Mid Hudson Times Nov. 7 2018 | Page 2

2 Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, November 7, 2018 IN THIS ISSUE Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 City of Newburgh.. . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Crossword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Letters to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . 8 Meadow Hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Town of Newburgh. . . . . . . . . . . 27 Newburgh Heritage. . . . . . . . . . 20 New Windsor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Service Directory. . . . . . . . . . . 36 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 PUBLIC AGENDA THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Newburgh Town Board, 7 p.m. .Town Hall, 1496 Route 300, Town of Newburgh. Special meeting to approve revised budget and to rescind the proposed budget approved at the Oct. 24 special meeting. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Newburgh Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 1496 Route 300, Town of Newburgh. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Town of New Windsor Planning Board, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 555 Union Ave., New Windsor. ELECTION RESULTS Visit our website, MidHudsonTimes.com for local election results. HOW TO REACH US OFFICE: 300 Stony Brook Court Newburgh, NY 12550 PHONE: [phone], FAX: [phone] Emails may be directed to the following : ADVERTISING [email protected] CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS [email protected] Local dentist is back in business By KATELYN CORDERO [email protected] Soft Touch Dental and Oral Surgery Care is open after a nine month closure due to unpaid taxes. A City council resolution passed on October 22 approved the delivery of the deed back to Dr. Devender Chhabra after he pays $225,000 in full by December 31, 2018. Chhabra has always prided himself in taking care of the community in Newburgh. He takes in patients when they are in pain or in need regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay right away. When Chhabra began having financial problems he fell behind in his property taxes. In May, 2018 he lost ownership of his property at 189 Broadway. When his tenants failed to pay their rent his financial issues began. The litigation to get the rent from his tenants did not finish until it was too late and his buildings were confiscated. The building was closed for about 9 months. He offered to pay the city $180,000 at the time they closed the building, but this offer was not accepted. He now has until December 31, 2018 to pay the city $225,000, which he is prepared to pay in full. “We were backed up and had a money problem,” said Chhabra. “I never thought the city would take the building from us.” Chhabra purchased the building at 189 Broadway 15 years ago investing all of his own personal money into the renovation. He looked at space as an opportunity to help people with no access to dental care at a reasonable price. He has been open for the past ten years, helping the community and never turning away a Dr Chhabra and his two dental assistants in his office at 191 Broadway. patient in need. “I do dentistry as a profession,” said Chhabra. “I do not do dentistry as a business. I mean that if someone comes to me with pain in their mouth or an infection, I will treat them, then look at the insurance and how they can pay me back.” The community of Newburgh showed their gratitude at a city council meeting in August when 14 people walked up to the microphone to speak on the behalf of Chhabra. “I am so proud of this building,” said Chhabra. “It was a terrible heartache when they took it away. I feel hurt as a man who has done so much for this city, it can be taken away so fast.” According to Michelle Kelson,City of Newburgh Corporate Council, the city will deliver the deed to 189 Broadway when Chhabra pays the city the full amount of $225,000 by December 31, 2018. Chhabra looks to continue investing in the City of Newburgh regardless of the setbacks he has experienced. He is starting a dental assisting program for young men and women who want to learn to become dental assistants. He hopes to have about 10 people sign up for the program where he will give them free training to become dental assistants. To find out more information about the program you can email [email protected] or call 845-784-4202. Peak season at the Polly TO REACH THE EDITOR [email protected] FOR THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT [email protected] PUBLIC NOTICES [email protected] WEBSITE www.timescommunitypapers.com The Mid Hudson Times (USPS 000-5947) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh, NY 12550, with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY Single copy: $1 at newsstand. By mail in Orange, Ulster or Sullivan Counties: $40 annually, $44 out of county. Periodicals permit at Newburgh, NY POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mid Hudson Times, 300 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Brian Wolfe An autumn day is the perfect time to enjoy Downing Park.