A Finger Lakes radio host talks to and writes about the newsmakers in the Finger Lakes and occasionally offers left-leaning opinions that alienate a substantial number of his readers
A committee led by Yates County Historian Len Kataskas has been working for 18 months to plan the county's bicentennial celebration in 2023.
Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn says the celebration will get underway in February.
The Wagener apples are named after the family given credit for founding Yates County when it broke away from Ontario County in 1823.
One of the highlights of the bicentennial is an 1823 dinner in October. It will feature foods that residents would have eaten 200 years ago. Plans for the menu are still being finalized.
There will be a traveling exhibit visiting several locations throughout the county during the year. You can get the latest schedule for the bicentennial on the Yates County Facebook page.
You can listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Nonie Flynn below.
Those of us of a certain age can remember when scoreboard clocks did not register tenths of a second.
They counted down in minutes and whole seconds. If I remember correctly those clocks "ticked" every half second, which meant when the clock showed two seconds left, it might be two full seconds or it might only be one and a half. Basketball teams had to take that into account when drawing up a final play. Today, most clocks are set to count down the final seconds of each period in tenths.
That takes us to last night's Southern Cayuga-Weedsport boys game in the first night of the Cayuga County Holiday Tournament at Spartan Hall at Cayuga Community College. While scoreboards register tenths of a second, human reflexes do not.
Weedsport trailed 55-54 with 3.1 seconds left in the game. Southern Cayuga missed the front of a one-and-one and the rebound was tied up for a held ball with 0.1 second remaining. The arrow pointed to Weedsport, but with one tenth of a second remaining, the game was essentially over. Not quite. One of the officials instructed the clock operator to reset the clock to 0.9 second.
Weedsport would need to inbound from under their own basket and try to get a shot off or draw a Southern Cayuga foul to have a chance. The rules say the clock operator should start the clock when the ball is touched inbounds by an offensive or defensive player and should stop on an official's whistle.
You can see the problem here. We have a clock counting off tenths, but it's manually started and stopped by one human being following the command of another.
Weedsport's inbounds pass was deflected out of bounds near half court by a Southern Cayuga defender. The clock stopped at 0.1 second remaining. Not enough time for Weedsport to inbound again and get a shot off. Game over. Nope. One of the officials instructed the clock operator to reset to 0.8 second.
The final inbounds pass was stolen by Southern Cayuga, and this time, the clock went to zero and the game was over.
It turned out the clock machinations had no real effect on the result, other than to replace a fantastic finish with a series of conferences and delays. The first reset from 0.1 to 0.9 after the rebound scramble was pure guesswork on the part of the official. The second actually makes good sense. The ball tipped off one hand of the defender and went immediately out of bounds. The official ruled wisely that that play should take the minimum amount of time possible, one tenth of a second.
We also learned that the minimum amount of time between "clock operator sees ball touched and starts clock" to "ref blows whistle" to "clock operator hears whistle and stops clock" is almost a full second.
The tenths of a second scoreboard clock is simply incompatible with the limitations of the humans who have to administer the system. Get rid of it.
One of the biggest issues affecting water quality in Seneca Lake is stormwater runoff.
Water running into the lake contains nutrients thought to be partly responsible for harmful algal blooms. The town of Geneva is working on two projects to control that runoff.
One is on property off Armstrong Road, including the former Cobtree vacation rental property. Two property owners have agreed to allow the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District to install retention basins, which will reduce flooding on properties to the east and on State Route 14 during high rain events. The total cost is about $20,000. The District is applying for funding from the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association and the Finger Lakes Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance. The town's share will be $5,000, which is available in the town's Stormwater Control Fund. It would be installed in 2023.
The other is on Carter Road, near the Northside Fire Station. Geneva Town Supervisor Mark Venuti says that project might include a park with a demonstration area highlighting the town's runoff control efforts.
The design is expected to cost approximately $90,000, and the town’s share would be $15,000, which could come from both the town’s Parks & Recreation Fund and the Stormwater Control Fund. It would be a 2024 project if the grant application is successful.
You can listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Mark Venuti below.
Here are three of my favorite Christmas things as my gift to you on this Christmas Eve.
The In Excelsis Deo episode of the West Wing, Season 1, Episode 10. Aaron Sorkin is an absolute genius when it comes to combining imagery with music.
If you're not familiar with the episode, a homeless Korean War veteran is found dead in Washington. He was wearing a coat Toby Ziegler had donated to Goodwill. His business card was in the coat, so someone called Toby. He visited the homeless encampment, located the man's brother and pulled some strings to arrange for a burial with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Mrs. Landingham, the president's personal secretary, tells Toby "you shouldn't have done that." "I know" replies Toby. "You absolutely shouldn’t have done that." "I know."
When President Jed Bartlet finds out, he takes Toby into the Oval Office and asks, "if we start pulling strings like this, you don't think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork?" Toby said "I can only hope, sir."
As Toby leaves the White House to pick up the man's brother and go the funeral at Arlington, Mrs. Landingham says to Toby, "I'd like to come along." Her two sons had been killed on Christmas Eve in Vietnam.
The climactic scene cuts between a children's choir at the White House singing "The Little Drummer Boy" and the funeral service at Arlington. We see first Toby, then Mrs. Landingham flinch when the honor guard fire their rifles. Just breathtaking television.
Next, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Exasperated by the commercialization of Christmas, Charlie Brown exclaims "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
There is.
Finally, Christmas Eve, 1968. It was the end of a difficult year of intergenerational strife, highlighted by civil rights protests and violence. America was running out of time to fulfill John F. Kennedy's pledge to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth by the end of the decade. Apollo 8 was the first Apollo mission to reach the moon. Astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders would orbit the moon in the Command Module and return to Earth. In a worldwide broadcast 240,000 miles out in space, the Apollo 8 crew read from the book of Genesis.
Merry Christmas and God bless all of you, all of you on this good Earth.
American Legion Post 355 in Penn Yan will host a dinner Christmas Day for veterans and their loved ones who might not have anyplace to go.
Brian and Rose Fay of Penn Yan are putting together the event. I spoke to Brian this week on Finger Lakes Country, WFLR. He told me the dinner is he and his wife's way of giving back to those who have served their country.
It starts with hors d'ouevres at noon with pepperoni, a cheese tray, relish tray and shrimp cocktail.
Dinner will be served from 2-4PM, with turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, honey glazed carrots, cranberry sauce and rolls and butter. For dessert, there's apple and pumpkin pie.
Walk-ins are welcome, but it would be helpful for planning purposes if you call ahead at (315) 536-8222. The American Legion post is at 2001 Himrod Road in Penn Yan.
Photo: Stu Peenstra from Town of Seneca Falls website
It's the end of an era in law enforcement next month.
That's when Cayuga County Undersheriff Steve Smith retires after 25 years with the department. He began as a Road Patrol Deputy and has served as Undersheriff since 2019.
He'll be replaced by Stu Peenstra, who will leave his job as Seneca Falls Police Chief. Peenstra has served with that department since 1998. Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck says Peenstra will be a great addition.
Schenck he sees the Undersheriff as a partner, taking on a number of important roles within the department. Peenstra takes over January 1st.
A relatively light season this past summer and fall for Harmful
Algal Blooms. (HABS) Researchers are still trying to determine the exact
cause of HABs and how to limit them.
The Lake Friendly Living program. Soon, Seneca Lake Pure Waters will publish a list of monthly resolutions each of us can make to protect the lake.
Recently completed Sediment, Nutrient, and Pollution Reduction
(SNPR) Projects with both Schuyler and Seneca County Soil and Water
Districts.
Plans for the new year: More projects for SNPR, a fishery study
continuing during the Memorial Day Lake Trout Derby, Lake Friendly
Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes in planning stages of this years
LFL Awareness month of May.
The annual fundraising appeal and the importance of giving, membership and volunteering.
Our theme music is "Sugar Zone" by Silent Partner. You can find their music and other copyright-free music here.
A Bloomfield High School senior officially joined the ranks of an exclusive fraternity Sunday.
Justin Spelman of Troop 55 was given Scouting's top honor, earning the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor at Veteran's Park in Bloomfield.
Spelman's Eagle project was to build a flagpole and stone seating area at the historic Overackers Cemetery in Middlesex. His grandfather is buried there, and his family has had a summer place on Canandaigua Lake for years.
Making presentations at the Eagle Court of Honor were Nolan Yarger, Erie Trails District Executive, Laurie Newell with the Bloomfield Rotary Club, Troop 55's charter organization, Middlesex Town Supervisor David Adam, East Bloomfield Town Supervisor Fred Wille, Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan and State Senator Pam Helming.
Justin's father, Jim Spelman, was an Eagle Scout. He talked about what it means seeing his son join the ranks of Eagles 35 years later.
Also attending the ceremony was Don Beusman, who refers to himself as Justin's 87 year old fishing buddy.
In addition to the flagpole and seating area, Justin purchased flags to replace any that wear out over the next 15 years.
His Troop, Troop 55, is in the midst of celebrating its 100th anniversary.
A Scouting Life: Justin Spelman's journey from Tiger to Eagle
Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn says the county sets aside up to 20% of the revenue from the four percent occupancy tax for projects that increase recreational opportunities and/or protect natural resources.
According to the county's guidelines for grant applicants, the proposed project must substantially further at least one of the following objectives:
1.Substantially protects, preserves, or develops land, natural or recreational resources. 2.Provides public access to Canandaigua, Keuka and/or Seneca Lake. 3.Protects land that is adjacent to permanently protected open space, including both natural and agricultural lands. 4.Protects land on an existing or potential inter-municipal trail corridor. 5.Protects a high concentration of Prime Soils or Soils of Statewide Significance. 6.Protects a Distinctive or Noteworthy view as identified in the Yates County Scenic Planning Guidelines. 7.Provides for an expanded and/or enhanced recreational use for the public. 8.Protects water quality of the lakes. 9.Enables the furtherance of the policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. 10.Enables research studies and surveys whose purpose is consistent with the policies described herein.
Entities receiving the grants are usually required to provide matching funds. The grants can be used as matching funds toward receiving state or other grants.
A lot of people wondered why Elon Musk spent $44 billion to buy Twitter.
There's no reason to wonder any more. Twitter has been an effective platform for liberals in a world in which they have few. Musk wants to stop that. The effort has been a massive failure so far, thanks to the beauty of free speech.
Musk gave "journalists" Matt Taibbi and Bari Weiss access to internal documents detailing some of Twitter's moderation decisions. While online platforms are not required to do any moderation at all and can not be held liable for what users post, most platforms try to remove speech that is inherently dangerous. The "Twitter Files" alleged that under its previous management, the platform silenced conservative voices because they were conservative. The actual reporting showed nothing of the sort. It showed that Twitter followed its rules, blocking content that clearly violated its terms of service. When liberals on Twitter accurately described Taibbi and Weiss' reporting for what it was, what conservatives hoped would be a bombshell landed with a dull thud.
This is how the marketplace of ideas should work. The way to defeat bad speech is with good speech. The way to defeat falsehoods is with truth. Attempting to defeat bad speech by trying to silence it rarely works in a free society.
That brings us to Musk's banning from Twitter of several journalists who have written unflattering things, that is, told the truth about him. The claims he has made about why he banned the reporters don't stand up to any scrutiny. Unfortunately, a number of liberals and/or journalists have left, or are considering leaving Twitter. That would be a mistake.
If liberals leave Twitter, it will become another large conservative-dominated platform, just as its new owner hopes.
Don't take the bait. We don't need more one-sided echo chambers. We need a robust marketplace of ideas.
If you think I'm wrong, use your free speech right to say so. I'm @FlxTed on Twitter.
A group put together by the town and city of Geneva has issued its report on ways of reducing the amount of trash that goes into the waste stream.
With the 2028 deadline for closure of the county landfill approaching, the town's Sustainability Committee and the city's Green Committee formed the Materials Management and Waste Working Group.
Geneva Town Supervisor Mark Venuti says one of the working group's ideas is to open a reuse center, similar to one the group visited in Tompkins County.
Other recommendations in the report include:
1. Expanding food waste reduction and diversion
2. Expanding retail outlets for secondhand items
3. Upgrading and transforming transfer stations
4. Expanding engagement with schools, health care facilities, and other institutions
5. Updating requirements for hauling and assisting with training
6. Advocating for more aggressive state and local policies
7. Exploring new waste disposal/transformation technologies
You can read the working group's full report here.
The town is working with Design Connect, a student-led initiative at Cornell University which provides planning services to communities and non-profit agencies.
You can listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Mark Venuti below.
Since 2007, Yates County has collected a four percent tax on every hotel, motel or other room rented by lodging facilities.
Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn says not everyone knew about the tax, but they do now, thanks to new software purchased by the county that checks rental records. The software found over a hundred lodging businesses that were not collecting the tax.
She says most of the businesses that weren't collecting the tax were smaller establishments that simply didn't know the tax exists.
The tax money is used for tourism promotion throughout Yates County.
You can listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Nonie Flynn below.
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck says he'll be posting his annual community survey soon on the department website and social media.
He says part of his department's mission is to partner with the community and local organizations to deliver services in the way that best serves them.
We asked the Sheriff what his priorities are for the coming year. He said it's keeping the department fully staffed and encouraging more people to consider law enforcement careers.
Schenck believes part of the reason for the drop off in applicants is the increasingly negative attitudes toward law enforcement that have developed in recent years.
You can hear my full Flx Ted Podcast with Sheriff Brian Schenck below.
An updated local law on short-term vacation rentals.
Rezoning of medical facilities
The town has reached a settlement with Charter over cable franchise fees due the town.
The town is purchasing a new street sweeper.
The town's Materials Management and Waste Reduction Working Group
has released a report on keeping items out of the waste stream.
The town purchased an electric vehicle for the Code Enforcement
Officer and is working on getting charging stations at the Town Hall
that would be open to the public.
The town is working on a plan for future development. The city's
wastewater treatment plant, which the town uses, is near its capacity
for handling solid waste. It is working on increasing capacity, but in
the meantime, there are portable treatment facilities that could be used
for new development.
The town is working on projects to slow down storm water runoff
into Seneca Lake from properties on Armstrong and Carter Roads. The Carter
Road site might include a demonstration park, highlighting the town's
environmental efforts.
Our theme music is "Sugar Zone" by Silent Partner. You can find their music and other copyright-free music here.
Voters in the Marcus Whitman School District approved one capital project Tuesday, but rejected another.
Voters approved spending up to $36 million on infrastructure at the district's three school buildings and transportation building, including roof repairs, HVAC and electrical work, as well as parking lot reconstruction.
51% of the project cost will be paid with state building aid. $2,682,664 will be taken from capital reserves.
The design phase of the project will begin next year, with construction taking place in 2025 and 2026.
Voters rejected by an almost two to one margin, a second proposition for athletic facility upgrades. The project would have included a new turf field at the main athletic stadium, as well as artificial turf infields for the baseball field at the Gorham Elementary School and for the softball field at Valley Elementary.
District officials said the turf fields would mean fewer postponed events and lower field maintenance costs.
In high school hockey, the Skaneateles Lakers blanked the Auburn Maroons Tuesday night 3-0 in this season's first installment of the so-called Route 20 rivalry.
The Lakers got a pair of goals from Carter Corbett, including an empty-netter to seal it in the final minute.
Michael Blowers started the scoring for Skaneateles in the first period, steering home the rebound of a Jack Bobbett shot for a 1-0 Lakers lead.
Skaneateles made it 2-0 in the second when Henry Major circled the Auburn net from right to left and backhanded a pass to Corbett, who deposited it behind Maroons goalie Mason Jones. Jones had a stellar night, stopping 35 shots. Skaneateles outshot Auburn 38-13.
Auburn drops to 0-5 and hosts Oswego at Casey Park rink Thursday in a game that can be heard on WAUB.
With the win, Skaneateles goes to 4-2. Goalie Chad Lowe, who entered the game with a 1.38 goals against average and .935 save percentage, posted his third shutout of the year and second in a row. The Lakers are at New Hartford Friday.
You can listen to the WAUB broadcast of Tuesday's game below.
By Martin Kraft - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107029768
The city of Auburn has applied for funding under the state's BridgeNY program in hopes of continuing to make repairs to aging bridges and culverts in the city.
The state has increased the program to $200 million a year in its most recent five year Capital Plan.
Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason says in recent years, the city has completed work on the State St. and North Division St. bridges. He tells us what bridges are on the drawing board for future work.
Mason says if the BridgeNY application is approved, design work on the projects will begin 2023 and will take a few years to finish.
You can hear my full Flx Ted Podcast with Chuck Mason below.
In
the episode, we talk with Nonie about her announced retirement in six
months, at which time she will spend some time being a grandmother.
We also covered progress on the countywide broadband rollout,
construction of a new public safety/public health building, and an
emergency communications upgrade, the purchase of equipment to expand
the county ambulance service, events to honor veterans this month and
plans for the county bicentennial in 2023.
COVID and flu vaccines are available from the County Health
Department and the county is accepting for its Recreation and Natural
Resources program through January 24th.
Our theme music is "Sugar Zone" by Silent Partner. You can find their music and other copyright-free music here.
If you start your car in the morning and it's really loud, you may be the victim of a theft.
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck says there's been a rash of thefts of catalytic converters from cars in the southern part of the county.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill in October designed to crack down on catalytic converter thefts. The bill requires so-called chop shops to keep records of the converters they receive and submit them to the state every 60 days.
The new law also requires new car dealers to stock etching kits to put serial numbers on converters.
CARFAX, a leading source of vehicle data, has identified the following vehicles as most likely to have their catalytic converters stolen nationwide:
1985-2021 Ford F-Series
1989-2020 Honda Accord
2007-2017 Jeep Patriot
1990-2022 Ford Econoline
1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado
2005-2021 Chevrolet Equinox
1997-2020 Honda CR-V
1987-2019 Toyota Camry
2011-2017 Chrysler 200
2001-2021 Toyota Prius
Nerdwallet reports there are also locking cables on the market for $300-800. It can cost up to $3,000 to replace stolen catalytic converters, due to damage often done to the vehicles by the thieves.
Listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast with Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck below.
The Cayuga County Sheriff's Department says it's cooperating fully with the state Attorney General and Department of Corrections as they investigate the death of an inmate at the County Jail.
The inmate, a man who has not been identified, was found unresponsive in his cell at about 7:30AM on Thanksgiving Day. He was transported to an area hospital for emergency care and died the next day.
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck says cells are checked routinely during the overnight.
Schenck says his department is conducing its own internal investigation of the death.
Listen to my full Flx Ted Podcast conversation with the Sheriff below.
In our monthly conversation with the Sheriff, we discussed:
Six year old Alivia Schroeder of Aurelius, who called 9-1-1 when her father became ill last month. She was named a Junior Deputy and received a certificate from the Sheriff.
In the coming weeks, the Sheriff's Department will release its online 2022 Community Survey. The primary goals of this survey will be to gather feedback from the public about service delivery (good and bad) ,identifying areas that the public would like the department to focus on as we move into 2023, and identify ways to continue building positive relationships with all that they serve.
Undersheriff Steven Smith is beginning to transition to his retirement at the end of the month, when former Seneca Falls Police Chief Stu Peenstra will assume the position. Chief Peenstra attended training this week in Albany sponsored by the NY State Sheriff's Association to prepare newly elected Sheriffs and Undersheriffs for their positions.
There have been some recent catalytic converter thefts from vehicles at the south end of Cayuga County. As always, the Sheriff encourage that regardless of where you live, never leave your keys or valuables in an unoccupied vehicle.
This past Sunday the Sheriff joined members of the Custody Division at Oneida Shores on Oneida Lake to take the Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics.
Mental Health, suicide, and substance abuse crisis situations continue to present immediate challenges in our community and throughout Central NY. Anyone can call 9-8-8 to get immediate help and support. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
The Sheriff's Department continues to work with the NY State Attorney General's Office's Special Investigations Unit and the State Commission of Correction to investigate the passing of an incarcerated individual that was housed in our jail and found unresponsive on Thanksgiving night. The department is also conducting its own internal investigation.
Our theme music is "Sugar Zone" by Silent Partner. You can find their music and other copyright-free music here.
The
Geneva American Legion Post 396 presents: AJ's BraveHearts Toys for
Tots Charity Music Concert.
Please bring a brand new unwrapped toy for a
boy or girl and place it in the Marine Corps Big White Toy Boxes with
the red Toys for Tots logo on each side of the stage. We will have a
50/50 raffle and gift basket auctions.
Musical acts are Volcano, The
BraveHearts and The Burned Out Suns . AJ's BraveHearts is also
collecting brand new items such as collars, blankets, leashes, treats,
cleaning supplies and pet feeding/water bowls and dog and cat toys. If
you would like to make a monetary donation by check write it out to AJ's
BraveHearts inc. If you would like to donate online our Paypal is:
AJSBRAVEHEARTSINC@GMAIL.COM and cash or check donations are handed
directly to an AJ's BraveHearts 501c3 charity representative Kristin
Fratto. A portion of event profits will go to Domestic / Workplace
Sexual assult victim and victim of violence to organization: RAINN and
local animal rescue and no kill shelters.
The
Geneva Public Library and The Geneva Rotary Club are holding this
special event for a second year. Please join us on Saturday, December 10
from 10:00am-12:00pm, with a special holiday sing-along at 1:00pm.
This
event is free and open to all. Get your photo taken with Santa, make a
special craft, listen to some wonderful holiday stories and more.
The
Geneva Women’s Assembly will be holding a pop-up for free winter
clothing for kids. Visit with Geneva Reads for a book to take home.
Historic Geneva will be showing photos of winters past and present.
There will be something for everyone!
At
1:00pm we will be having a special holiday sing-along led by the praise
team of Living Hope Baptist Church with a couple of special numbers on
violin.
Communities that meet certain guidelines in providing clean energy for their residents are eligible for designation as Clean Energy Communities, making them eligible for grants. The more points cities accumulate, the bigger the grants they can receive.
The city has already received the money. Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason says it will be used for LED lighting at the Slow Sand Filter building at the water filtration plant.
The city of Auburn has completed seven high-impact actions under the program, receiving 2,000 points toward NYSERDA grants. A number of Cayuga County communities are taking part in the program.
Listen to my full FLX Ted Podcast with Chuck Mason below.
The city of Auburn has posted an online survey asking residents how they want federal Community Development Block Grant funds spent next year.
The survey on the city website asks residents to rank five potential uses of the money in order of importance. They are park improvements, water and sewer line replacement, sidewalk improvements, demolition of unsafe buildings and neighborhood revitalization.
It goes on to ask questions about specific projects. Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason says the money is targeted toward lower income neighborhoods.
The city hold two meetings to gather input. They will be Wednesday at 10AM in the City Council chambers at City Hall and at 5:30PM at the Booker T. Washington Community Center at 23 Chapman Ave.
You can hear my full FLX Ted Podcast with Chuck Mason below.
The city of Auburn is applying for a $50,000 state grant to replace ash trees damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer.
The state DEC has launched the Tree Planting in Disadvantaged Communities After Ash Loss Grant Program to help communities whose ash trees have been devastated by the invasive pest. The DEC says the Emerald Ash Borer was first spotted in New York in Cattaraugus County in 2009. It has has since spread to every New York county but three.
Auburn City Clerk Chuck Mason says the grant money will also be used to remove damaged trees, which can become a hazard.
If the state approves the grant application, the city will begin planting new ash trees in the fall of 2023.
Listen to my full FLX Ted Podcast with Chuck Mason below. We recap the City Council meeting every Friday.
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