NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION FIRST-PLACE AWARD FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE , 2016
Vol . 29 , No 13 MARCH 29 - APRIL 4 , 2017 3 3 ONE DOLLAR
MID
HUDSON
TIMES
Tenant responsibility law in effect
By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com
Golden gloves Page 44
Home from Broadway
Page 22
SERVING NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR
The fight of her life Fundraiser to help mayor pay for cancer treatment
Tenants can now be held responsible under city code for damage caused to rental properties in the City of Newburgh . Violations may result in community service and fines of up to $ 500 .
“ We all want to revitalize our city ,” said Councilman Torrance Harvey , shortly before the vote at City Hall on Monday night . “ It takes a village . It takes the entire community .”
The ordinance amends Chapter 240 of the city code to hold tenants responsible for the proper maintenance of rental spaces . The ordinance details renters ’ responsibilities on taking care of common spaces such as steps , walks , driveways , parking spaces , yards and vacant lots .
The ordinance also addresses safety issues pertaining to smoke alarms and fire escapes . It calls on renters to maintain residences “ in clean and sanitary condition ,” so as not “ to attract insect , vermin and rodent harborage and infestation .”
Some residents expressed concern that responsibilities laid out in the ordinance may be confused with responsibilities that belong to landlords .
Cynthia Gilkeson recounted a time when she asked her landlord to take care of a roach problem that developed in her apartment building . “ Roaches were everywhere ,” she said , but her landlord did nothing about it and so Gilkeson withheld a portion of her rent .
“ At what point does the tenant have to be responsible for upkeep of their apartments ?” she asked the city council .
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City of Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy will travel abroad next month to receive treatment for ovarian cancer .
By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com
City of Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy will leave the country to receive cancer treatment for three weeks
next month . Friends and colleagues are holding a benefit at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center to help her pay the bill . “ I ’ m in a fight for my life ,” she said . Kennedy was diagnosed with stage-
III ovarian cancer in May last year . She underwent surgery in August . A round of chemotherapy followed . The mayor sat down to talk about her health with the Mid Hudson Times earlier this month .
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