BALDWINSVILLE — “You are never too young (or old) to make a difference.”
That is the caption Baldwinsville resident Sandy Baker wrote on Facebook when she shared the video of the May 20 meeting of the Baldwinsville Village Board of Trustees, which her young granddaughter, Carmella Arcuri, attended virtually.
Even though she’s still in elementary school, Carmella is learning the importance of having a voice in local government. After a recent visit with her grandparents in B’ville, Carmella wrote a letter to Baldwinsville Mayor Dick Clarke detailing her concerns about pedestrian safety.
“I counted over five cars that did not stop to let me and my little sister cross the street. It’s very dangerous,” Carmella said. “I’m hoping you can make a better crosswalk sign in the road or have the road painted to warn more kids crossing.”
Mayor Dick Clarke thanked Carmella and said Baldwinsville residents have shared similar concerns with him.
Baldwinsville Police Chief Mike Lefancheck said he recently saw a crosswalk in Fayetteville equipped with a button for pedestrians to push that turns on “Day-Glo” flashing lights to alert drivers. He is looking into the possibility of installing these devices in Baldwinsville.
Clarke said he wants to launch a crosswalk awareness campaign with the help of the police department, the Messenger and local entrepreneur Shelley Hoffman. Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce President Matt Hunt said the chamber would be happy to help as well.
According to New York State, “Pedestrians have the right of way in all crosswalks and at intersections with marked or unmarked crosswalks.” For more information, visit ny.gov/programs/pedestrian-safety-action-plan.
Also on the agenda
• Paper Mill Island: Trustee Mike Shepard said he recently spoke with Creative Concerts promoter Chuck Chao about the possibility of concerts on Paper Mill Island. Previously, concertgoers could park at the Red Mill Inn, so Chao is concerned about adequate parking for popular acts. According to Shepard, Chao said August is the earliest people can expect events to return to the island.
• The Deli: Devotees of The Deli at 12 W. Genesee St. will be pleased to learn the eatery is returning — sort of. The Otts family sold the business late last year to Amy Casper, who operated it as the Lunchbox Deli. Mayor Clarke noted that the Lunchbox Deli’s Facebook page announced May 1 it was closing. Now, Dee Duger will be taking over the business, restoring The Deli’s name and menu with some guidance from the Otts family. The Deli at 12 W. Genesee St. will reopen Tuesday, June 1.
• Memorial Day: While most communities celebrate Memorial Day on the observed date of the last Monday in May, the village of Baldwinsville has long honored fallen servicemembers on the traditional date of May 30. For the second year in a row, Baldwinsville has canceled its Memorial Day parade thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trustee Ruth Cico, a member of the Baldwinsville Memorial Day Committee, said the village plans to raise flags throughout Baldwinsville and have a small contingent from the VFW and American Legion conduct ceremonies honoring veterans.
“All of our Memorial Day Committee and the mayor of the village of Baldwinsville, the supervisor of the town of Van Buren and the supervisor of the town of Lysander are deeply concerned for the health, safety and welfare of everyone in Baldwinsville, the country and throughout the world who are or may be affected by the COVID-19 virus. With this in mind we are advised to be cautious and cancel this year’s Baldwinsville Memorial Day Parade,” reads a statement from the committee. “We extend our sincerest wishes for good health for you and your families and look forward to a safe environment to hold our 2022 Memorial Parade.”
