Castleton area residents protest dismissal of director

by CATHERNE SAGER

Jim Gibbons, a resident of Castleton since 1954, spoke at the recent public meeting with trustees of the Castleton Public Library about how the personal attention that ousted library Director Darlene Miller gave to every library user was what made the library such a special place. Photo by Catherine Sager.

CASTLETON–About 150 people showed up last week at a meeting of the Public Library Board of Trustees to protest the firing of long-time library Director Darlene Miller.

The board voted 5 to 2 to terminate Mrs. Miller, who is out on medical leave. She was informed of the board’s decision by courier, reportedly while she was sick in bed.

Residents who attended the meeting expressed outrage at the news. Calling for answers, one by one, they also described the positive impact Mrs. Miller has had on the community, the schools, the library and their families.

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K’hook councilwoman runs afoul of law

by DIANE VALDEN

State inspector general says Mary Kramarchyk violated Hatch Act restrictions

KINDERHOOK–The Office of the State Inspector General has determined that Town Councilwoman Mary Kramarchyk, who works for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, violated the state Public Officers law, DEC policy and the federal Hatch Act law for the past eight years by holding public office and holding a position in the local Republican Party.

That same report found that DEC had failed to address the situation and that her superiors at the agency were ignorant of the DEC’s own policies.

Stephen DelGiacco, a spokesperson for the inspector general’s office, said neither of the laws in the case is a criminal statute.

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Police seek sex offender

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—City Police found one of the two convicted sex offenders they sought for allegedly failing to register.
Police are still looking for Benjamen McKinney, 45, is sought by Hudson Police., a Level 3 sex offender.
His last know address was 331 State Street in Hudson. He has been known to frequent Albany. Mr. McKinney is 5’10”, weighs 200 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about Mr. McKinney’s whereabouts should call Hudson Police at (518) 828-3388.
Police also were looking for Eugene S. Cobbins, a/k/a Eugene S. Holloway, 29, a Level 3 sex offender.
Hudson Police took Mr. Cobbins into custody without incident after they received a tip that he might be at a Village of Catskill residence. Catskill Police checked the place and found Mr. Cobbins, who was turned over to Hudson Police and arraigned in City Court. He was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash bail or $15,000 bail bond.
 

Who cares for the disabled

by TED SALEM

Panel hears how poor health services compound problems

 HUDSON–Persons with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities or chemical dependency, as compared with the general public, have poorer physical health, face greater problems accessing medical care and, when they do need care, are less likely to receive help that meets their special needs.

A dozen consumers, family members and professionals who testified at a public forum on physical health care held by the Columbia County Community Service Board and the Department of Human Services Thursday, September 17, addressed one aspect or another of the “health disparities” faced by persons with these three disabilities.

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Stolen handgun recovered, 3 men charged

by DIANE VALDEN

VALATIE—Sheriff’s Office investigators and Special Weapons and Tactics Team members arrested three men, they say, were involved in the sale of a stolen handgun.  
Arrested were: Keith W. Moulaison, 26, of Kinderhook; Matthew E. Kelly, IV, 18, of Niverville; and Christopher Alston, 27, of Richmond, Virginia.
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