Best Of! :: Retail Therapy Guide 2/2/2024
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Erika Thomaselli, A Beacon School Teacher, Mother of 4, Wife, Daughter and Sister, Passes Quickly From Cancer
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In hushed tones in a hallway of Rombout Middle School (RMS) this week, some students said they saw teachers gathered discussing something, most likely fellow teacher Ms. Thomaselli, the students speculated, as some adults began to cry. Students surmised that perhaps Ms. Thomaselli was passing soon. Ms. Thomaselli was battling cancer, the students said. There was the Thomaselli Tough Roller Derby scheduled for March 8, 2024 that just got featured in the RMS newsletter.
On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, Beacon School District Superintendent Matt Landahl emailed district families: “We are very sad to share the news with the community that Erika Thomaselli passed away earlier today. Erika was a teacher at Rombout Middle School and a coach at Rombout and Beacon High School over the past 10 years. We all consider it an honor to have worked with her. It was an honor for her students to have her as a teacher or a coach. She was truly an amazing person.”
After giving birth to her 4th child, Erika was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma. In July 2023, her sister created a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds for the medical bills that would quickly accrue. She underwent treatments that challenged her physically. Her sister wrote: “Neuroendocrine carcinoma is an aggressive adversary, and it has already taken a toll on my sister's health. The journey ahead will be arduous, and she has already undergone back surgery to address the significant damage the cancer has caused to her spine. Yet, through it all, she remains resolute and steadfast, determined to beat the odds stacked against her.”
More information about her diagnosis and treatment can be found in her GoFundMe campaign page, which is still accepting donations. The Beacon community is mourning.
Early Morning Fire At 28 West Church Street - What We May Know So Far
/Friday morning, beginning at least at 5am according to Beacon fire officials as reported by News Channel 12, the two-family rental house at 28 West Church Street was on fire. Known for years as a house with two rental units in it, no one was in the house when it caught fire, but one apartment was rented, according to News Channel 12. No one was in the house when the fire started, as reported by the media outlets.
In the 5am hour, smoke could be seen rising from the house by neighbors blocks away. By 6:20am, flames could be seen coming off the top of the house, and reportedly could be seen from across the river in Newburgh. One reader of ALBB said that the fire could be seen from Colonial Springs. Various neighbors called 911 when they awoke and saw the flames, according to News Channel 12 and neighbors that ALBB talked to.
It is not clear if the fire started in the attic and dropped to the floors below, or where or how the fire started, with nobody reportedly being in the structure. The Beacon Police tell ALBB that this investigation is expected to take weeks. More pictures are below.
At least three fire engine companies responded to the fire, officials told ALBB: the Beacon Fire Department as the lead agency, followed by Fishkill and Castle Point. According to the Highlands Current, Glenham and Rombout fire departments provided standby-cover for the city.
By 7:20am at least, the main blaze was put out of the charred house, but embers continued to fall from the attic and second floor. Neighbors one block away on Ralph street said that ashes were falling into their yards, and they were grateful for the rainy day that made their ground and houses wet.
According to Beacon Police, the fire is under investigation, and is expected to be under investigation for a number of weeks. In the below video, flashlights could be seen searching the second floor.
According to neighbors on West Church street, the house was being renovated by an owner who was seen frequently if not daily at the house overseeing construction. According to MLS records, Joseph (Joe) Valentin, who lives locally in the Hudson Valley, bought the property in August 2022 for $700.000. According to Beacon Police, Joe was on the scene of the fire, but was talking to investigators. ALBB did not pursue, bit according to News Channel 12, he did not want to be on camera.
According to News Channel 12 and Newsbreak, two Beacon firefighters were injured after a ceiling collapsed, where one firefighter was cut with glass. According to the report, one Beacon firefighter was taken to to the hospital, and one was treated at the scene.
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ents Alessio Bax & Lucille Chung, piano duo, Music for Four Hands (second in HCMC's annual four-concert piano festival)
Yanarella Dance Studio
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Vote For ALBB For 2024 Best Blog Of The Hudson Valley Magazine!
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Dear Readers,
The time is now for the Readers to vote for the Best Blog in the Hudson Valley at Hudson Valley Magazine! Last year you rewarded us, and we’ve been blogging as ever!
You’ll need to type in A Little Beacon Blog’s name into the entry form.
The entry lives in People > Best Blog. Click here and you’ll get right to it!
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Thank you!
The Howland Public Library Welcomes New Director
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The Howland Public Library board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Gillian Murphy has been appointed as the new Library Director.
Gillian brings to Howland a strong commitment to libraries, and more than 20 years of experience as Library Director from the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring, and most recently, the Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz. “We are extremely fortunate that Gillian has accepted the position to lead our library,” said Howland Board of Trustees President Diane Landau-Flayter.
Known in the library community as an innovative leader, Gillian has a proven track record of developing creative approaches to improve library services and meet the needs of the community. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, outreach, and community partnerships, Gillian is excited to begin working with the community. "I'm honored to be trusted to help pen the next chapter of the Howland Public Library. I look forward to working closely with the library's staff and board, as well as the individuals, businesses, and organizations that make up our library district.” says Gillian, who assumed her position as director on December 4th.
Some of the many innovative library initiatives that Gillian has developed in the past are passport services, home delivery, and reorganizing library collections to make it easier for patrons to find what they are looking for.
"The Howland Library staff is excited to welcome Gillian Murphy to our team. She brings with her so much enthusiasm, experience, and knowledge from the field. We cannot wait to learn from her and see what our library becomes with her as our leader. Meanwhile, we'll be showing her the ropes and introducing her to our vibrant and wonderful community," remarked Assistant Director Kristin Charles-Scaringi.
Gillian holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Middle School Education from Old Dominion University, as well as an advanced certificate in Public Library Administration from Long Island University.
Gillian replaces Kristen Salierno who served the Library for five years before stepping down in July. The staff of the Library is thankful for the support of Assistant Director Kristin Charles-Scaringi who took on the role of Acting Director during the four-month transition.
Dutchess County Announces Nearly $2 Million in Agency Partner Grant Awards
/Grants totaling $1.98 million have been awarded for 32 programs through Dutchess County’s 2024 Agency Partner Grant (APG) Program, which provides funding opportunities for local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations on a biennial basis through a competitive grant process based on an organization’s ability to demonstrate they fulfill an unmet community need. In addition to $1.5 million in grants awarded under the traditional APG program, an additional $484,880 in funds from the Department of Community and Family Services and the Department of Behavioral and Community Health were awarded through the APG competitive grant process to ensure critical services and programs are administered. Entering its 12th year, the APG Program provides vital support to strengthen local communities by funding youth development, homeless prevention, workforce development, mental health and wellness, and literacy programs, among other critical needs.
County Executive William F.X. O’Neil said, “Our Agency Partner Grant Program continues to serve as an important collaboration between local nonprofit organizations and Dutchess County Government to address critical needs in our communities. We thank the Dutchess County Legislature for its ongoing support of the APG program and the agencies that strive every day to improve the lives of our residents.”
Projects funded through the 2024 Agency Partner Grant Program include:
Anderson Center for Autism** - $22,810 to support the Tik Talk program, which teaches social and friendship skills to middle and high school students with special needs to help navigate social situations and develop meaningful relationships at school and in community and work settings.
Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh, Inc.*** - $110,864 to continue implementation of a comprehensive afterschool program, Project Learn, formerly known as The Afterschool Project, which targets the academic, social and behavioral development of youth in the City of Poughkeepsie.
Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County - $37,310 to provide a Homeless Prevention Case Management Program, which offers emergency rental assistance, financial literacy education, crisis intervention and comprehensive case management services to promote long-term housing stability for low-income families in Dutchess County.
Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County - $33,928 to maintain its Senior Medical Transportation program, which promotes access to non-emergency medical care for seniors, who lack other means of transportation.
Community Based Services, Inc.** - $36,138 to support Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities, which educates parents and caregivers on available programs and resources for transitional-age students with disabilities who are aging out of school-based programs, as well as collaborating with schools to reach individuals who may benefit from participation in programs offered by local special needs agencies.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County - $75,715 to continue supporting 4-H Youth Development: Literacy Assistance for All, which prepares youth of all abilities with financial literacy, writing comprehension, public speaking and leadership skills to succeed as they transition into adulthood.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County - $116,485 to continue supporting Green Teen and No Child Left Inside: Developing Youth Potential Through Work-Based Learning, which broadens youth exposure to environmental science, provides outdoor workforce development opportunities, and promotes health outcomes.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County - $53,300 to continue supporting the evidence-based Parenting and Support Education (PASE) program, which enhances parenting skills by utilizing a hands-on learning approach suitable for all literacy levels.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County - $38,500 to support the Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP), which encourages, educates and supports grandparents and other relatives who have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting for parents who are unable or unavailable to care for their children.
CultureConnect - $31,309 to support CommunityConnect, an afterschool enrichment program for English as a New Language (ENL) elementary school students in Red Hook and Rhinebeck.
DAY ONE Early Learning Community, Inc.*** - $165,720 to support the Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP), which provides adults with hands-on workforce development training in early childhood education to produce workforce-ready educators upon program graduation.
Dutchess County Pride Center - $25,211 to continue the Teen Drop-In program to provide services year-round, giving LGBTQ+ teens access to affirming adults and safe spaces to increase self-esteem, lower anxiety, improve school performance and create greater community engagement.
Dutchess Outreach - $59,000 for food procurement to meet the increasing food access needs for individuals and families served through the organization’s food pantry and The Lunch Box community meal program.
Exodus Transitional Community* - $69,290 to support an evidence-based Reentry Work Readiness program that includes evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral change and social skills development curriculum, case management and job readiness skills training to post-incarcerated, safety net-eligible individuals to promote a successful transition to the community and reduce recidivism rates.
Family Services, Inc. - $47,970 for an afterschool Teen Resource Activity Center that provides mentoring, academic support, healthy living workshops and recreational activities for City of Poughkeepsie youth in a safe environment.
Hudson River Housing, Inc.*** - $118,477 to continue providing a Housing Navigator program to County residents with housing navigation and transition services, referrals and emergency rental assistance to prevent homelessness.
Hudson River Housing, Inc.*** - $68,819 to support the work of an outreach care manager through the Street Outreach Program, which will provide necessities and engage unhoused individuals throughout Dutchess County, especially in the City of Poughkeepsie, with a special focus on those suffering from behavioral health and/or substance use conditions, to enroll them in a suitable, supportive housing program.
Land to Learn - $53,300 to support SproutEd, a nutrition assistance program that engages elementary school students in the City of Beacon in nutrition, health, environmental stewardship and social-emotional, math, science and literacy skills, through hands-on experiential learning.
Literacy Connections - $42,859 to continue the Adult & Family Literacy program which promotes basic literacy skills for adults and children. Adult learners receive student-centered, one-on-one or small group tutoring lessons, while children are assigned a one-on-one book buddy, to promote basic reading and comprehension skills.
Mediation Center of Dutchess County, Inc. - $116,907 to fund an evidence-based Restorative Justice Initiative that works with schools in Dutchess County to address conflict and behavioral matters, while promoting pro-social outcomes in a diplomatic and non-punitive way.
NAMI Mid-Hudson, Inc. - $86,376 to provide mental wellness and mental health literacy to individuals affected by mental illness through the Family-to-Family program, as well as an informational seminar, both providing participants with information on the biology of brain disorders, an understanding of diagnoses, treatment options, crisis intervention techniques and available community support and referral options.
North East Community Center - $48,075 to continue the Community Partnership with Schools and Business program, a paid job skills training program for youths and young adults, where they acquire transferable work readiness skills and training to promote their successful transition to adulthood.
North East Community Center - $43,427 to implement a year-round Comprehensive Out of School Time program to provide afterschool and summer enrichment activities that will preserve socio-emotional and academic gains and mitigate summer learning loss for Webutuck Central School District students.
North East Community Center - $37,320 to provide a variety of nutritional Food Access Programs, including the Fresh Food Access Hub, two community gardens, a Summer Food Service Program and youth food access internship opportunities.
Nubian Directions II, Inc. - $45,309 to support the YouthBuild Innovation Lab, which provides hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) workshops and career education to City of Poughkeepsie youth to encourage critical thinking through creativity, risk-taking and innovation.
Poughkeepsie Farm Project - $38,429 to support Farm Fresh Home Chefs, a food access and healthy eating program for low-income Poughkeepsie families, which teaches families how to prepare balanced healthy meals.
Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church - $30,914 to support the Harriet Tubman Academic Skills Center, which provides academic and social support to promote educational and behavioral outcomes of underserved children in the City of Poughkeepsie.
Ramapo for Children** - $36,309 to expand the Staff Assistant Experience program to include day, evening and residential program services designed to assist youth with learning differences, attention difficulties and developmental disabilities in gaining social, vocational and independent living skills.
Reading & Math, Inc. - $68,700 to support its Early Learning Corps program, which provides supplemental literacy and numeracy whole-class, small group and one-on-one tailored tutoring services to prepare preschool-age children in the City of Poughkeepsie for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Red Hook Community Center, Inc. - $15,103 for a School Year Youth Employment program for youth and young adults in northern Dutchess County, providing opportunities for pre-employment and soft job skills training, including résumé writing, mock interviewing and financial literacy, as well as paid employment at a business within the local community.
Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc.**** - $44,200 to support Special Education Advocacy services for parents of children with special needs. The advocate will help parents navigate the special education system to ensure students have access to the support and accommodations necessary for them to achieve their fullest potential.
The Art Effect - $166,806 to support the afterschool and summer Youth Workforce Development in Arts & Media program that prepares City of Poughkeepsie youth for higher education and employment opportunities by providing arts-based curriculum, training and hands-on experience in media production and the visual arts.
*Awarded through APG, administered by the Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS).
**Awarded through APG, administered by the Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH).
***Awarded through APG, funded and administered by DCFS.
****Awarded through APG, funded in part and administered by DBCH.
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Beacon's Swearing-In Ceremony Disrupted By Pro-Palestinian Supporters Who Were Physically Handled By City Administrator and Veterans
/Congressman Pat Ryan, who represents Beacon in District 18, is being followed everywhere by Pro-Palestinian supporters to demand that he call for a permanent ceasefire of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. The people don’t need to travel far, as they are usually residents of the towns Pat Ryan visits to give remarks to during Swearing-In Ceremonies of these communities.
Like this ceremony at Gardiner Town Hall. And this large protest march in Kingston. And this this 8th night of Hanukkah protest by Jewish constituents and kids at his Newburgh office. Prior to that, this protest also at his Newburgh office by 300 protesters. And prior to that, this first protest at his Poughkeepsie office led by some Beaconites.
The following is a description of what happened at Beacon’s Swearing-In Ceremony, which was captured on video and published below.
On Saturday, January 6, 2024, a four Beaconites, who are regular listeners or participants of Beacon City Council Meetings, were sitting in the audience of Beacon’s Swearing-In Ceremony for new Councilmembers being hosted at the Veterans Memorial Building, waiting to display their message of Ceasefire to Congressman Ryan. It was early in the ceremony, and Senator Rob Rolison (former Mayor of Poughkeepsie) and Sue Serino (newly elected Dutchess County Executive and former NY State Senator) had already spoken.
Congressman Ryan was next to speak. When he did, the four pro-Palestinian Beaconites demonstrating told ALBB that they stood up to unfurl a banner that said "Ceasefire." Say the demonstrators, their intent was to silently stand with the banner as Congressman Ryan spoke. As Congressman Ryan began his remarks, he did so by giving attention the silent visual demonstration in the back of the room by saying: “Before we get interrupted here…” as the display of a banner began to get more audible by opposing Beaconites who wanted to block the banner. The rest of Congressman Ryan’s speech in full is below.
As Congressman Ryan spoke, four more individuals also stood up to block the demonstrators and the banner with their bodies (ALBB is unable to obtain the names of the two Veterans at this time). The demonstrators described them to ALBB as:
Veteran with grey hair, wearing black sweatshirt (yellow emblem) & jeans.
Veteran with white hair, wearing glasses and black & red sweatshirt.
Harold Delamater, Veterans Memorial Building Manager, wearing grey sweatshirt & glasses.
Chris White, Beacon City Administrator
The demonstrators said that they tried to hold the banner until they were escorted out of the room under threat of arrest.
One of the demonstrating Beaconites brought his 5 month old baby with him, who was snuggled into a front-facing baby carrier onto his body.
City Administrator Chris White licking his lips in a warm up moment before putting his hands on the smallest protester, who is directly in front of him, while he inched closer to the demonstrator.
Harold Delamater of the Veterans Memorial Building pats demonstrator Veekas Ashoka on the back after helping him roll up the Ceasefire banner. Herold said he wanted the demonstrators arrested.
After a Beacon demonstrator unfurled the banner, the demonstrators were surrounded by Beacon Police, Veterans of the Memorial Building, and Beacon’s City Administrator, Chris White. At one point, according to the demonstrators which can also be heard in the video posted above, City Administrator Chris ordered the Police to arrest the demonstrators, saying: “Arrest them,” but the female Police Officer said she’d need to get approval from someone responsible for the property, the demonstrators told ALBB.
According to the demonstrators, the Police asked Veteran building manager Harold Delamater (pictured above) if he’d like the demonstrators arrested. According to the demonstrators, Harold said that he did want them arrested. ALBB reached out to Harold for comment, but did not receive a response.
According to the demonstrators, the female Police Officer gave them a warning before arresting. At the warning, the demonstrators agreed to leave without being arrested. It was at that time that the demonstrators began their exit.
Pro-Palestinian supporter Veekas Ashoka and his 5 month year old baby were shoulder bumped by a white man with silver white hair as Veekas left shouting: "How many more people have to die before you support a ceasefire, Representative Ryan? How many more kids like mine have to die?"
After that, Veekas walked backwards out of the room, shouting: "Ceasefire Now!" His 5 month year old baby watched the scene from his carrier. Veekas continued: "How many more people have to die before you support a ceasefire, Representative Ryan? How many more kids like mine have to die?" A white man with white hair who had been standing next to Veekas during the entire encounter, sideways shoulder-bumped Veekas and his baby as Veekas walked out, physically moving Veekas to the left. The man did so with arms behind his back and not one change to his facial expression. The force of his body did move Veekas’ body, which you can see in the video above.
After Veekas left, another demonstrator, the smallest of the group, held his sign up. It read CEASEFIRE!. Harold, who is roughly the same height as the demonstrator, grabbed the demonstrator’s jacket and hoisted him up as the demonstrator held his CEASEFIRE! sign above his own head. City Administrator Chris, who is was taller than the demonstrator, reached in to grab the sign from the demonstrator, who leaned away.
Beacon Police were in attendance the entire time with the peaceful demonstrators, so it is not clear why the property manager or City Administrator got physical with the demonstrators and escalated the situation. It is also not clear why the Beacon Police did not recognize this, and assigned escalation to the demonstrators, when their bodies were being grabbed by a city official and property manager.
Left: Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White, ripping a “CEASEFIRE” Sign out of a Pro-Palestinian’s hands (Middle). On the right a male Beacon Police Officer monitoring the scene.
A male Beacon Police Officer was behind the demonstrator holding his arm as City Administrator Chris was wrestling away the sign. However, the Police Officer was watching City Administrator Chris. Harold kept his hands on the demonstrator, and soon all three men had their hands on the smallest demonstrator. City Administrator Chris succeeded in ripping the Ceasefire sign in half.
City Administrator Chris White pointing the protestor to the door as Veteran’s Building Manager Harold Delamater and a Beacon Police Officers place their hands on the demonstrator to push him forward.
The tallest and third protestor exited the room while chanting “Ceasefire!” and was pushed out by Harold.
The smallest demonstrator holding the small Ceasefire sign was pushed out by a Beacon Police Officer and pulled out by City Administrator Chris. Before he was forced to leave, he chanted “Ceasefire Now!” and a round of applause returned his gesture.
Later, outside of the building, the smallest demonstrator told ALBB that City Administrator Chris called him an “asshole,” to which the demonstrator replied: “You’re violent.” City Administrator Chris apparently repeated the insult, and the two went around again before stopping. There was a Police Officer between between the demonstrator and City Administrator Chris at that point.
A demonstrator shouting “Ceasefire Now!” while being pushed by a Beacon Police Officer and pulled by City Administrator Chris White.
The fourth demonstrator recounted their experience, which was not captured in the video. They described to ALBB:
“I was being blocked by the Veteran with grey hair, wearing a black sweatshirt & jeans. This gentleman kept shouting "stop touching me" while standing in front of me and the "smallest demonstrator" when we first got up. This tactic was to misconstrue the events and make it appear as if we were violent, although two men were forcibly gripping our banner. Our goal was to silently hold the banner within Pat Ryan's line of vision. None of the attendee's would have even known we were there, if these individuals just stayed in their seats. Shouting "stop touching me" turned everyone's attention to us.
“With two men, strongly gripping the Ceasefire banner, I attempted to keep a portion of it open, unaware that I was working against two men which explains why it was so difficult to hold it up. In my attempt to keep the banner up, I was being pulled down into a table behind me. I was then scolded for leaning on the table. You can see the Veteran with white hair & glasses moving the table in the video, as if the materialistic object had more value than my safety. A male Police Officer looked me in the eyes trying to capture my attention, as he saw I was struggling to keep the sign up. I was informed that they will have to arrest us if we don't leave. I let go of the banner and walked out the door before the other demonstrators. Luckily, I escaped the altercation that followed, where the smallest demonstrator was pulled by his jacket by Chris White's hands. I chanted "Ceasefire Now" as I walked in front of Veekas.”
Said Veekas to ALBB after the demonstration: “Many members of the audience messaged me directly to express their appreciation after the event was over. One member of the audience was so moved by the action that she started chanting ‘Ceasefire Now’ and left with us.”
Congressman Pat Ryan’s Speech In Beacon
Congressman Ryan’s speech was brief and addressed the national and global outrage of the massacre in Gaza and awakening to the growing and violent occupation of Palestine by Zionist Israeli military. He said: "When the rubber hits the road, local government making Beacon a great shining example of what a Hudson Valley City can and should look like. The moment we are in the country - the world - at least in my lifetime - really incredible division. Just ask anyone taking this oath. To really reflect on what that oath means. The idea of essentially explicitly making yourself as an individual 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, below a greater common good. Below a city, below a county, a state, below a nation. Really recognizing that in a time of incredible polarization, the only path through this is a recognition that we don't all get exactly everything we want. We have to be willing to compromise and work together and be civil. That comes from ego and self pursuit of those aims is what causes that division."
Pat Ryan may have been implying that ego is what drove the demonstrators to demonstrate peacefully and silently, until they were blocked and physically handled by Beacon's City Administrator and some Veterans in the building. The Congressman should also note that part of why Beacon is a "shining example" is because of the demonstrating that citizens do for a number of different causes. Sometimes being aligned, sometimes working toward alignment.
In this case, "willing to compromise" on 23,000 Palestinian lives killed, and Israeli hostages still not safely home, who are in fact equally threatened under Israeli's indiscriminate bombardment using weapons funded by the United States Government, is not something many Beaconites will compromise on.
People Sworn In
The following people were sworn in, except Wren Longo. It had been rumored that she had resigned previously. Her resignation was officially announced at a City Council Meeting later. The Mayor appointed Pam Weatherbee to replace her, and appointed Amber Grant, a former City Councilmember, to return to the Councilmember At-Large position. The Council could have insisted on a public vote, but did not do so at the Mayor’s strong urging.
Paloma Wake, Councilmember At-Large, sworn in by Justice McCray (former City Councilmember)
Pam Wetherbee, Councilmember At-Large, sworn in by George Mansfield (former City Councilmember)
Pam was later moved to Ward 3 after Wren’s resignation.
Molly Rhodes, Councilmember Ward 1, sworn in by Mayor Lee Kyriacou.
Jeff Domanski, Councilmember Ward 2, sworn in by Justice McCray, who he replaced.
Dan Aymar-Blair, Councilmember Ward 4, sworn in by George Mansfield.
Mayor Lee Kyriacou, sworn in by Congressman Pat Ryan.
Watch the entire Swearing-In Ceremony here (does not include visuals of the disruption).
New Facts: Hudson River Regularly Floods Long Dock and Train Station Parking Lots In Heavy Rains
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The morning after the wild winds and rain blew through Beacon all night, knocking porch swings around, tossing trash cans, and keeping sub-pumps on overdrive, the high tide of the Hudson River once again rose into the parking lots of Lock Dock Park and the Beacon Train Station. Cars were parked at Long Dock, and at least one of them was floating. Beacon Police were called when some hikers who returned from hiking through Madame Brett Park came to see that their cars at Long Dock were surrounded by water.
“I didn’t want to open my door so I opened my window by pressing and holding down my unlock button,” one hiker told ALBB. “I climbed through the window, turned on the car, and drove it here,” recalled the hiker at the base of Long Dock Road, squeezing out their socks and putting their shoes back on as they sat in the back of their Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup truck.
Another hiker, parked behind them with all doors open, was also able to get into their car by crawling through the window and driving it through the water. In the Subaru, which is lower to the ground than the pickup truck, water did get into the vehicle. Further down the parking lot, another hiker’s car was floating. The plan for that car was to wait until the water went out with the tide.
Neither the Beacon Police nor the hikers could confirm what time the water came in. One Beacon Police Officer said they had put up a barricade down at the train station at 11am, where the water had completely blocked off access to Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park and consumed the parking lot. It was around 12:45pm when the police, fire and ambulance were called to the scene of the flooded cars at Long Dock.
One hiker said that they did see twigs and other debris on the ground when they parked and left for Madame Brett Park, but didn’t think anything of it. Now they realized those were remnants of the river as it went back out with the tide. The parking lot could have been flooded throughout the night.
Parking Lot Flooded Again at Beacon Train Station
Once again, the Welcome to Beacon sign was surrounded by water and rows of parking spots were under water. Access to Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park was completely blocked by the Hudson River, which had the current moving through it as if it weren’t disturbing anything, just doing its tide thing.
As this tidal rise becomes a regular occurrence after heavy rains, compounded with melted snow, signs will need to be put up throughout both parking lots, warning of High Tide Flooding, as other coastal towns do.
RELATED LINK: 12/18/2023 “Hudson River Rises During Storm: Flooding In Homes, The Middle School, And The Wastewater Treatment Plant”
Martin Luther King, Jr. Says USA Born In Genocide, And That Disruption Is Necessary To Be Cured
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“History also teaches that submission produces no acceptable result.”
Genocide is on the minds of the world every single day of Israel’s assault on Gaza, which Israeli leaders say they have no intent on stopping and only speak of expansion plans which include rewarding their IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) aka IOF (Israel Occupation Forces) with Gazan land.
During this time of Martin Luther King Jr.’s nationally recognized holiday, it is a good time to open up any of his books to look for guidance. On page 146 of “Why We Can’t Wait,” Dr. King speaks of American be born in genocide, and includes the importance of disruption. Take a read, and if you don’t own this book yet, buy it locally from Binnacle Books.
“Negroes today are neither exercising violence nor accepting domination. They are disturbing the tranquility of the nation until the existence of injustice is recognized as a virulent disease menacing the whole society, and is cured.”
"Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race. Even before there were large numbers of Negroes on our shores, the scar of racial hatred had already disfigured colonial society. From the sixteenth century forward, blood flowed into battles over racial supremacy. We are perhaps the only nation which tried as a matter of national policy to wipe out its indigenous population. Moreover, we elevated that tragic experience into a noble crusade. Indeed, even today we have not permitted ourselves to reject or to feel remorse for this shameful episode. Our literature, our films, our drama, our folklore all exalt it.
"Our children are still taught to respect the violence which reduced a red-skinned people of an earlier culture into a few fragmented groups herded into impoverished reservations. This is a sharp contrast to many nations south of the border, which assimilated their Indians, respected their culture, and elevated many of them to high position.
"It was upon this massive base of racism that the prejudice toward the nonwhite was readily built, and found rapid growth. This long-standing racist ideology has corrupted and diminished our democratic ideals. It is this tangled web of prejudice from which many Americans now seek to liberate themselves, without realizing how deeply it has been woven into their consciousness.
"The roots are deep, and this condition in turn influences the character of the Negro Revolution. Our history teaches us that wielding the sword against racial superiority is not effective. The bravery of the Indian, employing spears and arrows against the Winchester and the Colt, had ultimately to eventuate in defeat. On the other hand, history also teaches that submission produces no acceptable result. Nonresistance merely reinforces the myth that one race is inherently inferior to another. Negroes today are neither exercising violence nor accepting domination. They are disturbing the tranquility of the nation until the existence of injustice is recognized as a virulent disease menacing the whole society, and is cured."
Curing one self from racism must be done every single day. With actions and mindset changes.
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WORDS FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
presents Jonathan Biss, pianist (launch of HCMC's annual four-concert piano festival)
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Saturdays And Sundays Are For Supporting Palestine: Weekend Repeat Disruption Rally Locations
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Saturdays
12:30pm
Elting Library, New Paltz, NY
Women in Black. Outdoos on thin busy sidewalk. Areas to sit. Street parking metered, free on side streets (past the library parking lot). No chants, very chill! Ignore counter protestors.
Sundays
12:30pm
Woodstock, NY
Outdoors on sidewalk near Stone Park
Sundays
12:30pm
Newburgh, NY
Outdoors with chants on flat pavement by busy road. Park at Downing Park!
Sundays
1pm
Nanuet
Outdoors with chants on wide sidewalks by busy road. Park at Shake Shack.
WEEKLY MONDAY BOYCOTTS: do all you can to disrupt the machine. Nothing is too small.
ALL DAYS: Go add to the community altar on the fence at Hasbrouck Park, New Patz
FREE KN95 MASKS!
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration / Revisiting Beacon's Inspiration In 2024
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SCHEDULE
8:45am: Opening remarks at Springfield Baptist Church.
9:30am: 10th Annual Parade. Mattie Cooper to N. Cedar Street to Main Street, finishing back on Mattie Cooper at the church.
11:30am: Celebration Service Inside Springfield Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Ronald O. Perry, Sr., Pastor.
LOCATION
8 Mattie Cooper (Church Street)
This year, the Beacon Free Press’ front page news story about the Martin Luther King Day Celebration at the Springfield Baptist Church shed revived light on the original inspiration for the MLK Day in Beacon.
Say the organizers about the event: "Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and dream during our 10th annual MLK Parade in Beacon. The parade in Beacon was the dream of the late Pete Seeger, activist and local resident of Beacon, who wanted a parade to honor Dr. King, so he founded this wonderful ‘Singing Parade.’ Participants are encouraged to bring signs, flags and musical instruments. For more information, go to the beaconsloop.org." Pete Seeger was a co-founder of the Beacon Sloop Club.
Said the parade representative Bonnie Champion to the Beacon Free Press: “After Pete’s wife Toshi died in July 2013, he came to the Beacon Sloop Club and shared that he was worried that Martin Luther King Day was becoming a day off from school and work, and persons were forgetting this man who changed the world.” The parade began one year later, championed by Bonnie. Pete Seeger never marched in the first parade, but he knew about, it,” Bonnie told the Beacon Free Press. He passed away shortly after on January 27, 2014.
The Southern Dutchess Coalition has held a celebration for the last 46 years, and for the last 10 years, did so with the Beacon Sloop Club. The opening ceremony starts at 8:45am. The parade will step off at 9:30am in front of the Springfield Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration Service at 11:30am with Rev. Dr. Ronald O. Perry, Sr., Pastor.
The parade route will start at the Springfield Baptist Church on Mattie Cooper Street (aka Church Street) and continue on to N. Cedar Street, where it will turn down Main Street, until it hits Willow Street, then turns on Mattie Cooper Street to end at the Springfield Baptist Church.
The student essay contest is happening again this year, where Beacon students grades 1-12 were asked to write about the following quote: “Only love can overcome hatred, bitterness, and fear. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
The winning students will receive a $50 award sponsored by Rhinebeck Bank. All others will receive a certificate.
For more information, go to beaconsloop.org.
Hundreds Protest Outside Pat Ryan’s Kingston Office Demanding Permanent Ceasefire and Defunding of Israeli Military
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Photo from video posted at Kingstonwalk4blacklives
Photo credit: Shadia Fayne Wood
After 90 days of Israel’s murderous assault on Gaza, pressure is growing to end U.S. support for military aid to Israel. On January 5, 2024, hundreds of protesters packed the street in front of the Congressman Pat Ryan’s (District 18 which includes Beacon) Wall Street office in Kingston, NY to call for a permanent ceasefire and end to Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 22,000 Palestinians in the past 90 days.
Constituents dropped 3 banners from the roof of the office building, one of which listed hundreds of names of Palestinians killed in Gaza. The other banners read: “90 days. 22,000 killed” and “Pat Ryan: Stop the Genocide.”
Photo Credits: Shadia Fayne Wood
“I wake up each morning worrying about whether my family and friends in Gaza will see another sunrise. How many more Palestinians have to die before my elected officials take action to stop sending our tax dollars to bomb my family?”
“I wake up each morning worrying about whether my family and friends in Gaza will see another sunrise,” said Abdullah Qotate, a resident of Goshen, New York, who also spoke at the disruption of the Swearing-In Ceremony at the Gardiner Town Hall. “How many more Palestinians have to die before my elected officials take action to stop sending our tax dollars to bomb my family?”
Photo Credit: Found at @Celebrate.845
Demonstrators amassed at the Ulster County Legislative Building before marching to Congressman Pat Ryan’s office at 307 Wall Street where they attempted to speak to staff in the office before assembling tents around the entrance of Ryan’s office calling attention to the forced displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians or over 85% of Gaza’s population. Protesters sat among the tents with signs reading:
“Stop Starving Gaza,”
“No Money for Massacres,”
“Ceasefire: Shine a Light” while speakers read a list of names of Palestinians killed and held a moment of silence.
“Every person who died today would have been saved if there had been a ceasefire yesterday. We are putting our bodies on the line today in the streets of Kingston because, as American Jews, we cannot stand by and be silent while Israel destroys entire neighborhoods in the name of Jewish safety with funding from the U.S. government. Starving the people of Gaza, bombing hospitals, and making millions homeless is unconscionable – and I implore our elected officials to represent our values,” Andrew Hiller, Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America.
“We are putting our bodies on the line today in the streets of Kingston because, as American Jews, we cannot stand by and be silent while Israel destroys entire neighborhoods in the name of Jewish safety with funding from the U.S. government. Starving the people of Gaza, bombing hospitals, and making millions homeless is unconscionable – and I implore our elected officials to represent our values.”
According to the organizer’s press release: “As the civilian death toll in Gaza increases daily, Rep. Pat Ryan faces growing pressure from voters to support a permanent ceasefire and end of military aid to Israel. On January 2, a swearing-in ceremony for local officials presided over by Mr. Ryan was disrupted by a large group of concerned constituents who unfurled a banner reading “permanent ceasefire” (read more about that here on ALBB) in front of his podium. His offices in Kingston, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie have all been the sites of large ceasefire demonstrations in the past three months (including this one from Beaconites), drawing hundreds of local residents, from across all faiths and backgrounds, who insist that Mr. Ryan do more to ensure that no more U.S. tax dollars go toward funding genocide. While Mr. Ryan has publicly stated that he desires to see lasting peace in the region, he has stopped short of calling for any concrete measures that will end the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.”
“We at Jewish Voice for Peace – Hudson Valley demand an immediate unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration must also refrain from sending any more weapons to the Israeli government. Pat Ryan should know the majority of Americans are with us: 61% of likely voters, including a majority of Democrats (76%) and Independents (57%) and a plurality of Republicans (49%), support the U.S. calling for a permanent ceasefire as of a Dec 5 poll. We mourn for the Palestinian and Israeli civilians killed, and we continue to fight with everything we have for the living,” said Margie Leopold, Jewish Voice for Peace - Hudson Valley.
Friday’s demonstration was organized by a broad coalition from across the region: Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace - Hudson Valley, Wednesday Walk 4 Black Lives, Middle-East Crisis Response, Mid-Hudson Islamic Community, Veterans For Peace - Hudson Valley, Communist Party - HV, Vassar SJP, and Poughkeepsie4Palestine. The founder of Poughkeepsie4Palestine, Rahul Daniyal Kumar, is a ninth grader at Oakwood Friends School interested in Political Science, Government, and Modern Middle Eastern Studies.
Protesters closed the event vowing to return as many times as it takes until a permanent ceasefire is declared.
Photo Credit: Veekas Ashoka
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.