Stories from

Home Owners of the Year, Bradley & Kelly Trzecieski with Councilwoman Kathy Briggs.

Download: Statement by Briggs (PDF)

Business of the Year: Parise's Auto & Towing.  Accepting the award from Councilman Tim Buckley is owner Mark Dickinson.

Download: Statement by Buckley (PDF)

Don Carroll receives Volunteer of the Year award from Councilman Sam Barone.

Download: Statement by Barone (PDF)

Press Release:

After researching financial aspects, location possibilities and public support, the Byron Bergen Public Library Board (BBPL) has concluded that absorbing full financial responsibilities for the library location at the Gillam Grant Community Center is not viable given current level of funding. The library location in the Village of Bergen will continue to remain open.

At the beginning of the year the Gillam Grant Community Center approached the BBPL Board indicating that they would no longer be able to host the library at their location without financial support from the BBPL. The Gillam Grant Community Center had provided staffing and space for the library to operate in their location. With expected cutbacks in county and local funding the BBPL is not able to take over these expenses. 

After review of public input and discussions with local funders, the BBPL will focus efforts on the Bergen village location to provide programmatic outreach to community members. For more information about the Byron Bergen Public Library, visit www.bbplibrary.wordpress.com.

A car reportedly spun out and was struck by a semi-truck on the eastbound Thruway near mile marker 402.3.

Mercy EMS is responding. Indian Falls fire and Pembroke have been dispatched.

The driver is reportedly conscious and talking with somebody, but no further word on injuries.

A utility pole has blown down in Alabama and the fire department is being dispatched. There is a report of fire on the wires and the pole has fallen into trees. 

I thought I heard 238 Sky Road as the address, but that doesn't come up on Google Maps.  The reported address is 238 Skye Road, Alabama.

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Total Image - Dawn Williams, 226 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Dawn offers clipper cuts for men, women and children, as well as coloring, highlights, perms and waxing. We have a $22 gift certificate for $11.

New Today, Total Image Hair Salon/Sarah and Amanda Lowe, 226 Ellicott St., Batavia, NY: Time to update your style? Try something different or finally get the hair styling you've dreamed of, give Sarah or Amanda at Total Image a try. We have a $22 gift certificate for $11.

O'Lacy's Irish Pub, 5 School St. Batavia, NY: In Irish pubs, it doesn't get more authentic than O'Lacy's. Be sure to try the homemade chips. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Adam Miller Toy & Bicycles, 8 Center St., Batavia, NY: Feel like a kid in a toy store again, or treat your kids to the greatest toy store they will ever see. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Kravings, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Jackson St. Grill, 9 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Try the fresh, skinless haddock fish fry on Fridays. We have a $10 gift certificate for $5.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

sold out

Heavy winds and light hail are moving into Genesee County from the west, according to a report on the scanner.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 3 p.m.

UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm watch is cancelled.

Also, I was in a meeting and couldn't get all the details, but:

• Byron and South Byron fire departments were dispatched to a utility pole that broke in half.
• There was a kitchen fire at 9131 E. Main St., Lot #23, Town of Batavia.

Wet pavement is most likely to blame for a one-motorcycle accident that took the life of a Byron man late Saturday afternoon.

Kevin P. Stearns, 29, of 7862 Byron Road, Byron, was pronounced dead at the scene by County Coroner Jack Taylor at 5:55 p.m..

Stearns was reportedly driving his 1995 Honda motorcycle eastbound on the Thruway near mile marker 402, just east of Exit 48-A in Pembroke, when he moved from the passing lane to the right to pass another vehicle. The bike reportedly skidded out of control and hit a guard rail.

Neither speed nor alcohol were a factor, according to a State Police spokesman, who described the roadway as slick with rain at the time.

The accident occurred at 4:50 p.m.. No other vehicles were directly involved.

Brittany Baker, who signed on as a correspondent with The Batavian this summer, starts work today in the newsroom of the Daily News. We're happy for Brittany. She's an ambitious young journalist. She did a terrific job for us and we're sure she has a bright career ahead of her. Both Billie and I are grateful to Brittany for all of her work.

Meanwhile, we have two new interns starting today.

Amy Weidner completes a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications at SUNY Brockport in December. She's focused on pursuing a career in news media. Amy grew up in Genesee County and currently lives in Batavia. She's a 2005 graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School. Amy's primary beat during her internship will be Le Roy.

Ethan Thompson is a high school student who is home schooled. We first became aware of Ethan in April when Tasia did a profile of him and his entrepreneurial activities. Ethan describes himself as a "teenage entrepreneur." He likes to write, read and produce videos and he's very much into computers. He runs his own media company, Just Passing Thru Productions. He also owns and runs Youth in Action Mag, a site for Christian teens. Ethan, an Oakfield resident, will be producing news and feature videos, primarily about community events, for The Batavian during his internship.

As for our other correspondents, Gretel Kauffman is back in school, but may make an occasional contribution, and Tasia Boland has been busy with some good changes in her life, but she plans to start writing again soon.

Joseph Kyle Loveland, 26, of 665 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, is charged with harassment. Loveland allegedly punched another person in the face while at Chestnut Ridge Country Club in Darien at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim was reportedly treated at the scene and declined transportation to a hospital. Loveland was issued an appearance ticket. The incident was investigated by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Pamela A. Loughridge, 41, of 5630 Buffalo Road, Apt. 5, Churchville, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and moving from the lane unsafely. Loughridge was stopped at 6:04 p.m. yesterday by Deputy Chad Minuto on Route 237 in Byron.

Justin J. Jaszko, 30, of 8087 Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass. Jaszko allegedly entered the residence of his child's mother in Oakfield and refused to leave. The alleged incident occurred Friday morning at 8:45. Deputy Christopher Parker handled the call.

Ann M. Burgler, 49, of 6592 Royal Parkway, Lockport, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Burgler was stopped by Deputy Kevin McCarthy on Route 5 in Pembroke at 2:54 p.m. on Saturday.

Adam M. Gaylord, 29, of Byron, is charged with DWI, operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or greater and criminal possession of a weapon. Gaylord was stopped by State Police on Chapel Road in Elba at 10:50 p.m. on Friday.

Stephen L. Nichols, 33, of New York City, is charged with DWI and DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Nichols was stopped by State Police in Pavilion at Route 63 and Route 20 at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday.

Great Kutz, in the Valu Plaza, 4152 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY: Batavia's newest full-service salon, offering affordable haircuts for men and women on a walk-in basis. Today, we have two gift certificates for men's haircuts, a $12.95 value for $6 each (gift card can be applied toward other services, but not products).

Kravings, Valu Plaza, W. Main Street, Batavia, NY: Recently opened, it offers soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh and flavorful; Monday through Saturday. We have $10 gift certificates for $5.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Center Street Smoke House, 20 Center St., Batavia, NY: Ribs, brisket, steak, prime rib -- Center Street is a meat lover's paradise. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

T.F. Brown's, at 214 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: T.F. Brown's is a great place for a good meal, good friends and to catch up on what's going on in the sports world. "If it happens in sports, it happens at Brown's." We have a $20 gift card for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

Press release:

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand urged the House-Senate Conference Committee to include $350 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help New York farmers struggling during the dairy crisis in the final Agriculture Appropriations Bill.  Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont authored the provision that was included in the Senate version of the legislation. 
 
“Our dairy farmers are hurting.  A large step was taken when we convinced Secretary Vilsack to increase prices paid to farmers, and this is an important second step.  We need more to ensure that our dairy farmers survive this crisis and we will continue working to make sure that they do,” Senator Schumer said.

 
“During these tough economic times, this increase will bring some much needed relief for our farmers,” said Senator Gillibrand, the first New York Senator in 40 years to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. “While this is great for New York's dairy farmers, this is only a temporary solution to the fundamental problems with the dairy pricing system.  I will continue to work for a long term fix for our farmers.”
 
New York farmers are facing a dairy pricing crisis. According to the USDA it costs a New York dairy farmer $18.82 to produce a hundredweight of milk. Yet in July the average New York farmer received only $11.60 per hundredweight, though a number of farmers reported receiving even less.  The Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC), which was designed to be a safety net when there is a large price discrepancy, has not been able to adequately protect New York’s dairy farmers. As a result, New York farmers have been forced to either take on massive debt to cover their costs or go out of business.
 
In their letter, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand joined with 27 of their Senate Colleagues, writing, “America needs a strong, diverse dairy industry to feed our nation and keep rural communities thriving.  If retained in the final Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report, the funds provided by this amendment can be utilized by Secretary Vilsack to provide relief to America’s dairy industry.  These funds are crucial to helping hasten the recovery of farm milk prices this fall.”
 
The Agriculture Appropriations Bill is now being reconciled by the House-Senate Conference Committee, before final passage in both chambers, and sent to the President to become law.

A reader sent along a link to the USGS site about an earthquake in Attica on Sept. 23 because no media reported the event.

Granted, it was a small one, but still worth noting.

The 2.4 shaker was actually 3 miles southeast of Attica.

There was also a temblor reported in Attica on June 5.

Press release:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) issued the following statement today after signing a discharge petition to amend the House rules to require that legislation be posted on the Internet for at least 72 hours before a vote on the House floor. More than 170 Members of Congress have signed on to this petition, which are used to force a vote on legislation that has been blocked by the majority leadership. Lee said:

“Western New York taxpayers deserve the ability to weigh in on these important and complicated pieces of legislation which are being rushed through Congress.

“As we saw with the ‘cap and trade’ national energy tax legislation and the enormous ‘stimulus’ spending bill, leaders in Congress have denied the American public the right to full transparency in the legislative process.

“This bill will allow Members of Congress, the American public and the press 72 hours to actually read the huge bills that are often introduced in the dead of night. This common-sense reform is long past due."

Press release:

Washington, D.C. – At the urging of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the Department of Health and Human Services today provided spending and reporting guidelines for counties that received child care funds in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Until today, local officials have been unable to spend these funds because the federal government had not yet provided guidelines for the program. Counties can spend these federal dollars to meet a broad range of needs for their child care centers, including restoring kindergarten seats, saving child care programs from getting cut, and paying for salaries.

“This is great news for counties across New York that have been waiting for the federal guidelines needed to put these funds to use for families that rely on these centers for quality, affordable child care,” Senator Gillibrand said. “I would like to thank Secretary Sebelius for responding so quickly to my request and for understanding that in these tough economic times we need to speed the process of providing federal assistance for these important services.”

New York State’s Office of Children & Family Services received $96.8 million in May to help provide New York families with affordable child care over the next two years through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which Senator Gillibrand helped pass earlier this year. Approximately $84 million will be allocated to counties across New York over the next two years -- helping approximately 123,000 New York children enrolled in county child care programs.

In a letter sent Tuesday to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Senator Gillibrand asked that the agency immediately take steps to issue federal guidelines to New York State for distribution of the funds.
 
Full text of the letter:

September 22, 2009

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
United States Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC  20201
 
Dear Secretary Sebelius:

I write to express my urgent concern regarding New York State’s inability to release the $96.7 million in federal child care stimulus funds that it has received under the under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”).  New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services received these funds in early May of this year, but has been unable to distribute them to its social service districts because it has been unable to obtain federal guidance on the allowable uses and reporting requirements for these funds pursuant to Section 1512 of the ARRA.

Thousands of working families in communities throughout New York State have not been able to access the assistance they desperately need in order to pay for childcare.  Without access to quality childcare, parents risk missing work and losing jobs they need to support their families.

I was a strong supporter of the economic recovery plan, and I continue to support the tremendous work you and President Obama are doing to provide emergency assistance to middle income and low income Americans in need during this economic crisis.  I know you agree that we must make sure that families receive assistance as soon as possible.

I urge you to act quickly to provide guidance to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and similar agencies throughout the nation, so that working families no longer risk losing access to quality childcare.

Very truly yours,

Kirsten E. Gillibrand
United States Senator

Patrick D. Burk takes over as chairman of the Batavia Democrat Committee, replacing Cathy DeJaneiro, who becomes treasurer.

Also elected to leadership positions were Laura Bohm as vice chair, Malloryann Flanagan as secretary

The committee met Saturday in the Genesee County Legislature chambers.

The votes were unanimous, according to a press release issued by Burk.

Full press release following the the jump.

Against the backdrop of the historic Genesee County Legislature Meeting Chambers, the City of Batavia Democrat Committee elected new leadership at their re-organizational meeting on Saturday, September 26th.  In a unanimous vote, the committee elected First Ward Committee member Patrick D. Burk as the new Chairman.  Also elected were Laura Bohm as Vice Chair, Malloryann Flanagan as Secretary and Cathy DeJaneiro as Treasurer.

The newly seated committee members were also welcomed.  They included representing the First Ward – Lauren Penman, representing the Second Ward – Nicholas Burk and Ellen Jane Burk, representing the Third Ward – Elizabeth Kinsley and Robert Turk, representing the Fifth Ward – Alex Balbi and Jared Morgan and representing the Sixth Ward – Laura Russell-Ricci and Bea McManis.  “This is the first time in quite a few years that we have had all of our committee seats filled and active,” said outgoing Chair Cathy DeJaneiro.  “It is a tribute to the hard work this committee has been doing to promote positive, active candidates in the City of Batavia.  It is our goal to maintain a positive message in solving our communities concerns and problems.”  There are a total of 32 voting members on the City Committee.

“Democrat Leadership on City Council has helped to turn the downward financial situation into a more positive outlook”, Chairman Burk stated.  “It is all about facing the issues, knowing that they will not go away and tackling them with a positive attitude that the issue can be solved.  This year we have a solid slate of candidates in the City of Batavia.  Four of the six are brand new to politics.  They have great ideas, young families and a willingness to work hard to make this a great place to live, work and raise your family.”

The City of Batavia Democrat Committee has endorsed for City Council at Large, Sara Jane Burk-Balbi, Phil Ricci and Julie Wallace.  It also has endorsed for County Legislature, Edward DeJaneiro, Chris Charvella and Rosemary Christian.

“I am very honored to be elected Chair of the city committee,” Burk stated, “I am grateful for the committee’s confidence in me to get the job done and their continued support.  It is all about community service and finding those that want to invest time and commitment to better Batavia.  I believe our candidates and committee representatives have that core value at heart.  It isn’t so much about politics, but about the willingness to serve.”
 

What helps rural communities grow: entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs -- people who start and run their own businesses -- create jobs, restore and fill vacant buildings, contribute to the community with their time, resources and money, and support their fellow small business owners through mentoring and patronage.

Daily Yonder took a look at communities in rural Oklahoma and found the communities doing the best economically had strong entrepreneurship. They also emphasized their downtowns, diversified their business base and focused on community strengths.

As I wrote the other day, Batavia has a lot going for it and there is an impressive number of entrepreneurs starting and expanding businesses locally.

But we can always use more. And the area has resources to help, from the BID, to the city's revolving loan program to the Chamber of Commerce and BEST Center (which offers small business help) at GCC, and, of course GCEDC.

Maybe it's time for you to start a business. All it takes is a good idea and a willingness to work hard. If you're successful, the rewards are much more satisfying than working for somebody else. Trust me.

Up in Holley, an interesting story line is developing in the 2009 Genesee Region football season. A team that rarely won over the first few years of its young football program seems suddenly unbeatable.

The Alexander Trojans found out firsthand today just how invincible Holley seems to be at just past the halfway point in the season.

The Trojans were dominated on both sides of the ball for most of four quarters and dropped to 2-2 with a 32-10 loss.

The Hawks move to 4-0 and face a challenge next week to their seeming invincibility when they butt heads with the division’s only other undefeated team, the Fighting Irish, at Notre Dame.

Alexander Head Coach Dave Radley expressed some dissatisfaction with his team after the game saying his players didn’t come ready to play and seemed to take Holley for granted.

On the other side of the field, Chad DeRock said his team is bearing the fruit of three or four years of extra effort.

“Our focus this season was on making history,” DeRock said. “I don’t know what the past record was – two and 60 or something – but that doesn’t matter. I’m happy for my seniors who’ve put in the time. I promised them, if you put in the time, you’ll see results. They put in the time. My juniors put in the time. My sophomores and freshmen have put in the time. My seniors are the most dedicated group of I’ve ever worked with. I’m proud of them. They deserve it.”

Holley opened the game by methodically marching the ball down the field only to lose it on the two-yard line to a fumble.

The Trojans, however, were unable to capitalize on a potential shift of momentum, coughing up the ball on the 20-yard line a few plays later.

It didn’t take long, then, for Sean Baylor to put six on the board for the Hawks with a six-yard run.

Alexander made one last stab at making a game of it early in the second quarter when Lucas Czechowski booted an impressive 35-yard field goal to make the score 6-3, but except for a little spark late in the fourth quarter, the game was all Holley’s.

By the half, the score was 20-3 after TD runs by Baylor and Guy Hills.

Turnovers were a key factor (four total by Alexander), including an interception for a 40-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter by Holley's Mike Pernicano, which pushed the margin to 32-3 (Baylor had another touchdown run in the third quarter).

After another Pernicano interception, Holley started moving the ball toward the end zone again when the Alexander defense managed to force a fourth down. 

Holley decided to try a long field goal, but the pop-up kick came up well short of the goal line and #88 Steve Schaffer found himself in an open field just waiting for the ball to come down. He then darted to the far sideline and carried the ball 80 yards before being forced out to put his team in the red zone.

Alexander capitalized on the opportunity, finally pushing the ball across the goal line on a one-yard run by Jared Quinn.

And that’s how the game would end – 32-10, Holley.

Notre Dame Head Coach Rick Mancuso had a keen eye on the game through all four quarters. It will be interesting to find out later this week what he thinks about the upcoming clash of two teams seemingly putting it all together in 2009.

More photos after the jump.