batavia

Press Release:

GO ART! is asking the community to submit stories for our antique photos in our new Bethany Arts & Antiques Gallery.

Our executive director has painstakingly procured many antique black and white and reverse colored photographs in antique oval frames, numbered them and put them on display in our newest gallery. We are asking the community members to stop in to GO ART! check out the photographs and if you are so moved submit a story about one or more of the photos. 

After GO ART! staff reviews each story we will publish one for each of the photographs to our website. These stories can be created in your imagination or a memory about a relative. Either way, visit our website at https://goart.org/baagallery/ or come in and scan the QR code in the gallery to submit your story.

Batavia picked up its fourth win of the season with a 51-19 victory over Franklin/Northeast on Thursday.

Stats for the game:

• Karizma Wescott, six points, four rebounds, six steals; 
• Julia Clark, two points, four rebounds;
• Anna Varland, eight points, three rebounds, two assists; 
• Violet Lopez, five points and six rebounds; 
• Jaimin Macdonald, 18 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, four steals;
• Julia Preston, four points and six rebounds;
• Isabella Walsh, seven points, nine rebounds, four assists, four steals;

"We were able to jump out to an early lead by changing up our presses and controlling the tempo," said coach John McCulley. "This team has learned from every game so far. We learned we need to hit the glass better, and they did that tonight."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The water construction project that began in mid-November along a portion of downtown Bank Street is expected to be completed by the end of December, except for pavement restoration, “which would need to take place in the spring of 2024,” Public Works Director Brett Frank says.

The project included the installation of 932 linear feet of new 8-inch water main to replace existing 4- and 6-inch water mains on Bank Street from East Main Street to Washington Avenue. 

This updated infrastructure will service the future police station to be built at the corner of Bank Street and Alva Place, Frank said, but is also “a needed infrastructure upgrade of roughly 950 linear feet of water main.”

GO ART!'s annual member and staff art show opened on Thursday evening.

The show runs through Feb. 3.

Artists with work on display are:

• Justin Reynolds
• Rebecca LaFevre
• Rich Della Costa
• Mary Bryant
• Julie A Lambert
• Jodi Fisher
• Dan Hogan
• Bryan Wright
• Donald Fryling
• David Burke
• Mary Jo Whitman
• Madeleine Rush
• Judy Wenrich

Tanner Bernard Wiley, 35, of Bennington Hills, Conn., is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd, obstructing governmental administration. Kimberly Ann Brodsky, 32, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. When officers attempted to stop a vehicle reportedly driven by Wiley at 1:09 a.m. on Dec. 7, Wiley allegedly fled from the traffic stop, leading to a pursuit of the vehicle from the City of Batavia into the Town of Pembroke, where Wiley allegedly attempted to flee on foot. Wiley and Brodsky were held pending arraignment.

Robert Alva Wright, 64, of Brooklyn Street, Warsaw, Rick William Reed, 42, of Maiden Lane, North Java, and Jesse James Schmidt, are each charged with assault 2nd. The three men are accused of participating in an assault at 11:11 p.m. on Sept. 8 at 2630 Attica Road, Alexander, the location of the Hillside Tavern.  All three men were arraigned on Dec. 4 and released on their own recognizance. The incident was investigated by deputies Erik Andre and Kevin McCarthy.

Talia F. Joubert, 21, of Le Roy, is charged with DWAI Drugs, speeding, and two counts of harassment 2nd.  Joubert was arrested on Dec. 5 in connection with a traffic stop conducted by a Batavia patrol officer on Dec. 5 at an undisclosed time and location. Joubert is accused of striking two police officers while at the police station. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Brian C. Johnson, 26, of Cheektowaga, is charged with harassment 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, and obstruction of governmental administration 2nd. Johnson allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with staff at UMMC while being treated in ER. He allegedly tried to flee police when officers attempted to take him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Wayne D. Potter, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment 2nd. He was arrested on Dec. 2 after an investigation by Batavia PD into an incident reported on Nov. 4 at an undisclosed time and undisclosed location where Potter allegedly fought with another person. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Cornelius Welch, 44, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd. Welch was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during a traffic stop by Batavia PD while Welch was riding his bicycle at an undisclosed location and at an undisclosed time. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Lisa Ann Centi, undisclosed age, undisclosed residential street, of Chili, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, criminal possession of a weapon 4th, false personation, insufficient signal, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd.  Centi was arrested following a traffic stop by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at 9:58 p.m. on Dec. 1 on Forest Edge Drive, Batavia. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Kenniva Sharee Imoni Couser, 23, of Finch Street, Rochester, and Rickia Leshay Bryant, 25, of Clifford Avenue, Rochester, are charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and Bryant is charged with petit larceny. Couser and Bryant are accused of parking in a fire lane on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 2:51 p.m. on Dec. 6. There were reportedly children in the vehicle when the exterior temperature was 30 degrees.  The information related to the petit larceny charge was not released. Both were issued an appearance ticket. "Rickia Leshay Bryant" seems to be a name or a phrase.

Stacy Ramon Moss, 34, of Bates Road, Medina, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, seeding, and driving without a license. Moss was charged following a traffic stop by Deputy Stephen Smith at 2:03 a.m. on Dec. 4 on Lewiston Road, Batavia. Moss was processed at the Genesee County Jail, issued tickets, and released.

Taylor Marie Goodenow, 21, of Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with burglary 2nd, menacing 3rd, and conspiracy 4th. Riley Lucas Semaj Robinson, 19, of Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal mischief 4th, criminal mischief 3rd, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Goodenow and Robinson are accused of entering an apartment in Pavilion by force at 3:43 a.m. on Dec. 3, menacing the occupants and causing property damage.

Matthew Ryan Bankes, 36, of Mayflower Street, Rochester, is charged with DWI and speeding. Bankes was stopped at 2:52 a.m. on Dec. 10 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, by Deputy Ryan Mullen.  Bankes was issued an appearance ticket.

Sasha O. Wilson, 37, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Wilson was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 4:15 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the Town of Batavia. Wilson was issued an appearance ticket. Troopers did not release further information.

Jeanie L. Graham, 38, of Rochester, is charged with bail jumping 3rd. Graham was arrested by State Police on Dec. 11 and ordered held on cash bail. Troopers did not release further information.

In a brisk sub-30 wind, about 30 volunteers gathered in the St. Anthony’s parking lot Wednesday morning taking care of business as usual for those folks in need lined up ready and waiting along Liberty Street.

Despite the city’s request to find an alternate location for its twice-monthly food distribution, City Church instead cautiously continued on, but with more emphatic reminders for participants to be mindful of where they parked as the line slowly moved its way toward the distribution center in the parking lot. A city vehicle was spotted leaving the scene, and Pastor Ryan Macdonald confirmed that a city official had visited the lot. 

“I’m just thankful that they’re allowing us to continue,” he said. 

A week prior, City Manager Rachael Tabelski confirmed that the city requested that City Church find another location for its distribution due to neighborhood and school complaints about traffic issues as a result of participants that line up on the street for the distribution early in the morning. 

Macdonald objected to the request for reasons including Becca Albrecht and Mattie Cooper. The women have no vehicles and have walked to get their food rations ever since the distribution began during COVID, they said. Both agreed they don’t know what they would do without the extra help.

“Me and my husband are on disability and have nine grandkids that we help out. One nine-year-old stays with me,” she said. “I get juices and vegetables. And sometimes we have cleaning products that they gave out this weekend. And it's just a big help in the community. We’re seniors, and we don't get enough for Social Security, you know. Even though we have two incomes coming in, it's so hard, because with all the medication and all, so you figure this here is a big help from the grocery store because the price of groceries is just outrageous.

“And I just love this church, the stuff they do. So I rent from the church,” she said. “So it’s really nice, it would be a blessing if they leave this here. Oh, we need it. We walk here every week.”

Albrecht’s husband works 40 hours a week, and they can still use all the help they can get, she said, to offset rising food costs for their family, which includes two little ones. 

“Ryan, he’s great, he does so much for this community. And, you know, to take it away, it would be heartbreaking, because us families need it in this time, it’s everything. It definitely helps with the food costs,” she said. 

She could understand that for residents on the street, there may be some issues with traffic congestion, but added another viewpoint.

“I mean, I'm sure for some people that live on Liberty, it’s a hassle. But, you know, if you think about it, we need to help one another and just be kind to each other, especially those, you know, Ryan and Pastor Marty are trying to help the community to get through to the needy families that need it,” she said.

They each had a small child’s wagon to haul the food back to their apartments, as did others who walked to the pick-up. Megan Little doesn’t have a vehicle either, and she walks everywhere, including to her job at a nearby restaurant. 

“I’ve come to the food distribution twice, but I've been coming to City Church, the service at 10 o'clock down at City Church, for about a year now. And because my stepson’s grandma is big in the City Church, and works with Ryan and stuff, and I got sober last year, and so I’m just trying to do this new way of life,” she said. “This is amazing how many people they help every every week. Like hundreds, if not thousands. It means a lot because right now my husband is not with us right now. He's gonna be away for a year, and so this is gonna help me a lot, especially around the holidays, and you get all kinds of stuff. They have fresh fruit, canned stuff. It's amazing.”

Some 100 vehicles had lined up along Liberty Street by 9 a.m. Most of them appeared to be parked in between driveways as instructed.  A woman who was parked toward the front of the line couldn’t understand the city’s reaction to the distribution.

“I’m really shocked that they said that,” she said, asking that her name not be used. “I go to the church. I like it here, I don’t see why they would have to move; it seems like it’s organized to me.” 

A big part of the organization system can be attributed to the volunteers that show up to stack the food in a long row, bag the loose items and prepare everything so that people can simply drive up and get their allotment and go so as not to create a disruption in the flow. 

Volunteer Sandy Wojtasczyk walked the line to get names and mark how many adults and children were in each. 

“And reminding them not to be parked in driveways or crosswalks,” she said. “And I help to give food out.”

Some vehicles had two families, and some participants will also distribute the food to the Little Free Pantry at First Presbyterian Church and to other organizations and neighbors in need, she said. 

Fellow volunteer Jennifer Reed has been helping out for about a year and a half and has been attending the church for 18 years. 

“I’ve observed all types of things: I've seen people crying, I've seen people overjoyed that they're getting assistance, with help getting food. I mean, it's just been a blessing to me as well as the people that come through the line,” Reed said. “I’ve never seen an issue with traffic, I mean, I've done everything from walking the streets, taking people's names that are going through the line, just observing, that nobody has been blocking driveways or blocking streets.

“And with the rise of food costs, this has been a blessing to the community. I mean, I have friends myself that come from Le Roy, and Wyoming. I've had people come as far as Attica. So people are coming from all over the region to get help with food.”

Former City Councilwoman Rosemary Christian, who represented that neighborhood’s Ward Six, reached out to The Batavian to voice her dismay about the city’s request to move the distribution. She has suffered some health issues and could not attend a council meeting in person, but wanted to urge others to consider doing so.

“The city streets belong to everyone who pays taxes, and those people all pay taxes too. The problem is, they can’t give up two and a half hours to help give people food?” Christian said. “It’s ridiculous, and they ought to be ashamed of themselves. I hope people will be there to protest this council so people will be able to get food.”

The Batavian has contacted Tabelski for an update on the city’s request and will add that to this article once received. 

The food for the distribution is funded by “the City Church family, USDA, Foodlink and other financial partners,” Macdonald said.

Photos by Howard Owens

Students at John Kennedy Intermediate School had a big holiday-themed message for first responders on Tuesday morning: Thank you.

The students expressed their appreciation for the help and support the school gets from City Fire and Batavia PD at school events, notably the JK Polar Plunge, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Golisano Holiday Toy Drive, Careers and Candy, Fire Safety, and the Mud Run.

Click here for 43 Prospect Avenue, Batavia.
Click here for 5444 School Road, Byron.

Local businessman Pete Zeliff confirmed Monday that although he has put his Saile Drive property up for sale, he plans to remain in the area and be involved with his Genesee County endeavors.

Zeliff’s home at 4559 W. Saile Drive in Batavia has been listed by Michelle Dills at Howard Hanna for $3.5 million. He and his wife Doreen married in July and have homes in five states between them, he said, “because we’ve got grandchildren in almost all those places.”

“We’re just going to consolidate a bit. I don’t need this great big house here, along with everything else,” he said. “So I’ve got other homes here, and I just figured if I put this one up for sale, I don’t have this big house to take care of. We can stay in another place that I have.”

They will continue to be part of the Wings Over Batavia Air Show in 2024, as Zeliff explained that much of his own personal financial investment was because “we brought that air show back here for the community.”

He also plans to remain involved in a longtime annual Western New York Aviation Adventure Camp for high school students that he developed, and will be working on new construction of apartments with partner Ken Mistler with the Carr’s Reborn project on Main Street in downtown Batavia next month, he said.

Zeilif is also chairman of the board of directors for the Genesee Economic Development Center, with a term that expires in 2028, and serves on the United Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors. He is a recipient of the 2022 Health and Humanitarian Award and has been a supporter of many community charitable organizations. He is also a former Oakfield-Alabama Central Schools board member.

The property listed for sale is just down the road from Zeliff’s airport hangar on Saile Drive and is situated on 5.8 acres of land. So far, it has reaped some chatter on social media sites, which Zeliff indicated he has seen.

By a vote of seven to one, City Council agreed to the second three-year contract for current City Manager Rachael Tabelski during Monday’s business meeting.

The contract, effective March 8, 2024, includes a starting salary of $123,290. That salary takes effect April 1.  Subsequent salaries will be equivalent of the percent of nonunion pay raises in 2025 and 2026 in accordance with the city’s normal payroll practices for other non-union employees of the city of Batavia.

During the Nov. 27 City Council meeting, member Bob Bialkowski raised the issue of tying Tabelski’s salary to other nonunion employees and suggested that her salary instead be a stand-alone salary, raise and benefits. Council President Eugene Jankowski said that he agreed with the contract as is, and the remaining council members agreed with him.

The vote came before the council Monday evening, and Councilman Bob Bialkowski again voiced his objection.

“I’ll restate what I’ve stated in the past, no reflection on the city manager, whatsoever, but it should be a totally stand-alone contact, it shouldn’t be tied in with other employees,” Bialkowski said just before the vote at City Hall. (Editor's Note: this statement has been revised because it was misinterpreted in the original version.)

Members John Canale, Rich Richmond, Eugene Jankowski, Paul Viele, David Twichell, Al McGinnis and Kathy Briggs voted yes to Bialkowski’s no. Councilwoman Tammy Schmidt was absent.

Tabelski was appointed as city manager in March 2021 after working as interim manager since June 2020. 

As per other non-union employees, the contract also includes retirement benefits, medical insurance from the employer that agrees to provide for health, hospitalization, surgical, vision, dental and comprehensive medical insurance for the employee, spouse and her dependent children;  paid time off of five weeks equal to 25 work days, in addition to accrued sick, personal and/or bereavement time, allowances of costs associated with a “suitable automobile for the business use only of employee,” that shall include commuting to and from work and not for personal use.

The employer shall also provide the employee with a cell phone, which may be used for business and personal use, or a $100 monthly stipend, and reimbursement of any travel and business expenses incurred on behalf of the city, life insurance benefits, deferred compensation access of 4 percent of the annual salary to be contributed to the deferred compensation of employee; professional development of dues, subscriptions, travel and expenses for the manager for professional participation and travel, meetings, and occasions necessary to continue her professional development.

The position includes a background check and understanding that suspension with full pay and benefits at the discretion of City Council and termination are options under Chapter Five of the Batavia City Charter and/or if the voters of the city substantially change the form of government of the city and the manager elects to treat that amendment or change as an act terminating her employment; plus a slew of other reasons, including that the manager dies or becomes disabled; admits to, is convicted of or pleads solo contendere to any crime which is injurious to the interests, business, operations or reputation of the city or which involves moral turpitude or which involves the misuse or misappropriation of public funds, engages in illegal drug use, misconduct in connection with the performance of her duties, misrepresentation to the city, fraud, misappropriation of city assets or property, embezzlement, breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the city or any violation of any law or regulations to which the city is subject, engages in any intentional or grossly negligent act, omission or conduct that is injurious to the interests, business, operations or reputation of the city, or materially breaches this agreement.

The manager may terminate the agreement at any time and for any reason as long as she provides the city with advance, written notice of at least 60 days before the termination of the agreement, unless the parties agree in writing otherwise.

In the first year of employment, the manager shall receive a verbal informal review from the city on a quarterly basis, and in the second year receive an annual review on or about March 8. City Council is to provide Tabelski with a written statement of the findings and provide an adequate opportunity for her to discuss the evaluation with council.

Calling it “the most fun and entertaining series we’ve ever had,” Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. President Henry Wojtaszek (photo above) this morning unveiled a nine-week, 14-performer Rockin’ the Downs 2024 Summer Concert Series.

The Friday night series begins on June 21 with Smash Mouth, the California-based rock band that made a big splash in the 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as “Walkin' on the Sun,” “All-Star,” “Then the Morning Comes,” and a cover of The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.”

It concludes on Aug. 16 with a trio of acts featuring former members of the legendary Boston (Tommy DeCarlo), Chicago (Jason Scheff) and Dennis DeYoung of Styx (August Zadra).

In between, there will be six “tribute” bands showcasing the music of Heart, The Guess Who, The Doors, Jimmy Buffett, Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty, along with April Wine, country star Clay Walker, The Bacon Brothers (featuring Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon) and 38 Special.

Batavia Downs' press release indicated that the Bacon Brothers -- Kevin and Michael, an Emmy Award-winning composer), have spent the better part of three decades creating their own mix of folk, rock, soul, and country music, a diverse sound they call "forosoco."  The Landsharks Band (tribute to Jimmy Buffett) will open the show.

“When I say the most fun and entertaining, it’s because of the ‘sing-along’ nature of the music,” Wojtaszek said following a brief press conference at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road. “The audience is going to know most of the songs and surely will have a great time.”

The concert series lineup is as follows:

-- June 21, Smash Mouth.
-- June 28, Barracuda (Heart tribute).
-- July 5, April Wine and Carl Dixon (The Guess Who tribute).
-- July 12, Clay Walker.
-- July 19, Peace Frog (The Doors tribute).
-- July 26, The Bacon Brothers, Landsharks Band (Jimmy Buffett tribute).
-- Aug. 2, Rumours (Fleetwood Mac tribute), Practically Petty (Tom Petty tribute).
-- Aug. 9, 38 Special.
-- Aug. 16, Tommy DeCarlo (music of Boston), Jason Scheff (music of Chicago), August Zadra (music of Styx).

Tickets at four price points (General Admission, VIP, Premium and Front Row) can be purchased after 10 a.m. Tuesday by going to www.bataviaconcerts.com.

Tickets are $15 for General Admission, $30 for VIP, $60 for Premium and $75 for front row seats.  All tickets can be redeemed at Player’s Club at any time in the three days following the concert for $10 Free Play.

A season pass for general admission will be $100 (a savings of $20), and season passes for VIP tickets are $200 (a savings of $40). A Premium Season Pass is $400 (a savings of $80). Season passes may only be purchased online.

Until New Year’s Day, tickets purchased online or at the Lucky Treasures Gift shop for the General Admission section will be only $10.  Concertgoers will still receive $10 in Free Play on show day with this ticket.

Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Visit us online and stay up to date with specials post on our facebook page.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors advanced an initial resolution for Graham Corporation’s proposed new commercial production facility at the agency’s board meeting on Thursday, December 7th, 2023.

Graham Corporation is a global leader in the design and manufacture of mission critical fluid, power, heat transfer, and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy, and process industries. The project will add to the company’s existing location in the city of Batavia where it has been headquartered since 1942.

The $13.9 million proposed investment includes the construction of an 18,900 sq. ft. expansion intended to reduce design and manufacturing costs and improve shipping capabilities for the organization’s US defense sector. The project will create 24 new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions while retaining 340 FTEs.

Graham Corporation is seeking sales tax exemptions estimated at $206,400 and a property tax abatement estimated at $197,826 based on an incremental increase in assessed value totaling the proposed financial agreements to approximately $404,226. For every $1 of public benefit, Graham is investing $68 into the local economy resulting in a local economic impact of $19.44 million in future wages and tax revenue.

A public hearing for the proposed project agreements will be scheduled in the city of Batavia.

Press Release:

Would you love to grow nutritious, great-tasting vegetables but don’t have space for a garden? The Batavia Community Garden can help! Come join our Batavia Community Garden in 2024 and enjoy the benefits of growing and eating your own fresh produce. Bed rentals also make the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite gardener. Join a community of gardeners.

Garden plots are offered in three sizes: 4’ x 4’ ($20), 4’ x 8’ ($30), and 2’ x 10’ ($25) trough plots for gardeners with limited range of motion. All plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Plot rentals are available to anyone living in Genesee County. Currently managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, the garden is located next to 12 MacArthur Drive. The garden generally opens for planting in mid-May and closes in late October.

New gardeners (with little or no gardening experience) can rent one 4’ x 4’ plot. Gardeners with gardening experience can rent up to two 4’ x 4’ plots or one 4’ x 8’ plot. Elevated trough beds (for adaptive gardening needs) are limited to one bed per gardener if available. Potential gardeners should review the Batavia Community Garden Rules and Information before applying. 

Plot fees include access to a raised bed filled with a growing soil mix, access to water source with hose, watering wand, and watering cans; use of provided hand tools; use of compost bin, and other resources at the garden.

Plot requests are filled according to the order in which applications are received. A check or money order must be included with the application. Payments of cash can be made at the CCE Genesee office during business hours at 420 E Main St, Batavia. All fees are non-refundable. 

For more information please contact Laura G. at CCE Genesee County, (585) 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the CCE office at 420 East Main Street in Batavia or visit the website https://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/gardening/the-batavia-community-garden.

On Saturday, the Walmart in Batavia hosted Shop with a Cop, the annual event that pairs children who may not have funds for Christmas presents, either for themselves or as gifts for others, with a local police officer.

This year, participating agencies were Batavia PD, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and Le Roy PD.  

Photos by Howard Owens.

Genesee County residents were once again generous in their giving for the annual WBTA/Ken Barrett Chevrolet Toy Drive on Friday.  The Salvation Army will distribute the gifts to area children.