JUNE - Vol. 27- Issue 49

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DISCOVER HAPPINESS
is a Borodino pancake. This Sunday, June 27 at the firehouse on Nunnery Rd. [For list of pancake breakfasts]

GIRO OF OTISCO LAKE 
Spafford Area Historical Society will once again sponsor a bike race around Otisco Lake as a fundraiser for the organization's many programs and restoration efforts. Registration is $25 and may be paid on the day of the race, June 26, between 9:00 am - 9:45 am.  Call Lauri Clark at 636-8300 or email Phil Clark - pbclark@mailbox.syr.edu.

The "race up the causeway" will begin promptly at 10 a.m. from the Side Hill School (corner of Willowdale and Stanton Roads) in the Town of Spafford. Sponsors of this year's race are businesses around Otisco Lake and Mack Studio Displays of Auburn.

SAHS ANTIQUE SALE AND CHICKEN BBQ 
July 3 from 10 am to 4 pm at Borodino Grange hall in Borodino. For info call Carol at 315-636-8121.

"JUDGE JERRY" NOMINATED AS CANDIDATE FOR TOWN JUSTICE
Jerry Schinaman was nominated for Town Justice at Tuesday night's Spafford Republican caucus. Schinaman will run on the ballot this November.

BORODINO FIRE DEPT NAMES DAVE MILLER FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Dave Miller just finished his term as fire chief and was elected first assistant chief. Link to Neighbors West article by Post-Standard writer Dick Clarke: 'We have Norman Rockwell down really well...and a little bit of Hooterville, too.'

SPAFFORD TOWN BOARD MEETING:  JUNE 10
Off and running at 7:00 p.m. with a bursting agenda and boisterous audience. Here's some selections:

GRACE GRENGA TAKES A BITE OUT OF JOYCE BARNETT

Grace Grenga welcomed her "chance to finally address Joyce Barnett."  (Grace Grenga is Chairman of the Spafford Republican Party, and was on the Town Board for 8 years)

'You spoke about the Golden Rule (in a letter to Skan Press). Is everyone supposed to follow it but you?"  

Grenga contends Barnett was less than truthful when listing alleged incidents in letters to the press in her reports of physical assault, slanderous statements about the Republican Party, and slashed tires. "These are not true", said Grenga. 

JOYCE B: I've been very respectful tonight of you.

GRACE G: I think the letters should stop. What is in this town, should stay in this town. I want you to start working in cooperation with the board.

[Transcript of this 3 minute exchange from board meeting June 10, 2004]

[Transcript of 7 minute exchange from board meeting May 13, 2004]

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH TAKES A BITE OUT OF CRIME

Russell Mitchell from CNY Neighborhood Watch complimented Spafford residents on an impressive attendance. Mitchell said Barry Kahn started a Neighborhood Watch on Cold Brook Rd. 

He described the 5-step program to get started, and announced an upcoming picnic at Long Branch Park on June 15.

"We promote people knowing each other."

Several residents questioned Councilor Barnett about various incidents of violence she alleges in her letter to the Skaneateles Press, voicing concern over talk of violent acts in their town.

GORDON: "We don't need that kind of stuff in Spafford." 

"Call the State Police if you're worried about it," said an unnamed woman who was sitting near Peter Payntar.

BARNETT: The person who it happened to is in this room, but doesn't want to come forward and I have to respect her privacy.  

SPAFFORD CEMETERY TO HAVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MERRILL CLARK (former Superintendent of Highway Dept)  wants to set up a Board of Directors or committee to set guidelines and rules for Spafford Cemetery. GORDON: "After you set some general guidelines come back and present them to the board."

TURTLES AND SNAKES AND SPAFFORD....OH, MY!

Mike Webster and Bill Kaiser from Adelphia Cable said that "because of the persistence of Mr. Lieberman we were able to convince the new management at Adelphia to extend cable coverage another 12 miles, to cover 304 homes.  We are approximately 20% completed with this project. In about a week Step 1 - putting up the strand (lay fiber optic cable, and coaxial cable on top of that) will be done."

"Our goal is to be done by mid-August before we start connecting homes. An informational package will be mailed to residents."

"We've encountered a lot of brush, mud, and swamp. We've met a lot of turtles and snakes in the past week." 

99% of the cable installed is aerial; the underground work is from the pole to the home.

"We've had many calls. But we have to get this 12 mile run done first (before talking about further expansion, or specific home hook-up)."

They again commended the efforts of Ken Lieberman, amid clapping from the audience. MAP OF COMPLETED AREA (June 2004) 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAY CANCEL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM - UNABLE TO RESOLVE CODE VIOLATIONS

"Zero occupancy on the downstairs according to Doug Staley," said Councilor FRED CHAPPELL.

After some prodding, the historical society conceded that inadequate exit was one problem. There is only one exit, so that is one fire code violation.

The door opens inward, and the SAHS is unwilling to cut a door to swing outwards because then they "can't get on the Historical Register," said Lauri Clark.

JOE VECCHIO said he wrote a letter to the historical society offering to assist in temporarily hanging the proper door to allow use of the grange building, but received no reply. 

"There must be some way to solve this," said one resident.

Another said, "Let me get this straight ...you've known about these problems for how long? A year?"

GORDON IRELAND: Have you tried to find an alternate location for the Summer Youth Program. Such as the church or fire department?

LAURI CLARK: The violations have grown to 5 or 6. We haven't looked for another location.

GORDON: "Somebody must be doing nothing, because nothing is happening."

BARNETT: "There are some issues with clarifications." 

LAURI CLARK: The problem is with the code enforcement officer.

GORDON IRELAND: " I don't know why you can't just use a temporary swing-out door. Open the doors and let the kids in there!"

Ireland called for a meeting with Vic Sayko, Liz Rogalia, Doug Staley, and Lauri Clark and for them to "get back to me by Tuesday".

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT INCHES FORWARD 

GORDON IRELAND asked the status of the letter of memorandum needed to proceed with the Community Development grant for the Grange building. SAHS President, Liz Rogalia stated that the SAHS board has met, their lawyer has looked at it, and sent it to Crawford & Stearns, who approved it, and sent it on to Community Development. The SAHS board has unanimously approved it, with some corrections.

ROGALIA stated she didn't know as she didn't have information in front of her. Gordon Ireland said " I have an obligation to the taxpayers to protect that $89,000."

JEFF IRELAND, A DUMB FARMER WITHOUT A JOB?

Councilor Barnett said that she "never said that." Councilor Jeff Ireland replied, "you're nothing but a bald-faced liar, Joyce." 

"GENTLEMAN, said Barnett. "The rules have changed. We now have a videotape." 

Margaret Ireland formally requested to view the SAHS video tapes with her attorney. In contention is an alleged derogatory statement made by Joyce Barnett to Jeff Ireland (saying he didn't work and was just a dumb farmer). 

PETER PAYNTAR asked whether Richard Thomson would be returning to the town hall to answer questions. Ireland said he has not asked him to do so, as nothing has changed, and because we "don't want another dog and pony show."

JOYCE BARNETT MAKES A MOTION 

A motion was made to ask Richard Thomson to come back to answer questions, before July 5, and before the Town Attorney's report is completed     (in about a month), and at "an evening time."   Lisa Valletta requested adequate time to write to Mr. Thomson and print public notices in the Press.

JOYCE BARNETT: "I was asked by an attorney for the NYS Dept of State to ask the following question (of the board) - Are you having meetings to discuss town business without the minority board members being present?"

Ireland asked Barnett several times for further clarification, and Barnett repeated her original question. Ireland said "no, we do not meet in caucus in the 15 years I've been here."  

BARNETT: When will we meet as a body to discuss this?  The request should be a board decision.

VINZANT: After the town attorney completes their report I will support a meeting in executive session of the town board.

SPAFFORD ASSESSOR, BOB BROWN said he received a Certificate of Excellence from Real Property Tax Services. Mr. Brown reported that the total base taxable dollars for Spafford rose about $4 million in 2003 (was $181 million) to $186 million in 2004. He had 40 grievances, but 30 were carryovers from last year.

"BORODINO BEACH" UPDATE

FRANK MORAN said he has been working since January on a proposed project for a town beach. As he sees it, the most desirable property is the Denslows' -- with 40' of lakefront, and 1.66 acres of land adjacent to the town landing (Borodino). 

LISA VALLETTA handed Moran a letter of response from the Denslows, which basically said that although their property is not for sale, they invite offers. Moran asked the Town Board for advice and backing before going further.

JEFF IRELAND said he was not for the proposal.

FRED CHAPPELL mentioned possible problems. MORAN said purchasing additional property for town use will only get more difficult as time goes by and property values increase.

The Denslow property is assessed at $269,000.

Moran said "the best asset we've got in this town, besides its people, is access to the lake."

"The 49' of road frontage is what the town now owns. With the purchase of Denslow's property, we would have 89' to use."  Moran said although the project was bound to meet obstacles along the way but feels the "positives outweigh the negatives."

MORAN cited the Veterans Memorial as an example of what a few citizens could do with a vision and work. Councilor BARNETT offered to put the grant proposal together.

GORDON said he was concerned about the feasibility of restricting access to only Spafford town residents. He suggested that Moran check with the County Health Dept and immediate residents to see what regulations he would  have to comply with.

GORDON said the residents (near the landing) police the area themselves, and have been pretty good neighbors. They've put up with people swimming down there for generations. He also said lifeguards would probably need to be hired should this plan go forward.

THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY PARADE IN BORODINO AND AT 100 YARDS IT MAY BEAT NAVARINO AS THE SMALLEST: May 30, 2004
Bill Case tells me he is delighted with the turnout.  Well over 200 people came out to enjoy the ceremony at the Spafford Veterans Memorial.  "I just wanted to bring people together," Case said. One veteran was given a pass to leave the hospital to attend. The placing of the wreath at the monument brought a tear to the eyes of many. "This is the best day of my life," said one veteran. 

WE HEAR that there may be plans to bury a time capsule at the memorial site to commemorate this occasion. 

Spafford residents should be proud, by Town Supervisor Gordon Ireland, Neighbors West, 6/10/94 

IN THE NEWS

• In reaction to Spafford Republican's press, Gianfranco Frittelli, Skan Press, 6/23/04

• Spafford Party concerned about planning, Linda Sanders, Skan Press, 6/23/04

• Besse letter offends Spafford resident, Joe Vecchio, Skan Press, 6/23/04

• Borodino names Miller Firefighter of the Year, Neighbors West, 6/17/04

• Appreciating Spafford, Dick Besse, Skan Press, 6/17/04

• Spafford residents should be proud, by Town Supervisor Gordon Ireland, Neighbors West, 6/10/04

• Spafford Republicans furious with Barnett by CJ Parsons, Skan Press, 6/9/04

• Jeff Ireland speaks out, by Jeff Ireland (Skaneateles Press, 6/9/04)

• Spafford Party appreciates support, by Joyce Barnett (Neighbors West, 6/3/04)

• Barnett's remarks are an insult to all, by C.J. Parsons (Neighbors West, 5/27/04) 

• Spafford site studied for wind power project Post-Standard, 5/15/04 regarding Fesko Farms test tower 

• We have a choice to make, by Joyce Barnett (Skaneateles Press, 5/5/04)

• KKK pitch Spafford grangers, Skan Press, 4/28/04

• Index-Skan Press 

• Index-Post-Standard

Downloads for you

1. Spafford Forest map, by Chris Somerlot (PDF)

2. Spafford Forest2, by Chris Somerlot (PDF)

Spy Ware Removal Programs (right-click, "Save Target As")

1. Ad-Aware 

2. Spy Remover v. 1.62

CAN YOU PICK THE REAL NEWS ?

Town of Spafford will hire Joe Vecchio as mediator for future board meetings.

The Bullett has received "dozens and dozens of calls" asking to see Joe's video tape of town board meetings. We are considering a public viewing to accommodate all.

Recent changing of the locks at the grange building has some SAHS members riled.

Car sales to China fell off this month. The Chinese government is restricting low interest loans to its citizens to slow the growth their economy.