THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD,
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 15 FREE
NY
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
JUNE 14 - 20, 2013
2nd Annual Mudslide Obstacle Race & Trail Run
Mudstock Kicks Off Weekend by Eva Potter
© 2013 KEYSTONE DESIGNERS
If the rains of the past few days are any indication, this Saturday’s second annual Mudslide Obstacle Race at Holiday Valley should be sloppy, muddy fun time with several hundred participants expected at the event. Friday night kicks off the weekend with the Mudstock party including music by The Party Squad, pools, games and your choice of hydration. You can also still register or pick up your race packet on June 14 from 6–9 p.m. at the Overlook Terrace next to the Tamarack Club. Same-day registration will be available Saturday at Yodeler Lodge 8–10 a.m. if the race is not sold out. Search Mudslide at www.holidayvalley.com. “(The Mudslide) has grown since last year, both in number of competitors and in number of obstacles on the course, but the essence of a fun and muddy event remains the same,” said Jane Eshbaugh, Holiday Valley’s marketing director. The course will throw eight obstacles in the way as waves of competitors embark on the 3.5-mile course starting at 10 a.m. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, the 5.4-mile course adds a bit of uphill running. Spectators can ride the chairlift to the top for only $5. The final challenge is a giant mudslide down lower Yodeler. Eshbaugh said, “With a course that is mostly downhill and obstacles that are designed to challenge but not intimidate, the event attracts a wide variety of people of all ages and athletic abilities. All competitors will receive a goody bag and a super cool finisher’s medal plus a hot dog See Mudslide page 4
Community Turns out for Trail Open House Initial Village Loop Planned, $22,000 Raised By Eva Potter
The Ellicottville-Great Valley Trail Committee held a community open house on June 11 to showcase preliminary trail plans in the works since last July. More than 50 people chatted with trail organizers, village and town officials, and the
trail architect about the master plan and viewed proposed trail maps. Rick Manning, a professional landscape architect, is designing the master plan of the trail, potentially stretching from the eastern Village of Ellicottville boundary to Great Valley, connecting destinations along the way. A village loop is the proposed to be developed first. Community input is highly encouraged. Please send your ideas to jennie@ellicottvilletimes. com, call (716) 699-4062 or (716) 474-8214, or post on Facebook at EVLTrail. With the most recent generous donation of $5,000 by HoliMont, the total raised stands at about $22,000. You can make a tax-deductible donation at www. cattfoundation.org or mail a check payable to: Ellicottville-Great Valley Trail Fund, c/o Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 120 N. Union St., Olean, NY 14706.
Art Filled Weekend Coming July 5-7 Art in the Garden and Plein Air Competition By Jann Wiswall
Independence Day isn’t just the time for fireworks and the Summer Music Festival in Ellicottville. Thanks to the efforts of Darlene
Allen, it’s also an opportunity to showcase the independent fine artists of our region with two weekend-long events. The first is Art in the Garden. This two-day event, started by Allen last year, begins on Friday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. with a candlelit reception in Allen’s serene, creatively landscaped back yard. Some 20 area artists will have their art on display (and for sale), and many will be creating some of their art pieces on site to demonstrate their techniques. There will be live music from local jazz artists Jack Little and Liz Boberg, a wine bar and ample opportunity to chat with each artist. The event continues Saturday from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., where the art will again be available for See Art Weekend page 7
Village Planning Board Approves Accessory Apartment, CCSE Office By Jann Wiswall
Two public hearings were held at Tuesday’s meeting of the Village Planning Board. The first public hearing for an accessory apartment above the rear kitchen at Tips Up Café drew no comments from the public. With no issues from the Planning Board, the special use permit was approved. Judy Roush, owner of the
property, said she expects construction to begin in a matter of days and hopes the project will be completed within two to three months. The apartment will be occupied by Roush’s son Anton, who is working as a chef at the restaurant. The second public hearing was for a special use permit for the Cattaraugus County School Employees (CCSE) Federal
Credit Union to operate a branch at Ellicottville Square on Bristol Lane. There were no objections from the public regarding the business, and by the end of the meeting, the permit was approved. However, the Planning Board placed a condition on the permit requiring Sprague Development to remove a See Village Planning page 2
No Exceptions Will Be Made on Water/Sewer Bills Village Board Reviews New Equipment Requests, Treatment Plant Progress
By Jann Wiswall
At its monthly meeting on Monday, June 10, the Ellicottville Village Board heard from members of St. John’s Episcopal Church seeking relief from paying
the minimum village water and sewer bill. The church members argued that the church is open only on Saturdays, the restroom is rarely used and the average age of the 12-15 church members is over 65.
They hoped that the board would reduce its bill to a rate similar to that paid by senior residents. Village Attorney Bob Simon pointed out that the church is a See Village Board page 9
Great Valley Town Board By Mary Fox
The June 10 meeting of the Great Valley Town Board was open at 7pm by Town Supervisor Dan Brown. The first item of business was to accept the resignation of the Planning Board Chairperson, Yvonne Darts. Deputy Chairperson, Chris Shena will take over the position until the board decides, at a later date, if the vacancy will be filled or it will go to a 5 person board.
The Board reviewed the cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance for the Town of Great Valley (which includes the Volunteer Firemen). The County is reviewing the Current Insurance Plan which will have an estimated increase of $14,000. Further discussion on the issue will be held at the July 8th Town Board Meeting No new building permits were reported by Code Officer Rob Germain. Progress on
the property maintenance issue to cleanup junk in yards and unkempt lawns is being followed up. Superintendent of Highways, Jack Herrington, reported that tar and chip projects are completed on Plum Brook and Stone Roads. The road crew will be working on weed eating and moving road shoulders for water control. The newly purchased Ford See School Board page 6