Toensing named town’s volunteer of year

BY RUTH EPSTEIN

REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

FALLS VILLAGE — Gale C. Toensing was an outspo­ken member of the Region 1 Board of Education for five years and often took heat for expressing her views, but her fellow townspeople support­ed her throughout her tenure and defended her when she was scolded by other board members and school admin­istrators.

On Monday the town showed its appreciation to Toensing by presenting her with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Selectman Charles Lewis told the crowd that each year selectmen choose a citizen who has worked to better the town. He said this year the unanimous choice was Toensing, who served tire­lessly, making the children’s educational needs her top priority.

Lewis said Toensing is not one to go along with others when she senses an issue needs close examination. She would point out that just be­cause things were done one way for a long doesn’t mean it’s the right way.

“Needless to say, her propensity for carefully ex­amining and educating her­self on the issues caused her problems with those interest­ed in preserving the status quo and protecting their own agendas.

Gale had the audacity to examine weaknesses at the administration level and de­mand that contracts reflect actual performance … When others abrogated their re­sponsibilities to be well in­formed and prepared, Gale always carefully did her re­search and was well-pre­pared to discuss and vote on issues.”

But, Lewis said, instead of receiving board and adminis­trative approval, she was the victim of vicious attacks. She continued to fight for the best educational goals of the chil­dren, he said, and now thanks to her, “much of what has gone on in the dark for years, has now been brought into the light …”