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Genesee County housing market poised for uptick, but not the bounce elsewhere in region

By Billie Owens

The regional real estate market may be picking up steam, but the impact is muffled in Genesee County, according to Howard Cohen, owner of FearyCohen Realty in Batavia.

Cohen said since the Batavia area is considered a bedroom community -- meaning a lot of folks commute elsewhere to work -- it doesn't get big ups or downs in the market that metro and resort areas do.

"We have a stable market," Cohen said. "Most people tend to stay in the area, even when they buy up."

The Democrat and Chronicle reported this weekend that a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers is heating up home sales.

"The tax credit is making homes go off the shelves," said Garry Britton, an agent at Nothnagle's Fairport office.

Homes priced below $150,000 in good condition are moving swiftly, followed by those under $200,000.

The tax credit is available for first-time buyers, and returning buyers who haven't owned a home for at least three years, who purchase a home by Dec. 31. It allows them to get a tax rebate of up to 10 percent of the selling price, up to $8,000.

Existing home sales for January through March were 1,648 compared to 2,112 in the first quarter of 2008. That's a drop of 22 percent, according to the report released Thursday by the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. The median house price of a house was $105,000, with half higher and half lower in price, which represents a 3-percent decline.

The data spans a 12-county area from Seneca Lake to Genesee County and Lake Ontario to the Southern Tier.

The tax credit may help improve those numbers, but it probably won't have much impact locally, according to Cohen.

"We don't have a lot of first-time buyers here," Cohen explained. "We're still in a bit of a slump, but sales are a little stronger that in the last period of 2008."

The folks at Bob Harris Realty said they are optimistic that the tax credit will help boost sales, plus buying typically picks up in springtime.

Real estate advisers say to avoid low-ball offers in these categories and to expect a negotiating window no greater than 5 percent.

Road repairs under way

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Road repairs now under way

The state Department of Transportation will be working on I-490 between Route 259 (Union Street, exit 4) in the Town of Chili and Route 19, exit 1, in the Town of LeRoy. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. so pavement repairs can be made.

Ramps will not be affected.

The highway workers will begin at Route 259 and work in the westbound direction. The work zone will be approximately one mile in length. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph when workers are present.

This preventative maintenance work started Monday, April 20 and is expected to take about a month to complete. Once repairs are made, the same section will be resurfaced by a paving crew.

Motorists are advised to travel slowly and carefully through the work zone area.

GCC offers summer art programs

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Summer Art Programs Available at Genesee Community College

Batavia -- Genesee Community College's fine arts department is again offering the Performing Arts Experience this summer and a new Summer Studio Fine Arts Workshop. Both programs are available to GLOW area children and young adults.

The Performing Arts Experience is a three-week theatre workshop, targeted for children and young adults ages 8-16, that runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 6-25, Monday through Friday at the College's Center for the Arts.

It introduces the fundamentals of theater in an engaging way for children and young adults fascinated by stage and live performance.  Students learn acting, dance, voice lessons, movement, audition techniques and scene study. The cost for this three week program is $250 and registration is required. Registration deadline is June 6.

The workshop will culminate with all participants giving two live musical performances on stage in the state-of-the-art Stuart Steiner Theatre. They will be open to the public. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 24-25. Admission is free.

The Summer Studio Fine Arts Workshop debuts this year. This week-long art workshop is open to children ages 9-14 and features drawing, mixed media, pottery, painting, sculpture and more.

The fine arts workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3 - 7 in the ceramics and painting studios at the Batavia Campus. At the conclusion of the week, the art work will be on display in the Stuart Steiner Lobby Art Gallery. There's a reception scheduled for 3 p.m. Aug. 7.

Genesee art instructors Moi Dugan and Margaret VanArsdale will oversee the workshop. Cost is $150 and the registration deadline is June 6.

For more information or to receive a brochure, please contact the Genesee Center for the Arts office at (585) 343-0055 x6438.

For tickets to any of the performances held July 25-July 26, contact the Box Office at (585) 343-0055 x6814 or by email to BoxOffice@genesee.edu.

City celebrates Earth and Arbor days

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

City of Batavia Celebrates

City of Batavia will celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25.

The event begins at Lions Park on Wallace Street in the City of Batavia with a presentation on “The Benefits of Gardening and Composting” by the Batavia Youth Bureau. There will be a tree planting ceremony by a local Girl Scout troop, a seed-starting display by the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners and a proclamation by City Council. 

Volunteers will then be assigned a city park or downtown Main and Ellicott streets area to pick up debris. The volunteers will regroup at Lions Park at 11:30 am for the door-prize drawing. Every volunteer will receive a chance to win a tree.

The trees for the planting ceremony and door prize have been donated by a local Girl Scout troop through a special deal provided by Pudgie’s Lawn & Garden.  The Girl Scouts will donate a tree and so will Pudgies.

The ARC is also donating services and supplies and Tim Horton’s is donating coffee and TimBits for volunteers. Kiwanis is also helping out with a donation of supplies.   

This event will take place rain or shine.  The city is seeking volunteers and there are additional hours available for students interested in earning community-service credit.

If there are questions, please contact the city manager's office at 345-6330 or email
jfreese@batavianewyork.com.

Local surgeon certified in sports medicine

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Local Doctor Certified in Sports Medicine

Dr. Matthew J. Landfried, a United Memorial Hospital medical staff member and orthopaedic surgeon has received certification in the subspecialty of orthopaedic sports medicine from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inc.

Dr. Landfried is a partner in the Genesee Orthopaedics medical practice with locations in Batavia and Perry. He is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia and is board certified in orthopaedic surgery.

He is also chair of the surgical department and chief of surgery at United Memorial. He lives in Batavia.

Sports medicine relates to the care of injuries resulting from athletic activities. Orthopaedic sports medicine specialists are proficient in addressing conditioning, training and fitness for athletic performance. This includes: the role of dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals and nutrition in the short- and long-term health of athletes; coordination of medical care with trainers, physical therapists and physicians.

They provide on-field evaluations with their knowledge of soft tissue biomechanics, injury healing and repair. They coordinate treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, and understand athletic equipment and orthotic devices used in the prevention and management of athletic injuries.

Cultural Fest to be held

By Billie Owens

Press Release:

Cultural Fest 2009

The Genesee County Youth Bureau AmeriCorps and Reality Check programs are
gearing up for the 2009 Cultural Festival. 

This free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Batavia Middle School. Along with booths, displays and local craft sellers, there will be food and live
entertainment by a number of groups including McMahon¹s School of Irish Dance and TNT Productions.

If you would like more information on the Cultural Festival or to register your
organization or business to for a booth or performance, please call 344-3960. 

You can also visit the Youth Bureau page at www.co.genesee.ny.us for
registration forms.

BID Awards Luncheon Friday

By Billie Owens


Press Release:

Batavia Business Improvement District
 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon

Batavia –  The Batavia Business Improvement District will hold its annual luncheon meeting at 11:45 p.m. on Friday, April 24 at the Homestead Event Centre (former Roxy’s Music Store), 4 Batavia City Centre, in downtown Batavia.

The agenda includes a review of the B.I.D.’s accomplishments in 2008-2009 and the announcement of the newly elected members to the Board of Directors. Also, the “Spirit of Downtown” Business Award will be given to O’Lacy’s Irish Pub and the “Spirit of Downtown” BID Volunteer Award will be given to Jeffrey Gillard.    

Cost is $15. To make reservations and payment contact Don Burkel, B.I.D. Director, at 585-344-0900 or fax 585-815-0233.

New scholarship for firefighters and their families

By Billie Owens

Press Release

New Scholarship to Benefit Volunteer Firefighters and their Families

Batavia -- Genesee Community College Foundation is creating the new Ben Franklin Scholarship, believed to be the first of its kind in New York.

Named after Benjamin Franklin, the founder of the first volunteer firefighting company in the United States, this scholarship will be made available to GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming) region volunteer emergency responders and their immediate families.

Twenty $500 scholarships will be awarded to full-time Genesee students who apply and meet the Ben Franklin Scholarship selection criteria.

Awardees must be involved in a volunteer fire or ambulance department for at least one year, or be the immediate family member of a volunteer who has been active for more than one year. Scholarship applications are available online at www.genesee.edu/foundation/programs.cfm <http://www.genesee.edu/foundation/programs.cfm>.

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley is scheduled to participate in the scholarship awards ceremony.

This event will take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 24 at the Batavia Campus in the Clock Tower Plaza, weather permitting. In the case of bad weather, the location will be moved to the North Lobby of the Conable Technology Building.

For further information, please contact Richard Ensman, director of Development and External Affairs at 585-343-0055 x6534.

Batavia detective recognized for work in tracking down online predators

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Police Detective Todd Crossett has been honored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for his efforts to identify and arrest a suspected online predator.

Crossett was nominated for the award by FBI special agent Matthew Braverman. Crossett and Braverman worked together on the Dalton Wilke case.

Wilke allegedly made contact with a person he thought was a juvenile male and agreed to meet the youngster in Batavia for sex. Crossett posed online as the young male.

Wilke was arrested in Batavia with the assistance of the Buffalo FBI, LeRoy Police Department and members of the Batavia Police patrol unit.

Statement from the press release:

Competition for the National Awards given by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Center is always high. Detective Crossett was given the award for his unwavering commitment, determination and expertise in ensuring a safer world for our youth and children    

Here's a video interview with Det. Crossett that Philip Anselmo shot last May.

Next Level Fitness slated to open in six weeks

By Howard B. Owens

Ken Mistler gave me a deluxe tour this morning of the gym at the corner of Jackson and Main he hopes to open in about six weeks.

The picture above is of a staircase that will lead to the lower level work out area and men's locker room. Mistler said a previous tenant built the staircase, but when the city would not let the business put an entrance to the building on Jackson, the staircase was floored over.

I copied the photo off the Facebook page Ken set up for Next Level.

Mistler seems to be putting forth the effort to create a first-class gym. The building is being completely renovated with new electrical (an upgrade required by new building codes implemented since the building's 1967 construction), new heating and cooling and such attention to detail as ceiling lights that defuse light so that people laying on a bench lifting weights won't have a bright light shining in their eyes.

There will also be a full sevice coffee bar accessible from Main Street.

The four-level building will also eventually serve as Mistler's home. He's building a residence on the fourth floor.

When I saw how much work is left to be done, I expressed surprise that it would take only six more weeks of work to get the facility open, but Mislter said the hard work is done (he did much of the jack-hammering in the cement floors himself to improve drainage (did you know there is an artesian well under that part of downtown?) and lay in new plumbing in the basement).

Previously, Ken told me a number of membership have already been sold -- and who can argue with the price? People can join for as little as $20 per month.

Mistler's gym looks like it's going to be a great addition to downtown, helping to bring a lot more people into the center of the city on a regular basis.

SIT Meeting Tomorrow

By Tasia Boland

April 21, 3 p.m. at the Batavia High School Library The BHS School Improvement Team will have a meeting. SIT involves teachers, administration, and parents working together for the betterment of BHS.

BOE meeting tonight

By Tasia Boland

Tonight at the administration building at 7 p.m. there is a Board of Education meeting for Batavia City Schools.

Deal of the Day: Main St. Pizza Company

By Howard B. Owens

Today's Deal of the Day: A $25 gift certificate from Main St. Pizza Company in Batavia. The Batavian's Good Deal Price: $12.50 -- HALF off!

I've become a fan of Main St. Pizza not just because it's convienently located to our office, but because everything I've tried from Main Street has been outstanding. Main Street Pizza is more than just pizza.

The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.

Rules: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

SOLD

Star of 1948 Batavia Clippers went on to long, productive career in baseball

By Howard B. Owens

There probably aren't too many people around who remember the players from the 1948 Batavia Clippers, but one of those men popped up in the news this week.

Joe Macko, a 6' 2", 200 lbs first baseman spent his first year of professional ball in Batavia. He smacked 11 home runs, hit .315 and also served as the team's bus driver.

Those 11 home runs would be the first of 306 he would hit in his 18-season minor league career. 

Alas, Macko never mastered hitting a curve ball, and thus never saw a single pitch in a major league ball game.

Macko was a coach with the Chicago Cubs in 1964. His son, Steve Macko, played 24 games with the Cubs before dying of cancer at age 27.

Macko, 81, who recently served as an ambassador for the Texas Rangers, was inducted this week into the Texas League Hall of Fame.

Police Beat: Batavia man accused of dragging woman by her hair

By Howard B. Owens

Robert C. Synder, 48, of Batavia, allegedly pulled a woman from a chair and began dragging her across the floor by her hair Friday night. He is charged with harassment in the second degree. He is held on $1,500.

Daniel K. Norton, 22, of Batavia, was arrested early Sunday morning on a DWI charge following a traffic stop Lear Road. He is accused of having a BAC of .08 or more.

William E. Schneider, 23, of Bergen, is charged with a felony count of DWI. Schneider is also accused of driving 75 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone. He was stopped on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford.

O.V. Murphy, 50, of Batavia, was charged with felony DWI on Sunday evening. Murphy was reportedly stopped on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia. He is accused of operating a motor vehicle while drinking and having a BAC of .18 or greater.

Train Day in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A tipster told me the other day -- you should go over to Mill Street, by the GCEDC and see what's going on.  She mentioned trains.

With all this talk of a possible new Albany-Buffalo passenger rail, trains were a bit on my mind. And up until this point, it had been a slow news day.

At this point, I knew there used to be a roundhouse or train turntable in Batavia, but I frankly didn't know where it was. And I had forgotten that New York Central System Historical Society was going to be in town today for an open house at the facility.

When I arrived at the Genesee Valley Transportation Co. complex on Mill Street, sure enough, there was a big piece of equipment digging a big hole.

Doug Eisele, director of operations for GVTC told me later his company is building a new train-to-truck warehouse. When completed it will employ 10 people.

As I walked to a big brick building, I began to suspect that this was part of an old roundhouse and that there was a tour going on. There were several men milling about and a few were snapping pictures.

It turns out, it was indeed the historical society, and by the time I got inside they were watching a video about the old train station.

After Doug finished showing me around the facility, explaining the history and showing me some pictures, he suggested I head over to Lehigh Avenue and take a look at the old New York Central train station, which is owned by CSX (and it's next to CSX track, which might the the route of the proposed new rail system, so if Batavia turns out to be a stop, might be the location of a future train station?).

A man in the neighborhood told me is the old train station (and hardly suitable to be a modern train station).

Across the street I found this old train rail sticking out of cement and a pile of track ties, which struck me as interesting subjects for pictures, so here you go:

Batavia man gets big win at new Yankee Stadium

By Brian Hillabush

Even though the New York Yankees couldn't get a victory to open up their new stadium Thursday, it was still a pretty big day for 1995 Notre Dame graduate Dave Pero.

Many of the former greats made an appearance, the weather was great for baseball and the local man made history.

 Pero - a high school teacher in Syracuse - was the first guy to ask his girlfriend to become his fiance at the new Yankee Stadium when he proposed to Heather DeCarolos.

"There's nothing better than to kick off this opening day and this stadium by making a commitment to my future wife," Pero told the New York Daily News.

Pero, 31, got down on one knee and popped the question while The Skycoasters - a band out of Rochester - was playing the Earth, Wind and Fire song "September" nearby. DeCarolos said yes.


"I'm stunned," DeCarolos, 23, told the Daily News. "I'm on top of the world. I can't think of a better place for this to happen."

Car strikes poll on Route 63 at Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road

By Howard B. Owens

A man from Hermitage, Penn., driving a 1996 Ford sedan reportedly didn't see a car ahead of him northbound on Route 63 and hit a utility poll after swerving to avoid rear-ending the lead car.

David M. Doxtater, 56, suffered minor cuts on his face, according to a police report.

The accident occurred at 10:05 a.m. at Route 63 and Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road.

National Grid was called to the scene to deal with the damaged utility poll.

The other vehicle, and no other vehicles were involved.

Deputy C.A. Parker investigated the accident.

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