I took the photo above last night after stopping to buy some sweet corn off Route 33 in Stafford.

Below, sunset in Alabama by Joanne Meiser.

Michael Robbins, 61, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 3rd and grand larceny 4th. Robbins is accused of entering a building and stealing various items in the early morning of Aug. 1.  He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held in jail.

Ray S. Saile, 19, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. While on duty at Labor Daze, deputies were asked to assist the Oakfield Fire Department with an incident involving Saile and his girlfriend. Saile allegedly violated an order of protection by being with his girlfriend.  He was arrested and released on an appearance ticket.

Steven Stuart Johnson, 57, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, DWI/Drugs, and headlight out. Johnson was stopped at 3:15 a.m., Sept. 2, on South Lake Avenue, by Deputy Jacob Gauthier for an alleged traffic violation.  During a search of Johnson, he was allegedly found in possession of cocaine.  The vehicle was inventoried prior to being towed and deputies reportedly found brass knuckles in the center console. Johnson was issued an appearance ticket.

Adam Altobelli, 40, of East Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Travon Armstrong, 36, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Armstrong is accused of stealing a bicycle.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Destiny Green, 25, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Green allegedly stole an item from a protected party's residence. Green was reportedly found inside the residence. Green was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Amanda Havens, 39, no permanent address, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Havens is accused of leaving two children under age seven unsupervised leading to the children roaming the streets without supervision. The children were found by patrols near a local business at 3:30 a.m., Aug. 17.  Officers could not contact Havens until she turned herself in later that day.  She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Jadeyn Goras, 18, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Goras is accused of throwing a rock through the rear window of a vehicle park in the driveway of a residence in the City of Batavia.  He is also accused of throwing a stone from a garden and throwing it through a window of a door leading into the residence.

David Klotzbach, 41, of Batavia, is charged with dog running at large.  Klotzbach's dog was allegedly running at large at 8:10 a.m., Aug. 27.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Robert Goodwill, 28, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI/alcohol. Goodwill was reportedly found driving erratically from South Main Street Road to UMMC.  Goodwill was issued traffic tickets and released.

Nicholas Kingdollar, 25, and Kayleen Laird, 25, both of Batavia, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Kingdollar and Laird allegedly failed to provide adequate supervision of a child at a residence on Jackson Street, Batavia, the evening of Aug. 30.  The child was reportedly able to climb out a second-story window and onto the roof.

An unidentified 18-year-old from Batavia is charged with three counts of petit larceny. The youth was arrested by State Police at 9:25 a.m., Sunday.

Photos by Timothy Wojkowski

The fun continues -- and continues today -- at Labor Daze in Oakfield, including a classic car show at Crazy Cheap Cars.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Jason Smith shared this picture from yesterday of a deer crossing the Ellicott Trail.

A motor vehicle accident is reported in the area of 1031 Ledge Road, Alabama.

The vehicle is 30-40 feet off the roadway, according to a first responder, and on its roof.

It was occupied by five people. One person has a minor injury.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba started its 2021 season in dominating fashion, beating Cuba-Rushford 64-6.

Gaige Armbrewster had seven carries for 202 yards and four touchdowns. Bodie Hyde, three carries, 68 yards, two TDs and one passing reception for a TD to go along with five tackles on defense.

Kameron Cusmano rushed four times for 80 yards and a TD and caught a 15-yard TD pass.

Aiden Warner, six carries, 52 yards, and a TD.  

Nate Finta lead the team with 13 tackles and Angelo Penna had 10 tackles.

Head coach Tyler winter said, "Our guys did a great job of making sure the focus for this week of practice was to put in the work necessary to put the best product of OAE football on the field.  Without the preseason scrimmage and a lack of scouting, we couldn't really put the focus on the opponent.  They had a great week of practice and the success they achieved today was a total team effort."  

Also on Saturday, Pembroke beat Wellsville, 55-26. Tyson Totten carried the ball 13 times for 291 yards and five touchdowns. Dakota vonKRamer, two carries, 65 yards, and a TD. Alex Lamb scored a rushing TD.  Caleb Felski returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD.  On Defense, Chase Guzdek had six tackles and a sack. Pete Farrington also had six tackles and a fumble recovery. Jacob Dulski had five tackles.  Jyden Mast, four tackles and a sack. Sam Pfeiffer, two tackles and a sack.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Sunshine, fun, and food marked Day 1 of Labor Daze in Oakfield on Saturday.  The festivities continue today.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Addie Tonzi, who is 13 years old and from Le Roy, took this photo of her grandparent's dog Molly through a soap bubble.

Submitted by her grandfather John Huenemoerder, of Pavilion.

More than 40 health care organizations along with 40 physicians from throughout Western New York have issued a statement calling on area residents to ignore social media misinformation about COVID-19 treatment and prevention and asking them to follow the recommendations of doctors and scientists. 

Among the organizations: Erie County Medical Center, Veterans Affairs, Kaleida Health, Horizon Health, Lake Plains Community Care, and Independent Health.  

Among the physicians signing the letter is Dr. Michael Merrill, former chief medical officer at UMMC and currently an executive with Independent Health. 

To view the document with the statement and a list of all the supporters of the statement, click here (pdf).

Statement:

These organizations and the individuals signing below say the following message is correct and reliable. Social media posts may be incorrect. Find reliable, science- based information sources, such as the CDC.

We are experiencing a high number of COVID-19 cases in the region. You should wear a mask in indoor public places, even if you are fully vaccinated. Please wear a mask in outdoor settings if it is crowded or you expect close contact with others.

Wearing a mask will protect you. It will protect people around you. And the more people who do it, the more we protect the community. This is similar to littering. If one person litters, no one notices the impact. If many people litter, it creates a problem for everyone.

The risks of the vaccine are far lower than the risks of COVID-19. Please get a vaccine. Even if you are healthy, it is best not to get the COVID-19 infection, because you can spread it to vulnerable people without knowing.

92% of recent COVID-19 deaths in Erie County are in people who are not fully vaccinated.
There is evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines are SAFE during pregnancy. Infection with the COVID-19 virus during pregnancy can cause poor outcomes for moms and newborns. One study showed if a mother gives birth while infected with COVID-19, they have a 5 times elevated risk of dying.

There is NO evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility. However, the COVID-19 infection CAN affect future fertility. You are not protected by your racial, ethnic or age group. COVID-19 is not like influenza. It is 10 times more fatal.

Why get a COVID-19 vaccine if we still have to wear masks and practice social distancing? We must use every tool available to control the pandemic. Each tool contributes toward “flattening the curve” and reducing, for example, the number of critically ill patients.

Why should I get the vaccine when people who are vaccinated can still get COVID-19? The COVID-19 vaccines were designed to prevent serious infection, hospitalization, and death. All of the current US vaccines provide very strong protection against all of these outcomes, with protection against hospitalization and death greater than 90%. Most vaccinated people who do get COVID have either no symptoms or very mild symptoms and are much less likely to be hospitalized or die.

How do we know the vaccines are safe in the long term? In the history of vaccine research, most vaccine side effects appear within a few weeks and almost all appear within six months. We now have data for well beyond six months for people who have received the COVID-19 vaccines, and it continues to show they are extremely safe. More than 360 million doses have been given in the US. At no point were shortcuts taken or safety compromised.

A vehicle has reportedly gone over a retaining wall at Crosby's, 47 Alleghany Road, Corfu.

A caller reports one person in the passenger seat. Unknown injuries.

Corfu Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 4:43 a.m.: A first responder reports no injuries.

UPDATE 4:45 a.m.: The person who was in the car has run off.  He's a white male with dark pants, checkered shirt, wearing a hat.  He's heading eastbound on Main Street.

UPDATE 4:51 a.m.: A deputy reports being with a subject. The subject is apparently the person who ran.  Corfu Fire is back in service.

UPDATE 4:54 a.m.: There is a warrant for the subject out of Montgomery County.

It started last weekend, Assemblyman Steve Hawley says he was out mowing his lawn when he noticed his flag, which was at half-mast in honor of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan, was missing. Hawley says the flag was stolen sometime last Saturday, Aug. 28.

On his Facebook page, Hawley asked for his flag's return. "Please return it, no questions asked. This is a time for respecting our country and what it stands for," Hawley wrote.

Since then, Hawley says a neighbor from down the road replaced his flag with a new one, also installing a light to the display. 

However, on Saturday morning State Police were called to another residence in the 8000 block of Bank Street Road in the Town of Batavia for another flag theft. The homeowner there said his flag was stolen sometime between 9:30 Friday evening and 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. His flag was also displayed on a pole. 

Hawley said his replacement flag was also stolen in the overnight hours, Sep. 3 into Sep. 4.

State Police are now investigating the incidents and have a few leads. The City of Batavia Police have also looked into several complaints in the area recently.

Anyone with information on the flag thefts can call NYS Police Troop A at (585) 344-6200.  

Longtime Batavia area residents surely remember George’s Dairy, the welcoming store run by the farm family on the west side of Route 98, just past the Thruway bridge heading north out of the city.

The dairy, known for its delicious chocolate milk and specialty fruit drinks, was a destination back in the 1960s and ‘70s – a lone business surrounded by acres and acres of farmland.

Fifty years later, streets called Federal Drive, Commerce Drive and Call Parkway – filled with hotels and commercial/industrial enterprises in developments known as “corporate parks” – greet motorists traveling over that same Thruway bridge toward Saile Drive, which also has become a hot spot for new business ventures.

“What we have seen and continue to see in that part of the town is the result of the efforts of several true visionaries, people such as the Call family, George Forsyth, Torchy Babcock and Carl Scott – visionaries who paved the way at great sacrifice to their political land personal careers,” Batavia Town Supervisor Gregory Post said.

Post credited governmental officials for “getting everyone into the room” – farmers, businessmen, politicians, engineers, architects, real estate brokers and industrial development agency staff – to install the infrastructure necessary to make that area a viable alternative for entrepreneurs.

“Infrastructure is the key,” said Post, a forward-thinking administrator in his own right. “Getting public water and sewer, and don't discount the fact that sales tax in Genesee County is (or was) less than in Monroe and Erie.” (Post was referring to sales tax rates at early stages of development).

‘GATEWAY’ TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

This has enabled the Genesee County Economic Development Center to establish the Gateway I Corporate Park (Federal and Commerce Drive) and Gateway II Corporate Park (Call Parkway) off of Route 98, and to help facilitate the buildup of West and East Saile Drive, which is anchored by the Milton CAT (Caterpillar heavy equipment) facility.

Steve Hyde, GCEDC president and chief executive officer, said he realized when he started at the agency in 2002 that there would be a demand for commercial bases between Western New York’s two large cities.

“From my first days at the GCEDC, we knew that there was demand for more capacity for these industries and for larger consolidated operations centers serving Buffalo and Rochester that could support enhanced jobs and investment,” Hyde said. “There were already signs that the market was responding at Gateway I Corporate Park. We had to be ready for more.”

Hyde said that after two decades of working with municipal partners and landowners on projects, “that demand has turned into successful results.”

“Both of Genesee County's business parks are fully activated. The businesses and careers that started this momentum have thrived, and more construction is on the way,” he said.

“And it’s incredible to see our heartland industries like the ag and construction equipment and logistics and transportation growing hand-in-hand with our shovel-ready sites north of the Thruway, and all along Saile Drive.”

A FLURRY OF DEVELOPMENT

Close to two dozen businesses are located at the two corporate parks and along Saile Drive.

Gateway I, which broke ground about 20 years ago, is sold out.

Businesses there include Farm Credit East (pictured below), (formerly) Aluydne (pictured below), Fairfield Hotel, Mondelez, Traco Manufacturing, Mega Properties (Koolatron, Exide Technologies, Auto Plus Auto Parts), Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn and Fairbridge Inn. The 147,000-square foot Aluyde building is currently listed by Pyramid Brokerage.

Gateway II (Call Parkway) features Ashley Furniture, Mega Properties and Gateway GS LLC, the latter being a five-building project of Gallina Development Corp. of Rochester (pictured below). The Mercy Flight EMS Genesee base just off Route 98 is adjacent to the park.

Moving to Saile Drive, you’ll find Alta Equipment Company/Vantage Equipment (pictured below), SCP Distributors, Monroe Tractor, Freightliner & Western Star of Batavia, Milton CAT (pictured below) and L&M Specialty Fabrication, which is close to Bank Street Road (pictured below).

LandPro Equipment, Valiant Real Estate USA (New York Bus Sales) reportedly will be building on Saile Drive, while Rochester Regional Health is preparing to construct a four-story office building on Route 98, across from Federal Drive and near Call Parkway.

“What we’re seeing now is that the whole area is erupting with activity,” said Chris Suozzi, GCEDC’s vice president of business and workforce development. “The Gallina project is indicative of what is happening.”

GALLINA’S BIG PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

Suozzi said Gallina’s plan is to erect five 27,000-square foot buildings. One is complete and the second one is under construction.

“Everything has grown organically as our industrial parks were kind of the anchor tenants, if you will, in the beginning,” he said. “Organically, because of it being zoned Industrial out there, we’re seeing this tremendous impact over a course of time.”

GCEDC Marketing Director Jim Krencik mentioned the need for modern, office warehousing, calling it “flex space.”

“That’s what Gallina is doing,” he said. “They have 20 acres in total, and will sell four acres every time they complete one of the buildings. Then they will take ownership of the buildings from the GCEDC, which owns the property."

Krencik said Gallina’s investment is around $2 million for each building.

“When you look out across the country, including the Buffalo and Rochester markets, there isn’t a large amount of really good, modern usable facilities,” he added.

Suozzi said the reason for that is that the “industrial vacancy rate is really low.”

“A lot of the existing inventory of buildings – you get your commercial and industrial real estate folks .... there’s not inventory available. The market is demanding that you have flex space or spec space so that the capacity is there when somebody really wants a product,” he offered.

He said the first Gallina building was built on speculation, recognizing that it would fill over time.

“The first (Gallina) building went up without a tenant,” he said. “Now, they’ve subdivided into thirds and there are three tenants in there.”

Buildings two through five are being constructed with tenants already lined up, he advised.

PRIVATE OWNERS MAKING DEALS

Tony Mancuso, longtime real estate broker for Mancuso Commercial Realty, said he has represented numerous landowners at Gateway I, Gateway II and Saile Drive as well as selling the parcel where the Federal Detention Facility is located and most of the parcels on Veterans Memorial Drive to the southwest.

“There’s not a lot of land left in those areas, actually,” he said, although he did say he is representing owners of about 10 vacant acres on Saile Drive.

Mancuso said developers will be looking to areas beyond the corporate parks, likely on land further west of Route 98.

Krencik said Saile Drive has intensified over the past decade, becoming a huge corridor for logistics as well as heavy equipment manufacturing, servicing and production that feeds into agriculture and transportation.

“We have our own park, but you really see the spillover and multiplier effect happening all the way down that street from Route 98 to Bank Street Road,” he said. “We’re taking about projects that have invested over $50 million in facilities they built or are planning to build on 500,000 square feet between those two areas and creating several hundred jobs.”

REAL ESTATE BROKER ‘NOT SURPRISED’

He called Saile Drive “almost a secret industrial park” with companies serving the need for big equipment, such as Milton CAT – “like-minded businesses all having the same vision and locating within a short distance of each other.”

Suozzi said GCEDC was the catalyst of this activity, but now “you’re seeing other people that own land along Saile Drive, that once the infrastructure was put in … you’re seeing local commercial/industrial realtors like Tony Mancuso, Rick Mancuso and Russ Romano who are selling property for individual owners along Saile Drive.”

Rick Mancuso, managing partner of Mancuso Real Estate, said he has represented property owners on Saile Drive, closing on several sales, including L&M Specialty Fabrication.

A business owner for many years, he said he could see this influx of development coming.

“I think that area is just beginning to take off right now. The close proximity of the (Genesee County) Airport and the Thruway make that property a real viable area for development,” he said.

“When land became scarce, the farmland started being sold and bought up at rates that even surprised the real estate brokers. It doesn’t surprise me, though, especially with our location between Buffalo and Rochester.”

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

The Oakfield-Alabama FFA chapter in Oakfield, NY, has been awarded a Yearlong Living to Serve Grant in the amount of $3000. The nationwide program provides grant money to local FFA chapters to support yearlong service-learning projects that address needs related to community safety; environmental responsibility; hunger, health and nutrition; and community engagement.

Oakfield-Alabama FFA plans to help address Hunger in the Community by providing fresh beef through the Community Center.  FFA students currently raise market animals in their school barn but have expressed an interest in helping their local food pantry while also educating the community by explaining the health benefits of using fresh beef.  Funds from the grant would be used to purchase a market steer to provide the Oakfield Community Center/Food Pantry with fresh beef in August 2022.

FFA student member Owen Zeliff spoke with the director of the Oakfield Community Center/Food Pantry and concluded that there is a desperate need for fresher food donations, especially fresh meat that would provide essential protein for a healthy lifestyle.

The program provided over $284,000 to FFA chapters in 36 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 2021-2022 Yearlong Living to Serve Grants are sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, Cargill, CoBank, Domino’s and Elanco. For more information and a complete listing of sponsors, visit FFA.org/livingtoserve. 

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Press release: 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is saddened to announce that his annual Patriot Trip in which he brings veterans to landmarks and historical sites throughout the Washington, D.C. area will be canceled this year due to concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, especially as new variant cases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals continue to increase. All participants who have signed up for the trip will be fully refunded for anything paid toward it.

“Having to cancel a trip that means so much to veterans, their families, and I was an incredibly difficult decision, but ultimately the well-being of veterans and their families has to be our top priority,” said Hawley. “Amidst the spread of COVID-19, it is also very difficult to know for certain that planned destinations will be reasonably accessible. Ultimately, however, the thought of even a single veteran or one of their loved ones falling seriously ill is what caused me to have to make this difficult decision because their well-being is more important than any event.”

Paul Nichiporuk shared this photo he called "Nightwalk" that he took on Batavia Stafford Townline Road in Batavia yesterday evening.  He was on a walk with his dogs Taila and Jackson.

Aidan Anderson and Jesse Reinhart led the Blue Devil's offense in a shutout win over Bishop-Kearney in Batavia's season opener at home.

The final score, 41-0.

Anderson rushed for 130 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns.  He also had an interception return for a touchdown.  

Reinhart was 7-13 passing for 84 yards and two TDs.  Cole Grazioplena caught a 15-yarder and Carter McFollins grabbed a seven-yard TD pass.

Kaden Marucci and Vincent Arroyo each had four tackles.  Marucci and Anderson (who had two interceptions) each had a fumble recovery.

Also on Friday night: 

LeRoy 21, Caledonia-Mumford 6. Drew Stroller carried the ball 16 times for 93 yards and a TD. Jack Tonzt scored a TD on six carries for 17 yards. Adam Risewick caught three passes for 33 yards.  John Panepento was 5-9 passing for 45 yards.  Tyler Strollo had seven tackles.

Alexander 7, Bolivar-Richburg 0. Head Coach Tim Sawyer described the game as a battle. "Old school football."  Nick Kramer scored the only TD of the game on a 2 yard run up the middle near the beginning of the 2nd quarter.  Eric Cline nailed the PAT. Kramer had a fumble recovery and 4 tackles and Sophomore CB Tyler Marino recovered a fumble late to seal the Trojan victory.  DE Gavin Smith Crandall had 5 tackles for the Trojans.  Jr. DE Cole Dean had 2 Sacks and two tackles while Clayton Bezon had 1 sack and 5 tackles. Brayden Woods led the Trojans in rushing with 30 yards on 11 carries

Story: Notre Dame Fighting Irish blank host York/Pavilion, 15-0, behind junior quarterback Jimmy Fanara

To view and or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Notre Dame opened its 2021 Section V varsity football season in winning fashion tonight, defeating York/Pavilion, 15-0, in a non-league game at York.

Junior quarterback Jimmy Fanara connected with senior receiver Cody Henry for a 35-yard touchdown late in the second quarter and ran in for the two-point conversion to give the Fighting Irish an 8-0 lead, and senior running back/receiver Evan Cummings scored from 3 yards out early in the fourth quarter. Junior Brandon Carrick kicked the PAT to complete the scoring.

Notre Dame controlled the ball for most of the first quarter, marching down the field on its opening possession from its own 25 to the York/Pavilion 15, but a 4th down and six pass from Fanara to Henry came up a yard short.

In the second quarter, after forcing York/Pavilion to punt, the Irish started a drive on their own 25 with 4:29 remaining.

Fanara, who completed nine of 12 passes for 107 yards, found Henry for a 22-yard gain. A couple runs by Fanara moved the ball to the York 41, and a six-yard pass to sophomore received Ryan Fitzpatrick put the ball on the Golden Knights' 35.

Then, facing a third-and-five situation, Fanara lofted the ball over the middle where Henry jumped up to catch it and sprinted the final 10 yards to the end zone.

The Irish put the game away on its opening drive of the fourth quarter, with Cummings -- who had 73 yards on 17 carries -- capping a nine-play drive by taking a pitch from Fanara on a first-and-goal play from the York/Pavilion 3-yard line.

Cummings darted toward the left sideline but seeing that he was hemmed in, stopped and reversed course to the right -- outrunning the defense into the end zone with 9:07 left in the game.

Penalties -- false starts, offsides, holding and a couple of unsportsmanlike conduct calls -- plaqued both teams throughout the contest.

Sophmore George Woodruff had 27 yards on four carries while Fanara ran the ball nine times for 38 yards. Henry caught five passes for 84 yards.

On defense, junior Bryceton Berry had a couple sacks while Henry had 10 tackles and senior Drew Edwards had nine tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery as ND limited York/Pavilion to 60 total yards. 

Property owners in the Batavia City School District -- still trying to come to grips with hefty increases in their assessments earlier this year – can take some solace with news that the school tax rate for 2021-22 is decreasing by almost 10 percent.

Scott Rozanski, Batavia schools’ business administrator, today informed The Batavian that the tax rate for the coming school year has been set at $19.23 per thousand of assessed value – down $2.10, or 9.84 percent, from the 2020-21 rate of $21.33.

On Thursday, the Batavia CSD board of education voted to accept the tax warrant and rate determination.

Rozanski also pointed out that the tax rate in 2020-21 was about 1 percent less than the 2019-20 figure.

“That’s two years of no direct impact (on taxes) from the school,” he said.

He did, however, acknowledge the change in assessments, indicating the average increase was 10.85 percent.

“We don’t control property values, nor the equalization rate which are both used to calculate the tax rate and can fluctuate each year,” he reported.

He said the district did realize about $750,000 more of a surplus from the previous year “so we added that to the refund back to the taxpayers.”

“With all of the federal stimulus funds, we were assisted on the revenue side,” Rozanski said, noting that the district received $2.4 million for COVID relief this year. “Without that, we would have had to make more cuts or (without cutting any positions) increase the levy by about 12 percent.”

Going forward, he said it’s a bit premature to project, but doesn’t think it will be “a concern in the near future.”

The district budget for 2021-22 is $52,096,661, Rozanski said. Its fund balance currently is at the maximum 4 percent, or about $2.1 million.

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined House Republican colleagues in calling for the President to provide transparency into his July 23rd call with former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

“The President’s handling of our withdrawal from Afghanistan was devastating. His actions put Americans and our allies directly in harm’s way, weakened our global reputation, and resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and the abandonment of hundreds of Americans still stuck in Afghanistan,” Jacobs said. “The American people deserve to know what led to this catastrophe and whether or not the President pushed President Ghani to downplay the threat the Taliban posed. The White House must release the full transcript of this call at once.”

The letter to President Biden was led by Congresswoman Tenney (NY-22) and has 27 signatories. It calls for the President to release the full, unredacted transcript of his July 23rd call with former Afghan President Ghani so Congress can determine to what degree the President may have misled the American people.