Hudson submits police reform plan to state

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON—Columbia County and the City of Hudson each has developed its own police reform plan, as required by the state. Between the county plan and the Hudson plan, “there are some similarities and some glaring differences,” Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson said March 11.

The Hudson plan has more in-depth policies toward body cameras and protocols toward children impacted by raids and arrests. But the Hudson and county plans each have leeway for further development.

Hudson’s plan was developed only for the city’s Police Department. The county’s plan considered changes for the county Sheriff’s Office and the Greenport, Philmont and Stockport departments. Like Hudson, the Village of Chatham conducted its own review. Read more…

Copake reflects on Covid’s toll

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—A year ago the world changed.

When the Copake Town Board met via Zoom Thursday, March 11, 2021 Supervisor Jeanne Mettler reflected that it had been one year since the World Health Organization had officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. She called it “a historic moment.”

In her monthly report, she spoke about where the town has been since then and where it is now headed.

A day after the fateful declaration, the Town Board met in-person. It was the last in-person meeting the board has had since. At that time they appointed a three-person Public Health Taskforce to advise the supervisor about what measures the town should take in the way of plans and protocols to address the coronavirus situation. Read more…

Small turnout selects village leaders

by EMILIA TEASDALE

ELECTION 2021

GHENT—The four villages in the county held elections Tuesday, March 16. Philmont and Valatie elected new mayors after long-time incumbents did not run for reelection.

In Chatham and Kinderhook, incumbents ran unopposed.

Village races in this state are non-partisan.

The results below for Chatham are unofficial because the election is run by the county Board of Elections. The results for the other villages are based on reports from village officials:

* indicates winners Read more…

DA charges former treasurer with felonies

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM—Former Village of Chatham Treasurer Barbara Henry was arraigned Wednesday, March 17, on felony theft charges related to missing village funds.

Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka announced the arraignment in a press release from the DA’s office, which said that Chatham Town Justice James Borgia-Forster arraigned Ms. Henry, 59, of Chatham, Wednesday in Chatham Town Court on the following charges: first degree tampering with public records, a D felony; two counts of third degree grand larceny, a class D felony; and official misconduct, an A misdemeanor.

State Police charged Ms. Henry with pocketing $4,182.37 in stolen public funds between April 2017 and 2018 by falsely altering public records pertaining to health insurance premiums retained by the village. Ms. Henry also is accused of stealing more than $8,420 in funds by unauthorized use of the company credit card from Cadmus Lifesharing Association of Great Barrington, MA, between October 2014 and December 2020. Ms. Henry allegedly committed both crimes in Chatham. Read more…

They’d better switch to field hockey now

by DAVID LEE

The ice was perfect for skating on the Sutherland Pond at the Ooms Conservation Area in the Town of Chatham Sunday, March 7. Thick and smooth, the ice last weekend was perfect for a borderless hockey scrimmage. Facing off (l to r) are Abigail Kohrs, Marc Blandori and Adrian Blandori. According to the Columbia Land Conservancy, Ooms includes the 35-acre pond along with 2.9 miles of trails. Photo by David Lee