~ L~ 'j L.' ' l !- . '';'r· . • " ... , c B~~~~~~l10W~~RY ·-- School year starts in Guilder1and ~]k~~E~~·· Officials happy with progress on capital projects See Page 5 In this week's issue Union Taking time to remember backs The Altamont Fire Depart­ ment held memorial services cop ... throughout the morning and afternoon in honor of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. sort of See story on Page 18. PBA says town did not follow due process in stripping ' officer of 10 By WILLIAM R. DEVOE devoew@spotlightnews. com Bethlehem Police Benevolent Teacher Missy Woller and her students at Elsmere Elementary welcome the tirst full day of kindergarten. Association President Scott An­ ' -· · ~ William R. OeVoe/Spotlight son, speaking at the Wednesday, Sept 9, Bethlehem Town Board meeting, said embattled officer • Give peace Chris Hughes has the union's support and hopes the officer will Full-day K kicks off a chance soon return to work. Organizers hope people who However, in a later interview, · District, parents applaud attend this weekend's Peace and Anson said the union supported ~;;_~ expansion as best choice for kids Justice Fair in Saratoga Springs Hughes in regard to employ­ ......•• < will leave wanting to make a ment issues, but to say the union backed Hughes "carte blanche" By CHARLES WIFF difference in the world. would be incorrect [email protected] See story on Page 20. 'The union's issue is with the "'.~.t. l r=.··•~ process," Anson said. "His issue C-.J~t The first day of school is always a momentous oc­ with the chief is not our issue." casion for kindergartoers and their families, but for Hughes made allegations •in students in the Bethlehem Central School District this May that Bethlehem Police Chief ~:~~­ school year was particularly special. Louis Corsi used a racial slur in a r Nearly 300 students across six elementary schools recorded telephone conversation started the district's first full-day kindergarten pro­ more than two years ago. Hughes gram on Thursday, Sept 10, bringing several years of .• has been subject to two 3<Hiay planning to culmination. They started a day after the suspensions for separate occur­ rest of students, but parents and kindergartners came rences of falsifying a time sheet in on Wednesday for a special orientation. "The kids seemed'happy to be here today, and we're D CopPage 16 certainly thrilled 'to. begin the full-day kindergarten program," said Assistant .Superintendent Jody Mon­ roe. "A half-day program for years served the students Nancy Davis has taught kindergarten in the Bethlehem and community well, but a half-day program is certain­ Central School District lor 13 years. She says she's ly limited in time to the amount you can accomplish." Kindergartners will have physical education, arts and excited the district has·moved to full-day K. William R. OeVoe/Spotlight 0 Full Page 16 Eagles can't climb out of hole Court_to rule on party line · Ballston Spa scored on its first Republican challenges to the Board of Elections. hearing, but Robinson said the play from scrimmage and held a The New Scotland First trio is hopeful for a dismissal of 47-0 lead before Bethlehem got New Scotland first line, created by Town Board the objections. • petition signatures candidates Roz Robinson, Tim . "Right now that's in limbo," on the board as the Eagles lost Stanton and supervisor can­ said Matt Clyne, Democratic 61-13 Friday afternoon. A sign outside Bethlehem didate Mike Fields has been commissioner for the Albany See story on Page 32. during the Wednesday, Sept. 9, Town By DAN SABBATINO challenged by resident John County Board of Elections. Board meeting shows Bethlehem [email protected] Dearstyne, and is awaiting ac­ Clyne said the board did not police officer Christopher Hughes' tion by Judge Joseph Teresi, find any "record evidence" to commendations and calls for the The fate of an independent according to information from eliminate the independent nomi­ impeachment of Supervisor Jack line in New Scotland is now in the state Supreme Court clerk's nating petition brought up by the Cunningham. the hands of a ·New York State office in Albany County. trio, but said the objections filed 6 · THE SPOTLIGHT$.75 < ';\lilliam R. OeVoe/Spotlight Supreme Court judge, according No date has been set for a D Party Page 16 ' Crash on Delaware Ave. Misspelling leads ~ to forgery ·arrest ~- . Guilderland Police arrested charges of criminal contempt, Alexis L. Hayer, 26, of Delanson, and lesser charges of unlawful on felony charges of possession imprisonment,. and harassment of a forged instrument on Friday, on Thursday, Sept 3, according to Sept. 4, according to police police reports. reports. Seminary was arrested for an Hayner allegedly use a incident dating back to March, forged prescription for Lortab, at a Stewarts shop. Police said he incorrectly spelling the name of allegedly knocked a victim to. the the drug as "loritab," at a CVS ground, grabbed the victims arm, pharmacy, without her doctor's forced the victim into his car and : permission. The pharmacy is violated an order of protection. · ! located at 3916 Carmen Rd, ·He was arraigned on Sept 3. 1 where she was arrested. She • Guilderland Police arrested was arraigned later that day, the Nicholas Thomas Tully, 28, of 8 report states. Benjamin Lane in Albany on felony Bethlehem police and Slingerlands firefighters respond to a single·vehicle crash on Monday, Sept. 7, at about charges of operating a motor 6:10p.m. at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Longmeadow Drive. The Slingerlands Fire Department vehicle while intoxicated and Other arrests aggravated unlicensed operation of heavy rescue had to extricate the driver from the vehicle. The driver was taken to Albany Medical Center; his • Guilderland Police arrested a vehicle as well as other charges, condition is unknown. John L Seminary, 33, of 196 SR on Friday, Sept. 4, according to Tom Heffernan Sr/Spotlight 155, in Voorheesville, on felony police reports. Tully was arrested near the corner of Alton Rd. and Western Ave. and was arraigned· on Thursday, Sept. 10, the report states. · • Guilderland Police arrested Aaron M. Greene, 29, of 3 Okara Dr. in Altamont, on charges of aggravated OWl, on Friday, Aug. 28, according to police reports. · .. • Greene was arrested near 2509 Western Ave. and had a 0.29 blood­ alcohol content He was arraigned · on Thursday, Sept 10. j}jtb tl)ee fareWell. Police state he almost collided with another vehicle on Route 20, and was transported to St· Peters to slow download speeds! hospital for safety reasons. • Guilderland Police arrested Glenn E. McGee; 42, 6070 Nott Rd., on charges otoWI on Friday, Sept ROADRUNNER 4, according to police reports. H:QISI'EEDONUNE"' ---- McGee was arrested near the intersection of Pauline Ave. and Seeley Dr. and is scheduled to reappear in court on Thursday, Sept 17, the report states. Got a tripe? 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IO CIISDTier.; usWlg the Miao5dt"~ \otsla'"opeli!OOg S)'52ll\ ~ ¥oc!Arlii-YIM ~not avaLJb1e b MidniWI~ Tesmslllld condllilr5d cl*ot!er ~subject 10dlangea lhecimli:lnd Road fU'M llldi," 'i) ;al!tJAssociall!sacanylkroe.CA~SeanySI.IIescn-llliSibe~«~RoadiUJieri!lld~ls~PJwedloostisa~I!Dm.ndCcm:asiCorpcntknl/sedwithpenrissicn~l'owe!dVa/isal!gistn:l~ Pcarl,QranLRichma ' ~w.re- Ublt.02C09Tmew.re Cibleloc.MI&jlrs lltseMd.AI trhel oorporareiR!ds .-.:1 bgos;n~Jaderniwbcr ~ tOOemorksd ltd'~~ TM &CI~ Bros.~h:. (109) l'MlHY-moHI13-D'~ Stuyves:mt l'ln1.a,• ,\thnny. ;on• • 5 18-<138:1:1~0'J The Spotlight September16,2009 • Page 3 'Tipsy train Albany County gives break on back. taxes Program that cuts parcels with delinquent taxes, interest on money owed adding up to $38 million, Duryea runs through Nov. 30 said. Neal said the county has not By DAN SABBATINO seen too much of a surge yet, but [email protected] is expecting one at the end of the month, when people commonly In an effortto generate revenue make these· sorU, of payments. for ~lbany County and cut "It's all about accelerating the down on property foreclosures, cash flow," he said. residents will be offered partial . In addition, the county will amnesty on interest from past abstai!J from issuing foreclosure due taxes. judgments and deeds during the The program, which began amnesty period. · Tuesi:lay, Sept. 1, runs through The county has stepped up its Montlay, Nov.