Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer met with a group of business leaders at GCC this morning to provide an update on the recently completed legislative session in Albany and get feedback on issues of concern to local business.

Ranzenhofer opened with a talk highlighting the on-time budget that closed a $10 billion deficit with no tax increases and the first reduction in state spending in 15 years.

When the discussion opened, participants raised issues about the number of school districts in Genesee County, tourism grants, as well as Albany's seemingly less hostile attitude toward business and services provided by local government.

Jim Fulmer, CEO of the Bank of Castile and a former Le Roy School Board trustee, expressed concern about duplicative administrative services in the county's nine school districts.

"At some point, somebody will need to absolutely need to take a hold of this issue and deal with it," Fulmer said. "This has the potential to make some fundamental change in our tax structure."

Ranzenhofer said the governor and Senate are absolutely committed to making such fundamental changes in the structure of local governance.

Jeff Boshart, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board and president of Boshart Enterprises, asked whether the state would continue to fund grants for promotion of tourism in the county, which he said is essential to attracting visitors from all over the region.

A year ago, when the grants were not funded, Ranzenhofer said it wasn't because the money wasn't available, rather it was spent on other priorities, adding, "priorities I didn't vote for or support."

He said the money would continue to be available so long as the legislature made it a priority.

In a statement that seemed to allude to the recent controversy in Le Roy over the fate of that community's public pool, Jerry McCullough (pictured, inset), representing the Le Roy Business Council, the Rotary Club and his own business, expressed concern about local governments using the recently approved property tax cap as an excuse to cut services.

"They're hiding behind the tax cap and cutting things that young families would enjoy," McCullough said. "They're cutting things that would bring young families to our community and help our business community. We're left with a lot of nothing and it's still costing us the same amount of money."

Ranzenhofer said as a person who owns a business located in a village, he understands the importance of village services that improve the business environment.

"I’ve seen first hand what a beautification project will do, what a sidewalk project will do, what a facade project will do, what a light project will do," the senator said. "I think these projects help improve the business climate."

Whether state grants are made available to help with such projects, Ranzenhofer said, depends on what priorities the governor and legislature set in future budgets.

Also attending were: Craig Alexander, O-AT-KA Milk; Allan Davis, Liberty Pumps; Jerry Kozowski, BEST Center; Rachael Tabelski (formerly Millspaugh), GCEDC; Steve Hyde, GCEDC; and Katie White, Le Roy Business Council.

Meanwhile on the scanner...

A neighbor dispute is reported over lawn mowing and the "right of way." One neighbor wants the area between the properties mowed, the other doesn't. The mower "refuses to stop."

Isn't it usually the other way around?

Meanwhile on the scanner...

There are complaints in a village about a pest and a bother. (Didn't catch which village.) A law enforcement officer wants more details.

"It's a very healthy raccoon that seems to be bothering everyone in the village today," comes the reply.

He was intially under the logical impression that it was a human pest-and-a-bother that the law had previous contact with.

As it turns about, this one is much more irksome.

Good luck catching the mischief-maker.

Alex's Place, 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY: People come from all over the region for a fine dining experience at Alex's. It's best known for its ribs, of course, but Alex's seafood is also a favorite of the restaurant's diners. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Alli's Cones & Dogs, 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

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.

Clor's Meat Market, 4169 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: For the best, most flavorful, juiciest chicken or hamburger in town, hands down, stop by Clor's. Oh, and the steaks are great, too. And the sausage. Clor's also serves lunch and dinners from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We have a $10 gift card for $5.

Ficarella's Pizzeria, 21 Liberty St., Batavia, NY. Dine-in, drive-thru or delivery. Featuring fresh, hearth-baked pizza since 1985. Pizza, wings, pasta and more. We have $20 gift certificates for $10. (Good only at the Batavia location.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SOLD OUT

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

Sheriff Gary Maha told the Ways and Means Committee today that for new detective vehicles, nothing else but full-size sedans will really do.

Those smaller cars aren’t made to hold up under our driving conditions," Maha said. "They’re not made for police work."

Maha also said smaller sedans are less safe and detectives need all the trunk space of a full-sized sedan.

Highway Superintendent Tim Hens had presented bids for the county to buy three new sedans for detectives at Tuesday's Public Service Committee meeting and questioned were raised about the expense of big cars.

Maha appeared before the Ways and Means Committee today to explain the need for them.

Hens also came with additional information on the purchase.

It turns out, stepping down from a Chevy Impala to a Malibu would save only $200 per car.

That's because the GM fleet discount for Impalas is more than $1,000 greater for the bigger car.

There also wouldn't be a significant savings on gas, with the Malibu rated at 34 miles per gallon highway and the Impalas getting 29 mpg.

"If the different was a $1,000 I’d tell you to cram the stuff into the smaller trunk, but for $200, I’m more than happy to pay that," Legislator Jay Grasso said.

Maha said a typical detective carries in his trunk a shovel, muck boots, an arson kit, a DNA kit, camera equipment, a fingerprint kit, a crime scene kit, the hardware for the car's communications and computer-related supplies.

The lowest bid for the Impalas, at $20,010 per car, came from Ken Barrett Chevrolet in Batavia.

The lowest bid for a new roof on County Building #1 was higher than anticipated and the Genesee County Legislature is being asked to increase the budget allotment for the project.

Assistant County Manager Frank Ciaccia said the lowest bid came in $2,500 more than budgeted, and the original budget contained wiggle room for unanticipated expenses.

Ciaccia asked the Ways and Means Committee today to transfer $12,000 from the county's sales tax reserve to cover the more than $214,000 cost of the roof replacement plus any unforeseen expenses.

"We don't know what we'll find when we take the roof off," Ciaccia said. "We may find some additional damage." 

County Building #1 is the main administration building at 14 W. Main St., Batavia. The original section was built in 1926, with additions being made in 1951 and in the 1990s.

The roof hasn't been replaced since 1985.

The new roof will be a rubber material.

The lowest of four bids came from Elmer W. Davis, Inc., of Rochester.

The committee approved both the budget adjustment and awarding the bid to Davis. The resolutions will be considered by the full legislature at its next meeting.

There's a pizza joint in town that calls itself "Batavia's Original" and claims it was established in 1947, but whatever claim the shop has to a once legendary local pizzeria was lost three weeks ago when the company fired its manager, Sam Pontillo.

Pontillo helped a group of Rochester investors open the pizzeria at 500 E. Main St., Batavia, in a building that was once home to a Pontillo's restaurant owned and operated by Sam's parents, Sal and Betty Pontillo. 

Sal, more commonly known as Sam, with his brother Anthony, opened the original Pontillo's at the corner of Liberty and Ellicott streets in 1947. The original Pontillo's was the first pizzeria in Batavia and helped create a new pizzeria industry in Western New York.

Sam Pontillo says it's time for the Rochester-based owners to stop trading on his family's name.

Besides the claim to being established in 1947, the restaurant's menu also has a picture of Sal Pontillo right in the middle of it (pictured above).

"It (the menu picture) should come off now," Sam said. "There's no Pontillo involved and we’re not getting residual from it. They're going to milk it for as long as they can, but they should do the stand-up thing and remove it."

"As for the 1947," Sam added, "how can they really use it? There’s a family attachment to 1947. I’m sure some lawyer will say it’s just a number, but it’s a significant number to my family."

Batavia's Original is a DBA of Batavia Pizza, LLC, a creation of Thomas Masaschi, Jeffrey Reddish and Jason Teller.

The Rochester-based group acquired the 500 E. Main St. location in 2009 after a bank foreclosed on the property.

The owners then hired Sam, who still operated the Pontillo's location in Le Roy, as the new shop's general manager and opened as Pontillo's in April 2010.

A few months later, Anthony Pontillo's heirs (Anthony filed for a federal trademark on "Pontillo's" in the 1980s) filed a trademark infringement suit against Batavia Pizza, LLC.

The suit was settled out of court and and the name of the restaurant was changed.

Local sources who have followed the Pontillo's saga immediately speculated that without the ability to use the Pontillo's name, Sam Pontillo wouldn't be long for employment at Batavia's Original.

It's a bit of speculation that Sam, now out of Batavia's Original, doesn't argue against.

"I make no bones about it," Sam said. "I told our management staff that when the owners felt they could do it on their own, they wouldn't need me anymore because there was no longer a Pontillo's name on the sign."

Sam said he was let go three weeks ago because, he said he was told, he wasn't bringing in enough money.

"Of course, at some point about this time, I was due for a pay increase," Pontillo said. "It's a corporate thing. It's a story that's repeated all the time. They're hardcore businessmen."

The Batavian called the real estate investment office of Thomas Masaschi this afternoon and requested an interview. We were told he wasn't available and left a message. The call has not yet been returned.

Sam Pontillo said he isn't rooting against Batavia's Original at all. He said he's proud of the people he hired and trained and believes they will do a great job with the business.

"I think it will go on as long as everybody gets their noses to the grindstone and does what I taught them to do," Sam said. "It will continue to be a great place that employs a lot of kids from the community and continues to serve the community as it has always done." 

Sam Pontillo isn't the only Pontillo who takes issue with Batavia's Original trying to trade on the Pontillo's name. Sam's brother John was quite pointed in his remarks this morning.

"They're using my father's face on their menu and it's not right," John said. "I don't think it's very respectful to use a picture of a man who is dead. He hasn't endorsed their business."

John currently operates a pizzeria -- Gio Vanna's -- in Geneseo and was planning to open a shop in the former Pontillo's location in Le Roy.

After paying off back taxes on the property, John said he was planning to buy the building from the estate of Betty Pontillo, but he claims Sam removed the furnace and the hot water heater.

"The building we agreed to buy is not the same building the estate has for sale," John said.

Sam disagrees.

"If he would just look on the roof, there's a practically brand new heating system there," Sam said.

As for hot water, there's still hot water available in the building, Sam said.

He added that he thinks the Le Roy location is a fine building that he cared for meticulously.

"I hope somebody buys it," he said. "It's a great location."

As for Sam's future, it's wide open, he said.

He's looking at options for new businesses from Brooklyn to Albany and even Dubai.

"I'm 52," Sam said. "I figure I'll ride out the next project out until retire. Hopefully it will be rewarding, so I’m just being careful before I move on. 

"I'll tell you," he added. "I'm not missing working seven days a week."

Whatever the future, Sam said he doesn't see himself going back in business with his brothers John and Paul. There's just too much water under the bridge after a few years of disagreements.

"It's unfortunate how things worked out," Sam said. "We were all great buddies growing up, but business got in the way and killed those relationships."

But none of what has happened means there won't be a Pontillo's in Genesee County again some day.

"If I could swing it some time and open a Pontillo’s and show the neon sign again in Batavia, it would be a big hit," Sam said.

Even if isn't owned by Sam, he said he's got at least one son, now studying hospitality in college, who might want to operate a Pontillo's some day.

"If that’s what he wants, I'll absolutely go to it and get it done for him," Sam said.

He said he feels he still owns the rights to a Pontillo's business in Genesee County.

Asked if there was anything he wanted to add, Sam thanked his staff and customers.

"You're only as good as people around you," Sam said. "I had a great staff around me. I also just need to thank people of Batavia and Le Roy, where I think I still have a following. It was a pleasure to serve them, it was a ball, it was riot. I will miss the customers. Maybe someday I'll throw a party somewhere and invite them all over." 

For previous coverage of Pontillo's, click here.

An 18-year-old male has accidently stabbed himself in the forehead. "Now he is feeling lightheaded."

The address is in the 2400 block of Main Road in Pembroke. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy EMS are handling the call.

Ryan M. Shrauger, 41, of 6 Hull Park, Batavia, is charged with forgery, 2nd, possession of a forged instrument, 2nd, and petit larceny. Shrauger is being held in the Genesee County Jail on unrelated charges. Shrauger allegedly forged checks and asked an acquaintance to cash them for him at a local financial institution.

Nicholas F. Donoghue, 21, of 206 Callan Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Donoghue is accused of providing alcohol to a person under age 21 while in the park on Munson Street, Le Roy.

Duffy L. Starks, 19, of 20 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Starks was arrested on a warrant issued following an investigation into an incident in the city June 6. Starks was taken into custody without incident when he was found in a vacant apartment at 1 Dawson. Starks is being held without bail.

Ryan Michael Carr, 23, of Filner Avenue, North Tonawanda, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. Carr is accused of making more than 140 phone calls to known persons in the Town of Alexander. The calls were allegedly harassing in nature. Carr was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Pamela Lynn McKenzie, 36, of Covell Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. McKenzie is accused of stealing jewelry from a store at Darien Lake Theme Park.

A 21-year-old driver involved in a serious injury motor-vehicle accident on Pike Road, Alexander, is being accused of driving drunk and faces a felony charge of vehicular assault, 2nd.

Wyatt J. Becker, 21, of Sumner Road, Darien, was driving a 1998 Pontiac Bonneville when he allegedly lost control of the car and struck a tree. The incident happened at 12:26 a.m., July 30.

His passenger, Luke M. Taracki, 20, of Rusher Road, Alden, needed to be extricated from the vehicle and taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC with serious injuries.

Becker is also charged with DWI, speed not reasonable and prudent, failure to keep right and refusal to take a breath test.

Batavia Soccer Club U19 girls soccer team finished off an undefeated season Tuesday with a championship win over Spencerport, 4-2.

The team finishes the year with a 12-0 record in the Monroe United Recreational Soccer League.

Scoring for Batavia were Randi Zakes, Kaeleigh DiSalvo and Haley Tangeman. Goalie Brooke Ranney had 11 saves.

Batavia was able to pull out a victory despite having only enough players Tuesday to cover the field. There were no substitutes available.

Players on the team, which is sponsored by Genesee Orthopedics, range in age from 14 to 19, and include four pairs of sisters.

"This year this team of old and young players really meshed," Coach Gary DiSalvo said.

The roster consisted of (players in bold participated in Tuesday's game): Kaitlyn Allen, Allison Bartholomew, Raven Bentkowski, Brenda Castaneda, Chelsea Cleveland, Kaeleigh DiSalvo, Nicole DiSalvo, Taylor Dziuba, Andrea Easton, Taylor Grazioplene, Erin Hale, Michaela Hale, Cady Hume, Jenna Hume, Jenifer Igoe, Savannah Matteson, Katie Newton, Brooke Ranney, Emily Sallome, Haley Tangeman, Bittany Wall, Morgan Zakes and Randi Zakes.

Over the course of the season, Batavia beat teams from Gates; Irondequoit; Churchville, Chili, Spencerport, Le Roy/Pavilion and Rush/Henrietta.

Slide show of more photos from the game below. To purchase photographic prints from this event, click here.

Fire units from Oakfield, Elba and Batavia are being sent to Orleans County for a mutual aid fire call.

There is a house fire at  5717 Burns Road, Barre.

A pumper and tanker from Oakfield are at the scene, Elba requested to fill in at Barre's fire hall and Batavia's Fast Team requested to the scene.

UPDATE 9:47 a.m.: Alabama pumper requested to fill in at the East Shelby fire hall.

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City officials, local law enforcement, firefighters and community groups were at Birchwood Village this evening for the second in a series of three "National Night Out" events in the city.

The goal of National Night Out is to foster community understanding of city services and build relationships between city officials, especially law enforcement, and the community.

Sorry for the shaky camera!

Meanwhile, on the scanner...

What does a law enforcement officer advise when computers are on the fritz, say, possibly the server's down?

"We'll use stone tablets and a chisel."

Dispatch's reply: "As will we."

However, The Batavian remains steadfast in its belief that said communication tools belong in a newseum with the dinosaur (and mastodon) bones.

Here are the most viewed posts for July 2011:

• Brad Paisley fans get themselves arrested in droves during Darien Lake concert
• Two-car, head-on collision with serious injuries on Indian Falls Road, by Billie Owens
• Woman who reportedly jumped in front of a car on East Main takes her own life
• Barn fire on Batavia-Elba TL Road, by Billie Owens
• Rider falls off roller coaster and dies at Darien Lake Theme Park, by Billie Owens
• Pavilion family worried about missing teen
• Iraq vet, double amputee, dies after being ejected from ride at Darien Lake Theme Park, by Geoff Redick, WBTA
• Car vs. pedestrian accident in the city with serious injuries, by Billie Owens
• Today's Poll: Should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine?
• Photo: Reader looking for owner of lost dog

July was a record traffic month for The Batavian, beating out records set in August 2010.

Visits: 335,359
Page Views: 601,325
Unique Visitors: 81,875

For comparison sake, the August 2010 numbers:

Visits: 256,391
Page Views: 443,330
Unique Visitors: 70,638

I knew I hadn't posted the most-read posts for a little while, but was surprised to find I hadn't done it since January. After the jump, the missing months.

June 2011:

• Attorneys argue over Ewoks, phone calls and free speech in Chris Charvella case
• Photos: Traditional Hindu wedding in Batavia
• Dhanda: 'Alcoholism has destroyed my once promising life'
• Sheriff's Office looking for help identifying criminal mischief suspect
• Residents of Douglas Street raise issue of new parking enforcement with city council
• Today's Poll: How concerned are you about the national debt?
• Photo: New Mexican restaurant coming to town?
• Today's Poll: How should Sen. Ranzenhofer vote on the 'marriage equality law'?
• 'Ms. Corona' suspected of shoplifting at Target, by Billie Owens
• Corona allegedly tried to steal from Target with law enforcement in store

May 2011: 

• Photo: Man in pink gorilla suit on East Main Street
• New tavern and burger joint opens on Jackson Street
• Photos: 'Osama Got Obama'd' celebration at the Post Office
• Sign makers thought message was 'traditional and patriotic' 
• 'Osama Got Obama'd' sign removed from in front of Upton Monument
• Tragedy in the Village of Bergen: HS student struck and killed by train
• Mother who used ATM to steal money from nursery school in Le Roy sentenced
• Osama bin Laden is Dead
• Owner of Batavia Nursing Home facing federal charges; employees complain of payroll problems
• Corfu man seeks redemption following meth lab sentencing

April 2011:

• Today's Poll: Should the U.S. arm Libyan rebels?
• Family blames UMMC for inadequate protections against potentially deadly bacteria
• Another fatal accident on West Main Street Road, Batavia
• Alleged meth lab in South Byron may be tied to first one found in Alabama 18 months ago
• Mercy Flight to land at UMMC parking lot for critically injured child, by Billie Owens
• Batavia High student accused of making harassing phone calls to several women
• Today's Poll: Are you confident UMMC provides safe, quality healthcare?
• Police Report: Multiple DWI and marijuana possession arrests reported from the weekend
• Pursuit of motorcycle rider in progress
• Questions for the NY-26 candidates: Foreign Policy

March 2011:

• Matty's Pizzeria is closed
• Voters reject Van Detta proposal in big turn out
• Popular local sportswriter found dead at home
• Fuel truck on Route 33, Bergen, rolls over on car trapping woman inside
• Seriously?, by Bud Prevost
• Coaches, athletes, friends and family reflect on beloved sports reporter, by Tim Walton
• Should Obama be impeached for engaging U.S. in unconstitutional war? (Poll)
• Police seek help in locating missing teen
• Tractor-trailer and multiple car accident on Route 33 and Bergen Road
• Pair of men from Holley accused of using trucks and gun to attack woman in Elba
• BHS student accused of hitting teacher likely to have case referred to Family Court

February 2011

• Margarita's closes
• Bergen man reportedly killed in snowmobile accident in Riga
• Family burned out of two apartments in two years looking for assistance
• Tagger hits eight downtown buildings
• Stafford man taken into custody after tussel with security guard at DSS
• BREAKING: Rep. Chris Lee resigns his seat following report of sex scandal
• City School District presents plan for $3.9 million upgrade to Van Detta
• Body of missing Darien man found during morning search
• Firefighters deal with 'tough' extrication following accident in East Bethany
• One killed, one seriously injured in head-on collision on West Main Street Road, Batavia

A fire behind a stove is reported at the Sportsman's Coonhunters Association, an archery club, located at 8776 Hopkins Road in East Pembroke. The flames are out but firefighters are called to check for extensions into the walls.

East Pembroke and Town of Batavia fire departments are responding. A firefighter on scene says extensions are unlikely. An infrared camera is requested to be sure.

The newest member of the Batavia Police Department has graduated from the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy at Niagara University.

Officer Matthew D. Lutey has been attending the academy for the the past 24 weeks. At graduation ceremonies Monday, Lutey was presented the Joseph E. Steblein Memorial Award, named after the academy's first director.

The award is presented to the individual who demonstrates overall excellence in all areas of training.

Officer Lutey is a graduate of Genesee Community College and served six years in the Air Force. He is currently assigned to Field Training Officers where he will complete 16 additional weeks of on-the-job training with time spent assigned to all shifts.