The lead-up to New York’s State of Emergency was a steep escalation, as people began to understand the severity of COVID-19 as people around them were getting so sick with what most people thought was the flu. Governor Cuomo took control of New York State, making several Executive Orders to ease the shock of closing down businesses, and cutting people off from other people in social distancing mandates. Effective June 24th, 2021, Governor Cuomo tweeted and stated in a press conference that New York’s State of Emergency is over. “Fighting COVID & vaccinating New Yorkers are still top priorities, but the emergency chapter of this fight is over. All thanks to New Yorkers who were #NewYorkTough.”
Senator Sue Serino sent an email to constituents, grateful for the move to lift the State Emergency power from Governor Cuomo, something that Republicans and Democrats have been pushing for. She ended her note with the following sentiment: “To every New York family that lost a loved one during this tough time, please know our hearts are with you always. As we rebuild, we will do so in their honor.”
Moments before her email arrived in inboxes, Hudson Valley Primary Care sent an urgent message to patients, encouraging adults and children age 12+ to get vaccinated, especially as the Delta variant is spreading in the United States. Said Hudson Valley Primary Care:
“The vaccines are safe and effective, and they prevent COVID-19 illness. They will help protect you and your family and keep your community safe. We strongly encourage everyone age 12 and older who are eligible to receive the vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization to get vaccinated, as the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any harm. Especially with the troubling Delta variant increasingly circulating, and more readily impacting younger people, the risks of being unvaccinated are far greater than any rare side effects from the vaccines. If you get COVID-19, you could get severely ill and be hospitalized or even die. Even if your infection is mild, you or your child could face long-term symptoms following COVID-19 infection such as neurological problems or diminished lung function.”
The lifting of the State Emergency triggers some local rules to go back to pre-pandemic statuses, which did not leave room for discussion on how those roll-backs would be implemented, or felt at the local level. According to local leader County Executive Marcus Molinaro, who is also the Second Vice President for the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC): “Counties across the state learned about the end of the State of Emergency by a tweet from the governor,” the County Executive told A Little Beacon Blog. “There was no coordination.”
Marcus Molinaro as well as Senator Serino have been pushing for Governor Cuomo to release power he holds through the State of Emergency, which have resulted in immediate changes, some for good, some for negative impact. Said Molinaro to A Little Beacon Blog: “Certainly we wanted to see an end to the emergency powers, but a transition was needed in order to negotiate the changes, and advocate for businesses as they recover. Regarding some rules that were waved to make it easier for businesses to do business responsibly, we have discussed why we should restore them ever. Some of these rules just don't make sense.”
The New York State Legislature could make a difference in overturning some of these rules, but they have gone on recess until January 2022. “They may have gone on recess because they didn't think a sunset of the State of Emergency would happen so soon,” Molinaro told A Little Beacon Blog. He hopes that when they return, some of these rules will be taken up for discussion and votes.
Principal Laura Cahill delivering her 5th Grade Moving Up speech to the class of 2021. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
The day before the last day of school for the Beacon City School District, Superintendent Landahl sent an email to district families that two principals had accepted jobs in other districts, saying: “Last night, Elisa Soto, principal of BHS, was appointed to be an Assistant Superintendent in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Also last night, Laura Cahill, principal of South Avenue Elementary, was appointed to be an Elementary Principal by the Hyde Park Central School District. Elisa and Laura are both strong principals in our district and I want to thank them for their years of service to the students and families of the BCSD. I also want to wish them well in their new endeavors.”
Both principals had led the students and staff through the hardest school year, one which involved creating new systems for Remote and In Person learning. The districts receiving them are getting strong assets for their student body community.
According to Dr. Landahl’s announcement, both vacancies are being posted externally and internally. After reviewing application pools for both positions, stakeholder committee interviews will be held. “We will work with PTOs and employee groups to identify members of the interview panels,” Dr. Landahl stated. “Our goal is to interview candidates in mid-July and work toward an appointment by the end of July. We are committed to finding the best leaders for our schools and will work diligently toward that goal this summer.”
Interested businesses are urged to submit applications as soon as possible, due to limited funding. This is not a “first come, first serve” program. Instead, applications will be evaluated based on business attributes set by the legislature, and priority will be given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners including, but not limited to, minority and women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses, or businesses located in communities that were economically distressed prior to March 1, 2020.
Grant awards will be calculated based on a business's annual gross receipts for 2019:
Annual gross receipts = $25,000-$49,999: $5,000/business; Annual gross receipts = $50,000-$99,999: $10,000/business; and Annual gross receipts = $100,000-$500,000: 10% of gross receipts (max grant is $50,000).
About the Small Business Recovery Grant Program + Webinar
The NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations who have experienced economic hardship due the COVID-19 pandemic.
What will be covered in the webinar:
What is the grant program?
Who is eligible to apply?
How do you apply?
What amounts will be awarded if eligible?
What is the required documentation?
Use of funds?
How can you get assistance if you need help with the application?
The application portal for the $800 million New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program is now open and accepting applications. More information and the application process can be found HERE.
This aid could be used to help employers finance operating expenses incurred during the pandemic between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021 and can be used to cover:
Payroll costs,
Commercial rent or mortgage payments for NYS-based property,
Payment of local property or school taxes,
Insurance costs,
Utility costs,
Costs of personal protection equipment (PPE) necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety,
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs,
Other machinery or equipment costs, and
Supplies and materials necessary for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols
Eligible small businesses are defined as:
Those with 100 or fewer employees,
Organized under the laws of New York State,
Is independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field.
Eligible “for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations” are independently operated live-performance venues, promoters, production companies, or performance-related businesses located in New York State with 100 or fewer employees, excluding seasonal employees.
Eligibility requirements include:
Entities must have begun operation on or before March 1, 2019 and continue to be in operation as of the date of application (maybe shuttered due to COVID restrictions),
Have to show a reduction in gross receipts of at least 25% from 2019 to 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols which resulted in business modifications, interruptions, or closures.
Show gross receipts between $25,000 and $500,000 for 2019 and 2020, and
A positive net profit for 2019.
They must not have qualified for assistance programs under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 or other available federal COVID-19 economic recovery or business assistance grant programs above certain thresholds (received more than $100,000 of a PPP grant or loan).
Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000 based on the entity’s annual gross receipts.
This week, Beacon’s City Council will discuss the following at their weekly meeting.
The full agenda has been published here at ALBB, and the accompanying video of the meeting will be available there as well. The City usually publishes that video one day after a meeting.
1. Proclamation in Honor of Juneteenth Local Laws and Resolutions
Mayor Lee Kyriacou has been adopting a national holiday at the local level for the City of Beacon. As with mirroring proclamations such as these, he will speak on his feelings about the holiday.
Local Laws and Resolutions
1. Resolution Approving the Appointment of Kyle Sackett to Heavy Motor Equipment Operator 2. Resolution Approving the Appointment of Steven Brescia as a Motor Equipment Operator
Current employees will be given the indicated job title designation.
3. Resolution Adopting Proposed Salary Increases for City of Beacon Management
Employees who work at the management level of the City of Beacon but not covered by collective bargaining agreements with the CSEA union (which represents other City employees in departments like Highway and Water) are proposed to get a 2% raise (Building Inspector II, Adm Assistant to City Admin, Superintendent of Streets, Secretary to City Mayor, Recreation Director, Assistant Recreation Director, City Clerk, Director of Finance, and Fire Chief). New employees hired within the past year would not receive the raise, “also consistent with past practice,” according to the resolution.
4. Resolution Setting a Public Hearing on July 6, 2021 to Receive Public Comments on a Proposed Local Law to Amend Chapter 211, Article II, Section 10, Subsection B of the Code of the City of Beacon Regarding Vehicles and Traffic
This authorizes new Stop signs to be placed in specified intersections of side streets with Main Street, as recommended by the Main Street Access Committee from their strategic work months ago, and approved by the Traffic Committee. The list of Stop signs can be seen here.
For the second year in a row (see our first year!), A Little Beacon Blog is holding a Juneteenth art contest. The aim is to reserve space for the African American community to show their voices and visions during Juneteenth.
WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?
Juneteenth is a holiday of independence celebrated on June 19th by the Black community commemorating the liberation of the enslavement of Africans taken from their homes in other countries, separated from their families, and brought to America so that white Americans could have their own Independence Day from Great Britain on July 4th. Some Native American tribes in Oklahoma kept African slaves as well, as was a recent focus during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Greenwood.
Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years by African Americans, but not all knew about it, as it wasn’t taught regularly in schools. Last year, during the social reckoning of 2020, Juneteenth got elevated, paid attention to, and respected by the white community and other races. On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into law as a national holiday, where the government workforce and schools will observe the holiday. Several businesses have pledged the paid day off as well. The Beacon City School District is pretty excited about it.
HOW THIS WORKS
Submit your work for consideration to be published on A Little Beacon Blog.
Any age is welcome.
People from the African American community, of any mix or origen.
African Americans living in the Hudson Valley of New York.
Any medium is welcome. If you recorded a song, send it via Spotify or something we can embed. Actually, we can embed an mp3 on our own website! Artwork that is painted, pixelized, collaged, quilted, etc.
Please answer these 2 questions with your submission:
What do you want to tell the United States about what you want changed?
What do you want to tell _______ your town in the Hudson Valley about what you want changed? Any wish. What is your greatest wish?
A Description of your artwork.
Selected submissions will be published on A Little Beacon Blog, along with your answers. You can elect to skip giving an answer.
Selected submissions will win grant money if we get sponsors. Of the sponsorship dollars, 100% will be divided among the artists.
Email art file to katie@alittlebeaconblog.com
Deadline: June 23rd. Publish Date: June 26th
100% Of SPONSORSHIP GOES TO PRIZES/GRANTS
We can offer prizes if we have sponsorships. Depending on how many submissions we get, we could award grant money to several people. Therefore, 100% of sponsor dollars will go towards these grants.
In the Comments, please indicate if this is to sponsor this initiative, and we will set it aside. Please also indicate if you want your name or business name listed with the final publishing of all artwork.
Once all sponsorships are in, the dollar amount will be divided evenly among the selected submissions.
Thank You!
THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin
The Great Hudson River Revival (The Clearwater Festival)
Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 11 am - 11 pm Location: Virtual
The country’s oldest and largest music and environmental festival, this year’s event will celebrate the 100th birthday of its founder Pete Seeger, as well as the 50th anniversary of the sloop Clearwater, the iconic ship Seeger built to advocate cleaning up the Hudson River. This year’s Great Hudson River Revival will be live-streamed from 11 am - 11 pm EST on June 19th on Clearwaterfestival.org as well as Clearwater’s Youtube and Facebook pages. While The Great Hudson River Revival is free to attend, Clearwater encourages viewers to donate if they are able. All performances will be accompanied by ASL interpreters. Information >
Annual Fish Fry @ Springfield Baptist Church Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 11 am - 3 pm Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 W Church St., Beacon, NY
Juneteenth At The Sanctuary Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 10 am - 1 pm Location: Crystal Lake, 61 Temple Ave., Newburgh, NY Information >
“They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” Ground into the Earth with this JUNETEENTH at the Sanctuary. With so many happenings, let this be the experience that sets the mood for the rest of your day: meditative, joyful, in nature! There will be sowing poems, and prayer, and dance, and LOVE for Our people into the morning. Thank you for rocking with us - see you there!
Juneteenth Celebration Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 7:30 pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon NY Information >
Home at Last at The Brewery at Orange County Hops Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 6 pm - 8 pm Location: The Brewery at Orange County Hops 771 NY 52, Walden, NY 12586 Information >
Juneteenth Panel Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Register for @newburghlgbtqcenter's Juneteenth panel, and block out your Saturday night! There is a fun evening of black liberation celebration planned, so turn on @beacon4blacklives post notifications and stay tuned!
Register at bit.ly/JuneteenthPanel
Safe Harbors VIRTUAL 5K
Day: June 20, 2021 Time: Virtual Location: Virtual Information >
Bannerman Island's First Tours of 2021
Day: June 20, 2021 Time: 11 am - 5 pm Location: Pollepel Island, Fishkill, NY
Here's your chance to visit Bannerman Island on the Hudson River! Cruises for the Island will be departing from the waterfronts in Beacon and Newburgh, New York, on the Estuary Steward. Tours will likely sell out in advance and follow all COVID protocols Information >
F+S Mini MRKTs
Day: June 20, 2021 Time: 10 am - 4 pm Location: Uptown Shopping District, Kingston, NY *Enter at the corner of Crown & John Street
F+S Mini MRKTs convene artisans and designers from the Hudson Valley and beyond for a weekly market offering a curated selection of handmade and carefully crafted products. An extension of Field + Supply, a biannual maker fair held in Kingston, NY, and shoppable website, F+S Mini MRKTs are free and open to the public. Learn more at fieldandsupply.com.
Newburgh Mall Carnival
Day: June 20, 2021 Time: 1 pm - 11 pm Location: Newburgh Mall,1401 NY-300, Newburgh, NY Information >
Daisy Jopling’s- TRANSCENDENCE Day: June 20, 2021 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Paramount Hudson Valley Peekskill, NY Information >
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Eat Church pop-ups happen on Thursdays & Fridays! You should follow @eatchurch on Instagram to stay in the loop! You can order ahead and pick it up. Pictured: Crispy Fried Chicken “Ga Bun Salad” - A Vietnamese-style herb salad with rice vermicelli noodles, pickled vegetables, peanuts, and Nuoc Cham sauce. Also available with SHRIMP! Don't worry if you missed out this week! Eat Church will also be at the Beacon Farmers Market on Sunday! Every Sunday! And at Industrial Arts Brewing. With the axe throwing. Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
You must stop into Beacon Bread Company while strolling Main St. because you never know what they might have! Like this Vegan matcha soft serve! Delicious, creamy (without the cream), and cooling! No better way to enjoy a hot day in Beacon! Open 7 days a week from 8 am - 5 pm. Menu > Order Pick Up or Delivery > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
The P&B BBQ burger from Meyers is nothing but mouth-waring & delicious! Berkshire pork and chopped bacon hand-formed into a patty, topped with cheddar, grilled onions, and their house-made chipotle BBQ sauce. This guy does not disappoint! Plus a side of fries that are fresh cut & cooked twice for the perfect balance of fluffy interior and crispy exterior?! Get on in there! Open 7 days a week! Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm for food and 10pm for bar, Friday and Saturday till 11pm for food and 12am, for the bar. Indoor and outdoor dining, take out and delivery all available. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you!
TITO SANTANA TAQUERIA 142 Main St. Warning #FOODPORN alert! This crunch wrap supreme may not be suitable for people who don't love deliciousness packed into a crunchy taco! If this photo doesn't have your mouth watering, then we don't know! PS: Tacos are only $2 on Tuesdays! Menu > Catering > Tito Santana Taqueria is a Sponsor, thank you!
HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Find Cavallotto | Barolo ‘Bricco Boschis—Vigna San Giuseppe’ 2001 in Magnum at Homespun! After being open for over 48 hours now, the fruit was singing, tannins still very present! This is twenty years old and could go double that long in magnum. Really delicious. Bravo @cavallottobriccoboschis !!! PS: Check out Homespuns Wine Store online & become a subscriber! OPEN HOURS:
Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Monthly wine subscription > Order Food > Order Wine > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
What happens when you get some local Beacon shmucks together to start a business? You get some sweet stuff! Right at Hudson Valley Food Hall! Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff PS! Stay tuned for the date of @shmuckssweetstuff official grand opening - There will be music, good vibes, and of course, sweet stuff!
Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! Momo Valley: Himalayan Spiced Hand-Crafted MoMo & More Barb's Fry Works: Gourmet, small-batch-loaded fries. And salads. El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Schmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Even though you love the tacos from Baja so much and they're hard to resist, you need to try their Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas!!! They are DEEELICIOUS! Plus, Happy Hour is from 4-6 PM! Do check out the specials that are always on the menu too! Check out their specialty drinks > Check out the specials >
BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!
W.T.F BEACON 195 Main St.
The backyard patio at WTF Beacon is one of the most chill spots to enjoy a delicious cocktail and some great grub. 🍽️ Catch them on Tuesdays for and music makers and spend the weekend with them because WTF not?! Check out the menu online! Many good options.
Fridays & Saturdays from 6pm - 10pm Menu > W.T.F Beacon is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN
244 Main St.
The falafel burger from Ziatun! 🥙 Handmade falafel cooked fresh daily with authentic Palestinian spices. Don't forget to add the za'atar fries! YUM! Ziatun specializes in many other Middle Eastern food options and delicious Arabic coffee. Vegan options as well! Menu > Order Online > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
Two Way Brewing Company
18 West Main St.
Confusion and Devils Head Red is back in stock over at Two Way! You need to try them out! Refreshing & delicious. All of Two Way Brewing beers are brewed at their in-house brewery located right next to the taproom. Drop by for a pint, a flight, or some beer to go!
PS! Don't forget Trivia on Thursdays at 7 p.m. OPEN:
Thursday 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon Yuri Herrera, “A Silent Fury: The El Bordo Mine Fire” - “The alert was first raised at six in the morning: a fire was tearing through the El Bordo mine. After a brief evacuation, the mouths of the shafts were sealed. Company representatives hastened to assert that ‘no more than ten’ men remained inside the mineshafts, and that all ten were most certainly dead. Yet when the mine was opened six days later, the death toll was not ten, but eighty-seven. And there were seven survivors.
A century later, acclaimed novelist Yuri Herrera has reconstructed a workers’ tragedy at once globally resonant and deeply personal: Pachuca is his hometown. His work is an act of restitution for the victims and their families, bringing his full force of evocation to bear on the injustices that suffocated this horrific event into silence.”
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
Comfy & colorful Adirondack chairs from Bretts Hardware! Talk about perfect timing for Summer (1st day is this Sunday!) & June 19th BBQs and the 4th of July! Stop in & check out the chairs and other summer essentials! Bretts has what you need and has the best customer service to help if you have any questions at all! Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
@theoeyewear collection showcase from @luxeoptique is insanely unique and colors outside the lines. It's made for those looking for something they can't find anywhere else! The Theo Eyewear collection and many other unique & gorgeous collections from @luxeoptique! Follow them & stay up to date so you don't miss out.
Monday: 10 AM–5 PM
Tues-Sat:10 AM–6 PM
Sunday: Closed Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
Ride the wave with the **New** Tie Dye drawstring pant from La Mere! Perfect for dressing up, dressing casually, and even wearing over your bathing suit at the beach! Get them quick! Available online and in-store now.
Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY
It looks like so much fun at Yanarella! Look at those smiles. Sign up today to keep your 4-6 year old active over the summer!
Tumble Bunnies started June 17 and will be on Thursdays from 5:30pm - 6:10pm
The 6-week course for Adult Jazz/HipHop also started on June 17 and will be on Thursdays from 6:15pm - 7pm
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore has made insurance and risk management their passion since 1853. They have gone through a number of transitions over the years. They've merged with other New York-based agencies to expand their business and most importantly, become better equipped to handle the needs of a growing customer base.
Currently headed by Susan Pagones and Vincent Lemma, the staff at Antalek & Moore remains committed to being a dependable resource for the Hudson Valley, New York, and national communities.
Tin Shingle trains and empowers business owners, makers, artists, and staff members in how to get the word out about their business. Be it a non-profit, special project, or even a major call to action, Tin Shingle’s training and community support gets people doing just that - on their own.
Flexibility is key for a small business, and we created this plan for it. You can send us your Honey-do List Of Things To Do, and we’ll get started on it. Based on what we find on your website, we will send you suggestions and recommendations. Pick the hours you need, in the discount bracket you like, and let’s get started!
ALBB's Business Directory is a Deep Dive List of services you need right now in Beacon and the Hudson Valley. There is a lot of talent here in the 12508 and beyond and we want to highlight all of them. Check out the Business Directory HERE.
For the second year in a row (see our first year!), A Little Beacon Blog is holding a Juneteenth art contest. The aim is to reserve space for the African American community to show their voices and visions during Juneteenth.
WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?
Juneteenth is a holiday of independence celebrated on June 19th by the Black community commemorating the liberation of the enslavement of Africans taken from their homes in other countries, separated from their families, and brought to North America so that white Americans could have their own Independence Day from Great Britain on July 4th. Some Native American tribes in Oklahoma kept African slaves as well, as was a recent focus during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Greenwood.
Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years by African Americans, but not all knew about it, as it wasn’t taught regularly in schools. Last year, during the social reckoning of 2020, Juneteenth got elevated, paid attention to, and respected by the white community and other races. On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into law as a national holiday, where the government workforce and schools will observe the holiday.
HOW THIS WORKS
Submit your work for consideration to be published on A Little Beacon Blog.
Any age is welcome.
People from the African American community, of any mix or origen.
African Americans living in the Hudson Valley of New York.
Any medium is welcome. If you recorded a song, send it via Spotify or something we can embed. Actually, we can embed an mp3 on our own website! Artwork that is painted, pixelized, collaged, quilted, etc.
Please answer these 2 questions with your submission:
What do you want to tell the United States about what you want changed?
What do you want to tell _______ your town in the Hudson Valley about what you want changed? Any wish. What is your greatest wish?
A Description of your artwork.
Selected submissions will be published on A Little Beacon Blog, along with your answers. You can elect to skip giving an answer.
Selected submissions will win grant money if we get sponsors. Of the sponsorship dollars, 100% will be divided among the artists.
Email art file to katie@alittlebeaconblog.com
Deadline: June 23rd. Publish Date: June 26th
100% Of SPONSORSHIP GOES TO PRIZES/GRANTS
We can offer prizes if we have sponsorships. Depending on how many submissions we get, we could award grant money to several people. Therefore, 100% of sponsor dollars will go towards these grants.
In the Comments, please indicate if this is to sponsor this initiative, and we will set it aside. Please also indicate if you want your name or business name listed with the final publishing of all artwork.
Once all sponsorships are in, the dollar amount will be divided evenly among the selected submissions.
HELPING A LITTLE BEACON BLOG CONTINUE
If you want to help A Little Beacon Blog at large continue to run these kinds of initiatives - consider sponsoring ALBB in a sustaining way. Visit our Media Kit for options or contact us. Or, you can send a contribution at any time. A Little Beacon Blog is a business, and we do pay salaries to feed our families, add to our savings accounts, pay student loans, and produce news you love.
PS: Love this logo design? It was designed by Dom (@upstate.creative) for a A Little Beacon Blog.
These 2 cuties were the winners of A Little Beacon Blog’s 1st Juneteenth Art Contest last year. They have since left the district and are enjoying homeschool with their mama, Millenial Matriarch, creator of Village Homeschool.
One day before President Biden signed Juneteenth as a federal holiday - a holiday marking independence and liberation from slavery that has been celebrated by the African American community for over 150 years but generally not taught in public or private schools for the white community to know about or be encouraged to celebrate - Beacon City School District Superintendent Dr. Matthew Landahl sent an email to district families wishing everyone a Happy Juneteenth.
“Next year we are very excited that Juneteenth will be an official BCSD school holiday on our calendar,” he stated. The Beacon City School District has been working on equity and diversity work over the year, despite the shutdown, and he let families know that the work continues this summer.
“The Beacon City School District is partnering with Dutchess BOCES to have our entire administrative team participate in Undoing Racism workshops this summer. Some of our teachers will be participants in professional development workshops on developing a more equitable curriculum in our district. There are other professional development programs that we are putting together as well.”
Dr. Landahl is known to be a communicative leader, as he ended the note with an indication that the district would be kept updated as to developments to that professional work for teachers and administration.
In true educator fashion, Dr. Landahl included resources for people to learn more about Juneteenth, which are included below:
The Great Hudson River Revival (The Clearwater Festival) Day: Saturday, June 19, 2021 Time: 11am - 11pm Location: Virtual The country’s oldest and largest music and environmental festival, this year’s event will celebrate the 100th birthday of its founder Pete Seeger, as well as the 50th anniversary of the sloop Clearwater, the iconic ship Seeger built to advocate cleaning up the Hudson River. The Clearwater has become a symbol of environmental advocacy and of Seeger’s efforts to inspire, educate, and activate millions of people around environmental issues.
Previously announced artists include Mavis Staples, Ani DiFranco, The Wailers, Railroad Earth, The Lone Bellow, The Mammals, Immortal Technique, and many more.
New additions to the line-up include Del McCoury Band, Chapin McCombs Chapin, Alan McClintock, Arif Choudhury, Betty & the Baby Boomers, Chief Perry, Children at the Well, Dennis Yerry, Dirty Stay Out Skifflers, Edukated Fleas, Ernie Sites, Evan Pritchard, Evy Mayer, Geoff Kaufman, Greenheart, Jacob & David Bernz, Jamie Brickhouse, Jan Christensen, Jonathan Kruk, Late Show's Gospel Choir, Laurie & Ira McIntosh, Leeny Del Seamonds, Lonnie Harrington, Luis Ramos, Magpie, Marita Solberg, Mel & Vinnie, Mercedes Garcia, Niemo, Norah Dooley, Peter Siegel, Ramapo Spirit of the Mountain Drummers, Reggie Harris, Reggie Seasar, Rik Palieri, Sheila Arnold, Spirit of Thunderheart, The Rix, The Storycrafters, Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, and William Ruiz.
The Great Hudson River Revival (aka Clearwater Festival) will return virtually this year on Saturday, June 19th. The online fundraising event will continue the organization’s decades-long tradition and community gathering normally held annually at Croton Point Park, NY.
This year’s Great Hudson River Revival will be live-streamed from 11 am - 11 pm EST on June 19th on Clearwaterfestival.org as well as Clearwater’s Youtube and Facebook pages. While The Great Hudson River Revival is free to attend, Clearwater encourages viewers to donate if they are able. All performances will be accompanied by ASL interpreters.
Revival is the country’s oldest and largest music and environmental festival, bringing together major musical acts and Clearwater’s own brand of green activism for a unique weekend every June. Clearwater Festival takes place on the banks of the Hudson River at beautiful Croton Point Park, Croton-On-Hudson, NY. Information >
Bannerman Island's First Tours of 2021 Day: June 20, 2021 Time: 11 am - 5 pm Location: Pollepel Island, Fishkill, NY Here's your chance to visit Bannerman Island on the Hudson River! Cruises for the Island will be departing from the waterfronts in Beacon and Newburgh, New York, on the Estuary Steward. Tours will likely sell out in advance and follow all COVID protocols Tour Highlights:
A scenic cruise on the Hudson River to and from the Island.
A guided walking tour of Bannerman Island where you'll learn about the Island, the work being done on it, and it's storied past; including areas previously not accessible to the public.
Enjoy walking among the many gardens that are maintained around the Island.
Entry into the recently-opened Bannerman family residence.
Multiple photo opportunities in one of the most picturesque settings in the Hudson Valley. Information >
If you know of an event not included here, please email it in to us!
Juneteenth Panel Day: Saturday, June 19, 2021 Time: 6pm - 7:30pm Register for @newburghlgbtqcenter's Juneteenth panel, and block out your Saturday night! There is a fun evening of black liberation celebration planned, so turn on @beacon4blacklives post notifications and stay tuned! Register at bit.ly/JuneteenthPanel
Juneteenth At The Sanctuary Day: Saturday, June 19, 2021 Time: 10am - 1pm Location: Crystal Lake, 61 Temple Ave., Newburgh, NY Information > “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” Ground into the Earth with this JUNETEENTH at the Sanctuary. With so many happenings, let this be the experience that sets the mood for the rest of your day: meditative, joyful, in nature! There will be sowing poems, and prayer, and dance, and LOVE for Our people into the morning. Thank you for rocking with us - see you there!
Juneteenth Celebration Day: Saturday, June 19, 2021 Time: 7:30pm Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon NY IT'S HAPPENING! The Beacon 4 Black Lives is Celebrating Black Joy with the theme of Love and Liberation. Enjoy performances by Local Black Artists, dance, eat, paint, heal, and breathe! We're creating a space for Black folx to celebrate ourselves and see the beauty beyond our resilience.
Annual Fish Fry @ Springfield Baptist Church Day: June 19, 2021 Time: 11 am - 3 pm Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 W Church St., Beacon, NY
Since the MRTA legislation is written so favorably towards selling it, growing it and using it, to regulate open air public spaces seems counter-intuitive to the intent. Restricting that amount of land could have the effect of corralling people into tighter locations. It also has the possibility of new laws against smoking cannabis in the open, without fear of charges or judgement, which is again part of why the law was written.
Additionally, while smoking tobacco is banned from trails, City Administrator Chris implied his favor with discretionary application of the regulation, stating that he simply wanted to give people more teeth when asking people next to them to stop smoking at soccer games. He implied that if people were smoking “way up in the woods, we are not going to see,” regarding an action that is now legal, where people can smoke marijuana and be seen.
New York State became the 15th state in the nation to legalize adult-use cannabis (also known as marijuana, or recreational marijuana). It did so after a long delay due to many disagreements, including debates on home cultivation (reportedly rebuffed by large marijuana businesses), and reluctance from police and educators. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) on March 31, 2021 legalizing adult-use cannabis (also known as marijuana, or recreational marijuana) in New York State, and is undergoing review on how to handle records for those previously convicted. Effective immediately, smoking cannabis where tobacco is legally allowed is acceptable, and the selling and cultivation of the plant is being worked out by municipalities and the state now.
The legislation creates a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) governed by a Cannabis Control Board to oversee and implement the law. This board has no members yet, as pointed out by the City of Beacon’s legal counsel, Drew Victoria Gamils, Esq. of Keane and Beane during her MRTA presentation to the City Council during a 6/14/2021 Workshop meeting discussing Beacon’s options. The OCM will issue licenses and develop regulations outlining how and when business can participate in the new industry.
Regulatory Framework Created In Name Of Social Justice
As stated on the OCM’s website, part of the reason the plant has been legalized is to balance equity in the profit and enjoyment of cannabis. Three frameworks are noted to be the core to the regulation:
Social Justice Establishes a robust social and economic equity program to actively encourage members from communities disproportionally impacted by the policies of prohibition to participate in the new industry.
Public Health & Safety Administers a sophisticated quality assurance regulatory structure including standards for production and manufacturing, strict product testing, labeling, packaging and advertising to ensure products are safe for consumers and not targeted to youth.
Economic Development Encourages small business and farmers to participate in the cannabis industry with the creation of microbusiness, cooperative and delivery license types.
Cities And Towns Can Opt-Out Of Sales, But Not Growing At Home
According to Attorney Drew’s presentation, “the MRTA gives cities the ability to opt-out of allowing adult-use dispensaries and/or adult-use social consumption sites to operate within their boundaries.” If a municipality already had law banning the retail sale of recreational marijuana, such local law is not valid. The municipality would need to adopt a new local law to opt-out, and must do so by December 31, 2021 and is subject to a permissive referendum under Municipal Home Rule Law §24.
The right to opt-out does not apply to cultivating or processing cannabis within the city’s boundaries. People growing cannabis on their own can do so at their private residence (in about 2023, not now). A person can grow up to 3 mature and 3 immature cannabis plants. If a person has roommates at their residence, 6 mature and 6 immature cannabis plants “may be cultivated, harvested, dried or possessed within any private residence or on the grounds of a person’s private residence.”
As for the security of the plant(s): “The person must take reasonable steps designed to ensure that such cannabis is in a secured place not accessible to any person under the age of 21,” according to Attorney Drew’s presentation, where she suggested different ways Beacon’s City Council could craft their legislation on securing the plant, such as a greenhouse. A requirement of that magnitude, however which would add considerable expense to the grower. No county, town, city or village may enact or enforce any regulation that essentially prohibits a person from engaging in personal cultivation, and violations of the personal cultivation restrictions are limited to a civil penalty of up to $200.
The right to grow at home will not come until 2023, Attorney Drew explained during the meeting. She advised the Council that they do have time to create regulations, but recommended waiting until the Board makes its recommendations first. “Nobody go buy seeds yet, bc that's against the law,” she said with a laugh.
What Cannabis Licenses Are In Play For Beacon To Regulate
According to Attorney Drew’s presentation, the following license were created for the legalization of marijuana in New York State, but only 2 of them can be regulated in zoning laws in Beacon at this time: Adult-use on-site consumption license and Adult-use retail dispensary license.
The MRTA created the following categories of licenses:
Registered organization adult-use cultivator, processor and distributor license.
Adult-use processor license
Adult-use cooperative license
Adult-use distributor license
Adult-use retail dispensary license
Microbusiness license
Delivery license
Nursery License
Adult-use on-site consumption license
Businesses applying for a Adult-use retail dispensary license license or Adult-use on-site consumption license must apply for approval from the city. According to Attorney Drew: “The city shall have the option to submit an opinion in favor of or against a license. When the municipality expresses an opinion in favor of or against the granting of such license or permit application, any such opinion shall be deemed part of the record. The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) shall respond in writing to such city, town, village or community board with an explanation of how such opinion was considered in the granting or denial of an application.”
Beacon Would Get 1% Sales Tax Directly - Going Around Dutchess County’s Sales Tax Collection
Sales tax from Beacon stores is not sent directly to Beacon. For the past few decades, Beacon and other municipalities have agreed to funnel all sales tax to Dutchess County, and in turn gets paid a flat rate that does not change if the sales tax goes up or down. During the pandemic, Beacon’s pre-negotiated sales tax payments from Dutchess County did not change. However, Beacon did not receive a bonus payment during the pandemic, the previous City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero confirmed to A Little Beacon Blog.
That said, neither the New York State Department of Finance nor Dutchess County will tell anyone what the actual sales tax is that is generated from Beacon, as A Little Beacon Blog reported in 2020 after beginning research in 2019. If Beacon decides not to continue this agreement, which expires before 2024, somehow, that dollar amount will need to be revealed, if Beacon begins collecting its own sales tax
For retail cannabis sales, the tax revenue will calculated in a particular way called a seed-to-sale system, said Attorney Drew when Mayor Lee Kyriacou asked her how the distribution would work based on Beacon’s sales tax arrangement with Dutchess County. She confirmed that Beacon’s portion of the tax revenue will go directly to Beacon, and that the Cannabis Control Board will be part of the overseeing entity to ensure that happens.
How The Tax Revenue Will Be Distributed
According to Attorney Drew, the New York State Comptroller will collect the money, then distribute it to Dutchess County, who then distributes it to Beacon.
Cannabis products will be subject to a 13% sales tax in New York, 9% of which will be directed to state coffers and 4% to localities.
The 4% cannabis excise tax for local government purposes would be imposed on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis products from retail dispensaries to consumers.
The revenue from the tax will be distributed quarterly to each county.
Counties will receive 25% of the local retail tax revenue and 75% of the revenue would be distributed quarterly by the counties to the cities, towns and villages within such county in which a retail dispensary is located.
The revenue will be distributed in proportion to the sales of adult-use cannabis products by the retail dispensaries in such municipalities as reported by the seed-to-sale system.
The county must distribute money no later than 30 days after receiving it from the State Comptroller.
One should ask if the public will have access to the quarterly audit of seed-to-sale system the exact amount per municipality without the need for a FOIA, since the regular retail sales tax for Beacon has been impossible to get, despite FOIAs being filed.
Opting In, But Making Business Impossible
The law states that municipalities that do not opt-out in order to collect the sales tax revenue and welcome new types of businesses into its borders, cannot do so in a way that effectively makes it impossible to do business. From the presentation: “A municipality that does not opt-out cannot adopt regulations that make the operation of licensed retail dispensaries or on-site consumption sites 'unreasonably impracticable’ as determined by the CCB.”
Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair asked if Beacon could limit the number of a business type opening up shop within its borders. Attorney Drew answered “Currently the MRTA has a requirement that it must be located at least 500 feet away from school grounds, and 200 away from place of worship. Right of the bat with MRTA itself.” She recommended that Beacon could adopt requirements in the city code to make that requirement larger, or add additional requirements, such as being 500 feet from any park. Or the reverse - being located near a park where there is ample open air and circulation. Or no additional requirements.
As reported by everywhere, including WHAM and Dutchess Business Notification Network, New York State has reached the milestone of 70% of people 18 and older having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Mid-Hudson region has reached 71.9%, as stated in Governor Cuomo’s press conference today (6/15/2021). To celebrate, the governor has lifted many restrictions, and has scheduled firework celebrations throughout the state.
Last year at this time, according to WHAM, the COVID-19 positivity rate was 48.16%, while today it is .4%. Also last year at this time, Governor Cuomo himself was complaining about unexpected firework launchings, as remembered by Gothamist: '“But it is somewhat unexpected that Cuomo would spring fireworks on unsuspecting New Yorkers considering the proliferation of illegal fireworks last summer led to lots of complaints...including from the governor himself. ‘You can be in New York City, it sounds like the Wild West at night. Even in Albany, I’ll tell you the truth. I don’t know what has happened,’ Cuomo said last summer, adding that he was so startled at night at times that he jumped out of his bed.”
Last summer In Beacon, Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes also encouraged people not to launch their own fireworks, and continues to encourage no private fireworks into this summer was well.
Most importantly, however, are the restrictions that are lifted by Governor Cuomo, effective immediately. Federal orders related to COVID are still in place for now, which include masks for children indoors in school. Children and adults can be masks off outdoors, however, on school property. According to his 6/15/2021 announcement, the lifted restrictions are as follows:
Effective Immediately, State-Mandated COVID Restrictions Are Lifted Across Commercial and Social Settings: Social Gathering Limits Capacity Restrictions Social Distancing Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols Health Screening Contact Information for Tracing Purposes
Effective Immediately, State-Mandated COVID Restrictions Are Lifted Across Commercial and Social Settings: Retail Malls Movie Theaters Food Services Offices Gyms and Fitness Centers Amusement and Family Entertainment Hair Salons Barber Shops Personal Care Services Sports and Recreation Construction Manufacturing Trade Child Care Camps Food Services Real Estate Buildings Agriculture Fishing Forestry
Unvaccinated Individuals Responsible for Maintaining Social Distancing of Six Feet and Wearing a Mask, Per Federal CDC Guidance
Exempt and Still Adhering to State's Existing COVID-19 Health Protocols: Large-Scale Events Venues Pre-K to 12 Schools Public Transit Homeless Shelters Correctional Facilities Nursing Homes and Health Care Settings
As Beacon’s City Council considers its new obligation from New York State to respect marijuana smoking in public, the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA), a law passed after much delay prior to the racial reckoning of 2020 and into 2021), Beacon, along with all municipalities, is required to decide if it wants to opt out of retail sales tax revenue from Adult-Use Retail Dispensary stores (a store that sells cannabis that a person takes away from the store), or an On-Site Consumption Establishment (like a bar for alcohol that a person consumes on site and cannot take away). When signing the law, New York State declared that it became the “15th state to legalize cannabis with commitment to social equity.” So far, after the 6/14/2021 City Council Workshop meeting discussing the development, Beacon’s City Council is leaning in the direction of remaining opted-in to profiting from revenue from cannabis sales generated from within Beacon’s city limits.
However, it should be noted, that in Keane and Beane’s Adult-Use Marijuana presentation, municipalities are able to “adopt regulations to allow the smoking of cannabis in locations where smoking tobacco is prohibited.” This option was not discussed during the Workshop where this topic was first breached.
New York’s lifting of the prohibition of marijuana smoking has brought new aromas to the city, which you may have noticed while walking down the sidewalk where bar patrons gather to smoke outside. Or someone driving in their car in front of you may be openly smoking cannabis while driving (which, according to Drew Victoria Gamils with Keane & Beane is not legal, nor is sitting in your car smoking cannabis while the car is off).
Is It The Aroma That Is Bothersome?
While it is a new aroma for some, it is making others uncomfortable. Yet one thing is known: the Black community is disproportionately penalized for even carrying cannabis, let alone smoking it, as was pointed out by Councilmember Air Nonken Rhodes during the presentation of the ban on smoking in Beacon’s public parks during the meeting.
City Administrator Chris White responded to Air’s concern by stating that “enforcement would need to be closely watched.” Which would require data collection and review of each citation. Something which Beacon’s City Council is new to acquiring in the aftermath of the spotlight on criminal justice. It is also not clear if the City Council or the City Administrator is in the habit of regularly reviewing the data that the City of Beacon Police Department collects.
During this City Council Workshop, City Administrator Chris White equated publicly smoking marijuana to smoking tobacco, as he brought to the council the consideration to ban it from public parks and “soccer games.” Chris stated that on Beacon’s trails, there is a ban on smoking, but he was unclear as to why that was, and not banned in parks. He wondered if it was because people are walking in a “linear” path. In his pursuit of a policy to be able to enforce, he expanded: “If you're way up in the woods, we are not going to see. However if you are at a soccer game, and not being respectful of others, I'm sure you are going to be reminded of that,” he stated, explaining that a person complaining to their fellow parent would have new legislation supporting their complaint to a person sitting next to them.
Not that soccer games need more opportunities for conflict among overly aggressive parents, who continuously need their own refereeing by the professional hired to ref the kids and enforce rules of the game in play.
Having been to many soccer games and practices, as well as those for flag football, I have not encountered folks smoking tobacco or cannabis. While that is a broad statement, people usually step away when smoking, out of respect for others. As for Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, that area is so spacious and windy, most aromas don’t linger - unless it is the regular aroma of charcoal burning for burgers and hot dogs.
Meanwhile, New York State considers cannabis a potential thriving business that it can regulate and profit from, while encouraging agricultural involvement from traditionally oppressed groups. Expanding limitations on where it can be smoked is counter to that intent.
From New York’s new Office of Cannabis Management, the new law “Establishes a robust social and economic equity program to actively encourage members from communities disproportionally impacted by the policies of prohibition to participate in the new industry. … [It] encourages small business and farmers to participate in the cannabis industry with the creation of microbusiness, cooperative and delivery license types.”
Proposed Penalties For Smoking In Beacon’s Public Parks
A majority of Beacon’s City Council leaned toward accepting the sale of cannabis in Beacon, but banning smoking in public parks. The penalties, they agreed on, could be light. The financial penalty by default, City Attorney Drew said, has a maximum fine of $1,000 per day. City Attorney Drew confirmed that the penalty would be settled in Justice Court between the City and the Defendant. City Administrator Chris attempted assurance: “It’s usually much less than the maximum penalty.“
City Attorney Drew added: “If you go to trial, you could get $40,000. Working with the police and the defendant, you might end up settling for $9,000. That's a high example. You might end up settling for $500 in Justice Court.”
Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair requested that the financial penalty be light, so as to not impact anyone’s rent. He and other Councilmembers agreed that jail time would be not ideal, and they would want to specifically exclude that penalty from Beacon’s legislation.
City Attorney Drew recommended that the City Council hear from residents before moving forward with drafting legislation on how to regulate the sale of cannabis in Beacon.
Beacon’s City Council meets tonight to discuss the following issues that are on the agenda. During a Workshop meeting, the public can listen, but not participate. The purpose of these meetings is to workshop a concept before bringing it formally before the public for a vote, if it reaches that point. Topics that have already made it to the public are sometimes brought back to Workshops status to be further discussed, after receiving feedback from the public.
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A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
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