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Friday Night Fever: Inside the Huddle Westmoreland Football

By: Stephen Bond

Updated: October 25, 2012

"We're looking to go to the Dome, back for another time" says Senior Tyler Crandall. If you've made it to the Carrier Dome late in the fall season then you're one of only a handful of programs to contend for a championship. And last year the Bulldogs were crowned kings of Class D after defeating Dolgeville. 2012 brings a new season but these Bulldogs have their eyes fixed on the same prize.

"Well we've talked about being the defending champs but we also talk about how this is the 2012 Westmoreland Bulldogs, it was a great season last year but this team has to make their own legacy, make their own memories and not really a chip on their shoulder, we just know we've got some work to do" says Head Coach Tim Gates.

The work began months ago but this team is continuously honing their skills. "The focus has definitely been better. We're all taking it more seriously, not joking around, getting what we need done. But it's not underestimated; we still fight for it, like we work hard for it every year just to get to where we are now" says Senior Captain Craig Garrow

History builds expectations and the bulldogs have a successful tradition so the pressure is always there for Westmoreland. "Being at Westmoreland you have that mentality to go in there and play as a Westmoreland Bulldog. It does put pressure on it but it makes this program the program that it is" says Senior Guard Tyler Crandall.

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Many taxpayers across New York State are voting on their respective school district's budget and board of education today.

The biggest budget being voted on in our area is that of the Utica City School District. Utica's Superintendent Bruce Karam says it's been a unique process for the 2013- 2014 outlook.

On top of the regular issues faced by the district, like state aid funding, Mr. Karam tells me they had other factors that affected the upcoming budget.

And that would be the federal spending cuts known as sequestration as well as a charter school forming in the school district.

"Whatever is passed should be the benefit of the children," said May Wallins of Utica.

Like Wallins, taxpayers are voting yes or no for the school district's budget proposal today. The UCSD is looking to have a $138 million budget passed that includes 81 positions cut, 49 of them being teachers.

"It was a way for us- the only way to balance the budget and by law we need a balanced budget," said Superintendent Karam.

The good news this year the school district has cut down on spending compared to last year. But, a growing problem, Mr. Karam says is money coming into the district.

"We have three things going on. Three major things," explained Karam.

And that is the continuing problem of the lack of state aid funding.

Second, with federal spending cuts- the district is losing about $700,000 in federal dollars. And third, the newly formed charter school will be taking away revenue, basically a competition school.

"When the student goes to the charter schools the state aid money that would come to us for the students will go with the students to the charter schools," said Mr. Karam. And as a result the school district is losing about $1.8 million in state dollars.

"I think the charter school will be a real challenge for the school district. I think it won't go away," said Utica resident, Christine Reister.

And the competition may continue to be a problem. Mr. Karam says another charter school is expected to put in an application for the following school year.

Polls for Utica taxpayers close at 9 p.m.

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