The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Demo Day at HVCC

By

On Tuesday, June 14, Hudson Valley Community College’s (HVCC) Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills (CAMS) hosted a Haas Demo Day event to educate incoming high school students and members of the community about the future of American manufacturing. The event included remarks from industry and local leaders, tours of the center led by nationally-recognized technical instructors and machine demonstrations. Prospective students can learn about the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AOS) program and facilities, connect with local manufacturing employers and meet with faculty, advisors and admissions counselors.

Several local school districts and the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) were the recipients of Gene Haas Foundation scholarship funding, which provides financial assistance for students interested in manufacturing-based careers.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Grafton Town Council Highlights

By

by Chris Tergliafera
Grafton is looking for someone who can maintain its cemeteries and keep them in presentable condition. The matter will be discussed further at the upcoming workshop meeting, as there are many details that still need to be worked out.

Highway Garage Overhead Doors
The $26,000 bid by Diamond Overhead Doors to replace the highway garage overhead doors was approved. The current doors are roughly 50 years old and don’t close properly, which makes heating the garage difficult and costly. It will take roughly three months to get the materials, and the funds for the project will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

You must be logged in to view this article.

Pushback After Stefanik Meet and Greet

By

by Doug La Rocque
Representative Elise Stefanik, whose 21st Congressional District will include a vast portion of Rensselaer County starting in 2023, held a meet and greet at the Brunswick Community Center on Tuesday, May 31 that was quite civil inside, but replete with about 30 protesters outside the building. Ms. Stefanik is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and has repeatedly criticized the January 6 Insurrection Public Hearings currently taking place in Washington, D.C. as a “witch hunt.” 

These protesters were eventually locked out of the event, because as Brunswick Town Supervisor Phil Herrington told the June 9 Town Council meeting, they became “disruptive” with one individual “attempting to intimidate” those wishing to attend the meet and greet. He described the affair as a “private event” with the standard $150 rental fee paid in advance. Mr. Herrington added if those who did not agree with the Congresswoman just simply wanted to attend without protest, they would have been welcome.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Naturae Court Case Nears End

By

by Doug La Rocque
For over a year the Town of Hoosick has been involved with complaints by neighbors about both an odor and appearance problems at the Naturae LLC facility on NYS Route 67 in North Hoosick. The Town began legal proceedings to shut the operation down, citing a lack of compliance on the part of the owners. The court action was delayed, however, because of the pandemic.

After the Monday, June 13 meeting, Town Attorney Jonathan Schopf tells The Eastwick Press, a tentative disposition of the case has been reached, but the details cannot be released until that disposition has been approved by Town Court. Mr. Schopf says he and Codes Enforcement Officer Lloyd Moses met onsite with the ownership and their legal representation and were able to hammer out the proposed agreement.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Process to Replace Former Police Chief Ashe Beginning

By

by Doug La Rocque
Former Hoosick Falls Village Police Chief Bob Ashe was suspended in December of last year after it was revealed he was under investigation by the NYS Police as part of a ballot-fraud allegation. Chief Ashe resigned his post on Friday, May 13 and three days later pled guilty to a misconduct charge in Village Court. Since that time, Officer Paul Aleksonis has been Officer in Charge running the day to day operations. Following the Tuesday, June 14 meeting of the Board of Trustees, The Eastwick Press spoke with Mayor Rob Allen about the status of the replacement efforts. He told us the Board has been having discussions about it, and is ready to move forward with the search and/or any other options that might be brought to the table. At the meeting, Trustee Kevin O’Malley disclosed that revisions to Civil Service Law dictate any new Police Chief must be a full-time appointment (Chief Ashe was considered part-time). The Trustees also discussed looking into obtaining sample contracts that might be used for any replacement candidate.

Resignations
At the meeting, the Trustees accepted the resignations of four part-time officers from the Police Department, those being

You must be logged in to view this article.

Bernard J. Davendonis – Obituary

By

Hoosick Falls – Bernard J. “Bernie” Davendonis, 71, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He resided on Saratoga Street with his wife Sue A. (Dooley) Davendonis.

Bernie was born on May 29, 1951, in Troy, NY, son of the late Peter and Eileen (Kincaid) Davendonis. He graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School and received his Associate Degree from Hudson Valley Community College. Bernie was employed at St. Gobain in Hoosick Falls until retiring. He enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, listening to music and playing guitar. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls. [Read more…] about Bernard J. Davendonis – Obituary

Special Congressional Election Candidates Picked

By

Two weeks ago, when former 19th Congressional Representative Antonio Delgado was named New York State’s Lt. Governor, Governor Kathy Hochol set Tuesday, August 23 as the date for a special election to replace Mr. Delgado. Earlier this month, the Democratic Party nominated Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and on Friday, June 10, the Republican Party picked Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro (a former gubernatorial candidate). The winner of this contest will represent the current 19th district until the end of the year. The 19th includes many portions of Rensselaer County.

Who ever the winner is, will only represent the district for about 4 months, as the newly drawn congressional districts take effect on Janaury 1, 2023. All of Rensselaer County except the western side will become part of the 21st district, currently represented by Elise Stefanik.

Another interesting twist in this topsy turvy election year, is on the very same day voters are choosing a new representative for the 19th district, Democrats will also be voting in a Congressional primary to a pick a candidate for the new 21st district. Matt Castelli and Mathew Putorti are on that ballot. The winner will face off against Representative Stefanik in November for the right to represent most of Rensselaer County in  the new year. Troy remains in Representative Paul Tonko’s 20th Congressional district.

Reaction to Ashe-McPherson Conviction and Resignation

By

On Thursday morning, June 9, Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello issued the following statement on the Ashe-McPherson resignation following her guilty plea to a felony count of absentee ballot-fraud.

““This morning I received District 2 Council Member Ashe-McPherson’s resignation, effective immediately.

Per the City Charter, the City Council vacancy “shall be filled by a vote of the remaining Council Members. In the event of a tie, the Mayor shall cast the deciding vote. An election will take place this November to fulfill the balance of the term from January 2023 through the end of next year”.

I, along with Council Members Gulli and Sorriento, will be advancing legislation creating a bi-partisan Special Committee comprised of five members, three District 2 residents and a majority and minority Council Member, which will open the door for residents of District 2 to express their ideas and make recommendations pertaining to filling the vacant council seat in District 2.

It is imperative that we move forward in an open and inclusive manner to ensure the residents in District 2 have ongoing representation on the City Council.”

Esme’s Stories: A Magical Journey

By

Make-A-Wish Art Exhibition

by Amy Modesti
Since 1987, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has granted more than 2,000 wishes to children fighting illnesses throughout the local area. These wishes aim to bring hope and joy to the child, their family and those involved in its fulfillment. 

Saturday, May 7, the first of its kind Make-A-Wish art exhibition was fulfilled at The Arts Center of the Capital Region for 11-year-old Troy resident Esme Savoie. Savoie, a storyteller, fights intractable epilepsy and other health challenges that inhibit her ability to speak, walk and eat. Using only an eye gaze as a means of communication, it took several years for Savoie to communicate what she wanted for her wish. 

You must be logged in to view this article.