Saratoga County substance abuse council director accused of drunken driving

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

The executive director of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County was arrested earlier this year on drunken-driving charges in Essex County.

Despite the arrest, Heather Kisselback kept her job after board members rejected her resignation, saying probation and counseling was more in line with the organization’s mission.

According to a police blotter listing on the Ticonderoga Police Department’s website, Kisselbeck was arrested at 12:30 a.m. March 2 on Montcalm Street in Ticonderoga after being pulled over for failing to dim her headlights. She was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more.

The status of her case could not be determined this afternoon.

Officials with the council issued a statement this afternoon confirming Kisselbeck’s arrest, as well as the board’s decision not to accept her resignation. Instead, she was given a six-month probationary period and ordered to receive counseling.

“The board members agreed that the Prevention Council has always been about helping people and that worthwhile goal should also apply to its staff,” the statement reads.

Council officials could not be reached this afternoon for further comment. A message left at a number listed for Kisselback was not returned.

The council, which is based in Saratoga Springs, works to provide “young people the skills to choose healthy behaviors,” according to its website. It’s mission is to “provide education, information and referral services on the subjects of alcohol, tobacco, other drug and violence prevention to individuals and local communities, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all citizens by diminishing the adverse effects of substance abuse and violence.”

Kisselback previously served as chief operating officer for the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York.