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Polar plunge in Alfred

ALFRED– Members of the Alfred University and local communities are invited to jump into Foster Lake to help raise money to build a well providing clean drinking water to a community in Puerto Rico.

The AU Polar Plunge for Puerto Rice will be held Sunday, Nov. 24, from 1-3 p.m. at Foster Lake. The event is being organized by Jeff Sluyter-Beltrao, associate professor of political science. Money raised will fund the “FYE Water Planet” project organized by Michele Hluchy, professor of geology at Alfred University. The project seeks to fund installation a well in a Puerto Rican community recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Participants register and pledge a donation, then show up at Foster Lake on Nov. 24 and take the plunge. Those not wanting to jump into the lake can sponsor someone who is registered to participate. There will be a campfire at the AU Polar Plunge, and hot chocolate will be provided.

For more information, or to register to participate, visit the AU Polar Plunge website.

Obituary: Mary E. Hoffman, 81, Angelica

ANGELICA – Mary E. Hoffman, loving wife and mother of 3 passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on November 13, 2019. Mary was born October 9, 1938 in Birdsall, NY to Samuel Wray and Frances Gordon Wray. She had resided in the Angelica area, and was married to her husband Raymond Hoffman on March 2, 1957.

She loved gardening, and was a big Elvis fan, but most of all she loved watching the birds on the porch with her husband. She also loved having family cookouts.

She was predeceased by her parents, and her sister Sandra J. Hoffman.

She is survived by her husband Raymond, her son Raymond (Vickie) Hoffman of Angelica, 2 daughters Wendy (Jerry) Cassidy of Birdsall, Tammy Hoffman Miller of Angelica, 11 grandchildren Raymond III (Chelsea) Hoffman, Curtis Hoffman, Katelin (Jason) Morton, Megan Coen, Miranda (Brett) Hemphill, Chasity (Dan) Mura, Casy (Breanna) Gates, Maryann (Craig) Powers, Ashley Coen, Ryan (Chelsea) Coen, Desirae Miller, 28 great grandkids, 3 siblings Jeanette (William) Jones of Springwater, Darlene (James) Barrow of Prattsburg, and Samuel (Laraine) Wray of Hunt.

The family will be having a service and luncheon on November 23, 2019 at the Garwoods United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. 10524 County Road 15B, Canaseraga, NY 14822.

To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facbook @brownpowersfh, the family is being assisted by director Chester A. Gosper IV.

Friends may make memorial contributions to the Gardwoods United Methodist Church 10524 County Road 15B, Canaseraga, NY 14822.

Partial Obituary: William D. Frasier, 74, Cuba

William D. Fraser, 74, of 23 South Shore Rd., Cuba Lake, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at home. Friends will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba, on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and on Friday, November 22, 2019 from 10-11:00 a.m. at the Cuba United Methodist Church, 49 East Main Street, Cuba. at which time Funeral Services will be held. The Rev. Rebecca Worth will officiate. A complete obituary will be published Monday.

Wellsville Town Board further discusses potential ‘temporary’ move to airport

During a special meeting Friday night, the Wellsville Town Board inched closer to potentially relocating its government offices at the Wellsville Airport. The potential relocation would be for a year or two while a long-term option is developed.
Why? The village and town governments have called the Municipal Building at 156 North Main Street home for decades. However, the village decided to move to 23 North Main Street. However, the town said there wasn’t enough room for them.
The dilemma: The village owns the Municipal Building and had planned on offering the town a month-to-month lease. Town officials noted that they currently give the village around $12,000 a year in rent. One concern expressed tonight was that if the building gets sold, the town will need to scramble to find a place to operate. Council member Bill Fish said he has been obtaining quotes and it would cost around $7,500 to make the airport space accommodating for town purposes.
The catch: Even though, the airport building and property are owned by the town, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would need to ‘sign-off’ on the deal. As a result, the town board voted 5-0 to authorize Town Supervisor Shad Alsworth to obtain permission for the FAA. Every board member stressed that if operations move to the airport, it would not be permanent. However, no one is quite ready yet to discuss what future options are under consideration. The apparent consensus of the board what that money is tight, it would be fiscally responsible to save $12,000 a year in rent and there is no longer term future left at the Municipal Building. Alsworth said “I haven’t heard anyone say…don’t move.”

Wellsville Town Board approves fire contract with Village

By a 5-0 vote, the Wellsville Town Board Friday Night approved a contract with the village for fire protection. Under the agreement, the town will pay the village $125,000 and will hold an additional $3,000 in reserve for health-related needs. Despite recent disputes with the village, Supervisor Shad Alsworth said “it’s moving in a positive direction. Council member Bill Fish said the Fire Council originally sought $130,000.

Wellsville: Town Board approves 2020 budget-includes tax hike and layoffs

During a special meeting Friday night, the Wellsville Town Board voted 5-0 to adopt the 2020 budget. No members of the public attended a public hearing on the spending plan. Town Supervisor Shad Alsworth noted several challenges that impacted the budget. He laid much of the blame on the former Assessor and staff. Their actions, Alsworth said, resulted in the town’s equalization rate being lowered from 99% to 89%. Another issue that complicated matters was the Grievance Board, which lowered the assessment on the former Kmart building from $3.4 million to $1 million. Employee costs and health insurance increases also contributed to the budget increases.
For the first time in more than 15 years, the town will also eliminate positions. The Board agreed to axe a payroll clerk position at the airport as well as a union position at the Highway Department. The Department currently has six employees and a secretary. Highway Superintendent Dean Arnold said he was “strongly opposed” to the layoff in his department. He added, though, that he would continue to work with the Board. Deputy Supervisor Michael Miller noted that “Arnold is a progressive highway guy…he knows what he is doing.”
The new budget includes a tax increase of 4%. The Supervisor said “nobody around this table is happy about that.” He said if town values don’t increase “services eventually will start to diminish.” The newly adopted budget also requires all non-union town employees to contribute more for their health insurance.

China should pass laws to support and protect the victims of rogue USA

The American Senate is going to pass a law to support terrorism in Hong Kong and interfere in China’s domestic affairs under the pretext of protecting democracy and human rights. China cannot stand idly by and do nothing white the world’s number one rogue nation is supporting the break away of Hong Kong from China and separatist movements and violence in Hong Kong.The white Americans thrive and

Opinion- Allegany County Public Defender: "The sky is not falling"

Bail reform is coming to New York State on January first. There is a great deal of misinformation and alarmist hype currently being circulated on this issue. Contrary to what you may have heard from various politicians, this is not the end of civilization as we know it. I can assure you that the sky is not falling.

To understand what is really going on, we need to look beyond the fear-mongering. As of January first, individuals charged with most misdemeanor offenses and non-violent felonies will no longer be subject to pre-trial incarceration when they are unable to post bail. Essentially, the number of people who are charged with crimes and sent to jail upon mere arrest, before they are convicted of anything, will be greatly reduced. Statewide statistics show that under the current bail system roughly 65-80% of the local jail populations are being held pre-conviction at any given time. So, what the politicians and naysayers are advocating is perpetuation of a system where people are deprived of their liberty and sent to jail simply because they have been charged with a crime, and are too poor to post bail. Given that the presumption of innocence is a bedrock principle of our democracy, this point of view– that people should be jailed before conviction– is particularly disturbing.

Also, often overlooked by those promoting the anti-reform talking points are two facts about the new legislation. Bail will still be an available option in cases alleging violence or sex offenses. Secondly, persons who have financial means have always had the ability to remain at liberty while their case is pending. It is the poor who have suffered the consequences of the current bail laws.

I have heard some offer the opinion that this reform is unnecessary in upstate areas; that somehow the current system works just fine here. While specific rural issues may differ from those in the urban areas, this reform is intended to correct abuses statewide. I have worked as a criminal defense attorney in Allegany County for over 30 years and have seen countless abuses of discretion under the current system. For example, I have seen bail set at $10,000 on a charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the 3rd degree, an unclassified misdemeanor under the vehicle and traffic law. My office routinely sees clients sent to jail pre-conviction for very minor offenses. This is done under the misguided notion that somehow the first appearance in court upon arrest should subject the defendant to judgment (guilty) and punishment (jail) at the complete whim of the local justice. All too often, this is how the question of bail is decided. Unfortunately, the real purpose of bail, to secure the defendant’s return to court, has not always been the primary concern.

The new legislation is designed to correct these abuses. I suggest we focus on the facts, rather than listen to the fear-mongering. We should all be proud that New York State has seen fit to make these legislative changes, and by doing so is moving toward a fairer and more just process.

Barbara J. Kelley

Allegany County Public Defender

Bolivar man charged with criminally negligent homicide in drug overdose death

The New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, along with Amity-based Bureau of Criminal Investigations, today arrested Michael J. Perkins, 38, of Bolivar, New York, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the third degree (B Felony) and Criminally Negligent Homicide (E Felony). Police said the charges stem from an investigation into an overdose death which occurred in the Village of Bolivar on November 12, 2019. Perkins was charged after allegedly providing the fatal dose of Heroin/Fentanyl to the victim. Perkins was arraigned in the Town of Friendship Court and sent to the Allegany County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. He is due to reappear in the Village of Bolivar Court at a later date. Anyone with any information regarding illegal drug activity in their area are urged to contact the New York State Police Narcotics Unit at 585-268-7085 for Allegany County residents and 716-373-2773 for Cattaraugus County residents.

Despite retails losses, Allegany County sales tax collections continue to climb

Sales tax collections in Allegany County continue to climb despite some significant retail losses. According to a report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Allegany County collected about $6 million during the third quarter of 2019, a jump of 8.5% from the same period a year ago. In fact, Allegany County had the strongest growth in Western New York. DiNapoli said from January to September, Allegany County collected about $16.4 million, a 2.2$ increase from last year. Steuben, Wyoming and Livingston counties have also experienced increases. However, the news isn’t as bright for the City of Olean, which has felt a more than 2% decline in sales tax collections.