Talk Of The Town - Wellsville by Bradford Publishing

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

SEPTEMBER 2015

Opinions. We all got them right? I hope you have a good time readI mean what’s better than having a ing what our neighbors had to say and opinion on something? Isn’t that what also enjoy reading some of the great makes the world an interesting place local stories inside. We will be producto live in? Opinions are the basis of ing this monthly so stay tuned for next almost every conversation you have months edition and If you see Preston with people. Whether you’re talking Cochran or I out on the streets feel about the weather, sports, community free to stop and say hello and give happenings, TV, movies, food or dare i JUSTIN us your opinions... who knows maybe say... politics, opinions can make any PARKES you’ll make next month’s edition. All I FOUNDER dull subject fun. ask is that you be nice when expressWell with this new publication, we ing your opinions to us because, just like you, we humbly call Talk of the Town, we went out to the streets and asked local folks what their opinions have opinions too. :) So thanks to all the brave local folks who were on a few subjects. Some folks where a didn’t mind having their opinions and faces out little shy and some had no problems expressthere for everyone to see and make sure to visit ing their opinions but at the end of the day we collected some great opinions and recommenda- all the great local businesses inside. Till next month... keep those opinions flying! tions that we think make a fun and insightful read. - Justin Parkes

SEPTEMBER 2015

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

Brandon R.

Gary B.

Every town has a problem with decaying buildings and Wellsville has a Bad situation on main st. I would hope they do something soon about it because I think it is still a danger.

SEPTEMBER 2015

More businesses on main st. Maybe it would make it look cleaner if we had something in them empty buildings.

What changes in the community would you like to see happen?

Pam L. Brittany P.

If I could change anything I would have a rec center for the kids. Not much for them to do after school.

Megan H.

Expanding the walking trail is all I would have done but they are doing that now which is great.

I think music in the park for families from 4-9 pm and then have a movie on the side of a building or something. I think that would be really cool and something the kids would remember.

Tony L.

Chief Tim O.

Spencer H.

More parking so you can go ﬁshing.

I would like to see more of a variety of restaurants. Something new to try.

I think we should have like an adopt a block program. It could really help keep the town cleaner.

SEPTEMBER 2015

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

Brandon R.

A: What is you favorite place to get a bite to eat?

Brittany P.

I would have to say my favorite place to eat would be the modern diner.

I don’t know which is better, The Beef Haus or L’Iitalia.

Gary B.

The Beef Haus is probable my favorite L’italia is good but it seems almost all of the dishes have cheese, I,m not much of a fan of cheese.

Pam L.

Megan H.

Texas Hot would be the one.

L’itallia. I love their chicken pesto!

Spencer H.

Chief Tim O.

Tony L.

I would have to say the Beef Haus is my favorite.

Beef Huas

I love them all. They all have something different to offer.

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

SEPTEMBER 2015

Area tourism, college officials to compete in annual Fireball Run By Darlene M. Donohue Area chamber of commerce, tourism and college representatives are preparing to participate in the ninth annual Fireball Run Adventurally, an actionpacked, real-time race where contestants travel 2,000 miles while promoting missing children and competing in a trivia game. Allegany County’s Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Executive Director Gretchen Hanchett and Allegany County Legislator Deb Root, R- Scio, have formed Team Allegany 21. Also, Alfred State College has created Tech Team 80, consisting of Wellsville’s Kent Johnson, an associate professor and department chairman in Alfred State’s automotive department, and automotive department seniors Jake Landuyt from Clifton Springs and Sebastian Bruno of Penn Yan. Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Sheehan, and Ward “Skip” Wilday, senior vice president at Morgan Stanley in Olean, are representing Salamanca as Team 57.

It’s the fourth year Team Allegany will appear in the competition and the third year for the Alfred State and Salamanca teams. A send-off celebration for the teams is set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday near Brooklyn Avenue at Alfred State’s Wellsville campus. These teams will then travel to Hartford, Conn., where on Friday they will join astronauts from around the world and business leaders and community representatives from across the country before taking off on a race along the East Coast. The race, which features adventures in Queen Anne’s County, Md.; Williamsburg, Va.; Topsail Island, N.C.; Florence, S.C.; Liberty County, Ga.; and Sanford, Fla., will end Oct. 4 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. In order to move about the country, Team Allegany County will have to solve clues and accomplish tasks based on area, points of interest, history and culture, continued on page 6



Invest in Amish craftsmanship By Tim Stokes Amish. Now I’m sure whenever you hear the word “Amish” you see the grayish blue cloths, the beards and women wearing bonnets. But what many people don’t see is the sincerity and craftsmanship that they put into everyday life. That is why Sandy Field opened “Sandy’s Place” 11 years ago. As I walked into Sandy’s place everything I saw there I WANTED. From small knick-knacks to the outdoor furniture and to the wonderfully crafted sheds. Yes even sheds. Yeah I k now “big deal“, but these aren’t just sheds, they are like small homes or hunting cabins. From the wood siding and small but

very usable porches to the easily loft bedroom and screened windows. Better yet rent to own with NO credit check. With being Amish made you know that they are built to perfection. Now Sandy has expanded her business and opened “Field Storage”. She has storage units available now starting at $40 a month. She also told me that if you mention her ad that you will get 50% off your first month. And like always, keyed entry and every unit is under motion video surveillance. Whenever you are out and about, stop in and say hi to Sandy and see what else she has to offer. You never know, could be something there for you.

SEPTEMBER 2015

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

continued from page 5 while promoting and bring awareness to the area. The event is streamed live. Supporters and fans can track Team Allegany 21’s location via live GPS by AmberAlertGPS at www.fireballrun.com/live. The race can be seen live at www.fireballrun.com or at www.youtube.com/ user/fireballrun. During the contest, Team Allegany will distribute information about missing child Patrick Kennedy Alford.

Team Allegany is using a GMC Denali, donated by Charlie Joyce, for the race. The vehicle’s hood has the Discover Allegany County logo wrapped around it and photographs showcasing the county’s outdoors activities such as hot air ballooning, and water sports and all-terrain vehicle riding cover a portion of the vehicle, she said. Hanchett said participating in Fireball Run is vital to her tourism efforts, and is a way for Team Allegany to notify the nation that Allegany County will be featured in the 10th annual Fireball Run.

Photo submitted Allegany County’s Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Executive Director Gretchen Hanchett (left) and Allegany County Legislator Deb Root, R-Scio, have formed Team Allegany 21 and will compete in the ninth annual Fireball Run Adventurally. Alfred State College and the Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce are also sending a team to compete in the race.

He is a male youth, now 13, who has been missing since Jan. 22, 2010. He is a victim of a non-custodial abduction and deemed a runaway, Hanchett said, adding she and Root hope to raise media attention that could inspire someone to come forward with new leads for police. “It is time for Patrick to come home,” Hanchett said. Alfred State’s Tech Team will promote missing child Pilar Rodriguez, a female who has been missing since Jan. 1, 1999, and Team Salamanca is asking for help in locating Leelynn Soto, a female child who has been missing since April 26, 2015. While locating a missing child is the most important aspect of this race, Hanchett said she can’t ignore what an amazing opportunity this contest is for marketing Allegany County’s outdoor offerings.

Allegany County has been selected as a destination stop for next year’s show which means Fireball Run contestants, including television and movie celebrities, will convene in the area for a day and spend the night in the Southern Tier. Tentative celebrity contestants include William Shatner and cast members from “Happy Days,” “The Munsters” and “Back to the Future,” according to Hanchett. She is now in the process of securing RVs for the contestants to sleep in during their stay so they can be fully engaged in the outdoor experience. For additional information about Fireball Run, visit the Allegany County Tourism website at www.discoveralleganycounty.com. Those who visit the website will also have the opportunity to vote for the teams in the race.

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

SEPTEMBER 2015

Total Senior Care Inc. offering garners Allegany Co. grant The Allegany County Area Foundation recently awarded a grant to Total Senior Care Inc. to help fund a new program in Wellsville. The new initiative, Day Break Adult Social Day Program, will be located in Wellsville’s former Community Center at 194 N. Main St. “DayBreak will provide a place for senior adults who need supervision or socialization a place to spend the day in a friendly, structured environment that is specially designed to fit their needs,” said Kelly Dickerson, communication, information and marketing director for the Total Senior Care Program. “They will participate in activities, enjoy a meal and nutritious snacks, and visit with other

attendees. In many cases, it will help avoid the risk of nursing home placement and will provide a respite for caregivers.” The grant was made possible through the gifts of Allegany County residents. The application due date for the next grant cycle is Oct. 30. Nonprofit organizations can apply online at www.alleganycountyareafoundation.org. For more information, call (585) 808-8444 or email director@alleganycountyareafoundation.org.

28th Allegany Artisans Studio Tour set for Oct. 17-18 The 28th annual Allegany Artisans Studio Tour, which includes 42 artisans in 35 locations throughout Allegany County opening their studios to the public, will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18. Studios will host craft demonstrations, refreshments and free raffles for art work. Artisans will display works include jewelry, pottery, woodwork, metal-

work, candles, clothing, art dolls, paintings, sculpture, tin can art and stuffed animals. An illustrated directory with maps is available at www.alleganyartisans. com and www.facebook.com/alleganyartisans. For more information, call (800) 836- 1869.

Genesee Valley grad completes ROTC Cadet Troop Leader Training Tali A. Morse, an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet at SUNY Brockport, has completed a Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) assignment. She is a 2012 graduate of Genesee Valley Central School, Belmont. She trained at Fort Riley, Kan., where she was able to shadow a mechanized infantry first lieutenant within the 34th Armor Division. She learned to take on the role of a platoon leader and participate in multiple training events such as

squad and team live fires. CTLT allows Army ROTC cadets to experience leadership in Army units throughout the Continental United States as well as overseas, where they serve in lieutenant-level positions for three or four weeks. The cadets work with and under assigned unit mentors in situations where their potential as platoon leaders can be evaluated.

SEPTEMBER 2015

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

Rushford Elementary school building purchase proposals fall flat of public expectations By Darlene M. Donohue

details were available as to what types of services they would offer. All financial offers in these proposals were below six figures, Cuba-Rushford Central School District is attempting to sell its Gildemeister said, noting that none of the proposals mentioned former Rushford Elementary School in Rushford. details about employment levels. The two-story building has been vacant since school operations Farid then told the crowd he would employ two people — his ceased to exist there following the 2011-12 school year. daughters — at the site and that he would work at the site once a During a public forum Tuesday, district Superintendent Carweek. los Gildemeister and the board of education presented four ofRushford resident Doug Crandall said he didn’t think it made fers the district received this past year for the purchase of the sense for Magda Inc. to establish itself there if it only plans to use 49,000-square-foot structure, the 33 acres of land it resides on and facilities including a playground. None of the proposals the district it for office space and storage. “You’ve got a truck and auto leasing business that you want presented seemed to appeal to the crowd of roughly 70 people. to headquarter here,” Crandall said. “You have a fledgling import Maryland-based Walking on Water (W.O.W.) Inc., a not-forbusiness that needs places to house inventory on occasion, and then profit organization that caters to the needs of displaced military the rest of (the use) as it comes to you in the future, but you don’t veterans; Southern Tier Wireless, a Rushford-based broadband Internet service provider; Les Clark Ministries, an Ohio-based min- have any of that to say to the community,” Crandall said. “From my istry group; and Magda Inc., a Brooklyn-based truck and car rental perspective, you’re not ready for big time yet.” Crandall said he expects a five-year plan and financial informacompany, each submitted proposals to the board during the past tion from each of the potential buyers before he feels comfortable year, Gildemeister said. W.O.W. founder Raymon Reed told the audience he wants to use supporting any of them. “I just think more work needs to be done before we can make the building create a center for veterans that includes housing, job an informed decision,” Crandall said. training and office space, medical and recreational services, and At the time of the meeting, W.O.W. Inc. was the only potential community services. Reed said he is willing to donate the playbuyer that had submitted a detailed proposal. Gildemeister said ground to the town. W.O.W.’s proposal was submitted during the request for proposals Magda Inc. owner Magdy Farid said he is interested in the site (RFP) period, while the others came after the RFP deadline, so because of the area’s natural beauty and because of the historic they weren’t required to outline their plan. W.O.W. is also the only architecture used at the former school. He said he wants to use group that publicly announced its bid for the site — $40,000 plus the facility as his company headquarters and as storage space for reimbursement for maintenance costs the district incurred during imports and exports from some of the other companies he works the past couple of years. with in New York City. He also said he would come up with other “Once the RFP closed, others put in letters and narratives ways to use the site once he has a better idea of his company’s and — some information, but obviously not as detailed as what was the community’s needs. Farid is willing to allow the public to use the recreational facili- requested in the RFP,” Gildemeister said. “We want to make sure we have a lot of good information so that the board can make an ties on-site as long as the structures are safe, he added. Les Clark Ministries wants to relocate its ministries to the area informed decision … so, we’re listening.” Gildemeister said he legally isn’t allowed to tell the public what and provide horse therapy and a work program, and Southern Tier the financial offers are from the other potential buyers. Wireless (STW) wants locate its headquarters there and use the Like Crandall, former Rushford resident Mike Weber — he now dark fiber that exists in the structure, said the superintendent, notresides in Cuba — said he would like to know more about these ing representatives from those two organizations weren’t at the businesses. He’s concerned that these businesses may not have meeting. The ministry group would allow the public to use the playground, longtime commitment to staying in the community, which completely goes against what the community needs. and STW said it would donate it to the town. Les Clark and STW are also interested in transforming it into a multi-use space, but no continued on next page



WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

“I want to make sure we don’t have someone coming in that’s only going to be here for a short period of time and then jump ship, so to speak,” he said. Roughly a half-dozen residents echoed Weber’s concerns, and some of them suggested that the district should look into adding water and sewer services to the structure to make it more valuable. Board member Todd Morehouse, a former Rushford resident, said the public needs to consider the state of the building — it hasn’t been used for any services in three years — and the lack of amenities around it, as they make recommendations to the board. “There are (vacant) buildings with amenities in larger towns, and yet those buildings sit debilitated, so keep that in mind when you say ‘bring more to the table,” Morehouse said. He added he believes these potential buyers are “ready for the big time” and “have their ducks in row.” He said he’s listening for how viable each of these businesses is before he makes his decision. “Don’t try to sell me on what it is you have. Sell me on what it is that you are going to do, and then back it up,” Morehouse said. “Then, the decision that this board makes will put everybody’s best

SEPTEMBER 2015

interest first. We’re not up here to gold dig or relief a burden. Just take a drive through Allentown, and take a look at their school and tell me if you want to see that sight sitting right here in this fine community.” Morehouse added the board could scrap all of the proposals and have the building torn down at the taxpayers’ expense. “I don’t think there is anyone in the room that sees that as an option,” said board President Ed Zalar. He added he would like to revisit each of the proposals and that his choice may be based on which potential buyer has “the most skin in the game.” “Money is not the heart and soul of this community, and we understand that,” he said. “Skin in the game exists in three of the four offers: Two of them are residents — three if you count Mr. Reed’s property here. … They are part of the community in some shape or form.” The board will continue to discuss its options and try to have its decision ready for the Oct. 13 board of education meeting, Gildemeister said.

Wellsville native honored for land surveyor career By Darlene M. Donohue On Honeoye Road, near the New York-Pennsylvania state line dividing Allegany County and Potter County, Pa., stands a shrine honoring professional land surveyors. During a ceremony Saturday at the site by the New York State Allegany Plateau and the North Central Pennsylvania Professional Land Surveyors Society, a brass plaque displaying deceased land surveyor ’s name was added to the monument. Ackerman, a lifelong Wellsville resident who was Allegany County’s first full-time licensed land surveyor, lived and died by the land surveyor trade, said his son Bob Ackerman. Land surveyors measure and map the environment using mathematics, specialized technology and equipment. “Life as a farmer just wasn’t for him. He wanted out of it,” Bob Ackerman told the Times Herald. “So, he started a career as a surveyor. He had a couple of mentors that he truly admired, so he continued with it for many years. He enjoyed what he was doing, and he was good at it.” MANLEY ACKERMAN became a state licensed professional land surveyor in 1945 after a decade of working stints with Empire Gas and Fuel Co. LTD of Wellsville and with the U.S. Geological Survey, surveying the coastline from Maine to North Carolina. While employed as a surveyor, Manley Ackerman took on an active role in local politics. According to his son, he was elected as the town of Willing’s supervisor in 1954, and then resigned from that role and from his job at Empire Gas in 1957 to pursue a position as clerk of Allegany County’s Board of Supervisors. He also served as jury commissioner, was executive secretary of the Allegany County Workers Compensation Board, director of assessment and president of the New

York State Association of the Clerks of Board Supervisors. Though heavily involved in his governmental duties, Manley Ackerman maintained a private land surveying business in Wellsville from 1945 to 1968. In 1968, Manley became the first full-time land surveyor in Allegany County, and in the early 1970s he partnered with Charles Ackerson. The pair established Ackerman/Ackerson Land Surveying in Olean. Ackerson retired a short time later, while Manley Ackerman maintained a continual surveying business in Olean and Wellsville, Bob Ackerson said. During the latter half of the 1970s, oil and gas exploration began, so Manley Ackerman became licensed in Pennsylvania and established an office in Coudersport, Pa., before expanding into Bradford, Pa., where he surveyed for various oil and gas firms while also performing boundary surveys. AS AGE AND TIME does to most people, 43 years of surveyor work took its toll on Manley Ackerman. His health began to fail him, so he partnered with another surveyor and his business was renamed Ackerman-Ennis Land Surveying Co. prior to his death in 1987. Bob Ackerman notes that even with his father gone, his legacy lived on through him and others. The son carried on the family business as a surveyor until he retired in 2004. At that time, the practice was sold to Michael Roseski, former employee and licensed surveyor. “Dad’s footsteps can still be heard today. Perhaps an unequal accomplishment in all of New York state in the likes of 11 professional land surveyors,” Bob Ackerman said during Saturday’s ceremony before rattling off a list of individuals whom his father mentored. “My dad wasn’t one to look for any type of recognition for anything that he did,” Bob Ackerman said. “But I’m happy this group honored him. I’m sure he would have appreciated it.”

SEPTEMBER 2015

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

Brandon R.

A: What is you favorite place to get away from it all?

Brittany P.

I loved going to Darien lake as a kid.

Letchworth park to see all of the fall colors.

On lunch I go to the bridge across the street from north main lumber and go ﬁshing.

I love going to the Genesee river. Nothing like nature surrounding you!

Tony L.

Spencer H.

Megan H.

Taking the kids to Cuba lake is always fun.

Bill P.

Pam L.

I like going to the ﬁnger lakes. I do a lot of ﬁshing.

If I’m not working, the outdoors is where I’ll be.

Chief Tim O.

Elma pond ! It’s so nice and scenic.

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

SEPTEMBER 2015

State grants $1 million to Alfred State biorefinery project By Darlene M. Donohue Alfred State College, thanks to a state grant presented to the college this week, is another step closer to its financial goal for a multimillion-dollar project that will introduce a new technology to the masses. “The School of Applied Technology is fostering a Silicon Valleylike epicenter of new and existing industrial technology, and what we are announcing today fits into that,” said State Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, as she presented a $1 million check to the college Sept. 17 at the college’s School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville. The state funding, along with financial contributions provided from Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, will help jump-start the establishment of Alfred State’s Biorefinery Development and Commercialization Center (BDCC), a $10.6 million small-scale research facility that will be used to conduct the scientific process of hot water extraction on one of the Southern Tier’s greatest natural resources — trees, the state senator said. “The best economic strategy is to capitalize on your strengths … You only have to look around to soak in the awesome abundance of natural resources in the Southern Tier, especially the trees and the rolling farmlands that dominate our landscape,” the senator said prior to unveiling the check. “For hundreds of years, those forests and fields have provided economic sustenance to our people. Now, it’s time to take these resources to a new level.” The forest product industry already pumps $8.8 billion annual into the state’s economy, while agriculture is a big business with a $40 billion annual impact statewide, and the BDCC has the potential to increase those figures exponentially, she said. “We are hoping to start a wave of transformation across rural New York to review the upstate economy, especially in forested regions where the economy is struggling,” Young said. The center will be designed to enable private firms to scale the production of biorenewable materials and sustainable energy from lab-bench to commercial volumes. It will offer public and private entities access to shared infrastructure and services including material handling equipment, large reaction vessels, and the heat and power load to drive down chemical costs and process bottlenecks that can hinder companies’ abilities to bring products to the market. The university will gain a unique educational opportunity for students to get hands-on learning alongside industry, the senator said. Alfred State welding, machine tools, drafting and computer animated design and engineering students and faculty will be involved in developing and building the new facility, she noted. The hot water process that will be used in the facility extracts various chemicals, sugars, cellulose and other products from wood. The chemicals can then be used for various industrial products, and the remaining cellulose material can be used for pellets and products used in structures. “Fuels such as ethanol, butanol, methanol and algal biodiesels from the fermented sugars generated in the process are produced through the environmentally cutting-edge technique,” Young said. “I want to stress that this is green

Darlene M. Donohue/Olean Times Herald State Sen. Catharine Young (second from right), R-Olean, unveils a $1 million check Sept. 17 at Alfred State College’s Wellsville campus. The funding will be applied toward engineering costs for the college’s proposed Biorefinery Development and Commercialization Center.

technology. This is protecting our forests and our natural resources, and it’s being done in an eco-friendly way.” Dr. Thomas Amidon, biorefinery research institute director, and Preston Gilbert, SUNY presidential fellow from New Forest Economy and assistant director for Community Development, developed the process in a laboratory at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The creation of the BBDC is vital to ensuring this technology reaches the masses, Amidon said. “This project is essential to expedite the commercial the commercializing of the technology and then building commercial facilities in Cattaraugus and Allegany county,” he said. “Those facilities, and others to be subsequently built around New York and the United States, will need highly skilled employees, and Alfred State is moving quickly to be the best place to educate them.” Young said she will continue to push for additional state funding along with federal dollars. There is a pending application to the Regional Economic Development Council for more funds, she noted. The college will learn more about the council’s funding next week, college dean Craig Clark told the Times Herald earlier this week. The council has already provided $500,000 toward the project, he added. “We’re grateful for all of the funding we receive because we’re extremely excited about this project,” he said. “Having a live factory on campus will change the learning environment greatly for all of the students. We will be turning out people who have even more advanced skills than they already do from the education they receive here.”

WELLSVILLE • SCIO • BELMONT

YOUR TOWN • YOUR OPINIONS • YOUR NEWS