The message came through clearly at the end of a DWI drill staged for Oakfield-Alabama seniors on Friday -- nobody wants to be at a scene like this one -- one where a drunken driver has been involved in an accident, taking the life of a young person.
Firefighter Chad Hilchey said they affect everybody. He's come home crying from responding to fatal accidents.
O-A Superintendent John Fisgus told the seniors on the morning of their prom night that he wants them to have fun at their prom but he also wants them to make it home safely. He said all of the people involved in the drill -- Oakfield Fire, Alabama Fire, Mercy Flight, the Sheriff's Office, and the coroner -- were there because they cared about the students. Fisgus called them his family and said while he wanted them to have fun tonight, it was a night he didn't look forward to. None of the teachers and administrators do. It's a night they know they won't sleep, worried about getting a call they don't want to get.
Photo of (left to right): Cathy Christopher - Club Scholarship Committee, Lucy MacKenzie - Club Scholarship Committee, Robert Kifowit - Club Scholarship Committee, Rachel Smith, Mary Smith(mother), Lana Bradbury - Club Member. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
The Town & Country Garden Club of Le Roy is pleased to announce that the recipient of the club's 2024 Scholarship is Rachel Smith, LeRoy Junior Senior High School Class of 2024. The Club’s Scholarship Committee selected Rachel to receive the scholarship based on her scholastic achievements and volunteer service relating to preserving the environment.
“The committee was impressed by Rachel’s involvement in roadside cleanup, cemetery restoration, and recycling projects that started while she was still in grade school,” said Lucy MacKenzie, Scholarship Committee Chair.
Rachel’s interest in the environment was fostered by family outings to nearby gardens and state parks. Rachel gives credit to family friend and Garden Club member Lana Bradbury who, with her late husband Jack, shared appreciation for nature through wildflower study and bird watching. Rachel will attend R.I.T. to study in the field of Bio-Med Sciences and plans to participate in environmental activities sponsored by the school.
The Town and Country Garden Club of Le Roy is a community service organization that plants and maintains several gardens and displays throughout town. For more information about the Garden Club, visit https://linktr.ee/leroynygardenclub or see our Facebook page @GardenClubLeRoyNY.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today voted in favor of H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, to fund essential military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This legislation passed the House by a vote of 209-197.
"Ensuring our nation's servicemembers and veterans have access to top-tier benefits, facilities, and care while strengthening our national security is essential to our country's prosperity," said Congresswoman Tenney. "H.R. 8580 guarantees that servicemembers, veterans, and their families are supported and receive the benefits they are owed for their service and sacrifice. The bill provides a vital investment in U.S. military infrastructure by improving Department of Defense facilities and enhancing the lives of military families through much-needed funding for family housing and child development centers. Additionally, this bill takes steps to uphold pro-life principles, protect our veterans’ Second Amendment rights, and crack down on the Biden administration’s “woke” policies. By passing this bill through regular order, House Republicans reaffirm our commitment to uphold Congress's power of the purse and curb the wasteful spending of the Biden Administration while supporting our military. Voting in favor of this bill today reaffirms my commitment to our veterans and active-duty military by ensuring their housing, health care programs, and benefits are fully funded while bolstering our national security."
Key Provisions in the FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill:
Provides $337.4 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fully fund veterans’ health care, benefits and VA programs
Includes $2 billion for Military Family Housing
Supplies $75 million above the enacted level for child development centers
Issues $1.1 billion for investments in the Indo-Pacific region to improve the United States strategic posture in the region
Prohibits funding to promote or advance critical race theory and the Biden Administration’s DEI agenda
Bans taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions
Protects Veterans’ Second Amendment rights by prohibiting the VA from reporting a veteran to NICS for using a fiduciary to apply for a lawful purchase
The Genesee County Spartans will be looking to get their offense in gear this Saturday when they travel to Franklin High School to take on the Rochester Chargers in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action.
Corey Turpin will be handling all of the quarterback duties for the Spartans due to an injury to the team’s other QB, Alex Rood. Head Coach Harry Rascoe said that Rood will be out for at least eight weeks – likely all season.
The Spartans dropped their season opener last weekend, 16-6 to the Lockport Wildcats.
“Our defense played very well against Lockport, now we just to need get our offense clicking,” said Rascoe, noting that the Spartans held the Wildcats to just 118 yards passing and 90 yards rushing.
The Chargers received a forfeit victory last week as they were scheduled to play against the East Coast Blue Devils, which has opted out of the NFA this season.
Game time on Saturday is 5 p.m. Franklin High is located at 950 Norton St., Rochester.
Admission is $10. Youths 10 and under will be admitted at no charge.
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International Peace Garden committee members. Photo by Howard Owens.
The International Peace Garden Committee unveiled five new interpretive panels along the Peace Garden trail on Thursday.
The panels help explain the history and significance of the Peace Garden.
"Fourteen years ago, we had no idea what an impact this garden would have on its citizens," said Barb Toal. "This beautiful spot in Downtown Batavia brings visitors from all over the world to celebrate peace among other countries."
The intent of the garden, Toal said, is to foster peace throughout the world.
"We get visitors from all over the world," said founder Paula Savage. "Someone will be here from Germany, someone from the Netherlands, and they bring their families with them because the garden is connected to the world. That's the reason for the flags (in the garden). Every flag represents a country that has received a Peace Garden."
The panels were funded by a NYS Re-Grant program administered by GO ART!
Barb Toal shares a commendation from Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Paula Savage is on her left. Photo by Howard Owens.
Frank Panepento plays the National Anthem. Photo by Howard Owens
The annual Father's Day Retro Jam & Musicians Reunion returns to the Oakfield Rod and Gun Club on Sunday, June 16.
There will be live music from 1 to 7 p.m. featuring The Double Image Band, Tim's Healing Committee, Prospect, Front Porch Pickers, Rock-A-Bully's, Bad Sign, Patrice & Friends, and "K" Rick "Howe."
Good fans, families, food, music, friends, and times are promised.
Bring your own lawn chair, cooler, and pop up.
Admission is free with donations accepted for WNY Heroes Inc, supporting veterans.
The club is located at 3199 Maltby Road, Oakfield.
The Genesee County Board of Elections announces essential information regarding the upcoming Republican Primary Election on June 25.
As New York State operates a closed primary system, only registered Republicans are eligible to vote in this primary election. The ballot includes a countywide Primary for US Congress and a local Town Council Republican unexpired term Primary for voters in Byron.
Early Voting Details There will be nine days of early voting beginning June 15 - June 23 at the ARC Community Center, 38 Woodrow Rd., Batavia. The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, June 15: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 16: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, June 17: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18: 12 - 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 19: 12 - 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 20: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, June 21: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 22: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 23: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Primary Election Day On June 25, all polling sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are accessible to all voters. To find your designated poll site, visit Voter Lookup or contact the Genesee County Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804.
Poll Site Change Please note that the Bergen poll site has been relocated from the Bergen Town Courtroom to the Gillam Grant Community Center, 6966 W. Bergen Rd., Bergen.
Absentee Ballot Information Voters can request an absentee ballot by contacting the Board of Elections or using the NY State Portal: Absentee Ballot Application.
Key deadlines include
June 15: Last day for the Board of Elections to receive absentee ballot applications.
June 24: Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot.
June 25: Absentee ballots must be received by the poll site or Board of Elections by 9 p.m.
June 25: Last day to postmark a ballot, which must be received by July 2.
July 2: Deadline for military/special federal absentee ballots to be received.
Voter Registration Deadlines Applications must be received by the Board of Elections by June 15, to be eligible to vote in the Primary. The office will be open for registration from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at County Building 1, 15 Main St., Batavia. Please use the elevator door entrance.
In-Person Registration You can register at the Genesee County Board of Elections or any state agency participating in the National Voter Registration Act on any business day throughout the year. To be eligible to vote in the Primary, your application must be received by June 15.
Address Changes
All changes of address must be received by June 10.
If you have any questions or need registration forms or absentee applications, please contact the Genesee County Board of Elections at (585) 815-7804 or visit our website at Genesee County Board of Elections.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C-Batavia) attended a joint press conference to call out the unacceptable and persistent release of cop-killers by the New York State Parole Board. Since 2017, 41 cop-killers have been released. Hawley was joined by his colleagues in the state Assembly and Senate and members of the law enforcement community to advocate for police officers and their families.
Hawley has sponsored a proposal (A.3481) that would require life without parole for the first-degree murder of a police officer. The Majority, however, has not allowed this initiative to move forward in the lawmaking process.
“New York State’s Parole Board has failed us,” said Hawley. “These are the people who are supposed to keep dangerous criminals locked up, but instead, they’re letting them move in next door. Our police officers are the fabric of our society. An attack on one of them is an attack on our way of life. These cop-killing cowards belong in jail, no ifs, ands or buts. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the state Assembly and Senate until we have a parole board that actually cares about protecting victims, not rewarding criminals.”
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors will consider an initial resolution for GE Bergen Owner, LLC’s proposed 196,000-square-foot facility at Apple Tree Acres in the town of Bergen at its board meeting on Thursday, June 6.
The proposed facility would be leased to an end user and proposes to create 60 new full-time equivalent positions.
“This expansion continues the success of the development of the Apple Tree Acres business park similar to the growth we have experienced at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park which also is almost at full capacity,” said GCEDC Senior Vice President Mark Masse. “In just the last few months, we celebrated the expansions of Liberty Pumps and Craft Cannery and the continued success of businesses in the logistics and manufacturing sectors.”
GE Bergen Owner LLC is requesting sales tax exemptions estimated at approximately $1.75 million, a property tax abatement of approximately $2.15 million a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), and a mortgage tax exemption of $366,000.
The proposed incentives for the project are estimated to generate $38 million in wages/benefits and revenues for local governments generated by the development over 10 years. The project generates a $13 fiscal impact for every $1 of proposed incentives.
The project is pending, subject to receiving Empire State Development incentives.
The June 6 GCEDC board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the MedTech Center’s Innovation Zone, 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia. Meeting materials and links to a live stream/on-demand recording of the meeting is available at www.gcedc.com.
Alexander Fire hosted a DWI drill on Thursday at its Rec Hall for Alexander High School seniors.
The fatal accident simulation is designed to remind the students of the dangers of drinking and driving and the impact one poor decision can have on the lives of friends, family, and the community.
Area volunteer fire departments from throughout the county hold DWI drills at this time of year in advance of prom nights.
More than 600 students from across Genesee County attended the 40th annual Kinderfarm event. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Now in its 40th year in Genesee County, Kinderfarmin' may hold a unique spot in New York -- the last event of its kind in the state.
What started as a dairy farm day for first graders evolved into a more comprehensive introduction to farming for kindergartners, according to Natasha Sutherland of Stein Farms in Le Roy and one of a small group of local farmers who organize the annual event.
This year, it was held at Hildene Farms in Pavilion, the same location it has been held at for the past few years.
"We talk about ecosystems, habitat lifecycles, the kids meet farmers, and it takes up the entire day's curriculum so the teachers get a day off," Sutherland said.
The event is supported by donations at the Celebrate Ag Dinner and by support from Dairy Farmers of America, Upstate Niagara, Genesee County Soil and Water, and Farm Credit East.
More than 700 students from Genesee County visited the farm on Wednesday.
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On Wednesday, the Genesee Country Decorative Painters presented more than two dozen hand-painted decorative boxes for staff at the VA Hospital in Batavia to hand out to patients.
Helen Ronin said that every year, the group selects one or two community projects. This year, they decided to give back to the VA for its ongoing support of the group. The VA allows the group to meet regularly in the hospital's auditorium.
"We did this to present to the veterans because e of their service and what they've done for us," Ronin said. "And they let us meet here every time we need it."
The boxes contain a couple of useful items. Veterans might receive them on their birthdays or other special occasions or just because they need a "pick-me-up."
"They just need to know sometimes, if somebody is having a really hard time, that people do care," Ronin said.
The Decorative Painters are hobbyists who paint on objects.
"We paint pictures, wood, furniture, whatever. Whatever is in our way we get rid of it by painting on it," Ronin said with a laugh.
Cindy Baker, volunteer services specialist for the Batavia VA, said the VA is grateful for the donations.
"These are beautiful," she said. "They are gorgeous. I'm happy to be able to hand these to veterans and they will be very, very happy to receive these."
Elba Fire, with assistance from Mercy Flight/EMS, the Sheriff's Office, Emergency Dispatch, Byron Fire, H.E. Turner Funeral Homes, and the Office of Emergency Services, staged the annual pre-prom DWI drill for seniors at Elba High School on Wednesday morning.
The drill stages the scene of a DWI-related fatal accident. The purpose is to give students a realistic view of what happens at a serious injury/fatal accident scene and how it impacts family, friends, and community members.
Andrew David Strollo and Julia Clark were scholarship recipients for the annual award night. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation honored area outstanding students on Tuesday at its 40th Scholarship Awards Dinner.
Honored were:
Andrew David Strollo. Andrew Strollo is a student at Le Roy High School and is the son of Jeff and Jessica Strollo. He will graduate this spring, Summa Cum Laude. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Deca, Knight Media, and the Scholastic Bowl.
Julia Clark. Julia Clark is a graduating Senior at Batavia Senior High School and the daughter of Paul and Patricia Clark. She plans to attend Mercyhurst University and double major in Business and Intelligence studies. Julia will also play softball for Mercyhurst.
Julia Clark received the Vincent Gautieri Memorial Scholarship from members of his family. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Andrew David Strollo received the Paolo Busti scholarship. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Annette La Barbera, co-chair of scholarship awards, presented them to the award recipients Julia Clark and Andrew David Strollo Photo by Steve Ognibene
Victor Gautieri spoke about his father, Vito, in recognition of the founder of the foundation in celebration of 40 years. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Frank Panepento played the national anthem. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Robert W. Burgdorf, an attorney based in Rochester, representing Verizon at Tuesday's Town of Batavia Planning Board meeting. Photo by Howard Owens.
A major telecommunications company's application to erect a new mobile device cell tower is a fairly straightforward approval process for local planners, and on Tuesday evening, Robert W. Burgdorf of Rochester, an attorney representing Verizon, provided several useful nuggets of information.
It was an initial meeting in the regulatory process with the Town of Batavia Planning Board. The application must still undergo an environmental review and a public hearing, but Burgdorf was happy to discuss the process and some of the technical issues involved in installing a cell tower.
Cell towers are extremely location-sensitive because they have to be high enough to reach the neighboring towers but not so high that there is a spillover of signals into the neighboring cells.
"They've got to be placed so that they can hand off to the neighboring cells, again without interfering," Burgdorf said.
They wind up in a honeycomb-like grid, not too close but not too far apart.
Cell towers generally serve a one or two-mile area and can't be too close together or too far apart.
If the tower is under 200 feet tall—this one will be 154 feet tall—the Federal Aviation Administration does not require lighting or striping.
This down will be a matted steel gray.
"We've learned, and we've actually done studies, that this blends in with our skies in Western New York," he said.
An observation a couple of board members quipped was a depressing thought.
Oh, and 5G doesn't cause COVID.
A board member's question prompted the discussion of health concerns about cell towers. Burgdorf said federal law preempts that as a concern for local planners, which he regrets because it also preempts an opportunity to educate the public.
"This is a radio signal, that's all this is," he said. "It is an incredibly weak radio signal. We've had radio signals around since the 20s, the 30s. The only difference between this and a television or radio station is that those operated tens of thousands of watts, sometimes megawatts. So the power levels, from radio and television, just radio signal is much, much stronger than these. These are incredibly weak. They have to be incredibly weak for two reasons. One is they can't interfere with neighboring cells, which are often a mile, two miles away, and we have to be able to get a return path from the user"
He said that if anybody is concerned about cell phone signals, the first thing they should do is seek to do is shut down radio and television signals.
"The issue does come up, but anybody who looks into it, who's being rational, will see that that's not really an issue," Burgdorf said.
The tower will be located at 9300 Wilkinson Road on a 100x100-foot leased parcel. It will be fenced, and a small gravel road will connect it to Wilkinson. There will be minimal traffic to the location—maybe one maintenance worker a month will visit the site.
The board voted to seek lead agency for coordination purposes under the state's SEQR regulations (pronounced seek-ur, it stands for State Environmental Quality Review Act) even though Burgdorf informed lead agency designation for this project is not strictly required.
The board did it as a matter of course, because that is its standard practice, but board members said they will seek their attorney's opinion.
"It's not a fatal error to declare yourself lead agency," Burgdorf said, so he didn't object.
He said a lead agency is only required when there are other "involved" agencies. In this case, other agencies, such as the Genesee County Planning Board, are only "interested" agencies, so there is nothing in the SEQR process to coordinate with other involved agencies.
"Look, the SEQR regs are a pain. They really are," he said. "They're pretty convoluted and they force a lot of municipalities to really become an expert. It is a pretty intense set of regulations, so for what it's worth, if you declare yourself lead agency, that's not the process, but it doesn't make it defective, so whatever you want to do."
Chamber President Brian Cousins presents a display check to Jonell Chudyk, Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary; Marcy Colantonio, Volunteers for Animals; Maryanne Arena, Mary Land Haven for Horses; Pamela Harmon, Cherry Hill Sanctuary. Photo by Howard Owens.
Proceeds from the sale of a children's book developed by the Chamber of Commerce -- “Genny Sees the Eclipse” -- will help feed rescue animals and even enable a couple of sanctuaries to give a couple of horses a safe place to retire.
On Tuesday, Brian Cousins, president of the Chamber, presented $28,653.56 to Jonell Chudyk, Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary; Marcy Colantonio, Volunteers for Animals; Maryanne Arena, Mary Land Haven for Horses; Pamela Harmon, Cherry Hill Sanctuary.
Each organization is receiving $7,163.39.
"This is truly life-changing," said Chudyk. "I know for us from Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary, that amount, that total amount, will pay for the amount of hay that we need through winter. So thank you so much."
Harmon said the $7,000 would help Cherry Hill rescue more horses, and Arena, at Mary Land, said her rescue for retired racehorses would be able to add two horses to its stable.
"It may sound like, 'Oh, two horses,' but that means two lives saved," Arena said.
The book was produced to educate children about the April 8 total eclipse of the sun in Genesee County. The chamber received orders from 28 states -- including Hawaii -- and 165 cities. Forbes named it one of the best five books for people to buy to learn more about the eclipse.
It was written by Colleen Onuffer and illustrated by Andy Reddout.
"We talked to the agriculture community, and we talked with the scientific community to make sure the book was true to life," Cousins said. "Then we thought about how we could commemorate this book to our community, and we thought of you and your selfless devotion to these animals. If you take a look at the book, you will see each one of the animals that you take care of day in and day out are represented in that book."
Jonell Chudyk, Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary, expressing her gratitude for the donation to her organization. Photo by Howard Owens.
Cover of Genny Sees the Eclipse Photo by Howard Owens.
Illustrator Andy Reddout also designed a barn quilt, shown on this model barn, and also on a barn on Route 19 in Le Roy. Photo by Howard Owens.
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.
