Stories from

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Ribs, brisket, steak, prime rib -- Center Street is a meat lover's paradise. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

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.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St., Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate 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 $50 gift certificate for $25.

Picasso's Pizza, 419 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: A great variety of pizza, subs and salads -- and try the wings, too. We have three $5 booklets of $1 gift certificates ($15 value) for $7.50. The gift certificates can be used collectively or individually.

The Mane Attraction, 99 E. Main St., Batavia, N.Y.: The Mane Attraction is a spa and salon offering pedicures, manicures, hair styling and massage. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

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

SOLD OUT

This just came across came across the wire:

St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Alan Ahmady has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine. The 21-year-old Ahmady played this season in Class A Batavia, N.Y.

Ahmady was one of my favorite players this past season. He's also the one who hit a home run over The Batavian sign in right field in the fifth inning, winning one lucky fan $250.

A tree limb has fallen and knocked down a poll and transformer in the area of 4 Jackson Ave., Batavia. There is a report of a potential fire.

At the same time, there was a report of wires are down in the area of 18 Evans St., Batavia, but Ladder 15 responded and reports the street is clear.

Engine 12 has responded to Jackson Avenue and reports "sparks are flying."

UPDATE: Jackson and Kibbe avenues are being blocked. The fire captain on scene has asked that Jackson School prevent kids from coming down Jackson Avenue.

 

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Wilkinson and Upton roads at the CRX train crossings are closed because of repairs to the track until Friday.  

Genesee County Dispatch notified Pembroke Fire of the closure.

Continuing a tradition started by Hillary Clinton, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is hosting New York Farm Day in Washington, D.C. today.

Dairy and produce from throughout the state will be available to more than the 1,000 people expected to attend.

“I’m proud to continue the Farm Day tradition in Washington, DC, where we will highlight the fantastic produce and foods from across New York State,” said Sen. Gillibrand in a press release. “New York’s farmers are a critical part of our economy and we must ensure their success. Strengthening our agricultural sector and promoting good nutrition for New Yorkers are essential to our long-term health and economic growth.”

Unfortunately, Western New York is rather under represented in the event, but if you read the press release below, there is an impressive amount of agriculture in New York (and this is just the part represented).  I'm sure most people in the country don't think of New York as an agriculture state. 

Full press release after the jump:

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that she will host the eighth annual “New York Farm Day” on Wednesday, October 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Senate Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Building in Washington D.C. Senator Gillibrand has invited producers of New York’s award-winning wines, farm-fresh products and fresh seafood, as well as leading restaurateurs to travel to Washington to showcase the quality and diversity of New York’s agriculture, and its importance to the state’s economy. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted New York Farm Day during her time as New York’s junior senator, and Senator Gillibrand is continuing the tradition.
 
“I’m proud to continue the Farm Day tradition in Washington, DC, where we will highlight the fantastic produce and foods from across New York State,” Senator Gillibrand said. “As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am focused on improving the health and well-being of our families. From rising childhood obesity and outdated nutritional standards to the crisis facing our dairy farmers and the opportunities with specialty crops, agriculture issues in Washington affect families in every corner of New York. New York’s farmers are a critical part of our economy and we must ensure their success. Strengthening our agricultural sector and promoting good nutrition for New Yorkers are essential to our long-term health and economic growth.”
 
Over the years, New York Farm Day has become one of the most popular events at our nation’s Capitol.  Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend.  With approximately one-quarter of New York made up of farmland and an agriculture sector contributing nearly $4 billion to the state’s economy each year, Farm Day offers an ideal opportunity to showcase the importance and quality of New York’s agricultural industry.
 
Farm Day is organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation in conjunction with numerous other organizations and individuals who have contributed their time, products and services for the good of New York, including: CoBank, Constellation Brands, Farm Credit of Western New York, First Pioneer Farm Credit, MasterCraft Glassware, New York Farm Bureau, the New York State Restaurant Association, the New York State Maple Producers Association, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, Pride of New York (New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets), and Yankee Farm Credit.
 
A complete list of all the participants in this year’s Farm Day can be found at the bottom of the release.
 
Senator Gillibrand is the first New York Senator in nearly 40 years to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant & Animal Health, Senator Gillibrand plans to hold hearings on food safety modernization, marketing healthy food to children and dairy pricing.
 
DAIRY:
Senator Gillibrand is working to support New York’s dairy farmers during these difficult economic times. In June, Senator Gillibrand introduced legislation that would double the amount of money farmers get from the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program retroactive to the low point of the crisis in March. She also introduced legislation that would index the MILC rate of $16.94 to inflation. The MILC program payments were originally designed to help dairy farmers in their time of need, but have remained stagnant. The price floor of $16.94 per hundredweight has not changed since the 1990’s, yet the cost of production has increased exponentially.
 
In July, after meeting with Senator Gillibrand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced immediate action to support struggling dairy farmers by increasing the amount paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Support Program (DPPSP). The increase went into effect in August and will continue through the end of October.  The increase is expected to generate an additional $243 million in revenue for dairy farmers.


In August, Senator Gillibrand held a field hearing in Batavia, New York that focused on identifying major problems with the current dairy pricing system and determining effective solutions moving forward. This was the first of a series of hearings she plans to hold both in Washington, D.C. and New York State that will focus on needed reforms for the daily pricing system. Senator Gillibrand is working with stakeholders and economists to develop a proposal before the next Farm Bill is written in 2012. 
 
Just last week, Senator Gillibrand announced $350 million for the USDA to help New York farmers struggling during the dairy crisis in the final Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The agreement includes $60 million in cheese and dairy product purchases for food banks and other nutrition and feeding programs, and $290 million in direct support to dairy farmers using guidelines to be determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Senator Gillibrand said the direct payments will be important to help keep dairy farmers solvent during this current crisis. 
 
SPECIALTY CROPS:
In July, Senator Gillibrand introduced legislation that would allow New York fruit growers to take full advantage of federal recovery tax breaks. As a way of encouraging businesses to make more capital investments in the short term, the Recovery Act allowed companies to depreciate capital investment property “placed in service” in 2009 at a faster rate.  However, under current law, fruit and nut trees are not considered “placed in service” until the taxable year in which they actually produce fruit that can be sold, which often takes years. Senator Gillibrand’s legislation would change – only for the purpose of bonus depreciation – the “placed in service” date for permanent crops to the date on which the crop is planted, putting fruit growers on par with other farmers eligible for bonus depreciation for capital expenditures made this year.

 

Senator Gillibrand has been a strong advocate for programs that develop fresh, local food for New York’s families and supports programs providing technical assistance, training, and equipment for the procurement of local foods in our schools. This summer, Senator Gillibrand secured a commitment from the USDA to create a task force to promote and develop sustainable local and regional food systems.

 

And just last month, after leading the fight on behalf of New York farmers, Senator Gillibrand secured a commitment from the USDA to allow New York farmers to process fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for children to snack on in New York schools.  In February, Senator Gillibrand sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that he change an administrative rule barring local farmers from delivering pre-cut and packaged fruit and vegetables to schoolchildren.

 
SAVING FARMS FROM FORECLOSURE:
New York has been hit hard by the economic crisis, and Senator Gillibrand is working to help families keep their farms. In a March letter, Senator Gillibrand and 17 of her Senate colleagues called on the USDA and Treasury Department to consider a foreclosure mitigation program that includes loan restructuring for farmers, as they have already done for home loans.  In response to Senator Gillibrand’s efforts, a report by the Congressional Oversight Panel (COP) for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) was released outlining different methods that could be used to help farmers and ranchers restructure their loans as an alternative to foreclosure either through a mandatory program or a voluntary program that could be opened up to more than just TARP recipients.
 
AGRICULTURE DISASTERS:
From the devastating freeze in Northern New York early this spring to the excessive rainfall and flooding this summer, Senator Gillibrand has pushed the USDA for prompt responses to the natural disasters faced by New York’s farmers. A disaster declaration clears the way for affected farmers to apply for emergency loans, which can often mean the difference between staying in business and closing the farm.
 
With much of federal agricultural aid going to farmers outside of New York, Senator Gillibrand is committed to ensuring that New York’s farmers receive the federal help they deserve. She will continue to fight to ensure that farmers in need receive the disaster aid they deserve.
 
The USDA has issued disaster declarations for 16 New York Counties: Albany, Broome, Chautauqua, Columbia, Clinton, Dutchess, Erie, Greene, Oneida, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan and Ulster.
 
COMBATING CHILD OBESITY, PROMOTING CHILD NUTRITION:
In her time in the Senate, Senator Gillibrand has established herself as a leader in efforts to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy nutrition for children and families.  She has launched a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of school lunches, eliminate junk food from our schools, and provide more physical exercise opportunities.
 
The current federal reimbursement rate for school lunches has not kept pace with inflation or the increased costs of providing quality meals. Senator Gillibrand proposes increasing the current reimbursement rate by 70 cents in the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill – from $2.57 per meal to $3.27 per meal. In today’s typical school lunch, a child may have chicken nuggets, chips, canned peas and canned fruit cocktail. Under this new plan, a student could have grilled chicken breast on a seven-grain roll, steamed broccoli and a fresh fruit cup.
 
Senator Gillibrand is also working to provide targeted relief to high cost areas like New York City and other communities around the state, including Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess Counties.  Her legislation entitled the LUNCHES Act would provide targeted relief to high cost areas.
 
Senator Gillibrand also authored legislation that would ban trans-fats in public schools. Any school that receives federal reimbursements would be required to remove food containing trans fat from the school.  Schools would have a five year window to implement the policy.
 
Senator Gillibrand is working on legislation that would expand USDA authority to regulate all food served in schools, including vending machines. This would force all food served on school grounds during school hours to meet federal nutritional standards. This legislation will enable the USDA to eliminate sugary sodas and candy from school during school hours, so that children are more likely to eat the fruits, vegetables and other nutritious food served in cafeterias.
 
Senator Gillibrand is also pushing the Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act, which would provide $2 million in competitive grants to schools with creative breakfast programming including serving breakfast during the school day, incorporating local foods into breakfasts and providing nutritional education to students.
 
 
FARM DAY PARTICIPANTS
              
LONG ISLAND:
 
Cool Fish Restaurant— Cool Fish Restaurant of Long Island will be serving roasted Satur Farms Butternut Squash Salad with Smoked Jurgielewicz Farms Duck Breast, apple, Catapano Farm Feta and Arugula, finished with a Cider-Honey Vinaigrette and Pumpkin Shooters.
 
Long Island Farm Bureau— The Long Island Farm Bureau will be providing Schmitt’s fresh Mixed Greens and Catapano Goat Cheese topped with a Vinaigrette Dressing, North Fork Potato Chips, Fresh Oysters and Hard Clams farmed by F.M. Flower & Son and Noank Aquaculture Cooperative, and smoked duck from Crescent Duck Farm.
 
Long Island Wines – For over a quarter century, the Long Island wine industry has grown from one small vineyard to over 3,000 acres of vines and over thirty wineries producing world-class wines. These quality wines, including Bedell Cellars, Martha Clara Vineyards, and Wölffer Estate, will be on full display at Farm Day.
 
HUDSON VALLEY:
 
Culinary Institute of America – The world’s premier culinary college, the Culinary Institute has a campus in Hyde Park, New York that operates five award-winning, student-staffed public restaurants.  They will be providing hand-made candies, Quigley Farm Raspberry Jelly, Glorie Farm Peach Jelly, and Russel Farm Maple Fudge at Farm Day.
 
Hudson Valley Wines – One of America’s oldest wine making and grape-growing regions, the Hudson Valley has more than 20 operating wineries producing premier wine products. Wines on hand this year will be from Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery, Benmarl Winery, Clinton Vineyards, and Millbrook Vineyards & Winery.
 
Tuthilltown Spirits – New York’s first whiskey distillery since Prohibition, distilling some of America’s most prized spirits in the Hudson Valley. Their handmade spirits, which start at farm distilleries as raw grain and fruit, are genuine Hudson brand whiskeys that include Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey, Hudson Single Malt Whiskey, Hudson Baby Bourbon, Hudson Four Grain Bourbon, Hudson New York Corn Whiskey, Heart of the Hudson Vodka, and Spirit of the Hudson Vodka, all of which will available at this year’s event.
 
CENTRAL NEW YORK:
 
New York Farm Viability Institute - Located in Syracuse, New York, the New York Farm Viability Institute is a farmer-led nonprofit group that works with farms to foster a vibrant agriculture business sector in New York State. They will be on hand with information on how they can support applied research, outreach education, information transfer, adoption of technology, business planning and market analysis, all of which can help our farmers expand their businesses.
 
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - Dr. Thomas Buchholz from the SUNY College of Environmental Science in Syracuse, New York will be distributing shrub willow cuttings with directions for planting as well as additional information highlighting willow as an alternative agricultural crop that is a financially rewarding source of bioenergy and bioproducts. 
 
ROCHESTER/FINGER LAKES:
 
Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences— As one of New York’s premier schools of agriculture, Cornell will be presenting three unique flavors of ice cream, including Slammin’ Yam, Beehive Crunch, and Sticky Buns.
 
Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty – The Culinary Bounty links the farms and wineries of the Finger Lakes region to small-scale food processors to provide area residents and tourists with fresh, locally produced creative cuisine.  This year, they will be featuring Knapp Farms Jam, Finger Lakes Farmstead Cheese, Crackerman of Etna Crackers, Golden Oaks Foods Nunda Mustard, Hill ‘n Hollow Fruit Chutney, Finger Lakes Honey, Geneva Crabapple Sauce, Chef Lerman BBQ sauce and salad dressings, Java Gourmet Chocolate Bark, Allens Hill Farm Apple Cider Molasses cookies, Hill’n Holloe & Cherry Knoll Vinegars.
 
Finger Lakes Wines – Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York now boasts over 80 wineries, making it the largest wine producing region east of California. Wines available at Farm Day will come from Anthony Road Wine Company, Arbor Hill Grapery, Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars, McGregor Vineyard Winery, Ravines Wine Cellars, Hosmer Winery, King Ferry Winery (Treleaven), Red Newt Cellars, Sheldrake Point, Casa Larga Vineyards, Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Imagine Moore Winery, Lakewood Vineyards and Wagner Vineyards.
 
Finger Lakes Wine Alliance with Food by Simply Red Bistro – The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, an organization with the mission to increase the visibility and reputation of the wineries of the Finger Lakes Region, will be displaying a flavorful combination of food from Simply Red Bistro of Sheldrake Point, New York, including flatbread made from fingerling potatoes, shitake mushrooms and truffle oil.
 
Fox Run Vineyards & Café— Situated on Torrey Ridge overlooking Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes Region, Fox Run will be presenting Lively Run Goat Farms Goat Cheese and Sage Scones with Fox Run Vineyards Blackberry Port Jam.
 
Freshwise Farms – A hydroponic greenhouse, Freshwise Farms provides the highest quality, pesticide-free greens year-round, fighting hunger as a social enterprise through its affiliation with the Foodlink Foundation.  They will be displaying Spring Roll stuffed with Freshwise Farm’s own fresh Wasabi Greens, Peppers, Leeks and Carrots, Sautéed in Sesame Oil.
 
New York Wine & Culinary Center – The Wine & Culinary Center is designed to engage, excite and inspire the people of New York State and the world in a celebration of New York wine and food. The Center is an educational and experiential gateway to New York State’s incredible wine, food and culinary industries. They will be handing out tasty truffles at Farm Day.
 
Red Newt Cellars & Bistro – The Red Newt Bistro represents the finest in fresh regional cuisine of the Finger Lakes, with every menu built with the diner and the farmer in mind.  They will be displaying Apple Black Bean Salsa, featuring Honey Crisp apples from Thyme Stands Still Produce, black beans from Cayuga Pure Organics, Remembrance Farms Onions, Finger Lakes Food Company verjuice, and Red Newt’s own herbs.
 
The Source – The Source is a premier dining restaurant in the nation’s capital headlined by Exective Chef, Scott Drewno, who is a native of the Finger Lakes Region, and will be providing Organic Chicken with Buckwheat Dumplings.
 
 
 
WESTERN NEW YORK:
 
Alfred State College – As one of SUNY’s premier colleges of technology, Alfred State will be presenting Aioli, featuring Pioneer Farm garlic.
 
Lake Erie, Chautauqua & Niagara Wines – In addition to French-American and European winegrape varieties, Western New York is home to a large bounty of Concord grapes used for grape juice, making New York the largest grape juice producing state in the country. Wines on hand come from Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Merritt Estate Winery, Niagara Landing Wine Cellars, The Winery at Marjim Manor.
 
National Grape Cooperative/Welch’s— For well over a century, the National Grape Cooperative based in Westfield, which owns Welch’s, has been a leading supplier of Concord grape juice, and will be displaying Sparkling Red & White Grape Juice and 100% Black Cherry Concord Grape Juice.
 
CAPITAL REGION:
 
State University of New York (SUNY) Cobleskill – The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill will be featuring Maple Iced Oatmeal Applesauce Cookie featuring Sharon Orchards apples, Singer Farms dried cherries, Cayuga Pure Organics flour, Maple Hill maple syrup, and Cooper’s Ark Farm eggs.
 
NORTH COUNTRY:
 
Ice Wines of New York—Ice wines are a highly specialized dessert wine made from grapes that are left hanging on the vine, becoming very sweet, until they are actually frozen and then harvested. The luscious ice wines at Farm Day will be from Hunt Country Vineyards and Sheldrake Point Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region, and Johnson Estate Winery in the Lake Erie region.
 
McCadam Cheese— Established in Heuvelton, New York in 1876, McCadam Cheese produces up to 20 different cheeses and will be displaying McCadam Extra Sharp Cheddar (2007 New York State Fair Grand Champion & 2007 U.S. Cheese Competition best in the U.S.), McCadam Pepper Jack (2006 2nd Place Scovie Awards Winner), McCadam Muenster, and McCadam Horseradish Cheddar.
 
Mercer’s Ice Cream— Mercer’s Ice Cream of New York’s North Country will have on hand its famous wine ice cream, featuring A La Port, Royal White Riesling, Cherry Merlot, Red Raspberry Chardonnay, and Chocolate Cabernet Wine Ice Cream, and Organic Vanilla Ice Cream.
 
New York Maple Producers Association— The New York State Maple Producers Association supports the maple products industry in New York State, with over 500 maple producers as members. They will be providing maple mustard, maple coated cashews, and maple cream on wheat crackers
 
North Country Specialties—North Country Specialties will be providing Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spinach & Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato and Basil on crackers, Adirondack Beef Company All Natural Beef Jerky, Well Dressed Food Adirondack Crunchy Maple-Walnut and Apple-Crumble Granola, Gunnison Orchard’s Honey Crisp Apples, Whitestone Farm North Country Lamb Sticks, Dogwood Bread Company French Baguette, Asgaard Farm & Dairy Barkeater Buche Goat Cheese.
 
NEW YORK CITY:
 
East New York Farms!/United Community Centers – As a collaborative effort to organize youth and adult residents to address food issues in New York City, East New York Farms!/United Community Centers will be providing fresh fruits and vegetables grown right in the heart of New York City using innovative urban gardening techniques.  At this year’s Farm Day, they will have New Visions Garden Bittermelon, long beans and peppers from UCC Youth Farm, Hands and Heart Farms collard greens, and honey and herbs from East New York’s own gardens.
 
Rosa Mexicano – A popular Manhattan restaurant that has a Washington presence and features traditional Mexican cuisine, Rosa Mexicano will be displaying Guacamole en Molcajete featuring New York Onions, Tomatoes, and Cilantro.
 
Also featured as exhibitors at this year’s Farm Day will be the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and Pride of New York (New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets).

You could say it's a tale of two cities -- the city that says there are not enough athletic fields for our youths interested in organized sports, and the city that says there's plenty of fields and what's really needed is to preserve the peace and quite of at least one neighborhood.

It's doubtful either side heard the other at tonight's special school board meeting on the proposed North Street Extension athletic fields, but at least the conversation was civil for the more than two hours as board members sat and listened to residents on both sides make their points and ask their questions.

"(The meeting) was pretty much what we expected," said Superintendent Margaret Puzio after the meeting. "We hoped to give people an opportunity to come out and express their opinion, to get the facts, to see what we were planning to do and what our proposal looked like and to comment on it, and that’s what we got."

Some 80 to 100 people showed up for the meeting in the Batavia High School auditorium and it would be hard to say that one side was better represented than the other.

For the most part, you had residents of the North Street area looking to preserve the neighborhood as they know it and on the other you had youth sport coaches and a few concerned parents who don't live in the neighborhood decrying the lack of adequate sports fields in Batavia.

Though there were surprises, such as the high school coach who lives on North Street and opposes the idea of putting new athletic fields in his back yard, and the North Street resident who supports the concept.

"What we’re talking about here is a quality of life issue," said Mike Freeman. "My house is immediately adjacent to this property. I’m one of only 13 residents who look out their back yard into this property. I would gladly see this fixed up and made into a park and into athletic fields so that the people who currently use it do not have to park along people’s driveways and in front of their houses and on their grass."

More typical of the area residents was Jerry Reinhardt, who said with the limited use of the area for athletics now, he's constantly picking up trash and dealing with too much traffic in the neighborhood. He said he tried to purchase the land for development 15 years ago, but his offer was rejected.

“If the school board has listened to me then, they would have gotten more than $1.2 million in taxes so far,”  Reinhardt said.

For the coaches, more than a dozen spoke about an increase in youth sports activity and the need for better facilities.

“I keep hearing of decline, but this season, we had the most kids register for soccer ever," said Jeremy Havens, president of the Genesee Amateur Soccer Association. "We had 483 to be exact. That’s 38 teams playing at five different place in Batavia."

Havens said the number of youths participating would be even higher, but "parents can only be in one place at one time." Since kids of different age brackets play on different fields, parents have to choose which child gets to play, or not, or maybe neither child can participate since the parent would have to choose.

One centralized large facility would help, he suggested.

For Lacrosse coach Will Mulcahy, the problem is the only place his team has to practice in early March isn't really suitable for athletic activity at that time of year.

"As many of you know, our school was built on a marsh, basically," said Mulcahy. "In early march, even the area that we’ve been allotted --  I won’t even call a field -- is a swamp. The kids are some times two- or three-inches deep in mud. It’s not a practical place to practice. Then we’re driven into the gym where a little warmer-weather sports -- like tennis and baseball -- are practicing, so we compete for space with them.

"Lacrosse really needs to be outdoors. We need a field that is well drained where we can get on it really in the first of March so we can prepare properly to play the teams that have fields that are adequate."

Before the public comment portion of the meeting, Puzio presented several slides that provided details of the district's proposal, or what she said is really only a concept at this stage.

The facility would include a playground, restrooms with lockers and showers, 152 parking spaces, a concession area, walking paths and it would immediately open up adjacent lots for development, she said. Contrary to a persistent rumor, there are no plans for lighted fields, she said.

She also pointed out that over the past several years, participation in school sports has risen from 40 percent of the eligible students (499) to 55 percent (596). Part of that increase is the addition of more sports, such as Lacrosse in 2005, and Title IV requirements that both boys and girls be afforded the opportunity to play the same sports.

Ward 1 Councilman Bill Cox, who has taken up the mantle of champion for the residents who oppose the athetic fields, spoke first.He presented a petition signed by 180 residents in his ward.

"Your study is badly flawed and illogical," Cox said, citing declining enrollment at a time when the district says it needs more athletic facilties.

Council members Rose Mary Christian and Bob Bialkowski also spoke in opposition to the proposal. Bialkowski said the proposal will likely be a further burden on taxpayers when the property is already a financial drain on the city.

“We’re already paying for this now," Bialkowski said. "This property has been off the tax roles for many years and it’s been costing the taxpayers of this community quite a bit of money. Too many properties not paying taxes -- it’s really starting to strangle the community."

The idea that the property should be sold and developed into taxable housing was raised more than once during the evening, which eventually prompted Board Member Patrick Burk to point out that the district has already tried to sell the property to developers twice. Once when voters rejected the proposed sale in a referendum, and once when all the bids came in much to low to accept any of them.

The point was also made that such a construction project would carry with it a greater tax burden for construction of infrastructure, plus -- just how much demand for new housing is there in Batavia?

During the presentation, Puzio noted that if the project is fully funded by grants, the district need not bring the project before voters for approval, but after the meeting Puzio acknowledged that full-grant funding is unlikely.

"Given the unknown nature of the funding, it’s very likely that we would have to fund it with some public funding," Puzio said. "It’s not out of the realm of possibility that we might ask for a vote."

A CO2 detector has activated in an apartment at Woodstock Gardens, 219 N. Spruce St., Batavia, and a resident is complaining of a headache.

Engine 12 and Mercy EMS have been dispatched.

UPDATE: Engine 12 clear the scene. "It was a smoke detector with a dead battery," is the report.

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Since Councilman Bob Bialkowski has not returned phone calls nor answered our email, I've been waiting for a chance to talk to him in public.

Tonight, he was outside the Batavia High School auditorium waiting for the meeting on the proposed North Street Extension athletic fields.

I asked him first if he knew who leaked the letter? "What letter?" He said.

I clarified and he said, "Our attorney instructed us not to discuss it." I pointed out that the instruction is not to discuss what happened in closed session, not after. I asked three times, "What happened outside of closed session?" and Bob tried moving away from me saying, "Excuse me,"  "Excuse me."

I asked him if he would release Daily News reporter Joanne Beck from any promise of confidentiality, and Bialkowski said, "I'm not going to discuss it."

Audio: "Interview" with Bob Bialkowski (mp3).

Previously:

• Most council members answer straightforward questions about leak of personnel information
  
• Fellow council members say Bialkowski brought in complaint letter, threatened to release it
• Council members say Bialkowski used his own printer to provide copies of complaint

It's pretty unusual in Batavia, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer, for local politicians to buy media time and space for "issue advertising," but such advocacy is common in other media markets.

Fischer, who has a long history in WNY media said, "Public employee labor unions have often used paid ads to pressure elected officials to adopt their position on issues."

Ward 1 Councilman Bill Cox's purchase of air time on WBTA and a first-ever center-column fixed-position daily ad on The Batavian has certainly gotten a lot of people talking.

Some applaud Cox for standing up for his ward, others find it unorthodox and suspect that a small group of "well-heeled" residents are pushing him on the issue.

Cox says he's just doing what he thinks is right for his constituents.

"The people I represent expect me to lead the way when they have a serious problem," Cox said.

While Cox is pushing opposition to a possible athletic field expansion in open space owned by Batavia City Schools, he said that wasn't the impetus for his advocacy ads. He advertized to get people's attention so more would show up at the 7 o'clock meeting tonight when the school district unveils additional details of its North Street Extension plan.

Council President Charlie Mallow:

Whether I would agree or not with the position, I have to applaud the determination. Council people should act as neighborhood organizers and that is exactly what Bill is doing in this case. He is fighting for what he believes is in the best interests of his neighbors and it should be applauded. This isn't an election year for Bill, if he chooses to run again it won't be for two years. So, this is far from a political stunt. This is the person I knew Bill was when I supported him for his run for Council.  

Others haven't been so kind. While we have no on-the-record comments, some people do see his advocacy on this single issue as a little unorthodox.

But for Cox, he said his neighbors and the people of his ward are greatly concerned about an upheaval in their neighborhood, including more traffic, noise, higher taxes, greater parking problems and garbage in the streets.

"They are up in arms and I'm their representative," Cox said. "I'm doing my best to protect their well being."

As for the scuttlebutt that this issue is being driven by "10 well-heeled residents," as I've heard a few times over the past week, Cox said the facts speak for themselves. Tonight he will present a petition signed by more than a 150 local residents living on 10 different blocks who all oppose the new fields. He said the petitions will be made available to any media outlet that wants to verify the authenticity of the signatures.

"If they're well-heeled and so concerned, nobody has donated a dime to help me," Cox said. "The well-heeled are usually people who donate money for their own causes. That hasn't happened here."

After the interview, Cox e-mailed the following additional statement:

A community is not houses on streets. It is the people in them. What effects some of us effects all of us.
 
The school district charges huge amounts of taxes and then historically ignores local issues like this one.
 
They appear immune to serious self examination of if they should do something. They look for free grant money and ignore the costs that occur later and the wishes of the people most of the time.
 
It is difficult to do anything by yourself when the school district does something that you feel is wrong. This effort is about a grass roots movement to stop unnecessary spending that will increase our taxes, lower our property values, and change the very character of a wonderful neighborhood. 

A 16-year-old Batavia boy suffered hurt his arm and shoulder and was transported to UMMC yesterday following an ATV accident on Maple Road in Oakfield.

Arnold M. Cody, of 2879 Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road, was reportedly traveling too fast when his ATV hit a puddle of water, causing the ATV to overturn.

No other vehicles were involved in the 4:30 p.m. accident.

Jeffrey Michael Johnson, 21, of 26 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield, is charged with harassment. Johnson is accused of slamming his girlfriend to the ground and repeatedly punching her. The alleged incident occurred Sunday at 4 p.m. Johnson was released on his own recognizance with an order of protection for the woman.

Brandon M. Riordan, 23, of Rochester, was charged for unlawful possession of marijuana. Riordan was arrested by State Police while in Batavia at 12:35 a.m. today.

People looking for extra protection against the H1N1 strain of flu -- commonly, though incorrectly, called "swine flu" -- will soon have the opportunity to be vaccinated, Randy Carney told WBTA this morning.

The first doses are expected to arrive in Genesee County later this week, the interim county health chief said.

The vaccine will be distributed through healthcare providers, but people without their own doctor will be able to receive the vaccine from the county health department.

But the supply is limited. The county will receive only about 100 to 200 doses this week, with more on the way. Federal officials assure citizens that there will be plenty of vaccine to go around.

Audio: Randy Garney talks about the vaccine (mp3).

There are leads, but no hot leads in the search for the man who robbed the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion yesterday.

The man fled the scene, apparently, by heading behind the bank, toward St. Mary's Street and the train tracks and heading off into the woods in that general direction.

That, at least, is what the Sheriff's Office believed yesterday, and where deputies and state troopers concentrated their search efforts for about four hours.

The biggest clue that might lead to arrest, Sheriff Gary Maha said, is the blue and black racing jacket with "Husqvarna" lettered down the left sleeve.

The robber is described as a white male, 25 to 35 years old. He presented a demand note at the branch at 11:32 a.m. yesterday and reportedly did not display a weapon.

Audio: Gary Maha speaks with WBTA. (mp3)

UPDATE: We just received the example photo used at the top of this post from the Sheriff's Office.  This is what investigators believe is an example of the jacket the robber was wearing.

NOTE: The jacket isn't in Husqvarna's current catalog nor have I been able to find that particular jacket on sale any place online so far.  So it is pretty unique.

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Family photos are more than just photographs. When you need photos for that special occasion, Carlson's is a great choice in Genesee County. We have a $100 gift card for $50 ($2 PayPal service fee).

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.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest full-service salon, offering affordable haircuts for men and women on a walk-in basis. Today, we have two gift certificates for women's haircuts, a $15.95 value for $7.50 (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Brighten up your home or office with flowers! We have a $20 gift certificate for $8.50.

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

All of the police sirens screaming through town were heading to Aldi's after a person reportedly called the Dispatch Center to report a black male had brandished a gun before entering the store.

A Sheriff's Deputy was already in the parking lot, so he was first on scene. He contacted a man inside the store who fit the description of the subject. He had no gun on his belt, only a cell phone.

Police are on scene now sorting out what's going on.  The original caller is apparently no longer in the parking lot.

A washing machine is reportedly smoking at the laundry mat at 4152 W. Main St., Batavia (the Valu Plaza).

City fire has been dispatched.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: Engine 12 and Ladder 15 returning to station.

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Sanzo and Sons, a beverage distributor with locations in Olean, Salamanca and Batavia has been approved for $30,000 in tax exemptions by Genesee County Economic Development Center as part of its plans to expand locally.

The company plans to spend more than $250,000, which it will borrow, to add new space to its facility at 11 Apollo Drive for offices and storage. It also plans to put on a new roof and upgrade equipment, including forklifts and delivery trucks.

The space at the facility will be expanded by 1,222 square feet and company officials say the improvements will help make it more efficient.

Vanderhoof Electric Supply is a new company that is purchasing the assets of Falcone Electric. It will be located at 385 W. Main St., Batavia.

Falcone Electric began in 1955 and has been a very stable wholesale electric supply business. The new owner is looking to keep the same trade name and staff.

Vanderhoof plans to invest $50k in computer warehouse management system in a few months and  a $50k upgrade building facade next spring.

The company has been approved for $16,000 in tax incentives.  It is also looking to borrow $100,000 from GCEDC's revolving loan fund. The company's total capital investment will total $400,000.