News

In Hudson, tall tails tell the story. United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties Executive Director Brad Poster once again brought together the Mystic Krewe of Barkus for a revival of the Barkus Pet Costume Parade, Saturday, October 14 in Hudson. Dozens of pets and their owners stepped off from the Seventh Street Park, where bumblebee Jill Hapeman met some of the dogs, and marched down Warren Street to the Promenade Hill Park, led by the van of Oldies 93 iHeartRadio host Bill Williams, who kept “Who Let the Dogs Out” on continuous replay. All proceeds for the event will be donated to local charities. At Promenade Park awards were presented by judges Juliete and Evangeline and their parents Kelly Drahushuk and Alan Coon of Spotty Dog Books and Ale. First place went to Cadyn Winkler and his dog Jazzy (pictured center), who represented a pair of Minions. Second place was presented to Kathy Dierkes and her giant Newfoundland named Mousse (pictured l), who was dressed as a Hershey’s kiss. Photo by David Lee

Chatham panel raises concerns over Reclaim group’s goals

by T.M.HAWLEY

CHATHAM–Several dozen Columbia County residents gathered at the Chatham Firehouse on Sunday, October 8, to hear the views of three speakers on the ballot initiative Proposal 1 (whether to call for a state constitutional convention) and the organization known as Reclaim New York. The speakers were Courtney Brunelle, political action representative for the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees; attorney Michael Kink, executive director of the Strong for All Coalition; and Joyce St. George, leadership trainer and former anticorruption investigator for the state Attorney General’s Office of Criminal Justice. The meeting was sponsored by the SpeakOut Committee of Indivisible Chatham NY.

The speakers were unanimous in their opposition to Proposal 1, arguing that the wealthiest New Yorkers would control the convention and use it to abdicate their responsibilities to the vast majority of citizens.

All three also painted a picture of Reclaim New York as an organization funded by secretive billionaires seeking to gain detailed information on individual New York households and to sow distrust among citizens for their elected representatives, with the goal of significantly decreasing the tax and regulatory burden borne by those billionaires. “We have an insidious problem” with Reclaim New York, said Ms. St. George. “It divides the community and the government.” Read more…

Buses will run to and from college

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON–Buses to Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC) from various Columbia County locations started running early this month, a spokeswoman at the County Department of Social Services (DSS) confirmed this week.

These buses to and from the college serve Philmont, Mellenville, Claverack and Hudson run three days a week—Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Each of those days there are two bus runs to the college and one bus run from the college.

One run starts at the Philmont garage at 8:30 a.m. and gets to the college at 9:30 a.m. The second route starts at the Philmont garage at 11 a.m. and arrives at the college at noon. Read more…

Supe seeks firearms dialog; Sheriff’s Security Services accredited

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON–This month’s meeting of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors included a call by one supervisor for dialogue on gun ownership policies.

Speaking at the Wednesday, October 11, session Supervisor William Hughes (D-Hudson, 4th Ward), asked in reference to the massacre in Las Vegas, “We have a right to own guns, but what does that mean?… Do we need rapid fire weapons? Tracer bullets?”

“I’ve been a sportsman all my life,” he said. “But I do not believe we should modify our guns for more carnage. Read more…

Copake’s nearly a no-boom town now

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—Fireworks are messy and will no longer be set off in Copake Memorial Park.

At its October 12 meeting, the Town Board approved Local Law #4, which prohibits fireworks in the park from now on.

The impetus for the new law was the celebration of the park’s 35th anniversary August 5 and its aftermath. Read more…

Unopposed Hudson mayoral hopeful meets with public

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON–It doesn’t look like a tight race for mayor in the city this November… or any race at all. But city residents have raised a variety of issues at conversational meetings with Rick Rector, Hudson’s unopposed candidate for mayor. Mr. Rector (D), currently a First Ward alderman, has scheduled the meetings in each of the city’s five wards and this report includes remarks from the meetings on October 10 and 11 in the Third and Fourth wards.

Rick Rector / Photo contributed

“If you want economic development in your community, make it a nice place to live!” said Peter Young of Warren Street, quoting the mayor of Beacon.

Dan Jacoby of Rossman Avenue voiced concern about long-abandoned buildings, in particular one around the corner from him on Prospect Street. “It could be a fire hazard.” Read more…