Mid Hudson Times Sep. 27 2017 | Page 4

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Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , September 27 , 2017

Schools , bus companies working to fix delays

Continued from page 1

already started . Young noted that , as the last stop on the route , the bus has often been late , arriving at 7:00 a . m . or later . Because students have to be in their seats by 7 a . m , Young said parents often “ give up by 7 ” and drive their students to school .

“ Maybe it comes after seven some of these days , but that ’ s unacceptable . I know we aren ’ t the only bus route , and I know he ’ s not the only one getting picked up late , based on the reaction of the school ,” stated Young .

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District ( NECSD ) currently operates approximately 190 school buses transporting students to and from its schools . The NECSD Director of Transportation , Mark Connolly , noted that the beginning of the school year usually requires additional adjustments to busing schedules in order to meet every student ’ s needs . On the first day of the 2017 school year the department received over 350 requests from parents or caregivers to update student information , which frequently requires updating bus routes . These requests happen most frequently during the first few weeks of school . The department stated that it works as quickly as possible to resolve any issue or complaint .

For Young , the Gallagher bus company ’ s failure to pickup her grandson is an “ on-going problem ,” one that started and continued all last year . She estimated that last year her grandson had to be driven to school once every two weeks because his bus failed to arrive at the scheduled time . Young is quick to point out that Newburgh residents are paying for this busing service with their taxes .

“ I know things happen , I get that . But it ’ s consistently a problem … We are paying for this service . We are all in the city of Newburgh paying for this service ,” stated Young .

Ed Gallagher , president of Gallagher Transportation and Leprechaun Lines , says , however , that this year has been better than previous years . He stated that all the complaints that have come to his attention so far have already been resolved . He candidly admits the company isn ’ t perfect , but argues that as a family business operating out of one location they do better than most .

Gallagher explained that between the time the bus company sends their bus routes out to the school to publish the information and the first day of school , “ there can be hundreds of changes .” But he states those alterations are normal . Gallagher explained that often the changes are due to new students that registered late for school , or alternate stops such as a grandparent ’ s house that need to be included . New additions can overfill buses , requiring them to either reroute the bus or send secondary buses . Gallagher asserted that fluidity and good teamwork between the bus company and Director of Transportation Mark Connolly , are key in the beginning of the school year .

“ We have very good staff here . We just keep moving and make the changes as requested … just the first week of school — no matter how well you think you have it planned – it ’ s always changing , and you have to be fluid and rectify situations as they arise ,” stated Gallagher .

Gallagher added that new to the buses this year is GPS tracking equipment , enabling bus dispatchers to track buses in live time and ensure they are stopping at all their scheduled stops . Gallagher encourages parents or caregivers to call the bus company if their child ’ s bus is arriving or dropping off late . “ We have multiple people in the office who can respond ,” said Gallagher , adding that dispatchers can get directly in contact with drivers or use the GPS to give parents a status on the bus ’ s location along the bus route .

Young said she called both the school and Gallagher bus company multiple times in the first two weeks of school , but didn ’ t see results until she called angry and frustrated on September 15 . Young was troubled by the effort it took to get her and other parents ’ voices to be heard .

“ What really bothers me is why , if all these other parents are calling , did my [ September 15 ] phone calls get through ? Was it because I was angry ?”

Gallagher said he was able to speak with Young on September 19 , and that the two “ had a good conversation .” He noted that Young ’ s grandson ’ s bus issues have been resolved , and that the busing company is continuing to keep a close eye on the situation .

In Brief

Crime Stoppers offers reward in hit-and-run fatal

New York State Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $ 2,500 for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for a hit and run that left a man dead in the City of Newburgh .

Fred Woolsey , 90 , a retired Marine , was found injured by Newburgh City Police at the corner or Grand Avenue and Park Place at 7:15 a . m . on Sunday , September 17 . He was taken to St . Luke ’ s Cornwall Hospital where he was pronounced dead .

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the New York State Crime Stoppers hotline at 866-313-TIPS ( 8477 ). Calls can remain anonymous . There is no caller ID on the Crime Stoppers hotline phones .

Newburgh man busted on pot charges

A traffic stop in the City of Newburgh led to the arrest of a local man on a charge of felony possession of marijuana .

Orange County Sheriff ’ s deputies were in Newburgh on Friday and observed a vehicle drive through a stop sign , then stop past the crosswalk inside the intersection . They conducted a vehicle stop and learned the driver , Augustus Burks , 27 , of Newburgh , was operating the car while his license was suspended .

Deputies also detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and located two Ziploc bags with over 16 ounces of marijuana in the trunk .

Burks was charged with felony possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle . He was sent to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $ 2,500 cash bail or $ 7,500 bond .

Police raid New Windsor motels , make drug , prostitution arrests

Police raided rooms at the Windsor Motel and Galaxy Motor Inn in New Windsor last Wednesday following a two-month investigation into complaints of illegal narcotics use and prostitution at both locations .

Three women were arrested for prostitution , two of whom were also charged with misdemeanor drug offenses . A man was arrested and charged with felony drug sales and felony drug possession .

The managers of both motels were also charged with permitting prostitution .

New Windsor Town Police were assisted by the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit , City of Newburgh Police , Town of Mount Hope Police , the Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office and state Department of Taxation and Finance .