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Community Sports Camillus Erie Canal Park WG lax beaten by J-D opens Sunday ... Page 5 in 5-3 decision ... Page 7 Volume 181, No. 17 April 27 to May 3, 2011
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Marcellus school board adopts $29.99 million spending plan 21 full-time positions reduced, tax levy increased by 3.9 percent By Ned Campbell editor@eagle-observer.com
‘Comedy for Cancer’ The Cayuga Collegian will host its second-annual fundraiser at 7 p.m. Thursday at CCC. ...See page 3
Community Marcellus Superintendent Craig Tice
The Marcellus school board voted 7-0 Tuesday night to adopt a $29,993,883 spending plan for 2011-12 that raises the tax levy by 3.9 percent and uses almost half the district’s remaining reserves. The plan, which is 2.81 percent less than the current budget, eliminates 21.7 full-time positions, including 12.2 teachers. It also cuts 9.5 part-time positions. Marcellus Superintendent Craig Tice said
Rolling Wheels to boost entertainment value, local appeal for 2011 season Heuermann honored by Kiwanis
The former pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, left, was honored for 50 years of perfect club attendance. ...See page 5
CALENDAR ...................2 CLASSIFIEDS .............. 18 EDITORIAL ....................4 OBITUARIES....9, 10, 13 PUBLIC NOTICES ...........9 SCHOOL NEWS .............6 SPORTS .................7, 14
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Jimmy Phelps, driving car # 99, and Matt Sheppard race the track at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park. By Ned Campbell Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, on Briarwood Lane in Elbridge, plans to pack more punch into its racing events this season. Opening day is May 29. “We’ve decided to focus on fewer events and make those events bigger,” said Rolling Wheels Raceway General Manager Jeff Hachmann, now entering his second season
at the raceway. He said the move is strategic, not budgetary. “It’s a strategic business plan to elevate the level of dirt car racing through special events, instead of spending money just to have an event.” Rolling Wheels has six big events planned for 2011, starting with its thirdSee Wheels, page 15
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balancing the budget was a difficult process. “There are no good answers in laying off staff, reducing programs, depleting district reserves because of an uncertain economic future, and raising taxes during difficult fiscal times,” Tice said. The full-time reductions include 5.2 elementary, 5.6 secondary level, 3.4 FTE in Pupil Personnel Services and 7.5 FTE in support staff (admin- istrative, transportation, custodial and clerical). 9.5 of the full-time reductions are through attrition while 12.2 are through lay-offs. The district, which relies on state aid to balance about 45 percent of its budget, lost 11.56 percent ($1.5 million) in state aid this year. It also owes $480,110 to teacher and employee retireSee MCS budget, page 18
Sports
Westhill finds wins in S.C. By Phil Blackwell As it does each April during the school break the Westhill baseball team made its way to Myrtle Beach, S.C., testing itself in a series of games against opponents from around the country. The Warriors opened the Mingo Bay Tournament by facing South Western and, relying on the strong arm of Alex Godzak, won in a 3-0 shutout. Godzaek went six innings and struck out 12, only allowing one hit before Kevin McAvoy struck out the side in the seventh. All the runs came in the fourth and fifth innings as McAvoy continued his early-season tear at the plate with three hits and two RBIs. Though it proved closer in the second game against Lewisville (N.C.), Westhill
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still pulled out a 3-2 win by getting all of its offense late. Down 1-0, the Warriors went in front when, in the bottom of the sixth, Nick Vitgaliano smacked a tworun home run. Lewisville pulled even in the top of the seventh, but Westhill’s David Graf reached base in the bottom of the seventh and scored the winning run on a passed ball. Those late runs vindicated the work of four pitchers, including McAvoy, who worked the seventh and got credit for the win. J.C. Pena and Nathan Nigolian also saw mound stints. Having only pitched in relief so far, McAvoy finally got his first start of the season Wednesday, against Penfield (Section V), and was superb in a 2-1 win over the Patriots. See Westhill, page 18
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