The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

Process to Replace Former Police Chief Ashe Beginning

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by Doug La Rocque
Former Hoosick Falls Village Police Chief Bob Ashe was suspended in December of last year after it was revealed he was under investigation by the NYS Police as part of a ballot-fraud allegation. Chief Ashe resigned his post on Friday, May 13 and three days later pled guilty to a misconduct charge in Village Court. Since that time, Officer Paul Aleksonis has been Officer in Charge running the day to day operations. Following the Tuesday, June 14 meeting of the Board of Trustees, The Eastwick Press spoke with Mayor Rob Allen about the status of the replacement efforts. He told us the Board has been having discussions about it, and is ready to move forward with the search and/or any other options that might be brought to the table. At the meeting, Trustee Kevin O’Malley disclosed that revisions to Civil Service Law dictate any new Police Chief must be a full-time appointment (Chief Ashe was considered part-time). The Trustees also discussed looking into obtaining sample contracts that might be used for any replacement candidate.

Resignations
At the meeting, the Trustees accepted the resignations of four part-time officers from the Police Department, those being [Read more…] about Process to Replace Former Police Chief Ashe Beginning

Bernard J. Davendonis – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls – Bernard J. “Bernie” Davendonis, 71, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He resided on Saratoga Street with his wife Sue A. (Dooley) Davendonis.

Bernie was born on May 29, 1951, in Troy, NY, son of the late Peter and Eileen (Kincaid) Davendonis. He graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School and received his Associate Degree from Hudson Valley Community College. Bernie was employed at St. Gobain in Hoosick Falls until retiring. He enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, listening to music and playing guitar. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls. [Read more…] about Bernard J. Davendonis – Obituary

Esme’s Stories: A Magical Journey

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Make-A-Wish Art Exhibition

by Amy Modesti
Since 1987, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has granted more than 2,000 wishes to children fighting illnesses throughout the local area. These wishes aim to bring hope and joy to the child, their family and those involved in its fulfillment. 

Saturday, May 7, the first of its kind Make-A-Wish art exhibition was fulfilled at The Arts Center of the Capital Region for 11-year-old Troy resident Esme Savoie. Savoie, a storyteller, fights intractable epilepsy and other health challenges that inhibit her ability to speak, walk and eat. Using only an eye gaze as a means of communication, it took several years for Savoie to communicate what she wanted for her wish.  [Read more…] about Esme’s Stories: A Magical Journey

More Clarity on Proposed Town Code Changes in Brunswick

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by Doug La Rocque
It was more of what was not on the agenda that made news at the Thursday, June 2 Brunswick Planning Board meeting than what was on it. In particular, Planning Board Attorney Andy Gilchrist outlined some of the proposed changes to Town code in relation to multi-family dwellings and where they could be located.

Currently a number of locally zoned parcels have what is called an overlay attached to them. That means the restrictions or permitted uses for that zoned area can be altered if there is, say, an agricultural overlay as well. Anything allowed in the overlaid district would also permitted. These overlays, while well intended, have on occasion created some controversy, most recently involving the [Read more…] about More Clarity on Proposed Town Code Changes in Brunswick

Reimagine Plan Will Modernize and Improve County Government

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Submitted by the Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin
Rensselaer County will be undertaking an ambitious plan to improve County facilities, expand important County services and broaden access for the public to County government, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced.

The Reimagine Rensselaer County project will modernize and strengthen County services at all levels. Funds for the project come from the surplus generated by the County the past four years.

“This is a major step forward for Rensselaer County, and will ensure a solid platform of facilities and services for future generations. This is an investment in our operations and the future viability of County services and government and how we serve the public,” said McLaughlin.

The resolution for the Reimagine Rensselaer County project has been introduced to the County Legislature, which may take up the resolution at the June 14 meeting. The Reimagine Rensselaer County expansion and improvement effort would utilize $26.8 million. [Read more…] about Reimagine Plan Will Modernize and Improve County Government

Ban Lifted on Poultry Shows

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New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced the end of the bans on live poultry shows, exhibitions, auctions, sales, meets and swaps in New York State. The Department had previously issued the bans on March 25 and April 14 as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spread across the United States. The decision to lift the ban comes as cases decrease nationwide, including in New York State, which has not had a detection of HPAI in nearly two months. Additionally, [Read more…] about Ban Lifted on Poultry Shows

Robert A. Oswald – Obituary

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Cherry Plain – Robert A. “Bobby” Oswald, 77, died Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Albany Medical Center. He was born in Cherry Plain on June 18, 1944, the son of the late John and Mary Teal Oswald.

Bob was employed by W.J. Cowee, Inc. in Berlin early in his life. He was a school bus driver for the Berlin Central School District for many years and also served as the Town of Berlin Highway Superintendent for four years.

Bob was the grave digger for over 40 years for all of the cemeteries in the Taconic Valley from North Petersburgh to Stephentown. He also served with great pride as the caretaker for the Berlin Community Cemetery also for 40 years and served on the cemetery Board of Trustees. [Read more…] about Robert A. Oswald – Obituary

Congresswoman Stefanik Introduced

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On Tuesday, May 31, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was introduced by Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin during a meet and greet at the Brunswick Community Center. This was the first event of its kind in the area since the redrawn congressional districts were finalized, making the majority of Rensselaer County part of Ms. Stefanik’s redrawn New York 21st District. 

Rensselaer County was originally moved from the 19th district to the 21st district after the maps were redrawn earlier this year, and subsequently thrown out as being gerrymandered. After briefly being placed in Congressman Paul Tonko’s 20th District by an appointed special master, and there being concern from several area mayors that their representation was being broken up among redrawn districts, the majority of Rensselaer County finally settled in the 21st district.

In addition to County Executive McLaughlin, Congresswoman Stefanik was joined by several others, including Assemblyman Jake Ashby and Rensselaer County Court Judge Debra Young.  [Read more…] about Congresswoman Stefanik Introduced