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Page 2 Gouverneur Tribune Press Thursday, November 27,2008 A personal glimpse of the National FFA convention Internet Editor's note: The following is a report compiled from the notebook ofGouverneur FFA reporter Benjamin Schermerhorn concerning his observations during an exciting week at the National FFA convention in Indiana. Congratulations to the FFA team or their success, and thanks to Benjamin for submitting such a fine report: By Benjamin Schermerhorn As I sit now on the Wade charter bus in Ohio at 11:3.0 p.m., after two and a half hours in an Arby's, \waiting for the mechanic, I recollect on the past week... For me the trip began at 2 a.m. at my house, where the departing crew had gathered and was eating breakfast and making final preparations for the trip. Myself, Danielle Waugh, Chelsea Myers, Jillian Sergei, Trevor Carr, Ben Hoffman, Mrs. Hoffman and Mr. Bullock were all a bit sleepy, but we were ready for the long bus ride. At 3 a.m., as everyone began to pile into their respective vehicles for the trek to Syracuse, I ran to the computer to get a picture of my dog, of whom I was intensely worried about leaving, for my wallet. By 5:30 a.m. we arrived in Syracuse and I boarded the bus with one last hug from my mother, who had kindheartedly driven us down there at such a time. I glanced around at my new friends from across New York and found a seat. Around 9:30 a.m. Niagara Falls was in sight, and the bus slowed to a stop. We were then permitted to walk around and view the majestic falls. After a short while we were all back on the bus until 9 p.m. Tuesday night, when we pulled into the parking lot at the Super 8 in Greenfield, Indiana. The following morning, after our 9:15 a.m. breakfast, we returned to the bus. Everyone was excited to learn that Mr. Bullock had scored some Taylor Swift tickets. The bus then traveled for two hours to the Carley Elk farm. There we had the opportunity to become friendly with a young elk outside and sample some elk meat in the bam. The five of us Ben, his mother and Mr. Bullock, excluded, as they were at the Dairy Handlers contest, were all having fun on this first day. Mrs. \Wright our substitute advisor, and her student from Canton, soon piled into a small ranger for our tour. We, being a small group, were able to take small paths that were unavailable to the others in the tractor wagons. Eventually we arrived to the pasture containing the female elk and the bull named James. I was expecting something when the driver asked if anyone might wet themselves if excited. Then, as if on cue, James came into the clearing, saliva dribbling from his jaw. He sidled up to the fence and pressed against it Unlimited Hours. No Contracts! Representing Gouverneur Central at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, were (from left): Mrs. Melody Hoffman, Ben Schermerhorn, Jillian Sergei, Danielle Waugh, Ben Hoffman, Trevor Carr, Chelsea Myers and FFA advisor and Gouverneur Central agriculture instructor Joe Bullock. with his massive antlers. Then he turned and slowly walked away. I recall someone saying, \is that it?\ The driver revved the engine and that was all it took, James turned and charged the fence. The collision was massive, antler on wire. Everyone was jarred and the girls screamed in terror. The antlers had almost touched the ranger. Over the unexpected screams the engine revved again and we sped away, barely fast enough to escape. I think the driver was taunting James. After three more close encounters, the bull gave up and we finished the tour. After lunch at the Old Country Buffet, we attended the opening ceremonies at the Conseco Field House, where all the sessions were to be held. This year's officers introduced themselves and then the audience was dazzled by the laser show. After the session we walked to the biggest clothing mall in Indianapolis, which had four stories of clothing stores! So naturally, I spent the time in the food court at a table talking on the phone with my sister trying to explain Physics to her. By concert time, we had gotten to our seats in the Lucas Oil Stadium and we were all pumped. As soon as the music started someone asked toe, \is that Taylor Swift?\ He was gesturing at the gold shinny dot on what resembled a stage. The concert went well but v/e only saw Taylor Swift for 20 minutes but that was enough. We dragged ourselves out of there and boarded the bus. After midnight we were at the hotel and in our room ready for bed. Thursday, we left at 8 a.m. for the 30-minute drive to the city, where we would spend seven and a half hours at the Convention Center. I spent the day with Jillian, as we shopped for souvenirs, explored the careers fair and met kids from all across the nation, including Puerto Rico. After lunch, again at the Old Country Buffet, we went to the third session in the field house, where we learned of a new word, Zango, meaning an empowering expression of feeling that benefits others. Then all the FFA sponsors were recognized for the service to the FFA and new sponsors were introduced. The 60-year milestone sponsors were Deval, Inc., Du Pont, Ford, and New Holland. By the time we returned to the hotel, I was tired and ready for my own breakdown, missing home and being drained of all possible sleep. I closed my eyes and turned out the light knowing the best day was yet tocome. Friday the bus left the hotel at 8:15 a.m., so we could arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium for our state picture. After a short while we returned to the bus in the pouring rain and headed for the Zoo. Chelsea, Trevor and I toured the entire zoo, beginning with the oceans exhibit, the polar bear and the dolphins. Then in the desert dome we saw Mere cats and slithering snakes. We ran through the outdoor safari exhibit trying to take in all the sights without getting completely wet. We all got wet anyway because .Chelsea thought the exit was blocked so we ran all the way back through the lions, giraffes and zebras, only to find that Mrs. Wright had made it through the exit just fine. Soaking wet we finished the forest exhibit meeting the tiger and a bald eagle, then headed to the cafeteria and then the gift shop. After seeing lions, tigers and bears we knew we weren't in New York anymore. Just missing the shuttle by mere seconds, we stayed on the tour bus until the shuttle returned. Dinner followed, again at the Old Country Buffet, and then we headed to the seventh session, featuring a very inspirational keynote speaker. He taught us that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Then the Southern region VP showed us how to say \Who cares?\ Now it is Saturday. At 9 a.m. we departed the hotel, bags packed and stored in the bowels of the bus. We toured the Indianapolis Motor Village board states there will be a P.D. in Gouverneur By Dick Sterling For the second consecutive month the Gouverneur Village Board of Trustees was greeted by a near-capacity crowd for their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday evening. Once again, the primary topic of discussion revolved around the police department and the board's request for Chief of Police David Whitton to trim $250,000 from his department's budget. Mayor Dorothy Vorce kicked off the public comment session of the meeting by stating that nothing had been resolved and that board members were accumulating and gathering information. \Sit tight until you hear from us,\ said the mayor. Both Mayor Vorce and Trustee Roger LaPierre, in response to questions about the issue of whether village residents should expect a curtailment of police services, were vocal in stating that there would be. \There will be a police department in the Village of Gouverneur,\ said Mayor Vorce. \The bottom line is, we're going to have a police department, and good police protection in the village,\ said Mr. LaPierre. Both stated that they weren't quite sure when they were \going to get it done,\ but that it would be \sooner rather than later.\ Mr. LaPierre stated that he was still willing to look at other departments, and maybe trim less from the police department. In a response to a question about making cuts in the recreation department, Mr. LaPierre said he is considering moves in that area. \I question whether the schools can handle some of this? Didn't they used to offer all of these activities that are now offered at the Rec Center?\ When asked about what other options were available besides cuts to the police department and double-digit tax increases, Mayor Vorce offered a four-word solution. \We can go bankrupt!\ Once again, Chief Whitton took the opportunity to offer his opinion on what such a drastic cut would mean to his department. \Nobody from this board has bothered to ask me the consequences of just what a 40 percent cut iri the police department budget will mean. We're going to lose, maybe four positions. We'll be down to a 12-hour a day operation. It will certainly make the department dysfunctional.\ Chief Whitton stated again that even though there may have been cuts in other Speedway and the Hall of Fame. The three girls even found it in themselves to \kiss the brick\ at the finish line. The trip lasted a while, but it was entertaining to see where all the magic happened, on the track and in the booths where the commentators sit. After a lunch at, you guessed it, The Old Country Buffet, we returned to the Conseco Field House and attended the ninth, and final session where outgoing national President, Zach Kinne, told us to embraee ourselves as individuals and to use our unique talents to benefit and help others, After Kinne's final goodbyes, the new leaders of the FFA assumed their positions. I bet you are wondering what happened to Ben Hoffman... He won a gold medal in the Dairy Handling competition, which placed him in the top ten contestants. By now the mechanic has arrived and the bus has begun to move. I look forward to getting home, but I also look back to this time that I have spent learning and growing with my friends. We learned the importance of embracing who we are, using our talents for the empowerment of others, and how to make had situations turn into something less so. Most importantly the entire convention reestablished the importance of what FFAmeans to me. It is not just an Agricultural based group, FFA is about showing your pride, making a difference, lending a hand, stepping up and standing out. For now, I shall close my notebook and my eyes and drift off to sleep... • FREE 24/7 Technical Support • InstanI Messaging,- Keep your buddy list! • 10 e-maBsddfessesv/lthWebmalU • Custom Slait Page - news, weate & morel surf up to 6X faster! lust injure Sign Up Online) www.LocalNet.com :S^^ Call Todays Savel Stur 287-7650 Reliable Internet Access Since 1994 REMINDER &ouverneur's annual Christmas Parade is Fri. Dec. 5th at 6 p.m. Downtown CARE -PACKAGES FORSOLDIERS There is only 1 week until we ship our Christmas Packages to Iraq & Afghanistan. As you are getting ready for Thanksgiving, don't forget to be thankful for the soldiers who are preserving our freedom. We need personal items, junk food, coffee, candy & Christmas items. For more information, call Grace Gates 287-0463 or Linda Storie 287-01 39 We Ship December 3rd •«.w. Economical • Dependable • Quality g* f/H Molly Maid ° Q V I fy-^kjl Ca \ far a FREE ASessment & Price Quote Q> X{j/ (315)244-5716 village departments through attrition, \nobody has been given marching orders out the front door. No cuts have left any department dysfunctional. .That's what we're looking at here, and the safety of the community is at stalce \ \If the Village of Gouverneur is a wheel, we're (police department) the hub. If you mess with that hub the whole thing falls apart. There are so many things that we do that you don't even think we do. I really hope you put some thought to this,\ said Chief Whitton. Mr. LaPierre stated what he feels is a solution. \If we only get rib of the people who are retiring, and those who could go somewhere else, this could work.\ Veteran Police Sergeant Mark Ashley stated that eliminating only two positions would change the makeup of the department drastically. \If we lose only two people, we cannot operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week.\ In a question concerning either the elimination of the police dispatchers or moving the services to the county, both Mayor Vorce and Trustee LaPierre stated that they did not want to get rid of the dispatchers. \Basically Continued on page 3 Buy Any In Stock 2008 ATV And Get Double The Factory Rebate For Up To $ 1600 OFF Plus Double the Factory Warranty ONLY FROM FUN UNLIMITED & POLARIS THE ALbNEW'Q9$ ARE INLAND READY FOR ANYTHING, WARNINd! 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