WALLKILL VALLEY

TIMES

Vol . 35 , No 5 3 WEDNESDAY , FEBRUARY 1 , 2017 3 ONE DOLLAR

Lady Bushmen beat Pine Plains

Page 36

www . WallkillValleyTimes . net

Rebel

Page 14

Road work begins in chronic collision area

By JESSICA COHEN jcohen @ tcnewspapers . com

After years of car accidents on State Route 302 prompted pleas to state officials , a $ 3.738 million road work project has begun between Routes 17K and 52 in Crawford , funded by the New York State Department of Transportation , said Dan McCann , Town of Crawford coordinator of safety and security . People often drive over the center line to avoid the road ’ s many potholes or because of drowsiness or distraction , he said at the town board meeting last week . So the road will be repaved and a rumble strip added down the middle that “ wakes up ” drivers drifting across the lanes . Trees along the side of the road are being cleared , and the speed limit may be lowered .

Many large trees are within five feet of the road , a danger to anyone who veers off , said Councilman Dan Flanik .

“ For years it ’ s been a nightmare on 302 from Crawford to Wallkill ,” Flanik said . “ When Hillary Clinton was a senator , we

Scientific phenomenon

wrote to her , and we contacted Senator Larkin and [ Congressman Sean Patrick ] Maloney . Dan McCann and I drove down 302 with a DOT guy four years ago . Last year we put DOT phone numbers on the digital town sign , so people could call and complain . We got lots of complaints .”

In 2015 , 63 accidents were reported on that section of Route 302 , including one fatality and 16 personal injury accidents , said Karen Mas , administrative assistant

Continued on page 4

CARL AIELLO

Walden Elementary School Principal Gregory Heidemann seems perplexed by an experiment that fizzled ( actually it didn ’ t ) at the school ’ s recent science fair . More photos on page 18 .

Justice is served

Meet Walden Judge Raynard Ozman

By JESSICA COHEN jcohen @ tcnewspapers . com

A young woman who was several thousand dollars behind in her rent stood before Judge Raynard Ozman in the Village of Walden court last week . When he asked if she could pay , she said she could .

“ Will that leave you penniless ?” he asked .

Concern tempered sternness as Ozman adjudicated the cases of people charged with marijuana possession , unlicensed vehicle operation , petit larceny , disorderly conduct , and other misdemeanors .

Most of them pled guilty , but he asked each if they had heard their rights and reminded them , kindly , that the court would appoint a lawyer for them if they wanted one and could not afford to hire one . Then most were fined between $ 185 and $ 200 , occasionally with extra time to pay . At least one , charged with using a cell phone while driving , uninsured vehicle operation , and marijuana possession , was also required to perform five hours of community service . A list of organizations with volunteer opportunities was provided .

“ He seems like he wants to give people a chance ,” said one woman awaiting her turn to appear for driving with a revoked license .

Interviewed later , Ozman says , “ Don ’ t mistake my demeanor for weakness . It doesn ’ t affect the manner in which I mete out justice . I handle each session