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GCASA Executive Director David Markham addresses persistent claims that agency employees are money grubbers leaching off of taxpayers.

According to Markham, most GCASA employees earn substantially less than the Genesee County's median income of $49,133. The average GCASA salary is $26,500, with 81 of GCASA's 92 employees earning less than $40,000 per year.

Markham said he has a master's degree and 41 years experience, yet earns only $74,459.32, and he turned down a $1,400 raise.

The agency is currently facing a $135,000 budget deficit.

It's a complaint I heard from Downtown Batavia merchants last winter, and a sore subject that came up at a BID meeting over the winter -- snow piled up along Main Street. Now merchants are grumbling again after the first big snow storm this year.

The big mounds make it exceptionally hard for customers to come downtown, park on Main and walk into a business. Generally, when the snow is piled up like it is, only the driver can get out of a car and then must walk a half a block or more in traffic to the nearest opening to gain access to the sidewalk -- and then walk back to the business he or she wants to enter.

Ken Mistler, who is opening a gym at Main and Jackson in a few weeks, is also concerned about the practice of city public works crews piling up snow right in the middle of the parking lot behind his building. The large pile can take up as many as 20 parking spaces, and with several popular businesses on Jackson, that doesn't leave much parking room left with convenient access to those businesses and the gym.

He said he isn't worried about his customers walking some distance to get into the gym -- they are, after all, into fitness -- but he is concerned that the additional parking his gym requires means that customers of the Jackson Street businesses will find it harder to park and face longer walks.

Those 20 or so spaces are much needed, Mistler said, so he suggested the snow be piled behind the empty Latina's market, not in the middle of the most used parking area off Jackson.

City Manager Jason Molino said the city is constantly reviewing snow plowing and removal procedures, but removal is not a priority during a storm and can only be accomplished as manpower and equipment availability dictates.

"Our first priority, when we have a snow storm like yesterday, is to make sure the thoroughfares are clean, the major arteries in the city are clear, and then the side streets and then we get into snow removal," Molino said during an interview on Friday.

At the BID meeting this summer, Board President John Roche said downtown merchants need to be vocal about letting City Hall know that they want to see snow removal become more of a priority this year.

We'll see what happens.

Hearkening back to a speech Jason Molino made at a City Council meeting in October, the city manager has asked council members to read a 74-page report from Geneva about its community-improvement efforts.

It isn't that Molino thinks the specific recommendations in the Geneva report are right for Batavia, but he's impressed by the process Geneva went through, and the effort it's putting forth at community development.

The report fits right in with everything Molino previously said about the need to improve community engagement among residents at a neighborhood level.

"It was an engaging process, a planning process where they took actual housing data, actual income data and data from residents in the community and said 'This is what the neighborhoods are made up of. Here are areas to focus on in each neighborhood to achieve some better results,'" Molino said during an interview Friday. "When you’re dealing with limited resources, I think that’s the targeted approach you have to take."

Based on the report and Molino's previous speech, the city manager is aiming to take a much broader approach to improve the quality of life in Batavia. Just throwing money at a problem or ramping up code enforcement isn't going to do the job, and he said as much Friday.

"What’s interesting is they talk about how different neighborhoods need to have different senses of identity and community building aspects of that -- you know, neighborhood pride, neighborhood identity, more so than we need to get in and inspect all these properties."

The approach Geneva is taking isn't for pansies or naysayers. It says quite clearly the city needs to become more entrepreneurial, which means risk, which means trying things that might not work, and not stop trying.

A word on success. The strategies here are not bulletproof. Not all will work the first time. Some won't work after repeated attempts, and so iteration and persistence will be required. The city must be willing to experiment and be flexible. We strongly recommend that the City of Geneva itself become entrepreneurial, that it take measured risks. In these economic times the margin for error is small, but we think the conditions in Geneva require that the city be innovative. This may mean failing in order to succeed, but learning from failure and moving forward, and always within the context of the guiding principles contained in this report.

A driver was killed in a late morning accident on the Thruway. She has been identified as Julie Stratton, 33, of Synder.

Stratton was reportedly in the westbound lane when her car struck a deer, causing her car to become disabled in the passing lane. Her car was then hit by a semi-truck.

The truck driver, Thomas M. Wallace, 45, of Brook Park, Ohio, was taken to UMMC by Mercy EMS and treated for minor injuries.

The westbound lane of the Thruway was closed for a 4.5 hours because of the accident, and reportedly a State Trooper at the scene was injured in an accident this afternoon. The State Police have not yet released information on that accident.

Initial Report.

A car has reportedly struck a tree at 9710 S. Street Road in Pavilion.

The caller reports "there are parts everywhere."

Mercy Flight is being canceled after dispatch learned that the accident victim is inside the house at the location and appears to have minor injuries.

Emergency responders are reporting icy road conditions in the area.

It wasn't a Christmas card in the mail that put a bit bigger smile on Guy Clark Jr.'s face this morning -- it was a notification from Cub Cadet that Cedar Street Sales and Rentals has been named its 2009 Region 1 Dealer of the Year.

It's the first time Cedar Street has won the award and Clark couldn't wait to spread the news.

"I'm very excited," he said.

The award recognizes both the increased sales volume of Cub Cadet products at Cedar Street, but also the extra effort Clark puts into displaying and marketing Cub Cadet products.

One of the innovations Clark introduced that drew the attention of the Cleveland, Ohio-based company is a utility vehicle test track that Clark installed at his location.

Clark started selling Cub Cadet products in 2001.

“We are happy to present Guy Clark Jr. of Cedar Street Sales and Rental with the 2009 Retailer of the Year Award for the Northeast region,” said Tom Rossman, Cub Cadet director of sales, in a prepared statement. “What makes Cub Cadet such a great organization is having dedicated retailers, like Guy Clark, who embody the Cub Cadet brand in all aspects of their business. Guy’s progressive attitude and innovative ideas have helped Cedar Street Sales and Rentals evolve in a competitive market to continually meet the demands of their customers. In 2009, Cedar Street Sales and Rentals truly set itself apart from the competition.” 

Cub Cadet divides the United States into four sales regions, so Clark is one of only four dealers in the nation recognized by Cub Cadet in 2009.

Pavilion Fire is responding to a car fire at ... the Pavilion Fire Hall.

UPDATE 3:53 p.m.:  Pavilion Chief on scene, Reports the fire appears to be out.

Diane Paine was all smiles today during the grand opening of her new store at 315 Ellicott St. The store is called Firefly, which captures the spark and sparkle of the eclectic collection of accessories and jewelry (some of it handmade by Paine in the store).

A pedestrian on the Thruway has apparently been struck by a car.

It's unknown if the injuries are serious. Dispatcher says, "conflicting reports."

The pedestrian may have  been directing traffic in an eastbound lane.

Pembroke and Indian Falls and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: A State Trooper has been struck. No word yet on injuries.

UPDATE 1:58 p.m.: Mercy Flight is being dispatched.

UPDATE 2:07 p.m.: A second ambulance has been requested to treat the driver of the car. Mercy Flight has a five minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight now less than two minute ETA.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: Mercy Flight is in the air with patient.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: Chatter on the scanner indicating the Trooper had multiple injuries but transported via Mercy Flight primarily as a precaution, and was in a parked patrol car (not a pedestrian) at the time of the accident.

A car and semi-truck have collided on the bridge over the Thruway at the Pembroke exit.

The car is reportedly heavily damaged and  extrication is required.

Indian Falls, Pembroke and East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 11:34 a.m.: There is one injury and it is reported as serious.

UPDATE 11:36 a.m.: East Pembroke's response has been canceled. "On extrication, we're all set," said the Chief responding. Mercy Flight was cancelled.

Buyers: Please remember the six-month rule -- please don't buy a gift certificate you bought within the past six months.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Now in stock: A big selection of poinsettias and stunning wreaths. We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.50.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Kravings Kafe, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Great Kutz is Batavia's newest full-service hair salon. Women, try Great Kutz for a haircut at the incredibly low price of $7, exclusive offer from to The Batavian. (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.

SOLD OUT

Town of Batavia Fire is being dispatched to 22 Woodland Drive for a fire alarm.

UPDATE 8:10 p.m.: Engine 24 on scene. Nothing showing.

UPDATE 8:13 p.m.: Burnt food.

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When I drove down Redfield Parkway this evening, I saw several homes with nice Christmas lights, but I took only one picture tonight because it was just so darn cold for wandering around with a tripod.

City Fire is responding to The Manor House on East Main Street, where somebody reports smelling something burning.

An apparent drunken driver hit a snow plow in the area of Kelsey Road.  Crews tried to keep him in the area, but he successfully negotiated a three-point turn and fled on Pratt Road toward Route 5.

Witnesses did provide dispatch with a plate number.

The number comes back to a Kelsey Road resident with a suspended driver's license.

If you're a low- or moderate-income home owner and your property needs some TLC, they city may have a program soon to allow you catch up on all that deferred maintenance.

The grant program could help you with home repairs and improves on such things as replacing a water heater, replacing electrical systems or re-roofing.

But first, the city needs to know if you're interested. There will be no grants unless enough property owners step forward and request an application.

City Manager Jason Molino said the city is looking for 40 or more property owners to express an interest in the home rehabilitation.

If you think you might qualify, call Jodie Freese at 345-6333 to request an application.

The application is two pages and the package contains more information on the program. The completed forms must be returned to the consultant reviewing the applications by Jan. 31.

Funding for the program will come from the federal government through the Community Development Block Grant process, but the city must prove there are enough interested and qualified homeowners with sufficient need.

The program is part of the city's wider community building efforts to improve neighborhoods and local home values.

"This is the sort of thing that can be contagious and what we hope is that this will sort of catch on and filter into other areas," Molino said.

The program will provide up to $24,500 per structure. If the homeowner doesn't sell his property within five years, the grant does not need to be repaid.

Homeowners who do sell within that time frame, will be required to repay the grant.

The provision, Molino said, is to lessen the interest of speculators in flipping grant-improved homes, but when funds are repaid, the money will just go back into the grant program to assist other home owners.

Based on previous experience with a similar program on Jackson Street some years ago, Molino is hopeful this program will bring about a broad range of home improvements.

But ongoing success requires sustained effort, Molino said.

"To build on it, you need to continue to do it. It's not a one-time fix," he said.

To qualify, homeowners need to meet specified income criteria. For a sole-occupant, the very low income level is $13,050, and the upper level is $34,800.

The two-occupant range is $14,900 to $39,750, and the scale goes all the way up to eight occupants, with a range of $24,600 to $65,600.

The very-low income qualifiers will receive priority funding if approved. Applicants will be required to provide proof of income.

I took this picture of Kibbe Park during my driving around this morning.

Buyers: Please remember the six-month rule -- please don't buy a gift certificate you bought within the past six months.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Kravings Kafe, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Men, enjoy a $5 haircut again with this offer exclusive to The Batavian. (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

Sallome's Italian Deli, 40 Oak St., Batavia, NY: Wraps, subs, paninis and pasta as well as pizzas -- Sallome's offers a tasty variety of Italian deli items for eat-in or take-out.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

Ladder 15 and Engine 12 have responded to an apartment with report of smoke inside.

The resident is disabled.

First responder reports, "nothing showing."

(I didn't catch the address).

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Ladder 15 back in service.

In answer to a request from The Batavian, Steven C. Sharpe, director of emergency communications for the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, sent along this note about call volume at the dispatch center yesterday:

On December 10, 2009, the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center received 1,004 telephone calls, of which 354 were 911 calls.  Our busiest period was from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. when we received 400 calls of which 165 calls were made to 911.  During that same time period there were 442 radio transmissions to and from dispatch.  To put it in perspective, during that four hours we received or answered the radio every 33 seconds, a telephone call every 36 seconds, a 911 call every 87 seconds.  We dispatched a total of 268 incidents, however many of these responses involved multiple agencies such a police, fire, emergency medical services, highway departments, and utilities.  According to our records there were 107 calls for service created for cars off the road or disabled vehicles, but many of the jobs involved multiple vehicles.  There were 56 property damage and/or personal injury accidents that were dispatched.  

These job numbers do not reflect the number of calls we transferred to the New York State Thruway for disabled vehicles and accidents on the NYS Thruway.  What is also not captured is the number of calls we received from callers telling us they were leaving their vehicles in municipal or private parking lots nor the calls we received regarding road conditions and travel advisories.  One way to help out the dispatch center is to have your listeners/readers call 585-345-3000 extension 3300 to hear the Road Conditions Update.  They can also read the different definitions for Travel Advisory, Road Closings And Travel Bans at the county website located at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/dpt/sheriff/weatheradvisory.html