In the wake of Mayor Terry Dungan’s unexpected stroke on Christmas Day, the New Paltz Village Board has been planning to deal with their leader’s absence. Last week, that took the form of the Village Board members divvying up some of the minor responsibilities of the mayor -- in this case, is the mayor’s observer’s seat with the other boards and subcommittees. Each village trustee, including the mayor, is assigned to act as a liaison to, say, the Planning Board. With Dungan out, the others might have to double up on a meeting.
Deputy Mayor Jean Gallucci hasn’t made any official announcements about who might fill in on those boards while Dungan recovers. However, the Village Board is scheduled to discuss it again later this month.
The mayor’s stroke was a mild one, and didn’t harm his cognitive abilities or cause a loss of language. It did, however, impact the movement of his right arm and leg.
Trustee Osborn thanked the members of the public who have come out in support of the mayor after his sudden stroke. “The outpouring of well wishes and ‘feel betters’ to the mayor is well appreciated,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Gallucci said that right now they simply do not know how long Mayor Dungan might be away from Village Hall.
“I do talk to him almost daily, and he’s doing rehab,” she added.
- Mike Townshend
Canadian man is charged with rape of teenager he met online
New Paltz police have charged a 32-year-old Canadian man with the felony rape of a 16-year-old girl he met on an online social networking site. Stephen T. Rodgers of Ontario, Canada was arrested last Saturday at 6 p.m. at the 87 Motel in New Paltz following a report of a disturbance there. Police officers encountered the girl’s mother, who was at the motel looking for her 16-year-old daughter, whom she believed was staying there.
According to police, further investigation showed that the girl met Rodgers on an online social networking site. They said Rodgers drove to New Paltz from Canada and the two checked into the motel, engaging in inappropriate sexual contact due to the victim’s age. Police said the investigation is continuing and they are working with Canadian authorities to investigate further.
Rodgers was arraigned before New Paltz Town Justice James Bacon and sent to Ulster County Jail in lieu of $950 bail. He was due back in court on Tuesday.
TSEC CEO conference features military’s energy executives
The Air Force’s top energy executive and a former Army energy czar will be the featured panelists at the The Solar Energy Consortium’s third annual gathering of solar industry chief executive officers on Monday, Jan. 24.
Dr. Kevin T. Geiss, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, and Paul Bollinger, now General Manager for Government Solutions at Boeing Energy, will be introduced by U.S. Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey at the opening of the conference at SUNY New Paltz.
“We are honored to have Dr. Geiss and Paul Bollinger join us,” said TSEC Founder/CEO Vincent Cozzolino. “These two individuals are on the cutting edge of everything our partners need to know, and we look forward to sharing with them our growing success with building the U.S. solar manufacturing industry.”
Inquiries about the conference may be directed to Pat Courtney Strong, pat.tsec@gmail.com or 336-0100.
Library trustees to hold annual meeting
The trustees of the Elting Memorial Library will hold their annual meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27 in the Ron Steinberg Room at the Library. At the meeting there will be election of new trustees to the board, as well as reports on activities in 2010. The public is welcome to attend.
Meeting times for Community Partnership
Community Partnership for a Safer New Paltz, which strives to create a healthier and safer environment for youth and families within our community and to reduce and prevent substance abuse and other risky behaviors, meets at the New Paltz Town Hall at 9:30 a.m. the third Thursday of every month. To accommodate those who are unable to meet during daytime hours, Community Partnership also meets in the evening, the second Monday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m., in the New Paltz High School library. New members are always welcomed.
Hudson Heritage FCU announces new in-store banking location
Two leaders in their respective industries will be joining forces in the Newburgh market. Hudson Heritage FCU, a $222 million credit union, has signed a letter of intent with Walmart to open and operate one in-store branch within Walmart’s Newburgh store at 1201 Route 300.
Hudson Heritage FCU is headquartered in Middletown and has additional branches in downtown Middletown, Newburgh, Goshen, Harriman, Washingtonville, Montgomery and New Paltz. Visit www.hhfcu.org to learn more.
Penny social at St. Joseph’s in New Paltz
The Cardinal Spellman Columbiettes #5800 will be holding their fifth annual Penny Social on Saturday, Jan. 29 in St. Joseph’s Church Hall in New Paltz. Admission is free. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and calling begins at 12:30 p.m. Raffle tickets and refreshments will be available for purchase. All proceeds will be donated to charity. The snow date is Jan. 30, doors open at 1:30 p.m. and calling begins at 2:30 p.m.
Succeeding in school with Barbara Neiman
Barbara Neiman, an integrative occupational therapist, will present “Help Your Child Succeed in School,” with yoga, art and body mind activities on Saturdays beginning Jan. 29, 10 to 11 a.m., at the New Paltz Community Center. The event is open to children ages 3-7 and pre-registration is required. For additional information and to register, call 255-3631 or 796-6460.
Gardiner Library events
The Gardiner Library community room will be filled with the complex polyphonies of the Kartuli Ensemble this Sunday, Jan. 23 beginning at 2 p.m. The group performs the a-cappella folk music of the country of Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains, which uses a different scale than Western music. Songs are sung in the Georgian language, which is unique and distinct from those of neighboring countries. The Ensemble has traveled to Georgia several times and in 1996 was awarded the State Prize of Georgia for its work in preserving and popularizing Georgian folk song.
Family movie night
The Gardiner Library continues its popular family movie night series with a showing of Toy Story 3 this Friday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Hailed as one of the best reviewed movies of 2010, Toy Story 3 is the latest installment in the adventures of Buzz Lightyear, Woody and friends. Popcorn is available, bring a stuffed animal and a blanket if you’d like.
“Your Russian Winter” hosts special guest
The Gardiner Library’s “Your Russian Winter” group, will host special guest Leonid Polishchuk this Thursday Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. A native Russian, Polishcuk is a local musician and is well-versed in Russian literature and history. The “Your Russian Winter” group is open to anyone with an interest in Russian literature or culture. Learn more about the group at www.meetup.com/Your-Russian-Winter/.
Work by Mira Fink on display
An opening reception for Mira Fink’s “Natural Surroundings” watercolor paintings will take place on Friday, Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Gardiner Library (the snow date is Feb. 11). Fink’s art is inspired by the lush colors and textures of the natural world. The exhibit will feature watercolor landscapes of some of the most incredibly beautiful places in our region, such as the Shawangunk Mountains, Mohonk Mountain House, the Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park, local farms in New Paltz and Gardiner and the Hudson River in all its splendor. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 1 through Mar. 31.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmer’s Turnpike. For further information about events, call 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
“The World According to Monsanto” to be shown on Jan. 28
A free viewing of “The World According to Monsanto” will be shown on Friday, Jan. 28, 8:15 p.m., at Elting Library in New Paltz. The film shows how a one-world dominating corporation holds the keys and patents to much of the world’s food supply. A discussion will follow. The event is sponsored by New Paltz Neighbors for Peace. For additional information, e-mail Tellall45@yahoo.com.
90 Miles holds auditions for “Grey Gardens”
90 Miles Off Broadway will hold auditions for “Grey Gardens -- The Musical” on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., with callbacks on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. Auditions will take place in the community room and youth lounge, upstairs in the Education Building of The Reformed Church of New Paltz, located on Huguenot Street across form the church.
“Grey Gardens -- The Musical” is based on the famous documentary of the same name, a cult favorite. The musical was recently a big hit on Broadway and the documentary has also been made into a movie for HBO starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. It’s the hilarious and heartbreaking true story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie Beale -- the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, once bright names on the social register who became East Hampton’s most notorious recluses. It will be directed by Joseph Gayton, with musical direction by Julian Baker.
The play includes roles for all types and ages. Bring music for a song you are comfortable singing; a pianist will be provided. Scenes will be read from the script and you will be asked to dance. Further information and script copies and CD’s to be borrowed prior to auditions can be obtained by contacting Kim Lupinacci at Bright Beginnings, located at 8 Brookside Road in New Paltz; call 256-9657; or head to ninetymilesoffbroadway.com.
Historic Preservation Commission to meet on Jan. 26
The Historic Preservation Commission of the Village of New Paltz has changed the date of its January meeting to Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at Village Hall, 25 Plattekill Avenue.
For more information, please contact the commission at hpc@villageofnewpaltz.org, or call the Village of New Paltz Building Department at 255-3055.
Public hearing cancelled
A public hearing, scheduled for Jan. 24 by the Town of New Paltz Planning Board on a site plan application proposal known as the Olson Property, has been cancelled.
New Paltz Republicans looking for candidates
The New Paltz Republican Committee is actively seeking candidates to run for elected office in the Town of New Paltz. The seats up for grabs in November include: Supervisor, Town Board (2), Town Clerk and the Highway Superintendent. Prospective candidates are asked to send a resumé and cover letter to: Butch Dener (New Paltz GOP Chairman), P.O. Box 841, New Paltz, NY 12561; call 527-4100 or e-mail butchdener@aol.com.
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