A Rabies Clinic will be held on Thursday, April 3, at the Town of Berlin Municipal Center, 17563 NY Route 22 in Cherry Plain (formerly Berlin Lumber). All rabies vaccines, dog-DHLPP vaccines and cat-FURCP vaccines cost $10 each; cash only! Cats will be treated from 6 to 7 pm, dogs from 7 to 8 pm. No appointment is necessary. Call Doug Goodermote at 658-3308 if you have questions.
Archives for March 2014
Letter To The Editor: Problems With The Rail Trail
Dear Editor,
Congratulations on an excellent, thorough and balanced depiction of the Corkscrew trail developments. Some of us in Petersburgh have been following these with interest, since there had been a parallel flurry of low key meetings last year called by our Petersburgh town supervisor and spurred also by Jim Bonesteel of the RPA. As a dissenting member of that committee, I was nonetheless privy to local reactions and research that might be relevant to the grand (or some would say, grandiose) plan to run the trail from Chatham to Bennington.
In a nutshell, from my perspective, it ain’t going to happen. First, our supervisor, who initially wisely attempted to enlist some local landowners in the possible path of the trail before making the plan generally known to the public, was, as far as I know, unable to enlist one single landowner to offer his/her land for trail use. In a happenstance neighborly chat with two such landowners with critical land in the trail’s path, a member of our committee was told that they were unalterably opposed to the trail’s using their land.
Second, unlike our Stephentown friends, there is virtually no local interest or support from the critical mass or people who ostensibly would use, run, and police the trail — hikers and bikers. Of the committee that was formed, only three people could be characterized as active outdoorspeople, and all three were opposed to the trail. It is precisely this kind of grass roots structure that is absolutely crucial to any forward movement on a trail proposal.
Third, the cost. A recent dinner with Barbara and Bob Murdock, who were involved in the initial stages of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, gave me indigestion … the initial engineering cost was $200,000 according to Bob, and the actual construction cost c. 11 million dollars, or roughly 1 million per mile. With the county’s complete inability to manage event the most basic road infrastructure such as Route 22 south of Petersburgh, where do the Corkscrew people think they are going to get this kind of money?
Due to the devastation of Irene, any rail trail that comes anywhere near the Little Hoosick will need additional mitigation that in itself will put it out of reach of any proposal.
The concern for Stephentown folks should be that, should you bind with Petersburgh in a joint grant proposal, we would be so needful (since we would be going from scratch) that we would drain an inordinate amount of funding that would take away from your own funding.
Fourth, after doing some research, knowing the history and culture of Petersburgh, and seeing the impossibility of implementing it here without significant motorized use and noise (legally or illegally), the project will only cause a major uproar in the town similar to the one that occurred when they tried to install a motocross track here a few years ago.
Our situation is nearly directly opposite from Stephentown’s:
• In Stephentown, the motorized use is already there and will remain. There might be more of an upside to expanding it as a multiple use facility. Petersburgh, on the other hand, enjoys relative peace and quiet along the route. The trail will open it up to noise and misuse that didn’t exist.
• In Stephentown, there is already a force in place to maintain the trail, with the snowmobile club, with heavy equipment and a ready cadre of people ready to help, involving relatively little extra effort required to make this into a hike bike use as well. But even with this body of dedicated snowmobilers, I noticed on their web site’s Facebook page a continual thread of the problem of ATV and other non-authorized motorized use. If these responsible people, who have a larger community of support which is already well organized, can not stop this motorized use, what makes you think that Petersburgh, with virtually no infrastructure, no policing capability, and a culture of unlawful motorized use all over the area will be able to restrict this in any way? No property owner in his (her) right mind would agree to opening their land to such potential abuse. Just look at what has happened to the Taconic Trail south of Petersburgh around Berlin Mountain. Totally ruined by ATV use and no discernible policing.
• The acoustic sound problem is a significant difference. Anyone who is living along the Rt. 22 corridor in Petersburgh/Berlin knows that motorized noise has an echo/amplification effect, unlike the relatively flatter area around Stephentown.
Any promises by an official that, once built, trail abuse can be prevented and policed just do not ring true if one examines the culture and the budgets of this area. That is why it is so important for us to very closely examine the long term implications of this trail and its potential to severely impact the peace and quiet of our rural valley, and the resultant abuse and lowering of property values along the route. Any statements to the contrary by officials promoting the project should be viewed skeptically.
Barton McLean
Petersburgh
Petersburgh’s Historical Cookbook
There have been a fair number of inquiries about the 2013 history/cookbook, “Remembrances and Recipes of the Petersburgh Sunshine Seniors”. These sold out quite quickly. The seniors have decided to do another print of 100 copies if there is enough interest. In order to break even, there needs to be a commitment from folks to buy at least 50 copies. If you are interested in a book contact Marion Manchester at 658-2073.
Another “Rememberances and Recipe” Book will be published in the future.
Mary Lou Walters would like to meet with any Petersburgh Senior who is willing to share their stories and/or recipes. This will be a 2014-15 winter project. However, she would like to meet right away with any senior who is ailing or very elderly. It is hoped that no memories will slip away before they are shared. Please call her at 658-0136 to set up a visit.
Letter To The Editor
To the Editor,
Though there are a number of specific issues fueling the current debate among the good people of the Town of Petersburgh, there seems to be one general problem underlying the entire situation. People are looking to the town government as a conduit through which to get their program of choice funded. The problem is government – whether federal, state, or local – is merely a sponge. Having no money of its own, it simply soaks up money from taxpayers, wrings itself out through spending, then soaks up more money from taxpayers. Furthermore, it usually overspends (often on programs it has no business funding in the first place), then raises taxes to cover its overspending while continuing to overspend.
Certainly a town government ought to levy and collect taxes to finance the needs that affect the entire town population (town offices, emergency vehicles, road maintenance, etc.), but it has no business financing community programs that are only used by a small percentage of the town citizenry (community centers, youth programs, etc.). Those programs should be financed through willing donations rather than compulsory taxes. The people who organize and use those programs can finance them through personal contributions, fundraisers, etc. – all of which the town people would be more able to contribute to if their tax burdens were eased. This alone would end the majority of fighting over government funds.
Then, once a town government is only financing what it ought to be financing, it needs to stop overspending. In light of the fact that all financial systems – whether personal, corporate, or government – operate on income and expenses, consider the following scenario. A small business owner decides to build an addition on his building for more office space and a company cafeteria, then cuts the wages of his employees to pay for it. Is that acceptable? Most would say no. Well, that is what the government does when it overspends. It decides to increase funds to a certain program, then “cuts the wages” of its citizens to pay for it by raising their taxes. The truth of the matter is, at least the small business owner has the right to do it since it is his money.
The government has no right at all to do it since that money belongs to the hardworking taxpayers who earned it. Honestly, it would be wise for the small business owner to wait until he makes enough profit, but it is imperative that the government wait until new sources of revenue move into town. Until that happens we must simply do what most Americans are tragically no longer accustomed to doing – go without. Just a thought!
Sincerely,
Scott A. DeGiorgio
Stephentown Historical Society Program On Herman Melville
Will Garrison will give an illustrated talk on Herman Melville at Arrowhead to the Stephentown Historical Society on Monday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the Stephentown Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26), Stephentown, New York. The program is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions or information, phone 518-733-0010.
In 1850 writer Herman Melville purchased the Pittsfield farm that he named Arrowhead. He was familiar with the land because he had visited his uncle’s adjacent property since his boyhood. There on rural Holmes Road, with the splendid view of distant and ‘whale-like’ Mount Greylock, Melville completed Moby Dick, as well as several other novels and short works, amid the tumult of his growing family, farming and a multitude of visiting relatives. Herman Melville and his family returned to New York City in 1863, but Arrowhead remained in the Melville family until the 1920s.
The Melville home was a rambling farmhouse built in 1783. It now is a National Historic Landmark, the home of the Berkshire Historical Society, and a house museum.
Will Garrison is Curator for the Berkshire Historical Society at Arrowhead. In addition to telling of the Melvilles’ thirteen years at Arrowhead, he will tell of the house and barn, the restoration projects, and the historical society and their programs and resources. Garrison has a Masters degree in history museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program and previous long experience with the Massachusetts Trustees of Reservation.
Stephentown Library News
Stephentown Memorial Library Board of Trustees invites the public to its Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 13 from 4 pm to 6 pm in the SML Community Room. A light dinner will be served and all are welcome to attend. Officers will report on events from the past year and discuss the future of the library. Of particular interest will be discussion of the newly acquired property adjacent to the library and how it will be used. Public comment and ideas are welcome. Please join us for this annual gathering.
For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750. Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates. We are on Facebook -. Add us to your friend list for up to the minute news!
Upcoming Event
• Tuesday, April 1, at 6:30 pm – Parenting Course begins. This six week class will meet on April 1, 8 and 22 and May 6, 13and 20. Participants should plan to attend all sessions in the class cycle. Led by Bruce Weiner, the class introduces the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) method of parenting and will consist of the basics tenets of Parent Effectiveness Training, the positive character education focus on problem solving with children and other issues brought up by parents during the course. The only cost will be $15 for course workbooks, and this can be waived for those with financial need. All parents or other caregivers are invited to join us for this helpful class. Reservations are required, as space for this class is limited. Please call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 518-733-5750 to reserve a space.
For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library.
Berlin Elementary Hosts Common Core Parent Nights
submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist
On Thursday, March 20, dozens of parents gathered at the Berlin Elementary School to learn how they could help their child be successful with the new Common Core Learning Standards in English Language Arts (ELA).
The ELA Common Core Parent Night presented by the Berlin Elementary School Parent Engagement Committee was the second part of a two-part series for parents of students in Grades K-5. The first session, held in January, focused on Math.
At both sessions, Principal Tricia Carlton presented information on the shifts in instruction and expectations of students. Teachers then gave parents the opportunity to see samples of the new instruction, try a practice test, use the technology and ask questions specific to their child’s grade level.
Although aspects of the Common Core have recently been debated by some, First Grade Teacher and Parent Engagement Committee Co-Chair Lauren Nichols said Berlin parents didn’t come to argue. They came to learn how to help their child succeed.
“Parents are the first and most important teacher in their child’s life,” said Nichols. “They are the expert on their child and we need their input and help with challenges and increased rigor.”
The new Common Core Standards means students learn fewer mathematical concepts, but their understanding of each concept is deeper. They are expected to understand a more sophisticated vocabulary and read an equal amount of non-fiction and fiction. They must also be able to explain their answers by citing evidence from text.
“We want parents to see that we’re not necessarily doing things differently, just more comprehensively,” said Nichols. “The Common Core is the kind of education we’d like for our children.”
Students in Grades 3-8 will take the New York State ELA Assessment Test April 1 – 3. They will take the Math assessments April 30-May 2. And while these assessments are necessary, Nichols said they are but one type of several tools, including performance tasks and rubrics, used to measure a child’s knowledge.
“At Berlin we try to balance what we do by making good choices and not inundating our students with test practice,” said Nichols. “These and other types of assessments help us improve our teaching.”
The Berlin Elementary School Parent Engagement Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, parents and an administrator. Its goal is to increase opportunities for parents to be a part of the school community and to provide parents with ways to help their children succeed academically.
The Music Man At BCS Opening April 4
The Berlin Dramateers are now in rehearsal for their production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, for performances on April 4 and 5 at 7 pm at the Berlin MS/HS Auditorium. Pre-Sale Tickets are $8.00 for Adults, $5.00 Students and Senior Citizens. E-mail twinsmom@taconic.net or call (518)658-3325 for tickets.Tickets at the door will be $9 Adults, $6 Senior Citizens Co-Directors are Dan Byron and Karen Day. Choreographer and Vocal Coach is Leslie Eliashuk.
New Lebanon Board of Ed. Appoints Andrew Kourt Next Principal of Walter B. Howard Elementary School
On Wednesday, March 19, the New Lebanon Central School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Andrew Kourt to the position of Walter B. Howard Elementary School Principal, effective June 1, 2014. As part of the district’s Succession Plan, Kourt will work with current Principal Leslie Whitcomb though June before she transitions to the role of Superintendent of Schools on July 1. Superintendent Karen McGraw and Whitcomb have been working together throughout the school year and will continue to do so through July until Ms. McGraw retires on July 31, 2014.
“I am excited and honored to join the Walter B. Howard team and the New Lebanon community. It is my goal to collaboratively work with the community to ensure that every child has the very best educational experience and that our children can always find a love for learning,” Kourt said. “I am eager to motivate each child to be their very best, support teachers and staff so they can engage and challenge students, and communicate with family members so that they can stay involved in their child’s education.”
He added, “Together we will work hard to make Walter B. Howard Elementary School the very best! I look forward to meeting, listening, and building relationships with all members of our school community to ensure we build a common vision for our school. I can’t wait to get started!”
Kourt was one of seven candidates selected from the pool of applicants who were interviewed by a panel of teachers and parents followed by New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School Principal Matthew Klafehn and Assistant Principal Rick Arket. Three candidates were then selected for the next round of interviews with McGraw, Whitcomb and Michael Los, the business manager. Two finalists were selected to interview with the Board of Education. Kourt immerged as the successful candidate.
Kourt will come to New Lebanon from the Bethlehem Central School District where he’s been a fifth grade teacher at Glenmont Elementary School since 2004. Prior to that, he served as a special education teacher at the school for a year. Since 2003, Kourt has also been a self-contained special education teacher for the district’s extended school program.
Since July 2012, Kourt has served as an administrative intern for the district. Among the work he’s performed in this role include developing ELA curriculum and district maps and providing professional development related to the Common Core Standards, observing teachers according to the APPR requirements, designing and co-writing district elementary report cards according to the Common Core Standards, coordinating a school-wide leadership theme and creating a school-wide master schedule. Kourt serves as a teacher mentor and member of several school and district committees. He has coordinated numerous programs and activities at Glenmont Elementary, including a Read-a-Thon to raise money for the school playground, Student Government, safety patrol and school-wide student book groups.
Kourt’s additional experience includes work as an educational literacy consultant. He has worked with the Hudson Falls Central School District, Capital Area School Development Association and the Bethlehem Central School District.
Kourt has a master’s degree in reading and literacy from SUNY Albany, a bachelor’s degree in special and elementary education from the College of St. Rose and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and Leadership, also from St. Rose. He has his permanent New York state certification in elementary education and special education and an initial certification in school building leadership.
Kourt resides in Glenmont with his wife, Beth, daughter, Ava, and son, Eli.
Donate To Bling For Books Sale
The New Lebanon Library is now accepting donations of jewelry for its second annual Bling For Books sale, a jewelry bazaar to benefit the Library.
“This event was a smashing success last year. There was a beautiful piece of jewelry for every taste and budget,” said Library Director Jeannie Bogino. “During this cold weather, it would be great if people could go through their jewelry boxes and make a tax deductible donation of bling they never wear.”
Drop off for donations at the Library during regular Library hours.
The Bling For Books will be held Saturday, May 17, from 10 am to 2 pm. Admission is free. A Preview Sale will held Friday, May 16, from 6 to 8 pm. Admission for this costs $5.
The Library is located at 550 State Route 20, 1/4 mile north of the yellow blinking light at the intersection of Routes 20 & 22. For more information, please call the Library at 518-794-8844.