By Doug La Rocque
Following in the footsteps of her father John, Theresa Beaudoin took the reins of the County’s largest department on August 1st. Beaudoin replaces Randy Hall, who has served as commissioner for 8 years.[private]The County Legislature’s approval of her appointment by County Executive Kathy Jimino was unanimous. “I am certain that Theresa’s leadership of the department will help achieve a level of excellence that will serve all the
residents of Rensselaer County extremely well,” Jimino said in a news release announcing her appointment. Beaudoin began her career with Social Services in 1983, starting as a clerk and working her way up to her current position of Deputy Commissioner. She holds several degrees, including a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. The Department of Social Services operates many programs around the county, including Van Rensselaer Manor, the county owned nursing home. Beaudoin’s new position pays $110,000 a year.
The New Agricultural And Farmland Protection Plan Is Unveiled
Prior to the regular session of the legislature, Linda von der Heide of the Rensselaer County Department for Economic Development and Planning presented the plan at a public hearing. She highlighted the fact that county farms produce 53 million dollars in sales while paying 47 million for supplies and services. She also pointed out the farms pay more than 5 million dollars in property taxes, including fire and library districts, much more she says than they receive in services. The plan also points out that more than 84 thousand acres of land are currently used in some form of agricultural production, the second largest land use in the county. Farms also offer more than 700 full and part time positions.
Von der Heide also touched on a number of issues facing farmers today, including decreased profitability, increased property taxes and a lack of trained labor. With the average age of farm owners in the county 59 plus, she also wondered about the next generation. “Who will take over when retirement occurs?” Rensselaer County Legislative Majority Leader Ken Herrington, a dairy farmer from Brunswick, pointed out that dairy farms are especially hard hit. “At one point not too long ago, there were 70 dairy farms in the county, now there are but 20.” He also stated every one of these farms are losing money, about 500 dollars per head a year.
The proposed plan offers many priority action items, such as easing property taxes by using agricultural assessment values when taxing farmland for service districts, such as fire and ambulance. It calls for the use of a shared grant writer when seeking additional funds for agricultural protection and business development. It encourages schools to create student gardens to help children understand how food is grown and harvested. It also calls for the development and delivery of effective messages for clubs, schools, town meetings, fairs and such as to why communities should support agriculture.
The full plan is available at the Office of Economic Development and Planning. The legislature plans to vote on its acceptance at its September meeting.[/private]