Scripts and sounds for WGXC radio hosts to play on the WGXC Morning Show or WGXC Afternoon Show. Breaking news, features, local audio, video, analysis, music, links to events in Greene and Columbia counties, NY. www.wgxc.org
Hudson’s other bay emerges
While the rest of Hudson has been fighting about how much parkland, or how much industry should make up Hudson’s South Bay, the Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) has quietly been working on a proposal to transform Hudson’s North Bay into a massive public recreation area. The proposed trail network, announced Tue. Aug. 9, would stretch from the Hudson River to the City’s Charles Williams Park, through the 714-acre Greenport Conservation Area and northward on to Harrier Hill Park. And while this may ignite a whole new row of in-fighting and disputes among Hudson muckety-mucks, the CLC has a couple of key voices on board already. “I support CLC’s proposal for the North Bay Recreation and Natural Area,” said Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera in the CLC’s press release. “The Area will give the public better access to the North Bay, spectacular views of the Hudson River, and access to about 1,000 acres of conservation land, while creating important habitat.” Roy Brown, Chairman of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, agreed, saying, “This proposal spells out a wonderful vision and opportunity for the North Bay. It will provide a great amenity to the residents of the county, provide important ecological benefits and markedly enhance the City’s Hudson River waterfront.” A grant from the Hudson River Foundation’s Catskill-Olana Viewshed Mitigation Fund, which was established by the Athens Generating Company in conjunction with Scenic Hudson in the course of the regulatory approval process for the Athens Generating Plant, helped pay for a study that led to the proposal. The CLC proposal is in three phases over a nine-year period, and there are many regulatory and other hurdles sure to slow the process. Ownership of the property is divided among the County, the City and the City’s Industrial Development Agency, and the Hudson Fabrics Building property. The CLC mentions the idea was included in the 2002 City of Hudson Comprehensive Plan and the City’s draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) includes a similar plan. “It is now up to the City and the County to decide whether and how to act on the CLC proposal,” is how the group awkwardly closes their announcement. The CLC owns or manages 10 public conservation areas that are open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Supes to vote on Wal-Mart purchase
W. T. Eckert in the Register-Star reports that a resolution request for “Authorizing the Acquisition of the Wal-Mart Building” was made Mon., Aug. 8, at a Columbia County Public Works Committee meeting and that tonight, Wed., Aug. 10, the Finance Committee and Board of Supervisors will vote on that and two related proposals. Six of the seven Public Works committee members voted in favor of the request, all except Pat Grattan (R-Kinderhook). “I have concerns about the two percent tax cap,” Grattan said. “I think we are going to be well above it…. I can’t justify the taking of a building that’s attached to another building…. If Price Chopper and Fashion Bug move out, we’ll be attached to two more vacant buildings. Buildings aren’t maintained as well when they aren’t occupied.” The other two proposals, one authorizing a professional services agreement with Woodward Connor Gillis Seleman Architects; the other, a resolution requesting a negative declaration for purposes of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in connection with the purchase, finance and repurposing of the former Wal-Mart building in Greenport. Hudson stands to lose many jobs if the Department of Social Services (DSS) leaves for Greenport, but both Bart Delaney, R-Hudson5, and John Musall D-Hudson1, supported the proposals. “We have to get DSS out of 25 Railroad Ave.,” Delaney said. “It doesn’t have to be all done now; we could look at a five-year plan or a six-year plan.” “This would also be a good opportunity to establish a transit system that the whole county could benefit from,” committee member John Musall D-Hudson1 said, “not just DSS.” All three resolutions will go before both the Finance Committee at 7 p.m. and the full Board of Supervisors at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, Eckert reports. Read the compete story in the Register-Star.
Cuomo helps out farmer’s markets
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tue., Aug. 9 a “New York Fresh Connect Farmers’ Markets” program, to help farmer’s markets and also provide access to high-quality fruits and vegetables to folks with lower incomes. The program offers up to $15,000 in funding per new market and helps with marketing, and other administration. The state will also help each market redeeming Food Stamps and other nutrition incentives, such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Fruit & Vegetable Checks, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons, and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition coupons, providing markets $2 rebate checks for every $5 in food stamps spent at their market. “Farmers’ markets increase farm sales and revenue by bringing farm produce directly to the consumer,” Cuomo said in a press release. “These markets also help underserved communities by providing fresh produce, nutritional education, and local jobs.”
Big Brothers/Big Sisters shutting Catskill office
Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports that the Big Brothers/Big Sisters office on Main Street in Catskill, which serves Greene and Columbia counties, will close at the end of the month, because of budget cuts. “Due to a significant loss of funding, and the dire financial outlook for New York state and this area specifically, for the near future, we will no longer be able to maintain services in Greene and Columbia counties,” wrote Jennifer Osswald, the agency’s director of programs for the twin counties, in a letter to the Catskill Village Board of Trustees. Children from the twin counties will be served by staff in the agency’s Kingston office. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Cairo traffic report
There is no parking in the Cairo Town Hall parking lot through Labor Day due to construction of the new library, behind the Town Hall. Main Street in Cairo will be closed to parking and traffic from Wednesday, August 10 at 7 a.m. through Thursday, August 11 at 3:30 p.m. due to that construction.
NY Confirms First Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Horse
Wed., Aug., 3, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) confirmed the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as EEE, in an Oneida County, NY horse. The nine-year-old mare there has lived at its current home for several years and had no recent travel history, and was unvaccinated. A NYSDAM press release says, “the presence of an infected horse in the area indicates that mosquitoes carrying EEE are present and pose a threat to both humans and horses.” Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Darrel J. Aubertine, “urges all horse owners to discuss vaccination against both diseases with their veterinarian,” according to the press release. State Veterinarian David Smith added that any horse exhibiting neurologic problems should always be handled with great caution. The risk of physical injury to handlers is greater when horses are unsteady on their feet and also rabies needs to be ruled out as a cause of the symptoms.
GOP sues to keep Dems out of ballot
W. T. Eckert in the Register-Star reports that the Hudson Republican Committee filed a lawsuit Wed., Aug. 3, against Columbia County Board of Election Commissioners Virginia Martin, Democrat and Jason Nastke, Republican, to stop the Democrats from having a line for mayor on September’s primary ballot. Last month city Democrats failed to file Democratic nominee for mayor Nick Haddad’s petition for the November elections. Democrats have since collected the 92 signatures to for an Opportunity to Ballot and allow Haddad to be a write-in candidate in the Democratic primary on September 13. “Republicans are arguing that the petition is inadmissible because the signatures are duplicates of the ones that appeared on the petition nominating Haddad as the Democratic candidate,” Eckert writes. Read the full story in the Register-Star.
Saland mailer has Cuomo photo
Republican State Senator Steve Saland, who represents Columbia County in the New York State Senator, just msent a mailer to constituents listing his various accomplishments this last legislative session, and includes a photo of Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo. Saland is now best known for joining Democrats and becoming the 32nd vote in the Senate to pass the same-sex marriage bill in May.
Governor Andrew Cuomo launched his Capital Region Regional Economic Development Councils Thu., July 28, setting up regional development groups. Greene and Columbia counties are included in the Capital Region Regional Council, led by Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Michael Castellana, President and CEO of SEFCU, who will serve as Regional Co-Chairs over Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties. Donald E. Gibson, President, CEO & Director, The Bank of Greene County is included on the council, as are spots for the Chairman of Greene County Legislature, which is currently Wayne Speenburgh (R-Coxsackie), and Chairman Columbia Board of Supervisors, which is currently Roy Brown (R-Germantown). “New York can no longer afford one-size-fits-all economic development plans that ignore the unique assets and challenges of the state’s many diverse regions,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release. “Today, we are taking a groundbreaking approach that will send a clear message that New York is open for business. With the Regional Councils, we will empower individual areas like Capital Region to chart their own course for economic growth, bringing jobs and investment to New York.” Dutchess and Ulster counties are included in the Mid-Hudson version of the council, while Delaware County is in the Southern Tier.
Capital Region Regional Council Members
Regional Co-Chairs
Michael J. Castellana, President and CEO, SEFCU
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
General Members
Joseph F. Raccuia, President & CEO, Finch Paper LLC
Gary Dake, President, Stewart’s Shops
Bill Hart, Controller, Irving Tissue Inc.
Victor R. Abate, Vice President, Renewable Energy, General Electric
Peg A. Murphy, Corporate Secretary/Director of Human Resources, Espey Manufacturing &
Electronics Corporation
Omar Usmani, Executive Partner, Aeon Nexus Corporation
Ann C. Moynihan, President, Documentation Strategies Inc.
Linda Davis Pedlar, Owner, LDP Consulting Group, Inc.
Christine Edgerly, President, Adirondack Mechanical Services LLC
Jeff Stark, President, Greater Capital Region Building Trades Council
George M. Phillip, President, University at Albany
Karen Bilowith, President & CEO, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
James J. Barba, President & CEO, Albany Medical Center
Todd Erling, Executive Director, Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation
F. Michael Tucker, President & CEO, Center for Economic Growth
Dennis Brobston, President, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation
Linda Hillman, President, Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Donald E. Gibson, President, CEO & Director, The Bank of Greene County
Elected Officials
Albany County Executive
Chairman of Schenectady County Legislature
Rensselaer County Executive
Chairman Saratoga Board of Supervisors
Chairman Warren Board of Supervisors
Chairman Columbia Board of Supervisors
Chairman of Greene County Legislature
Chairman Washington Board of Supervisors
Mayor of the City of Albany
Mayor of the City of Schenectady
Mayor of the City of Troy Read the rest of this entry »
New York State wineries got some new revenue streams, and a little less red tape last week when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Fine Winery Bill. “This bill is a huge boost for wineries across the state. Reducing the regulatory burdens on farm wineries will allow them to continue to thrive as a key tourism, agricultural, and economic engine for our state. I want to thank Commissioner Aubertine, Senator Young and Assemblyman Schimminger for their dedication to this bill,” Governor Cuomo said. The bill grew out of recommendations from the New York State Wine Grape Task Force’s 2008 report to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets. It allows wineries to operate up to five branch stores, and also allows participation in unlimited charitable events, rather then just five. It cuts the reporting necessary to ship out of state, with only one license needed now, where micro-wineries previously had to apply for two. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine said, “Governor Cuomo recognizes the significant role agriculture plays in the State’s economy. With wine being one of the fastest growing sectors of that industry, this legislation offers numerous benefits to farm wineries that will have a ripple effect throughout the countryside. I thank Governor Cuomo, Senator Young and Assemblyman Schimminger for their hard work on this bill.” Over 1,400 vineyards grow grapes for 306 wineries which add $3.76 billion to the state economy, according to industry officials. When New York’s Farm Winery Law passed in 1976, there were less then 20 wineries here. Here in Greene and Columbia counties, there are a few local vineyards:
• Windham Winery
“Highest elevation vineyard and winery in the Northeast,” website boasts. “We produce small batches of hand crafted fine wines including Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown specialties, fruit wines & dessert wines.” Windham Vineyard & Winery, County Route 10, Windham, NY, 12496. 518-734-5214
• Tousey Winery
Riesling, Rose, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and others, and a Chardonnay coming soon. Tousey Winery, 1774 Rt 9, Germantown, NY, 12526. info@touseywinery.com, 518-567-5462
• Hudson-Chatham Winery
The winery features a tasting room with hand-crafted wines, cheeses, and desserts, and includes vineyard tours and a gazebo with scenic views. 1900 Route 66, Ghent, NY, 12075. 518-821-7253
Seeley planning to leave Catskill
Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports Village of Catskill President Vincent Seeley is planning to move to Minnesota to be closer to his wife’s family, serving out the remainder of his term as president, which expires at the end of the year. His term as a Catskill trustee expires in 2013. “I don’t really want to go,” he said in a phone interview from Minneapolis. Seeley’s parents died earlier this year. Seeley has served three terms as Catskill Village President. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Sewer plant construction is all about the concrete
Melanie Lekocevic in the Greene County News reports that the concrete is ready to be poured for the foundations at the Village of Athens new multi-million dollar sewer plant project. “Over the next couple of months all you will see is more and more concrete,” engineer Brock Juusola from Delaware Engineering said. “You won’t see other equipment for a few months.” Lekocevic writes that, “While the village has a coveted zero percent interest loan from the state to pay for the project, they are also looking for a “principal forgiveness” grant from the federal government so they won’t have to pay the loan back. But if that doesn’t come to fruition, it looks like sewer rates could be on their way up.” Mayor Andrea Smallwood told the reporter that a public hearing would be held this fall to discuss sewer rates “in association with the capital improvements that are being made to the plant,” she said. Read the whole story in the Greene County News.
A long wait ends in a rush
Jennifer Gish in the Albany Times-Union reports that Linda Mussmann and Claudia Bruce were legally wed shortly after midnight, Sunday, July 24 at TSL in Hudson, one of the first same-sex marriage couples in the state to marry under the new law passed last month by the New York State legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera — once a local political enemy of Mussmann’s — officiated. Read the entire story in the Albany Times-Union.
Germantown Dems follow in GOP’s footsteps
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star reports that Democrats in Germantown believe the exact same thing as Democrats in one respect: both nominated the same people for the Town Board elections this fall. Donald Westmore and Michael Mortenson were elected unanimously by the 27 Democrats Saturday at an undisclosed location. Read the full story in the Register-Star.
MONDAY AUDIO Click on the link to play the mp3 audio clip.
• A Very Incomplete Calendar: 20110725
Produced by Terry Doyle. Weekly segment from Terry Doyle’s show on WGXC about Hudson Valley music. This recording is a look at events in the region this week. PLAY CLIP
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thu., July 21 that he has directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to extend hours at state swimming facilities and other state parks during the current heat wave. The extended hours are for Friday and Saturday evening. Swimming beaches at Taconic (Copake Falls and Rudd Pond), and Lake Taghkanic, and Fahnestock State Parks will remain open until 7 pm. The swimming pool at FDR State Park will remain open until 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Deal avoids state layoffs
Brian Nearing in the Albany Times-Union reports Gov. Andrew Cuomo reached a tentative contract agreement with the 54,000-member Public Employees Federation late Friday. The agreement is a five-year contract similar to the one Cuomo completed last month with the Civil Service Employees Administration. Both deals need approval from the unions’ executive boards and membership, and include three years without raises, with wages rising by two percent in the contract’s fourth and fifth years.
“This agreement reflects the financial reality of the times. I am pleased that we could avoid these layoffs, protect the workforce and the taxpayer,” Cuomo said. Read the Times-Union for the complete story.
New Leb hires help to fight dump costs
Parry Teasdale in The Columbia Paper reports that New Lebanon has retained the law firm of Young Sommer LLC to represent the town’s claim that the county, not New Lebanon, should pay for the costs of properly closing of a landfill in a former gravel pit on private property owned by Reginald L. Sherman, Jr. The town claims it has never owned the site, and that the county operated it and other landfills in the 1970s. “In the 1981 towns and villages signed an agreement with the county, and county government took over solid waste management in Columbia County. The town believes that county also agreed to reimburse New Lebanon for the costs of operating the landfill until it was closed and agreed to close the site,” Teasdale writes. The county began proper closing of the landfill in the late 1980s, Teasdale reports, but no one explains why it was never completed. Now, the bill could be as high as $1.5 million to properly protect the surrounding environment. County Attorney Rob Fitzsimmons did not know that the town had hired a law firm about the issue, but he said there have been ongoing discussions between the parties, and New Lebanon has signed consent orders with the state. Doug Clark, a member of the New Lebanon Town Board and an engineer, says they have been attempting to get the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on the matter. “We just want a straight up or down vote,” said Mr. Clark. “We can’t even get that.” Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.
Town looks to bring Conservation Advisory Council back to life
Lisa D. Connell in The Chatham Courier reports that Chatham resident Deirdre Henderson is spearheading efforts to re-establish a town Conservation Advisory Council to help preserve local ecosystems, natural habitats, and open spacein the town. Henderson is Chatham’s representative to the county’s Environmental Management Council, and earlier this month she spoke to the Town Board about reviving the council. Henderson explained that preparing an inventory of natural resources, documenting open space, and conducting site visits to areas under development consideration are all are within the scope of a CAC. The town had formed a council in 1991, but never implemented any conserving. Field biologist Gretchen Stevens noted the program costs little and, “it’s really just to provide information to applicants, town agencies and the general public,” said Stevens. Read the full story in The Chatham Courier.
IDA discusses PILOT for Flanders
Jamie Larson reports in the Register-Star about how the new Flanders air filtration company purchasing the former Kaz Industries building on Route 9 in Greenport may get a tax break from the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency. The county IDA approved a resolution Tuesday morning June 7 to begin the process of, “awarding Flanders a 10-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement that would forgive 25 percent of the company’s annual taxes dependent on the property’s assessed value, which is currently around $4 million, though the purchase price, when finalized, is expected to be $3.2 million.” The PILOT will reduce Flanders’ annual taxes from roughly $84,000 to $61,000. The North Carolina company to be known as Precisionaire of Hudson New York agreed to provide 180 full time jobs, but says it may hire more than 200. Columbia-Greene Workforce Employment Career Center has been tracking a percentage of the employees that were laid off when Kaz moved its operations to Mexico, and will contact those workers about a planned job fair. Larson says the company decided on Hudson, “to move its residential product line closer to their Northeast distribution centers.” Read the full story in the Register-Star.
Gibson among top 10 House freshmen staff salary spenders
Sarah Tung in Capitol Confidential, the Albany Times-Union’s political blog, reports that Rep. Chris Gibson, Republican from Kinderhook, spent $202,705 on staff expenditures in the first quarter, ranking eighth among House freshmen who spent the most on staff salaries, according to a recent analysis conducted by Colorado Pols. “Each office is given the discretion with how to spend that budget,” Gibson spokewoman Stephanie Valle explained to the newspaper. “(We) prioritize our overall spending to make sure the constituents have access to (qualified) staff.” Read the entire item in Capitol Confidential.
Strawberry Season is Officially Here In New York State
The New York State Berry Growers Association says Father’s Day usually marks the beginning of the New York strawberry harvest, which lasts about a month. The group’s website lists some, but not all, local strawberry sources. Pickyourown.org lists other spots in Greene and Columbia counties. The growers association says that when the strawberries run out in July, local raspberries and blueberries should be ready. Some local strawberry sources: GREENE COUNTY
• Story Farms, 4640 Route 32, Catskill, NY 12414. 518-678-9716 COLUMBIA COUNTY
• Thompson-Finch Farm, 750 Wiltsie Bridge Road, Ancram NY, 12502. Phone: 518-329-7578. Open: Strawberry picking begins in early June and goes through July 4; Open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organic.
• Samascott Orchards, 5 Sunset Ave., Kinderhook, NY 12106. 518-758-7224, samascottorchard@aol.com
New York flags at half-staff Thursday
Governor Andrew Cuomo directed flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, June 9 in honor of a soldier from Cohocton who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 4. Army Specialist Devin Snyder died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device struck her vehicle during a mounted patrol in Lagham province. She was assigned to the 164th Military Police Company, of the 793rd Military Police Battalion, part of the 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I express our sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of Specialist Devin Snyder,” Governor Cuomo said. “We join with them in mourning her death and honoring her dedication and service to our nation.”
Roe Jan Library now open Sundays
Copake’s Roeliff Jansen Community Library is now open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., only the second library in Columbia County open Sundays. “Sunday hours are helpful for students and anyone who works weekdays,” said library director Carol Briggs in a press release. “Since we started construction we’ve had many requests from weekenders for Sunday hours so they more easily can take advantage of our great new facility.” The library opened a new building last November, and since then visits to the library have doubled and over 500 new library cards have been issued. The library is located at 9091 Rt. 22 in Hillsdale, approximately one-half mile south of the light at the intersection of Rts. 22 and 23.
WEDNESDAY AUDIO CLIPS Click on title of each item to play audio mp3 clip.
• Patrick Milbourne and Sasha Chermayeff interview.
Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper, Richard Roth, and Tom Roe. Milbourne’s M Gallery in Catskill has an opening this Saturday for an exhibit, “Hudson Valley Art and Wine,” with art from Chermayeff.
• Peter Pehrson interview about proposed Hudson Food Co-Op.
Interview by Richard Roth and Ellen Thurston. Pehrson is spearheading efforts to bring a Hudson Food Co-Op, with a meeting June 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Hudson.
Cuomo, lawmakers agree on ‘Clean Up Albany Act’
Rick Karlin in Capitol Confidential writes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Albany lawmakers agreed to an ethics reform bill on Friday, June 3, called the “Clean Up Albany Act of 2011,” with several reforms and a new Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). The bill — which has not been printed yet — is said to provide Greater Financial Disclosure with statements from elected officials posted on the internet without redacting the monetary values. There is also Forfeiture of Pensions for Public Officials Convicted of a Felony, and that bipartisan Joint Commission will consist of 14 members:
* Six appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, at least three of whom shall be enrolled members of the major political party that is not that of the Governor
* Eight appointed by the legislative leaders (four each from the two major political parties) Read the entire story in Capitol Confidential.
Power plan sparks concern
Kristin Berner in The Columbia Paper reports that representatives from NYSEG, the power company that serves much of northern and eastern Columbia County, held a tense meeting somewhere in Chatham May 31 with local officials and residents about the proposed 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that would go through Ghent, Chatham, Kinderhook, and Stockport. “NYSEG said the new 10-mile overhead transmission line would provide a back-up to its Churchtown-Craryville line,” Berner wrote. “The power company confirmed its plan would require obtaining new rights-of-way from some property owners in the affected towns. Meeting attendees asked if there was any way to add the new power line within the existing right-of-ways.” She quotes NYSEG’s chief engineer, Jeff McKinney, who says obtaining new rights-of-way will help prevent nearly 10,000 county residents from losing power if the lines reach capacity. “The line can go through grandma’s house, I don’t care,” Mr. McKinney said in the story. “If this [power outage] were to happen, it’s fairly catastrophic. It’s going to make news so we should fix it.” NYSEG says the Ghent substation would connect to National Grid’s 115-kV Churchtown-Valkin line, with the new substation either on a two-acre site about 600 feet west of Route 9H near Falls Industrial Park Road or about 200 feet north of Stockport Road. Read the entire story in The Columbia Paper.
Eyes Peeled
Carole Osterink in The Gossips of Rivertown blog reports new activity at the empty Kaz warehouses that she says now belong to the Hudson Development Corporation. Osterink says Hudson Common Council president Don Moore says part of that space has been leased on a month-to-month basis to Eleanor Ambos, who owns 601 Union St. in Hudson. Moore also says floats for the Hudson Pride Parade on June 18 are being built in the Kaz warehouse space. Osterink also reports that North Carolina-based air filter manufacturer Flanders Corporation has an ad on the internet that says it is hiring people in Hudson, including, a human resources manager, maintenance manager, production supervisor, general manager, maintenance mechanic, and maintenance electrician. Finally, her speculation that the drummer for Guns N’ Roses has moved to Hudson is wrong. Maybe a bass player, Tommy Stintson, who is better known for playing bass in a much better band than Guns N’ Roses called The Replacements.
AUDIO CLIPS
CROSS RIVER YOUTH CHORALE
The Cross River Youth Chorale is a 30-plus treble chorus started in 2005 by Sheri Bauer-Mayorga and a small group of enthusiastic singers and parents who live in Columbia and Greene Counties. The CRYC presents two concerts every year for the community. The Cross River Youth Chorale accepts new singers every semester by audition. (Audition includes singing scales, a rehearsed round, vocalizing and echo singing with the director, and simple sight singing). Auditioned singers are invited to join the Cantilenas, the performing ensemble. Young and new singers are invited to join the Overtures; group which also meets weekly at the Hudson Opera House, and works on the basics of vocal production, sight singing, folk songs, rounds, two-part arrangements and classical compositions, without the pressure of performance.
• Click here to listen to audio recordings of the chorus performance June 3 at Hudson Opera House.
GLENN KOOPMAN INTERVIEW
Interview by Joan Geitz of Glenn Koopman, who just opened HW Coffee in Cairo on Main St. next to Slater’s Great American grocery store. Interview from Geitz’s first episode of “Conversations on a Tightrope,” now airing on WGXC Sunday nights at 9 p.m.
• Click here to listen to Glenn Koopman interview about HW Coffee in Cairo.
Cairo Library Official Groundbreaking. Photo by Tom Roe.
Cairo Library Unofficial Groundbreaking. Photo by Tom Roe.
Peter Head, himself. From his website.
PETER HEAD INTERVIEW
Interview by Philip Breslow. The Greene County-based guitarist and instrument maker Peter Head performed Sun. June 5 at the Catskill Community Theater. His band is called The Pitchfork Militia, and often performs in Greene County.
• Click here to listen to Breslow’s interview with Peter Head.
DEC proposes regulations allowing crossbows for big game hunting
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced Thu. June 2 proposed changes that would allow the use of crossbows for big game hunting and eliminate a permit requirement for certain physically disabled hunters to use special archery equipment during any big game or small game hunting season. “The proposed changes will provide our sportsmen and sportswomen additional opportunities while hunting afield this coming fall,” Commissioner Martens said in a press release. “The popularity of crossbows is growing in New York and the use of modified equipment is in high demand to meet the needs of our hunters who are temporarily or permanently disabled.” The proposed regulations implement new legislation authorizing DEC to allow hunters to take big game (deer and bear) with the use of a crossbow during regular big game hunting seasons in areas where a shotgun or muzzleloader is permitted, and during all late muzzleloader seasons. In accordance with the new legislation, crossbows cannot be used during the early bear or archery seasons or in any of the “archery only” wildlife management units. Hunters may use a crossbow only after they have completed required training in the safe use of hunting with a crossbow and responsible crossbow hunting practices. DEC has proposed implementing the training requirement via on-line education tools, and in the upcoming 2011-2012 New York State Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Hunters would be required to carry afield a certificate verifying that they have completed this training. A detailed description of the proposal and instructions for providing comments are available at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html. The proposed rulemaking can also be viewed in the May 25, 2011 publication of the New York State Register at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register.htm. DEC will be accepting public comments on the proposal through July 11, 2011.
Columbia County homeowners can learn about tax credits
The Preservation League of New York State holds a free workshop in Hillsdale to help homeowners take advantage of a tax credit for repairs to older buildings. The Hillsdale Historic Preservation Committee is sponsoring the workshop, at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at the Mount Washington House, 2627 Main Street, Rt. 23 in Hillsdale. The New York State Historic Homeowner Tax Credit Program will cover 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs of owner-occupied historic houses, up to a credit value of $50,000. Staff from the Preservation League will review the basic guidelines of the program and answer questions about the application process for homeowners. For more information, call 518-325-5260.
Have hazardous items? Come Saturday
John Mason in the Register-Star reports that Saturday Columbia County residents can turn their hazardous waste products over to the county Department of Public Works from 8 a.m. to noon at the County Highway Garage on Route 23B in Greenport. Proof of residency is required. Materials that will be accepted include:
• From the workbench: Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes, wood preservatives, solvents, adhesives, and lighter fluids.
• From the garage: Fuels, gasoline, kerosene, engine degreasers, brake fluid, carburetor cleaner, car wax, polish, roofing tar, driveway sealer, and swimming pool chemicals.
• From the yard: Poisons, insecticides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, weed killer, mothballs, flea control products, pest strips, and aerosol cans.
• From the house: Rubber cement, airplane glue, fiberglass resins, photo chemicals, chemistry sets, furniture polish, floor and metal polish, oven cleaner, drain & toilet cleaner, rug and upholstery cleaner, hobby and art supplies, household batteries and spot remover.
The county will not accept latex paints. No radioactive waste, commercial/industrial or agricultural wastes, fire extinguishers, infectious and biological waste, prescription medicines, syringes, asbestos, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and non-contaminated motor oil or antifreeze. No 55-gallon drums or empty containers will be accepted. Residents with large quantities — full pickup or van loads — of material must contact the Solid Waste Administrative Office prior to participating. Questions regarding the collection should be directed to the Solid Waste Administrative Office at 518-828-2737. Read the entire story in the Register-Star.
AUDIO CLIPS FOR FRIDAY
(Click on the titles to hear mp3 audio recordings.)
• Betsy Palmieri, Dir. Of Hudson Valley Community Coalition.
Interviewed by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos. Interview from WGXC Morning Show, about how Gov. Andrew Cuomo Wed. June 1 suspended participation in the Federal Secure Communities Program. The program is being suspended because of, “mounting evidence that the program is not meeting its stated goal and has serious consequences for witnesses, victims of crime and law enforcement,” according to a press release from the Governor’s office. “There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities, and law enforcement in New York,” Cuomo said in the press release. Palmieri talks about the program’s impact on the Hudson Valley.
• Preview of this weekend’s events.
Hosted by Ellen Thurston and Joan Geitz. Each week Thurston previews Columbia County events, and Geitz looks at Greene County events.
• Yehuda Hanani: 20110602
Interview by Richard Roth. Yehuda Hanani is a world-class cellist who lives in Spencertown and is performing at Fiesta! June 4 at Tanglewood with Michael Chertock, Arti Dixson, and Bill Schmmel.
• Ellen Bernstein of Pastors for Peace.
Interview by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos on WGXC Morning Show. Interview about changes in Cuba. Bernstein will be speaking Sunday, June 5 at New Paltz Village Hall at 6 p.m.
WGXC’s Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos interviewed Betsy Palmieri, Dir. Of Hudson Valley Community Coalition Thursday morning on the WGXC Morning Show, about how Gov. Andrew Cuomo Wed. June 1 suspended participation in the Federal Secure Communities Program. The program is being suspended because of, “mounting evidence that the program is not meeting its stated goal and has serious consequences for witnesses, victims of crime and law enforcement,” according to a press release from the Governor’s office. “There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities, and law enforcement in New York,” Cuomo said in the press release. Celeste Katz in The New York Daily News writes, “States in the program automatically send the fingerprints of everyone booked to Homeland Security. Federal officials say it helps locate and deport dangerous criminals. But critics charged the program results in the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants before they are even charged with a serious crime – much less convicted.” Illinois pulled out of the program a few days ago, and now New York is out too .Palmieri talks about the program’s impact on the Hudson Valley. Palmieri speaks about the program in the Hudson Valley. Click here to listen to mp3 audio recording of the interview.
Gibson supports Ryan’s budget
Kinderhook’s Congressman Chris Gibson sits down for a long interview with the “All Politics is Local” column in the Post Star, and says he believes the plan proposed by Republican Congressman Paul Ryan will prove popular. “As it relates to the Republican budget, look, we’ve talked about this before. I support it because it’s pro-growth and it’s fiscally responsible,” Gibson says in the interview. “When you talk about Medicare — look the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) and the trustees of Medicare itself have said publicly that the program’s going to be broke in a decade. We’ve got the only proposal that saves Medicare.” Read the entire story in the Post Star.
Cuomo Q&A: ‘We’re making progress’
Rick Karlin reports from a press gaggle with Governor Andrew Cuomo at SUNY Stony Brook Wed. June 1. With ten working days left before the legislature is scheduled to leave town, the question in Albany is will they reach deals on all the issues they are attempting to finalize. “We’re working on rent, ethics — all of these matters are being discussed,” the Governor told the assembled reporters. “We do not have a three-way agreement yet on these issues — not on ethics, not on rent. We announced a three way agreement on a property tax cap, and we’re working through the details. … I’m optimistic that we are going to have accomplishments by the end of the session. … People make decisions when they have to make a decisions.” Read the entire story in Capitol Confidential, the political blog of the Albany Times-Union.
State Senator Steve Saland with Hudson school Superintendent Jack Howe at the Hudson Children's Book Festival. Photo from Saland's website.
Saland ‘bully’ bill passes Senate
State Senator Steve Saland, who represents Columbia County, got a bill through the New York State Senate Wed. June 1. S4921-2011, “Prohibits bullying on school property and enacts the “Law to Encourage the Acceptance of All Differences (LEAD).” The bill now heads to the Assembly and then perhaps the Governor unless someone stands up against it.
The Hudson Correctional Facility as seen in its first incarnation as a Training Facility for Girls. Image from Friends of Hudson website.
Ever since Gov. Andrew Cuomo raised the subject of state prison cuts as a budget-balancing tool this past winter, there has been much conjecture as to whether there’s a possibility that either the Coxsackie or Greene Correctional Facilities in Greene County, or the smaller state facility in Hudson, were on any lists for possible closure or job cuts. A new story in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, however, seems to dispel such notions by breaking down the inmate to prison guard ratio of prisons statewide, as well as the number of empty beds in existing facilities. “State prisons have as many as 8,000 excess beds at their 67 facilities, and the ratio of corrections officers to inmates far exceeds national averages, state records show,” writes Joseph Spector. “A review of population counts and staffing levels by Gannett’s Albany bureau shows that prisons are running at about 88 percent capacity — with hundreds of open beds at some facilities.” He goes on to break down Cuomo’s call to cut 3,700 prison beds and close up to six prisons by noting that only minimal and medium security facilities would be included in cuts. A FOIL request showed that the state currently has about 57,000 inmates and 21,000 officers. One prison, the Bayview Correctional Facility for women in New York City, had more staff than inmates, while Albion Correctional Facility, another woman’s facility in Orleans County, was running at about 66 percent capacity and Hale Creek, in central New York. Altogether, 13 facilities had a 2-to-1 ratio of inmates to guards, not including Coxsackie, which is a maximum security facility, or Greene and Hudson, which are medium security. The state prison population reached a high of 71,600 inmates in 1999 and has since dropped as the state loosened its strict “Rockefeller drug laws” shifted to new alternative-to-incarceration programs. Spector reports how Cuomo has repeatedly said that prisons should not be used for economic-development purposes and has offered up to $50 million in grants to communities hurt by pending prison closures. “If people need jobs, let’s get people jobs,” the Governor said in his State of State address in January. “Don’t put other people in prison to give some people jobs.” For the rest of the story click here.
Audits Find Widespread Waste in Spending by State Government
Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times reports some startling statistics from a series of audits of the New York State budget nearing completion under Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo:
* More than a million square feet of state office space, sits empty while some state agencies continue to lease new spaces as recently as December.
* The government data center at 40 North Pearl St. in Albany is one of four centers that back up each other in case of a natural disaster, but all are within a few miles of each other.
* State agencies operate 850 toll-free numbers, almost half of which have not been dialed in months, but cost millions of dollars to operate.
* 1,719 vendors supply New York’s state government with pens, paper and paper clips.
“We’re a $100 billion-plus corporation that has squandered its buying power, has no standardization across business units and does not reward efficiency,” said Howard Glaser, the director of state operations charged by Cuomo to find waste in the state budget, in the story. Read the entire story in The New York Times.
Architect to work with seniors on facility’s renovation
Melanie Lekocevic reports in the Greene County News that architects will soon begin meeting with the seniors that use the Coxsackie Senior Center about what they want in a $400,000 renovation paid for by state grants. The Greene County Department for the Aging serves on-site meals, and facilitates Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors in the former Knights of Columbus building. And the Center also hosts other senior activities, and special events such as town meetings with local congressmen. Renovation work should begin this summer, when the food services will be temporarily moved to another location. Read the whole story in the Greene County News.
RISA is open and looking to hire
Gail Heinsohn in the Chatham Courier writes that RISA Management Corp., has moved into the former Ceramaseal building on Route 20 in New Lebanon, and is looking to hire 30 more employees, according to Operations Manager Jeff McCumber at the April 20 Planning Board meeting. The company manufactures large-scale metal projects such as stairs, railings, windscreens, and canopies, for pedestrian shelters, train stations and other applications. “Ceramaseal manufactured adhesives and coatings for use in ‘high temperature environments,’ according to the website of the company, now known as CeramTec,” Heinsohn writes. “While information about the chemicals used in the process was not readily available, according to Town Supervisor Margaret Robertson, there were spills and leakage sufficient that a nearby pond ‘didn’t freeze in the winter.’ Acting Planning Board Chair Trina Porte asked the company’s representatives whether the water at the facility had been tested. ‘We don’t drink the water,’ McCumber said. ‘We have signs everywhere. We provide bottled water.’” Read the entire story in the Chatham Courier.
Division continues as decision deadline nears in Lexington
Michael Ryan reminds readers that the Town of Lexington loses out on a $9.1 million block grant for infrastructure improvements if they do not act by May 6. The town needs, “to inform the Catskill Watershed Corporation if they wish to enter the pre-construction phase of the controversial sewer project which is being financed by the Department of Environmental Protection,” according to Ryan. A landowner was unwilling to sell land needed, as the town believed it needed a large area for the system. But Town supervisor Greg Cross recently discovered Hillsdale utilizes a recirculating textile filtration sewer system, with nearly double the treatment capacity recommended for Lexington with roughly one-third of the annual operation and maintenance expenses. Town board members meet on May 3 to decide how to proceed. Read the entire story in the Windham Journal.
Get rid of expired, unwanted medicines Saturday
Ariel Zangla in The Daily Freeman reports that anyone who wants to dispose of expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs can to do so Saturday as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Sheriff’s offices in Columbia and Greene counties will accept anonymous drop-offs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. without charge.
Greene County
• Sheriff’s Office, 80 Bridge St., Catskill.
Columbia County
• Sheriff’s Office, 85 Industrial Tract, Hudson.
Casey Seiler writes in this afternoon’s Capital Confidential blog at the Times Union on petitions signed by 10,000 New Yorkers opposed to hydrofracking that were delivered to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office April 26 by a group of college students and advocates sponsored by the New York Public Interest Research Group. “Advocates argue that the DEC needs to broaden the scope of the SGEIS to look at all the potential effects of the technique, and take more time to make sure the new permit process is comprehensive,” Seiler writes. “The NYPIRG advocates, many of them college students, began chanting ‘No fracking way!’ as they strode from the LOB through the tunnel to the Capitol — a cheer briefly taken up by a class of middle-school students headed the other way.” For the full story click here.
Hazardous waste collection scheduled, but under fire
Colin DeVries writes in the Daily Mail about how a planned Greene County household hazardous waste event scheduled for June 25 is being questioned by the county legislature’s Majority Leader, Keith Valentine, as too expensive. “The event, which would accept common household items that require special disposal such as cleaning products, automotive fluids, hobby chemicals and paints, has been scheduled for June 25 after being approved Wednesday night,” DeVries writes, referring to the legislature’s April 20 meeting. “Greene County Legislature Majority Leader Keith Valentine, R-Catskill, questioned the need for another event this year, given the cost.” Last year the event cost $50,000.
Nichols to run for state Supreme Court seat
Deborah Gilbert writes in the Columbia Paper that County Judge and Acting Supreme Court Judge Jonathan D. Nichols will seek election to the office of Supreme Court in New York’s Third Judicial District this coming November. “State Supreme Court justices are elected to 14-year terms and mostly handle civil cases, declaratory judgments and divorces throughout the seven counties of the Third District,” Gilbert writes. “Judge Nichols, 53, a Republican, was appointed to the county bench in 2003 by Governor George Pataki and ran for the seat uncontested later that year. He has 2 years remaining on his 10-year county term. During his time on the bench he has heard cases in county Criminal Court, Family Court, Surrogate Court and Supreme Court. He has served as an acting Supreme Court justice since 2005.”
Push to legalize same-sex marriage in N.Y. gains momentum
The Dail Freeman is running an Associated Press story by Michael Gormley about the growing push to legalize gay marriage in New York, a fight that may already be won thanks to shifting voter sentiment and a concerted, disciplined campaign. “New Yorkers opposed to gay marriage are being swamped by younger people who support it, while polls seem to show a new tactic by advocates is working in the suburbs and upstate, the more conservative region where the issue will be won or lost,” he writes. “Five states — New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Iowa and Massachusetts — as well as the District of Columbia have approved gay marriage laws. New York has always been a goal of advocates because of its size, high profile and unparalleled media presence… The organized effort under Cuomo is a turnaround from the surprising 2009 defeat of a gay marriage bill in the state Senate after strong approval in the Assembly.”
TH approves tax levy hike of 2.78 %
John Mason of the Register-Star reports that the Taconic Hills Board of Education this week approved a $32.6 million budget that represents a 1.92 percent increase in spending and a 2.78 percent hike in the tax levy for the coming year. The increase was the same as would be implemented should the budget vote fail and the district was forced to a contingency plan. $450,000 will be taken out of the district’s Employee Retirement System reserve and $150,000 out of an Unemployment Reserve. Another $650,000 would come from funding current positions through Title One grants. More savings have to be found to match cuts in the budget, which superintendent Mark Sposato said would likely include music, art or technology, leaving elementary school and basic high school classes intact. There was some worry, during the vote, about past teacher salary negotiations and deals, as well as the district having a lesser graduating rate than nearby Chatham School District.
Group celebrates Grange Week 2011
Hilary Hawke has a story in the Ravena News-Herald about the upcoming National Grange Week from April 16 through 22, and how the local Ravena Grange will be holding a kick-off chicken and biscuits dinner on April 16 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall on Route 143 in Coeymans Hollow. An open house and awards ceremony on April 18 will feature presentations of the Grange Community Citizen Award and Granger of the Year. “During Grange Week we want our community to know the Grange is a living organization that has a lot to offer,” said Ravena Grange President Alfred Kirmss of his chapter, which has close to 100 members. The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry is the oldest surviving agricultural organization in America and helped fight railroad monopolies, advocated for rural postal delivery service and supported the suffragette movement in earlier years. There are local Granges in Copake, East Chatham, and
Mellenville.
Lebanon Valley Historic Society documenting, preserving town history
Paul Crossman writes in the Chatham Courier about history-keeping efforts in the Town of New Lebanon, where the oldest pharmaceutical company in America, The Tilden Company, was once based in New Lebanon and a major economic and historic contributor to Columbia County. The Lebanon Valley Historical Society, it turns out, has started “The Tilden Project” to “uncover the effect of the downfall of this national corporation on the economy, landscape and people of New Lebanon and document oral histories, photographs and artifacts of the company and its progressive decline.” In addition, the historical society hopes to digitalize its entire collection and put it on CD, which will then be available to anyone in the community through the New Lebanon Library.
Pay freeze would hurt pensions of aging state work force
Rick Karlin reports in the Times Union that negotiations between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state employee unions have not taken full account of the long-term pension effects of pay freezes being sought. “As the baby boom generation sweeps through New York’s public sector work force, more and more union members are approaching retirement,” he writes. “They are well aware that their pensions are typically calculated by averaging their three highest earning years, which usually come at the end of a public employee’s career — if only due to longevity-based raises. Because of the impact on their pensions, thousands of union members view a pay freeze as something lasting far beyond the expiration of the contract.” According to a state Civil Service Department’s 2010 report, 62 percent of the state work force is 45 or older, and 25 percent is 55 or older. Talk about past generation gaps still getting fought over…
Environmental groups urge DRBC to extend gas drilling moratorium
The fracking battle is aiming at the core of the Marcellus Shale gas drilling areas, with environmental groups from four states now urging the not to move forward with gas drilling in the river basin until thorough studies have been completed and can prove drilling is safe. Mid Hudson News Network reports that the groups expressed outrage, and delivered over 30,000 public comments, over the DRBC’s proposal to allow hydrofracking to begin in the Delaware watershed, putting an end to the existing moratorium on any watershed drilling. The groups include Delaware Riverkeeper, Environment New Jersey and Catskill Mountainkeeper.
City reactions to consolidation plan are mixed
Jamie Larson of the Register-Star reports on the reaction amongst Hudson reactions to the announcement by Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Roy Brown that the county would be consolidating services at the old Wal Mart building in Greenport and moving out of most of its city offices. “Hudson officials have expressed repeatedly that if the county vacated the Railroad Avenue building the city would purchase it for use as a new city court and police department,” Larson writes. “Mayor Richard Scalera said he asked Brown that the relocation of DSS be expedited so Hudson can move forward with its plans for the old building as the city is under an order of consent from the Justice Department to improve its court facilities.”
Vols needed to inventory ash trees
Jim Planck of the Daily Mail writes about an ongoing effort “to get a handle on just where and how bad the Emerald Ash Borer — a Chinese invasive insect species that is on a path to decimate America’s ash trees — has gotten a toehold in Greene County” via an inventory of ash trees on the streets of Catskill on Sunday, April 17. The action will be overseen by the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), a gathering of stakeholder groups from across the Catskills, which operates under the umbrella of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, in Arkville, with everyone meeting in front of Village Pizza II on Main Street at 1:00 p.m.
Cuomo: Let’s talk about school performance
Rick Karlin of the Times Union reports on Gov. Andrew Cuomo expandeing the tax cap debate by saying that education funding should be based more on performance of teachers and school systems, instead of giving out money based on formulas based on wealth, enrollment and other factors. “We are talking about the tax cap,” he told Susan Arbetter on the Capitol Pressroom, “And you’re going to hear me talking about something else which I have talked about but I’m going to talk about more which is performance in government, output.” He went on to note that over the past 15 years school funding has doubled while enrollment has dropped about 6 percent. At the same time, he said, using state Education Department statistics, there are 9 percent more teachers and 30 percent more supervisors.
April Fool’s coastal storm takes aim at the county: Eastern Greene under winter weather advisory; 3”-7” of snow possible
The Daily Mail has a front page story by Doron Tyler Antrim about “a no-joke April Fool’s snowstorm” that “swirled toward the Northeast Thursday, a cruel prank on a region that was finally seeing a reprieve from its long, white winter.” The story goes on to predict up to a foot of snow in some areas. So much for making news from weather predictions. Anyone ready for that Mercury in Retrograde special on Fox tonight?
Mossman will face contempt charge
Andrew Amelinckx reports in the Register-Star that Paul Mossman, the county Department of Social Services commissioner, will be facing a criminal contempt of court hearing in Columbia County Court in Hudson on Monday, April 4. He is being charged for allowing DSS to not follow a court order given by Judge Jonathan Nichols in regard to a social services case involving two young children. Nichols issued an order in early March that the two children, six and seven years of age and in foster care, be given 24-hour supervision. On Thursday, March 31, Mossman, DSS attorney Christopher Muller and county attorney Robert Fitzsimmons appeared before Nichols as did the children’s parents and their attorneys. In early October 2010 DSS released a study written by William Moon, the DSS commissioner for Delaware County, the results of which alleged that family court trends in Columbia County may contribute to the “high number” of children in foster care. The rate of entry into foster care in Columbia County is four times higher than peer districts, according to the report. In 2008, the most recent year for which figures are provided, 171 county children were in foster care.
Building inspector unconvinced planning board has site plan review authority
Hilary Hawke of the Ravena News-Herald writes about a sticky situation in the Albany County Town of Coeymans, where Building Inspector Larry Conrad is saying the local planning board does not have the authority to do site plan reviews. Conrad even went so far as to state that he will refuse to take anyone to court over site plan issues until a thorough review is completed. He said he based his opinion on a study of town documents going back as far as 1961, when the town’s zoning laws and zoning board were established, even though it wasn’t until 1967 that the town set up a planning board. The town’s attorney, and planning board, disagree.
The way to safe: It’s not easy for domestic violence victims to get justice, but they have allies in law enforcement
Jessie Smith of the Kingston Times has a detailed, in-depth look at the ways in which domestic violence is being battled back these days. In 2009 and 2010, police in Ulster County logged about 5,000 Domestic Incident Reports, which are mandatory whenever officers have reason to believe that a call involves violence or threats of violence between family members or intimate acquaintances, whether or not an arrest is made. Of those 5,000 DIRs, 800 resulted in arrests. “Five-thousand DIR’s in two years, that’s 200 per month, 48 each week, seven a day,” said Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright. “The numbers are staggering.” Smith goes on to look into the effectiveness of the laws, with interviews from various abuse victims. It’s a haunting, important story.
Funding help for livestock farmers
The Register-Star is running a story on how livestock farmers in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Montgomery Counties will have an opportunity to apply for financial assistance to establish or improve grazing systems on their farms. The project is funded through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) that was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. In partnership with the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will offer farmers the opportunity to apply for conservation practices that will protect soil and improve water quality on grazing lands.
Threat of snow forces cancellation of past week’s budget votes
The Rural Town Riser has a front page story on how the March 31 weather predictions for over a foot of snow forced a late night Red Room negotiating session in the state capitol early April 1. That gathering, they note, has resulted in a complete cancellation of this week’s epochal state budget votes. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver all said that given the call for snow, they had great misgivings about ALL their predictions for the coming year and wanted to start back at square one. In the interim, they announced that the state lottery winnings set to go to a group of Albany employees would be rerouted to the state university system for restoration of Classics and foreign language classes for the 2011-2012 school year. Budget protesters who have been overnighting in the capital expressed sorrow that all their troubles had again been upended by weather forecasters.
The state Assembly and Senate completed work on its $132.5 billion state budget early Thursday morning, March 31. Stephanie Lee of the Times Union reports that the Senate passed the budget at about midnight and the Assembly followed at 1 a.m. while protesters in the halls of the capital, and all members of the public, were barred from each chambers’ viewing galleries. Now, the plan’s many cuts, and the budget process, are drawing press releases and comments from a wide range of protesting organizations. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, released his own video speech about what happened. It’s the first time the process has finished earlier than its April 1 deadline since his father, Mario Cuomo, was in office.
Groups warn Cuomo about gas extraction plan
James Odato reports in the Times Union that about 40 groups have written to Gov. Andrew Cuomo advising him to put the brakes on hydraulic fracturing. The entities, ranging from Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation to Trout Unlimited, say that the controversial gas drilling process currently under review would pose a multitude of risks. Common Cause and the Natural Resources Defense Council, wrote. “Specifically, we ask that you clearly confirm that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will be allowed both adequate time and resources to fully and properly evaluate the full range of potential risks associated with new natural gas development utilizing hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking,’ before issuing a revised draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impacts Statement,” the letter reads. ” imply put, the arbitrary June 1, 2011 target date established by former Governor David Paterson in EO 41 is wholly inadequate to allow for the development of an appropriately comprehensive or legally sufficient revised DSGEIS.”
Ashland receives Ag Dept. approval for water system
Michael Ryan of the Daily Mail reports that the United States Department of Agriculture has said it is ok to proceed with the construction of a new water supply system in the Greene County town of Ashland. The federal agency had waited for the town to acquire land to be used as a site for a 60,000 gallon water tank that is integral to the project and talks had broken off. Things got back on track when discussions started with a second property owner, according to Alan Tavenner of Delaware Engineering, the project overseer.
NY providing grants to promote ‘buy local’
The Albany Business Journal reports that a new Pride of New York Retail Promotion Grant Program will provide up to $5,000 in matching grants to individual food stores and grocery chains. The grants can be used to highlight fresh produce and to promote processed and value-added products made in New York, including those involving specialty crops, such as frozen produce, jams and jellies, maple syrup and honey. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. A total of $43,172 is available. The funding came from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. For an application, go to www.agmkt.state.ny.us.
The State Senate in Albany has started to discuss the state budget proposal negotiated last weekend by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Speaker Sheldon Silver. Rick Karlin of the Times Union reports that signs were put up on the morning of March 30 warning that only senators, staff and lobbyists were allowed into the senate lobby in the state capitol. He adds that they were later removed after questions about allowing lobbyists but not the press were asked by Karlin and other reporters. “The move is apparently being made in preparation for today’s demonstrations by up to 1,000 activists who intend to spend the night,” Karlin writes. “The decision to close the lobby to the public stands in contrast to the Senate GOP’s decision to tear down the wall — well, two security desks and velvet ropes — closing off the corridors around the former Democratic Majority’s offices.”
Cascino pays fine for open burning
The Columbia Paper has a story on the latest fine paid by the owner of Bronx Recycling for burning wood pallets in a Copake drainage ditch in mid-December, around the same time he was being acquitted of illegal dumping in Clermont.
RPI revives business incubator
The Albany Business Journal has a piece about how Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is shifting back from a virtual to a brick and mortar incubator program located in downtown Troy, which nurtured more than 250 software, video game design, technology and pharmaceutical companies in its 30 years of operation and now hopes to do more.
Two men charged with operating marijuana grow house
Mid Hudson News Network is running a story about two Ulster County residents, 36 year old Jay Debberman, 36 and 64 year old Joe Barton, charged early February 4 with operating a marijuana grow operation in an apartment in rural Saugerties where officers found two pounds of processed marijuana, 26 marijuana plants, drug packaging material and scales. What makes this story interesting, and missed in its MHNN coverage, is that Barton is a longtime proponent of legalizing pot who has faced numerous similar arrests and built a history fighting each one through the courts, claiming a need for medical marijuana, as well as a veteran’s wish to simply make a living.
Family displaced by fire
A Greenport home on Route 23B suffered fire and smoke damage Saturday afternoon, February 5, after a couch burst into flames from a faulty electrical outlet, leaving three homeless for the time being… and closing the highway for several hours.
Icy roads cause multiple accidents
The Daily Mail’s Jim Planck takes a look at the numerous fender-benders, roll-overs, and other mishaps caused by yesterday’s icy rains, albeit without too many details, due to the ongoing nature of the messy weather.
What Could Hudson Do With $10 Million?
Gossips of Rivertown references a North Country Public Radio News story about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s possible plans to sell up to ten state prisons and reimburse their host communities with cold hard cash.
A town in our coverage area has decided to take on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2 percent property tax cap before it’s even seen the formal light of day by passing a formal resolution against it. The Ravena News reports this week that the entire board for the Town of Coeymans, in southern Albany County, unanimously passed a resolution stating the town’s opposition against the proposal a few weeks. One of the main objections they stated is that “towns are dependent on real property taxes to fund town services,” according to the story from reporter Hilary Hawke. “Unlike counties and cities, towns can’t raise revenues through sales taxes, income tax, gross receipt taxes or occupancy taxes.” The resolution further points out that while expenses such as health care, pension contributions and transportation, water and wastewater are rising, the town’s revenues are not keeping pace and simply capping property taxes will not reduce those expenses or the public’s expectation of governmental services. The resolution also states that the town has lowered property taxes through program cuts, staff and salary reductions, and appeals to the governor and state legislature to fund or eliminate state mandates and reform the real property tax system.
Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy, former mayor of Rochester, has been pegged with leading the state's promised rethinking of its approach to the business community, including restructuring of its Empire State Development Corp, which is still without a named head. Image from Governor's website.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been pushing the idea of making New York State more business-friendly, and yet The Capitol is reporting that the 10 regional economic councils Cuomo planned to create are not yet formed and his plans to makeover the Empire State Development Corp. are “shrouded in secrecy.” They note that as far as they can tell, Cuomo is trusting Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy, the former mayor of Rochester seen as an Upstate advocate, to oversee the regional councils, and is “intent on moving away from the top-down, New York City-and-Albany-driven models of the past, empowering the regional councils with funding and bond-buying powers, and instilling a sense of competition in the process to encourage growth.” Yet the story also summarizes growing worries that the administration’s failure to name a new ESDC head, or outline specific changes to its long-criticized policies, is a bad omen of yet another promise that could likely go un-kept. Those are answered, however, by several upstate development specialists who note that such matters will likely stream to the top of the state’s agenda following the submission of an executive budget on February 1. The Capital notes several names that have been floated for the ESDC president, including ex-Rep. Scott Murphy, who lost his reelection bid against Republican Chris Gibson last November, and Mike Carey, an economic development official under Rudy Giuliani whose father, former Gov. Hugh Carey, is often credited with helping rescue New York City during the fiscal crisis of the 1970s. But neither man, the publication goes on to say, seems eager to take the job. A Cuomo chairman said only that the name of the ESDC president and the membership of the regional councils would be publicized in “the coming weeks.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo has set a time of 1 p.m. next Tuesday, February 1, for the formal release of his first-ever state budget although no place for that release has been formally set yet. According to the Times Union, speculation is that the event will take place om the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre in The Egg, the steep-pitched performing arts center just off the Concourse in the Empire State Plaza adjacent to the Capital, where Gov. David Paterson made his budget pitch last year. Final logistics as to the location are likely to be settled today, according to sources.
Paterson’s appearance last year was somewhat bittersweet for The Egg: It got a statewide profile but learned that it would lose $600,000 and have to merge with the New York State Theatre Institute. The Egg ended up getting about half of its funding back in the final budget, while NYSTI’s fortunes took a troublesome turn three months later. The Troy-based children’s stage company went belly-up at the end of the year.
A new report, released with a notable press conference in Albany on January 25, is stating that poor and minority students, including those in rural areas like ours, stand to suffer the most from the expected school aid cuts Gov. Andrew Cuomo has promised. In its study “Unequal Opportunity = Unequal Results,” the Alliance for Quality Education claims there is an education funding gap of $788 million between schools with a high percentage of poor students and the wealthiest districts. Higher income schools also spend $37,664 more per classroom each year, the report said. The Times Union reports in its piece about the press conference that the alliance of education advocates are saying that the budget ax should not continue to fall on schools, which took a $1.4 billion hit in last year’s state budget, according to its executive director Billy Easton. “Kids lost a lot this year,” Easton said. “Kids have been giving for a long time to balance the budget.” Legislators and public-education activists have begun pushing back against expected school aid cuts a week before Cuomo has even released his budget, due February 1, and in advance of his proposed 2 percent property tax cap. Read the rest of this entry »
So just how hard are the proposed Cuomo staff cuts of between 12,000 and 15,000 going to hit? We’ve already seen what happens when 40 or so jobs get downsized or shifted from full to part time hours over in the Catskills and DEC-run Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, and the community rallies in support of local employment. Now, Chris Churchill of the Times Union has a story out about how The Capital Region’s job market took a step backward in December, with reductions in state government employment from last year already swamping meager job growth by private companies.
State government shed 3,300 Capital Region jobs over the course of last year, or 6.4 percent of its total local employment, according to new numbers from the state Department of Labor. The private sector added just 300 jobs during the year, a number that surprised and disappointed analysts who had hoped non-government employers would carry the economy through to better times. The local unemployment rate for December was 7.0 percent, just a tick up from the 6.9 percent for the same month a year earlier. Both rates set records as the highest for the month since 1990, when the labor department began tracking Capital Region data. But the unemployment rate would have been much worse if not for a sharp fall in the number of people in the labor force.
Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke at Marist College in Poughkeepsie yesterday about his proposed cuts to government employment, but refused details for now, saying they’d be in his first state budget when it’s released in the coming weeks. Read the rest of this entry »
Think the job situation is bad out there? According to new reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, things could get much more competitive in the coming year as Gov. Andrew Cuomo mulls laying off more than 10,000 government workers, rivaling the number of pink slips handed out by his father a generation ago, according to individuals familiar with budget discussions.
While Mr. Cuomo has not settled on a figure, the governor in recent days has told lawmakers and other officials that he is looking at dismissing 10,000 to 12,000 workers, or more than 5% of the state’s public work force, the individuals say. Not since the early 1990s, when Mario Cuomo was grappling with a recession, has a New York governor threatened layoffs of that magnitude. Talk of layoffs has escalated as Mr. Cuomo prepares to submit his budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Since taking office on Jan. 1, after a landslide victory in November, the former state attorney general has enjoyed robust public support and has courted cooperation across a spectrum of government players: labor leaders, upstate advocates, real-estate developers and Wall Street bankers.
The governor’s first budget is expected in the coming two weeks, and is pegged for instant opposition by state employee unions, including teachers, who have already joined a nationwide campaign to stop the anti-public employee rhetoric, and actions, of the past year, pointing out that those with careers doing government jobs are not lazy, or trying to take advantage of taxpayers, and play as important a role in local economics as businesses, the self-employed, or investors.
“It’s obviously going to be an extreme amount of pain and suffering for families across the state,” said a Republican senator on Wednesday evening. “The dark days of the ’70s have returned.”
The above taped interview from is important for the clues it gives us all in the WGXC listening area as to what the new year portends, politically. Key in the talking points captured is Cuomo’s blunt insistence that “his push for a property tax cap shouldn’t be linked with changes to the current schedule of rent stabilization laws,” as the Times Union’s Capital Confidential blog put it this morning, January 11. “I think that these are separate issues, and they should be analyzed as separate issues,” Cuomo says. “One of the mistakes we’ve made in the past is that the Legislature has tended to take issues and group them together in a negotiating style rather that analyzing the individual issues, and making the best policy on that issue.” Read the rest of this entry »
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced $3.2 million in grants through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for farmers to save on energy costs. The program provides financial incentives to support 75 percent of the cost of electricity and gas efficiency investments. Farms that are eligible for the grants include: orchards, dairies, vineyards, maple producers, egg and poultry farms, grain, specialty crops, and others. Upgrades covered in the grants include: process improvements, lighting upgrades, and high-efficiency fan, pump, and motor systems, and other measures. Small farms could be eligible for free energy audits to assist in identifying energy efficiency projects. “The state’s agricultural sector helps fuel our economy and put food on our table, and we have a plan to make New York farms even more competitive,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants will improve the energy efficiency of farming operations and lower costs for farmers. This not only protects farming jobs, it creates green jobs for the people making the improvements.” Past NYSERDA programs demonstrate that a typical dairy farm can save 20 to 30 percent of its energy bill with cost-effective energy efficiency improvements at an average seven-year payback. The Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program can provide a typical dairy farm with $2,700 to $4,000 per year in savings from a farm investment of $4,800 to $7,000. For more information about the Agriculture Energy Efficiency program, visit www.nyserda.org/programs/agriculture, or call 1-800-732-1399.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his first “State of the State” speech in Albany, and live on WGXC Online Radio. WGXC made this recording of the Governor’s webstream:
Republican New York State Senator James Seward was quick with praise for the Democrat’s speech. “The governor’s state of the state message was a slam dunk,” he said in a press release. “Styled more like an upbeat high school pep rally than a monotonous political speech, he hit on all the right themes and seemed to energize legislators and all New Yorkers on hand.” Seward also sent this audio statement: Click on this sentence to hear State of State Response from James Seward.
Newly elected State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin was not as enthusiastic:
“The residents of the 108th district have been subjected to a circus in Albany for the last four years,” said McLaughlin in a prepared statement. “While I support the governor in instituting a 2 percent property tax cap on all New York property owners, his plan needs additional concrete proposals for how the legislative bodies of the state will cut state spending and reenergize the private sector.”
Joseph Martens, photo from Open Space Institute website.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continues with the inaugeration-week announcements, today tapping Joseph Martens for Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Martens is President of the Open Space Institute, directing and overseeing land acquisition, sustainable development, historic preservation, and farmland protection for the environmental non-profit group. Previously, Mr. Martens served as Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Energy and the Environment from 1992-94 and before that Assistant Secretary from 1990-92. Cuomo also nominated Elizabeth Glazer for Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, Dede Scozzafava will serve as Deputy Secretary for Local Government at the Department of State, and Joseph Percoco will serve as Executive Deputy Secretary. For more on their biographies, from the Governor’s press release, read on. Read the rest of this entry »
The Times Union’s Capitol Confidential has a spooky piece about the various gaps starting to show up in state government this week, with a focus on Acting Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz’s resignation, which has left leaderless the state agency responsible for setting environmental regulations in New York. Now, the agency’s recent decision to not prosecute air pollution cases against small businesses statewide becomes clearer… it’s all about staffing and trying to get by with the least amount of cost, instead of doing all we can to do the best jobs possible. According to data provided by the comptroller’s office provided in the story, several agencies have lost their counsels and executive deputy commissioners. and almost all are moving ahead with extremely limited staffs. Gov. David Paterson demanded the undated resignations of 2,500 administration and agency staffers; this list also includes retirements and terminations from the Assembly and Senate.
Among names being bandied about for new DEC Commissioner is that of Open Space Institute director Joe Martens, although word has it he won’t take the job unless he can get new Governor Andrew Cuomo to give him a definitive no to gas drilling, popularly known as fracking, on a statewide basis.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he will reduce his $179,000 salary by five percent. He is also asking Executive Chamber staff take the same paycut. “Change starts at the top and we will lead by example,” Cuomo said in a press release. “Families and business owners in every corner of the state have learned to do more with less in order to live within their means and government must do the same.” Cuomo is expected to propose a one-year freeze on state workers pay during his “State of the State” speech Wednesday.
So what can we expect from Wednesday’s State of the State speech from Governor Andrew Cuomo, besides a lot of issues-oriented and geographic shout-outs we and every other news outlet in the state will be discussing over the coming month? According to Rick Karlin of the Times Union’s Capital Confidential column, “an oft-discussed pay freeze for roughly 130,000 state employees may be Topic One during Wednesday’s State of the State speech, according to several reports this morning quoting sources in the Cuomo Administration.”
Cuomo is said to be planning to announce the freeze in Wednesday’s State of the State address. Because state workers in the executive branch are under the governor’s control, a freeze wouldn’t have to be approved by the Legislature. Many of the major state employee contracts expire in April.
Karlin goes on to note that the idea of a pay freeze isn’t new, with Cuomo having mentioned just such a thing in a campaign memo back in May. In December a group of mayors also said they hope the governor — along with the Legislature — gives them authority to impose a freeze for their workers as well.
The New York Times also had a big story about pay freezes and an impending battle between Cuomo and the state’s powerful public unions coming up, noting how both the governor’s father and Hugh Carey fought similar battles in their day back in the 1970s and 1980s.
In terms of actions, the new Cuomo has set a tone for his administration by already setting he and his staff what some could term a workaholic schedule, as well as by removing a number of safety elements, from traffic stanchions outside the capital to closed hallways within, that were enacted by the man who defeated his father, George Pataki, in the midst of his three terms in office.
Andrew Cuomo arriving at Capitol 8:15 a.m. Jan. 1, 2011. Photo from governor's office.
Governor Andrew Cuomo Sunday signed an Executive Order requiring all Executive Chamber staff and other top state officials to participate in ethics training offered by the Commission on Public Integrity. The training will be available beginning no later than January 31 and must be completed within sixty days. Individuals covered by this Executive Order also include agency commissioners and their respective counsels and ethics officers. “Honor and integrity will be a hallmark of this administration, and I am confident that we have assembled a team that reflects that commitment,” Governor Cuomo said. “Nonetheless, it is imperative that Chamber staff and other high ranking government officials be versed in the ethics rules and regulations that apply to them. Top government employees should have no questions, no gray areas, and no possibility of confusion regarding what is proper and what is not.” The Executive Order also requires officials to participate in this ethics training every two years.
Andrew Cuomo gladhanding after campaign kickoff speech at BRIK Gallery in Catskill, 071710. Photo by Tom Roe/WGXC.
Andrew Cuomo is now the 56th Governor of New York (his father Mario was 52nd). The New York Times has text of his entire speech from Albany yesterday here. Below, the Associated Press posted a video of his swearing in Friday night at the Capitol. Ten New York governors have been major-party candidates for U.S. president, and six – Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt – have won. Six New York governors have gone on to serve as U.S. vice president, according to Wikipedia.
So we suggested you pass up on the low-key and relatively private Cuomo inauguration tomorrow for the new governor’s first State of the State speech at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on Wednesday, January 5. So how to get tickets now? Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo’s transition team has announced that members of the general public can enter the lottery for tickets to the January 5 State of the State speech at www.nystateofstate2011.com. In a break from tradition, the speech will be held in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Those seeking tickets are asked to register before midnight on Saturday, January 1. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. It will be televised live on YNN, public television stations as well as streamed live on the Internet.
New York Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo will break from tradition and deliver his first State of the State address outside of the state Capitol and instead give the January 5 speech in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The move that has the Albany press corps in a tizzy today, and Cuomo is quoted in the Albany Business Review as saying that he expects a larger-than-usual crowd. Moving to the convention center will allow members of the public to attend for the first time; and tickets will be distributed through a lottery. “The change in setting is a metaphor for the change we must undergo as a state,” Cuomo said on Wednesday. “We must reconnect with the people and rebuild a relationship of trust.” Read the rest of this entry »
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