Wilzig track foes win latest round in court

by DEBORA GILBERT

HUDSON–State Supreme Court Judge Patrick J. McGrath handed down an interim decision last week denying Alan Wilzig’s petition for dismissal of a complaint filed by the Granger Group in regard to his private motorcycle track. 

   Mr. Wilzig received site plan approval and designation as a permissible recreational use from the Town of Taghkanic’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board earlier this year. But he was unable to proceed with paving the track because of an injunction against further construction on the facility. The injunction was obtained by the Granger Group, an association of citizens opposed to the track and concerned about enforcement of town zoning law, and by neighbors to the Wilzig property who believe that the track is not allowed under the zoning laws.

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Benefit will help young child of ill mom

by GAIL HEINSOHN

KINDERHOOK–After being treated with cryosurgery for uterine and cervical cancer, 16-year-old Jessica Romey was told that she could never have a child. Four years later, after falling in love with Greg Sitzer, she became pregnant. On April 27, 2007, she delivered a healthy boy whom the couple named Cameron. Now 22, Ms. Romey calls Cameron her “miracle baby and my lifesaver,” as she deals with stage IV colon cancer that’s spread to her liver, her kidney, her bones and her spine.

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Blight kills veggies

by GAIL HEINSOHN

CLAVERACK–Gardeners–and customers–waiting eagerly for the taste of that first sun-warmed, fresh tomato may be disappointed this year, and without a drastic change in the weather, the disappointment may extend to those who savor tiny new potatoes.

   The unusual summer has provided ideal conditions for the growth of Phytophthora infestans, the bacteria that causes a disease called late blight on both plants.

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Police charge suspect in market robbery

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—City Police arrested a man in connection with a robbery and assault at Star Market, 534 Warren Street, Thursday, July 16 at 9:35 a.m.
   While following up on leads about the suspect, identified as James F. Gaudiosi, 43, of Hudson, police spotted him running away from them and into his Fairview Avenue residence.
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Copake residents ask who will enforce Cascino court order

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE–Who’s watching Salvatore Cascino? Inquiring Copake citizens want to know.

   Last month, Acting State Supreme Court Judge Jonathan Nichols found Mr. Cascino guilty of both criminal and civil contempt for violating the November 27, 2006 temporary restraining order that prohibited Mr. Cascino from constructing, excavating or depositing anything on his 300-acre property called Copake Valley Farm.

   In another matter related to Mr. Cascino, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo this week announced that his office was suing Mr. Cascino for the environmental damage as the result of his dumping activities in Dutchess County. The attorney general has also previously taken action against Mr. Cascino for illegal dumping in Copake.

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