We recently ran contests for two local businesses where people were asked to Like the businesses on Facebook and register for the contest.

• Paul Carr is the winner of our Hardcor Audio contest. Paul wins an XM Snap.
• Jerri Papke is the winner of our Valle Jewelers contest. Jerri wins a Chamilia bracelet.

Watch for more Facebook contests soon. Businesses, if you are interested in increasing the number of people who follow you on Facebook, contact Lisa Ace at (585) 250-4118.

At one time, it seemed unthinkable that the Genesee County Legislature would cut or eliminate funding for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

At a budget discussion Wednesday, Legislator Ray Cianfrini raised the topic and found at least some level of support from Frank Ferrando, Marianne Clattenburg and Annie Lawrence.

No action was taken, but the legislators agreed to discuss the topic further.

There is a budget hearing -- where the public will comment, but not legislators -- at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the Senior Center, as the county moves toward wrapping up its 2013 budget process.

"I want to go on the record that I am opposed to funding GCEDC to the tune of $215,000," Cianfrini said. "It's no secret, and I'm told, that they are planning bonuses again this year, or salary adjustments, or whatever they're going to call them. I'm vehemently opposed to this and I'm not even sure it's legal."

Ferrando said he agrees with Cianfrini's overall position, but wonders if a compromise position can be found.

Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC, has said the county share of funding is critical to meeting operational expenses for the industrial development agency.

Mary Pat Hancock expressed concern that a cut in funding might send the wrong message to potential businesses looking to set up shop in Genesee County, that it might signal that Genesee County doesn't want the business.

County Manager Jay Gsell said he knows businesses are sensitive to any perception that the county isn't committed to meeting their needs. He said when Pepsi and Alpina got wind of possible restraints on infrastructure spending, executives from those companies expressed concern.

So Ferrando's idea is that if the funding is truly essential to the GCEDC, set it aside in the budget, but don't give it to the agency until staff members come before the Ways and Means Committee and makes a case for specific expenditures.

Ferrando acknowledges that setting the money aside would mean it gets neither reallocated to other programs nor returned to taxpayers, at least for a year, but at least it mutes the perception that the legislature is funding bonuses for GCEDC executives.

"Right now, they are very successful in many ways," Ferrando said. "I'm very appreciative of what they're doing for our county, but if they don't need the money, we do need it now. That's the only point I'm trying to make. If there is some process where we can determine that they need it, then we give it to them. If they don't need it, we sure as heck do."

Clattenberg leaned more toward just ending the subsidy, Lawrence seemed to lean toward Ferrando's idea of having GCEDC make a case for funding when they need it.

After discussing another matter, the topic came up again and Hancock expressed reservations about cutting funding to the agency.

"Certainly, I see your concern, but to wash it right from under them and say no, I'm not so sure that would be a helpful message (to the business community)," Hancock said.

Legislator Robert Bausch noted that for 30 years the IDA existed and there was no controversy over bonuses to staff. It's only something that has come up in the past few years.

That's because, he said, for 30 years the IDA didn't do anything. Now it does. Now it is making things happen.

"They did nothing and you didn't incentivize them to do anything," Bausch said. "The first issue you have to address is that now they have incentives and they're doing something."

Hancock's advice to legislators when faced with constituents who complain about the bonuses and the county's funding share is to tell them that for every dollar the county puts into GCEDC, $16 is returned.

Lawrence noted that when the legislature met with the GCEDC board over the summer and expressed concern about how staff was compensated, the concerns largely fell of deaf ears.

"Yes, they're doing great things for our county and project a growing work force, but they have to come to a realize that here are the facts," Lawrence said. "It's dollars and taxes."

Legislator Shelly Stein, who now represents the legislature on the GCEDC board, said the county's issue with bonuses and funding hasn't fallen on deaf ears. Employment contracts are being renegotiated and she said she doesn't believe that next year bonuses will be paid. However, any bonuses that might be announced in early 2013 are for 2011 successes.

While Cianfrini said he supports GCEDC, the work they do and believes Hyde and team are doing a great job, he thinks cuts to their funding may need to come sooner rather than later.

"My recommendation is that we reduce their contribution by the amount that they pay out in bonuses or salary adjustments," Cianfrini said. "If they feel the necessity to pay out then they really don't need our money and the money can be allocated to other programs that need funding, or we adjust our tax rate."

Updated with additional information from the Sheriff's Office at 6:38 p.m.

A Batavia woman was arraigned on two felony drug counts today in county court.

Tracey Brewer (aka Tracey Cook), 47, of 52 Columbia Ave., Batavia, is accused of selling hydrocodone and oxycodone.

She was arrested Tuesday on a sealed grand jury indictment. She is charged with one count each of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 4th, and criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Brewer's arrest followed an investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

She is accused of making the sales April 4 and April 18 at her Columbia Avenue residence to an undercover agent.

Batavia PD assisted in her apprehension.

Brewer was released following arraignment under supervision of Genesee Justice.

A man already serving a 15-year prison term for molesting a toddler admitted in county court today that he also molested another child under age 11 in March.

James L. Little Jr., 41, formerly of Batavia, could get three-and-a-half years tacked onto his current sentence after accepting a plea deal from the District Attorney's Office.

Little was escorted to court by state prison guards and appeared in court shackled and in a kelly green jumpsuit.

He entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse in the first degree.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Batavia PD first arrested Little earlier this year for molesting a 2-year-old. Only after he was sentenced on that first charge did the second molestation, which occurred prior to Little's first arrest, come to light. 

Fifty-three-year-old Beverly Hensel was accused in court documents of supplying Little which child porn starting in 2008. She's entered a guilty plea to possession of child sexual performance and is scheduled for sentencing Jan. 9.

A disabled woman in a wheelchair got stuck in the basement at the School House Manor Apartments in Oakfield after the elevator malfunctioned.

Oakfield fire and rescue is at the scene trying to get her to the main floor and a service company has been called. The address is 1 N. Pearl St.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.: The woman has been removed from the basement and placed safely on the first floor. Oakfield is back in service.

Announcement:

Due to the pending sale of the Administration Building at 39 Washington Ave., the Batavia City School District Administration Offices will be relocated to Batavia High School, 260 State St., starting Friday, Nov. 9.

The offices will all be accessible through the State Street parking lot.

Superintendent/Personnel -- Room 48

Registration/Curriculum -- Room 40

Student Services -- Room 43

Buildings & Grounds -- Room 41

Business -- Room 45

Boardroom -- Room 49

All phone numbers and extensions will remain the same. Any questions, please call 343-2480, ext. 1000.

Roque Guillermo, 45, of Mechanic Street, Elba, is charged with incest in the third degree, a Class E felony. Guillermo is accused of having sexual relations with a member of his family Sunday evening. Guillermo was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and jailed on $20,000 bail. The case was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto and Investigator Kris Kautz.

Paul Nawotka, 41, of Mead Road, Medina, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment, 2nd. Nawotka was arrested following an investigation into a domestic incident Feb. 6. Nawotka was allegedly found in possession of a billy club. The case was investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson and Trooper Caton Baines.

Press release from Kathy Hochul:

“Early this morning I called Chris Collins and congratulated him on being elected to Congress. I encouraged him to work across the aisle and offered to assist him in any way I can. I also volunteered to help him make a smooth transition in January to ensure our constituents are well served. Congress can do better, and the people of this country deserve better than what Washington has given them.”

For the first time in his life, Brooks Hawley, son of a state assemblyman and grandson of a retired state assemblyman, ran for office, and he won a convincing victory.

Hawley, who was appointed to a council-at-large seat at the beginning of the year, was part of a three-way race for two seats on the Batavia City Council and, according to unofficial numbers, received 3,559 votes.

Jim Russell and Laura Russell-Ricci are only 40 votes apart with between 1,300 and 1,800 absentee ballots yet to count.

"I’m very honored that the residents of Batavia have chosen me to stay on city council," Hawley said. "I was appointed and now I’m reelected and I want to thank the Republican, Conservative and Independent parties, but mostly my beautiful wife for supporting me through the campaign."

For her part, Russell-Ricci was pleased to make such a strong showing in a city where Democrats are generally at a disadvantage.

"I love it that not everybody decided they had to vote party line, but that it was about the better candidate," Russell-Ricci said. "I’m proud to be a part of that, that even with a D after my name, I could still put up some good numbers."

Jim Russell left the GOP party at Terry Hills while only partial results were tabulated so wasn't available for comment tonight.

Earlier: Genesee County election results.

The final, UNOFFICIAL voting tallies are in for Genesee County. So far, the votes are:

NY-27:

• Chris Collins -- 11,508
• Kathy Hochul -- 10,758

Batavia City Council

• Brooks Hawley -- 3,559
• Russell -- 2,328
• Ricci -- 2,286

UPDATE 10:29 p.m.: There are 1,300 to 1,800 absentee ballots remaining to be counted in the City of Batavia, according to election officials.

UPDATE 11:44 p.m.:

Here's some additional results from Genesee County.

President:

• Barack Obama -- 8,886
• Mitt Romney -- 13,701
• Gary Johnson -- 348
• Jill Stein -- 97

Senate:

• Kristen Gillibrand -- 11,027
• Wendy Long -- 10,035

State Senate

• Justin Rooney -- 6,185
• Mike Ranzenhofer -- 14,983

State Assembly

• Steve Hawley -- 18,583
• Mark Glogowski -- 1,127

Each election for the past several elections, Judge Robert C. Noonan has been the on-call judge to consider any cases of people who say they registered to vote but were turned away at their polling place.

Typically, these are people who moved but the revised registration didn't quite catch up with them.

Noonan said in 2000, a highly contested election, there were a few people who showed up for the 6 p.m. hearing time, but with the exception of one school board election, there have been no such appeals in the intervening elections.

Until tonight.

At least five people showed up to the elections office to make their case to Noonan.

Among them, Kevin LaRocco, who moved back to Le Roy two weeks ago from Orleans County. He said simply that he was just looking for a chance to vote and he hoped Noonan would give it to him.

Noonan said he reviews documents and most of the time, the matter can be resolved easily, but there is a provision to hold a short hearing if necessary.

Usually, however, that isn't necessary.

"We like people to vote," Noonan said. "I like people to vote."

It's Election Night, that means, at least in Stafford, pancakes for dinner.

The Le Roy-Stafford Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual pancake dinner at the Stafford Fire Hall.

In the bottom picture are some of the volunteers (starting with the bottom left): Cassie Winspear, Tiffani Bragg, Charlene Schoenenberger, Mackenzie Lowe, Cassie Sprauge, Jenna DeFisher, Kytlyn Williams, Kimberly Clark, Jim Taillie, Laurie Taillie, Dave Goodwin, John Gremer, Betsy Gremer.

City fire is dispatched to 4 Highland Park for a possible fire in the wall of the residence.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: Engine 15 on location. Nothing showing.

UPDATE 5:18 p.m.: There was an electrical outlet fire and it's now out.

View Larger Map

Calling it an Election Day tradition, Chris Collins drove to Batavia today for lunch at the Pok-A-Dot. Collins had lunch at the Dot the day of the GOP primary when he beat David Bellavia.

The Pok-A-Dot, he said, is kind of like a lucky charm.

Collins had no other campaign stops to make today with the race now in the hands of the voters of the NY-27. 

While Collins said he feels good about his chances against incumbent Kathy Hochul, he is short of predicting victory, knowing it's likely to be a close vote.

In an effort to both save the Genesee County Nursing home some money and maybe find some billing revenue it isn't currently getting, the Public Service Committee approved two contracts Monday to outsource some of the facility's billing.

Christine Schaller, nursing home administrator, presented the contract proposals to the legislators.

She said she was motivated to help the nursing home operate more efficiently so it can continue to serve the community.

The first contract is with Beth Platt & Associates for physician billing.

When nursing home residents see a physician, the doctor files an "encounter form" with the nursing home and staff must figure out which insurance company receives the claim and complete the proper paperwork. Different companies have different forms and different software.

Currently, the process costs the nursing home about $6 per claim. The billing service will charge $2 per claim.

"We would like to outsource this to a company that does this all of the time," Schaller said. "It will be faster and cheaper."

Schaller also said that physician billing for the Genesee County Nursing Home is about one-third the revenue of similarly sized operations.

"It should be more than it is," Schaller said. "I don't know why it is what it is."

It's possible there will be no new revenue found by outsourcing billing, but the contractor might find a reason billing is lower than expected and bring the figure up.

The second contract is for billing for rehab stays for nursing home patients.

The contract is for $48 an hour, or an estimated annual cost of $12,480, with MDS Consultant.

Again, between Medicaid, Medicare and the half dozen other insurance providers, billing can be complicated and it's possible the nursing home isn't receiving all the revenue it should for these stays.

Both contracts will also help the nursing home meet corporate compliance standards, which will go over well with state auditors when they visit.

"I can't guarantee this, but I think we're going to generate more revenue than the services are going to cost," Schaller said.

Press release:

The Monsignor Kirby Apartments will be flushing fire hydrants on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from approximately 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Homes and businesses in the general area Oak Street, Park Road and Noonan Drive will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

What a life Dick Beyer has led, from a standout in high school football and a football scholarship with Syracuse University, to a master's degree in education and a professional wrestling career that took him and his family all over the world.

One of Beyer's wrestling matches in Japan was televised worldwide and viewed by 70 million people.

"I didn't realize how many that was until somebody told me only 50 million people watch the Super Bowl," Beyer said.

One of Beyer's biggest fans was Vic Marchese, owner of Main St. Pizza Company in Downtown Batavia.

Growing up, Marchese loved professional wrestling.

"I especially liked any wrestler that wore a mask," Marchese said.

Vic became a big fan of Beyer's later career character, Doctor X. Marchese was a member of the Doctor X Fan Club and he said he still has his membership card at home.

"I just always liked Doctor X," Marchese said. "I just never knew he lived 20 miles down the road from me all my life."

Marchese and Beyer met in a local T-shirt shop several years ago and became fast friends.

If Beyer is driving past Batavia, he always stops in to see Vic, usually coming home from a football game in Syracuse.

"I just love his pizza," Beyer said.

Beyer, 82, is finally telling his life story in a new book, "Masked Decisions," and will be at Main St. Pizza from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, for a book signing. Marchese is offering a free pizza with a book purchase.

"It runs through my whole life, honestly," Beyer said. "I don't pull any punches. I don't say a lot about individual wrestlers, who was won this or who was better. I talk about the humor of the game and about being at the right place at the right time."

Beyer attended a vocational school in Buffalo, and after his fourth year had to go to a fifth year of high school for math, history and English. He was offered a football scholarship to Syracuse and while starting for the Orangemen he was recruited onto the wrestling team.

According to Beyer, his roommate at his fraternity house where he lived was the heavyweight on the wrestling team.

One evening, Beyer was at the house playing pinochle when the wrestingly team came back.

"I asked Howie, 'How'd Bill Sky do today?' " Beyer said.

"He blew out his knee."

"I said, 'Who's going to be the heavyweight?' "

"You," said Beyer with deep laugh.

Beyer is a big man, barrel chested, pug nosed, with beefy hands. His baritone voice is as big as his physique and the breadth of his career.

By his junior year in college, he was being recruited by professional wrestling promoter Ed Don George.

The former Eagle Scout started his pro career as Dick Beyer and wrestled mainly in Upstate New York, finishing out an eight-year Army Reserve commitment and working on the staff of the Syracuse football team, including their national championship year of 1959.

His first year as a pro, 1954-55, a wrestling magazine named him Rookie of the Year.

His travels through his early career took him through Chicago, Ohio, Tennessee and Hawaii.

Then in 1962 he got a call from Los Angeles promoter Jules Strongbow

Beyer made his way to Los Angeles where Strongbow told him the next night he would be wrestling in San Diego, wearing a mask, not as Dick Beyer but as "The Destroyer."

Reluctantly, Beyer did it. He said the moth-eaten mask wasn't very comfortable.

"I wrestled," Beyer said. "I came in. I pulled the mask off. I told the manager, I said, 'Artie, tell Strongbow that was the first and last match for 'The Destroyer.' "

Another wrestler convinced Beyer there was money in wearing a mask and loaned Beyer one of his masks, so Beyer gave it a try.

It fit better and was more comfortable. The mask was made from a lady's girdle, so the next day, Beyer and his wife, Wilma, went to Woolworth's and bought ladies' girdles and she turned them into masks for "The Destroyer."

A few years later, Beyer was offered a six-year wrestling contract in Japan, which he accepted.

He was big in Japan (and he learned to speak fluent Japanese). His matches were televised internationally, including the one that was viewed by 70 million people.

Beyer still conducts an annual wrestling camp in Japan.

In the mid-1980s, Beyer retired from professional wrestling. He became an elementary school teacher in Akron and coached high school football and swimming.

Marchese said it's been one of the thrills of his life meeting and getting to know Dick Beyer. They've become good friends.

He's invited Beyer to his wedding.

"How many people can say they had their idol at their wedding?" Marchese said.

List of Polling Places, Genesee County