... To area residents who volunteer as Salvation Army bell-ringers.
The organization's Red Kettle campaign stretches back more than 100 years, when a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco began collecting donations to fund a Christmas dinner for the city's poor. Today's donations provide much more during the holidays, including food baskets, clothing and children's toys, as well as visits to senior citizens who are homebound or in nursing homes.
To look at bell-ringers, one might not envy their task. Many volunteers stand outside in the cold, often for hours. Their smiles and salutations of "Merry Christmas!" are often ignored by shoppers. Yet these volunteers speak warmly of their work and say that they see more good than Grinch in those who pass by.
Bell-ringing is but one example of the many acts of kindness we see locally during the holidays. Thanks to volunteers such as these, as well as the generous donations of area residents, this truly is a season of giving.
o ... To the recipients of the 2009 Delaware County Historical Association Awards of Merit.
Dr. William Birns of New Kingston was recognized for a weekly local history column. Helen Bramley of Delhi was honored for her work with the DCHA library. Andrea Paternoster of Walton was lauded for efforts to restore the Walton Theatre. The Delaware County Town & Country Quilters Guild drew praise for keeping a rural folk-art tradition alive.
Efforts such as these keep local history alive and vibrant, preserving it for future generations. We commend these men and women for their dedication.
Jeers
... To former New York Senate leader Joseph Bruno, who was convicted Dec. 7 on two felony counts of mail fraud.
Bruno used to be one of "three men in a room" in Albany. Now he may wind up as one of two men in a cell. According to The Associated Press, Bruno was found guilty of denying New Yorkers his "honest services" for failing to disclose he took money to consult for a businessman who had state interests. A jury acquitted Bruno of five additional charges, but Bruno still faces sentences of up to 20 years per charge.
To most New Yorkers, dysfunction is synonymous with Albany's Legislature, something that promotes little more than a disgusted shake of the head.
But we can take some small sense of justice from the conviction of Bruno. Here was a man who swore he'd work for the people of the state. Instead, he abused the privileges of his office.
We hope Bruno's conviction brings momentum to the ethical reform that is badly needed in our state's Legislature.
