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The Daily Mail Copyright 2017, Columbia-Greene Media Volume 225, No. 260
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WEEKEND
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The nation’s fourth-oldest newspaper • Serving Greene County since 1792
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Saturday-Sunday, December 30-31, 2017
Shuttle outcome rankles businessman
n WEATHER FORECAST FOR CA TODAY TONIGHT
SUN
By Kaitlin Lembo
Columbia-Greene Media A bit of afternoon snow
A little snow, up to 1”
Lots of sun; bitterly cold
HIGH 20
LOW 8
14 -3
Complete weather, A2
INSIDE TODAY!
n BASKETBALL
WINDHAM — A local businessman became heated when he questioned town officials on why they did not open the municipal shuttle service to competitive bidding or invite him to contribute his buses. The town board approved a contract for a free municipal weekend bus shuttle at a special meeting Dec. 19. The buses are contracted with Valet Park of America. Windham Mountain and the Windham Foundation, two of the original sponsors in the resolution passed at the special meeting Dec. 19, have agreed to foot the bill for the entire shuttle.
Bob Poelker, owner and sole proprietor of Majestic Transportation Services in Windham, addressed the board with questions at Thursday’s meeting about why he wasn’t asked to provide the shuttles or submit a bid for the service when the plan was being drawn out. Poelker was involved in the shuttle service the Windham Chamber of Commerce tried to implement a few years ago, he said, adding he lost money from the failed attempt by purchasing buses he could not use. “I do not understand why I was not asked for a bid,” Poelker said at the meeting. “I have two buses, which have been See SHUTTLE A10
KAITLIN LEMBO/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
Members of the Windham Town Board met Thursday for a scheduled meeting. Local business owner Bob Poelker confronted the board for their original involvement in a municipal town shuttle, which was rescinded at the meeting.
Amid bitter cold, New Year’s Eve excitement is growing Taconic Hills claims trophy Titans win home holiday tournament PAGE B1
Inmate package edict enrages advocates By Richard Moody Columbia-Greene Media
n LOCAL
Councilmanelect cries foul Jason Watts says the latest postponement of a meeting about his pig farm is unfair. PAGE A10
n LOTTERIES Daily Numbers: Midday 2, 7, 8 Lucky Sum 17 Evening 0, 5, 7 Lucky Sum 12 WinFour: Midday 2, 3, 9, 5 Lucky Sum 19 Evening 7, 5, 1, 9 Lucky Sum 22 Mega Millions: $306M Powerball: $384M
n INDEX Region Opinion State/Nation Obituaries Sports Comics/Advice Classiied
A3 A4 A5 A5 B1 A8-9 B4-5
On the web www.HudsonValley360.com Twitter Follow: @CatskillDailyMail Facebook www.facebook.com/ CatskillDailyMail/
JADA KITSON/COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA
Above: Holiday decorations hang on a tree on Hudson Street in Kinderhook. Right: Emily Allen, of Kinderhook, discusses her New Year’s celebration plans in the Kinderhook Library.
By Ashley Hupfl Columbia-Greene Media
As people wave goodbye to 2017, expectations and excitement for the New Year vary between boredom and anticipation. Several Twin County residents were happy to say they planned to stay indoors for the holiday. “We stay home with family and friends with children so no one has to travel,” said Christina Scott, of Kinderhook. “That way, we can all hang out, play board games and have some snacks and fun.” One parent went even further to say not seeing the ball drop is counted as a success. “It’s going to be very boring and the success would be if we’re all asleep by New Year’s time so we can keep everybody [the children] happy for the next day — and sane,” said Emily Allen, of Kinderhook.
Beth Puskas and Matthew Pavloff, both of Kinderhook, also said they planned to stay inside where it’s cozy and warm, with Pavloff describing his plans as “nothing crazy.” The weather outside will be frightful, according to the website forecast from the National Weather Service in Albany. It will be dry, but brutally cold. High temperatures on New Year’s Eve will hover near 10 degrees and the low is expected to bottom out at minus-5. And the wind chill will make it feel even colder. “I’m staying home in my house — I never go out anymore,” Roy Munger, of Earlton, said. “You can’t even have any
fun, you’ll get arrested. I’m just going to drink three martinis and go to bed.” Others bemoaned having to stay indoors. They are more ambitious with their plans and have decided to brave leaving the house. Ann Thom, of Catskill, said she wanted to go bowling to celebrate the New Year and Brandon Phillips, also of Catskill, said he may head south. “I feel terrible that I have no plans,” he said. “I might head down to New York City with some friends.” Phillips is trying to decide what he wants to do for New Year’s, but said if all else fails, he’ll just stay in the
area. Phillips recently moved to Greene County after living in Albany. “I was just at the Community Center [in Catskill],” he said. “They have tons of great stuff going on there for New Year’s.” Overall, people are looking forward to spending time with friends and loved ones, like Allen Swart, of Coxsackie, who said he plans to focus on spending time with his 6-month old daughter. “I may head over to my buddy’s house and have a few drinks there,” he said. “Other than that, hangout with my girlfriend, maybe play some video games and reflect on this past year.”
Critics are speaking out against a new directive issued by the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision that would prohibit families from sending packages to inmates unless they purchase all the items through vendors approved by the state. The directive, which took the form of a pilot program at three state prisons, will take effect Jan. 2. After that date inmates at the pilot facilities — Greene, Green Haven and Taconic correctional facilities — may only receive packages directly from an approved vendor with the exception of a wedding ring, release clothing and non-electric musical instruments from their family. U.S. Rep. John Faso offered support for the program because it aims to make prisons safer and more secure. “Since this is a state issue, Rep. Faso doesn’t have direct jurisdiction over the program. However, he does support actions that improve safety and security for corrections staff and inmates. That is the stated intention of the policy and reducing contraband in corrections facilities is an important part of keeping prisons safe for personnel and inmates,” Faso’s office said in a statement Friday. The directive has caused controversy, receiving strong opposition from officials and inmate advocates as well as a postcard campaign that asks people to mail their opposition to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and DOCCS Commissioner Anthony Annucci, saying the directive puts the interests of big business over families. “I think people should be able to send packages from home, not be required to go through a third party,” said Marquie Burgess, of Hudson, who said his father and his brother worked as corrections officers. “I don’t See INMATE A10