The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County

Traveling Veterinarian Makes House Calls

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by Bea Peterson
Have a dog or cat that hates riding in the car and, especially, going to the vet? You bet! Many people do. Elderly folks, for example, often have a difficult time getting their pets regular veterinary care. In other instances, a busy schedule can keep a person from taking a pet to the vet in a timely fashion. A year ago Dr. Nicole L. LaMora realized many people in the area have these problems. [Read more…] about Traveling Veterinarian Makes House Calls

Rensselaer County Author Event At SML

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submitted by Laurenne Teachout, Library Director
The public is invited to the Stephentown Memorial Library’s first Rensselaer County Author Event on Saturday, September 7, from 11 am to 1:30 pm at the Library, 472 State Route 43, Stephentown.
Meet three local writers and enjoy light refreshments.  The authors will present brief descriptions of their books, read passages  and be available to sign copies of their books if you’d like to purchase them. Other area writers are encouraged to express their interest in future events of this type.
Born and raised in Stephentown, author and speaker Norma Williams Lasch will be returning to the Stephentown Memorial Library with her 345 page collection of inspirational songs and poems penned with colorful rural New England memories, spanning five decades, with Tassels Of Blue, Weaving Threads of Devotion. Readers will be captivated as they stroll through these delightful eight chapters, “Winding Yarns” through “Seasons of Life” from reflections on building a home to the pain of losing a child. Her faith remains intact with strong “Borders of Hope” for life’s unending challenges. Come laugh at her poetic tales of employment in Family Court and the frustrations in the Public Defender’s and the State Reporter’s Office. She shares her anxieties of becoming a published author to being in the Secret Place where there comes a Song in the Night, making this encouraging book, Tassels Of Blue, one of your favorites.
Randy Kneer, Grafton resident and author, will be presenting his book The Untold Story Of Helen Ellett, relating this first  time story about an intriguing woman and her memories of small town life in upstate New York.  Kneer is also working on three other books, The Retired Forest Rangers Of New York State, The Firetowers Of The Hudson Valley and a personal biography called My Favorite Adirondack Memories.
William Middleton grew up in West Sand Lake and now resides in Grafton. He has worked most of his life in real estate and construction. Now retired, he writes and illustrates his whimsical children’s books of stories told to his six grandchildren. Following his high school days, he studied illustration at the Art Students League in New York City under Frank Reilly. Bill has published four delightful children’s books to date, including Gordon The Goldfish, Autumn Ball, Stanley And Henrietta and The Chipmunk Jamboree. Descriptions of the books can be found at Amazon.com.
For more information on this program, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750 or stop by during our Library Hours.  Also check our website, www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.

The Rensselaer County Legislature – Two Eastwick Families Recognized For Achievement

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by Kieron Kramer
Two families from the Eastwick area came to the well of the Rensselaer County Legislature on Tuesday to receive copies of resolutions passed at earlier sessions. One was the extended family behind two very successful enterprises in North Hoosick, J.A. Bradley and Hoosick True Value Hardware. The other was the family of Reverend William O’Dell of Grafton, whose life was memorialized by the Legislature at the adjournment of the July meeting.
[Read more…] about The Rensselaer County Legislature – Two Eastwick Families Recognized For Achievement

County Legislators To Ask State For Road Repairs On Route 22, Route 20 And Route 150

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 submitted by Rich Crist, Majority Legislative Liaison
Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature are hoping to get the attention of State officials to have three State highways in the County reviewed for much needed repair work.
[Read more…] about County Legislators To Ask State For Road Repairs On Route 22, Route 20 And Route 150

It’s Time To Play Bocce At The Grafton Center

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The bocce court at the Everett Wagar Senior Center, 2 Roxborough Road, Grafton, has been completed thanks to the many volunteers, Donna Walker and the Town of Grafton. If you are a senior in Rensselaer County please feel free to come try it out.
Our Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Center at 279-3413.

Consolidation Of County Social Services And Probation Offices Approved

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submitted by Rich Crist, Majority Legislative Liaison
Following extensive negotiations that produced cost savings, the Rensselaer County Legislature approved a relocation and consolidation of the County Social Services and Probation offices during a special legislative meeting Monday night, July 22.
The relocation and consolidation will see the Social Services and Probation offices moved from two locations in downtown Troy to Flanigan Square. Flanigan Square was recently used as State offices. The Social Services offices will be moved from the Raddock Building on Sixth Avenue and the Probation offices moved from the corner of Fifth and Broadway and Fulton and Fourth streets.
Chairman Martin Reid praised the work of legislators, including Vice Chairman Stan Brownell, Vice Chairman for Finance Phil Danaher and Legislator Kelly Hoffman, in helping negotiate the lease and bringing about additional savings and efficiencies. Brownell, Danaher and Hoffman each have professional experience with leases and relocation of offices.
The relocation was initially proposed in May. Legislators worked on a bipartisan and cooperative basis to improve the lease and the relocation. Reid credited the cooperative approach with generating positive results for taxpayers.
“There was a lot of hard work by legislators, and collaboration between legislators, department heads and other County officials to strengthen and improve this lease from the County’s point of view,” said Reid.
The lease was approved by a 16-0 margin with one abstention.
The lease approved on Monday evening includes three months free rent, and administrative fees for the agreement were removed. The lease gives the County more flexibility; potential future rate increases were reduced and tied to the state tax cap.
The consolidation of the services also improves efficiency for County government. Consolidations like the one approved Monday are recommended by the State.
“This is a major move for County government, and one that we hope will serve the interests of the people of the County and our employees for years to come,” said Brownell.