Author Archives: Express Weekly

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Waterford-Troy Bridge to be Honored

by Harold Wessell

On September 8 of this year, at Noon in the Soldiers and Sailors Park in Troy, the American Society of Civil Engineers will unveil a plaque recognizing both bridges of the Troy-Waterford crossing as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – an award that since the program began in 1964 now lists at least 260 structures of particular engineering significance. Following is a brief history of this unique  structure.

One day in 1972 this writer, arriving in Dubuque, Iowa, new to town, stepped into a traditional looking tavern to ask some directions.

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Teacher Criticizes Test Results

By Michael Bielawski

MECHANICVILLE AUGUST 29 – A routine school board meeting was all the usual through its agenda.  Administrators and teachers discussed special education, class sizes, textbooks, transportation… nothing that elicited much debate.

Then came time for the public to give comments, and the first lady to speak was a parent and teacher.  She came to the microphone with a newspaper in hand, and she didn’t look happy.  She was holding statistics on testing, specifically scores from throughout the Capital Region for the new NY State ELA (English Language Assessment) and math tests.

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Historic Jewel in Mystic Seaport

By Sandy McBride

Mystic Seaport has long been on our “bucket list” of places we must see.  My friend Dick Garland told me years ago that I would love it.  Well, we finally made it.  After watching two of our grandchildren perform in the Shoreline Actors’ Collective’s “MacBeth” in Clinton, CT on a Sunday afternoon, we headed for Mystic.  We spent a weather-perfect Monday taking in the myriad sights and delights that Mystic Seaport-the Museum of America and the Sea has to offer.  Dick was right.  We loved it.

Those of you who know me may have already guessed that this will not be just about Mystic Seaport.  I often stumble upon a fascinating side story within the big picture.

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Marion E. Austin – 93

WHITEHALL:   Marion E. Austin, 93, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2013 at the Glens Falls Hospital following a short illness.

Born on June 26, 1920, she was the daughter of the late James and Margaret (Brooks) Cunningham.

Marion retired from Sherwood Medical in Argyle, New York.

Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Harold E. Austin, who died in 1987, a sister, Audrey Barbour, a grandson, Shawn Austin and a granddaughter, Katrina Lynn Austin.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Gries Austin and her companion, Dr. Robert Leather of Chatham, two sons, Charles Austin and his wife, Donna of Whitehall and Harold Austin and his wife, Marion of Whitehall; grandchildren, Tina Wilson and her husband, Jon of Minneapolis, Brenda Mahar of Whitehall, Harold Austin and his wife, Jennifer of Whitehall, Charles Austin, Jr. and his companion, Dulci Carr of Whitehall, Greg Austin and his wife, Jodi of Whitehall, Luke Rutten and his wife, Lorri of Gilbert, AZ and Ingrid McClay of Newtown, CT.; many great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  A special thank you to her nieces, Sharon Putorti and  Mary Balsam and her great niece, Kristy Putorti.

Family and friends may call at the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall on Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 4PM to 6PM.

A prayer service will be conducted on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Rev. Rendell Torres, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, officiating.

Interment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.

A special thank you to the nursing staff at the Glens Falls Hospital 4 West and the staff at the Holbrook Adult Home in Granville.

 

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Halfmoon Plans New Layout, Image, and Future

By Michael Bielawski

Sim City, 1989. And you thought it was just a game…

Halfmoon – The Zoning Review Committee of Halfmoon met last Thursday to discuss issues that they believe will shape the town and its image for decades to come. Discussion among members included ‘big box’ (chain) stores vs. ‘mom and pop’ stores, high vs. low density housing, managing river fronts and hiking trails, and the town’s rural image.

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Saratoga Gun Show Attracts Attorney General

By Michael Bielawski

SARATOGA – One of the hottest debates these days without question is the gun debate.  And New York State is at the center of this debate especially since the passage of the Safe Act.  In a nutshell, the Safe Act limits rounds that may legally be loaded in a firearm at any one time (to seven rounds), among other provisions about sales and background checks.
At this gun show, largely to ensure the Safe Act was followed, was New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.  Some assumed the appearance might be awkward or even confrontational.  As it turns out, “The Attorney General was quite pleased with the way we run our shows” said David Petronis, the gun show operator.  He wasn’t there long, but he visited all the tables and embraced an atmosphere that was likely very different from his liberal base.

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This Month In The Civil War

By Sandy McBride

 

Bleeding Kansas, Bleeding Country

August, 1863

William Clark Quantrill was an enigma. He was raised in the state of Ohio, but in 1859, he went west, traveling to Lawrence, Kansas. At that time the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas and neighboring Missouri were at often violent odds. He got a job as a teacher, but soon found more lucrative pursuits.  He joined a group of anti-slavery ruffians known as Jayhawkers.  They raided pro-slavery settlements, burning, looting and killing.

The community of Lawrence had been established in 1854 in Kansas territory by settlers who opposed slavery.  Whether new states would be admitted to the Union as slave states or free states was an ongoing debate in Congress.  Statehood for Kansas was being presented by both sides in 1856.

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County Opens New Veterans Counseling Center

By Harold Wessell

BALLSTON SPA, Aug. 14 and 20 – Saratoga County Supervisors announced a now-annual  fundraising event in support of services to military veterans, and a new counseling site in the County for combat vets.

The counseling location is to be a satellite of the Veterans Center in Colonie and

staffed five days a week – the schedule still to be worked out according to County Veterans Service Agency Director Felipe Moon. It is being provided by the Town of Saratoga.

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