Basic Income program seeks applicants

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON—An online application to receive $500 a month for five years, with no restrictions on what one does with the money, is available now. The announcement was made by Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson in an online meeting August 14.

To be eligible, one must live in Hudson, be at least 18 years old and have an income less than $35,153 a year. Applications will be accepted until September 20. To access the application online enter HudsonUP.org

HudsonUP is the name of the monthly income program. For people without computers, “We’ll be looking to set up locations” in the Salvation Army building and elsewhere, said Joan Hunt of Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood. The application form has both an English and a Spanish version; a Bengali version is being prepared. Read more…

Copake mounts response to solar project

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—The first step in the Town of Copake’s strategy to stand up to Hecate Energy and its proposed industrial-sized 60-megawatt solar facility in Craryville is already in the works.

The initial move involves changes to Copake’s Zoning Code regarding solar energy installations “to make sure the law is reasonable” and “strikes a balance between town and state energy policy.”

Under current Copake Zoning Law, the Hecate project is 50 times the size of a permissible utility scale facility. Read more…

Honoring their sacrifices in defense of freedom

by CHRISTOPHER QUINBY

More than 60 people, including the Copake Town Board, attended the unveiling of Copake’s new Purple Heart Town sign, August 8 in the Town Hall parking lot. Dick Barton and Avery “Prope” Dietter, local living Purple Heart recipients, along with deceased recipients, Clayton Boughton and Gary Alan Peck were honored. State Senator Daphne Jordan (R-43rd), was the guest speaker and handed out recognitions. She is pictured above on the right at the sign unveiling with (l-r) Columbia County Director of Veteran’s Services Command Sergeant Major Gary Flaherty, Mr. Dietter and Mr. Barton. At its meeting earlier that morning the Town Board adopted a resolution which says in part, Copake “recognizes the sacrifices that the Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedoms and acknowledges their services and courage while protecting our country.” Photo by Christopher Quinby

Canaan marks 238 years of Purple Heart

by PETER FLIERL

CANAAN—The first Purple Heart was awarded by George Washington 238 years ago on August 7, 1782. The anniversary was observed at Flatbrook Cemetery at an August 7, 2020 ceremony featuring families of three local World War II Purple Heart recipients: Marine Corporal Charles N. Girdler, Jr., Army PFC Richard P. Hatch, and Marine PFC Vernon L. Warren.

The event was organized by Mr. Flaherty, Columbia County Veterans Services Agency director, and Canaan Town Historian Dodie Gearing, and a gentle rain did not diminish the words of gratitude and appreciation from Canaan Town Supervisor Brenda Adams and State Senator Daphne Jordan (R-43rd).

Mr. Flaherty and others noted that Columbia County has been officially named a Purple Heart County, a designation carried on signs at every roadway entering Columbia County. Read more…

Hillsdale board taps Ward, a candidate, interim supervisor

by LORNA CHEROT LITTLEWAY

HILLSDALE—Following a spirited conversation toward the end of its monthly meeting, the Hillsdale Town Board voted 2-0 to appoint colleague Robina Ward interim supervisor. She will serve through December 31, 2020.

Board members Steve Tiger and Tom Carty voted in the affirmative. Deputy Supervisor Jill Sims, who chaired the meeting, abstained from voting, citing her name being put forward for the position by two audience participants during the public comments session of the Zoom conference call.

Ms. Ward recused herself from the discussion. She will be a candidate for supervisor in the November general election, running on the Hillsdale Unity Party line. Her opponent will be Chris Kersten, a former Hillsdale town judge, who was selected on August 5 to be the Hillsdale Democratic Party’s candidate. Read more…