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Press Release: 

"Tea and Spirits" at the Holland Land Office Museum(HLOM) was visited by Dean Richmond, Mary Richmond, and Eli Fish, famous residents of the Historic Batavia Cemetery. They entertained the crowd at a 200th-anniversary tea party on Sunday, August 20. Tales of their lives, accomplishments, and local, state, and national influence were told and enjoyed by all in attendance. 

One more "Tea and Spirits" with sweet treats and savory bites is scheduled for September 17 at 2 p.m. Famous Civil War General John Martindale, Fouierist and social reformer Albert Brisbane, and poet Reverend John Yates will be in attendance. Reservations are required, tickets may be obtained by calling the museum at 343-4727. Tickets are $20 for HLOM members and $25 for non-members. Hurry, space is limited!

More than 300 people turned out Sunday afternoon at Batavia Country Club for a free concert by the Ghost Riders, celebrating the group's 30 years of providing Genesee County with a hardcore country soundtrack.

Previously: For the love of the music: Ghost Riders still kickin' 30 years into their career

A two-car accident is reported at Oak Street and Park Road, Batavia.

No word on injuries.

City Fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: Vehicles are blocking.  "Traffic is backing up," the fire commander reports.  He says police will be needed for "traffic offenses" and tows are requested for two full-size pickup trucks.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Tuesday, August 29, and Wednesday, August 30 from approximately 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the general area of South of E. Main St. and West of Jackson St.  

Homes and businesses nearby 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 5 minutes or until clear.

This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities' class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. 

Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city's water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settles in the water lines. Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel's knowledge of the hydrant locations.

If you have any questions or should notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

When you look like Elvis -- to the point that people have a tendency to stop you in the street unless you wear a bit of a disguise -- and can sing like the King, there's a natural path to take in life, especially if you're already living in the entertainment capital of the world.

That's the situation former singing bartender and Niagara Falls native Rick Alviti found himself in more than 20 years ago when his career as an Elvis impersonator started in Hollywood.

That life path brings him and his show, "That's the Way It Was," to Batavia Downs at 7 p.m. Sept. 9.

"I like the people I meet," said Alviti when asked what he enjoys about his career. "I meet the nicest people. They're always so kind to me.  When I'm out in stores or restaurants, people come up to me because I have this Elvis resemblance, and sometimes I wear a hat when I'm out, but when they come up to me, I always give them a card and invite them to a show. That's what I do for a living. 

"Meeting people, especially the people who love Elvis, is the best part. They're excited to meet because they love Elvis.  I'm fortunate to have that connection, and to me, that's a good thing."

After attending North Tonawanda High School, Alviti moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career.  He landed a job at Dimples, a bar across from the NBC Studio that was a favorite entertainment industry hangout.  His gimmick was signing while he poured drinks, and already a huge Elvis Presley fan, he sang a lot of Elvis songs.  But Alviti had a beard, so nobody yet noticed his resemblance to Tupolo's most famous son.

He landed an acting job and had to cut his hair and shave his beard.  That's when, he said, everyone started calling him "Elvis."

He decided to get an agent and began getting serious about studying Elvis Presley's moves, watching his movies, and learning his songs. He got some gigs in Las Vegas and then the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored him on a national tour.

After his parents moved to Myrtle Beach, he visited them knowing, too, that J.D. Sumner and the Stamps (Sumner was long associated with Presley), had a long-term residency at a theater in Myrtle Beach. That led to meeting the theater owner, and after Sumner's death, Alviti got an offer to set up an Elvis tribute show at the theater. 

That was a residency with a 12-piece band that lasted for years.

Doing two shows a day really helped him refine his Elvis impersonation, he said.

His career has led to shows all over the U.S. and several in Las Vegas, including at the Winn, the Mirage, and the Gold Coast. 

That's where he met the Jordinairs (once backup singers to Elvis), he said. They became friends, and he performed with them.  He's also performed with the Stamps.

He also played a birthday party for a playmate at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion, where he met  Hefner, whom he said was a nice guy. He was provided one of the mansion's many bathrooms (he guessed 27) as a changing room but kept getting interrupted by people wanting to use it for "one of two things," as he put it.

As for acting, being Elvis has opened doors there, too.  He played in a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and was cast as Elvis in episodes of “ER” and “One Tree Hill.” He also played Elvis is a Rusty Wallace commercial for Miller Lite.

Alviti now splits time between Buffalo and South Carolina.  When he's in the northeast, he tours with a five-piece band of guys mostly based in and around New York City.  In South Carolina, he has another band, though when he's in the Nashville area, his band is led by the son of DJ Fontana (Presley's former drummer).

Tribute bands are a big deal now, but until Elvis impersonators, as they were called then, came along in the 1980s, musicians either played in cover bands or bands that played their own songs.

Impersonating some other act to the point of trying to sound exactly like that act and putting on their costumes was an industry waiting to be born.

"When I started out, there were maybe nine guys who did an Elvis tribute," Alviti said. "You had to look the part and sing the part and entertain the audience. Now there's probably 9,000 guys doing it."

He said it's probably for Elvis impersonators to get a start now, and a lot of guys doing it for "$200 and just to have fun. They just want to be Elvis for a bit.  What I do is a professional production." 

When he first started out, the Elvis Presley Estate was also much more concerned about Elvis impersonators, and he was contacted by representatives of Graceland.  He said he told them that he wasn't trying to convince people he was Elvis. He was performing as Rick Alviti.

"You're allowed to do a tribute to anybody. That's in law," Alviti said. 

When he was contacted, he said he told them, "I'm not saying I'm Elvis. I'm Rick Alviti. I happen to resemble him, but I'm not pretending to be Elvis."

He makes a point of calling his show "That's the Way It Was" without claiming to be Elvis Presley so he doesn't violate the estate's intellectual property rights. People who go to the show know they're seeing an Elvis tribute and not a substitute Elvis.

"Now. I think they've embraced tributes because it's helping keep the image alive," Alviti said.

He said his show is different from most Elvis tributes because it's interactive. He gets the audience involved.  He performs many of the songs it expects to hear, such as "Suspicious Minds" and "A Little Less Conversation," and his set can change on the fly.

"I try to gauge the audience," Alviti said. "If I'm doing too many ballads, I'll add in some faster things, stuff that gets everybody going.  I think I have a good sense of what the audience wants to hear."

While this show will be the "jumpsuit Elvis," he does do the "leather Elvis" at some of his appearances when the show includes an intermission.

"Elvis is great because there's four eras," Alviti said.  "There's the early Elvis, the movie-era Elvis, the leather-wearing comeback-era Elvis, and the Vegas years."

This will be Alviti's first appearance in Batavia.

"I invite everybody to come out and enjoy themselves," Alviti said. "We will have a wonderful time. That's what it's all about, making people happy and making sure everybody enjoys the music of Elvis."

A transformer has reportedly blown in the area of 5155 East Main Road, Batavia.

There is arcing and sparking, and now a report of a fire in the front yard of a residence. 

Town of Batavia Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: National Grid is reporting 2,462 customers are without power.  The power outage area is from State Street in the city to nearly Seven Springs Road on the east, and from East Main Street Road going north into Byron.  ETA for power restoration is 11:30 p.m.

Rob Ostrander took this picture on Main Street in Oakfield on Sunday morning and entitled it, "A leaf's last stand."

Sleekly painted derby cars -- all 44 of them -- had personalities befitting their child drivers, from cheetahs and police cars to a super flash, and all in a bid to win during the second annual Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) Boxcar Derby on Ellicott Avenue Saturday.

The event has grown from last year into something that derby committee member Jim Krencik could hardly describe, he said. 

“It was bigger, faster, better, any adjective you can think of. This was a huge success,” Krencik said. “We’re so excited for our 44 racers. I think the way the race was set up, the speed they went; these kids had the thrill of their lives.”

The soapbox derby-style cars came in two parts: one that resembles a surfboard, which has all the mechanicals on it, and the other part, the shell of the car itself, according to Krencik. Then, the kids assembled the vehicles “almost, kind of the same way you were fabricating something, installing the wheels and the wheel pins.”

The derby cars are “powered” by a slight slope and gravity, with the aid of “leaning forward” to give gravity a helping hand and “a bit of ducking their head down to pick up speed,” Krencik said. Each car came with a brake the children could push to slow them down, he said. 

“You saw some of the kids kind of flying off the start, so you see the care that went into building them," he said. "Tightening up the vehicle really made a difference.”

Made with a type of fiberglass and hard plastic shell, the kids had about a month and a half to decorate and do what they wanted with their car, he said. Afterward, build days allowed the kids to learn how to put the cars together. 

“It was great. We had so much fun,” said Shannon Maute, executive director of BID. “The kids were so cute. We had little ones, we had like three-year-olds with the power drills drilling in the wheels. It was so cute.” 

Part of the idea behind using those power tools is to introduce kids to skilled trades, which can offer "hugely rewarding" careers, Krencik said. 

“You see kids who are 19 years old getting into apprenticeships making 30-40-50-bucks-an-hour right out of a training program,” he said.

“Really, the kids, they don’t realize it. So if this was the thing that sparked their inspiration, they are going to have such a good life because they are going to have a step ahead of every kid who was ‘too cool’ for the trades," he said.

It was especially rewarding to see those creations representing their drivers and rolling past the finish line, Krencik said.

“You just see the cars coming in, you see so many great designs,” he said “That’s the excitement. It’s not just ‘okay, I’m painting my car blue or red’, they are putting their personalities onto these boxcars."

Maute agreed. The kids put their "hearts and souls" into these boxcars, she said.

“They took pride in that and that’s what we love,” Maute said. “And we talk about it and talk about it, but until you see it, you do not understand how fabulous these kids are. 

“They’ve been talking about it for weeks and then when they got here … I think that they could not have imagined how big it was going to be, so it was pretty fantastic," she said. "And the whole goal was to create memories, and I think that definitely, that we succeeded.”

BID sponsored the event with the Greater Rochester Soapbox Derby as partner and security, plus additional sponsors Alex’s Place, Graham Manufacturing, Western New York Concrete, and Sheet Metal Workers Local 46.

According to organizers, many of the cars will be going to Oakfield for its boxcar derby to be held next weekend for its Labor Daze festival. Afterwards, the derby cars will be kept in storage until next year's derby.

Photos by Photo by Julia Ferrini.

After trailing the entire game, Batavia PD staged a comeback win in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the third meeting in a charity baseball game between the police department and the City of Batavia Fire Department.

The final score was 14-13 on Saturday evening at Dwyer Stadium.

Proceeds benefited the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Visitors to Batavia Downs on Saturday got a chance to visit with some magnificent horses, and we don't mean the usual race horses that run around the harness track at the Downs, but the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Visitors had the option of getting their pictures taken with these large and finely groomed animals.

Among them was Red, an 11-year-old Clydesdale who travels 330 days a year, according to handler Andrew Lacrosse. 

Not only are the horses used as intended -- they are considered workhorses -- they are also the brewery’s trademark.

While the company owns 130 horses in all, three traveling teams of 10 horses make their way throughout the United States to the delight of horse enthusiasts across the country.

The Clydesdales are recognized for the feathers around the horse's ankles and that trademark look is breed-specific. Although some Clydesdales can be taller, Red is approximately 18.3 hands in height (about 6’3'' tall) and weighs about 2,200 pounds. Measuring from toe to heel, the animal wears a size nine shoe, says Lacrosse. By way of comparison, the average horse wears a size three. 

There was no cost to meet and be photographed with Red, however, the event was held in an effort to earn donations to support “Folds of Honor” and garner interest in horse racing. The organization provides scholarships to military members and their families, said Angelina Miconi, social media marketing manager for Batavia Downs.

Photos by Julia Ferrini.

Jim Reinhardt submitted this photo of a double rainbow behind his house on Saturday afternoon.

We suggested he look for a pot of gold in his pond.

On Thursday, Pembroke Town Supervisor Tom Schneider welcomed Deborah Conti to the town board and administered the oath of office.

Conti fills the seat of Warran Clark, who passed away in July after a long illness. She was appointed by the board through the end of the year and is on November's ballot to finish out Warren's term.

Submitted photo.

The state Office of Homes and Community Renewal has and will be involved with the Batavia-based Ellicott Station project, which has been thrown into some doubt recently after developer Sam Savarino announced he was shutting down his development firm, Savarino Companies.

An agency spokesperson responded to The Batavian’s request for comment, given that HCR initially awarded Savarino $1.2 million per year of low-income housing tax credits for 10 years based on his ability to secure investors, and more recently awarded Savarino $5.7 million in low-income housing tax credits for the downtown apartment project.

"HCR has been actively monitoring the progress of the construction of Ellicott Station and will continue to do so as we work to ensure completion of this critical project and deliver 55 affordable homes to Batavia,” the spokesperson said Friday. 

The Batavian had asked HCR about its role in the Ellicott Station project, the requirements of receiving the tax credits and if they could be transferred to another developer if Savarino walked off the job. 

The agency further added that:

• No tax credit funds are disbursed until a project is 100 percent completed.
• As with any HCR-financed affordable housing development, a new sponsor will be required to implement the terms of affordability in the existing regulatory agreement. 

It is unclear as to whether the apartment complex will remain in the current very low to low-income level, as per application guidelines on the Ellicott Station website, as city officials have been discussing the possibility of getting those levels raised to include workforce income levels. 

City Manager Rachael Tabelski said Thursday that city officials will be meeting with HCR to further discuss the current situation of Savarino’s company closing and the apartment complex’s income levels and future at a meeting in September. 

Savarino has not responded to requests for further comment since issuing a statement regarding the closing on Tuesday. As is posted on the company website, Savarino Companies, LLC, a full-service construction firm located in Buffalo, New York, will be winding down and ceasing operations.

"The primary factors governing the firm’s decision are ongoing and increasing costs related to a project the company’s surety was forced to complete at Alfred State College, a recent termination of work and the company’s inability to obtain surety bonding or acceptance of alternative performance guarantees for $110 million of 2023 work which the company would otherwise have had underway at this time," the site states. "Without that work, it would not be possible for the company to operate profitably.

"Savarino Properties, LLC, which is an independent company and provides property management services throughout Western New York, will not be impacted."

As of late Thursday afternoon, no one from Savarino Companies had reached out to the city about the fate of Ellicott Station, though there has been some apparent work activity noted at the 50 Ellicott St. site.

Press Release: 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) denounced the state government’s recent decision to require background checks for all ammunition purchases in New York. While the current system allows for free customer background checks for firearm purchases, this initiative would hand over this duty to the New York State Police.

Once this new system goes into effect, customers will be charged an additional fee of $9 for firearms and $2.50 for ammunition in order to cover the cost of a background check. Hawley is disappointed the state government is once again disregarding New Yorkers’ Second Amendment rights.

“This new plan to require background checks for ammunition purchases is completely outrageous,” said Hawley. “Not only does this infringe on our Second Amendment rights, but they’re making responsible, law-abiding gun owners foot the bill. Actual criminals are not going to go through the process of doing a background check and pay an additional fee on top of that. This will only deter law-abiding citizens from exercising their constitutional rights,” continued Hawley.

“As New Yorkers, we shouldn’t have to worry about career politicians in Albany picking away at our rights piece by piece. As your assemblyman, I’ll do everything within my power to make sure our Second Amendment rights are safe and secure.”

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), alongside Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), and Brandon Williams (R-NY), announced their bipartisan support for the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor) application for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) Program.

The bipartisan group of New York members together support this initiative as an opportunity to build on the strengths of their unique communities, collaborate across specialized industries and reinvigorate economic growth for years to come. Following enormous community effort and collaboration from universities, field experts, and local and federal advocates, the NY SMART I-Corridor application offers a promising future for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region.

“Over the past few years, we have seen how our reliance on foreign countries for semiconductors can cause shortages, economic harm, and the undermining of our national security,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. 

“Designating Western New York as a Tech Hub will help make our national supply chains more secure and self-reliant while bringing jobs to Upstate and Western New York. Home of the industrial revolution, with this federal investment, our community can continue to be a source of technological innovation and advancement. I am honored to join a bipartisan group of New York legislators as we work to boost innovation, support our local economy, and create opportunities for our businesses to thrive.” 

“For generations, Rochester has been synonymous with innovation, and it has long been my priority in Congress to launch our next chapter of growth and prosperity with Tech Hub designation,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Federal investment in local innovation will build on the strengths of our unique communities and catalyze the growth of our domestic semiconductor industry benefitting all Americans. I’m grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues from the New York delegation and look forward to our work together reinvigorating the Finger Lakes region for the next generation.”

The labor relations agent for the employees union at Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. is calling for an “open and honest" conversation with management and the board of directors concerning the future of the public benefit company's brick-and-mortar OTB branches.

Antonella Rotilio. (photo at right), who attended Thursday’s board meeting at the Park Road facility but was not on the agenda to speak, said recent closings of OTB parlors have occurred without proper communication with the union, and a published report of more closings have branch employees worried that they will be losing their jobs.

“My number one concern is obviously for my members (employees). They had read a few weeks ago in article printed by The Batavian in which (WROTB President/Chief Executive Office) Henry (Wojtaszek) had stated that they were possibly going to be closing more branches. I believe it was five,” Rotilio said by telephone this morning.

“These employees are reading these articles. And they have to go to work. They have to work those jobs, and they just saw that another branch closed (the Phoenix branch in Oswego County was closed at the end of July). And all of them are afraid. This isn't a corporation where they come in and they're there a year and then leave. Some of our members -- a lot of our members of the branches -- have been there 30 years. So, this is a big thing. They've spent their entire adulthood in those branches. It's more than a job; it's their life.”

Rotilio represents workers through the United Professional & Service Employees Union Local 1222 at Batavia Downs Gaming and at eight OTB parlors throughout the corporation’s 15 counties and cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

She was referring to a story in The Batavian following the July board meeting, at which Wojtaszek said management’s plan is to reduce the number of OTB branches from the current eight to five by 2025. He said more emphasis is being placed on EZ Bet, which are self-betting terminals in existing bars and restaurants. WROTB has 27 EZ Bet locations across Western New York.

“When they read an article like that and see what’s happening, they’re nervous,” she added. “So, they thought is, why can't we have a conversation with the board and management because we work at the branches, and we handle the customers. I think a conversation that's open and honest and maybe gives options -- maybe listens to what the members have to say and the ideas that they have to maybe cut costs and keep the operation going – would make them feel like they had a little control over their future. To not know if tomorrow they're going to come into your shop and they say, ‘We're closing,’ is an awful feeling.”

They eight OTB branches are located in Williamsville, Cheektowaga, Auburn, Jamestown, Gates, Penfield, Tonawanda and Rochester. Twenty years or so ago, there were more than 30 branches scattered throughout WROTB’s 15 counties and cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

Rotilio said management and the board owes it to their employees to include them when considering short- and long-term plans for these locations. Instead, she contends, branch workers are hearing from customers about rumors of branch closings.

“Customers will come in and they're telling employees what they're hearing because there's some kind of attachment to either the corporation or someone who works at the corporation,” she said.  “It’s like months before an action is taken and the customer knows, while they employees are thinking, ‘Is this true?’ And the union is not told at all in advance what they’re going to do.”

She said employees at the Military Road branch in Niagara Falls were given 10 days’ notice.

“We were very upset about that, and we reached out to the corporation. And when Phoenix closed, they notified us after the fact,” she said. “That’s why I think meeting with us -- meeting with the members and having an honest conversation and looking at the numbers together – would have a positive impact because everybody is worried about their job.”

Rotilio acknowledged that the handles (revenues) vary at the different branches and said she realizes that the financials dictate company policy.

WROTB officials on Thursday reported that the branches, grouped in with intertrack wagering, Dial-A-Bet, EZ bet, online Batavia Bets and live racing, incurred year-to-date losses of about $600,000. That includes a book loss posted on the sale of the Military Road OTB branch in Niagara Falls.

Contacted this morning, Wojtaszek said that finances “are a big part” of the equation, but said the corporation needs to consider the employees as well.

“Our obligation is to make revenue and turn it over to the member communities,” he said. “To maximize revenue; to make sure that we do work with our employees. As I have said many times, we have the best employees in Western New York, we believe that.

“What will happen in the next few months is that we will discuss the branches and the situation with the various counties that currently have branches in them and find out what their intentions are. We will, obviously, we will include the workers, the employees within that discussion. We will let them know what’s going on. So, that’s certainly the plan.”

Wojtaszek said the COVID-19 pandemic “forced us to take a hard look at where we were going for the future and that’s when we put together the plan that we discussed a few months ago (to close three more branches by 2025).”

“But, certainly we should be discussing with the members of the board where those locations for the branches are and then we should be discussing with those employees, how it affects them. That is the plan.”

When asked if management knew which branches were earmarked for closing, Wojtaszek said the proposal wasn’t etched in stone, but is something that “we are continuously looking at.”

“It’s something that changes over a period of time, depending on the circumstances. If one of these branches are doing better, financially, it might not need to close, or if other circumstances change. But, at the time, it was based upon geography, where EZ Bets were relocated, and in the end, it's always going to be how are they doing financially?”

He said the corporation is not looking to totally eliminate the branches but has indicated that an emphasis is being placed on EZ Bet locations, which are housed in established businesses such as restaurants and/or bars.

Wojtaszek defended WROTB’s decision to close branches in recent months, noting that the corporation sustained losses for a long period of time.

“I think the moves that we have made over the last couple of years were warranted,” he said. “We don't want anybody to lose their jobs or employment. But we'll do what's necessary to make sure that the corporation remains strong. But again, we'll do that with the advice and input from the various board members and also we will speak with our employees as we make any moves going forward.”

He said there will, in fact, be the “open and honest” conversation that Rotilio is advocating.

Suffice it to say that the name Savarino will be the word of the day for some time to come, as working through the recent company’s closure and what that means for Ellicott Station will be “a long process,” City Manager Rachael Tabelski said Thursday.

The Batavian had reached out to Tabelski late Tuesday about any updates on the closure of Savarino Companies and how that may impact the work-in-progress at the Southside apartment complex known as Ellicott Station. 

Tabelski responded on Thursday to say that company President Sam Savarino has not been in touch with the city since the publication of the news and that city officials are continuing to work on the situation. 

“There’s been no contact from the company,” Tabelski said. “We’re trying to gather as much information as we can. We don’t have answers yet, and we’ll be working on it. And looking to get those answers for everybody in the community, what next steps might be and what that might look like.”

She confirmed that prospective developers have contacted the city expressing interest in the project and that no vendors or subcontractors have called with concerns or complaints at this point.

City officials plan to meet with staff from the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal in September, which has been in the works since the city learned about lower-than-expected income requirements at Ellicott Station.

First promised as market rate, then workforce housing, the apartment complex's application surprised city officials earlier this year with low to very low-income levels, prompting them to reach out to HCR for assistance to see what could be done to raise those income levels to allow for workforce housing tenants. 

Apparently, in addition to the apartment complex, on-site work has also included preparation for a brewery, which had been discussed in original plans but had fallen through with the one company, Buffalo-based Resurgence Brewing. Savarino had later said that he still intended to follow through with the plan for a restaurant and/or brewery, whether it be another vendor or his own company. 

The developer owns the property at 30-50 Ellicott St. as part of a deal brokered by Batavia Development Corp. in an effort to throw a spark onto an underutilized piece of “brownfield” property that needed a remediation and economic boost.

New York State’s Office of Homes and Community Renewal promised $1.2 million per year for 10 years in low-income housing tax credits -- incentives that were tied to the developer securing an investor or investors to back the project.

He requested approximately $3.6 million in economic incentives, with a $2,105,792 property tax exemption, a $790,512 sales tax exemption, and a $180,792 mortgage tax exemption. The bulk of the incentives are only realized by the developer after the compilation of a project.

Genesee County Economic Development Center CEO Steve Hyde said Wednesday that the agency is working to determine the next steps to be taken and that the agency had already found the company to be in default of its financial agreement. 

Savarino was awarded $425,000 of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant money and $5.7 million of HCR’s low-income housing tax credits.

In 2017 and 2018, the city also awarded his company two grants: one from Empire State Development called the Restore New York grant for $500,000 to rehab the old electric building that’s on the site and a $250,000 National Grid grant to enhance the Ellicott Trail on the property area right behind the Savarino campus. 

Savarino stated at the start of the project that the estimated construction costs at the time were more than $22.5 million.  The total of awarded grants, incentives, and tax credits is about $11.6 million. With the project incomplete, Savarino has not yet realized the full value of those incentives, grants, and tax credits.

The Batavian has reached out to Savarino for further details about the closure and future of Ellicott Station and its 55 previously confirmed tenants; and to HCR for comments about the agency's ongoing role and responsibility in this situation and will provide an update when/if a response is provided.

Previously:

• Apartment application reveals for first time, Section 8 vouchers accepted at Ellicott Station
• City leaders surprised by Ellicott Station's income levels, ask developer to raise them
• Ellicott Station developer, GCEDC excited about project for tenants to 'live, work and play'
• Ellicott Station is going up, city leaders ask for income levels to do likewise
• Lottery drawing selects 55 tenants for Ellicott Station, Savarino says
• One woman's dream comes true as first one chosen for Ellicott Station
• Savarino Companies going out of business, leave Ellicott Station up in the air
• Documents say Savarino defaulted on financial agreements, GCEDC and city work on 'next steps'
• Savarino explains reason for business closure

Press release:

Ten participants from the third annual Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduated from this year’s six-week paid training program. The “boot camp” style program is an earn-while-you-learn model which pairs in-class instruction at the Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia and on-the-job training at several local advanced manufacturing companies. 

The Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program was created in 2021 to assist companies in the greater Rochester and GLOW Region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties) with recruitment and training for one of the region’s largest industries. Participants graduated from the program with 96 hours of state-of-the-art mechatronics training and more than 100 hours of on-the-job experience at advanced manufacturing at companies in Genesee, Livingston and Monroe counties. 

“This program continues to train workers of all ages, skill levels and abilities for a wide array of high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing,” said Bob Coyne, Executive Director of the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA). “The ‘Genesee Valley Boot Camp’ is an incredible partnership between industry, academia and workforce development partners in our community.”

The Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program includes hands-on simulation training for a variety of available careers; including electromechanical trades, construction materials manufacturing, agricultural manufacturing and more. In addition to the classroom time, participants received paid, on-the-job training and a fast-track opportunity for a full-time career with local manufacturing companies.

“Enabling students to acquire hands-on skills training without incurring any costs, the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program stands as a pivotal workforce enhancement,” remarked Jon Sanfratello, Director of the Instructional Program at Genesee Valley BOCES. “This remarkable training initiative forges a career pathway that effectively addresses workforce employment demands. Such practical skills development serves as a shining illustration of our dedication to aiding GLOW regional students and current employees while also meeting the precise needs of our local business community.” 

"The BEST Center at Genesee Community College remains grateful for the funding provided by SUNY DOL and its Reimagine Workforce Preparation Training Program that provides resources for high-demand training for industry-recognized credentials like the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program", said Jennifer Wakefield, Executive Director of Workforce Development, "We look forward to continued collaboration in this program to expand opportunities for increased pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training." 

Training was provided at no cost to the students and companies due to grants secured by Genesee Community College’s BEST Center, Genesee Economic Development Center and the Workforce Development Institute.

Participating employers for the 2023 program include Oxbo, United States Gypsum, Triton Mechanical, Goforth Electric, Diamond Packaging, Arctic Refrigeration, Maris Systems Design and more.

“This year’s Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program offered students a unique opportunity to discover their career path and their future without the burden of college debt. Thanks to our participating employers, students have been introduced and empowered to succeed in these in-demand careers through instruction and on-the-job training,” said Chris Suozzi, Vice President of Business and Workforce Development, Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, announced her support for establishing a Space National Guard as the reserve component of the Space Force. This builds on Tenney’s previous support for establishing the Space Force, which occurred during the Trump administration.

Under the current system, individuals who serve as de facto Space Force reservists are part of the Air National Guard. This could prevent these individuals from participating in official Space Force educational and training opportunities and cause organizational issues. Importantly, creating a Space National Guard would require no additional personnel, units, or facilities and would improve communication, reduce costs, and allow these dedicated space warfighters to continue supporting the Space Force’s missions at a high level. 

Tenney recently cosponsored H.R.3048, the Space National Guard Establishment Act, to formally establish the Space National Guard as the primary reserve component of the U.S. Space Force. H.R. 3048 was introduced in the House by Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO). 

“Now more than ever, as our adversaries continue to ramp up their space capabilities, we must enhance our own efforts and continue to focus on space exploration and defense,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “By supporting the creation of the Space National Guard as the primary reserve component of the U.S. Space Force, we are leveraging the technical expertise of part-time reservists who work full-time in the private sector. The bipartisan and bicameral support for the establishment of the Space National Guard illustrates the importance of cooperation in advancing our military capabilities. Notably, this would have a direct impact on the 222nd Command and Control Squadron, based in Rome, New York, which is part of the 107th Attack Wing, based at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. This Air National Guard Squadron would be a natural fit for the Space National Guard. Further, the 222 CACS is particularly vulnerable to the potential risks of continuing to delay establishing a Space National Guard. I look forward to the positive impact this will have on our region and on our nation's ability to maintain its dominance in space."

“There are seven states and one territory that have a space mission as part of their Air National Guard Wing’s and New York State is fortunate to be one of them,” said John Cooper, Chairman of the Niagara Military Affairs Council. “The creation of a Space National Guard is critical to us in New York State as the 222nd Command and Control Squadron in Rome, N.Y. presently performs a space mission and is part of the 107th Attack Wing in Niagara Falls, NY. The establishment of a Space National Guard must be included in the operational structure of the Space Force and is critical to the future of the 107th Attack Wing. Failure to do so could negatively affect the State of New York and the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station for many years to come. We are fortunate to have our foot in the door with the future of the Space National Guard through the existing work of the 222nd Command and Control Squadron and the 107th Attack Wing. We encourage our federal delegation to support any legislation that supports the creation of a Space National Guard as without it we will lose qualified and experienced Airmen who already perform this mission on behalf of our nation.”

“The 222nd Command and Control Squadron (222 CACS) of the 107th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, has a unique and enduring partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO),” said Colonel Andrew Carlson, Commander of the 107th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard. “Our highly trained space professionals provide surge and contingency support to the NRO and are also involved with the State Partnership Program. My personal opinion is that the creation of a Space National Guard (SNG) would prevent the possibility of a future training void. This void could happen if the US Space Force decided to limit their space-based training programs to those service members with only Space Force Specialty Codes, and not Air Force Specialty Codes (members of the 222 CACS have Air Force Specialty Codes). It is also my personal opinion that an attempt to transfer Air National Guard space mission sets and space professionals into the Active-Duty component, even on a part-time basis, will potentially cost the US Space Force expertise that could require 7+ years to recapitalize. Lastly, it is my personal opinion that the creation of a Space National Guard would appropriately align the members of the 222 CACS to provide forces in accordance with US Space Force deployment models. In the 222 CACS members’ current status, they will align to the Air Force Generation (AFFORGEN) model as Air National Guard members, even though they are space professionals.”

The views and opinions expressed are solely those of Col. Andrew Carlson and do not represent the New York Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. 

Press Release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the on-sale dates for several upcoming events taking place this fall at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel.

On Friday, September 22, the Ricky Palermo Foundation Comedy Night will be held inside Park Place. Attendees will receive admission to a night of comedy, a free drink, a buffet dinner, and $25 in Free Play. Tickets can be purchased at rickypalermofoundation.org.

Monday, September 25 will be Batavia Downs’ Oktoberfest featuring music from Fritz’s Polka Band. This free event will run from Noon - 3 p.m. The Homestretch Grill doors will be open and several Polish food specials will be available.

On Saturday, September 30, the 3rd annual Vodka & Gin Fest, presented by Deep Eddy Vodka and Ford’s Gin will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. For $40, attendees will have access to vodka and gin sampling as well as grazing stations and receive $25 in free play as well as a free program and $5 wager on that evening’s races at Batavia Downs. Designated Driver tickets will also be available. $35 early bird tickets are now on sale at BataviaConcerts.com for a limited time.

WBBZ’s popular show, Polka Buzz, will tape their show inside the Park Place Room on Thursday, October 5 – tickets and details will be available at a later date.

Batavia Downs’ famous Family Fun Day & Wiener Dog Races will take place on Sunday, October 15. Family-related activities will also take place including on-site entertainers, kettle corn stand, pumpkin decorating for kids 15 and under, carriage rides, and pony rides will take place from 12 - 2 p.m. with the wiener dog races commencing at 2 p.m. The time was moved up to accommodate guests who want to make sure they don’t miss the Buffalo Football game at 8:20 p.m. that evening.

The Batavia Bacchus Wine Festival will be happening on Sunday, November 5 from 1 - 3:30 p.m.  For $35, attendees will have access to wine sampling from local and national wineries as well as grazing stations. All attendees will receive $25 in free play. Designated Driver tickets will also be available. Tickets for this event will be on sale later in the fall. This event will take place well ahead of that night’s Buffalo Football game at 8:20 p.m. giving attendees time to watch the game after the event.

“Our event schedule remains jam-packed for the fall,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “We pride ourselves on providing a diverse variety of events for the people of Western New York.  Our guests will find that these events are fun, well run, and affordable.”

Tickets for other previously announced September events like the Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift Tribute show, the Elvis Tribute Show, and the Silent Disco are on sale now at BataviaConcerts.com.