News

The legacy endures. The annual Martin Luther King Day celebration at the Shiloh Baptist Church on Warren Street, Hudson was held Sunday, February 10. Worship leader for the evening was Hudson High School student Pierre Jeune (pictured). The Hudson Interfaith Council presents an award to an outstanding student for their contributions to school, church and community, known as the Micah 6:8 Award. It was awarded this year to Hudson High School senior Ahsraful Shamrat. Also presented was the first of what will become an annual honor, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, a community-funded award associated with the observation of Black History Month. That award went to Hudson High School senior Cierra Rice. The event was originally scheduled for January 20 but was postponed due to weather. Photo by David Lee

Gallery’s art helps healing

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—It’s where mental health and/or substance abuse recovery information and resources unite with creativity.

This place is a more than a dream, in fact the first fundraising exhibition presented by the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery opens at Camphill Solaris, 360 Warren Street, Saturday, February 16 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The exhibition features six artists who are in recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse problems. Attached to each artist’s display will be a brief bio-narrative of their recovery story. Read more…

State’s workload may slow ICC capital improvements

by EMILIA TEASDALE

KINDERHOOK–Representatives from CSArch and Turner Construction attended the Ichabod Crane Board meeting February 5 to give an update on the major capital improvement project the district is about to undertake. In December voters approved the board’s proposal to spend $27 million on upgrades to all three school buildings as well as projects around the campus.

Ed Anker, from CSArch, the firm designing the project, said his company was meeting with groups in the district on a “bi-weekly basis.” He said he had just received the results of a space survey from the schools’ staff about how the buildings are currently being used and how they would like the space to be used.

Mr. Anker said his company was meeting with “component groups” in the district. He also said that they are currently reviewing a site survey. Part of the plan includes building a road from the middle school building to the primary school, connecting all three school buildings in the district. Read more…

Mathews recognized with Kellner Award

by DAVID LEE

At the Columbia Memorial Hospital Winter Blast held February 2 at Club Helsinki in Hudson, the Clara Kellner Award was presented to Dr. John F. Mathews for his work both locally, and internationally with Doctors Without Borders. The annual event is a fundraiser and an opportunity for the hospital community to recognize one of its own. Dr. Mathews is also vice president of the Columbia-Greene Hospital Board. He is pictured in the center with Patti Matheney Schrom (left) who is chair of the Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation, and Columbia Memorial Health President and CEO Jay Cahalan. This is the third year of the Clara Kellner Award, named for a woman who is highly regarded for her philanthropic spirit and commitment to volunteerism. She also served as chair of the hospital board. Photo by David Lee

Kinderhook wants its state aid money back

by EMILIA TEASDALE

VALATIE–The Kinderhook Town Board passed a resolution Monday night calling on Governor Cuomo and the state legislature to continue Aid & Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) in the proposed state budget.

Governor Cuomo announced in his 2019-20 executive budget in January that he would be cutting AIM funding for some municipalities. The state budget runs from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. The town budget started January 1 and runs through December 2019.

Councilwoman Sally Hogan, who proposed the resolution, said that the City of Hudson would be the only municipality in the county to receive AIM funding in the next state budget. Read more…

Speakers blast managed care policy on disabled adults

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON–Services for people with special needs dominated the Columbia County Community Services Board (CSB) meeting January 30. Dr. Nancy Hoag, a psychologist, expressed concern about what happens when managed care takes over Medicaid. And Toni-Marie Ciarfella, PhD, Dutchess County’s deputy commissioner for special needs, offered an overview of programs and challenges.

“Regular” Medicaid pays for IQ tests and various services for adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability after the age of 26, Dr. Hoag said. But Medicaid programs are all converting to managed care. And except in cases of autism and traumatic brain injury, managed care insurance companies in general will not pay for these items. They call them “educational” rather than “medical” issues.

“It’s wrong,” Dr. Hoag of the lost coverage, a sentiment echoed by Ms. Ciarfella. Read more…