Press release:

Today, American Crossroads, Karl Rove’s super-PAC funded by anonymous deep-pocket donors purchased $650,000 of television air time, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched an effort to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend in NY-26.  Both groups seek to influence the special election and defeat Jack Davis in the special election on May 24th.

Jack Davis issued this statement:

This is further evidence - if any were needed - that Jane Corwin is owned by Karl Rove, Washington lobbyists and Wall Street bankers. It's no coincidence that John Boehner travelled to Wall Street yesterday after appearing with Corwin. Jane Corwin could pay for her own campaign, but she'd rather have the special interests she's working for pick up the tab. 

As far as Kathy Hochul, her own disclosure report shows she has taken thousands of dollars from bankers, lawyers and Democratic insiders. Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which claims it is not involved, sent out a nationwide "emergency email" trying to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to pour into this race. 

Kathy Hochul will be ordered around by Nancy Pelosi and Wall Street, just as Jane Corwin will be ordered around by John Boehner and Wall Street.  I will take my orders from you. I have not taken any money from the special interests that have shipped our jobs overseas.

I have not taken one penny from any special interest, political party, lobbyist or influence peddler. It is clear who is on the side of the people of this district and who is on the side of the special interests.

A single-engine airplane apparently reported electrical trouble and was planning on making an emergency landing at the Genesee County Airport.

The original call gave the plane a 10 minute ETA.

Within minutes of the Town of Batavia Fire Department being dispatched, an airport official called in and said the plane made a safe landing.

All Batavia units were put back in service.

The cause of a trailer fire in Darien last night remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office.

The fire was reported at 9:06 p.m. at 11198 Tinkham Road.

The trailer was owned by Charles Flagg and used for storage. The total loss from the blaze is estimated to be less than $1,000.

Flagg recently made news by planting more than one thousand lawn signs supporting Jack Davis for Congress on his property.

While the cause of the fire has not been determined, there's no indication the fire and his political support of Davis are connected.

There were no injuries reported.

The Darien Volunteer Fire Department responded quickly and extinguished the fire.

A fire in an upstairs apartment is reported at 107 Pearl St. City of Batavia Fire Department is responding. Medics, too.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: City command reports fire is knocked down. They are checking for "extensions" of the fire.

Rachellyn G. Burek, 29, of 4131 Broadway Road, Apt. #4, Darien, is charged with identity theft in the third degree. Burek is accused of using the identity of another person from December 2006 to August 2007 to obtain service from Time Warner Cable. Burek allegedly received more than $900 in services. The case was investigated by Det. Pat Corona, Batavia PD.

Kelly J. McMurty, 34, of Benedict Street, Perry, and Linda L. McMurty, 55, of Embury Avenue, Silver Lake, are each charged with petit larceny. The women are accused of stuffing clothing items in their purses and then walking past the last point of purchase without paying for the items. 

Edward S. Wiosinski, 60, of 1364 Rush Henrietta Townline Road, Rush, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Wioskinski was arrested by Le Roy Police for allegedly harassing another person.

The Buffalo News covers yesterday's events in Erie County, particularly Speaker John Boehner's appearance at a Corwin fundraiser in Depew.

It allowed Boehner to bring up hot-button issues like a lagging economy that still is not producing jobs, as well as sky-high gasoline prices. And he continually referred to the Democrats' liberal spending policies that have produced a unified GOP effort in the House to rein in spending.

"Washington Democrats hope to steal this election so they can move their agenda of higher taxes and more spending," he said. "The president wants to raise taxes. Why? So they can continue to spend. It's time to say no, and we're going to continue to say no to higher taxes and more spending in Washington."

Boehner, who also was scheduled to speak Monday to a Wall Street audience in Manhattan, referred to Corwin as the only conservative in the race who will "stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the liberals in Washington." 

And our own Bea McManis gets a mention.

Appearing with Richtman and Hochul were Bea McManis and Judy Hale of Batavia, two senior citizens worried about the impact of the Republicans' plans for Medicare.

"The Republican budget will decimate Medicare," Hochul said. "That's what this election is all about -- people like Bea and Judy."

Public Policy Polling, the company that conducted the poll released yesterday showing Hochul leading Corwin and Davis, posted a blog item with thoughts on its own poll.

The dominance the GOP showed with independents last year is over. Hochul is winning the independent vote with 37% to 31% for Davis and 20% for Corwin. A more significant finding though is that 39% of independent voters want their new representative to caucus with the Democrats in Washington to 36% who want the winner to side with the Republicans. That suggests Hochul might be winning even in a two-way race with independents and after a year where independents nationally sided with the GOP by a 19-point margin on the national House ballot. That's very meaningful.

Mona Charen, writing for Town Hall, tells her national audience that voters in NY-26 are being duped by Kathy Hochul on her claims about the Ryan budget and Medicare and by Jack Davis, whom she says is really a Democrat. She also says Jane Corwin isn't running a very competent campaign.

The NY-26 race was discussed at length last night by Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.

New York is the fifth hardest hit state in the union in terms of jobs lost since the ratification of NAFTA, according to a study released by the Economic Policy Institute, and in New York, the NY-26 Congressional District has lost the most jobs after the NY-29.

The 26th district, which is currently up for grabs in a May 24 special election, has lost 1,800 jobs since 1994.

The study does note that some of the job loss may have been driven by the recent economic downturn, but says in all more than 500,000 U.S. jobs were displaced as a direct result of the ratification of NAFTA.

New York has lost 34,300 jobs. Most of the jobs were in the manufacturing sector.

The study takes into account new U.S. jobs created as a result of trade with Mexico.

Before the passage of NAFTA, the U.S. had a trade surplus with Mexico of $1.6 billion. By 2010, the trade deficit with Mexico had climbed to $97.2 billion.

The introduction to the report reads:

Prominent economists and U.S. government officials predicted that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would lead to growing trade surpluses with Mexico and that hundreds of thousands of jobs would be gained (Hufbauer and Schott 1993; President Clinton 1993). The evidence shows that the predicted surpluses in the wake of NAFTA’s enactment in 1994 did not materialize, for reasons outlined in this briefing paper. However, congressional leaders and administration officials now make nearly identical claims about export growth and job creation under the proposed U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).

Wikipedia describes EPI as a liberal, nonpartisan think tank.

The next representative of the NY-26 will likely be asked to vote on three new trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, which is why we asked the four candidates for their positions on free trade.  

Kathy Hochul, Jack Davis and Ian Murphy all said they oppose NAFTA. Jane Corwin said, "I am a believer in the free markets and free trade but it must also be fair trade."

Asked specifically whether they would vote yes or no on the South Korean pact, Hochul, Davis and Murphy all said, "No." Corwin did not answer the question.

(via Buffalo First)

A grant of more than $288,000 has been awarded to Genesee County by FEMA as part of an nationwide effort to ensure volunteer fire departments remain adequately staffed to handle disasters and emergencies.

Called the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER), it has been awarded to a cooperative venture by Lake Plains Community Care Network, Genesee County Emergency Management Office, Genesee County Fire Advisory Board and the Genesee County Recruitment and Retention Task Force.

Funds will be used to address recruitment and retention challenges in the fire services locally with a goal to attract 320 new firefighters, as well as EMS, fire police and other roles, over the next four years.

The goal is to sign up 18 new members for each department in the county during that time, which would allow departments to address normal attrition rates and grow the volunteer force at the same time.

Funding will cover hiring a marketing firm to create a program to raise public awareness of the importance of volunteer fire departments and promote opportunities for people to get involved with their local departments.

Lake Plains will act as lead agency in administration of the grant.

Full press release after the jump:

The Lake Plains Community Care Network (LPCCN) in collaboration with the Genesee County Emergency Management Office (GCEMO), Genesee County Fire Advisory Board and the Genesee County Recruitment and Retention Task Force has been awarded The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) in the amount of $288,680 over a four year grant cycle.

The SAFER Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities.

This grant will help address the growing recruitment and retention challenges of the fire service in Genesee County. The goal of the recruitment plan is to attract and maintain 320 new firefighters over the next four years; an average of 18 new members for each department over the four year span. This rate of recruitment will allow County fire departments to induct, orient, outfit and train these individuals at an affordable and manageable pace. This systematic approach will allow the normal attrition rate to be addressed while achieving a positive net increase in volunteer staffing levels over the next four years and beyond.

Two primary themes have been established for the recruitment plan:

1. The first theme will focus on the physical, intellectual and compassion qualities sought in today’s volunteer. It will also include a clear, concise call to action and benefit statement.

2. The second theme will address the fact that many fire departments offer flexible opportunities other than just firefighting. Individuals can join specific departments as Fire/Rescue, EMS Only, Fire Police Only, or Associate members.

A key component for the success of the marketing plan involves the hiring of an outside Professional Marketing Company whose objectives would be to create greater public awareness as to the need for volunteers and the role of volunteer first responders; to promote the opportunities for the community to get involved and stay involved in the solution, and to support the overall goals of the recruitment and retention plans. 

According to the 2010 US Census data, Genesee County’s fire service protects 60,079 people over 502 square miles through their 17 volunteer fire departments. There are approximately 900 volunteer firefighters listed on the roles in Genesee County which averages approximately 52 active firefighters in each organization but only an average of 30 members per volunteer department are actually qualified to perform fire suppression.

The Lake Plains Community Care Network (LPCCN ) will act as the lead agency for the SAFER grant on behalf of all 17 volunteer departments and county government. LPCCN is a non-profit organization which promotes cooperation, preventative health education, and access to quality care in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.

There's a report of a vehicle fire in the area of 733 Cook Road, Bergen.

Bergen Fire Department has been dispatched.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: Bergen back in service.

View Larger Map

In other campaign news, the Buffalo News has published a story saying that Corwin's critics are calling into question claims in her professional biography.

Also, House Speaker John Boehner is in Depew today, to support Corwin's campaign and take part in a fundraiser.

In response, Jack Davis is giving away free hot dogs at Zorba’s Texas Hots, just down the road from what Davis said is a $2,500 per-plate lunch with Boehner.

A Buffalo News article also notes that Hochul is having a hard time interesting House Democrats in financial and strategic support for her candidacy, even as she seems to be gaining ground on Corwin.

Finally, DailyKos claims to have Hochul's internal polling numbers, which shows the race going 31-30-26 for Corwin-Hochul-Davis. The post says the poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group, but doesn't say when or what the margin of error might be (but it's certainly within 1 percentage point, making this at least a two-way tie and possibly a three-way tie).

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: DailyKos is reporting that a new poll (which I think they're saying was commissioned by DailyKos and SEIU) shows Hochul with a lead in the race. The numbers break down 35 percent for Hochul, 31 for Corwin, 24 for Davis with 2 percent going to Murphy. Full spreadsheet of the poll here. One of the interesting charts is of the approval rating for the Republican-lead Congress, with 57 percent overall, and 35 percent of the Republicans in the district saying they disapprove.

UPDATE 6:02 p.m.: The DailyKos poll is making national news. Here's a story from Roll Call.

“I think they have a pretty long record of being inaccurate with their polls,” Corwin spokesman Matthew Harakal said of PPP.

When asked, Harakal declined to release internal polling from the Corwin campaign to counter the PPP survey.

“We’re very comfortable with where we are,” he said. “The fact is that Kathy Hochul and Jack are on the wrong side of the issues. The only poll that matters is on Election Day.”

Harakal also told Roll Call the lunch today was $150 per plate.

The progressive New Republican wonders if Corwin will become Paul Ryan's first "victim."

If Hochul pulls this out, it will exert a huge influence over the Congressional landscape. Democrats even in unfriendly districts will have a viable plan to unseat Republican incumbents. Meanwhile, Republicans, who have been riding high on ideological hubris, will suddenly come face to face with some cold political reality. 

UPDATE 8:49 p.m.: More on the race from The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Sean Carroll and WHAM13 has a run down of today's events in Erie County. So does Commentary Magazine.

A Le Roy mother accused of stealing $6,200 from a nursery school where she served as treasurer will spend five years on probation, Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled this morning.

Jennifer M. Riggi, 29, of 47 Lake St., Le Roy, will also serve on community work details each weekend for the next two months.

Riggi, speaking hoarsely and softly, said in halting sentences, "I admit it was wrong. I feel awful that it happened. It's a mistake I made."

On Feb. 27, Riggi plead guilty to grand larceny, 4th. As part of her plea deal, she was required to make restitution prior to sentencing, which she did.

Meg Roberts, president of the board of directors for the school, said Riggi's actions were harmful to the school.

"We trusted you to help run the school for our children and your children as well," Roberts said. "You completely misled us that you had the best interest of the children at heart.

"You had direct knowledge about how misappropriating funds would hurt the school and our ability to pay our teachers. I never would have expected another mother to steal from our school."

Noonan said he really didn't understand Riggi's motivation.

"When I read the presentence investigation on somebody who violated the trust of an institution or organization that vested them with (financial responsibility), I'm really trying to look for a reason why," Noonan said.

"Some would do it often times because of drug or other substance abuse issues. Sometimes it's a gambling problem. Sometimes it's a drastic change in financial circumstances. Often times people say, as you did, that they intended at the time to return what they took and just got in over their heads.

"But with a spouse who has adequate income so that you're not forced into the position where you must steal to feed your children, it does suggest a real character flaw. That is something you are going to have to deal with, not just for the period of probation term, but for the rest of your life.

"What could make you feel that you could go and take money just because it was available to you, I don't understand," Noonan concluded. "It's not my job to understand it. It's just a curiosity to me."

Two young boys have handcuffed themselves together and a deputy has been dispatched to help them out.

One of the cuffs is apparently too tight on one boy and his hand is starting to turn blue.

The boys are on South Main Street, Village of Oakfield.

Michelle DiFalco, 22, no permanent address, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 1st, reckless endangerment, 1st, strangulation, 2nd and criminal mischief, 4th. DiFalco is accused of being involved in an incident at 3 a.m., Saturday, in which she allegedly damaged personal property, choked another person and would not allow that person to leave the residence. DiFalco was jailed without bail.

A 16-year-old from Wyoming Road, Wyoming, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The youth, a student at Pavilion High School, was found allegedly in possession of marijuana while in the school.

David Walter Cook, 46, of Lockport Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and failure to keep right. Cook was stopped on Maltby Road, Elba, at 1:55 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ryan Eugene Davis, 27, of Mashall Road, Medina, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, driving without an interlock ignition. Davis was stopped at 3:48 p.m., Friday, on Park Road, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello. Davis was allegedly driving an other person's car without the owner's permission. He was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Martin F. Jones, 40, of 4036 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Jones is accused of stealing beer from Hess Mart at 12:30 a.m., Sunday. Following a complaint, Officer Frank Klimjack reportedly located Jones walking on West Main with beer in his possession.

Trevor M. Rich, 30, of 8943 Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment and criminal contempt. Rich is accused of sending annoying text messages to a person in violation of an order of protection. Rich was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Dashawn A. Butler, 30, of Batavia, is charged with four counts of acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old. Butler was arrested by State Police and jailed on $5,000 bail. No further details released.

Jodi L. Teed, 43, of 6785 Creek Road, Mt. Morris, is charged with operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana and inadequate headlights. Teed was stopped at 10:24 p.m., Saturday, on South Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Matt Fleming.

For the first time this spring, Billie and I were able to sit on our back deck, and of course, I had my camera with me, at the ready, when this squirrel stopped by for a visit.

It's a family tradition, and has been for 12 years.

On the first weekend in May, the Esten family hosts antique tractor enthusiasts for two days of plowing on land owned by Torrey Farms off Oak Orchard Road in Elba.

The tradition started one year when Louis Esten and one of his sons took out one of their old tractors for some plowing and Louis, who had heard of similar activities in other states, thought why not host a "plow days" event.

So Esten approached John Torrey about the idea.

"It's nice to have the Torreys let us use this land," Esten said.

Those who enjoy antique tractors come from towns throughout the region.

This year, though, not much plowing got done. After all the rain we've had, the fields were too soggy. At one point today, Esten said, it took two tractors to pull out another one that got stuck in the mud.

"Normally, this whole field is plowed by now," Esten said, pointing to a northern plot that shows only a few passes of a plow.

Esten said his wife, Ginger, sons Mike, 29, Nick, 27 and Matt, 24, are a big part of getting the weekend organized, which includes manning booths in a barn for local community groups.

Pictured above are, Louis, Ginger, Mandy, Ayden, Nick, Mary, and on the back of the tractor, Chuck (Louis's brother), Josh, Memphis and Nathan.

I discovered the antique tractor plow days yesterday afternoon, arriving at the farm when nobody was around. I took several pictures of tractors and then headed back today and met Louis and his family and took a few more pictures.

More pictures after the jump:

A panel of doctors and other professionals will discuss the topic of "Managing the High and Lows of Depression & Bipolar" from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 9, at City Church Generational Center.

It's located at 15 Center St. in the City of Batavia.

May is Mental Health Month in Genesee County and this presentation is a partnership between City Church and the Mental Health Association in Genesee County.

Panelists are:

• Dr. Beth Allen and Pat Sine, director, of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Rochester
• Rosalie Sawyer, peer advocate
• Dr. Joseph Langen, retired psychologist
• Dr. Lawrence Guttmacher, clinical director, Rochester Psychiatric Center

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will be able to ask the panelists questions.

The Mental Health Association in Genesee County can be reached at 344-2611.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation is sponsoring a Create-a-Video Contest and the winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

The contest consists of creating an original/amateur video depicting the mission and vision of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, incorporating its motto to "Lend a Hand for Hope."

The creator/creators of the winning video will win the cash prize in exchange for the rights to use the video to enhance the foundation's marketing efforts. The contest is open now until June 1.

Create a one to three minute Youtube video outlining the mission and purpose of the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation (all information about the organization is located on the Web site below). For full details, go to the Web site: www.michaelshope.org

See the related video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0W0yE6INA

The contest is open to everyone. Entrants under age 18 will need parental consent.

The winner to be announced this fall.

The parents of Michael Napoleone established a foundation in his memory after he died in 2006 from Burkitt's Lymphoma/Leukemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer. During Michael’s yearlong illness, the community rallied around the family to assist with food, gas, medical bills and other necessities.

The foundation was created to give back to those who cared, to give forward to those in need, and to support research efforts in finding a cure for childhood cancer.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission to “Lend a Hand for Hope” by:

• assisting families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment with expenses related to hospital stays;
• providing those children with support during treatment and the means to remain connected with school, family and friends;
• supporting ongoing research efforts in pediatric blood cancers;
• offering assistance to youth organizations and community sports programs in Michael’s memory.

E-mail is michaelnapoleonememfoundation@verizon.net

The Dwyer Stadium Box Office will open for the 2011 season at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14. Tickets for Opening Day and ALL regular season games for the season will be on sale.

The box office will be open until 2 p.m. Normal box office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Season seat holders will be able to pick up their season tickets on Saturday. Fans interested in season tickets can also stop by the stadium and pick out their seat for the 2011 season.

The Muckdogs will also host their summer Job Fair on May 14. The event will be held at the stadium from 9 until 11:30 a.m. Positions available include picnic supervisor, cashiers, cooks, bartenders, batboys and ushers. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

Additionally on Saturday, the Muckdogs will conduct the fourth annual National Anthem contest. This event will begin promptly at noon. Auditions will take place at home plate and will be performed a cappella.

The winner will sing the National Anthem and "God Bless America" at the July 4th game between the Muckdogs and Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Runners-up will be eligible to sing at remaining home games.

The Muckdogs Booster Club will also be hosting their annual yard sale during the festivities at Dwyer. Various items will be for sale. Remember, "one man’s junk is another man’s treasure!"

The Muckdogs open their 2011 home schedule at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, June 17 against the Auburn Doubledays.