Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
Brown’s Brewing Company proudly announces the first annual Brown’s Cup Trout Fishing Tournament on Saturday, May 16, based at the Walloomsac Brewery in Hoosick Falls. Brown’s invites anglers of all ages to fish the scenic Walloomsac River and surrounding bodies of water during a day of outdoor family fun and friendly competition to benefit the Rensselaer Land Trust’s watershed protection and education.
[Read more…] about Brown’s Cup Trout Fishing Tournament To Benefit The Rensselaer Land Trust
On Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m., Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP), an all-volunteer group of concerned Rensselaer County citizens opposed to the proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline, will present a free public forum at Maple Hill High School in Schodack/Castleton-on-Hudson.
This event, SNYFGP’s fourth such public forum in 2015, will offer local residents information about the large, high-pressure fracked gas pipeline being planned for the area by Texas-based energy giant, Kinder Morgan, including the many health and safety risks presented by the immense 90,000 horsepower compressor station to be located near the Schodack/Nassau border.
Public opposition to this pipeline, which offers no benefits to any of the towns it would impact in New York State, has grown steadily over the past few months. Hundreds of people, including local officials, have turned out at previous events to voice their many concerns, and resolutions strongly opposing the project were passed this month by both the Town of Stephentown and the Rensselaer County Legislature. In addition, more than 50 other communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have also passed similar measures.
Governor Cuomo banned high volume hydraulic fracturing (better known as fracking) in New York last December, citing the significant risks to public health as detailed in a 186-page report by the Department of Health. Although groundbreaking, this move does not prohibit the transport of this same dangerous fracked gas—along with its hundreds of associated chemicals, including multiple known carcinogens—at very high pressure through our communities, major bodies of water such as the Hudson River and fertile farmland and wildlife habitats.
In addition to the numerous health and environmental concerns associated with this project, NED would also bring with it the risks of catastrophic explosion, damage to local infrastructure, the taking of private land through eminent domain, disruption of local groundwater and homeowner wells, and a significant decline in local property values and potential for future economic growth.
For more information about Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline and its efforts, please visit http://stopnypipeline.org.
The year’s biggest fundraising event for literacy programs in Rensselaer County, the Literacy 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, May 3 at the Rensselaer Tech Park in Troy. This USATF-sanctioned event is suitable for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The race day schedule begins at 8 am and ends at 11:15 with prizes for the top runners in all age groups. Pre-registration will be held at Rensselaer Tech Park on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 1 pm. Register online at www.finishright.com.
The goal of the Literacy 5K is to raise awareness and build support for Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s programs and services, as well as to raise funds to provide these programs free of charge to adults and families in Rensselaer County. Please join us in thanking the sponsors who are making this year’s event possible: Aflac N.Y., Blasch Precision Ceramics, Cohoes Savings Foundation, Comfortex, First Niagara, Gettysburg Flag Works, Hilton Garden Inn, Troy, Phoenix, The Record, Rensselaer Tech Park, Snyder Printer, and Stewart’s Shops.
To learn more about volunteering or services, please visit the website at www.lvorc.org.
Full descriptions at: www.renstrust.org
Seine Net Fishing at Papscanee Island Preserve
Saturday, May 2 • 1 to 3 pm • Free
Registration contact: Julie Moore 607-220-8580 or julie@renstrust.org
Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: One Woman’s Journey
Sunday, May 3 • 2 pm, East Greenbush Library • Free
Canoe the Creek at Schodack Island State Park
Saturday, May 16 • 2:30 to 5 pm • Space is Limited • Free
Registration contact: Fran Martino riverhaggie@peoplepc.com or (518) 828-1330
Hoosic River Paddle
Saturday, May 23 • 9 am • Charge $5, members free.
Registration contact: Paul Schroeder (518) 674-2480 or pschroeder1@nycap.rr.com
Wildflower Walk with Tom Philips at Kinderhook Preserve
Sunday, May 31 • 1 to 3 pm • Charge $5, members free.
Registration contact: Francille Egbert 674-3214 or fran.egbert@gmail.com
Call for Volunteers
Staalesen Clean Up and Invasive Plant Removal Day
Saturday, May 9 • 10 am to 2 pm.
Registration contact: Bob Crowley crowleyrh@aol.com or (518) 283-7364.
Co-sponsored by NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program’s Trees for Tribs and Riverkeeper.
First Annual Invasive Water Chestnut Control Day on the Hoosic River
Saturday, May 16 • 9 am to 5 pm
Registration contact: Kristina Younger at key12061@gmail.com or 518-527-6577. Co-sponsored by Brookfield Renewables and the Hoosic River Watershed Association. Rain date 17th.
by Bea Peterson
On Monday, April 13, Keith Cipperly appeared before Judge Jaime Thomas in Schaghticoke Town Court and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. He was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of Falsifying Business Records in the second degree and Official Misconduct in that Court on Saturday, January 31. [Read more…] about Cipperly Sentenced To Community Service
April is Earth Month and the Rensselaer Land Trust needs your help. Volunteers are needed for their 8th annual cleanup of the shores of the Tomhannock Reservoir. This makes for a fun family, friends, or club volunteer activity. [Read more…] about RLT Seeks Volunteers For Tomhannock Reservoir Cleanup
Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature approved three resolutions at the April 14 legislative meeting stating opposition to a pipeline proposed to be routed through areas of southern Rensselaer County. [Read more…] about Legislators Approve Resolutions Opposing Pipeline Project As Now Proposed “Not a Good Deal” For County
Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature approved a request at the April 14 legislative meeting urging state leaders to adopt new and stronger laws to deter individuals from falsely portraying veterans and military personnel for a financial benefit or gain. [Read more…] about Legislature Asks State To Enact State Stolen Valor Law To Protect Veterans
by Deb Alter
The most recent Hoosick Rising meeting took place in the Hoosac School Auditorium on Tuesday, March 31, featuring presentations and discussions on various initiatives undertaken by the Hoosick Rising group. [Read more…] about Hoosick Rising Group Gaining Momentum
