City of Batavia management, from left, Police Chief Shawn Heubusch, Fire Lieutenant Robert Tedford, newly promoted Public Works Director Tom Phelps, Batavia Development Corp. Director Tammy Hathaway and City Manager Rachael Tabelski take care of various issues during Monday's conference and business meetings at City Hall. Photo by Joanne Beck
What to do when there are vacancies and few good candidates, but then qualified employees want to live beyond residency requirements for the city of Batavia?
That was a question on the table for the City Council during its conference session Monday evening after city management explained the dilemma of a Batavia Police officer. He would like to purchase a home that is “merely minutes” outside of the city residency boundaries — and therefore Chief Shawn Heubusch requested a residency waiver.
“Officer Samuel Freeman has been a member of the department since April of 2020 and has displayed a strong commitment to the department based upon him taking on additional roles,” Heubusch said in a memo to City Manager Rachael Tabelski. “Officer Freeman’s current residence meets the residency requirement, but he does not own the home. He is seeking a waiver of the residency requirement so that he may purchase his own home in a neighboring township to his current residence.
“Officer Freeman is a very dedicated officer,” Heubusch said during the meeting. “He works second platoon or the three to 11 shift. He has indicated to me he has no intentions of leaving our department. He loves it here.”
City Council has granted waivers before, usually for management positions including assistant manager and fire chiefto code enforcement officer — and at one point several years ago approved 14 waivers at one time, allowing employees to live within Genesee County when it seemed more prudent to do so than risk losing employees.
Tabelski spoke about a time about five years ago when the city reconfigured its residency borders and how that may need to be recalculated.
“I provided everyone with a map so you can look at it. As you can see, several years ago, back in 2019, I'll say, yep, April of 2019, defined our border as the adjacent towns to the city. However, when you look at the 15-minute and 20-mile radius, there are actually locations where you can't live but are closer than some of the locations inside this border,” she said. “So with this waiver, if council does grant it, I'd also like permission for a work group to be assembled to reexamine the residency proposed policy for the city of Batavia, because giving away waivers isn't the point of having a residency requirement.”
When the city used to get 120 candidates for the police officer Civil Service jobs, there were just 100 this last time, Tabelski said. Recruiting and hiring is getting more difficult as it is, not even accounting for having the residency requirement on top of that, Heubusch added, which further exasperates the situation of potential loss of current employees.
“I would just add that Officer Freeman is a very dedicated member of the department. He is a field training officer. He's currently a member of our emergency response team. He has become a firearms instructor in the Department. He takes on a lot of additional responsibilities. He loves the city of Batavia and working here, but he's a country boy at heart, and he's just looking for some property so he can go hunting,” Heubusch said. “Quite honestly, that's what it boils down to. And again, we've had issues with locating candidates. To Rachael's point, we did discuss this residency back in 2019 with other department heads over here at the time. We made some changes to it. There still are issues with retention and recruiting because of our residency, it comes up from time to time. So we'd like to take a look at that.”
While the waiver is an understandable request, perhaps the issue does need a more thorough review, Councilman Bob Bialkowski said.
“Maybe we’re doing something wrong here,” he said. “At 4:30, there’s a whole line of people leaving. I’d like to see more and more people becoming stakeholders in the community.”
They all agreed that a waiver was the right thing to do now, with a workgroup appointed in the future to review the overall problem and determine if there are other solutions.
During the business meeting that followed, council approved the waiver by a vote of 6 to 0. Members David Twichell, Kathy Briggs, Al McGinnis, Eugene Jankowski, and Tammy Schmidt all said yes, and Bialkowski added, “Sadly, yes.”
Steve Fantuzzo, an attorney with Nixon Peabody LLP, representing Verizon, makes a short presention about a planned phone tower on Wilkenson Road, town of Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens.
There were a couple of turns in the road on the way to approval for a new mobile phone tower for Verizon customers in the area of 9321 Wilkenson Road in the town of Batavia, but in the end, the town's planning board approved a special use permit and site plan review.
Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems LLC is the official applicant. The tower will be 154 feet high, have a four-foot lightning rod, and nine antennas on it, along with associated equipment on the ground.
Tuesday's meeting was the second time the board approved the same project.
The first approval had to be redone because of a "miscommunication," said board President Kathy Jasinski. At a previous meeting, the board moved ahead with approval even though the project had not yet been reviewed by the Genesee County Planning Board.
Last week, the county board recommended approval but with modifications. Members voted to require space on the tower for public safety purposes, such as the 9-1-1 system at no cost to the public.
That was another turn in the road.
Steve Fantuzzo, an attorney with Nixon Peabody LLP, representing Verizon, said Verizon objected to that requirement.
"It's a takings issue," Fantuzzo told the board. "It's the government taking property without providing compensation. Basically, it is not legal for the county to say we're taking space on the tower, or else we don't recommend approval. So the reality is that Verizon will accommodate them, and when they request it, they're generally willing to accommodate that space, but as a condition and a requirement, Verizon would object to that."
Board members quickly agreed that space on the tower should not be a requirement but had a short discussion about whether to amend a motion to remove that requirement or if a motion to reaffirm the board's prior approval would be adequate.
The board's attorney, Matthew Fitzgerald, recommended reaffirming the prior approval.
"If you're going to override the county's recommendation, you will need to send them an explanation," Fitzgerald said. "You'll need a majority plus one vote, which, if all members here vote in favor, that's fine. You will need to send them the reason you decided to go against their recommendation."
The board did not need to incorporate that decision into the motion itself, he said.
"I think the minutes will capture the discussion that was just had, as well as me interjecting, clarifying that was the reason," Fitzgerald said.
The board unanimously approved both the special use permit and the site plan review.
The little red building in Corfu, a former tiny tavern, is being renovated so it might become an office for the Corfu Police Department. Photo by Howard Owens.
One could say, perhaps, that it takes a village to build a police station.
At least that's the case this fall in the Village of Corfu, where people are volunteering their time to help convert a building that was once a bar but has sat vacant for at least 20 years into a police station.
The Corfu Police Department has never had a proper police station for the past 25 years, it's operated out of what is essentially a broom closet at the Village Hall, said Deputy Mayor Michael Doktor.
"We have officers, board members, community members, volunteering (to help complete renovations)," Doktor said. "Our maintenance man is also helping."
The property, at 81 East Main St., is nearly 39 acres and contains a house and a four-bay garage.
The village purchased the property in January. Doktor said the village developed plans to replace the roof on the garage, using existing capitol improvement funds, and start parking police cars there.
Then earlier this year, David Krzemien, officer in charge for the department, stopped by the little red building while village staff was there evaluating what damage their might be to the building, Krzemien began imaging it as a police station.
He brought the plan to the village trustees.
"It was a pretty quick discussion," Doktor said. "The board pretty much agreed with the officer in charge that the officers needed a real work space and that this building would pretty much meet our needs for the time being."
On Saturday, when The Batavian happened to stop by the building, Krzemien was there, working by himself, installing new metal siding. Red, of course.
Doktor said officials are still waiting on an estimate on the cost of replacing the floor. The current one is pretty weather-damaged. But it's still expected that converting the building into a police station will cost less than $6,000.
The beautiful old wood bar inside? It stays. Repurposed into a front-office counter.
As for the house on the property? The village is collecting feedback from residents on what to do with it. It all depends on costs and what the village wants, Doktor said.
"We're looking at what’s most cost-effective and listening to everybody's input from the village," Doktor said. "Who knows how long before we come up with the final idea for it, but we want to make sure it’s justifiable."
Doktor said the village hopes the new police station will be opened by December, even if the back office space isn't completely renovated by that time.
"We think (the police station) is something that will benefit the community. The feedback has been great so far," Doktor said. "We hope it is something the community will be equally happy about."
Jeremy Fink, aka J. F. Richards, of Batavia, holds his first published book that's on the shelf of local fiction authors at Richmond Memorial Library. Photo by Joanne Beck
As someone who has struggled to overcome his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome, with a history of loss and abuse as a child, Jeremy Fink certainly has a story to tell.
Written under the pen name J.F. Richards, this Batavia resident has chronicled that story through the character of Luke, along with his friends Will, Jake and Alexis, in “The Legend of the Sacred Knights.”
And he learned a thing or two more about himself in the process.
“Finding the part of you that you already had, like courage, that you keep hidden but you never see it at first, such as each of my characters has a different flaw of their own, but they all have to try to overcome it in various ways,” Fink said during an interview at Richmond Memorial Library, a local home to his book. “ I had to find a lot of courage in me, a lot, because a lot of people had harsh criticism towards me, especially towards my unusual behavior. Because at the time, not many people didn't know how autism worked, or ADHD, and they mostly believe one side of the story from other people who have had a bad rep from that.”
The 27-year-old went through a self-healing exercise. While writing his book, he also took notes about memories as they came up and corroborated one with the other. He learned more about his past as he worked toward his future aspiration of being an accomplished author.
“Part of my character’s backstory is grounded in reality because, like him, I was raised by my grandparents. I lost my mother when I was 12 years old,” he said. “My dad wanted to have custody of me, but he really, actually didn’t care about raising children because he had no sense of responsibility towards others. So he decided to just use me as a pawn just to get money.”
He suffered much emotional and psychological abuse, he said, and by getting his memories out on paper -- or computer -- he “felt relief” from the experience.
“Especially because of my living with my grandparents, I felt much happier because they were both kind people, and they have always been kind to me, but due to dad’s influence, he made me have a dark view of them for no reason. I didn’t understand why I had this urge to not like them,” Fink said.
As for other inspiration for the book, he’s a “die-hard Harry Potter fan” and lists Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” as his two favorite books of all time. Readers may note those influences in the cover, depicted by dark woods and imaginative, other-worldly fantasy characters.
Fink began his tale during the COVID lockdown, spending a lot of time streaming shows and conjuring up a storyline. When back at work at Batavia Walmart, he would put notes about the four mystic knights into a phone app.
“Each is gifted with their own powers,” he said. “They encounter many things beyond this earth itself.”
Once he completed a first draft in March 2021, Fink wondered, “How was I going to get this done?” His late uncle’s friend, Timothy Benson, who was familiar with screenwriting and editing, helped him with the next step. A book came together through other friends and finally a publisher. He saw the first copy this year.
“I felt excited; the first adventure has just begun,” Fink said. “I have two more, of a series, in progress. I’m very acute with remembering specific details about my character; I haven’t even revealed a lot yet.”
The story is about four human teenagers who enter a gateway to a magical world inhabited by magical animals. In this world, they band together as a team of mystical knights, each gifted with their magical powers; they embark on a quest to seek out ancient treasures to prevent a powerful evil from being unleashed.
His alter ego, Luke, is a 16-year-old boy who lives with his grandfather.After traveling through a portal, he becomes Lycanwolf, a wolf who is the former Prince of SilverLoc and leader of the Knights. He possesses the power of water and wields a sword that he can call to his hand whenever he needs it.
In fact, each of the characters eventually discovers a magical power after their curious time with the curator.
Later that afternoon, when the class was preparing to depart, the curator walked up and asked the students to help him with something.
“We are doing a survey of the area, I would like if some of you would volunteer to stick around and help me with the survey,” requested the curator. “Do I have any volunteers?”
The curator scanned the students and then pointed at Luke, Jake, Will and Alexis. “I wonder if you four could volunteer to help,” the curator asked, which bewildered everyone.
Everyone agreed to volunteer with the curator, but not everyone was okay with it.
While the class headed to the buses, the volunteers went with the curator, traveling up the stairs to the new area that was not open to the public. The entrance to the new area looks like an archaic archway. Everyone walked into the room and all gasped. Before them were four pedestals in the room, each holding a weapon.
“A sword, a hammer, a bow, and an axe,” Will said aloud.
“What are they here for?” asked Luke curiously. “I wonder if these four weapons or treasures are what the warriors from the mural left behind,” Luke wondered. “That I hope to find out once they have been studied” explained the curator. “Now, could each of your grand a weapon and help bring them outside.”
Everyone walked toward a different weapon to carry it out. Luke Gazed at the sword, curious about the mysterious blade. It was long and straight, like it was forged to be the perfect blade. He reached out, placing his hand on it. As he firmly grasped the hilt, then without warning it began to glow blue.
Jake touched the axe, and it started to glow red. Next, Alexis touched the bow, and it started to glow green. Then, finally, Will touched the hammer, and it glowed yellow.
Luke and the others freaked out, placing the weapons back hurriedly from where they picked them up.”What just happened?” Jake blurted out in astonishment.
“I don’t know,” said Luke, “but that was strange.”
After witnessing the strange glow, the curator looked at his watch, “All right. That’s enough for today. If you need help with anything, come to my cottage near the entrance to the ruins,” the curator said with urgency scooting everyone out without a reason He looked excited for some reason, then calmly asked them to leave, “Please go home kids.”
The group walked away and headed home, curious about what had happened and why. The four of them called their folks for a ride home. They stood in silence, while they waited for rides, each pondering what had just happened. The curator watched from afar, a smile from ear to ear blanketing his face.
“Now it begins,” the curator announced.
“Everyone has a story they want to tell,” Fink said. “We usually find a way to craft it to tell others.”
He devised his pseudonymafter his beloved grandpa, Richard Sands, who is pretty well known in Fink’s family hometown of Bergen. There was a time when he wasn’t certain about his family, due to his father’s undue influence, however, the more sober and fully aware the young man has become, he now realizes how fortunate he has been to have the love and foundation of his grandparents, he said.
The friends all ran back home to their parents and enjoyed the rest of the day. Luke saw his grandpa by the door and rushed to hug him. While it was amazing to be an anamorphic, superhero warrior who saved two worlds, Luke was happy to be home.
Although that may seem like a sweet ending, there is an epilogue and, Fink said with a bit of a mischievous expression, a cliffhanger.
He said his grandmother bought and read his book — and she loves it. His niece had her picture taken while holding a copy of it, and his two brothers and friends have also read and given positive reviews, he said. He appreciates those thumbs-up ratings now more than ever as he has been working to get book sales off the ground — he has sold at least 100 so far — and has them available at most online book and Big Box stores (Walmart, Amazon, Barnes and Noble). There are limited copies on the shelf at Richmond Library in the local author section as well.
Heidi Urban, his care coordinator, has been surprised at the amount of work he has taken on independent of anyone pushing him with deadlines and motivation beyond his own personal goals.
“I’m just shocked at the writing, self-publishing, and figuring out a cover and distribution; it’s such a giant undertaking. I’m just amazed by it. I’m really amazed by him,” she said. “Throughout the process of getting to know Jeremy, and I’m not sure it aligns with the book, so I have to attribute that to the book. I feel like he’s just really gained confidence; he has come out of his shell and just become more open.”
He hopes to further step out into the limelight with a future book signing at Richmond (the date has yet to be determined). For more information or to connect with J. F. Richards, check out his website.
The Le Roy Town and Country Garden Club proudly celebrated a momentous occasion on October 9 as they honored founding member Janet Fitch on her remarkable upcoming 105th birthday. Surrounded by friends and fellow garden club members, Janet was greeted with heartfelt wishes, a beautifully decorated cupcake, and a vibrant bouquet of flowers.
Janet Fitch has been a cornerstone of the Le Roy Town and Country Garden Club since its inception in 1954. Members expressed their gratitude for her guidance and passion for environmental stewardship. Her passion for gardening and her commitment to nurturing both plants and relationships have left a lasting impression on all who have had the privilege to know her.
For more information about the Le Roy Town and Country Garden Club and upcoming events, please contact LeRoyNYGardenClub@gmail.com.
The new logo created for Friends of Ascension (Parish) in Batavia that is on the group's new social media site.
After about a dozen years volunteering as trustee of Ascension Parish with no mention of time restrictions or regulations, Bill Brach was abruptly issued his walking papers from the Rev. Bernard Nowak, he says.
Brach, who was raised a Catholic, attended Catholic schools, was married at the church and given his time and efforts to the Diocese-based religion, doesn’t exactly feel the support is mutual.
Both the State of New York and the Diocese of Buffalo appoint trustees for either one year or in practice for three to five years. Effective today, Oct. 8, 2024, your time of service ends. Be assured of our prayers and commitment to the church of Buffalo; looking forward to your continued participation in the mission of the Diocesan church.
Rev. Bernard Nowak, Vicar Forane
“We had a couple of conversations, and on Oct. 4, he called and said I can be a trustee or pursue the appeal, but I can’t do both. I said let me look into it a bit further. There is no way they can take your rights away as a parishioner, so I got back to him last Monday with an email asking what article of Canon law you are citing?” Brach said to The Batavian Monday. “He showed up in my driveway Tuesday (Oct. 8) with a letter and said you have been a trustee too long, and as a trustee, you have to support the Road to Renewal. I feel betrayed. I reached out to them for help, and I felt they’d be on board and I got stonewalled.”
Road to Renewal, aka support the merger of Ascension with Resurrection Parish and stop working to retain Ascension as its own entity. When he reached out for supporting church records to learn more, he wasn’t given anything, he said.
In her letter of concern and agitation to Father Nowak, Parish Council Member Connie Bruggman asked him why he was removing Brach, especially given that she believes trustees at Resurrection Parish have been in place longer than him and that his removal now leaves no one in place since there was already a vacancy of a trustee at Ascension.
“It seems you have an issue with Ascension Parish asking for help and questioning this Road to Renewal,” she said. “When will the trustee position be filled, who is signing our checks, how are our bills being paid? Are you putting us in the position to fail so it will be easier to close our parish?”
The Batavian wanted to ask those questions, but the church office was closed on Monday because of the holiday.
The Batavian asked Brach via email about clause § 91. Government of incorporated Roman Catholic churches, which states: The term of office of the two laymen trustees of an incorporated Roman Catholic church shall be one year. Whenever the office of any such layman trustee shall become vacant by expiration of term of office or otherwise, his successor shall be appointed from members of the church by such officers or a majority of them.
Has the term ever been discussed or been an issue before?
“That's standard wording; I've seen it a number of times. As a trustee, I had to be re-appointed every year, so the Diocese was well aware of how long I had served,” he said. “I stopped getting my letters of appointment several years ago (after serving about ten years) when this ‘Road to Renewal’ process started. We questioned it at the time but did not get a response other than ‘keep doing what you're doing.’”
That was something Father Scott said during a prior meeting with parishioners in late September after he laid out the issues before them about a potential merger, and he was asked what they should do. "Keep doing what you're doing," he said.
Meanwhile, an undercurrent of support has been building towards survival. A core group of parish members has been zealously gathering signatures—more than 225 as of Monday. A letter was distributed after Sunday’s service (see below), and there’s a social media site already in place with information and affidavits for those wanting to print out and sign a copy.
The letter distributed on Oct. 13:
To all Parishioners and friends of Ascension Parish,
We are a core group, Friends of Ascension Parish. We have been working with Save Our Buffalo Churches.com. Please check out their website. Their mission statement is “The goal and reason we are all here is to SAVE SOULS through helping the Parishes in our Diocese stay open under Canon Law.” We want to fight to keep our church open and not to have to be sold, will you help?
We need to prove to the Bishop that we are not going to just accept his verdict. We have been told that if we use our church, fund our church, and take care of our church, we cannot be closed. Just this last Tuesday, Rev. Bernard Nowak dismissed our only Trustee, Bill Brach. We have been functioning with just one trustee since last February, which is against the law. Bill has been asking to fill this open position and to have regular Trustee meetings, with no response. Now we are left with no representation or oversight.
We are asking you to attend any event we have, contribute to our church (this means if you attend another mass, that you use Ascension envelopes and if you don’t have an envelope, that you place your contribution in an envelope marked Ascension Parish) and if you are asked to help clean or do a small repair of the church, please consider saying yes.
We are looking into establishing a not-for-profit organization, to accept donations to help keep our church open.
There are Affidavits out for signatures, have you signed one yet? Please contact me to get a copy. We have over 200 signatures so far, we need as many as possible.
Please help us to keep Ascension Church open. Thank you.
Connie Bruggman, Member of Friends of Ascension Parish
The core group is also in progress with filing as a not-for-profit and seeking advice from the Save Our Buffalo Churches group, whose goal and reason “we are all here is to save souls through helping the parishes in our Diocese stay open under Canon Law.”
The Diocese has issued an official order that parishioners are not to conduct any business “used for recourse” on parish/school property or any such activities in support of recourse against a merger or closure, so group members are being cautious not to conduct any of their business on church property. The letter was distributed on the sidewalk this past Sunday, Bruggman said.
“It is important for us all to utilize our time and efforts to assist parishioners in understanding the need for the Road to Renewal and to support the process of building a productive transition team,” the Rev. Peter Karalus said in a letter sent to the Fathers.
To further muddy the waters of the situation, nothing can be done until a sexual abuse case in Buffalo is settled, and it has been five years in litigation so far, Brach said.
“I don’t see this getting settled in the next few months. They freeze the assets of our parish and can’t do anything with the finances of the parish,” he said.
What happens next? It’s a waiting game while they continue to gain momentum, Bruggman said.
“Until the bishop puts the decree out, then we can get the appeal in motion,” she said. “We’re trying to get the not-for-profit. It’s a little bit hopeful now because people are saying, yeah, we want to fight; they didn’t know we were fighting this.”
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Lauren Cocilova, a volunteer at Mockingbird Farms in Bergen gives a kiss to Gilbert on Saturday while Annie sniffs to see if there is any feed left in her bucket during an open house event. Photo by Howard Owens.
Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary drew sunshine and visitors to its third annual fall farm festival Saturday in Byron. The event was a fundraiser to raise awareness about the farm's efforts to provide a safe haven for rescued animals and serve as a financial support for medical expenses and hay to feed the animals into the next cold winter season.
GO ART! is pleased to welcome the public to view the work of Linda Miranda Fix, Kelly Herold, and Melita Guild at the reception of three exhibitions on Thursday, October 17.
Three uniquely different bodies of work will offer multiple visual and mental stimulation for individuals as they move from one gallery to the next.
Linda, who “loves working with different mediums and substrates,” said the collection "The Heart of the Universe" represented in the show was inspired by the Solar Eclipse in April 2024. Hence, “she began to think about celebrating the earth and all its glory, the strength and resilience of 'Mother Earth,' and the similar fervor and power of women.”
Linda Fix wants the public to know that her “paintings represent The Sisterhood of Women as we celebrate birth, accomplishments, and love; as we grieve with the tragedy of loss; as we continue to rise after many times that we fall.” “I believe that Women are the 'Heart of the Universe”.
This exhibition is filled with vibrant colors, styles, and multiple-media representations, including Acrylics, Mixed Media, Watercolor, and Alcohol Ink. She will give a brief artist’s talk at 6 p.m.
Kelly Herold is a contemporary artist who has, for the last three years, focused on the “transformative potential of everyday objects”. She says her “3D designs are crafted from recycled and repurposed materials, including frames, bottles, cans, smashed glass, glasses, ceramics, and various trinkets sourced from thrift stores, yard sales, or donated by friends. Each piece undergoes a meticulous process of cutting, shaping, and assembling, often utilizing a modified wet saw for precision”.
She also shares her process, which includes the final step in her creative process, “which involves coloring and pouring resin to encapsulate the assembled materials, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind artwork. Through this method, I aim to give new life to discarded items, highlighting the beauty and potential found in the overlooked and forgotten”.
We invite you to see why Kelly says, “My art is a testament to sustainability, creativity, and the endless possibilities inherent in repurposing material.”
Melita Guild ceramic masks are exceptional and definitely have a place on the walls during the month of October. Melita will not be present at the reception but the time spent viewing her work will be meaningful.
GO ART! invites the public to meet Linda & Kelly during the reception and hear both artists’ talk on Thursday, October 17, starting at 5 p.m.
This event is free, but the experience will be invaluable! We look forward to welcoming you to this event!
For the first time, Upstate Niagara Cooperative on Saturday held a Farm Fest at Reyncrest Farms in Corfu.
The event drew 350 employees as well as members of the 250 farms that participated in the cooperative.
"I'm hoping for connection," said Kelly Wells, chief human resources officer for Upstate, who led the effort to bring the event together. "It's a great time of the year. It's fall. Harvest season's coming to a close, and it's an intimate way to bring people together to learn more about farming and to connect and understand how they play a role in making great products."
There were activities for the kids, stations for photo ops, corn hole, food, milk, ice cream, farm demonstrations and a hay ride.
Wells said the event was a "resounding success."
CEO Kevin Ellis said the event was a great employee and member appreciation event.
“While our corporate team members and member farm families may have different day-to-day roles, they all play an integral part in bringing quality milk to homes across the region. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to connect with and celebrate our team outside of the typical workday,” said Ellis. “At UNC, we are committed to fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among our growing workforce.”
The event, he said, is another way to demonstrate that Upstate is a great place to work.
“The market and consumer demand for milk and dairy products continues to grow and, with that, the opportunity for Upstate Niagara Cooperative to establish itself as an employer of choice in the region grows as well,” adds Ellis. “We know our collaborative work environment is what makes UNC great, and that really shines through at events like Farm Fest where all team members and families can come together as one.”
Marketing Director Ryan Hasenauer, Noel and Bill Schmitt of Kenmore, with the 2024 winner, Fred. Photo courtesy Batavia Downs
Ted, owned by Noel and Bill Schmitt of Kenmore, is the 2024 Wiener Dog Race winner at Batavia Downs.
The race capped a Sunday of family fun at the race track, including face painting, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, a clown, pony and carriage rides, and chatting with author Rollond Eddy.
The investigation into a case that began in March with the discovery of a body in the town of Alabama has concluded with the arrest of Edward A. Dunn, 38, of Lockport, on charges of murder in the second degree, a Class A-1 felony.
Dunn is also charged with assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, concealment of a human corpse, a Class E felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony.
The Lockport man is accused of killing Michael Poole and then taking steps to conceal Poole's body.
Dunn was arraigned in Genesee County Court on the indictment and ordered held on $100,000 bail. He is schedule to appear in court again on Nov. 7.
The investigation began on March 19, when the body of the 59-year-old Poole, an Olcott resident, was located during a search for a missing person from Niagara County.
Kathryn A. Henry, 33, from Lockport, was arrested on April 19 and charged with murder in the second degree. She was accused at the time of conspiring with another person to kill Poole and hide his body.
On June 27, the Sheriff's Office arrested Norman S. DuBois, 45, of Lockport, and charged him with hindering prosecution among other charges for his alleged part on conspiring to hide Poole's body.
Junior WR/LB Mark Caparco - 25-Yard TD Reception, 1 INT on Defense
Junior TE/DL Nick Scott - 30 Receiving Yards, 5 Tackles, 1 TFL
"A complete team effort in today's win," said Coach Tyler Winter. "From a competitive standpoint, it's nice to pick up a big win like this while knowing we still have not played our best ball yet this season. We have a quick turnaround to the next challenge, but we are excited to get back to the grind."
Quarterback Bronx Bucholtz on the move to gain yards in a running game because of high winds last evening at VanDetta stadium. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Strong wind gusts on Batavia's homecoming night at Van Detta Stadium played havoc with offensive schemes leading to a scoreless first half and only one touchdown over the full four quarters.
The Blue Devils beat the Eastridge Lancers 7-0.
Bronx Buchholz was 9-17 passing for 60 yards and one TD. He was intercepted twice. He gained 61 yards on 17 carries.
Maggio Buchholz had five receptions for 23 yards and a TD.
Uneven Bars: 1. Ella Lamberson (Corning): 7.85, 2. Roan Finn (Genesee): 7.05, 3. Sophia Matthews (Genesee): 6.25, 4. Edison Betances (Genesee): 6.15, 5. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 6.05, 6. Carsyn Good (Genesee): 5.95, 8. Ava Pellegrino (Genesee): 5.1
Balance Beam: 1. Roan Finn (Genesee): 8.8, 3. Mikayla Yohon (Genesee): 7.2, 6. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 6.725, 7. Nee'Kay Smith (Genesee): 6.5, 8. Sophia Matthews (Genesee): 6.05, 10. Chloe Garner (Genesee): 5.55
Floor Exercise: 1. Roan Finn (Genesee): 8.575, 4. Sophia Matthews (Genesee): 7.25, 5. Mikayla Yohon (Genesee): 7.05, 6. Lei St.Clair (Genesee): 6.75, 7. Carsyn Good (Genesee): 6.7, 13. Emma Cooper (Genesee): 6.25
The next meet is: Friday, Oct. 18 at MCA Gymnastics Club at 6:30 p.m. It is Senior Night, honoring: Kendall Chase, Roan Finn, Lei St.Clair & Mikayla Yohon
Rene Holstien shows some of the reasons for Saturday's fundraiser at Tracy B's in Le Roy. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at 8041 E. Main Road. Photo by Howard Owens
The first-ever Basket Raffle and concert is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday (today) at Tracy B's to help support Maryland, a Haven for Horses, a nonprofit based in Le Roy.
The OHMS band will perform, and food will be available. Plenty of beer will be on tap, the greenhouse will be filled with basket raffles and there will be a 50/50. All of the proceeds will go to the horses at MaryLand to help them get hay and supplies to get them through the winter months.
On Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., law enforcement agencies across Genesee County and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
There will be three locations across the county where citizens can dispose of their medications. Sharps will only be accepted at the Batavia location which moved from the Alva lot this year. The service is free and anonymous, and no questions are asked.
The Batavia Police Department, in conjunction with United Memorial Medical Center, will be accepting prescription drugs and sharps at the Batavia Police Department, located at 10 W. Main Street, Batavia.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office will accept prescription drugs ONLY at the Pembroke Town Hall, 1145 Main Rd. Corfu.
The LeRoy Police Department will accept prescription drugs ONLY at their headquarters, 3 West Main Street, Le Roy.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized collectors that are available all year long.
The Batavia Police Department Headquarters has one for everyday collection of drugs located in the lobby at 10 West Main St., Batavia.
Containers are also located at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office on Park Road, Batavia, and the Le Roy Police Department.
Sharps are accepted at United Memorial Medical Center, 127 North Street, Batavia.
The FDA also provides information on how to dispose of prescription drugs properly. More information is available here: www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com.
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.
