Cattaraugus County legislature swears in
Cattaraugus County legislature swears in leaders for ’25
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
LITTLE VALLEY
- The Cattaraugus County Legislature unanimously reelected Andrew Burr of Gowanda as chairman Jan. 8, the start of a new year for the 15-member, allRepublican body.
Burr was elected to the leadership position at the start of 2024 after serving as vice chairman for the previous four years under Howard VanRensselaer of Randolph.
“I appreciate the trust and confidence you’ve placed in me,” he said. “I’ll work very diligently to do the best job I can do every day for Cattaraugus County. With all of your help and support and fellowship, it certainly makes that job a lot easier.”
Burr was nominated by Rick Smith of Olean and seconded by Donald Benson of Allegany.
“He did an
outstanding job this past year,” Smith said. “I think under his leadership, the county is in very good shape.”
The legislature also re-elected Michael Brisky, of Franklinville, as the vice chairman. The post carries with it the chairmanship of the powerful Finance Committee.
Brisky thanked his fellow legislators for their support, adding that he’s looking forward to working with everyone in the county from the administrators and department heads to the staff and employees who work for the county — about 1,500 altogether, including full- and part-time.
“As we look forward into 2025, we may have to make decisions this year — we may make some popular decisions, we may make some unpopular decisions,” he said. “I don’t know yet, and I don’t think any of us know. It’s a challenge each and every year.”
However, Brisky said when the legislators have to make those decisions, even when
they don’t agree, that they should do it with respect and decency. He said they should always cooperate as they strive to do what’s best for the taxpayers and residents of the county.
“I think that we’ve always done that since all of us have stepped foot here on this floor, and our goal should be to work together to continue to do that going forward,” he said. “It may not always be easy, but we should be able to walk out the door with our heads held high that we made the right decisions for the right reasons.”
Brisky was nominated by Ginger Schroder of Farmersville and seconded by Laurie Hunt of Salamanca.
“He served us very capably as Majority Leader for four years and last year was second at the helm behind Mr. Burr as our vice chair,” Schroder said. “I thought he did an excellent job. They work very well together — they play well in the sandbox.”
Prior to the legislature meeting, the Republican caucus met to vote on its party leadership for the year. Kelly Andreano of
Olean was re-elected Majority Leader with Norman Marsh of Little Valley as Assistant Majority Leader and Benson as Majority Whip. Andreano likened the journey the county has ahead this year to driving on the expressway with three choices before them — staying in the right-hand lane filled with potholes and craters that will lead to additional expense, driving in the lefthand lane which is the more conservative route or getting off the expressway and taking the scenic route that allows for
more connections to the community.
“There’s going to be times where we’re going to have to pick what lane we’re in, and I think that the best bet for all of us moving forward is a combination of both the left lane that’s fiscally conservative and making sure we get off the exit now and again to connect the people we represent, our constitutions, and listen to them. Not just about their taxes but about desperate services they’re in need of,” she said. “Going forward, that compromise is going to be key for our county.”
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
The Cattaraugus County Legislature leadership for 2025 was sworn in during the
meeting. Pictured (from left): Norman Marsh, Assistant Majority Leader; Kelly Andreano, Majority Leader; Donald Benson, Majority Whip; Michael Brisky, Vice Chairman; and Chairman Andrew Burr.
Kids and healthy eating: Gobble up these body-friendly food practices
Despite being pintsized people, children can have some very big personalities and opinions. Parents know that kids have strong feelings on everything from the clothes they wear to the foods they eat. Although not all children are inherently picky eaters, most go through phases of picky eating during their childhood development, particularly when they are toddlers. The UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals also says some children naturally are more sensitive to certain tastes, smells and textures, which could make certain foods less desirable to youngsters. Others may mimic their parents’ picky food tendencies. A child who has strong aversions to trying new foods can
make it hard to plan meals, especially ones that include nutritious fare.
Getting kids to eat more healthy foods and be excited about them could take some time and effort. Parents can try some of these strategies to change kids’ perceptions about healthy eating.
Take the lead Parents can model healthy heating behavior every time they sit down to a meal. Research suggests parents’ eating behaviors significantly influence their children’s food preferences and dietary habits. Given their influence, adults should choose healthy foods often enough so that the process becomes habit for the entire household.
Make it a team effort
Children may refuse foods because it gives them a modicum of control in a world where adults seem to be making all the decisions. When children are included in meal planning and shopping, they are more likely to eat foods that are healthy. While the bulk of foods should be healthy ones, a few treats or special ingredients can be thrown in every so often.
Create family meal expectations Routines are essential to children’s well-being. By eating together as a family and serving meals and snacks around the same time each day, kids will thrive knowing what is coming next. Mealtime is a good time to talk about healthy eating habits and table manners as
well, says the Cleveland Clinic. Parents can model how half of the plate should be made up of vegetables and some fruit.
Respect eating quirks
One child may only eat broccoli if it is dunked in ketchup. Another might only embrace a turkey sandwich if it is cut into triangles. Parents should pick their battles regarding food. Parents should go with the flow if kids are eating right, even if their choices are a little unorthodox.
Make it a game
Incorporate some fun
into meals by encouraging children to come up with funny names for their foods, however ridiculous they may be. Make competitions of healthy eating by seeing who can eat the most vegetables during the week and earn a prize. Kids likely will respond better to these positive choices rather than ultimatums about foods they “have” to eat. Healthy eating may not come easily to all children, especially if they are picky eaters. Some patience and flexibility on the part of parents can help kids become more excited about healthy food choices.
Remodeling projects allow homeowners to put their personal stamps on a property.
In addition to choosing a color and design scheme that fits a particular aesthetic, homeowners may want to outfit their homes with various features that can make them more accommodating to modern living. Homeowners can use these ideas as a springboard for remodeling projects designed to modernize their homes.
• Open floor plans: Open floor plans remain coveted characteristics of modern home architecture. An open layout enables occupants to feel like they are enjoying spaces together without having to be on top of one another. Since sightlines are not obstructed in open floor plans, homeowners can enjoy a cohesive design style across each level of the home.
• Eco-friendly features: Ecofriendly features modernize homes and may even earn
homeowners rebates from the government. From positioning rooms to take advantage of natural sunlight to using environmentally responsible materials throughout a home, modern homes can function with a much smaller carbon footprint than older structures.
• Smart home technology: A smart home is equipped with appliances and other devices that can be controlled remotely, typically from a phone or computer connected to the internet. Investopedia notes that smart home technology offers homeowners convenience and cost savings. Smart home technology is available across a wide range of budgets, ranging from thousands of dollars for a complete home automation to roughly $100 for a small change like a smart thermostat.
• Accessibility features: A home that can grow with its residents is advantageous. When choosing renovations, features like slip-resistant flooring, stylish grab bars
and low-threshold or barrierfree showers can enable homeowners to age in place more comfortably.
• Dual owner’s suites: Dual owner’s suites can be an asset for couples who choose to sleep separately. The Sleep Foundation says
individuals choose to sleep in different rooms for a variety of reasons, notably reduced sleep interruptions and improved sleep quality. Plus, an extra bedroom can come in handy when one person is ill or in the event a partner snores. Rather than one person in the
relationship getting the “lesser” space, certain homebuilders now offer plans for dual owner’s suites so both people get the features they desire in a bedroom.
• Three-season room: Many homeowners aspire to bridge the gap between the
How to upgrade your home to accommodate modern living
Public hearing for Village of Little Valley comprehensive plan is Jan. 28
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
LITTLE VALLEY
The Village of Little Valley announces a public hearing for an updated comprehensive plan will be held during the next village board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 in the village hall community room, 103 Rock City St.
A comprehensive plan serves as a guide for community decision-makers and stakeholders by documenting the community’s existing conditions; establishing a vision, goals, objectives and action items; and mapping and describing desired future land use types.
by the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund, through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Bowen said the grant was a big reason behind taking on the comprehensive plan at this stage.
in early 2024 to oversee an update to the plan with assistance from the Barton & Loguidice consultant team.
Bowen said one of the primary, overarching scopes of the plan is bringing businesses back to the village, particularly along Main Street and the downtown area.
community visioning workshop held in March 2024 and a community open house and Steering Committee public hearing held Nov.18, 2024. This input was used to shape the draft Comprehensive Plan.
for adoption by the Village Board.
Bowen said they’re hoping to continue the positive and helpful dialogue that’s been happening so far.
“We want to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to be involved and that we’re getting as much feedback from the public as we can,” the mayor said.
“We’ve really been working on it for almost three years now,” said Mayor James Bowen. “It’s been two years anyway by the time we found funding for it and started the project that way.”
This project has been funded in part
“It was time to update it if not completely redo it,” the mayor said.
The village’s current plan was adopted in 1999 and, due to changing community conditions and trends, a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee was convened
He said they want to see people occupying the vacant storefronts that have been empty for several years.
“That was the big push from the village residents themselves — trying to find a way to promote business in the village,” he said.
Public input has been solicited through a community survey opened from February to April 2024, a
Bowen said there has been a positive response from the village residents throughout the process — and a bigger one than the village board expected, he added.
“They’ve been eager to help out and submit ideas, so it’s been a good response,” he said.
The public hearing on Jan. 28 will be another opportunity for community members to provide feedback on the draft comprehensive plan before it is considered
“That’s the whole point — make sure their voices are heard during this process.”
A draft of the comprehensive plan can be viewed on the village website, villageoflittlevalley. org. For more information, contact Village Clerk JoElla Emborsky at clerktreasurer@ villageoflittlevalley. org.
A number of factors are involved in keeping a vehicle functioning and looking good. Ensuring a vehicle interior is clean and tidy is easily overlooked, but such efforts can improve the driving experience.
Drivers who want their cars and trucks to look their best should not forget their vehicle interiors. Drivers unsure where to start can spruce up their vehicle interiors in the following ways.
• Remove any trash. Wrappers, receipts, empty water bottles, and other items can quickly pile up inside a car, especially for drivers who have young children. Routinely go through the vehicle to gather and remove debris.
• Vacuum the interior. Start off with a can of compressed air and blow out dust and any other dirt that has accumulated in tight crevices. Then use a high-powered vacuum to conduct a thorough cleaning. Pay attention to the seams of car seats,
door handles, armrests, floor mats (and under them), underneath child safety seats, and the trunk or cargo area. If you don’t have a vacuum with a lot of suction, utilize one at a do-it-yourself car wash location.
• Scrub floor mats. Drivers with rubber mats can remove them and make a mild cleaning solution of a few drops of dish soap and warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the mats. Upholstered mats can be shampooed using a carpet cleaner. Then rinse and hang to dry. All mats should be completely dry before being returned to the vehicle.
• Clean the upholstery. Seats can get dirty and dingy over time. For cloth vehicle seats, use a proper spray or foam upholstery cleaner. All-purpose cleaner can work on vinyl seats, but leather seats require a special leather soap and conditioner. Avoid products with silicone, which can stain your clothes and may make interior surfaces too slip-
• Address glass surfaces. Turn your attention to the windshield, windows and mirrors. You can use a store-bought glass cleaner on these surfaces and a lint-free cloth. Avoid products containing ammonia, which may damage tinting on windows.
• Consider lingering odors. If the interior of the car has an odor, the cabin air filter may need to be changed, or there may be water entering the vehicle somewhere and creating a musty smell. Seek out any problems and address. A car air freshener can further improve the interior smell.
A thorough deep cleaning can be done at least once a month to keep a vehicle’s interior fresh and clean. However, keeping up with interior cleaning and maintenance by doing small jobs regularly will reduce the need for routine deep cleaning.
USDA milk price formula change expected to benefit WNY dairy farmers
Dairy farmers and agriculture officials are lauding a change in federal milk pricing that they say will provide more fairness and economic stability for farmers in Western New York and across the nation.
A key change is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to return to a previous formula that advocates say ensures an orderly marketing of milk to benefit the entire dairy supply chain — from farmer to manufacturer to consumer.
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy applauded reverting to the previous pricing formula after the USDA’s release Friday of its final decision on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO).
“This decision marks a long-overdue victory for dairy farmers across the nation,” Langworthy said in a statement.
“As one of the top dairy-producing states, New York’s farmers can finally see the reforms they’ve been calling for become a reality.” New York ranks in the top five dairyproducing states, and its farmers depend on the FMMO system to establish minimum milk prices and ensure orderly marketing of fluid milk. Langworthy explained that, prior to the 2018 Farm Bill, Class I milk prices were determined using the higher value between Class III and Class IV milk. However, the 2018 Farm Bill replaced this approach with an averaging formula that added 74 cents to the average of Class III and Class IV prices. That change, compounded by disruptions from COVID-19, cost dairy farmers in the U.S. more than $1 billion in Class I
skim milk revenue, said Langworthy, R-23rd District. He added that returning to the “higher of” formula will reverse the underperformance of the current “average-of” formula since its inclusion in the 2018 Farm Bill.
David Fisher, president of the New York Farm Bureau, said his organization is pleased with many of the final provisions in the FMMO, and he thanked Langworthy for his efforts.
“Many of the changes have been much-needed for our farmers in New York, such as updating milk composition factors and increasing county-specific Class I differentials,”
Fisher said.
Of the four classes of milk, Class I covers milk used for fluid, or beverage, milk products, while Class II refers to milk going into “soft” manufactured products such as sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream and yogurt.
Class III includes milk used for making hard cheeses while Class IV milk is used to make butter and dry products such as non-fat dry milk.
Langworthy called for milk price reform in his legislation, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2023, and he got it included in the base text of last year’s Farm Bill, which advanced out of the
House Agriculture Committee. The new Farm Bill stalled in negotiations on Capitol Hill and the existing bill had to be extended in December.
The new reform was brought up during a Farm Bill listening session hosted by Langworthy and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., in Chautauqua County on Sept. 6, 2023.
Greg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, said Friday the final FMMO modernization plan “will provide a firmer footing and fairer milk pricing, which will help the dairy industry thrive for years to come.”
He thanked Langworthy for his “strong, effective advocacy for enacting this change for dairy farmers.”
THANK YOU
Salamanca 7th graders combine art, tech and culture in 3-D printing beadwork project
SALAMANCA
Seventh-grade students at Seneca Intermediate School have embarked on a creative and educational journey that blends technology, design, art and cultural history.
During this marking period in their STEAM class, students explored the rich tradition of beadwork while incorporating cutting-edge 3-D printing technology.
The project began with a visit from the Native American Curriculum Team, who provided an engaging presentation on the history of beading
among indigenous communities in the region. Inspired by this cultural foundation, students moved into the design phase, using the 3-D printing program Tinkercad to create their own beads. Designing beads turned out to be more challenging
than students initially expected. They learned that even simple objects require thoughtful consideration of size, shape and functionality. Once their designs were finalized, the beads were brought to life with 3-D printers.
The hands-on learning didn’t stop there. Students were taught the fundamentals of beadwork, including threading needles, tying knots and mastering different stitching techniques. Patience became a key skill as they worked to combine their 3-D-printed beads with other materials, including cabs inspired
by Gano:nyok designs.
Each student chose to create either a pin or a magnet as their final product, allowing them to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship. Throughout the process, students developed problemsolving skills, an appreciation for cultural art forms and pride in their completed projects.
“This project was such a hit with the students,” said one teacher involved in the project. “They loved the opportunity to create something from start to finish, and they learned so much along the way.”
School officials thanked Andrea Cooke, Gabbie Papa and Rachael Wolfe for their dedication and expertise in supporting the students through this interdisciplinary collaboration. The success of this project demonstrates the power of blending tradition and technology to inspire and educate.
The seventh graders’ beadwork projects stand as a testament to their hard work, creativity, and ability to learn through hands-on experience, school officials said, adding that the students’ pride in their creations was wellearned, and their final products beautifully reflect the melding of art and innovation.
Weddings involve many moving pieces that must all come together successfully for one glorious day. Transportation is among the details that need to be sorted in advance, particularly when wedding parties and guests must move between ceremony and reception sites.
It is customary for the wedding party, which tends to include a couple’s parents, to be provided a ride to both the ceremony and reception. Furthermore, couples may have to figure out what to do when the wedding is over, particularly if the reception and ceremonies are a good distance apart. Here are a few transportation options couples can consider.
Limousines
Limousines are classic modes of transportation to and from momentous events. They typically feature seating to accommodate six or more people. Limousines typically bring the wedding party to the ceremony, then wait for the duration and transport everyone to the reception. Then the cars will leave from there unless other arrangements are made.
Party bus
Many couples opt for a party bus to transport themselves and/or their wedding parties. Party buses are larger than limousines, and as their name implies, often establish a festive atmosphere. Couples may ask their wedding party members to meet at the ceremony location, and then a party bus will take
everyone to the reception location after vows are exchanged. Party buses often play music and have refreshments available. They can be entertaining on long rides.
Shuttle bus
Couples can consider providing a shuttle to and from the airport or between other points to facilitate ease for
the wedding party and guests. A shuttle can take individuals from the reception site to a nearby hotel if overnight stays have been booked. A shuttle can bring certain individuals back to the ceremony site, a transportation hub or another centralized location where they can get to their own private vehicles and back home.
The couple also will need transportation home or to embark on the honeymoon, so it’s helpful to have reliable taxi service numbers or rideshare options at the ready. Transportation is not a glamourous part of wedding planning, but it is a necessity that should be ironed out well in advance.
Photo courtesy Salamanca City Central School District
Two Salamanca seventh graders work on their 3-D printing beadwork project as part of their STEAM class.