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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 35
The Official Newspaper
AUGUST 19 - 25, 2016
of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Ellicottville, East Otto, Great Valley, Little Valley, Mansfield, Olean, Randolph, Salamanca, Springville and Beyond
Pumpkinville Selected as Official Peanuts’ Partner
One of 10 Best Mazes in the U.S.
Fri • 2 Guys Drinkin’ Beer • 9pm Sat • JB Martin & The Smokin’ Dogs • 9pm Wed • Wagner & Winston • 8pm Thursday • Freddie & Friends • 8pm
Apparently Linus believes that Pumpkinville truly has one of the most “sincere pumpkin patches” in America. That’s why the iconic cartoon is partnering with Pumpkinville this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the animated film, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Pumpkinville is one of 100 locations across the nation to receive the distinction. In honor of the selection, Pumpkinville designed its six-acre corn maze with a distinct Peanuts theme that features Snoopy and the logo of WYRK-FM Country 106.5, the maze sponsor. And, in appreciation of those efforts, Peanuts Worldwide announced on Monday, August 15, that it has selected Pumpkinville as one of the Top 10 best mazes in the United States. By being named as one of the top ten, the official Corporate Snoopy Character will be visiting Pumpkinville for two Saturdays - September 24 and Oct 1. “Pumpkinville is very honored and proud to be one of only three farms in the entire Eastern United States to be named one of the top ten best mazes,” said Dan Pawlowski, who owns the nationally recognized agri-tourism attraction with his wife Diane and their children. “Pumpkinville has meant Fall Family Fun for decades,” he said. “Adding the Peanuts gang to our 200-acre pumpkin
20 Washington St • 699-2530
Fri • The Porcelain Busdrivers • 7pm Sat • Tommy Z • 6pm Sun• Tommy Z • 2:30pm Sat Patio • Ryan Melquist and Friends • 10pm
20 Monroe St • 699-4162
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Upcoming Events
See Pumpkinville page 2
Tuscany Meets Ellicottville Aug. 27
By Alicia Dziak
Do you have plans on Aug. 27? Unless your calendar says “Tuscan Moon,” cancel them and change them to say just that! You won’t want
to miss the annual Tuscan Moon—a Tribute to Michael Kerns fundraiser for the many local projects and individuals in need of support, through Rotary’s Family Support for
Ellicottville. “Money raised from this event supports the Rotary for Youth and Rotary’s Family Support for Ellicottville,” explained Greg Cappelli of the Ellicottville Rotary. “We started this event 13 years ago, and this is the third year it’s been the Tuscan Moon theme.” The event is a tribute to Michael Kerns, who owned Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub and quietly helped many local people, charities and organizations, such as the ECS Sports Boosters and the Ellicottville Memorial Library. See Tuscan Moon page 6
Stroll the Streets of EVL On Friday evenings, Aug. 19 and 26, from 4-8 p.m., come have some fun at Stroll the Streets, a new event in Ellicottville! Pick up a little passport book at ERA properties on Washington Street. Get it stamped at participating shops, then take it to Villaggio’s restaurant for a free treat. Stores will be open until 8 p.m. Spin the wheel at ERA and win free gifts from participating shops. Lots of other fun things going on too......join in on the fun! See photos on page 4.
Now through August 21 Erie County Fair August 19 Beach Party Allegany State Park August 21 Griffis Sculpture Park Summer Fest August 27 Tuscan Moon Fundraiser Sept. 10 - Oct. 31 Pumpkinville
Mansfield to Seek Tax Levy Override
By Jann Wiswall
Like a lot of communities in the region this year, Mansfield is facing the prospect of being forced to override the NYS tax cap in order to continue to provide essential services for its residents. The tax cap is often referred to as a 2 percent tax cap, but in reality it will dip to 0.68 percent
for the 2017 fiscal year, a drop from 0.73 percent in 2016, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. With barely more than half of one percent to work with, the Mansfield board is looking to cut as much as possible from its budget. But, as Town Supervisor Bob Keis explained, the entire budget
for the town and highway department is only $1.1 million, and only a little over half of those revenues come from property taxes. A .68 percent tax increase would yield only $3,000 or $4,000 in new revenues. “We are expecting some expenses to increase,” he See Mansfield Board page 8
Town Board Responds to Residents’ Issues
By Jann Wiswall
The Town of Ellicottville board held a public hearing on Wednesday, August 17 to hear public comment on a law giving property tax exemptions to senior citizens in two additional income brackets. This county law must be passed be each municipality.
There were no comments from the public and the board passed the law. Privilege of the Floor Two Town of Ellicottville residents came to the board on Wednesday, August 17 to ask for its help on two separate matters. Margaret LaCroix said she
narrowly avoided being in a serious car accident at the T-intersection of Rt. 219 and 242 where all southbound traffic on 219 must stop at a flashing red signal to turn either way on Rt. 242; Rt. 219 continues to the right into Ellicottville.
See Town Board page 8
ASP Beach Party Aug. 19 Allegany State Park hosts their annual Beach Party on Friday, Aug. 19. Music, children’s activities, vendors, fireworks and more, all on the shores of Red House Lake. See page 9 for details.