• ':-":L;:"d:-~'~",~~ :';'~h·£'~~:~·~~.l~:' "'·~.-r:<.:-_"-,'",C· • BETHl~,PUBUC UBRARV DO NOr CIRCUlATE ." "<;~"":;/"Cl"'''''''(6u n checks laws See Page 9 ttO£~tSO~t AN HVK~aa # 3AV aHVKV7aa 1St AHVHgI1 3I1gnd KaHa1H~ag SSt· dOS' Kt Lo~aO~Ot 00£ tSOll W»IA •• ¥¥¥ ••••••••••••••••••• Four i Blackbear'c,{'" I :itlthe}btirb§}' . , ',A 120-pound black bear . gear up . gave Delmarresidentsalong, I Salisbury Road quite a seare . " Tuesday morning, July 2.... I , See storyon Page3~ .' for run ,I I I I Two vacant seats up I for grabs in the faIl ,I I By JIM cuozzo : [email protected] It will be a busy election year in Bethlehem with four candi­ .,, dates running for two open seats I on the town board in addition to the race for town supervisor. Newly appointed Indepen­ j dent town board member Jo Ann I Dawson will face three newcom­ I ers including Mark Hennessey,­ Art Scheuermann and Melody Burns this fall. In December, Dawson, an Independence Party candidate who is also cross-endorsed by the Democratic party, replaced Tim Gordon, who won a seat in the state Assembly. Upon being appointed, she said she would run for the two-year term in No­ vember. "I feel I am becoming more informed and educated about the issues," said Dawson, who believes the balance between open space planning and planned Classes can help young "Realize that every [Iraf, development is one of the town's fic-related] law is written in big concerns. and old identifying blood," said Roger Dames, traf­ The two candidates with the driving risks fic safety coordinator for AM highest number of votes will be Hudson Valley. A retired cop, elected to the seats. Dames said accidents involv­ Democrat Daniel Plummer, an By JILL U. ADAMS ing teenagers still rile up his eight-year veteran of the Bethle­ [email protected] emotions, after years of recon­ hem Town Board, said he will rs a fact that the young­ structing crashes for the Alba­ not seek re-election. "I really feel like it's appropri­ . est and oldest drivers ny Police Department , have the most accidents. Now Dames teaches pre-li­ ate to give someone else their m o Safer Page 21 turn," said Plummer, who cited a But what can be done about it? busy work schedule and three of four children in college as other reasons why he opted against State auditor sentenced running. "I enjoy it ... I like being ac­ .Man accused of stealing "Mr. Leggiero .swindled tax­ that included owning several vehicles, including a 1958 Cor­ tive in the town," said Plummer payers for nine years to support of his service on the board. $1.2 million ordered his own lavish lifestyle ofluxury vette, and a second residential property. The abuses occurred Hennessey, also a Democrat, homes and fast cars," said state has received the support of the to pay it back Attorney General Andrew Cuo- between 1998 and 2007. Leggiero approved more than town Democratic Party and the mo. Independence and Conservative By JIM CUOZZO As a veteran state parties. Hennessey is currently [email protected] auditor for OMH, "Mr. Leggiero swindled employed as legislator dir.ector Leggiero created a taxpayers for nine years to for the chairman of the state James Leggiero, former state fictitious company support his own lavish lifestyle Assembly Committee on Local Office of Mental Health auditor, called Very Important Governments: will serve anywhere from three­ Properties (VIP) and of luxury homes and fast cars. " "I come from a performance and-a-third to 10 years in prison signed off on prop­ Andrew Cuomo for stealing more than $1.2 nill­ erty vouchers ranging , 0 Run Page 10 lion in state funds over a nine­ from several hundred year period. to up to $99,000 dollars, pocket­ 80 vouchers in all. He has since Roundabout The sentence was handed ·ing the funds. He then opened paid back $700,000. He will be doWn Monday, July 2, in Albany . up a checking account in the required to pay the remainder. update 6 County Court by Judge Thomas name of VIP and withdrew the Leggiero, whose address was THE SPOTLlGHT$.7S seePage 10 A Breslin .. ',-' ~r- \,~ . state money to finance a lifestyle o Auditor Page 10 - - --- . --- .~"!~ - ,,,.', Page 2" July 11,2007 THE SPOTLIGHT IN BRIEF Police Blotter Merry-Go-Round State museum, Youth Theater nature center team up Police charge four with OWl; two with felonies comes to Bethlehem On Friday, July 13, at 8:30 p.m. The Merry-Go-Round Youth the state museum will present Four people were arrested Park. Scott was asked to was charged with grand Theater will perform "The "Insects at Night" at Thacher by Bethlehem police in perform several field so briety larceny third degree, a felony. Near-Sighted Knight and The Nature Center. Entomologists separate incidents and tests at the scene, which he Vice turned himself in to Far-Sighted Dragon" at 7 p.m. will explore nocturnal insect charged with DWl. failed. He will appear in Town Bethlehem police on July 7. Thursday, July 12, at the Town activity and diversity using Court Aug. 7. He was arraigned by Judge of Bethlehem Park. special light traps that bring Paul Phillips, 43, of 461 night-flying insects to the River Road, Glenmont, is o Wayne Moore, 31, of Ryan Donovan and released The production is a story on $10,000 bail. scientists. Bring a flashlight charged with driving while 88 Bridge St., Selkirk, was about an evil duchess who and meet in front of the Nature o Jennifer Alston, 38, is has seized the throne of a intoxicated, driving with charged with DWI, and driving Center. Register for this free kind-hearted king. To prevent more than .08 percent blood with more than .08 blood charged with two felony counts, program by calling 473-7154. alcohol content and criminal alcohol content by police. including criminal possession her ultimate control of the On Saturday, July 14, from possession of a weapon. Moore was stopped of a controlled substance, kingdom, an unlikely duo 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the state Phillips was traveling south Sunday, July 1, after police after an investigation by must work together to save on River Road when police Bethlehem police and the state the day. musuem will come to Thacher responded to a call about Park. Join Museum Research pulled him over. A check of an intoxicated male along Department of Health Bureau The event is free and will be the vehicle showed Phillips of Narcotics Enforcement. moved to the Elm Avenue Park and Collections scientists for Route 9W. When officers a day of natural history at the also had metal knuckles. He arrived at the scene, Moore Police attempted to contact large pavilion in inclement was arraigned and sent to park. Explore the biology, tried to confront them and Alston at her residence weather. anthropology and geology of Albany County jail without was immediately handcuffed following an investigation, bail. He was scheduled to but she reportedly refused to the park. Walks are scheduled after exiting his vehicle. He throughout the day. You must appear in Bethlehem Town told police he drank three answer the door. After several Hair of the Dog Court Monday, July 9. Heinekens prior to being attempts, Alston contacted register for this free program to perform poolside by calling the museum at 473- o Ryan Scott, 21, of 2015 stopped. Moore is scheduled her attorney and agreed to Back by popular demand, surrender to police with her 7154. There is a $6 parking fee Ninth St., Rensselaer, was to appear in Bethlehem Town "Hair of the Dog" will perform at the park. charged with DWI, driving Court on July 17. attorney present. poolside during late-night On Saturday, July 14, at 10 with more than .08 percent o Randy Storm, 40, of 156 The investigation revealed swim at the town of Bethlehem a.m., come play the Garbage blood alcohol content and Flatbush Road, Hannacroix, that Alston passed stolen pool Friday, July 20, with free failure to keep right. was charged with DWI, forged state prescriptions at Game atThacher Nature Center. admission starting at 6:30 Talk trash with Debbie Jackson, Bethlehem police stopped. speeding, and failure to keep CVS Pharmacy on Delaware p.m. Scott's vehicle as it was right by police. Avenue and was charged an environmental program No bottles or alcoholic specialist with DEC. She'll heading north on River Storm was stopped on River with criminal possession of beverages will be permitted, Road. According to reports, Road after failing to keep right a forged instrument and with 'transform' you into garbage narcotics possession. Alston and the pool complex and and help you figure out where Scott's vehicle crossed the according to reports. Storm snack bar will be open. solid double line on several will appear in Town Court was processed and bail was you will end up; the landfill, occasions. Scott told police he July 17. set at $5,000. She is scheduled Children younger than 9 recycling center or compost drank seven beers throughout to appear in court July 17. must be accompanied by an bin. Learn about the waste o Donald Vice, 55, of 7 adult. the night at Henry Hudson Christie Lane, Fort Edward stream, and the many benefits .In case of rain, the event of the 3R's. Bring a recyclable will be moved to the Elm item and receive a prize. Call Avenue Park large pavilion. 872-0800 to register. hiiu Ii 7'11aat ta lui fIat,,....1IIId tllllIIIIt ...............