File photo 2014 from the Spray Park in Austin Park, Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
As Genesee County officials issued the first of what undoubtedly will be a string of reminders to folks to conserve water consumption during the hot summer months, there are a couple of areas also getting their attention.
Spray parks, in both Batavia and more newly installed in Le Roy, are for water what SUVs are for gasoline.
“Spray parks do consume a large amount of water, and we are working with municipalities to consider restricting usage of spray parks in times of low water supply or high water demands,” County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens said in response to The Batavian’s questions about the recent voluntary water-saving measure and spray parks. “It is a sensitive subject as the splash parks do provide significant community benefits, and they do offset similar water usage at home with pool-filling, sprinklers, slip and slides, etc.
“Both the City of Batavia and the Village of Le Roy operate splash pads and both are on activated timers, so they don’t run non-stop,” Hens said. “Even still, they are a topic of discussion as we look to ways to save water during peak demand times.”
This past week county officials asked residents, businesses and institutions in Genesee County to voluntarily participate in reducing water consumption in a number of ways, including limiting outdoor watering of lawns and gardens, especially during the hottest parts of the days and in full sunshine, to maximize water absorption; consider using commercial car wash facilities that recycle water to reduce overall consumption; limit nonessential water in swimming pools, decorative fountains and other aesthetically pleasing but unnecessary water-consuming items.
Other suggestions included being aware of water leaks and fixing them promptly, installing efficient fixtures and using water-efficient appliances, officials said.
Some states have cycled through severe droughts for years, causing such water limitations to help stretch out their supply. California was one, and even in the mid-1980s, warnings were issued to residents about not watering lawns or washing their own vehicles.
In August 2022, the state Department of Environmental Conservation issued a drought warning for 21 New York counties including Genesee, and the agency was monitoring water conditions to help address any short-term issues and longer-term impacts of climate change.
As for right here in Genesee County, where there has been a three-phase water project in progress to enhance and strengthen the current water system, “it is important to note that these water restrictions are voluntary at this stage,” county officials said.
“Mandatory water restrictions may be implemented if public health and safety are put at risk,” officials said.
“By following these suggestions, each individual contribution will add up significantly.”
More than 5,300 Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs while delivering the mail last year. Aggressive dog behavior is a common safety concern USPS employees face. To keep its workers safe, the organization is providing important information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery as part of its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign.
The campaign runs Sunday, June 4, through Saturday, June 10. This year’s theme is “Even good dogs have bad days.” Spread the news of the campaign with the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.
“When letter carriers deliver mail in our communities, dogs that are not secured or leashed can become a nemesis and unpredictable and attack,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. “Help us deliver your mail safely by keeping your dog secure and out of the way before your carrier arrives.”
Pet Owners Can Help Support Safe Mail Delivery
Mail carriers know all dogs can bite, even those perceived as nonaggressive. Dogs are generally protective of their turf and dog owners have an important responsibility to control them to ensure safe mail delivery.
Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.
When a letter carrier comes to your home, keep dogs:
Inside the house or behind a fence;
Away from the door or in another room; or
On a leash.
Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.
Inform Yourself, See the Mail Before It Arrives
By using Informed Delivery, a free USPS service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. More than 52 million customers have enrolled since it was launched in 2017. Sign-up is at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive.
“When our mail carriers are bitten, it is usually a ‘good dog’ that had not previously behaved in a menacing way,” said USPS Occupational Safety and Health Senior Director Linda DeCarlo. “In 2022, too many aggressive dogs impacted the lives of our employees while delivering the mail. Please help us reduce that number by being responsible pet owner who secures their dog as we deliver the mail.”
The Victims
Many attacks reported by letter carriers came from dogs whose owners regularly stated, “My dog won’t bite.” Dog bites are entirely preventable. One bite is one too many.
Being Attentive While Delivering
Letter carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog’s territory.
Letter carriers are trained to:
Not startle a dog;
Keep their eyes on any dog;
Never assume a dog will not bite;
Make some noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard;
Never attempt to pet or feed a dog; and
place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping.
If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent, if necessary.
Even though postal officials ask customers to control their dogs, bites still happen and may result in injuries to carriers and costly medical expenses for dog owners. Please heed the above best practices to help stop dog bites and protect your mail carrier.
“Recently, I was delivering to a customer’s mailbox and was nearly bitten by their large aggressive dog,” said Swain Lowe, a letter carrier in Manassas, Virginia. “Despite the dog being behind a fence, it still managed to jump over and charge me. Thankfully, I was aware of it and remembered not to run but to turn and use my satchel as a shield to prevent what could have been a terrible bite.”
Carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes. A dog alert feature on carriers’ handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards may be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to routes where a dog may interfere with delivery.
Lastly, when a carrier feels unsafe, mail service could be halted — not only for the dog owner but for the entire neighborhood. When mail service is stopped, mail must be picked up at the Post Office. Service will not be restored until the aggressive dog is properly restrained.
As negotiations on a new gaming compact continue between New York State and the Seneca Nation, Sen. George Borrello has introduced legislation that would enhance the integrity of the process by authorizing the New York State Comptroller to review any tribal-state compact and recommend approval or needed changes.
Senator Borrello cited the need for this change by pointing to current negotiations between the Seneca Nation and the Hochul administration. He noted that although the Governor has recused herself from compact negotiations because of the conflict of interest presented by her husband’s position with a company in competition with the Seneca Nation, she is still the only official that can approve the contract.
“The partnership between the Seneca Nation and New York’s executive branch has been strained for several years, largely over disagreements concerning revenue from Seneca casinos. Those tensions, combined with the Governor’s institutional role in the process which makes full recusal difficult, underscore the importance of a full and impartial review by the State Comptroller,” said Senator Borrello. “There is too much at stake, not only for the Senecas but for the state, to allow the process to be compromised by politics and conflict. This is a common-sense proposal that would improve the process and help ensure a fair outcome.”
The original Seneca Nation Compact was authorized in 2002. The agreement cleared the way for the development of three Seneca casinos in Western New York. The Seneca Niagara Casino opened in 2002, followed by the Salamanca location in 2004 and the Buffalo location in 2007. Terms of the compact included the Seneca Nation paying 25 percent, which is approximately $100 million a year, of the slot and video lottery machine revenues to the state, with a portion of that directed to each casino’s host city. In return, the compact grants the Nation exclusive rights to operate Class III casinos in Western New York.
The casinos and their related businesses have an estimated $1 billion annual economic impact on Western New York and provide more than 6,000 jobs.
“The Seneca Nation territories and residents are within the 57th District which makes this issue a priority for me. They are friends and neighbors to me and other district residents, so the delays and challenges they are encountering in the negotiating process are a significant concern,” said Senator Borrello. “Their world-class gaming facilities have transformed the economy of Western New York and they have been good partners to the state. They deserve a fair and equitable compact and my bill would help advance that goal.”
On May 20 Genesee Community College celebrated its 55th annual Commencement Ceremony with a group of 13 students from area high schools and home schools deserving special mention.
They completed their GCC degree requirements concurrently with their high school diplomas or New York State High School Equivalency. Twelve of these graduates participated in the fifth annual cohort of the College's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Enrichment Program through GCC's Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Office.
These high-achieving individuals include the following: Jadyn Brummert (Oakfield), Jacob Debadts (Warsaw), Lydia Evans (Batavia), Megan Fialkowski (Attica), Grace Gregoire (home school), Abigail Lamphier (home school), Aidan McClurg (Elba), Emma McLaughlin (Perry), Sofia Oltramari (Buffalo Seminary), Lauren Reimer (Batavia), Zoey Shepard (Byron-Bergen) and Andrea Straub (Notre Dame). Audrey Pask (Albion) did not take part in the STEM Enrichment Program but did earn a GCC degree alongside her high school diploma.
The STEM Enrichment program began in 2012 allowing the students to start their college studies as early as the seventh grade. In addition to their traditional schoolwork, they enrolled in college-level coursework each year taking advantage of many academic opportunities and successfully completing all of the rigorous challenges of an associate degree.
"We are extremely proud of these 12 exceptional students who have not only earned their high school diplomas but also completed their GCC degree requirements through our STEM Enrichment Program. Their dedication and hard work demonstrate the power of early college enrollment and the opportunities it provides. They are truly an inspiration to future generations of students," said Ann Valento, director of Accelerated College Enrollment programs at Genesee Community College.
Genesee Community College's 55th annual Commencement Ceremony was held at the Richard C. Call Arena and featured special guest Keynote Speaker Benjamin Bonarigo Sr., Esq., Genesee Community College Trustee Emeritus. To view the ceremony, please visit https://www.genesee.edu/commencement/.
The former principal of a local parochial school entered a guilty plea to one count of course of sexual conduct with a child in the second degree in Genesee County Court Monday.
According to District Attorney Kevin Finnell, Jason Clark admitted Monday that he touched the chest of a female child two or more times over a period of time not less than three months in duration.
As part of the plea deal, Clark agreed to surrender his teaching license and was placed on interim supervision by the Probation Department for one year.
Finnell said under the terms of the plea agreement, if he's successful on probation, he may withdraw his plea to the felony count and enter a new plea to a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child. He would continue to serve some time on probation.
If he's unsuccessful on probation, Finnell said, he could be sentenced to a term in prison.
Following a standard presentence investigation, Clark will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m., June 3.
Clark started working at St. Paul Lutheran in Batavia as a teacher in 2002. He became principal in 2019.
He was charged in January with two counts of sexual conduct against a child in the second degree.
Macy Paradise Jr. and Linda Pezzimenti get ready to launch their new shop, Paradise Home Vintage & Gift, Thursday at 332 Ellicott St., Batavia. Photo by Joanne Beck.
Walk into Paradise Home Vintage & Gift, and it might seem a bit of an eclectic mash-up of stuff, from furniture, knick-knacks and wall decorations to dolls, toys, baskets, jewelry and kitschy novelty goods.
And, actually, that’s exactly what it is. Only with a touch of vintage, Victorian, retro, mid-century modern, Americana, primitive, antique and, most definitely, intriguing eras and styles to make shoppers want to pause for a second and maybe third look around. They'll get that chance with a grand opening this Thursday at 332 Ellicott St., Batavia.
Owner Macy Paradise Jr. and his partner and shop manager Linda Pezzimenti call the various sections “vignettes” throughout the 1,000-square-foot space.
“So it's furniture, and it's just anything that you could put in your house. As well as fun things, I don't expect to sell a lot of old toys, but it’s, they walk in and go, ‘I remember that game.’ You know, to bring back a little piece of memory. I'm going to order some candy cigarettes, bubble gum cigars, candy sticks; we'll have a little area for that stuff,” Pezzimenti said during an interview with The Batavian. “And then the jewelry is all brand new as well. I've been selling jewelry for years. And it's an assortment, it's stuff you can wear to work, and it's also stuff that's a little wild and funky.”
Photo by Joanne Beck.
Maybe folks won’t want the decorative sack of potatoes or old-fashioned country store-themed items under the General Merchandise sign, including a Charles Chips can, stacks of retro cups and saucers, novelty ceramic vegetable containers, an oversized plastic ketchup bottle, painted pottery beverage pitchers, an ice cream cone sign that reads Have a Sweet Day, a collection of mugs with assorted sayings, and a wooden sign with a Batavia-based sentiment about how far away we roam, “our hearts make the journey but will always be at home.”
But they may smile as they pause to look at everything on the way to the next nook, she said.
Macy Paradise Jr. of Batavia is the business owner. Photo by Joanne Beck.
That vignette is alongside a man cave in progress, with beer signs, bottle openers, racing car items, and other traditionally male-oriented objects, while other sections of the shop offer niches for pet lovers — assorted ceramic dog planters, wall signs, hand towels, placards, mugs; and home decorators will find dozens of items including tin hearts, colored vases, paintings, stemmed glasses, steamer trunks, lamps, and anything that’s not cookie cutter, Pezzimenti said.
“Walmart and Target have the basics. But if you buy something like that and put it in your house, everybody knows where you bought it. But you know, it's not going to be something that's at Walmart. And then there's only one of those for the whole city,” she said, adding that inventory will be refreshed on a regular basis. “I think it's important that things change, you know, if a certain shelf just isn't doing anything, then it's gotta go. And I don't care if I pack it in a box and bring out a whole new something else. I'll just take it out of here. Because this isn't doing anybody any good to see the same thing, and we’ve got the inventory to do it.
"We have plenty, and I shop every day. I'm not kidding. So I mean, like right now, there is a space over there on the very top. Yeah, and it's making my skin crawl, like, okay, well, how is there an empty space? I don't like that. So my one of my biggest concerns is what happens if a whole bunch of shoppers comes in on a Wednesday, Thursday, and there's empty spaces, like I have to get those filled before my Friday, Saturday, because, it's just wrong, just an empty spot.”
Linda Pezzimenti of Batavia shows one of the hot items she has at the shop, tin hearts. Photo by Joanne Beck.
When she says she shops every day, that’s not hyperbole. Pezzimenti has fine-tuned the art of shopping flea markets, garage sales, and auctions, and networking with people to know when large-scale clearance sales are coming up. For example, she and Paradise were going to the biggest flea market in New York State this past week, armed with his trailer to bring back their cache. They had another event on the books for Monday in Ohio.
Is there ever a concern that enough is enough, or maybe even too much? Not yet, they both agreed. All of the purchases go into a designated storage, and then will go into the shop. And Pezzimenti has worked hard to clean, itemize, tag and log everything to keep track of it for the business, she said.
“I’ve been doing retail stores since my 40s, and I’m 65,” she said. “I think the first time I did it, it was all new stuff, it was all things you buy wholesale, and you just buy to resell. But it’s more interesting when you have props as risers and tables underneath that have a little character and charm; they’re also cheaper than going out and buying a brand-new table.
"So you start doing that kind of thing, and then everybody wants to buy your props. That always happens. So now the props are for sale. So you have to price it such that people are dying to do that, which makes them want to come back.”
Eventually, she kept buying not only merchandise, but those props, and items kept stockpiling, which meant renting storage — two storage units, a four-car garage, two-car garage and a 16-foot trailer. They finally cleared out the storage to fill up the store and have no plans to stop replenishing supply.
Photo by Joanne Beck.
Everything in the shop is priced to sell, Pezzimenti said, and she and Paradise are excited to see the public’s response. The shop isn’t their sole livelihood, but yet it’s something they want to be a success, especially with fewer retailers around, Paradise said. There aren’t as many places to shop these days, he said.
They will take requests to watch out for certain items and plan to post photos online to pique customers’ interest in new arrivals at the shop. Pezzimenti has drafted a list of definitions to help people clarify the differences between:
Retro — objects with a nod to the past but are more recently made.
Vintage — which is an item created by hand or machine, approximately 40 or more years ago.
Victorian — created during the reign of Queen Victoria between 1837 and 1901.
Antiques — generally considered to be 100 or more years old.
As for Paradise Home Vintage & Gift? There’s a “nice mix of different eras,” Paradise said, from 100+ years old to make 20 years ago or even more recently. There are items that would be perfect for someone just moving into an apartment or for an established home.
“I have a very good eye,” she said. “I’ve done all the hunting for you.”
The shop is highlighted by the big yellow awning on Ellicott Street, which used to be Joe’s Trophy shop. A grand opening special of 20 percent will run from Thursday to Saturday, with both a ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. and a prize drawing of a $50 gift certificate on Thursday.
Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call 585-536-7793 or email paradisehomevintagegift@gmail.com.
A brush fire at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia burned through an estimated one to one and a half acres late Sunday afternoon. Photo by Howard Owens.
A brush fire is reported in DeWitt Recreation Area, off West Main Street, behind WNY Concrete and Upson Maybach.
City Fire is on scene.
UPDATE by Joanne Beck 4:19 p.m.: The third platoon has been recalled to city headquarters and the Town of Batavia Fire brush truck has been requested to the scene.
UPDATE by Joanne Beck 4:45 p.m.: The fire is mostly knocked down after burning one to one and a half acres. The cause of origin is unknown at this time.
The Genesee County Spartans greeted about 600 fans for their home opener Saturday at GCC. Photos by Jim Burns.
The fledgling Genesee County Spartans defeated the New York Falcons, 13-0, in non-league semipro football action Saturday afternoon at Genesee Community College.
Head Coach Harry Rascoe’s squad shook off a sluggish first half as quarterback Alex Rood and halfback Jed Reese ran for touchdowns after intermission to turn back the Buffalo-based Falcons, who compete in the Gridiron Developmental Football League.
It was the first official game of the season for the Spartans, a member of the Northeastern Football Alliance.
“We had a couple of opportunities in the first half but kept on pounding the ball on the ground to finally take control,” Rascoe said, noting that the quartet of Rood, Reese, Rob Williams Jr. and Brandon Bethel combined for 200 yards rushing.
Rood scored on a 10-yard run in the third quarter and Reese capped a long drive with a five-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. Marc Montana kicked the point after touchdown after Rood’s score but missed the second attempt under windy conditions.
In the first half, the Spartans threatened early in the second quarter, using runs by Reese, Rood, Williams and Bethel to get to the Falcons’ 20 before an interception thwarted that drive. With about five minutes left, the home team advanced to the Falcons’ 2 but failed to capitalize.
“We were in the red zone four or five times and came up short; that’s something we definitely need to work on,” Rascoe said. “But our defense, behind (defensive ends) Gunner Rapone and T.J. Henderson dominated.”
Rapone was a force throughout, recording numerous tackles and combining with Henderson for four sacks. Defensive backs Brooks Boyle and Tre Woods each had an interception.
An enthusiastic crowd of about 600 turned out for the “Iron Reps Gym Game” at GCC’s new field, which is located behind the Richard C. Call Arena.
“On behalf of the players, a special thanks to all the fans who attended,” Rascoe said. “It really means a lot to see all the community support.”
The Spartans return to action at 7 p.m. next Saturday at Lockport.The next home game (all home games are at GCC) is at 7 p.m. June 17 against Ithaca.
Defensive ends T.J. Henderson, left, and Gunner Rapone set the tone for the Spartans in the 13-0 victory.
QB Alex Rood looks to escape the Falcons' rush.
RB/WR Jed Reese breaks into the clear. Reese scored tallied a second-half TD.
Perhaps the largest crowd in Dwyer Stadium history -- 3,711 fans -- watched a winning home opener of the 2023 season Saturday for the Batavia Muckdogs.
The Muckdogs defined the Elmira Pioneers 5-4.
Starter Julian Pichardo fanned eight and gave away no free passes over six innings
Michael Pedraza was credited with the win after giving up two runs in the eighth inning, putting the Muckdogs behind 4-3, only to have Batavia battle back in the bottom half of the frame, scoring two runs, to regain the lead at 5-4.
Trey Bacon came on to record the save in the top of the ninth, retiring all three batters he faced, notching two Ks.
Offensively, Josh Leadem smashed a solo home run in the fourth inning to put the Muckdogs on the board, though they still trailed 2-1 at that point. Leadem was 1-3 on the night with a walk and two runs scored.
Anthony Calabro was 1-2 with two walks and two RBIs, driving in the final two runs of the game to secure put Muckdogs in the lead.
The Muckdogs are 1-1 on the new season. Today, Sunday, at 4 p.m., the Muckdogs return to Dwyer Stadium to take on Niagara Power. They're home again on Tuesday, 6:35 p.m., again against Niagara.
Note Dame, Far West Regional Champions in baseball. Photo by Pete Welker.
Submitted game story:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish stole the lead late and defeated Gowanda Panthers 6-5 on Saturday at Frontier High School.
The game was tied at five with Notre Dame batting in the top of the seventh when Hayden Groff's sac fly scored one run for the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame built a four-run lead in the fifth inning and then held off Gowanda's charge. The Panthers managed four runs in the failed comeback. Tyler Smith, Blake Herman, and John Ondus powered the rally with RBIs.
The Irish got on the board in the second inning when a Gowanda error scored two runs
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Gowanda tied things up at five when Ondus singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run.
After Notre Dame scored two runs in the top of the fifth, Gowanda answered with two of their own. Notre Dame scored when Hayden Groff singled on a 2-0 count, scoring two runs. Gowanda then answered when Smith singled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs.
Ryan Fitzpatrick was the winning pitcher for Notre Dame. The righthander lasted two innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out two and walking zero.
Ondus took the loss for Gowanda Panthers Varsity.
Bryceton Berry started the game for Notre Dame. The ace went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out six.
Cole Herman started the game for Gowanda. Herman surrendered three runs on three hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two
Groff led the Irish with two hits in three at-bats.
Ondus went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Gowanda Panthers Varsity in hits.
The Fighting Irish will next play Chatham of Section 2 on Friday at Maine-Endwell High School in the state semi-final. Chatham is the defending Class C state champion and is currently ranked #1 in Class C by MaxPreps.
The creators of Enter Through the Coffee Shop @ The Harve, a unique, June-only art gallery at the Harvester Center, 56 Harvester Avenue, Batavia, held an invite-only pre-opening on Friday evening.
The public opening is tonight, Saturday, at 7 p.m., with the band FlashBamPow providing musical entertainment.
The Batavia Muckdogs will be looking for a win tonight in their home opener at Dwyer Stadium at 6:35 p.m. after dropping their season opener in Elmira, 11-9.
In that game:
Josh Leadem went 2-4, scoring two runs, with three RBIs, and collecting three stolen bases.
Rashad Robinson went 2-3, scoring two runs, with a walk, and three stolen bases.
Henry Daniels went 2-4 with a double, two RBIs, and a Walk.
Starting pitcher Preston Prince took the loss, going 2.2 innings, allowing six hits and seven runs, while striking out four.
CORRECTION: A Reader informs me I've gotten Jadyn's accomplishment all wrong. She was competing in the Pentathlon, which is five events, with competitors scoring points in each event and the winner being the athlete with the most points. Mullen was far and away the winner of the event.
In addition to the three first-place finishes noted earlier in our post (below), she finished second in the Girls High Jump and second in Shot Put, for a total of 3,334 points. Anna Varland of Batavia came in second with 2,389 points.
We apologize to Mullen for the error.
It was a big day for Alexander's Jadyn Mullen at the state qualifiers in track and field held at Van Detta Stadium on Friday.
Mullen's wins:
Girls 800 Meter Run, 2:19.57
Girls 100 Meter Hurdles, 15.25
Girls Long Jump, 5.52m
Girls Outdoor Pentathlon, 3334
Other individual winners on the day:
Nathan Canale, Batavia, Boys 1600 Meter Run 4:26.73
Campbell Riley, Batavia, Girls 2000 Meter Steeplechase, 7:30.33
Batavia, Girls 4x100 Meter Relay, 49.77
Batavia, Girls 4x800 Meter Relay, 9:50.96
Laurel Kania, Alexander, Girls High Jump, 5-03.00
Connor Domoy, Oakfield-Alabama, Boys 3000 Meter Steeplechase, 9:47.45
Genesee County is committed to ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for its residents. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our water infrastructure and maintain water security, we are announcing the implementation of voluntary water restrictions.
The Genesee County Water Project is a vital initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency and resilience of our water system. This project involves the upgrade and maintenance of critical infrastructure components, such as water treatment plants, distribution networks, and storage facilities. These improvements will help us meet the increasing demand for water, address aging infrastructure challenges, and ensure the long-term availability of clean and safe water for our community.
We kindly request the cooperation of all residents, businesses, and institutions within Genesee County to participate in voluntary water restrictions to reduce water consumption without causing undue inconvenience. By conserving water collectively, we can make a significant difference while minimizing the impact on daily life.
Key details regarding the voluntary water restrictions are as follows:
Outdoor Watering Restrictions: Residents are requested to limit outdoor watering of lawns, gardens, and landscapes. It is essential to refrain from watering during the hottest parts of the day to maximize water absorption.
Vehicle Washing: Minimize vehicle washing for essential purposes only. Consider using commercial car wash facilities that recycle water, reducing overall consumption.
Non-Essential Water Use: Limit non-essential water usage, such as filling swimming pools, decorative fountains, and other recreational water features.
Water Conservation Practices: We encourage all residents to adopt water-saving habits, including fixing leaks promptly, installing efficient fixtures, and utilizing water-efficient appliances.
Community Awareness: Regular updates and reminders will be shared through local media, community platforms, and our official website to keep everyone informed.
It is important to note that these water restrictions are voluntary at this stage. Mandatory water restrictions may be implemented if public health and safety are put at risk. By following these suggestions, each individual contribution will add up significantly.
Town Court Clerk Below are two lists: one details the myriad responsibilities that fall within the purview of the court clerk; the other summarizes the knowledge and abilities that court clerks possess or acquire through training. These lists are provided so that a judge and municipality can intelligently discuss the benefits that a court clerk can provide. The items below can also form the basis for a list of job duties should a municipality need to fill a vacancy in a court clerk position. Primary Responsibilities A. Maintain confidentiality of records and information when required to do so B. Prepare court calendar C. Collect monies, reconcile daily receipts, deposit receipts, prepare reports for monthly disbursements, reconcile bank accounts, and prepare administrative reports D. Enter convictions on drivers' licenses and prepare conviction reports electronically transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles E. Enter criminal conviction on NCIC reports and electronically send same to Division of Criminal Justice Services F. Respond to inquiries-in person, by phone, by e-mail and by mail-and provide assistance to lawyers, litigants, media, and members of the public G. Prepare monthly reports that are electronically sent to the Office of the State Comptroller H. Prepare orders, summonses, warrants and other court forms i. Communicate with outside agencies in order to coordinate the Court's activities and provide services to litigants. Such agencies include: ii. Law enforcement agencies, such as local police departments, New York State Police, Sheriffs office, FBI and CIA, US Armed Forces, and the Office of the District Attorney; I. Other courts, including superior courts and other local town and village courts; and i. Miscellaneous county agencies, such as Community Service, Community Dispute Resolution Center, Pre-trial Release, Probation, Stop DWI program, Victim Impact Panel, and Youth Court. ii. State agencies that require periodic reporting, including the New York State Unified Court System, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Office of the State Comptroller, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the Office of Court Record Retention. J. Examine court documents to ensure their accuracy and completeness K. Receive and file summonses, traffic tickets and other documents for court proceedings i. Assist the Justice at the bench during all Court proceedings Knowledge of: 1. The functions and organization of the Unified Court System ii. Basic legal terminology, codes and abbreviations iii. Court forms, practices and procedures, including those set forth in the Uniform Justice Court Act and the Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts (22 NYCRR Part 214) 2. Ability to: i. Prepare judicial orders and decisions ii. Effectively communicate information orally and in writing iii. File and retrieve materials, extract data from various sources for entry onto court form iv. Research and interpret laws outlined in court documents and litigants' motions and other papers v. Perform mathematical tasks in order to compile court activity reports, total receipts, accept payments, and verify bills vi. Refer to appropriate documents, statutes, citations or other sources in order to respond to specific questions from attorneys, litigants and members of the general public vii. Interpret policies, statutes, rules and regulations and apply them in specific contexts viii. Establish work priorities ix. Constructively manage conflict with court users Qualifications: Highschool diploma recognized by the NYS Dept of Education or appropriate equivalent. Along with 4 years of college, specialization in criminal justice, law, business administration or related field. -OR- 2 years college with specialization in Business Administration or related field. Please email your resume to abrownell@townofbatavia.com no later than 12/16/2024. Pay is based on experience.
