HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETS MONDAY

The Town of Royalton Historical Society will be having a joint meeting with the Town of Lockport Historical Society this coming Monday, May 21st at 7 PM. Please note, this meeting will be held at the Lockport Town Hall, 6560 Dysinger Rd. This month the speakers will be Lockport Historian, Larry Haseley and Royalton Historian, Jesse Bieber. Please remember these meetings are open to the public. We would love to see you there!! If you have any questions please contact Royalton Historical Society President, Jennifer Bieber at 716 735-7335.

GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT THE LATE DENNIS BOWLER

Many people remember Dennis Bowler, who passed away in 2004.  Those who participated in the Boy Scout program will remember him as the rifle range director at Camp Dittmer in the 1990s while many others will remember him as a substitute teacher for schools across the region, from Batavia to Lockport. He had lived on Ridge Road in Gasport, very near Harris Farm Market.

I stumbled across this great article that ran in a 2010 copy of the American Conservative of all places. It's a gem that really captures the essence of Dennis....

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/st-dennis-of-the-bleachers/

LIBRARY CAMPAIGNS SHOWED SELF-GOVERNMENT IN ACTION

Kudos to the Royalton-Hartland community for practicing the wonders of the Constitutional Republic granted to us by the Founding Fathers.

Over the past 9 months the community has been divided over a public service – the Middleport Library. I’ll say that was a good thing. Far too often it has been pretty tame in Gasport and Middleport when it comes to self-government. People tend to go with the flow and other than a few gadflies it’s pretty quiet. But, people were vocal this time around.

Last fall, a lot of residents were caught off guard by the new district tax to fund the Library and a handful, led by Mary Cedeno, really did their homework, covered all their bases, and worked hard hitting the streets to collect petitions for what could be considered a “re-vote” (though more accurately it was a note to non-fund). Even though the defunding was defeated at the polls on May 15th vote, the 2:1 outcome proved the point that not everyone was in the know last June when the Library gained funding at a 14:1 clip. Mary and her team did a good job in ensuring that everyone had their fair say in public affairs.

Likewise, the Friends of the Library and the library’s users should be commended for their recent efforts, too. They saw that their beloved institution was primed for dismissal, but they worked together to educate the voters on what the Library means to them and the community. They got a majority of voters to commit to funding the Library, despite these tight times. So, now, District residents have known and permanent access to the Library, something that's probably new to most who live on the West side of the school district.

It was awesome to see the people – the community -- involved in such an issue. Both sides did well in their work.

Now, I’d like to see more of that in the future when it comes to local, state, and federal government!

MIDDLEPORT LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The Middleport Free Library at 9 Vernon St. will be having their book sale Saturday, May 26th from 11:00 till 4:00 and Monday, May 28th from 9:00 to 3:00. Saturday will be at regular prices while Monday will feature a bag sale at $2/bag. The sale is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

THANK YOU FROM LIBRARY

Dear Residents of the Royalton Hartland School District:

Thank you! The member of the Board of Trustees, The Friends of the Middleport Library and our staff, who have worked for many years to keep the Middleport Library a valuable asset in our community, want to express our thanks for your overwhelming support.

Your emphatic "no" to the proposition to remove the funding for the Library, soon to be known as the Royalton Hartland Community Library, means that it will have funding so that it will remain open for years to come.

For the second time within a year, we are grateful to have received such solid assurance that you want your library and all that it has to offer. The members of the Library's Board of Trustees and The Friends of the Library surely know that our many years of volunteer work to keep the library alive and well were well spent and much appreciated.

Our hearts are, and always have been, dedicated to you, the community. The successful vote to keep funding in place for the library means there will be an open door for every curious mind wanting to gain knowledge through books, magazines, the Internet, and the other myriad of community resources offered at the Royalton Hartland Community Library.

As has been done over the past 83 years, we will continue to work hard to keep our library, a living memorial to all of our veterans, a vibrant part of our community that has always utilized volunteers, looked at the most economical ways to be run, and is a warm and welcoming place for all residents to come to expand their horizons.

Again, thank you for voting to keep the library open. We look forward to seeing you soon at the Royalton Hartland Community Library!

Sincerely,

Carolyn Wagner, Director, Board of Trustees

Mary P. Collins, Chair, The Friends of the Library

Rose Bernard, Director, Middleport Free Library

BUDGET PASSES, LIBRARY STAYS FUNDED

Yesterday, Royalton-Hartland voters approved, by a tally of 867 to 348, the district’s $22 million budget which will see the tax levy rise by 2%.

The Lockport Union Sun and Journal says this about the library tax...

Residents voted Tuesday to defeat the library levy de-funding proposition by an 840-to-401 margin. The levy, originally approved in a June vote last year, will require $103,000 from the Roy-Hart district taxpayers.

Read the paper's report here:

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x1221404547/Middleport-library-cruises-to-easy-victory

MERCY FLIGHT TO MIDDLEPORT

Another excellent photo from Joe Derda who reports that Mercy Flight was called to Middleport today, as transport was needed for a man injured in an industrial accident involving a fork truck. Members from Medina, Middleport, and Hartland Tri Town were on hand.

US&J REPORT ON THE TUESDAY BUDGET & LIBRARY VOTE

The Lockport Union Sun & Journal featured a detailed report on the library issue this weekend. It noted the following about the proposition...

Residents can vote from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Roy-Hart High School gym on State Street. The library tax is proposition two, as the school district budget is the first item on the ballot.

Folks should also be aware of how to vote. The proposition asks if the Board of Education should reduce the library levy from  it’s current level of $103,000 to zero.

That means a yes vote would eliminate the tax. A no vote would keep the tax intact.

Read the informative article here...

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x201101182/A-HARD-READ

2 MORE DIE FROM HARTLAND ACCIDENT

Over the past few days, 2 more people have died from a head-on crash in Hartland last Sunday, the 6th.

Sadly, the toll is at 3, making it the deadliest crash in Hartland in recent memory:

Robin McGirr, 49, of Olcott
Robert McGirr, 44, of Olcott
Norman Blumreich, 72, of Barker

ROYALTON BOARD MEETS TONIGHT

The town of Royalton meets tonight at 7:00 PM at the town hall. The agenda has been posted here. It should be noted that the previously-scheduled public hearings regarding the water line have been cancelled for tonight...



Date: Mon, May 14, 2012

TOWN OF ROYALTON
REGULAR BOARD MEETING

•1. Open Meeting

•2. Additions or corrections of the minutes as presented

•3. Public Comment - Agenda Items Only

•4. Communications / Petitions

New Business

•Ø Resolution to accept the Supervisors Report for April 2012 as submitted to the Town Board.

•Ø Resolution to rescind Resolution 71-12 COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS APPOINTMENT from the April 9, 2012 meeting.

•Ø Resolution to authorize Supervisor Bieber to sign the three (3) year contract with the Village of Middleport for Speed Enforcement Coverage in the Town of Royalton. The cost of the contract per year is as follows:

6/1/12 - 5/31/13 = $40,711.35

6/1/13 - 5/31/14 = $42,746.92

6/1/14 - 5/31/15 = $44,884.27

•Ø Resolution to authorize the transfer of $500.00 from the Celebration Fund (A7550.4) to the Celebration Reserve Fund.

•Ø Resolution to authorize Supervisor Bieber to open up a new bank account designated as the "Royalton Justice Court - Unclaimed Funds" in order to close out Judge Raduns bank accounts.

•Ø Resolution to authorize TVGA Engineering Firm to issue a Task Order for the Town of Royalton Local Roads Program.

•Ø Resolution to accept Aaron Wagner as an active member of the Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Co.

•Ø Resolution to accept Ms. Chelsey Jamieson as an active member of the Gasport Chemical Hose Co.

•Ø Resolution to accept Mr. Steven Hagen as an active member of the Gasport Chemical Hose Co.

•Ø Resolution to advertise for bids for Fuel (Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, Propane) for the Highway Department and the Water/Sewer Department.

•Ø Resolution to authorize the transfer of $25,000.00 from DA9950.9 - Bridge Reconstruct Reserve (Transfer Account for Highway) to the Bridge Construction Repair Reserve Fund account.

•Ø Resolution to authorize the transfer of $21,303.00 from SW9951.9 - Water Capital Project

(Transfer Account for Water) to the Water Capital Improvement Reserve account.

•Ø Resolution for permission to pay the bills.

•Ø Any additional items that need to come before the board at this time.

•5. Public Comment - Good and Welfare of the Community

•6. Adjournment - Motion to Adjourn

BUFFALO NEWS REPORT ON REQUEST FOR STAY

Reporter Tom Prohaska wrote an article about the Library's request for stay in Wednesday's Buffalo News...

The state Education Department disclosed Tuesday that it has rejected the library’s request for a stay, meaning the proposition will appear on the Royalton-Hartland Central School ballot next Tuesday.

The stay was denied Friday, Education Department spokesman Jonathan Burman said. He said the public announcement was delayed to inform the parties first.


It closes with this ominous note:

Asked if the library has any recourse if the tax is repealed, (president of the library board of trustees) Wagner said, “There are some things we’re looking at. I’m not going to discuss legal strategy.”


Read the article here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-county/article848503.ece

MIDDLE SCHOOL DISMISSED

Royalton-Hartland Middle School has a power outage and all students at that school will be dismissed at 9:30.

CANAL DERBY SPONSORSHIP

The very popular Erie Canal Fishing Derby - headquartered in Gasport - is now accepting sponsorships for this year's event running July 4 to 15.

Your ad will go on all signs and posters and there are various levels of ads available: $75 to $500.

If interested in helping out this great family-oriented event, call Steve Harrington at 716.425.8144 or coordinator@eriecanalderby.com

For info about the derby visit http://www.eriecanalderby.com/  

MIDDLEPORT LIBRARY GETS STATE GRANT

The Middleport Free Library was allotted $11,174 in the NY State budget for an energy-efficient furnace, air conditioners, doors and windows. The funds come through the construction grants program within the Office of New York State Library within the state Education Department, funded by a $14 million capital fund appropriation in the state budget for construction and renovation. A total of $14 million in grants were awarded for projects at public library and library system buildings statewide.

MIDDLEPORT LIBRARY MAILER

A couple of weeks ago the Friends of the Library sent a mailing to all district residents about the upcoming vote. Here's the text from the flier...


NOTICE OF PUBLIC VOTE

for Royalton-Hartland Central School District Residents regarding Proposition #2 - De-funding the Middleport Free Library

May 15, 2012 from Noon to 8 PM at Roy-Hart Sr. High Gym

At the May 15, 2012 Royalton-Hartland Central School District vote, residents will be presented with Proposition #2 on the ballot, to decrease the tax levy for the Middleport Free Library from $103,000 to zero.

A petition to put Proposition #2 on the May 15, 2012 school district budget vote ballot was approved by the Royalton-Hartland Board of Education at their March 22, 2012 meeting.

Proposition #2 reads as follows: Shall the Board of Education of the Royalton-Hartland Central School District be authorized to immediately reduce the annual tax levy for the Middleport Free Library aka the Royalton Hartland Community Library from one hundred three thousand dollars ($103,000) to ZERO dollars ($0.00) thereby eliminating the tax in its entirety.

A “no” vote will keep the annual tax levy in place, which will fund the library.

A “yes” vote will eliminate the annual tax levy of approximately 25 cents per thousand of assessed property value, which will de-fund the Middleport Free Library.

NO - Keeps funding for the library.

YES - Removes funding for the library.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What would happen if the tax levy is reduced to ZERO?

If the tax levy for the library is removed, the library would be forced to operate on its reserve funding. When the reserve funding has been depleted, the Middleport Free Library would close as it would have no funds to operate.

How would it affect residents if we are not a member of the Niagara, Orleans, Genesee (NIOGA) Library System?

The Middleport Free Library provides Roy-Hart residents access to the NIOGA Library System. According to an April 5, 2012 article in the Lockport Union Sun and Journal, “The Lockport Library also receives some funding from the Towns of Pendleton and Lockport for those residents who use the library but who are not residents of the Lockport City School District.” Therefore, it could be possible that financial support from our Town governments would be required in order for Roylaton-Hartland residents to use other taxpayer-funded libraries.

Do other school district taxpayers fund their libraries?

Yes. The tax levy in Lockport is approximately $ .97 per thousand, Medina is $1.31, Lyndonville is $ .31, and Albion’s is $1.22. Royalton-Hartland’s library tax levy of approximately $ .25 per thousand is the lowest in the area.

How are library tax dollars used?

The tax pays for operating expenses including salaries, utilities, the purchase of library materials and to be a member of the NIOGA Library System.

Does the library receive tax funding from the Village of Middleport, the Towns of  Royalton, Hartland or the school district now?

No. While it did previously, the library no longer receives tax funding from the Village, Towns or the Royalton-Hartland Central School District.

Information About the Middleport Free Library

The Middleport Free Library services residents of the Royalton-Hartland School District and provides them access to the NIOGA Library System.

2011 Circulation: 31,295 books, periodicals, newspapers, AV materials, etc.

2011 Computer Use: 2,100

Meeting Place Used By:

Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownie Troop, Neighborhood Watch Group, AYSO Soccer Parents, LOYAL Football, Lewis-Wilmot Fund, Teen Drama Club, Book Clubs, Friends of the Library, students from Royalton-Hartland who are tutored

Library Services:

Tax Forms, Public WiFi, Local Newspapers, Computer and Internet Access, Preschool Reading Program, Youth Programs (Summer and Seasonal), Drama Club Program, Scrabble Club, Book Clubs, Copier and Fax Services, FMC Environmental Document Repository, Local Historical Material Repository, E-book Downloads, Inter-library Loan/Return for NIOGA system

MOTHER'S DAY BBQ AT TC

Here's a note from the gentlemen at Terry's Corners fire company....

JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY CHICKEN BBQ. OUR CRACK TEAM OF CHICKEN MASTERS WILL BE SERVING UP OUR AMAZING CHICKEN THAT HAS WON THE BEST BBQ AT THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR! CHICKEN WILL BEGIN TO BE SOLD AT 11AM AND ENDING WHEN SOLD OUT. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR DINE IN OR TAKE OUT. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

LIBRARY VOTE GETS NO "STAY"

I received a note from Mary Cedeno -- the lead activist behind the library vote -- regarding the Library's attempt to file an appeal and a request for a stay on the vote. This would have meant that district voters would NOT have had their vote on May 15th during the Annual Budget election, but at another time in the future. Mary reports that the Commissioner of Education has not granted their request for a "stay"...and so District Voters WILL get to vote on May 15th.

HARTLAND HEAD-ON BECOMES A FATALITY

There was a head-on crash on Hartland Road Sunday afternoon. Norman Blumreich, 72, of Barker,  crossed the center line and struck a car driven by Robin McGirr, 49, of Olcott. Both were taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. Robin's passenger, Robert McGirr, 44, was taken by ambulance to ECMC.

A newsflash came through on WLVL just after the 11:00 news this morning saying one of the drivers has passed away. More details to follow.

12:00 Update: Multiple media sources are reporting that Robin McGirr died from injuries sustained in the accident.

GRANT FOR GASPORT BEAUTIFICATION

The Niagara County Legislature handed out 20 grants Tuesday to business and community groups. Among the recipients is the Gasport Beautification Committee which has received $1,237. This will be used for a mural on the south side of the Erie Canal and to paint the frame around the hamlet’s welcome sign.

ROYALTON ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR REC PROGRAM

The Town of Royalton will be accepting applications for their Summer Recreation Program at the Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, NY 14105. The 5-week program will run from July 9 - August 10, 2012. Applicants must be town residents. Anyone interested can pick up an application at the Town Clerk's office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.