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Lifelong member of Pavilion Baptist Church still does all she can to combat Alzheimer's on family's behalf

By Virginia Kropf

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday Oct. 3 will have much more meaning to people in Pavilion this year.

Not only will participants be walking to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease and raise money to combat it, but this will be a great family event, for young and old alike, according to organizer Sam MacAllister, pastor of the Pavilion Baptist Church.

The church’s involvement came about because of Linda Starkey, a lifelong member of the church, whose mother and brother were affected by the disease.

“This is my fourth year of being involved in the Alzheimer’s Walk,” Starkey said. “I turned 80 in July, and I walk with a walker, but I still participate. It is very important to me that we find a cure.”

Last year Starkey walked in Batavia with 250 other walkers, but because of COVID-19 this year, the walk can’t be done that way.

“We are all walking in our own communities, and here in Pavilion, my pastor is coordinating everything,” Starkey said. 

“This seemed like the perfect event to get the community back together after this pandemic,” Pastor MacAllister said. “We will distribute water and snacks in a safe way.”

The pastor said he was thrilled with Starkey’s dedication and happy to support her cause.

“This is a really important cause for her,” MacAllister said. “She tries to build her strength ahead of time. She has a very youthful spirit and is highly determined. Her friends are doing everything to keep her safe and see that she succeeds.”

Starkey’s friend Pat Wolcott has committed to walk with her, and they welcome anyone to join their team. Participants may donate to the cause, but it is not necessary.

MacAllister has chosen a route through town on streets with sidewalks, so everyone will be safe. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at the gazebo in the town park.

Participants may sign up on the website at pavilionwalk.com, but it is not required.

Photo: Linda Starkey, right, and her friend Pat Wolcott will be walking Oct. 3 in an Alzheimer’s Walk in Pavilion. Starkey, who turned 80 in July, is passionate about supporting the cause, as both her mother and brother were stricken with Alzheimer’s. Photo by Virginia Kropf.

New Batavia school board member embraces the values of communication, cooperation

By Mike Pettinella

Lifelong Batavian John Reigle knows firsthand the importance of teamwork and communication – qualities that he says will serve him well as he takes a seat on the Batavia City School District Board of Education.

Reigle (inset photo right) was a standout wide receiver and kick returner at Batavia High School who earned a football scholarship to South Dakota Tech upon graduating in 1997. He played for three years at the Rapid City, S.D., college, studying business, before returning home.

Twenty years later, his passion for the gridiron continues as commissioner of Batavia Bulldawgs Youth Football, a program that he has been involved with for the past decade.

Earlier this week, Reigle -- father of two Batavia school students and a third who graduated this year -- was appointed to the district’s board of education to replace Patrick Burk, who stepped down after 34-plus years on the board.

“I’ve been involved with the youth in the community through the Batavia Bulldogs and in youth sports with my kids growing up, but I wanted to get involved on the education side of it as well,” Reigle said. “I think it’s important for our district to have parents actively involved, everyone working together on behalf of the students and teachers.”

Reigle attempted to get on the board in June as a write-in candidate, falling short as Alice Ann Benedict (the current president), Barbara Bowman and Tanni Bromley were elected to the three open positions. Still, he garnered 489 votes – an impressive amount as a write-in.

“Superintendent (Anibal) Soler (Jr.) and Business Administrator (Scott) Rozanski reached out to me to see if I was still interested – to make sure that nothing had changed in my life – and when I told them I was, they said the board was interested in having me finish out Pat’s term (which ends in June 2021),” Reigle said.

He was sworn in at Monday’s night board meeting.

Reigle, 41, said the campaign process proved to be an eye-opening experience.

“Just talking to a lot of people – most didn’t know who was on the board or how many people sat on the board,” he recalled. “I hope I can be that connection with the community with the families that I know, to communicate to them that they can voice their opinions and bring them to the board.”

Calling it a “unique year” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in how students are taught, Reigle praised administrators for “coming up with the best plan for our district.”

“It’s definitely a unique year with the hybrid approach. I really think our administrators did a great job of gathering the feedback from the parents,” he said. “A little over 75 percent of the parents wanted in-school and I think about 20 percent wanted the hybrid, remote learning. I think they did a great job of putting a plan together to fit what the families wanted.”

Reigle said he knows many families in the district and is familiar with a lot of the teachers.

“Knowing families with kids attending in the different (school) buildings will be good,” he said. “And I know a lot of the teachers, I think that will be helpful as well … to be a voice for the teachers as well. They’re a big part of the success at Batavia.”

He said teachers “went above and beyond” in the spring and summer to enable students at all levels to advance.

“Look at the challenges that they’ve had, having to go from no plan or expectation of having everything shut down in March, and still having to teach the kids. The way that they responded was amazing, from communicating with the kids, you saw all the events at graduation to make it special – not only for the seniors but for the eighth-graders who were graduating from middle school and the kids at Jackson School who were graduating into John Kennedy.”

Reigle said he looks forward to working with what he sees as “a great board of education that is eager to listen and do what’s best for the district” and to learn from Benedict, another lifelong Batavian who previously served on the board.

Benedict said Reigle will be a welcome addition.

“We are excited to have John Reigle on the board of education,” she said. “He is enthusiastic … and can give us a new perspective on issues that come to us. We are happy that he was willing to fill our open seat to complete a seven-member board.”

Reigle, manager of Timebuyer Auto Sales on West Main Street, and his wife, Ashlee, live in the City of Batavia. They have three children – Bryce, a 2020 BHS grad who is attending Genesee Community College; Mackenzie, a senior at BHS where she is a first-team all-league girls’ basketball player, and Jordan, a third-grader at John Kennedy Elementary School.

-----------

Burk: Time was Right to Retire

Burk, 63, said he had planned to retire at the end of the 2020-21 school year – when his term expired -- but said that he sped up the timetable as a result of his “confidence” in the leadership of Benedict and “the genuine interest” of Reigle, his replacement.

“So basically after 34-plus years it was time for me to pick me – to concentrate on my other work and opportunities,” he said. “It’s bittersweet, but I feel really good about it.”

Burk said he still has many irons in the fire, so it’s not like he riding off into the sunset.

He said he will now have more time to help establish Main Street 56 Theater at the City Centre (he’s the president of Batavia Players) and continue his role as a consultant for Lee Publications.

He also is the executive director of the Genesee Valley School Boards Association, which represents 22 school boards in Western New York.

Photo: Storm clouds at sunset

By Howard B. Owens

We enjoyed some spectacular cloud formations from a passing storm yesterday evening.  

Top photo by Caroyln Schultz.

By Monica Urvizu.

By JoAnne Meiser.

Old Hippies and What About Jane double bill in Elba on Sept. 12

By Howard B. Owens

The Old Hippies and What About Jane are teaming up for a special concert, sponsored by the Elba Betterment Committee, in Elba from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 12.

The concert will be livestreamed and it will also be broadcast on FM radio so people can come to the park and site in their vehicle. Erakare Productions will record the entire concert for future release.

There will be food trucks at the Village Park. 

Bill McDonald, of the Old Hippies, said the Health Department has approved the plans for the concert.

"There will be plenty of spacing for parking and sitting for this end-of-summer event for many to enjoy in a number of ways," McDonald said.

The video below of What About Jane playing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." 

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One new COVID-19 case reported in Genesee County, person in their 40s residing in Batavia, next update is Tuesday

By Press Release

Press release:

Due to the Labor Day holiday, both the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7.

There will be no map, website or media updates over the weekend or on Monday.

Updates will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Stay safe, stay distanced and wear your masks to continue to slow the spread. Thank you for your understanding.

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
    • The new positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The positive individual is in their 40s.
    • The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Twelve new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. 
       
  • Orleans County received two new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • The two positive individuals are located at the Albion Correctional Facility.
    • One of the positive individuals is in their 30s and one is in their 50s. 
    • Four new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Learn how to find your way out of the wild using just a map and compass

By Press Release

Press release:

Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal – by using a map and compass! Experts Rick Worner and Linda Kohn teach Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center on Saturday Sept. 26from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Perfect for beginners or those who want to practice their skills. All materials provided, no experience necessary. Orienteering is a family-friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels.

Orienteering is just one more way to have fun for free in the forest!

This program will be held outdoors. All participants must sign a waiver prior to orienteering. Masks must be worn whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Space is limited, preregistration is required. Preregister online here or call (585) 344-1122.

Come explore the park with two new orienteering courses, available from Sept. 26th to Oct. 10th.

Download the FREE map here starting on Sept. 27th and enjoy.

For more information visit our website, or contact the Interpretive Nature Center at (585) 344-1122.

Accident reported on Clinton Street in the city

By Billie Owens

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at 41 Clinton St., Batavia. There are injuries and it is blocking traffic. The location is between East Avenue and Grandview Terrace. City fire, Mercy medics and police are responding.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: A first responder says this is a three-car accident and one of the vehicles is in the middle of the roadway, blocking traffic.

UPDATE 5:05 p.m.: Three flatbed tows are called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:23 p.m.: This was a rear-end chain-reaction accident involving four vehicles. According to witnesses at the scene, there was a line of cars southbound on Clinton Street, stopped at East Avenue, waiting their turn to go. The fourth vehicle, a white Nissan Murano, failed to stop and struck a Ken Barrett auto dealership van, which slammed into dark Chrysler 200, which in turn struck a dark-colored Ford Escape. The Ford Escape driver told the Chrysler driver that "it wasn't her fault" so she "wasn't sticking aound," and she left before first responders arrived. The Ken Barrett employee suffered minor injuries and was transported to UMMC by Mercy ambulance. The police officer at the scene would not speak to a reporter so we do not know whether the Nissan Murano driver was cited. The assignment to Clinton Street is back in service.

Immigrants detained at Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia sue contractor over $1-a-day work program

By Press Release

Press release:

KINGSTON – The Worker Justice Center of New York (WJCNY) has filed suit in New York’s Supreme Court against the private, for-profit company, Akima Global Services (AGS), for its exploitation of detained immigrants at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

Plaintiffs Bounam Phimasone and Dalila Yeend allege that, while detained, they were hired by AGS to perform manual labor in the facility. Instead of wages, AGS paid Phimasone and Yeend $1 per day in commissary credit, regardless of hours worked.

The lawsuit alleges that AGS’s practice of crediting detainees one dollar per day for many hours of labor violates the New York State Constitution and various provisions of the Labor Law, including minimum wage.

It also alleges that AGS unjustly enriched itself through this exploitative practice. AGS contracts with the federal government to operate the Buffalo Federal Detention Center and is paid a daily rate for each bed filled per day.

By requiring detainee-employees to perform essential functions at well below the legal minimum wage, AGS avoids hiring non-detained employees to work for fair market wages, thereby depressing the local economy and increasing its own profits.

Many of those detained in Batavia are held indefinitely, despite never having committed a crime. Yeend and Phimasone were released from detention in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and now reside legally in New York State.

“This practice of paying people one dollar per day is bordering on slavery," Yeend said. "For the total hours that I worked, it was pennies per hour. It’s basically free work. When I think that I was working for a for-profit company, it’s disgusting.”

Both AGS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been repeatedly criticized for their treatment of immigrants at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center, including their failure to protect detainees from the spread of COVID-19.

According to Gloria Martinez, board co-chair of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, the plaintiffs’ allegations are consistent with the experiences of others detained in Batavia.

“One of our members risked his life as a detention center essential worker being paid a dollar a day to clean the infirmary and the living quarters of those who contracted COVID,” Martinez said.

Jennifer Connor, executive director of the Buffalo-based Justice for Migrant Families further attests to the exploitative nature of AGS’s employment practices.

“During the COVID pandemic, people who are detained are given a small hotel sized bar of soap for a week and so must buy their own hygiene supplies from the company-owned commissary," Connor said.

"Working for $1 a day for commissary when commissary is required to make phone calls to lawyers and family, buy stamps to mail letters and important documents, buy extra food because the portions provided in Batavia are notoriously meager, is not a choice. This is coercion."

Plaintiffs are represented in the case by WJCNY attorneys Robert McCreanor, Maureen Hussain, Laura Revercomb, and Dan Getman (of counsel), with support from Borealis Philanthopy.

WJCNY is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to pursue justice for those denied human rights with a focus on agricultural and other low wage workers, through legal representation, community empowerment and advocacy for institutional change.

GC Sheriff candidate David Krzemien is endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association of the NYS Troopers

By Press Release

Press release:

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has announced its endorsement of David Krzemien, who is running for Genesee County Sheriff.

It represents more than 6,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police from the rank of Trooper through the rank of Major. This includes the New York State Troopers from Troop A, SP Batavia and Troop T who work in and through Genesee County.

Having the support of the New York State Troopers PBA shows that networking with outside agencies plays a vital role in keeping our citizens and law enforcement officers safe.

As indicated in the endorsement: “The challenges facing members of the law enforcement community are greater than ever before, and we need individuals like David Krzemien in leadership positions to help law enforcement officers better serve the residents of New York State.”

Krzemien’s passion and drive to always do what is right will allow the people of Genesee County to trust the Sheriff’s Office and to work together to help prevent and solve crimes.

Old Courthouse, Upton Monument lighting projects completed

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Representatives of Lighting Design Innovations and Cedar Street Sales and Rentals are pleased to announce the completion of the third phase of the feature lighting at the Old Genesee County Courthouse site in Batavia.

The firms sponsored the donation of lighting design activities and lighting system luminaires, components, and advanced control system to accentuate the building façade and its location in the cityscape by lighting the courthouse corners with RGBW color changing LED luminaires.

The advanced lighting control system allows the County to program coordinated colored light displays for the new courthouse corner lights and the cupola, which received its color-changing light as the first phase of the project. Initial system programming and controller training was sponsored by Vertex Lighting Solutions. 

The illuminated façade of the Old Genesee County Courthouse is the backdrop for the new white LED lighting that was provided for the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Marines’ Monument as the second phase of this project. The monument lighting was unveiled Memorial Day 2019 in time for the monument’s centennial, celebrated in August of 2019.

Although the final phase implementation was temporarily delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, County personnel worked with the consultants to complete the work in time to be shared with the community for Labor Day 2020.   

Photos and video by Howard Owens.

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Photos: Late season sunflowers on Wortendyke Road

By Howard B. Owens

The flowers in the sunflower field along Wortendyke Road have mostly faded, though there are a few blooms that are still radiant, and yesterday was another beautiful late summer evening so the field remained a popular destination for area residents.

Above, Ayo Jr., Tobin Carson, Ayomi and Jasmine Pitan pose for a picture in the field.

Ella Houseknecht and MacKenzie Lavrey.

Genesee County sets revenue sharing figure at $8 million for towns, villages in 2021

By Mike Pettinella

The Genesee County Legislature is proposing an $8 million revenue distribution to its towns and villages in 2021.

Legislature Chair Rochelle Stein on Wednesday said that is the revised offer for revenue sharing, noting that it represents about a 44-percent decrease in what the county originally had planned to distribute, before COVID-19 disrupted its financial outlook.

“At our last conference call with municipal leaders, I think it was on Aug. 22, we gave them a number – eight million dollars to be shared for the 2021 budget, so they have a number,” Stein said. “So, if that is something that would be easier for them to comprehend and to see, our county manager is ready to put that out in an email form to folks so they can have something they can budget to for 2021.”

County Manager Matt Landers said the legislature had envisioned allocating $14,294,065 but had to revise its thinking due to the negative effects of the coronavirus on the economy.

“We will be providing a specific figure – based on the $8 million proposal -- for each town and village to budget off of shortly,” he added.

Stein repeated the refrain she has used since the county, in May, decided to rescind the county treasurer’s authority to make voluntary quarterly revenue distributions to the towns and villages – effectively ending agreements with the municipalities passed in 2018 and 2019.

Despite that action, the county made distributions of $1.1 million and $2 million to the municipalities in the second quarter of 2020, following a (pre-COVID-19) $3 million distribution in the first quarter.

“We are all in this together,” she said. “We’re all working through this in the same way but it’s still ‘mud’ until we get out of it.”

She said payments are determined by the taxable assessed value of each community.

“(It’s) a process that has been used in the past – so that seems like a fair and equitable way to distribute it,” she said. “We all need something from which to budget to, and realize how difficult it is without any foundation to build a budget from – so absolutely.”

Stein said that the picture could brighten (or become dimmer) as revenue comes in this fall, but was quick to point out that the closure of Six Flags Darien Lake throughout the summer is a major blow.

Landers said he is hopeful the county could do more to help keep town and village property tax rates as low as possible.

“This is a conservative estimate of what the county will be able to provide in funding for 2021 to the towns and villages,” he said. “As the county’s budget season progresses, we will re-evaluate that amount.”

He provided a snapshot of distributions since 2018, explaining that the county budget is comprised of a variety of different revenues, from state and federal reimbursements, property taxes, sales tax, fees for service, interest income, etc.

“When the county determines what it can share in revenue, it is looking at the overall financial picture,” he said.

  • Distribution in 2018 -- Genesee County shared sales tax with towns and villages amounting to $14,335,643.41.
  • Distribution in 2019 -- Genesee County shared sales tax with towns and villages amounting to $14,368,445.17.
  • Distribution in 2020 -- Genesee County has not distributed any sales tax to towns and villages because it only shares sales tax with the City of Batavia for the next 40 years. Genesee County has distributed $6,179,543.09 in other revenue to towns and villages for the first two quarters – a 7.6-percent decrease from what was originally planned.

News that the county has provided a tentative distribution amount will make the jobs of town supervisors and village mayors a bit easier as they devise their budgets for 2021.

“We have been calling upon the county to put a number in writing, and if it is $8 million, then that’s a step in the right direction,” said Le Roy Town Supervisor Jim Farnholz. “Without something to go by, it’s not possible to put a budget together.”

Farnholz, who took office in January after two years on the town board, said the Town of Le Roy budgeted $1.2 million in revenue sharing from Genesee County in revenue in 2020.

A 44-percent decrease would put that figure at $672,000 for 2021.

“If I know that we would have to mitigate $300,000 or $400,000 or so, it puts us in a much better position, considering that we have $1.6 million in reserves, he said. “But it needs to be in writing -- what number is the county willing to share? -- so that we can budget.”

The retired Le Roy Central School teacher said most of his counterparts at the town and village levels agree that a working dollar amount is necessary.

“Our position is that we’re even willing to take a little bit more of a hit (due to the county being stuck with so many state-mandated costs),” he said. “Back in May when this started, we had a discussion – one of the plans put forward at a GAM (Genesee Association of Municipalities) meeting was whatever percentage in revenue the county is down, the towns should be down the same percentage.”

He said he had a conversation with Stein prior to learning that the $8 million was a solid number.

“I told Shelly, this is business. When we conduct business – when I go buy a car or Stein Farms goes and buys a tractor, we have an agreement that has dollar figures attached to it. I don’t think Bob Johnson (Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Le Roy) is going to give me a Chevy if I promise to pay him just on good faith,” he said.

One new COVID-19 case reported in Genesee County, person in their 20s residing in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

  • Genesee County received one new positive case of COVID-19.
    • The new positive case resides in Batavia.
    • The positive individual is in their 20s.
    • The individual was not on quarantine prior to testing positive.
    • Fourteen new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states. 
       
  • Orleans County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • Two new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Convenience store in Bergen burglarized, suspect sought

By Howard B. Owens

The Bergen C-Store at Route 33 and Route 19 in Bergen was burglarized at 1:50 a.m. two mornings ago and the owners are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the perpetrator. 

Anybody with information that can assist the investigation can reach the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-3000.

Photos: Free ice cream sandwiches at farmers market today

By Howard B. Owens

County Planning Director Felipe Oltramari is at the Farmers Market on Alva Place today handing out free Perry's ice cream sandwiches to help encourage people to complete their census forms. There will be free ice cream sandwiches available until the farmers market closes at 4 p.m.

Breaking: Cuomo says casinos can reopen on Sept. 9

By Mike Pettinella

Update 11:59 a.m. with Wojtaszek comments:

In a call with reporters this morning, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that casinos in New York State will be allowed to reopen on Sept. 9.

"Fantastic news," said Batavia Downs Gaming President Henry Wojtaszek. "We're very, very happy about that. We have a meeting scheduled at noon to go over all the things that need to be done successfully -- in order to have a good reopening. That's certainly our plan."

The governor said attendance will be limited to 25 percent of capacity, and table games will not be permitted unless physical barriers are put up to separate patrons at the table. Social distancing of six feet will be required when it comes to playing slot machines.

Wojtaszek said Batavia Downs Gaming's capacity is 3,000, so that means that a maximum of 750 people could be in the facility at one time.

Additionally, casinos will only be allowed to open if enhanced air-filtration systems are in place, as well as face coverings and social distancing protocols.

"Whatever they're going to require, we're going to do and do a little more of," he said.

Enforcement will be the responsibility of the NYS Gaming Commission and the State Police, Cuomo said.

Last week, Wojtasek said maintenance staff at the Park Road facility has installed plexiglass as required, placed arrows on the floor (for social distancing) and installed new air conditioning unit that uses MERV-13* filters.

He also said staff will be taking patrons’ temperatures and is prepared to utilize contact tracing technology “once we get the OK and guidelines as to what we have to do officially.”

*Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value -- filters out very small particles in the air.

Photos: Sunset over Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

We had several readers submit pictures from last night's closing sky. It looks like it was quite a light show.

Top photo by Chris Parker.

Submitted by Joanne Meiser.

Submitted by Corey Coles.

Submitted by Ritchie Kirkum.

Submitted by Keira Stehlar.

County health department receives funding to support COVID-19 testing

By Mike Pettinella

Every bit of funding helps when it comes to testing positive cases of COVID-19 and those who may have come in contact with those individuals, especially considering the cost of testing.

At today’s Genesee County Legislature Ways & Means Committee, lawmakers accepted a $6,785 grant from the New York State Association of County Health Officials for test kits and lab-testing expenses.

Genesee County Public Health Director Paul Pettit said his agency does limited testing “when we have positive cases and follow up testing with direct contacts of those cases.”

The health department conducts nasopharyngeal swab testing, a deep nasal process that uses the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing protocol.

With each test costing around $100, this funding can go a long way, Pettit said.

“The mini-grant we were just awarded will be used to provide kits and funding for our cases and contacts," he said. "Prices for testing vary considerably depending on the type of test and lab running the sample."

Pettit said that turnaround time can be an issue, too, as the common NP-PCR test currently averages four to 10 days for the result to come back, depending upon the location of the lab.

He said that lag could change as point-of-care tests are “just starting to come on line and will hopefully be available across the state soon. These tests provide results within 10 to 15 minutes and are significantly cheaper than PCR testing.”

The health department doesn’t offer general community testing, but acts as an advocate with other agencies to increase state-sponsored testing in Genesee and Orleans counties.

“This has been and remains a significant issue that needs to be addressed for all rural counties,” Pettit said.

In a related development, the health department contracted with ACM Global Laboratory of Rochester to analyze COVID samples and to bill insurance companies for lab testing performed on behalf of Genesee County. The pact runs through March 17.

In other action, the committee approved the following resolutions:

  • Adoption of a $170,218 budget for the 2021 Genesee County STOP-DWI plan – an increase of about $5,000 from the 2020 budget but $73,000 less than requested by law enforcement and other agencies that benefit from the program.

All STOP-DWI activities are funded completely from fine collections and have no impact upon the county’s general fund.

County Manager Matt Landers said there has been a significant decline in drunk/drugged driving arrests in 2020, primarily due to the coronavirus. He is projecting 145 such arrests for 2020, compared to more than 200 in a typical year.

“There are less people on the road … less festivals and carnivals where people would be (drinking) and driving,” he offered.

Departments that receive STOP-DWI funds include Genesee County Sheriff, City of Batavia Police and Le Roy Police (with half of the funding going to those three agencies), as well as District Attorney, Genesee Justice, Probation, City/County Youth Bureau and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. Money also is allocated for administration costs.

  • Creation of a mental health clinical therapist position to replace a mental health clinic social worker position, a move that would expand the candidate pool, according to Mental Health Director Lynda Battaglia.

The title change, effective Sept. 10, will allow the department to hire therapists who hold degrees in areas other than social work, Battaglia said, and will have no financial impact as both civil service jobs are at the same grade level.

  • Amendment of the Office for the Aging budget to accept $117,708 in funding from several sources to support the COVID-19 public health emergency by enabling the agency to purchase home-delivered meals, groceries and other supplies for homebound seniors.

Funding sources include the Federal Stimulus Packages Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Cares Act Nutritional Services, Supportive Services, Caregiver Support and New York Connects.

  • Acceptance of a $32,360 grant from the state Health Department’s Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection to support the county’s efforts to make sure businesses aren’t selling tobacco products to persons under the age of 21.

The renewal of funding for the county’s tobacco enforcement contract runs from April 1 of this year through March 31.

Pettit reported that tobacco use among youth has decreased, but vaping usage has increased.

Zero new cases of coronavirus reported today in Genesee County

By Press Release

Press release:

New Cases – As of 2 p.m. 

  • Genesee County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19.
    • Six new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.
       
  • Orleans County received zero new positive case of COVID-19.
    • One of the previous positive individuals has recovered and has been released from mandatory isolation.
    • Four new individuals are on precautionary quarantine due to travel from restricted states.

Jacobs tours Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

By Press Release

Photo: Congressman Chris Jacobs, left, and GCASA Executive Director John Bennett.

Submitted photo and press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) toured the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse yesterday in Batavia.

“While we have been fighting a global pandemic, the opioid epidemic has continued to hurt our communities and the GCASA has been right there ready to help on the frontlines in Western New York," Jacobs said.

"Last month I was proud to announce they received a grant to continue the vital work they do for our communities, and I was eager to visit to see the great work they are doing firsthand.

"I am committed to fighting to end this epidemic that has taken so many lives in our nation, and I look forward to a strong partnership with GCASA and other organizations fighting for our communities’ safety every day.”

The Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has served Western New York for decades since it was founded in 1975.

They have expanded their service area to Orleans County, and have expanded services to include residential services, Royal Employer Services, and employee assistance programs to provide counseling, grief support, and other issues affecting employees.

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