WGXC-90.7 FM
Weekend in review
Jun 04, 2012 5:45 am
Stories from Columbia and Greene counties in the news, May 30 through June 3:
W.T. Eckert reported in The Daily Mail the Greene County Democratic Committee endorsed former Albany Police Dept. spokesman James Miller in the race against Assemblyman Peter Lopez in the newly formed 102nd Assembly District. Republican Lopez has run unopposed the past two terms. Miller grew up in Round Top and now resides in Albany. Miller told the paper his campaign will center on the economic revitalization of Greene County. The committee also endorsed Cecilia Tkaczyk of Duanesburg for the new 46th Senate District, and Kevin Lennon, Joe Kozloski, Larry Gardner, James Van Slyke and Harry Lennon for Greene County Legislature. Catskill Village President Vincent Seeley, having failed to get the GOP nod, received the committee's unanimous endorsement for the District 1 seat. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail the Village of Athens' recycling center has a new home. The village board recently voted to permanently locate the facility at the brush dump, adjacent to the firehouse on Third Street, The center was formerly located next to the sewer plant and was moved to the Third Street location during the recent sewer upgrade, now nearly complete. Mayor Andrea Smallwood told the board she supported leaving the center at the brush dump. “I don't think we should mix the sewer and recycling,” she said. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star Columbia County Court Judge Richard Koweek has disqualified District Attorney Paul Czajka from handling a criminal prosecution. Koweek ordered Czajka removed as prosecutor of a criminal weapons possession case, which he presided over as judge. Koweek appointed Greene County District Attorney Terry Wilhelm as Special District Attorney in the matter. Czajka has appealed the May 25 decision to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division. The ruling could have a ripple effect, causing the DA's office to be removed from dozens of other cases Czajka reviewed as a county judge. Czajka resigned from the bench in May 2011 to run for DA; he was elected in November. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors has requested representatives from all telecommunications companies serving the county appear to discuss various complaints over the quality and availability of internet service. The companies involved include, Verizon, Mid-Hudson Cable, Charter Internet, Time Warner, GTel Teleconnections and Fairpoint Communications. Planning and Economic Development Commissioner Ken Flood said a previous attempt to get Verizon to cooperate was unsuccessful. The consensus among the Supervisors is, the lack of access and the poor quality of internet service are an economic liability to new and existing businesses throughout the county. No word on when the meeting will take place. Read the full story in the Register Star.
W.T. Eckert reported in The Daily Mail the Greene County Democratic Committee endorsed former Albany Police Dept. spokesman James Miller in the race against Assemblyman Peter Lopez in the newly formed 102nd Assembly District. Republican Lopez has run unopposed the past two terms. Miller grew up in Round Top and now resides in Albany. Miller told the paper his campaign will center on the economic revitalization of Greene County. The committee also endorsed Cecilia Tkaczyk of Duanesburg for the new 46th Senate District, and Kevin Lennon, Joe Kozloski, Larry Gardner, James Van Slyke and Harry Lennon for Greene County Legislature. Catskill Village President Vincent Seeley, having failed to get the GOP nod, received the committee's unanimous endorsement for the District 1 seat. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail the Village of Athens' recycling center has a new home. The village board recently voted to permanently locate the facility at the brush dump, adjacent to the firehouse on Third Street, The center was formerly located next to the sewer plant and was moved to the Third Street location during the recent sewer upgrade, now nearly complete. Mayor Andrea Smallwood told the board she supported leaving the center at the brush dump. “I don't think we should mix the sewer and recycling,” she said. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star Columbia County Court Judge Richard Koweek has disqualified District Attorney Paul Czajka from handling a criminal prosecution. Koweek ordered Czajka removed as prosecutor of a criminal weapons possession case, which he presided over as judge. Koweek appointed Greene County District Attorney Terry Wilhelm as Special District Attorney in the matter. Czajka has appealed the May 25 decision to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division. The ruling could have a ripple effect, causing the DA's office to be removed from dozens of other cases Czajka reviewed as a county judge. Czajka resigned from the bench in May 2011 to run for DA; he was elected in November. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors has requested representatives from all telecommunications companies serving the county appear to discuss various complaints over the quality and availability of internet service. The companies involved include, Verizon, Mid-Hudson Cable, Charter Internet, Time Warner, GTel Teleconnections and Fairpoint Communications. Planning and Economic Development Commissioner Ken Flood said a previous attempt to get Verizon to cooperate was unsuccessful. The consensus among the Supervisors is, the lack of access and the poor quality of internet service are an economic liability to new and existing businesses throughout the county. No word on when the meeting will take place. Read the full story in the Register Star.