JAZZ FESTIVAL TO FEATURE LOCAL BANDS AND PROMINENT JAZZ ARTIST & EDUCATOR
The Liberty Central School Department of Music will host the 16th Annual LIBERTY JAZZ FESTIVAL, to be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the Middle School gymnasium. The festival will feature High School and Middle School jazz ensembles from Liberty and Monticello. The students will also have the opportunity to participate in an afternoon clinic (beginning at 3 PM) with a renowned jazz artist and educator “in a non-competitive, constructive format,” according to festival co- chairman and Director of Music Gary Siegel.
This year’s clinician is Michael Pacer. Mr. Pacer is a professional Saxophone and woodwind specialist and recently retired as a music educator in the Port Jervis City School District. Early in his career he taught at Liberty High School. As a performer he has performed with The Temptations, Broadway Legend Richard Kiley, The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra and the Grammy Award Winning Jimmy Sturr Band. He currently performs with his “Orchestra of One”. The clinic will take place from 3 PM – 5:30 PM and the Concert will begin at 7 PM with both taking place in the Liberty MS Gym. Suggested donation for the concert is $3 with a maximum $10/family of 4 or more.
Donations will benefit the music scholarship fund and the WSUL/WVOS Heart-A-Thon. Tickets will be on sale at the door.
For more information contact Gary Siegel at 292-5400 x5117 or email at gsiegel@libertyk12.org.
Liberty to hold community budget forum on February 2nd
The Liberty Central School District in coordination with Sullivan County BOCES is holding a community budget forum to discuss the 2012-2013 school budget. The forum will be held on Thursday, February 2nd, 7-9 p.m. at Liberty High School and will give Liberty residents and opportunity to discuss their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the budget.
“During these difficult past budget seasons, we have needed to make significant reductions across the board,” said Liberty Superintendent Michael B. Vanyo. “This year also presents the additional challenge of staying within a 2% tax levy cap as well. We want to make sure that we are in touch with our community and want the public to have a voice in the budget formation process.”
The forum will begin with an introduction by Sullivan County BOCES Superintendent Larry Thomas, who will also moderate the event. Participants will be divided into smaller groups, guided by a Sullivan BOCES facilitator, to discuss key budget concerns including ways to save money, educational programs, and the top priorities of the community. Participants will then have the opportunity to discuss each group’s results.
If you would like to participate, please R.S.V.P. by Tuesday, January 30 to District Clerk Tania DeFrank, at 845-292-6990 or tdefrank@libertyk12.org. R.S.V.Ps are strongly encouraged, but not required. For questions, please contact Communications Specialist Allison Ruef, 845-292-5400, ext. 2055 or aruef@libertyk12.org.
Liberty Troopers rescue BOCES student from a partially ice covered pond
On January 24, 2012, State Police in Liberty assisted the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department with an 18 year old BOCES student who left the campus and ran off into a wooded area. The male subject attempted to swim across a partially frozen pond and became stuck in chest deep water halfway across the pond. Trooper Stephen Johnstone threw a resue rope to the student, who refused to grab the rope. When the student became lethargic, Trooper Johnstone and a volunteer fireman entered the water and retrieved the student before he became totally submerged under the water. He was transported by Mobil Medic Ambulance to Catskill Regional Hospital for hypothermia treatment and a Mental Health evaluation.
Proposed Recycling Center on Exit 99 Drawing Fire
The proposed car recycling center on Exit 99 is drawing fire from critics calling it a ‘dump’ and asking town politicians to stick with the comprehensive plan.
The recycling center will be located next to the blacktop plant off of exit 99. The facility would be used to process crushed cars, most of the materials will only stay on site temporarily according to reports.
Critics are citing that the proposed facility would be an eye sore, the land is zoned residential, and would impact your property value. While others say it would bring much needed jobs to the Village and would be in an area where there’s natural noise suppression. The facility would be located on approximately 11 acres.
We’ll be following this story closely, information is very thin right now and we’ll pass more along as it becomes available. But if you’d like to have your say on this project – there is a public hearing tonight at the Liberty Town Hall at 6:45pm.
You Better Be Good, Santa is Coming to Town – Saturday 12/17
Attention children of all ages and you grown up kids too! Santa Claus is coming to the Town of Liberty on Saturday, December 17th! Santa’s Sleigh will be gliding onto Main Street in front of Town Hall (120 North Main Street) at 7pm.
There will be cookies, candy, and toys. The Santa Express’s 50 feet of magic lights and music will delight! See Santa, Mrs Claus, Frosty, and more. Don’t forget your letters to Santa!
7pm, Saturday, December 17th, 120 North Main Street (Main Street will be closed in that area)
Red Meat Facility: We Talk With Supervisor Elect Charlie Barbuti
The red meat processing facility slated to be built in Liberty has been a topic of discussion lately after a similar operation opened it’s doors in Delaware County. To get a wider prospective on the plant, it’s future, and impact on Liberty we thought it would be ideal hear what our newly elected politicians had to say about it.
Today we heard from Town of Liberty Supervisor-elect Charlie Barbuti. He was kind enough to answer a few questions:
LibertyIndy.com: What is the purpose of the meat processing facility?
Charlie Barbuti: The purpose of the Red Meat Facility to be located in Liberty is to give all farmers in the region a more economical process to get their product to the market. It is the hope of the Sullivan County IDA that the availability of processing facility so close to the farm will encourage our farmers to raise more meat which will create an additional or expanded revenue stream for the farmer. In short while we hope that farmers that already raise meat will take advantage of the new plant and save themselves the expense of going over 100 miles away to process their meat the plant will also encourage them to expand their operations as well as encourage other farms to begin raising meat. Farmers have strongly expressed a need for this facility.
LibertyIndy.com: Does Liberty need it?
Charlie Barbuti: The construction of the facility will create jobs for the short term as well as permanent jobs in operating the plant. Liberty needs more jobs. The many farmers that will travel to this facility will stop at the local gas stations and restaurants. Liberty’s businesses need the extra revenue. Having farmers travel in to town from other areas in the region will expose those folks to the many businesses and services Liberty can offer. Liberty needs more exposure. Do we need this plant? We sure could use the boost.
It seems at this time that almost all the hurdles that have held up this plant have been addressed and it looks like construction should begin in the short term.
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Thanks to Mr Barbuti for taking a few minutes out of his day to answer some questions. In the following weeks we’ll be adding more input from community leaders.
Friday: Liberty Tree Lighting and First Annual Holiday Parade
The Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting its first annual Town of Liberty Holiday Parade in conjunction with the Town’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony. Join in the fun to celebrate the holiday spirit by entering a float, decorate a vehicle, or march with your group/organization.
The parade will be held Friday December 2, 2011 at 6:00 pm. Line-up will begin at 5:00 pm at the municipal parking lots behind the Elks Lodge. The parade will commence through Main Street and end at the Liberty Elementary School. The snow date will be December 3rd.
Following the parade the Annual Tree Lighting will take place at the Town Hall and Liberty Main Street Stage. Light refreshments will be served. Bring your children to the Liberty Fitness Center Nov. 28th – Dec. 1st from 3-6:00pm to decorate ornaments for free that will be hung on the Holiday Tree. The Liberty Chamber of Commerce will also be announcing the winners of the Liberty Merchants Holiday Window Decorating Contest.
For further information or to register a float please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at845-292-7690.
Release provided.
Town of Liberty Parks and Rec Winter 2011-2012 Programs
Here is the Winter 2011-2012 Town of Liberty Parks and Rec Program Flyer! Great programs once again! May we suggest the discounted lift tickets for Holiday Mountain – HUGE savings for Liberty Residents.
Arts and Crafts
Children in grades K-4th are welcome to come to the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation building after school to work on fun arts and crafts projects. A Parks and Rec. Staff Member will pick up students at the Elementary School. Maximum of 12 students.
Dates: Mondays January 16th –February 27th
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Fee: $ 15 for Liberty Residents
$ 25 for Non-Residents
Pre-Register at the Parks and Rec Office
Teen Night
Liberty Teens ages 13-17 can come to the senior center to enjoy a night full of fun. Win prizes at weekly ping-pong and billiards tournaments. Use the projection screen to play Xbox 360 games or enjoy a movie. The Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Department will provide refreshments.
Dates: Fridays from January 6th- February 24th
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE- students must present a Liberty
School District ID.
ADULT
Walking
Is the weather bad outside? Getting to Cold? Looking to get in shape? Then join the walking program that meets every Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the hallways of the Liberty High School.
Dates: January 10th – April 26th
Times: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Fee: $ 10 for Liberty Residents
$ 20 Non-Residents
CO-ED Volleyball
Want to play some competitive ball? Then sign up for CO-ED Volleyball and play on Thursday Evenings at the Liberty Middle School Gym.
Dates: Thursday’s Jan 5th- March 29th
Times: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $ 10 Liberty Resident
$ 20 Non- Resident
FAMILY
Family Snow Tubing/Skiing/Snowboarding at Holiday Mountain
Open to Liberty Residents Only
Sign your family up for Snow Tubing at Holiday Mountain and receive discounted rates. Day/Date/Time: Sundays, January 8th, 2012-February 26th, 2012. Snow Tubing hours are from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
FEE: Pay just $14 dollars per person for a two-hour session when you present your Liberty Parks and Rec. ID.
Sign your family up for Skiing/Snowboarding at Holiday Mountain and receive discounted rates. Day/Date/Time: Sundays, January 8th, 2012 – February 26th, 2012. Skiing hours are from 10 a.m.- 5p.m.
FEE: Lift Ticket- $ 13 pp, Rentals-13pp, Group Lesson- $15pp, Snowboard Rental-$20pp.
To take advantage of these Rates, purchase a Town of Liberty Parks and Rec. ID for $5.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
The Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation will be looking to fill the following positions for the Summer 2012 season:
Life Guards
Water Safety Instructors
Day Camp Counselor
Counselor In Training
Concession Attendant
Park Attendant
Office Clerk
Applications will begin being accepted January 2nd 2012. The last day to hand in an application is March 30th 2012. Stop by the office or call to receive an application. The Town of Liberty is an equal opportunity employer.
Parks and Recreation Office: 119 N. Main St. Liberty, NY 12754
Phone: (845) 292-7690 Fax: (845) 292-3588 Senior Center: (845) 292-1033
Email: p.r.dept@townofliberty.org
Web Page: www.townofliberty.org
Two Poughkeepsie Residents Charged with Robbery in Town of Liberty
State Police at Liberty announce the arrest of Meghan Leigh Knapp and Jeffrey Curtis Packard, both age 33, from Poughkeepsie, NY for Burglary 3rd degree, Possession of Burglars Tools and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th.
State Police received a call of a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of Wade Road and State Route 52, Liberty, NY. A uniformed patrol located the vehicle at the above location occupied by the above subjects. Initial investigation reveals the subjects to have conflicting stories and explanations as to why they were at the above location, and during this interview Troopers located two sets of gloves, flashlights, a camera and two pieces of a film strip taken from the La Minette Hotel and Theatre.
Knapp and Packard were arraigned in front of Town of Liberty Justice Rourke and committed to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $1000 bail. They were ordered to reappear on December 1, 2011 at 2:00 P.M.
Letter: Statement From Supervisor Candidate Charlie Barbuti
I am Charlie Barbuti and I am asking for your vote for Supervisor of the Town of Liberty. If you don’t know who I am, I have wasted an awful lot of money in advertising my furniture business over the last 38 years.
I was born and raised in Liberty and returned here after college to help my father out in his new furniture business. While he had started working in the business in 1946 for Russ Hodge, he never owned his own place. That changed in 1973 when he opened a furniture store on West Street in Liberty. Together we built Charlie Barbuti Furniture Mall into the premier furniture store it is today.
As a young man I joined many civic groups and worked hard to make Liberty a better place to live and raise a family. My family and business soon took priority in my life and I reduced my community involvement time. Fact was, I got tired of going to meetings and seeing nothing happen. We should get the gold medal for meeting and planning. Unfortunately we get the booby prize for making things happen. Should I be elected, this will be a central theme of my administration. It is time to “STOP TALKING AND START WALKING”. We have to stop talking about things that divide us and may never happen. We need to focus our efforts on the issues we agree on and spend all the energy we spend beating ourselves and each other up, on efforts to improve our quality of life. We live in a beautiful place and have a wonderful community.
LISTEN, LEARN AND LEAD. I have made this the centerpiece of my campaign. I want to LISTEN to your concerns and ideas. I will then do the research to LEARN the best ways to turn our dreams into reality. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. In fact, Liberty has a Comprehensive Plan, which I would use as the foundation of our future strategy. We need to study what has been working in other places and apply those ideas to Liberty. I will take what you tell me, what we learn together, work with the many individuals and organizations that are trying to improve our community and LEAD our Town to becoming what it says on all the signs. “Welcome to Liberty, the Heart of Sullivan County”. A heart is more than an emotional center, it is the pump that gives life to the body.
