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Press release:

Twenty-seven County Clerks in New York State with DMV responsibilities, including all officers of the New York State Association of County Clerks (NYSACC), today (Dec. 13), call on Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYS DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder to halt implementation of the Driver License Access & Privacy Act immediately for the safety and security of all New Yorkers.

Following two hastily delivered webinars and a conference call, county clerks agree that New York State DMV failed to provide regulations that would ensure the integrity of the identification process for Standard Driver License applicants.  

The State DMV has failed to put in place safeguards to prevent someone who has a Social Security number from signing the affidavit form (NSS-1) claiming they’ve never been issued a Social Security number, enabling people to conceal their true identities. In fact, State DMV representatives admitted during their conference call with county clerks on Monday, Dec. 9, that they have no way to check or verify if a person using the affidavit form (NSS-1) in fact was never issued a Social Security number.

The State DMV has also failed to apply standards to the translation certification process, allowing anyone regardless of their age or language proficiency to certify a document’s correct translation without any proof of such. The absence of standards to the translation certification process allows for anyone regardless of their relationship to the applicant to certify the translation of documents for anyone, including minors.

Furthermore, county DMV representatives have no way of ensuring the correct translation of written documents and have been directed by State officials to simply “look for the word ‘certify’ on the document.”

Because of these lax regulations, implementation of the State law at this time would create unacceptable security risks as the loopholes allow for nefarious people to obtain a New York State Standard Driver Licenses and use it to commit bank fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.

Furthermore, the federal REAL ID Act, which increases security standards for certain state-issued driver licenses and identity documents, goes into effect Oct. 1. Implementation of the State law prior to Oct. 1 would create unacceptable security risks because the lax regulations would allow for nefarious people to obtain a New York State Standard Driver License and use it to board an airplane, enter secure federal buildings, enter military bases or enter nuclear sites for malicious reasons for nine months until the REAL ID Act takes effect.  

Therefore, the undersigned county clerks strongly urge Governor Cuomo to halt the implementation of the Driver License Access & Privacy Act and to direct the State Department of Motor Vehicles to promulgate stronger regulations that would protect the security of all New Yorkers and ensure the integrity of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles licensing and identification verification procedures.

Joseph Mihalko (Broome)

Kip Cassavaw (Franklin)

Brittany Kolbe (Montgomery)

Indy Jaycox (Schoharie)

Susan Dwyer (Cayuga)

Linda Kollar (Fulton)

Joseph Jastrzemski (Niagara)

Theresa Thilbin (Schuyler)

Larry Barmore (Chautauqua)

Michael Cianfrini (Genesee)

Sandra DePerno (Oneida)

Andrea Klett (Tioga)

Elizabeth Larkin (Cortland)

Jane Zarecki (Hamilton)

Kathy Gardner (Otsego)

Stephanie Lemery (Washington)

Debra Goodrich (Delaware)

Sylvia Rowan (Herkimer)

Michael Bartolotti (Putnam)

Pamela Vogel (Warren)

Michael Kearns (Erie)

Gizelle Meeks (Jefferson)

Frank Merola (Rensselaer) 

Michael Jankowski (Wayne)

Joseph Provoncha (Essex)

Michael Keville (Madison)

Craig Hayner (Saratoga)

 

Edward C. Simmons, 33, of Applegate Drive, Medina, is charged with: second-degree burglary -- illegal entry into a dwelling; fourth-degree grand larceny -- a rifle; and grand larceny -- property value greater than $1,000. Simmons is accused of breaking into a residence on Sept. 16 on East Shelby Road in Oakfield and stealing a 22-caliber Remington rifle and other property valued at $1,000 or more. Following an investigation, he was arrested on Dec. 9 and arraigned in Oakfield Town Court. He was then released on his own recognizance and is due back in court at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Joseph Loftus.

Melody McMaster, 48, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. McMaster was arrested on Dec. 9 at an apartment on Chestnut Street in Batavia for allegedly violating an order of protection by being in the protected party's residence at 11:17 a.m. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 24. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.

Brandon Gene Rindell, 38, of West Main Street, Corfu, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more, and DWI. On Dec. 12 at 7:33 p.m., Rindell was arrested after his vehicle was involved in a motor-vehicle accident in the Village of Corfu. He was released on appearance tickets and is due in Village of Corfu Court on Dec. 16. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Mellanie Golamb, 36, of Folkestone Lane, Penfield, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more; DWI; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree; moving from lane unsafely; and failure to notify the DMV of an address change. On Dec. 10 at 7:33 a.m., the dispatch center received a call of a vehicle being operated irratically. Following a traffic stop on Stephen H. Hawley Drive in the Town of Batavia, standard field sobriety tests were performed. Golamb was arrested and processed at the Genesee County Jail. She was released on appearance tickets and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong, assisted by Deputy Chad Cummings. Deputy Lonnie Nati also assisted along with Genesee County Corrections officers.

Karen M. Lau, 54, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated  -- a BAC of .18 percent or more, and DWI. She was arrested at 8:16 p.m. on Nov. 30 on East Main Street in Batavia after she was allegedly found sleeping in the driver's seat of her vehicle parked in the parking lot of a business. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Angelo James Voltura, 24, of Meiser Road, Corfu, is charged with: operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more; driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated; speed not reasonable or prudent; and failure to keep right. Following the investigation of a single-vehicle accident at 1:41 a.m. on Dec. 11 on Pratt Road in the Town of Batavia, Voltura was arrested. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released on appearance tickets. He is due to return to court on Dec. 23. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy James Stack.

Kyle J. Schroeder, 23, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. He was arrested following a shoplifiting incident at 9:09 a.m. on Dec. 8 at a business on East Main Street in the City of Batavia. Schroeder is accused of taking an item out of the packaging while at a business and attempting to conceal that item while continuing through the store. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Stephen Quider, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator Matt Landers announces that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department is participating in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend this Holiday Season celebrating with friends and family and looking forward to the blessings of a New Year, the law enforcement community across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts are underway now and will end on Jan. 1^st, New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.  

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York 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. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.  

The STOP-DWI Holiday Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Super Bowl weekend and St. Patrick’s Day.

You can help to make a difference by "Having a Sober Plan!" Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp. Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning.

We wish you and your family and friends a very safe and Happy Holiday season!

Press release:

Corfu —The Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School Girls’ Basketball Team will host its ninth annual "Shooting For A Cure!" event versus Oakfield-Alabama at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 at the high school gym, located at the corner of routes 5 and 77 (8717 Alleghany Road).

Admission is free.

The team asks that attendees make a donation of any amount as they enter the facility, and all donations go to Roswell Park to support cancer reearch efforts.

In addition to donations at the door, all proceeds from basket auctions, concession sales, apparel sales, and raffles for various big-ticket items also go to Roswell Park.

To date, "Shooting For A Cure!" has raised more than $119,000 and has become one of Roswell Park’s largest community-based fundraising events.

The event began nearly a decade ago when the team approached then Head Coach Mike Wilson with an idea; they wanted to show their support for Toni Funke, wife of this beloved coach and Pembroke teacher Ron Funke, in her battle against breast cancer.

They believed that by hosting a game in her honor, it would bring the community together to raise awareness and help fund cancer research at Roswell Park.

This season, the team hopes to raise another $30,000 to add to the nearly $120,000 the event has generated and donated since 2011.

Direct online donations are now being accepted in support of this year’s "Shooting For A Cure!" here.

In addition, the team is seeking donations from the community in the form of items to include in various raffles, as well as food, beverages, and merchandise that can be offered for sale during the event. Again, all of the proceeds will benefit cancer research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The 2019-2020 "Shooting For A Cure!" donors list already contains many businesses and organizations, including: 26Shirts, ADPRO Sports, Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buttercrumbs Bakery, Clarence Deli, Dixon Ticonderoga, Genesee County YMCA, Hershey's Ice Cream, Holiday Valley, Linda's Family Diner, National Grid, Original Pizza Logs, Pesci's Pizza, Pillar Real Estate Investors, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Southwest Airlines, Terry Hills, Tim Hortons, Five Guys, Knockaround Sunglasses, Walt Disney World, Batavia's Original, Coca-Cola of Rochester, Crickler Vending, Fava Brothers Lawn Care Services, and Fenton's Produce.

Businesses and organizations wishing to make a donation for this year’s event should contact the fundraiser's coordinator Mike Wilson at the Pembroke school, by calling (716) 949-0523.

About Pembroke High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team: The Pembroke High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team is comprised of 11 young women. This season’s captains are Megan Conibear, Mackenna Johnson, Casey Wurtz, and Serene Calderón. The Lady Dragons are coached by Ron Funke and Guy Gabbey. The team colors are green, white, and black.

About Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: All donations made to Roswell Park are managed by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that ensures that every donation is put to the best possible use. The Alliance Foundation has been recognized numerous times for these efforts. For more information about giving, go to its website --Roswell Park -- and click “Donate.”

Press release:

"THANK YOU!" to all those who helped us make this year’s Wonderland Of Trees a success!

Thank you to our sponsors, Tompkins Bank of Castile, Student Transportation of America, Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel, Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. and City of Batavia Firemen's Benevolent Association.

Also a big thank you to those organizations who came in and decorated a tree, or display:

• GCC Alpha Epsilon Gamma
• GCC Education Club
• Tompkins Bank of Castile
• Student Transportation of America
• Gary Harkness
• Anne Marie Starowitz
• Robin Weinstein
• St. Joseph Catholic Church
• Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden
• Zonta Club of Batavia-Gen. Co.
• Arc of Genesee/Orleans
• Speak Up Toastmasters
• Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
• HomeCare and Hospice
• Museum Quilt Guilds
• City of Batavia Historic Preservation Committee
• Sheep Homeschool Group
• Stafford Historical Society
• Godfrey's Pond
• Mercy Flight/ EMS
• Batavia Business & Professional Womens Club Inc.

By Tim Bojarski, for UNY USHWA

In an era where mainstream media habitually overlooks harness racing in their day to day publications, two news outlets in New York State routinely include harness racing news in their sports pages and continue to promote the sport despite their counterparts' failure to do so.

And the coverage given to the action at the track by the Batavia Daily News and The Batavian is why the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) will be presenting them with the 2019 President’s Award.

The Batavia Daily News is a print newspaper that was founded in 1878 and has been in operation ever since.Their circulation goes well beyond the confines of the City of Batavia and Genesee County, into several surrounding counties and also includes Buffalo and Rochester.

Additionally the paper has a strong online presence (thedailynewsonline.com) to go along with its daily print publication and both cover Batavia and Genesee County in depth.

The Batavian (thebatavian.com) is an online-only news outlet that was launched in 2008. It is the first local, online-only news source for the City of Batavia and Genesee County and has become one of Genesee County's most popular internet news sites and it provides local residents with news and information based mainly around Genesee County.

This outlet has a reputation of showing up at every major event in the city and posting timely firsthand reports and videos.

"Both of these outlets have provided outstanding coverage to harness racing at Batavia Downs over the years but in 2019, gave unprecedented weeklong coverage to the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions that were held at Batavia Downs and produced record numbers for the track as well as noticeably increased revenue for the city itself that weekend by visiting participants," said Tim Bojarski, president of UNY USHWA.

"They both do an outstanding job for the community in general and the sport in particular. The coverage provided to harness racing by these fine news sources sets a standard that outlets in other cities should well take note of."

The Batavia Daily News and The Batavian will be presented their awards in the Purple Haze Winner’s Circle at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Dec. 14). Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

The Batavian -- Video: The Night of Champions at Batavia Downs

A band of heavy lake effect snow will affect northwestern Genesee County today, according to the National Weather Service.

At 9:22 this morning, a band of lake effect snow producing snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour was located across Niagara and Orleans counties, centered near a Niagara Falls to Lockport to Medina line.

The band will remain nearly stationary through 11:30 a.m. and then will begin to move southward early this afternoon.

Expect poor travel conditions within this band with visibility a quarter mile or less.

Winds will also pick up late this morning, resulting in areas of blowing and drifting snow.

UPDATE 11:52 a.m.: A winter weather advisory is in effect until 5 p.m. with heavy lake effect snow, with total snow accumulations of three to five inches expected and wind gusts up to 40 mph. This is expected to create very difficult travel conditions and significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the afternoon commute.

Brian Lee Crockett, 39, of Woleben Road, Portland, is charged with petit larceny. At 1:48 a.m. on Dec. 7 Crockett was arrested after he allegedly stole various gift cards valued at $225 from a Christmas party at a hotel on Park Road in Batavia. Crockett was apprehended and arrested in his hotel room and the Genesee County Sheriff's Office alleges he had the stolen property in his possession at the time of his arrest. Crockett was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 19. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Nicholas J. Durkin, 38, of Drullard Avenue, Lancaster is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree grand larceny. Durkin was arrested on Dec. 5 while he was at Batavia City Court on another matter. He was arraigned there on the charges at 11:20 a.m. It is alleged that on June 19 on Washington Avenue in the city that Durkin took $4,900 ti perform HVAC work at a local business. After receiving payment, it is alleged that he never completed the work. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Nicholas A. Gaudy, 27, of Summit Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 percent or more, DWI, and refusing to take a roadside breath test. Gaudy was stopped at 11:51 a.m. on East Main Street in Batavia following a civilian complaint. Gaudy was processed at Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets. Gaudy is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 18. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Flanagan, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Teresa M. Stephenson, 30, of Cedar Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested following a complaint of larceny at a business on West Main Street in the City of Batavia at 3:10 p.m. on Dec. 5. Stephenson was released on appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Dec. 17. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Felicia DeGroot.

(Submitted photo: Above, Tom Mazurkiewicz, left, with City Church's Ryan Macdonald.) 

Chiropractor Tom Mazurkiewicz continues the tradition of Don Carroll, collecting toys for local children at his practice on Washington Avenue in the City of Batavia.

During business hours between now and end of the day Monday, Dec. 16, donors are welcome to bring unwrapped toys for ages 2 through 15. On Saturday, Dec. 14, Mazurkiewicz is offering free complementary adjustments with any toy donation between 7 and 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

Mazurkiewicz is partnering with City Church at T.F. Brown's Restaurant, so the toy donations will go to both places for distribution to local children at these respective events:

• City Church will donate toys at its Christmas party on Dec. 17;
• T.F. Brown's will donate toys at its Christmas party Dec. 19.

Press release:

PathStone Corporation is currently accepting applications for their 2019-20 On-farm Housing Grant.

This program is a matching grant of up to $2,000 to repair and upgrade existing farm labor housing. Examples of eligible repairs include, but are not limited to: bathrooms, plumbing, laundry facilities, recreation rooms, upgrading kitchens, heating, floors, walls, windows, ceilings, doors and other major structural components.*

Special consideration will be given to projects that positively impact the quality of life for farmworkers during off work hours. Farm owners must agree to provide $1 for every $1 provided by PathStone Corporation. This grant has been very successful in Wayne and Orleans counties, but this year’s focus will be on farms in Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming and Ontario counties.

If interested, or if you have questions, please contact Susan Lerch at 585-546-3700, ext. 3020, for an application. The application deadline is currently March 1 and the work will need to be completed by May 15.

Please help us spread the word as we want to assist as many farms as possible!

*NOTE: Farms may still be eligible to receive grant funds even if repair work has already started.

Earlier this morning the National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a severe weather alert for lake effect snow and blowing snow from 5 a.m. through 7 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 11).

Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are expected in the most persistent lake snows across Northern Erie and Western Genesee counties. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will produce blowing snow and very poor visibility at times.

Lake effect snow will move north across the area Wednesday morning, then intensify and move back south Wednesday afternoon.

Travel could be very difficult for brief periods of time. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and afternoon commute.

Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and
visibilities.

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

The Batavia Police Department has received multiple complaints of vehicle thefts, and larcenies from vehicles over the past couple weeks.

With the Holidays upon us, the Batavia Police Department would like to remind our citizens:

• Lock your doors/vehicles;
• Do not leave important items in your vehicle (wallets, presents, IDs, money, etc.);
• Don’t leave your keys in your vehicle when you’re not using it;
• Don’t “run in quick” and leave your keys in the ignition with the vehicle running -- It’s Illegal!
• If you are taking your vehicle to the mechanic after hours, make sure they have a secure “Drop Box” for your keys;
• Be aware of NYS VTL - 1210; Unattended motor vehicle: (a) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the vehicle…”

The Batavia Police Department can be reached at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345- 6370 or online here.

Submitted photo and press release:

Genesee Community College is proud to announce a spring 2020 exhibition schedule of multimedia artwork comprised entirely by GCC faculty and students.

The Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery offers free admission and is open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. All are encouraged to stop in this season! The gallery is also open during special events as published at www.genesee.edu/campuslife/arts.

Kicking off the new year in GCC's beautiful art gallery from Jan. 14 through Feb. 13 will be "Messin' " by Joe Ziolkowski, associate professor of Photography and Art at GCC. "Messin' " is the result of 10 seasons spent aboard a 16-foot-long 1973 Starcraft boat (above photo).

Through pinhole photography, digital panoramas and digital video, this art installation depicts the passage of time, both conceptually and literally. Professor Ziolkowski will give a talk about his work at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 23, and the artist's receptions will follow at 1 and again at 5 p.m. in the gallery.

The gallery doors will reopen to display GCC's Fine Arts Student Exhibit, which showcases the finest multimedia artwork recently produced by students enrolled in fine arts courses at Genesee Community College.

Painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics will be among the work on display. The Fine Arts Student Exhibit will be open from March 3 through April 3. The student artists will be available at the public reception on March 19 at both 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the gallery.

The 2020 season will wrap up with the always impressive GCC Digital Art & Photography Juried Student Exhibit, displayed April 28 through May 17.

Once again, the student artists will be on-site at public receptions on April 30 at both 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the gallery. During the 5 p.m. reception, the award winners will be announced! Don't miss the excitement and honor as these students are recognized for their talents and hard work!

For more information, contact Gallery coordinator Mary Jo Whitman at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6490, or via email: mjwhitman@genesee.edu.