batavia

At 10 years old, throwing a baseball against the wall of a brick building, Brian Kemp never imagined he would someday own a 25-year-old business making custom T-shirts and that he would also own that building on Center Street, as well.

It's all very humbling, said Kemp, a Batavia HS graduate who spent much of his youth living in a house on School Street with a backyard that abuts the building that now houses T-Shirts Etc.

"To think like, I'm probably driving the people inside the building crazy," Kemp said during a 25th Anniversary celebration for T-Shirts Etc. on Thursday evening. "I'm not thinking of it as a kid like that but now if somebody started throwing a ball against my wall, I might say, 'Hey, what's going on?' you know. But I would have a little empathy for him because I did it, too."

Kemp and a partner, with the help of his girlfriend at the time, started T-Shirts Etc on the third floor of the Harvester Center three years after Kemp graduated from high school.  Soon they moved into a larger space on the first floor, then to the former WBTA building at Harvester and East Main, then to the former Newberry's building (now Eli Fish) on Main Street, and finally to his current location at 37 Center St.

A lot of people -- a whole community, really -- he said, helped him reach this milestone.  He gave credit to his former partner John, his former girlfriend, Heather, and to his ex-wife, Beth Kemp.

"Beth and I were married for seven or eight years," Kemp said. "We're not married anymore but it was a great time that helped me turn the business into where we are today. We moved the company three times, so she was a very integral part of the business."

Kemp also said he couldn't sustain any success without his employees.

"I have a great crew that has weathered the storm of the last few years," he said. "My current crew consists of my son Parker who runs the print production department, Melissa Flint, who runs the embroidery, shipping, and receiving departments and lastly, Mikah Burdic who is currently working as a production assistant.  I am truly honored to work daily with my crew that puts in the work on a daily basis, producing quality products for our customers.  I come here to the shop, hang out and make stuff, and these people make it enjoyable."

His younger sons, Myloh, 10, and Aslan, are also helping out in the shop these days, he said.

He noted that a lot of his customers were at the celebration.  

"All these relationships with our business are personal and have all impacted on my life," Kemp said. "I've got these great boys and this amazing business that we call home here in Batavia. We got our own little piece of Batavia. It's been fantastic."

Photos by Howard Owens.  Top photo, Kemp, left, with Tom Turnbull, Chamber of Commerce interim president.

Fire investigators believe, preliminarily, that a malfunction in a furnace at 8920 Batavia Stafford Townline Road is the source of a fire that destroyed the home this morning.

The structure was fully involved before firefighters were dispatched shortly before 8:40 a.m.

"(The furnace is) propane-powered and forced hot air," said Tim Yaeger, Genesee County Emergency Management Coordinator. "(The homeowner) had left to go and give assignments to her crews for the business that they run here. When they came back, she said she smelled something funny, something hot, and one of her employees saw smoke exiting from the garage. They entered the garage, opened the door into the house and there was heavy black smoke in the house itself. So right now we're leaning towards, based on an investigation, preliminarily, we're looking at the furnace that may have had a malfunction."

Nobody was injured as a result of the fire and an employee reportedly rescued two dogs from inside the house.

The initial dispatch for the fire reported that two people had entered the house and may be trapped but when a Stafford assistant chief was first on scene, he informed dispatchers that both people were out of the house and that it was believed nobody was in the house at that point.

Town of Batavia Chief Chris Strathearn said the heavy, tall column of black smoke from the fire was visible well before he arrived on scene. He called for a second alarm.

Companies dispatched included Town of Batavia, City Fire, Stafford, Le Roy, and Alexander's FAST Team. Mercy EMS, Sheriff's Office, and State Police assisted at the scene.

The ranch-style home was built in 2016 and is owned by William and Stacy Corcoran. The 2,387-square-foot house sits on a 3.7-acre parcel. The Corcorans also own other adjoining farm property. 

Photos by Howard Owens. For more photos, click here.

Town of Batavia Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 8:34 a.m.: There was initially a report that two people had re-entered the house and were entrapped.  They are now reported out of the house.  There was also an explosion reported not attached to the structure.  A second alarm is requested.

UPDATED 9:20 a.m.: The fire has been knocked down.

UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Batavia Stafford Townline Road has been reopened.

An investigation stemming from the report of a vehicle that was damaged while the owner was at a City Council meeting on Sept. 12 has resulted in charges for Jill M. Turner of Batavia.

Turner, 40, was charged with criminal mischief, second-degree, upon her arrest on Oct. 13, city police said. She was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on her own recognizance, to return at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

The unidentified owner of the defiled automobile filed a claim after that September meeting, stating that someone had poured nail polish on her vehicle while she was at the meeting and a public hearing about a current law that allows farm animals within city limits.

Some residents, including the claimant, who lived near Turner had complained that her goats and other animals were a nuisance to the neighborhood. Turner was not at the meeting that drew some 30 people to the second-floor City Council chambers that evening. Shannon Maute, one of her neighbors, said she "was happy to see that an arrest had been made."

"We are tired of being tormented and bullied by Jill," Maute said to The Batavian Sunday evening. "I hope that this will send her a message that she can't get away with it any more. There are consequences for her actions and her behavior."

Detective Eric Hill had confirmed at the time when the damage was first noted that there was “an open investigation into the matter right now,” after The Batavian inquired about the damaged vehicle that was parked in Jefferson Square.

“I’m not sure on the level and location of polish and we don't have an estimate (of the value of the damage) at this time,” Hill had said in an email to The Batavian.

UPDATED 3:20 p.m.: According to a source close to the vehicle owner, the damage has been assessed at nearly $2,000.

In a season in which no opponent has even come close to beating Batavia, for the fourth time in seven games the Blue Devils held a challenger to fewer than seven points.

This time it was Newark/Marion that Batavia dominated for a convincing 54-6 win.

Scoring: 

• Ja'vin McFollins 30-yard pass to Aidan Anderson.
• Cam McClinic, six-yard run.
• McFollins 6-yard pass to Brendan Burgess.
• Anderson, 3-yard run.
• McFollins 15-yard pass to Carter McFollins
• Anderson, 6-yard run.
• Newark scores on a kickoff return.
• Bronx Buchholz 30-yard run.
• Devan Flanagan, 7-yard run.

McFollins was 10-11 passing for 141 and the three TDs.

Mekhi Fortes gained 67 yards on six carries. McClinic, 54 yards and a TD on six carries. Anderson 34 yards and two TDs on five carries.  Bucholz, 45 yards and a TD on three carries.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Bethany, Alexander, Town of Batavia dispatched.

Second alarm, Stafford, Pavilion, Le Roy, and City of Batavia FAST Team dispatched.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Press Release

#TakeBackDay is just a week away!  But don’t worry, cleaning out your medicine cabinet takes just a few minutes and there are plenty of convenient collection sites near you.  Sharing this post takes seconds too.  Just a small effort can have a huge impact! Visit www.DEATakeBack.com to learn more and come see us in the Alva Lot on October 29th, 10 AM - 2 PM!
 

A 17-year-old resident of Wolcott was charged with grand larceny 3rd and unauthorized use of a vehicle. At 12:38 a.m. Oct. 15, Le Roy police officers received a report of a stolen vehicle on Selden Road, Le Roy. Officers were able to track the location of the vehicle using its OnStar system. A short time later, the 2020 Chevy Silverado was located in the Town of Cheektowaga and was reportedly occupied by the 17-year-old.  He was arrested by Cheektowaga PD and turned over to Le Roy PD. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joseph T. Martino, 30, no permanent address, is charged with four counts of petit larceny. At 1:37 p.m. Oct. 8, Martino allegedly stole merchandise from a local business on East Main Street, Batavia. He is also accused of shoplifting three separate times from two businesses on Jackson Street, Batavia on Oct. 2. He was issued an appearance ticket on all arrests.

Aaron T. Hendershot, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Hendershot is accused of violating an order of protection by being at the home of the protected party at 1:39 p.m. Oct. 10 on Ellsworth Avenue, Batavia.  He was issued an appearance ticket.

Marcella F. Greene, 38, of Bliss, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Greene was arrested on a warrant issued in connection with an incident reported at 3 p.m. April 23 on East Main Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on bail and ordered to appear again on Oct. 27 appearance.

Tammy L. Cicatello, 52, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and following too close. Cicatello was allegedly involved in a property damage accident at 9:55 a.m. Sept. 1, on Oak Street. She was arrested on Oct. 6 by Batavia PD. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Christine M. Caplis, 42, of Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. She was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $5,000 bail, $7,500 bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond.  No information released on the nature of the warrant. 

(name redacted upon request), 32, of xxxx, xxxx, xxxx. xxxx is charged with DWI, obstruction of governmental administration, failure to dim lights, drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on a highway, and unregistered vehicle. xxxxx was stopped at 10 p.m. Oct. 6, on Route 20 in Darien by Deputy Alexandar Hadsall. He was ordered to return to Darien Town Court at 1 p.m. Oct. 20.

Seth Alan Wilt, 18, of Richley Road, Corfu, is charged with grand larceny 4th and petit larceny. Wilt is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from his employer at 8363 Lewiston Road, Batavia (the former Kmart location) and of stealing $724.45 in merchandise from the same location. The thefts were reported at noon on Sept. 1. He was arrested on Oct. 12 by deputies Mason Schultz and Nicholas Charmoun. He was released on an appearance ticket. 

James Preedom, 38, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, harassment 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. On Oct. 14, State Police responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence in the Town of Batavia and arrested Preedom as a result. He was released under supervision.

Justin Cowell, 40, of Batavia, is charged with four counts of criminal contempt 2nd, acting in a manner injurious to a child, unlawful dealing with a child, and selling tobacco to a minor. Cowell was arrested by State Police on Oct. 20 in connection with an incident reported at 2:08 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Town of Batavia. He was ordered held in jail. No further information was released.

Charles L. Dockstader, 76, of Basom, is charged with two counts of course of sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old. Dockstader was arrested by State Police on Oct. 19 in connection with an incident reported at 12:02 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Town of Alabama.  He was ordered held on bail. No further information released.

Earl B. Benson, 34, of Byron, is charged with DWI. Benson was stopped at 10:17 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Town of Byron by State Police. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Keona R. Thomas, 33, of Stafford, is charged with DWI.  Thomas was stopped at 2:22 a.m. Oct. 16 in the Town of Stafford by State Police. Thomas was released on an appearance ticket.

Press release:

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District is hosting its annual Christmas in the City Event with Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 6 p.m., with a parade down Main Street at 6 p.m.

The BID is seeking any business, organization, or group to walk, ride or enter a float for the parade which runs from Jefferson Ave to Summit Street. 

Downtown Businesses are encouraged to host an activity or offer store specials during the event. Vendors are welcome.

This year’s event includes Santa’s Village, pictures with Santa, hot cocoa & cookies, crafts, cookie decorating, kid’s zone, Santa’s workshop, shopping specials, Dickens Carolers, Scrooge, adult tastings and more.

BID Mall Events will be from 1 to 5 p.m.

“Our Hometown Christmas” craft fair sponsored by Main St. 56 Theater will be held in the mall 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We have something for everyone, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

The Batavia Business Improvement District is also hosting its annual Wreath Contest for Downtown Batavia.

As a creative way to add some holiday spirit to downtown, the BID invites any business, group, organization, or family to enter the contest.

For $20 each participant is provided with a 16” Plain Wreath to decorate.

Participants will pick up their wreaths on Saturday, Nov. 19 and have a week to decorate before dropping them back off to the BID for committee volunteers to place throughout Downtown.

Voting for the most creative will take place from Dec. 3 thru Dec. 24. The first-place winner receives a $100 cash prize, second place $75 and third place $50.

To participate in Christmas in the City or the Wreath Contest contact Shannon Maute at director@downtownbataviany.com  

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens.

Town of Batavia Planning Board unanimously approved special use permits and site plans for two solar projects on Alexander Road at their meeting on Tuesday.

The projects are located at 9183 Alexander Road, known as the Pike Road Solar Farm Project, and 9071 Alexander Road.

The resolutions passed by the board entitle San Francisco-based Renewable Properties (RPNY Solar 6, LLC) to construct and operate the solar projects.

If the owner/operator changes, the special use permit must be reviewed again by the planning board.

Before a building permit is issued, the company must finalize a host community agreement with the Town of Batavia to include annual payments of $2,500 per megawatt for 25 years with a 2 percent annual escalation of payments or a lump sum payment approved by the Town Board.

The resolution includes provisions on grading and landscaping.

There are also provisions to handle any changes to the development plan.

The company must certify the completed project complies with the special use permit, applicable codes, and industry standards.  

There must also be sufficient funds on deposit to remove the installation and restore landscaping in accordance with the decommissioning plan.

The company must remove the installation at the end of its useful life in accordance with the decommissioning plan.

Town inspectors will be allowed reasonable access to the property during construction to check drainage and stormwater provisions.

Renewable Properties must abide by the required landscaping plan.

The project must be fenced and locked. The fire department will be provided keys.

A year after the project goes into operation, Renewable Properties must return to the planning board for a review of the special use permit.

Finally, Renewable Properties must obtain and retain appropriate insurance throughout the life of the project.

Press release:

This coming Sunday at Amalie Ice Arena in Tampa FL, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Will and Paul Barton, two brothers Batavia born and raised will be taking the ice in the Sk8 to Eliminate Cancer 3v3 Ice Hockey Tournament. All players who’ve entered the tournament are raising money for the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation – an organization dedicated to changing the future of cancer by funding advanced, innovative research that treats the cancer while sparing the patient

The Barton boys both played for the Batavia Ice Devils and Batavia Ramparts growing up. The two brothers are the only sons of the late local businessman and husband, Batavian born and raised Bill Barton, who passed away on Oct. 14, 2020, after living with Multiple Myeloma for 13 years.

Bill volunteered as a coach and fundraising for the Ice Devils and Ramparts when his sons were playing in the early aughts, and was a fixture down at the Royal Rink (David McCarthy Ice Arena) at all of both his son’s games. He loved everything about the game, especially the people and life-long friendships that were forged on those teams growing up.

Reached for comment, Will and Paul offered the following statement:

“Unfortunately, with cancer, everyone knows someone in their family or friend circle that has been directly impacted by this terrible disease. Our father lived to be 63, is gone too soon and is dearly missed – but so often, tragically, cancer happens to young people. We were lucky. Teenagers, children, cancer doesn’t discriminate by age. This is the truly tragic nature of this disease, and this is why it’s so important to support organizations like Scott Hamilton CARES, people working on solutions.

When we found out about the Sk8 to Eliminate Cancer tournament in Tampa being held near two years to the date we lost our Dad, there wasn’t much back and forth, we knew it was time to lace up the skates and pay tribute to our father and everyone who has lived with cancer by doing what he loved to watch us do most, playing hockey.

We want to express our love and gratitude to everyone who has supported our fundraiser to this point, we’re currently in 1st place…and with the continued support of our fellow Batavians, we’re confident we’ll make our hometown proud and finish in first place…in fundraising. In the tournament play…well we’re playing in the A/B division and we’re getting near 40, so we make no guarantees…but hey we’re gonna do our best and forget the rest!”

We are able to accept donations through this Sunday 10/23/22. We are asking for $25 donations, and are encouraging anyone who donates in honor or memory of a loved one from their own life to pay tribute in their comments.
 
Join the Fight, Donate and Support the Barton Boys and their team, the Gulf Coast Goons: https://fundraise.scottcares.org/tampa/Barton

The Batavia Blue Devils boys soccer team won its first-round sectional game in Class B on Tuesday, beating Geneva 2-0.

Batavia came into the game as the #9 seed and Geneva was the #8 seed.

Goals were scored by Alex Bartz, assisted by Owen Halpin, and by Quintin Cummings, unassisted.

Submitted photo.

Next up: #1 seeded Hornell at Hornell on Saturday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

The future of Oddey, the French bulldog that reportedly overdosed on narcotics three times in May and June, may soon be resolved while the criminal case against Oddey's owner, Cassandra Elmore, will likely remain pending for some time.

Elmore appeared in City Court today with her public defender Jamie Welch.

Welch indicated he needs more time to file motions in light of new evidence (he didn't specify what the evidence is), new discovery turned over by the District Attorney's Office (again, not specified), and his recent receipt of lab reports (he didn't indicate what the lab results reveal).

He indicated the charges of injuring an animal under New York's Ag and Markets Law are more complicated than typical penal statutes and required more research. 

Judge Thomas Burns agreed it is a complicated case and gave Welch until Nov. 25 to file his motions, and gave Assistant District Attorney Jenna Bauer until Dec. 8 to file her answering papers.  He set a hearing date on motions for Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.

If that's all there was to the case, Oddey would be guaranteed at least two more months of confinement at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, but after the motion dates were set, Welch said there was one more thing to discuss.

His client, he said, was willing to meet with representatives of the "animal rights" group following the case -- referring to Volunteers for Animals. He said he didn't know if there were any respresentatives in court today -- there were -- but invited them to stop by the Public Defender's Office and pick up a copy of his card so they could discuss the future of Oddey.

Burns said it was wonderful news that there are options for Oddey.

"Options are good," he said.

Bauer said, "I believe that's the top concern of everybody here."  She suggested that if an agreement could be reached regarding Oddey, a status appearance date be set so the issue could be resolved sooner than two months from now.

After meeting with the attorneys at the bench, Burns said the case will remain on the calendar for Dec. 15, but if an agreement is reached before then, the case can be recalled and the Oddey matter could be resolved in that appearance.

The case was then adjourned.

Previously:

• Woman charged after dog treated repeatedly for narcotics overdose
• Vet told police Oddey was showing signs of drug intoxication during emergency visit
• Elmore asks for time to hire attorney while Oddey waits at shelter
• Warrant issued for woman accused of letting dog OD after she fails to appear in court
• Law and Order: Woman charged in dog's drug overdose arrested again after traffic stop
• Woman in dog overdose case again fails to show up for court appearance
• OPINION: Due process often neglects animal victims
• Woman in dog OD case who skipped court appearances, arrested on warrant, held on bail
• Dog abuse case postponed after VFA letter received
• Woman facing charges after dog ingested narcotics says 'real case' will come out

Walk inside F&M Convenience and take a 360-degree tour of the multitude of items lining the walls, inside of display cases and on both sides of a freestanding shelving unit.

There are items from A — apple juice — to Z — Zippo lighters. And in between, there are assorted beverages of water, juices, sports and coffee drinks, pop, milk and beer; various foods from chips and snack cakes to cereal and ice cream; sunglasses; sports jerseys and hats; backpacks; gum; cigarettes, grinders, wraps and baggies; and the endurance supplement Kratom. And that’s just to name some of the large inventory of items selected by Manager Ali Mohammed.

“We wanted to have a convenience store here,” he said at the site on the triangular patch of property across from Top’s friendly markets at 4169 West Main St. Road, Batavia.

It’s hard to miss the big grand opening sign draped in front of the building, and Mohammed hopes that customers will visit and check out what’s inside. The store is brightly lit with a backdrop of colorful goods available for purchase. There is also an ATM and lottery tickets available, he said.

He has already had two grand opening barbecues and is planning a third one this weekend. It’s set to begin with grilled sausage and burgers at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The store is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Mohammed is looking to hire one more staff member with at least two years of experience and is 21 or older. For more information, call 585-250-4155.

A budget that includes a 2 percent tax levy increase to cover jail-related costs has a silver lining for Genesee County residents, County Manager Matt Landers says.

The itemized financial plan for 2023 totals $162,567,180, and although the levy is going up, the tax rate is expected to decrease due to higher property assessments, Landers said after Wednesday’s Ways & Means meeting.

The new jail debt service and additional personnel for that facility “were the drivers” of the spending increase of just under 1 percent from this year, he said. A 2 percent levy increase will be offset by increased property assessments, so the tax rate is projected to drop from $9.18 per $1,000 assessed value to $8.44, he said.

A pubic hearing for the budget has been set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Old Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia. Landers expects to have his written budget message ready by Thursday or Friday, he said.

“I try to be short and sweet. And I'll hit on the highlights of the overall percentage increases and things like that,” he said. “And then I'll cover it in more detail with spreadsheets at the actual budget hearing.”

This and future budgets will include a $4 million yearly debt service payment for the new, 184-bed jail facility in progress on Route 5, Landers said. That hefty tab of nearly $70 million has a payback plan for the next 30 years.

“So we're stepping into the cost increases instead of getting hit all at once. In the 2023 budget, we have increased costs for the debt service, and then also some positions, and then the 2024 budget will be heavy with even more stepped up cost increases that'll happen, operational cost increases,” he said. “And then hopefully in the back end of 2024, we can start budgeting for it. We should start getting some revenue with the anticipated boarding of inmates.”

Because of the new, larger facility that will also accommodate women inmates, the county will be hiring six new correctional officers (females, in particular), a maintenance worker assigned to the new jail, and a deputy jail superintendent, he said. Another investigator position being added to the Sheriff’s Office “is long overdue,” he said.

“There's piles of investigations, and it's our commitment to try to … the sheriff wants to protect and serve and I agree with them. This is part of our efforts to provide quality service to the people that come to expect that,” he said. “So those were the drivers (of budget increases) that serve as an in-jail position.”

File photo of Genesee County Manager Matt Landers by Joanne Beck.

Guillermo Leon is a man of few words, but they’re backed up by integrity.

The restauranteur has opened a second Mexican-themed eating establishment in Batavia, this time on the west side of town.

“Batavia is growing, and there’s more room for different kinds of restaurants,” Leon said Wednesday at Señor Leon Mexican Restaurant. “People go to Walmart and then can come here to eat. It’s very convenient.”

He owns Rancho Viejo in the city’s downtown, and thought a second restaurant closer to the popular Big Box stores would be a good location. Señor Leon, with an investment of more than $300,000, is tucked into the plaza at 4140 Veterans Memorial Drive.

Double oak and glass doors greet visitors before entering the spacious site. Deep blue, high-backed booths and Mexican decor — gold-trimmed hats, paintings and other themed wall art — plus seating of tables and similarly deep blue, padded seating are ready for a comfortable dining experience.

Leon had the furniture shipped in from Mexico, he said, to provide that authentic touch.

“I wanted to make it look different than other restaurants,” he said.

His place has 10 employees, and he is currently hiring for full- and part-time positions, he said. It may take more than a glance at the menu to place your order, as it is an extensive offering of lunch and dinner options — including assorted burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, tamales, hard or soft tacos and quesadillas.

There are grilled and “authentic Mexicano” dishes, such as Pollo Asado, chicken breast with grilled onions and cheese sauce served with rice, beans and two tortillas; nachos supreme loaded with cheese and toppings; Chicken Popeye, a grilled chicken breast topped with creamy spinach and queso fresco with rice; and Chile Colorado, beef tips cooked with red chile sauce and served with rice, beans and tortillas.

Feeling peckish before dinner? Appetizers include fresh guacamole, chicken wings, fajitas nachos, tortilla soup, and ceviche with shrimp and/or octopus.

A native of Mexico, Leon wanted to expand upon Rancho’s menu with more seafood and “a bunch of different things,” he said. Seafood entrees feature red snapper, prawns, salmon or tilapia, and there’s a seafood soup with shrimp, fish, scallops, calamari, mussels, octopus and a king crab leg. If meat’s not your thing, there are also vegetarian and vegan options.

To top it all off with a little sweetness, there’s the fried cheesecake, churros, Mexican custard (flan), raspberry donut cheesecake, the “ultimate” chocolate cake with layered chocolate mousse and butter cake with buttercream chocolate icing, or a banana chocolate swirl cake and high peanut butter pie to choose from.

If you go soon, you may notice the bar area, which will be open once Leon receives his liquor license, which has been in progress with the state Liquor Authority, and he hopes to have soon.

Asked for his favorite, Leon didn’t name one of the Mexican dishes, and instead admitted “I’m more a steak person.” He added that the steaks are served on a rack and cooked “to taste” for each customer’s preference.

Newly opened, Señor Leon has been drawing customers, he said.

“Everyone who walks in walks out happy,” he said. “I guarantee if you don’t like it, you don’t pay.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 585-250-4484.

Top Photo: Staffer Felix Ramirez shows a portion of the large dining space at the Veterans Memorial Drive restaurant; Sergio Suniga is about to serve a plate of Señor Leon house appetizers: fried chicken taquitos, sauced chicken wings and a chicken quesadilla with pico de gallo, sour cream and a special touch of the Mexican flag, above. Photos by Joanne Beck.

Press Release:

Mike VanSlyke has lived with active addiction from the time he was ten years old until less than a year ago at 39 years old.

“I’ve done big things, stupid things, painful things, awful things, some good things, all kinds of things,” he said.

Now 40, he’s been sober since moving into the Batavia Apartment Treatment Program last August. Mike said he’s been choosing to “do the next right thing.”

“I’ve been horrible at taking my own advice my whole life,” he said. “I think I’m smarter than my own advice. That’s where I’m at now. I finally decided to [take my own advice] instead of telling other people how to live.”

On April 7, 2022, Mike launched a peer-support network for those struggling with addiction, mental health, and/or coping with daily life called Forgotten Ones on Facebook, and now also on Instagram and Twitter. The Facebook page has 1,300 followers and growing!

Through Forgotten Ones, Mike is dedicating his time to being a ‘Friend, Guide, Advocate,’ as his contact card reads. He regularly posts positive, encouraging memes, shares his own story, and invites others to post their clean dates, doing his best to acknowledge milestones big and small.

“We’ll always be there when you need us,” reads the description on the Forgotten Ones Facebook page. “You matter!”

In addition, Mike has a phone number specifically for Forgotten Ones which people can call in crisis at any time of day. The hours on the Facebook page are listed as “always open.” He may have just made dinner, but if he gets a call, message or email from someone in need of support, dinner waits.

“That one second could save somebody’s life,” he said.

Mike reassures those who reach out to Forgotten Ones for support that everything remains confidential.

“I don’t ask them for anything except how old are you and what can I do to help you? For you to be happy, what does life have to look like? That’s where it starts. We go from there.

There is only one requirement to those who call.

“You need to be willing to do things to get better,” he said. “I won’t spin my wheels. If you come to me and want help, I’ll help, but if you’re not willing, I can’t do anything.”

Mike envisions building a team of volunteers in the future to better be able to serve those who seek support. He feels that people who seek out his help can relate to him because of his own personal struggles with addiction and mental health.

“There are very few things in this world I haven’t done or I haven’t been through.”

Now Mike is rebuilding with the help, encouragement and motivation of friends, family and counselors like Lisa Glow, a Program Director at Horizon Health Services.

“When I think about the growth that he’s made over the past ten years, he’s finally at a place where he wants this for him, not because somebody else is telling him to get sober or stabilize his mental health,” said Lisa. “He’s finally taken everything he’s learned, even when he hasn’t wanted to hear it, and acted on it. He’s finally really doing the work.”

Lisa helped Mike find DePaul and the Batavia Apartment Treatment Program.

“They added stability and structure that he needed in order to get through the early part of his recovery,” she said of the staff at the Batavia Apartments.

After moving in last August, he spent the first few days soaking in the feeling of being home and feeling safe in his own apartment.

“I can be alone in my apartment all the time, but there’s always someone here,” he said. “I’m the type of guy, I don’t ask for a lot of help but if I know someone is in the office, I’ll find a reason to come out and talk.”

Residential Supervisor at DePaul’s Batavia Apartments, Brionna Majors said Mike’s passion and drive to have a positive impact on the lives of others and in the world has been an inspiration to not only his peers, but staff as well.

“Everyone’s journey in life is a unique one,” she said. “Life can take all of us through so many different twists and turns and can place unexpected obstacles in front of you. The direction that you choose to take with the cards you are dealt is where you learn the most valuable life lessons.”

Within a few weeks of moving into the Batavia Apartment Treatment Program, Mike was diagnosed with lymphedema, a condition caused by a blockage of the lymphatic system which causes swelling in both of his legs. He finds it ironic that now that he has the motivation, drive and purpose to change his life around, he’s got physical limitations preventing him from moving forward.

“I might not be alright from the waist down, but from the neck up, I’m the best I’ve ever been,” he said. “That says a lot. Everything happens for a reason,” he said.

Instead of getting mad about something he cannot change, he decided to take a friend’s advice and turn a negative into a positive. That same friend is the one who sent him a computer, which allowed him to start Forgotten Ones.

“It’s all motivation, everything, the good, the bad,” he said. “I feel like the people who are in my life have deserved better from me …I’ve never given them what they deserve.”

And the next right move for Mike is to make it all count for something.

“This is going to be my life’s work,” he said.

Submitted photo.

Press release:

A portion of Park Road, from Richmond Avenue south to the intersection of Lewiston Road/Route 63, will be closed to all traffic on Oct. 21.

This is to accommodate the completion of specialty pavement treatments. This work will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The work is weather dependent. If work is postponed due to inclement weather, it will be rescheduled for the next business day.

Batavia Downs traffic is asked to enter and exit the facility parking area from the north end of Park Road near Richmond Avenue. Signage will direct Batavia Downs customers and staff to the parking areas.

For traffic needing to access Park Road approaching from Lewiston Road/Route 63, you are asked to follow the Park Rd Detour utilizing Veterans Memorial Drive.

For traffic needing to access Lewiston Road/Route 63 approaching from Oak Street/Route 98 and NYS Thruway, you asked to follow the Route 63 Detour utilizing Veterans Memorial Drive.

Park Road traffic from Oak Street/Route 98 to Richmond Avenue will not be impacted by this closure.