cameras

Continued from page 1 work, so we really want to hear from you and get a sense of what the community is thinking.”

Trustees Joseph Membrino and Dr. Richard Sternberg then gave opening statements from the two opposing sides of the argument.

“I oppose adoption of the policy at this point,” said Membrino, “because to me it is a solution in search of a problem. The policy is also internally inconsistent.”

In his opinion, Membrino said, there was an absence of data showing need. He also expressed concerns that the use of images was limited in some areas of the draft policy, but could be made more generally available to the public through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Sternberg took the opposite view, stating that there is no right to privacy on public roads, and that it is a bit of a conflict to on the one hand oppose public cameras but then rely on private cameras when needed to record a past incident. Sternberg also did not understand the concern for privacy by protestors in a public demonstration.

“If you’re going to petition your government, don’t you want to let them know who you are? In a free society, you have to stand up and be counted,” he reflected.

Subsequent comments from the public concurred that cameras were, on the whole, useful for public safety and to record unlawful acts. Robert DiLorenzo, who works in public safety at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, pointed to his own

Roger A. Boulay 1959-2023

ONEONTA—Roger A. Boulay, 64, passed away at home with his wife, Amy, by his side on March 25, 2023.

He was born on February 23, 1959 in Heidelberg, Germany, the son of Gilbert and Erna (Prinzl) Boulay.

Roger graduated from Unatego central School, class of 1977, and from SUNY Oneonta, class of 1982. He was proud of his German heritage, and the best-spent year of his life was as a Rotary club exchange student after high school in Germany.

Roger’s entire working career was in farm equipment, starting in 1975 at his family’s business, catskill Tractor, which transitioned in 2003 to White’s Farm Supply.

He is survived by his wife, Amy (chase) Boulay, whom he married on April 13, 2017; daughter Sasha Boulay and grandson Griffin Gutierrez; daughter Amber Boulay; son Austin and his wife, Trisha Boulay; stepchildren Joseph, Hannah, and Andrew Lawton; stepgrandchildren Leah, Hallie, and Gavin Ruling; father Gilbert and his wife, Nancy (Miller) Boulay; brothers Michael (Terri) Boulay, James (christine) Boulay, and David (Heeyoung) Boulay; brother-in-law experience regarding the need for evidence to assist with investigations. He said this need outweighed any privacy concern.

The opposing viewpoint was, perhaps, best summed up by Sam Wilcox, who considered installation to imply an assumption of illegal behavior that creates a “psychological damage [which] could outweigh its potential value since such installation relays disrespect...These cameras will not be a welcoming presence in our village.”

Addressing Tony Gentile’s concern that images would be available upon a FOIA request, Police chief Frank cavalieri emphasized that the policy and the FOIA request form require the police chief’s approval. He would not approve any request that was not tied to a necessary police investigation, he said. In response to an audience member’s inquiry as to the question of cost, cavalieri said the cameras would range between $10,000.00$12,000.00 plus the cost of installation poles.

At the conclusion of the public hearing, Benton stated his concern over the privacy issue as well but, in the end, the vote in favor of the installation of cameras passed 5-1 in favor, with Membrino casting the sole opposing vote.

Artist

Continued from page 1 wanted to tell the truth, my truth.”

Now, at 94 years old, this idea still rings true. Jules remains busy and is currently working on a semi-autobiographical novel which he is both writing and illus- trating. He fills his days at the sketching desk, putting pen, pencil, and marker to paper recording the moments he has experienced. Jules doesn’t see this as work. He is pleased to be doing what he has always done, and believes cartoonists are “working with a lifetime of your choice and having fun at your work. Our vacation and our work are the same thing.”

Though voicing his opinions and challenging society and the current political climate remain the backbone of his career, Jules must now contend with a different kind of foe: macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes vision loss, specifically loss in the center of the field of vision.

“I can’t see properly what I am doing, and drawing, and I’m drawing it anyway. It’s as if the act of will decides what my limitations are. My need to get the work done allows me to get it done before a retreat into the disability. Without my work, I don’t believe I would be living very long. It is a necessity to keep me going,” he explained.

This, among other factors, prompted Jules and his wife, Joan—freelance writer JZ Holden—to migrate northward from their Shelter Island, New York home in the fall of 2022.

Now settled in our community, just outside Richfield Springs, Jules feels like a new man. He complained of the “cramped” working conditions of his previous home on Shelter Island, saying he didn’t feel he could do his best work there. Now he and his wife enjoy the healthier climate, the openness of their surroundings, the greenery, and the privacy afforded to them.

“I don’t like the area, I love the area. I find it magical,” he said.

During my interview with Jules, I found myself not only learning more about who he was—things you can only glean from spending time with the man himself—but also learning about life in general and how one should conduct oneself. Jules has a long resume, and one section that stands out is his teaching credentials: Yale, Stony Brook Southampton college, and Northwestern University. I was not surprised to walk away with important lessons from someone as storied and illustrious as Jules.

“All the good advice you get from people is always safe advice, meaning don’t take chances. The only time anything exciting happens creatively in life is when you start taking chances, and risking failure. Failure is a huge component of my life. Without failure, you don’t learn what… to do next. I understood that failure was one of the most valuable things that I could teach. Failure is a necessity; it teaches you fearlessness.”

Jules is a legend in the many facets of his career, and a luminary of them all. Through his cartoons, novels, illustrations, and stage plays, Jules has truly left a profound mark on the artistic community and continues to do so to this day. Parting thoughts from the wise man with the youthful spirit? “Ignore the grownups. Unlearn all the things you were taught and do what you need to do. Do what you have to do.”