Section 7 - The Evening Sun
Transcription
Section 7 - The Evening Sun
The Annual Comprehensive Picture Of Our Business World’s New Ventures, Ideas & Growth In Chenango County. PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN, NORWICH, N.Y. • JAN. 2008 S E C T I O N S E V E PHOTO N BY FRANK SPEZIALE Crash Course CITY OF NORWICH The slow path to a better city BY JESSICA LEWIS The Evening Sun A fter taking steps to keep the tax rate increase to a minimum, controlling costs at city departments and looking at the possibility of cutting costs through shared services, the City of Norwich is working to become a more appealing area for residents and businesses. For the 2008 year, Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano said he has several goals, all of which relate back to the Mission Statement, established by the city in early 2007. “The mission of the City of Norwich is to serve its citizens in achieving and maintaining an opti- mum quality of life consistent with available resources (...) providing those services to the public that cannot be provided by the individual on a cost-effective basis,” the mission reads. One of the big changes Maiurano would like to see is an increase in shared services between area municipalities. For several months in 2007, the City of Norwich and the towns of Norwich and North Norwich discussed the possibility of applying for a state grant to study shared services and areas for consolidation. Despite the fact that the state would have paid for 90 percent of the study, the Town of Norwich opted not to participate. “The concept of sharing continues to be an important conversation between the City of Norwich and other municipalities as we explore ways to pool our resources and streamline government to make it more efficient,” Maiurano said at a recent meeting of the city council. Maiurano pointed out the town and village lines in the county. “There are 21 towns, one city and 8 villages. These boundaries were set hundreds of years ago with different needs, different times and different technology. With the new needs of today and the advancement of technology it is time to answer the question, ‘Is there a better way?’” Maiurano pointed out all of the possible duplication of services that exist in the county and ways that they could possibly be decreased. “As mayor of the City of Norwich, I welcome conversation between the city and our municipal neighbors to explore increase sharing of services.” Another goal the mayor would like to see achieved in the coming year is to make the city government more efficient, by re-examining the city charter, which he said contains areas that he believes are outdated and require change. Over the past few years, Maiurano explained that the Common Council has become a group that works well together and gets things done. Ward Four Alderman Walter Schermerhorn agreed, saying, “The council is more cohesive now than it used to be. Part of the reason is because there was a lot of finger pointing going on, and now we’re more interested in developing things that will be beneficial to the city in the long term.” In November, two new members of the city council were elected: Ward One Alderman Robert Carey, and Ward Three Alderman John Deierlein. Schermerhorn has expressed a belief that their financial know-how and business insights will be an asset to the council. “The two new council members are both good men, and good businessmen. I think they’ll do a great job,” said Sixth Ward Alderman Paul Laughlin. In order to be more open with the community, the city has instituted a new web site, www.norwichny.us, which Maiurano hopes will bolster community involvement by providing an array of information to the public. With changes in the 2008 meeting schedule, which include eliminating the City Council Work session and a possible change in committee meeting times from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., Maiurano said he hopes the city web site will be able to reach residents who are unable to attend the meetings. The new schedule was instituted to cut down on the number of comp hours seen by department heads who have to attend these meetings and to ease the burden on the committee members, who are often rushing from work to attend the meetings. “We ask the citizens to have an open mind to change. Our goal is to CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 ADVERTISERS Kerry Bioscience expands its global presence. PAGE 45 CWS prides itself on staying ahead of the curve. PAGE 47 • Kerry Bioscience • Snowblastnewyork.com • • Linda Green • Arxx Seaway Wall • Voss Group • • Bagnall Electric • Progressive Dental • • New York Pizzeria • A&J Auto Reco • • Peggy Parker Real Estate • • Enlightened Dentistry • • Chase Memorial Nursing Home • • Norwich & Sidney Pennysavers • • The Evening Sun • 44 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun CITY OF NORWICH An eye toward the future CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 streamline the way we do business and we believe in the long run these changes will be beneficial to all citizens in the city,” Maiurano said. The city council hopes to achieve some of their other goals by instituting new programs and making changes to help keep the city clean and orderly. In 2007, programs like the rental registry and the sidewalk replacement program helped improve the aesthetics of the city. With success in both programs, the city hopes to continue these efforts in 2008. “We’ve taken little steps on big issues, and we’re building a foundation for the future with programs like the rental registry, which we will continue working on this year,” Schermerhorn said. Laughlin explained that he feels codes will continue to be a big issue in 2008. “I’ve always thought Norwich would make a beautiful retirement community, but we need to do more to clean it up,” Laughlin said. The sidewalk program will also begin another round in 2008. The program allows some city residents to replace their sidewalks, with the city absorbing half of the cost and city workers providing the labor. In addition to the sidewalk program, the mayor discussed adding a painting program for 2008. The program would encourage home owners to paint the exterior of their homes. The cost could be spread out over a period of time and added to the yearly tax bill for those who cannot The City of Norwich Common Council has two new members joining the ranks this year. John Deierlein and Robert Carey were elected to fill two positions that were vacated this year in the first and third wards. Pictured from left are Deierlein, Paul Laughlin, Walter Schermerhorn, Carey, Mayor Joseph Maiurano, Terry Bresina and Robert Jeffrey. come up with the sum of the money up front. The city is also holding out hope for funding via part of the Restore New York Grant. A grant application was submitted in mid-2007. If Norwich is chosen, the grant would provide funds for the demolition of burned out and otherwise seriously damaged city-owned homes, and the construction of new residences. In order to plan for the long-term growth of the city, two major projects are being undertaken to ensure the city is able to supply a substantial amount of water and deal with waste water disposal in an adequate fashion. “We are actively working with state and federal officials to secure funding,” Maiurano said in regard to the two projects which will cost millions of dollars. The plans call for the implementation of a new, gravity-fed water filtration plant, to be placed on a plot of land located just below the Chenango Reservoir. The current water filter plant was built in 1903. The new plant would eliminate the need for several pumps, since it would be gravity fed and would help the city be a more responsible environmental user. The project could cost in excess of $5 million. The second project calls for the replacement of critical components at the waste water treatment plant. The rotating biological contactors are components of the system that have become damaged due to years of use. The contactors sustained some damage during the 2006 flooding due to an increased amount of liquid being carried through the system. The cost of the project is estimated to be in excess of $3 million. Maiurano said he hopes city residents will take an active role in recruiting support from state and federal government officials. “I ask all citizens to write to Senators and Congressmen, both state and federal, to help us fund these projects,” Maiurano said. A complete list of politicians and addresses will be available on the city’s web site. While the city has many plans to continue building for success, Schermerhorn explained that revenue issues will continue to be a problem. “Providing services costs money, and increasing property taxes is not the answer. We need the environment to attract small entrepreneur type businesses to develop,” he said. “What we’ve gotten to did not happen over night, and it’s not going to be corrected overnight,” Schermerhorn said, but the alderman did say that currently several projects were being looked at, and that time and effort is being put into finding a solution. Success Stories NBT Bank For NBT Bank, the year 2007 was highlighted by community recognition and community involvement. On March 28, Commerce Chenango presented NBT Bank with the 2007 Distinguished Business of the Year Award. The ceremony took place during the business group’s 48th annual dinner meeting at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. Greg Sheldon, then chairman of Commerce Chenango, told the crowd of about 140: “People in business aspire to be like NBT and reach those lofty heights you folks are at. You’re an inspiration.” Accepting the award on behalf of NBT Bank was Martin Dietrich, the bank’s president and chief executive officer. “Norwich and Chenango County have played a very special role in our history and success,” Dietrich said. “There has always been a strong entrepreneurial spirit here, but there has always been a strong community spirit as well. I think those two components are very much ingrained in NBT Bank. For all the growth we have had, we are still a ‘hometown’ bank.” The Distinguished Business of the Year Award is presented annually to an area business that has shown consistent growth over a period of time; is considered a leader in its industry; makes continuous improvements in quality and innovation; and has made significant contributions to Chenango County and its economy. Chenango United Way’s 2008 campaign ran from September 1 to December 31 of last year. To help out, NBT Bank employees based in Chenango County held their annual fund-raising activities for the campaign. As in previous years, a laptop computer and departmental pizza parties were among the incentives. But when all was said and done, NBT Bank employees increased their donations by more than 20 percent over the previous year. In response to this strong showing, NBT Bank officials increased the company’s donation too. Employee and company contributions totaled $67,000 – about 14 percent of the nearly $489,000 grand total raised by Chenango United Way during the 2008 campaign. Donations will be distributed to local organizations based on a competitive grant process overseen by the Chenango United Way board. This process provides funding to groups that best demonstrate they will utilize their funding to make a positive impact on Chenango County in one or more of the following areas: aging population, opportunities for children and youth, access to health care and poverty issues related to hunger and housing. David Harris, branch manager of NBT Bank of Norwich, and Kathy Black, a loan recovery officer with NBT Bank’s Managed Assets Department, were co-chairs of the bank’s fund-raising efforts. Harris said, “We are very grateful to our colleagues at NBT Bank for their generous support of Chenango United Way this and every year. Contributions from local companies help make life a little easier for many of our neighbors in Chenango County.” “If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.” ALBERT EINSTEIN Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! Kerry Bio-Science Winter Fun in Central NY is a leader in the development, production and marketing, worldwide, of highly refined ingredients for use in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food processing industries. Kerry Bio-Science continues to show strong growth which will carry on into the future. Kerry Bio-Science takes pride in supporting the many organizations and activities that enhance the quality of life in Chenango County. Kerry Bio-Science continues to recognize the growing importance of their employees and their contributions to the company’s growth... they are Kerry Bio-Science heritage and its key to the future. Check out our website: www.snowblastnewyork.com PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 A big thank you to all of our advertisers that have shown their support and pride in Chenango County by being a part of one of the best Progress Chenango editions ever. I look forward to helping you in the coming year with all your advertising needs. Thanks again. Linda Green Retail Advertising Consultant The Evening Sun/ Gazette 29 Lackawanna Ave., Norwich 337-3021 • FAX 334-8273 e-mail: [email protected] Kerry Bio-Science • 158 State Highway 320 • Norwich, NY 13815 “I’d Be Happy To Help Your Business Grow.” PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 45 KERRY BIOSCIENCE Expanding a global presence BY TYLER MURPHY The Evening Sun I n 2007, Kerry Bio-Science experienced a remarkably good year of distribution growth. Kerry’s site manager Phil Ham reported that the company nearly doubled its global presence as a leading producer of pharmaceutical-grade monohydrate lactose. The company produces specialized food ingredients such as inert additives, time release coatings and flavorings. Kerry continues to utilize its enterprising resource planning or ERP system. The diverse communications system plays a vital role from the raw material receipt and release, to the final shipping of finished product. The company also made strides in diversifying its portfolio by increasing the number of materials it can offer to its commercial customers. “It helps our presence by making us a one-stop shopping venue,” said Ham. Ham explained that the company can fulfill a more lateral range of needs a customer may have. “If they can get everything they need from just one source instead of going to two or three others, it saves costs. It makes the whole process more efficient and convenient for the customer,” said Ham. Kerry Bio-Science is one of the largest suppliers of pharmaceutical-grade lactose in the United States. The material is a common compo- nent used in the direct compression of tablets. Often the lactose serves as a inert filler in countless products made in the pharmaceutical industry. The company has become an expert in producing highly specialized growth media. The media is used by pharmaceutical companies to foster specific growths which are then harvested for whatever contributions they may offer to the production of complex drug ingredients or for testing. The plant also specializes in manufacture of hydrolyzed proteins, yeast, lactose, hydrocolloids, fermented ingredients, enzymes and emulsifiers. This positive growth has caused a 10 percent plus increase in the number of employees at the site. More than a third of those employed at the site hold either a bachelor’s of science or more advance degrees in the field. “We have a very educated workforce. There is half production and half technical, and the majority have college degrees of some kind,” Ham said. Ham explained that the pharmaceutical market for produced ingredients is growing rapidly and demand on the site has increased. Kerry Bio-Science is an international company based in Ireland. The manufacturing facility in Norwich is one of 10 plants located around the world. Kerry Bio-Science is its own company, but is owned by the Kerry Corporation which has several other Scientist Amanda Gage running equipment in the pilot plant at Kerry Bio-Science. Gage is one of dozens of young professionals employed by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. companies bearing the Kerry name. Executives and administrative officials visit the local plant regularly and credit the facility for its high level of performance. The company is constantly monitored by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agricultural Markets. In the upcoming year, Ham said the company hopes to keep expanding its diverse selection of products, especially its coating facilities. The process of FDA approval and validation, however, is a long process. “We’ve been working towards it for a while and you just can’t pinpoint an exact date. Validation can be very tricky process,” said Ham. The good thing about the process is that although it may be a challenge to get into, once in, it offers a stable and consistent market, Ham said. The location of the Kerry facility has been occupied and operated by other businesses in the area for more than 100 years. The company began as a dairy creamery in New York City in 1841. The business moved upstate looking for lower cost and more room to expand their operations. Named Sheffield Farms, the business constructed a creamery at the current site in Norwich were it has remained in one form or another ever since. 6403 County Rd. 32, Norwich, N.Y. 13815 607-334-7080 BUILD SUPERIOR COMFORT INTO YOUR HOME WITH ARXX BAGNALL Electric, Inc. COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING • FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS CERTIFIED VOICE-DATA-VIDEO CABLING For your next electrical or voice/data project, call the professionals at Bagnall Electric for design, installation and repair. P.O. Box 577, Sherburne, NY 13460 607-674-9460 Fax 674-6560 e-mail –[email protected] 1 MAKE IT COMFORTABLE Arxx walls dramatically reduce drafts and c‘ old spots’compared to conventional construction, helping to maintain constant temperatures in your home throughout the day. 2 BUILD IT STRONG Arxx walls are solid, strong and extremely durable. The structural integrity of steel reinforced concrete provides exceptional protection for your home from wind blown debris during hurricanes, tornadoes and storms. 3 KEEP IT QUIET Arxx walls are quiet, keeping the outside noise out and the inside noise in, with an STC of 50 or higher. 4 MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL If you can imagine it, you can build it with Arxx – any shape, any size – curved walls or straight walls. Finishing is easy with Arxx patented exposed web. Directly attach any interior or exterior finish you desire. 5 BUILD IT GREEN Save energy, save the environment and save money with Arxx. With two layers of insulation and a solid concrete core, an effective R Value equivalent of up to R-50 or higher can be achieved. Awarded – Arxx ICF is New York State approved, UL tested and had been awarded Healthy House by the American Lung Assoc. and Outstanding Green Product, Energy Star. Call a dealer near you – Pickett Building Materials 84 Lumber Cazenovia Lumber Little Falls Lumber Attn: Jeff Attn: John Attn: John Attn: Andy 607-433-6274 607-727-5704 315-655-3417 315-823-2470 315.482.5253 • www.arxx.net 46 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun PREFERRED MUTUAL INSURANCE Success Stories Staying ahead in a competitive marketplace BY JILL KRAFT The Evening Sun I n the insurance industry, as times change so do the variables that can create losses or gains. According to Robert Wadsworth, chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer for Preferred Mutual, the company gained significantly in 2007. Although finalized figures have not yet been computed, Wadsworth predicts 2007 premium revenues will be approximately $208 million. Wadsworth said property and casualty insurance companies were very profitable in 2007, which led to a highly competitive marketplace. He said the industry has seen a slight decline in premium growth, but Preferred was able to counter the trend, showing positive growth and continuing to be a leading source for insurance. “We expect to post positive earnings for the year,” he said, adding, “It was a pretty good year for us.” The company, which Wadsworth explained is owned by its 250,000 policyholders, is projected to carry a policyholders’ surplus of approximately $133 million. “The company’s total assets are $370 million,” he said. Preferred Mutual operates in four states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Preferred Mutual has also been updating its technology capabilities. “We would like Every year Preferred has a corporate float in the New Berlin Youth Days Parade with a theme. For 2007 the theme was the "S.S. Preferred Mutual.” to continue to enhance our technology platform with the intended purpose of making it easier for our independent agents to do business with us,” said Wadsworth. This, he says, will make the agents more efficient and drive operating costs down, which, in turn, will make the company more competitive in the growing marketplace. Wadsworth says he has seen a lot of change in the insurance business in the last 12 years that he has been leading the company. “I have seen continuous change and a lot of growth,” he said. Preferred was honored in 2007 in a survey by the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State (PIA) for being one of the top five of insurance companies operating in the state in the past five years. “We were also honored in 2007 for being in the top 10 companies operating in the state for generating the fewest automobile claim complaints for automobile insurance carriers. This shows the commitment our employees have to providing the highest level of service to our independent agents and policyholders,” he said. Preferred Mutual’s main office is located in New Berlin with its data center located in Norwich. Between the two facilities, Preferred Mutual has approximately 242 employees. As the largest employer in the New Berlin area, Wadsworth says the majority of Preferred’s staff live in close proximity and devote significant time and effort to the service of their communities. “We try to show our commitment to the community financially and through other means,” said Wadsworth. Throughout 2007, Pre- ferred employees took part in many community activities, and the company surpassed its Chenango United Way 2008 campaign goal. Preferred is also a corporate sponsor for Gus Macker, takes part in blood drives, participates in the American Cancer Society Heart/Run Walk, holds dress down days for charity every month and is a main sponsor of the New Berlin Youth Days. “We sold Sno-Kones for 50 cents each and all the proceeds were given back to the New Berlin Youth Days,” said Preferred employee Jamie Moore. Moore says each year Preferred has a corporate float with a theme. For 2007 the theme was the “S.S. Preferred Mutual.” “We always try to gear our float themes to be kid-friendly, because after all, that’s what Youth Days is all about,” she said. Skillin’s Jewelers Another successful year for Skillin’s Jewelers. Despite a shaky economy and a pessimistic media we had a strong finish this year. We tried some new jewelry lines that turned out to be very popular. Pandora is the most popular jewelry company nationwide this year and we are now the area’s exclusive dealer. We also carry the “Nancy B” designer earrings and pendants that are very unique and very affordable. Skillin’s Jewelers is a member of the Independent Jewelers Organization which is a select group of jewelers from across the country who are chosen because of their business ethics and credit ratings. As a member we are able to buy from these companies and receive the discounts that major retailers get. When attending these national shows, Hal Skillin goes to many seminars and meets with other successful jewelers from across the country. Even after owning the business for 34 years there is so much to learn and he always comes home with a new energy and many new ideas and some different products to fill our cases. Of course, no business is successful without many loyal customers and friends who support us every year. And it is always great to see new faces that have been sent to us from satisfied customers. We sincerely appreciate your trust and friendships and we are proud to be a part of the Norwich community. Rapid Reproductions LLC 2007 was an exciting year at Rapid Reproductions LLC., ending with the honor of being named Chenango Counties Small Business Manufacturer of the year! We would like to thank you the customers, our partners in business you are the reason we are here today. Without you there is no Rapid and every one of us at Rapid knows this and takes great pride working with your projects and producing your orders. We listen to your requests, and we keep up and ahead of technology, which changes at a tremendous rate of speed. It is Rapid Reproductions LLC., goal to keep up with the ever changing needs of our customers. The last three years the focus has been to bridge the gap between traditional offset printing and digital printing. The end result, providing the highest quality product. Digital printing has allowed us to offer the option of short run, immediate output, while relying on traditional offset to handle scheduled medium and longer run printing. Rapid Reproductions LLC. now has the opportunity to provide even greater products and expand the services we are able to offer. New for 2008 Rapid Reproductions LLC., we have an all new website explaining all the options and services available to you. Visit us at www.rapidone.com. Rapid Reproductions LLC, will continue to implement changes and upgrades to ensure we stay ahead of our customers needs. “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” HENRY DAVID THOREAU PROGRESSIVE DENTAL, pllc. “DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES” THE AREA’S LEADING COLLISION REPAIR CENTER SINCE 1983 We always work for the customer, not the insurance company. We have the latest technology to fix your car RIGHT! Dr. Sonny Spera Dr. Brian Blanchard Dr. Oreida Quinones Dr. Matthew Franklin • Modern, Clean, State of the Art Office • All Phases of General Dentistry Practiced • Friendly, Compassionate Staff Hickory St. Utica Conkey Ave. * Members of the American Dental Association* • Accepting New Patients We accept most major credit cards. Hickok Ave. Baldwin St. Brown Ave. Welcome to New York Pizzeria & Restaurant S. Hickman Elm St. Eaton Ave. Office Francis Ave. Divison St. Beebe Ave. Binghamton Coomes St. • Crowns, Dentures, Bridges, Digital X-Rays, “AirAbrasion” • Smile Makeovers - Veneers, Implants, Bleaching • Written Treatment Plans • Interest Free Treatment Plans with Approval • Insurance Forms Submitted Northrup Ave. Morse Ave. ROUTE 12 N. in NORWICH • PHONE 336-7434 Open Monday–Friday Allen Lindenthaler, Owner Hale St. Jones Ave. 101 SOUTH BROAD ST., NORWICH, NY 334-8666 Fax: 334-6662 Email: [email protected] OFFICE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8 am - 5 pm; Thursday 8 am - 1 pm Casual Dining and Catering Come in, relax & enjoy! Our business is built on traditional values that have always provided strong family foundations - honesty, mutual respect, hard work and doing your best. That’s why it’s always a thrill when loyal customers treat us like family as well! Tante Grazie! The Baio Family Our Hot Delicious Hand Tossed Pizza Served for 25 Years CALL FOR OUR DAILY SPECIALS Also serving beer & wine. NEW YORK PIZZERIA So. Main St., New Berlin, N.Y. 607-847-6188 Mon.-Wed. 10-9; Thurs., Fri., Sat. 10-10; Sun. 11-9 PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 47 CWS Staying ahead of the curve BY MICHAEL MCGUIRE The Evening Sun M ost people cringe when they hear the word “audit.” But if you ask the people at the Community Work Shop in Norwich, audits aren’t so bad. “We’re getting one or two a month,” said Timothy Knotter, CWS vice president of sales and marketing. “That’s a good thing.” How is that a good thing? Because the audits Knotter is referring to are on-site reviews conducted by prospective and current customers making sure CWS meets a certain criteria of standards and practices before they’ll sign a contract to do business. In that sense, each audit is an indicator of a potential account. That essentially means the more audits there are, the better. Especially with a track record like CWS’. “These audits open the door to more customers,” Knotter said, adding that they are essential components to landing accounts in the pharmaceutical industry. “And we’ve never not passed an audit.” CWS continues to live up to the state’s standards as well, Vice President of Rehabilitation Michael Cerra said, that make sure it is providing quality housing and working environments for the 150developmentally disabled “clients” employed there. “Those audits are routine. They’re mandatory to keep our operating licenses,” said Cerra. “But they also validate what we are purposefully trying to do – provide the best quality services we say we will. That’s our aim; that’s our goal.” CWS is mainly a contract packager for other companies. They also help customers, known as “vendors,” conceptualize and engineer product designs. As Account Executive Jason Lasicki points out, the book of business CWS can and does handle is diverse. “It ranges from the pet industry to pharmaceuticals,” said Lasicki. “We have a diverse range of products we’ve expanded to.” In terms of growth, in the last two years the company has added 27 new accounts. That’s a marked improvement from six in 2005. Already in 2008, it has locked in 8 more customers, with no signs of slowing down. The increase is a direct result of the certifications the company has earned in the last few years, Knotter said. “We have to keep changing our business practices to match customer’s requirements,” he said. “As a result, our business model is always changing. But that’s also allowed us to add a lot more things to the fire, and given us more new and great opportunities to expand.” In 2007 CWS was certified Kosher, re-certified by the Industrial Standards Organization – a top-honor that’s been a boon for the company, McHale said – and, most recently, certified organic by the Food and Drug Administration. CWS line workers assemble flu-medicine packets at the company’s Plant 5 on East Main Street in the City of Norwich. CWS was recently certified organic and holds a number of other certifications that allow to offer a range of different services. The move to organic was a major part of CWS’ new focus on being a “green” business. “Being green is a big deal to us and our customers,” said chapter President John McHale. “That certification is something we’re proud of.” Lasicki said in today’s social and economic climate, offering more organic and green services is not just a smart business move, but a responsibility. “We are in an earth-friendly market,” he said. “But we have a responsibility to factor in people’s health and health of environment as well.” For the health of some of their own elderly clients who can no longer work, Cerra said in June the company opened six-person residence home on Country Club Road. In 2008, it plans to open another on East River Road a half-mile south of Polkville Hill. “This was a way to plan for our clients’ future,” said Cerra. For CWS’ regular employees, the company is expecting to add jobs and a second shift soon to accommodate the increase in work volume. What’s helped it get ready for the push has been a complete overhaul of the company’s manufacturing operation, Lasicki said. He credits manager Eric Moore with making operations “leaner” and more efficient. “It was basically a complete elimination of waste,” said Lasicki. “From our processes on the floor to inventory, we’ve taken a more focused approach to everything we do. That’s really put us in the position we are to succeed.” With a downturn in the economy expected, Knotter said one of CWS’ biggest challenges will be defining the line between good and bad business relationships. “More companies are trying to stretch their dollar to get more with less from us,” Knotter said, explaining that CWS will have to work hard at protecting their own interests in those relationships, and in some cases become more “rigid.” Your Local Hometown Real Estate Pros. You, Your Friends and Relatives Deserve THE BEST! Kevin Walsh Associate Broker 607-226-8880 Gretchen Walsh, GRI Managing Broker/Owner 607-226-2442 Peggy Parker, SRES Broker/Owner 607-336-3636 Buying Or Selling Real Estate... all C s y a Alw Patrick McNeil Associate Broker 607-334-6739 Surround Yourself With These Professionals! Barbara Walker Associate Broker 607-334-8410 Terri Lynn Schlicht Licensed Salesperson 315-617-3310 Barbara Jenne Administrative Assistant Rte. 12 North, Norwich, NY 13815 (607) 336-3636 e-mail: [email protected] Gordon Barkley Licensed Salesperson 607-226-2122 Laurie Bliss Licensed Salesperson 607-336-9907 Our sales team is here to serve you with top quality service from beginning to close. Celebrating over 20 years in business! Visit our All New Website at www.peggyparkerrealestate.com 48 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun IN THEIR OW N WORDS Success Stories Norwich - A retirement community? BY JEREMY STOPFORD Norwich City Police T he second week of January marks the 1st anniversary of my retirement from the pastorate in Beaver Meadow, and of our move to our apartment in Norwich. “Retirement” – a strange word considering I hope to work at least five more years with the Norwich Police Department More work for me – more tickets for you! I’ve come a long way from my beginnings, and yet in the big picture of things, I believe there was an unseen hand guiding my steps all the way to Norwich. Let me explain. I was raised in an affluent section of Westchester County, just outside New York City. When I was 13, ready to enjoy high school life, my dad retired and we moved to Ft. Lauderdale. I attended a “prep” school there with the hopes of my enrolling one day in an Ivy League college preferably Dartmouth in New Hampshire from which both my Dad (’26) and my older brother (’65) were graduated (my other brother - you know, the one with the 1600 on his SAT’s - went to Harvard, and on to Penn Law, ultimately retiring from his law practice at age 44- – but that’s another story). I was not accepted at Dartmouth, but was at St. Lawrence in Canton of upstate New York. My mother was shocked to think that I would go so far from home (I had also been accepted at Tulane in New Orleans, but much to Mom’s chagrin, I chose SLU). Norwich roots? At St. Lawrence, this young freshman met a girl from Norwich whose dad was a doctor here. Penny and I went to several “barn dances” where I heard many stories about her hometown. After my freshman year, I “got the call” and transferred to a Bible School in Cornwall, Ontario. Norwich? Yep - two more students. The one, Allen, was to become my best man you know him as Pastor Carpenter in New Berlin. The other, Thuvia Hitchcock, added to Penny’s tales with accounts of her Dad and Granddad Hitchcock working for the O&W railroad. The only railroad I had known was the New Haven on which my Dad commuted to NYC every weekday. Thuvia told me stories about Grandpa George and Grandma Minnie sitting on the front porch of their Grove Avenue home sharing stories with the neighbors – the Mirabitos, the Testanis and others – about the railroad, about the weather. A safe place. I could never dream then that one day Thuvia and I would own that 25 Grove Avenue home (that, too, is another story). She told stories about the booming businesses in her hometown. Of how her Dad worked hard for his family. Three jobs – one of the maintenance men at a factory called Bennett-Ireland (where he would work until its closing day); a paid fireman – going to work every third night at 6 p.m. for 12 hours (long before NPD ever thought about it), and a master electrician, often working late hours for some- Jeremy Stopford one long after he left his shift at B-I. My sheltered life at Rye and Ft. Lauderdale didn’t understand a work ethic like that. Thuvia and I were married in 1973 at Calvary Baptist here in Norwich. And when I was graduated from Seaway Baptist Bible Institute in 1976, her Dad encouraged me to come to Bennett-Ireland until I knew what I wanted to do in life. I was hired that July – and immediately found a new family. I was learning firsthand what Norwich roots meant. The Turners. The Leahys. The Harrison Edwards. Dick Lewis. Tom Lamphere. Don May. Men of vision for their community. Men that knew in order to see that vision come to fruition, hard work, long hours, re-work would all be a part of that. And then I was hired in 1983 with my job with the City of Norwich PD as their “special officer” – dog control, parking enforcement, and the “gopher” jobs of the department. For the Rentals To Go past 25 years, I have been learning what community means. Watching downtown Norwich. Seeing people of vision come and go. Some with products that no one wanted or needed would be destined to close quickly. Others who knew their items were important would stay the course, and we are the beneficiaries. Thuvia and I have also spent 20 years in the pastorate in Beaver Meadow, and there, too, I learned the value of community. No major businesses or stores there anymore, although its history is replete with such. But once again, there are families there who call Beaver Meadow home – as did their parents and grandparents, as do their children and grandchildren. We moved back to Norwich last year. ‘’Retirement.” Once again, my roots in my new hometown. No, not the affluency of suburbia New York City. Not the bigness of Ft. Lauderdale. But the richness of family and neighbors. The heritage of a dynamic work ethic. The hope of a future that, too, will be a great place to share the city’s heritage with our neighbors. And the railroad? In the big picture of things, you would know that the Bullthistle Model Railroad Company would be our landlord. Retirement - a contentment, a joy, a hope, a heritage. Thanks, Norwich! Are you missing one detail for your next big event or project? Are you planning a big event in the next year? Maybe it's for your business, the community, or your home. You probably have every detail taken care of – or have you? Rentals To Go offers the cleanest, most convenient, and most affordable portable restroom rentals, with 4 luxury restroom trailers and 600 units to choose from to meet any need. Weekend rentals are available for outdoor parties and events. Is your son or daughter graduating? Are you planning a family reunion? Or maybe you're planning a July 4th Pig Roast? Do you know somebody who is getting married? As a specialty service, Rentals To Go offers white, flushable units for those wanting to provide the cleanest facilities possible for their guests. For your platinum event, where luxury is a necessity, Rentals To Go offers upscale restroom trailers. The self-contained trailers are available in 4 different styles, featuring 2 bathrooms up to 7 stalls. All trailers also feature running water, sinks, air conditioning, stereo and more. All the comforts of home brought to your event. Monthly rentals are available as well. Rentals To Go will set you up with a cleaning schedule so that the units are kept clean and fresh. This is a great service if you are managing a golf course for the summer. Or maybe you're building a new home and need facilities for your workers. For construction companies, we can provide units to multiple locations. Rentals To Go offers four styles of portable restrooms. There are standard units, which are the basic portable restroom. Handicap units are available for those with special needs. Sink units come equipped with a sink for your guests to wash their hands, while flushable units offer a combination flushing toilet and sink. All portable restrooms come supplied with toilet paper, and the units with a sink are supplied with soap and paper towels. Clean units at affordable prices, picked-up and delivered for your convenience – Rentals To Go is the final detail to your next big event or project. Call today to schedule. (607) 336-7867. Sew Nice Local quilters found it inconvenient to travel great distances to get the quality and selection of material needed for fine quilts and clothing. The solution was to open Sew Nice across from Arby’s in the North Plaza in Norwich. Sew Nice sells only quilt shop or better materials from makers such as Benartex, Kaufmann Brothers, Hoffman, Maywood, Moda, P&B Textiles and Timeless Treasures. Sew Nice’s extensive notions department carries name brand cutting boards, rotary cutters and most of the additional notions needed to complete projects. If Sew Nice doesn’t have what the customer is looking for, it will gladly be ordered for them. Classes are offered that cover the gamut from beginning quilter to the advanced quilter. Quilts, totes, shirts, book covers, pot holders, table runners, appliqué and jackets are just a few of the classes that Sew Nice offers. Come in and enjoy a relaxing shopping experience in a clean, bright, climate controlled store. Customers refer to Sew Nice as their “quilting playhouse” - a place where classes are offered and camaraderie abounds. Our name says it all! Chase’s Life Focus... OPTIMAL DENTISTRY BEING PRACTICED BY A CARING TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO VALUE HEALTH Roger Halbert Administrator One of the greatest attributes of Chase is our Life Focus which surrounds us with all forms of life. What a boost it gives us all! Back Row Left-Right: Kelly Kasmarcik, Stacy Scheer, Christine Bates, Deanna Parsons, Shannon Robinson Front Row Left-Right: Erin Ballard, Ramon Casipit, Julie Brown A tradition of compassion, excellence and hospitality... Coming to your neighborhood soon – The New Chase... TEL: 607.336.2273 10 Henry Street (Behind Howard Johnson’s) Norwich, New York 13815 www.norwichdental.com Chase Memorial Nursing Home Co. Inc. 1 Terrace Heights, New Berlin, NY 607-847-7000 Chase Housing 607-847-7000 New Berlin Daycare 607-847-7036 New Berlin Family Practice 607-847-6750 PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 49 TEAMWORK It’s the way we work. Together, we each do our best so we can deliver our best to you. We pride ourselves on giving our customers the attention and service they need in today’s competitive marketplace. Whether it’s one of the seven editions of the Pennysaver/ My Shopper network, The Evening Sun, Sun Country, The Gazette, Circulars Unlimited or Sun Printing, the same dedication and commitment to service, quality and value is evident throughout. That’s teamwork... working for you! Pennysaver Norwich 607-334-4714 • Sidney 607-563-3761 Turnpike & Oneonta-Cooperstown (315) 858-1730 or (607) 431-2519 Wharton Valley (607) 965-8179 Schoharie Valley (518) 234-8215 • Mohawk Valley (518) 993-2772 50 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun The Evening Sun T h e o n l y n ew s p a p e r i n t h e wo r l d t h a t g i ve s a d a m n a b o u t C h e n a n g o C o u n t y. That’s because we live here. We work here. We play here. We raise our families here. We do business here. Chenango County is just as much our lifeblood as it is yours. And that’s why, as the only daily recorded history of Chenango County, we here at The Evening Sun strive to bring you the most complete, accurate, informative and entertaining newspaper we possibly can. We cover more local stories, more local sports, more local events and more local issues than any other publication. And, we are locally owned and managed. Made, page by page, picture by picture, word by word, right here in Chenango County. Cat late ch up baskst coll on the etbal ege l ac tion. The Even ing S un PAGE NOR WICH , NEW Hab sta itat ge newrted on ts proje a ct. NATI O PAGE Tens NAL N and of th EWS dark ousa a w nds eek still afte in th r ice e co storm ld . 20 YOR 1381 She 5 Ear rburn on lville epro $25M votes ject scho B J o tod L ay l K Y Sun ESSIC jlew Staff A EW is@eve Wr IS sun.coiter TUESD AY, DEC EMBE R 18, Whe r e ’s the b C Chr istm as C oun tdow 7 Sh opp n ing W Day s Le ftt to Cou wan nty lea of e t bette ders dev conom r trackin elop ic g men t fun ds Mostly TOMO cent cloudy RROW in thechance wit mid of sno h a 50 30s. w. Hig perhs SECT CLAS COM SIFIEDS EDIT ICS EVEN ORIAL LOTT TS OBIT ERY SPO UARIES TV RTS WEAT In times of both prosperity and adversity, the men and women who lead Chenango County have met challenges head-on, with determination and innovation. With every setback comes an inevitable triumph, moving us ahead on that ever-improving path. IONS S © 200 7 Sny der 20 P AGE 18,19 16 4 7 6 11-136 17 6 HER Com Sun g n i Even munic atio W ich. Norw ast ze p bree to start fast ses or u inds The , WICH RY , DAY E PAG 11 CHE NANG O COU ¢ NTY ’S H OM ETOW N COM UN. ES W.EV WW 8 200 14, 50 LY Police looking for suspects in Friday’s burglary spree BY TYLER MURPHY ON PAGE NEW YOR [email protected] NORWICH – Police continue to investigate a rash of burglaries that occurred Friday both north and south of the city and suspect the crimes may be related. Four separate locations were broken into Nov. 30, all along Rt. 12 in the Town of Norwich. In every instance the burglar) cost each of the businesses more in damages than in stolen property. Kuntriset Kitchens and Baths Design Center owner Michael Stockin was one of 10 commercial tenants victimized at the Rt. 12 South location. “They came in the back damaged a lot 3 JANUA T ss ngre y, g Co nom rnin r, eco cs Retu nts wa r politi o ea fr -y n o n c o electi INDEX CLASSIFIEDS COMICS EDITORIAL EVENTS LOTTERY OBITUARIES SPORTS TV WEATHER ER EATH WWW.EVESUN.COM W Y TODA showSnowSnow n ers. umulatioor acc inch in of an Highs s.. less. mid 30 RROW snow the TOMOscattered lower the th y wiHighs in Cloud rs. showe 30s. 50 ale Spezi Frank the Chenango’s fall colors are fading fast ... Evening Sun photographer Frank Speziale caught this autumnal display on West Hill in Norwich Monday. Smyrna adopts regs MELISSA DECORDOVA n Staff Writer [email protected] Board Chairman Peter Maynard said Monday. The Camden-based real estate development company set its sights on Smyrna Lake in 2005, and proceeded to purchase more than 600 acres there and elsewhere in the town for the purposes of subdividing. Properties already sold, for example, have brought the developers between $89,000 to $96,000 for a 5-acre lot with no improvements. Maynard said members of the town’s planning board became concerned about whether the developer had created sufficient right-ofway access for emergency and maintenance vehicles, and whether citizens would have to foot the bill for new BY TYLER MURPHY Sun Staff Writer [email protected] Frank Speziale Photo The Norwich Purple Tornado Field Band recognized its graduating seniors and their parents at Saturday’s Fall Festival of Bands. COMING UP Jessica Lewis gets down and dirty “Punching the Clock.” IN WEDNESDAY’S SUN WEATHER ODAY teady rain by arly afteroon. Highs in he lower 60s. TOMORROW Mostly cloudy in the mornng...Then becoming partly unny. Highs in the upper 0s. INDEX TWO SECTIONS 20 PAGES CLASSIFIEDS COMICS EDITORIAL EVENTS OTTERY OBITUARIES SPORTS TV WEATHER 18,19 16 4 7 6 6 11-14 17 6 © 2007 Snyder Communications NORWICH – An Oxford drug dealer who was the target of an undercover police investigation by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty in court Monday.Corey A. Weidman, 23, Oxford, pleaded guilty to the top drug felony – third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance – in full satisfaction to the seven other felony and two misdemeanor charges that were indicted against him by the grand jury. In addition, BY JILL OSTERHOUT Sun Staff Writer [email protected] F inding your niche in life is something that can take years, explains this mother of three and local store owner. As Nancy Cushman heads into her 10th year in business at Seasons Gift Shop in Norwich, she explains although it is a different career path than she originally imagined, she can’t imagine being anywhere CHENANGO else. The oldest of STORIES ten children, Nancy grew up in Medina in western New York. “It’s a big family, but we are very close-knit, and we have a lot of fun,” she said. Cushman explains being the oldest, she of course was the first to go off to college. Nancy went to Alfred University to study sociology and soon thereafter, met the man she would marry. Jim Cushman and Nancy were married while still attending college, and following graduation, the couple moved to Ohio so Jim could attend law school. As a child, Jim would spend summers and vacations at his grandparents’ home in Plymouth. The couple knew they wanted to come back to upstate New York and decided to take a look around the Norwich area. “All the other lawyers and the bar were great,” said Nancy. By the time the couple moved to Norwich, their daughter Christina was a toddler and their second daughter Andrea was on the way. Jim wanted his own practice, Jill Osterhout Photo Nancy Cushman explains why she can always be seen smiling while at work – she loves what she does and the community she does it in. and Nancy explains, she wanted to be home to raise her children in a safe community. Nancy stayed with her parents in Medina as Jim brought their belongings back to New York. “He was on the road, traveling home when I had Andrea,” said Nancy. Nancy explains the move to Norwich was very new to CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 purpose of community col leges has “changed dramati cally,” the dean o Morrisville State Universit of New York’s Norwic campus said Monday. “Community colleges ar starting up residence hall and building apartments fo students to live in,” sai Dean Ted Nichols. “The are attracting internationa students, and there’s a lot o CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Frank Speziale Photo Santa Claus is helping keep Chenango County neat and tidy for the holidays, as seen here riding shotgun with Bert Adams Disposal. Where’s Santa headed next? Find out in Wednesday’s Evening Sun. NE YO RK 11 N ce orw 14 leb ich’s 5 rat Y ye es M ar CA s! 13 81 5 MO S BY SE PH J ND AY , NO VE ON : C ch ity h m oic as Tu ake e to in esd ke two ay SU PE yr RV ac ISO es R JO M AIU ES RA jle un S SI wis@ ta C NO A ev ff W LEW es un rite ther NO .com r IS R M fro Votin m g Tu 6 a take es .m s da . t pla y, o 9 ce No p v. .m 6 . MB ER 5, 20 07 175 Y PA GE EL S ECT Le ee w ION tte ho rs ’s TIM to en E th dor e Ed sing ito w r. ho 20 Su n EA RS OF FAI TH in to da y’s PA GE S 4,5 WW W. EV ES UN .CO M 50 ¢ C U W I ON option. According to then President Harry Truman’s 1947 Commission on Education, the dominant feature of a community college was “its intimate relations to the life of the community it serves.” Nowadays, two-year degree programs have sprung up at all types of educational institutions across the country and have little, if anything, to do with “community.” In fact, the original 21 1 Shoppingg Dayss Leftt fo e W IC m r Cit are ICH HA trained personnel. th ent y of seve – EL “We still need to improve the system,” dat is ye posi N ral Alt CA said Beckwith, referring to the county’s RN po es ar, tion orw cand ho RIK current emergency services. “It’s a better di sed, ar mos s on ich id ugh E Supdate leave ru t of th gove ates system than we’ve had in a longtime. 3 ba ervis fo ing nnin the e ball rnAnd we don’t want a band-aid. We want JA tt so r M on g cand ot to fix it. This will help.” M wil Tom ling r of ayor ly th uno iES Superior had covered the majority of orro for War an e ca pde l M medical transports after it cut-back its Co CN wil term have w, the opds 1, d C nit in ci l m EIL 2 o number of ambulances from three to one f pl e th ty en an y we ple In th ay whi e re sl d in January, citing a lack of profitable ca te Maicum e C a role ch chan side ots. th If n,” c business. a nt ca b it R ur en y nd list s to e fi elec he sa in nd ce With CMT coming in, it will save the ida of M epu ano t M of the id to do rst ted, id SC City of Norwich and other emergency len icha blica wil ayo No futuates anmerge is thin C . OT te p s o ollin T Demge el C n l ru r Jorwic re de d r look g he arnr squads from handling transports to medSU ik ho ar tick n h at nP g te C be ical facilities in Binghamton and TT “I’mocra him nrik et, on seph . for rminity twee thewoulde sa to pe s pe ON ag ite e w w th id ti issu all. e of n Cooperstown and keep them on call for pe beg co they po re ople re c ti e il “T if N th ss like to n, an e 1 s a emergencies, Beckwith said. ex un ntin wou if ady a ad cket on l ch hile bego foe, an he it orw e T ible 4 nd w wor d th plai .” ue th ld vo al As for the fly car, CMT doesn’t think it rw d m is ic ow ne they to go ch y to . saidho is k toto do the - can’ bene ard if w erge bene h an n ci e ci ned te C xt m ch to oice gi will hurt their business, according to T e atel t ju fici w e’re r is fici d ge th . togels th ty stru that he wor for el Noriting ayor oose wor , an ve it th at Beckwith. T y. al st k me h al lo ec sa he the go a tim th at gg in ,” yea w ted, er no we I’ m k fo d “They think it’s an excellent idea,” he saidng-t We nedism to alit, it ing big hi id he in ing e on er an didn led the may ve th rs ich the Car e as r th I’m ” mathave . erm ed iss l, bu has to ’t wit or said. “The fly car won’t be taking busias s cam is fe cum em nrik d th C pe pa forwat th , Carhas o T it sp ar th da he plan to M th pa el ben im t to nrik ter ci rou ther tty en workh coun st, ness away from them. It will keep their ha ar e ci nri seen diffi e sa eir te go ayor e C ign ing t ,” look med we itivty is gh e m subj t to ambulance in service to handle interwar ve to d. ty ne ke in cult id. arlems expl Dem w Car at th ico od . “I ity and good may “W m e now the atte ects o m ell ex re ie e th ai o d facility and mental health transports.” nrik e in ntac job. feel of his ab or in mov e’reeds to pla cent s lem diff e ci ned cratic ge any lev w crac rs , le uch he s fa eren ty is that an e th go m ined e Maig in ts an I’ve we’ No tenu out pa tting thin el. Working ks. to faavy ca sa st ce m ve ov rw th d gs m re t m ur th w , be do dire e ci ing e e ou id d th faci e nd th at “T ll N ayor ano e ri e ci ade done ich bu as sp causne bethat fou a po he ctio ty to ththink ntab, they in th an th ng toprob it li en e ca w nd sOM pridovem , who said ght ty is a lot a ti n forle. ar e e ne da e n tt er up sa w that Ta th e ber w . T dire mov of e pa pr y M g le t on too use e so IN as he ctio C stat me , or “We no st, obtry e ci in th , G in aiur tho by li pe muc in not alo ke therarnrik e state we’ll havt insubut, M to ty e said elec curr n,” the g forwano se th ttle tty h ti the P m e un e sa N as en e rth aiur in goveopen h ted ent U ng a tr ci ar said in we’ thin e less id. ew the d up to th at ci ano volv rn na e to last du Mai ty.” d an . “W gs re ge gs, “S nad th ip d cl e’re don tth e m ty sa e evmen ture ok we “Uto Y rest in an ring uran eani m e,” an eir ayor resi id, erybt. “W of mak pia ork of Ye ouv illa e co d hi hi o op d th prob dire dent expl od e ng ovde unci s pr s ti expl e it is no ,” ste en in Weidman was also required you stuck to that lifestyle, ev me aine up ge en at hi lem ctly s ca aini y,” Re ha t st velo l ry irs to admit to violating his pro- you are going to prison. You io stio to s s pto n ng sid ate ped mem us as d th pa v. G ea o IN “P ns. hear officeor co disc call bation. let your parents down, you p es ber year may at d co w o TUE eo o r. the rish len ing is ncer uss ne, pl Attorney James H. Fertig let yourself down and you ” f SD th orki of litici nnec , h s as or ” e kn AY 17 ion n M of Greene is acting as spe- let all of the rest of us ’S saide jo ng w the ans tion e h a said ow their alwayns, BY 5th ers ah E S s b as it UN re . AT cial prosecutor in the case down,” said Sullivan. sug- s h ai o w Sun TYL TO Mai wha an Su affe HE tin -ele The don pe sle. n b ith for the District Attorney’s Weidman accepted a plea tm ER niv nd y w M DA ura t I’ urph Sta be ue cted may e,” ople “I oth R M w ostly Y ers ay Office. bargain in 2005 pleading no ve a y@ ff W UR siongun the , he or sa Mai to ’m of ith a cl . “I ary in a s jo ev Judge W. Howard guilty to a separate drug in pl u ge er rain chanoudy ler BAIN esun riter PHY CON ate the work ans id th rano t of We ined Sullivan sentenced felony, fifth degree attemptno s this show ce ab .c ti ha at TINU om B the st on ou city th to the on. afte b Weidman to nine years in ed sale of a controlled subDis s fos w RID co if B t th . ED low Hig rEm Side y fell ON tric r th rapp GE e jo “I’mat h nstate prison as part of his stance. He was living and Y er hs in P Pa F as S M m a Pa ow t 50 AG b th pa in ol fo e ed – T plea bargain and one and a selling cocaine from his parE Hig rtly TOM s.. mdeun S ELIS nu rk cl 3 at sthe a ha lowin llow Bainb up he st hs sunn O half years of post release ents home while still on proco taff SA el serv erg stat nd g ing ridg fina ate’ in y RR rdov C Fran Ep D om W y the in roll supervision. bation for that charge when O a@ rite EC tric pt e, thful ofsom a th e- l re s co isco ice me k Spe ge NO mid the W ev OR du “We have a history. You police arrested him again on ts roll e N sc e ad ree- Gui com mpt es r DO Bo stion RW 40 morni pa com mbe zial un reco“Sin ties “I’m. er ew ho m m lfor m ro IC s. In went through drug treatment March 27, 2007. VA ar .c ND e C in on ha ng l C m rs om em rd ce .” d of C H . s be Yor ols in istr th d Schenda lse the ve court, and we couldn’t presDeputies arrested hu em an Photos D hairm EX he – inap ploy s, in the tem en k Sta ot ativ audi oo Sche are com ry pl rch ora d TW Fin ecker an of nangAt th tr sure you to change persons, pu ee be e s lo l pr ea au t. he pt O oo al tin . la an , ro ea diti te O r pa abus SEC S o e su places and things. Because CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 stat madopri s pa ts pa sure em ca an C na The l Supl th ller sed g ng ffic rt es TION sionst w ce C mem Ric uper Cou g- id er l volud pe ed e ate yche yrol r cr C LASS eek om b har vis nty e of s of techl co audi erine thin repowith g sc . rs en S N ch pr w en nt l ea ck of EDIOMIC IFIEDS er ho sa o th ti 20 itho an s, da te ors to no ntro t fo tend gs rt, the cy eer onne ol the car”opos how to ta mitte s od EVE TO S ex id; abus PAG Feb logy ls cu en w w ev at e lo fied ut ges ther ta an s em disists ho es ov se e ha LOT NT RIAL to bl e f B. th ed ss as ca squa l to ES re ed de or e is d pl wev w bo The . 28 fo er d on t K did t yo alua tect pa this “Let scue emer funde a di agre the ou at se am of a a w lls. ds aid O TE S pr oy sh The . 18 si ard’ co , 20 r th payr th arl righ u tion er ere ion, ym a riskepar ee SPOBITU RY sl rv bu pr ay It wit ,1 se ge a sc ed ti ’s du ould repo 9 the disc to ght of s ab mpt 07. e pe oll e di Brow t,” don’ . TV RT ARIE ” ents th es ties ac rt po The me,” take rvic ncy new us- th Acty. ed thlanceivatel to of was h suemer 16 tr st ro ri an il t S S th sa n. en e. se ac ly ol od d rict WEA th it po over ge ll e co co y-op fset in d fly Dec this e coul at id futu pr or pr t to stat “fly - finae Pering 4 tent ed for perv ncy of info ’s repo d tim coun sure e di y to er su TH un mp er ad tend earl car ker br ER July rm inte 7 re oc ov se ed cu nc so on a ial , th tw isor m ty ea va ed ie em e an ting th strict prov rv rt ss ia nn © nc to r th serv said th 6 prevany ha “W erro edur ide greg , “D 20 for e st th “W o te an edic 1, atio ran ploy d pa fo e po ’s tr ided eyed ed pr is ic . 11 6 at it positi howl lead el referr 07 20 n ha s th e ar rs e, for ate istr ith e su e w chni d $4 al se -13 Sn C eriz alyz men y in r w siti easu ad the ab ate y life ovid mone, pr 05 yd th ve ree e a or imto m a co th ict use re ve on to ers om al Per an perv ere cian 0,34 rv er 17 ed ed t ac ag on re equa sc suppe ce th, o- is com hicls and fund wer mit from Co so ing. som em smal prop itig mpe e tr offi C so M isor carefu s. 8 ea ices mm th The data the cont cord es, was r’s du te hool 6 ort rtifie is $3 es men es th two th e to ditee, dl n si The eone ploy l di er ate nsat easu cial un ch ’s R hair nnel r. l bo e di repo . scho racts. ance bene ac ties over icat pr ing gnin mai do ees. stri paym the ing rer’ s ard stri rt ol sys- d ve 60,0 tim ded. at spore th sBec sala to ke ions to -Lin man fi cu an BY JILL OSTERHOUT ch oced them g th n co ing It’s ct an en risk con- s tati hicles 00, ated The have t ut ree did ct’s foun ’s secuThe with ts, le rate d kw ry ep D Em ckla Way Sun Staff Writer ve . no alsoange ural for e ch ncer a litt diff d ou ts.” of no syst d Cooeput erge en, ne Com ith’sless rity audi appr ave-ly ly Sal t in to prog [email protected] d ec y t ad em som th ic le sa r ti to ov n nc re e set ar cl who rd D y id Out mit ,” ul of on lo BY of rs ed in te eq an e w , Bro to okinsome com dist ks is was bit of t no fice at ies udin coram co also gram Sun M ua d w ator irec Man refe wat e $4 w g st mpu ri n’ th w NORWICH – Unlike many other towns in New tely sa eakn 2,21 ere th he g into of menda ct, it t th at th evert to mm S ICH . ould Mattor agemrrin er, tw A se n. th lp e York, it was announced at October’s monthly meeting be Out cg taff AEL ov t and en g segrid th esse 3 fo ten- e uire ad hiri em tion was one e per-yceduas th cond erse Bec F t cu rs of water that the Town of Norwich will again have no general eg at s in r an @ev Wri MC dres ng alre an m ha at ssin N ir co kw te e at os “t re G re re ne O es th e pa he tax. The town will see an overall increase of four perthe it s a pa ady. d UIR g th Finanand un r recontro s re e di com CON re cent RW w tly the rt .com CH pro-h, E ycent but will also see a reduction in taxes for 2008. e pu ce othe W e’ a ve ls, phlate stri men TINU th leas lega ICH issu-time e ar ve ry. EN General taxes are composed of the supervisor’s rcha bega r m ED CON ysicd to ct im dati po at cl e of l se – e,” po e AN ON TINU se n diemsalary, the highway superintendent’s salary, the assesim wer aim two tbac Des al its plemon by PAG GO saidsiof ED secu com en th fu ple li it ener k pite sor’s, the attorney and other costs that the town is E fuel sON 3 CO el ture men ne s $1 gy and a rity pute t ne e st PAG responsible to pay for each year. “These costs are covE R ectr bl ted “nee .6 repo the UN an r sy w pr ate 3 ered by either sales tax or other additional income,” d ci egio icity ack- ” to d n bill rts TY io disastem osaid Law. ’S co als nal bi outs p ot n ster s Keeping the town’s taxes manageable for residents ap ntin say Inte lls, and rev be HO N en pr ue th rc while increasing the town’s worth, maintaining its ov e on ew hi t M ET per NY al to com ne Y gh growth and keeping it running smoothly is what the OW Pub mit RI of th pine pa ct of ork Town of Norwich administrators say they strive to (PS lic re aims e pr fo ny w fiN offer each year. DA C), Ser vie to ojec r st ill Currently the Town of Norwich’s assessed value or the vice w CON be t. ate ILY stat C wit gin TINU worth, on paper is, $106,803,477 compared to last NE e’s om h ED it year’s $104,242,106. Law explains the town’s growth ON W po mis the s PAG SP wer sion has enabled the board to keep the taxes down. E AP line 3 This year’s fire contract tax totals $4.92 per thouE R sand down from a total of $5.31 per thousand last year. SIN The highway tax, which Law says is a large portion of CE expenditures, will stay the same this year at $1.18 per 18 thousand. “The biggest expenses in the highway 91 department is health insurance and salary increases,” CONTINUED PAGE 3 IC R CHENANGO EMS Growth keeps taxes down in the Town of Norwich ‘Tis the Season Page 20 MA YO MATT BECKWITH Oxford drug dealer gets nine years in state prison TORNADO SENIORS Photo out r triedal Winte al . rong annu rmst 30th Saturday ett A the e 1 d Br rs, at erburn 189 Sh on an ache CE plet out po nter in SIN Tem ER BY MICHAEL MCGUIRE Eric to sniffation Ce SPAP is cers uc Sun Staff Writer NEW Offi job it tagood l Ed “It’s LY [email protected] se liceabsolutely en AI ho Po l N D ES ” w vironmhanging news. enta itro, We’re CHENANGO COUNTY – Local fire INDEX IONS 20 PAG ,1officials ETOW ronmof “N gers En 9 vi OM confirmed Tuesday that a private onRoby a shoestring. SECT 18 16 ties n at e En of ’S H company has agreed to replace TWO Stat eone abili the 4 S NTY atio But every IED three therkcounty willlebr have OU little bit Yo SIF 7 ambulances te th Ce ew straInc. O C CLAS ICS lost6 when NSuperior closes its NG on Thursday. ving COM ORIAL NA helps.” Norwich office for good 6 dem EDIT TS ter Li CHE Cooperstown Win Medical Transport EVEN Y 11-14 17 which operates in Delaware and (CMT), Otsego6 counties, plans to bring in one ambulance to specifically handle hospins tal-to-hospital and medical transports, atio munic county fire and emergency coordinasaid Com der tor Matt Beckwith. 8 Sny The announcement doesn’t relieve the © 200 county’s current ambulance crisis, Beckwith added, but will keep it from getting worse while a long-term plan is developed. “It’s absolutely good news,” he said. “We’re hanging on by a shoestring. But every little bit helps.” CMT still has to be issued a “Certificate of Need” from the state Department of Health before it can begin servicing Chenango County. Beckwith said the company has applied for the certificate, but is unsure when the process roads in the future. will be completed. “It costs between $50,000 Representatives from the company and $100,000 for a mile of were not available for comment Tuesday new road. That’s a pretty morning. hefty bill to put on the The Board of Supervisors is reviewing shoulders of the town should a long-term plan submitted by Beckwith it arise,” he said. that involves the county implementing a Having the regulations in “fly car” system, where county-employed place gives the planning paramedics would drive to emergency board the opportunity to scenes from strategically placed points and staff local volunteer ambulances, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 who have trouble supplying highly said last week that Broome Community College - where a number of Chenango County’s college-aged and adult students are enrolled “owes us an explanation for what they are doing for our community.” America’s community colleges were originally created in the 1940s to provide those seeking a two-year, post-secondary degree with a public, more affordable and community-based Th eE DA Y DE OF ven CI ing SI on amilt annu ee H 30th ay. Kayl at the Saturd w and n Kim s-cut salebratio cros ng Ce Livi Photo ON Christmass Countdown GE ale Spezi CONTINUED CHENANGO COUNTY’S HOMETOWN DAILY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1891 W Frank “Chris (Ulatowski, owne of Label Gallery) thought o this event with the idea o getting the community mor involved, more aware,” sai Dennis Rifanburg, a Toy for Tots volunteer and Labe Gallery employee. At noon in Bainbridge U.S. Marines will b unloading donated toys t go to the local drive and spe cial guest Santa Claus plan to step-off the box car for a PAGE 3 This week’s ‘Souvenirs of Yesteryear” remembers a date which will always live in infamy. H, Private company looking to replace Superior’s last ambulance S LOTTER UA RIE OBIT RTS SPO TV HER WEAT ON 18,19 16 4 7 6 6 11-13 17 6 RW Call for help afternoon at two local events: The “Challenge of the Vans” in the City of Norwich’s East Park and the arrival of the U.S. Marine Corps’ “Toy Train” in the Village of Bainbridge center. In Norwich, four local car dealers have each entered a mini-vans into the challenge to see which one can hold the most donated toys. Aside from the van challenge, there will also be music and other festivities in the park from noon until 4 p.m. OF INFAMY NO UES IN T Norwich, are gathering and distributing new toys as part of Chenango County’s “Toys for Tots” campaign. “There are needy kids out there in our communities that may feel like nobody cares. They may feel like they are forgotten,”“ he said. “Hope is a big thing. It’s important we let those kids and their families know they are not forgotten.” Area residents are encouraged to drop-off new, unwrapped toys Saturday S G hut st reen out ra e giv igh it e tt s2 s itle nd PA . ¢ DAY CONTINUED The 2007 “Toys for Tots” drive collected 82 donations at the recent “Parade of Lights” in Norwich. The campaign also received 450 toys from “Toys R Us.” Organizers say they’re nearing their goal, and hope community members show support at events this weekend in Bainbridge and Norwich. Pictured with the latest batch of donations are “Toys for Tots” volunteers Dennis Rifanburg, Gail Lawrence, and Melinda Mandeville from The Label Gallery in Norwich, and volunteer Roger Barnhart, postmaster, South New Berlin. Community can offer hope to local children through to one of the Marines aboard. “He saw me, he saw my pain,” she said. As Patty walked away from the train she was called back by the Marine and as she turned she saw that they were taking a bike from down to give to her son. “It was so much more than a bike,” she says. “It represented so much more than a simple gift.” Hitchcock explains that as she looked at what they had given her, she was in awe of who they were, what they did for her and what they do for others. “It gave me the courage to believe that there are good people out there, not everything was bad and that I had the courage to do something wonderful and care for my children,” said Hitchcock. Now years later, as Hitchcock is just a semester away from graduating college, she says she still believes people do not realize what an impact they can make on © 2007 Snyder Communications COM NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815 DAY Patty Hitchcock says she has a lot to be grateful for this holiday season and thanks to the support and grace of others, her life is what it is today. TWO SECTIONS 20 PAGES The Evening Sun UP DECORDOVA Sun Staff Writer [email protected] rying to see the good in people is one lesson this mother of two realized was one of the best “gifts” she would ever receive. Patty Hitchcock of Bainbridge explains her life has had its trials and tribulations and through it all she found herself, found out who she wanted to be and what kind of mother she was. Hitchcock grew up one of five children in Queens. She and her family moved north before her senior year and she graduated from Unatego high school. At age 16, Hitchcock began what turned into her life-long career thus far at the Cullman Center in Sidney. By 1996, Hitchcock was married and soon after began to raise a family. Patty’s life would be forever changed in 2003 when her husband feel ill, was hospitalized, and never returned home. Her children were young and she’d never thought she would be raising them alone. “My life did a complete 360 and I didn’t know what I was going to do,” she said, “It was Christmas and I didn’t know how I was going to get them gifts and juggle everything else.” In December the same year, Hitchcock explains she stumbled across the Toys for Tots train, a locomotive filled with toys for children and accompanied by United States Marines and Santa. The train travels through Bainbridge and makes the deliveries for children in Chenango County. Hitchcock says the train was a sign. She walked to the train and began to tell her story of what she had been going ION ING Sun Staff Writer [email protected] NORWICH – There’s nothing about “community” when it comes to community colleges anymore, one local government leader says, and Chenango County taxpayers shouldn’t be charged for its students who choose to attend one. Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown [email protected] LIVIN is hy Cat inson t of Rob subjec s the eek’ o T UthEisS DwAna Y,ng OCTOBER 23, 2007 “Cheies.” UN ’S S Stor BY MICHAEL MCGUIRE NORWICH – Giving others, especially children, hope on Christmas is one of the greatest gifts of all, says Bainbridge resident Roger Barnhart, adding that sometimes it only takes a simple gesture of kindness. Barnhart, the postmaster of the South New Berlin post office, and employees from The Label Gallery in BY MELISSA BY JILL KRAFT RAT ELEB GC TER WIN Toys for Tots How “community” are community colleges? Sun Staff Writer in fo here ird or is. W lose e the th ard th ows? k. If th l ill c he s is ic “Thi we’ve – who kng to st an awfu ity w w a ro will go it’s goin will be Those t facil e n. lly bran e, it ar, ce c poli w g ne uyin at b 2008 s k loo e in Citybulanc am Y PAGE 3 CHENANGO STORIES 5 1381 y urit sec um inim m es unc nno te a Sta SMYRNA – The Town of myrna adopted subdivision gulations on Oct. 9 after o years of work by memrs of the town’s planning ard. “You can thank Christmas Associates for that,” ON Gift of Joy of the manyrelocated ll cted an expe rs wi a It’s office Oneid where on ntua clos of camp’s s in unties mediumstow a vi job ings co ral ty pri Eve p is to r little bs are g sav rting to ga seve securi t of eratin on sta four Cayu are cam g for ou those jo ity.” rtmen all al op milli , the ings there ximum Depa ll assist getall ma annu $8 sav un WN thin le and y- over 0. In yield a nually. t ands. The ce wi es in said mm BROVISOR an an -1 NIS offse x on vil Serviemploye jobs, isn’t this 2009 gs will llion peop of our co y G. DEN IA SUPER Ci ted there can do sure closin 3.5 mi gs willive se state Nanc ec lly rt ms rs w clo $3 aff ne ica er rs, RSAL ato pa savin pens gra the techn legisl p the leade en- of ose d ex ent pro llion ting ission . PHA that N OF onal thinge to sto unity repres nis- Th w anr treatm e $70 mi, said Commnwegen admit alia could rrecti y. TOW tim communion admi one ne ende requir grades Groe iss didse Phars e,” n off ce ll of Co Frida Kr clo our ent unced ’t new. sin ployees,d priso tified said that wipital up g timthis to do n rtm lon on no no ng pla to Depa ces an ws isn s been g em ives anwere vance, ctional in ca . ge. ar is a t now ing plaini igh s ye ad S) Kriss e’re try d, ex maker chan rre Servi e ne alia ha choppin t tat E “A iss. “R trator in t of Co (DOC UIR Th Phars et’s the las “W he sai has to et fo d ar dg ns d Kr en dg . MCG ” 3 an Campstate bu ally forpoliticia to ye partms AEL r Kriss con- part,t DOCSthe buillness pro- sai PAGE De ice ON ICH nu ite le t ’re Erik iss tha the in ntal ent the com TINUED BY MStaf f Wr ck anars. Bubeen abe more Serv esman as wego,” Kr is vesun. room nsive mer treatm by hat CON ye s on This 5 blo spok s far s is a Sun ire@e four alway least expe ende ated . “T cgu “A thi A – the 10 the in the at mm ed sex off mand sembly ne parSALIt time Camp haveure it ding. ded in Tom cerned, iday. the odecli was cit ns grams and Asmoney.” ee the sec Fr fun las at PHAR from g econ ts te the that ison year of e succSenator ), cit- said sharp lation in reaso of na ar lot on Se S A popu ma ip arting kin it ge likely yees ll he y pr iter y AM “We’vsaid hamt onsh e sts a n ing ll sm ts a sin cs as the ABRPress Wr emploalia wisecurit ar to sta priso e of res. s dropp an co st,” (R-Bing relati Georg IM — Sti nfron politi pa ars with su on g ye re us in Ph v. um re on BY J ciated clo o say ult (AP) ress coon-year esdayesident with Libo a str er Go t so susuc- asfor the als res minimone mo Asso s Tu GTON , Cong electi sion. ing form m no same ased DOCSa will along– Camp vene th a Pr vision has . SHIN 2007 and th “I’ ty, ali a, purchambuWA rs of g war 2008 sese recondeal wi one pro lawopen arsali prisonsn Counoga wi taki. ve the for rrec- Phars was wa us to rin to Pa ha Ph other ankli last he 1994 0 milesa te co2005, tisan a linge rk for the-led Hohaving jected the way Saratdson we’ll sta the for Fr o , ,00 ee tic ob “T d 80 n int . my to wo cra rio of use thr els, raise the regor, Hu ity, cess.” r new ated in ened n,” tur . an 1994 over Ho na t op pay back e Demo Gabri McG and Facil is Undelaw cre 1,000an in ce has rting to situatiooutr scee White bill tha ent. ional ickly fix uld Th $2 – in ilia s d Camp ty, al dit lan t wo ion. qu sta ce rnm ad rm a se ha Th ty fam tions d is aroun Alde “It the veto. ve defen qi goveins an cted tote — tha Coun ction Coun close te le de - an intenan said. e.” provis bly be un Bush massi st the Iral conta s is expe ide voending followingto Corre bia ma lino eful lif e a litt d to the sta Ward ey ma proba ge sse sav nd co , us ffr in a again se bil ngres to overrthe off te the islation e Colum duled 09 city Sixth rt Je omme purchase An ed its ort to o discuasing suits e defen and Coth a ve oving a vo of leg m. Th sche ary 20 se the und Robe n to recfor the . Fifthul liv In an eff gelin purch ing gra ing ry Th to wi nu tho rem Us An Ja tio val by nsfer Pa l to plann d ve e pro y aro city milita her ity of del. used ney, the blem, eit l — or ts are ’s seconinsuranc ntica rrentl y, the ly mo appronds tra an se c d the mo ssibil mo cle ide is cu rrentl oximatelice cil d fu Aldermded anunani- the pomo-typeilar to thoof Publi o pro bably fai mocra Bush health an on pr d po the uses . Cu pro use Deerridingl child a de ia sim dent on, wh skip car $19,437 has ap de for ment Ward hlin secs passe Ho on ov the criter rinten Ivars demo e asi equip d the Laug n wa et d to federa told fire by Supe Carl ased a eeper, ende a policar one t budg 00 set t week nd the tol tio sw down also the 3 5,0 en ye d int t of lino pes to mo ly. to Works purch t en expa t PAGE “I ha emenbut last accidlino $1 partm Anget he ho money mous gelino that need ee recently stree s to cu by purON de nses. tha e An ittee t pe time replacyear, ed in an Ange TINUED le would its thr ng o ho expe ittee of thathe polic l CON this involv aled,” 0 commrtment e of comihas sty gelin livery mode EWIS dition st of de mo com- comm ,00 A L r was was tot city The An the had use $8 the co fer an ad capital depalace ons in the on theng a de ESSIC ite ce and ined. told he ard trans m y, the m 3 BY J Staf f Wr.com t rep bulan rrentl lances. service- chasi ugh expla e chieft while er ite if towr, and 00 fro PAGE tha am n Cu sun ON tho ca Su 2,0 Th tha memb y, sec eve nt year. ined UED ambu en in had is@ – Al ne ably al $1 a jlew ttee explaequipmered three has be year, the e for , CONTIN ICH Norwich le toe mi uested the mo prob 09. reserves.lino vic ars a fer to st n ab RW ser ns 20 ge we the lic ye uld til req t, in NO ty of being An of be travehicle t ne less tha un t the w po ciran , wo Ci been five the ipated g a neeseen it gr eivedavailableested thaor to muched would ged added thang for d has ately on oxim antic o buyin unfor made ed rec t be o sugg d pri since need the dama but stripi pr foregthis year,s have will ne an no gelin purchasegrant, tured from w one,io and d to the ap An be the manufac and the ne a rad adde would car tance the city r and r cums that lice ca . / ca eiving rs are antities rtion once ls were cost likely a po in 2008 Financeet- rec lice caited qu ly a po detai le, the the vehic both lance uary ittee me ph po lim le for on in ab said hiJose ambu the Jan mm At el Co Chief mmittee availthe year.lice chieffor a ve nn e nt co po been of Perso Polic d the r had 07 The amou ing, lino tollice ca e in 20that te bid Angeone po servict, and ed. sta that out ofacciden replac takento an ed to be due uld ne it wo Progress. CONTINUED MON 9 200 ary, in year is Janu th urth But what keeps us going on this journey? Some might call it the force of sheer will. Some would call it measured skill. Others might call it blind luck. of the doors and rifled though any and all the drawers they could get open,” said Stockin. Rainbow’s End Redemption Center, Professional Teleconcepts and Jeffrey’s RV Mobile homes were also burglarized. Kuntriset suffered a total loss of around $3,000 for damage done to rear doors, interior doors and desks. All were forced open with a pry bar or other metal instrument. “I don’t know what they used in the back. Those were steel doors both locked and deadbolted but they got through both,” said Stockin. In total, the business had $40 taken Sun Staff Writer NEW 50¢ WWW.EVESUN.COM Students across Chenango County are enjoying the first snow day of the season today as 6-8 inches fell in some areas overnight. (Photo by Frank Speziale) know ford lf of thec activin- nomi“I hope been spe lopmeere sai nt the Th of one.” d, “I county, are woc develop variont. was e revolv don’t whate rking ment us eco PhotoSPAP ale ER aggrecreated ing loa posed ver tha in conc entiti Spezi SIN gate in 19 befor to do t mone ert to does Frank load CE 94 n fun ,” Fla y is e of $5 with and Febru 189 sup 0,000 ary. the bonagan sai 1 . It ard d CONT in INU ED DAI PAGE 11 T U E S DAY, D E C E M B E R 4 , 2 0 0 7 Snow D ay ! Sant pum a has be wor ping up en BY M with kout re his Sun ELISS er Ba persongimen A DE mdeco Staff COR at “T rbara al tra t rdova@Writer DOVA evesun Fitn o Your McGui inis NO .com Eato ess” in Healthre inclus RWIC Chenadminis n econ ive regH – gets Cent The and ango Cotered ular An activ omic unty by the De big closer er as he all ities ni Co to devereport - ye partmen Deve Planning un adm ght. Sa the lopme does ty’s that Chlopme on incars, howet. Throu nta shap its stayi ver, gh nt town not ex taxpaye enangont totalremental e ng the ist leg rs with is a one leade despi fin dolla ly up islato fun strug in rs good so man comewhenev rs’ req te som d cei ally, in rs avail ped gle uests ling the er ab e 20 ies y be suc Su this pervi fore ab h act for the lat was eli 01, the le until but holidayound Acco sors. the Bo ivities dated er action minated fund’s ard sa req Bo rdi rep se cam ys ard ng mai of ason ort. uest for e a . With th only R.C. to Cl a qu manheal ntaininge key to , that resolutio Wood erk of the FlaSupervi arterl for so na ma to bethy lifes a y d, the Jam gan, rs report nd n on Pe See reason tyle is opme for ates a the book No es J. McD-Prest ter C. Neil, on, revolvnt haseconomi quarterl s req rwich, mak where able. asked ing loa to do c deve y tha uested have D-City and appe es his Santa repea of other if he n fun with l- pro t identi a regula ted Wed arancenext dated quarterl knew d. Whe a econjects an fies an r rep ly Even nesday in y rep of an n fun omic d outliny pend ort for ties ing ing ds ha Sun.’s Woodon behaeconomi ort ma y deve es wh ve for alia? d n e hars e Th p P Cam K NOR ns S-E ties for second at Ilion tourney. The Evening Sun U TWO Sir Winston Churchill 50 ¢ eef? Fed shad to unv y ho eil p la me lend n to cu r ing pracb tice s X “E 2 Wha t are Che nan go’s laws abo ut fe ncin g-in cow s? INDE very day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.” PAGE 200 7 m SH Earlv ERBU today ille Sc RNE ment to vo hool Di – Voter WW tle bo projecte on a $2strict wi s in W.EV ttom t that 5.2 mi ll be the Sh ESUN Sc go ad line .COM Sherbhool effect ministrallion bu ing to erburneimpro urne adminis on the tors sayilding imthe polls dis tra tors taxpa will prove future veme trict have facilit need nts are has a have yers. litAssis y wa s. The needed well eqsaid tha way tant Sus built middle to addreuipped t while ly. Hethe buildperintenin 1970 schoo ss currefacility, l Scho adde ing is dent Th, and / high nt and aft ol d use The building that ev d has omas Str er 37 school years chan struc build ain en is cost; ture up ing im now ele the ne ged sig says the , desir academidates, provemeven ye wer Ele nificantcap ed impro c upgratotaling nt planars old. mentary calls safetyaccessibi veme des, tot 62 perce lity nts, tot aling nt of for infraand and up cent. equipmesecurity, grade aling 1212 perce the total nt rep which s, totali perce nt; oth BY M “T nt; er lacem am ng Sun ICHAE ber echnolog ent, ounts 10 pe handiL M mm Staff year.of hours y is rap also to 2 rcent; cguire@ Write CGUIR totali perce securi Energ the sch idly E evesun r ng 2 nt whose have ty is y costs ool is occhangin .com PL perof looYMOU dama cows facilit an obligalways continu cupied g, and ally se co TH – and ge to they upda ies, an ation a conc e to increaincrea the num“eve corra ws aren’tIf a he ing structur lawns, say cau cost te and d we preto protecern and se, anses every will rybody lled for eventu-rd pro freely es wh garde se som intervto local upgrade sently t our inv a priorid schoo pertie ns ile on taxpa our have iew. Trav have som in Ply good estme ty. We l surro roam- said eone fro s. an is yers, facilit nt in Sarau Road e be mouth , the Sarauw Ad m undin geothThe ass ” Str ies oppo ir an w. g town canams. “Hbeing kil reside ef,” say ain sai at vir rtunity the of Plygrievan d Adam posse ermal istant Wha tance. opefu led,” nt to s tua sup tec d ss t’s an s air Betty last mouth ce at lly ” give us som in a to be a he hnolo erinte lly d the we ed So previo no Plymo fellow beef? beco week, board the Town well come ating sysgy wo ndent e ass the Th re issue say far, the us more ise d Adam uth tem uld all expla lem me the saying meeti requir as decre tow To Sarau be there mitte Evening or arrest en ine tha ow a far s have reside wn ofw mo , too, if publi it co ng de done isn’t mu n and “grea e. Str ase thevironme t will the sch d tha s ma Su Inf d uld sta tor spi c’s ch mer a gri nt Jac the be ist we an unsus amou ntally help the ool to t the tly red ain ex prob- ion te somfrom the that cante the ormati a Freen has de. tha pe on k pla im s. on e dif Trav again dom subt a ba asts whre to hit pecting system plemeuce our ined nt of responsi schoo feringir end, seekinSheriff’ Law req is Ro st Ro Sa ckroa he an his off uses that ntation heating that the ating ble, as l d or ile trave one of nume rauw tol opin- relate g a rec s De uest of co ything ice can ad ute 16 oil no pro of oil lin ne rou d allow system they ord of partm to a ws un relate ’t en d arby g on been fos du ge co “We . s co the bo for Vo to the d law les coun inc en ard mp mer for the sil fuel.”ces no othermalnsumptio want will ty Sheriff’made to laints that unableice me farmer’s idents t trol unde s the tow to loo ce month cooli green n tec Th r its se ord wi sta to n s ssa hn “W have farme to cows the ng of e sam house s. th te olo De anim creates preve “It inanc be ges is tha hile yo the sch e sys ga gy, a al co lef we . law,” ’s got es. nt cows’ police partmen county calls r, who greatl t schoo u may seekin did t for re tro nool du tem wises and t an three owne ag to he ain co no In the d g l law said. be a ring ll als expa y expa l utiliz nside t years r over st “Anim tow the Sheri a telephocommen answer the sum o , bu Ac .” schoonding nded. ation dur this a t no the past spoke ff’s ne int t. al co n depa cording Stand fri rin B techn ls to curriculum ll, nticke Y J sm rtm erv g ard the to the ts said he an Lt. 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We’re proud each year to present this series of special sections highlighting what we see as the best Chenango has to offer – in business, in recreation, in education, in health care, in agriculture, in religion and in charity. We call it 11 S res tate ult com s o pt f B rol -G ler sch rel ool eas au es dit C on oun ‘fl ty t y c ab ar les ’ fi d na isc nc us es sio n N ch YRI se alle tb ng ac e ks s PAGE 3 CHENANGO COUNTY’S HOMETOWN DAILY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1891 C h e n a n g o C o u n t y ’ s H o m e t o w n D a i l y. S i n c e 18 91. Call (607) 334-9086 to start home delivery today – or visit us online at www.evesun.com 52 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun DOWNTOWN SHERBURNE Success Stories Chase Memorial Owner Heather Simmons and Store Manager Kerry Collins work late on a Friday night at Sherburne video. Collins worked for the business right out of high school and then eventually bought the store. Longtime businesses build lasting relationships with customers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51 She runs Sherburne Video with her partner, Heather Simmons. The two said business had diminished slightly because of the move. “There is a lot of competition out there with pay-perview, Netflix and cable, so we’ve had to expand our offers a little,” said Collins. The store also sells refreshments and body jewelry. “I love the business or else I would’ve given up on it years ago. We know a lot of the people that come in. One customer, a friend we met through working here, brings us dinner almost every week while we’re here,” said Kerry. Kerry said she is looking forward to the weather warming up so work could continue on their building. New lighting will be going into the parking lot and a wraparound handicap accessible porch was being built on both stories of the building. “The year 2007 for Chase Memorial can be summed up as a holding year on many accounts and a year of monumental transitions in other regards,” according to Roger J. Halbert, Administrator/CEO. The Chase campus in New Berlin is home to an eighty bed skilled nursing facility, 32 independent living apartments, out patient family practice for the community, and a child day care operation. “Chase has quite a diverse operation in its provision of a range of human services covering the entire life span,” reflects Halbert, now in his 36th year in management at this site. There is a correlation of staff retention to quality of services delivered, according to Halbert. The campus is most proud of its retention of 75% of its employees last year, the seventh consecutive year of surpassing the facility’s average of the past 35 years, that of 30.4%. This is in stark contrast to the nationwide employee loss in healthcare which exceeds 50% in most facilities. “Chase’s top management staff averages 19 years,” Halbert stated, “a factor coupled with nearly 40 percent of the employee force with ten or more years of service…that equates to quality service delivery.” A continuing feature that brings uniqueness to Chase is the “Life Focus” components of companion pets that live at Chase, surrounded by gardens and interior plant life, complete with the daily presence of children. The Eden Alternative which started at Chase in 1992 has received nationwide recognition including introduction to health care facilities internationally. With Chase’s small day care program on-site, children are constantly in the life flow of the nursing facility all day long, Monday through Friday. “Upon entering the front lobby, the sights and sounds of children’s exuberance tell visitors that they are not in the typical nursing home,” says Halbert. Spanning a lifetime of shared experiences, residents are exposed to an atmosphere energized by so many forms of life, which may contribute to Chase’s high occupancy of nearly 99% this past year. Halbert mentioned the campus independent living apartments experienced a good year also with an occupancy rate of 98.7% for 2007. A nice feature for the housing tenants is the outpatient family practice across the parking lot. Halbert commented that “Chase took over the management of New Berlin Family Practice in 2001 and few housing developments have such an outpatient service within walking distance of the apartment… Chase does!” Halbert proudly stated. The Family Practice, with Mary Ann Bigger, Family Nurse Practitioner and Dr. Anna Marie Ward, provides a needed service for New Berlin and the surrounding communities. The outpatient practice continues to see new patients monthly. Since December 2006, management and the governing board have been working closely with the New York State Department of Health processing Chase’s Certificate of Need (CON) application which re-defines the setting of long term care delivery for not only the immediate area but for all of New York State. Replacing much of Chase’s 37 year old building, the proposal calls for the provision of skilled nursing services in eight individual houses, with each elder having his or her own private room and the rooms surround a central living room and kitchen/dining area, complete with a working fireplace. “Such a setting, the first of its kind in New York State, will be an attractive feature for the next generation of elders who require nursing home care. Transitioning from the traditional medical model, the household design will truly be beautiful and a hallmark of distinction that will continue to set Chase apart from others,” Halbert enthusiastically stated. In the preliminary months of fund raising, the Campaign Steering Committee has generated $1.1 million with a goal of approximately another $500,000 from private sources. From governmental funding and three grants that will be submitted in 2008, the committee has a goal for an additional $1 million from such public sources. The Committee will be opening up the campaign to interested philanthropic individuals and additional corporate contributions that will be significant to the fundraising efforts, Halbert said. The Campaign Steering Committee is chaired by John C. Mitchell, with members Janet Ingraham, Board President; Roger Halbert, CEO; William Craine, Marcia Foote, Mark Golden, Nanette Johnston, Paul Stillman, Cheri Theis, Dr. William Thomas, Robert Wadsworth, and Whit Whitaker. The project is slated to be reviewed by state officials at their meeting in New York City on January 24 with the projected start date of construction to be late 2008. Questions on the capital campaign may be directed to Roger Halbert, P.O. Box 250, New Berlin or call him at 607-847-7000. “We succeed only as we identify in life, or in war, or in anything else, a single overriding objective, and make all other considerations bend to that one objective.” DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Your Favorite Music from Yesterday and Today ROB RAY On-Air (mornings) Up To Date Local News Great Variety Of Music Daily Contests Community Information High School Sports CRAIG STEVENS General Manager JIM TOMEO On-Air (afternoons) SPECIAL RECOGNITION/AWARDS •2007 CHENANGO COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR” AWARD RECIPIENT - WCDO’S KERRI INSINGA KERRI INSINGA On-Air / Sales Assoc. •2007 - SPECIAL HONORS RECEIVED FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S TRI-TOWN “RELAY FOR LIFE” JOE GARDNER Traffic Manager/On Air •2006 - RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING FLOOD COVERAGE BY ASSEMBLYMAN CLIFF CROUCH, SENATOR TOM LIBOUS, CHENANGO COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE SIDNEY AND BAINBRIDGE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND DELAWARE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT •2003 - SIDNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “BUSINESS OF THE YEAR” •TWO TIME NEW YORK STATE BROADCASTER AWARD WINNER FOR OUTSTANDING COVERAGE OF THE GENERAL CLINTON CANOE REGATTA. CHRIS CAPPELLO Sports Director 75 Main St., Sidney, NY 13838 (607-563-3588) MICHELE CLAPPERTON Sales Associate PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 53 PAGE SEED COMPANY Growing from a vibrant tradition BY MELISSA DECORDOVA The Evening Sun W hen asked the next most exciting news in Greene after The Raymond Corporation’s hydrogen fuel technological breakthrough was announced last year, Chenango County Supervisor Jack T. Cook pointed to the Page Seed Company. “They have a good business going on over there now,” he said. “We are very impressed with what’s happening there.” And what a difference a year can make! From nearly filing for bankruptcy last summer, Greene’s centuryold agricultural and horticultural-purpose seed packaging business appears to be growing strong. New ownership coupled with an Empire State Development grant enabled it to acquire new equipment, hire 33 new employees and launch a hefty advertising campaign in the fourth quarter last year – all of which are already showing signs of paying off big. Productivity has increased substantially since Stuart Mill Capital purchased the company on Sept. 1. Page Seed Company currently has 55 employees and an annual payroll of $1,004,000. Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter said the transaction was possible via economic development assistance from the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency. She said Stuart Mill Capital “not only purchased the company, but also decided to maintain the operations at its current loca- tion in Greene. Chenango County is very fortunate to have the Page Seed Company call Chenango its home for over 100 years.” “Last year was a transitional one,” company President Lynda (Lyn) S. Granger said. “We were in jeopardy of closing our doors, literally. These people came in and purchased the company, kept the doors open and kept people employed.” A brief glimpse of Page Seed Company’s history goes back to the Spring of 1896 when Erford Page and his wife Cornelia began packaging sweet peas and nasturtium seeds for 100 merchants in the hamlets, towns and villages surrounding Bainbridge. Five generations of the Page family continued to grow the business – in good times and bad – filling all types of dry seeds into packages, from flowers, vegetables and grass seed, to bulk animal and wildlife feeds, to bath salts. Orders are filled today for national and international customers via sales representatives throughout the northeast and with the help of a distributor in Puerto Rico. Granger, who is unrelated to the family, has worked at Page Seed for 34 years, becoming chief executive officer in September 2007. She said the same, traditional values – to develop innovative, high quality products that appeal to a diverse range of customers – are maintained today. “We believe and strive for 100 percent customer satisfaction and offer custom solutions to help businesses grow,” she said, pointing to a myriad of options for customizing individual seed packets for corporate gift basket, bridal shower and sales promotion give-aways. A beefed up advertising budget helped earn Page Seed Company the seal of approval last month from the National Gardening Association, a nonprofit leader in plant-based education. After a trial survey of members, the NGA featured Page’s unusual “Razzmatazz” sunflower in a recent publication. “We’ve received a lot more magazine notice and attended a lot more trade shows. The advertising we did last year is really paying off in orders for this year,” Granger said. Page’s variety of sunflower seeds - many acquired from Israel - range in color from burnt orange to bright burgundy, to lemon eclair, jade and peach passion. They have large centers or small centers. Granger said the company recently purchased 12 new varieties of sunflowers that are not typically shown in stores’ seed racks. Page Seed Company’s workers in Greene package between 100 to 150 types of top quality flower and vegetable seeds as well as 25 different herbs. Easy set-up Page’s Premium floor displays showcase contain 1,000 vivid, full color packets. Each packet features precise planting information in both English and Spanish. The seeds, which are sold in garden centers, hardware stores and the like - are also retailed under the “Page Lib- OPEN DAILY 8 AM - 5 PM General Admission $5 43rd Annual Antique Antique Sponsored by the Rolling Antiquers Old Car Club, Norwich, NY & Flea Market For Inquiries Call: Ed Soyke, President • 607-843-6520 or Sewain Conklin, Vice President 607-336-1888 http://local.aaca.org/raoccc Chenango County Fairgrounds • East Main St., Norwich, NY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25, 2008 Muscle Cars & Street Rods SUNDAY, MAY 25 Antique Cars SATURDAY, MAY 24 ANTIQUE AND COLLECTIBLES SHOW GENERAL ANTIQUES Ed Soyke 607-843-6520 CAR PARTS Dennis McCarthy 607-334-5486 MUSCLE CARS Barb Strobel 607-334-8549 Clyde Beach 607-334-2901 SHOW CARS Jim Roberts 315-737-7637 ENGINE DISPLAY Dennis McCarthy 607-334-5486 • Antique Cars • Muscle Cars • Motorcycles • Street Rods • Antique Engines • Military Vehicles • Bob Slater’s D.J. Service • Free Shuttle Buses to and from parking lots • Camping • Rain or Shine • No refunds • No pets PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 I look forward to assisting you in the coming year with all your advertising needs. Deb Deuel Retail Advertising Consultant The Evening Sun/ Gazette 29 Lackawanna Ave., Norwich 337-3023 • FAX 334-8273 www.evesun.com • [email protected] The Evening Sun... Chenango County’s Hometown Daily Page Seed Company Assortment Manager Carolyn Cower shows off just a sampling of the types of seeds packaged at this Village of Greene-based manufacturer. The 112-year old company is still growing strong. erty Garden” or “Theme Garden” brand names. Many different grasses for the turf industry, as well as soils and fertilizers, wheat, trees, bath salts and potpourri, are also packaged and distributed. A specialty Page Seed Company line is sold through distributors, where they are printed with customized messages for weddings, showers, party favors, give-aways or corporate gifts. Granger said Mohawk Valley Fuel Oil of Saratoga Springs includes free seed packets with statement reminders to thank customers for their business, for example. “We can do business size card packets that sales people can hand out at trade shows,” she said. New for the coming year will be a garden adjacent to the plant that customers can walk through to see the different varieties of seeds packaged within. Additional hiring and new products are also planned. Finding ways to educate the public about the value of gardening is another company goal set for 2008. “It’s difficult for people to take the time to garden or to understand that they have the space to do so. We are trying to educate people that home grown food is more nutritious. And seeds don’t have to be in the ground. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables can be grown in containers on people porches and patios,” she said. As part of its donation to community service, Page Seed Company donates boxes of seed packets to the Greene Rotary for Christmas gift baskets that are delivered to about 125 families each year. Most of the company’s employees are from Chenango County and are involved in many different organizations, Granger said. 54 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun NORWICH CITY SCHOOLS Building bridges to connect a community BY JILL KRAFT The Evening Sun A s the 2007-08 school year got underway last September, purple signs peppered lawns across the city – a sign that negotiations between school support staff workers and the school administration were not going well. Now, as the support staff and the district stand at an impasse, school Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan says he is still hopeful the outcome will benefit both the support staff as well as the district. The administration has also met five times since the beginning of the year to decide on a contract for the teaching staff as well. Both the support staff and the teachers are currently operating under their previous contract, which ended in the summer of 2007. As for academics, moving forward is one thing the Norwich City School district seems to have excelled at during 2007. “We are always making progress,” said O’Sullivan. Keeping up with a changing society, O’Sullivan explains parent/teacher and student contact has also begun to change. “We can now e-mail parents to keep them up to date,” he said. With the “home access” Internet program launched last year, parents can log in, see their child’s test scores, homework assignments and contact teachers with questions. In addition to upgrading the technology to stay in touch at home, up to 80 teachers are expected to be certified on the ‘smart board,’ The annual Purple Pride Week at Norwich High School is one of the many ways students show their school spirit and reach out to the community each year. which is an interactive learning tool built to aid the education process in classrooms. As part of the technology upgrade agenda, smart boards, starting last year, could be seen in all four of the school buildings in the district. O’Sullivan says the district is continuously making a gain academically. During the past year the re-vamping and/or upgrading included anything from redesigning school lunch calendars and meals to a $35 million building project. After being placed on the Schools In Need of Improvement listing (SINI list) four years ago for certain subjects and populations at the middle school level, school officials looked hard at curriculum and programming. Once placed on the list, the status for the school remains there for two years; when adequate testing scores are reached, it takes another two to be removed. It was recently announced by the state that the middle school had been removed from the list for math, but will remain on the list for English language arts. “We are very confident the students will be successful this year and we will be completely removed,” said O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan also says both the numbers in the advanced placement courses at the high school are on the rise as well as the participation of stu- dents attending the Career Technical Education programs at the DCMO BOCES facility. “We are giving our students more opportunities to learn outside the classroom walls,” said O’Sullivan. In January 2007, district residents approved a proposal to purchase $2.1 million worth of buses and four pieces of maintenance equipment. Since 1985, the district has followed a schedule which replaces buses every seven to eight years. O’Sullivan says figuring out the budget gets increasingly harder each year as state mandates and costs continue to rise across the board. As the board got ready to propose a $32,305,709 budget last year, the rules changed as the “contract for excellence” was put into place by the newly-elected New York state Governor Eliot Spitzer. Based on testing scores and economic status, the state allotted additional funding to the Norwich school district for the contract for excellence program. After appointing the money, the state then dictated how the district could spend it. With the added funding O’Sullivan said nine new positions were created with two teachers on special assignment at the elementary level in both math and English. In addition, new courses were made available to students within various buildings. The district analyzed what specific areas the money would best benefit, and with the approval from the state board the new implementations were put into place. Ensuring children are eating a healthy, nutritious breakfast and lunch is one way the Norwich school district is aiding the fight against childhood obesity. Food Service Director Jackie Jenks said throughout the past year the district has been taking an aggressive approach to ensure children are receiving healthy breakfast and lunch choices. “These might be the only time some of these children eat all day,” she said. The biggest endeavor on the table for both the school administration and faculty and staff currently is the $35 million building project. With an expected date of completion less than a year away, the project has quickly changed the landscape at Norwich schools. At the high school, the football field was given a brand new turf surface and new playground facilities were put in at both elementary schools. Transformations are also underway now at the middle school. It is expected that by the time students return to the school next fall, the sixth graders will be joining seventh and eighth graders and by December the district offices will also occupy the additional space in the middle school building. “A lot of work that has been completed have been things people cannot see,” said O’Sullivan, “A lot of infrastructure work has been done.” WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Mang Insurance Agency Norwich, N.Y. 13815 (607) 334-4444 Mang Insurance Agency Sherburne, N.Y. 13460 (607) 674-2585 You See Us At The Same Schools, Events, Churches And Stores You Go To. We Can’t Let You Down And We Won’t Let You Down. That’s Why At The Mang Insurance Agency, We Know How To Give Your Families The Type Of Protection You Need At Prices You Can Afford. Mang Insurance Agency Greene, N.Y. 13778 (607) 656-9710 Mang Insurance Agency Hamilton, N.Y. 13346 (315) 824-3210 Mang Insurance Agency Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326 (607) 547-2575 Mang Insurance Agency New Berlin, N.Y. (607) 847-6121 Mang Insurance Agency Vestal, N.Y. 13851 (607) 729-6243 Mang Insurance Agency Oneonta, N.Y. 13820 (607) 432-4000 BUSINESS SECURITY • Solid Financial Planning • High Quality Products & Services • Full Range of Commercial Products: Fire, Workers’ Compensation, Liability • Workplace Marketing Programs, including payroll deduction options for all lines of coverages. You can count on the commercial experts at Mang to structure an insurance portfolio to meet your business needs. PERSONAL PROTECTION Mang Insurance Agency (Home Office) Sidney, N.Y. 13838 (607) 561-2600 Mang Insurance Agency Delhi, N.Y. (607) 746-2381 • Coverage for Home, Vehicles & Other Valuables • Protection for Assets: Your Present & Future Financial Worth & Earning Ability Mang Insurance Agency Camillus, N.Y. (315) 468-0714 FINANCIAL SERVICES Mang Insurance Agency Raleigh, N.C. (919) 848-7770 • Financial Packages to Suit Businesses & Individuals • Life Insurance • Health Insurance • Mutual Funds • Profit Sharing & More. Let our financial Specialists help you choose the best coverages to protect and secure your future. www.manginsurance.com email: [email protected] PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN 55 PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 IN THEIR OW N WORDS Success Stories White House Cabinet Shop LLC 2007 was a year of continued growth for White House Cabinet Shop LLC. The White House Cabinet Shop LLC produces Kitchen Cabinets, Office Furniture, Entertainment Centers and other furnishings for the home and/or office. The production facility and showroom are located on 11 Knapp Street in the heart of Sherburne. The majority of its clients are located in Chenango County but their market extends to Binghamton and Syracuse. White House has shipped products to Ohio, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and California. Examples of their work can be seen in the showroom. You can also get in touch with them by e-mail. They offer artful design and expert workmanship. Most of their products are made of oak, maple and cherry that they purchase locally. They use state of the art hardware and finishing materials. White House’s specially designed furnishings fill needs not met by mass-produced products. Through creative use of space, they solve storage problems and simplify traffic flow. As custom builders they pay careful attention to both form and function, working to meet the needs of the customer while maintaining scale and proportion. Each piece is designed to harmonize with its environment. White House chooses quality wood, looking for continuity of color and grain. With a combination of traditional methods of joinery and modern finishing techniques, they produce unique woodwork with lasting beauty and a balanced appearance. Whether the project is a small bedside table or a large kitchen, White House uses the same care in design, material selection, construction, and finishing. The cabinetmakers completed a number of built-in projects this year, including new kitchens and renovations, custom countertops, custom staircases, home and commercial offices and built-in entertainment centers. One-of-a-kind furniture built in 2007 included tables, stands, display cases, and corner cabinets. White House Cabinet Shop LLC also offers both residential and light commercial custom construction services. They have over twenty-five years of experience in construction. In 2007 major construction projects included historic renovations, office remodels, new additions, garages, porches, decks and major residential remodeling. White House Cabinet Shop had a busy year and is currently scheduling work for the spring and summer. If they can help you with your project, call them at 607-674-9358. You can also reach them by e-mail at [email protected]. Mike’s Furniture Repair Mike’s Furniture Repair, a well-known specialist in recliner repair and the repair of all types of furniture including antiques, is doing a fine job in Norwich and the surrounding area. Mike started in the furniture business in 1967 at a wellknown local furniture store. He did repairs and deliveries for many years. Enjoying this type of work and receiving requests from family and friends to refinish, repair and upholster, encouraged Mike to break out on his own. Customized upholstery is a main feature in Mike’s business and he will come to your home or business with fabric choices and suggestions to turn your furniture into new. “Sales and service of Electric Lift Chairs continues to be a large part of the business,” says Mike. For all your furniture repair needs call Mike at 607-3348460. Volunteering is the lifeblood of Hospice BY JUDIE WRIGHT Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County V olunteers are the lifeblood of many organizations. Their price is always right, and without them, things that should be done don’t get done. And in the case of Hospice Volunteers, they ask for very little – perhaps a pat on the back from time to time – but their true motivation comes deep from within their hearts. They repeatedly tell me that the simple fact that they’ve lightened the load of a fellow human being is reward enough. Our volunteers are an integral part of our non-profit agency. Not only are they essential for patient and family companionship, but they’re mandated by Medicare and the New York State Department of Health. In order to keep our operating license, volunteer hours must equal at least 5 percent of our total staff hours. And indeed they are important players in our interdisciplinary team of caregivers. Hospice volunteers follow one of several paths. The patient and family volunteers have to take a comprehensive 27-hour training course that teaches the principles of hospice and the approach we take to death and dying. After graduation and meeting our health requirement, they wait for a call from me giving them their first assignment. My role is matchmaker: the link between a patient and family, and our Hospice volunteers. After an appointment is made, that volunteer finds him/herself driving to a virtual stranger’s house. However, they don’t stay strangers for long. Ron Compeau, one of our dedicated male volunteers, recently shared his feelings about volunteering with me. Compeau admitted that he sometimes feels anxious on that fateful first drive, but he says that it takes only a few minutes at the home to realize he’s glad he went. “A few awkward moments are a very small price to pay for what you get back,” he says. What he values most is that unlike one’s workplace, “nothing I do for a Hospice patient or family is tied to dollars for service or hours spent. Being a Hospice volunteer is about the freedom to help others, and in turn help yourself.” And he guarantees others that “nothing you’ve done prior, will be as appreciated, as just being there with the patient and their loved ones and allowing them to feel your moral support.” There are two other types of volunteers needed at Hospice – administrative and fundraising. The administrative volunteers come in, sometimes on a regular basis, sometimes in a pinch, and help us with general office work – answering phones, copying forms, or in the case Judie Wright of one dependable volunteer, Mary Heath of Norwich, shredding sensitive documents. Mary’s done this job for years. It’s her baby and she takes it seriously. We love having administrative volunteers in the office. They change the complexion of our day to day lives. Fundraising volunteers including our crafters who make gifts which are sold under the name of “Hospice Homemade,” do anything from sell geraniums to decorating our memorial “Light up a Life” tree. They bake, they stuff envelopes, they deliver order packets all around the county. Whatever they do, they do with a smile on their face, and we love them. We love every type of volunteer. I’ve worked in the corporate world at Procter & Gamble for 23 years, and I currently own my own business called “Consulting wRight,” an employee development training company. But I can honestly say that as Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice, I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had. They’re going to have to kick me out of here. I enjoy my volunteers so much, and I enjoy nurturing a new group during the training sessions. They just seem to blossom before my eyes. They come in as caring people, if a little scared, and they leave ready to serve, in one of the toughest times of of a person’s life – the end. It’s a magical thing when I match a family with just the right volunteer. There’s nothing like it, just like Ron Compeau said. I’m currently training six special people, three of them men. While only about 3 percent of my total volunteers are men, they are a very requested group. Male patients often feel more comfortable confiding in another man. They tend to have more in common like work, hobbies, or sports. I want to encourage anyone with a kind heart to explore the idea of giving some time to Hospice, whether it is in a patient’s home, in our office, or in the park selling flowers. If you’d like more information about my spring volunteer training class, or want to help out in another way, please call me at my office at 334-3556. I’m not a betting woman, but if I were, I bet you’ll be glad you did. Your Norwich YMCA 145 Years Serving Your Community Look At Us Now! From Youth to Senior... We have a program for You! Fitness Cycling and Spin, Strengthen, Stretch, Power-Toning, Strength Training and “Start Strong” W.O.W. - Women on Weights Aquatics Step-Up Cardio-Knockout Butts and Guts Line Dancing/ Line Dancing for Seniors Outreach Fitness Adult Strength Training Youth Strength Training Personal Training Cardio-Combo Old School Step Cardio-Surprise Cardio-Strength Toning Blast Boot Camp Yoga Pilates Yogaball H.A.T. Swim Lessons Swim Team Family Swim Adult Open Swim Youth Open Swim Water Arthritis Water Fitness Lifeguarding Pool Rental Greene Pool Sports Baseball Basketball T-Ball Developmental Child Care Nursery School and Preschool After School Program Fun Club Kids Club Kids Gym Family Nights After School Programs • Bainbridge • Oxford • Unadilla Valley Early Morning Program Child Watch Day Camp Youth Chenango County Vipers AAU Travel Pee Wee High School Leagues Women’s Corporate 35 and Over Noontime Football PeeWee Flag Flag Pickleball Pickleball 1973 Burrell’s Parking Lot Service founded by Douglas Burrell 1982 Business purchased by David Burrell & renamed Burrell’s Excavating 1990 Burrell’s Excavating, Inc. 1997 KMC Sand & Gravel created Burrell’s Excavating, Inc. & KMC Sand & Gravel are proud to be part of the business community for the past 35 years! Special Thanks to all our customers. Racquetball Adult League Soccer Indoor Pee Wee Indoor Pee Wee Outdoor SEE ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU AT: www.norwichymca.com Norwich Family YMCA 68-70 North Broad Street Norwich, New York 13815 607-336-9622 (Telephone) BURRELL’S EXCAVATING, Inc. 6146 COUNTY RD. 32, NORWICH, NY 607-336-6236 K M C II SAND & GRAVEL 56 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun CENTRAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING High-tech service with a personal touch BY MARTHA RYAN Correspondent W hen you enter Central Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) in Norwich you are immediately struck by how different it is from any other medical facility you have ever been in. The locally crafted shakerstyle furniture, laminate oak floors, vibrant colonial paint colors and decorations of antique toys, farm implements and artisan’s work all create a distinctly homey ambience. And yet, what transpires at CDI is anything but “down-home.” CDI is an independent state-of- the-art medical imaging center offering the full array of radiology services from x-ray to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was founded in 1985 by radiologist Lawrence Rosenblum who believed that living in a rural environment need not necessitate having less than state-of-the-art medical imaging. Rosenblum had moved from an urban academic practice to Norwich two years earlier seeking a practice setting which allowed personal contact with patients and physicians and which offered the benefits of a rural lifestyle including the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives and the well being of the community. CDI is the embodiment of Dr.Rosenblum’s belief and aspirations. Dr. Rosenblum first focused on introducing computed tomography (CT) services to the Chenango Valley. For ten years, CDI operated as a mobile CT service for three area hospitals until each was able to acquire its own CT. Next, in1995, Rosenblum transformed CDI into a free standing independent imaging center which housed the area’s first state-of-theart, patient-friendly “wide body” MRI and bone densitometry services. In 1998, CDI was reconfigured into a multimodality imaging center, adding x-ray and fluoroscopy, mammography, and two additional regional firsts – imaging-guided breast biopsy and 3-D color Doppler ultrasound. Between 1999 and 2005 CDI established a full vascular laboratory with the addition of plethysmography so that patients would no longer have to travel to Syracuse and other cities for these services; acquired a spiral CT, the first in the area capable of doing 3-D volume rendering and virtual colonoscopy; replaced its mid-field MR with a more robust high-field MR; initiated the use of “Mammopads” for greater comfort and better images during mammography; acquired 4-D ultrasound, the only one in the region, to enable enhanced obstetric, gynecologic and musculoskeletal imaging; and, added a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for mammography to enhance accuracy. Despite the challenging healthcare environment, Rosenblum states that CDI remains focused on providing state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging with a personalized approach. At CDI, the year 2007 was one of investing in improved technology. In June, CDI undertook major upgrades to its CT and MRI services. It acquired a new state-of-the-art 16 slice GE Brightspeed helical CT scanner whose advantages include ultra high resolution images and ultra high speed examinations, decreased radiation dose, decreased requirements for the volume of contrast required per examination, and a new full array of software packages which allow such advanced imaging as CT angiography, virtual endoscopy and dental planning. On the heels of the installation of its new CT, CDI upgraded its already high resolution GE 1.5 Tesla high field MR scanner to a state- of-the-art GE HD (high definition) Excite 8 Channel Technology. According to Rosenblum, this new configuration offers improved image quality; a 30% average decrease in the time of each examination which is a major improvement in terms of patient comfort and image quality; expanded imaging capabilities including MR angiography; software packages to significantly reduce patient motion; fast scanning of the liver allowing the entire liver to be scanned with a single breath hold reducing motion artifacts and improving diagnostic confidence; and, the most advanced breast MRI technology available. “We now have the most advanced MRI in the Southern Tier. Unlike other breast MRI’s in the region, our advanced breast MRI technology allows evaluation of both breasts within 30 minutes. Breast MRI is now accepted as a routine imaging modality for the screening of high risk patients. It is also valuable in following patients after breast cancer treatment and in clarifying areas of uncertainty identified on mammogram or sonograms”, Rosenblum stated. CDI ended the year by replacing its densitometry and ultrasound units with the latest versions of these machines with the added benefit of improved capability and applications. Beyond the investment in state-of-the-art equipment and the exquisite facility, there is something at CDI that remains absolutely unique. “CDI is like a high tech Mom and Pop shop” says Dr. Leslie Dopkeen, Director of Operations and Dr. Rosenblum’s wife. “The technology is eyepopping but that is only part of what distinguishes us. At CDI care is personalized and delivered with professionalism, friendliness and respect. When the “8:30 abdomen” walks through the door the entire staff knows and acts on the basis that that abdomen is a person with time-constraints and needs, who is likely to be in pain or discomfort and anxious. I think this approach to patient care is a good part what makes CDI successful” stated Dopkeen. Throughout CDI’s history, partners Dr. Rosenblum and Dr. Janet Martin have emphasized the importance of respect to patients and prompt, courteous and professional service to referring physicians and practitioners. Rosenblum commented about CDI’s many expansions and growth, “As we continue to grow and add sophisticated technology at CDI, we must never forget that the welfare of our patients is our primary focus. This is who we are and what we do. We are at home in Chenango County, making a difference where it counts most.” Success Stories Community Memorial Hospital The HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award™, which was presented to Community Memorial last fall, is the result of collected data that tells a real story of cooperation and accomplishment. Every department in the hospital constantly strives for better outcomes and is willing to do more than its share in the effort to provide quality healthcare – from orthopedics to diagnostic testing -close to home. In addition to the award, Community Memorial earned five star ratings for joint replacement, total knee replacement and total hip replacement and was rated the number two hospital in all of New York State (and among the top five percent nationwide) for joint replacement. The award is based on results of the tenth annual HealthGrades (the nation’s leading healthcare rating company) Hospital Quality in America Study in which patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation’s 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 were analyzed. National awards and five star ratings don’t just happen. They require talent and dedication and a willingness to work together and the unifying commitment that the patient comes first. The effort begins long before a patient goes near an operating room. Let’s say someone visits a family practice physician with a complaint about a sore knee. The physician feels there may be a problem and makes a referral to a colleague at Hamilton Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine. Community Memorial Hospital is fully equipped to provide any diagnostic testing, from x-ray to CT scans to MRI, needed to determine a course of action. If the patient requires surgery, he or she will need a physical from the primary care physician. An EKG is typically ordered and the cardiopulmonary department can conduct this test (plus a stress test and Echo test, if needed). Blood work is also ordered and the screening and typing can be done at the hospital laboratory. A pre-operative interview is scheduled. Several days before surgery, a patient meets at the hospital with a nurse who gathers information and is willing to answer just as many questions as she asks. Much of the data needed for admission is completed at this time as well. In addition to being an important safeguard, the pre-operative meeting usually reduces the anxiety level. The morning of the surgery the patient quickly checks in with admitting and is then directed to Ambulatory Surgery to be prepped. It can be a busy time. Nurses take vital signs, ask what procedure is being done and for a patient’s name and date of birth (more safeguards). An OR nurse will visit as will the anesthesiologist, the surgeon and probably a physician assistant. The circulating nurse, who works closely with infection control and the pharmacy, will start antibiotics shortly before the trip to the OR. The sedation is working once the gurney rolls and soon after passing through the double doors of the operating room most patients are asleep. Purchasing and Central Supplies have already ensured everything the surgical team will need is on hand and sterilized. Once surgery is completed, patients are moved to the recovery room where they are closely attended by several nurses as they emerge from the anesthesia. Once a patient is alert and ready, he or she is moved either across the hall to the Special Care Unit or to the medical/surgical floor. Nurses monitor vital signs constantly, physicians will visit, cardiopulmonary personnel make an assessment and begin deep breathing exercises. Someone from dietary stops by to discuss menus, housekeeping, the first line of defense against infection, is present. Behind the scenes, maintenance keeps a constant vigil to make sure the many pieces of a complicated infrastructure are in good working condition. The pharmacy works with the physicians to monitor medications and a hospitalist is available for consults. The lab performs daily blood draws, radiology is available as needed and physical therapy gets patients up and moving – a real key to a successful recovery. A day or two following surgery social services begins creating a discharge plan, organizing continuing physical therapy, lab work, durable medical equipment, even in- patient rehab. Infection control works to ensure patients are free from hospital acquired infections and also monitors the health and well being of the staff. Inservice education makes sure staff is up to date on the latest procedures and Quality Assurance oversees all aspects of care in the hospital. In the administration building, medical records puts a patient’s chart in chronological order, makes sure every detail of treatment is properly coded and meets regulations. The business office makes sure insurance companies are being accurately billed. Utilization Review provides the insurance company with concurrent review to monitor a patient’s progress so that the hospital can receive proper payment. Finally, when a patient is discharged chances are a Hospital Auxiliary member is on hand to extend wishes for a speedy recovery. Community Memorial Hospital has a reputation for clinical excellence because the people who work here are dedicated to providing quality healthcare close to home. In every department and every day the people of Community Memorial care for our patients. Remember When Cafe’ , Antiques & Guest House 34 North Main Street, New Berlin, NY 13411 • 607-847-9799 (last seating) Large Haddock Fillets sautéed in garlic, butter and lemon or breaded and pan-fried (Old Bay Seasoned). Served with salt encrusted baked potatoes w/butter and sour cream and our homemade coleslaw. rroundings Relax in our unique su add a cup of Clam Chowder or Potato Soup for $3 more Per Person All served with warm bread & honey butter To our valued customers... Closing for winter effective Wed., Jan. 30th, re-opening Wed., Apr. 2nd with our NEW MENU Guestrooms will still be available Enjoy our warm and cozy fireplace Thank You so much for your patronage, kind comments and good wishes! The Enstrom Family Take Out Available Serving Beer & Wine PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 57 Have you checked out New Berlin’s hometown weekly lately? THE GAZETTE As A Welcome Gift To You For Becoming A Gazette Subscriber, We Are Offering You A Free Large Cheese Pizza From One Of Your Favorite Pizzerias In The Area! YES! In County-$19.75 I WANT A YEAR OF THE PAPER AND A PIZZA! Out of County Mail-$35.35 We want to welcome you to the Gazette and want you as a subscriber. As a thank you gift for subscribing for 1 year, we will send you a certificate good for 1 large cheese pizza at your choice of 1 of 3 pizzerias: New York Pizzeria in New Berlin, Spike’s Pizza in Edmeston or West Burlington Pizzeria. Enjoy the new Gazette with all its new exciting features and old ones too. Name: Address: You can still pick-up your weekly copy of the Gazette at one of these fine distributors! City: Phone Mastercard or Visa (circle one) Expiration Account # Signature Send Payment to: The Gazette • P.O. 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Circulars Unlimited • 18-20 Mechanic St. • Norwich, New York 13815 • 607-334-9663 • www.circulars.com 58 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun CHENANGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Turning the (hospital) corner BY MICHAEL MCGUIRE The Evening Sun D espite lower-thanexpected returns and a struggling economic climate for upstate New York hospitals, Chenango Memorial Hospital has gained industry recognition and is turning the corner in several key areas, says President and CEO Drake Lamen. The hospital was in the black by $400,000 – only half its goal – of a $40 million budget. But on its overall level of service, based on 1,500 industry standards, the hospital received a rating of “excellent” in a recent audit conducted by a private accrediting agency working for Medicare and Medicaid. Technology is arguably where CMH improved the most. According to Lamen, it upgraded a number of services and invested in a host of new equipment that has not only cut time and costs, but improved the overall level of care the hospital can provide. For the staff in the radiology department, a switch from film to digital X-ray imaging in just under a year has been “huge.” “Immediately, it has saved time by 30 to 40 percent,” says Radiologist Dr. Ronald Prijic. “Now we can just click on an image and see it instantly.” “It’s the best thing we ever did,” added CT Supervisor Marcus Doller. Aside from increasing the number of images and diagnoses he can see and make in a day, Prijic says the system also allows his department to view and share any number of X-rays with other institutions in real-time over a computerized network. “Our efficiency has markedly increased – it’s easier for everyone,” Prijic said. “It’s a different world.” The hospital also equipped itself with a new picture archive communications system (allowing it to view and send images of tissue samples to other United Health Services hospitals), a new bone density measurement machine to detect osteoporosis, remote cardiac monitoring systems in the intensive care unit, two new computed tomography (CT) scanners, and computerized medication cabinets in its now 24-hour on-call pharmacy. “Our staff deserves a lot of credit,” said Lamen. “It’s one thing to get new equipment, it’s another to learn how to use it quickly and effectively. They did a great job getting a handle on all these changes.” Administratively, CMH also implemented electronic office scheduling and medical records software. The hospital also added 24hour security personnel and video monitoring systems as a precautionary measure. “As a society, there are greater instances of security threats and we have a heightened sense of awareness; much more than there used to be,” Lamen said. “We felt it was important to do this because things can happen, even in a small community like this.” Because CMH does serve a small community, Lamen Among several new doctors hired, Chenango Memorial Hospital just recently added a new dentist to the staff. The hospital has also made substantial technological upgrades over the past year, including going from print to digital imaging. Chenango Memorial Hospital recently added several new physicians, including an Emergency Room doctor. The hospital has also made substantial technological upgrades over the past year, including going from print to digital imaging. said it’s often difficult to bring in specialty doctors and surgeons to fill open positions. “Once we get them here, so they can see what we’re about, we do pretty well,” he said. To get more candidates here, the hospital hired a fulltime recruiter. As a result, last year was one of the best in terms of landing highly skilled talent. In all, eight new doctors are on board, with specialties ranging from internal medicine to dentistry. Four more general practitioners are also expected to be hired in 2008, along with an ear, nose and throat doctor – a position the hospital has needed to fill for several years, the president said. To alleviate the problem, part of the hospital’s 2008 focus will involve training management how to communicate better with lower-level employees. This year is also scheduled to bring much-needed renovations and be the start of a much-anticipated expansion. Third-floor nursing stations are set to be reconfigured to provide more work space, and initial plans are being developed to add an MRI and imaging center off of the west side of the building. “That’s still in the early planning stages,” said Lamen. The hospital, which already has several offices and care centers throughout the county, hopes to expand “We’re really excited to have those services back,” Lamen said. Norwich native Dr. Tom “Mike” Cruz is one of the recent hires. He has returned to the area to work at CMH as an emergency room doctor. He didn’t mention the weather, but new inpatient physician Dr. Henry Cook, formerly of South Carolina, is so far happy he relocated here from the Myrtle Beach area last month. “Everyone from top to bottom has been so nice,” Cook said. “From a occupational standpoint, I’m not sure I’ve experienced anything like it.” Aside from highly-skilled positions, Lamen admits that overall employee turnover has been a challenge of late. Are you ready? We are. Although you may be satisfied in your current job, now is the perfect time to venture out and test the marketplace. The demand for talent is at an all-time high, and Manpower is ready to help you take advantage of today’s environment. Our placement consultants will do all the legwork for you. We’ll talk with prospective employers and focus our efforts on finding the right opportunity just for you. Are you ready? Give us a call today or go to us.manpower.com/newjob manpower.ca/newjob Liz Bunce Permanent Placement Consultant Manpower 24 Conkey Ave., Norwich, NY 13815 [email protected] 607-336-7106 www.us.manpower.com its reach in the coming months. As for an overall mission in 2008, Lamen says the patient is still the number one priority. “It’s as simple as communication – listening and speaking,” he said. “It’s about finding ways to standardize in all our staff consistent methods of interaction with patients that is helpful. It’s the belief that that is something valuable to our patients – it’s called patientcentered care. If we increase the value of our care, we increase their confidence in us, their loyalty and our business.” 60 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun CHENANGO COUNTY GOVERNMENT Success Stories State of affairs – CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59 there is today,” the Republican said. The year 2007 will also be remembered for the Spitzer initiative that would consolidate local governments, including the specific call for a merger between the City of Norwich and the Town of Norwich. Decker said he has always been one of the first supervisors to talk about sharing services between municipalities. He said highway, fire and other departments have been working with each other along. “This isn’t a new concept,” he said. “What people miss it that organizations in the state are coming down to the local level to try and tell us what’s the best for us. The state doesn’t realize that we are willing to take care of our own issues. ... They should spend more time controlling state and federal issues over which Chenango County has zero control.” As some have otherwise suggested, Chairman Decker doesn’t believe that consolidating the county’s 21 municipalities into three or four entities would mean less government. “I have two reasons why that won’t work: Washington and Albany,” he said. “We would have three or four big governments in the county instead of 21 small ones.” Perhaps the two biggest headaches for the county in 2007 were not offering potential businesses an operational railroad to distribute goods and the costly Help America Vote Act. The latter, accord- ing to Decker, threatens to “further eat away at our local tax base.” County lawmakers and economic development entities, such as Commerce Chenango and the Industrial Development Agency, held numerous meetings in 2007 with NYS&W executives. The Cooperstown-based railroad began abandonment procedures of its right-ofway between Chenango Forks and Sherburne, and shut down that portion after the tracks were damaged by the record-breaking flood of 2006. Discretionary funds under the direction of Chenango County’s Planning & Economic Development Committee were granted in late 2007 for a consultant’s study of the railroad. Three options could develop this year: The county would take ownership of the tracks via the IDA, develop a rails-to-trails system, or create a scenic railroad linking Chenango County to northern destination sites such as Old Forge. It’s “just a sad, sad state,” Decker said, referring to New York state’s refusal to select a handicapped accessible voting machine as required by the HAVA act of 2005. “We haven’t even come close to even identifying or settling on a machine yet,” he said. Nonetheless, according to HAVA, the county has been forced to take-over expensive elections operations from individual towns. Decker worries that a federal lawsuit forcing New York to comply could result in the forfeiture of funds set aside for the county to purchase the new machines once they are licensed. This year’s top agenda item was the same as last year’s: To reform the county’s Office of Real Property Taxes. The topic didn’t get to be addressed last year, though a presentation from officials of the New York State Board of Real Property Services was helpful, Decker said. Decker’s first charge to the Finance Committee this year was to look into the status and use of the county’s office and make it a more viable source for town assessors. “One thing you always shoot for is some basis of an equal equalization rate across the county. I believe it can be done through the office by working with local assessors ... There is a real communication problem between the county office and town assessors. We want to be able to provide them with more direction,” he said. Another project on the docket is the demolition of the jail cells in the former century old county jail for what will eventually become the county’s West Park Place office complex. Decker said he wants the demolition to occur no later than the spring despite an existing communications wire that connects 911 Emergency dispatch services from the former Sheriff’s Office to the new Public Safety Facility south of the city. The architects and members of the Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds committee have postponed the first part of the building project until the county’s new communications towers and antennas are erected. “Life goes on,” Decker said. “We must move ahead. I’d like to take the chance and cut that wire today. If there’s a problem, we’ll fix it.” After the cells’ demolition, the remaining two buildings’ exteriors are scheduled to be refurbished this year, with the interiors to follow in the fourth quarter and into 2009. Department of Social Services Commissioner Bette Osborne is the county’s point person on the musical offices project, as many of DSS’ divisions will take up new residence at West Park. “We have not just one move. There are many smaller moves to get set up in the agency downstairs before we move some divisions over,” Osborne said. “There are may processes that we do up and down that will all have to transition downstairs.” Other department moves will follow like dominoes, with the entire court system and possibly the law library moving to the third floor of the County Office Building. Mental Health will move to Chairman Decker’s suite of offices on the second floor, and Decker and the county board room will relocate to DSS’ second floor and new office complex, respectfully. Decker remains optimistic for the new year. He said he become upset with the negative characterization in the media and from Albany about the failing upstate New York economy. “We need to keep ShapeUp Central being optimistic and do all we can through economic development to promote, follow up leads and showcase our offerings. I’m very optimistic that things are going to work out.” Osborne echoed the sentiments of other department heads when she said she likes her relationship with Decker and the county’s committee structure. Even though she said it can be “frustrating at times,” she said she understood “the value of it.” “Overall, Mr. Decker is very hands off. He hires someone who is competent and is going to let them run their program. I appreciate that he doesn’t micro-manage. I can call him or my committee chairperson when I need advice.” “But then he’s been the chairman for the five and half years I’ve been commissioner. So, I don’t know any different,” she said. This year, Osborne has set a goal to attract new staff who will remain on the job longer. DSS plans to offer more training to help employees become more efficient. For clients, the intake process should appear seamless in 2008. Unnecessary steps and the number of people to consult with will be diminished. “It’s oftentimes hard to transition to another worker. We are looking at a more seamless operation for the client, even though for us it may not be.” The goal in creating ShapeUp Central was to provide a place where women could get fit and have fun at the same time. Our state-of-the-art hydraulic resistance equipment adapts to the strength level of the user; the stronger and faster you push, the more resistance you will create. It is also fully adjustable by the staff to provide you with the variation your muscles need to continue to tone. The new Universal Gym and Weight Bench affords members a little more variety with the ability to choose the weight level (up to 150 lbs) you want to achieve. ShapeUp Central recommends your exercise routine consist of three days a week weight resistance. For example, Monday, Wednesday & Friday – full circuit, and Universal Gym; Weights – Tuesday and Thursday; and Saturday – Cardio (treadmill and Elliptical). Hope to see you soon. ShapeUp Central’s 24hour access allows you to work your fitness routine around your life. Come check ShapeUp Central out with a 3-day guest pass. “Your Hometown Fitness Center... Devoted To The Total Woman.” Your Facility when you join... ShapeUp Central is located at 24 South Main Street (PO Box 701), New Berlin, NY 13411. Phone: 607-847-6202. Fax: 607847-6212. Email: [email protected]. Melissa Ann Kocak, Licensed Esthetician Overview of Services: Facials: European, Express, Anti-Aging, Back Facial and Eye Repair Treatment. Specialty Treatments Include: Seaweed Body Wrap, Mud Wrap, Anti-Stress Body Treatment and Exfoliating Body Treatment • Spa Packages are Available • Gift Certificates Available for all occasions • We Offer a Full Range of Waxing Services Call For Details. The Eaton Center • 26 Conkey Ave. • 3rd Floor, Box 108 • Norwich, NY 13815 Phone: 607-244-9813 • [email protected] Love to read? Looking for a great book? WE OFFER READERS A VAST SELECTION OF BOOKS. For all your financial needs. 54 E. Main Street Norwich, NY 13815 607-334-6461 Checking Savings Auto Loans Personal Loans IRAs Mortgages Home Equity Lines of Credit Home Equity Loans Financial Planning Term Share Certificates of Deposit From children’s to adult, we have them all. Stop in today and let us help you select or special order the perfect book for you! BOOK STORE 13 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815 • 334-6293 Lisa Mody, owner/operator Hours: M, T, W & F- 10 am-5:30 pm; Thurs. 10 am-8 pm; Sat. 10 am-5 pm Web site: www.norwichbooks.com PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 61 M & T BA N K Success Stories The name has changed, but the commitment to customers remains the same Empire Wireless Raub J. Smith moved to Chenango County in 1972. At that time he and his brothers bought a dairy farm. In 1980 Raub’s interest in satellite radio communications led him into the c-band (or large dish) satellite television business. As technology in this field progressed, so did Raub’s business, Empire Wireless, LLC. Another year has passed and Raub J. Smith & Sons continue to excel as a leading Independent Retailer of Dish Network Satellite Systems in the surrounding counties. Empire Wireless, LLC continues to be a member of the Better Business Bureau. Raub’s hometown business continues to provide customers with fast, dependable service, seven days a week. Empire Wireless, LLC continues to stay abreast of technological advances and offers to our community a wide array of services. In addition to Satellite TV, Raub is pleased to continue to offer Wild Blue and Hughes Net high speed internet, satellite radio, as well as, very competitive Dish Network programming packages. Throughout 2007, Raub’s business has continued to grow with his new storefront that was opened up on August 1st 2005 to better serve our community. The office is located at 3 West State St. in Sherburne. In his store he offers a variety of products which includes XM satellite radio. Thank you for being such a support of this locally owned, family-operated Satellite TV business for the past 25 years. L.L.C. NYS CERTIFIED WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE BY JESSICA LEWIS The Evening Sun W ith a new name and a new look, M&T Bank (formerly Partners Trust) may look a little different, but one thing that hasn’t changed is a devotion to customer service that goes above and beyond the call of duty. With one part-time and six full-time employees, the majority of whom have been with the bank for at least eight years, the staff at M&T pride themselves on a friendly atmosphere and a willingness to help the customer. According to Bank Manager Terri Slater, the staff has to be credited for how well they treat their clients. “How well you treat your customers is really the only thing that differentiates a bank,” she said. “We have a long-term staff of local people here. Customer service is huge.” Assistant Manager Kimberly Walker is quick to agree. “We do everything to try to keep up with the hometown bank. We try to offer more of a personal touch.” One of the ways M&T strives to serve customers is by making itself accessible. By merging the previous bank with the new one, the bank went from 33 branches to 750, but even more than that, Slater explained that if a person is not able to come into the bank to fill out a loan application and doesn’t wish to exchange the information over the phone, the bank will send a representative to a customer’s home. Slater said the merger has ets G l l a C e “On t Done!” I caused only a few changes so far. “Banking is banking,” she said. “There have been some little changes, but we’re working out the issues, and it’s business as usual with a wider variety of products and services.” With 750 banking locations and $57 billion in assets, as of Dec. 31, 2006, M&T is one of the 20 largest commercial bank holding companies in the U.S. According to Slater and Walker, that means it is able to offer a lot more products and services to its customers, especially in the business development lending area. “We had more (business development) applications in December than we did all year,” Slater said. “Business development is going to be one of the highlights for 2008,” Walker explained. According to Walker, 2007 was a record year for the former Partners Trust location. “We hit every target we set on the consumer L L C EXCAVATING and and business side,” she said. Other focus areas for 2008 will include Small Business Association (SBA) loans. Since merging, the Norwich bank is now able to offer express lending, a process which reduces the approval time from six weeks to one. “Because of the size of M&T Bank, we’re able to do more things like that,” Slater said. In addition, Slater said that being “part of a larger network gives the bank increased options for lending. We’re able to do a lot more and we’re not restricted as much.” The change also allowed M&T to offer a full investment service department, something that was lost when the bank became Partners Trust. The entire desk staff is working to become certified as investment specialists. Slater explained that by merging with M&T, the bank will be cutting down on competition, including some that it was unaware it even had. Slater explained that M&T Bank Mortgage Consultant Betty Coutlee had been working to secure mortgage loans for area residents for years, and that 30 percent of her business took place in the Norwich area. Slater explained that gaining a partner with so much experience is an asset to the bank, since Coutlee will be referring new checking and savings accounts to the bank. “Our goal is to partner with the different divisions. We’re going to see a lot of joint efforts,” Slater said. Following the close of one record setting year, staff at the new M&T bank location hopes to continue the success. “We’re hoping to see another record year,” Slater said. “M&T brings us a lot of strength and stability.” Slater explained that in the short time since Partners Trust switched over to M&T, the bank has already begun to see new people. “The name itself is helping. It’s a bank that people are familiar with,” Slater said. Attracting new customers is always an issue, especially in an area where few new people are arriving. However, Slater and Walker explained that during the merger the bank had actually seen some growth, which they say is very hard to do. “Anytime you have growth during a merger, that’s definitely a good sign,” Slater said. Initial changes, including a change in the chain of command and different avenues for finding answers proved somewhat difficult for bank employees at first, but Walker said, “We’ve gotten over the hurdles, and we’re seeing fewer and fewer negative comments.” Slater said she is excited about the increased choices she is now able to offer to M&T Bank customers. “We’re here to help. We’re here for the customers, to help them with whatever financial transactions they need. We want the opportunity to meet people and talk to them about what those needs are,” Slater said. She explained that the bank’s motto says it all. “The best place our employees will ever work, the best bank our customers will ever do business with and the best investment our shareholders will ever make.” M&T Bank is located in Norwich’s North Plaza. For more information call the bank at 334-5802. WANT A SAMPLE OF OUR WORK? CONTRACTING SERVICES OFFERED •Asphalt Paving & Resurfacing •Asphalt Maintenace •Asphalt Seal Coating & Striping •Complete Building Site Preparation •Building Maintenance •Poured Concerte (Walks, Walls, Drives, Etc.) •Water & Sewer Replacement •Complete Septic Systems •Snow Plowing & Removal •Block Retaining Walls •Excavation •Lawn Restoration •Hydro Seeding •Lawn Maintenance •Wooded Fences •Topsoil, Sand & Gravel 24-Hour Emergency Service •NEW HOME SITE WORK •PARKING LOT PAVING •BUILDING DEMOLITION 607-336-PAVE • 607-343-0446 (7283) e-mail [email protected] YOU’RE HOLDING IT! Nathanael Greene’s Publick House Family Restaurant & Pub “Where Good Friends Meet” • Serving Lunch & Dinner • Daily Specials • Large variety of bottle beer • Try our Famous “Fried Pickles” • Home of the 8 oz. Burger • Homemade Soups Not only do we print The Evening Sun each weekday, we also printed all 10 sections of this year’s “Progress Chenango”. In a very short time, the 25 full and part-time employees of Sun Printing, Inc. have helped us to become one of the largest newsprint printers and paper assemblers in Central New York. We print the papers, put in the inserts, and provide our customers with the best product we possibly can. If you are holding a copy of Progress Chenango, The Evening Sun, Wharton Valley Pennysaver, Norwich Pennysaver, Sidney Pennysaver, Gazette, Oneonta/Cooperstown Pennysaver, Turnpike Pennysaver, Schoharie County Edition of My Shopper, Mohawk Valley Edition of My Shopper, or even the Sherburne News, Tri-Town News or Freeman’s Journal, we are proud to say that we handled them first. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENINGS Karaoke and Great Bands Wing & Drink Specials at every event - rated best wings around 47 Genesee St., Greene, NY 13778 607-656-5001 Take Out Available SUN RINTING inc. 5 7 - 6 5 B o rd e n A v e • N o r w i c h • N w e Yo r k 62 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun NORWICH PHARMACEUTICALS Constantly adapting in a changing marketplace BY TYLER MURPHY The Evening Sun N orwich Pharmaceuticals may have reverted back to the namesake it once held, but the new owners of the former OSG Pharmaceuticlas are a different story. “The main priority of our new owners is the long-term picture. The transition is a positive development as the last five months have proven to be the case,” said Christopher R. Calhoun, president of Norwich Pharmaceuticals. AFI Partners, a private equity firm based in New York City, purchased the facility from the Outsourcing Services Group. It is the second time the manufacturing plant has switched hands since Procter & Gamble relinquished ownership. The buy-out of the company did not greatly affect operations at the North Norwich manufacturer. The organization continued relatively uninterrupted, keeping the same leadership and employees that served the business before the purchase. “The activity of our new sales plan focuses on the long-term growth of the company. We are working together to develop a very close working plan for the future,” said Calhoun. The company is currently orchestrating a plan to begin a number of facility improvements in 2008. Those improvements are both technical and strategic in nature. Norwich Pharmaceuticals has gained new ownership and with it the acquisition of a new long term planing goal. The facility in North Norwich is looking forward to receiving a number of equipment upgrades. Calhoun explained the plant would be updating and receiving new equipment. While this is happening, the sales department will be reevaluating its “long-term goals to achieve long-term solutions,” he said. Employment at the site has increased more than 70 percent from when it split from Procter & Gamble in 2001 – approximately 250 people then to the roughly 425 people today. The heritage of the pharmaceutical business in Norwich goes back 120 years. The original Norwich Pharmaceuticals played a significant role in the Norwich and greater Chenango County economies. Last year the company contributed roughly $18 million into the economy through payrolls. “We expect to be a continued source of stability and growth in the region,” Calhoun said. Norwich Pharmaceuticals is a commercial manufacturer. That means the company relies on acquiring independent drug companies to contract it to produce a certain material for a certain amount of time. This commercial climate can sometimes lead to unexpected turns as the company discovered in its second attempt to launch its prophylactic sponges late last year. The backer of the product declared bankruptcy and Norwich Pharmaceuticals was left to adapt. “We’ve become very good at making internal adjustments while maintaining our financial stability,” said Calhoun. “We are in a global market with global competitors.” Success Stories Burrell’s Excavating, Inc. Founded by Douglas V. Burrell in 1973, Burrell’s Excavating, Inc., which began as Burrell’s Parking Lot Service, repaired lots for local homeowners and merchants. Doug Burrell was a fulltime fireman, and used his backhoe for extra revenue while he supported his eight children. Doug started with small projects on the weekends, such as sewer and water services for local homes. He also offered site clearing and preparation services, including digging basements and footers. The Parking Lot Service was one of two businesses owned by Doug Burrell. He also operated a successful dry cleaning business. Lacking employees, Doug spent many long hours at both businesses, running them with the help of his youngest son David. Through time, David became more involved with his father’s business acquisitions, ultimately buying both in 1982, and changing the name of Parking Lot Service to Burrell’s Excavating. David’s ambition was primarily to expand his new excavating company. His first steps were to build a larger shop and, along with the purchase of a new 310B backhoe, he hired his first employee, Gray Guinn. Gary is still employed by Burrell’s to this day. David’s vision was realized with the award of his first big project when Fay’s Drug Store moved into the lower shopping plaza in Norwich. Dave and Gary began the site work in the summer of 1984. The following year they added a project at Simmons Precision. The job at Simmons Precision was large enough to require additional manpower and the purchase of more equipment. So in 1985, Dave hired another full time employee and three truck drivers, and purchased a 690B John Deer Excavator and a 450 John Deere bulldozer. In the years since that time, David built Burrell’s Excavating, Inc. (incorporated and bonded in 1992) into a very successful small business. David had a staff of ten in 1992, and is proud to say that seven are still employed to this day. After incorporating, David’s next step came in 1997 when he added a 110 acre gravel bed named KMC Sand & Gravel. KMC is named after, and primarily owned by, his family – Kim, his wife, and two children, Matthew and Courtney. In 2003, David purchased automated scales for KMC with a fully automated scale house. To complement his expanding business, he equipped the gravel bed with a conecrusher to work hand-in-hand with his screening plant. KMC has extensive products to offer both municipalities – thousands of tons at a time, or, for the do-it-yourselfer that just needs a pickup truck loaded. Today, Burrell’s Excavating, Inc. employs 28 men and women in season. In the winter months, Burrell’s Excavating employs 12 full-time. Today, they’re working on the Norwich City Schools and DCMO-BOCES building projects. The transformation from Burrell’s Parking Lot Service to Burrell’s Excavating, Inc. took place over 35 years, and the company is looking forward to at least another 30 years. Matthew Burrell, following his family tradition, will eventually take the helm. “To follow, without halt, one aim: There's the secret of success.” ANNA PAVLOVA TIRED OF RISING CABLE RATES? SWITCH TO DISH NETWORK AND SAVE! A Unique Women’s Fitness Center 24 Hour Access For Your Convenience Tuesday 5:30 Yoga Wednesday 5:30 pm Exotic Dancing Thursday 5:30 pm Power Stretching & Low Impact Aerobics Let Us Help You Get Ready For Swimsuit Season. *Programs FREE to Members *Affordable fee charged for Non-Members (Please use front door or key card) You can make these programs part of your ongoing exercise program or just come in and exercise! 24 South Main Street, PO Box 701, New Berlin, NY 13411-0701 Phone: 607-847-6202 Office Open: 9 am-5 pm or by appt. AUTHORIZED RETAILER “Empire Wireless is your local DISH Network retailer which means local service for you.” “LOCAL CHANNELS AVAILABLE IN MOST AREAS, CALL FOR DETAILS” Empire Wireless, LLC PROGRESS BEING MADE HERE! SHEAR • BEND • PUNCH • WELD • THREAD BEAMS • SHEET • TUBE • PIPE • CHANNELS ANGLES • BARS • EXPANDED METAL • BAR GRATING CULVERT PIPE & ACCESSORIES REBAR • WIRE MESH • LINTELS For other promotions, our website is www.empirewirelessllc.net 3 W. State St., Sherburne, NY • Family Owned & Operated COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL • XM Radio •25 Years Experience •Insured •Open Daily 8 am - 8 pm 607•674•9529 All prices, packages and programming are subject to change without notice. HIGH-SPEED INTERNET powered by WildBlue SINCE 1964 No Inquiry Too Big Or Too Small. We Deliver [email protected] www.steelsalesinc.com PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 NE W YORK STATE VETERANS HOME Building on hopes for the future BY JILL KRAFT The Evening Sun A s construction continues and the anticipated date of completion nears, New York State Veterans’ Home administrators and residents are eagerly awaiting a big move. The move refers to the reconstruction and relocation of the Veterans’ Home, the third major project of this sort at the site since it opened in April 1897. Executive Director of the skilled nursing facility Sally Venugopalan says the residents and staff members have been excited about the new building. “It will mean great things to the facility and the level of care we offer,” she said. The facility, which contains 242 residential rooms and employs approximately 306 individuals, is designed to meet all the needs of veterans and their dependents within a skilled nursing home environment. From a full hair salon to occupational and residential therapy services, to a restaurant style dining room and entertainment room – complete with a stage – Venugopalan says the residents are supplied with community activities while living at the home. “It makes us more unique than other facilities,” said Venugopalan. “We have everything right here.” Currently the facility offers seven residential units called Oak, Hawthorn, Maple, Pine, Apple, Spruce and Sprapple. Each unit is equipped with a small dining room, nurses’ station, private rooms and adjoining bathrooms. Pine is currently a secured unit for residents suffering from Alzheimer’s who have severe dementia. Upon the completion of the new building, the Alzheimer’s unit will be known as the memory care unit and remain secure. The new building project, totaling approximately $66,293,002, which broke ground in June of 2006, has been the main focus for the past year and will remain a major focus for the remainder of 2008, says Venugopalan. “It has been a lot of planning and implementing.” “The new building will provide a home-like design with private rooms, with individual baths, the Internet, televisions, spacious unit dining rooms and a main street concept with all therapies shops and activities along a wide country cottage design,” said Venugopalan. “We are not building the new facility for just today, we are building it for future residents as well.” Venugopalan says planning for the future was important, and it was the entire concept Therapist Lorraine Jones helps resident Steve Belon as part of his rehabilitation while staying at the Veterans’ Home in Oxford. for the re-build and construction. Therefore, the concept was created by input from both residents and staff. The new home will be fully-equipped with the Internet as well as flat screen televisions and other high-tech aspects that do not exist at the current location. Veterans home employee Melissa Aldrich says she has worked for the facility for eight years and the idea of having more advanced technology for both the staff and the residents sounds like a smart one. “The lifts alone will be easier to manage in the residents rooms and better on the backs of the employees,” she said. Venugopalan says the entire move currently is scheduled to take place in October. “We are hoping to move all the residents in a single day,” she said. As for moving the 242 room contents, as well as the rest of the facility, she is going to reach out to the community at large for numerous volunteers to help out. As for the fate of the building the home is currently located in, Venugopalan says final plans are being formed in Albany, but are not complete. Along with maintaining construction, Venugopalan says the past year was busy at the facility. The facility remains at a 99 percent occupancy level, a percentage that Venugopalan says has always kept steady and the waiting list is still active. Along with the hundreds of residents permanently residing at the facility, there are residents who are admitted for rehabilitation purposes as well. Maintaining the guidelines for safety, protocol and medical services, the Veterans home prides itself on offering their residents the best in health care services. In doing so, the state of New York is persistent on ensuring and maintaining the highest level of care is being given at the facility. Venugopalan announced during the annual deficiency finding survey, the Veterans home was found to be deficiency free. “This means a lot to us and to our staff,” she said. Venugopalan says entertaining the residents is a major component of the Vets Home. Along with church services, art and crafts, card games, singing and other indoor activities, residents are given the chance to take a stroll outside during the yearly car show and cruise-in each summer which brings back the oldies but goodies, as well as food and other entertainment for residents to enjoy. This year, like many in the past, approximately 200 or more people came to take part in the summertime event, which means so much to the residents, Venugopalan says. Success Stories Golden Age Apartments Golden Age is a subsidized, 2 story complex with elevators catering to those over the age of 62, handicapped or disabled. Conveniently situated on the edge of Downtown Norwich at 33 Mechanic Street, the Golden Age Apartments provides modern comfortable living along with an activities program geared to the interests and needs of the residents. Golden Age Apartments is an equal opportunity housing where all people who qualify under the regulations of the HUD program are welcome. At Golden Age Apartments, there are 99 one bedroom apartments which include a large living room with a dining area, fully equipped kitchen, bedroom, bath and generous closets and storage closet. Golden Age includes many extras that mean comfortable living. There is wall-to-wall carpeting, ample closet space, an emergency call system, air conditioning, smoke detectors, security intercom system for visitors and each apartment has its own thermostat. Golden Age offers a community room for the tenants to utilize and is located in front of our A building and is available for group functions or your own enjoyment. There are laundry rooms on each floor of both buildings with operating directions hanging above the machines with easy access. We also offer a full time maintenance crew to help with the needs of our apartment complex. The city of Norwich provides a transportation system around the surrounding area. Golden Age is considered a “bus stop” so transportation to area stores or other locations is easily accessible from Golden Age. Office hours for Golden Age are Monday thru Friday from 9 to 5 and our phone number is 3367004 so stop by and we would be happy to show you around. 63 64 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun BAILLIE LUMBER Cutting down the competition BY JESSICA LEWIS The Evening Sun B aillie Lumber has been operating in the Smyrna area for more than 30 years, and as one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of hardwoods, it looks like it will stay for years to come. Headquartered in Hamburg, Baillie Lumber has five production facilities in the eastern United States, including sites in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Waterloo, in addition to the Smyrna saw mill and production facility. The corporate website boasts a total of 475 employees at all of the facilities combined, and 107 of those are employed in Smyrna. Brian Schwarting, assistant manager at Baillie’s in Smyrna, explained that while the market is changing, operations have remained generally the same. The Smyrna facility currently employs 78 full-time employees and 29 temporary employees. It contracts with a temporary employment agency in South Carolina. “The temp service provides housing and transportation for the employees,” Schwarting explained. The assistant manager explained that in some instances the temporary employees choose to stay in the area and are hired on as full-time employees, but the majority of the temps stay at the facility for approximately a year before returning to their families. Employees are divided among the sawmill, where the material is cut, and the concentration yard, where The Smyrna based Baillie Lumber facility employs over 100 workers between the sawmill and production facilities. Processing 3 million feet of lumber a month, the company has managed to hold their ground in a falling market. fresh lumber is re-graded and dried. “We ship about 3 million feet of lumber a month,” Schwarting explained. Each production line processes approximately one and a half truck loads of green hardwood lumber an hour, which Schwarting explained turns into one truck load of dried lumber. The lumber brought into the Smyrna facility comes from within a 500-mile radius. The assistant manager said he expects no big changes for the plant or the industry in the coming year. Despite the fact that the housing market has dropped, causing the hardwood market to drop, and lumber prices to decrease, Schwarting explained that Baillie Lumber has managed to hold its ground over the past year, even gaining a few percentage points in sales. “Our main goal is just to continue to grow,” he said. “This year’s market trends are still flat, but if we can hold our own and still gain a few percentage points, we hope to do so. If the housing market picks up, then our industry picks up,” he explained. While the dropping market has proved to be an obstacle over the last year, another issue for the company has been rising fuel costs. With 300 truck loads of lumber being shipped from the facility a month, and even more truck loads coming in, Schwarting said the rising fuel cost does have an effect on the company. Fuel surcharges are added to each truck load, and the costs do have an effect on the cost of the lumber. However, the company is taking efforts to minimize its costs as well. Instead of heating with fuel, the company uses its own wood waste to heat its facilities. About 50 percent of the lumber produced by Baillie is sold domestically, while the other 50 percent is exported. Schwarting said the Asian market has become a large customer in the last few years. While most of the lumber is shipped to manufacturers, the company also works with local builders who buy their lumber directly from the facility. “We try to help people out with whatever they need,” Schwarting said. While the lumber market has not changed dramatically over the years, Baillie has made some changes recently. “We sell most of our lumber out, but we are also buying tropical woods and marketing those,” Schwarting said. “It has been going well.” The company now handles over 80 different species of hard woods. Schwarting said the company’s main goals are strictly to continue growing in terms of staffing and profitability. Aflac New York Jim Reynolds is beginning his 5th year as an independent agent with Aflac New York. Prior to this Jim worked for ten years as a salesman with S & S TV and Appliances in Norwich and Hamilton. Jim has many fond memories of working at S & S including doing some eye catching television commercials when he portrayed the superhero "Captain Appliance." Jim and his wife Rosemarie live in Norwich and have been happily married for 14 years. They have two children, a daughter, Megan, who is 13 years old and a son, Shane, who is 10. Rosemarie has been with NBT Bank for 19 years. Jim enjoys being active in the community. He is a member of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus and recently joined Toastmasters International. Aflac New York, based in Albany, is a subsidiary of the parent company, Aflac, which is short for American Family Life Assurance Company. The company was founded in 1955 in Columbus, Georgia by 3 brothers and has been managed by the same family since its inception. Aflac New York policies are all guaranteed renewable which is refreshing in today's world of escalating health care. Another way they differ from traditional health insurance is that they do not pay the doctors or the hospitals but rather the claim is paid directly to the policyholders. This gives individuals the freedom to use the benefits as they see fit whether it's to make up for lost wages, cover deductibles or co-payments or any other out of pocket expenses not picked up by your major medical. New this year to Aflac New York is the emergence of life insurance. Aflac offers both term and whole life, including a return of premium option for 20 or 30 year term policies. Other Aflac plans include accident, cancer, and short-term disability. The majority of Aflac's business is conducted through payroll deduction and made available through a company's benefit package, although some plans can be done on a direct basis. The policies are portable and pre-tax eligible; in fact Aflac New York is highly experienced with Section 125 cafeteria plans and offers these in most cases at little or no cost to the company. This allows companies to save money on FICA taxes. Jim says he enjoys helping people and that was one of the deciding factors in joining Aflac. Service is on top of the priority list and after a company enrolls with Aflac they can expect to see Jim on a regular basis to handle any claims that the employees have or answer any questions the company has. Aflac itself also donates millions of dollars to pediatric cancer treatment centers around the country. Today with the help of a clever advertising campaign, Aflac is one of the most recognizable names in the industry. The Aflac duck has been voted one of America's favorite advertising icons in the last few years, beating out veterans like Ronald McDonald and the Energizer Bunny. For more information contact Jim Reynolds at (607) 316-5731 or [email protected]. “Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” GEORG WILHELM SERVICE • GREAT • GREAT WAR S L A RAN DE TIE S G AT RE Success Stories T PL D ERY V E ACE TO . DO BUSINESS.. A Y A GR EA Guaranteed & Serviced by our Certified ASE Technicians Shop us 24-7 and apply for a loan online at www.chambersohara.com CORK O’HARA - OWNER OUR PRICES ARE ALWAYS FAIR, OUR SERVICE IS THOROUGH AND RELIABLE AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS ALWAYS OUR TOP PRIORITY. POPULAR MECHANICS Doug Wheeler Ray Brooker SERVICE MGR. SHOP FOREMAN 16 Years 23 Years Nate Ireland 11 Years Bruce Ritchey 8 Years Lynn Brooker Scott MacDonald Mike Carey Pat Jayne 7 Years 2 Years 1 Year New We Expertly Service What We Sell & ALL OTHERS, TOO Trucks • Vans • SUVs • CARS Our Service Department is equipped to service and repair all makes and models of CARs, TRUCKS, VANS and SUVs with the latest in electronic diagnostic equipment. Our Trained Technicians do the job right... the first time. Stacy Birdsall CUSTOMER SERVICE 1 Year RENTAL CARS & VANS Over 100 Cars, Trucks, Vans & Suvs Available Jolene Sabine OFFICE MANAGER 5 Years Our Vehicles Include These Powertrain Warranties 12 months/12k miles 0 to 60k miles 6 months/6k miles 60k to 80k miles PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 IN THEIR OW N WORDS A great place to live, work and raise a family BY MARCIA E. MILLER Village of Greene Mayor T he year 2007 saw many improvements and growth in the Village of Greene. With the flooding of 2006 behind us, the clean up continued last year. Most of this work was done by our dedicated employees from all village departments with the assistance of the employees from the Town of Greene. One of our biggest projects was drenching out and stabilizing the banks of the Birdsall Street Creek, which runs through the north end of the village. Most of the work was done in with Federal Emergency Management Agency involvement and funding. A private contractor and village and town road crews worked together. Further up the creek, the same project was done - all with the safety and well being of our residents, their homes and property at stake. A small creek running behind some North Canal Street residents was also drenched out. A new sluice pipe was installed under Lucas Street in order to improve water flow. At our wastewater treatment plant, again with the support of FEMA, we moved the electric service up from the basement and installed new controls on the ground floor. In an attempt to keep future flooding out of the equipment, a four-foot high extension tube was welded onto the existing one at Lift Station 3 and the controls were moved up. Our electric department was instrumental in all of these projects and still found time to up grade the Burnap/Greene sub-station and recondition many of our transmission lines. The village, town and fire departments worked on a disaster plan, with the completion coming soon. In May, we celebrated the Marcia Miller 85th anniversary of the Raymond Corporation and in December, we heard the results of almost a year’s study of hydrogen fuel cell batteries for their lift trucks. The new technology will cut down maintenance time and the use of electricity. Raymond continues to grow and is the biggest employer in Chenango County. It employs many of our talented residents. In the summer, after many months of hard work, we enjoyed the newly formed and constructed Chenango River Theatre. We had the opportunity to see 42 wonderful performances, with equity actors drawing over 3000 people to our area. We are excited to enter a full year of this entertainment and the new projects they have in mind for us. Many new and exciting businesses opened up in the village: Dress Your Fancy, Focus Salon, Integrative Bodyworks Wellness Center, Shear Styles, The Ceramic Garden, and Tony T’s. Heroes Music relocated as well. We saw Heart Song Design Art Gallery, Radio Shack and The Sewing Room move into larger stores, and Water Edge Bed and Breakfast and The Old Mill Diner successfully re-opened after the flooding of 2006. Other highlights were: • The state conservation department (NYSDEC) began the process of cleaning up a former gas station at the south end of the village in order to make the sale of that property possible in the future. • A new addition to the Moore Memorial Library and the newly-renovated Sidney Federal Credit Union were opened. • Extra-Mart re-designed and constructed their parking areas. We saw a group of residents taking on the problem of clothing for the less fortunate by forming the Greene Community Coalition Clothing Bank, located in the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church. The group will soon re-locate above the Village of Greene Office in the re-furbished fireman’s rooms. Another group of residents formed the Greene Preservation Group with the goal of maintaining the character and charm of the village. As we move into the new year of 2008 we look forward to many new and exciting projects, such as a new concession stand at the ballflats; the transfer of the property from the school to a joint board of the town and village; growth at the Page Seed Company under its new ownership; Greene Central School building projects and construction; and the reopening of the Sherwood Inn. With the floodwaters destroying a home on Mill Street, we were recently honored to have that property become a Habitat for Humanity House. The construction should start in the spring of 2008, this of course, with the help of many organizations and community members. The Village of Greene will continue to grow and prosper as we move into the next year. We continue to be the best place to live and raise a family in the southern part of Chenango County. Success Stories Donna Frech School Of Dance The Donna Frech School Of Dance has been making dreams come true for 33 years, and is the oldest continuously owned dance studio in Chenango County. In 1993, a new spacious dance facility was constructed at 7-9 Berry St. Norwich. Recently, the dance studio moved its New Berlin studio to a larger location at 28 South Main St., New Berlin and 3 years ago a 3rd studio was opened in Sidney at 9 River St. ‘HAPPY CHILDREN’ is the goal in DFSD’s recreational dance program....’DANCE IS FUN!’ is our motto. It takes a special kind of dance teacher to work with young children. The staff encourages, educates, and nurtures young dance students. It is truly a blessing to see the smiles on faces of young children as they enter the dance room for their lesson and to see those smiles as they leave, knowing they had a wonderful time in dance class! Children receive a quality dance education and will have happy memories when they are enrolled in classes at the Donna Frech School Of Dance. The DFSD offers a comprehensive dance program for children, teens, and adults from beginner through advanced in tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, modern, acrobatics, voice lessons, and pre-dance and tumbling (for ages 3-5). The dance school has two tracks: Recreational- for the student who enjoys dance class once or twice a week and performing in an annual recital, and Intensive Study: for the student who is interested in a serious study program which involves classes 3-6 times a week in one or multiple dance art forms. The dance studio also has a summer session and dancecamp program. In addition to the annual recital, members of the school’s intensive track performed at Disney World in Orlando this past summer, for the Pumpkinfest in Norwich and have won special awards at competitions, including over all high score and technique awards. DFSD students have continued their dance education by attending college for dance, and have become successful dance teachers/performers. Dance training teaches students more than just learning to dance. Self confidence, poise, discipline and a feeling of achievement are among the many benefits of studying dance. The DFSD has always operated on a personal level where students know that they are an important part of the studio. Although it takes hard work, discipline and determination, the DFSD also believes dance class can be fun and rewarding. Why you should choose the Donna Frech School of Dance for your child’s dance training: • Large bright, cheerful dance rooms and waiting rooms • Friendly, knowledgeable reception staff • Caring, friendly, well trained professional adult staff who are passionate about what they do. • Sprung floors to avoid injury • Convenient locations • Multiple class discounts • Automatic payments • Friendly, knowledgeable, well organized administrative team • 33 years in the business of guiding children of all ages to reach their full potential • Unique dance program for ages 3-6 • Professional performance in June • Recreational and intensive study tracks For hours of operation or class and registration information, contact the Donna Frech School Of Dance at 334-4382. meat 65 produce dairy frozen We Have the CUSTOMERS Best Interests In Mind. Jim Diamond Sr. Owner and Operator of the Norwich & Oneida Save•A•Lot Stores Receipt Receipt rt Shopping Ca Full of s Grocery Item You Need Weekly! T SAVE•A•LO S SAVING OF Shopping C art Full of the Same Groceries Y o Need Week u ly! BIG BOX ST ORE WE WENT OUT AND DID A LITTLE COMPARISON SHOPPING. WE FILLED 2 SHOPPING CARTS WITH THE SAME GROCERY ITEMS FROM SAVE•A•LOT AND A LOCAL COMPETITOR. THE SAVINGS BY SHOPPING AT SAVE•A•LOT WAS $ 75 UNDER THE COMPETITION *The actual store receipts and groceries comparison shopped for are on display in our store. Come in and check it out! WHAT COULD YOU DO WITH SAVINGS LIKE THAT!!! We Offer You The Choice... ~ Large Selection of the Finest in Fresh Meats Our ground meat is in-store ground fresh for you DAILY! ~ Convenient Parking ~ 100% Money Back Guarantee ~ Top Quality Merchandise ~ No Long Check Out Lines & a Staff That’s Second to None! Save • A • Lot of Time, Save • A • Lot of Money... and it’s Guaranteed! SAVE•A•LOT FOOD STORES... GREAT FOOD AT GREAT PRICES! SOUTH PLAZA, RTE. 12, NORWICH • Mon.-Sat. 9 am to 8 pm; Sun. 9 am to 6 pm • Phone 336-5051 Map To Our Location • Most major credit & debit cards accepted • Personal checks and all EBT transactions • Gift certificates available • ATM Location Norwich Towne Square Plaza SAVE A LOT Rte. 12 N W E S Oxford Rte. 8 Rte. 220 Sidney 66 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun C M T AMBULANCE Opportunities and challenges call for one company’s expansion BY MICHAEL MCGUIRE The Evening Sun C ooperstown Medical Transport never planned on being the primary commercial ambulance in Chenango County. In fact, when the company started in 1980, founders Mark Zeek and Margaret McGown didn’t expect it would ever be much more than a small-time transport operation, taking patients in Cooperstown from one hospital to another. Twenty-eight years later, however, Oneonta-based CMT is the top private EMS squad in Delaware and Otsego counties, and the majority of its 4,000 calls annually are for 911 emergencies. With its approved expansion into Chenango County nearly complete, CMT has gone from a smalltime transporter to covering an area larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined. “We never would have guessed,” said McGown, the company’s chief financial officer, looking back to when the company first started compared to where it is today. With support from local fire officials and elected leaders in Chenango, CMT is hoping it can become part of the model for a modern, rural EMS system. “We’re making CMT a three-county operation,” said Zeek, the company’s president, “and hopefully, part of a model, rural EMS operation that integrates commercial EMS with paid and volunteer services. And with all three working together, we’ll see if we can get the job done.” What brought about the need for CMT? In Chenango County, it was the loss of Superior Ambulance, a Binghamton-based commercial EMS squad that closed its Norwich operation in October, citing a lack of profitable calls. Prior to exiting the area, Superior handled around 2,000 calls a year countywide and was the primary ambulance service for several outlying townships. “We never really planned to come to Chenango County,” McGown said. “But when Superior left October 25th we were approached by officials in Chenango County about it. We thought quickly, but we thought hard, and decided to go for certification. It was all very sudden.” Just three months and several regulatory approvals later, CMT is primed to begin taking calls full-time from its new station in Norwich (Superior’s old spot in Woods Corners), starting off with one 24-hour, 7-day-a-week ambulance and plans for another in the near future. “We’ll have to see what the volume is,” Zeek said. “But we fairly positive about our future in Chenango County.” The private squad has already been operating with a temporary Certificate of Need and handled 165 calls through November and December. “The numbers are steadily growing,” McGown said. Overall, CMT’s call numbers in Delaware and Otsego counties have also risen steadily since 1980. McGown said the growth can be attributed to two ongoing trends in rural societies: Aging populations that require more calls and weakening volunteer squads that struggle to answer them. Both have strained the traditional system of EMS, she said. “People don’t realize what it’s like to be a volunteer EMS provider. It’s a tough job,” McGown said, citing a host of challenges volunteers face, including long hours away from home and stricter training demands, combined with less and less time to meet work and family commitments. “They deserve a City of Norwich Fire and EMS personnel respond to a mock accident staged at Norwich High School every year to demonstrate to the students the dangers of drinking and driving. lot of credit.” On that note, Zeek and McGown see their services as supporting volunteers, not hurting them. “We’re here to support the EMS system,” said McGown. “We’re not here because we want to take away from the EMS system. We’re going to support the volunteers and respond when they need us. We’re not here to push them out. It takes all the resources to provide sound EMS.” As for its own resources, CMT is in the midst of hiring 14 more advanced and basic life support paramedics to staff its 24-hour Chenango County crew. The owners also expect to add a 16-hour ambulance soon. In the meantime, ambulances in CMT’s Sidney and Oneonta stations will offer support as needed and vice-versa. “We’ll send ambulances wherever they’re needed,” McGown said. “That’s always how we’ve worked anyway.” CMT still has logistical issues to work out with the Chenango County Emergency Dispatch Center and local volunteer squads, mainly figuring out how and when CMT will get calls – a vital component of its success or failure. Acknowledging that Superior left claiming a lack of calls, McGown said she hasn’t figured out yet how many it will take to make CMT financially successful. “There is a point where you have to have a certain amount of calls to be a viable operation,” McGown said. “It’s hard to tell what that is yet. We’re still learning as we go.” January 10, CMT received local approval from the Susquehanna Regional EMS Council in Binghamton to operate in Chenango County. The state Department of Health is expected to ratify that approval in early February. CMT’s Oneonta headquarters is actually in Davenport. It also has a station in Delhi and Cooperstown. Norwich will be its fourth location. Skillin’s Jewelers Corner of Broad & Main Street, Norwich • 607-334-2410 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30 am to 5:30 pm; Thurs. ‘til 8 pm, Sat. ‘til 5 pm Now In Our 86th Year FINE JEWELRY FOR THREE GENERATIONS. Financing and layaway available. • Major credit cards accepted. 68 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun DOWNTOWN GREENE A unique shopping experience – CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67 people a lot more to see. In addition to the original Polka-Dots and Moonbeams selections, the store encompasses Jill’s Book Store, Dave’s Organic Corner, Margaret Rose 4 Season Cafe, and Renee’s Faery Palace. Each corner of the store offers something different. Jill’s Book Store, owned by former Greene resident Jill Stevens, offers a lot more than books. Stevens offers a eclectic array of new and used books, boutique clothing, organic cosmetics and her own hand-crafted jewelry. In another corner of the store is Renee Guidelli’s Renee’s Faery Palace. Guidelli offers transformational life coaching, and one tool she offers is faery readings. “It’s a transformational tool to let you see the truth and take control,” she said. “There are many different tools, but the goal is for you to discover who you are and where you are going in life.” Farther back in the store is Dave’s Organic Corner. Dave Taft, a recent addition to the group, has added a selection of organic foods, holistic supplements and personal care items to bring about longevity. And finally, the Margaret Rose 4 Season Cafe sits in the rear half of the shop. After one year of service, the cafe holds an array of delightful treats. The cafe prides itself on its menu which “focuses on fresh and unusual dishes to intrigue the palate,” according to a pamphlet from the shop. The cafe has hosted some small parties and also After spending 25 years in the beauty salon business down state, Susan Scalici moved to Greene and decided to open Focus Salon. Along with skin care specialist Shannon Fallon, Scalici hopes to provide a relaxing environment and help connect the inner beauty with the outer beauty. caters some area events. “The shop is like a co-op. Everyone has their own gifts, talents and inspirations. The key is getting a feel for what you do and being a part of what is here,” Guidelli said. Just a few doors down from the multi-faceted Polka-Dots and Moonbeams, a new beauty salon has opened its doors. Owner Susan Scalici opened the Focus Salon and Wellness Boutique only a few months ago. In addition to traditional hair care services, the salon offers pedicures, natural manicures and facials, with a focus on all natural products. “Our main goal is to provide a relaxing atmosphere and balance in people’s lives,” Scalici said. Scalici opened the business in October, with skin care specialist Shannon Fallon. Originally from Long Island, Scalici has been in the business for 25 years and decided to open her current business after falling in love with the Village of Greene. “I feel a lot of people are craving business in their lives,” Scalici said. By helping people to feel good about themselves, Scalici is hoping to help customers inner beauty meet their outer beauty. “If you feel good, you look good,” Scalici said. While the business has only been open for a few months, Scalici said so far the community has been very supportive. The salon owner said she feels her shop takes a unique approach to the salon industry. “We want to help our clients find solutions to their beauty problems,” Scalici said. To contact the Genesee Street business, call 656-4416. While Focus Salon is focusing on inner and outer beauty, another new addition to the Greene business scene is focusing on inner health and relaxation. Integrative Bodyworks opened their doors in August, and since then, they have been providing massage and healing ses- Cardio TVs Now Available CreateYour New Body with Circuit Training Programs Come On In – We Would Love to Give You A Tour Of Our 20,000 sq. ft. Facility VISIT OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY WITH Standard Membership $34.99 a month Group Exercise Classes • Yoga • Step • Spin • Strength • Toning • Cardio Kickboxing Gift Certificates Available • • • • • • • 45 Cardio Machines with personal TVs Weight Resistance Center Circuit Training Machines Free Weights and Exercise Classes High Tech Juice Bar/lounge Steamroom & Sauna Professional Staff/Personal Training www.aimfitness.biz • 607-336-9011 6142 State Hwy 12, Norwich, NY 13815 Hours: Monday–Thursday 4:00 AM–11:00 PM • Friday 4:00 AM–10 PM Saturday 7:00 AM–9:00 PM • Sunday 8:00 AM– 6:00 PM WRENCH’S Village Auto Service Inc. 656-4545 NAPA Auto Care Center Interstate Batteries Cooper Tires QUALITY SERVICE ~ QUALITY PARTS • • • • • General Maintenance & Repairs Computer Diagnostics New York State Inspections Computerized Wheel Alignments Rollback Service ASE Certified Planned Parenthood Since 1971, Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, Inc. (PPSCNY) has been an important part of Norwich’s community, offering affordable, confidential family planning services and the Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). The clinic is located at Suite 208 of the Eaton Center in downtown Norwich. PPSCNY’s services are all provided on a sliding fee scale. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay. Patients with low income can sign up for the Family Planning Benefit Program, which offers free exams, birth control and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. PPSCNY also accepts most forms of insurance including Medicaid and Family Health Plus. The expert team of caring professionals includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses. PPSCNY’s medical services include birth control, annual gynecological exams, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing and counseling, screening for breast, cervical, testicular and colorectal cancers, and emergency contraception. PPSCNY also offers confidential rapid HIV testing. Patients can choose a blood or saliva test, followed by Planned Parenthood’s non-judgmental, compassionate counseling, and know their HIV status in only 20 minutes. Director of Clinic Operations Marybeth Clark, LPN said patients find the rapid test less stressful because they get their results quickly. Planned Parenthood is also the only Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP) provider in Chenango County. Women who are pregnant and meet the income eligibility requirements can join PCAP and receive free prenatal care through Chenango Memorial Hospital and help with applying for WIC and other services. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 607-336-8269. Planned Parenthood also provides sexuality and health care education, working with parents and teens to encourage family communication and decrease risky behaviors. Our trained educator gladly helps teens, adults, couples, families, parents, and youth groups at schools, churches and other organizations. Physician Assistant Meg Nowak sees patients full time, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Nowak brings eleven years of medical experience to Planned Parenthood. She previously worked at Chenango Memorial Hospital’s urgent care clinic and the Bainbridge-Guilford School Based Clinic. She graduated from the Physician Assistant Program at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Nowak enjoys serving many patients at Planned Parenthood and welcomes new patients. “I am pleased to be meeting the needs of the community,” she said. “I am at Planned Parenthood full time, including one evening per week, so patients can get appointments quickly.” “I can also care for male patients, because Planned Parenthood treats men, too,” Nowak said. “People think we’re here for birth control only but we offer annual exams, cancer screening, STD testing and treatment, and so much more.” Planned Parenthood also has offices in Binghamton, Lisle, Oneonta, Sidney and Walton. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 800-230-PLAN or go to www.ppscny.org “Building Dreams One Home At A Time” We are committed to helping you get in shape... Seniors 65 years and older 25% Off ($26.50/mo.) Groups of 10 or more at signing 20% Off ($28.00/mo.) Family (3 or more family members in same household. ID required), Active Military, Law Enforcement, Students (ID Required) 15% Off ($29.75/mo.) sions and an array of classes that offer peace of mind and relaxation. Matthew Franco and Free Ryan both graduated from the Finger Lakes School of Massage as Licensed Massage Therapists. The couple offers an array of massage, yoga, tai chi, dance and holistic modalities. According to Ryan, business has been doing well since the shop opened. “People have been most receptive to the massage, but we also have drum circles and cinema night, and those have good reception as well.” Franco explained that opening his own bodyworks studio has been a dream since he was in massage school. Ryan said the shop coincided with her lifelong passion for healing and helping people recognize their personal power. Currently Integrative Bodyworks offers an array of massage techniques, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone and Aroma Therapy, as well as hands on healing sessions such as Reiki and Brennan Healing Science. In addition, classes in Danskinetics a combination of yoga and free form dance and yoga are available. In addition to being licensed in massage, Matt is also an herbalist, and the shop offers some herbal products, and a wider variety of products and classes will be available in the summer months. For more information about Integrative Bodyworks call 656-4154 or email [email protected] to sign up for a regular newsletter. Success Stories ALLDATA Support System 18 So. Chenango Street, Greene, NY 13778 Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Hilltop Building & Construction, LLC “Your Modular Home Builder” 149 So. Chenango St., Greene, NY 13778 607-656-HOME (4663) Fax 607-656-4444 Mary Wrench - Sales Manager Quality Homes at Affordable Prices *Custom Design Homes *Offering Owner Finish or Turnkey Construction *Superior Wall and ICF Foundations Available PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 69 M O R R I S V I L L E S T A T E C O L L E G E - NO R W I C H C A M P U S Smalltown college with a big agenda BY JILL KRAFT The Evening Sun B eing centrally located in a smaller city has some real home-town advantages. Morrisville State College, located in the Roger W. Follett Hall next to the Eaton Center, prides itself on being one of the major focal points in the community. From internships, trips, game nights and community involvement to holiday open houses, Morrisville State College administration as well as staff and students play a role in participating in public affairs and activities throughout the year. Its second annual holiday open house drew in a crowd between 400 and 500 people and offered local specialty food makers a chance to strut their stuff. Catering to both traditional and non-traditional students, Dean Ted Nichols said the student body is split 50/50 between students who enroll directly after high school and students who are returning for their college education. “This is our diversity,” said Nichols. “Our students come from various backgrounds, have a variety of work and life experiences.” With approximately 550 students, Nichols says enrollment is holding steady. The college, according to an internal success review, was said to have achieved near record enrollment both in terms of student headcounts and fulltime equivalents/credits generated. “I am happy to see the college servicing so many students and pleased with the number of students choosing to attend our campus,” he said. In an effort to adapt to student interests and maintain new programming, two new associate degree programs were put into place in 2007. An A.A.S. in Human Services and A.A.S. in Criminal Justice were newly implemented and go along with an Early Childhood degree program which started in 2006. The Norwich Campus now offers students the ability to choose from 11 associate degree programs, various technical courses and several liberal arts/transfer options. “These programs seem to be taking off well,” said Nichols. “Unlike the other programs offered at our campus, these programs are specifically offered at the Norwich campus,” the dean added. “The local campus hired full-time faculty coordinators C. Fred Weaver and Clare Armstrong-Seward for the programs following successful national searches.” One goal Nichols says is important to both the administration and to facility is to get the students involved in the community and try to get the students to earn degrees locally and go onto utilize their degrees here, too. “We have many students doing internships with local businesses and organizations,” he said. “We try to get our students into the local workforce and show them there are jobs here they are qualified for.” Nichols says another goal is providing students scholarships to offset the rising costs of gaining a college educa- Norwich Campus students pose for a group shot during a recent trip to Boston. tion. The college increased scholarship support for Chenango County students by awarding Raymond Foundation merit scholarships to 11 students. These $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students in the top-five percent of the incoming Norwich Campus freshmen class. “Scholarship support was also provided to 14 other Norwich Campus students based on a combination of merit and need,” said Nichols. Scholarship assistance for Chenango County residents attending the Norwich Campus is provided by community minded individuals, businesses, and foundations throughout Chenango County through the Morrisville College Foundation. Looking ahead, Nichols says the college would like to look into offering bachelor degree programming but the idea is not realistic yet due to lack of housing space and other four-year qualifications the campus does not have. Looking into other options, such as international student programming, is an idea Nichols says he thinks could ultimately be the way to go. “This community has a lot to offer, from restaurants to the YMCA and other venues students could benefit from,” said Nichols. He also says college officials are viewing options to see what health care courses the college could offer. “We have a great nursing program and we are trying to see what other health care services could be a good asset to the curriculum,” he said. Building community partnerships Nichols says is the biggest asset to the campus and to the students who attend. The college is currently looking into providing entrepreneurship education in partnership with Commerce Chenango for Agri-business and Commercial District Small Business development. “Introducing entrepreneurship to individuals and helping existing ones learn the tools they need to succeed is the goal we are working to achieve,” said Nichols. According to an internal review, the Norwich campus served the community and the surrounding area numerous ways. The campus manages a Liberty Partnership Program with Chenango County school districts, provides dual credit high school/college courses for high school students in their home schools, provides assistance to unemployed/underemployed individuals through their Bridge Program, provides customized training to area employers, offers non-credit/continuing education (continuing dental education and SAT preparation), serves as a host loca- tion for GED classes in cooperation with Afton Consortium, offers professional development and conference services and serves as a cultural center for community events, lectures, colloquia, and films. The facility, which is fully equipped with a state-of-theart wireless networking system, is the best in the country, maybe even the world, according to Nichols. Taking a leading edge in technology services, Nichols says, he wants to see the college continue to gain and remain a leading source for technology degree programs. Having an increasing presence with on-line and hybrid courses, which brings students face-to-face with instructors, also enables the convenience of doing school from home. Nichols says the option is making a name for Morrisville. “I love the fact I can still take courses while I work full time,” said online student Heather Birdsall. The Morrisville main campus is located approximately 45 minutes north of Norwich. It is a rural campus that thrives on equine science and other agricultural degree programs. That the Morrisville college experience can offer a wide variety of both agricultural and technical programming is one point Nichols says needs to be made. “When people think about Morrisville State college they need to include what we are doing in Norwich, what we have accomplished and where we are going,” he said. The Bay Ridge Group and Anderson Consulting coming together just for YOU! INVEST in YOUR future today! Considering the recent market volatility, sub prime woes and rising energy costs, a meeting with a financial services representative could be just what you need to help you feel more confident about your future. Surround yourself with color... We’re here to help, call 607-754-7222 The Bay Ridge Group *Jim Willard ❖ 607-336-3293 Anderson Consulting Faye Anderson ** or 800-295-5500 And set up an appointment today! *Securities and **Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Securities, Inc., a Broker/Dealer and Member FINRA/SIPC, and a Federally Registered Investment Advisor. The Bay Ridge Group, Inc. and Anderson Consulting Group, LTD, are affiliates of NFP Securities, Inc. and subsidiaries of National Financial Partners Corp., the parent company of NFP Securities, Inc. Clippinger Law Offices • WORKERS’ COMP • PERSONAL INJURY • CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS • CRIMINAL • DWI • TRAFFIC TICKETS • AUTO ACCIDENTS • REAL ESTATE • TITLE INSURANCE SCOTT CLIPPINGER [email protected] 1 W. Main Smyrna 48 Hale St. Norwich 607-627-6811 607-336-4657 Aloysius Ebenezer Working Away! Beautiful Flowers Everyday Come in and enjoy a relaxing shopping experience in our climate controlled store. You can make this yourself! Our customers refer to us as their “Quilting Playhouse”. A place were classes are offered and camaraderie abounds! Our NAME says it ALL... We have everything you need: •Accessories •Supplies •Instruction •Ideas and a pleasing comfortable place to be creative. 6142 State Hwy 12, North Plaza, Norwich NY 13815 ~ 607-334-2477 Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM; Thursdays 10 AM - 9 PM 70 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Think food, and think local BY MICHAEL MCGUIRE The Evening Sun W hen people think food, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County wants them to think local. Cooperative officials say they’re not alone, either. “There is tremendous excitement about local food, value-added food and food going directly from the producer to the consumer,” said CCE Director Keith Severson. “It’s something all of agriculture is trying to heighten in Chenango County.” CCE was involved heavily in 2007 with marketing and delivering locally grown products through several different programs, including the Chenango County Guide to Locally Grown Products and the “Chenango Bounty at Your Door” delivery service. “Eating local and eating healthy go hand-in-hand,” said CCE Assistant Jessica Jaramillo. “Hopefully what we do here facilitates that.” Now that people are more aware and have better access to local products, Severson says the organization is kicking off a new program, “Eat Smart New York,” aimed at teaching people how to utilize farm fresh foods. “This will be an opportunity to provide training to a targeted audience to assist them in learning about nutrition, the selection of food and the preparation of food,” said Severson. “It will teach people how to eat better food and live a better life, and to teach others the same.” If people in general don’t start taking better care of themselves, obesity’s negative effects could ripple through society, Severson believes. “We’ve known for a long time that obesity has been increasing,” he said. “That can have a large effect in our communities overall between medical and other costs related to health problems obesity creates. It will cost all people a lot more if others don’t eat healthy or practice healthy habits.” The local foods emphasis also relates to promoting food security as problems with tainted foreign products become more prevalent. “In terms of food security and knowing where food is coming from,” said CCE Horticulturist Rebecca Hargrave, “we’ve seen the demand for local products drastically increase. Hopefully we’re right on the cutting edge of that.” A key to Cornell Cooperatives success in landing such programs has been full-time grant writer Kim Eaton, Severson said. Before local products can be used, they have to be grown. So to further promote the ag industry to both younger and older generations, CCE has continued to ramp-up its education programs. For starters, in 2008 the ag education department has created a livestock scholarship and livestock club as a way of promoting farming to area youth. Under the program, farmers donate animals to local kids to raise, and inturn any offspring of those livestock are donated back to the program. “There’s more than just dairy kids involved in this,” said 4-H Program Assistant Carol Loefstedt. There’s also an ag mentoring program targeted at involving kids and teenagers in farming. “For farmers, labor is the largest expense. This program teaches kids not only farm employment skills, but employment skills in general. It also hopefully sparks an interest in agriculture.” said Severson. “It really tries to merge those needs.” For adults, Cooperative is again offering a host of skill development classes. It’s currently in the midst of its second round of large veterinarian skills courses. “It saves farmers money by teaching them basic skills they can perform on their own and helps offset the lack of large animal vets in the area,” said Loefstedt. CCE’s Ag Education Department plans to spend much more time in the fields this year as well. “We want to be more involved with the farm – farm business, management. We’re going to make more farm vis- 4-H members Kalvin Abrams and Nathan Turrell look on as Nate Funk explains the importance of clipping their sheep for the show. its and find out the needs in agriculture in Chenango County,” said Jaramillo. Hargrave said her focus in 2008 will be on teaching people how to get back to basics and use skills that were commonplace in the 20th century that society has by-and-large forgotten. “We’re really teaching the importance of getting back to developing and using older skills,” Hargrave said. In response, food preservation, master gardening, forestry, vegetable growing and green landscapes training seminars are all skills being offered in classrooms or on-line in this coming year. For those interested, Cooperative will also be selling compost bins this spring. Loefstedt said 4-H is also reaching further out into the community, setting up a number of after school clubs, including one at the Norwich YMCA and another for home-schooled kids focused on science and technology. Cooperative will also be using its master preservers to teach kids through 4-H the art of preserving food. 4-H is currently conducting an annual fundraiser, which wraps up Feb.14. In conjunction with Page Seeds of Greene, 4-H is selling “Fun Family Garden” kits as part of a statewide and soon to be nationwide drive. PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 Success Stories Community Foundation for South Central New York Chenango County residents who made contributions to the Community Foundation for South Central New York – the regional community foundation serving Chenango County, as well as Broome, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego and Tioga – didn’t have to look very far afield during 2007 to see their gifts hard at work. Grants awarded by the Foundation to local nonprofits were helping to create an innovative therapeutic multi-sensory environment for traumatized children at the Children’s Home RTF near Greene, supporting the needs of cancer survivors and their families at Chenango Health Network in Norwich, purchasing sound and lighting equipment to help the new Chenango River Theater get its inaugural season off to a good start. And through an ‘06 grant to Catholic Charities, Foundation funds continued to help families victimized by severe flooding as they traveled the long road to recovery. New grants awarded in 2007 included funding for “The Place” for an engineering study to explore expanding and renovating their facility, a grant to the Sherburne Public Library for a microform scanner, and a grant from the Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation to Chenango Health Network in support of the “Going Red in Chenango County” campaign to promote women’s heart health. The Community Foundation also celebrated its 10th Anniversary during 2007 with the theme “Cultivating Philanthropy,” and the Foundation’s volunteer Board of Directors – including its members from Chenango County – worked hard to make it a year of achievement, as well as one of sound planning for the future. A new strategic plan was completed which will guide the Foundation’s activities for the next several years. That plan includes the formation of specific geographically-focused funds to address needs in several of the counties served by the Foundation. In October the Foundation held a luncheon/workshop attended by more than one hundred representatives from area nonprofits, with the goal of helping the agencies to strengthen their marketing and communications efforts. Contributions to the Community Foundation, along with return on investments, helped move the endowment from $15.1 million at the end of ’06 to $17.66 million as of December 31, 2007. On the agenda for 2008: The Community Foundation will continue its mission to “connect donors who care with causes that matter.” It will offer additional training workshops to nonprofits throughout the region. Visits to grantees and others throughout the region are on the docket to gather information and get to know the people doing good work in the community. The Foundation will redouble its efforts to serve the needs of its donors. And of course, it will continue its all-important grantmaking programs. The deadline for receipt of proposals for the Foundation’s next competitive grant cycle is March 3rd. Go to the “Forms and Guidelines” section of the Foundation’s web site at www.cfscny.org for application guidelines and instructions. To request a copy of the Community Foundation’s 2006 Annual Report, call (607) 772-6773. The executive director of the Community Foundation is Diane L. Brown. The Foundation is located at 70 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905. 71 GUERNSEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY A busy year of construction and lending BY TYLER MURPHY The Evening Sun O ne of the largest projects undertaken at Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich was completed last year when the roof, boiler and ventilation systems were replaced. The $760,000 facility upgrade required that the air conditioning be turned off for the majority of the summer of 2007, negatively affecting attendance by 10 percent. “One of the most important things we want people to know is that the air conditioning is working again,” said Library Director Melanie Battoe. The ventilation equipment and roof were part of the original building contructed in 1969. Guernsey Memorial Library is the largest library in Chenango County with a collection of more than 80,000 books. Last year, its public computer access system tracked more than 15,000 sign-ins a month. And despite the temporary drop in attendance, Battoe said the Court Street institution had loaned out more materials than any other library in the four surrounding counties. In 2007, Guernsey circulated over 150,000 items. “That’s even including Broome,” she said. Guernsey Memorial is one of 42 libraries that make up the Four County Library System of Broome, Chenango, Otsego and Delaware. All of MAIURANO’S GREENHOUSES & FLOWER SHOP “Family Owned Since 1930” Fresh Flowers & Plants Grown In Our Greenhouse Potted, Hanging & Bedding Plants •Flowers For All Occasions •Balloon Bouquets REMEMBER YOUR VALENTINE... •Funerals •Mixed Bouquets •Roses •Fruit Baskets •Dish Gardens •Birthdays •Goodie Baskets •Candy •Anniversaries •Weddings & Proms 334-4140 2 miles south of Norwich, 5307 State Hwy. 12 Staff and volunteers prepare for Guernsey Memorial Library’s annual book sale. the libraries in each county share a connected network interlocking the entire collections of each. The public may access the combined inventories at specific computer terminals located within each library. Three times a week, books and other written materials are transfered via truck to the other locations. “So if you’re looking for a book we don’t have here at our building, you can get it from anywhere else in the four county system. Usually we can get them here by the end of the week,” said Battoe. The origins of Norwich’s library can be traced back to 1902 when Mrs. William Guernsey bequeathed her family’s homestead to the Norwich Board of Education. In her will, she requested that it be turned into a library. The house itself was built in 1799. That building remained until the 1960s when it became apparent that the location could not support the collection’s expansion. The current building housing the library was built in the late 1960s and has remained Norwich’s library ever since. The library’s budget is voted on annually at the same time Norwich City School District voters vote on the district’s budget. It is a completely separate budget entity, Battoe said. Guernsey employs 10 fulltime and about 15 part-time positions that vary depending on internships and temporary help. The library also has its own children’s program and dedicated children’s librarian. The coming year looks to be a quieter one for the library. “After this last year of upgrades, I think we’ll give the board a break for a while,” Battoe said. Future plans include replacing playground equipment in the park behind the facility. It was orginally installed in 1969. ALL OUR READER ADS. FROM ALL OUR PAPERS. ALL THE TIME! TOTALLY SEARCHABLE. www.pennysaveronline.com 72 Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun CHENANGO COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE ARTS Broadening horizons BY JEFFREY GENUNG The Evening Sun B roadening horizons through exposure to the arts has been the lifelong mission of the Chenango County Council of the Arts, and in no year was that horizon broadened more than in 2007. A sizable grant from the New York State Music Fund allowed the Arts Council to introduce local audiences to a spectacular variety of performing artists last year. “The grant was intended to help us present emerging artists and new types of music that audiences around here don’t normally get exposure to,” said Arts Council Executive Director Victoria Calvert Kappel. Groups with names like “Burkina Electric” and “Ceili Rain” certainly aren’t typical Chenango fare. “Sometimes it’s fun to push the audience’s comfort zone,” she said. In addition to the performances for Arts Council ticketholders, the musical groups funded by the state grant also did in-school “residencies” at several local districts. During these multi-day sessions, students had the opportunity to learn from the professional musicians and interact with them on a one-on-one basis. Many were even incorporated into the evening performances open to the general public. “It was really exciting to see how they interacted with the students,” Kappel said of the three-to-five day residencies. “Many of the kids got to perform with the musicians on stage,” at the CCCA the- Celtic rock group Ceili Rain was one of the musical acts the Arts Council was able to present through a grant from the New York State Music Fund. ater, she said. “That’s so important, in any field, to get that hands-on experience. The feedback, tips and ideas they got ... it really pulls all the threads of what they’re learning in school together so well.” Another way the Arts Council broadens its exposure is by awarding the New York State Council on the Arts’ “decentralization grants” – monies intended to bring arts and cultural activities into more and more rural areas. The Norwich non-profit organization disseminates grants for both Chenango and Broome counties. In 2007, Kappel said, more than $51,000 was given out to local arts organizations, libraries, churches and cultural groups. In addition, $4,500 was awarded to individual artists whose programming also reached out to the masses. “This funding is essential for smaller, emerging arts groups,” Kappel said. “For many, it’s their primary source of funding.” In 2007, Arts Council-administered funding supported big events like Colorscape and the Blues Festival, as well as smaller events at town libraries, parks and even the Smyrna Citizens Band concerts. Another new event for the Arts Council in 2007 was a fundraiser it inherited from another non-profit group. For years, the STRIDE therapeutic horse riding center had held a party coinciding with the running of the Kentucky Derby in May. When that group folded, the Arts Council picked it up and used it as a fundraiser for a similar aim – The Magic Paintbrush proj- ect, an art therapy workshop for autistic children and their parents. Kappel said the Arts Council looks forward to making an even bigger splash in the community with this year’s Kentucky Derby fete. The current year started with a prestigious exhibit in the Arts Council’s 27 W. Main St. gallery. Photographer Ben Fernandez, recently relocated to Chenango County, shared his powerful “Countdown to Eternity” exhibit, which chronicled the last year in the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. – and debuted in Norwich in the year that marks the 40th anniversary of his assassination. “That exhibit has traveled all over the world, and now it’s in Norwich,” Kappel said. The show remains in the Arts Council gallery through Feb. 4, when it will continue on its journey to Memphis, Tenn. Coming to the gallery in the fall will be another exhibit Kappel said people are already excited about. Called “Still Here,” the show will feature the works of artists who are currently residents in Chenango County’s senior living facilities. “This exhibit shows the gallery’s commitment to issues that reflect Chenango County,” she said. The Arts Council also has a full slate of shows scheduled for the stage of the Martin W. Kappel Theater, starting with preeminent Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers on Feb. 29. For information on performances and to purchase tickets, call the Arts Council at 336-2787 or visit www.chenangoarts.org. Success Stories Rolling Antiquers Antique Car Club The Rolling Antiquers Old Car Club will be sponsoring its 43rd Annual Antique Auto Show and its Car Parts, Antiques & Collectibles Market during the 2008 Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 24th, and Sunday, May 25th. The two day event will be held at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich, N.Y. The Club’s Annual Show and Market attract several thousand visitors each Memorial Day weekend. Restored and original condition show vehicles come from every era and include motorcycles, tractors and trucks. Saturday will feature Muscle Cars and Street Rods such as the Corvette and the Deuce Coupe. Sunday will highlight the Antique Cars from the Model T to the Packard. The RAOCC Show draws more than 1000 vehicles and their proud owners from the surrounding counties and from out of state. Show car owners have come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the New England region, the Mid-Atlantic states and even Ontario, Canada. Over 300 Car Parts vendors and more than 100 Antiques & Collectibles vendors will have their wares for sale on both days. Alongside the car show, private owners from a military club will display a variety of military vehicles. Vendors will be selling related merchandise. Revolutionary War re-enactors will be recreating an encampment and holding demonstrations. All of these events will occur against the musical backdrop of a DJ service. Rain or shine, the show will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. General admission each day is $5 per person. Admission is free for children under 12 years old. Food booths will be staffed by RAOCC members and local food vendors. The menus have included barbecue chicken dinners, philly cheese steak sandwiches and pulled-pork sandwiches, along with the typical staple of hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries. Ice cream and a variety of cold beverages will be available. Free shuttle buses will run between the Fairgrounds and parking areas in Norwich. Dog ordinance enforced during the Show. Make sure to also visit the Northeast Classic Car Museum. Even start the weekend on Friday evening, May 23rd, with the annual downtown Norwich Cruise-In. Show car owners often participate. The Rolling Antiquers Old Car Club (RAOCC) represents the local Norwich region of the Antique Automotive Club of America (AACA). RAOCC Show forms and information can be found at the Club’s website: http://local.aaca.org/raocc For specific inquiries you can also call: MUSCLE CARS: Barb Strobel 607-334-8549 or Clyde Beach 607-334-2901 SHOW CARS: Jim Roberts 315-737-7637 CAR PARTS: Dennis McCarthy 607-334-5486 GENERAL ANTIQUES: Charlene Soyke 607-843-6520 ANTIQUE ENGINE DISPLAY: Dennis McCarthy 607-3345486 “You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” JACK LONDON PUBLISHED BY THE EVENING SUN Success Stories Wilson Funeral Home “The most common reason people plan their funeral ahead of time is because they do not want their family to be burdened with it later on,” says Doug Wilson, owner and manager of the Wilson Funeral Home. Planning ahead makes sense for other reasons too. It is a simple procedure that does not take much time. Decisions can be made about specific choices such as the type of service you would like, the flowers or even the music. Your decisions can be based on your personal preferences at a price that fits your needs. Wilson goes on to say that, “many times people want to know if they have to pay ahead of time or do they have to pay the whole cost at once. I have many arrangements on file that are not paid for ... they have told me what they want when they die, but they have other financial arrangements to pay for it, such as life insurance.” Their wishes are on record and are carried out when the need arises. In New York, when a person does decide to pay ahead for their funeral, a trust account is opened and held until the funeral has been completed. Interest earned on the money in the trust offsets cost increases, so Wilson Funeral Home guarantees that the funeral is paid for whenever it is needed. The Wilson Funeral Home is the only family owned independent funeral home in Norwich. “When a family chooses us, they are treated like they are my family ... the way that I would want to be treated.” Because the funeral home is independent, it has a strong and complete investment in the Norwich Community. Doug Wilson and his associate, Carl Conley, a Sherburne native, are members of the Norwich Rotary Club. Doug has served on the YMCA board and is chairman of the Msgr. Festa Memorial Golf Tournament that benefits Chenango Catholic Charities. The decision to preplan your funeral is a loving gesture for those you leave behind as it relieves them of decision-making at a very stressful time. When it comes to funerals, people want to feel that they are being cared for in a dignified and personal manner. “Wilson Funeral Home is my family taking care of yours.” Raymond Corporation Beginning in 1922 out of Greene, NY, The Raymond Corporation now reaches to the farthest corners of the world, dominating the materials handling industry. Raymond provides the most innovative products in the market. The latest work in innovation at The Raymond Corporation is a new research product in hydrogen-fueled forklifts. The Raymond Corporation, Chenango County’s largest employer, unveiled the early findings from its two-year research program on hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts. Last January Raymond used funding from the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to convert its Greene, New York manufacturing facility into a “living lab” with hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts and an indoor hydrogen refueling station. The purpose of the program is to evaluate the performance of hydrogen-fueled forklifts and to demonstrate the safety of a hydrogen-fueled forklift environment. Raymond’s early findings show that compared to battery-powered forklifts, hydrogen fuel cell forklifts maintain comparable performance. The braking distance, and maximum travel and lift speeds of the fuel cell-powered forklift are equivalent to that of a battery-powered forklift. Raymond has also found that the weight and the distribution of the weight can affect the stability of a fuel cell truck. Therefore, extra weight must be added to the fuel cell and the weight must be distributed so as not to affect the center of gravity. Further, Raymond found that refueling the fuel cell-powered forklift takes only a few minutes as compared with the 20 minutes it may take to remove and replace a battery from the same model forklift. Raymond believes that using hydrogen fuel cells in place of batteries will provide several benefits to users of electric forklift trucks. “Raymond is committed to helping the materials handling industry realize the higher productivity and environmentally clean technology that hydrogen fuel cells can offer,” says Steve Medwin, Raymond manager of advanced research. “We will continue to share the results of our research as it becomes available.” The Raymond Corporation is the leading North American provider of materials handling solutions that improve space utilization and productivity, with lower cost of operation and greater operator acceptance. High-performance, reliable, ergonomically designed Raymond® products range from a full line of manual and electric pallet trucks and walkie stackers to counterbalanced trucks, ReachFork® trucks, orderpickers and dual-purpose (pallet handling/case picking) Swing-Reach® trucks. For more information about The Raymond Corporation or Raymond’s fuel cell research program, visit www.raymondcorp.com or call (800) 235-7200. The Raymond Corporation is headquartered in Greene, NY. Bassett Healthcare Nearly 40 years ago, the Carnegie Commission called for drastic improvement in the quality of U.S. rural medicine and pinpointed one existing hospital as the ideal prototype – Bassett. One year later, Time magazine featured Bassett as a model of rural health care delivery. “Every statistic shows that rural medicine lags far behind what is available in urban areas...But Cooperstown...is a remarkable exception. Reason: it has The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, a minimedical center that ranks among the best in the US." – Time, January 25, 1971 In 2008, the same missions of patient care, research and education that earned Bassett that recognition in 1971 remain the same, and the dedicated work of leaders, educators, researchers, physicians, employees and volunteers continues to guide the organization through growth and change. Today, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital (MIBH) is the foundation for a network that encompasses four affiliate hospitals, 25 community health centers, and 13 school-based health centers across nine counties covering 5,000 square miles. The fourth affiliate hospital is new this year. Tri-Town Regional Hospital (TRH) is located in the Delaware County community of Sidney and will open in February as a 24/7 emergency care facility. The hospital will be staffed by about 50 full and parttime employees. The physician-staffed ED will have the capacity to treat up to six patients at a time, as well as hold patients for observation and treatment when needed. Other services available at TRH include radiology, CT scans and a full laboratory. In 2008, Bassett is also continuing its transition to an enterprise-wide electronic medical record (EMR) and patients may notice laptop computers in the exam rooms. Patient records are immediately available to practitioners who can also now show patients their medication lists, x-rays and other test results on the computer. “With the EMR, we are able to immediately access the latest information, such as what was done at a specialist appointment and make patient-care decisions with up-to-date information,” says Dr. Scott Cohen. Cohen and doctors Thomas Holmes and Grace Holmes, as well as family nurse practitioners Anne St. Pierre and David Hochman provide primary and preventive health care services for the whole family at Bassett Healthcare Norwich, located at 55 Calvary Drive. Specialty care is also offered, including oncology services, OB/GYN, endocrinology, nutritional counseling, rheumatology, pediatric, and general orthopedics, vascular surgery and pulmonary medicine. Call 607-3366362 for an appointment. Just in time for Children’s Dental Health Month, observed in February, Bassett is also expanding the oral health component of its School-Based Health Center (SBHC) program. Students at the SBHCs in Sherburne-Earlville, Delhi, Edmeston, South Kortright, Laurens and Morris now have comprehensive preventive dental services available including sealant and fluoride application. Cornell Cooperative Extension The buy local revolution! The new organics! The Way We Eat! What To Eat! Eat Here! These are the messages that are being put to the test. Knowing where our food comes from is the question of the day, perhaps three times a day, and should be carefully contemplated. It encompasses so much more than just knowing who grew or raised the food we put on our tables everyday. It is a decision that has a large impact on our economy and preservation of our communities. When we choose to buy from local farmers, it also helps to assure quality, freshness and flavor in the foods that we consume. It never ceases to amaze me how much richness and variety we can find right in our own backyard. We may have to devote a little more time towards getting that fresh, high quality, local product into our homes, but once that discovery is made there is no turning back. Knowing that you are supporting a community member and getting good wholesome food in return is a great feeling. Just ask customers of the new local delivery service; Chenango Bounty: Farmer’s Market at Your Door, what an exciting experience it is to receive a weekly delivery of locally grown food right to your door. As Phil Metzger a loyal customer has said, “I just can’t wait to place my order for the week.” Whether we buy our local products directly from the producer, the farmer’s market, the farm stand, the health food store or other retail outlet, we can also look for The Pride of New York emblem. The Pride of New York Program is New York State’s marketing and promotion program charged with generating interest and demand of New York food and agricultural products. By supporting the Pride of New York Program we encourage retailers and restaurants to highlight the products they use and sell. By simply asking the managers of your favorite restaurant, grocery store, or your child’s food service director, you can make a difference in what shows up on your table or theirs. Knowing a certain amount of the language associated with a more sustainable way of eating will help us to make those better choices. Is local better than organic? Should we buy New York apples or organic apples from Washington? Do we buy cage-free eggs or organic eggs? Why should we buy grass fed meat as oppose to grain fed meat? We all need to do a little research to better understand the implications of our choices and how they impact our health and the health of our communities. Good things don’t come easy, but are well worth the extra effort. For more information, contact Sophie Belanger, local products and agri-tourism specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango County, 99 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815. PROGRESS CHENANGO 2008 73 IN THEIR OW N WORDS Climate change is real BY BRIAN BRENNAN New Berlin M any of my friends have their countdown calendars started – counting the days until the end of George Bush’s Presidency. Whether they and the presidential scholars who claim Mr. Bush has been the worst President in the history of our Republic are correct, only the collective vote of several years passing will give us the true picture. Purportedly, Mr. Bush takes solace in pointing to the eventual exoneration of previous Presidents such as Mr. H. Truman who were vilified by their contemporaries for unpopular policies but honored in later years by historians for those same policies. However there is one area of his Presidency where I believe history will judge him poorly and an area of some local importance. That area is this President’s steadfast denial of the collective scientific consensus that global warming is real and has been accelerated by human activity. As I write this on the coldest day of this winter, (-) 5 deg F, global warming might seem like a welcome turn of events. However, one consequence of this warming is a projected three foot rise in sea level due to the release of water tied up in the polar ice caps and elsewhere. While this may seem of little consequence in Chenango County where Norwich’s elevation is about 1000 ft and the ocean 115 miles away; there will be indirect consequences for us to worry about. For instance we are a net importer of dollars from Albany. According to figures supplied courtesy of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch’s Office and that were generated by the Comptroller’s Office, Chenango County receives $2.43 for every $1.00 we send them. New York City, one of the coastal cities projected to be hard hit by a rising sea level, is the supplier of a good portion of those dollars that Albany returns to us. This fall semester I was privileged to teach two science courses at a near-by college. When I quizzed my students on their knowledge of the global warming threat to Earth’s climate, I was dismayed to discover that many students were in denial and most were ignorant of the details. As this quite likely will be a major issue during their lifetimes, we spent some class time exploring this threat. Two recent opinion editorials in the Evening Sun, one by Bob McNitt, the other by Tom Morgan makes it clear that it is not only the younger generation who are in denial. The title of Vice President Gore’s film gets to the heart of this myopic tendency – warming of the Earth’s climate is most assuredly an “inconvenient truth” because it means we cannot continue our profligate ways with our natural resources and our environment. So why is there controversy over the science of global warming? Like a good detective novel the science of climate change has a multitude of characters investigating it, scientists and nonscientists, who have different motives and capabilities. Many nonscientists with various agendas can look at this vast array of data and theories and pick out those pieces that support their agenda and ignore those pieces that refute it. For instance, the Earth’s orbit about the sun changes slightly from year to year in a periodic fashion that leads to regular global cooling and warming. The Earth has been in a warming trend since the 1700’s, the so-called ‘Little Ice Age’. The start of this trend is well before the exponential rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Pretty much all scientists are in agreement on that fact. The controversy however is whether the speed and projected extent of the current warming is due strictly to this natural cycle or has a large additional component due to mankind’s activities, Brian Brennan in particular those activities which generate carbon dioxide and other so-called ‘greenhouse gases.’ Most if not all main-stream scientists pretty much come down on the side of humans accelerating and amplifying this natural trend. From the National Academy of Scientists in June of 2005 “http://nationalacademies.org/onpi/060720 05.pdf” http://nationalacademies.org/onpi/06072005.pdf) : “Climate change is real! There will always be uncertainty in understanding a system as complex as the world’s climate. However there is now strong evidence that significant global warming is occurring. The evidence comes from direct measurements of rising surface air temperatures and subsurface ocean temperatures and from phenomena such as increases in average global sea levels, retreating glaciers, and changes to many physical and biological systems. It is likely that most of the warming in recent decades can be attributed to human activities. This warming has already led to changes in the Earth’s climate.” A final thought in closing none of these negative effects from human activity would be an issue if there were a lot fewer humans crowding the Earth vying for resources. This is the ‘elephant in the room,’ the ‘third rail’ that no one wants to touch or talk about. Perhaps now is the time to begin that discussion. 74 Yes... Progress Chenango 2008 Published by The Evening Sun Our pharmacists are much more than prescriptions and medications! • Locally owned and family operated. You should know that there is much more to a pharmacist than preparing and selling prescriptions and medication. Our pharmacists are your partners in health. The focus is to provide you and your family with ways to improve your health. Another vital service provided by our pharmacists is follow-ups with your medication. Our pharmacists can help you choose the most appropriate non-prescription drugs, their dosage and use. We also can assist you with the dosage and use of prescription drugs, in partnership with your family doctor, for the best treatment possible. • We’re proud to SERVICE you, our loyal customers in Norwich, New Berlin, Sherburne and surrounding areas for over 30 years. • We have 9 Pharmacists and 65 dedicated employees committed to make Service Pharmacy the best we can be for you! Questions About Your Insurance? We Are Always Here To Help With Answers. We also provide: • Free Delivery for residents within the city limits of Norwich, Sherburne and New Berlin only. • 10% discount off prescription drugs if you’re 50 years or older and have no insurance. • Emergency Prescription Service • We’re proud to SERVICE you, our loyal customers in Norwich, New Berlin, Sherburne and surrounding areas for over 30 years. WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE! HALLMARK CARDS & GIFTS Ask About Our Hallmark Discount Card Whether you’re looking for something for yourself, or something special for any upcoming occasion, you’ll be sure to find it here. • Food and Grocery Items such as Milk & Dairy Products, Frozen Foods, Eggs, Bread Items, Canned Goods, Paper Products, Household Items, Soda, Snacks & more! • Free Delivery for residents within the city limits of Norwich, Sherburne and New Berlin only. • 10% discount off prescription drugs if you’re 50 years or older and have no insurance. • Emergency Prescription Service All Of Our Stores Are Well Stocked With Great Buys Up & Down The Aisle! SERVICE PHARMACY 38 S. BROAD STREET, NORWICH, NY 6 N. MAIN ST., SHERBURNE, NY 12 MAIN ST., NEW BERLIN, NY HOURS: 9-8 Mon.-Fri; 9-6 Sat.; 9-1 Sun. HOURS: 9-8 Mon.-Fri; 9-6 Sat.; 9-1 Sun. HOURS: 9-8 Mon.-Fri; 9-6 Sat.; 9-1 Sun. 607-334-2431 607-674-9691 607-847-8100