Press release:

Batavia Downs Gaming President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek presented representatives from the Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court with a check for $8,800 to support their efforts to assist Veterans within the court system.

On Aug.17, a Vets night dinner was held at Batavia Downs in conjunction with a night of live racing.  Proceeds from live and penny auctions were collected to support the Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court.

“We appreciate Sean Schiano and Batavia Downs for hosting this event again, “said Ray Melens, Lead Mentor for the Monroe County Veterans Court.  “These funds are so important for us to continue our work.   Now more than ever, we are assisting veterans who need help in the court system.  We continue to help identify and treat any underlying issues that these brave men and women face to help them get back on the right track.”

“Veterans have a special meaning for Batavia Downs, “said Wojtaszek.  “So many of our own employees helped find items and baskets for the Penny Auction.  Special thanks to Michael Horton, our director from Steuben County, who was the auctioneer for the exciting live action that was the highlight of the event.”

The search for a new president and CEO of Western Regional OTB is well underway, with the field of global candidates getting narrowed, and the expectation Henry Wojtaszek's replacement is announced before the end of the year, Dennis Bassett told reporters on Thursday.

The discussion with reporters came at the conclusion of the OTB's monthly board meeting at Batavia Downs.

"The search is moving; it is moving along actively, and we're doing our due diligence," said Bassett, chairman of the OTB board.

"We have narrowed the field down," he added. "I'm not going to say how many we have now but we've gone through a step process with the first wave of applicants, narrowed that down, did another perusing by the committee, narrowed that down, and now we're not far away from being able to make some decisions."

Bassett said that when the field is narrowed sufficiently, the entire OTB board will be involved in the candidate interviews, and the board will make the final decision on which candidate to hire.

At its June meeting, the OTB board authorized the buyout of employment contracts for Wojtasek, CFO Jackie Leach, and VP of Operations William White. In the same resolution, the board authorized Bassett to form a CEO search committee.

On Thursday, Bassett said the committee received resumes from applicants that is global in scope, but among the criteria the committee is using to screen candidates is knowledge of the regulatory, legislative, and political landscape of New York.

"One of the key ingredients is knowledge of the New York politics, knowledge of the New York Legislature, how you can work your way through the maze, and how you can help us shed a better light on OTB," Bassett said. "Because one of the key things that I have seen is that we need to do a better job of making sure that the people in Albany know what we're doing and that they look upon WTB as a positive because no one ever asked me, 'are you guys making any money?' In the last two years, we have had record earnings. We are on track to have our third consecutive year of record earnings. No one asks me those questions. No one wants to know. No one wants to see that we're a very successful corporation."

Erie County media has repeatedly speculated on whether Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown would be a candidate for the job. Bassett suggested Brown hadn't applied but then took it back, saying he wouldn't discuss specific candidates.

"I've heard that speculation, too," Bassett said. "If Byron Brown is interested, he'll put his name in," but added that the resume process is closed now.

Asked, "Are you suggesting he has not applied for the job?"

"I'm not suggesting anything like that," Bassett said.

Asked later in the conversation if Brown had applied, Bassett said, "I'm not going to give any answer about our applicants. I'm not going to answer about who has applied for the job, whether it's Byron Brown or anyone else. It's unfair to any candidate to give a name because the candidates who have applied for the job have a job. If I give their name and they don't get the job, how do they go back to their employer and say, 'Well, I was out fishing, and I didn't catch any fish, so I'm back. I'm back, coming to work today.'"

Bassett, a Democrat who represents Monroe County, said he recognizes the need to move quickly if OTB is to have a new CEO in place before Dec. 31, Wojtasek's last day of employment. 

Part of what drives the need to move quickly is at the executive level. For some employers, a mere two-week notice isn't sufficient. An executive may need to give a 30-day notice.

"That's why I have been very keenly aware that we have to move swiftly to try and get through this search process," Bassett said. "The longer you wait, the tougher it is. You don't have good candidates hanging on the fence. We've tried to be very crisp, we've tried to be very thorough, and we've got a very metrics-driven process that we're using, and I think it's working well. The board is going to have some good candidates in front of them for the interview."

Whoever is eventually hired, Bassett suggested, will have big shoes to fill.  Wojtasek is popular with staff, with customers, and has delivered record-breaking results in recent years.

"I have a great working relationship with Henry," Bassett said. "I applaud him and will continue to sing his praises because he's been great to work with. He's been great with the employees. He's been really great with this board. So Henry's electing to leave. Henry is looking for a different challenge. And quite honestly, what better way to leave than leave on top? And I've got to give him his props."

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is extending its hours every first Wednesday of the month until 8 p.m.! Come on in on Wednesday, September 4 from 5 - 8 p.m. and you will get personal tours from staff and volunteers, meaning you will get a more in-depth history of Batavia and Genesee County! You also may be able to go upstairs, if you are able and want to! General museum admission applies.

Join the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night at the Museum on Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. In honor of Constitution Week, we are collaborating with the Anna Ingaslbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to put together trivia on the US Constitution to win prizes and enjoy refreshments. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

On Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m., come hear from our Executive Director, Ryan Duffy as he presents, & The Holland Land Company & the Development of WNY! The history of the land of Western New York is cobbled together through many purchases and development groups, the Holland Land Company being the most profound. Its desire to sell the land west of the Genesee River created the foundations of the area to this day. Admission is $5 for non-members and $3 for members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

On Wednesday, September 18, at 7 p.m., come for a presentation by Patrick F Ryan, the Cultural Curator at The Richardson Olmsted Campus and the Lipsey Architecture Center Buffalo! “The Richardson Olmsted Campus: Past, Present, & Future,” This lecture covers the complicated history of the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, now the Richardson Olmsted Campus. Learn how three of the 19th century's finest minds, Thomas Story Kirkbride, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Henry Hobson Richardson came together to create one of the nation's most famous architectural treasures. The program will examine mental health treatment, architecture, landscape design, and current-day rehabilitation efforts. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

"This project is made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!"

On Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m. at the Holland Land Office Museum, come listen to the Batavia famous Strummerz band, playing all the hits from the 1950s, 60s, and & 70s! Please get in contact with the museum if you are planning on attending! Either email us at hollandlandofficemuseum@gmail.com or call us at (585) 343 – 4727. Admission is $5 for non-members and $4 for members.

"This project is made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!"

Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for our Java with Joe E. morning presentation series on Thursday, September 26 at 9 a.m. Bergen Town Historian, Tom Tiefel, will be presenting, “Lt. Thomas J. Dean, Letters Home: The ‘Soldier Boy’ of North Bergen.” “From farmer to fighter of the 8th NY Heavy Artillery. The Civil War in his own words and his life beyond the Crater. Accounts, artifacts and the life of Thomas J. Dean.” Admission is free with coffee and cookies. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Thank you to Pub Hub Coffee for sponsoring Java with Joe E. for 2024. 

Bring the kids by the Holland Land Office Museum for our new History Story time for Fall 2024. On Saturday, September 28 at 11 a.m. Anne Marie Starowitz will return to her favorite place to oversee a children’s Story Hour. On a Saturday morning every month, she will engage kids in learning about local history and creating a seasonal art project. Admission is $5 or $3 or museum members. If you would like to sign up please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Press Release:

All motorists please be aware the following streets (listed in no particular order) will experience traffic delays beginning Tuesday, August 27 through Thursday, August 29 between the hours of 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. for milling operations:

• Dellinger Avenue
• Douglas Street
• Evans Street
• Jackson Avenue
• Jefferson Avenue
• Kibbe Avenue
• Oakland Avenue
• Osterhout Avenue
• Porter Avenue
• Thomas Avenue
• Williams Street

While work is being performed in these areas, local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation. All motorists that regularly use these streets are asked to seek alternate routes while the delays are in place.

Resurfacing of these streets is scheduled to begin the week of September 9 and will be confirmed with a future press release.

Contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 opt. 1 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.

Nicole M. Will, 43, of Teachers Lane, Orchard Park, is charged with grand larceny 3rd.  Will is accused of stealing $15,585.07 from the Pembroke PTA bank account while serving at the PTA president and treasurer from January 2019 to April 2024. She was arrested on July 30. She was held pending arraignment.

Nathanial S. Thompson, 23, of Albion, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal mischief 34d, conspiracy 4th, criminal possession of a weapon 2nd, and grand larceny 3rd. Thompson is accused of breaking into Barrett's Batavia Marine on May 27 and stealing several guns. He was arrested on Aug. 13, arraigned in City Court, and jailed without bail.

Paul R. Hoffman, 50, of Buffalo, is charged with failure to report a change of address as a sex offender. He was arrested on Aug. 5 for allegedly moving and then allegedly failing to update his address as a Leve 2 sex offender. He was arraigned and released.

Nicole L Cramer, 34, of Batavia, was arrested on Aug. 9 on a warrant on a charge of criminal mischief 4th. Cramer is accused of damaging a door during a fight on Columbia Avenue on Feb. 22, 2022. Batavia patrol officers located cramer in a vehicle during a traffic stop on East Main Street, Batavia. She was arrigned in City Court and released.

Mark W. McWethy, 56, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. McWethy is accused of stealing merchandise from Tops on Aug. 10. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Lynn C. Fryling, 75, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Fryling is accused of threatening to shoot another person during an argument on Redfield Parkway on Aug. 8. She was issued and appearance ticket.

Edward David Grant III, 28, of Walbar Street, Rochester, is charged with reckless endangerment, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, reckless driving, and spending. Grant is accused of fleeing from a deputy attempting to make a traffic stop at 4:24 pm. on July 25 in the Town of Stafford. He allegedly led police on a high-speed car through the town of Batavia and the city of Batavia and onto the Thruway. Grant was taken into custody on the Thruway after a spike strip was deployed. He was held pending arraignment.

Charles Wayne Mobus, 38, of Terrace Lane, Elma, is charged with harassment 2nd. Mobus was charged following a complaint of a disturbance on Park Road in the town of Batavia at 11:41 p.m. on July 26. No further details released. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Lisa J. Boyer, 48, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to obey traffic device. Boyer was arrested by Deputy Ryan Mullen following a report on Route 98 in the town of Batavia of a traffic accident 10:11 p.m. on July 26. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Randal Rager Spangenberg, 49, of E. Elgin Green, Port Hueneme, Calif., and Amanda Autumn Maben, 46, of West Fifth Street, Oxnard, Calif., are each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Spangenberg was reportedly the driver, and Maben, a passenger of a vehicle that was stopped by deputies Alexander Hadsall and Matthew Wesolowski at 6:14 p.m. on July 23 on Route 77 in Pembroke. Deputies reportedly found narcotics in the vehicle. Both were held pending arraignment.

Abigail Shawn Ransom-Taylor, 32, of Plantation Boulevard, Liverpool, is charged with felony DWI and felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Ransom-Taylor was stopped at 6:41 p.m. on July 10 on Depot Street, Corfu, by Deputy Trevor Sherwood. Ransom-Taylor was arraigned on July 11 and released.

Christina M. Flagg, 43, of E. Wautoma Beach, Hilton, is charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.  Flagg is accused of causing a disturbance at Darien Lake at 6:13 p.m. on July 27. She allegedly refused to leave the property when told to do so by Darien Lake security personnel. Flagg is also accused of resisting arrest when deputies attempted to place her into custody. Flagg was released on a appearance ticket.

A dilapidated wreck of a building that’s riddled with dangerous features, including broken windows, rodents and insects, and is in your neighborhood, would ordinarily be cause for nightmares except for one thing, Anthony Nicolucci says. 

He barely gets any sleep.

“This is not something that has just come up. This has been a safety issue for a long time. I sleep with one eye open, worried about this building being burned. It’s infested, there are massive beehives, there are broken windows, and there’s the abandonment of four years plus. It’s a real concern,” Nicolucci told Byron Town Board during its recent meeting. “I’m hoping that we get to a level of paying taxes again; it’s three years in arrears. It’s an eyesore; it’s a safety measure. I’m glad that they’re going to take it up (Thursday). Just take a drive by … we take pride in our property.”

He’s also concerned with how the nearby property, formerly known as the Grange at 6538 Byron Holley Road (Route 237), will affect his and others’ property values. 

Town Supervisor Candace Hensel said she understood his concerns, especially how the rickety structure, tucked into overflowing weeds and foliage, affects neighboring homes.

“My first listing as a real estate agent was the house across the street, and when we’d have open houses, I’d go and shut the curtain whenever they’d walk into the house,” she said.

Code Inspector Melissa Lerlan reviewed an inspection report on the property, which will be further discussed during a public hearing at 5 p.m. Thursday at Byron Town Hall, 7028 Byron Holley Road. The hearing concerns the repair or demolition and removal of the site, which is considered to be an “unsafe building.”

The property is owned by Christine Roberts and is assessed at $20,000, according to Genesee County online assessment records. At 2,080 square feet, it is listed as a two-floor family residence in “poor” condition.

This property has been discussed during previous town board meetings. Nicolucci also spoke on behalf of a couple of neighbors that he referred to during his comments.

Press Release:

The Genesee Community College History Club will once again be hosting the Historical Horizons Lecture Series with a full line up for Fall 2024. For those who may be unfamiliar with the lecture series, these are talks on a variety of topics of historical interest, open to both the campus community and the public every first Wednesday during the semester. 

Lectures will be held at 7 p.m. in T102 on GCC's Batavia Campus and will also be available to join via Zoom. All talks will be followed by a Q&A session with the speakers.

Here is the Fall 2024 Historical Horizons line up:

September 4 - "Hush the Cannon's Roar: The Life and Times of Bennet Riley: Defender of Buffalo"
A Book Talk by local author Tom Schobert.

General Bennet Riley was a Mexican War hero who made his home in Buffalo, NY and is buried there in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Crafting a narrative based heavily on archival research, Schobert's novel traces Bennet Riley's legacy through his forty-year military career, his relationships with his wife and family, and his impact on Buffalo history. 

For Schobert, himself a long-time historical impressionist in the Buffalo area who has portrayed numerous presidents, Mexican and Civil War generals, and other significant figures, the process of putting together this novel is as fascinating a story as the novel itself!

October 2 - "The Promise of Democracy: The Struggle for Voting Rights in America" by GCC Political Science Professor Charles Scruggs.

This talk will provide an overview of the "battle for the ballot" --a profoundly animating force in the course of American history. Particular attention will be paid to the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and the voter suppression strategies which followed suit. Students are highly encouraged to attend! 

November 6 - "Historic Chronicles of Genesee County" A Book Talk by Genesee County Historian Michael Eula.

Genesee County has seen trials, tribulations and triumphs throughout its storied history as national events have been brought to its doorstep. Cold War anxiety was on full display in the preparedness drills of the 1950s and the effect those had on Batavia's students. 

Too often overlooked, the scourge of racism has reared its ugly head in the region, as the Ku Klux Klan once had a presence in the county. Locals were rocked by the assassinations of MLK and John F. Kennedy in the 1960s. Genesee County women, from activists to farmers, have left an indelible mark on the county's past. Join author and historian Michael Eula as he reveals the historic chronicles of Genesee County.

December 4 - "Historical Portrayals as Community Engagement" A Panel Discussion with historical impressionists Tom Schobert, Melinda Grube and GCC Instructor Dan Snyder, as well as representatives from our local chapter of the LARP group Combat Historia.

History is rich with the stories of those who inspire us in the present. From conjuring the impression of a particular historical figure to using historical research to inform a character, many communities use history to engage the community and bring attention to how the public can get involved in learning about, preserving, and enjoying history at the local level. Moderated by historians Derek and Jess Maxfield, this panel discussion will explore how those who engage the community using history as inspiration develop their characters and use historical research as inspiration for their portrayals.

Genesee Community College invites the public to join them for these enlightening lectures, providing a unique opportunity to engage with historical topics and esteemed scholars. Mark your calendars for an enriching experience at the Historical Horizons Lecture Series this Fall.

For more information, please contact the Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion at sei@genesee.edu.

Submitted photos courtesy of Genesee Community College.

Meat Raffle is 6-9pm on Saturday,  August, 24. Click here for more details. Click here to purchase tickets

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) released her Energy and Environment Plan to reiterate her commitment to advancing American energy independence while safeguarding our environment, especially preserving the natural beauty of New York's 24th Congressional District.

Tenney's plan details her recent legislative actions to expand access to safe, clean, reliable American energy while continuing to safeguard our environment. Tenney cosponsored the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act to prohibit direct or indirect oil sales from our nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. 

She has also been a leading voice in protecting energy choice. Tenney recently introduced the Federal Electric Vehicle Mandate Prohibition Act to prohibit federal, state, and local governments from enacting mandates on electric vehicles (EVs). Tenney also led the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Act, which works to designate the Finger Lakes as a National Heritage Area to recognize the region's natural, cultural, and historic significance.

"On day one of the Biden-Harris administration, the President issued an executive order canceling the Keystone XL pipeline and ordered a moratorium on energy production on federal lands and waters. This destroyed the oil and gas industry," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Not only was this costly for American consumers, but it forced our country to increase energy imports from adversaries. Our state has experienced firsthand the consequences of banning safe and clean oil production. When Governor Cuomo halted the construction of numerous interstate gas pipelines and tragically closed the Indian Point nuclear plant, New York City's reliance on natural gas increased by 25%. New York continues to consume vast amounts of natural gas, but now we must import it, often at higher cost and from countries with problematic environmental practices. We must continue to find realistic energy alternatives that lower energy prices, support our natural gas industry, and protect our environment. "

To view Tenney’s full Energy Independence Plan, click here.

Press Release:

In order to keep the public informed on the rules and regulations around parking int he City of Batavia, below are several reminders about the parking regulations as set forth by the City of Batavia Municipal Code and the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws.

PARKING REGULATIONS 

The link below will send you to the City of Batavia Municipal Code section that outlines specific restrictions on parking in the City, however you should always abide by any signage present at the time as this does take some time to get updated with new traffic orders.

https://ecode360.com/8978444 

Further the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits parking in certain areas, such as in front of fire hydrants and too near intersections. Below is a link to the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law for further explanation rules.

https://ypdcrime.com/vt/article32.php#violation32 

Special note: Section 1202 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law prohibits parking on a sidewalk, this includes parking across a sidewalk or any portion of it. 

OVERNIGHT PARKING 

The City does not partake in any seasonal overnight parking regulations, parking is prohibited on all city streets and public parking lots between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.  If you need to park overnight on the street for some reason (driveway sealing, etc.) you may request a "parking permission" by contacting our dispatch at 585-345-6350.

PARKING IN CITY PARKING LOTS 

Parking spaces in each municipal parking lot are clearly marked and color coded. The color coding corresponds to any time restriction on the parking space. Each lot has several signs that display the color coding as you enter it. The signs should look like the picture to the right.

PARKING TICKETS 

Parking tickets are issued by our Parking Enforcement officer and Police Officers as needed. All parking tickets can now be paid on-line, please visit the link below for the site. Parking disputes can also be submitted online approximately 24 hrs. following the receipt of a parking ticket, although handwritten tickets will take an extra business day or two to be entered into the software. https://www.tocite.net/bataviany/portal/ticket We encourage anyone with questions to contact us by calling 585-345-6444 for more information.

Press Release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers announces that their Fall 2024 edition of the GREAT BATAVIA TRAIN SHOW will be held at the Richard C. Call Arena in Batavia. The large venue on the campus of Genesee Community College offers unmatched convenience for attendees and vendors. The show is scheduled for Sunday, October 13.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for under 18, and free for children under 13. The show will run from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Great Batavia Train Show will feature model train vendors, free parking, and a snack bar.

Additional Train Show Information

For over 50 years the Great Batavia Train Show has been one of the premier hobby events in Western New York. The Richard C. Call arena at Genesee Community College is a perfect train show venue providing excellent lighting in a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility. All forms of model railroad and train-related merchandise will be available. Over 100 vendors will be offering all scales of model trains and historic railroad items.

Modeling demonstrations, and a limited number of portable layouts, will be part of the fun. Free parking, on-site concession stand, and plenty of seating add to the experience.

For more information contact the train show chairman Mike Pyszczek at 585-768-4579 (residence), email bataviatrainshow@gmail.com, visit the website www.gsme.org, or by mail at GSME, P.O. Box 75, Oakfield.

Press Release:

Genesee County Interagency Council presented a $1000 educational scholarship to Le Roy High School graduate Kenna MacKenzie. Kenna plans to study Psychology at SUNY Geneseo this fall.

Scholarship applications were accepted from all Genesee County High Schools. Applicants were required to be in good academic standing, and majoring in the fields of Human Services, Social Work, Sociology, or Psychology.

The mission of Genesee County Interagency Council is to create fellowship and understanding among community human service agencies. The council helps to identify community issues and encourages development of resolutions. 

For more information about Genesee County Interagency Council please contact President Lisa Smith at (585) 344-2042 ext. 4237 or email Lisa at Lisa.Smith@ geneseeny.gov

Press Release:

Save the date!  Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., the Genesee County Master Gardeners will be hosting their annual Fall Garden Gala and Plant Sale at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main Street in Batavia.

This plant sale features hardy garden perennials, most of which are grown by Master Gardeners. Fall is a good time to plant many perennials as there is still time for them to grow a strong root system before winter. A wide variety of house plants will also be available for sale.

Learn how to artfully arrange flowers fresh from the garden, as talented Master Gardeners create arrangements and bouquets right before your eyes! These beautiful flower arrangements will be available for sale.

Don’t forget to stop inside for the Basket Auction, which ends at 12:30 p.m. You never know what treasures may appear. Winners will be notified on September 16 and will be able to pick up their baskets during office hours on September 17 - 20.

The Master Gardener Helpline will be open to answer your gardening questions. Not sure what your garden soil pH is? Bring in a soil sample for a Free pH testing.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants at great prices. Arrive at 10 a.m. for the best plant selection. No early birds please.

All proceeds benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master Gardener Program.

For more information contact Jan Beglinger at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 132, or stop by the Extension office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia. Visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information. Like us on our Facebook page for Gala and other Master Gardener program updates: https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee.

Click here to view this property!

Speeches and shovels and breaking of ground aside, Dan Thoren really likes groundbreaking ceremonies for what they truly represent, he says.

And the Graham Manufacturing event Monday was the epitome of just that.

“It’s because of all the foresight, the strategy and the planning that goes into coming up to a day like this,” the company chief executive officer said. “Around eight or 10 years ago, I would get these surveys from the government, and it asked, what are your capabilities? And I’d fill them in and I’d think what the heck is all this just more bureaucracy? But they really wanted to know what our little business in Colorado could do.They wanted to know what we could design and what we could build. And I suppose at the same time, you know that eight or 10 years ago, there were people in Washington, DC, thinking about, what is the world going to look like in 10 years? What do we need to have in place to be able to deal with the threats that are coming at us?

“I remember going to conferences and hearing about this great power of competition and sometime that we’re going to have to prepare for. Evidently, the government thought that there was a big threat and that the industrial base was not in a good position to help support it. So budgets were proposed and passed, and we had funding for the industrial base,” Thoren said. “That’s what all started up when Graham received inquiries about what we could do, the capabilities that we would need to be able to support this effort. Our team came up with a great proposal and we’re going to begin to realize that today.”

Thoren and a handful of local, state and regional representatives grabbed those shovels to celebrate the 29,000 square-foot groundbreaking of Graham’s $17.6 million manufacturing facility in Batavia. The new construction is to mean 24 new full-time positions to meet customers’ growing needs, the U. S. Navy in particular, Thoren said. 

Graham is a global leader in the design and manufacture of “mission critical fluid, power, heat transfer and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy and process industries,” company officials said.

“Graham is an ideal subcontractor for the Department of Defense. We are patriotic, and we enjoy supporting our brothers and sisters in the military. We are proud to be a U.S. manufacturer with over 85 years of continuous operation in the state of New York,” Thoren said. “We have a diversified base of business that includes both defense and commercial, and when you have to do both, you have to be competitive in both, and that stretches us. You know, most defense contractors get a bad name about getting fat and lazy, but when you're playing on the commercial side, you have to be good. You have to be competitive. And that’s really what this company is all about.”

More specifically, the manufacturing facility will support the submarine and aircraft carrier industrial base, said Matt Conway, director of operations. Genesee County is a great direct labor force to get that job done, he said.

“Really, here in Genesee County, we’re a success story for the Navy and for the DOD. So we continue to want to push those boundaries and invest in the organization,” Conway said. “Our board of directors understand that as an organization. We understand that, and we have partners within the defense community that support us. So really, that’s what today is all about, is growing and continuing the legacy that we have within the defense realm.”

A representative for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Representative for New York’s 24th Congressional District Claudia Tenney, and state Assemblyman Steve Hawley attended the event, which included a tour of the Florence Avenue facility that has a workforce of 367 employees.

“We know that this is really important work. And my son actually is a Naval Academy graduate. He thought about submarines, but ended up commissioning as a Marine, he's a major today in the Marine Corps. He also has an important job in intelligence, and tells me that what we do in the Submarine Force is so important to our nation's security. We are the leaders, and it's because of companies like Graham, and I love that you said that you were patriotic,” Tenney said. “And what I love even more is that you're staying here in Batavia. You're staying in New York, which is so important to support our economic base. We have great representatives here, people I've worked with who do a fantastic job to support the employees your industry, to support our national defense. It's really great to have this history. And so I just want to say congratulations and thank you to everyone at Graham.”

Hawley presented company officials with a certificate of merit and lauded them for retaining their roots  right where they started “and continues, even under the onslaught of what happens in New York and many of the other states,” he said.

“It’s a testament to what they feel about this local community and the employees that work here, almost 400 employees, 24 new jobs, a great $18 million investment, belief in the government and who you are and what you do and the product that you make, and the employees that make that quality product,” Hawley said.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Office for the Aging is pleased to announce that Farmers’ Market Coupons are still available for eligible residents. These coupons can be picked up at the 2 Bank St., Batavia office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

To ensure a smooth process, please be prepared with the following forms: 

• Statement of Eligibility Form – To be completed and signed by the individual picking up the coupons.
• Informed Consent Form – To be completed and signed by the individual picking up the coupons. 
• Participant Proxy Assignment Form—If you are picking up coupons on behalf of an older adult, the older adult must complete this form and submit it along with the first two forms. 

2024 Income Guidelines for Eligibility: 

• Household of 1: $2,322/month 
• Household of 2: $3,152/month
• Household of 3: $3,981/month 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to receive Farmers’ Market Coupons. If you have any questions, please call 343-1611.

Press Release:

Byron-Bergen Central School District (BBCSD) is pleased to announce that all student meals will be provided free of charge for the 2024-25 school year. Free meal funding is not tied to local school taxes.

The District qualifies for this United States Department of Agriculture program based on income statistics provided by district families in 2022. To continue free meals for future students at Byron-Bergen, all families in the district are asked to fill out the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) form available at this LINK.

“This is the second year that we have been able to provide free meals to all students and it’s essential that this program extend beyond this year,” said Byron-Bergen Superintendent Pat McGee. “I earnestly ask every family, regardless of income, to submit the Community Eligibility Provision form so we can continue to ensure our students’ nutritional needs are being supported.”

In addition to free meals, the CEP data may qualify families for benefits such as reduced rates on Advanced Placement exams, reduced college application fees, eligibility for national scholarships and grants, and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer funds. District residents with questions about the Community Eligibility Provision should contact School Lunch Manager Mary Della Penna at 585-494-1220 ex. 1015 or mdellapenna@bbschools.org.