Gerald Keene is surrounded by supporters as he announces his run for the county judge's seat in front of the Tioga County Courthouse in Owego, N.Y. (Photo by Wendy Post)

TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. — On Wednesday, Tioga County’s District Attorney Gerald Keene announced that he will be running on a Republican ticket for the position of Tioga County Judge. The announcement, which gathered supporters, was held on the courthouse steps in Owego, N.Y.

Citing his working in the justice system, both as an attorney and as district attorney, the 56-year old Keene said that he is the best qualified to fill the seat being vacated by Judge Vincent Sgueglia, who is retiring.

Keene continued to talk of his qualifications, stating that he knows what people expect of a judge, and that he can take the pressure.

“I can take the heat when I make a decision that not everyone agrees with,” said Keene to those who gathered for his announcement.

Keene also emphasized his 30 years of trial experience, and talked about his community. Residing with his family in Waverly, N.Y., Keene said he has lived here his entire life, and has been able to raise his kids in this community as well.

“The people of the county have been very good to me,” said Keene. “We enjoy life here in Tioga County,” he added.

In his years as Tioga County District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, Keene has successfully prosecuted hundreds of felony cases and has obtained convictions in several high profile homicide, arson, drug and rape cases. Keene regularly appears in local Town and Village Courts throughout the County.

Keene is a 1973 graduate of Waverly High School and received his undergraduate degree from Alfred University in 1977. He earned his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1980. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1981.

Prior to being elected District Attorney in 1999, Keene had his own law office in Waverly where he represented clients in general practice.

The current Judge Vincent Sgueglia has served Tioga County for 20 years, and will be retiring on Dec. 31 of this year.

The primary elections, typically scheduled for the second week in September haven’t been scheduled yet, according to Tioga County GOP Chairman Don Leonard, but will most likely take place Sept. 13.

To date, Keene is the only candidate to announce a run for the seat.

2. Bus purchase passed 1,058-410 (72.1% yes … 27.9% no)

3. In the Board of Education election, two seats were available. Incumbents John Crosby and David Barton retained their seats.

Vote totals were:

* John Crosby 1,009 (42.7%)

* David Barton 958 (40.6%)

* Haig McNamee 395 (16.7%)

According to police, the accident happened on State Route 34 in the Town of Barton when Wyman F. Heath IV, age 53 of Lockwood, N.Y. was operating a 1998 Nissan southbound on State Route 34 when he crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2011 Hyundai operated by Robb A. Herriman, age 43 of Lockwood, N.Y., head on.

Police reported that Laure J. Bishop, age 54 of Lockwood, N.Y. and a 3-year old child, both passengers in Heath’s vehicle, were injured. The 3-year old, according to police, was airlifted by LifeNet Helicopter to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, N.Y. with multiple internal injuries. Wyman F. Heath, Laure J. Bishop and Robb A. Herriman  were taken by ambulance to Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre Pa., for treatment of internal injuries and abrasions.

Wyman F. Heath was arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (Leandra’s Law) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Wyman F. Heath is to appear in court at a later date pending release from the hospital.

The New York State Police Troop “C” Collision Reconstruction Unit assisted at the scene and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

This is a hands-on class, so you will get to spend time on the water testing out the boats and your new skills! This class is free but spots are limited, so call The Shoe Outlet at Route 96 Power & Paddle at (607) 659-7693 for more information or to sign up for the class.

For more information, visit www.oacsd.org/UPKLetter2012.pdf.

Price as tested: $76,215

By Greg Zyla

This week we test drive the 2012 Cadillac Escalade AWD, still one of the ultimate luxury SUV vehicles available today. Popular with rock musicians,  sports stars and the upper class, Escalade offers a heavy-duty undercarriage with its special “Luxury touch” to arrive at a package that features secure handling and great looks. Our tester came in Premium AWD trim, which pushes the standard vehicle price to $74,225 and adds just about every option out there.

Under the hood sits Cadillac’s lightweight all-aluminum 403-horsepower 6.2-liter Vortec V8, which is similar to the engines that power Corvette and Camaro. Altho0ugh Escalade is unable to deliver the 25-mpg highway that lighter siblings do with this powerplant, the near three-ton Cadillac does deliver a respectable 18 highway, although the 13 city is dismal to say the least.

The trade-offs, however, are excellent acceleration and safety, the latter  related to its overall mass and GM’s excellent safety items. Government crash ratings are 5-Star for driver and both rear passengers and 4-Star for front passenger. A third notable is towing capability as you can tow up to 8,100 pounds safely with the 2WD version or 7,700 with the AWD. Premium models come with all trailer towing equipment necessary sans a brake controller.

Escalade’s engine, capable of pushing the Escalade to 14-second quarter miles at 95-mph, optimizes torque at low speeds and increases horsepower at high speeds while decreasing emissions. There’s also a active fuel management system to aid in the highway MPG while the 6-speed automatic transmission provides more low-end torque and two overdrive gears, helping it attain the acceptable highway ratings.

Inside, you can see and touch total luxury in every manner. Notables include multi-power leather front seats with heating and cooling features, second row  heated seats, power sunroof, 5.1 Bose stereo surround system, new USB interface, Bluetooth, XM Satellite, tri-zone air, DVD navigation, rear-view camera, rear-seat entertainment system (movie anyone?), heated steering wheel, remote starter, power-adjustable pedals, power assist running board and more.

Our tester’s special white diamond pearl paint was the only option, where for $995 more you receive an elegant pearl like paint that glows in the sun and ambient light. Combined well with its 22-inch aluminum polished and painted wheels, it all adds up to one great looking full size SUV.

On the road, Cadillac creates a spectacular ride thanks to its road-sensing suspension package featuring magnetic ride control. This feature adjusts up to one thousand times a second to reduce body roll in corners while smoothing out the ride. Escalade is built on the GMT900 full-size SUV/truck platform in Arlington, TX, and offers improved torsional rigidity and stiffer components while not hampering the Cadillac ride we expect. The AWD system is fully automatic.

If we found anything to criticize concerning Escalade it involves space. Our tester came with a bench seat in the third row, so there is room for seven. However, access is cumbersome for adults, who can also expect a bit of tightness back there. As for cargo room, our tester had just 16.9 cubic feet space behind the third row, necessitating a “fold down” for more room. The option is an Escalade ESV, which is 21-inches longer and offers 45.8 cubic feet of space behind the third-row. (For GM purists, our Escalade Premium is liken to an all-out luxury Tahoe, while the ESV is of the Suburban crowd).

Important numbers include a 116-inch wheelbase, 5,715-pound curb weight, 26-gallon fuel tank for either premium fuel or E85 and a 41 ft. turn radius.

Escalade is out to attract buyers of Infiniti Q56, Lexus LX570, Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GL. They’ll need some updating soon, as a $75,000 SUV that still necessitates inserting a key to start is becoming a rarity.

Still bothered by the fuel mileage? Perhaps Escalade Hybrid is for you, with EPA numbers of 21 city and 22 highway. Your Cadillac dealer will gladly explain.

Likes: Outstanding luxury amenities; performance, safety, blind zone alerts.

Dislikes: Cargo area, third row accessibility, poor city fuel mileage.

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated automotive columnist)

OVMC represent veterans and auxiliaries from Tioga Post 401, American Legion, Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 480, Veterans of Modern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan and the Tioga County Marine Corps League.

Owego’s traditional Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. It forms on Temple Street from 10 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. in front of the Owego Police Station.  Parade route is south on North Avenue, east on Main (past VFW), south on Paige, and west on Front Street (past American Legion) to the Tioga County Veterans Memorial on the south lawn of the Tioga County Courthouse for the 11 a.m. Memorial Day Remembrance Service.

Display of the American flag in all communities is most appropriate on Memorial Day.

For more information on Memorial Day 2012, or to indicate your group’s interest to participate, contact VFW Post 1371 Memorial Day Chairman Jim Raftis at 687-4229 or jraftis2@stny.rr.com.

“Flags In” precedes Memorial Day. This is a solemn ceremony to place American flags in front of veteran’s gravestones in cemeteries.

Over 3,000 flags will be placed by the OVMC and helping hands from the Boy and Cub Scouts, school children and volunteers in cemeteries in the Towns of Owego, Tioga, Newark Valley, Berkshire and Richford.

Northern Tioga County Cemeteries proudly display flags. Boy Scouts do cemeteries in the Town of Newark Valley Cemeteries. Town of Berkshire by a flag detail headed by Korean War Silver Star Recipient and Past Owego VFW 171 Commander Joseph Ceurter. In the Town of Richford, Former Town of Richford Supervisor Steve Kotula heads the Flag Detail.

Flag details from the Candor and Nichols American Legion Posts, Waverly VFW and American Legion and Spencer Van Etten VFW will flag additional veteran’s headstones throughout their townships.

On Monday, May 21 in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Town of Tioga, St. Patrick’s School Principal Mrs. Paula Smith and her Fifth Grade students will conduct a Memorial Day service and then decorate 260 veterans’ gravestones. Iraq War Gold Star Mother Mrs. Barbara Bilbrey and her family will share the meaning of “Memorial” in Memorial Day with the students near the decorated grave of her son Bronze Star Recipient Army Pfc. Charles Bilbrey Jr.

Before Memorial Day, in Riverside Cemetery, Apalachin, Girl Scout Leader Jenifer Werner and her Apalachin Girl Scout Troop 425 will hold a remembrance ceremony and then place flags in front of 200 veterans gravestones.

The young people say they have been prepared to understand the meaning of the activity. They are rewarding those who have served our country. They feel veterans should get something in return. When people walk through a cemetery and see bursts of red, white and blue they can say, “Here is a veteran. We pay our respects.”

“We are fortunate that Jessica Ernst is taking the time from her difficult and painful situation to share her cautionary story with us,” said Maura Stephens, a member of two of the sponsoring grassroots groups. Stephens continued, “Even as a person who works in the industry, she had her water poisoned. And she’s been treated abominably by the corporation that poisoned it and the regulatory agencies that are supposed to protect people from such assault.”

Alberta has been hit hard by fracking. Industry, the regulators and Alberta government try hard to silence Ernst. She is visiting New York to help residents understand the dire consequences of fracking from the “ruthlessly cruel” industry before it begins in the state. Ernst sent comments and provided extensive documentation to the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation during its public comment period last year.

All events Start at 7 p.m. and will be held on Monday, May 21, at the Heights Theater located at 210 E. 14 St., Elmira, and is sponsored by People for a Healthy Environment, Inc.

On Tuesday, May 22, another event will be held at the Hubbard Auditorium, Tioga County Office Building, 76 Main St., Owego, and is sponsored by RAFT – Residents Against Fracking Tioga, and Coalition to Protect New York.

On Wednesday, May 23, an event will be held at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora St., and is sponsored by Shaleshock, DRAC, and the Social Justice Committee of First Unitarian Society.

On Thursday, May 24, an event will take place at LaFayette High School, 3122 Rte. 11 N., LaFayette, and is sponsored by Gas Drilling Awareness of Cortland County, Shaleshock CNY, Syracuse Peace Council, and Skaneateles Citizens Hydrofracking Committee.

The events are free and open; sponsoring groups suggest donations of $10 for the public, $100 for industry and regulators.

Jessica Ernst, from Rosebud, Alberta, Canada, is an environmental consultant to the oil and gas industry with 30 years of experience. Speaking to worldwide audiences about the consequences of fracking, she has traveled to Ireland and to the United Nations, where she received UNANIMA International’s “Woman of Courage” award for her efforts to hold companies accountable for environmental harm done by fracking.

Children can test their skills at carnival games and win prizes. For those with lots of energy, a trip to the bounce house is in order. And all that fun will work up appetites for kid-friendly foods like hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and drinks. There will even be a cake walk!

Tickets for all games and concessions are just 25-cents each or 5 for $1.00.

Also, bring a new or gently used children’s book for the Family Reading Partnership, and children can have their face painted for free!

And while the kids are having their fun, take a break to see the beautiful plants and flowers at the school’s Plant and Garden Sale going throughout the afternoon in the school parking lot.

For the fundraiser, online orders can be made at www.schwansfundraising.com.  Click “place an order online” and enter the following information: Campaign number 39034; Organization Name Candor Community Soccer Club; Event Date Friday, June 1, 2012; Event City Candor; Event State NY; and Event Zip 13743.

Orders need to be placed online by Monday, May 23.

Anyone who currently orders from Schwans regularly may still participate. They simply need to give their driver the campaign ID #39034. Gift cards can also be purchased online with the amount going towards the sales.

How it works–orders are placed in advanced and then picked up on June 1 between 4 and 8 p.m. at Moyer Park in Candor.

For more information, call 857-5679.