WWW.THE-REPORTER.NET
VOLUME 135 — WHOLE 7079
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
Escaped Chicken Adopted by Downsville Businessman Page 12
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Sidney Dominates Unatego in Friday Gridiron Action Page 14
School is Back in Session in the Region By Rosie Cunningham DELAWARE COUNTY School is officially back in session. New clothes, shoes, backpacks packed with pens, paper, erasers and pencils, all have the makings of the first day of school for children. Area school officials say they are looking forward to the new school year equipped with new students, learning techniques, building projects and more. Jason Thomson will take the lead at Delaware Academy in his seventh year as superintendent. “It’s been lonely around here without the students and so far, everything has been smooth there has been a lot of happy faces and high fives,” he said of the first day of school Tuesday. In addition to a new reading See School’s Open page 3
Contributed Photo
Mason Thompson is ready for kindergarten at Delaware Academy. Students across the region officially went back to school for the 2017-18 academic year on Tuesday.
Chamber Hosts Candidates Forum in Walton By Ron Galley Nearly sixty people came to the Walton Fire Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 30 to hear five candidates involved in the town of Walton’s upcoming general election on Nov. 7. Incumbent Supervisor Charlie Gregory and former Supervisor Bruce Dolph, both Republicans, are in a race for that seat. There is a three-way race for two town council positions with Dr. Luis Rodriguez-Betancourt and Kevin Armstrong, Republican incumbents, challenged by Demo-
crat Kathleen Hayek. The event was sponsored by the Walton Chamber of Commerce and was moderated by Lillian Browne. Each candidate had three minutes for opening statements, after which written questions from the audience were put to the candidates, who had two minutes to respond. Following the pre-submitted questions, the audience were permitted to ask questions directly to the candidates - one minute was allowed for candiSee Chamber Hosts page 4
Stamford Rotary Hosts 50th Barbecue, Raises Funds for Houston By Rosie Cunningham STAMFORD - Despite the rainy weather, the Stamford Rotary hosted its 50th annual Labor Day Barbecue at the Stamford Village Fire Department on
Main Street. The event, which kicked off at noon, was once held at the Stamford Golf Club. The chicken and ribs were made by Brooks Barbecue in Oneonta and were a success as always.
Contributed Photo
Chicken and ribs by Brooks Barbecue in Oneonta, were a success as always at the 50th annual Stamford Rotary barbecue.
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“We sold about 300 chickens and 90 portions of ribs,” rotary member Skip Heath said of the day. “In spite of the weather, it was a great day and a success.” As of Tuesday, Heath said the numbers have not been “crunched” but the proceeds will go towards the club. It was decided that the club would put out a collection jar for the relief of Hurricane Harvey flood victims in Texas. “We wanted to do something to help those who See Funds for Houston page 5
Lillian Browne/The Reporter
Downsville Covered Bridge Reopens...
The Downsville Covered Bridge on Bridge Street was reopened to traffic late last week, once the new state Route 30 bridge near the intersection of River Road was officially opened. The covered bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was closed to traffic by Delaware County Commissioner of Public Works Wayne Reynolds as a precautionary safety measure to preserve the integrity of the structure while work was ongoing on the state maintained bridge. Here, area youth, left, Dalton Powell, 15, Kyra Barnhart, 14 and Nathan Valentine, 14, enjoy Labor Day’s warm summer weather before school reopens for the 2017-18 school year.
Senator Schumer Very Impressed by ACCO Brands, Promises Help to Rest of County By Tom Coddington SIDNEY — United States Senator Chuck Schumer, and many others, including three of Delaware County’s most influential men, toured the ACCO Brands facilities in Sidney on Thursday, and left very impressed. The company began as Keith Clark Inc. in New York City in 1923, relocated to downtown Sidney in 1946, and moved into its new facility at its present location in 1981. Between 1986-1999, there were several major building expansions. The name became AT-AGLANCE, Inc. in 1996, was acquired by the Mead Corportation in 1999, and merged with ACCO Brands in 2012. Integration of Day-Timer operation was in 2013. The facility has been in continuous operation since 1946. ACCO Brands General Manager Jeff Almasian pointed out, “We employ 630 full-time employees. We also provide employment for an average of 150 temporary employees.”
When asked if the number was greater than that of Amphenol, another major Sidney business, he stated, “Our numbers are almost the same.” Almasian and other leaders of the business led those gathered through the buildings, showing the senator and others all of the things
that ACCO produces. The 750,000-square-foot facility extends more than a half-mile from end to end. There is a state of the art call center and a distribution facility, and on site are a fitness center, a walking trail, a cafeteria, a micromarket, and it also houses the See Schumer page 5
T.W. Coddington/The Reporter
SENATOR IS PLEASED — United States Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader of the senate, is all smiles when he hears what is going on at ACCO Brands during his Thursday visit.
$10 Million Capital Project to be Presented for Delaware Academy By Rosie Cunningham DELHI - Delaware Academy (DA) district taxpayers will soon be asked to vote on a $10 million capital project. According to DA Superintendent Jason Thomson, the project is slated to be in the ball park of $10 million and the proposal will be out “in the near future.” The project will include building enhancements, updates and improvements to the school’s football/soccer field. “What is extremely important to us is that we want a zero percent tax impact on the residents within the district and I believe we can achieve that,” empha-
sized Thomson who is himself, a taxpayer. “This is critical to us.” The superintendent provided an overview of the project’s scope which includes updating the elementary school section. “Boilers need to be replaced, HVAC units as well, the school kitchen and cafeteria and throughout DA, asbestos needs to be dealt with,” he said. “The library will be updated and windows will be replaced for energy efficiency purposes - I believe these improvements are long overdue.” Thomson added that pavement needs to be redone in the parking lot and the tennis courts need to be reconditioned as well as the roof, gutters and
school bathrooms. “Renovations will take place for the girls and boys varsity locker rooms and we are working to decide if we want an artificial (turf) or natural (grass) layout for the school field.” Thomson said he and the board are looking to present the outlined plans to the public in the near future. “We need and want to do this right,” he said. “We are essentially setting this up for the future of the students.” The Delaware Academy superintendent urged the community to reach out to him at the school if they have any questions regarding the project.