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Richmond research librarian honored by DAR for helping people tell their stories through geneology

By Howard B. Owens
deborah wood RML DAR Award
Deborah Wood, special collections librarian at the Richmond Memorial Library, received the Women in American History Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter, on Monday.
Photo by Howard Owens

A college professor told Deborah Wood, when she was working on her senior thesis, something that she has carried throughout her career: "It only takes one person at a time to get the stories told and the will to do so."

As the special collections librarian, helping people tell their stories has been a big part of her job, and that's one reason the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution honored her as A Woman in American History on Monday.

Today's local deals: The Vintage Cow Farmers Market, Dave's, Jagged Edges, and more

By Kara Richenberg

NOTE: Members of Early Access Pass get first crack (four hours earlier access than non-members) at making Deals of the Day purchases. Join Early Access Pass today to ensure you don't miss any valuable deals.

Today's Deals:

  • The Vintage Cow Farmers Market
  • Dave's Ice Cream
  • Jagged Edges Salon
  • Pastore's Pizzeria
  • Alabama Hotel
  • Ficarella's Pizzeria

Office for the Aging holds open house to highlight services as it approaches 50th anniversary

By Howard B. Owens
office for the aging 50th anniversary open house

On Tuesday, Genesee County's Office for the Aging commemorated Older Americans Month with an open house at its community center on Bank Street in Batavia.

The agency is also approaching its 50th anniversary, which it will mark on June 1.

The open house was intended to help the entire community better understand the service available, but especially older adults who are new to the area or those who have recently turned 60 or 65, said Diana Fox, executive director.

The office offers various services to local residents age 60 and older, including support for caregivers, in-home services, meals, a nutrition program, help with services for seniors, and activities for seniors.

"You know, people sometimes say that it's kind of the best-kept secret, but I think one of the things that are so great about (the Office for the Aging) is that these are services that are available for the community that, for the most part, don't cost anything. People don't realize what we have to offer. And I'm just so proud of the staff and their commitment. The people who come here, and they work here for years and then sometimes retire from the Office for the Aging because it's such a great place to be, and we love the people who come in to see us."

Photos by Howard Owens.

office for the aging 50th anniversary open house
office for the aging 50th anniversary open house
office for the aging 50th anniversary open house
office for the aging 50th anniversary open house

LEGAL NOTICE: Town of Batavia public hearing for solar project on Wortendyke Road

By Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE:

Notice of Public Hearing

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by the Town of Batavia Planning Board regarding an application for a Special Use Permit by New Leaf Energy, Inc. to construct and operate a 5.0 Mw(AC) ground-mounted, utility-grade solar energy system at 9327 Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia.  This land is zoned Agricultural/Residential. Tax Map 17.-1-17

Said hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Batavia Town Hall at 7:15 p.m. at which time all interested persons will be heard.   Written comments will be accepted prior to that date.  You may email the Chairman at  kjasinski@townofbatavia.com or text 219-9190.

by order of the Town of Batavia Planning Board

Kathleen Jasinski, Chairman

 

PUBLIC NOTICE: Town of Batavia to hold public hearing on special use permit

By Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE:

Notice of Public Hearing

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by the Town of Batavia Planning Board regarding an application for a Special Use Permit by Peter Yasses to construct a pole barn 50’x100’ for salt and millings storage and equipment at 8887 Alexander Rd. in the Town of Batavia, Tax Map 12-1-65. This is in an Industrial Zone.

Said hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Batavia Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. at which time all interested persons will be heard.   Written comments will be accepted prior to that date.  You may email the Chairman at  kjasinski@townofbatavia.com or text 219-9190.

by order of the Town of Batavia Planning Board

Kathleen Jasinski, Chairman

 

Trojans top Lancers in softball 10-5

By Press Release
Alexander softball

Press release:

Alexander opened the scoring in the top of the first, putting up four runs. 

Elba fired back in the bottom of the frame and cut the lead to 4-3 but a tag up by Ava Yax extended the Trojans lead to 5-3 in the top of the second inning. 

The Trojans committed an error, which helped Elba tie the game at five in the bottom of the fifth. 

The contest remained a deadlock until Alexander flipped the game on its head in the top of the seventh, scoring five runs on five hits to take a 10-5 lead. 

Ava Yax, Madison Boyce, Melissa Sawyer, Faith Goodenbury, Lilly Szymkowiak, and Carley Shepard all had multi-hit games for the Trojans.  Goodenbury and Szymkowiak both knocked doubles, while Emily Pietrzykowski crushed a triple during the contest.  Pietrzykowski and Szymkowiak both had 3 RBIs on the day.  

Senior slugger Madison Boyce reached her 100th Varsity hit during her first at-bat of the game.

Pietrzykowski earned the win for the Alexander Trojans. The junior allowed seven hits and five runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two.

"This was an exciting game today, and we wanted this one to keep us in tight seeding contention for sectionals," said Coach John Goodenbury. "The umps were patient and let a front blow through that delayed our start so we could get their senior recognition game in.  Elba girls are fighters; they won’t give you an inch; I really like what Coach Dean has done with his team this year.  Elba is young but has improved substantially since last season.  For us, we played a solid team game on both sides of the ball, and everyone contributed to this one.  Emily had trouble with her chang-up and the humidity wasn’t helping, so it was nice to see her overcome that and pitch a solid game."

Submitted photos.

Alexander softball
Alexander softball
Alexander softball
Alexander softball

Soapbox derby registration opens this evening at John Kennedy's Mud Run

By Staff Writer
my cut derby
Submitted photo.

Registration is now open for the Boxcar Derby, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, and to be held at Centennial Park on Aug. 17.

The first opportunity to register is today at John Kennedy Intermediate School, 166 Vine St., Batavia, during the Mud Run, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m.

There are 32 positions available.  The entry fee is $20 per racer.  There will be a BID Boxcar Derby booth at the Mud Run. The race is open to children ages 7 to 10.

“We encourage our racers to show their talents, personalities, and dedication,” Maute said. “My Cut Barbershop and our BID leaders do that daily in their businesses and our community, and we applaud them for sponsoring one of our great racers this year.” 

“We encourage our racers to show their talents, personalities, and dedication,” said BID Director Shannon Maute. “My Cut Barbershop and our BID leaders do that daily in their businesses and our community, and we applaud them for sponsoring one of our great racers this year.”

Additional forms will be available by request to Maute at director@downtownbataviany.com. 

“We’re excited to host another great day of fun, family-friendly activities as we celebrate the skills and sportsmanship of our racers,” Maute said.

My Cut Barbershop hosted a kick-off event recently.
 

Spartans rout Auburn in semipro football scrimmage

By Mike Pettinella
logo spartans

If its performance during a scrimmage game last Saturday afternoon at the Town of Pembroke football field is any indication of future success, this season’s version of the Genesee County Spartans will do very well in the Northeastern Football Alliance semipro league.

The Spartans rolled past the Auburn Pride, 34-6, getting a pair of touchdowns from running back Jed Reese and TD passes from quarterbacks Alex Rood and Corey Turpin.

“The 34 points is the most we’ve ever scored, so from that aspect it was a great tune-up for the season opener on June 1 (against the visiting Lockport Wildcats, 3:30 p.m.),” Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe said. “Overall, our new organizational push to create a better team on and off the field really showed.”

Receivers Jazon Henderson and Rayshawn Huitt caught touchdowns passes while fellow wideout Deyonci Farley led all players with in receiving yards, said Rascoe, noting the QB competition will continue right through to the first regular season game.

On defense, Anthony Natrigo recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, while Cody Wenner and Max Rapone each had an interception and Karen Marucci and Matt Dillon forced fumbles. Gunner Rapone led the way in tackles, with newcomers Ryley Elliott and Jalen White also leading the way.

New kicker, Julie Petry, was good on four of five extra point attempts.

Genesee County Spartans’ schedule:

June 1 Lockport Wildcats

June 8 at Rochester Chargers

June 15 at East Coast Blue Devils

June 22 at Watertown Red & Black

June 29 Rochester Chargers

July 13 at Lockport Wildcats

July 20 Ithaca Warriors

July 27 East Coast Blue Devils

Sponsored Post: Just listed from Reliant Real Estate; 3220 Broadway Road, Alexander

By Sponsored Post
Reliant Real Estate

NEW LISTING!! 3220 Broadway Road, Alexander.  Fantastic solid country ranch ready to go! This well taken care of home was completely gutted and remodeled 10 years ago, so has little to nothing for the new owner to do but move in. Home has great curb appeal with double wide drive and open front porch and attached garage. When entering you are welcomed into oversized, tiled mud room, with first floor laundry, large pantry closet and half bath! From there you step into BEAUTIFUL open kitchen with gorgeous hickory cupboards and granite counter tops and oversized kitchen island for meal prep and entertaining! Bright and open large living/dining area with pretty hardwood floors throughout which leads you to screened enclosed back porch overlooking very pretty back yard and patio area! This home is located in Alexander School District and is perfect for starters or downsizers and is conveniently located for quick and easy commute to Buffalo or Batavia and with all the rural charm and peacefulness that you are looking for! Call Lynn Bezon today, 585-344-HOME (4663).

BCSD shines and represents at Stars of Tomorrow competition

By Press Release
bhs-stars-of-tomorrow-photo.jpg
Batavia High School Production Club. 
Photo by Jason Smith.

Press Release:

The Batavia City School District (BCSD) is proud to acknowledge the Batavia High School Production Club’s recent success at the Rochester Broadway Theater League’s (RBTL) Stars of Tomorrow Competition held on Friday, May 10.

BHS was recognized for its March 2024 production of Footloose. 

45 schools in the Rochester area participated in this year’s competition, and Batavia High School’s production of Footloose received the following recognition from the RBTL:

  • Excellence in Acting Ensemble
  • Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
  • Excellence in Dance Ensemble
  • Excellence in Student Orchestra

Additionally, all of BHS’s eligible leads were recognized for Excellence in a Leading Role:

  • Lilyana Burke
  • Melania deSa e Frias 
  • Ephraim Hanna
  • Gavynn Trippany
  • Peyton Woeller
  • Kate Woodward

BHS Production Club Director Caryn Wood individually submitted honorees for “Future Star” and “Director’s Special Recognition.”

“Future Stars” are middle or elementary school students who are recognized by their directors for Outstanding Individual Performances in their high school musical.

Adam Jursted was honored by Batavia. “Adam is a 6th grader and already in his second show with BHS Production Club. He is developing into a wonderful performer, but he is also just a fantastic young man. His smile and one-liner comebacks are notorious to everyone in our club. He is wonderful to work with, and he lights up the stage every time he steps onto it. We are so grateful that Adam joined our cast once again this year,” said Caryn Wood.

“Director’s Special Recognition” is for those going above and beyond in the production of their show.

Ayden Carlson and Emerson Fitch were honored by Batavia. “Ayden Carlson has been an MVP member of BHS Drama and Production Clubs since their freshman year. They have shown amazing growth as a performer but are also a phenomenal friend and support to their peers. Ayden brings fantastic character to every role they have played. They are kind, honest, and work extremely hard to help make all scenes they appear in better for everyone in them. Ayden is one of our very talented senior performers; we will miss them so much next year,” said Caryn Wood.

"As a new member of the BHS Production Club, Emerson Fitch has brought amazing energy to our group. She is always willing to pitch in and help, and she is a very strong performer. She brings brightness and enthusiasm to every scene she appears in and is a wonderful role model to her peers. Emerson always goes the extra mile to support her fellow cast members. We want to thank Emerson for being such a wonderful and positive member of this cast,” said Caryn Wood.

Superintendent Jason Smith had this to say about the club’s recent recognition: “I couldn’t be more proud of our BHS Production Club’s achievements at this year’s Stars of Tomorrow competition. The club’s production of Footloose was incredibly fun and dynamic, and I’m not surprised RBTL recognized this talented group of students. Special thanks to Caryn Wood for her longtime dedication and commitment to this wonderful program at BHS.”

“The BHS Production Club and cast of our musical Footloose were excited to participate in the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow Program this year,” said Caryn Wood. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to perform on a professional stage and receive well-deserved love and support from other performance students across the region. Our cast, crew, and musicians all deserve continual kudos and congratulations for their energetic, brave, and outstanding production of Footloose earlier this year. It was a wonderful night full of performances and displays of shared community. Every participating school district should be extraordinarily proud of the amazing student performers and their awesome compassionate support of one another.”

At the annual Stars of Tomorrow Recognition Ceremony, participating schools have the opportunity to perform a selection from their musical on stage at the Auditorium Theatre.  Recognition is given to schools with the highest scores in each of the adjudicated categories, and students are given a chance to shine. Additionally, select students recognized for leading roles at the Stars of Tomorrow Ceremony are eligible to compete in Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound for the chance to represent Rochester, at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.”

More information on the Rochester Broadway Theater League’s Stars of Tomorrow, including participating schools and productions, can be found here.

City of Batavia firefighter promoted to lieutenant

By Press Release

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department would like to announce that Firefighter Craig Huntoon will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant effective June 12.

Firefighter Huntoon has served the residents of the City of Batavia since 2019. Prior to that, he was an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter in the Marine Corps. 

He has continually displayed a great deal of fire service knowledge and leadership ability. He has been and will continue to be an asset in his new role as Lieutenant for the 4th Platoon.

Masse to fill CEO role at GCEDC

By Joanne Beck

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors has selected Mark Masse, the GCEDC’s Senior Vice President of Operations, as the organization’s next President and CEO, the agency announced on its social media site Wednesday.

The just-announced appointment was unanimously approved at the GCEDC’s May 2 board meeting. Masse will succeed Steve Hyde, who announced in April that he is retiring on August 1 after over 21 years and over 500 projects during his tenure as President and CEO.

“Mark’s leadership alongside Steve has produced a period of unprecedented investment and growth, and he was the clear choice to lead the GCEDC into the future,” said GCEDC Board Chair Pete Zeliff. “We are impressed with Mark’s capability to both guide a seamless transition as we accomplish the projects currently under development and to pursue a vision for the future growth of Genesee County.”

Since joining the GCEDC in 2010, Masse has provided leadership and direct project management, working with the organization’s civil engineering firm and finance staff, leading the way in the development, infrastructure deployment, financing, and management of the organization’s portfolio of real estate assets.

He has been responsible for the permitting, engineering, and infrastructure deployment at the STAMP mega-site in the Town of Alabama, including projects that are investing $1 billion between the renewables manufacturing and semiconductor industries and a 600-megawatt 345kV-to-115kV substation.

“Mark is more than ready to take the reins of leadership at the GCEDC,” said Hyde. “As he has demonstrated with developments large and small, Mark has the talent, experience, and readiness to lead our organization during a critical time. Private and public investment is at an all-time high as the GCEDC, Genesee County, and New York State build a semiconductor and advanced manufacturing economy.”

Masse graduated from Nazareth University of Rochester with an accounting degree. He is a certified public accountant licensed in New York State and had 15 years of experience at Freed, Maxick & Battaglia prior to his tenure at the GCEDC. He is a 2002 graduate of the Leadership Genesee program and a 2012 Buffalo Business First Forty Under Forty award winner.

Masse has also served on the Economic Development Committee and the Public Market Committee for the Downtown Business Improvement District in Batavia, as well as serving as a Board Member for the Batavia Development Corporation.

“I want to thank the board for this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing the historic economic development advancements made by Genesee County under Steve with the support of the members of the GCEDC team,” said Masse.

Sponsored Post: Just Listed; 14 Washington Avenue, Batavia

By Sponsored Post
Sunny Rathod

Welcome Home to 14 Washington Avenue, Batavia. First time on the market in over 50+ years! This charming home features gleaming hardwood floors throughout, the kitchen has a generous amount of counter space, a newly updated bathroom with a luxurious tile surround, and a rainfall showerhead. With a first-floor bedroom and laundry, this home offers convenience and ease. The spacious living and family rooms are perfect for entertaining guests. Step outside to the outdoor back patio and easily maintainable lot, ideal for relaxing or hosting gatherings. The full basement provides ample storage space. Plus, enjoy the convenience of the recently updated mudroom. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity! Offers due Tuesday 5/21 at noon. Call Sunny Rathod today.

UPDATED: Batavia PD looking for assistance in locating missing teen

By Press Release
missing-x-ricks-batavia

UPDATE: Xavier Ricks has been located and is safe.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating a runaway 15-year-old boy. 

Xavier Ricks was last seen on April 26 in Batavia. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes. 

Xavier is about 5'11", 130 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. 

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350 or the NYS Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3543. Tips can also be submitted by clicking the "submit a tip" button at the bottom of this post on bataviapolice.org.

Hozier brings 'Take Me to Church' and more this Wednesday at Darien Lake

By Alan Sculley
Hozier Photo by Ruth Medjber
Hozier 
Photo by Ruth Medjber

It’s been a decade since the arrival of “Take Me To Church,” the crossover hit single that made Hozier a worldwide star and established the native of Wicklow County in Ireland as a new artist to watch on the music scene.

The video for the song was posted on You Tube on Sept. 25, 2013 and almost immediately went viral.

This response got the attention of bigger worldwide labels, and Hozier was signed by Columbia Records in America, which released Hozier’s self-titled debut album in September 2014.

“Take Me To Church,” naturally enough, became the album’s lead single and reached No. 2 on “Billboard” magazine’s all-genre Hot 100 singles chart in December 2014. By the time touring behind the debut album wrapped up in late 2016, the self-titled album had gone double platinum and Hozier was a bona fide star.

Sometimes, though, signature songs like “Take Me To Church” can come with unwelcome side effects. Artists can get judged by the success of a monster hit and mocked if they don’t reach those heights again. Or, the song can wear on artists as they feel required to perform the song at every concert, year after year, from that point forward.

Hozier has no such afflictions when it comes to “Take Me To Church.”

“I was sort of operating from quite an indie or alternative space, and then that song catapulted me into very, very popular spheres in the way it charted. It absolutely changed my life,” Hozier said reflecting on the song in a recent video interview. “And I was pretty proud of it when I wrote it, and what its sort of mission statement was and what I hoped to communicate. In ways, I’m very happy and grateful for that. But if any of my songs can have the sort of reach that that song achieved, I’m very glad that it was ‘Take Me To Church.’”

Despite the song’s impact, the man born 34 years ago as Andrew Hozier-Byrne appears to have evaded being known as the “Take Me To Church guy.” For one thing, he’s had more hit singles – including “From Eden” and “Someone New” from the self-titled album and “Almost (Sweet Music)” from his gold-certified second album, 2019’s “Wasteland, Baby!” And just last month, “Too Sweet,” the single from his newly released EP, “Unheard,” which includes four songs from the same sessions that produced his current full-length album, “Unreal Unearth,” became his first song to top “Billboard” magazine’s all-genre Hot 100 singles chart.

He’s also showing considerable artistic growth. “Unreal Unearth” figures to firmly solidify the notion that he has the talent and creativity to fuel a career that lasts not just years, but decades.

From the start of the project, Hozier wanted to take his sound to new heights, and he worked with a number of songwriters/producers to achieve this objective, with Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Daniel Tannenbaum and Jennifer Decilveo being primary contributors,

“I knew I wanted it to be broad. I knew I did want to expand into some sort of soundscapes to play with,” Hozier said, noting he wanted to blend vintage synthesizers and other synthetic sounds with strings and other organic instruments. “I kind of didn’t want to limit anything. I just wanted to explore and make sense of it afterwards, let each song be what it needed to be and explore the spaces they needed to explore. In that way, it became kind of expansive and it became varied. I played around with a lot of sonic textures.”

Thematically, “Unreal Unearth” is plenty rich as well. The 16 songs offer a journey from darkness into light that reflects the pandemic experience and also alludes to “Dante’s Inferno” and Dante’s walk through the nine circles of hell. Hozier uses these as a backdrop for lyrics that he said relate to a range of uncertainty and upheaval he experienced himself or witnessed with people he knew, spanning loss and love, feelings of disillusionment and a resolve to recalibrate daily lives to better align with personal goals for work, social lives, family lives and relationships.

“Like any album, if you’re writing from a personal place, you’re processing and sort of exorcising and examining personal experiences over a period of time, or (making) personal observations or whatever of the world around you,” Hozier said. “But these all took place in a very, a lot of these experiences took place in a very, very particular, unique and prescient time for the world, in a pandemic. I wanted to acknowledge and to gesture and sort of credit those conditions of coming into something – the pandemic – and coming out the other side without necessarily writing songs or writing an album that focused specifically on the experience of the lockdown, the experience of the pandemic.”

To translate the kaleidoscopic sound of “Unreal Unearth” (as well as a healthy selection of songs from his first two albums) to the live stage, Hozier has put together a large touring band with plenty of instrumental and vocal versatility.

“There’s nine of us,” he said. “There are two string players. There’s a violin player who also plays guitar, there’s a cello player who also plays guitar, there’s an organ and synth player who is also a Latin percussionist. Yeah, there’s nine of us and everybody is a multi-instrumentalist in some way, shape or form, and everybody is a singer. So we have nine voices on stage and nine multi-instrumentalists.”

Hozier will be playing at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Wednesday.

Large underground gas leak reported on South Street, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A large underground gas leak is reported at South Street and Exchange in the village of Le Roy.

Roy Fire and Le Roy PD are on scene.

Stafford Requested the scene mutual aid.

A maintenance worker from Le Roy High School has been requested to the same. 

School bus drivers are advised to avoid the area.

Fire police arrest to shut down traffic at Harris Road  

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: The scene is turned over to RG&E and school district. Fire companies back in service. Road is open. 

Road work to cause delays in city Thursday to Monday

By Press Release

Press Release:

All motorists please be aware Redfield Parkway, River Street, and Jackson Street will experience traffic delays on Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17, and Monday, May 20 (respectively), from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for milling operations.

While work is being performed in this area, local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation. All motorists that regularly use these streets are asked to seek alternate routes while the closures are in place.

Contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 opt. 1 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.

City shuts down further talk with downtown businesses, refers to current parking plan

By Joanne Beck
Phase I parking plan for downtown
Phase I parking plan at Alva Place and Bank Street in downtown Batavia.
Rendering submitted by City of Batavia

Downtown property owner Sharon Kubiniec made a return visit to City Council Monday evening to remind the elected leaders that, despite the good intentions and efforts made so far to rectify a parking issue around the new police station in progress, “we are not flourishing.”

Taken from the city’s mission statement to create and sustain a vibrant, affordable, safe community that includes a supportive environment where businesses continuously flourish, she emphasized that the last portion was certainly not true for those dozen small business owners since construction began a couple of months ago. 

Kubiniec also read through the city’s vision statement, countering with how life has been since work began in the parking lot at Alva Place and Bank Street in downtown Batavia several weeks ago. One portion that states, “our community members will be actively involved in the decision we made and active in bringing our plans to life,” was countered with, “We now know that in March of 2023, the negative state environmental quality review (SEQR) was approved by Batavia City Council. A negative SEQR means that the construction project has no negative effect on the environment,, traffic, and noise level of the area … that the parking lot surrounding the project area will remain open to the public.”

“Each affected business should have received direct notification of the proposed parking lot closure last summer when the plans were finalized. 

“You took 85% of our parking,” she said. “We bought these businesses because they had parking.”

“I just want to have a sit-down meeting where I can have a back and forth because I really do believe that you guys can give us answers that will put our fears to rest,” she said during the council’s meeting at City Hall.  “I’m not trying to be contentious with you. I'm just trying to gain information. And I don't know how this process works. I've never heard of a SEQR before … I’m just trying to gain information. I don't believe you understand the undue stress that this has placed on the businesses along Washington Avenue. We are all just trying to go to work, do our jobs and make a living every day as each patron, patient, employee and citizen of Batavia approaches us to complain about the egregious lack of parking in our offices.

“We still do not have handicapped parking. We appreciate the new plan to open up one row of parking. But I beg of you that you allow us to have a two-way conversation regarding the next two years, two years that will deeply affect our businesses,” she said. “I want to say my words very carefully because I have no ill will towards anybody. This has just affected my life immensely over the last couple of months. I'm not sleeping; I'm stressed to the max because my property value has changed when trying to sell a business, and that is all halted because our whole parking lot was closed off. That scares people; they don't want to buy businesses in downtown Batavia because they find out our city council can just close a parking lot without any warning.” 

She also said that one of their worst fears — patient safety being compromised by using Washington Avenue for handicapped parking — has already happened, with three people falling between their vehicles and the medical office to which they were headed.

“We have cameras on our sidewalks, and our sidewalks right now are being utilized 10 times more than they ever were before. So I have much more traffic on my particular property,” she said. I’m just begging you to have a meeting with the business owners to just sit down because, as I just did with (Police Chief Shawn Heubusch), he was able to put one of our fears to rest by telling us that the employees of the police department will not be parking on the outside, but they will be in that secured facility. So please just sit down with us. That’s all we’re asking. I’m not looking to break anybody; I’m not looking to attack anybody. I just want to get information so that we can put our minds at rest and assure our patients that they’re going to be in a safe environment.” 

Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr., a decades-long police officer and retired lieutenant who, in a prior meeting, said he thought some of the protests was in a tone of being against the new police station, asked if the business group had an attorney. Kubiniec said yes.  

Jankowski quickly referred the matter to City Attorney George Van Nest, who advised council that since the group had retained counsel that no discussions should take place. 

“Under the circumstances, since counsel has been retained, I would suggest to the council it's not prudent to engage in back and forth dialogue if there's a potential litigation threat,” Van Nest said. “The second thing I would say, council, is there was an update issued April 30, relative to phase one, phase two parking. There's nothing more to add to that at this point in time relative to timing. When there are further updates, they’ll be provided by the project team.”

The business group had initially attempted to seek answers from the city and encountered what it called “a gag order,” so it retained an attorney to file a Freedom of Information request so that all involved could read the SEQR and background materials and get those answers, Kubiniec told The Batavian. 

“The city responded that, ‘due to the volume of records involved, the city of Batavia will have records available by Sept. 6, 2024.’ This was a disappointing response given that these records are mostly electronic and typically available within 20 days,” she said. 

Kubiniec commended Heubusch for being willing to take time and answer some of her questions before the meeting began. 

The Batavian reached out to the two at-large council members, Bob Bialkowski and Rich Richmond, and Jankowski for further comment about why the elected city leaders won’t talk to the business owners and if they feel they are representing the city’s vision statement for businesses.

Jankowski passed those questions on to City Manager Rachael Tabelski, who responded later Tuesday afternoon. 

“We have engaged in various and multiple discussions with the business owners; the fact is that the business owners have retained counsel, and it would not be prudent for the City to engage in any further dialog at this time,” she said. “We have been open and transparent regarding the plans for the police station and the accommodations the City is making to assist the impacted businesses, which we will continue to do when practical.”

Bialkowski responded to The Batavian and said that “I sympathize with the business owners,” but that it seemed as though the city had done all it could do at this point. He believes that a front row of parking to be used for those with disabilities will be available to those businesses. He didn’t understand, however, why the two sides couldn’t talk just because the business owners have an attorney, as many professionals do. 

Richmond did not respond to a request for comment.

The city released an updated parking plan on April 30 in an effort to compromise with its initial layout, which restricted parking for the cluster of businesses along Washington Avenue and State Street. At that time, Dr. Adam Gregor said that while he appreciated the effort, he didn’t believe it was really enough of an improvement. Kubiniec said it was “a step into the right direction” but did need more moving forward. 

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Healing circle event offered at Batavia First Presbyterian Wednesday

By Joanne Beck

Batavia First Presbyterian Church is having a LGBTQ healing circle from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday for an “opportunity of storytelling, sharing our truths, and listening to those of others.”

“Be part of a conversation led by trained facilitators as we discover our common humanity, connect with others and find a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ experience,” organizers say.

The event is at 300 E. Main St., Batavia. Light refreshments will be served. To register or for more information, call 585-343-0505.

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