The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Early Voting Underway in Gubernatorial Primary

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Minor Party County Judge Race Also on Ballot

by Doug La Rocque
Both Republicans and Democrats have several people vying for their party’s nod to run for Governor this November. Sitting Governor Kathy Hochul, elevated to that post with the August 2021 resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, is battling two challengers for the Democratic Party nomination, those being Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi (Long Island/Queens) and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. Many polls, including the respected Siena College Poll, have Governor Hochul with a healthy double digit lead on her opponents.

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Swearing-In Ceremony

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On Friday, June 17, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department held a special ceremony at the County Public Safety Building for eleven new recruits to become corrections officers. With family, friends, Rensselaer County Legislators and County Executive Steve McLaughlin looking on, Sheriff Pat Russo administered the oath of office to the eleven new members of the corrections bureau and discussed the important role they will have in protecting residents. The new hires will help fill a number of recent vacancies. Rensselaer County thanks the new members for their willingness to serve and protect our County.

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Berlin 4th of July Parade and Grand Marshal

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On Monday, July 4, the Town of Berlin will have its annual 4th of July parade, and this year’s theme is iconic American brands. From Amazon to Zippo, American brands, slogans and mascots have created both our and the world’s image of us. We certainly are looking forward to see how America will be celebrated. Volunteers and donations are always needed and appreciated for both advance responsibilities and on parade day. If you’d like to be part or need additional information, please contact the Town of Berlin office at janfirszt11@gmail.com.

Grand Marshal
The Grand Marshal for the 2022 July 4th parade is Anne Maxon. 

Since 1982 Anne has been Berlin Town Clerk and six years prior, she was Deputy Clerk. She is lifelong resident of Berlin, with the exception of one long year in Oklahoma.

After graduating, she asked Stanton Goodermote for a job at the Taconic Bank, where she worked for over 3 decades, serving as manager for years.

Anne is much more interested in talking about others than herself. She beams when talking about her grandchildren Kaitlyn, Ryan, Jacob, Colin and Ben.

The other time she shines is talking about the people of Berlin: “I love helping everyone as much as I can” and she does make Berlin a better place. Thank you, Anne Maxon, and congratulations.

The parade has an 11 am step off time at Berlin Elementary School.

New Medical Building on the Horizon in Brunswick

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by Doug La Rocque
The Brunswick Planning Board learned more about plans to construct a two-story medical office and ambulatory surgery center on McChesney Avenue, near the Market 32 Plaza, at their Thursday, June 16 meeting. Representatives from Paulson Development indicated Upstate Gastroenterology and Ortho New York are two of the planned occupants. Items involved in the preliminary discussion include the height of a tower on the building, which would require a zoning variance, and a possible connecting walkway to Market 32.

Encroachment
The firm constructing the new Aldi/Planet Fitness complex on Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7) has

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Local Farm Receives Cannabis Growing License

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Earlier this spring, the Juniper Jill Cannabis Company (located at the Scarp Family Farm) was awarded one of the first conditional cannabis growing licenses by New York State. Under New York’s Cannabis legislation enacted in 2021, Juniper Jill will not be allowed to sell the product directly to the public. That will be done by approximately 100 dispensaries, still awaiting their conditional licenses.

Chief Operating Officer Jenny Scarpulla tells The Eastwick Press work is already underway to begin their cannabis growing operation, which will include

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ARPA Survey Concludes

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New Lebanon Town Council Meeting

by Chris Tergliafera
After compiling the 208 responses to the recent community survey about how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds should be used, the top five areas of interest are: local businesses, monitoring Town water, health and wellness, the community center and the Rail Trail. There will be a special meeting on Tuesday, July 26, at 6 pm to not only discuss the results of the survey in a more in-depth manner, but also to discuss how to use the unallocated fund balance and excess sales tax revenue.

Cool Ravines CEA
The resolution to adopt a negative resolution declaring and designating the Cool Ravines Critical Environmental Area (CEA) was approved.

Main Street Revitalization
The Council is looking to apply for a two phase grant that will help with business revitalization, however they will

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Us Supreme Court Strikes Down NYS Law on Concealed-Carry Permits Case Initiated by Two Rensselaer County Residents

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by Doug La Rocque

According to a majority of Justices, New York State’s law that placed strict limitations on who can carry a concealed weapon, violate both the second and 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The vote was 6 to 3 and represents the Court’s conservative versus liberal ideological makeup. The decision finds in favor of Rensselaer County residents Robert Nash and Brandon Koch. The law they challenged generally prohibited conceal-cary permits unless the applicant could demonstrate a heighten risk that would necessitate the possession of a weapon outside of the home.

Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas concluded “that the plain text of the Second Amendment protects Koch’s and Nash’s proposed course of conduct- carrying handguns publicly for self-defense. Nothing in the Second Amendment’s text draws a home/public distinction with respect to the right to keep and bear arms, and the definition of ‘bear’ naturally encompassing public carry. Moreover, the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation, and confrontation can surely take place outside of the home.”

What They Are Saying

Reaction to the Thursday morning decision was swift, and basically split down political lines. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said “this decision isn’t just reckless, it’s reprehensible.” She also claimed “It isn’t what New Yorkers want.” Governor Hochul indicated at a morning press conference the state would, in her words, “seek a legislative fix to ameliorate its impact.”

Another lawmaker chastising the ruling was New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who called the ruling “not just irresponsible, it is downright dangerous.”

There are those who support the ruling, one being 21st District Congresswomen Elise Stefanik who released a statement that says in part “today’s Supreme Court ruling upholds the Constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and correctly declares New York’s shameful attempt to shred Second Amendment rights of New Yorkers unconstitutional.”

Ruling Has Major Impact.

The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is considered by many to be in most impactful considering gun rights in over a decade and will most likely affect laws currently on the books in many other states as well.

Jeff Stevens Picks up Eagle in Dutchaven Golf League

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Notes:  Congrats to the Greenwich softball team on their State Championship.  It must have been exciting when Greenwich tied the score in the 6th inning.  By watching the news, it sounded like a walk, a dropped 3rd strike and 2 throwing errors and a run coming across the plate.  I was listening to the parents at an 8U softball tournament give updates to each other.  The technology is amazing.  Hopefully the coach that resigned right before the season started can smile at the work he did to prepare the kids for that moment.  I’m sure there are some good stories about this situation.  To be the best in NYS is awesome.      

 

Current Leaders: Only 1 week left until some of the playoff teams are decided.   Flight A  After winning the first 6 weeks, Jeff Stevens and Keith Shannon have led wire to wire.  They sit atop the flight with 105 points.  The real battle is for second place.  Brett Seiler and red-hot Howie Akin lead defending champions, Jeff Hull and Dale Dearstyne by 2 points. .  Both Brett / Howie and Jeff / Dale (along with non-contenders, Peter Martin III and Kevin Weeden) hold the longest win streaks in the league at 3 weeks.  With 20 points possible each week, it should be an exciting final night to the first half of the season   Flight B  By winning 7 out of 9 weeks, Billy Potter and Kyle Woodard stand on the top of flight B.  They have a 7.5 point edge over 2nd place.  Once again, the real battle is for the 2nd playoff spot.  Bob Hunt and Skip Russell have 93.5 points.  Right behind them at 93 points are the Harrington (Chris and Gerry) brothers.  There are 5 teams within 5 points of 2nd place.  That one missed putt or extra gimmee could be the difference in who makes it to the postseason.  Stay tuned to what happens.

 

Week Eight Results:    Danny O’Rourke shot even par, 35.  He had a net score of 30 with his 7 pars and birdie.  Howie Akin had the low net, again.  Howie had a net score of 28.  He had 2 pars and his handicap should be coming down.  Dean Becker (2 pars) and Dave Vogt (gross 39, 4 pars) each had net scores of 32.  Dave also bagged his first birdie of the year on hole #5.  Ed Powers (gross score of 38 with his season-high 6 pars), Jeff Stevens (gross 37, 3 pars, 2 birdies) and Dave Putnam (season-high 4 pars) each had net scores of 33.  Peter Martin III had 6 pars on the night and shot a gross score of 38.  Joe Gerwin had 4 par and a birdie.  Chris Harrington had 3 pars and a birdie.

 

Week Nine Results:  Jeff Stevens had a spectacular night.  Jeff had 6 pars and a birdie and picked up his first EAGLE of the season on the par 5 hole #2.  His partner, Keith Shannon, had a season-high 5 pars, shooting a net score of 33.  Their team net score of 63 was 4 better than any other team.  Tom Vogt Sr. had a net score of 30.  He had a season-best 3 pars.  Once again, Howie Akin was under his handicap.  He shot a net score of 31.  Howie’s handicap was a 16 in week 7 and has dropped to a 13 in week 9.  Great shooting Howie.  Marsh Ogert (3 pars) and Henry Rose (first birdie of the year) had net scores of 32.   Eric Speanburg, Kyle Gardner, Kyle Woodard (season-high 4 pars) and Jeff Hull (3 pars) had net scores of 33.  Kevin Weeden had 6 pars.  Garth Duclos and Jack Daigneault had a season-best 4 pars.  Gerry Taber had a season-best 5 pars.  Collin Delameter picked up his first birdie with a chip-in on the tough holke #9 par three.  Skip Russell had a season-best 5 pars and also had a birdie.  Ron Caron bagged his season best in pars too with 2.  

 

Closest to the Pin Winners (week 9):  week 8 -> no signs were brought out!!    Hole 1 -> Howie Akin 14ft 10in, Hole 3 -> Billy Potter 4ft 1in, Hole 9 -> Joe Gerwin 40ft plus 

Skins Update (Week 8/9):  No one won week 8.  Hole 4 was rolled.  Skins possibilities this week in Group A for week 8 were: Jeff Stevens – hole 2   Skins possibilities this week in Group B were:  Gerry Harrington – hole 3, Henry Rose – hole 8  The dice was rolled with both Group B players present.  Hole #8 was rolled.  Henry cashed in on the $192 pot.  No one has hit group B all year.  Congratulations to Henry.

Running for Peace 

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by Amy Modesti
On a Tuesday morning, along the rolling hills of Brunswick, a peace runner running to Clums Corners with a burning blue torch hands it off to Eastwick Press photojournalist, Amy Modesti, to signify the passing of peace and love in transit. 

New York City resident, Natabara Rollosson, was the torch runner. Rollosson, along with two marathon runners, Arpan DeAngelo and Pavaka, stopped at Clums Corners to speak with The Eastwick Press about the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run that they’re involved in and its mission to spread peace. 

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