Star-Gazette, Monday, August 7, 2000 Veterans, residents fight dump near memorial forest By JOHN KEKIS The Associated Press WEST LEYDEN, N.Y. Up here at the edge of the Adirondack Mountains, where cornfields, hayfields and 1 woodlands meet the sky, they want to build a state-of-the-art dump. Right next to a forest dedicated to war veterans. Bob Willson, a 56-year-old Vietnam veteran with the shrapnel scars on his left leg to prove it, can't believe it. "This is a sanctuary," an emotional Willson said as he and about 50 other veterans joined a protest last week to block the dump.
"I gave my wife her diamond ring right up here. It's special, and I don't want it taken, and as long as I'm alive, they aren't gonna. I went to Vietnam not knowing what I was fighting for. Here, I know what I'm fighting for." What Willson and his comrades are fighting for now is preservation of Veterans Memorial Forest, a 798- acre swath of reforested land in the Town of Ava. It was dedicated in 1953 by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No.
406, located in nearby Boonville. The Oneida County Waste Authority's dump proposal has been ESCUE AFD The Associated Press Firetruck flips on Interstate 81 in Pa. Paramedics and firefighters work to free Hyattsville, firefighters after their firetruck flipped while traveling south on Interstate 81 in Plains Township, near Wilkes-Barre. The truck landed in the median and part of the northbound lanes. The truck was returning to Maryland after participating in a community event in Forest City, Pa.
Three people were transported to Community Medical Center in Scranton, with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to a Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department spokesman. OBITUARIES CALVERIC, Helen S. Loving Aunt Age 83 of Elmira, NY died Saturday, August 5, 2000 at Bethany Manor in Horseheads, NY. Helen, daughter of the late Gregory and Julia Fedchak Calveric was preceded in death by brothers Joseph, Michael and George Calveric along with sisters Mary Kohan and Julia Podolinski. She is survived by sisters-in-law Eva Calveric of Buffalo, NY, Ann Calveric of Elmira Heights, NY and Katherine Calveric of Sayre, PA; long time friend Ruth Manning of Elmira; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, August 9, 2000 at 9:30 AM in St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Elmira Heights. Burial will follow at the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Athens, PA. The family will provide flowers.
Those wishing may make donations in Helen's memory to St. Nicholas Church, 410 E. McCann's Elmira Heights, NY 14903. Helen was a long time and active member of the church. She was retired from Facet in Elmira Heights after 34 years of service.
CRANDELL, Patricia Seeley Of Canton RR2 Age 63 formerly of Troy passed away Saturday, August 5, 2000. Arrange- Smart Savings TERM 7 months 6.25% years 7.25% other certificate of deposit terms available The minimum balance to open an account and obtain the Percentage Yield (APY) is $5,000. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Deposits insured to $100,000 by the FDIC. are accurate as of August 3, 2000 your Community Bang Since 1806.
W. Water at College Elmira, NY 733-5533 member FDIC www.elmirabank.com on the books since 1991. Ken Martin, a retired Marine who heads the group, Veterans Defending Our Memorial Forest, says his stomach has been churning ever since. "I was aghast," Martins said. "I lost I an awful lot of people and I don't spend a day without thinking of them." Martin said a portion of the dump, which would be able to accept 200,000 to 220,000 tons of trash a year, would be located 800 feet from the edge of the forest.
It is projected to rise some 125 feet in the air before it reaches capacity over the course of six decades. That's twice as high as the trees in the forest now stand, a half century after they were planted. "It's wrong to put garbage on their memories," Martin said. "It will bring rats, seagulls, vermin and seagull droppings to sacred land." Hans Arnold, who heads the waste authority, doesn't see it that way. "We have great respect for what the veterans have done," he said.
"But I don't think this would result in any disrespect to their memorial. I am 100 percent confident that anything we do will not show any disrespect to them." The dump issue has been simmering ever since county tests showed that the 150-acre Ava site was at the top of its list of 79 sites because it has a thick layer of clay beneath the surface, which would prevent contaminated water from leaking. "We had 30-40 meetings, and we said to the public, 'What do you want us to look Oneida County Legislator David Wood said of the search for a suitable site. "The number one concern of the people was that it be located as far out as possible, and the second concern was to use county land, if possible. The Ava site got the highest ranking." Money is one of the main factors driving the decision to build the dump.
The price for exporting garbage likely will rise once New York City's Fresh Kills landfill closes in two years, Arnold said. Oneida County currently ships trash out but wants to find a suitable site for the future once its five-year contract runs out in 2003, Wood said. "I don't like the idea, either, and we'll refrain from building the landfill as long as options are available," Wood said. "But we need the permit as soon as possible. We have to have it in hand because construction of the dump will take two years.
You've got to have a local option. We're producing the waste, shouldn't we attempt to dispose of it?" Storms flood roads in southwestern Pa. By JEFFREY BAIR The Associated Press Heavy rains swelled mountain creeks, covered roads and pushed the Youghiogheny River toward a flood in southwestern Pennsylvania Sunday. There were no immediate reports of injuries or evacuations because of the high water. The Youghiogheny River, which runs from Maryland into the Monongahela River in southwestern Pennsylvania, was 2 feet below flood stage late Sunday, said Russell DeMaris, a National Weather Service hydrologist in suburban Pittsburgh.
Somerset County got inches of rain, and 3 inches of rain fell on parts of Fayette and Westmoreland counties, DeMaris said. The river known informally as the "Yough" runs through all three counties. The rain rushed down from mountain creeks and onto several streets in South Connellsville, a riverside city about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The streets were closed for most of the afternoon but had reopened Sunday night, South Connellsville Mayor Pete Cafini said. He declared a state of emergency Syracuse gun buyback brings in 316 weapons SYRACUSE When a local grocery store chain offered to fund a gun buyback program, everybody was optimistic.
Not this optimistic, though: the 12-day program netted 316 weapons. "You never put a number on an expectation, but I had it in my mind that 150 to 200 guns was kind of what I'd like to have," said Mike Backman, Syracuse's director of public affairs. "Certainly, when we passed 200, then we passed 250, and then 300, we were all surprised." By comparison, a program last year in New York City netted 659 weapons in four weeks. Under that buyback program, anyone who turned in an operable weapon at a police station house received amnesty and a $100 voucher redeemable at the district attorney's office. In return for the guns in the Syracuse program, I police handed ments are with the Pepper Funeral Home, Springbrook Drive, Canton PA.
The Associated Press Kidney, Thomas Of New Port Richey, FL Formerly of Ithaca, Age 71, passed away on August 4, 2000. Survived by wife Yolanda (Giammichele) Kidney of New Port Richey, FL; son: Thomas Kidney, daughters: Patricia Ann Bowers and Anna Marie Zimmerman; several grandchildren; brothers: James Kidney, Ithaca, NY, Charles Kidney, Florida, Edward Kidney, Texas; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law in the Elmira area: Clara Sheldon, Julia Butters, Anthony Giammichele, Nicholas Giammichele and Rocco Giammichele. Funeral and Committal services will be held in New Port Richey, FL. LOUCKS, Nellie M. Of Galeton, PA 97, August 6, 2000 at Drakes Personal Care Home, Galeton, PA.
She was born May 1, 1903 in Galeton, PA the daughter of, Andrew and Hannah Mattison Fritchel. Nellie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Galeton; and the Galeton American Legion Auxiliary. She is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Arthur and Bertha Loucks of Middlebury Center, PA, Raymond and Freda Loucks of Auburndale, FL; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Edith and Harold Lias of Westfield, PA, Rebecca Loucks of Barton, NY; 6 grandchildren; and 10 great to authorize police overtime and requests for help from nearby volunteer fire departments in pumping out two dozen flooded basem*nts. "We've got one spot where the water washed out the ground 8 feet deep," Cafini said. "There's about 30 feet of water line just sitting there exposed." Streets also were submerged in small towns such as Dunbar, Dawson, Meyersdale, Rockwood and Salisbury near the Yough or its tributaries.
The water covered the Somerset County fairgrounds just two weeks before the start of the county fair Aug. 19. Robert Knopsnyder was homebound by 4 feet of water on the road near his house but had no worries it was built on a slope far above the roadway. He spoke Sunday night from Meyersdale shortly after he watched his Amish neighbor navigate the sunken road on a horse. "The water just keeps coming up through the drain in the basem*nt and going back down," Knopsnyder said.
"This is the worst I've seen it in five years." The rain canceled street hockey and soccer events at the Keystone Games, a statewide amateur competition in Johnstown. Feds, Niagara County probe violence at construction sites out $15,800 in grocery vouchers donated by Foods. "You can't beat the fact that we got over 300 guns off the street, people got $50, and it didn't cost the city a dime," Backman said. The program was so successful that police had to mail vouchers to a few people after twice running out of them, Backman said. "We thought people would rather sell the gun outright, for money," said Sgt.
Joe Sweeny, city police spokesman. "For a lot of people, this was a great way to get rid of it, so no one else will ever use the gun again." Residents turned in the guns with no questions asked. The guns will be melted down this fall at Crucible Specialty Metals in suburban Syracuse. Police have to make sure the weapons have no criminal history before they are melted, Sweeny said. Police haven't discovered any stolen guns so far among the ones they've checked.
BUFFALO A series of beatings, bombings and death threats at Niagara County construction sites has prompted a federal investigation. The crimes include the beating of a carpenter working on Niagara Falls High School, as many as 15 attackers beating and stomping six tile setters at the construction site of a Wegmans grocery store, the bombing of the home of a worker who had a dispute with Laborers Local 91, and a $100,000 vandalism spree at a Town of Niagara landfill site. All the incidents have been at sites where Laborers Local 91 has disputed with contractors, nonunion workers and other unions. Niagara County Sheriff Thomas A. Beilein did not comment specifically on the probe, but did say that "deputies have responded to more picket line problems with Local 91 than any other union by far." "We've seen cases where people have been threatened or beaten up if The Associated Press they cross a picket line," he said.
"These guys play rough. They even flattened the tires on one of my deputies' cars at a picket site out in Wilson. They threw metal 'stars' under his car while it was moving. The deputy could have been injured." The intimidation caused one developer to surround his work sites with 8-foot fences, barbed wire, armed guards and police dogs. A contractor took out a $1 million life insurance policy after criticizing 91.
Laborers Local 91 has about 450 members in the work force and 225 retirees. Longtime business manager Michael A. "Butch" Quarcini, 69, is at the center of the Local 91 leaders being investigated. Quarcini, his daughter and his son-in-law hold three of the highest-paid positions in the local. Quarcini denies any involvement in the violence.
He predicts the investigation will find no directive or orchestration behind the incidents, only that aggressive, law-abiding union members have been trying to protect their jobs. Paid obituaries are phrased in accordance with the wishes of the family and funeral director. Free obituaries are offered to those who wish to publish limited information including name, address, date of death and the name and address of the funeral home handling arrangements. Call (607) 733-8282 or (607) 734-5105 for information on placing obituaries. Deadline is 5:30 p.m.
the day before publication. grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Benjamin in 1968; and a granddaughter. Friends are invited to call at the Lloyd Brown Funeral Home; Galeton, PA, Tuesday 1-3. and 7-9 PM.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Galeton with Rev. Sharon Gearing, her pastor, officiating. Burial in West Hill Cemetery, Galeton, PA. MACE, Tracey Sr. Retired employee of ABB Traction, Elmira Heights Age 64 of Elmira NY passed away Sunday morning, August 6, 2000 at St.
Joseph's Hospital in Elmira. Surviving are his loving wife of 43 years, Ann Bulow Mace at home; sons, Tracey Mace, Jr. of Elmira, Patrick (Mary) Mace of Erin NY; 5 Patrick April, Ryan, and grandchildren, Tracie, Brittany; brothers and sisters-in-law, Eugene (Margaret) Mace of Enterprise AL, Chuck (Betty) Mace of St. Louis MO, Bill (Virginia) Mace of Mobile AL, Bob (Winnie) Mace of Elmira NY; sisters, Mary Buffalin of Elmira NY, Irene Williams of Elmira NY; brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary) Carson of Elmira NY, William Carson of Elmira NY; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; many good friends and buddies from all over. Tracey was loved and well liked by everyone.
He was an avid fisherman, hunter, artist and NASCAR fan. In early years Tracey was employed by American Bridge. He was a retired employee of ABB Traction of Elmira Heights. Family and friends are invited to call Tuesday, August 8, 2000 from 6 to 8 PM at the Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elmira. Funeral and committal services will be held there at the conclusion of calling hours at 8 PM with the Rev.
Joseph Brodnik officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira at the convenience of the family. SCHOFFNER, Robert C. Jr. Chemung County Highway Retiree Age 66 of Hugg Road, Lowman, NY passed away Saturday, August 5, 2000 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
Robert was born June 24, 1934 in Watkins Glen, NY, son of the late Robert and Mabel Schoffner. He was retired from the Chemung County Highway Department and was a past member of the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department. Survivors include his wife, Helen; three sons, Allen and Norman Schoffner, both of Lowman, Clifford of Elmira; a daughter, Nancy Primm of Elmira; brothers, John and Ronald (June) Schoffner, both of Watkins Glen; sisters, Marion (Bob) Harrison of Watkins Glen, Elizabeth (Frank) Stoddard of Oliver Tyrone, NY and Doris Montour Falls; four grandchildren; one great grand- child; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his daughter Barbara. Family and friends are invited to call Tuesday, August 8, 2000 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM: at the James D.
Barrett Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 8 PM with Reverend Anne L. Mowery officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park at the convenience of the family. JAMES D.
BARRETT FUNERAL HOME 1004 LAKE STREET ELMIRA, NY 733-4629 FUNERAL NOTICE BAILEY, Evelyn Marie Of Elmira, NY Age 67 passed away Friday evening, August 4, 2000 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira. Family and friends are invited to call Tuesday, August 8, 2000 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Elmira. The funeral service will be held there at the conclusion of calling hours at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Howard Hunt officiatInterment service will immediately follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Elmira..
