All businesses and government entities have reserve funds, it’s just good business. You need them to ensure there are little fluctuations in taxes. The lack of a reserve fund was part of the financial problem the city had prior to its recovery.
ummm....well...duh!!!Obviously theres a surplus because they over tax the heck outta ppl....um...can anyone else see how many for sale signs are around town. Ppl gettin tired of high ny taxes and wanting to go elsewhere. And to reward Molina with a raise would be a slap in the face of taxpayers who struggle each day who have to work two jobs and cannot afford luxuries in life which everyone of us should be entitled to. One of the toughest things of being below your means is not having and having to shell out so others can have. Its just out of whack. If you have a cushy job that is in any govt sector you dont understand this. Lower taxes and fees so that ppl will stay here. Tick tock...time is runnin out...no jobs..high taxes.. you do the math.
Like Charlie said, a healthy reserve fund is absolutely necessary and dipping into it for anything other than necessities isn't advisable. I'm sure the City Manager and City Council have a goal number in mind for where they would like the reserve fund to be. Once they get there they can look at other places to spend, or not spend, what's left over.
I can't imagine the surplus is going to be so large that it would translate to any meaningful tax decrease, but it might be enough for a few extra street repairs.
It's hard enough to keep tax rates flat or even in line with the rate of inflation. If the city manages to do that while beefing up the reserve fund AND doing a little extra infrastructure work, I'd count it as a win.
Mary,
Even when people said the economy was booming in the 1990’s, nobody ever wanted to give any city employee a raise. Not the Manager, the Police or Firemen, the DPW workers or even the secretaries.
So, when and under what circumstances would you agree the Manager deserves a pay raise? And, how would you calculate how much it should be?
And if you watch the Council meeting on TV, you'll see that "extra" money is going to be put aside to pay future expenses so that taxes do not have to go up, or at least not as much as they might.
The City has some mandated expenses coming up. Would you rather have money put aside to help pay them, or one big tax increase all at once?
I highly doubt people are leaving the city for tax reasons. The houses are cheap as dirt, which isn’t the case in the suburbs of Rochester or Buffalo. Living in Batavia is a good deal for someone to say otherwise is silly. Anyone moving local from Batavia is going to where there are jobs and is going to pay a lot more for a home and taxes. People moving south have given up on NY, not Batavia.
Private sector business people know that you need reserve funds for out of budget initiatives. They also know that you cannot pay an administrator $80K a year and get anyone worth a crap. Jason is grossly underpaid and yes I know there are plenty of people with lesser qualifications working for much less. No one with his experience or ability would take that crap job at City Hall for the peanuts he is paid. If you ask me, he has a few screws loose for not bailing on the city and finding a better job.
My wife and I if we had more money would move out of Batavia in a heart beat. Crime is up, the rules are dumb, changes being made are for the worse, there is nothing to do.
Both of us have a lot of family in Rochester. We left there and moved out here because of the deal on the house. After almost two years, we are pretty much done. There is no community here. There is no pride. And there is nothing for 20 somethings to do except the Muckdogs, which may not be around.
But don't worry I'm sure the situation with the traffic lights on Main and Ellicott and slimming of lanes on 98 and 63 and the three levels of law enforcement who can't seem to keep drug houses out of town and the loss of the only sports team won't have anyone else give up on Batavia.
Batavia is inexpensive, which is one of the reasons why my wife and I are staying here while she is in school. Taxes are high, but when I leave this area taxes will not be my top reason for going.
Have a reserve is smart business and practical government. It does not mean we should continue to increase our cost. There are still many things that this city should do for the long term, but they need some savings.
As far as Molino getting a raise being considered a slap in the face? I don't see that. He has worked hard and done a good job. People get raises when they do good work. A slap in the face is how council has done nothing to consolidate our larger services or do any kind of economic development in the city.
A slap in the face is watching all the good things in this community shrink up, die or leave from lack of support; then come on here and listen to people complain about how there is nothing in Batavia.
A slap in the face is listening to people who have worked for the government their whole lives, collecting pensions larger than my household income, tell me that the private sector is evil.
A slap in the face is seeing how much time and money is spent on people at the end of their lives, but yet will fight against youth programs and initiatives.
Peter said: "After almost two years, we are pretty much done. There is no community here."
Now Peter, there is probably not a more jaded person on the planet concerning Batavia, New York, than I. Except Richard Gahagan, but even he would never say that there is no community in Batavia. Batavia is, was and will always be: "The Community of Opportunity" get out there and embrace it. Give a little to the community and the love will come back at you ten fold. I'm not talking religion, I'm talking reality.
Batavia, keep the money in escrow for repairs, they will be needed. Onward through the Fog!
Mary,
Where is it written that "everyone" is entitled to luxuries in life? It's that entitlement attitude that is part of the problem.
Everyone is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Pursuit being a key word here. If you want luxuries, then you are free to pursue a better job or a second job and a savings account in order to have them.
There is nothing wrong with living below your means...that's called being frugal. If you are tired of "not having" things, then do something about it; preferably, something other than complain that you are entitled to live above your means.
John,
Notice I said if we had more money. Taxes are comparable. Only one layer of police actually serves most areas instead of having 3 different division go by my house more than likely I will see one or none. Garbage is not limited to 5 bags and they take anything, including yard waste.
I don't know about you John but sports are important to me. I currently am in 4 leagues myself plus my season tickets to the Rhinos and I make out to see the Muckdogs when it fits my schedule, which is often enough. Each of those 4 leagues is in Monroe County. There is no where in Batavia for me to do the job I do. I could down grade to TV repair but thats a dying industry and pays less than I make now.
Increases in taxes to levels that I would have to pay elsewhere just increase my incentive to leave.
Peter, taxes are comparable but, what you get for a house at the same price isn’t. You can live in a very nice home in a great neighborhood for 80K in Batavia. You can’t get the same closer to Buffalo or Rochester. There is also nothing but, “community” in Batavia. It is the best place I have ever lived.
Batavia is basically crime free because, we have a really good police force. You see crimes in the blotter because the police are doing their jobs. Stop reading the blotter, it rots the brain.
As for the “rules” they keep property values up by making sure our neighborhoods are cared for. Without the “rules” the whole city would plummet into the ground. If someone wants to keep a couch on the porch or junk cars on their lawn, they should move to the hinterlands.
Peter, if it makes economic sense for you to move closer to your job, then you have to do it. That decision has nothing to do with Batavia being a great place to live or not.
Charlie,
After two years here I have made friends with less than a dozen people because there is not place to go and meet people that interests me other than the Dogs' games. The "community" doesn't care if they lose a 71 year tradition of baseball. They don't support changes to help the city. They keep voting in the same decrepit people to the council and expect change.
Do you know how I deal with yard waste? I put in my father-in-laws van because its easier then trying to get to the dump before it closes.
I have to pay extra to have an old tv taken away. Thats just plain garbage (aren't pun's fun).
For $54,000 I got a 2000 sqft house. Good Deal. But I don't need two of the bedrooms. I don't need what I can afford I just happened to want it.
Crime free? We constantly have talk here on the this page about the emergence of gangs. Did Wiard Plow burn by itself? I'm laughed at at work because I come from the land of Meth houses.
Peter,
Many of the Monroe County towns have their own Police, and are not cheap. Then there are the County Sheriffs and State Police. That means 2-3 to me.
If you are moving into a town without its own police force, that still leaves two. How is that different than say Stafford or the Town of Batavia?
I agree with Charlie that maybe to be closer to work and your many sports, makes moving a good idea. But the idea that Monroe County is cheaper to afford is a bit of a stretch.
They also have bigger government at all levels in Monroe County, something you hate.
Peter, the thing is if you ever leave Batavia and decide to go back, five or ten years later, you'll still have those dozen friends. They will remember you. If I came back to Batavia it would be like I never left. But I aint coming back unless it is in a wooden box. So says the man of little faith and huge bravado, for now.
Peter, I’m not from Batavia. I went to school in New Jersey, Orlando, and Seattle and finally graduated from a high school in downtown Buffalo. I guess your perception of what crime IS, is at question. A couple of kids playing with fire in a vacant building and getting caught is not a big league crime in my book. Stupid and dangerous, of course it is. The blotter is full of stories about petty crimes and DWI arrests, all of that is great gossip but, none of it portrays the crime rate in our area correctly. The blotter is full because, the police in this area are very good at their jobs. It’s a small town and people are not about to let a meth house stay open.
I would be the first one to pay more taxes to keep the dawgs around. I strongly believe that whether you like to go to the games or not, it’s a quality of life issue. Not to mention what that vacant building is going to do to the neighborhood it surrounds. I would also pay more for festivals like, Summer in the City. We need far more of those types of events to grow our business district.
Yeah, the nearly year-around sun in California is kind of nice, and the percentage of property taxes per $1K is much lower than New York, but factor in the two or three times of housing costs, and the tax difference is negated.
Maine was OK, but I was young and probably didn't see it for what it really was.
No matter where you go in New York, you're going to pay high taxes. The differences between jurisdictions are negligible.
Throughout Upstate New York the cost of living is much better than California despite the higher taxes.
I suppose there are parts of the country where you don't have to deal with cold, snowy winters (though the summer humidity will probably get to you) and where taxes aren't as high here, but where such places exist, you're going to pay for it through a higher cost of living.
Paying too much out on housing and food, even if you make higher wages, really hampers your economic flexibility.
As for the idea that Batavia lacks community -- well, I lived in Pittsford for a couple of years and I'm quite certain there is a greater sense of community in Batavia than Pittsford. But more than that the community problem isn't just a Batavia problem. It's an everywhere problem. There is no place you can go in the United States where the Rotary doesn't struggle for membership, where Elks lodges aren't closing, where professional sports teams are seeing attendance drop, where recreational sports leagues aren't finding it harder to field teams, etc.
That's all covered in the book Bowling Alone. It's a national problem, and it is a problem.
Batavia has numerous advantages, numerous reasons to like it here, but so do many other places.
As I said, every place has its pluses and minuses.
Bottom line, if you can't make it in Batavia, you can't make it anywhere.
The grass doesn't get any greener over the county line.
I grew up in Ogden, you never saw Sheriffs or State police in the town once the Sheriffs office closed and because the school admin building. The state police only showed up once 531 was extended. One layer with more to call on if necessary is not the same as have all three patrol by my house here in Batavia.
And in Parma, when I moved there, I only saw Sheriffs.
And yes I saw a lot less crime there then I do here.
Charlie,
I lived in Norfolk, Jacksonville, and Augusta. I was not privy to nearly the same level crime that I am in Batavia. DWI's I could care less about. 20 years ago most of those people wouldn't be bothered and more than likely wouldn't cause an accident.
Also I have never been in a place with so many people taking from the government. Its disheartening to see fat women take their teenage daughters into Tops and get their groceries courtesy of the state and then buy lotto tickets with cash and then hop into a Buick.
lol hahahahah Peter ,you go, your on the money, NYS sucks in general , i like NC my self , i will move there son as i can ,
(Also I have never been in a place with so many people taking from the government. Its disheartening to see fat women take their teenage daughters into Tops and get their groceries courtesy of the state and then buy lotto tickets with cash and then hop into a Buick. ) that so funny but true
Sorry, I do not live in town so I am dying to know: if you're not allowed to throw your "yard waste" out with the trash and you're not allowed to burn it then what are you supposed to do with it? Rake it onto your neighbor's property? Whose business is it what someone throws away in their trash anyway?
Angela,
The City of Batavia contracts out its trash pickup. To cut the cost of the contract, yard waste is not allowed. They have a yard waste disposal site on the south end of the city where stuff can be taken.
If yard waste was allowed, taxes would go up to pay for it, and as you see here all the time, most people want the lowest taxes possible. It's a trade off.
Bigger items, like a TV, need to have a tag purchased to off set the cost of pickup. Again, to cut taxes.
The Police in Batavia do a good job? What about the sex offender(Ernest Reese) screaming in the middle of the street then when the Police show up all they do is shake his hand then leave.Letting people like that know my family and I are easy targets makes a repeat incident much more likely.That puts us in danger.Keep saying they do a good job Charlie or You'll be targeted by the bullies in uniform.I have many relatives who are in Law enforcement they are hopelessly flawed like the rest of us.
Why are you going there again after deleting all your previous posts a few weeks ago?
Joanne,
Amen! There are way too many people in this world who feel entitled to things they cannot afford. People need to quit living paycheck to paycheck and start saving some money. You are not entitled to things you cannot afford. You do not NEED the most expensive cable/phone etc package.
I think I hear the pot talking. How did I know 5 seconds after I posted that comment someone would "astonished" arrive. So, Frank, since you are keeping track of my comments...tell me when the last one was? At least a week or two ago. But *I* am a member of your so called post patrol.
Ha! you are all suckers-I would never live in the city! However,if there was a surplus,they need to keep it in reserve and not piss it away. No sense of lowering taxes-they'll just jack your assessment up to make up for it.great,we're starting to see beggars/bums now....walked out of Wilson Farms on East Main today-(seems like the #1 place in Batavia to use your EBT card)-guy hanging around front asking people for a dollar-I said no,another guy said no,an older gentleman said he works for his money.As I was waiting at light-a young guy did give him a dollar (or more)-what did the guy do w/ it you ask???? I saw him walk over to the lottery ticket machine!!!! Yep,i've said it before,and i'll say it again-Batavia is turning into inner city before our eyes and no one gives a damn-too many slumlords that'll rent to the NYS leeches-THAT'S why you're seeing so many houses for sale.
I continue to see the same names complaining about the same things over and over again, but I never see those names out in the community trying to make it a different place...wierd huh? Molino has a job to do and he is doing it. Unless any of you are going to do it or assist in ways other than complaining, why bother complaining. There have been numerous drug raids lately and I find it disgusting too, but do you people not understand that it isn't the police that bring the drugs in? If it weren't for our police force, those houses would never be shut down and you never would even know about them. I am proud to have a force that busts their ... to make this a safe community.
There are problems with this city and community, but nothing will ever change by whining. Instead, get out of the house, say hi to strangers, help those in need, start a block party, anything. Join a club so membership doesn't keep declining, volunteer all the time you spend on here to a cause that would love to have the extra person. It takes everyone working together and knowing Batavia can be great for it to happen. I come to this site to get news and keep up to date and have become sick of all the complaining about how crappy Batavia and governmnt is. Quit whining and DO something!!!!
Why help a lost cause? The police can only do so much. It's our right to complain if we want.I like this site for all the up-to-date news Howard provides us with.
Peter, let us know when ya plan to leave, we'll help ya move....don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya....keep in touch though, your superior intellect will be sorely missed here!!
Ha, like you were actually doing something other than sitting there waiting to respond. So, frank, why won't you answer my question about having a job?
Howard,
I appreciate what you do and how hard it must be but "both of you"??? I have not made a comment here in several days and the second I do there is frank with his name calling (post patrol). I had a feeling the second I made a comment to dennis he would arrive. I HAVE ignored him on many, many occasions but the second I have a thing to say...nothing to do with him. Well, there he is. So what am I to stop? Commenting here? Tell me and I will but you and I know he will just move on to someone else annoyed by his dragging his son through a media circus.
I have tried! Did I respond to his last several comments aimed @ me? NO! Now I seem to remember someone calling Richard a pencil-neck geek. Easier said than done, eh???
I tried to find leagues to play in here in Batavia. There is one hockey league that I found I have heard its a real pain to get into. But there is no adult kickball, soccer, softball, or any other sport that I enjoy available here. That is where I would build my relationships with the community up. I am not interested in the Elks or Rotary or the VFW or American Legion.
I went to a city council meeting, expressed some of my grievances and not one person on the council addressed them.
I voted for conservative to be elected but that didn't happen either, instead my council representative is the same old woman who's been there for years and nothing changes.
I say hi to those that go by my house on a walk but that doesn't do anything.
The time I spend on here is when I am monitoring an automated test at work. Can't volunteer that time.
Peter, I, for one, would hate to see you leave our community, but if you do leave, here's what you'll find: A whole new set of grievances against where ever you move to. I guarantee it. And that's not a knock on you. That's just the way it is.
For me, whatever faults I might find with Batavia are far outweighed by the positives, and part of how that balancing works is I realize where ever else I might go or have already been won't be or isn't perfect either.
There is no nirvana. And searching for it will only be frustrating.
Move if playing kickball is important to you, but don't make it out as Batavia's fault that there is no kickball team, or even that you don't like your council representative. It's your choice as to what's important to you or not.
And if you're not willing to stick around and see through projects of change, that's you're choice, too, and not our fault.
Howard, stick around would be fine if I thought any change for the good was being made. So far all I have seen is things moving towards an end I don't like.
For now having the leagues in Monroe, since I work out there anyways is fine. But as a 28 year old, there is nothing to do in Batavia that interests me. Maybe when I hit my 60's this place will have what I want.
The worst part is, if I tried to start a league from nothing in any of the sports I play, I would be like to field 1 team let alone a minimum of 4 that I would need to make it interesting.
There are good housing opportunities here in Batavia for young families like mine, but thats where the good things end.
Lorie,How long did it take for you to attack Dennis' post. I simply played the same game, and of course, you don't like it. Welcome to the club.Yes I have a job, and have had a job most of my adult life.And I beleive I posted that I would no longer post about my son. The court case involving him is over, with the exception of the right to appeal.
I believe you calling me the pot was no worse than my using the term "post patrol".
Maybe I do seem argumentive in your eyes, but at any rate, those qualities served me well as a cheif steward in a labor union. I preferred to call it healthy debate, or negiotiations, but I guess argumentive fits as well.
I will no longer post on any of your comments, unless of course, they are directed at me, or about me.
Peter , There is a mens soccer team out of Alexander (actually Two) . They play home games in Batavia @ the new fields on Bank st rd. Unfortunatly one would have to be insider to know this . Alex Taille or Chad Flint would be the ones to contact for next summer . The teams are out there , but they are pretty much filled quickly . The reason they are not publicized as much as they should be is due to a selective process of who is going to play on the teams . The people involved want to keep the rif raf out and it works for them . Can you imagine having someone like Frank on one of these teams , there would be posts on here about lack of playing time and practice not up to his standards . Don't blame Frank though , its the enviroment that we live in Genesee County ( Very Political ) and politics have infiltrated sports in this community as well . No press. , no politics ( or less). My view and opinion after being involved with sports in this area for the past 35 years .
Mr. mooney, you are the authority on rif raf, is there any reason you decided to drag me into your post. I only complain,like every other citizen in this country has the right to do ,whether you agree or not, when I feel I have been wronged. BTW, ARE YOU PREPARED TO BACK UP YOUR LAST ROUND OF SLANDER AND DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER? Keep running your mouth, you may have to.
Lorie, as I made it clear in my last comment directed your way, I could care less what, when, or how often you post. When your comments are directed towards me,or include me, naturally, I'm going to respond. And my immediate response to your post was an example of the very same tactics used by yourself, and as I also stated,welcome to the club.
My post was actually 19 minutes after your post in response to Dennis.
Frank Bartholomew get over yourself , I wasn't refering to you . I use Frank as some people refer people as Tom , Dick , or Harry as common name for how most everybody . Slander , you don't even know what slander is ,based on what . I actully enjoy your posts , it makes this site somewhat interesting due to your point of view is different than most bloggers. You may want attack me now . Go ahead , I don't mind and I won't refer to Howard to do something , I would actually laugh because you are a funny guy and you don't even know it .
Libel is matter of fact is beleived to be fact or referenced as fact(false or true) , when an opinion is used ,the Libel along with slander is throwen out the door .
Mr.mooney, I do know I'm a funny guy, and maybe I'm not totally up to speed on what offense equals what charge, but I do know this, you made statements on this site that I found to be untrue, as well as slanderous in nature, which is, along with several before and after pages, why I printed them out, in case I feel like being funny again. Oh and much to your delight, there is only one of me. BTW, I always take the side everyone else wants to beat on, as you said,it makes the site interesting. I must be getting old, as I have never heard of ,any Tom, Dick or Frank. What exactly does "throwen out the door" mean, is that southern for taking out the trash? or do you have a broken door???
The only reason I "refer" to Howard is so I'll be aware of any rule changes. Trust me, your not even a challenge.
Enjoy your day, Thomass.
Posted by: Thomas Mooney,I use Frank as some people refer people as Tom, Dick, or Harry as common name for how most everybody. blah, blah, blah .........
Enjoy your day Franks
BTW,I find your unique use of the English language amusing as well, even though I have no idea what you're trying to say, it's entertaining.
Any word on the results of
Any word on the results of the City's survey?
All businesses and government
All businesses and government entities have reserve funds, it’s just good business. You need them to ensure there are little fluctuations in taxes. The lack of a reserve fund was part of the financial problem the city had prior to its recovery.
ummm....well...duh!!!Obviousl
ummm....well...duh!!!Obviously theres a surplus because they over tax the heck outta ppl....um...can anyone else see how many for sale signs are around town. Ppl gettin tired of high ny taxes and wanting to go elsewhere. And to reward Molina with a raise would be a slap in the face of taxpayers who struggle each day who have to work two jobs and cannot afford luxuries in life which everyone of us should be entitled to. One of the toughest things of being below your means is not having and having to shell out so others can have. Its just out of whack. If you have a cushy job that is in any govt sector you dont understand this. Lower taxes and fees so that ppl will stay here. Tick tock...time is runnin out...no jobs..high taxes.. you do the math.
I'd say it depends on the
I'd say it depends on the size of the surplus.
Like Charlie said, a healthy reserve fund is absolutely necessary and dipping into it for anything other than necessities isn't advisable. I'm sure the City Manager and City Council have a goal number in mind for where they would like the reserve fund to be. Once they get there they can look at other places to spend, or not spend, what's left over.
I can't imagine the surplus is going to be so large that it would translate to any meaningful tax decrease, but it might be enough for a few extra street repairs.
It's hard enough to keep tax rates flat or even in line with the rate of inflation. If the city manages to do that while beefing up the reserve fund AND doing a little extra infrastructure work, I'd count it as a win.
Mary, Even when people said
Mary,
Even when people said the economy was booming in the 1990’s, nobody ever wanted to give any city employee a raise. Not the Manager, the Police or Firemen, the DPW workers or even the secretaries.
So, when and under what circumstances would you agree the Manager deserves a pay raise? And, how would you calculate how much it should be?
And if you watch the Council meeting on TV, you'll see that "extra" money is going to be put aside to pay future expenses so that taxes do not have to go up, or at least not as much as they might.
The City has some mandated expenses coming up. Would you rather have money put aside to help pay them, or one big tax increase all at once?
I highly doubt people are
I highly doubt people are leaving the city for tax reasons. The houses are cheap as dirt, which isn’t the case in the suburbs of Rochester or Buffalo. Living in Batavia is a good deal for someone to say otherwise is silly. Anyone moving local from Batavia is going to where there are jobs and is going to pay a lot more for a home and taxes. People moving south have given up on NY, not Batavia.
Private sector business people know that you need reserve funds for out of budget initiatives. They also know that you cannot pay an administrator $80K a year and get anyone worth a crap. Jason is grossly underpaid and yes I know there are plenty of people with lesser qualifications working for much less. No one with his experience or ability would take that crap job at City Hall for the peanuts he is paid. If you ask me, he has a few screws loose for not bailing on the city and finding a better job.
Charlie, My wife and I if we
Charlie,
My wife and I if we had more money would move out of Batavia in a heart beat. Crime is up, the rules are dumb, changes being made are for the worse, there is nothing to do.
Both of us have a lot of family in Rochester. We left there and moved out here because of the deal on the house. After almost two years, we are pretty much done. There is no community here. There is no pride. And there is nothing for 20 somethings to do except the Muckdogs, which may not be around.
But don't worry I'm sure the situation with the traffic lights on Main and Ellicott and slimming of lanes on 98 and 63 and the three levels of law enforcement who can't seem to keep drug houses out of town and the loss of the only sports team won't have anyone else give up on Batavia.
Peter, Where are you planning
Peter,
Where are you planning to move to?
Back to a suburb of
Back to a suburb of Rochester.
Peter, So, the housing is
Peter,
So, the housing is cheaper there?
They don't have 2-3 layers of Police service?
Taxes are lower?
On the other hand, they do have the Red Wings!
Batavia is inexpensive, which
Batavia is inexpensive, which is one of the reasons why my wife and I are staying here while she is in school. Taxes are high, but when I leave this area taxes will not be my top reason for going.
Have a reserve is smart business and practical government. It does not mean we should continue to increase our cost. There are still many things that this city should do for the long term, but they need some savings.
As far as Molino getting a raise being considered a slap in the face? I don't see that. He has worked hard and done a good job. People get raises when they do good work. A slap in the face is how council has done nothing to consolidate our larger services or do any kind of economic development in the city.
A slap in the face is watching all the good things in this community shrink up, die or leave from lack of support; then come on here and listen to people complain about how there is nothing in Batavia.
A slap in the face is listening to people who have worked for the government their whole lives, collecting pensions larger than my household income, tell me that the private sector is evil.
A slap in the face is seeing how much time and money is spent on people at the end of their lives, but yet will fight against youth programs and initiatives.
Those a real slaps in the face.
Peter said: "After almost two
Peter said: "After almost two years, we are pretty much done. There is no community here."
Now Peter, there is probably not a more jaded person on the planet concerning Batavia, New York, than I. Except Richard Gahagan, but even he would never say that there is no community in Batavia. Batavia is, was and will always be: "The Community of Opportunity" get out there and embrace it. Give a little to the community and the love will come back at you ten fold. I'm not talking religion, I'm talking reality.
Batavia, keep the money in escrow for repairs, they will be needed. Onward through the Fog!
Mary, Where is it written
Mary,
Where is it written that "everyone" is entitled to luxuries in life? It's that entitlement attitude that is part of the problem.
Everyone is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Pursuit being a key word here. If you want luxuries, then you are free to pursue a better job or a second job and a savings account in order to have them.
There is nothing wrong with living below your means...that's called being frugal. If you are tired of "not having" things, then do something about it; preferably, something other than complain that you are entitled to live above your means.
John, Notice I said if we
John,
Notice I said if we had more money. Taxes are comparable. Only one layer of police actually serves most areas instead of having 3 different division go by my house more than likely I will see one or none. Garbage is not limited to 5 bags and they take anything, including yard waste.
I don't know about you John but sports are important to me. I currently am in 4 leagues myself plus my season tickets to the Rhinos and I make out to see the Muckdogs when it fits my schedule, which is often enough. Each of those 4 leagues is in Monroe County. There is no where in Batavia for me to do the job I do. I could down grade to TV repair but thats a dying industry and pays less than I make now.
Increases in taxes to levels that I would have to pay elsewhere just increase my incentive to leave.
Peter, taxes are comparable
Peter, taxes are comparable but, what you get for a house at the same price isn’t. You can live in a very nice home in a great neighborhood for 80K in Batavia. You can’t get the same closer to Buffalo or Rochester. There is also nothing but, “community” in Batavia. It is the best place I have ever lived.
Batavia is basically crime free because, we have a really good police force. You see crimes in the blotter because the police are doing their jobs. Stop reading the blotter, it rots the brain.
As for the “rules” they keep property values up by making sure our neighborhoods are cared for. Without the “rules” the whole city would plummet into the ground. If someone wants to keep a couch on the porch or junk cars on their lawn, they should move to the hinterlands.
Peter, if it makes economic
Peter, if it makes economic sense for you to move closer to your job, then you have to do it. That decision has nothing to do with Batavia being a great place to live or not.
Charlie, After two years here
Charlie,
After two years here I have made friends with less than a dozen people because there is not place to go and meet people that interests me other than the Dogs' games. The "community" doesn't care if they lose a 71 year tradition of baseball. They don't support changes to help the city. They keep voting in the same decrepit people to the council and expect change.
Do you know how I deal with yard waste? I put in my father-in-laws van because its easier then trying to get to the dump before it closes.
I have to pay extra to have an old tv taken away. Thats just plain garbage (aren't pun's fun).
For $54,000 I got a 2000 sqft house. Good Deal. But I don't need two of the bedrooms. I don't need what I can afford I just happened to want it.
Crime free? We constantly have talk here on the this page about the emergence of gangs. Did Wiard Plow burn by itself? I'm laughed at at work because I come from the land of Meth houses.
Peter, Many of the Monroe
Peter,
Many of the Monroe County towns have their own Police, and are not cheap. Then there are the County Sheriffs and State Police. That means 2-3 to me.
If you are moving into a town without its own police force, that still leaves two. How is that different than say Stafford or the Town of Batavia?
I agree with Charlie that maybe to be closer to work and your many sports, makes moving a good idea. But the idea that Monroe County is cheaper to afford is a bit of a stretch.
They also have bigger government at all levels in Monroe County, something you hate.
Peter, Are you saying there
Peter,
Are you saying there is less crime in Monroe County, in any of its Towns?
Peter, the thing is if you
Peter, the thing is if you ever leave Batavia and decide to go back, five or ten years later, you'll still have those dozen friends. They will remember you. If I came back to Batavia it would be like I never left. But I aint coming back unless it is in a wooden box. So says the man of little faith and huge bravado, for now.
Peter, I’m not from Batavia.
Peter, I’m not from Batavia. I went to school in New Jersey, Orlando, and Seattle and finally graduated from a high school in downtown Buffalo. I guess your perception of what crime IS, is at question. A couple of kids playing with fire in a vacant building and getting caught is not a big league crime in my book. Stupid and dangerous, of course it is. The blotter is full of stories about petty crimes and DWI arrests, all of that is great gossip but, none of it portrays the crime rate in our area correctly. The blotter is full because, the police in this area are very good at their jobs. It’s a small town and people are not about to let a meth house stay open.
I would be the first one to pay more taxes to keep the dawgs around. I strongly believe that whether you like to go to the games or not, it’s a quality of life issue. Not to mention what that vacant building is going to do to the neighborhood it surrounds. I would also pay more for festivals like, Summer in the City. We need far more of those types of events to grow our business district.
"For $54,000 I got a 2000
"For $54,000 I got a 2000 sqft house."
Maybe I will be back, sooner than later, afterall.
Every where you go, there are
Every where you go, there are pluses and minuses.
I've lived in New York, California and Main.
Yeah, the nearly year-around sun in California is kind of nice, and the percentage of property taxes per $1K is much lower than New York, but factor in the two or three times of housing costs, and the tax difference is negated.
Maine was OK, but I was young and probably didn't see it for what it really was.
No matter where you go in New York, you're going to pay high taxes. The differences between jurisdictions are negligible.
Throughout Upstate New York the cost of living is much better than California despite the higher taxes.
I suppose there are parts of the country where you don't have to deal with cold, snowy winters (though the summer humidity will probably get to you) and where taxes aren't as high here, but where such places exist, you're going to pay for it through a higher cost of living.
Paying too much out on housing and food, even if you make higher wages, really hampers your economic flexibility.
As for the idea that Batavia lacks community -- well, I lived in Pittsford for a couple of years and I'm quite certain there is a greater sense of community in Batavia than Pittsford. But more than that the community problem isn't just a Batavia problem. It's an everywhere problem. There is no place you can go in the United States where the Rotary doesn't struggle for membership, where Elks lodges aren't closing, where professional sports teams are seeing attendance drop, where recreational sports leagues aren't finding it harder to field teams, etc.
That's all covered in the book Bowling Alone. It's a national problem, and it is a problem.
Batavia has numerous advantages, numerous reasons to like it here, but so do many other places.
As I said, every place has its pluses and minuses.
Bottom line, if you can't make it in Batavia, you can't make it anywhere.
The grass doesn't get any greener over the county line.
John, I grew up in Ogden,
John,
I grew up in Ogden, you never saw Sheriffs or State police in the town once the Sheriffs office closed and because the school admin building. The state police only showed up once 531 was extended. One layer with more to call on if necessary is not the same as have all three patrol by my house here in Batavia.
And in Parma, when I moved there, I only saw Sheriffs.
And yes I saw a lot less crime there then I do here.
Charlie,
I lived in Norfolk, Jacksonville, and Augusta. I was not privy to nearly the same level crime that I am in Batavia. DWI's I could care less about. 20 years ago most of those people wouldn't be bothered and more than likely wouldn't cause an accident.
Also I have never been in a place with so many people taking from the government. Its disheartening to see fat women take their teenage daughters into Tops and get their groceries courtesy of the state and then buy lotto tickets with cash and then hop into a Buick.
lol hahahahah Peter ,you go,
lol hahahahah Peter ,you go, your on the money, NYS sucks in general , i like NC my self , i will move there son as i can ,
(Also I have never been in a place with so many people taking from the government. Its disheartening to see fat women take their teenage daughters into Tops and get their groceries courtesy of the state and then buy lotto tickets with cash and then hop into a Buick. ) that so funny but true
Sorry, I do not live in town
Sorry, I do not live in town so I am dying to know: if you're not allowed to throw your "yard waste" out with the trash and you're not allowed to burn it then what are you supposed to do with it? Rake it onto your neighbor's property? Whose business is it what someone throws away in their trash anyway?
Angela, The City of Batavia
Angela,
The City of Batavia contracts out its trash pickup. To cut the cost of the contract, yard waste is not allowed. They have a yard waste disposal site on the south end of the city where stuff can be taken.
If yard waste was allowed, taxes would go up to pay for it, and as you see here all the time, most people want the lowest taxes possible. It's a trade off.
Bigger items, like a TV, need to have a tag purchased to off set the cost of pickup. Again, to cut taxes.
The Police in Batavia do a
The Police in Batavia do a good job? What about the sex offender(Ernest Reese) screaming in the middle of the street then when the Police show up all they do is shake his hand then leave.Letting people like that know my family and I are easy targets makes a repeat incident much more likely.That puts us in danger.Keep saying they do a good job Charlie or You'll be targeted by the bullies in uniform.I have many relatives who are in Law enforcement they are hopelessly flawed like the rest of us.
Dennis, Why are you going
Dennis,
Why are you going there again after deleting all your previous posts a few weeks ago?
Joanne,
Amen! There are way too many people in this world who feel entitled to things they cannot afford. People need to quit living paycheck to paycheck and start saving some money. You are not entitled to things you cannot afford. You do not NEED the most expensive cable/phone etc package.
Dennis,You better stop right
Dennis,You better stop right there, the post patrol is apparently on duty.
Actually, I think we do pay
Actually, I think we do pay for yard waste, unless of course those who work at the dump are volunteers.
I think I hear the pot
I think I hear the pot talking. How did I know 5 seconds after I posted that comment someone would "astonished" arrive. So, Frank, since you are keeping track of my comments...tell me when the last one was? At least a week or two ago. But *I* am a member of your so called post patrol.
Ha! you are all suckers-I
Ha! you are all suckers-I would never live in the city! However,if there was a surplus,they need to keep it in reserve and not piss it away. No sense of lowering taxes-they'll just jack your assessment up to make up for it.great,we're starting to see beggars/bums now....walked out of Wilson Farms on East Main today-(seems like the #1 place in Batavia to use your EBT card)-guy hanging around front asking people for a dollar-I said no,another guy said no,an older gentleman said he works for his money.As I was waiting at light-a young guy did give him a dollar (or more)-what did the guy do w/ it you ask???? I saw him walk over to the lottery ticket machine!!!! Yep,i've said it before,and i'll say it again-Batavia is turning into inner city before our eyes and no one gives a damn-too many slumlords that'll rent to the NYS leeches-THAT'S why you're seeing so many houses for sale.
I continue to see the same
I continue to see the same names complaining about the same things over and over again, but I never see those names out in the community trying to make it a different place...wierd huh? Molino has a job to do and he is doing it. Unless any of you are going to do it or assist in ways other than complaining, why bother complaining. There have been numerous drug raids lately and I find it disgusting too, but do you people not understand that it isn't the police that bring the drugs in? If it weren't for our police force, those houses would never be shut down and you never would even know about them. I am proud to have a force that busts their ... to make this a safe community.
There are problems with this city and community, but nothing will ever change by whining. Instead, get out of the house, say hi to strangers, help those in need, start a block party, anything. Join a club so membership doesn't keep declining, volunteer all the time you spend on here to a cause that would love to have the extra person. It takes everyone working together and knowing Batavia can be great for it to happen. I come to this site to get news and keep up to date and have become sick of all the complaining about how crappy Batavia and governmnt is. Quit whining and DO something!!!!
Why help a lost cause? The
Why help a lost cause? The police can only do so much. It's our right to complain if we want.I like this site for all the up-to-date news Howard provides us with.
Peter, let us know when ya
Peter, let us know when ya plan to leave, we'll help ya move....don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya....keep in touch though, your superior intellect will be sorely missed here!!
To whomever is going against
To whomever is going against Frank in court, I suggest you print off all Frank's posts and I think Howard can get you copies of what Frank deleted.
Lorie, that would be a good
Lorie, that would be a good idea, if what I posted was relevent.I see your doing what you do best with your nose.
Ha, like you were actually
Ha, like you were actually doing something other than sitting there waiting to respond. So, frank, why won't you answer my question about having a job?
Stop it. Both of you.
Stop it. Both of you.
Howard, I appreciate what you
Howard,
I appreciate what you do and how hard it must be but "both of you"??? I have not made a comment here in several days and the second I do there is frank with his name calling (post patrol). I had a feeling the second I made a comment to dennis he would arrive. I HAVE ignored him on many, many occasions but the second I have a thing to say...nothing to do with him. Well, there he is. So what am I to stop? Commenting here? Tell me and I will but you and I know he will just move on to someone else annoyed by his dragging his son through a media circus.
The best thing to do when
The best thing to do when somebody is bugging you is to ignore him or her. Just don't respond.
I have tried! Did I respond
I have tried! Did I respond to his last several comments aimed @ me? NO! Now I seem to remember someone calling Richard a pencil-neck geek. Easier said than done, eh???
Tara, I tried to find
Tara,
I tried to find leagues to play in here in Batavia. There is one hockey league that I found I have heard its a real pain to get into. But there is no adult kickball, soccer, softball, or any other sport that I enjoy available here. That is where I would build my relationships with the community up. I am not interested in the Elks or Rotary or the VFW or American Legion.
I went to a city council meeting, expressed some of my grievances and not one person on the council addressed them.
I voted for conservative to be elected but that didn't happen either, instead my council representative is the same old woman who's been there for years and nothing changes.
I say hi to those that go by my house on a walk but that doesn't do anything.
The time I spend on here is when I am monitoring an automated test at work. Can't volunteer that time.
Peter, I, for one, would hate
Peter, I, for one, would hate to see you leave our community, but if you do leave, here's what you'll find: A whole new set of grievances against where ever you move to. I guarantee it. And that's not a knock on you. That's just the way it is.
For me, whatever faults I might find with Batavia are far outweighed by the positives, and part of how that balancing works is I realize where ever else I might go or have already been won't be or isn't perfect either.
There is no nirvana. And searching for it will only be frustrating.
To put a finer point on it,
To put a finer point on it, Peter.
Move if playing kickball is important to you, but don't make it out as Batavia's fault that there is no kickball team, or even that you don't like your council representative. It's your choice as to what's important to you or not.
And if you're not willing to stick around and see through projects of change, that's you're choice, too, and not our fault.
Howard, stick around would be
Howard, stick around would be fine if I thought any change for the good was being made. So far all I have seen is things moving towards an end I don't like.
For now having the leagues in Monroe, since I work out there anyways is fine. But as a 28 year old, there is nothing to do in Batavia that interests me. Maybe when I hit my 60's this place will have what I want.
The worst part is, if I tried to start a league from nothing in any of the sports I play, I would be like to field 1 team let alone a minimum of 4 that I would need to make it interesting.
There are good housing opportunities here in Batavia for young families like mine, but thats where the good things end.
Lorie,How long did it take
Lorie,How long did it take for you to attack Dennis' post. I simply played the same game, and of course, you don't like it. Welcome to the club.Yes I have a job, and have had a job most of my adult life.And I beleive I posted that I would no longer post about my son. The court case involving him is over, with the exception of the right to appeal.
I believe you calling me the pot was no worse than my using the term "post patrol".
Maybe I do seem argumentive in your eyes, but at any rate, those qualities served me well as a cheif steward in a labor union. I preferred to call it healthy debate, or negiotiations, but I guess argumentive fits as well.
I will no longer post on any of your comments, unless of course, they are directed at me, or about me.
Peter , There is a mens
Peter , There is a mens soccer team out of Alexander (actually Two) . They play home games in Batavia @ the new fields on Bank st rd. Unfortunatly one would have to be insider to know this . Alex Taille or Chad Flint would be the ones to contact for next summer . The teams are out there , but they are pretty much filled quickly . The reason they are not publicized as much as they should be is due to a selective process of who is going to play on the teams . The people involved want to keep the rif raf out and it works for them . Can you imagine having someone like Frank on one of these teams , there would be posts on here about lack of playing time and practice not up to his standards . Don't blame Frank though , its the enviroment that we live in Genesee County ( Very Political ) and politics have infiltrated sports in this community as well . No press. , no politics ( or less). My view and opinion after being involved with sports in this area for the past 35 years .
Thomas, is that RDSL?
Thomas, is that RDSL?
Mr. mooney, you are the
Mr. mooney, you are the authority on rif raf, is there any reason you decided to drag me into your post. I only complain,like every other citizen in this country has the right to do ,whether you agree or not, when I feel I have been wronged. BTW, ARE YOU PREPARED TO BACK UP YOUR LAST ROUND OF SLANDER AND DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER? Keep running your mouth, you may have to.
Howard, is ok for mr. mooney
Howard, is ok for mr. mooney to insinuate I am rif raf? I want to be clear on the rules, I would hate to offend with personal attacks.
Lorie, as I made it clear in
Lorie, as I made it clear in my last comment directed your way, I could care less what, when, or how often you post. When your comments are directed towards me,or include me, naturally, I'm going to respond. And my immediate response to your post was an example of the very same tactics used by yourself, and as I also stated,welcome to the club.
My post was actually 19 minutes after your post in response to Dennis.
Frank Bartholomew get over
Frank Bartholomew get over yourself , I wasn't refering to you . I use Frank as some people refer people as Tom , Dick , or Harry as common name for how most everybody . Slander , you don't even know what slander is ,based on what . I actully enjoy your posts , it makes this site somewhat interesting due to your point of view is different than most bloggers. You may want attack me now . Go ahead , I don't mind and I won't refer to Howard to do something , I would actually laugh because you are a funny guy and you don't even know it .
Enjoy your day Franks
Frank, it would be considered
Frank, it would be considered "libel", because it was stated in print and published. Just wanted to clarify for you.
Libel is matter of fact is
Libel is matter of fact is beleived to be fact or referenced as fact(false or true) , when an opinion is used ,the Libel along with slander is throwen out the door .
Mr.mooney, I do know I'm a
Mr.mooney, I do know I'm a funny guy, and maybe I'm not totally up to speed on what offense equals what charge, but I do know this, you made statements on this site that I found to be untrue, as well as slanderous in nature, which is, along with several before and after pages, why I printed them out, in case I feel like being funny again. Oh and much to your delight, there is only one of me. BTW, I always take the side everyone else wants to beat on, as you said,it makes the site interesting. I must be getting old, as I have never heard of ,any Tom, Dick or Frank. What exactly does "throwen out the door" mean, is that southern for taking out the trash? or do you have a broken door???
The only reason I "refer" to Howard is so I'll be aware of any rule changes. Trust me, your not even a challenge.
Enjoy your day, Thomass.
Posted by: Thomas Mooney,I use Frank as some people refer people as Tom, Dick, or Harry as common name for how most everybody. blah, blah, blah .........
Enjoy your day Franks
BTW,I find your unique use of the English language amusing as well, even though I have no idea what you're trying to say, it's entertaining.