This information comes from Genesee Community College.

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees voted this week to hold tuition at its present $1,700-per-semester level for the 2011-2012 academic year. Tuition and fees will remain flat for the fourth year in a row – a record trustees believe is unmatched in recent years by any public or private college in New York State.

Maintaining tuition at the current level has been a high priority.

"A big part of our mission is to make higher education accessible to all students, and in these economically challenging times, accessibility means affordability," said Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino.

Ruffino and other trustees noted that many colleges have sharply increased both tuition and fees in recent years, and that fees are not covered under New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

"We wanted to be sure that students and families who face deep financial need or hardship not only have access to Genesee Community College, but can obtain the maximum possible financial aid for their education," Ruffino said.

Tuition for part-time students, which is based on enrolled credit hours, will remain $140 per credit hour. Tuition for students who do not live in New York State will also be unchanged.

The $35.85 million budget also holds Genesee County's contribution to $1.93 million, or 5.4 percent of the total budget, for the third year in a row. Genesee County is the sponsor of the college.

The budget must now be considered by the Genesee County Legislature. Trustees anticipate that the legislature's Ways and Means Committee will review the budget May 25 and vote on it June 8.

The proposed budget is "careful and cautious," said President Stuart Steiner.

It provides funding for the college's newest degree programs, as well as resources to cover inflationary increases in areas such as increased health premiums, retirement rates, and contractual obligations, which largely account for the 4.1-percent increase over the current $34.45 million budget.

Seven new full-time positions are included in the plan. They include new faculty positions in Veterinary Technology and Polysomnographic Technology, as well as a temporary full-time faculty position in the Teacher Education Transfer program.

Also included: a technical specialist who will assist in the management of the art gallery and teach courses in the arts; two buildings and grounds staff members; and a technical specialist who will coordinate assessment activities to meet the growing accountability requirements of federal and state agencies, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and grantors.

Even so, the most pleasing part of the budget, according to Steiner, is the flat tuition and fee rates.

Despite a 21-percent reduction in state aid over the last two and a half years, trustees were able to hold the line on tuition because of strong enrollment. Over the last several decades, Genesee has attracted a growing number of students from the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming area, as well as a great number of students from outside the area and even from abroad.

"Students are attracted to the great variety of programs we offer, as well as our very personalized approach to education," Steiner said. "So while cutbacks in state aid have posed significant challenges for us, our reputation has brought us many new students and helped us maintain a healthy enrollment and healthy financial situation. We are pleased that we can share our success over the past few years with our students and with the county."

Steiner also noted that the college has kept up high standards of preventive maintenance on its facilities.

"By repairing and refurbishing equipment and facilities on a regular basis, we save money over the long term," he said.

The president also said he was pleased that new and replacement equipment deemed to be high priority by the board vice presidents was included in the budget.

(Pictured from left, Wayne Guenther, Al McGinnis, Amy Barone.)

It's that time of year again -- time to vote for the Batavia City School District budget and fill seats on its board of education.

Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.

Voting locations are: Batavia Middle School (for residents of City Ward 1, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 2, District 1, 2 or 3); Jackson School (for residents of City Ward 3, District 1 or 2; City Ward 4, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 5, District 1); and Robert Morris (for residents of Ward 5, District 2 or 3, or Ward 6, District 1 or 2).

There are three candidates. One is an incumbent, two are newcomers.

Wayne Guenther, the incumbent, is now approaching the end of his second term. He is a retired teacher with years of experience in education.

Amy Barone, one of the newcomers, is a loan servicing manager at Five Star Bank and a lifelong resident of Batavia. She is also the mother of two students in the district.

Al McGinnis, the other newcomer, is a retired manager for Brown & Root Services, an international oil and construction firm. Prior to that, he was a soldier. He has lived overseas, as required by both jobs, but with an official residence here in Batavia for the past 30 years. Places he has lived and worked include the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He is married, and has a son who graduated from Batavia High School.

The candidates took time to answer some questions about the budget, their motivations for running, and other issues.

Wayne Guenther

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are reelected?

Well, I think as a group we (the school board) do fine. We work out problems that come our way and we try to come to some sort of resolution. The problem is that a lot of things are out of our hands, as far as what the state requires. The local board really has very little say with regard to expenditures. I would like it if we could broaden that a little so that there is more control locally. I would also like to see the mandate relief (the state) promised, rather than having them just tell us what we can and can't do.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

I taught fifth grade in Oakfield for 33 years and have dealt with education my whole life.

What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?

I think some kind of a moratorium is necessary. In what form, I'm not sure -- we have to talk about that. We need to take a long look at who this would affect. For example, do we want to drop these activities for juniors and seniors who have spent the past few years fundraising (for senior trips)? We'll try to come up with some parameters everybody can live with. But I do think that some kind of moratorium is necessary, because a lot of parents have complained that there are too many fundraisers. Most of the parents of kids who are involved in these trips do the major portion of the fundraising and pay out of their own pockets. We want to see what we can do to help out.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

None of us are real happy with it, but we've checked all of our expenses, and a lot of them (are expenses) we're locked into. That can't be changed. We looked into where we could cut without hurting anyone. None of us are happy with a tax increase, but until we get revenues other than local, we'll have to live with it.

A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough, and teachers in other Genesee County districts are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?

That's a contract item, and right now it's all settled until next year. The board is looking for an increase in pay by the teachers (into their own benefits), but that will have to be negotiated. Also, I'm really not 100-percent sure that many school districts have teachers who pay much more than Batavia teachers at present.

What will happen if the budget gets voted down?

We'll have to present a second budget to the public, or pass a contingency budget. That would mean the district couldn't buy any new equipment (including buildings and grounds equipment and some instructional technology) and there would no longer be public use of school resources without pay. Our budget is pretty much bare bones as it is though. We're not talking about much money, and actually it's less than what the contingency budget would be because the number fell below what that would allow. So if the budget is defeated, that won't change a whole lot.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I truly believe that each citizen of a given area should give back to (his or her) municipality in some form or other. I do it through education, because it's what I know.

Do you have any closing comments?

I just hope there's a good turnout. Over the past few years, a very small percentage of people who were eligible to vote did so.

Amy Barone

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?

Well, I'm very new to this whole thing. I'd like to just get in there, learn what the board can do and help improve any deficiencies that exist, if there are any.

One thing I would like to see is an improved public perception of the school board. I think a lot of people are looking at the school board and saying that they're not doing their job. But I don't think they understand everything that goes with being on the board. This involves trying to come up with a budget that's good for the kids while also satisfying the taxpayers, faculty and staff, etc. They're really doing the best they can for all parties involved.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

I'm a lifelong resident of Batavia with two children in the Batavia schools. I served on the City of Batavia Youth Board from 2008 through 2010 -- I stepped down when my sister was appointed director, so there wouldn't be any conflict -- and I currently serve on the Genesee County Youth Board.

In addition, I am actively involved with the Five Star for Kids program, which is a partnership between Five Star Bank and the YMCA that allows us to work with fifth-graders in the district. This is a program that helps prepare them for the middle school and teaches them about how to treat others and be responsible members of their schools and community. Finally, I've worked with the United Way Day of Caring on behalf of Five Star Bank for the past four years.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

It's been a tough budget year, from what I've heard. I don't know if the community really, truly understands the budget process. Not that I fully understand it myself yet, but I believe the board did the best they could with what they had to work with.

The community should understand that if the budget is voted down and we end up with the contingency budget, things are not going to be any better. We're not going to be able to bring back anything we've already cut.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I have two children and several nieces and nephews in the district, and as a member of the community I have a vested interest in its success. I feel that my financial background can benefit the board, the school district and the community.

Alfred McGinnis

What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?

Well, first of all, you don't make changes until you've actually sat on the board and found out what's going on. If I'm elected, that's what I'll do.

I will say this: One item I dislike is their cell phone tax. In opening up my cell phone bill a short time ago, I reviewed it for nothing better than to see why my bill was 20 percent higher than the offered charge. In truth, it wasn't very much of a pittance, and Albany allows cities to affix a cell phone tax on city residents. Fair enough. I could easily move, (but) I choose not to do so. What bothers me is that our school board chose to remain silent on this issue, rather than explain to the public that they could and would (impose the tax) and, more importantly, where the windfall is going. It was a failure on the board's part not to sit down with Batavia residents beforehand. When you're in that position, you have to be up front with people on what you do. Not being up front questions your value and integrity. We are the people they work for, not the other way around.

What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?

My life has been constant, non-stop budgets. I worked for Brown & Root Services for over 20 years as a manager, (after spending years as a professional soldier). In the business world, we refer to a budget as a W.I.P -- a Work In Progress. They have to be modified all the time -- sometimes they need to be expanded, sometimes they need to be constrained. Schools are no different. A school district is like a business. The superintendent is your CEO or manager, and the school board is your Board of Directors.

The budget involves a detailed study, and unfortunately sometimes personal issues. When you eliminate a position, you're not just impacting one person. You're impacting a whole host of people you don't see. Every employee has a family he/she won't be able to support because he/she no longer has a job. Initially, you look at it as a cold number, but then you have to look deeper. You have to look at how it affects your bottom line long-term. For example, if you decide to cut a position, you've taken care of a fiscal issue -- but then who's going to do the job? You can't cut a teacher's position and then say, "So now I'm going to cut 15 students, too."

Tangibles (meaning returns on investments) are the same in schools as they are in business. In schools, the return on our investment is how well educated our children are and how fortified they are for higher education and for life. If they do well, they'll make our country stronger. That said, you still have to be straightforward and honest. If I tell the shareholders -- which are the taxpayers -- that I'm raising their taxes, I have to be able to tell them why. And I have to be able to tell them that I raised their taxes -- I can't just blame it on the board; there's no such thing. Even if you didn't vote for a tax increase, if you're on the board you had better be able to explain yourself. As a manager at Brown & Root Services, I couldn't just hide behind statements like, "Well, the company told me this." If you're going to do that, you shouldn't be in that position. You either own up to your responsibilities or get out.

What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?

In the business world, your product has to be the best on the market. (In the schools), our product is our children. That said, I view overnight trips as educational experiences. It broadens the students' horizons, lets them see something they haven't seen before, talk to kids outside of their school, live with the difficulties of being on a bus...these help prepare them for real life.

I understand the financial concerns. There are taxpayers on fixed incomes, and believe me, I understand that. But we can't afford to have a product out of our "factory" (school district) be inferior to other districts.

I think we can find the money.  We may have to go to unconventional sources, just like in business, but we can't be narrow-minded about this. Narrow-mindedness has destroyed businesses and can hamper our children's education.

In my experience, it is imperative that we broaden these kids' horizons. They should see that there are different communities and cultures out there that are not necessarily better or worse than their own. We need to enrich the students so that they can put their prejudices aside and see the world as a great place to live. As a result, they will be able to enrich others when they go out into the world. Will we see a monetary gain here? Not right away, but five years from now...

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?

I went to a school board meeting in June, and I thought both the board and (Superintendent) Margaret Puzio did an excellent job of explaining the budget and how it had mostly to do with state mandates. Did I agree with everything they said? Well -- I can't make any negative comment until I've been there. As in business, you've got to go through the books. I will not fire a shot at the board of education until I've had a chance to sit there and see what they do. I have no right to do that until I've see how they operate; that's just unprofessional. When I'm in that position, then I'll have valid reasons to make suggestions.

A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough and teachers in other districts in Genesee County are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?

That's a valid concern, but I've got to look at the whole picture. The worst thing you can do is take a snapshot and then make decisions based on that. I have to be able to look at the past history and the evidence. Talk is cheap -- cold hard facts are what drive a budget. You can say (hypothetically) that Oakfield teachers pay more into their benefits than Batavia teachers, but show me. It may be true, but I have to present facts. Emotions have no place in budgets. All they do is destroy your bottom line, which is: Are you getting the best product for the money you're spending? (If you let your emotions impact the budget), you'll regret it.

What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?

I've been retired for some time, but I liked being a manager and working on budgets. Even if I had strong dislikes while I was doing (a budget), there was the ultimate satisfaction that came with it.

As citizens, we each have not only the right but the obligation to contribute what we can to our community. One would have to ask oneself why at age 61, and retired, I would want to run for a school board seat that pays nothing, takes up my time and otherwise disrupts my retirement. I'll actually be spending more money on this than I'll ever see a return on (financially), but my return will be satisfaction. If one of our young grows up to be a successful professor or doctor, then I'll have a return on my investment.

When I say "our young," I mean all of our young. Even if we don't have children in school -- my son is all finished with his schooling -- they are all our children, and we have a moral obligation to make sure they get the best education possible.

I'm well retired and certainly neither need the money nor wish to waste my time on vendettas. My only goals are a better run board and a school budget that I feel can be better managed and at a lower cost to the Batavia stockholders (aka taxpayers).

Do you have any closing comments?

Well, this is disconcerting to me: There are two candidates running together -- one of them is on the board already, the other one is trying to get on the board -- and I found out that both of them are members of the Democratic Party, and that the Democratic Party wants them to do this. This smacks of Third World politics. It's the kind of thing I would see in the Pacific, in Africa and in the Middle East, and we don't need to see it in Batavia.

When you see something like this, it means there's a hidden agenda. People are supposed to run on their own merits so that the populace can have a choice. You don't run as a gang. This looks like a way for the Democratic Party to influence the outcome of the election. The school board should be nonpartisan. This makes it a political toy, and that's wrong -- purely wrong. Taxpayer money should not be any party's political tool.

What will happen is that taxpayers won't get a return on their investment because partisan politics will interfere. The way information is presented to the public will be based on a single party's standpoint, and we won't get an honest, balanced budget.

McGinnis claims to have received this information from a source from within the Democratic Party. Guenther and Barone were both given a chance to respond.

Here are their replies:

Wayne Guenther

I'm not a member of any political party -- I'm registered as unaffilliated. I met Amy the night of the budget hearing, and I know her sister and her dad but that's it. And I agree -- political parties should not have anything to do with the school board. I'm really surprised to hear this kind of stuff (referring the accusation).

Amy Barone

The only response I have to that is that this is not a political race -- it's a race for the kids. I don't feel that party lines are relevant. I'm running for my kids and for the district, not for any political party. That said, I may have supporters in the Democratic Party, but I also have supporters in the Republican Party.

State troopers are converging on the Pawn King shop at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia following a report of a customer threatening the cashier. Allegedly, the cashier displayed a weapon to the person to abate the threat.

A telephone pole is completely blocking the roadway, with live wires down, in the area of 8631 North Street Road in Le Roy. A farm truck reportedly caught a wire, snapping the pole.

Le Roy Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: Fire police are asked to shut off traffic at North Street and Route 19 up to the railroad tracks.

UPDATE 11:58 a.m.: A National Grid representative is on scene.

UPDATE 12:06 p.m.: A fire official says the road will probably be closed for at least another three or four hours.

Press release:

WILLIAMSVILLE – Career politician Kathy Hochul joined Nancy Pelosi for a swanky fundraiser in New York City last night, underscoring the deep admiration between the two liberal Democrats. The event continues a weeklong showing of affinity from Hochul towards the former Speaker of the House, an icon to the liberal special interest groups funding Hochul’s campaign. On Tuesday, Hochul said that Pelosi did “a great job for this country” during her time as Speaker, despite the fact that during Pelosi’s time as Speaker our country borrowed trillions more dollars from China and millions of jobs were lost.

“Kathy Hochul’s proud support of Nancy Pelosi shows she just doesn’t understand the congressional district she wants to represent, which isn’t surprising considering she doesn’t even live here,” said Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress. “It comes as no surprise that Pelosi would expect Hochul to report back to her, considering that Hochul is Pelosi’s handpicked candidate. Kathy Hochul has followed Nancy Pelosi’s lead in supporting massive tax increases, the Obama health care law, and growing government, but where does she disagree with Pelosi?”   

This is at least the second time in recent weeks that Hochul has traveled to New York City for a posh fundraiser with downstate leaders who have helped decimate Western New York’s economy, all the while leaving Western New Yorkers behind.

“Kathy Hochul just doesn’t get it,” Harakal added. “Voters across the country rejected Nancy Pelosi’s tax-and-spend economic policies which have brought our economy to a screeching halt, but Kathy Hochul continues to push that same failed agenda. Maybe Kathy Hochul should actually spend some time in the district and instead of sipping champagne with liberal special interests in Manhattan, explain to taxpayers why she thinks it’s smart to raise taxes on job creators to fund her ideas for growing government.”

The press release contained the following links:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJyEoBzl1PE
• http://www.observer.com/2011/politics/maloney-host-fundraiser-kathy-hochul

Two cars have reportedly hit head on in the area of 6758 Alleghany Road, Alabama.

Three people are apparently uninjured and a fourth person has an ankle injury.

Alabama Fire Department is on site. Mercy EMS is responding.

UPDATE: 9:40 p.m. (Billie): The scene is clear. A male with an ankle injury was taken to UMMC. All responders back in service.

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Press release from Batavia Police Department:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating the larceny of several credit cards from the Dollar Tree located on West Main Street on April 20th. One of the cards was then used at another business in the area.

If anyone recognizes the subjects in the photos, or has any information related to this case, please contact Det. Kevin Czora at 585-345-6311.  Information may also be left on the police department’s Confidential Tip Line at 585-345-6370.

As part of this week's questions for candidates, we told the candidates that we would delay publishing answers if by the deadline (which was late this morning) one or more of the candidates hadn't responded.

But we also said we would update readers on the status of the questions and answers.

This week's topic (questions after the jump) is personal liberty.  

We've received responses from Ian Murphy, Kathy Hochul and Jane Corwin. We haven't received a response from Jack Davis.

I spoke with his representative this afternoon Curtis Ellis, who said the Davis campaign has just been kept very busy the past couple of days, but the answers would be forthcoming.

So, stay tuned for the answers as soon as we hear from Jack Davis.

What is your position on the 2nd Amendment – what controls, if any, should be placed on the right of a private citizen to own guns?

In February, the House voted to extend the Patriot Act. If you had represented the NY-26 at that time, how would you have voted?

Should marijuana be decriminalized at the Federal level?

What is your position on the controversy surrounding TSA scanners and enhanced pat downs?

Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank is trying to push through legislation to make playing online poker legal and to legalize online poker sites within the United States. Will you support such legislation?

Comments will continue to be accepted until June 23 on the Western New York Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park -- known as the STAMP project.

At the request of the Alabama Town Board, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has extended the deadline for residents to submit comments on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement, or DGEIS.

Anyone wanting to weigh in on the Final Generic Impact Statement and what it should address or include can write to: Mark Masse, senior vice president of operations at GCEDC, 99 MedTech Drive, Suite 106, Batavia.

Last night, residents attended a public hearing at the town hall to voice their concerns, such as increased traffic, possible discharges into water during manufacturing processes and how Alabama would benefit by allowing the park to locate within its jurisdiction.

“The purpose of the meeting [last night] was to solicit comments and feedback from the public on the DGEIS which has been released for public review. The GCEDC believes that objectives of the meeting were met,” Masse said in a statement.

The site consists of about 1,300 acres along Route 77.

“The purpose of the project is to develop a high technology manufacturing center with a focus on renewable energy and to provide economic development opportunities within the region,” according to the draft plan.

While the first phase of construction could begin within the next few years, the park may not be fully developed for another 10 to 25 years.

The document says, “The DGEIS analyzes several alternatives for the STAMP site. The Preferred Alternative includes 6.1-million square feet of development, including, among other things, technology manufacturing facilities; flex space and support facilities, office space, retail support uses, a new multi-use Town Hall building site, and a network of open space and trails that meander throughout the property.”

In regard to bringing water to the proposed park, the DGEIS explains that a “phased approach” would be necessary.

“Water resources and large diameter water mains are very limited in the vicinity of the project area. This results in a challenging and complex situation to providing an adequate water supply to the STAMP site.”

Many sources were considered and studied because such a high-volume of water demand calls for more than one supplier, according to the document. A summary of the alternatives considered can be found here.

The DGEIS also includes -- in the Economic Impact Analysis -- projected decreases in property tax rates as follows:

The Town of Alabama could realize a decrease in the tax rate per $1,000 in value from $1.11 to 11 cents.

Genesee County could realize a decrease in the tax rate per $1,000 in value from $9.82 to $7.97.

Oakfield-Alabama School District could realize a decrease in the tax rate per $1,000 in value from $23.73 to $16.94.

GCEDC officials made clear in a statement that all comments received would be compiled into the Final Generic Impact Statement which, when finished, will be made available to the public at the Alabama Town Hall, GCEDC offices and online.

The second annual Refill-A-Thon is going to be held from 9 a.m. to noon, this Saturday, May 14, at Ferrellgas in Batavia. It's located at 655 Ellicott St.

Frank P. Nicolazzo, general manager of the location, says they'll be filling customers' 20-pound gas grill bottles for just a $5 donation to the Genesee County Cancer Assistance Fund.

Last year, more than $2,000 was raised for the American Red Cross and they hope to raise that much or more this year.

Ferrellgas is donating all of the propane, roughly 1,600 gallons, and its staff is volunteering to make this event a successful fund raiser for a terrific local charity.

Elba students were given today what firefighter Steve Hynesfisher called "shock camp" this morning, seeing firsthand what a fatal DWI accident scene is like, from the extrication, to Mercy Flight landing and the remains of a fellow student being placed in a body bag and carted away.

Hynsfisher drove the point home while narrating events. If this where a real accident, their fellow student was gone. All that was left was a body, no life, no person.

After the drill, Hynesfisher said he wanted the students to see that "one bad decision can ruin their lives and the life of somebody else."

"If we can change one person's mind," Hynesfisher added, "and keep them from drinking and driving, then we've done our job."

And Hynesfisher thinks the Elba Fire Department is getting through to students with the program. The department has been conducting these drills for four years and Hynesfisher said since they started, Elba has been fortunate to not have any serious, DWI-related accidents involving a Elba student since.

The drill provides students with a thorough dramatization of an accident scene, with all the power tools, medics and an actual Mercy Flight helicopter landing. Elba Superintendent Jerry Piwko said he believes the impact of a tragedy being portrayed in such a life-like performance really has an impact on students.

"We can call it a drill, but it's all there," Piwko said. "It looks real. It sounds real, but thank God the kids actually walk away."

ALSO: Elba is recruiting volunteers to join the fire deparment. Anybody interested in more information please call 757-9011. Support your local community: join your local volunteer fire deparment. All departments always have a variety of openings for people of just about all ages. A resource for potential volunteers is ReadyGenesee.com

Press Release:

(BATAVIA, NY) - Decorated combat veteran David Bellavia today accused Jane Corwin, the candidate of the Republican elite, of reneging on her commitment to self-fund her race - a broken promise that will cost real conservative Congressmen their seats in 2012.

"When the Erie County Republican chairman force-fed Jane Corwin to Western New York GOP organizations as his hand-picked candidate to replace Rep. Chris Lee, he said it was because she promised to spend $5 million on the race," Bellavia said. "Today it looks like she won't after all - and national Republican organizations are instead paying the bill."

"Where is Jane's $5 million?" Bellavia asked. "And why is she putting real conservative Congressmen at risk just to save a buck, when she's reportedly got $140 million in her checking account?"

To shore up one of the worst-run campaigns in recent Republican history, national GOP political action committess and their allies have committed to spending at least $1 million in the 26th Congressional District race. Bellavia said this puts more solid conservatives in harm's way in the next election cycle.

"Today Retired Army LTC Allen West, a combat veteran, is the number one target of the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee in 2012 and they will pour millions of dollars into his opponent's campaign," Bellavia said. "Today Rep. West is the darling of the Tea Party movement and a potential candidate for Vice President - but because of Jane Corwin's miserable campaign, Rep. West and a dozen other targeted Republicans may not have the funding necessary to win in 2012."

"The only reason she was selected was because she could buy the seat herself," Bellavia said. "But now that the bill has arrived, Jane is headed to the powder room."

ABOUT DAVID BELLAVIA
David Bellavia is a former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who served in the 1st Infantry Division (Task Force 2-2). He was recommended for the Medal of Honor, nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, and received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Conspicuous Service Cross. In 2006 he was invited to attend the President's State of the Union address as an honored guest. In 2004, Bellavia was the subject of a Time Magazine cover story titled "Into the Hot Zone" which won a Pulitzer Prize. He is the author of the best selling book, "House to House," an account of his experience leading a platoon in the Battle of Fallujah published by the Free Press in 2007. Bellavia has endorsed Jack Davis in the hotly-contested special election, who is running on the Tea Party line.

Shyqwan D. Foster, 20, of 188 Elmdorf Ave., Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to dim headlights and moving from lane unsafely. Foster was stopped at 3:21 a.m. on West Main Street by Officer Darryl Streeter.

Ryan Charles Bishop, 20, of 9 Lathrop Ave., Le Roy, is charged with DWI and aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Bishop was stopped Friday morning in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy Police.

Press release:

New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has announced that Richmond Memorial Library will receive $3,500 in funding from the Public Library Construction Grant Program for a replacement window in the Children’s Room. 

“This grant will serve as a reinvestment in Richmond Memorial Library in the City of Batavia and will ultimately allow existing patrons and future generations to enjoy all the services the library has to offer,” Senator Ranzenhofer said.

The grant funds are from $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2010 State Budget. Grants can pay up to a maximum of 50 percent of total eligible project costs and libraries must provide funds to pay for the remaining costs of the project. 

New York’s public libraries are in need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.5 billion. More than 40 percent of the public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Many of New York’s local public libraries are unable to accommodate users with disabilities, are energy inefficient, cannot provide internet and computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring. 

Project activities and expenditures eligible for grants from the $14 million Public Library Construction Grant Program include the renovation and/or rehabilitation of existing space, including roof replacement, purchase and installation of alternative energy resources and new HVAC systems, windows, doors, and lighting systems, electrical upgrades, and construction of new or replacement of old walkways and parking lots.

The Genesee Jaguars varsity lacrosse team took a semi-final playoff match over Depew Thursday evening at Genesee Community College by a score of 17-7.

The undefeated Jaguars will play for their league championship in Hamburg this evening.

The Jaguars are varsity high school players from throughout Genesee County, except Batavia High, which has its own lacrosse team. The Jaguars play in a six-team league of similar club teams.

More photos after the jump (photos may be purchased by clicking here).

(Photos may be purchased by clicking here).

Earlier this year, Corey Brown and a few of his college friends found themselves in a futile hunt for adult sports leagues to join in their spare time.

"We were searching around for leagues and eventually got sick of it," he said. "We wondered, 'Why can't you ever find sports leagues unless you hear about it from a friend of a friend of a friend?'"

Instead of giving up, Brown and his buddies got to work to solve the problem. They did more research and created the Web site, LeagueHound.com.

"Basically, we're doing the work for other adults like us who want to find sports leagues in their area," he explained.

Brown enlisted the help of his friends, Eric Bartz, Tyler Kossow and Candice Lymburner to get the project going. Now, LeagueHound is functioning quite well -- and is growing every day.

Although he isn't living in Batavia anymore, Brown (who is working on his master's degree at Niagara University) still has a soft spot for his hometown.

"Sports can mean a lot to someone from a small town and that's probably why this was so important to me," he said.

Brown admits that he knew nothing about creating Internet sites when he began, but by mid-February, he had learned the basics and began putting things together. When asked when the Web site would be finished, Brown laughed.

"It will never be finished. New sports leagues can always be added, and we're not trying to put something together for just Western New York or just New York state. Actually, at first we wanted to make a nationwide Web site, but we figured New York would be a good start."

After starting out in Buffalo and Rochester, Brown and his buddies have begun to branch out toward Syracuse scouting for sports leagues.

"We'll work towards the big cities and then try to fill in the gaps in between," he said.

Researching isn't easy, as the college students have found -- it takes weeks to get even a small city covered.

"You have to look in every community center and every bar...there are actually a lot of leagues out there, they are just hard to find. It's the most difficult thing to deal with but we want to be the ones to do it so our clientele doesn't have to."

LeagueHound.com is up and running -- ready for more sports leagues seeking players to send along their information and more potential players wanting some adult sports to enjoy.

Residents at Washington Towers were treated to an afternoon of music sung by Danielle DiStrefano, a classically trained soprano who performs opera, sacred songs, Broadway hits, love songs and ballads. It was part of a "Our Tribute Tea to Women" at the complex.

One of a series of loose manhole covers on Route 5 through the city damaged a truck driving on West Main Street early this morning.

The driver, Lawrence Tassone, 80, of Batavia was uninjured, but the axel on his truck was broken. 

After the manhole cover hit the truck, the truck drove up a curb near Union Street and the manhole cover flew some distance, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer, who happened upon the accident scene just before 5:30 a.m.

Route 5/Main Street, is the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation, but the manhole cover is owned by Verizon.

Lori Maher, spokeswoman for the DOT out of Rochester, said the DOT received a complaint from city officials about loose manhole covers in Batavia and determined these particular manhole covers were owned by Verizon, so Verizon was notifed.

This afternoon, after the manhole cover at Union Street came off again, the DOT sent a traffic safety truck to steer traffic around the loose cover and a crew was on its way to place a steel plate over the cover.

It will be up to Verizon to provide a long-term fix to the problem.

A spokesman for Verizon said a statement about the situation will be forthcoming, but The Batavian has not received it yet.

John Bonomo from Verizon released this statement: "We are aware of the situation and are working with a contractor to remedy the situation."

Maher said that as far as liability for damage to Tassone's truck, that matter has been turned over to an insurance company.

City officials say they contacted the DOT about the situation in January and that the problem isn't just with the manhole cover at Union Street, but that the problem extends with Verizon-owned manhole covers from Vine Street to Union.

The video above shows the wobbly manhole cover at Union.

Lakeshia Marie Pratt, 20, of Hazlewood Terrace, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Pratt is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Nadine Marie McClurg, 24, of Dewey Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. McClurg is accused of shoplifting from Kmart. During her arrest, she was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Brianna Marie Kruppenbacher, 19, of Hutton Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Kruppenbacher is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Ronald M. Gervase, 66, of 242 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and improper turn. Gervase was stopped on Swan Street at 5 p.m., Wednesday, by Officer Chris Camp.

Robert G. Whitehead, 20, of 143 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Whitehead is accused of harassing an acquaintance. He posted $100 bail.