Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has been appointed to serve as chairman of the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee and member of seven additional Senate Standing Committees, including:

• Agriculture
• Education
• Finance 
• Judiciary
• Racing, Gaming & Wagering
• Rules
• Transportation

“The process of enacting laws starts at the committee level, and serving in each one of these committee posts is so important to achieving key priorities,” Ranzenhofer said. “Whether it is delivering our fair share of state education dollars or bringing ride-sharing services to Upstate New York, I plan to take full advantage of committee roles as a way to make a real difference for Western New Yorkers.”

Senator Ranzenhofer is beginning a fourth session as Corporations Committee chairman.

“As chair, I have advanced legislation that positively impacts municipalities, state and local agencies, state authorities and commissions, and private entities across the state. A total of 18 new laws, reported from the Committee, were enacted last year that will make New York a better place to live and work. This year, the goal is to build upon this momentum,” Ranzenhofer said.

Senator Ranzenhofer is also a member of the Select Committee for Science, Technology, Incubation & Entrepreneurship.  

The committee assignments are for the 2017-18 Legislative Session. A complete list of Senate standing committees is available at nysenate.gov.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) have introduced the Family Farm Relief Act of 2017, legislation to move the H-2A Agricultural Visa program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture to better meet the unique labor needs of farmers and agricultural businesses.

“The last thing our farmers need is for the federal government to make it harder for them to make ends meet,” Congressman Collins said. “Access to a willing and available labor force is absolutely critical for Western New York’s agriculture community, particularly our dairy farmers. I am proud to join my colleague Congresswoman Stefanik in introducing this common-sense legislation to streamline and improve the H-2A visa program.”

“Agriculture is the backbone of our North Country economy and I am pleased to introduce this important bill to address the labor shortages facing our farmers,” Congresswoman Stefanik said. “When I travel the district speaking with our farmers, I often hear about how unnecessary delays in worker visas lead to difficulty meeting production goals. This common-sense legislation simply puts the H-2A agricultural visa program in the hands of those who best understand the specific needs of our farms.”

“Immigration reform that allows for both seasonal and year-round farm labor has been a longtime priority for New York Farm Bureau. For too long, the federal H2A guest visa program has been cumbersome, prone to delays and too rigid to fit the needs of both farmers and their employees. We thank Congresswoman Stefanik for taking the lead on The Family Farm Relief Act that will provide real reform and address a critical issue in New York's diverse agricultural community,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau president.

The Family Farm Relief Act of 2017 takes practical measures such as allowing visa applicants to fill out H-2A applications on paper or online, requiring a user-friendly online system, and ending burdensome requirements on advertising and prevailing practice surveys.

The current H-2A visa program is unworkable, especially for the dairy farms across our nation. The H-2A visa program does not currently provide a category for year-round livestock workers, including dairy. This has caused difficulties for dairy farms that need employees year-round. This legislation addresses this oversight, by creating an H-2A category for these workers.

Additionally, the legislation also allows farm cooperatives and other agricultural associations to apply for workers for their members, makes the program more workable for dairy and other livestock operations, and requires reporting to Congress if delays occur in the H-2A visa application process.

Bradley J. Broadbent, 37, was found guilty of one count each of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Earlier this year, Broadbent was indicted on drug charges in Genesee County and is still facing prosecution locally.

In 2012, Broadbent made the news following a series of bizarre incidents related to bath salt use, including vandalizing the restroom of a business complex and climbing on the roofs of houses on Hutchins Street. He eventually served a jail term on charges stemming from those incidents.

Broadbent was picked up in Wyoming County by the Drug Task Force.

The June arrest was the result of a Jan. 14 possession and sale of 13 bags of heroin laced with the horse tranquilizer Xylazine. The sale was made to a confidential informant in the Village of Perry.

Also in June, Broadbent was arrested by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force on charges stemming from an April 24 incident in the Genesee County Jail. 

Broadbent allegedly smuggled heroin into the jail where he then was accused of selling a portion of the drug to Ryan M. Bobzin, 27, of Bergen. Both men were in jail at the same time on unrelated charges.

In December, he was indicted on those charges – criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; and promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a Class D felony. 

Following yesterday's verdict, Broadbent was jailed without bail in the Wyoming County Jail. 

“Today’s convictions represent just one small measure of District Attorney Donald O’Geen’s resolute and concentrated efforts to combat the scourge of heroin and other opioids in Wyoming County,” said Wyoming County Assistant District Attorney Eric Schiener added, “Thanks to the commitment and dedication of both the Drug Task Force and District Attorney O’Geen, there is now one less purveyor of this poison on the streets of Perry.”

Due to his “significant” criminal history, both of these Class B felony convictions could potentially result in a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and three years post release supervision for Broadbent. 

Sentencing in Wyoming County is scheduled for Feb. 23.

Julia Ferrini, Wyoming County Free Press, contributed to this story.

Le Roy's Maddie Kiester sunk two key foul shots and Bryn Luckey hit the game winner at the end to give the Lady Knights a narrow victory over the Perry Yellowjackets in Le Roy last night, 49-47.

Luckey scored 13 points. Erin Cappotelli had nine, Ceci Tillson, eight along with 14 rebounds, and Ava Horgan added six.

For Perry, Rachel Evans had 18 points, Chelsea Pascoe, 11, and Diana Chisholm, 10.

Le Roy is now 5-5 on the year and Perry is 2-7.

Dispatchers and first responders have been kept busy overnight and into the morning with reports of power lines down and cars off the roadway as a windstorm hit Genesee County with gusts up to 60 mph and temperatures below freezing.

No serious incidents were reported.

Currently, there are at least 17 known power outages across the county, affecting some 300 National Grid customers. The two largest appear to be in Byron with 171 customers without power and North Bergen with 57 customers without power.

There were two jackknifed trucks on the I-490, including one incident still ongoing with no injuries but a fuel leak is reported.

Windstorms and false alarms of fire at commercial structures seem to go hand-in-hand and at one point around 2 a.m., City of Batavia had three such simultaneous calls.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported near the onramp on the westbound I-490 in Bergen. 

Unknown injuries  

Bergen fire and ambulance and Mercy EMS responding. 

A first responder reports slippery road conditions. 

UPDATE 9:18 p.m.: A vehicle is in a ditch. There is apparently a second vehicle. A caller reports minor injuries. 

Someone stole a chair and "a wet floor sign" from a business on West Main Street about 15 minutes ago. They have video. Batavia police are responding to the reported larceny.

Genesee Community College has appointed its next dean of Student Services, a familiar face with years of experience working with students, faculty and staff, and service to the College. Patricia "Patty" Chaya emerged as the top choice from a lengthy search of many qualified candidates, and will assume the responsibilities of dean of students, transitioning from her previous role of associate dean of the GCC Warsaw and Lima campus centers.

Chaya joined the College in 2002 as associate dean of the Warsaw campus, and inherited the same role with the Lima campus in 2012. Handling multiple duties, she was charged with leading, directing, team building and administrative oversight for all operations at both campus centers. In 2013, Chaya was awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service, an award given to recognize consistent superior professional achievement.

"Her familiarity with the GCC community and experience working with our students will make her an invaluable asset to our team," said Virginia "Ginny" Taylor, Ph.D., vice president for Student and Enrollment Services. "We are excited for the students, faculty and staff at the Batavia campus to begin working with Patty, whose passion for helping others has always been evident."

Chaya holds a bachelor's in Sociology from SUNY Fredonia and a master's in Student Personnel Administration from the University at Buffalo. She was a resident assistant while attending SUNY Fredonia and became residence hall director after earning her bachelor's degree.

"I am thrilled for the opportunity to take on a new professional challenge," Chaya said. "There is great potential with the dean of Student Services position, and new initiatives are important for moving forward. Not only do I hope to cultivate new programs such as those relating to wellness, but I plan on expanding the delivery and availability of these programs using our current technology, making them more accessible for our students."

Prior to working at GCC, Patty was the associate director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, and also worked for the Genesee County YWCA as the director of the Domestic Violence Program. She is heavily involved in the GLOW community, serving as the vice president of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Business Education Alliance (BEA) Board of Directors in Livingston County.

"I live in the community and am familiar with local issues," Chaya explained. "I have a strong commitment to GCC and am confident I can be a strong ambassador for the College."

As the dean of student services, Chaya will work closely with College administration to enhance its current leadership program and expanding innovative student development programs. Among numerous other areas, she will focus on student retention and degree completion, as well as handling student conduct and discipline.

Chaya officially began her new role on Jan. 3rd. Patty and husband, Ray, a former GCC BEST Center staff member, currently reside in Batavia.

Investigators continue to work leads in the case of a series of battery thefts from trucks and farm equipment in Genesee County, and as a result previously arrested suspects face new charges.

Bart Towne, 48, of Alleghany Road, Alabama, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. He was first arrested Sept. 27 and has been charged in the jurisdictions of Byron, Oakfield, Alabama, Elba, Pembroke and Alexander. 

He allegedly stole batteries in each of those towns.

He is being held without bail.

Amber L. Heveron, 28, of Rice Road, Albion, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. She was first arrested Dec. 6. She was previously charged in Alabama, Pembroke, Oakfield and Elba. 

She is out of jail under supervision of Genesee Justice.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

While on surveillance yesterday, members of the Local Drug Task Force observed occupants of a vehicle toss garbage from the car so they initiated a traffic stop.

Upon further investigation, the occupants were allegedly found in possession of Suboxone and drug paraphernalia.

During the course of the surveillance, both occupants were allegedly seen operating the vehicle and both were later found to have suspended driver's licenses.

Isaac C. King, 30, of Hoyt Street, Buffalo, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and littering.

Daniel H. Mooney, 30, of Cone Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Following arraignment in City Court, King was jailed without bail. He has a detainer from NY State Parole.

Mooney was ordered held on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Farash Foundation, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Rochester Area Community Foundation sponsored a contest for high school students and last night Byron-Bergen learned the videos it produced for the contest grabbed Second Place and Third Place.

The contest challenged students to make public service announcements for in-demand jobs of the future.

Students in Byron-Bergen's tech academy made two videos about food processing.

The full press release about the contest is here.

All of the videos that won and placed are here.

YMCA Waives Join Fee to Jump Start your January! Are you ready to shed those extra holiday pounds? Looking for a fresh start in 2017? Has cabin fever already started setting in? Join the Y during our membership campaign and save! Between 12/26/16 and 1/15/17 we will waive the full joining fee on any membership category.

New to the Y and not sure if you are ready to commit? Try the Y 5 times between 12/26 and 1/15/17 for just $15. If you decide to join during that same time frame we will take the $15 you paid off of your first month’s membership dues.

YMCA Membership entitles you and your loved ones the chance to become part of an organization that believes in and promotes active and healthy lifestyles, progressive skill development, fair play, family, and character development. The YMCA is not just another gym. When you join the Y, you join a family and what’s more you join a place where people are looking for changes to their overall health. The Genesee County YMCA offers a wide array of programs and services to meet the interests and needs of the entire family from memberships for youth, college students, families and seniors. From swimming lessons and sports, to childcare and summer camping, there is truly something for everyone at the Genesee County YMCA.

If you feel like you cannot afford a YMCA membership, it is the policy of the YMCA that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Financial assistance for membership and programs is available through the annual Strong Communities Campaign. The application process is easy and confidential. Please call or visit our member service desk to obtain an application.

For more information on membership or programs offered at the Genesee County YMCA, please call (585) 344­-1664 or log on to our website at www.glowymca.org.

Sentencing was delayed today for a Joel Bert Shorts, a 55-year-old Canisteo man who admitted in October to engaging in oral sex with a teenage boy at a religious gathering last summer because the probation department in Steuben County didn't complete a necessary evaluation.

Officials in Steuben apparently overlooked a request for the evaluation and didn't start on it in time for today's hearing.

Shorts was scheduled to be sentenced today and there was also going to be a hearing to determine what level he would be registered as a sex offender.

When Shorts agreed to plead guilty to the Class E felony of criminal sex act in the third degree, the agreement would give him a chance to avoid a four-year prison term and instead be placed on probation in Steuben County for 10 years.

Shorts was arrested July 20 at Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, where he was attending Kingdom Bound with a church group.

The new hearing date is 11 a.m., Feb. 21.

He remains out of jail on his own recognizance. 

The hearing is one of the first court appearances as the new County Court Judge Charles Zambito. Prior to the hearing, Zambito disclosed to Short's attorney the fact that the assistant district attorney handling the case, Robert Zickl, is the brother of Will Zickl, who is now Zambito's staff attorney. Zambito said that on this case, because Robert Zickl is the ADA, Will Zickl would have no involvement and would not be consulted. Short's attorney acknowledged the disclosure and waived any claim to a conflict of interest and said he wasn't concerned about the relationship.

It will be the 25th season of concerts at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center this summer and Live Nation has started to release the names of some of the bands scheduled to perform, including Green Day.

As part of the band's Revolution Radio Tour, Green Day will take the stage Aug. 26, a Saturday. Also on the bill, Catfish and the Bottlemen. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Some classic rock bands have also been booked.

Chicago and the Doobie Brothers will be in town July 18. 

Foreigner and Cheap Trick will share top billing July 21, with special guest Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience.

City of Batavia management on Monday night unveiled an ambitious plan – utilizing social media and marketing techniques – which they hope will result in $100 million of private and public investment in the city by 2022.

City Manager Jason Molino and Assistant City Manager Gretchen DiFante presented their “$100 Million, I’m All In” plan to City Council, both speaking confidently that the city is at the point where “growth and investment should be our core focus.”

The presentation was broadcast on Facebook Live, but it was discovered that the transmission did not work properly.

A Facebook page has been set up specifically for this initiative and both Molino and DiFante have started Twitter accounts in an effort to open dialogue with business owners and residents.

Molino prefaced his “$100 Million …” budget outline by telling council members that his initial proposed 2017 budget calls for a property tax increase of 1.7 percent – which is under the state tax cap and equals about $1 per month to city taxpayers.

He also said the budget has a “flat sales tax projection” and is “on target” for anticipated water and sewer revenue.”

The primary focus, however, was on “return on investment,” with Molino stating that the campaign is designed for residents to receive a quarter back in investment in the city for every nickel of taxes that they pay.

Molino and DiFante took turns speaking about the plan’s four priorities: Focus on Growth, Operational Excellence, Neighborhood Investment and BIG Collaborative Projects.

Focus on Growth

Molino said that current projects will generate more than $5 million in road, sidewalk, and water and sewer investment in 2017, and major projects such as Ellicott Station, Batavia Brewing Company and freshLAB will increase that by another $20 million or so in 2018.

The budget also supports the Batavia Development Corporation’s effort to revitalize other segments of the Brownfield Opportunity Area, including the downtown mall.

Operational Excellence

DiFante spoke of creating an environment where business owners feel welcome – “we want every business owner operating in Batavia to be unable to imagine doing business anyplace else,” she said, noting that the recent sign code revisions are part of that strategy.

She also mentioned that the city is taking a hard look at its software system and is embarking on a three-year review and purchase of an “enterprise resource planning” system to increase efficiency.

Neighborhood Investment

This priority continues the city’s work toward eliminating vacant properties (“zombie homes”) and strengthening its relationship with Habitat for Humanity to redeveloped foreclosed homes for new families.

DiFante said that the city’s acceptance into the FEMA Community Rating System offers flood insurance discounts to residents who own homes in flood zones.

BIG Collaborative Projects

Molino said that these are projects that include multiple agencies and organizations that affect each one of these organizations to some degree.

“The (City Centre) mall resolution is the first step towards reinvestment in the largest contiguous area – 17 acres – of the city’s downtown and is a 'must' for growing our city,” he said.

He also said that forging a favorable sales tax agreement for the city as well as all Genesee County towns and villages, and determining a “safe and affordable future for our water supply” are the “most vital and critical elements” of the plan.

DiFante closed the presentation by encouraging council members and the public to “get excited” and to join in on the process.

“Having council members in front of the people who are investing in the community is important,” she said. “That personal touch means so much.”

She then handed out "$100 Million I'm All In!" stickers to all those in attendance.

Council is expected to conduct budget workshops beginning Jan. 23.

Before the Business meeting, Council held a public hearing on the local law amending the city sign code in connection with recent action focusing, among other things, on electronic digital signage. No one from the public spoke on the issue.

The revised code reduces the amount of time that the message on an electronic digital sign could be changed -- from once every hour to once every 10 seconds. It also eliminates an annual $25 fee that would have been imposed upon a business owner to operate a digital sign, and "grandfather's" in digital signs that currently are located in zoning districts (such as residential and/or industrial) not authorized to have electronic message boards.

In other developments, Council:

Former Batavia City Councilman Robert Bialkowski was sworn in Monday night to fill a vacant Councilman-at-Large seat created by the resignation of Brooks Hawley, who moved his family into his late grandfather's house in the Town of Batavia.

All eight Council members voted in favor of Bialkowski, owner of Great Lakes Aviation, but the "yes" vote cast by Patti Pacino came after a few moments of hesitation.

When asked about that following the Council's Business meeting at City Centre Council Chambers, Pacino said she would have liked more time to learn more about Bialkowski's viewpoints, especially in light of the strides the city has made in turning its finances around.

"When he was with us nine years ago, we had no money, but now we're up to A-plus," she said. "He must know that but he didn't tell me that. I want him to say, 'Okay, now I'm ready. This is working guys.'

"We've tried so hard, we've worked so hard, we've come so far, and I just want to be sure that he knows that and that he will say that. Eventually, I'll make him say it."

Pacino said she would have hoped to "have seen more discussion -- more time, that's all."

"I worked with Bob before. I did the Memorial Day parade with Bob every year. I have nothing negative to say about Bob. I just think it would have been nice to know everything he had in mind and how he felt about it because he was always real close to the city manager -- and I want him to be."

Bialkowski said he sought the endorsement of the City Republican Committee because he wants to tackle "some real challenges ahead ... and I like it and enjoy representing the people and doing the people's work."

He said it is important that Council is open to change and is able to "adapt rapidly."

"One of the things I spoke about (at last week's City Republican Committee meeting) was code zoning, like the sign ordinance. It has been a year, and it will get passed at the next meeting, but it took too long."

He also supports the Uber transportation business.

"Uber is right around the corner. When Uber gets licensed in New York, a lot of people in the community will probably get rid of their cars or their second car. It will be a big change," he said.

"Batavia is kind of on the outside of the major areas but anyone who has used Uber in a big city, it's terrific. Push a button on your phone, a car shows up, you go, get out, 'thank you for the ride, see ya.' And the bicycle ... it's an old device and it's making a comeback."

As far as the selection process is concerned, he said he thought the City Republican Committee did a thorough job in interviewing the candidates and following the rules.

"Chairman Dave (Saleh) did an excellent job. He stuck with the process and used the bylaws and there were no deviations. I think he did an excellent job and if I didn't get it (the endorsement), I would have said the same thing."

Bialkowski got the nod over former City Councilman William Cox and Notre Dame High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Michael Rapone.

Bialkowski is is a retired Army helicopter pilot and continues to serve as a Coast Guard auxiliary pilot. He has also served for many years on the City Republican Committee.

Photo -- City Clerk Heidi Parker officiates as Robert Bialkowski is sworn in as Batavia City Councilman-at-Large. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst) has issued the following statement in response to Governor Cuomo’s state of the state address delivered in Buffalo earlier this afternoon:

“I am disappointed that Governor Cuomo made the decision to schedule the Western New York version of his state of the state presentation at a time when I am required, by my duties as a State Senator, to be in the Capitol for session. I am hopeful that we can finally bring ride-sharing services to Upstate, create more jobs by enacting real tax relief and repealing costly, burdensome regulations for small businesses, and providing mandate relief to local governments. I look forward to working towards these legislative goals in the days and weeks ahead.”
 

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Sheri A. Eddy, 33, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and first degree identity theft.

Eddy allegedly stole a check from the residence and used the information on the check to pilfer funds. 

She was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.