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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

Collins announces nearly $800K grant for water district in Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) today announced $785,000 in federal funding for the Town of Bethany. This $785,000 was awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water and Waste Disposable Loans and Grants Program. The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provide funding for clean

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.

Pauline B. Jaczynski

By Joshua Smith

jaczynski_pauline_001.jpg

LeRoy - Pauline B. Jaczynski, 91, formerly of Batavia, died Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at United Memorial Medical Center, in Batavia.

Mrs. Jaczynski was born June 19, 1926 in Turbotville, PA, the daughter of the late Henry and Harriet (Rider) Pursel.

She enjoyed Shopping, eating out and playing BINGO, Pokeno and scratch off tickets.

Her husband, Walter W. Jaczynski, died in 1985.

Survivors include 2 sons, David (Denise) Jaczynski of Basom and Roger (Karen) Jaczynski of Byron; 2 daughters, Mary (Jonathan) Pfennig of Corfu and Rose (Kenneth) Baker of Medina; a sister-in-law, Elsie Pursel of Batavia; 10 grandchildren, Kara Workowski, Bethany Pfennig, Daniel Pfennig,  Amber Jaczynski, Kate Campany, Diana Baker, Kenneth Baker, Jr., Julie Taylor, Samantha Baker and Eric Harter; 10 great-grandchildren, Hailey, Mitchel, Dylan, Eddie, Mason, Evan, Piper, Bella, Raelynn and James and several nieces and nephews. 

She is the sister of the late Calvin, Vernon, Walter, John, Andy, Clarence, Frederick, Charles, Annabelle, Dorothy, Catherine, Mabel, Leah, Julie and Edith.  

Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co, Inc., 403 E. Main St., Batavia, where services will be at 10:30 am Saturday.  Burial will be in Byron Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Homecare & Hospice, 29 Liberty St., Suite #6, Batavia, NY 14020.   Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Patrick A. Palotti

By LaVern Falcone

 

Batavia ~ World War II Veteran, Patrick Palotti, died peacefully at the NYS Veteran’s Home in Batavia, on Sept. 11, 2017, where he had been a resident since early August. He was 98 and lived his life fully and independently. 

      

Born in Buffalo, Dec. 5, 1918 to Raphael and Delia Tarza Palotti,  he grew up in Holley and later attended Alfred State. He married Dorthea (Lauber) on July 4, 1940 and spent 62 wonderful years together.

     Pat is lovingly remembered for his stories, love of family and friends, remodeling skills, gardening, and his zest for life. He owned and ran Pat’s Bootery in LeRoy for 34 years. Not ready for retirement,  he later worked at Genesee Country Village and Darien Amusement Park into his 80’s with wife Dot by his side.

     He was a member of St. Peter’s Church, Rotary Club, Head of the Babe Ruth League and LeRoy and Genesee County Chambers of Commerce.

     Pat is predeceased by wife Dot, son Gary, parents, and siblings, Sally Platt and Florence McMahon.

     He is sorely missed by daughter, Kathleen (Ken) Henry of Batavia; daughter-in-law, Karen (late Gary) Palotti of Simsbury, CT and son, David (Marilynn) Palotti of East Bethany; eleven gratefull grandchildren remain; Mike (Kristy) Palotti, Kevin (Karly) Palotti, Jeremy (Kristin) Palotti, Adam (Sonja) Palotti, Matthew (Rhean) Palotti, Josh (Mandy) Palotti, Ken (Julie) Henry, Brian (Amy) Henry, Jennifer Gadd, Emily (Frank) Falleti and Megan (Alex) Lega and the joys of his life, 23 great-grandchildren; Hayleigh, Andy, Nate, Luca, Rose, Henry, Carter, Felix, Holden, Nathan, Noah, Grant, Liberty, McKenzie, Tyler, Dylan, Austin, Gino, Francesco, Mirabella, Arianna, James and Dale.

     Family and friends may call on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 4 ~ 6 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road (Rt. 19), LeRoy.  Graveside Services with military honors will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 10:00 AM in the Stafford Rural Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the NYS Veterans Home at Batavia.

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Mr. Palotti's family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

No increase in spending in 2018 expected for County Highway

By Howard B. Owens

The financial outlook for the multifaceted County Highway Department looks pretty much unchanged for 2018, Superintendent Tim Hens told members of the County Legislature on Monday.

Hens presented a department review during the Public Service Committee meeting.

"We're proposing a fairly flat budget and general fund contribution to County Highway,"

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