Greene County Democratic Committee

The Committee held a special meeting at Lange’s to follow up on the opportunity presented by the resignation of Greene County Treasurer Willis Vermilyea on July 31st.

Two candidates expressed interest in the position and both had the opportunity to address the committeepersons in attendance. Evon Antonio and Alan Pavese both spoke to their qualifications for the job and took questions from the audience. Their resumes were distributed to members of the committee by Chairman Tom Poelker.

A straw poll was conducted and Alan Pavese (http://alanpavese.com/) was declared the winner. A formal process regarding the party’s nomination will take place in September.

For Immediate Release
August 4th, 2010

*** News Release ***

CONGRESSMAN MURPHY ANNOUNCES NEARLY $3.5 MILLION IN RURAL BROADBAND FUNDING TO EXPAND BROADBAND IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

$3.5 Million in USDA Funding Coming to Mid-Hudson Cablevision to Expand Service to Columbia and Greene Counties

Murphy: Expanding High-Speed Broadband to Rural Counties Essential to Renewing Upstate New York’s Economy

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Murphy (NY-20) announced that Mid-Hudson Cablevision will receive $3,473,919 in USDA funding for rural broadband infrastructure projects. After speaking with James Reynolds, President of Mid-Hudson Cablevision, Murphy sent letters and made calls in support of their application, in addition to working with the USDA.

This funding will allow Mid-Hudson Cablevision to expand coverage in Columbia and Greene counties, specifically the Towns of Ashland, Jewett, Lexington, Cairo, Catskill, Windham, Coxsackie and New Baltimore in Greene County, and The Towns of Taghkanic, Copake, Claverack, Ghent, Chatham, Hillsdale and Austerlitz in Columbia County. Rural broadband funding is critical to creating new local jobs, and expanding long-term economic development opportunities for communities.

“This is great news for the Hudson Valley. Expanding rural broadband in our Upstate communities is key to building businesses and creating jobs,” said Rep. Murphy. “This is one of the most critical issues for our rural communities. This project will benefit everyone from farmers and small businesses looking to sell their products online, to volunteer firefighters needing high-speed Internet to keep the public safe. Broadband investments like this are a critical component of my Renew Upstate New York plan, and will help ensure the 20th District becomes a leader in the 21st century economy.”

“We are very pleased to receive the news that we are being awarded this grant,” said James Reynolds, President of Mid-Hudson Cablevision. “These tax payer dollars will help us to continue the work we have been engaged in for 30 plus years. This government support will help make it possible to extend service to rural marketplaces that would otherwise be very difficult reach. We will be moving as quickly as possible to move forward with the outlined in our proposal and certainly appreciate all of the support and assistance that we received from Congressman Scott Murphy.”

Congressman Murphy is continuing to travel around the district to work with private industry and the communities of the 20th District to build on his plan to Renew Upstate New York’s economy. More information on Murphy’s Renew Upstate New York economic development plan is available at http://www.ScottMurphy.house.gov/RenewUpstateNewYork.

Background:

Mid-Hudson Cablevision is an independent cable operator that has provided service to the rural marketplace in New York State’s Columbia, Greene and Southern Albany Counties since 1971. This $3.5 million USDA award with an additional $1.5 million in applicant-provided match will allow Mid-Hudson Cable to bring high speed broadband to this rural region located in the 75 mile corridor between New York City and the state Capital in Albany. Mid-Hudson Cable’s project stands to benefit over 20,000 people. In addition, over 3,000 businesses and 100 community institutions stand to benefit from this project. Not only will this project create jobs upfront, but it will also help drive economic development in the community that will help create jobs for years to come.

In 2006, Mid-Hudson Cable was awarded a RUS Broadband loan to build new infrastructure to deliver Broadband to this rural marketplace and they successfully completed more than 100 miles of plant to serve this region and repaid the loan in full. Now the same experienced Management Team is prepared to replicate that previous success with their Round 2 BIP application plans to extend Last-Mile Broadband to un-served and under-served areas in the Towns of Ashland, Jewett, Lexington, Cairo, Catskill, Windham, Coxsackie and New Baltimore in Greene County, and The Towns of Taghkanic, Copake, Claverack, Ghent, Chatham, Hillsdale and Austerlitz in Columbia County. These proposed projects will help to bring the availability of Broadband to a significant number of rural communities and it is the kind of initiative that will have a substantial favorable impact on economic development and job creation.

Murphy previously introduced the Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2010 to expand access to broadband Internet in rural areas by eliminating red tape and developing a comprehensive strategy to link our rural communities to high-speed Internet connections. The Rural Broadband Initiative Act of 2010 would amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to create a new Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives within the Department of Agriculture, centralizing authority and funding for new broadband development and allowing for greater accountability to ensure that investments achieve results.

Contact:
Josh Schwerin:

202-225-5614

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Visit the Greene County Democratic Committee in the vendor tent at this year’s Youth Fair, for information about our candidates for this November’s election, voter enrollment information, and a ball toss raffle!

Fair information, directions, and hours are available at: http://www.greenecountyyouthfair.com/

What began with a summer rummage and bake sale at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oak Hill , developed into Yard Sale Day, and then into Oak Hill Day, has a full line up of activities for everyone on July 31 this year.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with yard and rummage sales throughout town on Hwy 81 eight miles west of Greenville. There is no map, but this year the Oak Hill Preservation Association purchased bright yellow and red signs which are free to all residents having sales and should catch of the attention of visitors. There will be large sales at both churches in town as well as individual sales on Hwy 81 and side roads off the state highway.

An information booth will open at 10 a.m.on the porch of the house as 7833 Hwy 81. There will be maps, schedules and individuals to advise visitors about activities. A historical scavenger hunt will be available at the information booth and local crafts will also be for sale on the porch. Ralph Hull will again have his bee skeps and folk art. There will be cards with local photographs, jewelry, Arbonne products and local books for sale.

While wandering through town on the scavenger hunt participants are invited to detour to look at gardens behind the brick house and across the street.

From 10 to 12 the Twelve Tribes will be doing music and folk dancing in the parking lot at the Oak Hill Kitchen. They will offer refreshments to visitors. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Wayside Inn will have food available for lunch.

A mini antique car show will be held at B &G’s Parking Lot next to the post office from 12:30 to 2:30. Since stock car racers such as Mert “Socks” Hulbert and the Wetmores put Oak Hill on the map in the 1960s, cars are a real part of the hamlet’s history.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Dina Bursztyn co-owner of the Open Studio in Catskill will teach a clay and mixed media workshop for both children and adults. Participants will be able to create their favorite local animal or plant in clay. They can bring sticks, stones, pebbles, ceramic shards and other objects to incorporate into the sculptures if they wish. Clay will be provided. Dina is a renown sculptor, public art artist and educator. This workshop is funded by a grant from the Greene County Council on the Arts.

The day will end with music by the Spring Trio and ice cream on the lawn of the Oak Hill Methodist Church. The Spring Trio is funded by a grant from the Greene County Council on the Arts and the ice cream is provided by Stewarts. Those coming should bring chairs.

The only charge for any of the activities is the cost of what participants purchase at the lawn sales.

Oak Hill was settled in 1771 and has many historic buildings. It was featured in the recent documentary Greene County USA, a Local History of National Importance.

Friends of Greene County;

This Saturday, July 17, the Greene County Democratic Committee has the pleasure of hosting our next Governor, Andrew Cuomo, as he kicks off our Citizens Campaign in support of his New New York Agenda!

WHEN: 10:15 AM PROMPTLY SATURDAY JULY 17

WHERE: BRIK, 473 MAIN STREET, CATSKILL, NY

Please join us at BRIK, the 1805 building, now a wonderful gallery in the heart of downtown Catskill for this important event.

Feel free to forward this email to all of those individuals who may be interested in attending. Please email your name and the names of your guests and corresponding email addresses ASAP to rsvp@greenedems.org.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic response to this event and your commitment to Cuomo 2010!

If you have any questions please email us at rsvp@greenedems.org or phone (518) 734-9871.

All the best,
Tom Poelker

Greene County Legislature
Special Meeting No. 3
July 14, 2010

The meeting will commence @ 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the “Theatre Room” in the Arts Center Building at Columbia-Greene Community College.

AGENDA

A. Silent Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

B. Roll Call.

C. Resolutions/Motions. There are no resolutions/motions to be acted on this evening.

1. Opening Remarks by Chairman Speenburgh

2. Power Point Presentation By Interim County Administrator Dan Frank Regarding The 2010/2011 Greene County Budget.