Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on March 25, 2022
The controversial speaking event at SUNY Brockport has been moved to a virtual event after several changes and stripping the speakers pay. The University has made national news over the past few weeks because of their decision to invite a man convicted of planning an ambush and killing 2 New York City police officers to the campus to speak about his incarceration as a “political prisoner.” Anthony Bottom, who now goes as Jalil Muntaqim, served 50 years of a life sentence for the 1971 killings and was released because of changes to parole under former Governor Cuomo. SUNY Brockport came under harsh criticism after inviting him as part of a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative. The school administration refuses to say who invited him, just that they are a faculty member. While the parole board says that Muntaqim is remorseful of his actions and involvement in the Black Liberation Army, he spent his time in prison describing himself as a political prisoner and wrote several books including We are Our Own Liberators and joined the People Liberation Program and started the We Charge Genocide: International Tribunal to the UN.
The Genesee Society of Model Engineers will host the 100th “Great Batavia Train Show” on Sunday, April 3rd, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Richard C. Call Arena, Genesee Community College. The train show typically attracts 1,200 to 1,500 model railroad enthusiasts and railfans from across Western and Central NY, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. There are over 100 vendors occupying 250 tables offering merchandise ranging from antique railroad artifacts to the most modern digitally controlled model trains. This year the Club will also be hosting the “Batavia Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet” along with the train show. Admission is $6 for Adults, $3 for teens 13-18, and free for under 13.
Maybe you’ve gone there for church or the clothes closet or the soup kitchen. Or perhaps been helped by an AA meeting or just sat across the street and admired the beautiful rose window. The First Baptist Church on East Main Street in Batavia is an active building and a historical one that needs a new roof. They are having a fundraising concert Saturday night at 7pm with the Pembroke Corfu Town Band. Admission will be a freewill offering. They are also having a bake sale.
This weekend is the last chance to check out maple farms around the region while New York State Maple weekend is going on. There are several in the immediate area of Batavia with more less than 20 minutes away. Farms are putting on guided tours of their operations, tastings, free samples, hay rides, face painting and more. Check out the New York State Maple Map to find a maple producer and go for a visit. You can find the map by following the link at wbtai.com.
https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com/
