batavia

The audience was quite small for tonight's public hearings on the proposed 2010/2011 City of Batavia budget and a proposed water rate increase.

Between the two hearings, one person -- John Roach -- made a statement.

City Council President Marianne Clattenburg said she wasn't surprised.

"It (the lack of turnout) tells me that they've probably contacted us personally," Clattenburg said. "They've been following things in the media and understand the position we're in and realize we're trying to work through some difficult times. As always we're open to listening to constituents and if they can't make it to the meeting -- lots of people do get their information from other sources -- and they let us know."

There was no vote taken tonight (that will come at the next council meeting), but this was the chance for the public to weigh in on a proposed 1.5-percent property tax increase and the first in a series of planned, gradual water rate increases aimed at raising money to fix infrastructure.

Clattenburg said the council has gotten ample feedback from members of the public prior to tonight's meeting.

"People have come forward," Clattenburg said. "They realize the reasoning behind the tax increase and what we're trying to do with the infrastructure improvements and I think they just support what we're trying to do."

The Grand Jury has issued a two-count indictment against Lekisha M. Avant. Avant is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 8, 2005, Avant, while at the Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia, did knowingly and unlawfully possess a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it. The indictment further alleges that on Dec. 29, 2009, Avant was again at the Days Inn and knowingly and unlawfully in possession one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug (cocaine) having an aggregate weight of one-eighth an ounce or more. (For initial arrest report, click here.)

The Grand Jury also issued a two-count indictment against Charles Brown. Brown is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd. The indictment accuses Brown of driving on Aug. 20, 2009, on the Thruway through Le Roy when he knew, or had reason to know that his license was suspended. Brown allegedly was operating with 10 or more suspensions imposed on at least 10 separate dates. The alleged suspensions date back to Feb. 6, 2003.

Corey J. Hemmer, 23, of 91 S. Main Apt. B, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Hemmer reportedly tried to return an empty box to Walmart at 6:41 p.m. Friday in exchange for a gift card. Hemmer reportedly received a gift card and after he left the customer service counter, employees reportedly discovered the box had no merchandise inside. Hemmer was located at a cash register attempting to purchase merchandise from the store.  When confronted by a loss prevention officer from the store, Hemmer allegedly ran from the store. When he was caught outside, Hemmer allegedly resisted detention. The loss prevention officer also reportedly spotted merchandise inside of Hemmer's jacket. Hemmer was eventually found hiding behind trees off Route 63.

Alice E. Coover, 34, of 112 Lake St., Apt. 1, Le Roy, is charged with three counts of unlawful dealing with a child 1st. Coover was arrested by Sgt. Michael J. Hare of the Le Roy Police Department for allegedly providing alcohol to three teenagers on Friday and Saturday nights.

Amy E. Loranty, 27, of 215 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Loranty is accused of being in Target at 12:15 p.m. yesterday with her boyfriend and her two children when she allegedly stole articles of clothing.

Thomas C. Couse, 45, of 2728 Buffalo Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to stop at stop sign and moving from lane unsafely. Couse was allegedly involved in a car accident at 3:20 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 33 and 33A, Bergen. Couse allegedly left the scene of the accident and then was identified when he returned to the scene. The accident was investigated by Deputy John Weis.

Jason Norman Haacke, 32, of 47 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Haacke was stopped by at 8:59 p.m. Saturday by Deputy Jason Saile in Oakfield for allegedly speeding. He was then arrested on the alleged DWI charges.

Robert Alan Steavens, 41, of 3478 Spring Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, improper right turn, failure to dim headlights.  Steavens was stopped at 2:13 a.m. Friday in Darien by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ryan M. Bobzin, 21, of Bergen, is charged with harassment 2nd. Bobzin was arrested by State Police at 11:17 p.m. Sunday. No further details were released.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

2:37 p.m., Feb. 6, Judge Road, Alabama, two vehicles; Driver 1: Wendi L. Kavenagh, 34, of Le Roy; Driver 1: Daniel J. Davis, 43, of Middleport. No injuries reported.

In response to reports that the State Lottery is threatening to remove Batavia Downs video lottery terminals,  Joseph Gallo, chairman of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, has issued the following statement:

Western Regional Off-Track Betting pledges to work with the New York State Lottery over concerns regarding the performance of Batavia Downs Casino. As part of our formal response, a special meeting of the Western Regional OTB Board of Directors has been called for Thursday, February 11, 2010. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11 o'clock AM inside conference facilities located at Batavia Downs Casino. At that time, the Board will discuss elements of a comprehensive management improvement plan being requested by State regulators.

A two-vehicle accident with two people injured has been reported at the intersection of Main and Oak, Batavia.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m.: One of the drivers is being arrested. She allegedly has "a bunch of suspensions." The arresting officer said, "We'll be getting some bail on her."

Harley sure seemed to enjoy being the center of attention today at Carlson's Studio, where he was one of several dozen pets today who posed for a professional portrait by Ameka Cooper.

The Kilner family brought in 15-month-old Harley and then helped get him posed for his shots. He was a little too excited at times to cooperate. And when a flash went off, he was sure it was something he needed to chase.

Above, Jaylene and Shay try to get Harley to settle down long enough to pose for Ameka.

Below, Dan takes on the role of calming influence on Harley.

Proceeds from today's pet portraits will benefit Volunteers for Animals.

If you had your pet portrait taken, don't forget to submit your pet to our Pet of the Week contest by sending a picture to (pets  (at)  the batavian dot com) (reassemble the e-mail address, of course).

Two public hearings are scheduled for the Batavia City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

The first public hearing will be on the proposed 2010/2011 city budget, which includes a 1.5-percent property tax increase.

For background on the proposed budget, click here.

The second hearing will deal with a proposal to increase water rates in order to finance infrastructure improvements and maintenance.

For background on the proposed water rate increases, click here.

A public hearing is an opportunity for city residents to give input to the council on matters before the council. If you wish to weigh in on either of these topics in an official setting, this is your time to do it.

Gregory James Baker, 29, of 19 Rochester St., Bergen, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd and harassment 2nd. Baker is accused of remaining unlawfully at 17 Rochester St. on Jan. 25. Baker allegedly subjected somebody at that residence to physical contact. Baker was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Dustin David Say, 18, of 1952 North Java, Alden, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. Say was arrested in Alexander and accused of possessing stolen property stemming from a series of car larcenies in Alden.

Wesley Alan Ground, 33, of 411 Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement markings. Ground was stopped by Deputy Jason Saile at 1:04 a.m. Wednesday on Akron Road in Pembroke. Ground was issued an appearance ticket.

Paul Mark Wieclaw, 20, of 31 Broadway St., Apt. #2, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wieclaw was stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves at 7:39 p.m. on Jan. 30 in Batavia for an alleged traffic violation.

As a follow up to a previous item: On Sept. 4, the Elba Volunteer Fire Department was first responder to a roll-over accident on Oak Orchard Road. It turned out the accident was actually in Orleans County, Town of Barre. Abagail Buzard, 8, was ejected from the vehicle in that accident and was pronounced dead at UMMC. Today, Corey C. Buzard, 33, of Holley and Courtney L. Buzard, 17, of Brockport, were charged by the State Police with criminally negligent homicide.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

7:16 p.m., Feb. 3, Wright Road, Alabama, one vehicle; Driver 1: Ricky R. Reiss, 27, of Akron. No injuries, no citations reported.

10:40 p.m., Feb. 3, Boyce Road, Pembroke, one vehicle; Driver 1: Melissa A. Chilano, 33, of Cowlesville. No injuries, no citations reported.

10:16 a.m., Feb. 2, Thruway entrance, Route 77, two vehicles. Driver 1: Cynthia S. Baase, 48, of Victor; Driver 2: Gwyn Moriarty, 50, of Chardon, Ohio. One injury, no citations reported.

12:59 p.m., Feb. 2, Lovers Lane, Town of Pembroke, two vehicles. Driver 1: Stephen J. Orel, 54, of Lancaster; Driver 2: Gene R. Uzar, 63, of Arcade. One injury, no citations reported.

Twenty-nine-year-old Marcia Mitchell, a mother from Batavia, admitted in a Buffalo court yesterday that she tried to smother her child while at a Buffalo-area hospital nearly two years ago.

Mitchell entered a guilty plea to the charge of attempted first-degree assault, which carries a possible prison sentence of 15 years.

The Buffalo News reports:

Mitchell was recently hospitalized for her second jailhouse suicide attempt since her arrest. She was found mentally competent to assist in her own defense by two court-appointed mental health experts, even though she has mental problems that court officials and her lawyer refuse to discuss.

Dietrich Williams, who admitted in December that he abused an infant left in his care last summer, was sent to state prison by Judge Robert C. Noonan yesterday.

Williams was given a 12-year prison term.

The baby suffered severe head trauma after he shook the little girl and slammed her head against a hard surface in what was apparently an attempt to quiet her down.

Williams was reportedly acting as a babysitter for his girlfriend, whom he was staying with at the time.

A week before Williams entered his guilty plea, the little girl's mother wrote to The Batavian and said the child, who has needed much therapy and is likely to need help for many, many years, is doing much better.

Williams was originally charged with assault 1st, which carried a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, but in order to facilitate a plea without a trial, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman accepted a guilty plea to attempted assault 1st, which carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in State Prison. The minimum sentence available to Noonan was three and a half years.

As part of his guilty plea, Williams had to admit to the factual circumstances of the case.

(WTBA contributed to this report.)

Around 6 p.m. I happened across some construction work on Park Road. I stopped and took this picture. The worker only wanted to be identified as "Welder Guy."  He said the company he's working for has a contract to put in a new sewer system for Batavia Downs.

UPDATED THROUGHOUT AT 10:45 a.m.

The crew of a tree-trimming truck apparently forgot to lower the boom on the cherry picker after leaving the County Highway yard on Oak Street this morning.

The boom snagged phone lines on Cedar Street and the truck flipped on its side.

There were no injuries and no other vehicles involved, but it took a team of tow-truck drivers more than an hour to hoist the piece of heavy equipment back on its side.

"That picker should be all the way down and in place," said Officer Ed Mileham, who investigated the accident. "The guys that were working outside didn't put it down."

The truck was marked "Nelson Tree Service, Inc. Dayton, Ohio." The crew is apparently working on a project trimming trees under contract with National Grid and had dumped a load of wood chips at the county yard before heading out to other work.

Two heavy wreckers had to be called in so that one could lift while the other pulled. The crew managed to gently lower the truck back on its wheels, causing no further damage to the vehicle. 

Crews were on scene to deal with hydraulic liquid and oil that leaked from the truck.

Mileham said no citations would be issued.

The phone and cable lines did not appear damaged by the accident.

More pictures after the jump:

Yusuf A. Hassem aka Louis L. Reed, 69, came to town in April nattily dressed in a gray wool suit and tan overcoat. He will leave Batavia in shackles.

Following a three-day jury trial, Hassem was convicted today of grand larceny 4th.

Hassem posed as a recent African immigrant who needed help with a transaction at Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union. He managed to switch envelopes with a woman, stealing $2,000 cash from her.

Soon after the theft, the Batavia Police sent out a picture of Hassem to local media. The release of the bank surveillance camera photo soon led to Hassem's arrest in Buffalo.

Hassem, who began his career in crime in 1957, according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, faces similar charges in Albany and Schenectady. Officials from one of those jurisdictions will likely pick him up at Genesee County Jail following his March 17 sentencing.

"He has a very extensive criminal history for this type of thing and others," Friedman said. "That's unusual right there. I mean, we have a 69-year-old defendant who has been in the system for 53 years."

Judge Robert C. Noonan will have a couple of options in sentencing Hassem to state prison. Now classified as a second-felony offender, he will get either one-and-a-third- to three-years or a term of two to four years in the penetentiary.

Jessica Lauren Wildey, 19, of 14 Jamie Lynn Drive, Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. At 6:48 a.m. Monday, Deputy Frank Bordonaro was investigating an assault complaint at a location in Bergen when Wildey reportedly drove back to the scene (she had reportedly been involved in the initial disturbance). Upon further investigation, Deputy Bordonaro determined Wildey had allegedly been driving drunk.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

8:06 a.m. Feb 1., Galloway Road, Batavia, one vehicle; Driver 1: Jessica L. Worden, 22, of Penn Yan. No injuries, no citations reported.

Wanted by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for an alleged violation of probation: Christopher A. Laird.

Laird was placed on probation following a charge of burglary 2nd. He has reportedly failed to comply with the terms of his probation.

Laird frequents the Village of LeRoy and the City of Batavia. 

Warrant Officer Eric Olson asks that people with information on the whereabouts of Laird call 911.

A local team of volunteers arrived back home safely Sunday evening after spending a week-end in NY city taking part in the Annual Don't Walk by Campaign held by Rescue Alliance.  This is a mission to rescue the homeless.

Pictured above is Jon Andre', Pastor Mark Perkins, Elder Ron DeMena, Dave Holnbec k, Clint Schrider, Paul and Bridget Ohlson along with their team leaders Dave and Patty Rower from Street Light Missison of Elizabeth New Jersey.

250 volunteers particpated in training Saturday afternoon at the Trinity Baptist church.

Robin Walters, PR Director of Care-A-Van with Juan Galloway of NY City Relief Bus.

The section of NY city to be searched Sat evening was the East Side. Our team along with one other team was given Grand Central Station.

Many of you have seen the Care-A-Van bus rolling in the streets of Batavia, but here it is pulling into Grand Central Station. The bus was used as an anchor station where the homelss  could be kept warm until one of the vans would arrive to pick them up to take them back to Trinity Baptist  the anchor church. Here they would receive a hot meal, a place to have a warm bed, and many services and organizations were there to help them get a new start in life off of the streets including drug and alcohol rehab programs.

While part of the team stayed with the bus, others headed off to search the floors of Grand Central.

Here is Pastor Mark with Eddy, a homeless vet. Eddy took up the offer to go back and have a hot meal and to see what other services he could benefit from.

Here is another one of our new friends that got a ride back on one of the vans. Jon Andre' got to pray with this young man and give him hope. He has been struggling the past 9 months on the streets and wants a new life.

Many asked us if we were afraid. There were plenty of security guards and police around the station that welcomed us with open arms.

Dave Rower of Street Light Mission , our team leader leads a man out of the station to the waiting rescue van.

It was a heartbreaking night. Not all of the homeless encountered wanted to go back.

There were 250 volunteers scouring the east side. 206 people were engaged, 80 homeless went back to the anchor church and 25 got assessed for additional services.

I sat down with a 30 year old gal, who was sitting outside Grand Central with a paper cup, trying to get change. She just wanted enough money to get on the subway to go to a friends home. Prayers were offered to all.

Jon Andre' and Bridget kept busy outside offering cookies and blankets to those that did not want to go back to the anchor church.

I just could not imagine being homeless. There was a woman that came onto the bus who had sandals on with socks with holes in it, a skirt and a flimsy jacket. Patty Rower our team leader from Street Mission encountered her on the bottom floor of the station and encourged her to come for a hot meal.

When you first entered the station on the top floor where a bar and restaraunt is, all seemed business as usual. but as you went floor by floor , we found many homeless people in need. Our pockets were lined with granola bars, cookies and information cards given to us at training to give to the homeless.

At the end of the evening, Paul Ohlson founder of Care-A-Van Ministries drove the bus through the traffic, back to our destination of Elizabeth, NJ.  He sure can manuever that bus even in NY city!

All in all, it was an sucessful night, searching for the lost. Each team member sponsored their own way to be able to go. Care-A-Van provided the transportation for the team. Our bus broke down twice! But with the help of our Lord and Clint and Jon and an awesome auto place in Bath, we were able to get there and be a blessing to  many.

A special thanks to Austin Bonds, Director of Outreach for New York City Relief Bus for helping organizing our trip out and being our host and helping us to get to the city to participate in the Annual Don't Walk by Campaign. Rescue Alliance depends of many other organizations churches and volunteers to help with this event. It was held for 5 week-ends.

We also got the opportunity to see New York City Relief Bus in action Friday night on one of their missions out.

I must say after meeting my new friend Diamond pictured above, I truly know I am right where God wants me, helping giving hope to others and sharing the good news of the gospel and continuing to write and encourage others to get  involved in their community. Diamond is a woman, who calls a hallway in an apartment complex her home.  She has serious health needs and will be going for surgery this week.  We may not have alot of homeless people here in Batavia, but we sure do have alot of people with many needs and alot who need love and encouragement from others.

God bless you all  and Keep the Light On!

Robin

PS.. You can see here heading to the streets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCMTjt7oCkE

City Fire is responding to a report of smoke coming from a house at 124 Bank St., Batavia.

UPDATE 7:50 p.m.: May be exhaust from a furnace. 

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.: Engine 12, Ladder 15, back in service.

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Do you know this man? He's wanted by the Batavia Police as a suspect in a larceny at Alberty Drug Store on East Main Street, Batavia.

The incident occurred Wednesday about 6:30 p.m The suspect was last seen on foot heading toward Jackson Street.

No word on what he is suspected of stealing.

Anyone with information can contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

Last week, when the Grammy nominations were announced, the category for Best Country Instrumental Performance included the song Under The (Five) Wire, by Alison Brown.

Now, that may not mean much to most readers of The Batavian, but it means a lot to the Bohn family of Batavia.

The audio engineer on the recording was John J. Bohn, a 2003 graduate of Batavia High as well as a 2006 graduate of the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. 

Roger Bohn tells us that John lives in Nashville with is wife and son.

You can hear more of John's work on his MySpace page.

Five people were injured Friday morning in an accident at the intersection of Route 63 and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road when the driver of one car reportedly "forgot the stop sign was there."

Charles F. Monnen III, 24, of 1720 Hyde Park Blvd., lower, was reportedly driving westbound on Batavia-Oakefield when he allegedly failed to yield the right of way at Route 63.

His 2005 Ford sedan struck a car driven by Carmela A. Cling, 56, of 4528 Mack Road, Gasport.

The accident occurred at 7:13 a.m.

The drivers and all occupants of both cars were injured.

Susan M. Rozanski, 19, was transported by ground ambulance to Erie County Medical Center.

The other four patients were taken to UMMC.

Also reportedly injured were Kelsey McGill, 18, and Celena M. Grossman, 18.

Rozanski, McGill and Grossman were all passengers in Monnen's car.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Brad Mazur.