Alabama

Five years of planning, public meetings, studies, environmental reviews and dozens of written reports came down to one vote Monday night in the Town of Alabama, and by unanimous decision, the town's planning board said yes to a proposed industrial technology park.

The 5-0 vote to change the zoning for 1,340 acres within the town's borders clears the way for the Genesee County Economic Development Center to aggressively market the technology zone and begin the process making STAMP the kind of "shovel ready" property that GCEDC officials say is necessary to attract big business.

Before the vote, Mark Masse, VP operations for GCEDC, said it had been hard work to get the development to the point of the pivotal vote, "but now we leave it in your hands."

"The town has been involved from the beginning in hiring consultants and getting a lot of work done looking at the project," Masse said. "We're excited to be at his point."

For the board, the decision came down to three key points: infrastructure for public water, support from the majority of town residents, and jobs.

Trustee Janet Sage noted the expense the towns of Bethany and Batavia are facing to bring public water to their residents, but under the agreement with GCEDC, the infrastructure for water will be created for 70 percent of the town residents at a reduced cost to ratepayers.

The total capital cost of the water project is $5.2 million.

An estimated $1.9 million in grants will reduce the cost of bringing public water to Alabama rate payers from $882 annually to $512 per year.

"We will be saving residents a lot of money over the long run," Sage said. "It would be a long time if ever before Alabama gets water if this doesn't pass."

Sage also noted that in a survey of residents, among those who responded, nearly 70 percent said they supported STAMP.

It was that support for the project that board members should note, said Alabama resident Sam Ferris.

"You should put your personal issues aside and vote the way the town wants," Ferris said. "We voted into into office to vote for our rights.  If you can’t put your own personal thoughts aside, you should reconsider running when it's your turn to run again."

Other speakers echoed Ferris call for a vote in line with the majority support for STAMP, and Donald Sage spoke about how important the jobs are to the future of Alabama.

"I've lived here all my life and I've never been able to make a living here," Sage said. "I worked construction in Rochester to make a living for my family."

GCEDC estimates that at full build-out -- which may take as long as 25 years -- that STAMP could employ 9,300 people.

Sage went on to talk about the importance of family staying together and said he probably won't be around by the time the real benefits STAMP kick in, but his grandchildren will benefit.

"You should not have to worry about going to Dallas, Texas, or Raleigh, North Carolina, to get to spend time with your family," Sage said.

There were no speakers at Monday's meeting who opposed STAMP.

When Supervisor Dan Mangino announced the resolution passed 5-0, most of the 20 residents in attendance applauded.

In related action, the board set a public hearing for Jan. 14 to consider a 12-month moratorium on all commercial construction in the town that is outside of the STAMP district.

The moratorium would give the town time to developed new zoning laws in anticipation of STAMP-related growth, preventing unwanted commercial construction and destruction of farmland.

Press release:

The Board of Education of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District has a vacancy on the board. This vacancy will be filled by a special election on Jan. 24.

The newly elected member will serve the remainder of a three-year term set to expire on June 30, 2015.

Qualifications for membership on a school board include:

• Must be able to read and write;
• Must be a qualified voter of the district; that is, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age or older;
• Must be and have been a resident (but need not be a taxpayer) of the district for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least one year;
• May not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year;
• May not reside with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family;
• May not be a current employee of the school board;
• May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office.

All interested candidates are invited to pick up a Petition for Board Member Nomination form from the district office, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Press release:

The Town of Alabama today released results of a survey presented to residents of the town to gauge their support for the proposed Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP). It is a 1,200-acre site in the Town of Alabama which is currently under development by the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC).

The survey found that more than two out of every three residents in the Town of Alabama who responded to the survey are in favor of the STAMP project (68 percent), while 62 percent of residents feel that the proposed $10.2 million Incentive Zoning Agreement between the town and the GCEDC is “sufficient” for the STAMP project to continue.

The town negotiated for additional amenities including expanding the new water district to include more households. With this change, 433 households will now receive water through the project. The town also negotiated additional revenue to be used for capital projects in future years.

“Given the size and scope of the STAMP project, feedback from the residents in the Town of Alabama is critically important as the board approaches a decision,” said Alabama Town Supervisor Daniel Mangino.

Both the Genesee County and Town of Alabama planning boards have recommended the rezoning of the site. Final approval of the rezoning rests with the Town of Alabama.

Conducted by Goldhaber Research Associates, LLC (GRA) on behalf of the Town of Alabama, the survey was mailed to 1,500 Town of Alabama residents from Oct. 12-14. A one-page flier with information about STAMP as well as a copy of the Incentive Zoning Agreement were included in the mailing. The survey generated 707 total respondents, including 53 that arrived after the Nov. 2 deadline.

To maintain confidentiality, names of the respondents were not associated with the responses in the data files, and the information about who completed the survey or who responded in a particular way to the survey was not shared.

There is an accident report with minor injuries on Ledge Road west of White Road, Alabama.

There have been reports of it being a car vs. tree and car vs. deer accident.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 9:27 p.m.: Reportedly, driver swerved to miss a deer and struck a tree.

A brush fire is reported by the side of the road at 955 Lewiston Road, Basom.

Alabama fire is responding.

UPDATE 10:11 a.m.: Alabama fire back in service. All units returning to quarters.

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A Batavia resident was stopped by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force while driving in Alabama on Thursday evening and allegedly found in possession of heroin and cocaine.

Joe C. Wind, 42, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Investigators allegedly found a needle with suspected heroin residue, a bag containing suspected heroin, a bag containing suspected cocaine and a glass pipe containing suspected cocaine residue.

Wind was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Uniformed deputies assisted in the traffic stop.

A field fire is report in the area of North Pembroke and Galloway roads. Smoke is showing. "It's in the middle of a field. I'm not sure how we're going to get to it," says a responder on scene. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding and Alabama and Town of Batavia are providing mutual aid.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The property owner is on scene and says he's burning some brush from a hedgerow. Alabama and Town of Batavia are back in service. East Pembroke will handle the assignment as need be.

Nicholas A. Antonucci, 25, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Antonucci allegedly entered a residence at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, of a person with an active stay-away order against Antonucci. Deputies allegedly located Antonucci inside the residence. Antonucci was jailed without bail. (Prior reports on Antonucci)

Cody A. Patrizi, 22, of 16 Walnut St., upper, Batavia, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child. Patrizi is accused of hosting an underage drinking party, which was reported at 1:15 a.m., Sunday.

Jake P. O'Leary, 19, Sam M. Cassidy, 21, and Declan L. Brennan, 21, all of 8 Montclair Ave., Batavia, are charged with unlawful dealing with a child. The three men are accused of hosting an underage drinking party, which was reported at 12:04 a.m., Sunday. Numerous underage people were allegedly at the party drinking.

Richard L. Maston, 30, of 40 S. Main St., upper, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly failure to appear on a disorderly conduct charge. Matson was jailed on $500 bail.

Jennifer L. Stack, 26, of 48 S. Main St., Batavia, and Woodrow C. Horseman, 36, of 5049 E. Main St. Road, Batavia, are charged with petit larceny. Stack and Horseman are accused of stealing a shopping cart full of groceries from Tops Market at 3:17 p.m., Saturday.

Charles A. Larsen, 37, of Fisher Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Larsen is accused of entering a residence on Swamp Road, Byron, and removing items that he owned. Larsen was jailed on $300 bail.

Alec Michael Frick, 23, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, speeding and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Frick was stopped at 10:44 p.m., Saturday, on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Michelle Ann Bruner, 19, of Townsend Street, Akron, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Bruner is accused of harassing a victim in Basom in violation of a Family Court order during a property retrieval.

Joseph Lee Piedmont, 47, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Piedmont is accused of pushing another person.

Leon C. Bloom Jr., 30, of Batavia, is charged with felony criminal contempt, 1st. While incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail, Bloom is accused of sending a letter to a person protected by court order from contact by Bloom.

Melissa Marie Morton, 27, of Maple Road, Basom, is charged with petit larceny and criminal contempt, 2nd. Morton is accused of stealing four PlayStation3 games from Kmart. When confronted by store security, Morton was reportedly cooperative and returned the items. At the time of the incident, Morton was allegedly with another woman she is barred by court order from contacting.

Patrick O'Neal Spikes, 31, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 2nd. Spikes was located by Batavia PD at an address on West Main Street Road while officers were assisting NYS Parole on a matter involving another individual. There was reportedly an outstanding warrant for Spikes out of city court for alleged bail jumping. The person parole officers were attempting to locate was not in the residence.

A one-vehicle rollover accident is reported in the area of 590 Council House Road, on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

Alabama fire is dispatched.

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: Chief on scene reports a vehicle on its side.

UPDATE 10:31 p.m.: One patient. No word yet on extent of injuries.

A brown out, or partial power outage, is reported in Northwest Genesee County. The cause is unknown at this point but we are seeking more information. National Grid was notified by the Emergency Dispatch Center about 20 minutes ago, and now a power company rep(s) is heading into the area to check it out.

Most of the Village of Oakfield is affected, a "good portion" of the Town of Oakfield, and half of south Alabama.

This has prompted numerous calls about the power outage and, in some cases, smoke alarms and CO detectors have gone off and there have been reports of the smell of smoke at some locations.

Fire crews in both communities are responding.

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.: We just received this e-mail from Stephen F. Brady,  media relations manager for National Grid:

"The cause isn't known yet, but we have a crew at the substation and they're working to restore and close in the breakers. I was told 30-45 minutes to restoration. Number of customers affected is around 500. Our Web page is likely showing more than that, but that too is being corrected. It could be morning before the exact cause (is known)."

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: According to National Grid's Web site, power has been restored.

Some type of equipment has rolled over in the area of 837 Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation.

The driver is out and uninjured.

Unknown if it's leaking any type of fluid.

Traffic is blocked.

Alabama Fire Department responding.

UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: A chief on scene reports he's informed the accident location is at Bloomingdale and Meadville. The equipment is a "Land All."  Primarily, Alabama fire needed for traffic control while workers try to upright the vehicle, which is on its side.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: Bloomingdale at Meadville will be shut down.

UPDATE 5:44 p.m.: The equipment has been uprighted and removed from the road. The road is reopened. Alabama is back in service.

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Todd Eric Weaver, 43, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd, and attempted assault, 2nd. Weaver was allegedly involved with a police pursuit at 5:45 a.m., Friday, when he allegedly used his car to strike a Medina PD cruiser on Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, causing damage to the cruiser. Weaver is also accused of striking a mailbox on Skye Road. He was also issued citations for alleged failure to keep right, driving left of pavement markings and moving from lane unsafely. The reported pursuit of Weaver began in Orleans County and ended on Clinton Street Road, Stafford. Following his release from ECMC, Weaver was arraigned and jailed without bail.

Todd Eric Weaver, 43, of 8510 Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon, 4th, criminal mischief, 4th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, reckless driving, unlicensed operation, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, improper right-hand turn, open container, speeding and 11 counts of failure to stop for a stop sign. After receiving notification of a vehicle involved in a pursuit with Medina PD earlier in the morning, Officer Thad Mart observed a vehicle matching the description of the earlier pursuit. Mart attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the City of Batavia. The vehicle did not stop and led Mart and responding Batavia PD units on a pursuit. Weaver allegedly drove his vehicle over a lawn on East Avenue causing damage to the lawn. Weaver allegedly drove his vehicle to Clinton Street Road and proceeded north on Clinton Street Road, out of the city and into the Town of Stafford. Sheriff's deputies joined the pursuit. Weaver's vehicle reportedly managed to avoid spikes placed in the road in an attempt to end the pursuit. Weaver's vehicle stopped on Clinton Street Road when it ran out of gas. A .22-caliber rifle was allegedly found in the vehicle. Weaver is reportedly barred from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction. Weaver was jailed without bail. Additional charges are pending from the Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD and Medina PD.

Dawn Marie Gagliano, 33, of Broadway Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, open container and criminal possession of a controlled substance. 7th. Gagliano was charged following a one-vehicle accident at 1:52 a.m., Saturday, on County Line Road, Darien. The accident was investigated by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Philip M. Robinson, 22, Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Robinson's 2006 Pontiac was located at 2:21 a.m., Sunday, unoccupied with its lights on. Robinson was reportedly located a short distance from the vehicle by Sgt. Greg Walker. Upon investigation, Walker determined Robinson had allegedly been operating the vehicle while intoxicated.

Michael Thomas Coffey, 43, of Heritage Estates, Albion, is charged with petit larceny. Coffey is accused of consuming food at the Yellow Goose in Elba and then leaving with out paying for the food.

Matthew K. Surdyke, 26, of Greeley Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unregistered motor vehicle and uninspected motor vehicle. Surdyke's vehicle was stopped by Deputy Brian Thompson at 5 p.m., Thursday, on Buffalo Road, Bergen, for a passenger allegedly not wearing a seat belt. Surdyke was allegedly found in possession of suboxone.

Lena M. Evans, 25, of 34 Maple St., upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Evans is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General merchandise valued at $8.64.

Woodrow C. Horseman, 36, of 5049 E. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Horseman is accused of stealing $91.98 in merchandise from Plaza Spirits in Eastown Plaza at 3:42 p.m., Friday. Horseman was located by Officer Eric Dibble on Sunday.

Gregory Seppe, 54, no permanent address, is charged with appearance in public under influence of narcotics or drug other than alcohol. Seppe allegedly had three police contacts in less than four hours early Sunday morning where he appeared to be under the influence of narcotics.

Otis E. Hardy, 54, of Pensacola, Fla., is charged with forcible touching and criminal trespass. Hardy was arrested by State Police at 11:10 a.m., Saturday, at 8204 Park Road, Batavia. Hardy was held in jail. No other details released.

A driver said he swerved to try and avoid a deer in the roadway, causing his car to strike a tree on Lewiston Road, in Oakfield, at 10:47 p.m., Sunday.

Rodney L. McKenzie, 48, of Lewston Road, Basom, was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by Mercy EMS with minor injuries.

McKenzie was westbound on Lewiston near Bliss Road, driving a 2010 Toyota sedan, when he said he spotted a deer in the roadway.

There were no passengers in his vehicle and no other cars were involved.

The accident was investigated by Deputy James Diehl, who issued McKenzie a citation for allegedly not wearing a seat belt.

A car has reportedly hit a tree in the area of Ledge Road and Reuben Road, Alabama.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Minor, if any, injuries. Everybody is out of the car.

A one-vehicle rollover accident with injuries is reported on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation at Meadville and Parker roads. The victim is out of the vehicle, but injured. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A responder on scene says there was air-bag deployment and Mercy Flight is put on ground standby.

UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: Mercy Flight is asked to stand down. The driver has a leg injury. The car is on its side and the engine is still running.

Orleans County law enforcement is reportedly pursuing a white van that has entered Genesee County southbound on Route 63. The vehicle is refusing to stop.

Orleans County advises caution. The van almost ran a law enforcement car off the road.

The vehicle is now headed west on Ledge Road.

UPDATE 5:43 a.m.: The vehicle is registered to a female resident of Seven Springs Road.

UPDATE 5:46 a.m.: Vehicle now headed into Erie County.

UPDATE 5:56 a.m.: Orleans County called off the pursuit. The van was last seen passing Jan's Smoke Shop.

UPDATE 6:06 a.m.: White male driver. The vehicle had been loaned to a woman in Albion.

UPDATE 6:22 a.m.: There is now a pursuit in the city. It's unclear if it's the same vehicle. The vehicle is eastbound on North and just passing North Spruce after allegedly going through several stop signs.

UPDATE 6:23 a.m.: Vehicle is now eastbound on Clinton and passing Grand View Cemetery. It was allegedly going 50 mph through the residential neighbhoods.

UPDATE 6:25 a.m.: The vehicle avoided spikes laid down on Clinton. It's continuing eastbound past Seven Springs and past Horseshoe Lake Road. Now at 33 and Mill, eastbound.

UPDATE 6:27 a.m.: Vehicle is slowing down in the area of 5168 Clinton St. Road, down to 20 mph.

UPDATE 6:28 a.m.: Vehcile is stopped. Multiple law enforcement units arriving on scene.

UPDATE 6:28 a.m.: Subject in custody.

UPDATE 6:37 a.m.: Medina PD informs local law enforcement of a suspicion of a controlled substance in the vehicle, and as a possible reason for the pursuit.

The driver of a 2004 Olds sedan stopped on Ledge Road at 1:36 p.m. reportedly pulled out onto Route 77 as another car approached, causing a three-car accident in Alabama.

One person, Leah E. Ridder, 14, was injured and taken by ambulance to Medina Memorial Hospital.

Cited for alleged failure to yield the right of way was Donna M. Croft, 59, of Montclaire Avenue, Batavia.

Neither Croft nor her passenger, Dalton K. Tusing, were injured.

Leah Ridder was a passenger in a car driven by Christopher F. Ridder, 41, of South Main Street, Medina.

Ridder's 1999 Chevy sedan was northbound on Route 77 when it struck Croft's eastbound car.

A car driven by Judith M. Cummings, 68, of Martin Road, Akron, was sitting in the westbound lane of Ledge Road and was struck by Croft's vehicle after it was hit by Ridder's car.

Neither Cummings nor her passenger, James L. Cummings, 67, were injured.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker.

(Initial Post)

A three-car accident with one minor facial injury is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. It is partially blocking traffic. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. Law enforcement is on scene.

A motorcyclist who was injured in a rollover accident at 1:41 p.m., Friday, said a rider on another bike unexpectedly put on a right-turn signal.

Michale P. Julicher, 61, of Millersport Highway, Amherst, was riding on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama. He said he tried to lay down his 2009 Honda because he didn't believe he had time to stop.

Julicher was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Chris Parker. No citations were issued.

(Initial Report)