Updated 11/18/08Post comment on News, Events & Sports. Share information with other Residents pertaining to the local scene.
Nov 1, 2008
News / Events & Sports
Updated 11/18/08Post comment on News, Events & Sports. Share information with other Residents pertaining to the local scene.
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Supervisor credits across-the-board cuts
Chester — Taxpayers in the Town of Chester will see no increase in their property taxes next year, in a budget that the supervisor says has drastically cut spending to keep taxes neutral.
Chester Supervisor Steve Neuhaus said he and the town board “made an intensive effort” to cut costs in both the town-wide and part-town budgets by almost a quarter of a million dollars. They did this by not filling a number of vacant positions, consolidating departments, completing projects with in-house labor, and using a new procurement policy “to ensure the most prudent use of taxpayer dollars.”
He also hopes that new and expanding commercial development — including C&S Wholesale Grocery, Coach USA, Best Mexican, Lowe’s, and the former Camp LaGuardia site — will allow the town to “continue a financially responsible low-tax policy” into the future.
Neuhaus said the budget was extremely difficult to put together because of the dire economic climate. The town is faced with “declining revenues on all fronts” and “foreclosure rates going through the roof,” along with this year’s increase in gas prices, he said. But, he added, “it is more important now then ever to help our citizens afford to live here and weather this economic storm. This goes back to the basic principles of living within our means, both in our private household budgets and in our public town budget.”
In addition, the town has proposed changing the way it generates its water fees, he said. In the future, the town will bill by usage instead of a set rate, which will reward conservation and give users more control over their bills.
A capitol fund has also been established in all water funds to allow water revenue to fund future infrastructure improvements “rather then hitting users with a huge increase when a problem occurs,” he said.
Neuhaus gave more particulars in answer to some questions from The Chronicle:
Which vacant positions will not be filled next year?
Two full-time and two part-time police officers, as well as their related costs: retirement, health care, longevity. These positions will stay on the books but will remain unfunded and unfilled for this year. It is also hoped that a police merger could happen to avoid having to hire and then possibly lay off some officers. We are trying to keep the force to the minimum.
Which departments are being consolidated in the next year?
We merged our own water department into the highway department earlier this year. In the merge, we were able to keep from filling one full-time position in the water department. These positions were all budgeted for 2008, but we were able to get through this year just fine without them and save some money as well.
Which projects are being done with in-house labor next year that we formerly contracted out?
Without a doubt, we have the best highway department in the county. They do almost everything in-house. Using in-house labor this year to correct the decades old problems we inherited with the inadequate sewer and water systems as well as removing abandoned oil and gas tanks saved the town tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, we have decided to make many improvements at town hall from repairing the roof to fixing the door hinges with our in-house employees. This seems minor but it saves money and more importantly it’s just common sense. For 2009, we will continue to do many public works projects using in-house labor. We have a lot of paving and curbing projects to get caught up on to continue the successful maintenance plan Chester is known for.
Do you expect increased revenue in the next year from new and developing commercial development?
I am fearful of the economy like every other American. However, I believe that with the many pending commercial projects we will be able to generate a few hundred thousand dollars of additional tax revenue. I am hopeful these revenues will account for any increases we will encounter next year. I have underestimated many of the revenues for next year just in case. If the economy continues to worsen, the town board may be faced with the decision to make more cuts or raise taxes.
What is your prediction for how much revenue from mortgage taxes will change this year to next? That is, what figure was included in the budget for the current year and what figure is included for next year?
In 2007 we received $600,413 in mortgage taxes. The 2008 Budget called for $400,000, we should have about that (can’t predict exactly because we get that in two payments and we’re waiting for the last one now. For 2009, I budgeted $350,000. If we receive any less than that, we would most likely be in a financial depression that hasn’t been seen since 1929. I don’t believe that will happen, but we made conservative revenue outlooks for next year.
Is there a surplus this year? And do you anticipate one next year? If so, how much?
We do have a surplus this year, most from not filling positions and frugal spending habits from town department heads and officials. Last year the town used roughly $500,000. For 2009, we used a fund balance of $429,000. Because I underestimated sales tax revenues for next year I think we will be getting some unexpected revenues. I’d rather be pleasantly surprised than caught in a crisis. In addition the county has been withholding close to $80,000 since Camp LaGuardia closed. Once the county hopefully closes on the property in December we should be getting our full, fair share. The county also promised to give the Towns of Chester and Blooming Grove some or all of their monies that it withheld if it made money from the sale of the property. That could come as well.
“Next year’s budget will have to be monitored like never before,” Neuhaus summed up. “Just like the many households and businesses in Chester, we will have to be very conscious of our spending and live within our means.”
Chester — An independent audit says the Chester Union Free School District has some problems to work on, including a weak system of checks and balances on business and payroll operations, and an unappropriated fund balance nearly two percent higher than the state allows.
Bill Trainor of Nugent and Haeussler, P.C., which did the audit, presented highlights before the Chester School Board two weeks ago. The Chronicle obtained a copy of the audit through the Freedom of Information Act.
The district has an unappropriated fund balance of $1,014,432 as of June 30, according to the audit. This is nearly two percent higher than the state regulation that requires “no more than 3 percent of your approved budget may be withdrawn from the year-end fund balance and not be appropriated to reduce taxes.” The 2007-08 approved budget in Chester was $20,845,595. Three percent of that would be $625,368, leaving an excess of $389,065.
Trainor noted that districts are allowed to have an unappropriated fund balance to help in emergencies. Districts need to have a surplus, especially with talk that a mid-year cut in aid may be coming from Albany.
Mary Luciana, a former president of the Chester school board, agreed that a surplus is necessary. Small school districts like Chester are hit hard if, for example, two new students with severe disabilities come into the district. That could cost the district tens of thousands all at once, she said. A larger district with a bigger budget has a lot more money kept aside in that three percent, she noted.
Still, the auditor recommended that the district keep the unappropriated fund balance within state requirements.
The Chronicle asked Luciana, who has served on the school board for 13 years, to look at the audit numbers and give her comments. The Chronicle left messages for the board president and spokesperson, John Pasichnyk, to get answers to questions about the audit, but the calls were not returned.
Luciana questioned certain balances noted in the audit: the unreserved capital projects balance of $517,702, and the unexpended construction and alteration line of $521,696. She wants to know what plans the school district has for the money.
She also questioned the tax certiorari balance of $409,790. Are there tax certioraris pending? she asked If not, why is so much set aside?
New bookkeeper to help
The audit says more oversight is needed in both the business and payroll operations, noting that checks and balances are crucial to the internal controls of a school district.
“The key element in any internal control system is the concept of segregation of duties,” the audit states. “This concept ensures that one person cannot execute a transaction without at least one other individual checking his or her work.”
The audit found that duties were not segregated to maximize internal control, noting that the district has limited resources and personnel. But the audit noted that a recently created bookkeeper position “should help with reassigning specific phases of business operations to provide a stronger system of checks and balances.”
Luciana said Chester’s audits have always come with this warning about internal controls, and agreed the new bookkeeper should solve the problem.
Duties in the payroll area are also not segregated, according to the audit. It recommends that management review the responsibilities assigned to the payroll staff and consider reassigning specific phases of payroll operations to provide stronger checks and balances.
Other suggestions in the audit include:
• The district should verify reimbursable costs and file necessary paperwork in a timely manner, citing incomplete and late filing of forms for reimbursement of the summer school program.
• The board should review the status of inactive clubs, and transfer their funds to the student government fund.
• The district should determine the appropriateness of the Empire Kids Wrestling Club, which had a bank account with the Chester Academy address. No evidence was found that the school board approved this club. The management should restrict the use of the district’s address and resources, the audit said.
October 20 to 24 was School Board Appreciation Week in New York. Chester Academy PTSA president Sandy Nagler thanked the school board for its volunteer efforts on behalf of the children of Chester. She presented each member with gifts, and is pictured here handing a gift to board member Wendy Murray. Chester Elementary School PTA president Cindy O’Connor also thanked the board and gave each member a gift certificate to the book fair held this week at the elementary school. Other school board members are Frank Sambets, Judi Berger, Joan Donato, and John Pasichnyk.
Chester — The visiting Hambletonians picked up an unconventional win Saturday, when their match with host Onteora was called with the visitors leading 22-0.
The Boiceville crowd got to see a more aggressive game than they anticipated when a benches-clearing scuffle broke out after Chester player J.P. Hackett tackled Onteora quarterback Ryan Hastie near the Onteora sideline. According to the official’s game report, both teams were ejected after the benches-clearing incident.
According to National Federation of State High School Association rule book rules, Chester, 5-2 entering Saturday, gets the win because Onteora chose to end the game. Section 9 football chair John Ford suspended both squads for one game, as per state rules, and none of the ejected players are eligible to play this week.
Section 9 president Bob Thabet said the suspensions were automatic.
“I was not in attendance but the report stated that both teams entered the fray and both teams were ejected,” Thabet said. “Which means that both teams are suspended for one game.”
Both schools will forfeit their scheduled games with Onteora conceding to Eldred in its final game of the season and the Hambletonians surrendering a loss to Pine Plains.
Chester, with a 6-3 record, will be at full strength for their Section 9 Class D championship game against Eldred on Nov. 7.
Chester coach Ron Stover and athletic director Jason Closs did not return messages for comment.
Tricky tray for Class of 2010
Chester — A tricky tray to raise money for Chester’s Class of 2010 will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Chester Academy, located at 64 Hambletonian Ave. in Chester.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with the drawings to begin at 8 p.m.
The admission fee of $3 includes the first ticket card.
Town adopts state advice
Chester — The Town of Chester has implemented a new procurement policy that accommodates the recommendations of the Office of the New York State Comptroller.
The Comptroller’s Office came in at Supervisor Steve Neuhaus’ request earlier this year to review the town’s current operations. Upon reviewing some of the town’s policies and procedure, the Comptroller’s Office discovered that the procurement policy for the town needed revision. In particular, they found that contractors were working for the town for decades without signed annual agreements and more importantly, without seeking other bids.
The town board recently adopted the recommendations.
Neither Chester nor Goshen went the way of the nation in Tuesday’s history-making presidential election. Both towns went for McCain/Palin. But Chester’s results were pretty close, with only 19 votes tipping the balance to McCain. And some neighborhoods, like the Windridge and Whispering Hills developments in Chester and central Grand Street in Goshen, showed a clear preference for the winner. Here are the results by neighborhood (numbers refer to election districts):
Goshen
Polling place: Goshen Town Hall
1 Central Grand Street — Obama 113, McCain 80
2 Central Hatfield Lane, Police Drive — Obama 113, McCain 80
3 North Central Golden Hill Avenue, Fletcher Street — Obama 207, McCain 258
Polling place: Goshen School Administration Building
Senator John McCain won 2,842 in Chester and 4,146 in Goshen.
4 North Central Murray Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Glen Drive — Obama 606, McCain 708
9 Northeast Smith Road, Axworth Lane, Hasbrouck Road, Wood Road, Farmingdale Road, Ridge Road — Obama 149, McCain 170
10 East Central Lark, Knoell Road, Old Chester Road, Brookside Drive — Obama 250, McCain 309
Polling place: Goshen Village Hall
5 East Central Harriman Drive — Obama 558, McCain 560
Polling place: Dikeman Firehouse
6 South Central Long Meadow Way, Fort Hill Road, Durland Road, Fox Road — Obama 160, McCain 202
11 Southeast Wedgewood Drive — Obama 163, McCain 208
Polling place: Hearthstone
7 Southwest Korycki Lane Training Center Lane Orzeck Road, Breezway Lane, Indiana Road, Maloney Lane, Wisniewski Road — Obama 250, McCain 309
12 Central Lower Reservoir Road, Northgate, Spruce — Obama 282, McCain 367
Polling place: Goshen Town Garage
8 Northwest Owens Road, Cheechunk Road, Heritage Trail, Fischer Lane Hartley Road, Hampton Road, Six And One Half Station Road — Obama 163, McCain 208
Chester
Polling place: Chester Village Hall
1 Northeast Heritage Trail, Greycourt Avenue, Meadow Avenue, Vadala Road — Obama 245, McCain 208
Polling place: Chester Senior Center
2 East Central Elm Street, Main Street, Hudson Street, Ayr Road, Nancy Lane — Obama 283, McCain 275
12 Southwest Ridge Road, Creamery Pond Road — Obama 234, McCain 214
Polling place: Chester Town Hall
3 West Central Conklintown Road, Glenmere Road, Utter Way, Rick Way Lane Black Meadow Road, Pine Hill Road — Obama 229, McCain 333
7 Central Restdale Road, Elvis Blvd., Laura Drive, Well Sweep Lane, Valley View Drive, Rock Ridge Road — Obama 181, McCain 192
Polling place: Windridge Clubhouse
4 Southeast Ralphie Lane, Joseph Court — Obama 358, McCain 255
Polling place: Chester Elementary School
5 Northwest Johnson Road, Vivian Lane Park Drive, Surrey Road — Obama 213, McCain 320
Polling place: Trout Brook Firehouse
6 East Central Bull Mill Road, Booth Road, Winding Trail, Dug Road — Obama 177, McCain 168
Polling place: Whispering Hills 1
8 Central Northwest Elizabeth Drive, Leone Lane, Sunfish Lane Pickerel Road — Obama 311, McCain 189
9 Upper Northwest Whispering Hills Drive — Obama 148, McCain 103
Polling place: Trout Brook Firehouse
10 East Central Maple Lane, Poplar Drive, Oak Drive — Obama 198, McCain 190
11 Southeast Wilson Road, Lincoln Road, Davidson Drive, Lake Station Road, Hill View Terrace, Beverly Road — Obama 156, McCain 178
Murray wins his first election
Jerry Murray
Chester — Jerry Murray withstood his first test with voters Tuesday when he won a seat to the Chester Town Board.
Murray, a Republican, fended off a challenge from Democrat Paul Ellis, 2,293-2,103. Ellis ran unsuccessfully for supervisor last year.
Although Murray was the incumbent, he had not stood for election before. The town board appointed him to fill the seat vacated by Steve Neuhaus when Neuhaus was elected supervisor last November.
Murray is the Chester fire chief and has served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years.
He lists among his successes being part of a board that passed a budget with no property tax increase while still funding essential town services. He said there is much work left in Chester yet to do. He promised to get sidewalks for Sugar Loaf “on my watch” and to secure “unprecedented services for Chester...while keeping the taxes contained.”
Revised procedure better matches extracurricular policy, board agrees
By Linda Smith Hancharick
Chester — It seems there’s a match between the extracurricular activities policy adopted by the Chester school board in August and the procedure to implement it written by the district superintendent.
Superintendent Helen Anne Livingston said she met with her administrative team to rework the procedure after the last meeting, when board member Wendy Murray argued that it didn’t match the original policy.
“This is much more defined,” said Livingston. “It is laid out very carefully.”
The procedure now specifies that students failing one subject are put on academic probation. These students must attend four study sessions each week but may participate in activities during the probationary period. After two weeks, their grades are reviewed again. A student failing two or more subjects must attend the study sessions but will not be able to participate in competitions or events until his or her grades are improved. They can practice or rehearse during this time. In two weeks they may be able to move out of restriction to probation, allowing them to participate again.
Board member Frank Sambets said he is getting good feedback from parents.
“Parents have said things to me that the students are working on keeping their grades up,” he said. “That’s the most important thing about it.”
This procedure gives the policy more teeth, according to Livingston. Students see the district is enforcing the policy, she added, noting that the football team has a better overall average this year than last.
For students who do not participate in clubs or athletics, they will be kept from other events, such as dances, if their grades are failing. Livingston said if a student is on academic probation but is attending study sessions, he or she may attend events. If they are not attending the study sessions, they will not be allowed to attend school functions.
“Your procedure is very clear,” said Murray. “We appreciate the effort of your staff who are enforcing it. We’re on the right track.”
Murray said the policy doesn’t mention anything about probation for students failing one subject, and she would like to change that. She wants to set up another policy meeting to make that addition.
“This is much better, much more user-friendly,” said board member Joan Donato. “I like this more than the one originally presented. We’re heading in the right direction.”
Veterans, tell your story
Chester — Local veterans are invited to participate in the Chester Veterans Project, part of the American Folk Life Center of the Library of Congress.
This project will involve veterans chronicling their stories from combat or non-combat experiences either by videotape, audiotape, or written story. The Library of Congress will forever archive these stories of how veterans served their country. The videos will also be archived at the Chester Public Library, where students can view them for class projects or history papers, and residents can learn more about local history.
Chester Town Supervisor Steven Neuhaus got the idea to start the project after talking to local residents who had served overseas.
“Our friends and neighbors who served our country have some of the most amazing stories,” Neuhaus said. “Once they are gone, so are those stories. I believe by documenting them, we can ensure that every generation can know of these sacrifices and great service to our country.”
Veterans wishing to participate may call 469-7000 ext. 2 or e-mail sneuhaus@thetownofchester.org.
Fashion show to benefit all-night party
Chester — Check out the latest fashion trends at the Ladies Night Fashion Show, which will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Bodles Opera House, 39 Main Street in Chester. The fashion show will benefit the Goshen High School all-night substance-free graduation party in June.
View clothing and accessories from a number of local boutiques, including the Four Winds Boutique, My Sister’s Closet, Style Counsel and Harriman Clothing Company.
Tickets are $40 and include a full sit-down dinner. Only 150 tickets are available for purchase. To purchase tickets, contact Susie Rando at 651-8028 or sisr@warwick.net; Kathleen Krutki at 294-5740; or Jody Donnelly at 374-3232.
A shining star at the end of Romer’s Alley
By Vicki Botta
Photo by Vicki Botta Lisa and John Strazza at their gallery in Romer’s Alley.
Chester — One of the nicest things about Strazza Gallery, aside from the beautiful images in both black and white photography and broad colorful abstracts on canvases, is the laid-back atmosphere and John Strazza’s big smile as he greets you upon entering.
He and his wife, Lisa, fell in love with Sugar Loaf when she was commissioned by St. Joseph’s Church in Warwick to do some restoration work to the ceiling. They opened their gallery soon after. Art restoration is just one of the services they offer at the gallery, another is professional framing. They have just celebrated their one-year anniversary and are happy to say they are still going strong. Aside from a side-job or restoration job here or there, the gallery supports them and the eight children they have between them.
John is a camera aficionado, which means that he is not just into snapping pretty pictures. He is into camera toys, such as pinhole photography, an ancient form of photography that allows a pinhole of light in to capture the image on regular film — black and white or color. He explains that there is infinite depth of field in this type of photography, “the beauty is that everything is focused but nothing is absolutely sharp. It’s more organic.” And they are very reasonable for a gift or for someone’s own home in Italian distressed frames.
Another camera makes what he calls a Minox print. The camera is the type used in old spy movies and creates prints that John affectionately dubs “gems that look like old movie frames.” He adds, “We do things that are different, pictures of emotions, and not just of things.”
Both Lisa and John are from Rockaway, New Jersey, but after opening the gallery, they moved up to a home in Vernon, N.J., and love what they consider the slower pace of life here.
“We cater to the larger homes around here,” says Lisa, whose abstract paintings make bold color statements on very large canvas surfaces. One of her paintings at the gallery won the SoHo Independent Exhibition Award in 1989. She studied art at William Patterson College and also at the Pan Art Institute. Lisa also does smaller florals in oils and acrylics and little frescos on plaster that she mixes herself. She gets many requests for scenes of Tuscany in Fresco. It is an Italian art of painting on the plaster while it is still wet and absorbs the color.
They pride themselves on providing a “really friendly gallery where people aren’t intimidated. It’s low-key and offers high end as well as lower prices “because [as their sign says] everyone deserves to own at least one piece of art.”
The couple, whose eight children range in age from 14 to 28, are very happy that their gallery has become such a success. They say that a lot of people come here from the city. Once people discover them, they come back because “it’s what Sugar Loaf is supposed to be about, people that make their own stuff.” They feel that their prices are lower for New York City quality art because the cost of a curator is not built in. You can purchase a matted unframed photo for as little as $18 or a major piece of abstract art to fill that large empty space for $12,000. Their mid-range of work is in the $2,000 range. The fact that they do their own framing has caused people to point to a photo and exclaim that they have paid more just to have something framed.
One line of frames that they use for the photography is called a matless frame. It is all glass, including the frame. The wall shows through the glass surrounding the photo, making for a distinctive presentation. While he prints his photography digitally, that is the only thing digital about his work. He only started printing digitally when he determined that the quality was as good as darkroom quality. Many of his scenes are from New York City, though he has taken shots in other locations. He especially enjoys photographing scenes in winter.
They do most of their creative work during the slower months of winter, allowing them to replenish their offerings for the busy summer season. But the Strazza’s find that the gallery is busy all year. In the winter, people who would normally garden are decorating and changing the look inside their homes. They both work hard to bring people down through Romer’s Alley to their gallery. The music playing there is an eclectic collection of jazz and blues. They enjoy explaining their art and helping customers, but like to keep it relaxed and a friendly place to visit.
Strazza Fine Art and Photography Gallery is located at 1371 Kings Highway ( end of Romer’s Alley ), Sugar Loaf. Call 469-5598.
Police investigating theft of calf
Chester — The Town of Chester Police Department is investigating the theft of a calf from a barn at Durma Farms, located on Route 94 near Johnson Road.
The three-week-old calf was tied to the stall of its mother last Wednesday night, Oct. 29, and discovered missing the morning of Oct. 30, according to the police. The calf is a female, predominantly brown, with some white and valuable. She is valued at about $500.
Anyone with any information is urged to call the town police at 469-9311 or the tip line at 469-7000 ext. 370.
Eating at the right places will benefit hospice care
Chester — Those who dine out at participating restaurants on Wednesday, Nov. 12, will benefit hospice care in Orange and Sullivan Counties.
Ten percent of all proceeds will go to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties Inc. November is Hospice Awareness Month.
Participating restaurants include:
Chester: The Supper Table at Bodles and Maggie’s in the Alley
Monroe: Tre Angelina, Chili’s, Birchwood Caterers
Central Valley: Cosimo’s
Middletown: Nina’s, Olde Erie Pub, Chili’s, and Cosimo’s
Salisbury Mills: Loughran’s
Cornwall: Canterbury Brook Inn, Painter’s, and Woody’s
Cornwall-on-Hudson: Drews on the Square
Montgomery: Back Yard Bistro
Newburgh: Avere la Meglio, Torches, Gus’ Tavern, Pamela’s on Hudson, Yobo, Chili’s, and Cosimo’s
Monticello: Mr. Willy’s
Liberty: Yiasou Café, Dutch’s
Rock Hill: Chili’s, Dutch’s
For more information, visit hospiceoforange.com or call 561-6111.
Help send foster kids to summer camp
Chester — The name has officially changed from the Orange County Citizens Welfare Committee to the Children’s Enrichment Committee of Orange County, but its mission remains the same. Since 1911, the Children’s Enrichment Committee of Orange County has been providing Orange County’s foster children with tuition for summer camp, payment for class trips, music lessons, athletic fees, college scholarships, Christmas and holiday gifts (currently for over 200 children) and other individual requests. They have provided opportunities which have brightened and expanded the horizons of many local youngsters and have made a difference in their lives.
A ten year old who recently participated in gymnastics and cheerleading through the Children’s Enrichment Committee was noted by her foster parents to be “gaining confidence, meeting new friends and standing a lot taller.” A thirteen year old who was sponsored on a school trip to Washington, DC wrote in her thank you: “It was a wonderful learning experience and you have made that possible.”
The committee’s Emily Akers Scholarship Fund is supporting several students at various colleges. One recipient wrote: “I got a 4.0! Thanks so much for your help!” Another said, “I received a 3.46 GPA and I am determined to make it even higher. Thank you for granting me my scholarship.”
The annual fundraising campaign of the Children’s Enrichment Committee is held yearly, November through December. However, contributions are accepted any time. A tax deductible donation, which is fully directed toward the needs of the children and young people, can be sent to:
Children’s Enrichment Committee of Orange County
c/o Sari Cornell
36 Goosepond Mountain Rd.
Chester, NY 10918
Get information about the Boy Scouts
Chester — The Boy Scouts of America, Hudson Valley Council, invites the public to learn about their organization from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at The Castle Family Fun Center, 107 Brookside Ave., Chester.
For more information call 497-7337 or visit www.hvcbsa.org.
Fashion show will benefit graduation party
Chester — Check out the latest trends at the Ladies Night Fashion Show, which will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Bodles Opera House, 39 Main Street in Chester.
The fashion show will benefit the Goshen High School All-Night Substance-Free Graduation Party, which will be held in June 2009.
View clothing and accessories from a number of local boutiques, including the Four Winds Boutique, My Sister’s Closet, Style Counsel and Harriman Clothing Company.
Tickets are $40 and include a full sit-down dinner. Only 150 tickets are available for purchase. To purchase tickets, contact Susie Rando at 651-8028 or sisr@warwick.net; Kathleen Krutki at 294-5740; or Jody Donnelly at 374-3232 or jdonnelly2@hvc.rr.com.
Donations sought for silent auction
Chester — Music for Humanity is seeking silent auction/gift basket donations for its fundraiser to be held on Sunday, Nov. 23.
For more information on making a donation, call 469-2996 or e-mail Barry@MusicForHumanity.org.
Free car washes for veterans on Tuesday
Chester — Veterans will receive a free full-service car wash at the Hambletonian Auto Spa, 1 Bryle Place, Chester, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The owners say it is important to remember those who have served our country, and to show support and gratitude to veterans.
This is the fourth year that the auto spa has offered this program to honor Veterans Day. The spa offers a tunnel car wash, express oil lube jobs, vehicle detailing, and a gift shop.
The auto spa is located just off Exit 126 on Route 17 on Route 17M, next to Holiday Inn Express and Provident Bank.
For more information call Laureen Somers at 469-3007.
Hike to support Sanctuary for Animals
Chester — The Sanctuary for Animals will host a fundraising hike on Sunday, Nov. 9, 8 a.m. at Goosepond State Park. Any size donation would be greatly appreciated as all proceeds go directly to the sanctuary. Dr. Lonnie Kasman and the Monroe Animal Hospital have graciously offered to match all donations raised in support of this cause.
For the past 50 years The Sanctuary for Animals has been rescuing all species of animals including elephants, camels, primates, lions, bears and many other species. To support a population that at times has grown to over 900 animals they created Dawn Animal Agency, a talent agency for animals that work to support themselves. Although they are very successful with many of these animals there are many more that do not earn their keep and need our support. Visit www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/August-2008/Lights-Camera-Animals/ for more information.
Directions to Lazy Hill Road Goosepond State Park, Chester: Use the Laroe Rd. entrance located between Debbie Court and Spruce Hill Court. Be careful to park off to the side of the road and to not block any drives as there is no public parking for this entrance. All dogs should be on a leash for their safety being this can be a busy road at times.
Chester school board tries to control blogging
School cuts off communication with The Chronicle
By Linda Smith Hancharick
Chester — The Chester school board called a special meeting last Thursday to address what it called the “malicious, outrageous, vicious, disgusting” postings on The Chronicle’s Web site.
At the end of the meeting, the board followed the lead of Superintendent of Schools Helen Anne Livingston and banned providing any school information to The Chronicle. In addition, the board and superintendent urged the community to pressure The Chronicle to disallow blogs.
Over the weekend, an e-mail was circulated to a group of about 30 involved Chester parents, urging them not to patronize the newspaper’s advertisers because of community posts on the Web site.
Board President John Pasichnyk, who had the backing of members Joan Donato, Judi Burger, and Frank Sambets, as well as Superintendent Livingston, said The Chronicle was allowing vicious attacks on Chester School District personnel and children and hiding behind the First Amendment. “The Chronicle is not a good community member,” Pasichnyk said.
Upon hearing what transpired at the meeting, Jeanne Straus, president of Straus News, which publishes The Chronicle, said: “We think it is very unfortunate that the Chester school board is taking this approach with our reporting and with the community members who have commented on our blogs.
Letter from the paper: Why The Chronicle won’t be silenced or intimidated — or allow community bloggers to be
Dear Readers:
The Chester school board and superintendent do not want to hear what you think.
In a special meeting on Nov. 6, they decided that the Chester schools should stop providing any information to The Chronicle about what’s going on in the schools — not good news, not bad news, not any news.
We think this is an unfortunate step because The Chronicle must continue to report what’s going on, whether it is with officials’ cooperation or not.
By way of background, Superintendent of Schools Helen Anne Livingston, Village of Chester Mayor Phil Valastro, and some school board members are very upset about the tone and language of some of the blogs posted by the public on our Web site.
They are not wrong.
We have worked hard (and will continue to work hard) with your help, and on our own, to take down in a timely way the most odious and personally hurtful comments. In fact, we have removed more than 700 blog comments in the past four months. Should you wish to see the pile, stop by our offices at 20 West Avenue.
For those who have suggested we should limit which stories are open to blogging as a way to control discussion, the fact is that people will blog on whatever and wherever they please, whether on The Chronicle’s Web site or elsewhere. For those who suggest that we should require registration, the fact is that registration doesn’t change the tone of the blogs. It simply gives officials a sense that they may be able to force us to determine who is saying what.
The school board and the superintendent are wrong to try to starve The Chronicle by refusing to discuss the intricacies of the school audit, provide background on constructive peer-to-peer mentor programs in the high school, and allow honor roll students to get the recognition in the newspaper they deserve.
It would make our lives easier if they would work with us. But even though it would make our lives easier, and satisfy them, we cannot stifle the reasonable (though difficult) discussions going on in the blogs about whether school property is private or public, about whether our schools enfranchise the popular kids and disenfranchise others, about appropriate decorum on the playing field.
The olden days — when political officials, school officials and the media were in charge of what you knew and when you knew it — are gone. That is the reality of this Internet age and the nature of communication in 2008.
What is not gone, we hope, is a sense of decency and community in Chester. The school board and superintendent share our sense that we all need to encourage greater civility and respect on the Internet.
We urge school officials to lift the ban they have imposed on the right of school employees to talk with us and to allow all of us to get on with the jobs the people have a right to expect us to do: school officials to worry about educating our children well and cost-efficiently, The Chronicle to report what’s going on fairly and honorably.
What do you think? We’d love to hear from you. My phone number is 845-469-9000. My e-mail is nyoffice@strausnews.com. Our address is 20 West Avenue.
Regards,
Jeanne Straus, President
The Chronicle
Chester eliminates Eldred to win championship
Chester - The Hambletonians earned a Section 9 Class D championship with a 24-14 win over Eldred on a damp night in Middletown. With a week off after being suspended for their part in a skirmish with Onteora, the Hambletonians didn’t miss a step in the contest.
Eldred took the lead when Ian Halloran capped a scoring drive with a 14-yard run for paydirt. Teammate Bob Warden iced the kick to give Eldred a 7-0 lead.
Hambletonian quarterback Matt Balzano uncorked a 34-yard bomb to Victor Cruz. And the duo hooked up again for the extra point to stake Chester to an 8-7 advantage to close the first frame. In the second quarter, Balzano ended a scoring drive with an eight yard touchdown strike to Danny Conklin. Pat Perry muscled his way in for the conversion and Chester took earned a 16-7 lead heading into the half.
After the break, both squads had trouble offensively as the defense took center stage through the third quarter. Eldred broke the scoreless streak in the fourth when Bryan Henry hit Charles Wolff with a 30-yard pass and Warden’s kick made another extra point to cut the Chester lead to 16-14.
But the Hambletonians ignited their running game as Tyler Dieudonne found the endzone from five yards out with a little over five minutes left in the game. Pat Perry made his second two point conversion to afford Chester their 24-14 margin of victory.
The win sets Chester against Section 1 champion Tuckahoe in a state tournament first-round game on Nov. 15 at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.
Scoring Summary
Eldred: 7-0-0-7—14
Chester: 8-8-0-8—24
Chester movie theater undergoing renovations
CHESTER - The Elite Cinema 6 movie theater in Chester, now under new ownership, is undergoing renovations which will include new seating, sound systems, a concession stand and other upgrades.
The theater, at the Chester Mall on Brookside Avenue (Route 17M), will remain open during the work, which is expected to be completed in December.
“The theater is part of what makes the Chester Mall such a great place to visit and shop,” said Dianne Kopac, a director with Elite Cinema VI, the company that owns the theater. “We have a state-of-the-art bowling alley, an array of specialty shops and restaurant dining.”
The theater was formerly known as the Chester 6-Plex.
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