Mid Hudson Times May 23 2018 | Page 4

4

Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , May 23 , 2018

Schmitt to seek Assembly seat

With Assemblyman James Skoufis pursuing a Senate seat ( see page 6 ) in November , Colin Schmitt of New Windsor will seek to replace him in the 99th Assembly District . Schmitt made his intentions known Tuesday . “ Over the last several weeks , I have received the advice and support of many friends , neighbors and community leaders and I ’ m proud to have earned the unanimous nomination from both the Orange County Republican Committee and the Stony Point Republican Committee ,” Schmitt said . “ This November , our Assembly district will elect a new representative . I believe we deserve a strong voice , someone who will put our communities ’ issues and values at the forefront .”

His platform includes easing property taxes , working on solving the heroin epidemic “ by focusing on prevention , treatment , recovery and law enforcement ” and opposing the continued expansion of the Village of Kiryas Joel

“ As many of you know , my fiancée Nikki and I live in New Windsor , where I serve as Chief of Staff to the town government . I am a member of the Army National Guard and I previously served as Director of Operations for the New York State Senate ’ s Veterans , Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee .,” he said . “ I have seen

Continued from page 1

Shoy Colbourne drew 473 and 266 votes , respectively .

Voters approved several propositions , including a plan to expand busing for school district students living within city limits . Voters passed a separate proposition to allow the school district to sell the Washington Street School building at 121 Washington Street . Residents also

Colin Schmitt , Chief of Staff for New Windsor Town Supervisor George Green , will run for Assembly in November .

first hand the good that can be achieved by working together for the betterment of our community and state .”

Town residents wonder what to do with all those signs plastered on utility poles

By LAUREN BERG

At the Town of Newburgh ’ s May 14 workshop meeting , resident Pat Williams asked the town board for clarification of the recently passed sign legislation , namely wondering who is responsible for taking down the event and other advertisements on the utility poles .

“ Since then the weather has been nice … all you see now is all these signs up on the poles , in regards to events or advertisements . It ’ s terrible . I was wondering , … how are you going to enforce it ?” said Pat Williams .

Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio clarified that the town is still getting permission from the four government organizations and companies that own the poles : Central Hudson , Verizon , New York State Right of Ways , and Orange County . Of the four letters sent out , the town is still waiting to hear back and receive permission from two of them . At that point , Piaquadio stated it would ultimately be up to the Highway department to take them

down as they see them , in accordance with the new sign legislation .

“ There ’ s a certain process too on the signs . Some have to be saved . If they ’ re fancy signs you have to save for a certain number of days , before the town can throw them away . It isn ’ t going to be a thing where Code Compliance goes to every utility pole and try to issue a summons , but we are going to try to take them down ,” stated Piaquadio .

In light of the May 15 storm , which resulted in widespread power outages and road closures due to fallen trees , it is reasonable to assume that it may take a bit more time before Highway employees have the opportunity to remove the utility pole signs . But Piaquadio is optimistic that once the signs are removed it will set a positive precedent for the town .

“ Hopefully if we take them down enough , people won ’ t put them up because they know they are coming down ,” said Piaquadio .

Voters approve Newburgh School budget

voted to authorize the district to set up a capital reserve fund in which to place a maximum of $ 10 million to pay for a proposed project to rebuild and renovate schools throughout the district .

Another proposition passed to okay the Cold War Veterans ’ Exemption at the basic tax exemption level of 10 percent of assessed value of a property , not to exceed $ 8,000 for the 2019-2020 school year .

In Brief

Drug bust on Broadway

On May 17 at approximately 6:40 p . m . the City of Newburgh Police Department and New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit conducted a search warrant at a storefront located at 198 Broadway in the City of Newburgh . The search warrant was a result of a several month long investigation into narcotics sales from the location . Officers searched the location and recovered and seized approximately 113 grams of cocaine , approximately $ 3,700 in cash , and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia including false bottom cans commonly used to conceal narcotics .

City of Newburgh residents Daryl Q . Johnson AKA Daryl Q . Maise , 53 years of age , and Heath S . Black , 50 years of age , were arrested and charged with two felony counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree . Both individuals were processed and then transported to City of Newburgh Court for arraignment .

Stewart passenger count has doubled in past year

Bargain price fliers are helping Stewart International Airport soar .

Stewart Airport officials yesterday gave further evidence that Stewart Airport bargain price airlines – Norwegian Air , Allegiant keep fares down , making Stewart price attracrive .

Proof comes in the statistics shared with the Stewart Airport Commissions meeting May 22 , said airport busness manager Michael Torrelli .

“ Year to date the total passenger count is 82,870 , a 108.8 percent increase over last year ,” Torelli told members of the oversight Stewart Airport Commission Tuesday .

Figures from Torrelli showed to date passenger levels at Stewart for 2018 hit 82,870 , a huge jump besting the 40,760 passengers who used the airport in 2015 .

That big bump-up comes from the airport ’ s aggressive business development efforts that brought budget Norwegian Airlines to Stewart as well as getting economy flier Allegiant .

The airport ’ s aggressive business development efforts are credited to airport business manager Michael Torrelli and his staff .

The new passenger numbers stand in sharp contrast to years ago when new flights were not as easy to attract , Torelli pointed out .

- Wayne Hall

City collecting storm debris

The City of Newburgh Department of Public Works located at 88 Pierces Road is open Wednesday for tornado storm related yard waste disposal .

If curbside pickup of your storm related debris is required , please call the Department of Public Works at 565-3297 to schedule removal of tornado storm related debris from your curb .