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Misconceptions about economic development incentives persist in Genesee County, suggests Mark Masse, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, but the results at Apple Tree Acres in Bergen show a different reality: more jobs, higher payroll, and a growing tax base.

Masse met with The Batavian on Tuesday to discuss a recent case study that the agency presented at its annual meeting two weeks ago.

“We wanted to take a look at this as a case study to dispel a lot of the myths that we hear constantly about IDAs and incentives—that after 10 years and the pilot expires, companies are going to leave, that they never meet their job creation goals, all of those types of things,” Masse said. 

The companies currently in Apple Tree Acres, collectively, initially pledged to create 119 jobs. The companies have created at least 419 jobs (companies no longer under a PILOT agreement do not report employment numbers annually, so the agency is including their numbers from the most recent annual report filed).

Combined, the companies maintain a payroll of at least $30 million. 

The PILOT payment (payments in lieu of taxes) and property taxes being paid to local taxing jurisdictions is $343,000 annually.

“That is 28 times what that would have been had it remained ag land and under an ag exemption," Masse said. "By the time all the PILOTs roll off, it’ll be a million dollars in property taxes.”

Apple Tree Acres, which began development around 1999, is now fully sold out following the decision by Oxbo International Corporation to move from Byron to a new plant at Apple Tree. Construction began in September and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

The park has attracted a mix of new and expanding local businesses. Liberty Pumps, the first tenant, has grown from 10 employees to more than 300. Masse noted that Oxbo, which considered building in Wisconsin, ultimately chose Bergen because the site fit their needs better.

Oxbo will open with 140 employees and expects to create 60 new jobs once fully operational.

Masse addressed the common misperception that incentives are simply cash handouts. 

“People think we’re handing out bags of cash to companies and we are not,” he said. “If they didn’t build, then there are no incentives.”

He also explained that corporate businesses draw significantly less in municipal services than residential properties, which means the taxes and PILOTs the companies pay help subsidize services for residents. 

“Any corporation with the taxes they’re paying is helping to subsidize the cost of municipal services for the residents,” Masse said. “So having businesses like this, even under PILOTs, helps to defer a lot of those municipal service costs that residents are paying for.”

Multiple companies at Apple Tree Acres have completed their PILOT agreements and remain in operation, exceeding their initial job projections. They didn't move away, as critics often suggest such companies do once the tax incentives expire.

“Ad Tech and Leonard Bus have been off of their PILOTs for about six years now, and they’re still going strong with no issues,” Masse said. “Most of the others are still kind of in the middle of their PILOT schedules.”

The park currently hosts eight businesses, including a store for the ubiquitous retail giant Dollar General, a recent addition, which Masse said chose the site for its location, the number of employees and businesses at the park, and the daily traffic from the park and nearby I-490.

The impact of Apple Tree Acres extends beyond direct employment and tax revenue. Masse pointed out that companies in the park hire local contractors, vendors, and service providers, creating additional economic benefits that are not captured in the employment numbers. 

“If they sub out, if they hire a local mowing company to mow, landscaping company, window cleaners, their suppliers that are paying their truck drivers to bring in product and take product out—those companies aren’t paying those salaries (in the calculation of annual salaries mentioned above), but those people do have jobs and are being paid because of this particular development,” Masse said.

The Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in Batavia offers another example of the long-term impact of economic development projects. 

Masse noted that H.P. Hood, which took over a facility originally built by Pepsi Mueller, has invested heavily in the site and now exceeds the original job creation projections. 

“Hood just recently won a national award for that facility as well. On the national food manufacturing scale, the Hood facility is known as one of the best in the country, if not the world,” Masse said. “Hood thinks so highly of Batavia, and we’re so glad they’re here that they bought some of the additional acreage there to plan for future expansions, because a lot of their other places are landlocked. So if they’re going to expand again, it’s going to be in Batavia.”

Upstate Niagara, which bought the former Alpina yogurt plant, has also exceeded job projections and uses local milk, supporting area farmers. 

The Ag Park still has 20 acres available, with CH4 Biogas holding a right of first refusal for a biodigester facility and J&L Ice planning a new facility.

Buffalo East in Pembroke has overcome significant site challenges, including extensive wetlands, to attract new investment. 

Yancey’s Fancy built a 112,000-square-foot facility in late 2015. The facility occupies 12 acres and represents a capital investment of $20.6 million. J&R Fancher Property Holdings completed a mixed-use development in 2022 and is currently working on approvals for two 10-unit townhouse complexes.

“That’s going to end up being a very beautiful park when it’s completed,” Masse said.

Gateway I, developed in the mid-1990s, and Gateway II, developed in the early 2000s, have both generated substantial economic activity. 

Infrastructure investments for the Gateway II have attracted companies like Milton CAT, LandPro, New York Bus Sales, and SCP Pools along East and West Saile drives. 

“You’ve seen a lot of other companies gobble up that acreage because of the available infrastructure that was funded to put in the park,” Masse said. “We’re going to take a look and see, from a case study perspective, what the park generates, and then what the spin-off outside of the park generates as well for an overall economic impact.”

Masse emphasized that the results at these business parks are not theoretical. 

“These projects are real. They’re here. You can go drive out and look at them, and as I said, you can see the cars in the parking lot of the people who are working there,” Masse said. “We have to be competitive on these incentives, on these abatements, because if we aren’t, these companies will build, but they won’t build here, and then we will lose not only the workforce and the people we have, you’ll lose the community efforts that a lot of these companies do.”

He explained that the benefits of these projects extend into the fabric of the community. 

“All of these employees have kids in the school system. They have kids in Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts. They’re always selling things. They’re fundraising for different causes. All of these things are happening inside of these facilities in our communities to benefit our communities," he said. "And if these companies weren’t here, I don’t know where that would come from, and that is a piece of economic impact that is never measured, that nobody ever wants to talk about, but it is vital to the survival of your kids’ T-ball team, your kids’ soccer team.”

Remembered in the hearts of those who knew them -- or know them, for those still living -- Batavia’s Hometown Heroes, the men and women who served in the U.S. military, are the subject of a new tribute.

Rows of nearly life-size banners now line Park Road and Redfield Parkway, each one honoring a service member. The banners went up ahead of Memorial Day, marking the launch of the City of Batavia’s Hometown Heroes Banner Program.

“Obviously, this is a great idea that the city of Batavia and the Batavia Fire Department had to honor Hometown Heroes,” said Byron Brown, president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, during an unveiling of the banners with the family members of the veterans whose faces grace the banners. “We’re thankful to all of the families for allowing the city of Batavia to honor your family member. I know that we’re honoring service members who have protected our nation in the past and in the present. And it’s always great to honor the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country.”

Jessica Best, secretary for the City of Batavia Fire Department, shared her gratitude for the community’s response. 

“I want to thank everybody. It’s been wonderful. Thank you. It’s been wonderful to get to meet so many fantastic families, and I feel like I know some of you personally now, and I really appreciate that everybody’s been wonderful,” Best said. “And I think we had a really good turnout for our first year, and very good feedback. And so I want to thank the families. I appreciate everybody, and I appreciate all the help we’ve gotten from the city and from the Downs. Like I said, I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I think this is a great opportunity for the city to show their support for our veterans, and I look forward to future years.”

The program began with encouragement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley and City Manager Rachael Tabelski and was coordinated by Best. In its first year, 52 banners are displayed—28 along Park Road and the rest on Redfield Parkway. Each banner measures 30 by 60 inches and is expected to last at least three years. The banners will remain up through Labor Day.

City and Batavia Downs crews assisted each other in attaching the banners to light poles. 

Best said, “For our first year, this year, we have 52 banners. So we, like he said, we have some here on Park Road, and the rest are over on Redfield Parkway, and they’re going to be up. We wanted them up by Memorial Day, and they’ll be up through Labor Day. And the goal is that each banner will last at least three years, and then every year, we’re just going to keep continuing to hang them until the integrity is no longer good, and at which time, then we can either purchase new ones, or if the family wants to discontinue it, then they can, but they’re going to be up every year, and then we’ll just continue to add on every year for the program, and hopefully we’ll have all of the city covered.”

As the program grows, Best said, the city will need to evaluate which city poles can support the larger, heavier banners. 

“Because of the size of the banners, they’re larger and heavier than we anticipated. So, not all of the city poles, even though everybody’s like, 'Oh, we have lots of city poles,' but not all the city poles will hold them," she said. "Obviously, given what they are, we want them to have integrity and to be able to hold the banners. So that’s something we’re going to have to look into before next year to see where exactly they can go.”

Best encouraged anyone interested in purchasing a banner for next year to contact the fire department to be added to a mailing list. 

“Anybody who wants to move forward and purchase for next year can call the fire department and talk to me, and I’ll just put them on a mailing list," she said. "That way, not only will it be advertised in September, but then I can send out mailings as well.”

Looking ahead, Best said, “I think this is a great opportunity for the city to show their support for our veterans, and I look forward to future years.”

Photos by Howard Owens

Tuesday, Wolcott Street School in Le Roy held a student art show.

Photos by Howard Owens.

David Jeffery Pinkerton, 32, of Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with assault 2nd and criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use. Pinkerton is accused of fighting with two people at around 1:58 a.m. on May 18 in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven in Bergen. He allegedly caused physical injury to one person who was transported to UMMC with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. He was held pending arraignment.

Kelly J. Mungo, 49, of East Main St., Batavia, is charged with tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of controlled substance 7th. Mungo was arrested due to an investigation during a traffic stop on South Lake Road, Bergen, at 4:39 p.m. on May 5 by Deputy Jonathan Dimmig. She is accused of attempting to conceal cocaine and a crack pipe on her person. Mungo was held pending arraignment. Also charged,  Colleen M. Hutchinspon, 50, of Spring Street, Bergen, who was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. Hutchinson was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. She was held pending arraignment. Also charged, Timothy L. Corcoran, 61, of Maple Street, Batavia, who was charged with conspiracy 4th and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Corcoran is accused of possessing cocaine and contributing to the commission of two Class B felonies. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Kurtis Rashod Washington, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Washington is accused of possessing 23 grams of cocaine, enough to constitute intent to sell, during a probation home visit at 10:51 a.m. on May 5 on West Main Street Road, Batavia. He was transported to the Genesee County Jail and held without bail.

David R. Cook, no age or address provided, is charged with grand larceny 2nd and fostering the sale of stolen goods. Cook was arrested on April 25 following an investigation by Erik Andre and Deputy Nicholas Charmoun into thefts from Upstate Farms Culture Products at 5011 West Ag Park Drive, Batavia. Cook is accused of stealing property that belonged to Upstate over a six-month period and selling the property for financial gain. Cook allegedly stole more than $100,000 in goods. He was arraigned and released.

Heather McGinnis, 35, of Dublin Road, Bergen, is charged with assault 3rd. McGinnis was arrested following a report at 1:15 a.m. on April 17 of a disturbance at an address on Dublin Road. She is accused of biting another person. She was transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.

Terrance D. Barner, 36, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Barner is accused of failing to leave the Quality Inn and Suites after being ordered to leave by deputies at 9:07 p.m. on April 21. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Casandra L. Matson, 38, of Railroad Avenue, Silver Springs, and Del John Akin, 47, of North Main Street, Silver Springs, are charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. Matson and Akin are accused of skip-scanning merchandise at Walmart at 4:04 p.m. on April 23. The defendants were transported to the Genesee County Jail for processing and released.

Yulia Pityk, 24, of Silver Birch, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Yulia was stopped at 1:52 a.m. on April 25 on Route 33 in Bergen by Deputy Ryan Mullen. Pityk was released on tickets.

Cody James Nichols, 40, of Avenue A, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Nichols was allegedly found in possession of cocaine at 4:22 p.m. on May 1 at a location on Apple Tree Avenue, Bergen, by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Stephen Douglas Freeman, 54, of Conlon Road, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, driving with registration suspended, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, and driving without insurance. Freeman was stopped at 8:29 p.m. on May 2 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. Freeman was held for arraignment.

Jennifer Lynn Maher, 42, of Prole Road, Stafford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and no plate lamp. Maher was stopped at 1:24 a.m. on May 4 by Deputy Zachary Hoy on Clinton Street Road, Stafford. Maher was issued tickets and released.

Jason Joseph Meyer, 48, of West Avenue, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and following too closely. Meyer was stopped at 10:05 p.m. on April 18 on Veterans Memorial Drive by Deputy Alexander Hadsall. Meyer was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Dylan Michael DIbble, 29, of Pole Bridge Road, Avon, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and driving left of pavement markings. Dibble was stopped at 2:08 a.m. on May 10 on Broadway Road, Bethany, by Sgt. Mathew Clor.

Thomas Howard Forbes, 58, no address provided, is charged with DWI and failure to stop at a stop sign. Forbes was stopped at 12:57 a.m. on May 18 on Park Road by Deputy Leah Bezon. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

The jury in the upcoming murder trial will want to know why Michael Poole, an Olcott resident, was shot in the head and his body was abandoned in the trunk of a car and left in the town of Alabama, District Attorney Kevin Finnell told Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini in Gensee County Court on Monday morning.  

Casey F. Spencer, the defense attorney for Edward Dunn, the man accused of killing Poole, argued that many of the specific details Finnell wants to bring up at trial -- jury selection set to begin on June 6 -- are too prejudicial without much value to proving the guilt or innocence of her client.

Dunn, a former Lockport resident, is accused of killing Poole on March 17, 2024.

One of the prosecution witnesses is Kathryn Henry, Dunn's former girlfriend and a good friend of Poole. Finnell said he would need to explain to the jury why Henry did not immediately come forward and report the crime. Henry was initially charged with murder in the second degree in connection with Poole’s death. 

However, on August 22, Henry entered guilty pleas to two lesser charges: hindering prosecution (a Class D felony) and concealment of a human corpse (a Class E felony). She is no longer facing a murder charge. Henry is scheduled for sentencing in County Court on August 18.

The case that Finnell would like to present to the jury would include information about Dunn's prior criminal record and Dunn's alleged burglaries and attempted burglaries, as well as information that indicates Dunn has violent tendencies and that Henry feared for her safety.

That fear, Finnell argued, is why Henry did not come forward immediately after the alleged crime.

On March 27, 2024, Dunn, Poole, and Henry allegedly drove Barker intending to commit a burglary at a laundromat, but the "conditions," Finnell said, were not conducive to a burglary. Finnell indicated that Henry would testify that Poole warned Dunn to be more careful because people were becoming suspicious that he was involved in a series of burglaries. 

Finnell's theory of the case is that Dunn was motivated to allegedly kill Poole because he suspected Poole of telling people about the burglaries. 

He said Henry would also testify that in the short time they were a couple, Dunn said he had committed other violent crimes outside of New York State and she knew that he was facing a felony assault charge in Niagara County from December 2021.

According to Finnell, Henry would say, if permitted by Cianfrini, that Dunn owned a rifle that he always carried with him, and that weapon was the same rifle used to kill Poole. 

When Dunn was arrested by a parole officer, according to Finnell, he was found hiding in a crawl space of the residence he shared with another witness, Norman S. DuBois, and the rifle in question was also in that crawl space.

All of that is highly prejudicial, Spencer argued, to her client. 

Criminal evidence rules generally prohibit the introduction of criminal records and uncharged crimes in trials because the information is likely irrelevant to the case before the jury and could paint the defendant in a negative light. The jury is supposed to consider only the evidence relevant to the case before them.

Monday's hearing was based on case law, which provides standards for a judge to consider regarding the admissibility of prior offenses.

Spencer argued that there are other potential motivations for the crime available in the investigative record and the details of the alleged prior crimes are not necessarily needed to say that Henry feared Dunn.

Finnell argued that without the evidence he wishes to present, the jury would be left with a "blackhole" for the jury to understand the true nature of Henry's fear, and since only Dunn and Henry were reportedly in the car when Poole was murdered, they jury could easily wonder why Henry wasn't the actual killer.

Spencer also argued against revealing that Dunn was on parole at the time of his arrest.

Finnell said all these pieces of potential evidence are "woven into the fabric" of the case and can't be separated.  Henry's knowledge of the prior assault case goes to her state of mind when considering her options after the alleged murder, and the parole arrest and potential evidence uncovered in the search are critical to the case.

Cianfrini raised the issue with Spencer that the arrest parole officer would like to testify at trial, which would indicate that Dunn was on parole at the time of his arrest.

Spencer acknowledged that jurors could draw that conclusion based on the appearance of that specific witness, but it is unnecessary to tell jurors specifically that Dunn was on parole.

The 39-year-old Dunn is currently serving a 2 1/2 to 5-year prison sentence, assigned to Clinton Correctional Facility, for a prior and unrelated burglary in the third degree conviction in Orleans County.

Cianfrini will rule on today's motions prior to trial.

He is currently being held in Attica so that he is available to appear in Genesee County Court and to meet with his attorney as the case moves toward trial.

John Bolton graced a Le Roy High School stage many times 45 years ago, but he may never have beamed more joyfully than he did Sunday afternoon after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater.

Bolton has done more than achieve success on Broadway and on television. Throughout his career, the New York City resident has given back to the community that nurtured him and gave him room to grow as an artist.

Bolton is an acclaimed performer who never forgot his roots.

“I am so grateful to you all," said Bolton, a 1980 graduate, "and I may not have found the arts in Brighton, a much bigger school district, and I was able to find it here, and it is largely because of this lady right here, Beth Ann Lambian Hooker.”

There were a couple of hundred Le Royans in attendance, many of whom he's known throughout his life—teachers, mentors, friends, classmates, and the students he's helped guide through Le Roy's award-winning musical theater program.

During his acceptance speech, Bolton noted that he's often asked, "What's your favorite role?" He said he always answers, "The next one."

He was grateful, he said, to be honored at a time when he's still looking forward to his next role.

“I’m so glad you’re doing this now, and not, you know, after I’m gone,” he said, smiling.

BethAnn Hooker, Bolton’s former music teacher, expressed her gratitude for Bolton's consistent support of the students coming up through the program behind him.

“The COVID shutdown was so devastating, but you sparked inspiration in a moment when there was uncertainty," Hooker said. "Thank you for showing up to the production of Chicago. You're coming and speaking to the students, the inspiring words that you said -- your words matter, your time matters, and you know that, and you’re so humble in how you approach everything you do. We are so grateful. I am grateful for your commitment and for your inspiration.”

The event was lively from the start, punctuated by laughter, applause, and a palpable sense of community pride.

Master of Ceremonies Nathan Yauchzee and Evan Williams welcomed the crowd and set the tone for an afternoon focused on Bolton’s career and his ongoing connection to Le Roy.

The program featured a medley of Broadway numbers from Bolton’s repertoire, performed by alumni Jack Diskin, Haily Grasso, Suzanne Scott, Andrew Tomidy, Evan Williams, Nathan Yauchzee, and current senior Aubrey Puccio.

The musical tribute brought Broadway energy and polish to the Le Roy stage.

Speakers throughout the afternoon shared stories that highlighted Bolton’s generosity, humor, and commitment to giving back.

Millie Tomidy-Pepper, a classmate and close friend, recounted his early struggles and determination.

“John’s initial attempts to secure performing roles in seventh and eighth grade didn’t produce the results he had hoped for," Tomidy-Pepper recalled. "However, those disappointments pushed him to reach deeper and try, try again. By his senior year in 1980, he had earned the coveted role of the Scarecrow in the Le Roy High School musical, The Wiz. That experience confirmed his passion for the performing arts, and from then on, acting became his life’s passion, one stage and one role at a time.”

Tomidy-Pepper described Bolton’s generosity, recalling how he arranged for students in Le Roy’s Curtains production to receive personal phone calls from their Broadway counterparts.

“This is only one of the shining examples of John’s generosity and selflessness," she said. "John has consistently taken the time to share his time and talent, and has encouraged countless aspiring performing arts students to continue working towards their dreams.”

Hooker shared memories of his early performances and his willingness to help others.

She recalled Bolton’s memorable audition and performance as the Scarecrow in “The Wiz,” highlighting his dedication and comedic timing.

“Auditions happened, and it came down to about four young men who could all sing, dance and act the part beautifully of the Scarecrow. I had to find a way to break the tie, and the Scarecrow had to fall off a small stand about two feet high after being attached to a trellis. Each young man and when released by Dorothy, they were all to fall down, but they saved themselves as they fell, except for John, of course, one arm was released, then the other, and before his arm even got to his side, John fell to the floor as if there wasn’t a bone in his body, just the pile of straw is to say they got departed in the fall of 1980.”

Bolton had a lively sense of humor, Hooker said.

“In 1979, John played Junior Babcock in Mame," she said. "One of my favorite lines was when Mame (played by Suzanne Scott) called him that Son of a Baker Babcock. John decided to add what he thought a college boy would do in his scene with Mame’s nephew, Patrick Dennis. He pulled out a Playboy magazine and held it open to the centerfold. I rose from the pit and almost kicked him from the stage, not so much for the magazine itself, but the fact that Playboy wasn’t even published until 1953, and this was the 1930s. Sorry, I always tried to be time-period correct, if I could. I think John thought it would be a funny bit, until he saw my face in that reaction. I can laugh about him now, but then…”

Hooker described how Bolton returned to Le Roy after graduation to help with junior high productions, choreographing scenes and even writing original plays for the school.

"How very lucky am I? Of all the gin joints, excuse me, I mean, high schools, in all the world, LHS can claim that this talented, incredibly humble gentleman started here,” Hooker said.

Holly Valentine, director of education for the Rochester Broadway Theater League, reminded the attendees that Bolton's impact isn't just local. It's regional.

“He inspires everyone around him, particularly the next generation of performers," Valentine said. "I am here today, not only as his friend, but as a voice for Rochester Broadway Theater League, where for close to 10 years he has been a key member of our Stars in Tomorrow program where he is guiding, influencing and encouraging students from the Greater Rochester region and all over New York State. It’s incredible to watch his work as he mentors so many students with immense generosity, truth, kindness and love.”

Village of Le Roy trustees Bill Kettle and Jim Bonacquisti formalized the recognition by presenting Bolton with a proclamation and the village key.

The proclamation recognized Bolton’s accomplishments on and off Broadway, national tours, television work, and selfless contributions to generations of Le Roy theater students. The village board declared May 18, 2025, John Bolton Day in Le Roy.

Bolton’s remarks at the ceremony's end captured his gratitude and trademark humor.

“I grew up in Brighton the first 10 years of my life, and they said, ‘Hey, we’re moving to this town called Le Roy, but you’ll love it. It’s a beautiful town.’ I was really mad," he recalled. "I loved our schools in Brighton. I loved the diversity, I loved the arts, and I came here grudgingly. Well, after about two days here, I fell in love with it, and have remained in deep love with this beautiful town ever since, its scenic beauty, its rich history and its people.”

He credited the community for nurturing his talent and spirit.

“It truly takes a village. I have wonderful upperclassmen who are so cool and kind to me…so many neighbors," Bolton said. "There was a wonderful woman who worked with my dad at the bank, Mary Wright, who was extremely kind to me and supportive. I want to mention the support I received over the years in wonderful notes along the way and private, wonderful conversations from the great Nancy Baker, my late, dear, hilarious, genius friend, Jan Howard, Sherry Boylan, who remains one of my best friends to this day.”

Bolton’s gratitude extended to the teachers and mentors who shaped his journey.

“I may not have found the arts in Brighton, a much bigger school district, and I was able to find it here, and it is largely because of this lady right here, Beth Ann Lambian Hooker.”

Bolton teased his former classmates, Bonacquisti and Tomidy-Pepper, quoting from freshman-year annuals. The notes his classmates provided new punchlines for Bolton's remarks.

Quoting Bonacquisti’s playful message: “John, you’re such a slob, but you’re a great guy. Don’t ever change.”

He then turned to Pepper Tomidy’s advice, reading her words: “John, it’s been fun having you in class. Watch out for the girls next year -- they’ll be after you!”

He noted, too, the sign-off she wrote in the yearbook, "'I know someday I'm going to see you' -- and this was underlined -- 'on Broadway.'"

Bolton's acceptance speech included many memories of Le Roy. Clearly, his love for Le Roy, especially the Le Roy of his youth, never waned.

He recalled, "making the bank my playground on weekends for $1 an hour to empty waste baskets and shred the neverending stack of print out statements in the basement; working at Super Duper, where I hated being a stock boy and begged them to let me be the first male check out boy -- and they let me! Working as a bank teller with great people at that little branch inside the Ben Franklin and watching the wonderful Canali family buzzing around, running a wonderful business. Roller skating parties at Holy Family. Bike riding the back roads. Kick the can with East Main kids; skateboarding on our perfectly sloped driveway; sledding the big hills of the Le Roy Country Club; tennis with friends at Stafford; the enormous shrimp at George Peck’s Meat Market, 'Where friends meet for meat;' Ice cream at Genesee Farms, the meatball sub at Pizzaland, the sauce at the Casino. Wonderful memories, but it’s all really about the families who welcomed me with open arms. They set extra places at dinner for me, arranged sleepovers, and chauffeured me all around.”

Bolton ended with heartfelt gratitude to his friends and the community that once again showed up to see him grace a Le Roy stage.

"Thank you all for the home you were during those wonderful years way back then," Bolton said. "For the home you found (for) me in performing arts, and for the home you will always have in my heart. Thank you for the love you've shown me then and now, and thank you all for being my family. I love you all. I'm very grateful."

Andre' Miller, owner of Zoom n' Groom, along with assistants, was parked outside the Genesee County Animal Shelter on Sunday afternoon, trimming the nails of dogs as a fundraiser for the Volunteers for Animals.

Submitted photos.

Dan Mault was named Firefighter of the Year at the annual Pembroke and Indian Falls Fire Department banquet on Saturday. 

Mault was recognized for his dedication to training, leadership in planning district training, and his role in rescuing three dogs in Alabama. 

“The firefighter of the Year Award goes to the guy who has the best Monday night attendance in 2024. He was instrumental in planning the district training in 2024 and just so happened to be my nozzle man and assisted in the rescue of three dogs in Alabama,” said Chief Jamie Waff.

Dave Olsen was honored for 50 years of service to the Pembroke Fire District. State Senator George M. Borrello presented Olsen with a proclamation and a special service plaque. Near the end of the evening, he also received an honorary axe as framed wall art as a special service recognition. 

Other awards included EMS Provider of the Year, presented to Ed Mileham, and the Training Award, presented to Ron Tyx, who logged the most state training hours and now serves as district training officer for 2025.

LuAnne Mileham, Ed's wife and an EMS officer, presented Ed with the award and shared stories highlighting his decades of service. 

She recalled a call more than 30 years ago when Ed delivered a baby across the street from their home. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever sweated so much in my whole life delivering this child,” she remembered him saying.

LuAnne also described a moment at church years later when a young girl recognized Ed as the man who helped bring her into the world. 

More recently, she recounted a winter call where Ed assisted another woman in labor. 

“He was thinking of throwing her in his truck and taking her to the hospital, but the ambulance said they were only five minutes out, so he waited,” she said.

The baby boy was later delivered in the ambulance in front of Antique World, and Ed carried him into the hospital emergency room.

LuAnne presented Ed with two stork pins to commemorate his role in those deliveries.

Members recognized for more than 50 years of service included:

    •    George Klotzbach: 58 years
    •    Norm Waff: 52 years
    •    Ed Mileham: 52 years
    •    Mike Warren: 50 years
    •    Dave Olsen: 50 years

“All right, now that everyone has their stuff, you guys have an aide and a nurse waiting outside with your bus," joked Waff. "In all honesty, I do sincerely appreciate all of you guys. More people need to look up to you and pay attention to some of the advice that you give.”

Top responders for 2024 were:

    •    Ed Mileham: 191 calls
    •    Kevin Ross: 185 calls
    •    George Klotzbach: 183 calls
    •    Dave Olsen: 172 calls
    •    Dan Mault: 146 calls
    •    Jimmy Garrett: 128 calls
    •    Ron Tyx: 114 calls
    •    LuAnne Mileham: 113 calls
    •    Dave Linneborn: 111 calls
    •    Roger Mault: 104 calls

Waff reported that the department answered 260 calls in 2024, including 133 EMS calls, six fire calls, 39 motor vehicle accidents, and 27 mutual aid requests. The departments also achieved 1,800 hours of training.

The night also featured a special guest.

On Christmas Eve, during Winter Storm Elliott, Andy Garcia arrived in the hamlet of Pembroke after 24 hours on the road, determined to visit his children for the holiday. Hoping to outrun the blizzard, he instead crashed into a snow bank in front of the Pembroke Fire Hall.

Garcia became known as “Survivor #1,” the first stranded motorist to take shelter at the fire hall, quickly forming friendships with several members of the department.

“I thought I was going straight onto the highway, but instead, I drove right into a snow bank,” Garcia said.

Despite wearing a Kansas City Chiefs baseball cap, he was welcomed inside.

“I was red-eyed, probably because I had been driving for 24 hours or crying because I thought I was gonna die,” he said.

Now a resident of Lockport, Garcia spent three days at the fire hall with 35 other stranded motorists during the blizzard.

“You guys were amazing. I only met you for three days, but you made us breakfast, dinner, and made sure that we were happy,” he said. “They let me win in Uno a couple of times. That was fun. Got to watch some football. Got to teach them how the Super Bowl champions play.”

The evening also featured the installation of officers for the coming year and a memorial honoring members who have passed.

William Joyce, a Pembroke volunteer and Genesee County's Veterans Services Officer, presented a certificate of appreciation to the departments from the Western New York National Cemetery for supporting ceremonies and events.

The evening's emcee, Dan Curtis, had encouraging words for the volunteers, calling on them to persevere in service to their communities.

“Keep at it. Keep your head down. Serve the community," he said. "Do your job the best you possibly can. If you need training, get more training.”

Perry's supplied ice cream on Saturday to the Mercy Flight ground and air base on Call Parkway in Batavia in celebration of EMS Week.

Photos submitted by Wesley Rehwaldt.

Genesee County's Master Gardeners held the group's annual Spring Gala plant sale at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 420 E. Main St., Batavia, on Saturday.

Photos by Howard Owens

A visit to the back portion of the Harvester Center, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia, in the daylight of a Friday afternoon reveals that the old factory buildings are in as bad a shape as the collapse of a wall of one of the buildings suggested on Thursday night.

The city of Batavia has cited six buildings in the complex for code violations, and the owners are under court order to submit an action plan for addressing the code violations.

City Manager Rachael Tabelski has recommended that City Council submit a $1 million Restore NY grant application to fund an extensive demolition project at the Harvester campus.

The city’s plan, developed in cooperation with Amerinac Holding Corp., proposes demolishing the severely deteriorated buildings to open space for parking, lighting, and green areas, while supporting redevelopment of the remaining structures.

Amerinac Holding Corp. is a company based in Ohio led by John F. Wachter III and John F. Wachter Jr. 

The complex spans 29 acres, contains approximately 1 million square feet of former industrial use.

Tabelski described the project as “phase one of the redevelopment of the campus,” to transform the site into a mixed-use destination similar to Buffalo’s Larkinville district. The total cost for demolition and redevelopment is estimated between $8 and $12 million, with the Restore NY grant covering a portion of that amount.

The Harvester Center, originally the Massey-Harris-Ferguson plant, closed in 1958, causing a sharp rise in local unemployment. The Mancuso family purchased the complex and, in 1959, pioneered the business incubator model by dividing the space for use by small businesses. Over the past six decades, more than 3,000 businesses have operated within its walls. The property was sold to Amerinac Holding Corp. in 2021.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said Friday that a newly approved tax reduction for the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. will directly benefit OTB employees and communities across Western New York.

Speaking at a press conference at Batavia Downs, Peoples-Stokes said, “I assure you, both the elected representatives as well as the board members, that in Albany, we paid attention to what you asked for.” 

She called the $4.5 million annual tax cut, signed last week by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the result of persistent local advocacy and a commitment to workers.

“It’s really challenging when you’re working on a budget the size of the one that New York works on,” Peoples-Stokes said. “You can get right to the last day, and some things that you think were in there could come out because something else found its way in. That did not happen with this issue.”

Peoples-Stokes said the tax reduction will help Batavia Downs provide better wages and benefits for employees, improve entertainment for guests and increase distributions to the 17 member municipalities.

“I want to give God all the glory, because clearly that’s how I take my lead, and it’s been working for me my entire life,” she said.

She also credited Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for supporting the measure, saying she personally lobbied him to keep the provision in the budget for Western New York. 

“The idea came from Western New York. So the idea should actually happen for Western New York in this budget,” Peoples-Stokes said.

About 50 Batavia Downs employees stood behind the speakers during the press conference, holding signs thanking the political leaders who helped secure the tax cut in the state budget.

Byron Brown, president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., said the tax cut will allow Batavia Downs to do “even more for all of you and our host communities,” estimating the change will provide $25 million over five years.

“Our dedicated employees and the 2.7 million residents in our 17 member municipalities will be the beneficiaries,” Brown said.

Dennis Bassett, chair of the board, said the measure is a step forward, but more work remains in Albany.

“There are issues that need to be addressed in Albany that haven’t been addressed until now, issues that must be addressed if Batavia Downs and the OTB are going to increase revenue and profits for the municipalities,” Bassett said. “We know that we can’t grow this business and be successful if we don’t look at how we can go into different ventures, and we can’t do the same things we’ve been doing tomorrow that we’re doing today and be successful.”

Rochelle Stein, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature and a board member, said the partnership between management and the board was critical to achieving the tax reduction.

“This is what happens when everyone pulls in the same direction for the good of our region,” Stein said. “It’s not just about Batavia Downs -- it’s about every community that benefits.”

Mo Sumbundu, Western New York regional director for Gov. Hochul’s office, praised the collaboration in order to benefit the municipalities and OTB employees.

“The tax rate reduction also allows Western New York Off Track betting employees, who are standing here with us today, to receive much-deserved pay raises, reducing costs for their families and also reducing their health care insurance costs,” Sumbundu said.

Antonella Rotilio, a representative of the United Public Service Employees Union, said the tax reduction is a win for the staff.

“Our members work hard every day to make Batavia Downs a success,” Rotilio said in a statement. “This tax relief means our voices were heard, and it will help us continue to provide for our families and support our communities. We appreciate the leadership that made this possible.”

Peoples-Stokes closed by urging Batavia Downs to “keep doing that great job of entertaining " and congratulating the board and staff on their work in securing the tax cut.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley has opened a new district office in Batavia, aiming to make state government more accessible for Genesee and Monroe county residents.

The office is located inside the Cornell Cooperative Extension building at 420 East Main St. in Batavia. Hawley said the move brings his staff closer to constituents who previously had to travel to Albion, the site of his official district office in Orleans County.

“We just decided that it was about time,” Hawley said. “I had talked to Jocelyn Sikorski, the coordinator and director here, about maybe having a space on the first floor for handicapped accessibility. She said, ‘We’ve got just the right space for you.’”

Hawley said his staff will be available at the Batavia office at least once a week, every Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., with more hours added if needed.

“We need to be visible and accessible,” he said.

Hawley noted that his team has always offered outreach hours in Genesee County, previously operating out of Genesee Community College, and in all four Monroe County towns in his district. The new Batavia office, he said, is a practical step to better serve the community.

“It’ll also be a little closer for folks from Scottsville and Monroe County, up in Sweden too, rather than going over to Orleans County,” Hawley said.

He emphasized that the new location comes at no additional cost to taxpayers.

“No, none whatsoever,” Hawley said. “Spending taxpayer money to have an office -- one office is plenty to pay money for. But when they came forward and said, ‘We’ve got a spot for you,’ it just made sense.”

Hawley represents the 139th Assembly District, which covers parts of Genesee, Orleans, and Monroe counties.

A 33-year-old Batavia man who was on the Batavia PD wanted list for more than a year before being captured by U.S. Marshals in December appeared in Genesee County Court on Friday morning and turned down a plea offer.

The details of the plea offer were not discussed in court.

Nathan L. Royse was arrested in December and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, stemming from an incident on April 15, 2023, in Williams Park, where he allegedly attempted to stab another person during a fight during a basketball game.

On June 2, 2023, Batavia City Court issued a warrant for his arrest on a criminal possession of a weapon charge. No information is available on the status of that charge. The police issued a "wanted" press release for the first time in September 2023.

His attorney, Fred Rarick, informed Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini that Royce turned down the plea offer because there was no guarantee that his time for the charge could be served concurrently with any other charge.

At the time of the search, Royse was also on parole for burglary in the second degree and had an active parole warrant.

NOTE: This story has been modified to correct the timeline of events and location of the incident.

A 23-year-old Albion resident admitted in Genesee County Court on Friday morning to taking part in a burglary on May 27 of Batavia Marine on West Main Street in Batavia.

Nathaniel Thompson agreed to a plea agreement that capped his anticipated sentence at 2-4 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3. If he fails to abide by court orders between now and then, he loses his sentence cap and could face 3 1/2 to seven years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to burglary in the third degree with the intent to commit grand larceny and as a second-time felony offender. In November 2022, he entered a guilty plea in Orleans County to criminal possession of stolen property.

Thompson was arrested in August and initially charged with burglary, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree.

In court on Friday, Thompson admitted to stealing firearms valued at more than $1,000.

Malachi J Nix, 20, of Tonawanda, was also in the case. He was arrested in February and charged with burglary in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, and conspiracy in the fourth degree.

The status of his case is not available.

Thompson is currently in custody in Orleans County. 

Friends since childhood and now business partners, Donald Dylag Jr. and Curtis Gallagher say they see nothing but potential at the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, the landmark eatery perched above Tonawanda Creek in Indian Falls. 

“This is the nicest piece of real estate in Genesee County, with the waterfall,” Dylag told The Batavian. “He’s got an eye for food. I’ve got an eye for buildings. We want to make the building and the food match the view and the property.”

The business's ownership is split between the partners in a unique way. Both Gallagher and Dylag purchased the property at 1227 Gilmore Road. Dylag owns the bar and grill, and Gallagher serves as general manager.

Dylag grew up just around the corner in Indian Falls and still lives in the house where he was raised. 

“I’ve been coming here my whole life,” he said. “It was always the first stop and the last stop on a motorcycle. We always came here for lunch after work.”

Gallagher, who’s lived in Genesee County most of his life, brings experience from his own property services business and a long history in construction, maintenance, and real estate. He also loves food, loves to cook, and will supervise the kitchen and the menu.

“We’ve both thought this place was special for years,” Gallagher said. “It’s already a landmark. People come just to take pictures of the falls.”

The partners say their goal is to elevate every aspect of the business, starting with the menu. 

“We’re going to bring better quality food,” Gallagher said. “We want to cover everything from a roast beef sandwich or burger to seafood pasta and steaks.

We want it to be a destination for a Sunday drive or a special occasion.

Recent specials have included surf and turf, mussels bucatini, and chicken Florentine. 

“We’ve hired two new chefs who have worked at top places,” Gallagher said. “We’re aiming for country club-worthy food, but in a casual, comfortable setting.”

Upgrades to the building are also in the works. 

“We want to clear out the brush and expand the view of the creek, put in new floors, bathrooms, and bars, and build a deck that wraps around for outdoor seating,” Dylag said. “In the winter, maybe even snow globes outside.”

The partners say many of the improvements will be behind the scenes at first, updating systems and infrastructure. 

“A lot of the upgrades are things people won’t see, but they’re important,” Gallagher said. “We’re putting the money back into the business.”

They’ve kept the restaurant open since taking over about two months ago, maintaining a staff of about 20 with plans to grow to 30. 

“Most of our employees are local, and they really care about this place,” Gallagher said. “Business is good, a lot of new faces, and a lot of people we know personally.”

For Dylag, owning the Log Cabin is about honoring its legacy and realizing its promise. 

“I wanted to see it go to its fullest potential,” he said. “Watching it not do that was one of the motivating factors. I could see the potential this place had.”

Built in 1946, the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant has served generations of locals and travelers, offering classic American fare, live music, and a view of the 20-foot waterfall on Tonawanda Creek -- a view that remains a draw for visitors from across Western New York.

The partners say they’re just getting started. 

“Sky’s the limit,” Gallagher said.

The restaurant will celebrate its new ownership with a party on Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring liquor, seltzer, cider, and dispensary tastings from local businesses. At 9 p.m., the Dave Viterna Band will take the stage.

More than 350 volunteers spread throughout Genesee County on a sunshine-drenched Thursday morning to help repair, clean up, or landscape properties of non-profit agencies.

Thursday was United Way's Annual Day of Caring.

The Batavian visited four of 32 sites -- the Historic Batavia Cemetery, St. Joe's, 400 Towers, and St. James.

Photos by Howard Owens.

A brick wall of a long-dilapidated building at the Harvester Center complex in Batavia collapsed Thursday night as GO ART! staff loaded a U-Haul with stored property, capping a long day of moving as part of United Way’s Day of Caring.

“It sounded like thunder,” said Courtney Henderson, GO ART!’s special events and social media director. “I said, ‘Nope, this is the start.’ The whole top part was caving in slowly, and then it was just a cloud of smoke. It was wild. I’m glad I could get out.”

The GO ART! U-Haul was parked in a courtyard-like area about 100 yards from where the wall collapsed, blocking the tunnel beneath two stories of the building that hasn’t been occupied for decades. The roof collapsed long ago, and the third floor fell onto the second floor.

No injuries were reported.

The group, which included volunteers earlier in the day, had been moving items stored in the Harvester Center in preparation for basement renovations at GO ART! The plan was to transfer everything to the former J.C. Penney building downtown.

City Manager Rachael Tabelski confirmed the city has an active code case on the Harvester Center.

“Unfortunately, that’s what happened,” Tabelski said. “It looks like a portion of this building has collapsed. Thank goodness no one got hurt, and code and fire will assess what to do with the scene.”

Code Enforcement Officer Doug Randall said the building owner will bring in heavy equipment to demolish the unstable section and clear debris, allowing the U-Haul and another rental vehicle to be safely removed.

The city applied five months ago for a Restore NY grant to help demolish parts of the Harvester Center and the old Melton Building. If awarded, the grant would provide up to $1 million for demolition and site redevelopment, with the goal of transforming the area into a mixed-use campus with new businesses, apartments, and public spaces.

“My number one question is, how does Gregory get his truck out?” Henderson said, referring to GO ART! Executive Director Gregory Hallock. “U-Haul is going to have to be super nice to Gregory Hallock because of this incident.”

It appears U-Haul will be accommodating. Hallock told Tabelski that he had already spoken with a representative from U-Haul, who told him not to worry.

Henderson also has a rental vehicle trapped on the other side of the pile of rubble.

Previously: Apparent building collapse reported at Harvester Center

Photos by Howard Owens.

An apparent building collapse has been reported in the Harvester Center Complex, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia.

The reader who submitted the picture said she doesn't believe anybody was hurt in the collapse but two vehicles are now trapped, with the driveway now a dead end because of debris.

City Fire is on scene.

OLV Human Services marked the expansion of mental health services in Genesee County with a ribbon cutting and open house Wednesday at its new facility on Main Road in Stafford.

“This is a really exciting day for us to be able to expand our mental health services out to Genesee County,” said Cindy Lee, CEO of OLV Human Services. “One of the things that we discovered in our research about underserved areas was that Genesee County is definitely an area where there’s long wait lists for people to be able to get in for mental health supports. So we were able to locate this facility with very minimal renovations needed, and it was the perfect fit for us.”

Lee said the organization will also open an evaluation and treatment center at the site in July. The center will serve families of young children suspected of having developmental delays and provide diagnostic and treatment services for children currently on long wait lists at area hospitals.

“We think we’re bringing a very necessary service to the area,” Lee said.

Dr. Ted Andrews, a pediatric psychologist, pediatrician and specialist in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, said the new center will focus on autism evaluation and treatment. He noted that wait times for similar services at major hospitals in Buffalo and Rochester can be 12 to 24 months.

“We’re trying to put ourselves in between those bigger hospital systems to be able to provide the same coverage,” Andrews said.

The new facility is located at 6917 Main Road in Stafford. OLV Human Services provides counseling, treatment, and support services for children and families across Western New York.

Previously: Stafford facility a 'perfect setup' for counseling and treatment services site