Democratic congressional contenders Jon Powers and Alice Kryzan faced off in a debate yesterday, and Mark Gillespie put together a fine, if lengthy, article on the showdown for the Daily News. Powers and Kryzan met in Geneseo to present their platforms. Fellow Democrat Jack Davis, Republican Chris Lee and Independent Anthony Fumerelle, all of whom were invited to attend, skipped out on the debate. All five candidates are vying for the soon-to-be open seat to represent the 26th Congressional District.

Davis announced last week that he would not join any debates with candidates who did not pledge to turn down special interest money and a five-point pledge to preserve Social Security—a decision roundly criticized in the media from Niagara Falls to Rochester.

Kryzan, "a retired environmental lawyer," took the opportunity to go on the offensive. She criticized Powers for accepting special interest money, claiming that she was the only Democratic candidate that had not taken any money from special interest groups. (It seems each candidate is making the claim not to be taking special interest money while accusing the other two of doing just that.)

Powers countered that the groups that have been supporting him are unions that have members in this district.

Kryzan repeated her charges, including an accusation that Powers has accepted money from a defense contractor—at which point an audience member shouted "Lay off it, already!"

(I wonder if that was our very own Russ Stresing.)

Powers did not shy from getting in a jab at the absent Davis—who refused to shake hands with Powers at a parade in Clarence Monday. "He isn't here tonight to address the challenges facing America's middle class workers," he said of Davis in his closing remarks.

Both candidates repeatedly cited their strengths—Powers as a former army captain, Kryzan's experience in law—but when it came down to the questions, they gave most of the same answers. Both support incentives for small businesses to help them better compete with national retail firms—who would say no to that. Both support renewable energy. Both vow to bring the federal funds home. Both oppose a constitutional ban on gay marriage and drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

Where they differed most is in the relationship of a U.S. representative to his or her constituents.

Powers spoke of fostering national service programs such as Americorps, the Peace Corps, and similar programs for teachers and nurses to service inner city and poor rural areas. He specifically cited a nursing shortage in Dansville.

Kryzan said she would focus more on developing projects that would more directly benefit the 26th District.

All in all, fine coverage from Gillespie.

Batavia's new fire chief, Thomas Dillon, will come to the department with 29 years of experience with the city of Rochester department, according to the Daily News. That's about all the new information on the chief that we did not pick up already this morning from the story that ran on WBTA yesterday. With Dillon's appointment, the city is down to only one full-time vacancy, according to city officials, and that's the code enforcement officer, though interviews are already being conducted by City Manager Jason Molino.

Not much else to mention today. Albion got a new fire truck—a sleek-looking red and black pumper. A Warsaw restaurant got a makeover—stop by Laurie's and check out the wainscoting. And the Le Roy Nursery School set an open house—it's at 7:00pm Thursday at First Presbyterian Church.

Check out our separate post on Mark Gillespie's piece on the Democratic debate in Geneseo.

We ecnourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News. Or subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

News from the Richmond Memorial Library:

Summer is officially over but that doesn't mean the fun has to end. 
There are lots of activities at the Richmond Memorial Library that you 
will want to investigate. Looking ahead, Anne of Green Gables is 100 
years old and the library will be celebrating this monumental event on 
October 1st. This intergenerational program will include a spelling 
bee, a baking contest, and a book discussion. Watch for updates on our 
webpage and prepare by sharing this timeless classic with your children 
or grandchildren.

What's coming up?

Registration began yesterday for the fall series of children's story times sessions. They start the week of September 16. Registration is required. Call (585) 343-9550 ext. 4 or stop by the Children's Room to register or find out more.

• Baby Bounce (Prewalkers) Tuesdays at 9:30am
• 
Toddler Time (Walkers to age 3 years) Tuesdays at 10:30am 

• Moms and Moppets (Active toddlers) Wednesdays at 10am 

• Preschool Party (ages 3-5 years) Thursdays at 10 am 

• Pajama Primetime (family fun for all ages) Thursdays at 6:30pm

Teen time after school is open in the Gallery Room for grades 6-8.

Adults, too, have plenty to look forward to this fall at the library.

• 
Books Sandwiched In Sept. 24 at 12:10pm reviewer Bill Kauffman for his book 
Forgotten Founder, Drunken Profit 

• The Muses Sept. 24 at 7pm -
• Celtic Music 
Reel Discussions Sept. 25 at 6:30pm 

• Genealogy Online Sept. 30 at 6pm - please register
• 
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale Sept. 4 from 9am -7pm 

• Knit One, Read Too  - Sept. 8, 15 and 29 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Thanks to Children's Librarian Sandra Gillard for sending along the newsletter.

Roy D. Hooten, 47, of Oakfield, was charged with two felony counts of third-degree burglary yesterday for an incident that occured sometime in mid-August, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Hooten was arrested last week following an investigation that spanned nine months. He was accused of stealing copper wire and scrap metal from three sub-stations in Oakfield. The charges filed yesterday relate to the alleged theft of several metal items including a large aluminum tool box from the old Path Truck Lines Terminal on Judge Road in Oakfield. Hooten's bail was increased from $1,500 to $20,000 on the new charges.

Daniel C. DiLaura, 33, of 11 S. Lyon St., Batavia, was charged with second-degree criminal contempt Tuesday afternoon, Gensee County sheriff's deputies said. DiLaura allegedly violated the terms of his parol.

Edward J. Howell, 66, of Le Roy, was charged with two felony counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two felony counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, deputies said. Howell allegedly sold pills to an agent of the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force. He was sent to Genesee County Jail.

All above reports were issued in published releases by the department noted.

Batavia (44-26) had eight doubles in their 10-2 win over State College (16-54).  With the win and another Jamestown loss, the Muckdogs now have a two and a half game lead as they sit in first place.

Thomas Eager (6-3) got the win in the start, going five innings with three hits, one run, three walks and one strikeout.  Tyler Cox (0-1) picked up his first decision in the loss, going two innings with five hits, three runs, one walk and three strikeouts.

The game was scoreless until the 3rd when Batavia scored one when Jose Garcia hit a double and Jermaine Curtis reached on a throwing error, enabling Garcia to come home.  The Spikes came back to tie it in the bottom of the inning, scoring after the bases were loaded after a walk, single and hit batsman.  Jeremy Farrell then hit a sacrifice fly for the one run.

But the game didn't stay tied long, as the Muckdogs plated another run on a Charlie Cutler walk and Xavier Scruggs double in the 4th, and they never looked back.  Two more tallies were added in the 5th.  Back-to-back doubles by Garcia and Curtis scored the first.  The other run came as Cutler singled to score Curtis.

Another two was added in the 6th.  To start things, Chris Swauger doubled and Edwin Gomez singled.  Garcia then hit into a force out which brought Swauger home.  A double by Curtis later in the inning scored Garcia.

Batavia's big inning came in the 8th as they scored four runs in the inning.  Gomez singled, Garcia doubled, Curtis doubled, Colt Sedbrook singled and Shane Peterson singled to plate the four runs on five hits.

State College showed some life in the bottom of the 9th as they plated one on a fielding error and a single, but the Muckdog damage was too great.

Garcia ended the night 3-for-6 with three doubles, four runs, two RBI and a stolen base.  Curtis also had three doubles as he went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI.  Let's hope Batavia can carry this offensive surge into Jamestown tonight as they strive for that first place finish.

______________________________________________________

Here's where our Muckdogs stand in the NYPL:

• Thomas Eager: 2nd in pitching (6-3, 1.76 ERA)
• Arquimedes Nieto: 3rd in pitching (6-1, 1.76 ERA)
• Adam Reifer: T1st in saves (21); 1st in games (30)
• Colt Sedbrook: 7th in batting (.309); 3rd in hits (80); 3rd in on-base percentage (.396)
• Jose Garcia: 2nd in stolen bases (25); T4th in runs scored (44)
• Shane Peterson: 2nd in on-base percentage (.403)
• As a team: 2nd in batting (.268); 3rd in pitching (3.23)

WBTA's Dan Fischer broke the story: the city of Batavia has a new fire chief. Thomas Dillon was appointed to the position Tuesday morning. Dillon has been retired from the city of Rochester Fire Department for eight years. He was a deputy fire chief there.

City Manager Jason Molino told Fischer that Dillon was picked among a candidate pool of 15, and he will start work on September 17 at a salary of $75,192. Molino also spoke of Dillon's experience at a larger department.

From the Post-Journal:

WILLIAMSPORT-The Jamestown Jammers are doing everything in their power to not make the playoffs this season, dropping their second-straight contest against Williamsport, 2-1, in the New York Penn League.

What also hurts is that every other team in the playoff hunt has been winning lately.

Batavia won Tuesday, pushing the Jammers 2 games out in the Pinckney Division and game out in the wild card with only four games left in the regular season for Jamestown.

The Brooklyn Cyclones, after winning nine in a row, finally took a loss as well to keep their slim game lead over the Jammers for the wild card spot.

Tuesday's loss was a tough one, as the Jammers pitching staff didn't allow an earned run all night while the offense left seven on base and grounded into two double plays.

Meanwhile, the Centre Daily Times reports on the Spikes/Muckdogs game and its playoff implications:

UNIVERSITY PARK — With a two-game series against Jamestown looming, fiery Batavia manager Mark DeJohn handed his team explicit instructions:

Take advantage of a battered opponent.

The Muckdogs again met their animated manager’s demands.

The differences between a team approaching the postseason and one collecting return tickets home were on display Tuesday as the Muckdogs hammered the Spikes 10-2 to easily sweep a two-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Take away a two-error ninth inning, and the Muckdogs resembled a playoff team the past two nights.

Batavia scored 23 runs and recorded 30 hits to move 21/ 2 games ahead of Jamestown, which lost to Williamsport 2-1, in the Pinckney Division standings. The Muckdogs (44-26) can clinch their first division title since 1998 by defeating the Jammers (42-29) tonight at Jamestown’s Diethrick Park or Thursday in Batavia.

We have come a long ways from city council meetings and searching for ways to save our team! The community needs to come together now for a strong finish with attendance and what better way to come together with a very possible playoff run? I challenge everyone on this site to bring family, friends or co-workers to the remaining games at Dwyer stadium. We have three home games left on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Then the playoffs! Yes the playoffs! Lets fill the stands, make some noise and have some fun at 299 Dwyer!  Let's send a message to Rochester thanking them for saving "OUR TEAM" and let them know we will be here for years to come supporting our team!  Business owners, buy two tickets to the rest of the games and give them away to your employees. Season ticket holders, bring a friend to the remaining games.  Every little bit helps, we have proven that since last December. I will see you there! Thanks Dave, Naomi, Travis, Mollie, Rock, Barb and all of the other great people associated with the Muckdogs!  You have done a great job all season with all the obstacles you have hurdled! From the season opener with the rain delay to the end of the season, you have been great! GO DOGS!

The Muckdogs won tonight 10-2 as Jamestown fell 2-1 to Williamsport...increasing Batavia's first place lead to 2.5 games!!  We had an astounding 8 doubles on the night in our second straight big win.

Full game re-cap and new league standings & leaders to come in the morning!

Something exciting will be happening at 299 Bank St. starting Thursday. No, it's not a City Council meeting. It's not a knock down the mall rally. It's a BASEBALL GAME!! A real life,professional,championship on the line,baseball game. The Muckdogs, the BATAVIA Muckdogs, are playing the jamestown jammers for the division title. Who would have predicted last January that they would be playing such great baseball at Dwyer on September 4th? So, Bill,Charlie,Jason and all you combatants on Main St? I expect to see all of you at the ballpark at 7 on Thursday and you can all cheer together for a Batavia victory.

• Davis campaign launches a "fake" Powers Web site, by Philip Anselmo
• Bialkowski: Charlie Mallow "has failed miserably as a leader", Philip Anselmo
• Into the black: Audit shows Batavia on the financial upswing, by Philip Anselmo
• The Mall, by Amy Davis
• And the Winner Is......$$$$$........ Your Guess Is As Good As Mine, by Patrick Burk
• Daily News: Muckdog attendence lagging, by Howard Owens
• city centre reality check, by Mitchell Chess
• Let's support the Muckdogs, by Howard Owens
• Not all Democrats are in love with Jon Powers, by Howard Owens
• On the subject of the Mall: Bill Kauffman, by Philip Anselmo

Every Monday the Daily News runs a fun feature called Q&A that introduces us to an interesting guy or gal in the community. Today's Q&A is about Nicole Brady, a gal from Bergen who collects animal skulls. Fun stuff. But the reason I mention this profile in particular is because of Brady's response to the question: "If could do over again..." She says: "Buy a winning lottery ticket." Excellent.

OK. Other than that, there isn't much in the paper today. Joanne Beck looks at Batavia High School's Link Crew, "a new transition program" whose "goal is to help incoming freshman feel more at ease in high school." Matt Surtel has a fun piece on the Oakfield Labor Daze festival this past weekend.

Pick up a copy of the Daily News at local newsstands. Or subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

A news search on Google brings up 170 articles from across the nation—plus one from our friends in the United Kingdom—about yesterday's protests at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Needless to say, no two news outlets handle the event in the same way. Many look for some figure to represent the action: the ever-juridical CNN, for example, focuses on the arrests: "Hundreds to be charged in court," reads the headline.

Most news outlets, however, can't resist the opportunity for a good old fashion us-versus-them report, and a few of them will even be so bold as to tilt their coverage in favor of one side or the other, empathizing with the police or the protestors. A Fox News affiliate in St. Paul, for example, seems to take the side of the police against the "unruly and violent" mob. There is no mistaking the tenor of the language in this report which classifies the demonstrators as "anarchists" who are "causing chaos" in the streets. For a different take, you can check out a Minnesota daily newspaper that takes up the showdown from both sides but nevertheless seems to make allegiance with the protestors. This is made clear less in the language than through the telling photograph of a lone demonstrator getting "hosed down" with pepper spray. She stands alone in the center of the image, cringing and hunched over as an intimidating line of masked police in full riot gear march at her, sticks held bent sinister across their chests. Nothing of their faces is visible behind the reflective plastic and the gas mask tube over the mouth.

However interesting it is to do this compare and contrast with national news stories, and whichever point-of-view you choose to take on the events in St. Paul, there is one very definite image that emerges from out of all the coverage, and it is best represented in these two paragraphs from the New York Times:

As the protests grew, scores of National Guard troops in riot gear and gas masks fanned out around the Xcel Energy Center, where the convention is being held, and set up a blockade about three blocks away. Police helicopters buzzed over St. Paul throughout the day. Humvees painted in fatigue green ferried water to police officers working in the 88-degree heat, and city dump trucks were used to block traffic on some streets.

At one point, a group of about 200 protesters — many wearing black bandannas across their faces and some wearing black balaclavas — roamed through downtown, shouting and chanting and throwing street signs and concrete planters in the road. At another point, a police officer grabbed one of the youths. Others wrested him away, then appeared to knock the officer to the ground. On one knee, the officer released an arc of pepper spray.

What an image! Step aside Alexis de Tocqueville, this is democracy in America.

The building that became known to the world as the first-ever business incubator earns a spot in the Holland Land Office Museum's countdown of The Twenty-Five Things That Made Genesee County Famous.

Museum Director Pat Weissend relates the history of this famous plant:

In 1886, the Johnson Harvester Company of Brockport, NY moved to Batavia following a fire in the Brockport plant. Company officials chose Batavia because the railroad lines that came through the village would make the shipment of product easier. Also, local citizens purchased 14 acres of land along Cemetery Street and donated it to the company to build its plant. Cemetery Street was renamed Harvester Avenue.

In 1910, a controlling interest in the Johnson Harvester Company was acquired by the Massey-Harris Company of Canada. One of the more well known products of the Massey-Harris Company was the Clipper Combine.

In 1953, the company merged with Harry Ferguson Limited of England and became Massey-Harris-Ferguson. Five years later, the name was shortened to Massey-Ferguson.

After the plant closed a few years after the merger with Ferguson Limited, the city began the search for a new tenant. When no one could be persuaded to take over the enormous space—industrial plants all over the nation were beginning to close their doors at the time—Charles Mancuso was charged with the task of filling the space. So was born the business incubator.

Mancuso came up with the idea to rent portions of the building to small manufacturing firms until they were large enough to strike out on their own. This type of arrangement allowed startup businesses to save money and resources until they grew enough to go out on their own.

One of the first tenants to the Industrial Center was a chicken company. Mr. Mancuso was traveling around the US looking for other potential tenants and spreading the word about Genesee County. He used the chicken company as an example, and started calling it an incubator. Mancuso invented the world's first business incubator. Today, there are an estimated 5,000 business incubators in the world. In Anshan City, China there is a statue of Joseph Mancuso, the father of the business incubator.

Visit the museum's Web site for more about the business incubator and to keep up with the countdown of The Twenty-Five Things That Made Genesee County Famous.

With a Batavia win and a Jamestown loss yesterday, the Muckdogs now sit in first place, 1 1/2 games above the Jammers.  The Muckdogs are also doing well individually.  Here's a look:

• In the NYPL, Arquimedes Nieto is in 2nd place for pitching, with a 1.76 ERA and 6-1 record.
• Adam Reifer remains tied for 1st in saves with 21 and leads in games with 30.
• Colt Sedbrook is 6th in batting (.311), 3rd in hits (79) and 3rd in on-base percentage (.399)
• Shane Peterson's 19 doubles put him in a three-way tie for 2nd place.  His .403 on-base percentage is 2nd in the league.
• Jose Garcia is 2nd in stolen bases with 24.
• Collectively, the team is 3rd in both hitting and pitching with a combined BA of .265 and ERA of 3.27.

Habitat for Huamnity of Genesee County is at work right now on a project at 6 Columbia Ave. in Batavia. Over the weekend, one of the crew chiefs sent us along some news about that project, along with a couple photographs (included below). We hope to get over to the site some time in the the next few days to record some video of the project. In the meantime, here's what they've had going on in recent weeks:

Employees of Tops (Friendly Markets) of Batavia had a volunteer day with Genesee County Habitat for Humanity doing plaster and lath demolition work at 6 Columbia Ave. in Batavia. This was another part of the support that Tops has been giving to Habitat. In the past they have provided food for the workers, (set up) coin donation cans in their store and hosted a hot dog and soda sale.The coin cans at the registers to date have provided over $3,000. Tops insisted on stocking the food pantry at the Habitat home when the family moved in last year. A sincere thank you to Tops and its employees.

August was the month for the raffle of the car at Valu Stores for Habitat for Humanity. The 21 Valu Stores sold over 185,000 tickets on a new Ford Focus. The winner is from Erie, Penn. Genesee County Habitat for Humanity received a check for $6,527 for their part of tickets sold in the Alden and Batavia stores. This money will be added to other donations to help complete restoration of the next Habitat home being worked on in Batavia.

Pictures: (Top) Employees from Tops at the job site on Columbia Avenue; (Bottom) Habitat crew accepts check from Valu Stores.

An investigation into child pornography that spanned two years led to charges for an inmate of the Groveland Correctional Facility. Genesee County sheriff's deputies charged Kevin P. Boss, 27, with 13 felony counts each of possessing a sexual performance by a child and possession of an obscene sexual performance by a child. Investigation began in 2006 when officer Kevin Wright contacted the sheriff's office after he allegedly discovered computer images that contained child pornography in the home of Kevin Boss in the town of Batavia. A forensic lab in Buffalo later confirmed Wright's suspicions.

Harris G. Reed, 27, of Pavilion, was charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument Sunday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Reed allegedly attempted to use a counterfeit $100 bill to make a purchase in Darien Lake Theme Park. He was sent to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail. Reed also had outstanding warrants issued by the Le Roy police department and the Wymong County Sheriff's Department for issuing bad checks.

Jacqueline Eagen, 44, of Buffalo, was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child Sunday, sheriff's deputies said. Eagen was stopped in the town of Pembroke following reports of a dispute earlier that evening by Darien Lake security. She was allegedly found to be under the influence of alcohol while driving with three children in the vehicle. Eagen was charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, driving with a suspended registration and driving in violation of a conditional license.

Marvin R. Gilbert Jr., 42, of Williamsville, was charged with second-degree promoting prison contraband, sheriff's deputies said. Gilbert was allegedly found with medication that he was not supposed to have while he was an inmate at the Genesee County Jail.

All above reports were issued in published releases by the sheriff's office.

The 22nd Annual Labor Day 5k Run and Walk by the Batavia Area Jaycees was held on a great sunny day.  Proceeds will benefit the Genesee County Aids Task Force.

Here is the link to the results:

http://geneseeny.entrexp.com/documentview.asp?docID=608

Thanks to everyone help sponsored and made the event run as well as it did!

www.geneseeny.com/bataviajaycees

In the category of new local videos found on YouTube, Philip Penepent's 86th birthday party.

The Genesee County Animal Shelter has posted another video to YouTube encouraging adoption of felines at the shelter.