Various veteran organizations in Genesee County honoring the 35 Batavians at the W.W.I. memorial in Williams Park this morning.  More continued coverage throughout the day honoring fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.

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Photos by Steve Ognibene

Members of the VFW Chapter 1602, American Legion 332 and Glenn S. Loomis VVA 193, met this morning at Genesee County Park to honor Vietnam Veterans on Memorial Day.  The guest speaker was Dan Burling, VFW post surgeon, Alexander VFW 6239.

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Photos by Steve Ognibene

The decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to lower overtime hours from 60 to 40 hours is fatal to our farms. Agriculture is a vital part of our Upstate community and with this change, many family farms will not survive. I have spoken with countless farmers and farm workers who have shared their concerns with this hour reduction.

Unfortunately, this will result in farm workers not coming to New York but going to other states with friendlier regulations. At a time when it is being preached to follow the advice of industry experts, the Wage Board instead opted to ignore the experts and pursue this out of touch agenda. I am deeply troubled by this decision and the impact it will have, not only in my district, but across our State.

New Yorkers need change. That is the one thing that everyone seems to agree on.  Governor Hochul touched on many important topics, but we need to see the details. We have heard so much of this before with little results or progress for residents.  New Yorkers continue to be nickel and dimed at every turn and unfortunately, the State of the State seemed to give little thought to this.  We need practical proposals for everyday New Yorkers, we need transparency in government, and we need our leaders to remember that trust is earned. 

As the father of three daughters, it was very promising to see the State of the State given by a woman. I look forward to the 2022 Legislative Session and I am hopeful that we will get real results. 

A recent report confirmed what far too many Western New York families already know; New York State is one of the most expensive states for childcare in the nation. According to the report, childcare costs the average family in New York State over $14,000 annually for a single child.  

Unfortunately, childcare is only one example of New York’s affordability crisis. In addition to childcare, NY is one of the most expensive states to retire in and has some of the highest property taxes, income tax rates, and energy costs.

Equally troubling is that despite paying tremendous costs, our services and infrastructure regularly scores in the middle or bottom of the pack nationally.

Regrettably, the 2019 legislative session only made matters worse.

New and higher taxes, cuts to cost-saving programs and new mandates that will increase food and energy prices will not help Western New York families. If you own a home, have a child, are retired, use electricity, or eat, it will now be more expensive to live in New York.

Making New York State more affordable is one of my top priorities and now more than ever we need to embrace my Affordability Agenda.

The Affordability Agenda lowers taxes for the middle class, cuts energy taxes, and provides for real mandate and regulatory reforms to ensure that these measures are sustainable.

In addition, I am sponsoring legislation to make child care more affordable (S4458) and to cap property taxes for seniors (S4579). Seniors should not be forced out of the homes they own due to annual property tax increases. It is critical to accomplish this by reforming our government, not simply shifting the tax burden.

I will continue to do all I can to support policies that help hard working Western New Yorkers. We will never reach our full economic potential if we continue to have some of the highest taxes and most burdensome regulations in the nation.

International superstar band Chicago headlined last evening at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Chicago, which started in the city of the same name in 1967, initially as Chicago Transit Authority, is one of the longest-running and most successful rock groups ever, and one of the world's best-selling groups of all time, with more than 100 million records sold.

Chicago started their set with "Make Me Smile."

REO Speedwagon -- fellow Illinoisans, out of the City of Champaign 135 miles south of "Chi-Town" -- opened the show with "Don't Let Him Go." (The group's biggest selling album was 1980's "Hi Infidelity," with four Top 10 hits and more than 10 million albums sold.)

The enthusiastic crowd was rockin' to classic songs and the bands jammed for hours. 

Next concert at Darien will be Jason Aldean this Friday at 7 p.m.

REO Speedwagon photos below

The layout is spacious and open with cathedral ceilings and the bedrooms are large with huge closets-the master bedroom suite is every girl's dream! Master bedroom bath and laundry hookups all on main floor for no stairs convenience! The location is on quiet country road within five minute drive of Thruway and shopping.

This home has public water as well-all the pluses of country living with amenities! Definitely one to check out. Why build when you can buy this beautiful home at almost half the cost!

Call Lynn Bezon today or click here to view the full listing.