The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Troy City Councilwoman Guilty of Absentee Ballot Fraud

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The U.S. District Court in Albany announced on Wednesday, May 8, that Troy City Councilwoman Kim Ashe-McPherson has plead guilty to a felony count of submitting fraudulent absentee ballots in last year’s primary and general elections. As part of the plea, she has agreed to resign from the Council within 30 days. She has represented North Troy for seven years.

The plea is part of a federal grand jury investigation into ballot-fraud allegations in Rensselaer County.

Hoosick Falls Connection

Ms. Ashe-McPherson is the brother of former Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe, who is also part of the investigation. It was for that reason he was suspended last December and resigned in April, after pleading guilty to separate criminal investigation involving the  appropriate removal of evidence. Mr. Ashe has not yet been charged in the ballot-fraud case.

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

Reimagining Rensselaer County

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Reimagine Rensselaer County Plan will Modernize and Improve County Government, County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Legislators Announce

Effort Will Utilize Record Amount of Surplus Funds to Strengthen Services

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, said McLaughlin. Funds for the project come from surplus funds generated by the county during 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 funds come from surplus funds, and will allow for the improvements and expansions to be done without expensive bonding. We look forward to working with the County Legislature to make this project a reality,” added 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 legislative meeting. The Reimagine Rensselaer County expansion and improvement effort would utilize $26.8 million. Along with county surplus funds, some funds from the federal American Rescue Plan would be utilized for the effort, and some previously budgeted funds would be used. [Read more…] about Reimagining Rensselaer County

Elks Care, Elks Share

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by Amy Modesti
On Monday, May 30, the Brunswick Elks Club #2556 continued their tradition of caring about the community and sharing their love of remembering our fallen veterans with their annual Memorial Day chicken dinner to-go event. 

“It’s an annual Memorial Day event and most of the proceeds go towards New York State Major Projects; the Cerebral Palsy Home Service Program,” said Exalted Ruler of Elks Mike Pendergast. Over 200 dinners were sold. 

Event goers also took part in a raffle for a chance to win $200 worth of lottery tickets and $100 cash to benefit the CP Home Service Program, put on by the Ladies Auxiliary. 

Brunswick Elks Club #2556 will present a corned beef dinner on Friday, June 3 and a clam steam luncheon Sunday, June 12. Reservations are required for both, and can be made by contacting Mike Pendergast at 518-286-1645. 

[Read more…] about Elks Care, Elks Share

Stephentown Clean Up Day

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On Friday, June 10, Stephentown will hold its clean up day. The event will take place at the Stephentown Transfer Station, Newton Rd., from noon to 8 pm. This is free for residents and no permit or advance tickets are required, however residency must be proven with a tax bill. Each resident can bring up to a pickup truck with an eight foot bed or a small 6×10 trailer worth of items. There is a max of two TVs or four vehicle tires per household. Console TVs and hazardous waste won’t be accepted. Highway crew, attendants and volunteers will be present to provide assistance.

Brunswick Revisions to Town Codes Ready for Review

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by Doug La Rocque
In March of last year, the Brunswick Town Council issued a moratorium on all two-family and multi-family construction in the Town, the result of several complaints from residents that these structures were creating a density problem, a sentiment echoed by the Town’s Planning Board. The conundrum lay in the fact these proposed developments were in areas allowed by Town code, but perhaps in practicality not the best locations. 

That moratorium has been twice extended while a committee worked on reviewing these housing guidelines. That work is now complete and a new local law that would repeal the 2017 codes and replace them with the newest version was introduced. A public hearing on the new codes was scheduled for Monday, July 11 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall. A copy of these codes is available for review on the Town’s website.

The changes to the codes [Read more…] about Brunswick Revisions to Town Codes Ready for Review

In Honored Remembrance of Those That Gave All

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by Doug La Rocque
On Memorial Day morning, May 30, the Village of Hoosick Falls once again paid tribute to all of those who died defending our country with the annual parade sponsored by Hoosick Post 40 of the American Legion.

The day started out as all in the past have, with memorial services at Wood Park, the Shop Bridge to honor those in the Navy who lost their lives at sea, the Civil War monument and finally the placing of wreaths at the Veterans Memorial, to honor those from WWI, WWII, the Korean and Vietnam wars. [Read more…] about In Honored Remembrance of Those That Gave All

Jordan Announces Purple Heart Highway

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Submitted by the Office of Senator Daphne Jordan
New York State Senator Daphne Jordan has announced Senate passage of her bipartisan legislation designating a portion of the state highway system as the Rensselaer County Purple Heart Highway to honor Rensselaer County and New York State’s Purple Heart Heroes. The measure passed during the May 25 Senate Session and has also passed the State Assembly.

Established in 1932, the Purple Heart is [Read more…] about Jordan Announces Purple Heart Highway

Karen E. Conklin-Hyland – Obituary

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Stephentown – Karen Elizabeth Conklin-Hyland, 66, passed peacefully on May 30, 2022 at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA. Born in Troy, NY on September 20, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Elmer R. and Elizabeth McIntosh Conklin.

Karen graduated from the Berlin Central High School and lived in Stephentown most of her life. She was a homemaker and was employed by the Springside Nursing Home in Pittsfield for 25 years as a kitchen worker.

Karen was an avid fisherwoman, enjoyed working in her flower beds and loved birds. She cherished her time with her husband, children and grandchildren.  [Read more…] about Karen E. Conklin-Hyland – Obituary

Keryn M. Lowry – Obituary

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Stephentown – Keryn Meri Lowry, 62 years old, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2022. She is survived by her wife Catharine Hough, and family members in New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Keryn was born in Wellington New Zealand and lived in Titahi Bay before coming to the States in 2000, where she met her wife in 2001. She was an avid photographer and especially enjoyed her work with the New Zealand Achilles Team who would come to the NY Marathon. [Read more…] about Keryn M. Lowry – Obituary