Hornell Sewer Repair Update
Hornell Board of Public Works November 21, 2013 Video
November 21, 2013
HORNELL, NY – Mayor Shawn Hogan announced today that the sewer main break that affected several Hornell streets has been repaired. Crews are working on reinforcing the inside of the pipes.
Hogan thanks area residents for their patience, and notes that the total cost of the repairs will be approximately $350,000.
Nojay Comes Out Against Common Core
November 21, 2013
AVON, NY – Assemblyman Bill Nojay (R, Pittsford) has come out against Common Core. “I am going to sign on as a co-sponsor of the bill to do away with Common Core in New York State”, Nojay said on his radio show today.
Nojay makes this announcement after spending several hours listening to Rochester area educators speak about Common Core at a State Assembly forum on Rochester last night. The majority of the educators who spoke were against Common Core
Tragedy: Trooper Dies At Letchworth State Park
November 21, 2013
WYOMING COUNTY, NY – New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico reports that he is saddened to announce the death of Trooper Ross M. Riley assigned to Field Command, Emergency Management in Albany.
Officials say that yesterday, Trooper Riley, a member of the Special Operations Response Team – West, based in Collins Center, New York, succumbed to injuries sustained during a fall while participating in training drills at Letchworth State Park in Wyoming County. Troopers report that during high angle rescue training, Trooper Riley fell from a ledge approximately 30 feet into Wolf Creek. He was transported and died at Wyoming County Community Hospital.
Trooper Riley was a 17 year veteran of the New York State Police. He worked in Troops A, E and F and became of a member of SORT, then named the Mobile Response Team, in March of 2000. He received a commendation for his service as a member of the Mobile Response Team at Ground Zero following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Riley, a veteran of the Persian Gulf Conflict, served as a U.S. Marine from 1987 until he was honorably discharged in 1992.
During his military service he was awarded a number of commendations including Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and National Defense Medal.
He is survived by his wife, New York State Police Station Commander Heidi Riley, SP Olean and their three daughters, 10-year-old Abaigeal, 8-year-old Katherine and 3-year-old Jillian. He was 44 years old.
Common Core November 20, 2013 Video
Common Core Meeting in Rochester
November 21, 2013
ROCHESTER, N.Y.- “Each child belongs to all of us” is the phrase the West Irondequoit superintendent Jeff Crane, used to describe the philosophy behind his forty years in the education field. Mr Crane asked the State lawmakers and public at the forum, to discuss Common Core in New York State, to think about the power in that phrase.
Superintendent Crane, was among many teachers, school administrators, and parents who came to the education forum at the University of Rochester, presented by the New York State assembly minority Wednesday night, to voice their concerns with the newly implemented Common Core program which has come under fire in many school districts.
The Forum was opened up with the announcement from Assemblyman Al Graf (R-Long Island) that he has introduced a bill in the NYS legislature calling for the elimination of Common Core and Race to the top from the New York State School systems. The announcement of his bill brought cheers to the room, confirming the growing anti-Common Core sentiment across the State. The forum allowed many School administrators, teachers, and parents to let their displeasure be known, clearly highlighting the single ideal that; all in attendance care deeply about the children, and that the quality of education, is paramount as we move into the future.
One math teacher spoke on the inability of the common Core program to do what proponents have claimed, said that the math requirement for Common Core is algebra II. However, the statistics show that of the students that enter into college only completing algebra II, only 39% of them will finish their degree. Professor emeritus, at Stanford University James Milgram, who was on the Common Core validation committee, refused to sign off the program, noting that the math standards are too low in relation to what other countries are doing.
A parent that spoke brought a shoe, and held it up asking the lawmakers, each if the shoe would fit them illustrating the fact that a one size fits all approach to education simply will not work. Another parent who came to speak started her comments by giving a “shout out” to Assemblyman Nojay for “finally seeing the light”, brought her 9 ½ year old son along, who is at the end of the autistic spectrum, noted that there is no individualized education plan in place to deal with students such as her son. Finishing her remarks she asked lawmakers if they were going to stand on the side of the establishment, or on the side with the soccer mom’s that will be sure to vote in the next elections?. After presenting her remarks, her son, in what was the most riveting moment of the forum, spoke saying “ when I was in second grade, everynight that I came home, I used to cry my eyes out before doing my homework”.
An administrator that spoke in last nights’ forum noted that with the rigid constraints placed by Common Core on the teachers, he feels that Common Core will actually chase many prospective teachers away from the field, in a time when there is a clear need for quality teachers entering the profession. Many other teachers voiced their concerns that Common Core is handcuffing them in the classrooms, taking away their unique talents in teaching, and forcing them to teach in a one size fits all manner, which given the vast diversity in a classroom, simply will not work. While other speakers in the forum openly called for the resignation of NYS Education commissioner John King as a result of the poor implementation and rushed plan of bringing Common Core to New York State. The Common Core standards, and their proponents have ignored child development experts, who have said that the program is inappropriate and damaging to young students, while leaving no room for the “uncommon” student to flourish under the Common Core program forced upon New York State Schools.
Assemblyman Al Graf spoke to WLEA reporter Bill Murphy after the forum, saying that “Common Core is abusive to the students, noting that “this is not a political issue, it is about our children”. Graf added that “anybody that tries to make this a political issue should be driven out of office on a rail”. Mr Graf also said that he would gladly support any bill that was introduced on the floor that would stop Common Core, adding that every single assemblyman and State senator should step up and say “ this has got to stop”. Assemblyman Graf has a website that is dedicated to the issue of Common Core in NYS, located at; http://www.fixnyschools.com people are urged by the assemblyman to go there and sign the electronic petition that is there.
Buckley Gets Bus Stop Smoking Ban Through
November 19, 2013
HORNELL, NY – 9th Ward Alderman John Buckley (R, Hornell) got his school bus stop-smoking ban passed.
Residents who see anyone smoking near a school bus stop can call Hornell Police and make a complaint. “The smoking ban will go into effect now,” Buckley told WLEA News after the Monday Common Council meeting. “The children will have smoke-free bus stops, and that’s great for them.”
Things Going Well At Alstom in Hornell
HORNELL, N.Y.- The Hornell City Common Council met last night at city hall, with a special guest speaker, Mark Darrow-Site Manager, Hornell Alstom Inc. Darrow spoke on the state of Alstom and the exciting new contracts, and challenges the French based manufacturer, will take on in the coming years in Hornell N.Y. The Transportation division has been awarded several rail car projects, and are ramping up operations on the contracts from Philadelphia, Maryland, and Boston, as they engineering giant steps back into the refurbishment game full time.
Mr. Darrow talked about the investment of vast amounts time and resources that Alstom has put into getting the transportation group back into the fold, as a global player doing business on every continent. North America is responsible for a fraction of Alstom’s global presence, as an engineering firm, however Darrow quickly pointed out that Hornell is the hub of their rail activity. The “ramp up” for the latest surge in business started in April, 2012. at that time Alstom employed roughly 50 workers, compared to the 275 employees that are on the company payroll at this time. Darrow noted that at this time, Alstom has contracts for refurbishment of rail cars in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and two in Boston, one on the “green line” cars and another on the “bi-level” cars used in commuter scenarios. Also Mr Darrow spoke of a contract for Ottawa Canada, to design a rail train, 48 meters, or one hundred and fifty feet long, that is being developed for used in that city, Darrow noted that because of the length of the train, a building would have to constructed in order to house the train indoors while being built.
The news of Alstom’s rolling stock division rising couldn’t come at a better time, as Hornell and many surrounding communities look to climb out of the paralyzing recession that has caused many local businesses to fail. Mayor Shawn Hogan noted that several other businesses are starting to turn the corner as well. TTA, and ATM rail, both tied to Alstom’s success, as sub contractors, also have indicated a influx of business and local hires, as well as the Trikeenan Tileworks which “is going gangbusters”, purchasing new equipment and possibly adding a third shift. Hogan added that “we are on the crux of great things” in Hornell.
In other action, the Hornell Common Council enacted a smoking ban that applies to school bus stops throughout the city. In the interest of health and safety, considering the dangers of second hand smoke, the city has adopted a no smoking zone anywhere there is a school bus stop, which has been defined as; “any location in the city of Hornell where students are present, waiting for school bus pick ups, or being discharged by school buses either going to school, or coming from the school, or any other activities”. The Ordinance prohibits the use of any tobacco products within thirty (30) feet of the above defined school bus stops. The law provides that any would be smokers that continue and get caught smoking at prohibited locations, will be fined, from not less than $50.00 to no more than $150.00 for each offense. Mayor Hogan noted that with any new law such as this, the first step is going to be education, and enforcement will almost certainly rely on residents responsibility and common sense, given the impossible nature of placing officers of the law at all bus stops in the city. However, also warned that officers will enforce the law if they visually see it being broken.
The next common council meeting is set for December 18th 2013, which will close out the 2013 schedule for the City Common Council.
Hornell Movie Theater is Closed Now
November 18, 2013
HORNELL, NY – It was announced on the Hornell Cinema’s website this past weekend, that the last movie at the theater was shown on Sunday night, and that the Hornell Cinemas are now closed.
Light Turnout At Public Hearing on Fracking
November 16 2013
Only a few people showed up on Thursday night, when the Alfred Town Board held a public hearing on extending the one year moratorium on fracking.
The Alfred Town Board will vote on whether to extend the moratorium at the December 12th Town meeting.
In Alfred budget news, Town Supervisor Tom Mansfield says there will be a 2.58 percent increase for those outside the Town, for those inside the Town of Alfred, a 1.70 percent tax increase.
Almond Town Budget
November 15, 2001
ALMOND,N.Y.- The Almond town board met Thursday night, and adopted the budget for the 2014 fiscal year. The $940,979.00 budget comes with no changes in the homeowners taxes from last year.
In other business, the board agreed to begin training a new bookkeeper, to take over for town clerk, Arlene McMahon who has been doing the bookkeeping for the town.
The town assessors office has noted that everyone that is currently on a regular STAR exemption must re-register by December 31st, 2013 in order to stay on the STAR program.
Steuben County Presents New Budget
November 15, 2013
BATH N.Y – Steuben County Administrator and budget officer Mark Alger held a meeting for legislators and the public to present the 2014 Steuben county budget. Alger in his opening remarks, said that this was a “maintenance budget”, not increasing nor decreasing significantly.
Administrator Alger pointed out during his presentation that Steuben county was able to stay under the New York State mandated 2% tax levy cap, so residents of the county will see minimal tax increase, of less than 2%, and in some areas may see less than a nickel per $1000.00 on their assessed value of their homes.
Mark Alger stated that there are a couple of things that have made staying under the levy cap difficult, one being the loss of revenue from production of natural gas, in the county which seems to have shifted to the neighboring state of Pennsylvania. Another hurdle facing the finance committee was the continuing practice of New York state placing a lot of the financial burden for it’s social programs with the county. However, Steuben county did see an immediate impact from Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, which saved the county over $900,000.00 in medicaid expenditures, the county used to split the cost of medicaid 50/50 with the federal government, whereas now the split is 90/10 with the county’s burden being 10 percent.
The county administrator said that the sales tax collected by the county are actually down from the 2012 fiscal year, which highlights the fact, while the economic tide seems to turning, in Steuben county we are still feeling the effects of the recession, and have not completely recovered at this time. Mark Alger also told meeting goers that, the county is being hampered by the state placing much of the financial responsibility for it’s many social welfare programs on the county’s back, which means having to reduces funding for other county sponsored programs, in order to meet the budget requirements.
The $186,944,564 budget is good news for taxpayers in as much they will see very little tax increase, however Alger does note that the refusal of Albany to give any sort of mandate relief, an economy that is still struggling to rise out of the ashes of the recession, makes it very difficult for lawmakers on the county level to present a budget that does not include tax increases. Mark Alger praised those on the financial committee for a job well done in completing the 2014 County budget.
Missing Hornellsville Girl Found In Onondaga County
November 14, 2013
HORNELLSVILLE, NY – The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office reports that a 17 year old girl was reported missing on Sunday morning from her home in Hornellsville, and that the teenage girl was found Sunday night at a residence in Onondaga County.
Officials also say that a 48 year old man from Onondaga County is now being held in Onondaga County, on a charge of third degree rape.
The investigation is continuing and officials say that arrests in Steuben County are pending…
School Merger Update
November 14, 2013
School officials from Alfred-Almond Central, Arkport Central and Canaseraga Central met Tuesday night, and talked about the recent merger feasibility study results that were presented at Arkport Central on October 16.
Alfred Almond School Board President Earl Pierce and Arkport Central School Board President Steve Hoyt both reported that representatives from the three schools agreed that there was nothing in the merger feasibility study to make them want to put a stop to the process. According to Pierce, if there is a merger, it would be a three way merger. The Alfred-Almond School Board president says that the three school boards and voters in all three districts would have to give their approval to a three way merger, if the process reaches that point