Governor Creates Panel To Reform Driver’s Ed

COOPERSTOWN
It seems like a long-shot just two months ago, when state Sen. Jim Seward, RMilford,
announced a $35,000 grant to initiate a 21st Century driver’s-ed curriculum for Cooperstown
Central School.
And yet, on Tuesday, July 8, it became a reality, when Gov. David Paterson signed legislation that will establish an advisory panel to examine, assess and make recommendations on how to improve and expand drivers’ education in the state.
Co-chaired by the state education and DMV commissioners, the panel will be required to report back to the General Assembly by year’s end.
Seward introduced the bill in the Senate, then Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, shepherded it through the House. But all along the way in the final weeks, Penney Gentile, mom of Chris Gentile, the CCS senior who died in a car crash on Holy Thursday 2007, assembled an army of e-mailers who peppered key legislators with missives, to let them know people cared.
“It takes a village, and then some,” said Penney Gentile after receiving word.
Now, she said, the goal is to ensure a muscular advisory panel is formed, with access to the latest research on improving driver’s education. If asked to serve, she said she would.
She also said Alan Brown, who founded the Joshua Brown Foundation in Georgia after his son died in a car crash and pushed through driver’s ed reform there, would be willing to serve if asked.

Leatherstocking’s ‘Dining Room’ Due July 17 to July 27

COOPERSTOWN

A.R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room” will run for nine performances, from Thursday, July 17, through Sunday, July 27, at the Cooperstown Theater Festival, Route 80.
This is the Leatherstocking Theatre Company’s fifth Gurney production (previously, “Cocktail Hour,” 1991; “Children,” 1994; “Ancestral Voices,” 2001 and “Love Letters,” 2003), “The Dining Room” is directed by Morris native Ann Matthers Taylor, who launched her theater career on LTC’s stage in its very first season.
The play features seven actors playing over 40 roles in 18 scenes of this comedy of manners.
For reservations, call 441-0428 or visit www.leatherstockingtheatre.org

Labels: Area Briefs