Sunday, November 29, 2009

DEER SLUG HITS GASPORT POOL

Last Wednesday an Orangeport Road resident reported that a deer slug pierced his swimming pool causing $2,800 of damage.

WHERE TO BUY CHRISTMAS TREES IN GASPORT

You can buy Christmas trees at the following locations in Gasport. As I encounter more in my travels I will post the information here.

Bucolo Greenhouse and Farm: Corner of Slayton Settlement and Orangeport Roads. Mon - Fri, Noon - 8:00. Weekends, 9 - 4

Merrell's Evergreen Acres: 3573 Wruck Road. Fri., Sat., Sun. 9 - 5

Rickard's Nursery: Checkered Tavern Road, between Wheeler and Elicott

ROY-HART CAREER FAIR

The middle school is looking for presenters for its upcoming career fair, which will be held 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM on January 26th. All occupations are welcome to present. If interested, call Diana O'Rourke at 716.735.2000 (x 2083) by December 4th.

EUROPEAN MOUNTS DONE IN GASPORT


I recently got my hands on a brochure for an operation in Gasport that might interest local hunters.

The company calls itself "Bone Heads" and they prepare European mount skulls, whereby you have the prepared skull of a game animal fully cleaned, fur-and-flesh-free.

This fellow uses beetles to fully clean the skulls and then they are whitened and sprayed with preservatives.

For more information, call them at 716.471.0345.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

GASPORT'S TURKEY GURU FEATURED IN BUFFALO NEWS

Tom Britt, the Gasport resident who raises more than 1,200 turkeys for Thanksgiving was featured in Sunday's Buffalo News. After you are done dining on avian fare today, take the time to read his informative and entertaining interview on the Buffalo News' website at http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/869333.html

Here are some snippets from the article...



These days are busy ones for turkey farmer Thomas Britt, whose 34-acre Gasport farm is home to 1,200 turkeys. Britt, 45, works hard to make a living for his family — both on his farm and as a machine repairman at General Motors in Lockport. Growing up on a cattle farm, Britt appreciates the outdoors and believes strongly in the American agrarian tradition he lives to preserve.

PeopleTalk: What's the average life span of a turkey?

Thomas Britt: On this farm, 20 weeks. A friend of mine has had one for five years. It's a pet. Turkeys aren't mean, but they're not overly friendly. They don't run away from you when you walk in the pen.

PT: Describe your turkeys.

TB: They're Nicholas broad-breasted white turkeys, and range 20 weeks of age, 16 weeks and 12 weeks. They're 100 percent grain-fed with no hormones or antibiotics.

PT: Is raising turkeys hard work?

TB: Every day, it's a couple hours. You have to bed them down, take care of them, walk through and make sure everybody's OK. When the poults are young, you have them under big gas brooders for three weeks. It needs to be 95 degrees. That's why a lot of your poultry is raised down south.

GASPORT BURGLAR GETS JAIL TIME

Michael D. Coe, 36, of Branch Street, Lockport, was sentenced Tuesday to one to four years in prison for burglarizing a house on East Avenue in Gasport on July 17, 2008.

Coe, who had pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted third-degree burglary, was sentenced by Niagara County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD

Wayne Forrest, the cubmaster of Pack 18, sends along this note to the community...


Troop and Pack 18 would like to thank the residents of Gasport for their generosity during Novembers Scouting for Food Drive. The Scouts spent one Saturday distributing Scouting for Food tags in the hamlet of Gasport and the next Saturday collecting the food donations. Not only was the event a fun service project for the boys but it turned out to be great exercise too. After collecting nearly 100 bags of food they delivered them to the community food pantry at Zion Lutheran Church. The boys stacked all the food on the alter so it could be blessed at an upcoming Church service. Reverend Klinzing was there to tell the boys about food pantry and the people it served.

Gasport Troop and Pack 18 is part of the Towpath District of the Iroquois Trail Council. They are both sponsored by Covenant United Church of Christ. The Pack (for boys in first grade to fifth) meets most Monday evenings at Covenant from 7-8 PM and the Troop (for boys 11-18) meets most Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SHOTGUN SEASON OPENS SATURDAY

Deer season has been open for a few weeks now with archery hunters out and about. But, they are a minority.

The day that most hunters consider the real Opening Day --- the first day of shotgun season for deer --- is this Saturday. So, the farm lanes and roadsides of Gasport will be filled with parked vehicles all weekend long as hunters are out in the fields and woods attempting to fill their freezers.

The shotgun season ends on December 13th.

For info about deer hunting in NY go here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7857.html

Sunday, November 15, 2009

SPAGHETTI DINNER: NOV. 21

The Gasport Lions club is hosting an all-you-can eat spaghetti dinner on Saturday the 21st from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Gasport Fire Hall. Cost is $7/adult, $5 for 6-to-11 year olds. Kids 5 and under can eat for free. The Lions use the proceeds to fund their various community projects.

CHRISTMAS CUPBOARD 2009

The annual Christmas Cupboard will take place on Friday, November 20 from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM and on Saturday, November 21 from 9:00 to 6:00. This craft show will be held at the Hartland Bible Church in the hamlet (the facility once known as St. Mary's). Cash or checks only...no credit cards.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TWO OF GASPORTS BEST

Two of Gasport's best citizens celebrate milestone birthdays today. Eunice Hernberger and Gerry Reynolds are key members of the Royalton Historical Society. Eunice turns 95 and Gerry turns 98! If you see these lovely ladies today, wish them a happy birthday!

ROY-HART SCHOOL BOARD

The Roy-Hart school board meets tonight at 7:00 PM. Read the agenda here:

http://royhart.org/BOE_2009_10/A_11_12_09.pdf

MEET & GREET WITH THE PRINCIPAL TODAY

There will be coffee and conversation with middle school principal Mr. Fisgus today at 9:15 AM or 5:30 PM. Contact his office for more information.

SABRES COMING TO ROY-HART

The Roy-Hart class of 2010 is hosting a basketball game pitting Roy-Hart faculty against Sabres alumni. It will be held Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM in the high school.

Tickets are $5 presale or $7 at the door. Proceeds benefit the class of 2010.

GASPORT RESIDENT EARNS FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

The University at Buffalo reports this news about a student from Gasport...


BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Three University at Buffalo students were awarded Fulbright student scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year and are abroad studying and contributing to the health and education systems of other countries.

Meghana Gadgil, Katherine Cumberland and Catherine Dunning are among the more than 1,500 U.S. citizens who will study, teach or research abroad as Fulbright scholars this academic year.

Cumberland, of Gasport, N.Y., is working as an English teaching assistant in the Kaohsiung public elementary schools and studying Mandarin in Taiwan. A 2009 graduate of UB with a degree in linguistics, she is working with low-income students in grades 3-6, teaching English and American culture alongside a Taiwanese co-teacher.

"I believe that great teachers are also eager learners," she said. "This experience is an incredible opportunity to engage the Taiwanese culture, as well as to hone my English-teaching skills. My chosen career is English teaching, so this year of experience will be invaluable."

For students thinking about research, shaping international relations and cultivating change or cultural exchange, a Fulbright grant allows them the opportunity to accomplish their goals.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program is the nation's flagship international education exchange program. In the past 63 years, the program has given opportunities to nearly 300,000 people to study, teach and research across the globe, and experience varying political, economic, educational and cultural institutions. The Fulbright Program operates in more than 155 countries.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered by the Institute of International Education. For more information about the program or the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, visit their Web site at http://fullbright.state.gov.

ROLLOVER IN GASPORT

WGRZ TV 2 reports on yesterday's rollover in Gasport...

A Corfu man is hospitalized, after he was ejected from his vehicle on Wednesday morning.
Officials in Niagara County say they responded to a rollover accident in the hamlet of Gasport around 6:45 Wednesday morning.

According to the Niagara County Sheriff, 66-year-old Gary Gaiser of Corfu was driving west on Ridge Road when he drove off the shoulder, hitting two utility poles before striking a rock garden in the yard of a nearby residence.

Gaiser was ejected from the vehicle. He was taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight. His condition is unknown.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

TC TURKEY PARTY

Terry's Corners Fire Department will be having a turkey party fundraiser this Sunday, November 15th from 12:00 to 5:00 at the hall on Route 77.

Admission is free (as are the snacks) and beer & soda will be available. They will be raffling turkeys, hams, prime ribs, and more.

The Buffalo Bills game and Nascar will be televised throughout the raffle!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN AT ROY-HART

In yesterday's newspapers both the Buffalo News and the Lockport Union Sun & Journal reported that the school district has selected its contractors for the first phase of its (our) $8 million expansion.

The first phase -- at a cost of $4.3 million -- constitutes the addition of new classrooms to the Elementary School.

Construction will begin in 3 weeks and the bidders who were selected are:

General contracting: Javen Construction Co. of Penfield
Electrical: Frey Electric Construction Co. of Tonawanda
HVAC: Parise Mechanical of Tonawanda
Plumbing: L & D Plumbing & Heating of Buffalo

To read the US&J report go here:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_313135802.html

To read the Buffalo News report go here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/niagaracounty/story/855083.html

Monday, November 9, 2009

SEXTING EDITORIAL

The editorial board at the Lockport Union Sun and Journal gave kudos to the Roy-Hart district in this editorial that ran in Friday's paper...



This past week, we featured a front page story on sexting, which is when someone combines a cell phone text with a sexually explicit message or photo.It’s a trend that is making its way to local schools. In some cases it’s already there, whether parents realize it or not.

Realizing it’s happening in the schools, or with local youths in general, is one thing, dealing with it and proactively combating it is another. After our reporter called around to every school district we cover, we found just Royalton-Hartland was willing to speak out about how they are dealing with the issues. Kudos to Roy-Hart for being so forthcoming and proactive.

Suspensions can result if a student or students are found sexting, but really, the Roy-Hart school district, in cooperation with the sheriff’s department, wants to enlighten students on the right and wrong way to use any technology, including cell phones.

If other school districts are not addressing this, we have to ask why. If it’s just a matter of pretending it’s not there, those districts are in deep trouble.

As for parents, they should look to the district to help facilitate discussion on what’s right and wrong with cell phones, e-mail, Internet and more. But it doesn’t stop with the schools. Parents need to make a real choice on whether their children even need a cell phone and are mature enough to use a cell phone.

Look, we all know kids will be kids — heck, some adults still act like kids. But technology moves so fast and in a way and with methods that some parents couldn’t have even conceived when they were in school. But with technology comes good, helpful advancements and then you get the ugly reality of technology with things like sexting.

Embrace technology, but be mindful that not all technology will be used for good. Education is always the way to go with any advancements.


Source:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/editorials/local_story_310024110.html

ROYALTON BOARD MEETING TONIGHT

Royalton's town council meets tonight at 7:30 at the town hall. Here's the agenda:


1. Open Meeting
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Additions or corrections of the minutes as presented
4. Public Comment - Agenda Items Only
5. Communications / Petitions
6. New Business

􀂾 Resolution to authorize the unpaid water, sewer, refuse and town charges to be added to the 2010 Real Property Taxes in the following amounts:
Total Unpaid Water $71,152.50
Total Unpaid Sewer $ 5,671.67
Total Unpaid Refuse -0-
Total Town Charges -0-
__________
Grand Total $76,824.17

􀂾 Resolution to make the following line item transfers from the Drainage Account:
-$6,000.00 FROM SD8540.1 - Drainage, Personal Services Line
+$1,710.49 TO SD8540.2 - Drainage, Equipment Line
+$4,289.51 TO SD8540.4 - Drainage, Contractual Line

􀂾 Resolution stating that the Town of Royalton Town Board members have performed an audit on the 2009 Third Quarter Court Records for the two (2) Town of Royalton Justice Courts.

􀂾 Resolution to set the date for the bid opening for the State Street Grinder Pump Station Project for November 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM.

􀂾 Resolution to authorize the advertisement for bids to replace the roof on the salt shed.

􀂾 Resolution to set the Public Hearing date for the Town of Royalton 2010 Budget on Monday, November 16, 2009 at
7:30 PM

􀂾 Resolution for Permission to pay the bills.

7. Unfinished Business

8. Public Comment - Good and Welfare of the Community

9. Adjournment - Motion to adjourn

Friday, November 6, 2009

A LOOK AT THE HIGHWAY SUPER RECOUNT

Yesterday's Lockport Union Sun and Journal offered a interesting story about the recount chaos following the close of the polls Tuesday night in Royalton.

Here's a snippet from that story:



It was a reversal of fortunes, Royalton-style.

Confusion reigned in the hotly-contested race for superintendent of highways after the polls closed Tuesday.

An error was made somewhere along the way, and it was reported that Carson Kelley beat incumbent Terry W. Nieman.Nieman actually won 901-705.

Poll watchers discovered the mistake was made in District 6, the Terry’s Corners Fire Hall, but not before radio stations reported Kelley won. It was inspector error, according to Scott Kiedrowski Niagara County Republican Commissioner.

Scott Wymczak, secretary of the town Republican Committee, pinpointed the mistake happened in District 6 after he served as a poll-watcher in Wolcottsville. Nieman and Kelley had poll watchers in each of the six districts.

“We were surprised when we heard news report that Terry lost,” Wymczak said.

“I was kookin’,” said Donna Nieman, the superintendent’s wife and chairman of the Republican Committee. “We thought we won, and didn’t win. Imagine when we saw that on the computer!... I don’t know how that happened. Inspectors call in numbers, and the little boxes are hard to read. There can be human error.”

GOP poll-watcher Jennifer Bieber and her daughter were at Terry’s Corners and correctly reported 139 votes for Nieman and 133 for Kelley. During a huddle at the Nieman home, Wymczak went on the computer and found that the original Board of Elections report gave Nieman only 18 votes.

“Where the snafu happened, I’m not sure,” Wymczak said.

Donna Nieman tried to called the Board of Elections and left messages, but by that time the office had closed. Kiedrowski learned of the mistake, went back to the office, opened suitcases and made the correction.

“You’ve got to commend Board of Elections for their fast results. It didn’t take five minutes to make the correction,” Wymczak said. “The computer read-off slip was right. It was a human error.”




The article is a good read the rest of the way, defining just what a "poll watcher" is and discussing the role of the electronic machines in this situation. Check it out at:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_308233156.html

ROY-HART AND SEXTING

Roy-Hart was featured on the front page of the Lockport Union Sun and Journal earlier this week in an article that looked at how the school deals with sexting (when kids exchange provocative photos of themselves or pass dirty notes via cell phone). The school is teaming with the Sheriff's Department to launch a program called iSafe.

The article can be read here:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_307004313.html

CPI WILL ASSIST YOUR FUNDRAISER

If your local community organization or cause is looking for a door or raffle prize to give away at a fundraising event, please feel free to contact me.

Every year Confer Plastics gives away many of our plastic patio sets (table & two stools) to such events. Online stores such as Home Depot retail them for $159.

If you have a need for one of these send an e-mail to me at bob@conferplastics.com

TURKEY DINNER THIS SATURDAY

Gasport's most popular annual dinner takes places this Saturday, November 7th. The Covenant Church on Main Street is hosting its annual donation dinner. Pay as much as you'd like for turkey and all the fixings...it's the church's way of funding its operations. The dinner runs from 3:30 to 7:00. Takeout is available. The meal will be prepared by churchfolk and served by Boy Scout Troop 18.

Prior to the dinner, there will be a bazaar upstairs in the church beginning at 10:00 AM.

HAM & TURKEY PARTY

There will be a ham and turkey party this Saturday, November 7th starting at 7:00 PM at the Hartland Fire Hall on Ridge Road in Gasport. There will be raffles and pull tabs as well.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

NIEMAN RETAINS HIGHWAY POST

I went to bed last night thinking Carson Kelley was the new highway supervisor for the town of Royalton. Just after 10:00 PM the elections coverage team at WLVL called the election in favor of Kelley by a margin of 46 votes.

Shades of "Dewey defeats Truman"!! I awoke to the confusing news that Terry Nieman really won!

The Lockport US&J reports on this confusion...

ROYALTON — Terry W. Nieman retained his position of superintendent of highways on Tuesday with an unofficial victory over Carson J. Kelley in a hotly contested race that initially reported the challenger as a winner.The final tab was Nieman with 901 votes and Kelley with 705, out of a total of 1,606 votes cast.

Nieman didn’t believe the early report that Kelley won the election for the two-year term. “I called the board of elections and told them and knew the results were not correct and asked them to look into it. They confirmed what we were telling them and it was corrected.”

According to Nieman, the mistake was made in District 6: Terry’s Corners reported the wrong numbers.


You can read the rest of the article here:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_308021954.html

Sunday, November 1, 2009

ELECTION DAY IN GASPORT

Gasport residents will get to use the newfangled electronic voting systems (card readers) in this Tuesday's election. Royalton and Hartland were selected to be Niagara County's guinea pigs for this due to, one, our low population and, two, the relative tameness of our ballots this year.

How tame are the ballots?

Hartland features uncontested races for town board and town justice.

In Royalton, only one seat is contested of 8 possible, the battle between Caron Kelley and Terry Nieman for highway supervisor.

In regard to the county legislature, Mike Hill is running unopposed.

The biggest thing that we have to look forward to at the County level is voting "yea" or "nay" on a ballot item: The downsizing of County government by the elimination of 4 legislators beginning in 2012. Details about this initiative can be found on the front page of today's Lockport Union Sun and Journal and the Niagara Weekend section of the Buffalo News.