batavia

A mediator could help resolve the long-simmering dispute between the City of Batavia and the Mall Merchant's Association, City Manager Jason Molino said this morning during an on-air interview on WBTA's Main and Center.

The bickering and lawsuits and counter-lawsuits are leading nowhere, Molino suggested. They won't lead to a resolution that satisfies all parties. A mediator would have a better chance and an equitable solution.

“When litigation is filed, it is on a narrow scope of issues and if it ever goes to trial and has a determination, the determination is going to be on that narrow scope of issues, and generally, on anything, there is more to it than just those narrow scope of issues and in this case, there is a lot more to it," Molino said.

The city and the Mall Merchants Association have been locked in a dispute for several years over who is responsible for the maintenance of the roof over the mall concourse.

The merchants claim the city owns the concourse and should repair or replace the roof.

The city maintains the merchants failed to properly maintain the roof.

Molino said he would like to see the case go to a mediator.

“Can there be a mediator? Yes, absolutely," Molino said. "Is that something we’re looking to do? Yes, it is.”

So far, no mediator has been appointed.

The city owns the Mall Concourse. The stores and offices in the mall are individually owned.

Sometime around 5 p.m., a truck carrying crates of tomatoes dumped a few boxes in the curve where Walnut becomes South Main in Batavia. A witness told police, the driver stopped, gathered his empty crates and left the tomatoes in the roadway. Police responded to a report of a "dangerous condition" and requested city DPW to the scene for clean up. The tomatoes were hauled to the city's compost heap. The driver, who left the scene, could not be identified.

MOTHER'S DAY 3-COURSE BREAKFAST - Seatings at 9  & 11 a.m. ~ $13.95 
~ Something to Start ~  Choice of Entree ~ Something to Finish ~

• Filet & Eggs ~ a grilled petit filet, any style eggs, home fried potatoes and Texas toast. 
• Black Forest Waffles ~ fluffy dark chocolate waffles topped with a cherry glaze and homemade crème served with breakfast sausage. 
• Stuffed French Toast ~ thick slices of cinnamon egg-dipped toast stuffed w/Nutella and topped with fresh strawberries and crème served with breakfast sausage. 
• Baguette Omelet ~ farm fresh eggs, veggies and cheese baked into crusty baguette bread served with breakfast sausage and home fried potatoes. 
• Children's menu available.

MOTHER'S DAY 3-COURSE LUNCH - Seatings at 1 & 3 p.m. ~ $16.95
~ Something to Start ~ Choice of Entree ~ Something to Finish ~

• Tuscan Pasta ~ homemade angel hair and grilled chicken topped with a creamy Alfredo, sundried tomatoes and broccoli.
• Greek Platter ~ marinated, grilled chicken & pork kabobs atop Greek rice, served with Greek potatoes and tzatziki sauce.
• Steak Rolls ~ sautéed, julienned vegetables wrapped in flank steak and grilled, served on garlic mashed and topped with a balsamic glaze.
• Lobster Rolls ~ New England-style rolls stuffed w/Maine lobster, served w/homemade cole slaw and hushpuppies.
• Children's menu available.

MOTHER'S DAY 3-COURSE DINNER - Seatings at 4 & 6 p.m. ~ $19.95
~ Something to Start ~ Choice of Entree ~ Something to Finish ~

• Stuffed Pork Tenderloin ~ butterflied pork stuffed with spinach, apples and wrapped in prosciutto, served w/garlic mashed and seasonal vegetable.
• Chicken French ~ boneless, skinless breast dipped in egg and cheese, sautéed in garlic, white wine & lemon served on angel hair pasta w/artichokes.
• Italian Trio ~ homemade lasagna, chicken parmesan and fresh made gnocchi w/our traditional red sauce.
• Surf and Turf ~ a juicy, thick, grilled strip steak and roasted jumbo shrimp served atop parmesan risotto.
• Children's menu available.

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The Batavia High School Class of 2016 is sponsoring a Food Truck Rodeo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday at the high school. Participating vendors include Papa Gig's Gourmet Italian, The Brunch Box, Bento Box Asian Cuisine and Smoothies Plus. There will be live music and entertainment for children. Proceeds benefit the Class of 2016.

In the photo: Simran Rathod, Noah Dobbertin, Alexis Vasciannie and Ross Chua.

Press release:

The City of Batavia was awarded a $200,000 grant to foster the development of new and expanding small businesses that will improve the community. Per Federal grantor requirements, the City has coordinated capacity-building training in order to make grants available to entrepreneur participants and those willing to promote employment opportunities for persons of low-moderate income families.

“Knowing we have market opportunities, this grant enables the City to coordinate instructional training to help people develop their business ideas and learn what it takes to be successful from veteran business owners,” said City Manager Jason Molino. “The classroom interactions will supplement the existing services already provided by the Chamber, Small Business Development Center and SCORE.”

To meet national program objectives, the City of Batavia partnered with the BEST Center at Genesee Community College and the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) to offer a three-part “Owning Your Own Business” series designed to inspire creativity, fine-tune skills, and find where passion and work intersect. At the end, new and expanding businesses in the City having fewer than five employees may be eligible to access grants up to $15,000.

The initial program started April 22nd as a series of one-hour sessions where participants assessed their personal readiness to own and operate a new business and explored business opportunities. The final Part I session is next week, "The Sniff Test: assessing your business idea!" In the class setting, participants will pinpoint a target audience, evaluate the idea, navigate the competitive landscape and determine next steps.

The final Part I series is Wednesday, May 13, from noon -1 p.m. in the second floor community room at Batavia City Hall. Pre-register for $5 online at http://www.genesee.edu/best/ or pay $10 at the door. Light refreshments available.

Get Underway -- Small Business Ownership Part II begins Wednesday, May 27th . This weekly evening session goes beyond the basics to help participants fully develop a business concept and transition into becoming a business manager.

These five weekly Wednesday evening sessions are mandatory if participants want to access grant resources available through the City of Batavia Microenterprise Grant Program. The sessions run from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room T121 of the Conable Technology Building on GCC’s Batavia campus.

They include:

• May 27
• June 3
• June 10
• June 17
• June 24

-- Trials, tribulations & skills of a successful business leader Marketing strategies to increase sales;

-- Using financial information to guide my business Learning to “manage” a business;

-- Business plan presentation and networking costs $125 and students will receive a certificate upon successful completion.

The five-week course registration is also available online at http://www.genesee.edu/best/.

The City has offered small business loans and grants for over a decade resulting in more than $5,000,000 public-private investments. The $200,000 grant and the Small Business Ownership series is funded by the New York State Office of Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant.

Sponsorship space available. For applications and information, contact Laurie Oltramari at 585-344-0900. Click here to purchase your tickets today or visit Angotti Beverages at 61 Jackson Street in Batavia!

An unknown-type fire is reported near a residence at 4596 East Road. Town of Batavia Fire Department is responding. The location is between Creek and Putnam roads.

UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: The fire is out. The East Road assignment is in service.

Press release:

Stephen M. Hawley, chairman of the Town of Batavia Republican Committee, announced the endorsed candidates for the upcoming 2015 Election:

Legislator, District No. 4, Towns of Batavia and Stafford --  Andrew Young

Batavia Town Justice --  Michael Cleveland

Batavia Town Council --  Chad Zambito and Sharon White

The Committee currently has three vacancies. Anyone wishing to serve their community in this capacity should send a letter to the Chairman, Steve Hawley at P.O. Box 1733, Batavia, NY  14021. This is a good opportunity to learn more about your Town and be part of the election process.

Letters of interest to serve as Election Inspectors at the upcoming election will also be accepted by Chairman Hawley.

The Annual Town of Batavia Republican Picnic at the Kiwanis/Town Park will be held on Friday June 12th at 5 p.m. till dark. All residents are invited to join us, meet the candidates and start the summer season off with hot dogs, salads, beans and desserts at the park. Tickets at $10 per person are available from all Town Committee people or by calling Kathy at 762-8239.

The Committee is also seeking nominations for our annual “Community Service Award,” which is presented at the Picnic. You can obtain a nomination form from Teressa Morasco, town clerk. Nominations are accepted from Town residents who would like to recognize someone who exemplifies service to the Town and people of our community.

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider a project from Depew, Lancaster & Western Railroad at its May 7 board meeting.

Depew, Lancaster & Western Railroad is planning to purchase additional equipment to include one specialized forklift and two track vehicles for servicing truck and rail service at the transload warehouse facility in the City of Batavia. The projected capital investment is approximately $118,000. The company has applied to the GCEDC for a sales tax exemption of $9,512.

The GCEDC Board meeting will take place at 4 p.m. and is open to the public. Meetings are held at the Innovation Zone Conference Room at MedTech Centre -- 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia, on the first floor, across from Genesee Community College.

A three-vehicle accident, unknown injuries, blocking traffic, is reported at 4028 Main St. Road in front of Dickinson's Auto Services. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: Town chief on scene says crews will need brooms and some "floor dry."

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: Howard at the scene says he was told that a car went to make a left-hand turn; the vehicle behind it stopped to accommodate that, but the third vehicle rear-ended the second vehicle, which, in turn, rear-ended the first vehicle that had attempted to make the turn. No injuries. Scene is now clear. Assignment back in service.

Press release:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the nation’s largest single employer of nurses, joins the American Nurses Association in honoring America’s nurses dedicated to saving lives and maintaining the health of millions of individuals during National Nurses Week, May 6-12.

This year’s Nurses Week theme is “Ethical Practice, Quality Care” and VA health care facilities throughout the country will pay tribute to their 90,000 nurses who VA Western New York Healthcare System Nurse Executive Patricia Lind calls “the Nursing Heroes who care for America’s Heroes.”

Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as Nurse Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. During this week, nurses at VA Western New York Healthcare System will be honored with award ceremonies.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs Award for Excellence in Nursing is given to a VA nurse or nursing assistant once in their nursing career and recognizes exemplary nursing care given to Veterans and their families. VA Western New York Healthcare System is pleased to announce the 2015 Nursing Excellence recipients.

Cindy Norton-Ortiz, registered nurse, works as a nurse manager in the Maple Lodge Community Living Center in Batavia. Cindy resides in East Bethany.

Peggy Stanley, registered nurse, cares for veterans who reside in the Willow Lodge Community Living Center in Buffalo. Peggy is a resident of Akron.

Lucy Stevens, licensed practical nurse, care for veterans who reside in the Oak Lodge Community Living Center in Buffalo. Lucy resides in Elba.

Carla Dobbs, nursing assistant, works in the Adult Day Health Care program. Carla is a resident of Buffalo.

National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care profession, work to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities, to primary care where health promotion is encouraged, to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society and its veterans.

A total of 285 votes turned out for Tuesday's Richmond Memorial Library budget vote, passing the spending plan by a wide margin.

In all, 246 yes votes were recorded.

The budget increases spending by $25,870.

The lone candidate for a trustee's position, Michael Rivers, was elected with 266 votes.

Residents in the Batavia City School District are eligible to vote. There are 10,532 registered voters in the district.

Alec R. Sass, a sophomore at Clarence High School, performed a 45-minute bagpipe show at the Richmond Memorial Library last night. In all, 50 people attended the performance, which included the songs "Scots Wha Hae and "Amazing Grace."

Photos submitted by Craig Gillard.

Press release:

On Sunday May 3rd, the New York Conference of Mayor’s (NYCOM) recognized the City of Batavia with a Local Government Achievement Award for its Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal and Rate Plan that was developed and adopted by City Council this past March. Batavia was one of four cities and three villages within New York State to receive awards from NYCOM that demonstrate a significant and innovative project that has improved the quality of life within a community or demonstrates shared services and increasing government efficiency.

Cities and villages across New York are confronted by assets that are deteriorating due to environmental conditions and normal wear and tear. Without proper maintenance and ongoing capital reinvestment, increased failure rates and declining levels of service (e.g., wastewater backups, water service interruptions) will inevitably result. Many communities, particularly in Western and Central New York, have also seen a considerable reduction in water consumption during recent years. Unfortunately, this trend results in diminished revenues and puts pressure on water and wastewater rates.

The City of Batavia developed an Infrastructure Renewal and Rate Plan that identifies the City’s water and wastewater capital needs and associated revenue requirements going forward. Moreover, the Plan responsibly addresses the capital reinvestment requirements of both systems in a manageable and affordable manner.

“Having NYCOM recognize Batavia for our proactive capital planning is an honor and a privilege. We have worked hard to ensure we provide quality services to our residents through cost effective means,” said Brooks Hawley, City Council president. “Having our peers from across the State recognize us for our effort is reassuring that what we are doing in Batavia is right.”

The City Council adopted the proposed Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal and Rate Plan with this year’s budget. The Plan calls for $22 million of capital improvements to the City’s water and wastewater plants and systems while projecting an additional per-user cost of $1 a month.

Two women are stuck in an elevator at 316 E. Main St. City firefighters are responding. The elevator is in the back of the building.

UPDATE 7:29 p.m.: The women are out of the elevator and the city assignment is back in service.

A car vs. pedestrian accident is reported at Liberty and South Jackson streets, but police on scene say Mercy medics can respond non-emergency mode.