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Weekend in review
Nov 16, 2015 12:02 am
Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Nov. 13 through Sun., Nov. 15
Jillian Nadiak reported in The Daily Mail four local women were recognized and honored at Columbia-Greene Community College, Fri., Nov. 13, for their volunteer service. Nicolette Sacco-Brown and Jill Salerno, of Columbia County, and Rebecca Heath Shields and Robin Smith, of Greene County, were celebrated at the annual President’s Community Breakfast. The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, state Assembly members Pete Lopez and Steve McLaughlin, and Hudson Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. College President James Campion began his tenure at the college in 2000 and soon after established the annual breakfast to honor community members known for their community service.
The Oneonta Daily Star reported an environmental group is suing the state Department of Environmental Conservation about the proposed Belleayre (Bell-AIR) Resort in Highmount, Ulster Co. The Catskill Heritage Alliance filed a lawsuit this past week to require a hearing on the proposed resort, saying that the state agency "failed to consider adequately" certain aspects of the project in its review. The DEC approved in July, developer Crossroads Ventures’ plan to construct two hotels, a spa, golf course and various lodging units on 739 acres that lie in both Ulster and Delaware counties. In the legal filing, the Alliance argues the resort as proposed would lead to flooding, traffic, air pollution and density, and pointed to the inadequacies of the project's plans for storm water management, as well.
The Mid-Hudson News Network reported the state Department of Public Service has initiated an investigation into recent disruptions in the 911 emergency telephone systems in the region. More than 400,000 Verizon and Frontier Communications customers were affected in portions of Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam and Westchester counties. The probe will evaluate why back-up systems designed to ensure continued service operations failed, and what improvements might be needed. The investigation is expected to take two months.
Debby Mayer reported in the Columbia Paper voters in Greenport will go to the polls Tue., Nov. 17, to cast their ballots on a referendum to approve a bond resolution of up to $2.7 million for the construction of a new fire station. The new house would be located on the site of Becraft Pumper Company Number 2, on County Route 14. Town residents have been advised the bond will result in a one-time tax increase of 37 cents to 42 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. A new Becraft station would measure 6,800 square feet, more than twice the size of the existing firehouse. It will have three bays for trucks and equipment, a community room and two offices. The polls will be open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday at the Greenport Community Center. Anyone with questions on the referendum can call a special telephone line, (518) 291-8166, or email greenportfiredistrict [at] gmail.com.
Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Thu., Nov. 12, vetoed a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal 19 miles off of Jones Beach in southern Nassau County. The project, dubbed Port Ambrose, would have allowed tankers to haul liquified natural gas to a terminal where it would have then been pumped into metro-area gas pipelines. In announcing the decision, Cuomo said, “The risk is not worth the reward….Superstorm Sandy taught us how quickly things can go from bad to worse when major infrastructure fails – and the potential for disaster with this project during extreme weather or amid other security risks is simply unacceptable.”
Jillian Nadiak reported in The Daily Mail four local women were recognized and honored at Columbia-Greene Community College, Fri., Nov. 13, for their volunteer service. Nicolette Sacco-Brown and Jill Salerno, of Columbia County, and Rebecca Heath Shields and Robin Smith, of Greene County, were celebrated at the annual President’s Community Breakfast. The event was attended by approximately 100 people, including U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, state Assembly members Pete Lopez and Steve McLaughlin, and Hudson Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. College President James Campion began his tenure at the college in 2000 and soon after established the annual breakfast to honor community members known for their community service.
The Oneonta Daily Star reported an environmental group is suing the state Department of Environmental Conservation about the proposed Belleayre (Bell-AIR) Resort in Highmount, Ulster Co. The Catskill Heritage Alliance filed a lawsuit this past week to require a hearing on the proposed resort, saying that the state agency "failed to consider adequately" certain aspects of the project in its review. The DEC approved in July, developer Crossroads Ventures’ plan to construct two hotels, a spa, golf course and various lodging units on 739 acres that lie in both Ulster and Delaware counties. In the legal filing, the Alliance argues the resort as proposed would lead to flooding, traffic, air pollution and density, and pointed to the inadequacies of the project's plans for storm water management, as well.
The Mid-Hudson News Network reported the state Department of Public Service has initiated an investigation into recent disruptions in the 911 emergency telephone systems in the region. More than 400,000 Verizon and Frontier Communications customers were affected in portions of Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam and Westchester counties. The probe will evaluate why back-up systems designed to ensure continued service operations failed, and what improvements might be needed. The investigation is expected to take two months.
Debby Mayer reported in the Columbia Paper voters in Greenport will go to the polls Tue., Nov. 17, to cast their ballots on a referendum to approve a bond resolution of up to $2.7 million for the construction of a new fire station. The new house would be located on the site of Becraft Pumper Company Number 2, on County Route 14. Town residents have been advised the bond will result in a one-time tax increase of 37 cents to 42 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. A new Becraft station would measure 6,800 square feet, more than twice the size of the existing firehouse. It will have three bays for trucks and equipment, a community room and two offices. The polls will be open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday at the Greenport Community Center. Anyone with questions on the referendum can call a special telephone line, (518) 291-8166, or email greenportfiredistrict [at] gmail.com.
Rick Karlin reported at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Thu., Nov. 12, vetoed a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal 19 miles off of Jones Beach in southern Nassau County. The project, dubbed Port Ambrose, would have allowed tankers to haul liquified natural gas to a terminal where it would have then been pumped into metro-area gas pipelines. In announcing the decision, Cuomo said, “The risk is not worth the reward….Superstorm Sandy taught us how quickly things can go from bad to worse when major infrastructure fails – and the potential for disaster with this project during extreme weather or amid other security risks is simply unacceptable.”