Editor's note: Recently, I wrote about a press release sent by Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills's office, concerning a voluntary inmate work program at the county jail. Our story -- entitled "Delaware County sheriff nostalgic for chain gangs" -- pointed out a couple of paragraphs that Watershed Post publisher Julia Reischel and I thought were inflammatory.
I don't often make personal comments on stories, but since our story has now become part of the story, I'd like to say that I think that the discussion in the comments -- which was overall quite thoughtful and respectful -- has been good for everybody. I know it has for me.
"It is never “uncool” to look for the good in others, because when you do, you’ll usually find it," Sheriff Mills writes below. Very true. And I'd like to commend Sheriff Mills for being so forthcoming and willing to engage with the discussion. Bravo. --Lissa Harris
Above: Early morning fishing at the Ashokan Reservoir in the Catskills. Photo submitted to our Flickr Pool by Timothy E. Cox.
We've been getting a lot of great photos in our Flickr group pool lately. Below, please enjoy some gorgeous shots of local water bodies taken in the last couple of weeks by Watershed Post readers.
Flickr user CMMooney took this picture of clouds reflecting off of the Pepacton Reservoir.
Several days ago, the Watershed Post received a press release from the Delaware County Sheriff Thomas Mills about the department's inmate work detail program, under which they farm out inmates from the Delaware County Correctional Facility to work for local towns, villages and school districts. (Confession: We're a small office, we get a lot of press releases, and we didn't get around to reading it until today.) Read more
A little rain over the weekend was welcome, after a summer that's been unusually dry so far. But upstate New York is still pretty parched, raising the risk of wildfires, causing normally gushing streams to run at a trickle, and threatening drinking water shortages.
As a result of the mild winter with relatively little snowfall, as well as areas of the state which have received only 25% of the normal spring and early summer rainfall, wildfire danger across New York is heightened. Current weather forecasts predict above normal temperatures, elevating the risk for all of Upstate and Western New York. New York City and Long Island are at moderate risk levels.
All press is good press, or so the saying goes. By that logic, Catskills denizens ought to be pleased with the results of a high-profile effort by a group of local businesspeople to rebrand the region.
But after a recent New York Times story about the rebranding effort featured a lot of handwringing about how tarnished the region's reputation is, some local tourism promoters are wondering if dwelling publicly on the image of crumbling Borscht Belt hotels and schlocky comedy is doing more harm than good. Read more
This afternoon, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that they are loosening the regulations that govern transportation of firewood in the state.
According to a press release from the DEC, wood being transported to sawmills and other facilities for processing will no longer be considered "firewood," and is not covered by the regulations.
Also, under the revision, homeowners and other firewood users will not have to keep documentation of where their wood came from, unless they are burning it on state land.
The regulations, which are intended to prevent the spread of invasive tree-killing insects like emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, still prevent the transport of untreated firewood more than 50 miles from its source.
The New York Times has a good explanation of the decision, which was complicated -- and had Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. siding with the four more liberal members of the court in favor of the law, though he disagreed with their reasons:
The key provision that 26 states opposing the law had challenged – popularly known as the individual mandate – requires virtually all citizens to buy health insurance meeting minimum federal standards, or to pay a penalty if they refuse. Read more
The Delaware County Historical Association (DCHA) was founded in 1945 by a small group of county residents interested in preserving the history of the county. In the early 1960s, the Association purchased the Gideon Frisbee Farmstead located two miles north of Delhi. The property included the eighteenth century Gideon Frisbee House (now listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the Frisbee Barn, the family cemetery, and 60 acres of farmland and native forest. In 1964 the house was opened to the public. In the 1960s and 70s the Association acquired three other examples of Delaware County Vernacular architecture and moved the buildings to the site: the Amos Wood Gunshop, the Husted Hollow Schoolhouse, and the Tollgate House. Read more
It was an early night for poll-watchers. About two hours after the polls closed, Schreibman was already making his victory speech -- and looking forward to this November's contest against incumbent Republican Congressman Chris Gibson of Kinderhook, writes the Times-Union:
“Congressman Gibson may be a nice guy, but his votes are out of step with the values of our communities,” said Schreibman. “If you send me to Congress, I will be absolutely focused on the needs of our citizens.” Read more
Joel Tyner (left) and Julian Schreibman, candidates seeking to run on the Democratic ticket for New York State's 19th Congressional District this year.
Voters, don't forget to go to the polls: New York State holds its statewide primaries today.
Here in the new 19th Congressional District, the race is on between Joel Tyner and Julian Schreibman, both vying for the Democratic ticket. The Republican nominee, incumbent Congressman Chris Gibson, has no challenger on the ballot.
Edited to add: Local GOP voters also have a U.S. Senate race to vote in. Three challengers are seeking to run on the Republican ticket against U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this fall: Manhattan lawyer Wendy Long, Nassau County comptroller George Maragos and Congressman Bob Turner (R-Queens).
