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Bethany issues State of Emergency for water shortage

By Joanne Beck

The Town of Bethany has declared a State of Emergency for water services during a year-end meeting on Thursday due to the town’s inability to provide water services to the affected parcels of approximately 100 residences and two dairy farms in the town.

The town’s Water District 5 had previously

Santa visits Bethany Friday morning, in the form of a water donation, as officials wait for word on district funding

By Joanne Beck
Water donation in Bethany
A donation of four pallets of drinking water by Eric Santos, second from left, of Casella Waste Systems, arrives at Bethany Town Hall Friday morning for residents who have been struggling without water.
Submitted Photo

As town officials and residents work through a water shortage brought on by drought, all of them have said it has been the worst they have ever seen since living in Bethany, many of them for decades. Fill dates are being scheduled week by week from a tanker that was provided by the state Office of Emergency Management.

Santa came early again for a visit Friday morning in the form of a donation of four pallets of bottled water all ready to be distributed to residents, Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. said. Operations Manager Eric Santos of Casella Waste Systems had heard about Bethany's plight and showed up with his crew and the much-welcomed donation of water at town hall, Hyde said.

In the midst of drought, Bethany gets a splash of good news with $5M grant

By Joanne Beck
bethany water tanker nov. 2023
2023 File Photo of Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr. reviewing the town's water districts, including the latest Water District 5, which will be a go, thanks to the $5 million WIIA grant awarded to the town. 
Photo by Howard Owens

Tuesday afternoon was unexpectedly busy and gleeful for Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr.

And while still being embroiled in town residents’ plight of dry wells and being in need of daily water supplies, he found something to smile about, he says.

“We’re on the list,” he said about the town’s placement on the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Award approvals. “My phone’s been ringing off the hook. I heard from Steve Hawley and J.W. Cook from the governor’s office. He called to say congratulations, you got your grant. I’m very happy.”

Environmental professor weighs in on Genesee County's 'most intense' drought conditions

By Joanne Beck
Stephen Shaw
Associate Professor Stephen Shaw
Photo from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry website

With so much talk about global warming and climate change, that would seem to be the likely culprit for drought so extreme it has dried up dozens of wells in pockets of Genesee County.

However, Stephen Shaw, associate professor for environmental resources engineering at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, says it might be much more random than that.

Shaw has just completed a 20-year analysis and a report about dry wells across the entire northeast. He found that a drought in 2016 was “pretty intense,” especially across Western New York and Buffalo in particular. That didn’t match what these towns — the volume of households — in Genesee County have experienced, he said.

Clara R. Galliford

By Howard B. Owens
galliford obit

Clara R. Galliford, 98, of East Bethany, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2023, at Crossroads House in Batavia after a brief illness. Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her long life was devoted to supporting her family and her community. She was blessed by 75 years of marriage and celebrated the births of 36 direct descendants, all of whom survive her.

Clara was born May 1, 1925, in East Bethany. She was a 1942 graduate of Batavia High School. From 1951, she was a member of the East Bethany Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, trustee, and church elder. From 1956 to 1992, she served as Clerk and Postmaster for the United States Postal Service in East Bethany.  

Surviving are her four children: James D. Galliford Jr. of Batavia and Linda (Gerry) Fry, Jean George and Douglas (Judy) Galliford of East Bethany; ten grandchildren: J. Daniel (Kirsten) Galliford III, Laurie Fox, Julie Fry, Melissa (Allen) Iovannisci, Sarah (Tim) Lemley, Stacey (David Macdonald) George, Michael (Kristen) George, Debbie (Frank) Drazen, Brian (Becca) Galliford and Mary (Steve) Skoczylas; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, J. Daniel Galliford Sr.; her brothers, Howard Raymond and Albert Raymond, and sister, Edith Nichols; and her parents, Arthur and Mabel (Cone) Raymond.

Clara’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Cindy Saeva at South Street Senior Care in LeRoy for the loving care she provided to Clara during her residence there.

Burial will be private with no prior calling hours. A memorial service for both Clara and her late husband Daniel will be held at a later date.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, NY 14021, www.crossroadshouse.com/donate, or to the East Bethany Rural Cemetary Association, P.O. Box 117, LeRoy, NY 14482.

Arrangements for Clara were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home of Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Evelyn E. Macomber

By T.J. Woodward

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Evelyn E. Macomber, 93 of Attica, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 24, 2016 at Episcopal Church Home in Rochester. She was born January 4, 1923 in Buffalo to the late Henry (Virginia White) Ertel. She is preceded in death by her brothers Richard, James and Ned Ertel.

Evelyn was employed at Attica High School as a secretary for 25 years. Mrs. Macomber was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and the Rebekkas. She enjoyed traveling and being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years Floyd D. Macomber of Attica; sons Elliot (Joanne) Macomber of Spencerport; Scott (Joanne) Macomber of Fulton; grandchildren Timothy (Jennifer), Gregory (Karen), Chelsey, Mara Macomber; Juliet Brandt, Bethany St. Pierre, David (Kylie) Taylor and Trina Taylor. Great-grandchildren Sage, Lily, Ethan, Nolan, Isaac, Elijah, Hayden, Hailey and Hannah; sisters-in-law Beatrice and Elizabeth, brother-in-law Edwin along with several nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.She will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice Rochester 3111 South Winton Rd. Rochester, NY 14623 or to Attica Historical Society 130 Main St. Attica, New York 14011.  For more information please call 585-591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street Attica, New York 14011.

Joseph A. Wolak

By Ronald Konieczny

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Joseph A. Wolak, 83 of Attica, died at his residence on Friday (January 15, 2016).

He was born in Buffalo, NY, a son of the late Joseph J. Wolak and Stephanie Wlodarczyk Wolak.

He retired from Attica Central School as a teacher of English and was Attica Town and Village Justice for over 17 years, retiring in November of 2015. An active outdoorsman, he taught DEC Hunter, Archery, and Trapper education courses for 20 years. He was active with dogs and held offices in several dog clubs. German Shorthaired Pointers were his favorite. He established Wag-Ae-Kennels and developed many champions and field winners. He was also an AKC Show and Field Judge.

Joseph served in the U.S. Air Force, was a member of the NRA, served on many community committees and groups including the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County, and was a leader and longtime supporter of 4-H.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, B. Arlene Mast, daughter of the late Susan and Daniel Mast; Daughters, Nancy Gross of Pavilion and Karen (John) Brown of Batavia. Sons, Jeffrey (Vicki) Wolak of Bethany and Jonathan (Deborah) Wolak of Varysburg. Sister, Joan (Paul) Schaefer of Clarence and brother, Eugene (Patty) Wolak of Syracuse. Sister in-laws and brother in-laws, Mildred (late Carlton) Graff of Lyndonville, Mary (late Don) Penninger of NC, Doris Brand of Ohio, Carol (late James) Webster of Akron, NY, Ruth (Robert) Crane of Arkansas, Paul (Candy) Mast of SC and the late Alice (James) Hendry. 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren also survive.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 2-4pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, American Heart Association or Hospice and Homecare of Wyoming County. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

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