batavia

At National Night Out in Austin Park this evening, Batavia City Fire Department was on hand with Ladder 15. My joke, pointing to the top, "What's the price of the ride?"

That evolved into permission to get an actual ride high over Batavia aboard the platform of Ladder 15.

Thank you to city fire for letting me get a view of Batavia from such a great vantage point.

Firefighter Bob Fix drove the rig up and back down, and I know he was laughing under his breath when he said, "You know you can let go of the railing. You're wearing a harness."

The wind and any movement causing the bucket to sway wasn't frightful so much as it was disconcerting. I politely declined his offer to not keep one hand on the railing to steady myself.

More pictures after the jump (and more pictures from National Night Out T/K):

 

A Batavia woman is accused of making her 13-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old friend ride in the trunk of her car going to and coming from a bonfire at a friend's house on Old Creek Road this past Friday.

Julie C. Stevens, 57, of 18 Harvester Ave., is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

She appeared in Batavia City Court this morning and Judge Michael Delplato required her to take her daughter to the girl's father's house in Perry before imposing an order of protection barring her from contact with the girl while the case is pending.

She was also given time to arrange for representation through the Public Defender's Office.

Stevens is scheduled to appear in city court on Wednesday and enter a plea and receive the order of protection.

In a statement to police, Steven said she had six children riding in her car after they had spent some time playing at the spray park. She said the back seat of her car folds down and there were children sitting on the folded down seats and her daughter and another child in the trunk.

She said they spent two hours at the bonfire.

A mother from Varysburg filed a complaint with city police after one of her children -- who had been left at Steven's house to be babysat -- told her a couple of days later what allegedly happened.

The city court file contains statements from the mother and two of her children, including the 11-year-old boy who was allegedly told to ride in the trunk.

The make and model of Steven's car were not listed in the court file and the information is not available through city police.

The case was investigated by Officer James DeFreze and Officer Jason Davis.

Here's a news release sent today from Assemblyman Steve Hawley's office.

For the last two years, I have written numerous letters and made several phone calls to the NYS Attorney General’s Office and personally met with a representative of the office concerning the drastic fluctuation in the price of gas from county to county.

In my letters, I cited the discrepancy of gas pricing and frustration felt by citizens in the 139th Assembly District.

The district I represent consists of all of Orleans County, most of Genesee County, the Town of Somerset in Niagara County and the towns of Clarkson, Parma and Hamlin in Monroe County.

In most instances, the price per gallon of gas is considerably higher in Genesee and Orleans counties than in the surrounding counties. I know there are many variables which determine the price per gallon of gasoline, but with the price per barrel of crude oil falling, this discrepancy should not occur in Western New York.

In his response to my letters, the Attorney General’s Executive Director of Legislative Affairs and State Policy Jim Malatras notified me that the issue of price gauging was still under investigation.

A two-year investigation without a concrete and definitive answer other than “it’s zone pricing” is long enough.

For this reason, I encourage citizens who feel the variance in pricing should be investigated to express your opinions by contacting the NYS Attorney General’s Office or by signing the New York State Consumer Protection Board CPB Gasoline Price Gouging Complaint Form.

Attorney General’s Office
Phone: (585) 546-7430
Website: http://www.ag.ny.gov/resource_center/complaints/complaints.html

NYS Consumer Protection Board
Website: https://www1.consumer.state.ny.us/cpb/GASComplaintForm.html

Watch out for the little old man hobbling along with his walker the next time you're at the store -- he could be dangerous.

Dangerous on the road, that is.

Batavia resident Catherine Roth said she has seen a number of people out in public -- most of them senior citizens -- who drive even though they shouldn't.

"I once saw this man who could barely walk, and he's got an SUV!" Roth said.

Roth is well-known in Batavia for voicing her concerns about elderly drivers. This started with the death of her 30-year-old son almost 20 years ago.

Jim Roth was killed in October 1991 by an 81-year-old man driving the wrong way on Route 481 in Syracuse.

Catherine and her husband, who died two years ago, both worked hard to toughen the rules regarding elderly citizens on the road. Roth defends her position by citing laws in other states -- including "Katie's Law" in Texas, and a New Hampshire law requiring drivers over 65 to be tested every five years -- that regulate and limit senior drivers.

She has caught wind of some resistance to her efforts among Batavia's older population, but she sticks to her guns nonetheless.

"We have all these laws for young drivers," Roth said, "but when we talk about laws for elderly drivers, forget it!"

The trouble is, Roth has come to the point where she herself might have to surrender her place behind the wheel. She will be 90 years old soon, and has concerns about whether or not she should still be driving.

"I've been thinking about giving up driving for the past several years," she said. "When I realized I would be turning 90 and that my license was going to expire (this month), I realized I had to decide whether to renew the license or quit driving."

Roth said she doesn't have any specific problems that compromise her ability to drive safely, but she worries that "reaction time" might slow with age.

"Right now I drive as little as possible," she said. "I drive to Stafford three or four times a week to work at the museum. Everone who's rode with me has said I'm a good driver. But I've already begun to explore different ways of getting around (like taking a taxi)."

Roth actually asked to be re-tested to see if her driving skills were up to par -- her request was denied.

At this point in time, New York State has no system set up for that sort of thing. Re-taking the driver's test is only possible for those who have been reported.

This is an important issue for Roth, because better testing for senior drivers is one of the reforms she and her husband pushed for over the years.

"A lot of times, all it seems to depend on is eyesight," she said. "If someone's eyesight is good, he can mail in his license and get it renewed. That's just wrong!"

She then pointed out that the person in question could have very good eyesight, but at the same time barely have the ability to walk.

Sometimes, according to Roth, even a doctor's caution is unhelpful.

"If their doctor tells them they shouldn't drive, they'll go to a different doctor."

Roth understands seniors' reluctance to give up their licenses and, by extension, their independence.

"I've been without a car for the past week, and it's been driving me nuts!" she said.

Most of Roth's friends are in their 80s and in the same boat. She is far from unsympathetic to the tough decision facing older drivers.

"I know you want your independence -- but darn it, don't kill my son or anyone else."

She shared some recommendations for seniors who would like to continue driving, but not be a danger to other drivers: don't drive at night; avoid streets near schools around the end of the school day; and avoid big cities.

In addition, she listed some decent alternatives to driving for seniors who still need to get around.

"The Office for the Aging has some good programs," she said. "And you can take a taxi in Batavia for about $5. And then there's always the option of turning to friends, but you try not to bother people for little things.

"It's best to do all of your errands in one trip (so you don't have to call your friends whenever, for instance, you need some milk). You try to keep your independence, even if you have to be dependent in some ways."

 ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT ROTH:

Roth is on the Board of Trustees for the Stafford Historical Society, and just finished -- after nine years -- serving on the Board of Trustees for Batavia's First Presbyterian Church. She is also a volunteer at the Batavia Cemetery.

A most interesting fact about her is that she is a triplet. She and her two sisters will be celebrating their 90th birthday very shortly.

"As far as we know, we're the oldest living triplets in the United States," Roth said.

A lifelong Batavia resident admitted in Genesee County Court this morning that on July 17, 2009 in the parking lot at the corner of North and Bank streets, he sold a quantity of cocaine to an undercover agent.

Dyllon E. Soccio, 20, of 134 Tracy Ave., pled guilty to a single count of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th.

Last month Soccio pled guilty to criminal possession of marijuana.

Both felonies carry a maximum sentence of two and a half years in prison. As part of a plea deal, Soccio is eligible to serve the sentences concurrently.

He will be sentenced on Sept. 21.

Dressed nicely in faded light-colored pants and a white shirt, Soccio said little in court today except to answer Judge Robert Noonan's questions.

Soccio was charged in the 2009 sale on July 20, the same day he admitted to possessing marijuana.

The marijuana was found in his residence when it was raided June 23 by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force. During that raid, agents also found several grams of hallucinagenic mushrooms. Charges related to the mushrooms were waived in exchange for the plea on the marijuana possession charge.

Today, I came upon this barn -- though I'd seen it before -- on Old Creek Road, Batavia. Today seemed like the right day to take a shot of getting it on film (so to speak).

Alice Buckel places lettering on a sign on the property of the former Beehive Diner, 4974 Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, to let the world know it will soon be the Fedora Diner.

The Beehive closed years ago and the building near the corner of Ellicott and Shepard was most recently a location for the St. Nick's Club Ladies Auxiliary.

Buckel has crews inside painting, cleaning and installing restaurant equipment. The outside is also being repainted. She expects it will be six to eight weeks before the Fedora Diner opens.

The name was suggested by her son, who will play piano in the diner once a week. The interior theme will suggest the 1940s era.

"I wanted to do something on my own," Buckel said.

She has previously run her own cake-decorating business from her home.

The diner will be open for breakfast and lunch, closing at 2 p.m.

Among the specialities planned, Buckel said, are mini-donuts and special pancakes.

An electricity line is reportedly down in the area of 68 Chandler Ave., Batavia.

It is down across the roadway and blocking.

City police on scene, and city fire is responding.

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A Batavia man allegedly led Avon and Livingston County law enforcement on a high-speed chase into Genesee County, where he initially evaded detection, according to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

A vehicle reportedly being driven by Randy S. Rumble, 27, of State Street, Batavia, was spotted in the Tops gas station in Le Roy and a Sheriff's patrol followed it out of the station and identified it as the same vehicle chased into the county.

Rumble was eventually taken into custody on Morganville Road when his car ran out of gas.

He's been charged with Genesee County with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, felony unlicensed operation, unlawful fleeing law enforcement, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, two counts of failure to stop for a stop sign, unlicensed operation and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Rumble was arraigned in Town of Stafford Court and jailed on $5,000 bail. Charges are pending in Town of Le Roy, Village of Avon and Livingston County.

At about 7:20 p.m., Avon police notified Genesee County dispatch of a pursuit on westbound Route 20. The pursuit entered Genesee County on Route 20 and continued north on Route 63.

At that point, the Avon patrol broke off the pursuit and lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, a citizen called dispatch and reported seeing a car matching the suspect vehicle driving north on Roanoke Road.

It was soon after that that a Sheriff's patrol spotted the suspect car at Tops.

Rumble allegedly drove from Tops north on Keeney Road. After confirming it was the suspect vehicle, the deputy attempted a traffic stop. The car continued on Keeney, onto Randall Road, across Route 237 onto Morganville Road, where it ran out of gas.

Rumble allegedly fled on foot. He was reportedly found a short time later lying in a hedgerow.

Involved in the pursuit and investigation were Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, Sgt. Greg Walker, Deputy Patrick Reeves, Deputy James Diehl, Le Roy Officer Emily Clark, Trooper Holly Hansel, Avon PD and Livingston County K-9.

JodyLynn Wetmore, 35, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and with a felony count of driving  with a BAC of .08 or greater with a child passenger (in violation of Leandra's Law). Wetmore was reportedly observed at the East Pembroke Mud Races in an intoxicated condition. She was reportedly told by a Sheriff's deputy not to drive. Some time later, she was allegedly observed driving out of the parking lot. Wetmore was stopped at 10:14 p.m., Saturday, by Deputy John P. Weis. Wetmore allegedly had an 8-year-old passenger in the car.

Dean Wilkins, 46, of Route 20, Pavilion, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and harassment, 2nd. Wilkins is accused of slapping his roommate, who had an order of protection in place.

James Michael Palladino, 33, of Waterman Street, Lockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and no or inadequate headlight. Palladino was stopped at 11:06 p.m., Saturda, on Route 77 in Pembroke by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Nicholas Anthony March, 23, of Phillips Road, Oswego, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. March was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 1:48 a.m., Sunday, by Deputy Patrick Reeves, who reportedly found a quantity of marijuana in March's car during a search.

Jane Amanda Lachut, 23, of Phinney Road, Hannibal, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Lachut was allegedly found in possession of marijuana during a traffic stop on Route 77, Pembroke, at 1:38 a.m., Sunday, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Roberto R. Ayala, 25, of 5 Valleyview Drive, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd. Ayala is accused of striking another person with parts of a broken chair during a domestic incident 8:10 p.m., Thursday.

Philip J. Ritter, 56, of Stonehall Road, Rochester, is charged with public lewdness. Ritter is accused of urinating in public at around noon, Sunday, in the area of the town park, Town of Pembroke. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Anne C. Levy, 21, of 21 Prospect Ave., Ithaca, is charged with DWI and speeding. Levy was stopped at 11:51 p.m., Friday, on Pearl Street by Officer Dan Coffey.

Martin F. Jones, 39, of 10 South Main St., Batavia, is charged with exposure. Jones was observed by Officer Thad Mart allegedly urinating in public in Austin Park.

Chrystal Marie Bush, 21, of Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bush is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Jonathan Paul Bouter, 26, of Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Bouter is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Vincenzo M. Delucia, 34, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, a right-of-way violation and refusal to take a breath test. Delucia was stopped by State Police at 11:38 p.m., Saturday, in Darien.

Melessia A. Winkler, 23, of Amherst, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Winkler was stopped by State Police at 11:10 p.m., Friday, in Darien.

David R. Meier, 51, of Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, operating without insurance, no license, aggravated unlicensed operation and suspended registration. Meier was stopped by State Police at 7:08 p.m., Thursday, on Alexander Road, Alexander.

Sallome's Italian Deil announced today that it is closing -- for good.

Saturday was its last day of business.

Owners Stephen and Penny Sallome said efforts to sell the deli over the past year were unsuccessful and the amount of work to run a food-service business was taking over their entire lives.

Sallome's will reimburse any gift certificates purchased prior to the closing.

A full statement following the jump:

Saturday, July 31st, 2010 Sallome’s Italian Deli has closed its doors permanently. We know that we are leaving many of our loyal customers extremely disappointed. However, this decision is what we feel is best for us and our family and we are truly sorry. It has been a very, very tough decision and we can only hope that most people will understand.

We began the process of purchasing the old “Betty’s Bridal Shop” in late 2007 after our youngest son graduated from high school and decided that it was the perfect time for us to fulfill my husband’s lifelong dream of having his own restaurant.

We fulfilled that dream when we opened in September 2008. When we reopened in August 2009 it was because it was advised to us that it would be easier to sell if it was open, so that’s what we did. Hoping that we would be able to sell it, or fall in love with it and not want to give it up. It’s been on the market for almost a year with only a few lookers.

The deli has brought us whole new respect for the “Mom and Pop” food-service establishments and the people who have chosen to do this their whole lives. It is extremely hard work, more than most people realize. With everything else that we have going on we just physically can’t keep up this pace. It is just too much.

We don’t wish to work our lives away. It has been a great journey and we have been fortunate enough to meet and employ some really great people. The business has grown tremendously and walking away is very difficult, however, we know that for us, it is the best thing to do.

We would like to make sure that for those who have gift certificates, including those purchased through The Batavian, that they get a refund. Simply mail the gift certificate along with name, address and phone number to the deli at 40 Oak St., Batavia, and we will send their refund directly to them.

If there is anyone who may be interested in either leasing or buying the deli property, we would love to talk to them. It’s a growing business, in a great location, with some really terrific food with a great deal of potential for the right person. Anyone interested in a fantastic business opportunity can reach Steve @ 585-356-3608.

A fight involving several men was reported at the corner of Wood Street and Pringle Avenue.

A purple van reportedly pulled up to the corner and four young men got out and started fighting with another group of men, and then fled.

Batavia Police have detained four young men with a purple van on Central Avenue.

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Another great post-game fireworks show at Dwyer Stadium on Saturday.

Here's three photos of the show.

Ken Merrick has restored a classic name to his business -- Uncle Tony's is now The Harvester, a variation of a name on the bar for 17 years before it became Uncle Tony's.

Merrick said since he was switching from a sole proprietorship to an LLC, and would have to re-apply for his liquor license, and since Uncle Tony's no longer served food, it seemed like the right time to make the switch.

Merrick has owned the business for 36 years on Harvester Avenue, operating it originally as the Harvester Hotel.

"My customers that go way back said, 'We still all call it the Harvester,'" Merrick said. "They told me, 'Why don't you call it the Harvester?'"  I said, "OK, but I'm not calling it the Harvester Hotel."

On a day when the Batavia Muckdogs picked up an important fifth-straight win in a tight Pinckney Division race, the team learned another strong arm is on its way.

Seth Blair, a first-round supplemental draft pick for the St. Louis Cardinals has agreed to terms and will report to Batavia. Blair, 21, was the 46th player taken overall in the June draft.

He was 12-1 in 18 starts this season at Arizona State University with a 3.64 ERA. He struck out 108 batters and walked 29. He won the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year award.

The Muckdogs, who have been hot in July, picking up 15 wins, are one game behind Williamsport and tied with Jamestown for second place in the Pinckney Division.

The Jammers play the Muckdogs at Dwyer tonight, 7:05 game time, and then the teams travel to Jamestown tomorrow for a twi-nite double header.

Last night, the Muckdogs kept their win streak going by scoring two runs in the 10th inning (after giving up a run in the top of the 10th) to pull out an 8-7 victory over Auburn.

Outfielder Jon Edwards, who's in his fourth stint with Batavia and has struggled since a strong 2008 campaign (helping the Muckdogs win the NY-Penn League championship), had a big night Friday, hitting a home run and driving in three runs.

Joey Bergman had two hits and three RBIs while first-year pro Victor Sanchez, playing first base, had four hits and scored three times (hitting ahead of Edwards and Bergman). Nick Longmire had two hits.

The final run of the game came on a wild pitch allowing Mike O'Neill to score from third.

Stuart Steiner, Ed.D, longtime president of Genesee Community College, is retiring.

Steiner, who has overseen much of the growth of the college, served for 35 years. He was the college's third president and began his career at the college in 1968 as Dean of Students.

When Steiner first went to work for GCC, the college was located on West Main Street Road in what is now known as County Building #2. In 1972, GCC moved to its present location and Steiner oversaw its expansion into the multi-dimensional campus it is today.

At a recent board meeting, trustees remarked on the most recent successes of GCC -- a new Med-Tech building on campus, record enrollment and outstanding academic achievement, and Steiner said he realized now would be an appropriate time for him to step down.

Steiner said he plans to stay in the area and has no specific plans for retirement, except to spend more time with his grandchildren.

"Our academic programs, and our faculty and staff, are outstanding," he said. "We now have over 100 recipients of the SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence. Enrollment is healthy, this year hitting record-high numbers in the fall, spring and summer sessions, and projected to grow again next year.

"Our financial situation is strong, and our facilities are in very good shape. We completed all of the targeted new construction and renovation projects that we planned ... I believe that Genesee is very well-poised for the future, and I am very comfortable leaving the challenges of leadership to a new president."

Full press release after the jump:

Genesee Community College President Stuart Steiner, Ed.D,  announced today that he plans to retire from his position effective Aug. 31, 2011. Steiner, 73, made the announcement this morning in an e-mail message to faculty, staff and students.

Steiner has served as president of Genesee since 1975, and as a member of the college's staff since its founding. He served as Genesee's Dean of Students from 1967 to 1968, and Dean of Instruction/Executive Dean from 1968 to 1975. He is believed to be the second-longest serving community college president in the United States.

Steiner is the third president of Genesee Community College. He was preceded by Alfred C. O'Connell, Ed.D, who served from 1967 to 1971, and Cornelius V. Robbins, Ed.D, who served from 1971 to 1975.

In a recent Board of Trustees retreat, board members characterized the past year as the most successful year in the history of the college. Steiner said that these successes and the excellent condition of the college were major factors in his decision.

"Our academic programs, and our faculty and staff, are outstanding," he said. "We now have over 100 recipients of the SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence. Enrollment is healthy, this year hitting record-high numbers in the fall, spring, and summer sessions, and projected to grow again next year.

"Our financial situation is strong, and our facilities are in very good shape. We completed all of the targeted new construction and renovation projects that we planned."

These include: the installation of an artificial turf field; completely renovating the Zambito Gymnasium; providing new locker rooms; installing a new sound system in the gym; upgrading the theater lighting system; opening our new Lima Campus Center; and relocating!; our expanding School of Nursing to the new Med Tech Park; and breaking ground for a new art gallery, in addition to other work.

"We have all of our collective-bargaining agreements in place, and this year set a record for the number of graduates, exceeding 800 for the first time in our history," Steiner said. "Our reputation has never been better, and our reputation extends far beyond our local communities. I believe that Genesee is very well-poised for the future, and I am very comfortable leaving the challenges of leadership to a new president."

Steiner, a resident of Batavia, plans to remain in the community. He has no specific post-retirement plans, although he anticipates spending more time with his grandchildren.

Steiner notified trustees of his decision last week, and notified State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher yesterday.

Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino said that Steiner's contributions to local students and the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region are historic. The length and accomplishments of Steiner's presidency have attracted the attention of community college leaders across the nation for many years, Ruffino noted.

"We thank and congratulate Stuart for completing what we believe is one of the most extraordinary community college presidencies in our nation's history," Ruffino said.

Ruffino said that trustees deeply appreciate the college's and Steiner's impact on the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region.

"No other citizen has made education so accessible to so many, or made such a significant contribution to the well-being and economic vitality of our local communities," Ruffino said.

"Stuart has worked tirelessly to bring the transformative power of education to many thousands of our neighbors, and has done so while maintaining Genesee's reputation as one of the most affordable and cost-effective colleges within the State University system."

Stuart Steiner is a native of Baltimore, Md. He began his career as a social worker in 1959, working first as a caseworker and later as director of Juvenile Court Services for the City of Baltimore. He also served as director of Baltimore Information and Referral Services for the Health and Welfare Council of Metropolitan Baltimore. He also began serving as a member of the adjunct faculty of Community College of Baltimore County in 1963.

His administrative skills and passion for the needs of students attracted the attention of Alfred C. O'Connell, Ed.D,  who, at the time, was serving as president of nearby Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md.

O'Connell named Stuart Steiner as Harford's director of Admissions and Placement in 1965. After the newly-formed Board of Trustees of Genesee Community College named O'Connell as Genesee's founding president, one of O'Connell's first acts was to recruit Steiner for the position of Dean of Students at the new college in New York's Genesee County.

When Steiner arrived in 1967, about a year and a half after the college was founded by Genesee County voters, O'Connell and several staff members were working out of a small office in downtown Batavia.

Steiner was instrumental in identifying a location for Genesee's first classes – the old "Valu Tech" building on West Main Street Road, now a Genesee County building – and readying the structure for classes and activities.

As Dean of Students, he was instrumental in recruiting and orienting Genesee's first students, and 379 of them arrived for classes in September, 1967. After only one year, Steiner took on new responsibilities, assuming leadership of all academic programs as Dean of Instruction/Executive Dean.

The new college grew quickly and, with the support of the Genesee County Board of Supervisors, the county acquired property on the east side of Batavia for what is today the Batavia Campus. Steiner was instrumental in planning the new facility. Steiner recalled the sense of commitment and adventure present among the early faculty members and students.

"They were part of something innovative and important, and they knew it," he recalled. "The students, faculty, and staff bonded very quickly and became a true community. There was a deep commitment to excellence among this new community and, in large part, that commitment set the stage for the college's remarkable success in later years."

The original Batavia Campus structure, which opened in 1972, became the nucleus of a 300,000-plus square-foot comprehensive campus which grew under Steiner's leadership. The campus today encompasses the original buildings, the Genesee Center for the Arts (1991), the Conable Technology Building (2000), the Humphrey Student Union (2005), and a variety of exterior athletic fields.

Steiner made off-campus outreach a high priority and pioneered one of the first off-site campus centers, which opened in Albion in 1990. Additional campus centers followed in Warsaw, Lakeville (and later Lima), Arcade, Dansville and Medina. The new centers enabled almost all residents of the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region to reach a Genesee location within a 20-minute drive.

In collaboration with the Genesee County Economic Development Center, the college transferred 32 acres of land on the south side of Hawley Drive for a new Med Tech business park, which earlier this month became home to the college's growing School of Nursing.

A new art gallery is presently under construction on the Batavia Campus. In recognition of Steiner's leadership and his commitment to high-quality facilities, the Board of Trustees in 1991 named the theater in the newly constructed Genesee Center for the Arts "The Stuart Steiner Theatre."

While Genesee's facilities grew over the last four decades, Steiner's highest priority was the development of strong academic programs and services to students and the community.

Today, the College offers 65 degree and certificate programs, which last fall served a record 7,208 students. More than 12,000 other area residents participated in business, professional, and personal development courses. More than 20,000 of the region's residents attended community events based at the Batavia Campus and campus centers last year.

Over the last 25 years, 105 members of Genesee's faculty and staff received the SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence. He has mentored numerous college administrators and, at last count, 17 former Genesee vice presidents and deans have gone on to assume positions of significant leadership in higher education across the United States.

In a 2008 commencement address, Glenn DuBois, Ed.D, a former Genesee dean and current Chancellor of the Virginia Community College system, said that he knows of no community college in the United States that has produced more senior college leaders across the nation than Genesee Community College.

Many of President Steiner's initiatives have made higher education more accessible to the region's residents and attracted the attention of community college leaders across the nation.

These include: the development of a comprehensive distance-learning program, which enables more than 10 percent of Genesee students to participate in online courses; the Accelerated College Enrollment Program, which enables more than 2,700 Western New York high school students to participate in Genesee courses; andthe establishment of The BEST Center, which provides training and education to thousands of managers and employees of area business organizations each year.

Additional initiatives include: the establishment of educational programs in many correctional facilities; development of academic programs new to community colleges within SUNY -- such as Travel and Tourism and Teacher Education Transfer; and the transformation of Genesee into a "high-tech" environment complete with 83 "smart" classrooms, 33 computer labs and more than 1,000 personal computers.

Under Steiner's leadership, the college formed numerous co-curricular (outside-of-class) activities that now include almost 50 student clubs, organizations and athletic teams; and it instituted Genesee Promise Plus, a program that provides scholarships to all area high school graduates for one or two summer courses at Genesee.

Steiner called Genesee's success a "team effort," and praised the many individuals who have contributed to the college's success over the years.

"From the very first days of the college, our trustees have provided exceptional volunteer leadership," Steiner said. "The Genesee County Legislature, our sponsor, has been steadfast in its support for the college. We have an outstanding faculty and staff who go far beyond expectations in meeting the needs of students and the community."

Steiner also praised Genesee Community College Foundation board members, college alumni, and local business and civic leaders for their ongoing support.

The president said that, while he is proud of the programs and initiatives established under his leadership, his greatest source of satisfaction has been the college's impact on individual students.

Steiner is known as highly accessible among students. He regularly meets with the Student Government Association and has always maintained an "open door" policy for students who want to see him.

"At the end of the day, what happens to students is what counts," he said.

Steiner has received state and national recognition for his work. He is a recipient of: the New York State Phi Theta Kappa Service Award; New York State Community College Faculty Council Distinguished Service Award; and the Association of Community College Trustees Northeast Region Chief Executive Officer Award.

He also: was named a Transformational Leader in Higher Education by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation; received the University of Texas at Austin Community College Leadership Award; received a Kellogg Fellowship and various academic honors from Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Maryland, and University of Baltimore Law School. He was named a distinguished alumnus of Baltimore City Community College.

Steiner's service and record of innovation led to numerous requests to serve on a variety of regional, state, and national boards and committees over the years.

Locally, he has served as a board and committee member for: the Rochester Area Association of Colleges; Workforce Investment Board; Private Industry Council; and WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) consortium.

On the state level, he has served as a: member of the SUNY Task Force on Community College Code and Standards of Operations and Procedures; member of the SUNY Public Service Advisory Committee and SUNY Committee on Presidential Evaluation and Terms of Conditions of Employment; and chair of the State University Task Force on Distance Learning.

He also served as a: member of the New York State Education Commissioner's Advisory Council on Higher Education; chair and member of SUNY-West College President's Association; member, director, and president of the New York State Association of Presidents of Community Colleges; and board member of the Institute for Community College Development.

At the request of the SUNY Chancellor, he has taken on sensitive special assignments. These include: service as chair of the SUNY Chancellor's Special Commission on Rockland Community College (1992); acting deputy director to the SUNY Chancellor for Community Colleges (1985); and interim president of Fashion Institute of Technology (1997-1998).

At the request of the New York State Education Department, he accepted an appointment to the reorganized Board of Trustees of New York Chiropractic College. He also served on the Villa Maria College Board for a decade.

On the national level, Steiner has been active in the American Association of Community Colleges, and was a member of the AACC Commission on Learning and Communications Technology and a member of the AACC Commission on Global Education.

He has chaired or served as a member of more than 20 Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation teams, which make college accreditation recommendations. He has also consulted with and chaired teams and visits to educational institutions in Greece, Puerto Rico and China at the request of the Middle States Commission. He also served as a member of the Middle States Commission Board for six years.

For more than three decades, President Steiner served as an adjunct faculty member of the University at Buffalo Higher Education graduate program, where he taught a course on community colleges. He has also taught at the Community College of Baltimore, Catholic University, and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

He has served on numerous conference panels and is known nationally for his expertise in employee relations and collective bargaining.

Steiner's notable publications include: "The Pragmatic Presidency" (Community College Journal of Research and Practice); "The Community College Presidency" (Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning); "SUNY – The 'Systemless' System" (Voices of Leadership); "Community Colleges of the Nineties: Living on the Fiscal Edge" (Higher Education in Turmoil: The Case of New York State and National Prospects for Change).

He also edited "Distance Learning: The Presidents' Task Force Report," published by the State University of New York.

Steiner is a graduate of a community college himself – Baltimore City Community College (formerly Baltimore Junior College). In addition to the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from BCCC, he holds a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland; Graduate Certificate in Social Work from Florida State University; a M.S.W. degree from the University of Pennsylvania; a J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore; a master's degree from Columbia University, Teachers College; and an Ed.D. degree from Columbia University, Teachers College.

Ruffino said that the Board of Trustees plans to conduct a national search for Genesee's fourth president. He said that, in the near future, he will appoint a Presidential Search Committee comprised of college stakeholders.

The Search Committee will guide the search, solicit views of college stakeholders, interview candidates, arrange for campus visits by finalist candidates, and recommend three to five highly qualified candidates to the Board of Trustees, which has the responsibility for appointing the college president.

"We are confident that the insight and wisdom of the college community and our many stakeholders will enable us to identify and select the individual who will serve with distinction as Genesee Community College's fourth president," Ruffino said.

Genesee ARC sponsored what it dubbed a "Ginormous" garage sale at its new Woodrow Road community center. By the time I got there, the crowd had pretty much thinned out, but Trilateral Commissioner Sandy Konfederath said they had a big crowd this morning and the sale went well.

NOTE: The sale continues Saturday, July 31. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Listen I know you all have probably read posts here online or elswhere about our Batavia Muckdogs. I'm sure you all know that the Muckdogs have had financial problems over the last few years and that this is a very important year for the future of our franchise.

Something you might not have thought of is the quality-of-life issue for our city and county. The Muckdogs have been a part of our area since 1939. I believe that's the year both the "Wizard of Oz" and "Gone with the Wind" came to our theaters. Needless to say, it's been a long time. During those years, many players have passed through Batavia with their dreams of some day playing in the big leagues. Most go onto other cities, carrying those dreams until one day they either make it to the big leagues or they get sent home looking for a job in "the real world."

Seasons pass, but one thing has always remained, our Clippers, Pirates, Indians, Trojans and Muckdogs have always returned. The "Boys of Summer" come to Batavia with their dreams. This could very well be the last summer where that happens! The 2010 Batavia Muckdogs might be the last season of professional baseball to ever play at Dwyer stadium on a beautiful summer night. What will that mean for the people of Batavia and Genesee County?

Our community will welcome next spring like it always does after a long hard winter! Spring fever will be everywhere! The "snowbirds" from the south will come back north to Batavia to be with family and friends for the summer. Kids will be getting out of school looking forward to a summer of fun! Yes some things will always remain the same, but something will be very different, something that has always been taken for granted. Our Muckdogs could be GONE FOREVER!

Summer nights at Dwyer stadium aren't just about baseball games. They are the last place in our county where people gather weekly to see old friends and make new ones.  Many kids from the NY State School for the Blind come to games, kids of all ages gather at Dwyer for a summer night of fun. Some even get to run on the field with Muckdog players. Buses come to Dwyer with Batavia's older generation from area retirement homes for a night out of summer fun. Area businesses promote their own businesses at Dwyer and promote community togetherness. Church groups join together for a summer night. Everyone in Genesee County seems to come to Dwyer on the 4th of July for their traditional fireworks!

Please never take anything for granted, because once you do, you stand a great chance of losing it forever! Our baseball team (no matter what name you call them) will be the same! Oh yes we will have the stories to share with friends about fun nights at Dwyer.  Just like many have of former nights at many other local area traditional places that are now nothing but ghosts!  I can already picture it now for the 4th of July celebration for 2011. Cars driving down Bank Street packing the sides of the street and people walking down to a quiet Dwyer stadium. All of them questioning if they already missed the fireworks?  Then maybe they will realize that they missed out on a lot more. That they took things for granted and now start to realize what they have lost forever!

It's not too late! You can make a difference Batavia and Genesee County! You can start with coming out tonight and tomorrow night (July 30th &31st). Pack the stands, show your support, spread the word, enjoy new friendships and old ones as well, watch young men start their dreams and end the night with fireworks both nights! Nobody would take our team if the stands were packed the rest of the season! Why would they? But if they aren't packed, be ready to start sharing your past stories once this season is over!