Riding Away Into The Sunset - Bethlehem Public Library

. I I U . U/VIL.IUI I IJanuaWiggand loses state job and GOP party leadershipBy KRISTEN OLBY. , . ,.). . . .7, 2004- PAGE 3of his cell phone records datingback to 2001, when he was firstissued the phone."Only then did he submit areimbursement check, dated May16, 2003, for 213.45 for his nonbusiness calls," according to theinspector general report.Prior to that, Wiggand hadpreviously submitted onereimbursement check in November 2002 for 2.40. Accordingto the report, Wiggand claimedthe non-business calls were tofriends or relatives regardingpersonal matters, and were notrelated to political activity.''Wiggand blamed his lack oftimely payment for his cell phoneuseontheWorkers'Compensation Board administration's practice of not distributingcellular phone bills to him on aregular basis," according to thereport.The agency's policy requiresemployees with state-issued cellphones for personal use to obtaintheir phone bills from the agencyadministrator and make reimbursements accordingly.The inspector general's officealso seized Wiggand's officecomputer and found a smallnumber of politically orientedmaterials and non-businessrelated e-mails, such as an e-mailconcerning the scheduling of aThe chairman of theBethlehem Republican Committee has resigned his party postand his politically appointed statejob following a state inspectorgeneral investigation into allegedmisuse of state property.Keith Wiggand of Glenmontstepped down as chairman of thetown party on Tuesday, Dec. 30,the same day the results of a stateinvestigation into Wiggand'salleged misconduct werereleased.Wiggand's resignation as townGOP chairman follows a tumultuous election year in whichRepublicans lost control .of thesupervisor's post and town boardfor the first time in a century.A complaint filed with theOffice of the State InspectorMarcelle, 41, is serving his firstBy KRISTEN OLBYGeneral alleged Wiggand con. .,"""'"""'""''-''' two-year term on the town board.ducted political activities from his·Bethlehem's Republican Party Prior to winning public office, hestate office, using state resources,made one failed bidand also solicited political is under new leadership,forAlbany Countycontributions from agency after an election year thatLegislatureresultingresulted in the GOPemployees.in a loss to DemocratlosingitsstrongholdonWiggand is also treasurer ofHerb Reilly.the Albany County Republican town politics for the firstMarcelle has beenCommittee. He remains in that time in one hundreda solo practitioneryears.post.since 1991, focusingFormer Republiccan"He is still treasurer of theon civil rights andcounty committee," said Peter Party chairman Keithcriminalcases in bothKermani of Delmar, Albany Wiggand resigned at astateandfederalCounty Republican Party committee meeting heldcourt.Dec. 30.chairman.MarcelleWhile he doesn'tTom Marcelle, whoKermani said he was unawareexpectto make anycurrentlyservesasaof the outcome of the statechangesinhow themajorinvestigation.town board member, wascommitteeoperateshedoeshope"If he's found guilty of appointed chairman with a to regain several key politicalsomething, it's a different matter," unanimous vote.positions.he said, refusing any furthercomment.In November, Wiggand quithis 90,000-a-year job as directorStreet. Shortly after 8 p.m., Reedof special projects for theBy KRISTEN OLBYwas located by Bethlehem policeWorkers' Compensation Boardafter a dispute with his superiorsA Delmar man who sparked a in Delmar.overamissingstat X wnedlaptop shooting New Year's Eve on "He was attending an event atcomputer. He had been at the Albany's Lark Street holds a Normanside Country Club, that'slengthy rap sheet of arrests where detective located him,"board since 1997.Also, a review of cell phone . stretching through several said Lt. Thomas Heffernan. It'scalls from May 2002 to April2003, Capital District communities.and office phone calls fromDaniel Reed, 32, ofWoodmontJanuary 2002 to March 2003, Drive, Delmar was stopped byfound Wiggand made several Albany police officers around 4 His license waspersonal calls without reim- p.m. for allegedly drivingsuspended in April 2003.bursing the Workers' Com- erratically.pensation Board.He didn't have a right toCalls were made to variousPolice said the license plateslobbyists, media outlets and didn't belong on the vehicle, and be driving.candidates for elected office. In one was reportedly stolen. As aJimmy Millerbrief chase ensued, policeaddition, Wiggand called the cruisers boxed Reed in on StateBethlehem's Assessor's office, Street.Parks and Recreation Depart"He was up on· the sidewalk, unclear how Reed made it to thement, Police Department, theRensselaer County Republican there was a patrol car blocking his country club. He was taken intoCommittee, Rensselaer County access out of State Street and custody by Bethlehem police andClerk's office and the New York that's when he turned and went transported to the Albany southState Assembly.up on the sidewalk," said Det. station. Reed was arraigned inAlbany City Court on ThursdayWhen Wiggand learned of the Jimmy Miller of Albany police.and charged with two felonyinvestigation, he requested copiesAs Reed allegedly accelerated counts of reckless endangermenttoward police cruisers, Officers Judge John C. Egan Jr. orderedJoseph Gerace and William him held without bail at theBonanni fired a total of eight shots Albany County jail.department-issued,fromReed is a familiar face to lawsemiautomatic .40-caliber Smithand Wesson handguns, according enforcement, having beento police. One of the bullets hit 24- arrested on numerous occasionsyear-old David Scaringe of Albany - including twice for drivingin the chest as he walked on Lark while intoxicated - in at leastStreet. Scaringe later died at three other communities sinceAlbany Medical Center Hospital. 1999. At the time of his AlbanyReed drove off after the arrest, police said Reed's licenseshooting, according to police, and was suspended.political event. The inspectorgeneral did not find evidenceWiggand was soliciting politicalcontributions from fellowemployees.It was the dispute over thestate-issued laptop computer thatprompted Wiggand's resignation.When he was asked to return thelaptop, Wiggand claimed he hadalready given it to the board. Areview of Workers' CompensationBoard records did not show thatthe computer had been returned.When he was directed to handthe laptop over, Wiggand refused,according to the report.He later offered, through hisattorney, to pay the board for thevalue of the computer.On Oct. 31, Wiggand was givena final opportunity to produce thecomputer or be terminated, andhe refused.He was not terminated thatday, but on Nov. 5, the day afterthe election, Wiggand resigned.To date, he has not returnedthe computer, according to theboard.The inspector general's officerecommended the board takeappropriate action to retrieve thecomputer and modify its reimbursement policy, regularlyproviding billing information toemployees so that payments can-be made promptly.Marcelle new chairman of Bethlehem GOP.,.,;,, . ,Republicans lost their bid forsupervisor in the last election andtwo town board seats.For the first time in townhistory, Democrats control thetown board with a DemocraticSupervisor at the helm. Marcelleattributes the loss to problemsthat arose as the town increasedin size over the last decade."The Republican leadershipmade the town a very attractiveplace to live," said Marcelle. "Butthat growth attracted problems:traffic problems and taxproblems."In the meantime, Marcellehopes to fill roughly a half dozenvacancies on the committee withmore women.He also hopes· to appointsupervisor candidate JoeCatalano to a vacant committeeposition. Up until last year'selection, Catalano had been anewcomer to politics.In addition, Marcelle plans toevaluate the past election and howthe Party's message wasconveyed."! don't think we were aseffective as we could have been,"He anticipates residents will he conceded.return to Republican leadership inIn future elections, he believesthe Supervisor's election two its essential to utilize technologyyears from now.to spread the Party's platform.Delmar man at center of deadly chase has rap sheet ' .April2003," said Miller. "He didn't ability impaired, after beinghave a right to be driving."arrested by State Police. Reedpaida 300 fine and had hisThat same month, AlbanyCounty Sheriff's deputies stopped license suspended for 90 days.Reed in Bethlehem and ticketedJust six months later, in Junehim for driving with a suspended of 2000, Reed was arrested inlicense. He pleaded not guilty to Lake George for driving whilethe charge and his trial has been intoxicat d/adjourned four times, at his---He pleadedguilty to a reducedrequest, according to the courtDWAI,paid a 500 fine,chargeofclerk. He is scheduled to appearin Bethlehem town court Jan. 14 and again had his licensesuspended for 90 days.at8 a.m .In Guilderland, Reed wasstopped in July of last year fordriving an unregistered vehiclewithout insurance. The case wassettled in late December.anddetails were not immediatelyavailable.It was not- immediately clearwhy Reed was able to plead guiltyto a reduced drunk drivingcharge after a previous alcoholrelated arrest or why he didn'tserve jail time.Reed remains iri the AlbanyIn 2000, Reed was back in County jail without bail and aBethlehem town court, pleading preliminary hearing is slated forguilty to a charge of driving while Jan. 6 in Albany City Court.Patriot Act forum will beheld at Town hall on Jan. 11A forum on the USA Patriot Actwill be held Sunday, Jan. 11, atBethlehem town hall from 4:30 to6:30p.m.The forum will focus on thePatriot Act and civil liberties postSept. 11.Scheduled speakers includeDiane Berry of the Americanabandoned his vehicle near State"His license was suspended in Library Association; Nancy Ota,Albany Law School professor,Immigrant's Rights; DominickCalsolaro, Albany CommonThe Spollighl (USPS 396-630) is published each Wed11esday by Spotlight LLC, 125 Adams St.,Council, Ward 1; Margie Skinner,Delmar, N.Y. 12054. Periodicals postage paid at Delmar, N.Y., and at additional mailing offices.The Book House, communityPostmm·ter: send address changes to The Spotlight, P.O. Bo : 100, Delmar, N.Y. 12054.Subscription rates: Albany County, one year 26, two years 50, elsewhere, one year 32.li'\ison, representing views ofSubscriptions are not refundable.American Booksellers Assoc-iation; and Melanie Trimble ofNew York Civil liberties UnionCapital Region Chapter. Theforum is free and open to thepublic.For information, call475-1773or visit the Web site atwww. bethlehemforpeace.org.The forum is sponsored byBethlehem Bill of Rights DefenseCommittee,BethlehemNeighbors for Peace, New YorkCivil Liberties Union - CapitalRegion Chapter, League ofWomen Voters, Veterans forPeace- Albany Chapter and theCenter for Law and Justice.

PAGE 4- January 7, 2004THE SPOTLIGHT ------------------------------------ -------------------------------- -------- .Family dog teaches patience, fairness and affection """"""' """"""' --By KATHERINE McCARTHYShe was supposed to make theparents in this family thinner andthe children learn responsibility."Get a dog," a doctor we nolonger go to advised when askedfor weight-loss ideas. "Look," hesaid, pulling a picture of hisgolden retriever out of his lab coatpocket, "that's all you need."COMMENTARY:Really? A nice elliptical trainerwouldn't do as well?,/14om'sThe doctor's advice coincidedtluzwith the death of our elderly catand the purchase of our very ownt(Jordhouse, the final excuse we'd clungto against the children'sincreasing desire to own a dog.their lives perfect, we went to theIn our ongoing efforts to make Mohawk-Hudson Animal Shelter,accompanied by a friend who isthe consummate dog person.Even our reluctant heartsmelted once there, and the puppythat the children now refer to as"the cute little fuzz ball" becameours forever.Our great fitness plans fellapart the first time we tried towalk her, and she sat down whenshe'd had enough. Maybe dogsare smarter than people givethem credit for - this dog hadclearly tapped into her family'sfeeling about fitness.As for responsibility, theuniversal truth about dog carebecame clear immediately: thedog is Mom's job. Sure, Dadsneaks her treats under the table,and the kids might blot up wetspots on the rug before Mom seesthem, but let it stink and Momgets the call. During her firstweek with us, she howled fromthe crate that proved our saviorin the housebreaking department"If I'd known I'd be up atnight again, I'd have had anotherbaby," I threatened my husbandafter another late-night dogThe 4-StepCulligan· FormulaEquals 100% customer satisfaction!boys and I are first up on schoolsoothing session."Dogs don't go to college, so days, she cuddles in with Chrislook at the money you're saving," until the day insists that he joinhe answered, rolling away and it, too.For a longtime, she was a wildstealing the covers.puppy,jumping on visitors,It was our first dog-sitter, mychewingshoes and gallopingbrother-in-law, who helped thedog transition onto a bed for the through the house at regularnight, claiming that she'd intervals. She became fierceoutgrown the crate. Fair enough around other dogs, and it seemedI still remember the like an obedience class was incomforting feeling of waking up order.to the family dog in my bed, andThe class brought out the truethe boys were eager for the same dog people, able to get their dogsto sit or stay with theslightesthandmovement. During along sit/stay practice,If you like dogs, you'll/ike ourone of the teachersdog. If you aren't a dog lover,dropped to his handsand knees, trying tothis fiercely protective anddistract the dogs byexuberant creature isn't theyowling like a cat ashe crawled past theone to convince you.line of man's bestfriends tethered totheir masters.experience. But whose bed first?That was the moment that ourFor how long?dog with the Irish name, Maeve,She hadn't been much help in and I bonded. I'm pretty sure shethe responsibility department, cocked her head at me, her brownbut she was proving a great eyes asking me to get a load ofresource in areas of patience and this. She got an extra treat and afaiiness.hug from me when she remainedSix and a half years after sitting in spite of the part of hergetting her, her nighttime routine that must have been thinking sheremains the same: she starts the could have treed that guy easy.night with Christopher, butGetting her to not bark at thealways wakes up with Cormac. mailman has been a greaterNot one to slight the hands that chore, though.feed her, she remains up with us"Look," I showed her one day,until we go to bed, and when the "three credit card offers, theutility bill and a magazine do notconstitute a threat to our veryDelmar Carpet CareDon't wait. With the 4-Step CulliganFormula, you can end water problems forgood. Put a Culligan Water System to workand save like never before.465-3884., " · .'"',. lives."· She remains ferocious, in spiteof our calming attempts. If youlike dogs, you'll like our dog. 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She gets herback up when she passes anotherdog; and attempts to capture thesquirrels that seem to taunt herby lingering outside the doors tothe deck.Maeve had to court Chrispersistently, always settling at hisfeet and tripping all over herselfwhen he pulled the leash out ofthe drawer to take her for a walk.At first, ·he claimed to only loveher because she loves his "'Refreshed. More youthful. Confident in the way you look, andin your choice of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Call foryour private consultation.,.,. ':«0'* ' FREf FACIAL R JUVENATION S MINARTues., January 13, 7pm Register online, by phone or just stop by.THEPLASTICSURGERY.GROUPConfidence is Beautiful1365 Washington Avenue, Albanywww. the pI asti csu rg eryg roup. net438-0505Up to 100% FinancingGerald Colman, MD E. Scott Macomber, MD Steven Lynch, MD John Noonan, MD Wiffiafn DeLuca, Jr., MD Douglas Hargrave, MD Jeffrey Rockmore, MD'JII

THE SPOTLIGHT ,January 7, 2004- PAGE 5children so very much. Now, heloves her for herself, and hastaught her to lay her head againsthis chest when he puts out hisarms and says, "Hug, Maev.e,hug."She won't do this trick withme, which gives me a new verse . .for the mommy grumble thatCormac imitates so accurately. "Ifeed you, I walk you, I Jet you inand out all day, and Daddy getsthe hug? No fair." To appease me,she lays her head across myknees and stares at me soulfully.This beats any fitnessprogram, and I start to see whydogs reportedly keep bloodpressuredown,reducedepression and provide a senseof security.The best thing about this d()gisn't just the way she loves us, butthe way she gives our children achance to express Jove andplayfulness. As they move intothe adolescent years when hugsfor Mom and Dad must besolicited, it's great to watch themspontaneously throw their armsaround their dog or bury theirfaces in her neck. Cormac, whomoves from task to task withgreat rapidity, will work for hoursto teach her new tricks.Christopher, who has beenpracticing his grumpy old manroutine for years, will let himselfbe silly and playful with this dog,babbling nonsense words andrubbing her tummy until her rearleg thumps.If! get to come back in anotherlife, I want to come back as mychildren's dog.Student recordsCD for charityfJ . StefanieStegmanofrecently recordedtWo songs for a charity CD projectfrom the Songwriters' Workshopof the Northeast Country MusicAssociation.She was also featured on radiostation Froggy 107.1's RoadhouseSpotlight, which highlightsperformances by area countrymusicians .Proceeds from the ChristmasMemories CD will benefitcharities for elderly residents ofthe Capital District. The CD isavailable at several area musicoutlets.Stegman attended Bethlehemschools and is currently stu,dyingengineering at Hudson ValleyCommmunity College. lingerlands .From left, Alanna Dugar, Brenna Smith, Trier Reed, Katje Benoit andDylan Gallager, helped rnise money for Cherokee Ridge Animal Rescuein Ravena through a prim drawing at Hamagrael School.Hamagrael kids raise 1 Gfor local animal rescueWhat can you buy wih 1,000?Cherokee Ridge Animal Rescuein Ravena will be able fo buy Jotsof food, treats, blankets and othersupplies its animal inhabitantsneed, thanks tc- the efforts ofstudents and staff at HamagraelElementary school.The school raised 1,000recently by holding m auctionraffle. One dollar bought a chanceto win one of about a dozen giftsdonated by local businesses.The winning tickets weredrawn on Dec. 19 and theproceeds were bmught toCherokee Ridge by schoolsecretary Margy McKenna.McKenna began organizingthe raffle in order to help the 17year-:lldanimalrescueorgadzation that houses morethan l' hundred animals of variousspecies. The animals, in turn, areused in therapy work withhandicapped children and adults.Several classes took. part inprom:lting the raffle. In addition,students began a three-weekdonation drive to collect pet foodfor the shelter.The students' efforts,McKenna said, were the perfectexample of Cherokee Ridge'smotto of "children helpinganimals help children."HEATING & COOUNG CO. INC."Our Business is Your Comfoit"www.adams-heafing.netDUCT AND DRYER VENT CLEANING Sanitizing Deodorizing Now OfferingThe area's premier duct cl5aliing machine: Uitraviolet Air Purifiers20,000 CFMVacuumCALL THE PROFESSIONALSFREE DUCT CONSULTATIONAlbany 465-0100 Schenectady 356-4 730 Clifton Park 383-1881(;ra1uhntt:& Tllank& Ylf!U;witJL a cA.fter-Ciiri&:tma&In Glenmont, The Spotlight is soldat Cumberland Farms, CVS,Glenmont Beverage, BrookwoodMobil, Exit 23 Mobil, Stewart'sand Van Allen Farms.Saturday, January 10, 2004, Bethlehem Town Hall,10 a.m.- 12 p.m

Jan 07, 2004 · Kripalu Yoga Anusara Yoga Ashtanga Yoga Iyengar Yoga Pilates Pranayama and Meditation Prenatal Yoga Strengthening Yoga Tai Chi Yoga Kids Gentle Yoga ·p Albany Kripalu I'Oc;:c"' Yoga Center Wolf Road Shoppers Park 6 Metro Park Road, Albany,