The Genesee Jaguars took a 12-0 record into a championship game in Hamburg Friday against Newfane and at the end of the match were celebrating a 15-10 victory.
The team received a nice big trophy to go with the win.
The Jaguars are a high school varsity-level lacrosse team comprised of players from throughout Genesee County -- with the exception of Batavia High, which has the Blue Devils lacrosse team.
Photo by Kim Argenta.
Every once in a while somebody asks me if I know when Verizon is going to install FiOS in Batavia.
FiOS is supposedly the fastest broadband internet service available.
When speaking with John Bonomo, a spokesman for Verizon out of New York City, about manhole covers, I asked him, "what about FiOS?"
He said it would be at least five years before FiOS is installed in Batavia.
Right now, Verizon has its hands full, he said, upgrading networks in cities where Verizon has the cable franchise.
"We have to get the work done where we have agreements," Bonomo said. "We've got to complete these upgrades first."
Batavia's cable franchisee is Time-Warner.
A former captain in the Batavia Fire Department who has worked the past four years as fire chief in Auburn is retiring and returning to Batavia.
Mike Hammon is returning to run Godfrey's Pond, according to the Post-Standard in Syracuse.
A one-time Auburn firefighter before moving to Batavia to become an officer, the 55-year-old Hammon told the newspaper: “This is the end of my fire career. I’m getting out of the politics (of the chief’s job) and this is good for me.’’
When Hammon was named chief in Auburn four years ago, it was a controversial appointment, according to the Post-Standard. He was the first chief in the 113-year history of the department not promoted from within.
The article includes praise from officials in Auburn for Hammon's work.
A one-car accident is reported at the intersection of Indian Falls and North Pembroke roads. The driver is said to have hit a culvert and suffered a minor knee injury.
East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.
UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: The driver declined medical treatment. Mercy medics are back in service.
Today, the Elba Historical Society held its 14th annual antiques and collectibles sales at the Elba Fire Hall and The Mill, Route 98 and Route 262.
Above, Jean Price, of Byron, demonstrates some old-fashioned loom weaving, while her daughter, Margy Hayes, in the background, spins yarn.
Below, Barb Toal, left, with Cheryl Kowalik, at the booth promoting the International Peace Garden.
More than a dozen singers turned up on a rainy Saturday afternoon to audition for a chance to sing the National Anthem at the Muckdogs' July 4th game.
Despite a cloudburst -- the contest had to be moved into the grandstands, and then after wireless mic problems, into the media booth -- the singers wanted to show off their chops and perform the "Star Spangled Banner" a cappella.
Above, Hailey Natalizia and below Ayisha Callahan -- both girls did a real good job with a tough song.
The name of the winner has not been released yet.
Press release:
The following is a statement from Fabien Levy, Director of Communications for Kathy Hochul for Congress:
“Last night, Representative Paul Ryan sent out a fundraising plea in support of Jane Corwin and her endorsement of the Republican-endorsed budget that would decimate Medicare.
“This just shows how out of touch Assemblymember Corwin is with the people of the 26th District. Voters are undoubtedly rejecting her support of a budget that would throw our seniors under the bus, while giving massive tax breaks to the multi-millionaires and billionaires, yet she and Congressman Ryan continue to push it down our throats.
“Jane Corwin and the Republicans in Washington are out of touch with the voters of this district, including the thousands of Republicans. And on May 24th, voters will not only reject Jane Corwin’s plan to decimate Medicare, but they will reject her.”
Not too many people in California grow tulips. In Western New York, they're everywhere, and one of my favorite parts of spring. These are tulips in my own garden. Happy gardening!
There was a big turn out at Ferrellgas on Ellicott Street in Batavia this morning for the fuel company's second annual "Refill-A-Thon."
Customers were invited to bring their 20-pound gas grill bottles for a free refill with a $5 donation to Genesee County Cancer Assistance.
No word yet on how much was raised this morning, but last year's event raised $2,000 for the American Red Cross.
Ferrellgas expected to donate 1,600 gallons of gas and employees volunteered their time to help with the event.
The following was received from Batavia resident David Bellavia, a Republican and Iraq War veteran who was passed over for the GOP nomination in the NY-26:
Dear Tea Party Colleague:
Before you get involved in the special election in NY-26, there's something you need to know.
Jane Corwin's two top advisers defrauded Carl Paladino to shove combat veteran Gary Berntsen out of the 2010 U.S. Senate race.
In fact, when they were caught, Erie County GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy and Corwin's campaign manager Chris Grant lied to me about it.
Why would you help Langworthy and Grant, when they hate the Tea Party so much that they would do this - potentially a criminal felony fraud - to push their establishment candidate for U.S. Senate over Carl's choice: my friend Gary Berntsen.
As Rus Thompson of TEA New York wrote: "[They] fancied themselves independent political operatives and clandestine master manipulators, and spent a small fortune of Carl's money WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE OR APPROVAL, for a large lit drop naming Jay Townsend as the Paladino endorsed candidate. We caught wind and squelched the effort as best we could, and Carl issued an urgent press release confirming Berntsen as the Paladino endorsed candidate...[but Gary] Bernsten got screwed."
Before you lift a finger to help these two anti-veteran Corwin advisers manipulate this election, too, be sure to read the whole story here:
http://wnymedia.net/buffalopundit/2011/05/how-corwins-dream-team-screwed-paladino/
I urge you: don't help the people that will do anything - anything - to kill the Tea Party movement.
In Freedom,
Staff Sergeant David Bellavia
US Army, Ret.
UPDATE Sunday, 3:49 p.m.: We just received this e-mail response from Rus Thompson.
Although what happened during the Paladino campaign was unethical and just plain wrong the FBI investigated and there is NO current investigation ongoing with this. The FBI came in, went through Bernstens accusations and found no wrong doing in violation of any Laws. The investigation was over as fast as it started. There were no violations of the Law and NO campaign finance Laws were violated, end of subject.
On the other hand, is it not unethical to do what Bellavia, Bernsten and Caputo are doing right now? Endorsing a fraudulent tea party candidate for the sole purpose of vengeance, to pay back fools with the republicans for an idiotic move during a campaign last year?
Grow up and take this battle to a primary and not throw a special election to the democrats.
Rus Thompson
http://TEANewYork.com
A fuel tank reportedly came completely off a car while it was traveling on Byron-Stafford Road near Thwing Road, Stafford.
There is a fuel spill.
Stafford Fire is responding.
UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: A chief reports the tank was full when it came off. The tank is on the road with a hole in it and it is "leaking like crazy."
UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: This has been declared a Level 1 hazmat incident. About 20 gallons of gas have leaked. The road will be foamed down. Fire police from South Byron and Stafford requested to the scene to close the roadway.
UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: Fuel leak under control.
UPDATE 3:29 p.m.: Chief releases South Byron fire police, "with our thanks."
UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: The road is open.
This information comes from Genesee Community College.
The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees voted this week to hold tuition at its present $1,700-per-semester level for the 2011-2012 academic year. Tuition and fees will remain flat for the fourth year in a row – a record trustees believe is unmatched in recent years by any public or private college in New York State.
Maintaining tuition at the current level has been a high priority.
"A big part of our mission is to make higher education accessible to all students, and in these economically challenging times, accessibility means affordability," said Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino.
Ruffino and other trustees noted that many colleges have sharply increased both tuition and fees in recent years, and that fees are not covered under New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
"We wanted to be sure that students and families who face deep financial need or hardship not only have access to Genesee Community College, but can obtain the maximum possible financial aid for their education," Ruffino said.
Tuition for part-time students, which is based on enrolled credit hours, will remain $140 per credit hour. Tuition for students who do not live in New York State will also be unchanged.
The $35.85 million budget also holds Genesee County's contribution to $1.93 million, or 5.4 percent of the total budget, for the third year in a row. Genesee County is the sponsor of the college.
The budget must now be considered by the Genesee County Legislature. Trustees anticipate that the legislature's Ways and Means Committee will review the budget May 25 and vote on it June 8.
The proposed budget is "careful and cautious," said President Stuart Steiner.
It provides funding for the college's newest degree programs, as well as resources to cover inflationary increases in areas such as increased health premiums, retirement rates, and contractual obligations, which largely account for the 4.1-percent increase over the current $34.45 million budget.
Seven new full-time positions are included in the plan. They include new faculty positions in Veterinary Technology and Polysomnographic Technology, as well as a temporary full-time faculty position in the Teacher Education Transfer program.
Also included: a technical specialist who will assist in the management of the art gallery and teach courses in the arts; two buildings and grounds staff members; and a technical specialist who will coordinate assessment activities to meet the growing accountability requirements of federal and state agencies, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and grantors.
Even so, the most pleasing part of the budget, according to Steiner, is the flat tuition and fee rates.
Despite a 21-percent reduction in state aid over the last two and a half years, trustees were able to hold the line on tuition because of strong enrollment. Over the last several decades, Genesee has attracted a growing number of students from the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming area, as well as a great number of students from outside the area and even from abroad.
"Students are attracted to the great variety of programs we offer, as well as our very personalized approach to education," Steiner said. "So while cutbacks in state aid have posed significant challenges for us, our reputation has brought us many new students and helped us maintain a healthy enrollment and healthy financial situation. We are pleased that we can share our success over the past few years with our students and with the county."
Steiner also noted that the college has kept up high standards of preventive maintenance on its facilities.
"By repairing and refurbishing equipment and facilities on a regular basis, we save money over the long term," he said.
The president also said he was pleased that new and replacement equipment deemed to be high priority by the board vice presidents was included in the budget.
(Pictured from left, Wayne Guenther, Al McGinnis, Amy Barone.)
It's that time of year again -- time to vote for the Batavia City School District budget and fill seats on its board of education.
Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17.
Voting locations are: Batavia Middle School (for residents of City Ward 1, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 2, District 1, 2 or 3); Jackson School (for residents of City Ward 3, District 1 or 2; City Ward 4, District 1, 2 or 3, and City Ward 5, District 1); and Robert Morris (for residents of Ward 5, District 2 or 3, or Ward 6, District 1 or 2).
There are three candidates. One is an incumbent, two are newcomers.
Wayne Guenther, the incumbent, is now approaching the end of his second term. He is a retired teacher with years of experience in education.
Amy Barone, one of the newcomers, is a loan servicing manager at Five Star Bank and a lifelong resident of Batavia. She is also the mother of two students in the district.
Al McGinnis, the other newcomer, is a retired manager for Brown & Root Services, an international oil and construction firm. Prior to that, he was a soldier. He has lived overseas, as required by both jobs, but with an official residence here in Batavia for the past 30 years. Places he has lived and worked include the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He is married, and has a son who graduated from Batavia High School.
The candidates took time to answer some questions about the budget, their motivations for running, and other issues.
Wayne Guenther
What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are reelected?
Well, I think as a group we (the school board) do fine. We work out problems that come our way and we try to come to some sort of resolution. The problem is that a lot of things are out of our hands, as far as what the state requires. The local board really has very little say with regard to expenditures. I would like it if we could broaden that a little so that there is more control locally. I would also like to see the mandate relief (the state) promised, rather than having them just tell us what we can and can't do.
What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?
I taught fifth grade in Oakfield for 33 years and have dealt with education my whole life.
What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?
I think some kind of a moratorium is necessary. In what form, I'm not sure -- we have to talk about that. We need to take a long look at who this would affect. For example, do we want to drop these activities for juniors and seniors who have spent the past few years fundraising (for senior trips)? We'll try to come up with some parameters everybody can live with. But I do think that some kind of moratorium is necessary, because a lot of parents have complained that there are too many fundraisers. Most of the parents of kids who are involved in these trips do the major portion of the fundraising and pay out of their own pockets. We want to see what we can do to help out.
What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?
None of us are real happy with it, but we've checked all of our expenses, and a lot of them (are expenses) we're locked into. That can't be changed. We looked into where we could cut without hurting anyone. None of us are happy with a tax increase, but until we get revenues other than local, we'll have to live with it.
A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough, and teachers in other Genesee County districts are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?
That's a contract item, and right now it's all settled until next year. The board is looking for an increase in pay by the teachers (into their own benefits), but that will have to be negotiated. Also, I'm really not 100-percent sure that many school districts have teachers who pay much more than Batavia teachers at present.
What will happen if the budget gets voted down?
We'll have to present a second budget to the public, or pass a contingency budget. That would mean the district couldn't buy any new equipment (including buildings and grounds equipment and some instructional technology) and there would no longer be public use of school resources without pay. Our budget is pretty much bare bones as it is though. We're not talking about much money, and actually it's less than what the contingency budget would be because the number fell below what that would allow. So if the budget is defeated, that won't change a whole lot.
What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?
I truly believe that each citizen of a given area should give back to (his or her) municipality in some form or other. I do it through education, because it's what I know.
Do you have any closing comments?
I just hope there's a good turnout. Over the past few years, a very small percentage of people who were eligible to vote did so.
Amy Barone
What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?
Well, I'm very new to this whole thing. I'd like to just get in there, learn what the board can do and help improve any deficiencies that exist, if there are any.
One thing I would like to see is an improved public perception of the school board. I think a lot of people are looking at the school board and saying that they're not doing their job. But I don't think they understand everything that goes with being on the board. This involves trying to come up with a budget that's good for the kids while also satisfying the taxpayers, faculty and staff, etc. They're really doing the best they can for all parties involved.
What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?
I'm a lifelong resident of Batavia with two children in the Batavia schools. I served on the City of Batavia Youth Board from 2008 through 2010 -- I stepped down when my sister was appointed director, so there wouldn't be any conflict -- and I currently serve on the Genesee County Youth Board.
In addition, I am actively involved with the Five Star for Kids program, which is a partnership between Five Star Bank and the YMCA that allows us to work with fifth-graders in the district. This is a program that helps prepare them for the middle school and teaches them about how to treat others and be responsible members of their schools and community. Finally, I've worked with the United Way Day of Caring on behalf of Five Star Bank for the past four years.
What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?
It's been a tough budget year, from what I've heard. I don't know if the community really, truly understands the budget process. Not that I fully understand it myself yet, but I believe the board did the best they could with what they had to work with.
The community should understand that if the budget is voted down and we end up with the contingency budget, things are not going to be any better. We're not going to be able to bring back anything we've already cut.
What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?
I have two children and several nieces and nephews in the district, and as a member of the community I have a vested interest in its success. I feel that my financial background can benefit the board, the school district and the community.
Alfred McGinnis
What changes, if any, would you like to see if you are elected?
Well, first of all, you don't make changes until you've actually sat on the board and found out what's going on. If I'm elected, that's what I'll do.
I will say this: One item I dislike is their cell phone tax. In opening up my cell phone bill a short time ago, I reviewed it for nothing better than to see why my bill was 20 percent higher than the offered charge. In truth, it wasn't very much of a pittance, and Albany allows cities to affix a cell phone tax on city residents. Fair enough. I could easily move, (but) I choose not to do so. What bothers me is that our school board chose to remain silent on this issue, rather than explain to the public that they could and would (impose the tax) and, more importantly, where the windfall is going. It was a failure on the board's part not to sit down with Batavia residents beforehand. When you're in that position, you have to be up front with people on what you do. Not being up front questions your value and integrity. We are the people they work for, not the other way around.
What experience do you have that makes you a valuable member of the school board?
My life has been constant, non-stop budgets. I worked for Brown & Root Services for over 20 years as a manager, (after spending years as a professional soldier). In the business world, we refer to a budget as a W.I.P -- a Work In Progress. They have to be modified all the time -- sometimes they need to be expanded, sometimes they need to be constrained. Schools are no different. A school district is like a business. The superintendent is your CEO or manager, and the school board is your Board of Directors.
The budget involves a detailed study, and unfortunately sometimes personal issues. When you eliminate a position, you're not just impacting one person. You're impacting a whole host of people you don't see. Every employee has a family he/she won't be able to support because he/she no longer has a job. Initially, you look at it as a cold number, but then you have to look deeper. You have to look at how it affects your bottom line long-term. For example, if you decide to cut a position, you've taken care of a fiscal issue -- but then who's going to do the job? You can't cut a teacher's position and then say, "So now I'm going to cut 15 students, too."
Tangibles (meaning returns on investments) are the same in schools as they are in business. In schools, the return on our investment is how well educated our children are and how fortified they are for higher education and for life. If they do well, they'll make our country stronger. That said, you still have to be straightforward and honest. If I tell the shareholders -- which are the taxpayers -- that I'm raising their taxes, I have to be able to tell them why. And I have to be able to tell them that I raised their taxes -- I can't just blame it on the board; there's no such thing. Even if you didn't vote for a tax increase, if you're on the board you had better be able to explain yourself. As a manager at Brown & Root Services, I couldn't just hide behind statements like, "Well, the company told me this." If you're going to do that, you shouldn't be in that position. You either own up to your responsibilities or get out.
What are your thoughts on the proposed moratorium on overnight trips?
In the business world, your product has to be the best on the market. (In the schools), our product is our children. That said, I view overnight trips as educational experiences. It broadens the students' horizons, lets them see something they haven't seen before, talk to kids outside of their school, live with the difficulties of being on a bus...these help prepare them for real life.
I understand the financial concerns. There are taxpayers on fixed incomes, and believe me, I understand that. But we can't afford to have a product out of our "factory" (school district) be inferior to other districts.
I think we can find the money. We may have to go to unconventional sources, just like in business, but we can't be narrow-minded about this. Narrow-mindedness has destroyed businesses and can hamper our children's education.
In my experience, it is imperative that we broaden these kids' horizons. They should see that there are different communities and cultures out there that are not necessarily better or worse than their own. We need to enrich the students so that they can put their prejudices aside and see the world as a great place to live. As a result, they will be able to enrich others when they go out into the world. Will we see a monetary gain here? Not right away, but five years from now...
What are your thoughts on the proposed budget?
I went to a school board meeting in June, and I thought both the board and (Superintendent) Margaret Puzio did an excellent job of explaining the budget and how it had mostly to do with state mandates. Did I agree with everything they said? Well -- I can't make any negative comment until I've been there. As in business, you've got to go through the books. I will not fire a shot at the board of education until I've had a chance to sit there and see what they do. I have no right to do that until I've see how they operate; that's just unprofessional. When I'm in that position, then I'll have valid reasons to make suggestions.
A question that has been asked with regard to the budget is: "Why would they think about increasing benefits for school district employees when the times are tough and teachers in other districts in Genesee County are paying 20 percent or more into their own benefits?
That's a valid concern, but I've got to look at the whole picture. The worst thing you can do is take a snapshot and then make decisions based on that. I have to be able to look at the past history and the evidence. Talk is cheap -- cold hard facts are what drive a budget. You can say (hypothetically) that Oakfield teachers pay more into their benefits than Batavia teachers, but show me. It may be true, but I have to present facts. Emotions have no place in budgets. All they do is destroy your bottom line, which is: Are you getting the best product for the money you're spending? (If you let your emotions impact the budget), you'll regret it.
What made you want to run for the school board in the first place?
I've been retired for some time, but I liked being a manager and working on budgets. Even if I had strong dislikes while I was doing (a budget), there was the ultimate satisfaction that came with it.
As citizens, we each have not only the right but the obligation to contribute what we can to our community. One would have to ask oneself why at age 61, and retired, I would want to run for a school board seat that pays nothing, takes up my time and otherwise disrupts my retirement. I'll actually be spending more money on this than I'll ever see a return on (financially), but my return will be satisfaction. If one of our young grows up to be a successful professor or doctor, then I'll have a return on my investment.
When I say "our young," I mean all of our young. Even if we don't have children in school -- my son is all finished with his schooling -- they are all our children, and we have a moral obligation to make sure they get the best education possible.
I'm well retired and certainly neither need the money nor wish to waste my time on vendettas. My only goals are a better run board and a school budget that I feel can be better managed and at a lower cost to the Batavia stockholders (aka taxpayers).
Do you have any closing comments?
Well, this is disconcerting to me: There are two candidates running together -- one of them is on the board already, the other one is trying to get on the board -- and I found out that both of them are members of the Democratic Party, and that the Democratic Party wants them to do this. This smacks of Third World politics. It's the kind of thing I would see in the Pacific, in Africa and in the Middle East, and we don't need to see it in Batavia.
When you see something like this, it means there's a hidden agenda. People are supposed to run on their own merits so that the populace can have a choice. You don't run as a gang. This looks like a way for the Democratic Party to influence the outcome of the election. The school board should be nonpartisan. This makes it a political toy, and that's wrong -- purely wrong. Taxpayer money should not be any party's political tool.
What will happen is that taxpayers won't get a return on their investment because partisan politics will interfere. The way information is presented to the public will be based on a single party's standpoint, and we won't get an honest, balanced budget.
McGinnis claims to have received this information from a source from within the Democratic Party. Guenther and Barone were both given a chance to respond.
Here are their replies:
Wayne Guenther
I'm not a member of any political party -- I'm registered as unaffilliated. I met Amy the night of the budget hearing, and I know her sister and her dad but that's it. And I agree -- political parties should not have anything to do with the school board. I'm really surprised to hear this kind of stuff (referring the accusation).
Amy Barone
The only response I have to that is that this is not a political race -- it's a race for the kids. I don't feel that party lines are relevant. I'm running for my kids and for the district, not for any political party. That said, I may have supporters in the Democratic Party, but I also have supporters in the Republican Party.
State troopers are converging on the Pawn King shop at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia following a report of a customer threatening the cashier. Allegedly, the cashier displayed a weapon to the person to abate the threat.
A telephone pole is completely blocking the roadway, with live wires down, in the area of 8631 North Street Road in Le Roy. A farm truck reportedly caught a wire, snapping the pole.
Le Roy Fire Department is responding.
UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: Fire police are asked to shut off traffic at North Street and Route 19 up to the railroad tracks.
UPDATE 11:58 a.m.: A National Grid representative is on scene.
UPDATE 12:06 p.m.: A fire official says the road will probably be closed for at least another three or four hours.
Press release:
WILLIAMSVILLE – Career politician Kathy Hochul joined Nancy Pelosi for a swanky fundraiser in New York City last night, underscoring the deep admiration between the two liberal Democrats. The event continues a weeklong showing of affinity from Hochul towards the former Speaker of the House, an icon to the liberal special interest groups funding Hochul’s campaign. On Tuesday, Hochul said that Pelosi did “a great job for this country” during her time as Speaker, despite the fact that during Pelosi’s time as Speaker our country borrowed trillions more dollars from China and millions of jobs were lost.
“Kathy Hochul’s proud support of Nancy Pelosi shows she just doesn’t understand the congressional district she wants to represent, which isn’t surprising considering she doesn’t even live here,” said Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress. “It comes as no surprise that Pelosi would expect Hochul to report back to her, considering that Hochul is Pelosi’s handpicked candidate. Kathy Hochul has followed Nancy Pelosi’s lead in supporting massive tax increases, the Obama health care law, and growing government, but where does she disagree with Pelosi?”
This is at least the second time in recent weeks that Hochul has traveled to New York City for a posh fundraiser with downstate leaders who have helped decimate Western New York’s economy, all the while leaving Western New Yorkers behind.
“Kathy Hochul just doesn’t get it,” Harakal added. “Voters across the country rejected Nancy Pelosi’s tax-and-spend economic policies which have brought our economy to a screeching halt, but Kathy Hochul continues to push that same failed agenda. Maybe Kathy Hochul should actually spend some time in the district and instead of sipping champagne with liberal special interests in Manhattan, explain to taxpayers why she thinks it’s smart to raise taxes on job creators to fund her ideas for growing government.”
The press release contained the following links:
Two cars have reportedly hit head on in the area of 6758 Alleghany Road, Alabama.
Three people are apparently uninjured and a fourth person has an ankle injury.
Alabama Fire Department is on site. Mercy EMS is responding.
UPDATE: 9:40 p.m. (Billie): The scene is clear. A male with an ankle injury was taken to UMMC. All responders back in service.
Press release from Batavia Police Department:
The Batavia Police Department is investigating the larceny of several credit cards from the Dollar Tree located on West Main Street on April 20th. One of the cards was then used at another business in the area.
If anyone recognizes the subjects in the photos, or has any information related to this case, please contact Det. Kevin Czora at 585-345-6311. Information may also be left on the police department’s Confidential Tip Line at 585-345-6370.
As part of this week's questions for candidates, we told the candidates that we would delay publishing answers if by the deadline (which was late this morning) one or more of the candidates hadn't responded.
But we also said we would update readers on the status of the questions and answers.
This week's topic (questions after the jump) is personal liberty.
We've received responses from Ian Murphy, Kathy Hochul and Jane Corwin. We haven't received a response from Jack Davis.
I spoke with his representative this afternoon Curtis Ellis, who said the Davis campaign has just been kept very busy the past couple of days, but the answers would be forthcoming.
So, stay tuned for the answers as soon as we hear from Jack Davis.
What is your position on the 2nd Amendment – what controls, if any, should be placed on the right of a private citizen to own guns?
In February, the House voted to extend the Patriot Act. If you had represented the NY-26 at that time, how would you have voted?
Should marijuana be decriminalized at the Federal level?
What is your position on the controversy surrounding TSA scanners and enhanced pat downs?
Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank is trying to push through legislation to make playing online poker legal and to legalize online poker sites within the United States. Will you support such legislation?
Comments will continue to be accepted until June 23 on the Western New York Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park -- known as the STAMP project.
At the request of the Alabama Town Board, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has extended the deadline for residents to submit comments on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement, or DGEIS.
Anyone wanting to weigh in on the Final Generic Impact Statement and what it should address or include can write to: Mark Masse, senior vice president of operations at GCEDC, 99 MedTech Drive, Suite 106, Batavia.
Last night, residents attended a public hearing at the town hall to voice their concerns, such as increased traffic, possible discharges into water during manufacturing processes and how Alabama would benefit by allowing the park to locate within its jurisdiction.
“The purpose of the meeting [last night] was to solicit comments and feedback from the public on the DGEIS which has been released for public review. The GCEDC believes that objectives of the meeting were met,” Masse said in a statement.
The site consists of about 1,300 acres along Route 77.
“The purpose of the project is to develop a high technology manufacturing center with a focus on renewable energy and to provide economic development opportunities within the region,” according to the draft plan.
While the first phase of construction could begin within the next few years, the park may not be fully developed for another 10 to 25 years.
The document says, “The DGEIS analyzes several alternatives for the STAMP site. The Preferred Alternative includes 6.1-million square feet of development, including, among other things, technology manufacturing facilities; flex space and support facilities, office space, retail support uses, a new multi-use Town Hall building site, and a network of open space and trails that meander throughout the property.”
In regard to bringing water to the proposed park, the DGEIS explains that a “phased approach” would be necessary.
“Water resources and large diameter water mains are very limited in the vicinity of the project area. This results in a challenging and complex situation to providing an adequate water supply to the STAMP site.”
Many sources were considered and studied because such a high-volume of water demand calls for more than one supplier, according to the document. A summary of the alternatives considered can be found here.
The DGEIS also includes -- in the Economic Impact Analysis -- projected decreases in property tax rates as follows:
The Town of Alabama could realize a decrease in the tax rate per $1,000 in value from $1.11 to 11 cents.
Genesee County could realize a decrease in the tax rate per $1,000 in value from $9.82 to $7.97.
Oakfield-Alabama School District could realize a decrease in the tax rate per $1,000 in value from $23.73 to $16.94.
GCEDC officials made clear in a statement that all comments received would be compiled into the Final Generic Impact Statement which, when finished, will be made available to the public at the Alabama Town Hall, GCEDC offices and online.
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