Tony Vickio Lap 23

Steve Tinker
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 23: Back to Work

"Hi Donna, how are you doing"? I say. In her best "Southern voice" she says, "Well, I'm doin' just fine! How are you all doin'? I say, "We are just workin' away as usual". Mike wanted me to call ya. We have a ton of wall logos to paint and he wants you down here two weeks before the race. Let me know how many rooms you will need and we will see you then".

"Great! I'll call you tomorrow with the info. Thanks and see ya later!” I say and smiling I hang up the phone. It’s so nice to work with people who totally trust you to get the job done. Mike (Talladega General Manager) doesn't ask the price or how I'm going to do the job or how many men I'm bringing. He tells me the job and from there on he trusts me to get the job done, I'm the "boss". I feel great!

I get on the phone and call Larry Orr (Orr Signs) and tell him of the new "Gig".He's in! I need one more guy. A while back, I remember Steve Tinker saying, "Take me on one of you're trips to Talladega, I'll kill to go! I'll do anything"! I call Steve. He literally went crazy! I finally hung up on him! He called right back, "are you sh****** me?" came blasting out of the phone! I said, "You’re going to have to work and work hard". He came back with, "I will do anything man, Holy Christ, I can't believe it, I'll get my vacation scheduled today!"! I hung up the phone and with a smile turned and went back to work. I started thinking how one phone call could make someone so happy. It made me feel really good. I've known Steve most of my life. We rode the same school bus. As a matter of fact, you could say I saved his life in the 70's.

Years ago, we had "real" snow storms. We all had snowmobiles and we rode the crap out of them! Steve lived in Townsend, which is just west of the Race Track and about 5 miles from my house. One night, around 9:00pm, a friend of mine, Don Romeo, drove in to my parent's house, where I had a garage, with his four wheel drive, a trailer with his snowmobile on it. We decided to ride to "Pappy's". Pappy's was a bar that is located in Monterey, NY. Monterey is located west of the Race Track and about 6 miles from Townsend, where Steve lived. It is in "no man's land"! When you hear of record low temperatures and record snow falls in the state, it will most likely be in Monterey.

We unloaded his sled from the trailer. It just started snowing again. We had a good foot on the ground already and this looked like we were in for a good snowfall. As we were in the garage putting our suits on, outside the snow was really starting to come down. When we walked out the door and saw Don's sled covered in fresh snow, we considered not going, but then the challenge of facing danger took over and we headed out. It was cold and the heavy snow was wet. A couple of pulls on the starter cord and the twin cylinder 340cc Yamaha came to life. The headlight, at first, is dim, but after the engine revs up it is bright and pierces the heavy snowflakes and engine smoke (gas mixed with oil) for about 50 feet. With me in the lead, we head past my house to the shrub filled field and to the trail that runs along our field parallel with the railroad tracks. The grass has been packed down on our trail, so even though it is covered by a foot of snow, you can still see the trail clearly. We are riding through the field and into a small stand of trees. The trail snakes though the trees and into another field where there is a gap in the old, rusted wire fence that leads to a farmer's crossing of the railroad tracks. We zip through the gap and across the tracks. No train has been by for some time and the snow, now "really" coming down, has completely covered the tracks. We don't even slow down as we cross the tracks.

Across the tracks we go down a 12 foot bank and continue our ride through another field to the Race Track. It is getting very hard to ride as visibility is rapidly decreasing and the snow is getting so deep it is hard for the snowmobiles to get through. We stop at the far end of the track, near Townsend, and discuss the situation. It is now snowing like hell! You can see it building up on the hood of the sleds while we sit there. The challenge is there, but after watching an inch build up on the hood of my sled while we talk, we decide to head back. It is getting so deep it is hard for the sleds to get through. We take turns breaking a path so we don't burn up a drive belt. About a mile from the track and two miles from Townsend, Don is breaking the trail. The snow is coming down at an unbelievable pace. You can not see twenty feet ahead. Just then, with the snow swirling up from Don's sled and into my headlight, out of the corner of my eye to my right, I spot a dark form maybe 10 feet away. It was right at the edge of visibility. One more foot and I wouldn't have seen it. "What the hell was that? It was big and we are driving on the road" I think to myself. We are riding on County Route 16 now as we can no longer see the trail. Knowing we were in the road, there definitely was something back there. I decide to stop and see what it was. When Don saw my light turn away, he stopped. He looked over his right shoulder and through the snow fall, he could no longer see me.

Thinking I broke down, he turns around. Not an easy chore when the snow is now two feet deep and getting deeper. I drove about 20 feet up the road and I see nothing. I look back, over my left shoulder and I see the glow, through the snow, of Don's headlight. It's now snowing so hard, the light looks like a car headlight in heavy fog. It is really getting worse fast. I am a little nervous about getting stranded out here as there are not many houses. The shield on the helmet keeps fogging over and to open it is useless as it is snowing so hard, you can't keep your eyes open. There! A dark form in the snow and it is moving! I ride over and about ten feet away I make out the form of a man, bent over and barely walking in the now, 30 inches of snow! I get off the sled and walking through the snow approach the guy in this blizzard. He is disoriented and totally exhausted. His face is snow covered and I now I can see it is Steve Tinker! "Steve, come this way", I say. Just then Don pulls up. We get him to my sled and get him on the seat. We are closer to my house than his so we decide to ride the roads to my house. It’s so hard riding, especially with two, that it's putting a strain on my arms and the sled! I'm breathing so hard my shield is fogged over to the point I have to flip it up and ride with my head down and just peaking out the top of the opening. We are now about 50 yards from my house and I feel better. Almost there! It's snowing so hard the snowplows aren't even out.

We pull into the drive way and help Steve into the house. My parents were worried sick as we are now in a real blizzard and we were out in it. Steve gets revived and later when a plow finally went by; Don took him home with the help of his four wheel drive truck.

I don't know if I saved his life or not, but I don't think, without someone else coming by, he would have made it. Now he "owes me his life twice" as we are going to Talladega!

We will be painting wall logos so I need my computer and plotter to make patterns with. Steve is going to drive his truck down so we load all of our gear in his Chevy pickup, with a cap on the back, and at 4 in the morning we head south. We stop at Larry's house, which is on the way, and we pick him up. Not 50 miles down the road we hit a deer! In the dark, we pull over and get out to inspect the truck. We didn't hit the deer full blast or we would be going back and getting my truck. The deer spun around and headed off into the field at a full run. No damage to the truck or the deer and we sail on. I say to the guys, "I hope this isn't an indication of what is to come"!

Lap: 24: Painting and Repainting on the High Banks

Motoring-A Memory of Betty VanDuyne

Motoring car
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Back in July of 2001 I wrote a story on Bick and Betty VanDuyne. I'd like to share the story again in memory of Betty. I scanned the original pages from the Lindleytown Newsletter and you can read them, full size, by clicking the following URLs. When the pages come up, move your mouse to the bottom right hand corner of the page and a "toggle button" will appear. Click on that and the page will expand to a readable size.

Page One http://photos21.flickr.com/29688587_0cfb4820e4_b.jpg

Page Two:
http://photos22.flickr.com/29688589_d3084b4c6c_b.jpg

Route 15 may get completed yet!

It looks like U.S. Representative John Randy Kuhl Jr. came through for us…

The Federal Transportation bill H.R.3 recently passed by Congress includes “$23 million to convert a six-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 15 from the Pennsylvania border to Presho to federal Interstate standards by expanding a two-lane section of the highway into four lanes. Once done, the highway will be designated Interstate Highway 99.”

President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law after lawmakers whittled the bill down from $375 billion to $286.5 billion, a figure that would not add to the deficit or increase taxes.

Read more about this great news at http://kuhl.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=31700

Lindley Planning Board Minutes-July

LINDLEY TOWN PLANNING BOARD July 18, 2005


The regular meeting of the Lindley Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson, Mary Lentzen. Members present included Manley Davis, Jason Ballard, Jim White, Mark Swan. Four visitors were also present.

Minutes of the June 20, 2005 meeting were read. Earl made a Motion to accept the minutes as read, Mark seconded; the Motion passed unanimously.

Regarding new information received since the Public Hearing on the Fred Robbins Mining Operation, Mary asked Jim White to report on his meeting with Fred Robbins, Gordon Hakes, Harry Pierce, Steve Army (NYSDEC), and Bruce Irvine (soil expert).

Jim reported DEC gave copies of letters from residents who were objecting to Pit to Fred Robbins. DEC's Steve Army stated road traffic was not a concern but water runoff was. Also disagreement of Right of Way was a concern since DEC could be denied access to Pit for inspection.

Fred Robbins and Gordon Hakes are to prepare new plans for DEC regarding elimination of the ROW and controlling water flow down the road by directing water from uphill to the current pit area and building a settlement pond at the bottom of the hill for the lower road; grade road to direct water to pond.

Other concerns discussed: traffic South - Fred said he would use Morgan Creek Road to RT 15; Fencing - DEC stated Town could not require it unless it was required for everyone; Number of loads-Town could not regulate because it was a County Road.

Jim received from Steve Army on July 6 an information sheet on Local Governments' responsibilities concerning mining. July 11 received phone message DEC had received revised drawings on the new entrance and settlement pond and responses to residents. Jim also spoke with the Town Supervisor in Lawrenceville concerning Fred Robbins who stated they have had no problems with Fred but "He tends to push everything as far as he can".

Fred claims he has documented evidence that he has the legal Right of Way but to avoid legal hassles he will move his entrance North of the current entrance, widen the entrance 50-75' with a longer sluice pipe and a 5% grade. Fred stated unfortunately he will have to remove at least 50' of trees and bushes which act as a natural barrier to his operation. Fred also noted that the survey map shows the current driveway on the wrong side of the post with a fence.

Mary stated the conditions of the Use Permit based on public concerns and noted the cemetery is not on his property and therefore not an issue.

Fred stated he could not accept the stated hours of operation (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday) or the "No more than 12 trucks/day, 60 trucks/week maximum" statement. This schedule would severely limit his business and he would be wasting his time to pursue a permit. Fred proposed loading at 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m., sometimes some townships get their own gravel beginning at 6 or 6:30 a.m. Fred also objected to the bonding requirement should he use the Morgan Creek Road as many other truckers are also using that route.

Mary reminded him the proposed pit is in a residential area. If he does not use Morgan Creek Road, but uses the County roads only, the Town cannot restrict the number of truck loads and he must abide by the County regulations.

Fred could agree with the terms of the CUP if the Hours of Operation changed to read: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the addition of the words "when using town roads" following the maximum number of trucks statement. He will request a special permit should he require extended hours for special jobs.

A Motion was made by Earl to approve the Conditional Use Permit (copy attached) with the amended Hours of Operation changed from 9 a.m. to read 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and the statement "No more than 12 trucks/day, 60 trucks/week maximum when using town roads". Manley seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

Harry Pierce thanked Jim for attending the meeting with the DEC and Jim appreciated being invited.

Fred asked the Board if he had to do anything else before he began his operation? Mary stated the permits are controlled by DEC and the County.

Terry Lyon, 1201 Church Creek Road, requested a minor subdivision to his 37.2 acres. He will keep 5-7 acres with his house and sell 30 (plus or minus) acres . Patrick Moore has surveyed the property. A short EAF was filed. A Motion to approve the proposed subdivision was made by Jason, seconded by Earl and unanimously passed.

Mary noted ZBA approved a carport at 423 River Road which does not meet setbacks for Eugene Smith without prior approval of the Planning Board.

The Town received a copy of a letter sent by the Town of Wayne to the State stating the County is accepting subdivisions not approved by the Towns and asking for their help in enforcement. State said it is up to the Towns to enforce the laws, State will not. Towns must pay attention to Real Estate signs and 'For Sale' signs and notify Real Estate agents.

The CEO's Permit Summary Report for June includes 8 permits. Earl Moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m., Mark seconded and all unanimously agreed.

Respectfully submitted,

Janice Oberlander
Recording Clerk

Lindley Planning Board Minutes-July

Tony Vickio Lap 22

Suited Up and Ready to Go
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 22: Back to School


I woke up at 5am! I couldn't sleep. Imagine something you've thought about for years but you knew you could never do it because of the cost, and suddenly, out of the blue, you get the chance. Like I said in "Lap 1", racing has been in my blood since I was 2 and I have enjoyed being involved in some sort of racing ever since. All I could think of was the next three days! My wife (Harriett) just smiles at me. She knows I'm acting just like a "kid" and instead of saying something, she just smiles.

After I "hit" the shower, I put on a pair of Red underwear. You see, whenever I raced, I wore Red underwear. I figured it took "balls" to get into a race car and race to "win" and red, being an aggressive color, would help! Some nights it worked, sometimes it didn't. I guess it always did work as when I crashed, I did so "aggressively"! Well, today I had them on and I was "ready" for the unknown.

When I arrived at the track there was only one man there form the Skip Barber Competition School. He was a mechanic and was working on one of the cars. I walked over to him and said, "mornin', how’s it going?" Without looking up, he says, "Christ, you are here early". "Yeah I know. I live just down the road; it doesn't take long to get here". It was kind of early; I had an hour and a half to wait. Suddenly I think, "don't be talking to this guy, you might distract him and he will forget to tighten a nut on the steering and it may be on the car you will be driving!" I turn and walk away!

I was so excited, I forgot I had a coffee in the truck, so I walk over to the backside of the pits, where my truck was parked and got my luke warm coffee. I walk back to the Pit wall where the cars are. I sit up on top of pit wall, take a sip, more like a "gulp" of the coffee before it gets totally cold. It's nice and cool and there is not a sound. I look around, towards Turn 1 (the 90) where the track drops down and goes out of site and today, no haze, you can see Seneca Lake off in the distance between two hills. I look back to the track and picture, in my mind, driving down the front straight 120 mph, picking the brake marker 200, hard on the brakes and at the same time double clutching (heel and toe) and shifting down to 3rd gear to 70mph. Turning in from the far left side of the track, hitting the perfect apex point on the inside of the corner, accelerating through the corner, drifting out, just running up on the outside curb and down the straight. I snap out of it......I can't wait! I turn to my left and there, in two rows, are the Rear Engine, Open Wheeled race cars. I immediately get goose bumps! "Christ, I can't believe this is happening", I think way back to the ride I gave Harriet (Former Zippo owner) and how things have progressed from there. Then I think back of all the laps I have run on this track. At that time it would have been around 2,500 or almost 7,000 miles! I can't wait to get out there! "Come on you guys, where are you"! I say out loud.

Finally some Red Dodge Neons and two Red Dodge Vans pull up to the front of the NASCAR Garage. This is where the office and the classroom are. I walk over to the man that is setting up a table and spreading all this "official" looking paperwork out. He says, "You’re here early". "Yeah, I live just down the road and I can't wait to get started", I say. He gives a slight laugh and says, "You must George’s man". I say, "I guess I am". He smiles and says, "That’s George". Apparently George has done this for many others who couldn't afford it. My thoughts are interrupted by the man saying, "you might as well get started and fill out these papers". You sort of give you life away and then on this other form is the space for the credit card number. I dig in my pocket for the piece of paper with George's credit card number. A shot of adrenalin goes thru me as I can't find it! "Oh No!" I mumble. I frantically stick my hand in my other pocket, where I do not carry anything and there it is! I put it there so I would know where it was when I needed it. If I have to use it, it means I had a bad day!

Everyone sort of shows up at once. It is hectic! We are separated into groups of our racing experience. I was in the Competition group. There were only about five of us. One young kid, about 20, was there. He was from Sweden. He even had a "handler" with him to take care of all of his affairs. He was hard to understand. I can't remember his name, but he had to take the school in order to get his license to race in the US.

It was class time. There were about 25 in the school. Class lasted about four hours of the first day. After lunch we went to the cars. Ahhh Yesss!!! The cars are open wheeled, rear engine machines powered by a four cylinder Dodge engine. They have no wings like Indy cars do. They want you to "drive" the car, not the car drive you! They are capable of 160mph, but at Watkins Glen, 130mph is the max you can get on the back straight before you hit the "Inner Loop".
We get suited up and assigned a car. This is "your car". If it is damaged, they know who did it! My car was blue and number 72. I'm standing by it looking at this really neat race car thinking......72. Let's see 7 plus 2 is 9. 7 minus 2 is 5. No, that's not going anywhere. Let's see, 7 plus 2 is 9, 7 minus 2 is 5, 5 plus 9 is 14 which makes 5. I'm standing there staring at the number realizing it doesn't mean s***!

Two crew men come over and it's time to get fitted to the car. The steering wheel is off and I can easily slide in. The wheel and pedals are all adjustable. The front bodywork is off so they can adjust everything. Once set we go over instructions on what to do on the track. There are spotters all over the track to watch every driver at every critical point. You make one lap at a set RPM and stop at the Start/ Finish line. There an instructor will get on a radio and if there are any issues, they will tell you. You go another lap. Very intense scrutiny. On the third day you are turned loose! This is what I have been waiting for.

I will give you a lap of the Watkins Glen Circuit as seen from the seat of a Skip Barber Dodge race car. "Down the front straight at about 115mph, slightly down hill into a 90 degree, right hand corner. You double clutch (no sincros in the tranny), heel and toe (that means you brake with your heel, while, at the same time you are revving the engine with your toe, so you can downshift, using the clutch with your left foot. You want to keep the rev's up so you don't slide the rear tires, it could spin you out in a second. You go into the 90 at 70mph. Half way through, you accelerate full throttle. You shift to fourth and fly up through the "Esses and down the back straight. Now 5th gear. 130mph at the end of the straight and "hard" on the brakes, two down shifts to 3rd and through the "Inner Loop". Accelerate and into 4th, down into the boot. From there it is, 3rd, 4th, back to 3rd, up to 4th, and back to 3rd, up to 4th and across the finish line. If it wasn't for the kid from Sweden, I would have had the fastest lap. He was FAST! I kept him in site for four laps, then he was gone!

That night I called George and told him "how much fun I had". I learned more in those three days than I did in my 12 years of racing. It was awesome!

On the track, coming out of the, boot" there is a 12'x36' Zippo billboard (which I painted). I had my friend/photographer Jack Eckert take a picture of me, at speed, in front of the billboard. I framed it and sent it to George.

If anyone is thinking of getting into racing, take this school! It will give you a head start that you will not believe! The school will come into play in later tales. Now it was back to work and on to a new adventure.

About two weeks later, in the shop, the phone rings. I find the portable on a work table and pick it up, "Vickio Signs", I say....... "Hi there, this is Donna".

Lap: 23: Back to work

No 72

No 72
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

"On the track, coming out of the, boot" there is a 12'x36' Zippo billboard (which I painted). I had my friend/photographer Jack Eckert take a picture of me, at speed, in front of the billboard. I framed it and sent it to George."

Joe Young Passes

Joe Young
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Joseph S. Young, 91, of 1412 River Road, Lindley, died Sunday, July 24, 2005 at The Waters at Three Rivers.

He was a dairy farmer.

Survivors include two daughters, Ann Young Kirk and Patricia Walch Bachman, both of Corning.

Calling hours are 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Flint Funeral Home, Addison.

Services will be held there at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Burial will be in Addison Rural Cemetery.

Renee Toby and Ruth Orr Honored

Renee Toby and Ruth Orr
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Funny how the years pass, and before you know it your mother-in-law is the oldest living member of her church. Or you discover your next door neighbor gives just a little more than ordinary to her church and community. Last Sunday Ruth Orr and Renee Toby were honored at the Presho Church for their “Servant Hood to the Church and their Community”.

Members of the church put on a “bring a dish to pass” evening supper to honor Ruth and Renee. It was unbearably hot and sticky, but that didn’t put a damper on the celebration. In fact, it added an extra dimension to the festivities, forcing everyone attending to recognize that “we’re in this thing together and we will persevere” and like Ruth and Renee have demonstrated through their servant hood, sometimes it takes an extra helping of personal resolve and dedication to overcome the many obstacles of life and to achieve what gives one Joy in life.

Renee and Ruth never “wilted” away from the “heat” of serving. As Brenda Criss wrote in her speech for Ruth and Renee: “Ruth Orr has brought the Joy and Beauty of Music to the many generations of this Church, raised her family in this Church and contributed to the Leadership of this Church…for I believe 67 years. And Renee also contributing to the Leadership of this Church is always “Johnny on the spot, rolling up her sleeves, always serving and helping out wherever needed, never, never had to be asked twice, also let’s not forget Renee’s public service to our community and to our Fire Department, always serving, always ready to serve.”

Judy Davis also spoke a few words about her friendship with Ruth and Renee and their importance to the church. Judy also presented the honorees with beautiful floral bouquets from her garden. After the supper Jim Criss and John Bloise escorted Ruth out to the parking lot to seat Ruth in Jim’s 1920, Model-T Ford Truck for a photo opportunity. (Click on the photo to go to Sallyann’s photo stream to view what has become my most cherished picture of Ruth).

Route 15 Included in November Bond Act

From the Associated Press: Gov. George Pataki and legislative leaders released Sunday the full list of state transportation projects covered under a five-year, $35.8 billion program.

The projects were agreed on last week.

The list includes projects covered by a $2.9 billion bond act voters are being asked to approve in November. State leaders hope that by publicizing the projects the bond act will cover, they can persuade voters to approve taking on the debt.

Voters rejected a $3.8 billion transportation bond act in 2000.

The $38.5 billion is to be split evenly, funding bridge and road projects outside New York City as well as improvements to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

• $76.9 million, including $30 million in the November bond act funding, for the reconstruction of U.S. Route 15 from the Pennsylvania-New York border to Presho in Steuben County, bringing it to federal standards for Interstate 99.

The complete project list is available at www.budget.state.ny.us

New York Medicaid Fraud Uncovered

Finally the New York Times does some excellent "investigative reporting" on New York State Medicaid fraud. THIS IS A MUST READ. Click on the headline "New York Medicaid Fraud Uncovered" to read the rest of this very important article.

Here's a sample of its contents: School officials around the state have enrolled tens of thousands of low-income students in speech therapy without the required evaluation, garnering more than $1 billion in questionable Medicaid payments for their districts. One Buffalo school official sent 4,434 students into speech therapy in a single day without talking to them or reviewing their records, according to federal investigators.

There's more.....read the article.

Lindley Town Board Meeting-July

TOWN OF LINDLEY REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING JULY 12TH, 2005

CALL TO ORDER: HAROLD SEMPLE 7:00PM
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: SUPERVISOR-HAROLD SEMPLE
COUNCILMAN-PAUL STERMER
COUNCILMAN-JAKE GROSS
HIGHWAY SUPT-DICK JONHSON
TOWN CLERK-DIANA L. HILL
CODE ENFORCMENT-DAVE FULLER
ATTACHED ATTENDANCE LIST
ABSENT: COUNCILMAN-GERRY SIMCOE
COUNCILMAN-PAUL MORTZHEiM

MINUTES

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES (WITH CORRCTIONS) FROM JUNE 14TH, 2005 OF THE LINDLEY TOWN BOARD MEETING.
MOTIONED BY: JAKE GROSS 2ND BY: PAUL STERMER
Jake-yes, Paul S-yes CARRIED

PUBLIC COMMENT

SALLY ORR- ASKED ABOUT THE MANDATES CONCERNING PERK TEST. A PERK TEST THAT WAS DONE IN 2001, THE HOLE IS STILL THE SAME. WHY NOW IN 2005 IS THE COST OF THE PERK TEST SO MUCH WHEN IT USED TO BE $50.00.
*HAROLD EXPLAINED THAT NYS DEPT. OF HEALTH, NOW MANDATES PERK TEST, & SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS, WE HAVE A WAIVER WITH ALLEN ENGINEERING, WHICH THE COST IS $300.00, FOR PERK TEST, IF WE DIDN’T HAVE THIS WAIVER THE COST FOR THE TOWNS PEOPLE WOULD BE $1500.00.

GERRY GROSS-ASKED DICK CONCERNING THE NO JUMPING SIGNS ON THE BRIDGES, YOU CAN’T READ THEM ANYMORE, DICK CONTACTED THE COUNTY AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SIGNS.

REPORTS

IT IS NOTED THAT A MONTHLY REPORT WAS RECEIVED FROM THE TOWN SUPERVISOR, & TOWN CLERK, & HIGHWAY REPORT & TWO MONTHS FROM THE CODE ENFORCEMENT, FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2005; THEY ARE ON FILE IN THE TOWN CLERK’S OFFCIE.

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD

DAVE FULLER- CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER-MICKEY HEFFNER HAS CLEANED UP MOST THE CARS, THEY ARE CLEANED UP NOT JUST MOVED TO THE CATON SIDE, MICKEY HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE LINDLEY JUCTICE- BOTH TOWNS ARE WORKING WITH MR. HEFFNER TO GET THIS CLEANED UP.
*MR. WILSON STILL HASN’T BEEN FOUND.
HAS ISSUED 8 PERMITS THIS MONTH.
PETERSON-HAD A PERK TEST IN 2001, ON THEIR NEW PROPERTY, DAVE ASKED THE BOARD IF THEY MUST HAVE ANOTHER PERK TEST, AS FOR THE NEW MANDATES FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DEPT OF HEALTH, YES-THEY MUST PAY FOR A NEW PERK TEST, PLUS A NEW PERMIT,
DAVE WILL BE ON VACATION JULY 18-23, 2005

MARY LENTZEN-CHAIRMAN PLANNING BOARD-RECEIVED A LETTER BACK FROM HON. MARILYN BALDRIDGE, TOWN OF WAYNE, CONCERNING SUBDIVISONS.
UNDER REAL PROPERTY LAW }334 , ANYONE SUBDIVIDING LAND INTO LOTS, PLOTS, BLOCKS, OR SITES , FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC, MUST FILE A MAP OF THE SUBDIVISION WITH THE COUNTY CLERK, OR REGISTER OF DEEDS, PRIOR TO THE SALE OF ANY LOTS, FROM SUBDIVISION. UNDER TOWN LAW (TL) }276, ONCE A TOWN HAS AUTHORIZED ITS PLANNING BOARD TO APPROVE SUBDIVISIONS, THE TOWN CLERK MUST FILE A CERTIFICATE OF THAT FACT WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OR REGISTER. THEN, ONCE A SUBDIVISION PLAT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, THE OWNER MUST FILE THE PLAT IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OR REGISTER WITHIN 62 DAYS, OTHERWISE THE APPROVAL EXPIRES.
**WHILE IT MAY BE QUITE PROBLEMATIC TO RELY ON ACTIONS OF THE COUNTY CLERK- THE TOWN HAS A NUMBER OF MEANS AVAILABLE TO ENSURE COMPLAINCE WITH SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS.
1) NOTING SUCH FOR SALE SIGNS & OTHER REALTY ADVERTISMENTS, WHICH MAY INDICATE OFFERS MADE IN VIOLATIONS OF TOWN REGULATIONS.
2) FULL COMMUNICATION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TOWN’S REQUIREMENTS TO REAL ESTATE BROKERS, BANKS, AND LENDING INSTITUTIONS, THE LOCAL BAR AND LOCAL CONTSRUCTION INDUSTRY.
3) VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF VIOLATIONS OF SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS, USING THE AUTHORITY GRANT UNDER TOWN LAW} 268.
BASICLY THEY’RE SAYING IT IS THE TOWNS RESPONIBLITY TO WATCH AND FILE SUBDIVISION, KEEP ON TOP OF THE COUNTY CLERK’S FILING.
**MARY BELIEVES DEC IS GOING TO APPROVE ROBBINS PERMIT FOR THE GRAVEL PIT.
PLANNING BOARD IS COMING UP WITH THE TOWNS PART, OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
1). LIMIT HOURS, & TRUCK TRAFIFIC, DURING SCHOOL BUS TIME, MUST FIX THE DRIVEWAY, MUST CONTROL DUST/NOISE CONTROL/WATER RUN OFF,
MUST CHECK ON CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE/WORKERS COMP.?
MUST CHECK INTO THE ONE-LANE BRIDGE, AS IT HAS NO R RESTRICTIONS ON IT NOW, CAN THE LOADED TRUCK CROSS THAT BRIDGE LEGALLY?

DAVID EDMISTER-DOG CONTROL OFFICER: INFORMED THE TOWN BOARD HE GAVE HIS RESIGNATION TO THE TOWN CLERK. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

HAROLD ASKED TO HAVE A LETTER PUT IN THE LEADER & ADDISON POST, TO ADVERTIST THE POSITION, LETTERS MUST BE IN BY AUGUST 9TH, THE NEXT TOWN BOARD MEETING.

HAROLD SEMPLE: THE HIGHWAY CONTRACT IS UP WILL SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP

NEED A MOTION TO TRANSFER MONEY:
FROM A1990.4 TO A1430.4 AMOUNT OF $60.00 (THREE RIVER DEVELOPMENT)
MOTIONED BY PAUL S SECONDED BY: JAKE GROSS
PAUL S-YES, JAKE-YES CARRIED

FROM A1990.4 TO A1110.4 AMOUNT OF $600.00 (FOR TOWN JUSTICE)
MONEY TRANSFER FROM TOWN JUSTICE’S GRANT $1335.00
MOTIONED BY JAKE SECONDED BY PAUL STERMER
JAKE-YES, PAUL S-YES CARRIED

BUILDING: HAROLD READ THE BIDS FOR THE STORAGE BUILDING
CARR CONSTRUCTION: $131,900.00
KEUKA CONSTRUCTION: $165,860.00
GARY JONES & SON: $115,182.00
*JAKE GROSS MADE THE MOTION TO GO WITH THE LOWEST BID WHICH IS GARY JONES & SON, WITH THE CONDITION THE DOORS ARE EQUAL TO THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE BID.
MOTIONED BY JAKE GROSS SECONDED BY: PAUL STERMER
JAKE-YES, PAUL –YES CARRIED

JAKE IS GOING TO CHECK ON THE OVER HEAD DOOR.
*WILL SEND A LETTER TO JONES TELLING THEM THEY WERE AWARDED THE CONTRACT, AND WILL SEND LETTERS TO THE OTHER CONTRACTORS, THANKING THEM FOR THEIR INTEREST.
OUTSIDE OF SHED, APRON OVER THE DOORS-WILL DISCUSS NEXT BOARD MEETING:

JAKE ASKED ABOUT THE GIBSON HILL ROAD, THE COUNTY TURNED DOWN BLADES, THE COUNTY WILL BE DOING THE BLACK TOP. (LATE AUGUST?)

JAKE ASKED ABOUT A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE NEW BUILDING,
DEE WILL CONTACT THE LEADER, STAR GAZETTE, RANDY KUHL, BOB NICHOLS, AND GEORGE WINNER. (WILL WORK WITH JAKE)

HALLBACHER LET DICK KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE HAVING ABOUT 15,000-20,000 OF GOOD GRAVEL FOR ROADS. WILL WORK WITH THE TOWN ABOUT THE TRUCKING RATE, IF WE HAD A PLACE TO STOCK PILE. (GRAVEL FOR THE ROADS)

BILLS


BILLS: GENERAL ABSTRACT #7 181-216 $15,906.04
HIGHWAY ABSTRACT# 7 109-119 $49253.01
MOTION TO PAY BILLS:
MOTIONED BY PAUL STERMER SECONDED BY: JAKE
PAUL S-YES, JAKE-YES CARRIED

SUPERVISOR’S BOOKS AUDITED

MOTION FOR ADJOURMENT
MOTIONED BY PAUL STERMER SECONDED BY JAKE GROSS
PAUL-YES, JAKE –YES CARRIED

DIANA L. HILL
LINDLEY TOWN CLERK

"Buzz" Control

Since I introduced my “Junk Law Plan” to keep Lindley free of blighted properties, and from listening to the “buzz” around town, I’m fast becoming known as a “radical candidate”. Before the “buzz” turns my policy on junk management into something unrecognizable as coming from me, let me clarify in more detail my position on “what I consider a junk property?”

When I’ve written about my plan to manage “junk properties” in the Town of Lindley, I purposely chose the words INDUSTRIOUS and EXTREME to describe property owners I would consider violating the Junk Law and those who wouldn’t.

In my opinion, an INDUSTRIOUS property owner is: A person who actually “uses” with regularity the items/stuff on his/her property. He/she keeps the items/stuff in as much order as possible on his property if they do not have a “storage shed/barn” to store it in. His/her place is otherwise well maintained as some thought and care is given to the overall appearance of their home and property. To them, their items/stuff has a great deal of value and they will “use it” or sell it, or get rid of it at some future date. I would not consider an INDUSTRIOUS property owner to be in violation of local junk laws unless the sheer quantity of “exposed” stuff on their property was EXTREME.

Conversely, a NON-INDUSTRIOUS property owner is: A person who has absolutely no intention of ever using the items/stuff they have hauled to their property. This type of person acquires stuff for the sake of acquiring. It’s the “getting it” part that’s more important than ever using it or turning it over for financial or personal gain. There is usually no attempt to store the stuff in an orderly, protected-from-the-elements manner because after it’s “acquired” it no longer has value to them. Their property and home are generally unkempt with no thought or care given to its overall appearance. Also, the quantity of stuff accumulates rather quickly on their property and becomes EXTREME. I would consider a NON-INDUSTRIOUS property owner to be in violation of the junk law.

My definition of an EXTREME junk property definitely has components I’ve assigned to the NON-INDUSTRIOUS property owner with even more intensity. An EXTREME junk property owner strews garbage and crap around the property with hardly a “bare spot to step on”. Unchecked, this property owner will accumulate garbage and junk at a rapid pace and never make any attempt to clean it up. The crap will be piled so high a passerby will not see the dogs tied to rusted out junk cars and washing machines that were put there to “protect his owner’s stuff”. In my travels around, I’ve stepped into homes like this and stared in disbelief at gaping holes in the floor and walls and gagged uncontrollably at the stench from the garbage. You will almost invariably see a “NO TRESPASSING” sign posted on these EXTREME junk properties. Any clear headed person can easily recognize a property like this. And any clear headed person can see the worth of having a Junk Law on the books when confronted with a property owner of this ilk. But there’s a “window of opportunity”, that my Junk Law Plan if managed and enforced properly will take advantage of to prevent a property from deteriorating to this EXTREME condition. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Any questions?

Correction

*CORRECTION*

Dee inadvertently sent the wrong announcement publicizing town position vacancies and I didn't catch the error but an astute reader did. Disregard the previous post entitled "Town of Lindley Accepting Applications".

Another announcement will be forthcoming.

Dog Control Office Postion Open

The Town of Lindley is looking for a Dog Control Officer. Anyone interested in the job should contact the Town Clerk for information on the position.

Town of Lindley Accepting Applications

TOWN OF LINDLEY IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS

THE LINDLEY TOWN BOARD IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO FILL THE VACANCIES OF TOWN COUNCILMAN, PLANNING BOARD AND APPEALS BOARD. ANYONE INTERESTED
IN SERVING ONE OF THESE POSITIONS IS ASKED TO SUBMIT IN WRITING THE REASONS
HE/SHE WISHES TO FILL THIS POSITION. APPLICANTS ARE ASKED TO SEND RESUMES TO THE TOWN SUPERVISOR, PO BOX 62, LINDLEY, NEW YORK 14858 OR DROP THEM OFF
TO THE TOWN CLERK DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. THE DEADLINE IS JANUARY
18TH 2005.


DATED: DECEMBER 14, 2004

DIANA L. HILL
LINDLEY TOWN CLERK

West Clear Creek Hike

Sally- Thought you might like to read about the wild West. This is from my daughter Bonnie about a hike she took over the weekend with friends.I didn't check the map, but I think the area is in the mountains near Payson,Arizona. Ponderosa pine country-beautiful mountain landscape. Not the desert of Arizona that everyone pictures.
You'd never guess that Bonnie is a Journalism and Geology major at ASU after reading this -would you???
Kitty

Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 1:58 AM
Subject: West Clear Creek Hike

Hi all:

West Clear Creek is as beautiful and remote as ever. It took me a little over 2 hours to drive up there (near Happy Jack) - not bad for such a change in climate and scenery. I didn't have much trouble with the rough road or finding Ann and her gang. (I flagged down a passing car to make sure I was on the right track - the Forest Service signage is pretty vague.)

Three of the campers decided to go shopping at the antique stores of Pine instead of hiking into the Canyon, so it was just me, Ann and her friend Jo. The hike in was just as steep as I remembered, but it seemed shorter - only a mile or so (about 1000 foot elevation change.)

It is such a pretty canyon - Pines everywhere; Kaibab limestone on the top of the rim. (I didn't see Toroweep) and towering cliffs of Coconino Sandstone the rest of the way down. Some of it has weathered into pinnacles peeking up through the trees. The dune lines have been etched by the wind into curving sweeps and grooves.

In the stream we found rounded stones with crystals inside, and some with chert inclusion and fossils. I thought I had picked up branches coated in minerals on the last trip, but now I think they may be coral or sponge fossils that have weathered out of the Kaibab limestone. (Similar to the ones on Hermit Trail.) Plus we found a few basalt rocks that must have traveled downstream - from where?. Ann and Jo both like rocks, too, thank goodness. Between looking for rocks and watching our step, we were looking down a lot. But then, we'd pause and look up and catch our breath at the sight of the carved cliffs, and blue sky and towering pines.

We hiked downstream about 3 miles (?) - sometimes climbing through bushes and over logs on the shore, sometimes wading through pools, sometimes jumping from hummock to hummock - and sometimes trudging through marshy spots. It was a good workout of all the muscles.

The petroglyphs are still there near where we camped before - not washed away in the high Spring floods. We had fun identifying the bear (claws), sheep (curving horns), deer (antlers), man falling off cliff (falling from mountains upside down), rain (streaks) and water falls (lines of falling droplets), but one creature looked like deer with claws! Some extinct species?

Clumps of debris were hanging in the tree branches and there were a couple of huge logs balancing on pinnacles of rock, but otherwise, not much had changed.

We had lunch in the box canyon. You can hardly tell it's there as you walk in the steam. A narrow passage leads to an alcove with vertical walls, one with a fault and offset rocks. There was only a trickle of water down the wall, but during a rain, it must just funnel in and fill the chamber like a well. No place to be during a storm. Ann and Jo both played their Indian flutes. I'm thinking maybe I should get one and try to revive my old flute and recorder skills (if they can be called that.). The music sounded so haunting, echoing in that deep small alcove.

We saw one small snake swimming in the stream and several birds including hummers and stellar jays. People were fishing, but I only saw minnows and crawdads.

After hiking back upstream, we were glad to take off wet shoes and have a trail to follow and solid ground, but after a little bit of that steep climb out, we were wishing we were back in that cool, (relatively) flat stream again. Ann wasn't feeling up to par because she had an upset stomach, so we went slow on the way out. I didn't think I was that tired, but I'm feeling it in my calves today. It was about 6:00 when we came out.

Ann and Jo were staying another night and I wished I was. The sun was going down as I left, making it a little hard to see the ruts through the dust on my windshield. And, I was worried about finding my way back. I did take one wrong turn. But when the road got small, took a sharp turn, plunged down a hill and under a branch that I didn't remember, I turned around. I have to say, I was glad to see pavement again, that time. I saw one small group of elk along the way and then I came to the route 87, traffic and civilization.

As I left Ann and Jo, I sighed and said something about having to return to the real world. Ann waved her arms wide to the pine trees and said, "THIS is the real world." She's right.


Bonnie

Thanks Bonnie for sharing your hike.

Lawmakers Protect Property Owners Against Eminent Domain Ruling

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Westchester Democrat, has introduced a bill to the New York State Legislature that would increase the time property owners have to appeal condemnation decisions from 30 days to 90 days. Displaced residents would be paid at least 150 percent of the market value of their homes, Brodsky said.

The measure also would require eminent domain be used for economic development purposes only to forward a comprehensive plan developed in the public meetings and approved by local legislators.

In Texas, lawmakers have proposed a constitutional amendment that would bar state or local governments from seizing private property mainly for economic development. Lawmakers in many states are now proposing new laws to shield property owners.

In Washington, legislation in the works would ban the use of federal funds for any project getting the go-ahead using the Kelo v. City of New London decision. (Recent Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain).

From the Associated Press.

Open Thread

I have a few more obligations to attend to so here's another "Open Thread". To kick start the dialogue I'll ask this question:

While I was out getting signatures for my petition I had a few people mention they were "afraid of change", that they were concerned if I was elected I would "change Lindley too much." I'm not sure I understand completely with what they meant by this. Do any of you?

Tony Vickio Lap 21

zippo
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 21: Pace Car Rides

I don't really know how it started, but I have been driving the Pace Car at Watkins Glen International for over 20 years. It must have been because of my racing background and some say my personality and being able to get along with people turned into a factor. Along with pacing races, the "job" turned into giving VIP rides around the circuit on Race Weekends. I would have never guessed, in a million years, the people I would meet; presidents of large companies, CEO's and business owners. These rides are reserved for the sponsors of races, team owners and "famous" people who serve as Grand Marshal for the races. I wish I would have kept tract of all the people I have had in a pace car.

One of the most memorable was this small, gray haired woman, about 70 years old. Two other women got into the back seat and she strains and with some help from a man standing by, "plops" into the front seat. What caught my attention was the glass in her left hand. As she sat down I could hear a "tingle, tingle". It was ice sloshing around in pure Scotch! Knowing only VIP's are riding, I wonder, who is this? We have different Pace Cars every year. This year was a brand new Ford Thunderbird Supercoupe with a 5 speed manual transmission. This was fast and, man, did it handle. These rides aren't just a cruise around the track; they are fast and "exciting"! As we are going around the 3.47 mile road course I explain the "racing line" and the reason for the Brake Marker locations (brake markers are usually 2' x 4' signs along side the track leading up to a corner). The first one you come to is 600, and then they go down from there; 500, 400, 300, 200, 100. This tells you how far, in feet, it is to the corner. When cars are in front of you, it is hard to see the corner, so the markers give you a braking point.

As we are going down the back straight, the older woman next to me breaks her silence. She says, "sir could I please ask you something"? I say, "Sure". She says in a shaky voice, "Sir, how long have you been doing this"? I glance over to her, and in a very serious tone I say, "Actually, today is my first time on the track!" She stiffens straight up, grabs the dash with her right hand and at the same time spills the Scotch on the floor and screams, "Oh my god!" The two women in the back start laughing as they must know I was joking. When we drove into the pits and stopped, one of the marketing people opened her door and helped her get out. She motions me to come around the car. I get a big hug as she says, "that was the most fun I have had in years! Fabulous! Thank you!" I went on with the rest of the rides and when we were done I parked the car and went into the Press Tower to watch the start of the race. One of the marketing people came up to me and said, "Hey, Mrs. Wick wants you come down to their suite". I say, "What are you talking about?" He says, "The older lady you gave a ride to, she spilled her drink, remember? She wants you at their suite. You better go, she owns Zippo Lighters. I got a golf cart, I'll take you down". I get in the cart and on the way down, I'm wondering, "what does she want"?

I really don't want to go in there. I don't know a soul and these are people who, I must say, are way out of my league, if you know what I mean. I open the door and walk in. Of course everyone turns to see who is coming in. I immediately hear, "Tony". I look over at a table, near the bar and there is the lady who requested me. I walk over and she stands up and says, in a loud voice, so all could hear, "this is Tony, the Pace Car driver". I sit down and from that day on, Harriet Wick and I were friends. Zippo sponsored the Vintage race at the Glen and every year, when the marketing people went to Bradford, PA to renew the contract, they would come back and tell me that their first request was to "have Tony in our suite".

Over the years, I have become friends with most of the "Zippo people". They are all awesome! Mike Schuler, the ex Zippo president, and his wife Diane. Mike Martin, my golfing buddy! Ron meister, always talking cars.

At a Vintage race at the Glen, Mike (Zippo President) called me on Saturday and said he wanted to sponsor a certain car for a three hour endurance race on Sunday. "The race starts at 10 am so be here at 9 and we can put Zippo on the fenders", he said. I am walking down the pit lane and see Mike running towards me, waving his arms as if to say "come here, come here!" Just then I hear the cars fire up! I run towards him and as I get closer, he hollers, "I made a mistake, they start at 9!" We stand there as the cars leave the grid and go onto the track. "S***, I wanted Zippo on that car", he says. We walk back to the Press Tower, me holding the roll of large decals that would have gone on the rear fenders. Mike stops in his tracks! He looks at me, eyes wide, and says, "Hey, it's a three race and they have to change drivers twice. When they stop, we can put one decal on and do the other one at the next stop. What do you think?" I look at him like he's nuts and say, "that sounds good, let’s do it!" After some "excited" talk with the Pit Marshal, he gave the OK. At the first pit stop, while the driver change was going on, we lettered one fender. The track announcer and the crowd were going wild! The next stop, the same thing. How does this race end? You wouldn't believe it! He WON! In victory lane Mike said, "This is our new strategy, we wait to see who's leading, then we letter the car!" That was the first, and the last, time I have lettered a car while the race was going on!

Then there is George Duke. He is now the owner of Zippo. George and I have been friends for 15 years. He is one of the most unselfish people I ever met. I remember when Mike Schuler and George were at the track for three days doing the Skip Barber Competition School. If you are not familiar with it, the Skip Barber School is one of the most famous racing schools in the world. They run open wheeled, rear engine cars that reach 130 mph at Watkins. The school is 80% track time, 20% classes and last three days. Some graduates are Michael Andretti and Jeff Gordon. It was Sunday afternoon around 4:30 as I pulled into the area behind pit wall. I walk over to where Mike and George are standing. They still have the fire suites on and are sitting on pit wall as I walk up. I say, "How was it?" After finishing the three day course, they both could not contain their excitement. All I heard was, "unreal, fabulous, I learned more than I can tell you" and George says, "with you're racing background, I can tell you are dying to get out there. You gotta do it!" I can't tell you how bad I wanted to get out there, but also I realized that it took money. About $3,000.00! I look at George and say, "are you nuts? I would love it George, but it's not free. I don't have that kind of money. Besides, I'm here for the beer. Where is the cooler?!" George and Mike always have a full cooler! Their school is over and I am sitting on pit wall having a cold Coors Light while George and Mike are changing. It's been ten minutes! Where the hell are they? Finally, on my second beer, here they come. We sit there and I listen, envious of their tales from then three day school. After about a half hour, we get up as they have to head back to Bradford. George suddenly says, "What are you doing tomorrow?" I look at him with a "what?" look and say "what?" "I’m working, what do you think I'm doing?" George walks off to the right and says, "Come here. Be up here at 7:00 am tomorrow. I signed you up for the school. I know how bad you want to do it". I say, "No George, I could never pay you back! I can't do it". I'll never forget what George said next. George put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Tony, Blaze (his cousin) and I were born very fortunate people. We don't mind sharing. I know how you feel about racing and I know you are dying to get out there". George, I can't, it's too much money", I say again. With that he says, "There is a way to repay me. You have my home phone number. Wednesday when you are done, call me and tell me how much fun you had". With that, he writes something on a piece of paper. I look at it.....numbers. "What’s this?" I say. "It's my Credit Card Number. If you get in trouble, give them this". If you crash or damage a car, you have to pay for it! It can range from a few bucks to "major" money. I take it and put it in my pocket. I shake George’s hand and as he and Mike pulled away in his white Porche convertible, I honestly had to hold back tears!

That night I had a hard time falling asleep. I was turning laps in my head, imagining what it would be like in a rear engine race car, haulin' ass down that back straight at 130mph. I was soon going to find out!

Thanks George!

Lap: 22: Back to School

www.vickiosigns.com

Open Thread (again)

The Great State of Texas
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

My older brother Robert (Skeet) and his family are due in from Texas most any minute. Haven't seen them for a few years, so we'll be catching up on family news and cruising around his old stomping grounds bringing back memories and seeing all the changes. I'll be tied up for a couple of days so I've created another Open Thread for my readers. I'll make sure to post the Town Board Minutes Thursday or Friday and check back in to post a comment or two if you guys are rolling on a topic. Keep it clean and keep it pithy. :-)

Tony Vickio Lap 20

Tony's Photo Wall in his shop
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Experiences of "The World Famous"
by: Tony Vickio

Painting at the Famous Race Tracks

Lap 20: What a find!!

For the next few months I was back doing commercial signs, trucks and pinstriping various cars and motorcycles. My finger was almost back to normal. To this day the tip is numb, but I figure the numbness is a small price to pay for a stupid mistake. I'm working along one sunny day when, you guessed it, the phone rings. I look for the portable phone, s***! I can't find it! The phone keeps ringing. Seems I forgot to turn the answering machine on. I walk to the front of the shop where there is a wall mounted phone. I pick up the pace and grab at the receiver as if it is going to be the last ring. "Vickio Signs", I say. "Tone-Man", I hear on the other end. Only one person calls me "Tone-Man". "Michelle", I say in a loud, surprised voice. Before I could say a word, MIchelle (Matt’s secretary at the Race Track) says, in an excited voice, "Tone-Man, you have to get up here right away. They just cleaned out some offices and there are boxes of old photos in the dumpster! I mean tons of pictures"! I say, "I'm pretty busy right now, I'll be up tomorrow". "NO", she says, "it will be gone tomorrow". In her most demanding voice she commands, "you get up here NOW!” "Alright, I'm on my way"! I say. As I hang up the phone, I turn to walk away and mumble to myself, “Sheessh"! You see, when Michelle gives a command like that, your feet better be moving before she finishes the sentence! Guess I can't finish this sign!

I get into my truck and reluctantly head for the track. On the way up to the track I'm thinking, "Right in the middle of a job, I have go up and look at something, somebody threw out! I don't want to waste my time with this stuff!" Until this day, I didn't really collect many things. This day changed me forever! "At least now, Michelle will stop hollering at me"! I'm thinking as I'm driving. I pull up to the GT Center building, where the Maintenance Offices are. Once inside, I see Michelle sitting behind her desk. Her usual "stuff" is only a reach away.............three cans of Diet Coke and full assortment of candy bars from the vending machine. I say, "Michelle, someday you are going to "explode into 500 lbs!" You see Michelle is about 5'-4" and a hundred pounds "wet". She drinks more Coke than anyone I know! "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, follow me. I'll show you the dumpster", she says. As we walk through the Maintenance shop, I wave and say Hi to George, who is working on a huge Blue Ford tractor. (to the back, where there are two large overhead doors. Outside to the right of one of the doors is a large, green dumpster. "There it is", Michelle says pointing at the dumpster. I say, "Get in there and hand the stuff out to me". She gives me the "look" and goes back into the building. I walk to the front of the building and drive my truck out back to the dumpster. I see Rudy (remember the head-on collision?) driving by and holler at him to stop, "Hey Rudy! give me a hand?" He pulls over as I am putting one leg over the dumpster and start to climb in. "What the hell are you doing"? he says with this weird look on his face. I tell him the story and he says, "you're s******* me"! Just then Tim Coleman (now the General Manager) comes out and says, "That’s right where you belong Vickio". "It's not bad in here", I say back. I hand him three large boxes and several cardboard shipping tubes (unopened) and about ten yellow, plastic "Slide" boxes and he puts them in the back of my truck. I climb out of the dumpster after making sure I got everything. In the back of the truck, I open one of the boxes and look in. "Holy s***!" I say out loud. The box is full (thousands) of old black and white photos from the early days of racing at the Glen. Tim says there are more things (posters, pictures and banners in another building that is being torn down. "Go get what you want, tomorrow it's gone", he says. Away I go!

In this old building, one of the first things I see is a "wadded" up, poster size piece of paper in the corner. I can see what looks like a racing tire in folds of the wrinkles. I go over and pick it up. As I try to straighten up the poster, I see it isn't a poster, but a numbered and signed Print of James Hunt in his Formula1 McLaren! Scattered all over the floor was a number of banners, posters, photos and programs that I quickly picked up. There are unopened boxes of programs from the '80's and 90's. "Get it now", Tim said, as tomorrow the truck was coming and everything left will be gone! I picked up everything, figuring I would sort it out at the shop. As I drove out of Gate 2 and turned right and headed down County Route 16 to my shop, I turned and looked over my right shoulder to make sure that none of the "treasures" were blowing out of the truck. I couldn't wait to look in the boxes.

As I pull into the driveway, I get this feeling that I get a Christmas when I'm about to open the presents! I back the truck up to the shop door and get out. I carry the boxes and tubes into the shop and place them on my work table. Where do I start! "Wonder what's in the yellow, plastic boxes", I think. There are about eleven of the 9" x 19" x 2" thick yellow plastic boxes and they are heavy. I open one..............WOW! It is full of 35mm slides. They are categorized as Race, Spectators, Media and Misc. The dates are 1984 to '86. I pull out a "race" slide and gently hold between my thumb and forefinger and hold it up to the light. There, right before my eyes is the Jaguar Prototype, driven by Davey Jones. I put it back in its slot and continue to look for my favorite, the Lowenbrough Porsche. There it is! I smile and say out loud, "holy s***!" Counting the Yellow boxes, special bound notebooks and cardboard boxes, I figure there are more than 8,000, 35mm slides! Now to look in the cardboard boxes. I pull one open and it is full, to the top with old Black and White photos! I just stand there for a second before I literally dive in! There are photos of old Formula1 drivers and cars. I pulled out pictures of Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Graham Hill, just to name a few. There are two small picture books (about 3"x5") stuffed in the box. I find they are full of photos of every race car that ran the first (1948) on the "old" road course. The photographer was standing just up the road from my house on the outside of "Collier's Corner" and took a picture of every car that went by. It is named Collier's Corner because John Collier was killed there in the 1949 race. There is another box, full of driver photos (used for the media). I can't believe it! This is unbelievable!

"What's in the tubes", I wonder. I look at them (5 tubes) and not one has been opened! I get a razor and cut around the top of one. I carefully slide out two posters that are wrapped in cellophane paper. "Oh my God!" I say out loud! Here are two prints of the #11 Budweiser car (NASCAR), Junior Johnson, Tim Brewer and Bill Elliott with his helmet on. That's not the good part! It is autographed by all three of them! Not that this isn't good enough, it is signed and numbered by the artist (Gary Hill # 15/1000). Carefully I roll them back up and put them in the tube. I open the others. I am in shock! There is a print of Dan Gurney in Ford GT Mark IV at LeMans.Yup! Signed by Gurney and the artist, Stephen Oosterling (#5/200). The other poster is Gurney at Daytona driving A Toyota Eagle Mark III. Also signed by Gurney and the artist (Stephen Oosterling #5/200). In another tube is a poster of Dale Earnhardt at the 1990 Daytona 500 when he blew the tire on the last lap and Derrick Cope went on to win. It was signed by Gary Hill (artist # 197/500), Derrick Cope and team owner Bob Whitcomb. Another tube had a beautiful print (# 14/500) of the 1970 Formula1 race at Watkins Glen, where Emmerson Fittapaldi won his first race. It is signed by Emmerson and Jack Brabham! There are some other fine posters in the remaining tubes.

I haven't gone totally through the thousands of photos yet, or the slides. What I do is, in the winter I have one or two "slide shows", where people from the Racing Library (Watkins Glen), Race Historian, Bill Green and a "bunch" of race fanatics such as "Scotty" Welliver (ex owner of Mike McLaughlin's Busch team) and any other race fans that want to show up to see the "past", come to the shop where we chip in for beer and pizza to watch the show. The good part is, if anyone sees a photo he likes, we pull it and they can have it! Lately it's turned into a party! Some are bringing dishes to pass and it is a food fest! It is a great time as we don't know what the photos are ahead of time. A few of my pals come up early and we load about 1,000 slides into the trays without looking at them. It is FUN not knowing what is next in the tray!

Just think of what would have happened if Michelle hadn't been aware of what was going on ! What a tragic loss of racing history could have occurred! Thank you Michelle!

Lap: 21: Pace Car Rides

Click on the photo and go to Sally Ann's photostream for more photos.

www.vickiosigns.com

Helen Mosher Winner of Fourth of July Contest

Helen Mosher Winner of Fourth of July Contest
Originally uploaded by Sally Ann.

Around 1 p.m. Dee Hill called and asked if I wanted to go with her to what used to be the Colonial Coach Trailer Park, now called Bending River Estates, and judge a Fourth of July contest. The fact that today is the 4th and there was a contest for anything in the trailer park piqued my interest, so I said yes.

Dee informed me that Tammyjo and Tiger/Eldon Smith were the new Park Managers for owner Bonnie Brutsman and had been working to improve the park. The Fourth of July contest was part of their improvement program. The Smiths asked each of the 26 occupants to spruce up their lots and display Fourth of July decorations. They then asked Dee, an objective person, to judge the displays. The winner would be rewarded a “lot rent incentive” as a prize for best display. Tammyjo and Tiger did not participate in the contest, although they had Fourth of July decorations displayed on their lot.

As Dee, Tammyjo and I walked around the park, Tammyjo was filling us in on all the cleanup work she and Tiger had completed since being made Park Managers. Dee, who was more familiar with what the park looked like before kept commenting on how good it looked. Tammyjo talked about changing some of the park rules, like the number of sheds people could place on their lots for storage. Tammyjo said one 8x8 shed isn’t large enough to store stuff for most people in the park. She said she’d rather allow them to have two sheds for more adequate storage space. Dee and I agreed because we could see that many homes in the park had a “spillover” problem; bikes, toys etc.

Out of the 26 homes in the park more than half displayed Fourth of July decorations, but nearly all of them had spruced up for the holiday. It was inspiring to walk through the park and see touches of the Fourth of July spirit, but it was just as inspiring to see what the Smiths had done, crisp mowed lawns and flower beds with flags placed to catch and please the eye. There was no doubt an effort by the Smiths was being made to improve the overall look of the park.

After the walk through, Dee judged that Helen Mosher of Lot 10 had the best display. Helen displayed holiday decorations in her flower bed at the front of the home. Helen will receive a $50 reduced from her lot fee for next month.

Tammyjo is hoping to create more incentives for the people who live in Bending River Estates. Kudos for Tammyjo and Tiger for helping their town and mobile home community.

On a Fourth of July side note: Tammyjo served 12 years in the United States Navy in the Medical Division. Tammyjo was called to service during Desert Storm and received a National Defense Award for helping out during the aftermath of the attack on 9/11. She spent two months at “ground zero”, mobilizing medical efforts for any military that were called to support in New York City. Tammyjo received an honorable discharge in March of 2003. Tammyjo you’re a great American and Lindley is fortunate to be on the receiving end of your military experience and dedication to your country.

Click on the photo and go to Sallyann’s photostream for more pictures of the park.

Fourth of July

Have a safe and patriotic Fourth of July.....