Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on May 26, 2023
The debate over migrants coming to western New York is sparking protests in Buffalo as Legislators attempt to stop County Executive Mark Poloncarz from allowing busloads of undocumented immigrants to be brought into Erie County. Legislator Jim Malczewski is arguing that bringing in migrants will take services away from residents. There are protests near the county building by migrant and refugee services organizations holding signs saying asylum is a human right and shouting “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” They accuse Malczewski and counties that have declared states of emergency of hate and racism. Critics of immigration policy say that most people who claim asylum are just using it as an excuse to get into the country illegally and then take advantage of the United State’s resources and generosity.
The First Presbyterian Church in Batavia, no stranger to controversy, is setting itself up to go against Genesee County’s state of emergency by offering housing, food, clothes and other necessities to any undocumented immigrants who come to the area. Pastor Alkhouri cited Matthew 25 where Jesus tells His followers that those who will be saved will be the ones who feed, clothe and take care of the least of their neighbors as a reason she is ready to take in migrants. First Presbyterian already participates in programs that help people released from ICE facilities in the area and sees this as an extension of that mission. County Manager Matt Landers says that Genesee, along with 22 other NY counties including Monroe County are already stretched too thin and that any organization that welcomes in migrants should come talk to him first.
4 teens were arrested in Rochester after they allegedly stole a car and were breaking into others. 2 17 year olds and 2 15 year olds were taken into custody after police responded to a disabled car on 490 on the westbound side near Golf Rd around 2 am on Thursday. A person at the scene said their car had been stolen a day before. At around 4:20 am police responded to reports of people breaking into cars on West Commercial St in East Rochester. The teens were determined to be connected with the abandoned car. Deputies charged the group with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property. They were issued appearance tickets, and three of them were released from custody. One of the 15-year-olds was turned over to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding warrant.
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse officials on Wednesday afternoon honored six “friends” of the nonprofit agency and five GCASA Foundation scholarship winners at their annual meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant. Friends of GCASA awards went to the City of Batavia Fire Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Prawel, Patrick Cecere, Heather Jackson, Mercy Flight EMS and the United Memorial Medical Center MOMS Program. Scholarship recipients for 2023 are Carly Cerasani, Arianna Hale, Valerie Pastore, Lauren Reimer and Lilly LeTourneau. They each received $1,000 for enrolling in fields relating to human services or social services.
The Community Garden at Emmanuel Baptist Church is ready for planting and there are still several plots available for prospective gardeners. The raised planters have been built, sod and seed have been delivered, and the water tank has been filled. All the garden needs is hands to turn the soil and plant the season’s harvest. There are 20 plots total and just over half have been spoken for. If you are interested in a place to grow, call 585 343 4905.
Do you have an old tv or computer or printer lying around that you just haven’t been able to take to the recycler? Assemblyman Steve Hawley is once again partnering with the Sunnking recycling group to offer free electronic device collection and recycling for the community. Collection day will be Saturday, June 17, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the parking lot at 5130 E Main Street Road in Batavia. Pre-registration is requested of all attendees. To register, follow the link at wbtai.com: https://form.jotform.com/Sunnking/Hawley23.
