The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Grant Funding Hopes to Draw Students into HVAC Careers

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Hudson Valley Community College has been selected to help train a pipeline of skilled workers for clean energy jobs that are ramping up in the Capital Region.

 

Through grant funding provided by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the college’s Office of Workforce Development is able to offer an unprecedented opportunity for eligible students. A subset of eligible students will receive tuition reimbursement and additional support services in pursuing the college’s Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technical Services A.O.S. degree or Construction certificate.

 

Hundreds of skilled workers for the building trades, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration and high efficiency heat pumps will be needed over the next several years in the Capital Region.

 

Hudson Valley Community College’s Green Jobs Training Program is part of a New York State-funded study to measure if offering adult learners skills training in clean energy, along with extra support, helps them to complete training, find employment and earn higher salaries. Opportunity to receive enhanced support services, including tuition assistance, is limited. Eligible applicants will be chosen by a computerized selection process.

 

Minimum qualifications for the program:

 

  • must be a resident of New York State for the previous 12 months
  • at least 16 years or older and not officially enrolled in high school
  • meet additional educational and economic guidelines

 

Enhanced support services available for a subset of eligible students include:

 

  • Tuition assistance
  • Counseling
  • One-on-one tutoring
  • Resume writing assistance, interview prep and skills workshops
  • Job fairs

 

For more information about this opportunity, contact Jennifer Devine, at j.devine@hvcc.edu or (518) 629-7638.

Snowman’s Murphy Named to County Economic Post

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Submitted by the Office of the County Executive

 

The Snowman’s John Murphy to Serve as Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning for Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County will be welcoming one of the best known businessmen in the region to support and guide efforts to attract new investment and job creation to the county, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced today.

John Murphy, the former owner of The Snowman in Lansingburgh, will be joining the county to serve as Deputy Director of Economic Development, McLaughlin announced today.

“John Murphy grew The Snowman into a business that attracted attention and support from throughout the region and beyond. The Snowman is now an iconic place for ice cream and other treats, and that is thanks to John’s hard work, persistence and vision as a small business owner,” said McLaughlin.

“We look forward to continuing our success in growing businesses big and small in Rensselaer County, and we expect John will be an important part in those efforts,” added McLaughlin.

The county has seen success with major projects including the development of an Amazon center in Schodack and continued expansion at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in East Greenbush, along with major retail development in North Greenbush and Brunswick.

The county led the state in sales tax growth in 2019 and is continuing to see strong sales tax numbers. Under McLaughlin’s leadership, the county has reduced county property taxes by nearly 20 percent over the past four years and expanded important services, including the paving of 170 miles of county roads.

Murphy operated The Snowman starting in 1999. He decided to sell the successful business on Fifth Avenue in February to Old Daley Custom Catering, a local investor group.

“There were many opportunities that were presented to me when the sale of The Snowman was completed, and I appreciate all the interest. This position with Rensselaer County is an opportunity to give back to a community that means a great deal to my community, and use my experience to help business owners in the county grow and prosper,” said Murphy.

“I particularly look forward to working with new business owners and those looking to take their business to the new level. My experience and insight will help other businesses navigate the challenges they face,” added Murphy.

Murphy and his family reside in Brunswick and he is a lifelong resident of the Capital Region.

Rensco Social Services Commissioner Nominated

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A new leader for the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services has been selected, with County Executive Steve McLaughlin nominating Michael P. McMahon to lead the important department, it was announced today.

McMahon’s name will be submitted to the Rensselaer County Legislature for confirmation during the June meeting of the County Legislature. He would succeed Theresa Beaudoin, who retired as DSS Commissioner at the end of 2021.

The Commissioner of the Department of Social Services is responsible for overseeing the operation of social service programs as mandated by the state and the operation of the county’s Van Rensselaer Manor nursing home.

McMahon is the current leader of the Montgomery County Department of Social Services. He has extensive experience in the fields of social services, human services and care giving. He also worked as a guardian for children in child protective cases, as a substance abuse counselor and in employee management and recruitment for Greyhound Lines.

McMahon also currently serves as Mayor of the Village of Ames in Montgomery County and served with the U.S. Navy. [Read more…] about Rensco Social Services Commissioner Nominated

Dutchaven Golf

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Skip Russell has rare feat during league play at Dutchaven

 

Notes:  Enjoy your kids and respect each other.  I have been involved in a lot of sports, either coaching or playing.  As you get older, hopefully you gain a little perspective of the bigger picture.  As you watch your kids play, enjoy the time.  There may be a bad call that goes your team’s way or goes against you.  Teach your kid a bigger lesson in life and realize that umpires are human.  The best advice I can give anyone is to walk in someone else’s shoes.  Be the umpire or referee or coach or opponent.  Some of you will remember how the 27th out of a perfect game was a blown call.  This took away a chance for someone to attain the rarest feat in baseball, a perfect game.  Armando Galarraga didn’t scream or yell, he just grinned at Jim Joyce.  There will never be a call in any high school or little league game that was that important.  Only 23 perfect games in 218,400 and counting, less than .011% (that’s not 11%).  When they came out before the next game, when Armando handed Jim Joyce the starting lineup, Jim Joyce had tears in his eyes.  People are human.  As I said many times in my articles, Be Kind.     

 

Current Leaders: Flight A  One team has played all four weeks together and they haven’t lost, Jeff Stevens and Keith Shannon.  They lead flight A with 50 points.  In 2nd place, Joe Gerwin and Jack Daigneault are unbeaten and have 47 points.  Gerry Taber and Dave Clark are in 3rd palace with 44 points.   Flight B  Skip Russell and Bob Hunt only have one loss on the year and have 44.5 points.  Billy Potter and Kyle Woodard also have only one loss and have 44 points.  The Harrington brothers, Chris and Gerry, are sitting in 3rd place with 41.5 points.  

 

Week Four Results: Throughout the year there is a rare feat at Dutchaven with their postage stamp par three hole 1 and hole 9 greens to par all 3 par threes.  Skip Russell did something better than that.  He birdied hole 1 with an amazing chip-in then proceeded to par both hole 3 and 9.  To shoot 1 under on the par threes is remarkable.  I don’t know if it will happen again this year. Bret Seiler shot 36 with 8 pars and yes he did par all 3 par threes.  Jeff Stevens was the only other player to break 40 on the tougher blue tees.  He shot 38 with 3 birdies.  He had back-to-back birdies on holes 6 and 7.  “Fore.”  Kyle Woodward had the low net of the night with his 31 and 3 pars.  Eric Speanburg helped his team move up the leaderboard with his net 33 and 2 pars.  Dave Vogt had a solid round with his net 33 and 4 pars.  Defending champions, Jeff Hull and Dale Dearstyne, had the low team net of the night with their net score of 66.  They combined for 6 pars.  Danny O’Rourke had 5 pars.  

 

Skins Update (week 4):  Each week, the 18-sided die will be rolled to determine which hole was the skin hole for the previous week.  Players are divided into 2 flights based on handicap.  If you are the lone low score on the hole, you win the skins pot.  Teammates can not cancel each other out.  You need to have a birdie or better to win the skin.   Skins possibilities this week in Group A were: Jeff Stevens – hole 2, Jeff Stevens – hole 7   Skins possibilities this week in Group B were: none  Dice will be rolled next week as weather prevented action this week.

 

Closest to the Pin Winners (week 4):  Hole 1 -> no one, Hole 3 -> Gerry Taber 4ft 10in, Hole 9 -> Garth Duclos 16ft 4in

Week Five – canceled due to bad weather.  So no new article, or life lesson next week.  When you hear thunder, head for cover, don’t be foolish.

Moment of Silence at Tops Market

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The Tops Friendly Market in Hoosick Falls will join all Tops stores in a collective moment of silence on Saturday, May 21 at 2:30 pm, seven days after the tragic shooting in Buffalo.

“The impact of this tragedy stretches across our community and nation. We stand together as we remember them and pray that their families may find the strength needed to heal and move forward,” stated John Persons, president of Tops Friendly Markets.

Play Ball on Troy City Streets

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By a unanimous 7-0 vote, The Troy City Council on Thursday evening, May 19, approved an amendment to what Council President Carmella Mantello referred to as “an archaic law” that said “no person shall play ball in any of the streets of the City.” In her press release, Council President Mantello said after a recent neighborhood issue where a resident who was upset regarding local children playing ball in the street contacted code enforcement, the code enforcement officer mentioned to me he was issuing a citation to the homeowner of the basketball hoop in front of the owner’s home and referred me to this city code. You could only imagine my response. “I was shocked and was unaware of this archaic code,” Mantello added. “We are working so hard to keep our youth active and away from illegal activities, yet we have a local law on the books discouraging our youth from everyday activities like playing ball on our streets. That’s ridiculous.”

Mantello initially proposed a complete repeal of the law but said after conversations with the Troy Police and Corporation Counsel, it was expressed even though rarely used we should add language that says only if a person unduly or unsafely obstructs the free flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic law enforcement will officials have the option of enforcement.

The legislation now goes to Mayor Patrick Madden who has ten days to sign or veto it.

Hoosick Falls Police Chief Resigns

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Hoosick Falls Mayor Rob Allen has announced that Robert Ashe has resigned as Chief of the Village Police force. The resignation took effect on Friday, May 13. In making the announcement on Monday morning, Mayor Allen said “We wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.

Our Village Police Officers stepped up and served with distinction and honor over the past several months. We are deeply appreciative of their efforts and dedication. Officer-in-Charge Paul Aleksonis will continue to lead the Village of Hoosick Falls Police Department while they provide their essential service to the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The Village will have no further comment at this time.”

Chief Ashe was currently suspended with pay as allegations of impropriety concerning absentee ballots for last Novembers general election are being investigated by state and federal authorities.

The Eastwick Press will have more on this development as it becomes available.

Grafton Town BBQ

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The Town of Grafton invites you to the 2022 Grafton Town BBQ, sponsored by the Town of Grafton and hosted by Greywacke Meadows (aka the wedding barn!).  This is a FREE family event with great food, entertainment and a beautiful venue. We will also have a covered dish and dessert contest so please bring an item to share. It will be held on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 5 pm.  Hot dogs & hamburgs provided. 40 Dunham Rd, Grafton.

For Grafton residents only