batavia

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

I am running for election to the Genesee County Legislature for District 8, which includes Wards 2 and 3 in the City of Batavia. I am asking the citizens of Batavia to support my candidacy because I am committed to being a strong advocate for the city at the county level. My experience on city council, and especially my time as council president, has given me insight into the issues that affect the people of Batavia.  

During my time on council, I have advocated for conservative budgeting and an increase in government efficiency. We have planned for the future by establishing reserve funds as well as focusing on infrastructure improvements. I will continue to advocate for those priorities at the county level. I will also work with the members of the legislature to lobby for fair policies that do not place undue burdens on municipalities. We must fight for mandate relief.

A key issue that I will address is that of economic development. I was appointed this year to the governor’s Economic Development Council for the Finger Lakes Region. The city council was also successful in establishing a partnership with the EDC to secure an economic development coordinator for the City of Batavia. I support a cooperative effort to bring the resources of the GCEDC together with that of the city economic development coordinator to develop projects which broaden the county’s tax base and create jobs inside the City of Batavia.

I am excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Genesee County Legislature. I promise to continue to work hard and to thoughtfully consider each decision with the people of Batavia in mind. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Your vote is important. Please vote on Election Day!

A lifelong Batavia resident, who was at a house on Central Avenue in March when a search by law enforcement allegedly found a quantity of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, entered a guilty plea to a drug charge Monday morning.

Eric P. Williams was among three people arrested at 29 Central Ave., Batavia, on March 12.

The 45-year-old Williams, who was born in Batavia, admitted to attempted possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, telling Noonan that he knew he illegally possessed cocaine with an aggregate weight of 1.5 ounces or more.

He faces a sentence of two to eight years in state prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Jan. 3.

Williams is currently in custody at the Genesee County Jail.

Arrested with Williams were Derek Leach, 31, of 29 Central Ave. and Randy G. Leach II, 24, of 58 S. Main St. The status of their cases is not immediately available.

It was a weekend of wins and records for student athletes in Genesee County, with Le Roy Girls Volleyball and three cross-country runners picking up sectional titles.

In volleyball, Le Roy girls won their second straight Section V title with a 3-0 win over Williamson Central. Kaitlyn Tyler had 16 kills and Montana Vestovi added 24 assists for Le Roy (15-4). Le Roy will face Waterloo Tuesday in the Class C regional qualifier at Cal-Mum.

With a time of 16:02 Jeffrey Antolos of Notre Dame claimed a Class D cross-country title. Anna Warner took a girls Class DD title with a time of 19:47. Pavilion's  Liz Valento took a Class D title with a time of 19:02.

Notre Dame won the Class DD team championship with 71 points.

Other top finishers in their classes include: Pembroke’s Randi Rudnik (17:47) in ninth; Andrew Fischer, Notre Dame, fifth (17:12); Oakfield-Alabama's Connor George (17:16), sixth; and teammate Gabe Bender, seventh (17:18).

In swimming, Batavia's Catherine McAllister, Sarah DiBacco, Helen Zickl and Alayna Mlodozeniec set a Batavia school record in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:47.30, which placed them in fifth in their sectional meet.

In other sectional action, Pavilion Girls Volleyball lost to Cal-Mum in a Class CC final match. BHS Girls Volleyball dropped a Class B final to Wayne Central, 4-1. Notre Dame's girls dropped a qualifer match to Harley-Allendale-Columbia, 3-2.

Photos submitted by Bare Antolos. Top photo: Coach Eric Geitner displays the Section V Class DD Coach of the Year award along with his own champions, junior Jeffrey Antolos and freshman Anna Warner. The two of them will be joined at the XC State Championships next Saturday at Verona High School, with senior Andrew Fischer who is holding the ND Boys Section V Class DD Championship trophy.

Six weeks since opening, Krista Maniscalco, left, says business is good at her new deli on Oak Street, even without much promotion.

Gigi's is in the former location of Salome's and features subs, hot sandwiches and pizza, all made from fresh ingredients and cooked to order.

Maniscalco, pictured with her mother Linda Sprung, said opening in Batavia -- her husband, Charles, owns Scooter's in Le Roy -- means she has to emphasize quality.

"Here you have competition everywhere, so you've got to be a cut above," Maniscalco said.

She then added, "faith and family is a big part of what we do."

An ATV rider on an newer model green four-wheeler reportedly tried to run down a deputy somewhere on the east side of Batavia near Route 5.

We're not sure where or how the initial call started, but there were two four-wheelers in the area and when approached by a deputy, they took off in opposite directions.

One reportedly headed straight toward a deputy.

The ATV was last seen on Seven Springs Road doing donuts.

State Police offered to send in a helicopter to assist in the search, but a deputy said, "they're long gone."

The ATV has green and black, with flared mud flaps. The rider is wearing black. Both riders were white and wearing helmets.

The riders were apparently in a wooded area on foot, before hopping on their ATVs and riding off.

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here is the response from Bob Bialkowski, candidate for city council, 4th Ward.

The primary reason why I should receive your vote is:

I have worked very hard during my first term on city council to represent the citizens of the 4th Ward. My track record is a 100-percent attendance rate at council meetings. I have demonstrated how I respond to all my constituent concerns and have made myself totally available to all the residents of the ward.

My voting record is very conservative with taxpayer’s interest always in mind.

In response to your request of what key issue would be priority and how it would “be tackled."

This is a bit more difficult as city council has numerous priority-one issues to deal with.

The key major issues that are of concern to me are:

• Economic and business development and retention to include employment
• Downtown improvement
• Infrastructure
• Neighborhood improvement
• Crime prevention

We on city council have addressed these issues by:

• Hiring an economic development director
• Forming a strategic plan for the city
• Initiating an infrastructure plan
• Expanding and staffing our code department

I intend to follow these plans closely and ensure that we adhere to our goals.
With the present economy, we are tasked with some great economic challenges in the near future.

I am strongly against the typical government attitude of trying to fix problems by throwing the taxpayers' hard earned money at them. 

Most importantly, I strongly oppose tax increases that are unjustified.

In conclusion, I am a strong advocate for my constituents and for the citizens of the City of Batavia. I am honored to serve this wonderful city and look forward to Batavia’s best days to come.

Please vote for me on Election Day so that I may continue to represent you for the next four years.

Thank you for allowing me to comment on this forum.

This weekend, the First Presbyterian Church on East Main Street, Batavia, is hosting a Fine Arts Festival. The annual festival has traditionally featured arts and crafts from world cultures, but this year the organizers included local artists. Church choirs will provide a concert at 3 p.m., Sunday.

This week workers have been repairing the corner of the facade of the building at Main and Jackson streets. The century-old facade of the former Bank of Genesee had expanded away from the brick and masons restored it to its former look. The building is owned by Ken Mistler.

City police are being sent to the parking lot of the old market on the corner of Ellicott and Jackson to talk to a person in a beige car about an animal complaint. The person wants to report seeing a black and white "terrier-style" dog walking on the roof.

The site has been for the birds for quite some time. Has it now gone to the dogs, too?

The United Way Backpack Program received a donation today from the Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football Program today. The Bulldawgs played Le Roy in a special fundraiser game this past weekend and collected nonperishable food donations and cash donations for the program. It provides a backpack filled with food to underprivileged children each Friday. The backpack is designed to provide meals and snacks for the family over the weekend. Pictured are John Reigle, left, Matt Dellapenna, Lori Stupp, Paul Grazioplene and Ken Proefrock. Stupp is the United Way's backpack volunteer coordinator.

A two-car accident has been reported on West Main Street Road in the area of WNY Fireplace Outlet.

Minor injuries are reported.

One person is out of her car and walking around.

The accident is blocking West Main Street Road.

Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Below is the response from Katie Balbick Bellamy, candidate for Ward 3, Batavia City Council:

Q. What is the primary reason you should get our vote?

I was born and raised in Batavia and have lived here for most of my life. I believe in this city and want to help to proactively solve problems, create new business opportunities and good-paying jobs and overall make Batavia a safe and excellent place to live and raise a family.

I am concerned, willing to work, positive, open-minded and a team player who works together toward a common goal. My education and college degree is in the business area where I have worked since graduation and I know my background will help me on council.

Most of all, I love Batavia and the surrounding area and have a stake in this community. My family and I chose Batavia as the place where we wanted to live. That choice alone is the best reason to demonstrate my resolve and commitment to fulfill the promises I have made to this community if I am elected to serve on city council.

Q. What is the key issue you wish to tackle during your term in office, and how will you go about it?

My top priority for 2012 would be to ensure Batavia remains a great community and place to live. I would fight to keep taxes low and work hard for sidewalks on all city streets, fixing of deteriorated potholes, alcohol and tobacco free parks, promote business opportunities, create good-paying jobs and make sure there are opportunities and incentives for our young people to stay in this community.

I would like to ask you to support me in the upcoming election on November 8th. As a mother with a young family, I believe in our city and want to help make Batavia a better place to live. I would like to make sure the dollars we pay in taxes are spent in a worthwhile and careful manner by city council. I want to live in a safe city and encourage job development. I want to be a part of the process of exploring how the city and town can share resources and consolidate areas where possible to the benefit of both.

If I am elected, I will do my utmost to serve the residents of the 3rd Ward as your city council representative.

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here's the response from John Deleo, candidate for county legislature, District 7.

I am running for District 7 Genesee County Legislator because I want to give back to the community.  I was born and raised in both the 1st and 6th wards, and have lived here my whole life. I love this city and Genesee County. I worked with my father in the family business, Deleo's, a tavern that was located first on Ellicott Street, then moved to Main Street. When the business closed because of family illness, I began working for the NYS Department of Correctional Services. I just retired this year. My children still live in the area and I want them to stay, yet I see how hard it is to do that with the economy.

I was an employee assistance program coordinator, working with people and helping them find the resources to address their personal problems. I really enjoy interacting with people and helping them.

Having served on the last City Charter Commission, I worked to streamline our city government and make it more efficient. I currently serve on the Batavia City Planning Board, helping both people and businesses.

I don't owe anybody anything except the voters.

I believe that you don't lay people off as proposed by the county and not share the pain. That's why I will fight for a 10-percent cut in the pay legislators receive and end other perks. Again, you have to take cuts yourself if you lay off dedicated county staff.

Genesee County is a wonderful place to live, but it is facing hard financial times. The economic recession, a limited tax base, a state tax cap and increasing state mandates have put a squeeze on our budget. As a result, Genesee County might lay off more than 20 people. I want to make sure that if there are layoffs, public safety is not endangered.

I want to end the practice of giving kids our tax money that they use to "learn how to budget" by shopping in Monroe County. That is outrageous.

I will fight to see the NYS auditors recommendations on reforming the Genesee County Economic Development Committee (GCEDC) put in place. No more bonuses and perks. I want all job creation claims verified and want the public to know if the jobs are really new or just relocated around the area.

I feel the proposed Genesee County tax on our cars is wrong. Working families cannot afford another new tax and I will fight it.

I will work hard and do my best for you, if through the grace of God and voters, I am fortunate enough to be allowed to serve you in the legislature. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Dan Herberger is trained to save lives. It's what he's paid to do.

Recently, though, the unassuming nine-year-veteran of the Batavia Fire Department saved a life while on vacation.

Returning with his family from Disney World, Herberger was in the Orlando airport with his parents, wife and children.  

Part of the group wanted hamburgers and fries for dinner, and the rest wanted something a little more substantial.

While Herberger waited in a line with his dad, he noticed a woman by a kiosk collapse.

"The lady just collapsed," Herberger said. "It wasn't a weak-kneed faint. She just went down."

Herberger was among several people who rushed to her side. As he looked at her, he could tell she wasn't breathing. He asked somebody to call 9-1-1 and asked others to try and find a defibrillator.

When he check the woman's artery for a pulse, there was none.

Herberger began CPR.

Right then, a registered nurse emerged from the crowd to assist him.

A short time later the defibrillator arrived. The nurse applied one paddle, Herberger the other. They waited for the machine to give the signal for a shock, and applied it. Then Herberger started chest compressions again. After a minute, he checked for a pulse again, and the defibrillator indicated the woman had regained a strong, steady pulse.

Herberger filled in emergency dispatchers on what he and the nurse did. He said when he was a paramedic for the city, he liked having information about a situation before arriving on scene, so he passed along what he knew.

Within minutes local firefighters were on scene and took control of the situation.

Herberger went back to the business of getting his meal before boarding his flight. He said as he was boarding, the firefighters were still on scene with the woman tending to her. She was on a stretcher with her head slightly elevated, which tells him she was probably doing OK at that point.

He hasn't checked on her condition, he said, because that feels too much like he's trying to take credit.

The local attention isn't something he's sought out, but said, "I made the mistake of telling one of my buddies on an off day."

That led to Chief Jim Maxwell finding out, who wanted to ensure Herberger got some recognition for his swift work to revive the woman.

"It's something anybody else would have done if they had been there," Herberger said. "If I hadn't have been there, somebody else would have done it. That nurse was only 30 seconds behind me. She would have done it."

Becky Smith, of Bergen, is the lucky winner of an iPad following a drawing at Main St. Pizza Company. Owner Vic Marchese gave away the iPad as part of a promotion honoring National Pizza Month in October. Customers were able to fill out registration forms at the restaurant and Smith's slip was selected in a random drawing.

A barn fire is reported at 9262 Dorman Road in the Town of Batavia. It was possibly ignited when a motorhome caught fire. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding along with a tanker from Alexander.

UPDATE 2:32 p.m.: The chief reports the fire is under control.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: All units back in service.

Annette Joy Waleski, 45, of South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny, possession of burglar tools and criminal mischief, 4th. Waleski is accused of trying to stealing $399.77 worth of merchandise from Kmart. Waleski allegedly used a cutting tool in the process of the attempted thefts.

Lindsay Ann Skivington, 24, of Cook Road, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Skivington is accused of allowing her infant child into contact with the infant's father, Michael Jamil, in violation of an order of protection. Skivington allegedly brought the child to Jamil's residence.

Philip R. Ayala, 25, of Melville Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ayala was allegedly observed by members of the Local Drug Task Force smoking marijuana while in a vehicle on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. Following a traffic stop, Ayala was allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Uniformed deputies assisted in the arrest.

We've asked each of the candidates in the city council and county legislature races to answer a couple of questions regarding why they're running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Election Day is Tuesday.

Here's the response from Kris Doeringer, 1st Ward, Batavia City Council:

The key issue for Batavia is to make our city a place where people will want to live and work. This means keeping our city safe and secure, provide the services that people want, and to bring jobs and services into the city. While this is a big task, you can only get there by taking one step at a time.

The first step we need to take is to control spending and keeping our taxes down. From speaking with people in the 1st Ward, people do not mind paying taxes as long as they are getting their money's worth for those taxes.

We need to keep those services that are essential to keep the city safe and secure. Because who wants to live somewhere that is not safe?

We need to make Batavia a place where people want to open businesses and provide jobs. Creating economic development is essential to getting our city to move forward. We have resources in place, now we must make sure that they are doing the job.

In order to achieve these goals, I will work to keep pressure on the people that are responsible for making it happen. I will bring suggestions not only from myself but from the people of Batavia. People I have spoken with have had great ideas that need to be brought before the city. I would like to continue hearing from everyone about any ideas they make have.

I own my own home, business, and I am raising my family here in Batavia. I have everything to gain for myself and my children by making Batavia a better place. By voting for me, I promise to work hard to fulfill my promises to you and to my family for making Batavia the best it can be.