Crane Davis recorded the talk give by Sylvia Hasenkopf, noted Hudson Valley historian, genealogist and columnist, exploring slavery and the long road to freedom for Greene County's African-American population, Sat. May 21 at Beattie-Powers Place in Catskill. From their Friends of Beattie-Powers website:

In recognition of the 150th anniversary of America’s Civil War, Friends of Beattie-Powers welcomes back Sylvia Hasenkopf, noted Hudson Valley historian, genealogist and columnist, as she explores slavery and the long road to freedom for Greene County's African-American population.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="342" caption="WGXC's new Catskill studio."][/caption]
WGXC's new studio in Catskill, in a window along Main St. in the Catskill Community Center, held an official "groundbreaking" Sat. May 21. Catskill artist Matt Bua built the studio's skeleton, and WGXC broadcast live from the makeshift environs from 1-5 p.m., with performances from Leon Dewan, Bradford Reed, Dharma Dailey, Carmen Borgia, Rob Hervey, and others. WGXC has lots of recordings:

•Recording of all day live from Catskill Community Center of WGXC Catskill Studio Groundbreaking.
1-6 p.m. live from Catskill Community Center. Click here to listen to mp3 recording.

•Paul Keating of Irish Arts Week, interviewed at WGXC Catskill Studio Groundbreaking.
Interview by Galen Joseph-Hunter during WGXC Catskill Studio Groundbreaking.

•Tony Fallon reads a poem about WGXC.
Recorded at WGXC Catskill Studio Groundbreaking.

By Gus Murphy

Lots of water has fallen this week on Greene and Columbia counties. This map, from the Albany Weather facebook page, shows parts of both counties have had many inches of water fall since Tuesday. Roads in Coxsackie and Stuyvesant have been reported closed. There is less rain in the National Weather Service forecast this weekend, luckily, and the Flood Watch has been lifted.

WGXC volunteer Kate Blofson interviews Ross Rogers of Turtle Tree Seeds at Camphill Village in Copake about how to save, dry, and store seeds. Click here or on image to listen to the mp3 interview.

Copake planners wrestle with tower details
Diane Valden in The Columbia Paper reports that the Copake Planning Board is considering whether there is currently adequate cell phone coverage in the Columbia County town. If not, then Mariner Tower, II, may be allowed to build a 150-foot lattice tower on the West Copake farm of Ezra J. Link, Jr., at 3124 County Route 7 with the tower east of Route 7 between Pumpkin Hollow Roads North and South. Radio experts may fly a literal trial balloon to determine where the tower would be seen from if allowed. The farmer and tower company are asking for variances for the proposed tower as 125 feet is the town's maximum height, and a 1,500-foot setback from residences is required, but this tower has about 1,200 feet of setback from two residences. The applicants have to appear before both the Planning Board for site plan review and the Zoning Board of Appeals for the variances, and the Planning Board will next discuss the issue June 2. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Graduations
Both local colleges hold graduations Saturday: Columbia-Greene Community College at 10 a.m. in the gym, and Bard College at 1 p.m. with a live webstream here.

Board resigns
There's this from the Public Notices in the Register-Star about the Catskill gym where Mike Tyson learned to fight: "The Board of Directors of the Cus D’amatos Boxing Gym have resigned from their positions as members of the board. The board is no longer responsible for any activity in the gym or any indebtedness."

At Home on the Farm and in E-Books
Julie Bosman in The New York Times profiles Columbia County writer Susan Orlean in the Thu. May 19 edition, around the publication of her new e-book “Animalish,” about the animals on her 55-acre spread. They include one dog, three cats, eight chickens, four turkeys, six guinea fowl, one fish, two snow-white ducks, and 12 Black Angus cattle. Orlean, who writes for The New Yorker, published “Animalish,” as an e-book Thursday exclusively by Amazon as a "Kindle Single," one of their excerpts of original, long-form writing. Read the entire story in The New York Times.

Windham's Zipline construction begins
Windham Mountain's Facebook page says that construction has begun on a Zipline there. From a post: "2 race at a time. I leg goes from the top of the Adventure Park lodge down to a tower by the berm on the snowtubing park; 2nd leg goes to a tower by the skating rink; then a rope bridge back to the Lodge." Hunter Mountain has the longest and highest zipline in North America, with four miles of the hanging rides.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Rebecca Anderson, a member of the new student garden club at Columbia-Greene Community College, readies the soil for planting. From CGCC."][/caption]College plants garden club
Twelve students are taking turns tending to a garden on campus at Columbia-Greene Community College through the new student garden club. Students are growing corn, sweet peas, kale, tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes, wild strawberries, and basil, according to one of the club's founders, Lizzy Winig. The students may get the food they grow served in the college's cafeteria. "The student garden is dedicated to growing green this summer, working with the land to produce a healthy variety of vegetables," says club member Rebecca Anderson. "We students are also hoping to donate a good portion of our harvest to the local food pantry and college cafeteria, keeping the impact on the environment light, and the impact on the community powerful." Assistant Professor of History Ted Hilscher is the club's advisor.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Greene and Columbia counties overnight, with one to three inches of rain possible. Friday's forecast predicts a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 71. Friday night more scattered showers and thunderstorms, are possible, with a low around 53. Saturday isolated showers, with a high near 77. Sunday's forecast is virtually the same as Saturday, with a 20 percent chance of rain, but also sunny.

Town meetings today
GREENE COUNTY Greene County Public Hearing at 1 p.m. at Crossroads Brewery, 21 2nd St., Athens. The Greene County Industrial Development Agency holds a public hearing about: (A) (i) the acquisition of interests in certain parcels of real property located between US Route 9W to the west, County Route 28 to the north and the Hudson River to the southeast, Town of Athens, County of Greene and State of New York (the "Land"); (ii) the construction on the Land of a natural gas-fired, combined cycle combustion turbine generating plant, with a nominal electric generating capacity of approximately 1,080 megawatts consisting of an approximate 100,500 square foot turbine building (the "Turbine Building"); an approximate 12,000 square foot plant services building (the "Plant Services Building"); an approximate 10,000 square foot water treatment and fire water pumphouse building (the "Treatment Pumphouse Building"); an approximate 875 square foot riverwater pumphouse and chemical storage building (the "Chemical Storage Building"); an approximate 2,480 square foot fuel gas regulating building (the "Fuel Gas Building"); and an approximate 600 square foot air cooled condenser steam jet air ejector building and an approximate 1,625 square foot switchyard control house (collectively, the "Miscellaneous Buildings") (the Turbine Building, Plant Services Building, Treatment Pumphouse Building, the Chemical Storage Building, the Fuel Gas Building and the Miscellaneous Buildings are collectively referred to herein as the "Facility"); and (iii) the installation at the Facility of a variety of equipment, machinery and other personal property (the "Equipment") (the Land, the Facility and the Equipment are hereinafter collectively called the "Project" or "Project Facility"); and (B) the lease (with or without an option to purchase) or sale of the Project Facility to the Company. On December 1, 2001, the Agency and Athens Generating Company, L.P. ("AGC") executed and delivered a certain lease agreement (the "Lease Agreement") in connection with the Project. On May 1, 2003, the Agency and AGC executed and delivered a certain amended and restated lease agreement dated as of May 1, 2003 (the "Amended Lease") for the Project, which Amended Lease superceded and replaced the Lease Agreement. The Amended Lease was assigned by AGC to the Company pursuant to a certain assignment and assumption of lease dated as of May 1, 2004. The Company intends to refinance the existing indebtedness and to obtain additional financing for the Project, and has requested that the Agency grant "financial assistance" to the Company in the form of an exemption from mortgage recording taxes. No other exemptions are intended to be granted by the Agency in favor of the Company. The Project is owned and operated by New Athens Generating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with an address for the transaction of business at 7500 Old Georgetown Road, 13th floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. The request for financial assistance submitted by the Company to the Agency in connection with the mortgage tax exemption may be reviewed by the public at the offices of the Agency at 270 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, New York 12051. At 1 p.m. at Crossroads Brewery, 21 2nd St., Athens.

Astronomical bodies
TIDES Hudson: High, 5:43 a.m./Low, 12:32 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:35 a.m./8:10 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 11:32 p.m./8:23 a.m.

Birthdays
MAY 20 Dolley Madison, James Stewart, Sadaharu Oh, Cher, and Busta Rhymes.

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. 9-10 a.m.
Christina Malisoff and Sam Sebren present a rare speech from Dr. Timothy Leary at RPI University. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
PURE MOODS Shannekia McIntosh plays all sorts of music. Noon-2 p.m.
ASTROLOGY From AT Mann. 3 p.m.
KNOCK ON WOOD Steve Charney's comedy show. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts. 4-7 p.m.
GUEST DJ Black Lake hosts, spins, performs. 7 p.m.
HOTLINE RADIO L. Dot Dinero, The Guy, and others play hip hop and more. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more. Overnight all weekend until 6 a.m. Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Greene County through 8 p.m. Thur., May 19. There is a possibility of very heavy thunderstorms, possibly with hail, this afternoon and evening in Greene County.

Ariel Zangla in The Daily Freeman reports that Greene County lawmakers passed Local Law #2 of 2011 on Wed. May 18. The second piece of legislation the governing body has produced in five months bans free speech before and after funerals in Greene County. Wednesday night the Greene County Legislature unanimously made it illegal for, "any person to engage in picketing within 750 feet of a cemetery, mortuary or church within one hour before or after a funeral," or during a funeral. No one in recent memory has protested a funeral in Greene County, but now violators receive a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and or up to a year in the county jail. But that sentence would never happen, as the Supreme Court allows free speech in America under the First Amendment of the Constitution. Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh, R-Coxsackie, told The Daily Freeman reporter that, "he understood the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that it is legal for groups such as the Westboro Baptist Church to exercise their right to freedom of speech by picketing at military funerals, but that he personally does not agree with that decision." On Tue. May 10 the Rensselaer County Legislature voted an identical measure, according to the Times-Union. The Times-Union reporter Dennis Yusko writes that:

"Westboro has never visited Rensselaer County. [Westboro leader Fred] Phelps and about 20 followers picketed the funeral of Army Sgt. Dominic Sacco of Albany in 2005 in Topeka, where Sacco's family lived during his deployment to Iraq. Sacco, 32, died in combat. The church had threatened to protest at least two military funerals in the Capital Region, but did not. In 2009, six Westboro members assembled outside Albany High School to condemn gays. Saratoga County, home to a national cemetery, and Albany County are also weighing new restrictions on funeral protests. Saratoga and Rensselaer county leaders got the idea from a sample local law distributed by the New York State Association of Counties.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="664" caption="From DEC."][/caption]New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens proposed, on Wed. May 18, allowing black bear hunting east of the Hudson River including in Columbia County. Bear hunting is already allowed in Greene County during hunting season. "The proposed adjustments to bear hunting in the Southern bear range are part of our continuing effort to better manage bear populations and provide excellent hunting opportunities in New York State," Commissioner Martens said. "Black bears are thriving in New York and have expanded their range considerably in recent years. Increasing opportunities for bear hunting in the Southern Zone will help alleviate agricultural and homeowner conflicts with bears, provide recreational opportunity, and facilitate wise use of bear meat and hides." Hunting season for Columbia county would be the same as Greene under the proposal. Additional information about black bears is available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6960.html. To see a detailed description of the proposal, including instructions for providing comments, go to www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html on the DEC website. Comments on the proposal will be accepted through July 5.

Catskill artist Matt Bua has organized a stellar lineup of on-air performances and workshops at the WGXC Catskill studio Groundbreaking this Sat. May 21 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Catskill Community Center. Turn out or tune in on 90.7-FM or at wgxc.org:
•Leon Dewan will give an on air demonstration of the Swarm-a -tron
•Bradford Reed will play a set earlier on his 1st Pencilina.
•Harry Matthews - inventor of the Helmet-o-phone
•Dharma Dailey and Brian will play some folk/blue grass classics and old timee tunes
•Carmen Borgia- Baritone Ukulele Big book of Songs
•Rob Hervey- Didjereedoo drones
•Matt Bua- table top 2x4 prepared guitar
•Peter Krug- Americana Encyclopedic Gems

Fiske declared winner of 3rd open board seat
Jim Planck in The Daily Mail reports that William Fiske was indeed elected to the Catskill School Board Tuesday. Fiske was leading Ward Osborn by six votes at the end of election night, with 14 affidavit ballots (the voter was not on the district’s voter registration roll, but cast a provisional ballot) left for the Greene County Board of Elections to sort out. Wed. May 18, they ruled eight valid, and counted those with these results: Karen Haas, went from 578 votes to 582, Michael Maloney increased five from 511 votes to 516, Fiske went from 490 to 494, and Osborn also added five votes from 484 to 489. So Fiske remains the winner. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Cool, wet Spring raises potential for late blight in tomatoes, potatoes
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine warned gardeners and growers Wed. May 18 that the never-ending rain this Spring makes conditions ripe for late blight. Late blight is a plant disease that spreads rapidly from plant to plant in wet, cool weather and causes tomato and potato plants, primarily, to wilt and die. "The exceptionally cool, damp spring we are experiencing throughout New York State this year heightens our concern for late blight," Aubertine said in a press release. "We saw the devastation it can do to a tomato crop in 2009, and we have already received reports of early late blight detection in neighboring states. Therefore, we want to remind our growers of this possible plant disease and alert them of the precautions they can take and how we, as a regulatory agency, are working to protect our plants." More than 150,000 tomato plants have been inspected in New York this year with no signs of late blight detected, according to Aubertine's press release.

Columbia County DA confirms candidacy for County Judge
WNYT reports District Attorney Beth Cozzolino confirms she is running for Columbia County Judge, which fellow Republican Paul Czajka vacated last week. He announced he was running for Cozzolino's job; a job he held for seven years before being elected judge in 1994. Cozzolino became DA in 1995.

Farm bill update
On Wed. May 18, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine announced updates on his series of Farm Bill work groups and changes to two previously announced sessions – the commodities and nutrition titles. Since late April, the Commissioner has been hosting a number of discussions with stakeholders to help identify and prioritize New York's areas of concern and interest with the upcoming 2012 Federal Farm Bill. The Federal Farm Bill is negotiated every six years and sets the parameters for America's agriculture, nutrition, forestry and conservation policies and affects New York's 36,000 farm families in the dairy, apple, vegetable, and wine industries.
Friday, May 20, 2011 - Commodities Title (including Milk Pricing)
This session will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. During that time, invited stakeholders will have an opportunity to present, which will then be openly discussed with a panel of subject-matter experts. Members of the public may also participate and may submit written questions during the session in the Bistro of the Arts and Home Building at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
Friday, May 27, 2011 - Nutrition Title
There will be two sessions to cover the wide range of nutrition provisions included in the Farm Bill. Panel member and invited stakeholder discussions will address, but are not limited to, the following topics. Members of the public may also participate and may submit written questions during the sessions in the Bistro of the Arts and Home Building at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
• Morning Session – 10 a.m. to noon - food stamps and food distribution program issues, community food security grants
• Afternoon Session – 1 to 3 p.m. - fruit and vegetable promotion, farmers' markets and community programs, school meal issues
Sessions are open to the public, RSVP by calling 518-457-8876. The information gathered at the sessions will be compiled into a working document that the Commissioner will use to communicate New York's positions on federal agriculture policy.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Greene and Columbia counties. The prediction for Thursday says there will be a 60 percent chance of more rain, with a high near 67. Thursday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 57. Friday more scattered showers are predicted, with a high near 71.

Town meetings tonight
ANCRAM Board meeting at 7 p.m. in town hall at 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
CHATHAM Town Board Meeting at 7 p.m. town hall, 488 State Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Safety Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
COPAKE Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham.
GHENT Town Board meeting at the Ghent Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644)
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

Astronomical bodies
TIDES Hudson: High, 4:50 a.m./Low, 11:43 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:36 a.m./8:09 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 10:47 p.m./7:19 a.m.

Birthdays
MAY 19 Jim Lehrer, Andre the Giant, Grace Jones, and Joey Ramone.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos presents the morning news, and other features, agriculture reporting, and more, in Spanish and English. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Christina Malisoff reads the news and Joan Geitz and Ellen Thurston present weekend events in Greene and Columbia counties. 9-10 a.m.
TELL IT LIKE IT IS Christina Malisoff and Sam Sebren present a rare speech from Dr. Timothy Leary at RPI University. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CROSSROADS Allan Skerret plays many types of music, such as jazz, and R&B. Noon-2 p.m.
BETWEEN THE LINES Catskill's baseball authority, John Thorn, talks about his new book. 2 p.m.
RADIO THEATER 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Antoine Guerlain hosts. 4-7 p.m.
THE JAZZ DISTURBANCE Cheryl K hosts. 7 p.m.
69 The Magic Stranger welcomes Gandalf as guest. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more. Overnight.

[caption id="attachment_11624" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Matt Bua in the Catskill Community Center."][/caption]
WGXC Catskill studio groundbreaking Saturday
Artist Matt Bua leads first work towards creating a WGXC studio in a front window along Main St. in the Catskill Community Center. Join WGXC in person at the Community Center or on the air on 90.7-FM this Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. Local bands will also perform, and there will be workshops and other activities.


AUDIO CLIPS AVAILABLE FOR WGXC MORNING SHOW

Excerpt of Hudson Common Council meeting 20110517 with Don Moore explaining about release of LWRP.
May 17, 2011. Recorded by Victor Mendolia. (5 minutes, audio/mpeg)
Hudson Common Council President Don Moore explains the process for releasing the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) at the Hudson Common Council meeting May 17, 2011. Click here to listen to mp3.

Ann Forbes Cooper previews her WGXC show "Between the Lines" Thursday at 2 p.m. May 18, 2011. Interview by Tom Roe. (audio/2 minutes, mpeg)
This month "Between the Lines" features an interview with John Thorn of Catskill, noted baseball expert recently appointed Official Baseball Historian for Major League Baseball. Thorn is also author of "Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret History of the Early Game." "Between the Lines" airs each month on the third Thursday at 2 p.m. This is a quick preview of her show Thursday on WGXC. Click here to listen to mp3.

Rebecca Wolff interviewed on WGXC Afternoon Show. May 17, 2011. Hosted by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth. (20 minutes, audio/mpeg)
Interview in advance of Hudson Valley Literary Festival with Athens-based this Sat. May 14 at Hudson Opera House and Hudson Wine Merchants. Click here to listen to mp3 recording.

Hedda Lettuce interview on WGXC Afternoon Show. May 17, 2011. Interview by Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper. (15 minutes, audio/mpeg)
Interview about appearance Sat. May 14 appearance at Stageworks in Hudson. Click here to listen to mp3 recording.

Linda Mussman interviewed on WGXC Afternoon Show. May 17, 2011. Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper, Richard Roth, and Tom Roe. (audio/mpeg)
Interview about the historic preservation status for Robinson St. in Hudson, which Mussmann opposes. Click here to listen to mp3 recording.

Bob Hoven and Slyvia Hasenkopf interviewed on WGXC Afternoon Show. May 17, 2011. Interviewed by Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper. (audio/mpeg)
Interview about Beattie-Powers Place in Catskill, and the lecture on slavery in Greene County this Sat., May 21 there by Hasenkopf. Click here to listen to mp3 recording.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Greene and Columbia counties. The prediction for Wednesday is a 90 percent chance of showers, with a high near 64. Wednesday night more showers are likely, with a low around 55. Thursday scattered showers are predicted, with thunderstorms also possible after noon and a high near 66.

Town meetings tonight
CAIRO at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 4 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY The Greene County Legislature will host a Public Hearing about proposed Local Law Number 2 relating to barring free speech at public funerals. "The Legislature finds that the interests of families in privately and peacefully mourning the loss of deceased relatives are violated when funerals are targeted for picketing and other public demonstrations," according to the proposal. "The purposes of this law is to protect the privacy of grieving families within one (1) hour prior to and one (1) hour following the commencement of funerals and to protect the First Amendment rights of individuals by placing only restrictions that are content neutral and contain a reasonable time and place limitation. Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor. The full text of this proposed Local Law Number 2 of 2011 is available for review in the office of the Clerk of the Greene County Legislature, Greene County Office Building, 411 Main Street, Suite 408, Catskill, New York 12414. The County Legislature of the County of Greene will conduct a Public Hearing on the aforesaid Local Law in the Legislative Meeting Room, County Office Building, 411 Main Street, 4th Floor, Catskill." Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

Astronomical bodies
TIDES Hudson: High, 4:33 p.m./Low, 10:54 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:37 a.m./8:08 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 9:52 p.m./6:19 a.m.

Birthdays
MAY 18 Perry Como, Brooks Robinson, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), George Strait, and Tina Fey.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant presents the morning news, and other features, agriculture reporting, and more, with news of the school board elections. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant and Norman Keyser read the news, plays music, and more. This morning they will preview today's school board elections. 9-10 a.m.
@ISSUE Victor Mendolia hosts with guest Hudson Common Council President Don Moore talking about the LWRP. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
THE SCHOEMER SHOW Karen Schoemer host. Noon-2 p.m.
CATSKILL REVIEW OF BOOKS Authors interviewed, from WJFF in Jeffersonville. 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO Radio Explosion! 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts. 4-7 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more. Overnight through 6 a.m. Sunday.

Cairo
Doron Tyler Antrim reports in The Daily Mail that newcomer Beth Phillips led everyone with 638 votes, and board members Bill Alfeld and Susan Kusminsky, both of Cairo, with 491 and 434 votes, were re-elected. Pat Ublacker of South Cairo, lost with 338 votes. Cairo-Durham’s $27.2 million budget passed 529-408 with a 3.45 percent tax levy increase. Voters also denied the Cairo Library a $2,000 increase in the appropriation, from $18,500 to $20,500 by a vote of 523 to 393 and approved a proposition, 461-442, to buy nine new 66-passenger school buses for more than $925,000.

Catskill
The Daily Freeman reports: Budget ($37.2M) passed, 565-301; Leading race for to Board of Education seats: Karen Haas (578), Michael Maloney (511), William Fiske (490). Ward Osborn trails by six votes with 10 affidavit ballots still to be counted; also Longer walking distance for grades 6-12 from a half-mile to one mile passed, 617-233; and Catskill Public Library $580,896 budget passed, 558-292.

Chatham
The Register-Star reports the Chatham Central School $27,138,001 budget, with a 1.98 percent tax increase, passed 479 to 229. Proposition one, $140,850 for the purchase of one 66-passenger bus and one seven-passenger bus, passed 475 to 236 and proposition two to allow a student representative to sit on the school board as a non-voting member both passed 554 to 133. James Marks was re-elected with 479 votes, Francis Iaconetti with 458 and James Toteno with 445. All serve three-year terms. Jim Cartin won a two-year term as a write-in candidate with 86 votes.

Coxsackie-Athens
Melanie Lekocevic in The Daily Mail reports that the $25.1 million budget was approved 854-449 and three newcomers three newcomers — Bonnie Ecker, 770, CarolAnn Luccio, 747, and Richard Jewett, 713 votesdefeated three longtime incumbents -- President Joseph “Seph” Garland III, 511, and board members Joseph Cardinale, 482, and Michael Petramale, 502.

Germantown
The Daily Freeman reports: Budget ($13.9M): Passed, 311-192; Elected to Board of Education: Brittany Bohnsack-Dufresne (272), Ronald Moore II (268), Cynthia Smith (219), and Donald Coons (210).

Greenville
Miguel Madera reports in The Daily Mail that the Greenville School District budget of $26,075,037 with a 1.9 percent tax levy was approved 582-255. Greg Lampman and Rosanne Stapletonwon unopposed with 630 and 582 votes. Town members voted 531-285 to approve an increase of $1,000 for the Greenville Public Library to $38,000.

Hudson
1673 voters: 1249 against the budget proposal, 424 in favor. The Hudson School Board then voted by a 4-3 vote to ignore the will of the people and accept the budget anyway. Peter Merante, Emil Meister, Jeff Otty, and Mary Daly voted in favor of an almost ten-percent tax increase that also eliminated more jobs than other area districts, and Peter Meyer, Elizabeth Fout and Jery Chapman voted against.
Lynn Slonecker of the Unmuffled blog tweets, "Landslide budget defeat...1249 to 424.... Jeri Chapman sworn in...takes Peter Rice's seat.... Staggering turn of events...BoE disparages those who voted to justify adoption of rejected budget.... Daly, Meister, Merante and Otty rejected the voters' decision because the BoE couldn't work any harder and there was nothing left to cut.... Teachable moment...after meeting had to explain to my son -- who voted for the first time today -- how this could happen."

Hunter-Tannersville
The Daily Freeman reports: Budget ($13.2M): Passed, 181-97; Elected to Board of Education: Brian Byrne (224); School bus purchase proposition passed, 177-100; Hunter Public Library Budget passed, 162-114.

Ichabod Crane
John Mason in the Register-Star reports, "In what appeared to be a decisive rejection of taxpayer-supported football, Ichabod Crane voters Tuesday turned down a $33,837,503 budget for 2011-2012 by a 64-40 ratio. The budget carried a relatively modest tax levy increase of 3.98 percent. This means the district is most likely headed for a second budget vote on the third Tuesday in June." President Andrew Kramarchyk and John Chandler retained their seats and newcomer Susan Ramos won the third spot, and the budget failed 1,594 to 1,089.

New Lebanon
The Register Star reports that the New Lebanon Central School District passed the $12,426,151 budget with no tax increases 294 to 66. A proposition to establish a Capital Reserve Fund succeeded 173 to 131 votes. Christine Sotek and Michael Bienes, a write-in candidate, won the two open board seats.

Taconic Hills
The Register-Star reports, "voters approved the district budget and one incumbent retained her seat on the school board while the other lost his. Christine Perry managed to hold onto her seat. George Lagonia Jr. lost his and voters selected Steve Argus to fill the five-year term instead."

Windham-Ashland-Jewett
Michael Ryan in The Daily Mail reports that the $10,576,366 budget passed 178 to 65.

Victor Mendolia recorded the Hudson Common Council meeting Tue. May 17 at City Hall, and 17 minutes in, Common Council President Don Moore reported that the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) was finished, and that he is "holding it in-council for a week and a half," for lawyers to look at, and it also needs to be printed, and will be released on the internet in June 2, the day after a public unveiling at a special Council meeting. Moore said that by July or August the council will accept public comment on zoning, and may adopt the LWRP and/or strike a deal with the Holcim cement for their waterfront property. The LWRP is a long-term vision for the city's land along the Hudson River. Listen to a recording of the entire Hudson Common Council meeting here. Hudson Common Council President Don Moore will be on "@Issue" at 10 a.m. Wed. May 18 to discuss this subject.

PLAY THIS EXCERPT OF THE MEETING ON WGXC MORNING SHOW
Click here to play the mp3 excerpt from the meeting.

Residents raise money for trail extension
Bart Ziegler, from Hillsdale, and Nancy Schultz, of Copake, are forming the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance, to raise funds to extend the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Copake Falls north through the Hamlet of Hillsdale. Schultz says that to fund the design and engineering of the extension, "the Rail Trail received a $121,000 grant from the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, with the stipulation that we raise $40,000 in matching funds. Our objective over the next 10 months will be to raise that money through trail-related events, grants and donations from the public." The five-mile extension would link Copake Falls and Hillsdale and pass by the the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library and the Roeliff Jansen Park. "In the development plan for the Hillsdale Hamlet that it created last year, the planning firm Project for Public Spaces identified the extension of the Rail Trail as a catalyst that could attract more stores, restaurants and recreational tourists to the area," says Linda Brenner of the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee. "Many are convinced that it is one of the keys to revitalizing Hillsdale's downtown." The Rail Trail extension is being coordinated by the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, which oversees the envisioned 46-mile trail from Wassaic to Chatham, along with the Columbia Land Conservancy, which is the official recipient of the NYS Parks Department grant. Contact nancy @ nancyschultzconsulting.com for more information.

Greene EMS seeks bigger share from county, less from towns
Ariel Zangla reports in The Daily Freeman that a proposal in the Greene County legislature would shift the burden of funding somewhat to the county from the towns. The county pays 66 percent of Greene County Emergency Medical Service’s annual operating budget currently, the story says, with the towns contributing the remaining 33 percent based on the number of paramedic calls received. Under the five-year contract proposal, the county would cover 75 percent and the towns’ 25 percent. "Greene County EMS President Mark Evans said the towns are under no obligation to remain a part of the county paramedic service," Zangla writes in the story. "He said the proposed change in funding was a way to make it financially advantageous for them to remain." Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh said they would work out a contract for lawmakers to vote on in July. Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.

Bard College receives $60 million challenge grant
A staff report in The Daily Freeman reports financier George Soros donated a $60 million challenge grant to Bard College for off-campus projects of the college’s Center for Civic Engagement. Bard will have to raise $120 million in matching funds, according to a college press release announcing the grant, and the funding “will enable Bard to strengthen its worldwide network of projects—from assisting low-income students in struggling high schools in New Orleans, to helping people in New York state prisons earn degrees, to partnering with the first liberal arts institution in Russia.” Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.

Pulcher bows out, won’t run for super
Bob Green in the Register-Star reports that Leo Pulcher will not run for re-election, ending a decade as supervisor of Stockport and more than 20 years on the town board. “During my years as supervisor, I always understood when someone had to take time off to care for family. At this time, I have to take that advice," the newspaper reports he told residents at the May Town Board meeting. "Due to my wife’s health issues, I will not be seeking re-election in November.” Read the Register-Star for the whole story.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Greene and Columbia counties and predicts showers will continue through the weekend. High near 60 with a 90 percent chance of rain, between a quarter and half of an inch. Tuesday night brings more showers and possibly a thunderstorm, low around 52. Wednesday more showers are forecast, with thunderstorms possible after noon and a high near 65.

Town meetings today
CAIRO at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 4 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

Astronomical bodies
TIDES Hudson: High, 4:33 p.m./Low, 10:54 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:37 a.m./8:08 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 9:52 p.m./6:19 a.m.

Birthdays
MAY 18 Perry Como, Brooks Robinson, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), George Strait, and Tina Fey.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant presents the morning news, and other features, agriculture reporting, and more, with news of the school board elections. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant and Norman Keyser read the news, plays music, and more. This morning they will preview today's school board elections. 9-10 a.m.
@ISSUE Victor Mendolia hosts with guest Hudson Common Council President Don Moore talking about the LWRP. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
VOCAL CHORDS Andrew Sosnowski hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
THE JUKE IN THE BACK Classic R&B. 2 p.m.
COUNTERSPIN FAIR's media show. 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper host. 4-7 p.m.
JMOORE SHOW Jeff Moore plays all sorts of music. 7 p.m.
BATTLEFIELD EARTH Dan Seward hosts. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more. Overnight through 6 a.m. Sunday.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Tax levy increases by district, from Unmuffled blog."][/caption]Lynn Slonecker at the unmuffled blog, in a post titled "Context," contrasts local tax increases with job cuts in the same districts:

At the polls Tuesday, voters in the Hudson City School District will be asked to approve a 9.8 percent tax levy increase -- the highest tax levy increase among districts in Columbia County and the Hudson Valley (above). Among those same districts, Hudson ranked fifth overall -- and second countywide -- in job cuts (below). Rondout Valley finished first in the rankings, after the elimination of 49.6 positions to set the tax levy increase at 4 percent. The highest work force reduction in Columbia County was by the Ichabod Crane Central School District -- 32.5 employees were pink-slipped. The ICCSD budget calls for a 3.98 percent tax levy increase. Residents of the New Lebanon Central School District are the big winners this year -- its superintendent and Board of Education managed to cut the 2011-12 spending plan by $200,000, retained the existing work force (minus a few retirements) and spared taxpayers a higher tax bill, all while maintaining the highest per student expenditure in Columbia County.