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In an interview with The Batavian, Byron Brown, the new president and CEO of Batavia Downs, said he is focused on growing revenue and increasing the share of profits going to the 17 municipalities that own Western Regional Off-Track Betting.
"I'm not coming here to be a politician. I'm coming here to be a focused business executive," Brown said.
Still hopeful that there’s a way to save Ascension Parish from being closed next month, Connie Bruggman got to work this week correlating the nearly 250 affidavits from members to prepare for an appeal to the Diocese of Buffalo.
Batavia Blue Devils is the best team we know.
With the help of our board, we can learn, play and grow.
That was part of a cheer given by three Jackson Primary students, aptly dressed in cheerleader uniforms, as part of a line-up for school board appreciation thank-yous to Batavia City Schools board members Monday evening.
That performance was followed by John Kennedy Intermediate students singing a “skip counting” song using the numeral six to count up until they reached 60 as a demonstration of how school lessons have helped them to learn multiplication.
The middle and high school students named parts of the district that they liked and appreciated best, thanking board members for providing them opportunities to participate in band, chorus, orchestra, Page Turners, Tech Wars, drama, volleyball and other various activities.
Board members John Marucci, Barbara Bowman, Korinne Anderson and Alice Benedict then received goodie bags.
Superintendent Jason Smith presented them with a certificate of appreciation.
“Thank you for the awesome show of appreciation,” Marucci, board president, said.
National School Board Appreciation Week is Oct. 14 to 18, and “is a time to recognize the important role that school boards play in communities and schools.”
Board members John Reigle, Chezeray Rolle and Jennifer Lendvay were absent.
New York State School Boards Association sponsors School Board Recognition Week, which runs the same week, to recognize school board members for their commitment to New York public school children, the NYSSBA site states.
“Recognizing school board member service should be a year-round endeavor, but designating one week to highlight these volunteers’ efforts ensures they receive some of the thanks they deserve,” the site states. “School Board Recognition Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness and understanding about the crucial role school board members have within a school district.”
The board then returned to business and approved two student trips:
Board members also approved:
2730 W Main St Road Batavia-Town, NY 14020. Shovel ready! This property is ready for you to hit the ground running when you are ready to build because current owner has done all the detail work for you already!! Site work completed with survey, perc test/wastewater treatment plan, building permit AND housing blueprints should you want!! All the rest of the details can be worked out easily depending on what you want to do! This l plus acre lot is conveniently located to all major routes and two Thruway exits; not to mention shopping, restaurants, and more! ALSO, located in Pembroke School System as an added bonus! Call Reliant Real Estate - 585-344-HOME (4663)
Photos and story by Jennifer DiQuattro
The Bergen Triangle Club held an open house on Saturday to celebrate its 115th year anniversary.
The Triangle Club is a women's organization founded in Bergen in 1909. The objective of the club is social, civic and intellectual improvement. And, the ladies of the club also really enjoy a cup of hot tea together.
Some past initiatives of the Club include: In the 1960's, Triangle Club petitioned for the creation of the Byron-Bergen Public Library. And, members donated books to seed its opening. Triangle Club also participated in the building of the veteran's memorial in Hickory Park. And, more recently, Christmas decorations and the hometown hero banners initiative in the Village.
Marian Partridge is the club's longest-serving member. She joined in 1957 and has been actively participating for 67 years.
Triangle meets every other month on the third Saturday at 2 p.m.
The meetings are typically held in the Community Room at the Byron-Bergen Public Library. New members are always welcome. The next scheduled meeting is Saturday, Nov. 16.
A 37-year-old Le Roy resident was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Monday on a conviction off possession of child pornography by U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Jordan E. Brodie was charged following an investigation that revealed he traded child pornography through an online chat application in May 2023. Brodie was accused of uploading at least one image to another platform, which reported the image to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The State Police opened an investigation based on the complaint and determined the image was uploaded from Brodie's home in Le Roy. A search warrant was executed, and his phone was seized.
He was found with images that included violence against children.
Brodie was convicted of child pornography possession in May 2021, leading his supervision by the Genesee County Probation Department.
Press Release:
The Chamber’s Annual Awards Committee has announced the “2024” Annual Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming, Park Road, Batavia. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service, and volunteerism.
Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition & Geneseeans of the Year. Business Nominees must be a Chamber Member (If unsure of your nominee, call the Chamber to verify).
Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia, and can also be downloaded from the Chamber Website at www.geneseeny.com.
Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 13 to be eligible for consideration.
If you would like more information, feel free to call or email Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026, kbermingham@geneseeny.com.
Batavia High School inducted its Hall of Fame members for 2024 at Batavia Down on Saturday evening.
Previously: Batavia Blue Devils induct 9 into Athletic Hall of Fame on October 19
Photos by Howard Owens.
More than 50 people from eight states gathered at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Le Roy to learn more about Jane Boyer.
As a 10-year-old in Le Roy in 1834, Boyer created a sampler that is popular with cross-stitch enthusiasts today.
St. Mark's hosted a full-day seminar on Boyer and her work in the neighborhood where she grew up and attended church. The seminar included three lectures on Boyer and visits to the Le Roy House and the Jell-O Museum. Each participant received two fully-kitted cross-stitch projects based on her sampler to work on during the retreat and a digital PDF chart of the full reproduction sampler at the end of the retreat.
Leslie Delooze, host of the event, School Girls Samplers of Western New York, said, "it was very common for girls in the early to mid 1800s to make these (samplers) as part of their education."
Samplers allowed the girls to demonstrate their skills at cross-stitch patterns and other embroidery stitches.
D&R Depot Restaurant catered lunch.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Batavia First United Methodist Church hosted a Trunk or Treat on Saturday.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Mercy EMS, located on Call Parkway in Batavia, held an open house on Saturday morning.
Photos by Howard Owens
On Friday evening, Whole Life Fitness on East Main Street in Batavia, hosted its first-ever Zombie 5K.
Photos by Howard Owens
The Batavia Blue Devils dominated under the lights of Van Detta Stadium on Friday night as the beat the Vertus Warriors 33-8.
Bronx Bucholz was 14-23 passing for 128 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for 54 yards on nine carries, scoring twice.
Da'Van Gallo-Williams had two receptions for 22 yards and a TD. Lakoda Mruczek had five receptions for 43 yards and a TD. He had seven tackles on defense. Carter Mullen, five catches for 69 yards and a TD. Maggio Bucholz, 14 tackles and a fumble recovery.
To view or purchase photos, click here.
The Elba Lancers volleyball team beat Cal-Mum on Friday three sets to two.
Sets: 21-25, 18-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-9.
Elba:
Cal Mum:
Photos by Debra Reilly
On senior night at Oakfield-Alabama, the OAE Girls Soccer team played Royhart to a 1-1 tie on Thursday.
OAE's goal was scored by PIper Hyde. Goalie Lily Davis had 14 saves.
Photos by Kristin Smith.
After more than two years at the same job, Brittany Hausfelder still looks forward to it, from the camaraderie of her co-workers to the positive response of customers.
That’s not exactly what you might expect from a motor vehicles rep, given the atmospheres and reputations of those departments with long lines and staff with short tempers.
“We have a great crew of employees here, and that stems down from the top line. So our bosses are great. And then we do have a good group here. We all get along. We all help each other so that just makes coming to work a lot easier. I have never woken up and said ‘Man, I don’t want to go to work today,’ and I think we’ve all had jobs where we’ve definitely felt like that, so I’ve loved it since I started,” Hausfelder said Friday at Genesee County’s Department of Motor Vehicles. “We do have people every day that come in from the public saying how great it is to come to our DMV versus big city ones, how they see a difference. We're so friendly. We really try to help. So I think just hearing that too makes you internally want to help more and do better because you see the results coming right in.”
And in the last six months, it has only gotten better, with dress-down Fridays in Buffalo Bills gear to benefit local charities, a special ring-the-bell incentive for teens who pass their written driving test, a whopping and slightly secretive enthusiasm to win big in this year's Halloween costume contest (fair warning to the county manager) and overall helpful attitudes from staff and management.
Bigger city DMVs seem to fit the mold of herding people through to get the job done, but that’s not the atmosphere at Genesee County’s DMV, and it’s a purposeful difference, Deputy County Clerk Debbie Underhill said.
“I think we’re one of few DMVs that answers their phone,” she said. “I’m a customer service person. I have been my whole life. I want you to come in and be greeted and one stop. I don't want multiple trips, you know. I want to make your experience the best it can be in one stop, if at all possible. That doesn't always happen, but that's the goal.”
Underhill has been with the department for more than 20 years, holding the position of deputy clerk for the last four. When she does her staff training, she focuses on team bonding and the aspect of quality customer service, she said, adding that she’s willing to step out of her office and walk the walk.
“I’m out on the floor working right along with the girls and helping, assisting as needed,” she said. “I love helping people.”
Customers have responded favorably, with verbal compliments, online five-star ratings, treats from Tim Horton’s, flowers and thank you cards, she said.
Not every 16-year-old takes them up on the offer to ring the bell after passing the written driving exam, but when one does, others in the office and lobby cheer and clap to make it a fun, memorable experience. A staff member came up with the idea of recognizing one of the regular occurrences in the DMV that previously went without so much as a whimper.
During his annual report presentation earlier this week, County Clerk Mike Cianfrini mentioned the department’s improved flow since being able to recruit and retain a full staff. His department had been down one or two employees in the Motor Vehicle and Records departments for at least the past year, he said.
“It was intermittent; someone would leave, or they weren’t working out, and we were without a full staff,” he said.
He attributed the retention of staff for about the last six months to a pay raise as part of labor negotiations with the CSEA union. During the meeting, he thanked county legislators for approving that deal, acknowledging that it made the difference between hiring and keeping people.
“The staff has said it; we're now able to actually hire people and keep them,” he said. “They don't come in, work for six months, and then say, fine, I can make $3 an hour more working somewhere else and leave. So thank you all.”
In turn, Legislative Chair Shelley Stein praised his work and department, as “the change has been amazing,” she said, and “your staff is welcoming, friendly, ready to greet people. It is a reflection of leadership.”
Cianfrini did refer to the occasional need for the department’s security guard, which was for “nothing violent,” but to address a couple of issues when a customer was yelling or swearing about an issue.
“They can just walk in and tell them enough, and it not be me or Deb,” he said. “So that’s been a huge help.”
During a walk-through of the DMV on Friday, Cianfrini nodded to staff members wearing the signature red, white and blue Bills garb. They pitch in donations to wear the gear on Fridays, and the collection goes to a local charity. So far, it has supported Genesee Cancer Assistance, Genesee County Animal Shelter, Crossroads House, and others, Underhill said.
The shift in focus has been on that customer service component, including when prospective employees interview, Cianfrini said.
“And that's one of the things that we do really stress when we're doing the interview, is we try to focus on finding people that we think have not just the knowledge to be successful, but also the personality to put the image out there that we want: friendly, welcoming, that's what we're really looking for when we do the interviews,” he said, answering if any services have been added. “The services are the same; it’s just the manner in which we provide them.”
Speaking of services, there has been a “big development” in the DMV for revenue sharing with New York State, he said. Previously the county would receive 12.7% of transactions processed in person and nothing if done online, which has now been changed so that the county receives an across the board 10.75% for all transactions.
Vehicle use tax revenue is projected to be approximately $410,000 for the year, which is an increase of $25,000 from 2023, he said.
On the declining end, local mortgage tax is expected to decrease, going from $481,000 in 2023 to $425,000 this year, “given the significant increase in interest rates and declining housing market,” Cianfrini said in his report. He is uncertain as to what 2025 will bring for mortgage tax since it will be the first of an election year, so his department is estimating it to be about $450,000.
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