The Good, The Bad, and The Blogger

Went out target shooting today with my friend "Q" at the 1000 Islands Sportsmans Club.  We took turns shooting pistols and rifles.  During the course of cleaning our weapons, Q wondered if the cowboys cleaned theirs as often as today's marksman.  After all, a clean weapon is a more accurate weapon.  During our shooting spree, I grabbed some video shots.  At the time, I was not really sure what I would do with them.  After I got home I remembered the conversation about the cowboys.  Then I thought about spaghetti westerns.....3 hours later....Viola the video below.  Just having some fun... check it out.

The Final Touch

Years of water seeping behind stone work, freezing and expanding, has caused damage to the American Legion Post 904 Memorial Park.  About 100 bags of cement and countless hours of labor intensive masonry work has restored the park to a beautiful and serene garden.  A place to pay respect to all the Veterans that have served our Country.

Bay Gets B Grade

In the early part of June, a letter to the editor in the TI Sun was written by Mr. Lewis, criticizing Alex Bay for being a "B" tourist community.  Harrumph! In a sense we were being ridiculed for catering to babes, bikers, booze, and brawls.  Our record for brawls is null.  Not saying that there are not isolated instances of a few bar fights, hell, Clayton has those probably more frequently than actually reported.  I love my village as much as Mr Benny does.  He quickly responded to the letter to the editor faster than I did, saying love it or leave it.  Mr. Joyce also responded  in defense of the Bay, he suggests that if you're in the mood for a cultural event head to Clayton.  But if you want to let your hair down and have fun, meet us in the Bay!  Personally, I like babes, bikers, beer, boaters, bands, and any of the events  that bring people into the Bay.  It is who we are and always have been, and I am proud of it!  Enjoy the video, it is my version of a letter to the editor.


 Note:  That was the band  String of Pearls playing in the video, taken at yesterday's T.I.R.R. event.  Want to see them again?   Mark your calender, Labor Day weekend, Blues in the Bay.  They and other great bands will be playing throughout the weekend!  Blues in the Bay Alex Bay Chamber Link.

Thousand Island River Run

Is going on NOW!  Lots of live music, and tons of vendors for the motorcycle enthusiast.  I don't have a motorcycle, but I found bandana heaven at the Pavilion located overlooking the St. Lawrence River.  The video is from last night and this morning.  At the end of the video you will see Mary Compeau,  one of the T.I.R.R. event organizers wearing the latest fashion statement.  A bikini top made of O-rings. =)




Music Fest Schedule: (under entertainment tent)
Friday, 6/24: Cousin Jake 7pm to 10pm

Saturday, 6/25: Double Barrell Blues 11am to 2pm
String of Pearls 3pm to 6pm
Jambones 7pm to 10pm

Sunday, 6/26: Rewind 1pm to 4pm

Entertainment at the Scenic View Park Pavilion/Vendor Area
Saturday….Dave Wolever….12pm to 4pm
Sunday….The Moving Chairs….12pm to 4pm

Finger Docks Repaired

Just prior to the Thunder in the Bay Poker Run Event,  a section of the Upper James St. finger docks were under water.  DPW Supt. Millett spotted the sinking section.  Quick actions were taken and the section was repaired within a couple of days.  There was no interruption or inconvenience to transient boaters or Power Boaters who participated in the Poker Run.  The clip below is from the 6.14.11 VB meeting.

Canadian House Boat?

Our Canadian "cousins" sure do have some odd regulations.  Probably ours seem just as strange to them.  In light of the controversy that occurred with the fisherman in Canadian waters over the past several days.....I thought it was time to poke a little fun and lighten things up a bit. Where are the pink flamingo's?  Eh?

VB Meeting Going Bad?

I have watched this happen over the course of the 3+ years I have attended village board meetings in Alex Bay.  Sloppy or non existent rules of order during these meetings.  No respect for the "floor" and the person speaking.  The mayor allows some to ramble on with no apparent time limit.  While holding others to a time limit.  The clip of the last village meeting has examples of why their needs to be consistent rules of order.  Forget about the content of the discussion during public concerns.  During the audio just listen to the tones of the 2 men talking about a difference of opinion that was aired between the same 2 over the same issue as last year.  I had the misfortune of sitting in the middle of these 2.  All the time wondering if I just might find myself trapped in a brawl.  I am not saying that these 2 would lower themselves to slugging it out.  But if the right combination of personalities enter into the mayor's meeting and if he runs that meeting like he does all the others.... Can you say duck and run?

Bill Board

Repaired after damaging winds from a storm earlier this month ripped off the vinyl sign.  Hopefully a welcome sign overlooking the Upper James St Docks will be put up.

Pork Kabobs

What can I say?  I love food, wine, and creativity.  Here is another example of all 3!




Blog note:
I got caught up in the process of making the video and misspelled Kabobs in the closing credits. My Bad!

Stolen Flag [Not Cool]

Person[s] took a flag from a Church St residence late Saturday night.  Just because a family is proud of their heritage does not give you the right to steal it away from them.  If anyone notices a new decoration and it looks anything like the flag to the right, please let me know.  Hopefully arrangements can be made to return it back to the family it was stolen from.

THUNDER in the BAY

This weekend Edgewood Resort sponsored the poker run Thunder in the Bay. A perfect weekend, thanks to mother natures cooperation.

Win this Honda Scooter

Proceeds from this Raffle will go to the Alexandria Bay Chapter of the Betterment Society. Sponsored by Cavallario's Top Of The Bay and FX Caprara Car Companies.  Watch the video for more details.

River Hospital Walkway

I had heard of the walkway in front of the River Hospital, but I just never made the time to go take a look.  The other day I wandered up.  I made the video to try and entice you to go up and take a peek for yourself.  I enjoyed admiring the walkway and the gardens.  Towards the end of the video is information obtained from the  River Hospital Foundation site on how to purchase a paver.

Mayor Questioned About Office Closing

At tonight's VB meeting a  reporter from the TI Sun asks the mayor what went on at the Village Offices last week.  Audio of the mayor's reply:

Ma Coleman

Ma Coleman passed away on June 1st.  Today Paul and Barb Coleman invited everyone to join in an Irish Wake for Ma.  She was Ma to many including myself.  Years ago, when I was bar tending at the Ship Restaurant,  Ma would come into the bar, sit in her own personal bar stool and listen to her son Paul perform.  She and I would chit chat and within a short time we became friends insisting that I call her Ma.  Ma possessed so much love that she could be Ma to so many, never leaving anyone feeling unloved. She was Ma to many and now many miss her greatly.  I know I do.

Welcome Sign To Alex Bay

The winds from Wednesday nights storm has uncovered an old welcome sign perched on the old CP Romans Building.  Is this what we want the boaters to see when they cruise into the Bay?

Village Office Closed continued

This story has more angles than Lady GaGa's Face.  Can anyone name all the people that the mayor has fired or made it so uncomfortable that they resigned?  He started by firing a Deputy Clerk when he first took office in 2007.  An unpleasant  task that he "just had to do" or at least that what he told me and anyone else that would listen.  He talked about this non stop during the month of November as we car pooled together to work.  I only vaguely knew who this person was, but the mayor claimed this person was not very friendly to the residents who conducted business at the office.  I have since heard another story as to why he fired this Deputy Clerk...something that had to do with an unwillingness to corroborate with another village employees accident and disability claim.  Like I said, that is just a story I was told by many people.  I have also been told that the firing of this clerk was tad premature, because the mayor was still a trustee and had not been sworn in as mayor.

Not long after,  the next head on the chopping block was a veteran of law enforcement and our Chief of Police.  I knew the chief pretty well and always thought of him doing a great job in our village.  The news of his imminent dismissal upset me and many others.  The mayor and I were still car pooling at the time,  I asked him why he was going after the chief?  The mayor replied that it was not him but 2 trustees that wanted the chief gone.  The dismissal dragged on for several months and finally the chief accepted a severance of $50,000 payable in monthly increments.  Funny thing about that one, the chief was waiting till he turned 72 and was going to retire anyways.  Good for you chief.

The next one to feel the noose tightening around his neck was the DPW Superintendent.  He would not believe me when I told him that the mayor and a few of the board members wanted to give his job to someone else.  Finally he saw the writing on the wall, and resigned after finding another job.  Glad he got a chance to cheat the hangmen.

Who's next?  One of our village police officers who was also born and raised in the bay.  The mayor took away his badge for some lame reasons.  Chewing skoal and talking on his cell phone to name a few.  If he only had a Bluetooth for his cell phone, he might still be here.  Watertown PD thought enough of him to place him on their force.

Several weeks ago Kelly Butcher, Deputy Clerk refused to sign a notice of discipline that was given to her by the mayor. Most likely not agreeing with the instances cited, would be a reason for not signing. The price she paid for refusing to sign the NOD?  Suspended with pay.  Several days went by and an emergency Village Board Executive meeting was held [5.31.11].  It seems as though their was some friction between the Deputy Clerk and the Village Clerk.  The meeting was claimed a success, the differences between the 2 employees magically disappeared and they were both back to work the next day as if nothing ever happened.  The village clerks office has been going through a state comptrollers audit.  So I am sure the board wanted the 2 to bury the hatchet so the auditors could conclude the almost 2 month long audit.

A few days ago the village offices were abruptly closed on Wednesday.  No explanation, only a sign in the window saying that the office would reopen 7:30am June 13th.  I have talked to a couple of our Trustees to ask them what is going on.  The reply:  I don't know, you will have to ask the mayor.  Rather than waste my time doing what was suggested,  I did some investigating,  my sources tell me that Miss Butcher was fired because she was not being friendly enough.  Does this sound familiar?  It should, because that is why the mayor fired the other Deputy Clerk almost 4 years ago.

Other questions come to mind.  If the Deputy Clerk was fired on Wednesday,  why didn't the Clerk come back to work on Thursday?  Why wait till Monday?  I bet the auditors are a little ticked now that their audit was needlessly backed up 2 days.  If the Clerk had no intentions of returning to work till Monday, why was the mayor in a big yank to fire Miss Butcher on Wednesday?  Why not hold off on that dirty little deed till Friday.  The Offices would have remained open and no interruption in village business.   Maybe the mayor could not contain his excitement? Or, this is just purely conjecture, maybe the mayor wanted Ms. Butcher out of the picture for the final days of the audit?

Now the mayor has come full circle.  He is right back where he started when he first took office.  Will history repeat itself in our village?  Will the firing cycle begin again?  I guess the question is, can the mayor fit it in before the November elections.  If the mayor runs for Alexandria Town Supervisor, and god forbid he wins!  He will be bored,  The Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent are elected positions and there is no police department.....

Alex Bay Citizens of the Year

Ted and Marilyn Jones were honored as this years citizens of the year,  Wednesday night at Cavallario's Steak House.  The restaurant was packed with friends and family.  The Chamber of Commerce also awarded the Folino Business of the Year to the T.I. Fitness Center.  Natalie Austin and Joyce Manning received the Hospitality and Tourism Awards.  And a Very Special Acknowledgement was presented to Margie Ely.  This is one of my favorite Chamber events, if you have never been or have missed a few, think about going next year.  In the mean time, enjoy the video of this dinner and award presentations.

Village Offices Abruptly Closed

The Clerk Treasurer and the Deputy Clerk are nowhere to be found.  The offices were closed sometime Wednesday mid- afternoon.  The offices remained closed today and are closed on Friday.  The sign in the window says that the office will reopen on Monday June 13th @ 7:30am.  So what gives? Of course there is no information on the village web site.   I did a little snooping around and my sources tell me...... to be continued.....

com·pli·men·ta·ry

WHAT DOES THIS WORD ACTUALLY MEAN?


Definition of COMPLIMENTARY


1 a : expressing praise or admiration : expressing or containing a compliment
   b: favorable

2 : given free as a courtesy or favor ;complimentary tickets

Examples of COMPLIMENTARY

She made complimentary remarks about his work.

TI Sun: AUSA sponsors the annual event [River Day] that gives Fort Drum Soldiers and their families a complimentary boat tour and visit to Boldt Castle.

According to the audio below, people were charged for the River Day Event held last year. So is it complimentary or discounted? I am a little confused...

 

 

Walking Distance

As you may have noticed, I have a bug up my a$$ about the Fort Drum A.U.S.A. Event. It is not the event I have a problem with, I think it is great that the families get a chance to see the St. Lawrence River and Boldt Castle. I do have a problem with the lower end of James St. being blocked off at the Miller Ave. intersection. Families are shuttled in the back way and corralled never really having the opportunity to see more of the village and it's merchants. Ron Thomson, host/spokesman for the event argues that it would be ludicrous to make the families walk from the long term parking all the way to the Boat line. The map below shows the route. The distance from A to B is about 844 feet, allowing margin for error, lets call it 1000 ft or 1/5th of a mile.   It really is not that far, I strolled the route and it took about 3-4 minutes What other sites might interest the families if the long term parking lot was used? Our beautiful beach, playground, pavilion, and Casino Island to name a few. Families might want to return for a day at the beach or a picnic. How about the Jack Sweet memorial? Nah that would not interest them, now would it? A trip through the Historical Society Cornwall Bro. Museum? There are plenty of sites to see for first time or even returning visitors. Is it really necessary to hold them captive on the lower end of James St?

Shriners Parade

Every year they just seem to show up.  I just happened to be downtown today when they suddenly appeared.  I love parades especially ones with clowns.  I love clowns!  Hats off to the Shriners....

Whew ... I'm Tired

An audio clip from last years meeting about why Lower James St should be blocked off at the Miller Ave. intersection. Also, why one person thinks it is a ludicrous idea to use the long term parking at the other end of James St.and make them walk all those blocks down to the A.U.S.A. Event.  In real time that little stroll took me about 3 minutes..... I would call it a pleasant little walk that our guests from Fort Drum could take and get a chance to visit all of our downtown merchants.  Personally, I do not think it is ludicrous to use the long term parking for this years A.U.S.A. Event.

5.24.11 Meeting [Audio]

Emergency Meetings??????

Not real sure what the big yank was to have an emergency [executive session]  meeting of the VB last night [5.31.11].  And there was one last week too.  I have heard many rumors but nothing concrete.  Maybe more later..... here is a hint at what the rumors are....