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Monday headlines

May 02, 2011 2:26 am
Cheddie suggests censuring Rodgers
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star gets a chance to relay a dramatic moment from last Thu., Apr. 28's meeting of the Hudson Common Council's legal committee. First Ward Alderwoman Geeta Cheddie was challenging the residency of Timothy Rodgers, her likely future opponent for her alderman seat. Cheddie has not said whether she will seek reelection, and the Hudson City Democratic Committee endorsed Rodgers. At the last formal meeting of the Common Council Rodgers was briefly considered for commissioner of deeds, but when Cheddie noted he lives in Athens, the nomination was withdrawn. Larson's story says Rodgers has been attempting to move to Hudson, and should do so by election day, when Hudson law says a candidate must live in the ward. At the legal committee meeting last week Cheddie asked City Attorney John Connor if Rodgers should be censured for filing a false article. From Larson's story:
“I think he should be censured, certainly,” Cheddie said.

Cheddie did not receive support on the idea from her fellow committee members, or the sparse crowd, which included [Victor] Mendolia [Hudson Democrat, who endorsed Rodgers], the commissioner of deeds who signed off on Rodgers’ application.

“I don’t think a censure is in order,” said Committee Chair Ellen Thurston, Third Ward alderwoman, “He didn’t do this with malice.”

“Then why didn’t he withdraw (his application) then?” Cheddie asked.

Council President Donald Moore said he felt a censure was unnecessary, adding that Rodgers’ name was removed from the list of appointments.

“Only on my objection,” Cheddie said, asking the others later why they should let this slide because it was just a little issue.

Connor said he would look to see if there were grounds for a censure.
Read the entire story in the Register-Star.

Chatham's new process yields plan for flat levy
Emilia Teasdale in The Columbia Paper reports the new regime in Chatham turned around a budget that was going to yield a 17.8 percent tax increase, to a zero tax increase. In March, Tom Curran beat 20-year incumbent Mayor Paul Boehme, with a successful running mate, Trustee Joanne DelRossi, also running on the Chatham United Party line, promising more transparency in government. Curran held three budget hearins, Teasdale reports, cutting $137,000 from Police and Public Works departments and $40,000 from the Department of Public Works. Read the whole story in The Columbia Paper.

Columbia County schools receive major grant for arts and humanities
A $200,000 donation for the Chatham, Germantown, Kinderhook/Ichabod Crane, New Lebanon, Hudson, and Taconic Hills school districts will create The Columbia Arts and Humanities Project, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced Fri. Apr. 29. The Berkshire foundation is working with The Ellsworth Kelly Foundation to establish Arts and Humanities Funds for all six public school districts in Columbia County with over $1 million for the project. “This is an extraordinary initiative that is having a profound impact on our schools,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. “Now, students from the smallest and most isolated of Columbia County’s school districts, or from the most troubled, have the opportunity to participate in world-class arts and humanities programs. This can’t help but make a difference. Columbia County is indeed fortunate to have such a committed and enlightened donor.”

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