Wanted:  Memories of the Albion Academy

History will be made in Elba on October 4.

The Elba/Byron-Bergen football team will be playing its homecoming game under the lights for the first time in the history of the program.

Elba has never had lights on its field and the Elba Sports Boosters will be bringing in temporary lights for the game against Alexander, allowing the Lancers to host a night game for the first time ever.

The Section 5 schedule still says the game has a 1:30 p.m. kickoff time, but it will actually be at 7 p.m.

It seems the Daily News ran out of all the hard-hitting and otherwise informative news that made for an overstuffed edition Wednesday—really, they put together a fine paper yesterday. Today's top headline, in triple-bold font, reads: "Pizza Huts set 'to go' in Albion, Medina". Sure, this is news, but top of the front page news? Well, on closer inspection, it seems that yes, there is more to this story than one might at first suspect.

Check out this second paragraph from reporter Virginia Kropf:

Rumors about the closing of the Albion and Medina stores have been circulating around the county for several days, but attempts to verify the fact on Wednesday were met with "No comment" or slammed receivers.

Sounds like some serious business. And Kropf doesn't let up. In what seemed like a boring story about a couple chain restaurants closing turns into a story about the worker getting screwed over by the man. It turns out the employees in Albion were never told the store would be closing, not officially—or at least, this is the impression from the article. Instead, the management simply stopped posting work schedules and told the employees to show up in Medina at 9:00am Thursday without their uniforms. They were not told why, they said to Kropf.

Check this out:

A man who answered the phone in the Lockport office said he was a supervisor, but declined to give his name. He said he knew nothing about any closings and when confronted with the sign in the Albion Pizza Hut [which read: Due to closing...], he said, "Thanks for telling me. I'll have to call and tell them to take it down."

When asked if he was saying the store would not be closing, he hung up.

Whoa. Those are some shady dealings. A quote from one of the women who works at the Albion Pizza Hut sums it up: "If they had been up front and told us, I could have had that other job," she said.

Great job giving a voice to the voiceless, Virginia. Great article.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Christopher A. Laird, 16, of Elba, was charged with a felony count of third-degree burglary yesterday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Laird was reported missing on Saturday and was subsequently spotted by police in the village of Le Roy on Wednesday. Once he was seen, Laird allegedly fled. Police then searched the area with the help of sheriff's deputies and state police, including the state aviation unit. Laird was eventually located and arrested at a residence on Transit Road in Elba, where he had stolen a Polaris Trail Blazer off-road four-wheeler. He was arrested, charged with burglary and sent to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Ryan M. Norton, 34, of Le Roy, was charged with second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child yesterday evening, deputies said. During an argument at his residence on Summit Street in Le Roy, Norton allegedly strangled and struck a woman and endangered the welfare of a 14-year-old child.

All above reports issued in published releases from the department.

WBTA's Chad Zambito tells us about a new Web site for state residents that allows anyone with the inclination to search out how much their municipality is spending, in real dollars. The site is called Open Book New York, and it was launched and will be maintained by the state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Really, folks, it's this easy:

Zambito did us the favor searching the city of Batavia. Spending for the city was $24 million in 2006, while $5.5 million of that went to public safety. You can look at figures as far back as 1996, but no later than 2006, at least for the time being.

I am searching for information regarding Capt. Thomas C Campbell Jr. This is what I know: b. 16 May 1920 d. 20 Oct 1944, when his aircraft crashed near lake Anten in Sweden. They were on route from Leuchars, Scotland to Bromma, Sweden as part of "Project Sonnie", in a C-87 (NC18618). According to one webpage, he came from Genesee Co, NY (source of this information unknown). According to a local newspaper report (Swedish newspaper Sydsvenska dagbladet) dated 12 May 1948, his mother then lived in Alexandria, VA. A Large Stone Tablet with the Crew Names and a Propeller from their B - 24 43-30619 crashed near Goteburg in Sweden Oct 20, 1944 bearing civil registration NC18618. This was some sort of secret operation. It seems that the plane was a part of Operation Carpetbagger, which was a special program to deliver supplies to resistance groups in enemy-occupied countries, to deliver personnel to the field, and occasionally to bring back personnel from the field. It is believed that this plane was being used to fly back to the UK Norwegian aircrew trainees and American internees from Sweden. I can find nothing in the Batavia Daily News regarding this Genesee Co. resident. I don't have a clue as to what amount of time would lapse between the crash and when it was reported. There is no record of Capt. Campbell enlisting in Genesee Co., nor is his mother listed as a Genesee Co. Gold Star mother. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

 Canisteo-Greenwood (1-2) at Le Roy (3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

The Oatkan Knights are coasting after beating Wellsville 77-8 in Week 3 and should have a big advantage over Canisteo-Greenwood, which has only scored 66 total points through three weeks of the season.

The only way Le Roy could struggle in this game is if the players think past C-G with tough games against Avon (2-1) and Caledonia-Mumford (3-0) and Hornell (3-0) to end the regular season.

The Oatkan Knights - ranked fifth in the state in Class C - have the highest scoring offense and have allowed the least amount of points of all the teams in Livingston Conference Division II.

Le Roy is moving the ball on the ground and through the air as Andrew Alexander has rushed for 421 yards through three games and Travis Fenstermaker has thrown for 357 yards, most of which has gone to Mike Humphrey.

Humphrey and Fenstermaker are possibly the best passing duo in Section 5, hooking up for five touchdowns so far. Humphrey has been over 100 yards receiving in the last two games.

Batavia (1-2) at Midlakes (0-3)

7 p.m. Friday

The Blue Devils hit the road for the first time this season and have momentum after a big 41-28 win over Waterloo last week.

Batavia has given up a lot of points this season, but scoring has not been a problem. Dan Geiger's offense has put up 74 points over the last two games.

Rob Williams has been a big reason why.

The senior has 374 yards rushing, which is quite impressive when you throw in the 17 yards he was held to in a Week 1 loss against Le Roy.

Williams has also been a factor on the defensive side of the ball and special teams, so Midlakes will be looking out for him.

Enter Anthony D'Aurizio.

D'Aurizio is the perfect compliment to Williams and runs with a bruising style. He picked up 180 yards and two touchdowns last week.

Midlakes has struggled, scoring just 21 points while giving up 73.

Batavia enters this road game with momentum and as the favorite, with a chance to even up at 2-2.

Holley (0-3) at Alexander (0-3)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

This game features the only two winless teams in the Genesee Region League and two programs with new coaches.

Holley's Chad DeRock served as jayvee coach last year while the school did not field a varsity squad. He has some players on the line with some size and the Hawks look to pound the football.

Unfortunately, they haven't had much success doing it thus far, scoring just 30 points so far this season.

Holley had just 56 total yards of offense in last week's 41-0 loss against Pembroke.

Alexander's Dave Radley has a squad filled with juniors and has had the hardest schedule in the GR so far, having to play Oakfield-Alabama (3-0), Pembroke (3-0) and Attica (2-1).

The Trojans have done a so-so job of putting points on the board, netting 33. But the defense has been beyond porous, giving up 117 points. 

Both squads are going to look to play physical football, with the winner getting their coach a first victory. The losing team will fall to 0-4.

Oakfield-Alabama (3-0) at Notre Dame (2-1)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

This is a huge game in terms of the race for the Genesee Region League title after Notre Dame's lone loss coming to Pembroke and O-A still having the Dragons on the schedule.

The Hornets are doing it again, running the ball with several different runners behind a solid offensive line, led by Division I prospect Chris Williams. 

Tim Smith (304 yards, 4 TD), Brad Riner (279 yards, 6 TD), Joe Natalizia (192 yards, 2 TD) and Jason Stanley (162) all have the ability to go off at any time.

O-A - ranked 13th in the state for Class C - has already rushed for over 1,000 yards as a team and has scored a league-leading 153 points.

Quarterback A.J. Kehlenbeck can also throw the ball a little.. He has completed 7-of-14 pass attempts for 94 yards and two TDs this season.

The Fighting Irish have skilled players all over the field.

Mike Pratt went for over 100 yards rushing in a Week 2 win over Attica and Kevin Schildwaster went for over 100 in Week 3's 37-6 victory over Barker. Both will get carries and you can look for the one that is running the ball better to keep getting the ball.

But if O-A's stingy defense shuts down the run, Notre Dame has a great passing option with quarterback Nick Bochicchio and wide receiver Kevin Francis.

The last time these two teams met on Notre Dame's field two years ago, the game went into overtime during a rain storm, with the Hornets escaping with a win.

Attica (2-1) at Barker (1-2)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Class B Offensive Player of the Week Andy Ruddock looks to lead the Blue Devils, who beat Elba/Byron-Bergen 40-6 last week.

Ruddock earned the honor after gaining 193 yards with a score on 18 carries in the game. He also caught a pass for 19 yards and returned a kick 43 yards.

Barker is probably going to focus on shutting Rudy down, so Blue Devil coach Jeff Cusmano might let his quarterback have a big day.

Brandon Rollins - who transfered to Attica this school year - has gotten better in each game this season and had a nice passing game last week. He went 8-of-12 for 85 yards and three touchdowns last week.

The Blue Devils always think defense first and it has shown as the team has given up a league-low 39 points.

That could be a problem for Barker, which has scored just 31 points this season. The only victory the Raiders have came against Holley.

Greg Brown is the top rushing option, gaining 238 yards with two TDs so far. Ray Paul has pitched in 136 yards with a couple of scores.

Anthony Porter and Ethan Dewart each have thrown for 57 yards this season.

Elba/Byron-Bergen (1-2) at Pembroke (3-0)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

The Dragons spread the ball around, but Andrew Wright has easily been one of the top players in the league so far.

He has nine total touchdowns so far this season and has been huge as a runner, a receiver and a kick returner.

Wright had two touchdowns and a 99-yard kickoff return for a score in Week 1, carried the ball just eight times for 185 yards and four touchdowns in Week 2 and then picked up 118 yards rushing on 10 carries with two catches for 55 yards in Week 3.

He has 18 rushing attempts for 283 yards and five touchdowns and has caught five passes for 180 yards and three scores.

Mike Dibble will spend the entire game in the backfield and does a great job of pacing the game. He has 47 rushing attempts for 240 yards and four scores.

David Kleckler has put up some very efficient passing numbers this season and also has the ability to run as a quarterback. He will typically look in tight end Ken Babcock's direction at least a couple of times in the game.

Kleckler has gone 11-of-23 passing for 317 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has rushed for 127 yards and two TDs on eight carries.

Babcock has caught six passes for 137 yards with two touchdowns.

The Lancers have had no problem rushing the ball so far, but have only managed to score 57 points.

Brandon Spurling is at almost 400 yards rushing and Zach Green has about 200 yards.

Elba has also made the switch at quarterback, making Eric Kowalik the full time QB and moving Cody Torpey to wide receiver. He could also get some rushing attempts.

You may have noticed this scene driving by the Cornell Cooperative Extension on East Main Street in Batavia:

Several huge oak and silver maple trees have come down out front of the Extension over the past few days—one of them was more than 90 feet tall. We called Kimberly Amey at the Extension to find out what was going on.

It turns out that in a recent windstorm, a branch from one of these gargantuans broke off and like a missile shot down into the ground, getting stuck there. When the folks at the Extension saw the damage and the ease with which that branch came loose and turned projectile, they thought it was time to take a closer look at the trees. As you can see here to the right, some of them were so rotten they were hollow on the inside. There was nothing left to do but chop them down, said Amey.

For the most part the work was routine, but it turned out that inside one of the rotted trunks someone had poured concrete! Amey said that whoever did that thought it might be a safe way to stabilize the tree. She said that was what people used to do with dead trees to keep them from uprooting and impaling downtown structures if the winds got that bad. Well, maybe they weren't going to go sailing around Batavia like that, but you get the point. They could have caused some serious damage to the Extension building, at the very least.

On the bright side, the Extension hopes to soon plant some ornamental flowering trees, like you see in the back of the Extension at the main entrance facing the parking lot. Amey says they're looking for something that would look nice with the building. Here's a photograph of those trees out back that I took this spring.

We said yesterday that we'd be working on a series of posts related to neighborhood improvement issues. For the first part of our series—not that we've yet flesh out a second part—we would like to focus on problem properties, in particular: what they are and how to deal with them. We've already sent out questions on that topic and left messages with a couple members of the City Council. We expect to hit up a couple more. Council President Charlie Mallow was kind enough to get right back to us, and we have his answers below. He's got some real insights into the issue. Check out his comments.

We're also hoping to hear from you. When does a neighboring home turn from annoyance to nuisance to real problem? How should the city handle its problem properties? When should people be left alone?

Please be sure to check back with the site in the coming days and weeks. We hope to get up many more posts on this issue, which we're sure is an important one for this community.

Answers from Charlie Mallow:

How do you define a problem property?

A problem property is one that isn’t adding to the balance of a neighborhood. It’s the sore thumb of the area. Its owner is not keeping up with maintenance or its residents are causing disturbances. There also has to be some intent to avoid doing routine maintenance or create disturbances routinely. Since anyone could have health problems that keep them from being able to keep up with property maintenance from time to time.

When is it decided that a property owner has been given enough warnings? Is that threshold defined? What action then follows? What action ought to follow?

These thresholds are found in our code and state code. They are pretty ineffective; I would like to see some changes. I would like to see a property given notice and asked to respond, and then I would like to see a follow-up some time later, where a court appearance ticket is issued with a fine. We have been too easy in the past and people know how to work the system at this point.

What are the best ways to take preventive action against absentee landlordism?

Tough question. I believe you need to make it easier for people to own their own home. That’s easier said than done in our current mortgage crisis. Proper property maintenance inspections by city staff will take care of most of the problem. Our cities real issue is that we have not enforced the laws on the books for years. We have been understaffed and this has never been a priority of city government.

What is the difference between a slum lord and a lazy tenant or homeowner? Is there a difference if the outcome is the same? Ought they to be treated differently?

Right now there is no punishment for being a lazy or bad tenant. The landlord gets left holding the bag. There is another side to the problem. Most landlords are good people who care about and for their properties. There are some rotten apples but, we can’t keep beating on landlords and cast them all in a bad light. We need to find a way of punishing the right person. How? That is something we in the NIC (Neighborhood Improvement Committee) have talked about over and over again and can’t seem to find an answer for.

When should a tenant and not the landlord be held responsible for the condition of a property, if ever?

See above..

In the photo above is a neat home on Walnut Street. Batavia has many such colorful and interesting residences. We can only hope that the residents do their best to take care of them.

City police are investigating a string of downtown burglaries over the past several weeks, the most recent at St. Joseph's School on Summit Street, which was broken into twice on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Daily News. Palace of Sweets in Batavia City Centre was the target last week, according to Det. Richard Schauf, who told reporter Scott DeSmit that the thief made off with about $900 in cash and may have had the key to the office.

The burglar broke glass to enter the store and then opened steel blinds which bar entry to the store after-hours, to get back onto the mall concourse and, apparently, leave the building.

Dan's Tire Service and Ponderosa Restaurant were also broken into in August. Nothing was taken from the restaurant. Dan's Tires reported about $155 in cash missing from the register.

The Batavian called the police chief Tuesday morning to get some information about the downtown burglaries. We had received reports of the robberies, and several readers had come to us looking for more information about the city's law enforcement. One reader said she heard a lot of sirens over the weekend, more than seemed usual. We phoned the dispatch center to inquire about the sirens. We were told that they do not log calls in a blotter and were too busy to provide any other information.

Dan DiLaura, owner of Dan's Tire, told us that the burglary there on August 23 happened around 10:00pm. The thief smashed a window at the garage and left a blood trail leading from the entry to the cash register. DiLaura said it was a bit puzzling, because the thief seemed to know the exact location of the money, judging by the trail. Also puzzling, the $1,500 flat-screen television about a dozen feet from the cash register was left untouched.

Residents of Batavia's southside neighborhood assembled outside the home of Anne Marie Starowitz on Chestnut Street yesterday to talk traffic, according to the Daily News. Several city officials came out. Also on hand were engineers from FRA Engineering, the firm that is handling the construction of the Oak Street roundabout.

Reporter Joanne Beck writes:

[Residents] fear what may happen once a roundabout project gets going next spring ... at the intersection of Walnut, South Main, Pearl, Oak and Franklin streets. The plan includes a detour along Route 98, at Law Street, to alleviate some traffic congestion near the construction zone. All of that detoured traffic will then spill into the southside neighborhood, the Starowitz's said.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian passed out a letter that said other parts of the city have also been affected by construction projects. That sounds like a good point to make. When we're talking about downtown construction projects and traffic detours, isn't there always a neighborhood that has to bear the brunt of it?

Anne Marie Starowitz:

"My major concern is this is just politics as usual. It's done, and your voice means nothing. These (City Councilmen) are elected to represent us. I'm really concerned about the children."

Residents were told that their concerns will be taken to the city for consideration.

Speaking of construction, the Genesee County Economic Development Center is about finished with all of its projects for the season, save for the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park. Work will get underway on that project this fall, weather permitting.

Speaking of traffic, a pickup truck was engulfed in flames at the intersection of Lewiston Road and Veterans Memorial Drive in the town of Batavia yesterday afternoon. Traffic through the area was redirected while fire crews put out the blaze.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

 Penn State Volleyball is off to a 12-0 start this fall and Byron-Bergen graduate Alyssa D'Errico is having a great season.

The Nittany Lions are the defending NCAA Division I champions and are cruising already this year.

D'Errico played in all 36 matches last season and has played in all 12 thus far in 2008 and is tied for third on the team with 68 digs.

She has 13 assists and 10 service aces.

Penn State will be hosting Purdue on Friday and Illinois on Saturday.

D'Errico led Byron-Bergen to three straight New York State Public High School Athletic Association titles (2004-2006) while earning first-team all-state honors in all three seasons.

Check out this cool little Q&A with D'Errico that is on the Penn State Web site.

Forty-four-year-old Thomas K. Lee was charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal contempt and a felony count of second-degree assault last night, city police said. Lee is accused of violating an order of protection by going to the home of his ex-wife. When police tried to arrest Lee at the home on MacArthur Drive, Lee allegedly punched one of the officers in the face. He was sent to Genesee County Jail without bail.

Richmond Memorial Library will host a book lunch today in the library's Gallery Room at 19 Ross Street in Batavia. Folks are encouraged to come by to hear Bill Kauffman talk about his new book (that's it here to the right) while they eat lunch. They call it "Books Sandwiched In," and it starts at 12:10pm and runs to about 1:00pm, long enough to get a healthy dose of culture, but not too long that you can't make it on your lunch break from work.

From the press release:

Bill Kauffman will talk about his new book, Forgotten Founder, Drunken Prophet: The Life of Luther Martin. The Friends of the Library co-sponsor this free program. Bring your lunch; coffee, tea and cookies are provided.  All welcome. For more information, call the library at (585) 343-9550, ext. 8 or log on to www.batavialibrary.org.

Genesee County legislators last night approved a grant application to study a shared jail facility with Orleans County, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer. Grant funds could total $50,000 for the study, and local taxpayers shouldn't have to pay more than $2,300. Also approved at last night's meeting: the purchase of Finn, a $7,000, 3-year-old, Czechoslovakian German Shepherd who will join the Sheriff's Department as their newest K-9 recruit. Finn's presence means that the current K-9, 10-year-old Jay, can finally start to phase into retirement.

Fischer reports some not-so-good news about the county's ambulance service. It's said that the city of Batavia is charging fees to the surrounding municipalities for providing coverage all over the county. Some towns—Darien and Pembroke are named—have complained that "there have been instances where the city has failed to show up for an emergency call," according to Fischer.

Somehow, we missed this story when it hit the Buffalo News a few days ago: A judge has rulled that Rev. Simon B. Howson, 42, the former rector of Batavia’s St. James Episcopal Church, can proceed with his lawsuit against the Diocese.

Howson claims that he was dismissed from his job after making a sexual harrassment claim against another priest.

Fleming on Friday said the job dispute involves attempts earlier this decade by an admitted homosexual Episcopalian priest now serving in Massachusetts, who used Howson as a spiritual adviser in Batavia, to have sex with Howson, who is heterosexual but unmarried.

Diocesan attorney Brendan P. Kelleher asked the judge to summarily dismiss Howson’s lawsuit on the claim that the dispute is a purely religious controversy to be handled only by church authorities. Fleming argued that Howson’s dispute involves the state Human Rights Law.

...

Howson was suspended in October 2004 because of allegations about stealing church funds, forging church documents and misrepresenting himself. In August 2007, the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York announced that his priestly rights were revoked and he was removed from the priesthood. Thursday, Fleming stressed to Michalek that all the allegations the bishop lodged against Howson were “false” and called the bishop’s actions against Howson “crazy, outrageous and disingenuous.” Fleming told the judge he personally deposed the admittedly homosexual priest recently in Massachusetts and confirmed that priest’s “sexual harassment” of his client.

Howson, "now a hospital chaplain with limited religious duties in the Fresno, Calif., area," is seeking $300,000 in restitution and reinstatment as a priest.

Saturday was a busy day for Habitat at Columbia Ave. in Batavia. The day started out with the regular  10 volunteers. The roof was raised last week and it was time to close up the walls to get ready for colder temps. Soon 5 volunteers ,students from RIT college arrived.Shortly after that 15 students from Houghton College arrived to volunteer. There was flooring to remove,flooring to install ,roofing to replace, and side walls to close up.It was a great day for renovation. A big thanks to all of the volunteers.Visit our web   www.geneseehabitat.com or call (585)345-1656

 The Attica boys soccer team had not won a Genesee Region League match, until Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils scored first then held on to beat visiting Lyndonville 3-0.

"We've been behind in almost every game and we were on a six game losing streak," Attica coach John Dickhut said. "It was nice to get one early on somebody."

Brandon Reiner scored eight minutes in on a header, off a pass by Andy Hagen to get the ball rolling.

Matt Sheffield then scored an unassisted goal eight minutes later.

"We have quite a few guys that can score," Dickhut said. "We had relied on Andy Hagen a lot early on, but just about anybody can put it in. A couple of games ago I changed my strategy and added another forward to boost the offense a bit."

Joe Wolak added an insurance goal late in the second half off a pass by Reiner to cap off the victory and give Attica a 1-5 league and 4-6 overall record.

Goalie Jacob Seiferth made 10 saves.

"We haven't helped him out too much this year," Dickhut said. "This was his first shutout of the year and he didn't have to work super-hard to get it. The defense really helped him out today."

Lyndonville falls to 2-4, 3-5-1.

Here it is, the second episode in our fun-time kitchen recipe series: Cooking with the Dairy Princess. This month, Anika Zuber shows us how to make a dynamite buffalo chicken wing dip. As she'll tell you: it's perfect for "any fun activities," including football parties.

For those of you who missed Episode One, here it is: Strawberry Sorbet Smoothie. Check back this time next month for the next episode.

Attention all you Muckdogs fans and supporters! if you haven't heard, Muckdogs championship t-shirts are available for purchase! Check out the website, muckdogs.com (direct link here: http://muckdogs.com/index.asp?orgid=67&storyid=315&sid=FD4A130C-FED5-441D-8157-560D0254FB2F), for more info!