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Supported by an audience of department heads and legislators, first-year Genesee County Matt Landers tonight formally presented the municipality’s 2021 proposed budget, a $142,953,227 all funds spending plan drafted in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It increases the tax levy by $400,069 but lowers the property tax rate by 31 cents per thousand of assessed value.

No one from the public signed up to speak at the budget hearing at the Old County Courthouse.

That left it to Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein to credit management and departmental leaders for being able to “flex and pivot” to develop a budget that doesn’t override the New York State tax cap, and to Landers to summarize – or “Landerize” as he put it – the path that got the county to this point and set a course heading into 2021.

“It certainly was a challenge to put together a 140-plus million dollar budget in a pandemic, but here we are today able to present a balanced budget that is under the tax cap,” he said.

Aided by PowerPoint slides, Landers presented the following key dollar amounts and percentages for 2021:

• Recommended All Funds Budget is $142,953,227; a decrease of $759,766 or .53 percent;
• Recommended General Fund Budget is $110,241,924, a decrease of $3,767,378 or 3.30 percent;
• Recommended Property Tax Levy is $31,451,727, an increase of $400,069 or 1.28 percent;
• Tax Rate Decrease from $10.11 to $9.80, approximately 3.06 percent;
• Recommended Fund Balance Usage of $2,334,857, an increase of $534,822 from 2020 adopted budget.

Although the tax levy is going up, the tax rate is going down due to an increase in the county’s assessment.

To illustrate the property tax impact, Landers showed a slide depicting the median residential household in Genesee County with an assessed value of $106,800. It revealed that the 31-cent tax rate decrease amounts to a decrease of $33.11 in property taxes, assuming no assessment increase.

Barring any last minute adjustments by the legislature, the budget as it currently sits is scheduled to be adopted on Nov. 23.

Landers outlined several parameters that needed to be followed before his team, that included Assistant County Manager Tammi Ferringer and Executive Assistant Vicky Muckle, could dive into the numbers. Those instructions were to keep county support to the various departments “flat,” hold the line on contributions to outside agencies and funding of Genesee Community College, taking a team approach and, per the legislature’s wishes, not overriding the tax cap.

“It was a consensus that we would not be cutting them (outside agencies) but we would be at flat funding, which in itself is asking a lot of some of these agencies that are feeling the same budgetary constraints and costs and COVID-related items that we are,” Landers said. “So, I was pleased that they would accept flat funding, and most were appreciative that we did not cut them.”

He said it was a difficult decision to not increase funding to GCC, which he called “an excellent economic engine” in the county.

Landers also mentioned other factors, some triggered by COVID-19, that carried much weight in the formation of the budget, notably word out of Albany of a 20-percent reduction in state aid for most programs, double-digit increases in health care and retirement costs, $23 million in yearly state mandated services provided by the county – “with no end in sight,” he said – plus a 10- to 15-percent loss in sales tax revenue and decrease in projected interest earnings.

In response to these challenges, Landers pointed out he used more of the unexpended fund balance that he was anticipating and hopes that the county will be able to replenish it over time. He gave credit to former County Manager Jay Gsell for implementing a strategic hiring freeze, furloughing employees and deferring capital projects as the pandemic took hold.

The county also made the decision to reduce its revenue sharing with towns and villages, with Landers stating that the previous agreement was “unsustainable” in this current economy.

On the bright side, Landers said this allowed the county to increase its budget for infrastructure by $1 million next year -- $900,000 for bridges and culverts and $100,000 for roads -- a benefit that will “lessen the blow” to towns and villages because "that money will be going into their communities."

He said the budget also calls for the creation of three full-time positions (a dispatcher and two human resources employees) and a part-time person to assist the veterans service coordinator.

Looking forward, Landers said the focus will be on six areas:

• Sales Tax Revenues;
• Status of a Federal Stimulus Package;
• Status of State Aid Reductions;
• Status of COVID-19 and a Hopeful Vaccine;
• Effects of Bail Reform on Jail Population;
• State Allowing Possible Joint Jail with Orleans County.

“The (new) Genesee County Jail, pre-COVID, was the biggest story going on – right up there with water (the county’s water project),” he said. “It will be getting started shortly … as a consolidation effort with Orleans County.”

At the present time, state law prohibits joint county jails, but Landers said he his hopeful that the governor could change his position in his 2021-22 budget.

Landers acknowledged that legislators could make some “tweaks” to the budget before stating “that it is in the legislature’s hands now.”

Stein closed the session by saying the legislature is determined to fund the operations of this county, adding that the manager’s and budget office “door is open” for people to express their feelings.

“We are here to serve with you and for you,” she said.

Photo: Genesee County Manager Matt Landers at tonight's budget public hearing at the Old County Courthouse. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

A possible natural gas leak, possibly with ill effects, was reported at a multifamily dwelling at 10 Weber Ave. Oakfield Fire Department is on scene investigating. One apartment was evacuated. Another had two people sleeping inside but they were awoken and are getting dressed to come outside. They are conscious and alert, says command.

Mercy medics are on scene.

Another apartment may have to have the door forced open because it is secured and no one knows for certain if it is occupied.

They are checking the basement. Firefighters got no reading or indication of a leak upstairs. There was a slight leak detected on the lower level; it is believed there may be a leak outside. "Wind is out of the west / southwest."

SITUATIONAL UPDATE: STAY HOME; WASH HANDS; SOCIAL DISTANCING; WEAR A FACE COVERING!

New Cases for Nov. 3-4, as of 2 p.m.:

• Genesee County received 20 new positive cases of COVID-19.
  • The new positive cases reside in Alabama, Batavia, Bergen, Elba, Le Roy, Oakfield and Pembroke.
  • The individuals are in their 0-19s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.
  • Two of the individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Twenty-eight new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
  • Sixteen of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
  • Two of the positive individuals are hospitalized.
  • The Health Department has been notified of two positive students, one staff member at the Alexander Middle / High School and one Alexander Central School District staff member. The individuals are on mandatory isolation until recovered. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual.
  • The Health Department has been notified of a positive staff member of the Genesee Valley BOCES, Batavia Center. The individual is on mandatory isolation until recovered. Contact tracing is in process for those who are considered close contacts and will be placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the positive individual.
• Orleans County received six new positives case of COVID-19. 

• The new positive cases reside in Gaines, Barre, Clarendon and Murray.
• The individuals are in their 20s, 30s, 50s and 60s.
• Three of the individuals were not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
• Twenty new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
• Four of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.
• One of the positive individuals is hospitalized.
• The Health Department has been notified of a positive staff member at the Kendall Central School District. The individual is under mandatory isolation until they are recovered and released. All close contacts have been identified and placed under the NYS Contact Tracers and placed on mandatory quarantine for 14 days from last contact with the positive individual.

Update: 9:15 p.m.

The Genesee County Legislature's Ways & Means Committee this afternoon tabled the resolution to terminate the county's youth bureau operating agreement with the City of Batavia.

When asked the reasoning behind the action, both Legislator Gary Maha and Legislator Chair Rochelle Stein declined to comment.

Contacted tonight, Interim City Manager Rachael Tabelski said that City Council plans to address a similar resolution at its Nov. 23 Conference Meeting, but speculated that the situation may come up at next Monday's Business Meeting.

"At this point, City Council and I are considering cost-saving measures in all departments while still trying to maintain the level of services that our residents, including our youth, deserve," Tabelski said.

Previously, Tabelski reported that the city would save $20,000 in salary expenses (for Youth Bureau Executive Director Jocelyn Sikorski) by ending the youth bureau agreement with the county.

While unable to confirm, it is believed the following letter also was obtained by Ways & Means Committee members prior to their decision to table the resolution.

Posted by Mike Pettinella.

------------------

An Open Letter to City Council on Behalf of the City of Batavia Youth Board

The City of Batavia Youth Board serves in an advisory capacity regarding youth services for the City of Batavia. At the Oct. 27 board meeting the Interim City Manager (Rachael Tabelski) was present to inform the board of the changes occurring to youth services in the City of Batavia.

Currently, the resignation of the program coordinator, the layoffs of Liberty Center staff, and the request from the current Director Jocelyn Sikorski* to end her contracted services with the City of Batavia would result in zero staff for City of Batavia Youth services.

The Youth Board is not in favor of the dissolution of the intermunicipal contract with Genesee County regarding the Youth Director position. This would be detrimental to youth services for the City of Batavia.

Although the board understands the financial concerns of the City of Batavia, the youth services budget amounts to roughly 1 percent of the City of Batavia budget. The board would have appreciated an opportunity to discuss alternative options with the Interim City Manager, but was not afforded that opportunity prior to her decision.

Due to the hiring freeze which has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and budget shortfalls, the Youth Board feels it is in the best interest of the City Youth programs to retain Ms. Sikorski until the end of the contract to rebuild the youth programming once it is safe to reopen the Liberty Center for Youth and resume the Summer Recreation Program provided by the City of Batavia.

The board does not feel the same level of services can be achieved by outsourcing these programs, which was suggested by the Interim City Manager or charging for these services.

The Youth Board feels an obligation to inform the community of the changes that are being proposed for youth services. Youth programming in the future, including the Summer Recreation Program, will look much different. Please consider contacting your council member regarding these changes.

Sincerely,

City of Batavia Youth Board Members,

Dave Twichell, President

Paula Fischer

Nick Russo

Kathryn Fitzpatrick

Kristen Gloskowski

********************************************

*Jocelyn Sikorski currently serves as executive director of the Genesee/Orleans County Youth Bureau and City of Batavia Youth Bureau.

Previously: County's termination of youth bureau agreement to save the City of Batavia $20K next year

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley: 

I am drafting this letter to thank each and every person that voted for me. This tenure as your State Assemblyman for the 139^th District has been a wonderful experience, and I am proud to continue to serve as your Assemblyman.

And while there is certainly celebrating to do and thanks to go around, I want to assure you that as the new session starts up in January, I am just as committed as ever to making the voice of Western New York heard.

I will continue to fight for local and small businesses that need support from the state following the COVID-19 lockdowns, for their economic success means a strong economy for New York. I will continue to hold the majority party accountable when they try to play fast-and-loose with the laws and the God-given rights of citizens. I will push even further my two-state New York bill, which will ensure that the needs of Western New York are not drowned by the urban demands Downstate thrusts upon the rest of us. I will continue to ensure our law enforcement is defended and uplifted in state government. All of this, and more, I will continue to do. 

And I will continue to give my time to you all, to ensure you have the support you need from your state government. Because of you, I am continuing to fight for you. Thank you.

A car and motorcycle accident is reported in the area of 9732 Roanoke Road, Stafford.

No word on injuries.

Stafford Fire Department dispatched.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: A chief on scene reports three motorcycles in the road, none of them down, a rider is down. A dispatcher informs a deputy that the patient is conscious and alert.

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: The patient is conscious and alert with a complaint of rib pain.

Notre Dame High School Principal Wade Bianco today reported that a teacher is under quarantine until Nov. 14 after being exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 on Oct. 31.

In the email to ND staff, students’ families and directors, Bianco wrote that “the Genesee/Orleans County Health Department determined on Nov. 4 that this teacher be tested for COVID-19 and quarantined until Nov. 14.”

“This teacher will continue to lead the learning for their students long distance and we will assign a substitute teacher to assist and supervise the students. Please contact me if you have any questions,” he added.

Bianco said the email was issued as part of the school’s standard operating procedure.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11-percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11-percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location.

Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11-percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer. “We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. Since the inception of the Tops 11-percent military discount, Tops has saved veterans and their families close to $515,000 on their groceries.

The company’s support of military organizations includes, but is not limited to, support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight Missions, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expos. And starting last year, the Tops Stars for Our Troops program in which stars from embroidered U.S. flags slated for retirement are presented to yeterans, active duty personnel, and first responders. Stars are still available for anyone wishing to present one to a veteran, active duty personnel or first responder.

A second-alarm house fire is reported in Alabama at 1368 Judge Road. It started in the chimney and is now in the attic.

The location is on the south side of the road, just east of Route 77.

Called to the scene in addition to Alabama Fire Department are: the city's FAST team, Darien, Pembroke, East Pembroke, Oakfield and Elba fire departments, and Mercy medics.

UPDATE 4:45 a.m.: Shelby Fire Department is en route to fill in at Alabama's Station #2. Plus, "Alabama Command, you've got two interiors and the FAST Team coming your way."

UPDATE 5:04 a.m.: Fire command requests food/beverage refreshments for about 30 firefighters to be brought to the scene. 

UPDATE 7:11 a.m. (by Howard): Three residents were able to get out of the house safely.  One resident was evaluated at the scene and she is fine. Two dogs are also fine. The fire started in a chimney. Many of the responding agencies have cleared the scene and the road is reopened.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs has declared victory in NY-27 please find his statement below: 

“As we did in the Special Election, we have amassed an insurmountable lead in the election tonight, and we are confident victory can be declared. I want to express my gratitude to voters of NY-27 for putting their trust in me -- it has been the honor of my life to represent the people of Western New York these past few months. I am deeply eager to filling a full-term fighting for this region to rebuild our economy, create good-paying job opportunities, support our farmers, and improve our infrastructure."

According to unofficial results just posted on the Genesee County Board of Elections website, incumbent Jeremy Karas holds a substantial lead over challenger Sammy DiSalvo in today’s voting for the Councilman-at-Large seat on the Batavia City Council.

Karas tallied 2,474 votes on the Republican line and 281 on the Conservative line for a total of 2,755 votes while DiSalvo received 2,119 votes, all on the Democratic line.

“We did what we could and it’s in the hands of the voters,” Karas said earlier tonight prior to the Board of Elections’ reporting.

Karas, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Adam Tabelski in 2019, said he would be unavailable for comment after that, noting that he had to be in Buffalo at 6 a.m. for work. He is the service department manager for Temp-Press, a Rochester company.

DiSalvo did not concede as he pointed out there are around 1,172 absentee ballots yet to be counted.

“We’ll see what happens with absentee votes when they are counted in about a week and we’ll move forward from that point,” he said.

DiSalvo would have to take about 78 percent of the absentee ballots to overcome the 636-vote deficit.

Last year, DiSalvo was unsuccessful in a bid to capture the Ward 5 seat on City Council, losing to Kathleen Briggs, 215-157.

These results do not include absentee/mail-in ballots (there are more than 3,000) and have not yet been certified.

President:

• Donald Trump -- 17,340
• Joe Biden -- 7,048
• Joe Jorgensen -- 412
• Howie Hawkins -- 83
• Brock Pierce -- 45

State Supreme Court Justice, 8th District:

• Gerald Greenan -- 16,186
• Amy Martoche -- 7,229

NY-27 Congressional District:

• Chris Jacob -- 17,126
• Nate McMurray -- 6,497
• Duane Whitmer -- 480

61st State Senate District:

• Ed Rath -- 17,937
• Jacqui Berger -- 5,671

139th Assembly District:

• Steve Hawley -- 20,594
• Mark Glogowski -- 1,614

Genesee County Sheriff:

• William Sheron -- 17,086
• David Krzemien -- 6,962

Batavia City Council At-Large:

• Jeremy Karas -- 2,755
• Sam DiSalvo -- 2,119

Alabama Town Council:

• Kevin Veazey -- 465
• Terry Thompson -- 295

Le Roy Town Council:

• Ron Pangrazio -- 1,752
• Write-in -- 965

Pavilion Highway Superintendent:

• James Cleveland -- 794
• Todd Hackett -- 282

In results tabulated by Genesee County election officials, though still unofficial, incumbent Sheriff William Sheron beat challenger David Krzemien 17,096 to 6,067 votes.

With a more than 11,000-vote lead and too few absentee ballots left to count, Sheron said tonight he felt comfortable declaring victory.

We were unable to reach Krzemien tonight. 

Sheron said, "I'm very pleased with all the people who supported me. Genesee County is my home. I love the community and I believe it's the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Law enforcement has been calling for me from a very young age. Of course, I've been able to surround myself with great people. I'm thrilled with the results."

Krzemien ran an aggressive race, which Sheron recognizes.

"Any time you have a challenger, people told me, you need to take them seriously," Sheron said. "I wouldn't say I was nervous. It was concerning. But any time you have opposition you have to take it seriously."

Sheron vowed to continue the tradition in Genesee County of providing outstanding law enforcement to local residents.

File photos by Howard Owens from the May 6, 2012 dedication of the Batavia Peace Garden.

Information from Barbara Ann Toal.

The untold story of the "History of the Batavia Peace Garden" and its colorful high-flying flags is now a book, written by Barbara Ann Toal, who cofounded the garden along with Paula Savage.

Toal, vice president of the Batavia Peace Garden Committee, was inspired to tell the compelling story of how this beautiful garden came to be part of Batavia’s history when plans for the 10^th anniversary of its ground-breaking ceremony began to take shape earlier this year.

“I wanted people to hear the real story," Toal said. "It’s a fascinating one and our community deserves to know just how much we are connected to the world around us. We are the world headquarters for the International Peace Garden Foundation. That blows me away!

"Furthermore, all profits from the sale of this book will go toward the care and maintenance of the Batavia Peace Garden.”

Upon its completion, the official dedication ceremony took place on May 6, 2012, and scores of visitors from across nation, Canada and beyond attended the honors. 

It was the first Peace Garden on the New York State Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail. It completed the last link in the chain of Peace Gardens that commemorate the accord between the United States of America and Canada since the War of 1812 ended. 

Toal's book details the links to the International Peace Gardens worldwide and describes the selfless dedication of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality, and their vision for its future development and expansion.

She says curiosity seekers will be delighted to read the backstory of the international flags along Main Street, adjacent to the Holland Land Office Museum, that greet hundreds of local residents and visitors daily.

It's an interesting story, one that you will want to share with your friends and loved ones.

This book would be a nice addition for your home library, or a thoughtful gift for family and friends -- anyone who has a place in their heart for this small rural Western New York community that built an internationally recognized tribute to world peace.

Copies priced at $20 can be purchased exclusively at Oliver’s Candies, 211 W. Main St., Batavia, and the Sweet Life Country Store, 100 S. Main St., Elba, or online here, or by calling (585) 770-3046 or 343-2387.

Election Day is finally here and to commemorate it, the Stafford Historial Society erected a display at the Town Hall, where citizens are voting today, in honor of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Above, Sandy Swanson, a poll worker today, adds a small American flag to the display.

When Thomas A. and Kim M. Cox found out that Genesee Community College intended to move forward with their annual Encore event on Saturday, Dec. 12, despite the obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, they were intrigued.

"We've always enjoyed working with GCC, including on Encore in the past and we have been supporters of the GCC Foundation and the scholarships it provides for years," said Tom Cox. "We were excited to take on the challenge when the Foundation asked us to return and cochair Encore 2020."

Last month, Kim and Tom, a current member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors, kicked off the Encore 2020 efforts and got right to work.

The couple excitedly announced that this year's Encore event is being sponsored by Tompkins Financial Advisors, Tompkins Bank of Castile, and Tompkins Insurance Agencies.

"Tompkins has always been community focused, and now more than ever, it's important for organizations to step up and recognize the impact GCC has on its students and our community," said David S. Boyce, Tompkins Insurance president and CEO. "Thank you to GCC for its role in educating our future leaders."

With the support of Tompkins Financial, the GCC Foundation has been able to secure very special performances by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra as well as a special appearance by members of the Genesee Chorale!

Perhaps the newest feature of this year's Encore event will be the venue -- the entire performance will be available online! Visit here for tickets to access the performance from the comfort of one's own home and an extra special offer that will make the evening even brighter!

Join the virtual celebration on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m.

To "Be the Light" and sponsor Encore 2020, please complete the online forms here or contact the Foundation Office at (585) 345-6809, or foundation@genesee.edu today.

The following sponsorships are available:

• Virtual Table Sponsor – $2,000 Sponsorship includes 10 tickets to the event, program recognition, and dinner for 10 (takeout or gift certificate).
• Conductor’s Circle Sponsor – $1,000 – Sponsorship includes six tickets to the event, program recognition and dinner for six (takeout or gift certificate).
• Golden Baton Society Sponsor – $600 – Sponsorship includes four tickets to the event, program recognition and dinner for four (takeout or gift certificate).
• Inner Circle Sponsor – $300 – Sponsorship includes two tickets to the event, program recognition and dinner for two (takeout or gift certificate).
• Platinum Patron Ticket – $100 – Ticket includes one ticket to the event, and dinner for one (takeout or gift certificate).
• Concert Ticket – $50 – Ticket includes admission for one to the event (no dinner).

Area Restaurants Generously Supporting Encore with Dinner Takeout Menus

Alex’s Place – Batavia

Black & Blue – Rochester

Hole In The Wall  – Perry

Yard of Ale – Piffard

Zambistro Restaurant – Medina

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

Republicans who reside in the Town of Batavia and are interested in receiving GOP endorsement for Town Justice are asked to send a letter of interest and resume to Steve Hawley. Current Town of Batavia Court Judge Michael Cleveland has tendered his resignation effective Nov. 27.

Those interested in the post should send their letter and resume to Hawley no later than Monday, Nov. 9.

The Town of Batavia GOP Committee will be meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Town of Batavia Hall to discuss the matter. It is located at 3833 W. Main Street Road.

All COVID-19 protocols will be followed including mandatory masks.

From Sheriff William A. Sheron, candidate for reelection:

ELECTION DAY IS HERE! 

With sincere gratitude, I’d like to acknowledge my community of supporters and those of you that have already cast your early vote for my reelection. 

As others head to the polls today, I remind you of my commitment to lead and serve with honesty, integrity, and respect. With your vote, Undersheriff Brad Mazur and I will continue to build upon the accomplishments of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and responsibly prepare to meet the future. 

A special thanks to those endorsing our campaign:

• Genesee County Sheriff’s Employee Association (SEA)
• Christopher K. Hayward, Village of Le Roy Chief of Police
• Scott Fraser, Chapter Vice President -- FBI National Academy Associates NYS/Eastern Canada Chapter
• Mark R. Gates, Past President - FBI National Academy Associates NYS/Eastern Canada Chapter
• Gordon L. Dibble, Genesee County Legislator and Chief Deputy (Ret) Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
• Jerome E. Brewster, Chief Deputy, CID (Ret) Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
• R. Pete Welker, Investigator -- Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
• Eugene Jankowski Jr., City of Batavia Council President and Lieutenant (Ret.) City of Batavia Police 
• Gary T. Maha, Genesee County Legislator and Sheriff (Ret) Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
• Pastor Marty Macdonald -- City Church, Batavia
• Scott D. German, Genesee County Treasurer
• Robert Bausch, Former Genesee County Legislator Chair and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee
• Gary Russell, Sergeant (Ret) Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and former partner on Genesee County Drug Task Force
• Members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Supervisory and Management Staff -- Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, Sergeant Andrew B. Hale, Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Robert H. Tripp, Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Michael T. Sheflin, Communications Coordinator Russell L. Lang, Sergeant Jason E. Saile, Sergeant Michael J. Lute, Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher John W. Spencer II, Sr. Correction Officer Jason R. Queal, Sr. Correction Officer Caleb C. Chaya, Sr. Correction Officer Peter M. Hoy, Sr. Correction Officer Matthew R. Burgett, Sr. Correction Officer Kevin D. Wolff, Sr. Correction Officer James M. Smart, Sr. Emergency Services Dispatcher Jason W. Holman.
• County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Staff – Chief Deputy Joseph M. Graff, Chief Deputy Brian M. Frieday, Jail Superintendent William A. Zipfel, Confidential Secretary Carolyn A. Della Penna, Director of Emergency Communication Steven C. Sharpe, Assistant Director of Emergency Communications/Operations Francis A. Riccobono.

It’s safe to say that Michael Eula wishes that COVID-19 was “history.”

Eula, the Genesee County historian since 2014, said on Monday that “catching up from the closure” of the county’s History Department for more than two months due to the coronavirus will be his biggest challenge heading into 2021.

The office, located at County Building II on West Main Street Road, closed on April 22 and reopened in late June.

“The furlough seriously impacted the productivity of the department on both the records (management) side and the history side,” Eula said during a report given to the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee at the Old County Courthouse.  

While the department was able to meet all of its information requests, primarily through email and telephone, the number of volunteer hours “declined dramatically this year,” he said. “All in all, we did as well as we could expect.”

Actually, the county research library assisted about 300 people interested in local history, Eula said, generating about $980 in revenue in 2020. He also reported that volunteers donated about 470 hours, despite the interruption in service.

“These volunteers contribute enormously to the work of the History Department, which only has two full-time members (Eula, who doubles as the Records Management officer, and Judy Stiles, research assistant) and one part-time member who works in the Records Center,” Eula reported. “In conjunction with the full-time staff, volunteers assist with the indexing of records, the filing of historical documents, and the processing and storage of those primary historical documents.”

Eula said the department made 19 presentations (some via Zoom) on local history and conducted tours and responded to 279 information requests. He spoke on local history on four occasions to a total of 450 attendees, again utilizing Zoom technology.

As far as the Records Center is concerned, Eula said 181 cubic feet of obsolete records were removed and shredded, while 392 cubic feet of inactive records from county departments were transferred.

The Records Management program responded to 143 requests for records, and the Microfilm Lab produced 41 rolls of film for county departments, he reported.  Still, shelf space is not a problem, he said, as the department has four to five years of available shelf space.

Eula, who has a Ph.D., also has written a piece for the New York State Bar Association, Flexible Tradition: The History of the Courts in Genesee County, New York."

He is an honors graduate of Rutgers University, California State University, University of California and the Regent University School of Law. Along with more than 11 years of military service, he served as an administrative law judge in Riverside County, Calif., for 13 years. He is a Professor Emeritus of History at El Camino College in California.

In 10 short years, all baby boomers will be 65 years of age or older. That bit of information about Americans born between the years of 1946 and 1964 is much more than a mere statistic to Diana Fox, director of the Genesee County Office for the Aging.

It represents the fact that the demographics of the county are showing an increasingly aging population – and it presents new challenges for the agency as it continues to provide a variety of services for seniors.

Fox, during a departmental review Monday at the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee meeting, said she and her staff are considering the best ways to meet the needs of residents in the 65-and-over age group, which is expected to exceed 15,000 – about a fourth of the county’s population -- in 2030.

In her seven-page report, Fox said the OFA’s priorities include: the need for home care workers; funding for home-delivered meals; navigating the health insurance system; and dealing with rising health care costs; assessing senior citizens’ housing requirements; and exploring the impact of opioids (prescription medication) on older adults.

“Even with COVID, the numbers continue to rise,” concerning caregivers who need help and request for meals, Fox said, reporting that the median age in Genesee County is 43.3, with many of those in that age group falling into the “caregiver” category (also known as the “Sandwich Generation”).

Fox said the OFA coordinated the delivery of more than 30,000 meals to residents’ homes this year (frozen, sandwich and emergency meals), but “getting food out to people will (continue to) be a challenge … so we are investigating other opportunities.”

She said some communities partner with restaurants to deliver meals, but it has to be worthwhile for restaurant owners for it to be successful.

“Housing is a need,” she said, noting that older adults have to consider whether a ranch home would be better than an up-and-down dwelling.

“It’s important that we continue to work on building our county to be more livable, as well as creating more home and community-based supports and options, ranging from housing to in-home care to keeping older adults in our county so they may live out meaningful lives in settings with services that meet their needs,” she wrote.

Along those lines, Fox said that home care aide availability is “critically low nationwide,” and while the OFA has access to state “Unmet Needs” funding, it’s “not going to solve the overall problem of those who truly need in-home aides to help with personal care.”

Fox said the OFA offers wellness and recreation programs to address social isolation issues and services that include review of health insurance options and eligibility for benefits, but more support is needed as premiums and prescription drug costs increase and chronic health conditions worsen.

She said the OFA is “partnering with the community” (with agencies such as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and the Department of Social Services) to identify the various problems stemming from the use of opioids such as oxycodone.

On a positive note, she said that her department has not been informed of a 20-percent cut in state aid, which seems to be affecting most programs and municipalities, but she is concerned by several potential retirements of OFA staff members in the next few years.

The Genesee County Office for the Aging proposed budget for 2021 shows total appropriation of $2,070,640, with $1,580,316 in revenue and $490,324 in support from the county. With a staff of 21.8 full-time equivalent, salaries and fringe benefits make up about 64 percent of the budget.