Striking Corrections Officers Write Messages On Protest Posters For Fellow Officers To Join Them

On the way to school - to the Beacon High School or Middle School - parents, caregivers, students, staff, and retired Corrections Officers who are security guards, have most likely seen the strike posters that have been popping up on Matteawan Avenue, which is the main artery to the schools and the prison. Some call it a living metaphor for the school to prison pipeline. For some, it’s all a loop. Even some retired teachers become Corrections Officers, who were standing on the picket line today outside the Fishkill Correctional Facility.

This week there were two new posters. One reads: “Stop By And Thank Us For 2.5 OT, SCAB Cowards.”

The 2.5 OT is in reference to the additional pay that current Corrections Officers are getting for working through the strike. They are getting 2.5 times their normal rate.

Today, ALBB asked one Corrections Officer out on the line if it was hard to publicly call out other officers who are working. The officer responded: “I have mixed emotions for people not on strike. We work with them. Someone who is a single parent. Special needs. They have special circumstances, and I get it. I for one don't feel good about pushing on them. But lots of people don’t have special circumstances. People are afraid of NY State. Some people are greedy. One officer driving by rolled down the window and said 'I’m going work!' because he knew we knew he was getting paid so much more now in Over Time.”

“We are from all cultures,” the officer continued. “We are a giant dysfunctional family most days. The biggest thing is, when we are out here on the street, we can’t be in there to protect them,” the officer said, in reference to other officers, nodding to the jail across the street. “The protectors are all out here. Sometimes they [those not striking] don’t recognize the seriousness of the situation.”

“DOCCS violated federal law by refusing to accommodate for Muslim officers to grow beards. They [DOCCS] lost that. We won. The officers won.”

— Correctoins Officer at Fishkill Correctional

While the officer was listing what he viewed as several federal violations made by DOCCS (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) over the years, the officer included an example of fellow officers suing the DOCCS for prohibiting officers from growing and wearing beards. “DOCCS violated federal law by refusing to accommodate for Muslim officers to grow beards. They [DOCCS] lost that. We won. The officers won.”

Another officer today expressed concern over what was going to happen when Ramadan starts on Friday. “Who is going to give the Muslims their special meals?” one officer asked. “They [the Muslim male incarcerated people] don’t screw around. They have issues with the female officers. Their special meals and times are accommodated, but I don’t know how that is going to happen while we are outside.”

“Another officer today expressed concern over what was going to happen when Ramadan starts on Friday. “Who is going to give the Muslims their special meals?” one officer asked. “They [the Muslim male incarcerated people] don’t screw around. They have issues with the female officers. Their special meals and times are accommodated, but I don’t know how that is going to happen while we are outside.””

— Corrections Officer at Fishkill Correctional Facility

As new developments happen each day with the National Guard inside, who have no experience in the correctional world, some officers who are hearing what the National Guard is experiencing were imagining what might be next.

ALBB did not have time to inquire further on the accommodations or idiosyncrasies around incarcerated Muslim males and female officers, but will try during another visit.

Today, there was a large spread of donated food, including warming dishes from catering for Spanish and Italian food. Another Corrections Officer, a quiet person who was organizing the food spread, wanted ALBB to take a photo of the birthday cake, as it was a different officer’s birthday today.

Correction Officers Served Court Orders To Stop Striking By NY State Police - Threats Of Arrest - Loss of Health Care

Over the weekend, Corrections Officers who are striking in what has become a state-wide prison strike (read more of the origins here), began to be served court orders to stop striking. New York State Police Officers began delivering the cease and desist letters that were ordered by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Times Union reports that some letters are being sent by mail and email. A Fishkill Corrections Officer told A Little Beacon Blog today 2-25-2025 that some court orders were served to striking Fishkill officers on Sunday, a day which is not allowed in New York State, and being left somewhere not in a person’s hands, which may be part of a Conspicuous Service, which is when a person cannot be found and the server makes at least 2 attempts to find them, and then leaves the paper in an approved place and sends a copy by mail. Conspicuous Service, however, can only be done under certain circumstances. Serving the papers incorrectly could be reason to delay or throw out the start of a legal case.

Corrections Officers of the Fishkill Corrections Facility confirm that some officers have received the court order at their homes, which some felt was an unlawful delivery on the weekend. “These are scare tactics from Albany,” one Corrections Officer told ALBB. “They were out serving people on Sunday between 10pm and Midnight.” NY State Law states that the hours between 6am and 10pm be used.

“They can’t serve those cease and desist orders on a Sunday. Some police were leaving the paperwork on the Corrections Officers’ doorsteps. There are rules about getting served. It has to be in person. They need to verify that it’s you. An admission that ‘Yes I am the person.’ No signature by you is required when getting served.”

Said another officer: “One person I know was standing outside when the police came. We are telling everyone to stay inside.” The Times Union reported: “On Saturday, striking Correction Officers were informed that they are not being paid and have been listed as ‘absent without leave’ during their ‘illegal work action.’ In addition, they were cautioned that their health insurance coverage is being terminated.”

One Corrections Officer stated to ALBB: “They (DOCC) are lawless. This is the problem with our agency - the Department Of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) - and the State of New York. They use emotional scare tactics on people already scared of this job.”

In the interview with ALBB, the Corrections Officer continued with an example of a fellow officer who was not striking but was out on Family Medical Leave (FMLA) for his wife who has been battling cancer for 2 years: “I called one of our officers to check in on him. He’s not striking, but he’s out on FMLA. He can’t deal with anything. His wife has cancer. When he called DOCCS to check on his own status, they said: ‘Just so you know, you’re being classified as AWOL.’ They were threatening to use that to threaten him off payroll and lose health insurance. Now that guy is sitting at home, looking at his wife, thinking my health insurance is going to get canceled. What am going to do.’”

Corrections Officers who are working in place of striking officers are getting paid 2.5 times their usual rate. The Times Union also reports that in addition to National Guard being used to assist in securing the prisons, and supplying meals and medicine, NY State Police are also being called to work in the prisons. “State Police also are assisting with security at multiple prisons; a missive shared with members on Friday said that officials at the agency’s headquarters had ‘sent out a request to compile a list of all troopers with prior NY State Department of Corrections experience.’”

When serving court documents, parties who are involved in the situation cannot serve the papers. It is unclear at this time if the NY State Police would be considered a participating party, since some of them may be filling in for striking Corrections Officers.

“We don’t want to be out here,” the Fishkill Correctional Officer told ALBB. “We have tried for 5 years to bring these issues before the jail.” He was referring to rising acts of violence on inmates by inmates, as well as inmates on officers. Spectrum News did a analysis of rising acts of violance on inmates and officers in the last 5 years since H.A.L.T. was s started.

“There are 15 officers to cover the RRU program. The most violent program.” The RRU (Residential Rehabilitation Unit) is a part of the H.A.L.T. program, which to the public, is known as a program that eliminated the concept of “solitary confinement,” or made it more difficult to put an incarcerated person away from the general population of the jail. The Corrections Officers say that after a fight between incarcerated people, where the injuries are serious, they want to separate them and put those people or one of them out of the general population for their own safety, and that of who they fought with.

According to the NY State manual, the “RRU is the separate housing unit used for therapy, treatment, and rehabilitative programming of incarcerated individuals who have been determined to require more than 15 days of disciplinary confinement pursuant to Department proceedings. Such units shall be therapeutic, trauma-informed, and aim to address individual treatment and rehabilitation needs and underlying causes of problematic behaviors.”

The Corrections Officer continued: “But you got 5 officers. You call them (DOCC) and you say ‘I don’t have enough staff,” and they say ‘make it work.’ That’s always been DOCCS’ motto. We have made shit work at our own peril. I’m amazed that none of use have been murdered. There is a line in corrections ‘no one walks alone.’ We are all walking alone now.”

Memo Issued Last Week From DOCCS To Officers to Pause Parts Of H.A.L.T. As Concession To Strike

Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye, who last Thursday walked down a piece of paper to the group of people standing across the street from the prison.
Photo Credit: ALBB

One day after a New York Supreme Court Judged issued a restraining order against Corrections Officers refusing to go to work as they reject mandated 24-36 hour shifts and demand safer working conditions through the repeal of H.A.L.T., a law enacted to eliminate solitary confinement used as punishment or retaliation against incarcerated people in their care, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner, Daniel Martuscello III, issued a memo on Thursday that would temporarily suspend parts of the H.A.L.T. Act, which stands for Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement.

As explained by WSKG, "The HALT Act is meant to limit extended solitary confinement. It allows for some hours outside the cell while in solitary holding. Its use is prohibited to those 21 years or younger, or 55 years and older—and those who are disabled or pregnant. Solitary confinement is also limited to 15 consecutive days."

Retired Corrections Officers who have been speaking on behalf of currently employed Corrections officers have indicated that the officers will not end the strike until H.A.L.T. is repealed, citing unsafe working conditions when incarcerated people cut and injure other incarcerated people or other officers.

Retirees have told ALBB that without disciplinary repercussions for physical abuse, there is incentive for people not to get into fights who feel compelled to do so. Separating two individuals fighting has become almost impossible.

Yet, as is common in the judicial system, revenge can be carried out by those in authority within the judicial system to send someone into solitary confinement who otherwise did not deserve to be separated or punished in that manner.

The recent death of Robert Brooks by a group of Corrections Officers who took turns beating him is fresh in the news as a reminder to how unsafe an incarcerated person can be within prison walls. As of this reporting, at least 10 officers have been charged in his beating, as reported by Syracuse News. The beating death of Robert Brooks was only revealed because body cameras were on some officers involved in the killing.

The memo from DOCCS offered that solitary confinement "can take place under 'exceptional circumstances' that 'create a significant and unreasonable risk to the safety and security of other incarcerated persons, staff or the facility,'” WSKG reported.

DOCCS also offered to take no disciplinary action against anyone striking if they reported to work the next day. However, the number of people on the picket line across from Fishkill Correctional Facility has only increased since then.

WSKG reports that the DOCCS memo also "eliminated" the 70/30 memo issued by DOCCS Commissioner Daniel that codified a lower staffing requirement. Fewer people on staff means more employees are mandated to work 24-36 hour shifts and forced to earn overtime that they did not sign up to earn. The 70/30 rule established 70% staffing as the new 100%. The Commissioner has since offered to reverse that in this latest memo, according to WSKG.

For those officers not on strike, overtime will be granted at 2.5 times the regular rate of pay.

The memo also stated that DOCCS would work with the Corrections Officers Union, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to increase recruitment issues. Retirees have stated that recruitment is a problem because of the increased violence that happens to incarcerated people and officers since the H.A.L.T Act was enacted. Spectrum News published the rate of increased violence to both parties over the years.

It is not clear why anyone would want to work as a Corrections Officer under these conditions. It is clear that people who become incarcerated are not always safe from other incarcerated people, Corrections Officers, or people on the outside who want to enact revenge with increased charges to lengthen time spent in prison by tweaking levers of the judicial system to their advantage.

The National Guard remains deployed in several prisons throughout New York State to provide meals and medication to incarcerated people.

Pictured here is Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye, who last Thursday walked down a piece of paper to the group of people standing across the street from the prison. On video taken by ALBB, he can be heard saying to a retired officer representing the group: “I can’t make them take it, but I attempted to deliver it.”

ALBB could not confirm the content contained on the paper, and if it was the Thursday memo from DOCCS. Moments after he attempted to deliver the document and walked away, a person followed the Superintendent to retrieve the piece of paper.

Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order Mandating End To Strike Of Some Corrections Officers

Last Wednesday, a New Yorker Supreme Court Judge granted a temporary restraining order that mandated that Corrections Officers end their strike. Officers are striking for unsafe working conditions, mandated 24 shifts, unsafe mail sorting practices, and purposeful low staffing known as 70/30, where 70% staffed is the new 100%, as reported by ALBB last week. The Union representing the Corrections Officers, the NYSCOPBA, has maintained since the beginning of the strike that it is “not in any way sanctioned,” reports numerous outlets including WIVB4.

In court documents obtained by WIVB4, the strike is deemed illegal by the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from striking without permission from their union. Workers can be docked "twice their daily rate of pay," the legislation says, "not earlier than 30 nor later than 90 days following the date of such determination."

A National Guard truck headed to Fishkill Correctional Facility during the strike of some corrections Officers.
photo Credit: Anonymous

Governor Hochul ordered the National Guard to replace Corrections Officers who are outside striking. The National Guard is to distribute meals and medicine to incarcerated people.

WIVB4 reported that Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said: “Deploying our National Guard makes this situation even more dangerous. As a former member of the New York National Guard, I have the highest regard for these soldiers,” he said. “This is not what they are trained for.”

It's Today :: Things To Do! 2-22-2025

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Information > GARRISON ART CENTER Artist Talk with Amy Cheng, Erik Schoonebeek and Zac Skinner About Their Exhibition "Home Is Where the Heart Is" Day: Saturday, February 22 Time: 2-3pm Price: Free Location: 23 Garrison's Landing, Garrison, NY 10524 Artists Amy Cheng, Erik Schoonebeek, and Zac Skinner will discuss their exhibition, 'Home Is Where the Heart Is.' “The exhibition expands our perspective on where we live, exploring the multifaceted concept of 'home' across three scales—the personal, the planetary, and the cosmic—to deepen our appreciation for the delicate balance that sustains us all.” — Amy Cheng, Erik Schoonebeek, and Zac Skinner The Artist Talk is free and open to the public. Information > Beacon Spring Celebration Of Light Will Day: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 Theme: Wood Snake Location: Pohill Park, walk all the way down Main Street, ending at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) for celebration gathering with music and bonfires. 5:30pm Gather Pohill Park (corner Main Street, Wolcott Ave., South Ave.) Information > THE YARD All Upcoming Events Day: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 Theme: Wood Snake Location: 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY Feb. 22, 23 (Sat./Sun.): Beacon Open Studios Winter Show Gallery Hours Feb. 22 (Sat.): Beacon Spring of Light Celebration Feb 26 (Wednesday): Beacon's Big Button Game Show! March 1 (Sat.): Heavy Resin - The Same Heinous DX Sculptures from Clutter March 6 (Thursday): Broadway in Beacon! 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Currently, they are wanting to do away with all auto-related zoning (car wash, auto mechanics, Auto Zone), except for the businesses currently there. They are inclined to not let any drive-throughs in, and are getting pressured by community members to create comfortable and safe bike lanes. The Mayor is inclined to have the bike lanes be on the future Rail Trail. Some community members are pushing back against new storage facilities. The discussion overall is curating what types of businesses can open there, and where parking will be in relation to neighboring homes. Let your voice be heard by participating in the feeedback discussion following the presentation.   New Community Soup Kitchens In Beacon FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >   Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >   Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Beacon's newest burger spot is open. Palmetto Burger Co. It's a smashburger infused with South Carolina flavor. Follow HV Food Hall's Chefs: Nami Yum Yum Roosevelt Bar Dulce Cielo Mexico Tara Fusion Cuisine Old Dhaka Coffee House Five Pennies Creamery Palmetto Burger Co. Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor! 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National Guard Called To Fishkill Correctional While Some Officers Join State-Wide Strike

By day 3 of the striking Correction Officers across New York State including Fishkill Correction Facility in Beacon, NY, the National Guard, executive ordered by Governor Kathy Hochul on Day 2 (Wednesday), arrived with troops to stand in for officers outside who are demanding better working conditions, as reported by Democrat and Chronicle. “A New York supreme court judge granted a temporary order Wednesday to stop the strikes at prisons across the state,” the newspaper reported. ALBB reported on the demands of the Correction Officers on Tuesday.

Retiree Sargent Dale Larson holding a sign that says “Governor Hochul Do Your Job!” as he is there to support current Correction Officers.

Men and women stood on the curb of Rte. 52, holding their signs high while their faces were covered out of fear of retribution from their union, who does not approve of the strike. There were more people there today than on the first day. Governor Hochul made it clear her displeasure in her Executive Order: “Whereas on February 17, 2025, and continuing thereafter, an illegal and unlawful strike by correction officers has created an imminent threat to the safety of corrections officers who are currently on the job, the more than 33,600 individuals in the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's care and the communities surrounding these correctional facilities.” It was in this order that she directed the National Guard to arrive at various prisons.

A National Guard truck driving to Fishkill Correctional Facility.

It was rumored by Beacon locals close to the situation that possibly 100 National Guard were inside Fishkill Correctional Facility as of Thursday morning. By the late afternoon, more trucks were seen arriving. According to one retiree, there are at least 100 Correction Officers on duty at Fishkill Correctional Facility during the day or night.

At 1:45pm on Thursday, Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye walked down from the prison to the strike group with another man to “deliver paperwork to whoever wanted it,” according to retired Sargent Dale Larson who was there to represent the Correction Officers who are masking to keep their identities protected against retribution by their union or the state, who do not approve of the strike.

As Superintendent Daye walked down the icy driveway of the property across from the prison that is serving as the strike location, Correction Officers yelled “Walking!” to signal that someone was incoming, and turned their backs to walk away from Superintendent Daye to the far end of the property.

Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye delivering paperwork that was later turned away.

Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Michael Daye delivering a document to retired Correction Officer Dale Larson, who was serving as the leader of the currently employed Correction Officers.

Retired Sargent Dale approached Superintendent Daye to receive the document. As he considered the document, the Correction Officers kept their backs turned and chanted “Hold the line!” As Superintendent Daye hands the paper to Dale, he says: “I can’t make them take it, but I attempted to deliver it.”

Correction Officers outside of Fishkill Correctional Facility, who turned their backs to Superintendent Daye after he walked down paperwork that was initially turned away.

Governor Hochul’s Executive Order grants authority to pay officers more for working: “Sections 134 and 135 of the Civil Service Law, to the extent necessary, to pay additional compensation and/or increased overtime rates of pay to individuals who continue to work in correctional facilities during the illegal strike,” the order reads.

Around Kid Pickup time of 2:30pm at Beacon’s Middle and High Schools, one of the strikers was putting up posters on Matteawan Avenue, which is the main road into the Fishkill Correctional Facility. Several parents, caregivers, and members of the Beacon Community are Correction Officers or retired officers.

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Demands include the rejection of the mandated 24-36 hour work shift and over time, changes to mail sorting to reduce exposure to fentanyl intended for incarcerated people inside, more staff so that they can do simple things like take lunch breaks. Perhaps the most important to the striking officers is the repeal of the H.A.L.T. Act, which they say endangers them and incarcerated people when violent fights happen between anyone in the jail, where a disciplinary system cannot be implemented.

Read more about their demands here.

Picketing Prison Employees Demand A Stop To Mandated 24hr Shifts, Fentanyl Exposure and More

Picketing prison employees demonstrated on Rte. 52 in Beacon, NY in the early morning of Tuesday 2/18/2025 across from the Fishkill Correctional Facility entrance. Around 20-30 employees participated, who were joined by retirees who were there to support and speak to members of the media. Most employees were masked and did not want to be identified, to protect themselves against retaliation from their union.

Corrections Officers were protesting several safety issues, including:

Corrections Officers are demanding the repeal of the H.A.L.T. Act, which was a bill signed into law to create more humane and therapeutic ways of responding to inmates. Corrections Officers refer to confinement as “Jail within the jail” and punishment based, whereas bill signers may have sought a rehabilitation approach.

• Mandated 24hr shifts

• Mandated Overtime

• Exposure to fentanyl through mail sorting methods

• Repeal of H.A.L.T. Act. According to the bill: “This bill will be known as the "Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement" Act (the H.A.L.T. Solitary Confinement Act.) This bill would limit the time an inmate can spend in segregated confinement, end the segregated confinement of vulnerable people, restrict the criteria that can result in such confinement, improve conditions of confinement, and create more humane and effective alternatives to such confinement.” The bill also makes it illegal to use special or modified food diet as a punishment. Corrections officers are saying they have lost the ability to “punish” inmates for violence to other inmates of officers, or drug use. Violence to both inmates and officers is on the rise, according a breakdown presented by Spectrum News.

A sign spray painted with the word “STRIKE” was erected at 9:30am, about an hour into the picket on Tuesday morning.

Since their demonstration, and while corrections officers throughout the state went on strike for these demands, Governor Kathy Hochul called up the National Guard to “protect striking corrections officers and communities,” as reported by MidHudson News. The Governor demanded that “the illegal and unlawful actions being taken by a number of correction officers must end immediately,” according to the newspaper.

While the gathering was initially called a “picket,” a sign spray painted with the word “STRIKE” emerged at around 9:30am. It could not be confirmed or denied if any demonstrating employees were striking, or if they were not on shift today.

Demand: End Mandatory 24hr Shifts

Retired correctional officers who spoke to A Little Beacon Blog stood with a sign saying “Retirees Stand With CO (Correctional Officers): FCF Strong” and said they were there to get the word out about “how unsafe the working conditions are for the officers in Fishkill Correctional and state-wide.”

Unsafe conditions include “officers being told they have to work 24 plus hours, having to stay awake that long with a house full of people that aren’t so nice,” retiree Rob Johnson told ALBB.

Demand: End Mandatory Overtime

Mandatory overtime is another issue corrections officers are refusing. Said one retiree to ALBB: “It’s one thing if you wanted to stay in overtime. But some guys are getting hit with 80-100 hours overtime every two weeks. My one friend had over 3,000 hours overtime in one year. He did a double every day for almost a year.”

The retirees also described corrections officers who drive inmates in vans. “Trip officers can do 30 plus hours driving in a van. Armed. Sometimes two guys, with sometimes 4-6 inmates in a van too. How safe is that?”

Demand: Lunch Breaks

“There are no lunch breaks,” Rob told ALBB. “You can’t get a relief to get off the door. You bring your meals and hope you get time to eat.”

Last Week’s Walk-Out At Collins and Elmira Corrections Facilities

A strike began yesterday on President’s Day when several employees at the state prisons in Collins and Elmira walked out, prompting a cancellation of visitation, the New York Post reported. Striking is illegal in New York State “and could lead to severe consequences for individuals and unions that participate in them,” the newspaper reported.

But when alleged “uprising inmates” injured three guards while employees were vocalizing about understaffing issues and mandatory overtime, and when a agency memo circulated talking about more reductions in staff, the employees in Collins and Elmira walked out last week, the New York Post reported.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision spokesman Thomas Mailey issued a statement: “The job actions initiated by some rogue NYSCOPBA [NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association] members at Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities this morning are illegal and unlawful,” he said “The staff that have gathered outside of both facilities, and who refused to enter the facility for their respective shifts, was not in any way sanctioned by NYSCOPBA,” the union said in a statement.

Demand: Change Mail Sorting Methods and Raise Awareness About Fentanyl Exposure To Corrections Officers

The retirees told ALBB of the continued exposure to fentanyl that corrections officers face when doing activities like sorting mail intended for inmates, and frisking them. “People from the outside are sending in envelopes laced with fentanyl,” one retiree told ALBB. “They liquefy the fentanyl and the put it on the glue of the envelope, or the glue of the stamp. This is intended for the inmate to get high. But corrections officers are coming into contact with it when they touch the envelopes, and some have needed Narcan treatment.” These envelopes are usually placed inside of an envelopes that goes through the USPS.

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Employment and Assault Issues Across The State

Spectrum News has done a breakdown of both employment numbers compared to the number of incarcerated people - both of which are declining in New York State. The news agency also did a breakdown of the number of assaults on corrections officers, as well as on inmates. Both of which are rising.

Corrections officers are demanding more staff. But recruiting staff may be difficult. Said one former inmate, Ryan Manzi, to ALBB: “Those protesters I’m sure are being slaved working within the prison, however, they knew about mandated overtime, including when there’s a state of emergency due to snow. Under-staffing is a universal problem in the criminal justice system.”

Ryan felt that there is an “old guard” in charge, where potential younger correctional officers are more informed and either not choosing the profession, or resisting it from inside. “They have championed basic human rights and it’s clear that the old regime and the youth mindset don’t mesh well.”

Ryan continued: “The working conditions are poor in a lot of these facilities, even newer ones, and to some I’ve personally interacted with, the risk/reward of the job truly isn’t worth their mental health, physical health and safety.”

Demand: Repeal the H.A.L.T. Program To End It

The corrections officers are demanding the end of the H.A.L.T. (Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement), saying they and other inmates are at risk.

“There’s no punishment inside the jail anymore,” Rob told ALBB, as he described how officers would punish inmates. “There used to be the Keyblock area. It’s like a little jail inside the jail. If you do bad, you got to go to jail, basically. That’s been almost squashed. They can’t do more than 14 days in that. It’s not unsafe. There are windows and doors. It’s not a little box that anybody’s in. It’s a miscommunication with all that stuff. The H.A.L.T Program needs to be repealed. It makes it so unsafe. The officers are getting assaulted on a daily basis as well as being made to stay awake for 24 plus hours.”

Ray, a retired corrections officer, also spoke to ALBB about his views of H.A.L.T. and why he views a method of punishment necessary for acts of violence or drug use while inside the jail. He said: “The H.A.L.T Act was instituted to basically take away any punishment and reduce what they used to call Keyblock Solitary Confinement for disciplinary actions. It used to be where there was penalties and disciplin and consequences for poor behavior, violence, drug use, and now basically, it’s a slap on the hand. They can’t do any more than 15 days in confinement. It’s like ‘Time Out’ for bad guys. So an officer can get assaulted, beat. Inmates acan be beat and assaulted. Inmates can be high. And there’s no repercussions for poor behavior and disciplinary action. we have no control over that any longer. If there are no repercussions, then there is no reason not to misbehave. There needs to be repercussions for misbehavior. It’s jail. It’s prison. They’re not in there for being good citizens. If you can’t behave in jail and there not be repercussions for misbehavior, what’s going to stop all the violence and misbehavior. People are being assaulted on a daily basis across the state, in every jail.”

Protest Against The President And Musk Held In Beacon On President's Day - Part Of Nationwide Movement

Protesters demonstrating against the President and Elon Musk on Presidents Day. The signs read “Keep the Immigrants, Deport the Racists” and “Tump-Musk don’t care about you.”
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Demonstrators protesting against the president and Elon Musk at Pohill Park in Beacon, NY.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

By Jean Noack

A demonstration was held at Polhill Park today at noon. An organization called Indivisible Beacon appeared to have been the organizer, which drew about 30 people to the event. The temperature was below freezing. The event was part of a nationwide call for protests to be held at noon local time against the Trump agenda.

Read about the nationwide protests at NPR and Democracy Now. NPR states: “The protests follow a series of executive orders signed by President Trump, including actions led by billionaire Elon Musk, which have been criticized for their aims to diminish the role of the federal government.”

A protest at noon in Beacon, NY at Pohill Park in below freezing temperatures.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Snow Date Of MLK Celebration Feb. 17th Canceled Due To Icy, Windy Conditions

Due to the cold, icy and windy conditions, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration for February 17, 2025 has been canceled. This includes the Parade and Celebration at the Springfield Baptist Church. A reschedule date has not been announced as of this time. Stay safe and warm.

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Beacon Farmers' Market To Remain Open During Ice Storm To Help SNAP, and FMNP/WIC Customers

This Sunday, the Beacon Farmers’ Market will remain open for vendors to pop up and customers to pop out to purchase food and goods from them. “We’re open for all, and especially to ensure our food benefit customers can double their dollars to access fresh, local food. Because food justice means showing up—no matter the weather,” the market manager Amy Bandolik said on their Instagram.

The Beacon Farmers' Market accepts SNAP, and FMNP/WIC Benefits to service more people at different income levels. The Greens4Greens program is a food benefit incentive program using eligible state funded food benefits that are matched dollar for dollar through Greens4Greens. “The program has been completely community funded through contributions made by local businesses as well as the annual 'Soup4Greens' event,” according to the Beacon Farmer’s Market website.

Amy continued: “Last week’s closure is behind us, and we’re back with all your favorite fresh produce, local goods, and cozy market vibes...With a smaller vendor turnout this week — but still a mighty 30+ vendors — we’ve adjusted the market layout to one main corridor, looping around to the back to create a more cohesive shopping experience.”

While the City of Beacon had been plowing the night before, some vendors could not make it for safety reasons. Conditions in Beacon are icy and slushy on the streets. A Little Beacon Blog has been checking in with several member businesses, who are so far open if their employees can make it in. Several farming vendors live outside of Beacon, and the drive is too risky, and some have more snow on their properties.

The Beacon Farmers’ Market has the added pressure of staying open, as they are in the county parking lot, the DMV, which the City of Beacon can close down when they needed it for emergency snow parking for cars who cannot park on the streets when snowfall is more than 2” and the plows are out. This is why they closed last week, and the City’s mandate.

Did We Discuss This?! :: Things To Do, Shop and Eat In Beacon Guides

Wait...is it Valentine's Day today? Happy Valentine's Day! Event Listings: If you want your event listed here, it can be considered gratis if it's a free community event. Submit here. If it is a fundraiser or ticket price, then you can list it here beginning at $185 with other options. Purchase here. Huge thanks to ALBB's Member Advertising Sponsors featured here below. Show them some love this weekend, and go crazy in the middle of the week when out of town guests aren't here! Subscribe here if you're a business to start your sponsorship. Alchemy Opens - The Wellness Spa 3 Stories Up - Feels Like You're In A Different Country ALBB took the pleasure of sampling - and then joining - Alchemy - the wellness spa on the 3rd floor of the nearly completed building at 418 Main Street. The restaurant on the first floor is almost complete; the sauna/steam room, the heated yoga room, and the massage/reiki/acupuncture beds are ready. Views included. There's an introductory rate of $39/month going on right now for the sauna/steam room, so we hopped in. And took a bunch of pictures for you to see! TAKE A LOOK Beacon Open Studios Opening Reception Day: Friday, February 14th, 2025 Time: 6-9pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Join Beacon Open Studios for their curated Winter Group Show at The Yard! This year's show will be themed. The title of the show is BAGGAGE CLAIM. It is a show about the nature of growth, seldom linear, occasionally cyclical. The party is Friday night and is free entry. Live music from Andrew Jordan. Information > The Yard is a Sponsor! The Yard with Beacon Open Studios: BAGGAGE CLAIM Day: Friday, February 14th, 6-9pm Reception featuring Andrew Jordan Day: February 15th-18th, 12-6pm Day: Friday, February 15th, 8pm Reception featuring Natalie Forteza Day: Friday, February 15th, 9pm Reception featuring Kendra McKinley Day: February 22-23th, 12-6pm Group Art Show Location: 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > The Yard is a Sponsor! POSTPONED: Will You Free My Palestine A Fundraiser For Gaza Soup Kitchen Day: Time: Location: The Muse, 1 Madeline Lane, Rosendale Shared by the New Paltz Students for Palestine, this is a fundraiser and community gathering for Gaza Soup Kitchen. Show your love for Palestine and connect with others in the community who are dedicated to the cause. Visiting groups include Birdwatchers Country Store, People's Cauldron, Moon Infoshop, HudsonValley4Palestine The 47th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Day: Monday February 17th, 2025 Theme: "Keeping The Dream Alive" Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Mattie Cooper Square, Beacon, NY 8:30am - Continental Breakfast 9:30am - The 11th Annual MLK Jr. Parade (Founded by Pete Seeger) 10:30am - Annual Celebration Service 2025 Annual Preacher: Rev. Barbara Williams Lunch will be served directly after the service. Attendees may eat in the dining room or take out their meals. Information > 4th Year Of The Beacon Spring Celebration Of Light Will Light Up On February 22, 2025 Day: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 Theme: Wood Snake Location: Pohill Park, walk all the way down Main Street, ending at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) for celebration gathering with music and bonfires. 5:30pm Gather Pohill Park (corner Main Street, Wolcott Ave., South Ave.) Lantern making free activities for kids and their adults are available at different locations. Information > Rally for a Free Palestine Day: Every Sunday Time: 12-1:30pm Location: Orange Plaza, corner of NY-211 and Dunning Road Rally Middletown is a Jewish-participated, all-inclusive group locally advocating for the liberation of Palestine. Information > Loving Immigrants In Trump 2.0 Day: Sunday, February 16th, 2025 Time: 3-4:30pm Location: Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401 Why are people afraid? Who is at risk? What happens if ICE comes to my supermarket? food pantry? church? How can I help? An overview for allies, In English only, with Pastor Liz Estes, clergy spokesperson for Ulster immigrant Defense Network. Information > Immigrant Community Program: "Know Your Rights; For Allies" At Beacon Public Library Day: Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 Time: 6pm Location: Beacon Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY Dr, Stephanie L Carnes will host the "Know Your Rights" presentation on the historical context of immigration policies and the rights of undocumented individuals. Learn how to respond to immigration enforcement actions. Access local and national resources and support your community. Registration is open and free. Information > Beacon's St. Patrick's Day Parade Of Green Day: Saturday, March 8th, 2025 Time: 12pm Location: Main Street   Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee Community Feedback Session Day: Sunday, March 9th, 2025 Time: 2-5pm Location: Industrial Arts Brewing Company 511 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon NY 12508 The Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee will give a presentation on proposed recommendations for the proposed rezoning of this area, ever since the Healey Car Dealership left. Currently, they are wanting to do away with all auto-related zoning (car wash, auto mechanics, Auto Zone), except for the businesses currently there. They are inclined to not let any drive-throughs in, and are getting pressured by community members to create comfortable and safe bike lanes. The Mayor is inclined to have the bike lanes be on the future Rail Trail. Some community members are pushing back against new storage facilities. The discussion overall is curating what types of businesses can open there, and where parking will be in relation to neighboring homes. Let your voice be heard by participating in the feeedback discussion following the presentation.   New Community Soup Kitchens In Beacon FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >   Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >   Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Tara Fusion has been playing with their food. They created their first AI generated short film! Watch it here. Follow HV Food Hall's Chefs: Nami Yum Yum Roosevelt Bar Dulce Cielo Mexico Tara Fusion Cuisine Old Dhaka Coffee House Five Pennies Creamery Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor! BAGEL-ISH 226 Main Street, Beacon, NY Have you tried the mozzarella cheese / fresh tomato / basil / house-made scallion cream cheese sandwich yet? This one is on a salt bagel, but you can pick any flavor bagel. Plus, Bagel-ish is having a flavor-creating contest! Watch this video for how you can win 6 free bagels. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor! CARTER'S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St. "Please invite me to dinner!" is what you're thinking when you see the Valentine's Specials Menu. Delivery: Call 845-743-6527 to place your order and name your time. Happy Hour Monday-Friday. Catering and Private Parties available. Instagram > Carters is a Sponsor! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY That hot fire. That soft baguette. Baked fresh every morning at Beacon Bread Company. Open everyday. Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor! ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY Have you tried the Shakushka at Ziatun yet? The dish with roasted peppers in tomato stew, seasoned with traditional Arabic spices. Finished with a poached egg. Ziatun is Palestinian-Owned. Open everyday. Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor! Features from our Sponsors. Is your shop stocking your shelves? Subscribe to ALBB's Advertising Membership here. Eggbert’s Free Range Farm Breaking News! Eggbert's Garlic Rosemary Lamb Sausage is BACK. Order online if you can't make the market > FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays: Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE: Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor! THE STATION DISPENSARY 463 Main Street, Beacon Leaving this here because it's chocolate and Valentine's Day! This is the special Chocolate that you need to read the directions for and eat in small doses. Comes in Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Churro, and Midnight Mint. +21 plus Bring ID Open Daily from 11am-9pm. Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS Binnacle Books has a "Blind Date With A Book" section every day, not just Valentine's Day. Wrapped as a little package, each book comes with hints of what it is about, without giving the title away. Sizzling! Instagram > R O C PILATES 124 Rombout Avenue P I L A T E S Classes Small Group or Private Lesson This move is the Warrior position on the reformer machine. The white bed of the reformer slides back and forth as your leg pushes back then pulls in. Small Group classes start at $35. C L A S S E S Monday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Tuesday: 5:30pm Wednesday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Thursday: 5:30pm Friday: 9am Saturday: 9am, 10am Sunday: 9am Book Online > Art "Be Creative" Drop In Days Location: Beacon Recreation Center, 23 West Center Street Day: Wednesdays Starting Oct 2nd Time: 11:00 am and 1:00pm Looking to make time for more creativity in your life? Drop-in at the Beacon Recreation Center and find your inspiration with other local creatives. Bring your own art supplies. This is a self-directed program - no instruction is planned, but they'll be plenty of support and encouragement! Questions? Reach out to Liz Foster 845-375-6884 • fostee5@yahoo.com Information > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ART > ANTIQUES Hudson Valley Auctioneers > AUTOMOTIVE > TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AQ Services, Inc from Luther Lopez (taxi service) > BEAUTY The Luminous Bride >  Makeup By Jenny Magliano > BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES See them here > BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. DENTAL Beacon Dental EVENT SPACE > CO-WORK SPACE The Main Office at Beacon Digital  HEALTH AND WELLNESS > MASSAGE River Therapeutic Massage  HOME IMPROVEMENT > APPLIANCE REPAIR See them here > HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESS See them here > MUSIC Miss Vickie's Music PHOTOGRAPHY Megan & Kenneth List Your Business In The Business Directory >  LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Read Our Latest Articles Advertise With Us! Stay Up To Date With City Council Meetings

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Alchemy Opens - The Wellness Spa 3 Stories Up - Feels Like You're In A Different Country

Last Saturday seemed like a collective day of release mixed with expressions of feeling uncertain. It was also the day that Alchemy Beacon opened, the wellness spa in the long awaited building that was Kitchen Coffee Beacon (formerly Ella’s Bellas) and now is again at 418 Main Street. The restaurant Carter’s is down there also. Both Carter’s and Kitchen Coffee are known for their delicious gluten free options. Kitchen Coffee goes the extra step of being vegan.

The Station Dispensary and the soon to be Piggy Bank 2.0 (formerly The Vault) is just down the block also.

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Inside Alchemy, on the 3rd floor, there are yoga classes available, sound experiences, reiki, massage, acupuncture (face or whole body), craniosacral therapy, and LED platinum heat therapy. Soft, thick blankets are available everywhere.

There is also the opportunity to just sit. In the sauna or steam room.

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Followed by a shower in one of the uniquely designed showers that make one feel like they are in Morocco maybe. Three stories up from Beacon’s Main Street. For some reason, we took an affinity to the hooks placed all around Alchemy for hanging convenience. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash is from Public Good and smells citrus-y.

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In addition to class packs and other membership levels, there’s an introductory sauna/steam room membership going on now for $39/month for the sauna and steam room exclusively (like…if you aren’t committing to classes and just want to sit in the heat). They say you could go to the sauna unlimited times. Like 3x a day if you wanted! Not that you would want to do that. But it’s an example of the flexibility. Lockers are available for your bag. Bring a robe or bathing suit for sitting. Alchemy provides the towels.

On a day like last Saturday, before the snow storm, and in the middle of the figurative storm, this exhale-sit-sweat was deeply needed. Personally, ALBB jogs outside. So it was a jog out on the ice, followed by the warm sit.

So far, there isn’t a lock-it-in contract. One could try the intro rates. If the wind blows the price higher and they no longer suit the budget, one could exit. But for now, the fluffy towels, the plain water, the special water, the showers, the hair dryer (!!) was worth feeling like you were somewhere else for a little bit.

When you go for the first time - watch out for the elevator! It opens backwards :)

Remembering Beacon's Parade of Green 2024: Palestinian Flag Because Ireland Protects Palestine

This is a simple article to share pictures of this corner of last year’s 2024 Parade of Green Parade in Beacon, NY. Am publishing it now before I chicken-out again. This article has been in ALBB’s Drafts for one year.

After this parade, I received my first anonymous note to my house in the form of a pink Post-It. Sadly, the note asked that I not fly the Palestinian flag again because the writer feared the Trump flags coming out again. A valid fear. Sadly, that has come true.

A Little Beacon Blog will not be at the Parade of Green this year. After the parade last year, more than one person told me that it was their most favorite Parade of Green ever.

Honoring the Parade of Green Committee requirement of No Politicking, we will sit this one out. The only regret I have from last year is not carrying the Irish flag as well.

For the Old Beacon People who shouted at me last year: “Ireland Supports Israel!,” you are deeply misinformed. You can educate yourself at several places, including:

• Wikipedia

• The New York Times: “Tracing The Deep Roots of Ireland’s Support for Palestinians”

• NPR: “Why Ireland Is One Of The Most Pro-Palestinian Nations In The World”

• The Jerusalem Post: “Ireland & Palestine - A brief history”

For those of you who shouted at me “White Power Hamas!” I have no words for you. Only that you need to expand your mind outside of your Old Beacon Bubble.

Being in the parade, and coming out in front of the keyboard was terrifying, yes. Even though my name is on every article, and I have videos at my other business Tin Shingle. But I never wanted to come forward over here. I wanted ALBB to be its own thing. Not a person.

When ALBB won “Best Blog of the Hudson Valley” for 2 years in a row, Hudson Valley Magazine categorizes Best Blog in their “People” category. But this publication isn’t a person. However. For Palestine, and the injustice of millions of people that the United States has been doing to people in the Middle East, I came out. “I broke the 4th wall,” as photojournalist Alexa B. Wilkinson told me.

For those of you who typed to me a year ago: “Cover Beacon! There is so much going on in Beacon! Talk about that!” Fine. Done. I’m back.

The blessing that Palestine has given me is that I am not afraid anymore to cover hard topics in Beacon. I broke through the bias wall. All reporters and publishers are bias. It is a theory to be non-objective. Being non-objective is something to strive for, certainly. So that you the reader can form your own opinion.

At the end of the day, articles that get assigned by any publication are financed in time and money. There’s a reason why they were selected.

Therefore, I’ll be down at the podium at City Council voicing my opinion to proposed legislation, and at the Planning or Zoning Boards on proposed projects. I tried to remain objective and not participate in those debates, only report on them if I was able to get an article out. But now I’m in.

As I spoke at the last Planning Board Meeting in favor of the proposed redevelopment of a Healey Dealership building into a Dunkin’ Donuts with apartments above, someone seated next to me who had been in the Anti-Ceasefire Group during those days whispered “There she goes…”

Yes. There she goes. It’s a good song. It will be stuck in my head for a while now.

See you in the next articles.

People of Beacon waving Palestinian and Irish flags during the 2024 Parade of Green. They are standing on top of the Palestinian owned restaurant, Ziatun.
From left to right: Ata Nakhleh, Kamel Jamal, Junior Zayed Dabashi, and ALi T. Muhammad.

Agenda Ready for the 2/11/2025 Planning Board Meeting

This month, the Planning Board is reviewing a few large projects. Also included are hints of new businesses coming. The full agenda is published here, but we have condensed it for you in this list below:

Regular Meeting

45 Beekman Street: 1st Public Hearing for Site Plan Approval for this proposed property. Spire Studios was there, and Ron English’s Pop Art is there now. Otherwise the property is vacant. Proposed is buildings of 3 and 4 stories with numerous 1 and 2 bedroom units, plus commercial space on the ground floor that is referred to as an “arcade.”

Dunkin’ Donuts with apartments above at 420-430 Fishkill Avenue: Public Hearing for this property. Community feedback has been both for and against the Dunkin’ Donuts and the proposed drive-thru. As of now, Beacon’s City Council wants to zone out all drive-thrus to make the area walkable only. While this legislation has not taken effect yet, the Planning Board is instructed to proceed with current zoning, which allows drive-thrus.

The Telephone Building, 291 Main Street: Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential. Two buildings are proposed to be built here. A very modern looking building with storefront space at the first floor and apartments above, and a house-like building behind the Telephone Building.

Prophecy Theater, 1113 Wolcott Avenue: Review of applications for Amended Special Use Permit and Amended Site Plan, hotel and restaurant. Beacon’s City Council limited their hours of operation and scaled back their vision on their original business plan.

Halvey Funeral Home, 2 Beekman Street. Review of application for Amended Site Plan Approval, Addition to existing funeral home.

Rose Hill Manor, 1064 Wolcott Avenue, proposed to be turned into a hotel/restaurant/spa for guests. Review of applications of Site Plan Approval and Special Use Permit.

Architectural Review

New signage for The Floral Society at 161 Main Street; Sign (old location of Lorraine Tyne)

New signage for Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar at 173 Main Street (old Reserva Wine Bar)

New signage and facade for Brothers Trattoria at 465 Main Street.

Agenda Ready for the 2/10/2025 Workshop Meeting For The City Of Beacon

The City of Beacon’s Workshop Agenda for 2/10/2025 has been published. Items covered include the City Council wanting to make Storage Facilities and Drive-Thrus illegal along Rte. 52 in the Fishkill Cooridor. This is part of the grander vision that the Mayor and City Council are undertaking now that the Healey Dealership has left. The City Council is also inclined to out-zone any business having to do with autos, including car washes, auto repair shops, car convenience stores like Auto Zone, etc. While all existing auto businesses would be grandfathered in.

Also on the agenda is the extension of a Special Use permit for 416-420 Main Street, which is the Kitchen and Coffee Building, in which Alchemy the spa just opened. This is a (Rodney) Weber Project, which is the new building next to Kitchen and Coffee. The co-work space Madame Brett will open soon. A restaurant cafe will be on the ground floor with a back patio area, and a single penthouse on the 4th floor).