Often in rural areas, zoning enforcement depends on the squeaky wheel. A part-time building inspector is unlikely to be able to regularly survey the town to find violations. This puts a difficult burden on residents who have to speak up to get justice.

EAST BERNE — Jamie Lynn Kennedy wanted to be an earth-science teacher when she graduated from Hunter College in New York City in 2011. After following a winding path in education she has returned to her home on Main Street to open a day-care center.

KNOX — The petite Nicolina Barber had an enormously supportive role in her family, as a cook, a quilter, and a caretaker.

BERNE — Frances A. Ritter, a loving mother and grandmother, of Pine Park in Berne died on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. She was 71.

Her granddaughter was “the love of her life,” her family wrote in a tribute, and her son was “beloved.”

EAST BERNE — The East Berne Auto garage is now the East Berne Fire garage, and the future site of a new firehouse.

EAST BERNE — The melodious music and humorous life of Floy Willsey Behlmer began on a full family farm when she was a girl. Music, laughter, and hard work built strong bonds for her as a wife, sister, and secretary.

Mrs. Behlmer died in Chevy Chase, Md., on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.  She was 92.

KNOX — Vincent Virano, who lives in Albany and owns land on Singer Road, asked the town at its June 11 board meeting to issue a ticket for Gerald Hackstadt’s pool on an adjacent property. It is one of three zoning violations he claims the town has not properly addressed.

BERNE — Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk and assemblymen Peter Lopez and Angelo Santabarbara are scheduled to meet in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Secondary School auditorium on July 17 to listen to residents who want to speak about gun-control legislation passed in January.

The Wednesday meeting will begin at 5 p.m.

My week is always busy and the last week started with Memorial Day. I went to the firehouse for pictures with the fire company and then to Berne to watch the parade. My son, Dan had the day off from UPS and we enjoyed a chicken dinner together along with cousin, Chris Richardson.