Sunset in Pavilion yesterday evening, submitted by Jeslene Beach.
Press release:
The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is getting back in the “swing”of things. We are “teeing off” with a new FUN-raiser and we are asking for some assistance in making this event a success.
“Links & Drinks” is a unique golf outing that will be held Aug. 14, 2021 at Terry Hills Golf Course, Batavia. This event will consist of nine holes of shenanigans, beverage tastings on select holes, chicken barbeque, music, and an evening full of fun.
Registration for golfers will begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by a shotgun start at 4 p.m.
Sponsorship opportunities are available as listed below, donations of gift cards or basket raffle items are also appreciated.
Sponsorship levels are as follows:
If you would like to participate in the event, the costs are as follows:
Join the “Club”and help us Lend a Hand for Hope and continue our mission of assisting families with the challenges of a pediatric cancer, supporting research in finding a cure, and providing grants for youth activities in Western New York communities.
Please let us know if you can help in any way by calling the Foundation phone at (585) 861-0550, Donna Kabel at (585) 993-1580, or Laurie Napoleone at (585) 409-3275.
Town of Bethany Justice – Vote for any Two (Republican)
Town of Byron Supervisor – Vote for One (Republican)
Town of Stafford Clerk – Vote for One (Republican)
Rebekah Daniszewski and Alex Hale received Batavia Coaches Association Athlete of the Year awards tonight at the Batavia High School Athletic Awards ceremony at Van Detta Stadium.
Athletic Director Mike Bromley presided over the event that recognized outstanding Blue Devil senior class student-athletes for their accomplishments over the four sport seasons in 2020-21.
Daniszewski, a Section V track and field champion in the shot put (indoor) and shot put and discus (outdoor), and Hale, a three-sport standout, each were given $50 and a plaque from the Coaches Association.
The Athlete of the Year award goes to a senior girl and boy for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship and athletic performance.
Daniszewski also received the Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Track and Community Service, a $300 award from the Batavia City School District Foundation, while Hale also was selected to receive the Daniel Van Detta Memorial Scholarship for football and baseball, a $250 award from the BCSD Foundation.
Jonah Epps III was the winner of the Thomas Ricci Memorial Scholarship for track and field and/or cross-country, a $500 check from the BCSD Foundation. He also received the Project Play WNY Multisport Athlete Award, which comes with a certificate, celebratory lawn sign and social media spotlight.
Jacob Long was named the Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Football and Community Service winner, earning a $300 check from the BCSD Foundation.
The Danny Lullo Memorial Football Scholarship went to Zachariah Brown, who received a $300 check from the BCSD Foundation.
Luke Rogers was selected to receive the Jason Gioia Memorial Scholarship for dedication to school and the community. The scholarship is for $500.
Other award winners are as follows:
Several athletes were recognized for winning sectional titles. They were:
The labor market in Genesee County continued to tighten in May the number of people in the job market without a job dropped by 200 from the previous month.
In May 2021 in Genesee County, there were 1,200 people in the labor force without jobs according to NYS Labor Department data.
The unemployment rate is 4.2 percent, or similar to May 2017, when it was 4.3 percent. In May 2019, the rate was 3.2 percent. Last year, three months into the coronavirus pandemic, it was 11.1 percent.
Meanwhile, there are 1,057 open job positions listed with the Job Bureau in Genesee County, according to Director Teresa VanSon.
Also according to the state, there are 21,000 non-farm jobs that are filled in Genesee County, up 1,700 from 19,300 May 2020. The total private-sector jobs jumped from 14,200 to 15,900 year-over-year. Government jobs remained unchanged at 5,100.
From the city's Department of Public Works:
The City of Batavia Water Department is going to be repairing a water line at 10 Vernon Ave. at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23. The repair will require the road to be shut down for through traffic.
This will include emergency vehicles.
The road should be open by 3 p.m.
The City appreciates your patience while we perform this repair.
A caller reports a small child, about age 2, is driving a motorized scooter in and out of the roadway in the area of State Street and Lewis Place. City police are responding.
UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: An officer is speaking with someone about this call at State and Hutchins Place.
For the fourth consecutive year, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has been selected as one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York.
The annual listing of businesses honored through the Best Companies to Work for in New York program was created by the New York State Society for Human Resource Management and Best Companies Group.
This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New York, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.
The 2021 Best Companies to Work for in New York list is made up of 72 companies, including the not-for-profit GCASA, which offers services in the areas of substance use prevention, treatment and recovery.
GCASA Executive Director John Bennett said he was proud to be honored for a fourth year, recognizing his staff “as amazing individuals who help people in our communities every day.”
“Our employees give back in so many ways and are deserving of having a great place to work,” he said. “We try to be family-oriented and give staff flexibility in creating their own schedule which is a highly-rated perk we offer. This year, we are improving our in-house training and education opportunities and addressing some salary inequities compared to other regional organizations in our category.”
To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in New York. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation.
The second part consisted of a survey to measure the employee experience. This part was worth approximately 75 percent of the total. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings.
Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in New York and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.
Kim Corcoran, GCASA’s director of Human Resources, said the agency’s staff is committed to providing the best possible services to its communities.
“GCASA is extremely honored to be recognized once again,” she said. “Along with an employer-completed survey, 125 staff were asked to respond to a survey to include areas regarding GCASA’s leadership, corporate culture and communication, work environment, pay and benefits, supervision, and overall engagement. This is quite a tribute to our staff and reflects the positive environment fostered by our leadership.”
All honorees will be celebrated at an online event at 5:30 p.m. July 28. For more information about the event go to https://rbj.net/events/best-companies/
To learn more about attending the event or sponsoring contact rbjevents@bridgetowermedia.com.
For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in New York program, visit www.BestCompaniesNY.com.
Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:
2021 LEGISLATIVE RECAP: SENSELESS SPENDING AND AN ABSENCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
This last year, industry and society at large have shifted drastically as the challenges we’ve faced have forced us to be more innovative and resilient than ever before. However, even as private businesses and families alike found new ways to thrive while braving a pandemic, it was another year of business as usual for the Governor and his allies in the legislative Majority.
They worked to raise taxes, chip away further at our constitutional rights and construct the most expensive budget in our state’s history, a monstrous proposal that spends more than Texas and Florida do within a year COMBINED, while doing little for those who need help most.
Giving recovering small businesses less than half of what’s being given to undocumented immigrants in direct assistance is unconscionable, and there’s nothing progressive about letting small, family-owned businesses die for the sake of helping people who broke our laws to be here.
These small businesses are built up over decades through generations, and are places where people find their first jobs or even their lifelong careers. They are what make the towns, villages and cities where we live the unique and special places we know them to be, and it has been incredibly saddening to see so many of them continue to struggle when there’s so much more we could have done to support them, their employees and the communities they serve.
What has been even worse than the Majority’s failure to provide adequate assistance to our small business owners, has been their unwillingness to stand up to the governor’s active attempts to encumber their success.
Even as he remained embroiled in scandal and under investigation at multiple levels of government, they refused to meaningfully curtail his emergency authority or rescind any of the restrictions he placed on small businesses, even as available scientific data demonstrated that they were unnecessary.
Despite all of the questions surrounding his conduct, and especially his handling of nursing homes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor held a grip on power as firm as ever as we left Albany after session. Even as the Assembly itself has conducted an investigation throughout the last several months into his multiple potential wrongdoings, we still have nothing to show for it.
While this year was largely disappointing, legislatively speaking, there was at least one bright spot within it that I feel we should all be proud of. After fighting to make it happen for years and having my proposals to do so shot down in committee, I was proud to see a bill passed (A.7865) that will provide free tuition to members of Gold Star families.
While I wish we were able to pass this bill even earlier to begin helping Gold Star families as soon as possible, President Reagan said it best, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.”
So I am simply relieved to see this idea become law one way or another. It is indeed heartening that on at least one issue we were able to come together and do the right thing, so I am hopeful that next year we can build upon that success bearing in mind who we really need to be helping here in New York State.
Press release:
The City Church and St. Anthony's are excited to announce the opening back up of their Tuesday Night Activity Nights on July 6th.
They offer basketball, four square, a game room and the Liberty Arts room will be open.
The gym floor has been recently updated and is ready to be played on!
This will occur every Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. at the St. Anthony's Community Center located on 114 Liberty St. in Batavia.
Everyone is welcome and food will be provided.
They are excited to welcome the community for a night of fun and friendship!
A dog is reported to be on the roof in the first block of Washington Avenue in the city. Officers are responding.
UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Dispatch has left a message on the resident's voicemail machine. An officer at the residence reports the dog has opted to go back inside the house, but still has access the roof. "I'll be hanging in the area until we get it secured," says the officer.
A car vs. pedestrian accident with possible serious injuries is reported at 229 W. Main St., in front of Ken Barrett's Chevolet dealership. City fire is en route. Mercy medics are responding. Police are on scene. Mercy Flight out of Batavia is on ground standby.
UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: Mercy Flight is called to scene and directed to land behind city fire headquarters in a grassy area off Evans Street. City Ladder #15's crew is the ground contact.
UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed behind city fire headquarters.
UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and heading to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. The city assignment on West Main is back in service.
UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: From the City of Batavia Police Department -- The City of Batavia Police Department is investigating a car vs. pedestrian personal injury accident that occurred on Tuesday, June 22, at about 2:03 p.m. in front of 229 W. Main St., Batavia. A pedestrian was crossing West Main Street and was struck by an SUV that was traveling eastbound. The pedestrian was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing and the names of the individuals involved will not be released at this time. The City of Batavia Police Department would like to thank the City of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS and Mercy Flight Air Crew for their assistance with the initial investigation.
Top photo: City police say this dark-colored SUV was involved in the accident where a pedestrian was struck.
Below: Emergency personnel at the scene while the patient is being stablized in the ambulance in order to transport them to city fire headquarters where Mercy Flight has landed.
Submitted images and press release:
The Batavia Society of Artist is hosting artist Collette Savage on Tuesday, July 13th at 6 p.m. at DeWitt Recreation Area at 115 Cedar St. in Batavia. She will be demonstrating pastels en plein air (outside).
We will be in the smallest pavilion on the left side of the park. Nonmembers welcome for a $5 fee. Please bring a chair in case Savage wants to get closer to the water.
Savage has been an artist since she could pick up a pencil. She received her bachelor’s degree in art from SUNY Brockport but has found the best education she received has come from sources outside of academia.
She has taken classes from local artists including Sari Gaby and Thomas Keggler, as well as nationally known artists Albert Handel and Marc Hanson. Nevertheless, working directly from life on a regular basis has been her greatest teacher.
Savage has worked in pastels for the past 20 years and continues to be fascinated by all the creative ways that pastels can be used. An avid plein air pastel painter, she teaches classes in pastel painting and plein air for the beginner where she can share her knowledge and love of what she does.
Savage is a member of Suburban Rochester Art Group, Greater Rochester Plein Air Painters and the Pastel Society of Western New York. In addition to teaching classes, she does workshops and demonstrations.
Savage enjoys sharing her knowledge of pastel and plein air painting. Recently, Colette has begun recording videos on YouTube, which demonstrate pastel painting techniques. Here is the link.
You can read her blog about pastel painting here.
She also offers her pastel paintings and giclee prints on her Etsy shop. You can email her at: cmsavage31@gmail.com
The project manager of Le Roy Meadows says a solid plan is in place to address more than $600,000 in back taxes owed to Genesee County and necessary roof and driveway repairs at the 10-building, 80-apartment complex at 18 Genesee St.
David Renzo Jr., president of V&V Development Corp., of Batavia, today said a vouchering system to retrieve subsidies owed to the project by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a commitment of an investment group out of California, which owns 95 percent of the complex, are the keys to getting Le Roy Meadows back on track.
“As soon as we get the subsidy in for all that, the taxes are going to be paid,” Renzo said.
“We’re resubmitting vouchering covering the past three or four years, and we’re thinking that in four to five weeks we will start receiving the HUD subsidy again and the taxes will be paid.”
The Batavian has learned that the county is waiting to receive $605,886.43 in back taxes owed by Le Roy Meadows -- $603,167.33 on the property assessed at $2.2 million and another $2,719.10 on a small parcel assessed at $10,000. The taxes are for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Genesee County hasn’t started the foreclosure process yet due to the signing by Gov. Andrew Cuomo of an extension of the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 and the COVID-19 Emergency Protect Our Small Businesses Act through Aug. 31.
Renzo said the location’s current problems stem from HUD suspending its contract with Le Roy Meadows several years ago. Tenants there pay 30 percent of their monthly income toward rent with HUD supplying the difference.
“Our HUD contract was suspended but we’re working on that with HUD right now by sending the vouchers (for the back subsidies),” he said. “There was a lot of confusion. The tenants shouldn’t be worried now because we have a plan in place. They’re not going to lose their rental assistance.”
He said the worst-case scenario is that tenants will receive an individual voucher that can be used for the rental assistance – giving them a choice between staying at Le Roy Meadows or taking that voucher to live somewhere else.
“Right now, rental assistance is project-based. The investment group in California is committed to getting this done. They’ve got positive feedback from HUD and getting the back subsidy that is owed to us to pay off the taxes and get the work done,” Renzo advised.
Concerning the condition of the roofs and driveway, Renzo said he is working with the investment group, soliciting the bids and lining up the work, to have all of the roofs replaced and to blacktop “the worst part of the driveway.”
He also said that repairs of the original sidewalks are part of the plan.
The tarps covering the roofs on many of the buildings are there as precautionary measures, he noted. Thus far, one of the 10 roofs has been repaired.
“With the subsidies about to come, plus the reserve accounts that we have set up and the backing of the investment group, the work will get done,” he said, adding that the interior of the apartments are in “great shape.”
Renzo said that contrary to what was reported in another local news outlet, neither he nor the V&V Development Group own Le Roy Meadows. He did say that plans are to bring in a new management group specializing in HUD policies and procedures to run Le Roy Meadows.
V&V Development Group also manages three complexes governed by the United States Department of Agriculture – The Meadows at South Main Street and Northside Meadows, both in Batavia, and Corfu Meadows.
Photo: Le Roy Meadows building with tarps protecting the roof, which needs replacing. Courtesy of Le Roy code enforcement officer.
Press release:
Northgate Free Methodist Church will be offering free youth pickleball this summer for students in both middle school and high school on Thursdays at 1 p.m. All events will be held at Northgate’s South Campus (350 Bank St., Batavia).
There is no cost, no equipment or knowledge of the game required to attend. All that is required is the ambition to have a great time while learning an awesome game!
Games will begin on Thursday, July 1 and continue weekly on Thursdays.
Northgate encourages you to bring a friend and learn to “dink,” stay out of the “kitchen” and, hopefully, don’t get “pickled!”
If you have any questions, please call Pastor Daniel Calkins (585) 343-4011, or email him at: daniel@northgatefmc.com!
Psst...Free pizza the first week!
From the city's Bureau of Maintenance:
On Wednesday, June 23 and Monday, June 28 Chase Park, Fisher Park and North Spruce Street will be closed to all through traffic, for a two-course pavement operation. Residents are asked to not park in the street on these two days.
All motorists that regularly use these streets are asked to seek alternative routes while the closures are in place.
Contact the Bureau of Maintenance and ask to speak to the Superintendent or Streets Supervisor at (585) 345-6400, opt. 1, if you have any questions.
Press release:
United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has been gifted the largest donation in its history of more than 100 years. Marian Ransom, who lived in LeRoy, left her entire estate of more than $1.2 million to the hospital upon passing away last year. In honor of Marian Ransom and her generous contribution, the second-floor medical wing at UMMC has been renamed the “Marian Ransom Medical Unit.”
“Its contributions like Marian’s that make such a profound impact on the community,” said Dan Ireland, president of United Memorial Medical Center. “We are beyond grateful for Marian’s contributions and what it will mean for the hospital, our patients, and the community. With the support of her donation, we’ll be renovating the intensive care unit (ICU), which will also have a significant impact on the newly named Marian Ransom Medical Unit.”
The ICU project is still in the early stages of development, but when complete will improve patient, visitor access, and flow to both the ICU and the Marian Ransom Medical Unit. The ICU will get a new waiting area and greeting area and also, clinical support spaces for both units.
“Marian desired to make a difference at the end of her life and so bequeathed her entire estate of more than $1.2 million to United Memorial Medical Center," said Michael T. Welsh, Marian’s attorney. “This humble and philosophical woman has left a legacy which will benefit so many of our citizens for years to come.”
Press release:
The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 3.
The eight-month program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands-on experience. Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.
The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesdays of each month except for November due to the holiday.
The program dates are: Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, and May 11.
Youths who complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.
The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.
The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.
Applications for the program can be found here.
Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585)344-3960 or at: youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.
Press release:
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and the Batavia Community Schools initiative are joining forces to present a “School’s Out for Summer!” informational fair from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Recovery Station at 5256 Clinton Sreet Road.
Shannon Ford, GCASA’s director of Communications/Development/Prevention, said the event is set up to provide available resources, such as summer activities and educational opportunities, for both parents and youth.
“GCASA’s Prevention Team is very excited to partner with Batavia Community Schools to host this event at The Recovery Station,” Ford said. “After a long, challenging school year, we want to make sure parents and youth have the resources they need to stay healthy and safe. We’re hoping families will stop by, have some fun and get some important information that we plan to share.”
Batavia Community Schools is a new program developed by the Batavia City School District. Its mission is to unite the Batavia community and schools through shared resources, working partnerships, and open, collaborative communication.
Julia Rogers, coordinator of Community Schools, said the event with GCASA “aligns nicely with our vision of building a better Batavia by promoting equitable learning activities, cultivating healthier families and establishing a stronger community.”
Thursday’s activities include Hidden Mischief (a hidden-in-plain-sight experience) for adults from 6:15-7:15 p.m. and special games for children during that time. Attendees will be able to tour the facility.
Refreshments will be available from Pub Coffee Hub.
Other participants include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hillside Children’s Center Young Life, The ACT Program.
It isn’t too late for other community agencies or organizations to participate, Rogers said, adding that she can be reached at (585) 343-2480, ext. 1004.
CLICK HERE for more information about Batavia Community Schools.
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