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The developer of an apartment complex intended to provide an increase in affordable housing for people with disabilities, especially seniors with disabilities, in Batavia, said this afternoon that he intends to ask the City Council to table a resolution tonight that would rezone the land needed for the apartments.

Mark Fuller, a Genesee County resident, intends to build more than 80 units in a complex at 661, 665 and 679 E. Main St., Batavia.

"We're actually going to ask them to table the vote tonight until a housing study comes out in the middle of the year that I think very much supports the need for this type of housing," Fuller said. "That (the study) was brought up by a couple of council members, so we at least want to give them a chance to read the study before taking the vote."

The lots are currently zoned industrial and in order for the project to go forward, the council would need to rezone it to C2, a commercial designation that would allow apartments.

The lots are a former state police barracks and are surrounded by mostly residential and commercial property.

Two weeks ago, the council voted by a narrow 5-4 margin to move the resolution for rezoning to tonight's business meeting.

"In all the projects that we've done, we've had nothing but great support," Fuller said. "I'm just surprised there's been some pushback from City Council."

Fuller is currently working on 18 similar projects around the region for DePaul Properties, he said.

He said he thinks there is community support for building the apartments and that there is an unmet need in the community for this type of affordable housing oriented toward people with disabilities, seniors with disabilities, and veterans.

"We've had nothing but terrific support from everyone I've talk to about this," Fuller said.

He said once completed, even with a PILOT agreement in place, property taxes generated by these apartments would still be four times more revenue for the city and school district than the revenue currently generated by the existing use. Plus, the development would pay a substantial bill for municipal sewer and water.

The City Council meets at 7 p.m.

Interview conducted by The Batavian's news partner, WBTA.

Press release:

NOREASTCON 46, a scale model show and contest, will take place on Friday, May 19th and Saturday, May 20th at the Quality Inn, 8250 Park Road in Batavia. NOREASTCON 46 will be cohosted by the "Buffcon Boys" of Buffalo and the "Roc City Scale Modelers" of Rochester -- both chapters of the International Plastic Modelers Society (IPMS).

This amazing display of scale models will include aircraft, military vehicles, automobiles, ships, fantasy figures, space vehicles, junior categories, dioramas and more. NOREASTCON is held each year in a different Northeast location. The event features the best of the best modelers from as far away as Maine, Virginia and Eastern Canada.

"From past history to modern day to future visions, the models on display will be of interest to those of all ages. The attention to detail, the delicate workmanship and the over 80 different categories provide a unique and miniature look at the world around us," said event spokesperson Armand Miale.

A variety of hobby supply vendors will be on hand and there will also be an awesome raffle of hobby kits, books and supplies scheduled to take place. Demonstrations and seminars on building better models are scheduled for Saturday. For those who choose to enter models, the $20 fee is for unlimited entries. Awards will be presented. General admission is $10 per person and is good for both days.

For more information on NOREASTCON 46, visit www.noreastcon.com

Press release:

This is an open invitation to all members of the community to participate in this year’s Batavia Memorial Day parade on Memorial Day Monday, May 29th.

The City of Batavia is sponsoring the parade and we are looking forward to another great turnout. The parade will kick off at 9:45 a.m. from the Eastown Plaza and end at the Alva Place parking lot. People can then go to the Veterans Memorial Service at the Memorial site across the street at the Jerome Center.

Any veterans wishing to participate in the parade can just show up at 9:15 a.m. Any veterans needing a ride in the parade, please contact Bob Bialkowski at (585) 409-3624. Any groups wishing to participate please let us know as all are welcome. Please keep the theme of respect to all our veteran and first responders.

Let’s show our support to our veterans and first responders.

Press release:

Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (R, C, I – Amherst) has announced today that his legislation (S5814) to quicken access to ride-sharing services for Western New York has secured a sponsor in the State Assembly.

The legislation has also garnered bipartisan support from 12 senators, representing regions all across the state, as cosponsors after being written just one week ago.

“The momentum is building to get ride-sharing services up and running in Western New York for the Fourth of July holiday weekend,” Ranzenhofer said. “The legislation is one step closer to a reality with Assemblyman Cahill’s leadership in the State Assembly. I look forward to working with him to get this bill passed by both houses of the State Legislature.”

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster, Dutchess) has introduced the bill (A7624) in the State Assembly. 

“With full legislative recognition of the unique business model of the ride-hailing industry, it makes sense to move up the authorization a few days to allow for the services to kick off before the 4th of July holiday. I will work to fast track this legislation through the Assembly and I am sure Senator Ranzenhofer will do the same in the Senate. It will then be up to the TNC's to bring their product to market all over Upstate New York,” Cahill said.

The bill amends the effective date for the ride-sharing legislation, Part AAA of Chapter 59 of the laws of 2017 approved as part of the recent state budget, from 90 to 80 days. If enacted, transportation network companies would be available as soon as June 29th. Under existing law, it would not be available until July 9th. 

Senator Ranzenhofer noted that transportation network companies will help to further public safety.

“Every year, we read about accidents and deaths caused by motorists who should not be driving during this holiday weekend. As families and residents celebrate the founding of our nation by watching fireworks all across the region, it is so important for our roads to be as safe as possible. One more safe, reliable transportation option will help to prevent injuries and save lives,” Ranzenhofer said.

An animal control officer and Town of Batavia volunteer firefighters attempted this morning to rescue three ducklings that fell into a storm drain at Main and Lewiston by House O' Laundry.

The duckling's mother left the area after a passerby tried to keep her and her six other ducklings out of the roadway, so duck calls from smartphones were used to try and lure the ducklings out of the storm drain pipes and to the open grate. They simply wouldn't come out of the pipe, even after attempts to create noises at the drain east of their location.

Their best hope now is to find their way to an opening that drains into the Tonawanda Creek.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation celebrated the running of the Kentucky Derby again today with its Sixth Annual Derby Day at Terry Hills. The even also marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of the foundation, which honors the son of Mark and Laurie Napoleone, who died of Burkitts Lymphoma/Leukemia at age 8. The foundation raises money to fund pediatric cancer research, treatment and to help families with children in cancer treatment.

To purchase prints, click here.

Diane Winters cuts a board for the new front porch going onto the front of 1299 Bloomingdale Road, Basom, as part of a restoration effort on the latest project home for Genesee County Habitat for Humanity.

It was Women's Build Day.

The thing about this house, originally built in 1900, is that a future owner has not yet been selected. Habitat for Humanity is still accepting applicants.

"This was a house outside our normal rehab area so we're excited about expanding our service area to families," said Lauren Casey, president of the board. "It’s been a little bit of a struggle for us, as it turns out, to find a family. We’re still searching for a family, but that was the opportunity we wanted to seize."

Casey said for the right family, the three-bedroom, 1,648-square-foot house on a half-acre lot, is going to be a beautiful home. But that family isn't likely to come from the area of Habitat's normal reach, which is Batavia.

"I think it’s going to be tough for a family where we normally communicate with our families in Batavia to have them relocate, especially if they have kids to have them come out to this area," Casey said. "I think somebody in the Oakfield-Alabama School District is going to be our best bet for a family."

The family will need to put in 500 hours of "sweat equity" into the home, plus meet other financial qualifications (there is both a minimum and maximum level of income -- for more information, click here).

"I think it’s going to be a beautiful house. I think it’s just a matter of finding the right family," Casey said.

Marty C. Phelps was lain to rest today in Batavia with military and fire department honors. Phelps served 25 years with the City of Batavia Fire Department and was a strong advocate for fire prevention. He also served 50 years as a volunteer firefighter with various departments, was a veteran of the Army, and founder of the Medina Railroad Museum. Click Here to view complete obituary. 

Photos provided by Destin Danser Photography.

Former City of Batavia firefighter and a 50-year veteran of the volunteer fire service, Marty Phelps will be remembered today with a full-honors funeral procession down Main Street with a pass by the City fire station on Evans before winding up at St. Joseph's on Main Street.

The Army veteran was involved in many community organizations and was the creator, director and conductor of the Medina Railroad Museum.

A giant flag will be held aloft across Main Street at St. Joe's by City Ladder 15 and Town of Batavia Ladder 25.

The route begins at the Michael Tomaszewski funeral home, 4120 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, at 10:30 a.m., proceeds east down Main Street, onto Ellicott Street, to Evans Street, to Maple, to Jackson, to Ellicott, to Swan, to Main, to Summit.

Traffic diversions are being set up now at some locations along the route.

For the full obituary for Marty Phelps, click here.

If you took a game like "whack-a-mole" and merged it with a ride that goes up to 20 feet in the air, mixed in some friendly competition, the concoction would be a game known as "Strike-U-Up," which will be one of the new fun options at Darien Lake Theme Park this year.

Western New York's largest family fun zone opens for its 54th season tomorrow, May 6.

Located next to the Rolling Thunder roller coaster, Strike-U-Up straps two riders in special seats as two other people hammer away on large switches at the game's base, propelling the riders in the air. The person to make their partner reach the top first, wins.

Here's a YouTube video of the game at park in Florida:

Slapshot, the other new game, is based on ice hockey, and it's a spinoff of the National Hockey League's Accuracy Challenge.

You don't need ice skates or special clothes. Participants have a set amount of time to shoot a hockey puck at four targets within a regulation-size net. The company All Black Hockey Sticks donated Darien Lakes' supply of hockey sticks. Players can win some neat prizes, including team jerseys. 

The new indoor hockey game is located where the shooting gallery used to be next to the world-renowned Viper, the park's signature steel coaster featuring five inversions, a blackout tunnel and a 70-foot drop that is decidedly not for the squeamish. (A special 35th anniversary party is planned next month for the wicked and beloved Viper.)

Well before, or well after, an engagement on the Viper, or Rolling Thunder -- and its 73-foot high, 20-foot wide steel loop that spins riders clockwise and counterclockwise -- you might want to try one of the new noshes at the park. For example, the big salty pretzels filled with warm, gooey caramel, or a hot juicy beef sandwich from the new Beef 'n' Beer stands, which also serve craft brews.

Loganberry soda is available at some locations in the park thanks to its new beverage partner, PepsiCo., which also sells the ever-popular Mountain Dew in its product line. Loganberry is popular in Western New York, parts of Southern Ontario, Canada, and in merry olde England where it is used to flavor English trifles and the fortified dessert wine, sherry. (But it was created in California by Judge J. H. Logan, of Santa Cruz, who cleverly combined the Aughinbaugh blackberry and red Antwerp raspberry.)

Of course, there are Anchor Bar wings, pizza, and that curiously toothsome ice cream treat, Dippin' Dots.

And let's not forget about all the great music that's in store at Darien Lakes this year, its 25th concert season. To commenorate the anniversary, Darien Lake and Live Nation have teamed up to offer concertgoers at the Darien Lake Amphitheater a free admission ticket to the theme park on the day of the show. 

As General Manager Chris Thorpe says "Where else can you ride coasters all day and rock out all night with the greatest stars in the music industry?”

A total of 23 shows are scheduled, including Lady Antebellum, Goo Goo Dolls, Train, Zac Brown Band, Third Eye Blind, Nickleback, One Republic, Kings of Leon, and John Mayer.

Saturday is designated as Season Pass Holder Appreciation Day, and each season pass holder will get an additional free bring-a-friend ticket good for any day this season, as well as a Buy One, Get One Free discount on the two newest games, four free fun tickets, and a souvenir mug.

The Darien Lake Theme Park complex sits on more than 1,850 acres and features more than a hundred rides; included in the entrance fee is the Barracuda Bay water park with more than 20 water attractions and a huge wave pool. A hotel is next to it and a camp site with 2,000 camping lots and some cabins.

For more information on season passes, concerts or accommodations, visit www.DarienLake.com.

A rollover accident is reported at 10198 East Road in Bethany. No word on injuries. Bethany Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The location is between McLernon and Jerico roads.

UPDATE: Photos by Glenn Adams. 

Bethany Town Supervisor Carl Hyde directing traffic. He is a volunteer firefighter.

Former Sheriff Gary Maha has decided to run for the District 9 seat on the County Legislature and incumbent Ed DeJaneiro is taking it all in stride.

He's faced opposition before, he said, and hopes come election day voters will look at his long years of service to the community and 10 years experience in the Legislature and decide in his favor.

"I respect that fact that he wants to run for this office," DeJaneiro said. "I think it’s critical though that they look at what’s going on right now before they make the final decision to vote for one or the other. There are things related to many, many years of understanding and experience in regard to some of these decisions coming up. It’s more than just the jail. Mr. Maha is a wonderful person and I’m sure he means well, but I think there is a large learning curve."

After Maha decided to run, DeJaneiro said he got a courtesy call from the former lawman and DeJaneiro said Maha told him he wanted to work on the jail project.

The county is being pressured by the state to replace its decades old and outdated jail with a new facility.

Reached while on vacation, Maha said it's more than just the jail that interests him in a seat on the County Legislature. He thinks his years of leadership experience and training will be an asset on an array of issues. He thinks he can help the Legislature prioritizing the use of the county's resources rather than just turn to the taxpayers for more money. But, yes, the jail is important and he's got some experience with the topic.

"I told him I think I could be an asset to voters of District 9 when it comes to the topic of building a new jail because I operated a jail for 29 years," Maha said.

That isn't the only issue that interests him, he said. (We'll talk with Maha in more depth about his reasons for running and other county issues when he's back from vacation).

DeJaneiro has indicated he favors looking more closely at a shared services agreement with another county.

"With the jail, in particular, we have to look at things very closely in respect to our needs and if there is any opportunity to build a joint jail with another county, and other counties that have the same criteria as we do, whereby the state is requiring them to have a more modern jail," DeJaneiro said. "We’re all going to be faced with the same expensive task of building a new jail, and I mean expensive. I’m talking around $35 million."

There are other issues facing the county, DeJaneiro said, where he thinks his experience is an advantage.

"I’ll tell you, it’s one of those situations where I have worked hard for residents and I’m very concerned about some of the upcoming things such as property taxes," DeJaneiro said. "Property taxes are something that is really hurting us more than we think. Everything is based on and paid for by property taxes. We don’t collect income tax and property taxes is something I’m concerned about. We have a lot of upcoming expenses and things happening."

He's especially focused, he said, on protecting the city's share of the county's sales tax.

"I'm working really hard on trying to make sure the county, Geneses County, lives up to what they promised the City of Batavia in respect to shared sales tax, which means millions of dollars for the City," DeJaneiro said. "Without that, we’re not in good shape in the city if we don’t continue to get our share of the sales tax."

The other big issue, DeJaneiro said, is water.

"The water situation in Genesee County is one that we need more water distributed to various portions of the county that don’t have it and need it, but again, it’s a very expensive ordeal," DeJaneiro said. "That wouldn’t necessarily mean our property tax. It is a special fund for that, but still an expense and we have to watch out for our residents, especially those on a fixed income, which is many of us."

News partner WBTA contributed to this story.

Press release:

Residents of the Pembroke Central School District are being reminded to vote on Tuesday, May 16, at the Pembroke High School from 12  to 9 p.m. Posters and signs about the Corfu Free Library vote featuring local residents who are library patrons can be seen throughout the area. The signs and posters are a reminder for residents that their votes will determine the future of the Corfu Free Library.

About 45 people attended the April 18 public meeting held by the Corfu Free Library Board of Trustees at the Pembroke Community Center to learn about the proposition. The Trustees also hosted two small group sessions at the library in late April for residents.

At these meetings, Kristie Miller, president of the Corfu Library Board of Trustees, and Diana Reding, Library director, provided information about the May 16 vote that proposes to transition the Corfu Free Library to a school district public library. The library would remain housed in the same building with the same staff.

The school district would have no direct control of the library but would collect funds for the library. This transition would stabilize the funding needed to operate the library and provide elected representation to the taxpayers, as library trustees will be elected rather than appointed.

According to Board President Miller, “We hope that residents remember to vote on May 16. At our meetings, we have explained that library usage has increased steadily while our funding has not. With this vote, the proposed level of community-based funding would amount to 24 cents per $1,000 of assessed values on properties in the Pembroke School District.

"Without this transition, the future of the library is uncertain. We have been encouraged the positive comments we have received from the community who believe that the library is important to all of us.” 

Slides from the presentation at the April 18 public meeting and additional information about the upcoming library vote are available online at the library’s website atwww.CorfuFreeLibrary.org. Residents with questions can also contact Miller at 585-599-4266.

Press release:

While there are slightly fewer food insecure people in the Rochester area, those who struggle to put food on the table are finding it less affordable to feed themselves and their families, according to a report released Thursday.

Foodlink, the regional food bank, announced the release of Map the Meal Gap 2017, the latest report by Feeding America® on food insecurity and the cost of food at both the county and congressional district level.

The overall food insecurity rate in Foodlink’s 10-county service area dipped slightly from 12.5 to 12.4 percent in 2015, the most recent year for which data is available. Child food insecurity showed marked improvement by decreasing from 20.9 to 19.4 percent. The study also finds, however, that people currently facing hunger are likely falling further behind as they continue to struggle to buy enough food to meet their needs. Food-insecure individuals in the Rochester area now face a food budget shortfall of $514.25 per person each year, up from $492.92 last year, and $402.72 in 2009.

Foodlink serves the counties of Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates. Food insecurity ranged from a low of 10 percent of the population in Ontario County up to 13.2 percent in Monroe County. Overall, 156,530 people, including 52,780 children, are considered food insecure in Foodlink’s 10-county service area. The national food insecurity rate is 13.4 percent.

“While it’s encouraging to see numbers improve in some areas, we know there is plenty of work to be done to assist the more than 150,000 people in our region still struggling to put food on the table,” said Foodlink Executive Director Julia Tedesco. “Our mission is to end hunger. We will continue to serve this community until everyone has reliable access to healthy food.”

Food insecurity is defined as a household’s limited or uncertain access to adequate nutritious food. It is assessed in the annual Current Population Survey (CPS) and represented in USDA food-security reports.

Using data from the CPS, the study finds that nationally, on average, food-secure individuals report spending $2.94 per person, per meal. This is a slight increase from the average of $2.89 as reported in Map the Meal Gap 2016. Locally, that number rose from $2.79 to $2.87 based on Nielsen data that factors in the local cost of food and assigns a “cost-of-food index” to each county. That index rose in 8 of the 10 counties in Foodlink’s service area.

The report also shows that 32 percent of the food insecure population in Foodlink’s 10-county service area has a household income higher than the threshold to qualify for SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps.

“That is particularly troublesome,” Tedesco said. “We all know the benefits of federal nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, and knowing that one-third of our food insecure clients cannot access these vital programs is alarming.”

Map the Meal Gap 2017 uses data from the federal Department of Agriculture, Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics. The study is supported by founding sponsor The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Conagra Brands Foundation, and Nielsen.

Foodlink is one of 200 food banks in the Feeding America network that collectively provides food assistance to 46 million Americans struggling with hunger. Last year, Foodlink distributed more than 19 million pounds of food, including more than 5.7 million pounds of fresh produce. It supports approximately 500 member agencies across 10 counties and offers dozens of innovative food access and nutrition education programs.

“It is disheartening to realize that millions of hardworking, low-income Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to feed themselves and their families at the same time that our economy is showing many signs of improvement, including a substantial decline in the number of people who are unemployed,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America.

“This study underscores the need for strong federal nutrition programs as well of the importance of charitable food assistance programs, especially the food pantries and meal programs served by the Feeding America network of food banks.”

A summary of the findings, an interactive map of the United States, and the full report are available at map.feedingamerica.org.

2017 Map the Meal Gap report for Foodlink’s 10-county service area:

(Chart reflects data from 2015)

County

Food insecurity rate

Estimated # of food insecure individuals

Child food insecurity rate

Estimated # of food insecure children

Monroe

13.2

98,830

19.1

31,060

Allegany

12.6

6,070

22.8

2,290

Orleans

12.4

5,250

21.8

1,890

Livingston

11.6

7,540

20.3

2,510

Seneca

11.5

4,030

19.5

1,400

Genesee

11.2

6,650

20.3

2,540

Wyoming

11.2

4,640

20.2

1,670

Yates

11.0

2,780

21.1

1,230

Wayne

10.6

9,810

19.6

4,080

Ontario

10.0

10,930

17.7

4,110

TOTAL

12.4

156,530

19.4

52,780

The 2017 Empire Cup College Showcase is a two-weekend event a big financial boost to the local tourism industry, but a week of rain, some of it heavy at times, has saturated playing fields and forced the cancellation of this weekend's games.

As for next weekend's games, that depends on the weather.

"We've got to hope for a couple of dry days this week," said Kelly Rapone, director of tourism for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Over two weekends, more than 3,000 soccer players from all over the Northeast were expected to fill up local hotels and eat at local restaurants, but that $1.1 million of expected economic impact has been cut in half.

Everybody, from the hoteliers to the event's hosts to the participants are hugely disappointed by the rainout, Rapone said.

The event is a chance for top high school players to showcase their talent for college recruiters and give them a chance to play against some of the other top players in the Northeast and Canada.

This weekend, the boys' championship games were scheduled to be played. Next weekend, girls' games are scheduled.

The 2017-18 budget for the Richmond Memorial Library, with a $25,044 in spending, was approved by voters with 87 percent, or 211 people, voting yes.

Rebecca Long was elected to a five-year term to the Board of Trustees, filling a vacancy to be left by Beth Stich, whose term expires in June.

Ninth-graders from throughout the GLOW region were at GCC today for the 2nd Annual Precision Agriculture Day. The series of lectures and demonstrations were an opportunity for students to learn about career options in agriculture that involve technology. It was a chance for them to see how technology is changing farming to increase yields and reduce costs, whether it be GPS-guided plows and seeders, or drones that use aerial photography to determine the level of nutrients in soil so farmers know better how to manage fertilizing their crops.

The demonstrations included soil fertility, crop management, drones, GPS/GIS mapping, data analysis, animal technologies and auto steering.

"We would really like to see our youth return to the field of agriculture," said Jennifer Wakefield, program coordinator with the BEST Center. "It’s our area. It’s where we live. We need young people to work in these fields."

In recognition of May being National Electrical Safety Month, Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano and the City of Batavia Fire Department in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) would like to remind all residents of several electrical safety tips.

• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
• When you are buying or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified private inspector or in accordance with local requirements.
• Only use one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.
• Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extension cords and plug strips should not be used.
• Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) shut off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs. Consider having them installed in your home.
• Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. GFCI’s shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard. They should be installed inside the home in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. All outdoor receptacles should be GFCI protected.
• Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. There should be a that indicates the maximum wattage light bulb to use.

Lastly, it is recommended that you call a qualified electrician or your landlord if you have:

• Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
• A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance
• Discolored or warm wall outlets
• A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Sparks from an outlet

If a resident has any questions or concerns regarding any of these tips, they can contact the City of Batavia Fire Headquarters at 585-345-6375.

The Elba Central School Drama Club performs a Broadway musical review they've dubbed "Spotlight" at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in the school's auditorium.

Drama Club members past and present were invited to audition for the show, performing show tunes of their choosing so long as they numbers hadn't been part of a past or an upcoming show.

After the performance, audience members will be invited to participate in a mega game of musical chairs in the gym.