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JANUARY 2024
Volume 39
Martha Sauerbrey Re-elected Tioga County Legislative Chairwoman for 2024
Owego, NY – The Tioga County Legislature held their First Special and Organizational Meeting of 2024 on January 2, 2024. Martha Sauerbrey was re-elected as Chair of the Tioga County Legislature for 2024. Chair Sauerbrey has the responsibility of running the day-to-day business of the county as the Chief Elected Official. Legislator Sauerbrey was elected to the Tioga County Legislature in 2005 and this year marks her eleventh consecutive year serving as the Chair of the Tioga County Legis-
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lature. Legislator Tracy Monell was elected to the Tioga County Legislature in 2009 and was elected to serve as Deputy Legislative Chair for 2024. Legislator Monell has served as the Deputy Legislative Chair since 2023. Legislative Chairwoman Sauerbrey commented, “Thank you for your support. The Tioga County Legislature is an engaged and strong Legislature and that is critical in running an effective and strong government. I look forward to completing the County’s Interoperable Radio Communications Project and having a communications system that improves the emergency systems across the county. I also look forward to stabilizing our workforce by filling vacancies, training our staff, and getting full employment up and running. Lastly, I would hope that other counties across the State would rally to fight to retain our Home Rule rights regarding our elections. Thank you again and I look forward to the busy year ahead.”
Stay Warm this Winter
The Tioga County Open Door Mission has free coats in their Outreach area for those who need one! Stop by their Outreach area Monday through Wednesday, from 10am to Noon, and 1pm to 4:30pm. Some coats are brand new and still sporting tags!
2 0 2 4 Yes, Christmas is over but... Small businesses are still here for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays! Shop Local to find that special gift or eat local on that special day!
Shop Local, Eat Local, Stay Local
Number 1
Historic Central Fire Station Bell Installed in Steamer House
1911 Fire Bell will ring again once project is complete.
Owego, N.Y. – Construction of the Owego Hose Team’s Steamer House located at the former Lloyd’s Barbershop site on North Avenue next to Owego Fire Station #2 is well underway. Recently the 1911 Central Fire Station bell was installed atop the building. The bell was removed from Central Fire Station in May 2022 and was restored by the Verdin Bell Company in Ohio. The Steamer House will be home to the Owego Fire Department’s 1866 Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine (currently under restoration) and 1939 Sanford Hose Truck now under care, custody, and control of the Hose Team. “The Steamer House portion of our overall Steam Fire Engine project is coming along nicely,” said Hose Team volunteer and past Owego Fire Chief Danny Gavin. “A bell that rings again downtown is something we are excited about.” The bell has a b-flat tone that will be heard throughout the village once operational. The Verdin Company sandblasted the bell with a fine polish and ensured the bell was in working order. An electric ringing system will be installed by the company after enough funds are raised. Manufactured by MeNeely Bell Company of Troy, New York, the bell was presented to the Village of Owego by Dr. Sidney Wells Thompson on December 11, 1911, the year Owego Central Fire Station was built. Dr. Thompson, a prominent Owegoean, was well known as the 2nd automobile owner in Tioga County purchasing his first vehicle in 1901. The World War I Veteran was President of the Village (now called Mayor) and Vice President of the New York Automobile Association for several years. From colonial times through the twentieth century one of the only means of calling firefighters to action in event of fire was the cry of “Fire!” which was taken up block after block until
the church sextons could run to their steeples and start ringing church bells. Even where there was a regular fire bell system, as was the case in Owego, churches usually chimed in, so every volunteer firefighter was sure to hear some bell alerting them to respond. The early Owego fire bells called the “Bell of Summons” were in the Tioga County Court House. One of these original bells can be found in the Tioga County Courthouse Square. Nicknamed “Old Joe” the bell operated from 1867 to 1915 before it cracked. Once removed, it was dedicated as a memorial to Joseph S. DeWitt an eight-year Owego Fire Chief. The Hose Team is still raising funds to make the bell functional and ring again by selling “Doc ‘T’ Preferred” bell stock as a nod to Dr. Thompson. For a $25 tax deductible contribution an individual can buy pound(s) of the historic bell with only 813 pounds, the bell’s weight, to be sold. To date, 684 shares have been sold with only 129 remaining. If you are interested in this unique opportunity to support the project you can buy bell stock online at the link here or by mailing in the order form at the same website: https:// www.owegohoseteams.com/bell/ You will receive a receipt for your purchase and official stock certificate indicating the number of shares owned. The total cost of the bell portion of the overall Steamer project is $20,000 of non-taxpayer funds.