T IMES
MID
Proposed
power plant
prompts
more debate
By MARK REYNOLDS
[email protected]
Last week the City of Beacon
hosted a public forum on a proposal by
Danskammer Energy to build a new $400
million natural gas-fired power plant
to replace the 1950s era facility in the
Town of Newburgh. The new plant, slated
to be built adjacent to the old plant at
the Hudson River, would produce 550
Mega Watts of power and would run
24/7 approximately 70% of the time,
as opposed to the old plant that has a
capacity of 537 MW and runs less than
5% of the year only to meet peak power
demands in the heat of summer and the
cold of winter.
Beacon City Council member Amber
Grant said after the council held a public
hearing on this matter they passed a
resolution against the proposed power
plant.
“The message is we can do better.
We do not need yet another fossil fuel
burning plant in the Hudson Valley,” she
said.
Grant said the negative vote was
due to, “a lack of demonstrable need for
the plant, which does take into account
the closure of Indian Point; the impact
of increased ozone causing emissions
and the impact of those emissions upon
climate change and people’s health...we
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HUDSON
Vol. 31, No. 36
3
SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2019
Vegan
festival
Page 22
3
ONE DOLLAR
Visual
perspective
of music
Page 12
SERVING NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR
‘Quintessential public servant’
Community mourns the death of Senator Bill Larkin
Retired State Senator Bill Larkin,
whose distinguished political career
spanned nearly half a century, died
Saturday at the age of 91.
His death was announced Sunday
afternoon by his family.
“It is with a heavy but full heart that
we announce our beloved Bill Larkin has
passed away,” read a statement released
by former Aide Brian Maher. “America
and the State of New York have lost a
dedicated public servant, soldier and
statesman. Our family lost a husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather
and so much more. We appreciate your
thoughts, prayers and best wishes. It is
our hope that all of the people whose
lives Bill touched in some way over the
years will join us in celebrating his life
over the coming days.”
Larkin, who retired from public office
on Dec. 31, 2018, had the distinction of
being the last World War II veteran to
serve in the New York State Legislature.
Larkin represented the 39th District
in the New York State Senate from 1991
until his retirement in 2018; the district
includes the Towns of Plattekill and
Marlborough in Ulster County, eastern
and central Orange County, and a small
portion of northern Rockland County.
He previously served as New Windsor
town supervisor and as a member of the
New York State Assembly.
His senate successor, James Skoufis,
offered these thoughts on Sunday
afternoon:
“Foremost, I extend my heartfelt
condolences to Senator Larkin’s family,
especially his beloved wife, Pat. He
cherished his family above all else and
would occasionally remind me, ‘happy
wife, happy life,’ a reflection of his
Photo courtesy Safe Harbors of the Hudson
State Senator Bill Larkin danced with his wife Patricia at the Safe Harbors Gala in 2007.
devotion and admiration for Pat. I’m
deeply saddened for their loss.”
“World War II and Korean War
veteran; New Windsor Supervisor;
state Assemblyman; and state Senator,
Bill Larkin’s lifetime of service and
unwavering dedication to our country
will live on as an inspiration. May his
memory be a blessing to the countless
lives he touched.”
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer tweeted
out his condolences Sunday afternoon:
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“He was an advocate for all veterans,
champion for the Hudson Valley and will
be deeply missed,” Schumer tweeted.
“My thoughts are with his family.”
Safe Harbors of the Hudson also
released a statement, calling Larkin “a
true champion” of our community.
“Senator William Larkin was an
early and stalwart champion of Safe
Harbors of the Hudson,” the statement
Continued on page 2