'Tis the season

The holiday season has arrived, and for many Western New Yorkers that means parties and get togethers.

On behalf of CAID I would like to remind you to drive safe this holiday season. Remember to call a designated driver, if you or your driver isn't capable of driving home.


Thanks,

Deanna

Middle School Principal Charged

I often use this blog as a way to vent my opinion on DWI cases in Western New York. When I heard about the Sweet Home Middle School Principal facing his second DWI charge in a matter of a few years, I was very disappointed.

I am a new parent, and if my child was in Mr. Smorol's school I would demand that school officials hold him responsible for his actions. I hope parents step up and demand the same.

If anyone should be setting an example for kids and young teens it should be school administrators and teachers. The school has since placed Smorol on administrative leave, but I don't think that is enough.

I might be able to understand if this was Smorol's first offense, but he's now been charged with two - the second being a felony.

I urge school officials to take the appropriate action, remember the kids.

Until next time...

Deanna

Adams Heads To Jail

Appeal rejected - Anne Adams, the former attorney convicted of DWI headed to jail this afternoon. While I should be pleased that the appeal was turned down and she'll be behind bars...it wasn't the sentence that an average DWI offender would get. Don't forget that she hatched a scheme to fool the system and avoid all of this too.

Adams will serve five weekends in jail, has to serve probation, and has to go to a DWI victim impact panel. There were other penalties as well, they are all listed in the article.

I speak at panels, and I hope that we get to meet. I'd like her to hear my sister's story and hear about what could have happened.

You can only dodge the law for so long Ms. Adams, I hope you learn your lesson.

Until next time...

Deanna

A judge is supposed to set an example for the community

As a victim of a DWI and as the founder of Crusade Against Impaired Driving, I get disappointed and disgusted when I read about DWIs in the newspaper.

This evening I was beyond disgusted to hear about a Niagara County judge who is running for town justice in the primary Tuesday, despite the fact that he was convicted of a DWI himself last year.

Here's a link to the story in this morning's Buffalo News.

I so wish I lived in Niagara County, so I could vote against Judge Matineck, and I urge voters in that area to vote for his opponent.

How can someone who's been in law enforcement for 25 years, a judge for a term run again for re-election with a DWI on his record? He blew a .18 and now he says
"re-elect me"? I'd like to remind the readers of this blog that the drunk driver convicted of killing my sister blew a .14. Martineck could have injured or killed someone. Luckily, he was arrested before that happened.

I'm trying to hold back my anger right now, because I've said countless times that in most cases, I know police in this area are doing their jobs, arresting the DWI offenders, and too many times judges are not giving offenders the penalties they deserve and enforcing the laws on the books.

Now Judge Martineck says he doesn’t think the conviction will hurt him at the polls, no, he thinks it might have made him a better judge.

“If anything, it helped me to see the other side of the coin,” he said. “I’ve been through everything I put defendants through.”

What?

I disagree. I urge voters in Somerset to say "No, Martineck, we're not trusting you to be a judge in our town anymore. We trusted you to set an example, and you threw that opportunity away when you got a DWI."


Until next time...

Deanna


P.S. On a brighter note: Have you seen the photos from our 3rd Annual Softball Tournament and Fundraiser? Check out a wrap-up and see photos here.

Tourney Rules Have Been Posted

With a week to go before the tournament, we've posted the rules on the softball page. We posted a list of all of our great sponsors too.

My volunteers have done a great job getting things ready - from the tourney to the basket raffle...if you have any questions, feel free to email me at deanna@karenscrusade.org.

Can't wait to see everyone next Saturday at Sunshine Park in West Seneca!

Thanks!!!

Deanna

Just a couple weeks away from the tourney!

The Third Annual CAID Softball Tournament is just a couple weeks away, and things are very busy as CAID Volunteers prepare for the big fundraiser.

We have 12 teams competing in the one-pitch tournament this year. T-shirts are being ordered today, brackets are set up, rules are going to be emailed out to teams within the next couple days, and donations are being organized.

The big ticket item is the 32 inch flat screen television donated by Jay Leno. We'll be selling raffle tickets in advance and at the event.

This year we'll have plenty of food and refreshments, and the day will be a fun one for spectators and athletes too!

We'll have updates right here.

Get ready to have fun and raise money for CAID!

Deanna

Jay Leno Teams Up With CAID

We're getting ready for the 3rd Annual CAID Softball Tournament on Saturday, August 14th at Sunshine Park in West Seneca.

We just learned that Jay Leno (Host of the Tonight Show, in case you've been living under a rock) is donating a 32 inch autographed television that we're going to raffle off. We're also going to have autographed merchandise from Bills, Sabres, gift certificates to local restaurants...and so many gift baskets!!! We're also expecting a well-known former Buffalo Bills running back to make another appearance to sign autographs.

Don't forget that at least a dozen teams will be hitting the diamonds to play ball too. It's a one pitch softball tournament that gets underway at 8am. We're expecting some great weather - perfect for lots of fun.

The real reason we're going to be there is to raise money for Crusade Against Impaired Driving - a non-profit dedicated to fighting DWI in Western New York.

If you'd like to register a team, donate to our silent auction, or volunteer to help, email us at info@karenscrusade.org.

You can find all the info on the softball tournament page right here on karenscrusade.org.

Where I have been

I'm happy to report a new addition to my family. My daughter was born on March 9, 2010.

Since then I've been very busy caring for the little one.

I plan to head out to two schools this prom season to spread the important anti-DWI message. I'll be at Eden High School on May 3 and South Park on May 21.

We are also busy planning the 3rd Annual CAID Softball Tournament. Head to this page for more info.

If you took part in the tournament last year, and would like to register again - contact us ASAP at info@karenscrusade.org.

I'll be sure to post updates here on the blog as the tourney gets closer.

Thanks!

D

Remembering K.K. 12 years later

It's hard to believe it's been 12 years since Karen was ripped out of our lives by a drunk driver.

Years before her death, she purchased this single. I know she wants us to remember her for the kind-hearted, loving person she was. She remains an angel guiding me through this latest stage of my life and protecting me and my unborn child from harm.



I love you K.K., you'll remain in my heart always.

Dee

Leandra's Law: DWI With Kids in the Car

A new law was passed in late 2009 which reinforces the concept that not only should drivers not be driving while intoxicated, but they also should not be driving while intoxicated with kids in the car.

It's called Leandra's Law, named after a young girl in Long Island who died tragically and senselessly in a DWI crash. It elevates a DWI charge to a class E felony when children 15 and younger are in the car.

Obviously there was a need for the law. In less than a month, three Western New Yorkers have already been charged with felonies under this law. The most recent was a Buffalo mother traveling with her 15 year old son in Colden who was charged this weekend. Last week, an Angola mother had her 3-year old child in the car with her when she was charged. Hypodermic needles were found in the child's coloring book. She probably won't be nominated for "Mother of the Year" anytime soon.

It seems like a basic concept to me, why would you endanger you, let alone your children after having one too many?

Good to see that local officers are enforcing this new law, and hopefully it's stopping irresponsible parents before it's too late.

Until next time,

Deanna