The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Letter To The Editor – A Complaint

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To the Editor:
The Town Board meeting of Thursday [Monday], Oct. 21, goes well beyond disappointing. What Supervisor Higgins did to myself as well as other tax paying residents was reprehensible as well as unprofessional.
During public comment I would expect Town residents to have the ability to ask questions or make comments pertaining to the operation of our Town. During public comment as I began to speak I was interrupted not once but twice by Supervisor Higgins. He sarcastically informed me that there would be no answer to my question, I would only be allowed to comment. Astonished, I made my comment regarding the meeting minutes not being uploaded to the new Town website and why the Board is not following Resolution #54 that was put forward in 2012 authorizing the agenda to be posted seven days prior to the meeting – voted 4-0 in favor. Currently a blank agenda is posted to the website the afternoon of the Board meeting. Needless to say I was never given an answer. Others went on to ask actual questions. Supervisor Higgins choose to answer the questions from certain people while others were not even recognized at all. Connie Alderman raised her hand on several occasions to comment, and Supervisor Higgins never recognized her and subsequently adjourned the meeting while hands were still raised during public comment.
Following the meeting Supervisor Higgins informed me that residents must come to his office if they have any questions concerning the Town, he will not answer in a public forum. Furthermore, Supervisor Higgins said he is contemplating ending public comment entirely. He said that there are individuals in the audience he does not wish to answer questions for, therefore all residents will be treated the same and he does not feel obligated to answer questions from Town residents at Town Board Meetings.
What type of Town Leader is at the helm of our forefront?
Linda Laveway
Trail Riders Way, Grafton

Editor’s Note: It may interest this letter writer, and others, that State law does not require public comment at Town Board meetings and that the comment period is at the discretion of the Supervisor.

Community Invited To Chili Cook-Off

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New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School’s Appetites Anonymous/Food Club will be sponsoring a Chili Cook-Off on Veteran’s Day, November 11, in honor of our veterans. The event will be held in the school’s cafeteria from 1 to 2:30 pm. Anyone who would like to bring a crock pot of chili is welcome. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 and, for those entering chili in the cook-off, $2. Veterans participate for free – whether they bring chili or not.
Attendees can sample all chili entries and vote for their favorite. The winner will be announced at the end of the event. The Food Club will provide corn muffins and beverages. Proceeds from this event go toward supplies needed for a community Thanksgiving Dinner the Club will sponsor November 23.
The Appetites Anonymous/Food Club focuses on helping students who are interested in learning more advanced cooking techniques and exploring careers in this industry.

Tiger Volleyball Records First Win

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by Timothy Christiansen
The New Lebanon Volleyball team defeated St. Joe’s of Pittsfield, MA, by the score of 25-10, 25-21, 25-18 for its first win of the year. New Lebanon was led by senior Brianna Springstead who had 17 points off serve and 12 aces. Senior Khalan Fish chipped in with 5 kills. Junior Jeanie Smith had 11 points off serve and 4 aces. Freshman Brianne Casella had 9 points off serve.

Refill The Bus – Second Time’s A Charm

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by Samantha Brewer
The Fill the Bus Food Drive benefiting the Hoosick Area Food Pantry will get a second chance. The fundraiser was scheduled for the October 12 Homecoming football game, but, due to a forfeit by the opposing school, the game was cancelled.
Hoosick Falls Central School will again host the Food Drive bus on October 25 at the first sectional football game. A 32 inch TV is also being raffled off at the game. Please bring your non perishables and support our local food pantry.

Hoosick Grange News

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It was postcard night at the Grange on Wednesday October 9. It was also an open meeting. We were very fortunate to have Charles Filkins, a Granger, show us pictures he had taken and made bigger. He had us guess where the pictures were taken. Charles showed us the size of the old postcard and how he had enlarged it so we could really see the people. We had a little guessing game of where the picture was taken. They all had a historic background, like the First Baptist Church in Hoosick, the Bennington Battlefield, the Button Factory, the Trolley Barn and Trolley Bridge, a view of Hoosick Falls, the Wood Mansion and the Walter A. Wood Shop, maps and people. There were questions on the Wood Mansion and when the addition was added for the high school. That was in 1927. The maps brought a lot of interest, especially the one of 1862 of Hoosick. Everyone wanted to see where they live on the map and what it looked like then. Marion Hynick could remember that when she was four years old she didn’t want to cross the long bridge; she was afraid of the cracks between the boards. She could remember many things of that time. Charles was able to answer many questions and is very knowledgeable on the subject.
The Lecturer thanked Charles for a very interesting and historic program. Our next meeting was on October 23. We had a report of New York State Grange by David Schmidt. The program was by Louise Ciuk and Mary Remancus. David Schmidt was in charge of refreshments.

Hoosick Rescue Squad Halloween

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by Bill Gaillard
The Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad has decorated the outside of its building for Halloween. The outside will feature the usual inflatable decorations with two new ones this year. The newly formed Rescue Squad youth group (ages 12-15) will present a skit on the evening of October 31 at the Squad quarters on First Street.
While the Squad has a Junior Group (ages 16-17), it was felt that it needed to initiate a younger group to the EMS service. The Youth Group is the concept of Deb Lohnes, the Squad’s Vice President, and she is being assisted by Beth Cipperly and Bill Gaillard. Junior members Hollyann Devereese and Brandon Hodges are mentors to the group. Currently there are 14 members in the youth group.
Two of our newest members have achieved or will enter New York State training. Jessica Fisher has earned certification as a Certified First Responder (CFR) and will join other new members, Jane Swan and Melissa Davock, as they plan on entering the Emergency Medical Technician Program. The State of New York requires an EMT to be responsible for patient care in the ambulance.
A planning committee has been formed to move the Squad into the next decade with consideration being given to getting the squad the Advanced Life Support licensure. Currently the Squad depends on the Bennington Rescue Squad, Cambridge Valley or Mohawk Ambulance, depending on the patient’s needs and location. With an influx of younger applicants and some of the younger current members, this seems to be an appropriate plan.
Members are always needed, and those interested in only driving (CPR and some First Aid required) should call 686-9715 or 686-0810 for information.