OSWEGO, NY – Here’s a glimpse of the some of the news from the past 12 months.
‘Divine Intervention’ Helped Get ARISE’s Ramp Program Rolling
In early June, ARISE revved up its annual Ride for Ramps program under clear blue skies as around 70 motorcycles roared away on their annual goodwill trek.
A little divine intervention facilitated the birth of event.
“Pastor Vivian (Summerville) is the one that got me started in all of this,” Jason Noyes, who started the ride fundraiser nine years ago, told Oswego County Today. “I used to go to her church and one day she’s in there talking about how this program lost $5,000 in state funding. I said, ‘You know what? There’s a good thing to raise money for!’ And, it’s continued to grow each year. I really appreciate all the support we get from an awful lot of people and groups.”
Members of ARISE and dozens of volunteers hosted the fundraiser with assistance from Lighthouse Lanes and Oswego Speedway.
“It’s a great day and a great cause,” one rider told Oswego County Today and he prepared to head out for the Sandy Pond area.
“It is a beautiful day for a ride. Be safe,” Tonya Anderson, the chief executive officer of ARISE, told everyone.
The ramp program is a critical piece of what ARISE does, she said.
“I call it the gateway, because people come to ARISE wanting a ramp but they might have other needs as well and we’re able to connect with people like that,” she explained. “We support people so they can be independent in the community. What you (riders) are doing is so important; not just for the ramp program, but for all of what we do. I appreciate your support so much. Have a safe ride, come back and eat a lot of barbecue!”
DA: Court Denies Gary Thibodeau a New Trial
“I will say that I am very pleased with the court’s decision affirming Judge King’s ruling to deny a new trial. Justice was upheld today (June 9), as Gary Thibodeau continues to be held accountable for Heidi Allen’s kidnapping,” Oswego County Greg Oaks said. “However, there is no celebration today, as the Allen family is still missing their daughter and sister.”
Although he anticipated an appeal from the defense, “this case will never truly be over until Heidi is recovered and brought home to her family,” he added.
DA Oakes’ Press Conference Remarks:
This afternoon, the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, affirmed the Decision and Order issued by the Hon. Daniel King, acting Oswego County Court Judge, relative to the CPL 440.10 motion filed by the defense in the case of People v. Gary Thibodeau. In doing so, the appellate court upheld Judge King’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.
The Appellate Division unanimously agreed with Judge King’s finding that the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office provided Gary Thibodeau’s defense attorney with all exculpatory material in 1994 and 1995, including all reports and statements relating to Heidi Allen’s status as a so-called confidential informant.
Although the defense had the burden of proving that the disputed documents weren’t provided, they failed to meet that obligation at the hearing, and then again at the appellate court. Further, the People affirmatively proved that those documents were turned over to defense counsel.
Scouts, Elks Retire Flags At Fort Ontario
Most people believe the right way to retire an American Flag is to burn it – whole. However, that is not entirely correct.
In June, historic Fort Ontario hosted several representatives of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Oswego Lodge #271 as well as a large contingent of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Members of Girl Scout troops 10566 and 10567 were present along with Boy Scout troop 888. They conducted a U.S. flag retirement program outside the entrance of old fort Ontario.
Members of the public were invited to turn in their worn out flags for proper retirement.
Prior to the ceremony, the scouts explained the proper means of retiring a flag as well as many facts about the flag.
The proper way to retire a flag is to cut it into four pieces. Three sections of the stripes are cut apart. The field of white stars on the blue background is removed intact.
Pam Caraccioli honored as Woman of Distinction, elected to statewide economic development board
Pam Caraccioli, deputy to the SUNY Oswego president for external partnerships and economic development, this spring earned two honors: a regional award for accomplished and community-minded women and a statewide board membership.
State Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, named Caraccioli a 2017 Woman of Distinction, an honor that the senator bestows “recognizing outstanding leaders who are achieving success in their careers, devoting time to volunteer causes in their communities and more.”
In a separate distinction for Caraccioli, the New York State Economic Development Council elected her a director-at-large. NYSEDC has represented local and regional economic development professionals, as well as colleges, universities and private sector enterprises, for more than 40 years.
Women of Distinction honorees such as Caraccioli, said Ritchie, “have one very important thing in common — and that’s that they have made a difference in the lives of so many people in our region.”
Chuck Gijanto nominated Caraccioli for her assistance with Oswego Health, when Gijanto stepped down as president and CEO.
Stanley, who appointed Caraccioli in 2013 for the then-newly created executive position at the college, said, “Pam has been a tremendous asset to the college and the community. Her knowledge of economic development and community relations, skills at networking and developing strategic partnerships, and devotion to furthering success at SUNY Oswego and throughout Central New York make her very deserving of this recognition.”
Oswego High School Class of 2017Receive Diplomas
After 13 years of school, it took 28 minutes to turn the OHS Class of 2017 into freshly minted graduates.
The first diploma was presented at 10:52 a.m. and the clock above the SUNY Oswego Campus Center’s ice rink clicked to 11:20 a.m. as Richard P. Yurkon received his diploma.
Valedictorian Sarah Smolinski said, “It’s kind of hard to believe (graduation) is actually here.”
Jeremy Braiman said he knew graduation was approaching, but didn’t really give it much thought. “It wasn’t really until after my last class that I started thinking out it,” he said. “I am looking forward to it. It’s kind of sad but exciting, too.”
Superintendent Dr. Dean Goewey said 37 years ago, he sat in (the graduates’) seat.
“From kindergarten through your senior year, many of those friendships will stay with you for a lifetime,” the member of the Class of 1980 told the Class of 2017. “Your lives will be filled with blessings, challenges and opportunities. Be resilient when times are tough.”
Regardless of the paths they choose in life, Dr. Goewey encouraged the Class of 2017 to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
“Your words are powerful. They can change lives and inspire others, but just as easily cause harm,” Dr. Heidi Sweeney, principal told the graduates. “Many people will offer you advice. But develop and follow your own internal compass.”
Fence Links Oswego To International History
Upon first glance, it looks like a pile of old and rusty chain link fence. But after closer inspection, that’s exactly what it is; a 10-foot length of forgotten metal nearly 80 years old.
However, it is the fence’s pedigree that propels its historical significance light years past your run of the mill patio enclosure.
It was the fence installed at Fort Ontario around the start of World War II and it was what greeted the nearly 1,000 refugees as they arrived at Safe Haven, Paul A. Lear, historic site manager, explained.
“The fence was very important to the people that were here. They were allowed to go in to town (after a while) with passes. The fence is an iconic symbol. It wasn’t meant to imprison them; it was more to protect them, for safety,” added Heidi Miksch, a conservator from Peebles Island Resource Center in Waterford.
“People from Oswego would come here (to the fence) and pass things over – food and clothing, bicycles, shoes and money, everything, because (the refugees) were so poor,” Lear said. “The fence, that was the real meeting place for the townspeople and refugees. It’s an icon. Fort Ontario is the shelter. The fence is the iconic symbol.”
“This is the only place that America accepted refugees during the war,” Miksch added.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt allowed 982 refugees who survived Nazi reign into this country as his “guests” with the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter becoming their home from August 1944 to February 1946.
Miksch, was on site in late June to remove a section of the remaining original fence at the southwest property line of the fort. She was assisted by Lear; Tim Gray, park manager; and Brian Hibbert, park worker.
The segment of fence will be a featured part of the upcoming exhibit on America’s Response to the Holocaust at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington.
“The whole idea is to have it installed so it looks like a chain link fence,” she told Oswego County Today.
Jones Denied Parole
On June 30, Oswego County District Attorney Gregory Oakes spoke with an official at the Wallkill Correctional Facility, who advised that the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has denied the parole application for Alan Jones.
Jones is serving an indeterminate sentence of 5 to 15 years based upon his conviction for Manslaughter in the Second Degree relating to the August 2008 death of his 11-year-old step-sister, Erin Maxwell, in the town of Palermo.
In response to the decision, District Attorney Oakes stated, “I am thankful to everyone who wrote the parole board and joined me in opposing Jones’s release. I am relieved that the parole board listened to our voices, and I’m grateful that justice continues to be served.”
Jones may be eligible for release as soon as October 6, 2018, which is his conditional release date.
Under DOCCS regulations, the conditional release date is determined by an inmate’s “good time credit.”
In September of 2009, an Oswego County Jury convicted Jones of Murder in the Second Degree.
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