Bus routes withheld amid safety concerns

WEBUTUCK and PINE PLAINS —  Despite the school year starting this week, readers of this week’s Millerton News will notice the absence of bus routes for the Webutuck and Pine Plains school districts.

Representatives from both districts said that they are now sending bus route information directly to parents due to increasing security concerns.

Webutuck Superintendent Richard Johns said the district is following a trend across the state to protect children from possible predators.

“A lot of security agencies believe that publishing transportation routes is the answer to a pedophile’s dream,� Johns said. “Not only does it identify small children by name, but it also lists pick-up sites. This is just one of those areas where our society is slowly awaking to the fact that we have dangerous people out there, and we have to safeguard our little ones.�

Pine Plains Assistant Superintendent Michael Goldbeck said the districts are taking the advice of the state’s Association for Pupil Transportation.

“[The Association] advised of concerns due to sexual predators,� Goldbeck said. “It made sense to notify parents directly rather than publicly publish it. We feel that it is just as effective having the routes published by mail, e-mail and telephone. The district has not received any complaints from parents.�

Johns said that not publicizing the bus routes is just one step his district is taking to increase security for students. He said the district is working on an overall plan that will update security measures on all school buildings, including replacing outer doors, installing magnetic locks and installing computerized swipe card systems to keep track of who is in the building.

“The board will put that measure on the ballot this fall,� he said. “We have the money in the bank from the state’s Excel Aid, approximately $286,000, and we can put together a project. The state will match the funds at 60 percent.�

Goldbeck said he did not know of any upcoming projects to increase security in the Pine Plains school district. However, he said that security has always been a concern for the district.

“Safety is always on the foremost of the mind of everyone in the district,� he said.

Pine Plains Board of Education President Helene McQuade agreed with Goldbeck.

“[The board] always has safety and security as a predominant concern,� McQuade said. “We have safety and security plans in each school building, and we feel security is being appropriately addressed. The school board has reviewed security plans to make sure they’re up to date and to make sure buildings are up to date.�

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less