Notes: My family had the opportunity to help build beds in Greenwich. There is an organization that provides beds for kids that don’t have them. What a wonderful idea. No kids sleep on the floor. Not only did my family help out, but Pete and Kathy Coon brought their daughter, Lila, and a friend, Ashley Druckenmiller, to volunteer their time. There are a lot of people that do great things. I hope that we can focus on all the positives as this country works through how to be kind. Congratulations to the 10U Hoosick Falls softball team for their All-Star tournament Championship. If you have some setbacks, it makes the victory all the more sweet. [Read more…] about Seiler/Akin, Potter/Woodard, Harrington Brothers, and Stevens/Shannon Punch Playoff Tickets at Dutchaven
Us Supreme Court Strikes Down NYS Law on Concealed-Carry Permits Case Initiated by Two Rensselaer County Residents
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
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.
Special Congressional Election Candidates Picked
Two weeks ago, when former 19th Congressional Representative Antonio Delgado was named New York State’s Lt. Governor, Governor Kathy Hochol set Tuesday, August 23 as the date for a special election to replace Mr. Delgado. Earlier this month, the Democratic Party nominated Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and on Friday, June 10, the Republican Party picked Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro (a former gubernatorial candidate). The winner of this contest will represent the current 19th district until the end of the year. The 19th includes many portions of Rensselaer County.
Who ever the winner is, will only represent the district for about 4 months, as the newly drawn congressional districts take effect on Janaury 1, 2023. All of Rensselaer County except the western side will become part of the 21st district, currently represented by Elise Stefanik.
Another interesting twist in this topsy turvy election year, is on the very same day voters are choosing a new representative for the 19th district, Democrats will also be voting in a Congressional primary to a pick a candidate for the new 21st district. Matt Castelli and Mathew Putorti are on that ballot. The winner will face off against Representative Stefanik in November for the right to represent most of Rensselaer County in the new year. Troy remains in Representative Paul Tonko’s 20th Congressional district.
Reaction to Ashe-McPherson Conviction and Resignation
On Thursday morning, June 9, Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello issued the following statement on the Ashe-McPherson resignation following her guilty plea to a felony count of absentee ballot-fraud.
““This morning I received District 2 Council Member Ashe-McPherson’s resignation, effective immediately.
Per the City Charter, the City Council vacancy “shall be filled by a vote of the remaining Council Members. In the event of a tie, the Mayor shall cast the deciding vote. An election will take place this November to fulfill the balance of the term from January 2023 through the end of next year”.
I, along with Council Members Gulli and Sorriento, will be advancing legislation creating a bi-partisan Special Committee comprised of five members, three District 2 residents and a majority and minority Council Member, which will open the door for residents of District 2 to express their ideas and make recommendations pertaining to filling the vacant council seat in District 2.
It is imperative that we move forward in an open and inclusive manner to ensure the residents in District 2 have ongoing representation on the City Council.”
Troy City Councilwoman Guilty of Absentee Ballot Fraud
The U.S. District Court in Albany announced on Wednesday, May 8, that Troy City Councilwoman Kim Ashe-McPherson has plead guilty to a felony count of submitting fraudulent absentee ballots in last year’s primary and general elections. As part of the plea, she has agreed to resign from the Council within 30 days. She has represented North Troy for seven years.
The plea is part of a federal grand jury investigation into ballot-fraud allegations in Rensselaer County.
Hoosick Falls Connection
Ms. Ashe-McPherson is the brother of former Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe, who is also part of the investigation. It was for that reason he was suspended last December and resigned in April, after pleading guilty to separate criminal investigation involving the appropriate removal of evidence. Mr. Ashe has not yet been charged in the ballot-fraud case.
Reimagining Rensselaer County
Reimagine Rensselaer County Plan will Modernize and Improve County Government, County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Legislators Announce
Effort Will Utilize Record Amount of Surplus Funds to Strengthen Services
Rensselaer County will be undertaking an ambitious plan to improve county facilities, expand important county services and broaden access for the public to county government, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced.
The Reimagine Rensselaer County project will modernize and strengthen county services at all levels, said McLaughlin. Funds for the project come from surplus funds generated by the county during the past four years.
“This is a major step forward for Rensselaer County, and will ensure a solid platform of facilities and services for future generations. This is an investment in our operations and the future viability of county services and government and how we serve the public,” said McLaughlin.
“The funds come from surplus funds, and will allow for the improvements and expansions to be done without expensive bonding. We look forward to working with the County Legislature to make this project a reality,” added McLaughlin.
The resolution for the Reimagine Rensselaer County project has been introduced to the County Legislature, which may take up the resolution at the June 14 legislative meeting. The Reimagine Rensselaer County expansion and improvement effort would utilize $26.8 million. Along with county surplus funds, some funds from the federal American Rescue Plan would be utilized for the effort, and some previously budgeted funds would be used. [Read more…] about Reimagining Rensselaer County
Brunswick Walmart Fire
Late Thursday evening, May 26, several fire departments responded to a working fire at the Walmart store on Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7) in Brunswick. According to fire officials the blaze started in some dog bedding. While the blaze was quickly knocked down by police and the Brunswick 1 firefighters, the store suffered from both smoke and water damage. It was closed on Friday and Saturday but the doors were back open on Sunday morning. Not all of the store was available for shopping, however, as large plastic curtains covered the Health and Beauty, Lawn and Gardening, Pets, Toys and Automotive sections. When these particular departments might re-open was not announced as of press time.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Rensselaer County Fire Investigators and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries were reported.
Hoags Corners Fire Destroys Large Home
When the first firefighters arrived on the scene at 30 Taborton Road in the Hoags Corners fire district (Town of Nassau) they reported the structure was fully involved and sounded both a second and third alarm. Fire Departments from many portions of the county responded.
Trucking enough water to the scene was a concern as was exploding propane tanks that reportedly also set some nearby woods on fire. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.
3 alarm fire in Nassau
Firefighters from many departments in Renssealer County are battling at 3 alarm fire Thursday afternoon at 30 Taberton Road in the town of Nassau. More information as it becomes available.