Reporter 1113

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East Branch Church Succumbs to Blaze

Fall Hunting Guide Special Section

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VOLUME 135 — WHOLE 71820

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2019

WWW.THE-REPORTER.NET

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New Director Takes The Lead Of O’Connor Foundation

Patty Lollot/ The Reporter

MEMORIAL WALKWAY DEDICATION – American Legion Ladies Auxiliary member Linda Belmont welcomes veterans and families to the Memorial Walkway dedication ceremony at the American Legion Club on Park Street on Veterans Day. Pavers are available for engraving for those who wish to remember veterans.

Rosie Cunningham/The Reporter

Amy Warner, the executive director of the O’Connor Foundation. By Rosie Cunningham DELHI - Delhi’s Amy Warner is the new executive director of the O’Connor Foundation. After more than 40 years of service and leadership, Donald F. Bishop II has retired and Warner stepped into his shoes. In addition to the new director, the O’Connor Foundation also has a new location - the agency moved from Main Street Hobart to 109 Sherwood Road in Delhi. There will be an Open House in early 2020 to celebrate 55 years of service to the local community (1965). “I am currently serving as interim and come Jan. 1, I will be the full time director,” said Warner, who has been involved with the O’Connor Foundation for about 20 years. “I have a drive to give back to the community.” Warner, who is also a relative of the O’Connor family, said the

foundation was established because the family was “grateful for everything they earned” and wanted to give back to the community and continued the legacy and support the individuals in the area. The foundation awards about 200 grants a year and there are about 140 grantees with active grants currently. “We make determinations as to who to award grants to by starting with Delaware County recipients,” she said. “Then, we look to seven outside county areas which will benefit individuals of Delaware County in some way.” Currently, O’Connor is assisting the Delaware Academy Spanish Club in fundraising for an upcoming trip to Spain. “We have also supported the Headwaters Soccer Program and have helped secure funding for See O'Connor Foundation page 4

Rally For Impeachment Of POTUS Held In Delhi By Rosie Cunningham DELHI - A rally in support of impeaching and removing United States President Donald Trump from office was held Friday, Nov. 8 in from of the Cook County office building in Delhi. There were about 20 individuals in attendees who discussed

Serving Delaware County and the Surrounding Areas Since 1881 ———— Delaware County’s Leading News Source

the conditions of concentration camps, misconduct, betraying allies, supporting “enemies” and his “undermining of the constitution.” According to Krisy Gashler, See Impeachment Rally page 7

Rosie Cunningham/The Reporter

Burr Hubbell holds up an “Arrest Trump” sign during a rally in Delhi Friday.

Walton Celebrates Veterans, Past & Present

By Patty Lollot WALTON - A reprieve in the weather helped draw hundreds of supporters to the Veterans Day Parade and ceremony on Monday. The parade started from Gardiner Place, crossed Delaware Street, traveled over Bridge Street and ended at the World War II monument on Stockton Avenue. Marchers included the Walton Central School Band, which led the parade, followed by a con-

tingent of area veterans from all military branches, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, a fleet of military and vintage vehicles and local Boy and Girl Scout troops. At the monument, Walton Town Supervisor Joe Cetta, a veteran, said, “At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, guns were silenced, ending World War I.” It occurred 100 years ago, declared as Armistice Day by thenPresident Woodrow Wilson. “It provided hope and peace for the world,” Cetta said. The day’s name was changed to Veterans

Day in 1954. When asked about service to his country, Cetta looked at the crowd and said, “You made it worth it, and I, as well as other veterans, thank you for your continued support.” A prayer was offered by Nate Watkins, who spoke of the great resources of the nation and the people who protect it from harm’s way, ensuring liberty and freedom. A rifle-firing salute was followed by “Taps” and the parade See Walton Celebrates page 3

More Veterans Day Coverage Inside Greenlawn (Bainbridge) Vets Breakfast pg 10 Franklin & Sidney Ceremonies pg 4

Margaretville CS Ceremony pg 10 Delaware County Sheriff pg 5

SUNY Delhi Criminal Justice Students Welcome Trooper And Canine Partner By Rosie Cunningham DELHI - SUNY Delhi criminal justice students had a furry guest on campus last Thursday. New York State Trooper Darrell Denning conducted a K-9 demonstration, while Trooper Lauren Warner provided a recruitment presentation and answer questions about careers with NYS Police. Denning discussed his career and relationship with his partner Kin, a Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix. Denning has been a K-9 handler for 12 years and he and Kin work in the narcotics division. “This is the best job in the world,” he said. “I rely on her and she relies on me - she has my back 24/7.” Denning said he wanted to be a K-9 handler since he was in high school - he had both a friend’s parents and relatives in the state police. He said Belgian Malinois are being bred with German Shepherds and are a great fit for the police force because Shepard’s’ age out at the age of seven or eight and jumping in and out of cruisers damages their hips. A Malinois is a smaller breed, not to mention obedient. Denning discussed the history of the K-9 handling program which began n 1975. The NYSP brought on three dogs to train at the Olympics in

Lake Placid for bomb detection purposes. Three handlers were selected to take on the canines and a rigorous 20 week training program ensued. “We (NYSP) use the Baltimore method when training our dogs,”

Rosie Cunningham/The Reporter

New York State Trooper Darrell Denning with his partner Kin.

said Denning. “We incorporate basic common commands and we want our dogs to be social and work among people. The dog must reside with the handler.” Denning also noted that Kin lives with him, his wife, kids and three other dogs. “Kin spends 80 percent of her life in the police vehicle - she loves it,” he said and added that Kin was trained at Chicken Hill Road in Cooperstown - a 250 acre training facility funded by Jane Clark, who has always been a huge supporter of the program. Denning, who was a part of a drug bust with Kin earlier in the morning, discussed what he and Kin do on a daily basis. “We do routine checks on the highway and we also assist other agencies - we have the best dogs for the job,” he said. “There are two types of dogs - explosive and narcotics. Kin is trained to find the source of narcotics and scratch at it or around the area and alert her handler. Explosive dogs are trained to lay down, be passive and alert the handler to the exact spot. We also do school sweeps, look into commercial buildings and more.” Denning said Kin looks for missing children and soon, hunters, as well as dementia patients. “There is no greater feeling than finding a lost child,” he said and added, that one of the least enjoyable aspects of the job is cadaver searchers. “A canines nose See K-9 Demo page 4


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