I first met the famed and elusive-to-me Andramada on a Friday evening in February 2023 during her drag show at the Hudson Valley Food Hall. I’d heard about the show for what felt like ages, but never went. I’m intimidated by most things.
But on this particular Friday evening, I was ready to explore. Almost every Friday night at 9pm, the lights at the Food Hall go down, the spotlight comes on, and some burners stay lit behind the chef’s stalls.
Before the local show begins, to warm everybody up, there is a viewing party of RuPaul’s Drag Race at the Roosevelt Bar, where the bar tenders are pouring.
Andramada, when she is in drag, and Ian when the wig is off and he is in street clothes (pronouns reflect situation), started this drag show in New Paltz. Since moving to Beacon, beginning at Happy Valley and now at Hudson Valley Food Hall, it has taken off, attracting performers and audience members from all over the country, let alone New York.
Below are videos of some of the performers, including Andramada’s own encore at the end. Stay tuned for an upcoming podcast episode recorded in 2026 with A Little Beacon’s new podcast, Brunch With Tea. In that episode, we explore Adramada’s evolution with her parents, Cynthia and DJ Zeno, who are there at every show. We are so excited to share everything and everyone with you.
Andramada and her parents, Cynthia and DJ Zeno. Cynthia is a hair stylist and taught Andramada how to style her wigs. Andramada’s dad, DJ Zeno, is the DJ each night.
Andramada’s Dad, DJ Zeno, with Manriah supporting.
These videos were first published at ALBB’s Instagram channel, and are all related to the proposed historic home designation. The original captions are provided below each video.
Tonight’s City Council Meeting was heavy in proposed Zoning changes. But first:
- Property Tax Exemption created by New York State for Fully Disabled Veterans. Local municipalities no longer need to pass a law for it. Qualifying Veterans can apply directly to the state.
- Historic Homes: Continued discussion on the homes that Mayor Kyriacou and City Planner Natalie have proposed to peg historic, giving the City more control over aspects of those homes. Including how ADA enhancements are made (hiding them in the back, for example, to prioritize a historic vibe). Tonight, City Planner Natalie answered the big question of “Why? Why is this happening to my home?”
- Parking Space Requirements: As people park further out in the backroads of Beacon, a parking garage was not discussed as a viable option to answer the increasing tourism, or the new apartments being built. Instead, there was discussion of how to persuade people who move to Beacon not to have cars. Not sure any of the City Council Members ride the bus to Fishkill or Poughkeepsie - or even around Beacon on the Free G Loop Bus - regularly.
Regarding the giveback for designating a home historic: the “what’s in it for me the homeowner?” question that these homeowners are asking as they vocalize objecting to the designation: a proposal.
More on Historic House Designation:
City should pay for historic requirements they are identifying and requiring, and open it up to ALL homes in Beacon to fill out a form to apply for Historic Designation that the City then pays for their requirements to be made.
The Beacon Public Library announced that their annual budget vote has passed with 275 yes votes and 27 no votes. “Thank you to the Beacon City School District community for your support in approving the library’s 2026–27 budget. Your vote helps ensure we can continue offering programs, resources, and services for everyone in our community!”
Trustee Election Results: Antonia “Toni” Maeck 256 Kathleen Furfey 240 Pia Ruisi-Besares 233 Henry Breed 156
Recent Status of Increased Usage by Community Members:
20% increase in Circulation 7% increase in library cardholders 23% of the circulation is now in digital items Over 760 events and programs offered Over 50,000 child/teen materials borrowed 11 hotspots donated and added to the collection 25% increase in eAudiobook downloads 48% increase in eMagazine readership (woohoo!!!) 130 Passport Applications made (they are a location for submitting your application) Free movie watching at home (36.7% increase in streaming videos) Extensive dedicated seating just for teens to gather among themselves Comfortable chairs and tables for working, reading, thinking. Free Community food fridge was added! In partnership with Fareground.
In reporting out this cap on gas sales tax in Dutchess County, there are 2 things you need to know. But a really important aspect you need to know about sales tax. A Little Beacon Blog has reported on how much sales tax Beacon gets from these shoppers and eaters, and it’s always complex to get across. Due to a MAJOR sales tax snafu in Orange County reported by MidHudson News, this is easier to explain now. I explain it in the video.
1. This is *not* a cap on the price at the pump. This is a tiny savings on the sales tax of gas put upon us by New York State, that we in Dutchess County get a portion of. The only way we are going to experience this very small savings is when New York State tells the gas stations to change the Dutchess County portion on their Point of Sale system.
2. Republicans in Orange County (Newburgh) rejected the $3 cap on the gas sales because “it was revealed last week that Orange County had illegally overdistributed sales tax revenue to municipalities since County Executive Steve Neuhaus took office in 2014.” This is major. Some Orange County Democrats voted for the cap in the gas sales tax, but the Republicans wanted to keep that money to offset whatever will happen due to the retail sales tax issue, MidHudson News reported.
PS: I misspoke in the video. I meant to say Mayor Lee Kyriacou negotiated a higher sales tax rate that Beacon gets back from Dutchess County. Former Mayor Randy Casale also worked with a rate, but Mayor Kyriacou has boasted of the higher percentage number he got on Beacon’s behalf - to get back a % of our sales tax spent here from Dutchess County. That percentage number remains a mystery. ALBB has not been able to get anyone to reveal what the actual % is. Maybe Mayor Kyriacou will reveal it now.
Take a listen to the video for the explainer. Once you get it, you’ll be able to follow future ALBB sales tax reporting better.
Thank you Colleen Van Tassell for your Testimonial for A Little Beacon Blog. She typed it in a Facebook comment reaction to ALBB’s coverage of this week’s City Council Meeting, where the City Planner Natalie answered Councilperson Carolyn’s question of how ADA would be addressed if some select houses were to be dubbed “Historic” by Mayor Lee Kyriacou, to which City Planner Natalie said that the ramps and such could go in the back, not to block the historic front porch aesthetic vibe Mayor Lee seems to be going for as he pushes for unexpecting homeowners to say yes to his possible mandate of ruling thier homes “Historic.”
Have been covering City Council Meetings for years, and writing blurbs about them. But you all seem to like them in video form best. Can’t tell you how frightening the concept was of coming onto video to deliver these recap reports. My friend and ALBB podcasting partner Brandon Lillard first suggested it, and I shut him down flat at first.
I majored in Communication in Media Studies in college, and was one class shy of completing my Creating Writing minor. Always wanted to work in magazines, but there is no pay in that to make a comfortable living, especially with children. Then blogging came along. As a person who finds comfort in both visual and written storytelling, and as a person who took to digital early, blogging was a natural fit.
Looking around me now, I find myself in the pages of a magazine that I always wanted to start and grow. It is indeed A Little Beacon Blog.
Financial support from readers is accepted at all times in any amount. Consider your Friday donation to come ALBB’s way :)
On April 13, 2026, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to pass a temporary and partial gas tax reduction at the pump. Effective June 1, 2026, sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel will be capped at $3/gallon. This means that the portion of the price of gas that exceeds $3 will not be taxed. For example: if gas is $3.50/gallon, then the first $3 will be taxed, but the remaining $.50 will not be. A deadline for this partial tax reduction was not included in the press release published by Dutchess County Chair Yvette Valdés Smith (D - Fishkill and Beacon). Legislator Michael Polasek (R-LaGrange) confirmed to ALBB that this gas tax reduction expires December 1, 2026..
In 2022, a similar temporary gas tax reduction was granted under a different administration. Introduced by then County Executive Marcus Molinaro (R), the cap was set to $2 and expired December 1, 2022, as per New York State Law. The law also requires that local taxes on gas be collected and cannot be eliminated, Molinaro explained in his press release at that time.
Most counties use percentage, and most counties take 4% or above from that tax. Erie and Suffolk Counties, for instance, take 4.75%. Dutchess County takes below that at 3.75%. At this time, ALBB has not yet pursued why it is advantageous to residents of Dutchess County to take less than it is entitled from the state collected tax the county is required to collect.
Said Chair of the Dutchess County Legislature, Yvette Valdés Smith (D), who was the Minority Leader during the 2022 tax cap of $2 which was made in the name of fighting inflation: “As gasoline prices continue to surge as a consequence of the war in the Middle East, members of the Dutchess County Legislature are putting forward a resolution to cap the County's sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel at $3 per gallon. The proposal would prevent Dutchess County from collecting windfall tax revenue from residents who have seen gas prices rise more than 25% in recent weeks.”
The 2022 temporary gas tax cap was also voted on in April, taking effect June 1, and ending December 1 of that same year. That is because, as explained in former County Executive Molinaro’s press release: “New York State law states local sales tax enactments of this kind can take effect only on March, June, September or December 1st of any year and a certified copy of the local enacted resolution must be transmitted to the State at least 90 days prior to the effective date.”
After the Legislature met to vote to advance the gas tax reduction, Dutchess County Legislator Chair Yvette said: “The hardworking people of Dutchess County are hurting. The leadership of the Republican federal administration has been a disaster for everyone who’s not a millionaire or a billionaire. Whether it’s tariffs driving up the cost of goods, disastrous energy and environmental policies skyrocketing our energy and utility bills, or irresponsible and downright dangerous foreign policy like the War in Iran, which has caused our gas prices to go up more than a dollar in barely a month. This Legislature cannot allow the County to profit off of the people’s pain.”
Several Democrats were quoted in the 2026 press release, but no Republicans were quoted, nor was current County Executive Sue Serino (R). As a Senator, Serino consistently resisted taxes on gas and other driving mechanisms such as registrations and licenses. In fact, in 2021, Serino led a campaign to “Trash The Gas Tax.”
“Suspending the gas tax could save average New Yorkers hundreds of dollars each year,” said Senator Serino in 2021. “For too long, state government has turned a blind eye and put blame squarely on the shoulders of the federal government when it comes to increased costs on necessities like gas and home heating oil, but the reality is there are steps the state can take to provide immediate relief to hardworking New Yorkers who are being charged more just to get to work, take their children to school or daycare, or operate their businesses. It is far past time for the politicians in Albany to hear the concerns of their constituents and do what they can to provide relief now.”
Sounds like both sides of the isle are saying the same thing on the gas tax.
Back to present, County Legislator Emma Arnoff (D-LaGrange) stated of the 2026 temporary $3 gas cap: “Out-of-control gas prices are crushing constituents who are already struggling with rising electricity costs, rent, and interest rates.”
This morning, A Little Beacon Blog reached out to every Republican Legislator, as well as County Executive Sue Serino for comment. Michael Polasek (R-LaGrange), Minority Leader responded: “We supported the gas tax holiday as a starting point, because even modest relief matters to families who are struggling with rising costs. But we also believe we need to have serious discussions about more meaningful affordability measures that could provide greater impact for residents. That’s why it was disappointing that the proposal supporting a utility tax and surcharge holiday was not placed on this month’s agenda for consideration. At a time when families are feeling real pressure from energy costs, every reasonable idea deserves an open discussion.”
Sue Serino’s office responded with her quote: “I signed the gas tax cap legislation into law to provide residents with some relief from rising gas prices. While the County has little control over prices at the pump, we are working to do what we can to provide some relief to people who are feeling the effects of a volatile market.”
How This Will Work For Consumers At The Pump
In terms of how this will work for the consumer at the pump, ALBB asked County Executive Sue Serino’s office to expand upon how the sales tax will be lowered for the consumer, since New York State collects the gas sales tax, and then distributes to the counties.
“The State’s Department of Taxation & Finance will notify gas stations of the change and the stations will adjust the sales tax rate in their point of sale systems. It is important to remember that sales tax has several components – the State portion 4%, Dutchess County’s portion 3.75% and in our county, the MTA portion .375%, which total the full 8.125% rate. The State and MTA portion will remain.”
After years of passing the plot of land that is now the gas station designed to resemble a pleasant suburban estate house in Hughsonville, a historic hamlet in the Town of Wappinger, Cameron’s Mobile Gas Station and Deli is now open. This is their 8th location in New York.
To celebrate their Grand Opening, they are running a sale on gas! While the United States continues its more-than-ever aggressive pursuit of imperializing the world for oil, minerals and other natural resources, the price of gas has become the new discount shopping. Before noon, the cash price of gas at Cameron’s Mobile was $4.11/gallon ($4.19 credit...that usual 10 cent spread has been shrinking at other gas stations during this U.S. imperialist takeover of Iran). Up 9D, from Beacon to Poughkeepsie, this was the cheapest priced gas. By 5pm, it creeped up to $4.16 cash.
But a $2.99 Bacon Egg and Cheese awaited inside! And nice patio dining outside. We did not go inside to inquire if the windows above the gas station were indeed apartments (haven’t taken the time to look up the site plans online), but a balcony door was open upstairs on Sunday’s spring morning, which looked nice.
The signs protesting this gas station seem to be down for now. For a couple years, the signs protesting the build of the gas station read something like “Hughsonville Against The Gas Station.” Then, when the gas station started to be built, the signs changed to “Hughsonville *Still* Against The Gas Station).”
Meanwhile...the parking was generous in the parking lot. The Beacon Volunteer Ambulance (BVAC) Ambulance could park comfortably. Pulling out of the gas pumps was fine to take a left onto New Hamburg Road, right across the street from the hot pink Russian nesting dolls house.
From the website, it looks like Cameron’s Deli serves food 24/7 and you can order online! You can order ahead.
Attended the I Am Beacon spring mixer at Estilo Y Vino wine bar last evening, connecting with many old and new faces in the community. Some who have been in the community for a long time but are new relationships. Attendance ranged from community organizers to developers to social workers to City Councilmembers to Autism community specialists.
Beacon Record Fest Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026 Time: 9am-5pm Location: VFW - 413 Main Street, Beacon NY
The BEACON RECORD & CD FEST RETURNS to the VFW on SATURDAY MAY 2, 2026 - Show 9am to 5pm!!! Early Admission 8am $5, Regular Admission 9am to 5pm $3, Kids 12 & Under FREE!!!!
20+ great vendors from the Tri-State area and beyond - 30+ tables with vinyl LPs, 45s, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, concert posters, music magazines and books!! Vendors bringing the best of psych, punk, post punk, hardcore, metal, power pop, prog, garage, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, world, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, hot rod, surf, lounge, electronic, industrial, goth and new wave!!! Records from the 50's to the present!!!! Information >
Beacon Art Book Fair Day: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Time: 11am-4pm Location: VFW - 413 Main Street, Beacon NY
Free Admission. All ages! Celebrate the vibrant spirit of self-publishing at the 2026 Beacon Art Book Fair, a one-day event bringing together our creative community. This event is a welcoming space for zine creators, book makers, and self-publishers of all kinds to share their work, connect with like-minded creatives, and engage with a community passionate about DIY publishing. Information >
Beacon Litfest (Main Event) EARLY BIRD PASS available until April 1st. Day: June 12th-14th, 2026 (Friday - Sunday) Time: TBA Location: Multiple venues throughout Beacon, NY
Big Literary Voices. Small Town Vibes (c)
Enjoy major award-winning poets and writers, immersive performances, mixers, book signings, special VIP experience, and more!
We are thrilled with this year's line-up! Find out more at beaconlitfest.org Tickets >
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY IAIDO CLASSES Tuesdays 6:30pm-7:30pm Wednesdays 7pm-8:15pm Thursdays 6pm-7:15pm
Karate classes for ages 13+.
No experience necessary; beginners welcome! Martial arts for all ages, skill levels and fitness levels! Come in for a free class any time!
Located on Eliza Street (right between Re:Form Pilates and Oui Oui Café)
Please email info@MountainStreamBudo.com to schedule your free trial class. Learn More >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm
Find at both markets fresh hot dog snacks and cold hot dogs in the coolers for your grilling at home! Stock the freezer now for the grill. Steaks. Sausages. Marinated Chicken. Wednesdays: Cornwall Farmer's Market 11am-5pm Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm Farm Fridge: Shake and Grind SHOP ONLINE:Order Online DELIVERY: 🚚 Free Website >Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor!
Mountain Stream Budo 340 Main Street, Beacon NY
Li’l Dragons Karate class (ages 4-6) meets 3 times per week: Tuesdays and Fridays 5pm Thursdays 5:30pm.
Email Noah at info@MountainStreamBudo for more info and to schedule your free trial class! Learn More >
Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu?
CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main Street, Beacon NY
✨Carter’s Cocktail Menu has dropped! And it is as gorgeous as ever. Both in print and in glass. ✨🍸
ENJOY:
Burning Passion
Strawberry & Smoke
The French Affair
Dirty Blue Martini
Seasonal Sangria
Meemaw’s Sweet Tea
Peach Please
Carter’s Spritz
Van’s Spicy Joint
Mai Tai
Take a pic of your fave and tag ALBB so we can share it on our Stories. 🥂 Call: 845-743-6527 Instagram > Carter's is a Sponsor!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon NY
Chakra's Grand Opening is this weekend! Look for specials all weekend long. Go inside of the Hudson Valley Food Hall to welcome them. This is their 3rd location to offer their nutritious bowls.
Single purchases of Event Promotions are available, starting at $60/listing. Membership for Deep Discounts on event listings are available.
Guardian Revival 5K
Day: Sunday, May 17, 2026 Location: Paladin Center. 39 Seminary Hill Rd, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512
Run. Reflect. Revive.
This event brings together community, families, departments, and teams to compete, remember, and stand in support of those who serve. Register >
5K Run / Walk
Kids 1/2 Mile Fun Run
Virtual 5K Run / Walk option available
ARF 5K
Day: Sunday, May 17, 2026 Location: Memorial Park, Beacon, NY
This year’s event is extra special as we celebrate 40 years of ARF and the community that makes our work possible. Whether you’re running the 5K, walking with your pup, signing up the kids for the 1K Fun Run, creating a personal fundraiser, or cheering from the sidelines, every registration helps provide food, shelter, medical care, and love for the cats and dogs waiting at ARF. Information >
Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508
They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information >
FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate >
On January 7th, 2026, the City of Beacon fired Highway Department employee James (aka Jimmy or Jim) Cottrell one day after he submitted a formal Discriminatory Harassment Complaint to the City of Beacon, received by the City’s Human Resource Director, Sara Morris on January 6th, 2026.
One Highway Department resignation that year was from Edward (Eddie) McNair from the same position of Motor Equipment Operator, who resigned effective April 25, 2022 due to unresolved “racial issues” and “forms of retaliation,” according to Eddie’s resignation letter submitted to the City of Beacon’s HR Director Sara Morris that A Little Beacon Blog has seen. Eddie is also known in the community as a coach for Beacon Hoops and the middle school boys basketball team, among other involvements.
James Cottrell’s Termination Letter Packet from the City of Beacon dated January 6, 2026.
James’ Discriminatory Harassment Complaint form was submitted to Beacon’s HR Director Sara through the window at Town Hall, and hand-stamped to have been received on 1/6/2025. However, James submitted it on 1/6/2026, the day before he was terminated. He received a text from Sara saying that she received the complaint, but wondered if the hand-written typo was an error or on purpose. That was the last he heard from the City of Beacon about his complaint.
The next correspondence James received was his Termination Letter the following day 1/7/2026, attached to a thick stack of charges of Misconduct and/or Incompetence against him. A picture of that letter has been published here.
James’ First Days On THe JOb In The Highway Department
The complaint James made was for “workplace harassment and retaliation” that occurred throughout his employment, he alleges. Six examples were listed in his complaint. These are listed in short here, and expanded upon for detail further down in this article:
Radio Harassment
Continued Targeting
Unequal Enforcement of Rules
Green Street Park Incident (involved tree stump removal and best practice)
Misuse of City Equipment
Unequal Treatment in Timekeeping Policy Enforcement
In his first days on the job, Jimmy told ALBB that his boss, the Superintendent of Streets, Mickey Manzi, approached him in person to say hello. “He came over to welcome me aboard and everything, saying ‘Good to have you here, and just watch out for the guy Reuben Simmons, when you meet him.’” James thought that welcome message was odd.
“I just looked at him,” James told ALBB, “and I said ‘What?’ And I was just thinking that you would think that the boss would want me to get along with all the coworkers there. That’s not something a boss should say to a new employee.”
After working in the Highway Department for a bit, James did meet Reuben and they did become friends. As did another co-worker, Chris Servedio, who told ALBB that he was told the same thing by his boss Mickey when he was hired. The friendship between these employees, and another co-worker, Kyle Sacket, became, in James’ opinion, a point of tension for their boss Mickey and other employees in not only the Highway Department, but with an employee in the Water Department as well.
Where James Alleges The Targeting and Harassment Stems From
James alleges that the retaliation he says he experienced is rooted in crosshairs with friendships, which caused a combination of an unequal application of employment rules, “bashing” on the department radio and in meetings, and an overall uncomfortable work environment.
“It's all a baby stuff to me,” James told ALBB. “And I don't want to be a part of it. I even told Mickey that in a meeting. So basically, Employee A started not liking me because I became friends with Kyle, and Mickey didn't like me because Employee A doesn't like me now because I became friends with Kyle, and that's kindergarten stuff. I told Mickey, 'I don't want to be a part of it.’ So basically, this is where it all started, and then they were just bashing me.'"
Over the course of his employment, Jimmy served through what he said was a “toxic work environment.” On his formal complaint outlined below, four co-workers signed on to be witnesses and speak publicly about this situation: Chris Servedio, Ruben Simmons, Zach Ross, and Kyle Sacket.
Before we get into the Charges of Misconduct And/Or Incompetence, some context must be presented:
The City of Beacon’s Pattern Of Termination By Numerous Alleged Misconduct and/Or Incompetence Charges
The pattern of attempted termination by stack of Misconduct and Incompetence charges was first noticed by ALBB when longtime Highway Department employee Reuben Simmons was put on unpaid leave in January 2021, two years after his position of Highway Superintendent was dissolved in part with efforts from current Superintendent of Streets Michael Manzi who replaced him. This was revealed in Reuben’s arbitration hearings when he was disputing his termination. Charges against Reuben at that time were later dropped. But new charges would be made, followed by new disciplinary actions.
In January 2021, Reuben declined to sign a statement from City Administrator Chris White that he would resign, or agree to let the City of Beacon terminate him for any reason, according to documents that ALBB has seen and reported on that year. Reuben went on to advocate for himself through arbitration hearings. He eventually won, in that he did not get fired and is still currently employed, though continues to face employment challenges.
Gina then left her position within the year without the issues she brought up being resolved, according to employees in the Highway Department. Gina was replaced by Sara Morris, who is Beacon’s HR Director today.
During Reuben’s unpaid leave, City Administrator Chris banned Reuben from speaking to any Highway Department employees or touching any property of the City of Beacon during work hours.
After the City of Beacon extended his unpaid leave by another 30 days (but had to pay him for those, as per CSEA Union rules) Chris put Reuben on a second unpaid leave later that June 2021, while Reuben fought in arbitration hearings to keep his job. Reuben was placed back into employment, but was isolated in the Street Sweeper truck, where he is only connected to other employees via walkie-talkies.
A suspected $111,000 of City of Beacon’s budget was allocated to pay the City’s legal efforts to terminate Reuben during that process under Chris White’s recommendation. Reuben’s efforts to keep his job continue as new actions by City Administrator Chris continue.
ALBB ITSELF WAS ALSO Banned By City Administrator Chris For Saying “Hot Mess” In Headline Of Article in 2021
Chris went so far as to ban every City Department head from answering Katie’s questions for other reporting (not even to answer a summer paving schedule when Katie served as the Spirit of Beacon Chair), according to several department heads, including Mark Price (Parks and Recreation Director), former Chief of Police Sands Frost, and then Lt. Tom Figlia who is now the Chief of Police.
Who Is James (Jimmy) Cottrell?
According to his resume attached to the Resolution hiring him in 2022, James is a “self-starter, physically fit and strong.” His specialty and passion is climbing trees and evaluating them before trimming or removing them and grinding the stumps. He owns Cottrell’s Tree Service, where he ran a crew of workers when not serving in municipal Highway Departments.
James was a Tree Trimmer for Yorktown Highway Department, and assumed the position as foreman in their absence. He operated and taught coworkers, how to operate excavators, skid, steers, brush hogs skidder buckets. This, while he served as a main climber and taught crews how to operate equipment like bucket trucks, and how to climb trees safely and properly.
He got his start at Lewis Tree Service in Westchester County from 2004-2016, where he developed operational knowledge of using stump grinders, a stump router, forklift and bobcat.
James had since been terminated by the time the Highway Department took down the fallen tree during a violent storm last month, so ALBB does not know his impression on if proper safety measures were taken, or if a professional tree removal crew should have been hired.
When Did The Alleged Harassment and Targeting Of James Start?
James said it started early when one Employee A began not liking him. Then James became friends with Kyle, which James said caused tension between him and his new boss Mickey. James told ALBB: “So basically, Employee A started not liking me because I became friends with Kyle, and Mickey didn't like me because Employee A doesn't like me now because I became friends with Kyle, and that's kindergarten. I told Mickey, ‘I don't want to be a part of it,’ you know? So basically, this is where it all started.”
After several incidents, James filed complaints with his union representative, Jordan Rider. One impressionable time for James was when he was driving the truck during snowplowing. The Highway Department came in during a storm and were plowing at 10pm through the night. “The next morning,” James told ALBB and Jordan for her union paperwork: “everybody's out getting breakfast at 9 o'clock in the morning, and I was one of them. I have to eat too. So Employee A drives by and he sees me at Bob's. Employee A gets on the radio. He's like, ‘Oh, I see Jim getting a breakfast sandwich at Bob's, 9 o'clock in the morning.‘ Meanwhile, we're supposed to be plowing. Meanwhile, we've been out since 10 o'clock at night.”
Before continuing, there are two things to know about snowplowing:
“Areas” Highway Department employees are assigned to “areas” of town that they are responsible for. These are unofficial grids that even former Mayor Randy Casale enforced when he was Highway Superintendent for 16 years (Randy is who appointed Rueben to the Superintendent Role role after Zep Thomesalli retired, and before Mickey Manzi’s involvement to kick Reuben out of that department head position). Randy confirmed to ALBB that these invisible grids are not formed or regulated by the union or any other entity. Just neat and tidy attempts to organize the crew. These “areas” have since been used against employees like James and Reuben when collecting charges of Misconduct and/or Incompetence, if they are to venture out of the area. Like to Bob’s Corner Store instead of Mr. V’s, if Mr. V’s is in the “area” of that employee.
Radio Walkies: Everyone can hear on the radio, including Reuben when he’s in the Street Sweeper truck being kept away from other employees. Though usually in the winter he is “allowed” to drive the snowplow truck. Dutchess County can also hear dialogue on the radio, which is recorded. Both later commented about how unprofessional this radio interaction about a breakfast sandwich was.
James continued with his story in an interview with ALBB: “I call Employee A on the phone, and he doesn't answer. Then I call him an hour later. I said, ‘Employee A, is this really necessary?’ I was like, ‘This is not kindergarten. I'm not dealing with this. Why would you want to do that?' I'm hungry and I'm getting breakfast.’
“Employee A was like, ‘Well you're out of your area.’
“I was like, ‘My area is a quarter mile down the road and there’s a deli up the road from my plower area. What are you talking about?’
“Employee A said, ‘Well, you know, you shouldn't be going out of your area.’
“I was like, ‘So I should starve. What's this really about?’”
“So this is the stuff like the petty stuff that Mickey was doing. Another example is when Mickey would go over to radio. All the roads would be black. He'd go on the radio purposely to make me look like an ass. He’d be like, ‘Jim, your plow is not down.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, that's because the road is black Mickey, and, uh, you know, it's, it's not snowing right now.’”
What Are The January 7, 2026 Termination Charges Against James?
There are nine charges total, presented in full below, that were in his Termination packet, which was signed by Mayor Lee Kyriacou:
Charges 1: “On [specific date], you called out of work without having enough accrued time resulting in your use of unpaid time without authorization.”
Charges 2, 4, 5 and 6 were more specific: “On August 28, 2025, you were absent from work and disregarded a counseling and/or memo from the Superintendent of Streets, Michael Manzi, without having enough accrued time resulting in your use of unpaid time without authorization.”
Charge 3 had to do with the punching in the timeclock: “On October 24, 2025, you were late to work and failed to follow a directive from the Superintendent of Streets Michael Manzi, when you asked another employee to punch you into work on your time card at 6:59am when you were not at work, engaging in theft of time and/or public money.”
James concedes to ALBB that these instances did happen. He says there are more charges than these examples, which an employee would need to dispute each one with proof and paperwork to absolve them.
When being terminated by the City of Beacon, the employee has the right to object to the notice of termination and statement of charges by filing a grievance within 8 days or exercising their rights under Section 75 and/or 76 of the Civil Service Law. James opted to pursue rejecting the charges.
Elaboration On Charge Of Earned Time Off (ETO) and Approved Time Off
In some situations, the charges of Misconduct are debatable, and are rooted in technicalities that his boss Mickey has discretion to wave or pass charges on. For example, James told ALBB, he gained verbal approval from Mickey on being able to leave for an appointment with his attorney (James was going through a divorce at the time), but James neglected to get a note from the attorney, which then counted as the unapproved leave as a charge of Misconduct or Incompetence, though he had verbal approval of it, but forgot to follow through on the attorney note as evidence.
In another example, James told ALBB that he requested time off for an appointment with the ETO (Earned Time Off) he earned from overtime in snowplowing, but Mickey denied him the privilege of using his ETO for the time off. “He denied me on that ETO,” James told ALBB, “but he granted ETO to a new guy who had been there three months who also accrued the time. I had accrued the time in overtime I completed that year, but Mickey said that in a previous year’s bracket, it was off. I told Mickey I’ve been here 3 years and this guy has been here 3 months and this is a new year. Mickey told me ‘don’t worry about it,’ and did not grant me my ETO for my appointment.”
Elaboration on Time-Card Punch-In or Out
As for the punching in or out on the time-card charge, that issue was in James’ Discriminatory Harassment Complaint, as he alleges that he witnessed this policy be enforced selectively, with other employees punching in and out for each other without getting penalized.
James said that after 2 years of his alleged ongoing discrimination and harassment, one time of having someone else punch him in on the time clock was reported. "There was a notice up there on the time clock that said nobody could punch anybody in or out on the time clock. Sometimes when someone was like 6 minutes late, someone called someone, saying, 'Hey, can you punch me in?' So, I mean, I’m not saying it's right. But everybody was doing it.”
When ALBB asked if the notice had always been up there, James answered that it got put there because so many employees in the department were doing it, including the person who made the initial observation complaint to the boss Mickey. “The notice went up because, Employee P, the mechanic and Union Shop Steward at the Highway Department, went to Mickey to tell him he saw it happening. But Employee P was doing it as well. So that didn’t make sense. After the sign went up, Employee P still did it, as did other employees. In fact, one employee regularly comes in to work 30 minutes late, and nothing is said about that.”
James continued: “Three weeks later, another guy who was doing it before starts doing the same thing already again, having somebody punch him out because he wanted to leave 15 minutes later. I'm like, 'What the heck's going on here?' So, a few weeks later, I had my buddy punch me in because I was running like, I don't know, 4 minutes later or something. I should have just took it on the chin and not even asked him the favor, but I asked him, he's like, yeah, sure, I'll punch you in. Everybody else was still doing it. But then Employee P, the guy who was also doing it and first reported it before the sign went up, reported me after the sign went up. And it seems he reported only me and no one else.”
James got called down to City Hall to have a meeting with Mickey. “I get called down to City Hall, and the other guy did not. I'm said, 'What's this about?' and Mickey said 'Somebody punched you in. We got you on camera.'“
James explained to ALBB that the room with the time clock in it had no camera, but they may have seen him drive in his truck. “I'm like, 'Everybody else was doing it, and you didn't call them out.' He told me it doesn't matter. So I said 'So you're still targeting me.' And Mickey said 'I didn't say that.' So we had another meeting about me being targeted. Nothing got done.”
He told ALBB: “I went to Jordan and I went over all this stuff, dating back for like 2 years of all the bashing that came to me and all the targeting. We went over it and she wrote all the notes of all the bad stuff that happened. But nothing got done about it. We had a meeting with the CSEA representative Jordan and Scott Hughes, our Highway Department employee union president, Beacon’s HR Director Sara, and Mickey Manzi, Beacon’s Highway Superintendent of Streets. In that meeting, I said: ‘You guys are targeting me.’ Mickey said ‘No, no.’ I was like: ‘I'm telling you, in front of Jordan and Scott, that you are, because you know you are, and you're denying it right now in front of me and them. It’s got to stop.”
The First Reporting Of Alleged Employee Recording
James told ALBB of the first time he reported what he says was an employee videoing other employees. "When the Mickey doesn't like somebody,” James said, “he wants you fired and he'll do everything he can in his power to do it. Even though you're out doing your job. So then you gotta do your job and then look over your shoulder. With Mickey, you got Employee A from the Water Department. He's his buddy out there. He also got Employee RK. Foreman. He was actually filming my buddy, Chris Servedio. Employee RK was Mickey's crony for videoing us to make sure we're out not doing anything wrong, which we weren't.
"Finally, I said in the last meeting that I had with Jordan, the union rep, and Scott Hughes, the employee union president, and then Mickey and Sara. I said: 'You guys are aware that Employee RK videoed us, right, for 2.5 years now?'
"Mickey's like, 'No, I'm not aware of that.'
"So I said: 'I'm telling you right now.'
Mikey's like: 'Well, he's not.'
"I'm like: 'No, I'm telling you he is.'
"He's like: 'Oh, you have an example?'
"I was like: 'Yeah, Mickey, I do.' And Sara is there looking at me all wide-eyed, waiting for an answer. I was like: 'Here's the example: 2 weeks ago. Chris was sitting in his dumptruck taking his 10 minute break from 9-9:10am while collecting Bags and Brush over at Forestall School where the little Central Hudson driveway is, not doing anything wrong. Employee RT passes him, comes back, has his phone out and he's videoing Chris taking his break.' And I tell Mickey that, he's like: 'Ah, I'm not aware of that happened.'
"I was like: 'Well, I'm making you aware in this meeting and I'm making all you aware of what's going on.'
"And then Scott was like: 'I didn't know what was going on.' And I said: 'Yeah, you don't even know the half of it.’”
James concluded in his interview with ALBB: “After I said all that in the meeting, he stopped videoing us. But after I brought it up in the meeting, they told me to video him back to get proof. I just left it alone. I was filmed about 20 times and saw him. Filmed me when I was with him and not with him. Pretty crazy environment out there. I tell you, it's very toxic."
James’ Complaint One Month Prior To Being Terminated About Being Recorded by An Employee Wearing Video Glasses
On December 10, 2025, one month before filing his next set of complaints, James filed a formal workplace complaint regarding a different unauthorized recording of him by a second person, Employee RB, thus causing a hostile work environment, he said in his complaint.
His letter read:
To Whom It May Concern,
James Cottrell’s letter of complaint about being recorded without his consent by a fellow employee wearing video recording glasses.
I am submitting this letter as a formal complaint regarding ongoing concerns about potential unauthorized recording in the workplace and the discomfort and distress it has caused me. I was assigned to work with co-worker Employee RB. I observed Employee RB wearing a pair of glasses that I believed may have contained a recording device. While we were completing our tasks, he questioned me about the route I was taking in a manner that made me further suspect I was being recorded.
Previously, Employee RB informed me that his former supervisor in the Water Department, Employee RK, had recorded multiple employees of the Highway Department, including myself. I have already raised this matter with Superintendent Manzi and HR Director Sara Morris.
At the end of the workday, I observed Employee RB in Superintendent Manzi’s office, which further heightened my concerns that I may have been the subject of discussion without my knowledge.
Today, December 10, 2025, when I reported to work, I again saw Employee RB in the time clock hallway wearing the same glasses. I directly asked him if he was recording me and noted that it was very dark day outside (overcast). The incident proceeded into the restroom where he stated to me that “Employee C is wearing glasses” and followed that by saying: “I can do what I want.”
Being recorded without my knowledge or consent makes me extremely uncomfortable and creates a work environment that feels hostile, unsafe, and intimidating. I do not feel this behavior is appropriate or acceptable in the workplace.
I am requesting that this matter be formally investigated and that steps be taken to ensure that no employee is being recorded without explicit consent or a clear, authorized purpose. Additionally, I ask for assurance that I will not be subjected to retaliation for bringing this concern forward.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am available to provide additional information or a statement as needed.
James’ Second Set Of Complaints
The following complaints were submitted by James to the City of Beacon’s HR Director Sara Morris on January 6, 2026, one day before he was terminated.
In his complaint, James wrote:
“This matter was previously raised with my Labor Relations Specialist in the CSEA Union, Jordan Rider. At that time, I was informed that a meeting would be scheduled with the City of Beacon to address these concerns. As of today, no such meeting has taken place. Since raising these issues, I believe I have experienced retaliation and have frequently felt unconformable and distressed coming to work throughout the year. Below is a summary of the incidents talked about with the Union on April 8th, 2025 forming the basis of my complaint:
Winter 2023 - Radio Harassment: While on the radio, Employee A from the Water Department stated, “Looks like we have another J. P. on our hands,” referring to me. When I asked what that meant, I was told that “J.P.” was viewed as being “slow,” which I took as an insult. Following this, both Employee A and Mickey made fun of me over the radio. This was particularly upsetting as it occurred publicly in front of coworkers and others with access to the radio system.
Winter 2023 - Continued Targeting: During the same winter, Mickey and I exchanged words over the radio regarding plowing operations. I believe this incident escalated the situation and contributed to me being further targeted.
Spring 2024 - Unequal Enforcement of Rules I was counseled for dropping my children off in a City vehicle. However, in early Spring 2023, I personally observed Employee A dropping children off at Sargent School using a Water Department truck. This inconsistent enforcement made me feel singled out.
Summer 2023 - Green Street Park Incident I was asked to assist Employee C with a rotten tree at Green Street Park. When I arrived, Employee SG and Employee C were present. It was clear that the City did not have the proper equipment to safely handle the job, and I expressed concerns about safety. Employee C then made a joke along the lines of ‘Yeah, and we’re not going to do that for $29 an hour,’ which I laughed at. When I returned to the shop, I was called into a Meeting with Mickey and reprimanded for allegedly refusing the job and joking about pay. I explained that I did not refuse the job, that my concerns were about safety and lack of equipment, and that I did not make the joke, Employee C did. Despite this, Employee C was not spoken to or disciplined. Again, I felt unfairly targeted.
Winter 2024 - Misuse of City Equipment At the beginning of Winter 2024, I observed Employee R plowing his personal driveway with a City truck.
Timekeeping Policy Enforcement - 2025 Mickey informed all employees that no one is permitted to punch in or out for another employee, and a notice was posted above the time clock. Since that announcement, I have observed Employee S having other employees punch him in and out when he arrives late or leaves early, without apparent consequence.
Taken together, these incidents demonstrate a pattern of harassment, unequal enforcement of policies, and retaliation after I raised concerns. This has negatively affected my work environment and my comfort and well-being at work. I respectfully request a formal investigation, a meeting to discuss these matters, and appropriate corrective action to ensure a fair, respectful, and non-retaliatory workplace.
Thank you for your time and attention to this serious matter. I am willing to cooperate fully with any investigation.
Sincerely, James Cottrell - Motor Equipment Operator City of Beacon
James was fired the next day.
What Happened To James After He Was Terminated?
James was escorted out of the the Highway Department building by City Administrator Chris White and Mickey Manzi. Being called down to meetings throughout his employment "felt like an interrogation," James told ALBB. "Like if you're at a state trooper barracks or something. Pretty crazy stuff. I actually never been involved in this ever in my life, with a job. Never even got fired. This is the 1st time," James told ALBB.
"But I learned a lot. I tell you that, and you know, Ruben schooled me on a lot of things. He used to be the employee union president for the Highway Department years ago. He encouraged me to go to union meetings about harassment and interrogation. There was a certificate you could get, so I got the certificate. I thought I needed to, the way they are here."
James told ALBB that he hung his certificate on his mailbox in the Highway Department, "Just so Mickey could see it too. That I went to one of them classes."
Does James still have the certificate? "I was going to leave it there, but I knew they were just going to throw in the garbage when they terminated me because they walked me out to my truck, you know, like I was some kind of criminal. They sure did escort me out, and they meant business. But I think that's standard procedure anyway."
James thought about it a minute. “I wasn’t even mad or upset when it happened. I knew it was for the better, that I had to get out of there. My time was up.”
Those familiar with the employment situation in the Highway Department tell ALBB that Chris Servedio has since quit, as he felt he was next to be fired. The City has since posted for the position, but one applicant allegedly never showed, another did not want the position, and the third applicant did not have the required license.
James has since accepted a new position as Laborer for the Village of Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County. “It’s a normal work environment!!” he explained to ALBB.
On March 16th, City Administrator Chris White, age 56, announced his retirement, which Mayor Lee Kyriacou stated in a later meeting was sooner than expected. Chris White’s last day was going to be in this summer in June, but yesterday, it was revealed that he has taken a leave of absence and will not return to his job.
This week, James’ attorney with the CSEA, Bill Burke, informed James that the City of Beacon is willing to drop all of the charges and pay out the 5 personal days and 2 weeks vacation owed to him for “falsely terminating” him.
This is a developing story. Another article will be published soon about a different situation James was involved in that relates to workplace safety.
Popped outside to I Am Beacon’s spring networking event, “Show Up,” that was held at the Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar (formerly Reserva). Several people attended, enjoying a glass of wine and half an empanada with fresh greens and special sauce across the gorgeous white bar accented in matte gold decor.
All of Beacon’s City Council members attended, with Lastar Gorton of Ward 1 was popping with the paisley paints (and matching with the pants of I Am Beacon co-founder Reuben Simmon’s mom, Suzette) going in hard on the raffle, and winning the first prize offered of a bottle of wine from Estilo.
Another lucky winner won the $100 gift card from Barb’s Butchery as donated by Hudson Valley Credit Union. And another winner took home some Key Food goodies. Author and Beacon Historical President Diane Lapis heartily promoted the new children’s book coming out for the Historical Society.
All in all, it was a great night for meeting new people and connecting with current friends and neighbors.
If you haven't been in the library recently, now is a GREAT time to go inside, as it has been renovated and flipped around with really nice bathrooms for all genders. The librarians are also very good at making friendly to read signs about upcoming events and programs they offer to inspire you on what you could be using for free with your library card (like the language learning app, free moving watching from your computer at home, visiting other museums, borrowing pieces of technology, etc.)
They have big plans on the horizon, which includes maintaining their regular level of accessibility and extending their hours on Monday-Friday 9am-7pm and Saturday/Sunday 10am-4pm.
Recent Status of Increased Usage by Community Members:
20% increase in Circulation 7% increase in library cardholders 23% of the circulation is now in digital items Over 760 events and programs offered Over 50,000 child/teen materials borrowed 11 hotspots donated and added to the collection 25% increase in eAudiobook downloads 48% increase in eMagazine readership (woohoo!!!) 130 Passport Applications made (they are a location for submitting your application) Free movie watching at home (36.7% increase in streaming videos) Extensive dedicated seating just for teens to gather among themselves Comfortable chairs and tables for working, reading, thinking. Free Community food fridge was added! In partnership with Fareground.
The Library’s new Sensory Room is a refreshing new spot in the library to focus, calm down, re-calibrate, and get wheels turning in an enclosed space. While seating is available in the main part of the library, this room can be used or reserved for privacy.
The signage at the Library has been so welcoming, showing they are thinking of so many details for their patrons' comfort levels. For example, there is a weighted blanket and fidgets in this room that patrons are invited to use, and reminded to put back when done.
The lighting and air purifier can be adjusted to one's comfort level. Technology and supplies are available for use, including markers, an eraser and laptop. The room is open to everyone and can fit up to 6 people. Walk-ins are welcome, but Reservations are possible and take priority.
Just delightful if you need to study for a test, work on homework, write a poem, or finish writing and designing your Media Kit for new business (coming soon from ALBB!).
Imagine eating farm grown ingredients across several plates from one of your favorite farmer’s markets in one sitting. That is what the annual fundraiser that benefits the Cold Spring Farmers Market in collaboration with the Garrison Institute, catered by Fresh Company provides.
Several farmer vendors and bakers donated their wares to the event to be cooked into something delicious. Eggbert’s Free Range Farm Eggbert’s Free Range Farm donated bratwurst and sweet Italian beef sausage for appetizers, as well as their famous all-beef no nitrate hotdogs for the Maki sushi sausage collaboration with Hibino Day By Day . The potato knish from All You Knead Beacon.
To fill the Garbure soup, Eggbert’s Free Range Farm provided the bacon and Glynwoodorg the pork shoulder, which both gave the broth its lasting warmth. The emmer and mushroom salad was nice and healthy, paired with the roasted carrots and beets.
Signal Fire Bread baked the dark grain squishy bread, which complemented everything including the goat cheese, Dolly’s Hummus Edgwickfarm and Pemaquid, Maine rope-grown mussels with Aioli.
Tulips and daffodils locally grown by Six Dutchess Farm adorned every table (they had been up until 3am protecting tulips by warming them from the frost).
Oh, but dessert...everyone awaited anxiously for the mountain of brownies from All You Knead Beacon to be unwrapped from their protected covers. Espresso-walnut cake and parsnip-ginger cake from Rowgowski Farm was deliciously received. Third Bean’s coconut milk, date and chocolate Gelato Elixir was the smoothest, lightest frozen chocolate taste one has had in a long time, leaving everyone asking where to buy it.
Excerpts of the artist Kiersten Deirup’s paintings. Photo Credits: Katie Hellmuth
Had the pleasure of seeing Kirsten Deirup’s artwork up close and personal at her painting studio inside of the Old Beacon High School which is now the Ethan Cohen Gallery Kube Art Center. Have only seen her work in Instagram, so it was dimensional to see it live and on the walls.
Saw a few of her still-life props (the keyboard that is in the ethereal castle painting and some of the chains) that she uses to paint her visual stories. This night was an opening before this collection, which took her one year to paint, ships to its gallery exhibit in New York City.
Up close of the computer keyboard that appears in the castle painting, also in this article. By painter Kirsten Deirup'. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Plaque on the tree of Justin Brown’s motorcycle crash. Reads: “In Memory of Correction Officer J. Brown End Of Watch April 13th, 2026. PHoto Credit: Katie Hellmuth
A Fishkill Corrections Officer, Justin Brown, died on Monday, April 13th, 2026, after crashing on his motorcycle on his way to work at the prison, according to his wife and the Beacon Police. Officer Brown was 33 years old and leaves behind his wife Cicily Brown and their son Gabriel. According to the Highlands Current, Officer Brown joined the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in 2018 and currently worked at the Fishkill Corrections Facility. According to someone who knew him, Officer Brown was a Corrections Emergency Response Team member.
The Beacon Police stated on their Facebook page: “At approximately 2:42 pm the Beacon Police Department responded to Matteawan Road in the area of Deer Run for a call for a single vehicle auto accident involving a motorcycle. Sadly, upon arrival the driver, a 33 year old male from Gardiner, NY was deceased. Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones.”
Intersection of Deer Run and Matteawan past the Beacon High School on the property of Fishkill Correctional Facility.
That strip of Matteawan Road is on the property of the Fishkill Correctional Facility, past the Beacon High School, where no through traffic is allowed, except for student traffic during pickup and drop off times. 2:42pm on a Monday is during student pickup time, when students drive themselves home, parents and caregivers pick up, and buses drive through. The Beacon Police stated this was a single-vehicle auto-accident, meaning no other vehicle was reported at this time to have made impact.
According to their release, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the accident reconstruction and the staff of Fishkill Correctional Facility secured the scene. According to the Highlands Currentquoting Beacon Police Chief Figlia, the cause of the accident is under investigation, and a helmet was recovered at the scene.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Wrote his wife Cecily on the family’s GoFundMe page: “It is often the simplest truths that cut the deepest, and the truth is: Justin was taken from us far too soon. His life was tragically lost in a motorcycle accident during his commute to work, a moment that should have been ordinary, but instead became unimaginable. As always, my husband was on his way to do what he always did: provide for our family.
“His loss is not just tragic it is devastating. I will feel it in the quiet moments at home, in the absence of his laughter and his smile, as well as in the milestones he should have been here to witness with us all. His missing presence will be felt by our family, friends, colleagues, and all the lives he touched, from now and forever.”
A call to support a fallen rider was made by the Hudson Valley Biker Network, hosted at the Barking Front in Beacon on Rte. 52 last Thursday.
The funeral was on Friday at Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home in New Paltz. He lived with his family in Gardiner, NY.
Said his wife: “Justin was a Correction Officer, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. He was a truly honorable, sincere, and good man, the foundation upon which our family was built. To me, he was a best friend and partner of 20 years. To our 7-year-old son, Gabriel, he was a hero, a protector, and a guiding light. To those who worked beside him, he was respected, dependable, and considered “the epitome of what a C.O. should be.
“Born in Yonkers and later building our life together in Gardiner, New York, Justin carried a quiet strength and a deep sense of responsibility. At just 33 years old, he lived a life rooted in love, commitment, and sacrifice, always working to provide us with security, comfort, and unconditional love. He worked hard every single day not for recognition, but for his family, his most valued treasure.”
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.
