The State Police report that a 54-year-old woman from Batavia died in a head-on collision on Route 98 in Alexander on Sunday.
Anya R. Rambuski was pronounced dead at the scene.
The accident was reported at about noon on Sunday.
According to troopers, Rambuski lost control of her 2016 Buick Encore, which was traveling northeast, and struck a 2021 Jeep Cherokee that was traveling southwest on Alexander Road.
The driver of the Jeep, whose name was not released, sustained minor injuries.
The NYSP Collision Reconstruction Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in this investigation.
After what’s approaching a two-year lag in the Ellicott Station apartment project in downtown Batavia, there is apparently an interested sponsor in the process of working with the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal and Ellicott Station LLC, property owner Sam Savarino says.
Savarino confirmed Friday that the LLC “has been actively working with another entity to sponsor the project.” Two sources who asked not to be identified, including one close to the project, have disclosed that the sponsor is PathStone Development Corporation.
When asked for comment about this apparent development, Batavia Development Corp. Executive Director Tammy Hathaway said “Personally, PathStone has been my first choice from the initial notice that the current owner could no longer continue the project’s development.”
“Knowing the property will continue to be restricted to affordable housing guidelines, PathStone is the operative organization as they come well-equipped with decades of experience in housing development and management,” Hathaway said Saturday.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski could not confirm that PathStone is taking on the Ellicott Street complex left uncompleted in summer 2023, but she said she would “welcome a professional housing organization like PathStone’s to take over the project, finish building and rent to quality tenants,” she said.
“Supposedly it was discussed at a county housing meeting, I was not in attendance, but had some city staff there,” Tabelski said. “I haven’t been contacted by PathStone’s CEO or HCR lately.”
The Batavian also called and emailed PathStone President Jason Sackett for comment, with no reply by publication.
Ellicott Station was on its way to completion with four floors up, tenants selected by lottery, and grant funds, PILOTS, tax credits and exemptions in place by the state, Genesee County Economic Development Center and HCR.
Later in 2023 Savarino Companies closed for business due to a financial battle with the state Dormitory Authority and stopped work at Ellicott Station, and GCEDC performed a clawback of exemptions and tax credits, claiming that the company didn’t abide by its contract obligations.
Genesee Community College's (GCC's) Fashion Business Program is proud to unveil the theme for its highly anticipated 44th Annual Fashion Show: "Masterpiece Unfolding." The show will take place on Saturday, May 3, at 5 p.m. in the Richard C. Call Arena, promising an unforgettable evening where fashion and fine art converge.
Throughout history, art has been a driving force of inspiration, shaping culture, design, and personal expression. "Masterpiece Unfolding" will bring these artistic influences to life on the runway, showcasing designs that pay homage to artistic movements throughout history.
"Fashion, like art, tells a story," said Laura Taylor, Associate Professor of Fashion Business and Merchandising. "This year, our students will translate the essence of legendary artistic styles into wearable masterpieces, celebrating the creative evolution that continues to inspire designers today."
Attendees can expect an immersive experience where fashion becomes a canvas, and each design serves as a tribute to the artists of the past and present. Through fabric, texture, and design, "Masterpiece Unfolding" will transform the runway into a gallery of living art.
Join us on Saturday, May 3 at 5 p.m. at the Richard C. Call Arena for a night where fashion meets fine art in a breathtaking celebration of creativity.
For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, please email fashionshow@genesee.edu or visit gccfashionshow.com.
For more information, contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs, Justin Johnston, at 585-345-6809 or via email at jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Malachi J Nix, 20, of Tonawanda, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon 2nd, grand larceny 3rd, criminal mischief 3rd, and conspiracy 4th. Nix and another person allegedly broke into Barrett's Batavia Marine on May 27 and stole firearms. He was arrested on Jan. 21, arraigned in City Court and was remanded to the Genesee County Jail.
Clint J. Towne, 44, of Phelps Road, Batavia, and Steven M. Morales, 49, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, are charged with four counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation (Morales). Towne and Morales were arrested on Feb. 13. The was the result of an investigation into the location of a wanted suspect. During a traffic stop, Towne and Morales were allegedly found in possession of 50 grams of cocaine, an ounce of fentanyl, alprazolam tables, 46 sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone strips, and mannitol. Towne is suspected of attempting to destroy evidence. Both were held pending arraignment. The investigation was conducted by Sgt. Andrew Hale, deputies Nicholas Chamoun, Alexander Hasdall, Mason Schultz, Jon Dimming, Zachary Hoy, and Nicholas Jennings.
Marc Christopher James Cook, Jr., no age provided, of Lockport Road, Alabama, was arrested on Feb. 6 on eight separate warrants by members of the Batavia Emergency Response Team (consisting of members of the Sheriff's Office and Batavia PD). The warrants were related to charges of criminal possession of a weapon 3rd and 4th, bail jumping 2nd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, bail jumping 3rd, criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, and violation of a family court act. Cook was arraigned and held without bail.
Robert Maynard Smith, 73, of North Street, Blasdell, is charged with menacing 2nd. Smith is accused of wielding a box cutter knife, threatening a worker at Eagle Star Housing, 2620 West Main St., Batavia, at 6:06 p.m. on Feb. 14. Smith was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Nathan Lee Dunn, 20, of Prospect Avenue, Medina, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .108 or greater, aggravated unlicensed opeatertion 1st, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without financial security. At 12:15 a.m. on Feb. 2, Deputy Zachary Hoy responded to the parking lot at Batavia Downs to investigate a motor vehicle accident, as a result, Dunn was taken into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Chad Matthew Winkelman, 32, of Fullington Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, moving from lane unafely, and drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle. Winkelman was arrested by Deputy Jacob Kipler following a report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:42 p.m. on Feb. 2 on Sandpit Road, Alexander. He was processed at the Genesee Jail and released.
Kenneth G. Muckle, 56, of Franklin Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Muckle is accused of stealing merchandise from a store (the Sheriff's Office withheld the name of the store) on Veterans Memorial Drive on Feb. 5. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Charles Phillip Stevens, 38, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Stevens was allegedly found in possession of buprenorphine/naloxone and cocaine during a traffic stop on Feb. 10 by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.
Christopher Earl Merrell, 62, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, and moving from lane unsafely. Merrell was arrested by Deputy James Stack following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident reported at 6:37 a.m. on Feb. 15 on Batavia Elba Townline Road, Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Lakeisha A Gibson, 38, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Gibson is accused of hitting another person multiple times during a fight on Bank Street on Jan. 21. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Christina M. Corde, 39, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dordes is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General on Jan. 15. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Jennifer C. Moscicki, 48, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Moscicki is accused of stealing property from another person on Central Avenue in January 2022. She was arraigned in City Court and released.
Julie L. Dutton, 29, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Dutton is accused of using a counterfeit $100 bill to receive change at a local business on Jan. 20. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Donovan I. Reese, 18, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Reese is accused of grabbing another person and applying pressure around the person's neck during a fight on Sumner Street on Jan. 16. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Thomas J. Mitchell, 35, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Mitchell was allegedly found in possession of cocaine on Nov. 8 while being arrested on an unrelated matter. He was arrested on Jan. 16 on the drug charge and issued an appearance ticket.
Hailee N. Callicutt, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on Jan. 12 on three warrants. Two warrants were related to traffic stops. She was also charged with bail jumping 3rd. She was arraigned and released.
Jacob J. Frayne, 27, of Darien, was arrested on Jan. 17 on a warrant. He allegedly failed to appear on a prior DWI arrest. He was arraigned and released.
Anthony Session, left, Gregg Boose, Dalton Lamay and Roger Grazioplene want to educate and ease your pain with CBD and hemp products available at the Hemp Lodge at 10 Batavia City Centre. Photo by Howard Owens
If you’re interested in learning more about how CBD and hemp products can ease pain, anxiety, and various skin conditions, there’s a new place in Batavia with business owners who want to help, Gregg Boose says.
He and partners Anthony Session, Dalton Lamay and Roger Grazioplene hope that the Hemp Lodge, while not a brand itself, can be a local marketplace for “your go-to, high-quality CBD and hemp products.”
"So, we don't carry our own products. We shop around everywhere in New York, outside New York a little bit as well. But we want to keep it more in state, you know, to push other people's products and let everybody know the fundamentals and what it could actually do for you and everything,” Boose said during an interview Thursday at the store at 10 Batavia City Centre. “So it's more like, it's just a big market for people, for health, for chronic issues, for pain, surgical pains, athletic surgeries, and stuff like that.”
Their focus is on “healing our community” by providing CBD-based solutions for chronic pain, post-surgery recovery and sports injuries. Products include full spectrum CBD oils, salves, balms, Outer Space touted for damaged skin to fight fine lines and wrinkles, redness and inflammation; broad spectrum CBD gummies; Aches & Pains Joint Buddy balm stick; suntan lotions; organic menthol balm; bagged and prerolled hemp; handmade beaded CBD joint holders; tinctures; and a pet line of CBD cat and dog chews and treats.
“We’ve got topical creams, we’ll have full spectrum and broad spectrum creams. And usually when somebody comes in, the first thing I’ll do is I’ll ask them, ‘why are you here today?’ I want to know why you’re here. I just don’t want to give you something off the shelf that’s without what you need just to make a sale,” Grazioplene said. “A lot of the roll-ons have what will be for the joints, in the back muscles and stuff like that. We have a couple kinds now, the only reason we have a couple kinds, and they’re different from everybody else, is because, like Gregg was saying, we like to source what works, not just one white label, like a lot of people would buy and just have a generic item in the store to sell with.
“These are all products that have been tested, and they do work. It’s basically like a Bio-Freeze infused with CBD or CBN or CBG,” he said. “Like I said, when somebody comes in, they tell me exactly what is going on with them and I can line up what actual CBD derivative will be actually good for you.”
He offered his own testimony of how the products have helped him with nicotine withdrawal when he quit smoking, for inflamed gums during dental issues and as a more low key alternative than marijuana.
“Now we have CBD flower for people that used to like to smoke pot, but, you know, pot’s so strong. Now people are getting paranoid over it. I get anxious when I smoke it, too,” he said. “So we have flower for an alternative, so people can still smoke and partake and be part of the group, but you're not getting high.”
How does one get involved in this type of business?
“Honestly, it kind of happened out of nowhere,” Boose said. “We were talking, we’re really good buzz, and we’re really big on helping people. So, the best way to help people is to be able to help them on the inside, and the outside.
“We’re mainly focusing on this right now because a lot of people aren't focusing on helping people. It's all about the money. You know, you shouldn't be about that,” he said. “It should be about ... You should wake up feeling good and go have a good day.”
There will be a public ribbon-cutting at noon Feb. 24.
For more information, go to Hemp Lodge or call 585-201-7063.
"This was a great opportunity for my team to see a very good opponent on the college floor at GCC," said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "It's great preparation as we prepare for Sectionals next week.
"This is the 2nd year of the GR/NO Showcase. It is a great event. Many thanks to GCC for hosting the girls' event."
After holding the Dragons scoreless in the first quarter, Wilson beat Pembroke 39-23 at GCC on Friday on the first day of the Genesee Region vs. Niagara/Orleans Showcase.
Jayden Hootman scored 11 points and had seven steals for Pembroke.
Abby Faery lead Wilson with 13 points.
Photos by Kristin Smith.
Also at GCC on Friday, Wheatland-Chili beat Medina 45-38.
Allie Williams scored a career-high 21 points as Oakfield-Alabama beat Wheatland-Chili 69-23 in Girls Basketball on Thursday.
Williams also had 16 rebounds.
Remaining O-A stats:
Piper Hyde, 14 points, 4 steals, 3 assists
Raine Denny, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Allison Harkness, 8 points
Emma Moeller, 5 points
Rylee Denny, 4 points, 5 assists
Alea Groff-- 4 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals
Aimee Demmer-- 2 points
Alexa Clark 1 point, 7 rebounds
"This was a great win and a wonderful way to celebrate our three seniors (Piper Hyde, Jess Sosnowski and Alea Groff) on Senior Night, said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "They have meant so much to our program The girls played a really strong final 3 quarters at both ends of the floor.
He added, "Coach Annis had his girls ready to play. They are a very young group that will be a very good team in the near future."
Byron Bergen beat Alexander 57-33 in Girls Basketball on Thursday.
Bees scoring:
Janessa Amesbury, 33 points
Riley Shallenberger, 16 points
Alexander:
Emily Pietrzynowski, 10 points
Ella Felski, 8 points
"I thought we played a really nice first half," said Bees Coach Rick Krzewinski. "Riley Shallenberger had 10 of her 16 points in the second quarter, and Janessa Amesbury had 9 of her 33. With the win, we move to 15-2 and play Roy Hart at GCC on Saturday at 6 p.m."
Dr. George Robert Vito In a lab coat from the Foot & Leg Center of Georgia. The photo appears on the website for the Foot and Ankles Center of WNY.
Dr. George Robert Vito, of Le Roy, is apparently considering his options after the Genesee County Conservative Party withdrew its endorsement of him for the County Legislature District #5 seat, citing "legal issues."
The Batavian has located multiple court documents in Georgia, New York, and at the federal level that detail a number of "legal issues."
These are issues he reportedly neglected to mention to Conservative Party members before they voted to endorse him.
He was also sued by Jay Otero in Macon, Ga., for a leg-lengthening surgery that left Otero confined to a wheelchair for three years before he was able to walk with crutches, according to a court document.
Vito has also been involved in other lawsuits, as a defendant and plaintiff, in both Georgia and New York.
The Batavian learned Vito shared some details of his history in Georgia during this week’s county GOP committee meeting.
The Batavian attempted to talk with Vito about his professional history on Thursday, but he declined to answer questions until after meeting with Le Roy's Republican leadership.
After learning from Committee Chairman Andrew Lathan later Thursday that they hadn’t talked yet and had no meeting set up, The Batavian tried again. Vito said, “At this point, Andrew Lathan and I are in discussions.”
“We’re not discussing it with anybody how we’re going to handle the situation, so everything is still up in the air,” he said. “That’s just our comment at the present time. You know, what happened the other night was unexpected, and we’re just seeing how we’re going to play the cards. That’s all.”
The Batavian asked if he would respond to what he revealed at the county Republican meeting. “No,” he said.
On Friday morning, The Batavian again contacted Vito and informed him The Batavian had prepared a story about his legal issues. He said he would only respond to our request for comment if we agreed to publish a statement from him in full.
Here is his statement:
Any legal issues I have had are personal in nature and clearly posted on the internet. I have no doubt they will be used on your website to create a salacious article to remove any support I have for the legislative spot. I was upfront and truthful when I spoke to the county Republicans prior to the vote. I openly stated that I had a bankruptcy-related felony charge and that I served my punishment. Even after the committee was informed by me of my past legal issues, (Shelley) Stein could not get the endorsement and was losing votes every time they took a new vote.
I will have a sit-down interview with the Video News Service early next week. Interested voters in Le Roy can look for that story and decide for themselves.
I am moving forward and will not announce any decisions or changes until late March or early April.
Vito is a podiatrist who is originally from Rochester. According to his social media page, he attended Corning Community College, SUNY Cortland, Des Moines University, University of Phoenix, Utica College and Purdue Global Law School.
His medical training includes a degree from the Des Moines University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences and a surgical residency at Emory Northlake Regional Medical Center Residency in Tucker, Ga.
Vito has a long list of professional credentials and accolades, according to his resume. It also indicates some connections to Georgia, though he doesn't list his time in practice in that state.
He has operated practices in Buffalo, Georgia, North Carolina, Hewlett, Amherst, Batavia, and elsewhere, and currently lives and has an office in Le Roy.
Jay Otero filed his action against Vito on July 7, 2004. He alleged negligence, unlawful practice of medicine, fraud and misrepresentation, and professional malpractice.
Otero, according to court documents, underwent cosmetic leg-lengthening surgery in August 2002. Otero signed consent forms and paid Dr. Vito approximately $53,000 to perform the surgery. The procedure was estimated to increase Otero’s height (5ʹ1ʺ) by one to three inches.
Following the surgery by Vito, Otero sought a second opinion from Dr. DrorPaley, who began treating Otero for "bilateral nonunions of the proximal tibiae with severe greater than 45-degree valgus procurvatum deformities of both tibiae," according to court documents.
In simpler terms, this describes a condition where both legs have unhealed breaks near the knees, causing the lower legs to bend outward and forward at a severe angle (more than 45 degrees).
Dr. Paley planned a course of treatment to correct Otero’s deformities.
In November 2006, while under Dr. Paley’s care, Otero suffered an excruciatingly painful stress fracture that resulted in a complete fracture through his right femur.
According to the 2007 court document (Order on Motion for Default Judgement), Otero’s condition "improved somewhat since his August 2002 surgery. He remains under Dr. Paley’s care and supervision."
The default judgment order states, "Dr. Vito’s liability for his negligence and unauthorized practice of medicine has already been established by the Court’s prior rulings, and the Defendants’ Georgia RICO and punitive damages liability was well-pleaded in the Second Amended Complaint, and thereafter established by the entry of default against them.”
The court ordered:
Special damages in the amount of $721,989.24;
Treble actual damages in the amount of $1.5 million ($ 500,000 base award);
Punitive damages in the amount of $150,000; and
Attorneys’ expenses in the amount of $155,000.
As part of the same case, in an Order on Motion for Summary Judgment (Sept. 9, 2009), the court also found that Vito undertook a strategy to create various corporate and business entities, which are listed in the document "as part of an elaborate scheme to evade liabilities to judgment creditors such as the Plaintiff in this case."
The court stated that Vito admitted that "he created and controlled the various entities so that he could protect his assets from collection while maintaining control over and access to those assets."
According to the court, Vito included his brothers, Richard C. Vito and John A. Vito, and his father, George A. Vito, all three also from Rochester, as official owners, shareholders, and officers of all the entities.
Richard Vito and John Vito both testified that they had no knowledge of or involvement in the affairs of these entities but that they agreed to participate as owners or officers of the various entities at the direction of their brother.
The order states:
The court found that Vito's transfers to these various entities was fraudulent, with the intent to hide assets from creditors, including Otero. By weaving a complex web of trusts, corporations, and limited liability companies, by channeling his income through numerous accounts in numerous names, by transferring his property to alter egos, by encumbering his property and income stream with various obligations, and by refusing to cooperate in the discovery of his assets, Dr. Vito fashioned a daunting challenge for his creditors. Overcoming that challenge has required more than two years of arduous, expensive litigation by a very determined Plaintiff, the appointment of a special master and a receiver, the incarceration of Dr. Vito, and considerable time and effort on the part of this Court and its staff. To this day, it cannot be said that the web is completely untangled or that the hurdles have all been removed. Enough is known, however, to warrant summary judgment in the case.
As a result, the court ordered that funds currently held by the receiver in the bankruptcy on behalf of the Vito entities be considered assets of the Vito estate.
Georgia court records also indicate that Vito was sued by Sabih Kalidy, who alleged medical malpractice by Vito when he experienced complications after Vito had performed leg lengthening surgery. The case was apparently settled, but the actual case documents are not online. The Batavian only knows about it because Vito subsequently sued Dror Paley, alleging defamation via an affidavit Paley made in the case. That case was dismissed.
Also stemming from Kalidy's case, Vito sued attorney Mark Inman. Inman then took on another client who underwent the same procedure and began making phone calls to gather more information to support the case. He left phone messages for the person he called and Vito learned of those messages. He sued Inman and Inman's law firm alleging slander, tortious interference with business relations, and misappropriation of trade secrets. An appeals court decided in Inman's favor.
Closer to home, Legacy Medical Consultants, based in Fort Worth, filed a complaint against Vito and Ankle and Foot Centers of Western New York on June 28. The case is still pending, with the most recent action in the case, notice of discovery, on Jan. 31.
Legacy alleges that Vito failed to pay more than $13.5 million for products received by his practice beginning in July 7, 2022.
"Despite the plain language of the Agreement, Dr. Vito has failed to make numerous payments owed to Legacy for Products he received," the complaint alleges.
It alleges Vito has failed to make at least 151 payments.
In the complaint, Legacy describes its business:
Legacy is an integrated marketer of proprietary regenerative biomaterial products processed from human amniotic membrane and other birth tissues. Among other things, Legacy markets amniotic tissue grafts, which are intended to assist in the treatment of external, chronic or non-healing wounds by providing coverage and protection. Legacy markets its products to doctors all over the country.
Legacy alleges Vito entered into an agreement with Legacy in November 2021 to purchase "human cell and tissue products for Dr. Vito to administer to patients as medically necessary” and that he subsequently placed orders with Legacy.
In an answer filed on Aug. 7, 2024, Vito denies all the allegations raised in the suit.
As for Vito’s next political step, “it is up to him,” Le Roy Republican Committee Chairman Andrew Lathan said.
It was too late for Vito to appear before the committee by the time he notified Lathan of his interest, and the endorsement window is now closed, the chairman said.
“He will need to get the required signatures for an upcoming primary. He has made no indication to me of his decision,” Lathan said Thursday evening. “It is important to note that the political process is alive and well for the 5th Legislative District; the door is now open for any Republican in Le Roy to get signatures and get on the ballot.
“I plead home rule to the GCRC, where the voters of Le Roy truly get to pick their representation at the county level, not to get force-fed an incumbent candidate, and my fellow Republicans of the GCRC delivered,” he said. “This is going to be a long process; nothing is going to be settled on social media. Keyboard warriors should stay stretched and well-hydrated. I hope it is an honest and fair process.”
“New York Power Authority's (NYPA's) decision to pause its proposed hydropower rate hike is a win for New Yorkers, businesses, and communities that depend on affordable, clean energy. This near-tripling of rates was unacceptable, and I, along with Assemblyman Andrew Molitor and many of my Republican colleagues, fought hard to stop this devastating increase before it could take effect.
The overwhelming pushback from legislators, businesses, municipal utility providers, and residents made it clear that this proposal was unacceptable. Once Governor Hochul saw the extent of opposition, she put the brakes on it—something she should have done from the start. Keeping energy affordable is essential to retaining jobs, supporting families, and maintaining a competitive economy.
This fight isn’t over. We must remain vigilant to ensure NYPA doesn’t revive this misguided proposal down the road and that New Yorkers continue to have access to reliable, low-cost energy.”
Due to deteriorating weather and the resulting track conditions, Batavia Downs has cancelled live racing for Thursday (Feb. 13) afternoon due to an abundance of caution for the safety of all the horses and horse people.
Racing will resume at the Downs on Monday (Feb. 17) at 3:00 p.m. with a $4,251 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 11th race. There are only three more live racing dates in the 2025 winter meet, which concludes on Monday, February 24.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Genesee County’s Conservative Committee pulled its endorsement for Dr. George Vito in his bid for the county Legislature’s District 5 spot, secretary John Roach says.
“The Conservative Party endorsed Vito and then found out he had some legal issues and thought he should have told us ahead of time,” Roach said Thursday. “The fact that he had issues and didn’t tell us … we were disappointed not to know ahead of time.”
Vito is a first-time political candidate and contender for the District 5 seat, giving a potential challenge to incumbent Shelley Stein. Neither candidate has received an endorsement from the county Republican or Conservative committees from official votes, and Stein did not get an endorsement from the Le Roy Republican Committee.
Vito said Thursday that he was meeting with the Le Roy Republican Committee about his impending campaign and future decision to run for the seat. He wanted to have that discussion first before an interview with The Batavian.
Stein said she is “motivated to first understand the reasons behind not receiving the endorsement for re-election this year.” County Republican Committee Chairman Scott German had said he was aware that people in Le Roy were not happy with her performance, and Stein believes it relates to the sales tax cap initiated in 2021.
“That action was taken after several months of conversations and discussions with all municipalities,” she said. “The driver for the sales tax cap was the debt service for the new jail. The role of a legislator is to run the county with the perspective of the district, yet putting the county first.”
As for why her constituents may be disgruntled, she suspects it could stem “from the extra layer of responsibility I have as chairwoman.”
“There is much legislature discussion around issues, and once a decision is made, the chair must support it. These decisions may not be popular with towns and villages,” she said. “I will continue to work hard and advocate for all citizens of Genesee County and faithfully execute the fiduciary duties of the position.”
Candidates will find out from the New York State Board of Elections in a week how many signatures they must obtain to get onto the ballot.
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