(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) School-aged children can learn the secrets of snowflakes in Winter Wonders at the Oneida Public Library with Michele Ryan Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 4 p.m.
Children will learn how snowflakes are formed and how varied they can be, while doing their own experiment in snowflakes.
The program is free. For more information, stop by the Oneida Library, 220 Broad St., or call 363-3050.
AGENDA
CITY OF ONEIDA COMMON COUNCIL
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 109 N. MAIN STREET, ONEIDA NY
COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
FEBRUARY 7, 2012
6:00 PM
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance / Roll Call
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of minutes – regular meeting 01/17/2012 and special meeting 01/31/2012
Approval of Warrant No. 3
OLD BUSINESS
(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) The Oneida Area Civic Chorale is offering a $300 scholarship to an area high school senior who has displayed musical talent in school and community performances and plans to engage in musical study beyond high school as a music major or in extracurricular areas.
Applicants must submit a completed application form, a performance tape or CD displaying solo and/or ensemble achievements, a short written explanation of how the award money would be used and a letter of recommendation from a music teacher. An interview with selected candidates may be requested before a final decision is made.
The scholarship will be awarded in May.
Applications and tapes/CDs must be received by April 1. Applications may be obtained from music teachers and guidance counselors at local high schools or by calling Kitty Warner at (315) 363-9667, and should be submitted to the Oneida Area Civic Chorale Senior Scholarship, 431 Broad St., Oneida, N.Y. 13421.
Oneida Police Department blotter
By Chief David R. Meeker Sr.
(Oneida, NY – Jan. Feb. 2012) Charlene M Sullivan, 29, of Hawthorne Avenue, Utica was arrested Jan. 27 on charges of; Driving while Intoxicated, Failure to keep right and Refused Pre-Screening test. Sullivan was charged after she allegedly struck a vehicle head on Jan. 17 at about 9:18 p.m. at Genesee Street and Upper Lenox Avenue. Sullivan was traveling west on Genesee Street when she turned right off of Genesee Street onto Upper Lenox Avenue to travel east when she went into the wrong lane and struck a west bound vehicle on Upper Lenox Ave. Sullivan was arraigned and committed to Madison County Jail in lieu of bail set at $1,000 to appear Feb. 3.
Rodney C. Ortman, 43, of N. Main Street, Oneida was charged on Jan. 31 with second-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and Speed in Zone. He is to appear Feb. 17.
Christine D. Denney, 35, of Lenox Avenue, Oneida was issued a criminal summons Jan. 31 to appear in Oneida City Court Feb. 7 to answer a charge of second-degree Harassment. She is alleged to have physically harassed another person.
William W. Sochia, 21, of Pond Hill Road, Taberg was charged Feb. 1 with second-degree Harassment. He is to appear Feb. 3. He is alleged to have physically harassed another person.
Brian A. Hubbard, 21, of Vienna Road, Sylvan Beach was issued an appearance ticket Feb. 1 to appear in Oneida City Court Feb. 17 to answer a charge of Unlawful Possession of marijuana.
Deanna S. Warner, 36, of Seneca Turnpike, Canastota was charged Feb. 2 with Petit Larceny, seventh- degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful possession of marijuana. Warner is alleged to have stolen property from another person and to have possessed marijuana and a schedule V controlled substance. She is to appear in court Feb. 10.
A 17-year-old resident of Cherrywood Lane, Rome was arrested Feb. 2 on a charge of second-degree Criminal Contempt. He is alleged to have violated a court order. He was arraigned and committed to Madison County Jail in lieu of bail to appear Feb. 3.
Tuesday, February 7
9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Town of Sullivan Board Meeting of February 1
9:14 a.m. 2:14 p.m. and 7:14 p.m.: Madison County Renewable Energy & the A.R.E. Park
9:25 a.m. 2:25 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.: CMS and You: Children’s Health
9:54 a.m. 2:54 p.m. and 7:54 p.m.: Oswego County Legislature Meeting of January 4
Wednesday, February 8
9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Oneida Common Council Special Meeting of January 31
11:01a.m. 4:01 p.m. and 9:01 p.m.: Assembly Update with Bill Magee
Thursday, February 9
9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: Tomorrow’s World
9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: Tomorrow’s World
11:00 p.m.: Ear to the Streets
To the Editor:
(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Last year, for the first time, the proposed Oneida Public Library budget did not pass. The library Board of Trustees asked an independent firm to conduct a community survey to help us understand this new phenomenon.
The results revealed three major themes that impacted the vote in a negative way: 1) many voters had no knowledge of the budget process or were unaware of the date of the vote; 2) other responders described misinformation they received from outside sources, or had simply misinterpreted the budget facts or overall purpose for voting; and 3) many potential voters just didn’t vote as the library budget has always passed, and they felt their vote wasn’t needed.
We want to be sure our voters have a better understanding of the library budget, the purpose of the vote and what it means for our community. Here are some important facts about the current Oneida Public Library budget:
The budget totals $360,252.
Two-thirds of the budget is for personnel, including benefits (three full-time and 12 part-time support staff). Support staffers receive little more than minimum wage.
Purchase of books and library materials, building maintenance and utilities are other large items.
The budget vote is for approval of the library’s operating budget. This has NOTHING to do with the exciting building project the Library has been discussing for years. No money from the operating budget is spent on the project.
The library tax appears as a separate item on residents’ property tax bills. This is a small tax – last year, the tax on property valued at $100,000 was about $40.
Any increases or decreases in the library tax do not affect other taxes on the bill. For example, a 1.5-percent increase on the library tax for a $100,000 property would mean an additional 60 cents for the library tax, resulting in a library tax of $40.60 for the year. It would not be applied to the other taxes on the bill.
Voter turnout for the budget vote is historically low. Last year, only 666 people turned out to vote; 241 people voted in favor of the budget, but 425 people voted against it. When the budget is defeated, the library must use the budget of the previous year, and since costs increase this results in cuts in services.
Any registered voter who resides in the library district (the same geographic region as the Oneida City School District) may participate in the budget vote. You need not own property in order to vote.
If you are going to be out of town the day of the vote, pick up an absentee ballot application at the library. A ballot will be sent to you Feb. 10.
The budget vote will be held Tuesday, March 6, from noon to 9 p.m. at the library.
A public hearing on the proposed 2012-13 budget will be held Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the library. Attend the hearing and learn the true story of the proposed budget. The Board of Trustees knows the facts regarding the budget, and we will be happy to explain them and answer any questions regarding the operation of the library.
Feel free to call a Board member: Eileen Kinsella, (315) 363-4632; Patricia Albaugh, (315) 761-9701; Pamela Graves, (315) 363-3459; George Miller, (315) 225-2010, Diane Roy, (315) 363-4383; Bob Wilkins, (315) 363-6065 or Kate Myatt, (315) 440-3146.
Above all, mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 6, from noon to 9 p.m. to attend the budget vote, and do your part to keep the intellectual spark alive in Oneida. Your vote DOES count!
Patricia K. Albaugh, Vice President, Oneida Public Library Board of Trustees
(Oneida, NY) Sen. David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) was named to a newly-created bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Libraries.
“Libraries are an integral resource in our communities, providing access to books, technology and education to people of all ages,” Valesky said. “I am pleased to serve on this committee, to focus on the specific needs of libraries in Central New York and across the state.”
The 19-member Select Committee may conduct meetings, conferences and public hearings, gather information and make recommendations on library-related legislative proposals.
New York has 750 public libraries, and that total rises to 7,000 when academic, school and special libraries are included. There are dozens of libraries and several library systems within the 49th Senate District.
Valesky has been a supporter of libraries throughout his service in the Senate. In 2011, he earned an “A” rating from New Yorkers for Better Libraries for his legislative work with respect to libraries.
Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers and volunteer Joyce Leinberger present a plaque to Kime Hardware Store Manager Patrick Kime. Kime Hardware in Canastota donated warehouse space to store and distribute 10 tons of dog food recently donated to the shelter.
Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers presents a plaque to Doug Tudman, director of sales and marketing for Isadore Rapasadi & Sons of Canastota, whose truck shipped 10 tons of donated dog food from Tech Packaging Warehouse in Berwick, Penn., to Canastota.
By Martha E. Conway
(Town of Lenox, Canastota, NY – Jan. 2012) Joyce Leinberger grew up in Canastota, and after returning home in July, she brought with her animal advocate connections she had made while living in New Jersey.
“I made a friend there who worked for Del Monte – [Donations Coordinator] Carole Slade,” Leinberger said. “I worked with them to get dog food for people who couldn’t afford it.”
When people fall on hard times and can’t afford to feed their pets, those animals frequently wind up in shelters, said Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers. Helping people feed their pets in times of need helps those animals remain in their homes.
“I asked Carole if there were any distribution centers nearby,” Leinberger said. “The closest was southeast of Wilkes Barre, Penn. She asked me, ‘What do you need?’ They had 15 pallets.”
“But we had to go get it, store it and find those who needed it,” Ivers said, adding that he was skeptical about the effort, which seemed to require so much coordination.
According to Ivers, they really wanted to coordinate the effort with the holidays when people are especially strapped for cash. He credited Leinberger’s coordination efforts and Canastota’s Patrick Kime of Kime Hardware and Isadore Rapasadi & Son’s Sales and Marketing Director Doug Tudman for their unhesitating assistance in the successful completion of the mission.
“Kime’s and Rapasadi’s really came through,” Ivers said, explaining that they were lucky to have Rapasadi’s trucks returning – empty – from that area after making their deliveries there. “Eighteen different agencies received a quantity of the food, and several church pantries have added a dog food section. Thousands of families and their dogs got a little something extra in their stocking this year.”
Agencies Benefiting from Del Monte’s Donation
The 10 tons of first-quality Del Monte dog food brands (Ol’ Roy, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Nature’s Recipe) were distributed during the holidays to:
Angels of Fur Canine Rescue of Central New York; Cazenovia Veterinary Hospital; Dog Daze Pet Food Pantry, Cicero; Dorothy’s Pet Grooming, Canastota; Hamilton Veterinary Hospital; Herkimer County Humane Society; Humane Society of Rome; Humane Society of Syracuse; Kiwanis Pet Food Pantry, Syracuse; Pit Bull Rescue of Syracuse; Rescue Me Purebred K-9 Rescue, Oneida; Spay and Neuter Syracuse Pet Food Pantry, Syracuse; SPCA of Chenango County; St. Lucy’s Church Pet Food Pantry, Syracuse; St. Matthew’s Church Pet Food Pantry, East Syracuse; Stevens-Swan Humane Society, Utica; Village Veterinary Hospital, Canastota; and Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association, Canastota.
Editor’s Note: Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association is an open-admission shelter dedicated to providing the highest-quality care and compassion for the animals entrusted to them while leading the community in creating a more humane society. The Association contracts with Madison County to undertake the housing of stray and impounded dogs picked up by the dog control officers of the various towns and municipalities within the county. The largely volunteer-supported organization always is in need of additional hands. For more information on volunteering or adopting a cat or dog, call (315) 697-2796.
(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) There will be a social dance on Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center, 159 Main St., Oneida. Music will be provided by DJ Dave, with a lesson from 6 to 7 p.m. and open dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, and the dance is open to the public.
Please call the Kallet at 315 363-8525 if there are questions.
Pictured: Utica Zoo caretaker Justin Horender entertained the crowd with a variety of animals at the 2011 CNY Sportsman Show. The Utica Zoo will return to Oneida’s Kallet Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 for the 2012 CNY Sportsman Show.
(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) For most outdoor enthusiasts, their love for hunting, fishing, or just spending time in the great outdoors began at a young age. That is why the Central New York Sportsman Show (CNYSS) has always dedicated a portion of the show to family-friendly attractions that will delight children. There is no admission charge for kids 12 and under.
On Saturday, Feb. 4 the Utica Zoo will return to the CNYSS with a live show at 11am featuring mammals, birds and reptiles from NY State and around the world. Children can get up-close – and even touch some animals – following the presentation.
Marathon native “Dan the Snakeman” Chase will give kids the ultimate educational reptile experience with his amazing collection of snakes, tortoises and other reptiles, large and small.
Kids can enter a ”barnyard” petting area throughout the show, and try their aim at a laser-simulated shooting gallery. This year, a mounted polar bear is sure to get their attention, and they can check out the many deer and fish mounts on the main stage.
The 8th Annual CNYSS will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kallet Civic Center, 159 Main St. Admission is $6, and children 12 years and under are free.
For more information, visit www.holycrossacademy.com/sportsman_show.
(Oneida, NY – Jan. 30, 2012) The New York State Police in Troop D announced a three-day campaign to crack down on drunk drivers this upcoming Super Bowl weekend. The campaign will begin Friday, Feb. 3 and continue through Sunday, Feb. 5. The Super Bowl featuring the New England Patriots and New York Giants will be played on Sunday.
If football fans plan on drinking during the Super Bowl, designating a sober driver can help increase the chance of avoiding an alcohol-impaired-driving crash. Alcohol-impaired driving is no accident nor is it a victimless crime. 10,228 people died nationwide in motor vehicle crashes in 2010 in which an impaired driver had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher.
There are just too many drivers out there who believe that having just a few drinks and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is harmless. But numbers don’t lie. Drinking and driving can result in loss of life or serious injury. These not only affect the lives of the impaired driver but can affect other families as well.
When you choose to drink, drink responsibly, and pass your keys to a sober driver. Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk. If you know of someone who has been drinking and is planning to drive, please remember Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
