Southern Ulster Times Dec. 09 2015

TIMES SOUTHERN ULSTER Vol. 12, No 49 3 DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2015 3 $1 Wizards in Highland Page 50 SERVING HIGHLAND, MARLBOROUGH AND PLATTEKILL Plattekill denies consent to Pilgrim Pipeline The right to By MARK REYNOLDS [email protected] Supervisor Joe Croce informed the public that the developer of the Pilgrim Pipeline is in the process of moving the project forward. The company is proposing to construct a 178-mile, dual underground pipeline system that will send and return crude and refined oil products between Albany, NY and Linden, NJ. Preliminary estimates indicate that 200,000 barrels per day will traverse in both directions. Croce said on Jan. 21, 2015 the Town Board passed a memorializing resolution “voicing our opposition to the pipeline.” He said at this point the NYS Thruway Authority is seeking to be lead agency to conduct the state environmental review. Croce, who is also VP of the Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors and Mayors, said they have sent a letter to the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation [DEC] affirming their support of the DEC to handle the environmental review rather than the NYS Thruway Authority. He said the Association feels that the DEC is the appropriate agency to act as lead agency because the pipeline threatens Continued on page 25 A visit with Jolly Old Saint Nick JP Aponte Cailey and Madison Greiner tell Santa what they want for Christmas, Saturday, at the Plattekill Tree Lighting in Modena. More photos on pages 26-27. WWW.SOUTHERNULSTERTIMES.COM bear arms Ulster Sheriff urges licensed handgun owners to carry them Days after the tragic shootings last week in California, Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum is urging all licensed gun owners in his county to carry their weapon. “In light of recent events that have occurred in the United States and around the world I want to encourage citizens of Ulster County who are licensed to carry a firearm to please do so,” wrote Van Blarcum, Thursday, in a Facebook post. “I urge you to responsibly take advantage of your legal right to carry a firearm. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, make sure you are comfortable and proficient with your weapon, and knowledgeable of the laws in New York State with regards to carrying a weapon and when it is legal to use it.” Van Blarcum’s post was in response to hundreds of shootings reported across the U.S. this year, including the most recent where 14 people were gunned down in San Bernardino, CA, Wednesday when gunmen — a man and a woman — burst into a social services center and opened fire. “I also want to remind all Police/Peace Officers both active duty and retired to please carry a weapon whenever you leave your house,” Van Blarcum said via the Facebook post. “We are the thin blue line that is entrusted in keeping this country safe, and we must be prepared to Continued on page 4