Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity loaned their construction expertise to the Batavia Girls Fast Pitch Softball League on Saturday at Lyons Park on Edwards Street to build a new equipment shed for the Stingers.
The league supplied the building material and the Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club provided lunch for the volunteers.
Officials at Batavia Downs today announced that in preparation for the Kentucky Derby running this weekend, they will be extra staffing at all OTB Branches to help with those looking to place wagers.
Free Derby Programs will be available at Batavia Downs, All OTB Branches and all EZ Bet locations.
OTB Branches will open at 10 a.m. as Churchill Downs’ first race of the day will be at 10:30 a.m. The Kentucky Derby is at 6:57 p.m. and will be televised on NBC and Peacock.
At Batavia Downs, guests may place wagers upstairs at the onsite ITW and inside the Park Place Room. They will be hosting a $30 lunch special which includes a $25 Free Play, $5 Wager on the Derby, Derby Program and a 1/2 Chicken BBQ Lunch from Center Street Smokehouse. Attendees can pay at the door.
The Derby Gala inside the historic Batavia Downs Clubhouse is sold out.
OTB Branches, EZ Bets, and the Batavia Downs ITW will be doing drawings for Derby Glasses and Star Wars Themed Derby shirts as the 2024 Derby falls on Star Wars Day.
Wagers can also be placed on BataviaBets.com from a phone, tablet or computer. People can also wager via the Dial-A-Bet service at 1-800-724-4000.
“This is an exciting year for us,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia Downs. “Not only is it the 150th Kentucky Derby, but it’s also Western OTB’s 50th anniversary. Our entire team has been working tirelessly to make sure our gaming facility and branches are ready to welcome guests this Saturday. We wish everyone good luck on their bets and may the horse be with you.”
Mercy Flight Executive Vice President Scott Wooton reviews "a very low, very kind of down" 2023 with Genesee County legislators. Photo by Joanne Beck
Fiscal year 2023 was one of “rebuilding” due to the loss of helicopters and the tragic death of a pilot in April 2022. However, the number of ground ambulance calls hit a high, Mercy Flight Executive Vice President Scott Wooton says.
“We actually spent most of the year that fiscal year with only two helicopters as opposed to four, which we're now back up to. But it wasn't until June of 2023 that we took delivery of a third. And then in August, when we got our fourth. So certainly from the flight standpoint of things, it was a very low, very kind of down year for us in terms of being able to respond to the demand for services,” Wooton said during his annual report to county legislators this week. “Ground ambulance activity, as opposed to air ambulance, was the highest year we've had on record. And we've continued to see that's been a trend since 2009.”
A year-to-year comparison would show that air response was down, he said, and out of the 187 requests for air ambulance service, Mercy Flight completed 65 helicopter transports, and another nine were ground transports, he said. Another 78 of those 187 requests were canceled by the caller as not needed, “which is, generally a good thing,” he said, “and then 34 were canceled due to inclement weather conditions that prevented us from being able to fly.”
The nonprofit had to deal with a major financial and emotional blow when pilot James Sauer and a flight instructor died in a crash while aboard a Mercy Flight helicopter on April 26, 2022, in Elba. The company and staff have gradually recovered and built the fleet back up while not only maintaining but growing ground ambulance services, which Wooton opted to include in his report.
“In the past, we've always sort of reported on air ambulance activity in this meeting, but I did add in ground ambulance activity as well. Obviously, the grant that we request is really intended to support the air ambulance service; we have a separate contract with the county related to our ground ambulance service. But again, I figured we'll report on that as well,” Wooton said. “When we came to Genesee County and started performing ground ambulance service, we've just seen a continual sort of organic growth in requests and in transports for ground ambulance services. Certainly, we're receiving very generous support from Genesee County to ensure adequate staffing and stability in our staffing for our ground ambulance service. And that has been very much appreciated.
“I want to make sure that's made very clear, that's been an enormous benefit for us and our employees. What we've committed to do and what we're doing is taking that support from the county and passing it right on to our providers in the form of pay increases,” he said. “And obviously, what that's done for us is helped to stabilize the staffing so that we're meeting the minimum requirements set by our contract.”
He said that Genesee County’s commitment to Mercy Flight EMS “is really a win-win” for everyone. It means having the infrastructure and systems already in place for that ground ambulance response. The county and nonprofit struck a deal that runs from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2026, for $452,460 per year.
“So just some more information on ground ambulance, we received over 10,000, almost 11,000 requests for service that resulted in about 8,300 instances of patient contact, most of those being transports to a facility, but that could be things like lift assists or a treatment release,” he said. “Again, these represent all-time highs for our system here in Genesee County. In November 2022, Mercy Flight EMS absorbed the New York State Department of Health certificate of need that had previously belonged to COVA in Orleans County. We made our best effort to continue to serve Orleans County with the 35 employees that we hired from COVA, and we continued to do that … until April 2023 when Monroe Ambulance obtained the contract for the six or seven towns in Central and Eastern Orleans.”
Mercy Flight EMS has taken those 35 employees and folded them into its Genesee and Niagara County operations, he said, which has helped stabilize staffing.
In looking ahead, Wooton said the nonprofit has hired several pilots, flight medics and flight nurses to replace some staffing lost through attrition over the past two years.
“So I think, as of probably about a month or so from now, we're going to have a full complement of flight paramedics, flight nurses that are out of orientation, and many of them coming from other services where they have plenty of helicopter EMS experience or are very longtime ground ambulance paramedics that are looking to get their wings if you will,” he said. “So all signs are really pointing to Mercy Flight being back on firm footing and being ready to respond and help the residents and many visitors of Genesee County.”
Legislators who are part of the Human Services Committee tentatively approved Mercy Flight’s request for $12,825 in funding. The request will go to the full Legislature for a vote next Wednesday.
Music Director Ric Jones promises no clouds will obscure the beauty of Genesee Chorale's spring program -- Eclipse.
The 12-song concert takes its theme from the recent total solar eclipse that passed over the United States, including Western New York, opening with "Measure Me, Sky."
Other titles in the show include "Canticle of the Sun," "Song to the Moon," "Light Beyond Shadow, "Day of Fire and Sun," "Capture the Sun," and "You Are the New Day."
Three songs are performed in total darkness to help the concert mimic the experience of a total eclipse.
Eclipse opened Friday evening in the auditorium at Pavilion High School. Its second performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 East Main St., Batavia.
Submitted photo of Volunteer Chuck Walters handing Joseph Riggi a block of cheese.
Press Release:
This February the North Bergen Food Pantry completed the move to their new location; Bergen’s United Methodist Church at 27 South Lake Street in the town of Bergen. Pastor Hoyt Brown and Trustee Hal Milward and their congregation welcomed the pantry into their church building.
With the imminent closure of North Bergen Presbyterian Church after 200 years of service to the rural community of North Bergen; the food pantry had to be relocated.
The process of searching for a new location took some time. However, with the objective of serving the rural population in the tri-county areas of Genesee, Orleans, and Western Monroe County; Bergen’s United Methodist Church seems the ideal location.
Pastor Dave Fish along with three other members of the North Bergen Presbyterian Church first opened the pantry in 2019 as an outreach mission. Pastor Dave recognized early on that the needs of the rural communities sometimes often go unnoticed.
According to Fish, “There is such need in this area, more than you would suspect. People are really hurting. The elderly and those on fixed incomes seem to fare the worst.”
Fish whose nature is to reach out to those in need continues, “I thought the easiest way to find people in need was to feed them!”
To date, the pantry has served over 1100 individuals from nearly 400 households.
The Bergen Methodist Church not only embraced the pantry, but church members also volunteered their talents completing a ramp, building and donating moving shelving units, and making space in order to accommodate the pantry with the perfect configuration to serve their needs.
Currently, several church members have joined the pantry’s board, and many others are even volunteering during pantry hours. With their welcoming attitude and help, the transition to the new location went much smoother than anticipated!
The Bergen Methodist Church is already very vital to the town of Bergen, the members actively serve the small community in many ways. Besides the 10 a.m. Sunday service, there is a Nursery School within its walls, and a weekly Wednesday night dinner. The ‘free-will dinner’ is open to anyone in the community regardless of their ability to contribute toward the meal expenses.
The pantry partners with Foodlink of Rochester and is open to anyone twice a month on the second Thursday from 5 - 8 p.m., and the last Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. In addition to free food, there is fellowship; the pantry staff prides itself as a friendly, welcoming place for everyone.
Current volunteer, Chuck Walters says, “We started going to the pantry for food three years ago after COVID. People were so friendly and helpful. It really helped by providing us with full meals at a time when grocery stores were short on many items. Now my wife and I volunteer regularly, we enjoy meeting and helping people in the community. We have made lots of new friends and enjoy being able to give others the ability to make full meals each day, too.”
This year during Bergen’s Park Festival on Saturday, June 8, the pantry will have a booth set up and staffed by volunteers available to answer questions and hand out a schedule of their days/hours of operation. If you would like to help stop food insecurity, please bring a non-perishable food item to donate.
The next opportunity to visit the pantry will be on May 9 from 5 - 8 pm. If you need food or wish to volunteer or donate to the pantry, please call Pastor Dave Fish at 585-290-5487.
Lori Schwab displays apples for sale in Schwab Farm Market and Bakery booth at the Genesee Country Farmers Market on School Street, between Jackson and Center, in Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.
Warm weather, sunny skies and new faces made for a good beginning of a new location of Genesee Country Farmers Market, Manager Rebecca Grela says.
Grela was working the market at its new site in the lot at School and Jackson streets in downtown Batavia Friday.
“And it's a gorgeous day to start the pop-ups in May on Fridays that were allowed by the city. One of our vendors came up with the idea as like a soft opening to get the public used to being in our new location and to work out any kinks before the full season opens on June 7,” Grela said. “I think it's great. We already have new customers that we've not seen before from a few blocks away. They've walked over for lunch this morning, or they said they'll be back for lunch during the different days of the week, we have different food trucks.
“I think we're a little bit closer to Ellicott Street, so we're gonna get some traffic from there,” she said. “I’m very excited about the new location.”
The market has been next to the former JC Penney store at City Centre for years, but that area will likely get more congested with the construction of a new police station at Alva Place and Bank Street and shifting of parking for customers and business employees.
“I think we will lose some foot traffic from the other place. But with the construction and everything going on over there, I think this is also a safer location. And that's not only safer for the vendors, but also for our consumers,” Grela said. “They bring their families or their dogs, and I feel this is a lot safer parking lot than what we had over there. Definitely different traffic.”
She expects to have up to 16 vendors on Fridays once the full market begins in June. And then it will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Right now, it’s 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays through May.
“And we have anywhere between six to eight, maybe nine, vendors on the five Fridays in May,” she said. “But we will have three different food trucks in May as well.”
John Roach’s question of what to do with newly found free time was answered Thursday after he was one of two candidates voted in for Richmond Memorial Library’s Board of Trustees.
Up to this year, Roach has been “very busy” the last 29 years helping out with the Boy Scouts, he said.
“It was every Wednesday helping out with a Boy Scout troop and one weekend every month, and then two weeks every summer. But we don’t have a charter any more, we don’t have enough boys to keep the troop going. So as of January I’ve had a lot of free time, and somebody saw that there was going to be two openings and mentioned this to me, and I said you know, I’ve got the time, why not?” he said to The Batavian Thursday. “I’ve always been a library supporter. Even in the age of computers, I still go to the library. I use the reading material, we’ve used the rooms for helping boys from the other troops with merit badges.
“I’ve gone head to head with the Libertarians, who believe that there should be no public libraries, they should be eliminated,” he said. “I’m a big supporter of the library.”
District residents gave candidate Felipe Oltramari top billing with 270 votes, followed by Roach with 159 and Christina Mortellaro 123.
They also approved the proposed 2024-25 budget of $1,696,912, an increase of $13,814 with a property tax levy of $1,395,283, with a vote of 225 yes to 69 no.
It’s the first time in quite awhile there has been a contested race for the library board, Roach said, which didn’t deter him from running. A native of Kenmore, he moved to Batavia in 1974 and has been active in local groups and committees, including having served on the city’s Charter Commission twice and the Mall Operating Committee for one term, and has been an outspoken city resident at City Council meetings.
Roach is a Vietnam War veteran and is retired from the state Department of Corrections as a senior counselor.
He said he believes the library “seems to be doing well,” with a 2024-25 budget increase of 1% and an expense line mostly attributed to medical and building contents insurance costs, he said.
In comparing the duties of a library board member to government entities, he sees his new responsibility slightly different.
“As far as the trustee job, basically you just oversee what's been going on; if the director thinks that there's a capital improvement or something that needs to be done, she comes and the trustees look at it and if that's a worthy project and they look and see if they have the money to do it. That's basically an oversight, a lot less than say, like City Council or the county Legislature where they're setting policies and everything,” he said. “They don't really seem to set as much policy as oversee the policies that are already there. I'll get to know a whole lot more once I start attending the meetings more regularly.”
The only downside so far is the date of when he will be sworn in for office. That is to happen in July.
“It’s on my wife’s birthday,” he said.
Oltramari said that he was very thankful and honored for the support of the people who came out to vote.
“My family and I have been regular patrons of the library, especially when my girls were little. My wife, Laurie, worked there in the past and so we know and care for many of the people who work there and who serve on the board of trustees,” he said. “I was recruited to run for the board because I had mentioned in the past that it would be an interesting position. We love libraries and I don’t have a particular agenda. I just hope to help the great people who work there serve the community and be a good steward of this wonderful community asset and the taxpayers’ dollars.”
Oltramari has been a resident of the city of Batavia for the past 17 years. Along with his wife, they have raised two daughters in Batavia. He has been the director of Planning for Genesee County for more than 20 years.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) voted in favor of H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024; H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024; H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act; and H.R. 3602, the End the Border Catastrophe Act. These bills will support Israel, strengthen our national security, deter our adversaries, and secure our borders.
H.R. 8034, which allocates $26.38 billion for Israel passed the House by a vote of 366-58.
H.R. 8036, which allocates $8.12 billion to counter communist China, passed the House by a vote of 385-34.
H.R. 8038, which will implement strong sanctions and policies to counter Iran, China, and Russia, and ban TikTok, passed the House by a vote of 360-58.
H.R. 3602, which would have implemented many of the policies included in H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, failed to pass the House via suspension by a vote of 215-199.
"President Biden has repeatedly failed to support our allies, fueling our adversaries and projecting weakness on the international stage, making it imperative that House Republicans provide strong and resolute leadership," said Congresswoman Tenney.
"This week, the House demonstrated the necessity of supporting our allies while providing single-subject spending bills that restore regular order. This is essential to providing transparency and oversight to our legislative process.”
"In order to support Israel, our greatest ally, we must continue to provide them with the resources they need to defend themselves against Iranian-backed terrorist organizations. Iran's recent drone and missile assault demonstrated the Iron Dome's state-of-the-art capabilities. If it weren't for this technology, Iran's attack would have been catastrophic. This legislation allocates $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems to continue defending Israel from attacks. The United States must also continue to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s increased aggression and ensure a robust regional deterrence. The CCP continues to enhance its intelligence capabilities, threatening our national security and Taiwan's statehood. I am pleased this legislation included $3.3 billion to develop submarine infrastructure under AUKUS, including investments in dry dock construction and advance procurement for Columbia Class and Virginia Class. We must continue to support Taiwan, whose security is critical to American interests in the region.”
“The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act also includes much-needed enhancements to the Senate’s bill. This legislation bolsters our national security, by including legislation to force the sale of TikTok to protect Americans’ data from China and crack down on their malign influence.”
“Finally, the End the Border Catastrophe Act would finally institute key policies, such as the Remain in Mexico policy and the Migrant Protection Protocols, to secure our Northern and Southern Borders. This bill demonstrates House Republicans' continued commitment to reversing the disastrous Biden policies that have allowed 9 million illegal aliens to cross our borders. While some of my Democratic colleagues crossed the aisle to support this commonsense bill, I am disappointed that the overwhelming majority of Democrats stood by the Biden Administration’s failed policies. Rest assured, the House Republican Majority will continue to do everything in our power to protect our communities and secure the border.”
Rain or shine, the Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Spring Garden Gala on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main Street in Batavia.
This annual plant sale features a variety of perennials, many of which are from the gardens of Master Gardeners. There will also be a selection of houseplants. The plant sale starts promptly at 10 a.m. No early birds, please.
Visit the Basket Auction for garden art, gift certificates, and a variety of themed baskets. Basket Auction drawing starts at 12:30 p.m. Gently used garden books will also be for sale.
Our garden shed sale was so popular last year, that we’re doing it again! We’ll have an assortment of gently used or maybe never used, gardening items such as containers, tools, signs, and garden decor. This will be set up in the parking lot area near the garden shed.
Bring in a soil sample from your garden or lawn for a free pH test. A half-cup sample of your garden soil in a clean container is needed for the test.
Master Gardeners will also be available to answer your gardening questions.
Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants at great prices, plus garden art and other interesting items. Arrive at 10 a.m. for the best plant selection. Proceeds from the sale benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master Gardener Program.
For more information contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia.
Visit our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information. Like us on our Facebook page for Gala and Master Gardener program updates https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week, (from left to right) Legislator Gary T. Maha, Undersheriff Bradley D. Mazur, Director of Emergency Communications Frank A. Riccobono, Assistant Director of Emergency Communications/Operations Peter D. Hendrickson, Jr., Emergency Services Dispatcher Matthew F. Grimes. Photo courtesy of Steven Falitico.
Press Release:
In 1991, a formal Congressional resolution acknowledged the vital role that telecommunicators play in emergency situations by proclaiming the second week in April as a week of annual recognition in their honor.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week is a time to thank these men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the public.
Genesee County Sheriff William A. Sheron, Jr., along with the Genesee County Legislature and all emergency first responders, recognize these public safety professionals for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service. The Genesee County Legislature issued a proclamation recognizing April 14 – 20, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week.
Emergency Services 9-1-1 Dispatchers are there 24/7, 365 days a year for police, fire and emergency medical personnel and the public in time of need.
Many people do not think about these seemingly nameless, faceless individuals until they experience actual emergencies themselves. In many instances, Dispatchers make the difference between life and death.
Typically, over 80,000 events are dispatched yearly, a daily average of 219, and over 100,000 telephone calls are handled, which is an average of 273 calls per day.
The Genesee County Emergency Services Dispatch Center is comprised of 23 men and women who dispatch to 5 local police agencies, the New York State Police, 19 fire departments/Emergency Management Service, 3 ambulance services, as well as 41 other local, county, regional, state, and federal agencies.
“Everyday citizens depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of the 9-1-1 Dispatchers. They are the first to take that phone call; the first to provide basic life support in a medical emergency; and also the first to dispatch needed fire, police or EMS responders for the call.
They are to be recognized and commended during this very special week. I would like to personally extend my sincere appreciation for their hard work and dedication. They are truly unsung heroes in our community,” stated Sheriff Sheron.
The Batavia Society of Artists is having its Spring Member's Art Exhibit for the month of May at the Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia.
Free opening reception in the Gallery Room on Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
The Judge is Jill Pettigrew and the winners will be announced at 7 p.m. The Virginia Carr-Mumford Scholarship will be awarded then to GCC student Kathryn Blankenship.
Light refreshments will be served. Please come and enjoy this Free Art Show, all are welcome!
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide New York a historic investment of $129 million for lead service line replacement through New York’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act he championed. Schumer said this is a major boost for New York’s long-term effort to replace lead pipes and will provide the federal support for efforts to provide cleaner, safer drinking water across the state.
“There is nothing more important than keeping New York drinking water safe for our children and families. Now, thanks to my Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law, a major $129 million is flowing to replace potentially toxic lead pipes across the state,” said Senator Schumer.
“No amount of toxic lead exposure is safe for our children, which is why I led the charge in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deliver the funding to get the lead out. This is only the latest in those efforts to bolster the clean and safe drinking water our communities need, all while creating a steady stream of good-paying jobs. I will continue to fight until not one lead pipe remains in New York.”
Schumer explained the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act makes the single-largest investment ever in U.S. water infrastructure. In total, the bill includes over $50 billion for the EPA’s highly successful water infrastructure programs, including $15 billion specifically for Lead Service Line Replacements.
Specifically, the EPA announced today it will provide New York over $129 million for its Drinking Water SRF Lead Service Line Replacements. SRFs provide below-market rate loans and grants to fund water infrastructure improvements in municipalities across the state.
Importantly, Schumer fought for a lower state cost share for the early years of this funding and for 49% of the money to be administered as grants and completely forgivable loans, ensuring New Yorkers can get the most out of this funding. More details on today’s announcement can be found here.
Earlier this year, New York received $420 million from the EPA for New York’s Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) to help modernize and clean the state’s water systems. Today’s funding announcement brings NYS’s total BIL water infrastructure funds to well over $1.2 billion, with $358,437,000 of that funding specifically for LSLR.
Six Flags Darien Lake, The Thrill Capital of New York, will host a spring hiring event Friday and Saturday in the Employment Center.
Candidates can gain immediate interviews and land thrilling jobs in more than 10 diverse departments including rides, food service, aquatics, and more in preparation for Six Flags Darien Lake’s opening on May 17.
Availability & Eligibility:
Operations: Ride Operations, Park Services (Custodial), Public Safety (Security, EMTs)
In-Park Services: Food and Beverage Operations, Retail, Attractions
Guest Experience: Admissions, Guest Relations
Lifeguards
Accommodations: Hotel Front Office, Housekeeping, Reservationist
Landscaping
Maintenance
How to Apply:
Complete a job application at SixFlagsJobs.com, or Visit the Six Flags Darien Lake Employment Center in person Monday, April 29 – May 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1501 Sumner Road, Corfu.
Applicants should bring their Social Security Card and a current Photo ID with proof of age OR a school ID & Birth Certificate.
Employee Benefits:
Paid Training
Free Admission for Employee and a Friend
Discounts on Food, Beverages, and Retail
Employee Ride Nights
Employee Exclusive Events
Applicants with employment-related questions can call 585 599 5108. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/darienlake.
A state bill in the early phases of the Senate and Assembly committees that would lump Genesee County’s industrial development agency into a Finger Lakes regional agency of nine counties would not serve the best interests of this county’s residents and economic initiatives, Legislator Marianne Clattenburg says.
The county Legislature is slated to approve a resolution opposing Senate Bill S4545 and Assembly Bill A3069 to amend general municipal law to do just that: force Genesee County’s IDA to consolidate into the larger agency along with Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties.
“The resolution opposes IDA consolidation because we believe it would result in a loss of control over the operations and priorities of our existing entity. We do work together regionally with our Regional Economic Development Council. Regional priority projects are promoted with the goal of seeing the entire region grow economically,” Clattenburg said. “That is entirely different than having local control taken away from the legislature that creates and funds its economic development agency. We decide the funding level of the agency, and we appoint the members of the board. These are local residents who are committed to the betterment of our county and know our communities. We believe that taking this away is a violation of our ability to control what development happens in Genesee County.
“It is the essence of Home Rule,” she said. “We are happy to continue to work with partners to continue to bring jobs to our county, but we are opposed to any changes in our current model.”
The Ways & Means Committee agreed this week to pass the resolution onto the full Legislature for a vote on Wednesday.
The bill still has to be passed by both the Assembly and Senate and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The resolution continues to state that there is “very limited justification for this legislation by mentioning only concerns regarding IDA applicants ‘shopping around’ amongst IDA’s with overlapping jurisdiction to attempt to obtain the ‘best deal’ and, WHEREAS, local IDA members have vested interests in the communities in which they live and are far more knowledgeable of the local economic development priorities as comparted to a 15-member regional agency spanning counties, and WHEREAS, many of these 15 appointed members of the regional agency could not be expected to be familiar with Genesee County and the communities served by our existing local IDA, and WHEREAS, accountability for actions taken by industrial development agencies should be vested in individuals who live and work in affected communities and understand the local economic development landscape, and WHEREAS, the Genesee County Legislature agrees with the Genesee County IDA that keeping local decision making on important economic development priorities is imperative and a pillar of local government control accountable to its residents.
“Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Legislature hereby opposes Senate Bill S4545 and Assembly Bill 3069 that attempt to consolidate all 109 local Industrial Development Agencies into ten Regional Industrial Development Agencies, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Legislature will send certified copies electronically of this resolution to Governor Kathy Hochul,” and the other involved government leaders, including Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, and any other person or organization deemed necessary.
The Batavia Players production of “Evita,” hitting the 56 Main Theater stage this weekend, is high energy, said director Pat Burk.
There is nonstop singing and frequent dancing, and the main character, Kristen Gelia's Eva Peron, has 15 costume changes.
"Evita is very tough because she's rarely offstage," Burk said. If she's offstage, it's for 30 seconds. She literally sings over half the score, so it's a very difficult role. You need a strong voice, strong acting skills, and the ability to be very quick, manipulate, and move quickly."
Gelia, who was lead in the “Drowsy Chaperone” last spring, is a former Harvie Award winner and has been in a number of other Batavia Players’ productions, is doing a great job in the role, Burk said.
The cast -- which has only four named characters, and everybody else is an "ensemble" -- is active throughout the entire production, and Burk believes audiences will thoroughly enjoy the show they put on.
"I'm very, very pleased with our talent," Burk said. "This cast is doing a tremendous job. We have very long rehearsals, 10 hours on some days. And you're looking at people who volunteer their time to put on something that is not normally done in a regional or a community theater. We have great musicians in the pit, and you know that our tech is great. And so I hope people come and see it. It's a wonderful, wonderful show."
The Batavia Players production of Evita, hitting the 56 Main Theater stage this weekend, is high energy, said director Pat Burk.
There is nonstop singing and frequent dancing, and the main character, Kristen Gelia's Eva Peron, has 15 costume changes.
"Evita is very tough because she's rarely offstage," Burk said. If she's offstage, it's for 30 seconds. She literally sings over half the score, so it's a very difficult role. You need a strong voice, strong acting skills, and the ability to be very quick, manipulate, and move quickly."
Gelia, who was lead in the Drowsy Chaperone last spring, is a former Harvie Award winner, and has been in a number of other Batavia Player's productions, is doing a great job in the role, Burk said.
The cast -- which has only four named characters, and everybody else is an "ensemble" -- is active throughout the entire production, and Burk believes audiences will thoroughly enjoy the show they put on.
"I'm very, very pleased with our talent," Burk said. "This cast is doing a tremendous job. We have very long rehearsals, 10 hours on some days. And you're looking at people who volunteer their time to put on something that is not normally done in a regional or a community theater. We have great musicians in the pit, and you know that our tech is great. And so I hope people come and see it. It's a wonderful, wonderful show."
The story of Evita, meaning how Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice came to write the musical, begins with them writing the eventual hit song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" when Webber and Rice became enthralled with the story of Eva Perón.
They wrote "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and decided to spin it out into a rock opera. Evita was a concept album released in 1976 before it became a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. The production eventually toured nationally, was adopted to film in 1996, and has been performed on stages from London to Spain, Mexico and South Africa.
The musical tells the story of Eva, who was born poor in the small city of Junin. At 15, she seeks a better life in Buenos Aires and persuades tango singer-songwriter Agustin Magaldi to take her to Argentina's capital city.
Once there, Eva sleeps her way up the social ladder. She becomes a model, radio star, and actress. During this same period, Col. Juan Perón begins his rise to power.
Following a charity concert in Luna Park to aid earthquake victims, Perón and Eva meet and begin an affair. Eva suggests she can help Perón rise to power.
Once the relationship is public, Eva is introduced to high society, only to be met with disdain from the upper classes and military.
"Surprisingly, at that time, the aristocrats in Argentina were basically people who fled from Nazi Germany as Nazis. In other words, after the war was over they checked out of Germany in order to be safe from being prosecuted," Burk said. "Also, a tremendous number of English people who were fascist and Nazi sympathizers (migrated). So it was a very wealthy group that was trying to run things, and she kind of upset the applecart."
That compelling story, along with the musical's iconic status, energy, and great work of the cast and crew, is why Burk hopes the community will be inspired to turn out for the production.
"It's been a favorite of mine for quite a few years," Burk said. "And it isn't always available for production; we're very lucky we were able to obtain the rights. It took us over two years to do that, to do the production here."
Evita opens at 56 Main St. Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by another 7:30 p.m. performance on Saturday and 2 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $22 online, or $24 at the door, and students and seniors are $22.
Principal Norman Foster talking with fifth and sixth grade students about Arbor Day . Photo by Kara Richenberg
When Arron Brown, a sixth-grade teacher from Pembroke Intermediate School, heard about an opportunity to get money for their school to plant trees, he knew he had to see what it was all about.
Arron applied for a grant through the New York State Urban Forestry Council and was selected to receive $500 for his school to purchase trees. He decided on two trees to plant in celebration of Arbor Day (the last Friday of April).
“I chose the red maple tree because they are strong and resilient, just like the district is helping them to grow up to be. I also chose a Japanese cherry blossom for its beauty and positivity. If the students are having a bad day they can come look at the tree and think of positive things, like when they all planted the tree this Arbor Day,” said Brown.
There were two different ceremonies one for the third and fourth grade classes, which planted the red maple tree, and one for the fifth and sixth grade classes, which planted the Japanese cherry blossom.
Students participated in a week-long celebration, where they learned about the history of Arbor Day, the importance of trees, and got creative with a poem contest.
Students who participated in the poem contest were only given the topic of trees. There was a total of 42 submitted poems. The winners were announced at each ceremony and were awarded a certificate and a Tim Horton's gift card.
The teachers also awarded a few selected students to help shovel the first scoops of dirt. Students were recognized for their character traits of resilience and caring throughout the year.
Norman Foster, Pembroke Intermediate School Principal, also spoke to the students about how trees play a vital role in our everyday lives and how Arbor Day was recognized in 1972 by former President Richard Nixon who officially made it a holiday.
“Most importantly the students get to remember that they have planted these trees for future students to admire and enjoy,” Brown said.
Aaron Burch, a fifth-grade teacher, and Leo Zuch (fifth grade) shoveling the first dirt around the Japanese cherry blossom. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Fourth-grade Intermediate school reporters Ellie Benson (left) and Raegan Shay (right). Photo by Kara Richenberg
Sixth-grade students (from left to right) Aleanna Lang, Scarlett Baker, Harper Godlove, and Fiona Surdi pose for a photo opp in front of the Japanese cherry blossom tree. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Arron Brown talks with the third and fourth grade students about their red maple tree. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Poem contest winners Harper Ricci, fourth grade (left), and Cecilia O'May, third grade (right). Photo by Kara Richenberg
Autumn Fagan (3rd grade) putting her shovel full of dirt around the red maple tree. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Third and fourth grade students help fill in dirt around the Red Maple tree. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Madilyn Bischoff, sixth grade, and Benjamin Kohn, Intermediate School music teacher, playing with the band. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Students raise their hands to answer one of Mr. Foster's Arbor Day questions. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Sixth-grade Intermediate School reporters Norah Webber (left) and Lola Hallett (right). Photo by Kara Richenberg
With the arrival of spring, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are encouraging residents not to touch wildlife – including baby animals.
Touching wildlife disrupts their natural behavior as well as poses risks to both human safety and animal welfare. During the spring months, many baby animals are born, and it can be common to encounter these animals.
However, it is important to remember that wild animals should be left alone. Baby animals, while cute and seemingly harmless, can carry diseases such as rabies.
Rabies, a viral infection, is spread by direct contact with saliva through cuts on the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes. Rabies is mostly seen in wildlife, including raccoons, bats, and skunks. It is essential to remember to keep a safe distance and admire wildlife and stray animals from afar.
In 2023, Genesee County investigated 191 animal bite and rabies incidents, and Orleans County investigated 137. Genesee County submitted 31 animal specimens, and 1 tested positive for rabies. Orleans County submitted 20 specimens, and 1 tested positive for rabies. Both positive tests were raccoons.
“If you come in contact with animals, including baby animals and strays, avoid touching them and call animal control. If you handle a wild or a stray animal or are bitten by one, immediately call the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health.
“In the event that you are bitten by an animal, you should clean the wound with soap and water and get medical help right away.”
GO Health recommends the following guidance when encountering wildlife or stray animals:
Observe from a distance and avoid contact: Love your own, leave the rest alone. Observing wildlife from a distance decreases the risk of disease transmission. By avoiding physical contact, you are keeping yourself, your family, and your pets safe.
Report concerns: If you come in contact with a wild or stray animal, touch a wild or stray animal, or are bitten by a wild or stray animal, immediately seek medical attention and contact the Genesee or Orleans County Health Departments. If you encounter distressed wildlife, or wildlife is showing signs of rabies, immediately contact your local animal control agency. Signs of rabies in an animal may include aggression, excessive drool or saliva, confusion, hair loss, and loss of movement or function.
Residents are encouraged to take note of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans Counties that are offered at no charge.
Genesee County Rabies Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia)
Thursday, May 16, from 4 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, August 8, from 4 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 10, from 4 - 6 p.m.
Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)
Wednesday, June 5, from 4 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 10, from 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 19, from 9 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:
The defunct property of Batavia Iron and Metal Company on Bank Street has been completed for remediation and is now considered for unrestricted use. Photo by Howard Owens
A revised remedial plan was issued for work completed at the Batavia Iron Metal facility in Batavia due to the amount of PCBs and other contaminants and wetlands discovered at the Bank Street site, Project Manager Lisa Gorton says.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation issued the revision Wednesday now that all work has been completed for the project at the defunct metals processing plant next to Dwyer Stadium.
"So, initially, those smaller areas that were identified were going to be removed and remediated. However, after our full investigation and design, we ended up removing much more waste than expected. So we essentially just cleaned the site up to a restricted residential use and commercial use standard, so it was much more protective than originally designed or issued under the decision,” Gorton said to The Batavian. “There were a few thousand tons scheduled to move off-site. But ultimately, I think we took 60,000 tons of topsoil off-site. So the work was considerably more than what was initially intended.”
She said all of the PCBs have been removed to an unrestricted use, and wetlands—a new element to the project—were identified and restored.
“There’s no environmental easement that will be associated with it. It’s not a full unrestricted use only because the unoccupied building there stays in place, so if someone should buy the property and want to repurpose that building, there are some site management elements that go along with that piece of it,” she said. However, aside from that, the remainder of the site can be used in accordance with the zoning right now. So, it was much more protective than we originally had planned on in the decision only because we initially thought it might be used as commercial and would be more restricted under an easement. But just the way the PCBs were present on site and had to meet those regulations, the federal regulation for EPA and PCB removal became much more than we expected, but more protected, in a more protective way.”
The DEC continues to monitor the groundwater, which has tested to be safe, she said.
The city of Batavia no longer owns the property, and as of November 2023, when remediation was still in progress, the plan was to move on foreclosure and devise a re-use strategy once this project was complete, City Manager Rachael Tabelski had said.
“Re-use of the site will be dependent on the level of clean-up. If the site has been cleaned to unrestricted, residential and/or commercial activities would be allowed there,” Tabelski said.
Cost Comparison The price of this project jumped about $5 million due to “natural inflation from 2013 to 2023, and the increase in volume — approximately three times of material excavated (15,500 cubic yards projected versus 50,500 cubic yards actual) and disposed off site” the DEC report stated. That took the original cost of $8,177,000 up to about $13 million.
In much more expanded language, here are the steps and revisions of the original plan, which can also be found in its entirety on the DEC site (pdf)
Implementation of pre-design investigations and remedial activities described above identified the following new information that differs from the 2013 record of decision (ROD).
Additional impacted material off-site at 299 Bank Street was not identified in the ROD. These areas were identified and remediated during the investigation and remediation of the on-site debris piles at (AOC-3).
Additional impacted material on-site (AOC-2) after removal of the waste piles. Impacted soil extended throughout the property boundaries, not only in the north and west portions of the site, as indicated in the ROD.
Based on pre-design investigations for AOC-2, after remediation of AOC-3, neither VOCs or SVOCs were identified as primary contaminants of concern for soil. There were discrete exceedances of residential SCOs for each, but the locations were within the confines of the metals and PCB impacts and were therefore removed during implementation.
Based on groundwater samples collected following the implementation of AOC-2, GA groundwater standards for VOCs are not currently exceeded. VOCs and AOCs are contaminants.
Sub-slab soil vapor samples collected beneath the on-site building had some detections of select VOCs. However, soil and groundwater beneath the building did not indicate any exceedances of VOC standards. Additional vapor intrusion investigation and mitigation if necessary, would need to be conducted if the building or the building’s footprint is reoccupied or redeveloped with an occupied building.
Based on this new information and information obtained during the implementation of the IRM and Remedial Action the elements of the ROD are being modified as described further below:
Record of Decision Design ROD Element 1 is being modified to align the proposed design elements with the actual remedial action design prepared and executed in 2023. The design phase and remediation included re-delineating the wetland areas, fully characterizing the wetlands, remediating, and restoring the wetlands including additional wetland restoration at 299 Bank Street. The original Element 1 specified excavating contaminated sediment found in the wetland above the ecological SCO. The wetland impacts were fully delineated, remediated and restored, including installation of a 50-foot wetland buffer area. Green Remediation techniques were used as feasible during the 2023 remedial action, including reusing treated construction water from excavation dewatering for dust control, obtaining restoration materials (backfill, topsoil and trees) from nearby sources to reduce truck emissions, using onsite power instead of mobile generators, to lower greenhouse gas emissions and tracking greenhouse emissions during the remedial action to evaluate the green remediation techniques.
Record of Decision Excavation Excavation of approximately 300 Cubic Yards (CY) from AOC #1 (PCB and pesticide impacted fill adjacent to the site building), 11,000 CY from AOC #2 (PCB and metals impacted soil/fill in north and western portion of the site), 4,100 CY from AOC #3 (Solid waste present throughout the site), and AOC #4 (Metals impacted soil at off-site 303 Bank St.).
The Remedial Action conducted in 2023 excavated 67,000 tons (≈(40,000 cubic yards) of impacted soil from AOC #2 and included the removal of the remaining impacted material west of the Site at 299 Bank St. and the remaining impacts from AOC #1.
Record of Decision Enhanced Bioremediation ROD Element 3 included in-situ enhanced bioremediation to be employed to treat VOCs in groundwater in the area down gradient of AOC #2. During pre-investigation activities no VOC source areas were identified, additionally soil impacted with VOCs and SVOCs were co-located with metals and PCB impacted soil and therefore were removed as part of the excavations conducted as part of the 2017 IRM and 2023 Remedial Action. Six new monitoring wells and two temporary wells were installed onsite after excavation was completed in 2023.
Record of Decision Institutional Controls ROD Element 5 included the imposition of Institutional Controls via an Environmental Easement, which included the restriction of groundwater use at the site as a source of potable or processed water, restricting future development for commercial and industrial use and compliance with a Site Management Plan. Based on the post-excavation sample results, the soil conditions generally meet the residential SCOs, and groundwater impacts are minimal. A Site Management Plan (SMP) will still be required to allow for inspection and minor repairs of the restored wetlands for five years after the final restoration is complete in the Spring of 2024 per the requirements of the United States Army Corp of Engineer (USACE) permit and for proper soil handling and disposal for soil under the building should the building be removed in the future.
Record of Decision Site Management Plan Element 6 required an SMP to monitor the institutional controls from Element 5, provide a soil management plan, provide monitoring program to assess the performance and effectiveness of the remedy and provide an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan for in-place treatment systems. Based on the changes noted above, the Enhanced Bioremediation (Element 4) is being removed from the ROD. Due to the increased volume of impacted soil removed from the Site and the post-excavation soil results and post-remediation groundwater sampling results, continuing monitoring of the performance and effectiveness of the remedy is not required. Additionally, no in-place treatment system is required; therefore, an O&M Plan for an in-place treatment system is not needed.
A Site Management Plan will be required to provide monitoring and maintenance of the wetland and wetland buffer areas for five years, provide a soil management plan to handle material under the existing building and require a soil vapor intrusion evaluation in the event that the on-site building is reoccupied or the site is redeveloped with an occupied building and periodic groundwater sampling. Element 6 is being modified to include these revised requirements for the SMP.
Site History The Batavia Iron and Metal Company, Inc. Site (formerly Batavia Waste Material Co.) is located at 301 Bank St. in the City of Batavia, Genesee County, New York, and is approximately 6.8 acres. The Site operated as a metal recycling facility from 1951 to 1999. Batavia Iron and Metal also purchased and handled electrical transformers on the property. Two furnaces operated at the facility from the early 1970s until 1994 for the purpose of reclaiming wire and smelting white metals. Before using the furnaces, the facility utilized open burning in dumpsters in the yard to remove insulation from the wiring.
Remedial investigations began in 2006 and found surface and subsurface soils were impacted with PCBs and metals, and other pesticides on the immediate and adjacent properties. In 2014, 17 55-gallon drums of debris and waste materials were removed from the building, and a 1,000-gallon underground storage tank was removed from the site. During this time, interim remedial measures were conducted to remove impacted soil at the adjacent properties. Work has continued in 2017, 2018, and 2019 and was completed in April 2023 with the implementation of an on-site remedial action plan approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
File Photo of The Eaglez Tribute Band, which is scheduled for a return visit to this year's Genesee County Fair, set for July 20 to 27. Photo by Howard Owens
While larger city fairs are struggling and even shutting down due to poor attendance, the one on Route 5 in Genesee County only gets better with an expanded schedule, Agricultural Society Treasurer Norm Pimm says.
“There’s very few that grow in attendance, and a lot that are hurting. Probably about four years ago, we went from a five-day fair to a seven-day period and then to an eight-day fair. And really, we’re almost a nine-day fair because now we’re starting the Friday night with the draft horses, because we just tried it, we can’t fit everything in the schedule we have, which is a great problem to have,” Pimm said during his annual report to legislators this week. “A lot of fairs now are actually either shrinking down their days or are, some of them just aren’t having them. So we’ve gotten the county support from you guys, the businesses and the attendees. That means a lot to us because that’s what we can use to keep running forward.”
Those larger areas on either side of this county, including Erie and Monroe, don’t seem as agriculturally focused — cue the more than 1,500 animals, 12 six-horse hitch teams from throughout the country, rating it the second largest show in New York State, 170 4-H youth participants aged 8 to 18 and another 35 ages 5 to 7 — and that seems a big draw from in and outside the county, Pimm said.
They were on track to meet or beat the prior year’s record attendance of 70,000; however, Mother Nature really showed up in full force for a first-time Enduro race, causing organizers to cancel that event.
“We were going to do $5 admission all day, just to try and make it family friendly, the kids come in, you know, bring a family member and have a good day for 20 bucks. And then we had the rain,” he said. “So the sad part is, we had a ton of messages and phone calls on Friday and Saturday from people, like more than any other event, so we held off as long as we could. But we finally said we gotta cancel that. So that put us back a little bit. But we still had about 64,000, which is the year before it was 70, which was the biggest year ever by far.”
Unlike in past years, when many outgoing calls had to be made to secure vendors and entertainers, he said many of them are requesting to come back this year. Musical groups, including an Eaglez tribute band and BB Dang, will be returning, and the draft horse show “continues to be really huge.”
“I’m not a horse person, so I don’t understand all of it, but they said our footing is the best around,” he said. “They want to be the biggest show in New York State. But it's the second biggest for now. We just don't have any more room to store any of those big, huge horses. They take a lot of space, so we're working on that. We had 122 of them last year, those big, big horses, which was every pen we had.”
The Genesee County Fair’s midway is also popular and something not to be taken for granted, he said.
“Midways are going away; it’s hard to do business in New York State,” he said.
Although organizers would have liked a full week from Saturday to Saturday, this year’s midway will operate from Tuesday to Saturday, he said, per the company’s schedule. To fill in the first weekend of Saturday, Sunday and Monday, there will be bounce houses, roaming entertainment, and other activities, he said.
The youth livestock auction will also return, competing with 2023’s record year intake of $340,000 of local support that went right back to the kids and to support youth programs, he said.
Admission will remain the same at $10 per carload “even though expenses have been up by 20% the last two years,” he said. “We’re trying our best to keep it at that as long as we can,” he said.
By comparison, Erie County charges $22.60 a person, he said.
The stage will feature new entertainment with Nerds Gone Wild and a fun 80s tribute band that has already attracted a Batavia High School class reunion requesting a piece of the action under the yellow tent.
This year’s fair—set for July 20 to 27—will also include remote-controlled race cars free for kids, an 80s night—come dressed in 80s attire—with discounted prices such as a $2 hotdog, entertainment slated for every night of the fair, two nights of fireworks, karaoke, a demolition derby, truck pull, small tractor pull and figure eight racing, plus, of course, the Chuck Wagon and other midway goodies and treats, games and activities.
He said it takes large amounts of money to operate the fairgrounds year-round and pay for electrical maintenance—"our electric bill has gone up dramatically," he said—and on-site projects are always in the works.
“People don’t realize what it costs to run the fairgrounds for the year. I mean, it’s hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep that place going, and us being a nonprofit and all-volunteer, nobody’s paid, but we do it obviously because it’s been here forever and wants to keep it going,” he said. “We do a lot outside of the fair. So camping does help when we have these livestock shows and horse shows. Those are good moneymakers for us. The food truck rodeos and the horse shows are booked almost every weekend in the summer between the horse show and the livestock show. And then besides, we have the racetrack that we lease that runs almost every weekend as well.”
Legislative Chairwoman Shelley Stein encouraged him to appeal to the county for more funds, given all that the Society members do and the community participation involved. The county increased its funding by $1,000, he said.
The group reviewed and approved a resolution for $12,000 in funding, $1,000 more than in 2023. The resolution will go to the full Legislature for final approval on May 8.
