Senate Resolution No. 4530

BY: Senator RANZENHOFER

COMMEMORATING the 10th Anniversary of The Batavian
to be celebrated on May 1, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalistic entities which have diligently and
consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their communities
and brought local news and news of the larger world to their readers;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of The Batavian to be celebrated on
Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Eli Fish Brewing Company, Batavia, New York;
and

WHEREAS, Conceived in 2008 as a research and development project for
GateHouse Media, The Batavian officially launched on May 1, 2008, with
Howard Owens as publisher and Philip Anselmo as editor; Brian Hillabush
later became sports editor; and

WHEREAS, The Batavian was originally located on Main Street in
Batavia, New York, where Eli Fish Brewing Company stands today; and

WHEREAS, In February 2009, GateHouse shut down and The Batavian was
relaunched by Howard and Billie Owens on March 1, 2009; during this
time, the site had three advertisers and approximately 2,000 visitors
per day; and

WHEREAS, Just four months later, during a bank robbery in the Town
of Elba, the site's live updates of events was instrumental in putting
The Batavian on the map; and

WHEREAS, The Batavian became the go-to source in Genesee County for
local news and new sponsors began to sign on almost daily; and

WHEREAS, In May of 2011, Lisa Ace joined the staff of The Batavian,
and over the past seven years has become an integral part of its
success, along with numerous freelancers and interns who have helped the
business along the way, including current freelancers Mike Pettinella,
Maria Pericozzi, Jim Burns, and Steve Ognibene; and

WHEREAS, Today, nearly 12,000 people visit the site each weekday and
more than 150 local businesses support The Batavian with their
sponsorships; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, The
Batavian has been honored by the Inland Press Association, The Genesee
County Chamber of Commerce, GO Art!, and the Business Improvement
District, for its journalism and its contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, Our news sources provide a tremendous service to citizens
across the State of New York by keeping them informed about current
events; the democracy of our State and Nation is strengthened by a

responsible citizenry which is actively engaged in reading and kept
abreast of news affecting their lives; and

WHEREAS, As The Batavian moves into the future, it carries with it
the legacy of a distinguished journalistic history and an outstanding
record of growth and achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of The Batavian to be celebrated on May
1, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Howard and Billie Owens, The Batavian.