It turns out that one of the three young men arrested Saturday night for allegedly breaking into the Harvester Center has strong ties to Batavia.
He is Justin S. Fay, 24, a former Batavia High School honor student and Boy Scout Troop 6069's first Eagle Scout. He was also enrolled in the honors program at University of Buffalo.
Fay, along with two alleged accomplices with home addresses from outside Genesee County, was taken into custody Saturday night during a heavy rain storm at the Harvester Center. A lock had apparently been picked, which is how the trio allegedly gained entry to the building.
At the time of his arrest, Fay apparently listed his home address in Rochester, but previously he lived in Batavia, according to police.
An April 10, 2003 article in the Batavia Daily News says Fay lived on Naramore Drive with his mother Mary Ann Fay. According to police records, Fay was a witness in a 2002 incident and listed his address on Naramore Drive.
The Daily News story is about Fay, then 18, becoming an Eagle Scout.
For his Eagle Scout project, Fay cleared hiking trails at Godfrey's Pond, cutting away overgrowth and putting down new path bumpers.
Scouting has been a life-changing experience, he said.
"I learned valuable leadership skills, how to gain and give respect, and how to be a good person and follow the Scout law in my everyday life," he said.
In 2001, in Grade 11 at BHS, Fay was listed in the paper as an honor student. He was again listed in 2002 as a senior.
As for his time at the University of Buffalo, the Daily News reported on June 20, 2005:
Justin Fay of Batavia has been inducted into the Omicron Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society at the University at Buffalo. Students selected must be seniors in a liberal arts degree program and maintain a 3.75 or higher GPA. Justin is majoring in computer science and engineering.
Way to go Howard!!
Way to go Howard!!
I hope there is a follow up
I hope there is a follow up on how much damage was done and if anything was stolen. I hate to think (they) He broke the law to get out of the rain, but I cant see what the big Hub-Bub is for this certain individuals mistake and ties to family and scouts. It kind of brings back memories of a former employee for the Batavian and the special considerations taken on that "story". I just hope i dont get arrested coz I would hate to see the big cover story ! LOL.
There were no special
There were no special considerations taken in the case you're referring to, Gabor. While I can't discuss specifics, everything was handled according the way it needed to be handled. I can't say more about it.
I would be interested in a
I would be interested in a follow up story of how an individual with his background can come to end up in jail. It sounds like he had the beginnings of a wonderful life.
Even good kids make mistakes.
Even good kids make mistakes. Let's just hope that he made a poor decision, learned from it, and gets back on track.
I wonder if the boys were
I wonder if the boys were just curious or if they were looking for something specific.
Yes, he may have had an impressive earlier life, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I do not know the family, and I do not want to offend, but maybe he was driven for the grades and recognition in school and community because of his parents' wishes. The 'I never made it to the big leagues in baseball so you are going to play baseball and make it big' may be a scenario here. Also, some kids just give up when life was 'perfect' before and then they get into the real world and realize how difficult it can be. Or, they feel as if they can now rebel since they are on their own. I don't know... I am just throwing scenarios out there. You don't have to listen to me...
First, we don't really know
First, we don't really know the circumstances of the Harvester situation. So some benefit of the doubt is in order.
But when good kids go bad, it could be an anomaly, one bad decision; it could be the influence of friends; or it could be something related to much bigger problems.
I wouldn't jump to any conclusions.
This story could be hard to follow up on until the case is resolved. Any attorney would advise him not to talk to me and extend that advice to the rest of his family. Of course, if a family member steps forward, we'll certainly listen. I'll try to stay in touch with the case as it winds through court.
I agree, Howard. Very good
I agree, Howard. Very good points in your post.
This story itself brings up a
This story itself brings up a good point. For the size of Batavia, which isn't really big and isn't really small, there are not many resources for adolescents. I am not referring to this scenario in particular, but to the broader scope. Many adolescents in this area end up in trouble for lack of anything better to do. We do not have enough programs for our teens/young adults and it does not surprise me to hear of them in trouble. It is unfortunate and I hope our community will recognize and work to change this trend.