The best source for local news from Marbletown, Rochester & Rosendale
Published the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month | Vol. 26, Issue 18
Memorial for Joshua Demorest Page 10
September 17, 2021 | 75 cents
Rochester contemplates acquisition
Busing a topic at Rondout Valley school board
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Deer are in trouble: '20 and more' at a time found dying Ann Belmont BSP Reporter “They’re dying in people’s yards, they’re dying in streams, they’re dying in ponds, they’re dying in creeks.” So said Wayne Ward, Rosendale resident and sport hunter. With a shocking suddenness, dead deer seem to be turning up everywhere in the eastern half of Ulster County. “I live on Creek Locks Road,” said Ward, “and along the creek, behind my house, my neighbor and I found at least 20. And at the other end of the road, they found them in a pond, in people’s yards … probably 30-40 deer just on this road … I took a hike and found them dead along a stream up at Mohonk … they’re dying all over the place.” What is killing the deer is a virus called epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). A press release from the Ulster County DEC explained: “EHD virus is an oftenfatal disease of deer that is transmitted by biting midges, small bugs often called nosee-ums or 'punkies.' ... EHD outbreaks are most common in the late summer and early fall when midges are abundant.” The midges begin their life cycle in standing water, like mosquitoes. It seems safe to conclude that extremely wet weather this
Public hearing set for possible NYStretch Energy Code changes Sara Trapani BSP Reporter
Infected deer seek out water and many succumb to EHD near a water source. National Park Service photo by Bob Kuhns
summer may have resulted in a midge population explosion and a disaster for the white-tails. The DEC described EHD symptoms as “fever, hemorrhage in muscle or organs, and swelling of the head, neck, tongue and lips. A deer infected with EHD may
appear lame or dehydrated. Frequently, infected deer will seek out water sources and many succumb near a water source. Once infected with EHD, deer usually die
See Deer, page 11
58th Annual Rondout Valley Lions Club Fishing Contest There is nothing more rewarding than the simple pleasure of a father and son, mother and daughter, or a whole family for that matter, going fishing. And there is nothing more special than catching that first fish. For over 58 years, the Rondout Valley Lions Club has been sponsoring their fishing contest for kids, grades preschool through ninth. And for 39 of those past 58 years, Bill Brooks of Rosendale has organized the event. Brooks loves being a part of the contest for one very special reason. “It’s a chance for a day of interaction between parents and kids,” he explained, “just a day outside with a family and their fishing poles.” This year’s fishing contest will be held on Sunday, Sept. 26, beginning with registration at 1 p.m. and the official start time of 1:30 p.m. Kids can continue to reel them in through 3 p.m. The fishing contest is, as it has always been; a free event, held at the Lyonsville Pond which can be found by heading on Route 209 toward Accord, just past the BlueStone Press on the southeast side, and Lydia’s Cafe on the other; make a turn on Kripplebush and the pond is on
Marbletown to establish townwide ambulance district
The 58th Annual Fishing Contest is back! Hoping for great weather like they had for the Sept. 29, 2019, contest.
the left, (25 Private Road 13, Accord). The Lyonsville Pond is privately owned by John and Rita Neidhardt, who have allowed and enjoyed providing the fishing hole each year for the contest. “We stock the pond occasionally,” admitted Brooks, who likes to fish but especially loves to see the kids catch their first fish. In addition to the day of fishing and family fun, Brooks and the Lions Club
also give out soda and chips to each of the participants. Fishing awards for the kids are presented in three categories for each of the three age groups – from preschool to third grade, fourth to sixth grade, and seventh to ninth grade; boys and girls are recognized for catching the largest, the smallest, and the most fish. There is no
See Fishing, page 3
The Marbletown Town Board meeting on Sept. 7 was held in-person only at the Rondout Municipal Center. Four board members were present, including Rich Parete, chairman and town supervisor, along with board members Eric Stewart, Daisy Foote and Tim Hunt. Deputy supervisor Don LaFera was absent. There were four resolutions on the agenda, and they all carried 4-0. The meeting opened with a public hearing on the Marbletown Ambulance Improvement District. An AID is a formal ambulance district to provide the town with emergency services that are in compliance with NYS regulations. The newly established AID would include the entire town of Marbletown except for properties on Hinel Road. During the public hearing several members of the community spoke in support of the AID. The resolution on the matter went on to pass later in the evening, and the creation of the district will occur unless a resident submits a petition to require a vote. “The creation of the District is subject to a permissive referendum, which means that residents have 30 days to submit petitions to require a vote of residents to see if they want an AID,” said Parete. “If no one submits a petition, then the AID is created. We are currently in the window and can't do much until the 30 days are up,” Parete said. The annual cost to the typical property in Marbletown is estimated at $95. “Marbletown First Aid has asked for $315,000 to have 24/7 coverage,” said Parete. “This is for their coverage area that includes roughly 400 properties in Rosendale and 115 in Rochester and 2,200 in Marbletown. So if everyone paid by assessed value, Marbletown properties would cover about $275,000 and the other two towns would cover the rest.” However,
See Marbletown, page 15