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Press release:

The forecast for the weekend looks warm and sunny! You are invited to enjoy one last Yoga in the Park with Elena, 200 RYT*, for a slow vinyasa flow with a short guided meditation.

We will start class by setting an intention, flow through a series of poses and finish with a guided meditation.

Register here through Eventbrite. Chance of rain is small, however you will receive an email no later than one hour before class if cancelled.

Please bring your own mat, water, and blanket. Dress for the weather! If you typically use a block, you may choose to bring one. Social distancing will be followed, please wear your mask until you roll out your mat.

November Food Drive for the Little Free Pantry and Fridge

You are invited to bring nonperishable or perishable food (fresh and frozen) to Yoga in the Park and help fill the bellies of families experiencing food insecurity in our neighborhoods. There will be a collection box at the park for your donations. Whether a need for food or a need to give, mini pantries help neighbors feed neighbors, nourishing neighborhoods.

The Little Free Pantry is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need.

The Free Little Free Pantry and Fridge we are stocking Saturday was started in the summer by a resident on State Street who wanted to make a difference in her neighborhood. The Good Samaritan was joined in her efforts by Blue Pearl Yoga, Ryan’s Rose Organic Farm on Rose Road in Batavia, Sharon and Michael Kubiniec, DDS, The Just Kings, and others.

It is located outside Kubiniec’s dentistry office at 180 Washington Ave. in Batavia and is open every day with updates posted on Facebook.

Soon, a collection box for future food donations will be available soon in the first-floor foyer of the Yoga Studio at 200 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia, as well as other locations around Batavia.

• Yoga in Centennial Park -- FREE
• Food Drive Donations Gratefully Accepted
• 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
• 151 State St., Batavia

*Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) is a designation given by the Yoga Alliance U.S. to an individual who has completed the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification.

A woman who lives on Marble Road in Pembroke called dispatch to complain that neighbors south of her at a horse farm let their dogs run loose on her property "again" and now one of her dogs has returned to her house with an injury.

The property is between Gabbey and Akron roads.

A deputy will respond, starting with a phone call to the complainant.

A lawn mower caught on fire at 6441 Mill Pond Road in Byron, which spread to the grass around it, and a structure is 20 feet away. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

"We have a fully involved lawn mower," says a first responder on scene.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: Byron command reports fire is out.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: The Byron and South Byron fire assignment is back in service.

A driver pulling onto Route 98 in Alexander was struck by a northbound vehicle leading to a minor injury accident at 1:19 p.m., Tuesday, according to a Sheriff's Office accident report.

Dawn M. Meyers, 60,  of Halls Corners Road in Attica was cited for alleged failure to yield the right-of-way.  She was driving a 2019 Ford SUV.

Meyers was transported to UMMC for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries.

Robert Seymore Jr., 52, of Broadway, Darien Center, was driving a 2015 Jeep and was uninjured.  His passenger, Jennifer G. Seymore, 46, was treated at the scene for a minor injury.

Deputy Kevin McCarthy investigated the accident.

A two-vehicle head-on collision with injuries is reported in Alabama at Wright Road at Bloomingdale Road. A caller to dispatch reports a female in one vehicle states she's OK, but she may be in shock. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics.

A first responder on scene reports the vehicles are blocking traffic.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: There is one patient.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: The female patient was transported to a hospital. The Alabama fire assignment is back in service.

With a company name of three+one, it was appropriate that four members of the Pittsford investment firm’s leadership team traveled to Batavia on Wednesday to present Genesee County Treasurer Scott German with the National Leadership Award for his role in maximizing the municipality’s assets.

Company CEO/Co-founder Joe Rulison, Vice President Garrett Macdonald, Relationship Specialist Alex DeRosa and Public Partnerships Director William Cherry each spoke of German’s exemplary efforts.

The presentation took place at the start of the County Legislature’s Ways & Means Committee meeting at the Old County Courthouse.

“This is a really special time for us to come together and honor the county … honor Treasurer Scott German for excellence in leadership across the nation,” said Macdonald, a Batavia native. “We have partnership with the National Association of Counties and we’re looking for counties that have exemplified strategic liquidity management for their taxpayers. We really couldn’t think of a better treasurer to honor than Scott German.”

The county treasurer’s office has been working with three+one for just over three years, Macdonald said, adding that his firm has agreements with county governments across the United States.

He credited German for considering any and all prospects of saving money for taxpayers.

“When it comes to looking at every single opportunity to earn and save on the taxpayer dollar, whether it be investment for a week, two weeks, a month, two months, longer, it’s a lot of work to look for opportunities to create value for the taxpayers,” he said. “And that’s what we’re all here for – to create value for taxpayers.”

Macdonald said that over the past 12 months, the county’s liquidity analysis and management practices have resulted in a benefit of $1 million “when (interest) rates were little to nothing.”

“That one million dollars, looking at the county’s tax levy for 2021 of about 31 million dollars, equates to about 2.89 percent – which would mean having to raise taxes in order to generate that kind of income,” he said.

Rulison emphasized German’s commitment to the firm’s “cutting-edge” strategies and recognized the impact German has had on other financial officers.

“It’s amazing to know that you adopted it (three years ago) and he (German) has taken it and implemented it,” Rulison said. “I can’t tell you how significant that is. There is only one person in the country that gets this award. And we’re thrilled for it to be able to be your treasurer, Scott German.”

Rulison recalled a phone call he received from a person from Washington who attended, along with German, a conference in the Midwest.

“Who is Scott German, the person said. I said he’s the treasurer of Genesee County. He goes, ‘He resonates what is a best practice that should be followed nationally.’ And he goes, ‘I think seeing that he is able to give and show his experience to others, is what really is going to be incredible – and that helped us to become a part of the National Association of Counties.’”

Cherry, retired Schoharie County treasurer and former president of the New York Association of Counties, said that he has known German for about 20 years, noting the latter’s participation in the state County Treasurers Association.

“Scott is always the first in line to want to learn how to do something better – best practices put into place – and he’s recognized throughout the country,” he said.

DeRosa said Genesee County has set a great example for him in his two years with three+one.

“I couldn’t think of a better example, a better county government for me to learn from – not only in your liquidity management practices but just how you treat your staff and it’s clear that you are a family together,” he said. “It’s truly going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the taxpayers are getting that maximum value – and it’s an incredible example for counties across the state and the country.”

Afterward, German said he was surprised to learn that he was this year’s recipient of the award and said it is all about being responsible to county residents.

“I worked with them now for just over three years, and it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it to my taxpayers. They pay me to do what I do so I’m doing what I can for them,” he said, noting that the county has earned around $3 million through its partnership with three+one.

Photo: From left, Alex DeRosa, Joe Rulison, County Treasurer Scott German, Garrett Macdonald and William Cherry. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

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.