Mid Hudson Times Jul. 05 2017

T IMES NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION FIRST-PLACE AWARD FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE, 2016 MID HUDSON Vol. 29, No 27 3 JULY 5 - 11, 2017 3 ONE DOLLAR Poetry out loud Ballon festival Page 18 Page 14 SERVING NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR Dillard stepping down from legislature Hudson barge proposal put on hold By SHANTAL RILEY [email protected] By MARK REYNOLDS [email protected] Last week the U. S. Coast Guard [USCG] suspended their proposal to increase the number of barge anchorage areas in the Hudson River from two to ten, between Yonkers and Kingston, a stretch of 70 miles. These new locations would add 43 berths for oil tankers that are typically 195 ft. long by 35 ft. wide and can carry up to 1,400 tons of cargo. In the past few months the Coast Guard has received 10,000 letters and comments from residents who live along the river as well as from numerous elected officials, environmental organizations, such as Scenic Hudson and from local yacht clubs. All have voiced their opposition to turning the river into what they characterize as a parking lot for the oil industry, claiming the industry wants these additional anchorages to allow them time to receive the price they want for their product. The Coast Guard stated they would undertake a formal “risk evaluation process” that will begin with a two- day workshop this fall and will include “waterway stakeholders” and other involved agencies. The shipping industry contends that these new anchorages are needed to provide designated safe areas for barges to anchor while waiting for bad weather Continued on page 4 Orange County Legislator for District 4 Curlie Dillard is stepping down. Several candidates have so far emerged to compete for the open seat. The Town of Newburgh Republican Committee cross-endorsed Independence candidate and social studies teacher Anthony Tarsio Jr. for the position last month. Community activist Omari Shakur, Rev. Nelson McAllister, community organizer Kevindaryan Lujan and former Newburgh City Council member Gay Lee all sought the Orange County Democratic Committee endorsement for the seat. Shakur received the committee’s endorsement for the position last month. “I see a need for more balanced leadership,” Shakur said. If elected, the City of Newburgh native said he would work to safeguard the city’s drinking water, address blight and housing, focus on creating local jobs and ensure transportation to those jobs. “We want to assist police in the effort to build its relationship with the community,” he added. Shakur ran to become City of Newburgh mayor most recently in 2015. The city needs leaders to “fight to bring more money and services” to residents in Newburgh, Lujan said. “In these challenging times, we need a leader that will focus on the issues impacting our community, such as more stable jobs that pay a livable wage,” Lujan states on his campaign website. “We need representatives with a clear voice and vision on the importance of clean air and clean water for our community, now and for the future.” Dillard, a Democrat, has served one term as a county legislator. He served four years on the Newburgh City Council Continued on page 4 T rue B lue A mericana Carl Aiello The U.S. Navy Blue Angels streaked across the skies above Route 17K Sunday, the second day of the New York Air Show at Stewart Airport. More photos on page 34. WWW.MIDHUDSONTIMES.COM