by Kieron Kramer
On Monday, July 12, a ceremony was held in the entrance foyer of the Rensselaer County Legislative Chambers unveiling a memorial to Lt. Col. William J. O’Brien and Sgt. Thomas A. Baker; both made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and both are recipients of this nation’s highest military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor. The memorial is part of the Hall Of Heroes to be located permanently in the Rensselaer County Office Building. The County Legislature passed a resolution at its regular session on Tuesday, July 13, making this so. The resolution includes the clause that in the event that Rensselaer County Office Building should no longer exist at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, the memorial display must be moved to the new County Office Building for Rensselaer County residents to view.
Along with Lt. Col William J. O’Brien and Sgt. Thomas A. Baker in the display are SP4 Peter Guenette, Captain Benjamin L. Saloman and Major General Ogden Ross as well as Civil War Veteran Citations for Francis E. Brownell, Michael Burke, Luman L. Cadwell, William H. Freeman, Harris S. Hawthorne, Dennis W. Hickey, Patrick H. McEnroe, Owen McGough, Benjamin Thackrah, John J. Carter and James W. Larrabee. The Hall of Heroes also includes a display for men and women who currently serve in the armed forces.
The resolution says, “Rensselaer County owes a great debt to the men and women of our loyal Armed Forces who so bravely fought to preserve our American heritage…In honor of these men the Rensselaer County Legislature, with consent of the Rensselaer County Executive, has placed a Memorial Display at the entrance of the Legislative Chambers.”
The ceremony on Monday was well attended by special guests Congressman Paul Tonko, former Congressman Michael McNulty, State Senator Roy McDonald, NY Assemblymen Tim Gordon and Tony Jordan, County Executive Kathy Jimino, Master of Ceremonies Neil Kelleher, former Chairman of the Legislature, County Legislators Tom Walsh and District Five Legislators Stan Brownell, who is Vice Chairman of the Legislature, and Lester Goodermote; both men represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls. Brownell read the Medal of Honor citation for his distant relative Francis E. Brownell, and Goodermote read the citation for William H. Freeman.
On Tuesday night, Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid said, “It was a beautiful event last night.” Reid was making a special presentation to Tom Walsh who, he said, “spearheaded” the Hall of Heroes and to Jenét Marra and Jessica Charette who worked prodigiously for it. A tearful Walsh said, “It was a job I started 40 years ago; I have my heart in that program.”
Cyber-Bullying Law
The Legislature passed a local law to prohibit cyber-bullying in Rensselaer County. The law states that cyber-bullying is rampant, with 42% of fourth through eighth-graders who were surveyed reported being bullied online. A person who knowingly violates this law shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to one year’s imprisonment.
Panther Softball Honored
A resolution commending the Hoosick Falls High School softball team upon being the runner-up State Champions this spring passed unanimously at Tuesday night’s Legislative session on July 13. The resolution said, “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…The Hoosick Falls High School Softball Team is deserving of such praise and recognition.” According to the resolution, the team finished its season with an impressive record of twenty-five wins and three losses. The Panthers won the WASAREN League regular season championship, the Section II Class CC tournament as the No. 2 seed and was honored with the New York State Class C team sportsmanship award after the championship game.
The members of the Hoosick Falls HS softball team are Samantha Skott, Katie Kovage, Karley Morin, Courtney Sherman, Frankie Pearson, Sierra Bailey, Shelby Jones, Alyssa Schneider, Marissa Davendonis, Rachel Quackenbush, Jenna Priore, Melody Mentiply and Clarissa Mango. The team is coached by Charlie Weeden and Ralph Quackenbush.
The resolution concluded, “The Rensselaer County Legislature does hereby commend and offer congratulations to the coaches, team members, family and supporters of a team well deserving of praise and recognition; a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, shall be transmitted to the coaches and team members.”
McCart: A Sox Fan At Yankee Stadium
A resolution honoring Connor McCart for being chosen to compete in Yankee Stadium and for capturing second place in his age group in Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition passed unanimously. The resolution said, “Within our children lies the future of our nation, and to recognize the accomplishments of some exceptional children today will inspire other young adults to emulate their achievements, insuring a brighter future for this County.”
Twelve year old Connor McCart, from Hoosick Falls, was a starting pitcher for the Man of Kent baseball team in the Town of Hoosick Baseball League. He trained at home on a pitching board made for him by his grandfather. He qualified for the trip to the Bronx by winning a regional competition held in East Greenbush where he amassed 1,155 total points to edge the second place finisher by a mere seven points. Next year, he plans to try to qualify for the national Pitch, Hit and Run competition in Bennington because he is a die hard Boston Red Sox fan and would like to go to Fenway Park for this competition.
Public Hearing On Ag District #4
A public hearing was scheduled for August 10 at 5:30 pm before the next Legislative session to recertify Agricultural District #4, the Hoosick agricultural district. The boundary lines of the district may be adjusted at that time.
