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Police Beat: Pair charged with interferring with DSS investigation

By Howard B. Owens

George M. Hodges, 19, of 9 S. Lyon St., Batavia, and Daniel D. Williams, 20, of 20 Mill St., Batavia were both charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration. Batavia Police officers were at an Oak Street residence assisting the Department of Social Services in an investigation when the suspects allegedly yelled profanities at the officers and confronted investigators and attempted to prevent them from speaking to the residents.

Randy Johnson, 21, of 10182 Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with criminal mischief and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Johnson allegedly took a vehicle without permission of the owner, and when confronted by the owner, Johnson allegedly caused damage to the vehicle. The incident was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Richard Jordan Franz, 19, of 9898 Simonds Road, Corfu, and Michael Richard Bitter, 19, 3198 Pike Road, Alexander, are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Franz and Bitter were arrested after deputies came to an unspecified residence to investigate a reported suspicious circumstance and allegedly found Franz and Bitter in possession of marijuana. The incident occurred at 1 a.m. Saturday.

Hal D. Philips, 58, of 11096 Molasses Hill Road, East Bethany, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, refusal to submit to breath test, failure to keep right and operating with a suspended registration. Philips was stopped on Molasses Hill Road by Deputy Kevin McCarthy for alleged failure to keep right at 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

President Obama risks overexposure

By bud prevost

Kind of ironic that ABC news ran this story on Good Morning America. We were just discussing the other day that the president seems to be EVERYWHERE that a camera is turned on. Even more ironic that it's ABC (All Barack Content) that is running this news piece.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obamas-health-care-campaign-publicity/story?id=8588074

As I stated stated several days ago, it is near impossibe to avoid his image on TV, online, or in print. "Omnipresent" is the word used, which sounds rather Orwellian to me. The fact he is trying to do so much, so fast, without regard to future generations, scares me. And this news story just re-affirms what I already knew...this guy is charasmatic, and reads a teleprompter like nobody's business. But take aware the script, and he shows his true colors. "Cambridge police acted stupidly", or calling Kanye West a "jackass", just a couple of examples of speaking before thinking.

I'm sure I'll be called a name or two for pointing this out, especially if you are a young dem guy who has a serious man crush on our president.

Primary Results for Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

Here's tonight's primary election results:

Town of Byron, Supervisor (Republican Primary): 
Felton, 119
Crnkovich, 109

Town of Darien, Council (Democrat Primary, vote for two)
Fleming, 33
Plitt, 65
Ferry, Jr., 51

Town of Pembroke, Council (Republican Primary)
District 1: Arnold (47), Worth (34), Schneider, Jr. (26)
District 2: Arnold (46), Worth (48), Schneider, Jr. (13)
3 & 4: Arnold (91), Worth (108), Schneider, Jr. (51)
Total: Arnold (184), Worth (190), Schneider, Jr. (90)

Town of Stafford, Highway Superintendent (Conservative Primary)
Pontillo, 8
Boldt, 12

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake - Very Easy

By Bea McManis

Every once in a while an occasion comes up when you want to make something just a little different.

I played around with a chocolate cake mix (from Aldi's no less) and ended up with this moist, rich, cake.  At the end of the evening, the piece in the picture was all that was left of the cake.

Pre-heat oven to 350F   Prepare baking pans according to directions on box.  I use cocoa instead of flour in my pans when I make a chocolate cake.

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding

1 cup brown sugar

Mix dry ingredients

Add:

1 cup sour cream

1 cup oil

1 1/3 cups water

3 eggs (one at a time)

Mix batter, on medium, for 3 minutes.  Pour into prepared pans.  Baking time will vary according to oven.  I did a sheet cake and it took just about 50 minutes.

I frosted with a butter cream frosting, but the last time I made this, I just sprinkled confectioners sugar on it. 

 

 

Today's Deals: Delavan's, Alex's, Kravings and Pudgie's

By Howard B. Owens

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, N.Y.: 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.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, N.Y.: 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.

Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 West Main Road, Batavia, N.Y.: Autumn is the time to think about spring flowers -- and Pudgie's has a great selection of bulbs already in stock, ready to plant. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, West Main Street, Batavia, N.Y. : Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

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

SOLD OUT

 

Head-on collision reported on East Main Street, in front of Tully's

By Howard B. Owens

A head-on collision, with minor injuries, has been reported in front of Tully's on East Main Street.

Engine 12 and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 4:10 p.m.: I drove by. Nothing to see. Neither car had much damaged and were being driven to a side street.

Pumpkin Growing on Roof

By Bea McManis

Caught this on the fly this morning.  The pumpkin vine goes up the porch column, and the pumpkin is growing on the porch roof.  It is supported by a board so it won't tumble off.

Kind of cool, don't you think?

Fire alarm sounded at Time Warner Cable

By Howard B. Owens

Engine 12 and Ladder 15, City of Batavia, are responding to a general fire alarm at 29 Cedar St., the office of Time Warner Cable.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: False alarm due to construction.


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Primary day for some races in Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

There are four primary elections in Genesee County today.

There are Republican primaries in Byron and Pembroke for town board seats.

In Darien, there's a three-way Democratic primary for two town board seats.

In Stafford, the Conservative Party will pick a candidate for Highway Superintendent.

Polls are open until 9 p.m.

Police Beat: Alleged rape of 14-year-old in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

Billy Joe Budziszewski, 18, no permanent address, is charged with rape in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. Budziszewski is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl in the Village of Corfu. He was jailed on $10,000 bail.

An 11-year-old boy from Harpersville is charged with rape, having sexual intercourse with a minor, a criminal sex act and sex abuse. According to a State Police blotter item, the victim appears to be 11-years-old or younger. The arrest was made in Elba. The case remains under investigation.

Artist and activist Lorie Longhany enjoys night of arts and politics

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County Democratic Committee Chair Lorie Longhany had a chance this week to combine her love of art -- she's an art teacher and an artist -- with her commitment to politics when she attended an event in Rochester honoring Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, whom Longhany described as a long-time, steadfast supporter of the arts. Slaughter co-chairs the congressional arts caucus.

Caroline Kennedy was the keynote speaker and quoted her father, President John Kennedy, who said, "I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty, which commands respect, not only for its strength, but for its civilization, as well."

Attendees also enjoyed performances by the Tony Award winning the Garth Fagan dance troupe and jazz pianist Gap Mangione.

Pictured above, Teresa Martillotta, former Orleans County chair and 53-year state
committee member, current Orleans County chair Jeanne Crane, Slaughter and Longhany.

School explains position on North Street expansion

By Howard B. Owens

Apparently, officials at Batavia City School District feel they haven't adequately explained their consideration of new park facilities at the district's North Street property.

This past Saturday, Councilman Bill Cox held a community meeting on the proposal and tonight, Superintendent Margaret Puzio issued a press release detailing the district's position:

"The School District apologizes for not better advertising to the public, the presentation of this material at our September 1 School Board Meeting. At that meeting, we presented to the staff and elected officials from the City of Batavia, Towns of Batavia and Stafford and Genesee County. The consensus of those staff and elected representatives as well as the BOE was that the first step should be to investigate grant funding. This is just the first step in a very long process."

The district contends that there are insufficient youth facilities in the Batavia area and that it is seeking state or federal grants to improve the situation.

Read the full press Release (PDF)

UPDATE: Margaret Puzio spoke with WBTA this morning (mp3).

She said there will be a public meeting on the topic at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 at Batavia High School.

Stafford Fire Department offers land for Stafford park

By Howard B. Owens

Thanks to the Stafford Fire Department, the town will have a chance to expand Emery Park by nearly eight acres and add new ball fields for area residents.

The town board voted tonight to accept a donation of the land, which has already been graded and seeded.

Part of the motivation for accepting the donation, according to board members, is that the leach lines for the existing Emery Park restrooms need to be replaced and in order to do that, the donated property is essential.

"If that leach field goes out on us without us getting that land, then we're pretty much dead up there," Councilman Ron Panek said.

There will be a $350 fee to transfer the deed and the town could be on the hook for any additional upgrades.

But there was general agreement that if the town had additional playing fields, the fields would be used.

Stafford highway workers get new labor contract

By Howard B. Owens

The four workers in the Stafford Highway Department have a new labor agreement with the town after months of negotiation.

The contract includes a standard pay raise of just over 5 percent over three years, but the main point of contention, health insurance, was resolved along the lines the Stafford Town Board sought.

Union members will be moved from the union insurance plan to a private plan, according to Councilman Bob Pacer.

The issue, according to Pacer, was that the union plan required every employee to be covered by the union plan, even if the employee chose to be covered by a spouse's plan.

With the private plan, union members can opt out and the town will save in the neighborhood of $7,000 to $8,000 per year.

The contract also supplies a safety clothing allowance for union members.

Molino gets raise on 7-1 council vote

By Howard B. Owens

Without discussion, but with one dissenting vote, the Batavia City Council tonight approved a 2.8 percent pay raise for City Manager Jason Molino.

The vote came following a closed session and before the vote, Council President Charlie Mallow read a statement expressing the council's support for Molino.

Councilman Bill Cox voted no and said after the meeting his decision was based on a "personnel matter" and wouldn't reveal the reason for his no vote.

"I felt at this time a raise was not in order and that's all I want to say," Cox said.

Mallow characterized the pay increase as a cost-of-living raise that Molino wouldn't have gotten if he didn't deserve it.

Prior to the vote, Mallow said, each council member submitted a review of Molino's work.

“The city is in good shape and a lot of that has to do with our city manager," Mallow said. "The council supports the city manager and that’s the reason for the raise."

The motion passed 7-1, with Council Bob Bialkowski absent.

Molino was also not at the meeting.

UPDATE: Councilman Cox released this statement this morning:

"The primary reason that I voted against the raise for City Manager Molino is the same reason I voted against the raises for the other non-union staff previously, which is economics.

Our citizens and taxpayers have heavy burdens of property taxes, school taxes, and water/sewer taxes. We have property owners and citizens who have lost their jobs due to the economy. We have retired people on pensions that have been reduced and those same retired citizens have lost health benefits or had them reduced in many cases.

When you are in a position of senior management and leadership you should demonstrate to the people that you understand the dire circumstances many are under and forgo a raise until the economy turns around."
 

Council authorizes $235,000 expense after arbitrator finds in favor of PBA

By Howard B. Owens

For five years, members of the Police Benevolent Association patrolled Batavia's streets without a labor contract with the city.

Recently, an arbitrator awarded back pay to the union members, which they probably would've received in cost-of-living increases if they had had a contract.

Tonight, the City Council approved unanimously, without discussion, transfer of $235,000 from the city's contingency fund to the police department budget to cover the arbitration award.

The city could have wound up owing the PBA members more than $288,000.

As part of the same resolution, the council approved transferring $23,000 to the fire department budget to repair the air-conditioning system at the Evans Street station.

Top Items on Batavia's List

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.
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