by Kieron Kramer
In May the Rensselaer County Legislature passed a resolution memorializing Berlin’s Joan deLeon, who died on April 4 of this year. On June 10 the deLeon family came to the well of the Legislature in prodigious numbers during the presentation period before the Legislature’s regular meeting to participate in the ceremony honoring their matriarch. [private]Four generations of the family participated, from the patriarch, Ralph deLeon, Joan’s spouse for 62 years, to the family of the son Richard deLeon, to the family of adult grandson Richard deLeon, who served in Iraq and on the Berlin Town Board for two years and who stayed in the gallery and took pictures. There were grandchildren and great-grandchildren in attendance, too.
District 5 Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, made the presentation on behalf of the County. Brownell read the resolution passed last month.
According to the resolution, deLeon was active in her community as a member of the Berlin Republican party and the Berlin Methodist Church. She was on the Board of Trustees of the Berlin Town Library and a long term member of two book clubs. She moved to Berlin from Greenlawn, NY, in 1969 with her husband Ralph and their children. Joan returned to nursing school in 1970 receiving her Licensed Practical Nursing certification and began working for the next 17 years for Dr. Henry Richmond in Bennington, VT. She left nursing to assist Ralph in running the family businesses.
The resolution says, “Joan will be missed by her family, her husband of 62 years, Ralph; her five children, Renee (Richard), Ralph, Robin, Richard (Colleen), and Roger (fiance Victoria); her seven grandchildren and her 10 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her sister, Carol and one grandchild, Rachael… 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.”
Brownell and Goodermote know the family well and offered some personal observations about Joan deLeon. Brownell said, “Ralph is here with his family, and the size of the family [who attended] shows how much Joan was loved. When she entered a room she lit up that room with her infectious smile. We all miss her, as does her family and her community.” Brownell added, “Joan would lay out clothes for Ralph before an event because he was color blind. He would wear pink pants and people would say, ‘He doesn’t know, he doesn’t know.’” Goodermote said, “Stan and I have been honored to be invited to the deLeon homestead; it was always a great time. She was an asset to the whole community.”
Ralph deLeon spoke. “I’d like to thank everyone here, especially Lester and Stan.” He said, “For 62 years she has been picking my ties. You’re probably wondering why I am not wearing a tie tonight; it’s because I didn’t have Joan to pick one out. I am astounded at the reaction [to her death]; everyone loved this woman. If I affected everyone like Joan, I could have had Joe Bruno’s job. And, yes, I do miss her.”
Dairy Princess Abby Tarbox
A resolution passed last month recognized the achievement of Abby Tarbox, who was recently honored by being named the 2014-2015 Rensselaer County Dairy Princess. The Tarbox farm is located on Route 7 in Brunswick. On Tuesday Abby Tarbox entered the well of the Legislature to receive a copy of the resolution honoring her. Legislator Ken Herrington, representing Brunswick, Cropseyville and Pittstown, among other towns, read the resolution. He mentioned that part of Tarbox’s activity is to go to schools to educate kids in the importance of dairy. The very poised and articulate Tarbox described a little of what she has been doing – scooping ice cream, marching in parades and making presentations to schools. She thanked the Legislature for honoring her.
Good News For Highway Departments
Increase In CHIPS Funding
The County Engineer has been notified by the New York State Department of Transportation that the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding for Rensselaer County has been approved for the 2014-2015 State fiscal year and, in addition to the previously authorized CHIPS Capital balance of $2,953,318.56, Rensselaer County has been authorized to receive an additional one time appropriation of $193,198.74 to assist in the recovery from the most recent winter’s extreme weather. The 2014 Adopted Rensselaer County Budget was amended by resolution on Tuesday to reflect the increase.
Heavy Equipment Rental
A resolution authorizing contracts for highway equipment rental without operator passed unanimously on Tuesday. The resolution says, “Bids for highway equipment rental without operator have been solicited and are acceptable based upon the specifications…The resulting agreements would be in effect through May 31, 2015 with a one year extension clause if mutually agreeable, provided the vendor continues to meet specifications…all other Rensselaer County departments are also authorized to purchase from the above-noted contracts, provided that purchases do not exceed budgeted appropriations; and…the authorization to purchase from the above-noted contracts also applies to all political subdivisions within Rensselaer County.” Presumably this means that town highway departments can rent heavy equipment without operators from vendors like Abele Tractor, Inc. at the County negotiated rate, like last year.
Drug Task Force Refunded
The second to last resolution that passed Tuesday was characterized by Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell as “probably one of the most important resolutions we are passing this year.” The resolution amends the 2014 Rensselaer County Adopted Budget to continue the operation of the Drug Task Force. Brownell’s assertion was right, especially considering the explosion of drug use and drug related crimes in the County, including in the Eastwick area.
The Operation IMPACT grant was set to expire on July 1. The strategy of Operation IMPACT is to reduce robbery, gun and drug related crime through community group and law enforcement support with strategies to manage chronic offenders and to aggressively address quality of life issues. Part of the grant provides for a portion of the salary and fringe benefits for two Special Investigators. The Office of the Sheriff seeks to continue the operation of the drug task force by adding an Investigator and Deputy Sheriff position.
Brownell presented some facts and figures from the report on the Rensselaer County Drug Task Force for 2013 submitted by a Senior Narcotics Investigator, who shall remain unidentified. The RCDTF report says, “The Rensselaer County Drug Task Force is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the law and protecting the citizens of Rensselaer County from illegal activity by combating the proliferation of illegal drugs and criminal activity within Rensselaer County. The Rensselaer County Drug Task Force (RCDTF) and Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) have worked with several law enforcement agencies in and around the Capitol District. This past year members have worked closely with the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force, the Berkshire County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the New York State Police, the Albany Police Department, the Cohoes Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Within Rensselaer County members have worked with Rensselaer County Probation, East Greenbush Police, Schodack Police, Rensselaer Police, the Hoosick Falls Police Department and the Troy Police Department. In addition, members have held Narcotic Intelligence meetings and provided training for Departments.” The RCDTF used $6,300 to purchase narcotics; of that amount $4,160 was directly recovered; $2,140 was used to purchase information and $493.17 was used for miscellaneous expenses.
Brownell recited the highlights of the report. For the year members of the RCDTF seized $775,216 in U.S. currency, executed 25 search warrants, made 73 narcotic related arrests, made 132 seizures of marihuana and dangerous drugs, seized 21 weapons and 4 vehicles; 184 Drug Activity Investigation cases were opened; 94 of those were closed by investigation.
Local Events
The highlights in the report includes an investigation into narcotic activity between Southern Vermont and Rensselaer County. As a result of this investigation several search warrants were executed and several arrests made. During the investigation members conducted two search warrants in the Town of Hoosick, and five persons were arrested in Rensselaer County for charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Nuisance. RCDTF members seized over 25 grams of heroin, 5 grams of crack cocaine, 108 oxicodone pills and $3,500 in U.S. currency. On April 30, 2013, after a six month investigation that included members of the Berkshire County Drug Task Force, New York State Police and New York State Counter Drug, a search warrant was executed at 138 Losty Road in the Town of Stephentown. Two suspects were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 1st degree and Criminal Possession of a weapon 3rd degree. As a result of the search warrant and follow up investigation, members seized $496,892 in U.S. currency, three loaded weapons, 791 grams of cocaine, 31 grams of heroin and 700 assorted pills. One suspect was later indicted on federal narcotic charges.
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