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Town, county and state business (and a little bit of federal business, too.)

Election 2011: Town-by-town coverage

By Lissa Harris
11/6/11 - 11:25 pm

Photo by Flickr user Ann Douglas. Published under Creative Commons license.

This year, voters go to the polls on November 8. Because it's an odd year, it's local-election season, with most towns in the Catskills and across New York State electing supervisors, town board members and other municipal leaders.

We've assembled a town-by-town guide to local elections throughout the Catskills. For towns in Ulster, Schoharie, Delaware and Greene counties, we have scanned in and posted sample ballots that feature the slate of candidates exactly as you will see them at the polls on Tuesday. These sample ballots come from each county's Board of Elections. (We're missing sample ballots for Sullivan County because we weren't able to drive there and collect the ballots in time, but we have posted a comprehensive list of all the candidates running for office in the county.)  Read more

Toll hike in effect today

By Andrea Girolamo
1/30/12 - 10:24 am

Get ready to dig a little deeper to ride across the Hudson. At 12:01 am today, toll hikes on the mid-Hudson crossings, approved last year, went into effect.

The Albany Times-Union reminds us:

The basic passenger car rate on the the Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle bridges will go from $1 to $1.25 for E-ZPass customers and to $1.50 for cash customers. Rates will also increase for commercial vehicles.

 

More bobcats could mean more bobcat hunting in New York State

By Lissa Harris
1/30/12 - 8:44 am

Photo of bobcat by Flickr user ucumari. Published under Creative Commons license.

New York's bobcat population is growing, says the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The elusive cats, found mostly in the Catskill, Taconic and Adirondack mountains in the state, are increasingly moving into central and western New York.

The DEC thinks the state's growing bobcat population can sustain an expanded hunting season. The agency is considering allowing bobcat hunting in territory where it is currently off-limits, and in some places extending the season. The AP reports:

Trappers and hunters have killed about 400 to 500 bobcats a year in recent years. Some bobcats are stuffed by taxidermists, but most are killed for their pelts, which sell for $50 to $200.

DEC estimates that fewer than 100 additional bobcats a year will be killed if its plan takes effect.  Read more

BOCES student rescued from ice pond in Liberty

By Julia Reischel
1/27/12 - 10:24 am

An 18-year-old student at the BOCES campus in the town of LIberty was rescued by state toopers, sheriff's deputies, and volunteer firemen from sinking into an icy pond on Tuesday, according to a press release from the New York State Police.

The teenager reportedly ran off the BOCES campus, into the woods, and attempted to swim across the ice-covered pond. When rescuers threw the him a rope, he refused to grab it, according to the press release.

Two rescuers, State Trooper Stephen Johnston and a volunteer fireman, had to follow the student into the pond to save him.

Here's the full press release from the New York State Police:

Liberty Troopers rescue BOCES student from a partially ice covered pond in the Town of Liberty   Read more

Onteora reconfiguration: A Bennett parent pleads for a two-school solution

By Lissa Harris
1/26/12 - 1:18 pm

On Tuesday, the Onteora Central School district held yet another meeting to discuss the planned reconfiguration of its three elementary schools, which could result in the closing of the Phoenicia School or the re-shuffling of grade levels among the district's three elementary schools.

But while Onteora goes through the painful process of deciding whether to close a school, change is afoot at the state level that could mean even greater uncertainty for local parents and students. The Freeman reports:  Read more

Got flood damage? New grants available for businesses and municipalities are now taking applications

By Julia Reischel
1/25/12 - 9:40 am

Above: Flood damage from Tropical Storm Irene in the Greene County town of Lexington. Photo taken on August 30, 2011, by Flickr user kimmcg. Posted in the Watershed Post Flickr pool.

Two big grant programs for storm-ravaged businesses, property-owners, farms, nonprofits, towns, and counties were unveiled yesterday by New York's Empire State Development agency and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The first program is a $21 million program aimed at businesses across the state and administered by Empire State Development. It will hand out grants of up to $20,000 each to farms, multi-dwelling property owners, small businesses, and NGOs that have "sustained direct, physical flood-related damage related to Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee." Business must apply by March 16.   Read more

Onteora board meets tonight; Shandaken scenic byway meeting postponed

By Lissa Harris
1/24/12 - 11:15 am

A hearing on the Route 28 Scenic Byway project, scheduled for tonight at 6pm in the Shandaken Town Hall, has been postponed. The byway meeting conflicted with an important Onteora School Board meeting on the reconfiguration of the district's elementary schools, which is expected to draw parents and community members from around the district.

The Onteora School Board meets tonight at 6pm at the Phoenicia Elementary School, which could be closed under one of several reconfiguration options the board is considering. The meeting will be preceded by a public forum at 5:15pm.

Shandaken town officials have not yet set a new date for the byway meeting.

DEP to get an earful from Ulster County at Stone Ridge meeting

By Lissa Harris
1/23/12 - 5:12 pm

Above, join our live blog at 6pm covering tonight's DEP forum in Ulster County.

Tonight, a long-anticipated public meeting will be held at 6pm at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge, for Ulster County officials and residents to share grievances with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Both city and state officials are expected to attend, the Daily Freeman reports.  Read more

Get your grants at the MARK Project

By Julia Reischel
1/22/12 - 8:57 am

Peg Ellsworth, the director of the Roxbury-based MARK Project, asked us to get the word out this week about several new grant programs for small businesses and commercial properties in Delaware County. Two press releases about the new programs as well as existing ones are below.

A few noteworthy items: There will be a meeting at the Roxbury Motel Conference Room on February 1 at 3pm to discuss funding for Roxbury to discuss grants for Roxbury-based building owners.

Also, the MARK Project is working on a "large grant" program for Middletown business owners, and expects to launch it at the end of January. The press releases ask that interested business owners contact the MARK Project directly with questions. (845-586-3500.)

Here are the full press releases:

Rental, Business Funding Programs Announced by MARK Project  Read more

Congressman Tonko visits Schoharie tomorrow to talk flood recovery

By Lissa Harris
1/20/12 - 12:34 pm

On Saturday, January 21, Congressman Paul Tonko (D, NY-21) will host a town hall meeting in the village of Schoharie to discuss flood recovery in the region.

The meeting will be held from noon to 1:30pm in the Schoharie High School Auditorium, 136 Academy Drive.

Before the meeting, Tonko will also tour Middleburgh and Schoharie to talk with business owners and volunteers.

The schedule, according to a press release issued today by Tonko's office:

 MIDDLEBURGH TOUR

  • 8:30 A.M.: Mrs. K’s Kitchen, 318 Main Street, Middleburgh
  • 9:00 A.M.: Middleburgh Hardware, 316 Main Street, Middleburgh
  • 9:30 A.M.: The Conglomerate, 331 Main Street, Middleburgh

SCHOHARIE TOUR  Read more

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