Amelio Sewing & Vacuum Center, 126 High St., is adding quilt fabric in the space next door to the current store. The store, which sells sewing machines and vacuums, now has an expansion sale going on. The hours 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday will remain, as will the phone number at 788-5940.

The former Strand (and more recently, Club Safari) will become a hip-hop club called Club Surge. The club, at 136 Franklin St., is asking for job applicants on a free classifieds Web site.

The ad says the club will open in December.

If you’ve seen a business tip, let me know here.

Salmon Run Mall: Holiday merchants are now selling their wares in kiosks at the mall. Cobra Sports, which carries remote-controlled helicopters and other vehicles, Crystal Odyssey, which sells blown glass collectibles, Click It, which sells heating and cooling packs, Personalized Ornaments, Day by Day Calendar and Hickory Farms are open. A full list of merchants is available here.

Sackets Harbor: Saturday will be the annual Unchained Sackets Harbor event. The village businesses have the event as part of a national day that promotes local, independently-owned business. Some of the stores offer refreshments and show off guest artists. All of the participating stores use paper chains that customers break off links which give them door prizes or discounts.

Edible Arrangements, a company that makes flowers out of fruit, has come to the Towne Center Plaza on outer Arsenal Street.

Co-owners Sandra J. Hill and Brent A. Lowell told me the bouquets sell well because they’re beautiful, healthy and run about the same prices as floral arrangements.

“People really enjoy the product,” Ms. Hill said. “The response when people get an arrangement is, ‘Oh, my God! It’s amazing!’”

She said that the company grew 31 percent over the last year – in the recession –and the Watertown location is the 936th franchise for a company that started in 1999.

When I went in, there were a few arrangements in the cooler out front and staff were dipping fruit in chocolate in the back.

To see the arrangements, click here. The Watertown store’s address is 21856 Towne Center Drive and phone number is 788-4201.

Note: There are two other spaces that it looks like plaza owner COR Development is prepping for new businesses. I’m hoping to hear back soon on what will be moving in.

Send tips and story ideas to me.

Six months after hiking the price for a single Citibus fare, the City Council will review a proposal Monday night that offers riders a discount on one-way fares.

Citibus leadership is proposing that riders be given the option of purchasing a $40 pass that allows riders to hop on the bus an unlimited amount of times each month. At the end of the month, riders must purchase a new pass. At $1.50 per trip, that means riders will need to take the bus about 27 times each month before they start feeling the discount take effect.

Current Citibus charges are as follows:

• One-way regular bus fare: $1.50
• One-way regular fare transfer: no charge
• Discount booklet for 10 one-way fares: $10.00
• Discount booklet for 20 one-way fares: $20.00
• One-way ADA paratransit fare: $3.00
• Children's fare, ages 6 to 12: $.50

Through the end of October, the city has collected $53,530 in fares, compared to $39,789 last year, meaning the city is on pace to collect $160,600 for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Raising Citibus fares was one of the many rate increases the city hit residents with in July as a way to increase revenues. The Citibus changes, however, were easily the change felt by the most people. The city estimates that about 58,000 fares are sold annually. That's a large cross section of constituents considering 27,000 people reside in the city. The fare increases were expected to produce an additional $28,800.

Also on the council's agenda for Monday is the special use permit proposed for 804 State St.

The property's owner, Mark Bonner, would like to open a car sales and detail shop on the location. This is more than a year after he claimed he was talking with franchise restaurants, including Tim Hortons, for the site. Taking into account that the council sold the property to Mr. Bonner in a split vote last year, and the speculation about prospective eateries that might occupy the site, discussion about this permit should be interesting.

The council will also likely appoint 11 people to various boards associated with the city and Flower Memorial Library. While there are some newcomers volunteering for these positions, most of these are reappointments.

Source: Jefferson County Real Property Tax Services

The city Engineering Department has been busy this summer. Need proof? Here’s an update of projects it is working on, according to this month's city manager's report:

J.B. Wise parking lot reconstruction: The final plans and specifications are nearing completion. The project is on hold until fiscal year 2010-11. A contract for construction inspection services is being prepared.

Breen Avenue: The project is currently being designed in-house by staff and is scheduled for construction in the spring of 2010 if budget funding allows. A public hearing will be held this winter if the current schedule is maintained.

Stimulus funding: The Arsenal Street portion was completed in September; Washington Street is scheduled to be paved in the summer.

Gaffney Drive: The department is designing an upgrade of the gravity sewer north of the pump station, preparing plans for acquiring the gravity sewer across the Stateway Plaza property, and evaluating the pump station for possible upgrades.

Projects completed this year: Washington Street sidewalk and traffic signal; Algonquin Avenue sewer main and Emmett Street storm sewer.

North side trunk sewer: Bat-Con Inc., Marcellus, started work Oct. 26 and is almost finished.

Riggs Avenue: The preliminary design is complete. There is currently one easement outstanding for construction. This project is scheduled for fiscal year 2010-11.

Greensview/Ives sanitary sewer: The department is preparing for a meeting with the property owners.

Barben Avenue reconstruction: Design is underway for the street reconstruction from Washington Street to Holcomb Street. The project is scheduled for fiscal year 2011-12.

Western Boulevard: Survey work has is complete for the preliminary street design of a road between Arsenal and Coffeen streets in the vicinity of the Stateway Plaza. No funding is in place for this project.

Salmon Run Mall will host its fifth annual “Evening of Giving” at 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The mall will have extended hours for shoppers who have a pass. More than 50 stores will have discounts, samplings, giveaways and mall-wide door prizes. The holiday movie “Elf” will be shown at Regal Cinemas for free at 9 p.m. to pass holders.

Passes are available for a $5 donation at participating nonprofit organizations or Salmon Run Mall Customer Service. The nonprofits include Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Walk, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of NNY, Community Action Planning Council, Family Counseling Service of NNY, Kiwanis Club of Watertown, Literacy of NNY, Northern New York All-Starz, St. Joseph’s Foundation, United Helpers Management Company, USO Fort Drum and Watertown Cyclones Jr. Midget Cheerleaders.

Last year, about 1,500 people attended the event and raised more than $10,000 for more than 15 organizations.

The latest information is available online or by telephone at 788-9210.

With a chief who would admittedly rather be carrying a fishing pole than rolling hose and a vacancy at the deputy chief position, the city’s fire department is most certainly light on leadership right now.

That will remain the case until at least March, after the city administers civil service tests for both positions. I talked with Chief Milton Sayre about the challenges the department is facing while it searches for candidates to fill those two posts.

You might remember Daniel Gaumont left the chief’s position in March to take a spot in Keller, Texas. Since then, the only two candidates that passed a civil service test given last January, making them eligible to fill the position, withdrew their names from consideration.

Check out Wednesday’s Times for a full update of the city’s effort to find a new chief and the challenges the department is facing being short staffed.

Walmart Supercenter, 20823 Route 3, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday for its expanded store. During its expansion project, the store more than doubled in size, adding a supermarket and four retail spots filled by Woodforest Bank, hair salon Smart Style, Dunkin' Donuts and a Walmart Vision Center.

According to a press release from the company, the store also features an expanded electronics department, lower shelving and energy-efficient technology and environmentally-friendly features, including 150 skylights and LED lighting. The store's expansion allows for 250 new employees.

The store said it's also giving $5,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:

• Urban Mission
• North Country Children's Clinic
• Citizens for Recovery Institute
• Toys for Tots
• Jefferson County Sheriff's Department “Shop with a Cop”

For more information about Walmart, click here.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1238 Arsenal St., will give away entrees on Wednesday to veterans and active military service members as part of a Veterans Day celebration. The offer lasts all day, beginning at 11 a.m. Veterans and soldiers can choose among six entrees with proof of military service.

To learn more about the local franchisee, T.L. Cannon Companies, click here.

A Fort Drum soldier is planning to open a roller skating rink in part of the former Hacketts department store in Watertown.

Isaac Alexis III, Evans Mills, signed a lease in September with Soggs Commercial Property, New Hartford, for a section of the store. Randolph B. Soggs, who owns the plaza formerly known as Hacketts Towne Center, said Mr. Alexis will use about 22,440 square feet for the rink.

“He’s done it before in other locations,” Mr. Soggs said. “It’s an alternative source of entertainment for young people.”

It’s been a while since Watertown kids have done the hokey-pokey on roller skates. The city has been without a skating rink since 1997, when the former Watertown Roller Skating Rink at 401 Mill St. was closed, according to Times archives.

Mr. Alexis filed business incorporation papers at the county clerk’s office with the name ShowTime Skating.

City reporter Robert Brauchle and I are digging for some more information. Watch our paper edition for a full story later this week.

City politics, which has been a game played largely by a male guard, will buck the historical trend beginning Jan. 1.

For the first time since the city’s incorporation in 1869, two women will be seated on the City Council.

Teresa R. Macaluso’s second place finish on Election Night means she will fill the seat being vacated by Jason R. Burto. Seated on the right corner of the dais – with two years left on her term – will still be Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns.

Miss Macaluso is a political newcomer who campaigned on promises of fiscal responsibility and economic development. She has conceded that while she has a general idea what she would like to do to promote those promises, she has a lot of research to do before being able to push those ideas.

Miss Burns entered politics in 1997 and spent two terms on the council. In 2007, she was voted back on to the council.

“I think that the voters pick women, not because of their gender, but because they believe they’re the right person for the job,” said city Historian Donna M. Dutton, while helping me research the city’s political history.

For the record, the first woman to be elected to the council was Rita A. McCarthy, who first introduced herself to the city’s political machine in 1991 as an advocate for recreational programs. She was elected to the seat in 1993 after being appointed recreation committee during the previous year.

At the time, Mrs. McCarthy credited her attendance at City Council meetings as the deciding factor in the election.

Mrs. Dutton is telling me that a woman has yet to be elected to the mayor’s seat in the city of Watertown. We’ll see if Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham has a challenger in 2011.

Just as a reminder, the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency reaffirmed its rules for public hearings at its meeting Thursday morning.

The board did this expecting a large and possibly boisterous crowd at the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes hearing for Galloo Island Wind Farm. That hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Hounsfield Town Barn, 18774 County Route 66.

Those wishing to speak will be allowed:

• One, five-minute turn

• Only comments directed at the hearing officer

• Only comments that aren’t repetitive

• Only comments that pertain to the PILOT

• No dialogue or question-and-answer

• No yielding time or the floor

• All speakers will need to sign in. JCIDA will also accept written comments, which will be included in the minutes.

“Some of these rules will be construed as oppressive,” Chairman Urban C. Hirschey said.

Treasurer Michelle D. Pfaff said, “It’s what we’ve always done.”

The rules are consistent with state guidelines and those generally used by municipalities.

The plot of land that Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham graciously referred to in September 2008 as “that piece of blight on a $12 million project,” is on the city Planning Board agenda for Tuesday.

In March 2008, the council agreed to sell 804 State St. to Mark J. Bonner for $35,125, even though another businessman offered to purchase the property for $70,000. The lawmakers justified the decision, saying that Mr. Bonner was the first person interested in the property.

At the time, Mr. Bonner flaunted offers from franchise restaurants to sweeten his purchase offer. The one-story garage that sits on has largely sat vacant since it was purchased.

He has requested the city grant him a special use permit to allow and auto sales and auto detailing business on the property.

“He isn’t proposing too much of a change to the property,” said Kenneth A. Mix, city planning and community development coordinator. “It looks like he’s going to be leasing the property to run the car sales operation then there’s a second company to do the detailing operation.”

Mr. Mix said the property is located within a neighborhood business district, requiring the owner to obtain a special use permit before opening a car sales facility.

The Times will have an update following the meeting concerning the city’s action.

The City Council will need to make any final decisions prior to the owner opening a business.

The Hounsfield Planning Board held a brief work session on the site plan application for Galloo Island Wind Farm at its meeting Monday night. The Planning Board has divided into subcommittees to examine the application and consult with the town’s attorney and engineer.

The board members gave themselves two weeks to delve into the application more and get answers to any questions they have. They’ll hold another work on Nov. 16. Chairwoman Kathy Snyder said the goal is to have the public hearing on the application on Nov. 24. There was no official date set for the public hearing during the meeting.

One interesting thing at the meeting was that a large contingent of Henderson residents and officials showed up. They told the Planning Board that Henderson is an interested and concerned party in the project because of the proposed transmission line.

September house sales in Jefferson County were up dramatically from August and September 2008. Real estate agents are crediting the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit which runs until midnight Dec. 1.

In 2009, 95 homes were sold, which is a 43.9 percent increase over the 66 sold in September 2008. But it’s down from 106 homes sold in September 2007.

Year-to-date numbers are still behind the pace a little, too. Through September, 583 homes sold in 2009 through September, compared to 695 in 2008 and 861 in 2007. (You can check all the housing statistics here.)

Real estate agents agree the tax credit has been a great motivator to buy now.

“The tax credit is a huge help,” said Patrick J. Henry, associate broker and office manager at Christensen RealtyUSA.com, Clayton. “But the thrill of being a homeowner is what motivates people to purchase a home.”

He also credited stability in the mortgage rate and mortgage-friendly local lenders with the uptick in sales.

So, considering the high sales in September, will the tax credit be an artificial stimulant for the housing market – a la Cash for Clunkers? Or will the insulating force of Fort Drum once again have its effect so that there will continue to be a consistent turnover of homes as military families move in and out?

Occasionally, the city of Watertown gets a bad beat for being, well, technophobic. Officers hand write tickets and police reports, none of the departments accept credit cards and the city rarely updates the “press releases” portion of its Web site.

City staff is, however, taking a big step towards the 21st century this week.

The Times broke a story Tuesday stating the city will discontinue printing its often hefty City Council agendas and instead, publish the resolutions and supporting documents on, gasp, the Internet. The next City Council agenda has been posted already.

The move will save the city a few dollars in materials and labor. You can still check here Friday mornings for council updates, or if you’re so inclined, gander at the agendas on the city’s Web site.

For anyone keeping track at home, the Nov. 2 agenda is 97 pages long, roughly the length of a Verizon Canton Area phone book.

If you have any suggestions where the city can improve its services by updating the technology it uses, contact me or the city’s Information Technology department. Ask for Pete; he’s the city’s IT manager.

The Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors voiced its opposition yesterday to the proposal for a one-quarter percent mortgage recording tax to go to the county. (It already collects a one-half percent for the state and one-quarter percent for municipalities.)

County administration estimates the tax, which will probably not begin until July, will bring in $500,000 for the half-year (or $1 million for a full year).

“They’re not taxing other assets like this,” said Patrick J. Henry, president of the board of Realtors. “It seems unfair.”

The spending that the Board of Legislators can designate (not mandated programs or pension or insurance) has seen cuts this year.

For example, the Highway Department will get $1.2 million less under the recommended 2010 budget. But are they enough?

If so, where should the county board look for additional revenue? Is it better to raise the property tax levy than add a new fee or tax?

In my six weeks of reporting on education for the Times, I can say this for sure: Rachel’s Challenge has caught on like wildfire in north country schools.

I went to see Darrell Scott, the founder of Rachel’s Challenge, speak at Jefferson Community College last month. Mr. Scott is the father of Rachel Scott, who was the first student killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Rachel’s Challenge is a presentation based on ideals found in Miss Scott’s writings after her death. They include increasing acceptance of others and doing small acts of kindness.

I’ve gotten numerous phone calls, faxes and e-mails about schools hosting the challenge, and how great their experiences have been. Sackets Harbor Central School even modified their character education program to reflect the ideals of Rachel’s Challenge.

Some of the local school administrators I’ve talked to said they saw a change in the school halls after they’ve hosted Rachel’s Challenge — people were just being nicer to each other in the halls, cafeteria and classrooms.

So my question is, are our local schools onto something here? Should we devote more time to character and community-building activities and presentations, even if it means a little less time for instruction? Give me your thoughts.

Have an education story idea? E-mail me.

Victoria R. Murchison opened Moontide Arts in the Paddock Arcade.

Before 2002, she ran Moontide Herbal Arts in several locations around Public Square and catered more towards Wiccan goods.

In the latest incarnation, her store offers herbs, incense, women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories.

“I have a large selection of clothes,” she said. “They’re romantic styles, slightly dressier.”

Her grand opening celebration will begin at 11 a.m. Friday. The store is open until 7 p.m.

She also has a Web site and a Twitter account.

The tension for board members at Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency on a request for CFM Food Distributors Inc. was clear – do what we can to keep the jobs local without seeming unfair to others who move into the Jefferson County Corporate Park.

The counter-proposal the loan review committee arrived at is to reduce the $322,600 purchase price a little, not to the $105,000 that CFM officials wanted. JCIDA has charged $20,000 per acre and the committee agreed to go down to $17,500 per acre in light of the amount of site work required for the slope on the lot.

Instead, JCIDA will offer to cover the rest with a low-interest loan that will convert to a grant if CFM reaches target employment numbers. In previous versions of the agreements between CFM and JCIDA, only interest rates on the $375,000 loan were tied to employment numbers, board members said.

CFM would like to close on the JCIDA financial package in the next month or two.

“Over the winter, the company will move forward to solidify construction plans and lenders,” said attorney Alfred W. Popkess of Mackenzie Hughes LLP, Syracuse. The goal is to begin building construction in the spring.

The loan/grant would come from the Community Development Fund, which board members are trying to decide how to use. At the committee meeting Tuesday, it sounded like members are honing in on using it for projects such as Great Lakes Cheese plant expansion and CFM, which have high job retention and creation possibilities. Previously, board members pretty much rejected infrastructure projects for the fund, which has about $2 million in it.

How could JCIDA best use the fund to retain and attract jobs?

At a Hounsfield Planning Board work session Monday, town attorney Dennis G. Whelpley reiterated the compressed timeline the town has to work with to approve the site plan for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm.

Developer Upstate NY Power Corp. needs to have turbines in the ground by the end of 2010 and electricity on the grid by the end of 2013 to tap a Treasury Department program for 30 percent of the cost of the project.

The developer has told the town and others, it can't afford the project without the rebate.

“They must have the zoning approval and DEC permits in hand by the end of this year to start in 2010,” Mr. Whelpley said. “I think it's gotta be done by Dec. 31 or it's dead.”

The state Department of Environmental Conservation must accept the developer's final environmental impact statement before it issues permits. If the DEC accepts the final statement in the first week of December, other agencies and the public have 10 days to make comments. The town Planning Board could approve the site plan after that time.

Representatives from the town will meet with county Planning Department staff on Thursday as part of the county's review of the project. The town Planning Board members chose areas to focus on, which they will begin discussing at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

Upstate NY Power Corp. has pulled out all the stops to try to get all of its approvals lined up by the end of the year for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm.

It wants to capitalize on the federal Treasury Department’s offer of 30 percent refund of the cost of the 252-megawatt project, which requires at least partial construction by the end of 2010.

At the beginning of the month, the developer asked for, and received, a separate track for a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for its project from the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency. This week, it submitted the site plan application to the town of Hounsfield Planning Board.

But Galloo Island still needs its final environmental impact statement submitted and accepted by the state Department of Environmnetal Conservation before site plan approval can occur.

A spokeswoman for the project said Thursday that the final EIS should be submitted by the end of the year, allowing both approvals to come before Jan. 1. Then the developer could plan and begin construction once the weather breaks in 2010.

I interviewed Legislature candidate Gary P. Trombley today. His profile will be published in the Times sometime soon, along with District 6 incumbent Gino M. Zando.

One idea Mr. Trombley had struck me. He’d like a small business incubator somewhere out Carthage way. The Watertown Center for Business and Industry on Starbuck Avenue is currently the only incubator in Jefferson County. And its usable space is basically full.

“We need economic development in a meaningful way,” Mr. Trombley said. “Not only in Watertown, but in other parts of the county, especially the sixth district.”

Where would be a good place for another small business incubator and why? (Those in Lewis and St. Lawrence County, feel free to weigh in, too!)

Downtown business leaders kicked their feet up Saturday at the Paddock Arcade for, what I’m being told, was a fairly laid back gathering to hand out the Downtown Business Association Business of the Year award.

The Watertown Urban Mission, 247 Factory St., and Paddock Barber & Beauty Shop, 102 Washington St., look like they both took the award home this year.

Last year, Waterbury Fine Jewelers, 105 Court St., and Lyng's Office Center, 150 Factory St., earned the distinction.

A wheelbarrow full of other awards was given out at the event. Check tomorrow’s paper for more information or the DBA’s Web site.

If you have a tip concerning new businesses opening throughout the county or a business taking an active roll in the community, contact either myself Robert or our business reporter, Nancy.

Six months after hiking the price for a single Citibus fare, the City Council will review a proposal Monday night that offers riders a discount on one-way fares.

Citibus leadership is proposing that riders be given the option of purchasing a $40 pass that allows riders to hop on the bus an unlimited amount of times each month. At the end of the month, riders must purchase a new pass. At $1.50 per trip, that means riders will need to take the bus about 27 times each month before they start feeling the discount take effect.

Current Citibus charges are as follows:

• One-way regular bus fare: $1.50
• One-way regular fare transfer: no charge
• Discount booklet for 10 one-way fares: $10.00
• Discount booklet for 20 one-way fares: $20.00
• One-way ADA paratransit fare: $3.00
• Children's fare, ages 6 to 12: $.50

Through the end of October, the city has collected $53,530 in fares, compared to $39,789 last year, meaning the city is on pace to collect $160,600 for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Raising Citibus fares was one of the many rate increases the city hit residents with in July as a way to increase revenues. The Citibus changes, however, were easily the change felt by the most people. The city estimates that about 58,000 fares are sold annually. That's a large cross section of constituents considering 27,000 people reside in the city. The fare increases were expected to produce an additional $28,800.

Also on the council's agenda for Monday is the special use permit proposed for 804 State St.

The property's owner, Mark Bonner, would like to open a car sales and detail shop on the location. This is more than a year after he claimed he was talking with franchise restaurants, including Tim Hortons, for the site. Taking into account that the council sold the property to Mr. Bonner in a split vote last year, and the speculation about prospective eateries that might occupy the site, discussion about this permit should be interesting.

The council will also likely appoint 11 people to various boards associated with the city and Flower Memorial Library. While there are some newcomers volunteering for these positions, most of these are reappointments.

The city Engineering Department has been busy this summer. Need proof? Here’s an update of projects it is working on, according to this month's city manager's report:

J.B. Wise parking lot reconstruction: The final plans and specifications are nearing completion. The project is on hold until fiscal year 2010-11. A contract for construction inspection services is being prepared.

Breen Avenue: The project is currently being designed in-house by staff and is scheduled for construction in the spring of 2010 if budget funding allows. A public hearing will be held this winter if the current schedule is maintained.

Stimulus funding: The Arsenal Street portion was completed in September; Washington Street is scheduled to be paved in the summer.

Gaffney Drive: The department is designing an upgrade of the gravity sewer north of the pump station, preparing plans for acquiring the gravity sewer across the Stateway Plaza property, and evaluating the pump station for possible upgrades.

Projects completed this year: Washington Street sidewalk and traffic signal; Algonquin Avenue sewer main and Emmett Street storm sewer.

North side trunk sewer: Bat-Con Inc., Marcellus, started work Oct. 26 and is almost finished.

Riggs Avenue: The preliminary design is complete. There is currently one easement outstanding for construction. This project is scheduled for fiscal year 2010-11.

Greensview/Ives sanitary sewer: The department is preparing for a meeting with the property owners.

Barben Avenue reconstruction: Design is underway for the street reconstruction from Washington Street to Holcomb Street. The project is scheduled for fiscal year 2011-12.

Western Boulevard: Survey work has is complete for the preliminary street design of a road between Arsenal and Coffeen streets in the vicinity of the Stateway Plaza. No funding is in place for this project.

With a chief who would admittedly rather be carrying a fishing pole than rolling hose and a vacancy at the deputy chief position, the city’s fire department is most certainly light on leadership right now.

That will remain the case until at least March, after the city administers civil service tests for both positions. I talked with Chief Milton Sayre about the challenges the department is facing while it searches for candidates to fill those two posts.

You might remember Daniel Gaumont left the chief’s position in March to take a spot in Keller, Texas. Since then, the only two candidates that passed a civil service test given last January, making them eligible to fill the position, withdrew their names from consideration.

Check out Wednesday’s Times for a full update of the city’s effort to find a new chief and the challenges the department is facing being short staffed.

City politics, which has been a game played largely by a male guard, will buck the historical trend beginning Jan. 1.

For the first time since the city’s incorporation in 1869, two women will be seated on the City Council.

Teresa R. Macaluso’s second place finish on Election Night means she will fill the seat being vacated by Jason R. Burto. Seated on the right corner of the dais – with two years left on her term – will still be Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns.

Miss Macaluso is a political newcomer who campaigned on promises of fiscal responsibility and economic development. She has conceded that while she has a general idea what she would like to do to promote those promises, she has a lot of research to do before being able to push those ideas.

Miss Burns entered politics in 1997 and spent two terms on the council. In 2007, she was voted back on to the council.

“I think that the voters pick women, not because of their gender, but because they believe they’re the right person for the job,” said city Historian Donna M. Dutton, while helping me research the city’s political history.

For the record, the first woman to be elected to the council was Rita A. McCarthy, who first introduced herself to the city’s political machine in 1991 as an advocate for recreational programs. She was elected to the seat in 1993 after being appointed recreation committee during the previous year.

At the time, Mrs. McCarthy credited her attendance at City Council meetings as the deciding factor in the election.

Mrs. Dutton is telling me that a woman has yet to be elected to the mayor’s seat in the city of Watertown. We’ll see if Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham has a challenger in 2011.

The plot of land that Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham graciously referred to in September 2008 as “that piece of blight on a $12 million project,” is on the city Planning Board agenda for Tuesday.

In March 2008, the council agreed to sell 804 State St. to Mark J. Bonner for $35,125, even though another businessman offered to purchase the property for $70,000. The lawmakers justified the decision, saying that Mr. Bonner was the first person interested in the property.

At the time, Mr. Bonner flaunted offers from franchise restaurants to sweeten his purchase offer. The one-story garage that sits on has largely sat vacant since it was purchased.

He has requested the city grant him a special use permit to allow and auto sales and auto detailing business on the property.

“He isn’t proposing too much of a change to the property,” said Kenneth A. Mix, city planning and community development coordinator. “It looks like he’s going to be leasing the property to run the car sales operation then there’s a second company to do the detailing operation.”

Mr. Mix said the property is located within a neighborhood business district, requiring the owner to obtain a special use permit before opening a car sales facility.

The Times will have an update following the meeting concerning the city’s action.

The City Council will need to make any final decisions prior to the owner opening a business.

Occasionally, the city of Watertown gets a bad beat for being, well, technophobic. Officers hand write tickets and police reports, none of the departments accept credit cards and the city rarely updates the “press releases” portion of its Web site.

City staff is, however, taking a big step towards the 21st century this week.

The Times broke a story Tuesday stating the city will discontinue printing its often hefty City Council agendas and instead, publish the resolutions and supporting documents on, gasp, the Internet. The next City Council agenda has been posted already.

The move will save the city a few dollars in materials and labor. You can still check here Friday mornings for council updates, or if you’re so inclined, gander at the agendas on the city’s Web site.

For anyone keeping track at home, the Nov. 2 agenda is 97 pages long, roughly the length of a Verizon Canton Area phone book.

If you have any suggestions where the city can improve its services by updating the technology it uses, contact me or the city’s Information Technology department. Ask for Pete; he’s the city’s IT manager.

Downtown business leaders kicked their feet up Saturday at the Paddock Arcade for, what I’m being told, was a fairly laid back gathering to hand out the Downtown Business Association Business of the Year award.

The Watertown Urban Mission, 247 Factory St., and Paddock Barber & Beauty Shop, 102 Washington St., look like they both took the award home this year.

Last year, Waterbury Fine Jewelers, 105 Court St., and Lyng's Office Center, 150 Factory St., earned the distinction.

A wheelbarrow full of other awards was given out at the event. Check tomorrow’s paper for more information or the DBA’s Web site.

If you have a tip concerning new businesses opening throughout the county or a business taking an active roll in the community, contact either myself Robert or our business reporter, Nancy.

The Watertown City Council has had a bone to pick with National Grid. The council has complained at recent meetings that the utility company is not replacing, or even installing, ornamental lights throughout the city.

Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith, along with Councilwoman Roxanne M. Burns, voiced their displeasure with National Grid during the City Council meeting Monday night that lights along State, Washington and Holcomb streets are broken, mismatched or downright missing.

A particularly ugly stump, which I'm being told was once the base to an ornamental light, has not been fixed in front of Key Bank along the 200 block of Washington Street, for more than three years. Almost a dozen lights along State Street were never installed after the reconstruction project that concluded in 2008.

We'll talk with City Manager Mary M. Corriveau today and hopefully a representative from National Grid, to see where both stand on the light situation. The Times will then, pun intended, try to shine a light on the situation for our readers.

If you have spotted a missing or mismanaged ornamental light in the city, contact us.

The seasonal flock of crows that migrates into the city of Watertown each winter has arrived with the colder temperatures. Biologists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have said that crows tend to flock toward urban areas because of the perceived warmth given off by streetlights and fireplaces.

Cornell University Ornithologist Kevin McGowan told the Times last year that the estimated 20,000 crows that flap their way into the city every winter likely will return for years to come, despite the city's best efforts to keep them away.

USDA biologists hired annually by the city to haze the murder utilize a number of methods, including air horns and fares, to ward off the birds.

Other than the late-night squawking that accompanies a tree full of birds, residents have complained that their yards and walks are often covered in the birds' feces.

Let us know where the crows are roosting and we'll relay those concerns to city officials. You can e-mail me or call 661-2383.

Here’s a hard fact to swallow: Of all of the municipalities in the north country, the city of Watertown will likely be the only one affected by the state aid cuts proposed Thursday by Gov. David A. Paterson.

Under the governor’s proposal to stem a $3 billion deficit in the current budget, state Aid and Incentives to Municipalities funding would be cut by $67 million statewide.

A governor’s office budget division spokesman said the proposal includes 8 percent cuts in funding to 17 cities outside of New York City.

The city of Watertown expects to lose $407,214 of the $5.1 million it budgeted to receive during the current fiscal year. That equates to roughly 1.1 percent of the $36.1 million general fund revenues the city budgeted to receive during the current fiscal year.

“This certainly has been a topsy-turvy budget,” City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. “One day we’re receiving good news about sales tax, the next, it’s cuts in state aid. Those aid cuts have been talked about for months; we know it would eventually impact us, we hoped it wouldn’t happen mid-budget though.”

Watchdog groups are saying that by cutting AIM funding, the governor is just passing the burden of spending on to the local municipalities.

Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, didn’t sound very pleased by the governor’s proposal either.

The story has been filed and will likely be include in either Saturday or Sunday’s newspaper. I suggest you pick up a copy.

Amelio Sewing & Vacuum Center, 126 High St., is adding quilt fabric in the space next door to the current store. The store, which sells sewing machines and vacuums, now has an expansion sale going on. The hours 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday will remain, as will the phone number at 788-5940.

The former Strand (and more recently, Club Safari) will become a hip-hop club called Club Surge. The club, at 136 Franklin St., is asking for job applicants on a free classifieds Web site.

The ad says the club will open in December.

If you’ve seen a business tip, let me know here.

Salmon Run Mall: Holiday merchants are now selling their wares in kiosks at the mall. Cobra Sports, which carries remote-controlled helicopters and other vehicles, Crystal Odyssey, which sells blown glass collectibles, Click It, which sells heating and cooling packs, Personalized Ornaments, Day by Day Calendar and Hickory Farms are open. A full list of merchants is available here.

Sackets Harbor: Saturday will be the annual Unchained Sackets Harbor event. The village businesses have the event as part of a national day that promotes local, independently-owned business. Some of the stores offer refreshments and show off guest artists. All of the participating stores use paper chains that customers break off links which give them door prizes or discounts.

Edible Arrangements, a company that makes flowers out of fruit, has come to the Towne Center Plaza on outer Arsenal Street.

Co-owners Sandra J. Hill and Brent A. Lowell told me the bouquets sell well because they’re beautiful, healthy and run about the same prices as floral arrangements.

“People really enjoy the product,” Ms. Hill said. “The response when people get an arrangement is, ‘Oh, my God! It’s amazing!’”

She said that the company grew 31 percent over the last year – in the recession –and the Watertown location is the 936th franchise for a company that started in 1999.

When I went in, there were a few arrangements in the cooler out front and staff were dipping fruit in chocolate in the back.

To see the arrangements, click here. The Watertown store’s address is 21856 Towne Center Drive and phone number is 788-4201.

Note: There are two other spaces that it looks like plaza owner COR Development is prepping for new businesses. I’m hoping to hear back soon on what will be moving in.

Send tips and story ideas to me.

Source: Jefferson County Real Property Tax Services

Salmon Run Mall will host its fifth annual “Evening of Giving” at 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The mall will have extended hours for shoppers who have a pass. More than 50 stores will have discounts, samplings, giveaways and mall-wide door prizes. The holiday movie “Elf” will be shown at Regal Cinemas for free at 9 p.m. to pass holders.

Passes are available for a $5 donation at participating nonprofit organizations or Salmon Run Mall Customer Service. The nonprofits include Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Walk, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of NNY, Community Action Planning Council, Family Counseling Service of NNY, Kiwanis Club of Watertown, Literacy of NNY, Northern New York All-Starz, St. Joseph’s Foundation, United Helpers Management Company, USO Fort Drum and Watertown Cyclones Jr. Midget Cheerleaders.

Last year, about 1,500 people attended the event and raised more than $10,000 for more than 15 organizations.

The latest information is available online or by telephone at 788-9210.

Walmart Supercenter, 20823 Route 3, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. Wednesday for its expanded store. During its expansion project, the store more than doubled in size, adding a supermarket and four retail spots filled by Woodforest Bank, hair salon Smart Style, Dunkin' Donuts and a Walmart Vision Center.

According to a press release from the company, the store also features an expanded electronics department, lower shelving and energy-efficient technology and environmentally-friendly features, including 150 skylights and LED lighting. The store's expansion allows for 250 new employees.

The store said it's also giving $5,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:

• Urban Mission
• North Country Children's Clinic
• Citizens for Recovery Institute
• Toys for Tots
• Jefferson County Sheriff's Department “Shop with a Cop”

For more information about Walmart, click here.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1238 Arsenal St., will give away entrees on Wednesday to veterans and active military service members as part of a Veterans Day celebration. The offer lasts all day, beginning at 11 a.m. Veterans and soldiers can choose among six entrees with proof of military service.

To learn more about the local franchisee, T.L. Cannon Companies, click here.

A Fort Drum soldier is planning to open a roller skating rink in part of the former Hacketts department store in Watertown.

Isaac Alexis III, Evans Mills, signed a lease in September with Soggs Commercial Property, New Hartford, for a section of the store. Randolph B. Soggs, who owns the plaza formerly known as Hacketts Towne Center, said Mr. Alexis will use about 22,440 square feet for the rink.

“He’s done it before in other locations,” Mr. Soggs said. “It’s an alternative source of entertainment for young people.”

It’s been a while since Watertown kids have done the hokey-pokey on roller skates. The city has been without a skating rink since 1997, when the former Watertown Roller Skating Rink at 401 Mill St. was closed, according to Times archives.

Mr. Alexis filed business incorporation papers at the county clerk’s office with the name ShowTime Skating.

City reporter Robert Brauchle and I are digging for some more information. Watch our paper edition for a full story later this week.

Just as a reminder, the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency reaffirmed its rules for public hearings at its meeting Thursday morning.

The board did this expecting a large and possibly boisterous crowd at the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes hearing for Galloo Island Wind Farm. That hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Hounsfield Town Barn, 18774 County Route 66.

Those wishing to speak will be allowed:

• One, five-minute turn

• Only comments directed at the hearing officer

• Only comments that aren’t repetitive

• Only comments that pertain to the PILOT

• No dialogue or question-and-answer

• No yielding time or the floor

• All speakers will need to sign in. JCIDA will also accept written comments, which will be included in the minutes.

“Some of these rules will be construed as oppressive,” Chairman Urban C. Hirschey said.

Treasurer Michelle D. Pfaff said, “It’s what we’ve always done.”

The rules are consistent with state guidelines and those generally used by municipalities.

The Hounsfield Planning Board held a brief work session on the site plan application for Galloo Island Wind Farm at its meeting Monday night. The Planning Board has divided into subcommittees to examine the application and consult with the town’s attorney and engineer.

The board members gave themselves two weeks to delve into the application more and get answers to any questions they have. They’ll hold another work on Nov. 16. Chairwoman Kathy Snyder said the goal is to have the public hearing on the application on Nov. 24. There was no official date set for the public hearing during the meeting.

One interesting thing at the meeting was that a large contingent of Henderson residents and officials showed up. They told the Planning Board that Henderson is an interested and concerned party in the project because of the proposed transmission line.

In my six weeks of reporting on education for the Times, I can say this for sure: Rachel’s Challenge has caught on like wildfire in north country schools.

I went to see Darrell Scott, the founder of Rachel’s Challenge, speak at Jefferson Community College last month. Mr. Scott is the father of Rachel Scott, who was the first student killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Rachel’s Challenge is a presentation based on ideals found in Miss Scott’s writings after her death. They include increasing acceptance of others and doing small acts of kindness.

I’ve gotten numerous phone calls, faxes and e-mails about schools hosting the challenge, and how great their experiences have been. Sackets Harbor Central School even modified their character education program to reflect the ideals of Rachel’s Challenge.

Some of the local school administrators I’ve talked to said they saw a change in the school halls after they’ve hosted Rachel’s Challenge — people were just being nicer to each other in the halls, cafeteria and classrooms.

So my question is, are our local schools onto something here? Should we devote more time to character and community-building activities and presentations, even if it means a little less time for instruction? Give me your thoughts.

Have an education story idea? E-mail me.

Where Jefferson Community College sees more students in a modern campus, Jefferson County legislators see a 1.5 percent increase on the property tax levy.

Looking beyond the $4 million the county already set aside and the college wants to spend on necessary maintenance, JCC’s President Carole A. McCoy showed legislators last week a plan of the top projects from JCC’s facilities master plan at the Finance and Rules Committee meeting. (The legislature approved the plan, sans figures for the county, in 2008.)

The estimates for the top projects now stand at $12.5 million for the new Collaborative Learning Center, $1.3 million for the renovation of the Dewey Library as classrooms and offices and about $4.5 million in maintenance, including central air and heating renovations in several buildings.

Finance and Rules Committee Chairman Scott A. Gray pointedly reminded fellow lawmakers Tuesday night that the first two items would total nearly $14 million. And if the county funded half of those projects, it would pay $700,000 in debt service every year, which is about 1.5 percent of the county’s property tax levy.

The quandary is that community colleges have inverse relationships with the economy as a whole, meaning when times are good for the country, students go to pricier four-year institutions. When times are tough, students – both those right out of high school and those who have left other jobs or been laid off – go to community college.

But the state and counties and other institutions that support community colleges don’t necessarily have the cash to keep pace with the growth.

The full Board of Legislators will discuss the maintenance package during its meeting Tuesday night. What should the board be willing to commit to the college for expanding its classroom space?

Tonight, Jefferson Community College, Watertown, is putting figures to capital projects that will start work according to the facilities master plan.

The County Legislature approved the updated facilities master plan in 2008 and put about $3.8 million in the budget to cover capital costs.

According to a resolution that will be considered at tonight’s finance and rules committee meeting, JCC has asked that $2.1 million go towards renovations of the McVean Student Center, $1.4 million go towards renovations of the Dewey Library Building, $238,000 for renovations of the modular building for the interim Higher Education Center and $3,859 for a storage building upgrade.

The Legislature set aside about $3.9 million in the 2008 budget – just a start on the entire $62.7 million plan. About $40 million is eligible for state and county aid.

JCC President Carole McCoy will talk about the projects at the committee meeting, 7 p.m. in the Board of Legislators’ Chambers, 195 Arsenal St.

This video is quite possibly the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen (WARNING: It’s very graphic, which is why I’m not embedding the video in the post).

It’s a very convincing reenactment of a three-car accident that was a result of a teen driving and texting on her cell phone.

The clip is from a 30-minute video being shown to teenagers in the UK.

Do you think it could ever be shown to students in the US?

I recently spent the morning at SMC with Watertown driver’s education students. Each year the students visit the hospital for the “Let’s not meet by accident” program.

They see a presentation on how “six seconds can save your life” (the six seconds it takes to type a text), tour the ambulance bay, morgue (yes, morgue!) and see a simulated trauma where one of their classmates is strapped to a gurney. See the story here.

What do you think is the most effective way to show teenagers the danger of texting, drinking or taking part in another other distracting activities while driving?

Is taking them to the morgue too far? What about this video?

-Kelly Reynolds

With State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher passing through the north country, colleges are doing their best to impress the new boss. Today, she’s visiting Jefferson Community College in Watertown before heading to SUNY Potsdam on Wednesday through her statewide 64-campus tour.

SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy wanted to show her that his college is following a new path for higher education by concentrating on practical, high-demand degree programs, online coursework and international partnerships with developing countries.

So the first thing he did was show the chancellor this commercial.

The ad is for Kaplan University, a for-profit national online college linked to the test-prep company Kaplan Inc., which is owned by the Washington Post Company. Along with another video, it has drawn controversy for its broad critique of the traditional higher education system — and its theory about the future of our country’s colleges.

Mr. Kennedy and his staffers tweaked the spot with footage from SUNY Canton when they showed it to the chancellor. The president said that the commercial might as well have been about his institution.

“The ad is very controversial. It says that we have failed the students,” Mr. Kennedy said. “The point we wish to make is we’re not a traditional university anymore. We’re a new kind of university we hope will serve the state of New York and the world well.”

Through SUNY Canton OnLine, the has been offering a growing number of courses via the Internet since 2002. The online classes have become more and more popular, as students both here and abroad use them to catch up. Here’s a story I wrote a couple months back about SUNY Canton OL:

Just to seal the deal, Mr. Kennedy gave the new chancellor a special parting “gift” Monday. He lent her an iPod Touch loaded with photos of the SUNY Canton campus, a PowerPoint presentation about the college and the commercials he discussed with her that morning.

Mr. Kennedy has heard a lot from other college administrators lately about a comment he made off-hand at a conference: “I said, ‘I’m lucky, because I’m not bound by the traditions of traditional colleges.’”

What do you think? What will the higher education system of the future look like? Are we seeing a preview today at SUNY Canton? Where does that leave public universities that focus on liberal arts, like SUNY Potsdam? What do you think will happen to private institutions, like St. Lawrence University, Canton, or Clarkson University, Potsdam?

You can send feedback to Ms. Zimpher as she crafts her strategic plan for SUNY here.

--Alex Jacobs

ajacobs@wdt.net

What’s going on with your children’s education? Why are your school taxes going up? What programs are available to your children?

I’m Kelly Reynolds, the education reporter for the Times. In the new education blog, you’ll find answers to these questions and more.

I’ll post regular updates on programming, curriculum, board meetings, school budgets and after school activities. I’ll even give you a behind-the-scenes look into what’s going on at the schools and the new stories I’m working on.

School’s out, but that doesn’t mean I’m not working hard to bring you up to date on education trends.

I’m currently working on a story about how schools are spending their stimulus money. The Secretary of Education is pushing school officials to use the money on new, innovative programming or technology.

Are north country schools following his directive?

Submit an education news tip to kreynolds@wdt.net

It's that time of year again. No, I'm not talking cider at the Burrville Mill - although I like the way you think.

It's time again for the Jefferson County Senior Health and Information Fair. This year, it will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Watertown Muncipal Arena at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds, Coffeen Street. The event is sponsored by the Watertown Daily Times, the city of Watertown and state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine.

The fair will feature more than 60 vendors, live entertainment from both Ray Sabre & the Country Stompers and a free lunch.

"This is a great opportunity for area seniors to have a good time and learn more about what's available in the community to cater to their needs,” Mr. Aubertine said in a statement. "It's a free event and I certainly hope every senior in the area takes this opportunity to stop down, have lunch with us, listen to some live music, get a free health screening, a flu shot and more."

Here's who is expected to come:

- 911ai.com

- AARP Chapter 346

- Alcohol Substance Abuse Council

- Alzheimer's Association

- American Red Cross of Northern New York

- Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa

- Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur - ask her about NY-23!

- Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Jefferson County

- Bolton's Pharmacy

- Brayton's Therapeutic Massage & Body Works

- Carthage Area Hospital

- Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

- Clarence Henry Coach

- Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County Inc. Nutrition and Outreach program

- Consumer Credit Counseling Service of CNY

- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County's nutrition program

- Curves for Women

- Guilfoyle Amublance Service

- Homemakers of Western NY, Caregivers

- Hospice and Hospice Foundation of Jefferson County

- Howard Orthotic & Prosthetics

- Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions

- Ives Hill Retirement Community

- Jefferson Community College - Continuing Education and Nursing divisions

- Kinney Drugs

- Lewis County Opportunities Housing Assistance Program

- Mercy of Northern NY

- National Kidney Foundation of CNY

- Natural Serenity Reiki

- Neighbors of Watertown

- New York State EPIC

- New York Statewide Senior Action Council - North Country Chapter

- North Country Library System

- Northern Lights Chiropractic and Disk Regeneration Center

- New York State Attorney General's Office

- New York State Division of Veteran Affairs

- New York State Public Service Commission

- North Country Regional Office of Gov. David A. Paterson - say hi to Steve for me!

- PathStone

- Resolution Center of Jefferson & Lewis Counties Inc.

- Samaritan Medical Center

- Sam's Club

- Social Security Administration

- STAT Communications

- The Country Manor Nurising and Rehabilitation Center

- The Mustard Seed

- Volunteer Transportation Center

- Walgreen's

- Watertown and Northern New York Area Tremor support group

- Watertown Daily Times

- Watertown Family YMCA

- Watertown Police Department

- Watertown Urban Mission

- Wellness Connection of Lewis & Jefferson - New York State Department of Health Cancer Screening Program

- WWNY-TV 7

- C Tech

- Watertown Citi Bus

- Jefferson County Office of the Aging

- Lincare

- Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine

I'd imagine these events, much like the career and business fairs, are great for collecting schwag. Has anyone gone in previous years? Which agencies were helpful? Which were not?

The topic for this blog stems from a recent minimum $285 consultation for a pediatric orthopedic surgeon for my daughter plus the cost of an x-ray, a $120 recent visit to an obstetrician/gynecologist, a $260 visit to my daughter’s pediatrician, two prescriptions each around $30 per month, among other medical needs (we won’t go into the two crowns and other dental needs).

The cost of healthcare continues to rise, and it’s not only on my mind. Healthcare reform is a hot-button topic on the national level. The plan President Barack Obama has been discussing over the past several months aims to provide “affordable healthcare for all Americans.”

The 10-year, $630 billion plan would strive to make health coverage affordable by reducing high administrative costs, unnecessary tests and services, waste and fraud. Public health measures would increase under the plan and it would reduce increasing premiums and related costs. The plan is outlined here.

Do you think a plan such as this is actually feasible? Do you have a story of a certain physician visit or hospital procedure that you really had to dig deep in your pockets for? What needs to change? How could it work? Tell us what you think the kind of healthcare the nation needs and how this reform would or wouldn’t work.

-Rebecca Madden

Wondering what’s going on will all of the building at SMC? Have you and your friends been chatting about the swine flu outbreak? Wondering how the Girl Scouts did in their cookie sales?

The health section is where you’ll find answers to these questions and much more!

Rebecca Madden covers hospitals, health-related trends like AIDS in the north country and the nursing shortage, and all of the non-profit organizations in the north country.

E-mail Rebecca a story tip at rmadden@wdt.net

While comprehensive plans aren't typically the most sexy story topics, the final draft of Lewis County’s countywide comprehensive plan does include one proposed action step that addresses a long-standing topic of discussion in this rural area. In the plan, consultants propose the creation of a “Brain Gain Commission” to discuss ways to stem the exodus of young people from the county. Or, as the phenomenon is more commonly known, brain drain.

Local politicos have long lamented the loss of the county’s best and brightest students to more job-heavy locales, many of them also having warmer climates and lower snowfall totals.

Ned Cole from the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency, during a recent conversation, suggested that many natives move away but eventually wish to return to be closer to relatives, raise a family, etc., and that jobs must be available for those folks, in particular.

Do you think a Brain Gain Commission (presumably consisting of volunteer board members already involved with education, economic development, workforce development, etc.) would be a useful exercise?

By the way, if you’re so inclined, you can look over the draft comprehensive plan here.

- Steve Virkler

Last week, I wrote a story story on a developer’s plans to build a Tractor Supply Co. store at Number Four and Ross roads just inside Lowville’s village limits. The Lewis County and Lowville planning boards will probably review the plans toward the end of August, and the developer hopes to turn the store over the Tennessee-based company next March.

While I’ve never actually set foot in a Tractor Supply store, I happened to talk with someone yesterday who has. And it sounds like the proposed store could offer some products not found in other area shops, plus give folks a place to buy their tractor parts, horse feed, etc. during off-hours when other places may be closed.

Plus, according to the developer, it’s supposed to create 14 to 17 new jobs, and Tractor Supply tends to support the scouts and 4-H groups in the places where it locates. And I would suspect that the village, town, county and school will collect a bit more in taxes off a brand-spanking-new store than it does on a few acres of hay.

Any thoughts?

-Steve Virkler

Welcome to the inaugural Lewis County posting on the Writer's Bloc blog.

My name is Steve Virkler, been covering Lewis County in one capacity or another for the better part of two decades. Ok, it won't officially be two decades unless I make it to the fall of 2012, but who's counting?

Anyhow, I guess that makes me somewhat of an expert on county happenings.

Through this blog, I'll attempt to provide more colorful and conversational insights into some of the issues I'm writing about in the paper... and probably some that I'm not. And, while I don't plan to ruin whatever reputation of fairness and objectivity I've gained over the years by spouting my opinions all over cyberspace, I am hoping to foster some comments, opinions and even outright debates from you, the readers.

You can e-mail me at svirkler@wdt.net.

Stay tuned!

• Amelio Sewing and Vacuum Center expanding
• Another club at a familiar location
• Business notes
• A yummy arrangement
• City Council will review bus fares, eatery idea turned car shop
• Galloo Island wind farm PILOT deal
• City engineers busy with 10 projects
• Watertown mall hosts nonprofits' fundraiser Sunday
• City FD light on leadership
• Grand opening and free food
• Fort Drum soldier plans roller rink in former Hacketts
• Burns and Macaluso making history with joint Council stint
• Rules for Galloo Island PILOT hearing
• 'Blight' on agenda for city planning board
• Time pressures on Galloo Island wind project
• Higher home sales reported locally
• Who needs paper? City agenda now online
• Nickel and diming?
• Is it time for more character building in north country schools?
• Moontide Arts returns
• JCIDA faces tension between money and jobs
• Galloo Island developer hurrying to take advantage of tax credits
• Full speed ahead on Galloo Island
• More incubators?
• Urban Mission, barber shop honored as best businesses
• Shining a light on Watertown's missing bulbs
• First National Beef & Brew under new management?
• See a crow? Call it in.
• Watertown only NNY city to feel brunt of Paterson's proposed cuts
• Some in Henderson don’t ♥ wind power
• Wind support gathering speed in Clayton
• City DPW ready to pick up your leaves, branches and other debris
• More from Emerge: Regional Issues
• Emerge NNY: How to start a business
• Read Orleans' recommendations for wind turbine zoning
• Fall is store-opening season
• Finding the right price for JCC upgrades
• Now the fun begins
• To loan or not to loan
• JCC capital plan taking shape
• Martial arts and Moons over My Hammy
• Watertown built it
• Wind support mounting
• Getting fit under new management
• A slew of business openings
• 3+3 adds up for bargain hunters
• Can't miss event for seniors Wednesday
• WWTI's new look
• Sandwiches over subs
• Postscript on Cash for Clunkers
• Looking for your hidden fees
• Rod Stewart tribute band will rock out at Bonnie Castle
• What's the most effective way to show teens the dangers of distracted driving?
• Thinking pink
• Bras sought at the TI Arts Center
• Will healthcare reform also reform our wallets?
• New Business Note
• Redneck Alert!
• Question: Has the city become a nicer place to live in recent years?
• Brain Gain Commission
• Who says art belongs indoors?
• Postscript on WPBS
• TI Music Festival is worth the drive across the border
• Tractor-Sized Development
• Odds and Ends
• Two concerts - Polar opposites
• SUNY Chancellor gets to see future of education at NNY colleges
• No more construction does not mean more business
• 'The Audition' plays tonight at the Roxy in Potsdam
• Health matters
• Welcome to The Bloc
• Covering Watertown like nobody else
• Livin' La Vida Lewis
• Inside education
• Open for business