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VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4
AUGUST 19 - 25, 2016
The Official Newspaper
of the Village of Springville, NY Springville-Griffith Institute Central Schools
By Colleen Mahoney
Springville Fire Chief Dennis Dains thanked the Concord Town Board for their action to get Mercy EMS operating in Concord in 2015. At the board’s Aug. 12 meeting, Dains reported that municipalities north of Concord were beginning to have issues with their current emergency service provider and are looking to contract
with another entity. “Thanks, for all you’ve done and did [to get] the certificate of need,” Dains said. “Because of that, we’re way ahead of the ball game.” Dains also reported that the Springville fire department recently met with Mercy EMS to review their partnership over the past year. He noted it was a productive meeting, and was a good opportunity
for the organizations to address concerns. Currently, there are two fully staffed advanced life support paramedic units, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is also a dedicated “fly car” on a 12-hour shift. A fly car is a vehicle driven by a trained emergency medical professional who can respond to emergency scenes but cannot transport patients. On the hours without a driver, Dains said paramedics from Sardinia, Colden and Machias can cover the vehicle, if needed. The board approved extending a contract for a program manager at the Concord Senior Center with Healthy Community Alliance through Dec. 31. The position was being funded by See Concord Town Board page 4
SES Welcomes Back Scarpine
By Ashlee O akley
Welcome, and congratulations to Christopher Scarpine, the newly-hired principal at Springville Elementary School! While having grown up in Mayville, on Lake Chautauqua in New York, and one of approximately 36 graduates of Mayville Central School in his graduating class, Scarpine considers SES his “home.” This is where he began his career in education as a teacher, and he states, “the students, faculty, staff, and community in Springville have always been wonderful to me. I’m excited for the opportunity to return (as principal).” Scarpine held a variety of positions while at SES before he left in 2014 to become assistant principal at Lake Shore Middle School.
“I taught for 9 years at SES, grades 3, 4 and 5,” Scarpine noted. After graduating high school, Scarpine entered the U.S. Navy where he served as a Corpsman, four years active duty and three years in the Navy Reserves. While in the Reserves, Scarpine attended University at Buffalo, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in psychology.
Later, he attended Medaille College, receiving a Master of Science degree in elementary education, and more recently, he has earned two advanced certificates in school building leadership and school district leadership, from SUNY at Fredonia. Scarpine hopes to continue to promote a symbiotic relationship with the See Scarpine page 5
Griffins Kick off Fall Sports Season The fall sports season got underway this week, as SGI’s Varsity and JV sports teams began their practices. Modified sports are eligible to start practices on Monday, Aug. 22. Stay tuned to the Springville Times for season schedules and game results.
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Rails to Trails Open Now
Official Ribbon Cutting Oct. 5 By Colleen Mahoney
The Springville Rails to Trails will be officially opened after a ribbon cutting event on Oct. 5, but community members have begun using the trail system already. The 1.8 mile trail runs through the village of Springville from North Street to the Lowe’s store on South Cascade Drive. It’s part of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, which stretches 27.6 miles from Orchard Park to Ashford. The village secured the right of entry contract from the Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad back in May and began working on making the trail walkable immediately. Springville Superintendent of Public Works Ken Kostowniak said the village “had a very, very small amount of money to work with. We used recycled material and got a lot of donations from the community.” This year, the DPW focused on the trailhead on West Main and Waverly streets. The area, next to Kiril’s Restaurant, allows for some parking and has benches and picnic tables for community members. There is a kiosk built by Springville-Griffith Institute alumnus Dan Ettipio which will have a map and rules of the trails. “It’s really well made … he did a good job,” Kostowniak said. “He even came and helped install it. It looks great.” The project benefited from other donations from the community, as well. The benches at the trailhead were purchased with money raised by the Springville Griffith Community Education Foundation, and some of
Upcoming Events Springville Area
Through Aug. 21 Erie County Fair Aug. 19 Gowanda Harley Bike Night Kissing Bridge Aug. 21 Hare Scramble Kissing Bridge © 2016 Ellicottville Times / Keystone Designers Inc.
Fire Department Looks to Partner with Mercy EMS
the trees were donated by Schichtel’s Nursery. The yellow bollards lining the entrances are reused from former playgrounds and the trail’s pathway is made from recycled roadway. “All of the credit goes to [lead man] Greg Reynolds and the streets division,” Kostowniak said. “I sent them out there with little more than a concept sketch and they did all the work. They deserve all the credit.”With phase one done, Kostowniak said next year the village will begin work extending north and south of the trailhead, eventually completing the entire trail. In the meantime, the trail is open for use. “I, personally, think it looks great. It really beautifies the village,” he said. “It’s been hard with the drought, getting the grass to grow, but it will look better each year. I’ve already seen people using it, which is good.” The trail is considered multiuse may be used by pedestrians, bicyclists, cross-country skiers and equestrians. More details on the Oct. 5 ribbon cutting will be forthcoming.
Sept. 6 First Day of School- SGI Sept. 11 8 in the Rough Trail Run Sprague Brook Sept. 16 Gowanda Harley Bike Night Kissing Bridge Sept. 24 Springville Oktoberfest Sept. 24 Autumn Challenge Sprague Brook Sept. 24 Women’s Fashion Show, presented by Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Oct. 1 SES Color Run
Plan Your Weekend Adventure at Kissing Bridge
By Alicia Dziak
Kissing Bridge (KB) is known for its winter fun, but come summertime, there’s still plenty of fun to be had! If you have an ATV, UTV or dirt bike, it’s time to get out and enjoy KB Moto! With more than 700 acres and 54 miles of trails to explore, KB Moto offers adventure for all levels. Enjoy Open Rides on Friday, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Aug. 20. Trails open at 10 a.m., with the last rider heading up at 7 p.m. Park at KB Central, sign your waiver, get a wristband that gets you access to the trails, and a tag for your machine just in case of emergencies.
“You don’t have to be an expert,” noted Rachel Fanelli, who heads up KB’s special events and public relations. Trails are labeled, letting
guests know the difficulty and condition of each trail (“extra muddy” for example), as well as pictures of what types See Kissing Bridge page 6
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