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Video: Chamber of Commerce Home Show

By Howard B. Owens
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The Chamber of Commerce Home Show is in full swing at the Falleti Ice Arena. It continues until 5 p.m. today and runs tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Batavia Walmart Supercenter revamped, nearly $6.5K donated to local organizations

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo of two Walmart officials and three officers of the Batavia Police Department.

Press release:

Batavia-area residents can now enjoy the benefits of the newly remodeled Walmart Supercenter at 4133 Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia.

The highly anticipated project was recently completed, and customers are taking advantage of the upgrades, which emphasize convenience and service to meet customers' needs.

“This remodel, along with our everyday low prices, represents our continued investment in Batavia," says Store Manager Roger Couch. "Listening to our customers and incorporating what they want is the meaning of being a community store.

"We were thrilled to provide them with a small celebration of food samplings from our vendors and face painting for kids as a thank you for being loyal customers.”

Along with the grand reopening on Friday, donations totaling $6,470 were made to local organizations. They are: the Batavia Police Department, Project Stork, Elba School, Kaleida Health Foundation, Batavia City School District, John Kennedy School, and UMMC.

Video: HLOM antique show

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
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The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its annual antique show in the Call Arena at Genesee Community College this weekend. The show continues today until 3 p.m.

Rollover accident reported on Warsaw Road, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

A rollover accident, unknown injuries, is reported in the area of 9234 Warsaw Road, Le Roy.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance dispatched.

Le Roy PD arriving on scene.

UPDATE 10:31 a.m.: Law enforcement on scene reports one person stuck in the vehicle, uninjured.

The Greens of Le Roy acquired by Rochester-based St. Ann's Community

By Billie Owens

This week The Greens of Le Roy senior assisted living facility announced that it has been acquired by St. Ann's Community, a leading provider of senior housing and health services in Rochester with a 134-year history there.

New signage and papwerork will display its new name, St. Ann's Community at The Greens.

Day-to-day operations will continue as they have and Director Kim Pasquale will continue as the day-to-day point of contact person. The St. Ann's finance team will contact residents and their families soon and provide a new W-9 form.

A letter to stakeholders from officials says: "By bringing together The Greens of Le Roy with St. Ann's Community, we benefit from out collective histories, values and missions to provide residents with the best quality of life.

"It quickly became apparent after working together, that our organization becoming one will enhance our abiluty to serve seniors."

The announcement was made by Michael E. McRae, president and CEO of St. Ann's Community, and A. John Bartholomew, president of Bartholomew Healthcare Group.

St. Ann Community is headquartered at 1500 Portland Ave. in Rochester.

Batavia schools' Superintendent Chris Dailey named new Gates Chili superintendent

By Billie Owens

Batavia City School District Superintendent Chris Dailey is moving up the career ladder to a larger school district. He will be formally appointed as the new superintendent of the Gates Chili Central School District on Tuesday, it was announced today.

Gates Chili Board of Education President Jeff Pettenski praised Dailey's leadership skills in an announcement by that district.

Dailey will be officially appointed at the Gates Chili Board of Education meeting April 9.

“We are impressed with his record of accomplishment and commitment to the community he serves," Pettenski said in an announcement. "We are confident he is committed to teaching and inspiring excellence for all learners.”

Dailey's administrative career started with the completion of an internship and being department chairperson at Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton. He next served as an assistant principal at Churchville-Chili Senior High School before becoming Batavia High School principal. He was quickly promoted by the Batavia Board of Education to deputy superintendent before taking over as superintendent in January 2013.

“I am excited and honored to have been chosen as the next superintendent," Dailey told Gates Chili school officials. "I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Education, staff, parents and community to provide a phenomenal education to our students.

"My mission is to celebrate the excellent programs, activities and services that contribute to the student success and outstanding pride that sets Gates Chili schools apart. I commit to modeling the character, integrity and fairness expected of the leader as we write the next great chapter in the tremendous story of the Gates Chili Central School District together.”

Dailey will begin in Gates Chili on July 1, pending contract negotiations.

The Gates Chili Central School District in Monroe County has about 4,000 students, more than 850 employees, and an operating budget of approximately $100 million annually ($24,503 per student).

Deputy Richardson will miss helping people in the community after 27 years in law enforcement

By Howard B. Owens

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Dana Richardson said he's going to miss helping people, miss trying to make our community a little bit of a better place to live, which he said is how he saw his job during his 27 years with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.

But it's time to do something else with his life, Richardson said during a retirement ceremony this afternoon.

"Deputy Richardson has served the citizens of Genesee County with professionalism, dedication, and enthusiasm," said Sheriff Bill Sheron. "He's been a source of pride for the Genesee County Sheriff's Office."

Richardson started his law enforcement career as a corrections officer in the Genesee County Jail but soon transferred to road patrol and during his career, he received two Commendation awards, a Meritorious Service Award, and the Officer of the Year award from the Kiwanis Club of Batavia.

"It's been an enjoyable career," Richardson said. "It's always different, changing every day. I've enjoyed working with the citizens in this county, trying to help people. I just felt like it was time for a change, time to do something else."

He doesn't know what the something else will be yet, but he will do something because he will need to pay for health insurance, he said.

Richardson's wife, Deborah, is a daycare provider, as she was 30 years ago when the couple first met. They have three sons, Nicholas, also a police officer, Jacob, a loss prevention officer, Andrew, a pastor, and a daughter, Holly, a teller at the ESL Federal Credit Union.

Richardson said he understands that a lot of people see cops as people who just want to write tickets and arrest people but that isn't how he sees the job at all.

"Basically, police officers are social workers," Richardson said. "They're people who are there to help people find solutions to their problems. We get to talk to people about what's important to them in their struggles raising their family, their kids. I'm going to miss that interaction with people on a personal level because as police officers we want to try to help people.

"That's why we got into this. It isn't about the arrests. It isn't about the speeding ticket. That's what police are so much known for, but really it's the public interaction and trying to make our community a better place -- that's why we do what we do."

Those are the values about police work Richardson said he learned from his father, who spent 26 years with the Batavia Police Department. He said he was fortunate to work in a department that shared those values, where officers strive to maintain a professional demeanor and attitude.

"We hold ourselves to a higher standard," Richardson said. "We're supposed to be people of integrity. That includes when you're not in the public eye as well as when you are."

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Three Generations in law enforcement: Dana Richardson, his father Roger, who is a retired Batavia PD officer, and Nicholas, Dana's son, who is a detective with the Albermarle County Police Department in Virginia.

Smoke reported inside house on Main Street Road and Broadlawn, Batavia

By Billie Owens

A possible furnace problem is causing a house to fill with smoke at 5238 E. Main Street Road, Batavia. The location is at the eastern corner of the intersection with Broadlawn Avenue. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 12:44 p.m.: The fire department is on scene and reports nothing showing; investigating.

UPDATE 12:46 p.m.: Command reports other units can continue in non-emergency mode. The furnace was recently filled with fuel. No fire; ventilating structure now.

'King Lear' opens tonight at the Harvester 56 Theater

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia Players premier their production of Shakespeare's "King Lear" at 7:30 p.m. at the Harvester 56 Theater.

There are also performances at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Next weekend, there will be two performances, Friday and Saturday, at the Wyoming Village Hall.

Tickets are available at the box office prior to each performance.

Cast:

  • King Lear, Norm Argulski
  • Gonoril, Wendy Williams 
  • Duke of Albany, Sean Williams
  • Regan, Kathy Johns
  • Duke of Cornwall, Xander Farley
  • Cordelia, Malloryann Flanagan
  • Duke of Burgundy, Russell Lang
  • King of France, Paul Meloon
  • Fool, Cynthia Nelson
  • Earl of Gloucester, Kevin Partridge
  • Edgar, James Barcomb
  • Edmund, Anthony Baldwin-Giambrone
  • Earl of Kent, Steve Coburn
  • Oswald, Erin Stamp
  • Lewis, Jim Lewis
  • Doctor Gerhart, Dorothy Gerhart
  • Curan, Patrick D. Burk
  • Captain, Michele Stamp
  • Messenger/Herald, Jocelyn Coburn
  • Jailor, Russell Lang

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Bonarigo campaign announces successful petition drives for six lines on City Court ballot

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Citizens to elect Ben Bonarigo for City Court Judge are pleased to announce that the required signatures have been collected to qualify him the for Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Working Families, Green and Independence lines on the ballot for the June 25th primary election. Bonarigo submitted more than 1,100 signatures.

“I can’t thank everyone enough,” Bonarigo said. “Our volunteers and supporters carried petitions in some very difficult weather conditions to achieve our goal and they did it very quickly. We had a highly dedicated and fantastic team of individuals.”

Although our judges are elected, the job they do is not a political one. They are to remain impartial, unbiased and not beholden to any political party. Bonarigo’s willingness and determination to obtain primary ballot status for all party lines demonstrates his commitment to fairness and impartiality to all the citizens in the City of Batavia regardless of their party affiliation.

"My goal is to allow as many city voters as possible, a choice in deciding who will be their next judge,” he said. 

Video: Bill Walton honors Ricky Palermo on receiving the Major Donald Holleder Award

By Howard B. Owens

Here is the video of Bill Walton honoring Ricky Palermo, which was played at last night's Rochester Press-Radio Club Day of Champions Dinner, where Palermo received the Major Donald Holleder Award.  We didn't have the video available when we published our story earlier today but it's a great presentation speech and we thought you should see it.

Previously: 'You are the champion' basketball legend Bill Walton tells Ricky Palermo at awards dinner

Former owner of Batavia Nursing Home given prison term, ordered to pay restitution in bank scam

By Howard B. Owens

A 62-year-old East Amherst man who once owned the Batavia Nursing Home on State Street has been ordered to serve 18 months in Federal prison and pay $2.5 million in restitution along with another $850,000 to the IRS after being sentenced yesterday on his conviction for a willful failure to pay taxes and bank theft.

Marc I. Korn, according to Federal prosecutors, stole money from banks using credit cards and loans. He also failed to pay employment taxes for three quarters in 2009.

In 2008, according to prosecutors, Korn applied for a loan to refinance the Batavia Nursing Home from Fifth Third Bank. The bank provided $3.9 million to Korn and provided him with a credit card. The bank relied on paperwork submitted by Korn to secure the loan. The statement contained numerous falsehoods, including overvaluation of his primary residence. He also provided bank statements that misrepresented his financial holdings.

In March 2009, Korn stopped paying Federal employment taxes. Prosecutors said he instead used those funds for expenses at restaurants, hockey tickets, jewelry, and to pay college tuition for his children.

What was once the Batavian Nursing Home is under new ownership and is now called The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Home.

Van vs. school bus accident reported on Clinton Street Road, Batavia

By Billie Owens

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A van vs. school bus accident is reported at 5018 Clinton Street Road. Mercy medics are requested to evaluate a minor injury. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding.

The location is between Terry Hills Drive and Stringham Drive.

Photos submitted by reader Seth Hollabaugh.

Spending cuts, increase in state aid allows City Schools to keep proposed tax levy under cap amount

By Howard B. Owens

District officials have trimmed more than $1.1 million in proposed spending from February's draft budget for the Batavia City School District. Combined with an additional $500,000 in state aid, it means the proposed 2019-2020 tax levy will stay below that state-mandated tax cap amount and allow local homeowners to get their annual rebate checks.

That's a pretty good deal for Batavia homeowners, who have received an average of $500,000 more in rebates each of the past five years than whatever increase in taxes the school district has initiated for the year.

Voters will be asked to approve the $50.518 million spending plan, which anticipates a tax levy of $19.5 million.

Tax rates won't be set until assessments are done but Business Administrator Scott Rozanski said the early estimate is that local property owners will see a tax-rate increase of 27 cents on each $1,000 of assessed value.

In the search to cut proposed spending, Rozanski said the district will delay $300,000 in technology spending, reduce spending on new library books to the state-aid amount of $24,000, and delay additional equipment purchases for another $19,000 in savings. Some personnel's salaries can be covered by grants.

Last year, the tax levy increased by $444,000 and local residents received rebates on school property taxes of $1.1 million. The three previous years, there was no increase in the levy and taxpayers received cumulative rebates of $424,000, $ $825,506, and $535,194.

The 2014-15 school year was the one year in which the tax levy increased more than rebates, with about a $150,000 difference.

Rebates for local residents are set based on an income formula so people with lower incomes receive bigger rebates proportionally.

Since the tax cap became law, the district has kept the tax levy below the allowable tax cap amount. For the 2019-2020 budget, it will be $331,886 below the potential levy amount.

Over the previous seven years, the district budgets, cumulatively, have been $3.8 million under what the tax levies could have been in those years.

Previously: No significant program cuts anticipated as City School District looks to trim spending by $750K

Field fire reported in Corfu

By Billie Owens

A field fire is reported at 1712 Genesee St. in Corfu. Corfu Fire Department is responding and a tanker and UTV from East Pembroke are to respond as mutual aid.

The fire is said to be 1,000 feet from a building and moving toward it.

The resident was using a burn barrel when the field fire broke out. Law enforcement is also responding.

The countywide burn ban remains in effect

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.: Corfu command reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 3:59 p.m.: East Pembroke is back in service.

Top Items on Batavia's List

Tourism Marketing Assistant Position The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, serving as the official tourism promotion agency for Genesee County, NY is seeking an experienced marketing professional to assist in the overall Chamber tourism and marketing initiatives for Genesee County. https://visitgeneseeny.com/about/join-our-team
Tags: Jobs offered
Town of Batavia Court Department is seeking a part time as needed Court Officer. Court Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the court room and court facility during proceedings. Please send resume to Town of Batavia, Attention Hiedi Librock, 3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Complete job description is available on the Town web site or at the Town Hall Application deadline is April 15, 2024.
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