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Press release:

The School Library System (SLS), a program of the Le Roy-based Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (the Partnership) was awarded a three-year, $150,000 New York State learning technologies grant. The first year of the grant will be implemented at Batavia Middle School.

The GAME Tech Project (Genesee Advancing Mathematics and English Language Arts with Technology) will increase student academic achievement as measured by New York State assessments in Mathematics and English Language Arts by providing opportunities for students to engage in learning content through technology in a way that is meaningful and authentic, enabling students to solve problems and be creative.

SLS staff will focus on the underlying skills of computational thinking to prepare students and teachers for success in computer programming and other STEM work. SLS staff will provide professional development opportunities to improve student performance through integration of learning technologies in classrooms and school library media centers. In subsequent years, the grant will be expanded to include all Partnership component school districts.

Over the next three years, the SLS staff will work with member librarians and teachers in elementary and middle schools to implement a program of technology professional development and classroom implementation built around analog play for digital success. These kits will include LightUp and Little Bits sets for circuit design and electronics problem solving; games and other resources for computer programming, LEGO WeDo and Mindstorms kits for robotics development; and audio and video kits for media production. By starting with analog resources like games and toys, SLS staff will help teachers build confidence and comfort within STEM fields. 

“The Partnership is excited to be able to expand offerings to our component schools districts through the Game Tech Grant. The focus will be on preparing students to be creative and possess analytical, problem solving and communication skills. Game design, engineering, manufacturing, electronics and design tech are career fields aligned with the scope of the work,” said Julie Donlon, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and School Improvement.

The Partnership SLS is uniquely suited to implement the GAME Tech project given their long history of working with games as curriculum aligned instructional resources. The SLS Game Library, launched in 2007, is the largest K-12 aligned library of games in the country. Christopher Harris, director of the Partnership SLS, will be the principal investigator working alongside Library/Technology specialists Brian Mayer from the Game Library and Liesl Toates, who coordinates technology professional development and the Media Library. 

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The School Library System and Distance Learning Service are programs of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, for a program on “Better Garden Photography."

Have you ever visited and photographed a gorgeous garden, but were later disappointed with your photos? In this presentation, Master Gardener Brenda Fox will cover many subjects including the impact of light, and elements of composition such as balance, contrast, perspective and color. Brenda will also discuss some useful techniques such as the rule of thirds, framing, and the effect of lines.

All topics will be beautifully illustrated with photos of garden scenes. These practical tips will improve your photos in (and out!) of the garden.

This class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration has been extended to April 4.

Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register. Visit our Web site at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information. Like us on our Facebook page for program updates: https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee

Press release:

The City Of Batavia Water Department will be making a repair on a broken water service line on Vernon Avenue Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.

Water service should not be interrupted to make this repair. Vernon Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Richmond Avenue so repairs can be made.

Below are the results of the March 12 city property auction, according to City Manager Jason Molino.

At tonight's 7 o'clock City Council Conference Meeting, the councilmembers will vote on a resolution to authorize the council president to sign agreements for the sale of property sold at the auction.

They are all parcels of vacant land.

• 26-28 and 30 Hutchins Place -- Sold to Christopher Hallifax, of Gasport, for $1,000. There were no back taxes as the property was City owned.
• Bank Street -- A parcel adjacent to 375 Bank St. sold for $300 to Betty Russo. Back taxes amounted to $263.02 and she was the only bidder. Her property is next to this land (Parcel No. 71.020-1-12).
• Evergreen Drive, rear -- Sold to Donald Childs of 12 Evergreen Drive for $1,100. Back taxes were $166.22. His property is next to this property (Parcel No. 71.020-1-81).
• 28 Franklin St., rear -- Sold to Donna Howard of 28 Franklin St. for $650. Back taxes were $424.43. Her property is next to this land.

Total proceeds were $3,050. Total back taxes were $853.67. Net proceeds: $2,196.33.

Rae C. Cook, 27, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with illegal disposal of items. Cook was arrested following an investigation into an illegal dumping complaint. At 1 p.m. on March 17, Cook was observed by a neighbor allegedly depositing refuse onto the neighbor's private property. Cook was issued an appearance ticket and is due in city court on Tuesday. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Damien A. Boyd, 32, of Meadville Road, Batavia is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. The charges on March 23 stem from a warrant that was issued as a result of an incident on Aug. 25 wherein Boyd was allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, needles and several small plastic bags for packaging narcotics. He was jailed in lieu of $2,000 bail. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Chad Richards.

J'shon K. Naegely, 19, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with failure to appear. Naegely was arrested March 26 on a warrant out of Batavia City Court. It is alleged Naegely failed to appear in court on a charge on Jan. 15 of criminal possession of stolen property. Naegely was jailed on $1,000 bail and is due back in court on Tuesday. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.

Tina R. Ayala, 48, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. She was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Dollar General at 12:45 p.m. on March 24. Ayala received an appearance ticket and is to be in city court on Tuesday. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Marc Lawrence.

A little friendly competition among law enforcement officers for a good cause is planned starting April 1st at Batavia Cross Training, 34 Swan St., Batavia.

New owner Jessica Pratt is opening the doors to all Batavia City Police officers, Le Roy Police officers and Genesee County Sheriff's deputies. No need to sign up! This is for two months of unlimited classes. Donations are accepted and will benefit the family of late local hero Frank Bordonaro, a Sheriff's deputy who died in service to the citizens of Genesee County.

The competition workout will be the "Memorial Day Murph." It will be held at the end of May for everyone to compete against one another.

"Please take full advantage of this event!" says Pratt.

For more information, call Pratt at 813-2369.

Tre'Shaun Diamond Perry, 20, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with second-degree harassment. The subject was arrested today after an incident at 10:10 p.m. on March 24 at College Village. It is alleged Perry pushed a safety officer while in a building at College Village. Perry was released on an appearance ticket to appear in Town of Batavia Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Chad Cummings.

Brandon Thomas Beard, 21, of Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving while ability impaired by drugs and driver's view obstructed. On March 26, at 8:41 p.m., the defendant was stopped following the observation of a vehicle and traffic violation on Clinton Street Road, Town of Bergen. He was arrested after allegedly possessing marijuana and driving while his ability to do so was allegedly impaired by drugs. He was released on appearance tickets and is to return to Town of Bergen Court at a later date. The case was handled by Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong.

A male driver fled on foot following a two-car accident at 4746 Barrville Road, Elba. Sheriff's deputies are responding, along with Elba fire and Mercy medics. The fleeing suspect is described as "possibly Mexican," wearing a green and white polo shirt.

UPDATE 1:18 p.m.: There was only one vehicle involved. It is parked on the front lawn of the Barrville Road address. A relative of the caller is said to have seen the suspect enter into some nearby woods.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: A Chrysler mini-van with two Hispanic males inside was stopped in the area and a State Trooper was going to attempt to run the occupants' IDs when one of them fled the vehicle and ran off. Not known if the incident is related to the Barrville Road accident, but law enforcement had a perimeter around the accident scene and were looking for a suspect when this occurred.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: A passerby told officers a Hispanic male ran past his house in the 4700 block of North Byron Road, heading north toward Watson Road. Law enforcement is en route to search the area.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: Officers are still searching for the suspect, heading in a north-northeasterly direction.

UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: A canine unit reports finding fresh tracks.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: The suspect has been apprehended and officers are preparing paperwork for his arraignment in court.

Nearly 200 friends and family members gathered Saturday evening in front of the Stafford Fire Hall to remember their dear friend "Shell" Mouery, who passed away Friday afternoon after surgery following a heart attack. She was someone they cherished and she also helped a lot in this small community.

More than a dozen people spoke about Shell -- from making pizza at her business, the Stafford Trading Post, giving to others and being a role model to all. 

"She was a great hugger and I am glad I got the chance to see her a couple weeks ago," said a local resident.

There was sadness for many, but also much laughter remembering great times and sharing stories during the 45-minute prayer vigil.

This Tuesday, March 29, will be a remembrance service will be at Stafford Fire Hall from 4-8 p.m.

Plans for a Chicken BBQ and Chinese Auction Fundraiser on Sunday, April 3, are still on. It will be hosted by the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department along with Genesee County S.C.O.P.E. Doors open at the fire hall on Main Road in Stafford at 10 a.m. and Chicken BBQ will start at 11:30 a.m.

There will be a Chinese auction featuring donations from numerous businesses in Le Roy, Stafford and Batavia. For more information contact S.C.O.P.E. Bill Fox at 585-356-4992, or to make a donation for the fundraiser contact Stephanie Call at the Stafford Fire Deptartment 585-356-1660.

Her obituary can be found here: Michelle M. "Shell" Mouery

Three white males in a white Jeep are reportedly on the railroad tracks, west of Wilkinson Road. The location is about a mile and a half west of Wilkinson in the Town of Batavia. Sheriff's deputies are responding.

UPDATE 10:16 a.m.: When the call came in, they were "stationary, possibly taking photos."

UPDATE 10:22 a.m.: Deputies have not found the men or the vehicle. The call came in from CSX. There's a private property crossing in that area.

A fire involving 50,000 pounds of compost is reported at 7795 Alleghany Road, Alabama. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with Pembroke and Indian Falls, as well as tankers from Corfu and East Pembroke. The first chief on scene reports smoke showing from the outside. The location is a composting facility. Responders are told not to use water unless flames are showing.  

UPDATE 9:09 a.m.: When the chief first got on scene he said there was a fire in the center of the building and heavy equipment would be needed to battle it. Then a chief said there is a very small fire "directly against the west wall." 

UPDATE 9:12 a.m.: The fire is out.

UPDATE 9:13 a.m.: "The owner says that's an insulated wall, so there might be some travel up the wall." Reply "That's affirmative; we're opening the wall up now."

UPDATE 9:24 a.m.: They are going to move compost outside to a field and spread it out to keep it from smoldering.

UPDATE 9:49 a.m.: Pembroke, Indian Falls, Corfu and East Pembroke are back in service.

UPDATE 10:51 a.m.: All Alabama units are back in service.

Several hundred youngsters participated in the annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday morning at Le Roy's Hartwood Park. In additiion to the candy-filled eggs — about 6,600 of them — the event featured free hot dogs, raffle prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

The event is supported by volunteers and local organizations, and coordinated by the Le Roy Business Council.

Business Council President Bob Bennett calls out winning raffle numbers. A ticket was given to each youngster who participated in the Easter Egg Hunt.

(Pictured above, from left, are Taylor Augello, Leah Bezon and Miah Werth.)

(Submitted photo and information from Drew Muelig.)

The Elba Helping Hands began in the Fall of 2014 to help those in need in the Elba Central School student body, faculty and staff.

There are over a dozen members who meet monthly to seek ways to raise funds in order to help those who suffer from a prolonged illness, are hospitalized or experiencing a hardship within our district or community.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30th, in the Elba School library there will be a Helping Hands meeting for community and parents within the district to establish a parent committee for the Helping Hands. All parents and community members are welcome to come and be part of this great committee that is changing lives!

Elba’s Helping Hands has used opportunities like the United Way Packpack Program to send home backpacks filled with food items for families in need within the district. They’ve also organized an annual craft sale, basket raffles and taken donations throughout the year to help give back to the Elba community.

On March 12th, the families of Taylor Augello, Leah Bezon and Miah Werth hosted a dance party for the seventh- and eighth-grade Elba classes to celebrate Taylor, Leah and Miah's 13th birthdays. 

In lieu of gifts, these young ladies asked guests to bring a donation to Elba Helping Hands. Along with all their friends and fellow students, the girls raised $700 in one night! 

The Helping Hands committee could not be any prouder of these young ladies and their student body for thinking of others and making a difference!

This information was provided by Sue Gagne, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties:

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 10-16. Communities nationwide, aided by the Office for Victims of Crime, will hold observances. This year's theme is "Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope" and the aim is to underscore the importance of early intervention and using victim services in establishing trust with victims in order to begin to restore their hope for healing and recovery.

In Genesee County, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 15, there will be a Ceremoninal Walk and Reception at the Old County Courthouse (Downtown Batavia at the corner of routes 5 and 63). For more information, call Theresa at 344-2550, ext. 3920.

Prior to that date is Criminal Justice Day, Tuesday, April 12, and there will be a half-day event at Genesee Community College titled "The Opiate Epidemic: The Unintended Victims." It runs from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Conable Technology Center, 1 College Road, Batavia.

Cost to attend is $10 per person; $5 for students. Seating is limited; first come, first served. Registration forms are due by April 4. Checks should be made payable to the Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties. For more information, call 344-2611.

According to the event brochure, heroin use has increased across the United States among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels. Some of the greatest increases occured in deomgraphic groups with historically low rates of heroin use -- women, the privately insured, and people with higher incomes.

Nor only are people using heroin more than ever, they are also abusing multiple other substances, especially cocaine and prescription opioid painkillers.

Law enforcement officials say history teaches that American society can't arrest its way out of the drug problems it faces. While effective enforcement is esstantial to protecting cities and neighborhoods, reducing drug use requires a broader, multidimensional approach.

Scientists say that it is clear that addiction is a progressive disease of the brain that can be prevented and treated and recovery is possible.

In addition to the college, the event on opioid addiction and its unintended victims is presented by these 2016 Criminal Justice Day partners:

• Batavia Police Department
• Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA)
• GC District Attorney's Office
• GC Sheriff's Office
• GC Youth Bureau
• Genesee Justice
• Mental Health Association of Genesee and Orleans Counties
• RESTORE Sexual Assault Services
• YWCA of Genesee County 

Keynote speakers are Mike Covert, police chief of Cooperstown, and Alexis Pleus, a structural engineer and mother of three sons who lost her oldest son to a heroin overdose in 2014.

Under Covert's leadership, the police department made a "revolutionary change" in the way it responds to the opiate crisis. He implemented an initiative last Thanskgiving called PAARI -- Police Assisting Addicts Toward Recovery Initiative. It allows addicts to walk into the Cooperstown Police Station with drug paraphernalia or drugs to ask for help and not be charged with a crime. Instead, they are walked through the system toward detox and recovery with the assistance of an assigned "ANGEL" who guides them through the process -- not in hours or days but on the spot. Since its implementation, 45 people have enrolled in the program.

Pleus has used her experience with addiction and the stigma she faced to start an organization called Truth Pharm, which works to raise awareness, reduce the stigma, implement programs, and advocate for policies that have a profound impact on the opioid epidemic.

The day's agenda is as follows:

8:15 to 8:45  -- Registration

8:45 to 9  -- Flag Raising

9 to 9:15 -- Welcome and Introductions

9:15 to 10:15 -- Keynote Speakers

10:15 to 10:30 -- Break

10:30 to 11:45 -- Panel Discussion: Impact on the Community

11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Pharmacology of Opiates 

Closing

Adam D. Smart is indicted for the crime of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 6 in the City of Batavia, the defendant violated an Order of Protection which required him to stay away from the person on whose behalf the order was issued. In count two, he is accused of first-degree criminal contempt for allegedly violating an Order of Protection on Nov. 6, which required him to stay away from another person in the City of Batavia who also had a protective order against him.

Gayno S. Standsblack is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class D felony. Standsblack is accused of driving a 2000 Dodge on Meadville Road in the Town of Alabama on Jan. 16 while intoxicated. In count two, he is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for driving on that date allegedly under the influence of alcohol or a drug while knowing, or having reason to know, that his driver's license was suspended or revoked. In count three, he is accused of the crime of using a vehicle that did not have an ignition interlock device, a Class A misdemeanor.

John R. Benton is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On Oct. 1, in the Town of Darien, it is alleged that he drove a 2006 Toyota on Tinkham Road while intoxicated. In count two, Benton is accused of aggravated DWI, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 percent or more at the time.

Alfonso G. Mayfield is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E felony. On Nov. 8, in the Town of Pembroke, it is alleged that he drove a 2007 Jeep on I-90 while intoxicated.

Beloved Stafford resident and owner of the Stafford Trading Post Shell Mouery passed away yesterday afternoon (March 25, 2016).

She recently had open heart surgery and was facing serious health issues.

There will be a candlelight vigil in her memory tonight at 8 o'clock at the hall of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, 6153 Main Road, Stafford.​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning at 9 o'clock sharp a couple hundred children set off to find 4,000 Easter eggs in Batavia's Centennial Park.

The Easter Bunny took time out from his busiest time of year to attend.

Mixed in with the thousands of eggs where three special Golden Prize eggs for each age group. Those get the winner a chocolate bunny from Oliver's Candies.

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

A Canadian proposal to reduce the amount of milk products imported from the United States, and to impose a tariff, could have perilous financial consequences for Western New York dairy farmers and cooperatives such as O-AT-KA in Batavia, which exports 20 percent of its goods to Canada annually.

At a press conference this morning in the plant's cafeteria off Cedar Street, Sen. Charles Schumer vowed to bring all his clout -- built over 18 years in the Senate -- to bear to stop the limitations being put forth by the nation's trade ministry in conjuction with its agriculture department under new government leadership.

Last year, U.S. dairies produced 200 billion pounds of milk; 85 percent of that was consumed by Americans and 15 percent was exported, said O-AT-KA CEO Bill Schreiber.

"Canada's trying to put in a new rule that would be devastating to O-AT-KA and Western New York," Schumer told the media, union employees, dairy farmers and local officials in attendance. "That ultra-filtered milk came in duty-free. Now they're trying to change that. ...  and the Province of Ontario wants to keep out (U.S.) dairy sales."

For O-AT-KA, the restrictions would amount to a loss of 180 million pounds of annual milk production -- which is 20 percent of $95 million in yearly sales, or $19 million, according to Schreiber. 

WIth more than 350 employees, the facility is one of the largest employers in the Genesee County. Upstate Niagara Cooperative, made up of nearly 400 dairies, is the majority owner of O-AT-KA.

WNY dairies are poised for growth, despite recent declines in milk pricing -- from $25 per hundredweight (the name of the commodity pricing unit) to $15 currently.

In 2012, O-AT-KA invested $16 million to build a new two-story addition to allow "ultra-filtration" capabilities in order to expand its product line and boost sales to other producers in the United States and abroad, especially Canada. Products include non-fat dry milk powder, buttermilk powder, whey powder, canned evaporated milk, butter, fluid condensed milk, iced coffee, nutritional beverages and other drinks. Ultra-filtered milk is used in cheese making.

Schumer said the recently proposed Canadian trade barriers could hinder plans for growth.

"We have good neighbors in Canada, but every so often something happens," the senator said. "This proposal would bring our mutual agreement to a screeching halt. It would put O-AT-KA and New York's dairy farmers in grave jeopardy. It would imperil the whole Upstate economy."

When asked "Is there really anything you can do?" if another nation, like Canada, implements a trade rule you don't like, Schumer replied: "Yes, a big leverage is tariffs. It's not a one-way street. It's not just exporting to Canada; we import from Canada, too."

It boils down to the fact that "we just have a stronger dairy industry and they're trying to build their's."

The rules, if implemented, would take effect in about six months.

"I'm here to go to bat for you," Schumer said. "I'm going to send a shot across the bough."

Schumer is calling on the U.S. Trade Representives and the USDA to work to protect U.S. dairy exports by ensuring that Canada doesn’t impose restrictive trade rules and honors its commitment to open borders to Upstate New York farmers.

The proposal to limit U.S. dairy imports comes on the heels of the "Trans-Pacific Partnership," referred to commonly as TPP, being signed in New Zealand last month after seven years of negotiations. Besides New Zealand, it is made up of Canada and 10 other Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, Australia, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Ratification is anticipated over the next two years.

According to the Toronto Sun (Feb. 4. 2016), the pact could impact many industries in Canada, including agriculture, and some opponents fear it could hurt the economy and result in layoffs in some sectors. As part of the deal, Canadian dairy farms are slated to get $4.3 billion in subsidies from their government over a span of 15 years to offset losses from an increase in dairy imports from TPP trading partners.

Schumer made it clear that he opposes big trade agreements like TPP, just as he opposed and voted against NAFTA during the Clinton Administration.

Here's a copy of Schumer’s letter to both the USTR and USDA:

Dear Ambassador Froman and Secretary Vilsack:

I write to you with strong concerns about reports that Canada is weighing policy and regulatory shifts that would undermine one of New York’s most important export markets. Just a few years ago, two dairy companies made investments worth tens of millions of dollars in Upstate New York to produce ultra-filtered milk specifically for export to the Canadian cheese market. These sales are possible as a result of the duty-free access for this specific product that Canada agreed to under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Recent reports indicate that Canada is considering administrative actions to limit Canadian companies’ capacity to use this product in further processing and that Ontario is advancing a new, targeted pricing policy designed to crowd out New York’s dairy sales. Further restraints on dairy trade are unacceptable, particularly coming on the heels of Canada’s recent pledge to expand access to its tightly restricted dairy market under TPP. 

New York has made sizable investments in exporting into Canada under specific rules laid out by the Canadian government. Those sales now help support dairy farmers and rural communities across the state. New Canadian barriers to market access would have an outsized impact on New York’s dairy sector. As the country’s third largest milk producing state, a significant impact on New York’s ability to tap into key foreign markets also will impact farmers in surrounding states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. Moreover, this latest example of dairy market-access restrictions appears to represent a continuation of persistent Canadian regulatory and policy shifts aimed directly at impeding dairy trade. 

We must hold Canada to its commitments and ensure that our exporters do not encounter barriers to the products they are already shipping to Canada. I urge you to strongly reject this and similar efforts to impair the value of concessions the U.S. previously secured under NAFTA. Thank you for your attention to this important priority with one of this country’s largest trading partners.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

(Photos by Jim Burns.)

An accident with injuries was reported near McDonald's restaurant about 10 minutes ago. The address is 4129 W. Main Street Road. Town of Batavia fire and Mercy medics responded and now a third ambulance is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: Two patients are being transported to UMMC. They had no loss of consciousness and both got out of the vehicle(s) on their own.

Press release:

Mostert, Manzanero & Scott, LLP, presented a summary of the audit process undertaken, the scope of their engagement and audit results to the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC) Board at the March 24 meeting.    

The GGLDC Board engaged the certified public accounting firm to perform an independent audit of 2015 financial statements. The independent audit was designed to issue an opinion on the financial statements of the GGLDC for the year ending Dec. 31; a management letter to the Board of Directors management; and, a report about internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.  

Included in the management letter is a statement from Mostert, Manzanero & Scott, LLP, affirming that no material deficiencies in internal controls were identified during the audit. The firm also affirmed that, in their opinion, the audited financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the GGLDC as of Dec. 31,  in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“I am pleased with the continued positive audit results, and it speaks to the professionalism and transparency of the organization,” said Thomas Felton, president and chairman of the GGLDC.  

In 2015, the GGLDC, including Genesee Agri-Business, LLC (GABLLC) activity, received $1.2 million in grant revenues.

These grants included a NYS Homes and Community Renewal grant that supported infrastructure development at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park (GVAB) and the LeRoy/ Bergen America’s Best Communities grant, as well as an Empire State Development grant to support the development and marketing of the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).  

The GGLDC also recognized grant revenue from National Grid, which supported Buffalo East Technology Park (BTEP) infrastructure, an annual Community Benefit Agreement payment with CNL Income (Darien Lake) to support infrastructure in Western Genesee County, and an annual PILOT Increment Financing payment from Genesee County that supports a bond payment for infrastructure at the GVAB Park.

Currently, there is $6.9 million of land held for sale and development under the agencies control including 57 acres at the Gateway II Corporate Park, 67 acres at the BETP, 250 acres at the GVAB Park, 34 acres at Med Tech Park, and the Upstate MedTech Centre Building including an Innovation Zone for entrepreneurial businesses.