Stories from

Press release:

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has cosponsored the Preexisting Conditions Protection Act of 2019 (H.R. 692).

“Protecting coverage for individuals with preexisting conditions is a bipartisan priority that is critical to the well-being of the most vulnerable in our community,” Jacobs said. “As the son of a physician, access to quality and affordable healthcare is something I care deeply about.

"I am proudly working with my colleagues to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase transparency, and decrease the cost of healthcare in the United States.”

H.R. 692 – The Preexisting Conditions Protection Act of 2019 – would preserve access to health care for people with preexisting conditions if the Affordable Care Act is significantly changed or repealed.

Press release:

When Royalty Free Radio Hour first envisioned “The Brain of Dr. Delgado,” the inaugural episode of their "In the Dark" series, it would have incorporated suggestions and participation from a live audience. Then came COVID-19.

The all-improvised original radio play was written by members of Defiant Monkey Improv, Karen Eichler and Andrew Spragge.

“The program came to life through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts administered by the Arts Service Initiative of Western New York,” Eichler said, “but without a live audience we needed to improvise – which is of course what we’re great at!”

Spragge added, “A friend volunteers at the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service and recommended we talk with them. They had just added the internet to their broadcast platform, enabling listeners who are blind or have a print disability to access their programs online as well as on-air.”

“So not only do we get to share this suspense thriller with a wonderful audience, we get to take advantage of the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service’s technology to make the program available to thousands of people, wherever they may be!”

Michael Benzin, executive director of the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service, likes both the change of pace and the local impact of the partnership.

“Nearly all our programs feature newspapers, magazines, books and other printed publications being read by volunteers," Benzin said. "We know our listeners value this service, but the inclusion of a new radio play on our playlist will bring them something exciting and a little different.

"It also allows us to show off our new live streaming and podcasting capabilities and introduce new listeners to our service.”

The nonprofit Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service has been serving people who are blind, have low vision, or have other print disabilities that make holding a book or turning a page difficult for more than 30 years.

Defiant Monkey Improv is a two-person improvisational group that creates on-the-spot theatre based on audience suggestions and participation. Performers Karen Eichler and Andrew Spragge are experienced improvisers, actors, professional development specialists, and teaching artists who love to have as much fun as possible. They are the authors of the book "The 5 Elements of Improv: How to Take Your Improv to the Next Level."

“The Brain of Dr. Delgado” will air live several times next week, including Halloween.

• Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 26 & 27 at 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday, Oct. 29 & 30 at 11 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

A livestream will be available through the agency’s website, www.nfradioreading.org, for listeners without the special reading radio.

For those that can’t wait or want to listen on their own schedule, a podcast of the show is available on-demandthrough both the website and many popular podcast players like Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher. The service is also available on smart phones through the Seros or Zeno apps as well as through Amazon and Google smart speakers.

Biographies

Karen Eichler began performing improvisation with ComedySportz in 1997, graduated from The Second City Toronto and has performed on stages across the country. She has also performed with a script in shows such as Annie the Musical, and as Madame Thenardier in "Les Miserables" and has been a children’s show performer and storyteller since 2000. Eichler has a master’s degree in Education and has been a university professor since 1997, most recently teaching Public Speaking and College Writing.

Andrew Spragge began improvising in 2005 with ComedySportz, and has been acting and directing since 1982. He has been seen in various productions over the years including as Daddy Warbucks in "Annie," and Monsieur Thenardier in "Les Miserables." An accomplished actor, director, children’s show performer and corporate trainer, Spragge is also a graphic designer and worked as a middle school Science and Math teacher. Currently, he is a Mission Commander at the Challenger Learning Center in Lockport.

Press release:

On Wednesday, Oct. 21 United States Gypsum Company hosted a small socially distanced luncheon at their manufacturing plant and offices in Oakfield. At the luncheon, USG Plant Manager Duane VanDuuren presented Eagle Star Housing with a donation of $5,000 to help support homeless veterans in the community.

USG employs multiple veterans at their organization and were extremely honored to make the donation to a local organization helping homeless veterans. The funds will be used to help further the programming at the Pembroke House for homeless veterans and purchase much-needed supplies and equipment for the program.

United States Gypsum Company was founded in 1902 when 20 gypsum companies around the United States came together to form the company. At that time, they added more gypsum companies to form a network of gypsum mines, quarries and processing plants.

Today, USG is known for inventing latex paint, mineral fiber ceiling tile, shaft wall elevator systems and Durock® cement panels and is a market leader in wallboard and gypsum products in North America.

These products sped up the building process and improved the way buildings could be designed and built. USG has helped build some of the world’s most iconic structures, such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Lotte Tower in Seoul, and the Freedom Tower in New York. More information on United States Gypsum Company can be founded at www.USG.com.

Eagle Star Housing is a not-for-profit organization in New York State that provides housing services for homeless veterans. They have a 16-bed transitional housing program for homeless veterans in East Pembroke as well as other programs for homeless veterans in Central and Western New York.

Eagle Star has provided more than 960 homeless veterans with over 81,000 nights of safe housing since opening its doors in 2012. Eagle Star is also developing a new 55-unit apartment building in Batavia that will have 28 designated apartments for homeless veterans with full support services.

More information about Eagle Star Housing can be found at www.eaglestarhousing.com

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after the United States Department of Agriculture announced it has authorized $500 million to support a fourth round of the Farmers to Families Food Box program.

“I commend the USDA and the Administration for continuing to make American families and farmers a top priority,” Jacobs said. “The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a highly successful program that has provided healthy nutritious food to millions of American families.

"I have seen how it supports farmers and agribusinesses right here in NY-27 and will continue to advocate for programs that support local agriculture.”

This is the fourth round of purchases for the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program that will award contracts for deliveries between Nov. 1st and Dec. 31st. The program was launched on May 15 in response to COVID-19 and to date has delivered more than 110 million boxes to American families.

Press release:

• Genesee County received two new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Darien and Oakfield.
  • The individuals are in their 20s and 60s.
  • The individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Five new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • Five of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
     
• Orleans County received three new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Carlton and Murray.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s and 40s.
  • Two of the individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Fourteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • One of the new positive individuals is a student at Holley Jr. Sr. High School. The individual was under mandatory quarantine at the time they tested positive. The individual is under mandatory isolation and will remain there until fully recovered. Contact tracing is in process. Individuals identified by the health department as being close contacts have been and/or will be contacted by the health department contact tracers and placed under mandatory quarantine. Individuals identified by the health department as being a close contact will be expected to follow the New York State Department of Health quarantine guidelines.

Press release:

Wednesday, newcomer candidate Duane Whitmer (Libertarian), stunned virtually everyone present by convincingly winning the St. Joe’s NY-27 debate against two veteran politicians and lawyers who have run for office many times.

Duane had previously won an NY-27 debate for June’s special election sponsored by WBBZ against two lawyers and a former TV reporter.

The campaign heard from sources inside the school that the students thought Whitmer won the debate. Social media delivered the same verdict with hundreds of positive comments about Whitmer. The debate has been streamed more than 15,000 times so far.

A careful review of the debate will show that Whitmer had the best opening and closing statements and won each question on points. Throughout the debate, he showed a command of the issues, deftly emphasized the theme of his campaign that the Red and Blue Teams have failed, and demonstrated a detailed knowledge of public policy by citing a 1989 Cato Institute study that concluded that the drug war had failed.

He even paraphrased an obscure quote from 19th century French economist Frederic Bastiat, “When goods don’t cross borders, troops will.” In contrast to the vague rhetoric of Chris Jacobs, he repeatedly provided specific proposals for real change. These included:

1. End the war on guns.
2. End the war on drugs.
3. End corporate welfare.
4. End the foreign wars.
5. Bring the troops home.
6. Abolish the DEA.
7. Abolish the ATF.
8. End the lockdown that has destroyed the economy.
9. Pass a Balanced budget amendment.
10. Cut foreign aid.

As a result of the debate, Whitmer has received more media coverage than he has in the previous several months. Most of the media had ignored his campaign in spite of Whitmer running an energetic, issue-oriented campaign for well over a year.

The St. Joe’s debate marks a turning point in the race. It is no longer a coronation of Chris Jacobs. It is now a three-way race that is up for grabs. The Whitmer campaign now has the momentum to redouble its efforts in the remaining days of the campaign.

There are only 12 days left before the election. In the era of the internet, however, each day is an eternity during which tens of thousands of people can be reached by our campaign with Whitmer’s message that the Red and Blue Teams have failed and the voters need to send them a message by voting Libertarian for a change.

The campaign plans to release several major policy papers in the next few days and on Wednesday, Whitmer delivered a powerful condemnation of Speaker Nancy Pelosi right in front of Erie County Democratic Headquarters. Tomorrow, he will lead citizens on a 100-mile motorcade from Canandaigua Lake to Lake Erie to call for an end to the Lockdown and to Open Up Main Street.

Whitmer and his loyal staff and volunteers intend to fight to the finish.

Editor's Note: WXXI covered the debate and full audio is embedded in their story. Click here.

Submitted images and press release:

The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting its debut Virtual Art Demonstration at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10th. Shauna Blake will demonstrate painting on silk with dyes via a virtual Zoom meeting.

Tickets are available on the Batavia Society of Artists Facebook page for $5 for non-members. For more info check out the Facebook page or call Karen Crittenden, the facilitator of the Zoom meeting, at (585) 584-3296.

About Shauna Blake, Artist

Shauna Blake started painting in her early teens and has devoted her entire working life to her artwork. She has a love for nature and the outdoors and uses the inspiration and energy it provides to create her art.

She paints in a wide variety of mediums including, watercolors, acrylics, pen and ink, and silk dyes.

In 1994 she graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a major in Graphic Design and Illustration. She worked in the Graphic Design field for seven years before joining her husband, Brendan, in his glass art business in 2001.

Here she expanded her art by studying and creating lampwork glass beads.

Then in 2009 she discovered silk painting. She found that painting on silk was the perfect fit for her creative and expressive artistic style.

Shauna currently sells her hand-painted silk scarves, silk ribbons and art prints worldwide on her website. www.QuintessenceSilk.com and on the popular Etsy handmade crafts site online.

Submitted photo and press release:

Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. receives endorsement for reelection from Pastor Marty Macdonald.

"I am truly honored and blessed to have received an endorsement from Pastor Marty Macdonald," Sheron said.

Dear Sheriff Sheron,

As Pastor of The City Church and St. Anthony's in Batavia, it is with great pleasure that I endorse you for reelection as Sheriff of Genesee County, NY.

As a lifelong resident of Genesee County, Bill Sheron's name has been synonymous with integrity, devotion, and great honor. Bill has proven his leadership in every sphere that he has dealt with. I am more than confident that he is the right person to be our Genesee County Sheriff.

As a member of Genesee County's Criminal Justice Advisory Council, I have observed Bill's devotion to his county and the people of it, as well as showing high regard to those who serve with him keeping our county safe.

As a Genesee County resident, I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to endorse Bill Sheron.

With gratitude,

Pastor Marty Macdonald

Batavia, NY 14020

Press release:

The Genesee County Job Development Bureau announces that they will be hosting In-Person Job Fairs every Monday in November and December from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Career Center.

“Each week we will host different businesses that are actively hiring,” said Teresa Van Son, director of the Genesee County Job Development Bureau. 

During each event, we will limit the entry of job seekers to five at a time to allow for social distancing. We will require temperature screening, hand sanitation, and masks for all.

The Job Fairs aim is to bring together employers and job seeking individuals at the Genesee County Career Center 587 E. Main St., Suite 100, Eastown Plaza, Batavia.

It is our belief that the Job Fair will offer businesses with an excellent opportunity to recruit for their active staffing requirements. It can offer job seekers the opportunity for a fresh start, a better job, or a new career direction.

“We are excited to partner with the GLOW Workforce Development Board to bring employers and job seekers together,” Van Son said. Local employers will be in attendance, eager to hire for immediate openings in a wide range of occupations. The job fair is open to the entire community.

A job fair is a great way to connect face-to-face with employers,” Van Son said.

Come prepared by attending our Job Fair Success Virtual Workshop on Nov. 17th at 2 p.m. (call 344-2042 to register). Learn how to make the most of a job fair and turn it into a job offer!

You can also register for our other virtual preparation workshops via Zoom -- all are at 2 p.m. You can access these using a computer, tablet, smart phone, or you can dial in to listen:

• Job Search Strategies on Nov. 3rd;
• Resumes that Work on Nov. 10th;
• and Interviewing Skills on Nov. 24th.

For more information or to register for a workshop, please contact the Genesee County Career Center at (585) 344-2042 or jdb@co.genesee.ny.us

Spectrum Health and Human Services was awarded the Constance E. Miller Commitment to Excellence Award at the Annual Luncheon Meeting given by the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans County.

The award given annually to an individual or organization that demonstrates a commitment to excellence pertinent to the delivery and/or advocacy of quality community-based mental health services in Genesee and Orleans county. 

Spectrum Health was recognized for providing crucial after-hours and overnight crisis support through its Crisis and Restabilization Emergency Services (CARES) program, which assists families and individuals to resolve mental health crises.

Additionally, Spectrum Health actively participates on the Orleans County Crisis Intervention Team and is an active member of the Mental Health Subcommittee of the Community Services Board in both Genesee and Orleans counties. 

The Orleans County Legislature also cited Spectrum Health for its active participation in the Orleans County Crisis Intervention Team that helps improve collaboration between mental health and law enforcement agencies. The Genesee County Legislature acknowledged Spectrum Health and its efforts and dedication to the well-being of county citizens and quality of life in the region.

Spectrum Health’s Robert Cannata, MSW, vice president of Crisis Response and Peer Support Services, was also presented with a Certificate of Achievement by the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties at the same event.

Photo: Robert Canatta, vice president, and Cindy Voelker, associate CEO, of Spectrum Health and Human Services with the Constance E. Miller Commitment to Excellence Award.

Submitted photo and press release:

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced eight Sacred Sites Grants totaling $140,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State, including $10,000 to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Le Roy to help fund window and exterior repair.

The parish was founded in a schoolhouse in 1804, and this 1869-1870 Gothic Revival building is the church’s second home. The building was built on the foundations of a former mill, and designed by prominent Rochester architect Andrew Jackson Warner. A parish hall wing was added at the rear of the church in 1957-1958, and was designed by Buffalo architect Robert North.

St. Mark’s reaches about 1,100 community members a year with such activities as a summer lunch program at Mill Street Park, which was doubled in size this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Western New York Diocesan Deanery Project for Social Justice holds workshops for migrant farm workers at the church. The Le Roy History of Art Club uses space for meetings, and the Genesee Chorale has two concerts per year.

“We’re delighted our grants can help maintain these important institutions during this difficult time,” said Peg Breen, president, The New York Landmarks Conservancy.  “Throughout the pandemic, they have continued feeding and recovery programs, as well as health and cultural offerings to their communities.”  

The Sacred Sites Program provides congregations with matching grants for planning and implementing exterior restoration projects, technical assistance and workshops.  Since 1986, the program has pledged 1,559 grants totaling more than $12 million to 828 religious institutions statewide.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy

The New York Landmarks Conservancy, a private nonprofit organization, has led the effort to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for nearly 50 years. Since its founding, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $52 million, which has leveraged more than $1 billion in 1,850 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs.

The Conservancy has also offered countless hours of pro bono technical advice to building owners, both nonprofit organizations and individuals. The Conservancy’s work has saved more than a thousand buildings across the City and State, protecting New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations. For more information, please visit www.nylandmarks.org.

Photo courtesy of The New York Landmarks Conservancy.

Press release:

New York State hosts 3,500 miles of railroad track, with over 2,700 at-grade railroad crossings. Twenty-two people were killed in New York during 2019 due to train collisions, but nearly every collision occurring at railroad crossings could have been prevented if drivers followed safety procedures.

In an effort to save lives, New York Operation Lifesaver and TravelCenters of America have teamed up to educate professional drivers about a little-known part of railroad safety operation in the United States, the Emergency Notification System.

Every public railroad crossing in the United States has a blue and white an Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign, but very few drivers, be they members of the general public or trained professional drivers, are aware of the existence of the ENS sign.

The signs instructs you about what to do if your vehicle is stuck on the tracks: Get out of the vehicle; move away from the tracks; and call the number on the Emergency Notification System sign.

The sign also says: "Freight trains take a mile or more to stop. Don't put yourself and others in danger. Call the ENS number. Only they can stop the train!"

Trucks hauling large loads often use trailers with low clearance. Due to the low clearance, these types of trailers can and do get hung up at raised railroad crossings.

The ENS sign provides information about who to call when stuck on or near the tracks, and the crossing’s location. With the information on the ENS sign, railroads can avert a tragedy.

New York Operation Lifesaver’s multifaceted public safety campaign targets professional drivers with public service announcements at gas stations and at rest areas, as well as using Geofence advertising techniques to send ads and videos to this target audience.

The campaign will use these geofence techniques at all TravelCenters of America locations in New York, while also employing posters and hand cards to reinforce the message. Several locations in Western NY will be used in this campaign, including the TravelCenters of America Corfu location at 8420 Alleghany Road, and NYS Thruway service areas Angola and Clarence. 

“We want to show all drivers that the ENS system can stave off tragedies,” said Phil Merens, state coordinator of New York Operation Lifesaver. “It’s a shame that so few people know about the blue and white ENS sign at every at-grade railroad crossing.

"We’re extremely excited to be working with TravelCenters of America on this campaign. They’re one of the largest and best run truck stop operators in the U.S., and their participation in this campaign will help us reach an enormous number of professional drivers across New York.”

“When New York Operation Lifesaver approached us about partnering on this safety campaign, we realized this outreach effort could save the lives of some of the hardest working people in America, professional drivers,” said Barry Richards, president of TravelCenters of America.

“These heroic men and women have kept this country moving through COVID-19 and we’re happy to do anything to help keep these professional drivers safe while working so hard for everyone in this nation.”

During the course of New York Operation Lifesaver’s safety campaign, the ENS message has been seen over a million times, with millions of on-line ads and video plays still to come as the campaign continues through October. It is estimated that due to TravelCenters of America’s partnership in this campaign, that every day nearly a thousand New Yorkers will see the ENS posters or receive a hand card educating them about ENS basics.

“We’re incredibly lucky to have the access to professional drivers where they work. Our partnership with TravelCenters of America is an example of corporate community engagement for a great cause; saving lives,” Merens said. 

Photo and press release from the Genesee County Board of Elections:

Genesee County Board of Elections is pleased to announce that they will be rolling out their new electronic poll books for the upcoming election, beginning with Early Voting this Saturday, Oct. 24.

The new election management tool allows jurisdictions to see voter turnout in near real-time, monitor the status of the Poll Pads, and remotely lock or disable a Poll Pad if there is a security issue at a polling place.

 All Poll Pads connect to a web-based monitoring platform, via Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity, which is built into the Apple iPad. It never connects to the internet.

Voters will have the ability to check into their polling location just as they always have -- by giving their name and address to the Table Inspectors. The difference is now they will sign the poll pad instead of the big books. Voters will continue to use paper ballots for all voting. 

Most of the counties in New York State have already moved ahead with poll pads and eliminated the wait times and the waste that were caused with the old fashion poll books.

These are simple to use and created with security in mind. Because they do not connect directly to the internet, makes them even more protected.

From the Office for the Aging:

Open Enrollment for those on Medicare is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. The NY Connects/Genesee County Office for the Aging continues to be an unbiased resource that has information on all plans available for Genesee County residents.

Even during COVID-19, we are still here to assist you with your choices. Please call us at 343-1611; Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Press release:

This Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,Genesee County law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. 

Bring your pills to either of these collection sites below for disposal: 

• Pembroke Town Hall, Route 5 at Route 77 in Pembroke -- received by Genesee County Sheriff Deputies;
• Alva Place Parking Lot, Batavia (across the street from Batavia Showtime movie theater located in the Genesee Country Mall) -- received by Batavia Police Officers. Sharps will also be accepted at this location only.

The service is free and anonymous; no questions asked. Collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, which includes masks for citizens dropping off medication.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  

Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 883,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 6,300 sites operated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and almost 5,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners.

DEA, along with its law enforcement partners, has now collected nearly 6,350 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications since the inception of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative in 2010.

From the Genesee County Department of Social Services:

Jillian Hupp, 30, of Le Roy, was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge in Batavia Town Court on Tuesday, Oct. 20, after pleading guilty to one count of petit larceny.

An investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services allegedly revealed that Hupp failed to report that the father of her children was also residing in the home, and she failed to report his wages. Hupp subsequently received $2,776 in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) she was not entitled to.

She was originally charged with one count of fourth-degree grand larceny four counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Hupp accepted a plea deal to the reduced charge of petit larceny and was sentenced to the one-year conditional discharge, was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year and has made full restitution to the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of Welfare Fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigation unit at (585) 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6541.

Press release:

The Genesee County Shooter’s Committee On Political Education (SCOPE) recently published their candidate ratings. They gave  Mark Glogowski, Ph.D., Libertarian Candidate for NYS Assembly District 139, a “D” rating. The copy of Scope’s rating document Glogowski received was partially obliterated, but what could be read stated “Glogowski supports the 2nd Amendment but lacks the … (two words unreadable) … in dealing with NY democrats.”

Glogowski said today that the “D” rating SCOPE gave him clearly doesn’t have anything to do with his position on your right to bear arms, nor the enforcement of the 2nd Amendment’s prohibition on governments passing laws infringing on your right to bear arms.

His position on the 2nd, 9th, and 10th Amendments are clearly explained on his campaign website page: www.glogowskiforassembly/the-second-amendment.

Glogowski said that the reason for the low rating is because is willing to vote for bills that protect your rights, liberties and freedoms no matter who proposes and supports those bills, even of those sponsors are Democrats.

The case in point, at the Oct. 12th meeting of Genesee County SCOPE, Glogowski criticized Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s opposition to the anti-SLAPP bill S.52A/A.5991-A. Glogowski emphatically said he would have voted for the bill, a bill that had overwhelming Democratic support and corresponding Republican opposition.

That bill was designed to protect you from the rich and powerful who have launched many frivolous “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation” (SLAPP) intended to stop such activity. According to Glogowski, the anti-SLAPP bill is consistent with the intent of the 14th amendment.

He stated he would have voted for that bill, and now believes that statement was the reason for SCOPE members to rate him a “D”; he will not willingly and blindly oppose Democrats and their proposals. Hawley, a solid Republican, voted against the Democrat-sponsored anti-SLAPP bill.

Glogowski was also very outspoken about the NYS legislators, including Hawley, who abdicated their responsibility to legislate earlier this year and who unconstitutionally transferred their legislative powers to Governor Cuomo.

“No incumbent should be reelected this year. Doing so would be an act rewarding them for their abandonment of their responsibilities,” Glogowski said.

Glogowski stated that he will support any bill, regardless of who the sponsors are, that will: reestablish county representation in the Assembly; end the tyranny of grants; furthers the reduction and elimination of state income taxes and real estate taxes; eliminate unconstitutional budget legislation practices; work to stop wasteful spending; work to overhaul the Election Laws; create line item veto powers for the Governor, Senate, and Assembly; create a balanced budget; decrease state mandates; and protect your rights, liberties and freedoms.

Glogowski claims Hawley’s “A” rating is not related to his position or actions concerning the 2nd Amendment. SCOPE has consistently overlooked Hawley’s vote cast to fund the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, commonly known as the NY SAFE Act.

The SAFE act is clearly an unconstitutional gun regulation law. SCOPE also overlooked the explanation, provided at a New York Revolution meeting held in Genesee County, where Hawley stated that if he did not vote for the budget bill that included SAFE Act funding, he would have lost $28 million allocated for the Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing (WNY STAMP) Project.

With that statement, he traded your 2nd Amendment protection against tyranny for $28 million. The question today is why is he still receiving an “A” rating?

"Our right to own property, the right to own the fruits of our labors, both have already been traded for the thousands of dollars each year the government collects in taxes from you," Glogowski said. "What other rights do we have that will be traded for money this way?”

“We need legislators that will fight tyranny, not participate in the tyranny because it is convenient or that there is money in it for them.”

This year, with your vote, you can help put an end to this slide down the slippery slope to the Democrat’s tyranny of socialism or the alternative being the Republican’s tyranny of fascism. This year, Glogowski pleads, don’t make a choice.

Drive a stake in the ground and make a decision, a decision to Vote Libertarian. Vote for Mark Glogowski, Assembly District 139.

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

• Genesee County received three new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Batavia and Pembroke.
  • One of the positive individuals is an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. 
  • One of the individuals is in their 40s, one is in their 50s, and one is in their 60s.
  • None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Two of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Five new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  •  
• Orleans County received six new positive cases of COVID-19.
• The new positive cases reside in Albion.
• The individuals are: three are 0-19 yrs. old, two are in their 40s, one is in their 50s.
• One of the new positive individuals is a student at Albion Elementary School. The individual was not in school 48 hours prior to becoming symptomatic and testing positive, there is no identified direct school contact. The individual is under mandatory isolation and will remain there until fully recovered. Contact tracing has been initiated to determine potential close contacts in the community.
• None of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Three new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is celebrating his endorsement and continued partnership with the Business Council of New York State Inc., as he continues his reelection campaign. Hawley, a committed advocate for businesses, their owners and their employees, is thrilled to continue his push for better business laws and fair treatment in government with the backing of the Business Council.

“I am both humbled and honored that the Business Council has recognized me for endorsement, as advocating for business owners and their workers is the reason I got into government,” Hawley said.

“In a post-coronavirus world, businesses need the support, cooperation and understanding of state government to help them jump-start the economy and return New York to the hub of industry and enterprise that it has always been known for.”

The Business Council of New York State Inc., is the leading business organization in New York State, representing the interests of large and small firms throughout the state. Their membership is made up of roughly 2,400 member companies, local chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations.

Although 72 percent of members are small businesses, they also represent some of the largest and most important corporations in the world. Combined, their members employ more than 1.2 million New Yorkers. They serve as an advocate for employers in the state’s political and policy-making arenas, working for a healthier business climate, economic growth and jobs.

Press release:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, every educated voter is critical to our community. To support this, for the 40^th consecutive year, The Western New York Independent Living Family of Agencies (WNYIL) is giving voters with, and without, disabilities the opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, officials running in the Nov. 3^rd General Election at their Annual Meet the Candidates Days. 

WNYIL, being committed to the voice of persons with disabilities, especially within the challenges of this pandemic, is moving the event virtually this year to continue to offer this important forum. 

With individual campaigning at a minimum this year, this gives voters the chance to hear from officials running for several different offices.

Candidates running for local, state, and federal office will be given the opportunity to talk to, and hear from, constituents via our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/WNYIL.

Already scheduled to appear include candidates running for Congress, NY State Senate, NY State Assembly, as well as several candidates running for local offices. WNYIL Chief Policy Officer, Todd Vaarwerk, points out that “even during the pandemic, legislators will still make decisions about the things that matter to persons with disabilities. Meet the Candidates allows them to know, directly from potential constituents, how important those decisions are.”

The New York State and Federal races Meet the Candidates Day will be Tuesday, Oct. 27^th from 1 to 4 p.m. The local races (Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties) Meet the Candidates Day will be Friday, Oct. 30^th from 1 to 4 p.m. Both can be accessed at WNYIL’s YouTube channel.

For those without internet access who want to listen to Meet the Candidates, call 1-425-436-6200, Access Code 595227.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.