(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Local storyteller author Olin Davis has announced the publication of “Recollection,” his second book of true human interest life stories. This collection spotlights memories of personal experiences and observations spanning eight-and-a-half decades.

Seventy-five different adventure events share memories of growing up and working on a dairy farm, a career of selling farm equipment and retirement. Anecdotes recall cod liver oil, knickers, the one-room school, a team of horses and more.

“As a kid, I was fascinated when an elderly neighbor told stories about ‘how it used to wuz,’” Davis said. “Perhaps that inspired me to write ‘Flashbacks,’ and now ‘Recollections,’ my second volume. Now, I’m the old-timer telling tales of olden days. Everyday incidents from by-gone years preserve the past.”

Significant references to events in our locality are interwoven through many of the factual tales. Local history about a rural way of life is revealed through the eyes of the author. Some experiences may parallel those of the reader.

Word pictures also describe people and places beyond this immediate vicinity.

The author is a lifetime resident of Central New York, currently living in Oneida. He is active in his church and the community. Writing is one of several hobbies in his retirement years.

As a student long ago, he wrote feature articles for Verona High School’s newspaper, “The Ink Pot.” He is a member of the Canastota Writers Group. He has received awards from Rebecca Eddy Memorial and recognition from Writer’s Digest International.

Readers of “Flashbacks,” his first published work, have requested more of his style of storytelling. Many relate that the book has rekindled memories of their own. Davis often speaks at historical societies, senior citizen groups, libraries and other venues.

He discloses amusing accounts about life in the past and the present.

Autographed copies of “Recollections” are available.

For more information, email Olin.Davis@verizon.net.

(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Is your kitchen out of step with your lifestyle? Interior designer Mark Mutz comes to the Oneida Public Library Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. to give you fresh ideas in the program “Rethinking Your Kitchen.”

Mutz, proprietor of Kitchen Concepts in Rome and resident of Oneida, will discuss how to “open up” a cramped kitchen, maximize efficiency and improve layouts in existing kitchens. He will also review the latest trends in materials and designs.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, stop by the Oneida Library, 220 Broad St., or call 363-3050.

(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

• Recognition of public safety members and citizens involved in rendering aid (Meeker)

Approval of minutes – regular meeting 01/17/2012 and special meeting 01/31/2012

Approval of Warrant No. 3

1. 1.         CAPITAL PROJECT 12-11:  Authorize the Fire Chief to proceed with Capital Project 12-11 – Oxygen Fill Station and expend funds up to the programmed amount of $5,600.  (Myers)

1. 2.         AGREEMENT:  Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Team Health East, Woodbury NJ appointing a Medical Director to comply with regulations concerning rescue services provided by the City Fire Dept. (Myers)

1. 3.         COMMITTEES:   Authorize the creation of a City Charter Committee, City Nuisance Committee and City Manager Committee and authorize appointments to said committees. (Mayor)

1. 4.         WAIVER OF CHARGE:   Authorize the remaining balance of $8.00 for invoice 2011/50/0013400 be removed from the books as uncollectable.  (Smolinski)

1. 5.         ADVERTISE FOR BIDS:  Authorize the Purchasing Agent to advertise for bids for Capital Projects for the Municipal Building Roof Replacement, a heavy duty Class 8 dump truck with plow, and a heavy duty Class 8 dump truck.   (Bacher)

1. 6.         GLADWELL AVENUE PROJECT: Receive and place on file the Short Environmental Assessment Form Part I and pursuant to SEQR declare lead agency for the Gladwell Avenue Storm Water Collection System Project. (Bacher)

1. 7.         GLADWELL AVENUE SEQR:   Declare the Gladwell Avenue Storm Water Collection System Project to be an Unlisted Action, complete the Short Environmental Assessment Form Part II for the project, and authorize the Mayor to sign a negative declaration of environmental significance in Part III of the Short Environmental Assessment Form.  (Bacher)

1. 8.         CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENT:  Authorize a Capital Budget Amendment in the amount of $6,988.42 to the Oneida Justice Center Project and authorize the City Engineer to expend said funds relating the Settlement Agreement in the matter of Maximum Security Products vs. City of Oneida.  (Bacher)

1. 9.         LAND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:  Receive and place on file a purchase offer letter from Christopher J. Baker, 209 E. Railroad St. dated June 29, 2011 for vacant land located on Lexington Ave. (30.73-1-7) adjacent to his property and authorize the sale of said property for $250 plus all closing costs and filing fees as per the recommendation of the Land Committee.  (Stedman)

1. 10.     LAND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:  Receive and place on file a purchase offer letter from Daniel J. Miller, dba Affordable Storage, 320 Verona St. Oneida dated October 15, 2011 for vacant land on Monahan Place (30.46-1-6) and authorize the sale of a portion of said property for $2,000 plus the cost of a survey, which shall be reviewed and approved by the Water Superintendent before filing, plus all closing costs and filing fees as per the recommendation of the Land Committee. (Stedman)

1. 11.     LAND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:  Receive and place on file a purchase offer letter from Frederick Edick, PO Box 206 Oneida dated November 28, 2011 for vacant land located at 202 N. Main Street (former Chinese Restaurant), authorize the placing of a “For Sale” sign on the property, and further authorize “No Parking” signs to be placed on said parcel per the recommendation of the Land Committee.  (Stedman)

1. 12.     LAND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:  Receive and place on file a letter from Randy Jones, 521 W. Elm Street, Oneida NY expressing interest in purchasing vacant property located on W. Elm Street (20.69-1-10.25) and as per the recommendation of the Land Committee, authorize the City Attorney to send a letter to NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to determine if this property when donated to the City, was done so as dedicated parkland.  (Stedman)

1. 13.     BUDGET TRANSFER:   Authorize a budget transfer in the amount of $8,043 from Contingency to Fire – Equipment Repair & Maintenance to cover the cost of emergency repairs to Engine 2.  (Cukierski/Myers)

1. 14.     LOCAL LAW NO. 1 OF 2012:  Receive and place on file Local Law No. 1 of 2012 to establish a Special Events Policy in the City of Oneida and schedule a Public Hearing for February 21, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, 109 N. Main St. Oneida.  (Bell)

1. 15.     2011 ANNUAL REPORT:  Receive and place on file the 2011 Parks and Recreation Annual Report. (Lovett)

1. 16.     TENTATIVE AGREEMENT: Authorize the Mayor to sign the tentative Agreement with the Oneida Paid Firefighters Association, Local 2692.  (Hudson)

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.