The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

New Trails At The Bennington Battlefield

By

by Bea Peterson

For three days, from September 10 through 12, a group of 40 young adults from the Student Conservation Association (SCA)/AmeriCorps that work throughout the Hudson Valley Region volunteered to build three miles of trails at the Bennington Battlefield in Walloomsac. During the trail building they removed invasive plants, protected critical habitat and plainly marked the new trails. They built them in memory of those who were lost on 9/11 and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of AmeriCorps. [Read more…] about New Trails At The Bennington Battlefield

The College Completion Project At HFCS

By

by Alex Brooks

At the Hoosick Falls School Board meeting on September 18 School District Superintendent Ken Facin talked about the College Completion Project that he has initiated at Hoosick Falls.

He said many students don’t even start thinking about college until they are a junior or senior in the high school, which he said is “way too late.” He said, “We want to expose students at an early age” to the possibilities for higher education so that an awareness of and aspiration to higher education can help them prepare themselves to be successful getting into college and in their studies once they get there.

[Read more…] about The College Completion Project At HFCS

Scouts Attend The Battle Of Plattsburgh War Of 1812 Camporee

By

by Andrew Zlotnick

The boys of Boy Scout Troop 222 traveled 350 miles round trip last weekend to attend the Twin Rivers Council’s War of 1812 Bicentennial Camporee in Plattsburgh, NY. Twelve Scouts and their leaders set out and traveled up to the North Country in hopes of seeing the Battle re-enactment from the War of 1812 and boy they did. [Read more…] about Scouts Attend The Battle Of Plattsburgh War Of 1812 Camporee

Instrument Donations Needed For Berlin Elementary School

By

At Berlin Elementary School over 90% of students in fourth and fifth grade are taking instrumental music lessons. Many students have begun lessons on recorders, an inexpensive plastic flute that helps beginners develop fundamental music skills. However, due to financial hardships, about 25 students cannot begin lessons on traditional band instruments such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet or trombone. Keyboards are also accepted as donations, as we include keyboards in our band program.

[Read more…] about Instrument Donations Needed For Berlin Elementary School

Hoosick Planning Board Action

By

by Bea Peterson

The dais for the Town of Hoosick Planning Board meeting on Monday, September 16, was crowded as six of the seven members of the Board were in attendance, as well the Board’s attorney and secretary.

Brimmer Farm

Once again Board Chairman Jim Dunigan recused himself from the Board as Bill Johnston described plans to subdivide portions of the Brimmer Farm for a major subdivision. Two lots were discussed at this meeting. One will be 5.9 acres and the other 5.4 acres. The long form impact declaration was reviewed at the August meeting, and the Board agreed the subdivision will have no significant impact on the environment. The subdivision will include some acres dedicated as federal wetlands. A Public Hearing on the project was scheduled for 7 pm on October 20.

Walker Property

Kendal Baker appeared before the Board on behalf of the purchasers of the Walker property at Young Road and Route 67. The sale is pending on 2 acres and a house from the 50 acre property, constituting a simple subdivision. Baker noted that 80% of the property is in the Town of Hoosick and 20% is in Pittstown. The subdivision was put on the agenda for the October meeting.

Verschoor Property

George Verschoor addressed the Board regarding his property on Beechwood Road in East Hoosick. He would like to sell a house and two acres of a five acre property. The remaining three acres he wants to add to the six acres on which he has a home. This was an initial conference. He will appear before the Board in October to declare a two lot simple subdivision with one deed.

Boundary Line Adjustment

Patricia Popson addressed the Board requesting a boundary line adjustment on her 25.9 acre property at 35 Scott Street, giving one acre to Robert Collins. The Board approved the request.

Eldred Property

Wayne Willson addressed the Planning Board again this month regarding the division of property on either side of Fox Hollow Road. John Eldred will keep 36.4 acres, and Jim Eldred will have 50 acres. As the property was owned by a Trust, it did not qualify as a family subdivision. Since other pieces of the property had been sold previously the Board classified the project a minor subdivision and scheduled a public hearing for October 20. However, later in the meeting Willson pointed out to the Board that the Trust was a separate owner from the previous subdivision owner. Therefore, it was actually a three lot simple subdivision. The Board agreed and rescinded its declaration of a four lot minor subdivision and approved the property as a three lot simple subdivision.

2014 Suicide Prevention Walk On Sunday, October 5

By

submitted by Bryen Bushner

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults in the United States. Even our community of Hoosick has seen its share of these tragedies over the years.

The suicide prevention walk gives our community the opportunity to support families who have suffered from a suicide and the opportunity for suffering families to feel the communal embrace. It is a night to bring light to the darkness and show hope through unity.

In past years, more than 500 people participated in our annual community suicide prevention walk.  Each year this event is very moving and meaningful to those touched directly and indirectly by suicide.

Each year we are joined by people who tragically lost loved ones decades ago who come to help bring awareness and be part of this walk to save lives.

The issues of suicide and depression have been widely discussed this year, after the tragic loss of comedian Robin Williams. His death shocked and saddened so many to whom he had brought great joy. It was a reminder that, among other things, you never know who is suffering and in need of help.

The community is invited to walk with us again on Sunday, October 5, to raise awareness about depression and suicide, to advocate for mental health issues and to assist survivors of suicide loss in the recent and distant past.

Walkers should gather in Wood Memorial Park at 5:30 pm. Luminaries will be available. The walk will begin at 6 pm. St. Mark’s Church will be open before and after the walk for those who wish to reflect, pray or grieve.

For more information, call HAYC3 at 518-686-9050.

Letter To The Editor – Does HFCS Know What The ADA Is?

By

Dear Editor:

On Thursday afternoon (September 4) I went to a local automotive repair business in Bennington, VT, to have my wheelchair van’s oil changed and checked before I drove to the Syracuse Carrier Dome on Sunday, September 7, to watch the Hoosick Falls Football Team, of which my son is a member, play in the High School Kick-off Classic, one of only 18 schools in New York State to receive the honor, but the mechanic drove it off the side of the cement lift slamming the van into a cement wall leaving it severely damaged and unsafe to drive to Syracuse

Since I am a quadriplegic of 43 years and use a power wheelchair for mobility I am forced to use a vehicle that either has a wheelchair lift or a ramping system. My son knowing that Hoosick Falls was sending buses for cheerleaders/band and fans took it upon himself on Friday to ask the Athletic Director (Mr. Tom Husser) if one of the wheelchair buses could be sent so his dad could go? He was told NO, without hesitation.

Some of the football coaches also asked; they, too, were told no. My wife and other ambulatory parents were allowed to ride the fan buses but not me. On the bus ride to Syracuse, my wife was told by the driver, if more ambulatory buses were needed, they were to be added.

Recently I went with my son to the yearly Code of Conduct meeting required for any student who is going to play sports at Hoosick Falls. Two ex-NAVY SEALS spoke about how it takes parents, coaches, students and school administrators working together for the students’ teams to be successful.

I think the students, coaches and parents understand the philosophy, but I am not sure the school administration does. My son is a senior, and unless the football team ends up in the championship game again, I will never get to see my son’s team play at the Dome again. I know Coach Jones and his team will try their hardest to make it back to the Dome, and I pray that happens, but just in case it doesn’t, I have to ask again WHY COULDN’T THEY SEND A LIFT BUS to allow me or a student or any other individual with a disability to go to the game?

So I ask, why couldn’t a lift equipped bus have been added? I have managed transportation systems throughout the United States for over 35 years and during most of that time the Americans with Disabilities Act (passed July 26, 1991) which protects persons with disabilities from discriminations has been in effect. Doesn’t the Hoosick Falls Administration know what the ADA is?

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was told to move to the back of the city bus but stood her ground by refusing, and the whole world heard her. Fifty-nine years later discrimination still exists, however, now, individuals try harder to keep it quiet!

Sincerely,

Richard Pitt

Oak Street, Hoosick Falls

What Is A Kiwanis Club?

By

Come join your local Hoosick Falls Kiwanis Club for dessert on Wednesday, October 8, starting at 6:30 pm at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department on Griffin Avenue, Hoosick Falls. Come see what the Kiwanis Club does for your community. Be our guest. Call 686-4426 to let us know you are attending… or just show up!