Shaking my head in disgust

When I originally heard about the story surroundingwoman who ran from cops when watching the news this weekend, I originally thought "she just didn't want to face the police because she was drinking and driving.

Then I read the story in The Buffalo News. Unbelievable. Her driver’s license has been suspended 12 times??? Yet she's still driving and putting countless lives in danger.

The driver who killed my sister was also driving with a suspended license. When the courts give out this penalty for DWI they are trusting the DWI offenders that they won't drink and drive anymore. Often the drivers don't listen.

Thank goodness the police caught up to her and now she's facing even more charges. Lives could have been lost due to her negligence.

I'd like to salute the law enforcement officers for getting her off the road...again. Hopefully now the justice system can keep her from endangering more lives.

Until next time...

Deanna

'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