Colin Taft Is Permanently Appointed Police Chief

On September 19^th, 2022, the Village of Bath Mayor and Trustees approved Colin Taft as the Chief of Police for Bath.  Chief Taft was the acting Chief from February 2021 till June 2021 and has the been the provisional Chief of Police until this permanent appointment.

 Chief Taft started his career out in 2001 with the Village of Addison Police Department where he became the Officer in Charge.  Chief Taft also worked briefly for the City of Corning Police Department and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.  Chief Taft has worked for the Village of Bath for nearly 17 years and has held the rank of Sergeant for 6 ½ years and Criminal Investigator for 4 years. 

Chief Taft has completed the Instructor Development Course and taught at 7 police academies, Field Training Officer Course, Police Supervision course, Taser instructor for 4 years, Crime Scene and Evidence Specialist school, FBI Hostage negotiator school, NYSP Undercover Operations School, Col. Henry F. Williams Homicide Seminar, Advanced Interview and Interrogation, Active Shooter Instructor School, NYS Fire Investigator’s course, ChildFirst Forensic Interview Training Program, Highway Drug Interdiction, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and Public Information Officer training.

Chief Taft has a bachelor’s degree from Keuka College in Criminal Justice and plans on finishing his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Keuka College in the near future.  Chief Taft is a US Army veteran where he held the rank of Sergeant.

Chief Taft has led approximately 100 controlled narcotics operations and written and executed approximately 15 no knock narcotics search warrants in his 4 years as an investigator.  Chief Taft takes great pride in mentoring and leading his officers into the future and making the Village of Bath a better place to live, work, and visit.  Addressing quality of life issues will be his main priority. 

A formal ceremony will be held November 1^st that will be open to the media and colleagues.  Chief Taft will turn over his Criminal Investigator’s badge and promote an officer from within the agency to the title of Criminal Investigator as well as be sworn in as Chief of Police.  A future press release containing details will be forthcoming. 

 

Safety Training Session, Coming Up A Week From Today

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard says, Safety Training for Businesses, Houses of Worship and Civic Organizations, is coming up a week from today, on Thursday the 29^th, 6pm to 9pm at Haverling High School.   It will be a three hour training session.  To register for this event, you can call 607 622 3930, that’s 607 622 3930.  Sheriff Jim Allard is thanking Superintendent Joe Rumsey for the use of the school for this safety training session.

 

County Clerk's Statement About DD214 DIRECT

Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter says, a company out of Phoenix, Arizona, named DD214 DIRECT, is encouraging veterans to file their discharge papers with them and charges veterans $79 for a copy of their papers or $119 for an email and hard copy afterwards.  The Steuben County Clerk says, county clerks can do all that kind of work for you. 

 

Monkeypox Vaccine Clinic Is Tomorrow In Bath

Steuben County Public Health is reminding people that they’re holding a Monkeypox vaccine clinic on Friday, September 30 from 2 - 4 pm. Call their office at 607-664-2438 to schedule your appointment.

 

Update On The Governor's Race 

Congressman Lee Zeldin, has agreed to what Zeldin describes as a "last minute debate" on Spectrum TV in a month from now.  Zeldin maintains that with early voting, that a late October debate is too late in process. According to spectrum, Zeldin has not agreed to the debate, as of yet.  It’s scheduled for October 25^th though.  Election Day will be Tuesday, November 8.  

 

Gillibrand Requests More LIHEAP Funding 

With residential energy costs expected to rise nationwide this winter, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for emergency supplemental funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The senator says, additional funding is needed as rising natural gas, heating oil, and electricity prices will place a significant financial burden on New York families.