May! So Many Registrations... :: Retail Therapy 4/3/2024
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LAST CHANCE! Howland Public Library Presents:
Beacon Movies & Hit House Film Present: Special Screening Alert! Honoring Mental Health Month
Rally For Housing
Gala
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Cold Spring Farmers' Market Opens Earlier For Summer Hours With New Vendors
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This just in from the Cold Spring Farmers’ Market, as first reported by Eggbert’s Free Range Farm - earlier hours and new vendors:
“The market is switching over to our SUMMER HOURS this weekend! Which means that the market begins at 8:30 AM - 1 PM. Even more time for shopping and eating and picnicking! Also because of the switch to summer hours, we also have some new vendors coming for the season, make sure you walk around and peruse the new makers!”
New State Law Would Deny Financial Aid to Students Who Criticize Israel
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by Arvind Dilawar
Although the bills claim to protect Jewish students, they would in fact codify a definition of anti-Semitism that includes criticism of Israel.
Editorial Update Post Publication: “Clarification: Representative Anil Beephan's district includes voters with Beacon mailing addresses (rather than those within the City of Beacon proper).
"I proudly do NOT represent the City of Beacon," says Beephan in a statement.
Late last year, New York State Senator Bill Weber and Assemblyperson Ari Brown introduced Senate Bill S7752 and Assembly Bill A8399 in their respective chambers. The bills were cosponsored by two dozen other legislators, including Senator Rob Rolison and Assemblyperson Anil Beephan, whose districts include parts of Beacon. The bills — both misleadingly titled “The Combating Campus Antisemitism Act” — claim to be protecting Jewish students by prohibiting “tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in promoting antisemitism.”
In fact, both bills would punish students who criticize the Israeli government, whether in regards to its ongoing genocide in Gaza — which has claimed the lives of more than 34,596 Palestinians, including 14,500 children and 8,400 women, according to Al Jazeera at the time of this writing — or its occupation of Palestine more broadly.
While neither bill directly mentions Israel, both reference a definition of anti-Semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) — which does mention Israel. The IHRA lists specific examples of criticism that it claims are anti-Semitic, which are broad enough to include any criticism of Israel’s well-documented apartheid regime in the West Bank (“claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor”) to its ongoing genocide in Gaza (“drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis”).
The IHRA is an inter-governmental agency, which now includes 35 member countries, including Israel, and nine observer countries. Although it was ostensibly founded to combat Holocaust denialism, the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism was in fact a response to the Second Intifada, an uprising by Palestinians against the ongoing Israeli occupation, as documented by the Foundation for Middle East Peace. Organizations committed to Zionism (Jewish ethno-nationalism) like the American Jewish Committee expressly sought a definition of anti-Semitism that would include anti-Zionism (opposition to Jewish ethno-nationalism) and the IHRA’s working definition gave it to them in 2016.
The IHRA describes its definition of anti-Semitism as “non-legally binding” — but that hasn’t stopped the Israeli government and lobbyists like the American Legislative Exchange Council from trying to make it into law in the United States. ALEC is a notorious right-wing “bill mill” that brings together special interests and politicians to craft “model legislation” to lobby for in federal and state legislatures. The Center for Media and Democracy, a government watchdog, recently published audio from an ALEC meeting in 2021 at which Elise Steinberg of the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles and others urged the assembled legislators to codify the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism into law through their respective legislatures.
Prior to October 7, the Israeli government and ALEC had limited success in pushing states to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. From 2018 to 2023, only nine states — Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas — passed laws adopting the definition, according to FMEP. Since October 7, Georgia joined that list; seven more states — Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and South Dakota — are considering similar legislation; and no less than 15 related bills are before Congress.
Since being introduced, neither Senate Bill S7752 nor Assembly Bill A8399 has advanced beyond committee, meaning they remain far from law. However, one of the bills before Congress, HR 6090, advanced through the House of Representative on May 1, with Representative Mike Lawler, whose district includes parts of Dutchess County, cosponsoring and Representative Pat Ryan, whose district includes Beacon, voting in favor. Notably, both Lawler and Ryan have received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from pro-Israel lobbyists.
Editorial Update: After publication of this article, Assemblyperson Anil Beephan Jr. wrote into A Little Beacon Blog to say: "I proudly stand by my cosponsorship of this bill. That said, I proudly do NOT represent the City of Beacon. I suggest you fix your story and recognize the difference between city lines and mailing addresses."
To which the reporter responded: “The article does not say ‘City of Beacon,’ rather ‘parts of Beacon,’ which was intentionally phrased to include Beacon mailing addresses that Beephan does represent.”
Therefore, ALBB has added the following to the top of this article:
“Clarification: Representative Anil Beephan's district includes voters with Beacon mailing addresses (rather than those within the City of Beacon proper).
"I proudly do NOT represent the City of Beacon," says Beephan in a statement.
The 2024 Business Lineup For Beacon's Career Fair Plus Counselor Michele Polhamus’ Favorite Things
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The 2024 Beacon High School Career Fair will be on Friday, May 17th from 10:30am - 1:30pm. Registration was May 1st, but if you sign up now via this link, Beacon City School Guidance Counselor and organizer Michele Polhamus may still be able to save you a table. The Career Fair is one of her favorite events, and getting a wide variety of businesses to participate is important to her. Register here to save your spot.
“I love having the career fair as it allows students to start building connections to what they are learning here at school to the world of work,” Michele told A Little Beacon Blog. “It also gives students an opportunity to explore the myriad of opportunities that exist in the world of work.”
During Career Fair, students come into the gymnasium in organized waves throughout the day to meet businesses. “I believe students enjoy the event, as it allows them to get first-hand information on careers of interest and what it really means/looks like to be in that career.”
Businesses have also benefited from Career Fair when they are looking to attract new employees from the community. “There are also participants that are looking to hire students, so it gives students an opportunity to gain employment as well. Businesses/Participants enjoy connecting with our students and offering information about their business/career/profession. If a business is hiring, it also allows them to provide our student body with information on how to effectively apply for a position at their organization.”
Even if a business is not hiring, the giving of one self at Career Fair is a reason to participate. From entrepreneurs to artists, the kids can see and ask what it is like to have such a career. Said Michele: “I also believe events like this help to build a strong sense of community...a perfect example of it ‘taking a village.’”
The 2024 Business LineUp So Far
Finishing Trades Institute of NY
Insulators Local 91
Folkes Home Services
Libby Funeral Home
Melanin Unchained/Next Step Hudson Valley/Dear Summer Inc.
SMART SHEET METAL WORKERS' LU 38
City of Beacon Fire Department
New York State Police
City of Beacon Police
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
Chemprene
Smart Staffing Group, INC
United States Air Force
NYPD Recruitment Section
NYS DOT
US Navy
Dutchess County Sheriff's Office
New York Army National Guard
Slater Chemical Fire Department
City of Beacon
Beacon Recreation
Careers with Dutchess County Government
Dutchess County Department of Human Resources
Ulster County Sheriff's Office
Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Empowering Clerks Network
Loeb Art Center, Vassar College
Hudson Valley's Best
Care 4 Me, Inc. Child Care Center
Ability Beyond
Nuvance Health / Vassar Brothers
Kumon Math & Reading Center of Beacon Dutchess County Sheriff's Office
LifePlan CCO
Kyndryl
Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
Gap Inc.
Embrace Therapy
Twins Barber Shop
Kelta (Wellness Center)
Nuvance Health
AON Physical Therapy and Wellness
Veterinary Relief Services
NBC Universal
A Little Beacon Blog
Video Ventures Ltd Beacon, NY
The Highlands Current
Ability Beyond
Team HART at Epique Realty
Studio 1482/The Lincoln Avenue Workshop
a little gaza news :: The University Students and Faculty Join The Push For Palestinian Liberation - Gaza Solidarity Encampments (A Link Roundup)
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The American news coverage of the growing number of university protests called Gaza Solidarity Encampments is not being well-covered. For example, when the news broke that there were snipers at Emory University, and then at Ohio State University, someone made the assumption that civilians were the ones holding and pointing the rifles. However, the police were called by the universities to come be placed onto the roof, and point rifles at the students and faculty, who were engaging in sitting and setting up their tents. Violence occurred if police or pro-Israeli civilians came in to agitate.
Also not covered as much are Jewish students and faculty participating in these Pro-Palestinian protests. Like this night in the streets for Seder for Passover.
Several professors have joined the students to protect them and serve as witnesses. Some parents have voiced how proud they are of their child. Despite the tuition that may be going to these universities. NBC New York reported: "The students' plight has become a central part of protests, with students and a growing number of faculty demanding their amnesty. At issue is whether universities and law enforcement will clear the charges and withhold other consequences, or whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students into their adult lives."
Presidential candidate Jill Stein was arrested at an anti-war protest at Washington University, held, and charged with assault of a police officer, as reported by Al Jazeera. She is 73 years old, and was arrested with 99 other people. “It was kind of scary to tell you the truth,” she said in an interview with local news station KSDK as reported by Time.
In depth accounts to follow on the Encampments at Universities are Ahmed Eldin, Wear The Peace, Everyday Is Juneteenth
a little gaza news :: University Encampment Edition
This roundup for "a little gaza news" highlights some moments of the Gaza Encampments, as well as emerging testimony from IDF (Israeli Defense Forces aka Israeli Occupation Forces).
“There Are No Universities Left In Gaza: Israel’s Destruction Of Gaza’s Education System.” - Middle East Eye
”After more than 200 days of Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza, many of Gaza’s educational institutions lie in ruins. According to a team of UN experts, there are currently no universities remaining in Gaza due to the devastating bombardment of the Israeli army. Palestine has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, but the war on Gaza has devastated the education sector, killing thousands of students, and leaving hundreds of thousands others out of school for almost seven months.”“Do you want Columbia University to be cursed by God?”
The real life question asked by Congressman Rick Allen to Minouche Shafik, the President of Columbia University. She answers: “Definitely not.” And then orders the police to begin arresting students and faculty, which turns violent. She expels students and has them evicted. Students might have 15 minutes to gather their things. Their things were otherwise tossed into a tall pile of trash that they weren’t allowed to touch, according to other reports and photos. She has been president of Columbia University for less than a year.Students being pulled and dragged away by police at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. - Everyday Is Juneteenth
T-Shirt Of Arrested Man: “Jews Say Ceasefire Now” - Wear The Peace
“Antisemitism on college campuses” | This is IU professor Ben Robinson being arrested. He was subsequently banned from campus for a year for “criminal trespassing” yesterday.
NYU Faculty Form A Chain Around Gaza Solidarity Encampment As Students Prepare To Pray - Wear The Peace
“Dr. Noëlle McAfee Noelle McAfee, the chair of the philosophy department at Emory University in Atlanta, was arrested during a pro-Palestine protest on campus.” - Middle East Eye
This arrest was incredible. Noelle came out to witness a student being beaten by police. She was concerned for her students, and stayed. When the police told her to leave, she declined, and they arrested her.Dr. Noëlle McAfee, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and chair of the philosophy department at Emory University, speaks out following her arrest at the encampment the day before. - Everyday Is Juneteenth
If Not Now co-founder Simone Zimmerman tells El Sayyed the values young Jews are taught about their faith and their history compels them to speak out against Israel and fight for Palestinian freedom. Zimmerman’s personal story from a pro-Israeli student to a pro-Palestinian organizer was documented in the acclaimed new film ‘Israelism’. This was on this week’s episode of The Big Picture Podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Members of All That’s Left joined Rabbis4Ceasefire in a journey to the Erez crossing to Gaza to try and bring in humanitarian aid. - atlcol
"During the Passover Seder, we read in the hagadah “all who are hungry, let them eat.” Liberation for some - for Jews only - is a false liberation. And yet, a state that claims to speak for world Jewry is - on Passover and since October 7th - starving tens of thousands of innocent people in Gaza."Rabbis For Human Rights CEO Avi Dabush told @atlcol: “We are commanded to not turn away.” We cannot look on idly as thousands are brutally oppressed in our name. Though the police stopped us from bringing in aid - which we will instead bring to Palestinian communities in the West Bank - and arrested several activists, we will continue to fight for justice and human dignity until all are free from the river to the sea."
“Israeli soldiers don’t draw the line between terrorists and civilians.” And IDF soldier speaks out to News4 - Channel 4 News
In this interview, and IDF solider talks about why Palestinian kids are targeted to kill. “A lot of them [IDF] don’t draw the line between terrorists and civilians.” In a rare interview, an Israeli soldier tells us the attitudes of some IDF soldiers serving in Gaza since the October 7th attacks. The IDF says it only targets Hamas, which hides behind civilians.”Ohio State Campus Police Attempting To Arrest Students While Praying - zjpeace
“A human chain formed by students blocked violent Ohio State Police from reaching peaceful protestors who were offering prayer amidst a protest.”“Let them pray,” is what was being chanted. “The way this made me cry,” said zjpeace.
Over 200 zip-tied Palestinians found executed in a hospital and YOU are upset at our protest??? - Wear The Peace
This posted got voted Best Poster by one of ALBB’s readers. “If you’re mad about the peaceful protests but not the mass graves, the children under the rubble, the 2 million humans starving, the 35,000 dead, and the genocide as a whole, then you have selective empathy towards humans, and Palestinians don’t make the cut in your racist selection of who deserves said “empathy”. Picture: Jewish Voice For Peace and taken by Watch Me Rise.Children from Gaza say Thank You to the Students. - untoldpalestine
The Poem, “If I Must Die” by Professor Refaat Al-Areer, written before he was murdered by Israel in December. His eldest daughter, Shaimaa Refaat, was assassinated by Israel, along with her husband and newborn baby.
An apartheid checkpoint in Canada, banning the Keffiyeh - fatenelwan
“Ontario Legislature staff discriminated against our group under the auspices of the racist Keffiyeh ban, preventing us from reaching the viewing gallery in time.”Zionist citizens are not walking on this side of the wall with graffiti. They have crossed over. Notice the amount of IDF soldiers in an area for what reason. This is everyday life for some Palestinians. For 76 years of US/Israeli occupation. Must stop. Free Palestine 🇵🇸
Welcome The Luminous Bride To ALBB's Business Directory Guide!
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Welcome The Luminous Bride to ALBB’s Business Directory!
A most discreet and lovely beauty secret destination in Beacon is The Luminous Bride, nestled in The Makeup Loft at 1 East Main, the historic factory building down by the famous Dummy Light. Owned by makeup artist Jules Waldoetter, whose signature style is a soft look with clean, natural makeup, Luminous Bride's team of hair and makeup professionals apply their palettes to clients who love looking like themselves, but seek the enchanting lift makeup can give them. Established in NYC, Jules was a regular artist at NY Fashion Week, and continues styling celebrities for press, print, TV and the red carpet. Luminous Bride can style people for events, portraits, branding, presentations, meetings, productions etc., and can do on site hair and makeup for weddings. Find them inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique. Book with them on their website by filling out their form, checking their schedule, or sending them an email.
PS: Jules also offers one-on-one makeup lessons for those looking to learn how to increase their makeup knowledge and skills!
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Special Screening Alert! Honoring Mental Health Month
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Beacon Police Release More Information On Man Arrested Who Threatened To Shoot Someone On Main Street
/A Little Beacon Blog has asked the Beacon Police Department for more information on the man who was arrested last Sunday morning, who was taken down in a trained Use of Force response after the police had received the call that he had threatened to shoot people on Main Street. According to the Beacon Police, the man resisted arrest by not putting his hands on the wall when ordered to, and then put his arm in front of his body, which was captured on video here.
The Beacon Police have updated their statement issued via Press Release with the following statement below. ALBB is awaiting confirmation on if the man frequents Beacon and lives in the area, or if he was never seen before, and here for a random day. Some in the Beacon community have told ALBB that they are familiar with this man and his unbalanced behavior, but Beacon Police may be able to confirm.
ALBB has issued a Letter From The Editor about the state of Mental Health in Beacon, particularly with those who tend to live or be outside a lot as community members who can act out in different ways that can sometimes threaten people.
Statement from the Beacon Police Department:
“As noted in our April 21, 2024 press release, that day department members responded to a call for a man threatening to shoot people on Main St. Investigation revealed that the incident started when a couple walking on Main St. asked the man not to touch their dog. The suspect then became enraged, threatening to assault and shoot the dog owner and frightening people in the area. An uninvolved witness, who was very concerned by this behavior occurring in front of his children, then called the police who located the suspect, as previously described. One of the people threatened also called and reported the incident a short time later. The suspect was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Resisting Arrest. He was also transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
“A use of force investigation was conducted that included interviews with the suspect, civilian witnesses and officers as well as reviews of recorded phone calls, body-worn camera footage and footage provided by a civilian witness. It was found that due to the suspect’s threats to shoot people, it was necessary for officers to detain him immediately. Further, due to his actions in initially refusing an officer’s orders, his pulling his hand in front of his body and out of sight when an officer attempted to handcuff him and his resistance to handcuffing once on the ground, that the officers on scene used force consistent with department standards and with best practices. Due to involuntary psychiatric evaluation, the suspect’s name will not be released by the Beacon PD.”
Max's On Main Closes - An Ode To Richie - Pictures XX XY XOXO
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Richie. Harvey. Max’s on Main.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
When the news came out that Richie was selling the building, the sidewalks shifted underneath our feet. It was like that earthquake rumble a couple weeks ago. How could Max’s on Main not be in the red brick building anymore? How could Richie and Harvey not be out there pulling in customers? Observing the people walking by? Making bad jokes to hang in their bathroom and write on the sidewalk sign? Shaking their heads at the drivers from New Jersey making U-turns wherever they wanted?
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
When the building didn’t sell immediately - it was rumored by be listed for $2 million - it is safe to say that many hoped they would just keep trying to sell it at this number, and not get any takers. But then one day while getting copies made at Accuprint, which is a neighbor of Max’s, the owner Byrdie let me know that the last day for Max’s was April 21, 2024, according to anonymous sources she had. They had sold the building and it was over.
A news article said that Richie wanted to babysit his grandchildren. I texted him to say that I understood his decision. Babysitting pays well. I often get jealous of the cash I hand out to babysitters for watching my own kids, and often think that I should be a babysitter. As an unpaid mother and barely paid blogger, things can get tight.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
But didn’t Richie realize that he was acting out of line? He wasn’t supposed to actually sell the building. He was supposed to list it for his dream price, hope for a buyer, and continue serving at Max’s. The building was supposed to be listed forever.
Richie is a gregarious but private person. I never knew where he stood on articles. He might oblige me with information, but never a quote. “I don’t want to upset the apple cart,” he would say. If I had published a tough article on any topic, and I was struggling inside but didn’t tell anyone, Richie knew. He always reached out for a sidewalk chat. Made a bad joke. And closed with: “Keep up the good work.”
When his brother Harvey died suddenly, Richie did not want an article about it. People were already coming in and out of the restaurant, handing him cards, ordering food, hugging him. He didn’t know what to do with so much emotion.
Richie and Harvey.
Photo Credit: Ed Mendoza
When the Parade of Green rolled around in March, one of his most favorite times, he attended a City Council meeting. As he often does when he wants to speak his mind on a topic. Like he did for when Mayor Kyriacou wanted to zone several buildings on Main Street to be historic. Doing so can make a building harder to sell, because fixing it needs to follow different standards than a regular renovation. The City zoned it over his and Harvey’s objections, yet Richie carried on.
At this City Council Meeting in March 2024, he said he was there to invite everyone to Max’s after the Parade of Green. But that night happened to be a Ceasefire Resolution night, and the courtroom was packed. There happened to be a seat next to me open in the second row. I was sitting in the Anti-Ceasefire section, but I was Pro-Ceasefire. However, I always sit in that seat, next to a power outlet. So I was feeling a little nervous.
Richie is in the orange coat next to Katie at the Ceasefire Resolution meeting. He said he was there to invite everyone to Max’s after the Parade of Green. He missed his chance to sign up on the sheet and never got to speak, but did listen.
Photo Credit: Alexa B. Wilkinson
Unexpectedly, Richie approached the second row. “Oh!” he said. “She saved a seat for me! Isn’t she nice.” Head-in-hand-emoji. That night, I was wearing my blue PRESS sweatshirt. For those who don’t know, the PRESS sweatshirt from Wear the Peace is symbolic of the Palestinian journalists who have been reporting day after day on the atrocities and murders going on in Palestine. Most of those journalists are dead now. They have been targeted and killed by Israeli IDF forces.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
I don’t think Richie knew what the sweatshirt meant, so he “pressed” it. Classic Richie. Being used to this behavior, I told him to graduate from college, and promptly elbowed him in the ribs. Later, when it was my turn to speak, my speech went over the 3 minute mark. But I had a poem I wanted to make sure I delivered, so I kept talking. Mayor Kyriacou graveled me a couple times, and then told me to be done, but I didn’t stop until my poem was done. The Mayor then told the audience that I was “The Rudest Person Yet” as I was walking back to my seat, fumbling over the other people in the second row bench.
I sat down and got my phone out to continue filming the other speakers, and to calm down and stop shaking. Richie turned to me to ask if I was alright. He was shocked. I was shocked. I didn’t answer. I just focused on the speakers. He asked me again if I was alright, and asked again. He wouldn’t stop asking until I answered and gave him a smile. He said “Ok,” and continued listening to the speakers. He never did get to speak that night.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
The apartments above Max’s on Main are low income apartments. We don’t know what will happen to those residents. We know what happened to the residents above Joe’s Irish Pub on the other end of Main Street. When that building sold, it was connected to a real estate agent who branded herself as “socially just” in real estate. At least one tenant, the older gentleman named Don who is disabled and nearly deaf, was evicted, despite the good fight he put up with legal assistance. Good Cause Eviction could not save him. Another gentleman Joe, who worked in the kitchen at Max’s, also lived in that building and was being evicted. Both men were paying their rent. But the new landlords wanted higher rent. ALBB has been following their stories for over a year, and will publish on them, knowing that other publications have covered them already.
Everyone is very sad that Max’s on Main has closed. The rumors swirl about a new steakhouse that might replace it. Employees are keeping their ears open to see if any local employment opens up when the new team moves in. We at ALBB wish Richie and his family the very best. And wish Harvey the best because he should have been here. They deserve all of their success and to enjoy retirement.
Photo Credits: Katie Hellmuth, A Little Beacon Blog
The shades are down at Max’s on Main.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Letter From The Editor: Regarding The Article On The Police Use Of Force Arrest On Gun Call
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Ah ha. Here we go. Flipping this Letter To The Editor around to be Letter From The Editor.
Last Sunday, we published the article “Arrest Made On Main Street Evaluated For Use Of Force - Video Footage With Audio.” Some people on Facebook had some feelings about the article. Some people felt that the headline should have praised the Beacon Police Department for successfully completing a training drill in real life. Where the police were called about a man threatening people with a gun, swiftly getting to the scene, down the street a bit because the man had walked a few blocks by then, and then took him down without incident, to get him into the car to be taken to the station. Charges were pending. We never learned what the charges were, or his identity.
I emailed Lt. Figlia to ask if they were going to release the identity, and he never responded. Before that email, he did, however, call me kindly asking me for my video footage of the arrest, so that they could use it in their self-evaluation of the arrest that involved Use of Force. He also emailed me back saying he received the video. Maybe he didn’t get my email asking him if the Beacon PD were going to release the identity of the man arrested.
[UPDATE! Lt. Figlia responded yesterday afternoon at 4:45pm but the email came in at 10pm because cyberspace and Mercury in Retrograde not being over yet). He said information will be forthcoming.]
[UPDATE 4/26/2024: The Beacon Police Department has issued an update of what led to the circumstance of this arrest. Click here to read it.]
Years ago, after ALBB published an article about implied racism in the Highway Department when they hired their first HR director who resigned after a year, City Administrator Chris White instructed all department heads and employees not to answer any questions from me at A Little Beacon Blog. Yet he would talk to me as Spirit of Beacon Chair. Which I have since stepped down from. Partly for this reason. Too frustrating to change hats and be disrespected like that. They are selective about what questions from me they will answer. My faith is in you, Citizen Reporters, to get information as we all search for public documents.
Some people felt that the arrest article was bashing the police. The article was what it was. It provided video of an arrest made where Use of Force was used. How do we know that? Because one of the four officers who was involved in the physical encounter came over and told those of us who witnessed it in real life, as he wanted to interview us about what we thought about the Use of Force. Why did he want to know what we thought? Because it is standard procedure for the Beacon Police, he said, for them to evaluate themselves and hold themselves “accountable,” which was his word choice. Seemed a perfectly respectable thing to seek.
Learned something new about policing on a Sunday morning at 9:30am! But, some people on Facebook also had a problem with us describing the surroundings of a Sunday morning in Beacon. Some people made ominous threats or ill-wishes, like “I hope you never need the police to help you!” or “This is a pot you never should have stirred!” So. You shall have this explainer Letter From The Editor on why this was our angle, rather than republishing a press release and stating only a press release. For this situation, we happened to have been right there to see the arrest in real life.
I also want to state that Beacon has a community of mentally delicate people walking around on these streets each morning, for those of us who are out early, as I am. There is a community of people who live in unusual places, like the woods, or boarding houses, or a bench, or a curb. They get their coffee, or a beer, and begin their day. Some have been here for years, some drift in and and become members of the community.
But sometimes, they act out of the norm. Sometimes they yell curse words. Or claim they are billionaires. Or are rude when you don’t want to or don’t have change to give them. If one of these people threatened to shoot people, a tourist or a person not familiar with these members of the community might be frightened, and call the police. A citizen of Beacon might get really irritated, and call the police knowing what might happen to them. A person who makes threats of shooting people will get a rifle to the head, and their head pressed into the ground until handcuffs are on.
In the aftermath of the article, more than one person alluded that the man might be a certain one of these individuals, and several used the word “psycho” to describe the man. One of the arresting officers said that the person should be “going to the psych ward.” While the officer said he’d never seen the man before, a reader of A Little Beacon Blog, Jim Naruta, commented that he had, stating: “This guy threatened to stab and shoot me and others on Main last week. We dismissed it as some guy off his meds.”
In a time when Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White denied NAMI Mid Hudson the privilege of hanging their Mental Health Awareness ribbons last year and again this year because he was preserving the cleanliness of the lamp posts that he had City of Beacon employees clean in a multi-year cleaning campaign, it appears awareness of mental health issues and how to treat them will continue to be stigmatized.
Here’s what I originally published on Facebook in response to the article upset:
“One last thing about this Police article, and then we're moving on to the next articles. Reporting on small city/town news (Beacon is a city but has "small-town" feels) when you live in the place is very difficult. As is being a Police officer who has to police their neighbors sometimes. While out at events, ALBB has been approached by the public to do more stories on issues that deal with injustices to anyone. Death. Police issues. Unpleasantries. Not because they are unpleasant, but because they are real. Usually here at Facebook, people sometimes say: "Oh, that's bad for tourism!! That's why it doesn't make the news! They don't want people to know!" And that's not the case here at ALBB at least. Sometimes it's uncomfortable. Sometimes it takes days or weeks or months to get all of the information. Sometimes we just have client work we need to complete. In terms of my (Katie's) personal needs from the Police. Yes, I was there 2x this month to deal with harassment letters being sent about me and my business. Because of our coverage of other global events. The officers I spoke with were as helpful as they could be with me - within their power or jurisdiction. It is understandable you will not like a headline. Or a description of a Sunday morning. But these things are as they are. Clearly, the Police demonstrated several things:
1. They are well trained.
2. They need some new body cameras. Sometimes items in their budget are disputed by City Council. This would be an example of why new body cameras are a line item.
3. They value holding themselves accountable. That should be seen as a commendable thing. The event itself triggered its own process that they followed. Also, there is no AI at ALBB. LOL. We much prefer torturing ourselves writing. And enduring your Grammar Violation Finds, as we like to see if you're actually reading. Glad that you are. See you in the next article.”
Arrest Made on Main Street Evaluated For Use Of Force - Video Footage With Audio
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UPDATE 4/26/2024: The Beacon Police Department has issued an update of what led to the circumstance of this arrest. Click here to read it.
At 9:15am on a quiet Sunday morning in Beacon, an arrest was made by Beacon Police that is currently being evaluated for its Use of Force. The video of that arrest, taken by A Little Beacon Blog, is at the end of this article. Scroll down.
Usually on a Sunday morning at that time, Beacon is just waking up. The streets are still nearly empty of pedestrians. The outdoor Beacon Farmer’s Market in the DMV parking lot has not completely set up yet, but the Beacon Flea Market behind the Post Office is up and running. Coffee shops are open, Mr. V’s Deli is serving breakfast sandwiches, Peaceful Provisions doughnuts has their line out the door before they sell out. Otherwise, that’s it. Most people and businesses are setting up for what will become a bustling weekend day in Beacon.
A Little Beacon Blog happened to be walking down the street with a friend at the time of the arrest. The first sound of shouting came from a Beacon Police Officer, who said: “Phone down! Phone down! Hands on the wall!” The sound was coming from the side of Finders Keepers, inside of the Beacon Car Wash driveway. The officer repeated, louder this time: “HANDS ON THE WALL!” He approached with a handgun drawn. A second officer walked up behind him, followed by a third officer who jogged to the scene. A fourth officer arrived with gloves on. No sirens were heard from the 4 police cars who arrived on the scene.
The officer shouted again: “On the ground. On the ground!”
The person who the officers approached, who was a white male wearing a gray sweatshirt and pants with gray sneakers with neon green soles, started shouting “Ow! Ow!” as he was taken to the ground by the 4 officers. The man shouted: “You took my glasses off! You ruined my glasses. And my pod. And my pod. And my pod. And my pod.”
Screenshot of the male suspect on the ground, putting his arm over his head, before the officer with the rifle came around and placed his own hand on the man to hold his head down.
The first officer came back with a rifle while the three other officers took the man down to the ground. The first officer came around with his rifle pointed down at the man, and then relaxed his rifle as he bent down near the man on the ground to brush away the items that came away from the man’s possession.
The man put an arm over his head, which was covered in a hoodie. The first officer knelt down and put his own hand near the man’s head to hold his head to the ground, applying pressure. The man continued yelling “Ow! Ow! Ow! Get off my head!” The officer with the rifle yelled “Stop resisting!”
The man said in a quieter voice, muffled: “I’m not resisting. I didn’t do anything.”
The first officer responded: “Stop resisting!” The man responded: “I’m not resisting. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do it. I’m not resisting.” Another officer took the man’s arm to try to bring it back behind the man.
“You’re hurting me. I didn’t do anything. You’re breaking my head! You’re breaking my head! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” Three officers worked to get the man’s arms into handcuffs. The first officer was leaning into the man by way of his arm on the lower area of the man’s head or neck area. The officer’s legs were supporting his own weight as it bore down into the man’s lower head area, while the officer balanced on his rifle, which was grounded into the sidewalk.
After the officers finished handcuffing him, the man said “Just arrest me,” as the officers spun the man over onto his stomach. The man continued: “I didn’t do anything. You broke my glasses. Get my pod. Alright?…I want my wallet, and that’s it.” An officer said something else, to which the man responded: “I have nothing.” The man continued shouting, then stated “You just beat the fuck out of me. I need my stuff.” The man and the officers continued to argue.
An officer said: “You were threatening to shoot people.” The man responded: “No I wasn’t. No I wasn’t.” The man then asked what was the big deal. “Because I’m white? What if I was Black? Let me up.” He asked for his stuff again, and said he was a white guy.
After the incident, Sergeant Sirrine crossed the street to let witnesses know that this incident was being considered for evaluation because Use of Force was used, and they wanted to hold themselves accountable. At that time, Sergeant Sirrine did not indicate which type of Use of Force. He fumbled with his body camera for a while to turn it on to record the interview, but the body cam would not turn on. He said he thought it might be because he himself went down when the man went down, and his body cam might have gotten bumped, but that it often is problematic. Eventually, the body cam responded and began recording.
Myself (Katie of A Little Beacon Blog), Joe from Max’s, and Brenda from BJ’s Restaurant were all interviewed about what we saw of the arrest. At first he asked if we were “the callers," as in the person or persons who called the police initially. We said we were not, but had been standing here.
We asked him what the reason was that the man was arrested. He answered that a call had come in that a man had a gun, that a call had been made near a doughnut shop. As he troubleshooted his body camera, a voice came over the radio: “Peaceful Provisions” the voice on the radio said.
Once Sergeant Sirrine got the body cam working, our interview began. Joe said that he felt the officer holding down the man’s head down seemed too much. Katie said she saw four officers throw down one man. Sergeant Sirrine corrected her to say that the man was not thrown, but taken down to the ground. Brenda said that she did not see the arrest, but did see the police cars drive past her shop without sirens on.
Katie asked if Sergeant Sirrine if he had recognized the man. The Sergeant said he did not. The Sergeant said that the man had been arrested, and that he might end up in a “psych ward.” The Sergeant said a gun did not appear to in the man’s possession, which is why he had been checking trash cans to see if the man threw it somewhere.
An hour later, A Little Beacon Blog inquired with the doughnut shops. Peaceful Provisions said they did not hear of anything, as were too busy inside to know of anything outside. This was a difficult question session because the apple fritters looked so good. A caller could have been anyone from outside.
Glazed Over was closed to the public at that hour, but an employee was in to set up tables and chairs outside. From the dizzying aroma of the freshly made doughnuts, the employee answered that they had not heard about anything, and that they had been there all morning.
The Beacon Police have since issued a Press Release about the incident, which stated that witnesses to the original incident confirmed the man “threatened people on Main Street with shooting.” The Press Release confirmed that a search of the area revealed no firearms.
Regarding the User of Force, the Press Release expanded: "As other officers arrived and attempted to place handcuffs on him, the body camera footage showed that the suspect pulled his arm away from them and in front of his body. Officers, still unsure if he was armed or not, forced the suspect to the ground. It appears at the time, that they then utilized technique called "body segmenting" to control the suspect. Body segmenting is a technique, which is taught in compliance with New York State's Municipal Police Training Council standards, in which officers use pressure on the hips, head and legs (depending on the number of officers available) in order to control a combative suspect's movement while simultaneously avoiding putting pressure on any areas that would impact the suspect's ability to breath. The suspect was then placed into handcuffs without further incident. He was transported to Beacon PD HQ where he was offered, and refused medical treatment."
The Press Release states that charges are still pending, and that an investigation is ongoing into his alleged actions and alleged motivations. The Press Release does not state specifically what the charges are.
The Press Release concludes that conducing a Use of Force investigation is standard procedure, and that further information will be released when available.
Monday's 4-22-24 City Council Workshop Meeting Agenda - What's On Deck
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This week’s City Council Workshop Meeting is now available on ALBB. This is the same agenda found on the City’s website, but ours includes future video of the meeting, and is in the all-you-need format at ALBB. This Workshop Meeting is open to the public to attend, but there is no Public Comment. Public does not speak during Workshop Meetings, only listens.
On the Agenda:
Overview of Real Property Tax Assessment Process
Proposed Agreement with the Beacon Sloop Club for Floating Docks (backing documents forthcoming)
Proposed Dedication of Sewer Infrastructure from Scenic Beacon Developments, LLC
Announcement of Next Meeting: May 6, 2024 at 7:00 p.m
Interested in Sponsoring this Guide? Find more details here >
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Sant Hair Collective Presents: A Walk Down Main Fashion Show & Pop-Up East End Edition
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Beauty Guide Update! Welcome Mane Street Hair & Co To Beacon
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Beauty Guide Update!
Welcome Mane Street Hair to Main Street in Beacon! Mane Street is where you go to turn your hair dreams into reality. Genta created a "comfortable, inviting space where clients feel welcomed and stylists feel at home".
If you're a blondie, you'll want to know that Genta offers a "lived in" service to create the most beautiful, dimensional lived-in blonde.
Other services that are offered include "Bright and Blonde", "Reverse Balayage", "Pick Me Up", Gloss Refresh", and more!
Check out our Beauty Guide for all things Beauty on Main St! Including Mane Street Hair & Co.
Are You In The Linup? Business Sponsorship Opportunities On A Little Beacon Blog
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A Little Beacon Blog provides free listings of Things To Do to the community, but there are ways to elevate your business and personalize how ALBB’s audience is seeing and experiencing what your business offers. We do this in a unique way. Different than any magazine. More time consuming to produce than any magazine or newspaper does, but we do it because it works with our readers. Our job is to tell stories and build relationships. Here is how we do it, and how your business can partner up:
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A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide is one of the biggest draws to this publication. Every store is listed in it for the best experience for our readers. Google rewarded A Little Beacon Blog with a #1 ranking for "boutique shopping beacon ny."
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Want to share your Summer Camp Program in our Summer Camp Guide too? We can do both and offer a 25% discount on our Summer Camp Guide Pricing! A win-win.
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Readers love A Little Beacon Blog for its comprehensive coverage and listings. Readers come here looking for the best resources, and your business needs to be one of those. Levels of sponsorship in the Business Directory include basic listings for a budget-friendly option, as well as more integrated options with our editorial and social media. Advertising and sponsorship is subscription based, and can be upgraded or downgraded at any time.
Some categories include Accounting, Catering, Event Spaces, Floral, Health & Wellness, Home Improvement, Photography, Real Estate and so much more! Best part about this…? If you don’t see a category that fits your business, we can create one just for you and your business!
The Business Directory includes businesses not only in Beacon but around the Hudson Valley area.
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Our highest and most integrated form of marketing… Branded Content. This package is great for businesses, artists, or organizations who want to show and tell to our readers by using many photos to color the story that we will write for you.
Branded Content includes 1 Article designed specifically for you, an extensive Instagram + Facebook feature, and a special newsletter featuring YOU to our 2,700 subscribers. Up to 5 photos are included. Our photographer can come to your place of business if in Beacon to take photos. Or, we can use photos you already have. However, if we feel that the photos are not adequate, we will want to send out our photographer, which may involve an additional fee if outside of Beacon.
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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.
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