Happy New Year

John O'Neill

When I think about skiing at Dry Hill, I have a lot of fond memories of the people that I used to ski with. Some were my age and some older. During the 60's and the early 70's we seemed to be one big family. I will miss you John O'Neill....

Local Girl has a Beautiful Voice

I would have recorded more, but at first I was caught off guard by this beautiful voice. I was then aware that people were looking at me as if I was committing some kind of mortal sin. So I cut the video short. At least I was not texting during mass like some people.....

Satellite TV

Just think about the $40 to $60[plus] monthly access fees you have been paying to Castle Cable over the years?  Access fees for what?  Substandard signals!  Blacked out Events!  Remember the Superbowl, with no American commercials.

Yet, some say that they can not afford the somewhat pricey cost of satellite TV.  Can you afford to pay for cable service that does not meet your expectations?  I have talked to several people over the past few days.  Some are still contemplating Dish vs Direct.  Others are impatiently awaiting their satellite  installation date while frothing at the mouth to make that phone call to CC ..... please cancel my cable service!

Wrong Turn!

This guy is in the documentary {Not an Actor}

...ever see that movie?  If you have not, then put it at the top of your movie queue. Guaranteed to scare the be-jeezus out of ya.  Fellow blogger Mr C. has found a documentary called the "Hollow" about the people who live in a small hamlet called Allentown located just south west of Lake George NY.  You need to click that link and read the background on this small community.  It is a tale about decades of inbreeding, right in our back yard... so to speak.  Here is the quick link to the hour long documentary.  The clip streams rather quickly so you can easily skip around.  This clip gives a whole new meaning to "my daddy says that I french kiss the best..."  So why am I posting this?  Because I can.... that's why!

Tight Budget

Massena Mayor shows responsibility when he slashes a $60,000 line item!  "I'm through spending money for an agency that does absolutely nothing for the community," Mr. Hidy said" I can think of a couple of departments that do nothing for our community. Can You?

Merry Christmas

Potsdam Judge Resigns

Justice Facing No Charges Yet?

Bumper Cars Open 12.24.10

Wanna have some fun?  The long awaited and somewhat criticized bumper cars have arrived.  I took a test drive last Sunday with some of my "political" friends.  I am not sure who had more fun..... Me slamming into Doug Williams, Dale Hunneyman, and Martha Millett.  Or if they lavished in slamming, creaming, and sandwiching yours truly?  The Bumper Cars will be open to the public this Friday at noon.  The official Open House will be Monday the 27th @ 9:AM till 11:AM.  Local media and Political dignitaries have been invited.

Below is my video version of the Bumper Cars.  The Old Guy reference is Me!  I don't have all the mounting equipment that Abay.Com has.  So I was limited to shooting from the ice and not in the car....


Bumper Cars Old Guy Version from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Pissing Match: Cop in the Court Room

Trustee Jury tells me that placing a cop in the court room was discussed at the 9/28 and 10/26 VB meetings. Based on what I found, there is no mention of placing one of our village police officers in our village night court. The only thing that was briefly discussed regarding security is the possibility of a walk through metal detector based on the states security assessment [which the board never elaborated on]. So....just how did we end up with a Cop in the court room?

9.28 and 10.26 vb meeting from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

I stand Corrected

I received this email today regarding my last post about Night court:

Actually Jim, that was during the meeting and on the record. Officer on duty is the regular scheduled officer, same as when they do church duty or school crossing duty. 

Kelly

Either way, it is a new duty -JC

Night court in Alex-Bay

Night court Bailiff Bull Shannon

The VB meeting on 12.14.10 was adjourned and as I have always done, I shut off my voice recorder.  There is usually a lot of meaningless chatter after the meeting.  But, on that night I wished I left it on.  Our acting village Justice Butcher made a comment about how pleased she was with the new law enforcement presence in her court.  She went on to add that the officer keeps everyone on their best behavior while in her court, or something like that.  So who is the officer and who is paying his wage while on duty in the court while acting as a bailiff?  If we could consolidate our justice system with the Town, then we would not be footing the bill with the added expense of a village justice and a "bailiff"!

Speed Zone Change in A-bay

 

School Speed Zones from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Christmas Spirit in Alex Bay

 I spent the evening driving around the village to video tape your Christmas Spirit.  I waited, hoping everyone would have their lights on..... enjoy the show.  See if you can spot your house.  I video taped over 70 houses....



Christmas in Alexandria Bay from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Castle Cable Bill

CC mascot "Snowy Channel"

I just got another bill in the mail from them.  Apparently they did not receive the payment I sent them on 11.22.10 via HSBC online bill pay.  I have been paying all my bills online for several years and never had a problem before.  Castle Cable simply says they never received it and please get off my dead beat ass and just pay them the $38.45.  Here is what I think happened..... the owner read my post about how I was dumping them for DirecTV.  He probably also listened to the recording of the message his billing department left on my answering machine.  And when CC received the corporate check issued from HSBC......it went right into the paper shredder.... take that Mr. Blogger...... Or maybe the dog ate it?

20 minutes and 15 seconds

... that was the duration of the VB meeting held on Tuesday night.  The mayor was absent and most of the items were tabled till he returns.  Why?  The trustees were unsure what his plans or decisions were regarding those items.  Only 4 chairs were set up for the public instead of the usual dozen or so.  Who ever was in charge must have figured that since the "lead" was not present at the meeting, the audience would be sparse.   The good news... Christmas cookies were passed......and they were oh-so-good!  Some things to look forward to next year:  the purchase of a new police car!  The 2009 is plagued with a wild cancerous rust.  Also, contract negotiations with the DPW workers.

Addie's Books For Christmas

 Ted Ford wrote:
I was very pleased to be involved with the delivery of about 500 of 'Addie's Books for Christmas' to Sherri Wilcox's Church and Community Organization in Canton. More went to Toys for Tots in Ogdensburg. The Watertown/Jefferson County pickup is tomorrow. Addie Russell's goal was to put a book in every kid's hand this holiday.

Downsizing

The little township of Pamelia is looking for ways to trim their budget

Are we in a different position?

Support Our Local Merchants

Christmas At Treasure Island from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Violin

Took a walk Down Town Village tonight..... doesn't sound right does it?  There is something about a violin.... I mean like Jean-Luc Ponty.. not like orchestra violin.... give it a listen.....


Black Water Dancing Dog from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

The Rest of the Appointments

that were made by the mayor at Monday nights organizational meeting...


The rest of the appointments from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Village Political Appointments

appointments from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Town Tax Rate?

Town Tax Rate Shared Equally from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

2 Village Trustees Sworn in this evening

Williams, Jury sworn in as Village Trustees from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Slide Show Christmas in Clayton

Some pictures of floats that did not make the video...


Slide Show Clayton Christmas Parade from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Clayton Christmas Parade

Community spirit!  Not just because Clayton was mobbed with families that came out on a cold night to watch.  It is more than that.  The number [80 or so] and the quality of the floats shows community pride along with spirit.  I also found it interesting that the Town and the Village officials managed to judge the floats together under the same tent!


Clayton Christmas Parade 2010 from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Slide show of some floats that were not shown in the video. 


Minus Mike music video River Christmas

River Christmas by Minus Mike

Here is a little gem from tonight's Christmas parade in Clayton:

Link to the video of the rest of the parade.


Minus Mike River Christmas from Jim Cummings on Vimeo.

Name that Dock

Disclaimer:

This conversation never took place.

HIS Dock Not Yours

Some refer to it as the "Village" Dock and others call it the "Town" Dock. Either way  it is meant as a description and not meant to show possession or ownership. However, let me warn you..... if you are at a "Village" board meeting and you refer to it as the Town Dock..... plan on being corrected by the Mayor of Hickory Dickory Dock.....How friggin petty can you be......

Ladies Night @ Treasure Island

Annual Ladies Night
Don't miss this annual event on Thursday, December 2nd!
5:30 - 9:00 pm
DOOR PRIZES!!!!
Enjoy wine, cheese and chocolates as you browse our selection of fine jewelry, our new selection of Pashmina shawls, books and home deco items.  Create your wish list as you browse and leave it with us.  If you can't make it to our Ladies Night event then click here, print out the wish list and send it to us. We will make sure Santa knows exactly what you want!



Treasure Island Jewelers
Alex and BJ Mosher
40 James Street
Alexandria Bay, NY  13607
315-482-2294