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ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron

Saturday,ÊM archÊ26,Ê2016

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In SPORTS | pg. 12-13

All-senior games held

Local seniors get one more day on the court

www.SunCommunityNews.com

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In OPINION | pg. 6

Transparency needed

Candidates shouldn’t hide behind off the record

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In OUTDOOR | pg. 9

Know your quarry

Brook trout, brookies, speckles, natives ...

Essex County weighs indigent defense reform Change in policy may become unavoidable to due to increasing costs, seismic shifts in state policy, says county

plication is a patchwork approach that varies by county and jurisdiction. For the most part, the structure hasn’t been touched since the 1960s after a landmark Supreme Court case further enshrined the right to counsel. Following a lawsuit in 2014 by five counties who accused By Pete DeMola the state of punting on their obligation to provide adequate pete@suncommunitynews.com legal counsel, the state has started to institute major reforms. Good news for champions of progress. ELIZABETHTOWN — Big changes may be underway for how Essex County organizes its indigent defense program. But the pending changes have Essex County’s legal system gripped in a state of uncertainty. The practice of providing legal counsel for the indigent is guaranteed in the Constitution. But here in New York, its apWhile the lawsuit requires only five counties — includ-

At AuSable Valley Central ...

ThisÊ isÊ theÊ Voice!

>> See Indigent defense | pg. 5

Stefanik lands GOP endorsement All 12 county Republican committees have endorsed Stefanik for 2016 race despite calls by former GOP gubernational candidate Carl Paladino to primary the freshman lawmaker

Fundraiser to see appearance by Season 6 contestant Austin Ellis

CLINTONVILLE — The AuSable Valley Jazz Choir will enter spring on a high note with a singing competition modeled after the smash-hit NBC television show, “The Voice.” Two years ago, Steve Collier, the choir’s Pete music teacher, was searching for an activity DeMola Editor to do with the kids following their spring concert series. With inspiration from the popular program, an impromptu singing competition was born, with the student body invited to watch. Collier dusted off the concept last spring as a fundraiser for the choir’s annual trip and rebranded it as evening event with an entry fee. This year’s installment is slated to feature 19 middle and high school students zipping through a truncated version of the program’s format. Each will be allotted 60 seconds in a preliminary round. Four judges will offer comments and whittle out finalists, who will then sing a full song for the final round. Collier said getting kids comfortable in their own skin is

ing neighboring Washington — to immediately expand their indigent defense services, provide counsel for first arraignments and cap caseloads for public defenders, it’s only a matter of time, says the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), that the other 52 upstate counties may be required to do the same, undoubtedly incurring more costs in the process. Hamstringed by a state-imposed property tax cap, a movement is underway on a number of fronts to reduce local expense and shift some of that burden back to the state.

By Pete DeMola

pete@suncommunitynews.com

paramount. Doing so will build confidence, self esteem and the ability to perform. “As a music teacher, that’s what we need to be doing,” Collier said. “I’m trying to sell them this as an opportunity to perform — not just a competition.” Students said they planned on dipping into the well of pop culture for their performances — not just the jazz standards or showtunes featured prominently in their other productions.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino captured headlines this week when he called for Republicans to issue a primary challenge to Rep. Elise Stefanik. Paladino, upset that the freshman lawmaker hasn’t yet endorsed Donald Trump, called Stefanik a “RINO Washington elitist establishment sell-out” in an email sent to supporters on Wednesday, reported the Times Union. On Friday, the first-term representative received the endorsement of all 12 Republican committees in her district. “In only her first term, Congresswoman Stefanik has delivered on her campaign promises of accountability, transparency and a sharp focus on constituent services,” said New York State Republican Vice Chairman Ray Scollin in an email blast. “A tireless advocate for the 21st District, Elise has successfully brought a new generation of leadership to Washington.” Scollin said the committee was “proud” to endorse her reelection. Chairwoman Sue NcNeil said the rep has put the needs of

>> See The Voice | pg. 14

>> See Stefanik | pg. 14

AuSable Valley Jazz Choir presents the Voice: Friday, April 1 at 7 p.m. $7/$5 (adults/students). For more info, call Steve Collier at 834-2800 ext. 7402. Photo provided


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