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A new chapter for The Batavian

By Howard B. Owens

I've taken over The Batavian as my full-time and only job.

Over the next week, I'll be moving the site to a new server. I don't anticipate any disruption in service.

I want to thank Philip Anselmo and Brian Hillabush for all the great work they've done on the site. They're a huge part of the site's success. Philip is moving on to another reporting position.  Brian and I are discussing how we'll be able to continue working together.

Next week, I'll be in our Batavia office ready to cover the news and sell advertising.  As time goes by I'll have more announcements about what we'll be doing with the site. I still have new features to add, many of which will please local advertisers.

My wife and I are listing our house in Pittsford for sale and as soon as it sells, we will rent a place in Batavia (or maybe elsewhere in Genesee County).  I expect we'll see my wife's byline in The Batavian before too long.

Joe zambito

I wish you the best of luck with "The Batavian". I hope you and Brian can come to terms as I totally enjoy Brians columns. He will be an asset in the future!

Feb 27, 2009, 2:21pm Permalink
Lori Ann Santini

Good luck Mr Anselmo,

You have had a positive impact on this community. You gave us the right and ability to voice our opinions in order to debate what we think is right or wrong. We are becoming a community like in the old porch visiting days. However it is now being done in the speed of light in the privacy of our little abodes.

Howard if you need help just ask us. We can a certainly stir the pot with the topics we attack or post about. Who knows, there could be a pulitzer in your future for keeping us under control.

I commend this site and have enjoyed it since I found it.

Feb 27, 2009, 2:28pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

This is Headline News. I dont know where to start.
I honestly believe that all these changes are economically influenced. I want to give shout out and thank you's before I get down and dirty.

Mr. Owens, thank you for the Batavian and for your decision to continue it reguardless of financial stress or relocation. (if thats the case).

Mr. Anselmo, thank you for your talented writing and unique perspective. It wont be the same without argueing about some of your posts. (probably leaving for more money).

Mr. Hillabush, thank you for your fantastic sports coverage, and other timely posts. (hopefully you will get what you may be asking for).

I have enjoyed the batavian since its conception and suprising growth. I dont believe that it makes very much money let alone profit from advertising right now and I hope it remains free. I doubt that the state of our economy will bring any new talent writing for the Batavian under a paying type of contract/job. I do have faith that the loyal members of the batavian will continue to post/share, and enjoy the batavian through these changing times. I dont always like change but have learned to adapt to it over the years. I hope that the batavian remains a success and a place where I am able to read about genesee county and post my views and debate topics with other fellow members.

Feb 27, 2009, 3:12pm Permalink
Richard Gahagan

There goes another renaissance Philip, what's going to happen to the central corridor, green energy industrial complex, the industrial power house square, swan masse village etc. Enjoyed your writing bet your moving to Texas. I got here as fast as I could.

Feb 27, 2009, 3:25pm Permalink
Leonard Clark

Howard: I hope you do move to Batavia and/or Genesee County. You and your wife will really like it. It is a great place to live. Congratulations on the new job. I'm looking forward to seeing any changes you'll bring to the site.

Richard Gahagan: Thanks for the comedy, but Texas is a destination to visit. There is no place better for home than Batavia, New York. You'll be back!

Feb 27, 2009, 3:36pm Permalink
Leonard Clark

There might even be new sidewalks started by then; but as for the Central Corridor, that's long-ranger, I mean range, future stuff. Keep watching The Batavia!

Feb 27, 2009, 3:47pm Permalink
Brian Hillabush

Thank you for the kind words Joe and Gabor.
At this point I am without a job, but am staying as positive as possible.
I am thinking about going back to school and maybe getting into the travel industry, but at this point everything is up in the air. It was a bit of a shock to all of us.
But I do not plan on going anywhere right away. Even though my career is not currently covering sports, I will still be attending some games. I've spent the last nine years or so covering sports in Genesee County and my life wouldn't be the same without being involved. And The Batavian is a community site, so I am free to post anything I want. I'll keep letting people know what is going on in the sports world as often as possible.
We all have to deal with this terrible economy and I'm not the only person in this situation, so I think this is a time to get together as a community and get through this.

Feb 27, 2009, 4:32pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Thanks, all for the support. I'm very excited about this opportunity. The Batavian has been growing fast in the past several weeks. More and more advertisers have been making inquiries. It's been very hard, in fact, to follow through on advertising leads because of the other responsibilities I had with my previous employer. Now I have none of those concerns.

Richard, as always, you're a ray of sunshine. Don't ever change.

Feb 27, 2009, 4:41pm Permalink
Charlie Mallow

Brian, you did a great job and I enjoyed reading your articles. Hopefully, Howard can get the advertizing going and hire back one of the best sports writers in town.

Rich, there is nothing like kicking sand in someone’s face when they are down, huh? Keep up the good work; I guess everyone has a part to play in this world!

Feb 27, 2009, 5:31pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Philip, you will be missed! I remember the early days when you wrote content from a dark table at Main Street Coffee. You definitely became part of the community.

Brian, great job covering not only sports but some of your other stories -- e.g. winter storms. Your photography is pretty incredible, too.

Thank you and good luck to both of you.

Feb 27, 2009, 7:27pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

good luck to Brian and Philip..you guys made this one great site..Brian your sports reporting was excellent..you really gave us a inside view of local sports..Philip you will make a great investigative reporter..You do go out and get the facts..God Bless you all.

Feb 27, 2009, 7:36pm Permalink
Steve Ognibene

Thank-you Philip and Brian for all the great posts and I have enjoyed meeting and speaking to you both. You guys are and have been a true asset to thebatavian.com and it's community of bloggers. I sincerely hope your future endeavors lead to brighter horizons. Good Luck!

Feb 27, 2009, 10:20pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

Just wondering Howard on the tech side of this. Is the server your moving the site too at home like my site was? Just wondering or maybe I'm nosy ;)

Feb 28, 2009, 5:39am Permalink
Ron C Welker

Good luck Howard to you and your staff, keep up the good work.
My computer was acting up at work during my lunch break :) this passed week and I had to endure over three hours of agony wondering what was the latest news and goings on in the area. I almost called you, good luck once again.

Ron

Feb 28, 2009, 10:18am Permalink
Mark Wiatrowski

Phillip and Brian, thanks for being pioneers on bringing issues that are relevent to Genesee county residents into the 21st Century. Many times small towns are slow to keep pace with the rest of the world when it comes to getting the word out about local events and news items. The internet is a wonderful tool. Utilizing it for the citizens of our little piece of the world just makes sense.

Good luck to both of you and I am looking forward to what Howard has in store for the future !!

Feb 28, 2009, 5:15pm Permalink
Bill Wade

I will miss Brian Hillabush's reporting on THE BATAVIAN. As a coach, Brian was always very professional and really cared about the high school kids in Genesee County. His high school sports coverage was one of the reasons I would check THE BATAVIAN each day. He really cared about the local high school sports and was very fair with his reporting. Brian is one of the best sports' journalists I've dealt with. I will miss him a lot. I wish Brian well! This is a real loss!

Mar 1, 2009, 3:51pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Mr. Hillabush has that "fiftys hat" on with the "press pass" on top, a butt of a cigar in his mouth, a tiny "pencil" writing in a tiny "note book" and "camera around the neck" type of Sports coverage. It's almost live. Thanks Hilly !

Mar 1, 2009, 4:08pm Permalink
Michael Anderson

Well, without Hilly reporting the local sports...the sports section of the Batavian hasn't changed since Friday. This is a real loss for those of us that look forward to his articles everyday. I hope to see Hilly's fine work somewhere in the near future

Mar 2, 2009, 9:08am Permalink
Brian Hillabush

I plan on going to the Batavia game on Wednesday and will do a post when I get home. I'm still talking with Howard about how I can still work for The Bstavian, so hopefully I'll have a paid position soon.
I still love this community and this site, so if I have to scale back and work for free, I'm still going to do it. I'm obviously looking for work - and welcome any advice - but my work ethic will not let me just vanish. I can't wait for the Batavia game!

Mar 2, 2009, 1:55pm Permalink
Joe Michaud

Wow, Howard. This gives a whole new meaning to "I'm all in."

Show the world how to make a local site work. If anyone can do it, you can.

Best of luck!

Mar 2, 2009, 3:01pm Permalink
David Christian Hamblin

Howard,

Congratulations!! Your Batavia news site is great!!....I loved Tasia Bolond's article on Trisha Finnegan and the highlighting of my son's postive educational experience at Batavia High- Thank you!!

Cheers to a new and exciting chapter in your life!

David Christian Hamblin

Mar 3, 2009, 3:52pm Permalink
Michael Anderson

Whats up with the sports? There are critical games going on in the area and there is no coverage of them? We need Hilly back to report the high school sports news. It has been nearly a week since it has been updated.

Mar 3, 2009, 5:37pm Permalink
Brian Hillabush

Again, I was laid off by GateHouse on Friday and have been working on preparing myself for the next steps in my life.
I'm missing games myself and plan on attending the Batavia game at the Blue Cross tomorrow night. I'll do a post when I get home.
Howard and I are also trying to regroup at this point and figure out how I can be brought back into the mix. Hopefully soon.

Mar 3, 2009, 6:07pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

What does laid off really mean ?
I will call ya when I need Ya ?
I am not being mean but why is that term used ?
I am not firing you but we cant pay ya ?
Do they fight unemployement ?
If not you get 60 % of well peanuts ?
Sometimes layoff means we will settle things and hire ya back ? (dont call us...hold yer breathe...)
Sometimes just laid off isnt an honest answer and it never prolongs the agony.

Mar 3, 2009, 7:11pm Permalink

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