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COVID-19

Photos: St. Patrick's Day in the age of coronavirus

By Howard B. Owens

It was a very different atmosphere in O'Lacy's Irish Pub in Batavia tonight -- St. Patrick's Day, an evening when O'Lacy's should be brimming with life and overflowing with Guinness.

Instead, it was quiet, perhaps even a bit melancholy, as the community adjusts to social distancing in the era of coronavirus.  

The good news is, O'Lacy's sold out of corned beef and cabbage dinners.

It was also a good night for take-out at Eli Fish (including take-out brews --  yes, local bars and restaurants can serve you take-out alcohol during the present executive directive). Other restaurant owners we spoke with said they are cautiously optimistic about how things will work out now that there is a temporary prohibition about on-site dining and drinking in bars and restaurants.

Click here for a list of local establishments offering delivery and pickup.

"Onward"

Heath department 'building the story' behind Genesee County's first COVID-19 patient

By Mike Pettinella
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Genesee County Health Department personnel are investigating the circumstances that have resulted in an individual over the age of 65 becoming the first person to contract the COVID-19 virus in Genesee County.

“We’re just building the story,” said Paul A. Pettit, public health director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said at today’s media briefing at the Old County Courthouse in Batavia. “Part of epidemiology, when we get these confirmed cases, is we have to go backwards. We have to try to identify those. We are literally making those calls as I'm speaking right now.”

Pettit said he couldn’t comment with “any validity” where the person may have been prior to becoming symptomatic and where they were at the moment, but his staff aims to find those answers.

“We will again be assessing and looking at where the story takes us because we have to investigate this and try to figure out and build those contacts,” he said. “Obviously, you've seen in other cases in surrounding counties, depending on unknown, if they were at an event, at a church service, at a faith-based event, or if they were at other another community event.”

Pettit said the infected person was in mandatory quarantine once he or she became symptomatic, and has remained there and has been “very compliant.”

“We’ve been checking on the person daily and now they are under mandatory isolation,” he added.

Previously, he had indicated that the person had not traveled -- which means he or she was infected by community transmission – and that the patient is isolated at home.

He said the person has been at home since being put in mandatory quarantine and “remains there and stable.”

“They are not under any severe respiratory distress, and fortunately in this case, there are other folks that live in the building (that has) separate living arrangements,” he said. “This individual has been again under quarantine and separated. So there has not been a contact that we're aware of. Again, we're still investigating a little more going backwards. But at the moment, again, there's no known contact with others in that dwelling at the moment.”

Pettit explained that his department is following the Center for Disease Control guidelines in New York State regarding clearance of a patient.

“Essentially it's a minimum of seven days following the positive test results and they have to actually have two clearance samples after seven days, 24 hours apart that are both negative,” he stated. “So, if you look at that from a time period, it's going to be a minimum of eight days. Again, that's assuming they test negative after that. Those initial tests are those initial swabs. They also have to be fever free without any type of fever-reducing medication.”

Beyond the one confirmed case, Pettit said there are 11 other Genesee County residents under precautionary quarantine and two others under mandatory quarantine. In Orleans County, he said there are no positive cases of the coronavirus, none under precautionary quarantine and five people under mandatory quarantine.

He emphasized that for accurate information, people should go to the Genesee or Orleans health department websites, which are updated each day at 5 o’clock.

“Rumors and things flying around and we just want to make sure we're transparent and we're providing you guys the most up-to-date current information that we can,” he said.

Pettit opened the session by talking about the importance of the public to do everything in its power to protect first responders.

“We only have so many of them right in our communities, and the last thing we want to do is have them removed from the response field,” he said. “It's very important that if you are calling, again, with a lifesaving emergency, we need to call 9-1-1. We need to respond to that incident. But if they're not life-saving situations, we need to make sure we're protecting our folks.”

He said if first responders get exposed to confirmed cases, they will be sidelined and a shortage of highly trained professionals will result.

Responding to questions from the media, Pettit said:

-- The two people under mandatory quarantine in Genesee County did not come into contact with the infected person, noting that “we're right now starting that contact tracing. So, at the moment, these are these are separate individuals.”

-- The health departments’ staff is holding up despite the hectic pace, “working very long days and doing their job and they’re happy to do their best to protect our residents and make sure that you have the most recent and up-to-date information.”

“We have great folks that are working for our counties, not just in the health department, but from all these departments and folks that represent you,” he said. “They work daily to protect and to provide services to our residents. You know, they're holding up. It's been busy. It's been busy this last couple of weeks, particularly when we started seeing cases here across New York state and now cases locally.”

-- The health department is not “swabbing,” but is performing mandatory daily checks if it’s a mandatory quarantine.

“We’re going out there once a day, verifying that they're being compliant with quarantine. We're also calling them once a day. When we do that, they're checking their temperature. We're asking if they have any type of respiratory symptoms. And, you know, that's how we're monitoring. If they report that they are symptomatic during that quarantine period, we would swab them to see if it is COVID-19. And then again, if they're positive from that point, they move over to mandatory isolation.”

-- He and his colleagues are frustrated over the inability to get their hands on some swab kits.

“We’re working with Tim (Yaeger) and Dale Banker (emergency management coordinators), putting in orders every day trying to get these and we're not alone,” he said. “If you look at all the other counties in Western New York, we are all screaming for these swabbing kits. And the guidance still is to go through your primary care provider. You've got to remember again, as we continue to talk about influenza, seasonal flu is still prevalent in our community. Just because you have respiratory illness does not mean you have COVID-19.”

-- He acknowledges the severe impact upon the business community, specifically restaurants, and that is why it is essential for people to separate to “flatten the curve” and shorten the impact of the virus.

“The main goal here is to get folks apart from one another, you know, so obviously restaurants, movie theaters, other places where people gather on a regular basis. Again, we have large groupings, you know, 30, 40, 100 people together. And again, what we know about disease transmission, again, airborne disease transmission, if we have folks together, if we have folks congregating, this virus can be passed easily.”

He said the virus can infect people within six feet of each other and it can stay alive and airborne for up to three hours.

“We need to flatten the curve. We need to push it out. We know we're going to see more cases. I mean, that's to be expected. Typically, under normal circumstances, when somebody is exposed, they're going to infect at least 2.2 additional people. So, with that in mind, the goal here is to get folks apart. So, we can lower that number, flatten the curve, push it out and free up our capacity and our health care system so we can again handle those folks over time.”

Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell noted that the county is following a directive from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo concerning establishments, particularly restaurants and gathering places where meals are served.

“We are following the guidelines and the dictates,” he said. “We have not made up our own set of rules and regulations.”

In closing, Pettit said his staff and all agencies at the forefront of the pandemic are “doing our best” and ask for people to be as patient as possible.

“We understand the anxiety is there. We will have more information as soon as we can and maybe community swabbing locations or drive-thru swabbing sites,” he said. “We're currently developing those and putting them together. We'll have information on where those will be and when they'll be in the criteria.”

“The other thing I would ask is that people continue to be understanding and patient, that we need to really focus on those that are adversely impacted and that is our elderly -- and those with immune-compromised health issues. So, you know, if you're healthy and you're symptomatic and you're looking for the swab, we're going to try to accommodate you. But we need to again put our resources where we know they're being hardest impacted.”

County Clerk's Recording Office and DMV close because of coronavirus

By Billie Owens

Press release from Genesee County Clerk Michael Cianfrini:

Due to the risks associated with the novel coronavirus, and after consultation with relevant health professionals, the County Clerk’s Recording Office will be closed to the public effective Wednesday, March 18th.

We will unfortunately not be able to process pistol permit amendments, passport applications, DBA filings or in-office real estate recordings.

All users are strongly encouraged to use the eFiling, eRecording and online search capabilities that our office offers. 

Please be advised that the office will maintain minimal staff in the office to process mail transactions and electronically submitted transactions. For any paper filings or searches that are not time sensitive, please hold off on filing or recording until this necessary restriction can be lifted.

Please visit our website for information on obtaining a subscription to access our records online. Civil filings can continue to be submitted through the NYSCEF eFiling system. Real estate documents and other recordings can still be submitted electronically through either Simplifile or CSC.  

In addition, the Genesee County DMV will also be closed to the public effective Wednesday, March 18th.

While we will not be open to the public, the office will continue to process certain transactions submitted either through the drop box or U.S. Mail. For registration renewals, please sign the back of the registration invite and make your check or money order payable to the “Genesee County Clerk."

Driver’s License renewals can be submitted via mail and will require the following:

  • An eye test report (MV-619) or you may visit any Vision Registry Location and the results will be electronically forwarded to the DMV.  
  • Enclose the paper invitation sent to you in the mail, or you may obtain a form MV-44 on the MY DMV website.  Make the check or money order payable to the “Genesee County Clerk.”

License plate surrenders can be dropped off with $1 cash and a written address to return the receipt to.

A clear and complete copy of a CDL Medical Examiners Certificate may also be deposited in the drop box with a valid phone number on the back.  We will fax the certificate and notify you when it is processed in the DMV system (takes approximately two weeks).

We also remind everyone that during this period the public can utilize the DMV services available online to complete many DMV transactions.

As County Clerk, I recognize the inconvenience that these restrictions place on the public, but please understand that the interests of public health and the health of the County Clerk staff are of utmost concern. It is our sincere hope that these measures can be lifted as soon as the public health officials deem prudent.

COVID-19: City of Batavia officially declares State of Emergency for five days

By Billie Owens
Public Notice

A State of Emergency is hereby declared in the City of Batavia, New York for a period of time beginning at 4:30 p.m. on March 17, 2020 and continuing in effect for a period not to exceed five (5) days.

The State of Emergency has been declared due to emergency conditions produced by: the continuing Nationally declared state of emergency, the New York State declared state of emergency, the County of Genesee declared state of emergency, and the anticipated arrival of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus in the City of Batavia.

Such conditions threaten or imperil the public health or safety of the citizens of this municipality.

As Chief Executive of this municipality, I have exercised the authority given to me under New York State Executive Law, Article 2-B, to preserve the public safety and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being and health of the citizens of the City.

I hereby direct all City Departments to take those steps necessary to protect life and property, public health and infrastructure and other such emergency assistance as deemed necessary. In addition, I direct the following specific actions.

1.            The Liberty Center for Youth remains closed until further notice.

2.            All City offices are closed to the public. The City will conduct business with the public remotely through the use of phones, computers, mail, or other means. These offices are otherwise closed to the public, unless a situation requires interaction with a member of the public as determined by the respective City department on a case by case basis. The drop box for the payment of bills is still available at the front of City Hall.

3.            City Council meetings will be closed to the public until further notice. Provision will be made for the public to observe or otherwise remotely participate in City Council meetings.

4.            All other regularly scheduled board, committee, task force, or other official City of Batavia meetings are closed to the public, and shall be either conducted by electronic means (phone, video conferencing, etc.) or cancelled.

5.            City parks remain open for public use provided that the State of New York declared restrictions on congregating are followed. However, all rental or reservation uses of City facilities are suspended until further notice. This includes parks, sports complexes, buildings, roadways, or public walkways that are owned and/or operated by the City of Batavia.

Assistant City Manager

City of Batavia

Rachael Tabelski

Town of Bergen's office policies effective tomorrow until further notice

By Billie Owens

Town of Bergen Office Policies until further notice

Following orders issued by Governor Cuomo’s Office beginning Wednesday, March 18th the Town of Bergen Office’s will be CLOSED to the public until further notice.

If absolutely necessary, appointments can be made by calling the offices. Essential employees will be in their office to check mail and email but will work limited office hours.

Town Clerk, 585-494-1121, ext. 21, bergenclerk@bergenny.org

Any tax payments or dog licenses can be mailed, left in the outside drop box or with a credit card over the phone. Receipts will be mailed back to you.

If you need to renew a handicap permit, please call and one can be mailed out to you.

Town Assessor,  Rhonda Saulsbury 585-343-1729, ext. 207, rsaulsbury@townofbatavia.com

Building and Zoning, Dave Mason 585-861-0728, zeo-ceo@bergenny.org

Permits will still be issued but please call for an appointment.

Town Court, all calls directed through the Genesee County Court Offices -- 585-201-5715. Town Court will be CLOSED until further notice per NYS Unified Court System. Please call with questions.

Highway Superintendent, Mike Johnson 585-494-1362

Transfer Station - will be open Saturdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  -- call the clerk’s office for assistance with bags or tags

Town Supervisor, Ernest Haywood 585-494-1121, ext. 22, supervisor@bergenny.org

Please call with questions, concerns, or for an appointment.

The following meetings are cancelled:

  • Planning Board Meeting on March 26th
  • and Town Board Meeting on March 24th

Another reminder, the Burning Ban is in effect from March 15th to May 15th.

Ernest Haywood, Town of Bergen, Town Supervisor

Genesee Dental cancels all appointment until April 3 due to coronavirus

By Billie Owens

Press release:

At Genesee Dental, we are committed to doing our part in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus.

Due to guidance from the State and National dental society, and a desire to protect our staff and patients, we have decided to cancel all appointments until Friday, April 3rd at the earliest.

We understand that this may be difficult for many people. Our intent is to continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as things progress.

Please don't hesitate to contact our office if you are having a dental emergency or an urgent need. We will be available as much as possible to assist you.

Genesee Dental

37 Batavia City Centre

Batavia, NY 14020

(585) 343-1113

City Fire Department makes changes in operations and service in light of COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Press release:

In light of the current pandemic, the City of Batavia Fire Department has embraced the advice of the Genesee County Health Department and implemented a number of significant changes to our operational model and service delivery.

It is our intent and a concerted effort to assist in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus).

Our service to the public remains our main mission. We are here to serve you and we must bring about these changes to ensure that we are able to continue to provide the highest levels of service during this most unsettling time. 

As a result, the City of Batavia Fire Department has put into action the following safeguards effective immediately:

  • First and foremost, if you have an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately and the fire department will be dispatched to you as normal.
  • Fire Headquarters located at 18 Evans Street will be locked and secured at all times. Anyone requesting assistance or information can utilize the phone located in the front vestibule of the station, which will contact a member of our staff who will be able to assist you.
  • All outside activities hosted at the firehouse have been cancelled, as well as many of our internal programs.
  • We have adopted a revised EMS response model in an effort to protect our staff and our community. We continue to respond to all medical emergencies, however, the appearance along with patient contact of our staffing will be modified.
  • Firefighters will be practicing “social distancing” techniques as instructed by the County’s Health Department. Please understand that this is for your protection as well as that of fire department staffing.
  • Our community risk reduction programs, including car seat inspection and installations, commercial building inspections, EMT and CPR classes along with fire prevention and education have been suspended until further notice. However, this does not include our smoke detector installation and inspection program. Please call 585-345-6375 to schedule an appointment for fire department staffing to inspect, install or change batteries as normal.
  • If you are in need of a copy of a fire report please call 585-345-6375 before responding to the Station, you will be given directions on how to proceed with your request at that time.
  • If you would like to speak with a fire officer or the fire chief, we ask that you call 585-345-6375. Fire department staff will forward your call to the appropriate person. In the event that they are unable to assist you immediately, staff will obtain your information and someone will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

You, the public can help by following the recommendations of maintaining social distancing of 6 feet or more between other people, frequently washing your hands, and self-monitoring for cold or flu like symptoms such as fever, cough or upper respiratory infections.

If you do have these symptoms, please tell your medical providers right away so they can assist you in the best ways possible. We ask that you consult the Genesee County Public Health Department website for additional information about the COVID-19 virus.

Lastly, these procedures have been implemented to ensure that we can adequately respond to emergencies and to help safeguard both the public and firefighters from accidental exposure to the virus. 

As we move forward over the next several days and weeks, we value your patience and understanding as we work through these difficult days together. The fire officers and firefighters of the City of Batavia Fire Department will continue to deliver aid and assistance in any way possible to ensure that our community remains safe at all times.

HLOM is staying open but canceling March events, plus the Spring Antique Show at GCC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Dear Holland Land Office Museum Supporters:

We at the Holland Land Office Museum have been watching the current situation regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The museum will be staying open during our regular business hours.

We are taking the proper precautionary measures within the museum and have instituted a vigorous cleaning schedule for our facilities and exhibit areas.

We have decided that although we will be staying open we are canceling our events through the rest of March and will be continually evaluating the situation as April approaches.

Furthermore, our Spring Antique Show at Genesee Community College on April 17th & 18th has been cancelled, though a search for a new date is underway.

Any other event that is cancelled the museum will be working to reschedule at a later date, so none of us miss out.

We have requested all of our volunteers refrain from coming to the museum until further notice as a precaution. We ask that all visitors adhere to our policy refraining touching the artifacts and display cases, and to use our sanitizing stations throughout the museum.

Any updates to our situation will be communicated through our website, Facebook page, and email.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the museum by phone at 585-343-4727 or by email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.

Thank you,
 
Ryan Duffy
Executive Director

Tops markets change hours again to keep pace with customers' needs during COVID-19 pandemic

By Billie Owens

Press release:

As we continue to do all we can to serve the needs of our customers, beginning Wednesday, March 18, Tops Friendly Markets -- with locations in Genesee County in Batavia and Le Roy -- will change hours of operation at most of our stores from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to restock and continue to maintain the increased sanitation levels in our stores.

Stores that typically open later and close earlier will maintain their existing hours of operation. This also pertains to Tops Fuel sites. These revised hours will be in effect until further notice.

For more information on these and other details re: COVID-19 updates, please visit our website.

First person in Genesee County tests positive for COVID-19

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. A person over 65 who had been on mandatory quarantine while symptomatic. The person had not traveled, which means the was infected by community transmission.

Health care workers are investigating who the person might have had contact within the days prior to showing symptoms.  It's unclear where the person may have contracted it.

The patient has not been hospitalized and is isolated at home.

Due to privacy regulations, the person's identity is not being released.

MORE T/K

UPDATE:  Press release from the County Health Department:

“On March 17, 2020 one resident in Genesee County tested positive for novel COVID-19 (coronavirus)” stated Paul Pettit, director of Genesee and Orleans Counties Departments of Health. The individual is over 65 years of age. The individual was confirmed through testing at the Erie County Health Lab Tuesday afternoon, Pettit continued. The individual has had no recent out of county travel. “The individual is in mandatory isolation at home and is ‘recovering nicely.' ”

The Genesee County Department of Health has begun an intensive investigation to identify potential close contacts of the individual. Once identified, any close contacts will be notified of their potential exposure to COVID-19 and placed under mandatory quarantine to monitor for symptoms.

While spread of COVID-19 is concerning, it is not unexpected. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have been preparing and responding to this possibility for weeks under the guidance of the NYSDOH and the CDC. Residents who are experiencing a fever, with cough and/or shortness of breath are advised to call your health care provider before going to seek medical care.

In order to hamper the spread of the virus, residents can practice social distancing and proper germ prevention practices:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Stay home when you are sick.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Avoid people who are sick.

  • Disinfect high-traffic surfaces often.

    If you have questions about recent travel and symptoms regarding COVID-19, please call the NYSDOH Coronavirus hotline: 1-888-364-3065.

RECORDED LIVE: Interview with Le Roy Central Schools Superintendent Merritt Holly

By Howard B. Owens
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We interviewed Merritt Holly, superintendent of the Le Roy Central School District, live and this video is a replay of that stream.

We'll get an update on how the district is dealing with the closure, what's available for students, and families, and how things are going in Le Roy.

If you're unable to view the stream on our home page, click here.  Also, if you follow that link, there is a live chat on YouTube where you can ask questions that I will try to incorporate into the interview.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, and I don't know why, the interview cuts off a minute or so early, a problem on YouTube's end I imagine.

GC Chamber of Commerce closes office until further notice

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce office, located at 8276 Park Road in Batavia, will be closed until further notice out of commitment to be good citizens in helping to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  

The Chamber staff will continue to work remotely and can be contacted through email and voice mail at 585-343-7440. Contact information can be found on the Chamber website and the Tourism website.  

During this extraordinary period, the Chamber staff will work to share and promote any news and initiatives local businesses implement such as curbside delivery, special hours and discount promotions.

The Chamber will also use social media to pass on any best practices businesses are using during the pandemic as well as passing on any pertinent government information made available.  

Stay safe, stay calm and stay healthy,

Tom Turnbull

President

Genesee County Chamber of Commerce

County treasurer's office closed to walk-in business, other changes made due to coronavirus

By Billie Owens

Press release from Genesee County Treasurer Scott German:

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Genesee County Treasurer’s Office will be closed to walk-in business effective immediately. This closure will remain in force until further notice.

Anyone wishing to pay delinquent property taxes may find the amount due at our website. The payment can be mailed to our office.              

Anyone owing Town of Stafford taxes may submit payment by mail based on the amount due for March on their tax bill. After March 31st, please refer to the website above.

Students requiring a Certificate of Residency for Community Colleges outside Genesee County may submit their signed, notarized applications along with a photocopy of their driver’s license by mail.

The mailing address for the Treasurer’s Office is:  Genesee County Treasurer, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY  14020

Vendors receiving payments from Genesee County could be delayed. We will do our best under the circumstances to pay everyone on time.

I sincerely appreciate everyone’s understanding, should you have questions, feel free to contact my office at 585-344-2550 ext. 2210.

Town of Pembroke issues new policies until further notice due to COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Pembroke Office Policies until further notice

Following orders issued by Governor Cuomo’s Office beginning Wednesday, March 18th the Town of Pembroke Office’s will be CLOSED to the public until further notice. If absolutely necessary, appointments can be made by calling the offices. Essential employees will be in their office to check mail and email but will work limited office hours.

Town Clerk, 585-762-4105 town-clerk@townofpembroke.org

The Lobby will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to allow residents to drop off payments/paperwork in a designated drop box or can be mailed to 1145 Main Road, Corfu, NY 14036. Receipts will be mailed back to you.

All March and April Dog License renewals will have until May 31st to renew. Please call to make an appointment to file a death certificate.

If you need to renew a handicap permit, please call and one can be mailed out to you.

Town Assessor, 585-356-2150 assessor@townofpembroke.org

Call for appointment.

Building and Zoning, 585-762-4108 zoning-codes@townofpembroke.org  

Permits will still be issued but please call for an appointment. Some inspections may be handled via photograph or on site with limited personal interaction.

Town Court, 585-599-4817, ext.5

Town Court will be CLOSED until further notice. Please call with questions.

Town Supervisor cell 585-762-4107 or 585-409-8429 supervisor@townofpembroke.org

Please call with questions, concerns, or for an appointment.

The following meetings are cancelled:

  • ZBA Meeting on March 18th,
  • Planning Board Meeting on March 25th
  • and Town Board Meeting on March 26th.

A couple other reminders, the Burning Ban is in effect from March 15th to May 15th.

Brush pickup will commence the last two weeks in April or beginning of March dependent on the weather and COVID-19.

Tom Schneider, Town of Pembroke, Town Supervisor

McMurray cancels public campaign events

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Nate McMurray, candidate for Congress in New York’s 27th District, is cancelling all public events scheduled ahead of the April 28th special election.

With 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Western New York, the campaign has stressed the importance of following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations to minimize the spread of the virus and best protect those most susceptible to the illness. 

In place of public events, the campaign will shift its outreach efforts to online communications and asks those interested in volunteering to learn about alternative forms of engagement at www.votemcmurray.com/volunteer

"This is a pandemic, and we must take it seriously," McMurray said. "Going forward, we are postponing all public fundraisers and rallies of any sort. While this race remains important, we must put the health and safety of people over politics.

"We must work creatively and collaboratively because what we do now will set the tone for other upcoming elections, including the General Election in November. We have to pull together and find a way. That is what Americans do, that is what Western New Yorkers do. We will rise to the occasion. Stay with us. Stay positive. Stay strong.”

Efforts are underway to cooperate with the County Boards of Election to develop protocols to ensure ballot integrity, including a call for universal access to absentee ballots.

McMurray has reached out to the Democratic National Committee for their support in ensuring all voters will be able to participate in the special election. McMurray and his campaign team developed the following guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety and health of the community:  

1. All campaign events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities will be moved to phone outreach and online forums. 

2.  All campaign offices remain open and staff are available for literature pick up and to provide technical support to volunteers as needed.    

3. McMurray’s campaign staff are identifying community partners engaged in COVID-19 coordinated care and response; McMurray has pledged to offer his teams’ support and resources as needed to serve the public in this time of need.

Assemblyman Hawley suspends March office hours due to COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley is suspending office hours for the duration of March. This is being done to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus.

“This change is not being taken lightly, because I always want to be sure people can reach me and talk to me,” Hawley said. “But in the interest of preventing the spread of the coronavirus further, I am hoping my friends and neighbors will understand why this change is happening.

Despite the change in in-person availability, staff will be working remotely, and citizens are encouraged to call or e-mail Hawley’s office if they have any comments or questions.

Call: 585-589-5780

Email: shawley@smhawley.com

Assemblyman Steve Hawley
March Office Hours:

Genesee County: 
Genesee Community College, Room T124
Friday, March 27
1  – 3 p.m.

NY State Police suspend employment fingerprinting and child safety seat checks at all stations

By Billie Owens

Press release from the New York State Police:

If you are experiencing an emergency, as always, call 9-1-1. When placing an emergency call, please advise dispatchers if you or any members of your household are experiencing flu-like symptoms. This information will ensure first responders can prepare to prevent the spread of any illnesses.

In addition, until further notice, the State Police are suspending employment fingerprinting, along with child safety seat checks at our stations.

Public safety is a mission priority for our Troopers. While we understand that suspending these services is an inconvenience to the public, this is an extraordinary circumstance. The State Police are committed to doing what we can to assist the State’s emergency response to COVID-19.

We will notify the public when these services, both employment fingerprinting and child safety seat checks, will once again be provided to the public. Please also check our online newsroom, nyspnews.com, for the latest updates. We will also be posting the updates to New York State Police social media pages, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In keeping with governor's order, Village of Le Roy postpones election until April 28

By Billie Owens

Public Notice

Village of Le Roy -- Postponement of Election

In an effort to keep New Yorkers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today (March 17) issued an executive order delaying Village Elections statewide until April 28th.

Therefore, the Village of Le Roy Election has been postponed from March 18, 2020 to April 28, 2020.

Pavilion issues new policies due to coronavirus, transfer station for trash is now 'self-serve'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Here's a list of the new policies at the Pavilion Town Hall for the coronavirus pandemic.

Public meetings will be posted on the town website with any special instructions or rules.

The big change is that Pavilion will be switching over its transfer station to be "self-serve" and rely on the honor system for people to dispose of their trash.

Town of Pavilion Outbreak Control Measures

In the continued effort to protect our entire community from the current viral epidemic the Town of Pavilion Government Offices will institute the follows measures, effective immediately.

Phone 585-584-3850

Town Clerk, ext. 201 clerk@townofpavilion.com

All face to face interaction will require an appointment. Please call or email to schedule. Dog license penalties will be waived for 30 days. Taxes should be mailed or left in the dropbox at town hall. Receipts will be mailed back to you. Handicap stickers, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Hunting and Fishing Licenses will be issued by appointment.

Town Assessor, ext. 204 kennethrpike@gmail.com

Assessor hours are closed until further notice. 2020 assessment rates will be carried over from 2019 except in cases of new buildings, additions. Ken Pike can be reached on his cell phone at 585-355-0987.

Building and Zoning, ext. 205

Permits will still be issued but please call prior to submitting one. Some inspections are being handled via photograph or on site with limited personal interaction.

Library 585-584-8843

Library building is closed but curbside pickup is available. Please call or see the website for details http://hollwedellibrary.org/

Town Court, ext. 210

Town Court will be canceled for 45 days. Please call with questions.

Town Supervisor cell 585-245-1291, or ext. 202

Please call with questions, concerns, or for an appointment

Dump / Transfer Station

Residents may use the town transfer station on Saturday, March 21 with the following rules:

  • There will be no employees working to assist in trash drop off.
  • Each user is limited to TWO bags of trash.
  • Recycling will be closed and both dumpsters used for trash.
  • The building will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Please punch your own ticket, one punch per bag.
  • If you do not have a ticket, please deposit $5 per bag into the Town Hall Dropbox.
  • No special items are accepted at this time, just bagged trash.
  • If you are unable to lift your bag into the dumpster please leave it next to the dumpster.

Rob LaPoint, Town of Pavilion, Town Supervisor

(585) 584-3850, ext. 202

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