• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Eastwick Press Info
  • Contact Us

The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

  • Community Calendar
  • School News
  • Sports Outdoors
  • Obituaries
  • Letters & Comments
  • Church Directory

Wesley Edwards Retirement Reception

November 7, 2014 By eastwickpress

by David Flint

“I don’t think there’s another one in the State,” said Dennis Quinn, President of the New York State Magistrates Association when presenting a 50 year service pin to Wesley Edwards. The occasion was a retirement reception held at the Stephentown Fire Hall on Sunday, November 2, to honor Edwards, who at the end of the year will step down from the bench, having completed actually 51 years as judge in Stephentown.

[private]Court Clerk Tammy Whitman organized the reception and saw to it that Edwards’ family was there, from Guilderland, Virginia and North Carolina, along with a remarkable collection of judges from far and wide.

Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt introduced the speakers but then had to leave for another commitment.

County Executive Kathy Jimino presented a Certificate of Congratulations, saying it was a testament to the esteem they hold for him that so many of his fellow judges were present. “You have done your job with intellect and compassion along with a determination that public safety be served. You have been an example for so many. Thank you to your wife and family for sharing you with us for 50 years,” she said.

The 50 year service pin that was presented to Wesley Edwards on Sunday. (David Flint photo)
The 50 year service pin that was presented to Wesley Edwards on Sunday. (David Flint photo)

Bruce Wagner, Schodack Town Justice and President of the Rensselaer County Magistrates Association, presented a plaque with gavel from the Magistrates. “We are thankful for having you as one of our leaders for the last 50 years,” he said.

David Dellehunt, representing the Third Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System, presented a Certificate for “50 years of dedicated service to the New York State Court System and in acknowledgement of his integrity, dedication and loyalty to his work in Stephentown Town Court.” Dellehunt noted that town and village justices are the ones closest to the people and it is often a difficult job, one that has become much more complex. “That he has served 50 years is a testament to him and his family. We will miss him,” he added.

Edwards’ associate judge in Stephentown, Cyril Grant, was emotional as he declared that, “I certainly have had the honor and privilege for the last 15 years to serve with a true gentleman, someone who took me under his wing and along with long time Court Clerk Debbie Coppola, they trained me…and made sure I could carry on.” Grant thanked Edwards for his 50 years of service and dedication and “for your support to me as your co-judge…and for your support of the court system in Stephentown, which I think is very professional and well run.”

George Eckhardt, former Town Supervisor, recalled that he served with Wes when judges were on the Town Board. “It was a pleasure serving with you,” he said, “I don’t think anyone else is left, except you and I, that served back in that day.”

Wes Edwards himself concluded the speech making. “I’m a man of few words,” he said. “But this day I have my family, my friends, my associates – it sure is a big day! I am proud to have served all of you.”

A number of his judicial colleagues attended Wes Edwards’ retirement reception honoring his remarkable 50 years as a judge. Dressed in their judicial robes are (front row l-r) Schodack Town Justice Paul Peter, Stephentown Town Justice Cyril Grant, Wes Edwards, New York State Magistrates Association President and Champion Town Justice Dennis Quinn, Petersburgh Town Justice Amy Manchester, (back row l-r) Rensselaer County Magistrates Association and Schodack Town Justice Bruce Wagner, Rensselaer County Court Judge Debra Young, New York Unified Court System 3d Judicial District Chief Counsel and Kinderhook Village Justice David Dellehunt, New York State Magistrates Association Past President and Ancram Past Town Justice Thomas Dias, Grafton Town Justice Rebecca Snyder Greene, Petersburgh Town Justice Richard Snyder and Stuyvesant Town Justice Carrie O’Hare. (David Flint photo)
A number of his judicial colleagues attended Wes Edwards’ retirement reception honoring his remarkable 50 years as a judge. Dressed in their judicial robes are (front row l-r) Schodack Town Justice Paul Peter, Stephentown Town Justice Cyril Grant, Wes Edwards, New York State Magistrates Association President and Champion Town Justice Dennis Quinn, Petersburgh Town Justice Amy Manchester, (back row l-r) Rensselaer County Magistrates Association and Schodack Town Justice Bruce Wagner, Rensselaer County Court Judge Debra Young, New York Unified Court System 3d Judicial District Chief Counsel and Kinderhook Village Justice David Dellehunt, New York State Magistrates Association Past President and Ancram Past Town Justice Thomas Dias, Grafton Town Justice Rebecca Snyder Greene, Petersburgh Town Justice Richard Snyder and Stuyvesant Town Justice Carrie O’Hare. (David Flint photo)

[/private]

Filed Under: Front Page, Local News, Rensselaer County, Stephentown

Primary Sidebar

    News Categories

    Archives

        Footer

        Local News

        Brunswick Town Board Highlights

        by Denise Wright The March 13th Brunswick Town Board meeting was filled with conversation and resulted in the passing of two resolutions. During the Building and Codes report, 25 building property inspections and 22 follow-up complaints were reported for the month of February. The State Uniform Code Administration Compliance Report has been prepared. The historian […]

        March 21st, 2025 Edition

        View this week’s entire newspaper: You must be logged in to view this article.

        Stephentown Board Highlights

        by Denise Wright The Stephentown Board’s St. Patrick’s Day meeting began with a moment of silence to honor former town board member Gerry Robinson. Robinson focused on “improving local service opportunities, protecting Stephentown’s unique rural environment, and increasing local jobs and amenities by encouraging economic development appropriate to the size, atmosphere, and well-being of our […]

        School News

        Berlin School Board Appoints New Superintendent

        Submitted by BCSD Communications The Berlin Central School District Board of Education selected Mr. Kenneth Rizzo to be its next superintendent of schools, effective July 1st. Mr. Rizzo was unanimously appointed by the board at its meeting on March 6th. You must be logged in to view this article.

        Wildcats Compete at the New York State Indoor Track Championships 

        Hoosick Falls CSD Indoor Track Submitted by HFCSD Communications The Wildcats put forth a great effort at the New York State Indoor Track Championships on March 8th. The girls 4×400, consisting of Emma Waugh, Mihaly Blake, Ava Salvsevold, and Erin Conety, had a huge upset in their race. Going in as the underdogs, the girls […]

        Winter Scholar Athletes and Varsity Teams

        Brunswick CSD Submitted by Brunswick CSD Communications Brunswick CSD is proud to announce its winter Scholar Athlete sports teams for the 2024-2025 season. The school fielded seven varsity teams, including Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Boys Wrestling, Competitive Cheerleading, Unified Bowling, Boys Indoor Track, and Girls Indoor Track. In addition to the exciting lineup of winter […]

        Copyright © Eastwick Press · All Rights Reserved · Site by Brainspiral Technologies