Spring into action and mark your calendars for the 2024 Spring Consignment Auction starting May 1st and wrapping up on May 8th.

Get revved up to bid on an array of vehicles, equipment, trailers, farm implements, machinery, lawn & garden tools, power tools, building supplies, and much more! There are over 1000 lots on the auction block.

Don't miss out on the fun - hop online to bontragerauction.com to place your bids.

Swing by for a sneak peek at the auction on Saturday, May 4th, from 10 am to 12 pm. You'll find it at Bontrager's Auction Center, 8975 Wortendyke Rd, Batavia, NY.

Merchandise pick-up is scheduled from Thursday, May 9th through Saturday, May 11th.

You just never know when you’re going to make a difference in someone’s life, Sandy Wojtaszczyk says.

“We don’t always know what difference we make; no matter where you volunteer or what you do in your job, we never know. You never know what impact you have on anybody,” Wojtaszczyk said during this year’s Women of Inspiration Awards lunch at Batavia Downs. 

In her line of work in Social Services, with 15 out of 25 years as supervisor of the Child Protective unit, she had to do some of the hardest jobs by removing kids from their home situations and then wondering if she made a positive difference. 

She began her career at Genesee County Department of Social Services in 1998. In 2009, she became a department supervisor and was charged with training new workers in her unit regarding child abuse and the safety of children in Genesee County. In 2013, Wojtaszczyk received an award for her Outstanding Achievements in Law Enforcement. In 2021, she received the Leadership Genesee Outstanding Alumnus Award. 

During her career, she collaborated with many agencies, including YWCA, CASA, Juvenile Justice, Genesee County Family Courts, Genesee County schools, and law enforcement to ensure the safety of the children she served. 

“And I always hope that removing kids from a situation that's really, really bad. That is what can be done, knowing that I could have saved a child's life somewhere along the line. Will I ever know that? No,” she said. “I worked with teenagers for a period of time prior to being a supervisor. And I still am in contact with some of those girls. They sometimes call me, and they see me on the street … I still have Facebook friends, a lot of Facebook friends out there. 

“But you know, I look at that, and I don't think that I have an impact, but I did have an impact on their lives,” she said. “They were in foster care, and they didn't have good role models. And hopefully, that's what I was for them.”

She also talked about being involved in volunteer activities, from the early days of Jerry Lewis telethons and 4-H walkathons to current Salvation Army food drives to help out families at Christmas. 

It’s that giving spirit that she shares with the other recipients, including Judy Fuller, Susie Ott and Sue Gagne. 

Fuller volunteers many hours coordinating and managing My Sisters Closet for the YWCA of Genesee County. She has taken this on as her own and is always trying to come up with new ideas to help the program grow and reach more people in the community. The Closet supports and provides clothing to women in the nonprofit’s Domestic Violence program.

Fuller said that her primary role has been to help victims of domestic violence access clothing and other items “that they might not have,” she said.

“And anybody who hasn’t worked comes in for a job interview, and they get free clothes, so I help anybody who needs it,” she said. 

Ott is very active in the community, supporting many agencies and projects. She is currently the president of Batavia Rotary, chair of the United Way Day of Caring, treasurer of Batavia Job Development, board member of United Memorial Medical Center, and committee member of the Wings Over Batavia Air Show. 

She has received several awards for her volunteer work and community support, including the 2011 Leadership Genesee Outstanding Alumnus Award, the 2007 and 2022 Rotary Club Paul Harris Award, the 2015 Geneseean of the Year and the 2017 United Way Barber Conable Award.

Ott shared a quote that echoed Wojtaszczyk’s sentiments: Your impact on other people is bigger than you think. 

“Someone still giggles when they think of something funny that you said. Someone still smiles when they think of a compliment you gave them. Someone silently admires you. The advice you give has made a difference for people,” she said. “So I encourage everyone to continue giving back to the community and have fun while doing so. If you’re ever looking for ways to be involved, I have some ideas. And I’ll leave you with a quote by Les Brown: It’s in every day there are 1440 minutes. That means you have 1440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.”

Gagne has been a proactive human service advocate, volunteer and employee for decades. She has an extensive background in mental health, criminal justice and substance use disorders. 

Early in her career, she worked at ARC and as an assistant for the Genesee County Mental Health Association, later becoming a director. She volunteered on the board of directors for NAMI NYS, The GOW Opioid Task Force and the Suicide Prevention Task Force for GOW. She was instrumental in the founding of the GCASA Recovery Station and worked as coordinator of the Recovery Station through COVID.

Gagne is currently the assistant director of Adult Services at Wyoming County Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Genesee County. While working, she completed her degree in nursing at GCC and received the Leadership Award. She is now furthering her education at Brockport State College.

She shared a tip that she has learned from author and speaker John Maxwell about being an inspirational leader. It has to do with performing a daily habit that includes others throughout one’s day.

“He wakes up every morning, looks over his calendar and starts thinking about who he will see that day and how he can add value to them. He’d intentional about it,” Gagne said. “In the Bible, the book of Ephesians tells us that we are God’s handiwork, and if we think about that, you might be the answer to somebody’s prayer. Remember, you have a gift to give this world.

Her final words were to encourage others, especially if anyone struggles with knowing “how special and unique you are.”

“Get around good people,” she said. “My pastor continually tells us the person you will be in five years depends on the books you read and the friends you keep. So get around people who will encourage you, value and help you grow.”

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Today's Deals:

• Livia Beauty and Spa
• Smokin Eagle BBQ and Brew
• Dave's Ice Cream
• Chap's Elba Diner
• Eden Cafe and Bakeshop

In recognition that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is hosting an Open House in our Reception Area from 9 - 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 16. It will take place at our office at 319 West Main Street in the Crickler Executive Business Center in Batavia.

The public is invited to stop by and learn how the Independent Living Center works with people who are facing mental health challenges.

For additional information, call Catherine DeMare at 585-815-8501, extension 400.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press Release:

At the recent Solar Eclipse event “Total Eclipse of the Park”, the Oakfield Betterment Committee presented the Oakfield Fire Department with a co-branded pop-up event tent.

The volunteers of the Oakfield Fire Department not only sacrifice their time and efforts to protect our town, but they are also integral members of our community. 

Their members volunteer with many of our annual events and maintain a constant, on-site presence throughout our signature Labor Daze music and food festival.

Oakfield is truly a better place because of the dedicated men and women of the OFD and we are glad to bless them with an event tent for their fundraising, training, and to keep them shaded while on standby on Labor Day weekend.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #576 in Le Roy is proud to announce Abygale (Aby) Fernaays as our 2024 Poppy Girl. 

Aby is the daughter of Nathan Fernaays and Farrah Nolan, and the granddaughter of Michael and Cheryl Fernaays of Le Roy and Douglas and Marie Nolan of Ocala, FL. 

Aby and her family honor Memorial Day every year by remembering the sacrifice of the men and women who have given their lives for our country. 

We are excited to have Aby and her family participate in this year’s Poppy Program and in the Memorial Day Parade in Le Roy on Monday, May 27.

 The money raised by Aby and the Poppy Program will be used throughout the year to support our veterans in nursing homes and hospitals, along with assisting the color guard at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Pembroke. We appreciate your continued support.

The 3rd quarter High Honor and Honor Rolls have been released for Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School by Principal Paul Hazard. Hazard and the Byron-Bergen Central School District staff offer their congratulations to these students.  

Grade 7: 

High Honor Roll – Charlotte Bloom, Riley Boland, Evelyn Borycki, Madison Carson, Alyssa Chupp, June Dorman, Katherine Erion, Leland Fregoe, Olivia Galdun, Connor Hoopengardner, Isabella Kessler, Delilah Malin, Sophia Matthews, Jack Miller, Trevor O'Brien, Caleb Rassel, Lia Ray, Landon Starkweather, Contessa Vander Wyst, Benjamin Vargas, Kaylanah White, Teagan Williams, Dahlia Wolff 

Honor Roll - Faith Apley, Tristen Davidson, Aaiden Gaiser, Cruz Gilbert, Hunter Jarosinski, Emmarose Michaels, Riley Norman, Aleah Olander, Kelly Parsons, William Scharvogel, Miranda Stanton, Gunner Starowitz, Logan Zaleski

Grade 8:

High Honor Roll - Evan Bannister, Cole Carroll, Eala Coniglio, Samantha Copani, Brooklynn Culmo, Emily Diehl, William Duell, Zachary Gay, Cambria Goodenbery, Lila Graff, Ainsley Kent, Ruth Kuipers, Alexander Kuszlyk, Isabella Lewis, Levi McGrath, Lillian Meier, Liliana Moore, Laney Niedzwiecki, Evan Phillips, Alexandra Pocock, Natalie Randall, Jenna Redick, Audrey Rimmerman, Michael Rogoyski, Genevieve Smith, Madeline Smith, Xavier Vargas, Jillian Weaver, Carson Wells, Paige Winkler 

Honor Roll - Ryanna Armstrong, Mason Farner, Josiah Hiscutt, Taylor Louis, Annabella Madera, Parker Moore, Brook Pagels, Lucy Rea, Cooper Sandow, Miley Stalica

Grade 9: 

High Honor Roll - Zoey Bower, Rylee Burch, Emalyn Canfield, Cody Carlson, Gianna Cicatelli, Lauren Gartz, Isabella Gifford, Wyatt Lewis, Taylor Lundfelt, Ian MacMillen, Logan Marou, Emma Matthews, Hannah Riedmiller, Elliana Tanner, Bradley Tatar, Jack Walker, Rena Wilson 

Honor Roll - Tyler Barberio, Nataly Barrera Zuniga, Audrey Dorman, Brayden Gelsomino, Azaya Maid, Seth Prefontaine, Theodore Schelemanow, Brandon Schuck, Kyle Smith

Grade 10: 

High Honor Roll - Sara Bishop, Liam Boyle, Sarah Campbell, Adam Cardenas, Gianna Clark, Connor Copani, Addison Cummings, Justin Deleo, Gary Donofrio, Gianna Graff, Megan Jarkiewicz, Nial Johnson, Pearl Jolliff, Carter Kuipers, Malacai McGrath, Grace Mundell, Paige O'Brien, Evan Orto, Bradley Pocock, Allison Rimmerman, Katherine Rogoyski, Simone Scharvogel, Rayne Sheard, Solomon Smith, Hayden Starkweather, Elizabeth Starowitz, Aubrey Stein, Emma Wolfe 

Honor Roll - Katelyn Ball, Laura Curts, Logan Czachorowski, Grace DiQuattro, Ava Goff, Mia Gray, Logan LeSage, Maryn Meier, Colin Rea, Andrea White, Evan Williams

Grade 11:

High Honor Roll - Ryan Benstead, Jake Carlson, Deborah Catalino, Kendall Chase, Abigail Cook, Isabella Davidson, Logan Fregoe, Ava Gray, Rachel Hanel, Ella Lewis, Jackson Lundfelt, Anna McLaughlin, Ian Pulcini, Sydney Salmonds, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens, Roman Smith, Lily Stalica, Rose Wilson, Jade Wolff

Honor Roll - Aiden Barberio, Isabelle Best, Zachary Brookhart, Noah Clare, Craig DiQuattro, Lea Donofrio, Annabelle Erion, Chesney Fregoe, Haylee Gartz, Peyton Goodenbery, Samuel Hersom, Eli Kupfer, Martin Mac Connell, Arianne McLaughlin, Connor Moran, Meghan Muscarella, Kasey Pagels, Adam Piper, Trent Sheard, Mikayla Yohon

Grade 12: 

High Honor Roll - Emma Balduf, Carlee Barons, Brody Baubie, Jeffrey Borycki, Tyler Chapman, Chloe Gilbert, Gabrielle Graff, Autumn Hafner, Mackenzie Hagen, Makala Hoopengardner, Kaidance Kimble, Hanna Loewke, Lincoln McGrath, Stephanie Onderdonk, Jillian Peters, Novalee Pocock, Quintin Rich, Victoria Rogoyski, Travis Shallenberger, Riley Sharpe, Malachi Smith, Lukas Volkmar, Lydia Zaffrann

Honor Roll - HannahRae Amador, Braedyn Chambry, James Heick, Colin Martin, Dru Nowatchik, Brendan Pimm, Carter Prinzi, Andrew Smith, Connor Windhauser, Megan Zwerka

City Manager Rachael Tabelski sent the business owners and media a four-page plan and maps that would eventually bring back a first row of parking as one step toward improving the parking situation. 

“The proposed changes will help restore our trust in city government. Going forward we would hope that communication between city planners and  business owners/tenants would be frequent and ongoing,” Kubiniec said to The Batavian. “For instance, we need a plan for snow removal, salting the sidewalks and plowing the sidewalks in a timely matter. We can only hope that as this ever changing situation continues, we are given a chance to be heard. We need some things in writing and we still have some concerns about the final layout.”

Dr. Adam Gregor, a dentist at 180 Washington Ave., said that Phase II “does offer nearby parking,” but that “it’s hard to say that’s an improvement.”

“But, it is the city doing what they originally said they would. And for that, I’m thankful,” Gregor said. “Phase I still has concerns to me. Phase I should only be temporary and will last until June, when the weather won’t have as much of an effect. But I still won’t have any nearby or handicap parking during that time.

“I would suggest one additional curb cut near my office to try to limit patients being dropped off far away or at a potentially dangerous intersection,” he said. “Likewise, I would suggest that multiple spaces near the new access ramp be reserved for handicap parking or patients with limited mobility — they are the ones that need the access ramp the most.” 

Batavia city management sent out a new parking plan Tuesday for the downtown police station staging area in the parking lot at Alva Place and Bank Street. 

A dozen business owners have been without parking adjacent to their offices on the south side alongside the parking lot for the last three weeks, and some have complained to city management, City Council, local media and through a petition circulating on change.org. Those owners have been losing patients and/or getting cancellations and no-show appointments due to the safety issues and inconvenience of parking, they have said.

"Over the past two weeks, City leadership has held several meetings with the construction team and its project representatives, to find options that will allow for use of a portion of the City owned lot on Alva and Bank streets for customers of the adjacent businesses, while still allowing for the Police Station building project to be completed to the scale and scope originally intended,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski said in a letter to Washington Avenue and State Street businesses. “Providing patients and customers access to local businesses is a key priority for the City. This past week, the City issued an emergency change directive to replace the current and proposed configuration of the safety fencing.

“Please encourage your staff to park in the JC Penney lot across Alva Place. We also encourage you to share this parking plan with your customers,” Tabelski said.  “We will keep you apprised as plans for both phases move forward. Thank you for your patience as the construction project proceeds.”