The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County

Jimino: County Refinance Will Save Money

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Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino has announced that the County will proceed with a plan to refinance current debt and save the County over $1.2 million without extending the life of the bonds. This would be achieved by refinancing the current debt of approximately $12 million at a rate that is expected to be 2.2% as opposed to the 4.22% currently paid in interest.

Under a directive from the NYS Commission on Corrections the County was required to add an additional 192 cells to the jail.  To pay for the required expansion the County borrowed nearly $50 million over the course of four years to complete the construction project that also included expansion of the kitchen facilities, services area, locker rooms for Corrections Officers as well as upgraded security features and the existing jail facility.  The construction project was completed in the fall of 2011.

“Our efforts to cut costs and adhere to strict fiscal controls has been recognized by bond agencies,” said Jimino. “They have raised our rating, which gives us a better interest rate”

In April of 2014 Standard and Poors raised the County’s bond rating by stating, “We view the County’s management conditions as strong with good financial practices”.  According to Standard and Poors any entity achieving an “AA” rating means they have a “Very strong capacity to meet financial commitments”.

Settlement Of Route 7 Propane Truck Accident

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by Kieron Kramer

On March 28, 2011, a tractor trailer truck carrying a load of propane, veered off State Route 7, crashed down an embankment, caught on fire and came to rest in Shingle Hollow Brook in the Town of Hoosick. The accident required the long term deployment of County personnel and required the diverting of traffic from Route 7 to CR-95. At the time the Rensselaer County Attorney commenced litigation against the owner and operator of the tractor trailer, Makria and Venezia Liquid Tank Line, Inc., in order to be reimbursed for the costs and damages suffered by the County. The defendants, Makria and Venezia Liquid Tank Line, Inc., have tendered a $60,000 offer to resolve this litigation.

[Read more…] about Settlement Of Route 7 Propane Truck Accident

Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Seeks To Develop Trail Network

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Seeks Public Input At Workshop On March 5 

The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, in partnership with the Hudson River Greenway, has embarked on an exciting new project to develop a vision for a region-wide, multi-user trail network that will not only serve the immediate Plateau communities but will hopefully someday connect to other trail networks beyond the Plateau.  [Read more…] about Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Seeks To Develop Trail Network

Walsh Encourages Families To Submit Names For Monthly Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony

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Rensselaer County Legislator Thomas Walsh Sr., chairman of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee, is encouraging residents to consider submitting names of family members who served our nation’s military for recognition during the county’s monthly Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony.

The monthly Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony recognizes the life and service of veterans who have passed away following or during military service to our nation. Veterans who served during times of war or peace are eligible for recognition.

The monthly ceremony includes representatives from the federal, state and county levels of government. The ceremony has been conducted in Rensselaer County for approximately two decades, starting in 1995.

“The Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony shows that Rensselaer County does not forget the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families in defending our freedom and security,” said Walsh.

“We invite family members of a deceased veteran to consider participating in the ceremony, and to contact our county Veterans Service Agency for more information,” added Walsh.

For more information regarding the ceremony, contact Veteran’s Service Agency Director Peter Goebel at 518-270-2760 or Lonnie Warrington, secretary at 518-270-2743.

Candidates for the Honor a Deceased Veteran monthly ceremony must have been honorably discharged, resided in Rensselaer County at some time during their lifetime before their passing. Families are asked to please submit the veteran’s DD-214. If no DD-214 is available, it can be requested by the county Veteran’s Service Agency office.

Along with participating in the Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony, Walsh also was instrumental in establishing the Hall of Heroes in the third floor lobby of the County Office Building. The Hall honors county residents who have earned the Medal of Honor, along with those recognized at the Honor a Deceased Veteran ceremony.

Sheriff Warns Of IRS Scam

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In response to a complaint Thursday the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a warning to the public about fraudulent IRS (Internal Revenue Service) phone calls. Scam callers are altering their caller ID number to make it look like they’re calling from an actual IRS office threatening people to pay owed money with a reload or prepaid credit card or be arrested. Once they make their threats, the scammers will call back and again disguise their caller ID so it appears they are calling from a police department asking you to “turn yourself in” claiming the IRS just faxed a warrant for your arrest. Beware – this is a scam that is happening locally.

The IRS offered several tips to help recognize the scam:

• The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment, nor does the agency call about taxes owed without mailing a bill first.

• The IRS does not demand payment without giving the resident an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

• The IRS does not require a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card.

• The IRS does not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

• The IRS does not threaten citizens with arrest for nonpayment.

4-H Pre-Teen Fun Day “AEROSPACE”

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A Day Of STEM For Rensselaer County Youth

A day of fun science projects designed to introduce young people to the wonders of science will be held Saturday, February 14, 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Brittonkill/ Tamarac Middle School. It is open to all youth in Rensselaer County in grades K-6

4-H Teens will engage youth in different projects including: building and launching stomp rockets, designing airplanes, discovering how hovers work and a community service project; making Valentine’s Day Cards to be delivered to Van Rensselaer Manor.  Lunch (pizza) and light snacks will be included.

The cost is $10 for non 4-H youth which includes one year enrollment fee, payable at the door.  Additionally, any non 4-H member participant must have a parent at check-in the day of the program to complete mandatory paperwork and attend a short 4-H Parent Orientation that will be held at 9:30, after morning check-in.

To register please call Kandis at the 4-H office by Friday, February 13 by 4 pm at 272-4210 x106. Space is limited.

The day will be fully run by the Rensselaer County 4-H Teen Council.  This is a Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County Program.  If any participant has special needs that need to be taken into consideration, please indicate that at the time of registration.  Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

4-H Holds Year End Awards Event

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Rensselaer County 4-H recently held their 4-H Horse Program Year End Recognition event hosted by the Jogging Juniors 4-H Club and held at the Poestenkill Fire House.  Thank you to the Poestenkill Firehouse for lending their outstanding facility.  Below are some special Year End Awards that were presented in addition to year end completion certificates to all members and appreciation favors sponsored by our 4-H Teen Council presented to all our 4-H Leaders.

[Read more…] about 4-H Holds Year End Awards Event

County Winner Selected for New York Farm Bureau Scholarship

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George Lamb Chosen As Rensselaer County Scholarship Winner

George Lamb was chosen as the Rensselaer County Farm Bureau winner by New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee.

George is the son of Terry and Christina Lamb of Buskirk, NY.  George is a very well rounded student and is a senior attending Hoosic Valley High School.  He has participated in a range of extracurricular activities: Schaghticoke Fair, 4-H Cornell’s Dairy Discovery, 4-H President, Past Vice President and Past Treasurer. He works on a local farm where he is responsible for night chores.

George plans to attend college and major in Agri-Business, Environmental Studies or Science for Agricultural Purposes.

The competition began at the county level where George and other students competed against one another for the right to be named the Rensselaer County scholarship winner.  George was required to write an essay answering the question “If you had the power to change something in your community or on your farm, what would you change and why?” His application and essay were both reviewed by the judges, and both factored into his final score.

“The world of agriculture has many bright young leaders,” said the NYFB Promotion and Education Committee. “George and all of the other finalists have clearly demonstrated their depth of knowledge and commitment to agriculture. With such talented and intelligent leaders on the horizon, the future of New York agriculture seems particularly bright. We are thrilled that our scholarship money will be put to good use in helping these students to reach their full potential.”