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A *********************5-DIGIT 13642 1622 12-25-20 77P 23S READING ROOM 56 CHURCH ST GOUVERNEUR NY 13642 (1 \ E olume No. 128 Number 12 USPS 640-300 Cjouverneur, New York f httrsflay, Pccfetiibir 18,2008 $75 per Copy Fire Department honors \Papa\ John Washburn By Sandy Wyman For the Gouverneur Fire Department membership, the Saturday evening of December 13 was most special. The secret had been kept close for many weeks and much planning behind the scenes would soon be out in the open. One question remained and that was how to get the guest of honor to the doings without him discovering the ^secret? The problem was solved with a short message over the airways, \Stop by to have a little cheer of the seasonwith John Washburn.\ Without a glance to the affairs around him, John with family in tow was making merry as more and more of the department showed up to take part in the \surprise\ just ahead. Then the moment was at hand and slowly making their way to \Papa\ were Chief Rick Sibley and First Assistant Chief Steve Young with a large and somewhat heavy cardboard box in hand.' Inside contained a \Golden Ax\ inscribed with the following: \John E. Washburn In Recognition of 45 Years of Dedication and Service to the Community and the GouverneurFire Department February 8,1964 - February 9,2009\ • After pictures and rounds of applause, he graciously donated the award back to the department to be hung and enjoyed for many years to come. Through his years of service, John has held many positions in the department including two terms as chief (1988-90 and 1991-93) plus first and second assistant chief and treasurer. The Richville Fire Department, represented by EMT and firefighter Mark Shippee sent a card of greeting along with Mark stating, \For a special man on a special day.\ The son of Ernest (department chief 1951^53) and Betty Washburn, John was employed by the Village of Gouverneur at its Water Treatment Facility for 37 years. John is surrounded by not only his community family but also son John and wife Shelly along with daughter Diane and Santa visits area senior citizens at Gouverneur Elks On Saturday, December 13, the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department membership honored \Papa\John Washburn with a Golden Ax noting his 45 years of dedicated service to not only the department but also the community as a whole. The surprise gathering was under the guise of a holiday get-together for John. Presenting \Papa\ with honors are FirstA.ssistant Chief Steve Young (left) and Chief Rick Sibley. (Sandy Wyman photo) On Saturday, December 13, \Papa\John Washburn was honored for his 45 years of meritorious service to the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department with a party held in his honor. Pictured with \Papa\ (seated) are past chiefs (from the left) Dale Johnson, Lonnie Scott, PhilYoung, Bob Gleason, Barry Gale, Bob Dier, Vinnie Ferry, Dorwin Gore, Charlie Halpin, Trooper Steven Bos with greetings and well wishes from the New York StatePolice and Chief Rick Sibley. (Sandy Wyman photo) husband Larry Weaver and grandchildren Joshua Washburn, .Brandon Washburn, Austin Washburn, Nate Jones, Misti Bigwarfe, Kyle Bigwarfe and Hunter Weaver. Although plagued with severe health problems in recent years, John's smile remains forever timeless and his dedication is still beyond measure. From all who know you, \Papa nothing but the best of days ahead is wished for you. By Sandy Wyman The Gouverneur Elks Club held their annual Christmas senior dinner on Sunday, December 14 with over 200 in-attendance. As much as a tradition (four decades worth or more) as Christmas morning, the over 200 attendees enjoyed a sumptuous turkey dinner with all the fixings along • with great conservation and a chance to take a breather from the busy up to this point holiday season with all the events taking place. Around two dozen residents of the Kinney Nursing Home and staff were welcomed after a safe and secure trip sponsored by the Gouverneur Central School District. The capable hands and driving skills of Donna Boscoe (driver in training), Joe Boscoe (volunteer), Diane, Goodelle, Lafayette Young, Yvonne Fuller (drivers) and April Besaw (monitor) 'were much appreciated. What would a gathering be in this magical season of hope and good will without the \Jolly Old Elf himself? No one was to go away disappointed as Santa made his grand entrance much to the delight of the young at heart. With gifts in hand and a rousing \Merry Christmas,\ Santa made his way through the assembled throngs spreading his special kind of cheer. The Elks Club is to be commended for their ongoing contribution to the \senior\ holiday season. A look back, provided by family shows the young dedication to the football gridiron by \Papa\John Washburn before he went on to serve 45 years in the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department and was honored for such at a surprise party held at the fire hall on Saturday, December 13. (Washburn family photo) Concert season The Christmas concert schedule, plagued as usual by winter weather, is in full swing this week. Tues- day evening students frbm the High School chorus, band and string band, brought a big crowd into the holiday spirit. (Dick Sterling photo) Gouverneur School District preparing for big state cuts; LaRose outlines cost-saving recommendations to board Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa was sure busy this past weekend! in Gouvemeur. One of his stops oh the \daily\ rounds before the big night was to wish the large crowd taking in the Gouverneur Elks Club senior dinner held on Sunday, December 14 the best of the holiday season. (Sandy Wyman photo)- By Dick Sterling School districts from near and far are already beginning to prepare for the worst when state funds, the lifeline to running a school district, begin to trickle in at a reduced, amount next year. At last week's regular Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Christine LaRose said that she has seen some of what Governor David Paterson is going to propose, and that the time to get ready for the fiscal issues that lie ahead is now. \It's irresponsible to not start looking at ways to cut costs,\ she said to the nine members of the board of education, as well as the other members of the administration team arid a handful of spectators. \I'm asking you (board) for direction. I'm going to make some recommendations tonight. You may not like them all, but they can all save money.\ Ms. LaRose went on to make 14 suggestions to the board. Some drew debate, as did the entire concept of the presentation, especially from board member Barry Smith, who wanted more firm numbers to help him better understand the proposals. He also felt that some of them were \common sense issues.\ Ms. LaRose's list of cost- saving items included: * Out of district field trips will not be approved, with the exception of previous contracted activities, like music and sports. * Freeze on all purchases, \unless absolutely essential. All requisitions must include documentation.\ * Any workshops, conferences and travel expenses will not be approved, other than those arranged through BOCES, or that are mandated. * Overtime for employees will not be approved unless weather related or an emergency. * No additional compensated help from outside the school district will be approved. * Any modified athletic events on the schedule that are postponed because of weather will not be re- scheduled. * An opening of a secretary position at the high school will be filled internally, and a half-time position will be eliminated * Purchases for hardware, software, text books and the library will be limited to the state per-student amount. * Two late bus runs will be eliminated. There will no' longer be late bus runs offered on Tuesdays or Thursdays. * A stricter energy management program will be adhered to. Employees will be asked to turn off lights and computers when not in use. The temperature of the buildings will also be lowered by two degrees. * The marching band parade schedule will be monitored more closely. Priority will be given to more local parades, which would cut travel expenses. * Printing costs will be more closely monitored with cost-saving measures implemented when appropriate. * Custodial expenses for the weekend will be reduced. Shift schedules will change so that some members of the custodial staff will have to work on Saturday as part of their regular schedule. It was also proposed that the high school building be closed by 3:30 p.m. each Saturday. The exception to the new rule would be performances and athletic events that have already been scheduled. * Meetings with the Committee on Special Education will be scheduled to help reduce substitute requirements. \Each one of these measures will save us money,\ said Ms. LaRose. \There isn't a teacher, a student or an administrator who will not be impacted by the governor's proposed cuts. What we have to do right now is look for ways to save money. We really can't wait.\ Mr. Smith said that he didn't know how he was supposed to make a decision without looking at hard numbers. Ms. LaRose indicated that it was difficult to provide numbers for many of the recommendations on her list. \All I want to see is some hard numbers. I can't give the thumbs up or down unless I can better understand just what the savings would be. I don't work like that,\ said Mr. Smith. \I'm not saying this is going to save us a tremendous amount of money, but It can't not save us some,\ said Ms. LaRose. Mr. Smith then suggested that there might be another area to look to save money. \You know as well as I do where the real money goes in this district,\ said Mr. Smith to Ms LaRose and the other board members. \We need to partner up with the employees. We need to go to the table and face these challenges. We already know where the lion's share of these costs lie... in salary and benefits! The employees are going to have to do more. Next year we're looking at cuts.\ Ms. LaRose said she didn't want to lose staffing. She also informed the board that the final decision was up to them. \I'm just making recommendations. You can do whatever you want.\ The board will re-address the issue when they meet again after the first of the year. A workshop meeting is scheduled for January 12. The next regular meeting of the Gouvemeur Central School District's Board of Education is scheduled for January 26, at 7 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. District Business Manager Connie Timmerman stated during the meeting that the amount the district is paying for diesel fuel is much higher than the current price. \Unfortunately the board agreed to a locked-in price for diesel fuel of $4.24 a gallon. Our hands are tied. The arrangement is through BOCES, we're not the only district paying that rate. It's a locked in agreement, there's really nothing we can do,\ said Ms. Timmerman. As of Tuesday the retail price for diesel fuel in Gouvemeur was $2.87 a gallon.
