Kristie DeFreze, (photo at right), an attorney with the Bonarigo & McCutcheon law firm in Batavia, made that observation this afternoon as she presented a review of the indigent legal services unit during the Genesee County Legislature’s Public Service Committee meeting.

“I think that, in some form, it is here to stay – at least in Family Court,” said DeFreze, noting that she see positives and negatives to conducting court proceedings remotely via Zoom or other type of videoconferencing. “For certain court appearances, they will keep it around.”

DeFreze said that virtual sessions seem to have cut down on court time and waiting time – as well as expenses – but have led to an increase in time spent communicating with clients and other parties.

County Attorney Kevin Earl agreed, stating that virtual meetings are good for routine appearances, such as traffic court cases, but “when it comes to hearing and trials, it’s very difficult to know ahead of time what exhibits you need, (which can lead to delays).”

The decision to continue remote proceedings rests with the administrative judge of the judicial district, she said. That position in this area – the 8^th Judicial District – currently is held by Paula L. Feroleto.

In reporting the makeup of the panel attorneys in Genesee County, DeFreze said that most of the lawyers practice outside of Genesee County.

On the criminal panel, nine of 13 are from outside the county; on the family panel, eight of 12 are from outside the county; and on the appeal panel, five of six are from outside the county.

When asked why this was, she said it is a matter of dollars and cents.

“We have a smaller pool here when compared to Erie and Monroe counties, plus the pay rate is very low,” she said.

While attorneys may normally charge $150 to $300 an hour for their services, they receive only $60 an hour for criminal cases, and $75 an hour for felony or family court cases in which they are called upon to step in for the county public defender’s office.

“We’re working to increase that rate … which would give local attorneys more incentive to get on the panel,” she said.

DeFreze said that referrals are up in family court from 117 in 2020 to 151 so far this year, and down in criminal court from 120 in 2020 to 110 this year. She pointed out that the time frame for the 2020 referrals was from Jan. 1 through June 15.

She reported that the assignment backlog due to COVID shutdowns has mostly caught up in family court because the court has been accepting filings and scheduling appearances for the second half of 2020 through the present. On the criminal side, she said there is a backlog because justice courts have just starting scheduling sessions on appearance tickets in the last month.

Going forward, DeFreze, who contracts with the county as the Assigned Counsel administrator, said she is looking into establishing an electronic voucher system for attorneys’ clock hours/reimbursement along with a resource office outside of the courthouse for lawyers to meet with clients and potential witnesses and have access to equipment such as a printer and scanner.

She said that additional expenses incurred would be paid out of a state grant specifically to enhance delivery of public defense services in four key areas: counsel at arraignment; caseload relief; initiatives to improve the quality of indigent defense; and eligibility standards for representation.

“I will work with the county attorney on the appropriate process for review and comment on these updates,” she reported. “This will allow us to ensure quality representation for our indigent defendants and family court parties, and more efficiently track the statistics required for annual reporting.”

From the county Highway Department:

Meadville Road between Lewiston Road and Owen Road in the Town of Alabama will be closed beginning Monday, May 24^th  through approximately Aug. 30^th, for a bridge replacement project.

The road will not be passable to regular traffic or emergency vehicles.

The public will be notified when it reopens.

Press release:

Today, Senator Ed Rath called on the Department of Budget (DOB) to release critical funding grants for emergency services. Senator Rath was joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Genesee County Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein, Undersheriff Brad Mazur, Genesee County Director of Emergency Communications Steven Sharpe, members of the Genesee County Legislature and members of the 911 Advisory Board.

“The delay in the release of this funding for our communities is extremely damaging," Senator Rath said. "As ranking member on the Senate Local Government’s Committee, I know the extreme duress many of our counties are under as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the State to be delaying the release of this funding, with no end in sight, is completely unacceptable.

"We need to be working with our counties and local governments, not adding unnecessary burdens. Unfortunately, this seems to be all too typical for our State. I am calling on the Department of Budget to release these grants (2020-21) and inform our counties when they will be able to apply for the current fiscal year’s grants (2021-22)."

Assemblyman Hawley said: "Our heroes of healthcare have been working dutifully throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure emergency services were not overwhelmed or interrupted during the highly contested time. To see that our 9-1-1 services are now under threat of being underfunded is unacceptable, and the State needs to take immediate action to ensure that our emergency telecommunications are not stifled."

"County governments must work alongside the State to ensure the funding needs are met for these important emergency services," said Genesee County Legislator Gregg Torrey, Human Services chair. “I want to thank Senator Rath and Assemblyman Hawley for fighting to secure our fair share of critical 9-1-1 funding which is needed to support our County Public Safety operations."

Genesee County Legislator Gary Maha, Public Service chair, said: "We have been fighting this battle for years through the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, the New York State 911 Coordinators Association and the New York State Association of Counties. It is time the Governor stops using these funds for other purposes than 9-1-1 services."

"The delay in releasing already collected 9-1-1 surcharge revenue money could cost Genesee County over $500k in the 2021 budget," said L. Matthew Landers, Genesee County manager, budget officer. "While we have long been advocating that a greater share of the collected surcharge go to the intended recipients, namely emergency communications operations such as the Genesee County Dispatch Center, this recent delay in funding is unexplainable and undermines emergency communications operations across the State."

Emergency Communications Director Sharpe, of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and NYS 911 Coordinators Legislative Committee chair, said: “Over the past year, our first responder community needed to address the pandemic while continuing to provide emergency services to the public.

"Our friends at the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications (DHSES/OIEC) have been excellent partners by assisting local communities setting up communications for testing sites, emergency clinics, and now mass vaccination sites. DHSES/OIEC also hosted teleconferences for local and county partners to discuss best practices during the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, the State of New York has not honored their commitments regarding grant funding. Counties provide a majority of public safety answering point (9-1-1 center) services throughout the State and also administer a majority of public safety communications systems. During this pandemic, the State has inexplicably halted and delayed grant funding despite the funding stream for those grants increasing during the pandemic. 

"We are asking our partners at the State to honor their words, obey the laws of the State of New York, execute the law in a timely manner, and release the grant funding that is now above a year overdue."

The State has yet to release the 2020-21 grant funding or the application information for 2021-22.

Press release:

HOPE Day, the annual 24-hour match challenge day of giving to benefit Appeal 2021, brought in $260,016 on May 14.

Matching funds of $57,212 added to this total increase HOPE Day’s grand total to $317,228, toward the annual Appeal’s $10 million goal in support of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith. 

“The goal of HOPE Day is to inspire first-time donors and those who already gave to go above and beyond to help those most in need, in addition to rallying Catholic Charities’ supporters,” said Rick Cronin, Appeal 2021 chair. “Thank you, thank you to individuals and corporate donors who participated in HOPE Day 2021.

"Your contributions directly bring hope in the form of emergency assistance, mental health counseling, youth and family support services and more to our neighbors most in need throughout all eight counties of Western New York.”

To date, more than $8,017,161 or 80 percent of Appeal 2021’s $10 million goal has been raised.

The annual Appeal helps fund 57 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities across Western New York, along with several ministries that benefit all parishes through the Diocese of Buffalo’s Fund for the Faith. Last year, Catholic Charities’ programs and services helped more than 149,000 individuals of all faiths, ages and ethnicities. 

Donations to Appeal 2021 can continue to be made at ccwny.org/donation through June 30.

The Stafford Garden Club will host a Plant Sale on Wednesday, May 19 at a new venue this year -- Emery Park.

It is located 6079 E. Main Road (Route 5), Stafford, and has a pavilion, so the event will go on -- rain or shine.

The sale starts at 11 a.m. and there will also be hanging baskets and containers filled with plants and flowers.

All proceeds go for town improvements and scholarship funds.

June Rouse, one of more than 40 Stafford Garden Club members, said the club more or less follows the process used by the Cornell Coorperative Extension of Genesee County. Members grow the plants to be sold, then they are divvied up, arranged, with some of them planted "in good-size pots."

Expect to find perennials, a variety of hostas, regular aliums and drumstick aliums, Shasta daisies, phlox, peonies and small pines. Rouse is contributing aloes, spider plants and lush, fragrant basil, too.

"The officers set the prices, and they are reasonable," she said.

The move to the park was made because of the coronavirus pandemic, but she said she thinks it's a good idea because most garden clubs in the area hold their plant sales outside.

The president of the Genesee County Agricultural Society said she is cautiously optimistic following today’s announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo that county fairs across New York State will be able to take place under six-foot social distancing guidelines.

“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves as we continue to consult with County Manager Matt Landers and the health department” regarding what will be necessary for area residents to enjoy the Genesee County Fair this summer, Amanda Gallo said.

The fair is scheduled for July 24-31 at the county fairgrounds on East Main Street Road. It was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gallo said tentative plans call for the organization to host the North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch Series on July 23-24 and the Empire Classic Youth Sheep Show on July 24.

The draft horse show is the biggest in the state (except for the New York State Fair) and the sheep show draws participants from throughout Western New York. The open beef and open swine shows are set for July 25, with Genesee County 4-H-only shows scheduled throughout the week.

Earlier this month, the Genesee County Legislature allocated $11,000 for 4-H judging expenses and 4-H premiums associated with the fair.

“We’re hoping to have all of our attractions and livestock shows this year,” Gallo said. “We will release more details as we get further guidance.”

Landers said he is “very happy” to know the fair will be held this year.

“I have enjoyed going to the fair many times and hope to take my kids to the demolition derby this year,” he said.

Gallo said the demolition derby is the feature event on July 30.

Fully Vaccinated Equals No Mask

In another development, Cuomo announced that New York will adopt the Center for Disease Control’s new indoor mask and social distancing guidelines effective this Wednesday.

The governor's statement came four days after the CDC ruled that fully vaccinated people could get rid of their masks indoors in most instances.

Masks reportedly continue to be necessary on public transit, in nursing homes, in homeless shelters, correctional facilities, schools and healthcare facilities across the state in accordance with the new federal guidelines, Cuomo said.

He added that those who have compromised immune systems or have yet to be vaccinated are required to wear masks and to socially distance.

Joseph David Ayer, 39, of Smith Street, Buffalo, and Maris Lynn Lenk, 32, of Nancy Place, Cheektowaga, are charged with second-degree burglary -- illegal entry into a dwelling; and fourth-degree grand larceny -- of property with a value greater that $1,000. Both defendants were arrested at 4:23 p.m. on River Road in Pavilion. It is alleged that Ayer and Lenk unlawfully entered a house by forcing the door open and then they stole items with a total value estimated at more than $1,000. They were virtually arraigned in Pavilion Town Court. Lenk was released on her own recognizance and is to appear in Genesee County Court June 3. Ayer was put in jail without bail and is due in county court June 9. Both cases were handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Jacob Gauthier.

Jessica Thomas-Heizyk, 33, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. May 10 on Davis Avenue in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that she threatened the victim with a screwdriver while in the presence of several juveniles. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court then released on her own recognizance. The defendant is due to reappear in city court June 17.

Kyle Samuel Barnhart, 30, of North Road, Le Roy, is a registered Level 2 sex offender charged with failure to register internet accounts as part of his conditions from a prior charge. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Le Roy Town Court on June 15. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

Adam Altobelli, 40, was arrested on West Main Street in the city on a Batavia City Court bench warrant at 11:25 a.m. May 6, arraigned in city court, then released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is charged with: criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree; endangering the welfare of a child; and second-degree menacing. Altobelli is due back in city court on June 17.

Thomas Tacito, 61, was arrested at 2:04 p.m. May 7 on a warrant for aggravated harassment and fourth-degree stalking. It is alleged that Tacito repeatedly called a person without having a legitimate purpose to do so and despite being advised to stop multiple times. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court via Skype and released on his own recognizance. Tacito is due to return to city court June 17.

Jonathan Golden, 34, was arrested at 10:35 a.m., May 10, on West Main Street in the city after turning himself in on an active arrest warrant out of Batavia City Court. It is alleged that while employed at a local car dealership, Golden took a vehicle and kept it for an extended period of time without the vehicle owners' knowledge or consent. He was arraigned in city court, then released on his own recognizance.

Graffiti at Lambert Park, located at 100 Verona Ave. on the north end of the city, was reported this morning.

Besides this and one confirmed at Farrall Park on Otis Street on the Southside, we are not aware of other instances of graffiti being reported recently.

UPDATE 11:25 a.m. (By Howard): Batavia City Council President and retired City of Batavia Police Lt. Eugene Jankowski Jr. reacts to the discoveries -- "I'm very disappointed that someone took it upon themselves to destroy our beautiful parks with that graffiti. It's very, very terrible to see that happen. ... It's going to take public input. Hopefully somebody saw something and then maybe can provide some information to police and help them resolve it. I haven't talked to anyone on city staff about it yet -- hopefully there's a way to clean that up and get it back to the condition it was prior to the damage done to it."

Photo by Howard Owens.

Le Roy's Trap Team tuned up this weekend at Northwoods for the final weak of the season. There are 16 members of the Oatkan Knights team participating in the NYS HS Clay Target Championship on June 13.

Photos and information from Tim McArdle.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.05, up eight cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $1.88. The New York State average is $3.06 – up six cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.16. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.96 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.96 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.98 (up 3 cents since last week)
• Rochester - $2.99 (up 2 cents since last week)
• Rome -- $3.07 (up 4 cents since last week)
• Syracuse -- $3 (up 6 cents since last week)
• Watertown -- $3.07 (up 4 cents since last week)

The Colonial Pipeline shutdown lead to an increase in gas prices at the national level at a time when prices were already rising due to higher crude prices and demand ahead of Memorial Day. The national average is now topping $3 per gallon.

States that have been experiencing supply strain should get relief with a decline in prices in coming days. Yet Memorial Day typically brings some of the highest prices of the year. AAA does not expect the recent rise in prices to deter Memorial Day travelers.

From GasBuddy:

"The national average gas price surged last week thanks to big price jumps in Southeastern states due to the previously shut down Colonial Pipeline, but most areas outside that region saw smaller fluctuations," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "With the pipeline now back in service, I expect prices to come down in the hardest hit states, specifically the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Virginia.

"The drops should lead the national average to soon fall back under the $3 per gallon mark, but motorists shouldn't get too excited- prices may start to head higher in a few weeks should Memorial Day gasoline demand be red hot. In addition, motorists in the affected areas should see outage numbers continue to decline this week, especially early in the week when gasoline demand tends to be lowest. I'm optimistic that there will be enough recovery by Memorial Day for motorists in these states to fill up without having to search for gasoline."

Playground equipment at Farrall Park (101-111 Otis St.) has been vandalized and Batavia PD has opened an investigation into the criminal activity after being contacted about it by The Batavian.

Last night, a reader emailed these photos to The Batavian to alert us to the vandalism. We contacted Sgt. Marc Lawrence and he said he wasn't aware of the incident.

After looking into it today, he he confirmed playground equipment was spray-painted but there had been no prior complaint or notification to Batavia PD of the vandalism. 

He said it appeared that the paint was relatively fresh, probably spray within the past couple of days.

He indicated there is no further information available on the case at this time.

Anybody with information that might assist in the investigation can contact Batavia PD at (585) 345-6350, the confidential tip line at (585) 345-6370

Reader-submitted photos.

OAKFIELD – In spite of more than a year of coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village of Oakfield is blooming, in more ways than one.

In the spring newsletter, Oakfield Mayor Dave Boyle stated, “Social and economic renewal seem to be on the horizon.”

This week, village’s Clerk Treasurer Kim Staniszewski, Bill Barber from Oakfield/Alabama Lions Club, Oakfield Historical Society President Laurie Nanni, owner of The Goose, Sue Zeliff and mayor Boyle’s wife Judy shared news of many upcoming programs.

A big new project designed to brighten the town’s Main Street is the placement last week of colorful pots of flowers. Judy Boyle said she has often driven through the neighboring villages of Medina and Albion and seen their flowering pots and wondered why Oakfield couldn’t do the same.

Staniszewski agreed to organize efforts to raise money for pots and flowers, and after a plea for donations, the Department of Public Works, volunteers and students from Oakfield/Alabama Central School Future Farners of America chapter met to fill 37 pots with dirt and flowers. The DPW will maintain them throughout the summer.

Staniszewski said they were shocked how many people and churches contributed to the flower project. 

The village also sponsored a coloring contest on Earth Day in April, and winners were posted in the village office windows.

Another project being undertaken by the village is acquiring a bike rack. The village is seeking someone to build decorative ones with the village logo on them. They are pursuing the necessary funding and hope to see the racks materialize in the near future.

“Our village is so walkable, and the sidewalks are so wide,” Judy Boyle said. “Everything is just coming alive.”

Boyle also noted the village’s Memorial Park on Main Street, behind Warner’s Flowers. Residents can buy bricks to memorialize friends and loved ones.

The park also boasts a sensory path. During the coronavirus pandemic, the village was approached by special needs staff at Oakfield/Alabama School, where they have a sensory path painted in the school. Individuals don’t touch anything as they walk along, but rather imitate the motions depicted by the paintings. The special needs department came and painted the sensory path in the park.

The Memorial Park is about an acre in size and is a nice, quiet little park, Boyle said. 

The next big event is the Oakfield Community-Wide Garage Sale, sponsored by Oakfield/Alabama Lions Club. Lions Member Bill Barber is organizing the sale scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 12. It will encompass homes on streets within the village, as well as Roberts Road, Lewiston Road, Lockport Road and Albion Road. 

As part of the day, the Oakfield Community Bible Church will have water available and will sponsor a bottle and can drive. The Oakfield Methodist Church will have a pie sale. In Triangle Park, the Lions will have a tent selling sausage, hot dogs and beverages; Pack 19 Cub Scouts will have a birdhouse sale; and the Oakfield Betterment Committee will sell tickets for their Labor Day raffle.

They are planning to have Labor Daze back this year. The Betterment Committee is also undertaking a tree-planting renewal project, under leadership of Jamie Lindsley.

Big things are happening at the Oakfield Historical Society. Because it was closed for a year during the pandemic, volunteers have been working on projects in the museum. Nanni said they are expanding the War Room, focusing on Italian immigrants, and catching up on reorganizing their files.

Because families were shut in during the pandemic, many took advantage of the time to research their ancestors. As a result, the Historical Society has received numerous calls asking for information on ancestors.

On May 22, the Historical Society will work with the town to clean up in Cary Cemetery. They alternate years between Cary and Reed cemeteries. 

The Historical Society has paid for 15 Home Town Banners to honor the town’s deceased veterans. They printed brochures, which were distributed to the village office, Historical Society, Haxton Memorial Library and the town building on Drake Street, asking residents for names of veterans.

The Historical Society decided to pay for the banners because they had money, which was previously raised, but couldn’t be used for the intended projects because of COVID-19. They also said they realized many of these veterans no longer had family in the area to pay for a banner.

In July or August, the Historical Society will sponsor a walking tour on “Main Street Ablaze.” The tour, based on the Historical Society’s book, tells of the six times Main Street in Oakfield has burned in past centuries.

Sept. 3 will be a cemetery tour titled “History Comes Alive,” sponsored by the Historical Society. 

Other books by the Historical Society are in the works. Nenni is planning one titled “More Mayhem,” a sequel to “Murder, Mysteries and Mayhem.” Several volunteers are working on a book about Oakfield’s cemeteries, and Bill Chase, who wrote “The Bone Fort,” is expanding his book on the Indian Woods, titled “Digging Deeper.”

Exciting news in the village is the repurposing of the former Yellow Goose market on Main Street. The building, which has been purchased by Peter Jr. and Sue Zeliff, has been turned into a community center.

A food pantry has been operating out of there, but on a limited basis during the pandemic. It has also become a community clothing center and Sue said they hope to have a Farmer’s Market there with a coop. Several local groups have been holding their meetings in the building.

“There are a lot of bakers in Oakfield and we’d love to see them sell their treats at a Farmer’s Market,” she said.

Sue also added the building needs a new roof and bathrooms, something they hope to accomplish soon.

During the Community Yard Sale, a local resident who started a stamping group will sell their greeting cards at The Goose. Crafters meet there.

The Lions Club managed to sponsor many of their projects during the pandemic. They packed and delivered dinners to shut-ins once a week during the winter. In November, they packed and delivered nearly 100 sunshine baskets to the elderly and those living alone.

In December, their Christmas in the Park and Breakfast with Santa were scaled down and featured a drive-by Santa visit and Santa talking and giving candy to about 75 kids.

The Lions were able to give out 95 chocolate rabbits in April at the Oakfield Town Park, during an Easter egg hunt.

In addition to the Community Garage Sale in June, the Lions will help the town with cemetery cleanup and sponsor a fishing contest in DeWitt Recreation Area in the City of Batavia. They are also planning to have a barbecued rib dinner in the Town Park in August. 

Other regular projects throughout the year include vision screening, maintaining a medical loan closet, collection of eye glasses and hearing aids (they’ve collected more than 100 pair of glasses this year), and their plastic recycling challenge has resulted in enough plastic to receive four benches.

Finally, Haxton Memorial Library will restart its Monday morning story time at 10:30 a.m., according to library manager Kim Gibson. They have also added an afternoon story time at 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Preregistration is required for both. Monday’s story time will continue to be live on Facebook. 

The library’s six-week Summer Reading Program will kick off on June 28. Children from Pre-K to sixth grade can participate in the program by checking out books and keeping track of their reading minutes. Prizes and incentives will be given out throughout the six-week program. Children can also participate in the weekly Thursday night Craft Time sessions. Preregistration is also required for this activity. For adults and teens, check-out tickets are being offered to enter them in a basket raffle. 

The Haxton Book Club meets every six weeks on a Wednesday afternoon at the library. Anyone interested in joining or wishing more information can call the library. 

“This all is a great representation of our community and our businesses,” Staniszewski said.

Top photo: Several active citizens from the Village of Oakfield are involved in a variety of events and projects to promote interest and encourage people to get out and show their support. Discussing their projects are, from left, Bill Barber, organizer of the Oakfield/Alabama Lions Community Yard Sale; Sue Zeliff, who with her husband, Peter Jr., have purchased the former Yellow Goose on Main Street and turned it into a community center; Kim Staniszewski, village clerk/treasurer; Judy Boyle, wife of Mayor Dave Boyle; and Laurie Nanni, president of the Oakfield Historical Society (with her 3-year-old granddaughter, Emma). Photo by Virginia Kropf.

Below: Sue Zeliff stands in front of “The Goose." Photo by Virginia Kropf.

Bottom two photos: Students from Oakfield/Alabama Central School FFA chapter who recently helped fill 37 pots with dirt and flowers for display on Main Street in Downtown Oakfield, which the DPW will maintain this summer. Photos courtesy of Judy Boyle.

Press release:

A new statewide initiative aims to put a spotlight on how the tobacco industry has specifically targeted African American communities for decades with its aggressive marketing of menthol-flavored tobacco products.

The “It’s Not Just” campaign launches regionally and statewide on No Menthol Sunday -- today May 16 -- and is focused on ending the misconception that menthol is just a flavor.

It’s not just a flavor -- it's an injustice, and it’s killing Black Americans.

Smoking-related illnesses are the No. 1 cause of death in the African American community, surpassing all other causes of death, including AIDS, homicide, diabetes and accidents. Overall, 85 percent of African American smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to 29 percent of white smokers.

The “It’s Not Just” campaign is intended to educate people across New York State about the injustice of menthol-flavored product marketing and promotion. The campaign uses direct language and powerful, emotional imagery of people who represent communities targeted by Big Tobacco.

It describes how menthol is more than a flavor, highlighting hard-hitting facts about the manipulative, aggressive nature of menthol tobacco marketing and its impact on African American communities. 

“It’s no accident that nearly 9 in 10 Black smokers, as well as rural youth, use menthol products, which are easier to smoke and harder to quit,” said Julie Calvert, community engagement coordinator of Tobacco-Free GOW.

“Our goal is to make our community members aware of how the tobacco industry aggressively targets these groups so we can reduce tobacco use and create healthier communities.”

Individuals can learn more about how to help fight the injustice of menthol-flavored tobacco products at the new campaign’s website: NotJustMenthol.org. 

“With the recent FDA announcement to ban menthol-flavored products, this campaign couldn't be more timely and relevant,” said LaTroya Hester, director of communications, The Center for Black Health & Equity.

“We know that the tobacco industry will fight this decision with the full force of its legal and marketing power, but we're not intimidated. The Center is excited about the launch of this campaign, and we are so honored to contribute to much-needed counter-messaging.”

While the tobacco industry has traditionally targeted Black communities with the marketing of menthol products, menthol is also a driver of youth initiation.

When New York State ended the sale of flavored e-cigarettes statewide in May 2020, it was a significant step toward reducing youth tobacco use. However, other flavored tobacco products, such as menthol cigarettes, continue to present an obstacle to decreasing tobacco use among young people and underserved populations.

Additional statistics:

• Menthol marketing
  • Menthol use among Black communities is a direct result of the tobacco industry's marketing practices and product manipulation.
  • Historically, the marketing and promotion of menthol cigarettes have been targeted heavily toward African Americans through culturally tailored advertising and messages.
  • Menthol products are given more shelf space in retail outlets within African American and other minority neighborhoods.
  • In addition to being heavily advertised and widely available, certain tobacco products have been found to be priced lower in African American communities, making them more appealing, particularly to price-sensitive youth.
• Menthol usage 
  • Ninety-three percent of Black smokers started by using menthol cigarettes.
  • More than seven out of 10 African American youth ages 12-17 years who smoke use menthol cigarettes.
  • Research indicates that menthol makes smoking easier to start and harder to quit. 
  • Tobacco companies add menthol to make cigarettes seem less harsh and more appealing to new smokers and young people.
  • Tobacco companies market menthol cigarettes as “smoother” than other cigarettes.
  • Menthol in cigarettes creates a cooling sensation in the throat and airways when the user inhales.
• Health impact
  • Menthol cigarettes are not less harmful than other cigarettes and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found that they are likely a greater risk to public health than non-menthol cigarettes.
  • Black smokers smoke less but die of heart attacks, strokes and other causes linked to tobacco use at higher rates than white smokers.

Support available for New Yorkers who want to quit

For help quitting smoking or vaping, including free nicotine replacement therapy for eligible residents, individuals can contact a health care provider, and call the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit: nysmokefree.com.

Effective medications and counseling are covered by Medicaid and most insurance programs. 

Tobacco Free New York State and Reality Check student groups around the state have worked tirelessly to educate local communities on the tobacco industry’s use of menthol and other flavored tobacco products as a tool to target, attract and addict new smokers. Tobacco Free New York State, including the Reality Check student youth groups, is part of the NYS Tobacco Control Program.

About Tobacco-Free GOW

The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds Tobacco-Free GOW to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. The program is administered by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

From Pauli Miano:

The Elba Betterment Committee will hold a chicken BBQ at the Village Park on Sunday, June 13 to earn money for a trio of concerts this summer at the park.

Tickets for the chicken BBQ are $12 and limited in number. Some will be sold the day of the BBQ, but the bulk must be ordered by June 1.

You can order tickets via the committee's Facebook page or they can be bought at:

• Chap's Elba Diner, 5 S. Main St., Elba
• Sweet Life Country Store, 100 S. Main St., Elba
• The Village Office, 4 S. Main St., Elba
• The Town Office, 7 Maple Ave., Elba
• Elba Central School District Office, 57 S. Main St., Elba

The three music "festivals" will feature EBS Music and More 2.0. Details for that will be coming soon.

Contact Pauli Miano at pmiano@rochester.rr.com with questions or to order tickets.

(Photos by Howard Owens.)

A motorcycle crash is reported on the westbound I-90 in the area of mile marker 388.4.

One motorcycle is on fire but a total of three motorcycles may be involved, along with a passenger vehicle. CPR is in progress.

Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics and NYS Police.

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: The westbound Thruway is shut down; eastbound traffic is moving slowly. The passsenger vehicle that is involved is on fire. Mercy Flight is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: Fires are knocked down.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: Town of Batavia fire assignment is back in service.

For the second time in seven months, a fire has been extinquished at the site of an apparently unoccupied construction trailer on Liberty Street in the City of Batavia.

This time, City firefighters saw the smoke filling the sky east of their fire hall and were en route before the call was dispatched.

The trailer was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.

Because the fire is suspicious in nature, Sgt. Marc Lawrence said there will be an investigation to see if any criminal activity is associated with the fire.

Previously: Brush fire on Liberty Street under investigation

Photo submitted by Tristine Vanice.

Photo submitted by Frank Capuano.

Photo submitted by Frank Capuano.

Photo submitted by Chris Crocker.

Members of the group Bikers Against Child Abuse, Niagara Chapter, rode through Genesee County today, one of the counties it serves in Western New York, and stopped for lunch at Oak Grill and Cafe in Oakfield as part of its 120-mile tour.

The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of child abuse and let people know the group exists. According to the group's pamphlet, one of its services is to assign a member of the organization to an abused child to help provide a sense of protection and give the child confidence.

A pickup truck vs. motorcycle accident is reported at 136 W. Main St. in front of Dunkin' Donuts. It is blocking one lane of westbound traffic. Unknown injuries. City police are on scene.

City fire was called in. "We have no ambulances available in the city," the dispatcher said.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: Those involved will be sign-offs.