The Chamber’s Annual Awards Committee has announced the “2024” Annual Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming, Park Road, Batavia.
This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism.
Please note that a brief write up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition & Geneseeans of the Year.
Business Nominees must be a Chamber Member (If unsure of your nominee, call the Chamber to verify).
Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia and can also be down loaded from the Chamber Website at www.geneseeny.com.
Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 13 to be eligible for consideration.
If you would like more information, feel free to call or email Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026, kbermingham@geneseeny.com.
East Pembroke Junior Grange members, from left, Carly Hanel, Grace Stoneham, and Savannah Conrad hope to see visitors at the 90th celebration Quarter Carnival Saturday. Submitted Photo
While some granges are thought of for their social aspects of get-togethers and community activities, Jomni Tarbell regards the East Pembroke Grange for its influence on her future career in preventative medicine research, she says.
The 22-year-old University at Buffalo senior credits her membership for the additional education she has gained about rural health care.
“The grange does a lot of health awareness programs. We recently did one about educating seniors about what to expect when they go into surgery. We have a large partnership with a rural mental health organization that was founded here in New York. We have a partnership at a national level with them, and so we do a lot of work with rural health disparities, especially for seniors and other vulnerable communities,” Tarbell said during an interview with The Batavian. “So that kind of inspired me because I think that those programs are very important. So if I could do research that would benefit and help create programs like that, I think that would be really great.”
It’s fair to say Tarbell has been an active member of her grange, joining at about 7 years old, being selected as state ambassador in 2017 and now serving as leader of the Junior Grange for the three remaining members after the Covid pandemic ravaged a once-thriving membership.
She is also organizing a Quarter Carnival for this weekend to celebrate the organization’s 90th year and promote it with fingers crossed to attract more members. The group will be selling popcorn and hotdogs and having old-fashioned games and prizes — bean bag toss, drop the clothespin into the bottle — while also having members on hand to talk, provide information and answer questions.
The Junior Grange was founded in September 1934 by a group of children aged 5 to 14. The grange is an off-shoot of the 4-H organization, she said, but members don’t ever age out as they do at 4-H. There are national programs available through the grange and nonpartisan programs that also set it apart from other youth groups, she said.
Locally, East Pembroke worked with a grange in Connecticut a couple of years ago to revise health definitions for the Q fever, a rare but fatal illness that can spread especially amongst dairymen.
“Over these 90 years, we have been nationally recognized for our activities in agriculture advocacy, leadership development, cultivating creativity, developing life skills, teamwork, and community involvement,” she said.
Members go on a lot of field trips, such as to honeybee farms, recycling facilities and ecosystems, to learn more about agriculture and the environment. They also set up a booth at Genesee County Fair to spread their knowledge to visitors. Community service projects include making cards for veterans at the VA Hospital and baking cookies for a senior living housing facility in Batavia, she said.
As she has gotten older, the scope of her participation has evolved, Tarbell, of Darien, said, and she has grown more with leadership, done more public speaking and gotten involved in “Sign a Song,” using sign language. Overall, however, her participation has been about engagement with others.
“A lot of it is going to places and going on field trips, and then bringing professionals in their field, or people who are experts in their area, coming in and giving workshops to us, and then a lot of it is just playing games and just having a place to have fun,” she said. “And me, personally, as the junior leader, my main goal with my program is to have something where the kids can have fun and have a bright memory and also help them kind of build some skills that they could use, either professionally or just in their life, to make their lives easier. And then building a sense of community and learning how important community is and how much you kind of need community in your life.”
They accept residents from anywhere in Genesee County, and have even had people from outside of the county, she said. The regular East Pembroke Grange has about 60 paying members and core attendance of 30, she said. It will be a hub of activity this weekend since youth will be visiting, including the national youth ambassador, from across the state and staying at the grange.
The Quarter Carnival is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at 2610 School St., East Pembroke. Attendees are encouraged to bring their quarters.
As an active member of First Presbyterian Church while also singing in the choir and serving on the Personnel Committee, David Van Scoy was a “dear friend in Christ” to the Rev. Roula Alkhouri for nearly 17 years, she says.
She shared about his deep faith and love for God, often reflected in community service through many local organizations, mirrored the way of Jesus — “which is all about unconditional love,” Alkhouri said.
“He was always grateful for the gift of life as he had a brush with death many years ago. He had a sense of joy about him that sparkled with God's light,” she said. “Whether he was playing the ukulele or having a serious meeting, Dave always knew how to put love first. Even when there was a conflict that needed to be addressed, Dave was gracious because he saw everyone as a child of God who deserved to be treated with dignity and care.”
Van Scoy died Sept. 10, 2024 at the age of 82 after many years of a distinguished career in education and dedication to serving the needs of others, including at the church. His insights were always deep and wise, Alkhouri said.
“Yet, he was also humble about it and always used his gifts to serve others and to love his community. Dave had incredible wisdom, which he blessed so many of us with,” she said. “He was a very generous man in spirit and in giving. He embodied the teachings of Christ about loving our neighbors as ourselves. Dave also left us an amazing example of loving his family and loving God's creation. I am so grateful to have known Dave as a friend. He has enriched my life and helped me become a better person.”
He also helped her professionally to become a better leader, she said, through his encouragement and guidance “whenever I needed it.”
“I knew that I could count on Dave's honesty and integrity. I remember coming back one time from a leadership development workshop when I met with the Personnel Committee to ask them to help me figure out my workload; Dave simply said, ‘Trust yourself, and do the work as you see God is calling you to do it, and we will support you,’” she said. “These words have stayed with me and have guided me through many challenges.
“I am very sad for losing Dave, yet in faith, I know that our bond is eternal and that Dave will continue cheering us on through the Spirit of God's love,” she said. “One day we will meet again.”
Van Scoy had been a math teacher, assistant principal, principal and superintendent at other school districts before settling into the superintendent position at Batavia City Schools from the early 1980s to 1998. At the Batavia district, he crossed paths with three people in three different capacities, all of whom remember him fondly.
Alice Benedict was elected to the Board of Education in 1995 and learned that the district’s leader was “a gentle and positive person,” she said.
“He showed genuine kindness and caring to the students of the district. He expressed to the Board the importance of giving the students the best education the district could afford. He was very supportive of the teaching staff,” Benedict said. “Dr Van Scoy led the school district with strong authority but in a non-aggressive manner. He had a positive support attitude and respected the Board’s opinions. He had a strong working relationship with administrators and he fostered a collaborative culture throughout the district.”
It wasn’t just colleagues who admired him, though, as Jason Smith, now a superintendent himself but a student in the 1980s, has nice memories of Van Scoy, who was always present at concerts, he said.
“My mother would often remark to me how she enjoyed seeing him at concerts playing his ukulele,” Smith said. “I can recall him working at the Pageant of Bands with the Band Boosters, as his son Shawn (who is also a superintendent of schools) was in the band as well.”
Smith shared a story that many people from back then remember, he said, about Van Scoy's methods for calling snow days well before the days of the Internet. He would simply go outside, take a look, put a ruler in the ground, and make the call!
“I saw Dr. Van Scoy recently at Ken Hay's funeral, where we had a nice ‘superintendent to superintendent’ chat with his trademark witty humor,” Smith said. “It is a personal and professional honor to serve in the same role once held by Dr. Van Scoy, a legendary Batavia City School District Superintendent of Schools, who served us so well for 19 years.”
Van Scoy hired Julia Rogers as a Spanish teacher in 1993, and although he was an obvious dedicated leader in Batavia, she also recognized his many other attributes, she said. He was “visible and approachable and was passionate about learning,” while also giving people a supportive nudge to pursue their strengths.
“He supported learning opportunities for his students and encouraged continuous learning and growth for his staff, even granting sabbaticals to people looking to go into administration (like my Dad),” she said. “When he saw good things occurring, he offered genuine praise to the person.”
And as with First Presbyterian Church, Van Scoy also helped out at the Lions Club, selling hotdogs at Batavia High and Notre Dame High School football games and at the BHS Class of 1988 Project Graduation event, Rogers said. He was always there, she said, but not always as an administrator. He was a father, too.
“His son Shawn was in my class, and at the Project Graduation event, Dr. Van Scoy made it known to us he was there as Shawn's dad. A couple of us teased him, and instead of saying Dr., said ‘Ok, Mr. Van Scoy,’ and he laughed,” she said. “He was at Batavia Clippers' games on various occasions, but especially at the annual Lions Club night raffling off bikes to Batavia children.”
Still helping his Batavia community, he served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board as well. They spoke recently at a Salvation Army board meeting, and “he told me how proud he was of me and was glad he hired me and wished me well in my venture at Notre Dame,” she said.
“He was very involved in our community since day one, but to his family, he was so much more,” she said. “My deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. Van Scoy, his sons, Shawn and Mark, and their families.”
Pastor Marty Macdonald, 2022 file photo. By Howard Owens.
Pastor Marty Macdonald, founder of City Church in Batavia, is unequivocally denying allegations stemming from events 40 years ago that he sexually abused a teenage girl.
Melissa Hobson, formerly of Batavia, made the allegations public this past week, and her charges were repeated in a video interview with another local pastor.
Macdonald, through his son Ryan Macdonald (also asked to be part of the interview) declined an interview request from The Batavian and referred questions to his attorney, Anjan Ganguly, who issued the following official statement that was also sent to members of City Church:
“These allegations simply repeat decades-old accusations from a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Pastor Marty approximately 40 years ago, when she was a minor. Pastor Marty absolutely denies sexually abusing this person. He absolutely denies ever having sexually abused anyone, especially a child,” the letter states. “It must be stressed that these are accusations, not proven facts. There has been ample opportunity for these accusations to be brought in a court of law, where Pastor Marty would have the opportunity to vindicate himself. Instead, the accusations are being made on the internet and, even worse, from the pulpit. It should also be stressed that the alleged misconduct is not connected to The City Church or any of its related ministries. The alleged misconduct allegedly occurred at a different church, long before The City Church was founded.”
The City Church web page for “Meet the Pastor” is currently a broken link. Macdonald is also not currently listed on the site's staff page. His son, Ryan Macdonald, is listed as "lead pastor."
The Batavian called Ganguly Wednesday and left a message to comment on Marty Macdonald’s current status at City Church. Ganguly has not responded to this specific question.
City Church has been a member of the Association of Related Churches, but City Church is not listed on the website’s church directory. A representative of ARC has not responded to a request for comment.
Hobson, who disclosed the accusations to a reporter in Batavia more than two decades ago but then declined to cooperate with a story, confirmed on Tuesday night that she did go on the record with Dee Parsons, editor of the Wartburg Watch, an online publication that covers allegations of sexual misconduct in churches.
Ganguly said he wondered why Hobson was coming out publicly with this now after all these years.
According to a post published on the site on Sept. 11, Hobson came forward and offered her story to Wartburg Watch at the prompting of Cindy Clemishire, a woman whose own story of abuse at a church made national news because it involved Pastor Robert Morris, of Texas, who has been an evangelical adviser to former President Donald Trump. NPR reported the story, and Morris resigned from his church, admitting to “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
Clemishire's story is similar to Hobson's. In the 1980s, she was 12 years old when she first came in contact with Morris. Wartburg Watch first reported the story. Morris was never charged with a crime.
Hobson’s version of events began in 1983 when the 12-year-old moved to Batavia with her family from Olathe, Kan., and her father became pastor at New Hope Ministries.
New Hope was located at 8020 Bank Street Road, now Cornerstone Church's location.
Marty Macdonald was then an assistant pastor at New Hope.
The family soon became friends with Marty Macdonald and his family. Macdonald was a farmer who served in a volunteer leadership position in the church. Macdonald was eventually installed as the assistant pastor at New Hope Ministries.
According to the report in Wartburg Watch, which Hobson confirmed accurately portrays what she told the website’s editor, things started to become uncomfortable early on.
In 1983, Melissa she started babysitting Macdonald’s two boys, she said.
“I remember the first time I noticed something was off,” she said.
She was making lunch for the children, she claims. Macdonald, covered in dust, came home from working on the farm. He entered the door and stood in the open foyer, in plain view of Melissa in the kitchen. He said that he needed to remove his coveralls and proceeded to strip them off in front of her. He has on his white T-shirt and underpants. She said he then went to shower and emerged with a towel wrapped around his bottom.
As time progressed, she said, he went out of his way to be “so kind” to her. He would often hug her while affirming her, which boosted her self-esteem.
During this time, the Smith and Macdonald families became close. Once hired full-time at the church, MacDonald spent much time interacting with the church’s child care center staff, where Melissa also worked.
The families began to vacation together as well. Melissa lived next door to the church, where Macdonald worked full-time, so there was close contact between Melissa and the young pastor. When she babysat, he would always be the one to take her home. He began calling her his ‘little sister” and would frequently hug her, she said.
As time progressed, she alleges, he would often " come out of the shower with a towel” whenever the wife was not home. He arranged to be with her more frequently while assisting with the remodel of her family’s home. He would offer to pick her up at school, where things would accelerate.
She said that by age 14, she felt she had a romantic relationship with him.
According to the Wartburg article, Hobson’s sister remarked on Macdonald’s charismatic personality while making an important observation.
"I remember staying with the Macdonalds when my parents were out of town preaching," Hobson's sister said, according to the article. "Melissa and I were sleeping together. I woke up to find Macdonald kneeling next to my sister in the bed. He told me that Melissa was sick and that she would be staying home from school. I recall being irritated because she stayed home sick a lot. Sometimes I even felt jealous of all the attention Macdonald paid to her."
Hobson said Macdonald was physically with her on those drives home from babysitting. He would put his hand on her thigh," Hobson alleges. Then, he began to pull off the road, and they would go “parking.” Hobson said she got so much validation from him that she wanted to spend time alone. This parking involved making out, petting, and him putting his hands in her pants and, she alleges, digitally penetrating her.
As she fell in love with him, he would warn her not to say anything about what they were doing. He said it would “destroy her parents’ ministry.”
After she turned 18 in 1989, she said she began to feel shame about the relationship and took a children’s pastor position at her father’s church. She stopped all intimacy with Macdonald and met and married her husband in 1992.
Hobson said she talked to her parents in 2000, and her dad asked for advice from his overseers, who said there was no legal recourse by then and that he should forgive Macdonald. Two other local overseers were brought in, and Hobson said that Macdonald allegedly confessed to an affair to them and his staff but did not disclose her age.
Paul Doyle, pastor of Cornerstone Church, has been outspoken about the issue recently, calling on Macdonald to repent. He said that he was present when Pastor Robert Smith, Hobson's father, confronted Macdonald in 2000 about the allegations. The Batavian spoke to Doyle on Wednesday for clarification about the conversation.
The meeting included Smith, Doyle, and Macdonald, who brought his wife, Patti, Doyle said. They met at Austin Park in Batavia. Smith said, according to Doyle, "I'm here to tell you I know you molested my daughter, and I'm here to forgive you and release you as my spiritual son."
There were a lot of head nods, as if he was taking his punishment, Doyle said of Macdonald.
"He had guilt all over him. There was no doubt in my mind he was guilty," Doyle said, adding that at no time did Macdonald ever deny the accusation or say that he never did anything like that. "He was sucking it up and taking his punishment. The cover-up was blatant. Nobody cared because it was Marty."
Doyle said that he has a forgiving heart but that this was never dealt with, and a family was destroyed in the process.
"I saw the devastation it did to a girl and her family," he said. "You're talking about a sexual predator that's preaching from the pulpit. I have no doubt this happened."
After providing The Batavian with Macdonald’s statement denying the allegations, Ganguly agreed to answer a few limited questions from The Batavian.
Did Macdonald know Hobson? Yes, they were familiar with one another through the ministry at New Hope, he said.
Why would she either make this up or hang onto this accusation from decades ago if it was not true? “So you know, I've had this conversation with my clients, and look, I've done a lot of Child Victims Act defense work on behalf of churches and ministers and whatever. And I always ask, where's this coming from? Yeah, sometimes it's coming from the fact that it happened, right? And no bones about it, right? And sometimes it's coming from somebody who needs a sense of closure, of justice, and I understand that. I will say what I'm a little confused by, and I mean this not derisively. I mean, it in a very legitimate way, why didn't she bring a Child Victims Act lawsuit during the two or three-year window when the statute was open in New York?” he said. “Again, I am scratching my head, and my clients are scratching their heads as to why this is coming up right now. I've had dozens of child victims act defense side cases against churches from allegations 20, 30, 40, and 50, my oldest one 60 years ago. Why didn't she bring a lawsuit she could have not only could have had her claims hypothetically vindicated, she could have received damages and, conversely, my client could have had his defense, you know, he should have had himself vindicated. Why is it coming up now? I don't know. Again, I'm perplexed by that.”
Does Marty agree with the part of the story where two overseers—Pastor Ron Domina and Tommy Reid—were involved with him and Melissa? “So, in a very informal way, Reverend Domina and I know less about Reverend Tommy Reid, but I understand they had, let's say, some spiritual guidance role over pastor Marty, and so in their let's call it internal conflict resolution process the complainant reaches out to these people and says, I want this addressed. But my understanding is the allegations were levied, and there were discussions, and whatever resolution was to be had … I understand the complainant doesn't feel that way. I think the complainant alleges that these ministers swept it under the rug,” he said. “They didn't have any legal authority over Pastor Marty or anybody; they were, and they had some kind of spiritual advisory type.”
Was there a confession or agreement during these talks? “In these talks, they reached a resolution where there was a confession or any agreement that something happened? I will say that I don't know,” he said. “But as to confession, I'll just rely on my client's statement that he categorically denies the allegations of sexual misconduct.”
Hobson, 52, said she isn’t seeking anything from Macdonald. She said shared her story now because she wanted to encourage victims of abuse to come forward just as Clemishire did.
“I want other victims to have a voice, you know, I want them to feel supported, brave enough to speak out. Cindy shared her story for me to know and understand that it's not okay, and it's not their fault, and I hope that I can empower others to have a voice by having a voice. I was silenced,” Hobson said .“I want to help others be brave and say, ‘You know what? This is not okay. ‘You can have a voice, you can speak, you can speak up, and you can come forward because that's where healing comes from, is being able to speak and being able to tell your story.”
Rumors had circulated about the abuse several years ago, but they didn’t go anywhere. Hobson and her husband Harlan said she wasn’t emotionally ready to go through any legal process. She claims that she was groomed — a type of conditioning to gain the trust of one’s victim before the abuse evolves — and abused, she alleges, from age 12 to 18.
She was made to feel as though she was to blame, she said, and she was left feeling discredited in the process. She also alleges that Ryan Macdonald accused her of seducing his father. She moved away from Batavia in 2011 after trying to share her story in the face of disbelief, shaming and name-calling, she said.
“At that time in my life, I had been groomed; I was convinced this was my fault. I carried an enormous amount of guilt and shame. It was a long time before I ever told anybody,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of therapy and a lot of spiritual support. God has truly sustained me.”
Her husband, Harlan, was on the phone with Hobson and The Batavian during the interview.
Harlan said he shared this difficult journey of recovery with his wife since they were married.
“I’ve walked through this with my wife for decades, and I know her heart and her desire to have other people find hope and for victims to find their voice. So, like she said, I want to echo that this is not okay, and the fact that it is so prevalent in our country, it's not okay. And when she was talking about doing her story, that's what that was. She said I want my voice to matter,” he said. “And anybody that's ever been around victims and been through therapy or trauma therapy, or anything like that, understands that the silencing of a victim's voice can actually be more traumatizing than the actual abuse that took place. I've watched that. I've seen that and the power within my wife when she can speak out.
“And the fact that she has still kept her faith in God and that she has still been an incredible mother and grandmother and through all the things that we’ve been through, amazes me every day, and that is the sincere focus of her heart,” he said. “This is very little about Macdonald and more about Melissa and her finally having the courage to speak up, to have a voice and really want to help others.”
The accusations didn't receive a public airing until June, when -- without mentioning Macdonald by name -- evangelist Mario Murillo held what was scheduled as a two-day tent revival meeting at Cornerstone. However, on the second day of the meetings, he cut them short, citing unrepentant sin in the Batavia area as the reason.
He said he came to Western New York because he believed God led him here to light a revival that would spread to the nation.
He said, “I laid before God, and I cried out to God, and I said to God send revival to Batavia. And the Lord said, ‘No.’ And I said, ‘What? I’ve never heard you say, no.’ But the Holy Spirit said, ‘No.’ He told me that he was grieved. The spirit of God said, ‘I’m grieved.’ I said, ‘You’re grieved?’ Every word I’m about to tell you I’m speaking out of mercy, broken heart. I went to chapter five of First Corinthians, and there was sexual immorality in the Corinthians. Paul said that you are puffed up because the individual who is guilty of this particular sin is being celebrated among you.
He went on to say that something happened years ago, and it is grieving the Holy Spirit. A young girl was assaulted, he said, by a minister, and it was somewhat covered up because of the popularity of the man.
He said the individual responsible was never fully required to repent.
“The Lord has told me to warn that man of God, ‘Get right because the media is going to come after you.”
In a separate interview with Renee Ricco, a woman who calls herself a “citizen journalist,” Doyle claims he knows Hobson very well and that they are very close. He reveals he knew the details of the allegations against Macdonald long before Murillo’s tent revivals.
He said he has always been close to Hobson and was close to her father, who was also his minister at New Hope. Doyle said he was present when Melissa’s father confronted Macdonald about the allegations.
As the allegations reached more members of the New Hope congregation, it became a controversy.
“When we discovered it had happened, Pastor Marty was long gone when we learned about it, so nobody in our church could hold him accountable,” Doyle said. “He had already had his own ministry. He has his own overseers. He was already well established in the Western New York church community but we didn't see the outrage there, and I personally never saw it. And it's like they just wanted this to go away.”
Doyle said many people at the time, including church leadership, said the issue should be forgotten.
“Not only was he not dealt with, but it was also almost covered up,” Doyle said. “There was a proverbial sweeping under the rug of the issue. And as the outrage continued within our church, it began to turn back on us that we weren't forgiving, that we needed to let bygones be bygones. They would talk about my pastor, that he had a forgiveness problem. And this came from higher-ups in the Western New York, I guess, church oversight levels and so we we basically felt like we had to tuck tail it and run.”
Doyle said after the issue became known in the church, New Hope membership dropped from 350 to about a dozen (he did not specify the period of time). He hopes the issue being brought to light publicly will help bring more healing to Hobson and her family.
“This is an issue in her own words that she’s never been able to talk about,” Doyle said. “She’s gone through a tremendous amount of healing in herself. It’s amazing how God has helped her. But the issue is still there.”
Ganguly steadfastly maintains that Macdonald didn’t harm Hobson and he blames “third parties” (not Hobson) for raising the allegations. He wants the false allegations removed from the web.
“So, if they have people saying this church (City Church) is harboring a child molester, how does a congregation trust church leadership?” he said. “They (City Church) do need the false statements to be taken down. The burden is on the plaintiff to prove a case. One, it didn’t happen, and two, you had ample opportunity to go to court with evidence. We don’t even know if Melissa is behind this. We have third parties making these allegations.”
The official statement going out to the church also includes the following disclaimer:
Furthermore, The City Church’s leadership has never received any allegation of sexual abuse of a child in connection to any Church ministry or activity or by any Church staff member or volunteer. If you become aware of any such misconduct, please immediately report it to a church staff member. We will take swift and appropriate action, including referring the matter to law enforcement as necessary.
Officials at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel are asking for entrants into their Annual Dachshund Races, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 13.
Up to 80 dachshunds will be racing for the crown of fastest wiener dog in Western New York. Each “heat” winner will receive free play and the top 3 finishers in the championship race will receive free play, food vouchers and a free hotel stay.
Family related activities will also take place including; on site entertainers including face painting, balloon artists and magicians as well as a kettle corn stand, pumpkin decorating, carriage rides, pony rides. Those events will take place from Noon to 2 p.m.
The wiener dog races will commence at 2 p.m. With the Buffalo Football team not playing until Monday Night, patrons won’t have to worry about missing their favorite football team play on Sunday.
If you have a pure-bred dachshund and would like to enter your dog to participate, please call or email Arna Tygart at 585-343-3750 ex 6437 or email at atygart@bataviagaming.com.
Admission and Parking is free.
“Our Annual Family Fun Day and Wiener Dog Races are a staple of the fall here at Batavia Downs,” said President and CEO, Henry Wojtaszek. “We look forward to welcoming families and the community back to our facility for all the activities we have planned.”
This coach isn’t sure. I recently cheered dozens of our youngest workforce development participants race their specially created cars in the soapbox derby in Batavia and Oakfield. I also had the pleasure of welcoming our latest class of pre-apprentice graduates where 10 students are now ready to enter the workforce.
Didn’t they all get a little faster?
I don’t think I could coach someone to run a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash, but in Genesee County I’m seeing so many youth speeding ahead in their journeys, creating memories and skills that will fuel them throughout their professional careers.
We witnessed that speed in action at the 3 rd annual Batavia BID Boxcar Derby where 32 local kids raced down Ellicott Avenue in downtown Batavia to showcase the hands-on work it took to assemble their own boxcar. These 7–10-year-olds assembled soapbox derby-style cars with a range of components, including axles, steering systems, brakes, and fiberglass shells, and showed off their creativity and imagination with awesome boxcar designs.
These events are special to me, working with the BID we collaborated on the rebirth of this event three years ago. My father Joseph was the 1951 Box Car Derby Champion when he was 12 years old; annually this event is dedicated to my father Joseph P. Suozzi and my brother Patrick Suozzi and sister Teresa R. Suozzi Wormley.
Congratulations to this year’s Suozzi Memorial Plaque winner: Kyle Mlyniec from John Kennedy School!
Although there could only be one winner, all the participants applied skills and strategies that will be transferable to their educational and professional endeavors, equipping them with a solid foundation for a successful, hands-on career in their community, and potentially leading to good-paying career opportunities.
While our younger generation of workforce professionals raced across the finish line, a group of our experienced students 18 years or older, are embarking on the completion of the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program, where students are entering the manufacturing and skilled trades with career-ready skills that prepare them on day one of the job.
I compare their workforce journey to minor-league baseball. There could be as many as four levels until you can make it to the major leagues. The emphasis until that point is development. There isn’t a focus on wins and losses, your manager or your boss wants to see you fine-tune your skills that will set you on the path to the major leagues.
The Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program offers students the opportunity to hone their technical skills and gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Just like a minor league player fine-tuning their craft before making it to the major leagues, this is the time to garner more experience building up hours in the training facility working your way towards a major league contract, and on your way to earning a good living in a mechatronics career.
After six short weeks, participants in the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program earned valuable experience and worked towards a NYS Registered Apprenticeship. The training provided at GV BOCES, by instructor Rich Monroe and at local employers cuts down on the resources, time, and capital that companies need to spend to get individuals ready to contribute to the workforce. This “Earn as you Learn” program is funded by Genesee Community College and supported by the Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association along with the GCEDC. You can be the next student to take advantage of this FREE opportunity.
Visit www.gcedc.com/careerchecklist to access our free career checklist, featuring eight essential steps to jumpstart your professional journey.
If you are a student, parent, teacher, or guidance counselor contact me at csuozzi@gcedc.com to learn how to get involved today!
Chris “Coach SwazZ” Suozzi is the Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
The Batavia City School District (BCSD) is proud to announce that our state-of-the-art facility at VanDetta Stadium will once again be hosting athletic events during the 2024-25 school year.
We continue to make safety our number one priority for students, staff, and community members attending events at VanDetta Stadium. We’re anticipating large crowds throughout the season, and we want to make you aware of the enhanced safety protocols, guidelines, and expectations when attending our Varsity Football games:
All attendees will be wand-checked by our security team to ensure no prohibited items are brought into the facility.
VanDetta Stadium is located in a neighborhood, so please be courteous and do not block driveways, throw trash on the ground, or use foul language. Please be a good neighbor. Parking regulations will be strictly enforced by the Batavia Police Department.
All students ages 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult.
We will charge adults a $2 admission fee for all Varsity Football games. Students and seniors aged 62 and over will have free admission.
We suggest you arrive early to avoid security delays upon entry.
We’ll also continue to have a security presence around the stadium during events. We’re once again collaborating with Armor Security this year to help support our administrators, athletic event workers, and the Batavia Police Department to make sure safety remains a priority at our events. We’ll also have additional security in our parking lots.
We cannot wait to welcome you back to VanDetta Stadium for another exciting season of Blue Devil events and cheer on our wonderful student-athletes. Let’s all do our part to keep our school grounds, students, faculty, staff, and community safe.
Photo of Alex Brumsted and John Flannery of Kircher Construction. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
Press Release:
As the Byron-Bergen Central School year began, students returned to see several major renovations to the buildings and grounds. The upgrades were highlighted in a web video presentation from Superintendent Pat McGee at the end of August. What was not highlighted were the familiar faces behind the renovations and their continuing legacy for the Byron-Bergen Bees.
Several of the Capital Improvement Projects were carried out by Kircher Construction, owned and operated by Byron-Bergen Class of 2006 alum Jon Flannery. Along with his foreman, Class of 2020’s Alex Brumsted, Flannery’s team transformed the Sr. High School gymnasium into a state-of-the-art athletic facility. Very little of the previous gymnasium remains except for the center court floorboards, which were preserved and mounted proudly on the wall.
“This project was very important to us, so we spent a lot of time and attention on it,” said Flannery.
The preexisting center court is meaningful to both Flannery and Brumsted who were varsity basketball players in high school.
“I have been volunteering with the program since I graduated, so to be able to save that piece of history for Coach Rox (Noeth) and everyone in the basketball community is pretty cool,” said Brumsted.
Flannery and his wife are elementary basketball coaches for third through fifth-grade students. They hope that their own children will someday play in the renovated gym and see the center court their dad played on almost two decades ago.
“Our project manager Chris Haywood is also an alum, class of 2005, and his kids will get to use this gym,” said Flannery. “Throughout the course of construction, we had a dozen Byron-Bergen graduates working on site. It’s cool to have this crew at their alma mater. They really care about it.”
While the Capital Project provided major upgrades to both schools, the bus garage, and the athletic fields, Byron-Bergen alumni were also taking part in routine maintenance projects throughout the district. In August, four recent alumni helped reseal and repaint the Elementary School staff parking lot and bus loop. Class of 2022 alumni Chiara Grippo and Lexi Vurraro, Class of 2023 alum Grayson Erion, and Class of 2024 graduate Travis Shallenberger took on summer jobs or internships with Grippo Asphalt Maintenance.
“We do this work at a bunch of schools, so it’s a little weird but special to work on the school that I used to attend,” said Shallenberger. “Whatever we do here is a benefit to the community because we’re maintaining the facilities for the younger generation. It’s like giving back to the community.”
In August, the Elementary School also received fresh concrete walkways to the main entrance poured by Pro Construction, family-owned and operated by Byron-Bergen alumni Curtis, Travis, and Hunter Taylor.
“We take pride in hiring local contractors when we can,” said Director of Facilities Roger Caldwell. “We see a lot of B-B alum come through and it’s great. They have a vested interest in the District and their dedication shows.”
“I think it gives people in the community peace of mind knowing that Byron-Bergen graduates are working on these projects,” said Brumsted. “They know us. They trust us with the school’s legacy.”
Outside of the gymnasium, the walls of the Jr./Sr. High School gleam with new subway tile. After a heroic summer push, the construction crew is bringing projects to completion.
“This community really is unique in a lot of ways,” said McGee. “It’s great to see the capital improvements go from plans to reality, but it really is amazing to see the folks who have walked these halls as students return to preserve it and improve it for the next generation.”
Photo of Pro Construction pours concrete in front of Byron-Bergen Elementary School. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
Photo of (from left to right) Travis Shallenberger, Grayson Erion, Chiara Grippo, Lexi Vurraro of Grippo Asphalt Maintenance. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
Photo of Jr./Sr. High School construction in August. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
Every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partners with local communities to hold Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs this year from September 15 - 21. The annual safety week ends with National Seat Check Saturday, a day for parents and caregivers to receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for their children.
The City of Batavia Fire Department announced today that certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be offering free car seat safety checks on Saturday, September 21 beginning at 10 a.m. at City of Batavia Headquarters. Technicians will check car seats, let caregivers know if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, and show them how to install the right seats correctly.
Unfortunately, many parents are overconfident about their car seats. They think they’re protecting their kids, but almost half of car seats are either the wrong seat for the child’s age and size, or the seats are installed incorrectly. That puts children at risk. According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children.
Every day in 2022, an average of three children 14 and younger were killed in crashes, and another 429 were injured. We know parents love their kids, so they’ll do everything in their power to protect them. An easy way to do that is to double-check their car seats — it’s worth making sure.
According to NHTSA, more than a third (39%) of children 14 and younger who died in crashes in 2022 in cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs were unbuckled.
The safety agency wants caregivers to know that it’s never safe to ride unbuckled in a passenger vehicle — no matter how short the trip or how big the vehicle. More than half (52%) of the child passengers 14 and younger killed in pickup trucks in 2022 were unrestrained — more than any other vehicle category. Bigger vehicles don’t protect child passengers, but car seats, booster seats, and seat belts do.
When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage — from infants to teens. Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat installed with a tether, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing correct car seat selection and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle.
Children should stay in each seat and position until they outgrow those limits, and it’s important for all children under 13 to ride in the back seat.
If Saturday’s times don’t work for your schedule, but you’d still like to have your car seats checked, contact the City of Batavia Fire Department at 585-345-6375 to schedule an appointment.
NHTSA.gov also has free resources available to caregivers. Learn about the different car seat types, read NHTSA’s research-based recommendations, and find and compare car seats.
It’s also important for caregivers to register their car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified in the event of a recall. Download NHTSA’s SaferCar app, which allows users to save their vehicle, car seat, and tire info in a virtual garage. If any of the saved equipment is included in a safety recall, the app will send a notification.
For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, go to www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.
Or Contact Car Seat Program Coordinator Lt. Bob Tedford at 585-345-6375.
Amanda T. Sterzick, 52, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a Class A-II felony, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, conspiracy 2nd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, two counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd; Michael C. Mirabal, 51, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a Class A-II felony, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, conspiracy 2nd, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th, two count of criminally using drug paraphernalia 2nd;
Michael Mirabal
Paul Crawford
Paul Crawford, 55, of Batavia is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a Class A-II felony, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, and conspiracy 2nd. On Aug. 30, the Local Drug Task Force and Batavia PD executed two search warrants on residences on Central Avenue and East Main Street, Batavia. The warrants were the result of a "lengthy narcotics investigation" that was assisted by the United States Postal Service Investigation Service into the trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine, prescription drugs, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency. The suspects were charged on Sept. 11. By statute, based on the A-II felony charges, the defendants were ordered held at arraignment in the Genesee County Jail pending further court appearances. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are pending.
Charles Philips Stevens, 36, and Shelby Lynn Fryer, 29, both of 11 South Main Street, Batavia, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Carl E. Canterbury, 54, and Christine M. Caplis, 44, both 61 South Main Street, Batavia, and Crystal A. Dale, 48, of Linwood Avenue, Albion, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. The arrests resulted from a narcotics investigation by the Local Drug Task Force that resulted in the Batavia Emergency Response Team executing search warrants at 11 South Main St. and 61 South Main St. in Batavia on Sept. 9. All suspects were issued appearance tickets.
Kahlan Irene VanSchaffel, 22, of undisclosed street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. VanSchaffel was allegedly found in possession of cocaine in a quantity sufficient to constitute possession with intent to sell at 6:28 on Sept. 15, on Clinton Street Road, Stafford, by Deputy Soren Calderon. VanSchaffel was held pending arraignment.
Jakob John Howland, 22, of Stroh Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Howland was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Aug. 18 at 11:18 on Stroh Road, Alexander, that was investigated by Deputy Matthew Wesolowski. Howland was released on an appearance ticket.
Susan Marie Lynch, 69, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Lynch is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 4:49 p.m. on Sept. 9. Lynch was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Jacob Duane Pieri, 18, East Pleasant Avenue, Eden, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Pieri was stopped at 11:21 on Sept. 7 on Alleghany Road, Darien, by Deputy Soren Calderon. Pieri was issued an appearance ticket.
Brendan Michael Bruce, 26, of Pamela Drive, Depew, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, and driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate. Bruce was stopped at 12:24 a.m. on Sept. 8 on Broadway Road, Darien, by Deputy Stephen Smith. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Ashton Lee Mohney, 34, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mohney is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 10:19 a.m. on Sept. 6. Mohney was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Molly Elizabeth Hebdon, 35, of unreleased street, Bethany, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Hebdon is accused of leaving her 11-year-old daughter alone at a residence on Putnam Road, Bethany, at 10:33 p.m. on Sept. 8. Hebdon was issued an appearance ticket.
Wayne Daniel Potter, 41, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with failing to register a change of address within 10 days as a sex offender. Potter was arrested at the Genesee County Jail on Sept. 9. He was held pending arraignment.
Clarence Arthur Johnson, II, of Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with failure to appear and be photographed by law enforcement as a sex offender. Johnson was arrested on Sept 8. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Mario Richard Handley, 19, of Jackson Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with disorderly conduct. Handley is accused of harassing patrons at a location on Alleghany Road at 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 7. He was allegedly engaging in fighting stances and striking passing vehicles. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Jose Ranulfo Yamba-Paucar, 30, of Hinkleyville Road, Spencerport, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Yamba-Paucar was stopped at 6:19 p.m. on Sept. 14 on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, following traffic complaints. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Terry Michael Roth, 49, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Roth was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance during a probation home search of his residence. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Jared Ryan Burns, 38, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Burns is accused of intentionally damaging the screen door of a residence on West Main Street Road, Batavia, at 9:43 p.m. on Sept. 12. He was held for arraignment.
Samantha Grace Reed, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Reed is accused of shoplifting at Walmart at 6:47 on Sept. 13. She was released on an appearance ticket.
The following arrests were made at the Pitbull concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Sept 6:
Gena Everet, 18, of Java, is charged with criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after previously being ejected.
Michael Pellegrino-Whittmeyer, 21, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after previously being ejected.
Erin Coffey, 20, of Rochester, is charged with criminal trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after previously being ejected.
John Karcz, Jr., 51, of North Tonawanda, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly striking another person while inside the concert venue.
The history of Sacred Heart Church began in 1904 when Reverend Peter Pitass was assigned to organize a new parish that would serve the Polish people on the south side of Batavia.
Father Pitass bought a house on the corner of South Jackson Street. The first floor was rebuilt into a sanctuary, and the second floor was a residence for the priest. A barn was rebuilt for the school.
The parish grew and needed a new home.
In 1917, the Church moved to the corner of Sumner Street and Swan Street. He purchased about half an acre of land on that corner from Edward Suttell, enough for a church, a school and a social hall.
Building materials were so expensive the parish built only the basement. That was then used as a church until a better one could be built.
Starting in December 1928, Reverend Stanislaus Cichowski served as pastor for the next 26 years.
During March 1942, Tonawanda Creek rose in the worst flood in Batavia's history. The Church was underwater for weeks, destroying everything except the cement foundation. Reverend Alexander Jankowski succeeded Father Cichowski in building and rebuilding the Church and school.
In 1954, Reverend Leo Smith blessed the cornerstone of the Church, which was to be built on the foundation that had been in place since 1915.
In 1966, the congregation burned the mortgage they had taken out to fund the Church and surrounding buildings.
There was also a large open play area to hold Sacred Heart’s Lawn Fete in July.
In 1974 the school closed, and the parish men built a large social hall on the north side, transforming the former school building into the Sacred Heart Community Center.
The little Church that took many years to build is now facing the last chapter of its life as the doors will be closed permanently.
When this happens to your church, you lose the memories of baptisms, Holy Communions, Confirmations, weddings, anniversaries, and funerals.
One memory I will always treasure was going to Mass with my father-in-law, Henry Starowitz. I was so proud to walk down the aisle with him. By this time, he was legally blind, but somehow, he would stop at every pew and say hello to a fellow parishioner. He counted the pews.
Sacred Heart is my church.
My Mass was at 4 p.m., and I always sat in the pew near the Paul Starowitz stained glass window. That is where my mother-in-law and father-in-law sat. Most people had a pew they called their pew.
Sacred Heart Church was where I would sit in front of my friend, often called St. Patty. I always looked forward to seeing her at Mass. I would go to the Sacred Heart Statue and light my weekly candles with a Peca-Starowitz tag on my candle.
This church was where our grandchildren were baptized.
The Easter season was when, years ago, a life-sized statue of our lord was laid out on its side during the Easter Vigil. I have to admit that it was a little scary, especially for our daughters.
We loved the Sacred Heart Lawn Fete because it was a lawn fete run by the parishioners. It featured a golumpki dinner, waffles, Polish and Italian sausage, and the best beer tent. My father-in-law was always in the garage, in charge of the money.
Since I live on the south side, I am privy to hearing the real church bells ring five minutes before and on the hour. I tried to imagine that years ago, those bells called churchgoers to church.
I am writing to ask the parishioners to share their memories of the little church on the south side of Batavia. The one thing we all have in common is the sadness we feel. Sacred Heart Church was just remodeled; financially, it is a secure church. Today, I went by the church to take a picture of my church, and a gentleman was mowing the lawn. He looked at me and asked me to hold on; he would move so I could take a picture.
I say this with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart. Goodbye, Sacred Heart; our loss saddens our hearts.
No one knows the church’s fate and the surrounding building, except we will not have our church on Sumner Street as our church.
The City of Batavia Police Department has been made aware of social media posts circulating that are threatening violence at schools. The investigation into this matter has deemed that there is no credible threat to the Batavia City School District at this time. We are working alongside our Local, State and Federal partners to determine the origin of the posts. We have communicated with BCSD about the posts and will continue to monitor the situation.
We ask that anyone with further information contact the Police Department's Detective Bureau at 585-345-6350. Furthermore, if you see a suspicious post, contact your local law enforcement and do not re-post, share, message or place it on any other social media site, as this can create unnecessary panic and hamper law enforcement's ability to investigate.
NOTE: We asked Chief Shawn Heubusch if the threat came from somebody local and specifically targeted Batavia. He said it's unknown who exactly made the threat. He said there is no specific information regarding Batavia.
This year’s second annual Wings Over Batavia has already shown a promising sign of the air show's ongoing popularity: an uptick in attendance.
The 2024 event brought in some 2,000 additional people to Genesee County Airport, according to Tim Hens’ annual public works report.
There were approximately 11,000 attendees and volunteers on the premises this year, said Hens, the county’s public works commissioner.
Other figures that strayed from year one of the event were the 2,750 gallons of aviation fuel the county sold to the air show, resulting in $16,500 in revenue for the airport, he said.
Fuel sales spiked at the end of 2023, one of the first real increases since the pandemic, Hens said. The return of the Mercy Flight helicopter helped Jet-A sales. This higher level of usage has continued this year, especially as fuel prices have come down a little, he said.
Overtime costs for public works employees at the air show were identical to those cited in 2023: $6,308. There were no traffic, safety or security issues and only two minor injuries, he said — a volunteer lacerated a finger and a patron suffered dehydration — that required medical attention.
For a second year in a row, Hens noted the quiet (outside of the Labor Day festivities) due to the lack of construction but promised that it is coming.
A future project for 2025 will include the replacement of many incandescent runway and taxiway lights with LED versions. “This should generate future savings on electrical usage,” he said.
An equipment storage building is being designed for construction in 2025, to be mostly paid for with a state AIR-99 grant.
The county is working with OnCore Aviation, a start-up flight school at the airport, which has “great plans for the airport and the local aviation community,” Hens said. He believes “a successful flight school is essential at the airport.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a senior engineering technician position paying $7 less per hour than the going market rate has remained vacant since May 2023, “with very few interested in the position,” he said.
“We also continue to have high turnover in positions,” Hens said. “We recently lost another very experienced heavy equipment operator who left for the town of Pembroke, which pays significantly more than the county.”
Work goes on, though, with the Fargo Road Bridge in Bethany under construction and scheduled for completion this fall and the Attica Road Bridge replacement design nearing completion and to go out for bid in 2025.
The county has eight federal aid or bridge or culvert projects programmed over the next three years, he said.
Other projects in progress, whether in the design or construction phase, include renovations at the Engine House on West Main Street to add an elevator and make the second floor more accessible; the Animal Shelter, mandated under state policy to be upgraded no later than Dec. 31, 2025, with the biggest change to be air-conditioned kennels; and Holland Land Office Museum’s several life-safety upgrades and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, also slated for 2025.
Under the county water category, “there’s always a lot going on with water,” Hens said.
Improvements continue at the city water treatment plant. The filter media was completely replaced, the new lime slaker and boiler were installed, the roof over the pipe gallery was repaired, some electrical and pump upgrades were made, and more is scheduled for the off-peak season. Hens believes there’s more reliability at the water plant, and it’s made a difference.
“We were able to make it through the summer without any type of water restriction,” he said.
Counter to that, there has been slow progress with Phase 2 of the county’s three-phase water project, he said. Investigation is being done about corroded materials at the Mumford and Churchville Pump Stations, and corrosion and its cause are delaying the completion of four remaining pump stations under construction.
Progress has been made on the Morgan Road Pump Station, but due to the related corrosion problems at other stations, the pump selection and ordering must be completed before the improvements and extra water needed can be brought online, he said.
”Without a resolution within the next several weeks, the Phase 2 pump stations might not be brought online until 2026,” he said.
The Phase 3 basis of design, a significant project requiring the entire county to be reevaluated from a hydraulic and water quality standpoint, is nearing completion.
Funding is also a major issue for the project's $150 million third phase.
“We continue to seek funds from anyone and everyone,” he said.
The county recently applied for and received a $30 million Water Infrastructure Improvement grant, and “we have whispers that we might be successful on the first $10 million from the environmental program funds set aside within the Water Resources Development Act.”
Kevin Fisher, direct support professional (DSP), teaches the LIVES students about auditory learning as Dan Crofts, DSP, and Kelly Anstey, senior director of Day and Employment Services, look on. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
IGNITE took off at the Genesee Community College (GCC) campus in Batavia!
Mirroring the LIVES college experience program at SUNY Geneseo, IGNITE is Arc GLOW’s newest Community Prevocational program in the northern region of Arc GLOW. It’s also a great acronym, suggested to Arc GLOW by GCC, “Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Education.”
“It has certainly inspired me and the rest of our new IGNITE team, including IGNITE Day Habilitation Manager Emily Mault, and our two direct support staff, Dan Crofts and Kevin Fisher,” said Kelly Anstey, senior director of day and employment services. “In the last few weeks we have been researching, discussing our developing curriculum, planning activities and classes, looking for integration opportunities and finally arranging our home base on campus which is simply and affectionately dubbed ‘D360.’”
IGNITE is a two-year inclusive higher education opportunity, a true college-like experience, in exploring all of the class’ employment and other life dreams while supporting them in gaining skills in the areas of: relationship building, money management and budgeting, exploring careers, focusing on good health and wellness, and gaining an expansive community awareness.
On opening day, August 28, the group of four students purchased various GCC items in the campus bookstore, checked out the lounge and student union areas, and trekked around the outside space on campus. Upon returning to D360, the four began to make plans for “Friday free swims” in the pool and shared their job aspirations, including: zookeeper, film maker, police officer, rock star, animatronic designer, music producer, and “work with people and be happy!”
“GCC is proud to partner with Arc GLOW on this important initiative. IGNITE students enrich our campus community, and their enthusiasm and passion are inspiring,” said GCC President, Dr. Craig Lamb. “We look forward to continued collaboration in support of students enhancing their educational and life skills here at GCC.”
Anstey said the GCC faculty and staff have been so welcoming. “We truly feel like part of the college as we intermingle with everyone on campus,” she said. “We have frequent ‘guests’ as GCC faculty and staff pop into our room, or engage us in other arenas on campus to discuss collaborative ideas for our students. On opening day, while watching the last few weeks of focused work become a program reality, I feel like I am living my dream job.”
However, as Arc GLOW moves forward with this new initiative, it is done without Dawn Scott, the LIVES and newly assigned IGNITE coordinator who passed away this past July.
“She was a true inspiration, and the vision she shared in the past year was beyond instrumental in shaping IGNITE,” Anstey said. “We dedicate this semester to Dawn.”
More information and a sample curriculum can be found online at ArcGLOW.org under programs and services and college experiences.
Helping kick off the new IGNITE college experience program at GCC are: Kevin Fisher, DSP; Kelly Anstey, senior director of Day and Employment Services; Emily Mault, IGNITE Day Habilitation Manager; and Dan Crofts, DSP. Submitted photo.
Manufacturing is coming back to the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 24. Since its inception in 2019, the program has welcomed over 5,000 students. This year’s event features over 1,000 students from 30 school districts across the GLOW region arriving at the fairgrounds for the day-long career exploration event.
Over 70 businesses will provide hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military. Students will have the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in their own backyard that offer good-paying opportunities immediately after high school graduation.
“Collaboration between educators, workforce experts, and local companies have created a workforce development blueprint that is connecting our students to in-demand careers right here in the GLOW Region,” said Karyn Winters, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “The thousands of students that have experienced GLOW With Your Hands leave with a profound understanding of the opportunities and pathways available to good-paying, hands-on careers.”
Platinum Sponsors LandPro Equipment, National Grid, and Rochester Davis-Fetch lead dozens of event supporters bringing hands-on experiences students look forward to participating in annually.
Among the new companies attending for the first time include Lakeland Concrete Products, a construction company based in Lima, IK Systems, a leading supplier of integrated surveillance & security systems out of Victor, and Zoldaz, a trucking contractor in Alden.
“Various groups and organizations are working collaboratively to help alleviate workforce shortages in the GLOW region, which is a national phenomenon,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Private sector investment by companies across the region continues to flourish resulting in a strong demand by employers to fill jobs as a result of this growth.”
At Batavia Elba Townline Road and Bank Street Road, there is a nice stand of daisies along the roadside.
UPDATE: Lori Forsyth points out that these flowers are properly called Jerusalem artichokes. They are perennial. She says she grows them at the other end of Townline Road. She says they are edible, "although I've never eaten one ha ha."
Dollar General is excited to announce it recently remodeled its store at 2666 Main St. in Batavia. In addition to the same categories, brands, and products customers trust Dollar General to carry, the store now provides customers with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“At Dollar General, we strive to be a positive business partner and good community neighbor in Batavia,” said Matthew Simonsen, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “Although we are not a grocery store, we believe the addition of produce in our Batavia store highlights our commitment to deliver a pleasant shopping experience that includes affordable prices on quality products in a convenient location.”
