CDC Issues Mask, Re-Opening, and Safety Guidance For Kids In School For 2021/2022 School Year

The CDC has released their guidance on re-opening schools for grades K-12, as well as on mask wearing. The CDC wants schools to fully re-open in person, and for people not vaccinated to wear masks. Those who are fully vaccinated are guided to use their discretion on if they want to wear a mask. Stores, restaurants and other places of business continue to have the choice to set their own preference for their customers. The news was early reported by editors on LinkedIn.

Said the CDC: “Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction in the fall 2021 is a priority. Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.”

Being that the Biden Administration has been extremely supportive of spreading the message of safety, as well as distributing federal funding to ensure that safety, a new level of trusts exists within the North American public, as opposed to last year at this time during this re-opening debate, coupled with high case and death numbers, was higher. For example, see how Brazilian eviction refugees are faring without federal support.

It is important to remember that in countries with low vaccination rates, and low trust issues for their governments, such as Brazil and India, case and death numbers continue to be high. Many people continue to die per day in India. Reporters from India, one of whom lost her father to the virus, have long speculated that several deaths are going uncounted, especially in rural areas.

The CDC recommends masks for kids age 2 and older. Mainly, the CDC is recommending to layer safety provisions in case masks are not possible. The “CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking.

Ventilation, cleaning and screening are still highly recommended. “Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.”

The CDC implores people to stay home when feeling sick. “Students, teachers, and staff should stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care.” In order for this to happen, employers are going to need to be more forgiving when people stay home for mild symptoms.

For jobs that can take to the road on a laptop or phone, this will be a bit easier. For those who need to cook for or serve people, this will be more difficult without compensation.

For those who worked toll booths, this would have been hard, but now all tolls are electronic on the Beacon/Newburgh Bridge, and those jobs have been eliminated. Two weeks ago, we asked one toll booth collector if the state was finding them a new job. Their answer: “I have to find my own new job.”

Perhaps these workers can be paid to be trained to work computers that send out letters to chase people who lose the toll bill in the mail, and ultimately will be charged a fine. Then they can stay home when feeling mild symptoms and still get paid to work.

PS: If you are or were employed as a toll collector, please contact ALBB to let us know if your job was saved by way of being reassigned, or if you lost your job. What was the process?

How $2.2 Million+ In Dutchess County Grants Is Slated To Be Spent In Beacon And Beyond

The Office of the Dutchess County Executive, Marcus Molinaro, today announced that over $2.2 Million in CDBG and Home Funding for Community Infrastructure, Programs and Affordable Housing Projects is slated to be awarded to different communities throughout the county.

The money has been awarded to 21 projects to improve accessibility, address critical community needs, and expand affordable housing options throughout Dutchess County, according to the press release. County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Dutchess County continues to invest in projects and programs that help to lift up our most vulnerable residents. Whether it is improving infrastructure to promote accessibility for residents and visitors of all abilities; expanding affordable housing options; or supporting programs that address critical community issues like homelessness and substance abuse to the county’s most vulnerable populations, our investment of CDBG and HOME funding will have positive impacts for generations to come.”

Beacon was awarded one infrastructure upgrade project, and a traffic safety project. It is unknown if Beacon applied for other types of uses and were denied, or if these were the two projects they applied for, and were awarded.

Other municipalities put in for upgrades or new additions to park playgrounds for children, public bathrooms, and upgrades to senior centers. While the City of Beacon employs a grant writer, it is unknown at this time how they brainstorm to get ideas on what kind of funding to apply for. Beacon has steadily made investments in infrastructure upgrades, which is reassuring during these dramatic weather swings and history of broken water mains that require emergency budgeting to fix.

Where Is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Funding From?

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address locally identified community development and housing needs. CDBG funding supports community development projects and activities that benefit low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, populations and communities; while the HOME Program supports the development of affordable housing. These designations are dependent upon census data, which is why hyper-local politicians are so eager for everyone to fill it out when it comes around like it did last year during the pandemic.

CDBG Municipal and HOME applications are accepted annually by the Department of Planning and Development. CDBG Public Service applications are solicited bi-annually. Applications are reviewed by the Community Development Advisory Committee with recommendations forwarded to the County Executive for final approval. More information about these application cycles can be found on the Planning and Development website.

Grant Money Proposed To Be Awarded - Needs Public Comment Period First

According to the press release, an in-person public hearing on the plans will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Poughkeepsie City Hall, Common Council Chambers, 3rd floor, 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie. A second virtual public hearing will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. via this link.

Comments may also be submitted in writing to Anne Saylor at asaylor@dutchessny.gov, mailed to:
Anne Saylor
85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Or by calling (845) 486-3638.

The awards are preliminary pending a public comment period of the draft 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and the 2020 and 2021 Action Plan. The comment period for these documents will run until Thursday, August 5, 2021.

Following the public comment period, a resolution will be sent to the County Legislature’s for consideration at its September 2021 meeting to formally accept the federal CDBG and HOME funding.

How The Grant Money Has Been Awarded

The following is a breakdown from the County Executive’s office. Of these breakdowns, $233,988 will be set aside for new, competitive application cycle later this year for the creation of qualified, new affordable rental units.

CDBG Infrastructure Projects ($1,213,700 Total)

City of Beacon - Verplanck Avenue Crosswalk Upgrade – $51,870
Improve pedestrian safety and accessibility with new crosswalks on Verplanck Avenue.

City of Beacon - Fishkill Avenue/Hanna Lane Sewer Main Replacement - $108,130
Sewer line replacement to meet pitch requirements, add sewer flow capacity and eliminate the risk of overflow, and to promote economic and housing development.

Town of Clinton - Friends Park Improvement Project - $98,700
Installation of handicapped accessible parking spaces, pathways and bathroom upgrades to eliminate barriers and improve accessibility for senior citizens.

Town of Dover - J. H. Ketcham Memorial Park Walking Track - $99,000
New quarter-mile porous asphalt accessible walking path to enhance recreation options and promote favorable health outcomes for residents.

Town of East Fishkill - Senior Center Sidewalk Renovation - $61,000
Construction of approximately 1,130 square feet of ADA sidewalk, removing barriers and promoting accessibility for seniors.

East Fishkill Supervisor Nicholas D'Alessandro was quoted in the press release saying: “Making our community more accessible to all residents of all abilities is a priority in East Fishkill. We thank Dutchess County for this collaboration through the Community Development Block Grant program, a partnership which will provide greater access to all residents, including the many seniors who utilize our community center.”

Town of Hyde Park - Dinsmore Park Playground Improvement Project– $100,000
Construction of an ADA compliant playground including ADA compliant swing, slides and climbing equipment.

Hyde Park Supervisor Aileen Rohr was quoted in the press release saying: “Hyde Park is once again thankful to our County partners for their CDBG award for playground improvements at Dinsmore Park that will enhance quality of life for all residents. Working together while ‘Thinking Differently,’ we work collaboratively to create improvements to our parks, playgrounds and sidewalks without local tax impact.”

Town of Pawling - Pawling Library Bathroom Installation – $200,000
Construct two new ADA compliant bathroom facilities, including new plumbing and electric, to promote accessibility for disabled residents.

Town of Poughkeepsie - Inclusive Playground at Sheafe Road Park - $95,000
Removal of deteriorated, non-ADA compliant play equipment and installation of a new inclusive play structure.

Town of Wappinger - Carnwath Farms Senior Center– $150,000
Construction of a new ADA compliant senior center, including electrical, HVAC replacement, accessible parking, walkways and entrances for senior citizens.

Village of Wappingers Falls - Bain Park Development - $100,000
Site preparation, assembly and installation of new ADA compliant playground recently purchased by the Village.

Village of Millerton -Sidewalk Infrastructure Repair & Replacement - $150,000
Replacement of 600 linear feet of deteriorated sidewalks along NYS Route 44 (Main Street) with a new accessible sidewalk and crosswalk in front of Millerton Library to promote accessibility.

CDBG Public Service Projects – Totaling $150,000

Catholic Charities - Homeless Prevention Case Management Program – $25,000
Emergency rent assistance and limited utilities assistance to approximately 50 low-income Dutchess County residents to help stabilize housing. Case management assists clients to independently sustain their household needs.

Friends of Seniors - Senior Transportation and Support Services – $25,000
Provide county residents age 60+ with basic support services, including transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, grocery shopping, visiting services, telephone reassurance and respite to primary caregivers.

Hudson River Housing - Housing First Support Services – $25,000
Case management services under the Housing First Program, which helps high-risk, vulnerable homeless adults secure and maintain stable housing.

Hudson River Housing - River Haven Homeless Youth Program – $25,000
Crisis services, emergency housing, counseling, case management, and youth development programming for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth ages 10-17. River Haven Independent Living Program provides services for older homeless and at-risk youth transitioning towards self-sufficiency. River Haven Transitional Living Community provides 17- to 25-year-old homeless youth safe housing as they work towards independence within two years.

Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Center (MARC) - Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Services – $25,000
A comprehensive continuum of services offering the promise of recovery to chemically dependent individuals. MARC offers emergency housing, non-hospital-based detox and treatment referral, community residences, supportive housing, counseling, life skill training, vocational development, sober supported apartments, tenant counseling and rent subsidies.

Northeast Community Council - Youth Development: Teen Team and CPSB – $25,000
Teen Team is a peer support group that provides educational, recreational and community service opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth ages 14-18. The Community Partnership with Schools and Business (CPSB) offers workforce development and intern opportunities in local business for youth 14-21.

HOME affordable housing projects - Totaling $863,794

The Woods at Rhinebeck, Astor Drive, Rhinebeck – $350,000
New construction of 80 one, two and three- bedroom affordable workforce apartments within walking distance of Northern Dutchess Hospital and the village.

Annex at Snow Terrace, 28 Snow Terrace, Poughkeepsie – $227,806
Rehabilitation of former Webster House emergency shelter into 6 permanent one-bedroom units for the homeless/formerly homeless.

Rebuilding Together – $52,000
Rehabilitation of 10 single-family homes throughout Dutchess County occupied by low- and moderate-income households, often senior citizens, by volunteers.

Back To School Block Party Is BACK From I Am Beacon - How To Get Involved

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY
Day: Saturday, August 21, 2021
Time: 12pm - 4pm
Location: South Avenue Park

Supporting parents and students in preparing for the start of the new school year!

Community Leaders - Parents - Teachers - Administrators,

 As you know, back to school is one of the most stressful times of the year for both students and parents.

 In effort to support Beacon families, please join I Am Beacon for the Annual Back to School Block Party designed to help jump-start planning and preparation for the upcoming school year.

What ways can your School/PTA/PTO/Organization/Business be involved?

• Set Up a Booth: We are offering space (free of charge) to all groups, community organizations and businesses. This event will allow your organization to engage students/parents in a fun environment. 

• Donate supplies (i.e. pens/pencils etc) or materials (i.e. literature, tips & tricks) to be included in the Back to School "Starter Kit" back packs that will be handed out to the first 100 students.

• Help sponsor the event or donate raffle items in support of "Class in a Bag" which provides new back packs and school supplies to local students in need.

• Spread the word: Tell your network about the event to help us reach the most students possible. 

If you are interested in participating, click here to register your organization. For more information or questions, please reach out to Brooke directly at 845.505.6820 or iambeacon.brooke@gmail.com  

9 Properties Object To City's Proposed Historic Designation - Mayor Lee Kyriacou Proceeding Anyway - Read Their Letters/Reasoning Here

After the construction of 344 Main Street a few years ago, several development issues came to light that the people of Beacon objected to. This project triggered a massive undertaking of refining the City’s zoning codes to simplify or tighten regulation. During that time, then Mayor Randy Casale and then Councilmember Lee Kyriacou would walk around the city identifying commercial buildings and residential houses that they felt should be deemed historic, thereby being given these properties protection, design requirements, and overarching regulation on neighboring non-historic buildings, should the owner of a non-historic building want to build something that would have - in the eyes of City Council or Zoning/Planning Board Members - negative impact on the neighboring historic property.

In the chess game that is City Planning, historic buildings can be used to block proposed building projects, like this one here at 475 Main Street next door to the Howland Cultural Center years ago. Now that Mayor Lee Kyriacou has become mayor, defeating Randy in the last election, Mayor Lee moved forward with proposing building designations for 35 buildings and houses, and first presented them in March 2020. Several homeowners and commercial building owners came to a public meeting to object, and the topic was put on pause. Then the pandemic hit.

The subject was raised again in 2021, this time with a reduced number of 18 commercial buildings, which were brought to the public for a formal and required Public Hearing. Building owners could speak their objection and write letters of opposition. Despite receiving 9 objections from building owners - half of the first round of building owners - Mayor Lee Kyriacou wants to move forward with the vote to ignore their objection. In order to do that, he needs a “supermajority” vote from the City Council, to override the building owner’s objection.

If that happens, and if the building owner decides to challenge the city legally, Mayor Kyriacou at the last City Council meeting agreed with City Administrator Chris White that the City of Beacon needs to be sure it has “iron clad” reasons for how it is proceeding with forcing a building to have historic designation despite an owner’s objection, should a building owner take legal action to challenge.

Said City Administrator Chris White: “In light of the opposition of the 9 owners, Drew (one of the City’s attorneys from Keane and Beane) and I talked about that we laid out a compelling case, because if one of them were to challenge, then we want to make sure.” Chris continued to say that he asked Beacon’s City Planner to “take a second look” at the compelling reasons.

Said Mayor Kyriacou after City Council members gave their feedback to the presented reasons for historic designation for each building: “I'm very appreciative of everyone's comments” He voiced concern for preserving Beacon’s history. “I like the comment, Chris, about being iron clad about how we are doing this.”

The letters of opposition from the building owners has been published below.

Correspondence from 8 (of the 9) Owners of Properties Nominated for Designation in the Historic District Landmark Overlay Zone

On May 14, 2021 the City of Beacon sent 18 certified letters to the owners of properties nominated for historic designation in the Main Street corridor. The letters informed property owners of the proposed nomination, invited them to speak at a Public Hearing on June 7, 2021, and welcomed them to reach out to the City with any comments and questions beforehand. A sample letter to property owners can be found on page 2 of the City’s document.

Nine property owners responded with their objections to the City. The building owners of Max’s On Main, at 246 Main Street, despite their letter not being included below. Owner Richie Kaplan called in during the 6/7/2021 meeting to verbalize his opposition and state that he sent in a letter of opposition. In response, City Administrator Chris White noted the letter and said it was part of public record.

All letters of opposition (except 246 Main Street, Max’s On Main) can be found starting on page 5 of this document. For the ease of reading, they have been republished below with pictures of the building for quick reference.

---

Sample Letter Sent To Targeted Building Owners

May 13, 2021

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL

[Property Owner's Mailing Address]

Re: Notice of Public Hearing
Property Proposed for Historic Landmark Designation- City of Beacon

Dear [Property Owner]:

The City of Beacon is considering designating multiple properties along Main Street in Beacon as historical landmarks to be included in the City’s Historic District and Landmark Overlay Zone (“HDLO”) and has proposed including your property located at 246 Main Street. A copy of the historic resource inventory form describing your property is attached. A remote public hearing to discuss the proposed designations is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on June 7, 2021, which you can participate in through the following link: https://bit.ly/2Qc4Yhd

You are invited to attend to present any comments or information you would like considered by the City Council or submit them prior to the public hearing to publichearing@beaconny.gov or by mail to HDLO Public Hearing, City of Beacon, 1 Municipal Plaza, Beacon, NY 12508. Any objection to the proposed designation must be submitted in writing prior to the public hearing.

Designation of Historic Landmarks

On June 7, 2021, the City Council will hold a public hearing to receive comments on its proposal to designate your property as a historic landmark pursuant to Section 134-4 of the Code of the City of Beacon (the “City Code”). The City Council, property owners and any interested parties may present comments or documentation at the public hearing which will become part of a record regarding the historic, architectural, or cultural importance of the proposed landmark.

In determining whether to designate a new historic landmark, the City Council shall consider any comments or information presented prior to and during the public hearing to determine whether the proposed landmark meets one or more of the following criteria:

1. Has distinguishing architectural characteristics of a period, style, method of construction, indigenous materials or craftsmanship;

2. Has special character or historic or aesthetic interest or value as part of the cultural, political, economic, or social history of the community;

3. Is eligible for inclusion on the State or National Registers of Historic Places.

The City Council is required to make a decision within 60 days of the conclusion of the hearing. A super majority vote of five (5) Council members is necessary to designate a new historic landmark if the property owner objects to such designation.

Benefits of Historic Designation

Landmark designation results in an honorary status for a historic building, imposes certain measures of protection on the building to prevent incompatible development, and offers other benefits for the property. For example, additional uses are permitted by special permit from the Planning Board in the HDLO pursuant to Section 223-24.7 of the City Code (primarily beneficial in residential districts). Such uses include (a) specialized business uses of low traffic volume, normally associated with history, the arts or cultural uses, appropriate to the structure and compatible with the neighborhood, and (b) residential, hotel or professional uses, provided they are appropriate to the structure, compatible with the neighborhood and are located on a street that can accommodate increased traffic as determined by the City Council.

In accordance with New York State Real Property Tax Law Section 444-a and Section 199-10 of the City Code, if you alter your property to restore or rehabilitate a historical feature, and the project results in an increase in assessed property value, you may be entitled to a phased tax exemption from the portion of your property taxes attributed to the increased assessment.

In certain instances, you may also be eligible for historic preservation grants, such as the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, or the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.

Certificate of Appropriateness

If your property is a designated historic landmark, applications for a building permit involving alteration, construction, or demolition of an exterior identified historical feature that is visible from a public street, public sidewalk or public park on a designated historic landmark or property shall require certificate of appropriateness approval from the Planning Board. In reviewing an HDLO application and plans, the Planning Board shall consider the factors outlined in Section 134-6.C of the City Code. The certificate of appropriateness required under Chapter 134 of the City Code is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any building permit. Additionally, any sign application involving an HDLO parcel requires review by the Planning Board, not the Building Inspector.

An applicant whose certificate of appropriateness has been denied may apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) for a certificate of economic hardship to obtain relief from the requirements of Chapter 134 of the City Code. In order to obtain a certificate of economic hardship, the applicant must demonstrate the existence of economic hardship by establishing:

1. The property is incapable of earning a reasonable return, regardless of whether that return represents the most profitable return possible; and

2. The property cannot be adapted for any other use, whether by the current owner or by a purchaser, which would result in a reasonable return; and

3. Efforts to find a purchaser to acquire and preserve the property have failed.

The ZBA will take into consideration the economic feasibility of alternatives to removal, alteration or demolition of a landmark or portion thereof, and balance the public interest in preserving the historic landmark, or portion thereof, and the interest of the owner in removing, altering or demolishing the landmark or portion thereof. An applicant will not be charged an application fee, professional review fees, or fees to prepare and publish any public notice incurred in connection with the certificate of appropriateness or economic hardship application, except for any fees associated with another land use application concerning the historic property.

Central Main Street Design Standards

All currently nominated properties are located in the Central Main Street (“CMS”) District, which already requires site plan review by the Planning Board for significant exterior building changes. When considering any application in the CMS District, a site development plan application, or special permit, pertaining to a designated historic property, the City Council or Planning Board shall also consider the standards set forth in Section 134-7 of the City Code. Such standards are similar to the general design standards in the CMS District and include:

1. The design, character, and appropriateness to the property of the proposed alteration or new construction.

2. The scale and height of the proposed alteration or new construction in relation to the property itself, surrounding properties, and the neighborhood.

3. Architectural and site elements and their relation to similar features of other properties in the HDLO.

The design standards in the CMS and Historic Preservation articles are intended to protect designated historic buildings from incompatible development on adjacent parcels. For proposed buildings on CMS parcels in the HDLO, abutting an HDLO parcel, or having a property line frontage directly across the street from an HDLO parcel, any fourth-story or corner tower shall require a special permit from the City Council, not the Planning Board. Furthermore, the Planning Board may, at its discretion, reduce certain on-site parking requirements for projects located in the CMS district that involve a designated historic property (see City Code § 223-41.18 G(3)). The Planning Board may also waive setback requirements for certain designated historic properties in the CMS district (see City Code § 223-41.18 J(15)).

We hope you will join us for the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021 and/or submit any comments you might have prior to the hearing. If you have any questions regarding this process, please do not hesitate to contact me at publichearing@beaconny.gov.

Sincerely,

Christopher White
City Administrator

Encl.

---

PROPERTY OWNERS OF 246 MAIN STREET

The property owners of 246 Main Street, the Kaplan brothers, submitted a letter of objection explaining why they did not want the designation, but it was not included on the City’s website.

During his first call to the Councilmembers on 2/3/2020, Richie Kaplan stated: “We have been here since 2006. In 2017 we had the opportuinty to purchase the building. And we did. Thought that would be advantagious to the value of our business. We've done it and we are happy that we did do it. At that time, we did not know anything about Histroic Overlay or District. Or that our building would be included in it. Since we've been here, we think we have been good citizens. Been active in the community if we could. We want to continue.” He stated that he could comply with whatever the process was, but he ultimately filed an objection.

Richie told A Little Beacon Blog: “After the pandemic and the burden it has been, it will be more difficult for us. We didn't realize what the historic nature was that the piece of wood on the top of the building carried. I don't think it's fair that a handful of people can decide what a private person can do. We'll do the best we can. It's hard to have your hands tied more than they already are.”

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM PROPERTY OWNER OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 1154 NORTH AVENUE

Mr. White,

As the owners of 1154 North Avenue, we object to the proposed designation of the property as an individual landmark or as a contributing element in the Main Street Landmark District.

We are fond of the building and are delighted the public can once again fully enjoy it (with art galleries on both floors). Converted for auto-related uses prior to WWI, it was open to commercial customers through much of the 20th C, then closed for 40 years and used for the storage of private cars. We intend to maintain the building in its current form, keep it open to the public, and construct a new building on the adjacent parcel (replacing the former site of the Eagle Hotel, demolished long ago). We hope this project can help restore a proper sense of arrival at the west end of Main Street. Landmark status for 1154 would substantially complicate matters and further delay or derail that effort, without achieving a corresponding public purpose.

In our view, the proposed designation is neither justified, nor necessary to maintain the integrity of the existing historic district covering the west portion of Main Street ... a goal which we cherish.

The three listed criteria of ‘distinguishing architectural characteristics’, ‘special .... value as part of the community ... ‘, and ‘eligible for inclusion on State or National Registers ...’ are loosely interpreted in the designation letter. 1154 North Avenue is a handsome 19th Century structure, but one much changed over the decades. The current ‘garage’ door is the latest in a series of door replacements, though that opening does date from the original 19th C construction. The ‘covered-over corner storefront’ reflectstwo major changes made in the 20th C: the first in mid-century when a large section of masonry was removed and new steel framing introduced to accommodate showroom windows when the commercial use changed from garage to car sales; and the second when those windows were blocked up and a passage door opened to allow secure storage of private cars for the building owner.

We respectfully request that 1154 North Avenue NOT be included as a landmark or contributing building in any expansion of the HDLO.

With thanks,

Jinny St. Goar Joe Donovan

......
Hudson Todd LLC 4 Cross Street Beacon, NY 12508

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM PROPERTY OWNER OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 4 CROSS STREET WHICH SITS WITHIN THE PARCEL AT 172 MAIN STREET

Mr. White,

As the owners of the buildings at 172 Main Street and 4 Cross Street, we object to the proposed designation of the 4 Cross Street building as an individual landmark and/or to its designation as a contributing element in the Main Street Landmark District.

The building at 172 Main Street (commercial, facing Main) is already included in the HDLO, as is the undeveloped section of land between 172 Main and 4 Cross. We have no concerns about that designation.

We are deeply concerned about the proposed designation of the 4 Cross Street building (residential, facing Cross, on the same tax parcel as 172), as our long-term plans for this area are still evolving, and such a designation could place major constraints on our ability to create a unified, functional and attractive structure at the corner of Cross and Main.

In our view, the proposed designation is neither justified, nor necessary to maintain the integrity of the existing historic district covering the west portion of Main Street ... a goal which we cherish. The three listed criteria of ‘distinguishing architectural characteristics’, ‘special .... value as part of the community ... ‘, and ‘eligible for inclusion on State or National Registers ...’ are loosely interpreted in the designation letter. 4 Cross Street is a utilitarian 20th Century structure, one example among hundreds of nearly identical structures located throughout Beacon and the mid-Hudson area.

If the same standards employed in evaluating 4 Cross were applied equitably, every building constructed before 1972 could be proposed for landmark status in Beacon. Singling this structure out for landmark status appears arbitrary and creates an undue hardship for us as owners.

We respectfully request that the 4 Cross Street building NOT be included as a landmark or contributing building in any expansion of the HDLO.

With thanks,

Jinny St. Goar Joe Donovan

......
Hudson Todd LLC 4 Cross Street Beacon, NY 12508

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM PROPERTY OWNER OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 250 MAIN STREET

To whom it may concern,

We do not wish for 250 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 to be designated for Historic Landmark.

Thank You, Fa Tuan Ni

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM PROPERTY OWNER OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 257-267 MAIN STREET

Mr. Christopher White City Administrator

Dear Sir,

I received your letter regarding our building located at 257-267 Main Street, Beacon and the City’s interest in re-designating our property as a ‘historic-property.’ I’d like to give a brief background if I may. Our company “26 East Main Street, LLC” purchased the property sometime around last August/September of 2020. We had been in contract to purchase for more than a year dating back to the summer of 2019! Once Covid hit, our closing was put off numerous times due to constant rescheduling of engineers, attorneys, banks, title companies, etc, all due to the pandemic. Then when we finally closed, almost 2/3 of the units were either with expired leases, unpaid rents, and/or vacancies as well as many other neglected items left unaddressed in/around the property for more than a year as a result of absentee-management. I am happy to report, that after an incredibly difficult, painful, costly, and challenging year, we are finally just starting to see some light at the end of this very long and dark tunnel, hoping for a better 2022.

We have been in property management and development for approximately 20 years. We purchased this property for (2) reasons; one- to manage as existing for a period, two- for the possibility to develop. There are (3) properties immediately neighboring us to the West on both street corners that have been completely built new, and a third currently under construction across the street and a few doors from the gas station. After removing former buildings, all of these brand new buildings are beautiful and greatly enhance and add value to Main Street. These owners rightfully enjoyed the freedom from restriction to develop their properties as we hoped and expected someday to have same, and feel otherwise would be greatly unjust.

We spent a significant amount of money investing in Beacon and this property. The justification for the large investment was solely based on the possibility to rebuild on our property as the aforementioned neighbors have. By adding this designation to our property, that opportunity seems greatly diminished, if at all.

After consulting with our attorneys, we have arrived at the conclusion that we are strongly against this proposal and do NOT want this designation/restriction/limitation placed on our property and further feel it will greatly devalue our investment, and doing so against our will (especially in light of all we just sent through the last (2) years) would just add further salt in our wound.

Please strongly consider NOT placing this unwanted designation on OUR property against our will, further causing financial damage and hardship to our already struggling investment.

Thank you for your time and consideration during these challenging times. Sincerely,

Vincent Satriano
26 East Main St, LLC

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM PROPERTY OWNER OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 274 MAIN STREET
RECEIVED BY CITY HALL ON JUNE 9, 2021

Good day,
We are property owners at 274 Main Street, Beacon, New York We would like to thank you for all efforts put forth to preserve the integrity of Beacon.
After much thought and participating in the public hearing on Monday, June 7, we would like to kindly decline the designation of our building.
As many changes have been made to our building over the years, it does not completely fit the criteria to designate it a Historic Landmark. Not to mention it would be extremely detrimental from a financial standpoint as well.
We hope you will not consider us as this time.
Thank you for your time.

Kindly,
Michael and Tina Pomarico 274 Main Street
Beacon, New York

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM OWNER OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 291 MAIN STREET

To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to object the proposed landmark designations at 291 Main St, Beacon NY.

Sincerely,
Telephone Building Beacon LLC

---

LETTER OF OBJECTION FROM ATTORNEY OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 372 MAIN STREET (SALVATION ARMY)

June 7, 2021

Mayor Lee Kyriacou
And Members of the City Council City of Beacon
1 Municipal Plaza
Beacon, New York 12508

Rebecca A. Valk, Esq.

rvalk@cuddyfeder.com

Re: Proposed Nomination – Salvation Army Property at 372 Main Street. Historic Properties Overlay Zone

Dear Mayor Kyriacou and Members of the City Council:

I am writing this letter on behalf of our client, The Salvation Army, owner of property at 372 Main Street, known as tax parcel number 6054-29-018818 (the “Property”). This letter shall serve as Salvation Army’s objection to the nomination of the Property for landmark status under the City’s Historic Preservation Law.

The nomination of this Property is inappropriate as the Property fails to meet either of the criteria relied upon in the Historic Resource Inventory Form dated April 2021 (the “Inventory Form”).

The Inventory Form sets forth the rationale for the City Council’s nomination of this Property for

landmark status. A property nominated must meet one or more of the following criteria:

134-4 Designation of landmarks and historic districts.

B. The City Council shall determine whether a proposed district or landmark meets one or more of the following criteria:

1. (1)  Has distinguishing architectural characteristics of a period, style, method of construction, indigenous materials or craftsmanship;

2. (2)  Has special character or historic or aesthetic interest or value as part of the cultural, political, economic or social history of the community;

3. (3)  Is eligible for inclusion on the State or National Registers of Historic Places.

The Inventory Form for this Property relies upon portions of two of these criteria, alleging that the Property: (1) possesses distinguishing architectural characteristics of a period and style (subsection 1); and (2) has special historic and aesthetic value as part of the cultural history of the

City (subsection 2).

June 7, 2021 Page 2

As to the first criterion, the Inventory Form states “The building retains its original character. This religious structure is one of the more intact examples of its type, scale and period in the City.” This conclusory statement does not establish a legitimate basis for the designation of either the church building, which was concededly rebuilt in 1911, or of the building behind the church, which was admittedly constructed in 1961.

It is true that the church building has characteristics consistent with the period of its construction. However, that alone is insufficient to qualify for designation under the City’s code. To qualify the building must have “distinguishing architectural characteristics,” i.e., noteworthy, remarkable, odd, or unusual.1 The Inventory Form does not identify such features; rather, it lists features consistent with the period of construction and concedes that the church building is one intact example of this type of construction. The lack of noteworthy or remarkable features was cited in the 1979 Building Structure and Inventory Form for the Property (enclosed): “The church has a long history in Beacon, but architecturally, it is outclassed by other church buildings of its scale and period.” (emphasis added).

As to the second criterion relied upon, the Inventory Form makes a conclusory statement that the Property possesses “special historic and aesthetic value as part of the cultural history of the City.” Again, the Inventory Form lacks any discussion to support this conclusion. The inclusion of the Church in the HDLO based on the present documentation is unwarranted.

Additionally, there is no need to include the Church’s property in the HDLO at the present time. The Church plans to continue its mission work in the City of Beacon for the foreseeable future. If matters materially change at some point in the future, and the building were to ever cease to operate as a Church, the City always retains authority to reconsider a designation at that, more appropriate, time.

In conclusion, the Salvation Army objects to the nomination. The buildings at the Property are not appropriate for landmark designation. We note that a super-majority vote of five (5) Council members is now required to designate 372 Main Street a historic property because of this objection (Section 134-4G). We thank the Council for its consideration of these comments.

Very truly yours,

Rebecca A. Valk Enclosure
cc. Graeme Hepburn

William Null, Esq.

---

LETTER FROM OWNERS OF PROPERTY NOMINATED FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION 378 – 382 MAIN STREET

We are Ed Benavente and Betsy Swanson, the owners of 378-382 Main St. also known as the Carriage Works Building. Those that have witnessed the evolution of this building over the years may be familiar with the various uses and changes since it’s construction in the mid 1800’s as a carriage and sleigh manufacturer to the present day office building with a cafe and market. In the process of renovating this property we took extra care and expense to recognize the history represented by the structure. This was a challenging project given the generations of alterations already in place. This was done without guidelines or compliance regulations other than standard building and safety codes. We specifically chose a property without historical designation status to avoid that extra layer of bureaucracy that can hamper the efforts of micro-developers and individuals without deep pockets like ourselves. While we appreciate the city’s efforts to preserve the character and regulating growth and uncontrolled development, it should be noted that adding more layers to the process serves to discourage thoughtful, grass- roots development and leaves the door open for larger development companies that have legal teams to run roughshod over any regulations in place.

Since moving to Beacon in 2006, we have supported many causes and organizations in town, including the Beacon Historical Society. We believe that history is an integral part of any community’s identity. We also believe that history needs to support the present and pave the way for the future. After many discussions with City Council members and the Building Department - we have yet to hear of any definitive benefit to this designation beyond a possible, ‘maybe’, when it comes to tax relief or preservation grants. In our experience, such designations can have an adverse effect on resale or catastrophic replacement. No doubt, today’s council has the best of intentions but we are more concerned with the unintended consequences of piling on more laws, regulations and exceptions to those same laws and regulations that might be manipulated in the future and have the reverse effect if the original intention.

We respectfully decline to participate in the historical designation at this time and hope that the City Council will expedite the conclusion of this subject so that more time and attention can be applied to ongoing taxation and infrastructure needs.

Thank you,
Ed Benavente Betsy Swanson

---

Beacon Targets 18 Buildings To Be Designated Historic - Which Adds Zoning Controls - 9 Properties Object - Vote Is Tonight

Beacon’s City Council meets tonight (Tuesday, June 7, 2021) to vote on 15 of 18 buildings targeted by Mayor Lee Kyriacou back when he was a City Council member in then-Mayor Randy Casale’s administration. During public City Council meetings, they would talk about how they walked around the city, pointing at homes and buildings they thought should be designated historic. Some building owners seek out historic buildings for the tax benefits and access to grants they bring. Others avoid them for the visual restrictions and additional bureaucratic steps needed in seeking approvals for many changes. In Beacon, buildings with historic designations have additional business allowances regarding what kind of business can operate at that location.

That was during the height of the “anti-development” movement in Beacon, spurred in part by the completed 344 Main Street and other large development projects around Beacon. At that time, a regular caller into City Council meetings, Stosh Yankowski, would chant “No More Four” in reference to no more four-story buildings.

While Mayor Kyriacou is an advocate of preserving history, the protections and restrictions that a historic building receive can also impact neighboring buildings that are not historic, as explained here in the Highlands Current. Mayor Kyriacou feels so strongly about the historic designation, in fact, that during one public City Council meeting, he offered to make it easier for buildings with historic designation to build a fourth floor.

To show an example of when a non-historic building is impacted by its historic neighbor, take a look back to when the large and very old building at 475 Main Street wanted to build apartments onto the back of it. The Howland Cultural Center objected with support of the community, as they said that the new apartment build-out would block the light that the Howland’s architecture relies on for illuminating the inside of their building, which their building is famous for. The Howland Cultural Center is a historic building on the National Register.

“About 280 homes and structures are already in the district, which prevents them and neighboring buildings from being altered in a way that the city believes will harm their historic value,” according to the Highlands Current.

However, when building owners purchased these buildings, some did so with the intent that they were not of historic designation. As stated in an objection letter, building owner Vincent Satriano of 25 East Main Street expressed: “These owners rightfully enjoyed the freedom from restriction to develop their properties as we hoped and expected someday to have same, and feel otherwise would be greatly unjust.”

While Mayor Lee Kyriacou has stated during public meetings that conforming to historic restrictions isnot difficult, often citing his own restorations of his Victorian home on Wolcott and of the building at 554 Main Street, the building that currently houses Melzingah Tap House, he has offered to make it easier to follow the requirements by removing certain “triggers” that would require a change, as he stated during the 2/18/2020 Public Hearing. Mayor Kyriacou’s goal was to limit it to a major alteration of the exterior that is viewable by the public, for instance.

The interior of proposed historic buildings was also debated. One main objection from the attorney representing the Beacon Hebrew Alliance at 331 Verplanck Avenue was that the interior not be required to meet standards, despite being accessible by the public. Mayor Kyriacou said he would consider that. The Hebrew Alliance’s building at 331 Verplanck Avenue is not on this first round of voting.

What follows below are pictures of the proposed buildings, and descriptions of what the City says qualifies them as being historic, as prepared by Beacon’s City Planner, John Clark.

City Council meetings where these historic designations have been debated include: 11/25/19, 2/3/2020, 2/18/20, 4/12/2021, 4/26/2021, 6/7/2021, 6/14/2021, 6/21/2021 and 7/7/2021. Read the letters from 8 of the 9 objections here.

Photo Credit: City of Beacon’s City Planner, John Clark’s, presentation.

Historic District And Landmark Overlay Zone

• 18 buildings nominated;

• Includes properties in the Central Main Street District;

• Proposed nominations are subject to the criteria in the Historic Preservation Chapter, Section 134-4 B Designation of landmarks or historic districts:

  • Distinguishing architectural characteristics of period or style;

  • Special value as part of the cultural or social history of the community;

  • Eligible for State or National Register of Historic Places

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

403 Main Street

• 2 1/2-story brick building

• Mansard roof with dormers

• Arched facade lintels

• Cornices with dentils

• Some replacement windows

• Recent addition west side

• First shown on 1886 birds-eye view of Matteawan and 1889 Sanborn Map, listed as a saloon.

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

378-382 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 3-story brick building

• Broad bracketed cornice

• Arched brick lintels

• Newer but compatible storefronts

• 1884 Sanborn Map first shows this building, listed as W.H. Jackson Carriage and Sleigh Manufactory. By 1927, it was the H.D. Jackson Carriage and Auto Works.

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

372 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• Brick church with tower

• 1st Baptist Church of Matteawan

• Replacement windows

• Rear section added 1961

• Constructed in 1954 with wood front belfry. Rebuilt 1911 with brick bell tower and 1-story contributing rear selection.

City Planner John Clark stated that the Springfield Baptist Church on Mattie Cooper was on the National Historic Registry, and questioned why this church was not. He alluded to it being Baptist. According to Wikipedia, the Springfield Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, and was originally an Associate Presbyterian church. The church was built in 1849 and was expanded and improved upon over the decades.

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

374 Main Street

• 3-story brick building

• Broad bracketed cornice

• Original storefront cornice

• Stone lintels and sills

• Storefront modified, but compatible

• Replacement windows

• East side modern mural and fire escape

• 1889 construction date on facade

• 1896 Sanborn Map labels building as a saloon and “The Plaza”

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

315 Main Steet

• 3- to 4-story painted brick building

• Elaborated cornice

• Arched lintels

• Side bay windows

• Storefront modified, but compatible

• Replacement windows sashes

• Three west side fire escapes

• Front section on 1884 Sanborn Map, listed as a gunsmith

• Rear section on 1912 map with 4-story middle section added by 1919

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

288 Main Street

• Former Roosevelt Theater

• 1 1/2-story brick building

• Shaped parapet roof line

• 1930s Art Deco elements

• Non-historic front windows

• Building on 1919 Sanborn Map, listed as a garage

• Converted to movie house in 1934 with taller rear addition

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

284 Main Street

• 3-story painted brick building

• Broad cornice with dentils

• Stone lintels and sills on front side

• Recessed window well on east side

• Non-historic storefront level

• Replacement window sashes

• Front and rear fire escapes

• Building first shown on 1919 Sanborn Map, listed as dwellings

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

274 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 3-story brick building

• Bracketed and arching cornice

• Stone lintels and sills

• Non-historic storefront and overhang

• Replacement window sashes

• Original side bay windows resurfaced with modern materials

• East side fire escape

• Modern 1-story, block addition

• First shown on 1896 Sanborn Map, listed as liquor store

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

291 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• Hudson River Telephone Co. Building

• 2-story brick building with stone base

• Broad cornice with modillions and dentils

• Facade pilasters with capitals on front side

• Brick lintels with large stone central keys

• Unusual multi-color brick pattern

• One matching window added on east side

• Telephone Building opened October 1907

Pro-Tip: This building was voluntarily restored to historic detail by the former building owner, Deborah Bigelow, who is a restoration artist.

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

269 Main Street

• 1-story brick building

• 5 bays divided by brick pilasters with metal medallions above

• Original windows with industrial-type windows on rear section

• Newer front metal door

• Added window awnings

• Building opened on January 21, 1929 for The Beacon News with printing presses located in the rear section

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

257 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 2-story painted brick building with 3 sections divided by pilasters

• Projecting corbeled brick cornice

• Arching brick lintels with stone sills

• Central storefront modernized, but others retain original character

• Modern garage in far side of rear parking lot

• Building first shown on 1896 Sanborn Map with multiple businesses, including a barber, grocery, and candy store

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

250 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 3-story brick building

• Bracketed cornice with modillions

• Arched brick lintels and stone sills

• Storefront surrounds look original, but window and door are modern

• Replacement window sashes

• Bricked-up side windows and modern garage to rear

• Building first shown on 1912 Sanborn Map with 3-level rear porch, labeled haberdasher

• Rear 1-story addition after 1927

Photo Credit: City of Beacon’s City Planner, John Clark’s, presentation.

246 Main Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 3-story brick building

• Elaborate cornice

• Arched brick lintels and stone sills

• Historically compatible storefronts

• Possible replacement window sashes

• Modern rounded awnings and rear fire escape

• Building first shown on 1889 Sanborn Map with candy manufacturer on west side and saloon on east side; 1919 listed as Bennett Hotel

• 1-story rear section added by 1919

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

232 Main Street

• 3-story brick building

• Wide cornice with regular brackets

• Stone lintels and sills

• Patterned brickwork around windows

• 2 over 2 window sashes

• Historic-quality storefront

• Building first appears on the 1896 Sanborn Map, listed as grocery store

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

172 Main Street (facing Cross Street) aka 4 Cross Street
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 2 1/2-story brick building

• Arched brick lintels and stone sills

• Stone course along lower front and stone steps

• Recessed front doorway with wood panels

• Two bricked-in windows on side

• Replacement windows

• Modern hand railing at front steps

• Current building shows up between 1912 and 1919 Sanborn Maps

Photo Credit: City of Beacon’s City Planner, John Clark’s, presentation.

152 Main Street (middle of block)

• 2-story painted brick buildings

• L-shaped, utilitarian former factory

• Some bricked-up openings

• Newer windows, trim, and doors

• Modern 1-story garage on east side

• Eastern wing dates back to 1884, listed on Sanborn Map as a flour and feed warehouse

• Western wing build by 1912 as a livery and by 1927 was a warehouse

• In 1947 building a leather coat factory

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

1154 North Avenue
BUILDING OWNER OBJECTS - CITY WANTS TO OVERRIDE BY SUPERMAJORITY - READ OWNER’S OBJECTION HERE

• 2-story brick commercial garage

• Wide cornice with brackets

• Arched brick lintels and stone sills

• Faded painted signs on side walls

• New garage door

• Closed southwest storefront

• Replacement windows

• Listed on 1884 Sanborn Map as part of corner hotel building

• North Avenue Garage by 1912 and later Hoffman Motors

Photo Credit: From the presentation by John Clark, City of Beacon’s City Planner.

1158 North Avenue

• 2-story brick commercial building

• Parapet wall with central pediment

• 4 first-level brick pilasters

• Brick window lintels and stone sills

• Some replacement window sashes

• Built before 1919 as showroom for North Avenue Garage

People Are Reminded Of Duplicative History Of Declaration of Independence By Beacon City Council Member Air Nonken Rhodes

As we reflect on July 4th and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it is refreshing to read these words from a Beacon City Council member:

Repost from Air Nonken Rhodes:

I was disheartened anew reading the Declaration of Independence this morning that every single one of the list of grievances stated by the document's authors could have just as easily been stated emphatically by the indigenous people of this continent, protesting against the (much worse) injustices and unjust tyranny of the English (and other) colonists. Of course, the English colonists' claim to independent sovereignty on this land was only made possible by the brutal, duplicitous conquest of the then-recent "French and Indian War" (1754-1763) and the hundred years of smaller "wars" that put down native people's attempts (diplomatic and military) to throw off the yoke of European colonists, but decimated the remaining indigenous populations and their ability to sustain their communities. Were the Founding Fathers aware of the irony, that they were perpetuating exactly the same oppressions about which they were complaining they were victim, but on a vastly more devastating scale? The extra dash of bitterness to this holiday's history comes from how in 1773, in the protest that became known as the Boston Tea Party, the participants (who included Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and many other of our founding icons) disguised themselves as Mohawks to scapegoat the native peoples as the perpetrators of the protest.

The Native Americans were not the only ones whose life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness were systematically excluded by the Founding Fathers. Our nation's history has largely been a history of the struggle of those excluded at its start. In 1852, 75 years after our county's start, Frederick Douglas laid bare the continued failure of its aspirations:

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour."
(I encourage you to read the entirety of the excellent speech from which this quote is excerpted.)

Despite all of this, I like much of the text of the Declaration of Independence. Much of what it says are values and actions to which we must aspire (as urgently as possible). It is revolutionary. If you haven't read it recently, the full text is at archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript. The section I transcribed onto my flag here reads:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [wo]men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and to institute new government. Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shewn that [wo]mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government."

This statement is the proud foundation for American protest, which had existed long before the Declaration and has its legitimacy outside of this text, but which is by this text enshrined as a most essential American value. It took the elites themselves feeling oppressed (by taxes on imported luxury goods, of course) to decide to utilize protest as a mechanism of change. As James Leamon notes in “Maine in the American Revolution," “In the eighteenth century an urban mob, riot, or ‘crowd action’ constituted a semi-legitimate means of social protest. …Crowds were useful if kept in control, but they …remained ‘legitimate’ only as long as they served the community interests— as defined by the elite.” The People today are starting to chip away at that power. Just as it has taken, and continues to take, hundreds of years to define and expand the "man" in the phrase "all men are created equal", to wrest power of that definition out of the hands of landowning white men and into the hands of The People - We are making incremental progress? And I still believe that we must actively aspire to the rights of people to determine their governance, and the inherancy of all people's life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. That's something I can celebrate today.

Tails & Tales At The Howland Public Library

The Howland Public Library in Beacon will be running “Tails & Tales”, the 2021 children’s Summer Reading Program, between July 8 th and August 20th. This summer, they’ll explore the world of animals and stories with book logging, fun prizes, and exciting virtual programs for children ages 4 to 11. Beginning June 16 th, children can go into the library for a Summer Reading starter kit, including a book log and a FREE book!

The library will supply paper logging sheets, and kids can log all the books, ebooks, & audiobooks that they have been enjoying between the dates of July 8th and August 20th. They’ll receive special prizes each time they show us titles they added to their book logs.

The Howland Public Library also invites everyone to visit, the Ball of Beasts, a fantastical soft sculpture display created by artist Adam Izen for our children’s room. Children can even have a chance at winning one of the animals to take home. Stop by to enter the contest!

Virtual programs include favorites like Animal Embassy, Traveling Lantern Theare, and Dinosaurs Rock. Check the library’s calendar https://beaconlibrary.org or follow them on Facebook to see all of the free Crafts on the Go! Kits, events, and virtual programs geared for the whole family throughout the summer. Story Times! Music! Theater! Animals!

Contact: Ginny Figlia, Head of Youth Services, 845-831-1134, x.103 or youth@beaconlibrary.org.

Happy 4th! Weekend Retail Therapy Guide

Happy 4th of July! While there won't be fireworks locally, Beacon will be popping with color thanks to the "Let's Chalk & Art Together" movement inspired by last year's Juneteenth celebration. Local therapist who specializes in intersectionality (the overlapping of personal characteristics that make you who you are, and how others treat you), Moraya Seeger DeGeare, will be chalking up the streets with messages encouraging kids and adults to start conversations about systemic racism. An official event happens Sunday down at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park - fitting, as Pete and Toshi are Moraya's grandparents. A Little Beacon Blog is proud to announce the winners of our 2nd Annual Juneteenth Art Showcase! We commissioned 2 designers this year to design the logos used in our first call for art - Dom (Dominesha) Garth and Vintage Messiah. Two artists were selected: Rachel Lewis, a poet who has been published in local literary journals and zines. Four poems have been published, which address what it means to date a Black woman; creation; beginnings; and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Vintage Messiah, a recording artist and producer released his talents on paper to illustrate two sketches commemorating the day. Two supporting sponsors commissioned the grant ALBB is able to award these artists. Special thanks to an Anonymous Reader, and to Moraya Seeger DeGeare of To My Old Racist Earth. You can read Rachel's poems and see Vintage's sketches here! THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, help us help you by advertising it here. EXTRACTION: Art on the Edge of the Abyss at No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works Day: Last Day is July 6, 2021 - Go Now Time: Anytime - Exhibit is in the storefront windows Location: 469 Main Street, Beacon NY 12508 EXTRACTION: Art on the Edge of the Abyss is a multimedia, multi-venue, cross-border art intervention which seeks to provoke societal change by exposing and interrogating the negative social and environmental consequences of industrialized natural resource extraction. A global coalition of artists and creators committed to shining a light on all forms of extractive industry—from mining and drilling to the reckless plundering and exploitation of fresh water, fertile soil, timber, marine life, and innumerable other resources across the globe— the Extraction Project will culminate in a constellation of nearly fifty overlapping exhibitions, performances, installations, site-specific work, land art, street art, publications, poetry readings, and cross-media events throughout 2021and beyond. No.3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works is participating as a venue in this “ruckus” by presenting projects by several artists working to shine this light through photography, printmaking, publications, installation, video and painting throughout summer and fall, 2021. This is the last weekend to see the rescaled reproductions of Kyle Gallup’s original litho prints on display in the Reading Room’s storefront windows as an outdoor exhibit. No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works is a sponsor. Thank you! Historic Bakery Tours Day: Saturday, July 3, 2021 Time: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Location: 101 Broadway (on the corner of Spring Street), Kingston, NY, 12401 This summer come to the Reher Center to explore the past, present, and future of Historic Reher's Bakery. Visit the Retail Shop ca 1959 to learn about Sunday mornings mid-century when Kingstonians from the German, Irish, Italian, and Polish communities converged at Reher's Bakery to pick up rolls for breakfast on their way home from church. In the oven room, you will see the historic 1916 oven and 1947 dough mixer, and learn how Frank Reher and his six children each played a role in running this business and supporting the family. Tours will be held on Saturdays and Sundays throughout July and August at noon, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Please note: There are no restrooms at the Reher Center and masks are required upon entry. You can find free parking on Spring Street and/or at Catholic Charities: 6 Adams Street. Walk-up tickets are also available. Information > Music Performance with MV Carbon and Ka Baird Day: Saturday, July 3, 2021 Time: Starts at 8 pm Location: 475 Main Street, Beacon NY 12508 Fridman Gallery presents a performance at our Beacon location featuring MV Carbon and Ka Baird. The event is co-presented with the Howland Cultural Center and will take place outside on the lawn next to the gallery. It is the third in a series of live performances happening on the first Saturday of each month. Masks are required within the space. Information > The Women of the World club at BHS Yardsale  Day: Saturday, July 3, 2021 Time: 11am - 6pm Location: 85 E. Willow St., Beacon, NY "Let's Talk and Chalk Art Together" From Beacon-based To My Old Racist Earth, as featured on Good Morning America Day: Sunday July 4, 2021 (rain out Saturday, but if you chalk at home, send pics!) Time: 10am Location: River Front/Pete & Toshi Seeger Park, Beacon, NY Join in-person or virtually! Chalk down at the park, or from your home! Tag @tomyoldracistearth with photos. Information >  Reading of the Declaration of Independence Day: Sunday, July 4, 2021 Time: 11 am Location: 1 Municipal Plaza Dennis Pavlov returns to read the Declaration of Independence. "There is more to these patriotic holidays than parades, fireworks, cookouts and BBQs. Our forefathers, I don't believe, should be left out," Dennis told City Council when promoting the event during a meeting. This year, there is no longer a Declaration of Independence Reading committee, refreshments will not be served and copies of  Declaration of Independence will not be handed out. Perhaps next year, Dennis will also consider reading the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, the news of which was delivered and read 2 years late on June 19th to Texas by Major General Gordon Granger. However, read what Gordon actually said. Information > F+S Mini MRKTs Day: Sunday, July 4, 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. Cornwall Independence Day Celebration  This celebration does not include fireworks (despite what an unofficial event listing says!), but does include a parade and fun things run by a group of volunteers. The music has been moved to Monday. Please check for events at the Town or Village's websites. To stay up to date on 4th of July events, visit www.facebook.com/Cornwall4th Something for Alz: Musical Mornings Day: Monday, July 5, 2021 Time: 11am - 12pm Location: Virtual An interactive musical program for people with dementia and their loved ones with music therapist Shannon Pelcher. Register by phone only. 800-272-3900. Information > Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY 18 West Main St. It's been a hot week! And live music at Two Way Brewing is back! The best place to grab a refreshment, sit back, relax, and listen to some tunes! July 2 - King Dutch, July 9 - Matt Cross, July 16 - Twice Shy, July 23rd - Glen Echo. Stay tuned for more info regarding the upcoming weeks! 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!   EAT CHURCH 3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY Sweet potato noodles w/stir-fried mixed vegetables & sesame from Eat Church is delicious hot or cold - just the way we like things! (Vegan too!) Don't forget to catch them at Marbled Meat Shop for pop-ups usually on Thursdays & Fridays, at Industrial Arts Brewing Thursday-Sunday, and at the Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays! So many opportunities to get your hands on delicious foods Website > Eat Church is a Sponsor!, thank you! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St. A specialty order for a catered event! How delicious do these look? Are you hosting a celebration? Let BBC know so they can help with the perfect dessert menu! OR if you need a special loaf or pastry for your holiday or event. Beacon Bread Company is happy to take custom orders! Give them a call today! Menu >  Order Pick Up or Delivery >  Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you! MEYERS OLDE DUTCH 184 Main Street, Beacon, NY OH BOY! Sweet corn fritters are back at Meyers! Chef Adam outdid himself with these puppies. Local sweet corn and cornmeal fritters served with coconut and lime dip! You must get your hands on these - out of this world! Head on in and enjoy their newly redesigned indoor dining area and their covered open-air back patio. There is also a fabulous new cocktail menu and amazing burgers, fries, and salads - PLUS a slushy machine with adult and kid-friendly beverages. Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30 am until 9 pm; bar until 10 pm; Friday and Saturday Food 11:30 am until 11:00 pm; bar until midnight. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you! TITO SANTANA TAQUERIA 142 Main St. Chips with guacamole or salsa from Tito Santana Taqueria are the way to start off! Add the Mexican street corn to reallllly make your belly happy! PS: Dinner takeout special available Monday-Friday from 4pm - 9pm: 4 tacos, + 2 street corn, + 1 chip & salsa, + 1 rice & beans for only $22! PPS: Tacos are only $2 on Tuesdays! Menu >  Catering >  Tito Santana Taqueria is a Sponsor, thank you! HOMESPUN 232 Main Street, Beacon, NY When Homespun has a S’mores Sandwich with Nutella & Marshmallow on the Kids Menu, you order it for yourself too because OMG wow - amazing! Soft & warm on the inside, crisp and warm on the outside - Just the way we like it! OPEN HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Order Food > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!  HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY We love it over at HVFH! All of the different kinds of foods, the patio, and the vibe! Go on in & check them out. 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 Head on into Baja and try their Seafood Ceviche!! (Asian, Caribbean, or Baja Style) Made with the freshest ingredients (for cocktails too!) Do check out the specials that are always on the menu!  Check out their specialty drinks >  Check out the specials > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! Ziatun 244 Main St. A fistful of goodness from Ziatun! Who has tried their #vegan falafel wraps? 🥙 Ground chickpeas-parsley-blend of spices, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, pickled turnips, and tahini. Yum! This & many more wraps and goods from Ziatun. Menu >  Order Online >  Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!   DIRTY BACCHUS 380 Main Street, Beacon Go, Dirty Bacchus, it's your birthday! To celebrate, there will be a storewide sale (10% off the entire stock all weekend) plus daily specials! You definitely don't want to miss out. If you're not familiar with Dirty Bacchus, they are a natural wine shop located on Main Street (by the Beacon Pantry). Every wine on the shelves at Dirty Bacchus is low-intervention, organic or biodynamic, sustainably farmed, and vegan. The contents of every bottle they sell are as close to the hands of the farmers and of the winemakers - as close to the grape - as possible. See ya there this weekend! HOURS: Mon-Wed: 12-6 Thur- Sat: 11-7 Sun: 12-5 Dirty Bacchus is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon 500 BOOKS! The BEACON PRISON BOOKS PROJECT is cruising along. Once y’all come through and sponsor these books, currently on the request shelf, that will make 500 BOOKS that Binnacle has sent to people incarcerated throughout New York State! It’s a great thing you’ve all done. These books are all important. From supernatural romance novels to books on critical race theory, from people’s histories to mystery novels and how-to books, each one is an answer to someone’s preference, someone’s interest. These people are our neighbors and their preferences and interests matter. And you all know the magic of receiving a good book. Everyone deserves that. DON’T FORGET: Binnacle Books need money in their shipping and packaging fund! Donate here > Keep this project moving along! 500! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you! BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon Bretts Hardware has it all to keep you entertained at home with family & friends this summer! Especially when it's rainy! Find puzzles and learning games! Bring the kids in there with you while you get your home essentials, trust us, the will be happy to treasure-hunt Something for everyone at Brett's! Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon At Luxe Optique, your vision and the overall health of your eyes are the main priority. Their highly trained doctors of Optometry spend ample time with each patient to ensure that you receive the highest quality examination. Services include contact lens exam, contact lens new wearer training, expert progressive lens fitting, custom eyewear fittings & adjustments, eyewear repairs, and DMV vision tests! Stop in or make an appt today. 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 Dreamy dresses 🕊 from La Mere are perfect for picnics, nights out, shopping, dates, a girl's day, anything! Anything you want! Different patterns & lengths to suit everyone! Go on in & check out their new arrivals and new markdowns!!  Shop Online > La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you! Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY The recital season at Yanarella School is very special. Combo students are the future stars. Taking the stage can be frightening—especially if it is for the first time. But look at these faces! Lots of laughs, waves, kisses, singing, and an incredible stage presence - always. Contact Yanarella Dance for more information on how to join in the fun! Visit Yanarella Dance online.  Register for classes today!  Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you! ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY 340 Main Street, Beacon You can count on Antalek & Moore for all of your insurance service needs! From personal to business and life. Plus, defensive driving info and a blog to keep you updated & share tips that could benefit you! Latest Announcements > Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!   TIN SHINGLE Everyone! This TuneUp webinar from ALBB’s sister media education and empowerment company Tin Shingle is about what to pitch the media right now in July. No matter what you do, some power is in your hands to compel the media to write about what you hope they will cover. This TuneUp episode is chalk full of ideas on what to do. Including how to pitch 4th of July Independence Day in a different way - as in - introduce some more forefathers and foremothers ancestors to the usual lineup. This is how to connect Juneteenth with July 4th - both Independence Days. It’s an educational opportunity on many levels. For this weekend only, Tin Shingle has opened up this TuneUp for Hudson Valley friends to stream free. Normally all TuneUps are free for members of Tin Shingle, or are sold separately. Stream Now > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!                           KATIE JAMES, INC. Alright, let's work it with your iPhone or other smartphones to take some amazing pictures for Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Events, your (possibly future) Blog, and so much more. Anyone can press the button to take a photo, but it takes practice and experience to take a photo from just OK to breathtaking and moving. Your photos need to move a person into action. Are you doing that? Contact Katie James, Inc. > Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you! HIRING: Sous-Chef Position At Homespun Foods Details > HIRING: Part-Time Production Assistant At SallyeAnder Details > HIRING: Brett's Hardware in New Windsor Details > HIRING: Meyers Olde Dutch Details > HIRING: Homespun Details > List your job in ALBB's Job Listings > 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. BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Samantha Cuello Consulting Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. CAMPING Malouf's Mountain CHILDBIRTH  >  CLASSES Juniper Birth CHILDBIRTH  >  DOULA Juniper Birth EDUCATION > TUTORING Heads Up Learning HEALTH & WELLNESS > MASSAGE Focus On Massage Therapy HOME IMPROVEMENT > INTERIOR DESIGN Jacklyn Faust Interiors HOME IMPROVEMENT > LAWN SERVICES Blue Green Lawns INSURANCE > BUSINESS, HEALTH, LIFE, HOME Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency REAL ESTATE > HOUSE INSPECTIONS Rizzi Home Inspection Services, Inc. List Your Business In The Business Directory >

SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER

Winners Of ALBB's 2021 Juneteenth Art Showcase: Rachel Lewis (Poetry) and Vintage Messiah (Illustration)

View fullsize

A Call For Juneteenth Art logo by Vintage Messiah.

View fullsize

A Call For Juneteenth Art logo by Dom (Dominesha) Garth.

A Little Beacon Blog is celebrating its 2nd Annual Juneteenth Art Showcase! On June 19th, we put a call out for art produced by people identifying with the Black community. We also put a call out for sponsors to contribute any amount, and 100% of the contributions would go to the artists featured here. We also put a call out for logo designers, and accepted and commissioned 2 logos (shown above)! One from Vintage Messiah (left) and Dom (Dominisha) Garth (right). Thank you to everyone who participated!

Being that Juneteenth can run from June 19th until July 4th, as both are independence days, we are announcing the artists selected for ALBB’s Juneteenth Art Showcase on July 4th weekend!

Thank you to our two sponsors for this: an anonymous reader, and Moraya Seeger DeGeare, founder of the To My Old Racist Earth movement. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to award two artists this year: Rachel Lewis for poetry and Vintage Messiah for Illustration. Their expressions are below!

Rachel Lewis - Poetry

Rachel Lewis (@xstarb0rn) has been published in the following publications: Honeyfire Literary magazine Issue 05, Most Girls, the online magazine The Cranberry, Celebrate 845’s zines Social Unity: Volume 1 Issue 2 and “…And All Was Illuminated.” Follow Dom on Instagram at @upstate.creative

In the submissions, we asked the artists two questions:

ALBB: What would you like to tell the United States and the rest of the world?

Rachel: “I would like to tell the United States, and the rest of the world, that we see through the performative activism veil and are requiring more than what we’ve been given in the past.

ALBB: What would you like to tell the community where you live?

Rachel: “I would also like to tell Newburgh, NY (which is located in the beautiful and diverse Hudson Valley) that your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and even strangers that you pass on the street, are tired of suffering so that others can remain in their comfort. Last year was an incredible time for human rights across the board. Let’s keep that energy flowing. Every piece of poetry I’ve selected represents the pain I’ve experienced because of racial inequality and recent enlightenment.”

Rachel’s poems submitted for 2021 Juneteenth are below:

Breonna Taylor

To date a black woman
Is to date her magnificence, her beauty.
To date a black woman is to look at her, to truly see.
You see her marching
For aunts, uncles, and cousins she doesn’t know;
Because their culture was ripped from them, centuries ago.
So when you want to date a black woman,
Be mindful of your prudence.
Only then will you gain access to her beauty,
To her magnificence.

In The Beginning

I believe that we all started from,
All sprouted from
The “Eve Gene;”
Carried by nothing less than magnificent beings.
Strong enough to carry the weight of the entire human race,
Us carriers are resilient
And consistently great.
Without us, life was not created.
Without us, the world’s driving force is emaciated.
And yet we still hunger for the respect that we deserve.
We could be demanding so much more
Instead of what others are so freely given.
But here we are,
Still fighting for respect and acknowledgement
And especially from our own men.
But do I believe we will regain ours?
Yes, because as much as history
Has tried to deny us our rights,
We are still magnificent beings.
We flourish
And we grow
And reap the greatness
Our ancestors have sown.

Creation

I was not born.
I was created.
I was created to stir, poke, and prod.
I was created to speak for those who cannot.
I am here to learn.
And I am here to teach.
I am here for those who are still asleep.
The lies and stories woven will no longer serve as our reality.
We demand justice.
We demand peace;
And furthermore, we demand equality.

This is America

The walls shook
But the foundation bore the weight.
In the center stood
Resiliency,
Righteousness,
And a call to reclaim power.
We are done fulfilling your need
With our humility.
We are firmly planted and united
And will continue to be.
Do not underestimate
Our strength
Because of our compassion.
We are not asking.
We are demanding
Our right to
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
And anything and everything
Y’all have been trying to deny us.

---

Vintage Messiah - Illustration

Vintage Messiah is the type of determined person who amazes you with what they create on old phones, some of which can’t even make a call, or can barely get online. Vintage is multi-talented, as he is not only an illustrator, but he is a recording artists and producer of beats using various instruments and sounds.

As an illustrator, Vintage works with paper and digital as he passes his projects through various stages. Follow him at @vintagemessiah and @vintagemessiahart

ALBB: What would you like to tell the United States and the rest of the world?

Vintage Messiah: "I want the United States to put down the guns of tyranny and stop fighting against ourselves. We breathe , eat and bleed the same why , so why can't we all fight for what's right at the big dinner table of change, sharing a meal and sharing hearts as one, rather than clawing through separation. We don't need a holiday to accept our differences and move on"

ALBB: What would you like to tell the community where you live?

Vintage Messiah: "Putnam County should acknowledge and accept the fact that we all came up here to enjoy the scenery, tropical weather, and peaceful times just as much as they do. We don't want to offend you by being ourselves, and you should feel the same. When my family bought a home in the outskirts of towns, the neighbors were open and welcoming. My one wish to unite the same way they did, with loving arms and a burning curiosity on how we can learn more about each other and be friends"

ALBB: How did you make the logo and these submitted works of art?

Vintage: I made it on paper, scanned it into my computer , then colored over it with digital software. Mixed Media for me is combining multiple different art forms and creating a piece out of it. I've made animated music videos before, which in itself requires video editing, audio engineering, vocal recording and drawing on paper and scanning it in, frame by frame (or with computer automated animation), and mixing it together for the final project. This has always been my process , as I create so much stuff, I couldn't stick to one label, so I made my own and explain it like I did here. For this drawing , it was just a sketch, scan and color!!! I could also animate it as well.

View fullsize

Artist: Vintage Messiah. Contact him to commission your own piece.

View fullsize

Artist: Vintage Messiah. Contact him to commission your own piece.

Want To Know How To Get PR Right Now? Tin Shingle Tells You How - Streaming Free This Weekend Only

Hi, Everyone!

This TuneUp webinar from ALBB’s sister media education and empowerment company, Tin Shingle, is about what to pitch to the media right now in July. No matter what you do, some power is in your hands to compel the media to write about what you hope they will cover.

This TuneUp episode is chock-full of ideas on what to do. Including how to pitch 4th of July Independence Day in a different way - as in - introduce some more forefathers and foremothers ancestors to the usual lineup. This is how to connect Juneteenth with July 4th - both Independence Days. It’s an educational opportunity on many levels.

For this weekend only, Tin Shingle has opened up this TuneUp for Hudson Valley friends to stream free. Normally all TuneUps are free for members of Tin Shingle or are sold separately. www.TinShingle.com/tuneup.

No Ferry Service From Beacon To Newburgh - Suspended Indefinitely Since April 2020

The dock to the NY Waterway Ferry for the Newburg/Beacon ferry. As of July 2021, it has been closed since April 2020.

Several readers have reached out to see if the Newburg/Beacon Ferry is running. This week on Thursday 6/30/2021, ALBB confirmed with the NY Waterway, by way of the Marketing Manager Bernice Ramos, that the ferry is not running. We asked for more details as to why it is not running, and have not heard back yet. This article will be updated if a response comes in.

At the height of the pandemic, while subways in New York City were shut down and people were not commuting into work due to the shutdown, the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry suspended service on April 13, 2020, according to Mid Hudson News. The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry was also suspended. Both were replaced with bus service.

However, bus service was also discontinued, as reported on May 25, 2020 by Mid Hudson News, citing low ridership. Dutchess County has been promoting its bus service, using it as a free resource for people getting COVID-19 tests, and are considering increasing service for those who need public transportation and don’t have cars.

A marketing message on the NY Waterway website, encouraging people to use the ferry. However, the ferry has been closed for over a year. No signage is posted down at the dock, or on the website.

No Signage or Website Message To Indicate Ferry Is Not Running

Currently, heavy construction is being done to the Newburgh/Beacon bridge, creating the usual traffic to cross over and through the toll lines. The ferry service continues to the most pleasant, and arguably most COVID-friendly way to cross the river, as it is in open air.

The only marketing message stand at the NY Waterway Ferry. The schedule for the ferry is from 2020.

There is no signage at the dock that the ferry is not running. People who wander down to the dock looking to take he ferry ask others who are waiting for the Bannerman Island Boat Tour ferry, which is running, if anyone knows anything about the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry. There is also no message on the NY Waterway website, except that there is no schedule posted. Which to be honest, is par for the course, and not a strong enough indication that the service has stopped.

Heavy Interest In Reviving The Newburgh/Beacon Ferry In 2019 With Pilot Weekend Service Initiative

Prior to the pandemic, investment was made into the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry, with great fanfare around the increased service - to run on the weekend. Since 1963, when the Newburgh/Beacon bridge was built, the weekend service was cut. The announcement of the weekend service trial was made in September 2019, with both Beacon and Newburgh working with Dutchess County and Orange County to make this happen. At that time, the weekend service wasn’t even using the NY Waterway Ferry vessel. It was using a boat from the Hudson River Maritime Museum. It is unknown at this time why the weekend service wouldn’t use the NY Waterway boat.

The NY Waterway Ferry Launched Free Service To IKEA In Brooklyn In Partnership With IKEA

As reported by NBC New York on 7/1/2021, NY Waterway partnered with IKEA in Red Hook (Brooklyn) to launch a new free weekend service to help people get to the Brooklyn store. The service had been offered before, but was halted during the pandemic.

According to the article, beginning on July 3, 2021, service “will run on weekends for the rest of the summer. Customers can board the ferry from Pier 79/Midtown Ferry Terminal, Brookfield Place/Battery Park City or at Pier 11/Wall Street. Those from New Jersey looking fto take advantage can connect from cross-Hudson ferries by transferring at any terminal in Manhattan.” The ferries run power up from 11am- 7pm. On July 4,, service will go from 9:25am to 4pm.

Social distancing will be encouraged, and masks are still required inside ferry terminals, and inside the cabins and shuttles. However, masks are not required on the open-air top decks, the NY Waterway said.

Why the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry has remained anchored at port-side (or out of the water) is unknown at this time. If you have information, please reach out to ALBB.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy: 344 Main Street Building + Parking Is Back In The News

Once bitten, twice shy. The new construction building 344 Main that triggered the running and election of several board members and the current mayor is in the news again.

During a City Council meeting, the board members were presented with the parking dilemma that resulted in the revoking of a parking lease years ago, a delayed COI (Certificate of Occupancy, needed for renting to commercial businesses), the big drama between two developers, and now possible new litigation. The process of how this building came to be is why Mayor Lee Kyriacou pushed through so many zoning changes, and with more planned, like the designation of several buildings as a way, in part, to act as pawns in the chess game of what is allowed in the city planning of a city and the new construction and expansion of buildings now.

This is a huge deep dive. Be sure to pick up the Beacon Free Press for Mark Roland’s weekly column, Beaconomics (of the blog Wigwam Economy), and Jeff Simm’s @jeff_simms coverage in the @highlandscurrent. ALBB has several deep-dive articles on other topics ahead of this (including HDLO) and will be transcribing City Administrator Chris White’s summary last night of what happened years ago to bring us to our point today, and his subsequent parking proposal. Currently, residents of 344 Main have no official place to park and park in free municipal lots (do what you need to do!). Chris’s proposal is to monetize the parking by charging the current developer/building owner for spaces in the free municipal parking lot ($50/space). The developer may or may not pass that on to tenants. Parking is a problem in Beacon, and Chris’s plan is to earmark the money for parking development. But the council was burned so badly by these developers years ago, they are hesitant to set a new precedent. Tenants are caught in the middle.

More to come. Pick up your newspapers, and support local media everywhere.

No Fireworks Display In Beacon This July 4th, 2021

Several readers have contacted A Little Beacon Blog to ask if there are fireworks in Beacon, and we got a tip froma citizen reporter who reached out to the Mayor’s Assistant, Collin Milone, that there will be no fireworks this year in Beacon at Memorial Park, as there have been in years past.

Last year during the high cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic when New York was under a State of Emergency, the fireworks were “postponed,” then City Administrator Anthony Ruggiaro said. The hope was to light them later in the summer or for the Spirit of Beacon Day. Both of which did not happen.

New York’s State of Emergency has been lifted, as have several COVID-19 restrictions, but requirements for large scale gatherings remain for event venues. It is unknown at this time if this is the reason for no fireworks in Beacon. As New York State hit the 70% first-shot vaccinated milestone, Governor Cuomo scheduled fireworks at locations around the state.

See Hudson Valley Magazine’s roundup of where to watch fireworks, including Fishkill, Cornwall, and Dutchess Stadium.

A Brief Historical Refresh on Beacon’s Fireworks

The City of Beacon does not fund or organize the city’s fireworks, but they do need to approve the use of Memorial Park. Traditionally, the firework show was undertaken by volunteers with Kiwanis Club of Beacon, who disbanded in 2018, and some organizing from I Am Beacon. When the Kiwanis Club disbanded, there was no formal passing down of the organizing of the fireworks. When this was realized, the people of Beacon began to chatter, and LT Sherpa, owner of Beacon Natural, stepped up to fill the shoes.

LT put the word out seeking funding, and businesses in Beacon stepped up to pitch in. You can read all about it here. This year, according to his wife, Kitty Sherpa, LT had reached out to ask the City of Beacon for permission to hold the event again. LT waited for an answer, and eventually “got a hard no from the City, who said that they were not going to hold the fireworks,” Kitty said. LT was prepared to do the fundraising again for 2021, but is not for this year.

Other Events The City Wants To Greenlight

The first event that the City of Beacon approved was called the Modern Makers Market from Hops on the Hudson down at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park in May 2021. That event encountered some resistance from City Council, as people were still wary of coming out for a public event. While the event promised masks would be worn by vendors and ticketed guests, several were not, as seen in the Highlands Current. Masks were still mandated at the time.

The park was also stated by Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White at the 5/24/2021 to be open to the public, or “not fully closed” and open to people who people who want to walk along to go fishing, but there was a police barricade at the park entrance, and public access was not easy, if it was possible. The markers market was a ticketed event, as mandated by state requirements at the time.

At its 5/24/2021 Workshop Meeting, the City of Beacon’s City Council discussed potential upcoming events that were to be considered, including a Brew Fest, the Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival (but the organizers stated they did not want to have it), Taco Festival, Family Fun Day at Springfield Baptist Church, Beacon Sloop Club Corn Festival, Spirit of Beacon Day, Bike Safety Day on Catherine Street, and other events.

The 4th of July Fireworks at Memorial Park were not on that list.

Annual Reading of Declaration of Independence To Be Read On July 4th

Dennis Pavlov, host and organizer of the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence for the past 11 years in Beacon, announced during a Community Segment at the 6/21/2021 City Council Meeting that the reading would take place at the usual time of 11am at 1 Municipal Plaza.

Said Dennis: “I started it in Steve Gold's administration. Why did I start it? There is more to these patriotic holidays than parades, fireworks, cookouts and BBQs. Our forefathers, I don't believe, should be left out. That's the reason I started doing it. Regardless of what is said and how it is said, the forefathers are some of my heroes. July 4th looked different last year, maybe we will have more people this year because of different circumstances.”

This year, Dennis stated, there is no longer a committee, refreshments or copies of Declaration of Independence handed out. Former Mayor Clara Lou Gould had also served on the committee.

It Doesn't Have To Be This Way & Happenings For This Weekend! | Retail Therapy Guide 6/26/2021

When we got the email from Homespun to sunset the wine subscription and disable the wine store of their website, our hearts sank. A Little Beacon Blog wears many hats, one of which is designing and maintaining websites for private clients. Homespun knew that the selling of wine bottles would be temporary and was to help them increase sales during the pandemic, but no restaurant anticipated the 24hr notice they received this week when Governor Cuomo ended the State of Emergency status, which scrubbed other relief rules that the state legislature hadn't decided on yet. There is a lot more to this story, as 38 other states in the country have approved extending the alcohol to-go business model for restaurants, while 11 states have made it permanent. Yet New York, whose governor prides itself on being ahead of the curve, gave a big 🤷🏼‍♀️ "Oh well" as the state legislature went on recess until January 2022, thereby stalling any changes. Homespun will be just fine - you can order incredible wine by the glass now LOL, but this issue exposes the decades-long stronghold that wine and liquor lobbyists have on the state. Remember the 7pm wine store law that everyone pushed for to help Beacon wine stores be allowed to stay open until 9am? Take a read of this latest law dispute over wine bottles and spirits to-go here. THE RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, help us help you by advertising it here. Beacon Pride Pop-Up Dance Party Day: Saturday, June 26, 2021 Location: Roosevelt Bar at the Hudson Valley Food Hall, Beacon (includes patio to the side) Time: 5pm-close. Dance / Drag Party from 8pm on. Must be 21+. Event is Free.   Rhinebeck Crafts Festival Days: Saturday, June 26, 2021, & Sunday, June 27, 2021 Time: 10am-6pm (Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun) Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 Spring Brook Avenue (Route 9), Rhinebeck, NY This thoughtfully curated shopping event located in the heart of the trendy Hudson Valley features contemporary fine craft and art from over 200 American makers. Find original fashions, accessories, and jewelry; functional and sculptural works in ceramics, glass, metal, fiber, wood, and mixed media; and fine art painting, printmaking, drawing, and photography. Enjoy gourmet foods, specialties, concessions, and tastings from local distilleries and wineries and bring the kids for interactive puppet theater, face painting, and stilt walkers, and more. Plus, watch and participate in hands-on craft demonstrations! After you shop until you drop stay to dine at award-winning farm-to-table Hudson Valley restaurants; visit famous historic estates; and take in spectacular views on the Walkway Over the Hudson or a nature hike. Information > The Beacon Record & CD Fest Day: Saturday, June 26, 2021 Time: 10am - 5pm Location: 413 Main Street, Beacon, NY 15 great vendors from the Tri-State area and beyond - 30 tables of vinyl LPs, 45s, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, concert posters, music magazines, and books!! Vendors bringing the best of psych, punk, hardcore, metal, power pop, prog, garage, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, world, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, hot rod, surf, lounge, electronic, industrial, goth and new wave!!! Records from the 50's to the present!!!! Check out the vendor list!! AND...DJ's spinning the best of 60's & 70's soul, mod, punk, power pop, rock 'n' roll, garage, weird, ambient stuff!!!! COME ON OUT AND DIG IN THE CRATES!!!! Information > THE SNOOKI SHOP VIP EVENT hosted by owner Nicole “Snooki” Day: Saturday, June 26, 2021 Time: 1:00pm - 6:30pm Location: 508 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Hudson Valley Food Truck Festival  Day: Saturday, June 26, 2021 Time: 11am - 5pm Location: Barton Orchards, Poughquag, NY Information > Field Day Hosted By Bronze Girl LLC Day: Saturday, June 26, 2021 Time: 12pm - 5pm Location: Memorial Park, Beacon NY, 12508 Free Community Event. End of the school year Field Day for the kids!  Food, games, music, face painting, prizes, and tons of good old fashion FUN 🥳 Information >  Improv at Sprout Brook Park Day: Saturday, June 26, 2021 Time: 7pm - 9pm Location: 130 Sprout Brook Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 Information >  Artist Talk: Athena LaTocha Day: Sunday, June 27, 2021 Time: 3pm Location: 475 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 Athena LaTocha will discuss how her work responds to her environment, as well as her process and use of materials. Her works on paper explore the tenuous relationship between the human-made and natural worlds. The works on view in Land Escape were created during a residency at the Joan Mitchell Center, New Orleans, LA, and contain elements such as Mississippi River mud and Spanish moss. La Tocha will be in conversation with Fridman Gallery Director Karlyn Benson, and there will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. Masks required for entry into space. Information > Hillbilly Parade Day: Sunday, June 27, 201 Time: 3:30pm - 6:30 pm Location: The Barn at Gardiner Brewing Company, 699 State Route 208, Gardiner, NY 12525 Information >  Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   Two Way Brewing Company  18 West Main St. It's a great weekend to chill with family & friends and get some games in. Pool, foosball, darts, and plenty of board games. Seven beers and one cider on tap, plus food from @theflyingjibbeacon over at Two Way! Stop in. PS Stay tuned for live music starting in July! 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!   EAT CHURCH 3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY Treat yourself with Eat Church food! And catch the coolest food truck ever around town! Eat Church pops up at Marbled Meat Shop on Thursdays & Fridays frequently so follow them on Instagram to keep an eye out! Catch them at Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays, and Thursday-Sunday at Industrial Arts Brewing! So many opportunities to get your hands on delicious foods Website > Eat Church is a Sponsor!, thank you! Beacon Bread Company 193 Main St. Start your weekend off right at Beacon Bread with unbeatable pancakes, 🥞 fresh-squeezed juice, and gourmet coffee. OR, start your day off right every day because Beacon Bread Company is Open 7 days a week from 8am - 5pm! Menu >  Order Pick Up or Delivery >  Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you! MEYERS OLDE DUTCH 184 Main Street, Beacon, NY When a delicious strawberry shortcake from Field and Larder is at Meyers, you RUN, you don't walk!! Lemon-lime pound cake, vanilla syrup, fresh strawberries, and whipped mascarpone. Mouth-watering & perfect after a burger & some fries!Stop in & try them out! Delivery is still available. Keep an eye on MOD's gram for live music nights. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you! Tito Santana Taqueria 142 Main St. Add a little SPICE to your weekend! Trust us ... Tito Santana Taqueria has all your favorite condiments... 🌶️  Tacos, Burritos, Bowls & Salads, Empanadas, Quesadillas, Tostadas, Soups, and Sides! PS: Dinner takeout special available Monday-Friday from 4pm - 9pm: 4 tacos, + 2 street corn, + 1 chip & salsa, + 1 rice & beans for only $22! PPS: Tacos are only $2 on Tuesdays! Menu >  Catering >  Tito Santana Taqueria is a Sponsor, thank you! HOMESPUN 232 Main Street, Beacon, NY The Hummus Sandwich with herb-roasted tomato, pickled cucumber, crispy chickpeas, and pea shoots on wholegrain is delish! Plus, Baguettes are now available to go at Homespun 🥖 OH, and flowers from @floragoodtimes  in the back! Good vibes all around at Homespun Foods. OPEN HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Order Food > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!  HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Just when you thought Barbs Fry Works (inside of HVFH) only made fries! NOPE! Isiah also makes fresh pasta for the (not so secret) pasta menu. Handmade & mouth-watering. Swing by and ask him what's on for today! 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 Outdoor seating at Baja 328 has the best view of Main Street by the garage doors! Not to mention the many options of foods they have! Stop in & enjoy the many options of starters, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and delish main plates (like tequila scampi or the cowboy burger)! Do check out the specials that are always on the menu!  Check out their specialty drinks >  Check out the specials > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! W.T.F Beacon 195 Main St. Start the weekend with WTF Beacon because WTF not? Delicious entrees, unique cocktails, and a great atmosphere. Featured menu item: The Garrison Burger, topped with fire-roasted peppers, sautéed mushrooms, and melted Gorgonzola cheese on our house brioche! Don't miss out ... Open Friday & Saturday from 6-10 pm 🍽️ ⠀ PS: OPEN MIC is back on the patio  every Tuesday! Menu > W.T.F Beacon is a Sponsor, thank you! Ziatun 244 Main St. Vegans rejoice! There are plenty of delicious and authentic middle eastern dishes at Ziatun! 🥙 The eggplant pitas from Ziatun are delicious, light, and VEGAN! A refreshing re-fuel if you've been out and about in the sun! Plus, if you're into meat, they have that too. Everything is made with delicious and authentic Palestinian spices. Order it to-go today so you can enjoy eating outdoors in Beacon! 🥙 Check our Ziatun's parklet too! Menu >  Order Online >  Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!   DIRTY BACCHUS 380 Main Street, Beacon Welcoming Dirty Bacchus to ALBB! We are so excited. Roughly a year ago, we introduced Dirty Bacchus in our blog (who opened a year ago amidst the pandemic!) to be specific, Dirty Bacchus opened on June 27, 2020 conveniently located next to an artisan cheese & charcuterie shop (The Beacon Pantry). So, to celebrate, there will be a storewide sale (four or five days) plus daily specials! You definitely don't want to miss out. We just tried the Marilena Barbera’s SOTTOSOPRA Pét Nat and we're dying over how delicious & bubbly it is! Only 2 cases available, and then its gone. Stop in for these limited wines. HOURS: Mon-Wed: 12-6 Thur- Sat: 11-7 Sun: 12-5 Dirty Bacchus is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon Torrey Peters, “Detransition, Baby” “This provocative debut is about what happens at the emotional, messy, vulnerable corners of womanhood that platitudes and good intentions can’t reach. Torrey Peters brilliantly and fearlessly navigates the most dangerous taboos around gender, sex, and relationships, gifting us a thrillingly original, witty, and deeply moving novel.” This & many more good reads at Binnacle! Stop in & find the book that you won't put down this summer! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you! BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon Bretts Hardware has it all to keep you entertained at home with family & friends this summer! Charcoal grills, round fire pit, portable fire pit, original kettle, everything! Stop in & check them out. The employees are always willing to help & answer any questions you may have also. Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon These soft-colored frames shine brightly ⁠ from Luxe Optique! Minimal, sleek & sexy! Stop in today to check out their newest frame selection from Anne et Valentin! Make an appt with an expert optician for a personalized experience from contact lenses to expert progressive lens fitting. : @anneetvalentin 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 The ’90s called & they think you look fabulous. La Mere has your wardrobe covered for this summer! The best finds that work for any occasionNew arrivals always happening and going quick so stop by!  Shop Online > La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you! Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY This is where you want to plug your kids in for the summer! Active classes, and totally inclusive. Tumble Bunnies class is happening & the kids are loving it! Did you register yet? Don't forget to check out classes for you. Adult Jazz-HipHop! Classes happen on Thursdays. Visit Yanarella Dance online.  Register for classes today!  Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you! ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY 340 Main Street, Beacon Antalek & Moore has a talented team of insurance professionals that are passionate about the industry and the many opportunities it presents to strengthen our community. Antalek & Mooreis always open to share more about their story! Reach out & find out more! Stay up to date with their latest announcements > Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!   TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle is designed for all brands to benefit from, including artists, authors, makers, experts, service providers, communications and marketing directors, and PR agencies. We provide the PR resources you want at your fingertips - Media Contacts, Editorial Calendars, and Hashtag Cheat Sheets - as well as the education to know what to do with it all. Training at Tin Shingle is rooted in your brand presenting consistently in a full view, big picture way. Our online classes give you fresh ideas and updates in all of the ways people will connect with your brand - Social Media, Google (aka SEO), your Website, Newsletter Design + Content, as well as PR. More Information >                          KATIE JAMES, INC. Katie James, Inc. is A Couture Branding Shop. Pairing great writing, content, and design for an experience that means something to people. From the reporting and design team that produces A Little Beacon Blog, a local online newspaper covering Beacon, NY, as well as the media training team that is behind Tin Shingle, an education and empowerment zone for small businesses, Katie James, Inc. is the uniquely positioned design studio that knows how to align with businesses and artists of all kinds with different needs, to get them the online tools they need to keep selling to their customers and clients. Contact us to tell us about your goals. HIRING: Sous-Chef Position At Homespun Foods Details > HIRING: Gold Star Family Member For Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney Details > HIRING: Part-Time Production Assistant At SallyeAnder Details >  HIRING: Administrative Assistant At Daniel Aubry Realty Details >  HIRING: Teacher Assistant At Care 4 Me, Inc. Details>  HIRING: Office Assistant At Gilded Audio Details > HIRING: Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County Details > HIRING: Brett's Hardware in New Windsor Details > HIRING: Meyers Olde Dutch Details > HIRING: Homespun Details > PAID INTERNSHIP: Sloop Brewing Company for Inclusion + Diversity Details > List your job in ALBB's Job Listings > 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. BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Samantha Cuello Consulting Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. CHILDBIRTH  >  CLASSES Juniper Birth CHILDBIRTH  >  DOULA Juniper Birth EDUCATION > TUTORING Heads Up Learning HEALTH & WELLNESS > MASSAGE Focus On Massage Therapy HOME IMPROVEMENT > INTERIOR DESIGN Jacklyn Faust Interiors HOME IMPROVEMENT > LAWN SERVICES Blue Green Lawns INSURANCE > BUSINESS, HEALTH, LIFE, HOME Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency REAL ESTATE > HOUSE INSPECTIONS Rizzi Home Inspection Services, Inc. List Your Business In The Business Directory >

SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER

New York State Said N/A, But 38 States Said Yes To Extended Cocktails To-Go + Wine Bottle Sales For Restaurants

New York’s cocktails-to-go rule, which included bottles of wine being sold from restaurants, and freshly packaged cocktails being sold from bars and restaurants, disappeared with 24 hours notice once Governor Cuomo decided that New York’s State of Emergency was over, which sunset many remaining rules that hadn’t been protected beforehand, such as the alcohol-to-go rule.

This formerly unthinkable privilege helped many restaurants survive the economic shutdown, and customers loved it. New York state is already known for several restrictions on wine sales, and opening up this one was a shock to the restaurant industry, but a welcome one. So much so, that 78% of New Yorkers surveyed by the New York State Restaurant Association said they support making the move permanent.

Restaurant businesses like Homespun in Beacon, owned by Joe Robitaille, a sommelier, had bought months before the pandemic was declared and restaurant operations were mandated in a stop-and-go fashion. “We put together our wine shop knowing that the state would end this privilege at some point, but did not expect to have 24 hours notice that we couldn’t sell bottles of wine to bring home anymore. I am sitting on cases of inventory of very hard-to-find wine that I cannot sell.”

Bottles of wine accounted for about 12% of Homespun’s sales, including the pickup, patio, parklet, catering, and eventual indoor dining. Restaurants in New York City are also reeling, as they and others spent the past 15 months accumulating inventory. Judy’s, a restaurant in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, has $15,000 worth of inventory that cannot be sold, as reported by Eater.

Joe is going to sell his wine by the glass as best he can. It will be the most amazing by-the-glass wine you have ever been offered by a small cafe.

Did The 24-hour Cut-Off Need To Be? The Flash Sale Of The Century Of Restaurant’s Wine Bottles?

Did it need to be this way? Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, who ran for governor against Governor Cuomo, says no. And he thinks that the State Liquor Authority is outdated as well. He told A Little Beacon Blog: “Counties across the state learned about the end of the State of Emergency by a tweet from the Governor. There was no coordination.” Molinaro continued: “Certainly we wanted to see an end to the emergency powers, but with a transition, for this very reason, we would have advocated for businesses. For economic relief for the for relief orders that stood. Plus, some people are not comfortable coming out yet, and prefer to eat and drink from their favorite restaurants at home.”

Molinaro feels that more local control should be given to counties. “For instance,” he explained, “in Dutchess County, I don't have the ability to override a State Order. But I can, through an Emergency Order, waive local law. Like with outdoor dining. Just this week, I talked with city managers across all municipalities about extending outdoor dining (via parklets) until Labor Day, to help the restaurants.”

Does the County Executive want to see the to-go alcohol extended for bottles of wine and freshly made cocktails? “I’d like to see how our businesses feel. I personally have no objection. I'm 100% supportive of extending it. I don't object to permanent, but I think there ought to be a process.”

In New York City, Mayor De Blasio was surprised by his own opinion: “It actually worked pretty well—I don't blame anyone who thought it might be a little dicey, but it actually worked pretty well," he told Gothamist. "I am concerned about all the restaurants and bars that we want to survive as part of the life of this city," he added. "So I think that should be looked at, to see if there's some way to appropriately continue it at least for the foreseeable future while we're trying to bring back hospitality industry."

The National Trend In Legalizing To-Go Cocktails and Bottles Of Wine Sold From Restaurants

Back at Homespun, as Joe taped his Cuomo-inspired 15% off sign to his sidewalk board, hoping to sell as many bottles as he could in 24 hours, he mused: “Massachusetts just last week announced that they would extend these measures through March 2022 to give restaurants and bars a chance to recover.”

Indeed, Massachusetts did extend, but this was after vocal opposition from trade groups representing liquor stores. As reported by CNBC, “Robert Mellion, executive director and general counsel of the Massachusetts Package Store Association, wrote in a Boston Herald column that altering alcohol laws would impact public safety and hurt brick-and-mortar retailers. On Wednesday (May 26, 2021), the Massachusetts Senate rejected extending the cocktails to-go program, which [was] set to expire on June 15.”

Just a week and a half later, on June 8, Massachusetts reversed course and extended alcohol-to-go until March 2022. And they aren’t alone: 38 states in the nation have extended their alcohol-to-go privileges, according to Food and Wine. So far, 11 states have made their pandemic-inspired privileges permanent, with Texas and Florida being the latest to sign permanent legislation, according to the Distilled Spirits Council as reported by Food and Wine. Other states offering permanent alcohol-to-go sales include Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, and Oklahoma, as well as the District of Columbia.

Extending The Law Was Tried In New York, But No Answer

In March 2021, an attempt to prolong alcohol-to-go was made by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, who sponsored Bill A3116 to lengthen alcohol-to-go services for 2 years. According to News10, restaurants supported the extension, but Fahy said there had been pushback from liquor stores and distributors. According to The New York Times, blame was put on the Legislature: “The Legislature failed to codify the ability of restaurants to offer alcohol to-go,” New York State’s Liquor Authority said in an emailed statement to The New York Times, referring to legislation to extend the takeout alcohol that state lawmakers did not act on before their session ended this month (June). Lawmakers return in January 2022.

Who Is To Blame, Anyway? How Does The Law Change?

Said Joe of Homespun, as he added the words “Cinderella Sale On Wine! Ends At Midnight!” to an Instagram post: “The Governor and Legislature did not seem to consult with any meaningful group of independent restaurants on their decision, because if they had, there would have been chatter and anxiety about this in the weeks leading up. But it was like turning off a light. Sudden.”

The state legislature would have needed to make the change with a bill, which was proposed and died. Governor Cuomo had been extending the alcohol-to-go privilege every 14 days. Could he have made the alcohol-to-go rule permanent? Was the blame entirely with the legislature? Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro does not think so. He explained to A Little Beacon Blog: “What the New York State Liquor Authority is saying in that New York Times quote is: If the governor advised the Legislature that the order was going to be rescinded, and wanted the state Legislature to do that, he would have done that. This is as much the fault of the Administration as it is the Legislature. If they both wanted it to happen, it would have happened. The Governor would have told them: ‘You’ll want to consider this local law, because ultimately, I'm going to rescind.’ There has been so much delay on the lifting of the State of Emergency, the Legislature may have gone on recess because they didn't think a sunset would happen yesterday. But they are in the same building. This email statement from the New York State’s Liquor Authority implies they are on different planets. But in fact, they are in the same building.”

Melissa Fleischut, president of the New York State Restaurant Association, shares the sentiment, about how legislation supported by 78% of New Yorkers - that Bill A3116 from Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy - failed to pass. Melissa told Eater: “Only in New York would elected officials ignore an overwhelming majority of the public.” Eater observed: “…legislation has reportedly been tied up by lobbyists, who claim wine and liquor businesses — coming off one of their best years in recent history — are losing money to restaurants and bars offering booze to-go.”

Would Wine Bottles Sold In Restaurants Impact Neighboring Wine and Liquor Stores?

With the several of the same beer brands sold in neighboring gas stations in Beacon and other towns, and a growing selection of craft beers at that, it is hard to say how increased competition would fare. Oftentimes, wines sold in restaurants are carefully picked, almost obsessively chosen and researched brands, as they are in boutique wine stores. Owners have to pine for each case they buy, because quantities are limited. The same can happen with craft beers that are produced in small batches.

In Beacon, the wine store and restaurant owners are pals. Steve Ventura, owner of Dirty Bacchus, Beacon’s newest highly niche wine store with bottles from far corners of Etruscan regions, still buys wine from Joe’s collection at Homespun.

“I support Joe for many reasons,” Steve told A Little Beacon Blog. “Not least because of all the hurdles that have been raised in front of his project since the beginning. From all the construction around him to COVID-19. So my feelings about this are specific to Homespun and not general statements. Joe is also a big supporter of other businesses in the community, so it is important for the community to support him. We, Beacon, need him to succeed, even if it pulls a little business from my bottom line for awhile.”

Proof In The Profit Of Cocktails-To-Go: POOF, Bye Bye

“Hard liquor is the most profitable thing in a restaurant,” said Brianne McDowell, a Beaconite and career manager of a boutique hotel servicing many celebrities in New York City, until she was laid off during the pandemic, losing her benefits and health insurance for her family that includes an elementary school student. During her career, she has been part of opening and training teams for new restaurants in many cities, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami. Now she takes gigs filling in as a General Manager as favors for friends who can’t find anyone to hire during the current hiring climate, where people are demanding better pay and benefits from the hospitality industry. With her own career in transition, she is stepping into a consulting role to give her more flexibility than her previous hotel and restaurant life.

“One or two drinks can pay for an entire bottle for the most part,” estimates Brianne. “For the entire bottle, a bartender can pour 16 drinks from it. Depending on the practices of each establishment, it’s typically 1.5 ounces of liquor for a mixed drink and about 3 ounces for martinis. So you have a bottle of vodka that cost the business owner about $12. They turn around and charge $12 for a drink (definitely Beacon prices). The bottle is pure profit from there. You’re paying for rent, labor, supplies, etc. when you buy a drink. To-go drinks were helping 100%.”

Brian Arnoff, owner of Meyers Olde Dutch and Kitchen Sink across the street, who has become known for specialty cocktails, is disappointed by the decision. “I am definitely disappointed that they are not continuing this policy. It will have some impact on our business. Personally I think it only proved that we should have much less restrictive policies around selling alcohol, businesses should be able to try new and creative approaches to serving their customers, business owners should be left to decided what works for them (obviously as long as they’re meeting basic standards like not selling to minors/paying taxes etc). One caveat, which again proves the point, is most licenses holders can continue and always could sell beer to-go, which again makes no sense. Why beer and not wine? That being said, I am not surprised, hopefully the legislature will take another look at this and consider making adjustments to these rules.

Restaurants Left With Inventory, And Consultants Needing To Pivot Again

Hudson Valley Food Hall spun like a top through the economic shutdown. Having signed on new food vendors right when the pandemic hit, owner Marko Guzijan did everything he could every day to stay afloat. After the 24-hour notice, he hit a fresh wall, telling A Little Beacon Blog: “I have about 200 canned cocktails that I can no longer sell to-go. So I paid to create, can and label cocktails that I will now get bartenders to open at the bar, and pour into a glass.”

The canned cocktail company was a pandemic baby. “The guy who created the canned cocktail company was a wine rep who lost his job during the pandemic and created this company to try and pivot to support himself. He’s now completely screwed.”

POS (Point of Sale) systems took off during the pandemic, to make ordering food easier and contact-less. Marko made such an investment. “The Food Hall recently signed up for a POS system where customers can order from all vendors at once (paying one bill) and pick up or get Door-Dash to deliver. This was a shared cost that was mostly supported by the bar (The Roosevelt Bar is the bar in the back of the food hall). What is the point of the bar picking up the tab of this new system if they can’t sell to-go drinks?”

Marko isn’t stopping there. He’s been reaching out to lawmakers. “I want politicians held accountable for this. I want anyone who doesn’t support the extension of the to-go drinks out of office. I spoke with Senator Serino and she said she supports the extension, but they are out of session and the Democrats didn’t want to pass the bill. I spoke with Jacobson’s office and they said they would get back to me (and they did but I missed the call, I’ll call them back). I called the Governor’s office but didn’t get through (I’m planning to email). I want to contact the Assemblyman in Fishkill to find out where he stands. I want names of the politicians who failed (once again) the restaurant/bar industry and I want them held accountable.”

Thrillist’s day-after cocktail-to-go death announcement.

New Yorkers Don’t Have To Live Like This

While most headlines lamented the death of the cocktail-to-go, most moved on, thinking it normal that the 24-hour rule got switched off. But people in 38 other states in this country are still enjoying it, and will be for some time.

Liquor and wine stores in New York, however, never saw a forced close or had any sales limits put on them, as they were deemed essential businesses. New York has a history of very restrictive legislation placed on wine sales, moreso than in other sates. Examples include:

• Restricted close times. Until recently (see ALBB’s article covering it), wine stores needed to close at 7pm, while beer stores and bars could be open far later. Dutchess County Legislators from Beacon tried to change the law to 9pm at the encouragement of Artisan Wine Shop in Beacon as well as others, but resistance from wine stores further upstate was fierce. In open letters, the wine and liquor stores stated that they did not want to pay employees to be open for longer hours, and feared for their safety. Some in the public made the argument of extended hours would encourage alcoholics, despite the fact that people with a problem will hoard up on bottles no matter what time a store is open. With a big push, the law was finally changed, and local stores in Beacon are able to stay open longer.

• No wine sales in grocery stores. People who move to New York from out of state are shocked to find that there aren’t any wine aisles at the grocery stores. From as far back as 1960, legislators in New York have tried pushing a bill through to allow it. According to Food and Wine, Governor Mario Cuomo proposed it in 1984: “Grocery stores have long pressed for the right to sell wine. The proposal first surfaced in the 1960s, and was last seriously debated after Gov. Mario Cuomo proposed it in 1984. But liquor store owners, most of whom sell far more wine than spirits, have fought it tooth and nail.” During a 2008 push under Governor David Paterson, who was trying to collect more taxes during that recession, also did not succeed, yet with a little less resistence then: “Wholesalers have also opposed it, but appear to be staying neutral this time.”

• The proposed “at rest” rule. This proposed legislation introduced in 2013 by state Sen. Jeffrey Klein, which failed, “would have required all alcoholic beverages sold by New York wholesalers to remain ‘at rest’ in a warehouse in New York for at least 24 hours prior to delivery to a retailer or restaurant.” The stated goal of the bill, SB3849, is to create new jobs in New York and "level the current playing field" for the state's wine and spirits wholesalers,” according to Wine Spectator. Most of the New York wine wholesalers used storage in New Jersey, and saw the required 1 million square feet of space in New York as nonexistent. According to the article, New York's two largest wholesalers, Southern Wine and Spirits and Empire Merchants (a subsidiary of the Charmer Sunbelt Group), did not publicly state their position on the bill, but had donated thousands of dollars to New York politicians, according to Wine and Spirits.

• “Consignment.” According to Joe from Homespun, the concept of selling wine on consignment was attempted to be made illegal. This is when a collector gives wine to a restaurant to sell, and the collector gets paid only after the wine is sold. It happens all the time in the retail industry with clothing and jewelry from designers, and eases the burden of investing in inventory. Joe theorizes: “They, in a board meeting I’m sure, perhaps blamed this minuscule tiny tiny tiny fraction of wine sales in restaurants as the reason whatever “brand” (note the lack of the word “winery”) wasn’t selling.”

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro wants the rules revisited. “We would like to see all of the economic relief measures remain in place through the summer months. We have even discussed why we should ever restore some of them. Some of these rules just don't make sense.”

Further, Molinaro sees the need for big changes in the State Liquor Authority: “I have long advocated the State Liquor Authority to go local. It has outlived its usefulness and is beholden to wholesalers. Many rules are to benefit the supplier. That's a position one can take. We think it should be treated as local zoning. I've advocated for this since I was in State Assembly.”