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Saturday,ÊM ayÊ28,Ê2016
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In SPORTS | pg. 18
Mountaineers bounced
Spring season comes to an end too early
www.SunCommunityNews.com
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In OPINION | pg. 6
The immigration plank Topic big part of presidential platforms
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In LONG LAKE | pg. 2
Winner, winner
Photo contest honorees named
Ô WeÊ wereÊ thereÕ
World War II Stories from the Adirondacks’ Greatest Generation
S
Thomas Smith and Sal Famularo, both corporals in the Fourth Marine Division, share a moment at the Home Front Cafe in Altamont, Albany County in October 2014.
ometimes fascinating stories lurk in the most unlikely places. A young doctor, armed with a degree from Penn State College of Medicine, returned to his hometown of Glens Falls in 1980 and began practicing medicine. Daniel Way’s work took him deep into the heart of the Adirondack Park, where he discovered patients with ordinary ailments had extraordinary experiences. There was the English war nurse in Thurman who came of age in the Battle of Britain, when skies grew dark as Spitfires Pete DeMola battled the German Luftwaffe and bombs rained down overWriter head. Way learned the man living the life of a “country gentleman” in a remote area between Chestertown and Riparius had participated in some of fiercest fight-
Photo by Daniel Way
>> See BOOK | pg. 11
North Creek zoning change Inspector lied about Wells hearing remains open bridge conditions
Decade-old land swap still not complete By Christina Scanlon
christina@suncommunitynews.com
NORTH CREEK — An agreement a decade in the making has been delayed another month after a decision to keep the public hearing open concerning a change in zoning for two parcels. The agreement was struck with Johnsburg town officials and Front Street in 2005, that would swapped a portion of town land with the developer’s land. The town-owned parcel, however, was in the Adirondack Park, so an alienation of the property as park land had to occur first. Now, changing the zoning to allow for development needs to take place. “Somewhere, the ball got dropped, “ said Town Supervisor Ron Vanselow. He’s attempted to pick that ball back up and wrap up the swap and allow development of the land. Some opposition was voiced to the board, however, Vanselow said those concerns can’t go far. “We’re contractually obligated,” he said of following through with the town’s portion of the deal. The town would be open to litigation, otherwise. Though the planning board has no jurisdiction over the matter, members were asked to review it. Planning Board Chair Cork Nester voiced concerns over the rezoning, prompting a continuation of the public hearing until June 7. Nester did not return requests for comment.
Wells Highway Superintendent blew whistle on report that led to felony charges By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
WELLS — A bridge inspector has been arrested for allegedly falsifying a safety inspection report of the bridge spanning Elbow Creek. Akram Ahmad, 57, of Bridgeport, CT., was arrested last week and charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, second degree forgery and second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, all felonies. According to the New York State Inspector General’s Office, Ahmad’s 2013 inspection report listed deficiencies on the Gilmantown Road Bridge that had actually been repaired several months earlier.
The discrepancies were noted by Tracey Eldridge, the town’s highway superintendent, who contacted the state when he learned the bridge remained flagged for non-critical repairs, said Brian Towers, the town supervisor. Eldridge’s tip launched the investigation by the state Inspector General’s Office that resulted in last week’s arrest. “This defendant was entrusted with inspecting vital state infrastructure, but he corrupted the process and falsified his own work,” said Inspector General Leahy Scott in a statement. “I will not tolerate anyone employed or contracted by the state who shows clear disdain for such critical work.” Ahmad was an employee of DKI Engineering, a Capital Region engineering firm acting as subcontractor to conduct bridge inspections for the state Department of Transportation, according to the inspector general’s office. The bridge serves fewer than 50 vehicles >> See BRIDGE | pg. 18