There comes a time in every city government reporter's life when he heads home from a lengthy municipal meeting and says to himself (perhaps not entirely in jest): There has to be another way. In other words, representative government is not the prettiest form of rule that we've dreamed up as a thinking, social species — and the more you spectate, the less pretty it gets.

You would be hard pressed to get nine people to agree on which type of latté to order at Main Street Coffee — or even three of them to agree on the milk to mix: skim, whole, soy, part, almond, powdered, none. Fat chance then getting those same nine to come to a tidy conclusion about a complex city issue. In fact, you can almost count on that issue becoming more and more complex before it eventually was hashed out and resolved.

But that's just how it goes. Unless you want a dictatorship... and even then you've still got bureaucrats.

Take the relocation of the youth football program out of Dwyer Stadium — its home for 32 years — into a city park: a non-issue that was vaulted to priority status when Red Wings management came to the city a few weeks back and sort of said that they would not pay for the costly repairs to the turf each year that would be required as a result of football cleats gouging the grass. Toute suite, City Manager Jason Molino put together a cost comparison between relocating the program to Austin Park or Kibbe Park. He recommended moving to Austin at a cost of about $19,000, rather than Kibbe, which would cost more like $61,000. See our earlier post for the full details.

Well, quite quickly it was quite clear that the issue was not so simple.

About every member of Council seemed to have a different take. Some argued for moving to Kibbe Park. Others argued for Austin Park. Some wondered if the real issue was the cost of the move. Others wanted to know if the program could wait one year or if they had to relocate right now. Some thought the Red Wings management said they wanted youth football gone without delay. Others swore that the management was an enthusiastic supporter.

Councilman Bill Cox recommended lifting and hauling the bleachers from Dwyer to Austin for football season, taking a torch to the scoreboard posts and hauling that over, too — and doing it all for about $1,000, not $16,000, he said.

Council President Charlie Mallow was utterly and unabashedly opposed to any solution that did not involve the immediate expulsion of youth football from Dwyer Stadium and spending the least amount of money possible relocating it somewhere else. Although he urged that he was a supporter of youth football, he just couldn't see spending so much time and money on something that lasted eight weeks and was over. Quote: "What are we really talking about here? What are we prima donnas?"

One question that was never really answered, mostly because several Council members had several diametrically opposed answers to it, was whether one more season of youth football would damage the field so much that it would cost $15,000 to fix for the next Muckdogs season; or was $15,000 more accurate for a repair of many years of field damage and not just one eight-week season.

In the end though, Ben Bonarigo put it quite simply. (Bonarigo is a member of the youth football program's board of directors.) City Council, he said, gave the youth football program its word that they could stay at Dwyer Stadium for one more year, then relocate. Fine. If that was understood, the program wanted to move to Kibbe Park. It just made more sense for them. And if the Council had a problem spending so much money — no problem, youth football would do the fundraising to make sure that the move to Kibbe would be no more costly for the city than the move to Austin.

That was actually prior to Council's discussion that raged on for a good hour and got a few hackles raised, along with a few voices.

Council President Charlie Mallow said that the decision to allow youth football to stay another year was made as part of an informal conference meeting, and it was done as a straw poll. Therefore, it was not official. Council members Rose Mary Christian and Frank Ferrando didn't care much for that, and they said so. Then a couple of them yelled so. But that went nowhere.

In fact, not much of anything went anywhere.

As Mallow himself said: "Where are we going? We're going around in a circle."

Or City Attorney George Van Nest: "The discussion has ranged far and wide." (It should be noted that Van Nest's statement had a bit of an ironic twang to it, since he followed the declaration by offering his own take on what the real issue was, taking everything farther and wider.)

Mallow repeatedly urged Council to just wrap things up before the whole thing erupted in one big overblown argument.

So... Where do we stand? Where does youth football stand? Nowhere. Everywhere.

At the end of the rigamarole, a motion by Frank Ferrando was pushed through that would put a vote on the next business meeting agenda to declare that youth football can remain at Dwyer Stadium for one more year — and one more year only  — before they have to relocate. In other words, Council will vote to maintain a situation that already exists. You could see that Van Nest got a kick out of that. Me too.

Congratulations are in order for one of our favorite guest posters: Patrick Burk, president of the City of Batavia Board of Education.

Patrick was recently elected as the president of the Genesee Valley School Boards Institute, a nine county organization that represents over 70 upstate school districts.

From the press release:

The purpose of the organization is to promote and train school district support personnel in the areas of Food Service, Transportation, Teacher Aides, Safety & Security, Educational Clerical and Facilities. Training Conferences are held annually in these areas in the nine county area.

"I am pleased to once again be serving nine counties in Western New York as we strive to continually train our educational support employees," Burk stated. "It is by far an honor to be chosen to represent our member districts. This is just one way that we all can work together to improve and enhance our districts."

There is one thing that we all should be very happy about  this year.....for once, at least in my opinion, we have two wonderful candidates for President.  I hope that neither slips too far into that quagmire of wanting to be the "Good Little Party Boy", the leader of the fringe of their respective political parties while trying to maintain a centrist message that will capture just the right amount of electoral votes from the correct color of states.  Who picked red and blue anyway?  

Since we seem to have done the party selection process with some positive results, could we now look at the Electoral College?  I really do dislike it.  It really is why we have had the last eight dismal years and it may reflect what happens in future elections as well.  Why can't we just have the best man win?  How is that one man can win the popular vote of this country and have it not mean anything?  It just does not make sense.  It certainly makes for some interesting reporting but it also steals away the each vote counts idea.  

Both the Obama camp and the McCain camp already have a list of states where they will not campaign.  We are lucky here in New York that even though this is considered a solid Obama state, both will appear because of the vast amount of cash each can get from New York State.  The same holds true for Californina.  Can you imagine being in Nebraska?  Small amount of electoral votes, below the national medium of income and solid red.  They won't see much of this election.  No long-winded half baked political commercials, no thousands of laws signs, no debates and "outside groups" calling each candidate names.....no swift boating of Obama......  Maybe there is something to be said about Nebraska after all.

I would love to see us adopt a shorter Primary Season with actual votes and no caucuses.  I would love to see the expense of the Electoral College go to pay off our ever increasing national debt and I would love to see campaigns capped for expenses and free TV and radio ads for candidates on the public airways.  I would like to see a vote total that counted and a reason for all candidates to work in all states to get the votes out.  I like the word change, but make it worth something, not just a political word used for expediency of your campaign while toting around lobbiest and cronies and collecting the cash.

My most recent "props" go out to Laura Bush, who correctly answered and defended Michelle Obama about her "proud for the first time in my life comment"  Mrs. Bush actually thought the press and the public should back off....if politicians and those campaigning can not mispeak or say something off the cuff.... we will have a very dull "sound bite" type of campaign.  Mrs. Obama did not deserve the grief and the educated public certainly did accept her explanation.  It was only on the "fair and balanced" network - which in itself is such a laugh - that it kept living much longer than it deserved.  Mrs. Obama said it, she explained it and that was that.  Cindy McCain, the multi-million dollar "Beer Queen" of Arizona brought it up again.  She better watch out because what goes around comes around.  You can bet that there are many out there watching her every word and past words to catch her with something.... oh and they will.

So we end up with two qualified candidates, we have the debate over the summer, the conventions in August, the commercials in the fall and then the election.  Let's just remember, it is important.  It should be treated with respect.  It should not become the news reporters that are making the news.  Oh and the "fair and balanced" network should take a lesson on truth in advertising.  Then we truly would have a wonderful election.....Don't forget to vote (especially if your state is deemed purple). 

Friday:

• 1:17am, 651 E. Main St., accident
• 12:07pm, 29 Liberty St., criminal mischief
• 12:23pm, 12 Central Ave., larceny
• 1:39pm, 4138 W. Main Street Road, criminal mischief
• 2:49pm, 99 Jackson St., larceny
• 6:51pm, 119 State St. (Apt: 4), harassment
• 9:41pm, 522 E. Main St., accident

Saturday:

• 3:02am, 518 E. Main St., aggravated harassment
• 3:44am, 213 Bank St., criminal mischief
• 10:27am, Ross Street, harassment
• 12:20pm, 224 S. Swan St., accident
• 6:34pm, 2 Vine St., accident
• 8:32pm, 218 State St. (Apt: 9), harassment

Sunday:

• 1:15am, Hutchins Place, rape
• 10:32am, W. Main Street, accident
• 8:41pm, 145 Vine St., larceny
• 9:40pm, Swan Street, larceny

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

From the Daily News (Monday):

• The Muckdogs fell apart in the ninth to go down 8-6 against the visiting Mahoning Valley Scrappers last night. After getting sweeped by the Doubledays earlier in the week, the Muckdogs took off for Rochester's Frontier Field Friday where they scored their first win, then won again against the Scrappers Saturday. With the loss yesterday, the home team drops to 2-4 for the season. They'll host the Jamestown Jammers at 7:05pm tonight. Be sure to tune in to WBTA 1490 AM for the broadcast.
• There's really little else in the way of Batavia news in the paper today. Roger Muehlig put together a trio of articles on the Oakfield-Alabama and Elba graduations from this weekend. Today's Local section has an article about a pastor in Albion helping to raise money for a Pakistani school, a response from Medina's Board of Education to a state audit that found problems with the district's funding procedure and an info-piece about a fundraiser in Bergen. The Zwerka Family Fun Day Fundraiser will be July 13 from 1:00 to 6:00pm at the Gillam-Grant Community Center at 6966 West Bergen Rd.

For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.

Thanks to the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce for passing along this timely notice of a hybrid bus and truck seminar going on tomorrow afternoon in Bergen. Here are the details:

The Genesee Region Clean Communities coalition and Leonard Bus Sales Inc. announced today that they are jointly presenting a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Bus and Truck Seminar, on June 24, 2008 from 8:30a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The event will be held at the Leonard Bus Sales Inc. facility, located at 7150 Apple Tree Ave., Bergen, NY 14416.

The seminar is an educational and informational outreach event for commercial hybrid electric vehicle applications, with a specific focus on school buses, commercial buses and medium-duty trucks. Some program highlights include:

•    Education about hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology
•    Manufacturer presentations and updates on the latest in truck and bus technology
•    Product reviews
•    Discussion of funding opportunities
•    Equipment show and demonstrations
•    Ride and drive

Invitations for this seminar will be extended to fleet professionals, business and governmental managers and others involved with fleet operations and vehicle selection and who have an interest in commercial truck and bus applications with HEV technology.

This event is made possible through sponsorship by Leonard Bus Sales Inc.; IC Bus LLC; Navistar, Inc.; Regional International; Enova Systems, Inc., and Eaton Corporation.

For additional information about this event, please contact:

David Keefe
Genesee Region Clean Communities
(585) 301-2433

The following arrests were reported over the weekend:

• Adam M. Zastrocky, 23, of Bergen, was charged with aggaravated driving while intoxicated Friday night, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Zastrocky was stopped on Lake Avenue in Bergen and ticketed with driving without a front license plate.
• Dietrich Williams, 26, of 541 E. Main St. (Apt. A18), Batavia, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Friday evening, city police said. Police were told that Williams had failed to return a rental vehicle.
• Kathy A. Lamotte, 50, of Stafford, was charged with second-degree harassment Saturday afternoon following reports that Lamotte had allegedly yelled at and thrown a rock at a homeowner, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Lamotte then left the area and was later charged by the LeRoy Police with driving while intoxicated.
• Several charges were filed at the Tom Petty concert at Darien Lake Saturday night. Genesee County sheriff's deputies charged Alan Frankosky, 26, of Tonawanda, and Zachary M. Rodriguez, 20, of Buffalo, with trespass. Timothy W. Stillwell, 24, of Trumansburg, was charged with second-degree harassment. Nicholas A. Todaro, 18, of Cheektowaga, was charged with disorderly conduct, as was Michael J. Grammariello, 21, of Palmyra, who was also charged with false impersonation. Grammariello was subsequently sent to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $750 bail.
• Welford C. Dempsy, 52, of Bethany, was charged with felony first-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment Saturday night, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Deputies were told that Dempsy had violated an order of protection and slapped the victim in the head during an incident.
• Daniel J. Nixon, 28, of Kenmore, N.Y., was charged with driving while intoxicated early Sunday morning following a traffic stop on Oak Street in Batavia, city police said. Nixon was also ticketed with making an improper turn.

Note: All of the above arrests were reported in published releases from the departments.

Over thirty years ago I left my birthplace, Batavia New York, at the age of nineteen. I saw the "Cell Block" go to "The Primitive Scene". Creek road trips and driving dirt roads. Partying with friends as I was a Batavia teenager. Some of the best times and friends of my life are in Batavia. The city is like no other to me. The Family I still have in the area is all growing old with time. Even Batavia itself has changed with the passing of time. What I would give to turn the clocks back and press restart. I have many children and will not give up one. Batavia seems to hold a lost love that makes me wonder how different life would be if I stayed.

A little over a week ago, Rochester's Downtown Fitness Club kicked off its second Celebrity Boot Camp. From the club's Web site:

Do you think you could beat local personalities in a weight loss contest?

Here’s your chance to find out.

The Downtown Fitness Club’s Rochester Celebrity Boot Camp is a 6 week “team” weight loss contest to see which 2, 3 or 4 person team can lose the greatest percentage of body weight in the period between Monday, June 9th and Monday, July 14th.

There is a $25 donation to charity per person to enter and membership at the Downtown Fitness Club is not required (anyone who participated in the first RCBC must be a DFC member to participate again).

The team that loses the greatest percentage of body weight from their starting weight between the initial and final weigh-ins will win the title of Rochester Celebrity Boot Camp Champions.

Well, it just so happened that Batavia's favorite Rock Jock-ette was tuned into a Rochester radio station when they announced that several on-air personalities would join up, and she couldn't keep from roping in a teammate and signing up herself. We're talking, of course, about WGCC 90.7 FM DJ Robyn. But let's not take the spotlight from her. Here she is, in her own words:

Robyn's got five weeks to slim down and tone up, and you can be sure The Batavian will be there in July when Robyn hits the scales to see if she won.

Last week, the Holland Land Office Museum announced the first "thing" to make the list of the "Twenty-Five Things That Made Genesee County Famous," a six-month countdown of the oddities, happenings, dudes, dames, places and episodes in history that put our lovely county on the map — and you thought a cartographer did that, ha ha ha.

Some of us were a little surprised to find that the New York State Thruway eked its way onto the list, even if it was onto the bottom rung of the ladder. I don't know about the rest of you, but whenever I hear "thruway," I tend to cringe. I remember that it costs about a buck and a quarter to get from Henrietta to Batavia on that gum-stained stretch of barren road that has about as much of a personality as a sleeping Parisian. But even the not-so-pretty things sometimes warrant a niche in our collective history. Take Louis XIV, for example.

So... what is Number 24, you ask? Or should we say who?

Why, it's none other than Mr. John Kennedy, that paragon of pedagogy, that eponymous father to Batavia's grade school, that Englishman turned Midwestern calvaryman who came to Batavia in 1890 to take over as superintendent of schools.

As HLOM Director Patrick Weissend writes of Kennedy: "Visitors to Genesee County often think the elementary school on Vine Street in the City of Batavia is named after the 35th President of the United States, but even the kindergarteners attending the school will correct you and tell you its “JK” not JFK."

Be sure to visit the Holland Land Office Museum Web site to keep up with the other 23 "things" forthcoming. And be sure to check back with The Batavian next Friday to hear about Number 23.

Batavia Police announced a pair of arrests in the city today for drug possession:

• Leandra Ames, 35, of 44 S. Main St., was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana Wednesday, city police said. While searching Ames' residence, police located 32-year-old Leaddice J. Daniels, who was on parole. Daniels will face the same charges.
• Jeffrey Plath, 44, of 12 Hutchins Place, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia Thursday, city police said. Police went to Plath's residence on a court order to seize handguns when they found crack cocaine and paraphernalia.

Note: All of the above arrests were reported in published releases from the Batavia Police.

Thursday:

• 9:36am, 309 Ellicott St., larceny
• 10:12am, 8 Swan St., accident
• 5:50pm, West Main Street, accident

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

Batavia's "Friday Night in the Square" summer concert series in Jackson Square kicks off tonight with everybody's favorite crooner, Jack Civiletto. Civiletto "Sings Sinatra" starts tonight at 7:00pm. For a taste of what to expect, here's a snippet of Civiletto singing "That's Life," by Frank Sinatra. (The video is from Civiletto's MySpace Video Channel.)

Jack

From the Daily News (Friday):

• State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker is urging the governor to declare about 20 state counties as disaster sites following the hail storms that pounded the area on Monday. Hooker came through Genesee County yesterday, stopping by ravaged cabbage and onion fields in Elba. If his request goes through, those and many other farms will be eligible for federal disaster aid. While the crops were not destroyed on most farms, they did take a beating, and many farmers are worried that the market simply won't accept the un-perfect produce. New York Apple Association Director Jim Allen said: "You can't tolerate defects in fresh fruit. There's no doubt we took a serious hit." Farmers will know more about how much they can recover in the coming weeks.
• A computer screen-reading program is helping students at the state School for the Blind. Reporter Kristen Kotz writes about the program, called JAWS: "It allows them to navigate the entire computer system and receive verbal feedback."
•  A dozen folks turned out for the first session of the Military Pride Network, a new "networking and support group for families of individuals who are on active duty in the military," writes reporter Paul Mrozek. The group will meet again July 17 at 5:15pm at the Genesee County Career Center in Eastown Plaza in Batavia. Call (585) 344-0842 for more information.
• Batavia's Rotary, Rods and Rock & Roll fundraiser is all set for June 28 at Batavia Downs. The event kicks off at 3:00pm with a car show, an auction and a pizza tasting. A beer festival will follow at 6:00pm — Batavia's first ever, according to Joanne Beck. Her article is pretty comprehensive — including a list of all the bands slated to perform — so for those looking for more information, check it out. Admission will be $2 for the Rotary event and $15 for the beer festival.
• Batavia Downs will host a horse show this weekend. The show will start at 7:30am and run to 5:00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
• Looks like the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is pretty geeked up about the Rural Tourism Conference that they'll be hosting next year. They've already put out the announcement. Congrats to them.
• A pair of articles inside the A Section of today's paper were featured on The Batavian in earlier posts: Batavia's BID puts up hanging flower baskets and truckers converge on Albany.
• Great photo spread at the back of the paper today!
• The Muckdogs went down hard, 7-0, against the Auburn Doubledays last night to start the season 0-3. They'll be playing at Frontier Field in Rochester tonight.

For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.

Here is the next video in our Countdown to the Ramble series: Buffalo Road Show performing "That Boy." See our earlier post for more about the countdown.

Check out WBTA for this and other stories:

• Some 1,200 Genesee County residents did not receive an economic stimulus check, though they may have been entitled to one. In order to receive the checks, those eligible had to file a federal tax return, and many retirees and disabled veterans never filed because they didn't have to. Well, a sympathetic IRS — seriously — is reaching out to help them get their check, which could be between $300 and $600 per individual. They have until October 15 to file the 1040A tax form and get the check. Visit the IRS Web site for more information.

Batavia trucker Bill Sutton was one of hundreds of truckers who converged on Albany this morning.

Truckers and Citizens United of New York organized a convoy of fed-up haulers and drivers to meet up at the Betty Beaver Truck Stop in Fultonville and from there: the state capital. From their Web site: "We expect to parade down State Street in Albany by 10:00am and encircle the Capitol Building. Join us at any point along the way in your own vehicle! Be heard! Be seen! Take back our state!"

From Land Line Magazine:

Bill Sutton said he has a challenge for any truckers who use the excuse they can’t afford to participate in the convoy to Albany. He’s had his share of bad luck recently.

Sutton, a flatbedder from Batavia, NY, has been trucking for more than 23 years. However, he said the company he was leased to for 16 years shut down on Friday, June 6. Besides losing his job, he is also out more than $12,000 he was owed in back settlements from the company.

“I got a message that I should be receiving a check for about $3,000 to $4,000, but I may have to wait a year or more to receive the rest, if I get it at all.”

Sutton said he’s participating in the convoy because he believes truckers should stand together to fight toll increases and high fuel taxes truckers in New York face. He is also meeting with his assemblyman, Stephen Hawley, while he’s in Albany to discuss some of the key issues truckers are facing.

“I really believe we are doing the right thing by doing this,” he said. “Even though I am forking out money out of my own pocket to participate in the convoy, I am not willing to just accept what is continually being done to the truck drivers here, which is being taxed to the point they can’t run any longer.”

He said that while many people don’t know his name, they recognize his truck, which is a bright purple 2005 Western Star LowMax.

“People don’t know me, but they know my truck. It’s hard to miss,” he said.

The Associated Press was there when the drivers arrived. They caught up with Sutton who was in the thick of it. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno addressed the crowd, claiming that it was the Assembly's fault the state gas tax "holiday" didn't pass.

Shortly after his remarks, Bruno got a taste of what it's like to drive a big rig after Sutton, who helped organize the rally, invited him to check out his truck parked nearby.

After a choppy start, Bruno, who doesn't have a commercial driver's license, pulled out into traffic and, after nearly running onto a curb, drove off out of sight. He reappeared a few minutes later, parked the truck and described the experience as "some challenge."

Gov. David Paterson was also on the scene. He said he couldn't support the gas tax "holiday" unless fuel companies promised to pass on the savings to consumers and told the truckers to take their protest to the offices of big oil company executives.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he didn't speak to the truckers because he wasn't invited, adding that the rally was organized by a failed Republican candidate for Assembly who he described as "Tedisco's henchman," referring to Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco.

Vincent Gramuglia, a Fultonville truck-stop owner, was the lead organizer. He lost a bid for the Assembly 18 years ago to Democrat Paul Tonko but said that had nothing to do with the rally.

"This has nothing to do with politics," he said. "This has to do with truckers."

Wednesday:

• 1:19pm, 7 Wood St., larceny
• 1:34pm, MacArthur Drive, criminal mischief
• 5:26pm, 412 E. Main St., accident
• 5:55pm, 51 Montclair Ave., harassment
• 6:49pm, 412 E. Main St., larceny
• 10:16pm, 19 Holland Ave., harassment
• 11:10pm, 500 E. Main St., trespass

Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.

From the Daily News (Wednesday):

• Conehead the Vendor was on hand to distribute beer and snacks to the crowd of 1,298 who showed up for the Muckdogs' home opener last night that started with rain, ended with a loss, but was nonetheless chock full of good cheer. Nor was he the only one. Officials from the Rochester Red Wings were there to get things in gear for the new season. And John Mozeliak, general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, even came out to speak before the game. Reporter Brian Hillabush has a pair of great articles on today's front page covering the home opener. Check them out.
• Batavia's Town Board will host a public hearing on July 16 to get comment on the town's proposed contribution of $225,000 for the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.
• An article on the front page covers Council's planned discussion on the relocation of the city's youth football program that was covered in detail by The Batavian earlier today.
• Today's opinion page features a column by Tom Rivers about Tim Russert, the Buffalo native and host of Meet the Press, who died suddenly last week. Rivers found that as much as Russert was in the national spotlight, he still had time for small-town, small-press America. It's a great column. Worth a read.

For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.

Batavia's City Council will meet Monday to tend to a pair of budget amendments regarding the consolidation study, most of which is funded by a state grant. Also on the agenda is a 2.75 percent wage increase for City Manager Jason Molino following the completion of Molino's annual review which was completed earlier in the week. (Council President Charlie Mallow first announced the results of the review on The Batavian this past Monday.)

Monday's big discussion is likely to be over the relocation of the youth football program, which has for years now been situated in the outfield of Dwyer Stadium. Officials from the Rochester Red Wings told Council about a month ago that if they wish to keep youth football at the stadium, the damage done to the field will mean costly annual maintenance to get the turf back in shape for the Muckdogs season.

Molino has recommended two potential locations to host youth football: Austin Park or Kibbe Park. Both would require an initial investment from taxpayers, though moving the field to Kibbe Park would mean much more.

This (above) is what the layour would look like if it were situated at Austin Park at a cost of $19,444. In a letter to Council, Molino said Austin Park would be the better fit.

As seen in the diagram, the field can easily be placed east to west in the open space of the park. There can be a user agreement developed between the City and youth football for access and use of the concession stand and bathrooms during the season. New bleachers can be purchased, but can also be used for other events during different times throughout the year. Parking is adequate...

Molino dismissed the idea of transferring the bleachers from Dwyer Stadium every year at a cost of about $6,000. The cost for new permanent bleachers for Austin Park would be about $13,000. Several trees on the east side of the park would have to be removed, and a scoreboard will have to be installed.

[The] Rochester Red Wings ... have offered to assist by holding a silent auction night for baseball paraphernalia at the Dwyer Stadium with all proceeds going towards the purchase of the new scoreboard ($4,000). They are also willing to assist with other fund raising efforts in conjunction with youth football.

As for relocating to Kibbe Park, the cost would be about $61,000 and would include the building of a concession stand and other facilities already located at Austin Park. The layout for Kibbe Park can be viewed below.

The meeting will be at 7:00pm on the second floor of City Hall. You can download the agenda for the business meeting.

Note: Mallow said at the last meeting that Council would discuss at this coming meeting the policy regarding Council members communication with city staff. There was no mention of this topic on the agenda.