News

Hudson Pride march draws big crowd. This year’s Hudson Pride Parade theme, June 16, was “Superheroes.” The parade down Warren Street from 7th Street Park was part of related events organized by OutHudson that ran from Thursday through Sunday. The organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life and advance the visibility of LGBTQ people in Columbia County. The grand marshal this year was Sarah McBride, the National Press Secretary at the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization. Marchers in the parade included Trixie Starr (a/k/a Rich Volo), the director of OutHudson; several of the candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 19th Congressional District; Zephyr Teachout, running for the Democratic nomination for the state attorney general, as well as local businesses and trucks from the Hudson Fire Department. Photo by David Lee

Hillsdale man wants lid on truck brake noise

by LORNA CHEROT LITTLEWAY

HILLSDALE–During the public comment portion of the monthly Town Board meeting June 12 hamlet resident Craig Norton asked the board to pursue a “No Engine Brakes” sign to address the issue of truck noise on Route 23 as the vehicles enter Hillsdale from the west.

Mr. Norton, a 25-year hamlet resident, described the noise from large, short-haul trucks as ranging from “annoying to unbearable,” He added, “I love [the new] sidewalks and street lights but would trade for one lousy sign.”

Town Supervisor Peter Cipkowski remarked that the state Department of Transportation has not been receptive to past town requests for signs to lower speed limits along sections of Route 22 and suggested that Mr. Norton organize a petition drive among hamlet residents for a “No Engine Brakes” sign. Mr. Cipkowski acknowledged that some residents are averse to “sign pollution” in the hamlet. Read more…

Chatham hears village can borrow from itself, but…

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM–The Village Board heard a review from village accountant Robert Patterson before opening their meeting last Thursday, June 14. Village Treasurer Barbara Henry said after the meeting that Mr. Patterson told the board that a private audit of village finances could cost as much as $30,000 and if state auditors reviewed the books they would just look at internal systems, and Mr. Patterson said those are fine.

Ms. Henry also said that the accountant explained to the board and residents who were at the meeting that the board can lend money from the general fund to the Water and Sewer departments to cover the deficit, but those funds have to be repaid.

The village is currently running a deficit of about $370,000 for water and sewer services. Read more…

You’ll get a bang out of this

by DIANE VALDEN

United Way sells fireworks, banned here, at river’s edge

HUDSON—It is illegal to buy, sell or possess fireworks in Columbia County.

A Local Law dated June 14, passed by the Columbia County Board of Supervisors declares that fireworks “pose a significant risk to public safety.” For those convicted, fines of $100 to $750 will be imposed depending on the level of the offense.

But will this stop people from buying and setting off firecrackers in the backyard?

United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties Executive Director Brad Poster is betting—even hoping—the Fourth of July tradition wins out. Read more…

G’town has a PD but no cops right now

by DEBBY MAYER

GERMANTOWN—Last month the Town Board approved the hiring of Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt, retired New York State Police superintendent, as a consultant to “conduct a management and feasibility study of the Germantown Police Department.” But the department has already changed.

Supt. Corbitt’s report is expected later this month or in early July, town Supervisor Robert Beaury said after the June 12 Town Board meeting. A discussion of the study is scheduled for the board’s July 10 meeting.

Officer-in-charge of the two-person GPD, Brian DuBois, is on paid administrative leave. Mr. Beaury wrote in a June 19 email: “no further comment.” Read more…

Hudson Flag Day parade photos

by DAVID LEE

Ralph and Dot Avery rode on the back of a classic Buick GS in the Flag Day Parade in Hudson on June 9. Mr. Avery was the Flag Day Parade Grand Marshal. He is a veteran of the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944. Photo by David Lee

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