batavia

A working structure fire was reported at the Sunset Motel at 4054 W. Main Street Road, Batavia. It started in Room #6 Correction: It was not Room 6. A first responder on scene said the doorknob is hot to the touch.

Town of Batavia Fire Department responded. Fire was immediately knocked down. There is one occupant in the room.

UPDATED 9:09 a.m.: Mercy medics squad #1 is on scene.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: "An ambulance won't be needed per command."

UPDATE 10:12 a.m. (By Howard): One person was found deceased in the motel room when firefighters made entry. An investigation has yet to determine if the victim died before the fire started or as a result of the fire. It was a small fire said Town of Batavia Fire Deputy Chief Chad Higgins. "I pulled in on location," Higgins said, "went to the door, the door was hot, tried to make entry through the door, there was too much smoke. Our first engine company was right behind me. They made entry, found one victim, a small fire ...  the fire had pretty much already snuffed itself out. Once we opened the door, we gave it a little more oxygen but we were able to knock the fire down with an extinguisher, so it wasn't a very big fire." Information about the victim isn't being released pending family notification. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Press release:

The St. Jerome Guild Inc. annual "Noel Nook" will take place at the Gift Shop located at the Jerome Center at 16 Bank St., Batavia, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.

All customers will enjoy a 10-percent discount on their entire order, some exclusions apply. The Guild, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, has been serving the healthcare community for decades, and this year we are celebrating our 100th Anniversary!

Enjoy punch and cookies and browse our Christmas and holiday inventory in the Shop and in the huge backroom "Nook" of Snowbabies, Jim Shore figurines, Santas, snowmen; artificial trees and glittered stars; holiday wreaths and sprays, hundreds of elegant and country tree ornaments similar to Pottery Barn and primitive art of tin and wood; canvas art, throws, centerpieces, potpourri, and scented McCall candles, battery-operated candles, candle warmers, frosted lamps, night lights, angels and religious items.

New this year are items from Stonewall Kitchen -- jams, jellies, grilling sauces and dessert toppings -- which are now carried in the shop.

Written expressions are featured on wall art, pillows, and kitchen towels. We also carry a popular variety of wooden walking sticks. Healthcare providers can enjoy stylish lanyards with an assortment of clip-on jewelry. Gift cards are available.

If you like to shop at Giftology then you will find bar accessories of wine stoppers, Corkcicles and Corkcicles beverage cups, "Pilsner Chillers," fruit infusers, and eclectic and new designed metal wine caddies depicting doctors, golfers, nurses, firefighters, musicians, athletes, and gardeners, etc., at a more reasonable price. If you like Anthropologie then you will love our home goods including, aprons, serving pieces, spatulas, mugs, and popular maps.

We feature a variety of brightly-colored holiday florals and wall hangings; Charles Viancini silicone casserole and baking lids, matching aprons, magnets and stoppers.

’Tis the season to wear our ponchos and shawls, in many patterns, along woven glittered caplets, fur-trimmed hats, gorgeous scarves, headbands and gloves. We continue to carry our selection of purses, wristlets and wallets and our "Jerome Collection" jewelry include: semi-precious stone necklaces, necklace sets, bracelets, earrings, and watches. We feature Lottie Dotties, a popular line of reasonably priced silver plate attractive rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Dotties are magnetic of birthstones, pearls, beveled glass and are interchangeable with each piece of jewelry. Our inventory includes Anju jewelry in copper and silver, Janelle bracelets, as seen at Parkleigh, and new to the shop Jane Marie children's collection.

Our "Jerome Baby Collection" of stuffed animals, coats, tummy blankets, knit hats, booties, socks, banks, picture frames, milestone items, plates, utensils and accessories, and children's toys, lunch boxes, cups, plates, and utensil sets at an affordable price.

The Guild sponsors an annual Health Care Professional Scholarship to qualified UMMC employees, who pursue their educational careers. The Guild sponsors the Jerome Center Annual Employee Recognition Day to thank employees for their efforts serving the community. Initiatives providing a comfort bag to patients of the Oncology Center, and children patients of the Jerome Center Urgent Care are comforted with stuffed animals.

The St. Jerome Guild Inc. has fulfilled pledges of $80,000 to the UMMC facilities expansions and other major initiatives. The Guild supports the UMMC/Rochester Regional Health Care Foundation projects as a major corporate sponsor for the annual spring Gala. Guild members donate thousands of volunteer hours at the Gift Shop and at many UMMC fundraising events.

Gift Shop business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon and managed and operated by Guild volunteers. At the annual Membership Tea or throughout the year, new members are welcomed. Members attend regular monthly meetings and guest speakers. The Guild sponsors a daily lottery and anyone can participate.

Jeffrey L. Barr is indicted for the crime of attempted murder in the second degree, a Class B violent felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 13 while at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia that Barr intended to commit the crime of second-degree murder. Specifically, he allegedly intended to cause the death of another person by stabbing the intended murder victim multiple times with a knife. In count two, Barr is accused of first-degree assault, another Class B violent felony. It is alleged in count two that Barr intended to cause serious physical injury to another person and caused such injury by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument -- a knife.

Daniel L. Green is indicted for the crime of unlawful surveillance in the second degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on April 25 in the Town of Le Roy that Green -- for his own sexual arousal or gratification -- did intentionally use or install an imaging device to surreptitiously view, broadcast or record a person dressing or undressing or the sexual or other intimate parts of a person at a time when she had a reasonable expectation of privacy. He allegedly did so without the person's knowlege or consent.

Kevin L. White is accused of the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on May 31 in the City of Batavia that White unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug with intent to sell it. In count two, he is accused of the crime of escape in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly escaping from custody on May 31 in the city.

Marcos Cacho-Velaz is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 23 in the Town of Alexander that Cacho-Velaz drove a 2006 Chrysler north on Route 98 while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 23, the defendant knew or had reason to know that his driving privilege was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by authorities and he was allegedly driving under the influence for alcohol or a drug at the time. In count three, he is accused of refusing to submit to a breath test requested by Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Saile. In count four, he is accused of failure to dim headlights. He allegedly failed to dim his headlights when a vehicle with headlamps was approaching ahead from within 500 feet, so that dazzling light interfered with the driver of the approaching vehicle when no exception to dim the lights was applicable. In count five, Cacho-Velaz is accused of consuming or possessing alcohol in a motor vehicle.

A residence on Hutchins Street in the city is being evacuated after the caller reported the stove was malfunctioning and there was an odor of chemicals in the house.

City fire responding.

UPDATE 4:26 p.m.: City Fire back in service.

Phillip R. Chin is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 5 in the City of Batavia that Chin knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug with intent to sell it.

In count two, he is accused of the same crime for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug and these had an aggregate weight of a half ounce or more.

In count three, the defendant is accused of criminally possessing drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three that Chin knowingly possessed or sold gelatin capsules, glassine envelopes, vials, capsules or other material suitable for packaging individual quantities of narcotic drugs or stimulants. Furthermore, it was allegedly known that these were intended to be used for unlawfully manufacturing, packaging or dispensing a narcotic drug or stimulant.

In count four, the defendant is accused of criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count four that Chin knowingly possessed scales or balances used or designed for the purpose of weighing or measuring controlled substances and these were intended to be used for unlawfully manufacturing, packaging or dispensing a narcotic drug or stimulant.

In count five, Chin is accused of second-degree forgery, a Class D felony. It is alleged in count five, that on Oct. 5 in the Town of Batavia, that Chin -- with the intent to defraud, deceive or injure another -- falsely made, completed or altered a written instrument. This instrument was purported to be a public record required or authorized by law: a two-page written statement given to an investigator with the New York State Police in the name of another person.

In count six, Chin is accused of second-degree forgery, also a Class D felony. It is alleged in count six that on Oct. 5 in the City of Batavia that Chin -- with the intent to defraud, deceive or injure another -- falsely made, completed or altered a written instrument. This instrument was purported to be a public record required or authorized by law: a Genesee County Jail booking card.

In counts seven through 17, Chin is accused of second-degree forgery, all Class D felonies, for his allegedly fraudulent completion of various Genesee County Jail paperwork.

In count 18, he is accused of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, a Class E felony, for providing a two-page written statement to an investigator with the New York State Police which contained false information.

In counts 19 through 30, this man is accused of offering false instruments for filing in the first degree, more Class E felonies, for putting false information in all of the allegedly forged paperwork.

(If you're counting, that's two misdemeanors and 28 felonies.)

Parents of students and parents of prospective students were able to tour Batavia CTE (BOCES) last night and see firsthand what some of the course offerings are that help prepare students for careers in law enforcement, welding, manufacturing, agriculture, auto repair, cosmetology, culinary arts and other careers.

Police have finally been able to interview the man who had some sort of liquid sprayed or splashed on him the night of Oct. 24 in a parking lot off East Main Street by three youngsters on bicycles, said Det. Eric Hill.

The man was not injured.

Hill said police still don't know what the liquid was. The initial dispatch said the victim had gasoline sprayed on him, but Hill said the officers who responded reported no odor of gas or any other substance.

Police would still like to talk with the youths, Hill said, and are trying to locate them.

Previously: Police investigating report of man sprayed with fluid in Downtown parking lot a week ago

Those who authored common core requirements for schools, de-emphasizing local history, stressing standardized tests and rote memorization, serve to preclude the joy of discovery and independent thinking, said Genesee County Historian Michael Eula, Ph.D.

Visiting museums or archives nurtures the joy of discovering and independent thinking, Eula said.

A local history conference at Genesee Community College on Saturday in Batavia, will explore disaster planning, the state of history in Genesee County, teaching history in classrooms, and Confederate monuments.

Eula will be doing a presentation at 9:15 a.m. on the state of history in Genesee County. Presentations run throughout the day until 2:30 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building, at GCC’s Batavia Campus.

Eula said after three decades of historical practice, he has been continuously awestruck by the levels of commitment, talent and devotion that those in the county display in their quest to discover the history of Genesee County.

A topic in Eula’s presentation is about the practice of history in the classroom.

“[It] is not always connected to the purity of purpose and the energy articulated by our County’s public historians,” Eula said.

History teachers have the task of synthesizing the local history of the county, Eula said.

“Young people – our future – need to be brought more fully into our historical conversations,” Eula said.

Eula said he believes local schools are under pressure from state and federal officials to teach materials that are consistently national and international.

“The tone that is set is that somehow local history has a small part to play in an understanding of how contemporary society came into being,” Eula said.

One consequence of the common core is an erosion of a history, tending to build pride in one’s past, Eula said.

“[It’s] the kind of self-esteem that makes one proud of their community,” Eula said. “This consequence may in fact tell us much about the ideological motivation of those on the state and federal level who seem to view local history with suspicion,” Eula said.

Public and private historians are welcome to attend the conference, as well as history buffs of all ages. The conference is being sponsored by the Genesee Community College History Club and the Genesee County Federation of Historical Agencies.

A presentation called “Tracing Lineal Heritage/Daughters of the Revolution,” will be at 10:15 a.m., a panel discussion for disaster planning for historical organizations and museums will be at 11 a.m., and a discussion considering Confederate statues, memorials and symbols will be at 1:15 p.m.

Derek Maxfield, GCC associate professor of history, History Club advisor and president of the Genesee County Federation of Historical Agencies, said in a press release, that they put together a day of interesting programs that should appeal to a wide variety of history-minded folk.

“I am especially interested in the session on disaster planning and the panel discussion about the Confederate monument controversy,” Maxfield said.

Historical agencies and museums are invited to set up displays for visitors to browse.

Registration for the event is $25 and includes a boxed lunch. If you wish to attend sessions without lunch, registration is $12. Those wishing not to have lunch may register the day of the event and pay at the door.

A collision involving three vehicles is reported at Route 5 and Seven Springs Road. One person has a head injury and another has a hand injury. It is blocking traffic. Law enforcement is on scene. Town of Batavia Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 12:57 p.m.: The accident is near 5248 E. Main Street Road (Route 5).

A two-car collision with unknown injuries is reported at Jackson and Main streets in Downtown Batavia. City fire, police and Mercy medics are responding.

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and this morning we published their answers verbatim. 

Below are links to each candidate's response:

• Q&A with City Council candidate Eugene Jankowski
• Q&A with City Council candidate Adam Tabelski
• Q&A with City Council candidate Jim Rosenbeck
• Q&A with City Council candidate William Fava
• Q&A with City Council candidate Lisa Whitehead
• Q&A with City Council candidate Bob Bialkowski
• Q&A with City Council candidate Mark Potwora
• ​Q&A with City Council candidate Brad Eddy

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Brad Eddy.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? Our community is my priority, so I plan to always listen to and be the voice of the people in our area. As I have met so many great people across the city, I have heard many times, “No one hears us or cares what we think.”  I want to change that perception by being a true progressive voice for our community and city.

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process? I will be a strong advocate towards continued downtown development, as well as citywide revitalization. To help accelerate the process, I will work collaboratively with the city and other local officials/entities to prioritize the 10 million dollars the city has received from the state. I will ensure that the money is going to projects that increase the appeal and standard of living for current and future city residents.

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? I am committed to reevaluating the amount of resources that are given to services by the city and redistributing them to make the most sense/impact for our community.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience do you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates? I have spent my professional career leading businesses, both large and small, in the area of Human Resources. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Human Resource Management from Western Governors University, and I hold two Human Resource certifications, a project management certification and am a proud graduate of the Leadership Wyoming class of 2014.  I am currently completing my Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School.

Being in Human Resources, I am charged with balancing what is right for a business with the needs of their employees. This position has prepared me for the role on City Council. I have the expertise and skills of listening to both sides of an argument while maintaining objectivity and providing unbiased proposals for the best outcome.

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government? When it comes to holding an elected position in government, the community’s residents often look to their officials to represent their best interests and act as a leader. I have read many leadership books throughout my career, and The 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell is one that I feel has influenced me the most.

In Maxwell’s work, he teaches that most often the best place to lead is from the middle.  Leadership is not as much about the position you hold as it is about your disposition. I have learned the importance of approaching every situation the right attitude, building strategic relationships, envisioning long-term goals, and dedicating myself to see those goals through to completion. Maxwell’s writing has shaped my perception of what a leader should embody and how I as a leader can have a positive influence on our community.

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Mark Potwora.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? My first priority, if elected, would educate myself on the protocol for being a member of city council.
I am running on a platform of replacing the city manager. In my opinion, he has presented budgets with higher tax levies year after year.
All this as council cut trash and ambulance services and privatized them. Which I did agree with. We were told that they were big budget items. The incumbents at large have also been on board with these increases in the tax rate. Also, I feel that his solution to the mall is just doubling down on ownership as the answer to all the mall problems. All the city did was agree to do what they were expected to do in the beginning and that maintain the concourse which he didn't do and now ten years later the problem is going to cost more then if the city had been doing it in the first place. Also, it cost the taxpayers more in court and lawyer fees. We need a new manager with skills and vision to not allow in this case the mall, to go to this extreme to be solved. We need a manager responsible to the people. He works for us. As I walked many streets going door to door talking to hundreds of residents getting signatures and introducing myself for the most part the underlying theme I heard was it is was time for a new manager and that we should be out of the mall business and our tax rate should be lowered. No one said we need more brewery/restaurants. In the end, it is all about change at the top and that would be replacing the city manager

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process? First off I don't know what core businesses you mean. When I look at Main I see a bar/restaurant trying to open for the last couple of years with the help of taxpayer dollars. I see empty storefronts (Carrs building, hair salon and another empty building on the corner. On Jackson, there are a few others. Across the street, I see a mall with many empty storefronts. In fact, the city owns nine of them. No revitalization there. Just a statement that someday they will be filled. I would rather see lower tax rate for all businesses, not just a select few that get abatements or grants. The BID should be part of the solution but that is just another tax on a business which some would say with little results. BDC seems to function as an extended arm of the GCEDC. Seems they need the involvement the GCEDC to move forward on a project. Ex is Arby's. So I would say why are we funding the BDC? Eliminate it and save the taxpayer some money. 

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? What is the role of city government? Those that live here decide what services they need and can afford. I can only ask for more efficiency in all city departments (DPW, police, fire) after all those who work in those departments are more apt to know where the process can be done better. I don't mean managers I mean those who fight the fires, patrol the streets and maintain the infrastructure. They should be rewarded or compensated for saving taxpayers money.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience to you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates? I have worked for a major corporate-owned business, been a member of a union for 30 years, held office statewide for a political party. But I would say what is most important is the many years I have lived in this city. Paid property taxes. Raised a family. Balance my budget every year. Learn how to live with in my means. So I do understand what is takes to maintain a home here in Batavia. I have no conflict of interests.
I do see how many are struggling to pay the taxes that the city imposes on them. but too many are on fixed incomes and are having a hard time making ends meet to stay in those homes that they raised families in for many years.

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government? 
Harrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut It is a story essay that in reading it I can see where government can take us. That to get equality you need government control. Which IMO is dangerous.

Don't Hurt People And Don't Take Their Stuff, by Matt Kibbie. Title says it all.

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Bob Bialkowski.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? My #1 priority is to continue to represent the interest of the citizens of Batavia.

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process? I will work to build the infrastructure that is needed to revitalize all of the community, not just downtown. The best thing government can do for business is to not interfere but to simplify overcomplicated rules and regulations. Our new comprehensive plan should be a step in that direction.

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? This is for the community to decide. As of this time I have had zero requests to cut any services.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience to you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates? I have owned two corporations and have over 40 years of business experience. I retired as an Army officer with 30 years of service and have taken many leadership courses through the years. As an Army Master Aviator and a civilian Commercial pilot with over fifty years experience, I am accustomed to making vital decisions. I still serve as a Coast Guard Auxiliary “Aircraft Commander”.

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and Government? 

1. His Finest Hours by Graham Stewart. (The War Speeches of Winston Churchill).  

2. Benedict Arnold’s Navy by James L Nelson. (The Rag Tag Fleet that won the American Revolution).

3. Hit the Target by Bill Yenne. (8 Men who let the Eighth Air Force to Victory over the Luftwaffe).

These books were all written about great men in history that accomplished huge deeds for their countries. These three books verify that government as a whole does very little for the people but the people themselves with great resolve can accomplish monumental achievements. In the case of Winston Churchill, one man that was a great Statesman rallied not only his own country but the United States to stand up against tyranny. It is unfortunate that today there are few if any Statesmen in the world. The people should remember that it is their government and it must always be held in check and accountable at all levels.

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Lisa Whitehead.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? Undoubtedly, it must be to move Batavia in a new direction.  For years, small business in the city has been struggling.  We have a couple of businesses coming into Batavia through tax abatement programs that are seen as our future.  We will need to see how they impact the city’s tax revenue and that won’t be for years down the road.  Too often you see businesses that move into an area because of a tax abatement incentive, leave when that incentive is gone.  Meanwhile, existing businesses that have been struggling for years will continue to struggle because they are not deemed worthy of the city’s financial help.  Having the taxpayers and existing businesses subsidize other businesses through tax abatement has to stop.  Further, it is critically important to identify and remove obstacles that small business owner’s face here in the city.  We need to reduce the number of regulations that prevent the growth and revitalization of our business district. 

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you [do] to accelerate the revitalization process? I don’t see “great” progress.  Receiving the DRI grant money may be viewed as a boon to the city but it won’t be used to get rid of the greatest eyesore in Batavia.  We need to get out of property ownership and this means the Mall.  To do this, we need a new manager.  This is nothing personal against our current manager.  However, under his guidance, our city’s comprehensive plan has us doubling down on this money pit—including the proposal of the second story for apartments.  Do we really think this is going to improve the “look” of the city?  We need a manager that will get us out of the Mall business - not reinvest taxpayer money year after year, into this failing structure. 

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? No one ever likes to hear that services are going to be cut or eliminated, and I am not sure that we have to eliminate any, but it is clear that these services need to be closely managed.  One way to manage these is to look for creative ways to reduce expenditures.  Reduced spending by sharing services may be one way to slow growth in the city budget.  For example, department heads are currently performing the duties that would normally be the responsibility of the Assistant City Manager and in so doing, have demonstrated that the city does not necessarily need this position.  The City Charter may require this post but it doesn’t necessarily have to be the task of a single individual. 

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience to you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates? My qualifications are many and varied.  Besides the fact that I have lived in the city for 20 years and regularly attend City Council meetings, I am also an active member of the Genesee County Libertarian Party, the DAR, and my local union chapter.  Over my lifetime, I have worked for both small and large businesses and in both public and private sectors.  I have experience managing people at the department level in private industry as well as experience working in committees.  I currently manage a budget as the elected treasurer of my union as well as manage a household budget.  All of these skills developed over the last 30+ years, and a degree in political science has prepared me for this opportunity to serve the people of Batavia.

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government? I like history, so my answer would be anything written around the time of the Revolutionary War.  Since learning in high school that a member of my family fought in the Revolution, I have been interested in the writings of that period.  In particular, I am interested in the philosophy behind documents like the Bill of Rights.  To me, this document represents the clearest attempt of any group of people to define individual freedom.  I respect that and feel it’s time that we get back to our roots and commit ourselves to protecting the rights enumerated by this historic and timeless document.  

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with William Fava.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? My # 1 priority is to represent ALL the taxpayers in the City of Batavia to ensure that our City government is providing a high level of service in a “Customer Orientated” efficient and effective manner.  Whether it is a small problem or a big problem, all concerns from the taxpayers of the City need timely action and response.

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process? Yes…the City and Downtown representatives have initiated great steps in the revitalization process.  But we cannot become satisfied with where we are; we have to keep moving forward and invite more discussion with business and potential business owners.  The City needs a more aggressive and innovative approach to incorporate more business into the center of the City.  It would be great to not have any vacant storefronts, vacant property for development, or empty parcels in the mall.  We have to engage City, County, State, financial/banking institutions, and our Chamber of Commerce to provide a financial process to give potential owners a short period of financial assistance to provide a “startup” period.   The assistance could be in lower property rental cost for a period of time or assistance in purchasing a piece of land or building.  We have many people who wish they could start a business but have a problem in the initial start-up costs.  Historically, if a business can survive the first two or three years of their business plan, the percentage of continued success and growth will be on their side. The process is simple, we all need to work together to improve the core of downtown Batavia.  Many people have ideas for improvement.   Let’s listen and give them the opportunity to work together.

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? The Assistant City Manager has announced her departure a few months back.  I would not replace.  I think the City should either employ two or three part-time experienced individuals with Public Administration backgrounds.   We are a City with many qualified citizens being retired; they just might want to be involved.  They could be tasked to work on special projects and backfill the City Manager with assistance. Another suggestion would be to open the position to local universities for an internship experience in Public Administration.  Either method would eliminate the position cost and provide extra hands for the busy City Manager.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience do you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates? I believe that with my educational background (BA degree in Finance/Business and a Masters degree in Health Administration/MHA), I have a solid background supporting my 40 years of business experience in Human Resources, Accounting, and Supervision.  My military experience has provided me many opportunities to successfully complete assigned missions and to lead subordinate personnel in peacetime or in a war zone.  In addition, I previously held a Batavia City at Large Councilman position from 1991 thru 1994.  With my experience from Business, Military, Education and previous experience as a past Councilman, I feel uniquely qualified for a position on City Council.

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government? The first book influencing my thinking is by Robert D. Putnam entitled BOWLING ALONE—THE COLLAPSE AND REVIVAL OF AMERICAN COMMUNITY.  The book explains the civic engagement decline in the United States in political, civic, religious, and connections in the workplace participation providing a suggestive path toward change and not forgetting our usage of technology and mass media in a modern society.  The next book is by W. Edwards Deming entitled OUT OF THE CRISIS.  The book explains the needed transformation of various business sectors in the United States to once again compete in the global business world through drastic “Quality and Productivity” improvements.  The transformation includes improvement in government operations and a warning about politicians concerned with the next election and not doing the right thing for the people they represent for the sake of a successful future election.  Finally, the book that had a large impact on my thinking was written by John F. Kennedy entitled PROFILES IN COURAGE.   Kennedy provided a collection of actions represented by people that disregarded negative consequences to their public and private lives to do the one thing that seemed right in itself.  The decision made was not always the most popular or demanded by a superior, but it was the right thing to do.  All these books have provided something to my thinking and personality in dealing with today’s society.  

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Jim Rosenbeck.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? My first priority will be to observe and learn.  My next priority will be to replace the current City Manager.  This is not personal. It is strictly business.  If the city were a private business, the city manager would have already been replaced based on performance. The incumbent council members at large rate the manager’s performance highly and have lobbied to raise his salary. I disagree. Here are the facts; In 2005 the property tax levy in the city was 3.4 million dollars.  In 2017, that levy is 5.2 million dollars. This represents a 52% increase in the property tax levy on property owners.  During this time, we lost trash services and saw more vacant storefronts appear on Main Street.  Taxpayers spent untold dollars on mall litigation and assumed ownership of several parcels within the mall due to delinquent taxes.  We have failed to maintain that infrastructure and have no plan to exit the mall business.  Indeed the City’s agreement with the Mall merchants calls for doubling down on the taxpayer’s investment.  A new Comprehensive Plan (available on the City website) calls for adding a second story on the mall. Batavians are best served by council hiring a new city manager who better understands the needs of the community. 

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process? I question this premise.  There is an old saying.  It goes like this; “In God we trust. Everyone else should bring data.”  Where is the data? There has been great promise of progress…most of that is unrealized.  Economic Development programs have been a failure locally and statewide. The city now owns nine properties inside the Genesee Country Mall in addition to the concourse that we have failed to maintain.  We have embraced bad economic policies which shuffle taxpayer money from one hand to another in a zero-sum game.  The devil is in the details with this smoke and mirrors economics.  

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? l will start with this basic premise; People know how to spend their hard earned money better than government.  What are the basic functions of a city government? Better yet, what do the people who pay the bills want from city government?  I have been knocking on doors in the city since mid-July.  Not a single person has told me they want an electric car charging station.  The current leadership is out of touch with the people of Batavia.  They are too busy trying to remake Batavia into a city like Saratoga. Real people want our infrastructure maintained and public safety provided at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers.  Given that government has proven over and over again that it doesn’t understand basic supply and demand economics, it should refrain from anymore shameless meddling.   Avoid unnecessary entanglements with Albany.  Reward efficiency and look for ways to share services.  Ask where we can utilize a volunteer component to help offset costs.  I am not on a mission to eliminate any services.  I am committed to delivering services more effectively and efficiently.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience do you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates?  One of my first economic lessons was as a paperboy delivering the Buffalo evening news.  There I learned that if a customer paid for the month in advance I couldn’t spend that money without consequences later on in the month. I had to learn to live within my means.  City government should similarly learn to live within it means. But it doesn’t.  it just keeps on returning to the customer and asking for more money.   I could roll out a simpler answer here citing a handful of college degrees and my career accomplishments.  But why pander to a handful of elitists who think that only a privileged few are qualified to represent the people?   I run for office as a friend of the common man and woman.   I am not beholden to any special interests or political parties. My promise is to exercise common sense and serve the interests of the people of Batavia. 

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government?  Henry Hazlitt’s “Economics in One Lesson.” has been a big influence on my economic thought.  I wish this book was required reading for those serving in public office.  Here is a quote from Hazlitt that summarizes the one lesson that public officials should humbly understand; 
“The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups.” -Henry Hazlitt

Hazlitt states this perfectly. Government fails to get the big picture. Our representatives often fail to understand that they can’t use the people’s money to do one thing without there be a corresponding disincentive for someone else. Let's elect leadership that gets the big picture.

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Adam Tabelski.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority?  The #1 priority for next year is to address the expiring sales tax and water agreements with the County.  Sales tax sharing from the County is the City’s largest revenue source, even greater than property taxes.  A consensus must be reached because the City’s fate is central to the County’s fate.  We will also begin to implement Batavia’s new comprehensive plan, which lays out a number of objectives to move our City forward.   

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process?  Winning the $10,000,000 Downtown Revitalization Initiative, a historic settlement with the Mall Merchants, substantial commitments of private investment (e.g. Eli Fish Brewing, Ellicott Station), new and growing small businesses, and a dynamic BID is all signs pointing to the fact that Batavia’s downtown is on the right track.  Day by day, we are making strides to reverse the physical and economic destruction caused by ‘urban renewal’ and create a true rejuvenation.  The immediate task for me and my colleagues on Council is to make sure the $10,000,000 prize is invested wisely in order to trigger additional private sector investment.  We also need to maintain our relationship with the Batavia Development Corporation, the GCEDC, and other partners who are poised to make economic development projects happen.  The recently created the Pathway to Prosperity is a great example of how we can creatively drive resources to make downtown more ‘development-ready.’ 

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why?  Notwithstanding the uncertainty of the sales tax and water questions, the City is in a strong financial position.  I sense no widespread need or desire to put services on the chopping block.  Actually, what I hear most from residents is a desire for more services—more street and sidewalk repairs, more park improvements, more policing, more code enforcement, etc.  These are the things that contribute to our quality of life.  So we try to drive as many financial resources to these services as possible while avoiding overburdening taxpayers.  It’s a balance.  Still, I am always in favor of exploring new and efficient ways to deliver these services, particularly through leveraging new technologies and focusing on shared services with neighboring municipalities or the County.  The County, with the participation of the City and other municipalities, will be developing a shared services plan over the next year to further help identify and implement opportunities for more sharing of services.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience to you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates?  Life is the best teacher.  I have worked in the public sector, in the office of a state legislator, trying to help constituents and influence public policy.  I have served in local government, as a trustee and mayor (in Medina) and as a Councilman (in Batavia), finding common-sense ways to improve a community.  I now work in the private sector, helping to grow an established firm.  I have served in the military and learned lessons about teamwork, integrity, and sacrifice.  These experiences give me a broad frame of reference when considering issues before the City of Batavia. 

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government?  Walden by Henry David Thoreau; John Adams by David McCullough; Our Town by Thornton Wilder.

Three at-large City Council seats are up for election Tuesday. There are eight candidates. We asked each candidate to answer five questions and we are publishing the answers verbatim.

Here is the Q&A with Eugene Jankowski.

If elected, what’s your #1 priority? My number one priority is to maintain fiscal responsibility with proper budgeting while providing essential services and continued support of Downtown development.  

There has been great progress in the city toward revitalizing the core downtown business community. What will you do to accelerate the revitalization process? I will work to ensure the Downtown Revitalization Grant is properly fulfilled to maximum effectiveness and continue the City Council mission. “Our mission is to create and sustain a vibrant, affordable, safe community where people choose to live and work and where, through a supportive environment, businesses continuously flourish.”

What services currently provided by the city should be cut or eliminated, if any? How and why? Each year during the budget process council members go through the draft budget line by line with Department heads and every expense must be justified.  This is an efficient process that in past years has identified areas of duplication that needed to be trimmed. Budgets the last 3 years have maintained essential services with healthy reserves, along with a reasonable amount of unassigned fund balance.  The City of Batavia has also received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget presentation for the third consecutive year. This year we were able to use some of those reserve funds to purchase a new fire truck and avoid thousands of dollars in additional finance costs.  At this time I believe services are right where they need to be and I support continued fiscal responsibility.

What business, leadership, or economic training and experience to you have that make you more qualified for a job on the City Council over other candidates? I’ve patrolled the streets of Batavia as a police officer / Lieutenant/ Emergency Response Team (ERT) Commander for over 33 years. ERT required 100’s of hours of additional specialized training along with advanced decision-making skills and critical thinking under pressure.  I’m a college graduate and a graduate of the 198th session of the FBI National Academy. The FBI academy included advanced leadership and management courses. 

What one, two, or three books first published within the past 250 years has most influenced your thinking about society and government? I haven’t read any books that have influenced my thinking on government or society. However “Lincoln on Leadership. Executive Strategies for tough times.” Has had an influence, as well as aided my leadership skill development. It has proved useful in my role as Council President and serving our community.