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Alliance Bank Film Series Concludes

April 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
happy feet 2 004

 

(Hamilton, NY – April, 2012) Pictured are Adrien Catania of Catania Chiropractic with daughters Adriana and Sicily and brothers from Theta Chi, sponsors of Happy Feet 2 at Hamilton Theater. More than 3,000 area children and family members enjoyed this year’s Alliance Bank Children’s Matinee series, which has concluded for the spring.

“We are extremely grateful to Alliance Bank, and to our film sponsors, for their help in making this year’s series so successful,” said Hamilton Theater’s Chuck Fox.

The Summer Family Film Festival kicks off in July.

Filed Under: Business & Finance, Hamilton, Youth

Residents to Decide on Proposed Municipal Gas Utility; Public Referendum is April 17

April 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(Hamilton, NY – April 2012) Registered voters in the village of Hamilton will go to the polls Tuesday, April 17, to decide the future of a proposal to create a municipal gas utility that would bring natural gas service into the village.

Polls will be open from noon until 9 p.m. at Hamilton Public Library, and anyone registered to vote in the village at least 10 days prior to the referendum is eligible to participate.

Applications for absentee ballots are available in the village office.

Hamilton’s Village Board unanimously approved legislation Feb. 14 to create a not-for-profit municipal gas utility charged with designing, building and operating a system to buy natural gas from third-party sources and sell it to business and residential customers locally.

The legislation is subject to ratification at the April 17 referendum.

During a March 29 public information meeting, Mayor Margaret Miller said the village board has spent nearly three years examining the prospects for bringing natural gas service into the village. She said that interest in bringing gas service into the village traced back nearly 50 years and that several earlier village administrations had considered the issue.

She said three factors made gas service particularly attractive to the board at this time: the falling price of natural gas, the proximity of national supply lines less than eight miles from the village and the strong interest of three major potential customers (Hamilton Central School, Community Memorial Hospital and Colgate University) who make the proposal financially viable.

“The board was motivated by what is best for our village, economically and environmentally,” Miller said.

She said that natural gas presented an opportunity for customers in the village to save more than half their fuel costs, depending on how they currently heat their homes and businesses.

“At the same time, natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel,” Miller said.

Speaking at the same public meeting, Village Administrator Sean Graham said that the gas utility would be financed with a bond issue, to be repaid from the sale of gas. He said that a large majority of village property owners responding to a survey had indicated interest in connecting to gas service and that the level of interest had prompted the village to accelerate its timeline for delivering gas to several neighborhoods and the downtown business district.

Graham said the village planned to buy gas from one of two national supply lines that run within eight miles of the village. A final determination on the supplier, as well as final design of the distribution routes, will take place after the referendum, if it passes.

Saying that many hours of good-faith planning have gone into the gas proposal, Miller urged village voters to take part in the referendum. She invited anyone with questions to contact her or Graham or to visit hamiltongasutility.wordpress.com.

Filed Under: Announcements, Business & Finance, Calendar of Events, Government & Politics, Hamilton Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Small Business Resource Center Announces First Seminar

April 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(Hamilton, NY – April 2012) As its first event, the Partnership for Community Development’s new Small Business Resource Center is pleased to announce a free seminar for all current and prospective small business owners and entrepreneurs in Hamilton.

Dr. Patricia Laino, founder of the Entrepreneur Center of the Mohawk Valley and executive director of the Women’s Business Center of New York State, will lead a workshop on “Entrepreneurship and Business Success” Tuesday April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Colgate Inn.

The event is free.

Laino holds a Ph.D. in business administration, research and policy from SUNY Buffalo and founded the Entrepreneur Center in 1988 after receiving a grant from New York State to establish one of the 24 Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers in the state.

She has published several texts on starting and growing small businesses, including her most recent, “Women and Wealth.” In addition to receiving awards and recognition from SUNY-IT and Biz, Laino was named a “Women in Business Advocate of the Year” by the Small Business Administration.

The seminar will open with Laino leading participants in a brief analysis and assessment of their own business or planned business. After examining each business’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, Laino will outline 11 fundamental principles for achieving success.

The goal of the seminar is to equip participants with the information and tools they need to develop individualized business action plans.

“Anyone who wants to really succeed or expand in their business venture will walk away with a wealth of information on how to accomplish this,” Laino said.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring Dr. Laino to Hamilton,” said PCD Managing Director Shannon Mantaro. “Her insights and experience should provide our local business owners with an actionable plan to establish and grow their business, to the betterment of our entire community.”

Filed Under: Business & Finance, Calendar of Events, Hamilton Tagged With: , , , ,

Entrepreneurs Share Success Stories

April 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Entrepenures

 

Three Morrisville State College alumni and a current student were among presenters at Morrisville State College’s first Entrepreneur’s Jam. Pictured, from left are: Kimani Smith, Kathryn Hunt, Paul Farnham, and Karl Driesel.

Morrisville State College news

By Franci Valenzano

(Morrisville, NY) When Karl Driesel was turned down for a bank loan to help start up his own custom woodworking business, he refused to close the door on his idea.

The aspiring entrepreneur hit the streets and wouldn’t stop applying for loans, despite the number of times he was denied.

“It was a struggle to get financing,” said the graduate of Morrisville State College’s wood technology associate degree and entrepreneurship and small business management bachelor degree programs. “I had zero debt. Everyone told me I had great credit, but I didn’t have the credit history.”

Driesel eventually secured a small loan, which when combined with money he’d saved working three jobs through college, helped him start up KDI (Karl Driesel Incorporated) Woodworking, in Kent.

Like his company, his projects started out small. He made a church mailbox, crafted poker tables, built a front porch, then moved on to larger projects like designing an entire hickory kitchen. Later, he reconstructed an elaborate judge’s bench for the Town of Kendall’s Courtroom.

As his one-room shop expanded to include a paint booth and a warehouse, so did dreams for the 25-year-old entrepreneur who launched his business while he was still obtaining his entrepreneurship degree.

Driesel was among five young, local entrepreneurs who shared their business success stories during Morrisville State College’s first Entrepreneur’s Jam held in the STUAC Little Theatre.

“Entrepreneur’s Jam is a day of celebration and learning for the field,” Cydney Johnson, assistant professor, School of Business, said. “It’s a great event for the college’s entrepreneurship program and it also aligns with our mission for entrepreneurship and community engagement.”

Dr. David Rogers, provost and chief operating officer at Morrisville State College, noted the numerous students and graduates he has seen go on to start their own businesses.

“The success of our program is evident in the success of our students,” he said as he looked at the budding entrepreneurs that filled the room. “This event is all about promoting the true spirit of entrepreneurialism.”

Entrepreneurs who shared their stories were:

Kimani Smith, of Manlius, sales agent at Pyramid Brokerage Co., Paul Farnham, of McDonough, owner of In Motion Designs, Inc., Karl Driesel, of Kent, owner/artisan, KDI Woodworking, Kathryn Hunt, of East Northport, owner of Fashion Geek for Hire and iKat Gear,  and Carrie Blackmore, co-owner of Good Nature Brewing Inc., in Hamilton.

During the jam, Blackmore, whose nano-brewery with co-owner Matt Whalen opened in January, talked about leasing, different factors with sourcing locally, and utilizing community resources.

“Use as many resources as possible to help you,” she said. “Reach out in the community and take advantage of the support groups and programs already out there.”

Franci Valenzano, Public Relations Associate and photo by Nicolas Murphy, marketing assistant, Morrisville State College

 

Filed Under: Business & Finance, Education, Hamilton, Morrisville, Top Stories

Utica native wins two-year lease from Nye Automotive Group

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Buick Winner

 

Shown from left are Marie LaPolla of Utica, winner of 2-year lease and Rich Artigiani, General Sales Manager, Nye Automotive Group.

(Oneida, NY – March 2012) As part of their participation in February’s Home Show at Turning Stone event, Nye Automotive Group gave passers-by a unique opportunity – the chance to win a two-year lease on a new 2012 Buick Regal. On March 20, Nye General Sales Manager Rich Artigiani was pleased to announce the winner, Marie LaPolla of Utica, and present her with the keys to her new Buick.

“I went to the Home Show because I was considering redoing my bathroom,” LaPolla said. “While I was there, I entered the Buick raffle. I never thought I’d win.” Even when she received the call from Artigiani, she was still not convinced that she was the grand prizewinner. “Honestly, I’ve never known anyone who won something like this,” she said. “I’m still in shock.”

LaPolla, who was accompanied by her son Sam to the Nye dealership to collect her winnings, said that Buicks were always the favored car of her late husband, also Sam.

“When I won, one of my friends said, ‘That’s Sam watching over you.’ And I believe it.” Her son, who was clearly overjoyed with his mother’s winning, agreed.

“Mom is long overdue for something good to happen for her,” he said. “I’m just so happy for her.”

Artigiani said that seeing someone so elated is part of what makes his job a pleasure. “Nothing is better than being able to make someone’s day. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to present Marie with her vehicle, and I hope she gets a lot of enjoyment out of it.”

LaPolla, who is employed by the Masonic Care Community and is a life-long native of Utica, said that she is not only amazed by her win, but also by the treatment she’s received from Nye’s sales staff. “Everyone I’ve dealt with at Nye has been so nice. I just want to extend a big thank-you to all of them.”

 

Filed Under: Automotive, Business & Finance, Oneida Tagged With: ,

CORE FCU Receives National Financial Literacy Award

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(Morrisville, NY – March 2012) CORE Federal Credit Union received the national Desjardins Award for its work in promoting student financial literacy from the Credit Union National Association at CUNA’s National Convention in Washington, D.C., March 21. CORE received the award from among all state-wide winners throughout the country for credit unions in the $50 to $150 million dollar asset size range.

CUNA has more than 700 member credit unions falling within the $50 to $150 million range.

CORE opened the first student-run credit union in Central New York at ESM High School in 2005. The credit union operates an extensive financial literacy program that includes not only the student-run Spartan Branch program at ESM High School, but also a kindergarten through eighth-grade school banking program, teen finance forums for area high school students and adult education seminars.

Using a unique “Students as Educators” model, all of CORE’s programs provide high school students the opportunity to learn about personal finance, how to teach their peers, how to serve as mentors and role models for younger students and how to team-teach adult education sessions with school board members and credit union personnel.

CORE has presented its “Students as Educators” program nationally at several conferences and actively works with other credit unions and school districts to assist them in enhancing their own student financial literacy programs.

Cindy Schrader, a Desjardins judge from Heritage Credit Union in Madison, Wisconsin, said “CORE’s community involvement is amazing. They are providing valuable education and resources to help students, teachers and organizations, and their commitment to financial education is to be applauded.”

CORE Federal Credit Union is celebrating its 53rd anniversary of serving its members and the Central New York community. CORE has offices in East Syracuse, North Syracuse and Morrisville.

Filed Under: Business & Finance, Education, Morrisville Tagged With: ,

Chairman Warns Landowners against Entering Real Estate Contracts without Legal Counsel

April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(Wampsville, NY – March 28, 2012) Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John M. Becker (R,C,I – Sullivan) issued a new warning to Madison County property owners considering signing any legal documents that may affect any aspect of their property rights.

The warning came in light of a new tactic by land agents – the energy industry professionals who work to get property owners to lease them the rights to extract and profit from the extraction of mineral and natural resources on their land – who are now attempting to get landowners to sell those rights.

“This is a permanent move,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and DeRuyter Supervisor Daniel S. Degear (R,C,I). “I was advised this morning that a land agency by the name of Griffith Land Services, Inc., from Houston, Texas, is reaching out to property owners in Chenango County. The land agents are asking that people sell their [mineral and natural resource] rights.”

“This could be very tempting to people who are struggling to make ends meet,” Becker said, “but they could end up regretting it. I continue to strongly urge people to seek legal advice from an attorney with expertise in this field. It is essential to protect not only the natural and mineral resources of our county, but also the people who make Madison County their home.”

Supervisor Roger D. Bradstreet (D – Nelson), chairman of the Madison County Natural Gas Development Working Group echoed the sentiments of Becker and Degear.

“There is no such thing as a ‘standard lease,’” Bradstreet said. “An attorney with expertise in the field of oil and gas leasing – and now purchasing – is absolutely essential to protecting your property, your rights and possibly your future property values.”

Bradstreet said his first report to Becker from the Madison County Natural Gas Working Group was related to complaints brought to the group by residents over alleged unethical, immoral and borderline illegal behavior by land agents out in the community soliciting leases.

“After researching the concerns of county residents and realizing land agents were the first sign of activity, Chairman Becker determined the first course of action was to get municipalities the tools to know who might be soliciting in their communities,” Bradstreet said.

According to Bradstreet, Becker enlisted the help of the County Attorney’s Office to draft basic legal language that towns could use as a basis to implement solicitation ordinances that dictated the process for obtaining permits, with penalties for violations of the ordinance.

Some towns already have adopted some of these policies.

“This is not a lease,” Degear said, re-emphasizing the permanency of the decision. “They want to purchase the mineral rights, permanently separating the mineral rights underground from the surface property.”

Becker said local sources of information on natural gas development issues are available on the county’s natural gas page at madisoncounty.org/ngw.phpe.

Staff is working to update the site as more information becomes available.

The solicitation from Griffith Land Services states:

“Our clients are currently purchasing oil and gas (hydrocarbon) rights (commonly called mineral rights) in Chenango County, New York. At this time, we are interested in purchase of all or a portion of your mineral rights, regardless of whether your mineral rights have already been leased or whether they are currently producing. A sales of mineral rights preserves your estate on the surface but allows the new owner of the mineral rights to produce the oil and gas lying beneath the surface.

“We will pay immediate cash for your mineral rights, providing you with an easy means to liquidate while getting you top dollar for your mineral rights… In addition, oil and gas exploration is a very risky business. If you sell you have the sure thing – immediate cash! Also, by selling all or a portion of your minerals, you are reducing your risk that state or local regulations in New York will prohibit or restrict drilling on your property.”

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Business & Finance, Government & Politics, Madison County Agencies and Organizations, Top Stories, Wampsville Tagged With: , , , ,

BCCE, Working Solutions Partner to Offer Manufacturing Training Program

March 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

(Madison County, NY – March 2012) The BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education and Working Solutions are partnering to offer a free 15-week training program for Madison County residents interested in working in the manufacturing industry.

The program, funded through the state Department of Labor, is aimed at unemployed residents of Madison County looking to expand the job opportunities available to them. It’s a program that manufacturing companies in the area say is greatly needed.

James Dowd, Vice President/General Manager at Tronser, Inc., in Cazenovia said the program will help the company develop its own future workforce and ensure employees have the appropriate basic skills in blueprint reading, precision measurement equipment and applied math.

“Tronser, Inc., and I are extremely pleased that the state, the BOCES and the county have made this grant and program available,” Dowd said. “Tronser hopes to continue its growth but can only do so with qualified employees. We came to the conclusion long ago that we need to ‘grow’ our own employees.”

Michael Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of Thermold Corporation in Canastota, and John DeRosier, Human Resources Manager of PPC in East Syracuse, echoed Dowd’s comments.

“Thermold is happy this program has been established, as this type of training will enable us to build an entry-level career pipeline to fill our current and future employment requirements,” Reilly said. “As our company continues to grow and expand, we are continually seeking entry-level employees with good math, blueprint reading and precision measuring abilities. Programs such as this will create a labor force that is better prepared to meet the challenges required by local manufacturers, thereby enabling the manufacturers to hire Madison County residents and expand their businesses locally.”

“PPC is always looking for talented CNC machinists and machine operators,” DeRosier said. “We feel this training has the potential to develop a long line of potential candidates to help us build our future.”

Other area employers participating in the training program include Canastota N/C, Hartman Enterprises, Lakeside Innovative Technologies, Manth-Brownell, Marquardt Switches and Oneida Molded Plastics.

The free training program will run for 12 hours per week for 15 weeks. The first session begins April 16, and a second session will begin in August.

Training will include career research; basic and industrial shop math; mechanical blueprint reading; measurement, geometric dimension and tolerance; basic computer operations and OSHA training.

For more information, call Roy Augustine at the Madison County Career Center in Oneida at (315) 363-2400.

Filed Under: Announcements, Business & Finance, Canastota, Cazenovia, Education, Employment, Oneida, Sullivan, Top Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Informational Meeting on Proposed Municipal Gas Utility Planned

March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(Hamilton, NY – March 2012) Hamilton residents and owners of village properties and businesses are invited to an informational meeting at Hamilton Central School Thursday, March 29, at 7 p.m., to learn the latest about a proposal to create a municipal gas utility.

At its Feb. 14 meeting, the Hamilton Village Board unanimously approved legislation to create a not-for-profit municipal gas utility charged with designing, building and operating a system to buy natural gas from third-party sources and distribute it to business and residential customers locally.

The legislation approved by the board is subject to ratification by registered voters in the village of Hamilton during an April 17 referendum (noon to 9 p.m. at Hamilton Public Library).

“The village has been working to address some of the questions that were asked at a public hearing prior to the boardʼs vote on the municipal gas utility,” said Hamilton Mayor Margaret Miller. “The informational meeting March 29 will be an opportunity for us to report on our progress.”

Miller said that several comments during the Feb. 14 public hearing were directed at the timetable for making gas service available to customers in the village.

“We originally proposed to make service available as soon as possible to three major users – Hamilton Central School, Community Memorial Hospital and Colgate – with other business and residential customers to be added as demand and resources allowed,” Miller said. “The questions at the public hearing suggested opportunities that might be available if our initial build-out could include service to more customers. Our consultants are working on that question, and we have mailed a survey to property owners to test the level of community interest.”

Miller said the other topic that drew the most interest at the public hearing was how the gas utility would relate to hydraulic fracturing.

“There is obvious concern, not only in Hamilton, but statewide and nationally, about the process of ʻfrackingʼ in extraction of natural gas,” Miller said. “Hamilton will not be mining for gas. Our proposed municipal gas utility will be structured to buy gas from existing third-party sources and distribute it to users in the village. Our plan is to provide access to an energy source that is cleaner and more economical than some of the other fuels currently available in the village. We respect the concern and expect to explain the distinction again during the public meeting.”

Miller said the meeting will begin with a presentation about work on the project to date before being opened for discussion.

Filed Under: Announcements, Business & Finance, Calendar of Events, Government & Politics, Hamilton Tagged With: , , , , , ,

‘Mad City Money’ to Shape Financial Futures

March 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

(Cazenovia, Chittenango, NY – March 2012) When you were in high school, did you have a firm grasp on the upcoming financial realities of buying a home, raising a family, planning for a sound financial future and dealing with unexpected expenses? For most teenagers, the answer is absolutely not.

To help reverse this trend, the Cazenovia Personal and Business Finance class, school officials and local credit union representatives will host Mad City Money, a fun and informative financial simulation that allows young people to take on the role of an adult in futuristic Mad City, where they will get real world “financial reality check” complete with: occupation, salary, spouse and/or children, student loan debt, credit card debt, and auto and medical insurance payments.

Endorsed by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the Mad City Money event is set for Tuesday March 27 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Cazenovia High School Aux Gymnasium.

Each of the 50 high school Cazenovia and Chittenango students will build a monthly budget based on income, indentify and experience the consequences of poor financial decisions, and develop improved spending habits.  Along the way, they’ll visit nine Mad City merchants to gain hands-on experience in purchasing housing, transportation, food, day care, and other needs. Participants will use debit cards for their purchases and must balance both their debit card registers and their budgets.

Mad City also has a credit union office where participants can stop in for guidance with their financial budgeting.

“Most young people are surprised to find out they may not be able to afford a big house and a new car when they get their first job,” says Amber Bullard, Focal Point’s Syracuse-area Business Development Representative, who along with Thom Dellwo of Syracuse Cooperative FCU will be offering students financial assistance and advice designed to get them thinking about their own future.

To keep things interesting, Bullard and FocalPoint’s Canandaigua Branch Manager and Christina New, the Cazenovia Business teacher, will also act as The Fickle Finger of Fate by randomly visiting each participant during the simulation to distribute unexpected windfalls and unplanned expenses.

“It’s all about helping young people gain the knowledge and confidence they will need to take responsibility for themselves and their family in the future,” Bullard points out.  “The first step is understanding that budgeting is necessary to good money management and the key to their future financial stability.”

 

 

Filed Under: Business & Finance, Calendar of Events, Cazenovia, Chittenango, Education, Youth Tagged With: , , , , ,

Francisco Earns Doctorate in Physical Therapy

March 22, 2012 By 1 Comment
Francisco Tim

 

(Chittenango, NY – March 2012) )We are proud to announce that Tim Francisco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, a physical therapist at Chittenango Physical Therapy, recently received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) through the Evidence In Motion Institute of Health Professions.

Evidence In Motion facilitates a “first in class” environment for post-graduate students to receive the highest caliber of training and become distinguished leaders in evidence-based orthopedic and manual physical therapy practice. The Evidence In Motion staff are nationally recognized as leaders in the field for evidence-based physical therapy research and instruction.

He also recently obtained his board certification as a Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS). Clinical specialization requires a broad-based foundation of physical therapy education and clinical practice combined with depth and breadth of knowledge in orthopedic physical therapy. To obtain board certification, candidates must submit evidence of required clinical practice in orthopedics.  In addition, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous written examination, demonstrating specialized knowledge and advanced clinical proficiency in orthopedic physical therapy.

Francisco has become a highly skilled, autonomous practitioner with a strong knowledge base, hands on manual therapy skills, and clinical reasoning capabilities. These skills serve as cornerstones for the physical therapy profession’s leading evidence-based practitioners. His experiences through the Evidence in Motion DPT program and his orthopedic physical therapy exam preparation help him to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients.  It is our mission at Chittenango Physical Therapy to deliver first-class service to each patient in a respectful and caring manner.

In addition, Francisco is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), as well as being certified in Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (ASTYM) and Sole Supports Custom Fit Foot Orthotics for lower extremity injuries (www.solesupports.com). ASTYM is an effective treatment for chronic tendonitis, muscle strains, scar tissue, etc.

For more information on ASTYM please go to www.astym.com.

For more information, call Francisco at Chittenango Physical Therapy at 315-510-3372.

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Business & Finance, Chittenango, Health & Medicine Tagged With: , ,

Hamilton Chiropractic Sponsors Children’s Film

March 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
skn, ham chiropractic 002

(Hamilton, NY – March 2012) Pictured are Susan Marafino and daughter Isadora of Hamilton Chiropractic Health Center, sponsor of last week’s screening of Ant Bully at Hamilton Theater.

This Saturday’s feature in the Alliance Bank Children’s Matinee series held Saturday March 24 at 12:30pm is Hop, sponsored by Witter Construction.  Admission is free.

Filed Under: Business & Finance, Calendar of Events, Dining & Entertainment, Hamilton
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