Monday News Brief

BATAVIA TOWN BOARD CONSIDERS NEW WATER DISTRICT

The Batavia Town Board will consider creating a new water district following a public hearing Wednesday night.
The proposed Northwest Water District would bring public water to properties along Galloway, Slusser, Harloff, Stegman and Miller roads.
The project calls for more than 34-thousand feet of new water main, along with hydrants, valves and related infrastructure. The total cost would be capped at just under 5-point-5-million dollars, with any government funding received reducing that amount.
The remaining cost would be financed through bonds and paid by property owners within the new district.
For a typical single-family home, officials estimate the first-year annual cost at about 782 dollars. That includes roughly 334 dollars toward the project debt and an estimated 448 dollars for water usage. Property owners would also face initial expenses for connecting their homes to the system.
The public hearing begins at 7 Wednesday night at Batavia Town Court. The board is expected to vote afterward, with creation of the district subject to a permissive referendum.

WROTB CONSIDERS EXTENDING STRATEGIC PLANNING CONTRACT

Western Regional Off-Track Betting directors are considering keeping a consulting firm on board as the corporation moves from developing a new strategic plan to putting it into action.
WROTB hired Webster-based True North Executive Solutions last year for up to 60-thousand dollars. After months of meetings, employee surveys and planning sessions, the firm has helped produce a three-year framework for the organization.
The plan centers on four areas: financial sustainability and growth, expanding the market and improving the guest experience, strengthening workplace culture, and operational improvements.
The board has not yet formally adopted the framework or its new mission and vision statements. A vote could come in September.
Several directors say True North’s familiarity with the organization could make the firm valuable during implementation. The consultants have already completed the 240 hours covered by the original agreement.
Any additional work would require further board approval, with directors expected to revisit the issue at their next meeting.

GENESEE 2050 PRIORITIES HEADING TO COUNTY LEGISLATURE

The Genesee 2050 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will present its recommended priorities for the coming year to the County Legislature on Wednesday, September 9th.
The recommendations were developed with input from more than 200 community members representing 10 different stakeholder groups.
This year’s priorities cover several areas, including infrastructure, transportation, housing, public safety, agriculture, economic development and community services.
County lawmakers and the County Manager’s Office will consider the recommendations as they begin developing Genesee County’s 2027 budget.
The presentation begins at 4 p.m. at the Old Courthouse on Main Street in Batavia.

TRIVIA NIGHT RETURNS TO BATAVIA DOWNS TONIGHT

Trivia Night is back at Batavia Downs tonight, giving teams a chance to put their pop culture knowledge to the test.
The monthly competition gets underway at 6 p.m. inside Club Bud Light at 34 Rush.
Teams will battle through a variety of trivia questions as they compete for the top spot.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early and grab food and drinks before the competition begins.

GLOBAL ECONOMY WEATHERS SIX MONTHS OF IRAN WAR

Six months into the war with Iran, the global economy has avoided the recession and financial crisis some economists initially feared — but the conflict is still hitting consumers around the world.
Oil prices jumped as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed dramatically. Brent crude remains about 20-percent above its prewar level, contributing to higher transportation and airfare costs.
Fertilizer prices also surged, raising concerns about future food production and worsening hunger in poorer countries.
But financial markets have staged a major comeback. Since bottoming out in March, the Dow has climbed nearly 19-percent, the S&P 500 about 22-percent and the Nasdaq 27-percent.
The energy disruption has also accelerated investment in alternatives, with electric vehicle sales and renewable-energy projects expanding in several countries.

ONTARIO PREMIER FIRES BACK AT TRUMP’S ‘LAKE AMERICA’ NAME CHANGE

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s decision to have the U.S. government refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”
Ford unveiled a massive sign along the Canadian shoreline Saturday reading “Lake Ontario. Now and Always,” with the message displayed in both English and French.
The move follows Trump’s executive order directing federal agencies to use the new name. Canada is not required to recognize the change.
Ford says the renaming attempt is retaliation for Canada standing up to the United States amid an escalating trade dispute.
Other Canadian leaders have largely responded with mockery, while Prime Minister Mark Carney has also rejected the change.
Lake Ontario’s name has Indigenous origins and predates both the United States and Canada.

SEVENTIER, LIP READER A WIN BATAVIA DOWNS OPENS

A pair of 13-thousand-500-dollar Open races highlighted Saturday night’s card at Batavia Downs.
Seventier rallied from fourth to capture the Open Trot, catching favorite Shine All The Way in the stretch and winning by half a length in 1:56-and-2. It was Seventier’s third consecutive victory and tenth win of the year.
In the Open Handicap Pace, Lip Reader A made his move from third late in the race and prevailed in a three-horse stretch battle, winning in 1:54-and-1.
Driver Shawn Gray also collected four victories on the card.
Racing returns Wednesday at 4 p.m., highlighted by a 115-thousand-500-dollar New York Sire Stakes race for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.