1986

A Letter from Betty to Gladys Sylor

I believe receiving the Granger Gazette is what prompted me to begin all this “research.” I’m so grateful to someone for starting it.

I was born in the town of Granger in 1922, the daughter of the former Mary Slade. My name was Mary Elizabeth Carey. I’ve always lived in Geneseo, but some of my fondest memories were my visits to “Grandma” in short Tract. We picked wild strawberries in the fields behind her house, played in the bubbly creek there, and always went to Hussong’s to look in on the telephone switchboard there. We were limited in how far we could walk – the store on one end and the cheese factory on the other. We would stop to swing on the school house swings.

Although I’ve always loved Short Tract, it was only memories until I met Joyce Ludwig. From that meeting we purchased some land from Floyd, her Dad. There are more wild flowers here than Grandma ever had. The brook is more bubbly. Little did I know as a child, this would ever be “mine.”

I am gathering history on the family of my grandfather, Edgar Slade. If anyone wished to send me “history” it will be so welcome. We have such old pictures, his trips to the Adirondacks, and the Short Tract Band.

At Anna Hussong’s auction I purchased an album quilt. When I showed it to my Aunt Nama and Aunt Ethel, they were overjoyed, but I didn’t write down any history, much to my sorrow. There was even a murder mentioned – glory – was that possible? Do you suppose Anna Hussong quilted this? (Ed. Note – Gladys says that possibly the Ladies Aid helped to quilt or “tie” this quilt around 1910-1920). These are some of the names on this quilt: Vern Bennett, John Hussong, Emma Botsford, Grace Phipps, Vernie Clark, Mina Redman, Vida Morrow, Cora Fetterly, Blanche Harris, Florence VanGuilder, Maude Bliss, Esther Clute, Vernie White, Flora Bennett, Ida Harris, Jane Redman, Melrose Botsford, Edna Cartwright, Eveline White, Ellen Hussong, L.E. Clark, Clare VanOstrand, Ina Saunders, Ella Harris and Nina Bennett. Do any of these names “ring a bell”?

I would like to become a Granger Booster and continue receiving the Gazette. Also, how can I purchase some of Rose Friedl’s “cabbage patch kids’ clothes”? I would love to have new friends if anyone wants to write.

Article (letter) written by “Betty” Smith, Geneseo, NY

Town Board

Granger’s new Town Supervisor, Richard Rees, has many positive feelings in his new position. First of all, he wishes to thank the citizens of Granger for their support. And, he wants to convey how happy he is to be able to work with the other members of the Town Board, who “are a good group of young men with a great deal of common sense.” Additionally, he is most pleased with the teamwork he has encountered in working with Roger White, and his crew in the Highway Department.

Mr. Rees intends to build on this positive start by continually bringing good, factual information to the Board members. An important source of information is the monthly County Town Supervisors meeting held in Belmont. There, Supervisor Rees has a chance to share insights and concerns with other town leaders.

Two issues which he has been grappling with are the Town’s Gounty snow removal contract and the Town’s liability insurance. Granger is faced by the risk the Town takes because of a “save harmless” clause in the County contract which absolves the County of responsibility in lawsuits arising from maintenance of Country roads which the Towns plow. Therefore, the Town Supervisors have proposed a resolution not to sign new snow removal contracts with the County until the issue is resolved. On top of this, Utica Mutual, Granger’s liability insurer, will no longer insure municipalities after June 10, 1986. Therefore, the Town has to get new coverage at a time when it is most needed, and when there are fewer carriers who plan on charging more money.

But, these concerns have not halted other decisions. In January, the Town Board voted to contract fire coverage with the Short Tract Fire Co., Fillmore Fire Co., and Nunda Fire Co. Mr. Rees says we are lucky to have such a choice. The Board also voted not to support a Community Park project at this time. Other than standard appointments and some adjustments in Town employee pay and vacation time, the other major expenditure being considered is the purchase of a new pick-up truck. At present the decision makers are leaning toward acceptance of the State’s bid for providing the truck.

As Spring approaches, the perennial problem of dust control looms. TheSupervisor says that we have $5000.00 budgeted. At present the Town does not have any plans to pave new areas, yet information is being gathered on how some Towns share costs with individual residents who wish to expand on the dust treatment given the roads near their home.

If a citizen has a question or idea he or she wishes to share with the Town Board on dust control or any other matter, Mr. Rees encourages him or her to write a letter, or visit a Town Board meeting. Meetings are held the second Monday of every month at 8:00 p.m.

1985 Town Court Report

Vehicle and traffic cases increased slightly with 12 cases in 1984 and 14 cases in 1985. The numbers were reversed for criminal cases with 12 in 1985 and 14 in 1984. About half the criminal cases involved violence or potential violence and the others were lesser crimes, including dog cases. Small claims cases were up to 6 in 1985; there were 4 in 1984. This year, in most cases, both parties were Town residents. One wedding was performed by the court. There is a heavy use of the free notary service mandated by the State, with several being done.

The Town Board Sez

As we approach the final quarter of 1986 the Granger Town Board has been busily gathering material and information in its ongoing effort to plan ahead. This is the time of year when the facts and figures for the budget in the ensuing year are formulated. High on the “list” for 1987 is a new gravel truck needed to replace one of the town’s old “work horses,” which has been kept going by Roger White and his crew.

Next year’s budget will not be easily balanced. It appears that the town is slated to lose $4400.00 in Federal Revenue Sharing. It is part of the federal plan to shift the burden/responsibility back onto state/local government. Undoubtedly the town will either have to raise revenues or cut services.

In a recent decision the Board renewed it’s contract with the Atlantic Inland Co. to act as the fire inspection agent for all public buildings. Atlantic Inland is the company that must approve all new solid fuel systems. If a citizen plans to install such a system they should contact the Town Clerk for the proper application. Though she is very busy issuing hunting licenses this time of year, Loreen Bentley is always willing to assist someone seeking information. She knows who to contact at Atlantic Inland to arrange for an inspection.

Many projects have been begun or completed by the Town so far this year. It is important for the people being served by our government to be aware of the efforts of the Town’s employees and shoe their appreciation. Often one only notices a need and not a deed. So, the next time a town vehicle passes, remember the driver is working for you.

Granger's Economic Growth

It is quite interesting to read about Granger’s history, because it seems so glorious. In 1850 the population was more than 1,000 souls – in 1875 there were approximately 700 farms in Granger. Can you imagine Granger’s 22,000 acres just filled with mostly 25-acre farms? I can imagine going out and shouting hello to my neighbor on each side. Who needed a telephone? The neighbors almost had to be in sight, working his little farm by horse, or oxen. It would be a farm of 1 to 3 cows, some pigs, chickens, sheep, a pair of draft horses or oxen, perhaps a lighter horse for buggy or riding, and assorted other small stock. The tools including all but the plow point would be mostly wood. Granger’s houses were as nice as any around. At that time this was a primary economy. A person could live off the land and have little need for services or manufactured items.

Granger was in its greatest glory, one of the richer towns around. Short Tract was at least as active as Fillmore now is.

You ask how come Granger is a poor town today. According to the County Tax Equalization Table, the fourth poorest in a poor county. As Albert Einstein said, everything is relative. Granger is now richer than it ever was. In 1875 you did not need a car, a TV, a refrigerator, a flush toilet, running water or even factory made furniture.

In the late 1800’s the industrial revolution (the secondary economy) started the change in America’s standard of living. For a long time a town needed power or outstanding transportation or some key requirement of heavy industry to grow. If a town did not grow, it’s citizens kept the same standard of living while everyone else improved. A town like Granger became relatively poorer even as it slowly improved until today a much richer Granger is considered quite poor. Today even some emerging nation farmers are richer than Granger citizens in terms of how they live. Again, all is relative. Most Grangerites see their way of life as better than it would be if they lived in another area. Perhaps they would describe themselves as cash poor, but living a happy life. What can be done to get Granger’s citizens less cash poor without changing their lifestyle? NOTHING! Change is a necessary part of growth and in fact, of life. Even doing nothing will lead to change, as nothing is very much a course of action. If nothing is done how will it likely affect Granger?

Our town is already undergoing two kinds of change and if nothing else happens it is still too early to predict which change will dominate. Granger is already about 7% State Forest. The three poorer towns in our county are all already a larger percent of State Forest. Given no other force, we would undoubtedly become an Adirondacks type State Forest. At some point the land would just be too cheap for the state to pass up. Remember the Adirondacks were once all private property in a primary economy. The other thing already happening is Granger is to become a bedroom community. If such a pattern were to predominate, our open land would eventually become a bunch of half acre lots. Some of our properties are now being bought by commuters to the surrounding areas. It is still less than 7% of the town and it in turn is being limited by the low resale value of Granger property. Most of our year round houses are owned by older people who cannot afford to sell and go South. Which is worse? To be kicked out for a State Forest or to wake up and find yourself in a low cost development?

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