Rensselaer County Legislature – Hoosick Area Athletes Recognized

Sierra Bailey In The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
by Kieron Kramer
The first four resolutions passed at the Rensselaer County Legislature’s regular meeting on Tuesday, December 13, recognized the achievements of student-athletes from Hoosick Falls. Two teams were honored, the Hoosick Falls Central School Girls Soccer team and the HFCS Football team, and two individuals were honored.
The first resolution of the night told the story of Sierra Bailey, a senior cheerleader at HFCS. According to the resolution, Sierra has been cheerleading since the age of five. At seventeen she tried out for a spot on the Varsity Cheer Squad over the summer at a cheerleading camp and at the age of seventeen her dream came true. Although she tried out with no expectations of making the team, when the results came back she was one of five hundred accepted to take part in the synchronized cheerleading squad during the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 24, 2011.
The cost of participating in this program was nearly $2,000 so Sierra, along with many others, helped raise the funds needed to send her to New York City. Sierra along with five hundred other cheerleaders from across the country dedicated countless hours in preparing for the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in order to experience this once in a lifetime event.
The resolution passed on Tuesday commended Sierra Bailey upon her outstanding accomplishment. It said, “The youth of today is the very soul of our community; it is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the efforts of those who are exceptional and will inspire other young adults to emulate their achievements, thereby insuring a brighter future for this County.” The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, to Sierra Bailey.
Panther Soccer Champions
The second resolution commended the Hoosick Falls Girls Varsity Soccer team upon a championship season. The resolution says, “It is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions and achievements of the fine youth of Rensselaer County, particularly for scholastic or athletic ability…This Legislative Body is pleased to learn of the outstanding athletic achievements of the Hoosick Falls High School Varsity Girls Soccer team and wishes to convey its compliments and felicitations to the coaches and members of this team.”
The resolution summarized the Panthers’ season accomplishments. The team captured the 2011 Section II, Class C/CC Championship Title and were the 2011 New York State Co-Champions. The Panthers finished their season with an overall record of 20 wins, 1 loss and 2 ties.
The members of the Hoosick Falls Girls Varsity Soccer team are under the guidance of Coach Tom Husser and Assistant Coach Brittany Pine as well as JV Coach Lisa Ferrannini. This season’s outstanding soccer players are Alyssa Surdam, Emma Fricke, Maritza Gonzalez, Meg McKee, Emily Everard, Alice Hayden, Anna Restino, Grace Delurey, Ali Martin, Liz Babson, Julia Baker, Mary Peters, Sabina Arnold, Mackenzie Hinchliffe, Hannah Lilac, Alyssa Giordano, Dana O’Malley, Hannah Fricke, Claire Seifert, Rachel Pine, Alyssa Houghton, Casey Mann and Jordyn Haynes.
The resolution ends by saying, “This Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations and most joyously commends the Hoosick Falls High School Girls’ Varsity Soccer team, its coaches, faculty, families and supporters, fully confident that such accolades mirror our shared commitment to preserve, enhance and effect the ideals which are our American Heritage.” The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to coaches and team members.
Panther Football
The County Legislature commended the HFCS Varsity Football team in a resolution on Tuesday. It began, “This Legislative Body is pleased to learn of the outstanding athletic achievements of the Hoosick Falls High School Varsity Football team and wishes to convey its compliments and felicitations to the coaches and members of this team…The Hoosick Falls High School Football team is deserving of such praise and recognition; this team finished its season with an impressive league record of seven wins and no losses and an overall record of eleven wins and one loss…This year, the Hoosick Falls High School Varsity Football team captured the 2011 Class C Section II Championship title, the 2011 Class C North Division Title and were New York State Semi-Finalists.”
The members of the Hoosick Falls Varsity Football team, under the guidance of Head Coach Ron Jones, Assistant Coaches Chris Fleming, Eamonn DeGraaf, Jake Colliano, Andrew Morin and Chris Stevens are Brett Bacon, Billy Pine, Randy Tutunjian, Hunter Yavaniski, Troy Costantino, Levi Brewster, Austin Pitt, Garrett Wright, Colby Davendonis, Brad Foster, Ryan Hyde, Aaron Perkins, David Hardesty, Shayne Richard, Josh Mulready, Brandon Hodges, Brad Burns, Thomas Peabody, Mark Hackett, Tanner Williams, Mike Matatt, Logan Brogue, David Couch, Chris Schielding and Jeremy Barss.
A copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, will be transmitted to the coaches and team members.
Hitt On A Nationwide Baseball Team
The Legislature commended Kealan Hitt on being selected to play on a nationwide baseball team in a resolution at Tuesday’s session.
The resolution says, “Fully in accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative body to acknowledge with profound respect and admiration, Kealan Hitt, who has joined an elite fraternity of college bound athletes from around the country…Each year approximately 2,000 players tryout at a series of nationwide tryouts, 250 players are selected to be members of the Coast to Coast Baseball team…This 8 year old program has taken over 1,600 players from 46 different states to compete in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia and Puerto Rico.”
According to the resolution, Kealan tried out via video application because the tryouts in Latham were cancelled. He was evaluated in four areas – his primary position as pitcher, hitting, fielding and speed. Kealan is a freshman honor student who also plays on the Varsity Golf team and Baseball team at Hoosick Falls Central School.
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to Kealan Hitt.
Engineering Contract For The Elm Street Bridge in Berlin
Proposals for engineering services for CR 38 (Elm Street) over the Little Hoosic River Bridge Replacement have been solicited in accordance with the New York State Department of Transportation procedures for locally administered Federal Aid projects. The engineering firm of Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP has been designated to provide engineering services for this project based upon qualifications submitted in their proposal. The Project involves Federal Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Funding (HBRR) assistance. Creighton Manning will receive $214,000 for preliminary engineering.
County Budget
County Executive Kathy Jimino stated in a news release, “As per the County Charter, failure of the Legislature to enact a County budget by December 10 authorizes the implementation of the proposed budget. The Legislature and I agree that there won’t be many popular budgetary decisions forthcoming until the State stops the flow of mandates for our County taxpayers to fund.” District Five Legislator Lester Goodermote said in an interview after Tuesday’s session that the Legislature’s decision to not pass or amend Jimino’s proposed budget was “a protest statement against State mandates not against Kathy.” The budget has a 2% property tax cap as mandated by the State.