Your Scholars

Local students named to Springfield College dean’s list

Springfield College has named the following local residents to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the fall 2011 term.

Daniel Patane of Canastota. Daniel is studying Undeclared.

Logan Aikins of Sherburne. Logan is studying Applied Exercise Science.

News from SUNY Potsdam

SUNY Potsdam Students Earn Spots on President’s List

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named more than 900 students to the President’s List for the Fall 2011 semester in recognition of their academic excellence.

Among the local students who made the SUNY Potsdam President’s List were:

Allison Forth of Canastota whose major is Childhood/Early Child Education

Corey Hopkins of Canastota whose major is Music Education

Kali Jarvis of Canastota whose major is Childhood/Early Child Education

Rhimmon Simchy-Gross of Canastota whose major is Music Performance

Mary Whitcombe of Canastota whose major is Childhood/Early Child Education

Robert Taube of Cazenovia whose major is Music Education

Emilie Weinheimer of Cazenovia whose major is Psychology

Cortney Mayo of Hamilton whose major is Speech Communication

Caleigh Tuttle of Hamilton whose major is Theatre

Timothy Simmons of Sherburne whose major is Psychology

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Local Students Named to Clarkson University Dean’s List

The following students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2011 semester at Clarkson University.

Beth A. Schneider, a senior majoring in civil engineering from Bridgeport.

Matthew R. Ager, a junior majoring in engineering and management from Canastota.

Tristan R. Jones, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering from Canastota.

Jeffrey R. Merrell, a freshman majoring in civil engineering from Canastota.

Michael R. Tornatore, a sophomore majoring in innovation and entrepreneurship from Canastota.

Michael A. Blanchard, a junior majoring in chemical engineering from Cazenovia.

Ryan J. Eklund, a freshman majoring in aeronautical engineering from Chittenango.

Danielle K. Cuddeback, a freshman majoring in pre-physical therapy/psychology from DeRuyter.

David E. Revette, a senior majoring in civil engineering from DeRuyter.

Andrea M. Riedman, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering from Kirkville.

Nicole M. Verone, a freshman majoring in engineering studies from Kirkville.

Raeanne J. Clabeaux, a freshman majoring in university studies from New Woodstock.

Molly E. Ogden, a sophomore majoring in history/interdisciplinary social sciences from Earlville.

Mallory J. Carhart, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary social sciences from Hamilton.

Heather H. Munz, a senior majoring in biology from Hubbardsville.

Loren J. McNamara, a senior majoring in civil engineering from Leonardsville.

Rebecca R. Kirley, a senior majoring in global supply chain management from Madison.

Colin Maykish, a junior majoring in software engineering from Sherburne.

Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.

Local Students Named Clarkson University Presidential Scholars

The following students were named Presidential Scholars for the fall 2011 semester at Clarkson University.

Ellen M. Heenan, a junior majoring in engineering and management from Bridgeport.

Thomas F. Wilkowski, a senior majoring in electrical engineering from Bridgeport.

Alexandra B. Cameron, a freshman majoring in chemical engineering from Cazenovia.

Josh Bunce, a freshman majoring in civil engineering from Chittenango.

Sean P. Shea, a freshman majoring in aeronautical engineering/mechanical engineering from Chittenango.

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

Evans Named to Sacred Heart University’s Dean’s List

Kiley Evans of Cazenovia was named to the fall 2011 Dean’s List at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. To receive this honor, a student must achieve a 3.6 grade average, based on a 4.0 scale.

(Leonardsville, NY – March 2012) Leonardsville Fire Department will host two AAA six-hour defensive driving classes. The first class will be held Saturday, March 3, and the second Saturday, April 7.

Both classes will be held at the Fire Hall at 11306 Mill St., Leonardsville. Both classes will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Fire Department will provide a free lunch for both classes.

The costs for Fire Department members is $25 per person; everyone else is $30 per person. To pay by credit or debit card, call AAA at (315) 797-6121, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Successful completion may entitle participants to a 10 percent reduction in auto insurance and up to four points of his or her driving record.

Students are required to bring their valid New York state driver’s license to class.

If a student is unable to attend this class, there will be no refund; however, the student may register for one of AAA monthly classes and pay the difference in fee, if applicable.

(Leonardsville, NY – March 2012) Leonardsville Fire Department will host two AAA six-hour defensive driving classes. The first class will be held Saturday, March 3, and the second Saturday, April 7.

Both classes will be held at the Fire Hall at 11306 Mill St., Leonardsville. Both classes will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Fire Department will provide a free lunch for both classes.

The costs for Fire Department members is $25 per person; everyone else is $30 per person. To pay by credit or debit card, call AAA at (315) 797-6121, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Successful completion may entitle participants to a 10 percent reduction in auto insurance and up to four points of his or her driving record.

Students are required to bring their valid New York state driver’s license to class.

If a student is unable to attend this class, there will be no refund; however, the student may register for one of AAA monthly classes and pay the difference in fee, if applicable.

Leonardsville Volunteer Fire Department

Submitted by Michael A. Jones

(Leonardsville, NY – Dec. 2011) There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths?

With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening. Be warm and safe this winter!

* Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

* Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

* Never use your oven to heat your home.

* Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

* Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

* Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

* Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

* Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

* Test smoke alarms monthly.

Heating Equipment Smarts

Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

For more tips on fire safety, visit nfpa.org/education.

Michael A. Jones is assistant fire chief for the Leonardsville Volunteer Fire Department in Brookfield.

Guest Column

By John Salka

(Brookfield, NY – Nov. 2011) After an election, there’s time to reflect on how it went, what was said during the campaign, take a bit of a breather and get back to work. Obviously, campaigning did not end after the election in Brookfield, and I would like to address some statements made by my opponent in a recent letter-to-the-editor.

First of all, I appreciate his statement of no hard feelings for those who voted for me, I am sure that the majority of those who re-elected me are relieved to hear that. Yes, I was re-elected by a comfortable margin and, although he feels I am a “consummate politician,” he should realize that I am like most of my other supervisor colleagues: I have a full time job and a family, and politics and public service is what I love, but it is still only a part-time job, although sometimes I wonder.

The part about the stories not lining up, numbers don’t add and government expanding seems a bit perplexing. If he would have been able to stay for the public hearing about the budget, he would have seen that the numbers do, in fact, add up. Instead he left so he could make an early morning class.

Just a bit of advice; these jobs take long hours, and there are many nights that I do not get home before 10:30 p.m. only to have to make sure I am at work by 7 a.m. the next day.

I am not sure about the stories not lining up. During the campaign, he made no suggestions on how to do things better, only that we needed change. Change to what; the comprehensive plan, the budget, how we purchase equipment, representation at the county?

Never really saw anything proposed, just negativity.

With respect to his accusations of underhanded political games, he claims that when one of his “neighbors” called the Board of Elections, a group of some very professional, experienced and dedicated individuals, he was told that the incumbent supervisor had been placed in charge of putting up notices for the election.

My past opponent should realize that the integrity of our electoral process depends on impartial participation at the polls and it was never, I repeat never, asked or suggested that I be involved in any notices whatsoever.

This is an insult to the Board of Elections and to all of the hard-working, dedicated people who staff our election polls.

In the same vein, his claim that mine were the only signs left standing and were within 100 feet of the polls further calls into question the integrity and character of those who set aside much of their own time to work the polls and is unequivocally false.

Yes, there may have been some minor flaws in the way the polling place was posted, but all was done in compliance with the law and few, if any, were unable to vote. The directive he talks about was simply a recommendation – not based in any law – just a courtesy.

Also, when he brings it up that more people voted in the last election, that may be true, but in a presidential vote year, there are always more who come out. Simple election history.

And I did lose Leonardsville in the primary by 16 percent as he claims, a whopping eight votes.

I did not conduct my campaign with pictures of myself on a horse with a shotgun, or by distributing flyers with off-color statements about politicians and diapers. I did what I have done for the past six times I have won an election in the town of Brookfield: I told the truth, stuck to the issues, stayed positive and worked hard for the people of my town.

I suggest to my past, present and future opponents that it is only fair to our town to do so.

John Salka is supervisor for the town of Brookfield.

Just a sampling of local foods sold at the Poolville Winter Farmers’ Market. The market opens again Dec. 10. (Photo by Chris Hoffman)

 By Chris Hoffman

(Poolville, NY – Nov. 2011) Saturday, Nov. 12 was the opening day of this year’s Winter Farmers Market at the Poolville Community Center (PCC), and as in years past, people turned out in droves.

New managers Martine Cook of Heirloom Meadows Farm in North Brookfield and Amy Somers of Somers Harvest Farm in Hamilton took the helm this year after Things From Here ran the market beginning in 2009.

A new feature of the market this year is the presence of a “guest chef” from a different local restaurant each month.  This month the guest chef was Janssen Fay who, along with his wife Leah, opened Nola’s Restaurant in Clinton in 2005.

Janssen and Fay offered a lunch of cream of mushroom soup, salad, and made-to-order grilled sandwiches.

Next month, the guest chefs will be Roger Foster and Charles Wilburn of the Poolville Country Store.

Cook said, “The idea is to showcase a variety of local restaurants who make the effort to source their ingredients from local farms and producers.”  Half the profits from these sales are donated to the PCC to help with upkeep of the building.

In years past, separate fundraising efforts raised money to help pay the PCC’s electric and heating bills. Beginning this year, vendors have agreed to pay $60 each for the season to offset the PCC’s costs.

Cook also said that there are enough vendors now who have had a very satisfying experience in the past with this market that if a particular vendor can’t make one of the dates, there are others who can step up to fill what would otherwise be an empty slot. This way shoppers always have a full market with plenty of choices.

The vendors at Saturday’s market included Highland Farm from Hamilton, Ingleside Meadows Farm from Canastota, Johnston’s Honeybee Farm from Eaton, Dutch Girl Cheese from Leonardsville, the Poolville Country Store, The Imaginary Farmer from Hubbardsville, Lucky Moon Farm from Cazenovia, Quarry Brook Farm from Sherburne, G&M Farms from Morrisville, Fruit of the Fungi from Lebanon, Mizrahi Manor Farm from Norwich, Heirloom Meadows Farm from North Brookfield, Somer’s Harvest Farm from Hamilton, Sabino’s Farm from Sherburne, Windy Hill Apple Orchard from Cassville, and Jake’s Gouda Cheese from Deansboro.  Beginning next month, Evans Farmhouse Creamery in Norwich will return to the market.

Vendors offer a wide variety of products:  eggs; pasture-raised pork, beef, lamb, and goat meat; onions, garlic, and root vegetables; fresh and dried herbs, as well as greenhouse grown salad greens, chard, kale, and collards; mushrooms; jams, jellies, and salsas; peppers and seasonings; apples and cider.  Additionally, Bruce Rivington from Red Gate Farm is selling Kriemhild butter made from the milk of grass-fed cows from four local farms: Journey’s Joy Farm in Peterboro, Monanfran Farm in Canastota, Sunny Acres Farm in Georgetown, and Red Gate Farm in Hamilton.

The market is open from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturdays of the winter months:  Dec. 10, Feb. 11, March 10, and April 14 (no market in January).

For more information, or to get on their mailing list, email poolvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

(Madison County, NY – Nov. 2011) The Madison County Landfill Operation (all sites) and the ARC MRF Recycling Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 24.

The Landfill Office on Buyea Road in the Town of Lincoln will be closed on Friday, November 25.

To the Editor:

(Brookfield, NY – Nov. 2011) I’m Joshua Haar, resident of the great town of Brookfield. This summer, eager to keep our local government on track and in line, I decided to run for supervisor. Many citizens provided a great deal of support, and I won 43 percent of the vote.

I must mention that, unfortunately, we’ve seen some underhanded political games on Election Day down here in the hamlet of Leonardsville.

Earlier this year, the voting site was moved from the school to the firehouse. On Primary Day, the new location was clearly marked for voters. As those who voted in the Republican primary can recall, one of the district’s “Vote Here” signs was placed up along Route 8, the other was placed in front of the firehouse, and notice was posted at the school reminding voters of the change in location.

The Republican incumbent lost the Leonardsville primary by 16 percent, even though he won townwide; it was quite disconcerting to lose that many votes to an 18-year-old dairy farmer.

Incidentally, when the polls opened for the general election, no notice was provided at the school advising the Democratic and Independent voters (whom, of course, hadn’t voted in the Republican primary) of the new location.

When questioned about this by one of my neighbors, the county Board of Elections reported that the Republican incumbent had been in charge of putting the notice up.

Additionally, in violation of a Board of Elections directive (which I have a copy of) which requested that a “Vote Here” sign be placed along Route 8, both signs were placed right at the firehouse, effectively “hiding” the polls down on Mill Street.

The result was that the Republican voters (incidentally, the incumbent’s main base of support) had the advantage over the other voters of knowing in advance exactly where to vote.

A number of people, unaware of the new location, called in to ask why the polls in Leonardsville were closed. How many others just returned home?

Over the previous three years, the Leonardsville district had averaged 237 ballots cast (see the Madison County Board of Elections website). This year, while the Brookfield and North Brookfield districts boasted record turnouts, Leonardsville registered only 172 ballots cast.

In Leonardsville, every office on the ballot (except for highway superintendent, which was tied) was taken by a Republican. I’m all right with losing, but the way things were done just isn’t right.

There was no reason for this – except that the incumbent and his supporters among the Leonardsville election inspectors were terribly frightened that I would carry the vote.

I haven’t even mentioned that my campaign sign across the street (and beyond the legally required 100 feet from the poll site) was removed, while during the primary, one of my opponent’s signs was left within 100 feet of the poll site.

The difference probably wouldn’t have been enough to tip the scales in the supervisor race (I’m behind by 98 votes), but the contestants for highway superintendent are separated by only 30 votes.

As Americans, we put great stock in the right to fair, cleanly-conducted elections; indeed, ensuring that elections are fair and square is essential to our system of government. When an election is distinguished by such clear indications that things were NOT done cleanly, it is only fair that that election be re-conducted.

All voters should have an even chance at voting; providing one political party’s members with more information that allows easier access to the polls than the members of another party is incompatible with the standards this country was built upon.

For the sake of a clean record, I’d like to see a re-vote in Leonardsville.

Joshua Haar, Brookfield 

To the Editor:

(Brookfield, NY – Nov. 2011) I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who showed their support in this past election and are giving me the privilege of serving another term as Brookfield town supervisor.

After serving our community now for more than 10 years as an elected official, I have seen our town experience much change and am proud to say that many more are now choosing to become involved in how Brookfield operates and looks to the future.

During the campaign, I had another opportunity to talk with many who are deeply concerned about how we plan to survive as a town and how we can preserve the quality of life we enjoy here in Brookfield.

It was obvious that many were of the opinion that limited government is preferred and that they are worried about taxes, how services are delivered and the ability to continue to count on our local government to do the right thing.

This is a concern of mine, also.

With issues like out-of-control retirement costs, increasing health insurance and fuel bills and a property tax cap that makes it very difficult to manage ever-shrinking revenue, we will need to pull together and realize that business-as-usual will just not cut it anymore.

Government needs to provide those services that the private sector cannot or will not consider and do it efficiently and cost effectively.

We are all in this together, and we need to be involved and aware.

Over the past several months, there have been a number of claims made that our town government is getting too big, is overreaching its authority and is attempting to mettle in people’s private business. I have to respectfully disagree.

By opening up government more than has been seen in a long time, by encouraging its citizens to become involved and by efforts like a survey being done to gain insight on how people feel about their town, I believe that we are giving government back to the people. We have well-attended board meetings with everyone given the opportunity to speak, and speak they do.

Another assertion made was with respect to the revaluation. Although it was painful for the town to go through, we kept all who were concerned in the loop, and most were satisfied that their concerns were addressed.

No system is perfect, and we are always looking to do things better. It was easy to criticize in this last election, but I heard very little on how to make it better, only that the solution was change, with very little regard for the important experience that is needed to do these jobs.

Be that as it may, we will look forward as we always have, and I give my only promise- that I will continue to work hard and represent the citizens of my town in the best possible manner and use all my energies for the good of the people of Brookfield.

John J. Salka, Brookfield Town Supervisor

(Leonardsville, NY – Oct. 2011) The Leonardsville Fire Department will be having a Donation Pancake Breakfast on Sunday Oct. 16 at the fire hall on Mill Street.

The menu is pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, applesauce, coffee, tea, milk, and orange juice. Serving is from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

Take-outs are available by calling 855-4466.