May is right around the corner, and that means organizers are preparing — and seeking participants — for the annual Memorial Day parade down Main Street, Batavia.

The city invites you and your organization to participate in the parade, set for a lineup at 8:30 a.m. on May 26 at the East Town Plaza. The event is to begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Alva Place downtown.

Parade Chairman Bob Bialkowski said marshals will be on site to assign participants a place in the parade.

“When turning off of Main Street onto Bank Street, all units are to be silent out of respect for a memorial service at the Veterans Monument on Bank Street,” he said. “Your support is greatly appreciated.”

Bialkowski is asking for RSVPs as soon as possible to schedule you on the parade roster. A certificate of insurance or “hold harmless” needs to be returned with the RSVP, he said.

Some reminders about parade protocol:

• Throwing candy from vehicles is strictly prohibited.
• There will be no political campaigning, such as “vote for” signs, out of respect for the event.
• “Our veterans served our country, not political affiliations,” he said.

Send RSVP to Bob Bialkowski, 16 Union St., Batavia, NY, 14020, or email to bbwski@yahoo.com.

Empire Hemp has closed its doors at 204 E. Main St., Batavia, but not for long, the company said through an online post.

The store plans to close this Sunday, Van Dusen said Thursday morning.

After its expansion in 2019 to a larger processing facility and downtown Batavia retail store, the business secured licenses to cultivate and process THC cannabis three years later. However, under New York State’s “strict cannabis regulations, vertical integration is not allowed, meaning a single company cannot hold cultivation, processing and retail licenses,” the post stated.

“This meant our store could not be converted to a dispensary under Empire, so a major decision had to be made. Shelly (Wolanske) made the bold and inspiring choice to step away from Empire Hemp Co. and chart a new path forward, one that will stay to her values while embracing the next evolution of her journey,” it stated. “That path is now unfolding at Mrs. Green’s CANNary, located in the very same beloved space at 204 E. Main St. Proudly Genesee County’s first OCM licensed adult-use dispensary and 100 percent woman-owned, Mrs. Green’s CANNary will continue to reflect Shelly’s dedication to bringing a warm welcoming environment for all those who visit.”

To prepare for the new company, the East Main Street site has been closed since Sunday, and the owners are planning to reopen in early May, according to the post.

“The new dispensary will continue to carry Empire products, along with a diverse selection of cannabis offerings from across New York State,” it stated. “You can still shop all your favorite Empire CBD products online any time at Empire Hemp.”

Meanwhile, Chris Van Dusen continues to lead Empire Hemp Co. and has relocated operations to a new facility in Batavia, better suited to support the company’s growth and focus on cultivation and manufacturing, the post stated.

The Batavian reached out to Van Dusen and he said there would be more information forthcoming next week.

For more about Mrs. Green's CANNAry’s, go HERE. 

While public safety workers have rolled along doing their jobs to apprehend criminals, suppress fires and treat injured patients, city and county officials have taken pause to recognize the importance of those who serve as a bridge between the people with emergencies and the first responders during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

City Councilwoman Kathy Briggs presented a proclamation to Director of Emergency Communications Frank Riccobono during this week’s City Council meeting.

Emergencies can occur at any time, and they require police, fire or emergency medical services, Briggs said, reading the proclamation, and “whereas, when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of flight and preservation of property, and whereas, public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services.”

Those public safety personnel are the single connection, monitoring activities by radio and providing police and other first responders with information to ensure that both responders and community members are safe, she said.

“And whereas, each emergency dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their job, now therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Batavia recognizes the week of April 13th through the 19th, 2025, to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week,” Briggs said. “And sincerely thank the members of the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center for their diligence and professionalism to keep our city and citizens safe.”

Riccobono thanked council members on behalf of the men and women of the dispatch center.

“Dispatching is a very tough job, and often they don't receive a lot of recognition,” he said. “I lead a great team; I can't say enough about them, and they do a fabulous job.

“I was just talking to the city manager. I travel around the state, and unfortunately, the working relationship that we have here, which is excellent, is not seen everywhere around the state and country,” he said. “So on behalf of the men and women of the the dispatch center, I do want to extend my appreciation, not just to the city council, but also all the city agencies that we interact with, and it's been a pleasure. Thank you.”

Go HERE for the county's proclamation and photo.

Press Release:

In 1991, a formal Congressional resolution acknowledged the vital role that telecommunicators play in emergency situations by proclaiming the second week in April as a week of annual recognition in their honor. National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week is a time to thank these men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the public.

Genesee County Sheriff Joseph M. Graff, along with the Genesee County Legislature and all emergency first responders, recognize these public safety professionals for their continued dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service. The Genesee County Legislature issued a proclamation recognizing April 13 – 19, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week.

Emergency Services 9-1-1 Dispatchers are there 24/7, 365 days a year for police, fire and emergency medical personnel and the public in time of need. Many people do not think about these seemingly nameless, faceless individuals until they experience actual emergencies themselves. In many instances, Dispatchers make the difference between life and death. 

Typically, over 80,000 events are dispatched yearly, a daily average of 219, and over 100,000 telephone calls are handled, which is an average of 273 calls per day. The Genesee County Emergency Services Dispatch Center is comprised of 23 men and women who dispatch to 5 local police agencies, the New York State Police, 19 fire departments/Emergency Management Service, 3 ambulance services, as well as 41 other local, county, regional, state, and federal agencies.

“As we recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to our emergency dispatchers. You are the calm voice in the chaos, the steady hand guiding help when seconds matter most. Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion often go unseen, but your impact is felt in every life you help protect and every crisis you help resolve. On behalf of the Sheriff's Office, thank you for all that you do,” stated Sheriff Graff.

Tabu Thihele Gaines, Jr., 24, of Armstrong Place, Syracuse, and Sosa Stroman, 24, of Herkimer Street, Syracuse, are charged with grand larceny 4th, possession of burglar tools, and conspiracy 5th. Gaines and Stroman are accused of stealing from Dick's Sporting Goods at 5:36 p.m. on April 11. They were held pending arraignment.

Tyler J. Bull, 22, and Raymond L. Keffer, Jr., 48, are both charged with assault 2nd for allegedly causing physical injuries to each other during a fight at the Genesee County Jail on an unspecified date. They were arraigned and ordered held without bail.

Jason W. Alexander, 48, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, burglary 2nd, and criminal contempt 2nd. Alexander is accused of pushing and slapping a child on April 6 during an incident on East Main Street, Batavia. He was arraigned. An order of protection was issued. He was released. On April 7, Alexander is accused of entering a residence in violation of the order of protection. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed.

Michael A. Shetler, 34, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and aggravated family offense. Shelter is accused of violating an order of protection on March 5. He was arrested on March 3. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered jailed.

Lisa M. Fox, 53, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of controlled substance 7th, and tampering with physical evidence. On March 28, Fox was allegedly found in possession of narcotics while being arrested on an unrelated matter. She was arraigned and released.

Nathaniel R. Davis, 29, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd and criminal contempt 2nd. Davis was allegedly found inside of a residence on March 29 in violation of an order of protection while being arrested on a warrant. He was arraigned and released. 

Kyler A. Boskat, 22, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, conspiracy 4th, and criminal facilitation 4th. Boskat is accused of being an accomplice in a burglary on Hutchines Street on Jan. 12. Boskat was arrested on March 28, processed at the Genesee County Jail, arraigned, and released.

Benjamin A. Rachow, 42, of Batavia, is charged with assault 3rd, criminal obstruction of breathing, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Rachow is accused of fighting on March 30 on Ellicott Street, allegedly punching one person and grabbing a second by the neck. He was arraigned and released.

David W. Rich, 74, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Rich is accused of damaging a vehicle on March 28 following an argument on West Main Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Jessica L. Culver, 35, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Culver is accused of shoplifting from Family Dollar in Batavia on March 29. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Curtis McCall, 38, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. McCall is accused of slamming another person's hand in a door during an incident on State Street on March 28. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Lucas S Potrzebowski, 30, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Potrzebowski is accused of not returning property to a customer at UPS Store in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Raymond J. Dick, 60, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI/drugs. He was arrested on April 10 following an investigation into an allegation that he was driving while under the influence of drugs on Feb. 25. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Derrick L. Washington, 52, of Batavia, was arrested on April 8 on a warrant for petit larceny. He is accused of stealing merchandise from Dollar General on Dec. 27. He was arraigned and released.

Richard J. Burdick, 47, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. He was arrested on March 31. Burdick was allegedly found in possession of narcotics on Jan. 10 during a traffic stop on Ross Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ali Arbai, 33, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Arbai was charged following a traffic stop on Main Street in April 6. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Michael A. Fanizza, 31, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. He is accused of damaging a door during an argument on April 6 in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned and released.

Alisia L. Compton, 40, of Orlando, Fla., was arrested on April 2 on a warrant. Compton was charged with DWI on Nov. 22, 2022 and allegedly failed to meet the conditions of her conditional discharge. She was arraigned in City Court and released.

Winston A. Lockhart, 30, of Batavia, is charged with DWAI/Alcohol. Lockhart was charged following a motor vehicle accident on March 31 on March 31 on North Spruce Street, Batavia. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Sara A. Elliott, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Ellicott was arrested on April 4 following an investigation into a traffic stop on Dec. 19. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Kevin A. Cole, 46, of Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Cole was arrested on April 4, accused of failing to properly supervise a child who had run away from home numerous times. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Press Release:

All Babies Cherished will hold its 9th Annual Run Baby Run 5K on Saturday, June 7, to support its local pregnancy assistance center.

The race begins at 9 a.m. at the Northgate Community Center, located at 350 Bank Street. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome.

Registration is available online at RunSignUp.com. Spirit Timing will provide official timing.

Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers in five age categories.

All proceeds will help All Babies Cherished continue offering free services and support to local women and families facing unplanned pregnancies.

For more information or to sign up, visit RunSignUp.com.

Press Release:

Le Roy Ambulance Service is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from the New York State Dormitory Authority, enabling the purchase of two new emergency vehicles to strengthen our ability to serve the community. The grant, valued at approximately $350,000, fully reimburses the cost of the vehicles with no expense to the organization.

This funding supported the acquisition of a 2023 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor First Response Vehicle - commonly referred to as a “flycar” - which replaces our 2010 Chevy Suburban. After 15 years of reliable service, the Suburban has made way for this modern upgrade, ensuring our team is equipped with the latest technology for rapid response. We officially placed the new flycar into service on April 10.

The grant also covers the purchase of a new ambulance - an exact match to our 2023 Chevy Ambulance, which was funded entirely through local fundraising efforts. This new vehicle will replace our 2018 Ford Ambulance, which has already logged over 100,000 miles. These fleet upgrades are essential to maintaining the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our operations as we continue providing exceptional emergency medical care. While ambulances take longer to produce, we are hopeful to take delivery later this year.

Between this generous grant and our recent fundraising success, we anticipate being free from monthly vehicle payments for the next 5 to 10 years. This financial flexibility will allow us to redirect limited funding toward other critical operational and capital needs - a tremendous advantage for the sustainability of our service.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced that the Town and Village of Bergen will receive its Economic Development Partner of the Year awards at the GCEDC’s annual meeting at Batavia Downs on Friday, April 25.

“In the past year, we have celebrated tens of millions of dollars of investment at the Apple Tree Acres Business Park, including the expansions of Oxbo, Liberty Pumps, AppleTree Acres, LLC, and Craft Cannery and funding from Empire State Development to support infrastructure upgrades for shovel-ready acres,” said GCEDC President and CEO Mark Masse. “The town and village of Bergen exemplify what a successful public and private sector collaboration looks like.”

Bergen Town Supervisor Ernest Haywood and Village Mayor Joseph Chimino will accept the awards.

“Working with Mark Masse and the leadership at the GCEDC, we have been able to provide the necessary infrastructure and investment that create family sustaining careers and a friendly business climate where companies can grow and create prosperity for our community,” said Bergen Town Supervisor Ernest Haywood.

“Economic development partnerships occur through collaboration, finding the best fit that benefit both our residents and businesses,” added Village Mayor Joseph Chimino. “We are honored to have this recognition bestowed upon our community.”

Registration for the GCEDC annual meeting is open through Wednesday, April 16. For more information visit the event’s website or contact the GCEDC at gcedc@gcedc.com. 

Press Release:

As the weather warms up, the Batavia Police Department wants to remind residents to take extra precautions to protect their vehicles and valuables from larceny. With the increase in outdoor activities, it's essential to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent theft from vehicles. 

Simple Safety Suggestions: 

• Lock it up! Always lock your vehicle doors, even when parked in your driveway or in a secured garage.
• Keep valuables out of sight. Don't leave purses, laptops, phones, or other valuable items in plain sight. Take them with you or store them in a secure location.
• Park in well-lit areas. Avoid parking in dark or isolated spots, especially at night.
• Don't leave keys in the vehicle. Keep your keys with you or in a safe place, away from prying eyes.
• Be mindful of your surroundings. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to the authorities immediately. 

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of larceny from your vehicle. Remember, it's always better to be proactive and take preventative measures to protect your belongings. 

If you have any information about larceny from vehicles or have been a victim of this crime, please contact the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350 or by submitting a tip at bataviapolice.org. Together, we can work towards a safer community.

Remember: A safe community is a responsible community.

Press Release:

National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week is celebrated every second full week of April and is endorsed by the National Animal Care & Control Association.  The Genesee County Legislature issued a proclamation recognizing April 13 – 19, as National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week.  

For those in the community that may not be aware, Genesee County Sheriff Joseph M. Graff is responsible for the Genesee County Animal Shelter and its two Dog Control Officers (DCOs) Sarah Fountain and Catherine Seward.  

DCO Fountain and Seward are tasked with picking up stray or dangerous animals every day, all year round.  They protect animals from abusers and people from dangerous animals.  These officers seek justice in cases of abused, neglected and abandoned animals; they conduct humane investigations pursuant to NYS Agriculture and Markets Laws, Public Health Laws, and bring in helpless animals.  They ensure any and all animals impounded are properly sheltered, fed, and watered and properly adopted, redeemed, or disposed of in a humane manner.
 
If you see Dog Control Officer Fountain or Seward this week, give them a thumbs up or friendly wave.  Remember, pet owners, license and tag your pet. Your local dog control officer will be happy knowing regular vaccination protocols have been followed and the tag (or chip implant) will help the officer identify the animal and you, the owner.

“This week, during National Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated Dog Control Officers, Sarah and Catherine.  Whether you're responding to dangerous situations, reuniting lost pets with their families, or ensuring neglected animals find the care they deserve—you serve with compassion, professionalism, and courage.  Additionally important is the support and unique relationship we have with the Volunteers for Animals (VFA) organization.  The animal shelter runs efficiently and needed services are provided to the community with the assistance that is provided by the VFA,” stated Sheriff Graff.

Press Release:

Senator George Borrello announced he is introducing legislation, S. 7398, that would allow grocery stores in New York to sell wine, but with a key provision: only New York State-produced wines would be eligible for sale.

The proposal is intended to support family farms and local vintners and boost New York’s wine industry, which contributes nearly $15 billion in direct economic impact to New York State. It also addresses concerns that a general law allowing wine sales in supermarkets would result in major national distributors paying for shelf space and crowding out New York-produced wines. Smaller wineries—many of which rely on direct-to-consumer sales and limited distribution—could find themselves shut out of the grocery market entirely.

“New York is home to one of the most diverse and innovative wine industries in the country. From the Lake Erie shoreline to the Finger Lakes and down to Long Island, our winemakers are producing award-winning wines that deserve a prominent place on grocery store shelves,” said Senator Borrello. “But if we allow out-of-state wines to flood our stores, it will be the big national brands—backed by powerful distributors—who dominate shelf space. Small New York producers are likely to be squeezed out entirely or reduced to a token presence on store shelves."

Under current law, wine is sold primarily through standalone liquor stores. While proposals to allow wine sales in grocery stores have surfaced for years, they’ve been repeatedly defeated due to opposition from the liquor store lobby, which argues the change would harm independent retailers.

Borrello acknowledged their concerns and noted that his legislation strikes a balance—supporting New York’s wine industry while addressing the concerns of independent retailers and the liquor store lobby. The targeted approach would ensure that grocery sales expand in a way that uplifts local agriculture without undermining small, community-based wine and liquor shops.

He also said that he will soon be introducing legislation to address another concern of small wine and liquor retailers: the current prohibition on selling food products such as cheese, cured meats, olives, and crackers—items that complement wine and spirits. The goal is to level the playing field, as New York State currently prohibits liquor stores from selling any type of food.

“For too long, outdated and often unfair regulations have held back our state’s wine and spirits industry,” Senator Borrello said. “It’s time to bring New York’s alcohol laws into the 21st century, because our small producers and retailers deserve a system that works for them, not against them.”

He noted that modernization begins with giving New York wines a fair shot. By allowing only New York-produced wines to be sold in grocery stores, he said his legislation provides a smart, targeted way to strengthen our homegrown wine industry without undercutting independent retailers.

“New York wines are world-class. But our small producers are fighting an uphill battle in a consolidated distribution market,” said Senator Borrello. “This bill would give them a real leg up, while expanding consumer access to local wines and supporting our state’s economy.”

New York is the third-largest wine-producing state in the nation, with more than 450 wineries and 35,000 acres of vineyards across 11 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). The industry supports thousands of jobs and draws over 5 million tourists to wine country annually, generating nearly $2 billion in tourism spending.

New York wines, particularly Rieslings and Cabernet Francs, continue to earn national and international acclaim while New York regions are frequently named among the best wine destinations in the world.

“This legislation isn’t just pro-agriculture—it’s pro-New York,” Senator Borrello added. “It supports our farmers, our small businesses, and our rural economies. And it ensures that if wine is sold in grocery stores, New Yorkers will see New York wines front and center.”

Press Release:

The Genesee Valley BOCES (GV BOCES) Early College High School celebrated a milestone event this spring with the induction of its very first group of students into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

This inaugural group of 10th and 11th grade students represents the best of Career and Technical Education (CTE) - demonstrating excellence in academics, leadership, service, and dedication to their future careers.

NTHS is the honor society for CTE students nationwide, recognizing those who go above and beyond in their studies and skill development. Established in 1984, NTHS has recognized over 1.2 million students across the country for their commitment to their career pathways.

The induction ceremony, organized by Early College High School Principal Catherine Bennett and Counselor Karson Richenberg, included a candle-lighting tradition. Seven candles were lit to represent the core attributes of NTHS membership: Skill, Honesty, Service, Responsibility, Scholarship, Citizenship, and Leadership.

This ceremony marked the official start of the GV BOCES Early College High School NTHS Chapter, honoring students from a variety of CTE programs who have shown outstanding effort and growth.

Inducted Students:

10th Grade:

• Kinsley B. (Warsaw Central School District) - Studying biology with plans to work in healthcare. Kinsley participates in volleyball, track and field, and drama club, and enjoys Disney and musical theater.
• Ashton C. (Oakfield-Alabama Central School District) - Studying law. Participates in cross country, swimming, track, and drama.
• Keaton C. (Batavia City Schools) - Studying Computer Aided Design (CAD) and plays lacrosse as a defenseman.
• Sophia D. (Byron-Bergen Central School District) - Enjoys reading, writing, and playing volleyball.
• Audrey D. (Byron-Bergen Central School District) - Studying business with plans to pursue a career in agriculture. Plays volleyball and basketball and shows cows in competitions.
• Delilah H. (Warsaw Central School District) - Studying substance abuse counseling and prevention. Active in cheerleading, softball, and band.
• Emma M. (Batavia City Schools) - Passionate about livestock, art, and biology. Participates in FFA and 4-H and plans to become an equine veterinarian.
• Kristina M. (Batavia City Schools) - Enjoys music, learning, and caring for her cats.
• Gianna T. (Batavia City Schools) - Loves to play golf, enjoys adventures, and likes trying new things.
• Gabrielle G. (Avon Central School District) - Aspires to major in nursing. She plays lacrosse and participates in Bible study.

11th Grade:

• Brody M. (Warsaw Central School District) - Studying entrepreneurship and plays soccer year-round.
• Paige O. (Byron-Bergen Central School District) - Studying hospitality and tourism with plans to become a corporate event planner. Active in FFA and works at Red Osier to gain business experience.

These students were recognized not only for their academic success, but also for their leadership potential, dedication to their chosen career fields, and their involvement in extracurricular and community activities.

GV BOCES is proud to celebrate these students as role models in their programs and looks forward to seeing the impact they will make in their future careers.

Submitted photos.

Stafford resident Beth Carr appreciated skimming the faces and hearing from fellow attendees at a town hall Tuesday evening, she said, though she wasn't so certain about organizer Diana Kastenbaum's remarks that people still have free speech.

As an example, the White House administration and President Donald Trump have restricted certain rights by not allowing the Associated Press into portions of White House press meetings and onto Air Force One, she said, and “they can only come on if they agree with him.”

“I don't know if everybody here is obsessed with the news as much as I am, but we also have lost Voice of America. I was married to a veteran; I lived overseas. I listened when I lived overseas to Voice of America. It was unbiased reporting and essential in this world, across barriers and across lines on maps so that people could listen to news that maybe did not have free speech. And so I am afraid that free speech is eroding and is a threat," Carr said during the Concerned Citizens NY-24 Town Hall. "Which leads me to Dr. Glover, because in light of this erosion of free speech, isn't that what's happening on university campuses? Students getting up and protesting are being threatened for their exercise of free speech, and I'd like you to address that and the impact of this on campuses like Columbia and Harvard."

Carr directed her question to Michael Glover, a retired longtime educator and administrator perhaps best known here as the district superintendent of Genesee Valley BOCES for 10 years.

"What you hit upon is that we've moved from a question of free speech to the Thought Police. So just tonight, before coming over here, I saw where the president had threatened Harvard with the removal of its nonprofit status because they did not bend the knee, at least thus far, to the demands of the administration to drop their DEI programs and to monitor student speech," Glover said. "So you know, universities have always been bastions of free speech. 

"They need to remain so. But I'm even concerned about my colleagues who are superintendents of schools in your local school districts," he said. "They are being targeted in a highly politicized environment. It's a very tough time in education. But I think to your point, it's more important than ever to speak up and to not give in to this kind of authoritarian threat."

Glover was a panel member for the town hall, which drew about 280 people from various counties within the NY-24 district. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also attended the event and was singled out by Carr and others as the only elected official there. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney was invited but did not attend. Her cardboard cutout, used for other no-show events, was placed at the end of the panel row.

Issues ranged from cutting the federal Education Department, reducing Medicaid and Medicare, and the deportation of migrant farm workers and other immigrants to cuts in aid to food banks, healthcare, and how to best respond to and support what matters to folks.

Maria Bucci of Canandaigua County wanted to know, “What can we as citizens do to support farmers and build a strong workforce?”

Chris Noble, a seventh-generation farmer from Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion, said immigration is not a local or state issue but is in federal hands.

“The only way I think we can really impact the discussion is through our representatives, and so reaching out to representatives through email, phone calls, mass letters, whatever you can do to express your opinion on the matter is the most direct way,” Noble said. “Other than that, it's really trying to build a coalition that can help really affect the conversation. Us here in Western New York, we have a lot of diversity of farms, dairy, fruits, wine, processing vegetables. We relied upon foreign born workers for many years.”

Rev. James Renfrew of Clarendon painted the picture of local deportations happening and said, “I don’t know how agriculture will really continue in these areas.” Kastenbaum added that “we had heard that when ICE was coming in, the local sheriffs would have to comply with ICE directives. Are you concerned, if somebody came on your property, what would you do?”

Noble has not thought about such a “doomsday scenario,” he said.

“The number one thing, as the law states today, is that ICE, which is Integrations and Customs Enforcement, cannot enter private property by the warrants. So warrant means there's some activity or something that's gone on in the past or currently on your property that they are there to address, and beyond that, they cannot enter your property,” he said. “So I guess you can feel safe in the fact that there's that protection of the law that we can then rest upon, so we can affect our own property, of course, but beyond that, it depends on the federal authorities. So in terms of the impacts, it would be devastating, I would say, especially for the skilled nature of the labor. But I guess I don't know what that could look like.”

Jim Neider, a Vietnam-era veteran and 30-plus-year retired educator, said the same chainsaw that’s been used in other departments has also been let loose on Veterans Affairs, with “a little over 17% of the workforce” cut. The first cuts were to the veteran's suicide hotline, he said to a gasping audience.

“How does anybody in their right mind think that’s ok?” he said, prompting an enthusiastic round of applause.

Panel member Abe Zino said that the VA is lobbying for things to protect veterans, such as medication.

“I don't know if anybody realizes it. When you go to the VA home here in Batavia, the VA doesn't pay for your medication anymore. So now we’ve got to struggle to get the veterans the meds that they need. So we're trying to pass federal legislation to take care of those little things,” he said. “And we're also trying to help veterans who are in nursing homes that rely on Medicaid and Medicare because when you go in a nursing home, the fees could be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, and if you need specialized care, that's even more expensive. So just some things to think about.”

Dr. Laurel Dallmeyer, a panelist representing healthcare, didn’t mince words about how she felt about the direction of her field lately. She has seen patients stockpile meds in case of coverage reductions or bans, fear, and concerns by segments of the population and has even signed up to help out Strong’s trans care in the face of DEI targeting.

“This is one of the times when I say cruelty is the point,” she said in response to a speaker wanting to know what to do if her meds are taken away or not covered because of White House changes. “As a physician, I had to, like representative Tenney, swear an oath. And my oath was not to the Constitution, but it was to serve my patients and protect them. As many of you probably know, the Hippocratic Oath starts with first do no harm. And I would just like to point out that these cuts that are being proposed, and indeed some have been enacted into law already are going to do nothing but harm people of this district and this country, and that's why I've come out of the exam room to help fight for my patients and the people that I believe are being harmed in this district."

She later said that she "was horrified" when there wasn’t more of an outcry against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being named as Health and Human Services secretary. 

A number of people had concerns about what would happen to their local schools if and when the U.S. Education Department is eliminated. What does that actually mean? As programs are reduced at the federal or state levels, localities are left to fill those gaps, Glover said.

More than a dozen years ago he was speaking similar words, reminding the public of financial shortfalls that would affect rural — “low wealth” — districts the most. Free and reduced lunches, extracurriculars, programs for special needs students are just some of the potential items up for cuts. Revenue was not keeping up with increased costs, he said then, and is still repeating the same warning, though with perhaps more of a federal accent.

“Public schools should provide an equal opportunity for success,” he said. “The local schools will have to tighten up and do more with less. As time goes on, they will have to do less with less, and children will suffer.”

He emphasized that there’s a crisis in education because there’s not enough educators to do the jobs needed, teacher education programs are shrinking and an increasing demand is being met with a lower supply.

“And at the cabinet level, there will no longer be a voice in the cabinet,” he said.

Joy Hammond of Bergen asked about food banks and pantries and how FDA cuts will affect those programs. Poloncarz said a $3.5 million cut, effective in May, will especially impact fresh foods from farmers for Meals on Wheels programs—something that Noble himself is worried about for his grandmother.

Since food pantries don’t deal so much with these types of fresh foods, they may not be quite as affected, Poloncarz said. But if your local food bank has lost funding and these direct resources, obviously it’s going to matter.

“A decision in Washington is affecting the local community,” he said. “You don’t want anyone going to bed hungry in your community.”

Chris Bennem and his wife came from South Bristol to attend their second town hall, the first being in Geneva. It was worth the trip, he said.

"I thought it was really important for us to hear from, if not public officials that are elected, then public citizens who want to represent those of us who are residents of this area to talk and have an open discourse on the issues that affect all of us based on recent legislation that's been proposed and what DoGE has been doing," he said. "I did attend one in Geneva by a similar group that was wholly focused on healthcare, and that was really helpful. But I wanted to hear more. There are so many things being affected. This has been really effective and eye-opening. Certainly, the statements on education and free speech absolutely hit home for me. 

"One topic that didn't come up, I thought about getting in line, but it was a little late, is the issue of book banning that's happening throughout the country, and the fact that things are being removed from federal libraries, whether they're military libraries and other libraries," he said. "So I am a big free speech person. I was in publishing for years, so this is not a good development in our country."

Timothy L. Corcoran, 61, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and operating an uninspected motor vehicle; Adrienne S. Bechtold, 29, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal possession of stolen property 5th; and, Nicholas E. Patterson, 31, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. On April 13 at 9:03 p.m., deputies stopped a vehicle in Le Roy on the suspicion of traffic violations. A quantity of cocaine was allegedly located in the vehicle.  The three suspects were processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Steven Phillip Nasewtewa, 37, of Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with reckless endangerment 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful imprisonment 2nd, and harassment 2nd.  At noon on April 7, deputies responded to a report of a fight on Bloomingdale Road on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Nasewtewa is accused of hitting another person in the face and dragging the person for a short distance when the person tried to exit a vehicle. There were allegedly children present during the incident. He was arraigned and released.

Cameron Jacob Sokowlski, 32, of Harshorn Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer, aggravated unlicensed operation, reckless driving, driving without an ignition interlock, and disobeying traffic control devices.  Sokowlski is accused of failing to stop for a traffic stop and attempting to flee on the Thruway at 4:26 p.m. on April 11 on Route 77 in Pembroke. He was issued traffic tickets and released.

Jessica Leigh Culver, 35, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Culver is accused of shoplifting from Walmart at 6:21 p.m. on April 4. She was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.

David W. Fruster, 62, of Portland Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operation, and speeding. Fruster was stopped at 6:14 p.m. on April 7 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Ayrton Blankenberg. There was allegedly a court order in place prohibiting contact with the passenger in his vehicle. He was arraigned and released.

Russell Carl Dibble, 38, of Gabbey Road, Corfu, is charged with driving while impaired/alcohol. Dibble was stopped at 4:22 p.m. on April 4 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Alexander Hadsall. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Mary T. Strusz, 59, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. At 3:22 p.m. on April 14, deputies responded to a 9-1-1 hang-up call at a location on Main Road, Stafford. After an investigation, Strusz was accused of entering a residence in an apartment complex without permission. Strusz was arraigned and released.

As a Batavia native, David Snyder  — no doubt along with many other locals — has memories of going to Sunny’s restaurant at the then-Genesee Country Mall downtown.

“I spent a lot of time there as a kid; my parents took us there,” Snyder told The Batavian Monday afternoon.

He has been spending time there once again — only this time around as a new owner of the property with plans to bring another version of Sunny’s back to the city. A longtime icon of downtown Batavia’s dining scene, the restaurant and lounge closed its doors on May 19, 2019.

“This is all pretty new; it’s only been a couple, three weeks, I think, since we’ve owned it, finally,” Snyder said, confirming that he purchased the site from former owner Pete Zeliff after a lengthy pursuit. “We’re working on the menu … we want to bring some different dishes into the community that other restaurants locally do not offer. Obviously, you're going to see some things on the menu, some Italian dishes you know, like the parms and stuff like that. Obviously, steaks. We want to push that pretty hard.”

A 2000 Batavia High School grad and busy remodeling contractor, he has been cleaning up and renovating the property, he said, while a liquor license has been submitted to the New York State Liquor Authority. City Council was notified of that during a conference meeting Monday evening, and there were no issues on the city’s side.

He understands that, as with all applicants, it may be quite a wait to hear back from the liquor authority about his license, he said, and is “hoping” to tentatively open in July or August at Batavia City Centre. It’s to be known simply as Sunny’s (no "restaurant" or "lounge" after it), and likely with a six-day schedule, he said.

If you’re a city property owner, chances are you have already received the letter: a notification from City Assessor Rhonda Saulsbury announcing the change of assessments.

So in addition to a rocky stock market, 401Ks and grocery prices, your home value has probably risen as part of the city’s attempt to keep in flow with full market value. 

Unless, of course, you’re planning to sell, and then you might be quite pleased to have a higher price tag on your commode — tucked between what the New York Post has deemed to be the hottest housing markets in the entire country, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said.

“I can't say that assessments will be raised every year at the evaluation of homes and sale prices. As I was just telling some council members, the New York Post just did an article on Saturday afternoon throughout the entire country. The hottest housing market in the entire country is Rochester, New York. Houses don't sit for more than 13 days in Rochester, New York. Number three is Buffalo, New York. So we are right inside that area,” Tabelski said during City Council’s conference session Monday evening. “We've always had homes that are affordable, that people want to live in. So as they do come into it, people come into our area and buy homes, and values do tend to go up. But we do have a press release that will be issued … just letting everyone know that we strive to maintain 100% equalization, and that's the sale price to assessment ratio. We aim to keep our assessments at 100% full market value across all property types.”

When constituents come to City Hall and ask about their assessments being upwards of $200,000, city staff asks them, “Would you sell your home at this amount, less or more?” Tabelski said.

“And they always say more. And so again, we try with our assessor's office, it’s completely independent to have fair assessment values across the entire city,” she said. “(Along with the assessment) This piece of paper has explicit instructions on how to challenge your assessment. So I encourage everyone to take advantage of coming in, getting the market data that you can look at, look at the comparables for your property and have an informal review prior to the final review with the city assessor's office and then with the final review is the formal grievance in the city clerk's office.

“You can file any time before May 29, but I do encourage everyone to attend the informal review day and to come to the assessor to get all the information they need for comparables so they can see if there's any way they can lower the assessments,” Tabelski said. “And as everyone knows, as assessments are spread out across all properties, that doesn't mean the tax rate will increase or that you will have an increase in taxes. This year, we lowered the tax rate, because everyone remembers, by 50 cents.”

She also wanted to remind citizens that the city tax is 25% of the total bill, with county being another 25% and school taxes taking up the remaining 50% of the total amount. The city tax rate is $8.46 per $1,000 of assessed value.

“And I think Council, with our budgeting process, continues to work as hard as they can to provide the services that our residents want and enjoy at the lowest cost possible,” she said.

Councilman Bob Bialkowski mentioned that a couple of his constituents called him about their raised assessments, and he noted the misconception about who controls that process.

“I’ve run into this repeatedly, where people think that council directs the assessor to go doing new assessments so we can get more money,” Bialkowski said. “A lot of the people just don't accept the fact that, the assessors told me, we have no influence. We don't tell her what to do.”

Information about property assessment, inventory data and sale information became available as of April 7 HERE. 

Part of the process includes the assessor’s office running each property through an appraisal software system, comparing the building style, square footage, year built, bedrooms, baths, and lot size, against recent sales data. A field review is completed to determine the fair full market value based on this data, the assessor’s press release states.

Grievance Day is set for May 29, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall.

Press Release:

H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home of Batavia, was honored to represent the funeral service profession and the families it serves at the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Advocacy Summit, held April 9 to 11, in Washington, D.C.

Steven L. Johnson, partner and funeral director at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc., participated in the summit as the only funeral firm from the State of New York, joining approximately 200 funeral professionals from across the country who came together to advocate on behalf of the NFDA’s 20,000 members nationwide.

Over the course of the summit, attendees collectively held around 300 meetings with legislators, senators, and their staffs—amplifying the voice of funeral service professionals and the families they support.

During his time in Washington, Mr. Johnson met with the legislative staffs of:

• Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
• Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
• Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY24)
• Rep. George Latimer (D-NY16)

Mr. Johnson and other NFDA advocates championed support for a number of bipartisan bills, including:

• H.R. 4275 / S.2191 – The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act
• H.R. 2436 – The Funeral Coverage Act of 2025
• S.1116 / H.R. 647 – The Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025
• H.R. 1344 – The Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act
• H.R. 1228 – The Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act
• S.587 – The Death Tax Repeal Act
• S.623 / H.R. 1415 – The No IRIS Act of 2025

“Our mission in Washington was simple,” said Mr. Johnson. “To advocate for legislation that helps the families we serve—across all walks of life and political affiliations—and to ensure funeral service professionals have a voice in shaping the laws that impact our communities during life’s most difficult moments.”

H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. believes in the power of bipartisan advocacy to advance commonsense policies that uphold dignity, support grieving families, and ensure ethical practices across the deathcare profession.

The firm will continue to track the progress of these legislative efforts in the months ahead and is encouraged by the bipartisan interest shown during the summit. 

For more information, contact Steven L. Johnson, Partner & Funeral Director H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home, at 585-343-8868 or steven@bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Press Release:

Little Free Pantry Batavia is proud to announce the grand opening of its third location, expanding access to food and essentials for even more residents of the community. The new pantry will be located inside the vestibule of the Genesee County Career Center and officially opened to the public April 10.

The pantry will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., aligning with the Career Center’s hours. This location will feature both a full-size refrigerator for fresh food items and shelving for shelf-stable goods, helping meet a wide range of dietary and household needs.

Little Free Pantry Batavia extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and leadership at the Genesee County Career Center for their generous partnership. This location is a perfect fit, as the Career Center already serves individuals and families seeking support.

This new site joins two other Little Free Pantry locations in Batavia:

• 28 Seneca Avenue – Open 24/7, this pantry offers shelf-stable food and essentials.
• 10 City Centre, inside The Hemp Lodge – Open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this location includes a mini-fridge and shelf space.
• NEW: Genesee County Career Center – Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a full-size fridge and expanded shelving.

All locations operate on a no-questions-asked basis and are stocked with shelf-stable food, fresh produce, and culturally and medically appropriate options such as vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free items. 

Submitted photos.