Zoning Board of Appeals
Wednesday
August 11
7:00 PM
Planning Board
Monday
August 2
August 16
7:30 PM
Conservation Advisory Councill
Wednesday
August 11
7:00 PM
Ethics Board
Friday
No August meeting scheduled
8:00 AM
Ag and Open Space Committee
Monday
July 26
August 30
7:00 PM
----------------------------------
All meetings are held at Red Hook Town Hall unless otherwise stated
OUTDOOR
BURNING OF BRUSH IS NOT ALLOWED FROM
MARCH 16 THROUGH MAY 14.
CALL 845-758-4606
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW
OUTDOOR OPEN BURNING REGULATIONS.
Farmers markets deserve support
Here is something you might not know: Of the approximate 4,000 farms in the Hudson River Valley, nearly all of them are family owned and not run by some big corporation located outside the area. READ MORE| Poughkeepsie Journal July 28
Lawmakers take gifts, services as 'in-kind' donations Would you like to attend a $19,000 dinner in your honor?
Sen. Steve Saland did, according to his recent campaign-disclosure report.
Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, reported attending the black-tie fundraiser for his re-election campaign that was thrown by a politically connected couple in April at their Rhinebeck estate.
The dinner was listed as an in-kind donation to Saland's campaign. That means it was for services rendered for a political function, but not a direct monetary contribution.
Tax-battered New Yorkers look to government consolidation
In New York, it isn't hard to find a government that can levy taxes.There are 62 counties, 62 cities, 553 villages, 698 school districts and 932 towns. And then the whopper: 6,927 special districts that include local lighting, sewer, fire, water and drainage districts.Add them up and there are 10,092 entities in New York outside New York City that can tax residents. And that number, from the state Attorney General's Office, is just a best estimate. There could be many more, state officials warn. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal July 25
Dutchess lawmaker rips Steinhaus
Dutchess County Legislator Alison MacAvery has criticized County Executive William Steinhaus for telling Sheriff Adrian Anderson not to use taxpayer-funded deputies to provide police coverage for Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, which is expected to be held in Rhinebeck next Saturday. READ MORE Daily Freeman July 26
Fracking and regulations still the big question No letup in battle over natural gas drilling
OPPOSITION to drilling for natural gas within the New York City watershed areas of Ulster, Greene and Delaware counties is beginning to gather force as the state and federal governments reconsider how the technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracking,” is regulated. READ MORE Daily Freeman July 25
No deadline for 'fracking' regulations
A STATE Department of Environmental Conservation review of proposed new rules for the natural gas extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing is not under a deadline, and no immediate decision is expected on issuing issue new permits, a spokeswoman says READ MORE Daily Freeman July 25
Drilling study backed by Hinchey advances
A House subcommittee has endorsed a $1 million outlay for the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct an impact study of water withdrawals for hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale’s natural gas wells in the Delaware River Basin, according to U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey. READ MORE Daily Freeman July 25
Keep it local...firewood too! Pest, threat to ash trees, found in Saugerties
According to state officials, the borer is expected to continue to spread. Regulations restricting the importation of firewood from out of state and the movement of untreated wood within the state are intended to slow the spread. Firewood regulations prohibit out-of-state transport of untreated firewood and intrastate movement of untreated firewood more than 50 miles READ MORE
Daily Freeman July 22
Town of Liberty's proposed new zoning would protect farmland
"People ... recognized that our zoning needs to catch up with the time," said Farrand. "In every survey that I've seen, rural character is the number-one issue. READ MORE Times Herald Record July 22
Is Weed Killer in Drinking Water Dangerous? Govt. Is Letting the Chemical Industry Come Up with the Answer
Companies with a financial interest in a weed-killer sometimes found in drinking water paid for thousands of studies federal regulators are using to assess the herbicide’s health risks, records of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show. Many of these industry-funded studies, which largely support atrazine’s safety, have never been published or subjected to an independent scientific peer review. READ MORE AlterNet July 14
Fracking Cattle
The battle over gas drilling has made its way to upstate New York and many farmers, especially those that rely on grasslands, are alarmed at the possible impact fracking - the relatively new technology for gas drilling - could have on their livelihoods.
Dick Cheney’s 2005 Energy Policy Act, with its “Halliburton Exemption” significantly deregulated fracking, making it exempt from the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clear Air Act. Alarmingly if not surprisingly, the dismantling of these most basic safeguards to protect us from pollution seems to have not caused our lawmakers any concern. READ MORE
MarkBittman.com July 15
Good news, bad news for farmland preservation
A new state law makes it easier for land trusts to tap into state farmland preservation funding, but at the same time lawmakers have slashed the amount of funding that's available READ MORE Rochester City Paper July 14
Kingston riverfront housing project in jeopardy ..."The developer has not been able to make good use of the direction, advice and expert opinion offered by the Planning Board in this matter, and instead has attempted to force the board to approve an incomplete and inadequate final environmental impact statement,” the resolution stated.READ MORE Daily Freeman July 14
Unfunded mandates' are good for Albany, bad for us
State legislators, especially Republicans, like to gripe about mandates too. Republicans sponsored a one-house Assembly bill that limits such mandates on local governments. It died in committee.Democrats put forward and passed a bill this year that could provide relief of school reporting requirements — if it's carried out.And yet, legislators on both sides of the aisle also keep voting to add unfunded mandates.READ MORE
Times Herald Record July 13
Dutchess GOP election boss likely finished
David Gamache appears to be out of a job. In a June 26 letter, the Dutchess County Legislature’s Republican leadership informed the county GOP Committee that the caucus would not reappoint the embattled county Republican elections commissioner. And now county William Steinhaus — who some say threatened legislators if they supported Gamache — is pushing Republicans to move quickly to replace him. READ MORE Daily Freeman July11
Biggest Defaulters on Mortgages Are the Rich
No need for tears, but the well-off are losing their master suites and saying goodbye to their wine cellars.. the rich have stopped paying the mortgage at a rate that greatly exceeds the rest of the population. READ MORE
New York Times
July 8
Polluter Harmony is the #1 matchmaking site for polluters, industry lobbyists and politicians. Fast, easy, and off-the-record.
RED HOOK IS
HOT HOT HOT!
Cuomo steps up pension padding investigation
Is it unethical for state employees to work huge amounts of overtime in their last few years of employment, boosting their pensions? More importantly, is it wrong? Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo thinks so, and has expanded his department’s investigation into the practice at a wide variety of government employers, from state agencies to local police departments. READ MORE Albany Times Union July 7
Gambling Fever
Gamblers aren’t the only ones prone to jackpot delusions. Politicians all over see casinos as magic revenue chests that will help them avoid painful spending cuts, escape the trap of no-tax pledges and make budget gaps vanish. New York is no exception READ MORE New York Times July 4
Post office announces 2-cent rate increase
The post office wants to increase the price of a stamp by 2 cents to 46 cents starting in January. The agency has been battered by massive losses and declining mail volume and faces a financial crisis.READ MORE
Daily Freeman July 6
Companies Find Ways to Bypass Ban on Earmarks Just one day after leaders of the House of Representatives announced a ban on earmarks to profit-making companies, a small defense contracting firm, hit on a creative way around it..READ MORE
NewYork Times July 5
As Oil Industry Fights a Tax, It Reaps Subsidies When the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform set off the worst oil spill at sea in American history, it was flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. Registering there allowed the rig’s owner to significantly reduce its American taxes.READ MORE
NewYork Times July 5
Chances dim for NY moratorium on fracking
The bill that stood the best chance of passing the state Senate and Assembly – a one-year moratorium – did not make it out of committee in either house....hopes that if legislators return to Albany this summer for a special session, two local lawmakers – Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, D-Forestburgh, and Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope – will muster support for the bill, even though Bonacic has yet to support it. READ MORE
Times Herald Record July 3
Natural Gas Fracking: Ruining Your Lunch
What you might not have heard is that many farmers in upstate New York fear the impact that natural gas drilling will have on our grasslands and water, and ultimately our livelihoods. It is an issue that could threaten New York City’s food shed but many do not realize what is at stake.READ MORECivilEats.com July 2
Gasland: Will New York Be the Next Casualty of the Halliburton Loophole?
The Halliburton Loophole expressly exempts oil and gas companies, from customary safety measures, health safeguards, regulatory oversights, penalties and liabilities that most Americans assume are in place to protect citizens, health and resources. READ MORE Huffington Post June 21
Bill proposes fracking moratorium
Lawmakers divided over effectivenes
The position of Sen. John Bonacic, R-C-Mount Hope, underlines the uncertainty of the one-year moratorium.
While he opposes the bill that would wait for a federal study — because there's no guarantee it would be finished and he doesn't trust a federal role in state energy — he's less certain about a one-year delay until June 1, 2011. READ MORE Times Herald Record June 21
This IS a big deal folks! One would think that a process that pumped all kinds of chemicals into the ground would be subject to environmental scrutiny, but it isn't;
Then... Carving up farms was all the rage
Now...
Public hearings set on Red Hook conservation deal
A public hearing will be held on June 14 in the legislative chambers about the county funding for the projects...Owners Beth, Charles, and Linda Mead will sell the development rights to 82 acres of farmland located in the Town of Red Hook. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal May 27
Red Hook supervisor sees silver lining in loss of sewer funds
Town Supervisor Sue Crane said that while she’s disappointed by the loss in federal funding for a proposed municipal sewer district, it may be somewhat of a blessing in disguise. READ MORE Daily Freeman May 31
Red Hook sewer project is stymied by lack of federal funds
Town Supervisor Sue Crane and Village Mayor David Cohen said they have been informed that for the current fiscal year, the $3.4 million in federal money is no longer available for the local project. READ MORE Daily Freeman May 26
Again... we don't make this stuff up
Who Wants to Elect a Millionaire? Today, let’s play Political Kingmaker.
Pretend you’re the Republican leadership in a smallish state with an open United States Senate seat. The opposition is running a popular, longtime officeholder whose sense of inevitability was shaken by recent revelations that he had referred to himself as a Vietnam War veteran when he isn’t one.
Your own options are:
A) A well regarded former congressman who is a decorated Vietnam War veteran.
B) A political novice who made her fortune building up an entertainment business that specialized in blood, seminaked women and scripted subplots featuring rape, adultery and familial violence. In which the candidate, her husband and children played themselves. Also, the family yacht is named Sexy Bitch.
Well, obviously, you go for the yacht owner. READ MORE
New York Times May 26
Budget approved. Incumbents stay. Voters approved, 1,345-1,129, a $44.38 million budget for 2010-11 that increases spending by 1.83 percent and the amount to be raised by taxes by 5.9 percent.
Incumbent Trustees Kelly Mosher and Johanna Moore were re-elected to the school board with 1,288 and 1,156 votes, respectively. The two beat Frank Vosburgh, who had 1,028 votes, and Randolph “Randy” Haddad, with 489, for three-year terms.
For other budget and school board voting results. Daily Freeman May 19
The Harrison Barn Fire - UPDATE
Letter from CCE Resource Educator Jennifer Fimbel
Just to update everyone about the fundraiser BBQ picnic. It will be held on MAY 28TH at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Rhinebeck in the Sheep Barn. Tickets are $20 per person.
The Silent Auction will kick-off at 5:30PM with the BBQ beginning at 6:30PM. Donations of plates, cups, silverware, drinks and baked goods will be appreciated. More items for the auction need to be secured. Mary Kelly and the Elmendorf Spinners guild have done very well with donations so far. Large items include antique furniture, a truck, pull behind cart and a spinning wheel.
To purchase tickets to the BBQ, to donate items for the BBQ and/or auction or any questions should be directed to Kathy Hillbrandt at pigs5@frontier.com
Monetary donations may be sent to: CCEDC, 2715 Route 44, Suite 1, Millbrook, NY 12545 with "Harrison Family Farm Fund " on the memo line. We have received several hundred dollars so far!
I'm sure that as time moves forward there will be other tasks and needs for the Harrisons. Please feel free to forward this email on to those that may not be on my list, spreading the word is the only way to keep this information going!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Fimbel
CCE Resource Educator
Dutchess County
Livestock/Equine/Agriculture Policy
2715 Route 44, Suite 1
Millbrook, NY 12545
845-677-8223, extension 118
Weeds Are Now Resisting Monsanto Weed Killer, Spurring Crisis in American Agriculture
Yep, thanks to Monsanto Roundup, American agriculture is in quite a fix now. See, Monsanto sells genetically modified seed that's supposed to survive spraying with their weedkiller. Unfortunately, the weeds learned to resist it - and now their GMO seed is struggling against the pesticide-resistant weeds that evolved as a result of their own product.... READ MORE
Dutchess open space projects move forward
Mead Orchards in Red Hook and Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie READ MORE MidHudson News May 8
The Harrison Barn Fire - UPDATE
Letter from CCE Resource Educator Jennifer Fimbel
Ok Folks,
I stopped by to see Geoff and Julie on Saturday afternoon. The people that are able to do the physical labor of just moving the debris is phenomenal! There was another workday there again today. Kudos to all of them!
Geoff and Julie and understandably overwhelmed; emotionally, physically and with all of the kindness all of you and so many others have shown.
Kalie was the one who called 911 on her cell phone as the hard line was already gone as well as the electricity.
The immediate need for the animals is the repair of a hoop building they have. Geoff felt that if someone had a contact with Clear Channel Radio, they could purchase an old billboard as the material is the right size and make for a hoop house. I'm hoping one of you can help find something. Until the hoop building is repaired, there is no room for donations of hay, grain or new animals. I'm sure tools and building supplies will be appreciated as well.
Julie and Geoff do plan to start again, but they unsure of to what scale this will be. What they really want is some normalcy back for their children. The 4-H pig clubs have got the show animals and equipment for the pigs pretty well under control. The sheep show equipment is a total loss as well. Sheep shears, blades, cutters, fitting stands, tack boxes, halters, buckets, feeders, fitting cards, hand shears, hoof trimmers, the whole 9 yards. Medical supplies (med kits) need to be replaced. What I hope to avoid is too many of one item and not enough of another. Your communication will help greatly.
One of the girls who housed her sheep with Julie (and now has no 4-H project animal) had a natural colored fleece sheep. It is my hope that between us all we can find this young lady another ewe lamb. Right now there is no place for any animals other than the ones that are currently there. However, if you have something that might fit the bill, I am working on a list so that we can coordinate the efforts of getting them to the farm at some point in the future. Julie really would like for her girls to go to the All American Sheep Show as planned in July as well as the Northeast Youth Sheep Show (also in July). Julie would also like to purchase some futurity ewes for the girls.
Scheduled is a Pork/Hamburger/Hot dog Roast on May 28th at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Rhinebeck, NY...no time know yet. Mary Kelly of the Elmendorf Spinners group is organizing an auction of quality items. Please contact her at 845-758-6296 to donate sellable items. Please email Kathy Hilbrandt at PIGS5@FRONTIER.COM for further information about this event.
I want to again thank all of you for interest and hard work to help this family get back on their feet. You are all terrific! Please feel free to forward this email on to others as my list is limited to those who have contacted me.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Fimbel
CCE Resource Educator
Livestock/Equine/Agricultural Policy
2715 Route 44, Suite 1
Millbrook, NY 12545
845-677-8223, extension 118
Stately Montgomery Place mansion in Red Hook gets new life
...Now, thanks to support from several philanthropists , public programming will expand, and the house, usually closed for renovations since 2005, will open for tours in May. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal April 23
Time to be neighbors!!! Red Hook residents, our neighbors, Goeffrey and Julie Harrison had a devastating fire Monday Morning April 19. They lost their entire barn and the majority of their livestock (120 animals). This is a very tragic event and we call upon our entire community to help these wonderful people. Larry Thetford on behalf of the Town Agriculture and Open Space Committee is leading efforts to help
this family.
St. Johns Reformed Church has agreed to handle this relief effort and encourages all those who wish to help to make a donation to aid them in their challenging days ahead.
Donation checks can be made out to:
St. Johns Reformed Church (Harrison Fund)
126 Old Post Road North
Red Hook, NY 12571
Dozens of animals die in Red Hook barn fire
A barn fire early Tuesday on West Kerley Corners Road in this Northern Dutchess community killed dozens of farm animals, authorities said. READ MORE
Daily Freeman April 23 PHOTOS from Poughkeepsie Journal
Whats the real story here?
While we give no support to wasting tax dollars and applaud the rare occasion newspapers expose taxpayer waste, we concur that the Board of Elections has some very serious problems and reaches pretty deep into the pockets of County residents. As we prepared to post the Pojo article (read here) on the Dutchess County Board of Elections that reeked of a partisan hit job on Democrats, I picked up Monday's mail--- and that helped put it into perspective.
There in my mailbox was an oversized campaign flyer,synchronized to capitalize on the free PoJo publicity. Not surprisingly it was from Red Hook's own icon of self-promotion and the only NY State politician whose comments were featured in that article Assemblyman Molinaro.
Who paid for production and mailing of this campaign flyer?
That's right, you the taxpayer.... READ MORE
MILAN WINS! Red Wing loophole closed
The New York State Supreme Court on March 30 reversed a lower court decision which had supported Red Wing Sand and Gravel's attempt to invalidate Milan's Comprehensive Plan. Red Wing's suit had claimed Town of Milan's Comprehensive Plan was invalid due to procedural errors. Milan was supported in their case by the New York Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo. Milan is a part of the Hudson Valley Greenway, and any challenge to a Greenway town, brings New York's Attorney General in on the side of the town.
The original suit was brought by Red Wing Sand and Gravel and decided by Republican Judge James Brands. (Judge Brands made himself the object of some controversy last fall with a decision to support local GOP requests to prohibit many Bard students from voting. Judge Brands decision was reversed by the higher court, and elections commissioners were ordered to count Bard Student votes.)
The Appellate Court found the Town of Milan had committed no procedural errors in passing the Comprehensive Plan. Next, the court found that the town was justified in eliminating the Light Industrial District. A Light Industrial District allows residential and agricultural areas to be re-zoned for industrial use. Milan residents voted in a new Town Board for the purpose of eliminating that floating industrial zone. The elected representatives of the town eliminated that zone upon request from the voters. The Appellate Court found that the representatives of the Town of Milan had done what their voters asked them to do, and logically, upheld the product of that work, the Comprehensive Plan.
Milan mining firm plans to appeal ruling
Red Wing Properties Inc. aims to take its fight to construct a sand and gravel mine in this Northern Dutchess town to the state’s highest court. READ MORE
Daily Freeman April 6
Court nullifies Milan's mine plan READ MORE
Daily Freeman April 5
Transparency again? We like posting this type of news
Murphy's earmarks posted on Web site
Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Clifton Park, said he has posted all of his appropriations requests online. Take a look HERE
And he'll be at the Bard"Congress on your Campus" Monday, April 12, 2010
2:45 p.m. — 3:45 p.m. Campus Center, Weis Cinema
Refuse a raise...huh??
While our assemblyman Molinaro makes his rounds at the $1000 a plate dinners, this legislator from Sullivan County has a better idea. Putting himself in the same position many of his unfortunate constituents are in, he voluntarily refuses a raise and freezes his salary. It's likely it won't put him on the streets but it certainly shows more integrity than consuming tax dollars and big campaign handouts professing to his constituents that he "feels their pain."
Republican Legislator David Sager will be paid $629 less than most of his colleagues in 2010. That's because Sager has opted to freeze his salary at the 2007 level, the year he was elected. READ MORE
Times Herald Mar 28
Legislator won't take raise
Cut state fat where it is...starting with government staff
With the economy crawling the state appears to be looking to cut costs everywhere except where they need to. By closing public parks that cater to the locals and tourists alike, the coffers will end up emptier. Although estimates vary, tourist dollars in our area ultimately add up to much more than the cost to maintain of these national and state treasures. (and that's leaving the enjoyment factor out!)
Meanwhile back in Albany career politicians in the Senate and Assembly are asking for bigger pieces of the pie and adding staff while working diligently inside every available loophole for their double-dipping pensions and expense accounts and blurring the lines on their conflicts of interests. We could only wish these scandals cost as little as Yankee tickets.
Come on. Let's do the real math and realize dollar for dollar, the state and national parks and the service they provide ALL Americans out-perform most politicians. Hands down.
Senate increases staff, pay after leadership coup Despite the recession and a state hiring freeze for agencies, the state Senate has added 161 new staff positions, given raises to employees and boosted payroll after last summer's leadership coup, state records show. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal Mar 14
DEC says campgrounds in region won't open in 2010
Budget cuts cited for shuttering of Catskills, Adirondack facilities
On a more hopeful note...Local Congressman Maurice Hinchey in a public press release , "Confirmed with the director of the National Parks Service that federally funded state parks in New York must remain open to the public, laying the groundwork for a dramatic reversal of the governor's plan to close 55 state parks and historic sites."
Health Care Bill
Passes Congress
A transformative health care bill is headed to President Barack Obama for his signature
as Congress takes the final steps in Democrats' improbable and history-making push
for near-universal medical coverage. READ MORE Albany Times Union
MAR 22
Courage to Connect A group solving community problems
Courage To Connect NJ was created to educate the public about the current structure of New Jersey and to introduce ways to reduce to the high cost of property taxes in maintaining 566 municipalities. The solutions include connecting five to ten municipalities under one administration while strengthening the individuality of each community. Could we do something like that here? READ MORE
Speakers slam Central Hudson rate hike plan
Area residents and current and former elected officials urged the state Public Service Commission to reject a 3-year rate hike plan for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., saying the utility that brings electricity and natural gas to hundreds of thousands of residents across the region needs to “tighten its belt.” READ MORE Daily Freeeman March 12
Solar energy with jewel-like curtains on windows
It would essentially make buildings look as if they were draped in giant jeweled curtains. Poughkeepsie Journal March 12
Deception of the Polls: The Way they Lie There have been two polls cited by leading "talking heads" of both sides in the last week, both supposedly proving how Americans supposedly DO NOT want Health Care
changes proposed by President Obama and Democrats in the Congress; both reflecting 'wishful thinking' rather than any pragmatic opinion based on the true situation at hand in the country today.
The wording of both polls, and the setup of the concept are---- decidedly deceptive. RH Editorial
States may hold onto tax refunds for months
Residents eager to get their state tax refunds may have a long wait this year: The recession has tied up cash and caused officials in half a dozen states to consider freezing refunds, in one case for as long as five months. READ MORE
Dutchess County Legislature Report. Totally ignored by local media,
Last night the eight Republicans on our County Legislature's Budget, Finance, and Personnel Committee inexplicably killed two cost-saving resolutions Joel Tyner had drafted and the vast majority of the Dem caucus (Goldberg, Kuffner, Jeter-Jackson, and Doxsey) had agreed to support-- initiatives that would have saved hundreds of dollars annually for local families on heating oil-- and millions of dollars annually for local towns, cities, and villages on health insurance costs:
click on these two links to download actual text of these two resolutions the GOP killed last night:------------------->Resolution 2010061 < >Resolution 2010063
RED HOOK (Dutchess County) -- Taking another significant step in its campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most, Scenic Hudson recently protected the largest agricultural property in its history of farmland preservation, acquiring a conservation easement that extinguishes development rights to the 378-acre McKeon Farm in the Town of Red Hook.
The transaction guarantees the land will continue contributing to Red Hook's economy while preserving the town's rural, agricultural character.
The farm's picturesque pastures and hay fields, which are visible from local roads, support grass-fed beef cattle, a horse boarding and training operation, goats, chickens and an orchard. More than half of the land's soils are designated USDA Prime Farmland or of Statewide Significance. By clearing considerable overgrowth, owners Robert and Elisabeth McKeon have restored many acres on this former dairy farm to active use. The property also features large forested areas and important natural resources, including significant wetlands and nearly 2,000 feet of frontage on the Lakes Kill, a tributary of the Saw Kill.
Scenic Hudson Senior Land Project Manager Cari Watkins-Bates negotiated the purchase. The McKeon family generously donated nearly half of the easement's appraised value.
The people or his party?
Why Did Molinaro Switch His Vote?
State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro called state election law "archaic" yet he refuses to fix these very same rules for absentee voting. An important voting reform bill passed in the Assembly recently. Only five members took the radical position to oppose the reform. Assemblyman Molinaro was one of the five "no" votes. READ MORE Letters -Poughkeepsie Journal
I voted FOR the bill before I voted AGAINST the bill.
Whoops I sponsored it! After several weeks of a' maybe I will, maybe I won't ' cat and mouse game with the press over entertaining a new political run Marc Molinaro flips flops to vote down an absentee ballot bill he co- sponsored.
Local assemblymen vote down absentee ballot change READ MORE Register Star Feb 14
Town Board Update
At an early meeting last Tuesday morning representatives of Red Hook Conservation Advisory Committee met with members of the Town Board for permission to seek grants to pay for 4 projects. The board was ultimately supportive of the grants and made considerations to use money if needed from the general fund for possible matching money to help secure the grants.
The grants being pursued are:
1) A grant to weatherize St. Margarets for energy efficiency
2) A grant to get photo voltaic electricity for the Red Hook fire department
3) A grant to design and implement a recycling system that would utilize local brush and food scraps and make composted material
4) A grant to hire someone to oversee and help implent these grants
Closings loom for NY state parks, historic sites No nuptials at Niagara Falls? Jones Beach off limits on a 90-degree day? The “Grand Canyon of the East” devoid of campers? READ MORE
Poughkeepsie Journal Feb 18
View bleak for state parks Statewide, the plan calls for the closure of 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and service reductions at 23 parks and one historic site. The state system currently encompasses 178 parks and 35 historic sites READ MORE
Albany Times Union Feb 20 For a list of closures and facilities affected by budget cuts CLICK HERE
Enough of the Toxic Political Chatter
The recent Massachusetts Senate election almost did me in. It was the crystallizing moment in political exhaustion, the straw that broken my camel’s back. Saturation achieved.
Perhaps it all started with the advent of cable news networks. Hours of empty and competing programming available with so little content fill it. Experts came out of the woodwork. Marginalized personalities were suddenly given a platform to become significant - the Left, the Right, the weirder the better. Carvel, Beck, Limbaugh, Olbermann, all pouring their high octane fuel on an already blazing inferno. Things catapulted out of control from there. Local bulwarks include, but are not limited to, Alan Chartok, an embarrassing snake oil salesman with a choke hold on the local NPR network, and Marc Molinaro, a chihuahua on speed who never stops talking long enough to catch a breath, let alone engage in deep thought...
I recently moved back to Red Hook after about 8 years and decided to get to know more about my town. I've got friends and family in the community, all of whom range from the far left to the far right of the political spectrum. And while it seems everyone has an opinion on what could be done, or what should be done, or what isn't getting done, I decided to find out for myself. So on Wednesday, January 27th, I attended my first ever Red Hook Town Board meeting in hopes of learning more.
I was shocked to see virtually no public audience, only members of various committees and organizations. After all, this is our town, and we can only make it better if we speak our minds and question everything.
Bard is happening all summer
Take a look at their events here
Olana announces two summer week long childrens programming beginning August 2nd The Journey and River School More information here
more news
The Middle Class in America Is Radically Shrinking. Here Are the Stats to Prove it
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer at a staggering rate. Once upon a time, the United States had the largest and most prosperous middle class in the history of the world, but now that is changing at a blinding pace. READ MORE Yahoo Finance July 15
Connecticut Puts e-Waste Law to Action Trashing a big, old computer isn’t as easy as putting it out on the curb or listing it in the “free” section of Craigslist. That’s why many state governments have stepped in to handle the regulation of residents’ e-waste, while other states are still figuring it out. READ MORE
UrbanFarmonline.com July13
Bard introduces reverse vending machine to Red Hook to recycle
Bard will be introducing a Tomra Uno reverse vending machine as a new recycling and community-building initiative in the fall. The reverse vending machine captures deposited bottles and cans and rewards the user with a coupon to a local business. It is a convenient and clean recycling system that doubles as free advertising.
Business managers that are interested in being part of this pilot project, should reply to Hanna Mitchelll hgmitchell50@gmail.com by July 15th. Please include as much of the following information as possible: a description of the offer (eg 10% off, buy one get one free, etc.) restrictions and number of coupons being offered, and a copy of the business logo. Bard is able to offer this advertising free for 2010-2011 school year
Have more pity on the banks please... Bank of America assessment cut $3.5M The Bank of America on Enterprise Drive will have its assessment reduced $3.5 million over the next three years under an agreement with the town of Ulster and the Kingston school district. READ MORE Daily Freeman July 13
Feds seek power line input at Kingston session
Transmission Developers Inc. is seeking federal approval to construct a $3.8 billion 420-mile power line that would bring 2,000 megawatts of renewable wind and hydropower from Canada to the New York City metropolitan area via a transmission line that would run through the Hudson Valley. READ MORE Daily Freeman July 12
How a Tiny Town Sent an International Water Giant Packing
Water Independence Day. With barbecue, music, and dancing, residents marked the end of Felton’s six-year battle to gain control of its water system. The fight, like the festivities, was a grassroots effort. READ MORE
AlterNet July9
Monsanto: Supreme Court lifts ban on genetically modified seeds
...Yet a number of so-called superweeds — weeds that have developed an immunity to Roundup, including pigweed and horseweed are growing on millions of acres of farmland in 22 states, including California.That, in turn, has farmers using far more potent herbicides on their land and chemical companies starting to sell old chemical compounds that posed more environmental risks than Roundup.READ MORE
Final blow to mining in Milan
After 8 long years of Red Wing fighting for additional mining in Milan hoping their deeper pockets would prevail their efforts have met with defeat.
We have received word that New York State's highest court,The Court of Appeals, denied Red Wing's request for appeal against a prior ruling against them.
The State's prior ruling was unanimous among a four-judge panel.There are no more appeals possible. End of road for Red Wing. The courts have upheld Milan's right to ban mining.The offical word from the state:
"Motion for leave to appeal denied with one hundred dollars costs and necessary reproduction disbursements."
For a little more history on the issue take a look at MilanConcerns.com and see what citizens had to do to protect their town.
Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month 2010
July is Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month (WAM). The Dutchess Watershed Coalition has been hard at work for the past year organizing over 40 events across the County to educate residents on what a watershed is and why they are important to protect. This year the Coalition is challenging residents to look at our local watersheds in new and different ways with the theme: Windows on Your Watershed.A list of events is available at their website
Setting a new bar for the NYS Assembly Assemblyman Skartados passes on per diem pay
"I'd much rather be home each night with my daughter than up there in a room full of politicians ," Skartados said READ MORE
Poughkeepsie Journal July 3
Uh-oh...Hinchey and Schumer push for casinos in Hudson Valley Time is of the essence to approve casinos in Sullivan County, says Hinchey
... to reverse a decision from the Bush administration that does not allow for Native American casinos on off-reservation lands. READ MORE MidHudson News June 21
Add 10% to your Central Hudson Bill!
Central Hudson rate hikes OK’d The plan approved on Thursday calls for Central Hudson electricity customers to incur rate increases of 4.1 percent in the first year, 3.6 percent in the second year and 3 percent in the third year. For typical users, that equates to monthly increase of $4.42, $3.65 and $2.68, respectively. READ MORE
Daily Freeman June 18
Steinhause to Gamache-GO! Steinhaus threatens revenge against Dutchess Republicans who back elections boss
Steinhaus made a rare trip Monday into a closed-door Republican caucus, where he threatened to withhold funding for projects within the legislative districts of legislators who vote to reappoint Gamache, according to several GOP lawmakers who attended the caucus. READ MORE
Daily Freeman June 17
RHC NOTE :Gamache was one of the main participants in the 2008 Bard / Marist student voter disenfranchisement. A Google search will reveal other controversies surrounding his service.
AP Sources: NY Empire Zone program to be scrapped
The 22-year-old Empire Zone program now serving more than 8,000 businesses was marred by scandal in which politically connected companies secured tax breaks despite failing to keep promises to add job . READ MORE
Times Record Online June 16
A Dangerous Disappearing Act In New York a farm is lost to development every three days creating a hole in the “farming market:” As the farms begin to disappear, so do the people who sell the hay, the tractors, the livestock; if there isn’t enough demand for their product, they are forced to move out. When the suppliers leave the region, the farms still in operation become vulnerable. If driving all the way across the state just to get hay isn’t financially viable, then those farms will disappear as well. Needless to say, if the farms are disappearing, so is the food. READ MORE
Housing developer suing Kingston
“It just goes to show how difficult it is to do business in New York state,” the mayor said. “The city is following the rules of (the State Environmental Quality Review Act), and who winds up getting sued? The city of Kingston. READ MORE
Daily Freeman June 6
Free health insurance ends for Dutchess County leaders County Executive William Steinhaus on Thursday signed a local law requiring all county leaders to pay 15 percent of their health insurance premiums. READ MORE
Daily Freeman June 11
Towns Challenge New Jersey Voters’ Wishes New Jersey residents turned out in record numbers last month to reject 58 percent of their school districts’ budget proposals, sounding an unmistakable protest.
But in the weeks since, many of the 316 defeated budgets have been adopted with few, if any, changes by municipal councils, where members risked thwarting the will of voters — and incurring their wrath — rather than cut sports, lay off teachers or increase class sizes. READ MORE
New York Times May 27
Wappinger board adds attendance mandate Should Red Hook?
...the law requires attending 80 percent of any regular or special board meetings within a 12-month period. READ MORE
Poughkeepsie Journal May 21
Hinchey stresses his lack of involvement in Saugerties development
U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey has a financial interest in the Partition Street Project, which is to be constructed within the village for which he secured $800,000 in federal funding for a sewer infrastructure project his office called “critical to the village’s commercial future.” READ MORE
Daily Freeman May 21
Hinchey misstated use of federal grant for Saugerties
A village official says U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey overstated at the outset the planned use of $800,000 in federal money to rehabilitate sewer lines. READ MORE
Daily Freeman May 21
Padded Pensions Add to New York Fiscal Woes
In Yonkers, more than 100 retired police officers and firefighters are collecting pensions greater than their pay when they were working. One of the youngest, Hugo Tassone, retired at 44 with a base pay of about $74,000 a year. His pension is now $101,333 a year READ MORE
New York Times May 20
Horse Racing over Parks? Assemblyman blasts governor's decison
Paterson’s priorities are “seriously misplaced,” said the freshman lawmaker READ MORE MidHudsonNews May 20
Hinchey tops in local pork
U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, leads federal representatives in the region in securing federal pork-barrel funds for local projects, according to the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste’s annual “Pig Book,” which put Hinchey’s budget earmarks at $54.96 million.READ MORE
Daily Freeman May 18
Overtime pay decrease in Dutchess reverses a trend With the county facing declining sales-tax revenues and state-mandated payments, the decrease in the county's total overtime in 2009 breaks an overtime trend that rose in the previous five years. READ MORE
Poughkeepsie Journal May 17
Vanderbilt gardens open to public for tours
Association member Suzanne Gillespie said a few tours were offered last year and were well received, so they decided to offer them again.The first one of the season was Sunday, and they will be offered the third Sunday of each month through October, weather permitting. READ MORE
Poughkeepsie Journal May 17
Debating use of Tasers
Queensbury man leads fight to halt use of weapon by Glens Falls Police.He says shooting the weapon, which delivers electrical shocks through wiring from more than 20 feet away, is unconstitutional because it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment READ MORE
Albany Times Union May 17
Tomato growers in Hudson Valley told to take steps against blight
As farmers and home gardeners set out their tomatoes this spring, plant experts offered suggestions for preventing another outbreak of late blight, which destroyed millions of dollars worth of tomatoes in the eastern U.S. last year. READ MORE
Times Herald-Record May 12
Gillibrand joins Rachael Ray to promote healthy eating among kids Ray said she is asking lawmakers to find more money for the bill to help deal with health costs caused by obesity.
"Find the money now and get it done or you are going to be part of sinking our ship down the line," Ray said she told members of Congress.READ MORE
Daily Freeman May 12
Group flunks local senators on green bills
State Sens. John Bonacic and Bill Larkin have received an "F" on their environmental midterms. READ MORE
Times Herald-Record May 12
Local schools' spending outpaces state average
Eleven of the 16 proposed 2010-11 tax levies for local public school districts exceed the average increase statewide, according to a Poughkeepsie Journal analysis. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal May3
Red Hook school budget would hike tax levy 5.9%
School district officials are seeking voter approval of a proposed $44.38 million budget carrying a 1.83 percent spending increase of $797,053.Under the spending plan there would be a $27.49 million property tax levy, a 5.9 percent increase of $1.53 million.
Voting will be noon to 9 p.m. May 18 in Mill Road Elementary School on Mill Road. READ MORE Daily Freeman May 3
Dutchess County officials say 2011 budget will be more difficult than 2010
Dutchess County's 2011 budget will be even more difficult than 2010, according to Finance Commissioner Pamela Barrack and Budget Director Valerie Sommerville. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal May3
Smog levels ease in Ulster County; Dutchess gets failing grade
Dutchess County, however, continues to have air quality levels the association deems unhealthy for individuals with asthma or other respiratory ailments. READ MORE Daily Freeman April 28
Former top New York state tax aide: 'Rules are stupid
Revelations that Lee Kyriacou, who left his job as director of the Office of Real Property Tax Services in December while under investigation by the Inspector General's Office, had allegedly run afoul of regulations are the latest in a series of state government scandals.READ MORE
Albany Times Union April 28
As if 20 years in Congress wasn't enough time to make a change.... we couldnt make this stuff up...
The political quote of the week "Despite the state of affairs surrounding state government and the failing economy, I find myself more compelled than ever to seek re-election to the state Senate. I have no intention of deserting the ship even though it has taken on an abundance of water," Saland said.
Sad State of Our State
As we peruse the press for stories to share with our readers we are increasingly dismayed by some of the stories that surface regarding our state leadership and what they will say and do in their quest for power and ultimately their abuse of it, all at taxpayers expense.
These are stories within two days Former Congressman John Sweeney led to jail for drunk driving conviction READ MORE
Albany Times April 23
Molinaro positioning for Tea Party vote?
As the Tea Party voice to oust incumbents grows louder Molinaro, a career politician, has work cut out making his argument that has not been one of "them" for the last 13 years as indicated by this story...
GOP session in Hudson supports state constitutional convention READ MORE
Daily Freeman April 22
SEC: McGinn, Smith sent investor money to John Faso's firm
The Securities and Exchange Commission is alleging that McGinn, Smith & Co. sent nearly $20,000 to former gubernatorial candidate John Faso's law firm last spring as the company was having trouble meeting payroll and other expenses READ MORE Albany Times Union April 26
Former state official from Dutchess found to have exploited staff READ MORE
MidHudsonNews April 27
Cuomo seeks staff pay records from Espada as part of probe
On Tuesday, Cuomo announced a lawsuit against Espada that alleges he siphoned more than $14 million from Soundview. On Wednesday, its offices were raided by state and federal investigator READ MORE
Albany Times Union April 23
Feds: Give Bruno 8 years
Federal prosecutors ask stiff term; defense cites age, work, health in request for leniency from judge READ MORE
Albany Times Union April 23
GOP asks high court to undo 'soft money' ban
The Republican Party asked the Supreme Court on Friday to allow political parties to raise unlimited contributions, the latest outgrowth of the court's decision to unleash corporate and labor spending in federal elections.
The filing sought to undo the ban on the raising of soft money — unlimited donations from corporations, unions and others — by national party committees.
School Board Vote
In Red Hook, four candidates will vie for two seats on the school board. Incumbents Johanna Moore of 10 Rokeby Road, and Kelly Mosher of 29 Grandmour Drive, are seeking re-election to two three-year terms. Frank Vosburgh, of 181 Middle Road, Rhinebeck, and Randolph Haddad, of 30 Cherry St., Red Hook, are seeking their first terms on the board. The seats will go to the two highest vote-getters
Taxed Out Property taxes weigh heavily in Dutchess As bills rise, home values fall
Dutchess County ranks 37th in the nation for highest median property taxes, and the 38th-highest percentage of income to property taxes in the nation, according to census data. READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal April 19
New Dutchess comptroller targets 'sugar daddy' spending READ MORE Poughkeepsie Journal April 19
No. No. No. No. No hybrids among Dutchess County vehicle buys
Dutchess County will spend nearly $750,000 on new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office and other county departments.
But Republican lawmakers once again rejected attempts by Democrats to include gas-electric hybrid vehicles among the purchases, and they rejected a call by one of their own to keep six vehicles that are expected to have less than 85,000 miles on them by year’s end. READ MORE Daily Freeman April 14
More. More. More.
New tax waves begin ripple across the river?
Saugerties school budget raises tax by 21%
The Saugerties Board of Education has approved a $55.1 million budget for 2010-11 that would raise the property tax levy an estimated 21.1 percent. READ MORE Daily Freeman April 15
DC Legislature approves creating sewer district in Red Hook Thomas Mollica, of Red Hook, voiced his opposition to the district in a letter to legislators. He said, "We oppose the forced participation in a sewage system whose primary purpose is not to protect the environment but rather to increase building development on the fringes of the proposed sewer district." READ MORE
Poughkeepsie Journal April 13
In the breaking story about the Milan court decison most of us know this is a story 8 years in the making and very important to the Northern Dutchess communities.
Only the Freeman reported it, giving a scant 2 paragraphs on the case and 15 paragraphs on the opponents appeal.
(see both articles below story on left)
The Poughkeepsie Journal made NO mention in their on-line edition. This begs the question...why?
In this particular case it's likely there are political overtones as to what makes the paper and what doesn't.
We try to support the local press and encourage readership but here in Red Hook, Milan and neighboring communities we are very disappointed on the lack of coverage we get.
New York Denies Indian Point a Water Permit
In a major victory for environmental advocates, New York State has ruled that outmoded cooling technology at the Indian Point nuclear power plant kills so many Hudson River fish, and consumes and contaminates so much water, that it violates the federal Clean Water Act. READ MORE
New York Times April 3
After a couple episodes with Judge Brands this sounds like a good direction...
Will New York change the rules on donations to judges' campaigns?
Every so often, some New York lawmakers sponsor a bill that would require lawyers and their clients to disclose the campaign contributions they've made to a judge when they appear before that judge.
The bill usually dies a quiet Albany death, but this year, it's got the weight of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision behind it.
In June 2009, the nation's highest court ruled, in a case called Caperton vs. A.T. Massey Coal Inc., that states can set standards for when elected judges should recuse themselves, in matters where the people appearing before them have made substantial campaign contributions. READ MORE
Times Herald April 4
Have trouble accessing your representative when you have problems. Lobbyists dont...
A Back Hall Where Rules Are Ignored ...But like many of the rules meant to create distance between lobbyists and legislators in Albany, it is frequently broken. READ MORENew York Times Mar 29
'Pork' reform move gains support Measure would address what critics of system call unfair distribution...the bill calls for sweeping reforms of the member item program, including equal distribution of funds to all districts, clear prohibitions on conflicts on interest, and greater monitoring by state agencies. READ MORE Albany Times Union Mar 23
One would think that a process that pumped all kinds of chemicals into the ground would be subject to environmental scrutiny, but it isn't;
Carving up farms was all the rage
