WGXC-90.7 FM
Tuesday headlines
May 17, 2011 2:08 am
Residents raise money for trail extension
Bart Ziegler, from Hillsdale, and Nancy Schultz, of Copake, are forming the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance, to raise funds to extend the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Copake Falls north through the Hamlet of Hillsdale. Schultz says that to fund the design and engineering of the extension, "the Rail Trail received a $121,000 grant from the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, with the stipulation that we raise $40,000 in matching funds. Our objective over the next 10 months will be to raise that money through trail-related events, grants and donations from the public." The five-mile extension would link Copake Falls and Hillsdale and pass by the the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library and the Roeliff Jansen Park. "In the development plan for the Hillsdale Hamlet that it created last year, the planning firm Project for Public Spaces identified the extension of the Rail Trail as a catalyst that could attract more stores, restaurants and recreational tourists to the area," says Linda Brenner of the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee. "Many are convinced that it is one of the keys to revitalizing Hillsdale's downtown." The Rail Trail extension is being coordinated by the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, which oversees the envisioned 46-mile trail from Wassaic to Chatham, along with the Columbia Land Conservancy, which is the official recipient of the NYS Parks Department grant. Contact nancy @ nancyschultzconsulting.com for more information.
Greene EMS seeks bigger share from county, less from towns
Ariel Zangla reports in The Daily Freeman that a proposal in the Greene County legislature would shift the burden of funding somewhat to the county from the towns. The county pays 66 percent of Greene County Emergency Medical Service’s annual operating budget currently, the story says, with the towns contributing the remaining 33 percent based on the number of paramedic calls received. Under the five-year contract proposal, the county would cover 75 percent and the towns’ 25 percent. "Greene County EMS President Mark Evans said the towns are under no obligation to remain a part of the county paramedic service," Zangla writes in the story. "He said the proposed change in funding was a way to make it financially advantageous for them to remain." Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh said they would work out a contract for lawmakers to vote on in July. Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.
Bard College receives $60 million challenge grant
A staff report in The Daily Freeman reports financier George Soros donated a $60 million challenge grant to Bard College for off-campus projects of the college’s Center for Civic Engagement. Bard will have to raise $120 million in matching funds, according to a college press release announcing the grant, and the funding “will enable Bard to strengthen its worldwide network of projects—from assisting low-income students in struggling high schools in New Orleans, to helping people in New York state prisons earn degrees, to partnering with the first liberal arts institution in Russia.” Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.
Pulcher bows out, won’t run for super
Bob Green in the Register-Star reports that Leo Pulcher will not run for re-election, ending a decade as supervisor of Stockport and more than 20 years on the town board. “During my years as supervisor, I always understood when someone had to take time off to care for family. At this time, I have to take that advice," the newspaper reports he told residents at the May Town Board meeting. "Due to my wife’s health issues, I will not be seeking re-election in November.” Read the Register-Star for the whole story.
Bart Ziegler, from Hillsdale, and Nancy Schultz, of Copake, are forming the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance, to raise funds to extend the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Copake Falls north through the Hamlet of Hillsdale. Schultz says that to fund the design and engineering of the extension, "the Rail Trail received a $121,000 grant from the NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, with the stipulation that we raise $40,000 in matching funds. Our objective over the next 10 months will be to raise that money through trail-related events, grants and donations from the public." The five-mile extension would link Copake Falls and Hillsdale and pass by the the new Roeliff Jansen Community Library and the Roeliff Jansen Park. "In the development plan for the Hillsdale Hamlet that it created last year, the planning firm Project for Public Spaces identified the extension of the Rail Trail as a catalyst that could attract more stores, restaurants and recreational tourists to the area," says Linda Brenner of the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee. "Many are convinced that it is one of the keys to revitalizing Hillsdale's downtown." The Rail Trail extension is being coordinated by the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, which oversees the envisioned 46-mile trail from Wassaic to Chatham, along with the Columbia Land Conservancy, which is the official recipient of the NYS Parks Department grant. Contact nancy @ nancyschultzconsulting.com for more information.
Greene EMS seeks bigger share from county, less from towns
Ariel Zangla reports in The Daily Freeman that a proposal in the Greene County legislature would shift the burden of funding somewhat to the county from the towns. The county pays 66 percent of Greene County Emergency Medical Service’s annual operating budget currently, the story says, with the towns contributing the remaining 33 percent based on the number of paramedic calls received. Under the five-year contract proposal, the county would cover 75 percent and the towns’ 25 percent. "Greene County EMS President Mark Evans said the towns are under no obligation to remain a part of the county paramedic service," Zangla writes in the story. "He said the proposed change in funding was a way to make it financially advantageous for them to remain." Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh said they would work out a contract for lawmakers to vote on in July. Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.
Bard College receives $60 million challenge grant
A staff report in The Daily Freeman reports financier George Soros donated a $60 million challenge grant to Bard College for off-campus projects of the college’s Center for Civic Engagement. Bard will have to raise $120 million in matching funds, according to a college press release announcing the grant, and the funding “will enable Bard to strengthen its worldwide network of projects—from assisting low-income students in struggling high schools in New Orleans, to helping people in New York state prisons earn degrees, to partnering with the first liberal arts institution in Russia.” Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.
Pulcher bows out, won’t run for super
Bob Green in the Register-Star reports that Leo Pulcher will not run for re-election, ending a decade as supervisor of Stockport and more than 20 years on the town board. “During my years as supervisor, I always understood when someone had to take time off to care for family. At this time, I have to take that advice," the newspaper reports he told residents at the May Town Board meeting. "Due to my wife’s health issues, I will not be seeking re-election in November.” Read the Register-Star for the whole story.