Thousand of New Yorkers spent some time recently rallying against high taxes. Tax Day Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Parties took place nationwide on April 15th, and several were held right here in the 51st district. The Boston-like tea parties were an opportunity for people to vent their anger over their ever-growing tax bills. I too feel the frustration expressed by these hard working, overburdened taxpayers.

The Herkimer County Humane Society is holding its annual flower sale on Friday, May 15th from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 16th from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the humane society located on Route 5s, Mohawk.

Do you have a room in your house in need of rehabilitation? Would you like to replace old carpeting or a tired couch?
The Rehab-A-Room raffle, presented by Valley Health Services, allows the lucky winner to rehabilitate a room of choice in your home.

ONEONTA – Senator James L. Seward (R/I/C- Oneonta) recently commented on Tax Day Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Parties occurring in his district.

On Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 2009, the Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff will be distributing the trees, shrubs, groundcovers and planting accessories that were ordered by many local residents during their annual tree and shrub sale.

Senate Democrats held a recent press conference in New York City touting a plan to revive the STAR property tax rebate checks. Unfortunately this is nothing more than a desperate attempt to divert attention from their votes to eliminate the tax relief program. They stole the car last month; now they want to return it.

Elmira College has released its Dean’s List for Academic Achievement for the Winter 2009 term. The Dean’s List recognizes students that have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for the Winter 2009 academic term.

ONEONTA -- New York State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that Jackie Hinckley of Richfield Springs has been selected as a 2009 New York State “Woman of Distinction.”

The West Winfield Fire Department is holding its Firemen’s Field Days on July 3, 4 and 5 in the Memorial Park, Route 20, West Winfield.

The Otsego County Chamber announced that the first Annual State-of-the-County breakfast, sponsored by New York Central Insurance of Edmeston, will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Holiday Inn of Oneonta/Cooperstown area. The event will begin with a buffet breakfast at 7:30 am followed by a presentation by James P. Powers, Chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, at 8:00 am.

RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Local residents Ron Sadlon and Ben Gotfried have entered into an unusual business venture they hope could help return Richfield Springs to the tourist Mecca it once was in the 19th century.

The Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District has announced a Pasture walk at Groeslon Farm, hosted by Ray & Wanda Paddock, at 10941 Fairchild Rd., Remsen, NY on Tuesday, June 23rd from 10:00am-Noon.

The Board of Education of the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District announced the appointment of Robert Miller to the position of School District Superintendent at the Board of Education meeting held on Thursday, June 25, 2009. His responsibilities will resume on July 27, 2009.

Sheep’s wool, pieces of harness and antique clothing aren’t typically found in a classroom, but they become valuable teaching tools in Barbara Linsley’s 5th-grade middle school class each spring.

Spring is here, and with it, a heightened level of excitement about the new organic garden that will come to life at the elementary school.

A high school girl sits quietly at the end of a long cafeteria table, the earpiece to an Apple iPod disappearing under a lock of hair. Opposite her, another girl appears to be staring at the floor. She shifts, revealing that a text-message conversation has her in its grip. Fingers fly in a blurred frenzy on her cell phone keypad. Elsewhere in the room, the view is mixed. Most tables are consumed by gaggles of laughing teenagers, but a growing number are inhabited by a less communicative bunch.

High school senior Andrea Wrobel was selected to perform with top-level student vocalists from 13 Eastern states and Washington, D.C., at the All-Eastern Music Conference in Providence R.I., this past March.

The public vote on Mount Markham Central School District’s proposed $24.3 million budget for the next school year will occur from 1 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, in the elementary school cafeteria on Fairground Road, West Winfield. The plan carries a tax levy increase of 1.92 percent.

Nicholas J. Savin, Superintendent of Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, has announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2009.

Maggie Millner, daughter of Bob Millner and Barbara Sepp of Cherry Valley, is the Valedictorian of the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School’s graduating Class of 2009.

May has been designated Older Americans Month. America’s seniors provide an example for younger generations, and during Older Americans Month, we reflect on the many contributions they have made and continue to make to our community. Started in 1963 by President Kennedy, the observance of Older Americans Month has become an annual tradition.

On Sunday, May 10th, The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, NY will host their annual Mother’s Day Brunch from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The cost will be a Prix Fixe of $39.95 per person, tax and service charge included; $19.98 for children 8 years and under.

With the invasion of the zebra mussel in both Otsego and Canadarago lakes, lake property owners are in need of means to prevent the destructive species from entering their household water systems. After receiving a number of inquiries about control devices, Jeff Haggerty of Ace Hardware is stocking Team filters.

The National Traffic Safety Institute’s six hour Traffic Survival Workshop will be held at the Herkimer Area Resource Center (HARC) on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in the Board/Conference Room at 350 S. Washington St., Herkimer. Access is from the main entrance.

A rabid raccoon was killed on Furnace Street in City of Little Falls on 6/26/2009. The animal control officer and police killed the raccoon and contacted Public Health to report the attack.

A graduation ceremony for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) from the program sponsored by Mohawk Valley Nursing Home (MVNH) in Ilion and Folts Homes in Herkimer was held on April 10, 2009. Since the inception of this course, 257 students have successfully completed the classes to become CNAs. The CNAs work under the supervision of a nurse and provide assistance to residents with daily living tasks, as well as social and emotional support.

A public hearing to discuss the Mount Markham Central School District’s proposed 2009-10 budget is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, in the high school auditorium on Fairground Road, West Winfield.
Prior to the hearing, residents will receive by mail the district’s spring issue of the Panorama newsletter, which explains the budget proposal in greater detail.

Folts Homes in Herkimer is getting ready for their 4th annual “Summer Strawberry Festival” to be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., come rain or shine.

June is National Dairy Month, making it the perfect time to recognize the hard-working men and women of New York’s dairy industry. Dairy farming falls under the larger category of agriculture, which just so happens to be the largest industry in New York State.

Megan Merritt, Class of 2011 at Skidmore College, earned honors for the spring semester. Megan is the daughter of Lon and Christine Merritt of West Winfield.

Author Maya Frost says Rotary Youth Exchange is the best option for high school students to study abroad in her new book, The New Global Student. “Studying abroad is the best experience high school students can have to enhance their lives and expand their horizons before college”, says Frost. She writes that although hundreds of organizations offer exchange programs, Rotary Youth Exchange is the best option hands-down.

A sample of Andela Products’ innovative use of crushed glass technology to assist in the beautification of the landscaping at Cormetech, Inc Environmental Technologies in Cleveland, Tenn.

Locally grown perennials, annual bedding, hanging plants and vegetable seedlings will be for sale at the Upper Unadilla Valley Association’s (UUVA) annual Garden Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 16 at the Winfield Town Park, Route 20, West Winfield.

The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market opens for its 19th season on Saturday, May 9. In celebration of Mothers Day, the first 200 moms will receive a complimentary carnation.
Refreshments will be served and Scott Andersen will be the featured artist playing acoustic blues, classic rock and folk music.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - The Farmers’ Museum is seeking applicants for its Young Interpreter Program. By pairing young people with museum staff, this popular summer program teaches students about America’s past, helps them develop new skills, and allows them to share their newfound knowledge with museum visitors.

Cooperstown -- Baseball’s presence at the Olympic games is on hold for now. But baseball’s past at the Olympics is on display for all to see at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

COOPERSTOWN – To commemorate Lake Appreciation Day, Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School student Zachariah O’Connor has been invited to give a reading of his poem, titled “The Thoughts of the Changing Water,” as a prelude to the potluck lunch beginning at noon.

To the taxpayers and residents of Richfield Springs Central School

It would be an honor for Scot Mondore and I to be elected Board of Education trustees on May 19. Our desire is to put all of us “in the loop” in the decision making process. The state aid forecast for RSCS will be no better in another year. Both Albany and Washington are offering little long-range help and locally we need to “think outside the box” to offer our students the best education we can with what taxpayers can afford.