|
Building a "Greater" Nichols
By Wendy Post
Thanks to the partnerships developed through Rural Economic Area
Partnership (REAP), the residents in Nichols will soon see improvements
within their Village as well as their Town. In two separate plans that
began development in October 2003, needs for the communities are being
identified and strategies are being built to achieve those goals. |
|
According to Dan Cafone, Village Planning Chair and REAP Represenative
for the "Greater Nichols Comprehensive Plan," "the Village and Town are
now working together to address issues." With an antiquated water and sewer system, a portion of the plan will
identified infrastructure as a priority. "We're down to one well and
the others are contaminated with nitrates," said Dan. "This could be
caused either by farms or by the close proximity of the septic
systems," he added. With the assistance of REAP, members of the Town,
Village, and Cornell University (CU) were gathered together to build a
comprehensive plan that will approach, as well as correct, these
problems.
The CU students offered much assistance as they traveled to Nichols to
meet with community members and perform studies. The research proved
beneficial to the extent that CU will be hosting a course in the Spring
of 2005 entitled "Nichols 101." The course will allow students to look
at the needs, select two, and then study them. Once the infrastructure
issues are resolved, the group hopes to work on developing youth
activities throughout the community. "Maybe we can have a dance club
for kids," added Dan. To learn more you can contact Dan at 607-699-7558
or visit their website located at http://www.nicholsplanning.org/.
Also in Nichols, two Nurse Practitioners joined hands to create the
Community Care Network of Nichols - Faith in Action. Sandy
McCoy-Cleveland and Shirley Tiffany did a study in the area and learned
that 67% of those in need didn't want health care, they just needed
someone to talk to. This led to an effort that now has a Board of
Directors and a coalition consisting of human services agencies. The
major goal of the effort is to help people stay in their homes as well
as providing transportation.
The Nichols Community Care Network came into existence in 1999 as the
result of a Guthrie grant. In an effort to expand services, the group
moved towards independence and was awarded a Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation grant under the "Faith in Action" program. This grant, along
with a Senior Citizen Foundation grant, Charles Bassett Foundation
grant, and local donations, has allowed the Care Network volunteers to
provide transportation, deliver meals, and assist residents around the
community. The service is available to anyone in the Town or Village of
Nichols and is free of charge. "We also help our neighbors which
includes anyone," said Sandy McCoy-Cleveland. To learn more you can
contact Sandy at 607-731-3100.
Also, through the support of the Community Care Network, Cyera Richter,
with assistance from volunteers, built a Gazebo for the Nichols
Schoolhouse Apartments. This project not only enhanced the quality of
life for the residents at the schoolhouse, but the community as a
whole. Upon completion of this project, Cyera earned the highest award
in Girl Scouting, the GS Gold Award. |
|
