December 7 - It’s raining and almost fifty degrees. As I look out my back door at California Avenue, the tall Bradford Pear trees by Kelly’s rail fence are still looking beautiful and holding onto their dark red leaves because there is very little strong wind…except on my back porch?
Liberty Museum: Etta Barbanti is raving about the display in the Museum windows. A huge gingerbread house is being decorated by Sharon England, a Pastry Chef at Kartrite Water Park. We are lucky to have Sharon’s professional expertise at our Museum. The other window looks a lot like Christmas with a decorated tree and holiday touches. I’m sure the kids who walk up the street will love to stop and enjoy. It will be a sweet memory.
The Liberty Star: I always look up on the mountain to see the Star that is like a blessing for our town, thanks to the Van-Alystyne Family. I saw it yesterday as I drove up Mill Street toward the village and it brings such a great, peaceful feeling. When Brian Rourke was Town Supervisor, he put the December 1st Star Lighting on the record to be followed every year. So to express our appreciation for over 50 years, we would like to suggest that donations be made to help with the cost of equipment repair and electric so we can continue the lighting each year. Send to: Tim Bult, 250 Cristian Hill Road, Milford, Penn. 18337. Note To Tim: Tim, let me know how this goes. I will also post on Facebook…It means a lot to our Town.
Supervisor, Frank DeMayo: A meeting with Sullivan Renaissance & village officials is planned just after the New Year to discuss the issues of Code Enforcement and fines. Frank said he has some ideas as does Denise Frangipane, and they hope to come up with a strategy to deal with multiple code issues including the on-going problem of absentee landlords. Pattern For Progress is also hosting a Main Street Forum on Dec. 8th to also address these problems.
Get Folks Together: This is an important aim for our Supervisor…in the New Year. Frank says “we really need folks to step up if we plan to move forward.” He has some ready and able younger folks ready to go, along with some seasoned veterans. Also…It is important to resurrect the Liberty Chamber of Commerce, said Frank. I would love to get some comments from anyone, as well as volunteers. We need a good meeting time and day. Once a month at about 8:30 was usual at the Village Office (by Police Station) On the second floor. Once we get set up, we can get the word out and invite everyone.
Real Estate: Pete Feinberg, my former co-worker at Berkshire-Hathaway Peters Realty, and a very busy real-estate broker, tells me that the market is still very active but the inventory is lower than pre-pandemic. During the height of the pandemic a lot of inventory was sold. Prices now are a bit inflated and buyers are actively looking for good deals. I guess that is a little note to those who may be thinking of moving south before heavy snow…Give Pete a call and get some action or at least a wise discussion.
Senator Mike Martucci has introduced legislation in the Senate that would eliminate property taxes for those sixty and over. The bill would also require New York State to reimburse localities and school districts for any lost income.
Section 9-Basketball: It’s been many years since my nephew, Todd Kurpil and my Mungeer cousins were Liberty High School sports stars but I’m always rooting for our Liberty team. I read a list of local players to watch and Ethan Werlau has that distinction. So good luck, Ethan. Since my daughter, Jennifer Diehl is a Social Worker at Tri-Valley, I’ll include Andrew Cox from that team. After a shortened season the players are ready to go. Ah, such great sports excitement. I feel I shouldn’t just mention one or two stars because I know a team is the important part…So I’ll gladly include next time…any good words from a player or a parent. Or maybe a player wants to credit their Coach.
Hunting Season: There are thousands of acres of DEC lands available for hunting such as wild-life areas across the State. Visit DEC website for information on opportunities in your area: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, www.dec.ny.gov. This refreshing brisk weather is conducive to some hunting in our local woods. Just be safe and careful.
Verti-Ports - Electric Aviation: I came on this intriguing bit of information that I know nothing about. I will check with my US Airforce pilot grandson, Andy Gieger, and report his thoughts in my next column. A bill was passed by the U.S. House to create a group to study the fledgling industry of Future Air Travel from Verti-ports. The bill now goes to the Senate. NASA said there will be intense competition around the world as there will be greater focus on electric technology in the near future. I guess we have to do a bit of study of Verti-ports so we know something about this.
Get your Christmas decorations around your house and we’ll get the neighborhood spirit going!