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Above, honoree Henry Valerych, front center holding "Arc Spirit Award," and his beloved family of "advocates."

Submitted photos and press release:

Arc of Genesee Orleans Board of Directors paid tribute to an agency founding father at Wednesday’s Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet held at Park Place at Batavia Downs.

Henry Valerych was presented the "Arc Spirit Award," in a touching ceremony that included a military color guard by local veterans and music from St. Joe’s of Batavia Brass Ensemble.

“We are honored to present the Arc Spirit Award to a man whose life is a reflection of his dedication to his family, the community and his country,” said Arc Board Member Kevin Fisher.

Valerych is a veteran of the Navy where he served four years and then fulfilled a lifetime of service in the Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant.

“As a Genesee County agency founding father, Henry and his wife, Anne, helped create and grow our agency over the last half century,” Fisher said.

Earlier this year, Henry stepped down from his leadership position with the Arc Board and has been granted Board Member Emeritus status.

In the early years, Henry Valerych wore many hats. When it came to public relations, he helped spread the word by typing a newsletter in his basement and delivering it door-to-door. He also served as Membership Chairman since the agency was founded and has helped raise more than half a million dollars to help grow our agency. 

The Valerych family has spent more than 50 years advocating for their loved ones, and the sons, daughters, sisters and brothers of hundreds of local families. In an interview on the history of our organization, Valerych was asked “What can the community do to help people with disabilities?” His answer was simple…“treat people with disabilities, like you treat everyone else.”

Business Partner of the Year honors went to Intergrow Greenhouses of Albion. Director of Community Employment Services, Melissa Cotter told banquet attendeesthat Intergrow’s David Purvee and his team exemplify our mission to “Be a partner for people with disabilities, and a gateway to opportunities for each person to experience their desired potential.”

“The individuals we serve who work at Intergrow have been given the opportunity to earn money, work in an integrated setting, make new friends, and be a part of a growing compan,” Cotter said. "Our job coaches report that all the employees at Intergrow make sure to make the people we serve who work there feel welcome and a part of their team.”

Friends of Arc Awards were presented to:

• Child Welfare Association of Orleans County for being an active supporter of the Arc of Genesee Orleans and Camp Rainbow for more than 20 years;
• United Way of Genesee County for its ongoing commitment to raise and designate funds in support of Arc programs and services and for the volunteer service opportunities for the individuals Arc serves through the United Way backpack program;
• Batavia Community Garden for welcoming Arc’s Batavia based Community Pre-vocational program, cultivating new interests, friendships and community connections.

Persons of the Year Awards were given to: Joshua Tiede, Self-Advocate; Katie Acomb, Supported Employment; Nick Fuller, Pre-Vocational; Alice Torres, Residential; Francine Caltagirone, Day Habilitation; and Kurt Hoffman, Community Services.

Arc Executive Director Donna Saskowski presented Staff Recognition Awards to: Maryja Andrews, bus driver; Paula Knaak Sr., production manager/community PV; Carole Mitchell, senior QA technician; Kristie Rada, assistant director of Medical Services; Karen Stymus, residential administrative specialist; Kimberly Travale, coordinator of Day Hab Services; and Bethany Willis Sr., support broker.

During the annual meeting portion of the event, the following were elected officers for the coming year: President, Debrah Fischer; Vice President, Jane Scott; Treasurer, Marlene Hill and Secretary, Deborah Riggi.

Board members receiving three-year terms were Debrah Fischer, Kevin Fisher, Susan Maha and Michelle Mahler, and the following were elected to Arc’s nominations committee: Kevin Fisher, Carolyn Laney, Susan Maha, Michelle Mahler, Jim McMullen and Carl Tuohey.

The Master of Ceremonies for the Arc Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony was Paul Figlow.

"Arc Spirit Award" recipient Henry Valerych at the podium.

"Arc Spirit Award" recipient Henry Valerych shaking hands with members of the color guard.

Arc Persons of the Year: Francine and Alice in front; Josh, Katie and Nick in back.

Arc Staff Recognition Award recipients: Bethany Willis, Karen Stymus, Carole Mitchell, Kim Travale, Paula Knaak and Maryja Andrews. Award recipient Kristie Rada was unable to attend.

Eileen Corcoran, far left, of Arc of Genesee Orleans, presented the Batavia Community Garden with a Friend of Arc Award. Accepting were: RaeAnn Engler, Leslie Moma, Bob Gray, Jocelyn Sikorski and Debra Rosenbeck.

Arc Board President Deb Fischer, left, presented a Friend of Arc Award to Genesee County United Way’s Tammy Hathaway and Melissa Stein.

Press release:

Calling all eighth- to 11^th-graders in Genesee County and any other individuals interested in Youth Court! On May 7, Genesee County Youth Court will be celebrating Law Day from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Old Courthouse (7 Main St., Batavia) to show the community how our court operates.

Applications and brochures will be available along with program staff to answer questions for anyone who is interested in joining.

Youth Court is a voluntary alternative for young people who face disciplinary action through school or law enforcement.

Youth who are referred admit to the charge and appear before a court of their peers. There are three youth judges who listen to both sides of the issue and determine an appropriate disposition. The goal of Youth Court is to improve youth citizenship skills and decrease problematic behavior.

Youth Court members learn about the judicial process and law enforcement, group decision making; develop their public speaking skills; participate in a great leadership opportunity; and learn and participate in all roles of the courtroom: judge, prosecution, defense, and bailiff.

Eighth- to 11^th-graders who are interested can attend Law Day on May 7^th or go online to access an application form on the Genesee County website here.

Print the application, fill it out and:

• Mail it to: Chelsea Elliott, Youth Court, Genesee County Youth Bureau, 2 Bank St., Batavia, NY 14020
• Or scan it electronically and email it to:  chelsea.elliott@co.genesee.ny.us
• Or fax it to: (585) 345-3063

Applications are due by July 26. Interviews of potential candidates will take place in August with the training to begin in October.

For more information on the Genesee County Youth Court, please contact Chelsea Elliott at the Genesee County Youth Bureau, 344-3960.

A second ambulance is called to the scene of a car vs. pole accident at 3962 Batavia Elba Townline Road. Unknown injuries. Town of Batavia Fire Department is on scene.

The patient burned in an early morning fire today at 9536 Bernd Road, Le Roy, is 64-year-old Elizabeth J. Reisdorf.

She suffered burns to her hands, face and upper body and was initially taken to UMMC, then subsequently transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

This evening, she was listed in guarded condition. At Strong, guarded condition means a patient is in the Intensive Care Unit.

The preliminary investigation of the fire, which started in the bedroom, indicates it was accidental, caused by smoking in bed, according to Jim Bouton, an Emergency Management coordinator for Genesee County.

(Initial Report)

Press release: 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) met with West Point leaders and cadets in recognition of West Point Day at the state Assembly today (May 1).

A proud member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Hawley also has roots of his own in the military, his father was a veteran of World War II and Hawley himself served for seven years in the Ohio Army National Guard as well as the Army Reserves. 

“It is always a great honor to host our West Point leaders and cadets who carry forward this incredible American military tradition,” Hawley said. “West Point embodies what makes America exceptional and its soldiers extraordinary. I commend all of those in the West Point family who continue to protect and serve with the honor and character that makes all of America proud.”

Hawley recently led a successful bipartisan nationwide effort to ensure that the family members and spouses of deceased and disabled military members are provided college benefits free of charge. His vocal advocacy even garnered President Trump’s support for the policy after downstate lawmakers attempted to bury the bill in the legislative committee process.

Along with thousands of programs across the United States, Genesee Community College will recognize National Law Day tonight with an Alumni and Friends Reception with keynote speaker Rochester investigative reporter Gary Craig.

There will also be an Honor Society Induction Ceremony into the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) Chapter of two GCC students.

National Law Day, celebrated annually on May 1, is designed to shed light on how laws protect liberties and the process by which the legal system strives to achieve justice.

Every year since 1958 the President of the United States has issued a Law Day Proclamation recognizing the importance of the rule of the law. This year’s theme is “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society."

The reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the GCC William W. Stuart Forum. The public is welcome. It is free to attend.

Keynote speaker Craig is a member of the Democrat and Chronicle’s Watchdog team, and he focuses on public safety and criminal justice.

He has worked at Rochester newspapers since 1990, covering City Hall, politics and federal courts before joining the newspaper’s investigative team. He has won state and national investigative writing awards.

He is married with two daughters.

Craig is also the author of the 2017 book, "Seven Million: A Cop, a Priest, a Soldier for the IRA, and the Still-Unsolved Rochester Brink's Heist." His book is available on Amazon.

Two members from the graduating Class of 2019 will be inducted into GCC's chapter of the Lambda Chi (LEX) Honor Society, newly chartered at the college in 2018.They are Briona Siplin, of Rochester, and Arden M. Zavitz, of Medina. Membership in the Honor Society requires a 3.25 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA specifically for Legal Specialty Courses.

At its annual conference last month, the New York State Mathematics Association of Two Year Colleges (NYSMATYC) recognized the Math League Competition winners.

This year, the top individual score was earned by Alexander Central School District and Genesee Community College student Nicholas D. Allen!

Allen has been an Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) program student since middle school. The ACE program at GCC has granted him access to college level courses and credit while still attending high school.

With his hard work and dedication, Allen will graduate from GCC with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer Information Systems and an Associate in Science degree in Liberal Arts & Science with a concentration in Physics, several weeks before earning his high school diploma.

The NYSMATYC competition consists of two timed exams consisting of 20 mathematical questions each – once in the Fall and once in the Spring. The top five scores from each college are combined to form the college’s team score for each competition. Then, the Fall and Spring exam scores for both individuals and teams are combined to crown the academic year’s champion college and individual.

Prizes for the competition often include mathematical software generously donated by the Math League sponsors and mathematical and scientific journals and magazines.

This year, more than 500 of the best math students from 27 different SUNY and CUNY two year colleges took the exams. The collective team of Genesee Community College students took a remarkable sixth place in the competition, for the second consecutive year.

Allan’s outstanding score this year continues the tradition of excellence seen in GCC’s math students, including the 2018 competition where three GCC students received $1,200 in scholarships for their scores.

These successes are the result of GCC’s unique combination of quality faculty members, a supportive and effective Math Department and its high-tech resources and equipment. When bright and talented students are subjected to the student-focused environment GCC has created, they consistently earn merit-based scholarships and awards at the NYSMATYC competitions.

“When competing against much larger institutions, GCC’s smaller class sizes and therefore more accessible faculty members are a significant advantage to our students,” Christopher Kemp, associate professor, director of GCC’s Mathematics and Engineering Science Division and NYSMATYC president said.

“An advantage that results in unparalleled levels of commitment to our students, and in-turn, impressive student development and achievement."

NYSMATYC formed the Mathematics League for NYS Two-Year Colleges in 1980 to provide a challenge and foster interest in mathematics. The league has also generated a nearly 40-year long friendly competition between two-year colleges across the state.

Genesee Community College offers an associate degree in Mathematics, and the ACE program gives students the opportunity to earn significant college credits while still in high school. For more information on the ACE program, contact GCC at (585) 345-6801, or via email at ACE@genesee.edu.

Additional information about the NYSMATYC is available at http://www.nysmatyc.org/.

Top photo from left: Professor Christopher Kemp, Nicholas D. Allen, and Professor Philip Pickering.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Committee to Elect Judge Rogers invites the public to come meet with Batavia City Court Judge Durin Rogers for coffee and a conversation on May 16 at the Holland Land Office from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and on May 25 at the Richmond Memorial Library from 9:30-10:30 a.m. 

This is a great opportunity for the residents of Batavia to learn more about the job of Batavia City Court Judge, answer questions about the election process and get to know the candidate.

“I hope to share more about what the Batavia City Court does on a day-to-day basis, what my job entails, and connect with residents from our community,” Judge Rogers said. “A casual conversation over a cup of coffee is a great way to accomplish that. I hope to see everyone there!”

(Durin Rogers is seeking election as permanent Batavia City Court Judge, a post currently held by Robert Balbick, who will be retiring. The other candidate is Benjamin Bonarigo.)

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider reassigning the terms of previously approved PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) agreements for Upstate Niagara Cooperative, which recently finalized the purchase of the former Alpina Foods manufacturing facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.  

The PILOT agreements would provide local taxing jurisdictions with $378,010 in revenues over the life of the PILOT. Upstate Niagara Cooperative plans to invest $22 million in the facility to meet the company’s operational needs.

The GCEDC Board also will consider a request by New York Craft Malt for a $82,000 loan from the Growing the Agricultural Industry Now! (GAIN) fund.  The GAIN loan would be part of a $206,968 investment for the purchase of new equipment and building improvements at the company’s facility at 8164 Bank Street Road in the Town of Batavia. The project would create two new jobs.

The GCEDC Board meeting will take place at its offices at 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. The meeting is open to the public.

A pole and wires are down in the roadway at 7982 Byron Road, Stafford. Stafford Fire Department is responding. The location is between School and Fotch roads.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: South Byron Fire Police are requested, mutual aid, to shut down the road at Fotch and Byron roads.

Richmond Memorial Library's budget vote and trustee election takes place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 2nd.

Norm Argulsky and Jessica Ecock-Rotondo are candidates for the two trustee seats, each with five-year terms.

The library is seeking an increase in local public funds of $25,350 for fiscal year 2019-20.

Voting takes place in the Library's Gallery Room. The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia. Phone is 343-9550.

Any registered voter residing in the Batavia City School District is eligible to vote.

To learn about the 2019-20 budget, the trustee candidates and general information about the library and its plans, click here.

Library Director Robert Conrad explains the proposed budget:

"On the revenue side, we’re prepared for small drops in PILOT funds and income from library fines and fees. We expect them to be counterbalanced easily by increases to gifts, memorials, and withdrawals from our appropriated fund balance.

"Of course, the bulk of our revenues come from the local property tax levy. New York’s property tax cap formula allows us to ask for an increase of $60,557 without breaking the cap – but we’re asking for an increase of only $25,350. That increase, which would be under 2 percent for the sixth year in a row, would raise the tax rate per thousand of assessed value by 0.0288 – in other words, by less than $3 for a home assessed at $100,000.

"On the expense side, we're budgeting slight increases in local funding for library materials; we're adding capacity to the Imagination Library program (free books for kids to keep every month, from birth through age 5), which would allow up to double the enrollment we see today; and we’re doubling down on our very popular and well-attended library programs for adults, teens, and children of all ages.

"Long supported by additional funding from the Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library, our music, movie, book, and family gaming programs are popular with Batavians as well as with families from the surrounding communities who come here to share, learn, read, and play, helping to make Batavia the vibrant hub of the GLOW county region.

"Thank you to everyone for making the Richmond Memorial Library the extraordinary place that it strives to be!"