Star Review digital edition - April 10, 2024

Local businesses hold ribbon cuttings

groups have been created where residents have voiced some of their concerns.

On the Town of Clay Concerned Citizens page residents have shared their thoughts on what they say can happen with this kind of plant including concerns about air, water and noise pollution as well as traffic issues. They have written about being particularly concerned with these issues in an area that has schools, residential neighborhoods, recreational areas as well as the effect this could have on wildlife.

At the April 1 meeting residents voiced concerns about the potential for particulates such as concrete dust and silica dust from the operation of this kind of plant. Speakers said these are substances that people could be breathing in and this could have long term effects on health.

Those who spoke said if these particles are absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream they have been shown to worsen asthma in children, according to the residents’ concerns and that children and older people are particularly vulnerable if exposed to these particles.

Following the April 1 meeting residents took to Facebook where they expressed their concerns that the developer was not well prepared for the questions that were posed at the meeting.

With the amount of public

comment, the board asked the developer to prepare responses to the questions and concerns that were raised at the meeting and come back again to continue this discussion at the board’s May meeting.

Representatives of the developer said this April 1 meeting was a public hearing so they were not able to offer many comments back at that time and that various studies such as traffic impact were being worked on and they were waiting for those studies to be completed before offering comments in response.

In a statement the developers released, they expressed an understanding of the concerns and said they plan to go above and beyond the required standards for safety.

“We understand and respect the concerns raised by our neighbors regarding the proposed concrete batch plant. As a veteran-owned business committed to being a responsible and positive presence in our community, we take these concerns seriously—especially those relating to environmental impact, noise, and traffic,” the statement reads. “Our team is actively working to address these questions comprehensively. We’re not just focused on meeting regulatory standards but exceeding them wherever possible to ensure our operations are sustainable and community-friendly. Our goal is to bring benefits to our community, including creating quality job opportunities and supporting local infrastructure improvements. We are committed to transparency and ongoing dialogue with the community. To this end, we invite our neighbors to share their concerns and suggestions directly with us, ensuring all voices are heard and considered in our planning process and for the April 1st town board meeting. Our dedication to being great neighbors and a leading veteran-owned employer in the area is unwavering.”

LHS seniors candidates for Presidential Scholars Program

C-NS senior named candidate in Presidential Scholars Program

Thomas A. Wills II, a graduating senior at Cicero-North Syracuse High School has been named a candidate in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Wills is one of approximately 5,000 students selected from the nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from United States high schools in the year 2024.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

Wills is a well-known student in the North Syracuse Central School District. He has excelled academically in addition to being named earlier this school year as the district’s first-ever Student Ex-Officio Board of Education Member.

“Thomas’s selection is a testament to the dedication and excellence he has consistently demonstrated throughout his academic journey.” Said Superintendent of Schools Daniel D. Bowles. “We are tremendously proud of Thomas and his welldeserved recognition on a national level.”

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplish-

Thomas A. Wills II

ment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth.

A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select approximately 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion. Wills is the child of Melissa and Matt Gussak and Thomas Wills Senior.

For the 15th time in 17 years, the NAMM Foundation has named the Liverpool Central School District one of the “Best Communities for Music Education.” Districts were chosen for this honor because they demonstrate outstanding achievement in their efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This year, 975 school districts from across the country received this honor. LCSD offers a comprehensive music program that presents students with a wide range of opportunities to receive high quality instruction in classroom music, as well as join numerous performing ensembles. Several community groups also help support the district’s efforts to provide music education to all students.

The “Best Communities” designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts for teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum. These districts also lead the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

The NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its more than 10,000 members around the world, sponsored the survey.

viewform.

well as evidence of community service, leadership, and commitment to high ideals.

Three Morgan Road Middle students recently were honored with selections to the Allegro Youth Wind Ensemble. MRM seventh-graders Elliana Fairbank, Addyson Gaudet and Finnegan O’Toole, were selected to perform with the ensemble after an audition process.

The wind ensemble, sponsored by Central Winds Music Educators’ Wind Ensemble, provides a musically rich and educationally sound learning experience for serious scholastic musicians who seek supplemental performance opportunities close to home.

Donna Hamblin, 87

loved reading, art, the outdoors

Donna Logue Hamblin, 87, of Marcellus, died Feb. 26, 2024, in Chehalis, WA. She was born in Syracuse on May 13, 1936, to Donald Charles and Kathleen Hallock Logue.

She graduated from Marcellus High School in 1953, where she took part in intramurals; scholastic, art and music groups; as well as being the editor of the Marcellian; and began her lifelong study of the cello. She attended Clark University in Worcester, MA, graduating in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in geography. At Clark, she worked as a graduate assistant and prepared diagrams, illustrations and lettering for her future husband, Woodford’s, doctoral thesis. On graduation from Clark, she worked for Pratt & Whitney in the

Elizabeth A. Ryan, 73 dedicated registered nurse

Elizabeth “Bess” A. Ryan, 73, of Camillus, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Upstate University Hospital. Born on Sept. 22, 1950, to the late John and Catherine (James) Ryan, she was the youngest of six children. Having spent most of her life in the Solvay area, Bess recently relocated to Camillus. A proud 1968 Solvay High School graduate, she furthered her education by earning her nursing degree in 1971 from Crouse Irving School of Nursing. Bess’s career as a dedicated registered nurse spanned over 42 years, with 20 years of service at Crouse Hospital, followed by 22 years at the VA Syracuse Medical Center where she touched countless lives with her compassionate care before retiring in 2015. A faithful communicant of St. Joseph’s Church, Bess found joy in the art of cake decorating and sharing her creations. However, she gained the most happiness from the company of her beloved family, cherishing every moment spent together. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Bess was predeceased by her fiancé, William Kennedy who resided in Ireland; parents; brothers, William “Bill” (Linda) Ryan and James “Jim” (Julie) Ryan; sister, Margaret (Richard) Eckert; and nephew, Daniel Eckert. Surviving are her brothers, Patrick (Elaine) Ryan of Jamesville and J. Thomas (Mary) Ryan of Elbridge; nephews, Mark (Ann) Eckert of Camillus, Matthew Eckert of Syracuse, and Thomas Eckert of Mississippi; niece, Mary Ann

OBITUARIES

cartography division.

Donna wed Woodford M. Garrigus in 1958, started a family in North Carolina, completed that phase in Victoria, BC, and settled in Ashland, OH, her husband’s hometown. She worked at Hostetler’s Catering and Hess & Clark.

She attended Trinity Lutheran Church, sang in the church choir and played cello for special services. She also played cello in the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. She was a member and past chairperson of the North Central Ohio League of Women Voters. With her husband Edgar, Donna undertook a canoe trip from Loudonville down the Mohican and Walhonding Rivers.

Donna returned to her adolescent home in Marcellus in 1996. In 2007, she was honored by the Rotary Club

(Ronald) Hanner of Central Square; and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Our family would like to thank Mark and Ann Eckert for all the love and support they gave Bess during her illnesses in her final years.

To celebrate Elizabeth’s life, relatives and friends are invited to gather on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 5600 Genesee St., Camillus. A funeral Mass to honor Elizabeth’s life will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. in

of Marcellus Award for her volunteer work at Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the Marcellus Free Library and the Nine Mile Creek Conservation Corps. Donna was a lifelong lover of reading and the fine arts. She thrived in the outdoors, and preferred activities of a solitary nature. She remodeled old houses, sketched and painted, studied photography, hunted mushrooms and enjoyed knitting and sewing. She exhausted film developers with her many photographs of ore freighters in ports of the Great Lakes and passing through the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway. A cherished memory was a weeklong voyage with her sister, Kathleen, aboard an ore freighter. Lighthouses were a much-anticipated destination for road trips. She was a Master Gardener, and created lovely gardens that laughed with an exotic abundance of vegetables, flowers and fruits.

Donna is survived by her children Woodford M. Garrigus of Chehalis, WA, Catherine E. Garrigus, Richard L. Garrigus of Portland, ME, David E. (Michelle Morrison) Garrigus of Port William, OH; her sister Kathleen (Peter) Dawson of Sonoma, CA; her stepson Rick Hamblin of Marquette, MI;

and her grandchildren, Portia, Christian and Freya. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Woodford M. Garrigus; and by her second husband, Edgar Hamblin, who she wed in 1978.

A private celebration of life will take place in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, where she climbed mountains, paddled a canoe, and camped in beloved solitude in her Eureka pup tent.

Donna Hamblin

Elizabeth A. Ryan

This is a service that is anything but a nine to five situation and volunteers give their time at all hours of the day and night, responding to all kinds of calls from medical situations to accidents to, of course, fires.

According to the Firefighter Association of New York (FASNY), these volunteers save not only lives and property, but also billions in taxpayer dollars. According to an economic impact study released by FASNY these dedicated volunteers help New York taxpayers save $4.7 billion annually through their services.

FASNY goes on to report volunteers play a critical part in safeguarding New York’s communities and helping to save lives. The 80,000 volunteer firefighters in the state provide vital protection and services during emergencies and contribute significantly to their communities through continuous training, outreach, and fire safety education. They also play a critical role in the statewide response plans to major emergencies and natural disasters, according to FASNY.

On the economic side, a report, prepared by Resolution Economics (ResEcon), the “Economic Study of The Tax Savings Generated by New York’s Volunteer Fire Service” is the second study in the past decade to examine the economic impact of New York’s volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters keep local taxes and expenses low by eliminating the need to pay career firefighters wages, benefits, and related costs. New York State relies heavily on volunteer fire departments, and a conversion to paid departments would cause a severe economic burden and require a massive increase in property taxes.

Among the findings in the report: Fully paid career departments would cost New York taxpayers $4.7 billion annually in pay, benefits, operating, maintenance, and capital costs; 31,058 full-time paid firefighters would need to be hired; Of New York State’s 1,640 fire departments, 93.2% are allvolunteer or mostly volunteer.

If NYS switched to an all-paid fire service: Local government property taxes would rise an average of 28.4% absent volunteer firefighters (taxes would increase between 5.8% and 133.8% depending on the county); and There would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles and equipment.

As critical a service as they provide, volunteer fire departments are facing challenges with recruitment and retention.

Departments are comprised of older members and often find it difficult to find and retain younger members.

According to FASNY, the past several years have been challenging for volunteer fire departments throughout New York, and many are faced with decreased membership and increased call volume. It is estimated that there are 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were 20 years ago, and it has become increasingly challenging to recruit new firefighters and retain existing ones due to the turbulent economy, busy lives and schedules and other factors.

But departments across the state will be hosting events to try to inspire more people to consider volunteering.

According to FASNY, volunteer departments will be opening their doors April 13 and 14 as part of the 15th annual RecruitNY weekend in an effort to increase membership.

Coinciding with RecruitNY this year, the Association is adding a little color into the mix.

To publicize the need and increase staffing at the state’s volunteer departments, FASNY will launch the “Fire Up NY Red” (#FireUpNYRed) campaign from April 1 to 14. During this time, FASNY is asking that residents including businesses, landmarks and government buildings turn their lights red to spotlight the need for volunteer firefighters across the Empire State.

Among those planning to participate in the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.

For more information visit FASNY.com or reach out to your local volunteer fire department to learn more about what they do and ways you can lend your support.

MAKING ‘SENSE’ OF IT ALL

What do you do when the only grocery store in your village closes? A group of 95 individuals, some from the village of Marcellus, many from outside the village but concerned about the looming threat of a food desert (no fresh meat or produce), joined together to explore what options, what creative solutions exist that could mitigate the loss of that grocery store and the changes that loss will bring to the area.

Facebook and word of mouth were the engines that recruited stakeholders to meetings that identified, discussed and researched both long and short term issues. Those issues concentrated how to determine what the changes meant for access to food which was previously available at the local grocery store. Short term involved identifying what resources already

Ramblings from the empty nest ann Ferro

exist in the community including food pantries, Meals on Wheels, CSA’s, delivery services, public transportation, Laker Limo and more. Long term solutions were wrapped around the question: What do we want our community food supply to look like 10 to 20 years from now?

Members of the group undertook research into a wide variety of both existing and creative out-ofthe-box solutions. As one of the organizers stated on Facebook, “We were there to look forward, not back. Our focus was on creating ideas and visions as we face a near future without a true grocery store in our village” As so often happens, an existing resource provided an interesting opportunity about which most of the community was unaware. It

Food Sense

March package

this is what participants received in their March box:

Pork tenderloin, 1 8 lbs (avg ) Chicken drumsticks, 2 4 lbs (avg ) Marinated beef Portions, 1 lb Pollock Fillets, 1 lb Ground turkey, 1 lb stuffed rigatoni, 12 oz Peas and Carrots, 1 lb Frozen strawberries, 1 lb elbow Macaroni, 1 lb applesauce, 15 oz Cabbage, 1 head Mushrooms 8 oz

Rethinking the assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Over the past few decades, Civil War historians have changed the way we think of the April 14, 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre.

One long-held myth regarding Booth’s post-shooting flight from the theater’s presidential box to the stage has been proven false.

Most chronicles of the killing insist that – although he was widely known as a “gymnastic” actor” – Booth had clumsily twisted his left spur in the bunting in front of the presidential box as he leapt to the stage a dozen feet below thus busting his lower left leg.

Equestrian mishap

But in his 2004 book, “American Brutus,” author Michael Kauffman argues convincingly that Booth fractured his fibula not at the murder scene, but after his rented horse took a spill as he galloped into rural Maryland south of D.C.

Dozens of audience members at Ford’s witnessed Booth jump from the president’s balcony and dash across the stage. They all said he raced into the wings. He didn’t limp, Kauffman insists.

Over the course of his 12 days on the lam, Booth told several men who were concealing him that he and his horse had suffered a fall as he made his getaway.

The horse itself confirmed it, as its left side bore bruises and contusions. His painful fracture impeded Booth’s escape, but the trivial question asking how he broke it pales in comparison to another question: Was the assassination committed under the direction of the leaders of the Confederate States of America?

‘Come Retribution’

It took more than 120 years, but in 1988 a book by counter-intelligence scholar William Tidwell traced the targeting of Lincoln all the way to Richmond.

The book titled “Come Retribution: The Confederate Secret Service and the Assassination of Lincoln” theorizes that a member of Jeff Davis’s Confederate cabinet actively engaged in plots against Lincoln.

Former Texas judge Sandy Prindle concurs in his 2019 book, “Booth’s Confederate Connections.”

Pointing specifically to Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin,

Livin’ in Liverpool russ tarby Sense l Page 5

Prindle maintains that the Lincoln plots were developed in “retribution” for an 1864 Union raid on Richmond.

That failed incursion ended March 2, 1864 when Union Lt. Col. Ulric Dahlgren was ambushed and killed at Walkerton, Virginia.

As the Southerners searched Dahlgren’s uniform, they found directives written by the colonel on official Army of the Potomac stationery.

One of his orders stated, “The men must be kept together and well in hand, and once in the city it must be destroyed and Jeff Davis and Cabinet killed.”

Union leaders disavowed any knowledge of the Dahlgren papers and disputed their authenticity.

At the time, however, their discovery caused a great public outcry among Southerners, who accused the North of initiating “a war of extermination.”

Benjamin implicated

Both Prindle and Tidwell report the comings and goings of Booth accomplices John Surratt and Sarah Slater, who met directly with Benjamin in Richmond two weeks before Lincoln’s killing.

Surratt and Slater each carried money and messages from Richmond to Confederate operatives in New York City and Montreal. Did they also carry an order to Booth to kill Lincoln?

During the early months of 1865, the authors suggest that the CSA was overseeing Booth’s plot to kidnap Lincoln. And, of course, that plan eventually turned to murder.

But because of the Dahlgren papers, men such as Judah Benjamin may well have felt justified to sponsor an otherwise unspeakable crime.

“If [Benjamin] believed that Lincoln sent Ulric Dahlgren on the raid to kill the Confederate cabinet members (which included him),” Prindle writes, “then Lincoln would have become a personal enemy.”

In August 1865, Benjamin sailed to England where he became a successful attorney. He died a rich man at age 72 in 1884 in Paris

Last word

“All suspicion, facts and events point to Secretary of State Judah Benjamin as the main person of interest on this murder mystery.”

– Sandy Prindle, author of “Booth’s Confederate Connections.”

County address. Legislature Chairman Timothy Burtis (3rd District) said the speech was informative and very positive. “I was pleased to hear the county executive talk about so many of the great initiatives, projects and programs we have going on right now throughout Onondaga County,” Burtis said. “He’s a vision caster. He really is able to paint a picture of what’s ahead and what it will take to get there. I look forward to working with him in the coming year to get some of this accomplished.”

McMahon told those gathered that Onondaga County is “poised for opportunity and growth that we haven’t seen in generations.” He spoke about bolstering the county’s workforce, supporting small business development and improving green space in the county and provided updates to several highprofile projects.

“As always, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon did a great job reminding us of all our recent accomplishments and of our vision going forward” said Legislator David Knapp (12th District.) “One doesn’t realize how many positive programs and projects we have in the works until it all gets laid out in front of you in a single presentation. We have a lot to look forward to.”

Legislator Julie Abbott (6th District) said she liked hearing the County Executive speak about the many ways the county is enhancing the lives of children who call the county home.

“We are focusing on their health and well-being with more than $20 million in mental healthcare funding, expanded childcare subsidies, and by continuing our fight to remediate lead and level the playing field for our neediest kids” she said. “I could go on & on. Forget all the drama with national politics. We are making a difference at the local level, here at home where it matters most.”

“Onondaga County is well positioned for financial stability and growth due to the vision and planning of our county executive and all of county government” said Legislator Richard McCarron (11th District). “We must stay the course and execute Plan Onondaga while maintaining our partnerships with our community service organizations to provide the highest level of service to our community.”

Plan Onondaga is the county’s recently updated comprehensive plan which is helping to define a vision for future success and identifies the needs, goals and challenges of the county and each of its municipalities and facilitates a pathway to implement positive growth and change.

“I was pleased to hear the county executive speak about the three things I have as my priorities this year: economic development, public safety and housing,” said Legislator Mark Olson (10th District). “We’re on the right path and I look forward to discussing many of the proposals in the coming year.”

“It’s a great time for the residents of Onondaga County,” said Republican Majority Leader Brian May (1st District). “From proactive infrastructure upkeep to forward-thinking economic development strategies and results to helping people who need it most, the county executive’s PIE (poverty, infrastructure, economic development) formula continues to generate wins for everyone who lives and works in our great county.”

Sense

ticked, to quote a British idiom, many of the boxes. Known as Food Sense, it is a monthly food box from the Food Bank of Central New York. Food Sense is described by the Food Bank as a “monthly food co-op for everyone,” with the emphasis on everyone. There are no income requirements.

Here is how the Food Bank describes the program: “One of the Food Bank’s longest running programs, Food Sense is a monthly food buying co-op for anyone who wants to stretch their grocery dollars. Food Sense provides a monthly box of 12-15 staple grocery items at a discounted price.”

There are no qualifications, no subscriptions, and no requirements to participate in Food Sense

The Food Bank partners with a number of host sites across our 11-county service area. Please note: Food Bank of Central New York does not take direct orders for Food Sense. All orders are to be placed through your host site.

Each package costs $20.50 without limi-

When will golf unity take place?

Forgive the crowd that, at this exact time each April, wax very poetic about Georgia pines, azaleas, dogwood, Magnolia Lane, Amen Corner, and anything else associated with the Masters and Augusta National.

You might hear their choruses swell to even cornier heights in 2024, if that’s possible. Anything to drown out the chatter about golf at the highest level that, these days, entirely centers around vast amounts of wealth.

Whether it’s the hundreds of millions spent by LIV Golf to lure many of the sport’s biggest stars –Dustin Johnson, Brooks Kopeka, Jon Rahm – or the enhanced events and increased purses the PGA Tour has responded with, the best will get paid. A lot.

Only four times a year does prestige take precedent over profit. It happens here, at Augusta, and will again at the other three majors at Valhalla (PGA Championship),

Random Thoughts

Phil blackwell

Pinehurst (U.S. Open) and Royal Troon (Open Championship).

Here, and nowhere else, are most, if not all, of golf’s best players truly squaring off, each of them an unintentional referendum on the two tours and their very different formats and philosophies.

Yet no one wants this to keep going.

Ten months have passed since the PGA Tour announced its intent to merge its operations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that runs LIV, but with regulators watching closely, no real resolution is in sight.

Meanwhile, players like Rory McIlroy, who once drew a hard line against the LIV defectors, wants to welcome them back in a revamped “World Tour” format even more exclusive than what the PGA Tour wants. Other players, tired of the

FROM THE MAILBAG

Experience matters

To the editor:

About this time last year I embarked on a run for mayor for the Village of Liverpool when the previous mayor announced his retirement. I was unsuccessful, but am thankful for the experience, my hometown, our residents, and for this gem of a village by the lake.

I continue to be involved in village life quietly as time allows, but upon reading the article about another law changing the truck fines I feel I must correct the mistaken impression left in the front page report by Russ Tarby last week. Despite the positive spin put upon the introduction of this new law, it should be noted by the voters that the new law reverses course to an action taken by the new board shortly after taking office July last year. Stating they are now taking a more “streamlined approach,” the fact is the new board recognized that the fines they imposed, which started at

tation to the number of packages you may buy. While the items vary from month to month, the package always includes:

4-5 meat items like chicken, ground beef or fish

4-5 staple pantry items like pasta, soup, and rice

2 fresh produce items like apples, carrots or oranges

Rotating monthly specials like stuffed pork chops, American cheese, meatballs, lasagna and chicken tenders can be purchased in addition to the basic unit.

Participants can also order a pantry box weighing 10 pounds for $11.50 which contains a variety of shelf stable items such as breakfast cereals, peanut butter, etc.

Specific directions about how to participate in this program are published online at the Food Bank of Central New York website. More information about the local effort to establish a site for pickup of the

ultra-rich getting richer, was more of a chance to break into that club.

All of this is exhausting and disheartening to anyone who really cares about the sport. It’s tough to get enthused about any tournament outside the major quartet, either because the money is stupid or the fields are weaker.

Then, when the majors do arrive, there’s as much talk about the golf divide as there is about the golf itself, forcing participants to take sides and then defend their own while bashing the others as greedy, shortsighted or both.

What we ought to focus on this week is whether Scottie Scheffler can continue his tear at the top, or if Rahm can repeat, or can McIlroy finally complete the career Grand Slam, or whatever happens to a frail Tiger Woods.

Getting back to that point, though, will require golf’s powersthat-be to do something

an eye-popping $1,200 escalating to $4,700 for a first offense for a small village, were a mistake. The new law will (appropriately) reduce the fines after the new board jacked up the fines established in the original proposed truck law handed off by the previous board before it even had a chance to go into effect. The original village truck ban legislation was developed carefully by the previous Board after many months of communications and deliberation, including traffic engineering advisement. The previous board introduced that law at its last meeting in June 2023 and the original truck ban law was adopted by the new board at its first meeting in July. However, before that law could be implemented to determine its effectiveness and whether modifications may be necessary, the new board proceeded to impose large and punitive fines by changing the fine structure with a new law, not realizing the effect they

but it can be a part of any number of options.

And now, from that part of this columnist who will always be a social studies teacher:

This group of concerned citizens is demonstrating what cool heads, engaged minds and the passion for their community can do. Kudos

difficult, something opposite from what they are hard-wired – namely, look beyond themselves.

Not doing this is what got us into the mess in the first place. First, the PGA Tour, in an attempt to dominate the sport, tried to kill all its competition or buy it out, not seeking partners, but subordinates.

Instead of accepting PIF support at the outset, they opened the door for the Saudi group to form LIV. Then, once poached, they got around to “enhanced events” and $20 million purses that priced out long-time sponsors of some tournaments (goodbye, Honda) and relegated other long-time events to a minor-league feel.

About the only thing that keeps the PGA Tour from Bond villain-type stuff is the awful humanrights record of the Saudi government and their belief that propping up sports leagues will make you forget it.

But here, just as in the political realm, you don’t

Golf l Page 10

would have.

The original law passed in July did not include the $1,200 and up fine structure, which was added later - and now needs to be changed by yet another law.

This exercise demonstrates that experience does matter to avoid these kinds of mistakes, and especially experience in governmental administration and relations, etc. Additionally, the voters should know that every time a law is introduced, a hearing set, filings made, etc., there is a cost to the village, starting with attorney fees. We should not jump to introducing a law as the solution to every problem, only after careful study and deliberation, to avoid additional costs to the taxpayers. I hope the voters will take note and remember the value of experience when electing its representatives this year and years going forward.

former

CHRISTINA M. FADDEN

truStee and deputy mayor

OBITUARIES

Carol Delaney

Wife, sister, mother, grandmother

Carol Ann Chase Delaney, also known as Kit, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich N.Y.

Carol was born in Syracuse to Oscar John (Bud) and Helen McConnell Chase on Dec. 4, 1937. She grew up in Mandana and Skaneateles and graduated from Skaneateles Central School in 1955.

On May 4, 1957, she married Donald J Delaney at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Skaneateles and they moved to Trinidad BWI because Don was a Seabee in the US Navy, and their first child Patricia was born there.

Carol worked at Peerless Press for many years and met her special friends there Sue, Sophie, Fran and Cathy. After she retired, they all got together at least once a year to catch up.

Carol loved being a bell ringer for the Salvation Army for many years, and loved wearing hats and colorful sneakers, the brighter...the better! Through the years she bought and sold many antiques and her homes held her most beloved pieces.

Carol is survived by her sons James Delaney of Wichita KA and David Delaney of East Syracuse and her sister and her husband Linda and Pete Hesse of Norwich N.Y., her brother-inlaw Steve Delaney and his wife Ellen of Skaneateles and her grandchildren Jennifer, James, Sandra, Chris, Brennan, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by Dennis Viets of

William R. VanDuser, 85

enjoyed fishing, biking, hiking

William R. VanDuser, 85, of Baldwinsville passed away March 23, 2024, surrounded by family. Bill was born August 21, 1938, in Livingston Manor, the son of Charles and Dorothy (Gabriel) VanDuser. He grew up in Preston, graduated from Norwich High School where he was a member of the Varsity wrestling team and state-ranked in his weight class during his senior year. After graduation he joined the Army where he was stationed in Germany. Upon his discharge he enjoyed time travelling across the country for several months, then returned home to find his lifelong career in the printing industry.

Bill moved to the Syracuse area in 1966, eventually settling in Baldwinsville. After retiring from Midstate Printing, he spent his days enjoying fishing, biking, hiking and walking the trails of Beaver Lake Nature Center. He enjoyed playing pitch at the Canton Woods Senior Center and volunteered his time with B’ville Express transporting seniors to appointments and outings. Bill enthusiastically kept up with the New York Yankees and Syracuse University sports passing that passion along through generations.

Carol Delaney

Rome, N.Y., who was like another son to her.

Carol was predeceased by her parents and her in laws John and Rita Hawkins, her husband Don, her daughter Pat and her brothers David Chase and his wife Margeret and Robert Chase and her stillborn son Christopher.

To me, her sister Linda, Carol was Kit, my kind and caring and generous and fun-loving sister, so let us honor her legacy by embodying the virtues that she held dear, by living lives that resonate with love and kindness and generosity by helping others. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, Skaneateles. Burial in Lake View Cemetery, Skaneateles with a reception to follow at St. Mary’s Parish Center. To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

Bill was the go-to guy for any home improvement project or repair. There was nothing he could not fix. He enjoyed working with wood making frames, furniture, shelves and cabinets and every item that was given came with the wise words of if you take care of it, it will last you. He never showed up to a family event without raspberries and chocolate milk for the grandkids and was always up for an ice cream treat.

DEATH NOTICES

Walter R.

arrangements.

He is survived by his three children, James (Cathy) VanDuser of Cuyler, Kathryn (John) Gilmour of Cato, and Kevin (Maria) VanDuser of Land O Lakes, Florida. Seven grandchildren, Nick (Rachel), Alyssa and Megan Gilmour, Michele (Jon) Lang, Michael (Patricia) VanDuser, Gianna VanDuser and Camilla Swart. Two great-granchildren, Michaela VanDuser and Walter Reid and his longtime friend, Donna Leclair. He was predeceased by his sister, Navella Constance and two brothers, Robert and Gary. A memorial service will be held at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N Broad St, Norwich, April 13 at 1p.m. with burial at the JD Lewis Cemetery, Preston. A celebration of life will follow at Fred’s Inn, Norwich. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, 7268 Caswell Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212.

Loerzel, 95, of Jordan, passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2024. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has charge of

Barbara J. Labulis, 68, of Clay, passed away March 30, 2024. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

William R. VanDuser

Liverpool baseball opens with victory at Auburn

BY PHIL BLACkWELL

There’s no chance that the Liverpool baseball team will surprise anyone in 2024.

A season ago, the Warriors, just 10-9 going into the post-season, swept its way to the Section III Class AA championship and got close to the state final four before getting stopped in a 6-5 defeat to Shenendehowa in the regional round.

Now up in Class AAA, Liverpool would begin its season at Falcon Park, the same place where it claimed a dramatic sectional quarterfinal against the Maroons that got its 2023 title

run going.

Again, it was tight – and again, the Warriors prevailed in the late going, this time edging the Maroons by a score of 4-3. Neither side scored until the bottom of the fourth inning, Auburn getting two runs off Nate Benjamin, but that 2-0 lead disappeared when Liverpool broke through with three runs in the top of the sixth off Grant Pinckney, who had relieved starter Owen Birchard.

Still, it wasn’t over. Another run in the top of the seventh was required since Auburn, trailing 4-2, got within one in the bottom of the seventh before Tyler Vivacqua was able to

record the final out.

Remarkably, the Warriors won while getting just one hit – but it was a big one, Dylan Wiggins driving in three runs as Anderson Roden, Chris Baker and Cayden Nappaa joined Vivacqua in the run-scoring column.

Over in softball, Liverpool wants to get back on top of the section after surrendering that title to its neighbors from Baldwinsville in 2023. But while the Bees started 3-0 on a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Warriors, in its opener against Section V’s Webster Schroeder, took a 6-0 defeat. Mackenzie Frani pitched and took the loss,

striking out six but giving up eight hits and two walks. Liverpool had just four hits at the plate, one each by Frani, Katia Flavin, Maya Mills and Emily Nestor.

While Liverpool got underway, CiceroNorth Syracuse waited to get its turn, but is set to meet Liverpool Wednesday in between games against West Genesee and New Hartford.

The C-NS baseball team, now coached by Stephan Bailey, had its opener with Central Square postponed but, weather permitting, will play three times this week against Fulton, Utica Proctor and Rome Free Academy.

Boys lacrosse Northstars win in last seconds, get to 3-0

BY PHIL BLACkWELL

Through three games this spring, the Cicero-North Syracuse boys lacrosse team is undefeated, just like its girls counterparts, and getting a jump on all the other possible challengers to reigning two-time state champion Baldwinsville.

The Northstars were pushed for all 48 minutes in last Saturday’s game against Section V’s Webster Schroeder at Bragman Stadium, but managed to pull in front just as regulation time ran out for a 9-8 victory. For a long while, it didn’t look like any heroics would be needed.

A steady first half, especially on the defensive side, helped C-NS build a 5-2 advantage, and even when the pace picked up in the third quarter, the Northstars’ margin grew to 7-4.

Webster Schroeder battled back, though, going on a 4-0 run that spanned deep into the final period, leaving C-NS starting at an 8-7 deficit, but the hosts would regroup.

With less than two minutes left, the Northstars pulled even, 8-8. Then it got back possession, worked down most of the remaining clock and, with 2.2 seconds left, Rocco Villano fired home the gamewinning goal.

That completed a hat trick for Villano, whose three goals and one assist equaled that of teammate Adrian Sweeney. Donovan Chaney scored twice, with Blake Fefee earning the other goal and assists going to Luke Deinhart, Karsen Pritchard and Emmit Porter. Each of goalie Leyton Sullivan’s nine saves was important. Later on Saturday, Liverpool made its

long-awaited season debut at Marcellus, a team which already had two games under its belt, splitting overtime decisions with Fayetteville-Manlius and Skaneateles.The Mustangs, who went all the way to the state Class D title game a season ago, would take charge in the game’s middle stages and hand the Warriors a 17-9 defeat.

Liverpool went into the second quarter tied 2-2, but over the course of the next 24 minutes was outscored 11-4, unable to contain Nick Rayfield, who led Marcellus with five goals and five assists as Chris Doshna added three goals.

While the Warriors had a balanced attack, it capped with Danny Dunn, Chris Matott, Owen Michaud and Mason Gridley each getting a pair of goals, the other going to Dom Osbeck. Busy in the net, Owen Salanger recorded 14 saves.

C-NS, Liverpool girls lacrosse record impressive wins

BY PHIL BLACkWELL

Big tests await the Cicero-North Syracuse girls lacrosse team this week thanks to back-toback games against South Jefferson and West Genesee, though both would take place on the Bragman Stadium turf.

It marks the conclusion of five consecutive games to start the season for the Northstars, who began March 27 by beating Westhill and, at the outset of April, made it two in a row by defeating Section V’s Fairport 14-11.

A key to the win was the way the production was spread around, with Gabby Putman producing a team-best four goals as Liz Smith and Sophia Nesci each earned three goals and one assist.

Mackenzie Prentice scored twice, adding three assists, while Natalie Wilson had four assists and Brooke Molchanoff two assists to go

with single tallies. Gabby Pauline also had an assist

On a chilly Friday night, C-NS hosted Section II’s Bethlehem and maintained its top form, pulling away from the Eagles and prevailing 14-6 to make it three wins in a row.

Prentice, with three goals and three assists, paced a well-balanced attack where Smith also scored three times. Putman, Nesci and Marissa Doty each gained two goals, with Molchanoff getting a goal and two assists. Natalie Wilson also converted, joining Kaelyn Reid and Miabella Gates with single assists. Returning to action on Saturday afternoon, Liverpool faced Marcellus, a week removed from its season-opening defeat to Westhill, and leaning heavily on the multiple talents of Mia Berthoff, the Warriors got its first win of the season, topping the Mustangs 12-7.

In essence, the game was decided by half-

time, Liverpool playing quite well on both ends of the field while accumulating an 8-3 advantage that it would hold the rest of the way.

Berthoff seemed to have a part in everything, from netting three goals to dishing out three assists to claiming nine draws in the center circle to picking up four ground balls and even causing three turnovers.

It wasn’t a one-player show, though. Gianna Carbone also netted a three-goal hat trick while contributing two assists as Lilia Hertweck and Maura Woods both scored twice. Caitlyn Guilfoil had a goal and assist, with Gianna Tantalo recording eight saves.

Liverpool waits another week before playing again next Saturday against General Brown. C-NS, meanwhile, lent its home field to Syracuse University Saturday for its game against Pittsburgh and the nationally-ranked Orange won 16-7 over the Panthers.

First flag football season begins for Liverpool, C-NS

BY PHIL BLACkWELL

Late on the first afternoon of April, in the year 2024, girls flag football arrived in Central New York, and Liverpool was right in the middle of it.

Both Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse are part of the first-ever season for flag football, an 80-yard edition of the familiar sport played without pads or tackling.

With bad weather approaching, Liverpool agreed to move up its opener with Oneida, scheduled for Tuesday, back 24 hours, making it the first varsity game in the new sport.

If only it had gone better for the Warriors, who lost a 38-12 decision to the Express, who was led by Raelyn Barlow, a

player managing two sports at once as she still plays for Oneida’s varsity softball team.

All Barlow did was score the first touchdown in Section III history and add three more by game’s end. Shut out in the first half, Liverpool did recover and score twice in the last two periods, though it was unable to make up ground.

Then it was C-NS’s turn to take the field, doing so last Tuesday night against Syracuse East in a game which had plenty of strong defense by the Northstars, though it still resulted in an 18-6 defeat.

Neither team scored in the entire first half. Then C-NS took the ball early in the third quarter and, with a 60-yard drive, grabbed a 6-0 advantage, but it didn’t last.

Led by the passing trio of quarterback

Ta’Kai Baker and receivers Mackenzie Black and Nyteria Dozier, Syracuse West tied it and then put together two more scoring drives to account for the final margin while keeping the Northstars off the board.

When C-NS had its own game against Oneida Thursday night, neither side would score in a 0-0 deadlock, while Liverpool, facing Syracuse West, suffered a 14-0 defeat.

After an early opportunity to go in front of Syracuse West was turned back, the Warriors saw Syracuse West twice put together scoring drives, quarterback Caroline Menon throwing TD passes to Tyra Wren and Lonaijhza Byrd and also running in for a two-point conversion.

Action would pick up for Liverpool this week with three games against Vestal, Auburn and Christian Brothers Academy, while C-NS rests until hosting South Jefferson on Saturday afternoon.

the grown peppers back to the company to create hot sauce, and the circle is completed when the farms make the sauce available to their communities. In 2023, with the help of two community volunteers, the Library Farm grew twice the number of plants than it did the year before, producing 42 bottles of peppers for the hot sauce fundraiser.

NOPL Cicero’s Library Farm program is in its 14th year of operation. Coordinated by Library Farm Manager Sue Buswell, it is an organic, educational community garden. Each year, individuals sign up to borrow their own library bed or volunteer to help in the garden on Library Farm Work Days. Half of the garden functions as a food pantry/ educational garden, which produces organic vegetables that are donated to local food pantries. The program also offers gardening workshops and activities to the community to promote sustainable gardening and food literacy, including presentations by Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.

The annual Library Farm Hot Sauce Fundraiser will run at NOPL Cicero branch during regular library hours through Monday, April 15. The minimum donation is $10, with a limit of one bottle per person per visit, while supplies last.

The Small Axe Peppers Serrano Hot Sauce, formerly Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce, was renamed to recognize that it is made from peppers grown all over New York State. It is an all-natural, 2 of 5 heat index, green sauce made with serrano peppers, including those from the NOPL Library Farm. It’s flavor is described as a sweet, yet bitter bite of apple cider vinegar balanced by a garlic-forward base and fiery spice, with salt, onion, and cane sugar. The proceeds will help fund Library Farm projects and maintenance during 2024.