Referendum to buy 153 acres fails in 260-145 vote

Photos by Tom Rivers: Staff from the Orleans County Board of Elections counts ballots this evening in the Yates Town Hall while onlookers observe the county. Town Supervisor Jim Simon is in back at left.

LYNDONVILLE – Voters in the Town of Yates today gave a decisive rejection of a land purchase along Lake Ontario to expand the town park.

The town held a referendum today on whether Yates would be authorized to spend $700,000 in grant funds to acquire 153.3 acres next to the current 6-acre Town Park on Morrison Road.

The town wanted to expand the park by buying the land from NYSEG. Even though the purchase would only move forward with grant funding, residents still said no. Several voiced their concerns about ongoing expense with maintenance and the uncertain plan for how the town would use the land.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon envisioned a nature trail for the property, and keeping the site mostly wild.

“The people have spoken,” Simon said after the votes were counted in the town hall. “It’s definitive.”

The stack of “no” votes is about twice as high as the “yes” votes.

There were 415 votes counted today, with 382 ballots cast in person today and 33 more through absentees. A few more absentees also might trickle in the next few days but they won’t change the outcome.

There are 1,629 registered voters in Yates. That puts turnout at 25.5 percent.

Simon said residents are feeling a general uneasiness about the economy, and many recently had their assessments raised adding to their angst.

He will inform NYSEG that the land purchase was denied by residents. Simon expects NYSEG will put the land up for sale with the future use unknown. Residents in favor of the town purchase preferred to keep it mostly wild or have public access, over the land being developed for housing or industry and business.

Simon said he was pleased to meet more residents through the town discussions about the land, including recent public meetings.

“It got more people involved in the process,” he said.

‘Sammy the Stone Snake’ makes debut at Patterson Park behind Post Office

Photos courtesy of Katherine Kage

LYNDONVILLE – Kids and other Lyndonville community members painted stones on Wednesday and they were lined up to form “Sammy the Stone Snake” in Patterson Park behind the Post Office.

“Similar to the shoe tree, we want to see how large we can make the snake!” said Darlene Hartway, who runs the Webber Café on Main Street where many of the stones were painted.

Hartway is also director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. She invites the community to add more painted stones to the snake to see how long it can get.

Darlene Hartway and Lyndonville Mayor John Belson are shown with the stone snake. Belson laid the headstone of the snake that was painted by Jeannie Goetze.

Kids and community members painted an additional 34 stones to get the snake started.

These kids paint stones at the Webber Café for the snake’s body.

There are signs at the entrance and in the park to direct people to the snake.

Lyndonville is also gearing up for a Retro-Fest and town-wide garage sale on Saturday, Aug. 3. People hosting a garage sale can get their sales listed on a map, both digital and printed for a small fee, Hartway said. Maps and URL codes will be given out that morning and during the day at the Webber Café.

Town Board seeks to buy 153 acres to expand town park with stipulation $700K must come from grants

Photos by Tom Rivers: Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon speakers at a meeting Saturday morning at the Yates Town Park during an informational session about a public referendum this Thursday at Yates Town Hall.

YATES – Town Supervisor Jim Simon sees 153.3 acres by Lake Ontario as a tremendous opportunity for the town to preserve undisturbed land for generations to come.

But some residents see the acquisition, even if funded by grants, as a potential drain on taxpayers with maintenance and other expenses.

Residents will decide on Thursday whether the town moves forward with the land purchase. The town will only spend $700,000 to buy the land from NYSEG if the Yates can secure $700,000 in grants to cover the price. Yates would have two years to come up with the money. The public vote will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

Simon is optimistic the town could secure the grants through the state Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and also the Lyndonville Area Foundation, with other entities also as possibilities. If Yates doesn’t secure the grant funds for the purchase, the sale will be cancelled.

The Town Board on March 14 voted to buy 153.3 acres of land from NYSEG. It would be next to existing 6-acre park along Morrison Road.

Town residents Paul Lauricella, Bill Jurinich and Steve Colon circulated petitions wanting the matter to go to a public vote. On April 11 they turned in petitions signed by 200 residents. That was well above the needed threshold of 50 signature to force a referendum.

“I’m glad it’s come down to this where the people have a say,” Simon said on Saturday during an informational meeting about the land purchase. “That doesn’t happen to often in government. We can make a case and the people can vote yes or no.”

This map shows the boundaries of the land the Town Board seeks to acquire to expand the town park by 153.3 acres. The site, which is zoned waterfront development, would remain largely undisturbed in the near future, perhaps with a nature trail if the sale is approved by voters. If the sale is approved, a committee will be appointed by the Town Board to pursue grants and develop a plan for potential uses of the site.

If the land purchase is approved on Thursday, Simon said the Town Board will appoint a committee to pursue grants and consider how the land could be used by the public. He said he would prefer the land stay largely undisturbed with only walking trails. But the committee will look at options for the land.

Paul Lauricella sees more burden on taxpayers with the expanded park. Te land if bought by the town would become exempt, taking $23,650 away in taxes – for the town ($3,557), school district ($11,279) , county ($7,009), fire district ($735), library ($302) and water debt service ($768).

Lauricella also foresees more demand on the highway department for maintaining the site, even if it’s just a nature trail. If there are pavilions and other amenities, it would cost even more.

“We’re not Lighthouse Park to have to maintain this,” Lauricella said about the nearby Golden Hill State Park. “Just the maintenance could raise our taxes significantly. My concern is survival here because the taxes are going up.”

Resident Bill Jurinich also said he was uneasy with the unknown total costs if the town is given the green light to acquire the land. He said he and others are on fixed incomes and he worries about his taxes.

“That is my biggest fear: I just don’t want to be driven out of the town because of the taxes,” Jurinich said during the meeting at the town park.

Another resident, Deborah Schmitt, urged the community to support the land acquisition and vote yes at the referendum. If the purchase is voted down, she fears that NYSEG will sell the land to be developed for mansions.

“I’d rather it be owned by all of us,” she said.

The land up for sale runs just before the “shoe trees” at the corner of Lakeshore Road and Foss Road.

The site could also be eyed by industry for the fresh water access, another resident said.

Georgette Stockman said she would prefer to see the land stay undeveloped. Sh said 146 different species f birds have been identified in the park.

Paula Simon, wife of the town supervisor, said the referendum gives the community a chance to keep the land wild.

“NYSEG wants to sell now,” she said. “They’re giving the town a special price.”

If the land is five separate parcels. If it went on the open market, Mrs. Simon said there would be strong interest in the properties.

“It’s not going to stay the way it is,” she said. “It’s going to change.”

Mr. Simon, the town supervisor, said there wouldn’t be much additional cost to the town. He said the town’s insurance wouldn’t increase with the added land if there is only a nature trail.

He said the expanded town park would likely draw some visitors and keep more people in town for recreation. He noted the pavilion at the town park had $4,700 in income last year through rental fees, and already has hit $4,000 this year.

Some of the people using the park also likely get food from local businesses, helping those entrepreneurs and generating some sales tax.

Simon said an expanded town park has been identified by previous town boards through waterfront development plans. Yates sought the land previously, but only now is NYSEG willing to sell the larger chunk of acreage. NYSEG did sell the town 6 acres for the current park in 1997 when Russ Martino was town supervisor. In pavilion at the park is named in his honor.

“This idea didn’t generate with me,” Simon said. “It goes back to prior town boards and Russ Martino.”

Press Release, Lyndonville Area Foundation

Provided photo: Shelly Harling, a director with the Lyndonville Area Foundation, presents a check from the Foundation to Wes Bradley, a Lyndonville Lions Club member and chairman of the fireworks celebration.

LYNDONVILLE – Again this year, the Lyndonville Area Foundation has made a significant donation toward the Lyndonville Lions Club’s Annual 4th of July celebration.

The Foundation has given $15,000 to the Lions Club, which is planning its 50^th annual July Fourth festival. The Foundation has earmarked $5,000 of this contribution to be used toward bands for the parade and musical entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening.

The additional $10,000 will go toward the once-in-a-half-century fireworks display being planned.

The Lyndonville Lions Club receives contributions toward the fireworks display throughout the year from many area organizations, businesses and individuals, who have been and continue to be remarkable supporters of the event.

As a result, the contract for this year’s commemorative fireworks show is the largest display in the 75-year history of Young Explosives, a professional fireworks producer out of Rochester.

We hope that everyone enjoys the day!

Vote will be June 20 whether to acquire 153 acres to expand town park

Press Release, Town of Yates

YATES – The Town of Yates has changed the deadlines for applications for absentee ballots for the upcoming special election for the Yates Town Park expansion proposition.

The new extended deadlines for registered Yates voters are:

• Thursday, June 13, at 4:30pm is the deadline for an absentee voter to have their application for absentee ballot be received by mail by the Yates Town Clerk.
• Wednesday, June 19, at 4:30 p.m. is the deadline for the Town Clerk to receive an application for an absentee ballot if it is delivered personally by the voter or by his/her agent.

The deadline to submit their actual absentee ballots has not changed – it is election day.  All absentee ballots must be hand-delivered by the voter’s designated agent or, if mailed, the absentee ballot must be postmarked to the Yates Town Clerk no later than June 20 at 8  p.m.

The special election for in-person voters will take place on Thursday, June 20 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Yates Town Hall (8 S. Main St., Lyndonville, NY 14098).

The ballot referendum will read: “Utilizing grant funds, shall the Town of Yates be authorized to purchase 153.3 acres from NYSEG for $700,000 to expand the Yates Town Park?  YES or NO”

There will be two public meetings open to all and attended by town board members to discuss the proposal and to answer questions: Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at the Yates Town Hall; and Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Yates Town Park (north terminus of Morrison Road).

Yates Supervisor Jim Simon encourages people to attend the public forums, to email him (jamesjsimon11@gmail.com), or to call him (716-946-2075) if there are any questions.

Press Release, Steve Goodrich, commander of Houseman-Tanner Post

LYNDONVILLE – Flag Day June 14th, 1777 is the day the Second Continental Congress adopted the Stars & Stripes as our official national ensign.

This day is set aside to honor the flag and to officially retire those flags that have become faded, worn and unserviceable from usage.

The Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 of the American Legion will be hosting a retirement ceremony on June 14 at 5 p.m. at Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville. Anyone who has an unserviceable flag (including Military Service or foreign national flags) in need of dignified disposal, may bring them to this ceremony. Anyone interested in seeing this ceremony is asked to meet by the flagpole and cannon in Lynhaven Cemetery on June 14.

If there are any questions you may contact the post at americanlegion1603@gmail.com or myself directly at sjgoodri6511@gmail.com or my cell at 585-765-5049 by voicemail during day or directly anytime between 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Scott Goetze

LYNDONVILLE – The impending inclement weather this morning forced the cancellation of the Memorial Day parade and ceremony for the safety of all involved, said Steve Goodrich, the Legion commander.

“That does not mean the day went unmarked,” he said.

At 8:30 a.m. members of Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 placed a wreath at the Memorial Stone in Veterans Park and lowered the flag to half staff to honor the fallen.

Pictured: Commander Steve Goodrich lowers the flag as members (left to right) Scott Goetze, John Follman and Kathy Kage render honors. Delbert Young, a Legion member, also was present.

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville won’t be having a Memoiral Day parade due to the threat of thunderstorms and lighting.

The parade was going to start at 9 with a service to follow at Veterans’ Memorial Park by Yates Community Library.

The Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 issued this statement:

“Out of concern for inclement weather forecast and possible lightening, the parade and Memorial Day ceremony in the Village of Lyndonville is cancelled today.

“On this Memorial Day, let us take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who have selflessly given their lives to protect the freedoms our country provides.

“May we always remember them, may they rest in peace.

“God bless America.”

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions and the Medina Lions on May 15 did vision screening for over 100 elementary students at the Lyndonville School District.

The two clubs have a long-standing history of cooperation in vision screening events throughout Orleans County. Several years ago, a joint purchase of visual screening equipment was undertaken by both clubs.

The vision screening apparatus allows the two clubs to perform vision screening at the local schools to access students who may need glasses. Once students are identified as candidates for further evaluation, they are referred to local optometrists or ophthalmologists for further examination. Nearly 10 percent of the students screened were found to have visual deficits that required follow up investigation.

Early screening and correction of these visual problems is extremely important. Early detection can slow or prevent further deterioration of visual acuity and improve student’s ability and performance in school learning.

The entry level examination can detect other eye problems that may cause poor vision. Not all eye problems can be simply solved with glasses and that is why early visual acuity examinations are essential.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank the Lyndonville Central School Leo’s Club and the Medina Lions Club for their efforts during this screening event.

Provided photos

LYNDONVILLE – Andrea Page, an author and educator from Rochester, visited the Lyndonville community on Tuesday for presentations and discussions about a book she wrote featuring seven Sioux code talkers of World War II.

Many patrons at Yates Community Library read “Sioux Code Talkers of World War II” in the past two months. Page discussed the book at the library with about 40 people on Tuesday evening.

Earlier in the day she gave a presentation at Lyndonville Central School, where every eighth-grader received a copy of the book paid for by the Elisabeth Dye Curtis Foundation.

Page researched seven Sioux soldiers, whose native language ensured secrecy of the strategic messages from the U.S. military as they served in the Pacific Theater under General MacArthur. Page is the grand-niece of the one of the seven Sioux code talkers, John Bear King.

She shared about the Sioux code talkers’ most heroic actions, including their assist in the rescue of nearly 4,000 American POWs held in a college complex in Manila, the Philippines.

Andrea Page speaks to 40 attendees during a book discussion at the Yates Community Free Library. About 50 people checked out the book during “Lyndonville Reads,” a community reading effort.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Heinsler speaks during Monday’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting.

LYNDONVILLE – Matthew Heinsler looks forward to giving back to the Lyndonville school district that he said has given so much to his children.

Heinsler wanted to serve on the Board of Education, and submitted a petition with enough signatures to be on the May 21 ballot.

Heinsler, however, was forced to withdraw from the race. He works as a full-time squadron commander for the U.S. Air Force. He checked with the base to see if he could be on the local school board and was told that wouldn’t be a problem.

But, upon further review, Air Force officials at the state level said the current policy does not allow service on the Board of Education for a full-time Air Force officer.

Heinsler said he would like to see that policy changed, but for now he can’t be on the board.

“I apologize for the amount of time for the redo to have to happen,” he said at Monday’s BOE meeting.

The district reopened the petition process and George Avery met the deadline to be on the ballot. Avery, a former Walmart store manager,  now works as an advisor for Camping World in Churchville. He has two children in the district and has served on the PTSA and as a parent rep on school hiring committees.

Other candidates on the ballot will be Megan Bruning, Susan Hrovat, Ted Lewis, Steve Vann and Patrick Whipple.