The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

State of the County Address

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Submitted by the Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin
On Thursday, March 16th, after a two day postponement due to severe weather, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin gave his 2023 State of the County Address (SOTC). With residents and members of the County Legislature in attendance, McLaughlin discussed how Rensselaer County government is being transformed with improvements and projects to modernize and expand access to county services, while the county continues to grow and prosper.

The county’s work to strengthen finances and reduce property taxes help support economic development and job creation efforts, reducing property taxes during each of the five budgets introduced by McLaughlin, with four budgets receiving unanimous support from county lawmakers. Taxes have been reduced by a combined amount of over 27 percent.

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HACA Braces for Benefits Decrease

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Submitted by Dianne Hosterman
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) emergency allotments (EAs), which are temporary benefit increases that Congress enacted to address rising food insecurity, and provide economic stimulus during the COVID-19 pandemic, have ended. This will result in a benefit cut for every SNAP household in the jurisdictions that still are paying EAs. Every household will receive at least $87 a month less. Some households, who under regular SNAP rules receive low benefits because they have somewhat higher, but still modest incomes, will see reductions of $248 a month or more. 

The temporary benefits pushed back against hunger and hardship during the pandemic. A study estimated that EAs kept 4.2 million people above the poverty line in the last quarter of 2021, reducing poverty by 10 percent, and child poverty by 14 percent, in states with EAs. The end of the temporary EAs will be a significant change that will increase food hardship for many individuals and families, given the modest amount of basic SNAP benefits and high recent inflation in food prices. Without the EAs, SNAP benefits will average only about $6.10 per person per day in 2023.

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New EPA PFAS Ruling Affects Residents

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Submitted by the Petersburgh C8 (PFAS) Group
On March 14th, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new rules for the regulation of the toxic chemicals PFOA/PFAS that are affecting the health of people in our communities. Although still in the proposal stage, it is expected that they will become law. The Petersburgh C8 (PFAS) Group applauds this news because it puts more pressure on polluters to stop releasing toxins into our drinking water and helps protect our health.

Currently in New York State, water is considered safe to drink and is not regulated if the level of PFOA/PFAS is below 10 parts per trillion (ppt). But many studies have shown that extremely low levels of these chemicals—anything above zero—can cause health problems. The EPA now says that PFOA/PFAS must be removed from drinking water if the level is above 4 ppt. This is important news for Petersburgh as well as many other communities in our state and the rest of the country.

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Letter to the Editor

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Written and Submitted by Joyce N. Davis
In a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed dog breeding facility, a young Golden Retriever suffered without fresh food, water, or the veterinary care she desperately needed. She died in a dirty cage and never experienced a safe, loving home. Golden Retriever #142 was more than just a number, so we remember her as Goldie.

Goldie was one of hundreds of dogs kept in horrific conditions at this puppy mill. USDA inspectors had the authority to save Goldie and penalize her breeder, but instead, they just documented her deterioration month after month. The USDA’s inaction failed Goldie, and they continue to fail dogs today.

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Grafton Town Board Highlights

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by Chris Tergliafera

At the Monday, March 13th regular meeting of the Grafton Town Board, Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum announced her committee appointments for 2023. The following board members were appointed:

Public Safety - Councilmembers Steve Beaudry and Pierce Hoyt
Parks and Cemeteries - Councilmembers Jodie Deschaine and Pierce Hoyt
Highways - Councilmembers Steve Beaudry and Pierce Hoyt
Buildings and Grounds - Councilmembers Frank Lewandusky and Steve Beaudry
Street Lighting - Councilmembers Frank Lewandusky and Steve Beaudry

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Job Fair and Volunteer Expo

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Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church is excited to announce that they will be sponsoring their first ever Community Job Fair and Volunteer Expo on Tuesday, April 25th, from noon to 3 pm. This event will take place at the Hoosick Falls Armory, 80 Church Street. If you are a business looking to hire, or a community organization looking for volunteers, we invite you to come.

If you are looking for a job or volunteer opportunity, want to boost your job skills, learn a trade, or need help with your resume, stop in and check out the opportunities that will be offered. There is no cost.

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Katheryn Knuetter – Obituary

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Berlin – Katheryn Knuetter, age 82, passed away following a long illness on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 in Bennington, Vermont with her husband of 63 years, Frederick Knuetter, Sr., by her bedside.

Katheryn was the daughter of Fred M. Young and Ethel Leshorn Young, formerly of Buskirk, New York. Katheryn grew up in Buskirk, and graduated from Cambridge Central School. She married Frederick Knuetter, Sr. in 1958 and moved to Berlin, New York.

Survivors include: Frederick Knuetter, Sr., of Berlin, NY and their three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Frederick Knuetter, Jr. of Hoosick Falls, NY (Terri Knuetter, Wife), Jennifer Green, Daughter, and Grandson Carter Green; Vickie Knuetter-Lawrence (Grandchildren Jarred Lawrence of Santa Rosa, CA (Amanda, Wife, and Emily, Granddaughter), Ashley Lawrence-Urice of Cameron, NC (Ryan Urice, Husband); and Michael Knuetter of Berlin, NY, all who survive her today. Other survivors include Katheryn’s siblings: Carolyn Jordan (George) of White Creek, NY and her children/grandchildren; Judy Wooddell (Floyd-Deceased) children/grandchildren of Cambridge, NY; Edwin Young (Barbara) children/grandchildren of Eagle Bridge, NY; and Terry Young (Janet) children/grandchildren of Buskirk, NY. She is pre-deceased by her parents and brothers Alan, Carl/Hubble, and Ronald Young, also her sister Janice Young-Tollison. [Read more…] about Katheryn Knuetter – Obituary

Andrew M. Jones – Obituary

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Petersburgh – Andrew M. Jones, 84, passed away on March 12, 2023, at his home. He was born December 2, 1938, in Petersburgh, New York. He was the son of Milford and Helen Hoffman Jones. Andy attended Berlin High School. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served from 1956–1962. He was employed by Western Electric/ATT. He was a longtime member of the Elks Club. Andy was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, and golf. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or make. Most of his friends and family members have furniture or a quilt he made for them. He was never one to sit still, except to read, do a puzzle, work on his coin collection, or rest in his chair by the stream, smoking a cigar and watching the trout swim by. [Read more…] about Andrew M. Jones – Obituary

Shirley A. Oswald – Obituary

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Cherry Plain – Shirley A. (Goodermote) Oswald, 77, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Berlin on November 4, 1945, the daughter of the late Lewis and Addie (Carr) Goodermote. Shirley was a graduate of Berlin Central School. After her marriage to Robert A. Oswald on November 9, 1963, they settled in Cherry Plain where she raised her family.  

Shirley was employed by Berlin Central School for over 40 years as a custodial worker before retiring several years ago. She was a member of the Berlin Community Cemetery Board of Directors. [Read more…] about Shirley A. Oswald – Obituary