Local officials and citizens crammed the Ulster County legislative chambers Friday morning, to hear an update from state DOT commissioner Joan McDonald, who appeared on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“I’m so glad to see the changes going on in Albany under governor Cuomo,” Ulster County executive Mike Hein said while introducing McDonald, calling last week’s State of the State address inspirational and effective.

“You can really sense a change,” agreed McDonald. “You can feel it in the air,” she said. “Much has been done, we have great momentum — but much more needs to be done.”

McDonald summarized Cuomo’s successful record for the past year. She noted closure of a $10 billion deficit, “with no gimmicks, and it was done on time.” The new residential property tax cap has forced fiscal discipline and stimulated a citizen dialogue, the commissioner added.

Furthermore, under Cuomo’s leadership, New York has closed 3800 prison beds. “We finally recognized that prisons are not economic development programs,” McDonald observed.

The unpopular MTA payroll tax has been eliminated for most small businesses.

“We passed marriage equality for all New Yorkers, and we did it together,” said McDonald. “We restored New York’s reputation as the progressive capital of the nation.”

Cuomo’s 2012 vision sets forth an aggressive three-part strategy: Next phase in economic blueprint for growth; Re-imagined government, turning plans into reality; and New York trailblazing for a progressive future.

“We will build the largest convention center in the nation,” McDonald announced. The governor is currently pursuing a $4B private investment at Aqueduct Raceway in Ozone Park.

“Regional economic development councils clearly is a transformative initiative,” McDonald said, declaring a $200 million second round of funding.

“As for casino gambling, it’s time we faced reality,” McDonald acknowledged. “It’s not a question of whether we should have gaming in NY — we already do,” she said, citing 29,000 electronic gaming machines in NYS.

“We are also surrounded by gaming,” McDonald continued. “States across our borders have legalized gaming. They get the tourism, revenue and jobs that belong here in NYS,” she said. “From Gov. Cuomo’s perspective, it’s about jobs jobs jobs — not cards & chips. A constitutional amendment will be proposed to properly change gambling law, she observed.

$2 billion will be allocated for infrastructure, plus more for a new Tappan Zee crossing. “It’s time to start building,” McDonald declared. Cuomo is calling for a new energy highway system. “We have tremendous need in downstate.” A master plan and RFP to build supply capacity is in the works, McDonald promised.

New York’s 2013 budget will be unveiled this Tuesday. “No new taxes, no new fees,” assured McDonald, while simultaneously closing the remaining $2B deficit. Another card on the table is mandate relief. Pension costs have increased 100% since 2009, indicated McDonald. She said the retirement system requires reform and creation of a Tier 6.

“Strong effective school system is the hallmark of an effective democracy,” McDonald told the gathered audience. Noting the vast professional lobby, Cuomo has decided to take on a second job. “He will be the lobbyist-in-chief for the students. He will wage a campaign to put students first. The purpose of public education is to help children grow, not bureaucracy.” New York ranks #1 in spending, but lags behind 38th place in graduation rates.

In the public safety sector, Cuomo demands the best state emergency management operation in the country, McDonald said.

The newly created department of financial services will include a foreclosure relief unit to provide counseling and mediation services — to help New Yorkers stay in their home. DNA information will be added to data bank for all criminal convictions — a national first. A bill to implement public campaign financing will be introduced by the governor, McDonald disclosed.

Watch fullpress conference on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JVwO7I1EoE

Almost a hundred government officials, professional consultants, and environmentalists attended an all-day forum in downtown Kingston on Thursday afternoon, organized by Scenic Hudson.

Rising temperatures and water levels — in relation to Hudson Valley planning and infrastructure — was the focus of “Revitalizing Hudson Riverfronts: Opportunities in an Era of Global Climate Change,” held at the Steel House restaurant on East Strand.

“The greatest asset communities have, is their relationship with the Hudson River,” said Steve Rosenberg, senior vice president of Scenic Hudson.

“We have a lot of infrastructure along the river that can provide economic opportunities for growth,” Rosenberg observed. “But with sea level rise happening already, and climate change, we’re seeing a different set of factors and influences that are impacting what happens on the riverfront.”

The event provided local leaders, planning board officials and citizens with tools, strategies and data to help plan for the future. Rosenberg explained the goal is to create an opportunity for future growth, “instead of being victimized by these [climate] changes.”

Kingston mayor Shayne Gallo announced, in his introduction, that bids have been opened for the city’s new comprehensive plan. “It’s been almost 30 years that we haven’t had an update, which is unacceptable,” Gallo remarked, noting how it will foster a blueprint for future zoning and economic development.

Hard data on sea level rise was provided by Sacha Spector, director of conservation science for Scenic Hudson. “Every way we know how to measure climate change, it’s happening,” Spector declared.

“The ratio of record highs to record lows used to be a 1-to-1 ratio,” Spector indicated. “We see a pattern that is shifting and accelerating over the last few decades, where now we are twice as likely to see a record high, and we expect that to go somewhere to 20-1, in the coming decades,” he warned.

“Our waterfronts are really important to us economically, and we want to make the best of those for our communities’ sake,” said Kristin Marcell of the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program. “We’re seeing more and more development along our shorelines, and very destructive events that are causing our state and nation a lot of money. We have to think about whether we can do this in a more sensible long-term strategy,” she said.

Marcell challenged planners with new questions they should consider. “Where are the areas of vulnerability now? Where are those places going to be 20, 30, 50, 80 years from now — as we consider building infrastructure?”

Marcell continued with a litany of concerns, including technical abilities and long-term costs; term limits and political will. “What is the lifespan of infrastructure we have in place? Is it something that we need to think about engineering to adapt to flooding? Or is it something that’s approaching the end of its useful life, and perhaps can be moved to another location where it won’t be as vulnerable?” For worst-case catastrophic scenarios, a strategic retreat inland was suggested. She showed numerous examples of recent municipal design adaptations.

Ulster County planning director Dennis Doyle noted that half of the population lives near the waterfront, roughly 90,000 people. Five thousand citizens moved here last decade — into 3,000 newly built homes. He said higher population density, with cluster-style development, is the only solution. “Density,” Doyle insisted, is considered a dirty word in planning and zoning — but fulfills the legislative intent of all currently enacted codes.

After several hours of presentations, the audience broke up into smaller groups, to practice planning strategy using area maps. Participants were entitled to course credit through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Watch Steve Rosenberg interview on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGN3Kd4DibY

Watch Sacha Spector’s presentation on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKWHBkZwxrw

Watch Kingston mayor Shayne Gallo’s opening remarks here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoyJdgrzoH8

Watch Emily Vail (NYS DEC) clip on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzhd9jeIk6Y

Frustrated residents packed the town of Newburgh’s annual reorganization meeting Tuesday night, demanding to speak out against the expansion of a local strip club.

Fantasy Island, formerly known as Blue Moon, broke ground on new construction late last year, surprising many members of the local community. The 6,000 square foot adult entertainment facility won final planning board approval last winter.

“They have every right to be upset — you’re talking about the largest strip club complex in the Hudson Valley,” remarked Stephen Krasner, one of the organizers from Families for a Better Middlehope.

No specific zoning exists in the town to address adult-oriented businesses, Krasner explained. A revised comprehensive plan process for Newburgh township, begun in 2005, so far has left adult-oriented industries tabled for future discussion.

Residents were shocked when full details of Fantasy Island emerged at the Dec. 19th town board meeting. The project application originally appeared to be an ordinary steakhouse restaurant.

Fantasy Island, located at the intersection of Rt. 9W & DeVito Drive in the hamlet of Middlehope, sits very close to a large daycare center, an elementary school, and numerous newly built residences.

“There’s a genuine concern there,” observed Krasner, who ran unsuccessfully for town supervisor against incumbent Wayne Booth last November. “If I knew about this during the campaign, you certainly would have seen more of it in the press.”

Public input was prohibited during Tuesday’s meeting, where newly elected officials were being sworn in. Opponents to the strip club silently held protest signs and verbally heckled the proceeding, later crowding around supervisor Booth with questions about zoning changes.

“There’s no quick remedy,” said Booth, “There’s no way we can pull the approvals, unless there’s something legally found wrong in what Fantasy Island presented.” Booth warned that the town would be placed in legal jeopardy if approval was arbitrarily reversed.

Booth added that strip clubs are “not something that the town town board goes out and looks for to bring into Newburgh.” He said, “I don’t patronize them, and never had.”

“Even though it’s been there 25 years, understandably, nobody wants these in their backyard,” Booth admitted. “You can’t zone them out, so we’ll have to pick an area where they will be permitted. That’s one of the things you need public input for — so you’re not actually moving it from one person’s front yard to another.”

Bill Corbin, a resident closely watching the matter, said opponents will continue to fight. “They’re gonna take this on,” he said, “they’re working with an attorney.”

Watch protesters on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuXIHB-OdMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDCqMQKRFBQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3odu75uuno

Watch Stephen Krasner interview on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKrhUEsgMSY

Watch Wayne Booth interview on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3jxZa5nTMA

Watch Bill Corbin interview on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6VHaxmQ8ac

Hundreds of residents, officials and well-wishers packed the Grandview ballroom on Poughkeepsie’s waterfront, to observe the inauguration of the mayor and city council.

Mayor John C. Tkazyik begins a second term following a close re-election last November. As a Republican, he faces the next two years with a strong Democratic majority on the common council. Bipartisanship was stressed in his inaugural speech.

“We may have our partisan difference and disagreements,” said Tkazyik, “about who gets what, or how to allocate the scarce resources of a city that faces cutbacks in state and federal aid.”

“But today,” Tkazyik indicated, “let us acknowledge there is nothing partisan of safe streets and clean parks. Nothing partisan about ridding this city of drugs and gang violence,” to the approval of the audience.

“There is nothing partisan about creating a climate conducive to job growth, or creating a ladder of opportunity where people can climb as far and as fast as they would like.”

The mayor declared, “We are a diverse people, we live in a diverse city. Let us today renew our vow to embrace our diversity. Let us vow never allow our diversity to divide, but instead serve as a source of strength.“

Tkazyik noted past achievements. “We have made progress in making this city a safer place to live, an emerging hub of economic activity. We have managed to keep a budget in balance and a tax levy under control, by working together for the common good,“ he said.

“Let us be proud of the progress that we’ve made — but acknowledge that our work is not yet done. For there are too many in this city who are without work, not yet reached the full measure of their potential, who still live in fear of crime, still living in the shadow of the American dream.”

The mayor said that his greatest satisfaction comes from “seeing others realize success, achievement, the opportunity to better themselves, and enrich their lives and those of others.”

Almost a thousand spectators turned out for the inauguration of Dutchess County executive Marcus Molinaro, at the Marist College sports complex Thursday morning. Overwhelming crowds forced a last-minute venue change from FDR Library in Hyde Park.

Dignitaries including U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, congressmen, county legislators, and other officials paid their respects to Molinaro, who is fast-becoming the region’s political wonderboy. At age 36, he is the youngest county executive in Dutchess history.

Molinaro stepped down from his seat in the NY State Assembly, 103rd District, to take the helm from outgoing county executive William Steinhaus. Prior to five years as assemblyman, Molinaro served four terms as county legislator, and six terms as mayor of Tivoli. He won the record as youngest elected mayor in the nation at age 19.

“No one put a silver spoon in his mouth,” remarked Schumer. “Nobody plucked him out and anointed him,” the senator added. “He worked very hard, and rose through the ranks. You got here the old-fashioned way, Marc — you earned it.” Schumer said he looks forward to working with Molinaro towards local business growth.

“Marc’s becoming county executive represents the perfect melding of place and time and man and job,” lauded U.S. Rep. Nan Hayworth. “It is a privilege to think about what we are going to accomplish together, with your extraordinary leadership and inspiration in this office,” she said.

“It speaks to the leadership of Marc Molinaro,” said congressman Chris Gibson, “he was able to draw support from all across the political spectrum. There’s good reason for optimism,“ Gibson said, warning of tough days ahead.

“We are going to confront the challenges that we have,” stated Dutchess legislative chairman Robert Rolison. “Unless we’re all in it together and working towards that goal, we’re not going to succeed,” he said.

“I’m overwhelmed, humbled and inspired,” said Molinaro, clutching his 2 year old son Jack Henry in his arms, with 7-year old daughter Abigail Faith by his side. “This young lady has taught me about the challenges of life, and the unyielding potential that exists in all of us,” he said,

Molinaro, who took the oath of office fifteen separate times, promised “to do my best for Abigail, and all those who have now placed this important trust in my hands.”

Looking forward, Molinaro said, “We don’t know all the passages in this next chapter for our county. I hope, though, it might be reflected that during our service together. Partisanship and personal attacks have no place in our dialogue or debate”

“Good ideas and great volunteers will always be embraced regardless of their length of residency, individual background or party affiliation. There is no room nor any place for anything less in our county. And that is how we should serve one another.”

Several dozen women took part in a national event, gathering inside their local Target store at the Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston. They came to advocate breast-feeding mothers as part of a nationwide awareness campaign organized through Facebook and Twitter.

Last month, Houston shopper Michelle Hickman was hassled for breast-feeding her son Noah at a Target outlet in Webster, Texas. The story went viral over the internet, prompting over 4,000 unified supporters to respond across 35 states.

“She was minding her own business and trying to get her baby quiet,” explained Donna Bruschi, a New Paltz lactation consultant who organized the Kingston rally. “They started barricading her in with shopping carts so nobody would see her.”

Bruschi said she became a leader by default. As the county’s only private lactation professional, she attracts no political fallout — which her colleagues might suffer working for public agencies. “If they did something like this, they might lose their jobs,” Bruschi explained.

“This not just about mothers nursing their babies, this is about community,” said Bruschi. “Mothers don’t nurse their babies in isolation. They have husbands, they have mothers, they have relatives. All those people need to come together.”

Kelly Burns agreed, cradling infant son Declan upon her lap. “People need to understand we’re just feeding our babies, there’s nothing wrong with it, just very natural.”

Katie Weber said she’s been breast-feeding her son Max since he was born. “He needs to eat when he needs to eat,” she declared, adding that target is a nice place to nurse. “When I’m in the area, I plan to be around Target, because it’s always been easy for me to do it here.”

Early last year, the US Surgeon general issued a 100-page call to action, encouraging human milk over formula. “Without breastfeeding, there would be no human race,” concurred Bruschi. “It’s only since the advent of modern science, that they were able to break down foods so we could tolerate them, but we certainly don’t thrive on them.”

Throughout the morning, a nervous store manager eagerly tended to the group’s comfort. “Target’s handling it well,” observed Bruschi. “I think it’s good publicity. The store manager has been gracious. They’ve been really hospitable, knowledgeable and helpful.”

Mock infant effigies were provided for non-lactating individuals. Bruschi noted that men play an important role. “The biggest complaint I hear from men is that they’re embarrassed,” she said. “They don’t know what to do. If they look at her, they wonder if she thinks they’re a pervert, trying to pick her up. Get over it — breasts are for feeding babies.”

Watch event on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1S3Sq0EQJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvRAXWvK9Q0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7nsBERiDy8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNC5hwpIc0w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRe9LgyYg6g

Proud parents, teachers, and school administrators joined young winners of a county-wide student contest for best no-smoking ad. The “Power-Up to Fight Smoking” endeavor was sponsored by the Ulster County Department of Health.

“Young people can speak to young people, often times, much better than adults preaching to them,” observed county executive Mike Hein, who facilitated the presentation. “There’s a reality here, we all know that smoking is bad — that’s not something that’s either rocket science, or earth shattering news.”

The real question, Hein noted, is: “How do we make sure that Big Tobacco doesn’t have the ability to negatively influence our young people?” When young people learn to refrain early, “it’s very unlikely they’re going to pick up that horrific habit,” Hein said.

“It doesn’t matter how much education you get, what your position is, how much money you end up making, how successful you are,” promised Ulster County health commissioner, Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck. “I guarantee, you will never be able to buy another year of good health, as you go forward — so your health is your wealth,” he remarked.

“You have two things that are going to determine your health in your lifetime,” explained Dr. Hasbrouck. “One is genetics. The other is a hundred percent modifiable, your behavior. All of the major things that are going to affect your health trajectory in life, you have control over.”

Over 16,000 middle and high school students were invited to compete throughout Ulster Co. The winner of the best poster category was Andrea Mendoza of Rondout Valley High School. A team of three students from Ellenville High School was awarded best radio ad: Alfonso Cruz, Brandon Lang, and Susan Mazzarelli. Chris Hutton of Kingston High School won best video ad.

“My grandma was my inspiration to enter,” commented Hutton, “she was the healthiest person I knew, but she did smoke for fifty years of her life.” He lamented, “If she never smoked, she would probably be here today. That’s one of the reasons I despise tobacco so much.” Hutton declared, “There’s really no reason ever to smoke cigarettes. Teenagers have the ability to be smoke-free.”

Watch event on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjG0HTOS8Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ackT3ECI7M8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWgdM_5IK3o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxeOlfJbI1I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgg6OeIY2js

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnXlVd_Ze9U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZCXEVK3g7k

Senator Charles Schumer held a press conference Wednesday at Saugerties Village Beach, along the Esopus Creek, to discuss the importance of keeping the channel properly dredged. “I’m going to do everything I can,” Schumer promised.

Debris and sediment left behind from last summer’s devastating storms is causing the creek bed to rise, affecting crucial services throughout the Hudson Valley — in particular, a United States Coast Guard cutter stationed nearby.

“That creates a big problem for the Coast Guard,” Schumer warned. “If the creek bottom is too shallow, the cutter can’t get from Saugerties to the Hudson, and it runs aground. It wouldn’t be able to run on its missions to patrol the river and help in rescue.”

The senator added, “Most important, during Winter, this cutter breaks up the ice that threatens to shut down the Hudson.”

Schumer predicted, “If the Coast Guard can’t get the cutter from its port to the river it must patrol, they might be forced to move it elsewhere — taking a key resource right here out of the Hudson Valley, tying one hand behind our back.”

He vowed, “Come hell or frozen water, we can’t let that happen. It’s essential we keep the Hudson River open for business 12 months a year. We depend on the cutter to break through the ice and make way for barges and boats.”

Half a billion dollars in goods every year — much of it during the winter months — comes up the Hudson, indicated Schumer. “It’s vital for businesses that we have a clear path.”

A lot of the barges carry home heating oil, Schumer noted. “If the river were frozen, the price of heating oil would rise dramatically,” he said. “Failing to dredge the Esopus soon would be penny wise and pound foolish.”

Last week, the senator helped earmark $543M to the Army Corps of Engineers, to assist areas hit by natural disasters — such as the Hudson Valley. Three million is required for local dredging. “We’re not worried about the Coast Guard leaving this year — but the money is here now,” he said. “If the dredging isn’t done, [Coast Guard] can leave in future years.”

Ulster County executive Mike Hein thanked Schumer for his vigilance. “He gets upstate issues, and he understands the importance of what the Coast Guard brings — not only to Saugerties, but the entire Hudson Valley. He stepped forward, and that’s huge for our community.”

Hein took a swipe at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), for brackish conditions in the creek, alleging mismanagement of the watershed. “We are without question standing in front of water that is turbid far too long.”

There are a number of marinas in Saugerties, claimed village board member and supervisor-elect ?Kelly Myers. “Local businesses are really affected by the siltation,” she informed the senator.

Watch press conference here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aGH4eCIRDc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJDT40rJpqw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiXro4N_QIw

A county-wide community forum was held Monday night at Rondout Valley High School auditorium, attended by over a hundred parents, students, and educators. The topic was inadequate school funding, sponsored by the Alliance for Quality Education, with the RV Federation of Teachers.

”We‘ve done about 20 events of this type across the state in the last three months,” observed Bill Easton, AQE executive director. ”It’s not everywhere you see the administration and teachers with their union collaborating, but it makes sense,” he said, “because these are people who have committed their lives to the education of our children.”

A “First Things First 2012“ rally is scheduled for January 10th in Albany, with free buses leaving from Kingston in the morning. Lunch will also be provided.

“The issue of school funding is one that has perplexed not just school boards year after year,” remarked keynote speaker assemblyman Kevin Cahill, “but has been a troubling topic in Albany as well — in bad times especially, but also in good times.”

Cahill lamented, “We don’t seem to be able to get our arms around what we can do to adequately fund education — not just for the near term, but with a long view toward the future.”

The assemblyman asked, “What are we going to do to sustain our capital needs? To make sure that every child has a fair and equal chance for a good education? To break down the inequalities that exist? To make sure the value is there for each one of those students — no matter which school district they go to?”

“These are issues that have evaded solution in Albany,” Cahill declared. “Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues — and too many of the people who occupy the executive office in the State of New York — have not given it enough focus and attention so we can resolve this issue once and for all.”

Offering solutions, Cahill suggested a progressive graduated income tax, and smart consolidation efforts. “It’s real math,” he insisted. “If you’re making a lot of money, you’re doing it because of the hard work of the rest of us.” Cahill added, “It’s not going to be easy, it’s not going to be overnight, it’s not going to be without pain, and it’s not going to be free — but it’s one solution I think we can achieve.”

Consolidation is a scary word, Cahill noted, “It’s a good thing if it’s done right,” Cahill maintained. “We have nine boards of education, special ed departments, transportation offices,” he indicated. “We’re seeing schools close — not because it makes sense, but because they happen to be in districts that were drawn around the same time I was born.”

“Let’s take good solid school buildings and make maximum use of them,” Cahill urged. “Let’s not board them up, close them down, and send them into ruin.” Rosendale Elementary School in RVCSD is slated for closure due to funding shortfalls, among others throughout New York.

“The vilification of teachers is a cliche at this point,” complained Stephanie Peacock, a local teacher affected by school closure. “Taxpayers are fighting taxpayers. Why are community members fighting to close schools, and take away benefits from fellow community members? I think we can do it together.”

RVHS senior Silas Busch insisted, “Cuts to our state education budget can not be an acceptable option, because education is our most vital opportunity for success in the future.”

Watch Assemblyman Kevin Cahill’s remarks on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ19-48W4tM

Tempers were cool and compassion high, at the emergency school board meeting held Thursday night in Poughkeepsie. Numerous community members urged officials to investigate the underlying cause of the infamous teacher-on-teacher assault which took place earlier in the day.

“Reportedly, my understanding is that this has been a contentious situation for more than just today,” remarked Carmen McGill. “What was done to try to neutralize the situation? Did they recognize any of the warning signs?”

McGill continued. “Everyone has mentioned Ms. Glozier in the hospital, and I also feel for her, and hope she recovers and heals well, both physically and psychologically. However, I also want to know if any district personnel — psychologists or HR person — had any dealings or went to see Miss Ricketts,” McGill demanded, to resounding applause. “She is a fantastic teacher, she is an advocate for children,” McGill stated, while other parents shouted “Amen!”

Bolstered by the crowd, McGill concluded, “I don’t know what happened, how it happened, why it happened. But I do know that I will advocate for Miss Ricketts. I think the district has a responsibility to see to her well being, as well as they do to Ms. Glozier.”

Another parent worried, “I’m concerned with both teachers — their lives have both been changed. I’m concerned with the safety of my child. As a senior, and an honor roll student, she wants to drop out of school. I have a problem with that.”

Parent Kisha Reeve told the board, “I wasn’t aware that Miss Ricketts was inquiring about a possible termination. I think that needs to be looked at, because you hear all the time about people going postal when they find out that they’re losing their job. Somebody should have been checking out her disposition. People snap. Somebody should have been checking her, to see what she’s been feeling.”

Shawn Bryant wondered, “Was there anything going on before this? Could this incident have been avoided? Something happened prior, I’m sure. A fight just doesn’t happen. A fight was brewing, and somebody was aware of it.”

One student complained, “during this incident, a security guard was there, but he’s standing there watching, while there are other people — teachers — risking their lives to stop the attack.” Other students claimed they felt safe and commended the staff.

Alexa Ferry, a PHS senior, said “I’m not very happy how the situation was handled. I feel like you guys are trying to cover up what really happened.” Fighting back tears, she exclaimed, “A teacher attempted to kill another teacher in the middle of the hallways. When I go to school I want to feel safe.”

Listen to public comment soundbites here: http://midhudson.info/special/pok_stabbing/POK_soundoff.mp3

Hundreds of concerned parents and students packed the cafeteria of Poughkeepsie Middle School Thursday evening, to attend an emergency school board session. The district was reeling from a shocking incident at the High School — where one teacher violently attacked another teacher with a deadly weapon.

According to a district staff memorandum issued by superintendent Laval Wilson, Cynthia Glozier was allegedly stabbed approximately 16 times with a screwdriver by Ronette Ricketts. Both women are teachers with the English Department at Poughkeepsie High School.

“Our students are usually pretty safe when they enter our buildings, as well as the staff members,” Wilson prefaced his remarks. “Generally speaking, we have pretty good order across the district.”

The superintendent explained, “Miss Ricketts came to my building [Thursday] morning, and was looking for a personnel action sheet — we had a board meeting [Wednesday] night. Somehow Miss Ricketts was of the impression that she was being terminated,” Wilson disclosed.

“We don’t know how that information would have gotten to her. No adverse discussions had been held with her, no incidents had taken place,” Wilson remarked. Ricketts left administration offices and proceeded to the High School, Wilson continued. The stabbing took place shortly after 10am.

“Later on in the morning, I had a chance to see the incident, we have cameras throughout the HS building,” Wilson noted. “You can see the incident starting and you can see staff members helping to remove Miss Ricketts from the school,” he relayed. “We later found, as part of our investigation, that several teachers, an assistant principal, and a student had been helpful trying to separate Miss Ricketts from Ms. Glozier.”

Ronette Rickets was arrested on several felony assault charges and arraigned. Cynthia Glozier was admitted to St. Francis Hospital, where her injuries are considered non-life threatening. “The district will be taking disciplinary actions soon,” Wilson promised. “We need to meet with [Ricketts] and to take the type of action that we think would be appropriate.”

Poughkeepsie High School was locked down after the stabbing. “I made the decision that we would not close the school,” Wilson admitted. “Once people are in our buildings, we tend to keep them in our buildings,” he said.

However, “approximately 20% of the students may have left during the day, on their own, or their parents signed them out,” said Wilson. “At 3pm there was an emergency faculty meeting, where principal Edgar Glascott addressed the staff, and thanked them for all their support and help.”

District officials were flabbergasted. “I don’t recall anything like this happening,” commented school board member Greg Charter. “I don’t know what to say. I feel for the students, I feel for the staff.” Board member Randall Johnson stated there is nothing addressing staff-on-staff violence in the district safety plan. “I’d just like to ask everybody to pray for our community and our school district, this too shall pass,” board vice president Ralph Coales suggested.

There will be a two hour delay at the High School on Friday, with support services available to students and staff. Additional substitute teachers will be on hand to allow traumatized faculty members to seek assistance, Wilson added.

Watch superintendent Wilson’s remarks on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vQrOcSLYvQ

Watch school board reactions on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wReZ4BxaL0s

Numerous public officials attended a conference featuring members of the Ulster County Charter Review Commission, held Tuesday morning at SUNY New Paltz. The event was hosted by the Center for Research, Regional Education, and Outreach (CRREO).

Ulster County established a charter three years ago, and is gearing up for its mandated 5-year review. Tuesday’s forum served as a sounding board for Review Commissioners to consider while making their eventual recommendations to the legislature.

“I thought it would be helpful to this process, and to the commissioners,” explained Dr. Gerald Benjamin, distinguished professor of political science and director of CRREO, the conference moderator, “that we gather the people who helped adopt the charter politically, and created it, and define it, and write it, together with people who had experience operating government under the charter,” he said.

“Bring them into the room, and talk about their experiences, their purposes, their goals, the degree to which they were happy or unhappy with the outcome,” Benjamin continued. “We gave particular focus to separation of powers, redistricting, and goals — as opposed to actual experience with the charter.”

Benjamin added, “This is also useful potentially to other communities that are thinking about charter change, or adopting a charter.” He noted, “I am very pleased there’s a general consensus that we would not have come through the recent crisis as well, if we did not have an elected executive and a firm directed hand in our county government.”

Very few county legislators attended, while roughly half the room was packed with high school students.

“The charter for the most part eliminated the historic practice of department heads being feudal lords, based on their diplomatic skills,” observed Marianne Collins, former Charter Commission member. The charter, for better or for worse, installed leadership and accountability as the criteria by which the citizens of Ulster County evaluate their chief elected.”

Ulster County comptroller Elliott Auerbach commented, “This charter seemed to be a near perfect document, implemented by imperfect people. And, politics really seeped into the implementation of it.” Auerbach said that after charter adoption, his office has both praised and criticized his county government as part of its mission. “We sort of have become a political science experiment.”

Dave Donaldson, minority leader elect and former commission chair, observed that before the new charter, “transparency was definitely not part of the program.” However, Donaldson said, “we don’t see a great deal of transparency in the new form, the way it’s working now,” citing the recent Golden Hill senior care privatization plan. “There was nothing transparent about that, it was handed down during the budget period, with a short period of time to make very important decisions that are going to affect the county for decades to come.”

Watch Hugh Reynolds’ remarks on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeZLfk8Ny8I

Watch Gerald Benjamin on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFS_gHj5fws

Watch redistricting discussion on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=745elHjRskw

William J. Steinhaus will feel safe — along with 300,000 others living in Dutchess — when incoming county executive Marcus Molinaro takes office on January First. The two met Monday morning at the Dutchess emergency response office for a transitional tour.

“This is the emergency operations center,” said Steinhaus, “where the executive of the county sits with the Sheriff’s staff, the State Police, State DOT, County Highway, Red Cross — all the different other support organizations — during an event or some kind of crisis.” Over 12,000 individuals have been to the center for training during 2011, Steinhaus added.

Molinaro is stepping down as state assemblyman to take Steinhaus‘s position. “The state leadership sees Dutchess County as a role model in emergency response,” Molniaro remarked. “The state government many times turns to this county for direction,” he noted.

“It’s all thanks to the great county staff — the professional organizations we have — and the dedicated individuals across our different agencies,” agreed Steinhaus, who served as county executive for the past 20 years. “We’ve tried to build that infrastructure to be the one of the best in the State of New York — and we think we’ve done that.,” he bragged.

“I want to walk him thorough today, and show him a little more of what we do here,” Steinhaus explained of the visit. “If there’s one thing an executive has to be prepared for — transitioning from Dec. 31st to January 1st — is the possibility there may be an event which requires the executive’s leadership, coordination, declaration of emergency, or other kind of command responsibilities.,” Steinhaus indicated.

“This is perhaps the most critical part of what county government offers,” Molinaro acknowledged. “I want the citizens of Dutchess County to know the incoming executive is prepared — as much as a new guy on the block can be,” he said.

Molinaro, before he was assemblyman, spent four terms as county legislator, and six terms as mayor of Tivoli — also serving as a volunteer firefighter. “When you’re in elected office, you never stop learning,“ Molinaro said. “One is never entirely prepared — I think the goal here is to continue to listen, continue to learn, and ultimately insure that Dutchess County taxpayers have a government that’s going to respond effectively to whatever is the crisis.”

Watch press conference on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzmmnJugPU4

Watch Molinaro interview on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_tbpQncOD8