submitted by Rich Crist, Majority Legislative Liaison
Following extensive negotiations that produced cost savings, the Rensselaer County Legislature approved a relocation and consolidation of the County Social Services and Probation offices during a special legislative meeting Monday night, July 22.
The relocation and consolidation will see the Social Services and Probation offices moved from two locations in downtown Troy to Flanigan Square. Flanigan Square was recently used as State offices. The Social Services offices will be moved from the Raddock Building on Sixth Avenue and the Probation offices moved from the corner of Fifth and Broadway and Fulton and Fourth streets.
Chairman Martin Reid praised the work of legislators, including Vice Chairman Stan Brownell, Vice Chairman for Finance Phil Danaher and Legislator Kelly Hoffman, in helping negotiate the lease and bringing about additional savings and efficiencies. Brownell, Danaher and Hoffman each have professional experience with leases and relocation of offices.
The relocation was initially proposed in May. Legislators worked on a bipartisan and cooperative basis to improve the lease and the relocation. Reid credited the cooperative approach with generating positive results for taxpayers.
“There was a lot of hard work by legislators, and collaboration between legislators, department heads and other County officials to strengthen and improve this lease from the County’s point of view,” said Reid.
The lease was approved by a 16-0 margin with one abstention.
The lease approved on Monday evening includes three months free rent, and administrative fees for the agreement were removed. The lease gives the County more flexibility; potential future rate increases were reduced and tied to the state tax cap.
The consolidation of the services also improves efficiency for County government. Consolidations like the one approved Monday are recommended by the State.
“This is a major move for County government, and one that we hope will serve the interests of the people of the County and our employees for years to come,” said Brownell.
Archives for July 2013
Linda Orton Takes Thoroughbred Hunter Championship At The Vermont Summer Festival
Linda Orton and her own Top Honors were awarded the hunter championship title during the inaugural week of TAKE2 Thoroughbred classes at the Vermont Summer Festival. With owner and trainer Linda Orton, Top Honors nearly swept the division, collecting blue ribbons in all but one class during week two of competition at the Vermont Summer Festival at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
Top Honors has been an invaluable member of Orton’s Manor Ridge Farm, based in Hoosick Falls, for over ten years. While the horse’s sire was a noted racehorse, Top Honors never made it to the track. Instead, Orton acquired him when he was just over one year old and trained him into a trusted show mount.
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Rensselaer Land Trust Ingalls Preserve Ribbon Cutting In Stephentown
On Saturday, July 20, more than 30 community members gathered at the Rensselaer Land Trust’s Robert Ingalls Preserve in Stephentown for an official ribbon cutting ceremony in memory of Robert Ingalls.
During the ceremony, Christine Young, Rensselaer Land Trust’s Executive Director, reflected on Robert Ingalls’ years of dedication to the Land Trust as Vice-President and as a long time Board member who served on multiple committees to aid in the Land Trust’s success. “He touched the lives of many of us through his generous and humble spirit and extensive knowledge of plants and the land of the region – he is greatly missed,” said Young.
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Run For The Roses
The 28th annual Run for the Roses will take place on Sunday, August 11, at Grafton Lakes State Park. Events include a 5k foot race, 2.5 mile scenic nature walk and a kids one mile fun run. Proceeds will benefit the Grafton Community Library and the Courtney Carelli Foundation for Literacy.
A medal and a bouquet of roses will be awarded to the top male and female runners. All entrants will receive a T-shirt and a book. The first 150 pre-registrants will receive a long sleeve T-shirt.
The deadline for mail-in pre-registration is August 6. Entrants for all events may pick up their packets at the Park’s main parking lot on the day of the race. For more information, or to access a race entry form on-line, go to www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org or call the Grafton Community Library at 518-279-0580.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center Events
• Saturday, July 27 – 1 to 3 pm – Community Art Project. Folk art fish will be created with local artist Ellen Crane. This program is great for families and all ages, so come to Dyken Pond and get creative! Please wear old clothes because art can get messy.
• Tuesday, August 6 – 1 to 3 pm: Fantastic Ferns. The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is offering a Junior Naturalist Program. This program will teach Jr. Naturalists all about the indigenous ferns of Dyken Pond Center. A short hike and hanging wall craft will be included in this program. A $1 per child donation covers material costs.
Pre-registration is encouraged for both of these events to help with planning, but it is not required and can be done by contacting the Center at dykenpond@fairpoint.net or by calling 658-2055.
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park open daily during daylight hours for hiking, fishing and non-motor boating at 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent each day from 9 am until 3 pm. Call for more information and a complete schedule of our summer events. Our programs can be found at www.dykenpond.org.
Kay ten Kraft Memorial Service
A Memorial service for Kay ten Kraft will be held on August 3 at 1 pm at the Stephentown Federated Church. Kay was a dear and cherished friend to many in the community. She was a marvelous fiber artist who loved to share her knowledge with anyone who was interested in the fiber arts. She loved people and animals, and she shared this love by being in several knitting and spinning groups. Her love, laughter, and joy of life was infectious and inspired many of the people who knew her. Her sudden death was shocking to all, and she is deeply missed by all who loved her.
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Irene Walther
Stephentown – H. Irene McClain Walther, 87, of Newton Road, Stephentown, NY, died on Thursday evening, July 18, 2013, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY, surrounded by her loving family.
Born July 31, 1925, in Washington, PA, she was the daughter of the late Sweeney and Beulah Tilton McClain. She was the loving wife of the late Kenneth G. Walther, who died on October 11, 2004. They were married on September 22, 1946, in Washington, PA. She was a member of the Stephentown Federated Church, where she was once President of the Ladies Aid.
Irene graduated from Washington High School and worked for a shipyard during World War II and for Duncan Miller Glass in Pennsylvania. The Walthers moved to Stephentown in 1956, relocating from East Meadow, LI. After raising her family, she baked cookies for the Pease Farm and worked at the Walter C. Sykes General Store in Stephentown for over 15 years, retiring in the late 1980s. She was an avid rose gardener whose favorite color was pink. She liked growing vegetables, making crafts, quilting and crocheting and model trains. Besides her husband, Irene is pre-deceased by siblings, James McClain and Lois Hastings.
Survivors include her children, David E. and wife Cheryl Walther of West Stephentown, NY, Janice E. Walther of Stephentown and Donna L. and husband Skip Densing of Pittstown, NY, her sister, Nora Gayle and Boyd Mansfield of Washington, PA, her grandchildren, Rebecca and husband Steve Wulff, Jonathan and wife Sara Walther, Matthew, Michael and Sarah Densing, her great-grandchildren, Ashley R. and husband Brian Zimmerman, Grace and Sophia Wulff, Jeremiah, Miriam and Malachi Walther, as well as her great-great-grandchildren, Isabella and Isaac Zimmerman.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 21, at 7 pm in the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, Stephentown, where Rev. Trygve Tomlinson of the West Stephentown Baptist Church and Rev. Jason White of the Grafton Baptist Church officiated. Relatives and friends were invited for visitation at the funeral home before the service.
Committal services took place on Monday, July 22, at 2 pm at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga, NY, where Irene will be buried with her late husband.
Memorial contributions to the Stephentown Rescue Squad in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 9, Stephentown, NY, 12168, would be appreciated.
Ruth F. Bush
Hancock – Ruth F. Russell Bush, 97, of Hancock Road, Hancock, MA, died on Wednesday morning, July 24, 2013, at Williamstown Commons in Williamstown, MA.
Born May 6, 1916, in Heartwellville, VT, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Alice Fear Russell. She was the loving wife of the late Francis R. Bush, who died on August 30, 1981. They were married in 1935. She was a member of the Hancock Baptist Church.
Educated in Readsboro, VT, schools, Mrs. Bush and her family moved to Hancock in 1952. She worked at Cornish Wire, Sprague Electric and Brightwater Paper before doing domestic work for many families in the area. She was a news reporter for the Town of Hancock and a member of the Willing Workers of Hancock along with the Hancock Fire Auxiliary. Ruth bowled at Lar-A-Bowl in New Lebanon, NY. She enjoyed genealogy, knitting, sewing and crocheting. She traveled extensively to such areas as Alaska, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and took cruises to Hawaii, Bermuda and Maine.
Survivors include her two children, Francis R. and wife Marlene A. Bush Jr. of North Adams, MA, and Sandra R. and husband Sherm Derby of Hancock, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She is pre-deceased by her siblings, Benjamin Russell, Kathleen Lewis and Earl Russell.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 27, at 11 am in the Hancock Baptist Church where Rev. Sigmund Sadzinski will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hancock Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, NY, on Friday from 5 to 7 pm for visitation.
Memorial contributions to the charity of one’s choice in Ruth’s memory will be much appreciated.
Hoosick Donation to HACA
The Life Of George Holcomb – Borrowing Money To Buy Out Wm
Monday, March 11, 1828: Today we took our sheep over to my Rodgers barn and I Newton agreed to fodder and stable and take care of the lambs for the privilege of his sheep to run with mine and be foddered of my hay until grass.
Tuesday: Today stormy.
Wednesday: I walked to the southwest part of Lebanon to Mr. Davis the plowmaker to make a bartering trade for a plow, but could not. On the way I called to Cousin J. Eggleston’s and to C. Moffitt’s store.
Friday: I am quite unwell with a lame back.
Saturday: I am unwell today. A snow storm. This afternoon I walked over to C. Moffitt’s store and paid in cash 24 cts for half a gallon of molasses, and I bought a plow of Mr. Moses DeGraw. The plow was made by Davis, it is gypson’s pattern. I have paid him 50 cts in cash, and gave a due bill for three bushels of corn and eight gallons of cider brandy for said plow. He called said plow six dollars.
Sunday: Today I took the double sleigh and carried my wife and Mother and Hannah and Mary Basset to the Presbyterian meeting. One Mr. Beech preached.
Monday: this forenoon I walked over to Gideon Martin’s to see if he was going to get the money to lend me as he before gave me encouragement. He now tells me that I can have it by the first of April. I likewise called on Henry Stanton. He had three hundred dollars on hand, and agreed to keep it for me until April, and says if I want it then he will lend it to me. This afternoon I cut an ash in my swamp that had turned up for sled runners, and we cut up some hemlock brush. Tonight we shelled corn.
Saturday, March 29: We got home from Troy this morning at four o’clock. Our expense was one dollar and eight cents. We bated but once coming home. I am unwell, but this afternoon I walked to Richmond and borrowed three hundred dollars of Brother Fred Jay Wylie, and gave my note on interest for one year, payable in current bank bills. I took tea there. I then walked home.
Sunday: On this evening I walked down to said Cousin Broads to see if his Father would lend me money, but he would not.
Monday: This morning I walked over to Henry Stanton’s and borrowed three hundred dollars payable in six months in current bank bills. Likewise I borrowed thirty dollars of Henry Curtis payable in one year in current bank bills, and from Stanton’s I went to Gideon Martin’s and borrowed one hundred dollars and gave my note for one year, and from there I went to Elijah Goodrich’s and gave my note to Lydia Stone for nine dollars in specie payable in one year. I then came to Adam Brown’s and sold him my four year old steers for fifty dollars, and paid me the cash, and he lent me fifty dollars payable in one year.
Wednesday, April 2: Today brother Wm and I walked to Pittsfield. He borrowed eighty dollars of the widow Hannah Buh and I signed the note with him. The money was all in specie. I went into the bank and gave nearly two hundred dollars Stockbridge bills for their bills. I then paid brother Wm eight hundred and thirty one dollars in Pittsfield bills and took a receit.