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Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County

Reimagine Plan Will Modernize and Improve County Government

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Submitted by the Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin
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. Funds for the project come from the surplus generated by the County 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 resolution for the Reimagine Rensselaer County project has been introduced to the County Legislature, which may take up the resolution at the June 14 meeting. The Reimagine Rensselaer County expansion and improvement effort would utilize $26.8 million.

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Reimagining Rensselaer County

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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

Jordan Announces Purple Heart Highway

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Submitted by the Office of Senator Daphne Jordan
New York State Senator Daphne Jordan has announced Senate passage of her bipartisan legislation designating a portion of the state highway system as the Rensselaer County Purple Heart Highway to honor Rensselaer County and New York State’s Purple Heart Heroes. The measure passed during the May 25 Senate Session and has also passed the State Assembly.

Established in 1932, the Purple Heart is

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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.

Be a Part of Our Graduation Special Edition

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Our 2022 Special will not only contain photos and information about the various graduation ceremonies but the lists of graduates and future plans, comments from school officials and students and much more.

As in the past, we will offer area businesses a chance to be part of this special edition with congratulatory ads. 

This year, we are also offering the parents, grandparents or other loved ones the opportunity to submit a photo of their graduate along with a short personal message.

If you would like to be part of our most popular edition of the year, please email Doug at ads@eastwickpress.com by June 20.

Our costs are as follows:
For a business ad 3.25” x 2” $50.
A double size ad 3.25” x 4” $95

For a graduate’s portrait and text $50.
Limited to 50 words.
Please send a high resolution image. [Read more…] about Be a Part of Our Graduation Special Edition

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

Redistricting Opens Up Many Opportunities

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by Doug La Rocque
Both the NYS Court of Appeals (the State’s highest court) and a Federal Appeals court recently held that the new congressional and State Senate districts, as redrawn by the State Legislature, were in fact gerrymandered in favor of the Democratic party, and ordered a Special Master to redraw those lines. On Monday, May 16, those new districts were revealed and it set off a flurry of activity. One of the largest redraws involved Rensselaer County’s congressional representation. Currently, most of the County falls within the 19th Congressional District, which is occupied by Representative Antonio Delgado, while the Troy area is in the 20th District, represented by long time incumbent Paul Tonko. Now, all of Rensselaer County moves into the 20th district. It would encompass the cities of Albany and Schenectady, but not Amsterdam, Congressman Tonko’s place of residence.

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Delgado Appointed Lt. Governor

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U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado has been appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul as her new Lt. Governor, replacing the resigned Brian Benjamin. Congressman Delgado currently represents New York’s 19 Congressional District which includes most of Rensselaer County.

In the press release from the Governor’s Office, Mr. Delgado is quoted as saying “New York deserve a Lieutenant Governor  who’s working day and night to make lives better for working people and their families. Upstate, downstate, doesn’t matter. We all want the same things, security, family and opportunity. The key is to listen to New Yorkers from all walks of life and then be their voice to get the job done.

The Eastwick Press will have more on the appointment and local reaction in this week’s edition