Category Archives: News

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

Food insecure? This kitchen can help

by DAVID LEE

Speaking to neighbors and supporters July 10, Livingston resident Carole Clark explains the mission of the non-profit program called the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, which is preparing and delivering high nutrition meals prepared by a professional chef. Photo by David Lee

SPENCERTOWN—In the wake of the pandemic a new organization dedicated to the challenge of combating food insecurity in the area has taken root. Called the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, it is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization started in April, 2020. A fundraising event that attracted about 50 people was held on Saturday, July 10 to help this organization expand its work.

According to founder Carole Clark, The Columbia County Recovery Kitchen is dedicated to providing fresh nutrition-rich, balanced meals, cooked from scratch, packaged and delivered.

Ms. Clark was chef proprietor of Charleston Restaurant in Hudson for over 19 years. She sold the restaurant in 2006 and began working with children in Hudson with the Department of Youth, teaching them gardening, cooking, baking, etc. Read more…

Pot law options pose puzzles

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—Opt in or opt out?

That’s the decision municipalities across the state must make in connection with the new law legalizing marijuana.

Signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo March 31, the legislation:

*Legalizes adult-use cannabis

*Establishes the Office of Cannabis Management to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework that covers medical, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp

*Expands the state’s existing medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs

*Provides licensing for marijuana producers, distributors, retailers and other actors in the cannabis market

*Creates a social and economic equity program to assist individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement who want to participate in the industry, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

At the July 8 Copake Town Board meeting, the first in-person meeting since March 2020, Town Supervisor Jeanne Mettler asked Town Attorney Kenneth J. Dow to talk about the new law and what it means for Copake. Read more…

They know a celebration when they sniff one

by DAVID LEE

The People’s Parade returned to the Village of Kinderhook this July 4 after taking last year off due to the pandemic. Marching by the Village Square are the hounds of the Old Chatham Hunt Club. The parade is open to all people and their well-behaved canines. Marchers lined up on Rothermel Lane at 11 a.m. and paraded to the Village Square. There was a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the national anthem, a talk from Village Historian Ruth Piwonka and, as he has done since 1985, Mark Leinung read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety, “warts and all,” as he put it. Photo by David Lee

Hudson eyes new bullying rules when school opens

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON—The Hudson City School District (HCSD) kicked of the 2021-22 school year with a Board of Education meeting July 1, where Board members took their oaths of office, designated various officials and welcomed a new head of maintenance.

The board also heard concerns about bullying based on economic status and opened a 30-day comment period on this year’s District Safety Plan.

The board voted to keep Carrie Otty president and Willette Jones vice president. Ms. Otty has been president since 2016, and Ms. Jones has been vice president since 2018. The Board has five additional members: Sage Carter, Mark DePace, Selha Graham, Charles Parmentier, and Lucinda Segar. Mr. DePace and Ms. Graham were elected to the board this year. Read more…

Oh, the things you can do as an ‘NEU’

by EMILIA TEASDALE

GHENT—On March 11 of this year President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), a $1.9 trillion stimulus package. The state Conference of Mayors called this a “huge victory,” stating “the plan includes $360 billion in direct financial relief for state and local governments, including $65 billion for America’s cities, villages and towns, as well as $65 billion for counties.”

Local municipalities and county school districts have talked about the funding at board meetings, waiting for more details on the funds from the Federal Government. At the Chatham Town Board meeting June 17, Supervisor Donal Collins reported briefly on the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. He said the town’s Finance and Planning Committee would be “busy next month” as the federal treasury refines its guidelines.

Supervisor Collins pointed out that the town is a non-entitlement unit (NEU), which means the funding will go to the state for distribution to the town. He also said the town would have to split a percentage of the funding with the Village of Chatham based on population. The Town of Ghent will also have to share some its funding with the village, since the Village of Chatham is in both towns. Read more…