John Bennett is leaving UConnectCare after dedicating the past 25 years at the agency formerly known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to helping those affected by substance and alcohol use disorder.
John Bennett Submitted photo.
With his last day as chief executive officer set for this Friday (Feb. 7), the 63-year-old Geneseo resident took time out to reflect upon a 40-year career in the field.
A reception for Bennett, which is open to the public, is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. Feb. 4 at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road, Batavia.
Bennett has accepted a grant-funded director of network development position with Forward Leading IPA’s WeLinkCare social care network that connects individuals and families to vital resources that address the social factors affecting health -- from housing and employment to food and transportation.
In his new position, he will oversee agencies, including UConnectCare, in 14 counties across the Finger Lakes region.
Q. Forty years is a long time in what can be a highly stressful field of work. What made you choose alcohol and substance use treatment and prevention?
A. In the past, I have shared that my grandfather, who I am named after, was an alcoholic. It was during the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s when they didn’t have EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) and much help for people like my grandfather. So, he died young from his alcoholism, and it affected my mom in a lot of ways.
My mom always worried that her children would develop alcohol and drug addiction, So alcohol was never allowed in our household growing up. If you came home with alcohol on your breath it didn’t matter what time of night it was she would get up to smell your breath.
Her whole life centered around breaking the cycle for her own children. Her sister, my Aunt Virginia, married a man who was alcoholic and she took me to AA and Al-Anon meetings when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. Also, my grandmother ended up living with us after my grandfather died. So my mom, my aunt and my grandmother influenced me to enter a field to help individuals and families with addiction.
I felt like it was a calling for me to help families and individuals with addiction. That’s how I got started.
Q. Where was your first job?
A. My first job was in Livingston County for what was then called Livingston County Council on Alcoholism. That was in 1985. I think there were 12 employees in total at the time – like two secretaries, a couple directors and the rest of us were counselors.
I went to college, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Brockport, for counselor education and later I became a certified alcoholism counselor, a CAC, around 1989. I ended up working at LCCA for about 15 years.
Q. What brought you to GCASA, now UConnectCare?
A. I worked my way up in the field as a counselor and then as a team leader and eventually as the clinical supervisor. I was kind of recruited, actually, to come to GCASA by Beverly Maniace, who had just been promoted to deputy director in Batavia. She had a program director position open and asked me to interview.
So, I did, and I got the job a week later. That was in 1999. We were located in the bottom of the Growney Building (on Bank Street). We were there until 2003 and then moved to East Main Street to our current location.
Q. Dave Markham, the former executive director, was well respected in the community. What was your relationship like with him?
A. Dave was my mentor and when he left in 2012, I became the executive director and eventually the CEO. He has had a profound impact upon my life and career. David was very well respected in the community and in the behavioral health field. David gave me ample opportunity to get involved at the state level sitting on several state wide and local committees and he taught me a lot about how to be a leader.
Q. How has the substance use field changed over the years?
A. I started when substance abuse and alcoholism were divided up into two different sectors. And then eventually we became certified alcohol and substance abuse counselors.
There were two different divisions, and we treated drugs and alcohol differently at the time. DAAA and DSAS. Then the two different organizations merged to become OASAS (New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and now New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports).
When I first started we dealt mostly with long-term alcoholism and short-term drinking drivers. Opioids were a drug of last resort. Today the majority of our patients are addicted to poly substances and most included opioids. I never saw our organization opening a methadone clinic but we did in 2018 and I am thankful we did because we have helped a lot of people.
Q. What stands out as far as services available in Genesee and Orleans counties?
A. Looking back, the people that I met and the providers, especially those like Genesee Justice with its restorative justice program, stand out. I became friends with the director at the time, Dennis Wittman, and helped participate in pre-sentencing investigations when there was drug abuse involved.
Eileen Kirkpatrick, who was the director of Genesee County Social Services. People like Dennis and Eileen reached out to me when I first arrived in Genesee County and they introduced me to people and institutions that could make a difference in people’s lives.
I became part of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council, which is really unique across the state to have a council that's made up of criminal justice and service providers. I think that group of individuals does amazing things in our community and is incredibly collaborative. It’s unique and I think all the agencies try to work together and the county legislature has been mostly supportive of our services
I've just really been impressed with Genesee County and Orleans County, the providers and law enforcement and everybody works together to try to make the lives of individuals we serve better. That’s one of the blessings to be able to work in a place where we had those types of relationships,
Q. UConnectCare has grown significantly in recent years. Can you speak about that?
A. Over the last 10 years, we’ve grown from an agency of 68 employees to what will be about 190 employees when the Women & Children’s Residence in Albion opens in a few months.
That was my goal when I took over. It was very frustrating that urban communities had all these services and rural communities had none. So, a lot of our community members had to leave the area to get the services they need … like inpatient or detox or to get methadone. And so, my goal was to bring all those services here so that people didn't have to leave the community, and so that's what we set out to do.
We added a full continuum of services of care in a rural community. I would say that one of my biggest pride and joys is that our organization really tries to make a difference. The staff here care about the people we serve and always try to do the right thing. I will miss them all dearly.
I think opening The Recovery Station at the former Bohn’s Restaurant is one of my favorite projects, because that is one of the most unique recovery centers across the state.
Recently, AA hosted an event there and they had 71 people there. We have had several events with over a 100 people. So, it’s those things that make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
Q. What challenges have you faced and continue to face?
A. I think the hardest part of working in this field is that I've spent 40 years working in a stigmatized field. And no matter how hard I fought to reduce stigma, it still exists today in the year 2025. People with addiction continue to be stigmatized and that sometimes makes me feel like I didn’t do enough to change the attitudes towards people with addiction.
The people that we serve are just people like everybody else. They just have a drug addiction and when they become sober or get into recovery, they’re some of the kindest and coolest people you could ever meet.
So, that probably has been the most difficult part. When I reflect on how we tried to open a recovery center down on Swan Street and they kind of ran us out of town. Those are disappointing moments, not because we weren’t able to open a program, but because it sends a message to people who are struggling with addiction and are in recovery that they are somehow less than others. It makes me sad that people have this misconception of people in recovery.
Q. What can you say about the people you have worked with over the years?
A. Well, obviously, all of the staff that I've gotten to work with in the past 25 years at UConnectCare are amazing people. I’ve had the privilege to work with a great leadership team. Some of us have been together for the full 25 years.
I want to be careful to mentions individuals because I am sure I will forget someone important, so I’ll just say that my current leadership team is comprised of incredible people who have devoted their careers to serving people and their families suffering with addiction. I couldn’t have done half of what we accomplished without them. I love getting to know as many staff individually as possible. I will miss them all.
I’ve worked with a great volunteer board of directors over the years. I want to say a huge thank you to all of them over the past 13 years. Most of them had some kind of connection to the work we do and I truly appreciate all their guidance over the years.
In the community, I need to mention Jay Gsell and now Matt Landers, Genesee County managers, and also Lynda Battaglia and Danielle Figura, who head up the mental health clinics in Genesee and Orleans. They have always had our backs and have been supportive all we do. There have been so many great people along the way -- too many to mention.
Q. What made you decide to leave UConnectCare?
A. I will truly miss this work, but it was really after 40 years, it was just time for me to pass the torch on to someone else. I really kind of feel like I've accomplished what I needed to.
Honestly, my father died two years ago. I just kind of felt like I did what I needed to do in my career to make my family proud. I’m proud of how the agency has grown and I am leaving it, I hope, better than it was when I took over and in good hands with the current leadership and the interim CEO Kathy Hodgins.
With this new position, it gives me the chance to get back to my roots of hands-on assistance and help this social care grant grow and be successful and to help people who really sometimes just need the basics to have a better life.
The Town of Pavilion Republican Committee is actively seeking individuals who may be interested in serving their community as a candidate for office for the following positions:
Town Council (2 positions)
All interested parties should email their letter of interest to: Committee Chair, Erica Welch at: republicancommittee.top@gmail.com no later than Tuesday, February 18. Please include a good phone number. Interviews will be conducted on February 20.
View 52 Swan Street Batavia-City. Fantastic opportunity in heart of City that offers multiple business possibilities OR keep it for your own private work/storage space!!This is a super solid 2662 sq ft masonry building that has 3 overhead doors 6 year old roof and finished office space with private entrance to street. The building sits on a partially fenced large lot offering plenty of parking and area to drop your trailer or outside equipment! This type of opportunity doesn't come around often at this price-take advantage of it!
View 29 Brooklyn Avenue Batavia-City. Great storage opportunity easy access location! Solid brick storage on approximate 71x103 pie shaped lot Owner desires sale but will consider lease option- cross listed #B1576722.
Call Reliant Real Estate today, Call 585-344-HOME (4663).
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today released the following statement following President Trump’s announcement that he will impose tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China:
“It would be nice if Donald Trump could start focusing on getting the prices down instead of making them go up.
“All tariffs are not created equal. Donald Trump is aiming his new tariffs at Mexico, Canada, and China but they will likely hit Americans in their wallets. I am concerned these new tariffs will further drive up costs for American consumers.
“We should be focused on going hard against competitors who rig the game, like China, rather than attacking our allies. If these tariffs go into full effect, they will raise prices for everything from groceries, to cars, to gas, making it even harder for middle-class families to just get by.”
On February 11 at 6 p.m., come to the latest exhibit opening at the Holland Land Office Museum. "A Dressmakers Work: Fashioning the 19th-Century," will be officially open! Be the first to step back into a 19th-century dressmaker shop, pick out your fashions, and see the completed gowns and dresses. The exhibit highlights the over 300 highly talented and industrious women who worked as dressmakers across Genesee County from 1860 to 1900. All are welcome to attend the opening, as it is FREE! Refreshments will also be provided. We hope to see you there! If you would like to let us know of your attendance feel free to call the museum at 585-343-4727 or email us at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, February 13, at 7 p.m. In honor of President's Day, come and test your knowledge of our nation's Commander-in-Chiefs. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome back Reverend Jeremai Williams as our next Guest Speaker on Friday, February 21 at 7 p.m. Reverend Williams will be presenting with Gregory Brice in honor of Black History month on "African American Inventors," who have had a lasting impact on our lives as we know it. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you would like to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
On February 27, at 9a.m., listen to County Historian Michael Eula present for our FREE morning coffee program Java with Joe! Michael will be presenting on a chapter out of his second book he is finishing, entitled "Hidden History of Genesee County." Admission is FREE and both coffee and donuts will be provided. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Come enjoy the winter season at the Genesee County Park and Forest! Join us this February and March for a variety of walks, hikes, and programs.
Programs include:
Saturday, February 8 – Moonlight Snowshoe Hike
Saturday, February 15 – Great Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, February 15 – Through the Year: Stories from the Oldest County Forest in New York State. Presented in partnership with the Letchworth State Park Humphrey Nature Center. This program is free!
Wednesday, February 19, Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21 – Mid-Winter Break Adventures
Saturday, March 15 – Junior ACORNS Orientation and Trail Ranger Training
Saturday, March 22 – Early Spring Woods Walk at DeWitt Recreation Area
Saturday, March 29 – Amphibian Adventure
Walks are led by a guide who takes you through forest, meadow and wetland habitats. Each will explore a different topic. Walks are approximately 1 - 2 miles long over easy terrain and all are family friendly.
Cost is $5 per person, $10 per family unless otherwise noted. Please pre-register to receive exact meeting location and other details! Register by visiting https://bit.ly/GenCoParkRegistration or by calling 585-344-1122
For more information visit our website at www.geneseeny.gov/parks or contact Claudia Nusstein at Claudia.Nusstein@geneseeny.gov or 585-344-1122.
The Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee County has continued their mission to tackle Period Poverty in our community. In January, the club donated $1000 worth of period products to Community Action and The Heart of Kindness Center.
According to a 2023 YouGov survey, 37% of all menstruating American females say they or their family have struggled to afford menstrual products and almost half (47%) agree that the current economic climate causes them stress about their ability to afford period products.
These donations are a continuation of the Zonta Club’s initiative to combat period poverty from last year when $1000 in products were donated to the Richmond Memorial Library Comfort Boxes and Community Action. For more information, please reach out to the Zonta Club at Zontabatavia@gmail.com.
A house fire at 82 Main St., Corfu, was reported shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday.
When the Corfu Fire chief arrived on scene reported a full-involved structure fire on the first floor of the house. He immediately called for a second alarm, which included the city's FAST Team, Town of Batavia Fire, and Pembroke Fire. Elba Fire and Darien Fire also dispatched.
The resident and her pet were not at home at the time, according to Tim Yaeger, emergency management coordinator. He said the resident was on her way to the airport when she learned of the fire. She returned to the scene.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and will be investigated, Yaeger said..
The 2,128-square-foot residence was built in 1900 and remodeled in 1940, according to county tax records. Its assessed value is $186,890. The listed owner is June Myers.
It was 1988, and our youngest daughter came home from Batavia Middle School all excited about an author she had met as a guest speaker in her English class. She was telling us about a murder that happened not far from us. As a result, we got in the car and drove to Linden to see where this murder took place. She still has a copy of his book, Linden Murders: UNSOLVED, first published in 1984. This author inspired her to be excited about reading mysteries.
The first time I met the author, Bill Brown Jr., was when we were on the Holland Purchase Historical Society Board. After meeting him, I asked if he would be a guest speaker in my fourth-grade class. That began our friendship. He was an excellent addition to my classroom. He talked about being a writer and answered the children's questions. He then would return weekly to work with the children.
That year, when my class did their Famous Batavian Project, they chose Bill to be their class's famous Batavian. Part of their project was to draw a picture related to their person. The child, who was researching Mr. Brown, drew an image of the home he lived in with his family using an Opaque Projector. I just found out the picture hangs in the house of Bill's daughter, Betsy.
In 2000, I met someone very special to me, Ida Spiotta, a neighbor, and we would talk about what it was like to work on the muck. That gave me the idea to interview people and hear their stories. That was when I contacted Bill, and we worked together to write the book The Story of the Muck As Told by Those Who Worked There.
For those that have not heard of the muck, it was a part of Batavia's history that spanned from 1932 to 1952, when hundreds of men, women, and children worked on the muck, planting and nurturing crops and, months later, harvesting lettuce, spinach, onions, potatoes, and carrots. I presented my idea for a book to Bill, and he said, "You research it, I will write it." That was the beginning of a very special friendship with Bill Brown. I learned so much from him as we created this book together. The book was published in 2003.
These are the books Bill authored:
The Batavia Downs Story, 1940-1990,
A Legacy of Opportunity
The Mancusos of Batavia
WBTA: My Words are My Own
Genesee's Rich & Famous
A History of Notre Dame High School: The First Fifty Years, 1951-2001
History of St. Joseph's Parish
The Story of the Muck
St. Joseph's Church: A History of Genesee Area's Oldest Catholic Parish, 1849-1999
The First One Hundred Years, 1890-1990: The Story of Crickler & Houseknecht
The Story of John Brown and Other Irish-Americans
Three Times is True
Murder, He Wrote!
The Linden Murders: Unsolved!
William F. Brown Jr. was born October 25, 1923, in Batavia, the son of William F. Brown Sr. and Monica Sellinger Brown. He graduated in 1941 from Batavia High School and graduated from Canisius College. He also studied at Yale and Fordham Universities. He served in WW II and worked for the Armed Forces Radio Service in Kokura, Japan.
He worked as public relations director for Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway for several years before becoming co-owner and manager of WBTA radio in 1968.
He won 16 statewide best editorial awards in his career from the New York State Broadcasters Association. He was a United States Harness Writer Association member for over 55 years, introduced into the Hall of Fame in 1991. He was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees for Notre Dame High School, a Saint Jerome trustee, and a board member of the Catholic Education Diocese of Buffalo. He was a lecturer and Eucharistic Minister at Resurrection Parish.
Mr. Brown married the former Elizabeth Farrell in Stamford, CT in 1947. She died in 1993. He was the father of four children, William F Brown III, survived by his wife Deborah, Elizabeth A. McGee (John), Robert F. Brown (Katie), and Bonny Peacock (Bob).
After a brief illness at 91, Bill passed away on Nov. 29, 2014.
Bill will be remembered by my daughter, my students, and myself as a very special friend. His involvement in many civic organizations, his awards, and the books he authored truly made him a famous Batavian.
Richard James Burdick, 46, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, and aggravated unlicensed driver. Burdick was stopped at 6:22 p.m. on Jan. 30 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun. Burdick was allegedly found in possession of 62 grams of cocaine. He was held pending arraignment.
Teresa K. Hillin, 41, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, driving without insurance, and driving a vehicle without an inspection sticker; Peter Dercqu, 46, of Lyndonville, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th; and Steven Hadden, 43, of Pembroke, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Hillin was reportedly the driver of a vehicle stopped by a deputy at 2:25 a.m. on Jan. 29 in Pembroke. Deputies reportedly found cocaine in the vehicle. All three occupants were processed at the Genesee County and Released.
Brevin J. Mast, 27, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd and two counts of menacing, 2nd. Mast allegedly threatened two people on Jan. 15 at a location on Trumbull Parkway, Batavia. He was jailed following his arrest.
Tyler James Bull, 22, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Bull, who is incarcerated, is accused of calling a person 142 times in violation an order of protection. he was arrested on Jan. 15. He was scheduled for arraignment.
Jacob Herbert Tillotson, 25, of Walker Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, and moving from lane unsafely. Tillotson was stopped at 8:58 p.m. on Jan. 17 on Linwood Road, Le Roy, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Julie Lynn Dutton, 29, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal mischief 4th. Dutton is accused of stealing and damaging property from the La Quinta Inn & Suites at 8200 Park Road, Batavia. She was held at the Genesee County Jail pending arraignment. Dutton was also arrested by Batavia PD on Jan. 15 and charged with two counts of petit larceny. She is accused of shoplifting from Tops. She was arraigned and held.
Jordan Nicholas Wieseltier, 43, of Route 20, Pavilion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Wieseltier was stopped at 6 p.m. on Jan. 20 on West Main Road, Le Roy, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.
Sergiy Borkowski, 44, of Branch Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and moving from lane unsafely. Borkowski was reportedly involved in a one-car motor vehicle accident at 9:22 p.m. on Jan. 9 on Reuben Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, and arrested by Deputy Matthew Wesolowski following an investigation. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
William Stanley Pyszczek, 72, of Pembroke, is charged with menacing 2nd and harassment 2nd. Pyszczek is accused of brandishing a knife and threatening the life of another person at 1:57 a.m. on Jan. 27 at a location on South Lake Road, Pembroke. Pyszczek was held pending arraignment.
Joseph Michael Degweck, Jr., 52, of Pine Street, East Aurora, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Degweck is accused of violating a stay-away order of protection at 1:20 p.m. on Jan. 24 while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail. He allegedly made third-party contact with the protected party. He was scheduled for arraignment at a later date.
Bryan Francis Walczak, 42, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Walczak was stopped at 11:43 p.m. on Jan. 26 on Alexander Road, Alexander, after the Sheriff's Office received a report of an erratic driver from a witness. Walczak was held pending arraignment.
Michael J. Difalco, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Difalco was allegedly involved in a disturbance on South Main Street on Jan. 9. He is accused of violating an order of protection. He allegedly fled on foot when officers attempted to take him into custody. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed.
Joseph W. Freeman, 40, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Freeman was allegedly on the property of the Budget Inn on Oak Street after previously being told he wasn't allowed on the property. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Joseph Hagen, 41, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Hagan was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Jan. 9 on Highland Park, Batavia. His vehicle reportedly struck multiple objects. He was issued traffic tickets and released.
Sean M. Conway, 47, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Conway is accused of shoplifting from Harbor Freight on Dec. 17. He was arrested on Jan. 11. He was arraigned and released.
Michael R Marchese, 34, of Honeoye Falls, is charged with DWI. Marchese is accused of driving a vehicle on Nov. 6 at an undisclosed location in Batavia that struck a tree, light pole, and another vehicle, before leaving the scene. Marchese was issued multiple traffic tickets on Jan. 9.
Held at Gates-Chili Friday night, the Byron-Bergen/Le Roy girls swim team brought home their third-straight Genesee Region/Niagara Orleans title with 372 points.
BBLR won all three relays, with Anna Kent, Rena Wilson, Mikayla Yohon, and Lea Donofrio starting the night off in the Medley Relay (2:03.58). Senior Haylee Gartz broke the BBLR school record in the 50 Freestyle on the first leg of the 200 Freestyle Relay with a 25.20. Along with Yohon, Donofrio, and Kara Valdes, BBLR also broke the school record in that relay with a 1:44.98. Gartz, Kent, Rose Wilson, and Valdes placed first in the 400 Freestyle with a 3:55.48.
Gartz was chosen as Co-Swimmer of the Meet due to her outstanding performances, including first place in the 200 Freestyle with a 2:00.25 and 100 Freestyle with a 54.77. Yohon also placed first in the 50 Freestyle with a season-best 26.27 and second in the 100 Butterfly (1:06.59.) Valdes placed third in both the 50 Freestyle (26.77) and 500 Freestyle (5:55.56). Kent placed second in the 100 Backstroke (1:06.58).
Newfane’s girls came in second with 247 points. Lauren Enderton, Kimberly Schmitt, Avery Stevenson, and Sara Klinger placed second with a 2:05.14. Stevenson also placed second in the 50 Freestyle (26.69) and third in the 100 Freestyle (59.36). Enderton came in third in the 100 Breaststroke with a 1:12.81. Schmitt placed second in the 100 Breaststroke (1:17.87).
Harley Allendale Columbia’s girls came in third with 222 points. Maria Nichols placed first in the 500 Freestyle with a 5:38.54 and second in the 200 Freestyle with a 2:06.68. Sophomore Chloe Terio placed second in the 200 IM with a 2:33.34 and third in the 100 Butterfly (1:08.73.)
Royalton-Hartland came in fourth with 199 points. Their 200 Medley Relay came in fourth (Ava Achtyl, Sam Fox, Abigail Glyshaw, and Maria Trombley). Glyshaw also placed fourth in the 200 IM (2:41.81).
Oakfield-Alabama’s girls came in fifth with 164 points. Freshman Tori Davis placed first in the 100 Backstroke with a 1:02.86 and second in the 100 Freestyle with a 58.11.
Akron finished sixth (156 points) with Audrey Garverick placing second in the 500 Freestyle with a 5:53.90 and fourth in the 200 Freestyle (2:13.68). Brooke Milhollen placed fourth in the 100 Backstroke (1:12.88).
Albion finished seventh (149 points) with Willow Gaines touching first in the 100 Breaststroke (1:16.15) and fourth in the 50 Freestyle (26.89). Jillian LeBaron, Gaines, Keira Sidari, and Anna Grillo placed third in the 200 Medley Relay (2:11.49) and Sidari placed third in the 200 Freestyle (2:10.92).
Pembroke/Alexander placed eighth (133 points) with Junior Rose Reisdorf placing third in the 200 IM (2:39.75).
Batavia/Notre Dame placed ninth with 128 points. Senior Maddy Bellamy brought home Co-Swimmer of the Meet honors with her first place finish in the 200 IM (2:19.82) and 100 Butterfly (1:03.67).
Driving conditions can change quickly so be prepared for those changes. This is the time to check over your vehicle for proper operation of all safety features. This is the time to put on those snow tires if you use them. This is the time to check over your entire vehicle for winter driving.
Please remember:
There is “No Parking” on city streets between 2 to 6 a.m. If at all possible, try not to park on the street when snowing so snow can be cleared to the curb line/ edge of pavement.
Stay back from snowplows at least 100 feet. If you can’t see the mirrors on the snowplow then the snowplow operator cannot see you. Snowplow operators are out there to help make the roads safe.
Please keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. It is the property owner’s responsibility keep the sidewalks, adjacent to your property, clear. There are significant numbers of pedestrians in the city.
Do not shovel, plow, or snow blow into the road. If you have your driveway plowed, do not push it into or across the road or block sidewalks. These all create hazards for you and the community.
Be patient and plan ahead. None of us can control the weather. Leave more time for travel if the weather is forecasting snow. In severe weather, try to limit any unnecessary travel.
Bureau of Maintenance’s first response:
When it does snow the City Department of Public Works – Bureau of Maintenance responds to the weather.
Upon the initial on-set of snow the Bureau of Maintenance will respond with what we call a salt run.
Three plows outfitted with material spreaders are dispatched to apply anti-icing materials (rock salt) to roadways and parking lots.
This will help prevent or break up snow from binding to the pavement.
If snow persists and depending on the type of snow this operation will change from a salt run to a plowing operation.
Bureau’s typical plowing operation:
In a plowing operation there are nine distinct routes designed for the most efficient use of our equipment.
Be it wide streets, narrow streets, dead-ends or parking lots we have different equipment to handle each unique area.
It takes about four hours to get through the city once in a moderate snow event.
We normally try to get through the City twice during a plow operation.
Each snow event is different.
Snow events vary from low moisture to high moisture, from flurries to high intensity, from relatively warm to bitter cold, with traffic or without traffic, day/night/weekends and holidays.
Each impacts how we fight the snow, with our ultimate goal to keep the City open for business and safe for travel.
We thank you for your cooperation and ask you to be safe this winter season.
Beth Krantz, culinary arts manager, and Jacob prepare peas.
Press Release:
Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club of Batavia, Arc GLOW was able to purchase the necessary equipment for the Genesee County Meals on Wheels program.
Since 2012, Arc GLOW has contracted with the Genesee County Office for the Aging to deliver meals to Genesee County residents over the age of 60. Meals are delivered between 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and are prepared by the agency’s culinary team.
Through the grant, Arc GLOW was able to replace outdated equipment including utility carts, heating stones and coolers. It was also able to update to a new steam table, allowing for larger quantities of food, improving efficiency and ensuring meals are served at proper temperatures.
“We are very thankful to the Rotary Club of Batavia and their generous support,” said Martin Miskell, Arc GLOW CEO. “With this support, we will continue to provide top quality service to our area seniors.”
Arc GLOW serves up to 2,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, and is the largest geographic Arc chapter in the state. For more information on Arc GLOW, visit ArcGLOW.org. To make a referral to the home delivered meals program, call (585) 343-1611.
Submitted photos.
Jacob is pushing a cart of coolers with Chris following him, getting ready to pack Meals on Wheels meals.
Concerned residents on behalf of the Reservation Territory of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation are highlighting the Genesee County Economic Development Center's (GCEDC) plan to hold daytime public hearings on proposals from three investor groups vying to site a data center at the WNY Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) mega industrial site, currently being constructed in the town of Alabama.
The February 3 hearings are required by Article 18-1 of the General Municipal Law and pertain to financial incentives promised by GCEDC to each of the three applicants. GCEDC has not released any details on these financial incentives, meaning that the public will not have a chance to review this information prior to submitting written or oral comments.
Moreover, GCEDC has refused to disclose the identities of the companies represented by the investor group applicants. ‘Data center’ is a generic term that can refer to operations ranging from cryptocurrency mining to Artificial Intelligence processing.
Based on financial incentives offered to the only other confirmed tenants at STAMP - Edwards Vacuum and Plug Power, these incentives are likely to be in the ballpark of several million dollars - despite the fact that data centers create minimal jobs, use massive amounts of water and energy, and face opposition from other WNY communities concerned about their noxious public health and environmental impacts. The proposed data center would be sited on a parcel of land characterized by wetlands and located immediately adjacent to the Reservation Territory of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, whose Council of Chiefs opposes STAMP.
Three public hearings held by STAMP developer GCEDC to gather comments on proposed data center applications. GCEDC is also accepting written comments to gcedc@gcedc.com before 12 p.m. on Friday, January 31. The email must contain the project name in its subject line.
On Monday, February 3 at Town of Alabama Fire Department 2230 Judge Road, Alabama
“The enemy doesn’t come by boat; he arrives in a limousine.” These words feel especially relevant when considering the renewed push for the STAMP project.
If you grew up in Oakfield, like me, the term “STAMP Project” might stir faint memories from years past. But those memories never truly faded. Now, the project is ramping up again—despite a disastrous history of pipeline spills, covert dealings, and broken promises.
As adults, it’s our responsibility to ask tough questions of these polished businessmen who promise jobs and prosperity. And as we do, we must remember who has been consistently protecting the land—the Indigenous peoples. They are the guardians of 80% of the world’s biodiversity, including the sacred lands of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, where their stewardship is critical.
When it comes to matters of land and environment, siding with the protectors of biodiversity is not just wise — it’s necessary for the well-being of future generations.
Let’s take a closer look at STAMP’s recent track record.
The STAMP Pipeline Spills In August and September 2023, there were three ‘fracouts’ of hydraulic drilling fluid—a mixture of water and clay slurry—from the STAMP pipeline. These spills resulted in hundreds of gallons of fluid contaminating federally protected wetlands in the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
Mark Masse, Vice President of Operations for the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) tried to downplay this environmental fallout by dismissively referring to the spilled material as “mud.” This attempt to minimize the severity of the situation is a red-flag. Such language demonstrates a fundamental disconnect from the principles of environmental science and the reality of the harm caused by these spills. This tone fosters divisiveness and undermines the collaborative efforts needed to protect both our natural resources and our communities.
In response to the frac-out spill, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revoked a critical permit for constructing the wastewater pipeline in September 2024, following months of pressure from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and its allies. Adding to this, the DEC reprimanded the GCEDC and its contractors for failing to promptly notify the proper authorities about the spills. While the contractors informed DEC staff on the day of the incident, they neglected to alert the Bureau of Ecosystem Health immediately, leaving drilling fluids in the wetlands for over two weeks. Cleanup didn’t begin until September 22, and wasn’t fully completed until recently.
Given this, it’s astonishing that local leaders would even consider continuing to work with contractors who have already demonstrated incompetence at best—or reckless dishonesty at worst.
At least Orleans County has had enough. In September 2023, they took legal action and filed a lawsuit in the state Supreme Court against the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). They’re asking the court to stop the construction of the wastewater pipeline meant for the Science, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).
The lawsuit claims that the GCEDC broke state law while trying to build the pipeline. It says that they created the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corp. (GGLDC) and STAMP Sewer Works in an illegal way. Orleans County also argues that the pipeline would seriously harm Oak Orchard Creek, which is important to the county’s fishing and tourism businesses.
The lawsuit further states that, because the GCEDC couldn’t get Orleans County’s permission to build the pipeline, it started illegally acquiring the necessary easements from property owners in Orleans County to build it.
“They started construction without having all their ducks in a row and did so at their own risk,” said Jennifer Persico, an attorney representing Orleans County. “This behavior is entirely consistent with their actions throughout this entire process.”
She’s right. The residents of Genesee County are supporting this pipeline at their own risk — risking the beautiful wetlands that are integral to the rural life we cherish here.
Are we really so desperate? So gullible?
The Fox Guarding the Henhouse This brings us to an even larger issue: the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) itself. Steve Hyde, the former head of the GCEDC, made a suspicious amount of money while priming the STAMP location and courting big businesses to the area. He retired recently, but it’s worth questioning the motives behind this entire operation.
The real problem lies in the GCEDC’s unchecked power over this situation. The GCEDC has been allowed to act as the “lead agency” for all aspects of the state’s SEQR environmental review process. Think about that for a moment: the same organization profiting from pushing the STAMP project is also responsible for overseeing its environmental compliance. This is a bold case of the fox guarding the henhouse.
Unsurprisingly, the environmental review process under the GCEDC’s leadership has been sloppy at best and negligent at worst. An independent review revealed Hyde’s salary and bonuses increased significantly during periods when he aggressively lobbied businesses to consider the STAMP site. Their profit motive creates a glaring conflict of interest, especially when you factor in their lackluster oversight.
Are we really supposed to trust the judgment of an agency that cuts corners on environmental protections while padding its own bottom line?
The Hollow Promises of Jobs Politicians love making promises, especially the enticing kind. They’re not fools— they know Western New York is struggling, just like much of the working class across the country.
So, when businessmen roll into town claiming the STAMP project will create 9,000 jobs, it’s easy for folks to trade their common sense for a sliver of hope. Senator Chuck Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul, heralded STAMP as a beacon of high-tech opportunity, even going so far as to pressure the regulators to issue permits necessary -- causing violations of federal law and a state policy.
That was then. Now, they’re pivoting. Instead of the promised 9,000 high-tech jobs, the site will likely employ just a few hundred people—and it won’t be in advanced manufacturing. Instead, the focus has shifted to data centers.
Why the change? Because the developers have failed to attract tenants in advanced manufacturing or semiconductor production. As a result, they’re pivoting to data centers, which bring far fewer jobs but come with immense environmental costs.
Data centers come with massive environmental footprints. They consume staggering amounts of energy and water, emit greenhouse gases, and generate disruptive noise, light, and air pollution. These facilities are notorious for being terrible neighbors, degrading quality of life while straining local resources like the power grid.
But, of course, the suits insist their data center will be different. They assure us they can be trusted.
Sure — just like we could trust the pipeline’s construction.
GCEDC has even described their current process of reviewing applications from three different data center investor groups as a “sweepstakes.” But let’s be honest—there are no winners here, not for local residents, not for the community, and certainly not for the local environment.
This is the same gamble they’ve been selling for years. And based on STAMP’s history, the odds aren’t in our favor. Is it really worth risking the land, your home, and your community for a vague promise of development and jobs? In the future, will the data center be sold to another company? Will jobs be downsized as more automation makes human workers irrelevant?
It seems the developers have failed to attract advanced manufacturing tenants and are instead offering us this pivot—one that benefits them more than it ever will us.
A Call to Action It’s time for local residents to step up and demand accountability. Attend your Town Board meetings and ask the hard questions: Who is truly benefiting from this project? Why are we continuing to partner with organizations that have already proven to be careless and self-serving?
For those looking to get involved, check out the work being done by the Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. They’ve been tracking the STAMP project closely and advocating for the protection of our region’s natural resources and quality of life.
In closing, I anticipate that the Genesee County Economic Development Center will dismiss any significant concerns as hysterical or misinformed — after all, their primary objective is to quell worries and push business forward.
One cannot claim to care about the environment while continuing to disregard and disrespect the rights of Indigenous peoples. They are on the frontlines, combating the disastrous industrialization and destruction that directly fuel the climate crisis we face today. Ignoring their warnings is a grave mistake — they have been fighting to protect this land far longer than any of us.
Thus, it should go without saying: when it comes to matters of environmental preservation and land sovereignty, ensure you stand with the true guardians of biodiversity—the people of the land.
Time is ticking. Spread the word by informing others — let us not have businessmen pull the wool over our eyes.
Uncertainty seems to be the sentiment of the moment — from local school and county officials to state senators — about recent presidential executive orders and an attempted funding freeze that was halted by a court order this week.
Two orders, titled Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling and Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families, are posted on the U.S. government’s website and have not seemed to draw much public attention as of yet.
They involve the Education Department: divvying out funding for families to choose from a wider pool of public, private, faith-based, and military school options; and another order that pertains to less focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and bringing back “patriotic education” to the classroom.
The Batavian reached out to all eight of Genesee County’s public school superintendents and other county officials for responses to these and related orders, and the funding freeze, which Senators Chuck Schumer and Patty Murray not only publicly criticized this week but warned that the administration "will come back again and again and again” to try and implement some type of funding freeze, Schumer said.
Pembroke Superintendent Matt Calderón said, “certainly, I am always concerned about funding.”
“Because, as a small rural school with limited resources, we are already lean in regard to the programs we are able to offer, and we cannot afford to lose any of our current funding,” he said. “At the same time, I am not overly concerned about losing Pembroke students if educational options for families are expanded. I suspect we would lose some students and gain some students.
“As for the second order about restricting certain educational content, I don't believe this will have much impact on how we approach education in Pembroke due to the fact that we have never engaged in indoctrinating our students to subscribe to any specific ideology that may be politically motivated by either side of the aisle,” he said. “As educators, our responsibility is, in age-appropriate ways and in partnership with parents, to teach students about all the issues and perspectives that exist, to engage them in thinking and talking and reading and writing about those issues, with input from one another, from their parents, from community members, from experts and from an array of individuals who see things differently from one another.”
In addition to academics, he said that his district wants “to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students regardless of who they are or what they believe.”
“We want to help students recognize and experience that they can co-exist, love and respect people who are different than they are and who may not view things the way they do,” he said. “We don't need the federal government or the state to dictate that we do this or how we do it because, ultimately, each school district is most accountable to its own local community.”
As for any future funding freeze that should come back into play, he and Le Roy School Superintendent Merritt Holly said that they do not have enough information or explanation about such a freeze from the federal level to make a statement about how it would affect their respective districts.
Batavia City Schools Superintendent Jason Smith agrees that “without details, the impact is hard to assess” for some of these measures, including the executive order pertaining to expanded school choice.
“This is yet to be determined how this would impact public school funding. Given our state aid is derived from student population and student need, this diversion of resources could potentially lead to greater inequality for public education,” Smith said. “Families do have choices now, and it is always difficult to make predictions when details are sparse.”
As for the order to end racial indoctrination, Smith was more definitive. Batavia City School District “is committed to protecting and serving all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender,” he said, adding his comments about reinstating patriotic education. “Local history is taught in fourth grade, and all seniors take a Participation in Government class, which is a NYS graduation requirement. In addition, United States History and Government is taught in Grades seven, eight, and 11, which follow the New York State Learning Standards for Social Studies.”
Since the funding freeze was “very broad, had few specifics, and was brief,” it is unclear at this time what the impact would have been, he said.
How would the district compensate for the loss if such a freeze is enacted down the road? “The District would fund as much as possible through the general fund, but because these programs are funded through federal grants, the District's general fund could not sustain many of these programs, and there would need to be adjustments to the services provided to our students,” he said. “If the freeze is reinstated, the District would need to evaluate the programs funded through these federal grants and determine to the extent that they can be added to the general fund.”
Will you plan for such impromptu measures in this year's budget process? While our budgets are built conservatively, and while we plan for worse-case scenarios, this would be an especially challenging situation,” he said. “So yes, to the extent possible, we will be planning for such measures.”
As with everyone else, County Manager Matt Landers didn’t know what the “true exposure is of a freeze” because he doesn’t yet have a good understanding of which areas would be selected for this measure, he said.
“I don’t want to speculate without more details. For example, the county receives federal monies for airport and bridge infrastructure projects, but I have not seen anything that indicates this funding could be in jeopardy, nor do I think those pots of money are under any particular scrutiny.
If, as Senator Schumer has predicted, the current presidential administration attempts again for a funding freeze, how would that affect Genesee County? In the short term, the funding freeze could potentially impact cash flow for Genesee County government, but fortunately, we have a fund balance and cash reserves that should get us through this period,” Landers said. “I can’t speculate on how a permanent freeze would impact the County because we have numerous federal funding streams that affect different operations. Predicting which programs could be more than temporarily impacted would be just guessing at this point. Nonprofits in the community face a more difficult challenge if their federal funds get frozen because many of them operate on a shoestring budget where a delay in reimbursement could be devastating.”
How would you deal with it and recoup the loss? How much loss in funding could it mean? “If the County were to lose federal funding, we would look to see if we could end the program that the funding supported,” he said. “Unless the program is mandated, in which case this would be another example of an unfunded mandate.”
Do you think that the DEI protocols/restrictions will be implemented on a local basis, and tied to funding? Your thoughts about that? “Even if the federal government removes DEI language from their funding, NYS has equally or more stringent DEI policies in place, so I don’t anticipate much changing for county government,” he said.
A battle of top section V hockey teams at The McCarthy friday evening, BND United beats McQuaid 3-2. Photo by Steve Ognibene
A 3-2 victory over McQuaid by Batavia Notre Dame United was a big win for the program said Coach Marc Staley after the game.
The difference came down to United killing a penalty while scoring on its own power play in the third period.
We had that one chance," Staley said, "and we scored on it. We talked about it going into the third period, if we could score on a power play and get the lead, I felt comfortable that we could shut them down."
Staley said the team went with a 1-1-3 defense in the third and it was effective.
"We had 38 clears in the third period, which is crazy, but the kids really committed to blocking shots, getting in lanes, limiting second chances, winning face-offs, doing all that stuff that doesn't show up on the score sheet," Staley said.
Ten minutes into the first period, Luke Staley took a slap shot from the point, and Jameson Motyka redirected a tip-in goal to start the scoring.
McQuaid, one of the top-ranked Class A teams in the state, scored in the second to tie the game when Lou Zaari passed to Sean Donlon.
Two minutes later, BND answered on a fast break from Sam Pies to Jameson Motyka to regain the lead 2-1.With two minutes left in the second, McQuaid scored a goal from Conor Edgecomb to tie the game.
The third period brought McQuaid their first penalty of the game. Brady Johnson capitalized a power-play goal, from Jameson Motyka past goalie Owen Salinas.
In the net, Rhys Tanner stopped 28 of 30 shots on goal.
BND United is now 9-5-2 on the season and plays on the road versus McQuaid next Saturday at Rochester Ice Center at 3:45 p.m.
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