This page contains the lastest Articles by Mayor Elder. 

If you'd like to see others not included below, please email

amchampagne@villageofwebster.com

and include the date you wish to see. 

Until then...see you in the papers!

 

January 11, 2012

Good Neighbors

Last winter, just after a moderate snowfall, a Village resident called me, frantic that her neighbor was plowing snow onto her driveway. The exact location the neighbor was placing snow onto her driveway reduced her mobility and increased the chances she would slip and fall on the way to her car. She had spoken to her neighbor about this (it had not been the first time), but to no avail.

 

So we had a good conversation and I advised her to call the police and have them speak with the neighbor; she did, and the neighbor stopped plowing the snow into her driveway. The reality is, though, that the Village – or any government – is not very good at making people be neighborly. We can pass laws that try to coerce people, but we have to be careful that the laws don’t shackle all of us because a few of us forget to be neighborly.

 

Sometimes there are laws that make it illegal to do an activity, but it is very difficult to enforce. For instance, I recently received a note from a Village merchant whose businesses make it necessary for him to have dumpsters. If he does not lock the dumpsters, people illegally dump garbage in them. If he locks them, he inconveniences his customers and people drop their garbage near the dumpster anyway and wind, rain and snow scatter the garbage all over his property. It is tough problem to solve with the law (though it is illegal): continually policing the dumpsters is difficult and expensive. The best solution is the easiest one: people should be neighborly and treat others as they would want to be treated.

 

So how can we all help each other this winter? We can remember a few important rules.

Please do not plow, push, or blow snow from driveways into the street. Not only does is create a potential danger, but NYS vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits these deposits in a public street.

Please refrain from parking in the street when possible. Village law restricts parking in Village streets between 2:00 am and 6:00 am. This restriction applies throughout the entire year, but its application becomes most critical during the winter months. Parking in the streets during or following snowfall hinders the snow plowing efforts, restricts traffic flow, and increases the potential for accidents.

 

Please do not park vehicles across the sidewalk. NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibit the parking of vehicles on sidewalks, but more importantly our plows cannot plow the snow from the sidewalks if they are blocked.

 

If you are following a snowplow or salt truck remember to stay at least 100 feet back as the vehicle will frequently back up.  If you cannot see the driver of the plow – he cannot see you either.

 

You can also help by shoveling out fire hydrants for neighbors who cannot, being careful where you deposit snow from your snow blower, shoveling paths for letter carriers and shoveling walks for neighbors who just can’t. Winter can be challenging, but it is a great time to get to know the people who live right-next-door.

 

Every winter, there are numerous examples of neighbors helping neighbors. There are those who snow-blow other driveways, shovel their neighbors walk ways, and plow for free when the snow falls thick and fast. I remember when I was much younger taking the driveway too fast and ending up stuck in a snow bank. It was the neighbors near me that helped extricate my car.

 

Pass the kindness on! Extend yourself to help your neighbors this winter. If I can assist you with any problems that develop with snowplowing or sidewalks this winter, please call me (anytime) at 662-9906 or email me at pelder@villageofwebster.com

 

 

December 28, 2011

Memories of 2011

With still one foot in the old year looking to step into the New Year, I am looking backwards in this column to highlights of 2011.

January

The Board votes to proclaim Thursday, January 20th, Webster Marching Band Day in the Village of Webster to recognize the numerous field band competitions from Massachusetts to Arizona that have been won by the Band. The mid-year budget review is presented and shows the Village to be on-track in both the General and Water funds. The Board takes comments from residents regarding the Water Committee Report.

February

The Board votes to refer the Water Committee report to the Village Water Department for comments and recommendation.

March

The Board officially renames the park located at Hawley Drive and Southwick Drive and fronting State Road, Schantz Park. Tom Spoonhower, President of the BID, presents plans for an exciting 2011. Village voters elect Trustee Lancy, Trustee Balcaen and myself to the Village Board.

April

The Board passes a number of new policies as part of the Organizational Meeting including changes to non-union employee compensatory time, vacation time and educational benefits. The Board passes new rules for Village committees. The Board appoints David Mayer as Deputy Village Attorney. The Board votes to engage the New York State Comptroller’s Office in an audit of Village finances. At the April 28th meeting, both the General Fund and Water Fund budgets are passed; the tax rate stays the same at $2.22 per thousand.

May

Superintendent Swingly gives the recommendation of the Water Department that the Village investigate enhancing Village Water with a reverse osmosis system. Town Justices David Corretore and Thomas DiSalvo give a presentation to the Board on the Town Justice Court. The Board participates with the Business Improvement District in the Relay for Life. At the May 26th meeting, the Village appoints Dorothea Cicciarelli as Village Clerk. The Board establishes a new position of Treasurer. At that same meeting, the Board passes a new salary schedule, sets new salaries for the non-union employees, and cuts Village Board salaries by 1.9%. (The May 26th meeting had one of the longest agendas ever with 33 items listed).  

June

Rick Walter is appointed a Village Liaison to the Business Improvement District. The Farmers’ Market starts; the Board approved copies of a new Farmer's Market Brochure.

July

Myself, Trustee Reynolds and Trustee Lancy march in the Fireman’s’ Parade. The Jazz Festival was a huge success attracting at-least 5000 people to the Village. The Village Board approves a call-in (like the Town Board) at the second meeting of each month and also the creation of a Citizens Advisory Committee.

August

Jamie Alman is appointed Village Treasurer. Village Hall and the Department of Public Works hosts its own “Open House” for the first time at Village Days. Village Days is an outstanding success. Shakespeare at Veterans Memorial Park returns to great crowds. The Village Band wraps up another great season at Harmony Park. The Village Board approves the new Comprehensive Plan.

September

On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the Village hosts a huge event with many first responders, including police and fire personnel. A stone plaque is unveiled at the 9/11 ceremony.

October

The Board approves the Monroe County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. The Village Board approves the Water Action Plan. The Village Board recognizes three firefighters from the Northeast Joint Distict for their heroism and service. Trick-or-Treat Trail is a huge success with the best attendance and participation ever.

November

The Village Board approves a proclamation for Ginny Nacy, owner of Toddlers Workshop, for her outstanding accomplishments and contribution to our community. The Board retains a new Bond Council and Financial Advisor. The Board moves forward on getting information to acquire the Robb Cemetery. The Village audit shows a $300,000 surplus for the last fiscal year and an actual cut in spending.

December

The Village Board adopts new meeting policies. White Christmas in the Village is bigger and better attended than ever before. Entering into their 45th year, the Village Band plays an outstanding Christmas Concert. A huge crowd watches the lighting of the Christmas Lights at Hanks on North Ave.

 

I extend my thanks to everyone who worked to make 2011 such a successful year for the Village of Webster. If you want to help build on the achievements in 2011 and make an even more successful 2012, please call me (anytime) at 662-9906 or email me at pelder@villageofwebster.com.

 

December 14, 2011

A Treasury of Sights and Sounds

 

The other night, my wife and I decided to cruise the Village and look at the Christmas lights. House after house in many neighborhoods have beautiful Christmas displays. My neighbor on Dunning Ave is one of those homes that have a beautiful Christmas set-up in their front yard.  Every evening, the group of lighted reindeer, polar bears and snowman illuminates and plays Christmas music. It occurred to me looking at these incredible decorations what a treasury of sights and sounds we have here in the Village.

On Saturday, December 3rd, about 6,000 people attended the White Christmas Festival. Marching in the Festival of Lights parade sponsored by the Fire Department at the head of our Village float, I was amazed by the number of people along the chilly parade route. A few hours earlier, I was up at the four corners helping Business Improvement District President, Tom Spoonhower (owner of Metro Sports), and saw many people enjoying themselves listening to carolers and patronizing our businesses along Main Street. Village Hall had a record number of children waiting to see Santa Claus and ask him for gifts. It was an outstanding event and I extend special thanks to Robin Whitaker of Beyond Cuts for the tremendous work she has done year after year to make the event a success.

The sights and sounds of this Holiday Season did not end on December 3. Two premier Village groups, the Chorus of the Genesee and the Village Band, each held Christmas concerts to the delight of packed crowds. Singing and playing familiar tunes, bringing smiles to faces, these music groups are jewels of our community. The Village Band, as an aside, is entering its forty-fifth year.

Yet another tradition in the Village occurred on December 10th. The lighting of lights at Hanks on North Ave, the chili cook-off, and the fireworks attracted countless people. Fireworks in December? Yes: and what a wonderful show! As our Deputy Mayor Dave Kildal says each year when I see him watching the festivities from Taylor Rental, “What a great event!”

As Christmas Day approaches, may you and yours be blessed this holiday season with all of sights and sounds in our homes, neighborhoods and churches. From all of us here at Village Hall, and from my family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas.

And as always, please call me (anytime) at 662-9906 or email me at pelder@villageofwebster.com if I can assist you with any Village issue.