The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Rensselaer County

Title Town

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by Kieron Kramer
“Title Town” is the way Legislator Stan Brownell referred to Hoosick Falls during the presentation period of the Rensselaer County Legislature on Tuesday evening, January 8. He was talking about the extraordinary success of the Hoosick Falls Central School’s fall sports teams. The football team won the State Championship, the Girls Soccer Team won the State Championship for the second year in a row and the Boys Soccer team went to the final four, the farthest any Panther Boys Soccer team has ever progressed. Last month the Legislature passed resolutions commending the teams on their achievements. “Hoosick Falls is on the map for sports in New York State,” Brownell said Tuesday.
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What Is The RPA?

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Submitted by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance
The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA), established in 2006, is a diverse group of organizations and people who want to conserve and protect the forested character of the Rensselaer Plateau and the many economic and environmental benefits it provides. The Rensselaer Plateau is a spectacular resource of about 105,000 acres that includes the fifth largest forest in New York State and endless opportunities for recreation, tourism, commerce and traditional living. A grassroots organization, the RPA is people living in the area who share a common interest in ensuring that future generations will experience and value the many benefits of the plateau.
Protecting our forests for the future means planning ahead and working together. We consider one of the best ways to accomplish this is simply by talking with our neighbors. If we all do our part, we can protect the plateau for our future.
In the past year we talked with our neighbors at many events including public forums, landowner workshops, public displays, town board meetings and woods walks. Knowledge is a key tool to understanding that preservation and protection do not happen alone. Preservation and protection require collaboration and proactive actions – all of which are currently happening because the people and organizations of RPA talk with their neighbors, friends, municipalities and elected officials about this “superlative” resource in our backyard and how we all play a role in protecting it.  Come talk to us at the Grafton Winter Festival  on January 19 or at  one of our future events. Learn more about our events and regularly scheduled open meetings at www.rensselaerplateau.org.

A view of the Rensselaer Plateau looking south from the Grafton Fire Tower. Photo courtesy of the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance.

Rensselaer Land Trust Receives New Preserve

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On December 18, 2012, theRensselaer Land Trust (RLT) received 54 acres of significant wetlands in the Town of Nassau from the National Audubon Society. Part of Pine Swamp, an extensive marsh and swamp complex adjacent to Smith Pond, the property contains wildlife habitat and supports unusual plant species for Rensselaer County. Located off of Lyons Lake Road, the property will remain a nature preserve, with public access for environmental studies and natural history outings.
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County Legislator Goodermote Recovering From Open Heart Surgery

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by Kieron Kramer
Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote did not attend Tuesday’s Regular County Legislative meeting because he is recuperating from open heart surgery. He is now at the Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady. Goodermote represents District 5, which includes the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls. [Read more…] about County Legislator Goodermote Recovering From Open Heart Surgery

West Sand Lake Resident Col. Raymond Shields Promoted To One-Star General

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Afghanistan Veteran Now Responsible For New York National Guard Emergency And Disaster Response Operations
New York Army National Guard Col. Raymond Shields, a West Sand Lake resident, has been selected for promotion to Brigadier General (one-star).
Shields, a veteran of the Afghan War, is Director of the Joint Staff for the 16,000 member New York National Guard. He is responsible for coordinating National Guard assistance to state and local governments during emergencies and for domestic security operations.
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County Legislature Approves 2013 County Budget

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Budget is Below Tax Cap
submitted by Rich Crist
The Rensselaer County Legislature approved the 2013 County budget, which is under the State tax cap and protects needed services, at a special meeting Monday evening, December 3, Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid announced. Rensselaer County has been under the State tax cap each of the past two years the State tax cap has been in effect. Legislators worked with County Executive Kathy Jimino to reduce the amount of a minimal tax increase originally proposed in the spending plan.
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Two County 4-H Members Go To Nationals

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Two Rensselaer County 4-H members joined 14 other teens from across the State to represent New York at the National 4-H Eastern Roundup held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky. These two members participated in regional and State events throughout the year which qualified them to earn seats on the Horse Communications Team.
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