Category: News

American Red Cross

Millions of Americans were affected by Hurricane Sandy and just as life was returning to normal for many, a Nor’Easter hit the area yesterday. This second storm plunged many areas back into darkness, while other towns haven’t had electricity since before Sandy. As always the Red Cross is on hand to help all those in need.

You can help by making a monetary donation to the Red Cross through their site at RedCross.org.

The Red Cross is also in need of blood donations. You can find more info on donating blood on RedCross.org’s Giving Blood page by clicking here.

Additionally, if you are in the NY region, you can find a blood donation center on the NY Blood Center’s website at NYBC.org.

Anti-Fracking Rally in Albany Today

A diverse coalition of anti-fracking organizations are organizing a rally to send Governor Cuomo a simple message: Don’t Frack New York! At the rally, hundreds of people will take a pledge to take nonviolent action if Cuomo moves forward with his plan to frack New York.

Join author and activist Bill McKibben, filmmaker Josh Fox (Gasland), Sandra Steingraber and other movement leaders. Participants will have a chance to pledge escalating nonviolent resistance to fracking, and to deliver those pledges to Governor Cuomo’s office. 

What: Don’t Frack New York Rally
When: Monday, August 27, 11 a.m.
Where: March begins at Albany Riverfront Park, Albany, New York

Barrett Organizes Public Meeting on TCI Fire

Remember that toxic fire at TCI in West Ghent last week? If you are anything like me, you do and want to know more about the fire, the lasting effects and what is being done to prevent a similar disaster.

Fortunately, Assembly member, Didi Barrett, hasn’t forgotten the fire either and is doing something to keep this disaster from being swept under the rug. Barrett has organized a public information meeting regarding the TCI fire for next Thursday (August 16, 2012).

Here is some info from the press release issued by Barrett’s office:

Due to the concerns over the possible release of PCBs, dioxins and volatile organic compounds, Assemblywoman Didi Barrett requested the presence of several agencies to participate in the meeting with Columbia County residents.

Barrett says she has heard from several residents expressing their concerns about the aftermath of the fire and what the limited information made available really means.

While farmers struggle with decisions about what produce to sell and families on what to eat from their gardens, Barrett released the following statement, saying, “I do want these agencies to help put people’s fears to rest…A lot of people are still uneasy about the soot, air and the whole situation. I can understand their concerns. I know the first responders did a very good job and the agencies were very responsive…Folks just want their questions answered so they can go on with their lives.”

The meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Department Station on Route 9H.

State of Emergency Due to Chemical Fire in Ghent

UPDATE (4:00pm):
Columbia County 911 has stated on its Facebook page that the EPA has tested the air and the quality is normal so the 15 mile radius “advisory zone” has been LIFTED. Keep in mind, however, that the fire is not 100% extinguished yet so it couldn’t hurt to keep your windows closed, as long as you can handle the heat.

A chemical fire at TCI, a transformer recycling company on Falls Industrial Park Road in Ghent, has forced a State of Emergency to be declared in Columbia County for the area surrounding the fire. According to a press release from the Columbia County Emergency Management Office, people within a 15 mile radius of the fire are advised to remain indoors and cancel outdoor activities until further notice because of potential exposure to contaminants from the fire. If possible, pets and livestock should also remain indoors. Air conditioners should be closed to outdoor air until further notice.

Here is more info from the Columbia County 911 Facebook page:

State Health Department officials are conducting air quality tests in the vicinity of the fire. Out of an abundance of caution, please remain indoors and limit outside activity. Anyone experiencing eye irritation, difficulty breathing or cough should seek medical attention. For additional information, contact the Columbia County Health Department at 518-828-3358 ext. 1293.

I live a little more than 20 miles away from TCI and just noticed the scent of burning chemicals in the air inside my house. As a result, I’m closing all windows and doors and suggest you do the same until the fire is extinguished.

Chatham Named A Best Place To Live by Hudson Valley Mag

Earlier this year, an article on Hudson Valley Magazine (http://www.hvmag.com) titled, “7 Top Towns: Best Places to Live in the Hudson Valley in 2012”, named Chatham as one of the 7 top towns. The article pointed out Chatham’s country charm, diverse dining options and, of course, its single traffic light.

From the article:

Want the real country: farmland, horses, nobody in sight for miles? Head north — almost as far as you can go on the Taconic Parkway — to the town of Chatham. Spread over 53 square miles on the border between Columbia and Rensselaer counties — and about 15 miles from the Massachusetts border — Chatham is so downright cute that the Berkshires often claim it as their own. While it may be small and difficult to reach without a car (the nearest Amtrak stop is in Hudson), its primo location between Albany, New York, and Boston ensures that Chatham continues to thrive.

You can read the entire article and see the six other towns on Hudson Valley Magazine by clicking here.