Press release:
The Forum Players, Genesee Community College's Theater Arts students, and members of the local theater community are excited to open the 2020 spring season with "Doubt: A Parable," written by John Patrick Shanley, which won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2005.
This performance is a brilliant and powerful drama that tells the story of Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal who takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with a male student.
Shanley not only wrote the play, but he also wrote the screenplay and directed it as a film starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
GCC's talented Forum Players bring this parable to life with four live performances, directed by Maryanne Arena and Jaime Arena, which are intended for mature audiences (age 16 and up). Performances are in the Stuart Steiner Theatre, 1 College Road, Batavia.
- Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, both at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m.
The cast includes:
- Lucine Kauffman, of Elba, as Sister Aloysius
- Sam Rigerman, of Batavia, as Father Flynn
- Nevaeh Vindigni-Kretchmer, of Rochester, as Sister James (alternating the role)
- Alyssa Young, of Holley, as Sister James (alternating the role)
- Francesca Pieter, of Willemstad, Curacao as Mrs. Muller (alternating the role)
- Caitlynne Tape, of Syracuse, as Mrs. Muller (alternating the role)
The crew includes:
- Brodie McPherson, of Rochester, as technical director and production designer
- Emily Grierson, of Perry, as stage manager
- Tiago Ortega, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as a backstage assistant
- Leah Plummer, of Bradford, Pa., as a backstage assistant
Tickets for these shows are available online here. The cost is $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors (55+) and students (16+) and GCC faculty/ staff. GCC students with ID are $3, and GCC alumni with ID will receive a $2 discount on an adult ticket.
To reserve seats, you may also contact the GCC box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or (585) 345-6814.
Photos by Howard Owens.
A two-vehicle accident with injuries that is blocking traffic is reported in Pavilion at Ellicott Street Road and Telephone Road. Law enforcement is on scene. Pavilion Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
Machine shop owners Nancy and Bill Brach passed up the opportunity to buy the building next door to their business in the Town of Batavia nearly 20 years ago and the die was cast.
Nancy said they came to regret that.
Out-of-state businessman Jay W. Tuxford bought it instead, in November of 2000 when escrow closed on the $130,000 sale of 4816 Ellicott Street Road.
Brach's Machine, Inc., a 15,000-square-foot facility at 4814 Ellicott Street Road, soon had new neighbors -- Pandora's Boxxx, an erotica store that sold racy lingerie, adults toys and videos, and exotic gizmos.
"The porno people" as she refers to them, "weren't horrible neighbors" but the Brachs found the operation "unsavory" nonetheless.
"We wanted that place to be closed forever," Nancy said, with some exasperation, adding that the brass at O-AT-KA Milk Products across the street at Cedar Street and Ellicott Street Road, weren't sorry to see the adult business go away either, finding it a rather "unwholesome" sight.
So it was with great delight that they found that Tuxford wanted to unload the property.
He appears to be a South Carolina resident who has, or has had, several businesses, according to information in online databases. These include Panbox Enterprises LTD (Pandora's Boxxx locations) based in Inman, S.C., South Shore Distributing in Long Beach, Mass., The Love Boutique Inc. in Inman, S.C. and in Orlando, the Florida metropolis where he also has two units in a multiplex. He is also listed as owning Florida Video Control Inc.
The Oct. 22, 2010 issue of the Rochester Business Journal lists Tuxford as filing a legal notice to change the name of a business in Genesee County from Granny's Attic of WYN Inc. to Nicholé’s of NY Inc.
The Brachs closed escrow on the 1,700-square-foot property next door on Oct. 18, and the sale price was $160,000.
It was originally owned, according to county records, by Albert Scroger. Genesee Farms bought it in 1990 for $70,000 and Pavlos Panitsidis paid $80,000 for it five years later. Five years after that is when Tuxford bought it.
The Brach's primary interest in it was for "purely selfish reasons" -- to provide much needed additional parking space for their 19 employees and room for their trucks to safely back in and out.
Brach Machine and Design, DBA was founded in 1985, specializing in tool design and custom machine work, focusing on the die casting industry. It incorporated under the name Brach Machine, Inc. in 1993. In 2005, the husband and wife established legal co-ownership under Brachefeller, LLC ("as in Rockefeller," says Nancy) and that entity is the listed property owner of both parcels, according to Bill.
The business continues to serve the die casting industry, producing a wide variety of shot-end components for zinc and aluminum die casting machines.
The Brachs rent the former Pandora's Boxxx to Chuck Bucci, who owns Batavia Bargains, "for a song," Nancy said.
Bucci relocated from 198 Ellicott St. in the city, behind the Qwik Fill, and opened at his new space on Monday.
Gone are the sun-faded pair of familiar burgundy awnings emblazoned with the words Pandora's Boxxx.
This afternoon, Bucci said the town site offers a bigger, more attractive space to display the goods he culls from estate sales, an occasional auction, etc.
He stocks a wide array of antiques, collectibles, primitives, all kinds of furniture, artwork, tools, signs, toys, and needful knickknacks and odd treasures.
"It's a nicer building ... there's more visibility and more drive-by traffic," Bucci said. "We were in the other building two years and nobody knew we were there."
Batavia Bargains' hours are the same for now: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday; closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Bucci said he'll probably expand or adjust the hours in the warmer months.
The Alabama Town Board is considering a change in a section of the zoning law that, in effect, would make it more difficult for residents to complain about noise from windmills.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. next Monday (Feb. 24) at the Town Hall on Judge Road to get feedback concerning the adoption of Proposed Local Law 2-2020 Town of Alabama Zoning Law Article IV Section 622, Part C7 Noise, amendment.
“This was actually started as a request from a citizen, who proposed the wording, and it was sent to the (Town) planning board and then back to the Town Board,” said Town Supervisor Rob Crossen, who took office on Jan. 1.
Crossen said he knew of one windmill in the southeast corner of the town that wasn’t functioning properly and emitted a loud noise that bothered several neighbors, but said that it has been repaired “to my knowledge.”
Windmills (not large wind turbines) are in operation at various locations in the Town of Alabama, including some on Macomber and Townline roads and on farms on Ledge Road and Maple Avenue.
Crossen also made it clear that he has no opinion on the matter at this point.
“I want to hear what the public has to say,” he said.
The current noise regulation states the following:
7. Noise. Audible noise due to the operation of any part of a Non-Commercial Wind Energy System shall not exceed 50 decibels (dBA) for more than 5 minutes out of any one-hour time period, when measured at any neighboring property line not owned by the applicant.
If the amendment is passed, a key revision would require residents filing a “legitimate complaint” to bear the cost of “independent third-party professional sound testing.”
The proposed amended ordinance reads as follows:
7. Noise. Audible noise due to the operation of any part of a Non-Commercial Wind Energy System shall not exceed 50 decibels (dBA) for more than 5 minutes out of any one-hour time period. An exemption shall be made when the National Weather Service issues a high wind advisory or warning.
Any sound testing shall only be done due to a legitimate complaint and shall be conducted in closest neighboring inhabited dwelling. The cost of this independent third-party professional sound testing shall be borne by the complainant. If the testing at complainant’s inhabited dwelling shows sound level exceeding allowable limits, the wind turbine owner must address and remedy the situation in coordination with the Town of Alabama Zoning Enforcement Officer.
-- A wind advisory is issued when the following conditions are expected: sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for an hour or more; and/or wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration;
-- A high wind warning is issued when the following conditions are expected: sustained winds of 40 mph or higher for one hour or more; and/or wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration.
Tuesday night, Brianna Smith became Oakfield-Alabama's all-time scorer in girls basketball, sinking a three-pointer to put her at 1,311 career points.
The Hornets beat Holley 47-27 to move to 12-7 on the season.
Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.
Press release:
Today, President Donald Trump endorsed Chris Jacobs in a tweet. Nate McMurray had this to say in response:
“It’s a good thing the president endorsed Jacobs early, because it took several years for Jacobs to endorse the president or even say his name,” McMurray said.
“If I was Stefan Mychajliw, Beth Parlato, or Rob Ortt, I’d feel pretty betrayed right now. Jacobs became a Trump supporter overnight to try and win this position. Money talks. I invite President Trump to come to NY-27. I invite him to stand on a stage, look me in the eye and explain to me and the people of NY-27, why he wants to make cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
"I want to see what he has to say for himself for taking away care from our elderly, our rural hospitals, or all those people who earned the right to those benefits through years of hard work. He needs to explain, because Jacobs sure can’t.”
Press release:
The Genesee County Conservative Party is excited to announce the following endorsements:
Congrats to all of the candidates.
Click here for 6612 Tufts Road, Pavilion. Hands down – an awesome piece of real estate! Custom built ranch home that checks all the boxes! Phenomenal views, gorgeous lot, beautifully landscaped with out-building and an interior that makes you want to never leave.
Absolutely nothing to do-mechanically updated from top to bottom and beautifully and neutrally decorated. This home features; 3 bedrooms with a master closet to die for, 2 full baths, family room with cathedral ceilings, wood burning fireplace. Cozy and bright with great views to one of the prettiest backdrops around.
Library/den, pretty kitchen, formal dining room, and a super fun finished basement, that also has utility space and storage. 3 Bay garage, 16x20 shed, 2 decks with composite decking, concrete patio overlooking fields and woods with wildlife galore! You're going to love this one. Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today to see this listing. Call 585-344-HOME (4663).
Click here for 217 North St., Batavia (City). Solid & well maintained city home, centrally located to everything! Many updates-tear off roof in 2011 and furnace 2008. Upstairs gutted and re-drywalled. Nicely maintained.
The yard is super deep with lovely herringboned pattern sidewalk and beautiful flower beds and two great porches to enjoy it all! Super affordable price and inexpensive utilities. Check it out soon. Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today to see this listing. Call 585-344-HOME (4663).
The Lyndonville Tigers held down a team that four times this season scored more than 90 points, and twice in the past four games going over 100, to just 58 points on a night that team really wanted a win.
The Fighting Irish wanted the win for their Head Coach Mike Rapone, who in his 40th season was on the cusp of his 700th career win.
Lyndonville is a good team, Rapone said after the game, but part of the problem was "the pressure of trying to win the 700th win," he said. "Other people did."
Victory looked far from certain through the first three-quarters of the contest. Notre Dame took their first lead of the night with about 20 seconds left in the first half and then quickly lost it, so they went into the locker room down 19-18.
Instead of coming out fired up, the team still seemed tentative for most of the third quarter and trailed heading into the fourth 40-29.
Then Mark Sanders got hot, hitting a trio of three-point baskets to help spark a comeback.
He finished the night with 14 points. Gabe Macdonald socred 12 and Cody Henry scored nine.
For Lyndonville, Nathan Dallenbeck scored 21 points and Nathan Dydorle, who also had several blocked shots and steals, scored 16 points.
"I'm proud of the accomplishment, but know it couldn't have happened without all the great young men I have been fortunate enough to coach at Notre Dame," Rapone said.
(Top, artist Laura Kemler's work "Kids at Theater.")
Press release and submitted images from Batavia Society of Artists.
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Laura Kemler on Tuesday, March 10th from 7 to 9 p.m. at GO ART!/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. She will be doing a demonstration on gouache -- an opaque watercolor.
Nonmembers welcome for a $5 fee.
For more information, call Teresa Tamfer at (585) 506-2465.
Genagon (inset photo left) grew up in Elba under the training of Bernice Yunker, along with talented teachers in school. As she grew in the visual arts, she attended Genesee Community College on a full art scholarship as well as the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
She has designed and illustrated for Liz Claiborne, the University of Pittsburgh, the Wyoming County Tourism Association and many others. Genagon has also taught art for Hillside, Forrestel Farm & Riding Camp, Bergen School of the Arts, as a guest teacher at a private school in Bradford, England and at many workshops throughout her 28-year professional career in art.
Genagon has also had the opportunity to illustrate a children's book titled "My Grandma's Kitchen Window" available on Amazon. Currently, she owns "Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods" in Albion, where she hand dyes fabric and creates coiled rope baskets and other handmade gift items.
She continues to illustrate and get her hands into all facets of the visual arts. Laura and her husband, Kevin, along with her five children reside in Albion.
Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods
45 N. Main St., Albion NY 14411
(Below Kemler's "Gossip Girls")
While acknowledging a high degree of uncertainty brought about by New York’s new bail reform laws, Genesee County officials – working hand-in-hand with consultants, engineers and architects experienced in correction facilities – are moving ahead with their plan to build a state-mandated 184-bed jail on property just east of County Building 2 on West Main Street Road.
“It’s the worst time in New York State history to be building a jail … but it must be built,” said Matt Landers, assistant county manager, referring to the state’s recently passed legislation that has eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor and nonviolent felony offenses, thus reducing the number of those charged with a crime who are remanded to jail.
Landers, cochair of the jail committee along with Sheriff William Sheron, was speaking at tonight’s public information session at the Old County Courthouse about the proposed $60 million project.
Approximately 40 people, including county legislators, jail committee members and interested citizens, attended.
Landers and Rod Miller, president of CRS Inc. (Community Resource Services) of Gettysburg, Pa., a consulting firm that specializes in the correction and detention fields, agreed that the changes to how bail is applied have created a dilemma when it comes to projecting jail housing requirements.
Already, the new laws, which took effect on Jan. 1, have resulted in a downsizing of the new county jail from 214 beds (originally), then 200 beds – each with five pods – to 184 beds with four pods.
“They are the most extensive set of laws passed in the country,” Miller said, noting that California also is in the process of bail reform but not “as extensive” as New York’s. “We’re trying to anticipate the impact and that’s been very difficult. It’s kind of a crap shoot; there’s no question it will reduce jail population.”
Still, the county is obligated to replace its current jail at the corner of West Main Street and Porter Avenue.
Built in 1902 (with an addition/renovation in 1985), the jail is not conducive to effective supervision, has inadequate space for services and programs, and does not have the capacity to house female inmates – a situation that costs the county hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to transport these women to other jails, Miller explained.
“The current jail deficiencies are pretty well documented,” Miller said, adding that the county is liable no matter where inmates are housed and must abide by strict state Commission of Corrections standards that cover safety, security, separation, conditions of confinement, and medical and mental health care.
In reality, the COC is driving the bus, so to speak, toward the erection of a new jail.
“The COC decides how jails operate and the capacity of the facility,” Miller said. “They had to approve the number of beds.”
The COC also requires all cells to be single occupancy – “a big impact here on the design (and accompanying cost),” he said – and “direct supervision” management of inmates, again a safe but costly proposition.
“Costs increased 20 or more percent per square foot due to the strict requirements,” Miller said, “and that is borne by the county.”
Previously, Landers submitted a budget for the project that shows actual construction costs at $49.7 million. The price tag increases to $60 million when adding in design, furnishing, bonds and insurance, construction management, planning and development, and unexpected costs.
County officials said the jail will be funded by bonds that will be paid back by sales tax revenue that has been shifted away from towns and villages per a new state-approved sales tax agreement. They also said that jail construction will not result in a property tax hike.
Miller pointed to the contribution of the county’s Criminal Justice Advisory Council, which helped all parties in assessing future population trends and housing needs.
“We had access to their monthly meeting and had plenty of discussions,” he said. “CJAC represents all facets (of criminal justice and law enforcement) and is a model for other communities.”
Explaining that the “number of admissions does not correlate to the number of beds used,” Miller said that after three days, 47.9 percent of inmates have been released, after using only 1.6 percent of the total beds. Furthermore, 73 percent of all inmates are gone within 30 days, having used just 13 percent of the annual beds.
“The three days (data) is the target of the bail reform laws,” he said, “and it is very tough to figure out the impact of bail reform in the long term.”
He also emphasized that the new jail will have a specific area for “central arraignment” and processing – a cost-saving measure – and is likely to take in inmates who formerly might have been headed to state prisons.
Most importantly, Miller said, the new jail will provide sufficient female beds, house detainees who present substance abuse problems, and provide a secure treatment facility and acceptable short-term holding and separation.
He did mention the possibility of a regional jail, noting that there are 130 of these types of facilities in the United States, but said that although “they make a lot of sense in principle, it is hard to find a solution that works for all parties. It is not a viable solution right now.”
Following Miller’s presentation, Graham Vickers, principal/director of justice practice for SMRT, an architectural firm out of Portland, Maine, gave an overview of the site plan.
“We have been working with the (Genesee County) group since 2017 and are 50 percent through the design,” he said, adding that they’re shooting to break ground this September.
Vickers said the building will consist of a front portion for staffing and programming and a back section of four separate rectangular structures behind.
He termed a space dedicated for arraignments as a “unique feature” that will limit travel expense and security issues.
“The jail has an internally driven design … which considers those who work there and those who are detained (first),” he said.
He also noted that there will be “educational spaces” for religious or classroom teaching, with the day room built with a safety as a priority.
The day rooms are being built with an emphasis on safety, he said. Landers added that the dayrooms in each pod are designed in such a way that one corrections officer will be able to oversee up to 52 inmates, making them "much more efficient."
Landers said the new jail is being constructed with a life expectancy of 50 to 100 years. He applauded his committee for its hard work.
“We did our best to analyze the data and trends, believing that they will start emptying the state (prison) population into our jail,” he said. “We spent the last three years of analysis … without having a crystal ball (to decide what is) best for the future.”
At the end of the formal presentation, two Batavia residents offered their opinions and asked some questions.
Ron Greer, former Genesee County Jail superintendent, said “you’re going to have a hard sell (with the public),” directing his comments to county legislators.
He said that he hoped that the county could generate revenue right away – and not a year down the road – by housing females.
Still, he acknowledged the county has the responsibility of taking care of all who are sent to jail.
John Roach asked what the plan was for the current jail, suggesting that the city may be abandoning the building next door (the current City police headquarters) in the near future.
Landers said SMRT has been charged with providing possible solutions, but no decision has been made yet.
Roach also asked if the new building considered the disabled – it does meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, Vickers said – and if juveniles would be kept there. Sheron replied juveniles would be housed somewhere else.
As far as double-bunking is concerned, Roach said, “they have that in Attica. It’s OK for them but not OK for you.”
It also was pointed out that the design’s infrastructure (such as heating/cooling and kitchen) is in place to handle the addition of two pods if necessary, and that the county will need to hire more corrections officers and support staff.
Photo at top -- Rod Miller and Graham Vickers; photos at bottom, various views of the proposed new county jail -- floor plan, dayroom and similar facility. Photos by Mike Pettinella.
A locomotive engine is on fire at 16 Lehigh Ave. in Batavia and city firefighters are responding.
UPDATE 10:35 p.m.: The conductor of the train reacted quickly and cut off the fuel source to the blaze, thereby extinguising it before firefighters arrived. They checked out the scene and went back in service.
Tonya Marie Ficarella, 33, of Lovers Lane Road, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. On Feb. 13 at 8:45 p.m. Genesee County Sheriff's deputies took a report of a domestic incident that occurred earlier in the day. Following an investigation, Ficarella was arrested. It is alleged that Ficarella struck a male in the face during a physical altercation in front of a 3-year-old child. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on March 5. The case was handled by Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Sgt. Andrew Hale.
Shaquille Levon Davis, 27, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with third-degree menacing and second-degree harassment. Following a domestic incident at a local motel on West Main Street Road in Batavia, Davis was arrested for allegedly putting a victim in fear of physical injury by placing his hands on the victim. He was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and is due to return there on March 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by Deputy Joshua Brabon.
Attention parents of young chefs, Jeanne's Table has three classes lined up for your child to learn new culinary skills and techniques. Classes are limited; they are at her Batavia home. They fill up fast!
For adults, she is offering a class in Italian cooking basics and an Italian "Demo & Dine" small-plate dinner party, both next month.
Here's the lineup for young folks:
Here's a couple of offerings for adults who love great Italian food:
For bookings and more information, visit online at Jeanne's Table.
The Magic SandBox is holding a Sock Hop from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 21) for children age 4 to 12 at Robert Morris School, 80 Union St. in the City of Batavia.
Admission is $1 or any monetary donation.
Parental supervision is required. Enter the building from the rear parking lot or the bus loop and follow the signs to the multipurpose room.
The point is to get kids up and moving!
It is hosted by True Wellness of WNY and Jo Coburn, a functional medicine health coach.
Attendees can expect:
Email: themagicsandboxwebazine@gmail.com
A tractor-trailer reportedly struck a female driver's gray Jeep at Judge and Alleghany roads in Alabama, then left the scene westbound on Judge Road. A deputy is responding to the property damage accident. No injuries.
UPDATE 4:09 p.m.: A deputy is out with the tractor-trailer driver now. It has New York license plates.
Jeff and Carolyn Houseknecht opened a new Farmers Insurance Agency office at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, with a ribbon cutting this afternoon.
Press release:
Assemblymen Steve Hawley (Batavia) and Jake Ashby (Castleton), both veterans themselves, alongside their colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference co-hosted a “Voices for Veterans” event today at the American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942 in Webster, where they called for the immediate restoration of Gov. Cuomo’s planned $5.68 million cut to veterans’ services.
Gov. Cuomo’s 2020-2021 Executive Budget takes aim at initiatives that range from helping soldiers manage PTSD and mental health challenges, to enabling veterans to find job-training and successful careers, to improving access to VA services and quality healthcare.
“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much to serve and protect our great nation. They have more than earned our support – this is why I am fighting to restore $6 million in funding for veterans programs,” said Ashby, the ranking Republican member on the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “Every year the governor tries to chip away at funding for veterans – funding that provides mental health services and critical help with the transition to civilian life. We won’t let him get away with it. New York must restore its support and commitment to veterans now.”
The largest cut proposed is to the wildly successful, popular Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Program. The governor’s budget eliminates more than $4 million from the counseling program that allows veterans to connect with other men and women who have served in the Armed Forces and are facing challenges similar to their own.
“These programs are the life blood of our veterans’ support network. Gutting funding for them is a slap in the face to the men and women who have risked their lives to protect ours,” Hawley said. “This isn’t a game. I am calling on Andrew Cuomo to restore his proposed funding cuts and stop playing politics with the well-being of our veterans.”
Among some of the other veteran-related programs facing funding cuts are:
“The governor’s budget includes $178 billion in spending. In recent years, he’s fought to use your tax dollars to give illegal immigrants free healthcare, free college tuition and driver’s licenses," said Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb (Canandaigua). "He wants taxpayer-funded political campaigns. He continually finds public contracts for his biggest political donors. At the same time, his budget would cut funding for veterans’ services by millions and millions of dollars. It’s unconscionable, and he should be ashamed. I’m proud to join my colleagues in fighting to restore this funding. Our veterans represent the very best of us, and the very best is exactly what they deserve from their government when they come home.”
Assemblyman Mark Johns (Webster) said “Veterans have sacrificed everything – their lives, time with their families and friends, their personal and professional goals – in order to protect our freedoms. It is vital that we do everything we can to show our appreciation, and ensuring the future of programs like the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Counseling Program is a great place to start. This program works. It is a proven life saver and its funding must be restored in this year’s budget."
“Why does the Governor always have to mess with the funding that our veterans hold dear?” asked Assemblyman Peter Lawrence (Greece). “Every year he finds it necessary to play political ping-pong with funding that is crucial to our veteran’s services. Services like the Dwyer Program should never be in jeopardy of being cut from the budget, and it seems like year in and year out the governor uses this funding as a political pawn during budget negotiations. I remain adamant about seeing it restored, and believe with continued pressure it will be included in the final budget.”
“Unfortunately, Gov. Cuomo’s planned cut to veterans’ services is not the first of its kind,” said Marjorie Byrnes (Caledonia). “For the past four years, the Dwyer Program, a peer-to-peer counseling service, has been nixed from his Executive Budget. The very people who fight for our freedom should never have to worry about losing services dear to them. As budget negotiations continue in the coming months, know that I will fight to see this funding restored and available for all counties.”
“It is an absolute travesty that the governor has, yet again, for the fourth year in a row, proposed a cut to funding for programs relating to veterans’ mental health,” said Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (Lyons). “I applaud Assemblyman Jake Ashby and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for taking charge with the 'Voices for Veterans' events to call for Gov. Cuomo to restore services immediately. I fully support this motion and hope to see the governor not only restore this back to the budget immediately but to increase the funding as well so all of our veterans are well taken care of.”
The Conference is also pushing to codify the expansion of the MERIT scholarship program for Gold Star Families by enacting it into law. After public outrage about the scholarship being threatened last year, the program was temporarily saved due to an executive order. Members of the Assembly Minority Conference are pushing for the scholarship to be properly passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor.
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