A Bi-weekly Report on the City of Olean

From the Desk of Mayor Linda Witte

Community Update

April 1, 2013 Volume 2, Issue 7

Public Invited to Comment....................................................1 Rainbows of Love Over The Rainforest Mural at OGH.......1 Volunteers still needed…….......……………………...........1 Here and There Around Olean..........................................2,6 Leola Strang, Elk of the Year................................................2 .How did you celebrate International Women’s Day? .........2 Globetrotters teach the ABCs of Bullying Prevention..........3 Volunteers Needed................................................................4 Page 1 Photo Caption./Announcements............................... 5

Newsletter Topics

The public will have a third opportu-nity to offer comments and opinions regarding the make-over of North Union Street at 6 p.m. April 16th at 6pm in the Council Chambers of the Olean Municipal Building. The

Olean Restoration Committee is looking for addi-tional public comments. following the earlier pub-lic forums. Representatives of Hatch-Mott-MacDonald, the engi-neering firm hired to oversee the street’s redevelopment, has toured the surrounding areas where there are similar traffic issues. They will present a refined conceptual design based on months of research and gathering data from residents, con-

cerned citizens, and businesses of Olean. The Com-mittee members extend a thank you to everyone who has been involved for their interest in the City of Olean North Union Streetscape Design project. The Olean Restoration Committee appreciates your input and your interest in the City of Olean. We look forward to your attending this meeting.

Volunteers Needed! (See Page 4) Snow shoveling is no longer the greatest need as tem-

peratures warm city sidewalks and driveways. However,

there are many older and infirm residents who could use

a neighbor’s hand with small chores. These and other

volunteer opportunities are essential to life in our beauti-

ful city of Olean. Knock on your neighbors’ door and

see if you can help out, or call Casey Jones (372-3772)

and Lila Ervay to help out with cleanup efforts on our

public rights-of-way.

This mosaic, “Rainbows of Love Over the Rain-

forest,” was permanently installed in the Olean General Hospital’s

East Atrium, at 515 Main St.. This community art project was un-

veiled at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2012 in a special ceremony at the

Hospital. Above, Anne Conroy-Baiter, Director of the Cattaraugus

County Arts Council, helps hospital CEO Tim Finan with the unveil-

ing. The mural was created at the Council under the artistic direction

of acclaimed artist, Gilda Oliver and spent its first six months at St.

Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Fund-

ing the project in 2011 were American Olean Dal-Tile, Cattaraugus

County Arts Council, Champions for the Challenged, Courage Unlim-

ited Corporation, Pierce Steel Fabricators, Inc. and the Southern Tier

AmeriCorps Resource Team.

Public Invited To Comment April 16 on N. Union Streetscape Design

“Rainbows of Love Over the Rainforest”

Elizabeth Cashing (in white,

seated at the table in the

background) was one of several women receiving the Yellow Rose Award at the

annual International Dinner March 21. Dr. Rene Garrison was given the

Women’s Achievements Award. The graceful and talented Erin Zlockie (at right)

entertained the crowd with Arabic Dancing (or “Belly Dancing”)!

LEOLA STRANG, ELK OF THE YEAR Mayor Linda Witte presented the Key to the City to Leola Strang during the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 2013 Annual Awards Dinner on March 23. Leola was also named Elk Member of the Year for her willingness to help and her ability to get things done. Other awards were presented. Penny Lyman, who contributes above the duties of her office, was named Officer of the Year; Major William Lynch, Salvation Army, was given the Citizen of the Year Award. This award is given to an all-around good citizen who displays leadership and voluntary service in the community.

The African American

Center for Cultural

Development (8 Leo Moss Drive,

Olean) served coffee and cookies

March 15 and discussed several

important deceased women:

Former Prime Minister Benazir

Bhutto, the first female Prime

Minister of a Muslim country

(presented by Gloria

Clemons); Dr. Helen Caldicott,

environmentalist and anti-nuclear

activist from Australia (presented

by Barbara Dyskant); Mrs. Sarah

Johnson, a freed slave who

walked to Olean from Philadelphia and became a midwife

to several generations of Olean residents (presented by

Della Moore); and Mother Theresa, a who ministered to

the poor of Calcutta, India (presented by Linda Waltos).

City trucks and equipment were on the job

March 20 to manage a water line break.

How did you celebrate International Women’s Day?

Here and There Around Olean

Dan Burden, the “walkable commuunities” consultant , brought his ideas to the Cattarau-gus County Legislature March 27.

Burden has been meeting with City of Olean officials regarding a new design to slow North Union Street traffic and bring pedestrian traffic in a bid to restore business to the area. He balanced the visit with appearances in

Olean and Erie County, and focus groups were held March 28.

Traffic calming, walkability and street-scape investments are meant to bring on pri-vate sector investment and economic growth.

Congressman Tom Reed came to the area to discuss the downtown Corning develop-ments that resulted from a similar redesign.

Globetrotters Teach

the ABCs of Bullying Prevention “Buckets,” one of several Globetrotter ambassadors, brought the team’s

Anti-bullying message to Eastview Elementary School on March 27

Mayor Linda Witte learned a new skill while helping to bring the “ABC’s of Bullying Prevention” to an enthusiastic crowd of students at Eastview Elementary School.

“Buckets,” shown in these photos, is one of several Globetrotter ambassadors who trav-els ahead of the team to show students how to display Action, Bravery and Compas-sion. He enlisted the aide of Mayor Witte in his presentation, teach-ing her how to spin the basketball on one raised finger.

Mayor Witte was delighted to learn this trick and presented Buckets with the Key to the City of Olean, which he will share with the whole team. She also presented this Official Proclamation:

WHEREAS, the Harlem Globetrotters will come to the Greater Olean community as part of its “2013

You Write the Rules” tour, with a game scheduled at 7

p.m. April 3 in St. Bonaventure University’s Reilly

Center; and,

WHEREAS, the exhibition basketball team com-

bines athleticism, theater, and comedy, and its players

act as role models and ambassadors carrying out sev-

eral good will projects as they travel the world; and,

WHEREAS, Harlem Globetrotters player

“Buckets” is providing community outreach to East-

view Elementary School students at 10 a.m. Wednes-

day, March 27, bringing a lesson on “The ABCs of Bullying Prevention” to the 6- to 12-year-old age

group; and,

WHEREAS, the program in coordination with the

National Campaign to Stop Violence (NCSV), focuses

on the key words “Action,” “Bravery,” and

“Compassion,” and demonstrate how kids can act as

a team in non-confrontational ways to support one

another to help stop bullying; and,

WHEREAS, the city of Olean wishes to honor the Harlem Globetrotters for its energetic calendar and

agenda, for being good role models to our youth, and

for spreading the message of good will in the work to

stop bullying.

NOW THEREFORE, the Mayor presents the team

with the Key to the City and hereby proclaims April 3,

2013 Harlem Globetrotters Day.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THE CITY OF OLEAN LITTER CONTROL PROGRAM

TO KEEP OLEAN’S STREETS FREE OF UNSIGHTLY LITTER

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MAY 1 – OCTOBER 31

“AS LITTLE AS ONE HOUR PER MONTH”

• • JOIN THE EFFORT AND ADOPT A STREET

• • TEAM UP WITH A FRIEND OR CO-WORKER

• • MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLEANLINESS OF OLEAN

• • JUST 30 MINUTES TWICE A MONTH WILL MAKE AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Lila Ervay (lervay@cutco.com) or Casey Jones (cbjones11@verizon.net)

Bradner Stadium is beginning to shape up in time for spring 2013! These photos were taken around April 1, and show the topsoil being stockpiled for fu-ture use and crews begin to work on the outfield and address drainage problems. The topsoil will be returned to the Sta-dium and reused .(Photos by Mayor

Linda Witte)

Bradner Stadium work continues in preparation for outfield improvements

The Online Bill Pay & Customer Service option is up and running on the city’s website for a $3 fee. Go to www.cityofolean.org and click on “The Online Bill Pay & Customer Service” button from the menu on the right side of the home page. At the online payments home page, choose between water/sewer bill payment and parking ticket payment options.

Water and Sewer bill payers register and set up a pass-word, then view transaction history and chart water con-sumption through by billing date. Parking ticket payers simply search for the citation number or vehicle info. (This destination can also be reached by typing this into your browser: https://w.municipalonlinepayments.com/oleanny/

utilities.)

Can the city help? Page One Photo Feature: On March 28,

winter hung around outdoors, but Mayor

Witte’s spring bulbs adorned some of the of-

fices in City Hall and cheered employees. Photo by Mayor Linda Witte

As your Mayor I continue to

have an Open Door Policy on the first floor of the Municipal Build-ing at 101 East State St. You can call my office at 376-5615 with questions and complaints. Please stop in and pick up a 2013 City Directory for phone numbers of Department Heads and Alderman or check the website, www.cityofolean.org. At that loca-tion is a link where you will find this newsletter!

East State Street Construction Update Construction is expected to resume about April 15. For information call the Department of Public Works at 376-5650.

Jim Brady, Ward 1 716-372-3692 jbrady@cityofolean.org

How do you contact your 2013 Alderman?

Paul Gonzalez, Ward 3 716-790-1121 pgonzalez@cityofolean.org

Matt Keller, Ward 4 585-378-0557 mkeller@cityofolean.org

Council President Ann McLaughlin (Ward 2) 716-560-8407 amclaughlin@cityofolean.org

Tom Morgan, Ward 7 716-373-4860 tmorgan@cityofolean.org

Nate Smith, Ward 6 716-307-8199 nsmith@cityofolean.org

Jim Finch, Ward 5 716-373-0163 jfinch@cityofolean.org

Standing Committees and the Common Council

Most Tuesdays beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers

Thinking of Getting Married? Call Mayor Linda Witte to schedule your wedding

in the Olean City Limits. Mayor Witte has performed many weddings during her term in office and will be happy to schedule yours.

To schedule a ceremony, call 376-5615. It is New York State Law that marriage ceremonies cannot be performed for 24 hours after a marriage license was issued. To obtain a license, call the Department of Vital Records at 376-5605 or the City Clerk (376-5604). The nearby John Ash Community Center on North Barry Street is an excellent spot for the recep-tion! To book that space, call 376-5666.

Online Bill Pay Option

Community-Wide Garage Sales MAY 18

8 AM TO 4 PM For info, Call Greater Olean

Area Chamber of Commerce 372-4433

Drop Off Your Drugs for Safe Disposal Safe drug/medication disposal drop-off event

10 a.m.—2 p.m. Saturday, April 27th Cattaraugus County Bldg., 1 Leo Moss Drive

For info, call Cattaraugus County Sheriff Investigator Christa Heckathorn, 716-938-2572

“Blitz Day” is July 27, 2013 That’s the day when volunteers come together

for the day to lend a hand in repairing the homes of some needy families in Olean,

Hinsdale, Portville, Allegany, Westons Mills.

If you or someone you know could

use this kind of help for the day,

please fill out an application, avail-

able in the City Clerk’s Office

or by calling 373-0163, 376-5618.

Rebuilding Together Applications Due April 15, 2013

Good Times Family Recreation Center Speeds Along!

The scenery changes every day as work speeds

along at Good Times Family Recreation Center. A

late June date is the target for completion. Are you

among the delighted observers peeking on the pro-

gress? Shown here in late March and early April,

the façade becomes more defined each day in these

photos, and a small sample of siding (above and

left) allows us a glimpse of what the facility will

look like on the outside.

Sam Hoyt brings Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget Message to Olean April 4

Mr. Hoyt told the audience that state government is working better than in the past and pointed out that the Governor had begun to bring together the various fac-tions in state government.

“Now they are talking to each other.”

Mayor Linda Witte asked Sam Hoyt if the governor’s budget treatment of pension re-form will hurt municipalities. Mr. Hoyt replied that the bigger issue is the reform of unfunded man-dates. He noted that the governor initiated the SAGE Commission which is aimed at helping local government, adding the old agree-ments must remain in place but new savings due to pension re-forms will accrue over time. Benefits from the new Tier 6 will not immediately be seen.

Sam Hoyt, above, spoke to a small group on onlookers in Jamestown Community Col-

lege’s Cutco Theater on April 4, and fielded questions on issues ranging from labor to

teducation to he environment. He promised “genuine relief” to school districts.

Mayor Linda Witte accompanied Mr. Hoyt on a tour of the second-floor hallway in the

former Manufacturer’s Hanover bank building. She snapped this photo of the view of the

intersection of North Union and State Streets in front of the Municipal Building.