[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Brian McMahon, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council."][/caption]So what's the Cuomo administration doing to better the economy in counties like ours, now that its backing the Excelsior Jobs Program over the old Empire Zones? Colin DeVries of the Daily Mail gets to the heart of the story while reporting on a meeting between Brian McMahon, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council, and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency board last week. Although on the surface, the Excelsior program now provides only $50 million in tax credits where the Empire Zone Program provided $600 million in tax credits, new efforts are being made to extend the Excelsior tax benefit period from five to 10 years, to revise job creation tax credits to be based on income tax receipts for each new job rather than simply providing $5,000 per job, to enhance research and development tax credits to be equal to 50 percent of the taxpayer’s federal research and development credit, and to base real property tax credits on the value of property after improvements rather than prior to investment. Yet he also added that without the additional capital injected into the program to provide further incentives, local economic development agencies will have to step up their own incentive programs. “The biggest gap is that there is no way to provide real property tax incentive without hurting communities,” said IDA Director Sandy Mathes about the loss of state capital incentives. “It makes getting the ultimate deal done more difficult.” Mathes added that local IDAs may have to be “more aggressive” with their own tools, including payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOT, deals.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="The Monticello Casino & Raceway Job Fair on March 1 drew hundreds for a few dozen jobs, as seen in this MHNN nees photo."][/caption]So where does the economy stand in the Hudson Valley? On the one hand, new businesses are setting up, some infrastructure projects are getting back underway, and there are a number of big supermarkets landing in rural towns. On the other, hundreds of job hunters showed up at the Monticello Casino and Raceway in Sullivan County, according to a Mid Hudson News Network report, for a dozen immediate jobs and 30 more posted for the summer months ahead. "They were given forms to fill out and stood on a line that wrapped around all four walls of the third floor of the casino/racetrack building," reads the reportage. "Human Resources Director Eileen Cavanaugh said they will keep the applications on file through at least the fall in hopes that as business grows, they can bring more people on board. As for now, people just need to have a positive outlook, she said." The casino/raceway employs about 300 people at the present time. A second Catskills casino project was recently rejected by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Mid Hudson News Network is running a story about Community activist Paul Fowler of Saugerties, who suffered a broken leg while he was incarcerated at the Ulster County Jail last year and is pushing a legal case for the sake of "making sure security equipment is up to snuff rather than for any monetary award." Fowler was injured by another inmate and he has filed a notice of intent to sue the county for damages, contending the security camera system was not working properly; therefore, his attacker could not be identified. “This problem has happened before and I stand fast and I stand hard as a community advocate and as an activist; they can offer me $100 million, I don’t care,” he said. “I will not accept any settlement unless they prove to myself and my attorney, David Clegg, that they have repaired that camera system and that it is up and running for the protection of the officers and the inmates of the Ulster County Jail.” Fowler, who was doing time for criminal contempt tied to his advocacy campaign to keep the Ulster County methadone clinic open on weekends and holidays, was injured last November 14 when he left his cell to get medication. In his court papers, he charged he was “violently assaulted” by another inmate.

"This is a difficult financial climate for everybody," said Catskill Central School District Superintendent Kate Farrell at the first of two public hearing sessions on how to approach this year's state education budget cuts and caps held at the Catskill Middle School on Tuesday evening, March 1. Turnout was lighter than expected, but passions were high as teachers, parents and local residents talked about a "bare bones" budget proposal, with no specifics, that started with cuts to everything besides what was required by state mandate. Speakers addressed what would happen to students wanting to go on to college without Advanced Placement classes, what the community would miss out on with no music or art programs, or sports teams to cheer for, and how they would tell their youngest ones that there would be no more kindergarten or pre-k classes, or that they'd have to walk to school if they lived in the village. "Taxes are the price we pay to live in our civilization. I think we're getting a good bang for the buck with education," said one teacher/parent. "When you cut a budget you don't do it with an axe, you do it with a scalpel," said a parent who'd moved up from Westchester County because of Catskills AP and Universal Pre-K programs. "To cut things the way you're planning is unconscionable. Give our kids every advantage you can... taxpayers are not your only constituents." "You scared a lot of people with this budget proposal," said another teacher of 21 years experience. "You're considering cutting 63 jobs. What you're proposing effects a lot of people and these actions are not responsible... This district has not voted down a budget in 21 years; we treasure our education... you have made commitments to our kids. Fulfill them... these kids didn't do anything wrong to deserve this." Seven of nine board members were in attendance but showing no emotion. A second such hearing is scheduled for the evening of March 14, again from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Video of kindergarten teachers at the meeting by Phillip Yeh and Daniel McInerney. More snippets from this passionate meeting, which seems to sum up much of the growing opposition to drastic governmental budget cuts underway at the present moment, will be added to this entry throughout the day.

The Greene County Council on the Arts (GCCA) has announced the recipients of regrant awards through the Greene County Initiative Program (CIP). Eleven not-for-profit organizations in Greene County have been awarded $18,500 in funding in support of cultural programming and activities for 2011, part of the program established in 1983 to promote the development, growth and viability of major Greene County organizations. GCCA received requests from 12 cultural institutions totaling $57,345 – more than twice the amount of available regrant funds. Eleven CIP awards were awarded as follows:Bronck Museum of the Greene County Historical Society was awarded $2,100 to continue, expand and promote cultural, educational, and arts programming, including Music of History series, Heritage Craft Fair and Chilly Willy Tours. Catskill Mountain Foundation, Inc. was awarded $2,350 toward artist fees and related costs for year-round performing arts series, which includes dance, theater, classical music, pop music and family performances. free103point9 Wave Radio was awarded $1,100 for support for WGXA, Hands on Radio (90.7 FM), a community run media project. Greene Room Players was awarded $1,100 in support for 2011 community theater productions. Inter-Cities Performing Arts, Inc. was awarded $1,100 in support for two Cappuccino Concerts: a murder mystery play and “How to Listen to Opera.” Music & Art Centre of Greene County was awarded $2,350 toward the 2011 season of summer concerts, Classical music series and Ukrainian folk arts workshops at the Grazhda in Jewett Center. MJQ Irish Cultural & Sports Centre in East Durham was awarded $1,650 toward artist fees and related costs for Irish Arts Week and the East Durham Feis. Planet Arts was awarded $1,550 toward support for the 2011 Jazzone2one Series. Thomas Cole National Historic Site – Cedar Grove in Catskill was awarded $2,350 in support for the 2011 exhibition of paintings by Robert Scott Duncanson. Windham Chamber Music Festival was awarded $2,350 in support of its 2011 concert series in Windham. Zadock Pratt Museum was awarded $500 in support for its 2011 season of programs and projects.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing a new federal Farm Bill to stem the closing of family farms, which saw a 23 percent drop in five years here in New York State."][/caption]In response to the loss statewide of 23 percent of its dairy farms, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced a plan aimed at supporting New York’s dairy farmers, according to a piece in the Albany Business Journal. Tracey Drury reports that the plan was developed following listening sessions statewide on agricultural issues held in preparation for the 2012 Farm Bill. In the span of just five years, Gillibrand has noted, New York State lost 23 percent of its dairy farms. As of 2007, New York State is home to nearly 5,700 dairy farms, down from nearly 7,400 in 2002, according to the USDA. In 2010, the number was closer to 5,400. Gillibrand’s plan calls for overhauling the milk pricing system, giving state dairy producers fair, competitive pricing to fix a system where farmers often pay more to produce their products than they make from selling them. Other efforts include preventing cuts to the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program; bolstering the state’s dairy exports; improving cold storage inventory reporting standards to stabilize trading prices; and providing farmers with more tools and information needed to thrive.

Toll booths at local bridges to have ads
The Daily Freeman was the first to run with the press release from the state Bridge Authority, which has authorized ads on all bridge tollbooths henceforth. Who's advertising? We'll have to get back to you on that...

IDA hopeful jobs program will flourish
The Daily Mail 's Colin DeVries has a story on how the new Excelsior Jobs Program has taken up where the Empire Zone Program left off, shifting funds from tax incentives to actual job creation, and checking in with Greene County IDA Chief Sandy Mathes on how things are going.

Fierro gets community service in harassment case
Jamie Larson of the Register-Star reports that Joseph Fierro, owner of the American Glory Barbecue restaurant, was found guilty of second-degree harassment for allegedly slapping musician Alexander Turnquist in the face at the Red Dot restaurant and bar, across the street from his establishment, last October. His sentence? 25 hours of community service. Turnquist has already served community service for an Oct. 13, 2010 incident where he was caught on surveillance camera placing a bag filled with dog feces in front of American Glory.

Teacher effectiveness goes to head of class
The Times Union reports about how the state Senate narrowly approved a Republican-sponsored bill reforming "last-in, first-out" protections for New York City's teachers, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled legislation that would speed up changes to the ways teachers are evaluated across the state from seniority to effectiveness standards. The leader of the powerful New York State United Teachers union called the Senate bill "horrific."

Taylor, Jacob’s Pillow to receive the National Medal of Arts
The Berkshire Eagle complements our scoop on Columbia County's Sonny Rollins getting a National Medal of Arts by reporting that their own region's James Taylor and Jacob's Pillow dance center will also be getting awards today at the White House. Other awardees are music producer Quincy Jones and poet Donald Hall.

The National Weather Service says it is maple syrup weather, with temperatures above freezing during the day and below freezing at night. Scattered snow showers before 3 p.m., then scattered rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 12 mph becoming west between 22 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Wednesday night, mostly clear, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -2. Northwest wind 14 to 17 mph decreasing to between 6 and 9 mph.

Town meetings tonight
CAIRO Planning Board at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Ghent
HUDSON Arts, Entertainment & Tourism Committee at 6 p.m., Arts, Entertainment & Tourism Committee at 6:45 p.m., Fire Committee at 6:45 p.m.
LIVINGSTON Planning Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall
GREENE COUNTY Meetings for Human Services, Health, Education & Special Public Safety Committees at 6 p.m.

Astronomical bodies
TIDES Hudson: High, 1:34 p.m./Low, 8:04
SUNRISE/SUNSET 6:29 a.m./5:45 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 5:09 a.m./3:57 p.m.

Birthdays
March 2 Kurt Weill, Dr. Seuss, Tom Wolfe, Lou Reed, and Karen Carpenter.


Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Board Operator: Norman Keyser; Host: Philip Grant. At 6:45 a.m. WGXC Jazz Director calls in to talk about Sonny Rollins accepting the National Medal of Arts today at the White House. At 7:15 p.m. Paul Smart calls in to discuss local news.
DEMOCRACY NOW! 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Tom Roe hosts. 10 a.m. hour features "Work" program from Max Goldfarb and Laura Kunreuther.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Hosted by Dharma Dailey.

New WGXC Members
Joe and Mary Kames (Cairo) (renewal)
Katherine Montague (Athens)

QSL report
A listener in Hunter reports about the WGXC signal: "In Albany on Saturday could not pick up your signal (local?) religious station too strong (WLJH? WPGL?).... Driving south on Sunday I tuned in around Greenville. Excellent signal which continued to just outside of Windham when you started to hash/fade slightly. Between Windham and Hunter signal was gone due to WFUV.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Sonny Rollins."][/caption]

President Barack Obama awards saxophonist Sonny Rollins, who lives in Germantown, one of ten 2010 National Medal of Arts for outstanding achievements and support of the arts, at 1:45 p.m. in an East Room ceremony Wed. March 2 at the White House. Mrs. Michelle Obama will also be in attendance. "I'm very happy that jazz, the greatest American music, is being recognized through this honor, and I'm grateful to accept this award on behalf of the gods of our music," Rollins said of the award. The National Medal of Arts is a White House initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts. Each year, the NEA organizes and oversees the National Medal of Arts nomination process and notifies the artists of their selection to receive a medal, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Two of three men on trial for defacing a Hudson mosque last September were sentenced to jail time on March 1 in city court. Photo from YNN."][/caption]The Mid Hudson News Network reports that on March 1, two of three men involved in spray painting a City of Hudson mosque last year were sentenced in city court. Christopher Osborne, charged with a felony, was sentenced to six months in jail and five years probation by Columbia County Court Judge Jonathan Nichols. A second man, James Glover III, charged with two misdemeanors, was given 60 days in the county jail. At the time of the September incident where a racial slur was painted on a wall of the Hudson Islamic Center, authorities labeled it a hate crime.

The Times Union's Capitol Confidential reports that large crowds descended on the state capitol in Albany Tuesday afternoon, March 1, for the state budget process' annual Lobby Day, albeit worse than usual because of changed security precautions implemented by the Cuomo Administration in the Concourse area from which one enters legislative offices and the Capitol itself. Amongst those on hand: budget-anxious librarians, AFSCME, UFT, tourism professionals and members of the New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health and Human Services Network, all trying to get into the building to press their case with lawmakers. The State Street entrance to the Legislative Office Building has been closed this year, funneling more people through the Concourse. Although results of the lobbying efforts won't be known, besides surface sentiments of support, until the actual budget gets voted on and passed after negotiations, we do know that former Mayor Ed Koch of New York, "Hizzoner," as most know him, was on hand to call out politicians who signed his pledge for nonpartisan redistricting this year, something that State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his party have made an about face on. To hear Mr. Koch, check out the below embed from YouTube...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="The Atlantic tomcod seems to be adapting to Hudson River PCBs."][/caption]A recent story by Scott Waldman of the Times Union centers on the ramifications of a Hudson River fish, the Atlantic tomcod, is showing signs that it has genetically evolved to become partially resistant to PCBs, according to a new study conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, New York University and the federal National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The information was published in a recent issue of Science and found that changes in the fish's genes were making it more resistant to PCBs than tomcod that don't live in the Hudson. Polychlorinated biphenyls, which are suspected carcinogens, were discharged into the river for decades from General Electric plants in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls before they were banned in the 1970s. The tomcod is a common bottom-feeding fish that is not usually eaten by humans. The Hudson is currently being dredged of the GE PCBs north of Hudson in a multi-year project.

When is an intersection or a piece of road so dangerous that something has to change? Such is the question posed by reporter Francesca Olsen of the Register-Star in a new story looking at a stretch of state Route 66 in Columbia County between Fish and Game Road and the traffic light at the Healy Boulevard/Industrial Tract intersection. The big problem? that's where the Dutch Village Mobile Home Association, a mobile home park for people age 55 and up, is located with approximately 100 residents... all having trouble getting onto the highway in the "dangerous" stretch. Last July, an 81-year old Hudson resident died in a head-on collision that occurred on Route 66, right outside of Dutch Village. More commonly, seniors have trouble pulling into the mobile home park, or getting onto the highway from its driveway. Olsen notes that the issue has been brought up in Claverack town meetings, as well as through petition drives. But since Route 66 is a state road, she adds, the decision to make any change lies with the state Department of Transportation. Melissa Slater, DOT spokesperson for this region, said the DOT did a traffic study after getting a resolution and information from the town in 2009 and found the sight distance was sufficient. Claverack supervisor Robin Andrews said she’s working on a “meatier” resolution that includes a full accident report. “You have to prove there’s a reason you need it,” she said.

Phil Yeh recorded the final ride of the Hudson Trolley on Monday, February 28, including footage of veteran trolley driver Mike Pizza telling anecdotes about his decades in service on the route that started back in 1981. According to Jamie Larson of the Register-Star, the trolley’s schedule was replaced with a redesigned loop and four new stops along the Columbia County Transport Hudson-Greenport line in an attempt to save Hudson more than $100,000 a year, according to an estimate from Mayor Richard Scalera submitted at the end of 2010. Four new bus stops will be located at Columbia Memorial Hospital, the Hudson high school, the Department of Social Services and the Crosswinds housing complex. All of the existing stops on the trolley route will remain. The only other substantive change is that the routes will now begin at Crosswinds instead of the Stewart’s Shop at the intersection of Route 9 and Green Street. In addition to the new stops there will also be two new early morning loops along the route, starting at 6:45 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. Those loops will start later this week. For the full schedule, click here...

Steve Pierce of Troy-based Media Alliance has shared this video from Saturday's solidarity rally in support of Wisconsin workers facing removal of their long-treasured collective bargaining ability with their state government, once one of the most pro-Labor governments in the nation. Similar protests are being planned fo the coming weeks. We'll get you details as they emerge...

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Catskill Main Street, as seen on the Village of Catskill's website."][/caption]The major issues at Monday night's February 28 meeting of the Catskill Village trustees was basically feel-good news, from the announcement of a new bicycle sales and repair shop moving into a Main Street location once home to a longstanding local hardware store, to discussion of the village sponsoring a grant application to the National Endowment for the Arts to provide further advertising and logistical support to the new Masters on Main Street program that was successfully inaugurated on the same Saturday, February 26 that WGXC had its launch party at the Catskill Community Center. Other talk highlighted an upcoming Animal Planet show on the town's Cat'n Around Catskill annual promotions, that see the placement (and later auction sale) of artist-painted cats around town, this Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m., and an upcoming e-blast to go out for the Catskill Farmers' Market, which moved from Catskill Point to Main Street last year with almost unanimous success. On a less boosterist level, there was also talk about the brownfields pollution remediation taking place at a Water Street property near the Union Mills building, set for completion in 2012, discussion of recent snow removal on sidewalks, and sidewalks needing repair by private home owners, with plans to "ramp up enforcement" by next winter. Finally, a March 14 public hearing was set for re-zoning West Main Street to reflect its more commercial character of recent years.

Bookkeeper pleads guilty
Wondering about all the cars outside the Columbia County Courthouse in Hudson yesterday? Andrew Amelinckx of the Register-Star reports that Pegeen Mulligan-Moore, the former bookkeeper for the towns of Kinderhook and Greenport, pleaded guilty Monday, Feb. 28 to 20 charges related to the theft of more than $350,000 from those municipalities. She is now facing a maximum of 98 years in prison after pleading to the entire indictment without a joint recommendation before Judge Jonathan Nichols.

A private interest in public structures
Rick Karlin of the Times Union reports on a legislative budget hearing on transportation issues held yesterday in Albany where the subject of private funding came up for the state's infrastructure needs, including repair and replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge, which some joked about getting a new corporate name. Discussions will be continuing over the coming years...

Holcim jobless month to month
Doron Tyler Antrim of the Daily News reports that Holcim plant management met Monday, Feb. 28 with leaders of the local International Brotherhood of Boilermakers union to inform them of the decision to once again extend the layoffs that have kept them out of work since before the recent holidays - now effective until the end of March - in what’s becoming a month-to-month evaluation of the company’s financial health. Robin DeCarlo, Holcim’s vice president of corporate communications, said Monday the company, which makes cement at its Catskill Plant (formerly owned by St. Lawrence Cement) continues to face challenges as the nation’s economic recovery struggles to pick up speed. Half of their workforce, about 60, have been laid off.

Former health commissioner dies
Mid Hudson News Network reports that former State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines, who served up until the end of 2010, died Saturday, Feb. 26 of a heart attack while taking down Christmnas decorations at his Dutchess County farm in the Town of Stanford. Daines was named state health commissioner by Eliot Spitzer in 2007.

Biz owners still reeling after sting operation
The eight Hudson business owners nabbed in an underage drinking sting operation by city police last December had their first day in court yesterday, Feb. 28. Representatives of the Warren Street establishments pointed out that because of price and style, they are NOT beacons for underage drinking. The police noted that they had received a grant for the sting operation.

Cairo man charged with attempted murder
Colin DeVries of the Daily Mail reports on the case of a 21-year old Cairo man arrested while hiding in a Hudson basement from a two county "manhunt" after he traveled to northern Vermont and beat up an ex girlfriend there.

Gas prices on steady rise
The Albany Business Journal notes that a gallon of gas was selling for an average prices of $3.545 in the region as of Monday, Feb. 28, according to figures released by the American Automobile Association. That’s up nearly 17 cents, from $3.377 a gallon a week ago. A month ago, a gallon of gas was $3.328. And a year ago, local residents were paying $2.834 a gallon.

The National Weather Service says today will be sunny. High 38F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight will clear to partly cloudy. Low 26F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. On and off snow flurries are possible tomorrow, but it is warming... and the flood waters are abating.

Town meetings tonight
CATSKILL town board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
CATSKILL SCHOOL BOARD, 6-8 p.m. at CHS Middle School.
HUDSON Police Committee at 6 p.m., Fire Committee at 6:45 p.m.
COPAKE Park Commission meets at 7 p.m.
DURHAM town meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham.
LEXINGTON town board meeting at 7:00 p.m., at Municipal building.
LIVINGSTON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Finance Committee at 5 p.m.

Astronomical bodies
TIDES Hudson: High, 12:48 p.m./Low, 7:19 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 6:30 a.m./5:44 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 4:40 a.m./2:55 p.m.

Birthdays
March 1 Fredric Chopin, Oskar Kokoschka, Robert Lowell, Roger Daltrey and Burning Spear.


Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Jackie Thomas and Tom Roe read the news, talk agricultural news, and wake y'all up, 6 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Tom Roe interview's Ancram's Wally Hughes at 10 a.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe and Kaya Weidman 4-7 p.m.

WGXC volunteer P.H. Yeh recorded the final journey of the Hudson Trolley Monday, February 28, recorded by. The popular public transport is now being melded with a county bus route to incorporate more roads in Greenport. Coxsackie Transport is running the new shared service between the city and county. WGXC will upload more interviews with those who shared the final ride, and one of the trolley's intrepid drivers, who remembers its early days in the 1980s.

Mid Hudson News Network reports that the body of the pilot whose aircraft crashed into the Hudson River just north of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge on Saturday afternoon, February 26, was recovered by divers late yesterday afternoon, February 27. Thick ice on the river made it difficult for emergency crews to get to the wreckage of the British-built BAC-167 Strikemaster military training jet that nosedived into the river killing the pilot and sole occupant, Michael Faraldi, 38, a doctor with Northern Dutchess Hospital who lived in Germantown. In order to recover the wreckage of the plane, state police said, a special helicopter was brought in to place the wreckage onto a barge where it would be transported to an undisclosed location and examined by the FAA and NTSB. The plane had initially departed from Nashville, TN en route to Columbia County Airport. FAA spokeswoman Holly Baker said the plane’s last stop prior to crashing was at Johnstown, PA airport. The single-engine, two-seater jet plane was built in 1969.