2.5 million capital project to purchase a new chiller and evaporator system for the rink and to apply for this grant funding.
The new chiller will use less electricity and less water in the chilling process and allow rink operators to recapture and retire the 22 refrigerant, “which desperately needs to get out of our community,” Gray said.
“And it will do it all in a manner that is safer for the users. At the end of the day, we are in the ice business. The ice is what pays the bills and allows us to do all the great things that the McCarthy does for our community,” he said. “On behalf of our largest grant users, the Batavia Ramparts, BND United, adult hockey, along with the David McCarthy Foundation, and the community as a whole, I would like to thank the city of Batavia for taking the leadership role in this, and the DEC for your commitment and funding to get this done.”
Tabelski was happy to see the ice arena, which she believes is “a true community asset,” become the benefactor of the Climate Smart Community Grant Program.
“To enhance the operations of the arena as well as provide cost savings while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are key to New York State’s climate goals,” she said.
She was not available for additional comments later Tuesday.
Established in 2009, the interagency Climate Smart Communities program provides guidance and technical support to local governments to take locally-driven climate action. The first step to becoming a Climate Smart Community is to register by pledging to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. To date, 425 local governments representing nearly 9.6 million New Yorkers, or approximately 50 percent of the State’s population, have adopted the Climate Smart Communities pledge.
Genesee County Legislative Chair Rochelle Stein said that the county was also “very excited” about the support provided by the state’s Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to the ice rink.
“The rink is a center of healthy physical activity and quality of life for our residents,” Stein said. “Investments that extend the life of our local infrastructure with resiliency in practice are most welcome.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar Photo by Howard Owens.
City Council President Eugene Jankowski Photo by Howard Owens.
Oaklyn Meyers,5, of Darien Center puts her creative skills to work Tuesday at The Batavian's eagle-drawing contest during the Genesee County Fair. Photo by Kara Richenberg
The Batavian staff is at the fair all week, so stop by and say hello, enter our eagle-drawing contest and sign up to get all of the best Genesee County community news with The Batavian newsletter.
Brooke Follett of Batavia gets crafty Tuesday at Genesee County Fair. The contest is open to kids and adults, with prizes for both. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Like Local News? Then why not support it? Join Early Access Pass today so we can keep bringing to you the news that matters most, the news of Batavia and Genesee County. Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR24 for a discount. $10 off the first year of an annual membership or $1 off each month for a year on a monthly membership. Click here to join.
“We’ve Only Just Begun” Sr. Luncheon is Tuesday, August 20 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the South Alabama Firehall on Route 63 located at 2230 Judge Road, Oakfield. We are open to the public and welcome all!
This month our returning special guest will be “Daniel Viola, Standup Comedian”. Dan is 57 years old, a husband, father of 7, and a teacher in the Brockport school system.
Dan connects with any audience. Drawing on his background as a game show host, parent teacher, coach and salesman, he delivers energetic and relevant entertainment. His credits include comedy clubs, casinos, cruises, colleges and corporate events, as well as appearances on The Nashville Network and in TV commercials. You won’t want to miss Dan performing at our August Luncheon!
Bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door! Come and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with old and new friends.
Co-chairpersons: Michael Hamm and LaNora Thompson. Contact person LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.
For the past three months, Kate Willson has been giving her business some special treatments before turning her attention to customers, who she now welcomes six days a week for luxury spa services, she says.
Willson first announced in April that she had moved into the former Spa at Artemis site at 206 E. Main St. and was preparing to relaunch it later this year under a new name, look and feel.
“We’ve been working on remodeling the space; we gave it an overall facelift on the inside and on the outside,” Willson said of her new The Beauty Lounge by Meraki in downtown Batavia. “We resurfaced the floors and kept the beautiful historic hardwood; we’ve been working on giving it a good refresh with colors, and the neutral color palette that we like really refreshed the interior to make it a little bit more elevated for a spa, very tranquil. We’ve been working on making the interior aesthetics come together. So it is a very luxurious relaxed spa.”
Splashed in tones of boho modern earth tones, the space has been opened up in front for a reception area and half of it is a boutique for clothing, with another portion dedicated to an assortment of pampering products such as candles, body whips and butters, delicate chains with charms and jewelry with essential oil sprays from local vendors, including Ashli from Freckled Acres, Jewels by Madi, and Desert Moon Earrings by Jess.
The spa also has a jewelry station where customers can have a piece of jewelry soldered on as a bracelet, anklet or necklace to remain as a permanent piece for themselves. That’s the only spa service that does not require an appointment, she said.
The Beauty Lounge boutique had a soft opening this past weekend with the spa’s official opening on Monday, which went really well, Willson said.
“It was a good day of just getting some spa services in, and we had a lot of people in shopping the boutique. And I would definitely say the energy is high around here,” she said. “All the girls that are working here are so excited, which is definitely helping my energy levels, too, after all of this work. It’s going to be amazing. I would like to say one little shout out, just a thank you to my team for the support of our community at the salon, and just my family and friends leaning in to help with the remodel.
“I like letting people know that we are ready and excited for them to come and enjoy our spa services," she said. "We have a beautiful lounge to come to relax in before and after their services, and definitely amenities that they haven't experienced before in a local spa.”
Other services include luxury manicures and pedicures, massage, “an amazing list of facials” and facial enhancements, high-frequency dermaplaning, full-body waxing services, and eyelash extensions and services.
For those who have a Spa at Artemis gift card, Willson is offering 50% of the value of the gift card with proof of purchase or a credit card statement. For those who can’t show proof of purchase but have a gift card, she will give 50% off one service.
“We know a lot of people did buy gift certificates right before they had closed, and so we want to do that so we can offer those people to come in and experience our services,” Willson said. “We have 12 staff members, we have a solid team built right now, and we’ll be planning on adding to that eventually. We’re just trying to build the staple of what the spa is, so really build up the culture before we add more employees. So right now, we have a great fundamental team, and then we will be looking to add to that.”
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. For more information or to book an appointment, go HERE or call 585-356-0039.
Tuesday, July 23rd - VETERAN’S DAY & UPSTATE EQUIPMENT/BUFFALO BOBCAT DAY at the Fair *Veteran’s pay $5/carload from 11AM-4PM* • 10 AM – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open • 4 PM—9 PM—MIDWAY OPEN • 5:30 PM – Parade Line Up (Racing Pit Area) • 6:30 PM – Genesee County Fair Parade —Around Fairgrounds • 7 PM—Karaoke Open Mic (Entertainment Tent) • 10 PM – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close
Daily at the Fair:
Air Sculpture (Balloon Display and Demonstrations) (All Day Every Day)
Fame Racing – Radio Controlled Car Racing (SAT 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SUN 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; MON 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; TUES 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; WED 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; THURS 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; FRI 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm; SAT 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm)
Fair Trivia Hunt – All Day (July 20th-26th) – Exhibition Building – DAILY PRIZES Events & times on the schedule are subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with changes.
All Early Access Pass members will receive a coupon for free entry into the Genesee County Fair on Thursday. Join by the morning of July 24 to be included. Use the Coupon Code GCFAIR 24 for $10 off on an annual membership or $1 off a month for the first year. Click here to join.
The City of Batavia is accepting applications for a Full-time Water Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee (Salary $23.65/hr.) This is a trainee position involving responsibility for learning the duties and routines in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant. The work is performed under the immediate supervision of a qualified operator. Does on-the-job training to become qualified as an operator of a water treatment plant. Does related work as required. Applicant must be a graduate of a senior high school or possess a New York State high school equivalency diploma. Please submit a completed Civil Service Application to Human Resources, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 or tdean@batavianewyork.com. Background check, psychological assessment, physical and drug testing are required. Candidate must become a resident of Genesee County or any adjacent town to the County of Genesee within 6 months of the date of conclusion of the probationary period for the City of Batavia. EEO. Applications can be found at https://www.co.genesee.ny.us
