Presentation on Belva Lockwood

As a part of their Trailblazing Women series, the Buffalo History Museum is hosting a presentation about Royalton's own Belva Lockwood (who, among other things, was the first woman to officially appear on presedential ballots). Maryann Saccomando-Freedman will deliver the presentation on Wednesday, December 7th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Members can attend for free; while nonmembers have to pay Museum admission. The Buffalo History Museum is at One Museum Court in Buffalo.

The Weather Machine at Roy-Hart

Here's Andy Parker's video recap of the WKBW Weather Machine's visit to Royalton-Hartland:

http://www.wkbw.com/weather/weather-machine/andy-parkers-weather-machine-visits-royalton-hartland

Ian Earl fills Christmas toy barrel

Here's a great Buffalo News story about an awesome 3rd grader from Roy-Hart. Ian Earl was heartbroken over an empty barrel of what were supposed to be toys for the News Neediest Fund. So, he took it upon himself to fill the barrel for the needy!

http://buffalonews.com/2016/11/28/royalton-boy-saw-empty-news-neediest-barrel-2015-year-filled-one-toys/

Food pantry this weekend

Rhoney selected as coroner

Press release from Niagara County government...

A retired Niagara County Sheriff’s deputy was appointed 3rd District coroner tonight at a short meeting of the Niagara County Legislature.

Cal Rhoney, who spent 29 years serving as a deputy and criminal investigator in the Sheriff’s Office, fills the vacancy created by the October retirement of longtime coroner Kenneth V. Lederhouse.

“Cal had the right kind of background for a position that requires a certain delicacy and respect, as well as the knowledge base to make decisions that might be tied to public safety,” Legislator Will Collins, R-Lockport, who headed up the County Legislature’s coroner search efforts, said. “This is a serious commitment to perform a difficult task on behalf of the public. Cal Rhoney had a track record doing that as a Sheriff’s deputy for three decades.”

Rhoney also is no stranger to public office, having served as supervisor and town councilman in his hometown of Royalton, which is serviced by the 3rd District coroner.

“This offered a chance to serve my neighbors again, as well as an opportunity to take on a task where there was a sudden need after Ken [Lederhouse] opted to retire,” Rhoney said. “I’m looking forward to working with the other coroners to ensure that we continue to provide timely, dignified service to Niagara County’s families.”

Rhoney’s appointment is effective immediately.

Farmers can secure donations for local non-profits

Here's a message for local farmers who might have interest in securing a donation for the Gasport Beautification Committee or Gasport Lions....

Until November 30, America’s Farmers Grow Communities offers eligible farmers the opportunity to enroll for a chance to win a $2,500 donation to direct toward their favorite community nonprofit organization. The purpose of the program is to make a positive impact in farming communities across America. One winner is randomly selected in each of the 1,331 eligible counties across 41 states.

Official rules for America’s Farmers Grow Communities are available here:

http://www.americasfarmers.com/community-outreach/grow-communities-official-rules/

In January 2017, the program will award another $3 million to nonprofits in rural America.

Enroll today for your chance to win a grant for your favorite local nonprofit:

http://www.americasfarmers.com/community-outreach/grow-communities-enroll/

For more info, please follow the link provided:


http://www.americasfarmers.com/community-outreach/grow-communities/

Hartland deer hunt become a close call

Press release from the Niagara County Sheriff....

On Sunday patrol responded to 2335 Hosmer Rd in Hartland for the report of a shot fired through a window.

Patrol arrived and interviewed the caller who stated one of the hunters across the street from her residence fired four or five shots, one of which struck the window of the bedroom that she was in at the time. No injuries were reported as a result this incident. Investigation revealed a broken window on the front of the residence, and responded to a group of hunters across the street.

CSIU and NYS DEC also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

JOHN E. DUXBURY, 48 of Ransomville was charged with Reckless Endangerment 2nd, Criminal Mischief 4th and Discharging a weapon over a Public Highway, respectively. DUXBURY was released with appearance tickets with an assigned date before the Town of Hartland Court on 12/06/2016 at 1930 hours.

Scouting For Food

Cub Scout Pack 18 of Gasport had a hugely successful Scouting for Food drive. In total, the boys collected 1,072 items of food for the Gasport food pantry at the Zion Lutheran Church. Thank you to these scouts for their hard work and for the community for being so giving! 

Vizcarra Vineyards receives USDA grant

The US Department of Agriculture has announced that Vizcarra Vineyards has received a $250,000 grant from the USDA's Value-added Producer Grant program.

The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program.

Vizcarra's grant is earmarked for sales and promotion of their Cold Hardy Wine products.

Sue Hughes has passed away

Sue Hughes, who was once a member of the Roy-Hart School Board and was a regular at the board meetings, has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends:

http://www.allwnynews.com/2016/11/susan-terese-hughes-oct-12-1964-nov-18.html#.WDJqy50cELw.facebook

Gasport cadet exceeds expectations

Cadet Melissa Zakrzewski, a Gasport, N.Y., native, has exceeded expectations at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, one of the smallest of the nation’s five federal service academies.

The Academy, located in New London, Conn., holds cadets to high standards of physical fitness, leadership and professional development.

Recognized as one of the top institutions of higher learning by U.S. News & World Report, cadets must complete 200 weeks of college education and military indoctrination.

Zakrzewski earned a spot on the Board of Trustees Honors List and has become a part of a select group who receive the honor. Between one and two percent of the more than 1,000 cadets that make up the corps make the list. “I attribute my success to my family who taught me what love, hard work, and determination can do for you,” said Zarkrzewski.

To be included on the list, cadets must earn three uniform stars for excellence in military, academic and athletic performance during the semester. This means a cadet must simultaneously attain a term grade point average above 3.15, be in the top 25 percent of their class in military performance and obtain a score of 270 or higher on the Physical Fitness Examination.

Zakrzewski is an avid triathlon runner and also a member of the Academy Fencing Club. She is scheduled to graduate from the Academy in 2018 with a degree in Marine Environmental Science.

Middleport family wins big money from Ellen

Middleport's own Dawn Arnold was a big $10,000 winner, playing Ellen DeGeneres' Cash at your Door contest. Dawn is a breast cancer survivor, a kindergarten teacher, and a married mother of two. Dawn's biggest wish is to help her sons pay off student loans. That wish became a reality. It's nice to see good things happen to good people.

Watch it here...

Spaghetti dinner

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.

Becker Brewing Company at Becker Farms will be hosting a Thanksgiving Eve party on Wednesday the 23rd from 6:00 PM till 10:00 PM. There will be beer, wine, and food along with live music by Dave Stockton.

Here is the Facebook event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/602324116618301/

Buffalo News looks at Pedini's USMC display

This nice article from the Buffalo News looks at the awesome replica of the USMC memorial that was lovingly made by Roy-Hart teacher Heather Pedini:

http://buffalonews.com/2016/11/11/replica-marine-corps-war-memorial-display-somerset/

Roy-Hart grad honored by Air Force

Joseph Gutowski is a 2003 graduate of Royalton-Hartland. The Air Force recently named him Air Mobility Wing Crew Chief of the Year. Here's the Lockport US&J's report...

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/hometown-hero/article_c0173115-b5e0-5d4c-ac0f-be142a2ba3fc.html

Election Day dinner in Gasport

What would Election Day be without dinner at Hartland United Methodist Church?

The annual chicken and biscuit dinner (which is being catered by Donna Eick) will take place from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Tuesday the 8th at the church at 8107 Ridge Road in Hartland Corners. Cost is $9 for adults and take-out is available.

BIG SATURDAY IN GASPORT

Are you in the holiday mood? This Saturday, November 5th will make sure that you are, between the Always Christmas Open House at Standish-Jones and the bazaar and turkey dinner at Covenant. Here are the details on both....

The annual Always Christmas open house will take place at Standish-Jones starting at 11:00. Enjoy discounts, games, and refreshments, as well as a visit from Santa and his elves! There will be crafts and activities for the kids, plus otheir 3rd Annual Holiday Basket Raffle to benefit Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo. It's free and it's fun!

The Facebook event page is here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1647372735576618/

The bazaar at Covenant United Church has a great assortment of items available to help you get a jump start on that Christmas shopping: Craft items, homemade candy and fudge, canned jams and jellies, pies and baked goods, harvest apples, squash, sauerkraut and more! The bazaar begins at 10 a.m.

The popular turkey dinner starts at 3:30 and runs till 7:00. Carry outs available. A simple donation (amount determined by the giver) entitles you to a full course Thanksgiving dinner, entirely homemade. The meal will be expertly prepared by churchfolk and served by Boy Scout Troop 18.

There is a Facebook event page set-up for this: https://www.facebook.com/events/302604073458326/

BUDGETS & TAXES IN OUR TWO TOWNS

The Royalton Town Board expects the tax rate for town residents to rise $.25 cents to $3.63 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in its proposed 2017 budget, which is an additional $25 a year for those living in a home assessed at $100,000.

The details are available at the Buffalo News website:

http://buffalonews.com/2016/10/27/proposed-royalton-budget-includes-tax-hike/   

In Hartland, the proposed budget holds the line on taxes, with a proposed tax rate of $2.48 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Here is the Buffalo News report on Hartland's budget:

http://buffalonews.com/2015/11/01/tax-rate-remains-unchanged-in-hartland-proposal/

Middleport CIG statement on FMC

Here is a statement from Bill Arnold, Chairman of the Middleport Community Input Group....

In 2014 the DEC decided to unilaterally implement their remedy for the arsenic contamination cleanup in the Air Deposition Area of Middleport and the Roy-Hart School over the desired remedy of FMC and the MCIG. FMC filed a law suit in Albany Supreme court to challenge the DEC.

Since then the DEC has proceeded to implement their plan at the school and in the village neighborhoods of Alfred, Park and Freeman Avenues this year and last year despite FMC's legal challenge.

On October 20, 2016, a panel of five judges unanimously ruled against the DEC stating the state agency violated the law as spelled out in the Administrative Order of Consent, legally agreed to by FMC and the DEC in 1991, by not allowing a hearing to settle the dispute between FMC and the DEC on the remedy selection.

It now remains to be seen how the DEC will proceed from here. They are looking at all their legal options. They could appeal or allow a hearing and let the courts decide. They could enter into further discussions with FMC but that is what has been going on since 1991 with no agreement between the two. The DEC could just continue with the cleanup in the village with their remedy acknowledging that FMC may not pay for all of it or any of it. However it is believed that FMC always assumed some amount of the cleanup would be paid by them. WLVL radio stated that the ruling meant FMC would not have to pay for the cleanup activity from 2014 and 2015 but that is not clear from the statements seen so far. What amount FMC does not pay would be left to the taxpayers of New York.

Use this link to view the Buffalo News article: http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/docs/misc/court%20ruling.pdf

Use this link to view FMC's statement:http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/docs/misc/Court%20Decision.pdf