New generation performs a solemn duty

New Leb zoners want action against track campground

June 14, 2009 by GAIL HEINSOHN

NEW LEBANON–The town Zoning Board of Appeals has called on town officials to enforce regulations that prohibit camping on the site of the Lebanon Valley Speedway until Speedway owner Howard Commander obtains the required permit for a campsite.

The request for enforcement came in a letter dated June 3 from ZBA Chairman John Dax to town Zoning Enforcement Officer Stan Koloski and members of the Town Board. That was the day after a ZBA meeting at which Mr. Commander, representing Lebanon Valley Auto Racing (LVAR), appeared before the zoning board without the information called for on the application for a campground permit.

Robertson turns back challenge in New Leb

June 13, 2009 by GAIL HEINSOHN

NEW LEBANON–A lengthy Democratic caucus Tuesday, June 9, culminated in the party’s endorsement of incumbent Supervisor Margaret Robertson for re-election. She garnered 38 votes to challenger Allen Livermore’s 21.

Members also voted to endorse former two candidates for Town Board, Town Engineer Douglas Clark, with 45 votes, and Monroe (Monte) Wasch, with 34 votes. Mr. Wasch said he had decided only this week to run again. Two other people sought the endorsements, Tina Porte, who received 21 votes, and Phyllis Hulbert, who told The Columbia Paper that she didn’t know she was running until she saw her name in the paper. She received 14 votes.

It was a closed caucus, which some observers said was the first time in memory that those not eligible to vote had been excluded. Two members of the press and several community members were denied entry

Flag Day set for today

June 13, 2009 by STAFF

HUDSON–The annual Flag Day celebration organized by Hudson Elks Lodge 787 takes place today, Saturday, June 13, and it will spotlight local TV news anchors and reporters.

The parade, usually the largest such event in the city each year, step off at 3p.m. with a line of march that takes it westward down Warren Street.

Judge says Cascino lied

June 12, 2009 by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—Salvatore Cascino deliberately disobeyed a court order then lied about why he did it on the witness stand, according to a decision issued June 9 by Acting State Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Nichols.

In his ruling on two show-cause orders filed by attorneys for the Town of Copake, Judge Nichols found Mr. Cascino guilty of both criminal and civil contempt for violating the November 27, 2006 temporary restraining order (TRO) that prohibited Mr. Cascino from constructing, excavating or depositing anything on his 300-acre property called Copake Valley Farm.

Gillibrand presses ‘Medicare for all’

June 9, 2009 by Parry Teasdale

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke to Columbia County Democrats Saturday night, discussing healthcare and infrastructure funding among other topics. Photo by David Lee

(Updated 6/11/09)

CLAVERACK—At home with friends and allies, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was the featured speaker Saturday, June 6, at the second annual Martin Van Buren Dinner, a gathering of Democrats from around the Columbia County. In her remarks, Ms. Gillibrand, a resident of Greenport, laid out her legislative priorities, with “true healthcare reform” near the top of the list.

The Democrats who gathered at the Columbia Golf and Country Club also honored three of their own: Kay Abraham, Dianne Klinger and George Rodenhausen for their service to the party.

After acknowledging the honorees and some early supporters of her first bid for electoral office—her successful race for Congress in 2006—New York’s junior senator quickly segued to policy matters, starting with the economy but moving briskly on to other matters, including national health insurance. “Standing up for public healthcare is the most important thing we can do,” she said, adding that her goal was a system that achieved “Medicare for all.”