Star Review digital edition - Aug. 23, 2023

In a pickle...

Pickleball comes to onondaga lake Park

By JAnEllE DAvIs

The sport that has been sweeping the nation is now in Onondaga County.

A new pickleball complex was unveiled on Aug. 16 at Onondaga Lake Park in the park’s Wegmans Landing section.

Excitement was high as people gathered to watch and play the nation’s fastest-growing sport.

The complex includes 12 courts that can hold three pickleball groups of up to four people.

The courts were built running north to south to avoid the sun.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, ping pong, and badminton.

It can be played as singles or doubles using a paddle and a plastic ball. Players hit the ball back and forth over the net until someone misses.

“A couple of years ago we were pitched the idea by CNY pickleball ambassadors John Cooley and Brook Bregman, to bring the sport to our parks system,” County Executive Ryan McMahon said. “We were informed how big pickleball was getting. Judging by this unbelievable turnout, I would say they were right.”

McMahon explained there are plans for the complex to include shade structures, benches, new landscaping, and whatever else that can be

done to improve the pickleball area.

County Parks Commissioner Brian Kelley said that this new pickleball complex, which is the largest in Upstate New York, will have regional appeal.

“We are thrilled to add these pickleball courts to our portfolio here at Onondaga Lake Park,” he said. “We realized that we have an opportunity here to make this a regional and possibly a national attraction. It fits in with what we do here at Onondaga Lake Park.”

Before the unveiling, people were already gathered from out of town to play and claim one of the courts.

From 10 to 1 p.m. people were enjoying the music, food trucks, and game of pickleball at Onondaga Lake Park.

Brook Bregman shared that every day she teaches pickleball clinics with 10 to 30 new players.

She said new players can buy equipment for about $25.

Players can play from 6 a.m. to dusk.

To reserve a slot at one of the 12 pickleball courts at Onondaga Park you can visit cnypickleball.com.

A new pickleball court complex was officially opened at Onondaga lake Park.

Janelle Davis

Should village elections move to November? trustees hear pro and con from residents at public hearing

By Russ TARBy Contributing Writer

At its Aug. 14 meeting, the Liverpool Village Board of Trustees heard varying opinions from several residents about the possibility of moving the annual village election from June to November.

The village presently runs its own elections, but if it moved to November, the elections would be supervised by the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

Dustin Czarny, the Democratic commissioner of the county board of elections, appeared at the public hearing and told trustees that several of the county’s 15 villages have already moved their elections to November.

Camillus opted for autumn elections in 2007. East Syracuse, Tully and Solvay moved in 2015, and Elbridge moved in 2019.

Three prominent Republicans spoke against the move.

Former Onondaga County Legislature Chairman Bill Sanford, former village Trustee Christina Fadden and village GOP Chairman Joe Ostuni Jr. all opposed moving the village election to November.

The newly elected village board of trustees is now dominated by Democrats, including new Mayor Stacy Finney.

Sanford asked Finney what

prompted the idea. During her campaign this spring, Finney said, she found many residents “confused” about the June date.

“We heard many questions from voters wondering why the elections weren’t scheduled in November,” Finney said.

Fadden, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in June, said that if the village elections are conducted in November, local candidates will find it difficult to wage a campaign at the same time as state and national candidates.

Ostuni pointed out that in the 1980s the village moved its elections from March to June. The June date, he said, “is part of our independence. Freedom isn’t free.”

Three prominent Democrats spoke in favor of the move.

They were union official Mark Spadafore, former trustee Martha Ours and 2023 caucus host Raul Huerta

“There is no benefit to the status quo,” said Ours. “November is when everybody votes. It’s time for us to step forward into the future.”

Spadafore was concerned about the village election’s hours, noon to 9 p.m. Those hours, he said, “limits voters’ options.” Lengthier voting hours in November would increase participation, Spadafore said.

Likewise, Sarah Alamond suggested that a November date would encourage heavier voter turnout.

Two advantages to November

Fines to be hiked

elections, Czarny said, would be the availability of early voting and affidavit voting options. An affidavit ballot is filled out when someone shows up to vote but elections workers don’t have their information.

If the move is to be made, the village board would have to pass a resolution authorizing the county board of elections to run the village election subject to permissive referendum.

“We’re going to take our time, and do it properly,” Finney said. “The vote for determining whether or not to move the election to November will most likely be part of the June 2024 [village election] ballot.”

s even accidents in July

At the village board’s monthly meeting on Aug. 14, Police Chief Jerry Unger reported via memo that his officers made 113 traffic stops and issued 92 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws in July.

Seven accidents were investigated here last month, and two motorists were issued parking tickets. Officers made 39 residential checks and 162 business checks in July while responding to a total of 480 incidents and calls for service. That number represents an average of 16 calls answered per day.

The LPD arrested 17 individuals last month on 21 criminal charges.

Public hearing set sept 25 regarding big penalties for big trucks

By Russ TARBy Contributing Writer

The Village of Liverpool Board of Trustees will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the village hall to get feedback about its plan to increase fines on big trucks.

At its July 10 meeting, the village board approved a new local law prohibiting the operation of trucks weighing more than five tons within the village. The law specifically targets “truck, trailers and tractor-trailer combinations.”

The current fine is $50, but the trustees have proposed raising that penalty to $1,200 for trucks and their loads totaling between five tons and seven-and-a-half tons. For weights between seven-and-a-half tons and 10 tons the fine would be $1,700.

The penalties get progressively higher for higher weights, with the top fine listed as $4,700 for trucks and their loads weighing 22.5 tons or more.

“The newly suggested penalties align with those of New York State,” said Mayor Stacy Finney.

The new local law, which was drafted by the previous board of trustees headed by Mayor Gary White, aims to “regulate and control land use and to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents as well as the integrity of village thoroughfares.”

The resolution to create the law cited a December 2022 truck and traffic study conducted here by civil engineers Barton & Loguidice which documented existing traffic patterns and applicable laws, engineering design standards and signage.

The law includes a notable exclusion, allowing trucks of all weights to make local deliveries and pickups.

A public hearing about the new law on July 10 drew only one speaker.

First Street resident Joe Ostuni Jr. said he appreciated the new law’s intent and urged the trustees to back it up by enforcing heavy fines.

submitteD photo

The Onondaga County Legislature recently unveiled a mobile lead testing van.

The number of children tested and found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood increased by nearly 900 between 2021 and 2022 in Onondaga County, and that’s why getting kids tested at a young age is so critical.

When the Onondaga County Legislature voted on the county’s 2023 operating budget last fall, they approved an extra $5 million dollars in funding specifically earmarked for lead testing and education. Some of that money

was used to purchase a new mobile testing vehicle, which Legislators Colleen Gunnip (4th District) and Cody Kelly (14th District) recently helped unveil to the public.

The van will bring testing to areas of the county in which parents may not, for whatever reason, be able to get their child tested.

The van will be at community events and agencies which partner with the health de-

Lead testing l Page 13

wonderful companion. If you’re looking for a social dog, Ziggy is looking for you, too, and you can find each other at the CNYSPCA! In order to adopt, you must fill out an application, pay an adoption fee, and have your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines. All adopted cats and dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on their vaccinations before they go home. location: CNY SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Road, Syracuse. For more information about adoption, call 315-454-4479, email frontdesk1@cnyspca.org, or visit cnyspca.org.

Former court reporter, owned resort in ireland

Judith (Judy) Moore McGinn passed away on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at her home in Skaneateles, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on April 20, 1951, in Erwin, NC, Judy spent her early years on the family farm in Fayetteville, NC. The family later moved to Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.

OBITUARIES

Judith B. McGinn

porting. She began her career in several county and federal locations before taking a position as a court reporter for the United States House of Representatives. Judy met her husband, Michael, at this time. In 1984 Judy and Michael began their great adventure. They took ownership of Mallow Castle in Mallow, County Cork,

Judy graduated from school for court re-

Aileen Eldredge, 95

life-long resident of skaneateles

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Aileen Eldredge, our loving mother and friend to all whose lives she touched,

on Aug. 11, 2023. She was 95 years old.

Born in her family’s farm home to Hervey and Flossie Chapman, Mom graduated with the Skaneateles High School class of 1946 and remained a life-long resident of Skaneateles.

She was married to the love of her life, Karl,

Ireland, and operated it as a resort for the rich and famous for almost 20 years. While in Ireland Judy attended University College Cork, receiving a Bachelor’s of Arts of English literature.

Retiring to Skaneateles in 2004, Judy spent the last 20 years as a writer. She wrote for various local publications, and her work appeared in several anthologies. Judy’s first book of short stories, “Rising Up on Ordinary Days,” was published recently. She lived as an activist for women’s rights, social justice and the environment.

Judy is predeceased by her husband, Michael McGinn, and five of her siblings.

She is survived by her devoted sons,

for 72 years and missed him every day of her remaining time on earth. She was devoted to her children Linda Kankoski (Jim), Dick Eldredge (Cindy) and Brenda (Ralph Banks) and loving “Nan” to her seven grandchildren, 17 greatgrandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Mom worked at many places after her children were grown; Taylor’s paint store, the Fennell Street Handbag Factory and also sold Avon products. She was an accomplished painter, sang with the Sweet Adelines and the St. Andrews Methodist Church choir where she was an active member. Mom made beautifully decorated cakes for every birthday

DEATH NOTICES

Brendan McGinn (Kali Planty, significant other), and grandsons, Conor and Michael of Liverpool, and Seamus McGinn (Rowena), currently serving as Petty Officer First Class for the U.S. Navy stationed in Guam. She is also survived by a sister, Barbara Mobley of Skaneateles, numerous close relatives in Joppa, Maryland and Japan.

A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Sherwood Inn. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the National League of American Pen Women in Washington D.C. Condolences at robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.

and wedding for her many family members and friends. She spent many hours at her kitchen table playing games and cards with her grandkids and greatgrandkids and loved walking the beaches in Delaware and Florida collecting shells, which she proudly displayed in the home our Dad built. She will be greatly missed but we know that Mom and Dad are now dancing together in heaven. Services will be private. Donations may be made in her name to St Andrews United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 223 Skaneateles Falls, NY. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge had charge of arrangements.

John Darling, 68, of Jordan, passed away Aug. 13, 2023. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has arrangements.

Roman M. Hemingway, 3, of Syracuse, passed away Aug. 13, 2023. The Bush Funeral Home of Elbridge has arrangements.

Brown,

F.

S. Gubbins, 99, of Rome, passed

Aug. 9, 2023. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

B. Skopinsky, 70, of Liverpool, passed away Aug. 14, 2023. Maurer Funeral Home Inc., Liverpool, has arrangements. Brenda R. Leemann, 48, of Williamstown, passed away Aug. 16, 2023. Fergerson Funeral Home, North Syracuse, has arrangements.

Share WE ARE HONORING, AFFILIATE, FRIENDS AND EMPLOYEE PRICING @ LONGLEY DODGE! YOUR CNY TRUCK TOWN DEALER

celebrations!

Aileen Eldredge

OuR vOiCE

At the fair

Is it the rides? Or maybe it is the food? Or maybe it is the live entertainment? Maybe it is the cows, sheep, chickens and other assorted animals? Maybe it is something else all together? Or maybe it is a combination of all of the above and many other things that aren’t even on this list?

Whatever the reasons are many of us and thousands of others from across the state and even from out of state will be spending some time at the Great New York State Fair over the next few weeks.

We know the fair is a capstone event of summer and while it seems summer has gone by awfully fast, the fair gives us a chance to enjoy a variety of entertainment and attractions and some of the best of what the state has to offer, and stretch out these summer days a little longer.

And while many of us don’t like to see summer coming to an end, the fair is a staple, a tradition. A tradition that we can tailor to our own interests and many people do with their own personal must see attractions. Whether it is the butter sculpture or hitting the midway, shopping, enjoying a variety of foods or enjoying one of the many concerts, the fair is something that everyone approaches in their own way and with their own personal favorites.

The fair has a long and rich history and it has become New York’s largest annual event and tradition for hundreds of thousands of families from all corners of the state.

The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841 and by 1890 had made Syracuse its permanent home.

It is the oldest and one of the largest state fairs in the United States, with nearly one million visitors annually and more than a million in 2018 when attendance hit about 1.2 million people.

The idea of the fair goes back a few years prior to 1841 when in February of 1832, the New York State Agricultural Society was founded in Albany by a group of farmers, legislators, and others to promote agricultural improvement and local fairs.

The nation’s first state fair was later held in Syracuse from Sept. 29 to 30, 1841.

Attendance was estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 and features included speeches, animal exhibits, a plowing contest, and samples of manufactured farm and home goods.

In the ensuing years prior to 1890, the fair moved to various cities across the state.

The second New York State Fair was held in Albany in 1842. Between 1842 and 1889, the fair traveled among 11 different cities: Albany, Auburn, Buffalo, Elmira, New York City, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Utica and Watertown.

In September 1890, the Syracuse Land Company donated a 100-acre tract of land in Geddes to the Agricultural Society.

Crossed by railways that facilitated exhibit transport, the Onondaga County location became the fair’s permanent home.

In the late 1890s, the Agricultural Society turned to state government for relief from debt due to the construction of permanent buildings on the site. The state purchased the grounds in 1899, and assumed management of the fair the next year, creating an 11-member State Fair Commission appointed by the governor.

Over the next few decades, changes took place that helped shape the fair and fairgrounds as we now know them with the addition of structures like the Center of Progress Building and the Dairy Building and most recently more changes took place beginning in 2015 and were highlighted by the Expo Center.

But as the fair and its grounds have changed and grown, the mission has remained largely the same, highlight and share the best of New York State.

So whether it is a concert, bringing the kids for a day of rides and games or a night out to enjoy some drinks and food, take some time to enjoy the Great New York State Fair.

HOw CAN wE HELp?

PLANNINg FOR A PLANNER

It’s that time again - at least my daily calendar/ planner says so. It’s time to purchase next year’s version. And there lies the rub.

Planners and calendars … whatever you call them are pure paper seduction for me. I love them … too much. Realistically I need a smallish daily calendar that will fit in my purse. It should have enough space for me to note times, places and reasons. As a now-veteran retiree, my calendar needs far less doodads than I thought I needed.

Let me explain. Planners promise. They promise organization, a lowering of stress, world peace and better hair … they are, in that promise, a non-medical solution to too much cortisol, to sleepless nights, chewed fingernails, missed opportunities and the fact that nothing fits. And I believed them. In some ways and on some days I still do.

When I was teaching I really didn’t need a calendar much beyond the wall calendar that the school sends out each year. I noted any upcoming events and appointments on those little boxes surrounding each day of the month. I’ve saved them. My favorite was 1970-71, after I had taken a leave of absence. It was the year that my son was born. All of the little squares were filled with activities, most of which related to an organization to which I belonged, the Jaycees. That year we were sponsoring and executing the hosting of a group of European teachers who came here to learn about American culture. There was a break after June 13 for six months where there

are no entries. During those months I found out how any kind of calendar fails, becomes mostly irrelevant, when you are a neophyte parent.

But I still believed that a well thought out planner would help me get my life in order. I lusted after the big ones, the gargantuan tomes that required a tote bag for transport. I saw accomplished women with them, their pages stuffed with clipped on notes, tabbed sections with stickers that reminded you to purchase a gift or attend an event. They had pockets and rulers and jeweled reminder bookmarks. Oh, how I admired them.

But they were pricey and ultimately time consuming. Some even required taking a week-long course in how to effectively use them.

I mostly bought my calendars elsewhere, trying to find just the right size, cover and “extras” at the right price to meet my needs. Like the wall calendars, I’ve stashed all of my book calendars in my desk’s lower drawers. One stands out because … and I don’t know where I bought this … its cover is a bright green flower-bedecked silk. It was small, very easily fitting in my purse. A lot of interesting things happened that year. I wonder if the calendar’s panache had anything to do with that. It smelled like cedar too. Why? I have no idea.

This time around, I am bombarded with offers of magical planners on my

Facebook feed. Just about every purveyor has their version of a life fixer. Amazon’s listing is gargantuan. Even Starbucks has a planner for sale. One of these is particularly enticing. I scrolled by the others, but this one … produced by a company not particularly known for planners, this one is a subscription service that sends you a monthly booklet with graphics that help you forge ahead into a future that you have organized on its pages. There is a page for tracking habits that you want to develop or retain, one on which you fill in vividly distinctive boxes that describe who you are, goal setting pages for the day, the week, the month and eternity. The publisher promises that it will get to know your needs and “curate” each coming month’s booklet to your needs. Oh, my gosh, that is like having a live-in personal assistant. And the publisher promises that your involvement in this planner’s goals will only take five minutes a day. One user gushes,” It’s changed my life and led me to self-care, inspiration, and creativity.”

Really?

It costs $25 a month. If it worked, that would be a bargain. But I remember how many of my past planner indiscretions demonstrated how little I actually used their organizing methodology. It’s like those two baby books that I started out with gusto and frittered out with exhaustion. I have a box of stickers, a page marker, a ruler and assorted other extras from failed planners of the past.

And … this one has an app. Yes, an app, where you can congregate with others

Former L’pool Warrior charges Trump

A Liverpool High School alumnus is making national news this month. Jack Smith, who graduated from LHS in 1987 now serves as special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Aug. 1, Smith made history when his office indicted former President Donald Trump on four charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

As this month dawned, Smith announced the new charges and said the former president fueled the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol “by lies.”

In his Aug. 1 remarks to the media, Smith explained the charges. “Lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nation’s process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election,” he said.

Four felony counts

From about Nov. 14, 2020 through Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2021, the indictment says, in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, “Trump, did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with coconspirators, known and unknown to the grand jury, to injure, oppress, threaten, and intimidate one or more persons in the free exercise and enjoyment of a right and privilege secured to them by the Constitution and laws of the United States – that is, the right to vote, and to have one’s vote counted.”

The 45-page indictment charges Trump with four felony counts including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, namely the Congress’s

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certification of the Electoral College results. If Trump is convicted he could face a lengthy prison sentence, with the most serious counts calling for up to 20 years.

Mishandling classified docs

In November 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to be an independent counsel to oversee two preexisting Justice Department investigations into the former president: one regarding Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the other into alleged mishandling of government records, including classified documents. The documents case resulted in a 37-count indictment of Trump in June 2023 to which three counts were later added in July.

On Aug. 3, Trump appeared in federal court in Washington D.C. and entered a plea of not guilty to the Jan. 6 charges. His next court appearance is slated for Aug. 28.

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign characterized Smith’s charges as “nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election.” Defensive lineman

When he was a student here in the 1980s, Smith played baseball and football at LHS. His former gridiron coach George Mangicaro remembered Smith as a second-string defensive lineman.

Although Smith wasn’t exactly a star player, Mangicaro reported that the young man never missed practice. Never. He

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who have succumbed to its spell. I read an entry on Facebook by a former adherent who judiciously purchased a year’s subscription, but who asked for her money back when she felt ostracized by people who came together on this app.

My husband bought a new electric razor last week and it too has an app. I’d better check that out. Could be trouble ahead there.

So, this year, I will cruise the aisles at Walmart to find just the right size planner; one that looks pretty and folds flat on the table.

There is one thing that all of these planners, calendars, etc. lack. There is no provision, no cute graphics for procrastination, a way to acknowledge that my lists are most probably aspirational and should be examined for a more realistic posting.

Some people use their planners to save their souls. Mine are, at best, reminders of doctor appointments when the car needs inspection, an anniversary date or two and lists of things that I want to do. Things that may never get done. At my age, plunging ahead into the mists of the future is best done abstemiously. Getting from one day to the other should be done with the caution that, if nothing else, we do know what is inevitable.

Teddy Roosevelt’s quote fits may planner ideal:

“Do the best you can with what you have and where you are.”

Ann Ferro is a mother, a grandmother and a retired social studies teacher. While still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up, she lives in Marcellus with lots of books, a spouse and a large orange cat.

A right to know

JuDY PATRICk, VICE PRESIDENT FOR EDITORIAl DEvElOPMEnT

neW york press assoCiation

Citizens have a right to know who they’re dealing with, whether it be in government or private enterprise.

But that’s not the case when it comes to Limited Liability Companies, or LLCs. LLCs, for example, can own property, apply for grants, operate as landlords and donate to political campaigns. Holding government accountable for its action demands a well-informed public.

We need to know who, not what, is benefiting in order to do our jobs as citizens. Discovering who’s behind the curtain isn’t easy.

Cruise through your local property tax rolls or the state’s campaign finance disclosure database. You’ll see plenty of LLCs but you won’t see plenty of names. Anonymous shell companies have been a popular vehicle for money laundering, tax evasion, organized crime, terrorism and other forms of corruption for decades. Yet, as the bill notes, establishing an LLC requires less personal information than getting a library card. That’s why it’s important for Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Limited Liability Companies Transparency Act, passed by both the Assembly and Senate , which would require these special kinds of business organizations to publicly identify the owners to the state and to the public registry run by the Department of State.

At the federal level, the Corporate Transparency Act, which takes effect next year, seeks similar disclosures from busi-

LLC l Page 7

Ramblings from the empty nest ann Ferro

Historic Moment: The Old Stone Mill

By JORGE BATllE skaneateles village historian

The first grist mill in Skaneateles goes back to about 1798. It was a small operation located in the rear of a livery stable. This has been said to be the oldest industry in the village. The Skaneateles Columbian April 17, 1845 edition stated “we understand that a large stone flouring mill is to be built in this village ...by Messrs Leitch, Hawley and Legg, on the site of the former mill, destroyed by fire in 1842.”

Mill fires were an everpresent danger, as several on this site have suffered. The first fire was in 1823 in the mill owned by James Tenure. The mill was rebuilt by Cotton and Lewis and it burned in 1824 and again, burned in 1842.

In the March 5, 1846 edition of the Skaneateles Columbian an announcement read “A new flouring mill, as will be seen by an advertisement in the paper, is completed and in operation.

It is a spacious and substantial stone building, erected upon the site of the old mill on the outlet of the lake; and everything in and about it is arranged in first rate order for business. The location is one of the best in the country, and the company will

doubtless be well rewarded for their enterprise.”

The owner-operators were Legg, Leitch and Hawley. The building was a substantial structure, built of stone, walls that are 38 inches thick, a slate roof, about 44 feet by 64 feet in size, of three stories besides the basement. It contains four ‘run of stone’ (milling/ grinding apparatus) two exclusively for wheat, one for buckwheat and the other for mixed grain. There were six water wheels to produce milling power from the adjacent mill pond. In 1872 an auxiliary fuel-powered 65 horse power engine was put in for use in times of low water levels.

The business was called The Skaneateles Mill Company. Their display ad in the March 1846 Columbian stated that they did “gristing of every description and in a superior manner.

They had a new corn cracker machine that will “grind every description of coarse feed.” The final line in the ad says, “having expended considerable capital in rebuilding the Mill in the Village of Skaneateles, they hope and trust the same will provide advantageous to the community, and secure a liberal share of patronage.”

John Legg died in 1858.

Joel Thayer & Company oper-

nesses, including LLCs, but stops short of making the information publicly available.

A wide variety of businesses, from pizza shops to mall developers and property buyers, use the LLCs as an organizing business structure. The approach, sanctioned by state law, provides the owners some limits on liabilities the company could face.

As a practical matter, LLCs also offer the people who actually own the company the ability to remain anonymous. Under current reporting requirements, LLCs need only supply a company name, county of operation and a basic address where legal documents should be sent. Sometimes,

ated the mill. S.I. Irish was a manager. In 1874, he became a partner in the business, known as Thayer and Irish.

During a year the mill handles 75,000 to 100,000 bushels of wheat, 15,000 to 20,000 bushels of corn, and about 10,000 bushels of oats. Thayer’s flour is widely celebrated, and enjoyed extensive sales both domestically and abroad. Their retail sales amount to thousands of barrels a year.

The next set of owners were Irish and Mollard who purchased the property in the previous July, for $7,500.

The building and contents were insured for $10,500.00. At one in the morning of Saturday, May 13, 1882 the mill was again on fire. The alarm was quickly sounded. The fire department consisted of two hand powered pumping engines. Owing to the height of the building and the rapid headway of the fire, nothing could be done to save it. All that was left were the massive stone walls.

Fortunately the books were secured and the safe locked before the fire reached it. The boiler and back-up steam engine were saved by the efforts of the firefighters. This dramatic fire scene has been captured in an oil painting by local artist John Barrow. It is on display at the Barrow Art

the address is a post office box; sometimes it’s an attorney’s office; sometimes it’s a registered agent. For anyone interested in knowing more, the information provided is often frustratingly non-descript and consequently useless.

But we all have a well-established interest in this information and the legislature should be commended for recognizing this by including solid public disclosure requirements.

The lack of transparency with campaign donations is just one of the reasons the LLC Transparency Act has the support of good government groups such as Common Cause and the League of Women Voters. While a 2019 law change required LLCs making political donations to disclose their

Gallery behind the library. William R. Willetts purchased the mill in October of 1882. He said that he was willing to rebuild the mill, “if he receives sufficient encouragement.” He repaired the mill, operating it as a flour mill and adding other lines to the business, a large storage division, selling feed cutters, hay, coal and farm equipment as well as grain.

Between 1883 and 1902 the mill was operated by Stephen Thornton and Frederick Shotwell. The mill was dormant until the beginning of World War One. It was rented by J. Morris Gregory to process red kidney beans which were sent to the Allied troops in Europe. They used this variety of bean as they were not prone to spoil in shipment.

In 1919 the building and property was purchased by George M. Tallcot, a prominent native of Skaneateles. He rehabilitated the flour mill installing then modern equipment run by electricity.

On Jan. 17, 1920 Village

Electric power (called by some, Niagara power) began grinding Skaneateles grain. The mill was incorporated in August of 1924, under the name of Tallcot Milling Co., Inc. The name was painted across the front of the building. Some of it can still be seen today.

Tallcot Milling became one of the first franchised dealers of G. L. F. (Grange League Federation), a farm cooperative formed to manufacture animal feeds, fertilizer and seed for its members.

During the Depression years of 1929-32, The mill was converted from a flour mill and made bread flour for the government.

2,760 bushels of wheat sent to the mill from a Chicago distribution center was milled into 600 barrels of flour for local Relief distribution. This was known as Red Cross flour. The mill also manufactured pastry flour for Pillsbury, Quaker Oats Co., and General Mills. They were the exclusive supplier of flour for Syracuse’s Kallfelz Brothers Baking Company, remembered for their ‘Snow Flake Brand’ baked goods.

Upon the death of Mr. Tallcot, controlling interest passed on to his nephew William Tallcot Thorne.

owners, many are ignoring the requirement, the groups say.

The Business Council of New York State opposes the law, saying it will violate the privacy of law-abiding businesses –including thousands of small businesses organized as LLCs - and put their security at risk. There are some provisions in the legislation for public disclosure to be waived when “a significant privacy interest exists.” The law’s efficacy will be determined in part in how waiver requests are handled. Given the benefits state law confers on LLCs, it’s not too much to ask that they at least let us know who they are. This is a good step toward much-needed transparency.

In 1932, Cornell graduate J. Waller Thorne joined the staff and became the corporate president upon the death of his father. He ran the grist mill until his retirement in 1969, then the business closed. March of 1970, the Stone Mill was sold to Skanmill, Inc. owned by Mrs. Anne Easter. She converted it into a restaurant called The Run of Stone. It opened in August of 1970.

A Rathskeller, featuring live entertainment opened in May of 1971 in the lower level of the building. It was called Under The Stone. The ‘Run of Stone restaurant closed in August of 1974. In 1981 Skanmill, Inc. was sold to Old Stone Mill Properties. Restaurant occupancy continued until about 1998. With the construction of a large brick addition, the property took on a whole new life as offices and condos, which are there today.

Trump

went on to graduate with honors from SUNY Oneonta and Harvard Law School.

Smith is now a competitive triathlete, having taken up swimming when he was in his midthirties.

last word

“The attack on our nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy.”

–Jack Smith, 1987 Liverpool High School graduate now U.S. Dept. of Justice special counsel.

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Fall Sports Schedules

Good Luck To e 2023 Warriors and Northstars!

Time to get back to the

by Phil Blackwell

Sept. 7: at Fayetteville-Manlius (Green), 3:30 p.m.

action!

Sept.

Liverpool Warriors

Football

Sept. 1: Ballston Spa, 6 p.m.

Sept. 8: at Elmira, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15: Henninger, 6 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Utica Proctor, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: at CBA, 1 p.m.

Oct. 6: Baldwinsville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 13: Cicero-North Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 20: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer

Sept. 6: at Jamesville-DeWitt, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: Rome Free Academy, 10 a.m.

Sept. 12: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 5 p.m.

Sept. 14: Baldwinsville, 6 p.m.

Sept. 16: at West Genesee, noon

Sept. 19: at Cicero-North Syracuse, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23: Athens (at Onoeonta Wright Soccer Complex), 12:30 p.m.

Sept. 24: Troy (at Oneonta Wright Soccer Complex), 9:45 a.m.

Sept. 26: at Central Square, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28: at Oswego, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30: West Genesee, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3: East Syracuse Minoa, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 5: at Auburn, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 10: Cicero-North Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 12: at Baldwinsville, 7 p.m. p.m.

Oct. 14: Westhill, 10 a.m. p.m.

Boys Soccer

Sept. 1: Westhill, 9 a.m.

Sept. 2: Watertown, noon

Sept. 7: at West Genesee, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 9: at Baldwinsville, 9:30 p.m.

Sept. 12: Cicero-North Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: at PSLA-Fowler, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16: East Syracuse Minoa, 11 a.m.

Sept. 19: Nottingham, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Corcoran, 1 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 5 p.m.

Sept. 28: at Central Square, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: Jamesville-DeWitt, 11 a.m.

Oct. 5: West Genesee, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Cicero-North Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 12: PSLA-Fowler, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 14: Baldwinsville, noon

Boys Volleyball

Aug. 31: Living Word Academy, 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 5: Baldwinsville, 6 p.m.

Sept. 8: Oswego, 6 p.m.

Sept. 12: Fayetteville-Manilus, 6 p.m.

Sept. 14: at East Syracuse Minoa, 7:45 p.m.

Sept. 19: Cicero-North Syracuse, 6 p.m.

Sept. 21: at Syracuse City, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Jamesville-DeWitt, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Baldwinsville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Oswego, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 12: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 16: Syracuse City, 6 p.m.

Oct. 18: at Cicero-North Syracuse, 6 p.m.

Oct. 21: Living Word Academy, 9 a.m.

Oct. 24: Jamesville-DeWitt, 6 p.m.

Oct. 27: at Central Square, 6 p.m.

Girls Volleyball

Sept. 5: at Oswego, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 7: PSLA-Fowler, 6 p.m.

Sept. 11: Central Square, 6 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Cicero-North Syracuse, 6 p.m.

Sept. 15: at Jamesville-DeWitt, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 19: West Genesee, 6 p.m.

Field Hockey

Aug. 29: Little Falls, 12:30 p.m.

Aug. 31: at Camden, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 5: Canastota, 5 p.m.

Sept. 7: at Baldwinsville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, 3 p.m.

Sept. 11: Cicero-North Syracuse, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: at East Syracuse Minoa, 6:45 p.m.

Sept. 15: at Holland Patent, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18: Auburn, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 25: Fayetteville-Manlius, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28: Baldwinsville, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: at Clinton, 11 a.m.

Oct. 4: at Cicero-North Syracuse, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 7: Holland Patent, 10 a.m.

Oct. 10: at Rome Free Academy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 7 p.m.

Boys, Girls Cross Country

Sept. 13: Cicero-North Syracuse, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 16: at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 23: at Baldwinsville Invitational, 10 a.m.

Sept. 27: at Baldwinsville, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Auburn (w/West Genesee), 5 p.m.

Oct. 7: at Tully Invitational, 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 13-14: at Manhattan Invitational

Nov. 4: Section III Championships at VVS

Nov. 11: NYSPHSAA Championships at VVS

Girls Swimming

Sept. 6: Baldwinsville, 5 p.m.

Sept. 12: Cicero-North Syracuse (at Nottingham), 6 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Skaneateles, 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 27: Fayetteville-Manlius, 5 p.m.

Sept. 30: Burgos Diving Invitational at Nottingham, 9 a.m.

Oct. 3: Oswego, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10: CBA (at Le Moyne College), 7 p.m.

Oct. 13-14 :Salt City Invitational at Nottingham

Oct. 17: West Genesee, 5 p.m.

Oct. 28: Section III Diving Championships at Nottingham, 9 a.m.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Section III Championships at Nottingham Girls Tennis

Aug. 30: at Cicero-North Syracuse, 11 a.m.

Sept. 1: Syracuse East, 11 a.m.

Sept. 6: Syracuse West, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 11: West Genesee, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: at East Syracuse Minoa, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 15: at Baldwinsville, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18: Cicero-North Syracuse, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25: at West Genesee, 5 p.m.

Sept. 27: Fayetteville-Manlius, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 29: Baldwinsville, 4:30 p.m.

Boys Golf Home matches at Foxfire Golf Course

Aug. 24: West Genesee (Blue), 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 25: Cicero-North Syracuse (Blue), 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 29: at Fayetteville-Manlius (White), 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 30: at Baldwinsville (Red), 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 31: West Genesee (Gold), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 5: Cicero-North Syracuse (Green), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 11: at Baldwinsville (White), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: at West Genesee (Blue), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 15: at Cicero-North Syracuse (Blue), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 18: Fayetteville-Manlius (White), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: Baldwinsville (Red), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 22: at West Genesee (Gold), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 25: at Cicero-North Syracuse (Green), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: Fayetteville-Manlius (Green), 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 2: Baldwinsville (White), 3:30 p.m.

CNS Northstars

Football

Sept. 2: West Seneca West (at SUNY Brockport), 3 p.m.

Sept. 8: at Corning, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 15: at Union-Endicott, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22: at Baldwinsville, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28: Fayetteville-Manlius, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 6: CBA, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 13: at Liverpool, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 20: Utica Proctor, 6:30 p.m.

Field Hockey

Aug. 29: Fayetteville-Manlius, noon

Aug. 31: Clinton, noon

Sept. 2: at Canastota, 10 a.m.

Sept. 5: at Pittsford Sutherland, 5 p.m.

Sept. 11: at Liverpool, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 15: Little Falls, 5 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Baldwinsville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22: Rome Free Academy, 5 p.m.

Sept. 26: East Syracuse Minoa, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 28: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29: Pittsford Mendon, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: Liverpool, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 6: at Auburn, 5 p.m.

Oct. 7: Minnechaug (Massachusetts), 1 p.m.

Oct. 11: Baldwinsville, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 13: Canastota, 5:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer

Aug. 31: New Hartford, 5 p.m.

Sept. 1: Utica Proctor, 5 p.m.

Sept. 5: at Baldwinsville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: PSLA-Fowler, 1 p.m.

Sept. 12: at Liverpool, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: West Genesee, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 16: Central Square, 1 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Jamesville-DeWitt, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 21: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: East Syracuse Minoa, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28: Nottingham, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 3: Baldwinsville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 5: at Henninger, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7: at PSLA-Fowler, noon

Oct. 10: Liverpool, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 12: at West Genesee, 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer

Sept. 2: at Jamesville-DeWitt, noon

Sept. 5: West Genesee, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: at East Syracuse Minoa, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 9: Whitesboro, noon

Sept. 14: at West Genesee, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: Liverpool, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: at Baldwinsville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Oneonta (Wright National Complex), 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 24: Elmira (at Oneonta Wright National Complex), 7 p.m.

Sept. 26: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: at Fulton, 5 p.m.

Sept. 30: Baldwinsville, noon

Oct. 2: Central Square, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Syracuse City (at Nottingham), 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10: at Liverpool, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 14: Lowville, noon

Boys, Girls Cross Country

Sept. 13: at Liverpool, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 16: at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

Sept. 20: at Auburn, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Baldwinsville Invitational, 10 a.m.

Sept. 27: West Genesee (w/Henninger), 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: at Rochester McQuaid

Invitational, 9 a.m.

Oct. 4: Fayetteville-Manlius (w/Baldwinsville), 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 13-14: at Manhattan Invitational

Oct. 18: SCAC Championships at Baldwinsville, 4 p.m.

Nov. 4: Section III Championships at VVS

Nov. 11: NYSPHSAA Championships at VVS

Boys Volleyball

Sept. 8: at Fayetteville-Manlius, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: Syracuse City, 6 p.m.

Sept. 15: Webster Schroeder, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Liverpool, 6 p.m.

Sept. 22: Midlakes, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 23: Rochester McQuaid, 11 a.m.

Sept. 26: Living Word Academy, 6 p.m.

Sept. 28: at Jamesville-DeWitt, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: Canisius, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 5: at East Syracuse Minoa, 7:45 p.m.

Oct. 7: at Penfield Tournament, 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 11: Baldwinsville, 6 p.m.

Oct. 13: at Shaker, 6 p.m.

Oct. 14: at Shenendehowa Invitational, 8 a.m.

Oct. 16: Fayetteville-Manlius, 6 p.m.

Oct. 18: Liverpool, 6 p.m.

Oct. 20: at Syracuse City, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23: Central Square, 6 p.m.

Oct. 25: at Baldwinsville, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 27: at Oswego, 6:30 p.m.

Here are the Liverpool Warriors and Cicero North Syracuse Northstars’ varsity schedules, with all dates and times subject to change.

REMEMBERInG RJ

Barely a month from now, the Buffalo Sabres will take the ice again, aiming to end the NHL’s longest playoff drought. As if that wasn’t motivation enough, the man that was for so long the definitive voice of the franchise is gone.

Late last week, Rick Jeanneret passed away after a long illness. Of his 81-plus years spent on this planet, more than half of them was spent at a microphone describing the ups and downs of the Sabres as the league’s longest tenured play-by-play announcer.

To say he turned into a Western New York institution understates it. And RJ, as he was known by almost everyone connected to the Sabres –players, coaches, fans, various ownerships – was never, ever understated.

Just one season into the Sabres’ existence, in 1971, RJ took to the air. Right away, he had the best seat, not only narrating the quick rise of the team to elite status, but working alongside Ted Darling, an equally legendary voice who called Sabres games when they were on TV.

But while Darling excelled as a smooth, consistent and informative voice, RJ was much like the fans, the tone of his voice rising and falling with each check, each whistle, each surge up the ice and each goal.

It wasn’t just the goals, either. Some of RJ’s most memorable calls involved someone dropping the gloves. Whenever Larry Playfair, Rob Ray or some other guy went at it with an opponent, it turned into a prizefight, even if only

Random Thoughts Phil blackwell

a few punches landed. In short, he matched the energy of those in the front row pounding on the glass.

Of course, to Sabres fans the real fun came when the puck went in the net, or got stopped from going in the net.

It wasn’t a shot into the top corner, it was “Top shelf where mama hides the cookies!” Or it was “LalalalalaLaFonatine” whenever Pat LaFontaine converted, which was quite often in the early 1990s. If it was a big save, it was Ryan Miller – or more accurately, “Millerrrrrrrrrrrr”.

Oh, and if regulation ended in a tie, and the Sabres pulled off a game-winner, RJ let you know, quite enthusiastically, that it was won in “Ohhhhhhhhhhh-vertime.”

On and on it goes. RJ called the 1975 Stanley Cup finals games when he could see through fog in not-airconditioned Memorial Auditorium and provided the soundtrack for all of the franchise’s other memorable playoff moments, both glorious and otherwise.

The peak moment, though, was 1993. Buffalo hadn’t won a playoff series in a decade and often had vanquished at the hands (and sticks) of the Boston Bruins, whom it now faced again in the first round.

Here, though, the Sabres won the first three and, in Game 4, sealed the sweep on a breakaway goal by Brad May, an unlikely hero. What followed...”May Day! May Day! May Day!” For that alone, RJ was immortal.

Still, the best moment came near the

Lead testing

l

end. April 1, 2022, with his retirement announced, the Sabres honored RJ by placing a banner in his honor in the rafters next to Dominik Hasek, the French Connection and all other team greats.

Then, after a victory over Nashville, the Sabres, none of whom were close to born when RJ started, stayed on the ice and brought him out for a team photo, unplanned. The shivers could be felt well beyond the arena.

Just as Van Miller provided an unforgettable voice for Buffalo Bills fans through the decades, so did RJ, who despite his local fame and stature never lost his common touch nor ever forgot how fortunate and blessed he felt to do this job.

Even a cascade of accolades, including the Hockey Hall of Fame’s highest broadcast honor, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, did not sever RJ from his bond with Buffalo, who holds up the most those who attain glory but don’t forget the community they serve.

As his career and life wound down, Rick Jeanneret said his greatest regret was an unsurprising one – namely, never having a chance to call the moment the Sabres shook off all its demons and heartache and finally got the Stanley Cup.

While it’s impossible to say if this young, fast-climbing Sabres side will have that chance in the years ahead, if it does, RJ will have a great seat from above – top shelf, you might say, and the cookies will be delicious.

Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.

partment. The van will provide testing to children ages 1 and 2 with a simple finger stick blood sample, with results available within minutes.

If it’s positive, the department will determine whether a home inspection and/or case management services are necessary.

“A blood lead test is the best way to find out if a child has lead poisoning” Gunnip said. “This new van can go to community events, has the equipment to test children, and can get immediate results.”

In May, the legislature approved funding for a dedicated staff person for the van, which will offer more than testing. Public education is key to reducing the numbers of kids with elevated blood lead levels, so information will be available to the public at all stops the van makes.

Kelly, whose fulltime job is that of physical therapist, says he’s personally seen families affected by lead poisoning.

“Onondaga County is taking a comprehensive approach to tackle the challenges of lead poisoning in our community, and the mobile testing van is a major step in that effort” he said. “Identifying children with elevated blood lead levels is the first step towards treatment and harm reduction strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of lead.”

The health department says the new vehicle and its community-facing strategy for lead testing are emblematic of how they are aiming to provide public health services to our community, and that’s meeting people where, when, and how they are most able and most likely to engage with the department’s programs.

Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson says decreasing childhood lead exposure remains a critical priority for her department and the mobile testing approach allowed by this vehicle is a major step toward increasing access to testing by removing known barriers.

“The sooner we can start the enrichment services the better it is for the child,” Gunnip said.