Oneida County Courier - Your News Your Voice» North Utica

Utica Urban Renewal Agency Guest at Cornhill Neighborhood Association January meeting

margo — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:48:06 +0000

(Utica, NY – Jan. 2012) As a follow up to the Cornhill Small Business Forum it was been suggested to have the City of Utica Urban Renewal Agency as the featured guest at our January Meeting.

The Cornhill Neighborhood Association will host the Small Business Development – Follow-up – Forum as part of their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Thomas Lindsey Public Safety Center, 230 James St.

The purpose of the Forum is to give an overview of the guidelines for purchasing a city owned property for a small business and the difference between that and purchasing a property for residential purposes.

Brian Thomas, acting Commission of Urban & Economic Development and Cathy Mack will be the special invited guest for this meeting. Cathy helps to staff the URA and will be able to give more insights into their process and current inventory for properties available for sale by the city of Utica.

As always this follow-up forum is free and open to the public.

Tenney Calls for Stricter Penalties of Sex Offenders

margo — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:13:14 +0000

(New Hartford, NY – Dec. 20, 2011) Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney (R,C,I-New Hartford) has called on the State Legislature to address a bill that would require stricter penalties for sex offenders. If enacted, such a measure could help prevent cases like that of released serial rapist Robert Blainey, who is now charged with murder.

“There is clear evidence that sex crimes are the result of repeat criminal behavior committed by very disturbed individuals. These criminals are in need of treatment and should be separated from the public until trained criminal and mental health professionals deem that they no longer pose a threat to themselves or the community,” said Tenney. “When it comes to public safety, we cannot take any risks. We, in state government, must send a firm and undeniable message that repeat offenses will not be tolerated.”

Blainey was first imprisoned in the early 1980s after he attempted to rape an 8-year-old girl in Madison County. After being released on parole, he committed two more rapes. He served time for these crimes and was again released on parole. This time, he skipped out on his parole and was caught several weeks later during a routine traffic stop in Montoursville, Pa. Blainey was driving the car of Linda Turner, a North Utica homicide victim. Turner was the owner of Davis Motel on Herkimer Road and lived on the same property. Her body was found Nov. 3 inside the hotel. Her car was not at the scene.

Tenney said, “Despite the United States Marshall’s attempts to find Mr. Blainey, he disappeared off the radar. In this time, he allegedly murdered an innocent, hard-working woman and may have committed numerous other crimes during his fugitive run. This is exactly why we need Albany to give law enforcement better tools to keep track of sex offenders – because they will strike again if given the chance.”

To address this public safety threat, Tenney is sponsoring Assembly Bill 4723, which requires registered sex offenders to wear a GPS monitoring ankle bracelet upon their release from prison. Although current law allows for the electronic monitoring of certain individuals released on probation, state law does not require this action. Tenney believes that because the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act already requires certain sex offenders, sexual predators, sexually-violent offenders or predicate sex offenders to register for life and keep authorities apprised of their home address, that A.4723, if enacted, would help ensure this law is enforced to better protect the public.

“Furthermore, having to wear ankle bracelets would help deter these criminals from engaging in additional criminal behavior and comply with the terms of their parole. There will no longer be a ‘what if’ or ‘maybe I can get away with it’ possibility for these depraved individuals to act again,” said Tenney. “If enacted, this measure would ensure that law enforcement officials can constantly track the whereabouts of these offenders and that the public will be better protected.”

A.4723 is currently under consideration in the Assembly Corrections Committee. Assemblywoman Tenney is encouraging members of the public to contact Committee Chairman Jeffrion L. Aubry to ask that he immediately take action on A.4723 and bring the bill before the full Assembly for an up or down vote.

Palmieri Announces City of Utica Ad-Hoc Quality of Life Committee

margo — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:14:24 +0000

(Utica, NY- Dec. 2011) The issues that affect the most people are those that deal with the quality of life in a neighborhood. Issues such as drugs, nuisance properties, prostitution or illegal dumping can have a widespread impact on a community. To address quality of life problems such as these, Rob Palmieri, Mayor-Elect has implemented an Ad-Hoc Quality of Life Committee.

The Committee will focus on day-to-day neighborhood and business issues such as codes enforcement, the noise ordinance, and animal control.

These Quality of Life Indicators directly affect people’s perceptions of the City. To foster economic growth and a vibrant economy we need to create a pleasant and safe environment for people to live and work.

The Committee will convene in the next two weeks to begin addressing Quality of Life issues in the City, with the goal of having an initial assessment ready for the Mayor’s review by the end of March.

Quality of Life Committee

Co-Facilitators

Gene A. Allen Community Affairs Specialist

Craig Grant Community Coordinator – The HomeOwnership Center

Committee

Frances Frazier Cornhill – Family Advocate Utica City School District

Mario Colon Cornhill – Creative Director Hispanic Federation

Bill Phillips Cornhill – Former 5th District Councilman

Lu Pway Doh Cornhill – Volunteer to the Multi Ethnic Association of Burma

Lucretia Hunt East Utica – GED Coordinator BOCES

Nedzad Fmajic East Utica – Contractor

Ramo Libic East Utica – Business Owner

Patrick Johnson West Utica – Principal – New Life Institute

Robin Raabe West Utica – Owner, Tramontane Cafe

Jim Zecca West Utica – Common Council Member

Lori Washburn West Utica – Resident

Gary Harvey North Utica – Proctor Youth Construction Initiative

Nicholas Fazio North Utica – Resident

Diane Carville North Utica – Resident

Tony Colon South Utica – President at TECHNO-LOGIC SOLUTIONS, INC.

Jeannette Spina South Utica – Retired Teacher

John Catera Founder Utica Landlord Association

David Cocomazzi General Manager, Radisson Hotel Utica Centre

Student Representative Thomas R. Proctor High School

Student Representative Notre Dame High School

Wreath-Laying, Prayers at Six Monuments to Highlight Utica’s Veterans Day

margo — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:51:15 +0000

(Utica, NY – Nov. 2011) Veterans, family members and public officials will honor and remember the sacrifices of war veterans at six memorials and monuments in Utica on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Coordinated by The American Legion’s Utica Post 229, with help from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Polish League of American Veterans and several other veterans groups, the ceremonies will get under way at 11 a.m. at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Oneida Square.

“The ceremonies will last 10 to 15 minutes at each site,” said Veterans Day Chairman Paul Wojcik. Retired Army Chaplain Col. Gary Howard will offer a prayer, Color Guard squads will present the colors, and veterans, family members and public officials will take turns laying a wreath at each of the sites. He noted that Colonel Howard was the chaplain to Gen. David Petraeus when the general was the U.S. commander in Iraq.

After the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, he said, the group will proceed to the Parkway to stop at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the POW-MIA Monument and the World War I/World War II/Korean War Monument. After that will be the Purple Heart Park on Whitesboro Street in West Utica, and finally, the All Veterans Memorial at Utica’s Main Post Office on Pitcher Street.

The day will begin and end at Utica Post 229 in North Utica, with coffee and doughnuts at 9:30 a.m. and lunch for veterans by 1 p.m. A bus will be at the Post by 10:15 to take participants who want a ride to the monuments and memorials.

Oneida County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week Oct. 2-8

margo — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:30:51 +0000

(Oneida County, NY – Oct. 2011) October 2-8 is National 4-H Week, and Oneida County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities.

In Oneida County, more than 300 4-H members and 120 volunteers are involved in 4‑H. The Oneida County 4-H program reaches over 3000 total youth through after-school programs and other 4-H sponsored activities throughout the year.

Oneida county 4-H members are involved in a wide variety of projects from animals to robotics. They actively participate in public communication events, community service and project specific shows and competitions. 4-H volunteers guide youth by using their individual expertise and mentoring them throughout the year. An abundant amount of local, state, and national opportunities are available to those involved in 4-H. These opportunities and more are available through the 4-H program and help us build our leaders of tomorrow.

Learn how you can become involved in 4-H by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County at (315) 736-3394, extension 122 or email Kristi Cranwell at kac292@cornell.edu

Searching for the Lost Treasures of Ancient History: Also Known as Antiquing in the Central New York Region

margo — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:25:15 +0000

(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) The Central New York Region has everything a traveler could want out of a visit to New York State, from something old (historical landmarks, museums and rustic B&Bs) to something new (state-of-the-art science centers, modern theatrical performances and high-end spas). To emphasize the “something old,” the area is overflowing with quaint shops touting eclectic antiques and collectibles, offering a slice of the region’s rich past. It is truly a picker’s (and a historian’s) paradise.

For starters, the Madison-Bouckville area offers a year-round antique venue with over 30 shops featuring hundreds of dealers, plus the largest antique show in New York State every third week in August. This event, the Madison Bouckville Antique Week, draws more than 2,000 dealers for a weeklong show along one two-mile stretch of Route 20. Another superb find for antique hunters in Madison County is The Market at Oneida Commons, a neat little mall open year-round that’s packed with vintage items, crafts, jewelry, books, furniture, locally-produced Pride of NY foods and other odds and ends that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Cobbler & C. in Sharon Springs, Schoharie County, offers a treasure trove of antiques. Up on the second floor is a wide array of used, but “new to you” goods: a collection of old dishes, glassware, books, magazines and other collectibles.

In Oneida County, the Westmoreland Antique Center features 80 dealer spaces with a vast array of antiques and vintage collectibles like holiday merchandise, milk bottles, postcards and advertising collectibles, plus a vast selection of glassware, china and furniture.

Charlotte’s Antiques in Chenango County welcomes antique enthusiasts to pore over home décor, women’s clothing and jewelry, and rare collectibles, among other specialty items. For Iroquois artifacts, one-of-a-kind classics and various collectibles, Carriage Barn Antiques, Iroquois Antiques and Pheasant Farm Antiques are a few popular stops in the area.

The Little Falls Antique Center in Herkimer County showcases oldies but goodies from 18 dealers. Just a ways down the street, Stone Mill of Little Falls houses everything vintage from lighting, to clothing, to decorative arts and prints, plus local treasures like Oriental carpets from Erie Canal Carpets, sterling silver and cookbooks. The unexpected can be expected in the old factory atmosphere of this 1839 mill built on the banks of the Mohawk River, as the inventory is ever changing. Greater Binghamton’s Clinton Street, aptly named the “Antique Row,” is a hot spot for antiquing, hosting as many as 30 dealers at a given time. The locale makes perfect sense, as Clinton Street itself is an antique – it existed long before the city of Binghamton.

Cooperstown in Otsego County is saturated in antiquing opportunities. More than 50 shops line the area, from main streets to country roads, including NYS Route 7 corridor from Unadilla to Oneonta, the NYS Route 28 corridor from Oneonta to Cooperstown, and US Route 20, the road to the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show. For those seeking a myriad of vintage items, from china and glassware to historic textiles and furniture, shops like Barkley Barn Blue Ribbon Antiques, Lake Antiques and Antiques & Artifacts are must-sees. Even the antiquing venues themselves are fascinating and range from charming homes to old barns brimming with collectibles.

For some, a successful hunt for the perfect antique can take months or even years. The Central New York Region’s seemingly limitless supply of rare antiques and collectibles in dozens of shops across the area, however, can certainly help to shorten the duration of that hunt and make it quite enjoyable along the way.

For more antiquing opportunities and other information about the Central New York Region, check out:www.JustGoCNY.com.

School’s Open – Drive Carefully

margo — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:40:11 +0000

Pictured from left, are, Officer Joseph Dare of the Utica Police Department, Riley Kohl (5 years old), Ella Lorraine (5 years old) and Edward P. Welsh, General Manager – AAA NY Central Region.

(Utica, NY- Sept. 2, 2011) The Utica Police Department and top state

and local officials have joined to urge vigorous public support of AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign to help preserve the safety of children traveling to and from school.

AAA’s yearly “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years old.

To encourage drivers to exercise caution, Edward Welsh, General Manager of AAA New York’s Central Region said that “AAA will be placing colorful posters bearing the “School’s Open” legend to local police departments and will display them at many busy intersections and school crossings during the month of September.”

Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers, also distributed by AAA New York for display on trucks, buses, official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars. Among the prominent officials who have endorsed AAA’s “School’s Open” campaign this year are: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Barbara Fiala; Commissioner of Education, John King and Acting Superintendent of State Police, Joseph D’Amico. The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police also supports the campaign.

Officer Joseph Dare similarly endorsed the efforts of AAA New York and reminded motorists, “School’s Open – Drive Carefully.”

Ed Welsh also emphasized the need to show extra caution when driving as schools reopen, since it is then that vacation-minded children are apt to be less careful. Motorists should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.

Cultural Resources Council Offers Arts Grants

margo — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:42:18 +0000

(Aug. 30, 2011) The Cultural Resources Council has expanded its role in providing grant support for Central New York artists and public arts programs.

A regional arts agency based in Syracuse, the CRC is now accepting applications for four different arts grant programs serving nine counties.

“The arts are an important element in the vitality of our communities,” said Steven Butler, CRC Executive Director. “In this time of economic retrenchment, we are pleased to offer support for arts activity in a wider geographic area.”

While the geographic reach of the four programs differs, support is now available to artists, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities in Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego and Oswego Counties. Potential applicants should check the specific program descriptions to determine eligibility.

Community Arts Grants are offered to not-for-profit organizations that sponsor community-based arts projects. Grants of $500 to $5,000 are awarded competitively for activities such as performances, arts festivals, exhibitions, public arts classes, mural projects, and many other programs that enhance local cultural life.

Funds are provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through its Decentralization initiative. Counties served by CRC Community Arts Grants are: Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego. Applications must be received by November 1.

Individual Artist Grants are offered to artists in the visual, performing, literary and media arts for carrying out creative projects that strengthen their connection to the community. Grants of $1,000 are awarded for activities such as the creation of art in public places; the creation of new music, choreography or scripts for public performance; the creation and public dissemination of film or video works.

Funds are provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through its Decentralization initiative. Counties served by CRC Individual Artist Grants are Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego.

Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS) are grants of $200 to $1,500 offered to working artists in all disciplines for specific opportunities that significantly benefit their career development. The CRC is one of eight regional organizations throughout New York who administer this program for the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

The CRC administers Strategic Opportunity Stipends for artists residing in Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego Counties. Applications must be received by Sept. 12 or April 5.

Art$TART Grants of $500 to $2,000 support creative teaching partnerships between schools (Pre-K through Grade 12) and arts organizations or individual artists.

With funds from the Arts Education Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, the program supports curriculum-related projects in public or private schools of Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties. Applications must be received by Nov. 15.

Details and application procedures for all CRC arts grant programs are available on the CRC website at www.mycnyarts.org. The website also provides a listing of currently scheduled information meetings throughout Central New York.

Zecca Proposed to Make a Zero Tolerance Policy on Crime Top Priority

margo — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:44:57 +0000

(Utica, NY – Aug. 25, 2011) Jim Zecca, candidate for Utica Common Council At-Large and current 2nd District Councilman announced if re-elected he will make it a top priority to work with the new Mayor and other like minded Council Members to institute a long term effective ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY to battle crime in the city’s hotspot areas.

Zecca stated “Public disorder—panhandling, graffiti, groups of unsupervised youth–signals would-be criminals that no one is watching. Disorder makes citizens withdraw from public places, yielding those areas to disorderly people who feel little restraint to commit crimes”

Zecca’s proposed long-term Zero Tolerance Anti-Crime Program has worked well in other cities and must focus on four key areas:

Street-Level Drug Activity

Graffiti Vandalism

Excessive Noise Disturbances

Code violations/blight

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Seminar is This Weekend

margo — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:45:59 +0000

(Cazenovia, NY – July 8, 2011) The following is the schedule and list of teens attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) seminar held at Cazenovia College. Students are selected for their leadership potential and willingness to serve others. Local Rotary clubs from across Central New York pick the teens and pay their tuition to attend the seminar.

More information on RYLA in Central New York is available at www.rotarydistrict7150.org/RYLA

Rotary District 7150 RYLA schedule for July 8-10, 2011

FRIDAY

7 a.m.: RYLA staff arrive, prepare stations on registration tables, get room keys, sign Staff Action Policy.

8-9:45: Registration in front entrance of Shove Suites (Building 6, along Seminary Street, off of Sullivan Street), room assignments and taking gear to Shove Suites rooms, then students go to Morgan Center. Secret Squares ice breaker, rules

9:45 to 9:55 Welcome, Morgan Room (Past District Governor Herb Jerry)

9:55 to 10:05: Conference rules and expectations (Larry Richardson)

10:05 to 10:20: Move project supplies to shelf building location, to be determined..

10:20 to 11:05: “The Importance of Effective Communication in Leadership and in Life,” (Maureen Louis, director of Communication Studies at Cazenovia College), Morgan Center

11:05 to 11:15: Restroom break.

11:15 to noon: “Developing the Attitude of a Champion,” (Tim Ahern, president of Ahern, Murphy & Associates) Morgan Center

Noon to 12:15 p.m.: “Free time” — Divide project parts

12:15 to 1: Lunch in Hubbard Hall dining center

1 to 1:45: “Know Your True Colors,” McDonald Lecture Hall in Eckel Hall (Phyllis Danks, former high school athletic director, Marcellus and Jordan-Elbridge high schools)

1:45 to 1:50 Move to Morgan Center

1:50 to 2:40: “Communicate to Motivate,” Morgan Room (Liz Metzger. librarian, Canastota Public Library)

2:40 to 2:45: Bathroom break

2:45 to 3:30: “Ethics and Credibility: How They Tie into Effective Leadership” Morgan Room (Kurt Wheeler, Mayor of Cazenovia)

3:30 to 3:35: Move to projects studio

3:35 to 4:10: Start assembling shelves

4:10 to 4:20: Break

4:20 to 4:45: Teen issues, and skit planning (Larry Richardson and Barbara Devendorf), Morgan Room

4:45 to 5:15: Swimming pool activities planning session, Coleman A&B or if weather is good, out on the Quad (Phyllis Danks)

5:15 to 6: “Free time”

6 to 6:40: Supper in Hubbard Hall dining center

6:40 to 7: Class meeting, day in review, Shove Hall lower lounge (Ellen Nowyj)

7 to 7:30: Change clothes and walk to college’s swimming pool

7:30 to 9: Swimming pool games and activities (games, Marilyn Anderson; ugly dive competition, Larry Richardson)

9 to 9:30 p.m.: Walk back to Shove Suites, change for evening activity

9:30 to 11:30: Mexican night snack and movie, Sayford Cafe

11:30: Lights out

SATURDAY

8 to 8:40: Breakfast in Hubbard Hall dining center

8:40 to 9:25: “Free time” (shelves), project area

9:25 to 9:30: Move to Morgan Room

9:30 to 10:15: Setting and prioritizing goals, Morgan Room (Paul Muench, varsity football coach and teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School)

10:15 to 10:20: Bathroom break

10:20 to 11:05: Internet, cell phones and personal life: Predators are watching you, and so is your future, Morgan Room (Wendy Fical, direcor of Utica office of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

11:05 to 11:15: Bathroom break

11:15 to noon: “Teamwork in politics, and the importance of working together throughout life,” Morgan Room (U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle)

noon to 12:40 p.m.: Lunch in Hubbard Hall dining center.

12:40 to 1:00: Dress for challenge course, walk to van pickup spot in driveway between Hubbard Hall and Shove Hall

1:00 to 2:15: Ride to challenge course at SUNY Institute of Technology, in Utica

2:15 to 6:30: Low-ropes challenge course

6:30: Leave in vans for Cazenovia College. Eat dinner on the way back

8:15 p.m. Arrive back at Cazenovia College

8:15 to 9: Spaghetti tower building — members and joints (Larry Richardson) interactive session, east end of Hubbard Hall cafeteria

9 to 11:30 Pizza & wings and a student-led Q&A, stand-up comedy, Sayford Cafe, followed by a teen-led game on the Quad

11:30: Lights out.

SUNDAY

8 to 8:45 a.m.: Breakfast in Hubbard Hall dining center

8:45 to 9:00: Group photo, hopefully outside on the quad

9:00 to 9:15: Teams move projects from studio to lobby of Hubbard Hall

9:15 to 9:40: Participants describe their planned service projects, including how they plan to gather resources and materials, Sayford Cafe

9:40 to 9:45: Move to the Morgan Room

9:45 to 10:05: Teens perform their skits, Morgan Room

10:05 to 10:25: Teens complete RYLA surveys, receive Rotary 2010-11 theme pin, Morgan Room

10:25 to 11:40: Get dressed for banquet, clean out rooms, have room and suite inspected by RYLA staff, carry luggage to the Morgan Room

11:40 to 11:50: Turn in envelope with room key and swipe card to Mary Beth Richardson in the lobby of Hubbard Hall, and get $20 security deposit

11:50 a.m. Take your seats in the banquet room.

noon to 2:00: Recognition banquet in College Dining Center. Special guest is Jenni Gratien, program director of Chadwick Residence. Keynote speaker is District Governor Jim Gascon (need PowerPoint projector, screen and laptop)

2:00: Get some of the teens to load the project into truck. Conference concludes. RYLA staff collapses.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Class of 2011

Bethanie “Beth” Abbott

3115 Falls Road

Marcellus, NY 13108

sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marcellus

Alan Baldwin

126 Lincklaen Street

Cazenovia, NY 13035

sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cazenovia

Madeline “Maddie” Balman

4059 South Street Road

Marcellus, NY 13108

sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marcellus

Alex Bateman

402 Park Avenue

Fulton, NY 13069

sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fulton Sunrise

Mike Best

P.O. Box 111

Bouckville, NY 13310

sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oriskany Falls

Brooke Cole

713 Jervis Avenue

Rome, NY 13440