School board member Sandra Nagler sentenced to 45 days in jail for DWI

By Frances Ruth Harris
CHESTER — Chester school board member Sandra Nagler has begun serving a sentence of 45 days in jail, with three years' probation, on her conviction of driving while intoxicated.
Nagler, 49, was found guilty of DWI and all related vehicle and traffic offenses on May 4. After her sentencing on June 16, she was taken to the Orange County Jail.
Judge Peter Green of Wallkill Town Court quoted state Trooper Brad Natalizio saying, "This accident scene should have been a billboard of the consequences of drinking and driving." Natalizio made the arrest after the SUV Nagler was driving overturned last July on Route 17, between exits 119 and 120.
Prosecutors offered Nagler a plea deal to spend ten days in jail, with three years of probation. But Nagler rejected this, insisting that she had no more than a few drinks.

'Outpouring of support'

Judge Green received 11 letters in support of Nagler. The letters came from Cynthia Acevedo, Susan Barberi, Robyn Boardman, Iris Ferraro, Mary Beth Guerra, Aida Guzman, Sean Michel, David Nagler, Norma Nunez-Langlois, Frank Sambets and Cindy Walsh. They painted a picture of a tireless and caring community advocate who deserved leniency for a first-time offense. "Sandy Nagler is so much more than the events of that one evening," wrote Cynthia Acevedo in her letter of support.
Iris Ferraro wrote that Nagler, "along with all of her Girl Scout responsibilities, has always done whatever she could for our community working on their behalf."
Elementary school principal Cindy Walsh said Nagler "is always giving her time, talents and resources to support any project."
Susan Barberi said she "has helped families deal with the death of their child, families dealing with life threatening illnesses, families who have been displaced from their homes and families who are simply going through hard times."
Norma Nunez-Langlois praised Nagler's hard work in getting food to families in need. "No child in Chester will ever go hungry as long as we have Sandy Nagler in our community," she wrote.
Robyn Boardman said Nagler's "list of accomplishments and support to local organizations can go on and on, however that is only the tip of the mountain.”
David Nagler, Sandy's husband and a passenger in the SUV during the rollover, wrote, "The out pouring of support she received from the community of people and organizations whose lives she has touched through her years of volunteering has been a bolstering source of strength."
To read all the letters please visit chroniclenewspaper.com. This article has been updated from the original.