Katie Kocijanski is reporting in the Register-Star the Columbia Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors Tue., Aug. 25, elected Tony Jones of Roe Jan Publishing its new president. The board also chose David Fingar, the chief engineer for Mid-Hudson Cable, as its vice president. Jones replaces David Crawford, who retired from the board in June after 25 years of service. Hudson Supervisor Sarah Sterling will continue to serve as the CEDC board secretary and Bob Sherwood of Kinderhook Bank will remain as treasurer. Jones previously served on the CEDC board from 1997 to 2006. Along with his late wife Victoria Simons, he was the owner until 2001, of the now defunct newspaper, The Independent. Jones is an advocate for developing a concrete countywide economic development plan. Going forward, he hopes the corporation can work with the local towns on their individual economic development efforts. In addition to the election of new officers, board members were presented copies of the draft updated bylaws. Jones said the revisions will be finalized in the next couple of weeks, in advance of the board's next meeting on Sept. 29. Read the full story in the Register-Star.