John Dryden has been many things. He's been a historian, a high school teacher, a hot dog vendor, a bartender, an actor, a comedy sketch writer, he ran a community garden, and yes, he's also been a bit of a rabble rouser.

These days, you might recognize him as the person who has led the campaign to "liberate North Batavia," or the founder of the Batavia Lyceum Association, which meets monthly at Sidecar Supper Club.

John is well-known among long-time Batavians, maybe even infamous. He wears his beliefs on his sleeve, and a lot of times, those beliefs, and his opinions about Batavia, have gotten him into trouble.

But I'm convinced that a healthy community requires rabble-rousers just like John Dryden.

This episode of Area Code: Batavia is sponsored by 212° Construction Group.

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Area Code: Batavia is produced by Area Code Audio. It's hosted and produced by Richard Clark. Our associate producer and co-host is Alexa Swidenbank. Edited and mixed by Matt Linder. Additional production help from Jennifer Clark.

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