batavia

A possible serious injury accident involving two-vehicles is reported in the city at 123 S. Swan St. Police, fire and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:34 p.m.: A code enforcement officer is called to the scene.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.: Two sedans collided in front of the Polish Falcons of America Nest in Batavia, which caused one vehicle to slam into the front porch at 129 S. Swan.

UPDATE 11:47 p.m.: Both drivers, the sole occupants, were able to self extricate from their vehicles and neither sustained serious injuries.

UPDATE 11:51 p.m.: It appears one driver will be a sign-off and the other will be transported to UMMC for evaluation.

UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: One vehicle was northbound on South Swan Street; the other was southbound. The investigation continues to determine if one of the cars was making a turn into the parking lot when the collision occurred.

UPDATE 12:08 a.m.: City firefighters are expected to be on the scene for awhile because they have to deploy air bags under the damaged porch in order to remove the vehicle so it can be towed. They will then have to put wood supports in place to temporarily prop up the porch.

Photo, from left: Joy and Bill Hume Foxprowl Collectibles owners, Shane Dreyer Work Experience participant, and Jeffrey Young Employment and Training counselor.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County Job Development Bureau announces Foxprowl Collectables as Business of the Month for October.

The Business of the Month was introduced to acknowledge the exceptional work and the results gained by the contributions of local businesses to the development of a skilled workforce.

The bureau congratulates Foxprowl Collectables for being selected as the inaugural winner of this award and we wish them the best for the future. 

Businesses are nominated based on their demonstrated commitment to the growth of our workforce and thus the well-being of the county.

The Business of the Month Award seeks to recognize contributions to providing paid/unpaid work experiences that allow job seekers to gain experience and develop their skills.

We also consider mentorship, career tracks, innovation in recruitment, hiring, and/or retention, utilization of the One Stop Services, and a commitment to workforce retention in selecting our award winner each month. 

Jeff Young, Employment and Training counselor, says he's proud of his connection to Foxprowl Collectables, which is located at 440 Ellicott St. in the City of Batavia.

“Mr. Hume sets aside time to teach and mentor our customer," Young said. "He is covering all the aspects of his business; and our client is developing many useful transferable skills. His hands-on approach is really benefiting both his business and our client.”

Job Development prides itself on the many business connections that help us to serve our customers. This award is given to commend those most deserving for their hard work and commitment to supporting career goals.

To learn more about how your business can benefit by serving as a work experience site or sponsoring an on-the-job training, please call the Genesee County Job Development Bureau (585-344-2042), and to learn more about Foxprowl Collectables go to their website (http://www.foxprowl.com/).

If you like watching the Buffalo Bills play football on TV and enjoy cornhole for a good cause, there's a fundraiser at Eli Fish Brewing Co. in Downtown Batavia on Sunday to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western New York.

The Nov. 10th event is being organized by Erin Worbs, who will soon be honored as one of the Foundation's WNY Rising Stars Class of 2019, which recognizes the area's outstanding young professionals.

Worbs, who lives and works in Batavia, is committed to raising funds to help the Foundation's mission of controlling and curing cystic fibrosis.

The Bills' watch party (vs. the Cleveland Browns) starts at 1 p.m. and the cornhole tournament begins as soon as the game ends, tentatively about 4:30.

Admission to the cornhole tournament is $20 per person, and the winning team will receive two tickets to either a Bills or Sabres home game!

There are no tickets required for the watch party, but there is a suggested donation of $15, and snacks will be provided.

Eli Fish Brewing Co. is located at 109 Main St.

And if anyone can’t make the event but would like to donate online they can do so here until Nov. 12th.

This undertaking isn't Worbs' first on behalf of the devastating genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene.

She interned with the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in college, and was chair of the Pitt Dance Marathon that raised more $60,000 for CFF, and the overall president of Pitt Greek Week, which raised more than $350,000 for the Foundation.

"I am constantly impressed by all the incredible work that CFF does to improve the lives of those with cystic fibrosis, and to help find a cure," Worbs says. "I am thrilled to have this chance to continue my fundraising efforts for this amazing cause, and with your help we can all be a part of making CF stand for Cure Found!"

Worbs holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from the University of Texas and is a financial advisor for Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch in Batavia. She is also a member of the Batavia Area Jaycees and a Genesee County Symphony Orchestra Board member.

​Looking for that perfect gift this year? Don't miss the Holiday Shopping Bazaar held exclusively at Genesee Community College on one day only!

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, and admission is free.

All are welcome and invited.

This unique collection of shops and vendors will display their finest in cutlery, jewelry, household items and gutters, crafts and much more!

Due to demand, GCC has opened the vendor registration to accept just a handful more vendors to this unique event.

Vendors can register to participate in this shopping bazaar for $50 by contacting ptk@genesee.edu. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Proceeds from the bazaar support GCC's Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

The campus is located at 1 College Road in the Town of Batavia.

Wayne Walker, now a Batavia resident after spending much of his life in Bethany, is an Army and Air Force veteran, a volunteer firefighter, a member of the American Legion, and, most proudly, a member of the Genesee County Honor Guard.

He's also alive today because of modern medical care. A heart pump now does about 80 percent of the work of circulating the blood through his body because his heart was no longer up to the task.

Walker received his heart pump at Rochester General Hospital on March 5 and received follow-up care at Unity and at United Memorial Medical Center.

Yesterday, Walker received a surprise reception at RGH to honor his commitment to recovery and to his community.

Submitted photo and press release:

Extending the reach of the One GCC efforts at Genesee Community College, Diversity and Inclusion coordinator Sara Vacin and the Inclusive Excellence Committee will host Social Justice Day on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Batavia Campus Forum.

This event is made possible through a SUNY Diversity and Inclusion Performance Improvement Fund and is FREE and open to the entire community.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureate Librada Paz (inset photo left) will open Social Justice Day at 12:30 p.m. sharing how she came to this country as a young migrant farmer with dreams of studying engineering.

As her journey ensued, she became a nationally recognized activist, which she will describe in her keynote presentation, "The Voice of Farmworkers' Rights."

In addition, on Tuesday, Art Force 5, a group of self-proclaimed "art-equipped heroes" founded at Alfred University will lead attendees to do as they have done and embrace creativity over conflict through the creation of a large mosaic piece.

The mosaic will become a visual tribute to GCC's Open Door Internship Program. 

From 2 - 2:55 p.m. Social Justice Day participants can attend one of the following sessions:

• "Creativity Over Conflict" with Dan Napolitano of Alfred University in the Forum;
• "Know Your Rights" with GCC Criminal Justice professor Karen Wicka in T122;
• "Being an Ally to People of Color" with Political Club student president Dennis Austin in T121;
• "Social Justice Issues Facing Veterans Today" with Dave Oliver of the Veterans Outreach Center in G200. 

From 3 - 3:55 p.m. participants can choose from the following sessions:

• "Social Justice Work and Migrant Workers: Past, Present and Future" presented by members of the Geneseo Migrant Center in G200;
• "Bail Reform and Its Impact" with Catherine Uhly from Genesee Justice in T122;
• "Sexual Assault Victim's Rights" by RESTORE's Sarah Link and Hannah Kujawski in T121.

Finally, at 4 p.m. all participants are encouraged to come together for refreshments and a closing discussion reflecting on the opportunities to put the information they've been given into action in their own lives.

We got a bit of snow today. In this photo, you can see the flakes cutting across the tree in a cornfield off of Route 33 near Route 237 in Batavia. We may get a little more snow tonight, with an anticipated low tonight of 28 degrees.

Press release:

The public is invited to the upcoming public presentations of the candidates for the position of executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County.

They will be held at CCE, located at 420 E. Main St., Batavia, as follows:

• Thursday, Nov. 7th at 8 a.m. – Joaquina Kankam
• Friday, Nov. 8th at 8:30 a.m. – Patricia McGlynn
• Monday, Nov. 18th at 8:30 a.m. – Caron Gala

Any questions can be directed to Yvonne Peck at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Batavia resident Justin Warren has opened his own barbershop in Attica called Invictus Barber & Brand.

Submitted photo and press release:

Last month, Genesee Community College announced the beginning of its year-long celebration of the Nursing Program's 50th anniversary.

During a special "Tea and a Toast" event, the Nursing Program Director Laurel Sanger, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Tamatha L. Arneth, and Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield kicked off the program's centennial with several impressive announcements all stemming from one of GCC's most substantial scholarship gifts to date.

The Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund and Excellence Award are both being instituted this year. Starting late this spring and continuing for another 50 years, a new scholarship opportunity will support GCC's second-year nursing students.

The significance of this gift has allowed the College to name its School of Nursing after its largest benefactor, specifically, The Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing.

(Above inset photo is Antoinette Marchese Clancy.)

"It has been my honor to work with the Clancy family to help them introduce an opportunity that recognizes and supports second-year nursing students who have exhibited dedication and excellence in their first year of study, and promise to continue this distinction in their second year," Arneth said.

"The dream of helping the next generation of GCC nursing students has been very important to the Clancy family despite the many years and the physical distance between Mrs. Clancy and her alma mater."

Antoinette Marchese grew up in Batavia and in 1970 graduated from Notre Dame High School, where she had met her husband, Emmet Clancy.

After working as a nurse's aide at St. Jerome's Hospital, she enrolled at D'Youville College, but transferred and graduated from GCC in 1974 earning the Nursing Excellence Award, an honor that is still very important to her.

The Clancy family, now residing in California, has grown to include five children and 11 grandchildren throughout their 45-year marriage.

Earlier this year, Emmet Clancy contacted GCC exploring how his wife's desire to help future nursing students could become a reality. He also wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication of his beloved.

Knowing how much GCC and the Nursing Excellence Award means to his wife and inspired by her selflessness, Emmet Clancy worked with Arneth to establish two opportunities available to nursing students next year.

• The Antoinette Marchese Clancy Scholarship Fund has been established through a generous gift from the Clancy family and recognizes Antoinette, GCC Class of 1974. Each year going forward, this scholarship will support several second-year GCC nursing students who are academically in the upper third of the class and have illustrated excellence in their clinical performance.
• In addition, the Antoinette Marchese Clancy Excellence Award will be awarded for the first time to the top clinical performing nursing student at the annual Nursing Recognition Ceremony that is scheduled before the college-wide Commencement, which will occur next on Saturday, May 16.

A formal recognition reception with the Clancys in attendance is also scheduled for Thursday, May 14, as a highlight of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of GCC's Nursing Program and the annual Nursing graduation ceremony.

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is hosting its 18^th annual Wonderland of Trees, sponsored in part this year by Tompkins Bank of Castile.This year’s Kickoff Gala will take place at the museum Friday, Nov. 22^nd.

The event will start at 6 p.m. and is family friendly and great for all ages.  

Each year, hundreds of visitors come to the museum between November and January to view nearly 50 trees, festive pictures, and holiday displays decorated by local businesses and organizations. 

There will be musical performances by voice students from Sound Foundations Voice Studio and a Flute Ensemble from Batavia Middle School.

After-dinner snacks will be provided by D & R Depot.

Tickets are $15 per person, $10 for museum members and $5 for children under 12.

This year tickets are available for purchase online as well as by calling (585) 343-4727 or stopping in Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Information from Batavia High School and Music Theatre International.

Batavia High School's Production Club will present "Shrek The Musical" in the auditorium Nov. 22-24.

Times are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23; and a matinee at 2 o'clock on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Advance tickets are $9, available at showtix4u.

Tickets at the door are $10 for adults; $8 for students and seniors.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, "Shrek The Musical" is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Caroline, or Change") and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.

Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.

Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more! Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

BHS is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia. For more information, visit www.bataviacsd.org or phone (585) 343-2480, ext. 2000.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, Northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11-percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. In Genesee County, there are two Tops locations -- at 390 W. Main St. in Batavia, and at 128 W. Main St. in Le Roy.

Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11-percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer.

“We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. The company’s actions include: support of the American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall; Honor Flight Missions; sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas; VA hospital visits; participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo’; and new this year, Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered U.S. Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders.

Andrew Maguire

Submitted photo and press release:

The Batavia Development Corporation is pleased to announce Andrew Maguire as the new executive director of Economic Development.

Maguire, a lifelong resident of Batavia, has served the last five years as the clerk-treasurer for the Village of Oakfield.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from St. John Fisher College.

Maguire replaces Rachael Tabelski, who resigned and accepted the City of Batavia Assistant Manager position a couple months ago.

A recruitment search by the BDC Board of Directors brought in potential job candidates from throughout the region.

The board felt that Maguire’s experience with municipal processes, his experience with grant funding, and knowledge of budgets made him the top choice. 

Maguire is set to begin the position on Nov. 18^th.

Stacy J. Watson, 43, of Liberty Street, Batavia, and Jennifer A. Mcauley, 46, of Shelby Basin Road, Medina, were arrested on Oct. 29 on misdemeanor charges following a larceny complaint at the Home Depot on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. At 2:56 p.m. deputies responded to the store in the Town of Batavia for an investigation. Watson is charged with two counts of petit larceny and two counts of sixth-degree conspiracy. Mcauley is charged with two counts of petit larceny. It is alleged that Watson, a former Home Depot employee, conspired with Mcauley to steal merchandise from the store. Both subjects were issued appearance tickets and are due in Batavia Town Court on Nov. 14. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre.

Steven B. Nesbitt, 34, of Holland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment and first degree criminal contempt. Nesbitt was arrested 2:22 p.m. on Oct. 24 after an incident that occurred at a residence on Holland Avenue. It is alleged that Nesbitt had physical contact with a person who had a "refrain from order of protection" against Nesbitt. He is due Batavia City Court on Nov. 7. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jordan McGinnis, assisted by Officer Jason Davis.

Melissa A. Wetmore, 47, of Main Road, Corfu, is charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08 percent or more. Wetmore was arrested at 8:11 p.m. on Oct. 26 on North Lyon Street in Batavia after an accident investigation. She is due in Batavia City Court on Nov. 6. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Tyler Lee Walls, 23, of Upper Holley Road, Clarendon, is charged with: unlawful possession of marijuana; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration; aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; and operating a motor vehicle with no headlamps. At 4:49 p.m. on Nov. 1, Walls was arrested following a traffic stop on Lake Street (Route 19) in Le Roy. It is alleged Walls was driving a vehicle without headlights while having a suspended driver's license and suspended registration. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Brittany M. Smith, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, was arrested the morning of Nov. 2 on active bench warrants out of Batavia City Court for failing to appear in court and failing to comply with the court. She was arraigned at 9:50 a.m. and put in jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bond. She is due in Batavia City Court this afternoon (Nov. 4). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Peter Post, assisted by Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Submitted photo and press release:

The staff and supporters of the on-campus radio station 89.1 The Point at SUNY Brockport is grateful for the success of its Fall charity drive held at locations in Genesee, Orleans and Monroe counties Oct. 18 and 19.

In Genesee County, new and gently used women's and children's clothing as well as personal care items, diapers, strollers and pet supplies were donated at the Batavia Walmart.

Altogether, more than 100 bags and boxes of items were donated for "Warming Hearts for Willow" -- a total of 1,500 articles of clothing and more than 2,500 other items. That qualifies as the radio station's largest and most successful community outreach event to date.

The donations will go to the Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Violence of Greater Rochester, which serves Genesee County residents, too.

What Willow can’t take will be donated to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee and Dress for Success Rochester.

"Thank you to everyone in the community for coming out to support Warming Hearts for Willow, you have shown that there is love and compassion in the world and you have shown that there’s always hope!"

The two cannons that have sat on the front porch of the Holland Land Office Museum for more than a century have been removed and transported to Altoona, Pa., for a $20,000 period-accurate restoration.

The Museum is paying $10,000 for the restoration and is seeking public donations of $10,000 in a campaign called, "Ready, Aim, Donate."

Colin McAllister is a candidate for County Legislature, District 8. His opponent is Marianne Clattenburg.

If elected, what will you recommend to your fellow legislators for county priorities over the next five years?
While I look forward to working with fellow legislators to address the routine needs of the county, a major priority would be getting the county out of corporate welfare. Taking wealth from businesses and individuals to fuel the projects of the few is not morally right. I would also like to focus on challenging NYS mandates and their overreach into county affairs. Legal challenges are one avenue to actively resist the state’s control of our county budget and dictating how our elected government can operate. Together with the citizens of Genesee county and local governments in the region, I hope to come up with solutions to get power back to the local level.

What can or should the County government do to help foster business growth in Genesee County?
We need to work on getting the best tax rates for everybody year in year out, with no hoops to jump through. The county should focus on existing infrastructure needs and not projects we hope will happen. Mainly, the county should get out of the way for business wherever possible. I have faith that the business leaders in this county will excel with less government involvement.  

Should the County build a new jail?
The consensus seems to be that we need a new jail to come into compliance with current regulations and, without more in-depth knowledge, I cannot refute that. Given bail reforms’ impact, the previous estimates need to be reevaluated with a fresh perspective. The focus of jail discussion needs to be a realistic look at the county’s needs and coming into compliance with state regulations, not potential revenue from housing overflow from other sources.

Are you satisfied with the way the County has been run for the past decade or so?
To a large extent, I think the Legislature has done its very best for the residents and businesses in Genesee County. The county could stand up to state mandates and overreach in some more substantial ways. As a county, we have been too absorbed in the race to beg a business to come to us when we should actually make an environment that all businesses and residents can prosper in. 

What book first published in English since the Enlightenment has influenced your outlook on life the most?
That is a hard question. At this moment running as a third-party candidate, I would have to go with Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ’72. With as much absurdity and excess as Hunter S. Thompson’s writing contains, it managed to challenge my thoughts on the two-party political paradigm and my understanding of politics in general. His writings provide insight into Nixon that I have yet to find elsewhere. To cover such a complicated time involving such complex people in an insightful way is impressive. Mainly, I have found in his writings, and in life, that conventional wisdom is worth challenging especially if you want meaningful change.

Marianne Clattenburg is a candidate for County Legislature in District 8. Her opponent is Colin McAllister.

If elected, what will you recommend to your fellow legislators for county priorities over the next five years?
First and foremost the main priority will remain the same, to serve the citizens of Genesee County by providing them with the services that are important to them. The second priority will be to provide those services while maintaining the fiscal stability of the county. Part of those services will be to address the growing need in the county for an increased supply of clean water. Another priority is the safety of our citizens. This includes investments in law enforcement and the construction of a new county jail. This construction has been mandated by the state, but must be implemented with the taxpayer in mind.

What can or should the County government do to help foster business growth in Genesee County?
The County has a responsibility to provide the foundational needs that businesses require to expand their existing operations and to attract new investment in the county. The primary reason to foster business is to provide for employment opportunities for our citizens and to expand our tax base. Foundational needs include investment in public works projects. It also means investing in the education and training of our workforce. Whenever possible this is done through private/public partnerships coordinated by the county’s economic development agency. Through this agency, new and existing large companies and small businesses can apply for assistance in reaching their goals of expanding their businesses and job opportunities in Genesee County.

Should the County build a new jail?
The current building that houses our jail is over 100 years old and does not meet the Department of Corrections' operational standards. It also does not allow for the housing of female inmates. The state commission has notified Genesee County that we must bring our jail up to state standards. Due to the age and structure of our existing jail, it was determined that investing in our current jail was not an option. With pressure from the state, we began to look at the options for building a new jail. The members of the legislature spent time touring existing jails to see what size and configuration would work for Genesee County. The process we are currently undergoing is determining the size of our new jail and the operational costs that will be associated with it. We are also very concerned with the financing requirements associated with a major project such as this. All the work done thus far can be found on the county’s website. I will be seeking public input on this decision and I look forward to hearing the views of my constituents. We need to build a new county jail that meets the requirements of the state, but we should build a jail that is financially acceptable to the taxpayer.

Are you satisfied with the way the County has been run for the past decade or so?
The employees who are responsible for the day to day operations of our county work extremely hard to serve our citizens. We have been fortunate to have our County Manager, Jay Gsell leading this effort. Jay and all our employees have given us a county that we can be proud of. From our senior center, veteran’s service office, public works, county parks, youth services, health, and human service providers, law enforcement and emergency services as well as our county clerk’s office, these departments exist to serve the taxpayer. The legislature has worked with our manager and his staff to implement policies that provide for the safety and well-being of our citizens. We have had our challenges and sometimes disagreements. It is challenging at times to satisfy all the required state mandates, but still maintain the service level that our county citizens expect. I believe the county has done a good job during the past decade meeting these needs.

What book first published in English since the Enlightenment has influenced your outlook on life the most?
As a Christian, the book that has influenced my life the most do not meet the language or timeframe requirement of your question. A book that I did enjoy and was thought-provoking was “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” by Mitch Albom. It explores the idea that our lives are connected to the lives of others in ways that we may not know. For those who have not read it, I strongly recommend it!

Kathleen Briggs is a candidate for City Council, Ward 5. Her opponent is Sam DiSalvo.

What do you like about the City of Batavia?
I have lived here most of my life. It's the right mix of country and city. People are friendly. We have great people who are willing to volunteer to help others. For a small city like ours, we have a nice balance of cultural activities like Go Art and the Batavia Players.

What is the number one problem facing the City of Batavia and what is your plan to address it?
In the 5th Ward, the overriding concern I hear when going door to door is crime. Nothing else comes close. I have been working closely with our police to increase their presence in the ward. I also fought to get more surveillance cameras for the Police Department and have them placed around the ward.

Describe your vision for Downtown Batavia in 10 years?
I hope to see the Downtown revitalization project completed. That would include the Health Campus that our local hospital and the YMCA are planning, the "Mall" repaired and fully occupied, and the Carr's building restored and occupied.

Do you support building a new police station?
Yes, I support a new police station. I fully support having our own Police Department and if we are going to do that, then we need a new building. While I will have to study where to locate it, the need is clear. We can no longer continue to try and pretend that a house over 150 years old can continue to serve our police force.

What book first published in English since the Enlightenment has influenced your outlook on life the most?
The voters in my ward do not care what books, if any, I have read. They have their own concerns.