Speaker Speaking Out At Protest: "I Need Us To Tear Down These Walls Of Separation That Have Been Built In This Country For Almost 500 Years"

This speaker is sharing during the 3rd protest march on Beacon that happened on June 6, 2020. The march started at Pohill Park, wound all the way down Wolcott, taking a right toward the river, over the bridge above the train track, and ending at the land stage at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park.

To bring this story out of the video and into words for more to access, A Little Beacon Blog has transcribed this story as best we can, as close to the spoken word as possible. To give you context, we indicate where different actions took place, like applause or movement. We highly encourage you to watch this spoken in the video, so that you can feel the moment and the words and remember it forever as it helps you make future decisions. You can listen and watch this story in our Instagram here.

We do not know this person’s name. If this is you and you want to be identified, please let us know and we will add your name.

BEGIN

Hello Beacon! Hey Beacon!

First of all, I want to give honor to my ancestors, for walking with us today. Yes.

“My white brothers and sisters, and yes, I’m using the words “brothers and sisters.” The reason why is because I need us to tear down these walls of separation that have been built in this country for almost 500 years that causes you to look at me as “less than.” That causes me to look at you and be afraid. ”

Secondly, I want to thank you for all for coming out and standing for this cause. This is something that is near and dear to my heart. Not just because I’m a Black woman in America, not just because I’m a Black mother in America, but for four of my five children you see standing right here today.

And thank you to my sister who just spoke, thank you for sharing some - you said it so eloquently, so beautifully. But I want to say something else, too. My white brothers and sisters, and yes, I’m using the words “brothers and sisters.” The reason why is because I need us to tear down these walls of separation that have been built in this country for almost 500 years that causes you to look at me as “less than.” That causes me to look at you and be afraid.

Because believe it or not, as a black woman in this country, when I walk down the street, I see a group of white people, sorry, but I feel scared. You know why I’m scared? Because I know that SOME, not ALL, SOME white people don’t see me as the human being, as the beautiful person I am. It doesn’t matter how many degrees I have, it doesn’t matter how many businesses I’ve started, it doesn’t matter how many people I have helped, it doesn’t matter the character and the depth of my heart and my soul. Some people literally cannot get past this skin suit that I am wearing. And their head is filed with biases that have been passed down, taught and caught. Right? Because we have biases that are caught by people.

“Posting up black squares on Instagram and Facebook? Okay, that’s cute. That’s good, that’s cute. That’s cute. But have you addressed your family members that make racist jokes? You might have the uncomfortable laughter but do you address them? Do you tell them “Not on my watch?””

Your parents may not tell you, “Oh, she’s Black, she’s less than.” “He’s Black. Be scared of him.” But their actions show it, and we catch it. And Imma challenge you today, my brothers and my sisters, to let go of any of those biases that you may have caught. And don’t be afraid to admit it! It’s absolutely okay, because you grew up in this country, to hold up a mirror, and I mean that hypothetically speaking, to hold up a mirror, and to get uncomfortable, and to inconvenience yourself and say “You know what? I have privilege.”

And you know why it’s okay to say that? Because once you address and uncover and acknowledge what is really there? That’s the only time you can change it. And your having privilege doesn’t make you less than of a human being, right? Your privilege doesn’t make you less than. What is the issue, is when you have that privilege and you’re so comfortable in it, that you’re fine with superficial signs of support rather than taking the action.

Posting up black squares on Instagram and Facebook? Okay, that’s cute. That’s good, that’s cute. That’s cute. But have you addressed your family members that make racist jokes? You might have the uncomfortable laughter but do you address them? Do you tell them “Not on my watch?” Do you tell them it’s not funny? Do you educate them on the true history of this country?

And if you have not done that, this is the time to start, now. And it’s not just about you holding a sign “it stops with the cops.” Right? That’s only concerning police brutality. But it also stops in your homes. It stops in the schools. Because a racist is a racist no matter what uniform they’re wearing.

So I wanna leave you with this, because yes, Black lives matter. And I had some conversations this week. They don’t like to hear “Black Lives Matter.” They wanna say all lives matter. But if all lives matter, then it shouldn’t be a problem with you saying what?

(Crowd: BLACK LIVES MATTER!)

“I don’t wanna be scared when my children are 16, 17, 18. And I don’t have the joy that you might share in buying my children their first car because I’m scared they’re not gonna come home. Not from car accidents. I’m scared they’re not gonna come home cause someone won’t see them as a human being driving a vehicle.”

Exactly. So I just wanna challenge everyone here, again, if you don’t look like me, thank you for your love, thank you for your support. But I wanna let you know, how you can support us is by getting uncomfortable, inconveniencing yourself, taking the lid off the white washed Eurocentric history that’s taught in this country and get to the truth. Because the truth, indeed, will not only set you free. The truth, indeed, I’m sorry, it makes me angry, but with that anger comes action, with action, comes change. (applause)

I don’t wanna be scared when my children are 16, 17, 18. And I don’t have the joy that you might share in buying my children their first car because I’m scared they’re not gonna come home. Not from car accidents. I’m scared they’re not gonna come home cause someone won’t see them as a human being driving a vehicle. So that’s the change that I’m looking for. It starts in our schools. It starts in our homes. It starts with your neighbors. It starts with your family. So stand up, stand tall, get uncomfortable, get inconvenienced, but again, anger from the truth brings action, and action brings? (Crowd CHANGE!).

Action brings? (Crowd CHANGE!)

Action brings? (Crowd CHANGE!)

Don’t let it stop here, y’all.

Speaker Speaking Out During Black Lives Matter Protest: "I Want To Speak Towards The Feeling Of Not Looking Us In The Eye"

The speaker of Story #1. If this is you, and you want to identify yourself here, please let us know and we will add your name.

This speaker is sharing during the 3rd protest march on Beacon that happened on June 6, 2020. The march started at Pohill Park, wound all the way down Wolcott, taking a right toward the river, over the bridge above the train track, and ending at the land stage at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park.

To bring this story out of the video and into words for more to access, A Little Beacon Blog has transcribed this story as best we can, as close to the spoken word as possible. To give you context, we indicate where different actions took place, like applause or movement. We highly encourage you to watch this spoken in the video, so that you can feel the moment and the words and remember it forever as it helps you make future decisions. You can listen and watch this story in our Instagram here.

We do not know this person’s name. If this is you and you want to be identified, please let us know and we will add your name.

BEGIN
Story #1

(story had started…this is when our video footage started…we do not have the beginning of the story)

If I go down, we both go down.

(Applause)

And I just want that to be heard here in my home town. Because I know that we are a beautiful and diverse community here. And I know when I walk down these streets I could look people in the eye and that is a privilege I have here, in this town, in Beacon. And it’s not a privilege that many other towns, not even in the Hudson Valley, get to share. And I know this only because I’ve lived in other places in the Hudson valley. I’ve lived in Poughkeepsie. I’ve lived in Newburgh. I now live in Ulster County, and it’s not the same, y’all. It is not.

And I just also…I want to speak towards the traumatization that we feel right now in this moment, the universal feelings that we’re all struggling with. And those feelings are really important to try to understand why. Even as a colored person, or Black person, or an indigenous person, or a white person. Why do I feel…”answer the blank.” Why do I feel sad? Why do I feel ashamed? Why do I feel guilt? Why do I feel anger? And we need to find a better way to challenge those feelings to talk to one another. Because I also realize that even as a brown person, I’m fucking angry. But that does not give me the right to scream at somebody else who’s trying to be a part of this movement who might not share my skin.

I also lastly want to speak to white people. I’m in an interracial relationship. I know how tough it is. I know it’s tough when you don’t know what to do. I’ve heard it. I know it’s tough when you didn’t put those thoughts in (her/your) head. I know it’s tough walking into someplace unfamiliar and you have no idea what you’re doing. But you go towards it because you know it’s probably the right thing, because it’s what your friends told you to do and you just want to show up.

“You do not look at the faces of our beautiful black men and women. You do not recognize them as a whole society. So when you’re walking down the street, instead of thinking, “let me avoid this person’s face,” why not humanize them? Look them in the eye. You’ll realize that sometimes you might get a smile. Sometimes you might get a “hey, hello.” ”

But I want to speak towards the feeling of not looking us in the eye, because even in the Hudson Valley, New York City, wherever you go - I’ve experienced this a lot in Poughkeepsie and Newburgh. You do NOT look at the faces of our beautiful black men and women. You do not recognize them as a whole society. So when you’re walking down the street, instead of thinking, “let me avoid this person’s face,” why not humanize them? Look them in the eye. You’ll realize that sometimes you might get a smile. Sometimes you might get a “hey, hello.”

Black people are not criminals. So stop avoiding their faces, their emotions, their eyes when they walk past you. They’re not there to jump you, to be a criminal towards you, to harass you. None of that. I’m not taking that no more.

But First, We Break For Cookies. To Refuel.

Cookies. Batches of cookies. And sermons. Then coffee… (maybe…but it’s too hot.) While we are blogging about police brutality, exposures of racism, and racial targeting of black people by the police, the Phase 2 Reopening is happening, which has business friends on Main Street very excited. Chocolate chip cookies are very important fuel for the Phase 2 Reopening Weekend.

A Little Beacon Blog has been updating our Restaurant Guide with new offerings and ways of working for the restaurants. In the works are more outside dining opportunities, that the City of Beacon and Dutchess County have been clearing red tape on to make it easier on restaurants to spread out more safely.

By the way: Kitchen Sink Provisions is live. They have products to help make your weekend meals more Kitchen Sink-y. They also have a number of prepared foods coming online later today (6/11), including their famous brisket grilled cheese.

Weekend meal planning has started.

Beacon Police Chief, Lieutenant, and Captain Participate In City Council Meeting To Answer Questions About Policy - But Avoids Racism

After receiving inquiries from the public about police policy, the City of Beacon’s City Council hosted the Beacon Police Department during their weekly Monday night City Council Meeting this week. The meeting happened to be a Workshop, which means that by rule, members of the public cannot speak or submit comments, as they can during the other type of City Council Meeting, which is when members of the public can speak within one of two Public Comment sessions.

Attending and participating were Chief Kevin Junjulas, Lieutenant Figlia and Captain Fredericks. The video of the meeting has been published here in this article. Scroll down and press Play.

Brief Recap Of The Presentation

Mayor Kyriacou started the meeting by reminding the council and video viewers about the Department of Justice’s investigation into the Beacon Police Department that started at least in 2010, and concluded in the summer of 2016. The City’s attorney recalled that the Beacon Police Department went through an audit of the department, and a review of policy. It was not stated if there were personnel changes after the audit, or what was learned from the audit.

The Chief read a statement about training the police department receives, and acknowledged that he was open to “perhaps identify some things that we can seek to improve in the future, to offer the best level of service possible.”

Speaking To #8Can’tWait - Which Does Not Address Systemic Racism

Mayor Kyriacou asked the officers to go speak to their methods as they compare to “8 Can’t Wait,” which is a campaign from Campaign Zero to reduce police violence. However, that campaign does not address systemic racism, and focuses on physical actions of law enforcement. Additionally, Campaign Zero issued a statement and apology, which they published on their “8 Can’t Wait” website: “And while we are proud of the impact we were able to make, we at Campaign Zero acknowledge that, even with the best of intentions, the #8CANTWAIT campaign unintentionally detracted from efforts of fellow organizers invested in paradigmatic shifts that are newly possible in this moment. For this we apologize wholeheartedly, and without reservation.”

Racism was not discussed in this meeting. Some nitty-gritty types of violence were, like that a choke hold is not “banned” because it may be needed if nothing else is available, or that pointing a weapon is considered a “use of force.”

Complaints Against An Officer

The Council wanted to know about how complaints come in. The Chief answered that for 2019, of the 13,000 calls made for service, 5 personnel complaints came in. In 2020, so far 4,000 calls for service have come in, and 3 personnel complaints have been generated.

When asked about how to complain, the Chief answered that during the federal investigation, the Department of Justice required that the Beacon Police make a complaint system available. The Chief said: “People can do it through a number of ways….I don’t have them right in front of me, but they are on the website I believe.”

One complaint link is on the City’s website in the Police Department section, which is here. The form to file a complaint is here. However, there are no directions on the form or the website as to how to file the form. There also does not seem to be a list of police officer’s names on the website. During the meeting, it was stated the complaint makes its way to the Captain who conducts an investigation. The Captain conducts an interview with the officer and the person who made the complaint. The Captain then makes a decision as to if the complaint is Unfounded or not.

Requirement Of 60 College Credits

One item that the Captain wanted changed was to open up the qualifications to be a police officer in Dutchess County, which currently requires 60 college credits. This is not the same for every county. The Captain did not feel that attending college “in an un-related police subject” was useful to hiring a police officer. He also doesn’t think it fair to kids who can’t afford to go to college. On another hand, sometimes employers pay for an employee’s continuing education while they are working, like in the Army or in the corporate world.

Diversity In The Police Department

When asked about how many white officers were in the Beacon Police Department, the Captain did not know how many “off the top of my head, I’d have to go out there and count.” The Chief responded that out of 36 officers, he thinks that 5 officers are Hispanic, 2 Black and 2 Female White officers. The female officers, he said, are white, so they would “need to subtract from that.”

In Conclusion: Community

The meeting concluded with Councilperson Amber Grant suggesting that more issues be raised and that the conversation continue about the community relationship with the Police Department. Councilperson Terry Nelson suggested conducing community forums. Councilperson Jodi Grant recalled the “Coffee and a Cop” concept, and liked that.

Dan Aymar-Blair noted that he heard “powerful and painful” stories at the protest last Saturday, and had 50 and 60 emails about policing in Beacon, with very few having to do with #8CantWait. He mentioned that “training wasn’t the problem with George Floyd’s or Eric Garner’s murders.” He wished to garner the conversation from the 3rd protest in Beacon last Saturday.

A discussion continued about how a community forum could be put together. The Mayor suggested that Beacon’s Human Relations Commission “be leveraged’ to do this, and serve as an anonymous destination to talk. Dan disagreed, saying that there were 1,000 people at the protest, and that he wanted the City Council to take the lead on it. Jodi recalled her time serving on the Human Relations Commission, and said that the commission had been unprepared to handle the scope of what was required when it was handed something the first time. From the meeting, it was unclear which instance in time she was referring to. A Little Beacon Blog can follow up.

A community forum did get put together towards the end of the Department of Justice investigation of Beacon’s Police Department in 2015/2016, which you can read about in depth here.

The 2015 Community Response To Federally Investigated Beacon Police Was "Beacon Speaks Out" (Now Dormant) - City of Beacon Silent About Reopening It - Seeks New Initiative

In 2015, when Beacon’s police department was under an investigation by the Justice Department that started in or before 2010, and ended in 2016, Beacon community members got together to form a community-based line of communications with Beacon’s Police Department called “Beacon Speaks Out.”

To describe the police investigation, a press release was issued on December 21, 2010 by the United States Department of Justice: “The Justice Department announced today an agreement with the Beacon, N.Y., Police Department (BPD) to resolve the department’s investigation of the BPD, in accordance with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. That law authorizes the attorney general to file suit to reform police departments that may be engaging in a pattern or practice of violating citizens’ federal rights.”

Who Was Behind “Beacon Speaks Out?”

The group “Beacon Speaks Out” met more than once and conducted a process that was co-facilitated by Rabbi Brent Spodek of Better Together: The Beacon Interfaith Clergy Association, and Brooke Simmons of I Am Beacon, and citizens of Beacon, including my former building landlord, Deborah Bigelow, who first made me aware of the group. A Little Beacon Blog later wrote about an upcoming meeting they were having back in 2016.

For context, Brooke Simmons is the sister of Reuben Simmons, the Founder and President of I Am Beacon, and a one-time Highway Superintendent for the City of Beacon. After holding that position for a year in a half, Reuben was changed to Working Supervisor for just over a year and a half, and is currently a Maintenance Worker for the City of Beacon. If that job title timeline looks backwards to you, it is. This professional descension was confusing when I went to quote Reuben for an article about the event he created to raise awareness for mental health: Rock Out For Mental Health. I served on the Planning Committee with him and other agency heads for this awareness effort.

Reuben was also the Union President of the City of Beacon’s Unit of CSEA Local 1000, where he dealt with contract negations, representing employees in grievances and disciplinary matters, campaign planning, among other responsibilities.

The original agenda of Beacon Speaks Out is below. But first, a question:

“Beacon Speaks Out” Sounds Like A Good Idea. Should It Be Reignited?

Groups and committees are formed all of the time in Beacon. Many of them do work that you didn’t know was happening around you, but feel the effects of. This was one such group. Not many people knew about it. Eventually, it stopped meeting. The Chief of Police, Doug Solomon, who participated in the group, abruptly left Beacon’s force to take the Chief job in Newburgh (which he also just resigned from after a riot incident in March, 2020). He was succeeded in Beacon by current Chief Kevin Junjulas, who was promoted from his position of Captain.

When the protests against police brutality and institutional, systemic racism started in Minneapolis after George Floyd’s murder, and the protests spread to New York, A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Beacon’s new Mayor Lee Kyriacou, for comment as to whether he thought the band of “Beacon Speaks Out” should be brought back together, to start communications between the community and the police. Mayor Kyriacou is a new mayor to Beacon, but has served on the City Council for 9 terms beginning in the 1990s.

Mayor Kyriacou has not answered A Little Beacon Blog’s question about if Beacon Speaks Out should be called upon again. We have asked him twice, and received no response.

Since that time, Beacon’s Police Department and City Council have received numerous questions about the policies of the Beacon Police. The City Council invited the Chief of Police to attend last week’s public Workshop meeting to give an overview of what their textbook says. During this meeting, it was suggested that a forum with a moderator be created to hear from the public, and the council agreed. They were going to think about who the moderator would be, and the setting for the forum in this social distanced time. Watch the hour-long sit-down with the police and get a recap here.

The Mayor suggested that the Human Relations committee take responsibility for this. Currently there are 5 members of the Human Relations Committee. The City’s web page says that there can be 15 members, but the city Committee Vacancy page lists that 1 position is vacant. Current Councilmembers including Dan Aymar-Blair and Amber Grant disagreed with that delegation, stating that the committee was over-worked and inexperienced to deal with this issue.

The Original Community-Based Agenda Of “Beacon Speaks Out”

A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Brooke Simmons, original member of “Beacon Speaks Out,” to revisit the history on how the group started and what it wanted. This is what she provided:

“The city was involved and in fact, the “Beacon Speaks Out” initiative was born out of a meeting called on and facilitated by Mayor Randy Casale. [Then] Mayor Casale, City Administrator Anthony Ruggerio, and former Police Chief Soloman attended numerous meetings providing insight, dialogue and updates to the committee. “Beacon Speaks Out” presented the outlined initiatives to City Council (see below).

Broad Ambitions for Police/Community Relations in Beacon, NY

Through the beginning of 2015, residents of Beacon, NY had been meeting to discuss their hopes and ambitions for police/community relations in their city. What emerged was a clear desire for closer ties between the police and the community they serve and protect.

As the result of Beacon Speaks Out a process co-facilitated by Rabbi Brent Spodek of Better Together: The Beacon Interfaith Clergy Association and Brooke Simmons of I Am Beacon, the citizens of Beacon can articulate the following 8 broad ambitions for policing in our community. Following each ambition is a composite quote based on approximately 150 community conversations.

Strengthen Connections to the Broader Community

1. We’d like the police/community relationship to move from a place of intimidation, suspicion, and superiority to a place of kindness, calm and respect.
Conversation Example: The police don’t seem to practice restraint in heightened situations.... we’d love for them to have training on how to de-escalate incidents rather than intensifying them.

2. We’d like for the police to develop positive relations with the youth of Beacon.
Conversation Example: I would like to see some sort of program that allows the cops to interact with or even mentor the at-risk youth in Beacon so officers can be seen by young people as helpers, not adversaries.

3. We’d like for the police to have more face-to-face contact with the community.
Conversation Example: I want to know my police force... I miss our Main St. bike cop! When they are always in cars, they don’t get to know community members. I want the officers to KNOW and care about the community they serve.

Adopt best practices to improve community safety

4. We’d like for the police to be better equipped to deal with Beacon’s diverse populations.
Conversation Example: The police need to be able to deal with people who have mental health issues, who are not the same race or gender or sexuality as the cops, they need to be able to deal with senior and elderly issues.

5. We’d like a more diverse police force.
Conversation Example: We need a force that looks like Beacon to serve Beacon. We need more women, more people of color.

6. We’d like for the police to work together with the community to develop a progressive strategy for dealing with Beacon’s drug problem, especially heroin.
Conversation Example: I found needles and drug paraphernalia by my home. I took it to Police Station but got no response or follow up. Something needs to be done about the Heroin epidemic.

More and better community communication

7. We’d like data on crimes reported, arrests, and convictions to be publicized, as well as police policies and procedures.
Conversation Example: We need more information and more transparency about what the police are doing.

8. We’d like for the Human Relations Committee to be publicized and strengthened.
Conversation Example: I didn’t even know there was a civilian complaint hotline. It should be plastered everywhere. Do they have the power to do anything?

Details on what this new community forum will look like, who will attend, and who will moderate will come as the City Council decides what it wants to do.

Governor Cuomo Reverses Course On Summer School - Encouraged By County Executive Molinaro

After Governor Cuomo announced that school would be closed for the rest of the year, County Executive Marcus Molinaro responded on May 1, 2020 with a letter to the governor, agreeing with the decision, but urging the Governor to reconsider for children with special needs for the upcoming summer. County Executive Marcus Molinaro has a child with Autism, and responded by sending a letter to the Governor, Chancellor Rosa, and Interim Commissioner Tahoe, by stressing an urgency to keep summer school programs open to in-person learning interactions for children with special needs.

An excerpt of his letter, which was distributed to the media via press release, is below:

Throughout this process, so many of our schools and teachers have gone above and beyond to provide quality education during these difficult times. Many students with special needs have adapted well to the new paradigm of remote learning and are finding success utilizing Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other platforms. Other students are struggling with the hands-on attention of teachers and specialists. For many special education students, the most daunting challenge is overcoming the stress of change and inconsistency. That is why a careful and student-centric approach is paramount as we move forward.

Since schools were closed, parents have played an even greater role in their education. This was a challenge for all parents, however, for parents of special needs students, the task could be even more daunting. The technology we all relied on to make remote learning possible, needed modifications and innovative adaptions to make them more accessible. Not all platforms are compatible with critical assistive technologies, nor are they always conductive to educating students with very specific needs. Parents and teachers have been asked to do a lot of heavy lifting to ensure their children and students are receiving a high-quality education.

Special education students must have access to services throughout the summer. These services will help support students and their families bridge the gap until schools are once again able to provide a more conventional education. Not all special education students will want to take advantage of services throughout the summer, however, for those who do, they must be available.

Stepping out just a minute here…

Stepping out of my role as a reporter for this article for a moment, and into that of a parent who is doing Distance Learning for two children ages 8 and 10 (this doesn’t count the 3yo toddler who is constantly disrupting and needing to go potty), I can tell you that Distance Learning is extremely difficult. Extremely. A large part of a child’s life is social interaction, and the interaction they get with their teacher (assuming they have a good relationship). Not having that has been sorely missed by my children. Completing “simple” assignments, like 7 math problems on two pages, takes 1 hour. One painful hour of bodies collapsing onto the floor, throwing pencils, hating parents. I have resisted writing about it, so as to not offend our teachers and administration who are trying so hard and are equally traumatized, some of whom are teaching and preparing curriculum with their own children at home, doing their own Distance Learnings.

Ok, back into reporter mode.

On May 21, 2020, while the new children’s risk of COVID-19 (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS) similar to Kawasaki Disease) was being discussed, Governor Cuomo decided to close in-person teaching opportunities for summer school, stating: “Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced summer school will be conducted through distance learning this year to help reduce the risk of spread.”

On may 22, 2020, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro wrote a second letter in response to the announcement of summer school closure:

Dear Governor Cuomo: (crossed out to hand-written in blue marker to address “Andrew”),

As plans to reopen and re-imagine New York State's schools and summer distance-learning services are contemplated and developed, it is of utmost importance that the needs of special education students and their families are thoughtfully and carefully considered. Efforts underway by your office, as well as those of the Board of Regents, New York State Education Department, and our 700 public school districts, must incorporate input from special education teachers and parents of students with special needs. Although you recently announced that in-person summer school will not go on, it remains critical to offer needed services to special education students throughout the summer.

I expressed my concerns related to this issue in a letter sent on the first of this month to Chancellor Rosa, Interim Commissioner Tahoe, and your office. Since then, many others have voiced similar concerns and have yet to be addressed.

The letter continued to repeat the first letter. On June 8th, the Dutchess Business Notification Network reported that Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order to allow summer school to continue in person: “Notwithstanding any prior Executive Order to the contrary, special education services and instruction required under Federal, state or local laws, rules, or regulations, may be provided in person for the summer term in school districts. Any district providing such services in person must follow State and Federal guidance.

County Executive Molinaro’s response sent via press release was: “Access to in-person special education services throughout the summer is critical to so many with disabilities and their families, this year more than ever. The school year has been wrought with stress, anxiety and disruption caused by Coronavirus and special education students have felt the impact most profoundly. Access to in-person services will provide the needed support to overcome those challenges, smoothing the transition to a new school year in the fall. I’m grateful Governor Cuomo has taken this important step and I am happy to have worked with Jim Malatras and his staff to make this a reality. This is indeed good news for so many families across Dutchess County and New York State. There is little question we can make a real difference in the lives of these young people, when we work together and ThinkDIFFERENTLY!”

Places of Worship Can Reopen In Phase 2 at 25% Capacity

As reported by Dutchess Business Notification Network today, A new Executive Order has been signed that allows places of worship to reopen in Phase 2, which starts today (Tuesday, June 9th) at a 25% capacity basis, with social distancing precautions in place.

Guidance on how to clean and disinfect houses of worship can be found HERE. The Executive Order can be found HERE. If you’re not yet a subscriber to Dutchess Business Notification Network, you are missing out! It’s a must-read during a pandemic. When local legislation changes every single day.

County Executive Marcus Molinaro had petitioned for this legislative change, stating in a press release: “Our churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of faith need to be available for neighbors, leaders and community to come together. The personal interaction that occurs in faith communities can prove invaluable. We fought for this. It is an important step and powerful message at the right moment in New York. It’s an important time to humble ourselves, pray for peace and work for healing.”

In an email sent to Governor Cuomo asking for the change, County Executive Molinaro signed it with this:

“Open the doors to our houses of faith - if only with limited capacity - to help us heal.”

Stay safe. Be well.
We are all in this together.

Marc Molinaro, Dutchess
Steve Neuhaus, Orange
Pat Ryan, Ulster
Ed Day, Rockland
Mary Ellen O’Dell, Putnam

Rob Rolison, Poughkeepsie
Steve Noble, Kingston
Lee Kyriacou, Beacon
Torrance Harvey, Newburgh
Kelly Decker, Port Jervis

Property Tax Abatement Filing Extended To July 15, 2020

According to this press release, and Dutchess Business Notification Network, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.8122-B/ A.10241-A) authorizing local governments to extend the deadline for filing property tax abatements to July 15, 2020 in recognition of the hardships many families and businesses continue to face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is a property tax abatement? Investopedia explains here.

Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman introduced the bill, and said: "The property tax legislation I've introduced and passed in the Assembly is important to homeowners and those alike across my community of District 29 and the State of New York.”

School Budget And Library Vote Extended 6/16 - But Aquiring A Ballot Is Not - Last Day Tuesday 6/9 - Beacon Experienced Ballot Production Delay

According to Beacon’s Superintendent Matthew Landauhl, Governor Cuomo issued a press release on June 7th, saying he was extending the school budget vote until Tuesday, June 16 at 5pm, which means ballots by mail will be accepted until June 16. Ballot drop boxes are still allowed until Tuesday, June 9 at 5pm.

There was a vendor-based delay in Beacon, where the company that provides the ballots experienced a shortage in supplies. Many Beaconites got their ballots on Friday in the mail, but several did not.

The person to contact about a missing ballot is the board clerk Kelly Pologe at pologe.k@beaconk12.org. Tuesday June 9th is the last day to get a ballot.

TONIGHT (Monday): Beacon's Chief Of Police, Kevin Junjulas, Joins City Council Meeting To Discuss Training

On Monday night, June 8th, the City of Beacon Police Chief Kevin Junjulas will join the City Council for a conversation on best practices and training for the Beacon Police Department. As a reminder, all City Council meetings are being held virtually on Zoom right now.

If you wish to listen in on conversation, the invitation to the virtual meeting below.

Also please see this link to a video from June 1st  of City Council members commenting on the protests https://vimeo.com/425223009

How To Watch On YouTube:

Click this link. Be sure to subscribe for easy access next time.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPpigGwZDeR7WYmw-SuDxg

How To Watch Or Call In On Zoom:

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82201559958?pwd=eHdHNjlNTXM1S0xueWRZYWRESmJyQT09

Password: 027050

 Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +19292056099,,82201559958#,,1#,027050# 

or +13017158592,,82201559958#,,1#,027050#

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 822 0155 9958
Password: 027050

Does Beacon Have Blue Line Flag Decals On Vehicles? What Is City's Position?

After learning about the blue line flag decal on police vehicles in Cold Spring, A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Chief Junjulas, Mayor Kyriacou, and City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, to find out if Beacon had dealt with this symbolic issue.

Questions asked, and who answered them:

ALBB: "Do Beacon police vehicles have this decal on it?
Chief Junjulas: “We do not.”

ALBB: If not, was it ever discussed?
City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero: “No, it was never discussed.”

ALBB: Chief, Mayor, Anthony: What are each of your opinions on this sticker?
There has been no response on this question yet.

Cold Spring Residents Resist Blue Line Flag Decal On Police Cars - Citing White Supremacy Association

In an article published at the Highlands Current, a Cold Spring resident spoke out against the decal that was placed on police vehicles last year. The decal (sticker) is a black flag with a thin blue line running through it. The symbol is a display of support for fallen and living police officers, and has been created by the Blue Live Matters movement, which has become known as an anti Black Lives Matter movement. According to the article, the resident is concerned that the symbol has racist overtones.

The article brings up the violent, Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, where “the flag was raised by white supremacists alongside the Confederate flag.” The Confederate flag has 13 stars for the original colonies. The current United States flag has 13 stripes, and 50 stars for all of the states. One blue line is a stripe in the Blue Lives Matter flag. The Blue Lives Matter sells hoodies and sweatshirts for their movement.

The Highlands Current article pointed out: “Last year, the police department in Germantown, Maryland, removed a donated thin-blue-line flag after a public outcry. In December, flags appeared outside two police stations in New York City, prompting similar protests. And on May 31, in Hamilton County, Ohio, the sheriff’s department flew the flag following days of unrest in Cincinnati, prompting a rebuke from the county commissioner, who said, ‘I know I am not alone in my view that flying the flag was provocative and inappropriate, especially in the context of this weekend’s events.’”

The board members in Cold Spring debated the topic while on a Zoom meeting (which is how most public town meetings are happening now, including Beacon’s), with most of them wanting the decals removed. One board member, Trustee Lynn Miller, pointed out that altering the flag is against flag code. One board member disagreed with removing them, in favor of showing support for police.

Trustee Steve Voloto acknowledged that police departments fly the flag “to show support for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. That’s why our guys have them on their cars.” But he also added: “Did they not know the history? Did they have it before and the [white supremacists] used it as their symbol? It doesn’t belong on our cars with what’s going on in the world. If the stupid bumper sticker pisses people off, take it off the cars. Why are we even talking about it? Pick a sticker that has more positive meaning.”

To recall Beacon and Cold Spring’s recent documented run-ins with white supremacy, in October 2018, white supremacist flyers were posted to churches and public poles in Beacon along Main Street. From that article:

“In October 2018, a swastika was sprayed onto the home that is owned by a Jewish man in Nelsonville. So far, three teenagers have been arrested for that crime. One teenager is a male who is 18, and is a graduate of Haldane High School in Cold Spring. He was arrested in February 2019, and just appeared in court last week. The other two were arrested in December 2018, one from Philipstown and the other from an unspecified location. They are 18 and 17 years old.”'

It should be noted: LinkedIn has made the editorial decision to not display the blue line flag on its platform when an article is being shared.

Does Beacon have a position on this? We asked to find out…

Dutchess County Makes It Easier For Restaurants To Use Public Spaces Outside On June 9

According to a press release by Dutchess County, the County Executive Marcus Molinaro cut red tape to make it easier for restaurants to go around regulations to serve outside by signing this Executive Order today. Recently, that has been confusing for business owners and patrons, as public space was available to anyone to use (such as a picnic table in a park), but private property was not (such as a patio behind or adjacent to a restaurant). According to a business briefing last Tuesday by Beacon’s retained law firm, Keane & Beane, restaurants could use public spaces such as sidewalks, but not private property yet.

The press release:

“To help facilitate outdoor dining, which can begin tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9th in Dutchess County as part of Phase II, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today signed a local Emergency Order waiving local regulations and requirements that could cause a potential burden or delay for local establishments to expand outdoor dining space. The executive order will also aid in the local efforts to provide access to municipal-owned land, including sidewalks, streets, etc. contiguous to a licensed establishment in coordination with the local municipality.

”County Executive Molinaro said, “By partnering with our twenty towns, eight villages and two cities we are working to remove every obstacle possible to support our small businesses and Open Main Street. As you can, with what you can, please support our neighborhood businesses as we reignite our economy and restart Dutchess.”

Catching Up: Newburgh's Police Chief Doug Solomon (formerly Beacon's Chief) Resigned After Riot Incident (Pre-Protest Era)

Back on March 27, 2020, a fatal shooting of a black man happened in Newburgh. According to reporting, the man had a gun, and the police had walked up to him to ask about a shooting that allegedly happened the day before. They got into an altercation, he was shot, and later died at the hospital. An officer was also shot and wounded. The shooting is under investigation by the District Attorney, and will be completed in 4-6 months. At this point, the man’s name for identification has not appeared in news stories.

After that shooting, a riot broke out on First Street and Carpenter Avenue. Back in Beacon, it was a regular Friday afternoon, and those who work in Newburgh came home after work to tell the story as they knew it.

After the work day ended, trash burned in the street long into the night. According to News12, the city brought in mutual aid from the state and county police. Many pictures of the night from photojournalist Allyse Pulliam were published for the Record Online.

The next day, Saturday, The Mayor of Newburgh, Mayor Torrance Harvey, called a press conference to ask for peace, saying: “I’m asking for peace in the streets and calm in our community. I know there is a lot of grief and anger,” as reported in the Record Online. Neighbors who were cleaning up the debris the next day did not want to talk, according to the Record Online.

One week later, Newburgh’s Police Chief, Doug Solomon, was suspended “after allegedly failing to report for duty during last week's riots,” according to News12.

One month later, on April 30, 2020, Chief Solomon resigned. According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, Mayor Harvey “could not share details of the resignation because it is a personnel issue.” Lt. Kevin Lahar remains the “officer in charge” of the department.

Fast forward to last weekend in Beacon during the 3rd anti-police brutality protest in Beacon, the Newburgh shooting was alluded to by protest participants, with protestors bitterly mentioning that they knew of an “incident” about the shooting, but so far, no details have emerged.

Meanwhile in Newburgh, Lt. Kevin Lahar participated in the police brutality protest, and kneeled with protesters. You can read more about that, and see photos here at Record Online.

Chief Doug Solomon’s History With Beacon

Chief Solomon was the Chief of Police for Beacon, before leaving to take the position in Newburgh. At the time, then Mayor Randy Casale had no prior news of the departure, and learned about it on the radio, he said during a public City Council meeting. At the time of accepting the job in Newburgh, Chief Solomon had also been the Mayor of the Village of Monticello. He later resigned from the position of Mayor, citing time conflicts and being over-committed. He had previously served as the Police Chief for Monticello, according to the Record Online.

Then Captain Kevin Junjulas for Beacon was promoted by Mayor Casale to be Chief of Police for Beacon. The transition was dramatic, and you can read about the announcement of that appointment here in the Highlands Current. According to the article, Chief Junjulas was a then 23-year veteran of the police department, and resides in Cold Spring.

Chief Solomon was on the original committee for Beacon Speaks Out a community-based group that “was born out of a meeting called on and facilitated by Mayor Casale,” recalls Brooke Simmons, co-founder of the non-profit Beacon Speaks Out. According to Brooke, through the beginning of 2015, residents of Beacon, NY had been “meeting to discuss their hopes and ambitions for police/community relations in their city. What emerged is a clear desire for closer ties between the police and the community they serve and protect.”

A Protest, Happening This Weekend, And The Retail Therapy Guide - 6/5/2020

That's right folks...An old phrase has been added to our subject line: "Happening" Because things are Happening! This week was a big week. And it's not over yet. Last Saturday: A gentle protest was held in Beacon by Southern Dutchess Resist. Details > Monday: A large peaceful protest was organized by these young people: Xavier Mayo, Ciarda Hall, and Stefon Seward was held in Beacon. Police provided an escort by way of moving street closure for protection, and two of Beacon's highest ranking police officers were granted permission to join. A Little Beacon Blog was there and covered it. See this article to get a feel for the experience, watch 2 videos of chanting in the beginning, and 1 video of the entire march, from inside the march. This article includes responses from the Chief of Police Kevin Junjulas and Mayor Kyriacou to A Little Beacon Blog's questions. Get The Story > Tuesday: Tuesday turned into Blackout Tuesday. With many white people learning and unlearning themselves, and black people asking white people to speak, there was a lot of words and social media flying around. This became a day of silence and reflection. A Little Beacon Blog was honored to get a call by Terry Nelson, Beacon's City Councilmember for Ward 1. He was at the march, and we reached out to fact check his daughter's name for an article. We came away with an incredible interview with Terry's experience when a member of the NYPD  putting a gun to his face when he was 17, and how he lives as a black man in America today. Details > Wednesday: Wednesday turned into a day of heaviness. When the reflection started, and vital sharing continued, many black and brown friends released their personal experiences of growing up black in America, and they were very sad and tired. Tired because they have been living with this for all of their years as a normal part of their lives, and now, some white people, were finally beginning to hear and see it. You may have received business emails from black owned businesses who don't normally talk about race in their marketing material, but on this day, they did. Also on this day, Beacon's Patrolmans Benevolent Association issued a letter in response to George Floyd's killing. Signed by Officer Michael Confield, they referred to the death as an "unconscionable death." Thursday: By now, peaceful protests had happened in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, where both police chiefs (Newburgh's has an Officer In Charge as they are in transition after their chief resigned last month after a riot was sparked after an armed black man was fatally shot by police) kneeled with protestors. Friday: That's today! See below for what's in store... PS: Yes, we have started a comprehensive list of black owned businesses in the Hudson Valley and we wanted to release it to you today, but it's still being formatted and linked up. Absentee Ballots Arrive - Vote Ballot box locations have been posted by the Beacon City School District. You only have until Tuesday, June 9pm at 5pm to get these in, and at their scheduled times. Learn where the ballot boxes are. Details Here > Beacon City School District Virtual Art Show Day: Happening Now Location: Beacon Public Library's website The show must go on! It's time for the Howland Library's annual Beacon City School District Art Show. Every year, students, teachers, and library staff look forward to seeing the colorful and vibrant art of our community's young artist. Starting June 1st, we'll be having a Virtual Exhibit celebrating these talented young people and their hardworking teachers! While we may not be able to see the work in person, we hope you will be able to experience the energy of their creativity through this virtual exhibit.  Information > Postcards From A Pandemic Day: Friday, June 5, 2020 Time: 7pm Location: Instagram Live Garrison Art Center is pleased to announce an ongoing worldwide exhibition of postcard art entitled Postcards From A Pandemic. This exhibition invites artists from near and far to mail a postcard to the Art Center that reflects their thoughts and creative expressions during this troubled time of social distancing and gallery closures due to COVID-19. Information > Black Lives Matter Protest - Pohill Park to Pete + Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park Day: Saturday, June 6, 2020 Time: 2:45pm Location: Pohill Park, Beacon, NY This protest is organized by Ciarda Hall, Stefon Seward and Xavier Mayo (Monday's protest), and is backed by the Southern Dutchess Resist, (organized Saturday's), I Am Beacon, and several other groups in Dutchess County. The Mayor of Beacon as well as other local government officials will be speaking. Story Screen Virtual Night Day: Saturday, June 6, 2020 Time: 7:30-10pm Location: ZOOM Story Screen Trivia returns for yet another series of movie related questions and categories, with your favorite brainy movie nerds: Bernadette Gorman-White and Mike Burdge. And now they're using satellites to ask questions! Information > Virtual Hudson Valley Pride Festival Day: Sunday, June 7, 2020 Time: 4-6pm Location: Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/hvlgbtqcenter/ Join the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center on Facebook Live on Hudson Valley Pride Sunday for amazing performances by local performers Denise Parent, Nia & Ness, Ryan Cassata, and Salem Corwin! Information > The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Virtual 5K Run & Walk Days: Now through June 17, 2020 Time: At Your Own Pace Location: Favorite trail, your neighborhood, the park, your treadmill! Complete a 5 Kilometer run and/or walk (5K kilometers = 3.1 miles) in the comfort of your own neighborhood or on a treadmill between May 17th  and June 17th, 2020. You choose the date, the time and location. Registration ends June 10th!  Information > Beacon's Police Chief Will Attend Monday Night City Council Meeting For Conversation (Meeting via Zoom/YouTube) On Monday night, June 8th, the City of Beacon Police Chief, Kevin Junjulas, will join the City Council for a conversation on best practices and training for the Beacon Police Department. If you wish to listen in on conversation, an invitation to the virtual meeting is below. Also please see this link to a video from June 1st of City Councilmembers commenting on the protests https://vimeo.com/425223009 YouTube: You can watch the meeting live on the City's YouTube channel. Zoom: You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Jun 8, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: City Council Workshop Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82201559958?pwd=eHdHNjlNTXM1S0xueWRZYWRESmJyQT09 Password: 027050 Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. INDUSTRIAL ARTS BREWING As we begin Pride Month 2020, this year’s design from Industrial Arts Brewing has added a brown stripe to show their solidarity with POC everywhere. These are now available in their web store and would make a nice addition to your beer order, but no other purchase is necessary. 100% of proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to @rocklandcountypridecenter and @dutchesspride.  Information > EAT CHURCH This weekend special is going to hit the spot: It's the “Mission Style Burrito:” Black beans, yellow rice, queso, avocado, salsa, crema, hots. Old school vegetarian. $10. For those of you who have picky eaters, you will love the Bang Bang Spring Rolls. The easiest eatery to social distance in, as it is surrounded by parking lot, with a straight-on view of Mount Beacon. Order Now > Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor! BAJA 328 ¡Salud! Baja 328 has made it to the final round of Hudson Valley Magazine's "Best Margarita"! There is still time to get your votes in! Visit this voting page to support your local canteen! Cast Your Vote! > Baja 328 is a ALBB Sponsor!   I AM BEACON To shop local has never been more important as it is today. The beauty of the Beacon community has many wonderful qualities - our small businesses being one of them! It is often said, charity begins at home- the pride of Beacon lies in our dedication and support of one another.  Pick up your I Am Beacon Strong T-shirt at Key Food to be entered in to win a $100 gift card to a local shop! Add this to your collection of other I Am Beacon t-shirts. Information > BINNACLE BOOKS Looking for literature related to Black History and educate yourself further on the issue of civil rights in this county? Binnacle Books has many titles to choose from such as:  - Jabari Asim, “We Can’t Breathe: On Black Lives, White Lies, and the Art of Survival” - Ibrahim X. Kendi, “How To Be An Antiracist” - “Chronicles of Black Protest” ed. Bradford Chambers If those concepts are new to you - or you've seen them before but didn't want to engage - engage now. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE It's getting too hot outside to wear your glasses and exercise at the same time. For those of you who are daily glasses wearers, you may need to open a new box of contacts! Luxe Optique is shipping contacts, and working on a new online ordering system. Deals: Get $25 off all year supplies of contacts + free shipping Get $10 off 6 month supplies + FREE SHIPPING FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL DIRECT SHIP CONTACT LENS ORDERS Your order might also be eligible for a manufactures rebate of up to $150!  Order: Text 845-838-2020 or email at info@luxeoptique.com Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK HOME Your indoor plant collection has been growing, we get it, it's happening in our Managing Editor Marilyn's home as we speak! Look at these beautiful Sustain Planters with heart pine from PTACEK Home. Beautiful. OMG. Shop Now > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! COLD FIT CRYOTHERAPY Cold Fit Cryotherapy is thrilled to announce that they will re-open on Wednesday, June 10th! "All NYS requirements for sanitation will be strictly followed!" they say. They look forward to “freezing” with you soon!    View more upcoming classes for in the Adult Classes Guide and Kids Classes Guide. ANTALEK & MOORE Scheduling a Zoom call with Antalek & Moore is a convenient, safe and easy way to talk to any of their agents. Contact your insurance representative or email them at info@antalek-moore.com to schedule your call today. They miss you! And did you see Terry's bike for National Bike Day? Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle is a resource and empowerment platform for business owners, artists and makers to get the word out about their business. This is done through webinars (called "TuneUps") to be watched on replay any time; an online safe-space forum to ask questions and get answers and support; and in-person opportunities to bounce ideas off experts in a live video format. Learn More > KATIE JAMES, INC. Couture branding boutique, Katie James, Inc. designed the website for Beacon-based Knot Too Shabby in Shopify last year. Designed with the shop owner in mind, this website features various types of products, including paint, stencils, furniture, and classes. Katie James, Inc. can design your website too, or consult with you as you build it. We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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