Go Art is thrilled to announce the opening of three captivating new exhibitions, featuring the diverse talents of the Genesee region BOCES Graphic Arts students, Matthew Fox, and one of GO Art’s staff members, Jodi Fisher. Join us at GO Art for the opening reception on June 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.
On display in our Oliver’s Gallery is the exhibit "Through a Lens,&" featuring the work of photographer and poet Jodi Fisher, a collection of nature photography showcasing some of her recent work.
Jodi invites the public to see her raw, unaltered photographs, which bring into focus how random things can be intensely interesting, especially when light, shadows, and angles come into play. Everyone who views this body of work will agree that Jodi successfully achieved her intention to transform the simple and sometimes mundane subject matter into an art piece.
Jodi says, “Each photograph captures not only what I see at any given moment, but it also tells a story about how simply looking at something from a different angle changes the whole feeling and mood of the piece”.
Contemporary painter Matthew Fox's collection offers the public a contemplative introspection in his exhibition, so aptly titled “Beyond Boundaries: Form and Fantasy.”
Matt says, “In my work, I explore the convergence of the visceral and the ethereal through bold color relationships and symbolic imagery. My paintings oscillate between representational and abstract forms, creating visual narratives that examine our relationship with both the microscopic world within us and the vast cosmos beyond."
Matt Fox (b. 1985) is a contemporary painter based in Batavia, New York. Working primarily in acrylics, Fox creates vibrant, symbolically rich compositions that bridge the gap between scientific understanding and emotional experience.
Featured in the Rotary Gallery are over 50 art pieces created by Genesee Valley BOCES Graphic Arts Students. Their work explores the impact of color use in art and its effect on our emotions. The public will see diverse interpretations of this subject through the eyes of our young graphic artists.
GO Art! invites the public to immerse themselves in these three new exhibitions and support our talented artists.
Both Matt and Jodi will give brief artists’ talks at 6:30 p.m. during the reception. Justin Reynolds will provide live music.
As always, all exhibition receptions are FREE to the public, but the experience is invaluable. For more information, please contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313.
On Tuesday, June 3, the Batavia City School District proudly hosted its 2025 Athletic Awards and Senior Signing Event at the Frank E. Owen Auditorium at Batavia High School. For the first time, the District combined its annual athletic awards with its senior college signing ceremony, bringing families, coaches, and the community together for a powerful evening of student-athlete recognition.
Led by Director of Health, Physical Education, and Interscholastic Sports, Joel Reed, the event honored dozens of Batavia student-athletes for their exceptional dedication, performance, leadership, and sportsmanship throughout the school year.
Award Recipients:
Batavia Coaches Association Outstanding Achievement Award - Ava Anderson, Mason Bellamy, Mallory Boyce, Grant Gahagan, Cameron Garofalo, Zailen Griffin, Jenna Higgins, Nate Kinsey, Cooper Konieczny, Sofia Lawrence, Jaimin Macdonald, Campbell Riley, Ella Shamp, Sheldon Siverling, Madeline Smith, Neveah Thomas, Amelia Tripp, Ava Wierda, E'Nhazje Carter, Karizma Wescott, Adyson O'Donnell, Keagan Calmes, Anna DiRisio, London Graham, Jamari Irvin, Karvel Martino, Ja'Lon Richardson, Isaac Varland
Awards of Excellence - Ava Anderson, Cooper Banser, Joshua Barone, Madeline Bellamy, Kylee Brennan, Jeremiah Childs, Greyson Fix, William Fulton, Grant Gahagan, Cameron Garofalo, London Graham, Zailen Griffin, Hassan Harris, Jamari Irvin, Cooper Konieczny, Jaimin Macdonald, Jameson Motyka, Campbell Riley, Jon Smith Jr., Justin Smith, Ashlyn Spring-Nicometo, Trevor Tryon
Varsity Club Award - Abigail Bestine, Zailen Griffin, Talyn Kennedy, Kelsey Kirkwood, Jon Smith Jr., Justin Smith, Lillian Emerson, Cooper Banser, Gavynn Trippany, Trevor Tryon
On Pentecost Sunday (June 8) Buffalo Catholic Diocese Bishop Michael Fisher bestowed the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon Confirmation candidates from Resurrection (Batavia and Oakfield,) Ascension (Batavia) and Our Lady of Mercy, St. Brigid (Le Roy and Bergen) Parishes at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo, completing their full initiation into the Catholic Church.
Jzon Henderson provided an early spark for the home team, returning the opening kickoff 50 yards to the Watertown 20-yard line. Photo by Pete Welker.
Press Release:
Although a furious second-half rally fell short, the Genesee County Spartans gave about 300 fans plenty to cheer about on Saturday night as the semipro football team took on the Watertown Red & Black at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia.
The Spartans trailed by 24 points after Jason Williams, the visitors’ highly skilled quarterback, threw his third touchdown pass of the game with five minutes left in the third quarter.
They stormed back, however, with three TDs of their own before ending up on the wrong end of a 31-26 final score.
Genesee County dropped to 0-2 while Watertown improved to 2-0 in the Northeastern Football Alliance AA Division. The Spartans’ next game is on June 14 against the Ithaca Warriors.
Following a 14-yard TD pass to Connor Crump (Spartans’ Aiden Pitts nearly intercepted that) to make it 31-7, the Spartans quickly responded. They took just three plays (aided by a personal foul call) and made the score 31-13 on a four-yard TD run by halfback Kareem Pryor. The two-point conversion pass failed.
A 21-yard pass from QB Corey Turpin to tight end Logan Pike and a 13-yard run by halfback Will Lamar set up Pryor’s touchdown.
With Watertown’s Williams out of the game, the Spartans forced a punt and took over at their own 6. On the first play, Turpin hit wide receiver Tai Reffell for 36 yards and, three plays later, connected with the tight end for a 44-yard catch-and-run touchdown to close the gap to 31-19. Again, a pass for the two-point conversion was incomplete.
The Spartans’ defense held again, stopping the Red & Black just short on a fourth-down run.
Taking over at their own 44, Genesee County closed to within 31-25 when Turpin found wide receiver Deyonci Farley in the left side of the end zone with 6:36 left in the game. Kicker Julia Petry kicked the extra point.
That drive was kept alive by offsetting penalties that negated what would have been an 80-yard interception return by Watertown linebacker Cory Smith.
At this point, Williams returned to the game, looking to seal the outcome for the visitors. With the home crowd rooting loudly, the Spartans’ defense came through again, forcing another punt after Watertown had driven to the Spartans’ 40.
Genesee County took over at its own 6. After two incompletions, Turpin hit Farley for 13 yards and Pryor for 10. Three plays later and facing a fourth-and-inches situation, Turpin rushed into the line and reached over with the ball to get the first down.
With a minute left, his pass intended for Pike was tipped at the last moment by Smith and his next pass was incomplete, making it fourth-and-10 at the Spartans’ 39. Turpin then dropped back to pass but was pressured into scrambling. He was stopped four yards short of the first down, turning the ball over to Watertown with 40 seconds left.
Williams knelt down on the final play to run out the clock.
The Watertown QB, who is enlisted in the Army stationed at Fort Drum near Watertown, proved to be the difference in the game as he was able to extend plays by avoiding the Spartans’ pass rush – either by finding open receivers in the middle of the field or by getting to the outside for big runs.
Williams, at 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, carried the ball nine times for 85 yards and a touchdown and completed 14 of 26 passes for 246 yards, three touchdowns – and an interception (in the end zone by free safety Takhi West in the second quarter). Two of those TDs went to Crump.
For the Spartans, Turpin completed 17 of 32 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Two of his passes were intercepted, leading to 10 Watertown points in the first half.
Genesee County rushed for 54 yards, with Lamar carrying seven times for 30 yards. Pike and Farley each caught five passes for 100 and 66 yards, respectively, while Toast Malone caught three for 36 yards.
Spartans’ Head Coach Harry Rascoe said he liked the way his squad didn’t give up but noted that penalties and missed assignments put them in a big hole.
“We stuck together and at times it was tough, but we stayed together,” he said. “Bottom line, we’ve got to play better football. Too many costly penalties. We’re still a young football team, and it’s a long season. But we’re better than what we showed tonight.”
The Spartans lost defensive end Gunner Rapone (foot) and lineman Alex Schmidt (knee) during the game and entered the contest without the services of wide receiver Jzon Richardson (hand) and defensive lineman Nick Mitchell (ankle).
Genesee County Spartans’ wide receiver Deyonci Farley celebrates after catching a fourth quarter pass from quarterback Corey Turpin during Saturday night’s semipro football game against Watertown Red & Black at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
Rick Mancuso, owner of TF Brown’s Restaurant, presided over the coin toss in front of about 300 fans at Van Detta Stadium. TF Brown’s is this year’s gold sponsor of the Spartans, who will play their remaining home games at Pembroke Town Park. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
Watertown quarterback Jason Williams looks for a receiver as Spartans’ defensive end Gunner Rapone closes in. Williams was the star of Watertown’s 31-26 victory, passing for three TDs and running for another. Photo by Lauren Donovan.
The Statewide Community Regrant Program (SCR) is a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), developed in 1977 to ensure that the state’s cultural funding reaches every part of New York State. The cornerstone of SCR is its focus on local decision making through a transparent and competitive Peer Review Panel Process.
Through SCR, it is possible for GO ART! to support local artists and organizations that are seeking to creatively engage their communities through art-related projects and programming in Genesee and Orleans Counties.
GO ART! will regrant $385,000 through SCR to artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and programming taking place in 2025. Statewide Community Regrant Program grantees are selected from two rounds of applications. The first round concluded in November with a second round open now and closing June 20.
The Peer Review Panel recommended funding for forty-six applications in the first round. Applicants were eligible to apply for up to a total of $5,000 in the categories of Community Arts (Reach) and Arts Education (Spark), and $3,000 for Individual Artist Commissions (Ripple). The categories and recipients are as follows:
REACH: The GO ART! Community Arts Grants (Reach Grants) provide seed grants to individual artists, collectives and arts organizations for projects and activities that enable Genesee and Orleans County communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media, and visual arts. Each year the program supports arts projects, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, and more.
RIPPLE: The GO ART! Individual Artist Commission (Ripple Grant) supports local, artist-initiated activity and highlights the role of artists as important members of the community. The Commission is for artistic projects with outstanding artistic merit that work within a community setting.
SPARK: The Arts Education Program (Spark Grant) supports arts education projects for youth and/or senior learners. Emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the creative process through which participants learn through or about the arts. Projects must focus on the exploration of art and the artistic process.
Artists, nonprofits, and municipalities seeking funding for arts-related projects, programming, and events in Genesee and Orleans Counties are encouraged to apply to the second round of Statewide Community Regrant Program (SCR) funding through GO ART!.
For more information on applying for the Statewide Community Regrant Program visit: goart.org/grants or contact Jodi Fisher at jfisher@goart.org.
These grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are alerting the public to a noticeable increase in bat encounters. As the weather gets warmer, bats become more active and may occasionally find their way into homes, particularly in older homes that are not properly sealed.
“If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and immediately contact the health department,” advised Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “We can assess whether there was potential exposure and if the bat needs to be tested. If you are unable to safely capture the bat, call the health department for guidance on the next steps to take.”
In certain situations, a bat bite may go unnoticed. For example, if you wake up and find a bat in your room, discover a bat in a child’s bedroom, or see one near someone who is under the influence or otherwise impaired, it’s important to seek medical advice and have the bat tested for rabies.
To safely capture a bat:
Turn on all the lights and close all the windows.
Close the room and closet doors.
Wait for the bat to land.
While wearing thick leather-like gloves, place a coffee can, pail or similar container over the bat (Never handle a bat with your bare hands).
Carefully slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat.
Hold the cardboard firmly against the container, turn it right side up and tape the cardboard tightly to the container.
To watch a short video on how to safely capture a bat, check out this GO Health Minute.
If you do not feel comfortable capturing the bat or cannot do it safely, contact your local health department during regular business hours.
Genesee County: 585-344-2580 x5555
Orleans County: 585-589-3278
If it is after regular business hours, contact your county dispatch.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer that occurred Wednesday morning on Arnold Road in the Town of Elba.
According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, the county’s Emergency Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call at 11:18 a.m. reporting a tractor-trailer rollover. Responding patrols found the vehicle overturned in a ditch, with the driver trapped inside.
Multiple fire departments, Genesee County Emergency Management, Mercy EMS, and the Batavia Police Department assisted at the scene.
A preliminary investigation determined that a 2015 Freightliner hauling liquid manure was traveling southbound on Arnold Road, negotiating a left curve, when it began to roll and ultimately came to rest on its roof.
The driver, identified as Joseph Merica, 62, of Le Roy, was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroners Karen Lang and Don Newton.
The primary cause of the collision remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Deputy Jon Dimmig at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at (585) 345-3000 ext. 3243.
The Strawberry Moon gets its name from the ripening of strawberries during this time of year, as well as other spring harvests and animal behavior.
This year's Strawberry Moon was significantly lower in the sky than usual due to a major lunar standstill.
This standstill is a period when the moon's orbit reaches an extreme tilt relative to Earth's equator, causing it to rise and set at more extreme points on the horizon.
The murder of Michael Poole, a 59-year-old Olcott resident, was calculated and driven by paranoia, District Attorney Kevin Finnell told jurors on Tuesday during opening statements in the trial of Edward A. "Eddie" Dunn, the man accused of killing Poole and leaving his body in bed of a pickup truck in the town of Alabama.
Dunn has denied the charges against him.
According to Finnell's account of events, Dunn shot Poole in the head after suspecting him of knowing too much about a string of burglaries allegedly committed by Dunn and his friend, Katherine “Kat” Henry.
Poole’s body was discovered on March 19, 2024, in Alabama in the bed of his own pickup truck, abandoned and buried under a pile of debris and towels.
“Michael deserved to die. Why? Because he was a man who knew too much,” Finnell said to the jury in his opening remarks.
He described the killing as an execution, saying Dunn, armed with a .22 caliber rifle, shot Poole multiple times before attempting to cover up the crime.
The prosecution highlighted the timeline of events leading to Poole’s death, claiming that Dunn and Henry had been staying with Norman "Bud" Dubois in Middleport while committing burglaries across the region.
On March 17, 2024, Henry allegedly called Poole for a ride for her and Dunn. They had known each other in the past. When they returned from scouting out a laundromat, the prosecution says, Dunn fatally shot Poole from the back seat of Poole’s truck.
Evidence recovered includes shell casings, the murder weapon found in a crawlspace at Dubois’ home, and a fingerprint linking Dunn to the rifle. The truck was located on March 18, and Poole’s body was later found inside.
The defense, led by attorney Casey Spencer, urged jurors to question the credibility of key witnesses, particularly Henry and Dubois, who she says are both unreliable due to their criminal histories and drug use.
“You will not find physical evidence to support the narrative that’s been presented,” Spencer said.
She stressed that Henry’s story changed only after she had been charged with second-degree murder. She also suggested that the evidence could have been tampered with in the three days that Henry and Dubois were alone in that house before a search warrant was issued.
The defense also cast doubt on the forensic value of the fingerprint that was found on the rifle, arguing that it cannot be said that was the last time that Dunn handled the weapon.
The case will resume Wednesday at 9:15 a.m., with further testimony from law enforcement, forensic experts, and key witnesses, including Henry and Dubois.
Rochester Regional Health (RRH) is proud to announce that The Wound Care Center at United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) has achieved clinical and operational recognition from Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services.
UMMC Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center earned the most prestigious Healogics’ award, the President’s Circle Designation, and was the only center in New York State to achieve this esteemed honor.
The Center also earned designation as a Center of Excellence and Center of Distinction for 2024. These national awards recognize Wound Care Centers that consistently demonstrate high performance in several key areas including patient satisfaction, wound healing rates and overall clinical outcomes. This recognition verifies that the wound care team at UMMC achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate higher than 92 percent. This is the 9th year in a row UMMC has received the Center of Distinction recognition and the 2nd year as a Center of Excellence.
“We are incredibly proud of the team at United Memorial Medical Center Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine for once again being recognized by Healogics for their exceptional commitment to patient care,” said Daniel P. Ireland, EVP, Chief Nursing Executive and Patient Care Officer for Rochester Regional Health. “Earning these prestigious designations for nearly a decade reflects the unwavering dedication of our clinicians, nurses, and support staff to providing advanced, evidence-based wound care. Their work not only improves healing outcomes but truly transforms lives in our community.”
United Memorial Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine uses an interdisciplinary approach that includes specialized practitioners together with the latest advances in wound care management and technologies to assure quality outcomes. The team specializes in the treatment of chronic wounds including diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, and other wounds that have not healed in a reasonable amount of time. Many patients who find relief at UMMC Wound Care have been suffering after months or years of other treatments have been unsuccessful.
As a hospital-based outpatient service, the center uses the most up-to-date approaches to wound healing including use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and remains current in the latest scientific advances in wound care.
Batavia Downs is undergoing a major track resurfacing and grading project ahead of the 2025 harness racing season, with approximately $300,000 in improvements announced by President & CEO Byron Brown.
The work, which began on Tuesday, marks the first full resurfacing since 2015 and is expected to be completed within 7 to 10 days, weather permitting.
The upgrades are designed to enhance racing conditions for drivers and horses, as well as improve the overall experience for fans.
“Our goal is to continue to improve the live racing experience for our current fans and hopefully attract new racing fans,” Brown said. “Batavia Downs is a historic harness racing facility, and these upgrades will ensure that the track remains a jewel for the 2025 season and beyond. I’m looking forward to a great racing season that begins in late July.”
The upcoming season opens July 26 and will feature the New York Sire Stakes on September 6.
In addition to the track work, improvements include renovations to horse barn areas, new fencing along turns one and two, a new suite area in the grandstand, window tinting to reduce heat and glare, and a new water fountain attraction in the infield.
Track consultant Gary Wolff, who has over 30 years of industry experience and currently works with the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey, was hired to oversee the resurfacing project.
After Erik Fix became assistant city manager in July 2022, his kids asked him all the time when he would get his next job, he had said.
After all, he had only been president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce for 15 months, and was at the United Way a few years before that.
After landing the city of Batavia job, he said to The Batavian he had no plans to leave any time soon, however, his time has now come.
Fix will be leaving to become chief executive officer for GLOW YMCA, a role left vacant by Rob Walker earlier this year.
City Manager Rachael Tabelski announced his impending departure during Monday’s City Council meeting, after realizing that he will have one more meeting to go before leaving.
"I just want to wish you all the best … so I’m a little premature, but I anticipate we’ll continue to work together frequently in these capacities,” she said. “You’ve led with integrity, compassion and vision, qualities that have not only strengthened our operations but also inspired the staff.”
YMCA facilities are familiar stomping grounds for Fix, a resident of Le Roy. He previously held several positions with the Genesee Family YMCA, including serving as Genesee YMCA branch manager and director of camping services at Camp Hough in Perry.
He began his employment with the YMCA after graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College with a bachelor of science degree in organization management.
The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District is facing a unique challenge—convincing voters to pass a 2025-26 school budget that requires a tax cap override.
District officials say a tax cap override, without difficult spending cuts, is unavoidable due to the ongoing economic development in the community.
To avoid a tax cap override, the district would need to reduce the tax levy under the state’s tax complicated cap formula, which requires school districts to account for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) from new business projects under development in the community.
The tax cap levy mark under the formula for the district this budget year is -2.61%.
The proposed budget is $25,555,345, representing a $533,000 increase from the current year’s adopted budget. The proposed levy is $5,839,050, or $142,416 over the current levy.
The budget vote on May 21 failed, and board members shared during Monday night’s budget hearing that feedback from district voters indicated there was confusion over spending, the need for the override, school bus expenses, and capital project spending.
The district is presenting the same budget proposal to voters, which some residents find confusing, according to a couple of speakers.
There were about 20 residents, plus board members, in the audience for the hearing, which Board President Justin Staebell said was the biggest turnout he's seen for a school district budget meeting.
Laura Kowalczyk, business administrator, explained the board’s reasoning, “There was a lot of communication between the residents, between the board, and between the staff, to answer a lot of questions and discuss these things. And the conclusion was that we should, with additional information and having answered questions, we should present the same budget to the voters the second time, with clarifications being made.”
The budget includes the purchase of three diesel buses—a full-size bus, a small bus with a wheelchair lift, and another small bus—following the district’s replacement cycle.
“These are all diesel buses, and these will be aided at 90% over the next five years,” Kowalczyk said.
The district is also preparing for the state’s coming electric bus mandate.
Alabama resident Jessica Gang had several questions during the meeting. She wanted to understand better what was driving the board's decision to come back with essentially the same budget as the one that had been voted down.
"I do want my kids to have a wonderful education, but I don't understand how we got here," Gang said. "It felt like you guys said you're going to have to keep increasing taxes for the foreseeable future, so I guess I just wanted to know there are some changes on the horizon," Gang said.
Board member Malorie Benjamin empathized with Gang.
“I agree. I don’t want my taxes to go up. I don’t want to pay anymore, but at the end of the day, I also like all the options our kids are afforded here as a community, we have a lot of things that most rural school districts don’t have and a lot of opportunities for kids to be involved, and I don’t want to see any of those go away,” Benjamin said.
At the heart of the district's tax levy challenge is the influx of projects coming into WNY STAMP, particularly this year's projects, such as Edward's Vacuum, and how these projects complicate the state’s tax cap formula.
“The reason that our tax cap is negative this going into next school year is that we have a PILOT payment from them that is coming on our rolls," said Superintendent John Fisgus. "So if you have that tax formula, you know formula here, you’ll see that the prior year tax levy number is always the first number that goes into this formula, and then there’s a growth factor that’s set. And then the next number is you add on the prior year's PILOT payments. So that’s what we have this year.”
Fisgus also addressed alternatives to PILOTs, such as educational contribution agreements (ECAs), which provide revenue that does not count against the tax levy and offer more flexibility in budgeting.
“One of the things, too, that school districts are getting into are these ECAs, these educational contribution agreements, instead of PILOT payments," he said. "When PILOT payments come on for school districts, it does have a negative tax impact on your tax levy. So, receiving that money really gives us more freedom to use it for what we need it for."
The district aims to negotiate Economic Development Agreements (ECAs) with companies relocating to the area, such as a proposed data center for WNY STAMP in the town of Alabama.
If the budget does not receive at least 60 percent approval, the district must adopt a contingency budget. Kowalczyk said,
“If this proposed budget doesn’t pass, the board will adopt a contingent budget, and there are parameters that go into what contingent expenses are and are not. So, all non-contingent expenses will have to be removed from this budget. So that includes equipment, our bus purchases, our transfer to capital, and our capital outlay expense. The district can also not allow the free use of facilities, so we cannot incur any costs for outside organizations to use the facilities.”
Fisgus said the district is proud to provide its facilities for community groups to use during non-school hours, and that use has increased over the years. If that budget fails, there will be a radical change for the community.
“It seems like this place is now open -- we’re getting 24/7 coverage, which includes 12–14 hours on a Saturday and 12–14 hours on a Sunday," Fisgus said. Obviously, we need to staff, to have people here. We just can’t incur those costs when you know our custodial or maintenance crew are working overtime and those additional hours.”
Community groups would likely be required, in that case, to pay a user fee, Fisgus said.
"We will have to go back and review our facilities use fee. I want to say they’re $50 an hour," Fisgus said. "We’re going to have to go back and make sure that we are not incurring any costs moving forward when an outside organization uses our facilities.”
Salaries and benefits account for approximately 63 percent of the budget, with other categories including debt service, BOCES, shared services, and capital outlay. The district plans to use $738,000 of appropriated fund balance and $470,470 of reserves.
Fisgus emphasized that there is no relationship at all between the proposed budget and the capital improvement project approved by voters last year, except for the planned transfer to capital.
“This capital project is already taken care of. It’s already been approved," Fisgus said. "But this work is going to continue and be completed by the end of next fall. Whether this budget is approved or not. It’s really two separate buckets. People get confused a little bit about this project being in the budget.”
In order to avoid spending peaks and valleys, Fisgus said it is important to keep finances level year to year, especially as it relates to debt service.
“As far as the funding goes, we have debt service falling off from the last project, and we have this transfer to capital coming on with this project, which is part of our budget," Fisgus said. "What we’re doing is we’re keeping it a flat line. So, you don’t want to see the ups and downs, the ebbs and flows, of debt service falling off and new expenses. So it’s very systematic in that we keep everything at a level pace.”
The district’s history shows that proposed tax levy increases have typically stayed below the tax cap calculation in recent years. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining the budget to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid future financial issues.
“So cutting that stuff out gets you through this year, keeps you at zero percent, but next year you’re going to have to deal with it—you can’t just keep pushing off the buses," Staebell said. "Eventually, you’ve got to replace them. If you don’t start to get the additional revenue, then you have to make more of the long-term cuts to make the budget work. That’s where we’re looking at the long term—what can we do to trim and make those lasting cuts that are sustainable in the district? The additional revenue in this budget is what helps keep things going as we continue to work through and figure out what we can cut long term.”
Benjamin said the board received a good deal of useful feedback from community members in a survey the district took after the budget vote failed, and that factored into how the board approached representing the budget to voters.
“I think the reason for part of why we made that decision collectively was related to the fact that we heard the feedback we took into account," Benjamin said. "It’s not perfect, right? Because we didn’t hear from every single voter in the community, but it was some level of information. What we found was that there was a lot of misinformation about this particular budget. So I think what we were trying to focus on was whether it was an educational failure on our part to give people the information so that they can make an informed decision."
The survey will help inform the board going forward, she said.
"I think there’s a lot in that survey that we learned that we’re trying to make action on at this point in time, but none of that was things we could do in a week’s time to actually make an impact the longer term things that we need to address, and I think we’re all committed to actively taking action on those things,” Benjamin said.
Board member Maria Thompson said the board has put a lot of time and thought into the budget, and the community has been in constant communication, providing them with feedback to consider.
“We have put in a considerable amount of time here and on the weekends," Thompson said. "I was at a tournament in Olean, coaching my daughter’s softball team. I’m on third base coaching, and I’m texting people. They’re asking questions. So I mean, again, maybe it’s just, you know, lip service at this point, but I promise you, we have heard and we it’s not going to stop on June 17, at 8:01 p.m., this is something that we are going to be working diligently towards, not just for this budget, but for future budgets as well. We’ve got a lot of feedback, and we appreciate the community for coming forward and doing that.”
The budget revote is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Middle High Community Room.
File Photo of RTS buses lined up at Batavia City Centre by Joanne Beck.
When Rochester Regional Health officials launched a new site in September 2023, the Batavia Medical Campus on the north side of the Thruway entrance, they were aware of some residents’ disappointment in having a facility that much farther out of reach for a pedestrian.
At the time, Dan Ireland, the newly promoted Chief Nursing Executive and Patient Care Officer, recognized the fears expressed by some people that this new place is out of bounds for someone with no dependable means of transportation and too far for one to walk.
Rochester Regional Health had been coordinating a solution with Regional Transit Service in Genesee County to provide an on-demand service for rides to the medical center. That has now been expanded effective June 16.
RTS Genesee announced Monday that it will offer a new free express service that will travel from Batavia City Centre to University of Rochester and Rochester Regional Health medical centers in Batavia from morning to afternoon throughout the week.
The express route will run in a loop four times per day, departing from City Centre for transfer and/or continuation on to URMC and RRH. This service is subsidized by URMC and RRH, which means it is free to any and all customers who use it.
Providing this “free, reliable service” will help ensure that people can access the care they need, United Memorial Medical Center Associate COO Sonja Gonyea said.
“Rochester Regional Health is proud to support the new RTS Genesee Express Service, connecting riders to key medical destinations in Batavia, including our Batavia Medical Campus. Transportation is a common barrier to care, especially in rural areas,” Gonyea said. “This partnership reflects RRH’s ongoing commitment to improving access and supporting community health.”
Likewise, the transportation service is “happy to partner” with URMC and RRH, RTS Chief Executive Officer Miguel Velázquez said.
“Medical Centers like these are among the most important destinations we connect our customers to, and it is our hope that this partnership and new service meets that need for many years to come,” Velázquez said. “I thank the teams at URMC and RRH for their partnership and support, and the RTS team for bringing this important service to life.”
The express service schedule, which includes specific departure and arrival times, is available on the RTS website. Customers are encouraged to contact RTS Genesee with questions at 585-343-3079.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) was thrilled to host a group of students from the Oakfield-Alabama school district at the state Capitol today. The group, led by their civics teacher, Mr. Peter Beuler, gave a presentation in Hawley’s office on the correlation between mental health and substance abuse with several other legislators, including Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey (R,C-Geneseo), Assemblyman Joseph Sempolinski (R,C-Olean), Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) and Sen. George Borrello. Additionally Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (AD-52), the chair of the Assembly Mental Health committee, stopped by to speak with the students about their project.
The students gave a detailed synopsis on the rising number of mental health issues across the state and its relationship to drug and alcohol abuse. The group also presented several policy proposals, including increasing the salaries of the state’s mental health professionals and providing increased access to emotional support and recovery services. Hawley was proud to introduce the students in the state Assembly chamber before their presentation and honor them for their hard work and dedication to this important issue.
“One of the best parts of being an assemblyman is being able to hear from our young people about the issues that matter most to them,” said Hawley. “The topic of mental health and its relation to substance abuse is one that is often overlooked, but I am confident our future is in good hands after hearing the insight and passion these students had for finding solutions to this pressing issue. Their presentation offered both an informative and detailed look into why this issue matters and the steps we can take to provide better care for those affected across our state. It was an honor to welcome this group to Albany and I look forward to seeing the impact these young, brilliant minds will have on New York’s future.”
Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation has notified the City of Batavia that they will be flushing their fire hydrants on Tuesday, June 10. This may cause flow disruptions and water discoloration in the north section of the City.
If you do experience a discoloration of your water, turn on a cold water tap and let it run for about 5 minutes or until clear. Please refrain from doing any laundry until the discoloration has dissipated.
We apologize for any inconvenience. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Join us for a fun-filled evening of roller skating and community connection at the David McCarthy Ice Rink! The Batavia Police Department invites you to "Skate with a Cop," an exciting opportunity to get to know your local officers in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
On June 20, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., come lace up your skates and hit the rink with your friendly City of Batavia Police Officers. This event is designed to bring our community together, build relationships, and create a positive atmosphere for all ages.
Enjoy some quality time with your family and friends while getting to know the men and women who serve and protect our community. Our officers are excited to meet you and share in the joy of roller skating!
So mark your calendars and we'll see you at the David McCarthy Ice Rink! Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to build bridges and create lasting memories with your local law enforcement.
City of Batavia, New York (Pop. 15,600) seeks an experienced professional to join the management team in the capacity of Assistant City Manager/ Director of Administrative Services. Salary: $98,642-$119,642 DOQ. Reporting to the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager/ (ACM) will oversee the functions of Assessment, City Clerk/Treasurer, and IT. This position assists in the implementation of the City’s strategic plan; annual operating budget and capital improvement program; will participate in labor negotiations; and present information to the public, advisory committees and commission, City Council, and outside agencies. In addition, as the ACM, this individual shall assist multiple committees as well as serve as a liaison to various major projects and neighborhood groups. Must have the ability to exercise considerable independent judgment in planning, implementing, overseeing, and reviewing major projects; and the ability to develop and recommend policies and projects. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the New York State Department of Education, AND EITHER: A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field and two (2) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position; OR: B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field and four (4) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position; OR: C. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS Registered College with an Associate's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field and four (6) years of full-time paid experience in a responsible governmental administrative position; OR: D. Eight (8) years full-time paid experience in the private sector, non-profit, and/or government management sector with progressively more responsibility. OR: E. Satisfactory equivalent combination of the foregoing training and experience. To be considered, submit your cover letter, resume, and contact information, including email addresses for five work-related references to Gabrielle Kolo, Human Resources Director, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, New York 14020 or gkolo@batavianewyork.com. First review of candidates to begin 7/3/25. Background check, personality assessment, and drug testing required. City residency is required within one year of appointment. EEO A full description and list of duties can be found at www.batavianewyork.com under the Human Resources tab.
