Bonacic favors a gaming referendum

GLEN SPEY — State Senator John Bonacic (RC-40) of Mount Hope told a Lumberland audience on July 3 that he wants to see a countywide referendum before finalization of any state approval of an Indian gambling casino in Sullivan County.

Bonacic admitted there is nothing in law to require the referendum, but added, “That’s the way I’d want to see it.”

Port superintendent retires

PORT JERVIS — The Port Jervis School District Superintendent Patrick Hamill retired July 6 after 12 years of service to the city.

Hamill was replaced in the position by Robert Witherow, the former Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Witherow’s position, in turn, was filled by former Port Jervis High School Principal Joseph DiLorenzo. Port Jervis High School Assistant Principal Arnold Spadafora replaced DiLorenzo.

All the job actions took effect on July 1.

Man commits suicide in police station

MONTICELLO — A Monticello man committed suicide on the evening of July 5 after being arrested by village police in a neighbors dispute.

Sgt. Douglas Solomon said Thomas Lillis, 47, was found dead in the department’s holding cell, hanging by a torn piece of his shirt. An autopsy was performed on July 6 to confirm the cause of death, but Solomon had no information about results or possible motives.

Lillis had been arrested earlier and charged with second-degree harassment, a violation, after he made threats during a dispute with a neighbor.

Solomon said Lillis’ death was the first successful suicide attempt he recalled in his 13 years on the force.

Gunshot angler remains hospitalized

SCRANTON — A 24-year-old man remained hospitalized in satisfactory condition on July 9, after being shot in the stomach on July 7 by a fishing companion.

Stephen Orinick underwent emergency surgery at Community Medical Center in Scranton after allegedly being shot by 21-year-old Kevan Barberio of Edison, New Jersey.

The shooting took place at a private pond in South Canaan where Orinick, Barberio and an unidentified third person reportedly had been fishing.

Barberio was arrested for criminal attempt to commit homicide, aggravated and simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. He was remanded to the Wayne County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Primaries in the offing for District 9

MONTICELLO — A primary fight appears to be in the future for candidates in the District 9 seat election.

The endorsed candidates of both major parties, primary challengers from other party members and two third party candidates have entered the fray.

Democrat Sean Rieber, who currently holds the seat as an appointee, is being challenged by Sam Wohl, a manager at S&W Ice Cream distributors.

Republican nominee Jim Carnell, the Town of Thompson Code Enforcement Officer, is getting competition for the nomination from Pat Croissant, operator of the Swinging Bridge Marina.

In addition to the major party candidates, two other candidates have also stepped forward. Former county Veterans Service Agency head Al Etkin will run as an independent and Jesse York, a civil-rights activist and one of the organizers of the Sullivan County Million Man March Community Action Group, is running as the Green Party’s candidate.