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| NEWS |
Candidates want your vote
TRI-COUNTY AREA—It’s time to cast the vote, as Penn Yan, Dundee, Dresden, Montour Falls, Odessa, and Hammondsport hold village elections March 16, from noon to 9 p.m. Candidates for Penn Yan office also participated in a “Meet the Candidates” forum sponsored by The Observer on March 8. Keuka College Professor of Management and former village trustee Gary Smith was moderator of the event. Interested residents filled the meeting room in the village office building for the two hour event.
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Dundee parents hear from officials
DUNDEE—Over 400 parents attended a meeting at Dundee Central School Monday, March 8 after four hand written bomb threats were found and a threatening text message circulated to students, all within 11 days of each other. These threats continue to disrupt education, cause anxiety for students and staff, and cause alarm and worry for parents in the district. As a result, rumors have begun to run rapid through the community. “We realize how stressful it truly is on everyone,” Interim School Superintendent Kathy Ring said. Students and staff were evacuated from the school after written bomb threats were found during school hours Monday, Feb. 22, Tuesday, Feb. 23, and Tuesday, March 2. A fourth threat was found during after school hours Thursday, March 4. Each time the threats were found, students and staff were evacuated and sent to their designated sites throughout the village. A complete sweep of the school was conducted by Yates County Sheriff’s deputies, state police, a state K-9 bomb dog and school resource officers, without turning up explosives. “We have an emergency plan and the protocol was followed,” Ring said. Read More ...
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Legislature opposes state’s tax on agency
SCHUYLER COUNTY—The Schuyler County Legislature approved a resolution opposing the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) tax imposed on all local industrial development agencies by New York State as a means to help close the state’s budget deficit. They voted at their regular meeting on Monday, March 8, 2010. This new tax bill was received by Schuyler County IDA after the budget was developed and implemented without this unanticipated $5 million tax. This would subject payments in lieu of taxes collected for local governments and school districts, state and federal grants and local taxpayer funded appropriations. Discussion among the legislators was on changing a contract with Concord Electrical Corporation for the electrical construction of the Schuyler County Shared Services Public Works Facility.
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Sheriff’s civil division, Nemitz get recognition
PENN YAN—The Yates County Sheriff’s Civil Division received accreditation recognition during the March 8 meeting of the Yates County Legislature. The division met 121 demanding benchmarking standards for operating the division and Sheriff Ron Spike accepted the recognition from New York State Sheriff’s Association Institute counsel Thomas Mitchell. The Yates County Civil Division is the 13th in the state to receive accreditation. Spike spoke before the accreditation was presented, noting it is not required but sought. He said it is important to handle processes in a professional manner. The evaluation of the local office that led to accreditation was performed by representatives from Chatauqua and Broome Counties. Mitchell said, “Thank you to all of you for your support of the sheriff’s office. This is a way to make sure what is being done is being done correctly. For small offices, regular work plus preparation for accreditation is a big task.” Read More ...
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Massa resigns, governor may set special election
CORNING—Congressman Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned, effective Monday, March 8, at 5 p.m. It is now up to Gov. David Paterson to call for a special election to fill Massa’s seat, or let it stay vacant until the regular, November election. However, as of press time, Tuesday, March 9, Maggie Mckeon, spokesperson, said Paterson’s office has not made a decision on an election. Massa’s decision came last week, after Massa had already said he would not seek re-election at his doctors’ insistence, due to a recurrence of cancer. In an open letter on his Web site, Massa said he had made a staff member feel uncomfortable with his remarks. He added he was told a report had been filed with the Congressional Ethics Committee. Sunday, on his radio show, Massa said the incident happened at a staff member’s wedding. “There is no doubt that this ethics issue is my fault and mine alone,” said Massa. He added, “During long car rides, in the early hours of the evening, late at night and always in private, I know that my own language failed to meet the standards that I set for all around me and myself.” Read More ...
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Penn Yan plans 20 job reductions
PENN YAN—The budget proposal for the Penn Yan Central School District presented at the board of education meeting March 3 included reduction of 20.5 staff positions. Final retirement figures were not expected to be available until March 5 for teachers and the following week for other employees. A preliminary estimate of seven retirements was projected district wide and 13.5 layoffs. Assistant superintendent for Business Doug Tomandl presented a comparison between the current budget and new figure for next year which reflects cuts of $2,155,796. The revised total of $31,790,159 carries a 2.1 percent increase in spending as contrasted with the earlier figure of $33,945,956. The new figure represents a 4.36 percent tax increase under executive proposal. Still unknown is the amount of state aid that will affect the final budget. Tomandl listed several goals of the budgeting process including maintaining funding, safety, course offerings, a stable and affordable tax levy and keeping the budget to budget increase under three percent. Tomandl outlined the process to date, noting the group has been meeting since October 2009 and has reviewed each line item in the budget. Read More ...
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Penn Yan performs 'Once on This Island'
PENN YAN—“Once on This Island,” the Haitian portrayal of “The Little Mermaid,” will hit the stage as Penn Yan Academy’s spring musical. The Penn Yan Academy Drama Club will perform the play March 11 to 13, in the Penn Yan Middle School Auditorium. The musical will start at 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12. Saturday, March 13, the musical will be at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. “Once on This Island” is based on the novel “My Love, My Love,” by Rosa Guy. The story centers around Ti Moune, played by Amy Stuart, in pursuit of her love, Daniel, played by Alex Bodine. Ti Moune and Daniel are brought together by a storm created by the god of water, Agwe, played by Jonah Pielow. However, Daniel’s and Ti Moune’s social differences separate the couple. Read More ...
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How is the stimulus money being spent locally?
TRI-COUNTY AREA—Since Feb. 17, 2009, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds have been allocated to communities across the country. To be approved for the funds, projects had to create jobs, spur economic growth, and make government spending more transparent. Since Feb. 17, a number of projects have been approved, funded, and some even completed locally. The federal Web site that lists the projects by state is http://www.recovery.gov. The award recipients range from municipalities, schools and companies. The schools are getting ARRA funds, allocated in four different categories: fiscal stabilization, Title 1 (funds to help disadvantaged students), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and preschool grants for children with disabilities. Read More ...
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Dundee will perform 'The Pajama Game'
DUNDEE—The Dundee Musical Theatre proudly presents “The Pajama Game.” The musical was rescheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12, both at 7 p.m. Seniors Ane Shoemaker, Jake Wilmott, Bobby Sprague and Britni Forman star in the 1950s depiction of the struggle between union and management in the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. When the union threatens to strike unless they receive a seven and a half cent hourly raise, an investigation ensues which spurs both romantic interest and evidence that the raise was added to the pajama prices months ago. Read More ...
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Watkins Glen Farmers Market returns in May
WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen Farmers Market will return to Lafayette Park for its sixth year, after the Watkins Glen Village Board approved a request for the return of the weekly farmers market at their regular meeting Monday, March 1. “It went very well (last year’s farmers market) and you seem to work very well with yourselves,” Mayor Judy Phillips said.
Many people enjoy shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables and other items locally. These items are grown locally, so they are fresher than store bought items because they aren’t packaged or shipped. Vendors at the Watkins Glen Farmers Market strive to be friendly and are knowledgeable of the products they sell and what you can create with these items.
The farmers market will be held every Friday beginning May 28 and will continue through Oct. 29, with the exception of the Friday of the Grand Prix Festival which will be held Sept. 10. Read More ...
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Curtiss museum helps solve mystery for show
HAMMONDSPORT—Hammondsport's Curtiss Museum will be on television this spring. The PBS program, "History Detectives," filmed a segment for a show at the Curtiss Museum, Friday, March 5. The episode will focus on Cromwell Dixon, a "barnstormer" Glenn H. Curtiss hired to bring interest to aviation when the field was still young and many people did not think it would last. The show will see if a piece of fabric came from a plane wing flown by Dixon. Pat Kruis, Oregon Public Broadcasting representative, said in order to authenticate the piece of material, Elyse Luray, appraiser and art historian, interviewed Curtiss Museum Curator Rick Leisenring. Some of the interview took place in the restoration shop, while volunteers worked. Read More ...
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Yates' sales tax revenue drops 1.8 percent, Schuyler's rises five percent
TRI-COUNTY AREA—The sales tax revenue for Yates County decreased 1.8 percent decrease in 2009, while Schuyler County had a five percent increase. Both were still above the state, which had a 5.9 percent decrease in sales tax revenue, from 2008 to 2009. Steuben County experienced a 6.2 percent decrease during the same time. The numbers were released, Monday, Feb. 22, by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. While Yates County had a decrease, there were only eight other counties that had less of a decrease, or saw an increase. In 2009, Yates had $8,986,022, compared to $9,153,974 in 2008. “Considering the change in the economy, it’s not a significant decline,” said Sarah Purdy, Yates County Administrator. Kelsey Jones, executive director of the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development, attributed the increase to new stores and wineries in the area. He pointed out the Seneca Lake General Store and Pompous Ass Winery that both opened in 2009. Read More ...
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| SPORTS |
Odessa takes second in Section IV Class C finals
BINGHAMTON—The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team ended the season with a loss to Tioga in the sectional finals, Saturday, March 6. Odessa placed second in the championship game. After struggling throughout the game, the final score was 52-24, in Tioga's favor. From the start, Odessa trailed behind Tioga. After the first quarter, the score was 20-5. Michelle Melanson led O-M with 11 points. Rebecca Ayers was next with five points, including one three point shot. Whitney Ayers had four points. Jessica Rhodes had the team's only other three-pointer. She scored a total of three points. Read More ...
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Dundee ends season in sectional semifinals
ROCHESTER—After leading for most of the game, Dundee lost to Clyde-Savannah, 50-47, in the Class C2 sectionals semifinal game, Tuesday, March 2. "It's unfortunate how the game turned out," said Coach Les Miller. He said that the Scots made mistakes in the fourth quarter, resulting in Clyde-Savannah taking the over lead. However, Miller said he is happy with how the season went overall. Joe Tortolon led the Scots in scoring, with 17 points. Garrick Conyers was next with 13 points. Dustin Warren and Tommy Pratt each also had six points. The Scots ended this season, with a 17-4 record. This year's seniors are Ryan Ballard, Pratt, Brandon Brace, Steven Webb, Warren, and Zack Carruthers. Read More ...
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Watkins falls to Oneonta, ends season
ONEONTA—The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team lost to Oneonta, 55-28, in the sectionals semifinal game, Tuesday, March 2. Coach Michelle Simiele described it as a rough game and that the Senecas struggled against the number one seed, Oneonta. Taylor Chaffee led Watkins with 10 points. She also had 11 rebounds. "They had a bunch of seniors, we didn't," said Simiele. However, she said almost all the Watkins players would be returning next year. She added they were all looking forward to next season.
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Hammondsport loses to Elba, 44-28
HAMMONDSPORT—The Hammondsport varsity girls basketball team lost to Elba, 44-28, ending the sectional season for the team, Monday, March 1. Coach Alan Perry said the girls faced “an impressive style of defense” from Elba that “wore us down.” He said that was what beat Hammondsport. The Lakers end the season with a 17-4 record. Brooke Gordon was the team’s highest scorer, with 15 points. Katelyn Ball was next with five points.
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Watkins girls advance in sectionals
OWEGO—The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team won in away game, Saturday, Feb. 27, against Owego. The final score was 46-33. Coach Michelle Simiele said the team's defense was great. Specifically, she said Watkins' Kirsten Burge played a great defense against Owego's best player. Taylor Chaffee was the top scorer for Watkins, with 21 points. She also had 10 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Marissa Pike was next with 14 points. The girls play next at Oneonta, Tuesday, March. 2. Read More ...
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