Retail Therapy Guide 3/18/2022
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SAVE THE DATE: Poughkeepsie Day School Virtual Admissions
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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No Plans As Of Yet For Parklets In Beacon, Says The City - Restaurants Respond
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Pictured here are diners outside of Homespun, which has sidewalk seating in front, and a patio in the back. For two springs and summers, it also had a parklet in front.
Photo Credit: Heather Barr
Last year at this time, the Delta variant of COVID-19 was brewing, and in May 2021, it became official. People were used to eating outside in parking spots called “parklets,” which were created by using orange water-filled “jersey barriers” to surround tables and chairs for diners to eat outside of a restaurant. The water made the barriers heavy, so they were not moved by casual pushing.
Most of Beacon’s restaurants opted into the parklets, and Mayor Kyriacou waved any fee for having them. They were purchased by the City in part with money the City of Beacon earned through some film permits, as stated by City Administrator Chris White during some City Council Meetings.
The people who were comfortable eating in the street filled up the parklets most weekends. While Beacon citizens were mixed on if they would park their bodies in a parklet, those who wanted to eat outside to feel safer than eating indoors appreciated the choice. Restaurants appreciated the additional seating and additional revenue the parklet seating could provide.
Abruptly In September 2021, the City of Beacon told restaurant owners they had to pull the parklets in a matter of days in order to prepare for the paving of Main Street. Joe Robitaille, owner of Homespun, remembers working on a Sunday to dismantle his shaded structure he had designed to beautify the parklet, recalling: “The City told us we had to remove the parklet by Monday, and we had one weekend to do this. Sunday is a busy day for us on the weekend, but to comply, I dedicated myself to taking down the parklet and not helping my staff serve customers.”
Homespun was not the only one who invested in upgraded porches and designs for the parklets. Neighbor Ziatun had a patio, and Sukhothai also built out a structure. Several other restaurants adorned their plastic barriers with flowers. September in Beacon usually brings beautiful weather, with a boom in sales for the Columbus Day Weekend in October (now known as Indigenous People’s Day). Seating was lost for the weeks leading up to that October holiday weekend, including that weekend itself. And then the paving of Beacon’s Main Street was canceled, putting in question the early pulling of the parklets. The previous year, the parklets were pulled in November.
A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the City Administrator Chris White, Mayor Lee Kyriacou as well as Councilmember George Mansfield, who is a restaurant owner, to gain insight on if the City Council had discussed the parklets with themselves, the public or business owners. Councilmember George responded: “There has been no discussion at Council regarding the parklets. I assume they will not be back due to scheduled repaving of Main Street and the fact that there is no longer any state mandates limiting indoor occupancy for the hospitality industry.”
City Administrator Chris did indicate in a recent City Council meeting that paving would begin on Main Street soon. When ALBB asked about a start date, Councilmember George did not know, stating that there were several “moving parts” to organizing paving. City Administrator White and Mayor Kyriacou did not respond by publishing time.
Safety Of Parklets
The public was mixed on the safety of parklets, yet the seats remained full. Traffic and speeding in Beacon is a known issue. On Mother’s Day, two cars collided in the middle of Main Street, avoiding the parklets but jumping the curb to land on the sidewalk to hit a grandmother and pin a child. Months later, another grandmother was hit and killed by a local driver in the crosswalk while the grandmother correctly crossed the street at Teller and Main Street because the driver was blinded by the afternoon sun, according to the police report. An 11 year old girl was hit in the crosswalk at Verplanck Avenue and Matteawan after school let out while correctly crossing the street on her bike because the driver “thought she had passed already,” the child told A Little Beacon Blog (interview to come).
After the parklets were pulled, some readers wrote into A Little Beacon Blog, asking if the parklets were returning, as they preferred eating outdoors and did not mind the location of the parklet. Some people who are in favor of a “walkable Main Street” are in favor of the parklets to naturally slow down traffic. Unless the police chime in after the publishing of this article, there have been no reports of people in parklets being hit. However, there have been several reports of people in crosswalks and walking on Main Street being hit.
Restaurants Respond
After being told by the City of Beacon that there was no plan as of yet for the parklets, Joe of Homespun had this to say about the loss of parklets, despite him having sidewalk seating in front and patio seating in back: “I think it will make it tough on restaurants in town. For us with the garden backyard, it was always over-flow seating anyways, and would fill up after the garden was fully seated. But for smaller places with tinier dining rooms, it provided a big shot in the arm. Hopefully the public is really ready to dine inside again.”
Marko Guzijan, owner of the Hudson Valley Food Hall, which has several food vendors stationed inside with plenty of seating including an outdoor patio had this to say about the parklets: “It’s not surprising. In truth, it won’t effect our business much. It may actually help as we already have private outdoor seating and now people who aren’t comfortable sitting inside will have less options in Beacon (this is especially true for families of young kids who can’t get a vaccine). But we don’t want to see our business improve beacuse other Beacon businesses are hindered.
“No parklet seating, plus the increase in energy bills is going to hurt many Main Street business. Again, the chefs in the Food Hall will probably make more money, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s the right decision. I’m curious as to why the City Council of Beacon thinks this is a good idea, while New York City continues to have outdoor seating to try to help their food and beverage businesses? As of yet, they haven’t communicated with any of the businesses in the Food Hall to explain their decision.”
As of now, there have been no public discussions during City Council Meetings about the parklets. Peekskill recently indicated they are considering removing some of their parklets, and some members of the Peekskill public have started a petition to keep them. This report at News12 quotes some business owners who benefited from the parklets.
Editorial Disclaimer: Homespun was a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog and is a website client, and Hudson Valley Food Hall is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog. Their views do not influence content, but our relationship does make understanding their issues easier.
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The Hudson River Maritime Museum - “Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth”
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Beacon's City Council Announces Passage Of Law Prohibiting Evictions Without Good Cause - Mayor Votes Against - Council's Responses
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On Monday, March 7, 2022, Beacon’s entire City Council voted to pass a law prohibiting residential evictions without good cause, known to some as the “Good Cause Eviction Law.” Mayor Lee Kyriacou, who is a landlord, voted against the law. The press release prepared by Beacon’s City Council has been provided in full below.
Beacon’s Eviction Without Good Cause Law accounts for many situations, including requiring landlords to provide good cause to raise the rent above 5% if contested by their existing tenant requesting proof of necessity if the tenant/landlord discussions break down and the landlord pursues going to court to let a judge decide on the legality of the rent increase.
Where Is This Law Coming From?
Beacon is joining in the national movement within the housing crisis for all people to not let long-term rentals be a cut-throat rental market business model anymore. Other municipalities in this area have crafted and signed similar legislation, including Newburgh, Kingston, Poughkeepsie and Albany. Each of those communities, including Beacon, experienced the decimation of many of their historic buildings during the federally funded program Urban Renewal, which ended up mattering when rent regulation laws were enacted. Albany currently has one lawsuit against it, brought on by three landlords and their companies, asking for the law to be rescinded, as reported in the Times Union. There is proposed legislation in New York State Legislature that would enact a similar measure statewide.
It is in part because of that destruction that these communities cannot enact forms of rent stabilization found in New York City today. A new law in New York State, the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 2019, allows for a declaration of a housing crisis in a locality, but is based on having a number of historic buildings still in tact. However, as has been especially demonstrated in the past several years, laws are created, and laws are walked back upon when levels of harm are represented by groups of people advocating for change.
Residential Real Estate As A Business Model
During this process of legislative debate, advocates for Beacon’s law stressed that housing is a human right and needs more protection. Landlords who showed up to public meetings to speak answered that money they invested in a property is their retirement plan and should not be impeded upon. However, price hikes in any business model usually proves bad for business, and results in a client-business breakdown. Some Beacon landlords showed up to speak in favor of the law.
Even in the short-term rental market, or a client-services market - if a client is used to paying one price over a long period of time - to suddenly hike that price usually ruins the business/client relationship. In the housing market, the long-term landlord may replace the tenant quickly in an unregulated market, but in the equally unregulated service or even the short-term rental industry which has online reviews tied to it, pricing is regulated by online reviews (social pressure), proper business relationships, and providing great service. Because secure housing is such a desperate need, some residential landlords don’t often face social pressure to keep rent increases stable, or provide stellar service in some cases.
Said the lead author of the law, Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair, to A Little Beacon Blog about the passage of this law: “Tenant-landlord issues are most often resolved out of court and I hope that continues. The law has clear definitions of what constitutes good cause eviction and that framework can be used for discussions before anybody has to go to court. I hope landlords and management companies that depend on abusing tenants for profit margins will see their business model won't work in Beacon.
“I hope that Beacon will next come together to address the lack of affordable housing for all income ranges. Good cause eviction means that tenants can organize and participate without fear of retaliatory evictions and jacked rents.”
Was This Vote Expected This Night?
The week prior, The City Council was not anticipating voting on the law on March 7th. Week after week, the law had been pushed forward by the Council to even get it to the stage of Public Hearing, which is where it was the Monday evening of this week. For months, the City Council heard resistance from its retained legal counsel, Keane and Beane, who also represents developers building rental units in the City of Beacon, to advise the City not to create a law, stating on public record that it would be difficult to defend if a lawsuit was brought against the City. The Council then discussed the possibility of hiring a different law firm to represent a lawsuit in that case, should that happen.
Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White stressed throughout several discussions his concern for “fiduciary” spending of taxpayer dollars on legal costs defending this law. It is not clear on his definition of fiduciary, since he has currently authorized at least $110,000 of taxpayer dollars in the pursuit of terminating employment of a longtime city employee of the Highway Department, in addition to over $50,000 in paid-leave salary for that employee to not work during a labor shortage.
This law was in its second round of Public Hearing, where anyone in Beacon could come speak their mind about it. With this law being discussed on social media and out in real life for several months, it was hard for the community to ignore the effort. Landlords came to speak in favor or against, as did tenants. Advocates for the law even held a holiday caroling/protest in December 2021 at Pohill Park, which marched to City Council to confront the then City Councilmembers during their last days on council before the new members started.
Self-Fulfilling Prophesy Of Rent Hikes Before The Law Passed
After at least one tenant came forward to public City Council Meetings to speak in favor of the law, word circulated that some landlords had begun raising rents in anticipation of the free-for-all rent hike situation getting regulated.
That Beacon tenant reported at the next Public Hearing, that after she spoke in public at a City Council Meeting, she had subsequently asked her landlord to fix something necessary in her apartment, whereby she received by text from her landlord saying that he would fix it. In the same text, he declared he was also raising her month-to-month rent by $600/month. This hike, after an agreed upon hike of $100/month over the summer, resulted in a $700/month hike within one year, she told A Little Beacon Blog. This renter is White, works in the non-profit sector, and volunteers to teach classes in a corrections facility in the evenings.
Usually, if the City Council expects to vote on a legally binding resolution the night of the closing of a Public Hearing, the Resolution is noted in the official Agenda for the City Council, and a vote is taken that evening. This can be fore anything simple like having a Public Hearing for allowing firefighters to live further away from Beacon, hearing from the community, and then voting affirmatively right after if the public doesn’t bring overwhelming objection.
But this vote wasn’t on the evening’s agenda after the Council closed the Public Hearing, yet they discussed putting it on the agenda during the opening of the meeting. A Little Beacon Blog asked Councilmember Dan if the Council expected to vote that evening. He answered: “Yes. When we started to hear that landlords were retaliating against renters, we had no choice. Seeing that the outstanding amendments would have weakened the law and allowed this retaliation to continue for another month, we pressed forward.”
When asked if he was surprised to see it not initially on the agenda, Councilmember Dan answered: “No, it wasn’t an issue.” You can listen to how they all discussed putting the vote on the agenda at the beginning of the City Council Meeting here.
When Did This “Eviction Without Good Cause” Movement Start?
In the Before Times, during the pre-pandemic days, and during the former administration under Mayor Randy Casale, rents were already on the rise in Beacon. Former Councilmember Terry Nelson suggested pursuing the Emergency Tenants Protection Act of 2019. During that administration, where Lee Kyriacou was then a Councilmember, the common response by then Mayor Casale and some councilmembers to Councilmember Terry’s urging was that rents would self regulate under market conditions.
When the new administration came in, with former Councilmember Lee Kyriacou winning the election to become Mayor, the new Mayor Lee Kyriacou gave a platform for the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 2019 to be considered, after Councilmember Terry continued to bring it up. Mayor Lee would state that he was doubtful that Beacon qualified for the tenant protection. Yet he dedicated space at a public Workshop Meeting for expert opinion to explain why Beacon did not qualify.
The Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 2019 requires a locality to know its rental vacancy rate, and of those, that the buildings are ones built between February 1, 1947 and December 31, 1973. Many of Beacon’s buildings that were of that age had been bulldozed during the federally ordered Urban Renewal period. You can get an introduction to Urban Renewal from the blog Newburgh Restoration, who describes it as a “tragedy” when mentioning how 1,300 buildings were demolished there, 9 streets “plowed under,” and “The city’s African American community was uprooted, with thousands of businesses and residents displaced.” A similar situation happened in Beacon. The Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 2019 requires that these buildings still exist to qualify.
During the time of Beacon’s Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 2019 discussion, Mayor Lee also stated that Beacon does not have a housing survey to know its vacancy rate. He did not imply that Beacon was in a hurry to conduct such a study. However, he did support spending at minimum of $50,000 on a Parks and Recreation study to be told what people want from a central Community Center. Two such centers used to exist in Beacon, and Beacon’s current tiny Parks and Rec building at 23 West Center Street is bursting at the studs with services and volunteerism.
The City Council’s pursuit of more tenant protections continued, with Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair pushing to have a Good Cause Eviction Law considered. Councilmember Dan took the lead on drafting the law with other Councilmembers and the City’s retained law firm, Keane and Beane.
A Little Beacon Blog reached out to former Councilmember Terry Nelson to get his take on the passage of this law, and if he thought his early efforts helped from years ago. He responded: “It’s not really for me to say if my efforts helped, but I would like to think they did. It’s always a good thing when renters get the protections they deserve. But any law only works when there is effective enforcement. Attention must be paid to the level of enforcement of the new law.”
What Some City Council Members Said Upon Voting
Before casting his vote of Yes, Councilmember George Mansfield, who consistently voiced concern about leaving renal rates in the hands of a judge on a case-by-case basis, said this to explain his vote in favor of the passage of the law:
“This is a complicated issue, and I appreciate everyone who has come out during the course of this discussion.
“I'd like to first say that Keane and Beane, our lawyers, have represented this community and looked out for them for as long as I've been on council - or maybe I've been here longer than Keane and Beane has, but. So I truly respect your advice and consider that greatly in my decision.
“I also think, that I can see through our discussions, that we have an opportunity to respond to Albany - that there might be an opportunity - I don't feel like we are risking an expensive lawsuit going forward - that we can respond.
“I would have preferred to wait for the Albany decision to come down. But I think we have time to respond between maybe passing this and actually going to quote and the cost of litigation associated with that.
“One of my goals when we pass a law such as this is to help as many people and to hurt as few people in the decision. And in the end, no one is fully happy, and no one got fully what they wanted out of these discussions.
“I think that there is an urgency right now, certainly listening to some - part of the urgency is created not only by the greed, but by the fear of this law being passed. I think that is what is happening to some people. Landlords are raising rents objectionably and unconscionably right now. They've been known to do that in the past as well.
“My decision tonight will be based on helping as many people and hurting as few people going forward. Thank you all for being part of this conversation.
Mayor Kyriacou had this to say before casting his lone vote of No:
“The issue that I have respect to authority is that I have been sitting on Council for a long time. The nature of how City's get their authority from the State is not supported in this area. I'm sorry, but that is what it is. You all may have a different view, and I'm very respectful of that view.
“The second of my concern is, if we are picking away to help renters, and I think we do need to help renters, pitting one part of the community against the other is the wrong way to do this, and this does exactly that. Which I find that just sad.
“I know we want to help renters. Again, the County has announced a rental support program for people in low-income. That I think is the correct approach. It's something that we all as a community pay taxes to support, and I'm supportive of that. Pitting one part of the community against the other is the wrong way to go. I'm just saddened as I listen to us just dividing ourselves.
“The ones that I am focused on helping is low-income renters. There are plenty of renters that have come to Beacon who are fully capable of paying the full rents that are out there now. That's why those rents are out there. If we afford them the same rights, they will push low income renters out, and that's the group I really, really wish to help. I don't think this law is structured correctly do to so. Those are my concerns.”
In answering the Mayor, Councilperson Justice McCray gave their answer before voting in favor of the passage of the law:
“To that point, this law is designed to keep people in their homes, so I don't see how this would push low-income renters out,” Justice said.
“Just to talk about eviction:
“Evicted individuals are 11% to 15% more likely to experience a loss of employment and medical insurance as compared to individuals who have not been evicted (Harvard University)
“Children victimized by eviction are typically forced to transfer schools; a traumatic destruction of stable educational and peer relationships that has been shown to have a lasting negative impact on childhood development. (National Education Policy Center)
“All adult populations, once evicted, experience higher-all cause mortality, increased instances of emergency room visits, higher rates of addiction and relapse, depression, and suicide. (National Library of Medicine)
“Cost-burdened households spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and severely cost-burdened households spend more than 50% (Disrupted)
“I came onto Council as a community organizer working in social and racial justice. Passing Good Cause is crucial for bringing racial justice to housing. More than two-thirds of Black families in New York State rent. Among renters, Black households are the most vulnerable to eviction, the most likely to experience discrimination from landlords, and the ones most likely to be displaced when neighborhoods change.
“High rents and gentrification have had a devastating impact on Black communities in New York State. In my social justice work over the past couple of years, I’ve built connections with Black members of our community who lived here for years, and because they weren’t protected by this law, they’re gone. I don’t get to walk around the corner and share meals with them anymore. If you’ve been here for not even 10 years, you’ve seen the active displacement of Black people in Beacon. Good Cause is an important step in promoting community stability and combating displacement.
“According to a study published last week by the Pratt Center for Community Development Urban Democracy Lab, Legal Aid Society, Housing Justice for All, and the Community Service Society: “Black Households In New York Are 3x As Likely To Face Eviction As White Households”
“Councilmembers and community alike have stated that housing is a human right. It’s not just a philosophy. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, and housing…
“I support Good Cause Eviction.”
The Press Release From The City Council After The Vote
Below is the press release from the City Council, that has not yet been published to the City’s website yet. In earlier discussions as the law was debated, City Administrator Chris White asked the Keane and Beane attorney if the law, if voted on, could be delayed to be published to the City Code and delay enforcement, to which the attorney answered that it could. It has not been stated as to the date that this law will be published to the City Code.
BEACON, NY MARCH 8, 2022 - In last night’s City Council meeting, the Beacon City Council passed their hard-fought “good cause eviction” law tonight with the support of all six City Council members. By providing Beacon’s housing court with a framework for what constitutes an eviction with good cause, the City Council hopes to end the leniency of eviction proceedings against tenants, allow greater access to due process, and mitigate the displacement of residents. The law builds upon the fact that housing is a human right and that apartments and houses are not just commodities, they are homes.
“To clear up misconceptions, this law does not change that evictions require the courts. What it does is sets relevant standards for the proceedings that protect tenants,” said Wren Longno, Ward 3 Councilmember.
Specifically, grounds for eviction with good cause include:
Non-payment of rent
Substantial lease violations
Property damage
Committing a nuisance
Refusal of access
Illegal activity
Bad-faith refusal to sign a written lease
If the landlord wants to move themselves or a family member into the rented unit.
Additionally, rent increases above 5% will require a justification before a judge in cases where the tenant objects to the increase. The law intends to end the practice of arbitrary evictions and steep rental increases which are de facto evictions.
“Beacon is a popular place to live, and with good reason, but increased rents of 20% or more have become common which is simply impossible for most people.” said Councilmember At-Large Paloma Wake “While this law does not directly address affordable housing per se, we know that stable housing has compounding benefits for the entire city. When basic needs are met, individuals can be more active and thriving members of our community.”
Since Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair for Ward 4 first introduced the law in August 2021, neighboring communities of Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Kingston passed their own similar versions of the law.
While no legal action has been taken against these municipalities, over several workshops, the City Council discussed the potential of a lawsuit brought by landlords. The City Council concluded that the risks posed to the city by a lawsuit were low, particularly the threat of legal expenses.
“Passing Good Cause is essential for bringing racial justice to housing,” said Ward 2 Councilmember Justice McCray. “More than two-thirds of Black families in New York State rent; and among renters, Black households are the most vulnerable to eviction, the most likely to experience discrimination from landlords, and the ones most likely to be displaced when neighborhoods change. If you’ve been here for not even 10 years, you’ve seen the active displacement of black people in Beacon. Black households in New York are three times as likely to face eviction as white households. Good Cause is an important step in promoting community stability [preserving diversity] and combatting displacement.”
Similar laws are still being considered around New York State, including New Paltz and Ithaca. A statewide bill is also actively under consideration.
“Tenants can now organize and speak up about their living conditions without fear of retaliatory evictions and jacked rents,” said Aymar-Blair. “Now that the folks who depend on affordable housing can fearlessly join the conversation, the City Council is ready to turn its attention to creating new affordable housing for low-income residents and working families.”
Molly Rhodes, Ward 1 Councilmember said, “We hope this can be a launching point where both tenants and landlords feel inspired to come together to help the city craft future housing policies and vision.”
From:
City of Beacon Councilmembers Dan Aymar-Blair, Wren Longno, Justice McCray, Molly Rhodes, and Paloma Wake
“Pitting One Part Of The Community Against The Other” - Governing Laws Already Do This
One of Mayor Lee’s stated concerns is for avoiding this legislation is to avoid “pitting one part of the community against the other,” implying tenants vs landlords. This type of “pitting” has already existed in the form of legislation in New York State, especially so in New York City and parts of Albany, Erie, Nassau, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Westchester counties where rent control is still in effect, according to the Residential Tenants Rights Guide. These members of the community are already pitted against each other when the landlord pursues going to court to evict a tenant - if it reaches that point, and the tenant doesn’t self-evict.
A Little Beacon Blog has spoken to people who work in different areas. Families who have the same job year after year - fixed income if you will - who cannot afford a large rent increase - and then need to move out of Beacon to Wappingers or Newburgh to find comparable rent. Nurses. Home care workers. Self-employed creators. Service-industry folks like bar tenders and restaurant managers can barely afford to live in Beacon, yet they work here. Some commuting from counties over. “Artist lofts” are very limiting for who qualifies to live in those units, and can be discriminatory.
It is unclear who these low-income people are that Mayor Kyriacou says he advocates for, since the people he seems to say can pay these rising rents may be from certain private sectors, or people who rent apartments as second get-away homes, or are never home because their jobs who can afford this rent send these new Beacon citizens to other locations to do their jobs. Or, are the blessed collection of employees who can work remotely from home.
Beacon's Parade of Green is On - Rain, Snow, Sleet or Shine - Honoring Anthony Lassiter, Grand Marshall 2022
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Parade of Green committee volunteers painting the town with green, yellow, orange and blue shamrocks. Pictured from left: Rick Brownell, Bitsy, and Annie McElduff.
DAY: Saturday, March 12th
TIME: 12noon for the public (floats and cars line up earlier at 11am)
LOCATION: Starts at Pohill Park (near Bank Square) ends at Dummy Light (1 East Main near Trax)
RAIN OR SHINE
With weather apps calling for 100% chance of something wet this Saturday, March 12, 2022, Beacon’s Parade of Green is on with no rain date. Said one of the parade organizers, Kimberlee Markarian in response to Councilmember George Mansfield’s question of if the parade is rain or shine during this week’s City Council Meeting: “It is rain or shine! Which is so amazing! We went through a whole lot of things in the last couple of years. A little rain…we got it!”
The parade route is from Pohill Park (the corner of Main Street, 9D and South Avenue at Bank Square), runs down Main Street, and ends at the Dummy Light (near 1 East Main near Trax Coffee and the Chocolate Studio). Main Street will be closed (but all shops and restaurants open!), so the parade floats, cars and walkers will have full access to roll through. The parade starts at 12pm from Pohill Park.
Be sure to visit Meyers Old Dutche for their special “Shamrock” drink inspired by the parade. Later on, find a calm and cozy spot inside of Two Way Brewery for their live music, featuring the TMcCann Band starting at 7pm (food also available from the Flying Jibb)
Honoring Anthony Lassiter, Grand Marshall For 2022 Parade Of Green
Photo Credit: Parade of Green
The Parade of Green is honoring Anthony Lassiter, was born February 1947 in Beacon. He attended Beacon High School where he was on the football, wrestling, and baseball teams. He graduated high school in 1966 and was drafted into the US Army in the spring of 1967.
Private Lassiter was trained to be an Army electrician. His primary responsibilities included building helicopter landing pads for Cobra gunships. Additionally, Specialist Lassiter was assigned to the "burial detail firing squad" where he performed the 21-gun salute at the funerals of fallen heroes.
Ultimately, Specialist Lassiter was sent to Republic of South Vietnam. Shortly after being promoted to Sargent, Lassiter and his Company were attacked by hostile forces. Lassiter was injured in that attack and was awarded a Purple Heart. He received an Army Commendation Medal for his distinguished service and was honorably Discharged from the Army in November 1969.
In January 1970, he went to work at IBM in East Fishkill. After several years, he became a manager. One of his favorite assignments was recurring college students to work for IBM. He worked at IBM for the next 30 years. Anthony married Patricia Lassiter. Together they raised 2 sons: Justin and Aaron, and have 8 grandchildren. Mr. Lassiter is now retired.
Anthony Lassiter serves his church and assists throughout the community in multiple volunteer activities. Anthony served on the City of Beacon Planning Board for 15 years, and continues to serve on the City of Beacon Housing Authority Board of Directors. He is a member of the American Legion Post 203, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 666, the Beacon Community Lions Club, and is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Anthony is a long standing volunteer at the St. Andrew's / St. Luke's Food Pantry. For many years, he has served on the Spirit of Beacon Day Committee, and in 1991, was chosen as the Spirit of Beacon Volunteer of the Year.
Anthony is registered with Donate Life Organ Donation, and actively encourages others to register. As a civic minded individual who strives to serve this community and is dedicated to his fellow veterans, Anthony's commitment is limitless. This list only touches on his accomplishments.
The Army Commendation received by Lassiter proclaimed: "The loyalty, initiative, and will to succeed that Specialist Anthony V. Lassiter demonstrated at all times, undoubtedly made him one of the finest soldiers in this command." It can be concluded that Anthony Lassiter's loyalty, initiative, and will to succeed make him one of the finest citizens in this City of Beacon.
Out Like A Lion :: Wind Storm Damages Power Lines Causing Power Outages
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Winds of up to 40mph blew through Beacon Monday night into Tuesday morning, causing some to lose power.
The Times Union has a Power Outage Tracker that attempts to report power outages as they happen in counties across New York. According to Central Hudson, about 639 people in Dutchess County experienced power loss. Some Beaconites reported darkness as well in social media on Monday night. Outages within other counties were, as reported by Central Hudson:
Albany County: 345
Dutchess County: 639
Greene County: 2,184
Orange County: 1,537
Ulster County: 6,939
Ulster County got pummeled during the last blizzard, and the chance for power outage doesn’t seem to have let up. Central Hudson is currently embroiled in a billing controversy with clients and county leaders, where customer trust is lost in accurate billing. The County Executive for Ulster County Pat Ryan has called for an investigation into Central Hudson’s billing, and Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro calls Central Hudson’s new billing system roll-out “flawed and disturbing.”
As reported by WAMC, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan says he has submitted a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission. The article reports: “He says he has heard complaints from residents about not receiving bills for months, extremely over-estimated bills, and large automatic withdrawals from consumer accounts without notice.” WAMC reports that “once it receives the letter, the Public Service Commission is required to open a formal investigation.”
About The Wind Storm and Restoration
According to Central Hudson, “a low-pressure system moved into the region on Monday night bringing a line of thunderstorms and powerful wind gusts of over 50 miles per hour to some areas. These winds toppled trees and tree limbs onto powerlines causing outages throughout Central Hudson’s service area.”
Central Hudson’s’s report about the wind storm and restoration efforts is as follows:
“Central Hudson’s crews are working to make repairs and restore power to our customers as safely and quickly as possible,” said Ryan Hawthorne, Vice President of Electric Engineering and Operations. “In addition to our full complement of internal crews and contractors, we’re expecting an additional 80 line workers from New York, Connecticut, Maine and Quebec to arrive throughout the day to help address nearly 350 individual damage locations.”
“Conditions on Tuesday will improve and allow us to make significant progress, but we anticipate restoration efforts in the most heavily impacted areas to extend into Wednesday,” Hawthorne added.
Supplies For Ukraine Collected By Dutchess County Via Afya
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Dutchess County is partnering with Afya Foundation to collect needed donations at the former JC Penney site (lower level) 2001 South Road (Route 9) in Poughkeepsie. Who would have predicted that this retail destination would have been a life-saving destination for the past two years. Donations over the next two weekends with the help of and Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers. No appointment is necessary.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “This is a horrifying and heartbreaking time for Ukraine, and I know many people in Dutchess County are anxious to help. The generosity of our community has always been strong, and there are specific needs we can help meet. Knowing the heart of this community, let us all come together to help the people of Ukraine, donate what you can and pray for peace.”
Donation Collection Days/Times:
Saturday, March 12th from 9am-1pm
Friday, March 18th from 1pm-5-pm
Saturday March 19th from 9am-1pm
Specifically, What To Donate
Afya has provided a specific list of needed items. Only new, unopened and non-expired goods will be accepted from the list below. No other supplies are being collected at this time. Needed supplies are as follows:
Flashlights and Flashlight batteries
Baby and Adult Diapers
First Aid Kits
Face Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Personal Hygiene Kits (Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Floss, Deodorant, Shampoo, Razors and Shaving Cream)
Basic Health Supplies (Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Cough medicine, Oximeters, Ace bandages and Compression bandages)
The Dutchess County Departments of Emergency Response and Public Works will assist at collection site operations, including transporting donations to Afya’s Yonkers location. Afya is working in partnership with US-Ukraine-Foundation and others to support the Ukrainian medical community and refugees seeking aid.
About The Afya Foundation
The Afya Foundation was created to serve as a center for giving back and has become a backbone of goodness for the greater New York community. Afya collects unused medical supplies and equipment from throughout the New York metro area and gives them a second life. These critical materials are shipped to under resourced and compromised health systems all over the globe thereby improving access to healthcare, the quality of care delivered, and the retention of local providers. Since their start in 2007, they have successfully established engagement programs and opportunities for volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and capacity to build community at home while supporting healthcare abroad.
Please share this flyer to spread the word about the humanitarian supply collection site and find out about other ways to support the people of Ukraine. If you would like to donate supplies, but cannot get to the JCPenney location on the collection dates, the Afya Foundation has created an Amazon wish list that can be found at https://amzn.to/3q7hUE7. Groups and organizations who would like to coordinate their own collections and add the donations to the county’s collection, please call 845-486-2000 or email counteyexec@dutchessny.gov.
"Flawed and Disturbing" Is What Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro Calls Central Hudson's Roll Out Of New Billing System
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Central Hudson, the area’s deliverer of energy and gas, announced that they launched a new “customer information system” on September 1, 2021. As a result, some people did not receive a bill for months, according to complaints voiced on social media and submitted to A Little Beacon Blog. Some people received an “Estimated” bill for 4 months in a row, which according to New York State law, is not within regulation. Central Hudson’s Media Relations Director, John Maserjian, explained that regulation to A Little Beacon Blog:
“The reason Central Hudson reads meters every other month is due to a requirement in 2016 by utility regulators. Prior to 2016, Central Hudson billed every two months with actual meter readings. The state then required Central Hudson to bill monthly, however we were unable to read meters every month without raising rates. The state agreed to allow for estimates every other month, which we have been providing since then. We are now looking into alternatives that would allow for more consistent actual meter readings.”
On February 10, 2022, Central Hudson issued a press release alerting customers to rising electric and gas rates, citing various reasons for the spike, including colder weather this winter, the closure of Indian Point, and a shortage of liquefied natural gas in Europe as the United States is one of the main exporters of liquefied natural gas to Europe, in addition to Qatar and Russia (pre-Russian invasion of Ukraine).
Delivery Dollars In The Details
Residents across the region opened their eyes to how they were being billed by Central Hudson, and started complaining. Especially if they were used to a bill for $500 and received one for $2,500 after receiving no bill for 4 months. According to some customers who shared their experiences with A Little Beacon Blog, they were not offered a payment plan unless they called Central Hudson, usually in a panic about their bill.
According to a letter posted on customers’ February bills, only 5% of customers were effected. According to the wave of complaints in social media, that number seemed higher. Hearing the complaints, The City of Beacon’s Councilmember George Mansfield brought up the confusion he was hearing from residents, which prompted a meeting to be scheduled with Central Hudson and the City of Beacon to present to Beacon residents during a City Council Meeting.
The meeting was scheduled but postponed after the last blizzard caused extreme electricity outages in Ulster County, which Central Hudson worked hard to restore. High level employees of Central Hudson did present to Beacon’s City Council weeks later on February 22, 2022.
Days earlier, on February 16, 2022, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a statement via press release stating his discontent with Central Hudson’s treatment of billing customers. His statement in full is below:
“Central Hudson‘s roll out of a new billing system and failure to communicate effectively with our residents in anticipation of increased energy costs is flawed and disturbing.
“Gas prices globally have spiked, and nationally we are experiencing an unbearable rate of inflation. Locally, New York State’s decision to close Indian Point shifted the region from a reliance on steady, stable and affordable energy to an unstable commodity*. Bitter cold temperatures have further exacerbated the situation by increasing demand.
“Some of what we’re experiencing can be attributed to bad decisions and bad policy in Albany and Washington, but Central Hudson bears much responsibility here. They knew a rate increase was imminent. They have absolute control over their operations and communications. It is clear based on the countless individuals who have communicated with my office that Central Hudson’s outreach efforts have failed.
“The shocking utility bills our residents are receiving adds insult to the injury from last year‘s flawed rollout of their new billing system. Central Hudson has an obligation to keep our community informed about the cost of the energy they deliver.
“Too many families living paycheck to paycheck cannot bear the weight of inflation. Add to that a confusing and shocking utility bill increase and we have a recipe for disaster.
“Central Hudson must do better. They can do better. It’s time they provide assistance and relief to our residents.”
What Is The “Unstable Commodity” Marcus Molinaro Referred To?
In his statement above, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro referred to an “unstable commodity.” A Little Beacon Blog followed up to see which commodity he was referring to. His response:
“The unstable commodity is natural gas. The reference to ‘unstable’ relates to the short and long term instability that are often exhibited with raw materials, such as oil or natural gas, due to sudden changes in market conditions that affect supply and demand.
“Indian Point was not a raw material energy producer – the plant had a consistent output that did not fluctuate due to resource availability. It provided approximately 13% of the state’s electricity serving more than 2 million homes.
“To offset the power to provide electricity, New York State permitted three natural gas fired power plants. These plants are subject to the ‘instability’ of fluctuations in natural gas pricing which we are experiencing. The natural gas (commodity) needed for these three plants is not generated locally.
“Demand for natural gas has increased globally—spikes in frigid temperatures and the demand for electric vehicles have further increased the demand on natural gas as a significant amount of the state’s energy comes from natural gas-fired plants. At the same time, the banning of certain ways to source natural gas and the termination of projects or infrastructure to transport gas to the states have reduced supply.”
Reasons For Rising Rate Repeatedly Left Out Of Communications
Despite the closing of Indian Point, residents of Beacon and neighboring municipalities had the opportunity to opt-in to a fixed rate on their energy bill of .06361/kwh (kilowatt hour), which was in a locally legislated deal known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) structured and organized by Hudson Valley Energy in July 2019.
After a change in energy supplier (Direct Energy to Columbia Utilities) that rate was renegotiated to $.06572/kwh, far lower than what Central Hudson’s current rate for electricity is ($.21 for February 2022). The rate that Central Hudson charges for electricity is a variable rate, which means that it can change, and is not locked in, like Beacon’s rate is. Central Hudson’s new rate will reach $.21/kwh, as you can see in their chart of monthly rates here.
The source of the lower-priced rate negotiated by Hudson Valley Energy is 100% renewable energy. Usually that does not sit well with proponents of power plants like Indian Point. Currently, the 100% renewable energy is in a fixed, stable rate, and energy and gas prices are variable and spiking.
When the new, locked-in Beacon rate became available in 2019, about 10% of Beaconites opted out, according the Jeffrey Domanski of Hudson Valley Energy, a Beaconite who manages the group-rate fixed rate for Hudson Valley Energy. That was then. Currently, he says that 15% of Beaconites have opted out, with 70% of Beaconties enrolled in the locked-in rate.
Beaconites and any resident of one of the municipalities enrolled in this program can opt-in at any time by contacting Jeffrey directly at cca@hudsonvalleyenergy.org. Those municipalities currently include the City of Beacon, Town of Clinton, Village of Cold Spring, Town of Marbletown, Town of New Paltz, Village of New Paltz, Town of Philipstown, City of Poughkeepsie, Town of Red Hook, and the Town of Saugerties. Learn more about the program here.
Why Isn’t The Lower Locked-In Rate From Beacon’s CCA Headline News?
Why isn’t every Beaconite opted in to the lower locked in rate? Because messaging on it has been confusing from Central Hudson from the beginning. A Little Beacon Blog reported on that confusing letter from Central Hudson years ago, and the confusing messaging hasn’t stopped. Customer service representatives at Central Hudson claim to barely know about it, despite it being signed into legislation by Beacon’s City Council. Messaging from door-to-door peddlers of solar panels have also sown confusion and doubt about the program, according to this writer’s own experience with 2 of them.
At its core, the locked-in energy rate is drawing from 100% renewable energy. Which in and of itself, can draw skepticism from people. Couple that with the solar panel sales people who come door to door (illegally, by the way, as they should not do that without a Peddler’s Permit which they never show - they show their photo ID from their employer but that’s not the same thing as a Peddler’s Permit. they prey on people, especially the elderly who will fall for their very well-crafted sales pitches).
How To Get The Locked-In Rate
This is a developing story. A Little Beacon Blog has more reporting to share with you on it. Know this: If you want to opt-in to the fixed energy rate for Beacon, which is $.06361/kwh instead of the $0.21995 Central Hudson’s variable rate is now up to, email Jeffrey directly at cca@hudsonvalleyenergy.org.
The locked-in rate is not guaranteed to be lower at all times, as the rest of the market fluctuates. Since its start in 2019, it has outperformed the variable fossil-fuel market rate.
For questions about the fixed rate for Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), do not email or call Columbia Utilities, as Central Hudson has instructed you to do. As this is a legislated agreement with several municipalities, it is odd that Central Hudson’s customer service representatives, as well as printed letters from Central Hudson’s marketing department, would divulge such little information about how to get in touch with the point person of the many municipal-wide Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that is written into Beacon’s city code.
The point person to hook you up for free to this locked in rate is Jeffrey Domanski of Hudson Valley Energy at cca@hudsonvalleyenergy.org.
NOTE: This locked in rate is not the Budget Billing plan that Central Hudson encourages customers to start. There is much skepticism about that Budget Billing plan, and if it is based on Actual readings, and how many customers have gotten money back if they used less energy and gas then Central Hudson projected for them.
To be continued…
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Sales Tax Eliminated For Clothes & Shoes Under $110 In Dutchess County - Plus - Forfeited Beacon Sales Tax Renegotiated Without Disclosing Beacon's Collection To Public
/Starting March 1st, 2022 residents and visitors shopping in Dutchess County will not pay sales tax on individual clothing or footwear items costing less than $110. This cut in sales tax was first announced in October 2021, and adopted when Dutchess County passed its budget in December 2021. Sales tax generated from Beacon continues to be forfeited to Dutchess County - meaning the City of Beacon does not collect the money generated from sales tax to spend at its digression.
For decades, the decision for Beacon, Poughkeepsie and other municipalities in Dutchess County has been to funnel sales tax money to Dutchess County, and receive negotiated payments from Dutchess County in return. The dollar amount of sales tax generated from Beacon has not been disclosed by Dutchess County or New York State, as reported by A Little Beacon Blog, and continues to not be disclosed during Beacon’s recent negotiations with Mayor Lee Kyriacou in 2022 and signed legislation to continue the practice.
But First - The Benefit For Shoppers
According to Dutchess County’s press release from Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro sent 2/28/2022: “The sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear was adopted as part of the 2022 County Budget which provided for and is part of several efforts to deliver sustained tax relief to Dutchess County residents with more than $20 million in annual tax relief, including the largest property tax decrease in County history.”
“Starting Tuesday, residents and visitors will now pay less when they need to make essential clothing and footwear purchases. Combined, we are delivering $20 million in sustained tax relief.”
This means that every item in a store that is clothing or footwear and is under $110 will not be charged sales tax. Shops that ring their sales up manually will need to remember to do this when writing out the receipt. Shops that use point of sale (POS) systems and bookkeeping software like QuickBooks will have an easier time of assigning what products within their inventory have sales tax attached.
Different Sales Taxes Attached To Each Purchase In New York State
There are different taxes attached to retail sales. “In New York State, clothing, footwear, and items used to make or repair exempt clothing which are sold for less than $110 per item or pair are currently exempt from the State’s 4% sales tax,” according to Dutchess County’s press release.
“Consumers currently pay the Dutchess County sales tax rate of 3.75% and the 3/8th% Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MTA) tax, for a total of 4.125% tax on these purchases,” the press release outlined. “Effective March 1st, 2022, Dutchess County becomes one of only 9 counties in New York to eliminate county sales tax on clothing and footwear items under $110, and the only county in the mid-Hudson Valley region to do so.”
Those counties are or have been: Chautauqua County, Chenango County (outside the following) Norwich (city), Columbia County, Delaware County, Dutchess County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Tioga County, and New York City.
The sales tax exemption is a per-item exemption and doe snot include the 3/8th% MTA tax.
According to the press release, Dutchess County retailers were notified of the upcoming sales tax change by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Specific details of the exemption are available online Publication 718-C – Sales and Use Tax Rates on Clothing and Footwear.
Details Of Type Of Clothing Exempt
According to the legislation, “the exemption applies only to clothing and footwear worn by humans. It also applies to most fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, snaps, hooks, zippers, and similar items that become a physical component part of exempt clothing, or that are used to make or repair exempt clothing.”
Items not included in the exemption include costumes or rented formal wear; items made from pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, or imitations; athletic equipment; or protective devices, such as motorcycle helmets.
What This Means For Sales Tax Collected From Beacon
New sales tax sharing agreement for 2023-2032 have been negotiated and are being signed into law. The dollar amount of sales tax generated from stores in Beacon has not been disclosed to the public by Mayor Kyriacou, who very briefly briefed the City Council at a Workshop meeting in February 2022, and more in depth at the following meeting, where the renegotiated rate was unanimously voted Yes on.
According to Dutchess County’s 2/28/2022 press release announcing this new sales tax cut: “The clothing and sales tax exemption goes into effect as the County is working with the Cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie to update the current sales tax sharing agreement, which provides millions of dollars in sales tax revenue to local municipalities each year. The current agreement expires in 2023, and requires the authorization of each City Council, the County Legislature, and the NYS Comptroller.
“The agreement allows Dutchess County Government to continue to collect a 3.75% County Sales and Use Tax, with the Cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon surrendering their right to receive one-half of the non-state sales and use tax (which equals 1.5%) collected within their respective municipalities. (The agreement is among these three parties because under state law, only county and city governments have the right to impose a local sales tax; towns and villages do not have that right.)
“The new agreement will be a streamlined agreement that eliminates the complicated formula for sales tax growth contained in the current agreement. The new agreement, which will run from 2023 to 2033, will be a simple percentage formula. Each of the cities will see a graduated increase in the percentage of sales tax received over the term of the agreement, with the City of Poughkeepsie increasing their percentage of sales tax collected from the current 4.59% to receiving 6.02% by 2030. The City of Beacon will go from its current 2.00% to receiving 2.62% by 2030. Local towns and villages will continue to share 9.5% of total county sales tax collected.
“Over the last 10 years, we have distributed more than $300 million in sales tax to our 2 cities, 20 towns and 8 villages. This new agreement increases the percentage of sales tax the two cities will receive, while ensuring the towns and villages sales tax revenue is protected and grows as sales tax receipts grow,” County Executive Molinaro said.
“The City of Beacon Council voted to approve the new agreement on Tuesday, February 22nd. The City of Poughkeepsie Council is expected to vote on the agreement on March 14th. It will then go to the Dutchess County Legislature for vote at the April board meeting.”
Generated Sales Tax Grew In 2021
According to a press release made by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinar’s office on 10/13/2021: “Dutchess County has seen revenues rebound strongly in 2021, with sales tax receipts well exceeding original projections year-to-date and continued federal reimbursement for many of the COVID-19 expenses as well as American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. This has enabled the County to fill many of the positions that had been held vacant this year and restore full position funding in the 2022 Executive Budget, expand and enhance programs, while also reducing the property tax levy – the amount collected from property taxpayers.”
While Dutchess County indicates that they know the sales tax number generated to them by surrounding municipalities who have forfeited their right to collect their own sales taxes, the totals for each municipalities continues to not be disclosed by Dutchess County, or Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou, if that number was disclosed to him while negotiating with the county on the rate.
Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver said, “At a time when many costs are going up for families, I am very proud that Dutchess County Government is doing all we can to lower costs for our residents. This sales tax exemption helps people hang on to their hard-earned money and also makes Dutchess County an even more attractive shopping destination for visitors. We have worked hard to make smart, conservative fiscal decisions over the years so we can keep providing savings to our citizens.”
Knowing the sales tax number generated by each municipality would help all Dutchess County residents know if their municipality were getting a good deal from the County when being cut a check to be used at each municipality’s digression, in addition to being provided services by Dutchess County.
Mask Comes Down From The Face With The Hat Mural On Building On Main Street - People Remember The Mask In Photos
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The person in the hat, a mural in Beacon at 314 Main Street. Days or weeks prior to this photo, the artist had installed a mask on the face. The mask is gone now. Below, find people’s photos of when the mask was up, taken in homage to helping Beaconties stay safe. Today, COVID-19 case counts are down, and vaccination rates are up. Hopefully they stay that way.
Back in 2015, which is 7 years ago, A Little Beacon Blog ran a contest for people to identify where a tiny corner of a photo was around town. It was called the “Where Is This?” Contest. It was a favorite activity for our readers, and it’s time to bring it back! At the time, a tiny snapshot of this photo was the clue, and a Beaconite named Michelle Rivas, who is currently a librarian at the Beacon Public Library, identified it first.
Since then, the mural of the person in the bowler hat at 314 Main Street (intersection of N. Chestnut) has become iconic. Not for it’s photogenic draw as a selfie-stopper for anyone visiting Beacon to get their photo taken in front of this mural, but for what was added to the mural: the mask. After COVID-19 was declared, and face coverings were mandated for public spaces, the artist installed a powder blue lattice mask on this face, trimmed in sunflowers. The move was made during a time of growing frustration with having to wear a mask as a safety measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
And just like that…the mask has been discarded. Sunflowers from the mask installation on the person in the hat mural on the building at 314 Main Street and N. Chestnut Street.
Little by little, more and more selfies emerged on Instagram of people with the masked version of the mural. By the end of February 2022, face mask mandates started coming down. While walking on Main Street one morning, the trimming of sunflowers was spotted sitting by trash cans. No one knew what that meant in that moment, but the entire lattice-based installation of the mask was also gone. A sign? A statement from the artist that they too are removing their mask policy, as restaurants and schools are, now that they are given the choice instead of being mandated by federal or local government? Local shops, eateries and gyms are all reviewing their policies, emailing their customers, and moving forward into what hopes to be a safe situation for what was once normal.
More importantly, now that COIVID-19 case counts have plummeted, vaccination rates are increasing (still room to increase! Kids need their doses, and everyone needs their boosters (talk to your doctor for your own needs if you have concerns).
A Little Beacon Blog has asked the world (jk, the community of residents and visitors to Beacon) to send in their selfies with the masked version of this mural. Or not the selfies - the scene could look different on different days. We will provide photo credit to each photo submitted and published. Email yours to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com.
And this doesn’t means it’s over. The mask might come back. Get vaccinated! People can wear a mask if they are comfortable doing so.
Beacon Trivia: The stores currently in this building are Last Outpost Store (a great boutique with mens and womens apparel, home collectibles and house-designed jewelry) and Yanarella (a great inclusive dance studio for kids and adults). Prior to Last Outpost Store was The Dance Bag. Memories!
Photo Credit: Maureen, taken September 2021
Photo Credit: Anvin Alexander @anvinalexander
Photo Credit: Anonymous
Photo Credit: Ginny Moore “Hope this helps!”
Photo Credit: Megan Meister: “Summer 2020 while enjoying a wonderful weekend in Beacon.
Love your blog by the way!”
Photo Credit: Maura Simeone
Recycling Opportunity: Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Events - Registration Required
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Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management announced 2022 dates for their Household Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Recycling Events. Registration opens March 9, 2022, and is limited to a first come first served basis. Only 380 households will be served! Open to Dutchess County residents only, and is partially funded by New York State. The actual event is April 9, 2022. There will be a couple more opportunities again later in the year.
Residents should expect to experience wait times when they arrive at the location due to high demand, advised Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. Registration is limited to the first 380 households; pre-registration is required for this event, and there is a $10 registration fee; registration often reaches capacity quickly, so residents are encouraged to register promptly.
County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We can all take an active part in preserving our planet for future generations, and Dutchess County’s upcoming Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Event is the perfect opportunity for residents to get a jump on spring cleaning and help the environment. We appreciate our residents’ desire to keep Dutchess County clean, and we urge residents to register promptly.”
Recycling Event Dates: April 9, 2022, May 21, 2022, and September 17, 2022
Pre-Registration is a MUST.
Location: 626 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY
(access off of Route 44 to Burnett Boulevard)
Registration Fee: Registration and $10 Prepayment Required.
1. Pay online at this registration link, or
2. Call (845) 463-6020, or
3. Pay by check
If paying by check:
Make payable to “Dutchess County Commissioner of Finance”
Mail to:
Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management
96 Sand Dock Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Acceptable Hazardous Waste Items:
Product Containers Marked: “Warning”, “Hazardous”, “Flammable”, “Poisonous”, “Corrosive”
Photo chemicals, non-latex driveway sealer, pool chemicals, creosote, kerosene, flammable liquids, metal polish, turpentine, stains, varnishes, strippers, thinners, gasoline/oil mixture, brake fluid, antifreeze, auto fluids, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, adhesives, resins, solvents, oil & lead based paints (no latex), mercury containing devices, button cell batteries for watches & hearing aids, computer monitors, CPUs, fax machines, printers, TVs, stereos, telephones, lithium & sealed lead acid batteries, fluorescent tubes.
Do Not Bring (Not For Hazardous Waste)
Ammunition or explosives, asbestos products, latex driveway sealer & latex paint, building or construction debris, tires, furniture, medical waste, pharmaceuticals, propane or other flammable gas cylinders, radioactive materials, scrap metal, metal drums or empty containers, motor oil, car batteries, alkaline or rechargeable batteries.
Every Week Recycling Opportunities In Beacon’s Transfer Station
While this event is where you can offload hazardous materials, some of these items may also be dropped of at Beacon’s Transfer Station, including TVs and tires. There may be a fee for some electronic items, but the price is not stated on the City of Beacon’s website at this time. Guess you’ll find out when you go! Bring a check or cash. Click here to see what you can recycle at the City of Beacon’s Transfer Station any week of the year.
1st Annual Student Film Festival Announced For Beacon City School Students - Submission Deadline Is April 19th
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The newly formed Foundation For Beacon Schools has announced its 1st Annual Student Film Festival for Beacon City School District (BCSD) students. The festival will premier on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 at the Seeger Theater at the Beacon High School. Students as young as elementary school can enter for consideration, and content can range from Documentary to Narrative (think fiction, stop-motion with Legos, etc.) to Non-Narrative (think abstract figurative set to haunting music) and must be suitable for general audiences with a maximum length of 2 minutes.
The deadline for film submission is April 19, 2022 and can be filmed using a smartphone. Acceptable file formats can include .mov files (for Apple) and .mp4 (for Android).
The foundation is hosting educational events to help students and caregivers think of topics and how to go about making a short film. The online Q&A sessions have been divided to speak to different age groups: Elementary school age children, and Middle/High School age kids. Register for any or all here.
For Elementary Students (Adult caregiver must attend online with student)
Week 1: Monday February 28 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Pre-Production - Developing Your Film Idea.
Week 2: Monday March 7 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Production - Tips for a Successful Film Shoot.
Week 3: Monday March 14 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Post-Production - Editing Your Film.
For Middle and High School Students
Week 1: Thursday March 3 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Pre-Production - Developing Your Film Idea
Week 2: Thursday March 10 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Production - Tips for a Successful Film Shoot
Week 3: Thursday March 17 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Post-Production - Editing Your Film
Register for any or all film production education events here.
About The Foundation For Beacon Schools
Started as a cousin to an earlier education foundation, Beacon Arts and Education Foundation, that had been fueled by Meredith Heur (current Board of Education Board Member and President) and Kelly Ellenwood (one of Beacon’s most involved volunteers and one-time City Council Member candidate), the foundation’s mission is for Beacon’s public schools to be at the leading edge in creating a learning environment in which all students are able to find and cultivate their talents, live purposeful, fulfilling, and vibrant lives, and carry their gifts into the future.
Board of Director
Anna Sullivan, Chair
Debbie Brennen, Vice-Chair and BAM Co-Chair
Rebecca Libed, Treasurer
Kelly Ellenwood, Secretary
Kit Burke-Smith, Communications
Rebecca Correllus, BAM Co-Chair
Barbara Fisher, Director
Maureen Neary, Director
Carole Penner, Director
Advisory Board
Elissa Betterbid (current Beacon Board of Education Member)
August Eriksmoen
Meredith Heuer (current Beacon Board of Education Member and President)
Matt Landahl (current Beacon Superintendent of Schools)
Gwen Laster
Wren Longno (current City Council Member)
Jason McIntyre
Craig Wolf (current Beacon Board of Education Member)
Susan Wright
NY State Lifts Mask Mandate For Schools; Beacon City Schools Agree; Dutchess County Agrees
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The robo-call came in on Sunday afternoon, while Beaconites were out doing things like going to Bounce! or grocery shopping, from Beacon’s Superintendent Landahl letting district families know that New York’s Governor Hochul had made her decision on the mask mandate. “After consulting with health and education experts, as well as parents, teachers and school administrators,” Governor Hochul explained that she was comfortable lifting the mask mandate for school children due to more New Yorkers getting vaccinated and a steady decline over the past several weeks in cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, on March 2nd.
Dr. Landahl robo-called to say that he agreed, and supported anyone’s decision to continue to wear a mask stating: “We also fully support staff or students who want to continue to wear masks. It has been a long 2 years for all of us and I want to take a moment to thank all of our staff for their tireless efforts over this difficult time. I want to thank our families for their incredible levels of patience and flexibility. Finally, I want to thank our students for their perseverance and leadership during this time.”
Some middle school students who prefer masks, voiced skepticism at the announcement. One student worried about their non-vaccinated friends. Another student made predictions about who would be taking their mask down right away, presumably based on what their parents wanted them to do, the student said. Both students expressed relief at being able to remove the mask when they wanted to, especially during gym class.
The Metrics Behind The Mandate Lift
Governor Hochul said that her decision “follows recent changes in metrics used by the CDC to determine risk and transmission levels in communities. Other mitigation measures should remain in place.”
“Among large states, New York has the highest rate of adults fully vaccinated for COVID-19,” Governor Hochul explained. “The highest rate of teenagers fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and the 2nd-highest rate of children ages 5-11 fully vaccinated. New York State has experienced a 98% decline in COVID-19 cases since the Omicron peak, and a continuous downward trend in cases for 51 consecutive days.”
Vaccination clinics continue to be hosted, and New York State established 261 vaccination sites for kids so far. Attention will need to continue to be paid to vaccination requirements as efficacy rates are measured over time. Long haul COVID-19 remains a factor, with unknown symptoms potentially lingering.
"With more New Yorkers getting vaccinated, and the steady decline over the past several weeks in cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, we are now entering a new phase of the pandemic. Because New Yorkers have stepped up, we can confidently remove the statewide mask requirement in our schools," Governor Hochul said. "This is a huge step forward for our kids and communities and I am grateful to the students, educators and parents for their dedication to keeping us all safe—we've reached this milestone because of your hard work."
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a statement on Sunday in response to the mask mandate lift, saying: “We welcome the end to mask requirements for our children later this week – and will take no action to require them locally.”
Easy Recycling Locations For Batteries And Cords For Beaconites
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Sunny Saturdays are for…dropping off specialty recycling of very specific things! Each drop is a little bit of hope.
Batteries and cords can go to Best Buy at the Poughkeepsie Galleria (and several other Best Buys).
The clear filmy plastic bags can go to the special bin at Hudson Valley Brewery behind 1 East Main near Trax Coffee Roasters down in Beacon’s free municipal parking lot. According to Green Beacon Co., the recycling of the filmy plastics was an initiative started by the Beacon Lions and Key Food Beacon. It transitioned to Green Beacon Co. The initiative then partnered with Beacon’s Conservation Advisory Committee.
An upcoming opportunity for recycling Household Hazardous Waste items is on April 9th, May 21st and September 17th. A person must register to the hazardous waste event. Registration begins April 9th and in the past has gone fast. Find details here.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.