Leading off today: Fayetteville-Manlius school district residents overwhelmingly rejected a proposal for a new sports stadium with artificial turf yesterday.
The $4.6 million proposition failed, 4,213-2,296, as turnout set a record — approximately 20 percent higher than the previous mark set 30 years ago. Voters had also rejected a turf-field proposal that was part of a $5.97 million package in 2004 by a large margin.
As noted by The Post-Standard the proposal created months of community debate. Supporters contended the existing facility is 45 years old and unsafe. Opponents said the estimated $5.30 per year per $100,000 of assessed value was one too many tax increases for residents to swallow.
In nearby Liverpool, voters rejected spending $44.5 million last week for building projects that included a new stadium with replacement turf.
Ogden snags Gatorade honor: Will Ogden of Byram Hills has been selected New York's Gatorade Player of the Year in boys soccer.
Ogden led his team to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship by racking up 25 goals and 17 assists. He scored game-winning goals in both the state semifinal and final. He will attend Villanova in the fall.
AD OD'ing on power? When Abraham Lincoln's boys basketball team opened PSAL playoff action on Tuesday, security at the Coney Island school barred a New York Daily News reporter from attending the game, apparently under instruction of AD Renan Ebeid.
The school did not explain the decision, which drew a rebuke from PSAL Director Donald Douglas, but the paper said Ebeid had taken offense to a Jan. 31 article in the News about former Railsplitter Reggie Davis.
