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Friday headlines

Sep 09, 2011 12:53 am
Columbia County election information
Primary votes are being held Tuesday, September 13, from noon until 9 p.m., and every election district in Columbia County will be voting. Depending on the municipality, voters enrolled in the Democratic, Republican, Conservative, or Independence parties may have a primary election in which they may cast a ballot. Eligible voters are those who have been enrolled in those parties for some time or those who changed their enrollment to those parties earlier than mid-October of 2010. The Columbia County Board of Elections is open for absentee voting today, Fri. Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• There are countywide races on the Republican and on the Independence Party lines for County Judge. Additionally, there is a citywide opportunity-to-ballot race for mayor on the Democratic line.
• An opportunity-to-ballot race is one in which no candidate’s name appears on the ballot, providing an opportunity for enrolled Democratic voters, in the case of the City of Hudson, to write in the candidate of their choice. All other primary races similarly offer an opportunity for write-ins, as well. Commissioners Virginia Martin, Democratic, and Jason Nastke, Republican, confirm that, as New York State is a “voter intent” state, they will recognize as valid votes reasonable variations in candidates’ names as they may be written in by voters, or slight deviations in where on the ballot the voter writes in the candidate’s name. Each ballot provides a separate row, under the party row, that says “Write In,” which is where a write-in name is intended to be entered.
• 108th Assembly District (Chatham, Kinderhook, New Lebanon, and Stuyvesant), Independence, for Judicial Delegates and for Judicial Delegate Alternates
• Hudson 1-1, Democratic, for Supervisor and for Alderman
• Hudson 3-1, Democratic, for Supervisor
• Copake, Independence, for Justice
• Gallatin, Republican, for County Committee
• Greenport, Independence, for Supervisor and Highway Superintendent
• Kinderhook, Conservative and Independence, for Justice
• Kinderhook, Independence, for Tax Collector
• New Lebanon, Independence, for Supervisor
• Stockport, Independence, for Supervisor and Town Council
• Stuyvesant, Independence, for Supervisor and Town Council
• Voters have been notified of the many changes in pollsites in Chatham, Claverack, Copake, Ghent, Greenport, Hudson, Kinderhook, Livingston, Stockport, and Stuyvesant. Updated election-district maps are at columbiacountyny.com/depts/elections/districts.html. The Board of Elections can be reached at 828-3115.
COLUMBIA COUNTY REPUBLICANS WEBSITE
COLUMBIA COUNTY DEMOCRATS WEBSITE
COLUMBIA COUNTY INDEPENDENCE PARTY
COLUMBIA COUNTY CONSERVATIVE PARTY
Greene County's Board of Election website offers no information about upcoming primary elections.

Mountain Top Arboretum acquires 156 acres in Tannersville
The Mountain Top Arboretum, in Tannersville, is acquiring 156 acres adjoining its existing 23 acres of nature preserve through a conservation easement with the Department of Environmental Protection of the City of New York. “This land is beautiful and unspoiled Catskill native forest with streams and marsh” said Larry McCaffrey, Chairman of the Mountain Top Arboretum, in a press release. “It fits perfectly in our mission to present varied natural environments from woodland to wetland to forest for our visitors. These diverse landscapes provide perspective on the entire ecosystem and its role in water conservation.”

Cuomo likes Obama jobs plan
Governor Andrew Cuomo made this statement last night after President Obama's speech about jobs:
"Tonight, President Obama laid out a real plan to jumpstart the economy and put Americans back to work. The President realizes that it is essential that creating jobs be the top priority at all levels of government. As the President said, politics cannot come before the urgent need to put Americans back to work. This is a plan that can and should be supported by officials of all political stripes and we need to see the Congress move this nation forward."


Cairo history gets political
The Cairo Historical Society dunk tank at the "Temperance & TommyGuns" event Sept. 17 on Main St. Cairo will include all sorts of local political figures. Both candidates for Town Supervisor: incumbent Republican John Coyne and Democrat challenger Ted Banta. There is also John Gallagher facing local dunking, who is on the Zoning Commission, which has faced intense criticism in town, and "Unk" Slater who also seems to arouse controversy sometimes at Cairo town meetings. Here's the line up: 11:30 a.m.: Unk Slater; noon: John Coyne; 12:30: Heather Maasmann; 1 p.m.: John Gallagher; 1:30 Hillary Higgins; 2 p.m.: Steve Rumph; 2:30: Jerry Buckley; 3 p.m.: Derick Hasenkopf; 3:30: Adam Reese; 4 p.m.: Ted Banta; 4:30: Karey Quinn.

Storm recovery updates
• Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thu. Sept. 8 that damage from Tropical Storm Lee that last several days will probably match or exceed damage from Hurricane Irene last week.
• Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) announced Thu. Sept. 8 that Columbia County is now eligible for Individual and Public Assistance following the destruction done by Hurricane Irene.
• Greene County Emergency Services announced Greene County schools will stay closed through Mon., Sept. 12, when an announcement will be made if they will open Tuesday or Wednesday, or some other day.

Grants available for agriculture damage
Soil and Water Conservation Districts began assessing damage in agricultural disaster areas to identifying projects to restore farms and farmland this week, part of Governor Andrew Cuomo's $15 million Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund (ACRF).
There are three parts of the program:
• Farm Operations Match Program: This will match farmers' dollars for the purchase of feed for animals and produce from other New York producers to allow the farms operations to continue;
• On Farm Capital Needs Program: This will provide grants and deferred and low/interest loans to meet the immediate and long-term needs of farmers devastated by Hurricane Irene; and
• Main Street Business Assistance Program: This will provide a combination of grants and low interest loans to help Main Street Businesses get back in operation in eligible counties.
"The land is a farmer's greatest resource. The conservation component released today will help farmers who have had their land devastated by Hurricane Irene recover," said Darrel J. Aubertine, Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets.

Fundraisers/ways to help
• If you want to volunteer in Windham, email helpwindham@gmail.com to register and receive instructions.
• Volunteers are desperately needed to help clean up the Prattsville area. Come with protective clothing, N-95 or higher dust masks, goggles, cleaning supplies, gloves, boots, flat shovels, wheelbarrows and pails. Call 734-4938 to volunteer first and ask where you should report for duty.
• Free Shopping Spree for storm victims at the Catskill Elks Club this weekend, Sept. 9-10 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone in need can get what they want at the Catskill Elks Club, 45 North Jefferson Ave. Call 518-943-0989 for more information.
• Janet Schwarzenegger is organizing a cookie bake for the National Guard stationed in Leeds. If you would like to contribute home-baked cookies for delivery on Friday evening please contact Janet at 622-9647 or pdjanet@aol.com. Cookies can be dropped off at the Cairo Library, Kaaterskill Associates at 517 Main St., in Cairo, or at Janet's home or arrange for a pick up.
• Performers announced for the Oct. 1-2 fundraiser for Greene County storm victims at the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural Center in East Durham include the Catskill Glee Club, The Lustre Kings, Michael Packer, Kirsten Thein, Kitty Kelly, Lara Hope & The Champtones, Alexis P. Suter with Connor “The Kidd” Kennedy, Tas Cru, Prof. Louie & The Crowmatix, Phil Brown (of Little Feat) with Rhett Tyler are among the bands Sat., Oct. 1. Solo or duos Saturday include Peter Head, Andrew & Stephanie AKA Lex Ridge, David Kraii, Keith & Joy, Thomas Earl, and Finley & Pagdon. Sunday’s full bands include Michael Farrell School Of Dance, The Michael Louis Band, The Jonny Monster Band, Voodelic, The Five Points Band, Shorty King, John Cerbone, Rhett Tyler Trio, with solo and duos including Abby Lappen, John Holt, Wet Paint, Nick Bukuvalas, Peggy Atwood, and Mike Herman.