The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

Grafton Planning Board Action – Cat And Mouse?

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by Kieron Kramer

The agenda for the Grafton Planning Board meeting on Monday, September 15, had only one item of new business on it – the “application for site plan review for RJ Valente.” And so, it seemed, RJ Valente Gravel, Inc., was beginning the long awaited site application process in front of the Grafton Planning Board. Not so fast. No application was submitted at this meeting, and Jason Kappell, of Spec Consulting of Albany, the consultant for RJ Valente, said at the meeting that the decision to go ahead with the project, and therefore with the application process, had not yet been made.

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Thelma A. Locke

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Stephentown – Thelma A. Locke of 79 East Road, Stephentown, NY, died July 26, 2014, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, with family at her side.

Born September 23, 1918, in Groveland, MA, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Ada (Holland) Aiken. She married the love of her life, Percy W. Locke, on her birthday, September 23, 1945. Together they owned and operated an ice and coal business and a poultry farm. She worked for many years from the late 30s into the 60s as a chicken sexer.

Percy and Thelma moved to the Berkshires in the early 60s where Percy trained and showed Morgan horses (with Thelma always at his side) for Green Meads Farm in Richmond, MA.

Thelma leaves her grandchildren, Erika and husband Joe Voltoline, Michael and wife Marie Locke, Jacob Locke, Nathan and wife Breanna Sumy, Stephanie Sumy, Laura and husband Bill White and Abby Locke, her niece, Sandra Gilmore and partner Greg Knowlton of Chichester, NH, her nephews, Joseph “Pick” Cole and Eugene “Nipper” Cole and his wife Evelyn of Athens, ME, her niece, Thelma and husband Tom Rheaume of Stephentown, and several great-grandchildren and great-nieces and great-nephews.

An animal lover all of her life, she and Percy exhibited their beloved Palomino stallion, Golden Delicious, to many state championships in the 50s and 60s. Thelma also bred and exhibited Boston terriers and miniature poodles. In her later years, she delighted in the company of her many peacocks, especially her favorite, Vane, and Herm the cat.

Thelma is pre-deceased by her husband Percy, who died on February 22, 2001, her two sons, Earle L. Locke and Raymond McFarlane, Jr., her siblings, Daisy Aiken, Dorothy Cole, Earle L. Aiken and Donald Aiken.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 20, at 1 pm at Garfield Cemetery, Stephentown. A reception will follow at the Stephentown Fire Department Pavilion.

Arrangements are by the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home in Stephentown.

Lawrence James Church

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Petersburgh – Lawrence James Church, 88, died September 16, 2014. He was the son of the late Leon J. and Anna K. Perry Church and father of Anna K. Church of Averill Park, NY, Jean I. Smith of Wilton, ME, and Linda Pollard of Portland, OR, brother of Leonard Church of Pittstown, NY, the late Barbara Berg of Florida and Louis Church of Petersburgh, NY. [Read more…] about Lawrence James Church

Gordon Durkey

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Hoosick Falls – Gordon Durkey, 44, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at his residence on Elm Street in Hoosick Falls, NY. He was the son of Marie (Woodard) O’Dell of Hoosick Falls and the late Loren Durkey, and stepson to William O’Dell of Hoosick Falls.

Gordon was born on March 30, 1970, in Cambridge, NY. He graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School. He was previously employed at WCW, Inc. in Hoosick Falls. Gordon enjoyed hunting, fishing, time spent with his family and time in the woods. He was also a Jeff Gordon fan.

Survivors, other than his mother Marie, include his sisters, Shirley and husband Charles Fedler of Cambridge and Donna and husband John Poulen of Bennington, VT, his brother, Loren Durkey Jr. of Arizona, his step brothers, Randy O’Dell and Donna Hammond, Richard and wife Cathy O’Dell and Loren “Rocky” and wife Linda O’Dell, his nieces, Sara Dann, Jamie Poulen, Andrea Good and Laura O’Dell, and his nephews, Shane Holbrook, Richard O’Dell, Rocky O’Dell and Danny and Jeffrey Hammond.

A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, September 16, at 8 pm from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad through the funeral home.

New Lebanon’s Future Looks Bright

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by Thaddeus Flint

At last month’s New Lebanon Town Board meeting, Town Supervisor Mike Benson wondered aloud whether his fellow Board members weren’t “living under a rock” because they had been surprised by the sudden appearance of a museum in their Town. It turns out that there is actually quite a bit more happening in New Lebanon as well. [Read more…] about New Lebanon’s Future Looks Bright

Grafton Town Board: Minutes Not Approved, Bills Not Paid

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by Alex Brooks

The Grafton Town Board meeting began with a comment from Town Councilwoman Barbara Messenger about the minutes of Town Board meetings. She said they are missing minutes from earlier in the year, and the minutes that have been submitted for the last few meetings by Deputy Town Clerk Cathy Goyer she finds unacceptable, because they contain bias, hypotheses and speculation. She said the minutes should not quote what people say in the meeting.

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Loophole In Hoosick Family Subdivision Law

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by Bea Peterson

Bronnie Powers brought her concern regarding use of the Planning Board Family Subdivision law to the Town of Hoosick Board meeting on Monday, September 8. She had previously expressed her concern to the Planning Board. During Monday’s meeting the Board agreed to hold a Family Subdivision Community meeting on Thursday, September 18, at 7 pm in the HAYC3 Armory. [Read more…] about Loophole In Hoosick Family Subdivision Law