Colonie town board member Ulderic UB Boisvert was charged with driving while intoxicated in connection with a June all-terrain vehicle accident.
The charge stems from a Sunday, June 10, accident Boisvert had while operating an ATV along Park Road in the town of Edinburg near his summer camp. State police charged him with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated as well as operating his ATV without a helmet.
According to the police report, Boisvert was operating the ATV on the left shoulder of Park Road when he took his hand off the handlebars and lost control of the vehicle. The ATV overturned and threw Boisvert out onto the road. He suffered injuries on the left side of his body.
Boisvert, 35, is up for re-election this year. He is seeking his second term as a Republican town board member. Town Republicans are standing by Boisvert as they head into November elections. Democrats are hesitant to weigh in until the facts are known.
`His four years of dedication and hard work in town government speaks to his zeal to work on behalf of the people of the town,` said Harry D’Agostino, chairman of the town Republican committee.
Boisvert’s accident is unfortunate and the result of poor judgment, D’Agostino said. But it is a one-time accident and bad decision. The accident won’t affect Boisvert’s work in town government or his slot on the ticket to run for a second term, said D’Agostino.
For the most part, town Democratic committee Chairman Phil Steck agreed.
But until Boisvert’s court date and the facts are in, and the public can know whether this is a one-time incident or it is a part of larger problem, Steck said he will refrain from politicizing the accident.
`It could indicate that he made a mistake, or it could indicate that he has a serious problem,` Steck said.
Ultimately that decision will be left to the voters, D’Agostino said.
Steck only asks that the town, or Boisvert, come clean with the public about the accident if it is found to reflect poorly upon his service as a board member. If it is no more than a bad decision on Boisvert’s part, then that is a private issue, Steck said.
Boisvert had until last week to remove himself from the town ticket, said Albany County Board of Election Democratic Commissioner, Mathew Clyne. Unless Boisvert or town Republicans challenge his slot of the ticket in court, he will, and must, remain on the ballot, he said.
Boisvert had no comment and referred further inquiries to his attorney, Arnold Proskin. He did state that he is waiting his day in Edinburg Town Court as his original appearance had been postponed.“