Butternut Valley Grange sets stance on issues

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March 7, 2012

Butternut Valley Grange sets stance on issues

Anonymous Daily Star The Daily Star Wed Mar 07, 2012, 02:30 AM EST

At the last meeting of Butternut Valley Grange, Gilbertsville, several legislative issues were discussed and adopted.

These concerns include support of expanding Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Medicaid Redesign Team's efforts at finding more Medicaid cost savings but also support for increased revenues to support needed areas by a millionaires tax as suggested in S. 5453; opposition to passage of any legislation that might infringe upon the Second Amendment to bear arms but support of criminal background checks and enforcement reducing the opportunity for firearms to be sold at gun shows; opposition to raising the minimum wage in New York above that of the federal minimum wage and to coincide with any increases when the federal minimum wage is raised; and lastly, support of state and federal legislation that restricts Shariah Law from being allowed to co-exist or be used as defense in any form in our courts of law at any level of our judicial system. These positions were forwarded to Sen. James Seward and Assemblyman Peter Lopez and to Otsego County Grange for further support.

In other business, the Family Activities Department under Esther Hill conducted the needlework and woodworking contests with the following results of winners in each category: machine quilt, Karen Johnson; embroidered pillow, Helen Palen; knitted scarf, Anna Ritchey; afghan, Norma Van Benschoten; woodworking, Clinton Hall; and plastic canvas, Richard Ballard. The winners of the art and photography contests, coordinated by Anna Ritchey, program director were announced as follows: Adults: People, Christine Hill; Animals, Elaina Palada; and Scenery/Nature, Christine Hill. Youth, 5 to 9 years: Animals, Ethan Newman; Scenery, Sadra Smith; Youth, 10-14 years: Scenery/Nature, Scarlett Newman. All first-place winners in both departments will compete on the county level Saturday at the Pomona meeting to be held at Worcester Grange Hall.

The next meeting of Butternut Valley Grange will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Grange Hall on Bloom Street. The social committee is Bruce and Helen Ritchey, Gerrit and Nancy Bakhuizen, and Maryanne Campbell. The Grange will make plans for the annual spring classes for the defensive driving course with AARP.

The Grange will host the annual Small Town Big Band, featuring music from the '40s, '50s and '60s, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 24. There is no admission fee but individuals are to bring nonperishable items for the local food bank. Refreshments will be provided by the Grange.