Week of July 5, 2023
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Bolton, Gustafson win in N. Syracuse
John Bolton By David Tyler
Patricia Gustafson
The final certified vote tallies were:
In a closely contested Mayor race for two Gary Butterfield – 203 trustee posiTrustee tions in the John Bolton – 161 village of Patricia Gustafson – 158 North SyraFred Wilmer - 151 cuse, Republican John Bolton, who lican, who was first electwas running for the posi- ed in 2019, was the third tion for the first time, was place finisher in the tight the top vote getter. race. Bolton, who is retired Gary Butterfield, who following more than two ran unopposed, will redecades at Home Depot, turn for another term as also served on the police mayor, a position he has reform committee. held since June, 2015. He will be joined on After the in-person the board by Patricia votes were tallied, it apGustafson, who ran on peared that Wilmer might the Democrat and Good claim the second trustee Neighbors party lines. position, but there were Gustafson, who was first 33 absentee votes to be elected in 2021 to fill counted which tipped the the remainder of Diane scales in Gustafson’s favor. Browning’s term, cur- Only 10 votes separated rently serves as deputy the top voter getter and mayor. the third place finisher. Fred Wilmer, a Repub-
David Tyler
County Legislator Dave Knapp and County Executive Ryan McMahon held a kickoff event for the Onondaga Grown campaign last week, at which they announced the 10 farms that will participate in OnFarm Fest on Sept. 16.
‘The best way to support local farms’ Onondaga County kicks off Onondaga Grown campaign
Liverpool hockey merges with Fulton next season by Phil Blackwell
While much of the attention around Liverpool High School’s athletic program centers around whether or not it will change its “Warriors” nickname in the future, another big change is already assured. For the 2023-24 season, Liverpool will not field its Hockey l Page 12
By David Tyler The agricultural industry in Onondaga County produces enough food to feed a quarter of a million people. On Thursday, the county held an event at Dutch Hill Maple in Tully to celebrate agriculture in the county and kick off its Buy Onondaga Grown promotion and prep for OnFarm Fest, which will feature 10 farms in the county on Sept. 16, including Sunshine Horses in Clay. It’s the ninth annual kick off event for the county’s annual celebration of agriculture. “We need to continue to recognize our roots, and that is that we are - a strong ag community,” said County Executive Ryan McMahon. “We need to continue to look at ways to support the family farm. We need to continue to educate individuals in the community about how important it is that we make our own food.”
The celebration of agriculture in the county has two focuses, McMahon said. OnFarm Fest is a way to educate people throughout the county about what takes place on a wide variety of family farms in the community. Onondaga Grown is a campaign that encourages local residents to buy food and other products that are produced in Onondaga County. Shoppers can find Onondaga Grown items by looking for the Onondaga Grown logo at local grocers, convenience stores, farm stands, farmers markets and restaurants – and by visiting www.onondagagrown. com for maps of businesses that produce or sell locally grown products. “Onondaga Grown is about the best way we can to support these farms,” McMahon said. “We need to spend money supporting out local farms, and that will help the local economy, and that will help these farms continue to grow and be able to produce more food for more people here locally.” Dave Skeval, the executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, one of the county’s partners in the Onondaga Grown campaign, recently
traveled to an agriculture event in Suffolk County on Long Island, which boasts the number one agriculture economy in the state. While Suffolk County has about 35,000 in agricultural production, Skeval said, Onondaga County has more than 170,000 acres in production. Suffolk County producers create a lot of money from things like lavender fields and wineries, Skeval said, “but the question is how many people do they feed?” “We feed a quarter of million people out of Onondaga County,” Skeval said. “So it’s not just important to our county, it’s important to our region.”
Farms participating in OnFarm Fest Albanese Longhorns in Lafayette Navarino Orchards in Navarino Emmi Farms in Lysander Sunshine Horses in Clay Crazy Daisies in Camillus Brady Farm in Syracuse Shepards Settlement in Marcellus Anyela’s Vineyards in Skaneateles Pumpkin Hollow in Marcellus Dutch Hill Maple in Tully
Trustees pass local law prohibiting rentals of less than 30 days By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer
A
t its June 26 meeting the Liverpool Village Board of Trustees approved a new local law prohibiting the operation of short-term rentals at homes within the village. Village Codes Officer Bill Reagan said there are currently six dwellings within the village operating as AirBnBs, which offer short-term rentals. Of those six, four of the AirBnB operators spoke at the public hearing which prefaced the trustees’ action. They said that they prefer renting to short-term tenants. Reagan and the trustees expressed a desire to maintain stable local neighborhoods. “Short-term rentals are not healthy for our community,” said Trustee Matt Devendorf. “People
need to know who their neighbors are.” If AirBnBs were allowed to proliferate, Liverpool could suffer the same fate as the village of Lake Placid, which now has several blocks full of short-term rental homes. Regan pointed out that Liverpool now has 803 single-family homes and 30 twofamily homes, 94 percent of which are owner-occupied. Six percent of single-family homes here are rentals. A few of the AirBnB owners live in the homes which they’re renting, but others reside outside of the village. Reagan worries that – without the new law – entire village neighborhoods could become dominated by short-term rentals. The AirBnB currently operate with little or no regulation and they do not pay tourism taxes.
The trustees’ approval of the new law was not unanimous. Trustees Devendorf, Michael LaMontagne, Christina Fadden and Mayor Gary White all voted in favor of it, while Trustee Dennis Hebert voted no. Both Hebert and Fadden attended their final board meeting June 26. Fadden’s mayoral bid fell short at the June 20 village election as did Hebert’s bid for re-election.
Mayor White honored
White was honored by two proclamations announced as he presided over his final village board meeting on June 26. LaMontagne read the trustees’ resolution recognizing White’s 26-plus years of service at village hall, including seven twoyear terms as mayor. The trustees praised White’s detailed knowledge of the village infrastructure, and offered he and his family best wishes
in the future. State Sen. John Mannion had an aide deliver a notice of a Senate proclamation which praised White for his “exceptional leadership and inspiring career.”
Ten accidents in May
Police Chief Jerry Unger reported via memo that his officers made 180 traffic stops and issued 164 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws in May. Ten accidents were investigated here last month, and two motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated. Officers made 56 residential checks and 156 business checks in April while responding to a total of 493 incidents and calls for service. The LPD arrested 24 individuals last month on 32 criminal charges.
Volume 131, Number 27 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
SCHOOLS: Eighth-graders learn healthy financial habits.
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community: Clay Democrats hold personal hygiene drive.
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Calendar ������������������ 11 DEATH NOTICES ����������� 5 Editorial ��������������������� 4 history ������������������������ 5
Obituaries ������������������ 3 PennySaver ���������������� 6 SCHOOLS ����������������� 2,11