Included on the agenda of the February School Board Meeting ( 2/6/08, 7 PM @ EFA) will be the presentation of the final report of the committee charged with the investigation of the procedures regarding the much maligned and discussed 2007 School Board elections.

Originally scheduled for the January SB meeting, presentation of the report was postponed until the February meeting, possibly because of the questions and general discontent surrounding the appointment by City Manager John Burin of former School District Attorney John Ryan to Elmira Corporate Counsel (announced 2/4/08).

The draft of the report, given to SB President Dan Hurley in December, is presented below and makes for interesting (albeit tedious) reading given the facts that the local SB operates on a million + budget and that included in the report is a recommendation that Attorney John Ryan’s conduct in this matter be reported to the State Bar.

Of course, how the…

Tonight approximately 70-85 area residents gathered in the Auditorium of Southside High School to hear the final draft of the Chemung River Master Plan.

Given by the primary architects of the plan, a Mr. Haas and another individual whose name I unfortunately didn’t catch, the presentation included lectures, many computer enhanced and composed pictures, actual photographs, posters and slides as well as hand out materials. Although audience participation was sparse, overall the meeting was informative and optimistic.
It appears that the final draft of the Chemung River improvement master plan is for the seasonal use of the Chemung River as it flows from the western most Horseheads line all the way downriver past Elmira to the City of Chemung. There was also some mention that upriver Steuben County and Corning have expressed an interest in improving that part of the Chemung River as well.

Overall, the plans include areas for ‘rough’ camping;…

Diabetes Epidemic

The number of people with diabetes in the Southern Tier has doubled over the past 10 years.  Alls one has to do is to drive through Elmira and look at the people walking the streets.  I think we have more of those Rascal scooters out there than walkers actually, and the sad thing is, if they woudl jsut get off of their Rascal scooter seat, they might not have such a problem getting around.

Elmira, Main street McDonalds, with a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on their order confirmation thingy.

Running Apple OSX, I haven’t rebooted in a year, (well, there was that time when I upgraded from Tiger to Leopard), never crashes, just works. People pay for Windows to do that?

More than likely than not, included in tonight’s meeting on the Elmira City budget is the salary for new but yet to be announced City Attorney, John J.Ryan, Jr.

John J.Ryan, a good friend of City Manager John Burin, was Elmira’s City Attorney during at least some of the ill advised Iraci/Hughes era that landed Elmira in its current financial mess. Some of the legal problems Elmira is now paying for were John Ryan decisions on labor as well as costly handshake deals that were never put to paper.

Appointed to be City Attorney on Friday, January 4, former Elmira School District Attorney Ryan had just resigned without fanfare from his position with the school system on Wednesday, Jan 2 following a very stormy relationship which has created a number of problems for the local school district.

The school district is currently being sued over property that they just took title to…

Once again the Chemung County Historical Society is offering a free lecture series. The last series of lectures (which had to do with Chemung County’s involvement in WWII) were as interesting as they were informative and included pictures, posters and many times artifacts. Those giving the lectures were experts in their fields and delighted in answering audience questions.This series, titled “Into History,” promises to be just as good.

November’s series of lectures was well attended and were appropriate for all ages. All lectures are held at the Historical Society, 415 E. Water Street, Elmira. Lectures are informal, approximately 1 hour in length, and are free to the public. Due to space constraints, reservations are recommended but not required. Please call 734-4167.

THURSDAY, MARCH 6 @ 7:00 PM–Women in Aviation
Learn about WWII female aviators from Wings Of Eagles’ curator, Ed Flesch, as he discusses WASPs (Women’s Airforce…

Future is bright for new Elmira work force center

The opening of Corning Community College’s Academic and Workforce Development Center in Elmira was one of the biggest and most significant events in education during the past year.

Eldridge Park Under Water

In Local News

Overnight flooding Sunday leaves most of Eldridge Park submerged by close to a foot of water in some parts. Park officials say a pump couldn’t handle the volume of water.

Jasper Is Back (Almost)

In Eldridge Park official tells WETM exclusively that a brand new Jasper the Dragon Boat has made his way to Elmira all the way from Detroit.

Successful Arctic League Telethon

Telethon Raise More Than $33,000, Many Donations Not Yet Added To Total.  If I were a poor parent, personally I would prefer my child getting the absolute best education I could beg, borrow or steal for them, I think I would skip the teddy bear and the bratz dolls.
Is this a case of feel good over substance?  Or am I scrooge incarnate?