Announcements

The Genesee County Health Department has some solid advice on how to reduce the population of pesky mosquitos, the bane of summer outdoor fun.

Not only are they annoying, they can cause serious illness, including the deadly West Nile Virus. There are a whopping 70 species of mosquitos in New York. But only females bite, to draw food -- your blood, your dog's blood, etc. or plant juices -- in order to nourish their eggs.

The health departments recommends that you:

• Eliminate standing water from your property. After water sits for four days, it can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Be aware that weeds, tall grass and shrubs are habitats for adult mosquitos, so cut down weeds and properly maintain greenery.
• Screen windows and doors.
• Keep rain gutters clear.
• Cover trash cans.

The Elba Historical Society will be retiring old/worn American flags at the Society's museum on Maple Avenue in Elba on Monday, May 25, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to noon.  If you have old/worn American flags that need to be properly and respectfully disposed of please bring them to the museum at that time.  If you are unable to get to the museum and would like to have your flag(s) picked up please call Ron @757-2590.  The flag retiring ceremony will be performed by Elba Boy Scout Troop 17. 

This week in Albany, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C - Batavia) and
members of the State Assembly jointly observed "Disabilities Awareness Day."
It honors individuals living with disabilities and helps inform legislators about related issues.
Hawley announced that one Genesee County resident earned the Excelsior Award for Excellence.
"This year's Excelsior Awards nominees are all outstanding individuals who, despite their
disabilities, have helped make their communities better places and I am very
proud to honor them," Hawley said.
The Excelsior Award for Excellence honors the extraordinary achievements and public service of those who have overcome physical disabilities and other personal challenges.  The nominees will be presented their awards at a ceremony hosted by Assemblyman Hawley in the district within the next few weeks.
The Genesee County honoree is Erik Goodrich, nominated by the Genesee County ARC.
Goodrich is a participant of "Prep for Life," a community-based college program which teaches life and vocational skills to adults with disabilities. The goal is to prepare them to live in a less-structured environment and to get meaningful employment.
With newfound confidence, Goodrich has taken on the challenge of public speaking, including engagements at the National Day of Caring and with special-education classrooms and developmental-disabilities programs.
He has been an active member of TEAM (Together Empowered Advocates Meet),
a youth-leadership project sponsored by Genesee ARC, through which he helped
beautify a local park for an Earth Day project.
Goodrich is also an active member of many community organizations, including the Kiwanis's Aktion Club, YMCA Challenger Sports Program, Genesee County Animal Shelter, the Richmond Memorial Library, the Genesee County Nursing Home and the Austin Park Concession Stand. He rings bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas time, too.

Seven members of Genesee Community College's faculty and staff have been honored with the prestigious State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence, the Board of Trustees learned Monday evening.

The awards recognize extraordinary accomplishment and service to the State University of New York. Chancellor's Awards bestowed on current and former Genesee Community College faculty and staff now numbers 94.

Recognized this year:

• Maryanne C. Arena, Batavia, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service
• Marilyn C. Dickinson, Batavia, Academic Assistant to Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, first-ever SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service
• Cindy Francis, Batavia, Collection Development Librarian, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship
• Barry J. Garigen, LeRoy, Professor of Criminal Justice, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
• Kathy L. Palumbo, Corfu, Director of the Nursing Program, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Barbara A. Shine, Corfu, Assistant Professor of Business, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
• Roberta L. Taggart, Batavia, Assistant Professor of Human Services, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Four of the seven awardees are graduates of Genesee Community College: Marilyn Dickinson (1970), Cindy Francis (1976), Barry Garigen (1973), and Barbara Shine (1970).

As Ranking Member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) today joined with State Division of Veterans’ Affairs Director Colonel James McDonough and members of the bipartisan New York State Armed Forces Legislative Caucus to discuss legislative and outreach efforts to increase services for veterans across the state.

“There are very few individuals that have sacrificed and given more to ensure our protection, both our liberties and freedoms as well as our physical protection, than the courageous men and women who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces.  It is vital that we return the favor; whether it be in terms of health or mental health care, surviving dependents benefits, or honoring their legacy, we must make our veterans a priority,” said the Assemblyman, who served seven years in the United States Army Reserves and Army National Guard.

Hawley has been an ardent advocate for veterans in the State Assembly and has helped to move meaningful legislation, including measures which honor the contribution of those who served in the Cold War Era, support disabled veteran-owned businesses, and creating and extending a Veterans Property Tax Exemption to include Korean War and War on Terror veterans.  This year, Hawley is sponsoring a dozen pieces of legislation aimed specifically at improving the quality of life for veterans and their loved ones, and ensuring better services.  Hawley’s legislation includes measures that would: 

• Provide Scholarships for surviving dependent family members of New York State military personnel who have died while performing official military duties (A.4005);
  

• Authorize the State of New York Mortgage Agency to purchase veterans’ assisted forward commitment mortgages from banks within the state (A.4083);
  

• Create a list of suitable documentation that can be used by veterans applying for real property exemptions (A.4008);
  

• Create a Veteran’s Home and Land Ownership Loan Program (A.4081);
  

• Assist service-related disabled veterans under the Affordable Home Ownership Development Program (A.4080);
  

• Exempt compensation for active military service from inclusion in a resident’s adjusted gross income (A.4006); 

• Establish the Patriot Family Support Fund and provide an income tax return check-off box therefore (A.4007); 

• Provide a tax credit in the amount of certain fees charged in connection with loans under the Federal Home Loan Guarantee Program to National Guard and Reserve veterans (A.4009);
  

• Create a wage tax credit for employers who employ New York National Guard men and women, reservists, volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel (A.4010);
  

• Prohibit the increase of an employer’s rate of contribution to the unemployment insurance fund due to the deployment of an employee into active service in the National Guard of Armed Forces Reserves (A.4011); and
  

• Provide that the issue of military deployment shall not be considered as a factor in the awarding of custody in marital actions where a suitable child care plan is provided (A.4079).
  

Additionally, Assemblyman Hawley is announcing his annual veterans’ trip to Washington D.C.  This year’s trip will take place from September 10, 2009 to September 13, 2009.  Veterans and other interested parties should contact the Assemblyman’s district office, at 585-589-5780, for more details or to RSVP.

If parents or grandparents who love the outdoors want to get a long-lasting gift for youngsters, the town clerk in Stafford has an idea.

Why not get them a lifetime state hunting/fishing license, especially since prices are likely to rise come fall?

A lifetime hunting/fishing license costs $300 for children up to 4 years old. It will go to $380 in the fall. Children 5 to 11 get can the license now for $420. In fall, the prise will rise to $420.

The Batavia Area Jaycees celebrated their 75th anniversary on May 9.

In the early days, they were known as the Batavia Junior Chamber of Commerce and meetings were held at the former Hotel Richmond on Main Street.

Current and past members will be involved in several “Diamond Anniversary” events over the next 12 months to commemorate this special achievement. Past members are encouraged to contact the current membership to find out about what's planned.T

The Jaycees have spearheaded numerous community-service projects with positive impact on Batavia and the surrounding area.

The Batavia Area Jaycees hall is located at 56 Harvester Ave. in Batavia. The phone number is 343-5775 and the e-mail address is info@bataviajcs.org.

The New York-Penn League and the Batavia Muckdogs are proud to announce a new scholarship program sponsored by the NY-Penn League Charitable Foundation. It will award a $2,500 scholarship to three deserving individuals (one from each of the league’s three divisions). 
 
The scholarship is based on financial need, academic performance and other criteria. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and also be engaged in extracurricular activities. The applicant should be involved in community service and be able to provide references. The student must include a copy of his or her transcript and a letter of acceptance from the institution they plan to attend.

Applications must be completed and returned to their hometown/local NY-Penn League Club by July 15. Their hometown/local club will choose one application to submit to the NY-Penn League Charitable Foundation selection committee.

Students eligible for this award must be graduating seniors from a public or private high school. Scholarship awards must be applied towards any 2- to 4-year college or university, vocational or technical education institution or program.   
 
Anyone interested in applying for the scholarship can download the application online at www.muckdogs.com or pick up/fill out an application in person at Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020. Phone is 343-5454.

Ten local 4-H’ers participated in the annual 4-H Fashion Revue held May 2 at Northgate Free Methodist Church South Campus in Batavia.

Senior members representing Genesee County at State Fair are Molly Long, Laura Lichtenthal, and Jennifer Lichtenthal. Senior members representing Genesee County at the District Fashion Revue at the Chauttauqua Institute are Catherine McAllister, Laurie Scarborough and Sarah Scarborough. Junior members were Melissa Keller, Isabelle Bliss, Reilly Clark and Hannah Scarborough.

Benjamin Kauppi provided the piano music and Andrew Lichtenthal was the models' escort. Taylor Patterson conducted the floral-design workshop. Jean Lichthenthal assisted in the commentary writing, modeling workshop and served as emcee. Judges were Julia Garver, Marcia Palmer, Jennie Starowitz and Sandy Snyder. Members of the Family and Consumer Science Advisory Committee provided refreshments.

Props for the event were provided by Lowe’s Home Improvement in Batavia.

Tickets to Darien Lake and Resort are now available for adults at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, located at 210 E. Main St. in Batavia. Price for chamber members is $23.00. Non-members pay $24.

Children's tickets are not available at the chamber but can be purchesed at the gate for $19.99. Small childrens' tickets are priced by height but the children must be under 48 inches (4 ft.) tall.

Adult tickets can be purchased at the chamber from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, but not weekends.

Sunday Aug. 2 is when this year's Crossroads House Charity Ride takes place. It benefits the comfort home for the dying in Batavia.

The ride will be held in memory of Dennis Bateman, who was South Byron Assistant Fire Chief and Red Knight Member. Stan's Harley-Davidson, Inc., is the sponsoring dealership.

The self-guided ride begins at Stan's, located at 4425 W. Saile Drive in Batavia. It's off Route 98 just north of the Thruway. The ride ends at the South Byron Fire Department at 7389 Route 237 in South Byron.

Registration is from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $15 for bike without a passenger, or $20 with a passenger. There will be food, beverages, door prizes and entertainment.

Call 343-9598 or 727-3917 for more information.

Press release:

Summertime art programs for youth at GCC

Genesee Community College and Genesee Center for the Arts in Batavia are offering the 4th annual Performing Arts Experience at Genesee and a new program called Summer Studio Fine Arts Workshop.

The three-week Performing Arts Experience is for children and young adults ages 8-16, and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 6-25 (Monday through Friday). The program concludes with two live performances of the musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," featuring all the participants on stage or behind the scenes in the state-of-the-art Stuart Steiner Theatre.

This program introduces the fundamentals of theater in an engaging way for children and young adults fascinated by the stage and live performance. Highlights include acting, dance, voice, movement, scene study and audition techniques, in addition to the opportunity to work behind the scenes in set construction, lighting and stage crew.

Light snacks and refreshment will be provided, though participants provide their own lunch. Additional child care services will be available each day from 9 to 10 a.m. and at the end of each session from 3 to 4 p.m.. Cost is $250. Early registration in encouraged since the program is limited to 50 participants. The deadline for registration is Saturday, June 6. For more information on attending the workshop, or to have a registration form mailed to you, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts office at (585) 343-0055 x6438, or contact mcarena@genesee.edu.

The new Summer Studio Fine Arts Workshop is a one-week program scheduled 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3-7. Children ages 9-14 will explore Genesee Community College's ceramics and painting studios and unleash their creative potential. College fine art faculty members, Moi Dugan and Margaret VanArsdale, are offering a dynamic experience that will spark the creativity and engage personal exploration of the visual arts. All art supplies and materials will be provided, along with a light snack. Lunches may be brought from home or purchased in the college cafeteria. Cost is $150. A limited number of openings are available and early registration is encouraged by the June 6 deadline. Call 585-343-0055 x 6287 or email medugan@genesee.edu for information and a registration form.

Batavia Kiwanis is rolling together a bowling fundraising event to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). The first annual event, called the No-Tap Fun Tournament, will begin at 12 p.m. Saturday, May 23 at Mancuso’s Bowling Center at 214 East Main St. in Batavia. The tournament has a no-tap rule, which means if a bowler gets nine pins down, it counts as a strike.

“Many people in Batavia don’t realize how much of an impact Golisano has on local families here,” said Patrick Weissend, the chair of the first annual No-Tap Fun Tournament and member of the Batavia Kiwanis Club. "In 2008, the hospital served more than 1,600 children from Genesee County," continued Weissend.

Patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital at URMC come from as many as 63 New York counties seeking specialty care in a range of areas. All seriously ill or injured children from the 17-county Finger Lakes region are referred to Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Last year’s Miracle Kid Anders Swanson was from Batavia. Anders had a rare, aggressive brain tumor near the center of his brain. Doctors at Golisano Children’s Hospital at URMC tended to and treated Anders and in mid-September 2007, Anders was declared cancer-free. He is still being monitored closely, but Anders is undoubtedly a miracle, and his care is a testament to how valuable Golisano Children’s Hospital is to kids in the Batavia community, explained Weissend, a close friend to the Swansons.

The tournament is $20 per bowler or $90 per team. Those not interested in bowling are welcome to sponsor a lane for $25. To reserve a spot as an individual or for a team, request a form by e-mailing lgpat@BataviaKiwanis.com or calling (585) 993-1634 or (585) 343-4727.

Western New Yorks newest motorcycle club "MAYHEM RIDERS" out of the batavia area,in conjunction with the arcade speedway will be having a charity fun run to benefit the united way. All riders involved will be doing a couple parade laps around the track at halftime to show their support. This will take place on the same night that the arcade raceway is having their united way night.100% of the money raised thru the fun run is going to the united way.sign up for the run is stans harley davidson in batavia.sign up is from 4pm to 5 pm,kickstands up at 5:30,come join us for a great cause.for more information please go to the website or email the club.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) today announced that he is hosting a local food drive throughout the 139th Assembly District in order to help those hit hardest in these tough economic times.

“The generosity and kindness of Western New York residents never ceases to amaze me and while many of our friends and neighbors are struggling right now, there are many of us that know how fortunate we are and grateful that we can help those less fortunate. I am sure that the residents of the 139th Assembly District will show their generous spirit yet again with this food drive that will be benefiting our local food pantries in order to help families, seniors and individuals in need,” said Hawley.

The Assemblyman has posted drop boxes in a variety of locations throughout Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans counties within the 139th Assembly District where residents can leave non-perishable food donations. The donations will be given to local charities, shelters, and food pantries, including the Salvation Army, Life Solutions, Hilton Food Shelf, Brockport Food Shelf, and Orleans Community Action, among others.

To find out more information or to find the donation drop-off location closest to you, please call Assemblyman Hawley’s office at (585) 589-5780.

We've received draft minutes from the County Legislature and the Ways and Means Committee.  Below are links to PDFs of these documents.

• County Legislature, April 22
• Ways and Means, April 15