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The Soapbox Derby, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, returns for 2023 with sleeker, larger, faster car kits, organizers announced today.

The race will be at the same locations as last year -- Ellicott Street at Richmond, next to Centennial Park in Batavia -- on August 26.

Last year -- the first time a Soapbox Derby was held in Batavia in decades -- races were beset by wheels falling off and other mechanical issues.

In an effort to solve the wheel problem, organizers sought alternatives and met Mark Scuderi, president of the Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby.  Scuderi has a warehouse of soapbox cars that are of the style and engineering of cars used throughout the state. 

The cars are valued at $1,000 each but the BID will lease them for $100 each and they will arrive unassembled so children competitors and their families can still engage in putting the cars together.

"We did not want the cookie-cutter car that everyone just jumps in and races because this isn't about a race," said Shannon Maute, director of the BID. "It's not just about a race. It's about teaching skills. It's about bringing out the creative side and letting them have fun with their friends and their family. The kids can still be creative and still use tools and learn how to do brakes and tires and use power tools. Mark came up with a great solution. He gave us the shell of the car, so the kids will be able to decorate it however they want."

Unlike last year, there will be limits on how much customization competitors can do on the cars because the shells can't be modified.

But out of the gate -- the new electronic starting gate -- competitors will get faster cars, with brakes, and the track will go past Park Avenue with hay bales on Ellicott Avenue set up at Washington Avenue.

Chris Suozzi, VP of business development for GCEDC, said the derby will still meet the workforce development goals of exposing children to the challenge of building something. The racers get to use power tools, some for the first time, and make sure all of the pieces are installed properly.

The size of the field doubles this year, to 48 racers, with two age groups in competition -- 7 to 10 and 11 to 13.

The winners get their names inscribed on the Joseph Suozzi Memorial Plaque.

There are two opportunities to register. The first on Friday, June 2, during the Genesee County Youth Bureau Family Game Night at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, from 5 to 7 p.m.  The second registration opportunity is the next day from 10 a.m. to noon at Adam Miller Toys and Bicycles.

There is a $20 registration fee and sponsors are covering the lease cost of the cars. Sponsors include Alex's Place as lead sponsor, along with Graham Manufacturing, Western New York Concrete, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 46, along with any other sponsors that sign on to support the event.

"The BID Box Car Derby is one of my favorite events because it's for the kids," Maute said. "Seeing the smiles on their faces as they race down the street reminds me of the happiest moments of my childhood. It’s something that all of our business owners have, a memory that inspired them. So many people came out to join us last year and already want to help out this year. I think this is what we’re creating with this event, a community."

Also serving on the organizing committee are Lauren Becht, Lydia Schauf, Marian Pautler, Matt Gray, Jim Krencik, Gail Tenney, Sara Tenney, Jay Gsell, and John Roche.

We’re here to promote business, not to destroy it.

Those words, spoken by City Councilman Al McGinnis Monday evening, seemed to capture council’s sentiments to move forward on allowing open containers for alcoholic beverages in Jackson Square, throughout various downtown streets during a special event in July and with a limit of two beverages on a specially built group pedal vehicle.

The agreement didn’t exactly come without a lot of discussion, questions and clarifications about each element of the open container requests before them.

Batavia’s Business Improvement District, aka BID, requested that open containers be allowed in Jackson Square during the summertime when the space is ripe with concerts and spectators are usually relegated to sitting inside or on the upper deck of nearby restaurants.

City law hasn’t allowed music revelers to sip a craft beer or gin and tonic while relaxing in their lounge chairs outside — a point that may change when council gathers again on June 12 to discuss the issue with a detailed resolution in hand to potentially vote on afterward.

Entrepreneur Matt Gray spoke as a business partner of Eli Fish Brewing Company, which backs up to the Square and is in progress with building a patio. He listed reasons why council would want to give a yes for open containers, including number one, the state liquor authority will only permit a business four events for open containers, and after Eli’s carnival, Octoberfest, BID’s Italian Fest, and the Ramble, “we’re out of licenses for that space,” Gray said.

There’s potential for grassroots development within that area, he said, that could mean other types of businesses, such as a cider distillery or similar, to bring more people downtown.

“If you bring the people downtown, and that is our goal, more development happens on its own. So it's great that we're doing this work to Jackson Square, but I really think that having an open container will kind of push us to the next stage as far as getting more traffic to the downtown area,” Gray said.

While some council members agreed with Gray and supported his stance, they shared the possible pitfalls as well.

“My concern is, people using it as a public space, bringing their own alcohol, they get out of the eye of the public, and hang out in there, when there isn't a function going on at the restaurants that connect to it. So I'm in favor of it. But I would like to see possibly signage warning people if they leave that area that they're going to be in violation,” Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. said. “And obviously, if no one is responsible for it, but yet they use it, who's going to be cleaning it up? I mean, I'm sure it's inevitable. There'll be bottles or glasses or plastic cups being thrown around in there. I know a lot of businesses clean up around their own business anyway. It's fine.

“But you know, hopefully, they would keep it clean on their own and notify if somebody was just in there, having a private party without any authorization and using the space for a hangout and drinking location. But that's not what you're talking about here. You're talking about promoting business, promoting activity in there and maybe even freedom to go from one establishment to another,” he said. “That's all great. I love all that. But my prior life has taught me that not everyone obeys the unwritten rules, so to speak.”

He suggested that some type of guidelines might be warranted to ensure that everyone follows the rules.

“To make sure that it stays clean, doesn't turn into a hangout, and that people know, if they're walking out with a beverage and they walk out to Jackson Street, they know when they walk through the alley that they're leaving the space, and then they probably should either dispose of their beverage or finish it up,” he said.

The BID also requested that the city drop its open container law per Batavia Municipal Code during the Italian Festival on July 29, so that people can enjoy libations on downtown streets during the event from 1 to 9 p.m. This approval would require council to grant special permission to allow open containers on designated city streets and sidewalks during this event.

The third request is from Kuyler Preston of his newly formed company Batavia Pedal Party LLC. Using a specially crafted pedal and motorized open-air vehicle, a driver takes groups on a two-hour tour of the city for a fun, enjoyable ride, Preston said. 

While everything about his business is licensed and insured, he is seeking approval from council to allow each passenger to bring two cans of alcoholic beverages on the ride.

The difference between this type of group trip and that of a limo is that the pedal party vehicle is not enclosed, and the alcoholic drinks are visible to other people not in the vehicle, city attorney George Van Nest said. So Preston needs approval from the city to allow for the open containers on the bike, Van Nest said.

Jankowski said that some further research and discussion with police may be needed before making final decisions on some of these requests.

“I think we're gonna have to do some research like other places have done and talk to our police and DPW and see how they feel about it. But definitely, I like the idea of that square becoming a more multi-use space, or the businesses that they use it there for any private gathering or whatever,” he said. “But as long as it's approved, instead of just, we're starting to get calls because people realize it gets off to a place that you can use it at four in the morning and drink alcohol. And that's not really what it was intended to be for.”

Council is expected to discuss them further during a special conference session on June 12, to be followed by a business meeting for related votes.

This weekend’s Class of 2023 graduates were reminded by Genesee Community College’s president just how crucial their mission is from here on forward, and that one’s pursuit of learning doesn’t stop with that diploma in hand.

“We are counting on you to live a life that’s full of promise and potential, not just for yourself, but to make the world a better place,” Dr. James Sunser, GCC president, said during his closing remarks. “You know, we live in a world that is constantly changing, and one that requires us to continually evolve, develop new skills, and stay current in order to be the successful members of society that we all aspire to be.

“At Genesee Community College, we like to say once a Genesean or a cougar, always a Genesean and a cougar. It's in the spirit and recognizing the value and importance of lifelong learning that I share with you a new and, frankly, unprecedented benefit that you are receiving as a GCC grad," he said. "As a member of the Class of 2023, you are now eligible to take future courses at SUNY GCC, free of charge for the rest of your life.”

This Class of 2023 will be the inaugural group of learners for when this new program was announced. They will be able to return time and time again to refresh, recharge, update and expand their minds with other GCC graduates by attending those free classes.

Genesee for Life was launched as “an innovative program allowing all GCC graduates to return to take credit-bearing courses tuition-free, for life,” program material states. Returning students will have the opportunity to prepare for new careers, transfer education opportunities, or to gain new skills for personal pursuits.

“We call this unique part of the program Genessee for Life, and it's our way of supporting you, not just now but throughout your life's journey. It's our way of saying that we do believe in the importance and value of lifelong learning,” Sunser said. “And we're committed to making that a reality for you as a part of our GCC family of graduates, and as members of the Genesee Community College’s Class of 2023, our 55th commencement class.

“I thank you for all that you're doing. I thank you for joining us today, and I wish you all good things,” he said.

To learn more about this program, go HERE.

Previously: 

• Advice to 2023 grads: Put down the social media and get involved to make a difference
• 2023 Nursing graduate's 30-year journey ends with 'amazing' feeling

To view more than 60 photos from GCC's commencement ceremony on Saturday, click here.

This last week of May was capped off with bountiful news for property owner Ken Mistler and downtown Batavia as a whole with the announcement that the Carr’s Reborn project on Main Street was granted $1.85 million in Downtown Revitalization funding.

While recently discussing Mistler’s other major renovation in progress at the former Showtime movie theater in City Centre, The Batavian asked him about the Carr’s project, which has been on hold for several months.

He said that would move forward as soon as he gets word about funding.

Mistler was unavailable for further comments Monday afternoon.

Carr’s Reborn has involved several key players in the community, including a committee of folks serving on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative effort, city and county leaders, engineers, the property owner, residents and business owners, all of whom have been anxiously awaiting to see development in the former Carr’s department store for at least the last five years.

Consultant David Ciurzynski previously described the site’s future: renovating the upper two floors for apartments, installing arched windows in the front overlooking Main Street, preparing the lower levels for commercial space by removing asbestos and making them more enticing for prospective businesses to invest in the site.

Ciurzynski also included a vision for the project, aptly titled Carr's Reborn.

“We can restore the former landmark to its former glory,” he said during the DRI Committee’s Sept. 13 meeting.

The project received approval from both the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Committee and City Council in September 2022. No one had spoken during a related public hearing about council's application to pursue a $2 million grant.

Cities with a population of less than 40,000 can apply for up to $2 million, and it is available for projects to “demolish/deconstruct and/or rehabilitate/reconstruct vacant, abandoned, surplus and/or condemned residential, commercial and/or mixed-use buildings.” 

With no opposition to the move, City Council voted to submit an application for the sixth round of the Restore NY Communities Initiative Municipal Grant Program.

The former Carr’s site is expected to accommodate several upper-floor apartments and business/office use on the ground floor.

The project would take $1.85 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant funding and $4 million from property owner Ken Mistler. Possible uses for the main floor have not been determined, and it’s about “what does downtown Batavia need?” Ciurzynski had said during the committee’s Sept. 13 meeting.

Committee members who approved the project and pursued the DRI grant included City Council President Eugene Jankowski, Steve Hyde, Dr. James Sunser,  Craig Yunker, Tammy Hathaway,  Erik Fix, Tom Turnbull, Susie Ott, Paul Battaglia, Marty Macdonald and Nathan Varland.

On Monday,  state Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than $112.9 million has been awarded to 70 projects through the Restore New York Communities Initiative. Restore New York supports municipal revitalization efforts across the state, helping to remove blight, reinvigorate downtowns and generate economic opportunity in communities statewide, according to a press release issued from the governor’s office.

The program, administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments revitalize their communities and encourage commercial investment, improve the local housing stock, put properties back on the tax rolls and increase the local tax base, the release states.

"These Restore New York grants will help to reimagine downtowns across our state and transform vacant, blighted and underutilized buildings into vibrant community anchors," Hochul said in the release. "Thanks to a more than $146 million state investment, we are breathing new life into communities from Hudson to North Hempstead, jumpstarting new economic activity and helping ensure that New York State continues to be a place where people come to live, work and raise their families."

Carr's Reborn was the only project in Genesee County to receive funding from this round. 

Press release:

The Ramble Team is once again partnering with the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) to bring a fun-filled event that has something for everyone, including 25+ bands performing on two stages, an Explore Art tent for kids, street performances, food and much more!  The event will take place in Jackson Square and on Jackson Street on Saturday,  July 1, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“After last year’s successful return, this year’s Batavia Ramble Explore Art and Music Festival is shaping up to be the biggest and best one yet to date,”  said Stephen Kowalcyk. Ramble Event Coordinator 

The coordinators are seeking art vendors, food vendors, sponsors and musicians for the event.  For more information on being a food vendor, art vendor, or a sponsor of the event, contact Mary Jo at mjwhitman@goart.org.  For musician applications, contact Stephen at thebataviaramble@gmail.com.  

It was indeed a bit like the set of an episode of PBS's Antiques Roadshow at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia on Saturday, with local residents walking in carrying their treasures and experts giving sharing what they observed about the item while the owner awaited the verdict: Priceless or worthless.

There were items of little or no value, such as the windup Victrola, which is a great artifact but a common item in antique terms. Of keener interest to Todd Jantzi, the Bontrager's auctioneer who shared his judgment on a several items during the nearly daylong appraisal event that was a fundraiser for the Holland Land Office Museum, was the old shellac 78s the owner of the Victrola brought in.  Those are not common and, in fact, among the hardest records for collectors to find.

Many items, of course, were of middling value, like the mantle clock brought in by Crystal Rhinehart of East Bethany.

It was made by Ansonia, a well-known maker of clocks with a solid reputation, Jantzi told her.

Rhinehart said the clock had been in her family since it was new.

"This would have taken a little bit more funds to purchase it, so it probably would have kept better time than some other clocks," Jantzi said.  

Then he joked, "We usually only see these from the homes of the rich people in East Bethany." 

He valued it at $100 to $225 at auction.

Other experts on hand during the day were representatives from Cottone Auctions and Schultz Auctioneers.  A variety of items were brought in from musical instruments, such as a guitar, and pieces of art, such as a colorized 1880s etching of the famous duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.

At the end of the day, Gary Harkness and his wife, Debbie, walked in with a bag of items for appraisal.  

The largest item was the one that came out of the bag first. It was a cast white metal lamp with two candle-shaped lights.  Harkness said it sits on his mantle as a night light.

It's from the 1920s or 1930s.

"No cracks, which is uncommon for that age," Jantzi said.

Harkness pointed out a small piece of metal missing, and Jantzi said, "But usually you'll see age cracks, and there's none here."

At auction, Jantzi said, $400, maybe $500. 

Then Jantzi picked up a scrimshaw-engraved bone card-carrying case and nudged a photographer, "You'll want to get a picture of this."

Above an etching of a patriotic woman was the inscription, "Col Emory Upton. 124 New York Vols." 

The other side was inscribed, "In much appreciation from U.S. Grant, Nov. 1863."  

Upton, of course, is the Batavia-born Civil War hero, who would become a general before the war's end, and whose likeless stands vigil at Main and Ellicott in the city.  Grant, a future president, would, in a few months' time from the date of the inscription, take over command of the U.S. military and lead the Union to victory over the traitorous southern states. 

Harkness said he bought the case about 25 years ago from a dealer in Canada for $600 or $700.  

Jantzi said it's such a rare item with such historical significance, he couldn't put a price on it.

"That is cool, Gary. That is cool," Jantzi said. "The only way you're gonna find out is to put it up for auction. That's the only way you'll ever find out, but you hate to get rid of it to find out."

Harkness said he's thought about a heritage auction, but, he said, "It's not going anywhere soon." 

The historical treasure has been displayed before at the Holland Land Office Museum, he said.

Kind of like a real episode of “Antiques Roadshow,” Harkness coming in at the end with Upton's card box from Grant, gave the day of appraisals its dramatic closing.

Harkness let a couple of volunteers hold the case, and one woman said, "Oh, my God" as she looked at it in awe.

"And you touched it," said the other. "You touched it." 

Solid home in great location-literally a minute from shopping, dining and thruway entrance for quick commute to wherever you need to go! This 3 bedroom home has a spacious main floor large and bright living room good size kitchen with plenty of cupboards and sliding glass door which leads to great enclosed three season room perfect for all the great weather coming your way! The basement is partially finished into great rec area and utility room has laundry and room for all your storage need's. Located on great City street this home has great yard with loads of perennials and pretty back yard with deck and small patio area ready for you to play and entertain! The home has been well maintained and is ready for the next person to move in and make it their own!

Press Release:

The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the Batavia Lions Club for its generous donation and work during the Day of Caring.  Batavia PD donated several slightly used bicycles to the Lions Club.  

During the Genesee County Day of Caring, the Lions Club partnered with Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle to service/fix up these bikes.  Once the tuneups were completed, the Lions Club donated eight bicycles back to Batavia PD to be distributed to local children in need. 

The Batavia PD School Resource Officers teamed up with guidance counselors from Batavia City Schools to select these children.  Batavia PD and the Lions Club have agreed to continue this partnership in the years to come to ensure we can help the community in which we serve. 

Batavia PD would like to thank the Lions Club, Adam Millers, and the Batavia City Schools for their assistance in this newly founded program.

Submitted photo

Due to Saturday's poor weather forecast, the annual Habitat for Humanity yard sale will begin a day early this year, organizer Angelina Pellegrino says. Shopping is set to begin at 10 a.m. Friday at 150 State St., Batavia, and continue through the weekend. 

Proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County.

File photo by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

The West Division Champion, Batavia Muckdogs, have announced 10 more members to their 2023 roster. Two familiar faces will be returning with pitcher Aidan Cooney from the University of Rochester, as well as pitcher Dylan Kinney from Xavier University of Louisiana. 

The eight newcomers on the list are highlighted by three St. John’s commits that include catcher Adam Agresti, two-way player Chad Falcon, and catcher Cristian Bernardini. Other newcomers to the Muckdogs include 6’3, 308 pound pitcher, Rijnaldo Euson from Georgia Southwestern University, 6’9 pitcher Casey Sabiers from Long Island University, infielder Noah Sorenson from the University of Connecticut, pitcher Tyler Gibson from Houghton University coming out of Albion, New York, pitcher Tyrone Woods out of Genesee Community College via Alexander, New York.

Standing at 6’2 and weighing 185 pounds, Aidan Cooney is a sophomore relief pitcher from the University of Rochester. Cooney is a force to be reckoned with out of the bullpen, tossing 12 innings with 1 save, while holding opponents to a .211 batting average. Cooney’s best appearance of the year came when he let up 1 hit with 3 strikeouts in 3 innings of work against Catholic.

Standing at 6’3 and weighing 182 pounds, Dylan Kinney is a sophomore left handed pitcher from Xavier University of Louisiana. Kinney has thrown 7.1 innings of 2.45 ERA ball, allowing opponents to only bat .222 against him on his way to a 1-0 record.

Standing at 6’3 and weighing 225 pounds, Adam Agresti is a catcher committed to St. John’s University. Agresti is a defensive star behind the plate, averaging a 1.89 pop time to accompany his cannon of an arm. On the offensive side, Agresti barrels up the ball 71% of the time with an average exit velocity of 92.6 MPH.

Standing at 6’0 and weighing 180 pounds, Chad Falcon is a two-way player committed to St. John’s University. Falcon is impressive in both regards, posting a .406 batting average and .673 slugging percentage to go with his impressive pitching resume, where the lefty threw 39.2 innings of 3.18 ERA ball, striking out 28 along the way. 

Standing at 6’1 and weighing 180 pounds, Cristian Bernardini is catcher/outfield hybrid committed to St. John’s University. Bernardini provides some pop with his bat, as he slugged 11 extra base hits on his way to a .726 slugging percentage. 

Standing at 6’3 and weighing 308 pounds, Rijnaldo Euson is a sophomore pitcher from Georgia Southwestern University. The southpaw had himself a dominant campaign, going 9-1 in 14 games started and 90 innings of work. Posting a 3.00 ERA, Euson averaged 11.70 strikeouts per game.

Standing at 6’9 and weighing 220 pounds, Casey Sabiers is a sophomore pitcher from Long Island University. Sabiers, a towering presence from the mound, is a Division 1 talent that threw 38 innings of 2.50 ERA ball, striking out 51 batters in the process. 

Standing at 6’3 and weighing 163 pounds, Noah Sorenson is a sophomore infielder from the University of Connecticut. Sorenson brings versatility to the team as he is a slick fielder while also being a threat on the basepaths, swiping 11 bags, the most on his team. 

Standing at 5 '11 and weighing 165 pounds, Tyler Gibson is a sophomore pitcher from Houghton University and out of Albion, New York. Gibson, limited in his work, has thrown an impressive 5.1 innings of 6 strikeout balls, securing a 1-0 record.

Standing at 6’0 and weighing 175 pounds, Tyrone Woods is a junior pitcher from Genesee Community College, out of Alexander, New York. Averaging 10.80 strikeouts a game.

These new and returning players will team up this summer in search to repeat as West Division Champions and you can see them in action for the first time in their home opener at

Dwyer Stadium against the Elmira Pioneers on Saturday, June 3rd. Following the opener will be a fireworks display for all to enjoy. For both individual and season tickets, as well as keeping up with future games and promotional nights, please check out our website https://www.canusamuckdogs.com/ or call 585-524-2260!

Submitted photos

County legislators have so far given a thumbs up to Dr. James Sunser’s $37.3 million budget for Genesee Community College, a spending plan that includes a $100 per semester tuition increase and a request of $50,000 in additional funding from Genesee County to continue operations for 2023-24.

“I think it’s a very modest budget,” the college president said during Wednesday’s Ways and Means meeting. “As you can see, from the current approved budget, it's about $150,000 more than this year's approved budget. It looks to advance tuition by $100 a semester, for full-time students, and $10 a credit hour for part-time students.

“We worked hard with the state. We were hoping to be able to get a little more from the state, but we at least got flat funding for the current year, which is something that has been the norm for the last few years. We've asked the county to support us with the base prior year aid plus the $50,000 planned increase that we've talked about in prior years,” Sunser said. “And we feel strongly that we'll be able to operate within that budget, but it will be a challenge, just like it is for all of you as well.”

The proposed 2023-24 operating budget is $37,350,000, with a “sponsor share” of $ 2,786,374 to come from the county within a tax levy by that amount.

A public hearing will be necessary for this budget and related sponsor’s share, as the resolution to be voted on by the county Legislature states:

“That the Genesee County Legislature does hereby approve of the sponsor’s share of the operating budget of the Genesee Community College for the fiscal year September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024, in the amount of $2,786,374 and cause the same to be included in the county tax levy for the year 2023.”

A vote is to go before the Legislature next week, and if approved, the budget, levy and public hearing will be set for 5:30 p.m. June 14 at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia.

During the conversation, Legislator John Deleo asked Sunser about the GCC radio station, a staple of this area for a decade that has become silent this past year. Sunser explained that maintaining a station — which was a club activity — for 24 hours a day was becoming “more and more difficult” to do, and the board made the decision to sell the license.

Two bids were received: one that offered “no dollars, they were just willing to take it,” Sunser said, and the second bidder that ended up purchasing the license through the FCC for $55,000. There is no radio, per se, as the station operates via online streaming, he said.

“So what we've done is we've moved away from the FCC as a licensed radio station, and we're on a streaming platform. So we're still providing the same opportunity to students to broadcast and have all that, but outside of the FCC regulations,” Sunser said.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C - Batavia) is disappointed that the Assembly Majority Conference blocked a referendum of his this week in the Local Government Committee without any debate or discussion. Numbered A.1978, the referendum would have simply put a question to voters on the next statewide election ballot: “Do you support the division of New York into two separate states?” The measure was shot down, and Hawley knows exactly why. 

“Our job as legislators should be to, first and foremost, ask our constituents questions about what they want to see us do. That is all this referendum would have done,” Hawley said. “I speculate the Majority prevented us from asking this question of all New Yorkers because they already know the answer: yes. The majority of New Yorkers are tired of the way things are, and any change, no matter how big, would be preferable to how things are right now.”

“Immigration crises, favoritism to downstate constituencies, the continued erosion of our farmlands and small businesses: these are the problems we face; infringements on 2nd Amendment rights, rampant pro-criminal policies and skyrocketing taxes and inflation. And these problems are consistently tied to the actions of a Majority spearheaded by a downstate coalition that has little regard for the rest of us. If they’re afraid of being told their actions are having a negative impact on some New Yorkers, they need a serious reality check,” Hawley concluded.

File photo by Howard Owens

There’s a richly iconic salon in New York City known for being luxurious in nature and set apart by its vivid red door, a symbol of Elizabeth Arden Spas and perfumes.

By no means was the red door being wrangled over Tuesday evening by property owner Ken Mistler and members of the Planning and Development Committee as luxurious in nature, but it will be the signature — of the entrepreneur’s latest venture into the world of entertainment.

This heavy-duty red door will lead the way to The Bowery.

“That’s the oldest street in Manhattan. It’s light industrial, New York City when the shanties were all downtown, in the mid-1800s,” Mistler said after the meeting.

His vision for this gritty, edgy shanty town climate will serve up a host of eclectic live musical artists and comedy acts in the movie theater-turned-Bowery,.

Mistler, and his engineer, Andy Schmieder, landed before the committee due to their request for a handicap-accessible ramp leading up to what are now double doors to be converted into one large, wide entry/exit doorway on Alva Place.

Members David Beatty, Ed Flynn and Duane Preston were less than impressed with the thick steel fire door being the main entrance to a business.

“My only criticism is that it’s a rather mundane entry for a dining/pizza shop. Is there going to be any other entrance?” Beatty said.

Flynn added that it looks like a utility room.

“There will be a marquee over it,” Mistler said, answering Flynn’s question about it not having a window. “There’s a door without a window now.”

Beatty wanted to confirm if the space would eventually be a functional theater. 

No.

“It will eventually be a comedy club and music venue,” Mistler said.

They circled back to the door. Is it to be the final and permanent door to the establishment? Yes. With no windows? That’s right.

Beatty joked that it was going to be a speakeasy, some clandestine spot that served illicit liquor back in the days of prohibition.

“We have a problem with the look of the door,” he said.

Code Enforcement Officer Doug Randall asked if Mistler would consider some type of artwork on the door, and Mistler said sure, he was open to suggestions.

The three members approved the request for a ramp, and encouraged Mistler to return with another door design when he begins his future facade work.

As for the dining/pizza shop, there won’t be any actual indoor dining, Mistler said. The pizza shop will have two purposes: one will be for a one-size pizza take-out service from a walk-up window, and the food will also be used at The Bowery for patrons. He has no intentions of competing with local restaurateurs.

“You want fancy-style pizza, go to Roman’s. I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes in the food business because that’s not what I want to do. I love to work with the restaurants in Batavia so that we could do dinner and a show again, like I did with the movie theater,” he said. “My first idea was to cater to seniors, there’s not a lot of things for seniors to do in the day, let’s give it to the seniors … a three-piece brass band, a motivational speaker, a pianist, we’ll have a piano there.”

He has connections with promoters at both ends of Batavia — in Buffalo and Rochester -- and plans to bring in comedic and musical acts from in and out of state. There will be a dance floor in front of the stage, a full bar and some edibles, per State Liquor Authority, which “requires us to have a substantial menu.”

“For once, I want to do a business that’s fun,” he said. “I’ve got contractors ready to go. Inside is completely empty. Okay, so I don't have any demolition to deal with, demolition is already done. All I have to do is put it back together, and it's a lot easier to put them together than to take it apart. Yeah. A lot easier. So I want to get it open within six months.”

He will be meeting with Randall to go over the interior design and obtain a building permit. The city has been “really easy to work with,” he said, and although people see the bad stuff, Batavia is becoming more business-friendly, he said, “which is great.”

Jane (Haggett) Paladino, longtime music influencer as Batavia High School's music teacher and department chairperson, delivers her final swan song as conductor during a band concert Tuesday evening at the high school's Frank E. Owens Auditorium. 

Paladino is retiring from the district and looking forward to new adventures ahead -- albeit with staff, students and parents enriched by her lessons and saddened by her departure. 

Photo by Howard Owens.