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It looked like the Batavia Players cast had quite a party as show Director Anthony Baldwin-Giambrone dropped empty beer bottles into a cooler near the stage Monday evening.

There was a party, he said, however, only as part of the 2022 Shakespeare in Springtime series. Beer-drinking during a yearly Shakespearean staple? Only when the setting has been switched up from the typical 16th Century scenario of kings, queens, and jesters, to a modern-day educational setting.

“We took the entire show and set it at a college, with a fraternity house and a sorority house,” Baldwin-Giambrone said during rehearsals at the new venue inside City Centre. “We had this play ready to go in March 2020 … we have two-thirds of the original cast back. We had to recast eight people, and we bumped up an actor from a small role to a lead role.”\

The show didn’t go on then, as all things COVID-19 shut it down. Fast forward two years and construction of the new theater is still in progress as new and returning cast members rehearse in The Backstage space that accommodates 84 patrons. Known as “black box theater,” this space offers a close-up view of the action. It was a welcome sight for 34-year-old Justin Chortie, he said.

“It’s nice and intimate,” the North Tonawanda actor said. “I haven’t done black box since college.”

He plays Ferdinand the King, aka president of the fraternity. Thought to be sort of snobby, his character convinces his friends to give up girls for a while. Of course, this wouldn’t be a comical love story if the king actually followed his own advice, as Chortie said, and the king’s own words get him into hot water.

Chortie believes the two-hour round trip for rehearsals is worth it. He had but one word for why: passion.

“To hear the audience laugh, it’s adrenaline almost, it’s like a drug,” he said. “I mean, it's wild. You gotta go. You’ve got kings and princesses, but they're not really kings and princesses; they're fraternities and sororities. There's all kinds of fun.”

The show is Love’s Labour’s Lost, and it’s set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m Sunday at The Backstage at Main St. 56 Theater, Batavia. For those unfamiliar with this new space at Batavia City Centre, the entrance is a purple door next to Batavia Family Dental.

Love's Labour's Lost is one of William Shakespeare's early comedies, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s for a performance before Queen Elizabeth I. The King of Navarre and his three companions attempt to swear off the company of women for three years in order to focus on study and fasting. They break their oath through a subsequent infatuation with the Princess of France and her ladies. The play closes with the death of the Princess's father, and all weddings are delayed for a year.

Although Baldwin-Giambrone is no stranger to the Players troop or the Shakespeare series, this is his first time directing this particular show. A resident of Kenmore, he is one of a big handful of actors and staff driving to and from rehearsals after a more typical day job. 

For this director, he goes from being a special education high school math teacher by day to working with a cast of 18 people at night. Think Shakespeare is dull, dry, and a ho-hum display of antiquated dialect? Think again, he and his cast members said. This is a show they described as “fun and funny.”

What hasn’t been so funny is how that unyielding pandemic wiped out this show two years ago.

“We were two weeks away from opening. And then we were shut down before we opened. And then with COVID, we had to make sure we were wearing masks at all rehearsals,” he said. “And then I know my assistant director, Jane (Burk), she actually, after every single rehearsal, stayed after and wiped down all the surfaces and sprayed and cleaned everything.”

Pushing COVID repercussions aside, Baldwin-Giambrone ran with the comical theme of Love’s Labour’s Lost. He replaced the more regal characters of kings and queens with frat boys and sorority sisters and paired them by personality — over the top and very clear cut  — such as the dumb blonds and the studious ones. 

“And they’re funny because this is a comedy. So it’s very funny seeing them do their very stereotypical distinct personalities,” he said. “The biggest challenge, I would say, was rehearsing in a shorter time period … just being able to get in here and start working with people to begin scheduling and everything. It just was a lot more tight.”

Dorothy Gerhart of Alabama had to drop her former role of Holofernes for the sorority mom, Boyet. It wasn’t really a bigger role, she said, because she counted the lines, and they were about equal. However, the mom role provided opportunity for more fun, she said. Her outfits are wild and colorful, with leopard, tie-dye, and purple pok-a-dot patterns. 

“I think she graduated from college but never really left,” Gerhart said. “She sees herself as one of the girls. She’s kind of the comedy relief, with a lot of funny lines.”

Aaron Klafehn is another newcomer to the Players, though not at all new to acting, he said. Working in quality control for HP Hood in Batavia, the 34-year-old discovered Batavia Players through his partner, the show's assistant costumer Marshall McCall. Klafehn has been interested in theater since elementary school. He plays the role of Costard, who he describes as a “chaos-causing math teacher.”

“He purposely does things incorrectly, to try and get a rise out of someone else,” Klafehn said, adding that he had a hiatus from theater during the last couple of years. “I fell right back into it, and am making new connections. It’s much different than the day-to-day aspects of what I do. It’s fun to bring someone’s creation to life. I try and make sure that it's as organic to the character that I'm creating as possible, rather than trying to imitate or copy someone else's. I'm excited to be back performing again, and very excited to see the new performing space when it's finished.”

Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, go to: showtix4u.com

Top photo: Shaun Coburn, Justin Chortie and James Barcomb run through a rehearsal Tuesday night of Batavia Players' upcoming Love's Labour's Lost, which is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at The Backstage at Main St. 56 Theater, Batavia City Centre. The actors are joined by Sam Bowman, shown in the fourth photo from the top, during mandatory masked rehearsals for the Shakespeare in Springtime Series comedy by Batavia Players. Photos by Howard Owens. Editor's Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, this rehearsal was not in costume. 

The front display windows of Charles Men's Shop in Downtown Batavia are now draped and dabbed in blue and yellow, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Co-owner Don Brown said the display is about supporting freedom and backing the Ukrainian people. It's not necessarily about supporting the Ukrainian government, he said.

"We're on the side of those willing to fight for their freedom," Brown said.

Le Roy High School is presenting a production of the Disney musical Newsies on March 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19 in the school auditorium.

Newsies is the story of a homeless NYC newsboy, Jack "Cowboy" Kelly, who befriends two newcomers to the trade.  Newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer sets new rules that make it harder for newspaper hawkers -- newsies -- to make a buck so the boys go on strike. A journalist sympathetic to the boys' cause gives them some tips on public relations and the newsies battle grips the city.

The story is based on an actual labor dispute between newspaper salesboys and Pulitzer in the summer of 1899.  For more on the history behind the story, click here.

Performances in Le Roy are:

• March 10, 7 p.m.
• March 11, 7 p.m.
• March 12, 7 p.m.
• March 18, 7 p.m.
• March 19,7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at leroycsd.org or at the auditorium, 9300 South Street Road.

For more photos or to purchase prints, click here.

Kaleb J. Bobzien is indicted on seven counts of rape in the third degree, seven counts of criminal sexual act in the third degree, three counts of criminal contempt in the second degree, two counts of aggravated family offense, and one count each of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. Bobzien is accused of forcibly touching on June 1 another person's sexual or other private parts for the purpose of degrading or abusing the person or for the purpose of gratifying his own sexual desire. He is accused of acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17 years old on June 1. He is accused of engaging with sexual intercourse with a person less than 17 years old while being at least 21 years old himself, on dates of between May 9 and May 15, May 16 and May 22, May 23 and May 29, May 30, and June 5, June 6 and June 12, June 13 and June 19, and June 20 and June 26. He is accused of three times violating a stay-away order of protection. He is accused of violating a Family Court order on three occasions.

Arthur J. Brown is indicted on counts of menacing a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, tampering with physical evidence, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Brown is accused of placing a police officer in fear of his physical safety by displaying a deadly weapon on Sept. 19 at a location in the Town of Stafford. He is accused of possessing a loaded firearm. He is accused of possessing cocaine. He is accused of fleeing the scene of an incident. He is accused of driving a 2008 Pontiac on Route 237, Stafford, while impaired by drugs.

Jillian E. Antinore is indicated on counts of felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Antinore is accused of driving drunk on Oct. 12 on Ellicott Street in the City of Batavia. She is accused of driving without a valid driver's license. 

Nathan W. Stringer is indicted on four counts of felony aggravated DWI and one count of felony DWI.  Stringer is accused of driving drunk on Aug. 28 on Route 77 in the Town of Pembroke with four children less than 15 years of age in the vehicle.

Paul A. Inostroza is indicted on counts of attempted assault in the second degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and harassment in the second degree.  Inosroza is accused of slamming a woman's head against a wall on Sept. 5 at a location on East Main Street, Batavia. He is also accused of applying pressure to that person's neck. 

Directors of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. have approved spending up to $190,212 to install a new sewer pipe extending from the Genesee Park Place apartments to an area in front of the Hotel at Batavia Downs on Park Road.

The board, at its meeting last week, approved a resolution to accept a proposal by Town of Batavia officials to put in the pipe as part of the Park Road Reconstruction Project that is set to get underway this month.

“We believe the sewer pipe project will cost around $260,000 and we’ve made a request to owners of the Park Place apartments to split the cost,” WROTB President Henry Wojtaszek said today. “The board agreed to a maximum of $190,000 to take into account any overruns or contingencies, and in case we have to do it on our own.”

Wojtaszek said putting in the sewer line will eliminate the need to use an old pump station just south of Alex’s Place and will result in lower costs to the corporation.

Town Engineer Steve Mountain agreed, adding that it would be more efficient if that work is done as part of the major renovation of the road.

“We posed that to them if they wanted to consider it now rather than later,” Mountain said. “Now's the time -- before the road is built.”

WROTB previously agreed to spend about $450,000 in enhancements to the $4.077 million project -- improvements such as trees, street lights, increasing the size of the sidewalks and replacing the fence along the parking lots.

Mountain said the main water pipe is being delivered today or tomorrow and work will start in a couple weeks. Catco (Concrete Applied Technologies Corp.) Construction of Alden is general contractor for the project, which is expected to take several months, possibly until the end of the year.

“I guess you could say this is the calm before the storm,” Mountain said. “Everything will get started when the weather starts breaking.”

He noted that there will be lane shutdowns during construction but traffic will be maintained.

“There'll be times when it'll be stop and go for sure,” he advised.

The project calls for the installation of new pavement, curbs and curbing from Lewiston Road to Richmond Avenue with sidewalks on both sides of Park Road; overlaying of pavement and installation of sidewalks on one side of the road from Richmond Avenue to Route 98, and installation of new water lines and street lights on Park Road between Route 63 and Richmond Avenue.

Photo: WROTB President Henry Wojtaszek points north on Park Road, where a new sewer line running from Genesee Park Place apartments to Batavia Downs Gaming will be installed as part of the Park Road Reconstruction Project. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

It was a bit FeBRRRary and a lot FeBREWary in Downtown Batavia on Saturday as throngs of beer lovers descended on local businesses to sample a variety of beers from regional breweries.

The LED lights that illuminate the Old Courthouse at Main and Ellicott in Batavia are now rotating in the hues of Ukraine, yellow and blue.

Those are the colors of the country's flag in honor of its blue skies and flaxen fields of wheat.

The color scheme was unanimously approved by the Genesee County Legislature.

Press release:

Due to the recent decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, cases, and an increase in vaccination rates across New York State, the statewide masking requirement for K-12 students and children 2+ in childcare settings will be lifted effective Wednesday, March 2^nd. Additionally, masks will no longer be required on school buses. Counties and cities with higher transmission rates will have the authority to require masks in schools. Parents/guardians may still choose to send their children to schools in masks.

“We are very happy that New York State has lifted the mask mandate in schools and childcare settings and that local officials will have the authority to make decisions regarding mask mandates,” stated Lynne M. Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “We have previously said that Orleans County would not continue that mandate if the decision were left to us. We continue to hold that view and want to be clear that Orleans County will NOT be implementing any local mask mandate for our schools”.

According to the updated metrics released by the CDC regarding community transmission levels, Genesee and Orleans Counties have fallen into the “Medium” category based on the CDC data. “The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will not require masks in schools” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Masking will be optional and we will continue to work with school districts in both counties to monitor COVID-19 transmission rates and respond to clusters and other issues that may arise to keep students safe and in school.”

“We encourage residents to make the best choice for their children, themselves, and their personal level of risk as to whether or not they wear masks in public places including schools. We continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated, boosted, and stay up to date on their vaccines,” stated Pettit.

“Some residents will choose to continue to wear masks in public places for their own safety,” stated Rochelle M. Stein, Chairman of the Genesee County Legislature. “We encourage residents to respect others' personal choices and discourage mask shaming in our community. We also encourage our residents to continue focusing on personal good health practices. Masking provides another important layer of protection from COVID-19.”

At this time, masking requirements are still in effect in state-regulated healthcare settings; homeless shelters; state-regulated adult care facilities and nursing homes; correctional facilities; domestic violence centers; buses and bus stations; trains and train stations; subways and subway stations; planes and airports. People who have had symptoms of COVID-19 are still required to wear well-fitted masks in public for five additional days (day 6 through 10) after the end of the 5-day isolation period.

The Village of Elba's welcome sign proudly proclaims, "Onion Capital of the World."

Somebody apparently thinks that would make a fine item to own for themselves.

Recently, somebody cut down and stole the sign.

Until about 2013, the sign is well known for its phrase, "POP: Just Right."  That was changed because it didn't seem welcoming to some people.

Mayor Norm Itjen asks that anyone with information contact the Genesee County Sheriff's office at (585) 345-3000 or the VIllage of Elba @ (585) 757-6889.

Photo by provided by Norm Itjen.

A motor vehicle accident with entrapment is reported on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 384 is reported.

Le Roy Fire and Le Roy Ambulance responding.

Town of Batavia Fire requested mutual aid.

UPDATE 1:04 p.m.: One person trapped. Extrication has begun.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Patient extricated.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: All units back in service.

Societal and philosophical changes in mental health treatment are causing the expected closure of Genesee County Mental Health’s Continuing Day Treatment program, but department officials are providing assurances that no one in need of these services will “fall through the cracks.”

Bob Riccobono, director of clinical services, and Nancy Hendrickson, supervisor of the CDT, on Monday presented a resolution to the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee that calls for the elimination of CDT programming within the next few months.

Reinforced through research conducted by Lynda Battaglia, Mental Health & Community Services director, and supported by the county’s Community Services Board, Riccobono shared a brief history of CDT and some factors that entered into the decision to shift to more clinical and therapeutic outpatient programs.

“Back in the 1950s, clients were treated in hospitals, but then we developed medications to the point where clients could then be released and go back to the communities where they came from,” he said. “But the problem was that the communities that were receiving these mental health clients, they didn't have the resources available. So, the state was giving aid to all the counties to develop community mental health centers. And part of that was to create day treatment programs for the more severe mentally ill.”

He said these programs worked very well in tandem with community residences to house people with mental health issues.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES CURTAILED

“When I started my career back in the early 90s, we did all kinds of programs with the clients. We did camping trips, ceramics, woodworking – all kinds of different things like that. Then the state came and starting telling us you can't do those kinds of programs; it had to be more rehab-oriented,” he explained.

Those restrictions, combined with a decline in referrals from state hospitals, led to a decrease in the day treatment program population, he said, and because of that, “the funding dried up.”

“(Previously) it was the day treatment programs that were carrying the clinic. Now it's the exact opposite -- the clinic is carrying the day treatment program,” Riccobono said. “It’s not anything that the day treatment program is doing; that’s just how the funding is allocated.”

Riccobono said the state changed its philosophy – advocating for mental health clients to be integrated into the community. As a result, community residences closed and clients were treated in apartment programs or at their own apartments. Today, GCMH is just one of 13 agencies in New York with a CDT and most of them are downstate.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 – making it more difficult to coordinate group settings – the handwriting was on the wall, he said.

“That was sort of the final nail in the coffin because the past two years we couldn't do the same kind of treatment we were doing before,” he said.

PANDEMIC HURT PROGRAMMING

The GCMH CDT program, prior to the pandemic, ran five days a week from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with clients coming in from one to five days, Hendrickson said.

“During that time, we were in group rooms where we sat very close to each other,” he said. “Clients milled around together in the hallways. When the pandemic happened, we had to maintain social distancing. And we are not able to accommodate it (very well) with social distancing in our buildings.”

Hendrickson said the state began reimbursing the department for daily phone calls made to clients, so the strategy changed to a combination of in-person and telephone sessions.

“Now, we have to talk to the clients in order to bill five days a week,” she said. “And groups are small. People can’t congregate in the hallways like they used to. We cannot serve lunch like we used to because of the lack of space and, primarily, the six foot distancing.”

Staffing is another issue, Riccobono said.

“The other thing that's going on is that I can’t hire clinical staff in the outpatient clinic. It’s that much harder to hire people to go into the day treatment program because most of them never heard of that,” he noted.

MOVING STAFF TO OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Going forward, the plan is to take four GCMH employees from the day treatment program and incorporate them into the outpatient clinic.

“So, most of your clients are going to remain with their therapist, and also be seeing the same psychiatrist that they're seeing in the day treatment program,” Riccobono said. “In addition to that, because we're going to have more staff available in the outpatient clinic, we're going to look at some different programs that we can do, such as an intensive outpatient program.”

He said a long-term approach hasn’t been finalized yet, but GCMH leaders are reaching out to other places that offer intensive outpatient services to see how they operate.

Legislator Gordon Dibble, who serves on the Community Services Board, said CDT “is just a program that seems like it just run its course.”

“And in the shutting down of the program, everything I’ve heard seems to be well thought out,” he said. “So, it's going to get done and get done right.”

Hendrickson said that no employee will lose their jobs. Two full-time therapists will move to the clinic with one of them assigned to develop the intensive outpatient program.

ALL CLIENTS WILL BE PLACED

Riccobono emphasized that the state Office of Mental Health will not allow GCMH to close the program until every client has been placed and is seeing a therapist.

“No one is going to fall through the cracks,” he said.

The Human Services Committee voted in favor of the resolution, which indicates a loss of about $174,000 in anticipated state aid for CDT services. It also notes that staff reallocation will allow existing personnel expenses to be offset by Medicaid, Medicare and third-party insurance.

The resolution will be considered by the Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday.

As Genesee County school officials responded to New York State's decision to remove mask mandates in schools, they kept civility central to their messages. Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement on Sunday that masks would be optional for districts in New York State starting Wednesday. 

Batavia City School District 
City schools Superintendent Jason Smith sent a letter out to district families confirming that Hochul’s weekend announcement means that “every county in New York State will now have control over masking guidelines,” with the qualifier that districts may still require masks if the county’s COVID-19 data supports it. 

“We support this mask optional decision and look forward to a full return to normalcy, and we will continue to advocate local control,” Smith said to The Batavian on Monday. Part of that control includes how students and families react to the actions of others. 

“On Wednesday, March 2, families may still choose to send their children to school in masks and we fully stand behind the governor’s sentiments that masking is a personal choice, and no bullying of any sort will be tolerated,” Smith’s letter stated. “We will continue to provide information in the coming days leading up to Wednesday, March 2 on how the lifted mandate will specifically affect the Batavia City School District.”

Pembroke Central School
Likewise, Pembroke Central School District families also received a letter with an outline of what and will not be acceptable behavior once the mask mandate is gone. Masks will be optional for everyone, and harassment based on wearing or not wearing a mask “will not be tolerated,” Superintendent Matthew Calderon’s letter stated.

“All individuals, whether choosing to wear masks or not wear masks, will be respectful of every individual's right to choose,” Calderon said.

Pavilion Central School
Pavilion Central School families were reminded to follow district expectations to “respect everyone and their choice, be kind and continue to follow other safety protocols to keep our school community healthy,” Superintendent Kate Hoffman said. 

Although an announcement from Hochul was anticipated, it came earlier than expected, Hoffman said in the letter she sent out to district members. The district will also shift to mask-optional starting Wednesday, she said, with the exception of school buses “until we hear differently.”

The district will monitor COVID-19 data and the district will continue its work with Genesee County Department of Health and the school’s medical director, “as has been our practice,” Hoffman said.

She suggested that parents talk to their children about this upcoming change, and understand that many people look forward to going mask-free while others may still want to wear one. Testing will be available with parent consent or request, she said. 

Byron-Bergen Central School
For Byron-Bergen Central School, Superintendent Patrick McGee reiterated why Hochul chose to lift the mandate: strong COVID-19 vaccination rates, falling positivity rates, declining hospitalization rates, and new guidance from the CDC as criteria for this decision.

“We understand that this news will bring relief to some and cause apprehension for others. Our goal during this transition is to create safe spaces for all students and staff members,” McGee said in his district letter. “Thank you in advance for being understanding of the feelings and concerns of others and their personal choice about masking. Whatever choice a student and family makes, our staff will continue to create a welcoming and affirming environment for all.”

Oakfield-Alabama Central School
Oakfield-Alabama’s board had already approved a mask-optional policy during an emergency meeting on Feb. 9. The vote was a precursor to when/if the governor decided to eliminate the mask mandate in schools. Superintendent John Fisgus sent out a letter to the O-A school community Sunday after Hochul’s announcement, and also plans to follow up with staff.

“I am meeting with our District staff over the next 48 hours to provide direction on how to proceed given the absence of this mandate,” Fisgus said.

His letter, sent out on Sunday, asked that “everyone respect the decisions of each individual within our school community.” He also recognized the difficulty of the past two years, given the “ever-changing guidance and restrictions.”

“This time is long overdue,” he said. “Please know that I will be meeting with our faculty and staff over the next two days given this announcement and to ensure our clarity with the new stated mandates.”

Le Roy Central School
Merritt Holly, superintendent of Le Roy Central School, said the district has already spread the word to students, parents, teachers, and staff about masks being optional come Wednesday. A robocall and emails were sent out on Sunday, with expectations that Monday and Tuesday of this week will provide time for parents and teachers to “discuss what is best for their child/student on Wednesday,” Holly said. 

“We will continue to offer daily testing for those that are interested,” he said. “Overall, we are supporting students, teachers, and staff in having a choice in wearing or not wearing a mask now that the mandate has been lifted.”

Elba Central School
In her letter to Elba’s “Lancer family,” Superintendent Gretchen Rosales shared the news of optional masks and urged families “to consult with your family physician to determine what your child’s best health needs may be.”

Elba Central School has a “plentiful supply of masks” for those wanting to continue wearing them, and an “abundance of rapid COVID test” on hand for any family that would like some. Regardless of an individual’s preference, “we will continue to respect the opinions of each other,” Rosales said.

“Our district’s vision of a respectful, safe, and engaging environment will always be paramount,” she said. “Above all, I want to thank all of you for partnering with us as a school district over the past two years. While not every family is at the same level of comfort, nor does each person agree with lifting a mask mandate, our willingness to work together and remain understanding has been a cornerstone of our community.”

Alexander Central School Superintendent Jared Taft did not respond to requests for comment. 

File photo: New Superintendent Jason Smith is shown with Student Co-Mayor Mackenzie Harmon and Batavia High School Principal Paul Kesler during a prior Monday morning announcement at the high school. Masks will now become optional for students and staff as of Wednesday. Photo by Howard Owens.

If the first Batavia City Council meeting for the newly-appointed Rich Richmond seemed like it went by in a flash, that’s because it did.

At the outset of tonight’s meeting at the City Hall Council Board Room, Richmond was sworn in by City Clerk Heidi Parker to replace Jeremy Karas, who resigned his Council member at large seat (photo at right).

And 22 minutes later, the meeting was over as Council (guided by Assistant City Manage Jill Wiedrick, who was filling in for City Manager Rachael Tabelski) zipped through a number of agenda items, moving them to the board’s next Business Meeting on March 14.

Richmond, the City Republican chair, had several family members in attendance, including wife, Cindy; sons, Joe and Michael; Michael’s wife, Marjorie; daughter, Amber; grandson, Greydon, and granddaughter, Morgan.

Resolutions to adopt the 2022-23 budget and water rates/meter fees topped the list. Both provisions were forwarded with little discussion after a pair of public hearings failed to attract any speakers.

Council now is prepared to pass a $29.7 million All-Funds budget -- $17.8 million of it in the General Fund – that carries a property tax rate of $8.94 per $1,000 of assessed value. The rate is a decrease of 78 cents from 2021-22.

Water rates and meter fees are scheduled to go up by 1.5 percent.

Other forwarded resolutions were as follows:

• Contracting with HUNT E/A/S of Rochester for $99,317 for architectural and engineering services for the design of the City Centre/Mall $1 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative project.

• Authorizing work and contracts in connection with the city’s Water Treatment Plant and Waste Water Treatment plant.

• Accepting a $1 million grant for the Jackson Street water main project.

• Accepting a $5,000 grant from the GO Art! Statewide Community Regrant Program to fund the “Community Garden in Bloom” seasonal mural initiative at the Community Garden on MacArthur Drive.

Conservative Party Endorses Three

In other news involving local government, the Genesee County Conservative Party tonight endorsed Richmond and City Council colleague Tammy Schmidt as well as Richard Tetrault, who serves on the Le Roy Village Board.

Previously: City manager recommends HUNT engineering firm to oversee $1 million City Centre/Mall project

Looking at the “community burden” rather than just the number of cases is a key part of the reason for New York State’s shift in COVID-19 masking requirements, according to the public health director for Genesee and Orleans counties.

Paul Pettit, appearing at the Genesee County Legislature’s Human Services Committee meeting this afternoon at the Old County Courthouse, updated legislators on some of the factors leading to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to lift the statewide mask requirement in schools starting Wednesday.

“What they did is they started to look at community burden, which looks at not just the number of cases, but now also includes the severity – how it’s impacting our healthcare system and what kind of bed capacity that we have available in the region,” Pettit said. “Those things are now overlaid with the cases, which actually doubled per 100,000; they went from 100,000 to 200,000 for obtaining the high level status.”

He said that the new scenario provides “a better indication of what’s going on with COVID in the community; not just pure numbers.”

Pettit mentioned that the local health department has advocated for months that the state change the metrics by which regions are categorized – and now that has been done as well, moving from low, medium, substantial and high to low, medium and high.

“When they changed this on Friday, they looked at the map and immediately made probably two-thirds of the map go from substantial or high to medium because once you take community burden in place, it puts it at a whole different level,” he said.

Currently, Genesee County is in the medium category, he said, adding that the county’s monitoring of wastewater backs up the extent to which COVID-19 cases are declining.

As far as schools are concerned, Pettit said he has yet to receive official guidance from the state but expects all Genesee County schools to take the optional approach when it comes to wearing masks.

“We’ve been lobbying all year, before school even started, with moving forward with more of a local decision-making choice-based method with this,” he said. “Our schools are positioned – I haven’t talked to them all yet – but the indication is they’re all going to move forward with optional masking starting Wednesday.”

Pettit acknowledged that some students and staff will continue to wear masks.

“That’s their right if they want to do that and it’s their ability to do that,” he said. “We would definitely encourage it if they feel comfortable and they're concerned, that they continue to do that."

He said the health department has masks for all, including smaller ones for the elementary pupils, but, in general, he emphasized that he is happy to see “the shift in all of our schools starting on Wednesday.”

On related topics, Pettit reported:

• The vaccination rate in Genesee County for those age 5 and older is 66.2 percent for one does and 61.5 percent for the completed series (not including a booster shot). Vaccines continue to be available through the health department and at local pharmacies.

• There isn’t a strong demand for testing and, in fact, the health department has 15,000 test kits on hand – many coming in now from orders submitted weeks ago.

• Discussion at the federal level has included development of a vaccine that combines COVID with other viral infections, such as the seasonal flu. Currently, a fourth shot is not being considered.

• People, including students, who test positive for COVID should stay home for up to five days and wear masks for up to five days after that. Students who ride the bus are exempt from the federal transportation mandate, which means that masks aren’t required unless a student is coming off a positive case.

Press release:

Throughout the pandemic, Assemblyman Steve Hawley has called for control of public health policy decisions, such as mask mandates, to be left to local governments and local health officials. He has called for the mandate to end in various letters, public events, and media publications.

“The governor’s announcement is a welcome one, though one that’s taken far too long to be made as most states already announced the end of their mask mandates,” said Hawley. “Saying that, I feel the power to implement impactful mandates should not rest with our governor, but with local officials who know their communities better than Gov. Hochul or any state-level bureaucrat. Local decisions are informed decisions, so I will always stand for the right of localities to address the needs of their people as they see fit.”

Press Release:

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce today’s release of the 2022 Genesee County Visitors Guide. In total 80,000 guides will be distributed throughout New York State, Ontario Canada, and neighboring states, highlighting all Genesee County has to offer.

The tourism industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but the Chamber is confident that Genesee County’s 2^nd leading industry will have a strong return in 2022.  “This year’s visitor guide is a reflection of what we’ve experienced these past 24 months as a destination marketing organization,” said Kelly Rapone, Tourism Director at the Chamber. “Because of pandemic limitations and temporary closures of major attractions and large events, our messaging naturally shifted to highlighting opportunities to explore our quaint communities, experience our outdoor dining, nature parks & recreation,” she said. You’ll see this reflected on this year’s cover, which beautifully captures the essence of one of our welcoming communities - Le Roy. The main image features Farmer’s Creekside Tavern & Inn and depicts a relaxing experience that awaits in Genesee County.  Elyse VanZile is credited with capturing this beautiful picture. 

This cover is going to appeal to a broader travel market segment than what has historically been presented. To further compliment that, the Chamber will be shining a bright spotlight on our live music scene. Featured inside, you will see a page highlighting JamInGenesee.com, a new webpage that will launch in the coming weeks as part of an overall tourism website redesign.  From restaurants that feature acoustic artists, to bars and taverns with live music, local outdoor concert series and more, Genesee is in fact jamming!  The Chamber tourism staff has been working with local destinations, and area bands to promote nearly 100 live music events this year.   

Additional features this year include:

• Six Flags Darien Lake is investing in the park again this year with the addition of a massive new water attraction, Wahoo Wave, an adrenaline-packed adventure sending riders into near vertical motions to experience extended hang times and zero g-forces. Also new the park’s lodging is offering flexible stay options, with park admission being sold separately. Go from “room to zoom” at their rustic Lodge on the Lake Hotel, cabins, guest houses, RV’s or campsites. 
• A feature on Ely S. Parker’s commemoration by the United States Mint to be featured on the 2022 Native American Dollar Coin.
• Six pages highlighting our top outdoor nature assets, from the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, The Bergen Swamp and more.

The digital version of the visitor guide can be viewed here.  Visitors may request a free copy of the brochure on our website. Area residents that would like a copy can stop by the Chamber’s Visitor Center at 8276 Park Road in Batavia beginning Tuesday, March 2nd.  This, and other local brochures can be found in our vestibule, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Press release:

Dawn Puleo, 55 of Batavia pled guilty to a single count of petit larceny in Genesee County Court on February 24, 2022.  Sentencing has been scheduled for April.

Puleo was originally charged with 4 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing and one count of Grand Larceny 3^rd after an investigation by Genesee County Department of Social Services Investigator Robert Riggi found that Puleo failed to report that she was receiving child support payments on her applications.  She received $4555.00 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. 

Full restitution has been made to the Genesee County Department of Social Services, and Puleo will be disqualified from the SNAP program for a 12-month period.

Anyone wishing to report suspected cases of welfare fraud in Genesee County can contact the Genesee County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit at 585-344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6541.

Garlyn Maurice Gause, 42, of Brookhaven Terrace, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, insufficient turn signal, and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Gause was stopped at 2:11 a.m., Feb. 12, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Nicholas Charmoun. During the stop, K-9 "Rayzor" (handler Deputy James Stack) alerted on the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. It's alleged that Gause was in possession of narcotics. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jerry Tyrone Saddler, 45, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th, tampering with physical evidence, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Saddler was arrested in connection with a traffic stop at 2:12 a.m., Feb. 12, by Deputy Nicholas Charmoun, on East Main Street, Batavia. Saddler was a passenger in the vehicle. During the stop, K-9 "Rayzor" (handler Deputy James Stack) alerted on the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Saddler was allegedly attempted to conceal his possession of narcotics while being booked into the Genesee County Jail. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail.

Victoria L. Jacques, 52, of Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and assault 3rd. Jacques was arrested in connection with an incident on Elm Street reported at 8:35 p.m., Feb. 20. Jacques was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Jeremiah D. Williams, 30, of Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. Williams is accused of possession of a fully automatic handgun on Aug. 17 at a location on Oak Street, Batavia, and of possessing a weapon with a prior felony conviction. He was jailed without bail.

Loretta L. Baer, 50, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Baer is accused of charging a person and placing her hands around that person's neck while at UMMC at 3:36 a.m., Feb. 18. Baer was issued an appearance ticket.

Jeremiah T. Jones, 48, of Batavia, is charged with tampering with a witness 4th. Jones is accused of threatening a person who was testifying in a court proceeding. The alleged threat was reported at 1:40 p.m., Feb. 6.  Jones was released on his own recognizance.

Janell M. Sauer, 46, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Sauer is accused of petit larceny on Jan. 16. Sauer was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Melody J. McMaster, 51, of Batavia, is charged with criminal tampering 3rd. McMaster is accused of removing fire extinguishers from their designated locations at a business on State Street, Batavia, at 7:19 a.m., Feb. 17. McMaster was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Lyndsay T. Young, 38, of Batavia, is charged with conspiracy 6th. Young was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 6:11 p.m., Nov. 10, in the Town of Batavia. She was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.61, up eight cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.72. The New York State average is $3.80, up five cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.78. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.75 (up seven cents from last week)
• Buffalo - $3.75 (up five cents from last week)
• Ithaca - $3.81 (up five cents from last week)
• Rochester - $3.79 (up four cents from last week)
• Rome - $3.80 (up four cents from last week)
• Syracuse - $3.75 (up four cents from last week)
• Watertown - $3.79 (up six cents from last week)

Demand for gasoline increased last week as many families traveled for February break. An increase in gas demand, alongside a reduction in total supply, is contributing to price increases, but increasing oil prices continue to play a leading role in pushing prices higher. Pump prices will likely continue to rise as crude prices continue to climb. 

This morning oil prices remain elevated. Crude prices surged after Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine. As the conflict escalates with more sanctions and retaliatory actions, the oil markets will likely respond by continuing to increase the price of crude oil to reflect more risk of disruption to tight global oil supplies. Additionally, EIA reported that the total domestic crude stock level is approximately 10 percent lower than mid-February 2021, contributing to pressure on domestic crude prices.

From Gas Buddy:

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked high-level concern that oil production could eventually be stifled, or even sanctioned, from the world's second-largest oil producer, leading to less supply as demand grows. That possibility has pushed up the national average price of gasoline considerably in the last week, and the situation could worsen at any time, keeping gas prices elevated for the foreseeable future," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "In addition to the unstable situation with the Russian invasion, we're also entering the time of year that seasonality pushes gasoline prices up by anywhere from 25 to 75 cents by Memorial Day. It's simply looking like a perfect storm for motorists at the pump, with little to no relief anytime soon."

Press release:

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced plans to end the state mask requirement in schools starting on March 2, 2022. The Governor made this decision based on the analysis of several key COVID-19 data trends and after consulting with health and education experts, as well as parents, teachers and school administrators. The announcement also follows recent changes in metrics used by the CDC to determine risk and transmission levels in communities. Other mitigation measures should remain in place.

"With more New Yorkers getting vaccinated, and the steady decline over the past several weeks in cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, we are now entering a new phase of the pandemic. Because New Yorkers have stepped up, we can confidently remove the statewide mask requirement in our schools," Governor Hochul said. "This is a huge step forward for our kids and communities and I am grateful to the students, educators and parents for their dedication to keeping us all safe—we've reached this milestone because of your hard work."  

New York has made significant progress in the fight against COVID-19. Among large states, New York has the highest rate of adults fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the highest rate of teenagers fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and the second-highest rate of children ages 5-11 fully vaccinated. New York State has experienced a 98 percent decline in COVID-19 cases since the Omicron peak, and a continuous downward trend in cases for 51 consecutive days.  

The number of children testing positive for COVID is declining to levels not seen since before students returned from summer break; yesterday 229 cases were reported compared to a 7-day average of 832 cases at the beginning of the school year. Pediatric hospitalizations have declined by roughly 80 percent since the Omicron peak. 

Ahead of Midwinter break, 4.8 million tests were sent to schools for children to take home. An additional 4.8 million tests will be sent this week for students to take home upon their return to school. In total, 20.8 million tests have been distributed to schools. Over the past six weeks, the State established 261 #VaxForKids sites, bringing the vaccine directly to New York families to help parents and guardians get their eligible children vaccinated and boosted.  

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, today we are able to lift the statewide mask requirement for schools. As Governor Hochul said, we will remain vigilant as New York moves forward, and our team at the Department of Health will continue to monitor the data and advance early warning monitoring systems like wastewater surveillance. We continue to urge all New Yorkers to get vaccinated and get boosted, and we will work with our partners in education statewide to ensure our schools, teachers, and students have the support they need to keep our classrooms healthy and safe." 

State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa said, "I thank the Governor for her leadership. Working together we look forward to keeping our schools safe for students and educators."

Statement from NYSUT:

New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta issued the following statement today regarding the governor’s announcement that the statewide mask requirement for schools is ending:

“We welcome this step toward normalcy. The governor is striking the right balance by empowering local officials to use data to determine if and when the mitigation strategies need to change in their areas. As the guidance changes, one thing must remain constant: It’s essential that districts work closely with educators to ensure there is confidence in their health and safety plans.”