Alexander Girls Softball cleaned up over the weekend, getting three wins over two days, including a muddy mess of a win over Kendall on Sunday evening.
Coach John Goodenbury called it a slip-and-slide contest.
The Trojans won 8-5.
Emily Pietrzykowski picked up the win for Alexander, pitching 7 innings allowing five hits, six free passes and notching eight whiffs.
Senior Olivia Delelys led Alexanders' offensive, going 3-3 with a double and 2 RBIs. Melissa Sawyer went 2-2 with an RBI.
“We were not sure we would get this game in today because of the forecast," Goodenbury said. "At game time, the weather didn’t seem like the rain was too heavy or that it would last long, but we were wrong. Kendall’s head coach Jeff Parizek and I just wanted to play this game, so we rolled with mother nature’s punches and played on. Looking back at the game, I think both teams had a blast, the girls got the chance to be like little kids again as they were sliding around the bases and getting covered in mud. To see the girls with big smiles playing a game, I am sure they will always remember, is worth the extra laundry detergent to me.”
With the win, Alexander is now 9-5 on the season.
Two of those nine wins came on Saturday when Alexander beat Byron-Bergen and Barker.
In game one, the Trojans shut out the Bees 6-0.
Madison Boyce tossed a 4-hit shutout. Boyce pitched 7 innings, allowing four hits, eight walks and recording
Emily Pietrzykowski was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI, while Lilly Szymkowiak was 2-3 with a double and 1 run scored.
In game two, Alexander beat Barker 11-6.
Alexander racked up 13 hits during the contest.
Makenna Boyce, Olivia Delelys and Melissa Sawyer all collected multiple hits for Alexander. Senior Makenna Boyce led Alexander going 3-4 with a triple and 2 RBIs, and a stolen base. Emily Pietrzykowski, Madison Boyce and Melissa Sawyer combined pitching efforts for the win, surrendering four hits while striking out 9.
“The past week was a tough week for the entire GR with bad weather that forced many cancellations and that resulted in us stacking a doubleheader today," Goodenbury said. "A scheduling conflict had us play both games today back-to-back with no break in between games, so our girls had to dig deep today. They made it work and came out on top of both contests. Maddison Boyce has been pitching outstanding for us, and today she completed her third shutout of the season and reached 60 strikeouts after 33.2 innings on the bump so far. It was Senior Day for us, and both of our seniors, Makenna Boyce and Olivia Delelys, played great to make it a special day for Alexander.”
Story based on submitted information. Submitted photos.
When it comes to getting news out first, The Batavian doesn't always beat the competition, but we beat them more often than they beat us.
We work hard to bring you the news of our community quickly, thoroughly and accurately.
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Here is a list of stories published over the past seven days, excluding press releases and scanner reports (just original reporting) where we beat the competition. These are also stories in the vast majority of cases, the competition hasn't even covered yet.
And speaking of exclusive coverage of important community news, The Batavian broke the story earlier this year of the change in maximum income requirement for the apartments at Ellicott Station (perhaps one of the most important stories of the year) and the competition has barely covered anything about the issue.
And as for the biggest story of the past week, the changes at Batavia Downs, The Batavian not only broke the story locally but provided the most thorough and in-depth coverage.
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Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher performed an afternoon concert at the Richmond Memorial Library on Saturday.
Fletcher has been recording and performing classical guitar music for more than 40 years. He holds a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. He has studied with David Leisner, David Russell, Oscar Ghiglia and Pepe Romero. He has performed recitals throughout the U.S., including two recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York. He's also made numerous appearances on radio and television.
He currently resides in Detroit and New York City.
His CD releases include The Art of Classical Guitar, A Peter Fletcher Recital and Federico Mompou: Guitar Works. In 2005, Centaur Records released Peter Fletcher plays Erik Satie. Peter Fletcher Plays Baroque Music for Guitar was released in 2008 on the Tower Hill Recordings label. His current release is
Beth Paine, the new director of the Richmond Memorial Library, during a meet and greet at the library on Saturday. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Richmond Memorial Library is a community center, and so a place where everybody should find a fun and friendly place to visit, said Beth Paine, the library's new director.
Paine started her job in February but has been busy the past several months getting settled into the job. On Saturday, community members were invited to the library to meet her and socialize.
"No one should ever feel they are not welcome here," Paine said. "We're a happy place. So much is going on in a world that is depressing and upsetting, and here we're happy, and we love our patrons, and we're an open source for any kind of information."
The previous director, Bob Conrad, took a new job downstate, and after an extensive search, New York native Paine was selected by the library board.
Paine has held the director's position at three other libraries in New York -- Sydney, Watkins Glen, and Prattsburg.
She said she's impressed with the Richmond Memorial Library and its staff.
"The programming here is amazing," Paine said. "The staff is very good with the patrons."
There are a few things she would like to upgrade, she said.
"We're looking at getting more Wi-Fi access points and adding in a little bit of more security, and expanding the collections in certain areas that have been not used as much," Paine said. "Right now, there's really not a whole lot to improve. It's a great library, I'm really excited to be here."
She said she has an open-door policy for patrons and wants to hear from them when they have suggestions or issues to discuss.
Now that she's settled in, she plans to be out in the community more. She is going to a Batavia Rotary Club meeting soon to make a presentation, and she also plans to start volunteering at the animal shelter.
"That's what I've done for many years," Paine said. "I volunteered at the Yates County shelter when I lived in Penn Yan, and then when I moved to Delaware County, I volunteered at the one there, and so now that I'm here, I plan on offering my dog walking services. That's usually what I do."
Two people were seriously injured when a motorcycle they were on left the roadway on Lewiston Road in Oakfield and struck a retaining wall in a yard.
Contrary to an earlier report, no vehicle was involved.
Sgt. Matt Wikowski, State Police, said at this stage of the investigation it's not clear why the driver lost control over the motorcycle.
The driver and a female passenger were both ejected from the bike. The driver was transported to ECMC by ground ambulance and the female was flown to ECMC by Mercy Flight.
Oakfield Fire and Mercy EMS assisted at the scene.
Before sending him to prison for 10 years, Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini wondered at the criminal history of Arthur Brown, 45, of Le Roy, whom she observed is clearly intelligent, is well-spoken, and knows to advocate for himself.
Why, she wondered, why he keeps engaging in criminal activity when Brown could do so much more with his life.
Brown was sentenced on three separate criminal cases, the most notorious, an incident in September 2021 when he fled from a traffic stop after being seen driving erratically on Route 33 through Bergen and Stafford. Brown ran into a cornfield, and Deputy Kevin Quackenbush started a foot pursuit but stopped when he apparently saw Brown pull a handgun from his waistband. Quackenbush retreated, and then there was a loud bang.
Quackenbush reported to dispatch, "shots fired." This was the start of a several-hour, multi-department manhunt that eventually led to the arrest of Brown and the recovery of a handgun. The loud bangs turned out to be from a wildlife scare cannon.
Brown has consistently maintained that the gun officers found was not his, and on Friday, he accused of Quckenbush of not telling the whole truth about the incident, such as, he said, Brown's DNA wasn't on the gun nor were his fingerprints.
ADA Joseph Robinson noted after Brown's statement that the gun wasn't checked for fingerprints.
Deputy Kenneth Quckenbush taking position behind his patrol vehicle after bangs were heard in a farm field on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, on Sept. 19, 2021. A suspect had run into the field and apparently displayed a firearm before the bang was heard. The bangs turned out to a wildlife scare cannon. File photo by Howard Owens.
After initially indicating he intended to take the charges against him to a jury, in February, he entered guilty pleas to multiple charges, including second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D violent offense, third-degree attempted criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, a Class B felony, in connection with an arrest in January of this year in the City of Batavia, and to one count of violating the Sex Offender Registration Act, a Class E felony, for failing to register as a sex offender upon a change of address.
In arguing for the maximum possible sentence against Brown (the 10 years Cianfrini eventually imposed), Robinson said that Brown's long criminal history and habit of saying things that attempt to explain away or minimize his criminal activity made him a danger to society.
Robinson listed Brown's past criminal activity:
In 1994, Brown was adjudicated a youthful offender in a criminal case and violated probation within a year.
In 1995, he was sentenced to a year in jail.
In 1998, he was sentenced to seven years in prison on a robbery 2nd conviction.
In 2005, he was convicted of rape 3rd and sentenced to 18 months to three years in prison.
In 2010 he as conflicted of criminal sale of a controlled substance 4th and sentenced to two years in prison.
In 2015, he was convicted of two sexual offender registration violations.
In was released from prison on that conviction in 2021 one, just weeks before the incident on Clinton Street Road.
The plea Brown accepted, Robinson said, satisfied not only the pending charges already filed against Brown but also four ongoing drug dealing investigations being conducted by the Local Drug Task Force that had not yet led to charges.
Robinson said Brown seems to spend more time in prison and free.
"If he's not serving time on a conviction, he's out committing more crimes," Robison said.
Robinson noted that Brown hasn't accepted responsibility for possessing a gun in September, and he said that when Brown was accused of possessing a bag of cocaine, Brown told probation officers during his pre-sentence interview that officers found the bag in a bush and not on his person. That was an example, Robinson said, of the defendant minimizing his responsibility for his actions.
Another dealt with Brown's SORA violation. Brown said, according to Robinson, that he didn't think he needed to register a change of address because he merely moved from one room to another in a hotel complex.
Defense attorney Joseph Lobosco said his client did accept responsibility for his actions and suggested that Robinson was mischaracterizing Brown's interview with probation officers. He said the interview took hours, and the report didn't include direct quotes from Brown but paraphrases from officers written after the interview.
Brown said it was unfair of the ADA to he didn't accept responsibility for his crimes.
He said there was the DNA of three other people on the gun but not his. He also complained that a confidential informant used in the drug sales investigation was facing six criminal charges, which wasn't disclosed, he said.
"I take responsibility for what I've done, and I don't make excuses," Brown said. "But I don't take responsibility for what I didn't do."
Cianfrini said she hopes Brown will use his time in prison to better his life, to learn new skills, and reflect on the direction his life has taken.
"You could do something worthwhile with your life," she said.
On the SORA violation, Cianfrini sentenced him to 2 to 4 years in prison. On the attempted criminal possession of a weapon conviction, seven years in prison. On the criminal possession of a controlled substance conviction, 10 years in prison. All sentences are to be served concurrently.
A second trial for a Batavia man accused of firing a shotgun at two people on Elm Street on Aug. 12 will start on Monday.
The first trial of Jeremy Ives began in March and ended in a mistrial. The reason for the mistrial was not discussed in open court on Friday during a hearing held for trial preparation.
Ives was indicted in September on two counts of attempted assault in the first degree, a Class C violent felony, kidnapping in the second degree, a Class B violent felony, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, two counts of criminal use of a firearm in the second degree, a Class C violent felony, and menacing in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Ives is accused of attempting to cause serious physical injury to a person using a shotgun in the City of Batavia on Aug. 12. He is accused of abducting another person on that same day.
In January, Ives turned down a plea offer, electing to take his case to trial. ADA Will Zickl said at the time that under the terms of the offer, the counts against Ives would be reduced to a single count of attempted assault in the first degree, a Class C violent felony. Ives, who has a prior DWI conviction, would admit to the charge as a second-felony offender.
He would have been facing a possible sentence of five to 15 years.
If convicted at trial, Ives faces a sentence of nine to 25 years in prison.
The main issues discussed on Friday were the testimony of two possible witnesses.
One witness is the person Ives may have purchased the shotgun from. There is a question about whether the witness can positively identify Ives as the person who bought the gun. A third party apparently arranged the transaction and handed the seller the money.
"She doesn't have to know his name to know she handed him the gun," Zickl said.
There is also a witness who claims to have heard Ives yelling things in the street outside her residence some three hours after the reported shooting. Whatever statements she heard are apparently not relevant to the case, but Zickl argued that her testimony will enlighten the jury as to Ives' emotional after the shooting.
Defense attorney Joseph Lobosco argued that the witness was miles away, hours after the event, didn't see Ives while he was yelling, and had no context for what she heard.
Zickl countered that the witness, who apparently knows Ives, can ID Ives by his voice.
Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini ruled that both witnesses can be called during the trial.
A portion of the parcels off of Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive and MedTech Drive, across from GCC in Batvia, where developers are planning an 80-unit apartment complex. Photo by Howard Owens.
A Grand Island-based developer has submitted an application to the Town of Batavia to build an 80-unit apartment complex on 9.47 acres of land next to the MedTech Center, part of the MedTech Park, along Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive.
The location is across the roadway from Genesee Community College.
The land is currently owned by an entity of GCEDC, the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corp.
The name of the complex on the application is Countryside Apartments, and the application was submitted by David Mazur.
The plan calls for six 12-unit buildings and one eight-unit building with 24 three-bedroom apartments, 42 two-bedroom, and 14 one-bedroom, with 36 single-car detached garages.
The total project cost is expected to exceed $12 million.
The application does not include -- which is normal for building applications -- any information about possible construction incentives GCEDC might offer.
The project will require water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, natural gas, cable, and electric utilities.
The developers are proposing a connection to the existing 12-inch water main with a 2-inch domestic water service and a 2-inch fire service for each apartment building.
The town board approved the land for Planned Unit Development (PUD) in November 2022.
When all the units are rented, the complex is expected to have minimal traffic impact. On weekday mornings, 9.6 vehicles entering, and 36.1 vehicles exiting. In the afternoons, 19.4 vehicles entering, and 36.1 vehicles exiting.
The Genesee County Planning Board will review the project at its meeting on Thursday. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in County Building #2 on West Main Street Road in Batavia.
A portion of the parcels off of Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley Drive and MedTech Drive, across from GCC in Batvia, where developers are planning an 80-unit apartment complex. Photo by Howard Owens.
From the development application show the parcels of the proposed development.
One of the floor plans included in the development application.
Elevation renderings from the development application
County Manager Matt Landers, Paul Osborn deputy highway superintendent of facilities, parks, recreation & forestry, Scott Schrader, AQS Redemption in Elba, Chris Suozzi, VP business development, GCEDC, Alvi Castro, AQS Redemption, and Jay Lazaroni, work force development director. Photo by Howard Owens
Press release:
Genesee County is announcing its Cans for Careers drive to support hands-on career exploration for youth at annual GLOW With Your Hands events and other related youth-related workforce development programs. Residents can drop off bottles and cans at three Batavia locations between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17. Bottles and cans can be dropped off at the following locations:
Department of Social Services: 5130 E. Main St Rd, Batavia, NY
Job Development Bureau: 587 East Main St, Batavia, NY
County Building 1 (St. Mary’s Parking Lot): 18 Ellicott St, Batavia, NY
“The annual GLOW With Your Hands and other career exploration events attract thousands of students throughout the GLOW region and within Genesee County and fundraising is an important component in conducting these events which are very volunteer intensive,” said Genesee County Manager Matt Landers.
Genesee County will host the one-day drive in conjunction with AQS Redemption Inc., a local New York State bottle and can redemption company. Residents can schedule free pick-ups or drop off their redeemable bottles and cans at the company’s location at 1 North Main Street in Elba, NY. Area businesses can also host a bottle and can drive at their workplace. Residents and businesses can call at 585-250-0870 or email aqsredemption@gmail.com to find out more information.
“We are once again fortunate that AQS is willing to commit its collection facility for a full day in order to support our efforts as we look to enhance our workforce events and programs for our youth,” said GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair and GLOW Workforce Development Board Executive Director Jay Lazarony. “Our partners in Genesee County government also recognize the importance of workforce development and we appreciate their partnership in this endeavor.”
Jeffrey Fisher, one of the music teachers at Le Roy Central Schools, talks about music education while five graduating seniors who are entering college music programs look on. The students are Jackson Cain, Alexiana Clarke, Connor McGee, Evan Williams, and Nathan Yauchzee. Photo by Howard Owens.
A lot of students pour through a school district's music program, but only a few of them put in the effort, show dedication and develop the skills necessary to carry on with their music education after graduation.
It's incredibly rewarding when a student follows that path, said Matthew Nordhausen, who teaches 5th and 6th-grade band in the Le Roy Central School District as well as serves as the district's primary percussion instructor.
"We obviously feel some pride in being able to help them build those skills to pass the auditions," Nordhausen said. "It's also incredibly rewarding, in about four years from now, when they graduate, and they go out into the workforce -- especially those that go into music education, because chances are, they'll come back to this area, and they might end up being our colleagues."
That's happened, he said. Nordhausen said he's been teaching long enough -- 20 years -- now that he has former students teaching in Batavia and Monroe County.
On Thursday, Le Roy recognized five graduating seniors who are continuing their music education.
They are:
Jackson Cain, SUNY Fredonia for Music Education
Alexiana Clarke, SUNY Fredonia for Music Education
Connor McGee, SUNY Fredonia for Music Education
Evan Williams, Point Park for Music Theater
Nathan Yauchzee, SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music for Music Business
Le Roy has a reputation in the region for quality music education, and Nordhausen said that comes down to the support the district gives to the Music Department and their ability to hire dedicated and talented teachers.
"The five of us -- Miss (Tasha) Dotts, Miss (Jessa) Dechant, myself, Mr. (Jeffrey) Fisher, and Miss (Jackie) McLean -- we do work tirelessly for these kids, it's a 24/7 life, not a job. We're helping the kids before school, after school, anything they need, we're always accessible."
The district has helped ensure teachers hired are also qualified on instruments to provide individual instructions, and that is something, Nordhausen said, that many districts can't offer.
"It allows somebody like myself, who is primarily at the elementary school, to still be able to come up here (the high school) and teach my primary instrument, percussion, which allows our kids to get private instruction all the way through their senior year. That level of instruction is just unheard of. In another school district, you're going to have to seek out outside-of-school private lessons, but these kids are getting specific instruction on percussion for me and brass from Miss Dechant and woodwinds from Miss Dotts."
Nordhausen is obviously enthusiastic about music education, and he encourages parents to get their children involved in music -- or any of the arts -- even if the parents have no background in music or art on their own.
Music is forever, he noted.
"Whether you have a musical family quote unquote or not, if you find a love of anything, whether that be music or art, then you should follow that passion through," Nordhausen said. "If you get involved in a great school district and a great program and a supportive one then you're going to be able to build those skills. I've often said, of myself, I am not the most talented musician, but I will be one of the hardest working ones. My colleagues are both talented and hardworking. And you can certainly overcome a quote-unquote a lack of talent if you're willing to put in the time and the effort."
Det. Jason Ivision, Chief Shawn Heubusch, and Kiwanian Dave Rumsey after Batavia PD's Ivison received a Criminal Justice Award from the Batavia Kiwanis Club at the club's annual Law Day Luncheon at Batavia Country Club. Photo by Howard Owens.
At Thursday's recognition luncheon held at Batavia Country Club, the Kiwanis Club of Batavia announced recipients of the 2023 Criminal Justice Awards.
The Kiwanis Club of Batavia Criminal Justice Award is presented to a member or members of the community, law enforcement, or a criminal justice agency serving the citizens of Genesee County whose exceptional career achievements and conscientiousness to citizenship have demonstrated a spirit of selfless public service or demonstrated an act of exceptional valor or heroism.
The 2023 Award Recipients are:
Dave Rumsey, Sheriff William Sheron, Investigator Erik Andre, Kiwanis President Peter Guppenberger, Chief Deputy Joseph Graff, and Undersheriff Brad Mazur. Photo By Howard Owens.
Investigator Erik B. Andre, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Erik B. Andre began his career with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office in November of 2017, when he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff. He brought with him prior law enforcement experience as he had previously worked as a Police Officer for the Village of Attica Police Department. Investigator Andre's work ethic and law enforcement knowledge were quickly evident and led to his selection as a Field Training Officer. Investigator Andre continued to perform his duties as a Deputy Sheriff to the highest standard, and in January 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Investigator.
Investigator Andre presents a calm demeanor and is a consistent example of professionalism. Investigator Andre is a member of the Crisis Negotiator Team, where his ability to remain composed in high-stress situations is a valued resource. Investigator Andre goes beyond the call of duty and shows a true commitment to the community. Among his investigative duties, Investigator Andre has proactively developed and pursued several investigations involving retail theft crimes, which have led to arrests and successful prosecutions. He takes pride in his work, he is an advocate for crime victims, and strives for an equitable outcome in his investigations. In addition to his investigative responsibilities, Investigator Andre acts as a departmental Firearms Instructor and an Electronic Control Device Instructor. He has been the recipient of a Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Award and a Commendation. Investigator Andre was nominated for this award by Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. and Chief Deputy Joseph Graff.
Sheron, Rumsey, Guppenberger, Senior DIspatcher Jown Spencer, Mazur and Frank Riccobono, director of emergency communications. Photo by Howard Owens.
Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher John W. Spencer Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher John W. Spencer has been a member of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office since 2007. For the past six years, John has supervised the afternoon shift of the Emergency Services Dispatch Center, a shift that receives a high-call volume and regularly deals with crisis situations. Senior Dispatcher Spencer's experience and knowledge are recognized during these high-stress calls for service. He makes sure the appropriate equipment and personnel are notified and dispatched, which is a valuable asset to first responders.
John has been the recipient of a Sheriff's Office Meritorious Service Award recognizing his excellent leadership and guidance for dispatchers, especially newer dispatchers. John has also received five Sheriff's Office Commendations which has proven his professionalism, compassion, and dedication to the citizens of Genesee County and Emergency Services. Senior Emergency Services Dispatcher John W. Spencer was nominated for this award by Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr. and Undersheriff Bradley D. Mazur.
Officer Jason Ivison, City of Batavia Police Department Police Officer Jason Ivison (top photo) has been employed by the City of Batavia for over 12 years. He has excelled as an officer on road patrol where he served as one of the department’s primary Field Training Officers and was then promoted to Detective in 2019. Since that time, Detective Ivison has developed into a key member of the Detective Bureau. Detective Ivison has worked many high-profile investigations which have led to numerous arrests. Detective Ivison is known for completing thorough casework, which ultimately contributes to successful prosecutions in court. Through his work, Detective Ivison has shown he is committed to seeking justice on behalf of the victims in his cases. In addition to working his caseload, Detective Ivison also manages the City of Batavia's Sex Offender Registry. Detective Ivison should be commended for his superior performance on behalf of the City of Batavia Police Department and the community in which he serves. Officer Davis was nominated for this award by City of Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.
Guppenberger, Rumsey, Trooper Bradley Maderer, Lt. Colin Sweeney. Photo by Howard Owens
Trooper Bradley Maderer, New York State Police On December 23, 2022, during the harshest conditions of Winter Storm Elliott, Trooper Bradley Maderer, along with Probationary Trooper Sean Ogden, responded to Judge Rd (SR 63) in the Town of Alabama for at least 25 occupied, disabled vehicles, both in and off the roadway. Time was a factor as plows were unable to clear the roadway, and some vehicles' gas levels were getting low. Trooper Maderer located a resident who allowed their heated garage to be used as a temporary shelter. Unable to effectively navigate the scene with his patrol vehicle, Trooper Maderer and Probationary Trooper Ogden patrolled on foot, checking the occupants of each vehicle. While experiencing below-freezing temperatures, extreme wind and snowfall, the Troopers guided the disabled vehicle occupants to the makeshift warming shelter or checked on them periodically if they wished to remain in their vehicles. Trooper Maderer remained on scene throughout the night at the shelter to ensure the safety of all citizens. Trooper Maderer’s relentless effort undoubtedly saved lives, and he should be commended for his actions. He played an integral part in the NYSPolice response and was a big reason why there were no fatalities in Genesee County during Winter Storm Elliott.Trooper Maderer was nominated for this award by New York State Police Zone Sergeant Benjamin Fasano.
Deputy County Attorney Paula Campbell Deputy County Attorney Paula Campbell’s dedication, professionalism, and knowledge of the law makes her a true asset to Genesee County. She is always willing to educate others about the law, including employees, school officials, workers at the Child Advocacy Center, etc. Ms. Campbell visited all the school districts in Genesee County to explain to staff the education requirements for abuse and neglect cases. She also educated school staff on PINS/JD requirements, Raise the Age and other laws. Recently, Ms. Campbell was made a supervisor within her department. She is professional, empathetic and is always available after hours for situations that arise. Paula Campbell was nominated for this award by Genesee County Department of Social Services Child Protection Supervisor Sandy Wojtaszczyk.
Charles L. Mancuso Mock Trial Award The “Charles L. Mancuso Award” was presented to the members of the LeRoy High School Mock Trial Team as winners of the 2023 GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties) District Competition in the New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Tournament. The award reads “Dedicated to the Memory of an Outstanding Attorney-Citizen”, Mr. Mancuso, a Batavia lawyer, served as coordinator of the local competition until his untimely death 16 years ago.
The LeRoy High School team members honored at the luncheon include Jacqueline Arneth, Elaina Blake, Addison Burnside, Matthew Covert, Michael Covert, Katelynn Everett, Simeon Fisher, Andrew Greene, Meredith Ianni, Allie Ingles, Lyla Jones, Zachary Kirby, Maureen Klaiber, Ethan LaBabara, Daniel Mark, Molly Osterman, Anina Pabros, Emily Rigdon, Jack Tonzi, Carolyn Wujcik, Gabriella Zitz, Teacher-Coach Taylor Netchke. The coordinator of the local Mock Trial Program, Kristie DeFreze, presented the award.
Note: Our apologies to Paula Campbell, and the Le Roy Mock Trial team. Because of a photographer's error, we don't have pictures of Campbell or the team.
Corey the Dribbler introduces himself to the students at Jackson Primary on Reading Night with some ball spins and flips. Photo by Howard Owens.
Storytime, games, crafts, and hot dogs were all part of the fun of Jackson Primary Reading Night on Wednesday evening, but the highlight of the night for hundreds of clapping, laughing, and screaming school children was Corey The Dribbler.
Corey The Dribbler (Corey Rich) is a former Harlem Globetrotter and eight-time Guinness World Record holder. After getting the attention of the children with his spectacular ball-handling skills, he shared a positive message about how the students can reach their goals and treat others with respect.
How did you celebrate May 4th, aka, Star Wars Day? At Foxprowl Collectables on Ellicott Street in Batavia, they celebrated with a visit from The Mandalorian and his fans.
We've been receiving praise on multiple fronts for the introduction of Early Access Pass, our new program that gives readers the ability to support our local journalism in exchange for early access to original, bylined news stories.
Here's what readers have been telling us:
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With yesterday's announcement of the 15th Anniversary (Congratulations, btw....) and unveiling a creative yet gentle way to entice people to subscribe, it made sense to do our part. We've always appreciated the site not forcing subscriptions like most other outlets do, because:
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Attorney Peter Sorgi goes over the final site plan for Town of Batavia planners for a new Tractor Supply location on Lewiston Road. Photo by Howard Owens.
Town planners in Batavia heard from multiple Lewiston Road residents about potential traffic issues and a perceived lack of transparency before the board voted to approve a site plan for a new Tractor Supply location.
The site plan approval was the last step in a long process for developers, who are building a location at 8727 Lewiston Road, which will allow the company to close its smaller, older store on East Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.
Lewiston Road residents expressed concern that the busy corridor already produces a significant number of accidents, a few deadly, and the town is planning too many projects for the area.
"We are not upset about potential growth in Batavia, the potential of people moving into the area, all of those things," said Tanni Bromley. "But these projects that you're bringing affect the people that have lived here for 30 years who are putting equity in the properties that will be affected by these things."
A proposed road that connects Lewiston Road with Veterans Memorial Drive, running behind The Home Depot, has been part of the master plan for decades. The Tractor Supply project will start to make the first part of that road a reality, with some other potential developer building out the remainder of the road for some future, as yet, unknown project.
The property behind The Home Depot is farmland owned by the Call family. It is earmarked in the master plan for commercial development.
So is the property on the other side of Lewiston Road, with another road proposal to connect Lewiston with Route 5.
There is also the potential of a solar farm going in near Lewiston Road and the Thruway.
"It doesn't seem transparent to the people affected, because you're not allowing us to know the information ahead of time," Bromley said. "I understand you have a process as far as lead agencies and all of those things that need to be approved. And you have to take it all into account at the same time. Otherwise, the traffic study that you paid for is totally obsolete. It doesn't make any sense to do one traffic study. And then another traffic study when something was already built, because it didn't take into account the other traffic study that might have to happen. It's all connected."
"We are not upset about potential growth in Batavia, the potential of people moving into the area, all of those things," said Tanni Bromley. Photo by Howard Owens.
Terry Marshall said, "As everybody's talked about, you can't take each piece at a time. You have to look at the full plan when you're doing these things. This piece of a road here is going to go all the way up to Veterans. Now it's going to go all the way across the street, and it's obviously a very dangerous area. Right now, we're all very concerned."
Other residents raised similar issues.
Board member Steve Tanner noted that it isn't possible to do traffic studies for projects that don't exist.
"I think the issue is we haven't seen any of that, nor have there been any studies that say what that road would look like," Tanner said. "What would be the proposed businesses along the roadway? What kind of traffic? Would they connect to the roadway? What would it do to the traffic that would make improvements required or not required? We don't have any information. I can't show you something we don't have. Is there some sort of plan to put a road there? I don't know. It sounds like there is. It's in the plan, but it might be 10 years from now. How do I study so it might not even ever happen?"
Board Chair Kathy Jasinski said that the board has rules and laws it must follow that limited its ability to act in the way, perhaps, residents expected.
"If we were to turn a project down because we didn't like it, the town could be sued, and probably would be," Jasinski said. "We have to make sure it fits in the comprehensive plan, that it meets all the requirements of the town. And that's what we're here to do. We can't say who can buy land or sell land or any of those things. We're just here to review the projects."
Town Engineer Steve Mountain said that while these potential changes have been on the books for a while, there have also been studies, and there will be more done.
"There are a lot of accidents and the whole corridor of Lewiston Road," Mountain said. "As I mentioned, several meetings ago. We've done a traffic study for just Tractor Supply, but we also have in the works, a full corridor study, which will identify all of those future needs for all the future expansion."
After public comments, Peter Sorgi, attorney for the developers, made his planned presentation in advance on the board vote on the proposed site plan.
He noted the original application for the project was submitted seven months ago, on Oct. 4, and since then, the developers have gone through six required steps, with public meetings all along the way, to get to this final approval stage.
The project has been to the County Planning Board. It received an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. It's been through the environmental review process. It had traffic studies completed. It's been approved for a water hook-up by the county in accordance with the county's Smart Growth plan.
After his presentation, the board approved the site plan by a unanimous roll-call vote with a contingency for final engineering review.
Michael Schrader shares his concerns about the approval process and the potential traffic issues for a new Tractor Supply location on Lewiston Road, Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.
