Stephen Anthony Marazita, 37, of North Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with criminal tampering in the second degree. Marazita was arrested at 8:49 p.m. on Nov. 14. It is alleged that he tampered with his electric meter to turn power back on at his residence after it was shut off. He was arraigned in Bergen Town Court and released on an appearance ticket. He is due to return to court on Nov. 20. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore.

Phillip Sanders Brunson, 32, of an unspecified address in Gowanda, is charged with two counts of second-degree harassment. Brunson was arrested on  Nov. 14 in regard to an incident that occurred on Nov. 24, 2016. He allegedly slapped and spit in a female's face and shoved another female during a domestic incident on Maple Street in the City of Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court. (His disposition afterward was not provided.) The case was investigated by Batavia Police Officer Joshua Girvin, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

A 17-year-old female who lives in Batavia was arrested on Nov. 7 after an incident that occurred the day before outside a residence on Hutchins Place in Batavia. The girl allegedly threatened to harm people while holding a baseball bat. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 19. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Kaleb James Bobzien, 21, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. Following an investigation of phone calls made from recorded jail phones, Bobzien was arrested on Nov. 18. It is alleged that he violated a stay away order of protection issued by Batavia City Court. He is due back in court on Nov. 26. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James Stack, assisted by Officer Dennis Bartholomew.

Jahmaal Lee Barnes, 19, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with third-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny. Barnes was arrested at about 8 p.m. on Nov. 16 and arraigned in Batavia Town Court. It is alleged that at 11 a.m. on Nov. 14 that Barnes entered an apartment on Batavia Stafford Townline Road and stole the resident's debit card. Barnes was released under supervision of Genesee Justice and is due back in Batavia Town Court on Dec. 16. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Press release:

With the majority of the weighted vote, county chairs across NY-27 have expressed their readiness to secure Nate McMurray as the candidate to run on the Democratic line when the Governor calls the special election to replace Chris Collins. He has earned support from the Democratic chairs of Niagara, Wyoming, Monroe, Genesee, Orleans, Ontario and Livingston counties. These committees carry a combined total of 51 percent of the weighted vote for the nomination.
 
Committees across the district have gained members in record numbers after McMurray’s run in 2018 - with committees more than doubling their membership in majority-Republican counties.
 
“I am tremendously proud to earn the support of these Democratic leaders across Western New York," McMurray said. "The strength of our Democratic Party is the power in all its communities, urban, suburban and rural. As I've traveled the backroads and small towns of these counties for the past two years, I know that families are struggling and looking for new leadership on the issues they care about most – ending corruption, expanding healthcare, lowering taxes for middle-class families, and bringing back good jobs. Together, we can bring true representation for this region to Congress and I am ready to be the fighter our families, farmers and small businesses need."
 
“Nate did well in Niagara County last year against a strong political machine and has a lot of grassroots support throughout much of the county," said Niagara County Democratic Committee Chair Jason Zona. " As county chair, I support him in a special election run, and I anticipate the members of our county committee will do so as well when we convene in the near future."
 
"When Nate McMurray ran in NY-27 in 2018, he came within less than a percentage point of victory," said Wyoming County Democratic Committee Chair Cynthia Appleton. "But along with this, he did something else, something magical. He energized the rural counties. He created a movement on the ground that hasn't gone away. Nate asked them all to ‘Fight Like Hell’, they did, and will again. I'm proud to endorse him for a special election in NY-27."
 
“The Monroe County Democratic Committee is proud to join Nate to finish the fight he began in 2018 for the 27th Congressional District," said Monroe County Democratic Committee Chair Brittaney Wells. "We are confident he will fight for the hard-working people of the district who have long been without a voice. Nate will restore integrity to the office and ensure his constituents are heard."
 
Genesee Democratic County Committee Chair Michael Plitt said, “Genesee County Democrats are excited to help Nate McMurray finish the job he started last year. Our volunteers worked tirelessly and will do so again because they believe in Nate and his message. Voters in Batavia crossed party lines for him and the city went blue for the first time in years. We believe our government should work for all people, not just the elite; and we are confident Nate will be the representative we all deserve.”
 
“I am so pleased to support Nate in the upcoming special election," said Orleans County Democratic County Committee Chair Jeanne Crane. "He has visited Orleans County many times and is very aware of what our small county faces every day...few jobs, lack of affordable housing, and high taxes. We need NATE!”
 
“We need a fighter like Nate McMurray in Congress,” said Ontario Democratic Chair John Hurley. “He had record turnout here in 2018, and we are ready to build on it in 2020. Nate has traveled across our county, meeting with people and hearing their stories. From combatting the opioid crisis to creating jobs, Nate is the leader we can count on to deliver for us.”
 
“Given how close Nate came in 2018, we are thrilled to have him running for us this cycle," said Livingston Democratic County Committee Chair Judith Hunter. "It’s been too long since the people of NY-27 have had a representative that puts service over self, and people over politics. We are delighted to support him again."

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.60, down 2 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.63. The New York State average is $2.69 – down 1 cent from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.87. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.65 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.62 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.63 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.58 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.66 (up 1 cent since last week)

After decreasing for several weeks, stock levels are bouncing back. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) now says that total domestic stocks of gasoline grew by 1.9 million barrels – that’s lower than last year at this time, but enough to bring gas prices down slightly over the weekend.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, oil prices increased by 95 cents to settle at $57.72, up slightly (48 cents) from the previous week.

Crude prices have slowly been on the rise due to increased optimism that China and the United States – the world’s two largest crude consumers – are continuing to resolve ongoing trade tensions that sparked market fears that global crude demand would suffer as a result of increased tariffs between both countries. Crude inventories are up alleviating pressure on pump prices.

Orleans County bowlers found a great deal of league success last week as three men posted perfect games at Medina Lanes and Oak Orchard Bowl.

All three 300 games were rolled on Thursday with Jacob Rosenbeck and Scott Allis finding perfection in the Firefighters League at Medina Lanes, and Robbie Hanks stringing 12 consecutive strikes in the Thursday Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl.

Rosenbeck notched his first USBC-certified 300 on lanes 11-12 while Allis added to his long list of perfect games on lanes 9-10, both in the second game.

Hanks registered his fifth 300 game en route to a 752 series at his place of employment, Oak Orchard Bowl.

In the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes, Alex Allis had a 290 game in a 752 series, and in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Rodney Jopson posted a 279 game in a 757 series.

For more high league scores last week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Mike Pettinella's Pin Points column is scheduled for this Thursday, exclusively on The Batavian.

The Aggies won't get a chance to officially defend their 8-Man Football state championship because the other sections in the state dropped out of the competition, but with a convincing 60-34 win over Maple Grove in the Section V championship at St. John Fisher College, they left little doubt who is #1.

Ty Mott, who gained 202 yards, scored three touchdowns and intercepted two passes, was the game's most valuable player. 

Colton Dillon was the offensive player of the game. He rushed for 296 yards, giving him 1,473 yards on the season. He scored four times.

The defensive player of the game was Dylan Rykert who had eight tackles giving him 81 on the season. He also had two sacks. CJ Gottler had three sacks. Dillion had nine tackles.

The Batavian's coverage is the only Section V Athletics-authorized local coverage of the 8-Man championship.

Photos below by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here, here, and here.

Genesee Symphony Orchestra will perform "Symphonic Pictures II -- A Nutcracker Holiday" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Byron-Bergen High School.

It is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen.

S. Shade Zajac is the music director and conductor.

The program is:

• "Christmas Concerto" by Corelli
• "Sleigh Ride" by Anderson
• Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, movement I, by Saint-Saëns, performed by Amy Feng, GSO 2019 Young Artist winner
• "The Nutcracker" selections from Act I by Tchaikovsky
• Holiday Selections performed by the Pembroke Elementary School Chorus, directed by Erin Rush, with pianist Sarah Panna
• "Christmas Festival" by Anderson

Tickets are $15 for adults; seniors $10; and students with student ID, free.

Tickets are available at: Roxy's Music Store (228 W. Main St., Batavia); The Yngodess Shop (73 Main St., Batavia); the Bank of Castile, Le Roy (29 Main St.); and online at the GSO website here.

This concert is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the NYS Legislature. The funds are administered by GO ART!

A two-car collision with injuries is reported at 300 Ellicott St. in the city, in front of Southside Deli. City fire, police and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: A second ambulance is called to the scene.

UPDATE 12:21 p.m.: A man and his children in a minivan were rear-ended by a car after the minivan stopped at a the red light at Liberty and Ellicott streets. None of the minivan's occupants were injured. The driver of a car was a female who was transported to UMMC with complaints of left arm and chest pain. A first responder said the car was going about 30 mph at the time of impact and there was no air-bag deployment.

From Bill Davis, superintendent of water/wastewater for the City of Batavia:

The City of Batavia Water Dept. is on location of a water main break in front of 215 Elm St. The water has been turned off on Elm north of North Street.

Homes in the surrounding area may experience rusty water, please do not attempt to do laundry at this time.

We appreciate your understanding while this repair is made. City crews will make every attempt to restore water as soon as possible.

UPDATE: Water service was restored just before 8 p.m.

The Fighting Irish dominated Section V Class D all season but when it came time to meet the Section XI champs, and defending state champions, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Notre Dame found themselves facing a tough opponent.

While Notre Dame was able to pick up yards on offense -- 328 total yards -- scoring points proved difficult while the Wolfpack had little difficulty crossing into the end zone. 

The final score was 47-14.

The Irish were without Head Coach Joe Zambito, who was ejected during the Class D sectional last week because of a personal foul by one of his personnel on the sideline. By rule, he had to sit out the next game.

Sophomore Colin McCulley took most of the snaps from center and put on an impressive performance, going 15-26 passing for 176 yards.

Jed Reese rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries. Gabe Macdonald scored a TD on 10 rushes for 21 hards and had four receptions for 33 yards. Mark Sanders had two receptions for 77 yards and a TD.

The Wolfpack had 332 total yards on offense. 

Macdonald had 10 tackles, Anthony Zambito, eight, Sanders, seven, Cody Henry, six, and Reese, five.

Open House Alert: 66 W. Main St., Town of Batavia - Saturday Nov. 16th from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Well maintained 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home in one of the nicest 55+ communities around!

Large room sizes, bright and airy with a lot more storage than you would imagine is what you will find in this 1996 double-wide home at almost 1,500 square feet!

Home has laundry/mudroom, large eat-in style kitchen, extra roomy living/formal dining area, with super cute office space with pretty French doors-could be third bedroom or guest room if needed! Master bedroom with bath is large but cozy!

Situated on extra large corner lot with back patio area for sitting out! Bonus is the two car attached heated garage! Who said downsizing meant giving things up? Easy to see! Call 344HOME (4663) or click here for more information.

For more information on 3374 Church St., Alexander, click here.
For more information on 9400 Putnam Road, Batavia, click here.

Poster above created by Grand Prize winner Zoey Shepard, a ninth-grader at Byron-Bergen Central School.

The Genesee County STOP-DWI Advisory Board announces the students and law enforcement officers who will be honored Thursday, Nov. 21 at its annual awards luncheon.

In September, the board invited local sixth- through 12th-grade students to submit a poster design that reflects the dangers of drinking and driving. The designs were to focus on the affects drinking and driving have on an individual, their family and the community.

The theme for the 2019 contest was: "Drinking and Driving is a gamble that you just can’t win.”

The sixth- through eighth-grade winners are:

• First Place -- Ciara Trigilio, seventh grade, Byron-Bergen Central School
• Second Place -- Jackson Lundfelt, seventh grade, Byron-Bergen Central School
• Third Place -- Oscar Staba, eighth grade, Alexander Central School

​The ninth- through 12th-grade winners are:

• First Place (tie) -- Brooke Jarkiewicz & Grace Shepard, 10th-graders at Byron-Bergen Central School
• Second Place -- Taylor Hutton, 10th grade, Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School
• Third Place -- Shannon Campbell, 10th grade, Pavilion Central School

The computer-generated art winner is Jade Wolff, seventh grade, Byron-Bergen Central School.

The Grand Prize winner is Zoey Shepard, ninth grade, Byron-Bergen Central School.

The Top Cop award will be given to Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen and Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor.

The luncheon will be held at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility in Batavia.

Below is how the billboard incorporating Zoey's poster will appear:

Press release:

Assemblymen Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River), Mike Norris (R,I,C,Ref-Lockport), Mark Johns (R,C,I,Ref-Webster) and Peter Lawrence (R,C,I-Greece), alongside other members of the Assembly Minority Conference, hosted a forum Thursday evening in Rochester to discuss the best ways to transition students from high school into the workplace and ensure they possess the skills required to obtain a career in the trade or field of their choosing.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) attended the forum.

The Assembly Minority Task Force on Learning for Work hosted the last of six regional forums at Monroe Community College. Specifically, the forum sought feedback from educational, trade and industrial leaders, students and the public in regard to the proposed Learning for Work Program (A.4255, Ra) and its role in helping to address the “middle-skills gap” in the state.

“Our Conference’s ‘Learning for Work’ legislation would create an apprenticeship program aimed at furthering students’ workplace education through hands-on experience, helping to prepare them for a wide variety of technical careers,” said Assemblyman Blankenbush, task force co-chairman. “There are available jobs out there, and if we can successfully combine coursework with real-world training, we can pair up skilled workers with those vacant positions. Our state’s economic health, viability and competitiveness depend on a well-trained, skilled workforce.”

“Four-year degrees are a great tool for some individuals to achieve their career goals, but too many young people are told at an early age they must obtain one in order to succeed. That’s simply not the case,” said Assemblyman Norris, task force co-chairman. “As early as middle school, we must start encouraging more students to enroll in technical and trade-school programs, and that starts with proper messaging. Success should not be measured by how long someone goes to school; it should be measured by how well-suited an individual is for the program and career path they’re on.”

“There is no single path to success in life. Endless opportunities exist for people of all ages, backgrounds and skill sets; the trick is to match the person to the career that best suits them,” said Assemblyman Johns. “Our task force is designed to help figure out systemic solutions to workforce shortages in skilled-trade jobs that we desperately need filled. I am proud to work alongside labor and education experts to help get those jobs stocked quickly and with the right people.”

“Not every student has the desire to pursue a four-year degree,” said Assemblyman Lawrence. “We are seeing a resurgence in manufacturing and the need for skilled labor is in high demand. Business leaders are telling me that they cannot fill positions due to the lack of skilled workers. It is crucial that we show students that they can be successful and thrive in their pursuit of these well-paid and rewarding jobs. Our state and the demands of our workforce are looking to these students to be the next leaders in manufacturing and building trades. I am proud to be a part of this important conversation and believe the outcome of these forums will only make New York a better place to live and work.”

The feedback and firsthand information gathered during the task force forums will be used to better understand the strengths of, and areas in which to improve, current legislation to ensure all students are well equipped to enter the 21^st century workforce. At the conclusion of the forums, a report, including a summary of findings and targeted policy solutions, will be generated and brought to the Legislature.

“A labor force works best when its workers efficiently fill positions in high demand. Often, this means laborers performing a diverse array of work, with a diverse array of skills,” Assemblyman Hawley said. “This task force aims to help match demand to positions and ensure the job force is operating at peak effectiveness. There are so many incredible, high-paying jobs that are going unfilled for no other reason than a lack of awareness and education. We seek to remedy that though this effort.”

“We must shrink the skills gap and reduce the massive amount of student loan debt that too many of our young men and women are acquiring,” said Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia). “The cost of college tuition continues to rise and student loan debt is one of the highest consumer debt categories in the nation. We need to start taking a more proactive approach when speaking to students about options for their future.”

“I am confident that through these forums, we will learn more about the needs of our businesses and how to better bridge the middle-skills gap,” said Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (R,C,I,Ref-Lyons). “Opportunities are out there. We just need to make the information available to students and businesses alike and help to bring them together. New York state’s economic well-being depends on it.”

Press release:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today (Nov. 15) released a report detailing how the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Market Facilitation Program (MFP) has treated Upstate farmers unfairly—and launched a new effort to restore parity to the system.

The MFP is designed to reimburse the farms that have been damaged by the turbulent trade climate across the globe, and has distributed $25 billion in mitigation payments to help farmers recover in recent months.

However, Schumer explained, this funding was distributed unevenly, sending 95 percent of the top payment rates to Southern farmers, who have been harmed less than other regions, and helping farms owned by billionaires and foreign-owned companies.

To address this disparity that is negatively impacting Upstate farmers, who are in dire need of assistance, Schumer urged USDA to improve the MFP to better support small New York farmers.

“This report shows that as Upstate farmers are grappling with extreme uncertainty caused by the chaotic global trade climate, USDA is using a flawed formula that helps big, wealthy farms and billion-dollar foreign-owned companies, while our small and family farms in New York have been left in the dust,” Senator Schumer said.

“The USDA must stop picking winners and losers in such an unbalanced way, and instead ensure all of America’s and Upstate New York’s farmers get the help they need and deserve—not just a lucky few.”

Farmers across New York State are being treated unfairly in many ways, including:

• Farmers in New York are receiving $41.10 less per acre than farmers in Georgia and other Southern states;
• Even within New York the difference in payments from county to county can be significant and cause similar farms to get vastly different payments. For example, Orleans County has a payment rate of $48 per acre, yet Warren County has a rate of $15 per acre. For an average-sized farm this is a difference in payments of $9,936 and $3,105 for Upstate farms that likely have very similar growing conditions;
• At a county level, the average payment rate in New York was $28 per acres. However, many counties in Southern states received the maximum payment rate of $150 per acre. With more than 33,400 farms across New York, averaging about 207 acres each, NY farmers would receive a payment of about $5,796, while the same sized farm in one of these other Southern counties would receive $31,050. (delta: $25,254).

• USDA currently ignores any trade damage not related to its own chaotic trade actions and largely shuts out Upstate New York’s specialty crops from direct assistance.
• Instead of taking steps to support small and beginning operations, USDA doubled the payment limit for row crop payments from $125,000 to $250,000. This change will concentrate payments even more in the large complicated farming conglomerates.
• Rather than using current production numbers, USDA based payments to dairy farmers on data that are 6 to 8 years old.

In the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill, Congress provided balanced support to help farmers manage market instability across the country and provided permanent support for USDA export market development programs.

Schumer raised concerns that the administration’s policy upends this careful compromise, replaces income from markets with government payments, creates vast inequities, and does not address the actual trade damage to farmers who have been hit the hardest.

NY County

USDA MFP Payment rate

Warren

$15

Allegany

$17

Delaware

$18

Washington

$18

Essex

$19

Lewis

$19

Sullivan

$19

Wyoming

$19

Herkimer

$20

Steuben

$20

Westchester

$20

Chenango

$21

Cortland

$21

Franklin

$21

Madison

$21

Schuyler

$21

Tioga

$21

Clinton

$22

Jefferson

$22

Schenectady

$22

Albany

$23

Ulster

$23

Albany

$23

Saratoga

$24

Otsego

$25

Broome

$26

Cattaraugus

$26

Schoharie

$26

St. Lawrence

$26

Tompkins

$26

Broome

$26

Cattaraugus

$26

Chemung

$27

Erie

$27

Chautauqua

$28

Dutchess

$28

Onondaga

$28

Rensselaer

$28

Fulton

$30

Montgomery

$31

Genesee

$32

Oneida

$32

Yates

$35

Columbia

$36

Cayuga

$38

Livingston

$38

Ontario

$38

Cayuga

$38

Niagara

$39

Oswego

$39

Orange-Rockland

$43

Monroe

$45

Greene

$47

Orleans

$48

Seneca

$48

Wayne

$52

The “Wahoo Wave” waterslide made a big splash with Genesee County planners on Thursday night as they recommended approval of the site plan for the state-of-the-art 60-foot attraction that will be coming to Darien Lake in the spring.

The planning board, at its monthly meeting at County Building No. 2 on West Main Street Road, said the ride should pose no significant impact to the amusement park’s landscape.

“It’s the latest and greatest,” said Ed McCarthy, director of maintenance and construction at Darien Lake. “Now, we’ll have one (a waterslide) on each side of the park, and this will definitely decrease the wait times (for guests).”

In September, Darien Lake officials announced the addition of the waterslide, which propels water at a rate of 3,400 gallons per minute, to their newly named Hurricane Harbor water park.

Touted as the only four-person curved wall ride in the world, the waterslide is actually branded as the TornadoWAVE 60 Water Ride and is made by ProSlide Technology Inc.

According to a press release, Wahoo Wave takes riders, settled into a four-person tube, through a hairpin turn, then a corkscrew turn and finally a three-story drop that takes them on the top of a massive water wall before landing in a pool.

Construction is expected to be completed by May of next year.

In other action, the board recommended:

-- Approval of a downtown design (site plan) review requested by Vance Group LLC to make exterior changes to a mixed-use building at 242 Ellicott St., at the corner of Liberty Street.

Members of the Valle and Lawrence families, owners of the structure, plan changes that include two fixed awnings, six new window sections to replace the storefront, stucco finish throughout and new upper floor windows. The building is located in the Batavia Improvement District.

-- Approval of a special use permit to convert the first story of an historic South Lake Avenue mixed-use building in the Village of Bergen from offices to a gym.

Mike and Kelly Marsocci (Mike’s Gym LLC) will be leasing the space from the Masonic Temple Association of Bergen to operate a commercial fitness center in the Central Commercial (C-2) District.

The couple’s report to the planning board showed that the gym will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for those at least 15 years old.

Members will be able to enter the premises with a key fob or similar entry mechanism, with exercise equipment ranging from cardiovascular and pre-loaded machines to free weights.

-- Approval of a site plan review and area variance to construct a 2,160-square-foot addition to the Churchville Fire Equipment Corp. building at 10246 Perry Road, Pavilion.

Documentation from the applicant indicates that the company is investing $500,000 on the 36- by 60-foot addition to house a paint booth.

-- Approval with modifications of a special use permit for Samantha Volkmar to operate the Great Expectations Dog Grooming business in her home on Big Tree Road in Pavilion.

The board OK'd the plan as long as the business sign does not exceed 4 square feet and is not located closer than 10 feet to any lot line.

According to her business plan, Volkmar, in the dog grooming business since June 2018, plans to convert an existing mudroom to provide services such as full grooms, bath and blow dry, touch-ups and nail trims.

Hours of operation are by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

-- Approval of the Bethany Town Board’s request to amend its zoning text to establish a six-month moratorium prohibiting solar farms.

The board, in its endorsement, noted that the moratorium gives the municipality “enough time to study and draft changes to its zoning law to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

This action paves the way for the town to enact a local law barring large scale solar installations.

Above photo: Sarah Worley, valedictorian, receives an award from Heidi Mix, Regional Medical Programs coordinator.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (the Partnership) School of Practical Nursing graduated 32 students during a ceremony at Pavilion Central School on Nov. 7.

Heidi Mix, Regional Medical Programs coordinator, offered congratulatory remarks on the dedication and hard work the graduates displayed throughout the yearlong program.

Sarah Worley, the class valedictorian, addressed the crowd during the ceremony. Sarah Lewis and Michelle Ramsdell were named co-salutatorians.

Brandon Davidson received awards for both leadership and professionalism.

Instructors Janet Green, Frank Dana, Krista Copeland, and Amanda Milligan assisted throughout the ceremony. Seventeen of the graduates were named Students with High Honors, a designation for averages of 90 or above. 

According to Mix, there is a huge need for practical nurses in the healthcare system.

The Partnership’s LPN Program currently has 23 clinical contracts with different hospitals, nursing facilities, and primary care practices. This allows students exposure to many different types of facilities, and many of these sites hire the students prior to graduation.

“In the past year, our LPN program has had 100-percent job placement for those who have taken their State Boards and passed,” Mix said. “Many of our graduates go on for their Registered Nursing degree and work as an LPN as they go through school.

"Our graduates are able to make a good salary while continuing their education. Many healthcare facilities help support the growth of our LPNs by providing tuition assistance to go on in the nursing profession.”

Students took part in this 12-month, 1,200-clock-hour program that is certified by the New York State Education Department. The program is designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN Examination for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

This course is offered in three different sites in Western New York: Batavia; Rochester Tech Park in Gates, and Mount Morris.

For more information about this program, contact the Adult Education/School of Practical Nursing at (585) 344-7788.

Photo below, instructor Janet Green helps LPN graduates light candles at the conclusion of the Nov. 7 ceremony. 

Now that a new 40-year sales tax agreement is in place, the County Legislature is ready to move forward with designing and building a new jail on land next to County Building #2.

Assistant County Manager Matt Landers presented an anticipated budget for the new facility with an anticipated expense of $60,000,000 at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday night.

The proposed jail will hold 184 beds in four pods, giving the jail staff space to keep separate jail populations for men and women as well as threat level, mental health issues, or substance abuse issues.

The location is off West Main Street Road in Batavia. 

The actual construction costs are an estimated $49,763,323 million: with more than $2 million in expense for design; $2 million for furnishings; $1.2 million for bonds and insurance payments; $1.2 million for a construction manager; more than $1 million in additional expenses for planning and development; plus $1.8 million set aside for unexpected costs.

Construction will be funded by bonds, which will be paid back over 30 years by the sales tax revenue that has been shifted away from villages and towns as part of the new state-approved sales tax agreement.

Chairman Robert Bausch said that under this plan, there would be no need to raise property taxes to help pay for the jail.

Bausch also noted that the county's consultant initially projected, based on county inmate trends, that Genesee County would need a 215-bed facility but that a new bail reform law is expected to reduce the demand in the county for inmate beds.

However, there is room available on the proposed jail site to add two additional cell blocks if the need arises.

If sales tax revenue falls short in the coming years, Landers noted, there is other county debt that will retire and revenue now going to pay those expenses can be reallocated to the jail debt if necessary.

With the new jail, the county will be able to go from being a tenant in other agencies' facilities -- all female inmates are housed at other jails in the region -- to being a landlord for other counties, the state or the feds.

"Local counties, the federal government, the state, are all short of space right now," Bausch said.

Revenue from other jurisdictions will cover some of the jail's ongoing operating expenses.

Legislators Shelly Stein, Gary Maha, and Gregg Torrey all spoke in favor of proceeding with the proposal.

"I served on the new jail committee," Stein said. "The details were combed through, and it is my recommendation that we proceed with 184 beds ... To not hit property taxes," she added, "is a major win for what we've done together as a legislature."

The need for a jail is beyond dispute, Maha said. 

"I'm not fond of spending $60 million," Maha said but the current jail is in bad shape, is landlocked, and the state is demanding a new facility in compliance with state standards.

"This is the county's responsibility and we have to get a jail done, and we have to do it right," Maha said.

Torrey agreed with Maha and said, "we have one chance to do it right. We hired a consultant, and I think it's best to follow what they recommend we do."

Photo: Members of the legislature listen to incoming Legislator (not in frame) Christian Yunker on his thoughts about the new jail, which he also supports.

CORRECTION: The bonds will be paid back over 30 years, the maximum time period for bond payback under state law.