Update on "Reporting Code Violation Poll" and a campaign message

The poll numbers have been running neck and neck for weeks. The results of the “unscientific” poll show that citizens want code violations reported either by the CEO or by ordinary citizens just as long as an avenue for reporting is available to them.

Let me do a little campaigning here: If I’m elected Town Supervisor I would seek approval from the Town Board and the CEO to divide Lindley into four-quadrants to better manage “junk violations” and to insure the process was fair to all Lindley citizens.

After the town was divided into “four sections”, I would send a letter to everyone living in “Section One” listing the criteria of what constitutes a “junk law violation” according to Town Law. The letter would also inform each citizen in the Section that if they are in violation of the Law they have a “set amount of time” to clean up their properties. The letter would also inform them that after the “set amount of time had past”, the CEO would be around and check the properties and issue tickets if necessary. The CEO would “work one section at a time” through the course of the year.

This policy gives the citizens in each Section a “heads up” about the impending visit from the CEO and the personal letter defines exactly what a junk property is according to Town Law, their responsibility to clean it up and accountability through the legal process if they don’t clean it up in a timely manner. It would also make the CEO’s job more manageable and effective.

This is the “gist” of my policy. One important note: Before I implemented this policy I would create a “committee” to define what a Junk Property is in the Town of Lindley, taking into consideration many of the comments made on this blog and following the guidelines of the Junk Law.

I’d like to hear from the readers the pros and cons of this policy.

At the base of Mr. Robbins driveway

Mr. Robbins Driveway
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

I'm standing at the base of Mr. Robbins driveway. The photo is deceiving. The driveway is much closer to Pat and Kim's house than the photo shows.

Click on the photo and go to Sallyann's photostream to see more pictures.

Mr. Robbins Driveway

Mr. Robbins Driveway
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Took this picture to show the "pitch" of Mr. Robbins driveway.

River Road, Clark's Corner, Mr. Robbins driveway comes into view

River Road, Clark's Corner, Mr. Robbins driveway
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

I took this picture (sorry it's fuzzy, need to buy new camera) at the apex of the curve on River Road heading north near Clark's house to show exactly when Mr. Robbins driveway comes into view.

River Road, Clark, Hilligus Corner

River Road, Clark's Corner
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

To show the "blind curve" condition on River Road heading north before the entrance of Mr. Robbin's driveway, I took this picture standing at the base of the turn on the backside of River Road.

Tony Vickio Lap 19

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 19: Not Again!

I tried to straighten my head upright and the pain in my neck made me say an "AHhhh" out loud. I shuffled around in the easy chair that I slept in last night and tried to sit up. Oh, was I stiff! I look down at my bandaged up left hand thinking, "It doesn't hurt so bad". I finally stand up, wobble around a bit, and head for the bathroom. My neck is the worst causality of sleeping on the chair. Once dressed, I tell my wife, "This doesn't feel so bad, I think I'm going to call Matt and tell him I'm coming up to finish the grass right after lunch". Harriett doesn't answer, well she sort of answers, with a "glare". Yep, I know that glare anywhere....not good! "Hey", I say, "I don't have a choice, I can't leave it half finished, I have to go". I call Matt and he says he will have the equipment out there after lunch.

It's about 1:30 when I pull into Gate 2 (the main gate) at the track. I'm greeted by "Katie", who heads up the gate personnel. She asks how my finger feels as the story has made the rounds at the track. I say back (with a smile), "it feels ok, but my main concern is that I have to work with Matt today!" We both laugh and I drive away thinking, "Oh God!" You see, Matt and I are so much alike, it's scary. Both of us are, you might say, are a little "crazy". Personalities are very similar; Matt has had a lung operation, so have I (the same side). Once Matt was showing someone a strange looking, pulling of the skin on the "life line on his right hand. Everyone looking at it was saying how strange it was and never seeing such a thing before. I walk over and look and say, "that's not such a big deal", I open my right hand and I have the exact same growth! Matt, along with the others, couldn’t believe it.

I knew, working with Matt was going to be an experience, I just hoped I would survive. I drive down to the "90" (the first turn on the race track) where I find my spray outfit, paint and the, almost finished, grass painting. I park the truck about 100 feet to the North of the painting so I'm out of the range of any overspray getting on the truck. I walk over and while sipping my Pepsi, I inspect the painting. Right where I left it! I get on my radio and call Matt to let him know I'm out here. He said he will be right out. In about ten minutes I hear a car approaching. I look up towards the Start/ Finish line and there is this older, gray car coming down the track. "Who the hell is on the track", I think. As it gets closer I see it is Matt. He pulls off the track and pulls up right next to the logo and shuts the car off. He starts to get out and I say, "move that thing over there (pointing to my truck) so I don't get paint on it". He looks "over there" and says, "I'm not walking that far", and gets out of the car. I say, "What are you driving?" "It's Betsie's car...........remember?" he says with that wide-eyed look (remember the head-on collision). "HaHaHa", I start laughing out loud! "You ass", I say. Matt comes back with, "$7,000.00 damage, I'm still trying to explain it to John" (president of the track). "How's your finger doing?" he say's to change the subject. "It's ok, hurts a lot, but I'm still here. It was a good thing Scott and Greg were here", I say. Matt says, "Yeah, you were lucky. Let's get this done; I have important stuff to do".

I start giving Matt instructions on what to do. This is harder than I thought. Things that I would do by instinct, I now have to explain someone with no knowledge of what we are doing! Finally I fire up the gun. I soon find that working with one hand is hard. While painting, I would simply grab the hose with my left hand and whip it around to get into position. Now I have to have Matt move the hose and this takes a lot of time. It is now about 6:00 pm and the painting is finished. Time to clean the gun and we will have a "cold one". "Hey", I holler at Matt, who is standing there just looking around like he's thinking, "How did I get here?" He snaps around and says, "What". "Get over here and help me get this gun clean so we can have a cold one", I say. That gets him moving! Matt had a cooler with him with some nice, cold Budweiser’s in it. "Get that pail of water (a nasty color of water I used to clean the previous colors from the gun) over here and I'll clean this thing." Matt brings the 5 gallon pail over and sets it down, spilling some of the water on his shoe. "S***", he says while I look at him and think; "I knew it, lucky he didn’t/t spill it all." I hold up the nozzle and say, "turn that knob to the left". The knob puts the gun in the priming position. Now I tell him to put the compressor in the priming position. This back feeds the gun and hose, pushing out the paint and sucking in water to clean the gun and hose. That part done, I place the nozzle into the bucket of dirty water and pull the trigger. My fingers are all safe! BANG!!..........................a flash of white! I drop the gun........what the %*** happened? I have white Latex paint in my nose, ears, hair and most of it in my mouth! The hose, for some reason blew off of the gun handle. "Holy s***! I holler. As I'm wiping my eye with my paint covered hand, I'm spitting out white paint on the ground. "Matt, get me some water, hurry, I've got to get this %***** paint out of my mouth!" Still bent over, spitting, I look up at Matt who is standing there, looking at me with this look of amazement. "Hurry!" I holler. For a moment I think, "he was near me when I was pulling the trigger, why doesn't he have any paint on him?" "Hurry", I say again. He turns and runs towards the car. I look up again, do a double take. The whole back of his wind breaker is covered with white paint! "Oh my God!" I scream, half laughing. Still bent over and spitting, Matt is back. He says, "There is no water, here is a can of Bud!" I grab it and take a slug to wash my mouth out. As soon as that beer hit the paint, it turned to foam and boiled up in my mouth and came out my nose! "Holy s***", was all Matt could say. I'm gagging and coughing while trying not to swallow. Matt gets on the radio and calls for the Track Fire Crew, who is on the facility setting up their camp for the race. "Emergency! I have an emergency in the 90. I need water.....fast!" They respond, thinking there is some sort of fire. When they get there, they see me with a white face. They get the hose out and fill a pail. They have some rags and I start to clean up. I can talk now and I tell Matt to turn around. Everyone breaks out in laughter. He looks over his shoulder and says, "Holy Christ, how did I get this on me?" One thing for sure, instead of holding the fort and helping me in time of need..........Matt was running!

We all sit on the back of the fire truck and drink some nice, cold Buds. The firemen ask, "What the hell happened to your hand?" I tell them, "Let me start from yesterday, you won't believe it!" I start the story with the "head/on" collision. Then I go to shooting my finger and my operation and I finish with getting covered with paint. This Budweiser sure tastes good! I finish the last drop in the can and Matt reaches over and hands me a fresh one. Ahhh.......as we sit there telling stories and laughing at each other, the sun is starting to dip behind the mountains off to the west. The past two days were like a dream. I hold my bandaged left hand up, turn it around, looking at it and it becomes evident, it was no dream!


Lap 20: What a find!!

www.vickiosigns.com

Lindley Planning Board Minutes

Lindley Town Planning Board Minutes-June 20, 2005

The Steve Ritter storage shed request was approved by the ZBA at a hearing May 31, 2005.

A Public Hearing began for a request by Fred Robbins to operate a gravel pit on property he purchased from Harry Pierce and located between the Heigel and Hilligus and Watson properties on River Road, CR#120. Earl read the ground rules for the public comment portion of the Hearing.

Mr. Robbins stated he is the owner of the land in question and presented his copy of the deed to Ear. He said his intention is to open a gravel pit with processing, screening and crushing and to make a couple of building lots.

Comments: Kim Clark, 763 River Road, located across from the entrance to the proposed gravel pit, stated she is against the operation because: children regularly ride their bikes along the River Road, people walk there, school bus traffic is heavy especially between the hours of 7 to 9 a.m., her driveway is a bus stop, she has a child with severe asthma and is concerned about the dust this operation could generate; the entrance grade is very steep and if a loaded truck loses its brakes traveling down that grade it could end up in her house or yard. She is also concerned about potential water runoff as the banks along that area are already badly washed away and the field on the North end of her property already fills up with water after heavy rains and is a mosquito breeding ground. Kim presented signatures and addresses of 26 people who either live on the River Road or travel it on a daily basis and are opposed to this gravel pit operation.

Teri Heigel, 760 River Road, owns the bottom portion of the driveway to the proposed gravel operation. She is opposed to the operation and was unaware that Robbins has the right of way at this driveway. Her children cross River Road there and she wonders if she would be liable for any damages caused by the truck traffic?

Jack Smith, 9520 Welty Road: Asked for more information concerning potential traffic. How many trucks per day, per hour, and per week?

Mr. Robbins presented a surveyors map and a copy of a deed showing his Right of Way to the property. As to the amount of truck traffic, Mr. Robbins stated he did not know but it would not be as often as the Gordy Hakes operation in the 70’s.

Gerry asked about the hours of operation?

Mr. Robbins stated 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 5 ½ days per week and would normally use the River Road South to Lawrenceville, Pa.

Ann Hilligus, 762 River Road stated proposed pit is directly behind their residence and they are already experiencing problems with run off which was especially bad this spring after a logging operation. She is concerned about her grandchildren, is the road wide enough and what if the brakes fail on the trucks as they descend the steep roadway?

Sherry Perkins, 779 River Road stated their field on River Road fills with water and gets worse every year. Mosquitoes are a problem and requests for someone to deal with this problem go unresolved. She is also concerned about the level the operation would generate, downhill traffic and the dangerous corner for traffic traveling North on the River Road near the pits driveway.

Gerry asked if the pit would be sloped back and would the water stay on the property? Mr. Robbins assured her that it would.

Mr. Robbins stated his route of travel goes mostly South or out to Route 15. He has three routes available which will depend on his need. He won’t travel the River Road if he can use Route 15.

Jack asked if any information had been received from the County Highway Dept. concerning this operation. How much traffic can River Road sustain? County Highway might want to look at it if that occurs.

Earl stated the County Highway Dept. was called this morning and they were not concerned about the traffic.

Gerry asked Mr. Robbins what type of fencing will be used.

Mr. Robbins stated if any, he would use a mesh wire fence.

Gerry stated that Section C of the Zoning Law under Excavation stated that a fence 6 feet high must be all around the pit.

Earl said a deed dated January 9, 1989 shows that the current Heigel property was transferred from Washington Colegrove to Richard Colegrove and that a Right of Way exists over the SW corner of the then Johnson property which is currently Hilligus’ property.

Jim asked if the trucks could cross the one lane bridge over the river; it seems more logical using the bridge route to Route 15 than to use the River Road. Why would you use the River Road to Lawrenceville?

Mr. Robbins stated he could use the bridge.

Jim stated 115D of the Zoning Law requires prior approval from the ZBA for the use of crushers and screens. He also expressed concern regarding the grade of the drive to the pit.

Mr. Robbins stated he plans on cutting down the steepness of the drive and may also blacktop a portion of the drive to control the dust. He said air brakes on his trucks provide slim odds of having a runaway truck.

Jim asked what the buffer area around the pit consists of and were there any open fields? Where is the cemetery?

Mr. Robbins said the buffer area consisted of brush and trees and there were no open fields. The cemetery is located on property adjoining his and is buried under the brush.

Sherry said Crystal Watson knows where the cemetery is behind her old residence above the retaining wall. It contains six children of the Middlebrook family and has an iron fence around it.

Diana Hill, 954 River Road asked the Board when a decision would be made and would the neighbors be notified.

Earl stated the Board has up to 45 days to make a decision and will not be rushed. He asked for a copy of the DEC Permit and whether or not a Reclamation Plan was on file. He also noted speed limits are controlled by the County.

Gerry told visitors that if the DEC gives permission for the mining operation the Town cannot stop the mine but the Town can control the hours of operation and regulate the noise and dust. Because the proposed mining operation is located on a County highway, the Town cannot control it.

Harry Pierce, 9725A Steamtown Road presented a copy of a permit he purchased June 3, 2002 to mine gravel. It was not used at the time because Gordy Hakes had mined and hauled gravel to the dam. Because the property had been used for gravel before, Mr. Pierce could take the gravel for his personal farm use but not for sale. Mr. Pierce sold his property on Land Contract then deeded it over to Mr. Robbins.

Gerry stated once a permit is used in operation, there is no “grandfathering”. Permit runs out one year from when the operation ceases. One must reapply.

Leland Harris, 856 River Road stated Gordy Hakes purchased the land about 1972 but never used the roadway to the pit for the loaded trucks. His trucks went up the drive empty and came down with their loads behind Larry Harris’ house. The drive is considerably steeper than the exit behind Larry’s house. It is hard to see traffic coming from the South from that driveway.

Jack Smith stated that SubDivision Law gives specific grade requirements as to how roadways are developed. Entry must be between 80 and 100 degrees to the main road. This driveway currently fails the test. Is there room to make the entrance wider?

Earl said not without altering the Heigel property.

Mr. Robbins believed Gordy Hakes used tractor trailors and there should be no problem with his trucks.

Gerry asked why the new sluice was not made longer to join the present sluice.

Teri Heigel was told by Mr. Robbins that he owned the property next to her and would be using it for hunting. He also offered to purchase her portion of the driveway to his property. County said they would remove the Heigel sluice and install a new one. Teri states her deed shows the driveway but does not show a Right of Way.

Diana Hill stated the current bank and sluice look very unstable. How can they hold heavy trucks? How about the safety of the driver?

Kim Clark asked that the Board drive by the site entranceway to check on the conditions of the entry and bank. Soil is already eroding with all the rain and mosquitoes are terrible.

Teri Heigel said she cannot get the County or anyone to spray for mosquitoes.

Kim Clark asked will paving make more runoff. Will Mr. Robbins need to replant? Gordy never reseeded! How long does he have to reseed?

Mr. Robbins: If it is done properly, it will run off into the ditch. He is bonded, the DEC permit requires the area must be returned as it was, reseeded, sloped, ditched and dust control. If not the DEC will do it.

Scott Fay, Tioga, Pa. stated laws are stricter than previous years and operators are bonded. Most of the laws are enforced under DEC permit. When asked if DEC inspects and enforces periodically, he said, yes.

Mark stated maybe in Pennsylvania but not in New York State. He cannot get NY to inspect his neighbors.

Jack Smith: The DEC does not even come back to talk to the town.

Scott Fay: It is up to the township and the owner.

Steve Perkins, 779 River Road: What about the noise?

Mr. Robbins does not see much noise leaving the Pit. Equipment will be in a hole.

Gerry: ZBA approval is needed for a crusher, we need to know how many trucks. If not established in the DEC permit the Town can control the number of trucks.

Mr. Robbins stated it was hard to say whether 10 or 20 trucks will be used.

Jim: The DEC application states 5 to 20 trucks max/hr. with 3 to 5/hr. most of the time, Mon.-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Operation is not yet granted Permit from DEC. John Cole is the contact person at DEC.

Kim Clark: The DEC permit application states Morgan Creek Road. Shouldn’t that reflect the correct address?

Earl: Everything else does. Earl asked for a Motion to close the Public Hearing, Jim so moved, Jason, seconded and it carried unanimously. It was noted that Mr. Robbins has contracts with deadlines; the Board has 45 days to make a decision; they must hear from DEC and a variance is required for crushing.

Katie Peterson asked the Board for information on what is needed before she pays for a Perc test on her 1.8 acre property on the Old River Road to Lawrenceville. The property meets setbacks and has the required 200 foot road frontage but is an undersized lot. She must go to the ZBA and must have Perc test results to the Board two weeks from tonight (June 20) before the Board can act. A Public Hearing can be scheduled for next month.

Board discussion: Gerry asked who shuts Mr. Robbins down if he does not abide by the rules. Town has little control. Hours of operation can be controlled. David: Number of trucks and runs can be controlled. Should make it the same as previous mining operations. Mr. Robbin’s Mining Plan states trucks will be 3-5 most of the time, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Janice Oberlander
Recording Clerk

Eminent Domain Abuse

Supreme Court Justices Uphold Taking Property for Development

This is not good!!!!!!!

Click on the headline and read the NY Times article.

Open House at Pantry of Angels

Hi everyone,

I hope you will be our guest at our first Open House at Pantry of Angels this Saturday, June 25th from Noon to 2 p.m.!

We're inviting you and our community to come and see how the pantry looks, as well as how we serve the needs of the people in our community.

We couldn't be successful without your help! So come and look around, meet some volunteers and enjoy some refreshments.

We'll be looking for you!

Kim Snyder
Pantry of Angels contact person

Open Thread

Deuce and the Morning Glories
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Long story short: We sanded the dining room floor, applied the stain, I was allergic to the stain and developed a serious sinus and lung infection from the sawdust and fumes. We had to stop so I could clear up. Lar is going to finish the floor. I must abandon ship! so I'm moving out for the next couple of days or until the fumes flash off and the air in the house isn't so toxic to me.

So I've created a post that in the "blogosphere" is called an "Open Thread" where my readers can leave any comment on any subject that suits their fancy. I will "visit" the blog during the day to check for "nasty remarks" and delete them if necessary. I can stand the fumes long enough to do that.

So......the floor is yours! I'll return to my daily posting in a couple of days.

Why I didn't run for a Councilman position

I thought while I was waiting for Larry to return from Corning, (I have to man the phone to catch the business calls) I would chip away at some of the questions that were asked of me in the comment "thread" when I announced my candidacy for Town Supervisor.

I was asked "why I didn't run for Councilman".

My answer:

Although I had the option of running for a council seat, as there are two council positions open, I decided against it for these reasons:

1.) I feel I am qualified for a leadership position. The ideas I have, (which I will reveal in the days ahead) would be more easily implemented from the "top down". Someone has to take the ball and run with it.

2.) Also, the Town Supervisor "sets the tone" through his/her vision and leadership skills, not only for the council, but for the other elected and appointed officials as well. I am especially interested in establishing a "team work" approach among all the town officials to better serve the citizens and best interests of the Town. I believe I can achieve this goal better by serving as Supervisor rather than as a Councilman.

Any questions?

Vote Today

VOTE TODAY

• (Proposition One)- For the C-PP District Middle School Proposal spending $59.98 million to renovate CFA & Northside Blodgett and create a third middle school in Erwin

and

• (Proposition Two) - To spend $250,000 to purchase real estate for future traffice management

Polls are open at the Lindley-Presho School from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. today

Lindley Heritage Days Citizenship Winners

Citizenship Winners
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Like Wilma said in her speech at the Lindley-Presho Award Ceremony-- today was a special day. Wilma, at the spry age of 90 presented Solomon Muhammad and Tiffany Stewart with the Lindley Heritage Days Citizenship Awards. The kids each received a $50 Savings Bond for being "good citizens" in their class. Each year the Lindley Heritage Days Committee presents the awards to two fifth graders selected by their teachers.

Congratulations Solomon and Tiffany!

Click on the photo and go to Sallyann's photo stream for more pictures of the ceremony

Jim Adams Announces Candidacy

Jim Adams of River Road announced Saturday he will be running for Lindley Town Councilman on the Republican ticket.

Tony Vickio Lap 18

Experiences of "The World Famous"
By: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 18: PAIN

We hit the time just right on the two lane road to Elmira, no school busses. Greg didn't waste any time and we got close to the Hospital in about twenty minutes. Not bad!

The ride on the way there was filled with speculation on why he (the doctor at Schuyler) didn't want to mess with my finger. All you have to do is cut it and let the pressure out. That was my diagnosis of the situation. Just fix it! "Why do we have to go through this f***** mess. It's not that bad." I said to Greg. "Hey, you don't want to take any chances", he says. The road winds down through Elmira College, around a slight bend and off to the left, you can see the large, brick building that is St. Joseph's Hospital. "We made it and you're still breathing", Scott says, along with a half hearted laugh. I say back, "you ass****". Greg turns the corner which prompted me to say, "Christ, slow down or we will all be the f***** hospital!" When we pulled into the Emergency Drive Way, we all thought the same thing. "What the hell is that"!

Under the overhang of the Emergency entrance was a Gurney, complete with IV bottles, two male nurses and a female nurse. We get out of the car and the woman asks, "Are you Anthony"? "Holy s***"! came to mind. Before I could say yes, I was on my back, IV in my arm and I was being rolled to the Emergency room. They were asking all these questions as we were rolling down a hall. They were next to running. We stop, turn and I'm shoved through a door. They take my left arm and tape it to a tray like attachment on the side of the bed. "Do you feel OK? The doctor is on the way, she should be here soon," the nurse says. "She?" I say. "Yes, she is the best micro surgeon around", the nurse says as the door bursts open. I look and there is a woman, about 28 years old, red hair down to her waist, wearing a red and white sundress. This can't be! Did I die and go to heaven? She is talking to the nurses when she turns to me and says, "Are you ready?" All I could say was "I'm ready; I don't think I'll even need Novocain!" She had this smirk on her face when she said, "You’re right. We don't have time for the Novocain to work. I'm going to have to give a nerve block........minus the Novocain. And believe me, it's is going to hurt like hell!" "Oh, that's nice", I said back. "The nurse will be dabbing the sweat off you're forehead as we proceed"................ Mommy!

I look over trying to see what she is doing. She picks up this needle. It's not one of the plastic things that you get you're normal shots with. This is a NEEDLE! The tube is chrome and about an inch in diameter. At the top are two rings for you're fingers. The plunger has a chrome ring for you're thumb. She holds up a bottle and sticks the needle, which is about two inches long, into the rubber end of the bottle and draws the clear liquid into the chrome tube. "Knock me out!” I beg. She answers with, "No time!" She spins around, holding the needle straight up and says......."This is really going to hurt. I have to give you a "nerve block", without the Novocain". Where the hell the next comment came from, I still don't know. I say back, "Go ahead, I can take it".

I'm flat on my back, IV in my right arm and my left arm is secured to a stainless table-like platform. My left hand is also "tied" down. She says, " I have to give you three shots in you're finger". I say, "That’s not so bad". She comes back with, "No, you don't understand, I have to put the needle into the large knuckle, and to get it down in there, I'm going to have to move it around, in between the knuckle". I didn't even have time to respond! Holy s***!! She plunged the instrument of torture into my knuckle and twisted it around. No words to describe the pain, it was unreal! The nurse was wiping the sweat from my head and constantly asking, "Are you OK?" I couldn't answer. I couldn’t think. My entire consciousness was overtaken by the brutal pain. I felt like an hour went by, but it was only about half a minute, and she stopped. "There!" she said. "Holy s***!” I said. She turned to one of the nurses who hands her this rather large, strange looking headgear. She says, "It’s time to go to work. This is a magnifying device I have on. I'm going to cut your finger down to the first knuckle and clean the veins. “Oh sure, I can take it. Kill me, just kill me now, I think. I can feel her working on my finger, but now it's only a dull, pushing sensation. I say, "how far will you have to cut?" While she is bent down, working, she says, "As far as we have to. If it is in a large vein, we my have to go up your arm until we find the end of the contamination. This is why we had to hurry. This is classified as an "Injected Wound Injury, the most dangerous. Time is the factor. It also depends on what was injected and where in your body you did it. If the material get's into the bloodstream and get's to the heart".... She didn’t finish the sentence. It was all quiet in the room. They must have given me a shot at some point because I was suddenly all calm! Ah! I just layed there counting the tiles on the ceiling. My wife can tell you about my obsession with "counting things".

I was jolted by the doctor’s voice. She says, “You are really lucky, I got it all. The paint was thick and the veins in you finger are small, you are lucky. The nurse will sew you up and you can go." I thanked her and after I was stitched up, I walked out to the waiting room where I found my two friends, Scott and Greg. They were sitting there not knowing what was going on. "Hey! You OK?" they said when they saw me. I said, "Yeah, let's get the hell outta here!" They get up, slap me on the back and walk out into the sun.

On the way home we talked about how everything worked out to my benefit. I shoot myself, doing something stupid (cleaning the nozzle), Scott and Greg just happen to stop by, hitting the small veins, not shooting my hand or wrist, finding the surgeon in time...........Ahhhh, I didn't want to think about it anymore! Getting killed by a paint gun! God, where’s the glory in that? God what a day!

In my "easy chair" that night, I look at my left hand. My index finger is straight out, with the help of a white plastic splint. My whole hand is wrapped in white bandages. Boy! Is it starting to hurt! THROBBING! As I lay back in the chair, I rest my elbow on the arm rest and hold my hand straight up. That feels better. I think I'll sleep in the chair tonight. "Ahhh", I think as I lay back. At that instant, BOOM! A thought jumps from my brain and slams into the inside of my skull! "The damned grass painting isn't done. I've got to finish it tomorrow!" My wife hears me mumbling obscenities and comes out and says, "What’s wrong? What are you hollering about?" I say, "I just remembered, the damned painting isn't done!" She says, "Don’t worry about it. You can’t go to work like that. Look at how you are whining about the pain now. You'll find somebody to finish it. They can't expect you to go to work". "Sh**", I say out loud. As Harriett is walking back to the bedroom, I say, "I'll feel better tomorrow. I'll figure something out." I can't sleep thinking about this new problem. I get the phone and call Matt (the General Manager). He wants to know how I'm feeling and what happened. I tell him the story and ask if anyone took care of the "gun". "We cleaned it the best we could, it's all set, Matt said." "I have an idea", I say. "I will come up tomorrow and finish the painting, but I will need help, I only have one hand. I need someone to be my slave". Matt says, "Everyone is busy, so I guess I will have to help you." Have you ever had a premonition where you ignored it and it came true? As soon as Matt said, "I will help you", I got this feeling of pending disaster. Desperate to finish the job, I over ruled it and before I knew it, I said OK!

Lap 19: Not again?

www.vickiosigns.com

Strawberry Festival

strawberrie festival
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Strawberry Festival

June 18th (Tomorrow)

At Presho United Methodist Church

From 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Price: $3.00

Town Board Meeting-June 14

TOWN OF LINDLEY REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING JUNE 14, 2005

CALL TO ORDER: HAROLD SEMPLE 7:05PM
PRESENT: SUPERVISOR-HAROLD SEMPLE
COUNCILMAN-PAUL STERMER
COUNCILMAN-PAUL MORTZHEIM
COUNCILMAN-GERRY SIMCOE
COUNCILMAN-JACOB GROSS
HIGHWAY SUPT.-DICK JOHNSON
CODE ENFORCEMENT-DAVE FULLER
TOWN CLERK-DIANA L. HILL
ALSO ATTCHED ATTENDANCE LIST
MINUTES

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES READ FROM THE MAY 10TH, 2005 TOWN BOARD MEETING. (WITH CORRCTIONS)
MOTIONED BY: JAKE GROSS SECONDED BY: GERRY SIMCOE
PAUL S.-YES, PAUL M-YES, GERRY-YES, JAKE-YES CARRIED

PUBLIC COMMENT

ALVIN SCHOONOVER: ASKED WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT MICKEY HEFFNER’S PLACE?
ALVIN FEELS THE TOWN BOARD MUST KEEP ON TOP OF THIS PROBLEM.
DAVE REPLIED THAT THE PAPERWORK HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO THE TOWN JUSTICE.
NEXT IS JUST WAITING FOR THE COURT NIGHT.
ALVIN: FEEL THE TOWN ATTORNEY SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THIS SITUATION.
*ROADS-WE GET MONEY FOR CHIPS PROGRAM-WE NEED TO BRING ALL ROADS UP TO THE ERWIN PLAN. 2. WE NEED A ROAD PLAN-TO BLACK TOP SO MANY MILES PER YEAR.
*HAROLD COMMENTED: THE ERWIN PLAN WAS USED TO WIDEN THE ROADS & GRAVEL THE ROADS-THE CHIPS PROGRAM REPLACED THE ERWIN PLAN, PLUS THE CHIPS PROGRAM IS TO BE USED FOR PROGRAMS THAT WILL LAST 10 YEARS.

DICK PIERCE: THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ON WHEN YOU’RE ASSESSING THE PEOPLE, NOT THE PROPERTY. THE TOWN SHOULD HAVE 3 ASSESSORS/AND NO FULL RE-VALUE.

HARRY PIERCE: ASKED WHAT IT COST TO HAUL GRAVEL FOR THE TOWN?
SHOULD THERE BE A GRAVEL PIT IN THE TOWN TO HELP WITH THAT COST?
DICK COMMENTED- SAVONA GRAVEL BID IS STATE BID
HAROLD SUGGESTED LOOKING INTO GETTING GRAVEL FROM THE CREEKS WITHIN THE TOWN. WOULD BE CHEAPER, FOR THE TOWN.

JACK SMITH-ASKED ABOUT THE SPEED LIMITS ON WELTY HILL RD. /SPEED LIMITS HAVE BEEN LOWERED.

REPORTS

IT IS NOTED THAT A MONTHLY REPORT WAS RECEIVED FROM THE TOWN SUPERVISOR, & THE TOWN CLERK, & HIGHWAY DEPT, & CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2005: COPIES ARE ON FILE IN THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE.

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

DAVE FULLER-CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER- HEFFNER PAPER WORK HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE JUSTICE. COMMENT WAS MADE FOR DAVE TO LOOK INTO ROY HERRICK’S PLACE AND DALE DAVIS’S PLACE.

KITTY PIERCE-TOWN HISTORIAN- ASKED THE TOWN BOARD TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE NYS CENTRAL RAILROAD TO SEELYE CEMETERY.

A MOTION WAS MADE TO CHANGE THE NAME FROM NYS CENTRAL RAILROAD CEMETERY TO THE SEELYE CEMETERY:
MOTIONED BY: PAUL MORTZHEIM SECONDED BY: GERRY SIMCOE
PAUL S-YES, PAUL M-YES, GERRY-YES, JAKE-YES CARRIED

MARY LENZTEN-PLANNING BOARD CHAIRMAN-ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE FLOOD PLAN MAPS FOR THE TOWN. GAVE THIS MATTER TO DAVE FULLER TO HANDLE.

MARY ASKED THE TOWN BOARD IF THEY WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THE TOWN OF WAYNE’S CONCERN WITH HOW STEUBEN COUNTY’S HANDLING SUD-DIVISION FILINGS.
THE CONSENSUS OF THE TOWN BOARD WAS YES. A LETTER WILL BE MAILED ON THE TOWN’S LETTER HEAD.
*THE ZONING LAW REVISION- NEEDS AN INDEX
1. PROVIDE COPIES TO TOWN BOARD JUNE 14TH.
2. HOLD A WORKSHOP WITH THE COMMITTEE ON JULY 19TH.
3. TOWN BOARD DISCUSSION (REVIEWS TO THE BOARD) AUG 9TH
4. HOLD PUBLIC HEARING / TOWN BOARD AUG 16TH, 7:00PM
5. REVISE AS NECESSARY
6. TOWN BOARD VOTE SEPTEMBER 27TH, VOTE THAT NIGHT OR WAIT UNTIL BOARD MEETING.

**HAROLD HAS TO RE-SCHEDULE THE SEPTEMBER TOWN BOARD MEETING-AS IT IS THE SAME NIGHT AS THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ON SEPTEMBER 13th. THE TOWN BOARD MEETING IS RE-SCHEDULED TO SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2005 AT 7:00PM
ALSO THE NOVEMBER MEETING HAS TO BE RE-SCHEDULED, AS IT IS THE SAME NIGHT AS ELECTION NIGHT. THE MEETING IS RE-SCHEDULED TO NOVEMBER 15TH, 2005 AT 7:00PM.

COMMUNICATIONS

LINDLEY’S CHIP CAPITAL BALANCE IS $87,024.71, THIS CONSISTS OF A $66,069.35, & CHIPS CAPITAL ROLL-OVER AMOUNT OF $20,955.36
THE TOWN OF LINDLEY’S EQUALIZATION RATE IS 4.22%
IN SUPPORT OF COLLATERAL SOURCE BILL – CONSESUS OF THE TOWN BOARD WAS YES TO SUPPORT THIS LETTER.
THERE WAS A WORKSHOP FOR THE SALT BUILDING (BARN)
HAROLD ASK THE TOWN BOARD TO MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE WITH THE PLANS FOR THE SALT BUILDING-

A MOTION TO CONTINUE PURSUING THE SALT BUILDING, WITH JACOB GROSS HEADING THE PROJECT/ WILL CONSULT WITH HAROLD AS HE GOES ALONG.
MOTIONED BY: PAUL MORTZHEIM SECONDED BY: PAUL STERMER
GERRY-YES, PAUL M-YES, JAKE-YES, PAUL S-YES CARRIED

A MOTION TO PUT THE LEGAL NOTICE OF THE MACHINERY BUILDING BIDS INTO THE LEADER AND THE ADDISON POST.
MOTIONED BY: PAUL STERMER SECONDED BY: PAUL MORTZHEIM
PAUL S.-YES, GERRY-YES, PAUL M-YES, JAKE-YES CARRIED

ROAD SIDE MOWING- RAY BOWEN WILL DO THE JOB FOR $2,875.00
A MOTION TO ACCEPT RAY BOWEN (AT $2,875.00) AND HIS OWN LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR MOWING THE TOWN ROADS.
MOTIONED BY: JAKE GROSS SECONDED BY: PAUL STERMER
JAKE-YES, GERRY-YES, PAUL S-YES, PAUL M-YES CARRIED

BILLS:
GENERAL: ABSTRACT# 6
HIGHWAY: ABSTRACT#6

MOTION TO PAY BILLS:
MOTIONED BY: PAUL STERMER SECONDED BY: GERRY SIMCOE
GERRY-YES, PAUL S-YES, JAKE-YES, PAUL M-YES CARRIED

AUDITED SUPERVISOR’S BOOKS

MOTION FOR ADJOURMENT
MOTIONED BY: PAUL STERMER SECONDED BY: PAUL MORTZHIEM
PAUL S-YES, PAUL M-YES, GERRY-YES, JAKE-YES CARRIED

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

DIANA L. HILL
LINDLEY TOWN CLERK DATED: JUNE 17TH, 2005

My Qualifications

Erie County Government
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

My qualifications: Part One

In 1972 Larry and I were living in Buffalo. Erik, my son, was a year old when we moved to Blasdell, a suburb of Buffalo, to rent a larger apartment. A short while after we moved into the apartment complex we got acquainted with the couple, Pat and Kathy, across the hall. They had a daughter, Jo Jo, who was the same age as Erik. We became fast friends.

After a few months we learned that Pat and Kathy had become involved in a “pyramid sales scheme”. The company was called Holiday Magic, and like the many pyramid sales schemes operating at that time, the company concentrated on selling “distributorships” instead of “product”. In other words, Holiday Magic made their money by selling distributorships for thousands of dollars rather than selling their “organic” cosmetic product. It was a lucrative scheme for the company, but a nightmare for those who invested. Pat and Kathy had invested $5000. Many others individually invested $25,000 before they discovered Holiday Magic was a con game- a con game that was legal at that time.

To make a long story short: Kathy and I decided to “bring them down”. But the only way to stop them was to get a law passed in Erie County that made pyramid sales schemes illegal. It took us two years to accomplish this goal, but we did it. The Erie County Legislature after much prodding and lobbying passed the law. Holiday Magic was out of business.

At times it looked like it was never going to happen. But every time we encountered a “road block” we fought harder and got more creative. When no one in government would look at our case, we contacted Russ Nichols, an investigative reporter for a local TV station, to investigate the high pressure selling tactics of Holiday Magic. Altogether Nichols produced four “reports” on the nightly news. It got the politicians attention. We also worked with the FBI because Holiday Magic was working its scheme in many states. We endured threatening phone calls from Holiday Magic and were constantly attending meetings where politicians would make promises they would never keep.

That’s when I learned “tenacity” was the most important character trait a person should have if they are involved in “making a difference”. I am a never give up type of person. Larry refers to me as a “pit bull” when I decide to take on a challenge. In the case of Holiday Magic it took an extreme effort and a healthy dose of courage to stop them.

After the Erie County Law was passed making pyramid sales schemes illegal, I was invited to sit on the Board of Directors for Consumer Forum, an offshoot of the Buffalo Better Business Bureau. During our effort to expose Holiday Magic, I “infiltrated” the company to gather evidence, and for this reason I was asked to use my experience to infiltrate businesses in the Buffalo area to determine if they were operating deceptively and otherwise scamming consumers. It was an interesting job and I learned very quickly that “Buyer Beware”.

I realize that was over 30 years ago, and probably a once in a lifetime experience, but the qualifications I had back then to get a law passed are even more developed today.

I’ll share more of my “qualifications” when I figure out how to put them into words.

Any questions?

Updates from the Pantry of Angels

Pantry of Angels thanks You!
A HUGE thank you to all the residents along Lindley mail carrier routes who left food to be picked up by the Pantry of Angels volunteers! We collected 570 pounds of food! With your help, we can end hunger!

Also:

PANTRY OF ANGELS WALK-A-THON
On June 19th at 2:00, the Pantry of Angels will hold a walk-a-thon to raise money to buy food for the food pantry. We'll walk from the food pantry along River Rd. to Lawrenceville Dandy Mart. Approx. 3.5 miles. From there, we will be transported to Brownies to enjoy fellowship and pizza. Be sure to bring your own drinks or drink money! If you would like to walk and/or raise money, call Kim Snyder at 523-7715.
If you're driving on the River Rd. on June 19th, please drive slowly and yield to pedestrians. Thanks!

PANTRY OF ANGELS OPEN HOUSE!
On June 25th, the pantry will be open from noon - 2:00 for an open house. Please come and see what you and your community are doing to help end hunger in Lindley. Refreshments will be served.


Kim

Sticking Together

Today Larry and I celebrated our 37th Wedding Anniversary. For all you couples out there who have enjoyed a long term marriage, please tell the young couples just how it's done. They could use the advice.

Local Candidates Emerge

Local Candidates Emerge
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Several weeks ago when discussing the upcoming elections in town, as friend suggested I run for local office. I rejected the idea immediately. Then a second friend asked, only that time I listened to the reasons they had for asking me. I wasn’t being asked to run “against” another candidate as so often happens in local elections, I was asked to run because of my “qualifications”. This approach appealed to me. It was like being asked to get married for all the right reasons, but I was still reluctant to throw my hat into the ring.

However, as the days went by the thought of running lingered, so I did what every person does who has a close, trusted confidant of nearly 40 years…I talked it over with my husband. Mostly because what I do affects him as well, and he of all people knows me best. After many in depth conversations about the pros and cons of running, we concluded that I was, indeed, a proper candidate. After many years of involvement in local politics and community functions I am ready to meet the challenges of public office.

I am running on the Republican ticket, as is Paul Stermer, for Lindley Town Supervisor. The contest between Paul and I will be decided September 13, 2005 during the Republican Primary. Sometime in August Lindley Democrats will hold a caucus to select a candidate. The winner of the Republican Primary will run against a Democratic candidate if one is selected. An Independent candidate may also emerge.

If the Republican Party does not select me as their candidate during the Primary, I will not be running on an Independent ticket. I feel it is important to have the backing of your party.

Also, those who are running for local office are invited to “post their platforms” and engage in a dialogue with Lindley citizens on the blog, if they so choose.

Tony Vickio Lap 17

Talladega "Digs"
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 17: Almost was the Last Tale!


I was in my shop, working on some business signs, when the phone rings. "Vickio Signs", I speak into the cordless phone. "I can't hear you, could you talk louder", I say as I'm walking towards the wall mounted TV to turn the volume down, I can't find the damned remote so I actually have to turn the volume down by hand! There, now I can hear! In that low, slow, southern voice, it's my friend Mike McWilliams, General Manager of Talladega Superspeedway. "Hi Mike, how are you doing?" I say. Mike gives his classic answer, "I'm workin' like a dawg!" We talk fro a minute and then he says, "how would you like to come down here for a week. We have so much work that you won't be able to get it done in the two weeks before the race". I say, "Sure, what do we have to do?" Mike says in his slow, low voice, "we have a ton of wall logos to put on, a lot of them. A media company will be here to go over the layout with you". I tell him I'm bringing one man with me and he says, "Be here the 12th".

"Oh great!" I think, and not in a good way! I hate being out in the sun and heat! Alabama in July! Oh God! Wall painting, he said. I start to make a list of what I need to bring. My computer and plotter are the big items. The paint and other materials I can get down there. There is a big sign supply house in Birmingham and the track has an account there. They also supply a man to travel to Birmingham when we need something. One more thing I need.............somebody to take with me! I get on the phone and call Larry Orr (Orr Signs). He went on the last trip and I don't want to pounce! "Hey Larry, want to go to Talladega?",I say on the phone. He says, "The race isn't until October". I tell him the story. He says, "I'd love to go". So in July, four days before my birthday, we, once again, are heading south.

We pull into the all familiar surroundings. We are greeted by friends. Most of them say, "What are you doing here"? In the Maintenance office, we are talking to Mike about the job, when I remember we don't have a place to stay yet. "Mike, where are we staying?” I say. "Oh", he says, "the track owns some houses on the other side of the road (Speedway Blvd.). You can stay in one of the houses." We get in our truck and follow Mike. We turn into a gated entrance to this beautiful, huge house. I say to Larry, "this can't be it!" Just then, Mike stops and gets out of his truck. "Holly s***", I say. Larry and I look at each other with our eyes bugging out and say, at the same time.............."WOW"!

I don't know how many rooms it has, but it's BIG! It has a beautiful sun porch, where we spent our free time watching TV. Most of all, it had "central air". It was July and HOT! We got settled in and the next morning we were up before sun-up. We always start early. I opened the door to the car port and was hit with the same heat blast as you get when you open the oven to check on the Thanksgiving turkey! "Holy s***!" I holler. "Holy Christmas" comes out of Larry's mouth. I can't believe the heat and the humidity and the sun isn't even up yet. This is not going to be good! We stop at the familiar Deli, where the girls look at us like their thinking, "what the hell are you doing here? You shouldn't be here!" We tell them we have a lot of new logos to paint and go look for a Styrofoam cooler. We find one and load it up with Gatorade and Ice. We are ready!

At the track, Mike is filling us in on the new logos. Mike takes me with him to the Main Office, where I meet several people from an Ad Agency. In a conference room, we sit down and watch some old tapes of past races. Their job is to time the "seconds", not minutes, a certain part of the retaining wall is on TV. We mark that spot and a logo will go there. The amount of TV time determines the value of the spot on the wall! This done, we are ready to make our patterns and go paint.

The heat is unbelievable! I can stand cold, but heat is my enemy! We work on the "high banks" from daylight until about 11:00am. Time to go to the air conditioned sign shop! We drink gallons of Gatorade and the sweat is dripping off my eyebrows and onto the backside of my sunglasses. Out on the asphalt you can look down the track and see heat waves like in the desert! This is insane! When the sun dips at about 3:30pm, we go back out and work on the back straight, where the wall is now in the shade. We are painting away when we hear this clanging sound. It's coming from the grandstands. We look over at the front straight Grandstands and there are about six men working on them. The grandstands are all aluminum. "It must be like working in a microwave oven", I say to Larry. Come to find out, they are painting the seats! Covering everything with plastic, taping it all down, sandblasting and painting, I didn't feel so bad after watching them. Our job seems easy now. The following day, at noon, we went to the Deli for more Gatorade. We were sitting at a table having lunch when the door opens and in comes the guys from the Grandstands. There was this one guy! He was about 5'-5" tall, 110 lbs, and hunched over slightly. His hair was sort of gray and uncombed. He had on a dark t-shirt and jeans. Was it a tan? No, it wasn't a tan, it was beyond a tan. He was all wrinkled, skin drawn up tight, and it wasn't a brown tan......he was black! I've never seen anyone so tanned and still alive! He was jittery, never standing still. I think his skin was burned down enough to expose all of his raw nerve endings! But the thing that stood out the most was his eyes. They were wide open, white and huge! The look of pure fright was in them. They were always moving, like he felt someone was going to sneak up on him at any minute and stab him in the back. You had to see this guy to get the full effect. Larry immediately dubbed him "Cinderman"! I said, "He looks like one of those big, old wooden matchsticks. You light it, hold it between your fingers and let burn out. When the flame dies out, the wood match stick is all black, bent and twisted, with a little puff of smoke drifting up into the air." This was him. Larry said, “You know why he has the sacred look? He doesn't want to go back to the grandstands". They all walked out the door following the "boss". As they were driving away, we found ourselves feeling sorry for him. We saw him a couple of times after that, then he was gone. We can speculate that he quit or just disintegrated into a pile of black dust.

Our time was up. We finished our week's work and got a good jump on the upcoming race. When we come back, there will be much more work, but like Mike said, we would not have been able to do it in two weeks. Went back north knowing the job wasn't done, but we would be back for the race. I was so glad to get the hell out of there! Don't get me wrong, I love Alabama, but not in the summer. It was way too hot for me!

When I got home, I went back to my own business until it was time for the Bud at the Glen in August. That's when the General Manager of Watkins Glen International, Matt Matusicky, wanted a grass painting done on the inside of the "Ninety". The Ninety is the first turn at Watkins, a 90 degree turn. It would be a small (40 feet) NASCAR logo. I go to the track and do the layout. I am working alone on this one. No where near as hot as Alabama, I am thinking as I start spraying. I'm out here, working alone and I pause to look around. It is so beautiful up here (the track is a little over 1,000 feet above sea level) on top of the mountain. A cool breeze is blowing, as it always does. You look around to the East and you can see the hills disappearing into the distance and look north and there is the south end of Seneca Lake (Watkins Glen is located on the Southern tip of this 40 mile long lake). It is so beautiful! I snap out of my gazing and start spraying some white paint on the grass. It's about 5:30 and I just want to get a first coat of white down. The track is nearly deserted. Not a sole here but me, the guard at Gate 2, Rudy and Matt. Rudy is out on the track checking the guardrail. He has his four wheel drive Ford "Track Truck" (Oxygen and acetylene tanks in the back, tools and a Speedy Dry Spreader on the back). I'm just about done with the first coat and done for the night, when Rudy drives by on the track. He's blowing the horn and leaning down as to look out the passenger window while waving to me. He's headed for the 90. I look up and wave back. He has this huge smile, the one he always has and drives on. At that instant, I look down the track and I see Matt, driving the reverse way around the track in his brand new Ford SHO Taurus. "No", I say under my breath. Rudy, still waving at me, Matt, also looking at me.............................They HIT HEAD-ON! The Glen track is 3.45 miles long. There are three people at the track. There are two vehicles on the track and they hit head on! What are the odds? I am standing there, spray gun in hand, mouth open and right out loud I let out a "Holy s***! I run over to the wreck, where Rudy and Matt are blaming each other and seeing there are no injuries and I start laughing. I laughed all alone; no one else saw the humor! Seconds before impact, Matt saw Rudy and slammed the brakes, even tried to back up! Rudy saw Matt at he same instant and tried to turn. That big Four Wheel Drive Ford ran right over the hood of the Taraus! The next day was spent telling the President, John Saunders, the story. To this day, I get a smile on my face when I think of "the Big One"!

Speaking of the next day, I wanted to finish the logo. I was starting to clean the gun so I could spray the last color. I was cleaning the white out of the gun when two of my friends stopped by. Greg and Scott own Freeman Communications were working at the track that day. I'm cleaning the nozzle, and talking with them when I notice a piece of something stuck to the nozzle. Not thinking, I reach up and pick it with my finger. Bad move! In one instant, one mistake, and you can die! The trigger of the sprayer is built into the handle of the gun. I'm holding it with my right hand and reach up to the nozzle with my left index finger. When I pushed on the nozzle to scrape the piece of grass off, it pushed the nozzle back and my right hand tightened on the handle to hold it steady and fired the gun. A small burst of paint, at 1,800 psi, was shot into my finger! It was swollen and hard. "God Damn!" I hollered. Greg said, "What did you do?" I told him and he said, "Get in the car; you gotta go to the hospital". I didn't argue. Looking back, I can't believe how lucky I was to have Scott and Greg stop by at the time they did! I really didn't know how serious this was going to be! The hospital is about two miles from the track. We go into the emergency room where I see a doctor who, after I tell him what happened, is more scared than I am. He turns without saying a word and walks, at a brisk pace, across the hall to a small office where he immediately dials a phone. He talks for a minute, while I'm sitting on the Emergency Room Bed thinking, "hurry up and fix my finger so I can go". He comes back, with this concerned look on his face, and say's to Greg, "do you have a car"? I thought, "How the hell do you think we got here?" Greg says "it's outside". The doctor asks, "do you know how to get to St. Joseph's, in Elmira?" Greg says, "I live in Elmira, I know where it is". Elmira is about 22 miles south of Watkins Glen. This next sentence from the doctor scared me! He said, "Get him there as quick as you can. I can't do anything here and there is no time to get an ambulance. They will be waiting for you. GET MOVING!"

We hurry out to the car, where Greg jumps in the driver's seat, me, in the passenger's seat and Scott in the back. I look over at Greg and have never seen him with a more serious look on his face and not saying a word, we sped out of the parking lot!


Lap 18: PAIN

www.vickiosigns.com

Commenter: "You proved my point"

Regarding: “You proved my point.”

I agreed that the country was indeed polarized. However, you suggested that it was George W. Bush who polarized the country.

Any president, Democrat or Republican who must lead during a time of war against a foreign enemy will always be subjected to the Left’s anti-war hysteria. The Left has always mobilized against any military action as per this quote taken from the Special Supplement: “The answer is the devastation and misery wreaked around the world by the U.S. in its role as the world’s biggest superpower. In the last two decades alone, the U.S. has launched military attacks on Grenada, Libya, Panama, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia – and this is not even to count wars where the U.S. backed a proxy force. In the Middle East, U.S. policy has left millions embittered and angry.”

This quote makes it sound like the US is “just itchin’ for a fight”. That’s what the Left wants us to believe. Let’s for the fun of it investigate why the US took military action against the above mentioned countries.

Grenada: The Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (allies of the US) became suspicious when Cuban workers were building a 9000 feet airport runway, a little too long for the tourist trade they thought, so they contacted Ronald Reagan and asked that the US intervene. Good that they did because the US discovered the Soviet Union and Cuba were planning to set Grenada up as the third outpost of Communism in our hemisphere. El Salvador was to be the fourth. The Communist plan was to extended all the way through the Caribbean and Central America. Talk about being “surrounded” by your enemy. The 9000 feet runway was to be used to refuel and service Soviet Union and Cuban military aircraft. Reagan launched a surprise attack, freed 800 US students that were held hostage, and kicked the Communist out of Grenada. An interesting side note: The US had documents proving the Soviet plan and took them to Andrews Air Base and invited the US press to examine them. Very few reporters showed up. Instead, for several days, most of the news commentators focused on claims that the landings on Grenada had been reckless. They said Reagan was trying to turn the Caribbean into another Viet Nam. Sound familiar? No. There’s no Liberal bias or agendas in the news media.
Libya: Terrorist bombed a disco in West Berlin that was a favorite of US servicemen. An American soldier had been killed and more than 200 people including at least 50 American soldiers were injured. Intelligence established conclusively Qaddafi had ordered the bombing. On April 14, 1986 the US military bombed Qaddifis military headquarters and barracks in Tripoli. Qaddifi had sponsored many acts of terrorism during that time.
Panama: Manuel Noreiga was a corrupt dictator, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering and ruthless oppressor of his people. Noreiga challenged the US when he wouldn’t change his ways and he lost. The US established a constitutional democracy after Noreiga was deposed. He was brought to Florida and tried for drug smuggling. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining military bases were turned over to Panama by the US in 1999.

Somalia: This military action was taken for “humanitarian efforts”. 4.5 million Somalis were starving to death due to an ongoing civil war and famine. The country was in a near anarchy state. War lords kept stealing the relief food sent by other nations to keep the Somalis alive. Clinton sent troops to guard the convoys of food so they could get to the Somali people.
Sudan and Afghanistan: Retaliation for the deadly bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania where 242 people were killed. Clinton was trying to get rid of Osama bin Laden, the perpetrator of the bombings. Apparently, the Left didn’t want bin Laden dead then.
Yugoslavia: Civil war. Ethnic cleansing. Serbs were mass murdering Muslims and raping Muslim women. Concentration camps were created. 800,000 Muslims were murdered. The UN with NATO forces along with the US stopped the ethnic cleansing. Our military intervention was for humanitarian reasons.

Iraq: The Gulf War. Saddam invaded Kuwait. He had plans to invade Saudi Arabia. The Left said the US was trying to take over Kuwaits oil fields. Remember their slogan-No War for Oil. Well, we didn’t “steal” or benefit from their oil and Kuwait still owes us 4 million dollars for saving their butts from Saddam Hussein’s Republican Army.

Viet Nam was a protracted war. We were fighting Communism. Under the US military thousands died but the US never lost a military battle in Viet Nam. But after we withdrew, Pol Pot, the North Vietnamese Communist leader, murdered millions. It was in our national interest to keep South Viet Nam from falling under the power of the Communist.

The point is: It doesn’t matter who’s president and if that president decides to take military action for humanitarian reasons or our national interest, the Left will always oppose and vilify them in the process. They will always distort the reasons the US took military action. Like in Grenada, the Left called the action “reckless” or currently, they are calling the war in Iraq “unjust” and demanding that President Bush be arrested and tried for war crimes or at least impeached. They also want the troops withdrawn immediately. They would sooner leave the country of Iraq to the terrorist to establish a “base” for their terrorist operations, than stay and help the Iraqi people set up a stable democratic government.

You said George Bush polarized the country. You are wrong. The Left always starts the process of polarization by using distorted propaganda. They have the advantage because 80% of the Main Stream Media is Liberal, so the media is more than willing to help them spread their anti-war message. Right now the Liberal media is working the Quantanamo distortion propaganda. You know the propaganda talking points….US soldiers desecrate the Koran…Close Gitmo....blah, blah, blah. We’re supposed to believe this is “torture” and Quantanamo a “gulag”. The Left is fighting hard for the detainees civil liberties because they believe they are wrongly held. Blah, blah, blah. But some Americans, those who are not media savvy because they’re too busy trying to make ends meet and raise a family will fall for the distorted propaganda by only listening or reading snippets of the Liberal media. That’s what the Left counts on. Their message gets through and before you know it, the polls are recording that 56% of Americans believe the Iraq War was a mistake. That’s where we’re at now folks and the terrorist love it! The Left and their miserable polarizing anti-war message is the most lethal weapon the terrorist have in their arsenal.

A Polarized America

Regarding the comment left for me beneath the "Watch, Ride, Report" item I posted yesterday: The commenter's thesis was “George Bush has polarized the country.” I'm publishing my response on the main page of the blog so it won't get overlooked. I've been quiet too long on this subject!

My response:

Excuse me….Before George Bush so much as lifted a finger to prevent another 9/11 the Left reared its anti-American empty head and began to “remind” the country just how evil the US is. Doubt my words, read this http://www.marxists.de/war/wtc/swussupp.htm
a Special Supplement that was posted on the internet by the US based Socialist Workers Party (Liberals) TWO DAYS AFTER 9/11!!!!!!! The Left as usual, like it did during the Viet Nam era had a rebellious, bite the hand that feeds them, disloyal, traitorous, self-centered, anti-American everything tantrum before the real heroes could remove the bodies and body parts from beneath the Towers.

As the rhetoric proves in the Special Supplement posted TWO DAYS AFTER 9/11, the Left was poised, predisposed to undermine whatever action G.W. took to avenge the murder of 3000 Americans on our soil. Since TWO DAYS AFTER 9/11, that’s four years almost to the day that the Left, with plenty of help from the Liberal Media, has kept the “perceived negatives” of the War on Terror in every Americans face to break their will and resolve to counter/change the profoundly negative belief of “Jihad” in the Arab culture.

Day after day, the Left has hammered away at the vigilant with its constant anti-American whine so they can achieve their goal—to prove to the world that their skewed view of America is right. This was the Liberal agenda during the Viet Nam era, and this is the Liberal agenda today for the War on Terror. Their political tactic is to “polarize” with virulent anti-Americanisms. They’d sooner open a door for a terrorist than an American soldier. They don’t have any “solutions” for the War on Terror. They don’t need or want them. That’s not what they are about. Every word that comes out of their mouth is for one purpose, and that’s to make sure the world, especially every American, understands that America is and always will be the most evil place on the globe. That any good we have done at any point in our young history is removed from our consciousness. That when we wake up in the morning and our feet hit the floor we remember we are a racist, barbaric, greedy, gluttonous, unjust, sexist, hypocritical, stupid, self-righteous, extreme religious zealots who impose our beliefs on the unwilling, blind patriotic, war mongering, imperialist nation.

That is the Liberal message. Their agenda is to spread the word. It’s a bit polarizing, don’t you think?

It’s also a Big Lie that’s based on distortions. For every single act of racism in America, there are a million acts of racial tolerance and acceptance. For every single act of injustice, there are a million acts of justice. For every casualty in the War on Terror, there are a million “life saving” acts and so on and so on…..

Yet the Left focuses, concentrates like a cat watching a mouse, on the lone act of racism etc. to persuade the world that America as a whole is comprised of the worst of humankind.

The Left wants you to lose faith in your country and its Republican leadership, because, like Howard Dean said, they really do hate Republicans. They want you to believe as a nation we’re no good. They also want you to believe that they do what they do to “make America a better place.” I find that remarkable considering it was the Left who was in the forefront pushing the concept of “always focusing on the positive.” Remember the book that started the craze, “I’m Okay. You’re Okay.” To be fair, they practice this concept, only they concentrate on the positives of the Arab world. So when you hear that some poor soul got his head chopped off, you’ll hear the Left justify the act as “just the Arab way”….no biggee….nothing to get upset over. The Left is far more concerned with how Arabs view America, than Americans view the Arabs after they knocked the Towers down and killed 3000 innocent Americans. Not to mention they were going to take out the White House. Think of it. The White House, not Joe’s Bar and Grill down the street. The White House. You’ll find no Lefty pointing out Arab faults or practices especially Saddam Husseins. NO. They’re the “victims” of an evil society called the US. NO….we don’t want to upset the Arabs, they might nuke New York City or come back and finish the job at the White House.

Do I sound angry? Do I sound polarized? If you really care to understand just who or what polarized the American people, read the “Special Supplement” from the US based Socialist Workers Party that was written TWO DAYS AFTER 9/11 and you’ll have your answer. Like I said, its anti-American rhetoric was designed to polarize just like the same Liberal message was used to influence troop withdrawal from the Viet Nam War and cement America’s reputation as an evil society.

If you find yourself “losing your resolve” and want the troops withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Patriot Act diluted to nothing more than an “Order of Protection” regardless of the consequences to homeland security, then, by all means, hug a Liberal for setting you straight with their “polarizing distortions”.

Your comments welcome.....

watch ride and report

watch ride and report
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

For all the hard core political junkies out there, here's two items from Little Green Footballs and Dailykos that the Main Stream Media isn't reporting (yet).

Go to the links I've posted on the left hand side of the blog, beneath the polls and click on: LittleGreenFootballs and read the post "The Multi-Million Dollar 9/11 Insult, Cont'd". It's about the radical leftist plans to install a "Why the World hates us" memorial at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. From that post click on the other links to read more articles about the story.

Then click on Dailykos, scroll down until you find the post-"First gulags. Now this" and find out how the Left thinks about being vigilant when it comes to "homeland security."

Landfill Data

Landfill Data
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Hi Sally- Electric power restored after 28 hours (yesterday). Wow -not since June 1972 have we been so long without power.
Saw the photos of applicances on your blog which reminded me that Steuben County has a recycling program and Amnesty Days. This Sat. At Bath Landfill 9-12 they are accepting electronics(microwaves, VCR's ,computers , printers -whole nine yards.) Am sending an attachment of a notice from Public Works-Steuben Co Mar.05- our tax dollars at work. Maybe time to refresh people's memories or spread the word in case people don't read the notices sent out..
It includes a telephone number to call. On Sept.17th, there is a day for Farm Hazardous Waste. Time to spread the word around and to remind Lindleyites -the Gang Mills Transfer station is for our use,also..

Kitty Pierce

Click on headline to read Landfill/recycling data.

Thanks Kitty.

"Reporting Junk Violators" Poll

For a couple of days the "Junk Violators Poll" was running neck and neck. Today the "ordinary citizens" vote jumped ahead of the "CEO" choice. I don't think I mentioned this before when I created the poll, that you can vote every day (after 24 hours pass from your last vote) in the poll. This gives multiple members of families a chance to vote in the poll. Also, this is not a "scientific poll".

Winds Raise Cain

Just about 11 a.m. dark clouds rolled in with ferocious winds uprooting trees and generally scaring the local populace. The storm threatened the East end of town, but Presho got the worst of it. Paul Mortzheim lost a huge weeping willow and had a few of his pine trees topped at the edge of his property. ButPaul's neighbors, Anne and Fred Collins on the Smith Road (what used to be Clayton Bronson's place) place was just devastated. I think I counted six or seven trees that were either uprooted entirely or had their tops snapped off. It would just make you want to cry when you saw the place. Also, Indian Hills Golf course, amid its many other troubles lost several trees. Of course our electric was off for hours. I hope this isn't a prelude to a combustible weather pattern this summer. I can remember a few summers when afternoon storms were about as scary as they get.

Ran into Dick Johnson, Road Superintendent at the Town Hall, and he said every road in Lindley had some tree damage. He also mentioned Davis Road was hit pretty hard.

Extreme Junk

Extreme Junk
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Town of Lindley Junk Law

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

A. Any motor vehicle, as defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, that is any of the following:
1.Unlicensed, old, wrecked, stored, discarded, dismantled or partly dismantled or which is not in any condition to meet NYS inspection standards for legal use upon the public highway.
2. Being held or used for the purpose of resale of used parts therefrom or for the purpose of reclaiming for use some or all of the materials therein for the purpose of disposing of same.
3. In such condition as to cost more to repair and place in operating condition than its reasonable market value at that time before such repair.
B. With respect to any motor vehicle not required to be licensed or not usually used on public highways, the fact that such motor vehicle has remained unused for more than six (6) months and is not in condition to be removed under its own power shall be presumptive evidence that such motor vehicle is an "abandoned, junked or inoperative motor vehicle."
C. All waste materials customarily handled and collected by refuse collectors and junk dealers, and all items regardless of size, discarded or abandoned by reason of obsolence, age or state of repair, or intended to be discarded, abandoned or junked, including but not limited to discarded housedhold furnishings and appliances, crates, boxes, cartons, building materials, machines, farm equipment, and/or parts of machines and equipment.

An Old Farmer's Advice

old farmer
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

An Old Farmer's Advice:

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight
and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a
distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a
John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner
than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a
grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't
never gonna happen anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best
answer.

* Live a good, honorable life Then when you get
older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't
botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a
rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever
have to deal with, watches
you from the mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a
lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot
easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some
influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God

Tony Vickio Lap 16

Bill Elliott
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 16: Race Time

We are at the track, early as usual on Saturday. Today is the Busch Race. Felt good not to worry about cars sliding thru the grass. I didn't feel good about cars hitting the wall! The usual sellout crowd is coming in. It's about 6:45 am and we are in the "War Room" at the Maintenance Office; Yup, cookies, doughnuts and cakes, supplied by the food vendors at the track. One hand washes the other. When they need something from maintenance, they are taken care of. When maintenance is hungry, they are taken care of. Once you are on the "inside", it is pretty neat. Hungry during the day? Just go to the Hospitality Tent and eat. One thing about Alabama is, the food is good, but man is it fattening.

We are drinking coffee while talking to Mike and the boys. The NASCAR Garage opens at 7:00am. We've got a lot of time before the Busch race. We all move out to the closest pick up truck. Mike takes his spot at the back, so he can put his foot on the bumper. The rest of us shuffle for position. It's gets a little tense before we are all nestled in around the box of the truck. Elbows on the box, coffee in hand, I just happen to look to my right...........I do a double take. There, standing by the Sign Shop, all by themselves are Sal and Harriett. They are staring at us! By the look I'm getting, they are thinking, "what the hell are you two dumb asses doing? Get over here with us". I turn back, wondering if they saw me look. I look at Larry; he's oblivious to the situation. I sort of jerk my head up and over my right shoulder, in their direction, and like a ventriloquist, talking with my lips stretched tight and not moving, I say, "they’re looking at us!", while shaking my head in their direction a couple of more times. Larry looks over and says, "Ah......, they caught me, let's go see what they want". We take our elbows off the truck, turn and walk over to them. "What are you two idiot's doing, leaving us here by ourselves"? I told you that's what they were thinking! When does the race start"? they ask. I said, "About six hours". "What the hell are we going to do for six hours?" they both say at once. "We're going to the garage; we will meet you here later". Away we went.

Any NASCAR fan would "kill" to have a "NASCAR Garage Pass". A NASCAR Garage Pass is one of the most sought after credentials in motor sports. You can not buy one, they are not for sale. The only way to get one is to have it issued to you by NASCAR. We are lucky enough to know the right people. We have been around racing long enough to know how to use the pass. We go in, look all around, talk to some guys, and take our pictures and leave. We spend an hour or so in there watching all sorts of things. Engine changes are always fun to watch. We've seen enough, so we head back to the women.

The Busch race has its share of wrecks. One car through the grass has Allan, from Atlanta, working late that afternoon. What concerns me is the car that hit the wall right at one of the logos. As soon as the race is over, we are at the sign shop gathering the supplies we will need to fix the damage. Mike comes over and asks how many logos got hit. I say, "Just one". "You’re lucky", he says. "Tim will be out there to do the white", he says. Tim is the track painter. Come to find out, we don't paint any of the white on the wall. Tim will do that for us. We just take care of our logos. We get out to the damaged logo and go "up". WOW! I have never seen a hit up close before! On TV it looks like the wreck is over in a second or so. Up here, you stand by the wall, look off towards Turn 1 to see where the skid marks start. Way, way, way over there I can see the start of the slide, maybe 500 feet or more. They do a lazy twist, come up the banking and impact the wall about 200 feet from the logo. Then the marks continue down the wall, across the logo and stop maybe 200 feet past the logo. A big, black rubber mark is left on the wall. Tim will repair this up to our logo. Good thing! The total "hit" is over 400 feet! We repair the logo, repainting just where the black rubber marks go across the logo. This didn't take long and we had fixed our first hit. In a future trip, we are faced with repairing 13 logo hits (a record), that forced us to work on the "high banks" late that night and come back Sunday morning, right before the race to finish up. We needed Track Security and the State Police helicopter on that job. Stay tuned for a future tale!

Sunday morning, we go through the same routine. "Where are we going to watch?" Harriett says. "I think we will go down inside Turn 1 by the infield wall. It is as close to the track as you can get", I say, with a certain amount of authority. This is where the Jet Blowers, wreckers, ambulances and Pace Car park. It is beyond the spectator fence, right on the edge of the track! I tell her, "it’s right down from the Tri Oval, near the Start/Finish, let's go on the track, out to the Tri Oval and watch the Pre Race show and the Driver Introductions". With our "All Access" maintenance credentials, we could go anywhere, even on the track. We are standing with all the VIP's, watching the show. I notice this guy next to me in a suit. I pay no attention. When he walks away I look and say,"S***! That was Dan Marino". You never know who you might see here. The show is over and a stage, towed by a brand new John Deere (track sponsor) tractor is pulled into place. A bus pulls up and right in front of us, the drivers start piling out of the bus. The Driver Introductions are about to begin. I got some good photos! All the drivers parade right in front of us as they are introduced to the crowd. When the Driver Introductions end, we head for our spot inside Turn 1.

I unlock the gate at the fence (Mike trusts me with a "Master" key. That way we don't have to call security every time I need a gate unlocked when we are working), the people lined up there just look at you like, "how the hell do get to go in there?" We walk in and there is "Buster", the Pace Car driver. I go over to him, shake his hand, and talk bull. Over there by the Jet Dryer is "Jimmy" Elkins. He works in Maintenance and is a good friend of mine. More on Jimmy later as he has a Dirt Track Late Model race car. During a race, he drives the Jet Blower. Standing by Jimmy is my cousin, 'Ernie" Thurston. He just started his new job at Daytona Speedway, working For ISC (International Speedway Corp.) He heads up Track Safety. We go up to each other and "hug". Italians you know. Mafia. We all mingle around, excitement growing as the race is about to start.
.
What a view! You can see the whole Tri Oval, the start/finish, right near us and Turn 1. We turn around and there is the Turn 1 Jumbo Tron (a huge TV showing the race for the Turn 1 Grandstands). What a spot to watch from! The sound of the cars, this close, actually hurts! The race is going smooth. When Dale Earnhardt gets the lead, the 150,000 fans roar. I mean, the sound is something you have to experience, you can't describe it! It actually drowns out the race cars! As the race goes on we hear this horrendous sound, a metal to concrete sound. We look and right in the Tri Oval is Dale and Bill Elliott. They had both slammed the wall. Dale and Bill are sliding right towards us, maybe a 1/4 mile away. Dale is on his side, Bill's car is on fire, they are hooked together. The fire is going into Dale's car. Now more cars wreck......"the Big One!" They are headed right for us, like slow motion, they get closer and closer and not slowing down much. They slide right by us, maybe 30 feet away, and come to a stop. You can't imagine how far they slid! I got a little nervous about getting hit with debris as there is no catch fence where we are. You could feel the heat we were so close. No one was seriously hurt. Dale had some burns. It was scary! The thing I remember the most was the sound of the cars hitting the wall. It was awesome!

The race is finally over. This is cool! As soon as the race ends, all of us go right out of the "slot" in the wall and onto the track. We drive around Turn 1 and 2, riding with Ernie, to the end of the back straight where a there is a gate to the outside of the track. The guards are opening the gate by the time we get there. We are back at the Maintenance Office before the winner is in Victory Lane!

We stay for the party after the race. Harriett and Sal we're ready to "get out of Dodge". The next morning we were headed for Chattanooga at dawn. It is a "long" ride home. The next adventure has Larry and I going south, in July, but not for a race. After that, I almost ended up getting killed at Watkins Glen!

Lap 17: Almost the Last Tale!

Manhunt

Manhunt
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

First Report:

Information is sketchy, but here's what I have. Apparently the cops had been looking for two Lindley brothers. The cops stopped a vehicle on Route 15 near the Green Shingles. The two youths were in it. The cops took the older brother into custody immediatley, but the younger brother ran away. Sources tell me the younger brother ran along the river for quite a distance, and then to escape the cops, jumped in the river and tried to swim to freedom. The cops captured the younger brother on the flat near the Lindley-Presho Fire Station. When I arrived at the station both of the boys were in custody and sitting in the sheriff's car. (Photo).

Second Report: Go here for full story http://the-leader.com/articles/2005/06/04/local_news/local02.txt

Open Forum-Middle School Facilities Renovation Proposal

For those interested in sharing opinions both pro and con on the Middle School Facilities Proposal, please leave your comments here. This post will be the official "Open Forum" site until the vote June 21st. Please forward a link to the Red-StaterWisdoms blog to individuals in the Corning-Painted Post School District with a note inviting them to take part in an open discussion concerning the school proposal. Also, you can include links to other sites in the "comment text box" that pertain to the discussion. Interested readers can copy/paste the links into their browser address window and check them out.

Sam Wilson Wins Scholarship

sam wilson
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Last night at the Senior Awards Banquet at West High, Dee Hill presented Sam Wilson, a senior at West High and local Lindley boy, with the Lindley Heritage Days Senior Scholarship Award. The $500 Scholarship is awarded every year to a Lindley senior who enters a winning essay that is written with a Lindley theme. This year the seniors who entered were asked to write an essay entitled, "Lindley's Influence on My Life." Wilma Welty, a longstanding member of the Lindley Heritage Committee selects the winning essay.

Sam is the son of Gus and Tracey Wilson of Lindley. The Wilsons also have two other children, Jesse and Sara.

Sam was also the recipient of two other scholarships: He won the Corning Community College Academic Achievement Scholarship and the Painted Post High School Alumni Association Scholarship.

Here's Sam's winning essay:

Lindley's Influence on My Life

I consider myself to be one of the few fortunate people. Living in Lindley has been a major contribution to who I am today. Many people feel that living in a larger city is much more beneficial than being in the country. I have to disagree. It is hard to name a more welcoming, clean, safe, and enjoyable community to be a part of. The knowledge accessible in a close community is hard to beat. Everyone is willing to help and look out for each other. There are few "strangers" in Lindley, everyone knows every other person. This is one of the many reasons it is such a great place to be raised. The proper morals and attitude towards life are present in the community. If, for some reason, I had grown up somewhere else, I probably would be a different person with different views.

Lindley has been my home ever since I was born, over eighteen years ago. There is not a better place to be raised. Some of my best friends have gone through all of school with me, starting at Lindley-Presho Elementary. I have been taught to always be honest and hard working. Set goals higher than what you expect to reach. My very first memories of school involve recess. You had to complete your work on time and with quality before you could play. I still apply this theory today. I currently work at The Corning Building Company and have realized that work comes before play. I often see neighbors from Lindley in the store. It is always nice to see and help people you have known for many years. They were caring enough to be there for me when I was younger, and I derive joy from helping them with household problems now. It always puts a smile on my face to see a familiar person in the store. I have also learned that a very important characteristic is respect. I try to give everyone more respect then I would want from someone else. I believe that the best type of person is a "real" person. One who acts the same around everyone, one who is true to himself and is honest, trustworthy, and respectful. I feel that I am on my way to being this person. Living in Lindley has tremendously benefited my character and made me into a "real" person. I have high expectations for my future and believe growing up in Lindley will help me live the life I want to live.

There is only one home for me, that home is Lindley, New York. I am thankful for growing up in this wonderful community and am truly blessed. I have enjoyed every minute of the country and will always know my way back home. For all of the future success in my life, I give credit to my town. Everything about me has originated in the small peaceful town of Lindley.

Well done, Sam......