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The Daily Mail Copyright 2019, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 227, No. 213
All Rights Reserved
‘Lock him up!’ Chant greets President Trump at World Series, A2
The nation’s fourth-oldest newspaper • Serving Greene County since 1792
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2019
Crane falls, tree cutter hurt
n FORECAST WEATHER FOR HUDSON/CA TODAY TONIGHT WED
Staff report Columbia-Greene Media Mostly cloudy
Areas of low clouds
Drizzle
HIGH 59
LOW 52
66 56
Complete weather, A2
n SPORTS CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A Cairo man cutting a tree branch in Saugerties was treated for injuries he sustained when the crane he was operating toppled over, Saugerties Police said.
High school football Taconic Hills pulls away from Cohoes, keeping Cohoes winless on the season PAGE B1
n NATION
SAUGERTIES — A Greene County man was injured Friday when the crane on the bucket truck he was working on toppled over, Saugerties police said Monday. Glen Thorne, 48, of Cairo, was the operator in the bucket on a crane when the vehicle toppled over, according to Saugerties Police. The 1997 Ford Special Purpose Crane Truck was being used to cut a tree branch on Blue Hills Drive in Saugerties, police said. Thorne is the owner of Tree Guy Tree Service. “[Thorne] sustained back and leg
injuries,” according to Saugerties police. “[He] was treated at the scene by first responders and paramedics from Diaz Ambulance and then transported to the Health Alliance Broadway Campus in Kingston for further treatment.” Saugerties police detectives established that the truck rolled over because Thorne did not use the front outriggers on the truck when having the crane extended. Outriggers are leg-like extensions on the vehicle that stabilize the truck, according to Saugerties police. Besides Diaz Ambulance and Saugerties police, the Glasco Fire Department responded to the scene.
Bill doubles, extends farmer tax credit
Wrestling with fear, anxiety Kincade fire renews anxiety and a frightening sense of deja vu among weary residents PAGE A2
n BUSINESS FILE PHOTO
Local farms could benefit from a new tax credit plan for farm employees.
By Massarah Mikati Johnson News Serivce
Insurance counselor Mark W. Fingar of Fingar Insurance recognized for professional leadership, support of CIC program PAGE A7
n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Classified Comics/Advice
A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 B4-5 B7-8
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ALBANY — Farmers could claim a refundable tax credit of $1,200 for each of their employees with a new bill introduced by state Sen. Jen Metzger, D-42. If passed, Metzger’s proposed legislation, announced Monday, would double the current Farm Workforce Retention Credit applied to each farm employee who works 500 hours or more each year. It would also extend the tax credit indefinitely, as opposed to its current 2022 expiration date. Metzger said in a statement that this legislation would aid the relatively smaller family farms operating in New York in shouldering increasing farm
FILE PHOTO
Cows graze at a farm in Columbia County farm.
expenses. “New York farmers contend with
significantly higher labor and other costs than farmers in other states and
internationally, making it very difficult for them to compete,” Metzger said. “As producers of commodities, farmers are price takers and are constrained in their ability to raise prices. The proposed tax credit will provide needed relief, supporting this important sector of New York’s economy and protecting our long-term food security.” Since 2007, New York farms’ production costs have increased 23.5 percent, according to Metzger’s bill. Farm labor expenses have made up a large chunk of those costs, more so in New York than nationwide. Metzger’s bill also contends that New York farmers are facing added challenges with a rising minimum See TAX A8
Heated flycar debate in budget talks By Sarah Trafton Columbia-Greene Media
CATSKILL — Mountaintop elected officials and Catskill lawmakers debated a proposed flycar as the county Legislature met to discuss the tentative 2020 budget. The tentative budget is $121.7 million, an increase from last year’s $119 million. The budget proposal, which can be viewed on the county’s website, greenegovernment.com, can be changed only by resolution. Legislators held a workshop to discuss potential changes to the budget. An additional flycar on the mountaintop and designating tax from internet sales for a specific purpose were two hot topics of the evening. Members of the public can voice their opinions
FILE PHOTO
Mountaintop leaders are at odds with Catskill lawmakers over the addition of a new flycar to the tentative 2020 Greene County budget. The flycar would be similar to the vehicle pictured above.
on the budget at a public hearing on Nov. 4. The hearing will be held at 6
p.m. in the Catskill High School Auditorium.
Hunter Town Supervisor Daryl Legg attended last week’s workshop meeting to advocate for the flycar. A flycar is a paramedic vehicle that preps patients for transport prior to the arrival of an ambulance. Legg said he believed several legislators supported the idea but was dismayed by the vocal opposition from Catskill legislators Michael Bulich and Matthew Luvera. “As mountaintop officials, we came to represent the people on the mountain,” Legg said. “As legislators, they are supposed to represent the people of Greene County.” Although the flycar would be stationed on the mountaintop, it would See BUDGET A8