A second person has been charged in the death and apparent dumping of the body at a location in the town of Alabama in March.
Norman S. "Bud" DeBois, 45, of Lockport, is charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree, a Class D felony, tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Previously, on April 19, Kathryn A. "Kit" Henry, 33, of Lockport, was charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony, assault in the first degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, hindering prosecution in the first degree, a Class D felony, tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony, conspiracy in the second degree, a Class B felony, and conspiracy in the fourth degree, a Class E felony.
On March 19, deputies found the body of Michael G. Poole, 59, of Olcott, during an investigation into a missing person report.
A third person is also expected to be charged. The Sheriff's Office said there is no threat to public safety. That person is in custody on unrelated charges.
DeBois was arraigned on Friday and released under supervision. He is scheduled to appear in Alabama Town Court on July 16.
The Notre Dame Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of two school administrators. Effective July 1st 2024, both Lindsay Warner and Julia Rogers will take on key leadership roles for the school.
Lindsay has been appointed Principal of Notre Dame Junior/ Senior High School, and Julia Rogers has been appointed Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment.
Jim Sutherland, Board President, commented, “As an alumnus and trustee, I am thrilled that we have such passionate and experienced educators leading our fine school. The board has every confidence that their deep experience, coupled with their commitment to the highest standards, will help our institution reach another level entirely. With these hires, the Trustees strongly feel that we are investing in the bright future of our school.”
About Mrs. Warner As an ND alumnus, coach, teacher, parent, and administrator, Mrs. Warner is dedicated, compassionate and committed to ensuring the success of all students and staff. She holds a BS in Business Administration and an MS in Business and Marketing Education and is NYS-certified as a School Building Leader and District Leader.
After undergraduate school, Lindsay returned to her Alma Mater were she rejuvenated the Business program and curriculum, winning awards for her innovation and instruction. Her tenure at Western NY Tech Academy also demonstrates her initiative as an educator. It supports her dedication to teamwork, as well as her support of leadership in marketing, recruitment and culture building. This past school year, Mrs. Warner served as our assistant principal. As Principal, she will continue to ensure an environment where students and staff feel valued, heard and safe.
About Mrs. Rogers A native Batavian, Julia’s family has been part of the Notre Dame community since the beginning. Her mother, Sheila Tehan Rogers, was part of our very first graduating class. Her father, Brad, coached basketball at ND. Julia has siblings, a niece, nephews and many cousins who have walked the halls and are proud students and alumni of ND.
Julia’s dedication to the vibrancy of our community is clear. She is a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish. Julia enjoys volunteering with her church community, golfing, and genealogy. A former volunteer at the NICU at Sisters Hospital, Julia is a member of the Batavia Rotary Club, Holland Land Office Museum Board of Directors, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board and is involved in many other community outreach programs.
Julia holds a BA, an MS in Bilingual Education and a Certificate of Advanced Studies. After teaching at the start of her career 30 years ago, she quickly moved on to school administration. She served as an administrator for Batavia Middle School, coordinator of assessment and instruction, and coordinator for the community schools program, both at BCS.
Miss Rogers is excited about the opportunity to enhance Notre Dame’s strong academic program. “I am thrilled to be able to be part of the Notre Dame family. The foundation of ND’s instructional program shows the values of education and achievement. I look forward to observing and offering diverse and innovative ways to improve student learning outcomes.”
The Western Regional OTB Board of Directors passed multiple resolutions at its regular meeting on Thursday.
Highlights:
Hire Kim Crawford at a cost of $155,661 to maintain the race track in 2024 and 2025, which includes resurfacing, rebanking, and maintaining the track at the highest possible level. The contract runs July 27 through Feb 27 (72 live race dates) and July 26, 2025 through Dec. 6, 2025 (56 live race dates).
Contract with Quality Inn and Suites, 8250 Park Road, Batavia, to provide four units at the hotel to accommodate up to nine groomers, required under an agreement with the New York Horsemen's Association, at a cost not to exceed $40,000. Quality Inn and Suites was the only hotel in the area that responded to a request for proposal.
Contract with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office is to provide law enforcement officers with assistance with security at Batavia Downs from June 1 to May 31, 2025, at a cost of $150,000.
Contract with Batavia PD to provide law enforcement officers for additional security at the concert venue on concert nights, June 10 through Aug. 31, for a cost of $35,000.
In order to provide additional parking for customers, contract with DAB LLC to allow parking in the former Kmart parking lot at a cost of $80,000.
A weekend of art and music kicks off a week from today, Friday, July 5, with an open mic and open art session in Jackson Square.
Then, on Saturday, July 6, the 2024 Ramble Music and Arts Fest will celebrate the music and art of Genesee County and the region.
The events on Friday are hosted by Iburi Photography, Jo David Arts, and GO ART!
Musicians are encouraged to arrive starting at 5:30 for the open mic, which starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Following the open mic, Scotty DiMartino of Esdee Entertainment will close the night with music and a light show.
GO ART! is bringing its "First Friday Open Art Session" to Jackson Square that evening. Artists of all media are invited to bring their latest pieces or start new ones. While tables will be set up for convenience, artists are welcome to bring their easels and create in the open air.
The free event is open to the public.
The Ramble features 26 performers on two stages -- the main (and newly constructed) stage in Jackson Square and on a stage on Jackson Street.
Jackson Street will be closed for the day. It is were attendees can find artists' booths, vendors, and food.
Here is the lineup for the two stages:
Jackson Square Stage
Tom Ryan & Friends, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Lonesome Road. 11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Gumshoe, 12:20 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Driven, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Indigo Flow, 1:40 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Real News, 2:20 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Soulshine Band, 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Prospect, 3:40 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.
Bad Sign, 4:20 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
The Rock-A-Bully's, 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Shotgun Pauly, 6:10 p.m. - 6:40 p.m.
Groove, 6:50 p.m. - 7:20 p.m.
Sons Of Luther, 7:30 p.m. - 8:20 p.m.
The Royal Halls, 8:30 p.m. - Close
Jackson Street Stage (On the corner of Jackon St. and School St.)
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) joined Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) in introducing the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act. The act provides critical support to new moms during and after their pregnancy, empowering women to choose life and raise happy, healthy babies.
The bill was cosponsored by Representatives Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), and Doug Lamborn (CO-05).
“The right to life is one of the most fundamental principles outlined in our Constitution,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “We must provide pregnant women with the vital resources and critical support they need to choose life. Following the second anniversary of the monumental Dobbs Decision, I am honored to join my colleague Rep. Fischbach in leading the MOMS Act, which ensures that mothers receive the physical, emotional, and financial support necessary to carry their pregnancies to term. We must empower expecting mothers to choose life and support pregnant women, new mothers, and both their unborn and born babies.”
"Many women feel unprepared when they get pregnant, and I am committed to empowering all women and ensuring they feel supported in choosing life," said Congresswoman Fischbach. "The MOMS Act supports women before, during, and after they give birth, improving access to resources and making sure women have all the resources at their fingertips to help them confidently carry to term and raise their child. I am so proud to support legislation that supports new mothers and their children."
“I am pleased to co-lead the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed Act,” said Congressman Lamborn. “This legislation aims to enhance health, education, and support services for babies, mothers, and families by offering alternatives to abortions. It mandates that states enforce child support responsibilities from conception through pregnancy, retroactively if necessary, with proof of parenthood. Additionally, the bill incorporates provisions from my Good Standing Adoption Agencies Act to positively impact pregnant mothers and their babies during the adoption process. It underscores the commitment of pro-life and pro-family conservatives to supporting life and the well-being of nuclear families beyond birth."
“When a woman finds out she is pregnant, she should be surrounded with resources and support and feel confident in her access to care,” said Congresswoman Hinson. “I’m proud to co-lead the MOMS Act to help more women choose life, have a healthy pregnancy, and create the foundation for strong families. This legislation will save moms and babies and advance a culture of life of America.”
"No mother should ever feel left behind, unsupported, or be fearful for the future of their child," said Congresswoman Harshbarger. "The MOMS Act will help ensure that mothers have the help and resources they need before, during, and after pregnancy, enabling them and their families to thrive. I am proud to help introduce this legislation to increase access to care for expecting mothers and their children and promote life as the clear choice for our future families."
Following a 15-2 blowout victory over the Jamestown Tarp Skunks, the Muckdogs return to Dwyer Stadium for a non-league game against the Rochester Ridgemen, and the return of former assistant coach Thomas Eaton to Dwyer Stadium.
LEGAL NOTICE: Notice of Public Hearing, Town of Batavia Zoning Board:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Batavia will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall, 3833 West Main St. Rd., to consider two (2) area variance requests from Alyssa Shea for property at 1436 Colonial Blvd., Batavia N.Y. 14020. Tax map parcel #8, -2-61
The applicant is asking for variances to demolish an existing garage and build a larger one. The two (2) requests are for a side yard and a back yard offsets.
Town code section 235, Attachment 1.
Side yard requires 30 feet, request is for 5 feet.
Rear yard requires 50 feet, request is for 5 feet.
Zoning Board of Appeals invites and will accept both oral and written comments relevant to this application at said hearing. A copy of the application is available for review at the Town Hall.
By order of the Town of Batavia Zoning Board of Appeals
Growing up in Batavia in the 1950s, you could say my family was middle class. We had a house (or an apartment for two years from '55 to' 57), a car (usually a Pontiac), food to eat, and clothes to wear.
We weren't rich by any means, but we were comfortable. I'm sure my parents worried about money, but my younger brother Dan (later joined by even younger brother Jim in 1958) and I probably didn't give it much thought.
My dad, James senior, was a salesman for Robfogel Paper Supply, based in Rochester. His main clients were restaurants or any business that used napkins, cups, etc. His job involved a lot of driving around Western New York to call on his customers. When he got home at night, he would spend time writing up his “orders” and then calling them in by phone. Summer was more lucrative than winter, as is usually the case with some food services.
My mom, Anna Newhouse Reilly, was a stay-at-home mom when we kids were younger. As we got a little older, she took on a couple of part-time jobs, such as working in the cafeteria at our school, St. Mary's and being a part-time bookkeeper in the evening at The Steak House Restaurant on West Main Street Road. She stayed at home again when Jim was born, but as we all got older, she developed a nice career as an office manager for the North American Automobile Association (a Canadian-based competitor of AAA), then McAlpine Barton Clothiers, and finally for the Dipson Theatre Corporation.
Like most other families, when summer came, we went on vacations. However, due to not having a lot of excess money to spend, ours were limited to going on what my dad might call “on the cheap.” There were no planes or ships involved (unless you count the Staten Island Ferry), and our accommodations were modest at best.
Santa, Salt Water, and Saints The first trip I recall (barely) was when I was about five years old. We took a driving tour through New England and up into Quebec in Canada. I don't think my brother Dan went, as he would have been about two. Possibly my Aunts Kate and Peg babysat him. It was probably 1952. I remember very little about the car ride, but there were no Thruways back then, so it must have been slow going. I think I recall my mom telling the story that I was carsick for a lot of the trip, which must have been great fun for her and Dad. Dramamine for motion sickness was invented in 1949 (too late for World War II seagoers, unfortunately), so we probably stopped at the drugstore.
Being so young, the only three real memories I have of that whole trip were visiting Santa's Workshop in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, driving through the fishing port of Gloucester, Mass., and smelling the sea air and fish and visiting the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre in Quebec.
Little Dave and mom at the “ North Pole” at Santa’s Workshop in the Adirondacks
My Santa's workshop memories have been enhanced by some old 8mm film of the visit that my parents had and that I had converted to DVD. I'm not sure whether that was the only event my parents filmed or the rest just got lost. I got to sit on “Santa's” lap, stood by the “North Pole” with my mom, sat in a sleigh, and petted some sheep. I don't know why Santa had sheep. Maybe to get wool for his suit?
My mom was a newly converted Catholic, so St. Anne's was a must-stop for her. The site is world renowned for the miracles people claim happen to them as they visit. I do remember a large quantity of crutches, canes and braces on display, left by people who attested that they had been cured of their ailments. I wonder if there was an empty Dramamine box left on the pile.
Dad with Dan and Dave at Niagara Falls. Notice Dad is wearing a tie.
The Great Cascade A short excursion was when we took the obligatory day trip to Niagara Falls, probably in 1953. This included a ride on the Maid of The Mist boat, which at that time was still powered by steam engines. You got a rain slicker to wear, and it took you within a couple of hundred yards of the Falls. In 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, preceded us on the trip, and Marilyn Monroe went on the boat the year before us in 1952 while filming the movie “Niagara.” In 1995, I took my kids on it, and several years ago, my favorite music group, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, played Artpark nearby and had a day off, so some of them went on it too.
Gasping and Gherkins A nearby vacation that we took pre-Jim Jr. was renting a cottage for two weeks on Keuka Lake, one of the beautiful Finger Lakes. Our cottage was right down by the water and pretty private as far as not having other close neighbors on either side. For one of the weeks, my dad continued to work during the day as businesses near there were on his sales route. We did a lot of swimming, catching frogs, and generally being outdoors. Since we are very fair-skinned of Scandinavian and Irish heritage, my mom had to be very careful about us getting sunburned, though.
As usual, I tend to remember the odd or bad things that happened back then rather than the better things. There was a culvert by our cottage at the bottom of a hill. Its purpose was to carry run-off rainwater into the lake in the event of heavy rain. Across this conduit, someone had placed a large log. Naturally, my brother Dan dared me to walk across it. You can't refuse a dare from your little brother, so on the log, I went. About halfway across I slipped and somehow fell sideways so that when I landed the log went right into my abdomen. I had seen many football players on TV get “the wind knocked out of them,” but never had any idea what it felt like. I literally couldn't breathe. Dan hollered at the top of his voice for Mom, and she came running like she was trying out for the Olympics. She extricated me from the log and, through her calming voice and some massaging, got my breath back again. She got me into the cottage, and that was the end of my adventures that day. My stomach and rib area were pretty sore for a couple of days, and for the rest of our time there, I stuck to using a little bridge while staying far away from that log.
A humorous thing I recall is sneaking some little gherkin pickles out of the jar just before bed. I must have fallen asleep with one in my mouth because I woke up in the morning with one all shriveled up inside my cheek. I guess you could say I found myself in a pickle. Or, more accurately, I found a pickle in myself. I don't know if I ever told mom about that one.
Capers On The Cape The following year, we went to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with two other families, the mothers of whom were long-time friends of my mother. My Uncle Walt, my mom's younger brother, had married a woman who grew up in a family of fishermen in Provincetown, on the northern tip of “The Cape.” This only increased my mother's love for that area, which she had developed on trips there when she was younger.
Our Cape Cod vacation was not elegant, though. The three families rented a large apartment above a garage in the rear of someone's house. This space was shared by six adults and probably an equal amount of children. I suppose the Kennedys could have found some space for us at their compound, but they were busy running or getting ready to run the country. We did go to Sunday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, which the Kennedys often attended, but I don't think we spotted one of them.
Dan and Dave at a Cape Cod beach
Dad Reilly recovering from sunburn
We went to the beach almost every day, and my mom must have spent so much time protecting Dan and me from sunburn that she forgot about my dad. He got a really bad roasting, which kept him in pain for several days. I think he and the other two dads went out on an ocean fishing charter one day, but we kids didn't brave the seas. Of course, one day was devoted to the obligatory trip to Provincetown, but my only recollection of that visit was picking up a huge lobster out of a tank of salt water.
It wouldn't be me without one bad memory, and mine is of going to a park and getting spun around on one of those mini merry-go-rounds, which resulted in projectile vomiting. Are you picking up a pattern here? My whole life, I have been averse to anything that spins. When I was little, I couldn't even go on a regular merry-go-round without getting sick. How embarrassing is that?
Amusement parks were and still are not fun for me. Crystal Beach in Canada, Boulder Amusement Park, Roseland in Canandaigua – we went to all of them, but I was pretty limited as to what I could do. Bummer, as we said in the '60s. How bad is this? I would get queasy on the swings!
The Boardwalk and the Big Apple My mom loved the ocean, so the next summer, we went to New Jersey. Not Cape May, which is a big beach vacation spot, but a small borough called Manasquan, which is just south of Asbury Park. I guess we were a little poorer than I thought because, once again, we stayed in an apartment over a garage, this time just our family of four. We were right across the street from the boardwalk and the ocean, though, so that was nice. We had to swim carefully because the New Jersey coast is notorious for its undertow. Right around the corner was a miniature golf course, and brother Dan and I went there at least once a day.
Most likely, one of the reasons my parents chose that vacation location was my maternal grandmother was living nearby in Spring Lake, New Jersey. After my grandfather died in 1952 at age 61, she got remarried to a widower she had known along with his late wife when living in Brooklyn as a young woman. He was a tugboat captain in New York Harbor and was not home much, so she took a job in Spring Lake as a live-in maid. One of the days, my dad went on another ocean fishing charter, and mom and we kids went to Gramma's house and then took a train to New York City.
Automat, source Wikipedia
The part of the train ride I remember is going by the Brooklyn Navy Yard and seeing all the big ships. I also recall going on the Staten Island Ferry, so we must have gotten off and back on the train for that. Once we got to downtown New York City, we were hungry, so we went to an automat for lunch. A popular one was called Horn and Hardart. They were like a vending machine restaurant. If you have ever read the children's book “The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,“ which I used to read with my class as a teacher, one of them is featured. The food was behind a small door. You inserted your money and took out your serving. The rise of fast food places like McDonald's killed automats off, but apparently, they are making a small comeback.
Empire State Building photo from Wikipedia
We also went to the top of the Empire State Building, which at that time was the world”s tallest building. I had probably only ever been in an elevator a couple of times in my young life (maybe St. Jerome's Hospital or C. L. Carr's Department Store ), but certainly not one that went up 102 floors. I have always been afraid of heights, so I'm pretty sure when we went out on the observation deck, I looked outward while keeping my back firmly against the rear wall. I know I did the same thing in the '70s when we went to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago (it was cloudy, and you couldn't see anything anyway) and the '90s when I ascended to the zenith of the CN Tower in Toronto. They have a see-through panel as the floor that you can stand on and look down, but there was no way I was doing that.
In the late 1950s, my dad left his job at the paper goods company and became a salesman for an oil refinery corporation based in Texas. His clients were now big equipment and construction businesses, and to put it bluntly, he didn't do very well. As a result, we didn't even have the finances to go on small vacations for a while, and I think that was what led my mom to go back to work. I guess Godfrey's Pond was our “vacation” spot for a while.
Later, in the 1970s, my parents and my youngest brother Jim took some vacations, such as visiting Nova Scotia. In the '80s, Mom and Dad enjoyed going to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and even spent Thanksgiving there once.
In the late 80s, Mom joined an elder traveling group and went to the Grand Canyon and even China. Just her luck, the trip was during the Beijing uprising, and she was there during the Tiananmen incident between students and soldiers. Unfortunately, her trip was cut short due to the danger.
So, were our 1950s vacations on a minor scale? Yes, but when you look back on it, we had fun and were certainly better off than some others who didn't get to go anywhere. Like everything else, it's all a matter of perspective. By the way, I have never been to Disney World, and my kids didn't get taken there either. Nothing against “The Magic Kingdom.” People love it. We were more the "rent a cottage in the Adirondacks" people. Whatever floats your boat – literally.
CEO Henry Wojtaszek's departure from Western Regional OTB really is a decision rooted in consensus with the Board of Directors, he said on Thursday evening, hours after the board voted 14-1 to buy out his contract
His last official day with the company will be Dec. 31.
"For my part, this is something I've discussed with a few members for a few months," Wojtaszek said.
The Batavian asked if he would further explain his decision and he declined to elaborate.
There have been rumors that he intended to run for elected office in Niagara County. He said that's not his intention at this time.
"You know, people have asked me about that many times," Wojtaszek said. "I really have no idea at this time what I'm going to be doing. Like I told people today, I plan to practice law. That's what I did before. I came here, and I was general counsel first. So, I plan to do that. Anything other than that, we will deal with it at the time."
Wojtaszek started with the company in 2010 and became CEO in 2016. His salary is $264,898.
The agreement approved by the board provides Wojtaszek with a full year's salary, to be paid out on Dec. 15.
In the same motion that signaled the eventual end of Wojtaszek's career with the OTB, the board also approved buyouts for CFO Jackie Leach, and VP of Operations William White.
They will each receive a half-year's salary, paid out on Dec. 15 also, at the end of their employment in 2025.
Batavia Concert Band celebrates 100 years with an opening night at GCC's Stuart Steiner Theatre in Batavia due to inclement weather Wednesday evening. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Guest speakers and proclamations punctuated an evening filled with what Batavia Concert Band has been doing for the last century: entertaining local citizens with its live and toe-tapping music.
City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. presented the group -- representative of all those dedicated musicians that came before them since 1924 -- with a proclamation praising the concert band for being one of the region's oldest continuously performing concert bands. The ensemble is made up of more than 60 instrumentalists from the brass, woodwind and percussion sections.
Musicians range from high school students to 60-year-old veterans, Jankowski said, and City Council proudly recognized the group's achievements and supports its purpose of "serving the community by creating music that's made by the people for the people."
"Now, therefore, on behalf of City Council and the city of Batavia, we do hereby recognize the Batavia Concert Band of the city of Batavia and congratulate them on their 100 year anniversary and extend our appreciation for your service and commitment to our community," he said.
The band has been sustainable, in part, thanks to funding from GO Art!, and the time and efforts of those musicians, Conductor John Bailey and Manager Jason Smith.
The concert band performs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in Centennial Park unless bad weather moves it over to GCC.
A proclamation from state Assemblyman Steve Hawley was presented by his staff given to conductor Joshua Pacino. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Manager Jason Smith and Conductor Joshua Pacino flank City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr., who holds a city proclamation. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Dan Fischer, BCB board president, Joanne Holota, BCB board member and recipient of the Pam Frisby Friend of the Batavia Concert Band Award. Patti Pacino represents the Pacino family in presenting the award. Photo by Jason Smith
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Music in the Park 100 year celebration stickers will be for sale during each week Batavia Concert band performs. Photo by Steve Ognibene
In a regular monthly meeting on Thursday, the board of directors for Western Regional Off-Track Betting voted to buy out the contracts of CEO Henry Wojtaszek, CFO Jackie Leach, and VP of Operations William White.
The board called the buyout a "renegotiation."
Board President Dennis Bassett issued a press release after the meeting stating, "We have mutually renegotiated these contracts in the best interest of each individual and our corporation."
The statement characterized it as an "amicable separation."
In a statement issued after the meeting, Wojtaszek said:
I’ve enjoyed my 15 years here at Batavia Downs, and I want to thank the board and all of our 400 employees for their support. My focus now will be on ensuring a seamless transition to new leadership.
I see a great future for this organization as they build upon many of our accomplishments that have made Batavia Downs a first-class entertainment venue.
After the meeting, when asked if this change in job status didn't constitute a firing, Basset said, "It's at their request."
He also said there was no political pressure to status change.
"We don't run this organization based on politics," Bassett said. "This is a business. There's no political pressure here to do anything."
Wojtaszek started with the company in 2010 as general counsel and became CEO in 2016. His salary is $264,898.
Under the terms of the agreement with Wojtaszek, the CEO will leave his job on Dec. 31. In exchange for foregoing the remaining time on his contract, he will receive a full year's salary. He must also agree not to take a job or engage with any other entity in the gaming business through 2026. Other benefits due to Wojtaszek will be resolved through negotiations.
Leach started working at Batavia Downs in 1989 as a staff accountant and earns $221,582 as the chief financial officer. She will leave her position after her sick, vacation, and compensation time, if any, in early spring 2025. She will remain on-premises through Jan. 31, 2025, and will split time between home and office in February. For the remaining time on her employment contract, she will be paid half her annual salary.
White was named VP of administration in 2012. His salary is $155,168.
He will continue working through April 30. At that time, he will use up any remaining sick leave and vacation time. He will receive half of a full year's salary.
The resolution authorizing the "negotiations" authorizes Bassett to form a search committee for new executives.
Dennis Bassett. Photo by Howard Owens
The resolution passed 14-1, with Tim Callan, representing Erie County, casting the lone no vote. The seats for Seneca and Wayne counties are currently vacant. Genesee County's representative, Charles Zambito, voted yes.
After the vote, Board Member Vincent W. Horrigan, of Chautauqua County, said, "This cooperation, in my short time here, has achieved incredible results and performance for the counties for the state. That doesn't just happen. It's an incredible leadership team that made that happen. And I would just like to acknowledge the leadership team. They have done absolutely incredible work. Intentions are important, but results are to be congratulated."
Immediately after the meeting, Zambito declined a comment request.
While OTB's revenue and payments to the shareholder municipalities have grown significantly over the past decade, Batavia Downs has been the target of complaints about some of its business practices in recent years.
In November 2023, Western OTB protected $86.4 million in net revenue from racing and gaming operations for the year. The 17 municipalities that own businesses were set to receive more than $10 million in distributions.
A decade and a half ago, the NYS Comptroller's Office issued a report that expressed concern that OTBs in the state, including Western OTB, were on the brink of failure. Since then, Batavia Downs has expanded gaming, added a concert series, remodeled its event space, started hosting more events, built a hotel, added two new bars, and remodeled its restaurant, with most of that business expansion coming in the past eight years.
The board came under fire for health insurance coverage members received based on a 2008 NYS Comptroller's report that seemingly contradicted previous comptroller's reports. The report, which is no longer online, reportedly said Western Regional OTB wasn't permitted to provide free health care coverage to board members, even though two prior audits, state law, and case law supported the ability of government agencies that operated as businesses, such at Western Regional OTB, could in engage in standard business practices.
It's common in corporate America to provide health care, along with other compensation, to board members.
Attorneys for Western OTB said providing health insurance was legal, but an outside council hired to review the issue recommended that the board rescind the health insurance perk, which it did in 2021.
In another Comptroller's Audit, the agency found that OTB engaged in poor record keeping for how perks, such as tickets to Bills and Sabres games, along with other events, were distributed to Batavia Downs customers, implying that some tickets went to board members and family members. Contrary to some reporting on the report, there were no allegations of graft or illegal activity related to the perks. The main issue was that Batavia Downs couldn't account for all of the tickets that were distributed. At least nine percent of the tickets distributed by Batavia Downs went to non-players. The facility has since improved its record keeping and tightened the rules around board members distributing and acting as hosts for gamers using the tickets.
The Comptroller also found that Wojtaszek did not properly record his use of a company-provided take-home vehicle. Wojtaszek admitted that he did not file the proper paperwork and reimbursed OTB OTB $3,000 to resolve the issue. At the time, the company was in the process of eliminating take-come vehicles and instead providing a vehicle allowance, which is now standard business practice in the United States.
Politicians and some reporters used the audits to misrepresent the issues raised as signs of "corruption." In May 2023, a Buffalo Democrat, Sen. Tim Kennedy, pushed through legislation to restructure the Western OTB board, establishing wasted votes based on county and city population, ending the equal distribution of board member votes among the counties and transferring control of the board to Buffalo and Rochester and Erie and Monroe counties.
"I can only say that I echo what Mr. Harrigan said," Bassett said after the meeting. "They have done a tremendous job. And they deserve, really, the time that they are going to move on and move forward with other endeavors. It's been a pleasure to work with all three of them."
File Photo of the spray park at Batavia's Austin Park, where water usually seems plentiful. Photo by Howard Owens
If you haven’t heard or been paying attention, there's been increased focus on water in Genesee County, from drought in some areas causing residents to drive several miles to haul water to their homes and a $150 million Phase 3 water project being mapped out for funding and the physical work, to appeals for citizens to use water judiciously in the face of potential shortages.
The city fire department had to curtail its hydrant flushing this week due to hot temperatures to conserve water.
City management is dealing with other issues as well, which have been dragging on for the last two years. Here are a few updates:
Seneca Power Partners sought to draw water from a city well, while both Seneca and city management argued their cases to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 2022. City Manager Rachael Tabelski said the case is still ongoing.
After a more than four-month review process of paperwork and supporting documentation from the applicant, Seneca Power Partners, and from city, town and county management and legal sources, the DEC has opted to grant Seneca a permit to “add Well D at the Batavia Well Field as a new permanent source of water supply.”
The permit has been granted for five years, with the option for Seneca Power Partners to reapply when that time is up.
“We have the same concerns we had when we issued the letters of concern (in July),” Tabelski said. “We outlined our concerns to the DEC, and we will meet with DPW and our legal counsel to determine the next steps.”
At the time, Tabelski wasn't quite certain how the DEC arrived at its decision, given some confusing supporting information.
“It is my understanding that Seneca Powers’ Application with the NYS DEC to draw water directly from the aquifer is still under review,” she said. “The city, county and town of Batavia continue to work together to prevent this draw of water because the aquifer is a historical low. The aquifer is the city’s primary drinking source of water, which must be protected. Depending on the demand of water and the termperatures we could see shortages in water for customers, and we encourage water users to continue conservation techniques.”
In short, the permit authorizes the withdrawal of up to 698,400 gallons per day, or a total of 26 million gallons per year of water for the purpose of system maintenance, boiler make-up water, and non-contact cooling to support the generation of electric power in accordance with the terms and conditions of this permit. Water will be withdrawn from a new groundwater supply, Well D, located at the Batavia Power Plant.
Given the tenuous condition of the city’s and county’s water supply — with the county issuing similar appeals to taper water usage each summer — The Batavian asked if the city has or is formulating a plan to counteract future potential water shortages.
“The City purchases water from the county but we see ourselves as a partner to the water issues that the county is facing. We work constantly to assist the county with projects at the Water Treatment Plant to increase water production closer to the permitted level at the plant," Tabelski said. "Over $4 million has been invested in the last four years to make improvements at the Water Plant.
“In 2022, a WIIA (water infrastructure improvement) grant was secured by the City and County to complete these projects. At this time, the Batavia Water Plant produces water and services the entire center region of Genesee County."
The Batavian had also asked about the status of the lead survey, however, City Council approved another measure toward this goal during Monday’s business meeting to identify lead water lines in homes.
As a result of a recently passed Lead and Copper Rule, the city will inventory 400 water service lines throughout the city to determine where any lead lines are located. The city issued a request for a proposal to conduct the inventory and made water meter replacements were needed, Water and Wastewater Superintendent Tom Phelps said during Monday’s meeting.
Out of five company bids, a decision was made not to proceed with replacing the meters due to the cost of completing the project, he said. Electro Scan Inc. was the lowest bidder for the inventory portion, coming in at $375,000. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of September, he said.
“We will not be using an intern for this project as the timeline for the Lead and Copper Rule Planning is due in October. Once we have this data collected, the city will be able to use predictive modeling to gain more insight into the actual number of lead lines and prepare our plans for replacement,” Tabelski said. “Currently, we have 28 public sector lines identified as lead, 4,054 unknown, and 0 residential/commercial lines identified as lead, with 5,645 unknown. We need assistance from the community to help us identify lead lines and funding to start replacement.
"A video was recently released to the school district, and we continue to encourage residents and building owners to fill out our survey online that feeds directly into the City’s GIS system for identification, which can be found here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/40d14e33590842a088144a45cb1eee6c .”
On a related note, a $120 million expansion project at HP Hood was temporarily halted by the city earlier this year because the town of Batavia had been exceeding its wastewater limits and related wastewater facility agreement. That remains on hold, Tabelski said.
“The City continues to remain hopeful regarding the finalization of the updated Wastewater Facility Agreement with the Town of Batavia. Once the agreement is executed the city will rescind the SEQR challenge to the Hood project specific to the town’s sewer capacity,” she said. “It’s vitally important, fair, and equitable for both city and town residents that the agreement reflects the town’s current usage of sewer and that the percent of town usage is purchased via a capacity purchase agreement.
“Once the agreement is executed, both the town and city have agreed and look forward to moving forward with an expansion study of the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the potential for increased capacity,” she said.
Tabelski sent the town Planning Board a letter on March 13 notifying the group that the city had not been informed in a timely manner that the town had been established as lead agency for the proposed expansion of process lines at HP Hood on Feb. 13, 2024, and the city did not receive word of that until March 4. The city, therefore, objects to the town acting as the lead agency, Tabelski said.
In addition, ”due to violations of the town’s contracted wastewater capacity limit, the project cannot proceed,” Tabelski said in the letter.
Track and Field Coach Nick Burk and multi-sports star Anna Varland Photo by Howard Owens.
Burk and state wrestling champion Casper Stewart. Photo by Howard Owens.
Anna Varland and Casper Stewart were honored on Wednesday evening at the Athletes of the Year by the Batavia Coaches Association at Batavia High School's annual Athletic Awards program.
Varland was a standout in soccer, flag football, basketball and softball.
Stewart won the school's first-ever state championship in wrestling and has been accepted into West Point.
Athletic Director Ryan Winchip provided the following list of awards and winners:
Batavia Coaches Assoc. Outstanding Achievement Award: This award is presented to student-athletes who won an individual sectional championship, competed at states as an individual or were an all-greater Rochester selection.
Ava Anderson Indoor Track & Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track & Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Jadyn Boyce Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Mallory Boyce Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Kylee Brennan Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Mekhi Fortes All-Greater Rochester - Football
Grant Gahagan Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cameron Garofalo Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cole Grazioplene All-Greater Rochester - Football; Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Jenna Higgins Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cooper Konieczny Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champ; Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Jameson Motyka All-Greater Rochester - Ice Hockey
Adyson O'Donnell Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Parris Price Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Ella Radley Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Campbell Riley All-Greater Rochester - Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field; Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Izzy Scott Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Ella Shamp Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Sheldon Siverling All-Greater Rochester - Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field; Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor; Outdoor Track and Field State Champion - Shot put
Madeline Smith Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; All Greater Rochester - Outdoor Track and Field; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Harrison Southall Swimming and Diving Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Helaina Staley Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Casper Stewart Sectional Champion and Wrestling State Champion 145 pound weight class
Jessa Stewart States - Outdoor Track and Field
Nevaeh Thomas States - Outdoor Track and field
Anna Varland Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Isaac Varland Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Karizma Wescott Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Ava Wierda Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
The James Pacino Memorial Scholarship Recognizing a graduating senior from Batavia High School carrying a minimal final average of 85 and who has had successful involvement with the Wrestling program at BHS. ($500 & certificate)
Casper Stewart
Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Track and Community Service: This award recognizes a graduating senior from Batavia High School who has a minimal final average of 85 and has had successful involvement with the track program at BHS. Furthermore, the applicant should be involved in serving their community through projects in school or outside of school. ($300 & certificate)
Donavin Solis
Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Football and Community Service This award recognizes a graduating senior from Batavia High School who has a minimal final average of 85 and has had successful involvement with the football program at BHS. Furthermore, the applicant should be involved in serving their community through projects in school or outside of school. ($300 & certificate)
Brock Warren
Thomas Ricci Memorial Scholarship This award is presented to a BHS graduate who, in the estimation of the nominating committee, best exemplifies the attributes of Coach Thomas J. Ricci, Sr., insofar as sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and dedication to excellence in the sports of cross country and track and field. The recipient may not necessarily be the best athlete, but will have worked hard to improve and succeed. The recipient must have a clear goal for the future. ($500 & certificate)
Jadyn Boyce
Daniel VanDetta Memorial Scholarship This award is presented to a BHS graduate participating in football and baseball and exemplifies qualities of dedication, leadership and team spirit ($200 & certificate)
Mekhi Fortes
Outstanding Physical Education Student Award This award is presented to one male and one female student from the senior class who demonstrates 100% effort all of the time, who demonstrates sportsmanship, understands the value of being active, is a leader in their environment and maintains an A average in Physical Education. These students are also active in the community through community service and/or club participation. (Certificate)
Male – Hunter Mileham
Female – Prudence Favaloro
United States Air Force Scholar Athlete This award is presented to one male and one female student who have excelled in both academics and athletics. (Certificate)
Male – Quintin Cummings
Female – Grace Parker
United States Army Reserve National Scholar-Athlete: This award is presented to a senior girl and boy who have excelled in both academics and athletics. (Certificate)
Male – Owen Halpin
Female – Julia Preston
United States Navy Outstanding Athlete Award This award is presented to male and female varsity-level athletes who demonstrate honor, courage, and commitment and are positive role models within their peer groups. Award recipients are the most inspirational and demonstrate these values both on and off the athletic field. (Certificate)
Male – Harrison Southall
Female – Giana Mruczek
United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: This award is given to a male and female 9th-12th grade student-athlete who participates in a varsity sport, are exemplary young citizens and role models for younger students, and best exhibit the personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence and leadership. They need not be your most outstanding athlete, but one who has exhibited this unique combination of qualities while performing in high school sports.
Male – Noah Whitcombe
Female –Lily Jo Wagner
Varsity Club Award: This award is in recognition of Batavia High School senior athletes who have demonstrated a high level of athletic proficiency, sportsmanship and dedication. Please hold your applause until all recipients have been called. (Certificate)
Ethan Bradley, Josh Budzinack, Brian Calderon, Ryan Cox, Julia Clark, Dane Dombrowski, Caleb Henning, Aleeza Idrees, Orion Lama, Tymothey Murrell, Ryan Plath, Parris Price, Emmanuel Richardson, Anna Stevens, Quinn Woeller
The Maddy Bartz Memorial Cheer Scholarship This award is given to a graduating Varsity Cheerleader who best represents a passion for cheerleading and an exemplary care and dedication to fellow teammates. ($500 & plaque)
Sophia Antonucci
Jason “Joy-a” Gioia Memorial Scholarship This award is given in memory of Jason Gioia. The recipient has been active and shown dedication to school activities and the community. ($500 & certificate)
Cole Grazioplene
Dr. Pierce Sportsmanship Award This award is presented to a deserving male and female senior student athlete who in the opinion of coaches best exemplifies the true spirit of good sportsmanship in competition. (plaque)
Male–Patrick Suozzi
Female – Sophia Moore
Batavia Coaches Assoc. Scholar-Athlete Award: This award is presented to a senior boy and girl who has a 90 or above cumulative average, participates in one or more sports and who values outstanding achievement in academics and athletics. (plaque)
Male - Nick Martinucci
Female – Aleeza Idrees
Batavia Lions Club Athletic Award This award is presented to a deserving senior who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability, citizenship and scholastic ability – (certificate)
Isabella Walsh
Project Play WNY Multisport Athletic Award This award is given to a male and female senior who has demonstrated a commitment to their teams through a willingness to help, teach and assist their teammates and coaches and served as a positive and relatable role model through positive sportsmanship and great attitude on and off the court or field. Succeeded in the classroom by maintaining academic eligibility throughout their high school career. Made a positive difference to the lives of youth at their school or in the wider community. Showed resilience and determination during challenging situations. (Certificate)
Male – Ben Stone
Female – Kaelee Kelso
1947 Club Athletics Award This award is presented to a deserving male and female senior demonstrating outstanding participation, effort and ability in interscholastic athletics. (plaques)
Male – Cole Grazioplene
Female - Ella Radley
Awards of Excellence: Presented to seniors who have participated in a sport for the Fall, Winter and Spring sports seasons during the course of their senior school year. Plaque
Jadyn Boyce, Brian Calderon, Ryan Cox, Mekhi Fortes, Cole Grazioplene, Caleb Henning, Aleeza Idrees, Kaelee Kelso, Nicholas Martinucci, Sophia Moore, Tymothey Murrell, Ryan Plath, Julia Preston, Parris Price, Ella Radley, Emmanuel Richardson, Donavin Solis, Benjamin Stone, Patrick Suozzi, Anna Varland, Isabella Walsh, Brock Warren, Noah Whitcombe
Batavia Coaches Association Athlete of the Year To a senior girl and boy for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship and athletic performance. (Plaque and $50 from Coaches Association)
Male – Casper Stewart
Female – Anna Varland
Aleeza Idrees, Scholar-Athlete of the Year Photo by Howard Owens.
Isabella Walsh, Lions Club Award Photo by Howard Owens.
Cole Grazioplene, "47" Club Outstanding Athlete Photo by Howard Owens.
Ella Radley, "47" Club Outstanding AThlete Photo by Howard Owens.
Ryan Cox Photo by Howard Owens.
Tymothey Murrell, who was just accepted into the wrestling program at SUNY Cortland. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Indian Falls Global Methodist Church hosted its 80th Annual Strawberry Social on Wednesday, serving up not just strawberry shortcake, but also ice cream, brownies, hot dogs, and chicken dinners.
The fundraiser also included an auction and bake sale.
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1ST CITY OF BATAVIA 4-5 bedroom Duplex apartment with 1 Bedroom, Living room, laundry room, dining room, bathroom, and small kitchen on first floor. 4 bedrooms 2nd floor. Newly painted. Some new carpet. Basement storage. 1/2 garage use for storage/ not parking. Large yard. $1,100/month includes trash pickup, Refrigerator, Gas Stove. You pay gas, electric, water. No dogs. Good references required with background check. Pathstone approved. Near ARC. Mike 585-993-4002
