By Doug La Rocque
The late Omer Brenenstuhl, Virginia Lavin and young Luke Gillis were all presented with resolutions by legislators honoring their endeavors and contributions to the Hoosick area community. [private]
Legislative Majority Leader Ken Herrington described Brenenstuhl as a friend to farmers, an advocate and supporter of agriculture, a former town council member, and a leader in such organizations as the Rensselaer County Soil and Water Conservation District. Mr. Herrington, himself the owner of a large farm in Brunswick, presented members of the Brenenstuhl family with the resolution. The legislature adjourned its February meeting in memory of Hoosick’s Virginia Lavin, citing her many community activities, including her long tenure as a member and secretary of the Hoosick Fire Department, a Rensselaer County 4-H leader for 40 years, Board Member of the Hoosick Rural Cemetery as well as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. At this meeting members of Lavin’s family were presented with a copy of the resolution honoring their mother and grandmother.
Legislative Chairman Stan Brownell, also a resident of Hoosick Falls, took his turn at the podium to honor a young man from the village as a member of the county’s Outstanding Youth. Seven-year-old Luke has been raising money for kids encountering difficulty obtaining proper wresting gear. He has even set up an online fundraising page, called Luke’s Project Wrestling Shoes.
Legislature Reaffirms Opposition To Pipeline
Lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution calling upon the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission to reject the proposal by Kinder Morgan for a natural gas pipeline and compressor station. The pipeline is scheduled to pass through Stephentown as well as Nassau and Schodack, with a compressor station slated to be built somewhere in Rensselaer County. The lawmakers have been very vocal in their opposition, citing the many negative impacts to such things as the economy, health and safety of the residents as well as its environmental impact. The legislature was recently joined in its fight by United States Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well a Congressman Chris Gibson. The vote was again unanimous. The Legislature also approved a resolution to continue in a cooperative legal effort spearheaded by the Berkshire Planning Commission. The proposed pipeline would also traverse a number of Massachusetts towns. The lawmakers said yes to the expenditure of $15,000 to the BPC to pay for the legal services of BCK Law, PC, a Boston-based firm. Despite his opposition to the pipeline, legislative majority leader Ken Herrington cast the only no vote. He feared the legal battle could become very costly, and thought the legislature should consider putting a cap on the amount the County could spend.
The legislature also approved the appointment of C. Robert Adler as Stephentown’s representative to the Rensselaer County Fire Advisory Board. [/private]