Double dipping: Don't do it! Scientists have determined that it is likely you'll transfer your germs to others by double-dipping (dipping an already-bitten chip back into dip). I'm going to be extra-careful this Super Bowl Sunday!
The village board's meeting about access to Cazenovia Lake from Lakeside Park drew over 100 people, according to the Post-Standard's coverage. The comments at the bottom of that link are an interesting reflection of how some people perceive Cazenovia - and Cazenovians.
The Cazenovia village board will hold a public meeting tonight to solicit feedback on its proposal to revise lake access and parking rules at its Lakeside Park launch facility.
The Cazenovia Lake Association sent this note describing the position of the association regarding the proposed changes to Lakeside Park's boat launch rules.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
From the recent articles in the newspapers, you may be aware of the Village of Cazenovia proposed resolution to open its Lakeside Park to additional public access. The proposal essentially allows for one-half of the exisitng boat trailer parking spaces to be used by non-residents, whereas the present regulations now only permit residents of the Cazenovia school district access to the ramp and parking spaces. A copy of the proposed regulations can be found on the Village of Cazenovia website at www.villageofcazenovia.com. These articles appear to tell the whole story but, as you know, what's not said is often as important. For instance, it states that the cost for enforcement will be paid using permit fees. However, the estimates for cost of enforcement range from a low of $10,000 to as high as $40,000 and the permit fees won't come close to paying for that. So the Village proposes inter-municipal agreements where the other municipalities (such as the Town) would help pay for this cost. This means that every Town and Village taxpayer, whether they own a boat or not, will be paying for non-residents to use the boat ramp.
The Cazenovia Lake Association is opposed to this new regulation for several reasons. It will be an additonal tax burden on the Town and Village residents with little in return. It will increase the likelyhood of additional jet skiis and large boats onto the lake resulting in environmental, safety and quality of life issues. The Cazenovia Lake Association has posted an online petition for residents to sign and post their concerns or comments.
We ask you to do any and all of the following:
1. Sign the petition, both you and your spouse or partner: Click here: Village of Cazenovia Lake Access Petition
2. Attend the public hearing to be held at 7pm on Tuesday January 22, 2008 in the Village hall
3. Write a letter to the Editor of the Caz Republican, PO Box 301, Cazenovia, NY 13035 or email at republican@cnylink.com
4. Forward this email on to all your friends and neighbors who are residents of the Town or Village of Cazenovia
Thank you for your interest
[The Cazenovia Lake Association]
According to News10Now, a helicopter has crashed at noon today near the Fenner wind farm. Foggy conditions caused trouble for the pilot, and four people were injured - apparently none seriously.
The Village of Cazenovia is in the process of revising its policy for boats launching into Cazenovia Lake from its Lakeside Park location. The proposed policy will allow for the purchase of seasonal permits, with restrictions on the number of permitted vehicles and trailers that can be in the parking lot at any one time. The letter below from Trustee Kurt Wheeler explains his own background and position regarding this issue. The proposal itself can be found on the village's web site in the board meeting minutes page.
13 January 2008
Dear Neighbors,
The purpose of this letter is to clarify certain aspects of the discussion regarding proposed regulations for the Lakeside Park boat launch. I have been concerned about the tone and accuracy of certain information disseminated recently. Like the other members of the Cazenovia Village Board, I enthusiastically welcome input from residents of both the Town and Village. My hope is that residents will have thorough and accurate information on which to base that input. The following points are submitted for your consideration:
1) The Village Board as well as many other concerned citizens have been actively studying this topic for more than eight months. We have considered a wide range of issues and have crafted a proposal that we sincerely feel is in the best interest of the Village and the broader community. It has not been a hasty or careless process.
2) The $40,000 figure that has been circulated for enforcement is inaccurate. I have been directly involved in the cost calculations and the figure is less than $10,000 - a sum that will be covered using conservative estimates of anticipated sales of permits and/or intermunicipal agreement fees. There will not be any significant impact on local taxpayers. It is also important to note that Lakeside Park and its associated launch are currently 100% funded by Village taxes. No Town taxes are currently involved. The Town Board will decide later if it desires to sign an intermunicipal agreement or to allow individual residents to purchase their own permits as they do under the present law.
3) The Village Board is concerned about all of the issues raised by the Lake Association in recent communications and is committed to being an active participant in the Watershed Council proposed by the Town of Cazenovia to address these issues systematically. We applaud the recent closing of the unimproved launches at the north and south end of the lake by the Town which stemmed, in part, from healthy intermunicipal discussion and cooperation.
4) Under the status quo, there is effectively no limit to the number of "non-resident" boaters who can access the lake on any given day. The past reality has been virtually open access to the lake from three municipal launches. The proposed legislation would result in a maximum of nine "non-local" users on the lake at any time from one municipal launch with appropriate enforcement. All users of the launch will agree to abide by a written summary of safe boating practices. The intent of the proposed resolution is better regulated access to the lake and increased safety.
5) I would like to reassure my friends and neighbors in the Village and Town that I have studied this issue very carefully and thoughtfully. The same can be said for each of my colleagues on the Village Board. I love this community and every action that I take is intended to be in its best interest. I am saddened that some would imply that the proposed legislation has been reckless, thoughtless or crafted with anything other than the best interest of the community in mind.
6) I encourage everyone to read the proposed resolution (available at: www.villageofcazenovia.com) and to call me or another member of the Village Board with questions. We heartily welcome public input and believe that well-informed input will best serve the public interest.
Very Sincerely,
Kurt Wheeler
Cazenovia Village Trustee
This is really surprising to me - Wegman's will no longer sell tobacco products in any of its stores, citing employee health concerns. Effective immediately, they will no longer restock any products, and they will stop selling any and all tobacco products effective February 10, 2008.
The Cazenovia Girls' JV and Varsity Basketball Teams will be participating in several events throughout their season to raise money for Coaches vs. Cancer.
The first event is a Free-throw Pledge-a-Thon, whereas individuals or organizations pledge a per foul shot price for every foul shot the team makes during the season. Flat fee donations are also accepted. If you have not been contacted by a player and would like to donate, please contact them.
The second event which will feature multiple activities will be a held on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008, when the Cazenovia Girls’ JV and Varsity teams take on rival Westhill.
Game Events to include:
PLEASE COME OUT TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAMS AND DONATE TO THIS VERY WORTHWHILE CAUSE.
More information about Coaches versus Cancer below:
About Coaches vs. Cancer
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs.
Coaches vs. Cancer evolved from a concept championed by Norm Stewart, former head coach of the University of Missouri's men's basketball program, cancer survivor, and member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He started the program by challenging fans to pledge a dollar amount for every three points made by his team during the season.
The American Cancer Society and the NABC adopted that concept in 1993 and transformed it into a nationwide effort to unite coaches across the country in the common mission to provide help and hope to all people facing cancer. Today, more than 500 Division I, II, and III college coaches are involved in the program, having raised more than $30 million to support the American Cancer Society's lifesaving mission since its inception. Additionally, more than 100 high school coaches also participate in the program.