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Press release:

Today, New York State Senator Rob Ortt, Army combat veteran, and candidate for New York’s 27th Congressional District criticized the New York State Working Families Party for calling on candidates to “stop defending taxpayers.” Ortt called on Nate McMurray and all Democrats running for office to publicly declare that they will not seek the Working Families Party line in an election, and to publicly denounce this ridiculous statement.

“New York’s 27th Congressional District is home to hundreds of thousands of ‘taxpayers’ who work hard every day to support their families,” Ortt said. “In fact, these taxpayers pay the highest taxes in the country and are forced to fund the radical proposals from groups like the Working Families Party including free college tuition and driver’s licenses for illegal aliens.

"Any politician who can’t speak out in opposition to these absurd comments from the Working Families Party does not deserve to represent the hardworking taxpayers in any elected position.”

The Working Families Party, backed by progressive donors, often aligns itself with candidates running as Democrats. In the party’s 2020 questionnaire, they state: 

Messages that frame "taxpayers" as an aggrieved or marginalized group promotes an anti-tax, anti-government worldview that is often used to justify disinvestment and austerity policies. "Taxpayer" has also become a racially coded term designed to appeal to white individuals and reinforce the misconception that they are paying taxes to support the needs of people (often implied to be non-white) who don’t pay taxes. Will you avoid messaging that centers "taxpayers" or "tax burdens" and instead talk about "public funding" and the public as a whole?

The New York State Working Families Party has already endorsed several candidates for 2020, including for U.S. President (Elizabeth Warren), U.S. Congress (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), and Democratic candidates for the New York State Legislature. In 2018, Nate McMurray ran for Congress on the Working Families Party line. Ortt called on all candidates running for office to denounce the Working Families Party and refuse their support.

“This is an absolute insult to every overtaxed working family throughout New York,” Ortt said. “Anyone who seeks the Working Families Party support is clearly stating that they do not work for the men and women they are elected to represent, but rather a political party tasked with fulfilling the agenda of out-of-touch special interest groups and extreme regressive advocates.”

Today, the governor's office announced $761 million in economic development grants statewide, including $1.4 million for projects in Genesee County.

The local projects:

City of Batavia Advancing Batavia Opportunities The City of Batavia will advance the redevelopment of City Centre and Harvester Center BOA strategic sites within the Batavia Opportunity Area by undertaking pre-development activities including preliminary engineering and architectural studies, legal services, real estate services, zoning updates, and marketing. $193,500 City of Batavia Revitalize Downtown Batavia The City will assist in the renovation of mixed-use buildings in the City's Business Improvement District. $300,000 Genesee County Genesee County 2040 Strategy Genesee County will prepare an update to its outdated 1997 Comprehensive to provide a new direction for the future of Genesee County with a focus on economic development and community revitalization. The plan will be action-oriented and community-driven with an emphasis on priority county- wide revitalization projects complemented by an implementation strategy and performance measurements. $40,000 Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council Seymour Place The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will make needed renovations and upgrades to maintain the fundamental beauty of its historical building while bringing the functionality of the building into the 21st century. $72,500 Town of Byron Town of Byron Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Study The Town of Byron will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives at its wastewater treatment plant. $30,000 Town of Pavilion Town of Pavilion Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Study The Town of Pavilion will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives at its wastewater treatment plant. $30,000 Village of Corfu Village of Corfu Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection The Village of Corfu will install effluent disinfection at the village's wastewater treatment plant. This project will improve water quality by reducing pathogens in the treatment plant's discharge. $620,000 Village of Elba Village of Elba Wastewater Treatment Facility and Collection System Study The Village of Elba will complete an engineering report to evaluate disinfection alternatives at its wastewater treatment facility. The report will also include recommended actions to reduce the inflow and infiltration in the sanitary sewer collection system. $30,000 Village of LeRoy Village of LeRoy Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Study The Village of LeRoy will complete an engineering report that provides a detailed sanitary sewer collection system capital improvement plan based on investigations of inflow and infiltration in the system. $30,000

Press release:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than $761 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round IX of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Since its inception in 2011, more than $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs statewide through the REDC process.

"Throughout the Regional Economic Development Council process over the past nine years, we have seen unprecedented regional investment focusing on a ground-up, strategic model that has spurred tremendous growth in every corner of this great state," Governor Cuomo said. "By bringing together local leaders and stakeholders who are invested in their communities we have replaced the 'one size fits all' approach to economic development with one that is unique to each community, creating opportunities for success all across the Empire State."

"By empowering local officials and stakeholders who know their communities best, we have transformed the state's economic development strategy into one that is not only successful, but is built to last," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils.

"Together, we are revitalizing downtowns, supporting and attracting businesses, and welcoming new residents and visitors. Through the REDCs, we are advancing the strategic economic development strategies of each region and supporting growth as part of the Downtown and Upstate Revitalization Initiatives. With a focus on workforce development and growth of high-tech industries, we are adding new job opportunities and strengthening the economy of New York State."

Today, more than $761 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through Round IX of the REDC initiative:

• Western New York: Regional Council Awardee | $67.3 million supporting 109 projects
• Finger Lakes: Regional Council Awardee | $64.4 million supporting 94 projects
• Southern Tier: Top Performer | $88.9 million supporting 109 projects
• Central New York: Top Performer | $86.2 million supporting 93 projects
• Mohawk Valley: Top Performer | $82.7 million supporting 81 projects
• North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $67.9 million supporting 83 projects
• Capital Region: Top Performer | $84.1 million supporting 120 projects
• Mid-Hudson: Regional Council Awardee | $65.8 million supporting 105 projects
• New York City: Regional Council Awardee | $66.3 million supporting 109 projects
• Long Island: Top Performer | $87.9 million supporting 94 projects

More information on the 2019 Regional Economic Development Council Awards, including a full list of awardees, is available here.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "For nearly 10 years, the REDC process has been the driving force behind New York State's economic development decisions, and the model is a proven success. As the process enters the next decade, we are seeing the legacy of past projects being completed and excited about the new economic development opportunities our REDCs continue to identify." 

The REDC process has transformed New York State government's approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the governor's strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state's old top-down approach with one that is community-based and performance-driven.

This spring, Governor Cuomo launched Round IX of the REDC initiative and the fourth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. A full list of communities in which $10 million will be invested through the DRI, along with their applications, is available here.

In 2019, all 10 REDCs competed for up to $150 million in capital funds and $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects identified by the Regional Councils as priorities in their regions. All 10 regions competed for designation as a Top Performer with the five top performing regions being awarded a share of $100 million in ESD capital grants. The remaining five regions were awarded a share of $50 million in ESD capital grants. Each region was also awarded a share of $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in the region.

The Regional Council priorities this year included working with local businesses and communities to identify childcare needs and develop potential solutions; developing an economic and environmental justice strategy for the region; supporting community investment in place-making and downtown revitalization; and supporting the state's $175 million Workforce Development Initiative. Each council was asked to address these items in ways that complement each regional vision.

During Round IX, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), comprised of state agency commissioners and members of the New York State Legislature, received presentations on this year's proposals from each of the 10 Regional Councils and assessed the implementation of the regions' strategic plans.

Press release:

Today, New York State Senator Rob Ortt, Army combat veteran, and candidate for New York’s 27th Congressional District announced that he has received the endorsement of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the more than 20,000 hardworking men and women represented by the Associated Builders and Contractors,” Ortt said. “I am proud to have had the support of this organization in the past, and I have always believed that America is a nation of builders.

"During my time in the New York State Senate, I have worked diligently to support pro-business, worker-friendly policies that make construction projects safer and less costly, and I will continue to do so when serving the hardworking men and women of New York’s 27th Congressional District in Washington. The American economy is working when these men and women are working.” 

ABC represents more than 20,000 members of the national construction trade industry, helping individuals win work and deliver work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they are located.

“The Empire Chapter supports fair and open competition, not politicians who favor rewarding campaign donors at the expense of every day New Yorkers,” said Brian Sampson, president of Associated Builders and Contractors, Empire State Chapter. “Rob Ortt not only understands the importance of free enterprise and job creation but is a leader on the issue.

"He has seen first-hand the negative impact of tax burdens and poor regulatory policy decisions. ABC is proud to stand with Rob and share his vision to bring jobs and opportunity to hardworking families throughout our great nation.”

Photos and story by Faith DesRoches.

Mackenna Johnson, a senior at Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School, has committed to attend Niagara County Community College.

She plans to play girls basketball and girls softball and she will be coached by Nate Beutel.

The signing by NCCC is a result of Johnson's accomplishments at Pembroke in both basketball and softball.

Johnson has been a starter on her basketball team for the last four years and a team captain for three of those seasons.

During Johnson's career in basketball, she ranks sixth all-time in points (529), 11th in rebounds (338), second in assists (233), and third in steals (203).

She is the only second Lady Dragon to be ranked in the top five in all four categories. The first person to do it was her sister Breanna Johnson.

As a softball player, Johnson has also been a four-year starter and a captain for three seasons. Johnson has been a Genesee Region All-Star.

Johnson said she's eager to begin her basketball and softball career with the Thunderwolves.

Top photo: Pembroke basketball coach Ron Funke, Mackenna Johnson, and Nate Beutel, NCCC coach.

The Johnson family: sisters Sydney Johnson and Aralyse Johnson, mother Shannon Johnson, father Jamie Johnson, McKenna, her sister Breanna Johnson, and grandparents Darlene and Dwayne Johnson.

The varsity girls' basketball team: Nicole von Kramer, Dekari Moss, Emily Peters, Serene Calderone, Casey Wurtz, Allie Schwerthoffer,  Isabel Breeden, Megan Conibear, and Brianna Rindell.

An accident with injuries is reported on the westbound off-ramp of the I-490 in Bergen.

Bergen fire along with the Bergen ambulance and Le Roy Ambulance Service dispatched.

The accident is not blocking.

A potentially dangerous snow squall is moving through the region and is expected to hit Genesee County by 12:45 p.m., according to the the National Weather Service.

A weather warning has been issued.

The Weather Service warns of poor visibility, heavy and blowing snow, with wind gusts of 30 mph.

The warning is based on radar images. 

The Weather Service warns of "dangerous life-threatening travel" during the squall.

Pavilion is now 3-1 in girls basketball after the Gophers beat Cal-Mum Tuesday night 41-27.

Lauren Kingsley led Pavilion with 13 pts, 21 rebounds, and three blocks. Karlee Zinkievich scored 11 points and had five steals and five assists. Lindsay Lowe had 10 rebounds and scored two points.

Photos by Ryan Paddock.

Top photo: Lindsay Lowe fights through Cal-Mum pressure for a basket.

Lauren Kingsley towers over Cal-Mum defenders to sink a shot at the beginning of the first quarter.

Emily Kingsley goes up for a shot in the third quarter.

Shea Amberger on defense.

Le Roy varsity wrestling defeated Bath on Tuesday, 47-20.

Pins: Joey Brennan, Andrew Englerth, Jimmy Burns, Alana Carballo, Cole Rauscher.

The Knights are now 5-3 on the season.

Photos and info submitted by Tim McArdle.

Press release:

The Batavia City School District’s Board of Education (BOE) has named Anibal Soler Jr. as the district’s next superintendent. Soler Jr. is set to begin on Jan. 20.

Patrick Burk, Batavia City School District’s Board President stated, “The board is confident that Anibal Soler Jr. will lead our district as we work together to deliver the best education possible for our students. Our search process narrowed the field to three excellent candidates. We value all of the input from our stakeholders and community members.

"With his dedication, enthusiasm and knowledge, our board feels that Anibal has the educational capacity and attributes to move us forward. We are united in making Batavia City Schools the best district for our students and we feel that we are making the right decision in hiring Anibal.”

Soler Jr. is the associate superintendent of Strategic Alignment and Innovation for the Buffalo Public Schools, New York state’s second-largest school district, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he oversees four areas: adult education, district athletics, the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, and the district school improvement strategy known as Strong Community Schools, which encompasses 11,000 students and 21 schools across the City of Buffalo. This Strong Community Schools effort has moved persistently struggling or failing schools to good-standing rating by the New York State Education Department.

From 2016 until 2018 Soler Jr. was the principal of North Park Academy, an elementary school in the Buffalo Public School District. In this role, he led a staff of more than 50 and 250 students and supervised all instructional and operational aspects of this Pre-K through 8 community school.

From 2009-2016, Soler Jr. was the principal of East High School, the largest comprehensive high school in the Rochester City School District, with between 1,500 to 2,000 students and a staff of almost 250. Through his leadership, the school was removed from the New York State Education Department’s Persistently Dangerous list in 2011.

Soler Jr. serves as an adjunct professor at Canisius College in Buffalo. He began teaching in 2000 as an art teacher at Thomas Middle School in the Rochester City School District.

“I wish to thank the Batavia Board of Education for offering me this exciting opportunity to be the next Superintendent of Batavia City Schools," Soler Jr. said. "I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected to lead your high-quality school system. I also look forward to joining and serving the amazing students, parents, talented staff, and community partners of the Batavia City Schools.

"Together, we will continue to make Batavia City Schools a premier district that effectively serves and supports all students and families.”

Soler Jr. holds a Bachelor of Science from Daemen College, a master’s degree from Nazareth College and Certification in School Administrator and School District Administration from St. John Fisher College. He also holds a certification as a New York State School Administration Supervisor. Soler Jr. is currently enrolled in the doctorate program in Educational Leadership at the University of Rochester.

Kevin MacDonald, district superintendent of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, acted as the search consultant and noted that the search process was a true collaboration between the Board of Education, district staff, and community.

A low-pressure zone will pass over Genesee County tonight and into tomorrow bringing persistent snow and temperatures between zero and 10 degrees, according to Accuweather.

During snowfall and squalls, whiteout conditions could persist. Travel could be treacherous.

The National Weather Service forecast:

Tonight: Scattered snow showers before 1a.m., then a chance of snow showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday: Snow showers likely before 5 p.m., then snow after 5 p.m. Temperature falling to around 15 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

     Plush Dozier

A Batavia man awaiting trial on arson and attempted murder charges was arraigned on a new criminal complaint stemming from his alleged behavior while in custody since his arrest in June 2018.

Plush Dozier has been indicted on counts of criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal mischief in the third degree.

It's alleged that on Aug. 4, 2018, he kicked out a plate of glass in a holding cell at the Genesee County Jail, which caused more than $5,000 damage. He's also accused of causing more than $250 of damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle on Aug. 20, 2018.

Dozier is being held without bail for allegedly setting fire to a house on Maple Street in the city with the intent of killing his girlfriend on June 15, 2018.

While awaiting his criminal proceedings, Dozier has been housed at least some of the time in solitary confinement at Attica Correctional Facility.  

In September, the Commissioner of Mental Health determined that Dozier is mentally fit to stand trial. He is expected to go to trial the week of March 16.

See previous coverage:

• Man accused of arson and attempted murder will receive mental health treatment before case proceeds
• Law and Order: Rochester man accused of menacing officer and damaging door of Sheriff's Office vehicle
• Grand Jury Report: Man accused of arson and attempted murder in Maple Street fire
• Arson and attempted murder charged in Maple Street fire
• Man accused of arson and attempted murder deemed fit to stand trial

Genesee County is on the northern perimeter of a long storm path that is moving from the Midwest to the Northeast over tonight and into tomorrow evening.

If we see snow, which is predicted, the range is expected to be from one to three inches.

Graphic: Accuweather.

Each month at Jackson Primary School, students learn about a different character trait and this month they learned about kindness.

The community member who helped them with their kindness lessons this month was Capt. Greg Ireland, Batavia Fire Department. Ireland made a video where he read a book about kindness and gave the children a tour of the fire hall.

Today, he had lunch with several of the students and talked with the children about kindness, especially how firefighters are kind. They all ate pizza. One student from each class was selected to attend the lunch based on a teacher recommendation for exemplifying kindness at school.

All of the students at the lunch received a certificate recognizing their kindness.

   Thomas Moynihan

A 44-year-old State Street man admitted in court to stealing $344.50 from the Days Inn in Batavia in October, but as part of a plea deal may with have an opportunity to enter a judicial diversion program.

It will be up to Judge Charles Zambito to decide whether Thomas P. Moynihan can enter a substance abuse program following a report by probation officials to determine his potential eligibility for the program.

Moynihan is due back in court Jan. 3 to hear Zambito's decision.

If Moynihan successful completes the program, his felony charge could be reduced and he would be eligible for probation with no jail time.

If he doesn't successfully complete the program, he would be looking at a prison term of two to seven years.

Moynihan has no prior prison record.

He was arrested by Batavia PD after he went into an area designated for employees at the Days Inn, confronted an employee, demanded money, and then fought with the employee before fleeing.

The employee was not hurt in the incident.

Today he entered a guilty plea to robbery in the third degree.

A change in the law, called the "Green Light Law," that would allow people in the United States without legal permission to be here to obtain a driver's licenses is getting push back in Genesee County from local residents and the County Clerk.

A small group of residents staged a protest outside County Building #1 this morning. Also this morning, County Clerk Michael Cianfrini announced a moratorium on new driver's permits because he is concerned about the lack of training his staff has received about the new law.

"We're out here because we disagree with Gov. Cuomo about the law," said Carl Hyde, or organized the protest. "We're American citizens and we have a right to freedom of speech and to say the law is wrong and we disagree with it."

He expressed concern about DMV staff locally not receiving adequate training to inspect documents from other nations and decide if documents that are presented to determine identity are legitimate documents.

That's also the worry of Cianfrini, who has been hoping the governor would delay implementation of the law or a court would intervene to at least slow down its implementation.

"As it became obvious that none of these were going to happen, I consulted with county management and our county attorney and decided that this was the best course of action in the very short term," Cianfrini said. "As the state has changed many of the policies and procedures that we use to process new applications while providing minimal training and information on exactly how to handle various situations, we were uncomfortable with completing the transactions."

He said that if clerks were presented with documents they could not verify or authenticate, or if the clerks suspected fraud, they would be prohibited from contacting law enforcement and from keeping copies of the docuemnts. At the same time, he said the county DMV has been told to handle suspicious documents "as we always have."

"I am afraid that we will either take a copy of something or report something that we shouldn’t, and find ourselves in violation of the law, or accept and process something that we shouldn’t and likewise run afoul of the law," Cianfrini said. "As we do not discriminate against anyone based upon a suspicion of country of origin or suspected legal status, we felt it necessary to implement this blanket moratorium on new permits to protect ourselves and to be in a position to handle the transactions properly when we start issuing them again.  It is my sincere hope that we will be able to begin processing new permit transactions again within the next few days."

      Dustin Bogue

A 37-year-old transient with roots in Batavia will spend 12 and a half years in prison for his first-degree robbery of the Speedway at 204 W. Main St. in September.

Dustin Wayne Bogue was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.

He entered the Speedway at 1:51 p.m. Sept. 14 and Batavia PD responded to a report of a robbery. He was later arrested following an investigation. 

Under terms of a previous plea agreement, the maximum sentence Bogue faced was 15 years. He could have gotten a minimum of 10 years. District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said Judge Charles Zambito decided to split in half the maximum statutory time of 25 years, which is how he arrived at 12 and a half years.

Bogue has previously served prison terms for unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree assault, and criminal contempt.

His father, Lewis W. Bogue Jr., was convicted in Genesee County Court in 1995 of rape and sodomy (Dustin Bogue was not the victim). Zambito, according to Friedman, said he realized Bogue had a rough childhood but he said that was no excuse before imposing the prison term.

Video submitted by the Joan Elizabeth Seamans campaign.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.55, down 2 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.38. The New York State average is $2.67 – down 1 cent from last week.

A year ago, the NYS average was $2.71. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $2.65 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Buffalo - $2.61 (no change since last week)
• Ithaca - $2.66 (no change since last week)
• Rochester - $2.65 (no change since last week)
• Rome - $2.61 (no change since last week)
• Syracuse - $2.58 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Watertown - $2.66 (no change since last week)

Total domestic gasoline stocks continue to increase, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Stocks increased by 5.4 million barrels in the most recent report, bringing the total to 234.8 million barrels. Additionally, gas demand decreased.

As stocks continue to grow, while demand decreases, pump prices across the nation are likely to continue seeing downward pressure this week before holiday travel begins.

Gas prices are higher this year than one year ago. The year-over-year difference is due to higher crude prices this winter compared to last year.

From Gas Buddy:

"Gasoline prices have now slid to their lowest level since March thanks to rising U.S. gasoline inventories and sluggish demand, certainly bringing some Christmas cheer to motorists," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "The jump in gasoline inventories has been so large it has offset oil prices which touched $60 per barrel last week, as well as the U.S. and China suggesting they've reached a trade deal.

"Pending more significant proven trade ties between the two major countries, we may have seen the rally in oil stall for now, as refined product inventories post notable jumps going into the end of the year. It may take more inspiration for oil's recent run to translate over into lackluster gasoline, with motorists the clear beneficiaries -- they'll be able to spend a bit more on shopping for those last-minute Christmas gifts."