Joseph Jupin – 87

STILLWATER – Joseph Jupin, 87, of Van Ness Road, entered into Heaven, Sunday, Nov 25th, 2012, at home with his loving wife at his side.

Born in Watervliet, Sept. 27, 1925, he was son of the late John and Stephanie Rentz Jupin. Sr., and was a 1943 graduate of Heatly High School.

A heavy equipment operator for over 50 years with the Operating Engineers Local 106 of Albany, Joe started his career with Charles M. Guptil Co. of Boght Corners, NY and had worked on many projects such as the Northway construction and the Gilboa Dam project. His specialty was operating a road grader.

Joe was one of the founders of Maplewood Conservation Club of Watervliet, and secured the Club’s property in Indian lake, NY.

Joe had been active in various groups, such as past board member of the Heldeberg Twirlers Square Dance Group, the Goodnow Flow Assoc., National Rifle Assoc., Shenendehowa Adult Comm. Ctr, Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, BrooksideMuseum and the Lupus Foundation.

Joe’s passion was his family, his Adirondack home “Camp JoVic”, hunting, fishing, woodworking, carpentry and heavy equipment.

He was a member of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church of Ballston Lake.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years Victoria Dekan Jupin, a very special caring niece Stephanie Jupin Darwak of Stillwater, a sister Vera Jupin Flynn and brother-in-law Edward Barnes both of Watervliet and sister-in-law Margaret Jupin Alonzo of Clifton Park.  Also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his siblings John Jupin, Jr., Libby Jupin Diamond and Paulina Jupin Barnes.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10 AM at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville.  Burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery,Stillwater.

Calling hours at the Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 4-7 PM with Parastas services at 6:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga,179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, 12866 or Lupus Foundation of MNNY Inc.,PO Box 139 Utica, NY 13503, or a charity of your choice in loving memory of Joseph Jupin.

www.devito-salvadorefh.com to leave condolences and for directions.

Mrs. Catherine (Miller) Maciariello – 90

MECHANICVILLE – Mrs. Catherine (Miller) Maciariello, 90, former longtime resident of Burke Street, died Friday evening, Nov. 23rd, at Teresian House,Albany, after an extended illness.

Born in Riverside, Town of Stillwater, May 2, 1922, she was daughter of the lateSalvador and Theresa Marcella Richards.

A homemaker most of her life, Kate was a former head cook for the Mechanicville High School Cafeteria for over 15 years until she retired.

A communicant of Assumption-St. Paul Church, Kate enjoyed the simple things in life, and was proud of her children, and her grandchildren, who she doted over and enjoyed looking after them as they grew.

She was predeceased by her husband Anthony “Bing Miller” Maciariello, who died in 1994, and her daughter Adeline Miller Grimaldi.

Survivors include her three sons: Joseph and Roberta Miller of Naples, Fla., Anthony Miller and Michael and Denise Curto Miller all of Mechanicville, along with 7 grandchildren.  Also survived by her sister Josephine Capeci of Florida, son in law Dominick Grimaldi of Mechanicville, and sisters in law Tessie Demers of Mass. and Rose Miller of Mechanicville, along with nieces, nephews and their families.

Kate’s family thanks the staff at Teresian House for their care, compassion and concern for their mother over these last two years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 9 AM at All Saints on theHudson South Church, (St. Paul’s) 121 No. Main St., Mechanicville.  Burial in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Calling hours at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville on Wednesday from 4-7 PM.

Remembrances may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, in loving memory of Catherine R. (Miller) Maciariello.

www.devito-salvadorefh.com to leave condolences and for directions.

 

Thanksgiving Truce Story and Photos By: Bob Dunn III / Converged Imaging

 

I woke up at about 6 am on the day after Thanksgiving. It was barely light out when my brother came to the front door to borrow a couple of radios so he and my dad could  communicate on their morning hunt. It was after all dear season and they had not yet  harvested anything yet. The morning was quite cold and I had decided not to join them as I  had all intentions of going back to bed. But instead I turned on a third radio and went to my  desk to work at my computer.

 

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The Troy Turkey Trot a True Thanksgiving Tradition By Christine Barton

 

Participating in the Annual Troy Turkey Trot for many, is as much of a Thanksgiving Tradition as turkey and cranberry sauce.  The 65th annual Thanksgiving Day event drew 8,290 participants this year, a record number from years past.  It is hard to determine how many thousands of spectators were on the sidelines adding energy to the day as they cheered racers on.

 

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Maplewood employees, others oppose privatization By Harold Wessell

 

BALLSTON SPA, Nov. 20 - Dorothy Tyler of Saratoga Springs, whose mother Patricia is a resident of Maplewood Manor, was the first of about a dozen speakers before the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, when the Board began the process of finding an acceptable private operator for the facility.

Tyler, a member of the nursing home's Family Council, also spoke of just-formed group of staff and County citizens, named Citizens for a Sustainable Maplewood Manor, " was formed organically to advocate for people being left out of the process – your process...We are willing to assist you, and we would like to be part of the process. Our County has been caring for our elderly, sick and poor for over 200 years. As a community, a county, it is our duty to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves. We should not pass it off to the highest bidder." She presented a list of questions and suggestions from the group.

Looking ahead five to ten years, she voiced what proved a theme of nearly all the speakers:  "You can't possibly believe that employees working for lower wages and benefits, in inappropriate staff to patient ratios, can provide the same quality care that our residents now receive."

Nick Berardi, a Maplewood employee who has a number of times addressed the Board of Supervisors, read a letter from members of the residents’ association: "Maplewood's mission has always been to provide quality care for those in need. You cannot get that same quality from a private-run nursing home... whose primary mission is to make money...Providing for these elderly and disabled should not be run as a business." but to provide "a fundamental need of society... There are many county departments that don't make money, and aren't being discussed."

Susan Flowers, an employee, also maintained that private nursing homes equal "lower pay and lower staff, that usually means lower care... We could be the county that says No to getting rid of its county nursing home. There are a lot of people out there that cannot afford private nursing homes, especially these days. We need to stand proud and say to care about our county residents and our elderly who need somewhere to live, to go to so that they can get the help they need.... and take care of our own." She said she prayed that day; they would "give Maplewood Manor one more year – at least one more year, to prove that we can make it."

Employee Steven Mitchell likewise expected that "Privatization would likely mean diminished services and their ability to live a good full life... The responsibilities of a private company would condemn [residents] to fewer activities, .no meals from scratch, and other luxuries that a private company would not allow due to the bottom line. The dollar cannot be the bottom line when we are dealing with these residents." The quick fix of selling may sound fiscally good, he added, "but that doesn't make it the right thing to do. Tough times call for tough decisions. Selling would not be the tough decision, but rather the easy one."

Barbara Thomas called it a "social and moral obligation" to provide that kind of service to county residents. Looking at her tax bill, she estimated that if the 20 percent property tax increase – said to be the only other way to save the home -- would be about "$50 a year per $100,000 – I’m willing to pay that, particularly in the short term; because I think we have been rushed into this decision, by a small committee of the board... And I know that the meetings were not public. The people didn't know what the charge to the consultant was."

Raymond Meyers was the lone speaker of about a dozen to support the privatization process, calling attention to the most identifiable cause of the persistent annual deficit. "I don't understand why the County is reimbursed [for Medicaid services rendered] at, I think it's only a third of the actual cost – I think this a very painful loss of control by local government in state unfunded mandates. It’s hard to believe that it's gone on this long, and impacted so large financially. And nothing brings that home as how people are hurt in this example." However, he felt that unless the County takes a position and figures out a solution to dealing with unfunded state and federal mandates, "What's the next service that we're going to lose in the county, around the corner?"

Prior to the vote, Waterford supervisor John Lawler, as a perspective on the also-perennial impact of unfunded state mandates, pointed out that in the 2013 County budget due for adoption next month, the anticipated property tax of $52,577,684 will go entirely toward paying for $63,837,520 in state mandates – with  $12,259,836 to be found from other sources.

Kathy Garrison, CSEA Capital Region President, calling Nov. 20 a sad day for Saratoga County, claimed that  "The decision to dispense of the property was decided privately by the Republican caucus, behind closed doors, with zero transparency. County residents have been shut out of this process, ignored and disrespected. Your vote today to create an LDC is being done without the consideration of other options, without a public hearing and without any respect for the residents and employees of Maplewood Manor who are expected to sit by quietly while you hand over the keys to their home. She further alleged that LDCs have "great potential for abuse.  Friends and family can be appointed to the board; LDCs are not required to comply with open meetings and Freedom of Information Laws; no disclosure of financial information is required; no requirement that fair market value is paid for property (in this case, Maplewood Manor is valued at 13 million)."

She warned members who were behind the plan, or are going along with it, "Let me assure you that your ability to get re-elected will be impacted by this vote. Voters will remember; and next year when you are up for re-election, CSEA will be happy to remind them of your deception and your vote today."

During the voting, Moreau Supervisor Preston Jenkins, concerned that the County would still be borrowing money from the LDC, which could impact taxpayers for the next three years if the sale as proposed doesn't occur at some point, stated he was "not comfortable" with that.

Ballston Supervisor Patricia Southworth said she had  "serious questions about quality of life issues that will occur, I'm sure,” if Maplewood is privatized -- and should the facility end up

Closing in the future.  She hoped that if the LDC goes forward, the Board would keep looking at alternative plans.

Saratoga Springs Supervisor Joanne Yepsen said she "can't add more" to what speakers had said. "This has been an issue that has been near and dear to so many of them, personal and financial as well." She added that "some good concrete ideas" came up, and she hoped they would be more seriously looked at going forward, and that other good ideas are brought forward.

Milton Supervisor Daniel Lewza also expressed his concern that after the  $6 million the County will be getting from the LDC, in the 2014 budget, even if they sell the property in January, the County will still be responsible for probably the next 16 months.  "... Are we going to have to borrow again? I think what we need to do is go back, take a look at things, ... and tighten up a flat cut, across the board, in each department, including Maplewood Manor, and see where they can get to making up the $6 million." For conservatives, he said, "I don't think that taxpayers should be forced to support another layer of shadow government."

Northumberland Town Supervisor Willard "Bill" Peck said he went into the process with an open mind about 18 months ago, and originally doubted need for an LDC. "The more I looked at it, the more I'm dealing with it, the LDC was really a way to finance an annual operations until we can transition to a private entity." He said he offered up his services to be on its board, "so it could be done in a proper way that transitions a safe environment for out citizens there, our seniors."

Peck took issue with some of the comments, pointing out that in fact all meetings will be subject to the Open Meetings Law  "just as if they were government” As for claims of  "friends and family getting high paid wages to come to work for the LDC... The LDC is going to be made up of five supervisors and two other people as citizens – That’s the LDC. We aren't being paid for it." He said his own motivation to be on the board was "as a public service to this County, to make sure that we do this in a proper fashion moving forward because – I think everybody knows, there is a great need for a nursing home here." The concern he has, however, is about long-term viability; "and in the hands of the County that is not sustainable. We probably should have taken and done this ten years ago; we let it go too far."

Voting against the proposal were Jenkins, Mary Ann Johnson, Lewza, Southworth and Yepsen.

Richardson and Jean Raymond of Edinburg did not attend.

Members of the LDC board will be Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Thomas Wood III; Supervisors Ed Kinowski of Stillwater, Thomas Richardson of Mechanicville, and Arthur Wright of Hadley; and from the general public former longtime Public Health Nursing director Helen Endres, and former Malta Supervisor David Meager.

(Local supervisor comment is anticipated when this is repeated in next Thursday's paper.)

 

Stillwater Board of Education – Tuesday Nov. 27th Program Forum

Nov. 20, 2012 - The Stillwater Board of Education will hold its first program forum, “Technology Integration in Our Schools,” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the Stillwater Middle School cafeteria.

At the forum, residents will learn about how the Stillwater Educational Foundation helps support opportunities for Stillwater students and staff, how students are using technology in the classroom, specifically with the district’s One-to-One iPad Program, and an overview of the district’s Technology Plan.

All residents are invited to attend.

Pittstown Area Food Pantry Gets Ready for Thanksgiving – by Christine Barton

The holiday season is upon us. Volunteers from the Pittstown area food pantry spent Saturday November 17th arranging and handing out Thanksgiving food baskets to area families who requested assistance this holiday season. The mission of the Pittstown area food pantry is to provide food for people who need it, which is exactly what happened this Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Almost everything in the Thanksgiving boxes this year came from the Thanksgiving food drive led by Michael Raucci of Clifton Park Toyota, with the help and support of many area businesses. Pittstown food pantry volunteers arranged pickup of the boxes and transported them back to the church to get ready to open the doors for the 1pm pick up time. This year about 58 individuals signed up to receive a Thanksgiving food box.

Costanzo’s Rocks It Again – by Melissa LeMay

WATERFORD -  On Saturday afternoon and into the evening Costanzo’s River Side Restaurant was the site for the fifteen annual Rock For Tots NY event. Andy Walters & Alan Hein came up with this idea fifteen years ago and started a partnership with Toys for Tots as a way to give back to their community. This is a great organization that helps families in need and who struggle during the Holiday season. Without this program children in our community would go without a Christmas.

 

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Town May Consider Tax Incentive to Increase Trail Routes — by Harold Wessell

TOWN OF STILLWATER, November 15 – Town Supervisor Ed Kinowski put out a question for the future    of trails in the Town to participants in Thursday’s Town Board meeting.

As the Town and County – indeed whole country as he said -- are more and more actively pursuing development of trails, the Supervisor floated the idea that perhaps it could be an incentive for the Town to offer some assessment credit to landowners who would be willing to allow a trail over or along some of their property.

An effort by a municipality to gain land for a trail – like any easement request – can be time consuming and expensive ... and sometimes become contentious. He suggested that a more creative and citizen-friendly approach would be to offer some  assessment credit on what little square footage of land might be sought, and the transaction could become one in which owners who are approached can feel that they are being  invited to be a positive part of something for the community. "We've been trying to pursue trails within our town.

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