Kent

Tom Maxson runs for council

Tom Maxson has found himself in an unfamiliar position: as a candidate for elected office. The retired analyst for Verizon is seeking his first public office. He has received the endorsements of the Republican, Independence, and Conservative Parties. Maxson has been married to his wife Robin for 27 years, almost all of which have been in Kent. His two children, Ryan and Andrea, attended Kent schools from kindergarten through high school. His daughter now teaches at Green Chimneys.

Two passions seem to motivate Maxson when he discuses his campaign: a love for Kent's history, and a motivation to balance its accounts. "I'm a selfdescribed history buff," he says. "I feel we have a great story to tell here in the town of Kent: the story of Chief Nimham. We have our highest mountain here named after the chief."

Anticipating some "tough years ahead," Maxson is also anxious to put his experience as a financial analyst into service for the town. "We have to focus on cost containments and revenue generation, to make sure that as the federal and state governments cut back on aid to local municipalities, we cushion the blow to our residents," he says. "It sounds kind of boring, but I think every family is going through this right now."

Members of the Class of 2009 beam with pride following the ceremony. Maxson may be a neophyte in political campaigns, but he has served on the Town's Master Plan Committee, and worked with many members of the board on redeveloping the Route 52 corridor. "The first step has been arranged for already," Maxson says, referring to plans for a sidewalk to run from the A&P to the Arts on the Lake center. "The next step is to implement zoning and signage standards, to enhance the aesthetics of the area. And we have to encourage retailers to come into some of the vacant buildings, to create what we hope will be a real town center. Kent hasn't had a downtown since the farmer's mills community became a stranded village in the early 1900s."

—Michael Brendan Dougherty

16 Putnam teens graduate from police academy

Sixteen young men and women have joined their predecessors by completing the rigorous Putnam County Sheriff's Department Kent Police Cadets Basic Training Session Academy.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Cadet Program was formed as a chartered Law Enforcement Explorer program in 1967 by the late Sheriff Ray Weizenecker. It operated until 1985 when the program was discontinued due to insurance problems. Currently, 32 of Putnam's finest are former Sheriff's Cadets.

In 1990, the sheriff recognized the importance of the cadet program, not only to the Sheriff's Department but to the entire community. After overcoming past insurance difficulties, the program was re-chartered through the Boy Scouts as a law enforcement post. Since the re-chartering, 416 young people have applied to the program, with 276 being accepted.

In 2002, the Putnam Sheriff's Department and Kent Police Department merged their cadet training and have shared the curriculum since that time. Sgt. Jerry Raneri, a former Sheriff's cadet more than 30 years ago, chartered the Kent PD Cadets in 1997.

During a formal ceremony last week at the Putnam County Emergency Training and Operational Center in Carmel, more than 200 people applauded when the 16 graduates were presented with diplomas for completing 40 hours of rigorous training.

Post advisors Deputy Richard Mansfield and Detective Kevin Owens congratulated the young men and women for their efforts.

Members of the Class of 2009 include: Sheriff's Cadets Nicholas Cascioli, Thomas Caso, Christopher Coleman, Thomas Dugan, William Gallo, Justin Hosmer, Michele Mione, Tyler Ochs, Amanda Rodak, James Travis, and Robert Weinberg.

Kent Police Department cadets recognized include Matthew Cesiro, Caitlin Farrell, Sean Farrell, Sarah Hendricks, and Christopher McGrath.

In his keynote address, Sheriff Smith talked about leadership. "Leadership is about character—those who stand up and do the right thing. To be truly successful in life one needs a sword in your hand; a gleam in your eye; and a song in your heart. You must know the basics. You have to look ahead, plus possess great passion for your mission in life."

The sheriff said that while the commencement bodes well for law enforcement, "this graduation is also the future of our government, our legal system, and our medical system. Experience has taught us that while many of these young people will become officers of the law, others will become lawyers, doctors, and teachers. The program has taught values, leadership, and what is right."

Sgt. Raneri told the graduates: "You made it! We are all so proud!"

Capt. Brandon Costello of the Sheriff's Cadet Corps, a five-year veteran, commended the new class of graduates by telling them, "Loyalty and teamwork and respect are all keys to success.

Lt. Andrew Wiese of the Kent PD Corps of Cadets, another five-year veteran of the program, received applause when he told the audience, "Integrity comprises self-respect and honesty by hardening the clay that hardens into reliability and veracity."

—Eric Gross