By Nicole Collado
Plattsburgh, N.Y. – With blue and sliver pinwheels in hand, the Plattsburgh
community came together the morning of April 23 rd for the second annual Prevent
Child Abuse Walk.
The inside circumference of the Plattsburgh State field house track was set
up with tables from local organizations like Adirondack Helping Hands, The Child
Care Council of the North Country, Healthy Families New York, and the Joint Council
for Economic Opportunities. Along with pamphlets and resource information for
parents and guardians, there were coloring and play stations for the children who
attended the event.
SUNY Plattsburgh’s Human Development and Family Relations Student
Organization organized this year’s walk in conjunction with the Phi Upsilon
Omicron National Honor Society.
HDFR is geared toward anyone who desires to work in the human services
profession. Kenneth Koleman treasurer for the HDFR student organization at
Plattsburgh State said, “By doing this walk and raising money, were coming together
as a campus and community to help combat this issue.” Koleman continued on,
“Many of us have taken a class called Child Abuse and Neglect. This course opened
my eyes to the hardships children face everyday.”
Koleman is currently a junior and hopes to work in law or health
administration.
As a family support worker for Healthy Families New York, Kathryn Girard
goes to the homes of families who needed guidance and support in hopes of
bettering their families wants and needs.
Girard said: “Child abuse is a very real issue. While many homes I’ve visited
just wanted outside support and community outreach, some of them showed
serious signs of child neglect. It’s heartbreaking to see but I’m glad I’ve been able to
help make a difference in those children’s lives.”
After stopping to take a group picture in front of a “help stop child abuse”
sign, Alexis Vetro president of Sigma Delta Tau sorority said, “There was no way that
we were going to miss this walk.” Prevent Child Abuse America is Sigma Delta Tau’s
national philanthropy, and they put on events throughout the school year in support
of PCAA.
“We’re always doing our best to raise awareness and support. PCAA is a
cause that we hold close to our hearts, and they’ve don’t a great job with combining
information and fun at this year’s walk,” Vetro said.
Working the helping hands coloring station, Christina Rodriguez, a
graduating senior in the HDFR program said, “It’s amazing to see all of these people
show up to support a cause that’s so meaningful. Getting support workers in the
homes of children in need is so important and we’re helping do just that.”
The walk raised an estimated $900 and all proceeds will be donated to PCAA.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Why is voter turnout for young voters down?
By Jasely Molina
PLATTSBURGH -- According to the U.S. Census, the voting turnout rate among young adults ages 18-24
within the last decade has decreased to 30.8 percent. The race for presidency in 2016 has
intensified leaving presidential candidacy striving to win the votes of millennials; however, the
low turnout voting rate has left candidates and locals asking themselves: why aren’t enough
young adults voting?
“A lot of young adults just don’t care to keep up with politics. If they do, many feel that
their voices don’t matter,” Plattsburgh Resident Maribel Vitagliani said. Vitagliani is a registered
Democrat. Vitagliani accredits the low turnout rate among young adults to the voting system.
She believes that young adults are discouraged to vote because they cannot directly vote for their
preferred candidate. She also believes that many of these young adults feel that because their
vote is in the hands of a representative, their vote or opinion is not important. “Maybe if we can
electronically vote, it would make things easier for people since they don't have to go out their
way; however, people just have to keep educating and involving themselves in a friendly and
accepting environment,” Vitagliani said.
Operations and Technology Associate Michelle Quimi acknowledges her right to vote;
however, she has decided not to vote. She believes that it would not be fair to exercise her right
to vote because she is not completely informed about politics or the stances held by the
presidential candidates. “I did not want to make a decision because of what I heard other people
say. I did not want to vote because one candidate was a woman or the other was a ‘good fit,’”
Quimi said.
“People have this sense that due to their age, they believe that anything that happens in the
election will not directly affect them. Yet, in this election it’s different. You can tell that the race
is fueling up. Some people may not like the candidates, but four years now, they’ll be impacted
by the laws imposed by the president,” PSU Junior Julian Breyette said. He believes that the low
turnout rate is also a result of confusion. He explained that many young adults are exposed to
political and economic terms; however, they do not have a clear concept of what the terms mean.
According to Breyette, despite the rise of social media and political videos, the lack of education
discourages the young adults to vote. Breyette, however, intends on voting in this year’s general
election.
“There was actually a huge increase [in voting turnout] in that age group,” Democrat
Commissioner of the Clinton County Board of Elections Mary Dyer said. “There were deadlines
and registrations imposed by the state. Although a lot of these people didn’t meet requirements,
they were registered to vote.” Dyer said that the voting booths were very busy during the NY
primaries and were as busy as a general election. Dyer accredits this voter turnout among young
adults to the presidential candidates. She believes that the presidential candidates are eclectic and
“hit all spectrums of this age group.” Dyer anticipates that the general election will have the
same turnout as it did during the NY primary.
Social media has made efforts to encourage young voters to go out and vote. Tumblr, a
free microblogging and social network website, has a spotlight page that allows users to easily
find links that relate to current events, campaign updates, statistics and political experts. This
ensures that young voters have accurate sources to rely on and the accurate information on the
presidential candidates.
Facebook has set reminders for online users. Users are giving the option of placing a
template on their status that states that they are currently watching a political debate. This can
encourage the person’s followers to be on top of trends and actually watch the debate. The
Washington Post has also collaborated with Facebook to show behind-the- scenes footage of the
March 9th Democratic presidential debate.
For the NY primary, Bernie Sanders purchased geofilters from Snapchat, which is an image
and video messaging phone application. Snapchat allows users to take photos and place filters
on them. One of the filters read “You’re Up, NY! Vote for Bernie today!”
Local campaign groups in the North Country have also created pages dedicated to gathering
residents in neighboring counties to help promote their preferred candidate.
It is still unknown whether millennials will decide to vote for the general election in
November; however, it is clear that with the millennials outnumbering the Baby Boomer
population, an increase in turnout from the millennials could potentially sway the vote for the
presidential candidates.
PLATTSBURGH -- According to the U.S. Census, the voting turnout rate among young adults ages 18-24
within the last decade has decreased to 30.8 percent. The race for presidency in 2016 has
intensified leaving presidential candidacy striving to win the votes of millennials; however, the
low turnout voting rate has left candidates and locals asking themselves: why aren’t enough
young adults voting?
“A lot of young adults just don’t care to keep up with politics. If they do, many feel that
their voices don’t matter,” Plattsburgh Resident Maribel Vitagliani said. Vitagliani is a registered
Democrat. Vitagliani accredits the low turnout rate among young adults to the voting system.
She believes that young adults are discouraged to vote because they cannot directly vote for their
preferred candidate. She also believes that many of these young adults feel that because their
vote is in the hands of a representative, their vote or opinion is not important. “Maybe if we can
electronically vote, it would make things easier for people since they don't have to go out their
way; however, people just have to keep educating and involving themselves in a friendly and
accepting environment,” Vitagliani said.
Operations and Technology Associate Michelle Quimi acknowledges her right to vote;
however, she has decided not to vote. She believes that it would not be fair to exercise her right
to vote because she is not completely informed about politics or the stances held by the
presidential candidates. “I did not want to make a decision because of what I heard other people
say. I did not want to vote because one candidate was a woman or the other was a ‘good fit,’”
Quimi said.
“People have this sense that due to their age, they believe that anything that happens in the
election will not directly affect them. Yet, in this election it’s different. You can tell that the race
is fueling up. Some people may not like the candidates, but four years now, they’ll be impacted
by the laws imposed by the president,” PSU Junior Julian Breyette said. He believes that the low
turnout rate is also a result of confusion. He explained that many young adults are exposed to
political and economic terms; however, they do not have a clear concept of what the terms mean.
According to Breyette, despite the rise of social media and political videos, the lack of education
discourages the young adults to vote. Breyette, however, intends on voting in this year’s general
election.
“There was actually a huge increase [in voting turnout] in that age group,” Democrat
Commissioner of the Clinton County Board of Elections Mary Dyer said. “There were deadlines
and registrations imposed by the state. Although a lot of these people didn’t meet requirements,
they were registered to vote.” Dyer said that the voting booths were very busy during the NY
primaries and were as busy as a general election. Dyer accredits this voter turnout among young
adults to the presidential candidates. She believes that the presidential candidates are eclectic and
“hit all spectrums of this age group.” Dyer anticipates that the general election will have the
same turnout as it did during the NY primary.
Social media has made efforts to encourage young voters to go out and vote. Tumblr, a
free microblogging and social network website, has a spotlight page that allows users to easily
find links that relate to current events, campaign updates, statistics and political experts. This
ensures that young voters have accurate sources to rely on and the accurate information on the
presidential candidates.
Facebook has set reminders for online users. Users are giving the option of placing a
template on their status that states that they are currently watching a political debate. This can
encourage the person’s followers to be on top of trends and actually watch the debate. The
Washington Post has also collaborated with Facebook to show behind-the- scenes footage of the
March 9th Democratic presidential debate.
For the NY primary, Bernie Sanders purchased geofilters from Snapchat, which is an image
and video messaging phone application. Snapchat allows users to take photos and place filters
on them. One of the filters read “You’re Up, NY! Vote for Bernie today!”
Local campaign groups in the North Country have also created pages dedicated to gathering
residents in neighboring counties to help promote their preferred candidate.
It is still unknown whether millennials will decide to vote for the general election in
November; however, it is clear that with the millennials outnumbering the Baby Boomer
population, an increase in turnout from the millennials could potentially sway the vote for the
presidential candidates.
Color run provides smiles for new and old faces
By Emily Kim
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – It’s the paint, the exploding colors, and the smiles on every
face in the field; it’s the dedication and promotion for healthiness and happiness that
makes the Color Run the single largest event series in the world.
It’s 10 a.m. on April 30
Plattsburgh beings. Colors of blue, pink, green, and yellow cover the area for a second
time. The Color Run is a nationwide 5K run that was founded in 2011 to bring
communities together and promote healthiness and happiness. The City of Plattsburgh
decided to host a Color Run of its own in 2015. The money goes towards Autism Speaks
U, a national organization, with a portion going to the women’s soccer team at SUNY
Plattsburgh.
“We wanted a fun way to raise awareness and raise money for Autism Speaks,
which is helping people who have Autism,” Will Hodge, Secretary of Autism Speaks U
said.
Bringing it back for a second year, more timing and planning had to be made in
order for this year’s turn out to be bigger and better for the community and for the cause.
President Breanna Syslo and Soccer Coach Tania Armellino, oversaw all of the
committees that were created for this event. It has been an ongoing project since the day
after the first year’s run ended.
th and the 2
nd Annual Color Run at Memorial field in
“It’s a years worth of work,” Syslo said. “This semester we have had weekly
meetings to coordinate, as well as large group meetings every month.”
The ultimate goal for the upcoming years in Plattsburgh is for the Color Run to
continue annually. It’s an opportunity for the community of Plattsburgh to come together
and spread knowledge of the issues of autism.
“We are raising the money for the National organization, but more than that, we
are raising awareness,” Hodge said.
People of the community joined together as participants, volunteers, and
supporters to help the cause. It also encourages fitness and health, in which participants
can run for five miles while being splattered on with paint, creating an exciting and
colorful victory at the finish line.
Nicole Rescigno, participant, said, “It was overall a great experience, especially
because it was not a timed event with any winners or prizes.”
It’s refreshing for people when they can be a part of something that doesn’t
consist of physical prizes and titles. The Color Run gives the ultimate prize: individual
happiness.
Some people like Rescigno, come to the Color Run for the health and happiness
aspect, while others, come because of personal relations with autism. Hodge became a
member of Autism Speaks U because of his cousin. He grew up with autism and Hodge
and his mother took care of him for a couple of years. His cousin’s development skills
were slow, and so Hodge’s mother helped him learn how to speak more, develop social
skills, and other things that people with autism are not able to learn as well as people
without it.
“I am a part of this club for him to get the services he needs,” Hodge said.
It’s an event with incredible scenery. People are smiling different colors while
exchanging laughs and comments about how the paint looks on their white tshirt.
Claire Murphy, a volunteer, got to experience how much joy and fun this event
gives to the community as it was her first time at a Color Run. She was stationed behind
the Plattsburgh High School and was in charge of throwing purple powder over the
runners. She encourages people to volunteer for this event and is eager to come back
another year to throw more colors and watch the runners enjoy the event as much as she
did.
“It gets a lot of the students excited to volunteer for it because it’s so much fun
and it also gets the entire community together because there are not only students that run
in it, but also families,” Murphy said.
Serena Thomaidis, participant, is a big supporter of the Color Run. She’s moved
around a lot in her lifetime and has gone to different Color Runs. This was her first time
going to this event in Plattsburgh, and she had no complaints. Like others, she has a
personal connection with autism, and with this Color Run donating to the cause,
Thomaidis had a deeper appreciation to the event.
“I run for awareness and for love and support,” Thomaidis said.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – It’s the paint, the exploding colors, and the smiles on every
face in the field; it’s the dedication and promotion for healthiness and happiness that
makes the Color Run the single largest event series in the world.
It’s 10 a.m. on April 30
Plattsburgh beings. Colors of blue, pink, green, and yellow cover the area for a second
time. The Color Run is a nationwide 5K run that was founded in 2011 to bring
communities together and promote healthiness and happiness. The City of Plattsburgh
decided to host a Color Run of its own in 2015. The money goes towards Autism Speaks
U, a national organization, with a portion going to the women’s soccer team at SUNY
Plattsburgh.
“We wanted a fun way to raise awareness and raise money for Autism Speaks,
which is helping people who have Autism,” Will Hodge, Secretary of Autism Speaks U
said.
Bringing it back for a second year, more timing and planning had to be made in
order for this year’s turn out to be bigger and better for the community and for the cause.
President Breanna Syslo and Soccer Coach Tania Armellino, oversaw all of the
committees that were created for this event. It has been an ongoing project since the day
after the first year’s run ended.
th and the 2
nd Annual Color Run at Memorial field in
“It’s a years worth of work,” Syslo said. “This semester we have had weekly
meetings to coordinate, as well as large group meetings every month.”
The ultimate goal for the upcoming years in Plattsburgh is for the Color Run to
continue annually. It’s an opportunity for the community of Plattsburgh to come together
and spread knowledge of the issues of autism.
“We are raising the money for the National organization, but more than that, we
are raising awareness,” Hodge said.
People of the community joined together as participants, volunteers, and
supporters to help the cause. It also encourages fitness and health, in which participants
can run for five miles while being splattered on with paint, creating an exciting and
colorful victory at the finish line.
Nicole Rescigno, participant, said, “It was overall a great experience, especially
because it was not a timed event with any winners or prizes.”
It’s refreshing for people when they can be a part of something that doesn’t
consist of physical prizes and titles. The Color Run gives the ultimate prize: individual
happiness.
Some people like Rescigno, come to the Color Run for the health and happiness
aspect, while others, come because of personal relations with autism. Hodge became a
member of Autism Speaks U because of his cousin. He grew up with autism and Hodge
and his mother took care of him for a couple of years. His cousin’s development skills
were slow, and so Hodge’s mother helped him learn how to speak more, develop social
skills, and other things that people with autism are not able to learn as well as people
without it.
“I am a part of this club for him to get the services he needs,” Hodge said.
It’s an event with incredible scenery. People are smiling different colors while
exchanging laughs and comments about how the paint looks on their white tshirt.
Claire Murphy, a volunteer, got to experience how much joy and fun this event
gives to the community as it was her first time at a Color Run. She was stationed behind
the Plattsburgh High School and was in charge of throwing purple powder over the
runners. She encourages people to volunteer for this event and is eager to come back
another year to throw more colors and watch the runners enjoy the event as much as she
did.
“It gets a lot of the students excited to volunteer for it because it’s so much fun
and it also gets the entire community together because there are not only students that run
in it, but also families,” Murphy said.
Serena Thomaidis, participant, is a big supporter of the Color Run. She’s moved
around a lot in her lifetime and has gone to different Color Runs. This was her first time
going to this event in Plattsburgh, and she had no complaints. Like others, she has a
personal connection with autism, and with this Color Run donating to the cause,
Thomaidis had a deeper appreciation to the event.
“I run for awareness and for love and support,” Thomaidis said.
Half marathon brings runners, support.
By Kristen Suarez
Plattsburgh, N.Y. — On Saturday morning the streets were filled with screaming
fans as hundreds of runners made their way to the U.S Oval during the 7 th annual
Plattsburgh Half Marathon.
“Running 13.1 miles with hundreds of people by your side and amazing friends
and strangers cheering you on brings an indescribable sense of euphoria,” Christina
Niglia, half marathon runner, said.
The runners met at 7:30 a.m at the City Recreation Center. Seven hundred people
lined up to begin the race at the Oval that overlooks the lakeshore. Everyone seemed
calm but eager to start the race they had been training hard for.
“The hardest part of the marathon was keeping up with the twelve weeks of
training and preparation, while balancing work, school, and a social life,” Meghan
Giacalone, half marathon runner, said.
Every two miles volunteers handed out water and Gatorade to sweaty runners
pushing to the finish.
“The SUNY Plattsburgh soccer team volunteered and handed water and Gatorade
to the runners at the 6 mile mark, and we did our best to cheer them on and keep them
running,” Max Delavalle, volunteer, said.
The marathon has raised over $200,000 for Team Fox for Parkinson's Research
charity since the start of the event back in 2010. The race takes runners along the Saranac
River, through SUNY Plattsburgh campus, and along Lake Champlain.
Delavalle was inspired by the amount of young kids running the race with their
parents. He says that it was amazing to watch them accomplish something so difficult at
such a young age.
“It made me want to go out and run a half marathon myself,” Delavalle said.
During the final loop runners head back towards Bridge Street, and crossed over the
bridge over the Saranac River for the second time, towards the U.S Oval where the finish
line awaits them.
At the end of the race people stand waiting for their loved ones to finish strong.
Music is playing loud, and the energy is high as the race is about to come to an end. Not
even the rain can stop the excitement of the race.
“I knew how hard my friends trained for this marathon, and watching them cross
was extremely emotional. We just held each other and cried,” Erin Kelly, supporter, said.
Supporters banged cowbells, and embraced the runners after they finished the
13.1-mile race.
“I was overwhelmed with emotions because of how many of our friends came to
cheer us on,” Emily Bida, half marathon
runner, said.
As soon as runners crossed the finish line they
received a water bottle, medal, t-shirt, and
goodie bag for their accomplishment. Inside
the bag was a pint glass that allowed them to
receive a free drink at Olive Ridly’s, a local
bar/restaurant, along with discounted food.
Emily Bida, Christina Niglia, Meghan Giacalone. All seniors
at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Runners, and supporters gathered inside the City Recreation center waiting on line
for their oranges, pizza, and hero’s. The big race was over, and now it was time to
celebrate.
“Crossing the finish line as the people I loved cheered me on was symbolic and
empowering. This race showed me the power my mind has over my body and I can't wait
to one day run a full marathon just to prove I can,” Niglia said.
Plattsburgh, N.Y. — On Saturday morning the streets were filled with screaming
fans as hundreds of runners made their way to the U.S Oval during the 7 th annual
Plattsburgh Half Marathon.
“Running 13.1 miles with hundreds of people by your side and amazing friends
and strangers cheering you on brings an indescribable sense of euphoria,” Christina
Niglia, half marathon runner, said.
The runners met at 7:30 a.m at the City Recreation Center. Seven hundred people
lined up to begin the race at the Oval that overlooks the lakeshore. Everyone seemed
calm but eager to start the race they had been training hard for.
“The hardest part of the marathon was keeping up with the twelve weeks of
training and preparation, while balancing work, school, and a social life,” Meghan
Giacalone, half marathon runner, said.
Every two miles volunteers handed out water and Gatorade to sweaty runners
pushing to the finish.
“The SUNY Plattsburgh soccer team volunteered and handed water and Gatorade
to the runners at the 6 mile mark, and we did our best to cheer them on and keep them
running,” Max Delavalle, volunteer, said.
The marathon has raised over $200,000 for Team Fox for Parkinson's Research
charity since the start of the event back in 2010. The race takes runners along the Saranac
River, through SUNY Plattsburgh campus, and along Lake Champlain.
Delavalle was inspired by the amount of young kids running the race with their
parents. He says that it was amazing to watch them accomplish something so difficult at
such a young age.
“It made me want to go out and run a half marathon myself,” Delavalle said.
During the final loop runners head back towards Bridge Street, and crossed over the
bridge over the Saranac River for the second time, towards the U.S Oval where the finish
line awaits them.
At the end of the race people stand waiting for their loved ones to finish strong.
Music is playing loud, and the energy is high as the race is about to come to an end. Not
even the rain can stop the excitement of the race.
“I knew how hard my friends trained for this marathon, and watching them cross
was extremely emotional. We just held each other and cried,” Erin Kelly, supporter, said.
Supporters banged cowbells, and embraced the runners after they finished the
13.1-mile race.
“I was overwhelmed with emotions because of how many of our friends came to
cheer us on,” Emily Bida, half marathon
runner, said.
As soon as runners crossed the finish line they
received a water bottle, medal, t-shirt, and
goodie bag for their accomplishment. Inside
the bag was a pint glass that allowed them to
receive a free drink at Olive Ridly’s, a local
bar/restaurant, along with discounted food.
Emily Bida, Christina Niglia, Meghan Giacalone. All seniors
at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Runners, and supporters gathered inside the City Recreation center waiting on line
for their oranges, pizza, and hero’s. The big race was over, and now it was time to
celebrate.
“Crossing the finish line as the people I loved cheered me on was symbolic and
empowering. This race showed me the power my mind has over my body and I can't wait
to one day run a full marathon just to prove I can,” Niglia said.
Domestic abuse has warning signs
By Eve Barnofsky
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — He controlled everything about her, how to dress, who to hang out
with and how to act. Keryn Ketterer did not want to admit it at the time but her boyfriend was
becoming abusive.
“I know most people know the obvious signs, and I guess I did too. I just didn't want to
believe them.” Ketterer said.
He was older than Ketterer, she was 16 and he was 22 when they first meet. They meet
through a mutual friend and were attracted to each other immediately.
Ketterer didn’t tell her parents because she knew that they would not approve so they
kept its secret. As they got more serious things started to change.
“He pressured me, made me insecure and basically broke me mentally.” Ketterer said.
According to the United States Department of Justice they define domestic violence as
“A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain
power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual,
emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.
This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize,
coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.”
Domestic violence can affect one out of four women with in their life time.
Sage Lewandowski was also in a abusive relationship for over two years. They were
inseparable at the beginning of the relationship but then things started to change.
“The closeness became suffocating for both of us and things such as common courtesy
and respect weren't a part of our relationship anymore.” Lewandowski said.
He controlled her, she was not allowed to see her friends or family because he didn't want
her to.
“No hurtful words were spared on his end, he took every opportunity to physically
overpower me. When it came to money he had no respect for what I had earned, he just took it.
He said he would pay me back, but I never saw any of that money again.” Lewandowski said.
Jane Colquhoun, is a private practice therapist. Colquhoun specializes in helping patients
deal with past traumas of abuse.
Colquhoun uses a special therapy technique called, eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing, or EMDR. It is a fairly new technique, it is a bilateral therapy, which is the
stimulation and coordination of the right and left body through eye movement. It helps patients
deal with past traumas.
“The body has memory and when a traumatic event happens the body still remembers it,
so the approach is revolved around the mind and body to resolving the trauma.” Colquhoun said.
Working with people who have been abused in the past Colquhoun feels that EMDR has
been very helpful in working with people.
“Often with the EMDR work it’s about letting yourself sit with what happened and kind
of facing it. You begin to realize the true messages, that you didn't do anything thing wrong, that
there was something wrong with your abuser and not you.” Colquhoun said.
Amaris Amos, a nurse who has dealt with domestic violence before, has dealt with
victims before they get to the stage of therapy.
“Once I saw a lady who had a dislocated shoulder, but she also had bruises on her arms
and neck. She said she had fell down the stairs but the bruises looked over a week old and the
shoulder injury was from that day.” Amos said.
Amos says as a nurse the tell tale signs of abuse is multiply injuries that are recent and
old. Sometimes there aren't physical injuries. Which Amos says is harder to know if they are
being abused because they have to tell you personally.
“The best thing to is to listen and watch closely to how he or she acts when you ask
certain questions. Sometimes patients are nervous, or if their partner is there, they are jumpy
around them.” Amos said.
If Amos is to find out that they are being abused she is to not leave them alone and to
perform a physical consult.
In the cases of adults she is to ask if they want to press charges but in the case for
children she is to immediately to contact the police to start an investigation.
“If someone asked me to identify the red flags of an abusive relationship, I would tell
them that they are the lack of basic respect by your partner, more than one physical altercation
and the constant draining of your resources and support.” Lewandowski said.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — He controlled everything about her, how to dress, who to hang out
with and how to act. Keryn Ketterer did not want to admit it at the time but her boyfriend was
becoming abusive.
“I know most people know the obvious signs, and I guess I did too. I just didn't want to
believe them.” Ketterer said.
He was older than Ketterer, she was 16 and he was 22 when they first meet. They meet
through a mutual friend and were attracted to each other immediately.
Ketterer didn’t tell her parents because she knew that they would not approve so they
kept its secret. As they got more serious things started to change.
“He pressured me, made me insecure and basically broke me mentally.” Ketterer said.
According to the United States Department of Justice they define domestic violence as
“A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain
power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual,
emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.
This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize,
coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.”
Domestic violence can affect one out of four women with in their life time.
Sage Lewandowski was also in a abusive relationship for over two years. They were
inseparable at the beginning of the relationship but then things started to change.
“The closeness became suffocating for both of us and things such as common courtesy
and respect weren't a part of our relationship anymore.” Lewandowski said.
He controlled her, she was not allowed to see her friends or family because he didn't want
her to.
“No hurtful words were spared on his end, he took every opportunity to physically
overpower me. When it came to money he had no respect for what I had earned, he just took it.
He said he would pay me back, but I never saw any of that money again.” Lewandowski said.
Jane Colquhoun, is a private practice therapist. Colquhoun specializes in helping patients
deal with past traumas of abuse.
Colquhoun uses a special therapy technique called, eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing, or EMDR. It is a fairly new technique, it is a bilateral therapy, which is the
stimulation and coordination of the right and left body through eye movement. It helps patients
deal with past traumas.
“The body has memory and when a traumatic event happens the body still remembers it,
so the approach is revolved around the mind and body to resolving the trauma.” Colquhoun said.
Working with people who have been abused in the past Colquhoun feels that EMDR has
been very helpful in working with people.
“Often with the EMDR work it’s about letting yourself sit with what happened and kind
of facing it. You begin to realize the true messages, that you didn't do anything thing wrong, that
there was something wrong with your abuser and not you.” Colquhoun said.
Amaris Amos, a nurse who has dealt with domestic violence before, has dealt with
victims before they get to the stage of therapy.
“Once I saw a lady who had a dislocated shoulder, but she also had bruises on her arms
and neck. She said she had fell down the stairs but the bruises looked over a week old and the
shoulder injury was from that day.” Amos said.
Amos says as a nurse the tell tale signs of abuse is multiply injuries that are recent and
old. Sometimes there aren't physical injuries. Which Amos says is harder to know if they are
being abused because they have to tell you personally.
“The best thing to is to listen and watch closely to how he or she acts when you ask
certain questions. Sometimes patients are nervous, or if their partner is there, they are jumpy
around them.” Amos said.
If Amos is to find out that they are being abused she is to not leave them alone and to
perform a physical consult.
In the cases of adults she is to ask if they want to press charges but in the case for
children she is to immediately to contact the police to start an investigation.
“If someone asked me to identify the red flags of an abusive relationship, I would tell
them that they are the lack of basic respect by your partner, more than one physical altercation
and the constant draining of your resources and support.” Lewandowski said.
By Sean Messier
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Bill Colquhoun is a relatively well-connected name in the
Plattsburgh community, according to his friends, such as Peru High School Math Teacher Lin
Chen. But before Colquhoun moved to Plattsburgh, retired, and began a portrait-drawing hobby
group, he led a life that took him across the country and through a variety of careers.
Colquhoun was born on Long Island, but moved to Stamford, Connecticut age 10, where
his father joined a yachting club that Colquhoun described as the start of one of his most
formative interests: tennis. The club had a tennis team, and it is when he joined this team that he
discovered his passion for the sport, which he plays to this day in Plattsburgh with a plethora of
community members. Part of the reason for this passion was the calling in of then MIT Tennis
Coach Ed Crocker, who Colquhoun described simply as “a wonderful person.” Colquhoun
explained that under Crocker’s guidance, the team improved leaps and bounds, effortlessly
winning regional competitions.
His experience on the tennis team was more than just enjoyment, too, he said. There is a
lot to be learned about life and about people through tennis, Colquhoun said, including the
concept that some people will always play more fairly than others.
By the time high school came around, teachers noticed Colquhoun’s shyness and broke
the news to his parents that they did not feel he measured up as college material, so he was sent
to a technical school for the remainder of his high school years.
Colquhoun defied the warnings of those teachers with ease, however, showing
exceptional academic aptitude and getting accepted into Cornell University, McGill University,
and John Hopkins University, among others – though his final choice was John Hopkins, where
he entered as an oceanography major.
Colquhoun bounced around multiple ideas for a college career, including journalism, but
realized he excelled at scientific research, which he eventually chose as the focus for his
academic career, eventually graduating and moving on to undertake graduate school at
Rockefeller University and Princeton University.
Post-graduation, he got a job as an electron microscopist at the University of
Pennsylvania – a career that he would be a large part of his life. He only held this particular
position for a year, though, before deciding that the need to travel the country and see what it had
to offer outweighed the need to stay in one place with one job.
So he headed to the Florida Keys, where he experienced what he described as one of the
scariest moments of his life after being asked by an acquaintance to crew on a sailing ship.
Everything was going smoothly until one day, Colquhoun said, when a crewmate,
looking quite sick, motioned for Colquhoun to glance at the sky behind him. The horizon was
unnaturally dark and stormy; the crew had met a hurricane.
Luckily for Colquhoun and the rest of the crew, the ship had a large anchor, and with its
aid, they managed to ride out the hurricane for a day and a half before being picked up by a
helicopter and transported back to the Keys.
After this nerve-wracking situation, Colquhoun decided it was time to see what the rest of
the country had to offer, so he headed west. After a lengthy trip that involved a particularly
strange experience of driving over a road covered in snakes due to flooding in Alabama,
Colquhoun eventually found himself in California. Here, he met two important figures in his life:
Connie Mason, who became his girlfriend for a time and increased his already somewhat present
interest in the arts, and Zeke, who Colquhoun described as a small, yet comically dominant dog
who became an important pet and instilled in him a love for animals.
After the stint in California, the couple headed to the University of Oregon, where
Colquhoun intended to seek out another job as an electron microscopist. Upon arrival at the
university, Colquhoun said, he was decidedly grubby after the time spent traveling, and his
original plan was to simply ask for a catalog, then clean up, then return to seek an interview.
But the university employee that he asked for a catalog immediately introduced him to
the man in charge of jobs, who mentioned that all the janitorial positions had been
filled. Colquhoun made it clear that he had his sights set just a bit higher, and luckily, it appeared
there was an open position. Colquhoun was soon hired, and spent 6 years with the position, aside
from taking a 1-year break to help a friend build a house in Maine.
This was also the time where Colquhoun’s interest in art advanced greatly. He took
classes in art at a local community college, he said, and particularly worked in sculpture and
metalworking, with the latter being a solid source of money for him at the time.
His departure from Oregon was triggered by art, too, when the city of Eugene held an art
gathering where famed artists were invited and given $10,000 to produce a piece for the city.
Colquhoun said that most of the artists ended up drinking the money away, but one in particular
was successful — and ended up influencing Bill’s decision to head back to the east coast.
Multiple plans to study art on the east coast fell through, though, so Colquhoun found
himself leaving a short stay in Boston for another new job, this time in line with his original
scientific interests, at SUNY Albany.
While this job had its benefits, he said, including the ability to do a lot of his own
research, Colquhoun eventually decided that his work was going largely undervalued, and after 8
years, left to become a technical writer. While pursuing this career, he did a variety of jobs
including but not limited to editing a book written by a medium that predicted a number of future
calamities. Colquhoun noted that none of the predictions came true, but he did get paid for the
job. He continued technical writing with a position at the SUNY Research Foundation, but after
having some problems with a boss that showed preferential treatment, he jumped ship before
perusing the final sector of his career path in web design and programming for New York Legal
Publishing Corporation. He soon moved to the Plattsburgh area, where he continued this job
remotely until his retirement.
And for now, much of his time is spent playing tennis, leading the aforementioned
portrait group, which meets at the Champlain Wine Co. to draw portraits of willing volunteers,
gardening, and building relationships with community figures through these activities.
Champlain Wine Company co-owner Colin Read has only known Colquhoun for a year,
but lauds his organization and said he has a knack for keeping his group active and the members
interested.
Portrait group member Mary Hinsman described him as both nice and fair, with the latter
hearkening back to the lessons Colquhoun learned during his years playing tennis. She
mentioned that he is socially inclined and easily befriends locals through his kindness.
. Colquhoun said he often donates food locally, and is interested, after developing a love
for animals, in trying to make the portrait group a vessel for donations to the local animal shelter.
After much of his life was spent during turbulent years of war, particularly his Vietnam-era
youth, Colquhoun said he now tries to spend his time as peacefully as possible.
“So here I am doing nothing but peaceful art, hopefully not hurting anyone,” Colquhoun
said.
And based on Lin Chen and Mary Hinsman’s depictions of Colquhoun as an
indispensable, selfless friend and community staple, he’s seeing achieving these wishes with
ease.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Bill Colquhoun is a relatively well-connected name in the
Plattsburgh community, according to his friends, such as Peru High School Math Teacher Lin
Chen. But before Colquhoun moved to Plattsburgh, retired, and began a portrait-drawing hobby
group, he led a life that took him across the country and through a variety of careers.
Colquhoun was born on Long Island, but moved to Stamford, Connecticut age 10, where
his father joined a yachting club that Colquhoun described as the start of one of his most
formative interests: tennis. The club had a tennis team, and it is when he joined this team that he
discovered his passion for the sport, which he plays to this day in Plattsburgh with a plethora of
community members. Part of the reason for this passion was the calling in of then MIT Tennis
Coach Ed Crocker, who Colquhoun described simply as “a wonderful person.” Colquhoun
explained that under Crocker’s guidance, the team improved leaps and bounds, effortlessly
winning regional competitions.
His experience on the tennis team was more than just enjoyment, too, he said. There is a
lot to be learned about life and about people through tennis, Colquhoun said, including the
concept that some people will always play more fairly than others.
By the time high school came around, teachers noticed Colquhoun’s shyness and broke
the news to his parents that they did not feel he measured up as college material, so he was sent
to a technical school for the remainder of his high school years.
Colquhoun defied the warnings of those teachers with ease, however, showing
exceptional academic aptitude and getting accepted into Cornell University, McGill University,
and John Hopkins University, among others – though his final choice was John Hopkins, where
he entered as an oceanography major.
Colquhoun bounced around multiple ideas for a college career, including journalism, but
realized he excelled at scientific research, which he eventually chose as the focus for his
academic career, eventually graduating and moving on to undertake graduate school at
Rockefeller University and Princeton University.
Post-graduation, he got a job as an electron microscopist at the University of
Pennsylvania – a career that he would be a large part of his life. He only held this particular
position for a year, though, before deciding that the need to travel the country and see what it had
to offer outweighed the need to stay in one place with one job.
So he headed to the Florida Keys, where he experienced what he described as one of the
scariest moments of his life after being asked by an acquaintance to crew on a sailing ship.
Everything was going smoothly until one day, Colquhoun said, when a crewmate,
looking quite sick, motioned for Colquhoun to glance at the sky behind him. The horizon was
unnaturally dark and stormy; the crew had met a hurricane.
Luckily for Colquhoun and the rest of the crew, the ship had a large anchor, and with its
aid, they managed to ride out the hurricane for a day and a half before being picked up by a
helicopter and transported back to the Keys.
After this nerve-wracking situation, Colquhoun decided it was time to see what the rest of
the country had to offer, so he headed west. After a lengthy trip that involved a particularly
strange experience of driving over a road covered in snakes due to flooding in Alabama,
Colquhoun eventually found himself in California. Here, he met two important figures in his life:
Connie Mason, who became his girlfriend for a time and increased his already somewhat present
interest in the arts, and Zeke, who Colquhoun described as a small, yet comically dominant dog
who became an important pet and instilled in him a love for animals.
After the stint in California, the couple headed to the University of Oregon, where
Colquhoun intended to seek out another job as an electron microscopist. Upon arrival at the
university, Colquhoun said, he was decidedly grubby after the time spent traveling, and his
original plan was to simply ask for a catalog, then clean up, then return to seek an interview.
But the university employee that he asked for a catalog immediately introduced him to
the man in charge of jobs, who mentioned that all the janitorial positions had been
filled. Colquhoun made it clear that he had his sights set just a bit higher, and luckily, it appeared
there was an open position. Colquhoun was soon hired, and spent 6 years with the position, aside
from taking a 1-year break to help a friend build a house in Maine.
This was also the time where Colquhoun’s interest in art advanced greatly. He took
classes in art at a local community college, he said, and particularly worked in sculpture and
metalworking, with the latter being a solid source of money for him at the time.
His departure from Oregon was triggered by art, too, when the city of Eugene held an art
gathering where famed artists were invited and given $10,000 to produce a piece for the city.
Colquhoun said that most of the artists ended up drinking the money away, but one in particular
was successful — and ended up influencing Bill’s decision to head back to the east coast.
Multiple plans to study art on the east coast fell through, though, so Colquhoun found
himself leaving a short stay in Boston for another new job, this time in line with his original
scientific interests, at SUNY Albany.
While this job had its benefits, he said, including the ability to do a lot of his own
research, Colquhoun eventually decided that his work was going largely undervalued, and after 8
years, left to become a technical writer. While pursuing this career, he did a variety of jobs
including but not limited to editing a book written by a medium that predicted a number of future
calamities. Colquhoun noted that none of the predictions came true, but he did get paid for the
job. He continued technical writing with a position at the SUNY Research Foundation, but after
having some problems with a boss that showed preferential treatment, he jumped ship before
perusing the final sector of his career path in web design and programming for New York Legal
Publishing Corporation. He soon moved to the Plattsburgh area, where he continued this job
remotely until his retirement.
And for now, much of his time is spent playing tennis, leading the aforementioned
portrait group, which meets at the Champlain Wine Co. to draw portraits of willing volunteers,
gardening, and building relationships with community figures through these activities.
Champlain Wine Company co-owner Colin Read has only known Colquhoun for a year,
but lauds his organization and said he has a knack for keeping his group active and the members
interested.
Portrait group member Mary Hinsman described him as both nice and fair, with the latter
hearkening back to the lessons Colquhoun learned during his years playing tennis. She
mentioned that he is socially inclined and easily befriends locals through his kindness.
. Colquhoun said he often donates food locally, and is interested, after developing a love
for animals, in trying to make the portrait group a vessel for donations to the local animal shelter.
After much of his life was spent during turbulent years of war, particularly his Vietnam-era
youth, Colquhoun said he now tries to spend his time as peacefully as possible.
“So here I am doing nothing but peaceful art, hopefully not hurting anyone,” Colquhoun
said.
And based on Lin Chen and Mary Hinsman’s depictions of Colquhoun as an
indispensable, selfless friend and community staple, he’s seeing achieving these wishes with
ease.
Animals get second chance at happy life
By Kevin Morley
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—For about three years now, Ben Sokolovsky, has gone to
the Plattsburgh City Beach every Sunday, weather permitting, to play catch with his
dog Rocky. The dynamic between the dog and his owner is simple: Sokolovsky
throws and Rocky chases.
As the rope that, Sokolovsky crafted himself for specific soaring purposes
flies through the air, Rocky instinctively tracks down the object in stride. However,
there is something peculiar about the stride of Rocky. His front left leg buckles with
every step. This is a result of the neglect Rocky suffered prior to having Sokolovsky
as his owner. Although the catches between the owner and his dog are lively, they
have become shorter and shorter in recent weeks.
The American Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recognizes
April as the Month for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in order to raise
awareness of the issue. According to humanesociety.org, dogs are the more common
victims to animal cruelty, where 64.5 percent of cases involved canines. 25 percent
of those dogs were identified as pit bulls, just like Rocky.
Local shelters such as Elmore SPCA, located in Peru, deal with animals that
have been subjected to neglect and abandonment. According to their website, they
are currently holding 313 dogs alone, 243 cats and six birds. Although the entire
population of this shelter has not been affected by neglect, shelter manager, Rebecca
Burdo has witnessed the effects of the issue.
“Some people are just nasty,” Burdo said. “However, most of the cases we see
are due to a lack of care for the animal rather than abuse.”
In many cases, the neglect is a result of hoarding by the owner. This means
that the owner of the animal has taken on the responsibility of more pets than he or
she can handle. As a result, the animals are malnourished which often leads to
emaciation, where the animal enters a state of being abnormally thin.
This was the case for Rocky. The buckle in his front left leg is a result of
muscle loss from malnourishment. Unfortunately, no veterinarian was able to fully
rehabilitate the leg of the now eight-year- old pit bull. Although Sokolovsky is
saddened by how Rocky was treated before adopting him, it does not stop him from
having a positive outlook on the situation.
“He’s a fighter anyways,” Sokolovsky said. “That’s why I named him Rocky.”
For dogs under similar circumstances as Rocky, the journey from being taken
into the shelter to being released to a home can be a long and tedious one.
According to Article 26 of the Agriculture and Markets Law relating to Cruelty to
Animals, if an animal is subjected to neglect or cruelty, a law officer must bring them
in. At this point, they are considered evidence and must go through the court
system before they can be touched or seen by anyone besides a veterinarian.
According to Burdo, this can sometimes take months.
After the court date passes, the animal is then eligible to be place in a home.
The time this process takes usually depends on the temperament as well as the
breed, when it comes to dogs specifically.
Although dogs may be the most common victims to animal cruelty, wildlife
animals are also struggling, but in different ways. Donna Fletcher, one of the
rehabilitator’s at Elmore, specializes in fawns. For years, Fletcher has been helping
injured fawns return to the wild by easing them into the wilderness. She does so by
putting them in a preliminary enclosure prior to actually entering the forest to
assimilate. Fletcher marks the deer with an ear tag, so she can later see which ones
went on to raise families and fend for themselves.
The fawns are not being physically harmed by anyone in particular or
necessarily neglected in this case, however, new regulations that are being
negotiated by the Department of Environmental Conservation could put the young
deer at risk. The proposal if passed, will make it a law that rehabilitators like
Fletcher will no longer be able to accept wildlife further than 20 miles from her
enclosure.
“It’ll be a shame if the DEC passes that,” Fletcher said. “There are going to be
a lot of fawns that aren’t going to have a safe place to go anymore.”
Fletcher will no longer work with fawns this year as most of her land has
been taken over by poachers.
The SPCA’s mission is, “To provide shelter and comfort to animals in need
that are on their path to finding loving lifetime homes.” Their care is not limited
strictly to neglected dogs like Rocky; it is shared equally from fawns and foxes to
domestic dogs and cats. Every animal deserves a safe place to call home.
As we leave April behind us this calendar year, it is important to remember
the importance of putting a stop to animal cruelty. Mike O’Donnell a student at SUNY
Plattsburgh recognizes this important issue weekly as he volunteers his time to
walk dogs at the Elmore shelter over this past year.
“You know you’re doing something good because some of those dogs were
either abandoned or mistreated,” O’Donnell said. “It’s nice that they can come to a
place like this to feel love. It’s a privilege to walk them.”
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—For about three years now, Ben Sokolovsky, has gone to
the Plattsburgh City Beach every Sunday, weather permitting, to play catch with his
dog Rocky. The dynamic between the dog and his owner is simple: Sokolovsky
throws and Rocky chases.
As the rope that, Sokolovsky crafted himself for specific soaring purposes
flies through the air, Rocky instinctively tracks down the object in stride. However,
there is something peculiar about the stride of Rocky. His front left leg buckles with
every step. This is a result of the neglect Rocky suffered prior to having Sokolovsky
as his owner. Although the catches between the owner and his dog are lively, they
have become shorter and shorter in recent weeks.
The American Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recognizes
April as the Month for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in order to raise
awareness of the issue. According to humanesociety.org, dogs are the more common
victims to animal cruelty, where 64.5 percent of cases involved canines. 25 percent
of those dogs were identified as pit bulls, just like Rocky.
Local shelters such as Elmore SPCA, located in Peru, deal with animals that
have been subjected to neglect and abandonment. According to their website, they
are currently holding 313 dogs alone, 243 cats and six birds. Although the entire
population of this shelter has not been affected by neglect, shelter manager, Rebecca
Burdo has witnessed the effects of the issue.
“Some people are just nasty,” Burdo said. “However, most of the cases we see
are due to a lack of care for the animal rather than abuse.”
In many cases, the neglect is a result of hoarding by the owner. This means
that the owner of the animal has taken on the responsibility of more pets than he or
she can handle. As a result, the animals are malnourished which often leads to
emaciation, where the animal enters a state of being abnormally thin.
This was the case for Rocky. The buckle in his front left leg is a result of
muscle loss from malnourishment. Unfortunately, no veterinarian was able to fully
rehabilitate the leg of the now eight-year- old pit bull. Although Sokolovsky is
saddened by how Rocky was treated before adopting him, it does not stop him from
having a positive outlook on the situation.
“He’s a fighter anyways,” Sokolovsky said. “That’s why I named him Rocky.”
For dogs under similar circumstances as Rocky, the journey from being taken
into the shelter to being released to a home can be a long and tedious one.
According to Article 26 of the Agriculture and Markets Law relating to Cruelty to
Animals, if an animal is subjected to neglect or cruelty, a law officer must bring them
in. At this point, they are considered evidence and must go through the court
system before they can be touched or seen by anyone besides a veterinarian.
According to Burdo, this can sometimes take months.
After the court date passes, the animal is then eligible to be place in a home.
The time this process takes usually depends on the temperament as well as the
breed, when it comes to dogs specifically.
Although dogs may be the most common victims to animal cruelty, wildlife
animals are also struggling, but in different ways. Donna Fletcher, one of the
rehabilitator’s at Elmore, specializes in fawns. For years, Fletcher has been helping
injured fawns return to the wild by easing them into the wilderness. She does so by
putting them in a preliminary enclosure prior to actually entering the forest to
assimilate. Fletcher marks the deer with an ear tag, so she can later see which ones
went on to raise families and fend for themselves.
The fawns are not being physically harmed by anyone in particular or
necessarily neglected in this case, however, new regulations that are being
negotiated by the Department of Environmental Conservation could put the young
deer at risk. The proposal if passed, will make it a law that rehabilitators like
Fletcher will no longer be able to accept wildlife further than 20 miles from her
enclosure.
“It’ll be a shame if the DEC passes that,” Fletcher said. “There are going to be
a lot of fawns that aren’t going to have a safe place to go anymore.”
Fletcher will no longer work with fawns this year as most of her land has
been taken over by poachers.
The SPCA’s mission is, “To provide shelter and comfort to animals in need
that are on their path to finding loving lifetime homes.” Their care is not limited
strictly to neglected dogs like Rocky; it is shared equally from fawns and foxes to
domestic dogs and cats. Every animal deserves a safe place to call home.
As we leave April behind us this calendar year, it is important to remember
the importance of putting a stop to animal cruelty. Mike O’Donnell a student at SUNY
Plattsburgh recognizes this important issue weekly as he volunteers his time to
walk dogs at the Elmore shelter over this past year.
“You know you’re doing something good because some of those dogs were
either abandoned or mistreated,” O’Donnell said. “It’s nice that they can come to a
place like this to feel love. It’s a privilege to walk them.”
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