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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,ÊS eptemberÊ19,Ê2015

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www.SunCommunityNews.com

In ARTS | pg. 7

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Otis Mountain Get Down

In OPINION | pg. 4

Vandalism on the rise

More than 1,700 turn out for E-town festival

Justice needs to be served

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In SPORTS | pg. 12-13

The Red Storm blank the Hornets

Earn shutout victory in Sept. 12 football contest

Work begins on $10 million ECH expansion ElizabethtownÊ CommunityÊ HospitalÊ plansÊ inpatientÊ nursingÊ unitÊ expansion,Ê renovation

By Pete DeMola

Originally constructed in 1967-68, the space is in need of a complete overhaul. Quite simply, the hospital has outgrown its ELIZABETHTOWN — Big changes are original footprint. The project will renovate 9,000 square feet afoot at Elizabethtown Community Hospital. and expand the facility by 7,500 square feet. Monday marked the beginning of a $10 Plans call for larger patient rooms, addimillion project that will expand and renovate tional physical therapy space, a new kitchen, a the hospital’s inpatient nursing unit. pete@suncommunitynews.com

StevenÊ Cacchio

pharmacy expansion, expanded waiting areas, reconfigured physician and nurse work areas and more storage. Hospital Spokeswoman Jane Hooper spoke to a reporter as a staffer wheeled chairs down the hallway — which will be widened — and medical equipment spilled out from closets. A quick tour tells a thousand words. Invisible improvements will also be made, including plumbing, heating and air conditioning and electrical and computer upgrades, all changes that have become unavoidable as

replacement parts have become obsolete. All of this will ensure staff can do their jobs more efficiently while ensuring patient comfort. “The hospital provides exceptional, personalized care in spite of serious limitations,” said Medical Director Rob DeMuro. “Patients are complimentary about the care they receive, but we all recognize that the impatient care areas are simply obsolete. This project is absolutely necessary to allow our outstanding staff >> Story Continued | pg. 11

Teacher arraigned on 22 felony counts Thompson faces consecutive sentences on spying charges

New Champlain National Bank CEO brings years of regulatory experience to Willsboro

By Pete DeMola

WILLSBORO — Several weeks after his arrival, Steven Cacchio, the new President and CEO of Champlain National Bank, is settling into the community quite nicely. “It’s a tremendous town,” said Cacchio of Willsboro. “It’s very welcoming and I’m Pete enjoying it very much.” DeMola Writer Cacchio came to the Champlain Valley most recently from Danbury, Connecticut, where he served as the COO of the Savings Bank of Danbury. Before that, he put in stints at Alliance Bank and as a bank examiner for the Comptroller of the Currency in their Syracuse office. That office charters, regulates and supervises national banks. It was an experience that has given Cacchio the skills to navigate the ongoing regulatory changes in today’s banking climate, including those affecting small community institutions like Champlain National. On Oct. 3, another will come down the pipeline governing initial disclosures on mortgage lending. While working with vendors to work and make those changes requires significant time and expense, said Cacchio,

ELIZABETHTOWN — Willsboro resident and Westport teacher John “Jack” Thompson was arraigned on 22 felony counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree on Friday in Elizabethtown. Thompson, 50, pled not guilty. The 22 surveillance counts cover a five-day time period from March 28 to April 2. According to court documents, Thompson installed imaging devices to secretly view a person dressing or undressing, or displaying their sexual parts, at his home. Three counts stem from March 28; two from March 30; nine from March 31; four from April 1 and four from April 2.

youremail@suncommunitynews.com

Steven Cacchio has been selected to lead Champlain National Bank after a nine-month search. Photo by Pete DeMola

it’s easier if you have an experienced hand on the tiller. Board Chairman Peter Paine applauded Cacchio’s decision to join the team. “His breadth of experience and sound judgment will be of great value to us as we face the challenges that confront the community banking world in the years ahead,” said Paine in a statement. When this opportunity came up, Cacchio jumped at the chance to dive into community banking, particularly at an institution with such deep roots. Champlain National Bank was founded in 1909 in Essex County and continues to be locally owned and managed. Unlike federal or national banks, said the newcomer, decisions at community banks are made at the local level. “We live, work and really understand communities we >> Story Continued | pg. 13

Thompson attorney Reginald Bedell declined to have each of the counts read to his client. Franklin County Acting District Attorney Glenn MacNeill requested Thompson’s bail amount be raised to $15,000 cash, or $30,000 bond, a request Judge Kevin Ryan ultimately denied on the grounds that Thompson met his previous court dates and has long ties to the region. Due the number of counts, and the potential for consecutive sentences if found guilty, Thompson posed a flight risk, argued MacNeill. Thompson has no equity in his home, said Bedall, has been suspended without pay from Westport Central School from his job as a social studies teacher since his >> Story Continued | pg. 11


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