Honor The Batavian Anniversary

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