We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here is the response from Bob Bialkowski, candidate for city council, 4th Ward.

The primary reason why I should receive your vote is:

I have worked very hard during my first term on city council to represent the citizens of the 4th Ward. My track record is a 100-percent attendance rate at council meetings. I have demonstrated how I respond to all my constituent concerns and have made myself totally available to all the residents of the ward.

My voting record is very conservative with taxpayer’s interest always in mind.

In response to your request of what key issue would be priority and how it would “be tackled."

This is a bit more difficult as city council has numerous priority-one issues to deal with.

The key major issues that are of concern to me are:

• Economic and business development and retention to include employment
• Downtown improvement
• Infrastructure
• Neighborhood improvement
• Crime prevention

We on city council have addressed these issues by:

• Hiring an economic development director
• Forming a strategic plan for the city
• Initiating an infrastructure plan
• Expanding and staffing our code department

I intend to follow these plans closely and ensure that we adhere to our goals.
With the present economy, we are tasked with some great economic challenges in the near future.

I am strongly against the typical government attitude of trying to fix problems by throwing the taxpayers' hard earned money at them. 

Most importantly, I strongly oppose tax increases that are unjustified.

In conclusion, I am a strong advocate for my constituents and for the citizens of the City of Batavia. I am honored to serve this wonderful city and look forward to Batavia’s best days to come.

Please vote for me on Election Day so that I may continue to represent you for the next four years.

Thank you for allowing me to comment on this forum.

One of the things I've wanted to find time to do all fall is take Pachuco for a walk in Genesee County Park. Today, we took a short walk and, of course, I brought my camera. Above was taken by a pond on the north side of the park.

This weekend, the First Presbyterian Church on East Main Street, Batavia, is hosting a Fine Arts Festival. The annual festival has traditionally featured arts and crafts from world cultures, but this year the organizers included local artists. Church choirs will provide a concert at 3 p.m., Sunday.

This week workers have been repairing the corner of the facade of the building at Main and Jackson streets. The century-old facade of the former Bank of Genesee had expanded away from the brick and masons restored it to its former look. The building is owned by Ken Mistler.

There's a report of smoke on the first floor of Leisure Timers Apartments, 364 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

Alabama Fire Department along with mutual aid from Indian Falls and Akron, is responding.

The residence has not yet been evacuated.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: Akron and Indian Falls put back in service. Alabama units still in route can respond non-emergency. Residence is evacuated.

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City police are being sent to the parking lot of the old market on the corner of Ellicott and Jackson to talk to a person in a beige car about an animal complaint. The person wants to report seeing a black and white "terrier-style" dog walking on the roof.

The site has been for the birds for quite some time. Has it now gone to the dogs, too?

The United Way Backpack Program received a donation today from the Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football Program today. The Bulldawgs played Le Roy in a special fundraiser game this past weekend and collected nonperishable food donations and cash donations for the program. It provides a backpack filled with food to underprivileged children each Friday. The backpack is designed to provide meals and snacks for the family over the weekend. Pictured are John Reigle, left, Matt Dellapenna, Lori Stupp, Paul Grazioplene and Ken Proefrock. Stupp is the United Way's backpack volunteer coordinator.

A Genesee Community College photography instructor is in a bit of political hot water in Monroe County over some pictures he took a decade ago.

Besides being a photographer and instructor, C. Stephen Eckel is a Monroe County legislator who is running for reelection.

Eckel's Republican opposition has apparently tried making hay over a couple of nude photographs Eckel posted on his personal website. Eckel posed for the pictures himself, according to a report by WHAM13's Sean Carroll. 

Eckel, a legislator since 2005, told Carroll that he took the photographs more than 10 years ago as part of his studies for a degree in fine arts.

Eckel released this statement Friday afternoon: "Today, we have seen Monroe County Republicans stoop to a new low in order to distract the public from the real issues facing county taxpayers -- the crushing property tax burden, need for jobs and the culture of corruption that has plagued county government. My opponent has run a negative smear campaign that has distorted the facts."

State Police arrested an Albion man in Elba on Thursday following a chase along back roads in two counties that reached speeds of 90 mph.

The chase started with what should have been a routine traffic stop, according to Sgt. Ron Lober, NYS State Police.

Instead of stopping, the driver took off heading south.

"The chase lasted 12 minutes, covering a distance of 17 miles. None of it went through any villages," Lobur told WBTA.

"The vehicle operator lost control on (Barrville) road (in Elba) and slid off into a grassy area," Lobur said.

The driver, 34-year-old Jason Klotzbach, of Albion, was arrested and taken into State Police custody.

Troopers out of Albion conducted the chase and made the arrest.

An accident, believed to be with three people suffering minor injuries, has been reported on Route 98 near Stroh Road in Alexander.

Alexander Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

A two-car accident has been reported on West Main Street Road in the area of WNY Fireplace Outlet.

Minor injuries are reported.

One person is out of her car and walking around.

The accident is blocking West Main Street Road.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

A 55-year-old woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident Sept. 30 has died.

Patty Ireland, of Bergen, succumbed to her injuries last night, WBTA reported this morning.

The mother of three adult children was driving on Route 19 when a truck carrying gravel was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The truck overturned in her path, spilling stone and gravel on the roadway, pushing Ireland's Chevy Impala 150 feet back down the roadway. 

Services have not yet been announced.

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Below is the response from Katie Balbick Bellamy, candidate for Ward 3, Batavia City Council:

Q. What is the primary reason you should get our vote?

I was born and raised in Batavia and have lived here for most of my life. I believe in this city and want to help to proactively solve problems, create new business opportunities and good-paying jobs and overall make Batavia a safe and excellent place to live and raise a family.

I am concerned, willing to work, positive, open-minded and a team player who works together toward a common goal. My education and college degree is in the business area where I have worked since graduation and I know my background will help me on council.

Most of all, I love Batavia and the surrounding area and have a stake in this community. My family and I chose Batavia as the place where we wanted to live. That choice alone is the best reason to demonstrate my resolve and commitment to fulfill the promises I have made to this community if I am elected to serve on city council.

Q. What is the key issue you wish to tackle during your term in office, and how will you go about it?

My top priority for 2012 would be to ensure Batavia remains a great community and place to live. I would fight to keep taxes low and work hard for sidewalks on all city streets, fixing of deteriorated potholes, alcohol and tobacco free parks, promote business opportunities, create good-paying jobs and make sure there are opportunities and incentives for our young people to stay in this community.

I would like to ask you to support me in the upcoming election on November 8th. As a mother with a young family, I believe in our city and want to help make Batavia a better place to live. I would like to make sure the dollars we pay in taxes are spent in a worthwhile and careful manner by city council. I want to live in a safe city and encourage job development. I want to be a part of the process of exploring how the city and town can share resources and consolidate areas where possible to the benefit of both.

If I am elected, I will do my utmost to serve the residents of the 3rd Ward as your city council representative.

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here's the response from John Deleo, candidate for county legislature, District 7.

I am running for District 7 Genesee County Legislator because I want to give back to the community.  I was born and raised in both the 1st and 6th wards, and have lived here my whole life. I love this city and Genesee County. I worked with my father in the family business, Deleo's, a tavern that was located first on Ellicott Street, then moved to Main Street. When the business closed because of family illness, I began working for the NYS Department of Correctional Services. I just retired this year. My children still live in the area and I want them to stay, yet I see how hard it is to do that with the economy.

I was an employee assistance program coordinator, working with people and helping them find the resources to address their personal problems. I really enjoy interacting with people and helping them.

Having served on the last City Charter Commission, I worked to streamline our city government and make it more efficient. I currently serve on the Batavia City Planning Board, helping both people and businesses.

I don't owe anybody anything except the voters.

I believe that you don't lay people off as proposed by the county and not share the pain. That's why I will fight for a 10-percent cut in the pay legislators receive and end other perks. Again, you have to take cuts yourself if you lay off dedicated county staff.

Genesee County is a wonderful place to live, but it is facing hard financial times. The economic recession, a limited tax base, a state tax cap and increasing state mandates have put a squeeze on our budget. As a result, Genesee County might lay off more than 20 people. I want to make sure that if there are layoffs, public safety is not endangered.

I want to end the practice of giving kids our tax money that they use to "learn how to budget" by shopping in Monroe County. That is outrageous.

I will fight to see the NYS auditors recommendations on reforming the Genesee County Economic Development Committee (GCEDC) put in place. No more bonuses and perks. I want all job creation claims verified and want the public to know if the jobs are really new or just relocated around the area.

I feel the proposed Genesee County tax on our cars is wrong. Working families cannot afford another new tax and I will fight it.

I will work hard and do my best for you, if through the grace of God and voters, I am fortunate enough to be allowed to serve you in the legislature. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Dan Herberger is trained to save lives. It's what he's paid to do.

Recently, though, the unassuming nine-year-veteran of the Batavia Fire Department saved a life while on vacation.

Returning with his family from Disney World, Herberger was in the Orlando airport with his parents, wife and children.  

Part of the group wanted hamburgers and fries for dinner, and the rest wanted something a little more substantial.

While Herberger waited in a line with his dad, he noticed a woman by a kiosk collapse.

"The lady just collapsed," Herberger said. "It wasn't a weak-kneed faint. She just went down."

Herberger was among several people who rushed to her side. As he looked at her, he could tell she wasn't breathing. He asked somebody to call 9-1-1 and asked others to try and find a defibrillator.

When he check the woman's artery for a pulse, there was none.

Herberger began CPR.

Right then, a registered nurse emerged from the crowd to assist him.

A short time later the defibrillator arrived. The nurse applied one paddle, Herberger the other. They waited for the machine to give the signal for a shock, and applied it. Then Herberger started chest compressions again. After a minute, he checked for a pulse again, and the defibrillator indicated the woman had regained a strong, steady pulse.

Herberger filled in emergency dispatchers on what he and the nurse did. He said when he was a paramedic for the city, he liked having information about a situation before arriving on scene, so he passed along what he knew.

Within minutes local firefighters were on scene and took control of the situation.

Herberger went back to the business of getting his meal before boarding his flight. He said as he was boarding, the firefighters were still on scene with the woman tending to her. She was on a stretcher with her head slightly elevated, which tells him she was probably doing OK at that point.

He hasn't checked on her condition, he said, because that feels too much like he's trying to take credit.

The local attention isn't something he's sought out, but said, "I made the mistake of telling one of my buddies on an off day."

That led to Chief Jim Maxwell finding out, who wanted to ensure Herberger got some recognition for his swift work to revive the woman.

"It's something anybody else would have done if they had been there," Herberger said. "If I hadn't have been there, somebody else would have done it. That nurse was only 30 seconds behind me. She would have done it."

Becky Smith, of Bergen, is the lucky winner of an iPad following a drawing at Main St. Pizza Company. Owner Vic Marchese gave away the iPad as part of a promotion honoring National Pizza Month in October. Customers were able to fill out registration forms at the restaurant and Smith's slip was selected in a random drawing.

Local law enforcement is looking for information regarding a daytime burglary Wednesday in Pavilion.

Two shotguns and a television were stolen sometime between 6:20 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Similar burglaries have been reported within the past two weeks in Livingston County.

In the Pavilion case, the homeowner reported that somebody broke through his front door to gain entry to the house.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call Major Matt Burgess, State Police, at (585) 243-7100.

The Week 8 contest winner was Cindy Baker. Baker was the only game participant to pick Detroit as the top-scoring team in the NFL for Week 8. Detroit scored 45 points against Denver.

Baker wins two grilled pizzas from Main St. Pizza Company. She has one week to claim her prize.

To enter the Week 9 contest, click here.

A barn fire is reported at 9262 Dorman Road in the Town of Batavia. It was possibly ignited when a motorhome caught fire. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with a tanker from Alexander.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: All units back in service.