A new chapter for The Batavian
Submitted by Howard Owens on February 27, 2009 - 3:16pm
I've taken over The Batavian as my full-time and only job.
Over the next week, I'll be moving the site to a new server. I don't anticipate any disruption in service.
I want to thank Philip Anselmo and Brian Hillabush for all the great work they've done on the site. They're a huge part of the site's success. Philip is moving on to another reporting position. Brian and I are discussing how we'll be able to continue working together.
Next week, I'll be in our Batavia office ready to cover the news and sell advertising. As time goes by I'll have more announcements about what we'll be doing with the site. I still have new features to add, many of which will please local advertisers.
My wife and I are listing our house in Pittsford for sale and as soon as it sells, we will rent a place in Batavia (or maybe elsewhere in Genesee County). I expect we'll see my wife's byline in The Batavian before too long.
- Howard Owens's blog
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February 27, 2009 - 3:21pm
#2
I wish you the best of luck with "The Batavian". I hope you and Brian can come to terms as I totally enjoy Brians columns. He will be an asset in the future!
February 27, 2009 - 3:28pm
#3
Good luck Mr Anselmo,
You have had a positive impact on this community. You gave us the right and ability to voice our opinions in order to debate what we think is right or wrong. We are becoming a community like in the old porch visiting days. However it is now being done in the speed of light in the privacy of our little abodes.
Howard if you need help just ask us. We can a certainly stir the pot with the topics we attack or post about. Who knows, there could be a pulitzer in your future for keeping us under control.
I commend this site and have enjoyed it since I found it.
February 27, 2009 - 4:12pm
#4
This is Headline News. I dont know where to start.
I honestly believe that all these changes are economically influenced. I want to give shout out and thank you's before I get down and dirty.
Mr. Owens, thank you for the Batavian and for your decision to continue it reguardless of financial stress or relocation. (if thats the case).
Mr. Anselmo, thank you for your talented writing and unique perspective. It wont be the same without argueing about some of your posts. (probably leaving for more money).
Mr. Hillabush, thank you for your fantastic sports coverage, and other timely posts. (hopefully you will get what you may be asking for).
I have enjoyed the batavian since its conception and suprising growth. I dont believe that it makes very much money let alone profit from advertising right now and I hope it remains free. I doubt that the state of our economy will bring any new talent writing for the Batavian under a paying type of contract/job. I do have faith that the loyal members of the batavian will continue to post/share, and enjoy the batavian through these changing times. I dont always like change but have learned to adapt to it over the years. I hope that the batavian remains a success and a place where I am able to read about genesee county and post my views and debate topics with other fellow members.
February 27, 2009 - 4:25pm
#5
There goes another renaissance Philip, what's going to happen to the central corridor, green energy industrial complex, the industrial power house square, swan masse village etc. Enjoyed your writing bet your moving to Texas. I got here as fast as I could.
February 27, 2009 - 4:36pm
#6
Howard: I hope you do move to Batavia and/or Genesee County. You and your wife will really like it. It is a great place to live. Congratulations on the new job. I'm looking forward to seeing any changes you'll bring to the site.
Richard Gahagan: Thanks for the comedy, but Texas is a destination to visit. There is no place better for home than Batavia, New York. You'll be back!
February 27, 2009 - 4:39pm
#7
Probably around June or so.
February 27, 2009 - 4:47pm
#8
There might even be new sidewalks started by then; but as for the Central Corridor, that's long-ranger, I mean range, future stuff. Keep watching The Batavia!
February 27, 2009 - 4:56pm
#9
Thanks, all! It has been a lot of fun. I wish you all the best!
February 27, 2009 - 5:22pm
#10
Out of curiosity, just how much networking and server work/maintenance do you do in a week?
February 27, 2009 - 5:32pm
#11
Thank you for the kind words Joe and Gabor.
At this point I am without a job, but am staying as positive as possible.
I am thinking about going back to school and maybe getting into the travel industry, but at this point everything is up in the air. It was a bit of a shock to all of us.
But I do not plan on going anywhere right away. Even though my career is not currently covering sports, I will still be attending some games. I've spent the last nine years or so covering sports in Genesee County and my life wouldn't be the same without being involved. And The Batavian is a community site, so I am free to post anything I want. I'll keep letting people know what is going on in the sports world as often as possible.
We all have to deal with this terrible economy and I'm not the only person in this situation, so I think this is a time to get together as a community and get through this.
February 27, 2009 - 5:41pm
#12
Thanks, all for the support. I'm very excited about this opportunity. The Batavian has been growing fast in the past several weeks. More and more advertisers have been making inquiries. It's been very hard, in fact, to follow through on advertising leads because of the other responsibilities I had with my previous employer. Now I have none of those concerns.
Richard, as always, you're a ray of sunshine. Don't ever change.
February 27, 2009 - 6:31pm
#13
Brian, you did a great job and I enjoyed reading your articles. Hopefully, Howard can get the advertizing going and hire back one of the best sports writers in town.
Rich, there is nothing like kicking sand in someone’s face when they are down, huh? Keep up the good work; I guess everyone has a part to play in this world!
February 27, 2009 - 6:48pm
#14
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
And, sometimes "Dick" isn't just a nickname, its a description.
February 27, 2009 - 8:27pm
#15
Philip, you will be missed! I remember the early days when you wrote content from a dark table at Main Street Coffee. You definitely became part of the community.
Brian, great job covering not only sports but some of your other stories -- e.g. winter storms. Your photography is pretty incredible, too.
Thank you and good luck to both of you.
February 27, 2009 - 8:36pm
#16
good luck to Brian and Philip..you guys made this one great site..Brian your sports reporting was excellent..you really gave us a inside view of local sports..Philip you will make a great investigative reporter..You do go out and get the facts..God Bless you all.
February 27, 2009 - 11:11pm
#17
Great news! I'm happy to be a part of the Batavian. Thanks for bringing my little business on board!
February 27, 2009 - 11:20pm
#18
Thank-you Philip and Brian for all the great posts and I have enjoyed meeting and speaking to you both. You guys are and have been a true asset to thebatavian.com and it's community of bloggers. I sincerely hope your future endeavors lead to brighter horizons. Good Luck!
February 28, 2009 - 6:39am
#19
Just wondering Howard on the tech side of this. Is the server your moving the site too at home like my site was? Just wondering or maybe I'm nosy ;)
February 28, 2009 - 6:48am
#20
No, we'll go to a hosting provider.
February 28, 2009 - 10:18am
#21
Just remember to make backups of the site now and then!
But I'm sure you know that.
February 28, 2009 - 11:18am
#22
Good luck Howard to you and your staff, keep up the good work.
My computer was acting up at work during my lunch break :) this passed week and I had to endure over three hours of agony wondering what was the latest news and goings on in the area. I almost called you, good luck once again.
Ron
February 28, 2009 - 6:15pm
#23
Phillip and Brian, thanks for being pioneers on bringing issues that are relevent to Genesee county residents into the 21st Century. Many times small towns are slow to keep pace with the rest of the world when it comes to getting the word out about local events and news items. The internet is a wonderful tool. Utilizing it for the citizens of our little piece of the world just makes sense.
Good luck to both of you and I am looking forward to what Howard has in store for the future !!
March 1, 2009 - 8:14am
#24
Posted by ron c welker yesterday
If you were talking to me Ron! Any time I can help or if I can help
;)
Tommy Gee
March 1, 2009 - 9:59am
#25
Tom,
Yes you were included in the above thank you, you guys do a killer job, thanks again.
Ron
March 1, 2009 - 4:51pm
#26
I will miss Brian Hillabush's reporting on THE BATAVIAN. As a coach, Brian was always very professional and really cared about the high school kids in Genesee County. His high school sports coverage was one of the reasons I would check THE BATAVIAN each day. He really cared about the local high school sports and was very fair with his reporting. Brian is one of the best sports' journalists I've dealt with. I will miss him a lot. I wish Brian well! This is a real loss!
March 1, 2009 - 5:08pm
#27
Mr. Hillabush has that "fiftys hat" on with the "press pass" on top, a butt of a cigar in his mouth, a tiny "pencil" writing in a tiny "note book" and "camera around the neck" type of Sports coverage. It's almost live. Thanks Hilly !
March 2, 2009 - 10:08am
#28
Well, without Hilly reporting the local sports...the sports section of the Batavian hasn't changed since Friday. This is a real loss for those of us that look forward to his articles everyday. I hope to see Hilly's fine work somewhere in the near future
March 2, 2009 - 10:22am
#29
I've got an idea for getting Hilly back on The Batavian. Give me a little time to put it together.
March 2, 2009 - 2:55pm
#30
I plan on going to the Batavia game on Wednesday and will do a post when I get home. I'm still talking with Howard about how I can still work for The Bstavian, so hopefully I'll have a paid position soon.
I still love this community and this site, so if I have to scale back and work for free, I'm still going to do it. I'm obviously looking for work - and welcome any advice - but my work ethic will not let me just vanish. I can't wait for the Batavia game!
March 2, 2009 - 4:01pm
#31
Wow, Howard. This gives a whole new meaning to "I'm all in."
Show the world how to make a local site work. If anyone can do it, you can.
Best of luck!
March 2, 2009 - 9:05pm
#32
Thanks, Joe.
March 3, 2009 - 2:39pm
#33
Hilly,
High school sports isn't the same without your reporting on The Batavian. Hope to see you back!
March 3, 2009 - 4:52pm
#34
Howard,
Congratulations!! Your Batavia news site is great!!....I loved Tasia Bolond's article on Trisha Finnegan and the highlighting of my son's postive educational experience at Batavia High- Thank you!!
Cheers to a new and exciting chapter in your life!
David Christian Hamblin
March 3, 2009 - 5:07pm
#35
Thanks for the nice note, David.
March 3, 2009 - 6:37pm
#36
Whats up with the sports? There are critical games going on in the area and there is no coverage of them? We need Hilly back to report the high school sports news. It has been nearly a week since it has been updated.
March 3, 2009 - 7:07pm
#37
Again, I was laid off by GateHouse on Friday and have been working on preparing myself for the next steps in my life.
I'm missing games myself and plan on attending the Batavia game at the Blue Cross tomorrow night. I'll do a post when I get home.
Howard and I are also trying to regroup at this point and figure out how I can be brought back into the mix. Hopefully soon.
March 3, 2009 - 8:11pm
#38
What does laid off really mean ?
I will call ya when I need Ya ?
I am not being mean but why is that term used ?
I am not firing you but we cant pay ya ?
Do they fight unemployement ?
If not you get 60 % of well peanuts ?
Sometimes layoff means we will settle things and hire ya back ? (dont call us...hold yer breathe...)
Sometimes just laid off isnt an honest answer and it never prolongs the agony.
