By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
Prominent CNY developer Dave Muraco will demolish Le Moyne Manor, the historic “House of Banquets” at 629 Old Liverpool Road, which he recently purchased. He plans to build a shopping center on the 3.68-acre site and convert the adjacent motel into an apartment building.
The original Le Moyne Manor building was designed by noted Arts and Crafts architect Ward Wellington Ward, who lived there in the early 20th century. It was extensively renovated over the years under various owners, and now Muraco will tear down the 55,000-square-foot structure with its distinctive fieldstone walls.
But there’s a silver lining to that dark cloud. Muraco told reporters that he fully intends to preserve the Jesuit Well, which sits obscured by cat-tails and high grass behind the manor.
The well was constructed 85 years ago along with the nearby “French Fort” (now, Skä•noñh – Great Law of Peace Center), and was dedicated on Aug. 16, 1933, with a well-attended parade and pageant. The well commemorated the role of the Jesuits in recognizing the potential commercial value of salt to European colonists, which ultimately became a contributing factor in the development of the city of Syracuse.
A native of Utica, Muraco has recently developed the Suburban Park apartment complex and the Scenic Root restaurant in Manlius and also owns shopping centers and other apartments across CNY. He’s already seeking potential tenants for the Old Liverpool Road site.
Three busted for bad bills
Shortly after noon on Friday, June 10, a half-dozen cop cars descended on the Pizza Hut parking lot on Route 57, just north of the village. No, the officers were not there for cheese-sticks and garlic knots. Their flashing lights made it clear they were making arrests.
Turns out that a few young city residents sought for passing counterfeit bills had pulled the scam that morning at Herb Philipson’s, 7421 Oswego Road, at the Glenn Crossing shopping center.
For the past two months, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Detectives, along with members from the New York State Police, DeWitt Police, Manlius Police and the Cicero Police Department, had been investigating numerous complaints involving counterfeit money. During the investigation, detectives reviewed countless hours of security surveillance and were able to identify a vehicle used by the suspects during the crime spree; however, the identity of the suspects were unknown.
On June 10 while working on the case, detectives overheard the 911 Center dispatch a forgery incident involving counterfeit money being passed at the Herb Philipson’s store. The suspect’s description was similar to those previously investigated. Responding patrol units were then given a description of the vehicle seen at Philipson’s and a sheriff’s sergeant and a New York state trooper located the vehicle occupied by the suspects at the Pizza Hut, a short distance from the shopping plaza.
All three occupants were taken into custody and during the subsequent search of the vehicle deputies recovered a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun along with several hundred counterfeit bills. Detectives estimate that the trio passed more than $10,000 dollars in counterfeit bills over the past two months.
Detectives charged Najee Boatman, 20, of Munson Street, Syracuse, and a 16-year-old Syracuse resident of Glenwood Avenue, Syracuse, with first degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, fourth degree criminal solicitation and second degree criminal possession of a weapon. Both were arraigned in the Town of Salina Court before Judge Andrew Piraino who set bail at $100,000 cash $150,000 bond. The third suspect, a 14-year-old juvenile male, was slapped with similar charges, arraigned in Family Court and sent to Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center.
Revolutionary musical
Thespians Liam Fitzpatrick and Abel Searor, who live in Liverpool, are presently strutting their stuff in “1776” starring veteran actor Bob Brown as John Adams, at CNY Playhouse in ShoppingTown DeWitt.
Searor, a talented pianist, leads a seven-piece pit band and the show’s music often conjures up an 18th-century ambiance by the unmistakable sound of a harpsichord, which Abel coaxes from a synthesizer.
As a stoic but sexually starved Thomas Jefferson, Fitzpatrick plays an important role in the musical and in the creation of the U.S.A. His pleasing tenor is showcased on the tune “But Mr. Adams” in Act One and “The Egg” in Act Two in which Jefferson, Ben Franklin and John Adams debate the choice of America’s most symbolic bird (Adams’ eagle won out over Jefferson’s dove and Franklin’s wild turkey).
By the way, Jim Magnarelli, a real-life Salina town councilor, ably portrays John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress.
“1776” runs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 30, July 1 and 2, at CNY Playhouse located near the Macy’s entrance at DeWitt’s Shoppingtown Mall; Tickets cost $22 on Thursday and $25 on Friday and Saturday; 885-8960; cnyplayhouse.com.
The columnist can be contacted at [email protected].
