Staff Reports
It was standing room only Monday at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Point Breeze as neighbors and members of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association met with county Legislator Chairman Dave Callard, Legislator Ken Rush and Deputy Jim Halstead.
The recent announcement regarding the closing of the Oak Orchard State Park and Boat Launch on Archbald Road and Callard’s State of the County message prompted the invitation by the newly-formed neighborhood association, also known as OONA.
Callard stated that Rush and Orleans County Tourism Director Wayne Hale are scheduled to meet with state officials to determine the feasibility of Orleans County acquiring the state park and boat launch. OONA members displayed their support by presenting a letter from OONA Preservation and Environmental Committee chairman Dave Tufts.
Lynne Menz, OONA communications director and year-round resident expressed the need to repair the Parkway pavement from Hamlin Beach State Park on west, and wondered if it would qualify for federal stimulus funds since the Great Lakes Seaway Trail is designated as one of America’s Byways.
As the proprietor and host of the Lighthouse Restaurant, Nancy Karcher has fielded several complaints from visitors who exit Parkway.
“One visitor trailored his antique boat to our region this past year and was irate from the potential damage the Parkway’s condition could have caused to his boat,” Karcher said.
Further discussions ensued ranging from Homeland Security issues, installing cameras at the harbor and moving the INS phone closer to the harbor entrance for international boaters. Callard encouraged OONA members to create a “wish list” for improvements to present to the legislators within the month.
Steve Gramiak, OONA president and proprietor of the Black North Inn, and Bill Karcher, vice president and proprietor of the Lighthouse Restaurant, raised the issue of poor and dilapidated signage and reflectors along the Lake Ontario State Parkway and local roads.
Halstead addressed the attendees regarding the recent burglaries in Point Breeze, resulting in the successful apprehension of the suspects. This incident emphasized the urgency for the OONA Neighborhood Watch program. With the support of Halstead and County Sheriff Scott Hess, John Brown, sub-committee chairman, requested a call for volunteers to make this program a success.
