TIMES
WALLKILL VALLEY
Vol. 34, No 40 3 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016
3
ONE DOLLAR
Clifford’s
Birthday
Page 34
www.WallkillValleyTimes.net
Valley Central launches anti-drug initiative
By TED REMSNYDER
With prescription and recreational drug abuse reaching
epidemic proportions across the county, school districts
far and wide are searching for the most effective methods
Cell service
yes, cell
towers no
to keep teenagers off drugs. The Valley Central School
District has launched its own front in this critical fight,
joining forces with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council
of Orange County to start the VC Dream initiative.
The drug and alcohol prevention program is holding a
series of workshops this year to educate students and
community members on the dangers of drug abuse.
The rising use of opioid pain relievers and heroin in
Continued on page 4
Big top
comes
down
Gentle persuasion
Verizon plan for
Crawford draws fire
Cash-strapped Big Apple
Circus selling Walden property
By JESSICA COHEN
[email protected]
Scott Olson, Verizon attorney, conceded
that he was accustomed to being unpopular
at planning board meetings, as people
want cell service, but not cell towers.
At the Crawford Township Planning
Board meeting on Wednesday, Verizon’s
proposed plan for a new cell tower on a
farm field, at 185 Red Mills Rd., was the
object of numerous questions from board
members about its justification, effects on
view shed, and place in long term plans.
Olson’s rationale for tower location was
also cause for disappointment for Rita
Hanson, whose house is nearby.
“We want safe, reliable service. So
we need data,” said planning board vice
chairman Rory Holmes, noting that
Verizon’s rationale for location choice
was unclear.
Continued on page 3
By JESSICA COHEN
[email protected]
The Big Apple Circus is leaving Walden,
unless a generous benefactor appears
before the sale of Big Apple property
closes, says Will Maitland Weiss, circus
executive director. However, a buyer is
moving ahead, and closing is likely in the
next 30 to 90 days, he says. That would
foreshadow a final bow for the circus.
“If we complete the sale, we are
less likely to continue as a performing
organization,” said Weiss. “If we stop
performing, we’ll concentrate on
community programs.”
Those include Clown Care for pediatric
hospitals, Vaudeville Visits for nursing
homes and geriatric facilities, and Circus
After School for at risk teens.
Carl Aiello
Rev. Jim Van Houten helps a contestant in the Walden Frog Jumping Competition coach her
frog , Saturday during the Walden Harvest Festival. More photos on pages 24 and 25.
Continued on page 2
SERVING CRAWFORD, GARDINER, MAYBROOK, MONTGOMERY, PINE BUSH, SHAWANGUNK, WALDEN AND WALLKILL