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Bethany town supervisor Carl Hyde plans trip to Albany to seek GOP support for gubernatorial campaign

By Howard B. Owens
2023 File Photo of Carl Hyde Jr.
File photo. Carl Hyde discussing water issues in the Town of Bethany.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Carl Hyde, the town supervisor for the past 12 years in Bethany, has spent a lot of time pouring over the state budget and he's tired of the wasteful spending.

He thinks he can fix it, and that means he needs to beat Gov. Kathy Hochul in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

Bethany Volunteer Fire Department holds 2025 Installation of Officers Banquet

By Steve Ognibene
Bethany Fire Department held it's annual installation of officers banquet saturday evening.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Bethany Fire Department held it's annual installation of officers banquet saturday evening.  Photo by Steve Ognibene

On Saturday evening, Fire Chief Jeff Fluker of Bethany Fire Department led as the master of ceremonies at Bethany’s annual awards and installation of officer’s banquet. 

More than 80 people attended, including VIP guests from other area fire departments, including Alexander, Attica, Elba, Pavilion, Stafford, and Wyoming.

Assemblyman Steve

Patricia A. Rice

By T.J. Woodward
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Patricia A. Rice, passed away on Monday February 17, 2025.  She was born on December 30th, 1936, in Bergen, NY.

After leaving the family farm in Byron, Patricia became a stewardess for Capitol Airlines, predecessor to today's United, where she met the love of her life, Robert Rice. They married on September 28th, 63. She is survived by her husband Robert of 61 years where they shared love, golf and travel with their 2 boys, Kyle (Debi) Rice of East Bethany and Jody (Tracy) Rice of Batavia. 

Predeceased are her parents William and Gertrude Krause. They had 6 children, William (deceased), Robert (Deceased) and Delores (Deceased), Surviving, Marty (Donna) of Bergen and Joan of Batavia. Many nieces and nephews she cherished.

Pat was an accomplished musician singing Capella harmonies with the Sweet Adelines for many years.  Complimenting her singing skills, she also enjoyed playing trumpet, guitar, and the piano.  One of Pat's greatest joys was the game of golf. As a long-term member of the Batavia Country Club, she won multiple Ladies Championships and along with Bob's golf skills, many couples events.  At her prime, she could give many of the men a run.  She loved not only her golf but spending beautiful summer days outside with friends along with the challenges of the sport.

After 25 years of service as a school bus driver for Byron-Bergen, culminating as the district Director of Transportation, she retired and relocated to Florida with Robert to enjoy many more sunny days on the greens.

Services will be announced at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, Pat requests any donations to be sent to the St. Jude’s Children Hospitals and Good Shepherd Hospice, 2140 E. County Rd. 540 A Lakeland Fl. 33813. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home, 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020

DENNIS J. WITTMAN

By Michael Tomaszewski

DENNIS J. WITTMAN ~ Age 77, of Batavia, passed peacefully at Charlotte House in N. Java, NY. He was born to the late Jerome and Evelyn (Hamilton) Wittman on June 2, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Allan Wittman and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Bangs and Dolores Clark.

Dennis was a graduate of Cleveland Hill High School, his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Wadham’s Hall Seminary, Ogdensburg, NY and earned his master’s degree from the University of Rochester.

He was employed for 36 years with Genesee County as a Probation Officer and in 1980 was asked by the late Sheriff, W. Douglas Call to head up a new program, Alternatives to Incarceration, which was a first in the United States with law enforcement and third such program in the United States. He began the first rural and fourth in New York State Child Advocacy Center and Multi-Disciplinary Teams serving Genesee County, as well as neighboring counties. He started the Driving While Intoxicated Conditional Discharge Program, Justice for Women Program and Team, the Western New York State Victims Coalition, he was President of the New York State Crime Victims Board Advisory Council and, Vice President of the New York State Association for Alternative Sentencing. Former Governor George Pataki appointed Dennis to the Western New York Citizens Review Panel (abused children), First Victim/Offender Reconciliation Program in New York State dealing specifically with serious/violent cases, National Institution of Corrections consultants, Office of Victims of Crime consultants, Chairman of Criminal Justice Advisory Council. Dennis represented the United States in a Bi-Lateral Summit in Japan, addressed the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, addressed the Canadian Parliament on Restorative Justice and traveled to forty states and the Canadian Provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

Dennis recently served on the Diocese of Buffalo Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Policy Task Force. He was an Adjunct Professor at Roberts Wesleyan College and served as Town Supervisor for the Town of Bethany from 1978 to 1990. He was a faithful member of Ascension Parish in Batavia where he served as Vice President and President of the Holy Name Society, President of the Parish Council and Usher under the former Sacred Heart Parish.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol (Chmielowiec) Wittman of Batavia whom he married in 1971; loving daughters, Holly (Michael) Stoddard of Honeoye and Jennifer of San Antonio, TX; faithful Husky companion, Kodah; sister, Kathie (Paul) Beaulieu of Cheektowaga, NY and brother, Philip (Nancy) Wittman of Akron, NY; brother-in-law, Dr. A Steven Bangs of Long Island; sister in law, Marsha Deman of Defiance, Ohio along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great niece and nephew.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Epidemic a Mass of Christian Burial will be announced later. Memorials in his memory may be made to Charlotte House, P.O. Box 123, 4316 Route 98, North Java, NY 14113: Ascension Parish, 17 Sumner Street, Batavia, NY 14020, or MUSH Rescue Inc, 12820 Wyngate Trail, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Thank you to our Wednesday morning library friend, Roger Richardson. Tuesday lunch time prayer group: Marg Miller, Leta Sackett, Pastor Ken Cromer and Elder Ron. Emilie, Board of Directors, the many volunteers, weekly communion from Holy Family Polish National Church and the community at Charlotte House for the excellent care provided, to the many doctors at University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional that provided such excellent care, for their prayers and visits Rev. Father David Glassmire, Deacon Mark Kehl, Rev. Father Matthew Kawiak, Deacon Corey Foegen and especially Sue Hatrick for giving a part of herself to Dennis.

The family kindly asks people consider signing to be an organ donor. Two special people gave Dennis thirteen extra years with his family.

Please share your words of comfort with the Wittman family at www.tomaszewskifh.com

THE FAMILY OF DENNIS J. WITTMAN IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 – (585)343-7500

 

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