OFD installs officers, gives annual awards

The Odessa Fire Department's annual banquet Saturday at the Fontainebleau Inn drew 125 to a dinner evening marked by the installation of incumbent chiefs (and one new one) and the distribution of response and longevity awards. See another photo on People.

Left: Keith Pierce, honored for most fire calls last year, and Charlene Mahnke, the top rescue responder.

Employees in the Schuyler County Clerk's office and Department of Motor Vehicles, along with other county workers, have been supporting New York's Donate Life campaign by wearing t-shirts, pins and bracelets touting the movement, which encourages organ and tissue donations. The campaign is of special interest to Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, who years ago donated a kidney to his sister and often preaches the benefits of the program. (Photo provided)

A transplant journey: the Schmidts' story

Deb Schmidt of Watkins Glen recounts -- in the third person -- the experiences she and her husband Gary underwent as Gary received lung and kidney transplants and Deb donated one of her own kidneys. The couple were guests at a Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, April 19 at which Assemblyman Phil Palmesano spoke of the importance of organ donations. Journey.

Tyrone meal site celebrates 25 years

The Office for the Aging and Tyrone Methodist Church hold an anniversary gathering at the church. 80 attend. People.

Photo: Legislature Chair Dennis Fagan and OFA Director Tammy Waite at the event.

WGHS's 3rd marking period Honor Rolls

Watkins Glen High School has unveiled its High Honor Roll, Honor Roll and Merit Honor lists for the third marking period of the 2017-18 year. Honors.

Odessa-Montour High School senior Trevor Dunn (right) was honored Thursday by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its O-M Student of the Month for April. Dunn was introduced by teacher Peter Fitch, who described the honoree as "a leader and a positive role model" who has twice been a GST BOCES Student of the Month while studying welding there. He has also been involved for years in robotics, and is on the seven-member team from FLARE (Finger Lakes Area Robotics Education) that has qualified for robotics competition at a world gathering next week in Detroit, Michigan. Dunn, who Fitch said is always "willing to try things" that others might shy from, plans to pursue a college degree in engineering technology.

The 12th annual Business Expo -- organized by the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Elmira Savings Bank -- was held Wednesday at the Watkins Glen Community Center. It started with a public portion of the event from 4 to 5 p.m., and then transitiioned into the Chamber's monthly After Hours Mixer with refreshments, a raffle and networking. Dozens of businesses and organizations participated, providing information booths explaining or touting their various services or products.

France Family will be honored on June 28

The fifth annual Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports will be presented to the France Family -- now led by patriarch James C. France -- during a dinner ceremony at the Corning Museum of Glass. People.

Watkins Glen has been nominated in USA Today’s latest 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest! An expert panel selected Watkins as a contender for Best Small Town for Adventure. Voting takes place until May 14. Features.

Photo: Watkins Glen's Seneca Harbor Pier.

And inside

--The 2018-19 New York State budget shows strong funding support for local roads and bridges. Government.

The Watkins Glen School District -- which recently held a safety forum focusing on physical safety and the threat of guns in schools -- shifted gears to another piece of the gun debate Tuesday night: "Mental Health Services and Psychological Safety." On hand were counselors, psychologists and a social worker from the schools, and a representative from the nearby Mental Health Clinic on Porter Street. They discussed their roles and that of the district in assessing troubled students who might be helped -- a key element, they said, in a two-prong approach (with physical preventative measures) needed in the effort to keep the schools safe. "It truly takes a village" -- parents, teachers, counselors, mental health experts, the community and fellow students -- "to ensure the mental health of our students," said one speaker. That, in turn, some experts say, should help prevent tragedies like the mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida school recently. The forum was live-streamed from the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium.

Photo: Watkins Glen Elementary School Psychologist Katie Richardson was among the speakers.

Just when we think we're out of the winter, it keeps pulling us back in. Snow paid a return visit to Schuyler County -- mostly in the higher elevations -- on Tuesday, April 17. The photo here was snapped from College Avenue in Odessa looking out onto Route 224 in the afternoon.

Keith Pierce, mayor of Odessa for the past nine years and a village official for the past 13 -- resigned Monday night at the outset of a meeting of the Village Board -- which in turn named as his successor Gerry Messmer, 53, a retired Army Lt. Colonel who moved to the village last year. Messmer, a 31-year Army veteran with significant administrative experience during a career that took him to various combat areas, lives with his wife Cathy at the corner of Church Street and Speedway. Both run their own businesses -- Cathy in custom embroidery and Gerry in powderhorns. He will serve the final year of Pierce's latest two-year term, and indicated an intent to seek election next year. Pierce explains his decision in a column here.

Budget approved: The Village Board, after Messmer was sworn in, approved a 2018-19 budget. It shows a drop in the tax rate from $6.35 per $1,000 of assessed value to $6.23, but with full-value assessment recently instituted, tax totals have gone up in many cases. The tax levy: $159,662.

Photo: Keith Pierce, facing camera, shakes the hand of Fire Chief Mike Tomassi after leaving the mayor's post Monday.

A final column by Mayor Keith PIerce

Keith Pierce presents his final column as he leaves the post of Odessa Mayor -- one of more than 30 Odessa File columns he has written over the past few years. In this farewell, he explains his decision to give up his seat as he assumes another role -- that of 3rd Assistant Chief in the village fire department. Column

Left: Mayor Keith Pierce

A legal column from Ziff Law's Jim Reed

Attorney James B. Reed of the Ziff Law Firm in Elmira offers this regular column, tackling issues that you might encounter in your daily lives. This time: "With bicycles back in traffic, test your bike law knowledge." Column.

Left: Attorney Jim Reed

Four candidates are vying for four openings on the Odessa-Montour School Board in the May 15 election. Positions on the ballot were determined Monday in the district office when Superintendent Chris Wood picked names of the four out of a paper cup, the first name getting the top ballot position, the second the next position, and so on.

Incumbent Board President Rob Halpin has the top spot, followed by incumbent Karen Rock, newcomer Dana Sgrecci, and incumbent Jeff Parmenter. Three of the vacancies are for three-year terms, and one to fill the unexpired year of a seat held by Mel Switzer before he left the board several months ago. The top three vote-getters earn the three-year terms.

Watkins Glen draws for ballot positions Wednesday. Two seats are up for grabs -- each for three years -- and there are only two candidates: incumbents Barbara Schimizzi and Kelly McCarthy.

Photo: O-M Superintendent Chris Wood holds the last name drawn -- that of incumbent board member Jeff Parmenter.

A column by State Senator Tom O'Mara

Left: State Sen. Tom O'Mara

Arc Grand Prix held in thick fog; 600 on hand

The fifth annual Arc of Schuyler Grand Prix Run/Walk on the Watkins Glen International racetrack Saturday morning was fog-shrouded as 600 participants tested their physical capacities and raised money at the same time for The Arc. Grand Prix.

Photo: During the National Anthem.

Odessa-Montour holds its annual prom at WGI

The annual gathering -- on Friday night, April 13 -- of students wearing gowns and tuxedos had the theme of "Garden Gala." Junior and Senior Class courts were announced at 11 p.m. For story and photos, click here.

Photo: Lexi Castellaneta makes an entrance at the prom.

Montour Falls officials Friday unveiled a new electric-car charging station (right) -- the first in Schuyler County -- installed the day before at the rear of the park along Main Street that is often used for Farmers' Markets. The $16,000 station -- which cost $1,600 thanks to local DPW labor and a NYSERDA rebate -- can charge two electric vehicles at a time. On hand April 13 was a 2016 Tesla and its owner, recruited from the Green Grand Prix being held that day at Watkins Glen International. The owner, Patricia Enriquez of Brooklyn, was in touch by phone with the station operator, EV Connect -- which is located in El Segundo, California, and controls the station through the internet. Electric car drivers with proper apps will be able to find the station through remote guidance from EV Connect. The station was an action item tackled by Village Trustee Jim Ryan, in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County, that was a prerequisite for application for a $50,000 grant -- which, if attained, might be used to enhance the Village Hall's second floor to make it usable year-round.

The fifth annual Model Car Show -- with the theme "Watkins Glen Racing: A 70th Anniversary Celebration, in miniature!" -- was held Friday and Saturday, April 13-14 at the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 S. Decatur St. in Watkins Glen. Admission was free to the event, which included models, die-cast cars and slot cars on loan from collectors -- as well as an extensive collection of Porsche models donated to the center by their owner, Ron Ratcliffe, before his passing in 2017.

Photo in text: Visitors to the Model Car Show could test their slot-car abilities on a track set up by a Horseheads firm.

The 14th annual Toyota Green Grand Prix was held Friday, April 13 at Watkins Glen International -- once again showcasing motoring technology that aims for a cleaner environment. It included involvement by students from colleges and high schools -- the high school students coming from Odessa-Montour, Watkins Glen, Horseheads, Corning and GST BOCES. College participants and/or volunteers came from Alfred State, Penn College of Technology, SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Broome Community College. Talks were presented on such subjects as self-driving vehicles, and an on-track fuel-efficiency rally was held featuring alternate-fueled vehicles, hybrids and traditional gasoline-powered and diesel-powered vehicles. The Green Grand Prix events -- including an afternoon autocross -- are sanctioned and run by the Sports Car Club of America's Glen Region and Finger Lakes Region and are the only official SCCA competitions of their kind in the nation.

Photo in text: Joah Sapphire, a University at Buffalo researcher, was among the day's speakers.

Now available on Kindle: The Maiden of Mackinac

This story -- which spans 700 years and ranges from our region to Northern Michigan -- tells of a quest for the truth behind a legend ... the legend of a Native American maiden reputed to be centuries old. It was written by Charlie Haeffner, and is available now on Kindle at Amazon.com. To see the ad, click here.

Left: Cover art by Jon Haeffner

This week's deals at Famous Brands

We are carrying the weekly ad showcasing the latest deals available at Jim Guild's Famous Brands store on Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen. For a look, click here.

Watkins Glen High School senior Amber Benjamin was honored Thursday, April 12 by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its WGHS Student of the Month for April. Benjamin was introduced by teacher Travis Durfee, who runs a Journalism Class and serves as advisor of the school newspaper. The honoree has taken a leadership role in both -- conducting interviews on school safety for an article after the Parkland, Florida shootings that triggered a school-wide assembly on the subject -- which she moderated. She is a member of National Honor Society, Interact and Youth Court, has played both varsity volleyball and softball, and is a High Honor student heading to Keuka College in the fall. She plans on Law School after that, and a career in the legal field, possibly as a District Attorney. That and "a happy life" are her goals, with a return to Watkins Glen to raise a family.

Inset: Rotary President Rich Greenberger greets Benjamin.

The FLARE (Finger Lakes Area Robotics Education) team called Mechanical Meltdown -- which leaves April 24 for Detroit to compete in a world event there (see previous story on Features) -- was the guest program April 12 at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club. Three of the seven team members -- Trevor Dunn (a student at Odessa-Montour High School), Sam Stewart (home-schooled) and Kaden Loucks-Scuteri (of Watkins Glen High School) -- showed a video of a recent competition involving the robot they built (named Renaldo), and explained how they reached the Detroit competition as one of just four (out of 260) teams that qualified from New York. They demonstrated some of Renaldo's moves under the watchful eyes of coaches Roger Ort and Kathy Gascon, each of whom also spoke. The world event is under the auspices of FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology), a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) engagement program for kids worldwide.

Photo in text: Team member Trevor Dunn with Renaldo.

Free Cone Day raises Habitat funds

The annual season-opening Free Cone Day at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream store in Watkins Glen on April 10 featured Habitat for Humanity's Rev. Michael Hartney (serving a cone, left) among the scoopers, and raised funds through donations for the Habitat mission -- which is "to work in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable houses" that "are then sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged."

Sidewalk and road work got underway Monday, April 9 along Route 14 at the southern end of Watkins Glen -- the start of a project that will involve that roadway through, and north of, the village this year and next. The multimillion-dollar state Department of Transportation project will upgrade the roadway and brilng new sidewalks, lighting and signage. A press conference celebrating the project was held three days earlier on the front lawn of the Schuyler County Courthouse.

Bruno and the Silverdome

The editor recalls people who have helped him along the way -- including former Pontiac Press Sports Editor Bruno Kearns, who lobbied strongly for construction of the famed Silverdome. Column.

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Anyone caring to advertise may contact the publisher, Charlie Haeffner, at publisher@odessafile.com for information and rates.

The Friends of the Watkins Libary (FOWL) group selected John and Chris Updyke as community ambassadors for its observance of National Library Week, which ran April 8-14. Maggie Field, Watkins Glen High School Library Media Specialist, chose junior Shannon Alger as school district ambassador. The week is an annual celebration of the nation's libraries and librarians, with the theme this year of "Libraries Lead." A FOWL membership form can be found at http://www.watkinsglenlibrary.org -- or ask for one at the Watkins Glen Public Library.

The 14th installment of The Answers

Travis Durfee, President of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, weighs in with The Answers, a monthly column dealing with education in the Watkins Glen School District. This is the 14th installment: "Kickball Classic a Success." Column.

Left: Travis Durfee

Visit Jerlando's Ristorante & Pizzeria

Three locations: in Watkins Glen, Horseheads and Montour Falls

Click here or on the photo at left to go to the Jerlando's website. There you will find information about all three locations, plus menus.

Left: The front of the recently renovated Jerlando's at Franklin and 4th Streets, Watkins Glen

Looking to advertise on The Odessa File?

We are always looking for advertisers to help promote their businesses and, by extension, our region. For a list of Odessa File Ad rates, click here.

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Odessa File -- which is dependent on advertising and donations -- may do so through a Paypal link in the left column of this page or by sending a check to The Odessa File, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY 14869.

Village, county and state officials were on hand for a snowy "groundbreaking" ceremony Friday morning, April 6 in Watkins Glen extolling the upcoming Route 14 road and sidewalk project in the village. Government.

The Watkins Glen School Board on April 3rd unanimously approved a proposed 2018-19 budget that calls for a drop in both the tax rate and tax levy while maintaining expenditures identical to the 2017-18 plan. The "two-compartment" plan proposes a $27,047,750 budget ($172,500 lower than its predecessor) and a Proposition to establish a five-year bus-leasing system at an annual cost not to exceed that same $172,500 -- the goal of the Proposition being to save money by departing from the longstanding practice of buying buses. The levy will drop -- for various reasons -- to $9,300,245 from $9,508,760, and the tax rate will be an estimated $11.41 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, down 26 cents. Voting by the public on the budget will occur on the third Tuesday of May -- the 15th.

Photo in text: Business Manager Gayle Sedlack outlined the budget before the School Board voted on it.

The second annual WG Kickball Classic drew a crowd and a lot of energy on March 29 to the Watkins Glen High School Field House -- all to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House. The kickball game pitted elementary staff against high school staff, and they were playing all-out, diving for the ball with regularity. Near the playing area -- the basketball court -- were a silent auction, facepainting, a book giveway, and booths for Catholic Charities, the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD), and the Watkins Glen Faculty Association. Spectators lined bleachers on either side of the court, and the concession stand was busy out in the hallway. Umpiring the kickball were Superintendent Greg Kelahan and High School Principal Kai D'Alleva. Said one participant: "This is so much fun ... and for a good cause."

Photo: The kickball championship trophy.

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office conducted a "Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event" (CRASE) class March 28 in the Watkins Glen Performing Arts Center at the former Middle School -- with Lt. Todd Day (right) outlining for the 30 or so people present the responses and actions available to those who find themselves caught in such a shooting situation. Day said when people are threatened like that, they should calm themselves as much as possible and either get out (if possible), barricade or block the door to whatever room they are in, or fight back. This could include positioning themselves near an entrance as the shooter walks through it, and then grabbing the gun -- two hands tightly to the barrel of a rifle, with arms extended straight, holding the weapon down. If a free-for-all ensues, he said, those threatened are allowed under the law to fight back with whatever means are at their disposal. Lt. Day, certified by the state in the subject matter, plans further such educational talks.

Rick Gallant (right) -- a Corning teacher and one of several Democratic candidates looking to unseat incumbent Republican Tom Reed in the 23rd Congressional District in November -- has pulled out of the race, saying "the challenge of raising the necessary money and resources to sustain a viable run for office has placed too great a burden on my family. We are not independently wealthy and simply can not afford the endeavor. Until campaign finance laws in the nation change, ordinary working people like myself will find the challenge of running for office is often insurmountable."

Sue Brill, 57, a longtime Schuyler County union activist, has been identified as the victim of an early morning fire March 27 at her residence in the Town of Dix. The fire, at about 1 a.m., was fully involved when firefighters arrived from Beaver Dams; they discovered the body during fire suppression efforts, according to the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office. A Civil Service Employees website, in mourning her death, noted that Brill (right) had worked for the county for 35 years, "most recently as an employment supervisor in the Department of Social Services. She served in several leadership capacities within the union, including several terms as Schuyler County Administrative Unit president and Local president." Added CSEA Central Region president Colleen Wheaton: "Sue was as dedicated as they come. She will be missed by many throughout our union."

A team of seven high school-aged students from Schuyler County and Ithaca has advanced to face robotics competition from throughout the Northern Hemisphere in Detroit in April. Now the team is looking for ways to help finance the trip. Features.

Photo: The team's robotic creation, named Renaldo.

'Hunchback' concludes its 3-day run at WGHS

The Watkins Glen High School spring musical "Hunchback of Notre Dame" was presented for a third and final time Sunday afternoon, March 25 in the WGHS auditorium. Schools.

Left: Grace Wickham as Esmeralda.

Ithaca College senior Lindsey Suddaby (right) -- a 2014 graduate of Watkins Glen High School -- placed sixth among divers on the 3-meter board at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships on March 24 in Indianapolis. Suddaby, a speech pathology and audiology major, earned All-America honors with her finish. Suddaby, a diver at WGHS for four years and a member of the Top Drawer 24 team of outstanding student-athletes in her senior year in high school, will receive her diploma in June and attend graduate school at IC. She is also a two-time academic All-American.

Looking to advertise on The Odessa File?

We are always looking for advertisers to help promote their businesses and, by extension, our region. For a list of Odessa File Ad rates, click here.

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Odessa File -- which is dependent on advertising and donations -- may do so through a Paypal link in the left column of this page or by sending a check to The Odessa File, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY 14869.