The Batavia City Council is poised to pass a budget with few changes from the one proposed by former City Manager Jason Molino a month ago, one with a 3-percent tax rate decrease for local property owners.

The sale of the County Nursing Home, putting that property back on the tax roles, along with several years of conservative budgeting practices by Molino, have helped the city hold the line on spending.

"I think it's trim," said Council President Eugene Jankowski following the council's second budget workshop last night. "I think it's well laid out and it does show a 3-percent decrease, thankfully, because the nursing home is on the tax rolls now. We haven't jumped forward because we have that nursing home. We haven't suddenly gone off on wild spending. We've kept it as trim as we can keep it."

The current city property tax rate is $9.27 per thousand. The proposed tax rate is $8.99. The $120,000 the nursing home as private property this fiscal year will add $120,000 to the tax roll. About half of the tax rate decrease, 13 cents, can be attributed to the nursing home property passing into private ownership.

Molino's budget process, which won the city awards, has allowed Batavia to build healthy reserves and establish a sound financial base for the city.

The biggest dilemma facing Interim City Manager Matt Worth is how to come up with $4,500 to improve the softball and baseball fields in the city's parks.

Michael Jamil, who has spearheaded the return of slow-pitch softball leagues to Kibbe Park, came to the council last week and asked for improvements to the playing field. Council members responded favorably to the request and have instructed Worth to figure out how to purchase new baseball soil, the necessary equipment and provide the manpower to get the job done.

At last night's meeting, Worth said he thinks there is enough money left over from 2017 to cover the costs without revising the 2018 proposed budget.

Councilwoman Kathy Briggs suggested using funds left over from Vibrant Batavia, but that would actually require adjusting the 2018 budget.

"If there’s surplus money in a reserve account, it would be easier to use that money this year to start ordering that stuff than to take it out of the 2018 budget," Jankowski said.

The talk of parks sparked Councilwoman Rosemary Christian to pitch one of her perennial requests: A spray park on the Southside.

"We need some stuff on the Southside," Christian said.

"I understand that," Jankowski responded, "and the ball field is a start."

"What does that have to do with little kids having a spray park?" Christian shot back.

"From the people I talked to, they're not really happy about taking on more debt to create another park and pay a water bill," Jankowski said.

He argued that the spray park in Austin Park serves all of the city's needs and it wasn't difficult to reach for people living on the Southside.

"It’s more than just a drive down the road if you’re a single mom and it’s 85 degrees," Councilwoman Patti Pacino said.

Jankowski said that building the spray park in Austin Park 14 or 15 years ago was one of the reasons the city wound up more than $3 million in debt a decade ago. He said he doesn't think people want to see the city go down that path again.

"I don't see support for a spray park," Jankowski said. "I just don't see it."

Christian said that's because he only talks to people their age.

Councilman Adam Tabelski suggested that the discussion of a water park should be reserved for work on a new parks master plan. The council quickly seemed to adopt that consensus.

Councilman John Canale then asked Christian if she was going to, again, have any last minute amendments or objections to any raises in the budget.

Christian said her only concern is that she thinks city police officers don't make enough money.

"I really don’t think they get enough money," Christian said. "I figure their lives are in danger every day they leave. Our fire department, OK. I don’t have a problem with it this year. I have a problem with management in this beautiful comfortable building while these guys (motioning to Police Chief Shawn Heubusch and Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano) here have to go out and freeze their asses off.

"They don’t know what is going to happen behind that door. They don't know what is happening down the road. They don’t know if they’re going to get shot, nothing, and I really don’t think they get enough money."

Canale pointed out that is really an issue for the collective bargaining process.

Jankowski said the feedback he's getting is city police officers are more concerned about the state of their deteriorating police station than they are about their pay.

"The main thing these guys want is a building," Jankowski said. "They’re not saying, 'I’m underpaid.' They’re saying 'we’re in a (horrible building) and this is a tool.' The building is their tool to do their jobs."

Christian said she is fine with the police getting a new headquarters.

Asked if she was going to vote for the budget, Christian, often a nay vote on budgets, said, "maybe."

"I've got my sidewalks," she said. "I’ve got my two roads to be resurfaced this year. I expect four next year."

The budget session included a report from Napolitano on his budget request, which represents an 11-percent decrease in spending.

The primary reason for the decrease, Napolitano said, is that the fire department is once again fully staffed and all members have completed training. That greatly reduces the amount of overtime paid out.

Council members took a keen interest in his request for a new leaf blower as part of the small-equipment budget request.

"The leaf blower is one small piece of safety equipment that has multiple functions at the fire station," Napolitano said. "What we do is we keep the apparatus floor clean, rather than using water in the wintertime to clean the apparatus floor. This helps really remove the fine-grained sand that comes in. You can broom the fire station floor down all you want but you can't really eliminate all the sand and debris (without a blower)."

The other key feature of the $3.6 million fire department budget is a request for five to seven new sets of turnout gear.

"We're on a replacement program for turnout gear," Napolitano said. "I'm looking to purchase between five and seven a year. Turnout gear has10-year NFPA scheduled life and rather than to purchase 36 sets all at one time at $3,000 dollars a set, I'm looking to stagger five to seven sets every year so this really isn't a large expense for the city."

As for the budget, the proposed tax rate will be the lowest its been since 2006, supporting a total expenditure of $24.3 million. That's a total spending increase of 1.9 percent, keeping the tax levy below that tax cap requirements.

The council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget Feb. 26.

Meanwhile, the council continues to move ahead on the process of replacing Molino. Jankowski said eight or nine search firms have expressed interest in helping the council find a replacement. A committee is reviewing those applications and within the next week will interview what they consider the best two or three options. Jankowski said the goal is to have a recommendation for a search firm -- which will cost the city about $20,000 -- by the council meeting on Feb. 26.

New Listing Alert: 8041 East Main Street, Le Roy. Opportunity awaits next owners of this property! Home is site of successful long-term, family-run farm market -- this is a true homestead! Super solid, well-kept one family home, With over 2,100 square feet and room to grow!

Bright and spacious this home has great layout with 2 bedrooms and full bath downstairs as well as 3 bedrooms and full bath up, they don't build them like this anymore! Custom oak kitchen with cupboards galore and large family/dining area. Basement is high and dry -- amazing extra space, storage, or hobby/work area!

Sitting on 2+ acres outside features awesome 24x32 outbuilding currently farm market-with all utilities and 8x16 cooler as well! Already established location the possibilities are endless all you have to do is move in and start living!

A lot to see here-call today! Call Lynn Bezon at 585-344-HOME today or click here for more information on this listing.

Linda C. Feeley, 59, of Hulberton Road, Holley, is charged with third-degree grand larceny, first-degree identify theft, two counts of first-degree forgery, four counts of second-degree forgery, two counts of fourth-degree conspiracy, and four counts of fifth-degree conspiracy. Feeley is accused of participating in a fraudulent purchase of a vehicle at 4300 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, March 28. Feeley, along with her boyfriend David Gurgir and with Eric Holliday, a car salesman, allegedly conspired to complete paperwork to facilitate the transfer of a vehicle under a forged identity, namely, Feeley's mother. Gurgir and Holliday were previously arrested as a result of the investigation by Investigator Christopher Parker and Detective John Condidorio. UPDATE: We've clarified the charges against Holliday. He is charged with four counts of conspiracy 5th and two felony counts of conspiracy 4th. Gurgir is charged with is charged with two counts of conspiracy, 4th, and four counts of conspiracy, 5th. The alleged conspiracy began at a local car dealership. Investigators say the final transaction took place in the parking lot of a department store.

Jay Markle, 60, of Batavia, is charged with DWI, and Darlene Martaus, 58, of Batavia is charged with DWI. Markle was stopped at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday for allegedly speeding on Route 33 in Bergen by State Police. He reportedly failed a field sobriety test. He was processed at the Batavia barracks where he was allegedly found to have a BAC of .12 percent. Maurtaus arrived at the barracks at 12:33 a.m. Wednesday to pick up Markle and a trooper detected the odor of alcohol. Martaus allegedly failed a field sobriety test. She was also charged with aggravated unlicensed operation; 1st, driving without an interlock device, and other vehicle and traffic violations. Her BAC was allegedly .12 percent. She was arraigned and jailed.

Brandon C. Morgan, 24, of Pittsford, Samantha R. Smallidge, 23, of Rochester, and Kyle Z. Morgan, 21, of Rochester, are charged with criminal possession of marijuana, more than 16 ounces. Morgan, Smallidge, and Morgan were arrested by State Police at 9:38 p.m. Tuesday in the Town of Stafford. No further details released.

Thomas J. Wolcott, 33, of Batavia, and Ashlee E. Corter, 32, of Kent, are charged with petit larceny. Wolcott and Corter are accused of shoplifting in the Village of Oakfield at 2:10 p.m. on Nov. 7. They were arrested by State Police on Tuesday. No further details released.

The Elba Central School Drama Club presents "The Wizard of Oz" this weekend.

Shows are at 7 p.m., Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday.

Tickets are available at the ECS district office and Roxy's Music store in Batavia. Advance tickets are $6 for students and seniors, $8 for adults. They are $10 at the door.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported in the area of 6344 Main Road, Stafford.

Stafford fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

A manure truck was involved in an accident in the area of 5050 Cacner Road, Bethany, this afternoon.

A utility pole was damaged but there were no injuries.

The road remains closed at this time.

Photographs by Glenn Adams.

Legendary local broadcaster Wayne H. Fuller, 70, was lain to rest today.

He died Friday.

Following a service at H.E. Turner Funeral Home, Fuller was loaded by his pallbearers into the cargo hold of a Trailways bus for transport to a cemetery in Bethany.

Fuller worked for 50 years as a dispatcher at Trailways. It was one of his final wishes that a Trailways bus carry him and people attending his funeral to the cemetery.

A graduate of Batavia High School in 1965, Fuller is best remembered for his work at WBTA both spinning records and broadcasting sporting events, as well as his decades-long work as a public address announcer at Batavia sporting events, including Batavia HS basketball and Batavia Muckdogs games.

For his full obituary, click here.

For our prior story about his passing, click here.

Under new ownership, Batavia's oldest company is going to get lean.

That doesn't mean layoffs at P.W. Minor. Far from it. It means implementing a process of production that eliminates waste and increases productivity.

"Lean manufacturing is nothing fancy at all, but it is a set of fundamentals that if you follow them you know your production will go way up," said Hundley Elliotte, the new CEO of P.W. Minor. "It has been proven time and time again. It's not the solution to all problems but when you're in a challenging manufacturing environment and you have price pressures and cost pressures and all those kinds of things, lean is a very good way to root out waste and boost productivity."

Elliotte is a partner with Tidewater + Associates, the investment company that acquired P.W. Minor from Pete Zeliff earlier this month. Zeliff and then-partner Andrew Young saved P.W. Minor from certain closure in 2014. More than 100 jobs that were outsourced to China were returned to Batavia as a result and Zeliff instituted a program of equipment upgrades to the plant, including increasing automation.

Tidewater's acquisition of the company, Elliotte said, is just the next step in a process of growing the company, Elliotte said during an interview with The Batavian this morning.

There's no plan to cut the workforce, move the production out of Batavia, or do anything other than grow, Elliotte said.

"We felt like there was something powerful here in the fact that this company has been here for so long," Elliotte said. "I think you bring bad luck and find yourself in a bad spot when you break up something like that. It's almost like firing a legacy coach. You know when you watch it happen, whether it's Bobby Knight or Bear Bryant, or whomever, when they leave it's always a void. You know it's hard to pick up the momentum again."

The reception to the transition, which took place at the beginning of the month, seems to have been positive among employees, Elliotte said.

"We felt like the response was very positive and I think everyone knows this has been a journey and there's still some journey left," Elliotte said. "There's still choppy waters out there. We have to work hard. We have to get better. We hope to get better every day but I think I think everyone's bought into that.

It's only been a week since the lean manufacturing process was introduced and it hasn't spread yet throughout the entire organization but already there are charts on boards that provide employees with metrics to measure their performance.

Employees are also being trained on processes that will boost productivity.

An example shared by Elliotte was establishing a process for getting a machine ready for production before the next shift so when the shift starts, production can ramp up quickly.

"It's just about getting that discipline of how we operate and making clear who has responsibility for what and making sure that it's done, so that when the machine is supposed to be running you know it's running," Elliotte said.

The process of tracking and measurement helps motivate employees to meet goals, he said.

"Everybody wants to do a good job," he said.

To help keep these jobs in the United States, Empire State Development provided P.W. Minor with an incentive package and the Local Gateway Development Corp. provided the company with a loan. Zeliff said as part of the acquisition deal he is personally paying off the loan.

Tidewater was attracted to P.W. Minor as an acquisition target because it already fits the profile of the kind of companies the investors like in their portfolio -- sustainability and promoting U.S.-based jobs.

The welt constructed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for P.W. Minor boots, for example, means they will last a long time. That's good for the environment, Elliotte said.

He would like to see the Batavia plant eventually become sustainability certified. It's what consumer surveys and buying preferences say a large portion of the market wants, Elliotte said, and financially there is little reason for a company like P.W. Minor not to pursue that course.

"I'm not necessarily a big environmentalist but we all care about the planet," Elliotte said. "There are other things we can do. You know course A is better than course B and you know each of them has the same kind of financial outcome; course A is much more sustainable so do that.

"It's something that people care about," Elliotte said. "It's not that it has to overwhelm the business, but if you can run the business that way, every day make yourself more environmentally sustainable, that's a good thing, right?"

He said Tidewater is also committed to creating and sustaining U.S.-based jobs.

"There's no reason for P.W. Minor to go away and just to make all those boots in China," Elliotte said. "I understand that it makes sense in certain situations where you have you know a lower price point shoes or things like that, but there's no reason not to make boots that retail at $250, $300, or $400 in the United States. That's kind of where we've drawn the line and are trying to do our part to keep those jobs here."

Slo-pitch softball in Batavia and the surrounding area was never more popular than from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s, but it has made a bit of a comeback thanks to the efforts of Michael Jamil and friends.

Time and again during his three-year stint as leader of the Batavia Softball League at Kibbe Park, Jamil has approached City Council, requesting financial and moral support for the summer rec program, which has grown to 33 teams.

He spoke to the board again on Monday night, respectfully expressing his thanks for what has been done so far and his hope that Council would appropriate some money for the field’s upkeep.

“I have faith that everything is going to work out … little by little I’ll take what I can get,” he said. “We’re bringing hundreds of people to the area.”

Jamil said he understands that the Kibbe Park ball diamond hasn’t been a priority for the past 25 years, but he said the influx of new players should warrant a change in Council’s viewpoint. He said he is hoping the City will provide material (sand, clay) to put on the field to make it level, especially after it rains.

After Jamil’s brief comments, Sid Lovell of Medina, director of the Orleans and Genesee county districts of the United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association, addressed Council.

“He (Jamil) should be congratulated,” Lovell said. “Mike has put his whole heart and soul into this effort – getting 33 teams last year – and he looks to have as many this year. (The league) brings many fans, followers, wives, families and friends … and provides some movement commercially in the area.”

Council put off making any monetary commitments (it has a list of requested equipment and material costs), but will take a look at it during budget workshops.

At least one council member is in Jamil’s corner. John Canale said he fondly remembers the heyday of softball.

“Mike has approached us quite a few times, and it really hasn’t hit home,” Canale said. “But as a spectator, it drew me there … when players would go to Big Daddy’s (Ale House on Main Street) and to Sunny’s after the games. It was a big social event afterwards.”

Canale said that “traffic does benefit us and supports local businesses, so let’s take a serious look at this, and really dive into that. In the long run, it will help the professional side of baseball. Good for you, Mike.”

To lease or not to lease … that is the question.

Batavia City Council members answered that line with a resounding yes tonight, approving by a 7-1 margin a resolution to enter into a lease agreement with Batavia Players that opens the door for the theatrical troupe to make a new home at the downtown City Centre.

“I cannot wait until they come into the mall,” said Council member Patti Pacino. “It’s just a wonderful way to bring people downtown where they will get into the habit before we open Eli Fish, before we fill the Carr’s department store (so) we’ve already got people down there. It’s just a delightful idea.”

Pacino joined Adam Tabelski, Kathleen Briggs, Al McGinnis, Paul Viele, John Canale and Council President Eugene Jankowski in voting in favor of the agreement to allow Batavia Players to lease space at parcels 2, 35 and 39 Batavia City Centre (sharing space in one of the parcels with Dent Neurologic Institute). Rose Mary Christian was at an out-of-town conference.

Robert Bialkowski cast the “no” vote, contending that the lease contains inaccuracies and loopholes, and that it keeps the City in an unenviable position as a landlord.

“My position is you draw a lease and you draw it properly – you don’t have all these errors in it, and I’ve never heard of a lease saying, ‘We don’t include utilities, you go work it out with the other guy who is paying for it,’” he said. “This is how you end up in court with lawsuits.”

Bialkowski disputed the monthly rent figure in the lease for months seven through 12, stating that it should be $2,243.76 instead of the $1,223.86, based on $3 per square foot for the 8,975 square feet to be rented by Batavia Players.

Interim City Manager Matt Worth acknowledged that the original draft had the wrong amount, but said that it had been corrected.

Bialkowski also questioned whether the City would be responsible for repairs and utilities, and pushed for his colleagues to put the space up for sale.

“I don’t believe in the City sitting on property and being the landlord. It’s not the job of government to be a landlord,” he said afterwards. “It’s the job of government to take repossessed property from taxes or whatever, put them on the auction block and sell them.”

He also said the low rent per square footage ($1 per square foot for the first six months, $3 per square foot in months seven through 12, and $4 per square foot in months 13 through 60) created “an unfair competition” situation.

“There are plenty of places to rent downtown; they cannot rent for $2 a square foot – it’s impossible. So for the City to be renting below cost is ridiculous, and it’s unfair competition, I would say.”

Worth noted that the mall operation user fee charged to tenants is $2 per square foot, so – including property rented by Dent, “the total (rent collected) exceeds that amount (user fees).”

The lease calls for Batavia Players to be responsible for everything except structural repairs. As far as utilities are concerned, Dent is currently footing the bill.

In the end, Council took the view that the Batavia Players organization is a community asset and would be in a stronger position to recieve some of the $10 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative money by being able to stake its claim downtown.

Pacino said Batavia Players has a solid track record and is a popular family entertainment option – just what is needed downtown.

“Batavia Players has everybody acting from 5 years old to 100 years old,” she said. “Every one of those has a family that comes to see every one of their plays. Every time they come to a rehearsal, every time they have a play, they’re downtown where we’re trying to get people.

“Then they’re going to a place to get something to eat. On their way there, they’re putting gas in their car. They’re (Batavia Players) doing everything positive …They’ve already proven themselves where they are. They’re dependable, and they take responsibility.”

In other action, Council:

-- Voted unanimously to take $17,400 out of the former Vibrant Batavia funds to pay for the engineering and architectural costs to design a flood-compliant home for Genesee County Habitat for Humanity at 116 Swan St., but only after amending the resolution to make sure the City has full use of those plans for future home building in a flood zone.

Bialkowski wondered aloud if the City would take ownership of the documents, or if they would belong to Habitat for Humanity.

“I think that since the City is paying for the engineering, we should own the design. Then it would be public domain,” he said.

After a brief discussion, Council agreed, voting 8-0 on an amendment making the resolution contingent upon Habitat for Humanity sharing the plans (and making copies available to the City) for the public domain. Then the board voted 8-0 in favor of the resolution.

-- Scheduled public hearings for Feb. 26 on the 2018-19 budget, water rates, meter fees, capital improvement fees, and City Centre concourse user fees and to amend the Business Improvement District plan.

The $24.3 million budget comes with a tax rate of $8.99 per thousand of assessed valuation, down from $9.27 a year ago.

Water rates are set to go up by 3.5 percent -- Bialkowski cast the lone “no” vote on water rate increases, citing high poverty rates in the City -- and the capital improvement fee is set to go up by about 5 percent.

The City Centre Concourse user fee is in play due to the recent settlement between the City and the Mall Merchants. The fee is $2 per square foot, effective April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2012, and goes up to $2.04 in 2021-22 and $2.06 in 2022-23.

-- Voted to accept a low bid of $721,566 from Roman Construction Development Corp. of North Tonawanda to complete construction of 12,300 linear feet of sidewalk as part of the Healthy Schools Corridor Project.

-- Heard from Jankowski that the city manager search committee will be meeting Wednesday afternoon to look at proposals from seven search firms and is prepared to share its recommendation at the next Council meeting (Feb. 26).

Roof full tear off 4 yrs. ago, furnace 5 yrs. -- Beautiful cherry cabinetry with granite countertops all stainless appliances to stay, plus washer/dryer! Nice formal dining/extra large living room area with cozy gas fireplace – great for entertaining. Upstairs bath fully gutted with super convenient upstairs laundry area and three large bedrooms. All new carpeting throughout as well!.

The outside features an extra wide drive and a double lot with a nice back deck...Inexpensive utilities and no flood insurance. What more do you want?

Check it out! Call Lynn Bezon today at Reliant Realt Estate or click here for more information on this listing.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that he will be hosting a free community forum open to the public at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Hollwedel Memorial Library, located at 5 Woodrow Drive in Pavilion.

Hawley will provide an update on the happenings of Albany and will answer questions from the audience. The event is sponsored by the women’s group “RAP.”

“I enjoy these open community forums as a channel of communication between the residents I represent and the inner-workings of state government,” Hawley said. “We have a responsibility as public representatives to be open and accountable, and that is what forums like these are all about. I encourage everyone who is able to attend and I look forward to seeing you there.”

Hawley is Assistant Minority Leader of the Assembly Republican Conference and currently serves on the Agriculture, Ways & Means, Rules, Insurance and Racing & Wagering committees.

Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139^th District, which consists of Genesee, Orleans and parts of Monroe County. For more information, please visit Assemblyman Hawley’s Official Website.

Anyone who is looking for some help in enrolling in college will get that opportunity at two upcoming College Entry Help Sessions, offered free of charge at Genesee Community College.

The first one scheduled is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, in Room T121 of the Conable Technology Building at the Batavia Campus, One College Road. The second one will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at the same location.

Both appointment and walk-in sessions will be available on both dates. Appointments are also available on additional dates by request. To schedule any appointment, please email AEOC@genesee.edu or contact Adult Education Director Kate Trombley, M.S. at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6285.

This is a continuation of the Adult Educational Opportunity Center's yearlong schedule of open monthly sessions designed to get anyone started on their way to a college degree.

During these sessions, the AEOC's outreach specialists will help potential college applicants with a variety of services, including:

• Financial Aid Counseling: help completing the FAFSA, understanding various financial aid options including student loans and Pell grants, retrieving transcripts, and assistance with special circumstance applications.
• Enrollment Assistance: completing college applications or enrollment forms, ACT Test registration and completing Entrance Exam Prep through Accuplacer. 
• Veterans Services: AEOC outreach specialists are trained to assist any veteran in navigating services available for higher education.

It is important to note that these College Entry Point Sessions are not limited to students attending or planning to attend GCC. Anyone interested in attending ANY college or in need of assistance in getting started can participate. Information regarding GCC and all other area colleges will be available at these sessions. 

Additional details and a list of the session dates for all of 2018 is available here.

Curtis Foss rolled a 299 game and 826 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl to top the list of bowling scores reported to The Batavian for the week of Feb. 5.

Down the road at Medina Lanes, manager Eric Greenlief posted a 279 game and 781 series to take top honors in the Sunday Rolloffs.

For more high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Submitted photo and press release:

On March 7 Kristine McCarthy (in photo above) will be part of Genesee Community College's Fashion Business Speaker Series sharing her inspiring story of dedication, hard work and success. McCarthy currently serves as a senior vice president, operations lead at P.W. Minor.

P.W. Minor has been making shoes in America since 1867 and operates the second oldest shoe factory in the country.

McCarthy's presentation will take place in room T102 of GCC's Conable Technology Building at the Batavia Campus from 1 - 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; however seating is limited.

Those wishing to attend can RSVP by calling (585)345-6830 in advance. If you are unable to attend the event, McCarthy's presentation will also be streamed live at www.genesee.edu/home/event-streaming/.

For the past decade McCarthy has led product development teams at Coach Inc. and Ann Inc. working with and managing the development process from design conceptualization to supply chain management and product profitability. McCarthy's learning and experience has taken her to New York City and China, and she now enjoys working in her hometown of Batavia.

McCarthy said, "Believing that anything is possible and not backing down from any challenge, I have delivered consistent results throughout my career on a global scale and I am proud of the work I do every day."

She graduated from GCC in 2001 with an associate degree in Fashion Merchandising and then transferred to Buffalo State College to earn her Bachelor of Science in Fashion Textile Technology in 2003. After 12 years in NYC, McCarthy currently lives in Batavia with her husband Brian McCarthy (also a 2001 GCC graduate) and their two sons, Jack and Ronan.

Jason M. Giuliani, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and Ian K Leblanc-Chatt, 32, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal using drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and moving from lane unsafely. Sgt. Colin Reagan and Deputy Amy Nowak, of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, initiated a traffic stop on Route 19 in the Village of Wyoming, at an unspecified time on Sunday. Giuliani was a passenger in the vehicle. During the investigation he was allegedly found in possession of 60 bags of heroin, leading to a felony charge related to the intent to sell narcotics. Leblanc-Chatt was allegedly under the influence of multiple narcotics while driving by a drug recognition expert. Giuliani was jailed on $25,000 bail. Leblanc-Chatt was released to a family member.

Nicholas John Stefaniak, 36, of Westview Drive, Perry, is charged with assault, 2nd, and criminal mischief, 4th. Stefaniak is accused of seriously injuring another person during an incident reported at 8:18 p.m. Thursday in Byron, and of damaging property of that person. Stefaniak was jailed on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond.