by Kieron Kramer
Perhaps the best part of the Rensselaer County Legislature’s monthly meeting is the presentation period before the regular business starts. The presentations to the families of deceased pillars of the community, those who have made the history of the County, are quite emotional and moving, such as the presentation on Tuesday to the husband of Cathy Wickswat, a farming agent for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, which honored her for her service to the farming community in the Capital District. At the other end of life’s road are the presentations to the County’s youth who are beginning to leave their mark on the community. On Tuesday the presentations to the Hoosick Falls Central School bowling and wrestling teams heralded the future of these dedicated, hard working, talented, young people.
[private]Vice Chairman of the Legislature, representing District 5 which includes the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, made the presentations to both HFCS teams. Lester Goodermote, the second Legislator who represents District 5, was absent due to health reasons. He is still recovering from open heart surgery.
The Panther Bowling Team finished its season with an impressive match record of 14-0 and a point record of 54-2, meaning they lost only two games all season. They won the Adirondack League South Championship and the Section II Class C-D Championship Title. Panther bowlers Josh Conn, Josh Reveal, Ken Marbot, Stephen Surdam, William Wolfrum, A.J. Hurlburt and coaches Dick Weeden and Bob Lang entered the well of the Legislature to receive copies of the resolution suitably engrossed. Bryan Callahan, Logan Brogue, Josh McCart, Jennifer Sargood, Charlie Whitman, Kyla Day, Catherine Whitman, Jonathan Bossoni and Caleb Jones did not attend; many were engaged in spring sports. Brownell will distribute their copies of the resolution.
Brownell had a lot to say to the recipients of the resolutions. He talked about Hoosick Falls sports, “We’ve been pretty successful up there.” Hoosick Falls is known for its athletics and the community’s support for athletics, he added. “We often have more fans at away matches than the home team,” he said. Brownell felt compelled to comment on both this season and last season, which was even more impressive. Last year the bowling team was prevented from going to the State Tournament due to an administrative oversight in filing paperwork with the State High School Athletic Association. “But you learned from that and came back and conquered and had an impressive, impressive year,” he said.
Head Bowling Coach Bob Lang said, “For the third year in a row it is a student-athlete team. This is a very big goal as a coach and an ex-teacher. I am very proud of them; winning the Sectionals meant a great deal.”
The Legislature is now habituated to presentations to Hoosick Falls sports teams. “There are sports teams here [for the presentations] which must be from Hoosick Falls,” said Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid, from West Sand Lake.
So true. After the bowlers it was the wrestling team’s turn to receive copies of the resolutions, suitably engrossed, commending them for their achievements. The wrestling team finished its season with an impressive undefeated WASAREN league record of four wins and zero losses and captured the Section 2 Division 2 Class C Championship Title, the Division 2 overall Championship (out of 40 plus small Section 2 schools) and had two State Qualifiers – Luis Weierbach and Brad Burns.
Members of the team are Luis Weierbach, Derek Bird, Nolan Foster, Tom Peabody, Greg Pirie, Alex Krause, Mike Mattat, Teddy Westervelt, Nick Scrom, Bryan Sherman, Kevin Scrom, Tyler Randall, Devin Marcucci, Brad Burns, Colby Davendonis, Billy Pine, Pascal Wilkins, Shane Barss, C.J. Yavaniski and Garrett Wright. Those who entered the well of the Legislature Tuesday with Head Coach Landon Nelson and Assistant Coach Rick Taber were Luis Weierbach, Nolan Foster, Mike Mattat and Brad Burns.
“What an accomplishment by this squad; I followed them in the newspaper and on TV,” Brownell said. Referring to the great support from the community, he added, “As you went to different matches there were signs all over town; we supported you 110%”
Coach Nelson said, “This is the best year in school wrestling history as a team. We had our first State Champion in Luis Weierbach. It’s been a great year. It will be tough to beat. We’ve set the benchmark for our program. I am proud of them; I have coached them since seventh grade.”
And there were two more presentations, one to Weierbach and one to Burns recognizing their individual achievements at the State Championships. Burns finished his 2012-2013 season taking third place in the 182 weight division. He had an impressive season record of 36-4 and earned the following titles: Section 2 Division 2 Class 2 Championship, Section 2 Division 2 Championship and New York State 3rd Place Finisher at 182 pounds. Brownell pointed out that Burns was also a star running back on the football team. “You saw pictures of him hurdling defenders; congratulations to his parents,” he said gesturing to them in the audience. To Burns Brownell said, “You are in the Rensselaer County history books.”
Because Burns and Mattat were on the football team, Brownell took this moment to present them with a plaque commemorating the HFCS Football ream on its undefeated, State championship season.
Weierbach finished his 2012-2013 season with an impressive undefeated record of 37-0 and an overall career record of 97-10 as well as earning the following titles: Section 2 Division 2 Class 2 Championship, Section 2 Division 2 Championship and the New York State Championship Wrestling Title at 106 pounds. Weierbach is a junior. “We have a State Champion, and we are very proud of your presentations to the media as well; you have made us so proud,” Brownell said to Weierbach. “Your record was impeccable. Congratulations State Champ,” he concluded.
Memorials
Three eastern Rensselaer County citizens were memorialized by resolutions at Tuesday night’s meeting. They are the young fire fighter from Berlin Steve Kellar, the beloved school bus driver and former Hoosick Falls Councilman John “Ersel” Hickey and Ray Darling, Sr., the Supervisor of the Town of Grafton at his death.
Stephen J. Kellar
The resolution memorializing Stephen Kellar says, “It is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions of the citizens of Rensselaer County, we honor a man who devoted his life to serving his community and country… it is the intent of this Legislative Body to convey its sincerest sympathy upon the death of Stephen J. Kellar, which occurred on the twelfth day of February of the year two thousand thirteen.”
According to the resolution Steve was born in Bennington, VT, and was a lifelong resident of Berlin. In 1983, he graduated from Berlin Central High School, and on July 5, 1983, Steve enlisted in the United States Army. He worked at W. J. Cowee, Co., Inc. after being honorably discharged and had various jobs through the years. Active in his community he was a member of the Berlin United Methodist Church, a life member of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Co., a former member of the Rensselaer County Auxiliary Police and the Berlin Rescue Squad.
The resolution concludes, “Stephen J. Kellar will be missed by his family: his wife, Barbara; his children, Tiffany (Chadd) and Courtney; his granddaughter, Alicia; his parents, John and JoAnn; his two sisters, Tammy (Bill) and Sherri (Jim); his in-laws, Richard and Josie; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends…the members of the Rensselaer County Legislature conclude its deliberations in memory of Stephen J. Kellar and extend its deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of Stephen J. Kellar.
John Hickey
The resolution memorializing John Hickey begins, “It is customary for this Legislative Body to pay honor and respect to persons who have had a great impact and influence on the citizens of this county during their time on this earth; it is with particularly deep sadness that we conclude this evening’s deliberations in honor of a truly respected member of the community…it is the intent of this Legislative Body to convey its sincerest sympathy upon the death of John “Ersel” Hickey, which occurred on the twenty-fifth day of February of the year two thousand thirteen.”
According to the resolution John was born in Hoosick Falls, the son of the late John and Jessie (Wright) Hickey. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, where he later coached basketball. John worked at St. Gobain in Hoosick Falls and drove a school bus for the Hoosick Falls Central School. Active in his community, he served on the Village Board, the Youth Center Board and the Hoosick Federal Credit Union Board.
“John ‘Ersel’ Hickey will be missed by his family: his wife, Sue; his daughter, Katy (Michael); his sons, Jeffrey (Rhonda) and Michael (Angela); his brother, Richard (Nancy); grandchildren Alex, Hannah, Remington, Lillian, Tatum and Oliver…the members of the Rensselaer County Legislature conclude its deliberations in memory of John “Ersel” Hickey and extend its deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all,” the resolution concludes.
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of John “Ersel” Hickey.
Ray L. Darling, Sr.
The resolution memorializing Ray L. Darling, Sr., who died in office as Town of Grafton Supervisor, begins, “It is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions of the citizens of Rensselaer County, we honor a man who devoted his life to serving his community and country…it is the intent of this Legislative Body to convey its sincerest sympathy upon the death of Ray L. Darling, Sr., which occurred on the twenty-second day of February of the year two thousand thirteen.”
According to the resolution, Darling was born in Troy and was the son of the late Nelson C. and Alice Feathers Darling Sr. and the husband of the late Carole Taplin Darling. He was a graduate of Tamarac High School, Class of 1962, and earned his A.A.S. in construction technology in 1964 from Hudson Valley Community College. He served in the United States Army Reserve for years, including during the Vietnam era. Ray owned and operated Ray L. Darling, Inc., his own construction company that he began in Johnstown and then operated in Grafton. Ray was elected Town Supervisor of Grafton, in November 2011. He also served on the Grafton Beautification Committee as well as at the Grafton Historical Society. He was an 11-time professional world champion arm wrestler. He was an ambassador, mentor and coach for the sport including coaching Team USA at various competitions throughout the world. Through his commitment to the sport of arm wrestling and to his community, Ray also sponsored many fundraising events for various organizations.
“Ray L. Darling, Sr. will be missed by his family: his children, Ray (Kathy) and Scott (Kristine), who are survived by their mother, Patricia; fiancé Jodie; his siblings, Nelson (Jan), Diane (Terry), John (Julie), William (Barbara), and the late Robert (Diana), and the late Theodore; his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Victoria, Madelyn, Audrey, Megan, Gabriel, Zachary and Ethin; he is also survived by several nieces and nephews…the members of the Rensselaer County Legislature conclude their deliberations in memory of Ray L. Darling, Sr. and extend their deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all,” the resolution says.
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of Ray L. Darling, Sr.[/private]