The Columbia Paper

Stigma, healthcare barriers compound disabilities

October 31, 2009 by TED SALEM

GREENPORT–The Columbia County Community Services Board in partnership with the Columbia County Department of Human Services held its 16th annual Legislative Forum Friday, October 23, at Columbia-Greene Community College, with federal, state and local officials on hand to listen and respond to concerns about the delivery of physical health care to persons with disabling conditions. Many of the problems were identified at a public hearing held by the board September 17.

The Columbia County Community Services Board (CSB) is responsible under state law to assess the needs of individuals with chemical dependency, mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities, and among those present at the forum to hear that assessment were Benedict McCaffree, representing Congressman Scott Murphy (D-20th), Senator Stephen Saland (R-41st), Assemblymen Marcus Molinaro (R-103rd), and Supervisors Roy Brown (R-Germantown), William Hughes (D-Hudson)and Lynda Sheer (R-Gallatin), along with county Sheriff David W. Harrison Jr.

Judge dismisses suit by New Leb justice

October 31, 2009 by GAIL HEINSOHN

NEW LEBANON—A state Supreme Court judge has dismissed the lawsuit that junior town Justice Darcy Poppey filed against other town officials.

Senior Town Justice Shaun McHugh announced the dismissal of the suit at a meet-the-candidates event Thursday, October 29, at the firehouse, and Town Attorney Jason Shaw confirmed the decision Friday.

Justice Poppey had sought to have the court prevent the Town Board from changing the status and hours of the deputy court clerk, who assists her. She also sought to have the court force the Town Board to increase her salary.

Chatham braces for annual sugar exchange

October 30, 2009 by EMILIA TEASDALE

Homes on some streets see over 700 costumed kids

CHATHAM – It’s sunset on Halloween night. Do you know where your children are? Most likely they are on Kinderhook Street in the Village of Chatham. Houses on the half-mile long street have been known to get 700 to 800 trick-or-treaters.

“The houses are close together, it’s a long street, almost all residential,” said Chatham Village Police Chief Kevin Bohme of why Kinderhook Street is such a draw. He also says that Payn Avenue is another busy street on Halloween evening. “Our biggest concern on Payn Avenue and Kinderhook Street is cars,” said Chief Bohme in a recent interview. He says the village can’t block Kinderhook street traffic since it’s a main route through the village. Parents are very safety conscious on Halloween, he said, but one problem is traffic back-ups, as parents drive their kids from house to house and wait in their cars in the street.

Police charge K’hook man with multiple felonies

October 29, 2009 by DIANE VALDEN

GHENT—Livingston State Police investigators have charged a local man with 16 felonies relating to the forgery of legal documents.
John Novine, 45, of Kinderhook was charged with six counts of second degree forgery, six counts of first degree offering a false instrument for filing, three counts of first degree falsifying business records and one count of criminal possession of a forgery device, October 28.

Breast cancer screening October 29

October 28, 2009 by STAFF

HUDSON—In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Columbia Memorial Hospital will conduct a Breast Cancer Screening Night Thursday, October 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the medical office building, 71 Prospect Avenue, suite 190.
Three staff physicians and the Cancer Services Program of Columbia and Greene counties support the program.
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