batavia

Press release:

On Wednesday July 16th the City refunded (refinanced) the current City Centre debt service. This effort refinanced approximately $4,050,000 of general obligation bonds that financed the construction of the City Centre in 2004.

These bonds were issued by USDA Rural Development, and at the time were considered low interest at 4 percent. However, much like refinancing your own home mortgage, refinancing the City's outstanding bonds will reduce the interest paid over the life of the loan. The refunding was approved by City Council on April 8, 2013, and the City along with its financial advisors, Municipal Solutions, Inc., have been monitoring bond market rates for over the past year to find the time when market rates would be at their lowest level to maximize the savings to the City's taxpayers.

Interest rates on municipal bonds are very favorable at this time and the savings realized by refunding the outstanding bonds now resulted in more than $73,000 in increased budgetary savings compared to rates that were presented to City Council one year ago. In total, this refunding has saved the City approximately $303,000 in interest payments during the remaining 21-year life of the reissued bond, ending in 2036.

The Batavia boys U-12 soccer team beat le Roy 3-0 on Thursday evening to complete an undefeated season in Rochester District Youth Soccer League, Division 4.

Photos by Barbara Paserk.

• All Day - Magical John | Entertainment Tent
• 10am - 4-H Horse Show Fitting, Showmanship & Western | Horse Ring
• 11am - EXHIBIT HALLS AND BUILDINGS OPEN
• 1pm - MIDWAY OPENS | Amusement Area
• 1-7pm - Mr. Scribbles | Exhibition Bldg.
• 1pm - 4-H & Open Class Beef Show & Showmanship | Show Ring
• 3-6pm - GPS & Solar Fun Fest | Merton Building
• 3pm - 4-H Goat Obstacle Course Contest | Livestock Building
• 5:30 pm - 4-H Tractor Driving Contest - Via Pre Registration | Kennedy Building
• 6pm - NIOGA Jr. Showmanship
• 6pm - 4-H Dog Show
• 7pm - COUNTY FAIR GRAND DEMOLITION DERBY | Grandstand
• 7pm - Beer Tent Opens
• 8-11pm - Paul Cumming’s & Friends – Local Country Music Artist | Beer Tent
• 10pm - EXHIBIT HALLS AND BUILDINGS CLOSE

Dont Forget about Saturday's ESP Tractor Pulls!

There have been reports of some mysterious cloud of gas -- or a gas smell -- in the East Pembroke area, according to the dispatch center, but no origin for the smell has been found.

East Pembroke Fire Department was dispatched to locate the source and is back in service.

"They've exhausted all leads," according to a dispather.

Roadway paving on Otis Street in the city, which was scheduled for tomorrow, July 18, has been rescheduled. The work will be done between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, July 21-22. Residents should not park on the roadway and are asked to park on neighboring streets during the closure.

Likewise, there will be lane reductions and traffic delays on South Jackson Street from Chestnut / Jackson streets to Otis due to paving work also rescheduled for 7 a.m. to  5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Lastly, work on Union Street from West Main to Richmond Avenue that was planned for July 17 has been changed to Monday. This work will close the roadway to all traffic from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents should not park on the roadway and are asked to park on neighboring streets during the closure.

In each case, all motorists need to seek alternate routes.

*Weather delay would be the next business day.

Questions? Call the Bureau of Maintenance at 345-6400, ext. #1.

Yet another fine day at the Genesee County Fair. Fairgoers strolled lazily under blue skies, dotted with white billowing clouds, as the scent of fried dough and sausage hung in the air, enticing passersby to just try a little taste. 

The day’s events included Draft Horse Show Hitch Classes, Swine Breeds and Showmanship, musical entertainment by Monster Johnson, and rounding out the day - the Fair Queen crowning of winner Courtney Jones. 

The 18-year-old Batavia native is a recent graduate of Batavia High School and a Rustic Riders Horse Club member. Jones will be attending Niagara University this fall where her course study includes early childhood and early childhood education.

The runner-up was Heather Dries.

Winners in the pageant’s other categories included:

— Princess — Lauren Hull, winner, Rebekah Allen, runner-up.

— Junior Princess — Karly Smith, winner, Emily Boldt, runner-up.

—  Little Miss — Eva Marie Rhoads, winner, Madelynn Pimm, runner-up.

Others awarded included Emily Boldt - Miss Congeniality and Rebekah Allen - the Tooley Memorial Award.

The Fair runs through July 19 with a variety of events and displays scheduled throughout the day. For event information visit http://gcfair.com/Home/FairInformation/DailySchedule.aspx .

• All Day - Magical John - Entertainment Tent
• 9am - 4-H Dairy Show & Showmanship | Show Ring
• 9am - 4-H Horses In Place
• 10am - 4-H Horse Show, Fitting, Showmanship and English | Horse Ring
• 11am - EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS OPEN
• 1pm - 4-H Goat Knowledge Olympics Contest | Livestock Building
• 2pm - 4-H Horse Show Dressage Classes | Horse Ring
• 5pm - MIDWAY OPENS | Amusement Area
• 5:30-7pm 4-H Market Animal Auction Buyers Dinner
• 6pm - RACEWAY 5 SPECIAL STOCK CAR RACES | Grandstand
• 6:30pm - “Genesee’s Got Talent” Talent Showcase | Entertainment Tent Stage
• 7pm - 4-H Market Animal Auction | Show Ring
• 8pm -Beer Tent Opens
• 8-11pm - Barnstorm – Country Band | Beer Tent
• 10pm - EXHIBIT HALLS & BUILDINGS CLOSE

Nathan L. Royse, 22, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 1st, criminal mischief, 4th, assault, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Royse allegedly entered a residence on Wood Street at 10:10 p.m. July 9 with two or three other assailants and assaulted the residents and damaged property. A snow shovel was allegedly used as a weapon. Two people were injured. A child was allegedly present during the assault. Royse turned himself in on the charges.

Samantha Laura Kopacz, 18, of Geise Road, Attica, and a 17-year-old resident of Bailey Street, Cowlesville, are charged with criminal tampering, 3rd. The duo are accused vandalizing Alexander School by writing on numerous windows and doors with window paint and spreading a substantial amount of paper throughout the grounds. 

Christina A. Deluna, 34, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation. Deluna was was stopped at 12:43 p.m. Tuesday on West Middlebury Road, Town of Middlebury, by a Wyoming County deputy. Deluna was allegedly driving on a suspended license due to a lapse in insurance coverage.

Rachell O. Soggs, 26, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Soggs is accused of stealing a pair of socks from Dollar General.

Troy D. Schimley, 21, of Sandpit Road, Alexander, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a pair of 2 to 6 a.m. parking tickets. Schimley was released on cash bail.

Kelly J. Rhim, 35, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Rhim is accused of shoplifting from Tops Market.

Juan Antonio Roman Jr., 36, of Portland Avenue, Rochester, is charged with three counts of criminal contempt, 2nd. Roman was allegedly found at the residence of a protected party.

Matthew P. Lenhard, 28, of Corfu, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Lenhard was arrested by State Police for an alleged burglary reported at 2:30 p.m. on March 24. No further details released.

Erica M. Raphael, 29, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Raphael is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Roger E. Godfrey, 66, of Le Roy, is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis. Godfrey was arrested on Harris Road on July 11 by State Police. No further details released.

Kavin M. Lampman, 41, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Lampman was stopped 9:12 p.m. Saturday on Alleghany Road, Indian Falls, by State Police.

Jason M. Thomason, 32, of Wheatfield, is charged with DWI. Thomason was stopped at 11:50 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Darien, by State Police.

This is the second classic car I've seen in Batavia this summer with a flat black paint job. It's a nice look, I think.

This Chevy was parked on Center Street late this afternoon.

A school supply drive for K-12 students starts today at La Mexicana, Inc., a small grocery store located in the Valu Plaza, behind McDonald's in Batavia.

It is sponsored by La Mexicana, Inc., The KinderArt Klub, and Batavia resident Jill Hart, an agent of RealtyUSA.

Donations will be collected through Friday, Aug. 8, every day except Tuesdays. Regular store hours are noon to 6 p.m., closed Tuesdays, and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

After the drive is through, the supplies will be organized and a school supply store will be set up where parents can shop for free.

The shopping days are set for Wednesday, Aug. 27, through Thursday, Aug. 28, from 12 to 6 p.m. at La Mexicana, 4125 W. Main St.

If you have questions, please contact Danielle at 813-2891 or e-mail at <daniellerenea9@gmail.com>

Donations should be new or in "like new" condition. Here's is a list of supplies wanted, but donations need not be limited to them.

• Crayons
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Highlighters
• Loose paper
• Composition notebooks
• Spiral notebooks
• Pencils
• Pencil sharpeners
• Erasers
• Blue or black ink pens
• 1-inch binders
• 2-inch binders
• Dividers
• Adhesive divider tabs
• Pencil pouches
• Backpacks
• Locker organizers
• Calculators
• 3-ring hole punch (for binder items, paper, etc.)
• Rulers
• Liquid all-purpose glue
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Individually packaged snacks
• Kleenex packets
• White Out Tape (no liquid)
• Book covers
• School assignment calendars / planners

Press release:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the post-game helicopter candy drop scheduled for Sunday, July 20th has been postponed. It has been rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24th, at the Muckdogs vs. Mahoning Valley game at 1:05 p.m.

Tickets for that game, and all other home games, can be purchased at the Dwyer Stadium Box Office or over the phone by calling (585) 343-5454. Normal box office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Muckdogs return home tonight to take on the Lowell Spinners, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, at 7:05 p.m.

Genesee County celebrates its 175th anniversary of its County Fair. With Midway hawkers enticing passersby to test their luck at games of chance and carnival rides ready for riders, and 4-H groups showcasing various farm animals, there is no shortage of entertainment at the fairgrounds. 

Marlene Morris, of Batavia, has been traversing the fair on and off for the past 10 years.

“I’m personal friends with the clowns,” Morris said. “But I also came for the parade.”

Morris also enjoys perusing the animal enclosures and notes that the animals seem to be well cared for.

“4-H changes kids so much,” Morris said. “It takes so much responsibility to care for the animals.

“The best part of the fair, though,” Morris continued, “is seeing how much the kids enjoy the fair.”

The Fair runs through July 19 with a variety of events and displays scheduled throughout the day. For event information visit http://gcfair.com/Home/FairInformation/DailySchedule.aspx .

A truck hauling a travel trailer overturned on the Thruway this morning in the area of mile marker 392.3 in the westbound lane.

No injuries were reported, though the passenger had a complaint of head pain.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS responded.

The call was dispatched at 6:57 a.m.

Photos courtesy Town of Batavia Fire Department.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of death of Summer Ogden, the 38-year-old Batavia woman who was found unresponsive Sunday evening on the steps of 131 Jackson St.

Batavia detectives attended an autopsy today at the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office, but Det. Eric Hill said, with tests still pending, there is nothing to report from the autopsy yet.

Hill said investigators have not determined exactly how much time elapsed from the moment Odgen collapsed until police were called, but they do not believe it was a long interval.

"It was a relative short time between the time a couple of witnesses saw her awake and OK and when they got back and saw her passed out," Hill said.

The call for an unresponsive female came in at about 7:19 p.m., Sunday.

Foul play has not been ruled out, but it's not considered a likely scenario, Hill said.

"We're certainly not closing that door, because we don't know what happened," Hill said. "It's something we're still keeping open, but it's not really an active aspect that we're definitively pursuing."

Ogden was well known to veteran police officers who had numerous encounters with her while intoxicated, Hill confirmed, but it's unclear what role, if any, alcohol may have had in Ogden's death.

"That's why we're sending everything out for tox," Hill said.

Ogden's boyfriend, Eric Duda, is one of the residents at 131 Jackson St. Hill said it's unknown if Ogden had been visiting or intended on visiting Duda on Sunday evening.

The couple have had mutual orders of protection in place and both had been previously charged with violating the orders.

Hill said the investigation is continuing and Ogden's death is receiving a full and complete investigation in an attempt to determine exactly what happened.

"Anybody who is in this situation is a victim," Hill said. "It doesn't matter if we've had contact with you in the past or we've had no contact with you. Ultimately, it comes down to the same level of service we offer to everyone. You could be suspect yesterday and a victim today. You still get he same level of service."

Early this morning, an inmate was discovered hanging by a bed sheet inside his cell at the Genesee County Jail.

The 36-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Karen Lang.

The Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation into the death.

His name is not being released pending notification of relatives.

The inmate was found by a correctional officer at 12:34 a.m.

Attempts to revive the individual were unsuccessful.

City fire and Mercy EMS responded to the emergency. 

An autopsy will be performed by the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office.

The inmate was recently arrested on a felony charge and was being held on bail.

The investigation is continuing.

Jeffrey Cornell Nelson, 46, of Coretta Scott Crossing, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Nelson is accused of stealing a Stihl HS81T hedge trimmer from the rear of a landscape truck while the crew was working at ESL Credit Union. The alleged theft was reported at 11:32 a.m. Monday.

Paul Robert Benson, 33, of Sprucewood Terrace, Williamsville, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, uninspected motor vehicle and following too closely. Benson was stopped at 11:46 p.m. July 2 on Genesee Street, Darien, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

On a 5-3 vote, the City Council agreed Monday to give City Manager Jason Molino a 2.5 percent raise, retroactive to April 1.

It was a merit raise, said Councilman John Canale.

Councilman Eugene Jankowski expressed concern that the public hasn't been given adequate opportunity to hear from council members on why Molino deserves a raise and to voice their own opinions.

"At this point, we're limiting ourselves to only one discussion," Jankowski said. "It sends a message of some kind of exception being made and I don't think that's the case. It's just an oversight."

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian also objected to the seeming lack of public discussion prior to the vote.

"This was all handled in executive session and never brought to the floor for any kind of discussion," Christian said. "You can't vote for spending public monies without a discussion, so we should have the discussion and take it from there."

City Attorney George Van Ness explained to council members that Molino's raise this time around is being handled no different than it's been handled in the past and no different from any other employees or any labor agreement.

The particulars are discussed in open session, a consensus is reached among council members, and then a vote is held at a business meeting, where more discussion can take place -- as was taking place Monday night -- before the vote.

"Matters related to the employment issues of a particular individual are appropriately discussed in an executive session," Van Ness said. "If it comes to a situation where there's a decision about the award of or wage adjustment, that's a matter that's presented for public discussion and a public vote. That's what's teed up here this evening."

Councilman John Deleo missed Monday's meeting because of another obligation, but provided Jankowski with a written statement on his behalf objecting to the raise and stating that the hiring of an assistant city manager was supposedly intended to lesson Molino's workload.

Councilman Kris Doeringer said he believed that was a misstatement of why an assistant city manager was hired.

"She was hired to do more work, not lesson Jason's workload," Doeringer said. "We were concerned about Jason's workload and everything he needs to get done and everything the city needs to get done to move forward."

Councilwoman Patti Pacino said the merit of the raise was discussed extensively over two executive sessions.

"We did talk at length," Pacino said. "We discussed whether we should give him a raise or not give him a raise, what did he do to deserve a raise. We really discussed it all. I understand we should bring it out in the open and people can say negative things as well, but we really did discuss this a lot."

Members Kathy Briggs, Jankowski and Christian all voted no on giving Molino a raise.

With the pending acquisition of Time Warner Cable by Comcast, the City of Batavia will have an opportunity to comment on the merger as well as renegotiate its franchise agreement for cable television service in the city.

Typically, municipalities enter into franchise agreements with cable providers that determine infrastructure specifications as well as some services the provider might offer along with fees the cable operator pays to the city.

Currently, the city gets $200,000 a year from Time Warner, but the franchise agreement expired a decade ago and has just been automatically renewed without revision by the state's Public Service Commission.

"Time Warner is noncompliant with some franchise benefits," the City Manager told the council Monday night. "We haven't had negotiations since 1993. There are a number of improvements that need to be made."

Comcast contacted the city and expressed an interest in working with the city on a new agreement and gave notice that the city has 120 days to comment to the FCC on the proposed merger.

Both providing comment to the FCC and negotiating a new franchise agreement are specialized, complicated legal issues and the city will likely need to retain the services of an attorney who is expert in the field, Molino said.

The city must also appoint members to the Cable Television Advisory Board, which has been dominant so long, the terms for all the previous members have expired. The city will be inviting residents to apply for seats on the board.

The cable franchise agreement covers terms such as access to cable service throughout the city, franchise fees, construction standards, indemnification and insurance requirements, underground facilities, installation of services, operation and maintenance.

Among the services a municipality can require a cable operator to provide what is known as PEG channels (public, education, government), something that Time Warner hasn't fully provided to Batavia.

A public access channel, for example, would allow local residents to make their own TV shows in the cable operator's local studio. Schools could broadcast plays.  Politicians and the politically minded could host talk shows. Local bands could air concerts. Churches could broadcast their services. Pastors could conduct Bible studies. Historians could provide lectures. The whacky and insane could find an audience, too, as long as it wasn't profane.

Councilman Eugene Jankowski raised the issue during Monday's discussion in response to a question from a constituent. Molino said the topic is certainly one the city -- and the cable advisory board -- could address with Comcast. It would be one more point of negotiation.

Three of the city's recent retirees were honored by the City Council on Monday night with signed proclamations recognizing their years of service to the city.

Above, retired police Det. Pat Corona.

Retired Det. Chuck Dudek with Councilwoman Kathy Briggs.

Bill Ficarella, former Bureau of Maintenance supervisor, with Councilman John Canale.