The Genesee County Highway Department will begin road paving projects on Transit Road in Elba and Byron Road in Byron next week. Work will begin on Tuesday, September 24.
Transit Road in Elba will be closed in sections during the day but will reopen fully overnight. Residents will have access to their homes and businesses, and emergency vehicles will be able to pass through.
Once Transit Road is complete, paving will shift to Byron Road in Byron, from State Route 262 to State Route 237. The road will be closed entirely during the project, with access for residents and emergency vehicles.
Both projects should be completed by Friday, September 27 weather permitting.
The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District's (OACS) 20th anniversary of the Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 12 to honor exceptional alums and inspire current students.
Reflecting on its inception, Bill Bostwick, a retired OACS teacher and this year's guest speaker, said that founder Dave George "came to me with the idea while I was a Lead Teacher while he was editing the alumni newsletter. We presented it to Superintendent Mike Hall, who was enthusiastic about it. With initial funding from Mike Hall's fund, we were able to start the Hall of Fame."
"After the first year, the operation became a volunteer self-supporting effort. Without the community's help, the Hall would cease to exist," Bostwick said. "Growing up in Batavia, my education was shaped by the emphasis on Math and Science during the space race. I initially pursued a bio-chemistry major at Hobart College but discovered my true passion in English literature. This liberal arts experience deeply influenced my perspective on the Hall of Fame," he said.
The inaugural Hall of Fame induction in 2004 remains a standout memory, Bostwick said.
"The first class was remarkable. We honored 11 individuals, including a Fortune 500 CEO and a top FBI official. Celebrating their achievements was a powerful experience for everyone involved."
"I really haven't had much involvement since I retired. The idea always was (and continues to be) to have the inductees interact with the students as much as possible to show them that there are ways to accomplish great things even if you're from a small town."The Hall of Fame also supports broader school goals through fundraising efforts.
Proceeds from the event go towards scholarships for graduating seniors, providing financial support to students pursuing higher education or skilled trades.
Since 2008, the Hall has awarded $25,500 to graduating seniors.
A vital feature of the Hall of Fame event is the involvement of current students. Students are paired with inductees for interviews and interactions, providing valuable learning experiences.
The food services students also prepare a farm-to-table lunch for the inductees, creating a meaningful connection between past and present.
The Hall of Fame, founded in 2003 by Dave George, OACS Class of 1979, was established to honor alums who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities. George, who is heavily involved in OACS with the alum newsletter and fundraising efforts, envisioned the Hall of Fame to provide current students with role models who exemplify the potential of an OACS education.
"The Hall of Fame's impact on the OACS community has been profound. The Hall of Fame is a powerful source of inspiration. Hearing about the achievements of our alums helps students see what's possible and reinforces the idea that their dreams are attainable with hard work and dedication," George says.
A Former OA teacher and Bostwick coworker, John Jakubowski, calls him a "master teacher."
Regarding the Hall, Jakubowski said, "I think that the OA HOF doesn't just recognize successful grads who have made outstanding contributions, but it also serves to recognize the teachers, administrators, school board members, and the community that made OA a great district."
Bostwick advises maintaining the Hall of Fame's legacy: Find what you're passionate about, excel at it, and treat people with kindness. Let the chips fall where they may!"
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. in the OACS High School Cafeteria. The evening will celebrate these distinguished individuals' achievements, offering an opportunity for the community to come together and honor their successes.
The Hall of Fame's 20th anniversary will feature the induction of four distinguished alums:
Robert (Bob) Briney, Class of 1962 Erin Graham, Class of 2002 Erik Olsen, Class of 1973 Terry Wolcott, Class of 1977
Tickets for the Hall of Fame event are available from Sept. 5 to Oct 5, and may be purchased at the following locations: OACS Elementary and the Junior-Senior High School; and Oakfield Family Pharmacy, 40 Main St.
For those preferring to purchase tickets by mail, send your request to:
OA Hall of Fame PO Box 35 Oakfield, NY, 14125
When purchasing by mail, make checks payable to Dollars for Scholars, indicating HOF Tickets in the memo line, and include your email address for order confirmation.
If interested in supporting the Hall of Fame event or the scholarships provided, write your tax-deductible check to Dollars for Scholars and write Hall of Fame in the memo area, and mail to address above attention Hall of Fame Treasurer.;Hall of Fame Treasurer.
The Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football and Cheerleading Program is proud to announce a Batavia Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vandetta Stadium. This community-focused event takes place during the teams' home games and combines the excitement of youth football and cheer with an opportunity to give back to local families in need.
As part of the event, the Bulldawgs will hold a food drive, “Tackle Hunger,” to benefit the United Way’s Backpack Program through the Batavia City School District. We encourage fans to bring an “admission fee” non-perishable food items and/or hygiene products. These donations will directly support the Backpack Program, which provides essential food supplies to students in need over weekends and school breaks.
In addition to the food drive, the Bulldawgs will donate all proceeds from their 50/50 raffles throughout the day to the Backpack Program. By participating in the raffle, attendees can win cash prizes while also supporting a meaningful cause.
The Batavia High School Senior Class of 2025 will also contribute to the day’s festivities by running the concession stand to raise funds for their senior activities. Purchases made at the stand will help the Class of 2025 achieve their goals for a memorable senior year.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Vandetta Stadium, Batavia
Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food and/or hygiene products to support the United Way’s Backpack Program
50/50 Raffle: Proceeds will be donated to the Backpack Program
Concession Stand: Operated by Batavia High School Class of 2025 to raise funds for senior activities
Come out, enjoy an exciting day of youth football & cheer, and join us in positively impacting our community. Together, we can tackle hunger and support local students and families.
New York's rules on discovery, or evidence that must be shared with opposing attorneys in criminal cases, are still a work in progress, County Court Judge Donald O'Geen suggested on Friday during hearings in the cases of Michael J. Elmore and Lyndsey J. Wilcox.
Both are charged with felonies related to an incident at Batavia Downs on March 9 and March 10 that led to the death of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.
Friday's hearing is a standard procedural opportunity to assure the attorneys -- particularly the District Attorney's Office to the defense -- that all documents and other evidence has been disclosed.
It turns out that the Genesee County Jail and the Sheriff's Office did not share some documents, and DA Kevin Finnell was required to file a "supplemental certificate of compliance."
Finnell told O'Geen that his office performed its due diligence in educating local law enforcement on discovery rules, requested all documents from the agencies involved in the case, and a paralegal review of the documents provided did not suggest any missing documents.
Once his office realized some documents had been omitted, he conferred with the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD and emphasized that "all documents mean all documents."
What was left out were, he said, documents that the jail considered purely administrative and reports from the Sheriff's Office that he said were redundant of documents already disclosed.
Wilcox's attorney, Daniel Dubois, disagreed with that characterization. He said four of the five PDFs he received contained factual information directly relevant to the charges.
"If there was some sort of miscommunication or lack of communication between the District Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's on documents, that isn't our concern," Dubois said.
O'Geen agreed that the situation was disturbing, but he blamed the new law for most of the confusion. There are unresolved issues about what must be disclosed. He said it did seem like the DA's office did its due diligence.
"It is disturbing if local law enforcement can't figure out that 'everything means everything,'" O'Geen said.
In the following hearing, Elmore's attorney shared the same concerns about the document disclosure. He acknowledged that the rules are so new that no upper court rulings have yet defined what exactly constitutes compliance.
O'Geen said both attorneys are welcome to file motions challenging the discovery and gave them until Oct. 1 to file motion papers. He gave Finnell until Oct. 8 to file any answer. If a hearing is necessary, it will be on Oct. 16, the plea cutoff date.
Elmore is charged with multiple criminal counts for his alleged attack on Sanfratello, including aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, and Wilcox also faces several charges, including burglary and assault.
On March 9, both were asked to leave Batavia Downs and while being escorted out, according to reports, a struggle ensured, which escalated to the point where Elmore allegedly left the building and then came back in with heavy chains -- jewelry -- in his hands. He is accused of fighting with Sanfratello, striking him with the chains. It appears that Sanfratello had a medical issue and died on the scene on March 10.
Father Scott speaks to a gathering of about 150 people Thursday evening at Ascension Parish in Batavia. Photo by Joanne Beck
Tempers flared Thursday at a southside fellowship hall during an emotional and lengthy meeting about the impending closure of Ascension Parish.
Father Scottston Brentwood, aka Father Scott, fielded questions and assertions from a room full of about 150 unhappy congregants, including parish member Ed Kosiorek, who said he had gone through this before. He joined Ascension after St. Mary’s closed.
“Why are we not a part of this?” Kosiorek said. “There's a cover-up. We're not getting the information, okay? We just went through a major cover-up with the sexual abuse situation, and we didn't get the information we needed. Now we're going through the parish. I think nobody's being transparent. No one is putting the facts out there. Everyone in this room is a thinking adult, and if they are given the facts, they'll comprehend it, and they will sort it.”
Like it or not, he got the facts eventually during a slide presentation of financial and statistical considerations that put Ascension in the red, at about a 10% operating deficit, with decreasing numbers of youth and sacrament participation. UPDATED: The parish apparently does have $1.5 million of savings. Distance to the various church locations was also a factor, with the end result sounding like a simple math equation.
“You get two parishes, four worship sites and three priests, that is it,” Father Scott said.
After taking it on the chin for two and a half hours, he empathized and said that “no priest wants to close any churches, and I’m closing five.”
“It is not easy to say to people that a place that matters so much to them, you have to be the name that's attached to that final act. As I said in the very beginning, it's not something I would have wanted any priest to go through. It wasn't something that I have even chosen,” he said. “It’s one of those where we have to remember that this process has been up and down and all these other things. And even, I mean, I'm trying to be as honest as I can, I have been frustrated with the Diocese in the way that they've done things. I myself have said openly in the churches, in meetings and everything else, that I think things should have been done in a different way. But I did not have the decision in any of that, how they did it, how they rolled it out, how they expressed it.”
A few congregants stepped forward to commend him for his willingness to represent the powers that be.
“You truly had nothing to do with this decision to close our parish, and you're taking a lot of the brunt of the heat for it. So I just want to say thank you for at least hearing our concerns and letting us come to you when we're upset. I think what I can speak on behalf of all of us for is, at no point did Bishop, or anyone who was front facing at the Diocese say, we're prayerfully considering all counter proposals. If your parish wasn't on the initial list, be prepared, because that might happen,” Christina Bucciferro said. “And I think when we weren't on the initial list, we as a parish family were not prepared for us to close. And then on a random Tuesday, while I'm at work, all of a sudden see that my livelihood, my family's livelihood, in generation, it's just gone.
"And then I have to, like, snap out of it and be at the bank and be okay. And that's not okay. There was no communication from the Diocese that we were going to close, and that's not fair.”
Bucciferro likely represented many people there: she was baptized at Ascension, was a cantor, and sang in the choir for 20 years. It isn’t just a church, but part of her life and soul. In a letter she penned to the Diocese, she says that angry, disappointed and heartbroken don’t even sum up how she’s feeling.
While no one liked the idea of closing, they were most disgruntled about how it all happened, she and others said.
Fran Mruczek, a lifelong member who was baptized at Ascension, said that things seemed to work out fairly well for Father Scott, who she thought was to be in rotation yet she hasn’t seen much of him except for one Christmas Eve service.
“However, you you were able to stay just in Le Roy and in Bergen, and I understand that it worked out good because, you know, you get to know your parishioners better,” she said. “But how did that get by the sidelines?
“And as far as priests, I know there’s a shortage of priests. I know you’re overworked and everything … there are a lot of retired priests who would be happy to help out, and I know that’s the bishop, the Diocese; they just don’t want you to have anybody to make things easier for all the parishes, not just this parish, for all the parishes.”
She gave an example of a retired priest who has returned to work in Oakfield. Father Scott said not everyone who retires is physically able to return.
Another member suggested that if priests were allowed to marry, there wouldn’t be a shortage because there would be more priests taking the job. And there wouldn’t be sex scandals. The closures are so that money can be used to pay off pedophile priests, another said.
Father Scott wanted to address those points, he said.
If that was the case, then why are there shortages in Anglian churches? he asked. Why are there shortages of priests who are married and openly gay?
Why do Anglians have a shortage? The Methodists have women ministers and married ministers, and they have a shortage, he said, listing other denominations with similar issues. Why do they all have a shortage if the fix is to get married?
“These are Bandaids that aren’t going to work. It isn’t about being married or unmarried. It isn’t about women or men or all the other things. The answer comes down to commitment, because you don’t see people committing to marry Jesus,” he said. They’re living together and having kids together, but they won’t say yes. You have people interested in religion, interested in God, but they don’t say yes. You have to convince people that we need people who are committed to the gospel, and those are the ones who are going to be the good priests.”
Important points emphasized during the presentation were that every parish had an opportunity to present counter-proposals at the gatherings of the family leadership, and everyone had an opportunity to present as many proposals as they desired. St. Brigid presented two, not one proposals, whereas Ascension presented only one, he said.
Consideration was given to Max. Kolbe in East Pembroke primarily because of the distance to other parishes and faith formation. Finances were and are not the primary focus of the Diocese on the “Road to Renewal,” but the continuation of the faith for the future is, he said.
As for any kind of timeline of what may happen when, Father Scott had no definitive answer about that.
“When it comes to timelines, at the moment, we do not know. When we do know more that will be communicated immediately to everybody when we have an idea of what's going on, because when it comes to the next steps, the bishop has to issue a decree that actually closes a parish. Once that decree happens, there's a difference between when a parish is being merged and when a parish is closing canonically, which is different than the civil organization, which is the parish according to the state and others,” he said. “When we are merging a canonical parish into another, all of the assets are frozen from the parish, meaning they are not to be used for anything that do not directly relate to this parish. For example, if it merged today, you've still got to pay for electricity, you've still have to pay for water, you still have to heat the building at least minimally to keep the pipes from freezing, all of that stuff so the money that is frozen would only be used for paying the bills ... it would not be used to pay anything outside of this parish complex. When the merge happens, all records go to the parish that you are merged into. And we take very good care that that happens very safely, and we do it in a way in which nothing will be lost."
All records, including baptisms, confirmation, marriage, will be preserved in fireproof and waterproof bound books, he said, and may be obtained upon request.
And what if parishioners don’t want to close? They can fight it, he said. Parishioners can appeal the Vatican, but they need to know two important factors: it’s a costly endeavor, to the tune of potentially $10,000, according to another similar case; and there’s no guarantee that they will win.
One parishioner who did not want to disclose his name said that he is ready to pony up his share to save the parish. It would be worth the $10,000, he said. There was already a plan in place to gather signatures for an appeal.
“We do have a core group working to save the parish,” Pat Becker said, directing attendees to go into the parking lot after the meeting to sign a petition if they wanted to participate. “This group is willing to do whatever it takes to save our church, but we can’t do it without all of you.”
“So after this meeting, if everybody would head that way, we have a mandate that gives that core group the power to make necessary decisions, to do whatever they need to do, to fight, to save Ascension Parish. So we are asking you to please do that,” she said.
After all was said and done, Father Scott shared a somber thought about the deeper effects that the mergings and closings could have on people.
“The thing that bothers me the most is the number of people that will use this as an excuse not to go anywhere. I'm not saying that they're going to go to another church, or they're going to go to the Protestants, or they're going to go here. The ones that will use this as an excuse not to go anywhere.I don't think you guys know the charism of my particular community. It's the redemption of those captives in danger of losing their faith. Well, how many people are going to be losing their faith as a result of this process? And it's the charism of us to try to help them and save them and all that other stuff,” he said. “And I have in the back of my own mind all of these people that are going to, for whatever reason, be choosing to abandon their faith. And I have to try to, in my own conscience, understand how that works. And that is something I said from the beginning, is how many people are going to use this as the excuse not to continue on. And that bothers me a lot.
“And I can say, as hard as this may be to believe, that bishop Fisher is the same way, I know that you may not believe me, but I've had many conversations with him. And as I said before, I've known a lot of bishops in my time, believe it or not, and I don't like a lot of them. I do like him. He genuinely has the concern for what's going on, and he's trying to do what he can with whatever information is available, and all these other things, and it's hard to make those big decisions, and I know it bothers him to do that,” he said. “It's one of those where a decision has to be made, and he happens to be the person who has to do it. Ultimately, it's hard, and I know that it's hard for you guys. I know that it is. I'm there with you. I don't want anything to happen either, but I can't change that.”
Christina Bucciferro thanks Father Scott for leading the meeting and answering questions Thursday. Photo by Joanne Beck
Botts-Fiorito Post #576, American Legion, Le Roy, would like to announce with great pride and pleasure John E Johnson II as its selection for the 2024 “Le Royan of the Year Award”.
The “Le Royan of the Year” is to recognize people who demonstrate the following qualifications and attributes:
The man, woman, or child who exemplifies the true spirit of Americanism, its ideals, and love of the flag and country, regardless of race, creed, or color.
Good citizenship – by carrying out these principles, often beyond that expected of him or her.
Service to community – signified by excellence in life of purpose and accomplishment.
John, a dedicated lifelong resident of Le Roy, has shared 39 years of marriage with Wendy and raised two children, Jennifer (Scott) Pellett and Craig (Lindsey) Johnson, and is proud grandfather to Ellison and Josie Pellett.
As a Le Roy Jr. Sr High School alumnus, John has demonstrated unwavering commitment to LeRoy United Methodist Church, serving as Church Council President and past Trustee, and currently assisting in the church's pursuit of National Registry Status.
He is currently in his second term on the Le Roy Town Board and has assumed leadership roles in numerous community organizations, includes acting as Commissioner Le Roy Fire District, Le Roy Fire Police, Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, Le Roy Volunteer Ambulance, Le Roy Moose Family Center, Oatka Fish and Game, Son of the American Legion, and Northwoods Sportsmans Club.
To honor John, the 55th annual Le Royan of the Year Award Dinner will be held on October 19. Social hour is at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:45 p.m., at the American Legion at 53 West Main St Le Roy. A limited number of tickets will be available starting on September 20 at the American Legion Tuesday - Saturday from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m., or by calling Joan Fernaays 585-721-7801. Cost is $35 per ticket (check or cash).
Photo of (from left to right) Former Sheriff/Legislator Gary T. Maha and Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. Submitted photo
Press Release:
Sheriffs’ Week celebrates the significant contributions made by the Office of Sheriff as an integral part of the criminal justice system in New York State and in Genesee County throughout our history. Having been established in the State’s first constitution in 1777, and having been continued in every succeeding constitution, it is one of the original constitutional offices of Genesee County first established in 1802.
The Office of Sheriff is currently held by William A. Sheron, Jr. He was elected Sheriff in 2017 and has worked for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for the past 47 1/2 years. Sheriff Sheron is also a trustee of the Executive Committee for the New York State Sheriffs’ Association.
The Office of Sheriff has evolved into a modern, professionally accredited, full-service law enforcement and public safety agency, manned by fully trained police and peace officers, as well as civilians using state-of-the-art technology and applying the latest and most-advanced theories and practices in the criminal justice field.
The Office of Sheriff is unique in the community, and the duties of the Office go far beyond the traditional role of “Keeper of the Peace,” and extend into many facets of public service, including maintaining the county jail, providing security in our schools, dispatching emergency services, communication systems, animal control, community service and victim assistance, and serving/executing civil process and victim protection orders for our courts.
As a constitutionally empowered Office directly responsible to the people, the ancient Office of Sheriff remains, even today, responsive and accountable to the public it serves. This week, we celebrate the historical and current contributions of the Office of Sheriff and the significant role that the Sheriff’s Office plays in our modern criminal justice system.
John Bennett and Erin Phelps of UConnectCare stand next to the Harm Reduction vending machine located at the agency’s office at 5130 East Main St. Rd. Submitted photo.
Press release:
UConnectCare is expanding its support services to those struggling with substance use disorder by placing Harm Reduction Vending Machines at agency sites in Batavia and Albion.
One machine is located in the entrance of space leased by the agency in the front right corner of the building at 5130 East Main St. Rd., Suite 5, Batavia, and the other can be found at the agency’s Albion clinic at 249 East Ave.
“New York State’s Office of Addiction Supports & Services identifies Harm Reduction practices as part of the treatment continuum and a way to reduce overdose deaths – and we at UConnectCare are on board with that school of thought,” said UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett.
“Harm Reduction is an important tool to keeping people alive so that we can provide brief interventions that move them towards treatment. It’s a patient-centered approach allowing people to make informed decisions about their treatment needs, just like other medical issues.”
Erin Phelps, the agency’s Harm Reduction project director, said the free vending machines remove the cost barriers to those seeking safer use supplies.
“If anyone needs these items, they can come to these offices and dispense them with no questions asked,” she said.
Phelps said those accessing the supplies will have the opportunity to meet with a member of the Harm Reduction staff but are under no obligation to do so or to accept literature focusing on treatment and/or recovery.
The machines will be stocked with harm reduction kits, naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, drug disposal bags, hygiene kits and other items – all at no charge.
In Batavia, they will be accessible from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and during open access hours. In Albion, items from the machine can be utilized from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
Previously, the agency (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) announced a Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach unit that visits several locations in the two counties five days per week.
Phelps emphasized the overarching goal of harm reduction is “to keep people alive and being ready to help them if and when they’re ready to seek help.”
Walk-ins are welcome to utilize Open Access. The program’s hours of service are 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at 5130 East Main St. Rd.
For more information about harm reduction services, opioid overdose prevention training and to see the mobile unit schedule, go to www.uconnectcare.org, the UConnectCare or The Recovery Station Facebook pages or send an email to harmreduction@uconnectcare.org.
On Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., the Friends of the Rink organization will host their Third Annual Scrap Metal Drive Fundraiser in the rear parking lot of the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena located at 22 Evans Street, Batavia.
All proceeds will be used to fund needed ice rink improvement projects.
Acceptable Items:
old appliances
gas grills
bikes
hot water tanks
anything metal
Unacceptable Items:
refrigerators
propane tanks
vehicle wheel rims with tires attached
items containing mercury
items with fluids inside or out (gas, oil, hydraulic oil, tar, etc.)
This event is held in cooperation with Ed Arnold Scrap Processors of Corfu. For more information: contact Bob Gray at 585-344-2248 or sqftbob1@rochester.rr.com.
On Tuesday, September 10 FEMA held a meeting at City Hall to review proposed flood zone updates, and present draft maps to City officials.
From the data FEMA collected, new flood zone maps were created for the City of Batavia. The draft maps include 147 structures (they include sheds as well as homes and businesses) and removes 282 structures from the current flood zone. In total, the City will have 1,052 structures in the new draft flood zone.
City officials have been asked to provide comments on the draft maps. The City will be conducting a detailed review of the proposed changes on behalf of City residents and businesses, but want to hear resident feedback.
Below is a link to view the updated flood zone map from FEMA. We are asking residents and business owners to review the map and contact us with comments you may have.
Genesee County Planning is creating a list of affected properties so the City can help property owners identify if the new maps will affect them.
Properties added should carefully review their elevations and future issues of flooding. Properties that will be removed from the flood plain will need to work with FEMA to certify removal and reduce their insurance.
The Richmond Memorial Library Tween & Teen Services department is sponsoring a Book Drive for Children's/Young Adult books during the month of September. The book drive started September 6 and runs through October 1.
The books can be for children/teens of all ages, must be in new or good condition, and can be dropped off and put in the bins in the foyer anytime the library is open. Age appropriate DVDs in good condition are also accepted.
The Library G.I.F.T. Program (Generate Imagination in Families Today) is dedicated to making new or gently used books available to children and their families in our area, and to raising awareness of the lifelong benefits of early childhood literacy. Bright boxes and shelves of G.I.F.T.
Books are located at agencies and businesses in Batavia. Children can take a book from the shelf to bring home, read, and keep! Having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on propelling a child to higher lifelong education levels and earnings, potentially breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty - and the more books you add, the greater the benefit.
“Batavia is known for being a welcoming community and the donations will truly enhance the G.I.F.T program,” said Teen Services Library Assistant Ellen Caton. “This program extends out into the community and helps the kids have access to books at specific agencies and businesses in Batavia. Our shelves that house these books are getting very empty and we are looking forward to filling them up again with this book drive!”
For information on the book drive and other library programs, visit the library website at www.batavialibrary.org, or check out our Facebook and Instagram pages!
The Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross Street in the City of Batavia. The library is open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Chamber’s Annual Awards Committee has announced the “2024” Annual Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming, Park Road, Batavia.
This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism.
Please note that a brief write up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition & Geneseeans of the Year.
Business Nominees must be a Chamber Member (If unsure of your nominee, call the Chamber to verify).
Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia and can also be down loaded from the Chamber Website at www.geneseeny.com.
Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 13 to be eligible for consideration.
If you would like more information, feel free to call or email Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026, kbermingham@geneseeny.com.
East Pembroke Junior Grange members, from left, Carly Hanel, Grace Stoneham, and Savannah Conrad hope to see visitors at the 90th celebration Quarter Carnival Saturday. Submitted Photo
While some granges are thought of for their social aspects of get-togethers and community activities, Jomni Tarbell regards the East Pembroke Grange for its influence on her future career in preventative medicine research, she says.
The 22-year-old University at Buffalo senior credits her membership for the additional education she has gained about rural health care.
“The grange does a lot of health awareness programs. We recently did one about educating seniors about what to expect when they go into surgery. We have a large partnership with a rural mental health organization that was founded here in New York. We have a partnership at a national level with them, and so we do a lot of work with rural health disparities, especially for seniors and other vulnerable communities,” Tarbell said during an interview with The Batavian. “So that kind of inspired me because I think that those programs are very important. So if I could do research that would benefit and help create programs like that, I think that would be really great.”
It’s fair to say Tarbell has been an active member of her grange, joining at about 7 years old, being selected as state ambassador in 2017 and now serving as leader of the Junior Grange for the three remaining members after the Covid pandemic ravaged a once-thriving membership.
She is also organizing a Quarter Carnival for this weekend to celebrate the organization’s 90th year and promote it with fingers crossed to attract more members. The group will be selling popcorn and hotdogs and having old-fashioned games and prizes — bean bag toss, drop the clothespin into the bottle — while also having members on hand to talk, provide information and answer questions.
The Junior Grange was founded in September 1934 by a group of children aged 5 to 14. The grange is an off-shoot of the 4-H organization, she said, but members don’t ever age out as they do at 4-H. There are national programs available through the grange and nonpartisan programs that also set it apart from other youth groups, she said.
Locally, East Pembroke worked with a grange in Connecticut a couple of years ago to revise health definitions for the Q fever, a rare but fatal illness that can spread especially amongst dairymen.
“Over these 90 years, we have been nationally recognized for our activities in agriculture advocacy, leadership development, cultivating creativity, developing life skills, teamwork, and community involvement,” she said.
Members go on a lot of field trips, such as to honeybee farms, recycling facilities and ecosystems, to learn more about agriculture and the environment. They also set up a booth at Genesee County Fair to spread their knowledge to visitors. Community service projects include making cards for veterans at the VA Hospital and baking cookies for a senior living housing facility in Batavia, she said.
As she has gotten older, the scope of her participation has evolved, Tarbell, of Darien, said, and she has grown more with leadership, done more public speaking and gotten involved in “Sign a Song,” using sign language. Overall, however, her participation has been about engagement with others.
“A lot of it is going to places and going on field trips, and then bringing professionals in their field, or people who are experts in their area, coming in and giving workshops to us, and then a lot of it is just playing games and just having a place to have fun,” she said. “And me, personally, as the junior leader, my main goal with my program is to have something where the kids can have fun and have a bright memory and also help them kind of build some skills that they could use, either professionally or just in their life, to make their lives easier. And then building a sense of community and learning how important community is and how much you kind of need community in your life.”
They accept residents from anywhere in Genesee County, and have even had people from outside of the county, she said. The regular East Pembroke Grange has about 60 paying members and core attendance of 30, she said. It will be a hub of activity this weekend since youth will be visiting, including the national youth ambassador, from across the state and staying at the grange.
The Quarter Carnival is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at 2610 School St., East Pembroke. Attendees are encouraged to bring their quarters.
Town Court Clerk Below are two lists: one details the myriad responsibilities that fall within the purview of the court clerk; the other summarizes the knowledge and abilities that court clerks possess or acquire through training. These lists are provided so that a judge and municipality can intelligently discuss the benefits that a court clerk can provide. The items below can also form the basis for a list of job duties should a municipality need to fill a vacancy in a court clerk position. Primary Responsibilities A. Maintain confidentiality of records and information when required to do so B. Prepare court calendar C. Collect monies, reconcile daily receipts, deposit receipts, prepare reports for monthly disbursements, reconcile bank accounts, and prepare administrative reports D. Enter convictions on drivers' licenses and prepare conviction reports electronically transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles E. Enter criminal conviction on NCIC reports and electronically send same to Division of Criminal Justice Services F. Respond to inquiries-in person, by phone, by e-mail and by mail-and provide assistance to lawyers, litigants, media, and members of the public G. Prepare monthly reports that are electronically sent to the Office of the State Comptroller H. Prepare orders, summonses, warrants and other court forms i. Communicate with outside agencies in order to coordinate the Court's activities and provide services to litigants. Such agencies include: ii. Law enforcement agencies, such as local police departments, New York State Police, Sheriffs office, FBI and CIA, US Armed Forces, and the Office of the District Attorney; I. Other courts, including superior courts and other local town and village courts; and i. Miscellaneous county agencies, such as Community Service, Community Dispute Resolution Center, Pre-trial Release, Probation, Stop DWI program, Victim Impact Panel, and Youth Court. ii. State agencies that require periodic reporting, including the New York State Unified Court System, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Office of the State Comptroller, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the Office of Court Record Retention. J. Examine court documents to ensure their accuracy and completeness K. Receive and file summonses, traffic tickets and other documents for court proceedings i. Assist the Justice at the bench during all Court proceedings Knowledge of: 1. The functions and organization of the Unified Court System ii. Basic legal terminology, codes and abbreviations iii. Court forms, practices and procedures, including those set forth in the Uniform Justice Court Act and the Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts (22 NYCRR Part 214) 2. Ability to: i. Prepare judicial orders and decisions ii. Effectively communicate information orally and in writing iii. File and retrieve materials, extract data from various sources for entry onto court form iv. Research and interpret laws outlined in court documents and litigants' motions and other papers v. Perform mathematical tasks in order to compile court activity reports, total receipts, accept payments, and verify bills vi. Refer to appropriate documents, statutes, citations or other sources in order to respond to specific questions from attorneys, litigants and members of the general public vii. Interpret policies, statutes, rules and regulations and apply them in specific contexts viii. Establish work priorities ix. Constructively manage conflict with court users Qualifications: Highschool diploma recognized by the NYS Dept of Education or appropriate equivalent. Along with 4 years of college, specialization in criminal justice, law, business administration or related field. -OR- 2 years college with specialization in Business Administration or related field. Please email your resume to abrownell@townofbatavia.com no later than 12/16/2024. Pay is based on experience.
