The National Weather Service predicts scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1-4 p.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Monday night should be mostly clear, with a low around 59. Tuesday should be sunny, with a high near 84.

Town meetings today
ANCRAM Conservation Advisory Council at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ATHENS Town meeting at 7 p.m. at 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
CLAVERACK A Public Hearing before the Planning Board for the Town of Claverack will be held on the following application(s): Caputo, Jack & Kathleen Subdivision: Tax Map #(SBL) 132 . 00 – 02 – 02 Subdivision of 5.1 acres into two parcels located at Oak Hill Rd – 840-feet north of Old Barrington Rd. Beginnings Properties: Tax Map #(SBL) 122 . – 1 – 39 . 2 and 122 . – 1 – 40 . 12 Boundary Line Adjustment of current lots of 50.26 acres and 36.10 acres into parcels of 46.36 acres and 40.00 acres located at Roxbury Rd. and Theilman Rd. Futterman, Enid: Boundary Line Adjustment of 19 acres from parcel #1 Tax Map # 132 . 00 - -2 – 29 . 111 located at Theilmann Rd. and Old Barrington Rd. being merged to parcel #2 Tax Map # 132 . 00 – 02 – 50 located at 661 Route 23 The following application(s) are on the agenda for board review at the Monday, August 1, 2011 meeting of the Town of Claverack Planning: Route 217 LLC: Tax Map #(SBL) 121 . 00 – 01 – 42 Subdivision of 79+/- acres of the Runyon farm property, which lies south of NYS. Rte. 217 in to two separate parcels of 22 acres and 57 acres respectively. Route 217 LLC: Tax Map #(SBL) 121 . 00 – 01 – 41 and 121 . 00 – 01 – 39 and 121 . 00 – 01 - 40 Subdivision of a portion of the of the Runyon farm property, which lies south of NYS. Rte. 217 into two separate parcels. Planning Board meeting follows after Public Hearing at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Church Street, Mellenville (672-7911).
CLERMONT The Clermont Town Board will hold a public hearing on Local Law No. 3 of 2011 on proposed revisions to the existing zoning law to incorporate previously enacted provisions of the Zoning Law in one code book and address other minor modifications. This modification of the existing Zoning Law will assist with the orderly development of residential housing within the Town of Clermont. Town Board meeting follows after 6:45 p.m. Public Hearing at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
TAGHKANIC Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Route 82,West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 5:01 p.m./Low, 11:24 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:52 a.m./8:12 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 8:06 a.m./ 9:04 p.m.

Birthdays
August 1 Herman Melville, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Al D'Amato, Jerry Garcia, Jim Carroll, and Robert Cray.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant updates the morning news. 9 a.m.
WORK Hosted by Max Goldfarb and Laura Kunreuther, on this program, they, "talk to neighbors in and around Columbia County about their experience and relationship to work, as well as the relationship between their work and the places they live." Different episodes of this show will air at 10 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday this week, and then take up a regular spot in the schedule the second Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
MONDAY MUSICAL MATINEE Lincoln Mayorga hosts, and plays plays classical music. Noon-2 p.m.
LIVING LIGHTLY ON THE LAND The monthly radio show produced by Liz LoGiudice of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Agroforestry Resource Center features old-timers sharing their memories of farming's "hayday." 2 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Kaya Weidman and Greg Osofsky host, and Cruudeuces, a noise band, will be in the studio ahead of their performance Monday night at Spotty Dog Books & Ale. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
STONE WALLS, STEEL BARS Bluegrass show with Cowboy Jim. 7 p.m.
LUNARMOSS DJ Lunar Moss plays mostly vinyl records. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Governor Andrew Cuomo launched his Capital Region Regional Economic Development Councils Thu., July 28, setting up regional development groups. Greene and Columbia counties are included in the Capital Region Regional Council, led by Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Michael Castellana, President and CEO of SEFCU, who will serve as Regional Co-Chairs over Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties. Donald E. Gibson, President, CEO & Director, The Bank of Greene County is included on the council, as are spots for the Chairman of Greene County Legislature, which is currently Wayne Speenburgh (R-Coxsackie), and Chairman Columbia Board of Supervisors, which is currently Roy Brown (R-Germantown). "New York can no longer afford one-size-fits-all economic development plans that ignore the unique assets and challenges of the state's many diverse regions," Governor Cuomo said in a press release. "Today, we are taking a groundbreaking approach that will send a clear message that New York is open for business. With the Regional Councils, we will empower individual areas like Capital Region to chart their own course for economic growth, bringing jobs and investment to New York." Dutchess and Ulster counties are included in the Mid-Hudson version of the council, while Delaware County is in the Southern Tier.

Capital Region Regional Council Members
Regional Co-Chairs
Michael J. Castellana, President and CEO, SEFCU
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

General Members
Joseph F. Raccuia, President & CEO, Finch Paper LLC
Gary Dake, President, Stewart's Shops
Bill Hart, Controller, Irving Tissue Inc.
Victor R. Abate, Vice President, Renewable Energy, General Electric
Peg A. Murphy, Corporate Secretary/Director of Human Resources, Espey Manufacturing &
Electronics Corporation
Omar Usmani, Executive Partner, Aeon Nexus Corporation
Ann C. Moynihan, President, Documentation Strategies Inc.
Linda Davis Pedlar, Owner, LDP Consulting Group, Inc.
Christine Edgerly, President, Adirondack Mechanical Services LLC
Jeff Stark, President, Greater Capital Region Building Trades Council
George M. Phillip, President, University at Albany
Karen Bilowith, President & CEO, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
James J. Barba, President & CEO, Albany Medical Center
Todd Erling, Executive Director, Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation
F. Michael Tucker, President & CEO, Center for Economic Growth
Dennis Brobston, President, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation
Linda Hillman, President, Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Donald E. Gibson, President, CEO & Director, The Bank of Greene County

Elected Officials
Albany County Executive
Chairman of Schenectady County Legislature
Rensselaer County Executive
Chairman Saratoga Board of Supervisors
Chairman Warren Board of Supervisors
Chairman Columbia Board of Supervisors
Chairman of Greene County Legislature
Chairman Washington Board of Supervisors
Mayor of the City of Albany
Mayor of the City of Schenectady
Mayor of the City of Troy




Elected officials will serve in an ex-officio basis and will participate in discussions and the planning process. In regions composed of more than two counties (except for the New York City region), members will include:

· the chief executive or supervisor of each county; and
· the chief executive or supervisor of the three municipalities with the largest population (limited to one municipal representative per county)


10 Regional Economic Development Councils

· Capital Region (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington)
· Central New York (Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego)
· Finger Lakes (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates)
· Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk)
· Mid-Hudson (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester)
· Mohawk Valley (Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie)
· New York City (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond)
· North Country (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence,)
· Southern Tier (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins)
· Western New York (Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara)

Gillibrand bill addresses Community Supported Agriculture
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation Wed., July 27, that would create a competitive grant program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSA members pay for a share of a farm’s produce, and throughout the season, members receive a weekly amount of vegetables. “Community Supported Agriculture can be a key component for providing our families with more locally grown produce,” said Senator Gillibrand in a press release. “Tens of thousands of families have joined CSAs over the years, bringing fresh, vitamin-rich fruits, vegetables, eggs, homemade breads, meats, and cheeses to tables all across America." Gillibrand says there are 350 CSAs in New York, and several in Columbia and Greene counties. The Community Supported Agriculture Promotion Act’s would award federal funds to non-profit organizations, extension services, and state and local government agencies to provide marketing and business assistance to new or current CSA farmers, as well as assist in the development of innovative delivery and distribution programs.

Are there rattlesnakes in Hunter?
Jim Planck in The Windham Journal investigates whether there are Timber Rattlesnakes in the Town of Hunter. He says the Silver Hollow area down toward Edgewood, may have them, but Kaaterskill Clove does not have the Threatened species. Planck says posts at www.catskillmountaineer.com tipped him off. "While existing Timber Rattlesnake populations occur on Overlook Mountain and Mount Tremper, both in northern Ulster County, the Silver Hollow one — if verified by the NYS Department of Conservation — would be Greene County’s first one, as the Department’s Timber Rattlesnake distribution map shows no populations in Greene County," Planck writes. “DEC did receive a report, with a photograph, from a hiker last fall,” DEC press officer Lori Severino told Planck, “of a Timber Rattlesnake he found last August in Greene County a few hundred feet from the Ulster County line.... It was on/near Plateau Mountain,” she said — which adjoins Silver Hollow. But the writer does not discover if there is antidote locally. "Asked if there is, in fact, a rattlesnake antidote or treatment, Severino replied, 'Yes, though the Albany area hospitals may or may not have a supply of it.'" Read the entire story in The Windham Journal.

Is the boss here?
Diane Valden in The Columbia Paper writes that the Ancram Board of Ethics found, "that Highway Superintendent James MacArthur violated the local Ethics Law by appointing his brother Robert to serve as highway boss when he took a vacation in late March of this year," Valden writes. Superintendent MacArthur, who is directly elected by town voters, explained at the town's July 21 meeting that at he never used to take a vacation at all, but started to take them after getting re-married about four years ago. He said he had his brother, who "previously worked for the Highway Department," sworn in by a town justice, so that employees would get more done in his absence. “They say I violated the ethics law for nepotism, and I suppose that is true, but deputy highway superintendent is not a paid job. I can appoint anybody my deputy,” Mr. MacArthur explained. The board said he took action, “without having fulfilled the required prior notice, permissions and clearance from the Town Board” to make the appointment or authorize his brother's payment. "Because Mr. MacArthur rescinded the appointment and his brother resigned, the 'primary legal and ethical infraction… was corrected,' said the decision, which went on to recommend that the draft of the new Highway Employee Handbook be reviewed and finalized as soon as possible, and that a clear and concise job description for highway superintendent be established," Valden wrote. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

The National Weather Service predicts showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Earlier, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Friday night there could be early showers and patchy fog after 5 a.m., with a low around 68. Saturday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Sunday, also mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 2:49 p.m./Low, 9:11 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:49 a.m./8:16 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 4:31 a.m./ 7:22 p.m.

Birthdays
July 29 Elizabeth Dole, Ken Burns, and Peter Jennings.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Mark Lacoy and Casson Kennedy present the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Tom Roe updates the morning news, and speaks with MaryLou Nahas, the President of the Oak Hill Preservation Association, and her husband Nick Nahas, the town historian, will be live in the WGXC Hudson studio to talk about Oak Hill Day, July 30 activities in that Greene County town. 9 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
PURE MOODS Shannekia McIntosh hosts, and plays all sorts of music. Noon-2 p.m.
QUE COCINARE HOY? Mariel Fiori hosts in Spanish. 2 p.m.
ASTROLOGY A.T. Mann hosts. 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
HELLVAR Live acoustic performance from Icelandic band at Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson. 8 p.m.
HOTLINE RADIO L. Dot Dinero and The Guy host. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

From The Daily Mail: "The Village of Catskill has announced that the 'boil water' advisory has been lifted, effective immediately. It is no longer necessary for customers to boil drinking water before use." A water main break early morning on Route 23B, initiated the boil water order Monday.

McLaughlin mulls primary, McDonald talks economy
Rick Karlin in the Albany Times-Union's Capitol Confidential blog reports that, after just being elected to a first term, GOP 198th District Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin is considering a new job, possibly running against fellow Republican, Sen. Roy McDonald, because of the senator’s vote legalizing same-sex marriage. “I wouldn’t say it hasn’t crossed my mind,” said McLaughlin, who represents parts of northern Greene and Columbia counties. The Assemblyman says he’s gotten calls from Republican and Conservative party members in Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. “I’ve heard there is some unrest. And that’s probably why I’m getting the amount of phone calls and e mails I’ve been getting.” He says he will take the guidance of the district’s town and county party committees. “If they support Roy, fine,” said McLaughlin. “That’s going to weigh heavily on anybody’s decision.” Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Delaware leaders oppose fracking ban in watershed
J. Blake Killin reports in The Daily Mail that the Delaware County Board of Supervisors opposes proposed regulations that would ban gas drilling in watersheds that are located within the county. Proposed DEC regulations would ban the extracting natural gas from shale formations using horizontal drilling and the injection of water, sand and chemicals under extremely high pressure to fracture the rock formation to release the gas from within the New York City watershed. "The Board of Supervisors Chairman James E. Eisel Sr. has written a letter to the Coalition of Watershed Towns seeking its support in opposing any special regulations that rob residents of Delaware County of the mineral rights on their property without due compensation," Killin wrote. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Basilica Hudson a new temple of contemporary art
Amy Griffin in the Albany Times-Union profiles the new owners of Basilica Hudson, musician and artist Melissa Auf der Maur, filmmaker Tony Stone and his parents, Bill and Nancy Stone, also artists, as the New Art Dealers Alliance, a collective of independent curators and for-profit and nonprofit galleries, comes to the large facility near Hudson's train station this weekend. “It’s a bit of an experiment, but the response has been great so far, and a lot of people are going to show up. I think it’s going to look really interesting,” says Heather Hubbs, director of NADA. “For us, it’s a dream. Basically, it’s going to showcase the space, this location, this building and all of its potential, probably like no other event we could have, because every single room will be like a maze of art hidden in all of the different wings of our building,” says Auf der Maur. Basilica has a 6,000-square-foot main hall, a small theater, a west wing and a finished art gallery. The story also mentions how, "prominent performance artist Marina Abramovic has also purchased a large building with plans to open an institute for performance art, and The Art Newspaper reports that art collectors Steven Johnson and Walter Sudol have purchased the Charles Williams School, with plans to turn it into an art center, as well," both also in Hudson. Read the full story in the Times-Union.

The National Weather Service predicts a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. Thursday night the chance of showers and thunderstorms rises to 40 percent, with a low around 63. Friday, that 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms remains, with a high near 83. For the weekend, saturday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 86 and Sunday similar, with a high near 83.

Town meetings today
CHATHAM Village Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Budget/Salary Committee at 10:00 a.m.
Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
COPAKE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENE COUNTY The Greene County Industrial Development Agency holds a Board Meeting at 8 a.m. at Greene County IDA Office 270 Mansion St., Coxsackie.
HUDSON Historic Preservation Committee at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
STUYVESANT Greenway Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
href="http://www.townofwindham.com">WINDHAM Town Board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 2:04 p.m./Low, 8:25 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:48 a.m./8:16 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 3:26 p.m./ 6:40 p.m.

Birthdays
July 28 Marcel Duchamp, John Ashbery, Bill Bradley, and William T. Vollman.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Norman Keyser updates the morning news, with weekend events from Ellen Thurston and Sara Kendall. 9 a.m.
TELL IT LIKE IT IS Christina Mailisoff and Sam Sebren host.10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CROSSROADS Alan Skerrett hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
SOUNDFORMS Peter Wetzler hosts. 2 p.m.
RADIO THEATER 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO "Radio Explosion!" 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Antoine Guerlain hosts. Andy Turner from Cornell Cooperative Extension in both Greene and Columbia counties, and also on WGXC Radio Council, is one of the guests. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
THE JAZZ DISTURBANCE Bassist, trombonist and composer Chris Brubeck will join Cheryl K. during this week’s "The Jazz Disturbance." On Friday, August 5th, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet (BBQ) –- Chris, his brother Dan (drums), Ulster county resident Mike DeMicco (guitar) and Chuck Lamb (pianist) -- bring their soulful jazz blended with a little funk to the Main Street Jazz Series at Gallagher’s Banquet Hall, 513 Main Street in Cairo, NY at 8 p.m. That weekend, the BBQ als perform at the famed Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI. They will discuss the performances and their new record. 7 p.m.
69 Eje will join The Magic Stranger. Eje unearths lost songs originally recorded in the Peruvian jungle from 1969. Don't miss this impromptu celebration of never before heard lost psychedelic gems from the Deep. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Friday morning.

By Gus Murphy

For the second time in two weeks, since congressional Republicans voted for the "Cut, Cap, and Balance Bill," a small group of protesters gathered outside of the Kinderhook office of freshman Congressman Chris Gibson Tue., July 26. The hastily organized protest involved a number of groups, but was primarily organized by Moveon.org. Unlike last week's protest, these folks, mostly senior citizens, were quite loud, angry, and emotional. They went into the congressman’s office, and filed an official complaint with his staff. Neither Congressman Gibson or a spokesperson were available for comment, but they did provide a written response what said: “I have already voted for a bill that raised the debt ceiling while making the long-term structural changes necessary to ensure our nation's fiscal health, with no cuts to Medicare or Social Security. This is an approach, cut, cap and balance that two-thirds of Americans support, based on a CNN poll conducted last week, and that passed the House with 234 votes." The Congressman's statement concluded saying, “I will review every provision carefully to determine if it is an approach I can support. Additionally, I'm willing to consider new sources of revenues from closing tax loopholes – a tax reform approach I already voted for in April.”

Wilhelm denies collusion in Columbia DWI case
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star reports that Greene County District Attorney Terry J. Wilhelm released a statement Tuesday, for the first time commenting on accusations that his office somehow colluded with Columbia County District Attorney Beth Cozzolino to reduce the sentence of Timothy McEachern. McEachern is Cozzolino’s brother-in-law, found to be driving drunk with two children in his vehicle and the first person in New York State charged with violating Leandra’s Law which made it a felony to be found driving under the influence with children under 16 in the vehicle. Cozzolino recused herself from the case, with Wilhelm’s office assigned as special prosecutor. The Albany Times-Union recently ran a story about how McEachern’s sentence was reduced to a misdemeanor DWI, and until now, Wilhelm did not explain his decision. The statement he released Tue., July 26:

“Neither D.A. Cozzolino nor anyone else from her office had any input whatsoever with my office or any influence upon my office in the handling of this case. D.A. Cozzolino did exactly what she was legally and ethically required to do in this matter and any criticism of her is entirely unjustified. The facts of this case are that Mr. McEachern had no prior criminal history, no prior DWI or DWAI arrests, there was no accident, no property damage, no personal injury and his blood alcohol content was a .10, which is slightly over the .08 DWI threshold. Had it not been for the Leandra’s Law charge, the standard operating procedure in such a case would have been to offer a plea of guilty to DWAI, which is a traffic infraction and not a crime. Because of the Leandra’s Law charge, my office required a plea of guilty to DWI, which is a crime, to satisfy this case. Mr. McEachern now has a criminal record for the rest of his life, his driver's license was suspended and he had to pay a fine and perform community service. Notwithstanding the reckless and baseless comments of political candidate Gene Keeler, my office treated Mr. McEachern exactly as we would have treated anyone else facing these charges under the same circumstances. As with every case with which my office is involved, politics played absolutely no role in this prosecution. For this year and a half old case which was handled properly in all respects to be publicized now clearly shows only political motivations, not the realities of the law."

Read the entire story in The Daily Mail.

Landlord evicts outspoken tenant
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star reports that Hudson landlord Phil Gellert, of Northern Empire Realty, is evicting Katherine Pierce, after she spoke out against the condition of the apartment she rents from him in an article published in the Register-Star weekend edition July 23. Pierce owes Gellert $152 in back rent, which he said Tuesday is why he is evicting her. Pierce called Gellert Monday, July 25, to tell him she could get up to date by the end of the month. “I said, ‘if I pay you, can I stay?” Pierce told Larson. “He said, ‘no, I’m sick of it. We don’t need people like you.’ I knew eventually I was going to move anyway,” she continued. Asked if she would take Gellert to court she said, “if I don’t have a place I will, but if I find a place I want to get out. I’ve had it.” Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera told Larson he has heard more complaints about Gellert than any other landlord over the course of his 14 years in office. “The true Phil Gellert is coming out,” said Scalera, saying Pierce could report Gellert to the New York State Attorney General’s Office. “I’d be more than happy to assist her. Nobody should have to live like that.... absent of Gellert coming out and giving a darn good excuse, it has to be retaliatory.” Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Post office considers closing Lanesville, Coeymans Hollow branches
Post offices in Lanesville, just outside Hunter in Greene County, and Coeymans Hollow in Albany County, are on a list of branches the Post Office is considering closing. The U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday that it will study 3,653 local offices, branches and stations for possible closing.

The National Weather Service predicts patchy fog before 8 a.m. Wednesday, otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 57. Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Town meetings today
ATHENS Village meeting at 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
HUDSON Department of Public Works Committee meeting at 6 p.m.; Legal Committee meeting starts at 6:45 p.m at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 1:13 p.m./Low, 7:37 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:47 a.m./8:17 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 2:27 p.m./ 5:52 p.m.

Birthdays
July 27 Norman Lear, Jean Baudrillard, Bobbie Gentry, Juliana Hatfield, and Maya Rudolph.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Phillip Grant presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Phillip Grant updates the morning news. 9 a.m.
@ISSUE Tom Davis of the legendary comedy duo "Franken & Davis", discusses his days working on Saturday Night Live, his comedy partner Al Franken and his memoir "Thirty Nine Years of Short-Term Memory Loss". Also Terry Gipson discusses his campaign for State Senate for the seat currently held by Sen. Stephen Saland. Hosted by Victor Mendolia and Manda Weintraub.10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
THE SCHOEMER SHOW Karen Schoemer hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO "Radio Explosion!" 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service says another line of thunderstorms are bearing down on our area just like yesterday, Mon., July 25. They have issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 7 p.m. for Greene and Columbia counties, and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4 p.m.

Last night, Mon., July 25, comic Stephen Colbert weighed on New York's new same-sex marriage law, which went into effect Sun., July 24.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Windham Vineyard grapes, from their website."][/caption]New York State wineries got some new revenue streams, and a little less red tape last week when Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Fine Winery Bill. "This bill is a huge boost for wineries across the state. Reducing the regulatory burdens on farm wineries will allow them to continue to thrive as a key tourism, agricultural, and economic engine for our state. I want to thank Commissioner Aubertine, Senator Young and Assemblyman Schimminger for their dedication to this bill," Governor Cuomo said. The bill grew out of recommendations from the New York State Wine Grape Task Force's 2008 report to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets. It allows wineries to operate up to five branch stores, and also allows participation in unlimited charitable events, rather then just five. It cuts the reporting necessary to ship out of state, with only one license needed now, where micro-wineries previously had to apply for two. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine said, "Governor Cuomo recognizes the significant role agriculture plays in the State's economy. With wine being one of the fastest growing sectors of that industry, this legislation offers numerous benefits to farm wineries that will have a ripple effect throughout the countryside. I thank Governor Cuomo, Senator Young and Assemblyman Schimminger for their hard work on this bill." Over 1,400 vineyards grow grapes for 306 wineries which add $3.76 billion to the state economy, according to industry officials. When New York's Farm Winery Law passed in 1976, there were less then 20 wineries here. Here in Greene and Columbia counties, there are a few local vineyards:
• Windham Winery
"Highest elevation vineyard and winery in the Northeast," website boasts. "We produce small batches of hand crafted fine wines including Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, estate grown specialties, fruit wines & dessert wines." Windham Vineyard & Winery, County Route 10, Windham, NY, 12496. 518-734-5214
• Tousey Winery
Riesling, Rose, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and others, and a Chardonnay coming soon. Tousey Winery, 1774 Rt 9, Germantown, NY, 12526. info@touseywinery.com, 518-567-5462
• Hudson-Chatham Winery
The winery features a tasting room with hand-crafted wines, cheeses, and desserts, and includes vineyard tours and a gazebo with scenic views. 1900 Route 66, Ghent, NY, 12075. 518-821-7253

Three charged with breaking ash tree quarantine
Brian Nearing in the Albany Times-Union reports that Jeff Meltz, vice president of Meltz Lumber Company in Hudson; Forest Mayer, president of Forest Mayer Log & Timber Co. in Bennington, Vt.; and Paul Kelly from Paul Kelly Trucking in Catskill, have been charged with violating a quarantine on ash trees, shipping the timber out of Greene County this spring. Emerald Ash Borers, a Chinese beetle, have been killing off New York's ash tree population, and have been recently found in Greene County. "The alleged violations happened at least eight times during February, March and April, when quarantined wood was shipped to Rensselaer and Columbia counties, according to DEC," Nearing reports. The three business owners face up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which is trying to slow the bugs devastation, since they arrived in western New York in 2009. Ten percent of New York's trees are ash trees. The three men will be arraigned on Aug. 18 in Catskill Town Court. Read the full story in the Times-Union.

School officials fault lack of response from union
Debora Gilbert in The Columbia Paper reports that Superintendent Jack Howe and Board member Peter Meyer complained bitterly about the teachers union's deliberate delay tactics, at the regular Hudson school board meeting last week. Howe brought up the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law. "The amendment allows employees to receive automatic salary increases during the bargaining, a condition that critics say removes incentives for speedy contract negotiations," Gilbert writes. The district's contract with the Hudson Teachers Association expired four months ago, and Howe says the bargaining unit did not answer the last two e-mails from the board seeking to schedule a bargaining session. "Now those discussions won't take place until October," Gilbert reports. "The union… should be taken to task -- if not to court -- for their disrespect of the law and taxpayers of this district," Board member Meyer said. :A member of the teachers' bargaining unit attended the meeting but did not comment on the status of the contract or on Meyer's statement," Gilbert writes. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

DCCC robos Gibson over deficit ceiling
Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential reports the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching robocalls against Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, beginning today, Tue., July 26, over his vote for the Republican budget bill last week. "The audio says Gibson and House Speaker John Boehner “would rather our country default just to protect tax breaks for big oil companies and billionaire jet owners.” It also predicts interest rates and gas prices will rise if a deal is not worked out," Vielkind writes. The Congressman's spokesperson released this statement: "Congressman Gibson supports a negotiated solution that averts the current crisis and responds to what the credit rating agencies say we need to prevent a downgrade – a credible plan to reduce our deficits." The "Rebuild the Dream" group is holding protests around the country at noon, Tue. July 26, including at Gibson's Kinderhook office. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

The National Weather Service predicts our area has a slight chance of showers before 1 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 83. Tuesday night there is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, with a low around 59. Wednesday should be sunny, with a high near 83.

Town meetings today
CANAAN A public hearing for the Canaan Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for a special permit in Appeal 2011-1SP by Peter Lopez, 13134 State Route 22, Tax ID #60.-1-136.111. At 7 p.m. at Canaan Town Hall, 1647 County Route 5.
CLERMONT The Clermont Town Board holds a workshop on the reorganization of the Zoning Ordinance, adding four local laws previously passed, table of contents changes, and other clerical changes at 6 p.m. at Clermont Town Hall, 1795 Route 9.
GREENPORT The Planning Board of the Town of Greenport holds a public hearing for the site plan application of Robert MacGiffert for Bob’s Barber Shop to be located at 461 Joslen Blvd in the Town of Greenport at 7:35 p.m. At 7:45 p.m., there is another hearing about the site plan application of Marie and Pierre Anasta for Anasta Senior Citizens Center located at 100 Town Hall Drive, in the Town of Greenport. Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HUDSON Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 12:16 p.m./Low, 6:35 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:46 a.m./8:18 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 1:36 p.m./ 4:59 p.m.

Birthdays
July 26 Aldous Huxley, Gracie Allen, Jean Shepherd, Hoyt Wilhelm, Stanley Kubrick, Darlene Love, Bobby Hebb, Brenton Wood, Mick Jagger, and Kevin Spacey.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Phillip Grant presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Phillip Grant updates the morning news. 9 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
FOURTH TUESDAY OPERA SCENE Ed Beatty hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
BLINDSPOT RADIO David Bush and David LaSpina talk about photography. 2 p.m.
COUNTERSPIN FAIR's media show. 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth host. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
TOM WAITS SHOW Nicholas just plays Tom Waits songs, sometimes with live performances of Tom Waits songs by local musicians. 7 p.m.
BATTLEFIELD EARTH Dan Seward takes over. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Claude Haton in The Daily Mail reports that Catskill residents should boil their water the next two or three days after a Jefferson Heights water main break on Route 23B around 4:30 a.m. at one of the hydrants located where renovation work is being done by Merritt Construction. "The firm has been driving reinforcing plates into the steep hillside in that area, which is known to have had erosion problems in the past," Haton writes. One home, owned by John Annese and rented by Mike Billera on Snake Road just below the work site, suffered extensive damage. By 10 a.m., the pipe was repaired and the water turned on, but the boil water advisory remain in effect for two or three days until water quality is safe. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Bassist, trombonist and composer Chris Brubeck joins Cheryl K. during this week’s edition of "The Jazz Disturbance," this Thursday, July 28 from 7-9:30 p.m. on WGXC 90.7-FM and wgxc.org. On Friday, August 5 ^th, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet (BBQ) -- Chris, his brother Dan (drums); Ulster county resident Mike DeMicco (guitar); and Chuck Lamb (pianist) -- bring their soulful jazz blended with a little funk to the Main Street Jazz Series at Gallagher’s Banquet Hall, 513 Main Street in Cairo, at 8 p.m. That weekend, the BBQ also perform at the famed Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI. Call Gallagher’s for more information at 518-622-0123.

Seeley planning to leave Catskill
Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports Village of Catskill President Vincent Seeley is planning to move to Minnesota to be closer to his wife’s family, serving out the remainder of his term as president, which expires at the end of the year. His term as a Catskill trustee expires in 2013. “I don’t really want to go,” he said in a phone interview from Minneapolis. Seeley’s parents died earlier this year. Seeley has served three terms as Catskill Village President. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Sewer plant construction is all about the concrete
Melanie Lekocevic in the Greene County News reports that the concrete is ready to be poured for the foundations at the Village of Athens new multi-million dollar sewer plant project. “Over the next couple of months all you will see is more and more concrete,” engineer Brock Juusola from Delaware Engineering said. “You won’t see other equipment for a few months.” Lekocevic writes that, "While the village has a coveted zero percent interest loan from the state to pay for the project, they are also looking for a “principal forgiveness” grant from the federal government so they won’t have to pay the loan back. But if that doesn’t come to fruition, it looks like sewer rates could be on their way up." Mayor Andrea Smallwood told the reporter that a public hearing would be held this fall to discuss sewer rates “in association with the capital improvements that are being made to the plant,” she said. Read the whole story in the Greene County News.

A long wait ends in a rush
Jennifer Gish in the Albany Times-Union reports that Linda Mussmann and Claudia Bruce were legally wed shortly after midnight, Sunday, July 24 at TSL in Hudson, one of the first same-sex marriage couples in the state to marry under the new law passed last month by the New York State legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera -- once a local political enemy of Mussmann's -- officiated. Read the entire story in the Albany Times-Union.

Germantown Dems follow in GOP's footsteps
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star reports that Democrats in Germantown believe the exact same thing as Democrats in one respect: both nominated the same people for the Town Board elections this fall. Donald Westmore and Michael Mortenson were elected unanimously by the 27 Democrats Saturday at an undisclosed location. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

MONDAY AUDIO
Click on the link to play the mp3 audio clip.

• Nick Haddad, discussing how he will have to be a write-in candidate in the Democratic campaign for Hudson Mayor this fall.
Interview by Phillip Grant at protest in front of Rep. Chris Gibson's Kinderhook office. Recorded Thu., July 21 by WGXC Town Reporter Phillip Grant.
PLAY CLIP

• A Very Incomplete Calendar: 20110725
Produced by Terry Doyle. Weekly segment from Terry Doyle's show on WGXC about Hudson Valley music. This recording is a look at events in the region this week.
PLAY CLIP

The National Weather Service predicts our area will get showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Monday night more thunderstorms are likely before midnight, with a low around 61. Tuesday there is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Town meetings today
CATSKILL Village board meeting at 7 p.m. at Firehouse near Catskill Commons (Wal Mart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development/Planning/Tourism/Agriculture/Transportation Committee Meeting, 5 p.m at 401 State St., Hudson.
HALCOTT Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920)
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall; Fire Committee Meeting at 6:45 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK A public hearing before the Village of Kinderhook Zoning Board of Appeals at the Village Hall, to consider the following proposed application: Bray – 49 Broad Street – 53.8-1-15 – application for area variance - addition of attached garage to existing residence. Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Kinderhook Village Hall, 6 Chatham St., 518-758-9882
PHILMONT Local Development Corp meeting at 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 11:32 p.m./Low, 5:43 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:45 a.m./8:19 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 12:53 p.m./ 4:03 p.m.

Birthdays
July 25 Walter Brennan, Estelle Getty, Walter Payton, and Illeana Douglas.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Phillip Grant presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Phillip Grant updates the morning news. 9 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
MONDAY MUSIC MATINEE Lincoln Mayorga hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
GREENHORN RADIO Agriculture news. 2 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Kaya Weidman and Greg Osofsky host. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
AMERICANA Kurt and Doug host. 7 p.m.
LUNARMOSS DJ Lunar Moss plays mostly vinyl records. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.