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The Daily Mail Copyright 2019, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 227, No. 124
WEEKEND
The nation’s fourth-oldest newspaper • Serving Greene County since 1792
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Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23, 2019
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Benoit, Kusminsky square off
n FORECAST WEATHER FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT SUN
By Sarah Trafton Columbia-Greene Media Mostly sunny Mostly sunny Mainly clear and breezy and pleasant
HIGH 79
LOW 55
83 56
Complete weather, A2 CMYK
Saturday - Sunday, June 22-23,
2019 - C1
COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
GILES KEYTE, COLUMBIA PICTURES
Tessa Thompson, left, and Chris Hemsworth star in “Men in Black: International.
black This time, just ‘meh’ in
INSIDE TODAY! more fizzle than sizzle, AL’: Relationship has is nice ‘MIB: INTERNATION and at least the scenery but there’s lots of action
CATSKILL — Two former state police investigators will face off in a Republican primary showdown Tuesday for the right to run for Greene County sheriff. Diana Benoit and Peter Kusminsky, both of Cairo, are vying for the post held for 12 years by Sheriff Greg Seeley, who will step down in December. Benoit has a chance to become Greene County’s first female sheriff.
PETER KUSMINSKY Kusminsky has worked 33
years with the state police. Kusminsky said his experience in local law enforcement Diana Benoit would make him an asset to the sheriff’s office. “I’ve been involved with all emergency service groups in Greene County,” Kusminsky said. “I’ve been a police officer since I was 21 and gotten to know and deal with every agency. I feel like the knowledge and contacts I have
would be a benefit to the sheriff’s office.” After becoming a firefighter at 19, law enPeter Kusminsky f o r c e m e n t seemed the next logical step, Kusminsky said. “It became a calling,” he said. Kusminsky retired as a state police senior investigator Jan. 31 to run for the office. “I retired in order to run for sheriff in hopes to continue
my efforts to bring a united, collaborative and professional approach to Greene County’s issues, including the opioid epidemic, crimes against children and the elderly,” Kusminsky said. “I’m dedicated to public service and believe that I have the temperament, organizational skills, compassion and sense of fairness to bring the sheriff’s office to the next level.” Kusminsky plans to initiate partnerships with entities such as Twin Counties and have impact panels with the District Attorney’s office to address the opioid epidemic.
“It’s going to take a collaborative effort, with the community as well, to address this problem,” Kusminsky said. Kusminsky has also been exploring the option of a law enforcement-assisted diversion program that allows law enforcement agencies, with input from the district attorney’s office, to redirect nonviolent offenders to programs such as rehabilitation, counseling or mental health services, he said. “It would be saving taxpayers’ money to keep them out of jail,” Kusminsky said. See SHERIFF A8
RNATIONAL’
Pot decriminalization expanded; legalization fails
n SPORTS
By Melanie Lekocevic Columbia-Greene Media
Bucks hand Rattlers first loss The HRCBL Bucks challenged the Unbeaten Rattlers and took the game to the snakes. PAGE B1
n NATION
Pulling back from the brink President Trump ordered air strikes against Iran but didn’t carry them out as tensions escalate PAGE A2
n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Classified Comics/Advice
ALBANY — State lawmakers voted on their last day in the legislative session to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, along with other changes to existing law. The initial push was for legalization, but after months of negotiation, legislators decided to compromise on a decriminalization bill. Marijuana is legal in a dozen other states, including California, Washington and Alaska. “I think they should have gone all the way and legalized it,” said John Masterson, of Hudson. “So many other states have already made it legal.” In a press conference Friday afternoon, Gov. Andrew Cuomo expresPotsed disappointment with the failed bid to legalize. He pledged to revisit the issue again next year. The bill passed late Thursday decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, reducing the penalty to a violation punishable by a fine, rather than a crime. The legislation also provides for automatic record expungement for marijuana cases, both retroactively and for future convictions and removes criminal penalties for possession of any amount of marijuana under two ounces,
Hearing draws concerns about Catskill resort Columbia-Greene Media
On the web www.HudsonValley360.com Twitter Follow: @CatskillDailyMail Facebook www.facebook.com/ CatskillDailyMail/
JASPER JUINEN/THE NEW YORK TIMES
On its final day of session, the state Legislature adopted a bill decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.
See FAILED A8
By Sarah Trafton A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 B4-B5 B7-B8
JENNA SCHOENEFELD/THE NEW YORK TIMES
State legislators stopped short of legalizing marijuana, but passed a bill Thursday night decriminalizing small amounts.
CATSKILL — Dozens of residents attended a public hearing Tuesday night to express their concerns about the future of a local resort. Pollace’s Family Resort, located at 71 Landon Ave., has served the community for more than 70 years. The property is before the Catskill Town Planning Board for review as a religious institution. Prospective owner Jacob BarHorin plans to use the facility as an overnight summer camp where special-needs children can practice the Hasidic faith. Residents were particularly concerned with the septic system and upkeep of the property. Correspondence from neighbors dated May 8 outlined these concerns. “In speaking with former employees of Pollace’s Resort, the total weekly guests aver-
aged between 80 and 100 during the eight to 10 weeks of the summer season,” according to the letter. “Currently, during the summer months, the smell of raw sewage is apparent on many days as you walk or drive past Pollace’s Resort, especially on the south side of the property.” Neighbors urged the planning board to complete an inspection before taking action on the project. “The Landon Avenue residents are currently impacted for 10 weeks of the summer with increases in both road traffic, motor and pedestrian, and noise,” according to the letter. “What will be the impact when the number of guests is doubled and the resort becomes year-round?” The septic system has had no record of problems in the last 12 years, said Darrin ElSee RESORT A8
SARAH TRAFTON/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
Jacob Bar-Horin, left, answers a question from the audience at a public hearing on the proposed transformation of Pollace’s Family Resort in Catskill into an overnight summer camp for children.