In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Genesee County will host "Healing Community, A Community Awareness Event" on Monday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church (238 Vine St, Batavia). This free event is open to the public and aims to honor victims and survivors, raise awareness about victim services, and strengthen community support.
The 2025 national theme, "Kinship: Connecting & Healing," highlights the importance of community connections in the healing process for victims and survivors.
Event Highlights:
Honor Guard & Bagpipe Ceremony – A solemn tribute to victims and survivors.
Keynote Speaker: Linda Dynel – Author of Leaving Dorian: A Memoir of Hope and its sequel Finding Krissy: A Memoir of Survival, Dynel’s powerful story explores resilience in the face of intimate partner violence.
Panel Discussion: "How Do I Get Help?" – Local organizations will share insights into the support and services available for victims.
Opening & Closing Remarks – Presented by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office.
Registration & Award Nominations:
This event is free to attend and lunch will be provided at no cost. Registration is required to secure a spot and select a lunch option. Registration can be completed here https://qrco.de/GCVRW.
The Crime Victims’ Rights Week committee also invites you to submit a nomination for one or more of the following three awards: The Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, the Courage & Resilience Award, and the Crime Victim Service Award. The nomination form can be submitted here https://qrco.de/GCVRWA.
For additional information, contact Genesee Justice at (585) 815-7821 or visit www.geneseeny.gov/cvrw.
The tri-county coalition dedicated to community health and well-being is back in the public eye – with a new name and a new coordinator.
Formerly the GOW Opioid Task Force, the GOW CARES Alliance has scheduled its first quarterly meeting of the year for 12:30 p.m. April 1 at Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., Batavia.
The session is open to the public at no charge. Lunch will be provided.
Sue Gagne, who was honored in 2024 by state Sen. George Borrello as a New York State “Woman of Distinction” for the 57th District, has assumed the role of coordinator of the organization. Gagne, a registered nurse, has been active in the mental health and suicide prevention fields for more than two decades.
“Over the past several months, we have been working on the transition from the opioid task force into a more comprehensive group, broadening our focus to not only substance use but mental health, trauma and suicide prevention in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and the surround area,” Gagne said.
She said the GOW CARES Alliance is dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural communities through broad-based, inclusive partnerships that support overall wellness.
GOW CARES Alliance members are from various sectors of the community, including public health, mental health, human services, local government, substance use disorder treatment and recovery agencies, law enforcement, EMS, faith-based groups, health systems and medical practitioners, education, businesses, concerned individuals, families, and individuals in recovery.
Gagne said representative from human services’ agencies are invited to set up resource tables at the meeting on April 1 meeting. This can be done by sending an email to Sherri Bensley, the group’s education workgroup co-chair, at sherri.bensley@geneseeny.gov by March 28.
“All are welcome to support the effort to make our community a healthier place to live,” Gagne added.
File Photo of Western New York National Cemetery in Corfu. Photo by Nick Serrata
Western New York National Cemetery Council will host the final Vietnam Veteran Memorial ceremony at the end of this month, per a proclamation signed by then-President Donald Trump in 2017, William Joyce says.
The proclamation was to “confirm the commitment of this nation to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, which began on Memorial Day 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.”
Joyce, director for Genesee County Veterans Service Agency, is not certain why the final date was earmarked for March and not in November on Veterans Day, he said, however, it has been set.
The last ceremony will be at 11 a.m. March 29 at the Garrison flag pole of the cemetery, 1254 Indian Falls Road, Corfu. Joyce said that the public is welcome and encouraged to attend this last rite of honor for Vietnam veterans at this location.
Elected now as the 47th president, Trump and his administration have put the Department of Veterans Affairs up for mass layoffs “as early as June,” according to a memo reviewed by Reuters.
Healthcare and other services for veterans could be compromised by planned reductions at the Department of Veterans Affairs as it apparently seeks to cut more than 80,000 workers, Reuters said in a March 9 news article.
Joyce didn’t believe it would affect his position or his office locally in Batavia.
“It won’t affect me because I’m a county employee doing VA claims and making sure veterans are taken care of, and their spouses. So it won’t affect me or this office,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to speculate about potential cuts to the VA Hospital and related veterans programs. “I haven’t heard anything about that. It’s still green.”
A year after his life was taken while on duty, the badge number of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, GS-09, was retired from service in a memorial on Monday outside the Sheriff's Office on Park Road, Batavia.
Also honored were three members of the department who also lost their lives in the line of duty: Constable William H. Johnson, March 15, 1895; Corections Officer Raymond F. Thompson, May 30, 2002; and, Deputy Frank Bordonaro, July 8, 2014.
"The badge we wear is more than just a piece of metal," said Sheriff Joseph Graff. "It represents commitment, sacrifice, courage, honor, unwavering dedication to protecting and serving our community. It's a reminder of the trust that is placed in those who wear it. We honor these men as they've been pillars of strength and mentors to many, true embodiments of integrity and professionalism. Through countless challenges and moments of triumph, they have worn the badge with honor, putting the needs of others aside for themselves. Their impact goes far beyond the uniform. They have touched lives, provided comfort in difficult times and made our community a better, safer place."
Brian Thompson, a retired deputy and brother of Raymond Thompson, delivered the closing prayer.
"Let the light of Your countenance, oh God, shine upon the families of our departed comrades," Thompson prayed at his closing. "May we go from your strength to your strength. Strengthen us all in resolve and keep faith with all patriots, servants, and shields by fearlessly maintaining our liberties so nobly won and paid for by those who have gone on before us. Grant us your help, oh God, that the families here today and the officers and members of the Sheriff's Office and local departments and jurisdictions may valiantly fulfill their role to our country, our state, our county and our home to serve towards your purpose of the establishment of justice and peace."
Photo by Howard Owens.
Sheriff Joseph Graff Photo by Howard Owens.
Retired Deputy Brian Thompson Photo by Howard Owens.
File Photo of Batavia Players at Main St. 56 Theater Photo by Howard Owens
There was just one question before City Council voted on a lease agreement with Batavia Players Monday evening.
Has the group made any more payments since the last meeting, Councilman Bob Bialkowski said.
“Not that I’m aware of, no, but they’re working hard to make those catch-up payments,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski said during council’s meeting at City Hall. “I don’t have the exact balance but I believe they were down to $19,000.”
The lease renewal due in January was on hold due to back rent owed to the city by the nonprofit from Covid days when its Main St. 56 Theater was shut down. A newly drafted lease has been put in place and was up for a vote during the council’s business meeting.
This agreement is for Batavia Players to pay $4 per square foot plus back rent of at least $500 per month in an effort to move forward from an original lease in December 2019.
The commercial lease is for city properties 2, 35 and 39 in Batavia City Centre, including 11,052 square feet of “improved commercial space that was renovated by Batavia Players through a Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Anchor grant,” Tabelski had said in a memo to council. “Base rent will remain $4 per square foot to be paid $3,684 monthly. Back rent will be paid $500 per month or more until the balance is satisfied.
"The lease also recognizes the city’s capital projects for the roof and HVAC units previously approved by City Council and clarifies how the Batavia Players shall submit requests for maintenance to the property,” she said.
The Western New York National Cemetery Memorial Council (WNYNCMC) will be hosting the LAST “VIETNAM VETERAN MEMORIAL” ceremony at the WNY National Cemetery, 1254 Indian Falls Road, Corfu, at 1100 hrs. (11 a.m.) March 29 at the Garrison Flag pole.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this final ceremony honoring the Vietnam Veterans.
Photo of Leadership Genesee Class of 2025 visiting Liberty Pumps, Inc. in Bergen.
Press Release:
On Wednesday, February 26, members of the Leadership Genesee Class of 2025 met at Liberty Pumps in Bergen to begin their journey into discovering all kinds of things in relation to Genesee County’s Business & Economics. As one member shared, it was an AMAZING day, I learned so much about my city and my county!
At Liberty Pumps, the group participated in an activity designed to identify how much of their expendable income is spent in Genesee County. Much of our shopping today is done online for time and convenience. However, the group learned that by supporting local businesses, it ensures the vitality of the local economy and job creation which is good for everyone. What is spent local, stays local as 65 cents of every dollar spent remains in our community and even when shopping at a local big box store, the county retail sales tax stays here.
Mark Masse LG ’02, President & CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), explained their purpose is to facilitate local economic growth and development, which fosters investment and job creation for the benefit of our residents and children. The organization has a board of directors, ensuring the vision is accomplished. He shared how the organization helps market and fund projects to bring them to Genesee County, ultimately helping grow the tax base for our residents.
Robyn Brookhart LG ’02, Chief Executive Officer and Dennis Burke LG ’01, Chief Financial Officer at Liberty Pumps gave the class perspective of how important their organization’s corporate culture is and how they work to maintain it. It is collaborative, communicative, and engaging where all members are respected. Their business has grown from 50 employees 20 years ago to over 330 today. They are intentional in words and actions which was evident as the class toured the manufacturing plant.
Class members visited 17 local businesses to get an all-around view of how important local business leaders work for their families, their customers and for the Genesee County economy.
The day ended at Eli Fish where the class heard Matt Gray LG ’11 talk about his business/ leadership journey and plans for future business development. The sentiment felt by everyone was that the entire day opened them up to reflect on how and where they spend their money and exactly why it matters.
February’s session was hosted by Liberty Pumps, Inc. and Eli Fish Brewing Co. Meals were sponsored by Lawley and Gavin M. Townsend, Lic. RE Salesperson at HUNT ERA Batavia.
Leadership Genesee is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For more information, visit LG’s website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/leadership-genesee; “like” LG on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leadershipgenesee; or contact Program Director Peggy Marone at 585-343-3040, ext. 118 or mem77@cornell.edu.
Submitted photos.
Photo of Members of the class touring Meraki Beauty Lounge, owned by Kate Willson.
Photo of Dennis Burke LG ’01, Chief Financial Officer, Liberty Pumps, Inc.; Peggy Marone LG ’02, Director, Leadership Genesee; Robyn Brookhart LG ’02, Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Pumps, Inc.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce its Garth Swanson Memorial Scholarship for 2025. This scholarship was created in honor of Garth Swanson, who was the Stafford Town Historian, History professor at Genesee Community College, and a former board member and officer of the museum.
This $500 scholarship is open to any graduating senior in Genesee County planning to attend Genesee Community College, or current student attending Genesee Community College, and have an expressed interest in history, or plan on working in the history field in the future.
Completed applications should be mailed or emailed no later than May 1. They can be emailed to Ryan Duffy at duffyhollandlandoffice@gmail.com; or Mailed to Ryan Duffy, Executive Director, Holland Land Office Museum, 131 W. Main St., Batavia.
The application is available on both the museum’s website and social media pages. You can also contact the museum for the application or further information.
Captain Brian Bentley, Firefighter of the Year, and Chief Christopher Strathearn. Photo by Howard Owens.
Town of Batavia Fire held its annual awards and installation dinner on Saturday at Terry Hills.
At the start of the evening, the department held a moment of silence in remembrance of Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty on March 10, 2024, shortly after then of last year's dinner. Town volunteers responded to Batavia Downs for that incident.
Line officers sworn in:
Chief Christopher Strathearn
Deputy Chief Robert Hunt
1st Assistant Chief Joshua Boyle
2nd Assistant Chief Clayton Gorski
Captain Brian Bentley
Lieutenant Tyler Stewart
Safety Officer Paul Dibble
The department responded to 500 calls in 2024, including 233 fire alarms.
Dwayne Fonda, who is now a firefighter with the City of Batavia Fire Department, received the President's Award from President Thomas Cunningham. Photo by Howard Owens.
Chief Christopher Strathearn. Photo by Howard Owens.
Gary Diegalman was honored for 50 years of volunteer service. Photo by Howard Owens.
A Lucky Paws Vendor Show & Basket Raffle is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Batavia City Centre in downtown Batavia. This event will feature more than 40 baskets and 65 vendors, with proceeds to benefit Vanessa’s Lasting Legacy Ltd.
There will also be pet photos taken for $10 each from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are asked to please bring only pet-friendly dogs and cats, as organizers are not responsible for your pets or anything that might happen while on site.
Vanessa’s Lasting Legacy’s mission is to help keep dogs and cats from being separated from their local veterans, people with disabilities, the elderly and homeless.
“We focus on how animals protect our mental health and to keep the animals out of shelters and with their families,” co-organizer Kerry Dudek said.
Receive five free basket raffle tickets with a donation of unopened cat or dog food. Winners for the baskets to be drawn at 3:30 p.m.
Donations are also being accepted for new socks, hats, gloves, or other winter wear by Independent Living of the Genesee Region.
March is American Red Cross Month, a time to recognize the vital role the Red Cross plays in our communities. Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is demonstrating his commitment to this important cause by sponsoring a series of blood drives throughout the month. Hawley is hosting seven drives total, four in Genesee County and three in Orleans County.
The blood drives are as follows:
Monday, March 10: Pavilion Fire Department Recreation Hall, 11302 S. Lake Rd., Pavilion, from 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, March 14: Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, 107 N Main St., Lyndonville, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 18: Albion Elks Lodge 1006, 428 W State St., Albion, 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 18: First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd., Batavia, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 20: Holy Name of Mary, 2707 Angling Rd., East Pembroke, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 29: Hoag Library- Albion, 134 S. Main St., Albion, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Schedule an appointment by going to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS 1-800-733-2767.
“Red Cross Month is an important time to honor the mission of saving lives through giving blood,” said Hawley. “I encourage everyone who is able to take the time to give blood and make a lifesaving difference. Your generosity can provide hope and healing to patients in need.”
Most of us live consciously or unconsciously with the illusion that we’re going to live forever, as we push away the fact that this life is going to end sooner or later, Dale Goldstein says.
Even with aging bodies and minds, it can be difficult to accept that reality, yet living in denial means “we don’t realize how precious every moment is because we never know if it’s our last moment,” says Goldstein, director of the Heartwork Institute in Rochester.
“We don't value the mystery of why these branches are blowing outside my window. You know, we don't really appreciate the moment. Most of the time, we're living in the future. Okay, what do I have to do when I get this done? I'm looking forward to the football game on Saturday,” he said during an interview with The Batavian. “So when you really love something, you're really paying close attention to it.
"Here’s a thought: if we paid close attention to everything, we would love everything, and we would live in a state of love and appreciation and gratitude," he said. "So I want people to appreciate their lives.”
Batavia First Presbyterian Church invites all to attend Goldstein’s workshop, “If I Had But One Year to Live.” He plans to take participants through a series of experiential exercises to find their own answers to the question, “If my life is getting cut short, in what ways might I change how I am living right now?”
Goldstein will help people explore what is truly meaningful in their lives, what is in the way of them getting to what they truly want, and how to move through those barriers, he said.
The workshop is free and runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon March 15 at the church, 300 E. Main St., Batavia.
“Human beings tend to not want to face our mortality, and because we avoid dealing with this existential issue, we miss much of our actual life in the moment,” he said. “There is a fear deep in our unconscious that prevents us from being fully present in our lives, so we don’t live completely, we don’t love completely, we don’t enjoy completely.
“We can't experience the depth and breadth of being a real human being," he said. "In this workshop, we will come to grips with this ultimate truth of our existence and realize that, knowing when that final moment will come. We need to live each moment fully so we have no regrets when we die.”
He suggests that folks bring a loved one with them to experience the workshop together if possible. Goldstein, who has a master's in social work, will provide guidance along the way as he prompts participants with “some very important questions,” which they will write down to ensure their privacy. The questions are somewhat deep, such as, do you feel fulfilled, and by how much in life? Do you feel alive? There will also be a bit of meditation.
“By facing death, you come to life in a new way,” he said. “And most importantly, for most people, actually, it really helps you get your priorities straight. What's really important is how much of your time you spend doing things that are just a waste of time.”
He didn’t want to give the whole workshop away but hinted that “something beautiful happens at the end.” After more than two dozen of these sessions, people haven’t felt it was a downer of any kind, but instead, “it’s really about seeing clearly what is important to you,” he said.
“It opens your heart to yourself and to life and to others. I call it heart work because it gets to the heart of the matter, and birth and death gets to the heart of the matter,” he said. “It’s beautiful, it really is. That’s why I’ve done it 26 times. It’s really a beautiful little workshop that has a punch to it.”
Who may be an ideal candidate for this workshop? Anyone who wants to enjoy life more, he said.
Goldstein has been doing what he calls heart work since 1980 and has 55 years of experience as a practicing therapist. He is also a teacher of personal-spiritual growth and a nationally known workshop facilitator.
After recognizing the potential limitations of strictly one or the other—cognitive, spiritual, or meditative forms of therapy—he discovered the process of using a combination of tools to open the heart and mind.
For more information, call 585-343-0505 or go HERE
Genesee County is pleased to announce the continued expansion of the NY HELPS program, an initiative created to assist New York State agencies in filling vacancies across the state by streamlining the hiring process. The program has proven to be a successful tool for local agencies to fill vacancies, and its extension through June 30, 2026, ensures ongoing support for essential services.
Anita Cleveland, Genesee County Human Resources Director, emphasized the program’s local impact, "The NY HELPS Program – Local has been an invaluable tool for Genesee County and its municipalities. Genesee County has filled over 130 positions with qualified candidates through this initiative. With the program’s extension and expansion, Genesee County Human Resources continues to evaluate additional titles for inclusion."
Effective immediately through June 30, 2026, candidates hired for the identified positions will not be required to undergo Civil Service testing. Instead, they will be classified as non-competitive hires, significantly streamlining the hiring process and expanding opportunities for job seekers.
Genesee County encourages interested applicants to explore these opportunities and take advantage of the simplified hiring process under NY HELPS.
For more information on available positions and application procedures, visit www.geneseeny.gov/jobs or contact the Genesee County Human Resources Department at 585-815-7805.
Every solid business venture starts with one thing - a pitch! Whether making a sale or convincing an investor, your business idea pitch has to be organized, well-thought out, powerful and convincing! Genesee Community College (GCC) is here to help get you prepared!
If you have a passion you would like to turn into a business, but you aren't sure if anyone else will think it's a good idea, consider participating in GCC's 7th Annual Business Idea Pitch Competition on Thursday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus.
The competition is free and open to the public and prizes of $100 for first place and $75 for second place will be awarded to the most outstanding competitors in the "most likely to succeed" and "most creative" categories. Pitches will be judged by local business leaders.
"A solid business idea pitch is essential for every startup. This competition offers participants a valuable opportunity to acquire the skills needed to structure, refine, and present a compelling and persuasive business pitch.," said Dr. Lina LaMattina, director of Business Programs at GCC.
To participate in this event, please register for our Business Idea Pitch Competition by emailing Dr. Lina LaMattina, GCC director of Business Programs at lmlamattina@genesee.edu no later than Friday, April 4.
Among the leading causes for a new business startup failure is a lack of basic business experience. In lieu of losing thousands of investment dollars, today's entrepreneurs have found another way to gain that experience before launching their startup - education. Genesee Community College offers degree, certificate and micro-credential programs in Entrepreneurship to prepare emerging business owners and investors for success.
For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Batavia Downs President & CEO Byron Brown, today announced the lineup for events taking place onsite alongside the 3 Triple Crown Races this spring as well as upcoming concerts.
The Kentucky Derby Gala returns on the first Saturday in May – May 3. Cost is $149 per person and includes Buffet Dinner, Open Bar, a $20 Wager on the Derby, Derby Glass, Derby T-shirt, $60 in Free Play and bourbon sampling from Woodford Reserve, the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.
Hotel specials are available on that day – The special is $469 and includes 2 entries to the party and a hotel room that evening. Be sure to visit the Hotel Deals page at BataviaDownsGaming.com to book.
“Our Triple Crown events continue to increase in popularity,” said Brown. “Our events calendar is jam-packed. With more events than ever before we are excited to welcome guests here for these outstanding experiences.”
On that same day, the Park Place Room will be host to the Superfecta Special – which includes a $25 Free Play, $5 Wager on the Derby, Derby Program, and a 1/2 BBQ Chicken Lunch. The cost is $35 per person and attendees can pay at the door.
On Preakness Stakes Day - Saturday, May 17, the 4th Annual Tacos and Tequila event sponsored by Teremana takes place inside the Park Place Room. The cost is $35 and includes Tequila Sampling from multiple vendors, a Taco Bar, $20 in Free Play, a $5 wager on the Preakness Stakes, and a gift to take home. Early Bird Tickets will be available for $30 online.
The final jewel of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes, this year it is once again in Saratoga, on Saturday, June 7. That same day inside Park Place is the Bourbon and Whiskey Fest presented by Jack Daniel’s. Cost is $35 and includes Bourbon and Whiskey Sampling, Grazing Stations, $20 in Free Play and a $5 wager on the Belmont Stakes. Early Bird Tickets will be available for $30 online.
If you are unable to make it to Batavia Downs on any of the Triple Crown race dates, be sure to visit our OTB Branches or EZ Bet locations – a list can be found at: https://www.westernotb.com/locations/. Guests can also watch wager and win online at BataviaBets.com.
Prior to the Triple Crown, other Spring events announced by Batavia Downs include:
The 2nd Handicapping Contest of 2025 will take place on Wood Memorial Day, Saturday, April 5 in the Batavia Downs Clubhouse. For a $20 Entry, guests will enter into a contest where they will pick horses from Aqueduct and Keeneland. The top prize will take home 50% of the entry monies up to $2,000. Details will be posted on the Batavia Downs Facebook page soon.
Also on Saturday, April 5 the Niagara Wine Trail hosts their annual “Vino at the Casino” event inside Park Place. General Admission Tickets are $40 presale and include tasting from 2-5pm, a souvenir wine glass, $25 fee play from Batavia Downs and a discount on a food purchase that day at Batavia Downs.
On Friday, April 18, the Batavia Downs Bar Hop welcomes guests in for a beer crawl inside the gaming facility. Tickets are just $25 and you get $10 back in Free Play along with a drink ticket for each of Batavia Downs’ 4 bars that are open that day. Attendees will be able to get a drink while they enjoy live music and take in the Free Nerds Gone Wild Concert that will be taking place that evening inside Park Place.
On Monday, April 21, Batavia Downs holds their annual Dyngus Day Celebration inside of Park Place with music from Fritz’s Polka Band. This FREE event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Polish Platter specials will be available at the Homestretch Grill.
KISS THIS returns to Batavia Downs on Saturday, April 26! Western New York’s Premier Tribute to KISS brings all of theatrics and bombast of a classic KISS show to their performance. Tickets are $15 and attendees receive $10 in Free Play on the day of the show. This performance is standing room only.
Tickets for these events are available at www.BataviaConcerts.com or at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop in the Lobby.
Tickets are also on sale on BataviaConcerts.com for: Music of the Stars, Al Green & Marvin Gaye Tribute and the entire Rockin’ The Downs Summer Concert Series.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) My HealtheVet online patient portal allows Veterans to access their medical records, refill prescriptions, manage appointments, communicate with their healthcare team, and track their health information all in one place; essentially acting as their personal health record within the VA system.
The sign-in to access to the online portal has moved to a simpler, more modern sign-in experience with two secure sign-in account options: Login.gov and ID.me.
Veterans are no longer able to sign in to VA.gov, VA mobile apps, or other VA online services with a My HealtheVet user ID and password.
To assist Veterans who have not set up a Login.gov or ID.me, the VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) Virtual Health Resource Center (VHRC) team is hosting a My HealtheVet sign-in assistance seminar at the Batavia VA.
The My HealtheVet sign-in assistance seminar will take place on Thursday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Batavia VA, located at 222 Richmond Ave, Batavia. The seminar will be held in the first-floor lobby near Telehealth, Room 144.
Veterans should bring two forms of ID, A state issued driver’s license OR non-driver’s license and one of the following:
Social Security card
Voter registration card
DD214
For more information on the My HealtheVet log in change, Veterans can call the Virtual Health Resource Center at 716-862-7886, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or e-mail VHAWNYVHRC@va.gov.
The soon-to-be Genesee County Commissioner of Public Works Laura Wadhams, approved to fill the position to be vacated by Tim Hens in June. Photo by Howard Owens
Similar to many women in the workplace, Laura Wadhams keeps different pairs of shoes in her office, but not because she may need a wardrobe change throughout the day or for an evening out.
She never knows when she might need a pair of steel-toed work boots to check out a project.
Wadhams will be the newly promoted commissioner of Genesee County’s Public Works Department to fill the vacancy left by retiring Commissioner Tim Hens in June.
"I’m very much a Type A, technical person. I loved math and science, so I always kind of knew that engineering or healthcare was in my future. My mom (Jean Lichtenthal) was a healthcare professional, but when I got a little deeper into healthcare, I was like, nope, this is not my calling. So engineering it was, and I love civil engineering,” Wadhams said during an interview at the county highway department on Cedar Street. “I definitely was drawn to civil engineering because I just love being outside … I’m definitely drawn to civil engineering because of that, just building things and being outside and all of that, which not all engineering disciplines get to do.”
This is the first in a series for Women's History Month, which recognizes and honors "the societal, cultural, and historical influences women have made (and continue to make) in the United States," especially in our own backyard.
Wadhams has worked as a civil, staff, and transportation engineer and transportation construction inspector for the New York State Department of Transportation. She was working in the private sector for LaBella Associates when she got a call from Commissioner Tim Hens who was looking to fill the assistant county engineer job in late 2018.
A native of Batavia who graduated from Batavia High School in 2008 and watched her dad, Tom Lichtenthal, work his way to town highway superintendent, Wadhams had a nostalgic tug to her hometown: “If I'm gonna go back to the public sector, I'd rather be at home, and bring all these talents back here to Genesee County and do this work here in Genesee County,” she said.
And Hens was ready to take her.
“She was a perfect candidate to replace me,” said Hens, who is planning his retirement this June after 27 years. “She has done an amazing job in so many different areas, from award-winning bridge projects to airport work, facilities projects and managing the construction of the new county jail. She is an excellent communicator and has the demeanor to work with different agencies, contractors, community leaders, and people.”
A younger Wadhams remembers playing with Matchbox cars on her dad’s Interchange plans to spread out at home, giving her an early head start on her future career. She went on to Clarkson University for a bachelor’s in civil engineering, surrounded by about 80% of the men in the class.
Once out in the consulting world, that split between men and women was more around 60-40, she said, and in Genesee County, there have been “a handful of women” doing this type of work. People ask her about it all the time, and it’s all part of the job, she said.
“That’s not something that phases me anymore. I think, especially civil engineering, it seems like the women in civil engineering can’t be afraid to take up space or own their seat at the table because you've got civil engineers that work with architects on architecture projects, but then civil engineers sometimes are the project manager standalone. So you have to be able to hold your own in that sense. And I learned to do that definitely early on, I did internships at the DOT, I was out by myself on sign crews and striping crews and setting up work zones, dealing with the public who didn’t want the work zone set up on Route 104 during the day."
As Hens mentioned, she’s taken on big projects, with the $70 million new county jail being her largest one so far. Wadhams was on site working alongside contractors and a team of corrections officers learning the inner and outer details of how a jail operates.
“Paul (Osborn) and I spent hours and hours and hours out there; that was a big project for the county, and it was a very public project for the county,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that the county’s interests were protected, as well as getting the things done and moved along in order to get inmates in there, because at the end of the day, that's what the end goal was,” she said.
What did you learn that you maybe didn’t expect of the experience? “I’ve done a lot of schools and lots of other higher education projects and bridge projects and things like that, but the security aspect and the jail perspective of that was way more than I ever thought it was going to be. But we were super lucky to have a jail transition team that we worked with every single day to be able to get through those things,” she said. “There were four corrections officers out there full time. So we got to learn a lot from each other, we were teaching them how to read plans, and they were teaching me how to do keys for jail. So we learned a lot from each other. It was a really great team.”
The jail process took her throughout her whole time with the county, beginning in her first two months of hire in 2018 with the design phase, a break during the Covid pandemic period in 2021, and construction for two years, with completion in 2024.
Her other biggest project was the South Lyon Street bridge, which earned an award and was a collaboration with the city of Batavia, where the bridge is located.
“I was a project manager for that one; that was a lot of time out in the field. We're lucky to be able to work with great consultants and engineers and contractors,” she said. “So for us, it's more making sure the county's goals are achieved. It was a big one, definitely the biggest bridge project the county had ever done.”
What did you do? “So my role as a project manager was basically to oversee the contractors and consultants and make sure we're keeping things on time and on schedule and on budget, for sure. So, if they had issues out in the field, I'd go out in the field and be like, ‘okay, how do we come up with a plan to solve them?’” she said. “Or, let's figure out a solution to this situation that we're running into, or there's a power line that needs to get moved. Let's coordinate with National Grid, things like that, day to day.”
She understands that her role, especially as commissioner, evolves into “some level of a diplomat” because this position serves as a go-between for the highly technical folks drafting plans and county legislators giving approvals. Many times throughout both projects, either Hens or Wadhams presented updates during legislator committee meetings and answered questions.
“You have to be a decent people person at the end of the day and have conversations,” she said.
She and her husband Andy are parents to “amazing” 4-year-old Emma, born in the thick of Covid in May 2020, and Wadhams loves spending time with her family. This totally unbiased mom said that her daughter is “super fun” and apparently a chip off the block — enjoying building tasks already with Magnetiles and Legos — and will be entering kindergarten this fall.
Her family also includes her sister Jennifer, an emergency room physician’s assistant in Pennsylvania, and her brother Andrew, an aeronautical engineer in Colorado.
When not changing her heels for heavy-duty boots, Wadhams spends her free time reading, using her mad engineering skills on DIY home projects, and spending time at a family member’s Conesus Lake cottage during warmer weather.
That doesn’t mean she’ll have all downtime during the summer, as the Engine House is about 60% complete and is on the chores list, with three bridges, roads and culverts. Up next will be the county’s Animal Shelter and Holland Land Office Museum for summer 2026.
She has spoken at career days and will ask kids what they think an engineer looks like, surmising they probably imagine a man with white hair and a pocket protector, she said.
“But my daughter sees me, so to me, that says a lot right there, you know? And if I go to St Joe's and do the Career Day or things like that, I think it's just kind of showing people that it's not one size fits all,” she said. “And that's important to me for people to see, because everyone has different interests, little girls and little boys all play with Legos and … (they might think) I don't know if I could do that for a career. Yeah, you can. You totally can.”
The commissioner’s role oversees seven divisions, 57 full-time and 11 seasonal or part-time employees within the department, including highways and bridges; fleet management; engineering; facility management; parks and forestry; Genesee County Airport; countywide water; and environmental health, which means engineering reviews for water, septic, campgrounds and pools. Her predecessor has built a “great group” here, and Wadhams is excited for this next step, she said.
“He’s the last 27 years. The stuff that he's done and provided for the county has been amazing. I think we did the math once, and 30 to 40% of the structures, the culverts and bridges, have been replaced since he's been here. Like that alone is huge,” she said. “Even the work that he's done for the public water supply and environmental health and things like that, I mean, it's been amazing, so just getting to continue that on is going to be exciting. And then whatever challenges come our way for the next 20 years, we'll take them in stride. I'm excited to do that and kind of leave my mark on our community too, just like he has the last 20 years.”
East Pembroke resident Don Thomas is here to help. His recently released album (CD and streaming) is his ninth, and like all prior releases, it's all acoustic guitar instrumentals with an emphasis on melody.
"I'm very excited about it," Thomas said about the new release, Sunset. "I like the way it turned out. There was a lot of rewriting, re-recording coming down to the end. It's meant to be another chill pill in my catalog."
Thomas is from New Berlin, Wis., not far from Milwaukee, and has been a performing musician most of his life. He spent some time on the road with a band called Snapshot, mostly as the keyboard player, opening for acts such as Journey, REO Speedwagon and Cheap Trick.
"I still once in a while get to talk with Rick (Nielsen, of Cheap Trick)," Thomas said. "I haven't talked with Robin (Zander) in quite a long time. When they were still touring, I'd bump into him at the House of Guitars. Whenever they would come by, I'd make a point to be able go and say, 'Hi.'"
When Snapshot stopped touring, Thomas came to Western New York looking for work with bands in the area and wound up working in studios.
"I've been in studios for 50 years, working, producing people, recording people," Thomas said.
He ended up with a studio on Goodman Street in Rochester, a design and music studio.
"My wife came down with ovarian cancer, and we shifted gears on everything," Thomas said. "We moved back here to East Pembroke, near her family. At that time, I built a studio and started working on music here and with different groups and individuals in the area. I started recording my own music, which is this guitar style, which I say is stripped of style. It's a melody-driven finger style, peaceful guitar playing."
He said he wasn't sure what he was going to do with his music. He handed out a few CDs to friends and one of them said he should participate in a show at a museum in Rochester.
"It was basically a craft show and he says, 'Get a booth and sell CDs,' and I went, 'oh, okay,'" Thomas said. "At that point, I had one Christmas CD, and I went to that show, got a six by six spot, and put two speakers on a table, and sold 350 CDs in two days."
That set Thomas and his wife on a path of traveling the country, particularly in the northeast and south, visiting trade shows, craft shows, vendor shows, selling his CDs.
He did that for 20 years. Then COVID-19 hit.
"We came home to care for our two mothers, and this is what we've been doing since 2020, so in between arriving at home and readjusting at home, in between, all that is where I recorded this new CD."
With all that going on, recording this CD took a bit longer than his prior albums.
"This CD marks another expression of style and is very carefully meant to entertain lightly," Thomas said.
The title of the new album is "Sunset," with a photo of an ocean sunset on the cover, which sums up the album nicely - music to carry you off to a warm, breezy, late afternoon along on a beach.
"My catalog is completely guitar instrumentals," Thomas said, though he is working on a larger project that involves a band and vocals.
"It's new material, and I have been working on this project for about six years, trying not to sound like everything else on the market," Thomas said. 'I have a fresh approach."
The new CD is streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. Thomas also has CDs for sale. Links to the streaming platforms and CD purchases can be found at donthomas.com.
Press The Batavia City School District (BCSD) is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Musicians of Note honor.
Each year, BCSD recognizes alumni and retired music educators for their accomplishments in the field of music. Batavia has many alumni who have had successful careers in music performance, music education, musical theater, and audio recording.
Honorees will be recognized in a future ceremony with a video presentation and performance ensembles to celebrate their achievements. A plaque featuring their accomplishments will be displayed on the Musicians of Note wall at Batavia High School.
Criteria for nominations include:
Recipients should be/have been an active performer or music educator.
Recipients must be at least ten years out of high school.
Recipients should have/had a successful musical career in either performance, composition, education, theater, or audio recording.
Nominations to posthumously honor deceased musicians/educators from BCSD will be accepted as well.
To nominate an alumnus or retired BCSD music educator who fits the criteria, click here.
Honorees and 2025 ceremony information will be announced at a later date. For any questions, please contact Batavia City School District Music Department Chair Melanie Case at mlcase@bataviacsd.org.
Genesee Community College is pleased to announce The BEST Center has been awarded a $88,175 award for clean energy training by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The Clean Energy Training Program funded by NYSERDA will upskill incumbent workers and train new students seeking entry into the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field.
GCC's Clean Energy Training Program will train individuals in high efficiency HVAC (including heat pumps) and energy auditing. program graduates also will be provided an opportunity to obtain their Home Energy Rater (HER) Certification through the industry standard Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) program. The GCC Clean Energy training program is a 10-week training course, with four cohorts over two years. The first classes will begin in Spring 2025 at the college's Batavia campus.
The NYSERDA Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training program awards activities such as technical training and experiential learning that supports New York State's path to inclusive clean energy economy. GCC's training program will contribute to expanding the capacity of skilled talent for Western New York's energy efficiency and clean energy labor market.
Adele Ferranti, director of Workforce Development and Training, NYSERDA, said, "Each day more New Yorkers are turning to sustainable building solutions to make their homes more comfortable and improve overall energy efficiency. To meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies, NYSERDA is pleased to support Genessee Community College's new program at the BEST Center that will ready the workforce with trained professionals to install and service the latest equipment."
"We are immensely grateful for the generosity of NYSERDA," said Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of Workforce Development at Genesee Community College. "This training grant will make a significant impact on the lives of incumbent workers, students entering the field of HVAC and the businesses who support the industry."
Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of GCC's Clean Energy Training are encouraged to act now and contact The BEST Center at bestcenter@genesee.edu or call 585-345-6868.
The BEST Center at GCC is the recognized regional leader in developing the skilled workforce that powers local economic growth. The Center serves individual employees as well as businesses large and small with seminars, workshops, and trainings designed to improve the performance of people and processes.
For more information contact Vice President, Development, Admissions and External Affairs Justin Johnston at 585-345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
