batavia

Batavia's assistant city manager is leaving the area to take a job as city manager in a city of 21,000 people in Alabama at an annual salary of $136,000.

That's more than a $50,000 boost in pay for Gretchen DiFante, who is originally from the State of Alabama.

DiFinate became Batavia's assistant city manager in 2014 and is credited with, among other things, putting together a program to help reduce the cost of flood insurance for local property owners who need it.

She is scheduled to start her new job Aug. 21 in Pelham, Ala., according to the Shelby County Reporter.

The newspaper reported that DiFante was selected over two other finalists candidates who already live and work in the area.

Council President Rick Hayes said DiFante stood out to him as being an excellent communicator and a detailed person who likes to dig in and find the best solution. He said she also brings extensive strategic planning experience, which will be a major asset for the city.

“She has a significant amount of corporate consulting and government experience, which is rare to find,” Hayes said.

From talking to her, Hayes said he could tell that she is a dynamic person who would bring passion to the job.

DiFante holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from Auburn University and a master's degree in Management from Keuka College.

Batavia City Manager Jason Molino said the city will seek to fill the assistant manager position with DiFante's departure. He also issued this statement:

Gretchen has been an outstanding contributor to the community and has set a high standard of leadership in the organization.

Aside from leading the City’s Department of Administrative Services, Gretchen has been responsible for: developing the City’s Strategic Plan that has been recognized as a best practice by the International City/County Management Association; leading the City’s efforts to instill a culture of safety, contributing to a reduction of over $200,000 in workers' compensation premiums; and spearheading the City’s Community Rating Service (CRS) team that reduced flood premiums by 15 percent for property owners in the floodplain, earning the City one of the best CRS ratings in the State.

Most of all, Gretchen and her family have been committed members to the community for over 20 years. She and her family will be greatly missed and we wish them the best on their new endeavors in Alabama.

A new project with the hope of brightening people’s days will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, where Kim Argenta will host and teach a class to paint rocks, and place them all throughout Batavia.  

Argenta, owner of Art Ah La Carte in Batavia, got the idea from her friend, Kelly Carlie, who runs a similar project in Le Roy, called “Le Roy Rocks.” She saw the post on Facebook and thought it was really cool. This is part of the nationwide project, “The Kindness Rocks Project.”

“I want to place them randomly throughout Batavia hoping that other communities will jump on board,” Argenta said.

Participants pay $5 to cover the paint and supplies, and bring a rock. Right now, there are three sessions, on July 13, July 27 and Aug. 17, from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. The sessions are held at Art Ah La Carte in Batavia at 39 Jackson St.

The $5 cost does not even cover all of the supplies, Argenta said. Each set of oil-based markers cost around $65 and she purchases paints, brushes, primer and sealer as well.

“This is nonprofit,” Argenta said. “I am making nothing from this. I just want to spread art and happiness.”

For those interested, they can call Argenta at Art Ah La Carte at 245-1655.

Argenta is proud of the fact that she is self-taught. She learned everything from teaching herself and doing. She started Art Ah La Carte in October almost nine years ago, when she wanted to offer Batavia something different.

“I wanted kids that weren’t into sports to have another option,” Argenta said. “I truly believe the arts are important for academics and the well-rounded individual.”

Press release:

UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia has added RapidArc technology to its linear accelerator, the machine that delivers beams of high-energy radiation to treat a variety of cancers.

With RapidArc, the radiation beam is shaped and reshaped to tumor’s contours as the treatment is delivered in a seamless 360-degree rotation of the machine. It allows the radiation to be delivered in small, multiple doses with increased precision.

For patients, this means that each treatment will take less time, alleviating the need to hold still for long periods, and the additional precision protects healthy tissue, leading to fewer side effects. This technology can be used for many types of cancer.

“RapidArc is a system that allows this dose to be delivered over a smooth rotation of the machine rather than what we call stop-and-shoot radiation treatment,” says Kevin Mudd, M.D., radiation oncologist at Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia.

Typically, radiation treatments would require several movements of the treatment gantry, stopping each time to target the next portion of the tumor, which could take 10 minutes or more, Mudd says. RapidArc requires only one or two non-stop rotations of the machine to deliver the same treatment in less time — as little as two to four minutes.

That time difference can be very important for patients, who must lie completely still during treatment.

“Prostate cancer patients, for example, must receive their radiation treatments with a full bladder, and cutting their treatment time in half makes the experience much more comfortable,” says Megan Menzie, RTT, lead radiation therapist.

During its nonstop rotation, RapidArc automatically shapes the radiation beam to fit the contours of the tumor, keeping it tightly focused and protecting nearby healthy tissue. This precision is especially important for patients with head and neck cancers, for example, whose salivary glands, taste buds and spinal cord need to be protected.

“This is the only RapidArc between Buffalo and Rochester, and we’re pretty excited to have it here in Batavia,” Mudd says.

A two-car accident is reported at Richmond Avenue and State Street. Police are on scene and Mercy medics are called for patient evaluation. City fire is also responding.

UPDATE 1:38 p.m.: City Engine 11 returning to service.

Announcement: 

From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo:

Fellow New Yorker,

New York is one of the largest dairy producers in the country, being home to nearly 5,000 dairy farms and more than 600,000 dairy cows.

And the majority of the farms in the state are family-run operations -- that's why it's crucial the state invest in hard working New York families and ensure they have the support they need to succeed.

Tomorrow, I am announcing the details of a new partnership that will create hundreds of new jobs at an idle dairy facility in New York.

Join me tomorrow, July 11th at 12:30 p.m. as I unveil the details of this new investment.

WHAT: Announcing new investment in New York dairy industry
WHEN: Tuesday, July 11th at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park
5140 Ag Park Drive, Batavia 14020

Thank you for your support, ever upward.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Dana Ryan, 39, of Galloway Road, Alabama, is charged with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny. An investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office was initiated after two complaints reported to the Sheriff's Office, one in the Town of Pembroke, the other in the Town of Batavia. The complaints concerned payments which were allegedly made to Ryan by two different customers pursuant to construction contracts for work agreed upon but not completed. It is alleged that the payments to Ryan for home-improvement contracts were not allocated into a proper account and that these funds were used by the defendant for purposes other than the agreed upon work. The time frame of the allegations in the complaints, according to the Sheriff's Office news release, is February 2016 through May (2017). Ryan is due in Town of Pembroke Court on July 11 and in Town of Batavia Court on July 13. The case was investigated by Sheriff's Office Investigator J.M. Graff, assisted by Deputy K.M. McCarthy.

Danny D. Williams Sr., 28, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, second-degree menacing, and endangering the welfare of a child -- a child less than 17 years old. The charges stem from an incident which occurred at 8:01 p.m. on June 9 on Central Avenue, Batavia. It is alleged that Williams pulled a knife on an individual during an altercation and that there was a child in close proximity at the time. He was jailed in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond and was due in Batavia City Court on July 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Dustin L. Landin, 38, of Sierk Road, Attica, is charged with grand larceny -- value greater than $1,000. Landin was arrested for allegedly stealing money/property from a local business at 8:20 p.m. on June 28 on East Main Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court on July 11. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk, assisted by officer Stephen Cronmiller.

Christopher Harris Pompa, 45, of Byron Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test, and speeding. At 6:16 p.m. on July 8 on South Lake Road in Bergen,  the defendant was stopped in the Village of Bergen following the observation of an alleged traffic violation. The defendant was arraigned on the charges and then released on his own recognizance. He is due in Bergen Town Court on July 19. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Joseph K. Schlossel, 58, of Linwood Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: moving from lane unsafely; backing unsafely; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle; and DWI -- first offense. The charges stem from a one-car accident that occurred at 11:45 a.m. on March 11 on Clifton Avenue in Batavia. He was issued tickets and released and is due in City Court July 12. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer James DeFreze, assisted by Officer Nicole McGinnis.

Salvatore M. Schwable, 19, no permanent address, is charged with failure to appear. He was arrested on a bench warrant out of City Court for failure to appear for a scheduled court appearance and jailed on July 6 in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bond. He was due back in court on July 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards.

Salvatore M. Schwable, 19, no permanent address, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and two counts of petit larceny. The charges stem from an incident at McDonald's on East Main Street in Batavia at 6:33 p.m. on May 12. It is alleged that Schwable took property from three different individuals without their permission. The defendant was jailed without bail and was due back in court on July 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards.

Felicia Dianne Swartenberg, 20, of Willowbrook Road, Brockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding. At 9:51 p.m. July 8, the defendant was stopped on Waterman Road in the Town of Stafford for an alleged vehicle and traffic violation. The defendant allegedly possessed a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Swartzenberg is due in Stafford Town Court on Aug. 1 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Lindsay Rae Crist, 20, of Redman Road, Brockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 9:51 p.m. July 8, the defendant was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped on Waterman Road in the Town of Stafford for an alleged vehicle and traffic violation. The defendant allegedly possessed a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Crist is due in Stafford Town Court on Aug. 1 to answer the charge. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

Press release:

Noonan Drive will be closed on Thursday, July 13, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for cold milling operations.

While work is being performed in this area, the roadway will be closed to all through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during cold milling operations.

This is weather-dependent work. If work is postponed, it will progress next on the work day. Please, plan accordingly and contact the Bureau of Maintenance with any questions. Thank you for your cooperation in advance. 

Chris Bauer, a member of the Explorer troop sponsored by Batavia PD, got to play the bad guy during a demonstration of police dog work at Batavia High School on Sunday evening.

Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 "Destro" showed the Explorers how a police dog takes down a criminal suspect, hunts for drugs, seeks out a human hiding from police, and can find fresh human scent.

In each scenario, Erion had a different pattern of commands and motions, and a different toy for Destro's reward, so Destro would know which task he was supposed to perform in which circumstance. Destro is motivated to get that toy, his favorite being an old piece of fire hose he gets after finding drugs.

Erion spoke with the students about the value of dogs in police work, which not only makes it easier to find drugs, evidence, and people, K-9s have a great calming effect in disturbances involving combative suspects. 

Destro searching for drugs. He's close. The sample of meth was in the mate to this Nike sneaker.

Destro with his fire hose toy.

Erion with the tennis ball used when he wants Destro to search for fresh human scent. This search might be used to find an item a criminal suspect might have left behind while fleeing from a scene. We saw Destro display this skill in January 2014 when he found a note dropped by a robbery suspect near the crime scene.

Destro alerting on a wallet that had been dropped in the grass by one of the Explorers.

The Sheriff's Office dedicated two new signs in the garden outside the department's Park Road office this afternoon to the memory of William H. Johnson, who died in 1895, and Raymond F. Thompson, who died in 2002.

Pictured above, Deputy Brian Thompson on the left, with Undersheriff Greg Walker, and on the right, other members of the Thompson family with Sheriff William Sheron.

Brian Thompson is Raymond's brother. Raymond served eight years in the USAF in Security Police, then returned home, working in a couple of different manufacturing jobs before joining the Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer. He died on duty a few years later of a heart attack at the age of 37.

The dedication service comes on the third anniversary of the death of Deputy Frank Bordonaro, who is also honored with a sign in his memory in the garden.

The ceremony was followed by lunch for all in attendance, with hot dogs, hamburgers and sausage grilled by, from left, Undersheriff Greg Walker, Chief Deputy Jerry Brewster, and Sheriff Bill Sheron.

Saturday morning, Siobhan Larkin (left) and Jennifer Petry (right) celebrated their grand opening of a holistic home goods store, Hearth & Soul, located at 214 Ellicott St. in Batavia.

Hearth & Soul offers handmade Bohemian décor, holistic accessories, jewelry, organic skin care, clothing and more. 

Petry said the building recently got a new coat of paint, just in time for the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Visitors enjoyed wine tastings, courtesy of Christine Crocker, owner of The Yngodess Shop on Main Street, music from local artist Justin Reynolds, and light hors d’oeuvres.

(name redacted upon request), 19, and (name redacted upon request), 18, both of Pacecrest Court, West Seneca, are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. At 8:02 p.m. on July 3, the driver, (name redacted upon request), was stopped on Clinton Street Road in the Town of Batavia following the observation of an alleged vehicle and traffic violation. At the time, both (name redacted upon request) and (name redacted upon request) allegedly possessed a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The defendants were issued appearance tickets for Town of Batavia Court on July 31. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong and Deputy Michael Lute.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider approving incentives for three projects at its meeting on Thursday, July 13, in the Innovation Zone board room on 99 Medtech Drive, starting at 4 p.m.

The Board will vote on whether to approve incentives for a $7.1 million expansion for a new 40,000-square-foot warehouse and service center for West Seneca-based Freightliner Western Star.

The expansion will create 24 new jobs and the center will be located adjacent to the New York State Thruway and next door to the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP).

The GVEP graduates are seen as an "ideal" workforce for the new facility. Freightliner Western Star is seeking approximately $662,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The popular Coach Tony’s, which makes a wide variety of food sauces, is seeking to expand its operations in the Town of Bergen. The company is expanding and planning on constructing a 5,000-square-foot building on three acres at Apple Tree Acres. The project will create three new jobs. Coach Tony’s is seeking approximately $50,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

The third project for consideration by the GCEDC is a $170,749 GAIN! loan fund for First Light Creamery in East Bethany. The loan will be used to assist with its existing production of goats' milk cheese from local distribution to regional distribution by adding to their barn, and associated infrastructure, to house more goats.

The GCEDC Board meeting is open to the public.

Press release:

New York State, as part of the Adopted 2017/18 State Budget, included another mandate on all local governments, and possibly school districts. It is the requirement to discuss and develop shared service ideas and plans for eventual submittal to the Genesee County Legislature in August/September. Then, these must be submitted to the NYS Department of State by Oct. 15.

Part of the process for discussing and developing these public-sector shared-service plans is to have public meetings/opportunities for citizen input. These provide forums to take suggestions on opportunities for possible public-sector shared services that have not already been put forth or are not already in place.

In order to satisfy this public-forum mandate, the GC Legislature will hold an open comment period at the beginning of each of its next three legislative body meetings. These will take place at approximately 5 p.m. on July 12, July 17, and Aug. 9 in the third-floor chambers of the Old Courthouse, located at 7 Main St. in the City of Batavia.

A car vs. pedestrian accident with injuries is reported in front of the Movies in Motion shop at 511 E. Main St. between McKinley Avenue and Harvester Avenue. City fire is responding along with an ambulance from Alexander.

UPDATE 5:07 p.m.: Law enforcement arrived on scene and the patient was GOA -- "Gone on Arrival." The scene is clear.