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| "Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." -- President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1952 Good Monday Morning,  Remembering Peter RossiThis past Saturday evening saw a most wonderful, and sad, event. Kent residents Roy Volpe and Susan Gamache held an open-house in memory of Peter Rossi who passed on last week after his wake at the Beecher Funeral home in Brewster. More than three score traveled from up and down the east coast gathering together to reminisce about Peter and his life, especially his contributions to the cultural and social justice worlds we inhabit here in Putnam County. I know a lot of people in a number of different social circles and it was inspiring to see how they blended together and touched each other as Peter's life touched so many. Here's a public Thank You! to Roy and Susan for being so strong, for remaining steadfast and for pulling us all together at such a sad time yet with a wonderful event. (Photo: Chris Casaburi) If you live over in Philipstown, (yes, it's still part of Putnam County) there will be a candidates forum on Wednesday evening at 7:30PM for mayor and trustees at 69 Main Street. Philipstown.info will be webcasting the event live. Good for them. While we're on the subject of Philisptown, one of that community's more famous residents may be indicted today. Roger Ailes, president of News Corp, the parent company for FOX News and the owner of two of Putnam's weekly newspapers, the PCNR and the FOX Courier, has been fingered as encouraging an employee, Judith Regan, to lie to Federal prosecutors in an effort to protect Rudy Giuliani when he was contemplating a run for President. The New York Times reported lat week: "Now, court documents filed in a lawsuit make clear whom Ms. Regan was accusing of urging her to lie: Roger E. Ailes, the powerful chairman of Fox News and a longtime friend of Mr. Giuliani. What is more, the documents say that Ms. Regan taped the telephone call from Mr. Ailes in which Mr. Ailes discussed her relationship with Mr. Kerik."The New York Journal News has a new website design that if you're using Firefox as your browser will not work all that well. Even the old site would fail too many times with Firefox but would work well with Internet Explorer. I'm guessing it has to do with delivering third-party content to your machine while you're not looking. Firefox is much better at filtering that out where IE was designed to integrate your browsing experience while collecting personal data and sending it back to the site you're visiting.  Putnam Valley's Michael Sklaar and his wife Vera run an organization called "World Exchange" that brings foreign high school students for study periods to the United States. School districts in the area that participate are, Putnam Valley, Pawling, Peekskill, Croton, Webutuck, Pine Plains and coming in the fall of 2011, White Plains. But the business is expanding and they would like to add several more school districts and private schools in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess to their roster. They have found that it is almost impossible to do so without the aid of an interested language teacher or a school administrator within the school or district championing their cause. Here in the United States we pay somewhere around 17.6% of its gross domestic product (or about $8,086 per capita) on health care and we're no where near the top of the charts in health overall. But other countries around the world have figured out how to provide health services their populations at much lower cost with better overall results. For example, France spends around 11.2% GDP ($4000 per capita) on health services and has the best and most comprehensive public health care system in the world. France has a mix of public and private systems and the public system reimburses up 70% of health costs with private insurance covering the rest. And most doctors are in private practice and see state-funded patients.And that's just two examples. I could spend a few hours compiling others but that should send Congress a hint: a national public system is more effective than the private, for-profit system we have now.  Hamas is demanding that UN schools in the territories not teach students about the "so-called" Holocaust of WWII. It blames Washington for the addition of the Holocaust in the curriculum and demands it be removed immediately saying that, "the materials [are] contrary to the understanding and culture of the Palestinian people,".While we're on the subject of twisted logic, the government of Iran, that bastion of openness, liberalism and democracy, is claiming that the logo chosen for the 2012 Olympic games in London is racist and spells "Zion" and is threatening to pull out of the games if the logo isn't changed. According to an AFP article, Mohammad Alibadi, head of the Iranian National Olympic Committee said, "The use of the word Zion by the designer of Olympics logo ....in the emblem of the Olympics Games 2012 is a very revolting act," Collected from the 'net: "I say unto you: Go forth and make a Dutch baby. Then liberally sprinkle it with powdered sugar and a squirt or two of lemon juice." And now, The News:
Creating a Wildlife Corridor from Black Rock Forest to Schunnemunk Mountain
NEW YORK, NY — February 23, 2011 — For the second time in six months, the Open Space Institute has purchased land in Orange County that helps protect a slender “conservation corridor,” while also buffering nearby natural preserves. OSI, through its land acquisition affiliate, the Open Space Conservancy, announced today the acquisition of two adjacent parcels in the town of Cornwall, both previously owned by the Merrill family, that total 32 acres and abut the southern boundary of the 3,800-acre Black Rock Forest. The Merrill parcels protect the eastern end of a mile-and-a-half corridor that connects Black Rock Forest and Schunnemunk Forest State Park. OSI began targeting the corridor last year, as it provides roaming ground for wildlife traveling between Black Rock and Schunnemunk. In September 2010, OSI acquired 151 acres of farmland on the western end of the corridor. Press Release. Read MoreNew round of funding for Orange County energy efficiency and conservation projectsMidhudsonnews.com GOSHEN – A new round of grant funding totaling $721,000 will be made available to Orange County municipalities for energy efficiency retrofits. The money is in addition to the initial $430,000 that was granted last year for energy audits. The new round of money will be allocated to communities that have already performed energy audits on their facilities and are prepared to move forward with energy retrofits on buildings or facilities they own. No matching funds or in-kind services are required to qualify for the grant program. “As the costs of doing business escalate and energy expenses skyrocket, finding ways to save money and conserve energy is more important than ever,” said County Legislature Chairman Michael Pillmeier. Funding for the program was made possible by an energy efficiency and conservation block grant awarded to the county through the US Department of Energy through the stimulus program. Regulation Is Lax for Water From Gas Wellsby IAN URBINA • Feb. 26, 2011 For the NY TimesThe American landscape is dotted with hundreds of thousands of new wells and drilling rigs, as the country scrambles to tap into this century’s gold rush — for natural gas1. The gas has always been there, of course, trapped deep underground in countless tiny bubbles, like frozen spills of seltzer water between thin layers of shale rock. But drilling companies have only in recent years developed techniques to unlock the enormous reserves, thought to be enough to supply the country with gas for heating buildings, generating electricity and powering vehicles for up to a hundred years. So energy companies are clamoring to drill. And they are getting rare support from their usual sparring partners. Environmentalists say using natural gas will help slow climate change2 because it burns more cleanly than coal and oil3. Lawmakers hail the gas as a source of jobs. They also see it as a way to wean the United States from its dependency on other countries for oil. But the relatively new drilling method — known as high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking — carries significant environmental risks. It involves injecting huge amounts of water, mixed with sand and chemicals, at high pressures to break up rock formations and release the gas. With hydrofracking, a well can produce over a million gallons of wastewater that is often laced with highly corrosive salts, carcinogens like benzene and radioactive elements like radium, all of which can occur naturally thousands of feet underground. Other carcinogenic materials can be added to the wastewater by the chemicals used in the hydrofracking itself. Read More Eviction was last in series of setbacks for Nanuet manNANUET: Kevin Dowling's impending eviction from his second-floor apartment appeared to have been the last of a series of setbacks.The 52-year-old unemployed house painter was due to be out of his 205 S. Main St. home, on orders from the Rockland County Sheriff's Department, on Friday morning. A judge's decision on his eviction came down about a month ago, on Jan. 20, said Mary Barbera, chief of the Rockland County Sheriff's Civil Enforcement Division. Dowling's eviction warrant did not state a specific reason, said Barbera, who added that she was "absolutely shocked and saddened" by Dowling's action. "I hope somebody helped." He could have reached out and gotten some help rather than to take his own life," Barbera said. When police found Dowling's body on his bed, his rifle and the eviction notice lay next to him, said Clarkstown Detective Sgt. Tim O'Neill, who responded to the scene. Read More Atheist jailed after school board meeting |
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Monday, February 28, 2011
News That Matters - Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
News That Matters - Friday, February 25, 2011 - Things To Do Edition
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| "I don't know if you're familiar with Jeff Green's news letter. He's a friend of mine that I sometimes go kayaking with. He really knows his local politics and has some interesting inside information. He works hard keeping our local politicians accountable, something neither you nor I have the time to do! His news letter also has many interesting links about the Hudson Valley area. Check it out! Let me know what you think." - PW Good Friday Morning, It's raining, it's pouring and with the exception of only a few degrees on the thermometer, the rains are a repeat, almost to the day, of last year's massive 3'+ snowfall which devastated central Putnam County. Gasoline prices are rising and the Putnam County legislature, though they may say otherwise, is reveling in the increase since it means additional sales tax collections and you know how much they love sales taxes! According to an article in the NYJN, a tall, white masked man with an ax robbed the BP gas station at Fair Street and Route 52 the other day. If you happen to see a tall, white masked man with an ax, or know of one, please call the local PD. County Legislator Tony Hay has announced his candidacy for Supervisor in the Town of Southeast and has done so with a website domain registered, for some unknown reason, in Samoa: youhaverights.ws. Just in case you did not get the invite, the Senator Who Shall Not Be Named is holding a special "Inner Circle Reception" at 6PM on March 11th at the home of Paul Guillaro in Garrison. Among the special guests are Putnam County Executive Paul Eldridge, County Legislator Vinnie Tamagna and Sheriff Donald Smith. General admission is $1000. Here in Putnam County, the more things change the more they stay the same. PS: If he votes for marriage equality when it comes up this year in the Senate I'll start naming him again.Congresswoman Nan Hayworth has promised no earmark funding during her tenure but she did vote to continue $7 million US Military funding for NASCAR events. But then, she also voted to suspend legal aid to veterans which I am sure Putnam's veterans fully and wholly support. After all, they voted for her in droves. And lastly, she also supports the slashing of $25 Billion funding from the Department of Energy's guaranteed loan program which, if successful, would mean the end of 400 high-paying jobs in the Hudson Valley and drive up the cost of garbage disposal for communities from Westchester to Hudson. We love Nan! Union demonstrators are still at the state capitol in Wisconsin demanding the Governor scale back his plan to remove collective bargaining right from municipal workers. But I have to wonder: where was the union and these tens of thousands of people during the last election? Had they been as active and energetic then there'd be a different governor in place and none of this would be happening. Europe, one of Libya's largest trading partners, is now prepared to put into place unspecified sanctions against that country. At best guess they'll talk about getting ready to talk about it some more, plan some meetings, hold a few press conferences and then set a date for a meeting to talk about the imposition of sanctions. It's rather like the US's dealing with Iran. White the nation of New Zealand reels from the effects of a massive earthquake earlier in the week (photos here) which injured thousands and killed more than a hundred, American Christians have been busy blaming the earthquake on gays and lesbians. Christchurchquake.net, based in Utah said, "“The morning of the Christchurch earthquake was the opening of ‘Gay Ski Week’", and thus god was punishing New Zealanders for allowing such a thing. The website seems to be down as of this writing. Perhaps god is punishing them for not being Christ-like? Forty-eight year old Deborah Oberlin was arrested in the early morning hours of February 18th in Gainsville, Florida. Her blood alcohol level was between .234 and .239, three times the legal limit. So what, right? Well, Ms. Oberlin was the President of Gainsville's MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Driving) chapter. Like News Corp Like Fox: From the NY Times: Taking Back the Kingdom I've been trying to think what to write this morning concerning how Putnam County's government treats its people and it's obligations as our representatives and not as representatives to out-of-state developers. A lot of words came to mind, few of them fit for public consumption and several opening possible doors to expensive litigation. While listening to Scottish folksinger Alistair Hulett the other night I came across this old song: Arise, ye workers from your slumber,I know Karl Rhode just spilled his coffee and that's too bad. The gut reaction to those words is unfortunate as they sum up quite precisely what is needed to change our government to one that is responsive to the people and not to the monied special interests. Arise, ye workers from your slumber! And that's exactly what's needed here in Putnam County. Until we stand together against County and town governments they will continue to feed upon themselves - and you - becoming more corpulent, hubristic and myopic with each passing day. We thought when we lost Vinnie Leibell that things would change but they have not. And in many ways without his guidance, the county and are towns are adrift in a confused sea of internecine politics in which no one but outsiders benefit. They hand out corporate welfare like it was candy on Halloween. They refuse to reel in spending or reduce government's intrusion in our lives and they patently refuse to focus on saving the working man, the backbone of our community. So, Arise ye workers from your slumber! Let's get something going that's going to bring us a brighter future of being secure in our homes, our jobs and our health. A future that sees community before person, the common welfare before corporate welfare and one we will be proud to hand to the next generation knowing we've done what we could to ensure their success and not the success of the Paul Camarda's of the world. What's Going On?
Ongoing:Photographs: Little People
Tax Preparation Assistance For SeniorsAARP TAX-AIDE volunteers will again be providing free tax return preparation services at the Kent Public Library. The program is for all low to moderate income taxpayers with special attention given to seniors at the Kent Public Library. Electronic filing is offered for both Federal and New York State returns. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to take advantage of this service. AARP Tax-Aide is the largest volunteer tax preparation service in the nation and all tax counselors are IRS Volunteer Certified. "Comic Book Art" ExhibitA new one-person show titled "Comic Book Art" with drawings, paintings, and story boards by Kent artist Franco Aureliani, a popular art teacher at Carmel High School, opens on February 1. The exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of the Kent Library and runs through the end of the month. With names like Tiny Titans and Shazam, the comic book superheroes of today as drawn by Aureliani, are intensely colored, powerful, and fun. Story board and thumbnails, as well as finished comic books by Aureliani will highlight the process and challenges of this narrative art. Friday, February 25Tartuffe8PM - A new translation of this classic play by Roger McGough. “Under the cloak of religious piety, the lecherous, menacing, arch-hypocrite title character schemes to marry his benefactor’s daughter, seduce his wife, then defraud him of all he possesses. Does the scoundrel succeed? Take your seat and find out in this new and exciting adaptation of one of the world’s greatest comedies.” At the Philipstown Depot Theater, at Garrison Landing. Tickets are $18 and reservations can be made here. Repeats February 26 at 8PM, February 20 and 27 at 2PM and, March 4,5 at 8PM and March 6 at 2PM. Saturday, February 26Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries3 Beekman Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Hello Dolly!5PM - Winter giving you cabin fever? Join us for free pizza and a movie. The Putnam County Historical Society proudly presents Hello, Dolly!, filmed right here in historic Philipstown. Before the screening, join Kendall Ingenito for a presentation and mini-exhibition of photographs by Robert Beckhard, taken during the production. Michelle LeBlanc7:30PM - Jazz vocalist, Michelle LeBlanc with guitar great Dennis Winge at the historic Hudson House River Inn from 7:30 to 10:30 PM . 2 Main Street, Cold Spring NY 10516 Call 845 265 9355 for dinner reservations Arts on the Lake's Mid-Winter Members Gathering7:30PM - At Arts on the Lake, 640 Route 52, Kent Lakes, NY. A chance to socialize with other members, enjoy great desserts, and participate in planning for the coming year. Desserts at 7:30. Program at 8:00 Party goes until the wine runs out. No charge for members. New members always welcome. If planning to attend please write: rsvp@artsonthelake.org Maggie Seligman8:30PM - Opening for Catie Curtis at the Towne Crier Cafe, 130 Route 22 Pawling, NY (845) 855-1300 The Town Crier is one of the premier music venues around and one of the most supportive environments for musicians of all kinds, thanks to the long-time commitment and dedication of owner Phil Ciganer. Not only is there great music served up here but also great food. If you have never had the pleasure of the "Crier" experience, now would be a perfect time to do it! Sunday, February 27th |
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| Copyright © 2011 News That Matters | ||
A Photographic exhibition by Kent resident 
Last Sunday in February
Gasland
Talk by Local Artist Jill Reynolds
8PM - The Blue Horse Repertory Company presents two exciting one man shows at Arts on the Lake on Route 52 in Lake Carmel. Old Hickory by *Ric Siler (photo) and Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins.
The show will feature Pete Seeger & Tao Seeger, Peter Yarrow & Bethany Yarrow, Bernice Johnson Reagon & Toshi Reagon, and David Amram and Family. Performances by Clearwater friends and special guests including Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Livingston Taylor, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Guy Davis, Rufus Cappadocia and the Power of Song, will round out this special celebration.
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