[caption id="attachment_3839" align="alignright" width="300" caption="187 permanently protected acres in Hillsdale, NY. Photo from Columbia Land Conservancy."][/caption]
Family protects 187 acres in Hillsdale
Mother and daughter Irene E. Gibson and Irene L. Gibson are permanently protecting 187 acres of their Hillsdale property, signing a deal with the Columbia Land Conservancy placing a conservation easement on their land. The property includes a prominent wooded hillside, highly scenic open farm fields, rocky ledges, and outcroppings, and stream corridors and 21 acres of wetlands near Taghkanic Creek Headwaters. The creek, a DEC-designated Class C Trout stream, runs through the protected property for 6,582 feet. The Gibsons donated the development rights of their property to CLC but retain title to their property, and can sell or pass the property on to heirs. They can still farm on the land, and are not required to allow public access. CLC holds 148 easements that protect 20,930 acres.


Schumer gets new job as Democrats’ messenger-in-chief
Jennifer Dlouhy New York on the Potomac reports Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced New York senior Senator Chuck Schumer is now in charge of coordinating the party’s communications and messaging for the next two years. "Reid described the change as part of a new mission 'to strengthen our strategic operations' and 'better integrate our legislative- and message-crafting functions into a central, coordinated nucleus managing policy, press and politics,'" she reported. Read the entire story here.


Birthdays
Nov. 16 birthdays include W.C. Handy, Terence McKenna, and Dwight Gooden.

[caption id="attachment_1383" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Chris Gibson opens his campaign headquarters in Kinderhook May 12, 2010."][/caption]Gibson wants three committee seats
Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential reports:

Congressman-elect Chris Gibson [of Kinderhook] is a 24-year military [veteran], but his top choice for a committee assignment is Agriculture.

“In order, Agriculture, and the House Armed Services Committee,” Gibson said in an interview earlier this week. “There is no guarantees. Obviously I’d be a good fit for the House Armed Services Committee given my background. I would like to see that as a third committee; that’s unusual, to get three committees, but not unprecedented. I want to serve on Agriculture, on Energy & Commerce, because I want to be involved in removing the impediments to growth — taxes, regulation and health care costs — and I want to be involved to try to help our farmers. So I derive my priorities for committee assignment based on campaign goals that I enunciated and where I can best position myself to make a difference.”

Gibson spoke at multiple farm events about the need to improve milk pricing mechanisms in the 2012 Farm Bill. Rep. Scott Murphy, the Glens Falls Democrat who Gibson defeated, serves on the Agriculture and Armed Services.

Birthdays
Nov. 13 birthdays include Frances Conroy, Humayun Ahmed, and Amory Lovins.

Board of Ed vacancy, bus proposition on the ballot
Hilary Hawke in The Ravena News-Herald reports on Nov. 15 Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school district voters will fill a vacancy with either Sarah Hafensteiner, Rodney Krzykowski, Judith Sylvester, or Darcy Micelli and reconsider a scaled-down version of a bus proposal that was defeated by voters last May. The proposal was reduced from $538,378 to $437,141. Voting is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at RCS High School.

Look what you did
Diane Valden in The Columbia Paper has one of the best leads in local memory:

It’s official: Salvatore Cascino did all the bad things the town said he did, and now he has to fix them.

That's the opener for a story about the November 3 decision from Acting State Supreme Court Judge Jonathan D. Nichols permanently forbidding Cascino from ever again engaging in "certain illegal activities" on his 300-acre property Copake Valley Farm, along the east side of Route 22.

Birthdays
Nov. 12 is the birthday of Wallace Shawn, Neil Young, and Booker T. Jones.

[caption id="attachment_3780" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Joseph Costa, George Lagonia, Jr., Ronald Morales, Superintendent Mark Sposato, and school employee. "][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_3781" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Clifford Campbell, Harvey Weber, Donald McComb, Robert McComb, Kevin Maisenbacher, members of Taconic Hills School Board. "][/caption]

Taconic Hills School Board holds entire meeting in executive session
The Taconic Hills School Board held an entire meeting in executive session to fill a usually-elected open seat on the board. The meeting in the conference room inside Taconic Hills High School Wednesday evening was held entirely in executive session, except for the pledge of allegience (pictured), unanimous votes to open and close the meeting, and another to go into executive session. The vote to go out of executive session, happened in executive session, according to the board. Previously that day in a story in the Register-Star, John Mason called executive director of New York’s Committee on Open Government Robert J. Freeman and asked if the board is violating the state’s open meetings law by doing everything in regard to filling this seat behind closed doors. Freeman quotes the Gordon vs. the Village of Monticello, Supreme Court, Sullivan County, Jan. 7, 1994 case: “The matter of replacing elected officials,” states the decision, “should be subject to public input and scrutiny.” Freeman said he has advised school boards that, “they conduct executive sessions [for this purpose] at their peril.” The Taconic Hills board insisted on meeting privacy and would not even reveal the names of potential candidates for the seat to replace John Mastropolo, who resigned in September. As the board began interviewing Christine Perry for the post -- she told this reporter and Mason her name in the hallway outside the executive session -- the board finally released the list of who sent letters of interest: Tom Bailey, June Simons, Kim Czyzewski, Gail Wheeler, Scott Decker, Annie Christensen, Sally Williamson, Perry, Kenneth Dow (withdrew today), Robert Garon (withdrew Oct. 21), and Joan Spencer. Perry, Williamson, Spencer, Dow, and Decker were granted interviews in executive session, though Dow withdrew today and Decker never arrived and could not be reached by school officials. The board also told the media -- not the public -- the seven questions they were asking of candidates inside the executive session: general items such as what budget cuts should be made, and "What are the most pressing issues facing school boards today?" The board will decide who fills the seat at a meeting next Wed. Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Voters won't have any input on who holds this seat until it expires May 17, 2011.

Three bat species see 90 percent population drops in NY
Little Brown, Northern, and Tri-Colored bats suffered 90 percent population declines in New York since the first appearance of the "White-Nose Syndrome" began plaguing the hibernating animals in their caves in 2006, according to a recently completed survey by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Indiana bats have declined about 60 percent and "White Nose Syndrome" has now been documented in 32 caves and mines in New York. "Caves and mines that avoided infection in the early years of the disease, perhaps by chance, are now infected," said Acting DEC Commissioner Peter Iwanowicz. "This year's survey included hibernation sites that had not been visited by DEC in decades. What we found was disturbing. We now have sampled sites that represent the full range of environmental conditions across the state – and none have been spared. It is likely the sites not yet inspected are infected as well." DEC is asking members of the recreational caving community to avoid any caves or mines known to house hibernating bats. Population numbers have held steady after steep, first-year declines at Howe Cave and Haile's Cave (located in the greater Capital Region) at roughly 10 percent of their pre-disease count. "Infected animals were present at these two sites, so it's too early to say the decline here has halted," said DEC bat biologist Carl Herzog, "but these two caves represent the most hopeful results in an otherwise negative report."

Hudson city budget
Carole Osterink in The Gossips of Rivertown reports on Wednesday night's Hudson Common Council meeting where Mayor Rick Scalera revealed the 2011 city budget. Her analysis:

"The mil rate (the tax per $1,000 in assessed value) is 12.198420, down from 14.770500 in 2010--a 17 percent decrease. The total taxable value of properties in Hudson increased from 303,174,231 to 373,232,346, so the taxes on a hypothetical property assessed at $150,000 in 2010 and $250,000 in 2011 will increase from $2,215.58 to $3,049.61--an increase of 38 percent.... There will not be salary increases for elected officials, Department Heads, PT 40-hr employees as well as PT hourly employees. The Police Union has previously negotiated a 3% increase for 2011 and CSEA is currently in contract discussions with the city.3. In the Assessor's office the part-time clerk position was cut and added was $68,000 toward the overall cost of a professional revaluation.... The city bus operations will be changed over in early January as we now will work within a Cooperative Agreement with the county. The Bus will continue to provide transportation from the City to the surrounding retailers in Greenport and back with expanded hours from the current schedule.... A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17." Read the entire story here.

Lindsay Suchow's take on the proposed budget is here in Register-Star.

EPA subpoenas Halliburton, seeking fracking secrets
Environment News Service reports:

The U.S. EPA has issued a subpoena to Halliburton, requiring information about the chemicals used by the energy and engineering company to fracture shale rocks, releasing the natural gas they contain. Halliburton was subpoenaed after failing to voluntarily meet EPA's requests for information needed for a congressionally mandated hydraulic fracturing study to investigate the potential adverse impacts of the practice on drinking water and public health. EPA's Office of Research and Development will conduct the scientific study to examine the possible relationships between hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and drinking water quality. Halliburton has been given until December 1 to submit the requested information. The agency is under a tight deadline to provide initial results by the end of 2012 and the thoroughness of its study depends on timely access to detailed information about the methods used for fracturing. EPA expects to begin the study in early 2011. On September 9, EPA asked nine national and regional hydraulic fracturing service providers - BJ Services, Complete Production Services, Halliburton, Key Energy Services, Patterson-UTI, RPC, Inc., Schlumberger, Superior Well Services, and Weatherford - for information. The agency is seeking information on the chemical composition of fluids used in the fracking process, data on the impacts of the chemicals on human health and the environment, standard operating procedures at their hydraulic fracturing sites and the locations of sites where fracturing has been conducted. Except for Halliburton, the companies have either fully complied with the September 9 request or made unconditional commitments to provide all the information on an expeditious schedule, the EPA said. Halliburton responded only that it would use its "best efforts" and "endeavor to complete its response" by the end of January 2011, according to a letter written by Peter Silva, the EPA's assistant administrator for water to Halliburton Chairman and CEO David Lesar accompanying the subpoena. "EPA believes that Halliburton's response is inadequate and inconsistent with the cooperation shown to date by the other eight companies," Silva wrote.

Long Island company buys old Ceramaseal building in NL
Paul Crossman in Chatham Courier reports that RISA, "a metal fabrication company that makes and installs various products from iron, steel and other metals and turns them into products like staircases, railings and doorways," is attempting to get permits from the Planning Board, and finish their State Environmental Quality Review application before buying the Ceramaseal building in New Lebanon. The company representative claims up to 50 new jobs for the area within a year. Read the entire story here.

Veteran's Day
Schools are closed today.

Birthdays
Nov. 11 is the birthday of Stanley Tucci, Dave Alvin, and Kurt Vonnegut.

Gibson names Saratoga's Stallmer as chief-of-staff
Kinderhook's Congressman-elect Chris Gibson named Steve Stallmer as his chief-of-staff. Stallmer graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1994, worked as an intern and staffer for the late Congressman Gerald Solomon, and on the staff of Congressman Jack Quinn. Since 2004 he was the Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for the Associated General Contractors of New York State. Stallmer has a degree in political science from Marymount University in Arlington, VA.

Meetings tonight
The Register-Star's John Mason reports the Taconic Hills School Board is secretly choosing a new member tonight, and they will not reveal the names of any of the candidates, and are holding all deliberations behind closed doors. Mason calls the executive director of New York's Committee on Open Government Robert J. Freeman and asks if the board is violating the state's open meetings law by doing everything in regard to hiring in executive session. Freeman quotes the Gordon vs. the Village of Monticello, Supreme Court, Sullivan County, Jan. 7, 1994 case: “The matter of replacing elected officials,” states the decision, “should be subject to public input and scrutiny.” Freeman said he has advised school boards that “they conduct executive sessions [for this purpose] at their peril.” Then Mason lists similar recent local situations:

On Jan. 11, members of the Hudson City School Board went into executive session to discuss four candidates for an open board seat. But Board Member Elizabeth Fout refused to join them, saying it was against Open Meetings Law. On Oct. 5, members of the Ichabod Crane School Board heard presentations in a public meeting by five of eight candidates for an open board seat — the other three had already made their presentations. Members then went into executive session and made their decision. In both cases, names of all candidates were public knowledge. Read the entire story here.

The board's website does not list the meeting, but a call to the district office says it is at 7 p.m. in the board room.

Carole Osterink reports Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera will present the budget to the Common Council at a special meeting tonight, Wednesday, November 10, at 6 p.m. at city hall. The budget will be online for public review at the City of Hudson website after that, with a public hearing on the subject Wednesday, November 17, at 6 p.m.

Birthdays
Nov. 10 is the birthday of Saxby Chambliss, Neil Gaiman, and Ann Reinking.

Mark Scheerer from Public News Service reports:

The LaFarge cement plant in Ravena, south of Albany, is one of many cement factories nationwide under orders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cut back on dangerous mercury emissions. The cement industry announced last Friday it's going to fight the new rules, and Earthjustice has responded quickly. On behalf of six environmental groups, the law firm is filing a brief in support of the EPA's decision, saying it would avoid 2500 premature deaths nationwide every year, and result in up to $18 billion worth of health benefits. Susan Falzon, an environmental activist, lives across the Hudson River from the LaFarge facility and is disappointed in the industry's resistance. "This is just a further delay that just causes all of us to be taking more mercury into our systems." The industry trade group, the Portland Cement Association, argues that the proposed emission limits are too low and some plants won't be able to meet them. And it says the new rules are a threat to many cement companies, the jobs they provide, and the communities where they are located. Attorney Jim Pew with Earthjustice says the industry's argument is "nonsense" and the EPA has determined that the economic benefits of meeting the rules will outweigh the costs. He adds that the U.S. cement industry is largely owned by multi-billion-dollar foreign companies. "It's not going to drive them out of business. It's not going to cause them to cut jobs. They can do this, but they would just rather keep the money and let their toxic pollution go on killing people here in America." Susan Falzon is director of Friends of Hudson, a local group that's been fighting the cement industry over pollution for many years. She's not surprised they are resisting the EPA rules. "It is a rule with requirements that they can easily meet if they are willing to take on the expense. It makes me very angry to see how cynical they can be with people's lives." Read the entire story here.

2.1 percent tax hike in Greene County, no layoffs
Colin DeVries in The Daily Mail and Ariel Zangla-Girard in The Daily Freeman both report the Greene County Legislature's 2011 budget includes a 2.1 percent tax increase, and no layoffs in a tentative $99.7 million budget. "A budget hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18 in the Cairo-Durham High School, 1301 Route 145 in Durham, at 6 p.m. Copies of the budget are available in the legislature office on the fourth floor of the Greene County Office Building at 411 Main St., Catskill," DeVries reports. The The Daily Mail story includes tax rates for each town.

Greene biomass study results coming
The Daily Freeman reports the results of the Greene County Forest and Agriculture Biomass Resources Study will be presented at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Agroforestry Resource Center, 6055 Route 23. "Dan Conable from Cato Analytics will present the study, which was prepared by Cato Analytics and Clark Patterson Lee. The full report is available online at www.greeneida.com," the paper reported.

Road closures
The Columbia Paper reports The Columbia County Department of Public Works closed the county bridge that carries Stone Mill Road Extension over the Taghkanic Creek (locally known as Hildebrandt Bridge, in the towns of Greenport and Claverack) November 1, after the DOT deemed it unsafe. Since alternate routes are available and county funds low, the bridge will not be rebuilt and the nearby intersection of Yates Road and State Route 9H will also be closed to traffic. The Register Star reports, "The northernmost section of Mt. Merino Road may soon be closed to traffic, Greenport Highway Superintendent Mark Gaylord said Wednesday. He has authority to close the road if travel on it is not safe. The three-mile-long road has only two outlets, the other being west of the intersection of Route 9G and Route 23." The story reports recurring flooding problems there.

Hole in the news
On Saturday, The Daily Mail reported about journalist Amy Goodman's talk and book-signing for WGXC at the Community Theatre of Catskill last Thursday without mentioning WGXC. On Monday, The Daily Mail, in a story about the Sunday showing of Tobey Carey's film “The Catskill Mountain House and the World Around" at the same Catskill theater reported, "The film was a production of Willow Mix Media, a not-for-profit arts group, and proceeds of DVD sales go to the Greene County Council on the Arts." The Goodman appearance was a production of WGXC, and proceeds from admissions at the talk went to the station. "Democracy Now!" will air live on WGXC Monday through Friday at 8 a.m.

First snow
WGXC heard reports of snow throughout Columbia and Greene counties, with a bit of accumulation on the ground in higher altitudes, with salt trucks spotted spreading in both counties.

Birthdays
Today is the birthday of Lou Ferrigno, Spiro Agnew, and Ejiah Parish Lovejoy.

Several sources are reporting that the over the Roeliff Jansen Kill bridge on Route 9G from Hudson to Germantown reopens today.

(Cairo) Zoning law unveiled
The Daily Mail, Doron Tyler Antrim
Information hearings:
Nov. 13, 10 a.m. at Acra Community Center.
Nov. 15 , 7 p.m. Cairo Town Hall.
Nov. 30, the commission will set a public hearing on the law.

New York State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta), who was re-elected Tuesday in an unopposed election, will be in Greene County, Monday, November 8, joining Coxsackie-Athens Central School District students at Edward J. Arthur Elementary School for the annual Veterans Day ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Edward J. Arthur Elementary School is located at 51 Third St., in Athens.

"Democracy Now!" host Amy Goodman came to Catskill for WGXC and spoke to a full house, with introductions from Kaya Weidman, Christina Malisoff, Brian Kehoe, and Carline Murphy. Listen to mp3 recording here.

Farmshed is a new iPhone app about Central New York farms and agriculture and food.http://www.filesonic.com/file/28660569/0606jjcl.avi

Amy Goodman spoke for WGXC tonight at the Community Theatre of Catskill (photo by Galen Joseph-Hunter). Kaya Weidman, Christina Malisoff, Brian Kehoe, and Carline Murphy introduced the "Democracy Now!" host before her talk, which can be heard here, or copy and paste the following url into your computer's media player:
http://data.wavefarm.org/2010/11/AmyGoodman_CommunityTheatreofCatskill_WGXC_110410.mp3

"Democracy Now" will air on WGXC-FM 90.7 live at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Guy Garraghan"][/caption]From Dennis Jackson, owner of WRIP in Windham, a tribute to one of the area's best radio hosts:

Around 9:15 PM on Tuesday, November 2, the Mountaintop lost a native son who was one of the best. Guy Patrick Garraghan has passed away following emergency surgery at Albany Medical Center. Guy embodied the heart and soul of the Mountaintop, and of this radio station. He was a friend to all, 110% Irish, and universally loved and respected. He lived all of his 64 years in Windham, with the exception of 4 years of service to his country in the U.S. Air Force. Guy is really the reason this radio station is here. He was a consummate broadcaster, emcee, and host, and a celebrated toastmaster over his career spanning nearly 50 years. Guy is the primary reason WRIP has been here every day since August 5, 1999 as this community’s radio station. We all loved Guy dearly, but our most heartfelt sympathy goes out to his immediate family, to his wife Carol, his daughters Shannon and Kristen, his son Jimmy, and his brothers Mike and Chris. Arrangements for remembrance of Guy’s life will be announced at the convenience of his family.

Complete Columbia and Greene county election results below.

COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS PRELIMINARY RESULTS posted at 1:30 a.m. on bulletin board at Board of Elections office, 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Coroner
Davis 10658
Simonsmeier 10579
(2000 absentee ballots still outstanding according to Board of Elections official, this race will not be decided quickly. This is clearly the closest race of the night, and probably the winner will not be officially determined for some time.)

County Clerk
Donahue 8173
Tanner 14010

Ancram Proposition #1
Yes 320
No 169

Ancram Proposition #2
Yes 290
No 196

Kinderhook Proposition #1 (library)
Yes 2128
No 1505

New Lebanon Proposition #1
Yes 334
No 415

Stuyvesant Proposition #1
Yes 224
No 138
(results incomplete)

108th Assembly seat
Tim Gordon 3667
Steve McLaughlin 3588

103rd Assembly seat
Marc Molinaro 6771
Susan Tooker 4149

State Senate seat
Didi Barrett 8848
Steve Saland 13261

Claverack Town Justice
Brandon 1454

Taghkanic Town Justice
Prochera 222

Copake Highway Supervisor
Gregory 683
Jamieson 396

U.S. Congress NY-District 20
Chris Gibson 12922
Scott Murphy 9641

U.S. Senator
Gillibrand 14171
DioGuardi 7910
Lawrence 195
Huff 48
Clifton 90
Morgan 70
Blakeman 10

U.S. Senator
Schumer 13302
Townsend 8384
Clark 312
Credico 194


GREENE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Unofficial results posted on their web site as results came in. 96 percent of precincts reporting.

GOVERNOR & LT GOVERNOR
Andrew Cuomo/Robert Duffy 6,829
Carl Paladino/Gregory Edwards 6,528
Howie Hawkins/Gloria Mattera 273
Warren Redlich/Alden Link 183
Jimmy McMillan 120
Kristin M Davis/Tanya Gendelman 65
Charles Barron/Eva M Doyle 6

COMPTROLLER
Harry Wilson 8,286
Thomas P DiNapoli 4,760
Julia A Willebrand 352
John Gaetani 136

ATTORNEY GENERAL
Dan Donovan 7,875
Eric T Schneiderman 5,209
Carl E Person 187
Ramon J Jimenez 17

US SENATOR (6 yr Term)
Charles E Schumer 6,918
Jay Townsend 6,485
Colia Clark 155
Randy A Credico 85

US SENATOR (2 yr Unexpired Term)
Kirsten E Gillibrand 7,186
Joseph J DioGuardi 6,306
Cecile A Lawrence 99
John Clifton 50
Joseph Huff 34
Vivia Morgan 31
Bruce Blakeman 6

COUNTY JUDGE FAMILY & SURROGATE
Charles M Tailleur 8,355
David E Woodin 5,243

COUNTY TREASURER
Peter J Markou 7,497
Alan M Pavese 5,979

COUNTY CORONER
Hassan J Basagic III 9,857
John Gulino 9,579

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 020 RACES
50 of 52 (96%) machines reporting (52 total districts)
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
Christopher P Gibson 8,382
Scott Murphy 5,515

STATE SENATOR
James L Seward 9,784

MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY (127)
Peter D Lopez 7,538

MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY (108)
Steve McLaughlin 1,923
Timothy P Gordon 1,366

CATSKILL TOWN JUSTICE
Peter M Margolius 1,883
Michael J Smith 763

DURHAM SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS (Unexpired Term)
Alan E Beechert Sr 560

GREENVILLE TOWN COUNCILMAN (Unexpired Term)
John A Bensen 414
Wayne A Nelsen 356

HUNTER TOWN JUSTICE
William M Simon 695

TOWN OF HUNTER RESOLUTION
NO 480
YES 271

JEWETT TOWN COUNCILMAN (Unexpired Term)
James P Pellitteri 235
Michael R Flaherty 134

PRATTSVILLE TAX COLLECTOR (Unexpired Term)
Carole Cangelosi 154
Switlana Breigle 85

WINDHAM TOWN SUPERVISOR (Unexpired Term)
Stephen J Walker 434

WINDHAM TOWN COUNCILMAN (Unxpired Term)
Karl Gonzalez 388


108 Assembly Seat
Totals of Albany, Greene and Columbia county results
Tim Gordon
Albany 8185
Columbia 3667
Greene 1366
Total 13218

Steve McLaughlin
Albany 8284
Columbia 3588
Greene 1923
Total 13795

Greene County election results (must refresh page).
WGXC's Tom Roe will be at the Columbia County Board of Elections office and posting results as they become official.

WGXC has campaign schedules for election day from Didi Barrett (running for State Senate seat in Columbia County), Chris Gibson (running for NY 20th Congressional seat), Scott Murphy (running for NY 20th Congressional seat), and James Seward (running unopposed for State Senate seat in Greene County).

Didi Barrett
9:00-9:30 a.m.: Vote at Millbrook firehouse with family.
11:30 a.m.-noon: Visit Hudson campaign office, 731 Warren St., Hudson, NY 12534.
noon-2 p.m.: Canvas in Hudson.
3-3:30 p.m.: Lunch stop at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 103rd Election Day Dinner, Rte. 9 and Church St. Hyde Park, NY 12538. All proceeds will support local missions. No reservations are needed and takeout is available. Take out prices are $12 adults or seniors and $6 children.
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Phone banking at Didi for Senate Headquarters, 4068 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.
6-7 p.m.: New Hamburg train station.
9-?: Election Night Party at Didi for Senate Headquarters, 4068 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.

Chris Gibson
9 a.m.: Casting vote at McNary Center, Sylvester St., Kinderhook, NY 12106
10 p.m.: Election Night Event at Holiday Inn of Saratoga, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Scott Murphy
9:30 a.m.: Vote at Glens Falls High School tennis court entrance, 10 Quade Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801
2 p.m.: Visit Greene County Democrat Headquarters, 377 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414
4 p.m.: Visit Dutchess County Democrat Headquarters, 4068 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
6 p.m.: Visit Columbia County Democrat Headquarters, 731 Warren St., Hudson, NY 12534
9 p.m.: Gideon Putnam Ballroom, Gideon Putnam, 24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

James Seward
8:30 a.m.: Election Day Pancake Breakfast at Veterans Club; 60 Main Street; Cooperstown, NY.
8 p.m.: Election Returns/Victory Celebration at Campaign Headquarters; 14 Dietz Street; Oneonta NY.
[caption id="attachment_3704" align="aligncenter" width="112" caption="Voting in Cairo at 10 a.m. Nov. 2, 2010. Photo by Tom Roe."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="436" caption="Dawn Wallent from Common Ground introducing the panelists at the Second Chance Renters Seminar at Greene County Emergency Services building in Cairo. Florence Ohle, ED of Community Action; attorney Doug Colman; landlord Frank Cuthbert; and mediator David Louis; Catskill Mountain Foundation Ex Dir Lawrence Krajeski; and United Tenants of Albany Ex Dir Maria Markovics. "][/caption]Common Ground, the dispute resolution group, held a Second Chance Renters Rehabilitation Seminar tonight at the Greene County Emergency Services building in Cairo. Dawn Wallent from Common Ground introduced the panelists: William Fisher (not pictured), the Fair Housing Officer for Columbia County Housing Resources; Florence Ohle, ED of Community Action; attorney Doug Colman; landlord Frank Cuthbert; and mediator David Louis; Catskill Mountain Foundation Ex Dir Lawrence Krajeski; and United Tenants of Albany Ex Dir Maria Markovics.

Click here to listen to audio mp3 recording of the seminar, or paste the following link into your computer's media player:
http://data.wavefarm.org/2010/11/SecondChanceRentersSeminar_ComonGround_WGXC_110110.mp3

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="208" caption="Mark Twentyman, recently retired from the Office of Real Property."][/caption]Michael Chameides, who does publicity for the Columbia Land Conservancy, recorded this event with WGXC, a workshop CLC put on for farmers and land owners interested in leasing farmland called “Down to Earth,” Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the First Pioneer Farm Credit East building on Route 9H in Claverack. Click here to listen to a recording of the full workshop, or click here for shorter recordings of different parts of the workshop. Sound mix by CJ DeGenarro.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="208" caption="Paul Freeman, founding partner of Freeman/Howard Law Firm."][/caption]
Chameides writes:

“I wish we had attended a workshop like this three years ago,” noted landowner and panelist Dwayne Powell who leases 46 acres to Threshold Farm. The workshop featured experts in tax code, law, and insurance who gave advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls that farmers and landowner face when leasing land. Mark Twentyman, who recently retired from the Office of Real Property, spoke about the tax benefits related to farming. Landowners with working farms often pay less in property taxes. The tax code is fairly complex and ultimately depends on the assessment determined by the local tax assessor.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="208" caption="Kirk Kneller, insurance specialist."][/caption]
Twentyman was followed by Paul Freeman, a founding partner of Freeman/Howard Law Firm, who spoke about lease agreements between farmers and landowners. Some of the important keys to a good working relationships are communication and expectations. Freeman emphasized that a good contract will make it clear to both parties what everyone expects and provides a blueprint for the business deal. Insurance specialist Kirk Kneller spoke next. Kneller stressed the importance of the farmer obtaining farm insurance and naming the landowner on the policy. Home insurance will not cover incidents off the property and may not cover farm incidents on the property. Insurance protects the landowner and farmer from unforeseen damages as well as lawsuits. While there are challenges in creating in creating an effective lease agreement, panelist Hugh Williams of Threshold Farm advises, “It’s not difficult at all and not expensive. It’s all manageable and doable.”

The workshop is part of CLC’s farm land support program. Every three days a farm in New York is lost to development and CLC prioritizes the conservation of farmland and particularly works to ensure that working farms remain a central part of Columbia County. Through work with the NY State Farmland Protection Program, CLC has secured more than $6 million in state and private funding on behalf of towns and local farmers, ensuring the protection of approximately 5,280 acres of working farmland. CLC holds conservation easements on over 20,000 acres which ensures the permanent protection of the land. Almost one third of that land is used for working farms. CLC also supports farmers in a number of ways by participating in local committees that address and promote farming, networking, and sharing resources. CLC’s Farmer-Landowner Match Program matches farmers without land to landowners who want their land farmed. CLC helps the farmer and landowner create a lease agreement that is mutually beneficial. Farmers may provide services, money, or crops in exchange for access to quality farmland. “Everybody wins, including local residents who have increased access to local, healthy food,” explains CLC Senior Land Manager Marissa Codey.

Cynthia Creech, a cattle farmer hoping to relocate to Columbia County, was the final speaker. “We have an obligation to take care of the land. Whether you own it or use land that someone else owns. Anybody not involved in farmland, you should get involved because it will make your life better,” says Creech.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="208" caption="Hugh Williams, Threshold Farm; Dwayne Powell, landowner and leaser to Threshold Farm; and Cynthia Creech, cattle farmer."][/caption]

Former President Bill Clinton came to Saratoga this morning to support the re-election campaign of Rep. Scott Murphy, who polls have losing tomorrow to Kinderhook Republican Chris Gibson. Capitol Confidential, via Kyle Hughes of NYSNYS, provides this video of Bill Clinton from this morning’s rally.
this video of Clinton's appearance for Murphy.

Steve Saland hit with ethics complaint over pressuring firefighters to promote re-election
The Daily News, Celeste Kaz broke the story Friday that, according to charges by a Dutchess County fireman and the Hudson city Democratic Chairman, filed a Legislative Ethics Complaint against incumbent GOP State Sen. Steve Saland, who is running for re-election in the 41st Senate District against Democrat Didi Barrett. The complaint alleges local fire authorities promoted Saland's re-election bid on firehouse signs because Saland continues to win grants for local firehouses. Firefighter Lloyd Hamilton and Hudson Democratic chair Victor Mendolia (who is working on hosting a show on WGXC) have a letter dated Oct. 11 to prove it. In the Mid-Hudson News, Saland is quoted responding, “The charge that I would ever threaten any fire chief, of for that matter, any local official, is preposterous,” he wrote. “In the case of this particular complaint, it is an outrageous lie. In fact, I challenge these two Democrats to find a single fire chief who will testify under oath that I did that.”

Area campaigns flush with cash
The Daily Mail, Colin DeVries trawled www.elections.state.ny.us and discovered combined spending among Greene County Democratic and Republican committees is will exceed $115,000 this year, with Democrats spending $51,400 with around $18,000 in remaining contributions at 111 days before the election. Republicans have spent $39,800, with $4,400 remaining. DeVries writes, "Out of the Republicans who donated to the committee, itemized donors include Coxsackie Transportation ($450), Athens Generating ($250) and Peckham Industries ($680),' and "Democratic county committee contributors include many small donations from private donors and small business, including Kaplan Law Firm ($100), Mooney’s Auction Service ($75) and Village Market in Tannersville ($75)." And what surely will be an election night question about what flavor, Catskill Town Justice Peter Margolius listed “candy bars” as a campaign expense.

Gillibrand puts her house on the market
WNYT reports U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has put her Columbia County house up for sale for almost $1.5 million. A spokesperson for the senator told the television station they want to move closer to Albany where she grew up and has family. It means Gillibrand will not be seen as often at the Hudson Amtrak station, as Columbia County no longer has its own United States Senator.

City’s first Halloween parade draws hundreds to Warren Street
The Register Star, Lindsay Suchow

Catskill Farmer's Market closes for the season
The Daily Mail, Hilary Hawke

Rematch slated for 108th Assembly seat
The Columbia Paper, Emilia Teasdale writes about the campaigns of incumbent Tim Gordon, and Republican challenger Steve McLaughlin for the 108th Assembly District seat which covers northern Greene and Columbia counties.

Cuomo spreads his love to Murphy
Capitol Confidential, Jimmy Vielkind reports on Saturday's political rally in Ballston Lake with Democrat Congressman Scott Murphy, who is struggling in the polls to retain his seat, with Andrew Cuomo, who is not struggling in the polls in his quest to become governor.

WGXC Program Schedule PDF. Click here to download.

WMHT hosted the final debate of the campaign tonight between Rep. Scott Murphy and Kinderhook-based challenger Chris Gibson. The television station so far has released just this one-minute clip with a man from the audience asked if the candidates are in favor of eliminating corporate campaign contributions and/or requiring large contributors be identified.

Taghkanic Neighbors posted this video of the last ten minutes of the October 6, 2010 meeting of the Taghkanic Town Council. Supervisor Betty Young had intended this to be an "executive session" because of a "personnel" issue, as she says as the video begins. Watch video to see what the town board thought they needed to keep out of public view about issues about the town's highway department. Taghkanic Neighbors, a community group in the town, also released a PDF of their Fall newsletter here.