THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE, NEW YORK THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF GREAT VALLEY, NEW YORK
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 24 SECTION A FREE www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012
Centurion Brings Legends, Technology and Friendly Competition Family-Friendly Biking Event This Weekend
by Jeff Cole A ride with a hockey legend, new tracking technology and various cycling events are all part of the upcoming Centurion Ellicottville weekend Aug. 17-19. The three-day festival will take place Friday through Sunday and will feature a number of events, including a bike movie night at 6 p.m. Friday in downtown Ellicottville, as well as a C25, C50 and C100. This year will be the first of five consecutive years the event will be held in Ellicottville. Brian McFadden, executive director for the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, said that the Ontario, Canada-based Centurion office contacted him last October about holding the event in Ellicottville. “They just heard so much about Ellicottville and all the things we’re doing here and it kind of suited their M.O. (mode of operation). They like to run these events in resort towns. And we’re also close to the Canadian border and we have a lot of Canadian tourists here. So it all kind of makes sense to them,” he said. One of the major highlights of the weekend will be “Pedal with Pat LaFontaine at Centurion Ellicottville,” an 11.5-mile ride with National Hockey League Hall of Famer and former Buffalo Sabres great Pat LaFontaine. Pat’s Ride is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The goal of the ride, according to Holiday Valley’s website, is to “get more people focused on improving their health by riding their bikes in a festive and safe environment while also raising awareness for LaFontaine’s Companions in Courage Foundation,” which raises funds for hospitals to build interactive playrooms for hospitalized children. See Centurion Section B Page 1
Four-Season Recreational Town of Ellicottville Board Trail Enhances Quality of Life Tackles Foodplain Study, for Residents and Increases Town Garage Bids, Rec Trail Property Value and Town Cupola
by Eva Potter Ellicottville is widely recognized for its enchanting scenery, spectacular fall colors, warm hospitality, vibrant nightlife, interesting shopping and delightful restaurants. But most of all, it is known as an active outdoor adventure community. Often compared to other resort towns in the Northeast and West, Ellicottville has earned a highly respected reputation as a four-season
resort town, boasting a slew of recreational activities for young and old, single and married, athletes and not-so-athletic types. Skiing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, snowboarding, golfing, swimming, road biking, jogging, hunting, fishing, hiking … the list is long and varied – there’s something here for just about everyone. There isn’t much missing except for a safe, traffic-free
Allegany River Valley Trail, Allegany NY
recreational trail that can be used for multiple purposes – think babies in strollers, joggers, cyclists, skaters and families walking dogs. From a real estate perspective, Cathy Pritchard, a licensed associate real estate broker with ERA Team VP Real Estate in Ellicottville, knows what homebuyers are looking for when they buy a primary or secondary residence. She said people who come here are active and that she views a recreational trail as a real asset to the community and to homebuyers. “The way I look at it, (trail access) enhances the value of their property,” said Pritchard. “Most people that come down here (to Ellicottville) are into fitness, recreation, and biking is so big right now. Walking is so big right now that we really do need something like (a recreational trail). Safety is another thing. It’s a real issue for every age.” Glenda and Rick Jackson, owners of the Ilex Inn Bed & See Recreational Trail Page 8
by Jennie Acklin
Supervisor John Burrell called the Town of Ellicottville Board meeting to order at 6 p.m., Aug. 15, 2012. Donlen Drive. Michael McGillicuddy addressed board members with his continued complaint regarding the vacant property at 6515 Donlen Dr., specifically about lack of proper exterior maintenance.
Town Attorney Kathleen Moriarty advised him that the town is not obligated, nor authorized, to remedy the situation. She advised McGillicuddy of the NYS Property Maintenance Code that the Town of Ellicottville has adopted, and that any complaints of violations should be addressed in writing to Town See Town Board page 7
Floodplain Remapping, Upcoming Events and Trash Compliance on Village Board Docket by Jennie Acklin
Mayor Charlie Coolidge called the meeting to order on Aug. 13, 2012, at 6 p.m. Harold Morton started the meeting with his Department of Public Works Report. As mentioned last month, the tennis backstop at village park was completed with funds donated by the 700 Club, one of Ken Brown’s wishes for the
project. Morton said public reminders for brush pickups seem to be working. (Brush and leaves will be collected at curbside from April 1 to Nov. 30 on the first Monday of each month - only one time per month, not multiple times per week.) Additional items included sidewalk replacement on Elizabeth and West
Washington streets, ongoing water meter replacements, and grass replacement on the corner of Monroe Street next to Earth Arts. Morton also talked about the water plant alarms and the “ghost calls” received during a power failure or lightning strike, requiring someone See Village Board page 8