Police Blotter for Monday:
Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.
By way of a preface... When I was a reporter in Canandaigua and an editor would assign me a story about any sort of agency (pseudo, government or otherwise) and its finances, procedures or reportings, I cringed. Visibly, I'm sure. Scowling, grumpy and none too sure what was going on, I tried my best to crack the bureaucratic nut and spill out a tidy, readable article. I'm not talking the routine meeting stuff. I mean the hundred-page report in small type with definitions of the definitions of the indecipherable financial jargon. It took me half my shift once to figure out what one word meant on a company's earnings report. All I remember was that the term not only had nothing to do with its meaning but was very much an obstacle to understanding it — maybe like using the word liquid to describe something solid and unmoving.
So I sympathize with reporter Paul Mrozek wholeheartedly in his attempt to write a comprehensible article about an auditor's report on the Genesee County Nursing Home that showed the facility lost $1.7 million last year.
That being said, there is so much information involved in these sorts of articles, that too much is always said and too much is always left out.
Mrozek tells us that this was the second year in a row that the nursing home lost more than a million dollars and had to be bailed out by the county with subsidies — but that right there raises the first question that is never really answered. If the nursing home is a county-run facility, wouldn't the county already be responsible for its funding?
Further, how is the loss measured?
Mrozek tackles that fairly well by breaking down in simple language the facility's costs per resident versus its revenues: $229 to $204, respectively, for a shortfall of $25 (per resident per day). That sounds pretty significant when you consider the nursing home has 160 beds: 160 x $25 x 365 = $1.46 million lost per year if all beds are filled. They aren't. But at 96 percent occupancy, they're close.
So why are costs higher than revenue?
A few reasons are given in a few different places in the article. One, since the nursing home is a public facility it has to accept patients on "public assistance and people who have no health insurance," while a for-profit facility can fill its beds with people who have fully-funded private health insurance. Another reason is overtime for employees, an expense that seems problematic in both the public and private sectors, but not easily remedied.
Mrozek writes that the county legislature is looking at "a possible increase in Medicaid payments" to help offset the imbalance. One of the auditors is cited as saying that the increase would "reverse the trend of increased county subsidies." (That is one of a few instances in the article that Mrozek paraphrases the auditor using language such as reverse the trend or confluence of changes.)
That's really the best as I can do for a summary of this article, though it seems like an issue worth revisiting, or at least further explications. Check out the paper for more details.
A sincere kudos to Mrozek for tackling this tricky topic. Hopefully, we can get an article in the future explaining in simple language how the nursing home is funded — touched on some in this article. Is it all through Medicaid and insurance? What about the folks with no insurance?
I'm a financial dunce and could really use the detailed explanations. And I'm sure I'm not alone.
Also, if the county is putting up the big bucks to bail out the nursing home, what does that mean for us? Does the county just have that money lying around? Where does it come from? How is it managed?
From the Daily News (Tuesday):
For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.
For a short while in 1895, the newspaper that proudly proclaimed itself "a good organ" in service to farmer, merchant and tradesman alike shrunk its name from The Progressive Batavian to the simple yet stately: The Batavian. What a pleasure it was for us here at the contemporary Batavian — no less stately, no less of a service to farmer and citizen alike — to discover our progenitor in the drawers of microfiche at the Richmond Memorial Library.
As evidence of our continued service as a good and vital organ of the people, we have initiated this series of revisits to our shared past: that bizarre world of tonics, dames, davenports, milliners, philtres and... pugilists. So we turn back the clock 113 years to August 17, 1895, to peek in on the news of the times on that particular dog day of summer.
Before we delve into the tale of the wife of a pugilist, let us look at some of the other headlines from the day.
"This is Tough: Providence, a Lawyer and a Woman Make an Unhappy Combination for One Man" is a short tale of woe about a man who "had his eyes blown out ... in a lime-kiln explosion" and was then abandoned by his wife who subsequently hooked up with the man's attorney who had moved into his home and taken over his life.
"Grasshoppers Take Free Rides" is a quirky story about a "plague" of grasshoppers that rode a passenger train from Kansas to Denver and "made themselves disgracefully real" there, taking over the town.
"Girl Wife Sues Boy Husband" is mostly self-explanatory. While "Sheriff Sale on Execution" begs a bit more intepretation.
"Beats a Sea Serpent" tells of an 875-pound sea turtle that was believed to have already been an adult when Columbus discovered America. A state Senator purchased the creature for $25 and had plans to
"make the turtle a feature of the babies' parade on the board walk. He will place the monster on a float decorated in the national colors. Upon the back of the turtle will be a little girl dressed as a mermaid, holding ribbon reins extending from the turtle's mouth."
"Free Silver Charlatans Endeavoring to Humbug the People" artfully (and editorially) transposes the image of rainmakers sending dynamite-filled balloons into the sky and cheating Midwestern farmers with a group of citizens attempting to start a "coinage congress."
Near the end of the paper is a first-hand account of a boxer's wife titled: "Wife of a Pugilist: When She Met Him, Fame Knew Him Not. When Notoreity Came, Women Pursued Him — A Story With a Good Deal of Pathos Between the Lines." In it, the wife, a native of Amsterdam in New York, tells of why she decided to divorce her husband. She tells of how Jim went from a bookkeeper to a boxer and became adored by women, and how he was too "gallant" not to pay them attentions. She never wanted for anything, she says, though the couple barely spent a few months out of each year together. Still she kept with him. That is, until Jim began seeing another woman regularly and went as far pretending the other woman was his wife. She says: "To have such a creature as she be passed off for myself was outrageous. I felt no ill will toward her. He is a strange mixture, and few can understand him. I hope that he may be very happy with her, but I fear for him."
Previous "From the Vault" posts:
Look for the next installment in the coming weeks.
How about a law that would require that no member of Congress, the Senate, the White House would receive a penny more salary than the lowest paid American Soldier, Marine, Airman, Sailor currently in combat? So long as one ground-pounding, oath-swearing, mother's child is under threat of injury....no one who had a hand in sending them into harm's way should receive one dime more than that service member does.
And, its not retro-active. So long as your son, daughter, nephew, niece, cousin, grandson, granddaughter, mother, father, sister, brother, neighbor is in harm's way, no one who sent them there will accrue (you should pardon my french) a damned dime more than that hero does. If you sit in one of those seats of inscrutable power, you'd better be so thoroughly convinced of the righteousness of your decision that you'd at least wager your salary on it.
Because the people you're sending into battle wager a hell of a lot more than your political future. Their oath entails more than a hand on a book. Their oath takes them into a situation you send them into. And it better be for more than oil, for more than a political ideology, it better be for more than your re-election chances. This isn't about philosophy. It's about the genuine dedication and sacrifice of American citizen soldiers and families.
Given the preponderance of millionaire-members of the Senate and Congress, maybe they can absorb the cost of their decision easier than we absorb the true cost of war. Is it asking so much that they share a fraction of the financial cost that our service families endure?
Does this sound like a good idea to you?
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office released an official statement last night citing a smoldering cigarette as the "probable" cause of the house fire at Lewiston Road Friday that claimed the life of 17-year-old Erik Mooney. WBTA reports that Mooney's mother, July Clark, "told investigators she had been smoking in the enclosed porch where the fire was believed to have started."
Previous related posts:
I've been noticing a trend at this particular intersection that is rather upsetting to me. I travel on 98 daily as I work in Batavia and live in Elba. What concerns me is the way the traffic light is set up for North and South bound traffic. When the light is red for South bound there is a green arrow for vehicles to turn left onto Route 5. After a period of time this arrow turns off and the green light for through traffic comes on. The Northbound light also has an arrow that turns on for vehicles turning left onto Route 5. As with the southbound it turns off and the green light comes on for through traffic.
What I have witnessed on numerous occasions are vehicles proceeding to make left hand turns across traffic long after the turn arrow has turned off. At least once a day I have seen near hits at this intersection, with todays incident being too close for comfort.
I am a member of a volunteer Fire Department who has responded to many accident calls over the years. I've seen my share of mangled vehicles with injuries of every description. All it takes is common sense and a couple extra seconds out of your busy day to ensure a safe journey to your destination.
I do have a suggestion that may or may not work. The addition of a red arrow above the green arrow to indicate that it is no longer safe to turn left. My hope is that someone will read this who has the expertise in traffic patterns to see if a change could be made.
The near hits will still happen until either a study is made or drivers take the time to make sure turning into traffic is safe for ALL vehicles at the intersection.
Joseph Mancuso was managing a hardware store when his family charged him with the impossible task of recruiting a tenant for a vacant hulk of a factory that measured nearly a million square feet. Once a foundry, bordered by freight rails and industry on all sides, the building was literally a community investment: the land had been bought in nickels and dimes by the residents of Batavia in the 1880s to attract big business to the area. They succeeded. But by 1956, the factory was finished.
Of course, Mancuso couldn't find anyone to take the space. It was the 1950s. His son, Tom Mancuso, told us a bit about the history that followed, and a funny little story about how the world came to know the business incubator. Enjoy!
When people look at individual posts, we're able to count how many times that happens. That doesn't tell us precisely how many people read that post, because most people probably read a post on the home page and never click-through to the post on its own page.
Individual story counts are probably driven by people leaving or reading comments, or getting the permalink (story URL) to send to a friend.
With that caveat, here's our Top 10 posts for May (the first month of existence for The Batavian).
Our most viewed video so far is of the Lewiston Road fire.
They say it's going to be ninety degrees by the end of the week. You'll probably be able to see the Niagara power station glow and hear it hum from a mile away as the pulse of a million or so air conditioners suck its electric stream. At least, that's the apocalyptic look on our upcoming summer heat surge — and anyone who remembers the great Northeast Blackout of '03 will know what I mean.
On a brighter note, sunshine and hot humid days also bring blooming bouquets. Batavia's Downtown Business Improvement District understands that, which is why they've financed the hanging of some 90 baskets of flowers on light poles along Main Street from the post office to Liberty Street. As you can see, they haven't quite bloomed yet, but the pretty purple petals are a pleasant sign of things to come.
BID Director Don Burkel says the flowers will "give color to Main Street" and just make it a better place to be for pedestrians and motorists. City crews mounted the baskets, and they will monitor the irrigation systems attached to the poles to keep the soil wet and the flowers growing.
As long as the weather holds, the baskets should stay out through September, says Burkel.
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Note: We don't include noise complaints, domestic disputes and routine police business.
From the Daily News (Monday):
Subscribe to the Daily News at BataviaNews.com, or pick up a copy at a local newsstand, such as Main Street Coffee.
Check out WBTA for these and other stories:
• A single engine Cessna plane crash on a flight from Batavia crashed in the town of Sweden near Brockport around noon yesterday. Nothing is yet known of the cause of the crash. Flight instructor Davy Merritt of Caledonia and his student Benjamin Bruce were hospitalized with serioues injuries. For more information and video coverage of the crash site, see News 10-NBC.
• Twenty-seven-year-old Maria Mitchel of Batavia pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder after being arrested Friday. Mitchel was seen on video surveillance allegedly trying to suffocate her 7-month-old baby girl at Buffalo's Women and Children's Hospital.
• Nearly 100 parishioners of St. Paul's Lutheran Church took to the community yesterday with paintbrushes, baked goods, quilts and garden tools to help clean up and show their appreciation for their neighborhoods.
UPDATE: In a story posted at 5:27 p.m., the Buffalo News reports that officials are pointing to a smoldering cigarette as the likely cause of the fire.
Genesee County Emergency Management Services coordinator Timothy J. Yaeger said the victim's mother, Judy Clark, 41, had been smoking in an nclosed porch about half an hour before the fire broke out ...
---
WBTA reports that a discarded cigarette may have been the cause of the fire Friday morning that took the life of 17-year-old Erik Mooney.
The investigation continues and no conclusion has been reached.
The News 8 video report (warning: pre-roll advertising) says that Erik suffered from asthma and that may have contributed to his in ability escape the smoke-filled house.
The Buffalo News story includes quotes from officials and students at Erik's high school.
Erik was known among his classmates for his sense of humor and love of video games.
Fellow sophomore Roosevelt Little, 16, who shared several classes with Erik, described him as “laid back,” someone who loved to crack jokes and brighten others’ lives. Roosevelt said Erik was capable of getting all of the students he shared a table with in the cafeteria to laugh.
Erik was well-liked among his peers and became more outgoing as he got to know others, Roosevelt said.
“Some students were crying when they found out [about Erik’s death],” Roosevelt said. “Some were trying to hold in emotions. A lot left school early today.”
“Sometimes it feels like these things happen all at once,” he added, referring to another recent tragedy in the community.
The D&C story hasn't been updated, but a video has been added (again, pre-roll advertising).
Our Previous posts: Post #1, Post #2 (with our own video).
Interesting story this morning from the Buffalo News on struggles faced by chambers of commerce in the region in recruiting and retaining members.
Part of the problem is the increasingly global and distributed economy, and part if it is the "bowling alone" syndrome.
Local quotes:
At the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, the nearly 900 members pay dues that start at $190 per year. Chamber President Lynn Freeman said about 80 percent of members are 50 years old and up, and 20 percent are under 50. But beyond the age discrepancy, he said there is more pressure than before to produce results and show younger members “that this is not an old man’s club.”
In Genesee County, the chamber and the Junior Chamber, an unconnected group of 21-to 39-year-olds, are mutually beneficial, said Melissa George, the 2006 president of Batavia Area Junior Chamber. George, who is executive assistant for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, said the JC promotes chamber of commerce membership.
We say: Join the Chamber. Join Rotary or the Lions or get involved with a literacy program or the animal shelter. There are all kinds of civic and community groups that need your support. Involvement and engagement is what fosters strong communities, drives the local economy, reduces crime and increases property values ... in other words, there are any number of "selfish" reasons to get involved beyond just plain feeling good about helping out and doing the right thing.
There are no new developments this afternoon in the Lewiston Road fire that claimed the life of 17-year-old Erik Mooney (previous post).
Attempts to contact fire officials this afternoon were unsuccesful.
We also tried contacting somebody with the area Red Cross to see what arrangements were being made to assist the family, but were unsuccessful.
Below are yearbook photos of Michael, 15, and Erik (right).
UPDATE: Video story from WHAM.
UPDATE II: Here's News 8 coverage. Watch the video to about 3/4 of the way in and notice how the reporter and producer insinuate that there is something suspicious about Erik not getting out of the house. Classic Mainstream Media technique to remain "objective" while pumping up the story with some controversy. It's not just a TV thing. Print does it, too. (Also, warning -- obnoxious pre-roll advertising on the video).
WKBW in Buffalo also posted a video report.
WIVB out of Buffalo has two video reports posted. Good, detailed, balanced and sensative stories.
In today's Daily News:
Subscribe to the Daily News at BataviaNews.com, or pick up a copy at a local newsstand, such as Main Street Coffee.
Press Release from the City of Batavia:
Please be advised that the Charter Review Commission for the City of Batavia will hold a meeting on Monday, June 2, 2008. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Work Room on the second floor of the Batavia City Centre.
The public can speak at the meeting by signing in with the Chairman prior to the start of the meeting.
Listen to WBTA AM 1490 for news updates throughout the day.
News 10 reports this morning that a 2 a.m. fire at 7881 Lewiston Road took the life of a 17-year-old boy.
Firefighters found him at the top of a staircase. He was taken to United Memorial Medical Center where he was prounounced dead at 3:30 a.m.
His brother managed to escape the fire by jumping from a bathroom window, but injured his arm in the fall.
The mother of the two boys escaped without injury.
The chief said the fire started on a porch and spread to the house. There were heavy flames when they arrived on scene.
The WHEC web story includes video.
We imagine WBTA will update its news page soon and will likely have the names of the victims this morning along with the latest additional information.
UPDATE: The names of the victims have not been released yet, WBTA reports.
UPDATE II: WBTA reports:
The Genesee County Sheriff's office has identified the boy as Erik Mooney of 7881 Lewiston Rd.
Erik, his mother, 41-year-old Judy Clark and 15-year-old brother Michael were all at home when the fire started. Judy suffered smoke inhalation. Michael cut his arm jumping from a bathroom window. Both were treated at UMMC in Batavia.
UPDATE III: The D&C reports:
Another resident, Scott Clark, 47, was not home when the fire broke out, deputies said. He was at work.
The brothers are both students at Oakfield-Alabama Central School District. District Superintendent Christopher Todd this morning said the mood in the 1,000-student distinct was somber and that many of the students were “having a tough day.”
“It’s awful, but we’ll band together,” he said. Grief counselors are available at Oakfield-Alabama Middle/High School today to assist students, faculty and staff, Todd said.
...
Judy Clark told firefighters that a sounding smoke detector and barking family dog alerted her of the blaze.
Genesee County Fire Coordinator and Manager Tim Yaeger said authorities are trying to confirm a report that Judy Clark attempted to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose this morning. He said authorities did not know whether that occurred before or after she called 911.
UPDATE IV: WHAM coverage can be seen here.
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