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FALCONER - In 1979, Fred Mills moved to the Jamestown area from Binghamton in hopes of starting a successful Roto-Rooter business to provide for his wife, Bonnie, and their four children.

Now, 30 years later, Mills' business continues its services and will soon be run by his son, Mark.

Mark Mills just hasn't been given the business by his father. He has had to work, since 1991, doing every job the manager of a plumbing and drain-cleaning company needs to know. From a service technician, to a journeyman plumber and now a licensed master plumber, Mark will be taking over the business after a four-year partnership with his father. However, despite the change, Fred and Bonnie, who is the company's receptionist, will not be retiring and will be continuing their work at the business they created more than 30 years ago.

''He (Mark) has worked from the bottom up,'' Mills said. ''It feels good (turning the business over). I really am proud.''

Throughout the years, the business has seen a lot of changes. By 1984, the business had grown to such a level that Mills needed a partner, his brother Richard Mills. Together the brothers purchased property on Baker Street, which gave the business better exposure. Soon after, the pair added their first employee to the business.

By 1987, Fred bought his brother out and returned to sole proprietor of the business and added another employee. The business continued to grow to the point Mills needed to find new space to run his business. Mills purchased property on South Work Street in Falconer and that is where the business is still located today.

In fact, the Roto-Rooter business runs in the family so much that in 2002, when Mills wanted to sell off a portion of the business, he did to a Roto-Rooter business from Erie, Pa., which was run by another brother, Howard Mills.

The family run business has also become part of the community. The business sponsors a bowling team, a church basketball and softball team and the minor league baseball team. In addition, Roto-Rooter services are donated to The Salvation Army, St. Susan's Soup Kitchen and the Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals.

''We have found Jamestown to be a very friendly place to raise our family and to do business with. We at Roto-Rooter would like to express our thanks to the many customer who have made us the success that we are and we look forward to serving them for another 30 years,'' Mills said.