WHAT’S SHAKIN’ IN EVL:.......PAGE 9 December 6 - 12, 2018
Volume 13 ~ Issue 50
A FREE Weekly Publication Serving Ellicottville and Surrounding Communities
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Cattaraugus County’s Community Newspaper
Music Notes
CCIDA Year in Review
Wiktor Highlights Past Year and Anticipates New Projects
Popular Restaurant to Reopen The Birdwalk is Back in Business
36 Washington St. ~ 699-4455 DJ COBRA CON Friday, December 7th, 10PM DJ TSWIFT Saturday, December 8th, 10PM
48-year old The Birdwalk restaurant with the only wood firebrick oven for pizza is set to reopen this December 20, 2018.
7 Monroe Street ~ 699-2199 AJ TETZALF
Saturday, December 8th, 7:30PM
By Chad Neal
JAY MCD DUO
Saturday, December 15th, 7:30PM
Another project taken on by the CCIDA this year was the new investcattaragus.com web site and Facebook page.
Story by John Thomas Staff Writer
20 Monroe Street ~ 699-4162 10 DELAWARE
Friday, December 7th, 7PM JOSEPH MICHAEL MAHFOUD Saturday, December 8th, 6PM
At the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Board meeting on Tuesday, Director Corey Wiktor said the focus for the past year has been work force development. He mentioned a number of ongoing projects that will
help to increase job opportunities and bring skilled workers into the community. West Valley Inn LLC redeveloped an old hotel in West Valley hopes to be operational in the near future. . The investment in that project was $450,000. He discussed the YEA! (Young See “CCIDA” Page 7
Santa Is Coming! Santa Is Coming! 20 Washington Street ~ 699-2530
Community Event next Thursday in Salamanca
2 GUYS DRINKIN’ BEER Friday, December 7th, 9PM THE SHORT BUS
Saturday, December 8th, 9PM
24 Monroe St. ~ 699-9001 MAX MUSCATO
Friday, December 7th, 8PM CHRIS O’MALLEY Saturday, December 8th, 8PM
Sneak Peek
For more information on this week’s music, see page 9
Inside this Issue...
Busy Days at the Silver Fox... Page 5 New Head Chef Ready for Winter Season
By Andrew Young
December is in full swing and as we prepare for Christmas, we must take time to think about what we can do to help the vulnerable people of our community. Within our county is an organization with that exact mission at the forefront of their every move. That group is Cattaraugus Community Action, and they’re throwing a party! CCA will host its 12th Annual Santa’s Carnival, for the kids. Come down and join in on the fun at the Cattaraugus Community Action headquarters located at 25 Jefferson Street in Salamanca, NY on Thursday, December 13, 2018 from 3-5pm. This is not the first time that the Claus family has come to visit the Cattaraugus Community Action team but it is their first time bringing Buddy the Elf, Frosty the Snowman, Tinsel the Christmas See “SANTA” Page 7
In June of 1970 a popular country song called The Tennessee Birdwalk influenced Bill Barrett to name his restaurant The Birdwalk. Established on Route 242 east of the Village of Ellicottville, The Birdwalk was a popular place for fine dining with a rustic and unique atmosphere. The restaurant stayed open for a spell after owner Bill Barrett passed away in May 2017, but his family decided to stop restaurant operations and make it more of a tearoom and
Mayor Burrell Brings NY Mayors Group to Ellicottville Story and Photo By John Thomas; Staff Writer
Community leaders from Western New York gathered in a banquet room at Holiday Valley last week for a dinner and presentation by NYCOM, the New York Conference of Mayors. Village Mayor John Burrell had been instrumental in the organization’s choice of Holiday Valley for the meeting. Speaking at the meeting were State Senator Catharine Young, Executive Director of NYCOM Peter Bains, and his Co-Executive Director Barbara Van Epps. Municipal leaders from around Western New York included the Mayor of the Village of Orchard Park, other Mayors, and board chairs from Erie, Chautauqua, and Allegany counties. Mayor Burrell opened the evening by thanking everyone for their attendance. He went on and thanked NYCOM for choosing Holiday Valley for the location.
ZBA Issues Variance for New Doctor’s Office Story by John Thomas; Staff Writer
Letter to the Community... Page 3
A Magic evening - “Bob McCarthy’s” Irish Christmas
HoliMont Projects Opening Dec. 14 Police Patrol:
It Can Happen Anywhere... Pg. 2
Notes from the Desk of Deputy Officer in Charge Jim Bouchard
Notice to the Public: Parking Ban... Page 3
See “REOPEN” Page 7
NYCOM Meeting at HV
Office Off Critical List
By Nicholas Pircio The local restaurant with a reputation for exceptional steaks has added a new head chef, Frank Sciabarrasi. He joins the owners in sharing their enthusiasm.
antique store. Alas with the many pleas for the excellent food and wonderful vibe, inspired the late Bill Barrett’s wife Laurie and family to reopen The Birdwalk this December 20th. The 48-year old place with the only wood firebrick oven for pizza is set to get back into action and make many people really happy. “The thin crust is made fresh every day” Jessica Caputi, Laurie’s daughter told the Villager as she excitedly answered some questions with her
Mayor John Burrell with State Senator Catharine Young at Holiday Valley
It’s is a bit of a coup for Mayor Burrell to have the organization choose Ellicottville for a regional meeting. Reached after the evening, the Mayor said many times regional meetings are held at Albany, Lake Placid, or the Adirondacks, creating a sixSee “NYCOM” Page 7
Offer A Ride
Senior Citizen Transportation Issue in Small Towns
Rockwell Car Park The Town Zoning Board of Appeals met Tuesday night to consider two applications for variances. The first was a public hearing for a carport for a home on Rockwell. The applicants are planning to extend an existing carport to give them more parking. If approved the cover would come to within 3.3 feet of the property line, putting it well inside the setback of 15 feet. The couple had submitted drawings of the proposed structure, but not a survey showing the property lines or where the carport would go. One of the board members objected to that, saying, the lack of those plans meant the board couldn’t tell how close the carport would come to the lot line. He added if the existing garage was skewed on the lot, the post for the canopy could be a lot closer to the lot line than 3.3 feet. The homeowners said the couple next door to them had provided a survey that showed the property lines. Village Planner Gary Palumbo went through the balancing test to determine if the variance should be approved. The board found there would be no adverse change in
By Jenean Roth Many simple things in life are taken for granted, but sorely missed when not as easily attainable. Topping that list for many is transportation. Most people, no matter where they are, when they have to go somewhere, simply jump in the car and go. Sometimes it’s not that easy. Something as simple as getting to a much needed doctor’s appointment is literally impossible for some people. Many seniors of Ellicottville are in that exact position. Not everyone has families to care for them, there is no public transportation in the area, and of course, most don’t have vehicles or licenses. If Uber was available, the average cost would start at $60 and that’s only one way. There are residents that haven’t been to the doctor for over a year. Seniors have a wide range of higher maintenance health issues, through no fault other than aging, that
See “ZBA” page 6
See “ISSUE” page 8
Winter Blues Weekend : January 18th - 20th, 2018 : Ellicottville NY