Catt. County 2-9-23

Salamanca BoE gives OK to fourth round of property purchases

By Kellen M. Quigley

SALAMANCA

— The possibility for a fourth round of property acquisitions in as many years by the Salamanca City Central School District near and around the Iroquois Drive campus is one step closer toward a potential vote.

The Board of Education on Jan. 24 unanimously approved several resolutions giving the OK for the district to pursue acquiring seven parcels on Front Avenue, Fern Avenue and Center Street near the track and field athletic complex.

A proposition for the district to purchase the properties

for a combined total of $355,000 plus any underlying Seneca Nation lease payments will be on the ballot for a special March 21 vote in the Salamanca High School gymnasium.

In one resolution approved by the board, the district believes it to be necessary and appropriate to purchase the seven particular parcels because it is concerned with the need to provide safe and appropriate educational, transportation and athletic/recreational facilities and resources for the students and employees of the district and other persons utilizing district-owned properties and facilities.

The next phase of the district’s ongoing

capital project pertains to renovations at the track and field, soccer field, tennis courts, softball field and football practice field, all located near Fern and Front avenues. The need for a new bus garage, presently located on Front Avenue next to the athletic facilities, has also been discussed for a future capital project.

Proposed purchase costs for the parcels are $90,000 for one parcel of vacant land on Front Avenue and two parcels of vacant land on Fern Avenue; a parcel at 679 Front Ave. for $80,000; an unnumbered parcel on Fern Avenue for $75,000; the rear portion of the parcel at 168 Center St. for

$70,000; and a parcel at 2 Fern Ave. for $40,000.

“What would normally happen is we would have to do an environmental study,” said Dr. Mark Beehler, district superintendent. “Because we aren’t designating what we are going to use this space for yet, we do not have to go through that study.”

During the district’s 2020 budget vote, voters approved the acquisition of two properties and the lease of a third on Fern and

Front avenues for about $131,000 for future renovations at the Iroquois Drive campus and Veterans Memorial Park.

The school board later approved the acquisition of three parcels and lease of a fourth in early 2021 with voters approving the $200,000 purchase that March. Three of the properties were adjacent to the track and field and the fourth was near the Front Avenue entrance to Vets Park.

A third round

of property acquisitions were approved by the school board in late 2021 with voters approving the $221,000 purchases in December. All four properties were located along Hoy Street and border Vets Park and could be used for parking, site work and other amenity upgrades to the park in a future project, officials said at the time.

This latest vote will be held Tuesday, March 21 from noon to 9 p.m. in the high school gym.

Photo Provided Thisbirds-eye view of the Salamanca school district’s Iroquois Drive campus shows what’s being planned for Phase 4 of its ongoing capital project. A proposition to acquire seven parcels of property along the west side of Fern Avenue (on the far left of image) will be on the ballot for a special vote March 21.

Holiday Valley hosts torch relay for Empire State Winter Games

By Deb Everts ELLICOTTVILLE

— With torch in hand, Emma Barnes swooshed down Foxfire slope at Holiday Valley Ski Resort Jan. 29 as part of the Empire State Winter Games torch relay across New York state.

Escorting

Barnes were Tucker Mayer, who skied down with the American flag, and Scarlet Brown, who carried the Canadian flag. All three are U12 racers from Holiday Valley’s race team.

Behind them was a procession of athletes that still had to compete in final qualifying events to participate in the Winter Games.

The torch relay in Ellicottville was one of two that kicked off this year’s annual Winter Games, with the second relay taking place at New York City’s Chelsea Piers Sky Rink. Jan. 29 was the beginning

of the torches’ five-day journey that culminates in Lake Placid to light the cauldron for the Opening Ceremony happening Feb. 2, with competitions beginning the following day and continuing through Feb. 5.

Along with visits to sponsor Community Bank locations, the torch relay is expected to involve up to 30 communities, schools, sports clubs, mascots, arenas and other venues as the ESGW flame winds its way east and north.

In connecting three corners of New York state, the relay symbolizes a unifying spirit, inspiration and resilience as the ESWG celebrates the power of sport and community.

Dash Hegeman, marketing director at Holiday Valley, said the torch relay is a 700mile journey that will make stops throughout the state, so being able to kick the event off in Ellicottville is something that Holiday Valley was very excited

about. “Having the opportunity to be a part of the tradition of the Empire State Winter Games is an honor,” he said. “The Winter Games embody so much of the dedication and passion for winter sports that we here, at the resort, try to showcase to people every single day.”

Meanwhile, in the northwest corner of Cattaraugus County, the village of Gowanda was a stop for the Torch Run in what is becoming an annual event.

Shortly after 9 o’clock the morning of Jan. 30, members of the Gowanda cross country team arrived at the Gowanda branch of Community Bank with the torch.

Coordinating the stop in Gowanda was Community Bank District Manager, Ralph Swanson, who is based out of the Gowanda

branch.

WITH TITLE sponsor Community Bank N.A., along with presenting sponsors Zappone Chrysler Jeep Dodge Inc., Jeep, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, Stewart’s Shops, Casella Waste Systems and Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, the torch relay will be welcomed by dozens of communities along the two routes that will converge in Lake Placid. Some stops will greet the torches with parades, local athletes and teams, dignitaries and special ceremonies. Among the remaining stops, the western torch traveled to the Batavia Ice Arena Jan. 31; J.M. McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland Feb. 1; and Watertown Skating Club Feb. 2. The torch from New York City made its way to The Rinx at Hidden Pond,

Hauppauge, Jan. 30; McCann Ice Arena in Poughkeepsie, along with Community Banks in Kinderhook and Valatie, Jan. 31; Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties, Feb. 1; Granville, Ticonderoga and Tupper Lake, Feb. 2.

According to the ESWG website, the competition is the largest Olympic-style winter sporting event in the Northeast. This year’s Winter Games are expected to draw approximately 2,000 athletes competing in more than 30 events.

From Feb. 3-5, athletes of all ages participated in three days of competitions.

The events were

held in and around Lake Placid at competition venues including Olympic Center, James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Rink, Whiteface Mountain, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Olympic Jumping Complex, Tupper Lake Civic Center, Saranac Lake Civic Center, Dewey Mountain, Mt. Pisgah and Paul Smith’s College. The largest multi-sport amateur athletic winter sporting event in North America, the competition is a multi-day sports event that is used to bring together winter sports athletes from across New York state and beyond.

Court of Appeals denies state motion for dismissal of Seneca Thruway suit

at Irving, about 5 miles northeast of Silver Creek, for roughly 2½ miles.Grounds for the case originate from 1954 when the Nation says it was pressured to grant the easement for the Thruway to be constructed through a portion of its territory. At the time, land easements on Nation territory required federal approval to be deemed valid, but the Senecas insist New York did not take action to get approval from the Department of Interior (DOI) to construct the Thruway. The Nation has long denied the validity of the purported easement and has asked the New York State Thruway Authority to remit tolls to the Nation, but the authority has refused. In 2019, the Senecas had stood in the way of the state making repairs on the Thruway in their territory.

By Kellen M. Quigley

SALAMANCA

— The Seneca Nation is celebrating another beneficial ruling in an ongoing lawsuit concerning the use of its lands for the construction of the New York State Thruway.

On Jan. 26, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

issued a decision rejecting the state’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Senecas filed in 2018 regarding the validity of the easement for the Thruway, which runs through the Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory.

“After fighting New York’s overreaching actions for decades, on the Thruway and other issues, this is

an important victory,” Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said in a statement Jan. 26. “Our arguments on behalf of our people deserve to be heard in court.”

The court’s decision upholds an earlier U.S. District Court decision in 2020 that overturned a 2018 recommendation by a federal judge that supported the

state’s move to have the case thrown out.

The state argued that a similar case was brought in 1993 — and dismissed — while the Senecas waited too long to bring the case for an agreement from the 1950s.

“The Thruway is a 300-acre scar on our Cattaraugus Territory that New York state inflicted on our

people without proper authorization from the Department of Interior or in compliance with the promises made to us by treaty,” Armstrong said. “We intend to make sure that State officials finally comply with federal law for this invasion of our land.”

The portion of highway in question carries Interstate 90 through Seneca territory

The Senecas and New York state recently settled a longtime feud over casinorevenue payments the Nation had withheld in its dispute over the state opening its own casinos. The Senecas have long argued that the state opened casinos, like the one at Tioga Downs in Tioga County, in violation of the casino compact it has with the state’s tribes.

Nominations sought for JCC Distinguished Alumnus Award

JAMESTOWN — Nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award will be welcomed until March 1. The award is given by the SUNY Jamestown

Community College alumni associations at the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses. Since 1980, the alumni associations

have presented accomplished graduates with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the association’s highest honor. The award is given to those who

typify JCC’s tradition of excellence and bring credit to the college through personal accomplishment, professional achievement or humanitarian service.

Nominees must be graduates of JCC. Awards will be announced at the 2023 commencement ceremonies.

can be made online at sunyjcc.edu/alumni/ awards. For more information, email alumni@ mail.sunyjcc.edu or call (716) 338-1057.

Randolph VFD currently accepting scholarship applications

RANDOLPH

— The Randolph Volunteer Fire Company announces applications for the Bill and Dorothy Honey Memorial Scholarship Fund are currently being accepted until April 5. There are two scholarships available for $500 each.

This memorial scholarship is a career/meritbased award open to members and the families of the United States Fire Service in New York state, particularly those associated with the Randolph Fire District.

The mission of the fund is to foster the ideals of service to family and community through better communication and higher education. The scholarship is named for the Honeys in honor of their 122 combined years of service to the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department and in keeping with the ideals

and traditions of their family.

For the past 107 years, at least one and often several members of their family have been active members in the Randolph fire company. The family has been a part of the community for 138 years, the same number of years the Randolph Fire Company has been in existence.

The Bill and Dorothy Honey Memorial Scholarship Fund was incorporated into the by-laws of the Randolph Volunteer Fire Company in the summer of 2017. The fund consists solely of donations given by private citizens. Over 75 donations have been received to date.

Applicants must be a student in good standing or accepted at an accredited institution of higher learning, preferably enrolled in the field of public service including but not

limited to the areas of fire science, medicine, law enforcement, communication and public safety. Applications will be accepted through April 5 with announcement of the award recipient(s) on April 6.

A presentation

ceremony of the scholarship and their award will be at Hose #1, 70 Main St., on Saturday, April 29 during the Randolph Fire Company Annual Awards Banquet. Recipients and their families will be our guests for the evening. Those wishing to receive an application

to apply may contact the Howard Wm. Honey, fund administrator, by email at dochowardhoney@gmail.com. The mission is to help foster common decency and brotherhood for future generations to come.

Anyone interested in supporting higher education and dedication to public service and would like to make a donation to the memorial fund, contact Honey by phone at (716)

Court of Appeals denies state motion for dismissal of Seneca Thruway suit

drowned. Her boyfriend fell through the hole with her 25 feet into the Allegheny River and broke his leg when they became separated.

The New York State Appellate Court ruled in 2018 that the bridge was the responsibility of the state Department of Transportation and the Court of Claims later awarded John’s survivors — including three children — $850,000.

By Rick Miller

RED HOUSE — This

may be the year the New York State Department of Transportation replaces the Old Route 17 bridge over the Allegheny River west of Salamanca.

The DOT has readied plans to begin working to replace the nearly 500-foot bridge

as early as this spring, as well as replace several culverts and other drainage structures along Old Route 17. Estimates of the cost of the bridge replacement, new culverts and drainage, creating a gravel road along Old Route 17 and a protective rock wall along part of the roadway to prevent erosion are around $15 million.

New York state has ignored the roadway and bridge, which is about 7 miles west of Salamanca, ever since the Southern Tier Expressway (now Interstate 86) was extended across the Allegany Territory in the early 1970s.

The road was once the main route between Salamanca and Steamburg. Now

the road dead-ends at the bridge from both directions.

The bridge, built in 1930, rapidly deteriorated without any maintenance, as did the roadway, which was used by area residents and fishermen. It was last inspected in 1988.

In 2012, Patricia John died after she fell through a hole in the bridge deck and

After John’s death, a steel plate was placed over the 10-footby 3-foot hole in the deck of the bridge. Guardrails are placed to prevent vehicles from using the bridge, but people still walk back and forth across it.

Statue DOT officials said last year they hoped the bridge could be replaced and the other road and culvert work on both sides of the Old Route 17 bridge be completed this summer.

Last July

the Seneca Nation Environmental Protection Department received a completed permit for construction within waterways from DOT. Project number 5758.79 seeks replacement of Red House bridge and rehabilitation of Old Route 17 including installing a 2,656-foot gabion wall along a portion of the river to prevent erosion of the road in high water events. The Seneca Nation’s certification that the project meets its water quality requirements is called for under the U.S. Clean Water Act.Public comment on the project is being sought through 4:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Comments may be emailed to the Environmental Protection Department at epd@ sni.org or mailed to EPD, 84 Iroquois Drive, Irving, NY 14081 Attn: Water Program Manager.

Salamanca man sentenced to 1-3 years in prison for burglary

By Rick Miller

LITTLE

VALLEY — A Salamanca man was sentenced to one to three years in state prison in Cattaraugus County Court on Jan. 23.

Brian Johnson, 36, who was convicted of a charge of third-degree burglary, was also ordered to pay restitution by County Court Judge Ronald Ploetz.

District Attorney Lori Pettit Rieman said Johnson

was accused of entering a building in the city of Salamanca on Nov. 9, 2021, with the intent to commit a crime.

Two other defendants pleaded guilty before Ploetz.

Lee

Ernest Smith, 50, of Cuba, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and second-degree criminal contempt.

The charges stemmed from an incident on Aug. 15 in the town of Hinsdale when the defendant operated

a motor vehicle on a public highway with a blood level above the legal limit. Sentencing is scheduled for March 27.

Ryan Tarr, 32, of Salamanca, pleaded guilty to a charge of third-degree assault.

The incident occurred on July 29 in the city of Olean when the defendant, with intent, caused physical injury to another person. Sentencing is scheduled for March 2.

AUTO CORNER

6 weekend road trip essentials

The open road beckons many people, inspiring everything from extensive adventures to short weekend jaunts. Whether a road trip lasts a few weeks or a few days, certain items should be packed along for the ride to ensure safety and convenience.

1. Safety items

Trips necessitate planning for the unexpected. When it comes to driving, that means certain maintenance tools and equipment. Some items to keep in a car include:

· jumper cables

· spare tire/car jack

· antifreeze

· motor oil

· windshield washer fluid

· flashlight and batteries

· emergency blanket

· nonperishable food/water

· spill-proof gas can

· flares or traffic cones

· plastic funnel

· first aid kit

2. Important documents

Don’t forget to bring along the necessary documents for oper-

ating a motor vehicle, including your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Be sure that you have valid credit cards, as it may be challenging to find an ATM in some rural areas. Keep in mind that cash is often king, so have some bills stashed away when credit cards are not accepted. In addition, tuck away a paper map, as cell phone signals may not be strong in mountainous areas or where coverage is blocked for other reasons.

3. Diversions

Long drives require entertainment to keep passengers occupied, no matter the age. Playing cards, portable video games, books, puzzles, movies, and more can be brought along to pass the hours on highways and byways.

4. Gadgets

Ours is a digital world in which technology reigns supreme. Be sure to bring along various device chargers, cameras, power banks, GPS devices, Bluetooth converter, and any other gadget that can make traveling more convenient.

5. Comfort items

Some creature comforts can make traveling more indulgent. Travel pillows, window shades, seat warmers, a toiletry bag with moisturizer and eye drops, sunglasses, slip-on shoes, and sunscreen are some of the comforts to include. Comfort items also

can be customized depending on your preference.

6. Snacks

Cut back on the number of stops that have to be made by bringing along snacks. Trail mix, granola bars and other items that provide a mix of protein and carbohydrates will keep everyone from becoming hungry on the road.

Weekend road trips can go more smoothly when travelers have some essentials on hand. Customize the list based on who’s along for the ride and how long the trip will be.