Memorial Day Parade

Das Village Haus

Excellent Meal!

Find them online by clicking here.

Merchant Calls Mayor Out on the Carpet

We all know that politicians have to make decisions.  Some of them are no brainers that will have most of the constituents support.  Other decisions will leave some on one side and some on the opposite side of the fence.  As well as some riding that fence.  And then there those choices that are made that have the majority of the people upset and very angry at the politician[s].  

For the most part, one can make local small town politics as complicated or as simple as they want.  Getting input and being as transparent as possible before making decisions would be the best way to go.  But choosing to let your board meeting become a place for people to voice personal vendettas is no way to go.  Even worse is to join in with the "mob" so to speak.  At the last VB meeting [5.24.11] Alex Mosher brought a concern to the board.  It was a very long and drawn out concern, about 18 minutes.  Way over the 5 minute limit that some of us are restricted to when speaking at public concerns.  I have included a short version that still has the essence of what Alex was saying.  I also have included the audio from the meeting that took place last year that he makes reference to.  The audio has what I thought to be appropriate music mixed into it.  They are both very short so let them play to the end

 This is the audio from the last VB meeting:

This is the audio from last years meeting 7.13.10

Blogger Note:

Prior to the last VB meeting Alex called me and wanted information regarding another issue. I directed him to the meeting that took place on 7.13.10. While listening to the audio he discovered the mayors comments. He never knew that the mayor made those comments till just prior to the most recent vb meeting.

Downtown A-Bay Starts Recycling Program

Back on March 22 a local woman approached the VB about starting a recycling program on James Street and adjacent streets.  The argument was that residents have this program and are obligated to follow it.  Shouldn't we give the tourists the ability to recycle too!  The audio can be heard by clicking Here.  The venture was eventually voted down because laws prohibit conducting a business on village property.  However,  at last weeks VB meeting the board agreed to try a pilot program to see if a recycling program will work along James St especially  at the dock entrances.  I must say that these containers  look pretty good....

Garbage Gestapo

This discussion between the VB and the residents [tax payers] that own property on Chanye Circle has been going on for some time now.  Chanye Cir. is classified as a fire lane and not a street.  Therefore not entitled to services such as garbage pick up and snow removal.  Although those services, more often than not,  have been provided over the years to residents of Chanye Cir.  A letter that was respectfully submitted by the VB was received by one village resident who is 87 years old. This letter  was dated and delivered on May 26th,  just 2 days after the VB meeting.  Was the land survey completed and a map given to the VB in less than 2 days?  Didn't even have the decency to address the letter to a person,  must have been easier for you to  depersonalize it ...Dear Property Owner! It seems to me that it would not hurt our garbage collectors to extend a little courtesy and respect for our elders and walk a few extra feet and do a good deed and pick up her garbage.

There is No Z in Sports

It almost seems that the parents and  school officials at TI and Alexandria Central schools have just recently realized that there is a lack of interest in hockey.  Most things do not happen over night and I am sure the numbers have dwindled gradually from season to season.  Somebody had to notice?  I think the problem is this; there are to many of the Baby Boomers and we still think it is all about US.  We could not possibly fathom that another generation may exist [another trait of the Baby Boomers].  Baby Boomers were followed by the X and Y Generations.  But that is not the generation that is in our schools now.  GENERATION Z is the new up and coming generation that started around the mid 1990's.  Z is also known as the the I or @ Generation.  The I is a reference to the Internet and I am sure you all know the @ is a reference to email.  This generation has also been nicknamed the I want It Now Generation appropriately named for the ability to get anything like music and movies INSTANTLY.  They can also satisfy their competitive needs instantly using gaming consoles like X-Box or Play Station.  The I Generation can also be described as the Impatient Generation.  They have no patience for sitting on the bench.... why would they?  So Baby Boomers, keep doing all your logistic studies  about the merger of the 2 schools hockey programs and what ever other sports.  All you are doing is treating the symptoms without knowing the cause.

Lost and Found

at the Dancing Dawg  on or around last Friday Night [5.20.11] a wedding ring with an inscription.  If this is your ring, and you can describe the inscription please contact me pguston@gmail.com

VB Meeting 5.10.11 [audio]

ACS Marching Band Drums Solo

Dan Hammond, leader of the ACS Marching Band has out done himself again.  Inspiring the kids to make  music with plastic and metal garbage cans.  This blew me away..... Gives a whole new meaning to recycling...

Assemblywoman Russell Opening Remarks

.....for the International  Good Will Days Parade held today in Alexandria Bay.

Memorial Service

Ceremony that was held prior to the International Good Will Days Parade.

Another Riverwalk Update [audio]

 The "scope" of the Riverwalk Project has changed again. And the cost for just the engineer fees is now at $26,000.00.  Here is a review.....Last spring, the Prudent engineer firm was lead to believe that the Riverwalk project was to go across the River Hospital property.  River Hospital officials politely reminded the village board that was not the deal.  The original agreement between the Hospital and village officials was that the walk was to go in front of the hospital property and over the water.  The project was abruptly changed by the mayor and re-routed down Fuller Street by-passing the scenic view in front of the River Hospital.  Later the project was unofficially scrubbed by the mayor.  After months of renewed discussions between the hospital and village officials, the project is back on track, the way it was originally meant to be....end of review.  But, as you will hear in the audio clip, the engineer price tag keeps rising.  So to offset that increase, the VB has taken control of the project and are trimming the amenities..... whack whack chop chop....

Riding The Edge of a Storm

Kind of a strange trip home today..

Summertime?

Most will get this, some will not:

Alex Bay to Host 2012 H.O.G. Rally

Mary Compeau tells me that the hosting of the coveted Harley Owners Group or H.O.G. rally will be held in Alexandria Bay 2012.  This is breaking news and the details will no doubt be made available as they are worked out over the coming months.  Keep informed by checking into the TI River Run web site.

Hockey ACS merges with TI?

I do not have all the facts on the ACS  varsity Hockey team apparent merger with TI.  I heard bits and pieces this morning.  The main drive behind this merger of the 2 teams are the low numbers in players on each team.  Also, if younger kids are moved up, there is always the possibility of sustaining injuries while playing with the big kids.  It seems that this merger might be just a little hasty.  What will be the true impact to the schools and community.  Will this merger be a year to year "contract"?  The cost of this can be measured with new uniforms, insurance policy, bus transportation to and from practices.  Will half the practices be at the Town arena and the other half at the Clayton arena? That also means that each arena will be getting half the ice time revenue.  Two separate buses to away games?  What if this new team wins a trophy, who gets to display it and for how long?  I understand that the Bay has let some kids from other school districts play on our hockey team.  What will become of them?  Each team has low numbers, combining them will probably create the need for kids to be cut. What if one of your kids gets cut and one from the other districts makes the team?  To many unknowns regarding this merger.  What sport or organization will be next?  I am all for merging or sharing, but you have to do your homework then decide, is it really worth it?  Call your board members and give them your input.

YNN covered this story...

This will probably be voted on at the next BOE meeting which is at 6pm Tuesday night 5.17.11.  Voting for the school budget will take place at the ACS auditorium on the same date.  You are looking at roughly a 3.4% increase over last years budget.

Dock Rates Then and Now

Digging into my audio archive I stumbled upon the Dock Rate Discussion from last year.  Which you can listen to below.  Depending on ones perspective, you might either agree or disagree with Mr. Simpson.  I have my views on what the rates should be.  But some quietly believe that only downtown business owners should have a say in the rates.  Of course when they are confronted with that, they would say certainly NOT!



Just like last year, a Dock Rate Committee of about a 1/2 dozen people was formed.  The 2011 committee voted to keep the rates the same as last year.  The mayor wanted to ignore the committee's recommendation and  change the rates to go along with a letter that he read at the 5.10.11 VB meeting.  The audio can be heard below:





What is the sense of creating a committee if you are going to ignore their recommendations.  This last audio clip is a discussion of the dock rates from the last VB meeting.  The Board voted to adopt the committee's recommendations.  Even though the vote went unopposed, if you listen to the tail end of the audio it will become pretty clear that the vote was actually 4 votes for and 1 against the committees recommendations......




I hope that, what ever plan is adopted, is fair to all our guests and yields enough revenue to sustain our dock in the years to come....

Success or Failure?

Sometimes when someone wishes you good luck they mean it, while other times they hope you fail miserably.  Why?  Because that person did not get their way and the majority ruled, which is the way it is supposed to be.  Check out this short audio clip and see how you would rate the sincerity of the Good Luck. 1 being no sincerity and 10 being very sincere.

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

Too Nice Out!

The Village Board meeting was last night.  Some interesting agenda items.... including Dock Fees and the infamous Riverwalk Project.  I will be posting audio of those items and maybe more.  But not today or tomorrow..... because it is just to damn nice out so I spent the whole day with my wife mulching the gardens.  Oh... forgot to mention.... it seems the Village is desperate for people to help out with the Zoning Board.  Extremely Desperate to even lower their standards and ask me if I was interested.  Reminded me of being picked last for teams at grade school gym class.  Bullies and Jocks were always the captains......

A-Bay is ALIVE! [video]

A couple of merchants weathered the winter.  But most have just reopened recently.  Alex Bay has come back to life for the 2011 season!  Like the old slogan said:

Meet Me In the Bay!

King of the Road

 A 1964 hit by Roger Miller.....

a "man of means by no means"...... I remember listening to this "45" on my sisters "HI FI" record player. The top to the player was detachable and housed the speaker. I know it is nothing like a MP3 player, but back then it was all we had.

This song was played last night by the Dawg Brothers featuring Pat Fitzsimmons [lead vocals] at the Dancing Dog in Alexandria Bay

VB meeting [Audio]

April 26th VB meeting in its entirety.....

Click to see larger version

From Agenda 4.26.11

Good Morning Frank

Friends gathered at the Dancing Dog this past Saturday to celebrate Frank the Tanks 60th Birthday.  It was supposed to be a surprise party......but...... Frank figured it out a few days before.  Oh well.... the company was fun, the food was great, the drinks as usual were cold and tasty.  How about that Roast for Frank prepared by Budman and Captain Fat Bastard?   Unfortunately it was a little dry........  Here is the video.....the audio has been replaced with something more pleasant....

B.O.C.E.S. C.J. Work Study Program

Criminal Justice students have to log in hours with a police officer on patrol to satisfy course requirements.  It has been done in the past, many  police agencies and the Sheriffs Dept have participated for years. This agenda item should have been passed without opposition.  Finally, after a lengthy discussion, it received the VB approval.  The audio clip below is......entertaining to say the least....

Bombs Away

F bombs that is.  I know of at least one person who after viewing this video, will leave having an unpleasant experience.  As for the rest.....lighten up.... At-ta Boy Trump

VB meeting 4.26.11 [audio clip]

Teaser audio clip from a discussion during the last VB meeting.  So much for meeting decorum.....The mayor and Mr. Jarvis tell a story of their EMT days and Critter passing out!  I will be posting other agenda items from the meeting later on....