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In the news, November '05:

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County will present $126.5M budget
Taxes to increase 4.3 percent from last year; rate to decrease 12 percent this year
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 25, 2005

COLUMBIA COUNTY -- The county will present a $126,515,273 operating budget for fiscal year 2006 at a public hearing prior to the full Board of Supervisors meeting Dec. 14, with a 4.3 percent tax increase from last year, but a 12 percent tax rate decrease.

"I think we should be proud of the budget," Chairman Gerald Simons, R-Ancram, said when discussing with the Finance Committee when the budget would be distributed to the press, supervisors and department heads.

Total revenues in the 2006 budget are estimated at $92,247,635 and the total tax levy is set to be $34,267,638, according to Simons.

Last year, the county adopted a $120.6 million spending plan and this year Simons is proud of the fact that the county managed to create a spending plan that did not necessitate large tax increases.

The increase the county will see in 2006, Simons attributed to a $1 million increase in labor contracts, an $865,000 increase in health insurance, a $350,000 in the price of gas, diesel, sand and salt, and a $90,000 increase in the price of steel for guard rails.

As opposed to last year -- when a $2.3 million increase in state retirement boosted the spending plan -- this year retirement seemed to level off.

"As a matter of fact, retirement will be down some what," Simons said Wednesday.

He attributed this to the stock market and added that the decrease was from 12 percent ofthe payroll to 10.8 percent of the payroll.

The 12 percent decrease in the tax rate, Simons notes, did directly correlate to the $800 million increase in the county tax base.

"Part of that is increased values and part of that is new values," Simons said. "This board can't tell how much of it is new construction."

To do that, the board would need numbers from each individual town assessor in the county.

The tax base in the county went from $4.4 billion to $5.2 billion, approximately, according to Simons.

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Workshop reveals hopes for town future
Sixty-five attend Comprehensive Plan meeting
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 23, 2005

CLAVERACK -- With the comprehensive plan on many peoples' mind after a contentious race for town positions earlier this month, people came out in force to attend a workshop Thursday to brainstorm the future of the town.

"It went really well," said Comprehensive Plan Committee Co-chair Christopher Post Monday. "I think there was a general feeling of all those who were there that it was very successful."

Among the approximately 65 attendees were town Supervisor James Keegan and a town board member, Post added.

"We had nine tables set up, with people at each, all doing the same tasks. At the end, we kind of compared the answers we all came up with," he said.

Reached Tuesday, Community Planning and Environmental Associates Principal Consultant Nan Stolzenburg was able to shed light on what issues were came up at the workshop.

"We asked people to identify the negatives features of the town, the positive features of the town and then to offer a vision or direction they think the town should go in," she told the Register-Star.

Positives she listed included: Good emergency services, deep roots and family history, sense of community, rural character, friendly atmosphere, undeveloped beauty and open space.

She some of the negatives that emerged at the workshop were the post office is too small, lack of jobs, loss of farms and farmlands, lack of zoning that prevents sprawl, lack of a town center and loss of access to streams.

"Lack of a town center, kind of like a social center -- that came up a lot," Stolzenburg said. "We had people prioritize these and these are the ones that got the highest priority."

Stolzenburg felt that the responses in the two categories fit in with the people's vision for the future of Claverack -- namely, they want the positives to remain and the negatives to be resolved.

"If you were to take the positives and turn those into a vision, what people really want is to have a town in the future that has all the positives it does now," she said.

Other topics that arose were housing opportunities for all income levels, thriving family farms and careful development.

While people may have had set ideas in mind of what they wanted for Claverack, Post said efforts were made to break people up when the entered the workshop to foster communication.

"People were given a number when they came in," he said. "People who came in together would not sit together and do these tasks together. We had people who hadn't worked with or done anything with these neighbors before and they were all working on the same task; which was what can we do for Claverack."

Post said that the group was a diverse one and the workshop was highly beneficial in the town's process of determining what the residents want for the future.

"We're going to have another workshop in January," he said. "We're also going to have a survey in January. The purposes of the workshops is so we can prepare questions from the workshop results to see what we can include in our survey."

With the knowledge in mind that residents may not fill out or even look at long surveys, Post said the Comprehensive Plan Committee was advised by their consultant on just how much should be included.

"There is a limit," he said. "You don't want them too long or people are never going to complete them. We were told five to six pages max."

Those five or six pages, Post said, would require little actual writing on the part of town residents and would likely consist of from one to 10 selections where choosing one would equate to strong agreement and five would be equal strong opposition.

"We would like them to return the survey," Post said. He also added that it would be encompassing, not restricted to the out of village areas of Claverack.

"Philmont will be included. It's going to be a blanket-wide survey that is going to go out to everyone who resides in Claverack, whether they be a full-time resident, or a weekend resident; a renter or an owner."

Stolzenburg added there might be access to the survey on-line, but the town hasn't made those decisions at this point. She did say that no matter what, therewould still be paper copies available to people.

Once results of the survey and the next workshop are in, Stolzenburg said the next step is to gather all the information together.

"We work on pooling that information all together," she said. "We use that to develop a vision statement, a set of goals, a set of recommendations and then strategies to meet those goals and that vision."

As a professional consultant in community planning, Stolzenburg was impressed by the workshop in Claverack and the committee itself.

"From my observations, the committee is very energetic and committed," she said. "I think they are going to put together a great effect to get people involved. I think the turnout at the meeting was fantastic."

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Register-Star, November 22, 2005, Political advertisement

THANK YOU CLAVERACK

Claverack's Hometown Team would like to thank everyone for the vote of confidence you gave us on Election Day. To have so many come out to the polls and cast their votes for positive, open government says a lot about the voters of Claverack. We promise to continue our work to make Claverack a great place to live, to raise children and to prosper. We will be seeking your input on a number of key issues in the months ahead and will continue to make ourselves available to you to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Again, thank you for your support.

Claverack's Hometown Team
   Jim Keegan, Supervisor
   Bill Blaauw, Councilman
   Mike Johnston, Councilman
   Mary Hoose, Town Clerk
   Louie Lamont, Highway Super
   Charlie Brewer, Assessor
   Charlie Hoag, Town Justice

Paid for by Claverack's Hometown Team

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'Budget officer' position may be in violation of law
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 19, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Town Councilwoman Anne Twaddle has annually barricaded herself in her home for a week putting together Claverack budgets for years, chosen for the task because of her past experience as county treasurer.

But after Monday night's budget public hearing it came to light that her position as councilwoman and her position as what could be construed as "budget officer" may actually be a violation of New York state town law. Resident Max Dannis, who recently ran for election to the supervisor's seat in the town, e-mailed the Register-Star with an excerpt of town law that stated, in part:

"'Budget officer' shall mean the supervisor or, in towns which have more than one supervisor, the presiding supervisor; provided that the supervisor or presiding supervisor may appoint, to serve at his pleasure, any person including a town officer or employee, other than a member of the town board, to be budget officer."

Upon review of the stated excerpt, Town Attorney Robert Fitzsimmons stated that Twaddle's title at the town is officially "deputy supervisor of finances."

"That section [of the law] states the position of budget officer falls with the supervisor, but also allows the supervisor to appoint another person to that position," he wrote in an e-mail to the paper. "The section states if the supervisor does appoint a budget officer, it should not be a town board member."

He added in his e-mail that Twaddle's deputy supervisor of finances position could be considered by some as being the budget officer and suggested the town avoid this situation in the future.

"I am not sure if this would be construed as synonymous with a 'budget officer' but to avoid any possible conflict based upon the definition, I have advised the town in the future not to utilize a Town Board member to ensure compliance with section 103(2) [of NYS town law]," he stated in his e-mail to the paper.

Dannis, who originally pointed out the town law, felt that the law was clear and had been instituted for a reason.

"It was clear to me that the board members rely excessively on Ms. Twaddle for her budget experience and do not exercise the independent judgment that I believe is required by their offices," he said in an e-mail. "Mr. Keegan stated that Ms. Twaddle has been Claverack's 'budget officer' for several years ... the Legislature probably wanted to prevent just the sort of abdication or responsibility that we are seeing in Claverack."

Town Supervisor James Keegan stated early Wednesday that Twaddle was indeed paid for her work on the town's budget and has been acting in this capacity since he took over as supervisor in 1997.

Keegan valued Twaddle's experience as county treasurer and her years of service.

"It's like sour grapes to me," Keegan said of raising the issue right after a contentious budget public hearing. "If it was the first year we did this and they brought up it was wrong. The lady gave her service and she's got a month to go. This [appointment] wasn't done with malice."

When made aware of the law, Keegan reviewed the Town Law manual put out by the Association of Towns and was surprised to find this stipulation listed there. A review of the Town Law loose-leaf publication from 1990 found the exact same wording there as well.

"We've had two controller's audits and have a financial statement that goes to the controller [each year]," Keegan said. "All these years, nobody ever brought it up. We've had two lawyers."

Whether the law was broken or not, Fitzsimmons pointed out that the definition of budget officer will not be a problem in the future since Twaddle did not seek re-election on Nov. 8.

Keegan said it is unlikely Twaddle would work on future budgets.

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Public voices concerns over tax increase
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 18, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Though the town preliminary 2006 budget was passed Monday night, a number of town residents expressed concern over the tax rate, as well as what information was available during an hour-long public hearing.

According to Supervisor James Keegan, the tax rate in the 2006 budget is only three cents higher than last year's, with the new rate at $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value. He also pointed out that the village of Philmont tax rate went down nine cents per $1,000.

"The amount to be raised by taxes is $460,490 this year," Keegan reported. "Up $86,735 from last year. In the last six years, the budget's tax rate per thousand has only increased seven cents. That's a little over a cent per year."

Increased expenditures in the budget this year include 3 percent increases in most town salaries, a 3.5 percent increase in the highway department salaries and increases in the price of gas, electric, oil, black-top, sand, salt and diesel.

Some of the increases amount to the Comprehensive Plan budget up $40,000, the parks and equipment up $25,000, snow removal up $15,000 and machinery up $21,000 from last year.

"Appropriations are up $180,746," Keegan stated. "We're now at $2,020,546. Revenues are up by $54,490. We applied $350,000 to keep the tax rate low. The amount raised by taxes is a lot more than last year, it's up $86,000."

But according to resident Max Dannis, the tax increase is the equivalent of 23 percent and the three cents is misleading the public. Dannis attributed his estimate to assessments increasing 20 percent across the board this past year and how that had to be factored into the increase.

Keegan at one point stated, "If our assessments didn't go up, our rate would be much more."

Dannis persisted for most of the meeting that there were serious problems with the 2006 budget. "I feel the whole hearing is flawed," he said of Monday's meeting. "A citizen asked a question and a wrong number gets quoted."

He asked that the board look at using some of the unexpended fund balances to help reduce the tax burden. "Use a little so we don't pay 23 percent more taxes this year," he said.

At a number of junctures, Dannis provided numbers that were the equivalent of adding up fund balances, to which Councilwoman Anne Twaddle, who prepared the budget, said could not be done.

"The only ones you can take are the unappropriated fund balances," she tried to explain. "We have a reserve for the capital fund, a reserve for the self insurance fund; you can't count those as fund balances. The only one you can count is the unappropriated fund balance. Every year we use what we feel we can use."

Dannis continued, however, pointing out that the forecast appropriation for the "DA" fund was $42,500. "I believe in the last few years we have never spent more than $6,000 [from that fund]," he stated.

Twaddle maintained that there was no way the town could know what kind of snowstorms would occur over the winter or what unexpected expenses might need to be covered over the course of the year.

"You are going to have unforeseen expenses," she said. "There is no place else to get that money. If we don't use it, we apply it against next year and it costs the tax payer nothing."

Town resident Katy Cashen was also concerned with the budgeted figures and their difference from how much was actually spent by the town in the past.

"We have less expenditures than what we actually end up spending," she said. "Attorney fees for the board are at $40,000 for fund A, but over the last several years we've only actually spent $15,000 for attorney fees. But we continue to budget for $40,000."

Again, the answer was that the board had no way of knowing what would happen in the upcoming year.

Adam Cress [note: s/b Nathan Chess], another town resident, was interested in the increases in the town justice equipment line, where past budgets were $2,000 and the 2006 budget asked for $4,522.

In this case, the board said it was due to a request for laptops.

It also came out during the meeting that the budget form, which is a new form being used by the county, does not giving the public any hard past figures of the expenditures.

The "actual 2004" line was the actual budgeted amount in 2004, not the actual amount spent by the town in those categories -- something that proved to be both confusing and disliked by the townspeople.

There was agreement this should be remedied in some way in the next budget season, with perhaps those figures available to the public at the meeting if not on the budget form.

Keegan praised Twaddle for her work.

"I want to thank Anne Twaddle, our budget officer, for all her long hours preparing her last budget for town of Claverack," he said. "To have only a seven cents per $1,000 increase for the last six years is remarkable. We have reserves to keep the tax rate stable and have the fourth lowest tax rate in the county. Looking at what's going on around the state, I think it was a wonderful job."

Towards the end of the meeting, resident Virginia Martin asked that the board not adopt the budget Monday night to allow the public more time to intelligently comment on the budget.

However, it was revealed that the budget had to be into the county by Nov. 20, leaving no time for another public hearing. This drew much noise from the crowd who expressed the feeling that the town had waited until the last minute to hold the hearing.

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Claverack garden club receives awards
Register-Star, November 18, 2005

CLAVERACK -- The Claverack Garden Club met recently in the library of the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack. On display at the meeting were the awards presented to the Claverack Garden Club by the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Inc. at the District 111 meeting held in Albany.

They received the following awards: 2005 Club Recognition Award, First Place for the Claverack Garden Club's Year Book in District 111 and in New York State, and a citation for the Claverack Garden Club's 60 years as a Federated Garden Club of New York State.

The theme of the meeting was Designer's Choice: The Red, White and Blue. Every member was asked to bring red, white and blue flower arrangements in honor of Veterans Day. Those participating were Mary Ginouves, Sylvia Schaummann, Louise Bliss and Margaret Chippari. Hostess for the day was Mary Hallenbeck. The Claverack Garden Club welcomes prospective new members at all projects, events and meetings.

At the meeting, reports were given by Mary Ginouves about the spring bulbs which were planted in the Claverack Parks and by Sylvia Schaummann on Claverack Garden Club's participation in the Greens Show at the Vanderpoel House in Kinderhook on Dec. 9, 10 and 11. Members will meet at the Vanderpoel House at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 8 to decorate the Game Room.

A report was given by Mary Hallenbeck on a Garden Therapy activity scheduled for Tuesday. Members are asked to bring unarranged flowers to the Reformed Dutch Church in Claverack at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. The flowers will be brought to the Livingston Hills Nursing Home where residents will arrange the flowers for Thanksgiving tables in the dining hall of the residence. Members who wish to go to Livingston Hills to assist the residents with the flower arranging are very welcome and encouraged to do so.

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Claverack tax levy will balloon
By: GAIL HEINSOHN, The Independent, 11/18/2005

CLAVERACK—Over sometimes strident objections from the audience, the Town Board passed a budget for 2006 that shows an increase in spending of 9.8%, with the amount to be raised from taxpayers increased by 23%.

Max Dannis, recently defeated Democratic party challenger for Supervisor Jim Keegan's seat, told the board that even though the tax rate per $1,000 assessed value has increased minimally, this year's across-the-board 20% residential revaluation means that taxpayers can expect to see that 23% tax levy increase in their real estate tax bills.

It could be ameliorated, he told them, by applying more of the unexpended balance from the prior year. But his repeated attempts to obtain the balance were rebuffed. Budget Officer and Councilwoman Ann Twaddle told him the funds "can't be added together. The only one you can take is the Unappropriated Fund balance. That's the only money that's ours."

Mr. Dannis told the board that he had studied past budgets and noticed that several line items were overfunded, leading to growth in the unexpended funds. Ms. Twaddle—earlier in the meeting thanked by Supervisor Keegan for her years of duty as the town's budget officer—replied that the town will have "unforeseen expenses, and if you don't have money somewhere, you're going to be in trouble." Addressing Mr. Dannis, she said, "Don't you ever accuse me of being sloppy in your newspaper articles."

Katy Cashen, unsuccessful in her run for a seat on the board, also questioned why some line items were overfunded. She cited the budget for attorney's fees, at $40,000 per year. The actual figures she found in her research, she said, showed only $15,000 spent. Ms. Twaddle replied, "You never know with attorneys. I've known a time when it was $65,000." Deputy Town Clerk Martha Pizza added that in 2004, the actual expenses for attorney fees were $33,000.

But Mr. Dannis told the board that his figures showed that the $33,000 for 2004 was in fact "the unexpended balance." Figures shown on the budget distributed to the board and the audience that were labeled "actual" were instead the amounts that had been budgeted for 2004. Ms. Twaddle asked, "It says 'Actual 2004?'" Mr. Dannis replied that it did. Mrs. Twaddle said, "That's not 'actual.'"

As voices grew louder, Mr. Keegan said that he was going to allow "one more question." Mr. Dannis said that he had "serious questions about the 2006 budget," and asked whether he could ask "two questions." Mr. Keegan said no. Mr. Dannis said, "I'm asking the board to look at what you have actually spent and look at the surplus and apply that so that people don't have to pay 23% more in taxes." Mr. Keegan replied that they would pay 3%.

Audience member Nathan Chess said that the document was "confusing, if it says actual but it isn't." He asked whether there was "some place in here that really says what we really paid." Both Ms. Twaddle and Board Member Bill Blauw said no. Mrs. Twaddle said that the state doesn't want it in the document. "We have it available if you come to the office every month." Mr. Keegan said that people "shouldn't have to do that."

Ms. Cashen asked what would happen if a department head requested "an outrageous sum" for his budget. "We can that, at our meetings," Mrs. Twaddle replied. "We have regular budget meetings of the board and the budget officer," she said. Mr. Dannis asked if the meetings were public. Mrs. Twaddle said, "Just with the people I'm talking about." Mr. Keegan said that anyone is invited to a public meeting. Mrs. Twaddle said, "Just the board. Not any outsiders." Mr. Keegan said that the meetings were not with the full town board.

Mr. Chess asked whether it would be possible "going forward, if we could say, 'this is what we spent last year'?" He said that he couldn't tell if the budget was reasonable in comparison with what had been spent without access to that information. "It's sort of meaningless—no offense," he said.

Mr. Blauw said that he felt that there had been some "valid points" for the future.

Newly elected Town Board member Michael Johnston said from the audience that he didn't think anyone was accusing the board of not doing its job and that he thought the board could "help the public to understand better."

But Mr. Dannis said that he must "come back to my point: Year after year, we dramatically underestimated revenues and overestimated expenses. I request the board to use those surpluses or sharpen your pencils and cut some of those items so taxes don't go up 23%."

Audience member Virginia Martin asked if the budget "has to be adopted tonight."

"No," Mr. Keegan answered, "but it will be." Ms. Martin said that she didn't think the public knew enough about what had really been spent.

Town Attorney Robert Fitzsimmons said that a budget hearing must be scheduled before November 15 and a budget adopted by November 20. "If for some reason they want to hold it for a line item," he said, "this budget is the one that sticks." The issues raised could be "taken under advisement for the future. But we can't back up and get any information" for this year.

"That's the end," Mr. Keegan said, "that's all there is to it."

The hearing was adjourned for five minutes. At the regular meeting of the Board that followed, the budget was adopted unanimously.

To reach reporter Gail Heinsohn, e-mail gheinsohn@indenews.com

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'Planning and visioning' workshop scheduled for Claverack Comprehensive Plan
Register-Star, November 16, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Residents, property owners, civic groups, businesses and government officials are invited to participate in a special "planning and visioning" workshop 7 p.m. Thursday at the A.B. Shaw Firehouse banquet room.

Open to the public, the workshop results will be used, along with other input from the public, to help formulate an updated comprehensive plan for the town.

Claverack initiated a comprehensive planning project, coordinated by a steering committee, and has hired planning consultants from Community Planning & Environmental Associates in Berne to help guide the updates.

The previous comprehensive plan was written in 1970 and by definition a comprehensive plan is a written document that identifies the vision, goals, policies and strategies to guide growth and development in the community over the next 10 to 15 years, according to a press release.

This plan will guide the town when decisions are made affecting the immediate and long-range protection, enhancement, growth and development of Claverack.

The workshop is a great opportunity to get people involved in the comprehensive planning process and other workshops, interviews and surveys are planned for after the holidays.

During the workshop, participants will work in small groups to identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in the town that could influence future development, as well as develop a town-wide vision for the future.

The firehouse is located at the intersection of Routes 23B and 9H.

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Register-Star, November 16, 2005, Letter to the editor
Appreciates support

To the editor:

I would like to thank everyone in the town of Claverack who voted to re-elect me as your town highway superintendent. I appreciate your continued support and look forward to an other term.

As always, I welcome your questions, comments and concerns.

You may contact me at the Town of Claverack Highway Department building, located at 128 Schoolhouse Road, Claverack; by calling 851-7533 or my home at 672-5018.

Louis C. LaMont Jr.
Highway superintendent
Claverack

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Register-Star, November 15, 2005, Letter to the editor
Thanks to voters

To the editor:

I congratulate Jim Keegan on his victory in the race for Claverack Supervisor. Both sides ran vigorous campaigns and the voters have spoken.

I thank my extended team for their extraordinary talents and energies. I believe we ran a superb campaign that raised important issues. I am not discouraged and I will continue to work for the future of our town.

I thank all the voters who supported me, who invited me into their homes and who motivated me to reach higher and do better. I especially thank the voters of Philmont who crossed party lines in significant numbers to give me the majority of votes in my home district.

Max Dannis
Claverack supervisor candidate
Craryville

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O Currant! Area farmer reviving forgotten fruit
By John Mason, Hudson Valley Newspapers, Register-Star, November 13, 2005

HUDSON -- Until recently, the black currant was a largely forgotten fruit in the United States. Although native to these shores, it was living in exile, in Europe because of a 1911 law pushed through by the timber industry that banned their cultivation.

The reason for the ban was the fear of infection: If currant bushes are grown in the vicinity of white pine trees, the white pine blister rust can travel from tree to bush to tree.

After the law was passed, "currants fell off the radar of American consciousness," said horticulturist Greg Quinn, speaking Sunday at the Hudson Opera House as part of its lecture series. Quinn is the "Garden Guy" on station WNYW, and the founder of Au Currant Enterprises in Clinton.

Currants are being legally grown in this country again, largely thanks to Quinn's efforts.

And he believes they may hold the key to revitalizing New York's sagging farm industry.

Currants are not, he said, what is eaten in scones. Those are actually dried grapes, which began being imported from Greece around 1920. The word "Corinth" was mistranslated as "currant" and the name stuck. These dried grapes are now labeled "Zante currants," because they come from the island of Zante in Greece.

True currants grow on bushes, not vines, and are about the size of a pea. And the black currant has a tarter taste than the Zante currant.

In Anton Chekhov's famous short story, "Gooseberries," a banker saves his money so he can afford to move to the country and grow gooseberries. He is depicted on the farm having centered his life on the pleasure he gets from gooseberries, cousins of the currant.

Quinn and his wife Carolyn bought land and moved to Dutchess County six years ago. He was hoping to farm three seasons and spend the fourth writing, and he was looking around for crops that would be profitable. He found out that nearby Clinton Vineyards produces cassis, a dessert wine made from black currants.

Quinn asked them where they get their currants. "He said 'It's a pain -- we have to bring them in from Canada.'"

From his days as a chef in Europe, Quinn was already well aware of the culinary advantages of currants, which he said have an astringency that brings out the flavor of foods being cooked, even more than does lemon.

He consulted with plant pathologists, and found that research showed the white pine blister rust wasn't the blight it had been played up to be, and that Europeans had developed a number of varieties that were immune to the disease.

"It occurred to me that I had stumbled across a diamond in the rough," Quinn said. In Europe, he said, the black currant is well known, and there are 193 products made from it.

"It has a very unique taste," he said. "It's quite wonderful" Then he began to find out about the health benefits. Studies show, he said, currants reduce blood pressure, are helpful in treating glaucoma and eyestrain, and can reduce hot flashes caused by menopause.

Recently, a woman from Ukraine told Quinn that as a child she had bad dermatitis, and her parents made a tea out of black currant branches that cured it; she asked him for branches for her 2-year-old grandson who had the same problem; Quinn supplied the branches and the cure worked again.

Seeing the culinary and health benefits of currants, and the evidence that blight was no longer a major factor, Quinn went to Albany to get the law repealed and talked to a senator. When the senator asked if there was a market and how many farmers would be affected by the legislation, Quinn told him there was no market and there were no farmers because no one knew about currants.

The senator told him in so many words, go away, we're busy.

Quinn kept up his attack, going from office to office in the state Legislature, until a Wall Street Journal reporter got wind of it and an interview wound up on page one.

The story took the side of the lumber industry, Quinn said.

"But there's a saying in media,"he said, "'Say whatever you want about me, just spell my name right.'" The next morning, a senator called, and they began drafting the legislation. About a year later, a law allowing currant cultivation was in effect.

Quinn now has between 6,000 and 7,000 black currant bushes, 1,000 red currant bushes and hundreds of white and pink currant bushes and gooseberries.

He believes in a few years, currants will be a $100 million business in this country. Cranberry juices are everywhere, he said, and "cranberries have nothing going for them: They don't taste good. You'll see lots of currant candies, ice creams ..."

Quinn will be on the leading edge of this trend. He's already come out with his own drink, CurrantC, which sells for $3.99 a pint bottle, competing with the pomegranate juice PalmWonderful. It advertises itself as having "twice the antioxidants of blueberries," as well as four times the vitamin C of orange juice and twice the potassium of bananas.

He started selling the juice May 1, and now it's in 1,000stores in 18 states.

Now his project is to increase the currant cultivation in New York state to 5,000 to 8,000 acres over the next five years.

At present, his currants are yielding him $24,000 an acre with currants at $3 a pound. If they should drop to $1 a pound, that's still a yield of $6,000 an acre, which he said is good.

At an initial cost of $6,000 an acre, dropping to $2,000 the second year, he said currant growers could amortize their investments in six years.

Quinn said he's created a management company that will grow and harvest currants for people who wish to grow them on their land. Harvesting is the hard part. He now has a force of four people to harvest his bushes, and a 10-day window of opportunity in July to do so. He hopes someday to be able to afford a harvesting machine, with a price tag of $175,000 to $200,000.

To find out more about currant farming and Au Currant Enterprises, visit www.aucurrant.com.

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Claverack Free Library board to meet
Register-Star, November 13, 2005

CLAVERACK -- The Claverack Free Library will the hold its regular monthly meeting of the board of trustees on 7 p.m. Tuesday. The public is welcome to attend.

The Claverack Library, a member of the Mid-Hudson Library System, is located on Route 23B at the intersection of State Route 9H. Hours of operation are: 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, 10 am. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Make candles at Claverack library
Register-Star, November 13, 2005

CLAVERACK -- The Claverack Library will host a children's candle-making workshop on 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the banquet room of the Claverack Firehouse.

Children will be able to make beeswax tapers and molded candles. There is no cost for the workshop.

The Claverack Library is located on the corner of 9H and 23B in Claverack.

For more information, call the library at 518-851-7120.

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'Wal-mart' to screen at Amble
Register-Star, November 12, 2005

MELLENVILLE -- Amble Movement and Art Center will host a screening of documentary maker Robert Greenwald's new film "Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price" Tuesday. There is a potluck open to the community at 6:30 p.m.; the movie will show at 7 p.m. A discussion will follow the screening of the film.

Screenings for this film will be held nationwide during the week of Nov. 14 as part of an effort to create a national dialogue about working conditions, healthcare availability and cost of living for employees of Wal-Mart. The film questions the economic and ethical viability of Wal-Mart's business model.

Robert Greenwald is the director/producer of "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" (2004), a documentary exposing the right-wing bias of Fox News. The film was initially distributed via internet DVD sales, but strong viewer demand led to an unusual post-DVD theatrical release in the summer of 2004. The Bergen International Film Festival presented "Outfoxed" with the Youth Documentary Award. The five-year old BIFF is one of the most prestigious festivals in Norway.

Now in its 14th season, Amble Movement and Art Center is a home for independent, creative programming at 710 Route 217, Mellenville. More information about the screening and Amble's many projects can be attained at 518-851-5150.

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[excerpts only] Tracy, Bottom Line Dems take control of city
By: DIANA LADDEN, The Independent, November 11, 2005

HUDSON-Preliminary results give Democrat Richard "Dick" Tracy a 71-vote victory over Republican Daniel Grandinetti for mayor of Hudson.

Mr. Tracy received 1,019 votes to 948 for Mr. Grandinetti. The county Board of Elections had received 241 eligible absentee ballots as of Thursday. Eligible paper ballots must have been postmarked by midnight, November 7.

The Democrats have declared Mr. Tracy the winner, but Mr. Grandinetti has not yet conceded.

In general, Democrats made inroads around the county, capturing supervisor races in the Towns of Livingston and possibly Austerlitz as well as the City of Hudson. Kinderhook's Democratic incumbent supervisor, Doug McGivney, successfully fended off a challenge ... but in Canaan, former Supervisor Ann Vedder failed in her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Gary Flaherty. And Republican supervisors won contested races in Claverack, Stuyvesant, Greenport and New Lebanon.

In Germantown, the Republican candidate, Roy Brown, unseated incumbent Alan Liepshutz, a registered Republican who ran on an independent line...

Claverack

The mood in town hall is "relieved," according to Martha Pizza, deputy town clerk. Incumbent Town Supervisor James Keegan, a Republican, won re-election to his third full term, polling 1,126 votes to 948 for Democratic challenger Max Dannis.

Mr. Keegan told The Independent that it was "quite a campaign. We tried to get out to as many homes door to door as we could. We didn't reach our goal of doing them all... There are 70 miles of road in Claverack. But it was well worth it. We met a lot of people."

He described the campaign as "enjoyable," but he added, "I'm glad it's over. Now we go back to work."

Mr. Dannis congratulated Mr. Keegan on his victory and said he is "not discouraged" and will continue to take an active role in town affairs.

"The voters have spoken," Mr. Dannis said, "and like all good citizens, I accept the results."

The other GOP candidates in Claverack also won, with Town Clerk Mary J. Hoose and board candidates William Blaauw and Michael Johnston prevailing against Democratic challengers Jennifer Post, Kathleen Cashen and Cynthia Hall...

Reporters Gail Heinsohn, Richard Roth, Chris Simonds and Matt Sheehey contributed to this report.

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Election Results
Register Star, 11/9/05

CLAVERACK

Supervisor
[v] James Keegan, R,I,C (1,126 votes)
[ ] Max Dannis, D,H (948 votes)

Town Board (vote for any two)
[v] William L. Blaauw, R (1,151 votes)
[ ] Kathleen Cashen, D,H (906 votes)
[ ] Cynthia J. Hall, D,H (885 votes)
[v] Michael Johnston, R,I,C (1,135 votes)

Town Justice
[v] Charles Hoag Jr., R,I,C (1,256 votes)

Highway Superintendent
[v] Louis C. Lamont, R,D,I,C,H (1,932 votes)

Town Clerk
[v] Mary Jean Hoose, R,I,C (1,295 votes)
[ ] Jennifer Post, D,H (766 votes)

Assessor
[v] Charles Brewer, R,I,C (1,267 votes)

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Keegan re-elected as supervisor
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, Wednesday, November 9, 2005

CLAVERACK -- After vigorous campaigning and a slew of election signs throughout the town, the votes have finally been tallied and it appears incumbent James Keegan has come out on top again in the supervisor's race.

Keegan garnered 1,126 votes to his opponent, Democrat Max Dannis', 948 votes.

All election results are unofficial pending routine recanvassing and the counting of absentee ballots.

Reached Tuesday night for comment Dannis commented briefly on his loss in the election.

"Over six months ago, I began my campaign to become Claverack's next supervisor," he stated. "Having attended Town Board meetings for years, I felt strongly that our citizens deserved better leadership. My door to door campaign this summer only reaffirmed this."

Dannis gave a bit of advice to Keegan for his coming term.

"I caution Mr. Keegan not to ignore the large group of voters who made clear their desire for change and more progressive action by the town board," he stated. "I hope that Mr. Keegan uses this as an opportunity to improve our town government so they can do better for all."

He may have lost the election, but Dannis will not be disappearing from the town government front.

"Though I may have lost the battle for supervisor, I am not discouraged and I will continue to take an active role in town affairs -- attending Town Board and Planning Board meetings and speaking out for all our citizens," he said. "I am not going away -- the fight must go on."

Keegan could not be reached for comment before press time Tuesday night.

During the campaign season voters saw a lot of both slates of candidates as the Republicans and Democrats went door-to-door and passed out election material.

Cinching the two open seats on the Town Board were Republican incumbent William Blaauw with 1,151 votes and Republican newcomer Michael Johnston with 1,135 votes, who beat out Democrat Cyndy Hall's 885 votes and Democrat Katy Cashen's 906 votes.

Taking the town clerk's position was incumbent Mary Jean Hoose with 1,295 votes over challenger Jenny Post, who garnered 766 votes.

Charles Edwin Hoag Jr. returned to the town justice position with 1,256 votes after running unopposed and assessor Charles Brewer also retook his office with 1,267 votes.

Highway Superintendent Louis Lamont, endorsed by the Republican, Democratic, Conservative and Independence parties returned to his position with 1.932 votes.

In District One, however, there was a reported problem with the Democratic line lever for Hall, according to Democratic poll watcher Karen Feldman.

Feldman told the Register-Star Tuesday that the election inspectors were notified by a voter that the lever was not recording the vote for Hall on the Democratic line.

"Somebody at one point this morning said 'I'm having trouble, it's not recording my vote'," Feldman said. "It turned out it was the lever for Cyndy Hall. They immediately had everyone go to paper ballots and brought someone in to fix it."

But the fix apparently wasn't that easy.

"We thought they had fixed it," she said of the first time. 'They came out and fixed the thing four different times. I went in to vote and, would you believe it, I had the same problem."

Feldman worried that elderly voters may not have noticed the problem with the lever and she said it would only be clear after votes were said and done whether or not the problem would sway the outcome.

She also said the problem was by no means intentional and that the other party watchers were just as worried.

"There was no intention of wrong-doing here," she said. "The Republican poll inspectors there said this isn't right too."

Feldman reported other voting machine problems in the county as well.

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Register-Star, November 8, 2005, Claverack Democratic advertisement [click here for PDF]

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
TRUE FACTS ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN IN CLAVERACK

On November 6 and 7, CLAVERACK REPUBLICANS ran an ad in this newspaper implying that CLAVERACK DEMOCRATS tried to mislead voters.

THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

THE TRUTH IS, Town Board candidate CYNDY HALL ran on the HOMETOWN PARTY line five years ago, in 2000.

THE TRUTH IS, Claverack Democrats registered the HOMETOWN PARTY line again this year, on August 19, more than two weeks before Claverack Republicans appeared in a photograph in this newspaper, on September 4, calling themselves the "Hometown Team." And that was more than a month before their billboard went up with the slogan "Claverack's REAL Hometown Team."

THE TRUTH IS, Claverack Democrats have run an ethical campaign and will run an ethical government. Our hometown values include straight talk and accountability.

TRUE hometown values don't include last minute false attacks.

MAX DANNIS FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR
(ENDORSED BY THE REGISTER-STAR. ENDORSED BY NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL ELIOT SPITZER)
KATY CASHEN FOR TOWN BOARD / CYNDY HALL FOR TOWN BOARD / JENNY POST FOR TOWN CLERK

WE CAN DO BETTER FOR THE FUTURE OF CLAVERACK

PAID FOR BY CLAVERACK DEMOCRATS 2005

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Independent, November 8, 2005
Corrections

[Concerning the Election Guide] And the ballot for Claverack accidentally cut off Row F, the "Hometown" line. The candidates on that line are: Max Dannis, supervisor; Jennifer Post, town clerk; Cathleen Cashen and Cynthia Hall, Town Council.

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Register-Star, November 6 & 7, 2005, Claverack Republican advertisement [click here for jpg]

CLAVERACK VOTERS
DON'T BE FOOLED
VOTE FOR CLAVERACK'S REAL HOMETOWN TEAM

As these important local elections draw closer, the conflicting and misleading statements start flying from candidates eager to gain political office and implement an agenda that could ultimately change our way of life forever.

Now the so-called "New Democrats" in Claverack are running on a ballot line called "The Hometown Party, " which seems kind of misleading, if not downright untrue. Don' t be fooled by this little turn of a phrase. After trying unsuccessfully to gain a toehold in local politics for a number of years, these "New Democrats" seem to be trying to confuse people into voting for them by stealing a page right out of our playbook.

The old saying goes that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We' re not flattered.

There is a REAL hometown team. It's the one that gets things done, positively and openly. That' s why our ticket has been endorsed by the Conservative and Independence Parties in addition to the Republicans.

On November 8, remember your neighbors and vote for the team that has made a difference, the team with real experience.

It is your future.

CLAVERACK'S HOMETOWN TEAM
* JAMES KEEGAN -- Supervisor
* WILLIAM BLAUUW -- Town Board
* MICHAEL JOHNSTON -- Town Board
* MARY J. HOOSE -- Town Clerk
* LOUIS LAMONT -- Highway Superintendent
* CHARLES BREWER -- Assessor
* CHARLES HOAG JR. -- Town Justice

VOTE FOR ROWS A, C or D
FOR THE FUTURE OF CLAVERACK

AND DON'T FORGET
Vote for David "Bubba" Harrison for Sheriff
Vote for Angelo Nero for Coroner

Paid for by Claverack's Hometown Team
KEEPING CLAVERACK ON THE MOVE

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Spitzer endorses Tracy for mayor
Claverack's Dannis, Livingston's Williams also endorsed
By Bryan F. Yurcan, Hudson Valley Newspapers, Register-Star, November 5, 2005

COLUMBIA COUNTY -- New York State Attorney General and 2006 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer endorsed Friday several county Democrats seeking election Tuesday, including Hudson mayoral hopeful Richard "Dick" Tracy.

In addition to Tracy, Spitzer also endorsed Claverack supervisor candidate Max Dannis and Livingston supervisor hopeful Phil Williams.

Tracy said he was grateful the attorney general came out and endorsed his candidacy for mayor.

"I was very pleased," he said. "I'm very high on [Spitzer's] abilities. I will support him fully for governor when the time comes, hopefully from the position of mayor of Hudson."

In a prepared statement, Spitzer said, "Dick has demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to the people of Hudson through his lifetime of public service. He understands the issues that are important to the residents of Hudson, and has the ability to bring people together to resolve them."

Dannis said he was honored by Spitzer's endorsement.

"As a great admirer of Mr. Spitzer's unwavering commitment to the people of New York in the face of corporate pressure, I find his endorsement especially meaningful, "said Dannis.

In a press release, Spitzer said of Williams, "Phil is the kind of hard-working and fair-minded individual we need in government. He will fight to resolve the issues that are important to the residents of Livingston."

Tracy said his campaign effort is finishing up and he is awaiting what should be an exciting election Tuesday.

"It's been good and real fun," he said of the campaign. "Now it's time to put it in the hands of the people on Tuesday."

Tracy's opponent, Daniel J. Grandinetti, was recently endorsed by a potential Spitzer foe in 2006, former Secretary of State Randy Daniels.

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DANNIS LOOKS TO UNSEAT SUPERVISOR KEEGAN
Keegan: Water, plan and park on his mind
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 5, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Incumbent Republican Supervisor James W. Keegan, 68, of Maple Avenue, is running for re-election to the top seat in Claverack.

A 32-year county resident, Keegan previously resided in Hoosick Falls and Troy, graduating from LaSalle Institute and attending St. Michael's College and Hudson Valley Community College for a short time.

Keegan was a member of the Marine reserves for six years, spending time on Paris Island and at Camp LaJeune. He later worked for Niagara Mohawk power company for 36 years, retiring as a district manager.

On the town level, Keegan was appointed to fill a supervisor's term and ran for the position officially in November 1997. He ran again in 2001.

Keegan spent 15 months as the town justice in Claverack before being asked by the Republican Committee to take up the supervisor position.

He was on the Zoning Board for 14 years, acting as chairman for three or four years. He was also on the Columbia County Planning Board for 10 years.

Keegan was on the Hudson City School Board for 14 years, two of which he acted as president, and has served on the Questar III board for 16 years.

He is a past chairman of the Columbia County American Red Cross, past president of the Hudson Lions Club, past president and life member Hudson Elks Club and past president of the Hudson Knights of Columbus.

Keegan is also past president of Columbia Golf and Country Club and was on the board for 12 years, as well as a 25-year member of the A.B. Shaw Volunteer Fire Company where he is currently safety officer.

As the incumbent, Keegan is most proud of a number of things including the town highway garage, which replaced a "deplorable" building on Route 217 in Mellenville.

"It was tough to get land," Keegan recalled. "People don't like a town garage around their houses." The town acquired 50 acres, which Keegan said was a lot but the owners didn't want to sub-divide.

During his tenure, the town garage and salt shed were constructed, in conjunction with the county. He also said that the board wanted all the town offices on that parcel, but that "a lot of people thought it was too ambitious."

Keegan is especially proud of the formation of a new water district in Claverack, to deal with the water needs of residents who would no longer be receiving water from a neighboring municipality. "We got $2 million from the state water fund," he said. "The other $2 million is in a 30-year no-interest loan. The mains are going in now. We should have Greenport water by May 2006."

Keegan also points out the $400,000 grants from the housing authority to help citizens in Mellenville on house repairs and the $20,000 from state Sen. Stephen Saland for the town park.

He listed the tax exemption for firefighters as another accomplishment he is proud off, which saves some people up to $3,000 in taxes.

Goals if re-elected include completing the water district and setting up the water department necessary to deal with the new district.

Keegan also acknowledged the importance of the comprehensive plan and changing zoning codes to help control development.

Also on his mind is the park.

"We hope to expand the park if possible," he said. "We're putting a skateboard area in our park and possibly expand the recreation in other parts of the town."

The recurrent issue of acquiring the Claverack School is important in the town and Keegan said it would take a lot of investigation.

"As far as our Town Board, it will take a lot of investigation to see if this building can be used for offices," he said, adding that a lot of people thought the town should have bought the old Ockawamick School.

Keegan praised the three elected assessors for their work, and if re-elected her hopes to accomplish construction of the new post office and to bring good jobs to the town.

"I've served the people for many, many years," he said. "I want to serve the people of Claverack as their town supervisor. I feel I do a good job."

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High property taxes a concern for Dannis
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 5, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Challenging the incumbent town supervisor in Claverack is Democrat Max Dannis, 50, of Lockwood Road, who has been a county resident for 10 years.

Initially a part-time resident, he previously resided in New York City, Chicago, Boston, the California/Nevada Border and in New Hampshire.

A graduate of MIT with a bachelor's degree in physics and of the University of Chicago with an MBA in finance and management science, D a n n i s worked as a partner at Accenture for 16 years and in property management for four years.

He is a member of the Philmont Volunteer Fire Company, the Columbia Land Conservancy and the Philmont Main Street Committee -- Economic Development Subcommittee.

Issues-wise, Dannis feels that high property taxes are a primary concern for the residents of Claverack.

"High property taxes are driving folks out of homes where they've lived for years," he said.

His plans to help include looking hard at every dollar spent, making sure the budget reflects the board's priorities, revamp monthly financial reporting, manage spending increases and start following the town's procurement policy.

He also feels that he is needed on the county level.

"County taxes are about seven times higher than town taxes," he said. "Yet citizens' input to county government seems very remote."

Dannis plans to change this by making county business more visible to the town residents.

Assessments are also of concern to Dannis.

"Our current assessments are all over the map," he said. "It is not fair to have wildly varying assessments for similar properties."

On the issue of economic development, Dannis is supportive of bringing in more businesses to increase the tax base and avoid driving up costs.

"Businesses are more 'tax-favorable' than residences," he said. "Farms clearly are the best in terms of taxes received perservice dollar spent."

He believes it is important to step up efforts to fill vacant commercial buildings and storefronts throughout the town, as well as to make it easier for homeowners to begin and maintain home-based business.

"Two years ago, we limited home businesses to one employee per home and banned them from outbuildings," he said. "We're missing great opportunities for local entrepreneurs to start tiny businesses that may grow."

Dannis himself is doing this already, by renovating the old Schermerhorn Garage and turning it into a restaurant/laundromat facility called Local 111, named after the Main Street address in Philmont.

"I don't work full time," he said. "I'm working to do good things for Philmont."

He isn't new to the political arena, having made a run for Town Board in Claverack two years ago. He attributes his loss to the fact that he was running "academically."

"I think our town has problems," he said. "Our board is stuck. I have been to just about every board meeting in the last two or three years. I don't see the board being effective."

Dannis also feels that the town needs to look at assessments and perhaps entertain the idea of moving on to a sole appointed assessor.

"There has been too much politics in our assessments in the past," he contended.

He also strongly supports the work on the town's new Comprehensive Plan, which will replace a 30-year-old plan.

"I believe there is more demand for slices of Columbia County than we ought to be willing to give up," he said. "It's the plan's creation] not really being supported by the board. But that's just the first 10 percent. Then what the board does with that plan, that's 90 percent."

If he is elected, he will see that things become more organized and that the board holds more informational workshops.

"[The incumbent board members not running for election] are all good people," he said. "When they see my desires, they'll want to work with me."

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Register-Star, November 5, 2005, Editorial
ROGER F. COLEMAN, Publisher; THERESA E. HYLAND, Executive editor
OUR VIEW: Claverack supervisor

James Keegan and Max Dannis are battling for the top position in Claverack. Keegan, the Republican incumbent, is seeking re-election to the supervisor's post. He spent 15 months as the town justice before being appointed supervisor. He successfully ran for the position in 1997 and again in 2001. Keegan sat on the town Zoning Board for 14 years, acting as chairman for part of that time, and was on the Columbia County Planning Board for 10 years. He also served on the Hudson City and Questar III school boards.

Keegan is most proud of the construction of the town highway garage, for which the town acquired 50 acres, and a salt shed. He is especially proud of the formation of a new water district in the town which will help meet the water needs of residents who will no longer be served by a neighboring municipality. 'The mains are going in now," he said. "We should have Greenport water by 2006."

Keegan also lists the $400,000 in grants from the housing authority that will help Mellenville residents with house repairs and $20,000 from state Sen. Steve Saland for the town park.

If re-elected, among his goals for the next term are the completion of the water district and the setting up of a water department to deal with the new district. He also hopes to expand the park.

Max Dannis, running on the Democratic ticket, is a relative newcomer to politics, although he did make an unsuccessful run for the Town Board two years ago. The MIT graduate has a MBA from the University of Chicago in finance and management science.

High property taxes are a top concern for Claverack residents, Dannis said. "High property taxes are driving folks out of homes where they've lived for years," he said. His plan is to look hard at every dollar spent, making sure the budget reflects the board's priorities, revamp monthly financial reporting, manage spending increases and start following the town's procurement policy.

Dannis said it is important to fill the vacant commercial buildings and storefronts throughout the town, as well as make it easier for homeowners to begin and maintain homebased businesses. He feels that actions in the past limiting such business means the town is missing opportunities for entrepreneurs to start tiny businesses that may grow.

Dannis also said he feels that the current administration is stuck and doesn't see it being effective.

This time of year, we often hear the phrase "It's time for a change." We feel that is certainly appropriate for the town of Claverack. It is time for a change. Dannis practices what he preaches, as he is in the process of renovating the old Schermerhorn Garage and turning it into a restaurant/laundromat facility. Dannis has a definitive plan for the town as well as a roadmap of how to get there. We encourage voters to get behind Dannis and elect him Claverack's next supervisor.

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FOUR LOOKING TO FILL TWO BOARD SEATS; INCUMBENT TOWN CLERK FACES NEWCOMER

Blaauw: Housing development needs planning
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 5, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Republican William L. Blaauw of Coons Road, a 48-year county resident, is seeking re-election to a Town Board seat in Claverack.

Blaauw is cross-endorsed by the Conservative and Independence parties.

From 1979 until 1997, Blaauw held the superintendent of highways position in the town, from 1974 until 1979 he was a village of Philmont trustee and he has been on the Town Council since 1998.

A graduate of SUNY Farmingdale with an associate's degree in agriculture, Blaauw worked as a farmer from 1958 until 1977, then in agricultural equipment sales from 1977 to 1979.

He is a past president and chief of the Philmont Volunteer Fire Company, a past president of the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters, a life member and past president of the Philmont Rescue Squad, an honorary member of the Mellenville Fire Company, a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver and a member of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

One issue Blaauw feels important in town is making sure that housing development doesn't proceed without proper planning for it.

"Making sure that as the town grows, we are not overrun by large tracks of housing without planning," Blaauw stated in a questionnaire. "We now have laws and rules in place, but with the Comprehensive planning now started I believe we can control our growth."

The major issue Blaauw touched on was the rising cost of crude oil and its impacts on the town of Claverack and its residents.

"On a town level, this will affect our Highway Department the most," he said, "with increased costs of transportation, paving products and all related products. This is going to challenge our planning and budgets. I believe we can manage this challenge."

Expansion of town recreational facilities is also an issue Blaauw feels important to the town and he feels it is important to look into creating smaller facilities in other parts of town in addition to the main facility in Mellenville.

As an incumbent, Blaauw is proud of construction of the new highway garage and salt shed, implementation of the new water district, the start of the comprehensive plan committee and keeping the budget in check to keep the tax rate down.

He and his wife, Alice, have three sons, Robert, James and John.

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Hall: Keep tax burden in line with town's needs
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 5, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Vying for one of the two Town Board seats this election is 36-year county resident Cyndy Hall, 59, of Old Lane in the hamlet.

A previous resident of Glens Falls, Hall is running on the Democratic Party line.

With a bachelor's degree in music education from Hartwick College in Oneonta and graduate work at the College of St. Rose in Albany, Hall worked as a public school music teacher for 36 years before retiring.

She is a member of the CSA Farm at Miller's Crossing, Housing Resources of Columbia County Inc., the NYSUT/AFT, the founder of the Hudson Middle School Tolerance Committee, a past vice-president of the Hudson Teachers Association and the chair of the Grievance Committee, a member of the Concerned Women of Claverack and the Claverack Democratic Committee, a volunteer of the Salvation Army and a member of Friends of Hudson.

On the issues, Hall feels that taxes and assessments, jobs and development pressures are key problems and concerns to many residents in Claverack.

Specifically on taxes, Hall is clear.

"They're too high," she said in a candidate questionnaire. "Our tax bill is based on two things -- our property's assessment and our town, county and school boards' budgets ... I support paying my fair share for fire and rescue, the libraries and road maintenance. I also support setting some tax dollars aside in case of an emergency, but I do not support carrying a huge fund balance year after year, as Claverack has done."

She vows to help budget more efficiently and accurately to keep the tax burden in line with the town's true needs and avoid excessive fund balances.

Hall also claims the tax rolls are "riddled with inequities and inaccuracies" which need correcting.

"No one should pay more than their fair share," she said. `As a Town Board member, I would support a change from the present system, which employs three part-time elected assessors, to one which employs one full-time appointed professional assessor."

On jobs, she feels small, environmentally clean, locally-owned commercial development in town can help bring in decent living wage employment for residents.

"Rather than restricting home-based business, our Town Board should encourage them," she said. "Zoning changes need to be made to support a sustainable economy."

Halls supports maintaining quality of life and open spaces and believes the Greenway and comprehensive planning are key to doing this.

She also vows to push for more open government to enable the board to deal with the issues facing the town.

"Without a government that is truly open and accountable to the people, we will not be able to deal with the issues," she said. "To me, that means all town issues are discussed with citizens in an honest and transparent manner."

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Hoose believes her experience will benefit public
By Kate Kirschenheiter, Register-Star, November 5, 2005

CLAVERACK -- Lifelong county resident Mary J. Hoose, 61, of Stevers Crossing, is seeking re-election to the position as Claverack town clerk.

A Republican endorsed by the Conservative and Independence parties, Hoose has been the town clerk for 12 years.

She attended the Ockawamick Central High School and later the Albany Business College where she earned an associate's degree in secretarial science.

Hoose has worked as a secretary for many years.

She is a member and choir member of the Second Reformed Church of Claverack, the Philmont Community Choir, the Philmont Santa Claus Club, the Columbia-Greene Town Clerk's Association, the New York state Town Clerk's Association and the New York State Association of Tax Receivers and Collectors.

On issues, Hoose stated that she is not a member of the Town Board, and as such, she has no part in the decision making nor a vote on any matters before the board.

As an incumbent, she is proud of the Town Office and the efficient way that it is run.

"The Assessor's Office, Building Department and Town Clerk's Office work well together, sharing information vital to keeping our town records up-to-date," she stated in a questionnaire.

She is also a notary, which she said is convenient for townspeople.

Hoose is proud of accomplishing a schedule for record retention in the town.