The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

Fourth Hoosic River Benefit Bike Ride A Success

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Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.
Lara Shore-Sheppard and son Ethan (age 6) participate in last month’s Hoosic River Ride completing the 34 mile route that passed through the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The Hoosic River Watershed Association announced recently that the Fourth Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bicycling event, netted at least $5,700 for the organization’s programs in education, research and advocacy. “This is a tremendous boost to our budget in a challenging fundraising environment,” said HooRWA’s President John Case. 

 

At final count, the ride boasted its highest number of riders, their families and friends, just over 150 participants. While the majority came from within a 50-mile radius, there were small groups from Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City. Steve Brown, one of the participants who made the trek from Pennsylvania, offered this comment about the ride, “ ╔it was pretty, challenging and just plain old fun. The whole event was very well-organized, and the people at the rest stops could not have been nicer and more helpful.” 

Fortunately, the people at the rest stops were also well qualified. EMT’s from

Bennington, Petersburgh, Hoosick Falls, Cambridge and Pownal all provided their services to those in need at the six rest stops located throughout the watershed. Two of the rest stops were hosted by local residents Denise and Paul Hoag of Hoosick Falls, and Jim and Leslie Prendergast of Buskirk. In addition, volunteers – including Shelly Stiles and Michael Batcher of Buskirk – manned the stations serving up the oranges, bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other fare to keep folks going. “We have to thank the volunteers who make the day possible,” said Case. “Without their dedicated efforts the riders would not have as pleasant experience.” Case notes that the Town of Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls need to be thanked, too, for working with organizers to ensure the success of the event.

C.H. McNally & Son, the Hoosick Federal Credit Union, the Stewart’s Shops and Trustco Bank were all local 2008 Hoosic River Ride sponsors. “Without the support of the region’s businesses this ride would not happen,” explained Lisa Carey-Moore, organizer of the ride. “We are very grateful to everyone who donated in these challenging financial times, especially since we understand that there are many worthwhile causes to support.”

The Hoosic River Ride intends to celebrate its fifth year back in Bennington next August. Those interested in helping to plan the 2009 event should contact Lisa Carey-Moore at 413-458-2241. For details on other HooRWA events and activities people can visit www.hoorwa.org.

Missions Conference At Petersburgh Baptist

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The Petersburgh Baptist Church will be holding its 2008 Annual Missions Conference October 17-19.  The public is welcome to come hear missionaries from Ukraine and Africa tell about their cultures and ministries.

We are excited to have missionaries who have roots in our area.  Gary and Ruth Stephens

Gary and Ruth Stephens.
Gary and Ruth Stephens.

have been our missionaries in Cameroon, West Africa, since 1988.  Gary has served as seminary professor, academic dean and field administrator.  Besides being a childcare worker and school nurse, Ruth works training women in ministry.  Stephen Lazorischak began a church in Kirovograd and has served as a pastor, evangelist and children’s minister.  He also hosts visiting American mission teams.

 

The conference begins with a progressive, dessert-talk, with a different dessert at each missionary, on Friday, October 17, at 7 pm at the Church.  There will also be a children’s rally that night at 7 for kids aged three through sixth grade. On Saturday morning, there will be a women’s breakfast at the Church at 8:30 and a men’s breakfast at 9 at the Falls Diner in Hoosick Falls.  The fun continues with a missions and a covered-dish dinner at 5:30 pm at the Church followed by presentations by each missionary family at 6:45.  On Sunday morning, there will be special missions Sunday school at 10:45 and missions speakers in the morning service at 11.  Finally, we will wrap up the weekend with a light lunch after church.

For more information, contact the Petersburgh Baptist Church at 658-3834.

Letter To The Editor – A Flawed Plan For Berlin Elementary School?

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Dear Editor:

As a resident and taxpayer of the Berlin School District I am deeply troubled by what I’ve been witnessing at the BOE Buildings workshop meetings. I was invited to tour the Berlin Elementary School with the BOE and the Architects Monday night, September 8, and what I saw was disastrous, and I don’t know how we got to this point.

First, the taxpayers need to know that they are going to be asked very soon to support a flawed rehabilitation plan for the Berlin Elementary School. We are going to be asked to support a plan that only addresses 50-75 % of the building issues but costs upwards of 15 million dollars. This School Board was presented many options by the blue ribbon committee they formed [the LRPC] two years ago, and they seem to be dismissing all of the options. The only thing that the BOE agrees on is that the “status quo” could not be maintained. As Chairman of the Facilities and Transportation committee of the LRPC, I know we clearly gave them options that are not being explored. After we presented all the options this School Board [minus a few members] buried their heads in the sand and cried that the only option that made economic sense was to consolidate all the elementary schools and students into one school in Berlin, close and sell off the other buildings and use the savings to pay for the Berlin rehabilitation project. If that were only the truth. As the BOE explores all the problems and looks over all the repairs they are missing the point. The point is that we need to find new ways to educate our children. We need to add to the classroom experience by upgrading materials and resources for the teachers and students;. One improvement would be by adding a certified librarian/media instructor to the BES and putting in place new strategies to reach every learner. I was so disheartened by the BES library facilities. I now have a better understanding why the students don’t achieve their full potential.  I have never seen such a mismanaged resource in all my days. The BOE should be ashamed to allow students to go there.

We as taxpayers spend over $14,900 per child to educate our children in the BCSD. That’s over 18 million dollars a year, for what? At that price I think that we should be able to send all our children to private school and get a first class education. I now understand why some of my friends are taking their children out of this school district. They tell me that the unhealthy conditions in Berlin, the longer commute and the substandard education that their children will be receiving in Berlin during the consolidation and rehabilitation project were major factors. But they told me more. They don’t want larger class sizes for elementary students, and they are less than impressed with the extracurricular activities, sports and educational programs that this district offers. 

I want to commend those teachers and a few administrators that over the years put up with all the politics and mismanagement that this school district has put them through. Good teachers can only go so far. We have had so many administrators come and go that it’s like a revolving door in these schools. Without some sort of consistent leadership it’s hard to have a good team of administrators all working together to make a better environment for our children. The leadership of this school district should flow from the school board to the superintendent and then to the building administrators. We have an interim-superintendent, who only rests on her past work to guide her, who has no clue what the Berlin School District really needs, and she has no long term commitment to the District, students, teachers, staff or the taxpayers. I find it troubling that this person will be leading us through one of the most dramatic changes that this school district has ever seen. 

There are so many questions to be answered and so few facts that I as a voter and taxpayer am unable to support the course that the BOE is taking. I will be voting for our children but not for this building project. We need to spend our taxpayers money wisely and where we can have the best return for our investment because that’s what it is, a long term investment in not only my children’s future but the next generation of students who are being born today whose parents will no doubt have greater expectations for their children. I don’t see how any of these plans will be able to deliver on those expectations.

Andrew Zlotnick

Petersburgh

Defensive Driving Class To Benefit The Petersburgh Public Library

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On Saturday, November 8, the Petersburgh Public Library will sponsor a National Traffic Safety Institute Traffic Survival Workshop.  The class will be held from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the Petersburgh Town Hall.  The cost of the class is $40, part of which is a tax-deductible donation to the Library’s building renovation fund.

Completion of the class will allow NYS drivers of all ages, who are the principal operators of a motor vehicle, to save a minimum of 10% off their liability and collision insurance for three renewal years.  Check with your insurance carrier for details about savings on your own policy.  Drivers may repeat the class every 36 months.  Those who finish the class will be mailed a certificate to present to their insurance carrier.  In addition, those who complete the program can subtract 4 violation points from their driving record, under most circumstances, if the points were accumulated during the 18 months prior to taking the class.

Those who wish to participate are asked to notify the Library by October 31.  Please include your phone number and other contact information when you register in case we need to reach you.  Mail your check for $40 made out to the Petersburgh Public Library to the Library at PO Box 250, Petersburgh, NY, 12138, or stop in during Library hours, Monday-Friday from 2 to 5 pm, Wednesday until 9 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.  You can also register by calling the Library at 658-2927 during regular Library hours.

On the day of the class, there will be a half-hour break for lunch.  You may bring your own lunch or bring money to order from the local pizza and sub shop.

Break In At Petersburgh Town Garage

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by Alex Brooks

At the Petersburgh Town Board meeting on Monday evening Highway Superintendent Ray Harrison said someone broke into the Town Highway Garage on Tuesday night, September 9, but they didn’t take anything. They took out a screwdriver and crescent wrench and removed a radiator grille from an old car back there, but left the tools and the grille lying around. Harrison also said the County paved over the new culvert on East Hollow Road this week and that project is completed.

PVMCC Sets Goals For 2009

Susan Nelsen gave her monthly report to the Board about the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center (PVMCC). She said the PVMCC Board set goals for itself for the coming year. Among these were completion of the capital project, development of a program expansion, development of some annual fund-raising events, seeking ways to make PVMCC and its building “greener” and continuing to seek grants and develop volunteer programs. Nelsen also noted that from 2006 to the present, the PVMCC has secured $95,810 in grant funding, $20,810 for program and $75,000 for capital improvements.

Rensselaer Plateau Alliance

Jim Bonesteel of the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance gave a presentation about his organization and their efforts to develop a conservation plan for the Plateau. The area he calls the Rensselaer Plateau is more or less the area between Route 22 and the Brunswick Town line on the east-west axis and from Route 7 to Route 43 on the north-south axis.  He said it is one of New York State’s largest intact forest ecosystems, comprising about 105,000 acres. He noted that the Audubon Society has designated it as an important area for bird habitat.

Bonesteel said his group advocates for conservation of the Plateau and seeks to preserve wildlife habitat and the rural character of the area and to promote commercial uses consistent with such preservation. Some that he mentioned were recreation businesses, hospitality and tourism, maple syrup, logging and the like.

Bonesteel said his group has applied for a grant to write a Conservation Plan for the Plateau, and if they get it, they will be holding a series of workshops aimed at soliciting input from residents and town officials to be included in the plan. He was seeking the cooperation and participation of the Town of Petersburgh in this process.

After he finished his presentation, Ray Broadwell asked him how he expects the plan to be enforced.  Bonesteel said his group’s project is more about creating a plan than creating regulations. He spoke of “raising consciousness” and “energizing non-profits to protect important areas” and said his group is not looking to raise the regulatory burden.

Broadwell remained skeptical and said he thinks there is too much regulation in America and he thinks the conservation plan is likely at some point to lead to restrictions which are going to cost somebody some money.

Bonesteel said the Conservation Plan is an $80,000 project and the grant request is for $60,000. He said it would be used to hire a facilitator to run the public meetings, a GIS mapper and an ecologist. He asked the Town Board to pass a resolution supporting the project. Broadwell said, “I don’t think this is anything we need to get into.”

No one else on the Board seemed much interested in getting involved with the project either, so Supervisor Mason Hubbard suggested to Bonesteel that if his group gets the grant, he should come back and they could talk further about the project.

Clearing Brush In Cemeteries

Ed Jones, who mows the cemeteries for the Town, asked the Town Board if they would like him to clear brush in some of the cemeteries that are not mowed. He estimated it would be about a week’s work and said it would cost $400-$500. After checking to make sure there was still enough money left in the cemetery mowing account to cover it, the Board authorized the work cleaning up the cemeteries. Some Board members also remarked that they were very pleased with Mr. Jones’ work mowing the cemeteries and the grass around the Town buildings.

Bill’s List

Bill Seel had a few things to inquire about. He asked if the Building Inspector’s phone answering message had been changed to announce the hours when he is available at the Town Hall (Saturday mornings 9-12). No one was sure. He asked why there were solar panels on the Memorial Hall – he didn’t recall anything about solar panels in the work authorized there. Sue Nelsen said he should talk to Dave Sadowsky about it. He asked if an inventory of the Town Highway Garage had been done. Everyone, including Highway Superintendent Ray Harrison, looked puzzled. Seel said an inventory is supposed to be done every year, although no one present had ever seen one. Seel said he thought it should be done.

Seel also said it was his understanding that the Board had reached a consensus at the June meeting that they would not commit to a particular sum in the matter of assisting with the purchase of a new ambulance until they were putting together next year’s budget. He felt that the Board’s resolution committing to $20,000 per year at the special meeting last week, which Seel did not attend, took away their opportunity to look at that sum in the context of the overall budget picture. Supervisor Mason Hubbard said that resolution was contingent on approval of the terms of the service agreement by the Town Attorney, so the town is not fully committed until it signs a service agreement.

PVMCC News

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Mark your calendars and set time aside to come and enjoy Music & Art CafÄ next Thursday, September 25.  Guest musicians will be Carolyn Odell Durnin and her daughter, Molly Durnin.  This mother and daughter duo dazzled audiences this past spring during a night featuring open mic performances at PVMCC.  Sweet voices combined with original music will make for a wonderful event.  Come listen, come to draw, come to enjoy great desserts!  Performance begins at 7 pm. Admission is $5 per person, $8 per couple or $12 per family.

Petersburgh Rod & Gun Club Turkey Shoots

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The Petersburgh Rod and Gun Club will be holding its annual Turkey Shoots on September 28 and October 5 with a rain date of October 12.  The fun starts at 12 noon.  Spend an afternoon with the whole family – great food, soft drinks and fun competition. Win A Turkey! Shotguns and .22 rifles only (no 20 gauge shotguns).  The Turkey Shoots will take place at  Scriven Road – Petersburgh.  The last shot is free for 14 year olds and under. If you have any questions, please call 283-4890.

Also the Petersburgh Rod and Gun Club will be offering a hunter’s safety course in October.  So if you are interested, you may sign up at the Shoot.

Art And Photo Exhibits At The Petersburgh Library

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Amy V. Shawver, who has recently relocated to Petersburgh, has installed an exhibit in the Library display case. Amy has spent most of her life in various locations overseas. She and her husband Dr. David J. Shawver have worked in international school settings in Asia and Africa. David is currently the director of the American International School Tanzania in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The Shawvers have lived in five international school settings, including in Myanmar for seven years and in China for nine.  The Shawvers have traveled extensively in the regions of the various school assignments and the artifacts on display at the Library represent the cultures and memories of their lives overseas.

Beginning in October, Amy V. Shawver’s photographs will be on display at the Library. Some are hand painted and some are black and white and all are developed by the photographer. They include scenes both from living in the U.S. and abroad.  

For the remainder of September the art work of Mr. Willy Siller of Berlin, will continue to be on display at the Library. Siller has been a resident of Berlin since April, 1958, and he took up art full time after his retirement in 1986. This is his second exhibit at the Petersburgh Library.

Pastor Matson Installed At Landmark Baptist Church

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Scott Matson officially became the pastor of Landmark Baptist Church this Sunday when his father, Pastor Harold Matson, installed him as the Pastor of Landmark Baptist Church. He has been interim pastor since May. His trial period was until October but his leadership has so impressed the Church that the members decided to move his installment up a month. 

Pastor Scott was born a pastor’s kid and was raised in East Poestenskill. He and his wife, Ginger Denue Matson, are graduates of the Berlin Central School District. They have four children – Jonathan, Matthew, Angelina and Jeremiah. Jonathan, the fourth generation Matson to enter the ministry, recently entered Bethany Bible College and was sorely missed at this ceremony.

Pastor Scott is a graduate of Christian Fellowship Ministries and was ordained in May. He has been pastor for Cornerstone Ministries in Troy for eight years. Prior to that he completed culinary training at SUNY, Albany. He and his wife run a catering business and work for the transportation department of Berlin Central School. Pastor Scott said, “My secular job pays the bills but my pastoring jobs pays with thrills.”

Pastor Scott’s “FROG” theme of Fully Relying on God has brought a deeper desire for the Church to live for the Lord. He and his wife have proven to be selfless workers for the Lord at Landmark. Many new programs have brought more folks into the Church. Physical improvements have also occurred in the Church and property due to the hard work of Pastor and his family. 

Landmark is looking forward to either of two things – Pastor Scott leading them until he gets really old and retires or the Lord returns.

Bars In Petersburgh And Stephentown!

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The antenna atop this cell tower in Stephentown was installed a month ago and is waiting for land line service from Fairpoint. The cell tower in Petersburgh was completed in late June. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, September 10, cell phones near the Town Hall in Petersburgh showed four bars. On Thursday at noon the Stephentown tower went on line. (David Flint photo)
The antenna atop this cell tower in Stephentown was installed a month ago and is waiting for land line service from Fairpoint. The cell tower in Petersburgh was completed in late June. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, September 10, cell phones near the Town Hall in Petersburgh showed four bars. On Thursday at noon the Stephentown tower went on line. (David Flint photo)

 

 

by David Flint

It’s been over a month since an antenna sprouted atop the new cell tower on Losty Hill in Stephentown but cell phone service here is still almost nonexistent. That may change soon. According to Verizon spokesman John O’Malley, his company’s antenna is indeed “up and ready to go.” All that is needed is for the local phone company, Fairpoint, to establish the land line connection. O’Malley is hoping that will happen very soon and that service from the cell tower will start before the end of this month.  

Chris Ciolfi of Evolution Site Services said that a couple of other cell service providers have expressed interest in locating their antennae on the Stephentown tower and that as soon as the land line connection is accomplished they may quickly come on board. Ciolfi’s company also constructed the new cell tower on nearby Jiminy Peak erected at the end of July. Verizon will also be the first tenant on that tower and they are currently in the process of completing the installation of their equipment. Another tower is planned for Route 22 in the vicinity of Berkshire Farm in Canaan. Ciolfi expects to get approval from the Planning Board there this month. With these three towers in operation, Ciolfi sees a great improvement in communications for area residents.