Category Archives: News

Read the latest local news from Columbia County and surrounding areas.

HHA continues search for director and for safety

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON—With the roles of executive director and legal counsel filled for now, the Hudson Housing Authority (HHA) turned its attention last month to security and mental health, among other pressing issues.

The HHA runs the 135 income-restricted Bliss apartments in Hudson. Since early in the fall the authority had been temporarily without an executive director and legal counsel. Then, in late October, the HHA’s seven-member Board of Commissioners hired Nick Zachos, the former head of Hudson’s Youth Department, and Aiesha Davie as interim co-executive directors. But after the two had worked together for about a week and a half, Mr. Zachos reported that Ms. Davie decided not to continue.

“Now I will take on the responsibilities myself,” Mr. Zachos concluded at the time.

As the sole executive director, but hired only for 20 hours a week, Mr. Zachos warned board members that he would be reaching out to them for support. And he told the board in December that his last day on the job will be April 1, 2022. Read more…

Ancram Board catches up with other towns’ wages

by DIANE VALDEN

ANCRAM—The Town Board was in a giving spirit this holiday season—approving substantial raises for everyone on the payroll, themselves included.

At its December 16 meeting, the Town Board enacted a local law to increase the salaries of certain elected officials by 6%.

The law says the board “wishes to adjust certain elected officials’ salaries to reflect the 5.9% increases in the cost of living index between 3Q 2020 and 3Q 2021.”

No one commented on the law at the public hearing held just prior to the December meeting. Read more…

Hudson District chooses new superintendent of schools

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

Dr. Lisamarie Spindler, above, a school administrator in Newburgh, will lead the Hudson City School District. Photo by Jeanette Wolfberg

HUDSON—The Hudson City School District Board of Education announced at its December 21 meeting that it has selected Dr. Lisamarie Spindler to become district superintendent beginning February 1, after current Superintendent Maria L. Suttmeier retires.

Dr. Spindler comes to Hudson from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, where she has been assistant superintendent of finance since August 2020. Previously she was assistant superintendent of curriculum in the same district and a principal, assistant principal, and teacher in various Orange County schools.

She started her education career as a 6th grade teacher and now holds a BA in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta (2000), and advanced degrees in Education from Pace, Manhattanville, and Long Island University. She earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration degree from Pace University in 2017.

“I am humbled, honored and grateful,” Dr. Spindler told the meeting. “I have very big shoes to fill.” She added that she had “gravitated” toward the Hudson City School District (HCSD) because of the warm welcome she felt. Read more…

GOP says this is safer. Dems ask, ‘Why now?’

by EMILIA TEASDALE

HUDSON—At the county Board of Supervisors’ organizational meeting January 3 the board voted to reassign the Emergency Management Office (EMO) by changing its status as a division of the county Sheriff’s Office and making it instead an independent county agency.

“A majority of the town supervisors voted against the measure,” according to a press release from the county Democratic Committee, but the board’s weighted voting led to its approval.

Supervisors who voted against the resolution said they needed more information before they could vote and some called on the chairman to table the motion to give the newly sworn-in sheriff, Don Krapf, who unseated a two-term incumbent last November, time to look over the divisions he now runs. Read more…

Don’t forget, it still needs water

by DAVID LEE

Sunday, December 19, was the last day of the Christmas tree selling season at the Pinto Ranch Tree Farm in Kinderhook, and business was brisk. The family of (l to r) Atlas, Penelope and Meg of Ghent found a big tree. Fresh trees can last a long time but all natural trees, wherever you get them, should have plenty of water. Photo by David Lee