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The Daily Daily Mail Mail The Copyright 2019, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 227, No. 107
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THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019
n WEATHER FORECAST FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT
Windham Journal 6th Ride to honor Main St. pioneer
Time disparity seen in jail pacts
Complete weather, A2
By Sarah Trafton
n SPORTS
Columbia-Greene Media
Tennis Champion Keon Armstrong wins Section II championship PAGE B1
n NATION
FILE PHOTO
In this May 17 file photo, jail foes filled the Greene County Legislature chambers May 15 as county lawmakers deliberated for an hour about how to proceed, if at all, with the proposed jail project.
By Sarah Trafton
n
Mueller resigns as probe ends Special counsel says the report speaks for itself PAGE A5
n NFL REPORT
n Jones learns from Manning Rookie takes instructions from Giants’ veteran QB PAGE B1
n INDEX Region Region Opinion Opinion State/Nation State/Nation Obituaries Obituaries Sports Sports Comics/Advice Classified Classiied Comics/Advice
A3 A3 A4 A4 A5 A5 A5 A5 B1 B1 B4-B5 B3-5 B6-B7 B7-8
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Chairman Patrick Linger, R-New Baltimore, signed the contracts May 15. The contractors signed them April 18. “When Pat signed them, the contractor had signed them weeks ago,” Groden said. The other three contracts with James H. Maloy, of Loudonville, Jersen Construction Group, of Waterford, and Nfrastructure Technologies, of Clifton Park, have also been signed, Groden said. “The day [Kaplan] signed them is
canceled contracts. “There was no intention to liquidate,” Groden said. He added the CATSKILL — Greene County officials contracts that were signed by Greene Tuesday tried to explain the apparent County officials are standard American disparity in the timeline for the signing Institute of Architects contracts. of jail construction contracts, with AdDespite signing the contracts, the ministrator Shaun Groden calling the language of the documents suggests May 23 signing date “irrelevant.” that they are not currently binding. Jail critics are questioning the eth“This agreement, and any amendics of county leaders after they say they ments to this agreement, shall not bewere led to believe the jail project had come effective until concurred with in been paused while contracts were subwriting by the agency [U.S. Department sequently signed. of Agriculture] state The Greene County director or the state Legislature passed a modirector’s delegate,” tion May 15 in a 10-4 vote “The day [Kaplan] signed them is irrelevant. according to the conto seek state assistance tracts. “Such concurThe key is when the board approved the regarding the legality of rence shall in no way a shared jail while the contracts. There was no intention to liquidate.” commit the agency to county waited for final enrender financial assis— ADMINISTRATOR SHAUN GRODEN vironmental permits from tance to the owner and the state Department of is made without liabilEnvironmental Conservaity to the agency for any payment thereirrelevant,” Groden said. “The key is tion. Also on May 15, Greene County under. In the event such assistance is Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger when the board approved the con- provided, the agency’s concurrence signed contracts associated with the tracts.” merely signifies that the provisions The Legislature passed a resolution jails construction with David J. Humof this agreement are consistent with mel Enterprises, of Gansevoort; Bella- to award the contracts in March. agency requirements.” Groden said awarding the bids, my Construction Co., of Scotia; Ashley The final hurdle for the contracts Mechanical Inc., of Kingston; and John which was done in March, and not sign- will be a review by the USDA, where the ing the contracts, puts the county in a county is borrowing $39 million at 3.5% W. Danforth Company, of Halfmoon. In addition, Greene County Attorney position of being liable for liquidation interest over 30 years. Edward Kaplan signed the same con- damages. Additionally, a Notice to Proceed to The contracts do not include claus- contractors must be issued for contracts May 23. Linger and Kaplan’s signature cannot es for liquidation damages, as a result struction to begin, according to Article be construed as the county moving for- the county would have to to negotiate 3 of the contract. ward with the jail project, Green County financial compensation to contractors Legislator Michael Bulich, R-Catskill, Administrator Shaun Groden said, be- if the contracts are canceled. With a liq- who asked the Legislature to pump the uidation clause, a contract would set cause the process started months ago. See JAIL A2 Greene County Legislature limits for compensation in the event of
Columbia-Greene Media
CATSKILL — Local motorcycle enthusiasts will have an opportunity this weekend to break out their bikes for a good cause. Rick Jacobs, of Leeds, is hosting the 6th annual Kelli’s Ride for Cancer Aid on Sunday, in honor of Kelli Beers, on Sunday. A beloved local businesswoman and owner of Natalie’s Nook, Beers was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2014. Village President Vincent Seeley is pleased to see the ride continue to grow. “Year after year we are so happy that this event continues to grow,” Seeley said. “Kelli was one of the first drivers of our Main Street revitalization. She took a chance on us, worked hard and always had constructive comments on how we could improve Catskill together. She was a true community and business partner.” Jacobs started the fundraiser for Beers but carried on after her death, donating to the Greene County Women’s League for Cancer Aid. “The ride started for Kelli, but now we ride in memory of her,” Jacobs said. “Prior to our second year, (Kelli) passed away. It inspired me to keep going.” Funds are raised through the $25 registration fee, raffle tickets for $5 each or four for $20 and calendars, which feature photos from last year’s event, Jacobs said. “The Women’s League helps Greene County cancer families with expenses,” Jacobs said. “Last year they gave away $50,000.” Kelli’s Ride raises an average of about $5,000 each year and 70 to 80 riders, Jacobs said. “One hundred and two riders was our best year,” Jacobs said. “It’s all weather-dependent, which is why we don’t do preregistration.” Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Betty’s By Lindsay in Leeds. Riders hit the road at 10 a.m. for a 100-mile journey through Phoenicia, Windham, Catskill and Athens, making stops on See RIDE A2
Food Festival Hudson rolls in Saturday By Amanda Purcell Columbia-Greene Media
HUDSON — The inaugural Food Festival Hudson on Saturday is expected to reintroduce hundreds to the riverfront — all while celebrating food and craft brews made locally. Food Festival Hudson will take place at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park from noon to 6 p.m. and is hosted by Columbia-Greene Media. The event will bring together more than a dozen food trucks with gourmet foods, live music, distilled spirits and craft beer. The trucks include Yummy Kitchen’s, which is famous
for its Karaage Sandwich, a Japanese-style crispy fried chicken on a grilled baguette with cucumber and cabbage slaw with lemon juice and soy garlic aioli. There’s also Pippy’s Hot Dog of Palenville with its Fancy Sauerkraut Dog. It includes spicy mustard and raw, organic sauerkraut from Sauerkraut Seth’s of Hudson, or Pippy’s Street Corn, which includes Catskill’s Story’s Farms’ sweet corn on the cob with redhot butter, chipotle aioli and crumbled cheese. Hudson Brewing Company will be bringing its Proprietors Pale Ale, pineapple cider and NY Justus IPA — among
others. The success of last year’s food truck festival on Catskill’s Main Street prompted organizers to start a similar event in Hudson. Main Street became one big block party, and the whole village was invited, Columbia-Greene Media Advertising Director Gregory Appel said. Organizers are hoping to get the Hudson community equally engaged. What began as a fun way to bring locals together eventually became about connecting the city residents with the waterfront when organizers See FESTIVAL A2
AMANDA PURCELL/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
Hudson Brewing Company will be one of about a dozen local vendors at Food Festival Hudson to be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park in Hudson.
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