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Press Release

Join the Richmond Memorial Library in assisting families in need in our community.

The RML Teen and Tween Programming Group will sponsor a food drive collection from November 1st-November 18th, 2022 at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St, Batavia.  Below are some suggestions of acceptable items. Please make sure all items are not past expiration and are non-perishables! 

A donation bin will be located in the foyer of the library and donations can be dropped off during regular library hours.  Donations will be delivered to the Salvation Army.  Questions can be directed to Teen Services Librarian Felicia Cecere (fcecere@nioga.org) or Library Assistant Ellen Brokaw (ebrokaw@nioga.org).

Suggested Items for Donation:

Boxed Stuffing Mix, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Jars of Gravy (or Gravy Mix Packets), Canned Yams, Cranberry Sauce, Canned Vegetables, Cornbread Mix, Canned Pie Fillings, Pie Crust Mix, Box Dessert Mixes, Drink Mixes, Coffee, Tea, Crackers, Foil Baking Pans, Paper Products.

Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia. The library is open Mon-Thurs 9 am - 9 pm and Fri & Sat 9 am - 5 pm. For more about the library, visit batavialibrary.org

 

Tickets are available through Monday for the annual Genesee Cancer Assistance Night at the Downs to honor volunteers who have devoted time and energy for the nonprofit.

The evening is to include a basket raffle, buffet dinner and recognition of volunteers. Doors open at 4 p.m., with appetizers at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel on Park Road, Batavia.

 A cash bar will be available, and raffle winners will be drawn after dinner.

Tickets are $35, which includes $25 Free Play. To purchase tickets, call 585-345-0417 or order online. 

Jake Koch’s family has been involved in the heating and cooling business for decades.

With experience that dates back to when the cold was literally delivered to homes, Koch feels confident now as the new president and owner of Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning in Batavia.

“I’ve been in the industry ever since I was a kid. I'm the fifth generation in my family to be involved in the industry. My great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather ran an ice delivery business; they were salesmen. My dad and my uncle ran a refrigeration company and my family has been involved in it for a while,” Koch said during an interview Friday. “So we purchased the company and the building, and the goal is to keep everything the same and grow it.”

Koch, a resident of Hilton, has owned Triton Mechanical in Monroe County with his father Jeff and friend Kevin O’Connell for more than six years. The company originated organically, he said, and the team — which also includes mom Wendy — has worked to make it a successful heating, ventilation and air conditioning operation, he said.

“I wouldn't change a thing. Everybody said that you shouldn't go into business with family or friends. And we we've made it work, and it's fantastic,” he said. “We have great conversations and mom and dad are great. And Kevin is fantastic. Kevin is really, he's a strong leader, and I don't know, it's just perfect.”

He met former Turnbull owner Bill Hayes a couple of years ago, and was introduced to the company at 50 Franklin St., Batavia, more thoroughly after Hayes decided to put it up for sale. One selling point was that Koch wanted to become as fully involved with the community as Hayes has been, the new owner said.

“And when we met Bill, we looked at the company and the team and reputation and just decided (they wanted to purchase it), and he decided also, because he was looking at other folks to buy the company,” Koch said. “And we both agreed that this would be the right move to allow him to stay on and continue the vision of the company.

“We’ve been given a chance to grow a company on a very strong foundation and partner with someone who cares … someone like Bill who cares a lot about the community and family and team the way that we do,” Koch said. “We have similar visions as business owners and similar values as family.”

With its founding in 1966, Turnbull already has a solid track record, and Koch and his leadership team have no plans to change what’s working. The staff of 31 and current services will remain, and the only shift may be additional growth of the residential and commercial offerings, he said.

Triton will retain its name, but the company has been merged with Turnbull, as evident on the new website. Hayes will remain as project manager/designer and consultant for at least a year, per the contract, he said. 

He can’t help but see how fate played a role in this new professional relationship, as Hayes bought Turnbull Heating from Roy Turnbull after a chance meeting at Grand Cayman Island, and now Koch and his team have purchased it from Hayes. In each scenario, the owner was eyeing retirement with a goal to find the right people to take over.

For Hayes, it was a former employee — Pat Roberts, a student who worked for three summers while attending college — who helped to broker the deal via an introduction of Hayes and Koch.

“I am truly blessed to find these guys and the guy that brought us together,” Hayes said. “This guy was a mentor between two companies; he was watching out for my welfare and for Triton’s welfare.”

What inspired Hayes to seek retirement now? It’s quite simple, he says: seven grandsons, all under the age of 10. While Hayes can remember chats he had with his own grandfather, he wants to be that older and wiser mentor for his two daughters’ children. He also feels that he found the right professional team to take over.

“They come with a strong service background. And the fact that they had the same mission as I do, which is taking care of the customer at all costs. If there's any concerns, they can lean on me, and the customers can still call me,” Hayes said. “The bonus is the fact that they'll listen to what I have to say, because a lot of times, that usually doesn't happen, but we really have come together now. It’s working like a dream.”

The deal was signed June 1, and as for business, it has been “phenomenal,” Hayes said, surpassing anything in his 30 years of owning the company. Ringing phones has meant hiring two additional staff members to answer calls and set up appointments, he said.

He attributes it at least in part to the merger and reputations and territories of each. Turnbull reaches beyond Genesee County, into Orleans and Wyoming, and expanding into Erie and Niagara counties, while Triton is in Ontario, Monroe and Oneida counties.

“You have two powerful service companies come together, and on the other end of two counties … it’s just going to take off,” he said. “I wanted the right person or persons to take over, I wanted the same mindset.”

Koch added that Hayes will remain part of the business “to get us used to running the company.”

“He knows everybody around here in Batavia and Genesee County, he's very well connected, and he's gonna continue selling and designing HVAC systems and business as usual,” Koch said. “I love running the service business. I like helping other people. And I love being involved in the community. We've done that with our company from day one. And we're going to do that with Turnbull.

“Now that that's our company too, we’d like to support the community and give back to small businesses," Koch said. "It's not easy, a lot of folks have helped us along the way. And we want to give that back.”

Top Photo of Jake Koch; Jeff Koch, Bill Hayes, Kevin O'Connell and Jake Koch at the newly merged business site in Batavia. Not pictured is former Turnbull Vice President JoAnn Hayes, who has been "my rock" for husband Bill, he says. Photos courtesy of Jake Koch.

The annual Fall Basket Raffle to benefit the Crossroads house opened today at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church.

Sales of raffle tickets continue tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. with drawings starting at 3 p.m.

There are 148 baskets to try your hand at winning.  The fundraising goal for Crossroads is $9,000.

Joseph Schafer won City Fire's fire prevention coloring contest in the K-1 group and his grand prize was a ride in Engine 11 to Jackson School this morning.

His smile says it all but his mother said the ride this morning was a surprise. He had been sick so his parent held off telling him he won until he was well and could return to school. He was thrilled this morning, she said. "It's his favorite truck and his favorite people," she said.

Ongoing fundraisers for a Roof Fund that began earlier this year are being put to the task of needed repairs this week, including a new roof, at First Baptist Church at 306 East Main St., Batavia. Promoted as offering many services under that roof, the church offers a thrift shoppe, drop-in ministry, Cold Nite Cafe, and a collection for Father Ivan's Migrant Ministry.

Photo by Howard Owens.

 

 

Guitarist Tom Torrisi performed at the Richmond Memorial Library on Wednesday evening, entertaining the audience with pieces by Leo Brouwer, José Luis Merlin, and Francisco Tárrega, as well as his own compositions.

Originally from Clifton Park and now residing in Buffalo, Torrisi developed his love of classical guitar while in college and eventually studied at the Eastman School of Music.  

The video is of Torrisi performing "Ballad of a Woman In Love" by Brouwer.

A vehicle rollover accident with two people trapped is reported in the area of 6120 Main Road, Stafford.

The vehicle is reportedly on its roof.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Dispatchers are checking on the availability of Mercy Flight.  Mercy Flight #8 out of Olean is the only one available.

Fire police are requested to shutdown Route 237 and at Clipnock Road.

UPDATE 4:11 p.m.: No need for Mercy Flight. Two patients, minor injuries, according to a medic on scene.

A motorcycle accident is reported at the Oak Street roundabout.

The initial report was that the cyclist was down but now dispatchers are reporting that he is up and getting out of the roadway.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

There will be a public hearing on Nov. 21, the same date the Genesee County Legislature is to adopt a 2023 budget, regarding a 2.5 percent salary and cost of living increase and/or any step upgrades for several county positions.

The employees listed in the local law for vote by the county Legislature have to go through this process every year they get a salary increase in the middle of their elected or appointed term.  When an elected or appointed official starts a new term they do not need to be listed in the annual resolution, County Manager Matt Landers said. 

“Employees in different bargaining units received an increase that their current contract calls for, along with any steps they are still eligible for, and any grade adjustments that were negotiated,” Landers said to The Batavian.

For example, he said, if the county clerk were up for election in November, he would not need to be listed in this resolution.  But since he is getting a cost of living adjustment and step increase mid-term, he is required to be listed.

The county resolution is to approve the following salaries to be effective Jan. 1, 2023:

• Commissioner of Elections (2) -  $53,966
• Director of Human Resources - $102,565
• Commissioner of Social Services - $95,325
• County Clerk - $105,819
• Treasurer - $111,639
• Sheriff - $117,121
• Highway Superintendent - $128,922
• County Attorney - $137,519
• Public Defender - $111,239

The public hearing has been set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Genesee County Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia.

Genesee County legislators knew one thing for sure after Wednesday’s budget presentation, Chairwoman Shelley Stein says.

They weren't yet ready to say how the Legislature was leaning toward a proposed $162.5 million budget with a 2 percent tax levy increase.

“We have one more budget session and we’re going to use it,” Stein said after the presentation and related public hearing.

No one spoke up about the budget during the hearing. County Manager Matt Landers said it was the first budget in quite awhile that didn’t focus on the impacts of COVID. When drafting a budgetary plan — which he did with assistance from his support staff and the treasurer’s office — he looks at the net impact of all decisions.

“That’s what drives my red pen,” Landers said. “When I meet with the department heads, I want to know what the net impact of the county taxpayer is.”

There was a clear understanding that a tax cap override was “off the table,” as he worked with department heads to ensure that all spending was out of necessity, he said. Out of a $32 million tax levy, $25 million of that is for state mandated services, he said.

Of course, the elephant in the county room has been the new county jail, with a price tag of $70 million and a 30-year debt service payout schedule. Landers hasn’t been shy about discussing it, or admitting that it’s a huge chunk of money — about $4 million — to pay off each year.

“We’re trying to be smart, and not shock the system all at once,” he said.

The county is paying not only for the new facility expected to be ready in 2024, but is also designating $300,000 for the latter part of next year for eight new jail-related positions that include six correctional officers, a mechanic and a deputy jail superintendent.

Other full-time positions created in this proposed budget include an investigator and emergency services dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Office, a position in the Highway/Facilities Department for the jail, and a position in the Health Department (to be grant-funded).

“Some key investments that are being made in this budget, so there's public safety positions, there is the investigator in the Sheriff's Office. This is to better serve the public,” Landers said. “It was very bluntly said when talking to the sheriff when he was proposing this, there is an expectation when there's crimes committed in this community that our investigators can investigate these crimes in an inappropriate and timely fashion. The caseloads are starting to build up. So this is our response. It's a public safety request and a need in our community, and I have 100 percent of the Legislature’s support.”

He highlighted factors that will need to be monitored during the next fiscal year, such as sales tax revenues that are largely dependent on gasoline, and can be “volatile.” He also questioned the future and what may happen to those sales tax benefits once electric cars become more the norm and people aren’t buying gas as often.

An ongoing water project will mean spending an estimated $150 million for the next phase three on the horizon, though with labor, supply chain and inflation issues, that number could be upwards of $160 or $170 million, he said. Two union contracts will be coming up for negotiation next year as well, he said.

One part of the process that was not a challenge involved department personnel, he said. They didn’t balk at his suggestions or otherwise make the job more difficult.

“I cut from every single department,” he said.

Stein pointed out that the county’s public services — an area of significant focus in the budget — do come at a cost.

“We are a very conservative county. There is a continual balance between our quality of life here and the cost to our taxpayers. And the legislature that serves as an entire body keeps that balance right at the front of our minds,” she said. “And also, you will see that in our actions and in our questions, and in our commitment to providing the highest quality of life at a cost that is affordable. And we don't apologize for that.”

The levy increase would mean a tax rate decrease of 8 percent, going from $9.18 to $8.44 per $1,000 assessed value. That is due to the overall property assessment increases. 

Legislators have until Nov. 21 to discuss the financial plan and vote to adopt it. Feedback and comments are always welcomed, Landers said.

Tyshon Taylor

A 25-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge following a Batavia police investigation into a stabbing reported on Jackson Street, Batavia, at 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Tyshon L. Taylor is charged with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

He is accused of stabbing a person who was walking on Jackson. The stab wound was in the victim's abdomen. The victim was transported to Erie County Medical Center and treated. The victim survived the attack.

Taylor was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.  He is scheduled to appear in City Court at 1:30 p.m., Nov. 10.

Batavia PD did not release the location of Taylor's residence.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C - Batavia) today praised the recent announcement that Edwards Vacuum, a British-based world leader in vacuum and abatement equipment in the semiconductor industry and part of the Atlas Copco Group, has chosen the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP)  in 139th A.D. as the location for its new $319 million, U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility. The specific technology that will be produced at the new facility is an integral part of the sensitive manufacturing process.

This highly-protected technology and process will make the new facility one of a few globally that will have the ability to produce this product. Hawley noted that this serious investment will attract some of the best minds and leaders in the semiconductor field across the world to relocate and grow in Western New York.

“New York continues to be a serious global player in the semiconductor world, and for our community to be home to this future facility reinforces the meaningful commitment we all have to bring jobs to our area and grow our economy,” said Hawley. “The trickle-down positive impact this will have on the district, for economic growth, our schools and future success, cannot be underscored. Creating 600 jobs is significant and I could not be prouder to have those jobs located in our region.”

With the recent global supply chain issues that have caused shortages in product and increases in prices for everything from cars to cell phones, Hawley believes this will better position New Yorkers and Americans across the country to economically benefit from this investment.

“This is welcome news not only for the significant local economic impact, but this will help everyday New Yorkers and Americans to better afford the wide array of consumer goods tied to the semiconductor technology. It’s an extremely exciting day for our region and I look forward to future growth,” concluded Hawley.

Gerald Maley, age 92, a local baseball icon and visible supporter of baseball in Batavia for decades, passed away on Wednesday.

Known as "Mr. Baseball" locally, Maley was a standout ball player with Batavia High School and signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1949 and spent two seasons in the PONY League (the predecessor to the now-defunct New York-Penn League.  

During that brief minor league career, Maley collected 109 hits and smacked six home runs.

He went on to coach Little League and Babe Ruth League in Batavia and was a director with Genesee County Baseball Club, the community organization that owned the Batavia Clippers/Batavia Muckdogs. 

Maley was born May 23, 1930 in Batavia. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. When he returned to civilian life, he worked as a lineman and switchman for Niagara Mohawk for 37 years. He was active in the American Legion, Batavia Lion’s Club, Niagara Mohawk Pensioners Club, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and was a long-time usher at St. Mary’s Church.

To read his full obituary, click here.

 

A southbound semi-truck collected and took for a ride a large tree branch on Route 63 near Mayne Road, Stafford, around 4:30 p.m. today.

Stafford Fire responded to the call.

Reader-submitted photo.

Wednesday morning got off to a special start for Abigail Varland, a fourth-grade student at St. Paul Lutheran School.

She got a ride to school in City Fire's Engine 11.

Abigail was one of the city's winners in the department's fire prevention coloring contest.

Photo by Jennifer Dunn.

An unknown type of fire next to a vehicle in the parking lot of Tim Horton's in the City of Batavia has been reported by law enforcement.

City Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 10:33 p.m.: The transmission of City Fire reporting what it found was garbled, and City Fire is back in service.

Making sure to clarify that he has no intentions of going to Las Vegas for a  fun three-day fling, County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens asked for the Ways & Means Committee’s blessing to attend an air show conference in December.

A trip to Nevada would include costs of the county employee’s time for the three-day event, and a registration fee of $508. Hens said he will take care of the travel and lodging expense, and he feels it’s worth the investment during the preliminary planning stage of an air show at Genesee County Airport.

“We’re not sponsoring the Air Show. We're not the ones running the air show, but our airport is hosting an air show, and I feel it's important from an operational standpoint, as well as the safety to the visitors — the people that are going to come to the air show — that the county puts on a professional face and make sure we have a safe show and limit the liability for the county as much as we can,” Hens said to the committee Wednesday. “So the two things I'm most interested in with the conference are their air show 101 and air show 102 certifications, they are classes that they put on.”

Those two certification classes are more about airplane movements and operational needs at the airport, he said, versus things like concessions and gate entry fees.

“It's more about hosting the air show than it is operating an air show,” Hens said.

The schedule also includes a first-timers orientation, crisis communications, the human side of an air show and accidents: anticipating the unimaginable, and several other topics.

The International Council of Air Shows is scheduled for Dec. 12 through 15 in Las Vegas, and it’s a combination of a convention setting where flying acts can promote themselves to air shows across the country, and a series of training for air show operators and airport personnel to learn how to host this type of event to be “safe and proper,” he said.

Legislator Shelley Stein noted the mention of a military jet team and asked what types of aircraft will be landing at the county airport. Hens said that the committee has so far discussed items including a cold war era jet, which doesn’t require as much runway and support on the ground as a modern fighter jet F 22 or 23 would require. Due to the popularity and necessary advance booking or the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels, they won’t be in the show next year, he said.

It may be possible to borrow planes from Cleveland and Toronto and share them with other air shows during the same weekend.

“So they could get an F-35 or F-20 to fly by and do a short demonstration over the field, but they wouldn't land in our airport,” he said. “And they wouldn't require any ground activity support once on the field. It would just be a flyover from Toronto, do a 15-minute deal, and fly to Cleveland and do a 15-minute deal. And that way three air shows could share military assets.”

Those scheduling details will happen at the conference, he said, and isn’t anything the county needs to be involved with. He agreed with Legislator Marianne Clattenburg, who summarized his trip’s goal as doing what he can to protect a county asset of the airport.

“Exactly. We have invested a lot of money there. And so this has to come off without any damage or any liabilities,” he said.

Legislator Gary Maha emphasized the county’s need to not financially support the air show, and others agreed. Hens mentioned logistics, and being cognizant about providing handicap-accessible parking for those in wheelchairs or who may have difficulties with walking.

“Things that we need to think about from a facility standpoint, and protect ourselves from a trip and fall type of activity. So all that stuff gets talked about in the sessions,” he said. “The travel requests I put in simply asked for the registration fee. I'm willing on my part to get myself out there. I have a place to stay out there; that's already paid for. And airline miles, so it's not really coming out of pocket, it’s simply the time away from the office and the registration fee for the conference.”

Clattenburg wanted to confirm that Hens — since he’d be on the clock while out west — would be available for Zoom meetings or other needs, especially “regarding our water issues.” Yes, he would, Hens said.

County Manager Matt Landers believes it’s a worthwhile trip to take, he said.

“I think it's important for him to have this knowledge with us having a large-scale airshow like this coming to our community,” Landers said. “I agree with legislators. I don't think by having Tim getting this background knowledge it shows that we are sponsoring anything, just that we want to be prepared.”

The committee voted to approve the request and pass it onto the full Legislature for vote.

Hens said he’d be discussing the show with committee members later on Wednesday.

 

Dennis Dunbar, director of Air Show Operations for EAA AirVenture, president of Dunbar Airshows, and event organizer for the ICAS Safety and Operations Subcommittee, has been named committee chairman for this local event, Hens said.

 

 

 

Top photo from Hens' online media account; above, Dennis Dunbar photo from Air Show Magazine.

Press release:

The Genesee County Master Gardeners are excited to announce that we will be collecting NEW, unwrapped BOOKS for the annual Toys for Tots campaign.  Collecting new books is a goal of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

Books enhance a child’s ability to read and to communicate effectively.  The books that are collected will go to children and youth ages preschool through high school.  A gift of a new book delivers a message of hope and instills self-confidence to children in need.

You can drop off books at the Genesee County Cooperative Extension office, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  We will have a collection bin set up near the reception area.  Donations of new books can be made at the CCE office through Dec. 5.

The Genesee County Master Gardeners thank you in advance for your support.

Press release:

Genesee Community College has begun its 2023 - 2028 Strategic Planning Process and welcomes input from the community! While GCC is continuously evaluating itself against numerous measures, this planning process is a chance to realign the institutional priorities with the ever-changing environment of higher education and the complex economic demands of the communities it serves.

Written in 2018, the current 2018-2023 Strategic Plan is themed "Framing Our Future" and identified five priorities:

• Student Support and Success
• Teaching and Learning
• Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
• Fiscal, Operational and Infrastructure Sustainability
• Campus and Community Engagement

This new planning process is not only evaluating the progress made in these key areas, but helping to identity the next phase of GCC's strategic growth.

"The strategic planning process offers the college community the opportunity to revisit, re-envision, and reaffirm the way we help our students and our organization achieve success. With the many challenges facing higher education and the diverse students seeking a quality postsecondary experience, I firmly believe that our next strategic plan will be pivotal in guiding the college to the future," said College President James Sunser.

Dean of Human Communications and Behavior, Tim Tomczak, and Dean of Students, Patty Chaya, have been named co-chairs of the strategic planning efforts. Under their leadership, the steering committee, which includes faculty, administrators, staff and community partners, will perform assessments of the progress made under prior plans and using the feedback collected, identify new strategic priorities for the next five years. The assessment process will include a formal S.W.O.T. analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and several forums for feedback.

In an effort to ensure the next Strategic Plan addresses the primary needs of the communities GCC serves, the College has established a webpage with an online form to collect comments, suggestions and ideas from the general public.

Citizens, business leaders, alumni, students, supporters, stakeholders and the general public are invited to visit www.genesee.edu/about/offices-departments/administration/strategic-planning-23-28/ to complete the input form, and remain informed about the progress of the College's Strategic Planning process.

These information input forms can remain anonymous, and the data collected will be shared directly with the steering committee. Any questions regarding the Strategic Planning process can be directed to strategicplanning@genesee.edu.