The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County

Youth To Youth Visits The County Legislature

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submitted by Biffy Cahill

On Wednesday, May 6, Youth 2 Youth Berlin did a presentation to the Rensselaer County Legislature and Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, during the legislative open forum. Legislator Rob Bayly, Legislator Todd Tesman, County Executive Kathleen Jimino, Legislator Judith Breselor, Chair of the Legislature Martin Reid, Legislator Kelly Hoffman, Legislator Tom Walsh and Vice Chair of the Legislature Stan Brownell joined students Jordan Cahill, Rachel Cahill, Amanda Despart & Phillip Doin, along with adult facilitator, Biffy Cahill. They thanked the legislature for sponsoring a youth’s attendance at the Youth 2 Youth Eastern States Conference in 2014, and delivered a presentation on their efforts to reduce substance abuse in the four communities of the Berlin Central School District. The group of high school students received respect and praise for their knowledge and efforts.

The group, which has secured contracts with the four towns of Berlin Central School District, will send two young people from each town in exchange for their substance abuse prevention efforts and community service. It continues to seek sponsors and donations from local churches, businesses and community members.

Since getting more youth involved increases the impact of the program, the group hopes to send at least 15 kids to the Eastern State Conference this year. To do this they need to raise $6,375. For more information, please contact Biffy Cahill, TRACs President, at 518-791-2001 or BiffyCahill@gmail.com. All donations can be sent to TRACs (Together Reducing Alcohol & Drugs in our CommunitieS), c/o Biffy Cahill, TRACs President, 58 CCC Dam Rd, Stephentown, NY 12168.

Brown’s Cup Trout Fishing Tournament To Benefit The Rensselaer Land Trust

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Brown’s Brewing Company proudly announces the first annual Brown’s Cup Trout Fishing Tournament on Saturday, May 16, based at the Walloomsac Brewery in Hoosick Falls. Brown’s invites anglers of all ages to fish the scenic Walloomsac River and surrounding bodies of water during a day of outdoor family fun and friendly competition to benefit the Rensselaer Land Trust’s watershed protection and education.

[Read more…] about Brown’s Cup Trout Fishing Tournament To Benefit The Rensselaer Land Trust

Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline To Present Public Forum In Schodack May 5

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On Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m., Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP), an all-volunteer group of concerned Rensselaer County citizens opposed to the proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline, will present a free public forum at Maple Hill High School in Schodack/Castleton-on-Hudson.

This event, SNYFGP’s fourth such public forum in 2015, will offer local residents information about the large, high-pressure fracked gas pipeline being planned for the area by Texas-based energy giant, Kinder Morgan, including the many health and safety risks presented by the immense 90,000 horsepower compressor station to be located near the Schodack/Nassau border.

Public opposition to this pipeline, which offers no benefits to any of the towns it would impact in New York State, has grown steadily over the past few months. Hundreds of people, including local officials, have turned out at previous events to voice their many concerns, and resolutions strongly opposing the project were passed this month by both the Town of Stephentown and the Rensselaer County Legislature. In addition, more than 50 other communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have also passed similar measures.

Governor Cuomo banned high volume hydraulic fracturing (better known as fracking) in New York last December, citing the significant risks to public health as detailed in a 186-page report by the Department of Health. Although groundbreaking, this move does not prohibit the transport of this same dangerous fracked gas—along with its hundreds of associated chemicals, including multiple known carcinogens—at very high pressure through our communities, major bodies of water such as the Hudson River and fertile farmland and wildlife habitats.

In addition to the numerous health and environmental concerns associated with this project, NED would also bring with it the risks of catastrophic explosion, damage to local infrastructure, the taking of private land through eminent domain, disruption of local groundwater and homeowner wells, and a significant decline in local property values and potential for future economic growth.

For more information about Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline and its efforts, please visit http://stopnypipeline.org.

Literacy 5K Run/Walk On May 3

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The year’s biggest fundraising event for literacy programs in Rensselaer County, the Literacy 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, May 3 at the Rensselaer Tech Park in Troy.  This USATF-sanctioned event is suitable for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The race day schedule begins at 8 am and ends at 11:15 with prizes for the top runners in all age groups. Pre-registration will be held at Rensselaer Tech Park on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 1 pm.  Register online at www.finishright.com.

The goal of the Literacy 5K is to raise awareness and build support for Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s programs and services, as well as to raise funds to provide these programs free of charge to adults and families in Rensselaer County. Please join us in thanking the sponsors who are making this year’s event possible: Aflac N.Y., Blasch Precision Ceramics, Cohoes Savings Foundation, Comfortex, First Niagara, Gettysburg Flag Works, Hilton Garden Inn, Troy, Phoenix, The Record, Rensselaer Tech Park, Snyder Printer, and Stewart’s Shops.

To learn more about volunteering or services, please visit the website at www.lvorc.org.

Rensselaer Land Trust’s May Programs & Volunteer Opportunities

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Full descriptions at: www.renstrust.org

Seine Net Fishing at Papscanee Island Preserve 

Saturday, May 2 • 1 to 3 pm • Free

Registration contact: Julie Moore 607-220-8580 or julie@renstrust.org

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: One Woman’s Journey 

Sunday, May 3 • 2 pm, East Greenbush Library • Free

Canoe the Creek at Schodack Island State Park 

Saturday, May 16 • 2:30 to 5 pm • Space is Limited • Free

Registration contact: Fran Martino riverhaggie@peoplepc.com or (518) 828-1330

Hoosic River Paddle

Saturday, May 23 • 9 am • Charge $5, members free.

Registration contact: Paul Schroeder (518) 674-2480 or pschroeder1@nycap.rr.com

Wildflower Walk with Tom Philips at Kinderhook Preserve

Sunday, May 31 • 1 to 3 pm • Charge $5, members free.

Registration contact: Francille Egbert 674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com

Call for Volunteers

Staalesen Clean Up and Invasive Plant Removal Day 

Saturday, May 9 • 10 am  to 2 pm.

Registration contact: Bob Crowley crowleyrh@aol.com or (518) 283-7364.

Co-sponsored by NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program’s Trees for Tribs and Riverkeeper.

First Annual Invasive Water Chestnut Control Day on the Hoosic River

Saturday, May 16 • 9 am to 5 pm

Registration contact: Kristina Younger at key12061@gmail.com or 518-527-6577.  Co-sponsored by Brookfield Renewables and the Hoosic River Watershed Association. Rain date 17th.

Cipperly Sentenced To Community Service

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by Bea Peterson

On Monday, April 13, Keith Cipperly appeared before Judge Jaime Thomas in Schaghticoke Town Court and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. He was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of Falsifying Business Records in the second degree and Official Misconduct in that Court on Saturday, January 31. [Read more…] about Cipperly Sentenced To Community Service

Legislators Approve Resolutions Opposing Pipeline Project As Now Proposed “Not a Good Deal” For County

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Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature approved three resolutions at the April 14 legislative meeting stating opposition to a pipeline proposed to be routed through areas of southern Rensselaer County. [Read more…] about Legislators Approve Resolutions Opposing Pipeline Project As Now Proposed “Not a Good Deal” For County