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turf debut Lakers open new field with two homecoming games
By kate hill Staff writer On Friday, Sept. 29, Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD) officially opened its newly completed Upper Turf Multi-Use Field at the Emory Avenue Complex with a girls varsity soccer game against Chittenango followed by a girls varsity field hockey game against Port Byron. On the day of the opening games, CCSD Athletic Administrator Mike Byrnes described the addition of the multi-sport all-weather turf athletic facility as “simply tremendous,” noting that it had already been used for soccer, field hockey, football, and physical
education. “[I] estimate the fields have been used for about 10.5 hours per day every school day by students and student-athletes,” Byrnes said. He added that the turf had also been used for some cross-country runs and off-season training and that the community-based youth football teams will start playing there on Sundays in October. The upper field renovation is part of the district’s current capital project, which involves modifying the physical education, sports, and community facilities at the Emory Avenue Complex. The $10,713,319 project was approved by a Capital Project Referendum Vote in March 2022. “Our two homecoming games for
girls soccer and field hockey were a historic moment in school history,” said Byrnes. “It makes me so proud that our community’s support, [the] district’s leadership, and the school board’s courage allowed for such an investment right here at home. We now have what almost no other school in our section has, a field that is so versatile that it can practically do anything we need it to do, and we can play all our field sports on it as needed. The views at the new field area are stunning, and the camaraderie, pride, and unity felt during our homecoming games was inspiring.” The renovation of the lower Buckley-Volo Stadium field area is still underway. “I can only imagine how amazing things will be upon to-
Heather Schuss
On Sept. 29, Cazenovia held its first two varsity games on its newly completed Upper Turf Multi-Use Field at the high school. tal completion later this school year,” Byrnes said. “All I can say
is how lucky I feel to be a Cazenovia Laker!”
FD to conclude Fire Prevention Week with open house Village board updated on former college campus By kate Hill Staff Writer
Carolyn Knight Ahern
The Cazenovia Fire Department is having an open house on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. By kate hill Staff writer The Cazenovia Fire Department (CFD) is inviting the public to the firehouse on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m., for its annual open house. Community members of all ages will have the opportunity to meet some of their local firefighters, check out the fire engines, increase their knowledge of fire safety and prevention, and learn about joining the fire department. Light snacks will be provided. Kids will also get the chance to use a fire hose and ladders, try on gear, and make escape plans for their homes. According to CFD Interior Firefighter Pat Scott, creating an escape plan is an important precaution because it can be difficult to think or act in stressful situations such as a fire. “This is especially true for children,” he said. “Having a plan ahead of time reduces the risk of somebody panicking and freezing up or doing something to make the situa-
tion worse.” Scott, who is helping with the open house, said the CFD opens its station to the public each year with the goals of getting more people to create escape plans, increasing the fire department’s visibility in the community, enhancing public relations, and recruiting new members. “There is usually a table with flyers, applications, and a couple of firefighters there to answer any questions [from prospective members],” he said. “I personally joined when I was 16 because my dad was a member. I was a member for 11 years before I moved to Florida. When I came back, I rejoined because of the camaraderie. They’re the best group of people you will ever meet.” According to CFD Chief Sam Usborne, the all-volunteer fire department currently has 25 active members. “Of those 25 active members, 75 percent are 50 years of age and older, so we are always looking for high school, college, [and] 20-somethingyear-old people,” Usborne
said. The chief also said that each year, the CFD tries to time its open house to coincide with Fire Prevention Week (FPW), which is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and observed during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This year’s FPW campaign is “Cooking safety starts with YOU.” During that week, CFD members will be visiting Burton Street Elementary School to teach the students about
fire prevention and the simple actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. According to Usborne, the students will have the chance to explore the fire trucks, crawl through a simulated burning home filled with fake smoke, and become familiarized with firefighters dressed in their complete turnout gear and equipped with their breathing apparatuses. The Cazenovia Fire Department is headquartered at 121 Albany St., Cazenovia. For more information, visit facebook.com/cazenoviafire.
During the Oct. 2 Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Kurt Wheeler provided his monthly update on the former Cazenovia College campus. The New York State Police is leasing about two-thirds of the campus for two years for use as a new NYS Police Basic School Auxiliary Academy. Wheeler announced that all the police academy staff had arrived on campus and that training begins on Oct. 16. According to Cazenovia Chief of Police Michael Hayes, 298 trainees are expected on campus. The target number of trainees for the new academy was 275. “[The total count was] 304 last week, but a couple decided they didn’t want to go that route,” Hayes said. “It’s still the largest state police academy in the history of the state police.” Wheeler noted that the state police is hoping to fit three approximately 28-week training cycles within its lease period. “It will be a dramatic difference for the community compared to having a 200-year-old liberal arts college there,” Wheeler said. “The type of training that state police have to do to be ready to perform their duties is very different than that of a bachelor of arts candidate. You are going to see people running and exercising and maybe making some noise sometimes and doing all the types of training you’d expect to be ready to carry out those law enforcement duties.” Wheeler also reported that he had a dialogue with the state police regarding the signs that were installed around the campus to restrict public access. He said that although the messaging on the signs is “a little bit more pointed” than he would like, he understands why they are necessary. “They can’t have the public kind of wandering through [if] they are doing some sort of tactical training,” he said. “It’s just a different environment. So, [to just] avoid any conflicts in the middle of training, those signs that restrict access did have to go up.” Wheeler added that he was happy to see an additional sign on Liberty Street that provides passersby with a little bit of context. According to Wheeler, the sign essentially thanks the public for its support and understanding with respect to the change to Campus l Page 14
Volume 214, Number 40 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
sports: Cazenovia girls cross country improves to 3-0.
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events: Caz Life to host Fall Festival this October.
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Editorial ��������������������� 4
obituaries ���������������� 11
history ������������������������ 5
PennySaver ���������������� 6
letters ������������������������ 4
Sports ������������������ 12-13