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Weekend in review
Nov 07, 2016 5:30 am
Some of the stories that made the news from Fri., Nov. 4 through Mon., Nov. 6:
Greg Hudson reported in The Daily Mail the radio towers formerly used by WCKL (560-AM) in Greenport were demolished last week. The towers were located on land where The Cat (98.5-FM) broadcast studio is located. The Cat station manager Bill Williams said two of the 450-foot towers were built to transmit the AM frequency, and the third tower was for FM. "The AM station doesn’t exist anymore so the tower doesn’t really serve a purpose," Williams said. Hudson writes that WCKL stopped broadcasting in 2015, "and lost its license altogether last month when the Federal Communications Commission concluded that station owner Brian Dodge used false names to maintain several radio stations throughout New York and New England."
Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential the state Department of Environmental Conservation has imposed a temporary ban on fishing in a portion of the Esopus Creek in the Catskills because of the ongoing drought. Due to prolonged dry conditions, low water levels in the creek and its tributary streams have created a stressful environment for trout and other fish. The ban was made effective Fri., Nov. 4, and will continue through Jan. 31, 2017. The emergency regulation impacts a 12-mile section of the creek, from the Shandaken Tunnel inlet in Allaben to Ashokan Reservoir, as well as the adjoining portion of Ashokan reservoir downstream to where Traver Hollow Stream enters the reservoir.
Roger Hannigan Gilson reported in the Register-Star La Bella's, the pizzeria located in the Columbia Shopping Center on Fairview Avenue in Greenport, reopened Thu., Nov. 3, after being closed for non-payment of sales tax. On Wednesday, the restaurant was closed and red New York State Department of Taxation and Finance "seized" signs were posted on the front windows. La Bella owner Dan Casey said a portion of the nearly $34,000 in sales tax debt has now been paid, and a payment plan for the remaining balance is in place. The eatery failed to pay sales tax in 2015 and during sales tax periods this year, as well, according to state records.
Chris McKenna reported at The Fray the state commission weighing the possibility of increasing compensation for state lawmakers could vote on a proposal Thu., Nov. 10, five days before the deadline to act and two days after Election Day. All 213 legislative seats are on the ballot, Tue., Nov. 8. However, the panel has no agenda for the Nov. 10 meeting so a vote is uncertain. A suggestion in July to award lawmakers 47 percent raises was met with outrage and opposition from the general public. Some commission members have voiced skepticism about raising lawmakers' $79,500 base pay at all. Legislators have not received a raise since 1999.
The Daily Freeman reported Gov. Andrew Cuomo has now signed legislation permitting additional Hudson Valley counties, including Greene, Columbia, Dutchess, Rensselaer and Ulster, to offer an additional 10 percent tax credit to filmmakers who shoot movies in those areas. The 40 percent credit is already available in New York City and 84 percent of other upstate counties. The legislation was signed Fri., Nov. 4. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said Cuomo, in signing the bill, “recognizes the economic importance of the entertainment industry in New York state.” In a press release, the Hudson Valley Film Commission stated it was “overjoyed” with the legislation being signed.
Greg Hudson reported in The Daily Mail officials in Lexington and other parts of the mountaintop are at odds with Greene County Emergency Medical Services over where one of the county’s four emergency response vehicles should be housed. The Mountaintop Supervisors and Mayors Association filed a formal request with EMS to move the flycar, currently housed in Windham, to Lexington. Greene County EMS President Mark Evans said one flycar serves the entire mountaintop. The county's other three vehicles are currently stationed in Coxsackie, Cairo and Catskill. Evans said the request has not been rejected, but before a decision can be made EMS will perform a large-scale data analysis to determine whether the move is feasible. A flycar is an SUV carrying a single paramedic with Advanced Life Support systems, and is used to respond to emergency calls when life support is needed.
The Daily Freeman reported state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office has once again created an Election Day hotline to help voters resolve issues encountered at the polls. Anyone having problems when they go to vote may call 800 771 7755, or email civil [dot] rights [at] AG [dot] NY [dot] gov anytime Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. All registered New Yorkers are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election, regardless of party affiliation. Registration status can be verified online at Voter Lookup [dot] elections [dot] state [dot] NY [dot] US. The Attorney General's office advises that a voter must be provided with a provisional or affidavit ballot if, when they arrive at the right poll site, their name cannot be found in the poll book. All voting locations in New York are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tue., Nov. 8.
Greg Hudson reported in The Daily Mail the radio towers formerly used by WCKL (560-AM) in Greenport were demolished last week. The towers were located on land where The Cat (98.5-FM) broadcast studio is located. The Cat station manager Bill Williams said two of the 450-foot towers were built to transmit the AM frequency, and the third tower was for FM. "The AM station doesn’t exist anymore so the tower doesn’t really serve a purpose," Williams said. Hudson writes that WCKL stopped broadcasting in 2015, "and lost its license altogether last month when the Federal Communications Commission concluded that station owner Brian Dodge used false names to maintain several radio stations throughout New York and New England."
Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential the state Department of Environmental Conservation has imposed a temporary ban on fishing in a portion of the Esopus Creek in the Catskills because of the ongoing drought. Due to prolonged dry conditions, low water levels in the creek and its tributary streams have created a stressful environment for trout and other fish. The ban was made effective Fri., Nov. 4, and will continue through Jan. 31, 2017. The emergency regulation impacts a 12-mile section of the creek, from the Shandaken Tunnel inlet in Allaben to Ashokan Reservoir, as well as the adjoining portion of Ashokan reservoir downstream to where Traver Hollow Stream enters the reservoir.
Roger Hannigan Gilson reported in the Register-Star La Bella's, the pizzeria located in the Columbia Shopping Center on Fairview Avenue in Greenport, reopened Thu., Nov. 3, after being closed for non-payment of sales tax. On Wednesday, the restaurant was closed and red New York State Department of Taxation and Finance "seized" signs were posted on the front windows. La Bella owner Dan Casey said a portion of the nearly $34,000 in sales tax debt has now been paid, and a payment plan for the remaining balance is in place. The eatery failed to pay sales tax in 2015 and during sales tax periods this year, as well, according to state records.
Chris McKenna reported at The Fray the state commission weighing the possibility of increasing compensation for state lawmakers could vote on a proposal Thu., Nov. 10, five days before the deadline to act and two days after Election Day. All 213 legislative seats are on the ballot, Tue., Nov. 8. However, the panel has no agenda for the Nov. 10 meeting so a vote is uncertain. A suggestion in July to award lawmakers 47 percent raises was met with outrage and opposition from the general public. Some commission members have voiced skepticism about raising lawmakers' $79,500 base pay at all. Legislators have not received a raise since 1999.
The Daily Freeman reported Gov. Andrew Cuomo has now signed legislation permitting additional Hudson Valley counties, including Greene, Columbia, Dutchess, Rensselaer and Ulster, to offer an additional 10 percent tax credit to filmmakers who shoot movies in those areas. The 40 percent credit is already available in New York City and 84 percent of other upstate counties. The legislation was signed Fri., Nov. 4. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said Cuomo, in signing the bill, “recognizes the economic importance of the entertainment industry in New York state.” In a press release, the Hudson Valley Film Commission stated it was “overjoyed” with the legislation being signed.
Greg Hudson reported in The Daily Mail officials in Lexington and other parts of the mountaintop are at odds with Greene County Emergency Medical Services over where one of the county’s four emergency response vehicles should be housed. The Mountaintop Supervisors and Mayors Association filed a formal request with EMS to move the flycar, currently housed in Windham, to Lexington. Greene County EMS President Mark Evans said one flycar serves the entire mountaintop. The county's other three vehicles are currently stationed in Coxsackie, Cairo and Catskill. Evans said the request has not been rejected, but before a decision can be made EMS will perform a large-scale data analysis to determine whether the move is feasible. A flycar is an SUV carrying a single paramedic with Advanced Life Support systems, and is used to respond to emergency calls when life support is needed.
The Daily Freeman reported state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office has once again created an Election Day hotline to help voters resolve issues encountered at the polls. Anyone having problems when they go to vote may call 800 771 7755, or email civil [dot] rights [at] AG [dot] NY [dot] gov anytime Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. All registered New Yorkers are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election, regardless of party affiliation. Registration status can be verified online at Voter Lookup [dot] elections [dot] state [dot] NY [dot] US. The Attorney General's office advises that a voter must be provided with a provisional or affidavit ballot if, when they arrive at the right poll site, their name cannot be found in the poll book. All voting locations in New York are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tue., Nov. 8.