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Jacobson seeks Assembly seat
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security disability .
If elected to the state Assembly , Jacobson vowed to focus on several key issues affecting residents of the district , which covers parts of Dutchess , Ulster and Orange counties .
“ We need to reform how we fund education . It ’ s wrong to fund schools based on local property taxes ,” he said , so that quality of education is based on the wealth of the district . “ We should fund education based on our statewide income tax . It is in our state constitution that the state should provide for our schools .”
“ We must pass the Reproductive Health Act and protect women ’ s health rights ,” said Jacobson , referring to legislation protecting a woman ’ s right to choose , which passed in the state Assembly earlier this year but stalled in the Senate .
Women ’ s rights “ should not be determined by the whims of the U . S . Supreme Court ,” he said . “ If the Supreme Court decides to limit reproductive rights – a woman ’ s right to choose or have access to contraceptives – the state must provide that protection . Otherwise , we will be at the mercy of the Supreme Court .”
“ We should properly fund our community colleges and expand free tuition to part-time students at community and state colleges ,” he said , speaking of the state ’ s Excelsior Scholarship program , which requires students to attend college full-time , with at least 12 credits per semester and a minimum of 30 credits a year .
“ Right now , the program is only for full-time students and they must finish in two or four years ,” Jacobson noted . “ Sometimes that ’ s just not practical ,” he added , specifically when it comes to students enrolled in vocational programs .
State and community colleges play a critical role in economic development in the district , he said . “ We want to develop more programs so businesses and people can take advantage of the state college system for training , so people can be trained for 21st-Century jobs ,” he said , in industries such as high-tech manufacturing .
“ We have to be able to train people for the jobs that exist and will exist in the future . I would like to see the expansion of the free tuition program ,” he said . “ You may not be in college for three or four years if you ’ re taking vocational and technical course work .”
Jacobson insisted the state should help to fund infrastructure improvements . “ In order to make the Hudson Valley more competitive , we need to step up and fund our crumbling infrastructure ,” he said . “ Local governments cannot afford to do so .”
Jacobson advocates tackling gun violence through addressing illegal guns . “ The state has to work in partnership with other states on trafficking ,” he said . “ The guns are coming from down south and other places . We need to work with other states on this because the federal government has dropped the ball .”
Jacobson said his years of experience would help him “ get things done ” in the Assembly , compared to a candidate with less political experience . “ I ’ m the most prepared candidate for the job ,” he said .
Jacobson will face Orange County Legislator Kevindaryan Lujan and former City of Poughkeepsie School Board President Ralph Coates in the Democratic primary on Thursday , September 13 .
Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , June 13 , 2018
St . George sponsors a cemetery family / friends gathering
The cemetery committee of St . George ’ s Church , Newburgh , announces a “ St . George ’ s Cemetery Family and Friends Gathering ”, slated for Sunday June 24 , 2018 from 3 p . m . to 5 p . m . in the upstairs Great Hall of the parish hall , located at 105 Grand Street .
All who have family or friends buried at St . George ’ s Cemetery are invited to attend . Cemetery Committee chairman , Catherine Kolb Costello stated , “ It may be a revelation for attendees to see and learn just who else shares a connection by being joined together by the common thread of the cemetery .” She speculated further , “ Who knows , neighbors on the same street may have loved ones buried a plot or two away in St . George ’ s cemetery .” “ It will be interesting to discover just who has the cemetery as a common denominator ,” she concluded .
St . George ’ s Cemetery was founded in 1838 and from the beginning was open to people of all races and creeds . The cemetery continues as an active burial site , with plots available for purchase .
The 7.4 acre sacred site is located at 147 Washington Street . Among those within the cemetery who achieved a certain fame or recognition , there is a Medal of Honor recipient from the U . S . Civil War , one of General George Washington ’ s body guards during the War for Independence , two men who were awarded the Purple Heart , one from WWll and the other from the Korean conflict , as well as a U . S . Congressman , mayors of Newburgh , firefighters killed in the line of duty , renowned architects , a celebrated attorney / judge , as well as Queen Victoria ’ s favorite lion tamer . Also , there are at rest the people who lived good , even noble lives , whose stories are known only to family or friends . “ Every life is significant .” “ We would love to know their stories ,” said Mrs . Costello . Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo for the photo board , as well as a paragraph or more on their loved one , or be willing to speak briefly on a facet of the life of person being remembered .
For further information , contact St . George ’ s Church at 561-5355 .
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Library hosts celebration of Black American Independence Juneteenth has become a day for African Americans to celebrate their freedom , culture , and achievements . It is a day for all Americans to celebrate African American history and rejoice in their freedom .
For the month of June , the Newburgh Free Library presents “ A Celebration of Black Independence ” featuring local emerging contemporary artist Malinda Ware . Malinda Ware captures the imagination with stories woven into each brush stroke . Bold colors and exciting textures complement the beautiful images that spring forth from the canvas . Her art and presentation entices and fulfills .
On Tuesday , June 19 , from 6 – 8:30 p . m . there will be a reception open to all , with African drumming by Baba Kazi Oliver .
In Brief
The Newburgh Free Library hours are 9 a . m . - 9 p . m ., Mon . through Thurs .; 9 a . m . - 5 p . m ., Fri . and Sat .; and 1 p . m . – 5 p . m . on Sun . For additional information , please contact Felicia DaVolio at 845-563-3644 . For information about library programs , please call 845-563-3619 or visit www . newburghlibrary . org .
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Woman injured in Rt . 52 crash
The Town of Newburgh Police Department is investigating a motor vehicle accident which resulted in serious injuries to two people . Both subjects were occupants in the one and only vehicle involved . The accident occurred on June 8 , just after 11 a . m ., on Rt . 52 ( South Plank Rd .) just east of the Delaware Rd . intersection .
The vehicle was traveling eastbound and failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway . The vehicle left the roadway and rolled over on an adjacent property , ejecting the driver . The driver is identified as Heather Riccio , 31 , from Newburgh . She was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center . A 26 year old male passenger was transported to St . Luke ’ s Hospital .
Rt . 52 was shut down for several hours while the accident scene was re-constructed . The cause of the accident is under investigation .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Town of Newburgh Detectives at 564-1100 .
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City seeks volunteers for advisory committee
The City of Newburgh announces the reconstitution of the Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee .
The Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee is responsible for advising the City Council on parking and transportation-related matters as well as to guide and review the preparation of transportation and parking plans and programs . Among the functions and duties of the Transportation , Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee shall be to evaluate and make recommendations on various issues , including but not limited to parking , traffic and transportation , including alternative transportation modes such as pedestrian and bicycling .
Members are appointed by the City Council for twoyear renewable terms . The Committee shall consist of nine members .
The Committee shall consist of up to six residents of the City of Newburgh on the basis of their knowledge or interest in transportation and / or parking . One representative of an agency or organization which represents and / or advocates for persons with disabilities
Individuals interested in serving on the Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee should submit a letter indicating name , address , phone number , email address and a statement interest in appointment to Eliana Diaz ( ediaz @ cityofnewburgh-ny . gov ) on or before June 27 .