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Photos: Pink limo ride for Pavilion girl soccer players

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion girl soccer players -- "the future JV and varsity players" -- got a limo ride to their game today courtesy Mancuso Limousine of Batavia.

The girls were quite thrilled to get to ride in a pink limo.

Pesticide smell reported on North Pearl Street

By Billie Owens

Noisy power tools and a smell like pesticides is reported at 16 N. Pearl St., Oakfield.

A firefighter reports that there is pesticide spraying and packing going on at the "old golf park."

The complaint was intitially called in by Department of Public Works employees.

Introducing The Batavian's voluntary subscription program

By Howard B. Owens

People who read The Batavian love The Batavian.

We're hear it all the time: I'm addicted to your site. It's my favorite place for news now. I'm on there at least four or five times a day. The Batavian is just what Genesee County needed.

We appreciate your support, but now we're going to ask you for another level of support.  We're asking you to help The Batavian grow, but we're going to give you something back in return.

We'll give back to you expanded coverage, more features for site members and more valuable savings with local businesses.

All we're asking from you is $4.95 per month.

Let me be totally clear: We're not asking you to pay to read news on the site. We're not going in that direction. I believe news should be free, and commenting on the site should be free. That won't change on The Batavian.

But if enough readers pitch in $4.95 per month, we'll be able to do things such as hire staff and expand our coverage.

Here's the best part: In exchange for your $4.95 per month you will receive exclusive coupons and gift certificates from local businesses. Right now we have 20 businesses participating in the program. The total potential annual savings for you is at least $600.

That's right, for about $60 per year, you can save at least $600 a year on things for your home, your car and to dine out at some of the best places to eat in town (the food savings alone is more than $200 per year).

And we will likely sign on more businesses to the program, meaning more savings for you.

  • Click here to find out more about how the voluntary subscription program works.
  • Click here to review a list of participating businesses and the discounts they're offering to members.
  • Click here to join.

Ask me any questions you like in the comments. Thank you for your support!

Hair Raising (and fund raising) Experience

By Genesee ARC News

Two Genesee ARC Staff Members took the afternoon off Wednesday for a cause.  Claudia Nigro and Eileen Corcoran went to Total Image Hair Salon, Batavia, to donate their hair to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a Florida-based non profit organization that makes hair pieces for financially disadvantaged children suffering from a long term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.  The two creative, long-time ARC employees also used this opportunity to raise   money for the Genesee ARC People Realizing Potential Capital Campaign.

Eileen, a veteran Locks of Love donor recruited Claudia months ago.  Then when ARC’s Capital Campaign was announced, the two “put their heads together” and decided to use the occasion to also raise money to benefit the campaign underway to renovate and refurbish the Genesee ARC Community Center (former St. Mary’s School, Woodrow Road, Batavia

We asked our friends and family to make pledges,” Eileen said.  Claudia added, “Everyone was so generous!”  When all of their pledges are collected, their final tally will exceed $700.00!

Genesee ARC Director of Development, Shelley Falitico praised her colleagues for coming up with this unique idea. “It benefits not one, but two organizations,” she said.  Regarding the capital campaign, Shelley added. “Genesee ARC Staff have been very generous.  With Eileen’s and Claudia’s pledges, gifts from Staff will exceed an impressive $25,000!”

To date, $702,000 has been raised in the $750,000 campaign.  Community Members can make a donation on-line at www.peoplerealizingpotential.com or by calling the Genesee ARC Development & Community Relations Department at 343-1123.  

About the donors: Both are Genesee County residents. Eileen is a Counselor in Genesee ARC’s Vocational Services Department and has been employed by the local disability service provider since 1997. Claudia is a member of the Community Relations Team and is marking her 20 year employment anniversary with Genesee ARC in 2010.

Thank you for supporting the sponsors of The Batavian

By Howard B. Owens

Every day, Billie and I feel fortunate to live in Batavia and to be part of this community. We enjoy the four seasons, the beauty of Genesee County, the things we can do around here, and the friends we've made.

One thing we truly appreciate about Batavia and Genesee County is all of the great local businesses here. They offer great service and great value.

Strong local and regional businesses are essential to the vibrancy and success of a local community. Dollars spent at local businesses stay in the community, and local and regional businesses give more, and more frequently, to local charities than the big chains -- not to mention the many, many hours of volunteer work put in by small business owners.

We encourage you, as always, to make it a priority to shop local whenever possible and as much as possible. Let your buying decisions be a benefit to your friends and neighbors.

And we especially appreciate it when you frequent the sponsors of The Batavian, and let them know you appreciate their support of our news and conversation site.

Here's the current list of sponsors:

3 D Wine & Spirits
Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
Alberty Drug Store
Alex's Place
Anglican Community Church
Baker's Frontier Kitchens
Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
Batavia Downs Casino
Beverly's Flowers
Blue Pearl Yoga
Bonarigo & McCutcheon
Bontrager's Auction
Bontrager's Real Estate
Carlson's Studio
Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
Center Street Smokehouse
Charles Men's Shop
Christiano Cellular
Classic Home Improvements
Crazy Cheap Cars
D&R Depot Restaurant
Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern
Dog Grooming
Empire Tractor
The Enchanted Florist
Fastec Automotive
Genesee Dental Group
Gilmartin
Hair Studio 25
H.E. Turner & Co.
Herbly Wonderful
Holland Land Office Museum
The Insurance Center
J. Leonard McAndrew
Jackson St. Grill/Belladessa's
John's Service Station
Ken Barrett
KleenAll
Kraving's Kafe
Lamb Family Medicine
Larry's Steakhouse
Lawley Genesee
Lawrence Sealers
Lewis and Lewis
Main St. Pizza Company
The Mane Attraction
Margarita's 
Mark Lewis Agency
Matteo & Mullen, CPA
Matty's Pizzeria
Max Pies
Michael Tomaszewski
Movies in Motion
Mr. Wine & Liquor
Next Level Fitness
O'Lacy's Irish Pub
Oliver's Candies
Optique
Pauly's Pizza
Pellegrino Auto Sales
Photos by Roth
Present Tense Books
Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center
Sallome's Italian Deli
Select Collision
Settler's
Sloat Tire
Small World Realty
South Main Country Store
St. Joseph's School
St. Paul's School
Stafford Trading Post
Southside Deli
T.F. Brown's
Valle Jewelers
WNY Blacktop Sealers
WNY Fireplace Outlet

Photos: Downtown Public Market opens

By Howard B. Owens

The Downtown Public Market opened today.

Above, Salters Alston, proprietor of Alston's Bone Sucking BBQ Sauce, serves up a mound of his pulled pork.

Between Alston's and the Jackson Street Grill stand, the market is going to be a great place to stop for lunch on Thursdays.

And then you can pick yourself up a few big, plump tomatoes to take home.

Legislative committee to consider proposal for staggered, four-year terms

By Howard B. Owens

Moving forward with a proposal to change the scheme of County Legislature terms received a slight nod of approval at the Ways and Means Community yesterday.

County Legislature Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock volunteered to bring a resolution to the next committee meeting that would authorize a public hearing on the proposal.

"If I can bring a resolution -- not because I'm sponsoring it, or because you're sponsoring it, but because that is the only way it will move forward," Hancock said. "To walk away from this would not be respectful of the committee."

The proposal would increase legislative terms from two to four years and stagger the terms so that entire legislature is not put up for election every two years. A committee charged by the Legislature to study a suggestion brought forward by a local resident made the recommendations.

There was no vote yesterday on Hancock's request, but also no objection raised during the committee meeting.

"I know it's not on your personal agenda, nor is it on ours, but it's out there," said Hollis Upson, committee chairman.

As Legislator Ed DeJaneiro spoke in favor of the specifics of the proposal, Legislator Annie Lawrence shook her head.

Asked later if she objected to the proposal, she said she might or might not support it, but now is not the time to deal with it.

"I don't think any of the legislators have heard any comments from any of their constituents," Lawrence said. "I think we've got bigger fish to fry this year than to bring this out."

Career Center reporting an uptick in jobs, fewer new jobless

By Howard B. Owens

The economy seems to be turning around, according to Scott Gage, director of the Genesee County Career Center.

New job orders -- companies posting jobs at the career center -- are up to 80 to 90 a week, nearly double what job orders were last year.

And there are fewer people showing up for the center's weekly unemployment orientation classes.

"Obviously a lot of it is seasonal and service sector jobs, such as Darien Lake, but there is also some manufacturing being done, and some of the food processing people are actually increasing the number of year-around lines, too," Gage said.

He also said there are more supervisor-level jobs coming in.

Gage shared his news during the Ways and Means Committee meeting.

Legislator Ed Dejaneiro added his own anecdotal evidence of a turn-around.

“I received a call yesterday from a guy who has been unemployed for two years, and he just got a job, in Batavia," Dejaneiro said. "A good paying job."

The state's official employment numbers should be out next week.

Police Beat: Driver accused of DWI following accident

By Howard B. Owens

Brian P. Demko, 32, of Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, failure to keep right, moved from lane unsafely, drove left of pavement markings, operating with unsafe tire. Demko was allegedly involved in a single-car accident at 10:20 p.m., Wednesday, in the area of 8094 Route 98, Batavia. Demko is accused of making a right-hand turn a little early and striking the guide wire of a utility pole, causing damage. Demko then allegedly drove from the scene with a flat tire. He was located at 4320 Commerce Drive, Batavia. The incident was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves. (Correction: This item previously used the incorrect first name of "Paul." The Batavian apologizes for the error.)

Michael A. Witkop, 18, of 249 Ross St., Batavia, is charged with sexual misconduct. Witkop is accused of having sex with a girl under the age of 17, who is deemed incapable of giving consent because of her age.

Jason Ross Graybill, 26, of Victor Lane, Hamlin, was arrested on a Monroe County bench warrant. Graybill was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation when he was identified and the warrant was discovered.

Today's Deals: Alex's, Larry's Delavan's, Main St., and more

By Howard B. Owens

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St., Batavia, NY: The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's has a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Pizza, wings, subs and even hamburgers and hot dogs, Main St. Pizza makes everything deliciously. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Authentic Southern BBQ, from ribs to brisket with all the fixin's. We have a $20 gift card for $10.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts,lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant, 15 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: When you're looking for an authentic Mexican meal, Margarita's is the place to go. The food and atmosphere are perfect and the service is always outstanding. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

SOLD OUT

 

Photos: Kicking off the 2010 Batavia Muckdogs season

By Howard B. Owens

Jason Molino can hit. He's no Mickey Hyde, who easily won the "home run" hitting contest at Dwyer Stadium tonight, but he looked good at the plate and hit some shots.

It was the "Pep Dog Rally" in preparation of the season opener on Saturday. The turn out was good, and the evening was a heck of a lot of fun.

After the contest, the players of the 2010 Muckdogs introduced themselves and then fans were invited onto the field to collect autographs.

The player in the center of this picture is Nick Longmire. He's a 5th-round draft pick of the Cardinals, which means he's a legitimate prospect. He's a center fielder who has some power. That's cool. But what's really cool: He's a graduate of my alma mater, Grossmont High School, La Mesa, Calif. His mother also graduated from GHS, in 1978, two years ahead of me. So guess who will be my favorite Muckdog this season? Go Foothillers!

More pictures after the jump:

 

 

 

Car fire reported on Judge Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A car fire has been reported on Judge Road, Alabama.

Alabama Fire is being dispatched.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: An anonymous female caller said, "the car was set on fire."  A chief has been notified. It's near Purdy Road.

UPDATE: Alabama fire cleared at 12:25 a.m.

Rural residents fired up over proposed regulations for wood boilers

By Billie Owens

The overwhelming majority of those who attended a public hearing at Genesee Community College on Monday oppose rule changes for operating wood boilers.

About 14,000 New Yorkers have wood-boiler heaters as their primary source of heat in cold weather. Proposed regulations are said to make them unaffordable and costly to retrofit, creating an economic hardship for rural residents, according to Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

His chief of staff was among more than 100 people who attended the local hearing.

Residents have until July 2 to submit written comments to the Department of Environmental Conservation and Hawley is urging them to keep up their grassroots campaign urging the DEC to scrap the plans.

The agency is conducting public hearings statewide, giving information about the newly proposed regulations and getting feedback from those affected by them.

The DEC proposal would impose new regulations on operating requirements for both new and existing outdoor wood boilers. Outdoor wood boilers would have to be at least 100 feet from neighboring properties and would have to be at least 18 feet in height.

New York is the only state considering new regulations on existing wood boilers.

“Purchasing and installing new wood boilers can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000," Hawley said in a news release. "At that price, these new restrictions are simply
unaffordable for many people whose boilers already meet the current DEC regulations.

"With only about a hundred complaints over the last four years leading to these proposed regulations, clearly this is just another example of a downstate-controlled government agency circumventing the legislature to enforce a mandate."

KidZone to be introduced at Ramble Fest this year

By James Barcomb

Topics discussed at the final meeting of the Ramble Fest committee on Monday ranged from a guitar raffle to the introduction of a child-friendly area.

The organizers noted that a raffle for an acoustic electric guitar is made possible by the generosity of Roxy’s Music Store. They expressed concern about the potential for families not to show up during the July 4th weekend. But they are jazzed about the introduction the Ramble KidZone.

The zone will host a wide variety of activities just for kids, including, but not limited to, bubble art, a bounce house, face painting, a portable tennis game, and an appearance from the Muckdogs mascot.

According to committee member Kim Argenta, the KidZone will be present so that kids can have a good time and celebrate art.

Fellow committee member Sue Gagne came up with the idea, believing it would keep the Ramble Fest more family-oriented.

The Ramble KidZone will be open at the City Church parking lot from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 3.

The Ramble Arts & Music Fest, featuring performances from The Ghost Riders, Penny Whiskey, and more, will take place at Jackson Square from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 3. More information can be found at www.ramblemusic.com.

Hawley weighs in on 'the good, the bad and the ugly' aspects of budget extentions

By Billie Owens

Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued the following news release today after Albany passed its 11th "budget extender."

“After two and half months, and 11 emergency budget extenders, New Yorkers are still without a state budget. In that time, we’ve seen our schools, local governments, contractors, state parks, and small businesses left in jeopardy as their fates have been left in the hands of weekly budget extenders.

"Although the ‘good’ that has come out of these extenders includes the reopening of state parks, some contractual obligations being met, school districts receiving their state aid, and other essential state services remaining open, the ‘good’ has without a doubt come with plenty of ‘bad’ and ‘ugly’ costs.

“The bad consists of the simple fact that since April 1, the more than $9 billion budget gap has hardly been addressed. Instead, the most recent extenders have raised fees by nearly $4 million, raided $80 million from the Environmental Protection Fund, and introduced ‘savings,' rather than make the real cuts that are needed.

Additionally, this process does not allow schools, local governments, and businesses with state contracts to formulate their own budgets. Even uglier, because of the lack of a transparent budget process, the ‘three men in a room’ may close these budget shortfalls with more taxes, more state borrowing, and even more of the special-interest-driven backroom deals that put our state in this fiscal crisis to begin with.

“These budget extenders are simply laying the framework for another over-bloated state budget to be passed through a piecemeal process. I again voted against the budget extenders and ask that my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate majorities open up the budget process, allow needed input from rank-and-file members, and see to it that it is passed immediately.”

Chris Lee says he's cooperating with probe into fundraising activities

By Howard B. Owens

The fundraising practices of Congressman Chris Lee, are being examined by the House Ethics Committee.

From the Buffalo News:

The Office of Congressional Ethics this month sent letters to banking lobbyists, seeking information about their fundraising contacts with Lee and the other lawmakers, a mix of Democrats and Republicans who serve on the House Financial Services or Ways and Means committees.

The letter to lobbyists, which was first reported Monday afternoon by a Capitol Hill newspaper called The Hill, did not name any specific charges against the lawmakers and identified the probe as a “preliminary review.”

Lee, a first-term Republican, told the News that he has "nothing to hide," adding, “The more accountable and transparent we can be, the better off things will be in the long term.”

He said he's cooperated fully with the investigation.

Since the beginning of 2009, the committee has started 48 ethics probes and 22 of those were dropped in their preliminary stages.

Six other lawmakers are also being investigated.

Officials looking for more action from residents as drive for public water stalls in Town of Batavia

By Victoria Gooch

If people in the Town of Batavia want public water, they are going to have to let it be known and help lobby for grant money, according to town officials.

Government tests on private wells show there is contamination of varying degrees, which is, of course, unhealthy. The arduous process of getting loans and grants approved to extend public water lines calls for a united, consistent effort to make it happen, says Town Engineer Steve Mountain.

"We at the town can only do so much," Mountain said. "We are no further along than before but we have all the necessary information."

There are meetings planned with officials at all levels of government, regulatory agencies and scientists. Grant applications were sent to the USDA three months ago, but perhaps due to a backlog of applications in a sluggish economy, there's no word yet on the status.

Without grants, estimated annual water costs for residents would be:

  • Creek/East Roads -- $1,190
  • Pratt Road -- $1,982
  • Wortendyke Road -- $2,230
  • Batavia northeast of Rte. 98 -- $1,940
  • Batavia northwest of Rte. 98 -- $1,667.

Estimated costs with grants would average of $750 per year per household in the water districts.

A Batavia Town Board Meeting is at 7 tonight and residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the well contamination problem, what is being done about it and to let their wishes be known regarding establishing public water districts.

If they want to continue working to bring public water to the area, they need to step it up and if there's a lack of interest, say so, Mountain said.

To move ahead, a resident from each proposed water district will need to circulate a legal petition in order to proceed. The legal approval process can take anywhere from a few months to two years.

In addition, Mountain said he encourages residents to send letters to county, state and federal officials.

The short list would include Congressman Chris Lee, senators Mike Ransenhofer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles Schumer, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and the Genesee County Legislature.

The area of initial concern regarding well-water quality was State Street, Batavia-Elba Townline and Bank Street roads and tests in this area were funded by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Testing was eventually done on all private wells, and the additional testing was paid for the town.

Fourteen out of 38 well tested positive for bacteria and 12 out of 13 had elevated nitrate levels between 0.05 parts per million (ppm) and 9.99 ppm. One out of 13 had nitrate levels greater than or equal to 10 ppm.

Meth lab suspect accused of violating Federal pre-trial release rules

By Howard B. Owens

One of Genesee County's multiple meth lab suspects is back in federal custody after allegedly violating pre-trial release conditions.

Matthew J. Long, 20, of 36 Main St., Le Roy, is a suspect in the alleged meth lab found at 28 Clay St., Le Roy.

He was taken into custody yesterday by Le Roy Police on a U.S. District Court warrant after being spotted walking on West Main Street, Le Roy.

Following his arrest by Det. John Condidorio and Sgt. Timothy Hayes, he was turned over to U.S. Marshals.

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