by Kieron Kramer
The presentation period of the Rensselaer County Legislature’s regular session is where the bonds of the County’s community are formed. Often it’s a tearful remembrance of a loved one who has passed away and is being honored by the Legislature for his or her contributions to the life of the County. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Legislature a rather large contingent of many generations of the Marguerite Campana family entered the well of the chamber to accept a copy of the resolution passed in her memory at last month’s meeting. Her son Clem said, emotionally, “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us tonight. It’s part of the healing process.”
And so it must have been for John Greaney and his children, Michael and Maureen, when they entered the well to accept a copy of the resolution passed last month in memory of Marguerite Greaney, who died on June 10, 2009.
District 5 Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin Grafton, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, made the presentation, with Brownell reading from the resolution. In part the resolution said, “…to recognize the contributions of the citizens of Rensselaer County, we honor in memory a woman who gave unselfishly of her time and effort to worthy causes throughout our beloved County, and…fully confident that her contributions to her community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.” Brownell added that John Greaney had been his mentor 12 years ago when “I first got involved [in the Legislature]” Brownell said, “It’s tough to lose somebody so close to you. Some things aren’t fair sometimes.”
John Greaney said, “Peg was a great lady. She was a Bronx girl and Bronx girls are smarter than anybody. She knew Stan but didn’t think Stan would make it; she knew Lester would make it. Cigarettes got her. She stopped smoking 36 years ago, but she died from COPD. She didn’t suffer so long. We lived in Berlin for 54 years. There are a lot of good people in Berlin; it’s a good place to raise kids.” His wife was proud of their dog Muffy, nicknamed “the handsome dude” at the nursing home. Greaney said, “He misses Peg everyday. He goes to her room and looks for her. Hopefully he’ll get over it. She was a great woman and a great wife. I’ll miss her. Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words on her behalf.”
Chairman of the Legislature Neil Kelleher said, “John Greaney is a good friend of us in this chamber. He is a good, hard hitting, old fashioned guy in public service. It’s always good to see John Greaney.”
Casey Gilbert – BCS Track Star
Brownell and Goodermote also made the presentation to Berlin Central School track star Casey Gilbert, with Lester reading from the many accomplishments listed in last month’s resolution honoring Gilbert for a “Tremendous Track Season.” “Calling this a tremendous track season is way of an understatement,” said Goodermote. Gilbert is the first student athlete from Berlin to win a NYS Championship in any sport, which he did in the 400 m hurdles. He holds 8 of the 18 track records at Berlin. He was named BCS Track and Field MVP and was also named Berlin Central School’s Outstanding Male Athlete for 2009. Goodermote said, “It’s an unbelievable record you have here young man. We are thrilled for you.” Gilbert will run for SUNY Binghamton next season.
On accepting his copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, Gilbert thanked his coach Jen Burhans for training him in all the events in which he competed this year, which included the 200 m and 400 m races and the discus as well as the 400 m hurdles. And he thanked his mom, who, he said, “Has been my best cheerleader all year. She cries at everything.”