Here's a press release from Steve Hawley.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) was one of several Assembly Minority members to speak up against a bill that sought to ban smoking in cars carrying passengers ages 14 and under.

The measure was ultimately defeated and removed from consideration. While Hawley noted that the intent of the legislation was admirable, he described the bill as an affront to personal freedoms and liberties. He also questioned whether a convertible would be exempted and told “no,” further
exemplifying the absurdity of the inane legislation.

“Most everyone can agree that people shouldn’t smoke in the car with young children present, but government does not exist to legislate what a citizen should and should not do,” Hawley said. “This bill is a blatant example of government meddling with the rights of individualism to an obscene extent.

"Just as we cannot legislate who is qualified or unqualified to be a parent, the legislature cannot tell a citizen of legal, tobacco-purchasing age that they cannot smoke in their own vehicle.”

A little less than a year ago, there was only one independent bakery in Genesee County. As of yesterday, there are six.

The latest to open is Sweet Ecstasy, next to the Stafford Trading Post, in Stafford. Above are Tonisha Price, Carla Price, Ginny Robins and Debra Ingham. In the store, Sweet Ecstasy offers cookies and pastries and takes special orders for cakes and other baked dessert items.

Sweet Ecstasy took over the former location of Heavenly Sweets • Deli, which has moved to the corner of routes 63 and 19 in Pavilion. Heavenly Sweets offers pastries, bread and cakes, as well as a fully stocked deli counter. Pictured are owner Bonnie Totten, lower center, Peggy Ellis, left, Caitlyn Meeder and Sherif Woodworth.

The first of Genesee County's current six bakeries is Greg'ry's in Bergen. Greg'ry's was opened 17 years ago by Diane Cunningham. It was started nearly 20 years ago by Gregory Stefl, who sold it to Diane Cunningham. She sold it two years ago and then reacquired the bakery just two weeks ago.

Her new partner, Maura Schaffer (unfortunately, not in today when I dropped by unannounced) has created a line of all-natural pet treats. The bakery still carries a full line of breads, pies, cakes and pastries.

The trend of new bakeries started with Mary Margret Ripley opening up Scratch Bakery in Le Roy (on Main Street, sharing space with Java's). Scratch does most of its business special order, though there's usually cookies and scones (one Ripley's specialities) available in the store. Ripley also has a number of wholesale customers and sells items at local festivals. Customers can order a full line of cakes, cup cakes, pastries, cookies and bread. Ripley also offers home delivery.

Michelle's Bakery and Cafe opened in February on West Saile Drive, Batavia. Michelle said the bakery specializes in old-fashioned pastries, "like grandma used to make." It's a full-service bakery and owner Michelle Farina, left, said the shop can make a decorated sheet cake for any special occasion. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch and offers sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Farina also offers catering. Pictured with Michelle are Samantha McDonald, Cassandra Hirsch and Liz Fenton.

The second newest bakery is Buttercrumbs Bakery in Corfu. Owner Darlene Miller, right, said she researched more than 100 bakeries, including some as far away as Florida, before coming up with a business plan. The shop, right in the Village of Corfu, has a seating area and offers pastries, pies and bread as well as cakes on special order. Miller said the closing of the village grocery store created a real opportunity for her and local residents have responded enthusiastically to the new business. "Corfu has never had anything like this before," said Miller, a longtime resident. Pictured with Miller is Julie Patterson.

It's perhaps just coincidence that I finally got around to putting this post together (I started planning on it back when there were only four bakeries) on the same day my dad is arriving from California for a weekend visit. I grew up in the bakery business and have always loved what a good, independent bakery can produce.

The baked goods at the chains can never match what a good independent bakery makes. Genesee County is now blessed with six quality local bakeries. As consumers, we need to be sure to support them. Entrepreneurs like these owners are what make a community strong and prosperous.

Trevor Wanberg, of Rochester, was in the little park behind the Upton Monument this afternoon waiting for a friend to get off work so they could jam. Wanberg said he and his friend are looking to get a band together, but don't get many chances to practice together. Wanberg is generally only able to make the trip to Batavia on his days off, when his girlfriend, who has a job in Batavia, is able to give him a ride. While I snapped a few pictures, he picked out a crisp version of Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done."

As they do every year -- nobody remembers for how many years -- the volunteers of the Le Roy and Pavilion fire departments towed their antique firefighting hose wagons to Stafford for the Stafford Fire Department's annual parade.

The parade is at 7 p.m.

The carnival runs all weekend with the annual Corvette drawing on Sunday (Father's Day).

Unfortunately, I'll be unable to attend either the parade or the carnival this year (my parents are visiting from California). If anybody else wants to post some pictures, feel free.

Due to a tabulation error made by the Gorham Pageant of Bands officials, the first-place status of the Elba Jazz Ensemble has been changed to third-place.  The results of the Class C jazz ensemble competition were announced incorrectly at the June 4th awards ceremony, and the error was not realized until a week ago.  In a recent conversation with Elba band director Phil Briatico, the Gorham Pageant of Bands officials apologized profusely and noted the improvement in the ensemble since last year. 

Despite the final results, Briatico is still proud of the jazz ensemble, and says that he "did believe we were first place because the band's performance was first-place worthy."

Justin Zane Barker, 22, of North Lyon, Batavia, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Barker is accused of burglarizing the Beaver Brothers Restaurant at Darien Lake Theme Park sometime during the morning hours of Sept. 6, 2009. (Barker was also recently part of a trio that allegedly refused to leave a local hotel, leading to a multi-agency manhunt for Derick Barker.)

Lena M. Evans, 23, of 4037 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, is charged with three counts of petit larceny. Evans is accused of shoplifting from Target on April 11, from Kmart on April 19, and from Bed, Bath & Beyond on an unspecified date. The petit larcenies were investigated by deputies Parker, Richardson and VanValkenburg.

Alabama Hotel, 1353 Lewiston Road, Basom, NY: A historic and legendary tavern and restaurant. The Alabama Hotel is famous for its fish fries, but also serves a variety of top-quality entrees, featuring Certified Angus Beef. Now with expanded hours. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Delavan's, 107 Evans St., Batavia, NY: To me, Delavan's is one of those restaurants where you want to eat frequently until you try everything on the menu. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Red Osier, Route 5, Stafford, NY: Truly, one of the landmark restaurants of the area. Red Osier features prime rib carved table side. We have $25 gift certificates for $12.50.

Alli's, 7063 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY: Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; all-you-can-eat salad bar; ice cream served year-round; eat-in or take-out. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Settler's, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Spirits, 78 Lake St., Le Roy, NY. Le Roy's favorite sports bar, where fun
and good food are always on tap. We have $20 gift certificates for $10.

Bohn's Restaurant, 5256 Clinton St., Batavia, NY. Fine dining in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Lunch and dinner, steak, prime rib and seafood. Ask about Bohn's catering services and banquet facility. We have $25 gift certificates for $12.50.

Larry's Steakhouse, 60 Main St., Batavia, NY: The name says it all -- Larry's is a great place for steak. Larry's has a fine dining atmosphere with a great menu and outstanding service. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Batavia Downs Grandstand Bar & Grille, 8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY: A full menu, salad bar and drinks in one of the region's most popular entertainment venues. We have $25 gift certificates for $12.50. (Must be new or current Players Club member to redeem.)

SOLD OUT

Note: if you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

A caller reports the smell of a possible electrical fire coming from the garage at 3269 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

East Pembroke Fire Department and one engine from Town of Batavia are dispatched.

View Larger Map

Le Roy has a new ice cream parlor, Cruisers Creamery, between Scooters and Burger King, on West Main Street.

The ice cream parlor is owned by Rick Dorf and Charles Maniscalco, both left, and managed by Ashley Dorf with help from Jimmy Diehl, Kaitlin Slowe and Kristine O'Gee.

The creamery features homemade ice cream and fresh waffle cones made daily.

There is a drive-thru, or you can eat your ice cream inside or on the patio.

The store also serves gelato, soft serve and Italian ice and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dorf and Maniscalco (Maniscalco also owns Scooter's) have designed the shop around an old-time ice cream parlor theme with classic cars being part of the motif. Dorf said they hope to occasionally have car shows in the back parking lot.

In Le Roy this afternoon, I took a turn down Gulf Road looking for the a steam shovel a reader told me about recently (see below) and I found this view of an old quarry.  

Driving around Le Roy this afternoon, I came across this interesting bit of local history on Summit Road -- a boulder with a historical plaque set in it in 1930.

The plaque reads: "This boulder marks the southern apex of the Triangle Tract, purchased from the Morris Reserve in 1783 by Herman Le Roy and William Bayard."

Local entrepreneur Tim Walton has arranged for iTeen to bring an MTV season premier party to Falleti Ice Arena on June 24.

The premier party will be for the MTV series "The Challenge: Rivals." Cast member Wes Bergmann will be on hand and teens attending the event will all have a chance to meet him and get their pictures taken with him.

The entire skate floor will be turned into one huge dance floor.

 "Were going all out for this," Walton said.

ITeen, with more than 20,000 followers on Facebook, is based in Buffalo and hosts events in nightclubs such as PURE, Infinity and Club Paradise.

iTeen is for high school students only and is supervised by NYS licensed security that have handled numerous of these events before.

"We take safety seriously," Walton said. "Our security takes the highest priority in making sure that it is a safe atmosphere. We overstaff on security, with each one being NYS security licensed or a police officer, and some are even EMT certified as well."

The June 24 party, which will run from 7 to 11 p.m., is the first of several iTeen events he hopes to bring to Batavia.

Le Roy has a new bridal boutique, Stella's, opened within the past month by Stella Collins, left, and Emily Allen. 

Collins said after gaining experience in the bridal business in Rochester, she saw an opportunity in Genesee County and picked a location on Main Street in Le Roy.

The boutique, Allen said, provides full service for bride and bridesmaids.

"We're with you from the day you first walk in to the day you say, 'I do,'" Allen said.

Collins added that the store features dresses by designers that are unique, including designers not available in Rochester.

For a couple of months I've wanted to drop in on Cafe Le Roy and see the new shop set up by Don and Reyhan Antinore.

When I dropped in today, Don showed me the cafe in the back, which the Beatest of the Beats of 60 years ago would find hep, man.

Then Don introduced me to his new ice cream counter. Don said he serves only three flavors -- vanilla, chocolate and strawberry -- just like, he said, ice cream shops when he was a kid. And from those three flavors he can make floats, banana splits and sundaes.

Don said it's the first ice cream shop on Main Street in Le Roy in years and years.

This is a press release from Genesee Community College.

At the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees on Monday, they agreed to locate an educational wind turbine at the Batavia campus in cooperation with Batavia, Alexander and Pavilion high schools.

The three schools received a Title I federal grant to purchase the wind turbine, which will be used by the high schools and the college for science and engineering instruction. Trustees anticipate locating the turbine at the northeast corner of the campus. The turbine will be much smaller than many windmills, standing only 70 feet. The schools identified the Batavia campus an ideal location for the turbine since it is believed to be the windiest location in Genesee County.

The turbine will generate a variety of wind and meteorological data that will be transmitted to a computer housed at the campus. Students will use and analyze the data as part of their educational programs. The college has identified at least nine engineering, chemistry and physics courses that would use the turbine and turbine-related data. Eight Genesee Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Physics courses offered in area high schools are also expected to use turbine data. And at least two of the high schools are developing courses that would specifically include use of the wind turbine.

Hundreds of students will directly benefit from the equipment each year, said Eunice M. Bellinger, Ph.D, executive vice president for Academic Affairs. The turbine could also be used for community courses and demonstrations in the future, President Stuart Steiner said.

In addition to its small size, the wind turbine is very quiet, rated with a noise level of 35 decibels, which is softer than a typical conversation. One side benefit of the wind turbine is that will generate about 1,500 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, which will slightly decrease the college's electricity bill.

Besides supporting educational programs, the wind turbine reflects the State University of New York's system-wide commitment to an "energy-smart" New York.

"We have a real commitment to sustainability and we want to help meet SUNY's vision of an energy-efficient New York state," Bellinger said.

Here's a press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) recently sponsored a bill, that has passed the Assembly, which will allow New York’s world-class wineries to become more competitive, both within the state and abroad.

Assembly bill 7828-A repeals a number of onerous mandates on winery owners and grape growers that will streamline the licensing process and encourage the growth of this booming industry.

“Wineries and grape-growing farms are cornerstones of New York’s agricultural industry,” Hawley said. “By reducing the red tape that owners of these businesses must sift through in order to become properly licensed, these establishments will save time, money and resources that will encourage existing operations to expand and new businesses to open.

"As a sponsor of this legislation and a member of the Committee on Agriculture, I commend my colleagues for helping me achieve these sorely needed, procedural reforms for our wine industry.”

The provisions of A.7828-A will:

• Allow the owner of a winery license to sell wine in bulk to wholesalers, retailers and other major distributors;
• Authorize a winery to manufacture, bottle and sell various fruit products on-premises;
• Allow wineries and farm wineries to charge event operators for the use of their premises; and
• Reduce the number of specialized licenses for wineries and farm wineries, providing a more efficient registration process.

“With places like Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Schwenk Wine Cellars located right here in Western New York, it is imperative that we encourage our agricultural job creators to set up shop in our communities,” Hawley said. “I am confident that this legislation will not only benefit our current grape growers and winery operators, but will draw even more business owners to our fertile soil and spacious landscapes in the future.”

When a property in a town or village is seized in a tax lien foreclosure, by law and by courtesy, the county ensures towns, villages and school districts receive the back taxes owed those jurisdictions. 

The county also reimburses some related expenses the local jurisdiction might incur, including, up 'til now, demolition costs on condemned buildings.

But that can get expensive, so County Treasurer Scott German proposed to the Genesee County Legislature on Wednesday that the county stop guaranteeing towns and villages that demolition costs will be covered.

German is asking the legislature to pass a resolution, followed by a letter from County Attorney Charles Zambito to mayors and supervisors, declaring that the county will no longer cover the cost of demolition on tax lien foreclosed buildings.

Some costs could be covered, German said, if the property fetches more at auction than is owed in delinquent taxes, but for parcels without buildings, that rarely happens.

German told the Ways and Means Committee that, for example, on a parcel that is less than an acre, it might bring $3,000 at auction, but the demolition cost on a building might be $20,000.

The way things have been, the county ends up paying the entire bill, even though it had no part in contracting for the demolition.

"Who can blame them for going in and taking care of demolition, but it shouldn’t be a county cost," Legislator Mary Pat Hancock said.

Under state law, the county must reimburse school districts and towns for taxes owed when it forecloses on a property, and the county has provided those reimbursements to villages, even though not mandated by law.

The city takes care of its own tax lien foreclosures.

Press release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Kathy Hochul today announced that Genesee County Airport will receive nearly $1.3 million in funding for its apron expansion, which will provide greater and safer aircraft movement, as well as aircraft parking at the airport.

“This is great news for both the Genesee County Airport, as well as all the aircrafts that travel through here,” said Congresswoman Hochul. “This funding will help the airport rehabilitate aprons, as well as enhance and expand the safety of aprons.”

The viability of the airport is important as it houses a State Police helicopter, numerous crop-dusting planes, and a medical helicopter used to transport victims in emergencies.

The airport is also used for training by the Army National Guard.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is pleased to announce the addition of Michael J. Bakos as grant program coordinator for the center's Advanced Manufacturing and Nano-Tech Certificate Training Program. Bakos has more than 30 years of managerial experience in the biomedical industry and holds an A.A.S. degree in Electronic Technology from Erie Community College (ECC) as well as a B.S. degree in Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He is a resident of Genesee County, serves on the Town of Pembroke Planning Board, and is president of the Akron-Newstead Rotary Club.

In his role as grant project coordinator, Mr. Bakos will manage, coordinate, implement, support and evaluate a noncredit certificate training program that will prepare participants for entry level positions in advanced-manufacturing and high-tech industries such as microelectronics and photovoltaics. The program was developed to satisfy the demands of this growth sector in Genesee County and the surrounding Western New York and Western Finger Lakes regions.

Program participants will receive an introduction to the skill sets necessary to succeed in a high-tech and advanced-manufacturing environment. The program is a joint-venture partnership between the GCEDC, Genesee Community College (GCC), the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Genesee County, with training taking place at the Genesee Community College and Rochester Institute of Technology campuses.

"Mike’s background, training and experiences with a large high-tech, life-science company will be an asset to our program," says John Jakubowski, GCEDC workforce development consultant.

"This is an exciting opportunity for myself and for the residents of our community that are planning to enter or re-enter the local workforce," says Mr. Bakos. "The program covers a diversity of topics including teambuilding, LEAN Manufacturing concepts, computer applications, work readiness activities, and technical subjects such as microelectronics, surface mount technology, and polymer processing."

The program is offered "free" to qualifying applicants. Applications for the program are now being accepted and are available through The Genesee County Career Center, 587 E. Main St., Suite 100, East Town Plaza, Batavia, NY 14020.