MR. NASAL HAS PASSED AWAY

The Lockport paper is reporting today that Mr. Nasal -- who taught at Roy-Hart during my parent's era (the 1960's and early 1970's) -- passed away a week and a half ago...


Joseph Robert Nasal died at Huntington Living Center in Waterloo, NY on December 19, 2012.  His memorial Mass will be held on a future date.

Joe was born in Lackawanna, NY in 1918, the son of John and Mary Nasal. He attended Our Lady of Victory High School and then Canisius College in Buffalo on a full basketball scholarship.

With the advent of WW II, he joined the Army Air Force in 1942. He married Margaret Herg in 1944 in Louisiana before being sent to the European war front. His 397th division followed General Patton's Third Army above the troops, where he was a top turret gunner in a B-26 and flew most of his 42 missions in the "Little Lady". He was promoted to Technical Sergeant with five stripes and returned home from Europe in July of 1945.


Read the rest of Joe's obituary here:


http://lockportjournal.com/obituaries/x503807639/Joseph-Robert-Nasal

YELLOW GOOSE HIT AGAIN

The Lockport paper reports in today's edition...

For the second time in less than a week, investigators from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department are probing a theft at a Gasport convenience store.

The manager of the Yellow Goose store at 7953 Rochester Road reported Thursday morning that several propane tanks were taken from a storage cage.

Read the full article here:

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x1525000686/Second-burglary-at-store

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Every day the Lockport paper features Glimpses Into the Past, a look back at what happened 10, 20, 35, and 50 years ago. This was in today's installment for what happened this day in 1992:

"Gasport Elementary School secretary Betty Munson retires after 31 years of service to the district."

Whoa. That's a blast from the past! 

Do you remember Mrs. Munson from your days at the school?

LIBRARY TO OFFER HELP WITH COMPUTERS, IPADS, TABLETS, SMART PHONES AND MORE

If the new Smart Phone or iPad you got for Christmas is overwhelming you, relax. Help is on the way during the free Open Access session at the Royalton Hartland Community Library on Monday, January 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Open Access refers to time on a computer with a trainer, and you can take advantage of the upcoming session at the library at 9 Vernon Street in Middleport, to learn how to use just about any of the new devices out today.

In addition, you can learn how to download the free e-books from the NIOGA library system’s online service called Overdrive, and learn how to use Freegal, the free music download service.

Residents are invited to come to meet with an e-mobile trainer from the NIOGA Library System, who will be at the library to answer questions and show how to use just about any electronic device on an individual, walk-in basis.

Come with your Kindle, Nook, iPad, flash drive or other computer equipment (including your charging cords) and ask questions about them or about Overdrive and Freegal. You will be able to download items right at the session so you will know how to do it on your own.

Open Access and the NIOGA Library System’s BTOP Express E-mobile unit are funded by the New York State Library through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunication and Information Administration in order to expand computer access in public libraries across New York.

The Royalton Hartland Community Library periodically offers sessions like Open Access and residents are encouraged to check the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com for program information or you can call the library at 735-3281.

BOOK CLUB TO DISCUSS BOOK BY SANTO

Readers interested in sharing their love for reading are invited to join the members of the Royalton Hartland Book Club at their Monday, January 14 meeting at 7 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

The adult members of the Royalton Hartland Book Club meet monthly to discuss a wide variety of literary selections and a variety of opinions and new members are always welcome.

This month’s book selection for discussion is “The Roots of the Olive Tree” by Courtney Miller Santo. This is a story told from many different viewpoints that highlights the joys and sorrows of family life and tradition. Santo has her characters present their view of events and each has a unique way of describing love, secrets, disappointments and the forgiveness that bind families together through time. And Santo includes a family secret that doesn’t leave anyone without something to talk about. 

Interested readers are invited to attend this month’s meeting, or any of the future meetings at the library, which are posted online at www.royhartcommunitylibrary.com.

Please call the library at 716-735-3281 with any questions or for more information.

90 YEAR-OLD HARTLAND MAN DELIVERS MEALS

The Buffalo News has a great story in today's paper about 90 year-old Gasport resident Jack McQueen, who, at an age when people need meals delivered to them, is actually one of the people who deliver meals. Impressive.

As the article states...


Santa’s got nothing on Jack McQueen.

As a volunteer for the Home Delivered Meals Program, McQueen, 90, has been delivering hot meals and kinds words three times a week to homebound residents of Wilson and Ransomville for 27 years.

“He’s wonderful,” said Kara Donovan, coordinator of the program that is operated under auspices of the Niagara County Office for the Aging.

“While we have a lot of senior volunteers, he’s our oldest, and I do not believe we have had anyone else here that long,” she added. “He’s amazing.”


Read the full report here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121222/CITYANDREGION/121229722/1010

YELLOW GOOSE BURGLARIZED

The Buffalo News is reporting about $1,000 worth of cigarettes -- and more -- taken during a break-in overnight Friday at the Yellow Goose store on Route 31.

Read their report here:


http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121222/CITYANDREGION/121229736/1065

A SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOMECOMING

Today's Lockport paper is reporting of a very special homecoming that took place in Gasport. Five-year-old Madison Marciniak was in the Royalton-Hartland Elementary School Friday when her dad, U.S. Army Sgt. Timothy Marciniak, made a surprise appearance there after having served a year in the Middle East.

Read the story and check out the photos of the happy family here:

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x730418970/Holiday-homecoming

COUNTY TAX RATE TO CHANGE

Earlier this week, the Niagara County legislature adopted its $322 million budget.The average county tax rate will increase by 1.16%. The rate varies by town and city based on each municipality’s property valuation record.

What does that mean for Gasport?

Taxpayers in Hartland will pay $7.74 per $1,000 of assessed value while Royalton taxpayers will pay $7.89.

According to city-data.com, the median home value in Royalton is $105,951, meaning the median COUNTY property tax will be around $836.

That same website says Hartland homes have a median worth of $96,195, so the median COUNTY tax/household will be approximately $743.

ROYALTON GETS $30,000 GRANT FROM ALBANY

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday announced that $738 million has been awarded through Round Two of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

A centerpiece of the Governor's strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils were put in place in 2011 to redesign the state's approach to economic development from a top-down model to a community-based, performance-driven approach. The initiative empowers community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region's unique strengths and resources in order create jobs and support economic growth.

Among the 725 earmarks was $30,000 that will be used to conduct an engineering study of the waste water treatment plant on Bolton Road in Gasport.

Read the Governor's news release here:

http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/12192012Regional-Councils

REDPOLLS IN GASPORT

Last weekend I told Gasport birdwatchers to keep an eye out for pine siskins at their feeder. It looks like we have another winter visitor to Gasport --- the less common redpoll.

I hadn't seen redpolls in Gasport since my teen years, so we are looking at 20 years since a irruption like that which we have now. Winter in its full strength isn't upon us, yet I've had almost a dozen of these birds at my feeder this weekend.

These birds typically live where the spruces end and the tundra starts in northern Canada and sometimes they come down to the northern US when there normal foodstuff (birch, alder and willow seeds) is in low supply "north of 60".

They are very attractive, small birds with light brown and white plumage accented by red on the chest and a red topnotch (where the name redpoll comes from). They are not to be confused with the more sparrow-like house finches that frequent Gasport.

To learn about these birds go here:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Redpoll/lifehistory

To attract them to your yard, set out a feeder that has nyjer seed.

I hope you can see these delightful Canadian creatures!

ROY-HART'S PREPAREDNESS FOR A NEWTOWN-TYPE EVENT

Saturday's Lockport paper looked at how local police departments and school districts would be prepared if, God forbid, a Newtown-style massacre happened locally.

Here's what the paper reported about Royalton-Hartland's preparation:

Roy-Hart had a drill at the end of the year in June. The entire school was evacuated, with the middle school and high school students going to the church and the elementary children going to the fire hall for dismissal. Parents picked them up there.

Every day, there’s a lockout at the schools. The entrances are locked during the day and parents and visitors have to buzz to get permission to enter the school.

”We don’t what to have to do those things,” (Superintendent) MacDonald said. “We want to be warm and welcoming to kids and parents and community. Nobody ever thinks it can happen here.”

Read the rest of the article here:

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x2120616180/Locals-prepared-hope-they-dont-need-to-be

DICK LANG'S BOOK WOULD MAKE A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT

Another Gasport-themed book that would make a great Christmas present is the recent release by retired DEC officer, former Roy-Hart wrestling coach, and former Royalton supervisor Dick Lang.

It's an easy and fun read that's a collection of adventures from his days with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Entitled "Behind The Badge: My Life as a Game Warden", the 368-page tome is described as follows:

Whoever thought conservation work could be so exciting! After 34 years as a New York State Environmental Conservation Officer, Dick Lang has more stories than could fit into any one volume. Join him as he watches a fellow officer give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a deer, runs high-speed chases after dark, moves a cougar in the patrol car, finds a skeleton in the trunk of a car, and many more fun stories. Told in Dick’s comfortable, easy-to-read style and embellished with photos and illustrations, this is a book that will appeal to all ages and is a tribute to the dedication of our Environmental Conservation Officers, regardless of which state they patrol.

You can get a signed copy for $20 from Dick Lang himself. Call him at 716.433.7748 or email him at glang3@rochester.rr.com

GASPORT PICTURE BOOK MAKES FOR A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT

Back in 2010, Frederick Fierch of Middleport, in conjunction with Arcadia Publishing, released a pictorial book, Images of America: Royalton, Hartland and Middleport that features a great collection of awesome pictures highlighting our community's history. This would make a great Christmas gift for a Gaport resident on your list.

This book is available online at Barnes and Noble for $17.19 (plus taxes, shipping) at:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/royalton-middleport-and-hartland-new-york-frederick-g-fierch/1100095023

There are also copies available for $21.99 at Gordie Harper's Bazaar in Newfane (right at the entrance to the dining area).

GEMINID METEOR SHOWER

If you get up before dawn this morning watch the Geminid meteor shower.

In a 30-minute period this morning I saw 25 of them.

During the morning hunt, keep your eyes trained on the northern portion of the sky from ENE to NW. The great number were viewed in the NNE.

VERRATTI FARMS FEATURED IN FARM BILL NEWS STORY

Reporting from Verratti Farms in Gasport, WKBW news looks at how the fiscal cliff and lack of an updated Farm Bill would affect local farmers....

GASPORT NEW YEAR'S EVE

Gasport Fire Hall is having its 2nd annual New Years Eve Beach Party. Tickets are $25 per person.

This includes live music with Last Call, dinner, beer, and pop (BYO bottle). In addition to that they will have beer pong and a few other indoor games.

Dinner: pig roast, beef on weck, corn on the cob, macaroni salad and baked beans.

ANNABLE RECALLED WITH FONDNESS

Today's Greater Niagara Newspapers has an article entitled: "Super likable Annable recalled with fondness"...

William A. Annable, the longest serving supervisor in Niagara County, was remembered prior to the varsity basketball game between Barker and Kendall Tuesday night and a town board meeting in Somerset.

Read the rest of the article here:

http://niagara-gazette.com/local/x1839365883/Super-likable-Annable-recalled-with-fondness

WILLIAM ANNABLE OBITUARY

William A. Annable of Middleport entered into the Presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ surrounded by his family on Thursday December 6, 2012 at his home.

Mr. Annable was born in Johnson Creek on February 10, 1931 son of the late William L. and Ruth (Costello) Annable. and he has lived in the Middleport area all of his life.

He and his wife Jeanne R.( Tamlin) Annable were married August 1, 1953 at the Hartland Baptist Church and they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2003. Mr. Annable was a graduate of Royalton Hartland School in l948-Post Graduate 1949. He played on the 1948 Section VI Class B. Championship team. Mr. Annable attended the University of Buffalo 1949-1951 on a basketball scholarship. College was interrupted by the Korean War. Mr. Annable served in the US Coast Guard from l951-54 as a Hospital Corpsman Petit Officer 2nd Class. He served in the Coast Guard Reserve attaining the Rank of Lieutenant. He graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Teacher's Degree in l954-56.

He also served on the Niagara County Sheriff's Department in l956 and taught at Royalton Hartland as a Physical Education teacher and later he taught Health and Biology at Barker Central School for a total of 31 years retiring in l987. Mr. Annable served as President of the Barker Teacher's Union, was Athletic Director, Coached Basketball, Track, and in l972 coached the basketball team to Section V Class C. championship. Mr. Annable also served as Town of Hartland Supervisor for 34 years 1978- 2011. He was a longtime member of the Hartland Bible Church serving as Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent and was presently attending the Fellowship Community Church in Johnson Creek.

He was a member of the International Gideons, a member of American Legion Post #1253 in Gasport, was a former Chairman of the Town of Hartland Republican Party, Niagara County Republican Executive Committee and a former Chairman of the Niagara County Water District.

Mr Annable received the Niagara County Repbulican Party Liifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Mr. Annable enjoyed his family, espeically vacationing with his his family in the Adirondacks. He was happiest when he could help other people.

He was predeceased by his wife Jeanne R. Annable on December 1, 2003 and by a brother Joseph R. Annable in l934.

He is survived by his children W. Ross Annable (Audrey Jones), Jeffrey S. (Darcy) Annable and Maureen G. (Richard) Brown of all Middleport, two sisters Kaye Overbye of Connnecticut and Carol (William) Hussey of Middleport.

Also surviving are eight grandchildren and brother-in-laws James (Ann) Tamlin of Saugus, Mass., and George Tamlin of Middleport.

Friends may call Thursday and Friday from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM at the Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home, 38 State St., Middleport and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00AM at the Fellowship Community Church, Johnson Creek Rd., Middleport where funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Floyd Finch officiating. Members of American Legion Post # 1253 of Gasport will meet at the funeral home Friday at 9:00 PM

Burial will be in Hartland Central Cemetery.

Memorials to Gideons International, P. O. Box 276, Lockport, NY 14094 or the Fellowship Community Church, Johnson Creek Rd., Middleport, NY 14105 would be appreciated by the Annable family.

PINE SISKINS BACK IN GASPORT

Bird feeding is a great pastime that a lot of Gasport residents participate in.

One bird that locals should keep an eye out for is the pine siskin. This brown and white bird with yellow wing feathers is often confused with winter plumage goldfinches.

The siskin is a Canadian resident which, in most winters, only occasionally makes it into the northern tier states. Some years, though, there are irruptions, when, based on food supply issues, they come to the US by the hundreds of thousands. That last happened in the winter of 2008-2009. This year may be shaping up to be just like that irruption. I've seen a few large flocks on the farm already.

If you want to attract them to your yard, standard sunflower seeds might not cut it. They much prefer nyjer seeds. Nyjer seeds are on sale at the local Agway this week at 99 cents a pound. A pound of nyjer goes a long way.

Learn about siskins here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Siskin/id

Enjoy the birdwatching!

WILLIAM ANNABLE HAS PASSED AWAY

Today's Buffalo News is reporting that Gasport community lost one of its greatest citizens, someone who forever changed the town of Hartland for the better...

Longtime Town of Hartland Supervisor William “Bill” A. Annable died in his home Thursday after a long illness. He was 81.

His son, W. “Ross” Annable, who took over the town’s top post on Jan. 1, said his father had been under hospice care.

Mr. Annable served as Hartland supervisor from 1978 to 2011 – the longest-serving town supervisor in Niagara County history, according to his son. He retired last Dec. 31, following the November election of his son.

Read the report here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121208/CITYANDREGION/121209204/1116

FREE COMMUNITY DINNER IN MIDDLEPORT

On Wednesday, December 19th from 5:00 – 6:30 PM there will be a free community dinner at the Middleport United Methodist Church at the corner of Park and Vernon Streets in Middleport.

They will be serving turkey casserole, salad, and dessert.

Activities will be provided for children.

All are welcome!

CHICKEN & BISCUIT DINNER THIS SUNDAY

The Covenant United Church on Main Street in the hamlet will be having a chicken & biscuit dinner this Sunday, December 9th from noon till "all gone". Cost is $7/adult, $5/children. Take-out is available.

WGRZ TO PROMOTE ALWAYS CHRISTMAS

Melissa Holmes of Channel 2 news will be at the Always Christmas store on Thursday to interview owner Kitty Ulrich and run a story about the store as a part of WGRZ's "Unique Places" series.

Stay tuned to this blog and the Gasport Facebook page to know when the broadcast day/time will be!

LIKE STANDISH-JONES ON FACEBOOK

Show the folks at everyone's favorite hardware store -- Standish-Jones -- a little love and "like" them on Facebook.

Their page is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Standish-Jones-Building-Supply/435223279869766

While you're at it, like their Always Christmas page, too!: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Always-Christmas/480302645325764?ref=ts&fref=ts

GASPORT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FOR THE KIDS

Gasport Beautification Committee's Annual Christmas Celebration for the Community Children will be this Sunday, December 9th at 4pm. The celebration will be held at the Gasport Chemical Hose Firehall on State Street.

Families can enjoy the Lighting of the Community Tree, a visit with Santa, Horse and Wagon rides, Basket Raffles, Hot Cocoa, cookies, games and Face Painting with the Girl Scouts,  and gifts for all the Children.  Come join the fun with your family and friends.

FUTURE TEACHERS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT LIBRARY

Roy-Hart’s Future Teachers Club will be reading children’s books and playing Christmas music again this year at the Royalton Hartland Community Library on Saturday, December 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this annual event that takes place at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

Residents, and especially children, have enjoyed this free, fun holiday celebration at the library for several years. It is hosted by the members of the Future Teachers Club from the Royalton-Hartland Central High School, and the students look forward to reading to as many children as possible to local children. Band members from Roy-Hart will also be providing the holiday music during the celebration and serving holiday treats and cider.

It's a great time to spend reading, listening to live music and enjoying the spirit of the season and the aspiring future teachers from Roy-Hart hope to see lots of families and children.

For more information, please call 716-735-3281, ask at the Royalton Hartland Community Library at 9 Vernon St., Middleport NY.

ROYALTON'S NOVEMBER MINUTES ONLINE

The town of Royalton has posted online their minutes from the November public hearing for the town budget (http://townofroyalton.org/content/MinuteCategories/View/9:field=minutes;/content/Minutes/View/215), the hearing for the special assessment roll (http://townofroyalton.org/content/MinuteCategories/View/9:field=minutes;/content/Minutes/View/214  ), and the regular monthly meeting (http://townofroyalton.org/content/MinuteCategories/View/9:field=minutes;/content/Minutes/View/216 ).

ROY-HART GRAD DeWATERS NAMED ALL-AMERICAN IN FIELD HOCKEY

SUNY Cortland senior back Liz DeWaters -- a graduate of Royalton-Hartland -- has been selected as as an NCAA Division III third-team All-American by the web site womensfieldhockey.com.

DeWaters started all 17 games for the Red Dragons this fall. She made two defensive saves and played a key role on a defensive unit that allowed only 24 goals and posted seven shutouts. She was also selected compete in the 2012 NFHCA Division III Senior Game and was a first-team All-State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) selection.

Cortland finished the season with a 9-8 record.

82- YEAR OLD GASPORT WOMAN ROBBED OF $6,0000

The New York State Police issued the following news release yesterday....

On November 29, 2012 the New York State Police in Lockport arrested GRACE M. INCORVAIA, age 31, of West Ave., Lockport, NY for Grand Larceny in the third degree and Forgery in the second degree, class D felonies.

On October 23, 2012 the State Police in Lockport were contacted by a Gasport resident who discovered that his 82 year old mother-in-law's checking account was being drained at a rapid rate.  The investigation revealed that INCORVAIA had forged several checks from the victim which totaled over $6,000.00.

INCORVAIA was arraigned before Town of Hartland Judge SULLIVAN was remanded to the Niagara County Jail on $2,500.00 cash bail.

CHRISTMAS AT SCHWAB'S

The Christmas open house at Schwab Farm Market will take place this weekend from 9:00 to 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday. There will be refreshments, special deals, prizes and more!

TERRY'S CORNERS HANDLES CAR IN CREEK

Reporting for 1st Responder Broadcast News, Stephen Wallace covered an accident in Royalton where a car went off the road and nearly ended up in a creek.

He notes....

The creek however made it so the rescue all took part from the drivers side. The steep angle made it difficult to move in and out of the car, however T.C. had Durff on scene a veteran rescue and fire scene overseer. Durff used his skills to carefully maneuver manpower in and out of the scene and to make sure the best care was being utilized in the safest manner.


Read his report and see a collection of 8 on-scene photos here:

http://www.1strespondernews.com/webpages/news/DisplayNews.aspx?PT=state&state=NY&ID=79c73031-d8c8-4137-8375-de56736fc8d2

BOOK CLUB TO DISCUSS HOLIDAY-THEMED FICTION

On Monday, December 3, the members of the Book Club at the Royalton Hartland Community Library will be getting into the Christmas season as they discuss holiday-themed fiction at 7 p.m. in the upstairs Community Room.

All adults are welcome to attend and to share their seasonal favorites.

“The library has a collection of holiday-themed fiction to choose from, and interested participants are invited to stop by for a copy if they need a book or an idea for our Book Club discussion on December 3,” says Rose Bernard, Library Director.

“It’s great when new folks join us and expand our horizons with their interests and insights,” she adds. “Our Book Club is a group of local people who just love to read, and want to share their good reads with other people,” says Rose Bernard, Library Director.

Anyone interested in the Roylaton Hartland Community Library Book Club or the group’s December 3 meeting can call 735-3281 or visit the library at 9 Vernon Street in Middleport. Program updates are also posted online at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com.

SIXTH ANNUAL MITTEN TREE

When you’re out and about shopping for Christmas, please extend your giving beyond your family. Please buy a gift for a needy child in Gasport.

The Mitten Tree is back this year.

This is the sixth year for this awesome program that is run by Absolut Care, the Gasport Lions Club and the Roy-Hart Schools.

Here’s how it works…

The tree will be located out front of the Gasport post office at the corner of Main Street and Route 31 and it will be dedicated this Tuesday at 10:00 AM.

Take a mitten from it and give a gift that is appropriate to the age/gender of the child noted on the mitten.

Attach the mitten to the unwrapped gift and drop it off by Wednesday, December 12th at Absolut Care, the Elementary School or Drum Oil. The Lions Club will distribute the gifts in time for the holidays.

It’s extremely important that the community supports the Mitten Tree. The economy is still a mess, unemployment is still high, and we need everyone in the community to be heroes to those who can't afford to brighten their kids' Christmas.

Please participate and make Christmas a little better for a child – maybe even your neighbor – who is in need. That’s what the holiday is all about.

GASPORT HOME A TOTAL LOSS IN FIRE

Here is a news release from the Niagara County Sheriffs Office regarding a home fire in Gasport. Bad news any time of the year, more so at the holidays. Sad:


On 11/24/12 at approximately 05:23 hours, NCSO responded to 4729 Cottage Road for a structure fire. Upon arrival, patrol units observed the house fully engulfed and the three occupants of the house safely out.

Terry's Corners Volunteer Fire Company responded along with South Lockport and Gasport Volunteer Fire Companies.

The homeowners, THOMAS and BARBARA VENDETTA were taken to Lockport hospital for evaluation of possible smoke inhalation.

Fire Command requested that National Grid respond to turn off the power. RED CROSS was notified for 3 adults.

Once the fire was extinguished, the scene was turned over to Niagara County Fire Investigation Unit. The house was estimated to be a total loss.

ALUMNI GAME TONIGHT

The 7th annual co-ed Alumni Basketball game takes place tonight at the Roy-Hart high school gym. The festivities start at 7PM and all proceeds benefit all Roy-Hart sports and student-athletes. Post game party at Pony's. 

ROYALTON BOARD MEETS TONIGHT

Board Meeting Agenda

Date: Mon, Nov 19, 2012

TOWN OF ROYALTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING

November 19, 2012

1. Open Meeting 2. Pledge to the Flag 3. Public Hearings - Special Benefit Assessment Roll & 2013 Budget 4. Additions or corrections of the minutes as presented 5. Public Comment - Agenda Items Only 6. Communications / Petitions
New Business


« Resolution to accept the Supervisor's Report for the month of October 2012.

« Resolution to accept the Special Benefit Assessment Roll for the Town of Royalton as follows:

ROYALTON WATER DISTRICT:
Water District With Improvements .................................. $250.00 / Unit
Water District Without Improvements .............................. $ 50.00 / Unit
Unimproved District with Water .................................. $ 10.00 / Unit
Unimproved District Without Water ................................. $ 1.00 / Unit

ROYALTON REFUSE DISTRICT: ................................. $181.75 / Unit

Resolution to adopt the 2013 Town of Royalton Budget as presented. The amounts to be raised by taxation are as follows:

ROYALTON WATER DISTRICT $586,109.00
ROYALTON SEWER DISTRICT $146,054.00
ROYALTON REFUSE DISTRICT $444,561.00
GASPORT LIGHTING DISTRICT $ 16,000.00
ROYALTON FIRE PROTECTION $449,573.00
DRAINAGE FUND $128,452.00

Pursuant to Section 108 of the New York State Town Law, the proposed salaries of the Town Officers are hereby specified:

Supervisor (1) $16,000.00
Town Board Members (4) $24,000.00 ($ 6,000.00 each)
Town Justice (2) $35,496.00 ($17,748.00 each)
Town Clerk (1) $45,241.00
Superintendent of Highways (1) $58,298.00
Tax Collector (1) $ 6,600.00

FURTHER NOTICE is given that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the Exemption report that shows total assessed value on the final assessment roll that was used in the budgetary process that is exempt from taxation is on file with the Preliminary 2013 Budget.

Resolution to re-appoint Mr. John Villella to the Board of Assessment Review for a five (5) year term. Term of office to run from 10/1/2012 - 9/30/2017.

Resolution to accept Jack Baker as a Junior Member of the Wolcottsville Volunteer Fire Company.

Resolution to authorize Mr. Richard O'Grady to mow the Royalton Mountain Ridge Cemetery and prepare it for winter due to the recent rain storms from Hurricane Sandy.

Resolution to award the bid for the 64-Gallon Curbside Recycle Carts to Cascade Engineering, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $112,250.00 for the purchase of 2,500 carts. Bids received for this contract are as follows:

Cascade Engineering, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI $112,250.00
Rehrig Pacific Company, Erie, PA $120,935 or $120,800.00 (Depending on In Mold Label)


Resolution to acknowledge that the Town Board of the Town of Royalton has examined and audited the Town Justice Courts records for fiscal year ending in 2012.

Resolution to authorize Highway Superintendent Terry Nieman to purchase a new Utility Trailer from Bobcat of Buffalo at a cost not to exceed $5,694.00. Bids received for this piece of equipment are as follows:

Bobcat of Buffalo, Lockport NY $5,694.00 STS Trailer & Truck Equipment, Bowmansville, NY $5,850.00
Monroe Tractor, Buffalo, NY $6,898.00


Resolution to authorize Highway Superintendent Terry Nieman to purchase a Double Drum Vibrating Roller from Five Star Equipment, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $28,696.00. Bids received for this piece of equipment are as follows:

Five Star Equipment, Inc., Orchard Park, NY $28,696.00 (New)
Admar Supply Co., Inc., Tonawanda, NY $32,900.00 (New)
Milton Cat, Syracuse, NY $33,396.00 (Used-2011)
Monroe Tractor, Buffalo, NY $34,450.00 (New)
Vantage Equipment, Batavia, NY $36,518.00 (New)

Resolution for authorization to pay the bills.

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



7. Public Comment - Good and Welfare of the Community
8. Adjournment - Motion to Adjourn

THANKSGIVING EVE AT BECKER FARMS

Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest party/bar nights of the year...many people return to their hometowns for family get-togethers and the Wednesday before the big dinner represents a great time to catch up with old friends.

There's a perfect venue for such celebration in Gasport.

Becker Brewing Company at Becker Farms will be hosting a Thanksgiving Eve party on Wednesday the 21st from 8:00 PM to midnight. There will be beer, wine, and food along with live music by Dave Stockton and Pocket Change.

DICK LANG'S BOOK AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Former Royalton town supervisor, former Roy-Hart wrestling coach and retired DEC officer Dick Lang just released a book entitled "Behind The Badge: My Life as a Game Warden".

The 368-page tome is available at Amazon.com for $12.76 before shipping and taxes. The description on the website reads:

Whoever thought conservation work could be so exciting! After 34 years as a New York State Environmental Conservation Officer, Dick Lang has more stories than could fit into any one volume. Join him as he watches a fellow officer give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a deer, runs high-speed chases after dark, moves a cougar in the patrol car, finds a skeleton in the trunk of a car, and many more fun stories. Told in Dick’s comfortable, easy-to-read style and embellished with photos and illustrations, this is a book that will appeal to all ages and is a tribute to the dedication of our Environmental Conservation Officers, regardless of which state they patrol.

I've ordered my copy and look forward to reading of Dick's adventures. The Amazon link is:

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-The-Badge-Life-Warden/dp/1480144215/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353259534&sr=8-2&keywords=dick+lang

MESSIAH PERFORMANCE IN MIDDLEPORT

The Middleport Community Choirs presents...

Selections from Messiah

Friday, December 14, 2012 7:00 PM

United Methodist Church Middleport, NY

This free performance will join the Middleport Community Choir and the United Methodist Choir, singing selected choruses from "The Messiah".

The featured organist will be Danielle Mileham.

HELP ROY-HART SECURE A PLAYGROUND GRANT

I received a message from Kelly Murphy who's trying to get the community behind a great cause through Clorox and it's "Power a Bright Future" program. Let's give her --- and our community -- the support!

Here's the lowdown on the endeavor.

There will be a total of 7 grants given away by Clorox this year — 4 based on votes, and 3 based on judge’s pick. The nomination with the most votes overall will receive a $50,000 grant. The nominations with the most votes in each category will each receive a $25,000 grant. Clorox will then review all nominations and pick one from each category based on merit to award a $25,000 grant in each category.

If Roy-Hart were to win the Clorox contest the corporation would give the District money to build a new playground at Gasport Elementary. The description on the Clorox website reads as follows:

Roy-Hart Elementary School is seeking this grant to grow its existing playground with newer, safer, and more adaptive equipment to serve children of all abilities and ages in its district. The old, weathered playground that existed before the expansion is now half its original size to accommodate the new building, and has no adaptive play equipment for children with special needs to learn and develop to the best of their abilities. In addition, it would benefit the rural community as a whole because it would be a gathering place for families to allow their children a safe place to play and grow.

There are 35 days left to vote. You can vote on the website and by text EVERY DAY. 

The text code is 681pbf (text to 95248).

The Roy-Hart page on the Clorox website is: https://powerabrightfuture.clorox.com/nominees/detail/?nid=681 Add it to your "favorites" and vote everyday.

This is just like how Lockport Hospital got their MRI machine.So, vote early...vote often...share this on your Facebook pages to get more people involved.

Let's add to our little gem of a community with a victory!

KEVIN MacDONALD IS A FINALIST FOR BOCES ROLE

Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES has identified three finalists for the District’s next top administrator. Among them is the superintendent of  Royalton-Hartland, Kevin MacDonald.

The three finalists are scheduled for day-long school visits which will include a community forum which allows staff and the community to meet the applicants and ask questions. MacDonald is there today.

Here is the bio that BOCES has provided the press...

Kevin MacDonald has worked his way up through the ranks from teacher, teacher on Special Assignment/assistant principal in the Lewiston-Porter CSD, High School principal at Royalton-Hartland CSD, director of Alternative Education at Erie 1 BOCES, assistant superintendent at Orleans/Niagara BOCES, and for the last three and half years, superintendent of Schools in Royalton-Hartland CSD. 

As a teacher, MacDonald traveled to Moscow, Russia to work with Russian teachers on how to teach democracy. He set up a sister school in Minsk, Belarus that would allow for exchange of students with the students of Lewiston-Porter CSD in Western New York. Additionally, he was awarded a $3,000 grant from the Committee for Identifying and Developing Educational Leaders (CIDEL) to participate in the Superintendents Development program sponsored by SUNY Oswego.

He has been asked to conduct a number of presentations on a variety of topics including "Managing School District Finances in Turbulent Times” to the group Leadership Niagara that earned a "Top Speaker" award for the 2012 cohort of Leadership Niagara. Other presentations included "Integrated Academics in CTE," "The Changing Face of Education in our Community," “Impact of Carl D. Perkins Grant," and "The Future of Education in Niagara County."

MacDonald has been active in a number of community groups and has served on a number of Boards including Leadership Niagara, Niagara County Workforce Investment Board, Niagara Frontier Industry and Education Council, Niagara County Comprehensive Economic Development Committee, and Wheatfield Blades Youth Hockey. Most recently he has been appointed as a Board member for the Rural Schools Association of New York State, and represents the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

He has been a member of many professional organizations including NYSCOSS, Phi Delta Kappa, Association of Career and Technical Education, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and American Association of School Administrators

MacDonald and his wife Kim have been married for 17 years, and have four children together. In addition to coaching youth ice hockey, he enjoys playing golf and getting away once a year on a family vacation that allows them a rare opportunity to spend time with each other with no other interruptions or distractions.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Fredonia

Master of Science from Buffalo State College

School District Administrator Certification from Niagara University


See how he fares against the other candidates by reading the Wayne Post article here:

http://www.waynepost.com/latestnews/x1665833273/Three-finalists-selected-in-BOCES-district-superintendent-search?zc_p=0

SEX OFFENDER MOVES OUT OF GASPORT

The NY-Alert system sent out this message yesterday...

NY Alert is sending this notice because you registered to receive notification when an offender moves into or out of your requested area. We are notifying you of a move into/out of the area you specified.

HENRY W SMITH has moved from 7578 ROCHESTER RD, GASPORT, NY 14067 to 73 ELMWOOD AVE APT 1, LOCKPORT, NY 14094

Please access the Sex Offender Sub-directory from the Division of Criminal Justice Services website by clicking on the following link for additional details for this move. Thank you.

http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/offenderDetails.jsp?offenderid=21040

LIBRARY LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS DISPLAY ITEMS

The Royalton Hartland Community Library is looking for someone with a great collection to fill their showcase with a holiday exhibit for December and a winter exhibit for January.

These featured collections are a big hit at the library and can feature almost anything from collectibles, antiques, memorabilia, kvetch items, historical pieces and more.

Your items are safely inside a glass case for people to see for the month. When the month is over, they return them to you with their thanks for sharing them.

Please call the library at 716-735-3281 and let them know if you are interested in having lots of people "ooh" and "ahh" over your collection.

MORE ON THE HARTLAND PARKING LOT ARRAIGNMENT

Last week we linked to a Lockport Union Sun & Journal story about an arraignment that occurred in the Hartland town hall parking lot because the individual who was arrested (19 year old Zach Dunn) was so belligerent and unruly they couldn't get him out of the police car. So, they brought the court to him. 

The editor -- Mr. John Hopkins -- featured this event in his weekly Sunday column which you can read here:

http://lockportjournal.com/opinion/x121544576/HOPKINS-Theres-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way

Among his comments in his column....

On Facebook, a reader challenged some of the story. We asked for proof and the reader responded with a link to a shaky video of the incident on You Tube. The footage lasts less than two minutes. Most of the comments on You Tube are too explicit to repeat here, but it’s obvious that some at the party felt the deputies went too far.

After viewing the video, I disagree.

Although most of the video is dark, it seems fairly obvious that the man is acting belligerent toward the deputies. They ask him if he wants to go to jail and he responds by asking the deputy, “do you want to take your badge off?” The rest is difficult to make out.

However, it’s fairly clear that the man pushes a deputy. That’s when several deputies tried to arrest him.

Had he simply complied with a simple request, he’d probably have been released on an appearance ticket. Instead, he’s facing a felony charge for assaulting a police officer.

Here is the YouTube video that Hopkins mentioned. As he alludes to above, the content and the comments aren't very family friendly...

From my perspective watching this grainy video, the police did nothing out of the ordinary...and nothing wrong. The kid was obviously belligerent and it certainly appears that he takes the first swing at the officer.

I agree with Hopkins' assessment of the event.

Seems to me that those who might find the arrest controversial are those who count themselves as friends of the arrested individual.

DEMOGRAPHICS OF GASPORT'S FANS

Do women more love their community than men do?

That's the question I pose after looking at the age and sex demographics for the fans of the Gasport Facebook page. According to Facebook analytics, females comprise a great majority of those who "like" Gasport.

60.3% of the page's 1,349 fans are women while 38.4%  are men.

Don't ask me who makes up the remaining 1.3%.

GASPORT SOLDIER RECOGNIZED BY WIVB

In their celebration of Veterans Day, WIVB (TV 4) is recognizing local soldiers.

Among them is Gasport's Jacob Torriere.

Here is their profile of the patriotic young man...

http://interactives.wivb.com/photomojo/gallery/5071/102307/veterans-day-in-wny/jacob-torriere/

MELVIN NICHOLS IDENTIFIED AS VICTIM OF GASPORT TRAGEDY

The Niagara County Sheriff's Department has announced that Melvin Nichols was the victim of the tree-cutting accident that occurred in Gasport on Wednesday evening.

Melvin was a veteran of WWII and a local contractor. Here is his obituary....


Melvin James Nichols, age 88, of Gasport, entered into rest on Thursday, November 8, 2012. Born December 7, 1923 in Lockport, he was the son of the late Edward and Elsie (Watling) Nichols.

Melvin enlisted in the US Navy in 1941 and was honorably discharged in 1946. While serving his country, he served on several ships and was a plank owner or "original crew member" on the USS Yorktown. In 1944, Melvin married Dorothy Grice in Norfolk, VA. Mrs. Nichols passed away in 1993. Melvin was an honorary graduate of Lockport High School. He was a master craftsman and worked as a self employed contractor. He built many homes in the area including his own. He enjoyed woodworking, farming, working on his tractors and logging the woods near his home. Melvin was a member of the Gasport American Legion Post #1253 and the Hartland Historical Society. He was a lifetime resident of the Gasport area.

He is survived by his children: James (Pam) Nichols of Indiana, Donna (Thomas) Eckman of Argentina, Steve Nichols of Hamburg, Jan (Mark) Harris of Rochester and Joyce (Lee) Wright of Gasport. 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive him. Brother of the late: Herbert Nichols, Dora Cave, Irene Roberts, Richard Nichols, June Carr and Myrtle Bisher.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at the Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home, 4521 Main Street, Gasport, on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:00 am at Ridgewood Bible Church, 7073 Ridge Road, Lockport, NY. Interment will be in Orangeport Union Cemetery, Gasport, NY.

Memorials appreciated to Ridgewood Bible Church or Niagara Hospice.



You can leave condolences online here:


http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Melvin-Nichols&lc=6899&pid=160965096&mid=5301247&locale=en-US

ROYALTON BUDGET HEARINGS

TOWN OF ROYALTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Royalton will hold separate public hearings on the matters referenced to herein at the Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York, on the 19th day of November, 2012 beginning at 7:00 PM (local time); said public hearings shall be as follows:

SPECIAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT ROLL

ROYALTON WATER DISTRICT :
Water District With Improvements $250.00 / Unit
Water District Without Improvements $ 50.00 / Unit
Unimproved District with Water $ 10.00 / Unit
Unimproved District Without Water $ 1.00 / Unit

ROYALTON REFUSE DISTRICT : $181.75 / Unit


*******************************************************************************

2013 TOWN OF ROYALTON TOWN BUDGET

Amounts to be raised by taxation are as follows:

ROYALTON WATER DISTRICT $586,109.00
ROYALTON SEWER DISTRICT $ 146,054.00
ROYALTON REFUSE DISTRICT $444,561.00
GASPORT LIGHTING DISTRICT $ 16,000.00
ROYALTON FIRE PROTECTION $449,573.00
DRAINAGE FUND $ 128,452.00

Pursuant to Section 108 of the New York State Town Law, the proposed salaries of the Town Officers are hereby specified:

Supervisor (1) $16,000.00
Town Board Members (4) $24,000.00 ($ 6,000.00 each)
Town Justice (2) $35,496.00 ($17,748.00 each)
Town Clerk (1) $45,241.00
Superintendent of Highways (1) $58,298.00
Tax Collector (1) $ 6,600.00

FURTHER NOTICE is given that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the Exemption report that shows total assessed value on the final assessment roll that was used in the budgetary process that is exempt from taxation is on file with the Preliminary 2013 Budget.

The Town Board of the Town of Royalton will hear any person in favor of or against the preliminary budget as filed with the Town Clerk. All parties in interest and citizens will be heard at the public hearings to be held as aforesaid.

GASPORT MAN DIES WHEN TREE FALLS ON HIM

An 88-year-old man died just after 6:00 PM last night when the tree he was working on behind 7685 Wheeler Rd. in Gasport fell upon him. He was pronounced dead at the scene and the Sheriff's Department has yet to release his name.

UNRULY MAN ARRAIGNED IN PARKING LOT

The Hartland town hall was the site of a very unusual judicial experience earlier this week as a 19-year-old man was arraigned in the parking lot after deputies reported they couldn’t remove him from a patrol car due to his “uncontrollable state.”

Read the entire report at the Lockport US&J's website:


http://lockportjournal.com/local/x257826410/Unruly-man-arraigned-in-parking-lot

SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT

The Roy-Hart school board meets tonight at 7:00 the High School media center. Download the agenda and board member packet here:


http://royhart.org/BOE%2012%2013%20agendas%20&%20minutes/110812.pdf

BUDGET HEARING TONIGHT IN HARTLAND

The Hartland Town Board is proposing a 6 cent tax rate hike when it presents its preliminary $3 million budget for 2013 during a public hearing planned for 7:30 p.m. today.

The hearing is set for Town Hall, 8942 Ridge Road, and will be followed by a regular meeting.

The 6 cent increase in the rate per $1,000 assessed value would raise the tax rate from $2.41 to $2.47, according to Town Supervisor William R. Annable.


Read about the details of the budget in this Buffalo News report....

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121107/CITYANDREGION/121109349/1003&template=printart

WAGNER IS ROYALTON'S NEW TOWN JUSTICE

The Lockport Union Sun and Journal is saying -- unofficially -- that Laura Wagner is Royalton's new town justice, having what appears to be a 362 vote lead over Jim Budde.

Read the article here:

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x1499659729/Wagner-wins-by-family-count

APPLY FOR THE FARM BUREAU SCHOLARSHIP

The New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship is for New York high school seniors who have some involvement with agriculture in one of its many forms. Applications are due November 18th and final judging will take place in March. It is open to any youth who live, work or are involved with a farm and are pursuing further education in agriculture. District winners receive $100 plus a gift and compete for the state-wide scholarships, offered in $1,500, $1,200 and $1,000 denominations.

For details and an application, go here and scroll to the bottom of the page: http://www.nyfb.org/membership/subpage.cfm?ID=49

THE 2012 PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY DRIVE

In 2010, Lockport's Pete Robinson -- a community organizer and a court officer for Niagara County -- founded the Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive to satisfy a need of food pantries to provide the nourishing and tasty food to local kids.

The Drive, now in its third year, is underway in Niagara County. Collection will continue till December 6th, after which they'll begin to distribute the goods to local food pantries.

They need your help!

Donate what you can. But know they do not accept money...only peanut butter, jelly or fluff.

Collection sites in Gasport and Middleport are:

The Chop Shop
Middleport Village Hall
Royalton Town Hall
Royalton-Hartland High School

MORE DOE PERMITS AVAILABLE FOR GASPORT

The DEC has leftover deer management permits ("doe permits") for 13 units across the state, including 9A which includes a good portion of Gasport:


Those parts of Erie and Niagara Counties lying within a continuous line beginning at the confluence of the East Branch of the Niagara River and Tonawanda Creek (Niagara-Erie county boundary) near Tonawanda; thence easterly along the Niagara-Erie county boundary (Tonawanda Creek) to Route 78; thence northerly along Route 78 to Route 31 in Lockport; thence northeasterly along Route 31 to Route 31E at Middleport; thence northerly along Route 31E to Niagara County Route 271 (Stone Road); thence northerly along Niagara County Route 271 to Route 104; thence easterly along Route 104 to Route 269 (County Line Road) at Jeddo; thence northerly along Route 269 and its northern extension to the south shore of Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park; thence westerly along the south shore of Lake Ontario to the New York-Canadian boundary; thence southerly along the New York-Canadian boundary to the Grand Island-Tonawanda town line; thence northeasterly along the Grand Island-Tonawanda town line to the Niagara-Erie county boundary; thence easterly along the Niagara-Erie county boundary to the point of beginning.

Applications for leftover DMPs will be accepted at license issuing outlets only. Applications will not be accepted by phone, mail or on-line for leftover DMPs.

• Hunters may apply for and receive up to two additional DMPs in these WMUs.
• Applicants with licenses that are exempt from paying a DMP application fee or hunters who have previously applied for DMPs this license year will not be charged any additional fees during the extended application period. Otherwise, there is a non-refundable $10 application fee for leftover DMPs.
• Leftover DMPs are issued on a first-come / first-serve basis. DEC will continue to issue permits in these WMUs until sufficient numbers of DMPs are issued to achieve optimum management in each unit. When a unit is opened, it will remain open at least until close of business that day. At the end of the business day, any units that have reached the desired number of permits will be closed.
• Applications for leftover DMPs will not affect any preference points held by the applicant.

Note: DMPs are only valid for antlerless deer in the WMU for which they are issued.

ERIE CANAL IS OPEN AGAIN

After being closed due to Hurricane Sandy, the Niagara section of the Erie Canal is open for navigation again.

ELECTION NIGHT DINNER

If you're looking for dinner after you've hit the polls on Tuesday night (and haven't yet lost your appetite from all of the politics in recent weeks), stop by Hartland United Methodist Church where Donna Eick's crew will be serving chicken & biscuits from 4:30 to 6:30. The Church is located at 8017 Ridge Road, just to the west of Hartland Corners (Route 104 & Hartland Road).

ROYALTON'S OCTOBER MINUTES

The minutes from Royalton's October town board meeting are now available on the town's website. Read them here:

http://townofroyalton.org/content/MinuteCategories/View/9:field=minutes;/content/Minutes/View/212

ALWAYS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

ALWAYS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

The Always Christmas store will be having their annual open house this Saturday, November 3rd from 11 am to 4 pm at Standish-Jones Building Supply in Gasport. There will be games, giveaways, discounts, and refreshments. Plus, the kids can visit with Santa, have their photo taken aboard the "S-J Express," and make a train ornament to take home. For more information, please call Standish-Jones at 772-2611.

ERIE CANAL IS CLOSED

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Canal system is closed to navigation effective immediately.

“Travel along the canal system will be made far too dangerous by the winds and flooding that Hurricane Sandy will bring with it to New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “This closure will protect boaters and allow public safety officials and first responders to continue to prepare for the storm’s arrival.”

Guard gates and lift bridges statewide will be maintained in a lowered position until further notice, to prevent structural damage from forecast high winds associated with Hurricane Sandy.

Water levels throughout the Canal system may change with little advance notice as the storm progresses.

The Canal Corporation began lowering water levels in many sections of the Canal system on Thursday, in anticipation of the storm.

Portions of the Canal system will be re-opened as conditions allow.

For up-to-date information, call 1-800-4CANAL4 (press 3 during non-business hours), visit www.canals.ny.gov , or sign up for free updates from the Thruway’s Authority’s TRANSalert system. To subscribe, please see http://www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/index.shtml

BINGO CANCELLED

A sign that the apocalypse is upon us: Tonight's bingo at Terry's Corners has been cancelled. 

POWER OUTAGES & DOWN LINES

Town Supervisor Jennifer Bieber sent along this message...

I was on a conference call with National Grid this afternoon.  A few things that everyone should know...

If there are downed wires or broken poles, people should be calling 911 for those types of emergencies. 

If there is an outage, people can call 1-800-867-5222.  Updates on restorations can be checked by going to the website, www.nationalgrid.com and click on NY and then on the outage central.  You can also text the word STORM to 64743 to get updates. 

National Grid will be handling emergencies all night and will be fully staffed as this storm hits our area.  It's hard to diagnose problems in the dark, so they will be on the ground running at 5 AM to start taking care of outages.  The priority will be the downed lines and the high voltage lines, then working their way out, the sub stations, the critical areas where there are hospitals, nursing homes, water and sewer plants. 

 

Please remember, if you see a downed power line, treat it as a LIVE line!  Stay away, report it, stay safe.  If you're running a generator, make sure it's in a well ventilated area!  This storm will be ramping up around 5pm and the worst time will be from 8 PM to 8 AM.  Stay safe!!

WLVL & HURRICANE SANDY

WLVL 1340 in Lockport will be offering updates throughout the day and Donna Pieszala will be live during the 5:00 PM hour tonight. They also broadcast WGRZ TV2's news audio at 6:00. At 6:30 they will have a new local talk show (focusing on cars and bikes, I believe) that will also talk about the storm as needed. The crew at Culver Communications is also on call to broadcast local updates throughout the night as needed. 

TROOP 23 MEETING CANCELLED

Boy Scout Troop 23 of Middleport has cancelled tonight's meeting due to the weather.

KEEP CONNECTED TO THE BLOG DURING HURRICANE SANDY

In the event that the storm actually lives up to the hype and isn't mass hysteria, you can count on the Gasport blog and its Facebook page to keep you posted of what's happening in Royalton and Hartland. I always have an ear to the scanner and various other news sources, so I will post things as they become known. If you get any news tips or snap some good pictures, send them my way for posting. The email address is bobconfer@juno.com  

ROY-HART'S AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Per a news alert on WLVL...

All after-school activities at Roy-Hart have been cancelled for Monday, October 29th in advance of Hurricane Sandy.

EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES

With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the region, you might want to unearth your police scanner to track wind damage, power outages and more.

Here are some good frequencies to listen to that affect Gasport residents:

Niagara County Sheriff: 154.755
Niagara County Sheriff tactical: 154.475

Fire & ambulance dispatch: 425.4625
Fire  "Ops 1": 425.3125
Fire "Ops 2": 425.3375

Erie Canal boat traffic: 156.650

Lockport ham radio repeater: 146.820

WINTER PARKING RULES IN EFFECT NOVEMBER 1

NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Local Law Number 1 for the year 2001 entitled "An Amendment to the Winter Parking Law of the Town of Royalton" which was adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Royalton on the 12 th day of March 2001 be advised as follows:

SECTION 2. PARKING LIMITS .

It shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle on a Town Highway and/or right of way within the Town of Royalton between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 st of any year to April 1 st of the year immediately following.

A copy of Local Law No. 2, 2001 can be viewed in the Town of Royalton Town Clerk 's Office, 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, New York 14105 during regular business hours.

Terry Nieman Superintendent of Highways Town of Royalton

HARTLAND TO HOLD BUDGET HEARING

TOWN OF HARTLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Hartland will hold separate public hearings on the matters referred to herein at the Town Hall, 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport, New York, on the 08th of November, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

Said public hearings will be as follows:

1. A Public Hearing on the preliminary budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2013, as required by Town Law section 108 for the purpose of considering the preliminary budget, and receiving comments from the public relative thereto. Said Budget is on file with the Town Clerk of the Town of Hartland where it may be inspected by any interested person during normal business hours.

Pursuant to Section 108 of the Town Law, the proposed salaries of the following Town Officers are hereby specified as follows:

SUPERVISOR $ 15,810.00
COUNCILMEN (4@) $ 5,310.00 each
TOWN CLERK $ 41,295.00
SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS $ 41,817.00

All persons, interested will be heard at the Public Hearing to be held as aforesaid.

2. A public hearing on amounts raised by taxation are as follows:

HARTLAND WATER DISTRICT $388,513.00
HARTLAND FIRE DISTRICT $214,773.00
HARTLAND REFUSE $272,252.00

All persons, interested will be heard at the Public Hearing to be held as aforesaid relative to assessments and amounts to be raised in said districts.

FURTHER NOTICE is given that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the Exemption report that shows total assessed value on the final assessment roll that was used in the budgetary process that is exempt from taxation is on file with the Preliminary 2013 budget.

Dated: October 24, 2012 Order of the Hartland Town Board Cynthia S. Boyler, Town Clerk

HARTLAND TO HAVE HEARING ON FIRE PROTECTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACTS FOR THE TOWN OF HARTLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

NOTICE IS GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Town Board of the Town of Hartland, Niagara County, New York, at the Town Hall, 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport, New York, on November 08, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of considering contracting with Hartland Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., Middleport Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc., Gasport Fire District #1, Town of Royalton on behalf of Gasport Chemical Hose Company, Inc., Miller Hose Company, Inc. and Wrights Corners Fire Company, Inc. for fire protection for the Town of Hartland Fire Protection District, which embraces all of the Town of Hartland except that portion thereof within the Village of Middleport upon the following terms:

A. Each of the above named fire companies will answer and attend all calls in the district according to zone designations established on a fire protection map on file for public inspection at the Town Clerk 's Office during business hours.

B. For this service, Hartland Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. will receive $121,558.00

For this service, Gasport Fire District #1, Town of Royalton, on behalf of Gasport Chemical Hose Company, Inc. will receive $28,173.00

For this service, Middleport Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Inc., receive $39,374.00.

For this service, Miller Hose Company, Inc. will receive $9,386.00 For this service, Wrights Corners Fire Company, Inc. will receive $3,174.00

C. Each fire protection contract shall run from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 and shall thereafter be automatically renewed on a yearly basis until December 31, 2013 unless terminated according to the provision of Section 184 of the Town Law.

Dated: 10/25/2012 Cynthia S. Boyler, Town Clerk Town of Hartland

SWEENEY TODD AT ROY-HART THIS WEEKEND

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” the musical thriller by Stephen Sondheim will be presented by the Lake Plains Players this weekend (October 26, 27, and 28) at the Royalton-Hartland High School.  Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $10 for students and $7 for seniors and students age 13 and older. They are available at the door and online at www.lakeplainsplayers.com

Due to the sometimes graphic nature of the story, children age 12 and younger will not be permitted into the show and children ages 13 and 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

You can learn the details of the musical --- synopsis, cast, crew, etc -- at the Lake Plains Players website.

RECYCLING IN TODAY'S LOCKPORT PAPER

I may write a weekly column for the Lockport paper, but I have no idea what they will be reporting every day. So it was convenient coincidence that on the same day I post an item about recycling in Royalton, the paper features a front page article about towns throughout the region going the route of Royalton.

Read the article here: http://lockportjournal.com/local/x1684129864/EOW

ROYALTON GOING FORWARD WITH RECYCLING TOTES

An example of what the town is looking into
(ours will be black with red tops)

The Town of Royalton is going forward with their plan to bring large recycling totes -- and recycling on a greater scale -- to our town.

This has been a long time coming, as more and more municipalities are proceeding in this fashion.

I asked Supervisor Jennifer Bieber to give us an update and a lowdown on this program. Here's what she said....


We have send out a bid for carts this past week. We will be opening the bids on November 14 and discussing it at our work session that night.

We do have fund balance money to use for the carts so we don't have to borrow any money. We would continue to have the garbage fee on the tax bill and as people recycle more the rate per household would go down. We would use the difference in the fee to pay back the carts.

So, here is the example: This coming year, the garbage rate is going down about $1.00 per household. If we did enough recycling and in 2014 it dropped $2.00 per household, we would use the same rate as 2013 and use the $2.00 extra to pay down the cost of the carts.

We will also be applying for a recycling grant to off set the cost as well. When the amount of the carts is paid off, either through the grant or the difference in garbage cost, then the fee would drop by household.

The carts we're looking to get will be black with a red top. The reason for the color is basic, it's the least expensive tote to buy. The colored totes cost extra money --- the red, yellow and orange carts are even more expensive based on the suns UV rays. There is a savings in having the cart black, so that was the way we went. There is no extra for the red top. The carts are guaranteed for 10 years. They have a chip in them so if they get blown away for some reason or lost, we can get them back to the correct address.

Also, we can see who's recycling the most or the least and work on an incentive program or try to get people to recycle more.

Recycling, as you know, is a win win for everyone. We're a lot smarter when it comes to recycling and "saving the world" than we were even 10 years ago. We can save money and our small community can also do our part to save the planet.

One thing I notice on garbage day in my neighborhood is most people are recycling more than their totes will hold. The larger cart gives you 64 gallons of room to fill it up. That is over 3 times what we have today.

Also, we would be going to every other week recycling. You only have to take it to the road every other week. Modern will help to get schedules for everyone to know what week they set their recycling cart out.

I honestly don't know one reason why this wouldn't be a good idea. I'm sure someone will think of something but for now I'm looking at this as 100% positive!

MASTER PLAN MEETING

There will be a joint meeting of the Town Board, Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals at the Royalton Town Hall tonight (Wednesday the 24th) at 7:30 PM.  The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the Master Plan and how to proceed from this point and any other matters that may need to come before these bodies at that time. 

HALLOWEEN HOURS IN ROYALTON

Trick-or-treating hours for Halloween have been set by the Royalton town board as 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

MINI CRIME WAVE HITS GASPORT

Last week I was thinking that it's been awfully quiet in Gasport. You can determine how "newsy" Gasport is -- with the good and the bad -- by looking at how many blog posts there are in a month. There have been less than 30 posts per month since July.

Well, it looks like I had thought about the serenity too soon.

There is now a mini crime wave underway in Gasport, this one north of the canal.

On Sunday evening an Orangeport homeowner had stolen from him an ATV and lawnmower and his house was ransacked. You can read the police report here

Then, in broad daylight on Monday, a Slayton Settlement Road home was burglarized and $1,700 in electronic items were taken.

This is not something new to Gasport. In recent years there have been spurts of burglaries in rural Niagara County, something the Sheriff's Department attributed to the drug trade and the bad economy. Things were so bad in Gasport in 2008 that community watch efforts were tried in Royalton while Hartland saw the creation of a block club in 2009 under the watch of young James Solomon. 

So, if this week's crimes are a sign of things to come (a repeat of 2008 and 2009), do your diligence as a property owner (lock your cars, garages, and homes) and as a good neighbor (keep an eye on your neighbors land). Be sure to report anything that's suspicious.

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RETAILER LOOKS AT CREEK EDGE ALPACAS

This week's issue of the Lockport Retailer looks at a Gasport business in its weekly business profile....


It’s been 7 years this month since Helen Fink started her new career path with Creek Edge Alpacas.

Fink, who was born and raised in Cattaraugus County, has spent the last 55 years in the Gasport area.

Her husband William Fink owned a greenhouse and flower shop, where they sold many bedding plants. William was the horticulturist and Helen his helper for 45 years.

When he passed away 10 years ago, Helen said she continued to run the greenhouse for a couple seasons but it became too expensive, with the price of natural gas rising.

Helen decided to try something she was more familiar with. She grew up on a berry farm and knew about raising animals and fencing.

“I started with a couple alpacas and wanted to see where it would go from there,” she said.

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.metrowny.com/businessprofile/205-Stay_warm_this_winter_with_products_from_Creek_Edge_Alpacas_in_Gasport.html

TRASH OR TREASURE EVENT AT LIBRARY

Trash or Treasure Brings Appraisers to Royalton Hartland Community Library

Public invited to bring items to “Antiques Roadshow” style event

If you have ever wondered if some of your family heirlooms or that item that caught your eye at a garage sale are of any great value? Now is the time see what they may really be worth.

Bring them to the “Trash or Treasure” event at the Royalton Hartland Community Library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport, on Wednesday, November 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. and get a verbal appraisal of their value.

Mr. John Urtel and Mr. Dave Devereau, both experienced appraisers, will be providing their opinion on items that anyone can bring to the library that evening. Items must be manageable by one person, including furniture. The cost is $5 for two items and $2 each for any additional items. Each participant is allowed a total of 8 items.

“We expect a lot of people to bring us their items, whether large or small,” says Mary Collins of the Friends of the Library. “People love to get an idea of what their valuables may really be worth, and we want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to hear their verbal appraisal.”

Refreshments will be served during the evening thanks to the Friends of the Library group. The volunteer group’s activities support and help to promote and publicize the library’s programs and services throughout the Royalton and Hartland area.

“Proceeds from the “Trash or Treasure” event will be used to provide improvements to the upstairs Community Room, which is a popular meeting place for local groups and clubs,” according to Collins.

For more information about “Trash or Treasure” at the Royalton Hartland Community Library, call Rose Bernard at 735-3281 or Mary Collins at 735-7212.

WINNER ANNOUNCED IN TOWN BARREL CONTEST

Pat Hinds, the deputy town clerk, sent along this message for the community:

I would like to thank all of the residents that participated in the Royalton Town Hall Barrel Contest we had this summer.

The winner of the barrel this year was letter B. The department that planted this barrel was the Supervisor’s office.

Thank you to all of the departments that participated in this contest as well.

WIND DAMAGES BUNKER HILL HOME

The Lockport paper is reporting that the wind storm earlier this week damaged a home on Bunker Hill Road...


http://lockportjournal.com/local/x1684127049/WIND-WHIPPED

CRAFT SHOW & FLEA MARKET ON SUNDAY

There will be a craft show and flea market this coming Sunday, October 21st, from 10:00am till 4:00pm. at the Gasport Fire Hall.

FREE Admission. There will be refreshments and a light Lunch.

Vendor space is available, call Patti for info at 772-2551.

This event is sponsored by the Gasport Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.

FREE COMMUNITY DINNER ON THE 24th

On Wednesday, October 24th from 5:00 – 6:30 PM there will be a free community dinner at Middleport United Methodist Church, which is at the corner of Park and Vernon Streets in Middleport.

They will be serving chicken & rice; salad and a dessert (menu is subject to change).

Activities will be provided for children.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

CHOWDER SALE: OCTOBER 27th

Mark your calendars...Boy Scout Troop 18 will have their annual chowder sale on Saturday, October 27th at the Covenant United Church of Christ at  4449 Main St. in Gasport. The sale starts at 9:30 am. Cost is $7 per quart and $16 per gallon if you have your own containers. It is $17 per gallon with troop-provided containers. Homemade baked goods will also be available. 

GASPORT FARMS HOST LEADERSHIP NIAGARA

Leadership Niagara is a community-based leadership development program for adults. The 12-month class meets once a month with each day-long endeavor focusing on a specific topic -- business, energy, social services, etc.

September's class focused on agriculture. The class learned from folks who represented Gasport and farming very well --- Gasport View Dairy, Harris Farm Market, and Becker Farms.

One of this year's students -- Michele DeLuca, who is a reporter for the Greater Niagara Newspapers - wrote an excellent recap of the day for the Niagara Gazette. Check it out here:

http://niagara-gazette.com/features/x1618662852/Pay-dirt