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Property owner refuses to discuss sea gulls plaguing former Latina's location

By Howard B. Owens

Reached on his mobile phone, Tom Lewin, reportedly manager of LKLWL Properties out of Amherst, the listed owner of the former Latina's Market building at 45-47 Ellicott Street just hung up on The Batavian.

Asked what he plans to do about the sea gulls roosting on top of the apparently deteriorating former grocery store, Lewin said, "I have no comment" and terminated the call.

Lewin reportedly took the same tact when reach by Geoff Redick of WBTA earlier today.

Lewin reportedly said there are no plans to sell or develop the building. Redick reports that Lewin refused to comment on the issue.  Redick said he asked if he had a reason to disregard the public health in Batavia, Lewin reportedly called it a "loaded question" and discontinued the interview.

WBTA reports that the Business Improvement District has requested LKLWL clean up the problem, and USDA Wildlife Services have been contacted, and that the County Health Department regards the growing number of gulls as a possible public health concern.

WBTA reported that LKLWL has refused to let anybody on the roof to investigate the situation.

Ken Mislter, who owns 10 properties downtown and has in previous years helped organize the classic car show in the Court and Ellicott parking lot said the reason there is no classic car show this year is the car owners don't want to subject their rides to gull droppings.

The property is listed on the BID's website as for sale or lease. The current assessed value is $700,000.

Jeremiah Pedro

I'm not a big fan of imminent domain being abused by municipalities, however, in this case I can see a need for it's use. The only hurdle to overcome would be what could the city put there in place of the current building? Maybe the Business incubator could expand to a second location?

Jun 22, 2010, 9:25pm Permalink
Bob Price

Hmmm-mayb someone should call the WGRZ 2 on your side Tipline to see if they can get the building owner to do something-I'm not a resident of Batavia-maybe someone in Batavia that has an interest in area could call them.

Jun 22, 2010, 9:25pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

I went to my bank and parked in that lot and noticed a car next to mine, the owner must work close by and their car was COVERED in bird poop, I mean COVERED, I was going to take a pic, but didn't have my camera....maybe next time I'm there I will,. Something has to be done, the gulls are a nuisance.

Jun 22, 2010, 9:50pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

Where are the city code officers on this....Can't tell me they can't start hammering him for every little code he's not following...Just look at the out side of the building..Weeds growing all over ..Building needs painting..the city has to start doing their job...Enforcement...Big Eyesore,The same with the building across the street ....Maybe the city needs to hire somebody form outside to study the problem for them first,before they can act on it...If a private homeowner had this issue you can bet they would be all over that..

Jun 23, 2010, 6:13am Permalink
Jon Dayton

It's not any harder than stuffing a boom box in a window nearby with a predatory bird call CD. It's about a $10 fix if you already own a boom box. It doesn't have to be loud either. Beach chickens, er, seagulls are pretty attuned to predators.

Jun 22, 2010, 10:40pm Permalink
kevin kretschmer

Perhaps people should stop going to the parking lot and feeding the seagulls? We went to Jackson Street Grill last week for supper one night and there was a family in the parking lot with 3 bags of bread, tossing pieces to them. The little kids seemed to be getting quite a kick out of it.

Jun 22, 2010, 10:44pm Permalink
kim laird

I am one of those unfortunate people who have to park in the latinas parking lot. My car gets covered in bird droppings daily. I cant even go anywhere after work because it is embarrassing to drive around with my car covered in bird droppings. Customers have to run to escape being crapped on and believe me it has happened. If you ever get the chance to see the birds all fly at once because they get spooked it literally sounds like its raining.There appears to be at least 500 birds and they are multipling by the dozen. This is a health threat it smells on the right day.Not to mention the center of the city looks terrible with this disgusting property that is my daily view. My question is home owners have to mow their lawn and keep up their properties or they are fined why oh why is this owner able to get away with not maintaining his property? And oh really he doesnt want to comment? Maybe he will make a comment when i send him the bill for a new paint job on my car. Please do something as this has been ignored since last summer.

Jun 23, 2010, 6:52am Permalink
mark jackett

BURN THE PLACE DOWN !! THE BUILDING IS NO GOOD ANYWAYS ROOF LEAKS AND THE INTERIOIR IS ROTTED BURN IT DOWN AND GET RID OF A FEW PROBLEMS THAT BATAVIA HAS

Jun 23, 2010, 7:58am Permalink
George Richardson

Oh Richard, shame on you. "No more taffic from me, Hicktown TMZ." Do you remember that post? I forgive you Richard, for I know exactly what I do. You are like that kid that I didn't want to like, but I do. Fellow Texan, on the other side of the political fence, with strong ties to Batavia that won't release their grip no matter how hard you try. I try, I really try, but it doesn't work.

Jun 23, 2010, 2:18pm Permalink
George Richardson

Don't they sell Rat Poison in Batavia anymore? I think farmboy's with extra grain and shotguns could solve the problem once they get the birds to fly outside of the city limits. In the late 60's we nearly eliminated the pigeon population that was soiling Batavia and no one ever knew where they went except us. A guy on Kelsey Road paid 25 cents apiece and made pigeon pot pies out of them. Seagulls taste a lot like pigeon. Don't wait for a miracle, make it happen and be discreet while doing it.

Jun 23, 2010, 2:16pm Permalink
brett madden

From the photos, this appears to be a severe probelm. However, it can be easily fixed. My company, No Fly Zone, Inc. performs this service nationwide www.noflyzoneinc.com We are available to provide a free site assessment to remedy this bird infestation. Thank you.

R. Brett Madden
No Fly Zone, Inc.

Jun 27, 2010, 5:23pm Permalink

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