The Rochester Residents Association has put the Town’s property tax roll on line to assist residents in reviewing comparable property tax assessments.  Personal information, such as property owner name, has been removed and the information is posted in a sortable and searchable Microsoft Excel format.  To view the information, visit www.Accord-Kerhonkson.com

A dalmation dog, stolen from a farm in Pennsylvania in 1965 led to an investigation of an animal theft ring that provided dogs and other animals to medical researchers around the country.  An article in Slate Magazine traced the 1965 investigation, which led to a farm on Clove Valley Road in High Falls, and the active animal advocacy of our local congressman at the time, Joe Resnick, to introduce and pass the Animal Welfare Act.  The act mandates protections for medical research animals.  http://www.slate.com/id/2219224

Mombaccus Excavating Inc., a sand and gravel mining company owned by the Kortright family of Kerhonkson filed a lawsuit against the Town of Rochester on January 22, 2010.  The suit seeks the invalidation of the Town’s recently-adopted zoning code, adopted in late 2009.  The Kortright family is one of the Town’s largest landowners and the company is managed by Keith Kortright.  Among the allegations in the suit are eight claims (1)  the adoption of the law did not follow the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, (2) The Town Board improperly delegated its SEQRA lead agency responsibility, (3) The Town Board failed to take the required “hard look” under SEQRA before approving the creating an Aquifer Protection Overlay District, (4) The zoning law arbitrarily and capriciously divides a 269-acre property owned by the company, (5) the law fails to provide for the development of a well-ordered and balanced community, (6) the law is superceded by the State’s Mined Land Reclamation Law, (7) The law violates NY State Town Law, which requires that zoning laws be consistent with the Town’s comprehensive plan, and (8) the town engaged in “bad faith targeting of Mombaccus.”

The zoning law, adopted in late 2009 by the bipartisan Town Board, was the culmination of a community-wide process started in 2003 that involved a series of public discussions and more than 100 public meetings to discuss the future of the Town, its natural resources, and potential changes in the town’s outdated 1969 zoning laws to ensure sustainability for future generations.  Keith Kortright was an active participant in those discussions and, at times, his participation in some of those meetings was viewed as intimidating (dump truck protests at town board meetings) and unneighborly (parking a wrecked house trailer for months on the property line adjoining one neighbor who supported zoning). 

Supervisor Carl Chipman responded to a local newspaper and said that everyone who worked on the zoning revision during town administrations attempted to be as fair as possible and to carry out the 2006 Comprehensive Plan.  Chipman promied that the Town “will defend our new zoning laws.”

Oscar and Rene Schnider can be very proud of their son, Gabe. Not only is he a teenage guitar prodigy participating in tonight’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the Accord teen has a social conscience.
“Part of my coursework last year at the Poughkeepsie Day School was learning music theory, transcription and improvisation,” the 16-year-old said. “That evolved into a benefit concert for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital of Memphis. The concert included guest performances by other Poughkeepsie Day School students, music faculty and professional musicians, and showcased my original material.”
Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude’s is the premier pediatric facility in the world It specializes in treating cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Doctors send their sickest patients there. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude’s doesn’t turn anyone away. Patients are treated without a bottom-line look at parents’ income.
Fully responsible for conceptualizing and organizing the spring 2009 event that raised $1,500 for St. Jude’s, Schnider this semester has just begun a new independent music studies class at his school. While last year the beneficiary of his talents was a large national organization, this year he has decided on a local non-profit, Kingston’s Center for Creative Education.
“My sister does hip-hop classes there; that’s how I became familiar with the center,” Schnider said. “Their mission is to use the arts as a healing method. They nurture and empower youth and community through the arts.”
Working with Bryant “Drew” Andrews, the center’s artistic director and choreographer, Schnider will see his studies culminate this spring in a benefit performance, including music and hip-hop dance, at Poughkeepsie Day School on May 7. First, though, Schnider is playing at the Grammys.
“I’m part of the Grammy big band that plays concerts throughout Grammy week in Los Angeles,” he said. “I’ll be at the awards on Sunday night, but before that, the Grammy Jazz Band that I’m part of is recording a CD at Capital Records studio.
“The CD will be available through Itunes and amazon.com,” he added, the excitement evident in his voice.
Born in New York City, where he began guitar lessons at age 9, Schnider eventually moved with his parents to Accord and began studying guitar with Matthew Finck. A terrific guitarist in his own right, Finck taught Schnider how to play his instrument, as well as nurturing his love for music in broader terms, the idea being to take a stand and find his own voice, according to Finck.
Attending the Litchfield Jazz Camp this past summer, as he has for the past two years, Schnider learned about a prestigious Grammy Foundation national music competition from other students at the camp. On his own, he researched the project and its requirements. He soon discovered there were only 28 openings in the 2010 Grammy Jazz Ensembles. The paucity of openings did not deter him. After deciding to audition primarily for the opportunity to play with talented and accomplished high school musicians, Schnider needed to put together an audition DVD.
He assembled a trio consisting of Peter J. Tomlinson on piano, Gene Perla — a Miles Davis alumni — on bass and Peter O Brien on drums. The recording session took place last October. cAttending were James Browne and Martha Baratz, partners and owners of the club Sweet Rhythm in Manhattan. They are good friend’s of the prodigy’s parents.
Said Browne, “Throughout my years of wearing different professional hats as a radio broadcaster, artist manager, record producer, festival promoter and club owner, I have no doubt heard countless musical performances. I have come to recognize some elemental gifts that the truly transcendent artist possesses. Those gifts almost always involve touch and tone and the expert placement of notes, as well as an innate ability to color those notes and give them distinctive power.”
Schnider first played at Sweet Rhythm when he was in fifth grade and has made multiple appearances since.
“Gabe possesses those gifts and more,” Browne added. “His approach to sound and texture is soulful, his interaction with fellow musicians is considerate and interactive. His intellect, empathy and humor comes through in his music.”
It also impressed the Grammy foundation. He was picked as one of the lucky 28.
“The Grammy Jazz Ensembles program brings together exceptionally talented high school vocalists and instrumentalists from across the country to create a jazz choir, combo and band,” csaid Grammy Foundation and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow in a release. “These young people play with their peers as well as with Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artists during a once-in-a-lifetime Grammy Week experience, and in many cases, members of the Ensembles go on to promising professional careers. This program truly underscores the Grammy Foundation’s mission to foster the next generation of music and its makers.”
Schnider’s dream week includes those Grammy-week concerts, culminating with the recording session at the legendary Hollywood Capital Records Studio designed by guitarist Les Paul. Like his peers, Schnider will be present at tonight’s awards ceremony.
“It was my dad who originally spawned my interest in music,” he said. “He’s from Switzerland and my mom is from Hawaii. I’ve learned how vast and infinite music is.
“When I play, there’s an uncomfortability to it that makes me feel like I’m on a great journey What I’ve learned at (Poughkeepsie Day School) is how to advocate for myself, to work with my teachers to balance my (academic) school and my (professional) workload. It means being flexible while maintaining school involvement.”
Schnider also said he finds that jazz has been his preferred area, but. to him, the barriers between musical genres is beginning to fade. As he is considering going to college, he has also learned how to play an impressive guitar by, among other things, listening to artists he admires.
“I really like (musician) Charlie Christian,” he said. “Les Paul is great. And Louis Armstrong, wow! I listen to everything. I like replicating the sound of a sax with a guitar. The guitar is so versatile. It can be a leading instrument, but it’s also fragile.”
When Schnider travels, as he just did to Los Angeles, he has a specially designed case he puts his instrument in to keep it safe. Unlike a bassist who buys an extra seat for his instrument, Schnider’s case allows his instrument to pass through all of the airport and plane rigors without damage.
One thing is for sure: Gabe Schnider at any age is going to keep making music people want to hear. (Freeman 1/31/10).

Kingston jeweler carves niche in small space

KINGSTON — He welcomes walk-ins. But they never get too far. If he gets two customers at the same time, there's a traffic jam.

Barry Barash is the owner of what must be the smallest retail business in Uptown Kingston. Bar-Jan Jewelry's repair shop used to be a vestibule to the Wall Street office building that surrounds Barash's 37-square-foot business space. You'll find more room in an elevator.

Barash's business has been wedged into the space at 291 Wall St. for 10 years. Anyone else in any other business might have felt cramped, having to sit perched behind a chest-high jeweler's bench morning to night. Not Barash. He feels right at home.

His work, after all, demands a perspective that's about as up close as you can get without a medical license. And his business provides insight into how really small businesses are faring in this economy.

 

After all these years ...

He grew up in Rego Park, Queens, and went to Forest Hills High a few years after a pair of folkies who called themselves Tom and Jerry graduated from there. The folkies turned into Simon and Garfunkel; Barash turned into an art student at Pratt Institute, where he, like them, hoped to make a career of art. After all these years, he's still crazy about sculpture, but instead of stone and clay, his media are silver and gold.

"You gotta make a living," he said, without a touch of regret in his voice.

As an independent businessman, Barash has weathered every social and demographic storm. He came up through an apprenticeship in the city, where he worked for equipment instead of money.

A traveling man

He came north to Kerhonkson in the mid-'70s and found as much work as he could handle in servicing the dozens of independent jewelers' shops in the region. It took 12 years for him to burn out and resettle in downtown New Paltz and then at the Nevele and the former Granit hotels. It's been Kingston ever since for Barash.

No sooner does he announce that he's been at the location for 10 years than a friend named Marc Adin squeezes into the shop and reminds him he was one of his first customers.

Adin cheerfully offers to vouch for the quality of his friend's work.

"That's what I love about this town, about being here on Wall Street," Barash says after Adin departs. "People just come in and we talk. It's a terrific thing." (TH-Record 2/14/10)

Dear Editor:

 

It is with great sadness that the Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy notes the passing of Jane Pearson Hansen.  Mrs. Hansen, and her late husband, Clarence, were among the first supporters of the Conservancy when it was founded more than 20 years ago. 

 

In 1996, the Hansens donated a conservation easement on their beloved Feather Farm, protecting approximately 350 acres of farmland from development in perpetuity.  Upon making the donation, the Hansens stated, “This property is pretty much just as it was 200 years ago and we are interested in preserving it as it is.”  Feather Farm provides the centerpiece of the Rest Plaus Historic District in Marbletown, with panoramic vistas of the Shawangunks, cornfields, and woodlots.  The property has frontage on two creeks and supports a wide variety of wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as eagles, peregrine falcons, ospreys, and red shouldered hawks.

 

We are grateful to have known Jane Hansen.  We extend our condolences to her son, Harry, and his family and once again thank her for her gifts to our community; we remain honored to be custodians of her legacy, including her dedicated and vocal support of local conservation issues.

 

Sincerely,

 

Walter Levy, President

Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy, Inc.

Tanya and Michael Kefer have opened Pizza Barn at 5125 Route 209 in Accord in the creek-side location formerly occupied by Xtra’s BBQ.  In addition to its dining area, Pizza Barn offers ten varieties of slice pizzas and a variety of subs, calzones, garlic knots and salads.  Pizza Barn’s hours are Monday through Thursday 11am to 8pm,   Friday 11am to 9pm and Sunday noon to 8pm.  To place orders or for more information, call 626-2300.

Dear Members of the Rochester Residents Association:

 

On behalf of the Rochester Food Pantry, I would like to thank you yet again for all of your efforts to support the Food Pantry.  Members of the Rochester Residents Association responded with donations ranging from $15.00 to $1,000, raising nearly $8,800.

 

In 2009, we served almost 30,000 meals to nearly 2,500 individuals, an increase of 17% over the previous year.  Fortunately, the rate of growth is diminishing (we had more than a 70% increase from 2008 to 2009) but the numbers aren’t going down.  Also fortunately, the community has been responsive and we have been able to continue to meet this increased demand and supplement the requirements of needy families and individuals in our community.

 

Thank you again, you have made our efforts a lot easier, as well as the lives of many in our community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Marge Bonner

Correponding Secretary

Rochester Food Pantry

 

For information on the Food Pantry’s services, please call 626-7501.  Contributions can be mailed to:  PO Box 12, Accord, NY 12404

 

 

Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, a 501c3 not-for-profit shelter, has announced a new, low-cost spay/neuter clinic.

 

The mobile clinic is part of the shelter’s Paws 2 Help program, which is designed to help families with food, supplies, low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary care for their pets, so that no one is forced to give up a pet for financial reasons.

 

The clinic will spay or neuter cats for $50, spay dogs for $150 and neuter dogs for $100. To make an appointment to have a dog spayed/neutered or to make a donation to help families, visit www.animalsforadoption.org or call (845) 687-7619.

 

CALL TO ACTION IS NEEDED!
The New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program has ample funding available in most counties in New York State to provide vital cancer screening services! We need your help to recruit men and women who could benefit from cancer screenings.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Encourage uninsured men and women to get their age-appropriate cancer screening services. Spread this message to your organization, friends and family.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES?
Women 40-64 years old * and men 50-64 years old who are uninsured or underinsured
(Our priority population for federal funding is women 50 and older)
* Women < 40 at high risk or with clinically significant findings for breast cancer and men and women < 40 at high risk for colorectal cancer may be eligible for services.
WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
Mammograms & Clinical Breast Exams
Pap tests & Pelvic Exams
Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program for Eligible Men and Women
HOW CAN MEN AND WOMEN ACCESS THESE SERVICES?
Call the Toll-Free Recruitment Line for a direct connection to a Cancer Services Program partnership in your community.
1-866-442-2262 (1-866-442-CANCER)

 

The newly-formed not-for-profit Rosendale Theatre Collective (RTC) signed a binder to purchase the Rosendale Theatre from the Cacchio Family, which has owned and operated the theatre for decades.  The RTC is raising funds from the community and must raise $100,000 by March 15^th for a downpayment; the balance of the $500,000 purchase price will be funded by a mortgage.  The group plans to upgrade technology and to continue to use the theatre for community events.  For more information on the group’s plans, visit www.rosendalethatre.org or call 658-8513.

 

In response to a request from the Town of Rochester, the Office of the Attorney General reviewed facts surrounding allegations that Rochester Councilwoman Manuela Mihailescu vacated her office when she executed an affidavit certifying her residency in Rego Park, Queens submitted to federal court in connection with her personal bankruptcy.  Under New York Law, elected officials are required to reside in the jurisdictions in which they were elected during their terms of office.  The Attorney General determined that Michailescu was eligible to serve, however, that the final determination was for the Town Board to decide.  The Town Board has not indicated that it intends to pursue the matter further.

Accord resident Len Bernardo was elected to a five year term on the Accord Fire District’s Board of Fire Commissioners in a December 8^th election.

Dear Town Supervisors and Broadband Supporters,

 

Regrettably, IITS, the vendor who submitted our broadband application received a rejection.  The reason given was that we failed to provide a 20% match (only a 10% match was required according to the Notice of Funding Availability!).

 

The silver lining has several parts:

1) we have accomplished mapping broadband in our entire county

2) only 3.5% of the total funding available under stimulus for broadband was allocated in Round 1(so there's more $)

3) almost all of the funding that was allocated was given to middle-mile fiber projects, not last-mile or wireless projects like ours

4) we are looking into the Round 2 Notice of Funding Availability to consider whether a new application is feasible (which will be due 3/15/10).

 

I will be in touch with you about our future plans.

 

If you are interested, materials on the program are available at www.broadbandusa.gov

If you have any questions and want to discuss this with me further, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

 

I want to thank each and every one of you for the work you did towards this application.  If there are other people you know in your towns who worked on this or have interest please feel free to pass along my email.

 

March S. Gallagher, Esq.

Deputy Director of Planning for Economic Development

Ulster County Office of the County Executive

244 Fair Street

Kingston, NY 12401

phone: (845)-340-3528

fax: (845)-334-5724

mgal@co.ulster.ny.us

 

KERHONKSON — Ten people — five adults and five children — were left homeless Wednesday following a fire that destroyed a trailer home where they lived on Braziel Heights Road in the Accord fire district.
Accord Fire Chief William Farrell said seven fire companies responded to the scene around 5:15 p.m.
Farrell, who did not know the names of the owners of the trailer, said fire investigators also responded to the scene, but were still not sure of the cause. He said they thought it might be a pump under the trailer.
He said the American Red Cross of Ulster County also responded and provided emergency aid to the five adults and five children living in the home. The Red Cross in a press statement said it provided temporary shelter and financial assistance for food, warm winter clothing and medical supplies.
According to the Farrell, the Accord Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Napanoch, Kerhonkson, Stone Ridge, Kripplebush, High Falls and Olive fire departments. He said the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office also responded. (Freeman 1/22/10)

Town, County and Fire District Taxes are all due this week.  Here’s a recap of the Town’s Budget (the County and Fire District budget and tax levies are determined by the elected officials of those separate taxing entities).

 

 

ACCORD — Supervisor Carl Chipman is lauding town of Rochester employees for finding ways to trim departmental spending and consolidate services under the town’s $3.29 million budget for 2010.

The result is that town spending will be down by 1.7 percent next year and the property tax levy will fall by 3.4 percent.

The budget was adopted during a recent Town Board meeting, and Chipman noted in a follow-up press release that 2010 will be the second consecutive year with a tax levy lower than the year before.

But services offered by the town are not suffering, Chipman said.

“Services such as library participation were expanded, and certain projects such as improvements at the kennel were included” in the 2010 budget, he wrote.

Chipman said that “belt tightening in all departments and maintenance of conservatively estimated revenue streams” helped to keep the budget stable.

“We know that our residents and businesses are struggling,” he said. “I feel it is my responsibility to do what I can so that taxes do not add to their burden.”

The 2010 budget includes $65,792 for the town supervisor’s office, up 17.1 percent from 2009; $20,300 for the Town Board, up 2 percent; $86,876 for the town justices, up 1.7 percent; $79,323 for the town clerk’s office, up 2.8 percent; $88,109 for the assessor’s office, up 2.8 percent; and $74,473 for the highway superintendent’s office, up 0.8 percent.

Other expenses in the budget:

• Employee benefits, $558,832, up 1 percent from 2009.

• Highway department general repairs, $523,817, up 2.5 percent.

• Garbage and refuge removal, $223,775, up 7.1 percent.

• Highway department machinery, $178,141, up 1.4 percent.

• Snow removal, $159,246, up 2.8 percent.

• Building maintenance, $159,043, down 4.6 percent decrease.

• Safety inspections, $77,383, up 1.3 percent.

• Library, $25,000, up 100 percent.

• Elections, $22,048, up 9.4 percent.

• Cemetery, $5,000, down 50 percent.

 

(Freeman 11/27/09)