batavia

For residents looking for volunteer opportunities in the city, Batavia has five openings on four different boards/committees.

The Neighborhood Improvement Committee has an opening in Ward 1. The Planning & Development Committee has an opening in Ward 6. The Plumbing Board has an opening in Ward 6 for a master plumber. The Zoning Board of Appeals has an openings in Ward 2 and Ward 5.

From the City Clerk's press release:

Residents interested in applying can obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office or can visit our website at www.batavianewyork.com and download a Committee/Board Application under Downloadable Forms.  The City is hoping to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.  Applications will be taken for any board to be kept on file for future use.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Office of the City Clerk
One Batavia City Centre
Batavia, New York 14020
Phone:   (585) 345-6305
Fax:        (585) 343-9221
E-mail:   hparker@batavianewyork.com
 

We're putting up TWO items today: Herbly Wonderful and Batavia Downs Grandstands Bar and Grille.

Both are $25 gift certificates for $12.50. Half Off!

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Batavia Downs

SOLD

Batavia's interim Fire Chief Thomas Dillon will serve his last day with the department on Friday.

Dillon is resigning after the New York Civil Service Commission denied a waiver that would have allowed him to continue drawing retirement benefits while receiving a full-time salary from the city.

Dillon retired after 29 years with the Rochester fire department and under civil service rules could not collect more than $30,000 per year as Batavia's chief without a waiver. The job pays $80,000 per year.

Details on the reason for the denial are not immediately available, but Dillon said he believed it had something to do with the availability of local candidates to fill the role.  Civil service rules only allow a full-time position to be filled by a retired public employee if there are not other qualified candidates for the job.

Dillon, who was appointed to the job in September, said he's disappointed to be leaving Batavia.

"This has been a great fit for me," Dillon said. "I can't say enough about how great the people here have been. I have nothing but good things to say about the people on both the fire and the medic side. It's been a great experience for me."

He also praised the city administration and repeated how disappointed he is that he's unable to stay in Batavia.

Dillon and his wife will return to Geneseo, where they ow na home, he said.

UPDATE: An alert reader notes that city officials must have known for a few days at least that Chief Dillon would be leaving. There is a help wanted ad in the Democrat and Chronicle. The job opening was not advertised with the Daily News nor The Batavian (which is free). Nor is the job placed with Craig's List, which is also free.

UPDATE II: Before tonight's council meeting, I spoke with Jason Molino.  "We've been advertising the position for the last week and we have received resumes," Molino said. He also said, "We are considering internal candidates, as well."

Brian P. Griffin, 24, of Batavia, is charged with grand theft and endangering the welfare of a child after he allegedly forced his way into the car of an ex-girlfriend, climbed over her children and grabbed a cell phone from her hand. The alleged incident took place Saturday around 7:20 p.m.  Griffin is being held without bail.

John C. Townley, 33, of Alexander, is charged with criminal mischief. Townley allegedly got involved in a verbal argument with another patron at MY Saloon early Saturday morning. Because of the disturbance, an employee reportedly asked Townley to leave the bar. Once outside, Townley reportedly punched a window of the building and broke it.

Cory J. Rigdon, 22, of Holley, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or higher and unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Rigdon was arrested after reportedly driving off the end of Hessenthaler Road in Byron on Sunday evening. Upon further investigation, deputies found he had a prior DWI conviction.

John Tullar, 30, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop on Pratt Road.

Jeffery S. Leonard, 22, of Tonawanda, is charged with DWI, a BAC of .08 or greater and ticked for failure to stop at a stop sign. He was cited early Sunday morning on Pearl Street in Batavia.

Happy Mothers 09 fron Dan and boys.These flowers are in front of the mansion on jackson st batavia.

We're putting up TWO items today: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle and T.F. Brown's.

Both are $25 gift certificates for $12.50. Half Off!

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles

SOLD

T.F. Brown's

SOLD

We're putting up THREE items today: Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle, Herbly Wonderful and Main St. Pizza Company.

All three are $25 gift certificates for $12.50. Half Off!

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won a certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible to win a certificate from the same business as before.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. on MONDAY to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles

SOLD

Herbly Wonderful

SOLD

Main St. Pizza Company

SOLD

No, Bruce Springsteen isn't coming to town. Yes, you're not missing a secret show by the Gwen Stefani on Center Street.

This ticket-seeking camp out began at 6 a.m. and it's filled with parents hoping for the best available seats for a Suzanne's School of Dance recital at Batavia High School this Friday and Saturday.

"Yes, we're crazy," said Cathy Chmielowiec, who arrived at 11 a.m. "This is what we'll do for our kids.

Candice Wells was the first in line. "It's important to my daughter," she said.

At the back of the line, a woman noted that no person is allowed to by more than 12 tickets. "We can't buy tickets for each other."

She declined to give her name.

"I don't want to face the wrath of Suzanne," she said. "I'm anonymous."

Another parent said the tickets used to be sold at the school each year, but administrators objected to the long, day-long lines, so now people queue up on Center Street the day of the sale.

The door for tickets opened a little early (scheduled for 6 p.m.), at about 5:40 p.m.

Today's Deal of the Day: A $50 gift certificate from Larry's Steakhouse in Batavia. The Batavian's Good Deal Price: $25 -- HALF off!

Larry's, located at 60 Main St. in Batavia, is one of the newer and finer dining establishments in Batavia. The menu offers many great items, but of course the speciality is steak.  Larry's also features a full bar.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  People who have won this certificate in the past 30 days are not eligible for this offer.  Gift certificates cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

Sold.

 I bet these folks wish that is all they had to worry about or decide on was whether they liked Coke or Pepsi better.  This picture was taken on the streets of the Bronx during Care-A-Van’s recent visit to New York City.  The people above were waiting to have a hot cooked meal at the Love Gospel Assembly.

Tonight on the streets of Batavia was no different. On our outing tonight we saw a lot of hurting souls that had many difficulties going on in their lives. They climbed on board and the only thing they were looking for just as these people in the picture was hope.  Bridget had cooked up a delicious pot of goulash for everyone to share. Paul had the coffee brewing and Elder Ron was busy taking care of the tables outside.

The team got to visit with people and share of the hope that there is for their lives. A lovely lady invited us into her home at the end of the evening and we saw the most awesome collection of coca cola items.  As the bus was about to leave, another gentleman who has been struggling knocked on the door of the bus. He came in sat down and shared with from his heart with such emotion of his struggles.  He knows of the freedom that comes with having the Lord in his heart, but he as the rest of us is human and was struggling.

You know Jesus doesn’t ask us what do you want- Coke or Pepsi? No, he asks what do you want- life or death? Yes we have a choice. We can choose life- which comes with freedom or we can choose death- which is the continuation of making wrong choices, living in sin and being caught up in the confusion of the world.  I don’t know about you, but I choose life. Oh and just so you know as a sidebar- give me a diet Pepsi any day!

Have a blessed day! We look forward to seeing you all as we travel around the city bringing hope to the lost and hurting.

PS.. Hey Howard that might be a good poll for you.. coke or pepsi?

A pedestrian has been struck by a car at North and Ross streets in Batavia. Firefighters and an ambulance have been dispatched.

Very minor injuries are reported.

When South Beach closed without warning, many people in the community were concerned about gift certificates that had purchased but not redeemed.

In comments on The Batavian, representatives of Alex's Place and Sunny's step forward and offered to redeem the gift certificates.

Matt Gray, owner of Alex's Place says his restaurant on Park Road redeemed more than 350 gift certificates.

Maggie Fasano, manager at Sunny's said 139 gift certificates were redeemed there.

Gray said the offer brought in some new customers and people who hadn't visited Alex's in some time and were grateful, noting that they would be back soon.

"It was very well received from every one who had gift certificates and had a chance to redeem them, not only from us but from the other restaurants as well," Gray said. "It was well received as a gesture of good will."

The exchange was also a big hit at Sunny's.

"People were definitely positive," Fasano said. "People were grateful it wasn't a total lose for them and we picked up lots of new customers, and we're very glad to have them."

Ken Mistler recently revealed that he's purchasing the South Beach location and will seek a new tenant looking to open a new restaurant in that location.

Today's Deal of the Day: A $25 gift certificate from Alex's Place in Batavia. The Batavian's Good Deal Price: $12.50 -- HALF off!

Before I even decided to start a business in Batavia, people were telling me about Alex's Place.  It wasn't until last week that my wife and I finally went there for lunch. Wow.  Alex's definately lives up to its reputation.

Rules: The gift certificate must be used by within 30 days of purchase. It is not valid with other offers and has no cash value.  It cannot be used, by state law, to purchase alcohol.

How to Win: Purchase using the PayPal "Buy Now" button below. After the first person to hit the "buy now" button completes the purchase, PayPal will let you know that the item has been sold. Ideally, the winner will arrange to stop by my office on Main Street before 5:00 p.m. to pick up gift certificate. Mail is an option, but it would be better to hand you the gift certificate. 

If you want to be notified via e-mail of future Deals of the Day, sign up for the Deals of the Day e-mail list by clicking here.

Merchants: If you would like your business featured in Deal of the Day, call Howard Owens at 260-6970.

SOLD

When Jeffrey D. Bald, 27, of Wolcott Street in LeRoy, allegedly fled from police following a reported domestic disturbance, he did more than just send law enforcement officers on a chase, he also reportedly disrupted 9-1-1 service for the village.

Bald reportedly lost control of his vehicle on Myrtle Street and struck a utility pole. That accident caused disruption to the emergency call service, which has now been restored.

UPDATE: We just received this correction from Chris Hayward, chief of police: 

911 service still an issue.  Frontier working on it and they hope to have it resolved by this afternoon.  911 calls being forwarded to 768-2527, if that is busy calls then route to the County.  If they call 911 and still experience a problem call 768-2527 directly. 

Events began around 9:15 p.m. at Bald's residence, where police were called because of a possible domestic dispute.  En route to the residence, police say they spotted Bald driving from the scene on Wolcott.

Bald reportedly drove into the intersection of Route 5, turning westbound on Route 5, nearly striking another vehicle head-on.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Bald reportedly headed the wrong way down Bacon Street. Upon reaching Route 19, Bald reportedly drove his car southbound to Myrtle Street, which is where he apparently lost control.

Bald then reportedly attempted to flee the scene on foot and he was taken into custody about a half mile from the site of the accident.

Police report speeds in the vehicle chase never exceeded 50 m.p.h.

Bald is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, resisting arrest and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, along with other violations. He is being held in Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Amanda Wittmann, 21, of Bennington, is charged with rape. Wittmann is accused of sexual relations with a 16-year-old in Washington, where authorities issued a warrant for her arrest. She was arrested in Pembroke.

Micahel Innes, 55, of Rochester, is likely going to pay more for his untaxed cigarettes than he anticipated. Yesterday, Innes was stopped in Oakfield for an alleged traffic violation. A Sheriff's deputy noticed more than 400 cigarettes in his car, which is a violation of New York State tax code. Innes will appear in Oakfield Town Court to answer the charges June 8.

Lamarr Randell, 23, of Buffalo, was stopped for allegedly speeding in Pembroke. Deputies report they found marijuana in his possession.  He was cited for both alleged violations.

Timothy Mcjury, 21, of Alexander, is charged with petty larceny for allegedly shoplifting at Home Depot in Batavia.

Joseph Henrick, 59, of Stafford, is accused of violating an order of protection. He is charged with criminal contempt.

Batavia City Police Detective Kevin Czora suffered a fractured finger during the capture of a fleeing suspect early Tuesday evening.

According to police, 20-year-old Maverick R. McMurray, who lives at 30 Pearl St. in Batavia, was observed possibly attempting to steal property from a vehicle parked at the Kwikfill on Jackson Street at about 6:30.

McMurray purportedly gave police a false name and then fled on foot. Czora gave chase and caught the guy, breaking his finger in the process.

McMurray was remanded to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bond and charged with assault in the second degree, obstruction of govermental administration in the second degree and using a false identity. He is set to appear in court May 7.

The Batavia Drug Treatment Court is celebrating 10 years of operation with a graduation ceremony May 15.

The public is invited. It will be held at 10 a.m. at Batavia City Court. All past drug court participants are encouraged to attend. About five current participants will be graduating and several past grads will speak. A light complimentary brunch will follow.

The Batavia Drug Treatment Court held its first session Feb. 23, 1999 with five cases. Since then, more than 425 men and women have participated. The program consists of an intensive year of comprehensive drug treatment with close supervision and complete accountability.

It began as a pilot program backed by Batavia City Court Judge Robert Balbick, Genesee County Public Defender Gary Horton and Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl. During the early days, others were also instrumental in launching the program, they include Mary France, the drug court's first coordinator, and Linda Giambrone, the court's chief clerk.

After one year in service, the court was awarded a federal grant for $220,000. At first, it handled only Batavia City Court misdemeanor cases. Now it is a "hub court," accepting both misdemeanor and felony referrals from courts throughout Genesee County.

All along the court has partnered with lots of substance abuse treatment agencies, mental health professionals, law enforcement officials and other groups.

Current drug court coordinator Nicole Desmond works about 70 active cases and she envisions expanding the concept to include extensive cooperation with the Veterans' Administration and improvement in the treatment of mentally ill people in the drug court system.

This month is also National Drug Court Month, recognizing 20 years of drug treatment courts in the United States.

Police officers appeared at BOCES on Monday after a man was seen carrying a backpack with an apparent gun handle sticking from it into the adjoining woods.

Upon investigation, police found the backpack unattended in the woods. Inside was a disassembled 12-gauge shotgun and the ID of Kirk A. Frye, 20, of Batavia.

No ammo was found with the gun.

Apparently, Frye, who doesn't attended BOCES but knows people who do, dropped the backpack in the woods before entering to the campus to find a ride home. He was carrying the gun with the intention of selling it at a local gun shop and stated he knew it was illegal to bring the gun onto campus, which is why he left it where he did.

Police kept the gun and charged Frye with disorderly conduct.  He is scheduled to appear in court on the charge May 12 at 1 p.m.

The proposed budget for Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia passed handily Tuesday.

A total of 312 voters cast ballots, with 253 approving the budget and 59 against it. The new budget is $1,240,352. The library's plans include possibly increasing its hours of operation.

Incumbent Trustee John McGee, who ran unopposed, won reelection to a five-year term with 291 yes votes.

The library's top four sources of revenue are the school district, gifts/endowments, library fees/printing charges and Genesee County funding.

Library staff expressed a lot of "thanks for the community's generous support."

Remember the well-dress man wandering around downtown two weeks ago -- the police sent out a bank-camera photo of the man and said he was wanted it connection with an alleged larceny?

Police tell me the post on The Batavian led to numerous tips.

Yesterday, Yusuf A. Hassem  a.k.a. Louis L. Reed, 69, of Buffalo was taken into custody and charged with one count of grand larceny.

It turns out Hassam allegedly ran a scam, convincing a local woman that he was recently arrived from Africa and didn't know what to do with $7,000 in cash he had on him. The woman suggested he open a checking account at Tonawanda Valley Credit Union.

Hassem reportedly told the woman he couldn't find an available teller and asked her to hold the $7,000 and handed her a folded handkerchief. It was later found that the handkerchief contained only cut-up newspaper.

And an envelope the woman had containing $2,000 was missing.

We're asking Det. Chuck Dudek for clarification on where the $2,000 came from and how Hassem was able to get his hands on it.

Hassem has two prior convictions for running con jobs.

After arraignment in City Court by Robert Balbick, Hassam was jailed without bail.