Batavia received a coating of lake effect snow this afternoon.

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.

Imagine a state-of-the-art, multimillion dollar multipurpose sports and recreation facility attached to a renovated Falleti Ice Arena on Evans Street.

Batavia City Council members on Monday night had the opportunity to do just that as they absorbed details of a grant-funded feasibility study presented by Bill Krueger (inset photo right), principal, of CSL (Conventions, Sports & Leisure International) of Minneapolis, Minn.

All agreed that such an attraction would be a great thing for Batavia and the surrounding area. And all agreed that the cost and the timing of such a project are major issues, especially as the City looks to build a $10 million police station and Genesee County prepares to construct a $60 million jail.

Krueger, who said he has conducted about 500 of these studies over his 25-year career, outlined three options for what is now known as Creek Park, with all three tied to refurbishing Falleti Ice Arena.

Option 1, an indoor turf and hardwood facility featuring two soccer fields, four batting cages, three full-sized basketball courts and six full-sized volleyball courts, carries a price tag of $27.5 million and would operate at an annual deficit of around $200,000.

Option 2, a large indoor turf facility with a full-sized turf field, would cost around $26.6 million, with an annual operating deficit of $133,000.

Option 3 is a small indoor turf facility with a couple soccer fields and four batting cages, but no cost projections were offered.

All would include bleachers, scoreboards, locker/team rooms, fitness/wellness equipment, play areas, food court/café and walking track.

Falleti Ice Arena improvements costing $3.7 to 4.9 million would be a prerequisite to either of the options, Krueger said.

“The Falleti arena is showing its age and its usage is below average,” Krueger said. “The trend is flexible multipurpose types of buildings.”

In his assessment of the Falleti Ice Arena, which was built in 1978, Krueger pointed out that total use hours by the four primary groups – Genesee Amateur Hockey Association, Batavia Men’s Hockey League, Batavia High School and Notre Dame High School – have declined over the past 10 years.

He also noted that there are an “increasing number of repair, replacement and maintenance items that need to be addressed … to sustain safe, operating conditions” and that the arena “lacks many of the amenities, seating and service/support areas that are present in modern facilities throughout the country.”

“As a bare minimum, you should make Falleti improvement the top priority,” Krueger said, adding that moving forward beyond that hinges on the project becoming a group effort.

“It doesn’t have to be all on the shoulders of the City,” he said. “The private sector, grants and state and/or federal funding (should be explored). “Certainly, Option 1 or 2 would elevate sports tourism in Batavia.”

Krueger estimated the economic impact of either Option 1 or 2 between $11.8 and $16 million per year, with attendance topping 200,000 annually.

Following his PowerPoint presentation, City Council members and officials had their say, with Rose Mary Christian kicking things off.

“We desperately need a new police department … City residents don’t need more taxes from the city, county or school district,” she said.

Public Works Department Director Matt Worth said that the demands for more recreation are there, but “the approach has to be regional” with the county and town getting involved to avoid duplicating efforts.

Christian agreed that it could be “very feasible if the county and town got in it.”

Council President Eugene Jankowski brought up the expense of the new county jail and the expense to families involved in hockey, surmising that a turf facility “could be a better fit” as far as individual costs are concerned.

“Maybe we could partner with the (Genesee Community) college and other agencies that could use it,” he said.

Council Member John Canale acknowledged that there hasn’t been an increase in usage at the Falleti arena because of its poor condition.

“We have a terrible reputation” in terms of the facility, Canale said.

A public hearing on the matter ensued, with Batavians Sam DiSalvo and John Roach addressing the board.

DiSalvo said he is an avid long-distance runner and a participant in three soccer leagues in Buffalo and Rochester who would forgo his driving if such a facility were in Batavia.

“If you’re telling me that I could walk five minutes and save 45-minute drives in both directions, you better believe I would,” he said. “I’m in favor of this – turf and hardwood. It’s a great idea if you could make it work financially.”

Roach offered a contrasting viewpoint.

“No, a big surprise,” he said, sarcastically. “It sounds like what we heard with the (Dwyer) baseball stadium … build it and they will come. Now we will have a baseball stadium that we won’t know what to do with it.”

He also said projections show a population decrease of 9 percent over a 10-year period of the younger demographic and “then you’ve got to look at that tax burden,” mentioning the police station, Falleti Ice Arena and the county jail projects.

“Unless the county decided to go into it, I’d say absolutely not. And I know what the county will say,” he concluded.

Canale agreed that “we couldn’t take this on ourselves” but suggested exploring grant opportunities and looking to the private sector to help “so the taxpayer would not be burdened with the entire (cost).”

After Council Member Patti Pacino said the priority should be to “make a decision to fix the (Falleti) facility,” Jankowski said that since the Creek Park property is part of the Brownfield (Opportunity) Area, it would be “ripe for grants.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to let our economic development people look into this and get public feedback,” he said.

Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO ART!, was in attendance as well and he said that by including figure skating, dance and cheering competitions it could lead the way to additional grant funding.

Council Member Robert Bialkowski urged his colleagues to proceed wisely.

“This is one thing we can do right for a change,” he said. “The ice rink shouldn’t have been part of the fire department.”

Worth said that the City will be reimbursed the $54,000 cost of the feasibility study by a Community Development Block Grant.

Press release:

Batavia native Christen Ferraro has been hired by Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse as project coordinator of the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force.

GCASA Executive Director John Bennett announced the appointment of Ferraro, who received her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences Interdisciplinary with a concentration in community and mental health from the University of Buffalo earlier this year.

A Batavia High School graduate, Ferraro said she recently moved back to Batavia from Buffalo and is excited to connect with task force stakeholders in the tri-county area.

“I missed the community and am thankful to be able to have a role in bringing agencies and people together to take on this epidemic,” Ferraro said. “Our goal is to continue the momentum that Allison (Parry-Gurak) has developed.”

Ferraro is replacing Parry-Gurak, who accepted the director of treatment position at GCASA’s Albion clinic.

As part of her college program, Ferraro served as an intern with the Genesee-Orleans Youth Bureau from August 2018 through May 2019, assisting with event planning, supervision, Youth Court and Youth Lead.

The GOW Opioid Task Force currently has more than 350 members from across the tri-county region.

Members represent various sectors of the community, including public health, mental health, human services, local government, substance use disorder treatment and recovery agencies, law enforcement, EMS, faith-based groups, health systems and medical practitioners, education, businesses, concerned individuals, families, and individuals in recovery.

The task force project coordinator oversees six “work groups” – access to care, community education, data, family & loved ones, law enforcement and Naloxone, and two subcommittees – hospital policies and faith-based – and provides periodic progress reports to a steering committee.

For more information about the GOW Task Force, go to www.gowopioidtaskforce.org.

Photo: Christen Ferraro, new project coordinator of the GOW Task Force, at her desk at GCASA in Batavia.

Disclosure: Story written by Mike Pettinella, GCASA publicist.

Way too many tractor-trailers and not enough single-family housing.

Those two topics were brought up by a trio of Batavia residents during the public comments segment of Monday night’s City Council Conference Meeting at City Hall Council Chambers, and prompted some vigorous discussion among Council members.

First it was Rachel Curtin and her husband, Jacob Bodway, of Richmond Avenue expressing their dismay over the constant and heavy flow of semis either heading from or heading to the Thruway exit on Route 98 (Oak Street).

The truck traffic is “limiting our promise and potential,” Curtin said, adding that they pass by the Peace Garden (on Main Street) that “we can’t really see” (due to the big rigs blocking it) as they head down to Route 63.

Calling it a “major issue” that adversely affects people living in the vicinity of Route 98, she said the noise can be heard early in the morning and goes on throughout the day.

Her husband agreed, noting that he counted 30 semis in a 10-minute span, which translates to “150 in an hour, thousands in a day.”

“I’ve seen traffic stopped from Main Street past Richmond (Avenue),” he said. “I don’t feel safe going downtown as I ride my bike; I’m worried about getting hit by a semi.”

Bodway said he wished that something could be done to reroute the trucks to create a “safer environment.”

“The cost of my home value has gone down, I think, and the noise is obnoxious,” he said. “I urge you to keep this in your mind.”

City Council response: What can we do?

Council Member John Canale said he feels the couple’s pain, noting that several residents in his Third Ward have contacted him about not only the amount but also the speed of the trucks on Route 98.

“Since it’s a state highway, maybe if we enforced the speed limit dramatically on that street it might discourage truck traffic,” he said.

Canale added that he’s hearing this from predominantly “young couples and young families, and that’s who we’re trying to invite to live here … that demographic.”

“We have a deer problem and we’re looking into it, and we have a truck problem, so let’s look into it,” he said.

Council Member Paul Viele called out state Department of Transportation engineers for changing Route 98 from a four-lane to a two-lane highway – “whose bright idea was that to have one lane? That’s a disaster,” he said, but Jankowski and Bialkowski noted that it was done to slow traffic down.

“It (one lane per direction) does work,” Jankowski said. “It’s the Jake brake that rattles your windows when it comes through. It is a state highway. How do we divert them away from a road that originally was built for truck traffic?”

Suggestions made included: reaching out to state lawmakers Steven Hawley or Michael Ranzenhofer; having police write more speeding tickets; asking the state DOT to hold a public information meeting; and charging a fee for using Route 98 in the City (which is not possible since the City has no jurisdiction concerning a state road).

Much of the semi traffic in the City boils down to a dollars-and-cents issue -- truckers take routes 98 and 63 in Batavia to avoid the high tolls on the Thruway from Buffalo to Rochester.

If only New York State would waive the tolls for the big rigs getting off the Thruway between exits 46 and 50 …

Batavia becoming a tenant-based city?

The couple was followed by Sam DiSalvo, a resident of Main Street, who surmised that high closing costs for single-family homes and a declining selection of the same are making it “very difficult for a young person to get housing (in the City).”

DiSalvo said that he has learned that 58 percent of housing in the City is rental property.

“If that increases by another 8 percent, it will be 2 to 1 (ratio),” he said. “Batavia is turning toward a tenant-based city.”

He suggested three ways that Batavia can, in his words, “turn it back around and combat the housing issue”:

• Have City officials offer a landlord training class, similar to what Buffalo does;
• Offer a tax break to first-time homebuyers to buy a house downtown, similar to what has been done in Rochester to attract people to move into the city;
• Give a tax break to those who have owned and lived in their home for a certain number of years (20, for example).

Council Member Robert Bialkowski agreed that 58 percent of the living spaces in the City are not single-family homes, but explained that the number includes apartment complexes that could have 150 living spaces.

Council Member Rose Mary Christian mentioned that PathStone has a landlord program and that the City allows background checks for landlords while Council President Eugene Jankowski said he hoped that landlords have legal advice as he was “worried about the cost” of a City-sponsored landlord course and about the dissemination of wrong information.

“If erroneous … we’re liable for that,” he said.

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.

The Rotary Club Tournament returns to GCC on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 with Batavia, Le Roy, Notre Dame, and Pembroke competing for the crown.

Game times are at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., each night.

Photo: Kiaya Condidorio, Le Roy, MacKenzie Reigle, Batavia, Montana Weidman, Notre Dame, McKenna Johnson, Pembroke.

Submitted photo and information.

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.

Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford hosted its third annual Community Days and Winter Wonderland of Lights on Monday night, which included visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a petting zoo with animals from Party Animals in North Tonawanda.

This year's Christmas light display includes 2.5 million lights. 

There were also free horse and carriage rides.

City Council members, at the close of their Business Meeting at City Hall Council Chambers, unanimously voted in favor of Saleh’s hiring, which takes effect on Jan. 1, for a six-year term.

“First of all, I’m honored and very grateful to the City Council for having selected me to this position,” said Saleh, who noted that he will preside over the court primarily on Wednesdays and Fridays. “I am very excited to work with Judge (Durin) Rogers and to follow the direction this court has been going for many years under Judge (Robert) Balbick and Judge Rogers.”

Saleh, 66, has been a lawyer for more than 40 years and has experience in various disciplines, including being both a defense attorney and prosecutor as well as practicing corporate and municipal law.

He lived in Corfu for many years before relocating to the City in 2013.

Saleh, vice president/general counsel for Inlighten Inc., of Clarence, also has been involved in community and civic organizations, most notably as president of the Batavia Lions Club.

He has served as the City Republican Committee chairperson in recent years, a position that he will have to relinquish to avoid any conflict-of-interest issues. It is believed that Richard Richmond will assume the committee chair post.

Saleh said fairness and professionalism are the cornerstones of a successful judge.

“I think the main thing that has always been my focus -- and I’ve had a lot of experience in the courts – is to be very fair and professional with the people that come in front of me,” he said.

“I have a lot of experience and I hope to impart some of that to the attorneys who come to court with their clients to seek justice and deal with various problems that come up to people who are using the system.”

In other action, Council unanimously approved resolutions:

-- Authorizing an additional police officer position that will allow for the new hire to be trained in light of the January 2020 retirements of Assistant Chief Todd Crossett and Det. Sgt. Kevin Czora, and the City’s agreement with the Batavia City School District to provide a School Resource Officer beginning with the 2020-21 school year.

-- Appropriating $50,000 from the Facilities Reserve Fund to conduct a feasibility study – including predesign work – for a new police station at the northwest corner of Bank Street and Alva Place. Currently, the reserve fund has a balance of $298,000.

-- Acceptance of a $1 million Empire State Development Corporation Downtown Revitalization Initiative reimbursement grant to renovate the City Centre concourse, with improvements to be made to the roof, floor tiles and entrances.

City Manager Martin Moore said the state will reimburse the City at the end of the project, which means that short-term bonds may be needed to cover the ongoing costs.

“This is a major piece of the City’s efforts to upgrade the concourse and create positive economic opportunities for micro-business enterprises,” Moore wrote in a memo to City Council.

-- Ratifying the new 40-year sales tax allocation agreement with Genesee County, per requirements set by the state Comptroller’s office. The amended contract begins on Jan. 1.

-- Appointing citizens to the Youth Board (David Twichell, Paula Fischer and Kathryn Fitzpatrick) and Deer Management Committee (Russell Nephew Jr., Kent Klotzbach, Frederick Gundell, Samuel DiSalvo and Gus Galliford).

-- Contracting with Genesee County for prosecutorial services with the City paying $73,719 for 2020 and $76,219 for 2021.

Additionally, Public Works Director Matt Worth reported that crews are targeting this Thursday and Friday, depending upon the weather, to continue residential leaf pickup. Worth also said that the City yard waste station will remain open through Dec. 16.

City Council President Eugene Jankowski, right, reads a proclamation commending local and regional law enforcement personnel for their cooperative efforts during a 20-hour standoff on Nov. 18-19 on Liberty Street in the City.

The proclamation thanked all agencies that assisted City Police and for resolving the situation in a safe manner.

From left are City Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano, Monroe County Sheriff's Capt. Jeff Wagner, NYS DEC Officer Fay Fuerch, DPW Director Matt Worth, Genesee County Dispatch Deputy Director Frank Riccobono, State Police Capt. David Forsythe, State Police Sgt. Ben Fasano, City Police Sgt. Chris Camp, City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch and Jankowski.

Photo by Mike Pettinella.