Erin Brockovich, lawyers talk about Lafarge plant

by PARRY TEASDALE

RAVENA–Environmental activist Erin Brockovich will be one of the guests at a meeting Friday September 11, at 7 p.m. at Ravena-Coeyman-Selkirk High School to discuss the Lafarge Cement Plant in Ravena. Prevailing winds can carry emissions from the plant, one of the largest sources of airborne mercury, over northern Columbia and southern Rensselaer counties.

The town hall style meeting will be conducted by the New York City law firm Weitz and Luxenberg. P.C. and will also feature Dr. Mark Hyman, MD. Speakers will talk about the potential impact and options for addressing air pollution issues, and there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.

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Energy expert shines light on Copake’s solar deal

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE–After clearing up a contractual misunderstanding, the Town Board has agreed to go forward with its pursuit of solar power for the Town Hall.

At a special Town Board meeting August 28, Carlos Newcomb, a project manager with Hudson Valley Clean Energy (HVCE), came to assure board members that the town’s outlay of funds for the Town Hall solar panel project agreed upon last June will not exceed $1,000.

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Chatham agriculture group holds workshop on town plan

by STAFF

CHATHAM–The Chatham Agricultural Partnership, a group appointed by the Town Board to provide oversight for agricultural activity in the town, will hold a public workshop on the draft Chatham Agricultural Protection Plan at the Town Hall Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m.

Funding for this plan was provided through a state Department of Agriculture and Markets grant under the Municipal Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan Development Program. The meeting is open to the public.

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Schools prepare for flu

by EMILIA TEASDALE

State and county revise advice on how long to stay home

KINDERHOOK–School starts September 8 and local districts are getting ready for the influx of students and germs. Flu season is right around the corner, and after last spring’s H1N1 outbreak schools and health departments are trying to get the word out to students and parents about what do to stay healthy and to prevent the spread of the illness.

H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, is a subtype of the influenza virus that first appeared in Mexico last year, according to the World Health Organization. It quickly spread to the U.S. and othe countries and responsible for the decision by scientists and public health officials to declare the outbreak of the latest strain of the flu virus a pandemic.

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Parents worry about impact of new bus policy

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM–Schools Superintendent Cheryl Nuciforo met with parents and community members Tuesday, September 1, to discuss the district’s new one-bell busing system. Under the new system, approved by the board last spring and accounted for in the school budget taxpayers voted on in May, all students, from elementary through high school, will use the same buses at the same time, rather than the staggered bus routes of previous years, when older students were picked up and dropped off earlier then elementary school students.

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