batavia

Notre Dame guard Kevin Francis and Oakfield-Alabama forward/center Noah Seward were regarded as the top players in each division of the Genesee Region League this season.

And now the two will get a chance to play on the same squad in the Ronald McDonald Greater Rochester All-Star Game on March 28 at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Seward and Francis will be playing on the Gold team and are joined by one tremendous lineup, including Rush-Henrietta's Dane Miller.

That team will be coached by Prattsburgh legend Jim Burke, who announced his retirement after the Vikings lost in the sectional finals on Saturday.

The Genesee Region League representatives in the girls game are on opposite teams as Alexander's Anni Lehtola will be on the Red team and Notre Dame's Jill Marshall is on the Gold squad.

Notre Dame cheerleading coach Lindsay Warner will be coaching the cheerleaders. She will be joined by Holley cheerleader Nikkie Butler.

The complete rosters for the game can be found here.

Jeanine D. Fuller, 22, of Batavia, is being held on $10,000 bail after an arrest for first degree contempt. Fuller is charged with violating a "stay away" order of protection.  She was previously convicted of second degree criminal contempt.  She was taken into custody Tuesday morning at her Oak Street residence.

Toni M. White, 28, and Shuvon J. Williams, 33, both of Batavia, were taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after allegedly getting into a fight in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Both were charged with disorderly conduct and given appearance tickets.

Taxes are going up, and salaries are doing the same for non-union and part-time city employees, as reported by Daily News reporter Joanne Beck.

City Council approved the budget 2009-2010 by a slim 5-4 vote.

Councilmen Tim Buckley, Marianne Clattenburg, Kathy Briggs, Frank Ferrando and Charlie Mallow voted yes for both resolutions. Councilmen Bill Cox, Bob Bialkowski, Sam Barone and Rose Mary Christian voted no to both.

Taxes will be raised by 2.17 percent, with $216,733 coming from the increase. $5,264,769 of the $23.3 million budget will be raised by taxes.

 The Batavia boys basketball team dropped both regular season games against Pittsford Sutherland this year, ending a seven year stretch of winning the Monroe County League Division III title.

But the third time was the charm for the Blue Devils, who beat the Knights 55-52 in the consolation game of the Monroe County League tournament.

While sectionals are over and Batavia won its third sectional title under coach Buddy Brasky on Saturday, the team is going to try and keep going. And getting Sutherland in the Class A state qualifier is just what the team wants.

The Knights took advantage of a Batavia collapse last year to win the Class A title and that loss was a heartbreaker. The Blue Devils couldn't hit a free throw and the tears were flowing when Sutherland hoisted the championship trophy.

When the classifications came out this year, Sutherland was in A1 while Batavia was in A2, so the only way the two could meet was if they both won titles.

Andrew Hoy had 20 points in the loss at Sutherland and just 11 in the home loss, then scored 21 in the win. The sophomore was the team's leading scorer during the season and has been fantastic in the playoffs, scoring 27 and 21 points. His 21 point effort was on seven 3-pointers, all in the second half in a win over Freddie Thomas to win the title.

Andrew's brothers are also going to need good games. Class A2 MVP Marcus is one of the best point guards Batavia has had in recent years, and the program has had some very good players at the position. He will score when needed but excels at driving and getting the ball to the shooters.

Robert scores, gets rebounds and often most dangerous when teams go box-and-1 on Andrew. 

A big reason why the Blue Devils won the title and are still playing is because of big man Joe Schlossel. He is just 6-foot-2 and undersized in almost every game, but he battles in the paint, where he is usually in the right place at the right time. He has been the second scoring option.

Dakota Irivin, Josh Budlong, Adam Pettinella and Mike Lee have all found their roles for Batavia (20-3). 

Sutherland (18-5) is led by A1 MVP Dan Waldbillig and point guard Dylan Sherwood. The game is at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Blue Cross Arena. The winner moves on to face the Section 6 champion on Saturday.

Laura A. Olcott, 19, of Batavia was arrested for allegedly hosting an under-age drinking party Sunday at 3:46 a.m.  Olcott was charged with second degree criminal negligence and unlawful possession of alcohol. Police responded to the residence after a noise complaint.

Leanne M. Wood, 21, of Batavia, is also accused of hosting an under-age drinking party. Wood was arrested after police responded to a noise complaint. She is charged with second degree criminal nuisance and unnecessary noise.

Jeffery Cole, 43, of Batavia, was arrested Sunday after allegedly grabbing two steaks from Tops Market and fleeing the store.

Elizabeth Roman, 37, of Rochester, is facing a grand larceny charge after allegedly renting items from Rent-A-Center and then selling the items to acquaintances. She is being held without bail.

Julio C. Morales, Jr., 23, of Batavia was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Morales was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident Saturday. He reportedly left the scene, came back, and was found to have a pipe in his pocket with marijuana residue as well as marijuana.

John N. Robinson, 24, of Batavia is charged with DWI after being stopped Sunday for allegedly speeding on Route 20 in Alexander.  Robinson is accused of having a BAT of .08 or more.

Daniel J. Schepperley, 23, of Tonawanda, is charged with DWI after being stopped in Batavia for alleged erratic driving.

Kimberley A. Showler, 43, of Batavia, is accused of shoplifting at Target. She is charged with petty larceny and possession of burglar tools.

Amber N. Wallace, 19, of Batavia, was arrested for allegedly violating a standing order baring her from Wal-Mart. Wallace is charged with second degree criminal attempt. She was released on her own recognance

The "micropolitian" area of Batavia is one of the nation's fastest growing regions according to Site Selection Magazine.

This is the fifth straight year Batavia has received the designation.

On its Web site, Site Selection describes itself this way:

Site Selection's editorial mission is to publish information for expansion planning decision-makers -- CEOs, corporate real estate executives and facility planners, human resource managers and consultants to corporations. Our goal is to help the expansion planner do a better job.

Here's the full press release from the Genesee County Economic Develoment Committee

Batavia, NY…Genesee County and the Batavia Micropolitan Area has been named one of the country’s 10 fastest growing regions by Site Selection Magazine for a fifth consecutive year.  A Micropolitan Area is a census definition that describes a city of less than 50,000 people that serves as the seat of a larger geographical area like Genesee County.  There are roughly 600 Micropolitans nationwide.

The Batavia Micropolitan was first recognized in 2004 and ranked 7th in the nation.  In 2005, the region was named the 3rd fastest growing Micropolitan in the nation and the number 1 location in the Northeast.  Batavia made the list again in 2006 and 2007.  In 2008 the Batavia Micropolitan ranked fourth nationwide. 

Statesville-Mooresville, North Carolina was tops in the category, participating in 17 qualifying projects.  Daphne-Fairhope, Alaska tied with Tupelo, Mississippi for second with both completing 12 projects.  Batavia participated in 11 qualifying projects tying with Ottawa-Streator, Illinois for fourth.  The results were published in Site Selection’s March issue.

“Despite a changing economic and political climate in the state and nationwide, we were able to participate in 11 qualifying projects and again earn honors as a Top Micropolitan.” said CEO Steve Hyde.  “It’s an accomplishment we are extremely proud of and over the years the recognition has brought us national exposure and helped us increase our project volume.  It is an honor that we share with the entire community, including our local and regional partners and elected officials.”

The economic downfall continues to leave Margaret Puzio, Superintendent of Schools, and the School Board of Education studying their options carefully as they create a spending plan.

According to the New York State Executive Budget  the Executive Budget will provide $20.7 billion for School Aid in 2009-10. It is a decrease of 3.3 percent from last year.  The site says without this budget cut the Executive Budget proposal for 2009-2010 would have been $2.5 billion higher than what was originally proposed.

Margaret Puzio, Superintendent of Schools stated in the A+ Batavia Communicator, “The Board of Education has asked the district to keep expenditures well below the contingent budget cap of 4%.”

Puzio writes the budget deficit has caused a pause in all state aid, along with a further reduction in a form of a Deficit Reduction Assesment.(DRA).

The board is waiting to make a final budget, hoping to receiving aid from the Federal Government.

“Right now, we do not know the impact the Federal Economic Stimulus Bill may have on education aid,” writes Puzio in the newsletter, “And so we prepare a budget that protects our programs both curricular and extra-curricular and remains mindful of the community’s needs.”

The board plans to adopt a tentative budget at the Board of Education meeting March 16, 7 p.m. at the Administration building.

I unfortunately didn't make the game today because I'm not feeling well, but Batavia just beat Freddie Thomas 65-45 to win the Section 5 Class A2 title.

The Blue Devils had a lot of haters this season as people didn't think Batavia had enough size, but this is the first sectional championship team for the program since Michael Chmielowiec's senior year.

Andrew Hoy was shut down in the first half, but blew up for 21 points in the second half. He scored all of his points from beyond the 3-point line. This follows his 27 point performance against Geneva. He's having an amazing post season.

Marcus Hoy had 15 points and did a great job of leading the team on the floor and Dakota Irvin pitched in 11 points. 

The sectional title is the potential tip of the iceberg as the Blue Devils play either Newark or Sutherland in the crossover game before the Far West Regionals. Hopefully I'll be over this bug and be at that game. 

Chmielowiec led his team to the state semifinals and now this team can look to get to that point or beyond.

Irvin and Andrew Hoy made the all-tournament team with Marcus Hoy winning the MVP. 

Part 2 of the Daily's FAQ on ambulance service is up.

I'm posing about it only because I get a little bugged when I see people not answering questions.  In this case, it's Greg Ireland:

To fire department union President Greg Ireland, would the union renegotiate its current contract to lessen the cost to the city?

Mallow and the union signed a contract on Sept. 4, 2007, that ran through March 2010, Ireland said, noting that at the time, Mallow was quoted as saying "every single thing that was brought up previously by council, we addressed with them."

"We have an agreement with the city to establish a labor-management committee to discuss concerns ... and the city has not approached the union to discuss any concerns they have with our current contract," Ireland said.

Notice that Ireland doesn't answer a very simple yes or no question. He obfuscates by pushing it back on the city, saying the city never asked.  But the question wasn't, "Did the city ask you?" It was, "would you?"

There's logical question back for Charlie Mallow: If the union were willing to renegotiate, would the city reconsider its position?

And is it simply too late to even consider such questions?

One person reported chest pains following a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of routes 33 and  in Stafford at about 2:30 p.m.

A state trooper on scene said the investigation was not yet completed and would not release the names of the drivers. He said a Chevy SUV was west bound on 33 when a pick up truck traveling on Route 327 apparently failed to stop.

We'll provide more details later as we're able to get them.

The Daily News has posted the first of a two-part FAQ on the ambulance service controversy.

It's well done and should be pretty informative to anybody (is there anybody?) who hasn't been following the issue.

There's been much discussion on The Batavian over an allegation that the city transferred money from ambulance funds to the city treasury. City Manager addresses the question:

In past years, money has been transferred from the ambulance fund to meet personnel costs associated with running the city ambulance service. Eliminating the ambulance service allows the city to cut those positions, which will end the city's need to take money from another fund.

On the issue of "scare tactics," as City Council President Charlie Mallow has characterized the union's lobbying effort, Mallow and union president Greg Ireland each get their say.

Mallow:

"The union's literature, signs and words imply that the city will somehow not have ambulance service after Sept. 1 and that no one will come to help when you call 911," Mallow said. "The county has made it clear that they have a process in place ... there is no reason to believe the hysteria being asserted by the union that there will be no one to provide ambulance service after Sept. 1."

Ireland:

"Our campaign is in NO way negative," Ireland said. "We simply want the public to be aware of the decision that council has made to eliminate their ambulance service, and City Council has no definitive plan for the future needs of their citizens. Passing the buck to someone else is not a responsible way to govern the people that elected you, and I am one of them."

Read the whole thing.

 On March 16, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor will work with John Kennedy Elementary School's string students from 10-11 a.m.

From the Press Release:

Miss Baldwin was one of five educators to be honored last spring by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra with their Award for Outstanding Music Educators. The award recognizes teacher's contributions to their students, schools, and communities. Ms. Baldwin has spent approximately 25-30 years in education at the Batavia City Schol District, which is the only public school district in Genesee County to offer a string program.

She teaches instrumental music/strings, is director of the elementary Suzuki String Program, directs the beginning and advanced elementary string orchestras, is a NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) certified adjudicator, has served as president for the NYSCAME (New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education, and most recently, co-hosted a Baroque Music Festival in the District.

The Batavia City Council meets Monday at 7 p.m.

For the Conference Meeting, Councilman Bob Bialkowski, requested a discussion of the Falleti Ice Arena and non-union wage increases.  Councilman Bill Cox requested a discussion of the Walnut Street construction project.

For the business meeting, the council is scheduled to vote on whether to grant a 2.8 percent wage increase for non-union employees.

It is often said that basketball is a game of runs.

While there were several runs in Wednesday's Section 5 Class A2 semifinals at the Blue Cross Arena, Batavia's last was the biggest as the Blue Devils won a thrilling 60-57 game over Geneva.

"Coach called a timeout and called a great play, and I hit a 3," said Andrew Hoy, who scored a game-high 27 points. "It is all about runs. Junior Collins doesn't normally shoot like that, even though he's a great player. He banged in two 3-pointers to put them up. We knew we would make our shots."

The second Panther run - and biggest - came after the team had fell behind 14 points midway through the third quarter.

Joe Schlossel scored to put the Blue Devils up 39-25 but Hoy went to the bench with foul trouble.

Geneva ripped off eight consecutive points with Batavia's top gun on the bench.

The Blue Devils held on to a lead, but the Panthers had five straight points at the end of the third quarter and tied the game at 45.

Geneva took a 53-49 lead when Collins hit a pair and Mickel Soloman hit one 3-pointer over a minute stretch.

Timeout Batavia.

"They were shell-shocked when Geneva had that big run," Batavia coach Buddy Brasky said. "I told them basketball was a game of runs and we had to answer."

Batavia answered right back with Andrew hitting a 3, Marcus Hoy dropping one in and Andrew hitting another in just over a minute. The Blue Devils had recaptured the lead, 58-53, with just two minutes left in the game.

"It helps a lot that I was here last year," Andrew Hoy said. "At one point I was like 0-for-10 last year, I didn't even hit the rim. It was good to get that experience last year."

Geneva cut the deficit to 58-56 when Darnell McDuffy scored and had an and-1, then stole the inbounds pass and missed the shot.

Andrew hit two free throws before Shamar Bridges hit a free throw in the closing seconds for Geneva. The Panthers had a look in the closing seconds but Collins missed the trey.

Batavia (19-3) will play Freddie Thomas in the finals on Saturday at 2 p.m.

"Freddie Thomas is as good as anybody in A1 or A2," Brasky said. "They have the fifth leading scorer in all of Section 5. It's a whole different ballgame for them. We'll watch film and get ready for Saturday."

Supporters of keeping an ambulance service in Batavia set up BataviaAmbulance.com to rally public support for their cause.

Judging by their own online poll, the strategy isn't working.

On the site, the current poll asks: "Do you think eliminating the City Fire-Based Ambulance service is safe?" The possible answers are, "NO!" and "Sure, I'll risk it."

Of the first 203 answers, 65 percent of those taking this very unscientific of polls indicate they're willing to forgo a city-backed ambulance service.

An interesting new Web site passed over my desk today -- Front Porch Republic.

The site promotes the kind of localist, libertarian, decentralist philosophy that appeals to me.

It was a pleasant surprise to find that Batavia's resident (well, Elba, now, really) historical writer Bill Kauffman is a contributing editor.

Chief among the founders is Bill's friend Jeremy Beer, whom I met at a Muckdog's game last year. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

"The site doesn't really hit the left or right straight jacket," Bill told me today. "It's about exploring alternatives to empire and biggness."

He described the site's contributors as people of various backgrounds interested in localism, decentralization and "restoring human scale."

I asked him if this meant he's now blogging, knowing he hates the word.

"Technology people have given us such great words," he said. "Blog sounds like some unpleasant body function."

Blogging or not, it's always a treat to find another outlet to read Bill's vivid and insightful writing.