From the Daily News (Friday):
• Reporter Joanne Beck wrote an article about the several vacancies in City Hall — police and fire chiefs, public works director, finance director — with commentary from City Council President Charlie Mallow, who says that there is "no cause for concern." The Batavian is following up on a few questions raised by the article and will publish a post about the issue later this afternoon.
• Building permits are going up in the town. They are (in brief):
- For a home between 1,201 and 2,000 square feet: Up from $250 to $350, beginning June 2.
- For home additions, such as a garage, up to 325 square feet: Up from $50 to $100.
- For commercial structures up to 1,000 square feet: Up from $250 to $300.
- Swimming pools: Up from $25 to $40 (above-ground) and $50 (in-ground).
• Daily News intern Kristen Kotz wrote a fine profile of a priest, a native of Bolivia, who has been assisting and preaching to migrant workers around Batavia for 23 years. He is the Rev. Ivan Trujillo. It's a nice article. Check it out.
• The 35th annual Batavia Pageant of Bands kicks off this afternoon. The article says the first competition — in jazz — starts at 2:00pm "in the auditorium," though there is no mention of which auditorium. There is a chicken barbecue later this afternoon in the High School Cafeteria, so I assume the competitions are at the High School. See the article for a complete listing of shows.
• Batavia Boys Soccer Boosters are hosting a fundraiser to benefit the high school team and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at Applebee's, 8322 Lewiston Rd., Sunday from 8:00 to 10:00am. Proceeds from the breakfast will be split 50-50 between the two groups.
• Chamber of Commerce officials expect an increase in tourism in Genesee County this summer season. Kelly Rapone is the tourism and marketing director for the Chamber. She spoke at the county's Ways and Means Committee Wednesday, saying that high gas prices and a weak economy will not hurt tourism to the area.
For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.
