PRESORTED
CARRIER ROUTE POSTAL CUSTOMER
BROWN ENTERPRISE AND MARKETING 7830 STATE ROUTE 434 APALACHIN, NEW YORK 13732
APALACHIN • OWEGO • NICHOLS TIOGA CENTER • NEWARK VALLEY
CAMPVILLE • BARTON • CANDOR SMITHBORO • CATATONK
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER •
www.CommunityPress.us
SEPTEMBER 2020
Volume 35
STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #9 APALACHIN, NY
Number 9
Tioga Downs Casino to Re-Open
Photo by Fred Brown Jr. ©2001
Apalachin Highway Fall Clean-Up Would You Like to Help? The Apalachin Lions are looking for help with the cleanup of Rt. 434 on Saturday, October 3, at 9:00 am. The cleanup crew will meet at BEAM ELECTRONICS on Route 434. The amount of time normally spent is approximately 2 hours to pick up and bag trash along a designated 3-mile stretch of Rt 434 in Apalachin. Please bring work gloves and dress for the weather; all clean up supplies will be furnished. For more information or questions call Lion Paul Huonker at 6252727. Photo from Oct 2000
Food Bank Seeks Volunteers The Food Bank of the Southern Tier last month announced the re-opening of volunteer shifts at the Food Bank’s warehouse. The Food Bank is looking for warehouse volunteers who can commit to more than one shift at the Food Bank to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, agency partners, and clients. Volunteers must complete a virtual training session prior to their shift that will outline new safety requirements, guidelines, and what they can expect during their shift. “We know that this race is a marathon, not a sprint, and as we assess the long-term strategy, we know that bringing back volunteers is essential to serving our community. To ensure the safety of everyone, we will be doing this in a phased approach,” shared Natasha R. Thompson, President & CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. In addition to warehouse shifts, vol-
unteers are needed to support weekly Community Food Distribution throughout the service area. All volunteer opportunities can be viewed on the Food Bank’s website at www.foodbankst.org/ volunteer.
SCHOOL’S OPEN DRIVE SAFELY
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on September 3 that casinos and video lottery terminal facilities will be allowed to re-open starting September 9 with a 25 percent occupancy limit. All venues that choose to re-open will be subject to strict safety protocols, including strict enforcement of face coverings except when eating or drinking, social distancing, additional staff to control occupancy, traffic flow and seating to avoid crowding, and enhanced clean-
ing and disinfection protocols. Casinos must also have enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards in place in order to open. Casinos must leave six feet of distance between operating machines. No table games will be allowed unless and until casinos put in place physical barriers between players and the Gaming Commission approves those barriers. No beverage or food service will be allowed on the gaming floor.
Tioga Downs Casino, Nichols, NY
Board of Elections Needs Your Help Seeks Additional Election Inspectors Defending Democracy takes effort! At least twice a year, the Tioga County Board of Elections conducts elections for the voters of the county so that they have a voice in choosing their representatives in local, state, and federal government. To achieve this, it takes at least 164 Election Day workers spread evenly between Democrats and Republicans at the many poll sites across the towns and villages. The majority of these workers have traditionally been our retired and senior citizens. This year the COVID crisis has forced many of these faithful workers to stay home and opt out of service. The Board of Elections currently needs 15-20 additional workers, made up of both Democrats and Republicans to staff the poll sites during this important upcoming election where we will select a President, Congress members, State Senate and Assembly representatives, two Supreme Court Justices and three local officials. Workers may also be registered with other parties or unaffiliated, but will be assigned to represent one of the major parties on Election Day.
The Board of Elections will train these workers to operate the voting machines and electronic poll books. Anyone who has touch screen or keyboard skills can check in voters on one of the new electronic poll books. Others can check voter credentials or follow checklists to help voters cast their ballots. The Board of Elections will provide PPE and have protocols in place to protect the election workers and the public. They will be paid a base pay of $200 plus stipends for attending class and other related tasks. If you wish to sign up to be an election worker, contact the Tioga County Board of Elections at 687-8261 or VoteTioga@co.tioga.ny.us. Please consider this important contribution to the preservation of representative government in our community. You must be a registered voter of Tioga County to be eligible. If you run a business and are able to give interested individuals time off on Election Day, November 3, ask them to contact the Tioga County Board of Elections. It takes the effort of many to Defend Democracy and voting is patriotic!