Truckers In Trouble

By Andrea Berry, NCC News

(SYRACUSE) An empty truck stop diner off 690 in Syracuse is just one sign that the trucking industry in Central New York is slowing from high diesel costs. Ma Ma Nancy's was once bustling with truckers stopping by for coffee and a fill-up, but with diesel now at $4.48/gallon (up from $2.94 last year) the Independent Owner Operators (independent truckers) are suffering the most. "Some of them have gone to working for someone else and some of them have gone out. Some of them have retired and I don’t think they would have retired that soon" owner Nancy Bianchi said.

Liquid Gold
The cost of fuel is driving some truckers to drastic measures, like fuel theft. It's becoming a common practice at truck stops and some truckers say things are going from bad to worse. "It’s kind of hard when it’s cold out and you want to run your truck so you can keep warm but you can’t hear people stealing your fuel... and it’s getting bad, you buy fuel and somebody steals it from you and you’re out more money" said Jim Allen, a driver from Ohio making his way to Canada.

Taking It To The Streets
Fuel prices have led some independent truckers to protest in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. But putting together a large scale protest in CNY where fuel tax is highest has been difficult. Kenneth Coon owns AFD Inc., a trucking company in Syracuse. He says small companies like his have already folded and he isn't sure how much longer he will last. "There was talk of [a protest] but we can’t get the bigger companies to join us. I’m all for it...at this point you need the big companies to support you, just the small companies alone can’t have enough impact on Washington to do something about it" said Coon. His proposal for Washington is to open the oil reserves. For Coon, its the only solution that will spell a much needed relief for both independent truckers and company owners like him.

The lack of support could be from fear, according to Lori Fisher, a driver out of Michigan . "We could shut down the entire country if we would stop working for one hour. It wouldn’t effect things in the long term but it would affect things in the short term" Fisher said.

Long Reaching Affects
The struggles felt by the trucking industry will soon make their way to the consumer in the form of higher prices at stores. Virtually everything is brought through on a truck. This is the message Charlie Clayburn wants to get across to lawmakers in Albany. Clayburn recently organized a rally between state officials and independent truckers throughout Central New York. The pleas were desperate, but essentially the same, all calling for change. "My fuel costs have gone from $800-$900 a week to $1600 a week.. I estimate by the end of the year my net income will be around $13,000.. its averaged in the past around $35-40,000 thats a hell of a drop in income" said Paul Blooming, an independent trucker from Gloversville. On average 2,500 trucks are being repossessed because owner operator's can't make their payments, according to Bill Sutton, an independent trucker from Batavia.

Clayburn says he hopes the message becomes clear in Albany and will be strong enough to incite change in Washington. He says the truckers are only the tip of the iceberg and that this issue really affects everyone. "Think about it, the shoes you got on, the floor, the blacktop, the food the water, the lights this building.. everything came in on a truck.. your cereal, your milk, the kitchen table.. find one thing that didn't come in on a truck, just one.. and nobody can."

From Hope to Despair

Three Lost Boys of Sudan are Giving Back

April 25, 2008

By: Tracy Kracker, NCC News

Syracuse, NY - Central New York is now home to about 1,000 refugees from Sudan, about 150 which are known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan.” Their childhoods were riddled with hunger and suffering, but many of the lost boys are dedicated to giving back to the homeland of their past.

Background
In 1987, the Arab-led government of northern Sudan attacked the African villages in southern Sudan, forcing millions from their homes. Thousands of young boys walked hundreds of miles across the desert to seek safety at a refugee camp in Ethiopia.

Four years later, the boys were forced to trek again across Sudan to another refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya where there was little food and water. Machar Agoot was seven years old when he was forced from his village. “Some people just give up and they say, I don’t want to eat, I don’t want to do anything and they sit there, and next thing, they’re dead,” he said.

The lost boys lived in Kakuma camp for nine years. In 2001, many of them left the dry, barren desert for sprawling U.S. cities like Syracuse. But they could never forget the families they left behind.

Three Dedicated Boys
Agoot said his culture dictates that he helps his family as much as he can. Now, he is a nursing assistant and student at Saint Joseph’s Hospital. He does what he can to send money to his family in Africa. “It’s an obligation to be there for any relative, not just only your mother and your parents,” Agoot said.

That attitude extends beyond the family among many of the lost boys. After his niece died, Dut Deng felt the need to improve health conditions in his hometown of Bor. Deng and a group of fellow parishioners from Andrews Memorial United Methodist Church went to Sudan to find out what was really needed there. “God brought me here to this country, and he didn’t bring me here for nothing. I think I have a duty to fulfill. And one of the duties is to start a clinic in Southern Sudan,” he said.

Another lost boy felt the same need. When John Dau came to Syracuse in 2001, he was determined to help his homeland. He is now president of the John Dau Sudan Foundation, which built a health clinic in Sudan in 2007. But he believes giving back should extend beyond people helping only their own. “I think when you are born as a human being, I think you have a duty," Dau said, "and, the duty is help each other. Help those who cannot help themselves."

Freedom of Sight

April 25,2008

Westbrook Shortell NCC News

The Blind are Once Again Finding Their Lost Independence.

Outside Utica, New York there is a non for profit organization helping people regain their lost sight. Freedom Guide Dogs has been training guide dogs for visually impaired for years. Bill Irwin, a Vietnam Vet, lost his eyesight to Diabetes ten years ago. He said he and his dog share a close bond. "I tell people a guide dog is almost an extension of your arm, because you get so close and they get so in tune to you." Irwin recently received his third guide dog, Toga. Irwin said his last guide dog Rusty gave saved him from a close call. "A couple years ago on the SU hill, Rusty gave me a close call traffic check... I gave Rusty the command to cross the street and he wouldn't move- and then I heard a car come- and I said, ok Rusty, if you weren't here I would have walked right out in front of that car." It situations like these that Irwin says people with sight take for granted.

Hometown Training

Freedom guide dogs offers a unique type of guide dog training. Hometown training brings the dogs to their handlers. Other guide dog schools have visually impaired people come to dorms sometimes hours from their homes. Trainer Anne Mercer said its easier for people to learn in their hometown. "I like the hometown training because the people are more comfortable. They're sleeping in their own beds…they're in familiar territory."

Puppy Power

Before dogs like Toga starts hometown training, their real training begins at birth. Part of the Freedom Guide Dog training process is getting their puppies used to distractions. Director of Development Nicole White said, "you'd be amazed what a difference it makes later on when they're training to become guide dogs." Puppies are raised by a foster family for two years before the guide dog training begins and White says, "there is an80 to 85 percent success rate with guide dogs… if a dog doesn't work out the puppy raiser gets the first choice of adopting the dog."

Man's Best Friend

While people like Irwin may have lost their eyesight… they can gain not only a helpful partner, but also a new found friend. Irwin said "They're just great companions." Toga's role is important, but after the harness comes off, the two are still… just a man and his dog.

Mixed Martial Arts in Central New York

Pro Athletes Teach Sport in Area

By: Josh Pick, NCC News

CORTLAND, NY -Mixed martial arts, or MMA is a combination different disciplines and fighting styles, and it's also that violent sport in a cage on television. But, for two locals, it's their life.

Tamdan "Barncat" McCrory
Tamdan McCrory, nicknamed "Barncat," is the Ultimate Fighting Championship's youngest fighter at 21, and some experts consider him one of the young stars of the UFC. He credits MMA with changing his life: "I re-directed my negative energy into something positive, and I went from being a self-loathing, outcast college student to one of the youngest up-and-comers in the UFC," said McCrory.

Erik "Chainsaw" Charles
Erik Charles, or "Chainsaw," a professional fighter, himself, along with dad, Kevin, helped make "Barncat" what he is, through a year of intense training, including 13 workouts per week: "...I didn't have anyone else to beat on, so it had to be him. Then he started getting good," said Charles.

CNYMMA

Together, "Barncat" and "Chainsaw" run CNYMMA, a training center in Cortland and Binghamton, helping teach people the sport. Students train for various reasons: "It's a confidence builder...and it's a good workout," said Mike McConnell. Jermey Murphy also attends classes, but with higher aspirations: "...(I) really want to compete and get to a top level," said Murphy. McCrory says one reason they run the training center is to share MMA with others: "We've seen the benefits (of) martial arts for ourselves, and (we're) giving back," said McCrory.

NY State Athletic Commission

New York is one of five states outlawing sanctioned MMA fights. In 1997, then-Governor, George Pataki, said the sport was "barbaric." However, those practicing MMA, think change is imminent: "Now they see the dollars...it makes alot more sense," said Charles. McCrory agrees: "I think it's a matter of time before they wisen up, get on the bandwagon and approve it," said McCrory.

Growing Popularity
Charles says one reason MMA is so popular is the uncertainty of the fights: "Even though there's favorites, the worst guy can beat the best...there's no sport like that." And, with the growing popularity of the sport, it may be just a matter of time before New York caves in to the demand for MMA in their state.

Independent Truckers Struggle With High Diesel Prices

Increasing Gas Prices Leave Independent Truckers Fighting to Break Even

April 25, 2008


By: Ginger Whitaker, NCC News

A year ago, the average diesel cost in New York State was $2.86 . Now, the average price is $4.15. The high cost of diesel has forced thousands of owner-operator truckers out of business. Many truckers can't break even working seven days a week.

Gas Theives

"It roughly costs you $1,300 to fill it...every two days," said Kenneth Coon of A.F.D. Trucking, Inc. The high prices have forced some truckers to resort to a drastic measure - stealing gas by syphoning it out of tanks. Driver Jim Allen thinks he's been a victim of this kind of theft. "I think I have been one time but I'm not sure because I filled up at night and I was like…a tank less than I should have been," said Allen. Even after a long day of driving, Allen said he sleeps lightly in order to hear potential gas theives. "It's kind of hard when it's cold out and you want to run your truck so you can keep warm but you can't hear people stealing your fuel … You buy fuel and somebody steals it from you and you're out more money," said Allen.


Protests Across the Nation
In March, independent truckers held a protest in Pennsylvania and others scattered across the country have followed suit. Many truckers gathered last week for a rally in Fultonville, NY to discuss how to combat rising fuel prices. Assemblyman George Amedore, 105th District, attended the rally to voice his concerns. "You gotta realize these are not truckers, these are entrepreneurs. They are small businessmen who have made a very large investment in a rig, in a truck that brings the products we need every day," said Amedore.



There's been plenty of talk about bigger protests to make their voices heard. Many drivers said everyone needs to come together for a strike to be effective. "I wish that all the truckers, all the companies would get behind them and see something happening at that point...We could shut down the entire country if we would stop working for one hour," said driver Lori Fisher. But surviving truckers who can afford to fill up and who are still on the open road are not commiting to a one hour shutdown. Many just hope things get better...before they completely run out of money.

SouthSide Ministries

Justin Udo

Syracuse, Ny- Pastor Darrin Jaime is the pastor of the People A.M.E Zion church.

He has been here in Syracuse for a little more than a year. In that year and a half he has made a lot of change in the Syracuse community on the South Side.

If you look out at these empty lots and broken down buildings on South Salina street they may not look like much. A few months ago these empty lots and houses were full of broken beer bottles, used condoms and ramped drug use.

Pastor Jaime says "we are just trying to clear everything out so we can make room for something better."

Pastor Jaime is not just trying to fix buildings and lots on the South Side. He says he is trying to fix lives.

CLOTHING DRIVE

Barbara Honold holds back the tears as she says how much help the clothing drive that pastor Jaime is holding is a help to her.

"this is amazing to me, this is just amazing that these young people would just get together and work so hard for the grace of God"

BASKETBALL MINISTRY

Basketball is something that many young men love to play. Pastor Jaime spends his Saturday afternoons hosting open gyms in the church basement. He spends this time teaching the young men more than basketball. he teaches them life lessons. Marquie Little found himself constantly getting in trouble but since he started coming to the church and working with pastor Jaime he says he has direction in his life.

"This is good. the program helps me stay out of trouble and off the streets."

Pastor Jaime is not the cure-all for a community that is down on it's luck, but he says he is trying to do his part in helping the South Side of Syracuse regain its stability.

More Than Just Brawling

Central New Yorkers Learn Mixed Martial Arts from Professionals

By: Doug Plagens - NCC News

Not often does a recreational athlete have the opportunity to learn a sport from a professional every week. But at CNY MMA in Cortland and Binghamton, students are taught by up-and-comers near the top of their sport. As Tamdan McCrory says, he has seen the benefits of training Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA. The goal is to "give back."

TRAINERS

An Ultimate Fighting Championship contract does not stop Tamdan "Barn Cat" McCrory from giving back. At 21, the SUNY-CORTLAND senior has a record of 10-1, and is viewed by many as a top prospect in the sport. He credits MMA for his development as a person.

"I redirected my negative energy into something positive, and I went from being a self-loathing outcast college student to becoming one of the youngest up-and-comers in the UFC," McCrory said.

His partner in running CNY MMA, Erik "Chainsaw" Charles, is also a professional fighter. He trains regularly with McCrory, and enjoys the sport's "challenge of having to be good at a lot of things. You can't just be a good boxer, can't just be good at jiu-jitsu. You have to be good at a whole spectrum of things."

MMA

Mixed Martial Arts is a combination of fighting styles; it's also the violent cagefighting seen on television. While it's a violent sport, Charles says "so is football." But football games are allowed in New York.

THE BAN

MMA events are banned by the New York State Athletic Commission. In 1997, Governor Pataki called the sport barbaric, and to this day, no MMA events can be held in the empire state. But some feel that could change.

"Now that they see the dollars are there, it would make sense for them to [approve] it," Charles said.

MMA: GOOD FOR YOU

CNY MMA's trainers say MMA is good for everyone, and the students agree. One student, Mike O'Connell, called training "a great workout" saying MMA never "goes stale," because fights are always different. Jermey Murphy says getting to fight is the reward- the fun- that comes from all the training.

And McCrory and Charles are qualified instructors. Think about if two of the top young NFL stars stayed in their hometowns and taught football to anyone who willing to learn.

Aspiring fighters in Central New York may have better opportunities than any athlete, anywhere.

Tiny Village Undergoes Controversial Makeover
Residents Hope to Put Division Behind
Melissa J. Hipolit NCC News Syracuse Reporting
April 23, 2008


(Aurora, NY) It’s spring in Aurora, New York and things are downright pleasant. But, it wasn’t always this way. Seven years ago the village looked a lot different. “Aurora really was in a downhill slide, in a state of disrepair, and things were starting to look pretty shabby,” said Mayor Tom Gunderson.


Pleasant Rowland
That was until 2001 when Pleasant Rowland arrived. Rowland is a 1962 graduate of Wells College, who went on to create the American Girl dolls. The millionaire philanthropist gave the historic village a controversial $40-million makeover. “My reaction was thank goodness, right from the beginning,” said village resident George Peter. Rowland fixed up old buildings along Main Street, like the Leffingwell House, vacant for over 60 years. She planted Chinese Elms, buried power lines and restored the historic Aurora Inn.

Positive Impact on Village
The Mayor said this brought wealth to the village. “These properties are now worth more money, and therefore pay a bigger tax bill...so that’s been a help,” said Mayor Gunderson. He also said Rowland’s work inspired other people to restore properties in the village.

Division
Not everybody liked the changes Rowland made along Main Street. “The whole thing really divided Aurora,” said village resident John Miller. Miller grew up in Aurora, moved away and came back to raise his children. “There was not a sincere attempt by the people that were here on the ground to integrate themselves with all the people,” said Miller. Village Trustee LiLi MacCormick opposed some of Rowland’s changes. The bumper stickers still on her pickup reflect her resentment. “If she had only talked with people—it wouldn’t have been so difficult,” said MacCormick.


Fargo
The former owner of the local watering hole, the Fargo, found Rowland’s work particularly hard to swallow. Rowland bought the bar from Jim Orman and gentrified it. “I was left without a business I had not anticipated selling…and that left a bad taste, I think, in a lot of people’s minds,” said Orman. He would like to see the local businesses that Rowland bought and handed over to the college, go back into the hands of locals. “The fabric of a community is local, private business owners. You have those different personalities and that’s what makes up a community,” said Orman.

Aurora Today
Rowland is now long gone, having moved on to other projects. The house she bought for herself in Aurora is on the market. But, the changes she brought to Aurora, both cosmetic and personal, remain. “You feel more proud of the community today when you drive through, cuz things look like they should…but, its come at a price, like everything does,” said Mayor Gunderson. “There seems to be some divide…I don’t see people as much as I used to,” said Orman. “I just hope we can talk in positive ways that will improve things, instead of just digging away at the same old sores,” said MacCormick.
The Mayor said people are trying to move on with life. After all, there are bigger fish to fry, like the failing economy. And so, as the sun sets on Aurora, rest assured, another pleasant day is ahead.

Aurora, NY: A community divided, ready to move on

April 23, 2008
By: Ashley Kalena, NCC News

Aurora was a pleasant village. Then in 2001, Pleasant Rowland who is the owner of the American Girl Doll collection came in and turned the small village on Cayuga Lake upside down. It’s a tight-knit community where the students at Wells College outnumber the less than 400 people living in the village. But after Pleasant Rowland came to town, things changed. These changes weren’t so subtle for some people. The Aurora Coalition was formed by a group of people who weren’t happy with the way the village transformation was happening. Lili MacCormick had lived in the village for 50 years and is opposed Rowland's changes. "I felt that if she had only talked with people, it wouldn’t have been so difficult," MacCormick said.

The Restoration

Rowland is a Wells graduate and a wealthy businesswoman. So, she got together with the college and invested 40 million dollars in the village. She buried powerlines, replaced trees and restored buildings throughout Main Street. Tom Gunderson is the mayor of Aurora and is generally pleased with what Rowland has done for the village. “Aurora really was in a downhill slide – in a state of disrepair and things were starting to look pretty shabby," Gunderson said. The Aurora Inn is a historic building and when Rowland made changes to it, some villagers weren’t happy, but the mayor says…it needed to be done.


The Fargo

John Miller grew up in Aurora and moved back in 1992. Miller said once Rowland made renovations to the local bar, the Fargo - that sent the village over the edge, but unlike some of the other villagers – he won’t stop going there. “My feeling about me coming to the Fargo is, it’s my bar, I don’t care who owns it," Miller said.

Jim Orman is the former owner of the Fargo. “I think the Fargo would have kept going as a major social point, or social gathering place but I think the way everything was handled, some people didn’t care for that," Orman said.

The Future

Seven years later now, tensions are dying down and the community is looking to the future. George Peter is seen as the patriarch of the village and he is just read to see everyone move on. “I hope that we can resolve our differences and come together as a community and act as an example for the larger community," Peter said. MacCormick agrees, "I just hope was can talk in positive ways that will improve things instead of just digging away at the same old sores.”


Gunderson is optomistic about Aurora's future, he said, "I think it’s got a bright future, if we can just keep everybody pulling in the same direction."

Guide Dogs in Central New York

Seeing Through Another's Eye

By Anala Tuenge, NCC News

April 25, 2008

Mexico, New York-- Bill Irwin lost his sight to diabetes ten years ago, and ever since, he has relied on his guide dog, Toga, to see for him. The retired Vietnam Veteran said at first he was hesitant about getting a guide dog because he'd never been a dog person, but that all changed the first time he worked with one.

"I gave the command to cross the street, and the dog took one step and stopped," Irwin said. "There was a car coming and I didn't see it coming.

Irwin has used a guide dog ever since, and among the benefits he values most from a dog like Toga is his independence.

He just kind of weaves you out and around everything. You never have to worry about running into something," Irwin said.

Guide Dog Training

Freedom Guide Dogs in Cassville, New York, breeds mostly Labrador Retrievers. As puppies, the dogs are sent to live with families who will raise them. When they are two years old, they return for special training to help the visually impaired.

Anne Mercer has been training guide dogs for ten years. She said simulating real life situations, like walking the dogs blindfolded in downtown areas with heavy traffic, prepares the dogs for the large responsibilities they will shoulder.

"A guide dog has to problem solve. A guide dog has to make decisions that could concern life or death," Mercer said.

And Mercer doesn't just train the dogs. She also trains the people who receive them. She said they have to know where they're going and how to get here.

"You as a person have to be able to read traffic. The dog can't read traffic. The dog can't decide," Mercer said. "You're dealing with the team, and you're dealing with what both personalities bring to that team."

Trainers are careful to pair the dogs with people who have similar personalities. Mellow dogs go to older people or those with disabilities, while more energetic dogs go to people who are active.

"We interview the person and find out where they live and what they're going to use the dog for," Mercer said.

A Shortage

An even bigger challenge that finding a compatible match is finding a match at all. At Freedom Guide Dogs, the waiting list includes more than twenty people, and the wait is more than a year. With just two trainers and a limited budget, the non-profit organization can only produce so many puppies.

"It's tough, because we want to. We desperately want to. We want to help as many people as we possibly can," said Nicole White, the Director of Development at Freedom Guide Dogs.

Great Companions

Those, like Bill Irwin, who do receive help, said the dogs enhance their lives, not just by being a pair of eyes, but also by being a friend.

"Guide dogs are great. They're great company, and the independence is just fabulous," Irwin said.

And even when the harness comes off, the bond is still there.

Beer Trail Brewing Viable Business for New York State

Monday, April 21, 2008
By: Chelsea Pizzi

New York State beer brewing dates back to the mid-1600s, but now the brewing industry has a thirst to expand its horizons. The Empire State Brewery Trail is a collection of more than 50 craft beer micro-breweries that are opening their doors to the public in a marketing campaign to promote New York State Beer to the public.

"It's gonna bring a lot more people up here," said Patrick McQuillen, a Moutoursville, PA resident.

-What's new?-

"The goal is to raise the awareness of pride of New York and really focus more on being loyal to New York State produced products," said David Katleski, President of the New York State Brewer's Association and co-owner of Empire State Brewery.

Craft beer is beer brewed for quality, not so much mass consumption. Micro breweries like Empire State Brewery, Syracuse Suds Factory and Middle Ages Brewery have cut into the monopoly once enjoyed by the bigger breweries like Miller and Budweiser…and account for 7-percent of all beers sold in America, but the Brewers Association has its sights set on 10-percent market share by 2010.

-Location-

The beer trail is separated into the four regions of the state - North, South, Central, and West.

"We love the Empire State Brewery Trail-it's challenging for them because they're not fortunate enough to be located in one central place," said Paul Thomas, the Executive Director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

Thomas says marketing and advertising are going to be the Brewer's Associations most important step in creating a successful beer trail.

Katleski says three advertising methods are in the works:
(1.) website - http://www.thinknydrink.ny.com/
(2.) 38-page pamphlet
(3.) signs

-Wine Trails-

The beer trail is dovetailing the success of the Finger Lakes Wine Trails. "We welcome anything that brings more traffic to this region," said Brad Phillips, the Marketing Director for Hazlitt Winery which makes the region's most popular wine -- Red Cat.

"Wine is my favorite!" said Amy Casemen, a Montoursville resident.

"I'm probably more of a beer drinker, but I like both," said Mike Caseman, also from Montoursville.

-What's Next?-

"There's an economic stimulus potential with growing those raw materials that are needed in the brewing process in New York State," said Katleski.

Katleski says he is planning his next project along with state legislators to create a hops processing plant which will utilize New York State products and make the state more agriculturally self-sufficient.