news

The Village of Corfu is digging in its heels when it comes to the county’s demand that it sign a new contract allowing the county to increase rates charged for water.

“We want to make sure as a board we let everyone know what we’re dealing with,” said Mayor Joseph Biggs Johnson at Monday night's village board meeting.

Trustee Al Graham explained to the more than 40 residents who attended that the village has a 40-year contract with the county, with 22 more years to go, guaranteeing a rate of 60 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used.

“Now they want us to do away with that contract and sign another allowing them to charge any amounts the county decides are necessary,” Graham said. “The money collected will be used to provide water to other Genesee County residents, and as we already have a water system in place, we won’t get any benefit from this increase.”

Genesee County said the increase is necessary because they underestimated the demand for water throughout Genesee County and the rate needs to be raised substantially to generate the money to pay for more water.

The Corfu Village Board is further upset by what it considers a threat from the county attorney to take away sales tax from the village, even refusing to maintain water lines if Corfu fails to sign the new contract.

One resident remarked the village was essentially being held hostage.

“We don’t like the words ‘blackmail’ or ‘extortion’ but we’ve been told we can sign or we can lose a big portion of our sales tax, which we use to run our village,” the mayor said.

He said then they would be forced to raise taxes.

Trustee Tom Sargent said other towns had already signed, except Corfu, Darien, Pembroke and the City of Batavia.

Johnson said another thing which upset them was the fact the county couldn’t tell them if the charge would increase past 60 cents, and no plans or improvements were ever discussed with the village before the decisions were made.

Graham said the village board has to investigate legal action.

“But we have to expect if we come in with a lawyer, the county will have 20,” Johnson said.

He said the county justifies the increase by rationalizing in this way: When the entire county has water, it will attract more business and more residents, which will result in more sales tax.

“But will it be enough to offset the extra cost?” Johnson asked.

A lady in the audience said there was no guarantee new businesses would be coming in, when businesses are moving out of New York State and people are leaving.

Another resident asked why areas which still need water couldn’t be charged enough to pay the cost, but the mayor explained the county wanted to be fair and charge the entire county.

When someone asked what the board’s stance was, the reply was, “We won’t sign.”

That was met with rousing applause from the crowd.

“If we would benefit by better water, it would be acceptable to pay more,” Graham said, “but we aren’t going to.”

The board said it has been getting pressure from the county for several months to sign.

Village Attorney David Saleh said taking money from one source as a penalty for another may be legal, but it also may be a breach of Corfu’s existing contract, something he is looking into.

The board urged residents to contact their state and county lawmakers and express their concerns.

The county was invited to send a representative to the meeting, but no one attended.

It was decided to schedule another public hearing on a date which is convenient for someone from the county to attend.

A silage fire is reported at 5020 Edgerton Road, Elba.

Elba fire along with Town of Batavia, Byron, and Bergen dispatched.

The fire is not near a residential structure.

UPDATE 5:36 p.m.: Fire units are about to clear.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office reports that at 2:45 p.m. a black bear was spotted in the area of Putnam Road and Francis Road, Bethany.

Last week a bear was reported around the Village of Attica.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: Photo of the bear provided by the Sheriff's Office.

Press release:

The  48^th Annual Genesee County 4-H Market Animal Auction will be held Thursday, July 19, at the Genesee County Fair.

The auction begins at 7 p.m. in the main show ring.

New this year, 4-H members will be selling market chickens and dairy steers.

The auction will feature approximately 28 lots of market chickens, 10 goats, 19 lambs, 29 beef steers, two dairy steers and 44 hogs.

There will be a complementary buyers' dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Auction supporters will receive buyer’s dinner meal tickets after registering for a buyer’s number.

Special thanks to William Kent and Family for providing 48 years of support of the 4-H Market Animal Auction Program.

For more information, contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 585-343-3040, ext. 101.

Press release:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, sponsored by Turnbull Heating and Air, is hosting its annual Angels in Action Golf Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 5^th, at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Fancher.

*Golfers and sponsors are needed!  

Price for golfing (including cart, lunch, buffet dinner) is only $70!  

Donations of products and/or services are also graciously accepted for our raffle.  

Please join us for a fun filled day with raffles, prizes, food and FUN!

Please call Lisa at 585-343-7798, ext. 116, or Michelle at 585-589-5605.

Proceeds benefit Emergency Services Programs in both Genesee and Orleans counties. Thank you for your support.

*P.S. -- Also Needed:

Press release:

Congressmen Chris Collins (NY-27) and Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ-09) today celebrated President Trump signing H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, into law. The legislation they authored together will require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and maintain a voluntary registry to collect data regarding the incidence of certain cancers in firefighters.

This registry will allow researchers to have a greater understanding of the impacts that smoke inhalation and other occupational hazards have on a firefighter’s health, and lead to better treatment options.

“The brave men and women who selflessly keep our communities safe while fighting fires deserve for us to do everything in our power to also keep them out of harm’s way while they are on duty,” Collins said. “We currently have a lack of information about how being exposed to certain fires will impact a firefighter’s health, and this is a common sense way to collect that data to improve protocols and equipment.

"I express my deepest gratitude for our nation’s firefighters and first responders, and take pride in knowing that this registry could lead to reforms that will save lives.”

“I’m proud that this legislation has been signed into law. The Firefighter Cancer Registry will bring together information on firefighters’ history to help doctors and researchers find any connections between firefighters’ work and increased risk for cancer,” said Pascrell, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

“This will improve the safety of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every single day. This legislation has long enjoyed bipartisan support because all of us want to protect those who protect the rest of us. Thank you representatives Chris Collins and Frank Pallone, and senators Bob Menendez and Lisa Murkowski for your efforts getting this bill through Congress and into law. I look forward to working closely with the CDC and members of the firefighting community to see that the new registry is implemented to its fullest use.”

“Day after day, firefighters all across the country are quick to answer the call of duty. Whether they do so in volunteer service or as a career, they put their communities first on a daily basis without question,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX).

“This commonsense bill will create a national registry to better document the physical toll these everyday heroes undertake and help lead to better treatment options. We look forward to seeing this registry come to fruition and applaud Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) for his leadership on this issue.”

The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act authorizes $2 million in federal funds to the CDC from FY2018 to FY2022. Data gathered would include a number of potential risk factors, including but not limited to the status of the firefighter (volunteer, paid-on-call, or career), number of years on the job, the number of incidents attended, and the type of incidence.

The collection of this data would allow for improved equipment, enhanced safety protocols and preventative techniques for our firefighters.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017, by unanimous consent on June 22, 2018. H.R. 931 first passed the House in September 2017, by voice vote. The Senate passed the bill, with an amendment, in May by unanimous consent. H.R. 931 was signed into law today by President Donald Trump.

Press release:

After a 15-year hiatus pop rock group Seven Day Faith, featuring their original lineup of Rob Ferenc, John Rosini, Kevin Ernst and Rob Bilson, will reunite for a one-night-only concert experience.

Taking place on Saturday, Sept. 15th, the four original members will perform such hits as “Everything,” “Ready To Go” and “Forever and a Day” on stage together for the first time in more than 15 years.

“We are looking forward to hosting Seven Day Faith’s reunion show,” said Henry Wojtaszek, CEO/president at Batavia Downs Gaming. “These talented musicians have entertained thousands of Western New Yorkers and we’re excited to welcome their fans to experience what’s sure to be a great night of music.”

“The four of us John, Kevin, Rob Ferenc and Myself, we have not been on stage together for over 15 years. I am looking forward to performing our songs and reliving those years of making great music and traveling together. This is sure to be a magic evening," said Rob Bilson, lead singer of Seven Day Faith.

“The time is right, it has been this is the 15th Anniversary of our second release "Somebody Save Me." That record gave us arguably our biggest single in “Forever and A Day” which was a top 5 hit on the Kiss 98.5 charts. It will be an amazing night revisiting this record as well as the wonderful music from our debut release “Life Says We Think Too Much.”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, July 10th, at 10 a.m. on bataviaconcerts.com. On concert day, doors open at 7 p.m., with live music starting at 8. Tickets are just $7. Each concert ticket is also redeemable at Player’s Club that night for $7 in Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines.

About Batavia Downs/WROTB

Owned and operated by 15 Western New York counties and the cities of Rochester and Buffalo, Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia. WROTB owns and operates 17 branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated more than $215 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of those participating municipalities.

About Seven Day Faith

Founded in 1996 by Western New York musicians Rob Ferenc, John Rosini, Kevin Ernst and Rob Bilson, Seven Day Faith’s musical and lyrical talents helped them earn the distinction of the Top Original Rock Group at the 2002 Buffalo Music Awards, with Rob Bilson winning the Top Original Male Vocalist award at the 2003 Buffalo Music Awards.

They claimed the number one spot in Billboard magazine’s Independent music Charts in 2004 and have gone on to open for national acts such as John Entwhistle, Pat Benetar, Michele Branch, Simple Plan, Switchfoot, Gavin Degraw, Avril Lavigne, Shaggy, LLCool J, Vanessa Carlton, JC Chasez, Papa Roach, Fuel and Our Lady Peace.

Once again, lots of music fans, lots of musicians, lots of music, and lots of fun at the Ramble Music and Arts Festival in Jackson Square and on Center Street, Batavia.

The bands performing during our visit to the festival yesterday were Lonesome Road, Sierra, Noah's Reign, Rock Soulgers, and The Bluesway Band.

A maroon Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck reportedly hit a mailbox and drove into a ditch in the area of 8055 Lake Street Road, Le Roy, and then continued on Route 19 toward Monroe County.

The license plate comes back to a Monroe County address.

Law enforcement is responding and Monroe County law enforcement being notified.

An excavator is tearing down what remains of the Stumblin' Inn in Elba this afternoon while fire crews keep the smoldering wood wet and attack hot spots that flare up as they get air.

"The building was constructed in the late 19th century, balloon construction, and there was fire throughout the building," said Jim Bouton, deputy emergency management coordinator. "The only way to successful to get to the hot spots now is with heavy equipment to haul the building apart so they can get to these hot spots in the building, otherwise we’re going to leave here and there is a potential for this lighting back up and we don’t want that to occur."

Bouton explained that as the fire caused the roof to collapse, it created trapped hot spots that can't be reached without pulling the wood apart, and as that happens, air hits those pockets and feeds the fire.

Crews will keep working on the fire until there's no evidence of remaining hot spots.

Meanwhile, the Village of Elba remains closed to through traffic.

The cause of the fire is officially undetermined. Investigators suspect an electrical issue.

UPDATE 4:55 p.m.: In about a half hour, all equipment will be removed from the roadway, so it can be cleaned up, the chief says.

Previously:

• Fully involved structure fire at Stumblin' Inn, Elba
• Fire destroys the storied Stumblin' Inn, a community landmark since the 19th century

Over the decades, many local residents enjoyed their first beer at the Stumblin' Inn in the Village of Elba, and some also drank their last there, noted Chuck Hoover, who drank his first beer there when he turned 18 (the legal drinking age then).

Today, the bar, former hotel (built in 1875), live music venue, and community hub was destroyed by fire.

"At about 9 a.m. we were dispatched for fire on the outside of the building, a couple minutes later when we arrived there were flames coming from the north-northeast side, coming out of two bottom windows, and one window on top," said Elba Fire Chief Mike Heale, adding that they are investigating whether the blaze began inside or outside.

The fire quickly went to a second, third and possibly fourth alarm, Heale said.

Multiple power lines stretched in front of the building were a problem and the logistics of setting up the hydrants and tankers, and truck placements were difficult in the village setting, Heale said, but thanks, in part, to recently installed village fire hydrants, firefighters were able to put a lot of water on the fire quickly.

The balloon construction of the building allowed flames to quickly climb into the attic and then across the length of the structure, which is a total loss.

"We got a good jump on it," the chief said. "We were on point with our pre-plan. We caught a break with the (lack of) heat. ... We attempted to go in through the backside but we immediately pulled people out."

Building owner Steve Goff and his brother, Jim Goff, manager of the bar, both got out of the building safely before the first firefighters were on scene. Steve Goff acquired the building in 1979, when the bar became the Stumblin' Inn.

Rehab for firefighters was set up at the Elba Fire Station and there were enough responders from two counties so that firefighters were rotated through to keep them hydrated.

The fire was reported to be under control shortly before 1 p.m.

According to the 1985 History of Genesee County, published by the Holland Purchase Historical Society with assistance from the Genesee County Department of History, Elba's first hotel, the Pine Hill Hotel, opened in 1815 and was owned by Steve Harmon.

The hotel was destroyed by fire in September of 1874. A new hotel was built and was in operation by July 23, 1875. The Elba or Swartz Hotel (a reference to the Swartz family who took it over from W. B. Moreau in 1882 and operated it for more than 50 years) was passed down through the years and had several different owners before Goff bought it.

Other owners have included Charles and Frank Zambito, Tony and Alice Tartaglia, Tom and Marty Greer, Betty and Tom Hemmerick, and Peter C. Marowski.

"Hotels and taverns have also played an important role in the lives of Elbans since the early days when Wyllis Tavern provided, food, drink and lodging for travelers and a place for local people to meet for refreshments and to get the news," the history book notes.

"It's been here for a lifetime," said Doug Chappius, who along with his wife, Sandra, have owned and operated Chap's Elba Diner at 5 S. Main St., Elba, for the past seven years. "I can remember when I was a kid coming here. As soon as I turned drinking age, that's where I went. I'm from Albion. I remember riding snowmobiles, four-wheelers here.

"Everybody used to come here. It's a loss for party people."

Chappius said when the fire broke out, "a lady came into the restaurant and she said 'There's a fire over there. Can I get a bucket of water to put it out?' She didn't seem very excited but I told my dishwasher to bring a bucket of water over there.

"I guess there was a little fire on the floor -- inside right by the front door -- and by the time he got there, it blew the window out and he backed off and came back."

Chuck Hoover, a lifelong resident of Elba, says "It's a sad day in Elba" because the Stumblin' Inn holds a lot of memories; it was an Elba landmark.

"It was a place where people gathered to meet, they sponsored go-cart rides, held parties," Hoover said. "It was just a good place for people to gather and meet. Listen to some live music from time to time. We use to go there after the field day, after reunions. It was old-school."

He said the Stumblin' Inn has been a community gathering place for years and the Goffs hosted many community charity events.

Bob Given, who has lived in Elba for 55 years, said he remembers when the hotel was three stories and there was a dance floor on the third floor. There was a restaurant that served spaghetti and fish fries on Friday night.

"The older you get, the less you frequent those places," Given said. "I'm glad it went on a day like today -- not with the wind blowing or in 10-below weather."

The Stumblin' Inn was popular with local musicians and area residents who enjoy live music.

"The Stumblin Inn has been a staple in the local music community for so long, it's hard to imagine a world without it," said Paul Draper, a local musician and music promoter. "It's a place where a lot of us musicians cut our teeth and were able to grow and learn to be better entertainers.

"There are not too many places around that would give a new band with no name or following an opportunity to play. The Stumblin' provided that. This is truly a sad day for the local music community and we are already prepared to help Jim and 'Stork' in any way that we can."

Howard Owens contributed to the story. Photos by Howard Owens.

Jim Bouton, deputy emergency management coordinator, comforts Steve Goff, owner of the Stumblin' Inn. Goff is also pictured below talking with Deputy Austin Heberlein.

A fully involved structure fire is reported at 1 S. Main St., Elba, the Stumblin' Inn.

Elba fire dispatched. 

Batavia's Fast Team, Oakfield, Alabama, also dispatched.

UPDATE(S) (By Billie) 9:49 a.m.: Byron Fire Department is asked to stand by in its fire hall. Fire police are coordinating to shut down roads in the vicinity to accommodate fire equipment. National Grid and National Fuel contacted to shut down utilities. The upstairs apartment is in flames.

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.: Barre Fire Department is called to provide mutual aid.

UPDATE 9:57 a.m.: More Elba Fire Police are called to the scene. Firefighters are going to hook up a ladder in the back to attack the fire. "Can you get the owners off that back deck?!" one firefighter yells to another.

UPDATE 10:02 a.m.: "Smoke is changing. Smoke is changing -- gettin' darker!" a fireman says.

UPDATE 10:06 a.m.: "Presbyterian Church people are startin' to show up. They can get to the church but they can't get much farther," says a fire policeman. More fire police from Barre, Byron, Oakfield are to be called to the scene.

UPDATE 10:09 a.m.: All interior firefighters are ordered out of the structure.

UPDATE 10:10 a.m.: Mercy medics #2 and #3 are called to the Stumblin' Inn.

UPDATE 10:17 a.m.: Utility reps are on scene. All power is turned off. National Fuel rep is on scene. National Grid has a 30-minute ETA. Power needs to be shut off still. Byron is asked to send an engine to stand by in Elba's hall.

UPDATE 10:27 a.m.: Two Barre Fire Police have arrived. One will be deployed at Church Street, the other at Bridge. Tankers called to provide mutual aid from Bethany, Stafford and Alexander.

UPDATE 10:36 a.m.: A tanker from East Pembroke is called to the scene.

UPDATE 10:52 a.m.: More fire police are called in from Stafford, East Pembroke and Alexander. They are going to post someone at Drake Street Road and Weatherwax Road, and then at Pekin Road and "back out to Townline." National Grid is arriving on scene.

UPDATE 10:57 a.m.: All occupants are believed to be safely out of the building.

UPDATE 11:03 a.m.: The Elba chief said the first started on the northeast corner of the first floor and flames were shooting out of three windows when they arrived. Now there is heavy black smoke showing but no flames. More fire police out of Orleans County are called in. "People are sneakin' by" laments the Elba Fire Police commander.

UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: All eastbound traffic will be closed at Route 262 per fire command. Law enforcement is requested to the fire command center.

UPDATE 12:07 p.m.: Power to the village is shut off.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m. (By Howard): The chief reported the fire under control about 10 minutes ago. Extensive overhaul underway. Power will be restored to the village shortly.

UPDATE 1:11 p.m.: Red Cross requested to the scene to assist one adult.

UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: Firefighters are packing up. An excavator is arriving on scene to finish demolition of the building.

UPDATE 5:45 p.m.: Roadways are being reopened.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: Elba assignment to 1 South Main St. is back in service.

Submitted photo of Batavia resident and ardent local golfer Carolynn Taylor.

It's been hot lately and this past week was especially sweltering. Most octogenarians sensibly parked themselves near thrumming air conditioners and waited for things to cool down.

But not 81-year-old Carolynn Taylor. In fact, the Batavia resident played golf, her favorite sport, last Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Granted it was evening time when she did so, but it was still very uncomfortable for many people half her age.

Such is her athleticism and conditioning from regularly hitting the links for more than 60 years.

Taylor plays to win and the three other "girls" in her foursome do that a lot in local tournaments.

Her estimated handicap nowadays is 26.

She came to our attention a week ago when a couple of her friends told us about her recent hole-in-one. We called and confirmed this with her Friday afternoon.

"I was just shocked," she said. "You have to have a good shot, but the rest of it is just luck."

It was actually the third time she's been that lucky. In addition to the hole-in-one on #12 at Terry Hills two weeks ago, she got one on #22 two years ago, also at Terry Hills, and another in Wellsboro, Pa., several years ago at the Tyoga Country Club.

According to the U.S. Golf Association, the odds of the average golfer hitting a hole-in-one are 12,500 to 1.

Asked what she got for her latest feat, she said "Nothing. I got to buy everybody a drink!"

Terry Hills, the 27-hole, 72-par championship public golf course on former farmland on Clinton Street Road, is her favorite.

"It's spectacular," she said. "They take such good care of the landscaping and the greens. You never see any weeds."

Taylor plays in three women's leagues there. She also regularly participates in a trio of local tournaments for charity: Ricky Palermo's Golf Tournament to Cure Paralysis; Genesee Cancer Assistance Golf & Bocce Tournament; and the Leadership Genesee Golf & Bocce Tournament.

She says her foursome has won the women's division in the Ricky Palermo outing every year for several years.

If you are competing against them, that sinking feeling must sink in pretty quickly.

A motor-vehicle accident with unknown injuries is reported at Galloway and Lewiston Roads, Batavia.

The initial report was for multiple vehicles but law enforcement on scene reports only two vehicles involved. One is off into the woods with two occupants unable to exit.

Two ambulances requested to the scene, one non-emergency response.

Town of Batavia fire dispatched.

Press release:

The Batavia New York Rotary Club has a long history of making significant capital contributions to local projects which are typically multi-year commitments.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the most recent and major fundraiser –The Annual Corvette Raffle – was put on hold while the State of New York’s elected officials in Albany reformed outdated 1950s laws with regards to nonprofit/charitable gaming raffles. Specifically: to whom, where and when tickets could be sold.

In the 21^st century of Internet, credit card and remote sale transactions, the current NYS limited raffle laws continue to be a major constraint on Batavia Rotary Club ticket sales necessary to cover the previous cost of the car, 10 other $500 winners, the expenses to run such a raffle, and net proceeds to satisfy our financial commitment to donations.

These donations go toward the UMMC operating room renovations, YMCA/UMMC wellness center and our annual $18,000 college scholarship program for three deserving high school graduates from Batavia High, Notre Dame and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

All that said, the Batavia Rotary Club is pleased to announce they are reentering the game with a 100-percent NYS Raffle Laws-compliant Cash Raffle having a $20,000 top prize.

Only 999 tickets will be sold at $100 each and the vast majority of the tickets will be sold here in WNY -- in the counties of Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Erie (as is still required by antiquated NYS Lottery laws).

The Batavia New York Rotary Club – 85 members strong -- will be soliciting and reaching out with tickets through a limited distribution and face-to-face contacts starting today, July 6.

The top prize winner will be selected as part of our Annual Brew Fest Event on Sept. 29 at the Batavia Downs Gaming. Five other lucky ticket holders will receive $100 cash prizes.

Contact any Batavia Rotarian for tickets. Tickets will also be available at:

• Lawley Insurance at 20 Jefferson Ave.
• Michael Kubiniec, DDS, at 180 Washington Ave.
• WBTA at 113 Main St., Suite 1

For further information:

Cash Raffle Event Chair, Sharon Kubiniec at (585)356-2771 or sharonKubiniec@gmail.com

Or at www.bataviarotary.com

Thank you in advance for your support! -- Laurie Mastin, president, Rotary Club of Batavia

Press release:

Searching for talented children and adults! The Genesee County Fair Talent show is July 21st and anyone age 6 and older is invited to participate. 

There will be cash prizes as well as prize bags containing passes to local attractions and toys for the first-, second- and third-place winners of both the Mini Division (ages 6-12) and the Maxi Division (ages 13 and older).

The link to register is: http://www.gcfair.com/participate-at-the-fair/talent-show/ 

Starting with this payroll, 22 Genesee County employees will no longer have money deducted from their paychecks to help support the Civil Service Employees Association, a union that represents 214 county employees, according to County Manager Jay Gsell.

The change is a result of a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that week, Janus v. AFSCME  (analysis by SCOTUSBlog), that struck down rules that allowed fees to be charged to non-union members who were employed by a government agency under terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

There are four unions representing 353 county employees, Gsell said, but only CSEA was receiving fees from non-members.

Interim City Manage Matt Worth said there are no City of Batavia employees who are covered by collective bargaining who are not members of their respective unions.

According to a Gannett News Service report, 31,000 state employees from throughout New York, will cease paying the fee this week.

Federal employees covered by collective bargaining are not required to pay the fee, and according to Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the majority opinion in Janus, 28 states prohibit such fees.

Unions at the federal level and in these states have not been thrown into “pandemonium” nor has there been “conflict and disruption” without these fees, Alito noted.

The suit over union fees that eventually made its way to the justices was initiated by Mark Janus, a child-support specialist for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. He objected to the fees because they went to such political speech intended to influence government agencies on issues such as salaries, pensions, and benefits for government employees.

That, he said, violated his First Amendment rights by forcing him to support speech that did not necessarily conform to his personal views.

“In simple terms, the First Amendment does not permit the government to compel a person to pay for another party’s speech just because the government thinks that the speech furthers the interests of the person who does not want to pay,” Alito wrote.

Alito noted that public spending, including the “mounting costs of public-employee wages, benefits, and pensions” – has skyrocketed in the past four decades. As a result, collective bargaining has gained a new political significance making the issue of fees to support that speech a bigger First Amendment issue.

In her dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan warned that the ruling could disrupt “thousands of ongoing contracts involving millions of employees.”

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: The county schedule for payroll deductions for union fees are: 

• AFSCME: $18.76 bi-weekly
• DSA: $22 bi-weekly
• SEA: $15.55 bi-weekly
• CSEA: bi-weekly range is $18.73 - $30.15

Photo of Framing Our Future Steering Committee Co-chairs -- Professor and Program Director of Social Sciences, Tim Tomczak, and Dean of Distributed Learning, Craig Lamb, Ph.D.

Submitted photo and press release:

In May, the Board of Trustees at Genesee Community College approved the new Strategic Plan that will help guide the College through the next five years at all levels.

From academic program developments to the investments in teaching and learning technology, hiring new employees to facility improvements-both large and small decisions are all guided by the Strategic Plan.

The shape of GCC's future at all seven campus locations in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) Counties, as well as GCC's Online Learning, ACE Program and even developments at College Village will all be governed by the Strategic Plan through 2023.

"Framing Our Future" is the theme of the new plan and the comprehensive planning process began in 2017 with the establishment of a 32 member Steering Committee co-chaired by Professor and Program Director of Social Sciences, Tim Tomczak, and Dean of Distributed Learning, Craig Lamb, Ph.D.

Their combined efforts included a careful examination of the prior plan's priorities and progress, an online open input form, seven forum sessions scheduled across the GLOW region and involving more than 150 participants, 500 surveys, more than 1,000 ideas, suggestions and recommendations from the College and community, and thousands of pieces of data.

"Framing Our Future" now features revised Mission and Vision Statements. In addition, there are five major Priorities reinforced by Core Objectives impacting all departments. These become the new road map by which each unit measures its success in tri-annual reports and also develops annual goals or "Plans of Achievement," as they are commonly known across campus.

To view the Strategic Plan in its entirety, go to the designated Web page at:

https://www.genesee.edu/home/about/administration/strategic-planning-initiative.

"Framing Our Future is an essential management tool that drives our programs, budgets and operations. But simultaneously, it is also an embodiment of the aspirations we hold for our students, fellow colleagues, friends and neighbors," GCC President James Sunser said.

"I invite the entire community to review this important document and our core objectives which we have published online for easy access. We hope the communities that GCC serves will join us in harnessing the power of the future."

Three people were taken into custody around noon at Park and Oak, Batavia, after being stopped as shoplifting suspects.

Charges are pending and their names have not yet been released but police said they recovered a cache of goods allegedly stolen from Tops Friendly Market and Walmart.

The groceries from Tops included, officers said, steaks, lobster, shrimp, a large roast, gluten-free pizza, and several household items, including toilet paper.

The items recovered that appeared to be stolen from Walmart included archery bows.

The suspects appear not to be local residents.

A caller had followed the red van from Tops until police initiated a traffic stop at Park and Oak. The caller reported observing the driver of the red van pounding the steering wheel in an apparent realization they had been caught.

Police are still investigating and will release more information later.

(Submitted Photos)

Children and their families dealing with cancer often need an extra ray of sunshine and that's the purpose of Maria’s Sunshine and Dreams fund, which is the focus of a golf tournament July 29 at the Batavia Country Club.

There is still time to sign up for the sixth annual tournament, said Sarah Christ, Sunshine and Dreams Fund board member.

Maria’s Sunshine and Dreams fund provides "sunshine" for children and their families facing medical hardships with large toys, family memberships to local zoos/museums, and needed "supplies" including gift cards for gas, groceries and more.

The fund is made possible through donations and the annual golf tournament, which typically funds the program for the rest of the year. Registration for the golf tournament can be found on their website here and any questions can be directed to sunshineanddreamsfund@gmail.com. 

“Many local people come and golf in the tournament and we are constantly looking for donations and big-ticket items as well,” Christ said. “We are new and we are trying to get our name out there.”

Maria’s Sunshine and Dreams fund was started in honor of Christ’s friend, Maria Nash Anderson, who lost her battle with cancer in March 2012 at age 25. Anderson served on missions trips while attending Roberts Wesleyan College, and worked as a youth caseworker for the Genesee County Department of Social Services. Christ said she loved children and wanted to make a better life for other children.

“We thought this would be a great way to keep her memory alive,” Christ said. “We want to help other families going through difficult times by providing sunshine to them.”

Christ helps to personalize each gift by speaking with friends and family to find out the children’s interests and personalities.

“We’ve done WWE live event tickets for one boy, a spa day for a little girl, and other things, too,” Christ said. “We try to include the siblings and other family members as well because they’re going through this, too.”

Missy Sacheli, mother of “Sunshine Kid” Joseph Sacheli, said the organization brings happiness, comfort and smiles to those who need it most and they will be forever grateful they were chosen to bring sunshine to.

“The Sunshine organization was an unexpected ray of light for our son during a really difficult and dark time,” Sacheli said. “They are thoughtful and take into account each child’s interests and likes. My favorite part about them is they allow kids to focus on being kids...instead of the setbacks they are working to overcome.”

Almost all of the sunshine stays in Genesee County, but Christ said they do branch outward to surrounding areas to help other children.

In the past, Maria’s Sunshine and Dreams fund has given a lot of the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House of Rochester to be used as a separate fund for families to have fun in Rochester while they were in the area and provide meals once a week. Christ said they realized they needed to keep the money local, so most of the funds go to local families now.

“We want to try to help more kids in the area and spread the word around more than we have in the past years to get support in the community,” Christ said.

Christ is hoping to continue growing the organization to give the children bigger and better toys, as well as help the parents provide more necessities. The organization started in Rochester but was brought back locally about four years ago. Since then, Christ said they have helped more than 20 children and their families, and the number is growing.

“We try to help any kids from the age of a preemie baby whose family has to go back and forth to the hospital, or a kid with a severe or daily medical issue,” Christ said. “We focus on the kids' needs and what they love and try to use that to personalize each basket. Every basket is completely different.”

Dawn Logsdon, mother of “Sunshine Kid” Roger “Bubba” Logsdon said it is a phenomenal organization that has a unique way to brighten kids’ days and put smiles on faces that have every reason not to smile.

“The kids [Maria’s Sunshine and Dreams Fund] help have been dealt a terrible hand and [the] organization gives them the “wild card” that keeps them motivated to keep getting better and stronger,” Logsdon said.