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HOMES EVERY WEEK! Valley News
July 27, 2019
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
Preston remembered for dedication Wilmington supervisor served his community until the end By Laura Achouatte STA FF W RITER
WILMINGTON | Randy Preston’s twoyear battle with cancer ended Thursday, July 18. The 60-year-old Wilmington supervisor and veteran of his local Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department was known for his “real and true” nature and devotion to Wilmington, Essex County and surrounding communities. He was an effective lawmaker, known for his compassion and conviction and known to speak bluntly but with sincerity.
REMEMBERING PRESTON
Wilmington lost a devoted leader and proponent for his town, many of those who knew or worked with Preston said. He was known for spearheading and being instrumental to the passage of the recent Essex County EMS bill that secured millions of dollars to create a unified EMS system in the county. He also
Randy Preston died July 18 after a two-year battle with cancer. pushed for the reconstruction of the Whiteface Memorial Highway that was crumbling from years of neglect by the state, and moved Gov. Andrew Cuomo to act. Officials, colleagues, family and friends are saddened by the loss. Several replied with comments and memories to The Sun, offering re-
Essex County EMS welcoming new faces
Sun file photo
membrances of Preston as a “go-getter,” “honest and hard-working,” and “you knew where you stood with him.” Yet, he also “knew his opinion was not the only opinion in the room.” His wife, Michelle Preston, wrote on her Facebook page the day Preston succumbed to his two-year battle with cancer,
“Today I lost the love of my life. Words cannot describe what a loving and caring man he was. He chose to raise 5 children that were not his by birth but loved them all with every ounce of his being. He loved his little Town of Wilmington and was always striving to make it better. The years of dedication to the Wilmington Fire Department showed his true passion. Many know he was a tough and stubborn individual which allowed him to be with us the last 2 years as he bravely battled his horrible disease. My life was forever changed the day he came into my life. He made me into a stronger, braver and wiser woman and I will forever be grateful to him. He will live forever in my heart. Thank you my love for sharing the last 10 years of your life with me. I will love you forever.” “We may have butted heads a time or two, but his best trait was, in my opinion, he would tell you what he thought directly,” Westport Super Michael Tyler said. “You always knew where you stood with him. Wilmington will surely miss him.”
‘INCREDIBLE ADVOCATE’
Assemblyman Dan Stec remembered Preston as a friend, and in recent years, Stec and his wife had gotten to know Preston and his wife, Michelle. » Preston Cont. on pg. 6
Coordinator Patty Bashaw to get helping hand from new deputy coordinator By Laura Achouatte STA FF W RITER
ELIZABETHTOWN | Matt Watts is one of the first additions to the new countywide EMS program and started his new position early this July. As the county’s deputy EMS coordinator under Coordinator Patty Bashaw, who had been handling the supervisory role solely, Watts will be sharing in the department’s duties. “Matt will be a great help,” Bashaw said. “Matt has gotten on board now and we will have all our interviews completed for the other EMS positions by Friday.” Matt Watts, pictured in front Positions that were added of a Ticonderoga Fire Engine, as part of legislation last is known by one of his premonth resulted from the vious gigs as fire chief in Tipush from the board of suconderoga. He also served pervisors in the past several as EMS manager at LaMoille months regarding the need Ambulance Service in Ticond- for expanded coverage in eroga and brings many years the county. The go-ahead of emergency service to his to do so came with passage new position as Essex County of the Essex County EMS bill signed by Gov. Andrew EMS deputy coordinator. Photo by Tim Rowland Cuomo in June. Left to fill are five advanced critical care paramedics, or AEMTs, and three basic EMTs.
MANY YEARS
Watts has served with the Ticonderoga Volunteer Fire Department for roughly 17 years and was recently Ticonderoga Fire Chief. He also was the manager for the Vermont-based LaMoille Ambulance Service that also has a station and serves Ticonderoga and surrounding areas. Watts has many years experience in emergency services, starting in 1986 as a junior member and becoming an EMT in 1988. “I am really excited to be getting to work here,” Watts said. “I have a long history working as an EMT and started as a junior member, a long time ago.” Bashaw said that Watts will be assisting at the county level — going to county board meetings and working on several grant tasks that keep the department afloat. ■
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Essex County Fair adds tiger show Some venues moved due to building renovations By Laura Achouatte STA FF W RITER
WESTPORT | This summer’s fair season has begun. For the 2019 Essex County Fair, there are some added bonuses and some shifting of venues for certain exhibits
due to the Cornell Cooperative Extension renovations. The fair will kick off Aug. 14 and finalize Aug. 18 at the county fairgrounds in Westport.
SOME OLD, SOME NEW
“This year we’ve added a tiger show for added entertainment, and the Black Cat Hell Drivers are coming back this year,” said Bridget Brown, Essex County Fair official. “We have had them before but it’s been a couple years. And we also have Michael Blaine, master hypnotist, but only for one day.” » County fair Cont. on pg. 4
CCE gains new director Sean Connin heads Franklin, Essex chapters By Laura Achouatte STA FF W RITER
LEWIS | Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex and Franklin Counties has welcomed into the fold a new executive director after nearly a year of running with an interim director.
PRIME INTERESTS
Sean Connin, a resident of Rainbow
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» Connin Cont. on pg. 5
Sean Connin began his new position as Director of Franklin and Essex County Cornell Cooperative Extension starting June 1. Photo provided
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