A Closure :: Things To Do In Beacon Guides 7/19/2024
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World Famous Bagel-ish Opens In Beacon - Thursdays Are For Locals - 10% Off
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When Bagel-ish owner Beth George, who recently opened in her new spot in the new-ish apartment building in the middle of Main Street, sees a bagel in your hand, she can tell by the inside that isn’t hers. That’s because Beth pays such close attention to each batch of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Bagel-ish bagels have this unique texture softness combo that leave you wanting another bite, and also wondering how it feels like you lowered your head onto the softest pillow, but you’re eating a salty bagel.
Thursday’s At Bagel-ish Are Locals Discount
A Little Beacon Blog welcomes Bagelish as a new sponsor of ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon for our Restaurant Guide! With that, Beth wants to announce the newest thing for you to do on Thursdays: go to Bagelish for Locals 10% off Thursday! This local discount is good Hudson Valley wide. Their bagels are so good that they sell out fast. Gluten Free people can stop in also to discuss their dietary needs.
Owner Beth George is a world renown bagelist. She has trained people from over 15 countries and uses Mondays and Tuesdays to train other aspiring bagel makers.
Thursdays - Sundays are your days to go to Bagel-ish in Beacon. Hours do change often - which is on brand for the “ish” in Bagel-ish. Mark mid-morning as your time. Stock up on bagels if you need one super early. They freeze well and heat nicely in the morning.
Berte To Close This Summer After 6 Years In Business - Sale On Products and Fixtures
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Founded in 2018 by Aimée deSimone, Berte is a curated home decor and gift shop, specializing in handcrafted goods and modern design that bring joy and fun to your day to day. It is a boutique curated with products - "the kind you can actually live with, not just admire" Aimée aimed to make her shop "a haven of warm aesthetics and approachable design."
Coming to Beacon from the TV and Film industry, Aimée "harnessed my love of research, passion for storytelling, and discerning eye to craft a brand that places human beings at its very core. Inspired by my own travels and admiration for local shops, it's been a dream to see Berte become a must-visit destination for design-minded customers looking for inspiration and joy."
Adored by the media. Berte was featured in Glamour, HGTV, InStyle, ApartmentTherapy, Food& Wine, Chronogram, Hudson Valley Magazine, and other publications.
Neighboring businesses expressed sadness at the announcement. Vintage shop Blackbird Attic commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, I know how difficult the decision must have been 😞. I’ve always envied your shop, perfectly curated, you will be missed on Main! ♥️"
Fellow collaborator on local events, Hyperbole, also felt the loss: "We love being your neighbors and friends. Everything you’ve built and accomplished is so inspiring. We will miss you, Berte — but on to the next big project ❤️"
The jeweler King and Curated saw the positive: "What a great chapter it was! Glad it brought us together. Excited for you mama. All is well that ends well. You’ll be missed on Main. ❤️"
Berte’s Closing Letter
Aimée made the announcement through Berte’s Instagram:
“Hello Dear Friends,
“After six inspiring years, Berte will be closing its doors at the end of the summer.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make, but we are simply at a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue on with the business. I am deeply grateful for the support and love you have shown us over the years, and would like to celebrate our time together with a special closing sale.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of the Berte community. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world to have worked on my dream shop for so long...something I never could have done without your support.”
Everything On Sale
The sale continues in a schedule of markdowns. Do visit the shop to get the latest.
July 8-17 - 30% off Full Price Inventory, 10% off Sale
July 18-24 - 40% off Full Price Inventory, 15% off Sale
July 25-31 - 50% off full price inventory, 20% off Sale
Where Have All The Speed Bumps Gone? The 2024 Edition
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ALBB first asked this question in 2021: “Where have all the speed bumps gone?”
According to the City of Beacon’s Highway Department staff, speed bumps go down around Memorial Park on Robert Cahill Drive in the spring, and are removed in the fall for the convenience of the snow plows.
However, when ALBB first asked this question of this missing speed bumps in 2021, the answer provided was that the speed bumps are always down.
But they aren’t always down. It is almost August in 2024, and the speed bumps have not been screwed into the holes in the pavement, as pictured here.
Holes in the pavement by the baseball fields at Memorial Park. The speed bumps are inserted here seasonally.
Speed bumps can also be experienced on Wilkes Street. However, from some in the Highway Department, there has been a history of resistance to the speed bumps. This could be heard by former mayor Randy Casale, a former longtime Highway Superintendent for Beacon years ago when he would push back on citizens’ requests for speed bumps in their neighborhoods.
Highway Department trucks and other city vehicles pass through the area frequently, between the dirt and equipment holding area at the Dog Park, providing lawn maintenance, patrolling, and other reasons to rude around the Memorial Park loop.
While there have been no verbal requests for speed bumps this year at City Council Meetings, the annual speed bumps are not there.
SUNY Schools BDS Globalize the Intifada: International Solidarity Panel, July 19
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This Friday, on July 19th at 11am est, SUNY BDS will be hosting an international panel with participants around the globe to discuss the student movement in support of Palestine. Since the beginning of israel’s genocide, we have seen that complicit rulers and capitalists stand on the side of israel while peoples of the world and students continue to stand up for Palestine. It is time we bring together all our movements for a stronger and more coherent resistance against Zionism and imperialism internationally!
Following the massacres committed by the Zionist entity upon innocent men, women, and children, students across the world have joined forces to take an unconditional stance in solidarity with Palestine. The unconscionable human rights violations committed with our taxpayer money– with our complicity –demands that we fight and do our part for the Palestinian liberation movement.
Just as SUNY BDS strives to bring together the 64 SUNY schools in New York state, we are hosting this panel to bring this effort to a global audience. We witnessed in the past 9 months how student organizers become more empowered and successful when allowed to organize in spheres with like-minded comrades. This panel will be a first step to truly Globalizing the Intifada.
Our panel will include students who organize and fight for Palestine on 4 continents:
SUNY BDS (New York)
Columbia University (New York)
Özgür Üniversite Hareketi (Türkiye)
Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS)
Students for Palestine (Netherlands)
American University of Beirut (AUB) SJP Lebanon
University of Tokyo Komaba Campus Encampment
Glasgow University Ghassan for Rector, Scotland, UK
Students will be sharing their experiences from their respective countries, discuss the state of the Palestine solidarity movement across the world, and think about ways to develop our coordination as the struggle continues. We invite everyone to join the conversation in a spirit of international solidarity that we will advance going forward!
**SUNY BDS is proudly not affiliated with SUNY or NYS
Monday's 7-15-24 City Council Workshop Meeting Agenda - What's On Deck
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Proposed Local Law No. 5 of 2024 Concerning Prohibition of Eviction Without Good Cause
Proposed Local Law No. 6 of 2024 Concerning Soil Stabilization
Proposed Local Law No. 7 of 2024 Concerning Dimensional Regulations for the Transitional District
Appointment of Thomas Durkin to the Position of Police Detective Sergeant
Appointment of Kelvin Grey to the Position of Police Sergeant
Presentation of 2023 Annual Report for the Beacon Police Department
Interested in Sponsoring this Guide? Find more details here >
Monday's 7-15-24 City Council Meeting - What's On Deck
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Peek at the agenda below:
Appointing Thomas Durkin to the Position of Police Detective Sergeant
Appointing Kelvin Grey to the Position of Police Sergeant
Referring an Amended Concept Plan for 248 Tioronda Avenue to the Planning Board
Setting a Public Hearing for Proposed Local Law No. 5 of 2024 Concerning Prohibition of Eviction Without Good Cause
Referring Proposed Local Law No. 6 of 2024 Concerning Soil Stabilization to the City of Beacon and Dutchess County Planning Boards
Referring Proposed Local Law No. 7 of 2024 Concerning Dimensional Regulations for the Transitional District to the City of Beacon and Dutchess County Planning Boards
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“Did She Get Hit By A Bus Finally?” ALBB Goes To The Hospital
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Years ago when Katie first started the blog, and later pursued advertisers, she landed her first car dealership client. But before they said yes to investing their money into an advertising campaign, the manager asked Katie: “What happens if you get hit by a bus?” Bloggers are thought to be solo-workers, but one can’t run this blog alone. Needs a team, and I had one. While I am replaceable ;) I am not alone, I told him. I have team members. Fast forward to today, I’ve upgraded our “contract workers” status to employee. ALBB employs 2 people (Katie and Teslie) on payroll, as this is our full time job.
And then it happened. I disappeared.
The night of the 4th of July, Katie went to the hospital with stomach pain of 13 (between 1-10). A piercing side cramp with a side of mystery menstrual behavior made for a perfect storm of a surprise attack of Diverticulitis, as diagnosed by Peekskill’s NY Presbyterian (the best). After several blasts of 3 different antibiotics during an overnight hospital stay, Katie was released and went to the wonderful Women’s Center at Sun River Health, where she was told that the two were linked: a brewing intestinal infection can trigger menstrual movement and get everything out of whack. For months prior!
While on the ER bed, Katie texted her ALBB Co-pilot, Teslie, to hold it down. Katie also did some thinking. Things need to change. It’s been horrifying watching the trauma. Absorbing it, knowing that Israel’s treatment of Palestine has been going on for over 76 without most people (including Katie) saying anything. Watching the lies. Watching people turn their heads.
But not saying anything is worse. Personal life and professional. A person can only absorb so much without speaking. Or, when speaking, getting insulted, lied to, stalkers who sabotage, etc.
Therefore, here is what’s changing:
Donation Campaigns:
ALBB will be having regular donation drives for ourselves (click here to donate online). This money goes to the business of ALBB. It’s why Teslie is here. It’s how Katie is here. We need your help all the time. Support independent media. Keep our voices free. Not free from charging you. Free from being held back from speaking.Palestinian content:
Will adapt again. To be turned into articles to tie locally when possible. We won’t let it disappear from our platform while big media is complicit in this genocide. But we need your help.Beacon Local:
Reporting locally is actually harder than Palestine. Because it’s small town living. But Palestine has cured Katie of this fear. Expect more hard news stories. But they require childcare! They take hours and days to research and write. And childcare costs.
Donate online or in person. Katie can meet you for a check, mail it, or you can donate here >
Deepest Thank Yous,
Katie and Teslie
Tuesday's 7-16-24 City Council Meeting - What's On Deck
/The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM, in the Municipal Center courtroom, located at One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York.
Approval of the June 18, 2024, minutes.
Regular Meeting
Review and hold a public hearing for the application submitted by Robert Martin, 907 Wolcott Avenue, Tax Grid No. 30-5954-52-967609-00, in the R1-10 Zoning District, to allow the addition of a second floor to the existing single-family home, which requires relief from the following: Â Section 223-17 D. to allow for a 5 ft side yard setback (east yard) (15 ft required)
Review and public hearing for the application submitted by John and Gina Canen, 41 Verplanck Avenue, Tax Grid No. 30-5955-83-844052-00, in the R1-5 Zoning District, to legalize the additions (new parking spaces) to the existing driveway of the home, where said additions (new parking spaces) have been constructed in the required front yard of the home, which requires relief from the following:
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Palestine & Congo
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Letter From The Editor: How The $20K Grant Article - With Conflict Of Interest Implications - Got Written
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The genesis for Beacon’s Community Investment Grant "Beacon Recreation Committee and City Face Scrutiny For Allocating 37% of $20,000 Community Investment Grant To Committee Member's Global Organization, Denying Food Benefits To Farmer's Market And More" did not start out as a hunt for details about the recipients, or about who didn’t get funded. It started out as a positive low-hanging-fruit piece, to announce the recipients. That was it. Something happy. Everyone wants something happy from A Little Beacon Blog, right? Right. This was an easy delivery.
Being that I missed my opportunity to share the announcement that the awards opened up for applications because we were in the throws of the genocide of Israel murdering Palestinians in February - we were trying to still publish Beacon content via 14 Days of Valentine’s Day Gift Guide - while publishing awareness pieces of the genocide.
In trying to find something easy and positive to publish, the Community Investment Grant seemed a no-brainer. But during the City Council Meeting announcing the awards, strange things happened. City Administrator Chris White began the presentation by throwing the Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price under the bus when Mark was not in attendance (Mark is normally a very punctual, well-spoken person). Chris announced: “I think Mark forgot.” Then, Chris definitively told us: “About half the Committee really was not interested in this task,” referring to vetting and recommending grant applicants.
Then, after Chris announced the winners - which he named by organization only - one Councilmember, Paloma Wake, asked him to describe on of the winners - The Sports Bra Project - because, she said: “It's not totally clear to me what the program does. Probably helpful for the community to hear how they can access this if it applies to them.”
Councilperson Amber Grant quickly flew in to vouch for the organization, saying she had Googled it, and it came up in an article at the local newspaper the Highlands Current that was published 2 months before the opening of the grant applications, of which one of the committee members Heidi Kitlas is married to a reporter there (Jeff Simms, but he did not write that article). Heidi had voted on the Sports Bra Project, but its founder Sarah, did not vote at all.
Amber encouraged viewers of the City Council meeting, and writers of the titillating Meeting Minutes, to also Google the article. Mayor Lee then also vouched for the organization, saying “I know it's a Beacon-specific organization.” I didn’t think about it until later, but neither of them, nor Chris, mentioned the name of the founder of the organization.
Ok. So all seemed legit, right? City Administrator Chris impatiently hurried this part of the meeting to close so that the City Council could vote on, it, which they did. Done. Money allocated.
But…that part about the Recreation Committee not being “interested” stuck. Who was on the Recreation Committee? Who are these people who are not interested in awarding money to community groups, when they are tasked with helping the City of Beacon serve people through recreational activities? It didn’t make sense. Thankfully, I had childcare for the evening. So I was able to continue on with research. Otherwise, I would have disappeared into Kid Land and forgotten all about it.
Off to Google I went. Found the Recreation Committee member names. Great. Next: Google the article about the Sports Bra Project like Amber told us to. Check. Name of Sara Dwyer-Shick was in the article. Went to the Sports Bra Project website. There were no names there. But exciting PR about them being featured in Australia! Then I read about their deliveries to Namibia. Great concept!
My article shifted to become about City Administrator Chris White’s quote that threw Mark Price and the entire Recreation Committee under the bus. Usually this happens in the basement of Town Hall in the meeting rooms, where people in different departments just rip each other apart. I witnessed it when I was Chair of the Spirit of Beacon Day. Being accustomed to cis white man patriarchal banter, I knew that people were just surviving down there around the meeting table and in the hallways. But when it makes its way up to the courtroom during City Council Meetings, it’s like…gross.
But whatever. Is is what it is. I went to copy/paste the names of the Recreation Committee into the article, and that’s when I recognized Sarah Dwyer-Shick’s name, as being the founder of the Sports Bra Project and a Recreation Committee Member.
I did a double-take. I basically did a quadruple take. I wanted to call someone to confirm, but who is there to call. Chris White has everyone on lock-down from answering questions to ALBB. I was on my own. I deep dove, and published the article.
The next night at a sports event, I heard from people who read the article. They said that their friends asked them about the findings in the article: “Is it true?” I said to the reader: “Even I (ALBB) had to ask myself 5 times if it was true! I couldn’t believe it!” I got more questions from people, asking what the Conflict of Interest Policy was for the Beacon Recreation Committee. I didn’t know!
Next day, I heard from more people. More than one person said: “I miss Randy. I voted for Lee, but I miss Randy.” Former Mayor Randy Casale was a gruff but firm person. Many were rubbed the wrong way with him. He got voted out to Lee. But. He usually duked it out with whoever to arrive at the answer that seemed correct. I liked that about him. I voted for him each time he ran.
Back to the article research. I went looking for the office on Henry Street of the Sports Bra Project that was pictured in the article, and I still haven’t found it. Maybe it’s being sublet from someone else in the only office building on Henry Street. Maybe it’s in a cute house or apartment there.
And that’s how this story happened.
Descriptions Of Organizations Denied Beacon’s $20,000 Community Investment Grant So That Committee Member Could Receive $7,550 To Ship Globally
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Picking one or three or eight local organizations in a small city town to receive grant money will always be hard. Scrutiny will exist no matter what the choice. Jealousy will be around every corner. But the awarding of Beacon’s 2024 Community Investment Grant was just odd. Brazen, in fact. Of the $20,000 Community Investment Grant, $2,450 was left un-awarded. Saving the money for a rainy day? Two applicants were farmers. Farmers can use rain.
Let’s take a look at the five other organizations who applied for the City of Beacon’s $20,000 Community Investment Grant, but were denied. But first…
Background On The Scrutiny
(If you didn’t read yesterday’s article covering this in depth, a recap is below)
The following five Beacon local organizations applied for and were denied funding for this hyper local grant. The three organizations who were awarded funding by the City Council at the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Committee either share an office with the Recreation Department, or are on the Recreation Committee itself who made the award recommendation.
Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White said half of the Recreation Committee members were not “interested in this task” of vetting and recommending organizations for awards. Yet, they recommended Recreation Committee Member Sarah Dwyer-Shick to get $7,550 for her organization The Sports Bra Project that a newspaper article says has an office in Beacon, but mainly ships sports bras to people all over the world. Sarah’s name was nowhere on the Application Log, nor on her organization’s website, nor brought up during the City Council Meeting, despite City Administrator Chris, Mayor Lee Kyriacou and Councilperson Amber Grant vouching that this was a Beacon-specific organization. The Sports Bra Project’s impact to adults and children living in Beacon, or how it exceeds the other applicants, has yet to be determined.
City Administrator Chris agreed with Beacon’s attorneys at Keane and Beane that Common Ground’s application, on behalf of its markets, which include the Beacon Farmer’s Market by way of the food benefits program Green4Green, which gives people with low income money to shop farm fresh produced and baked goods, would serve people outside of Beacon. It is not clear how the Sports Bra Project, which seems to ship product manufactured elsewhere to people primarily in other countries, is not not serving people “outside” of Beacon. If it is because the organization’s founder might live in Beacon (not confirmed), then it should be noted that the other leaders of the organizations who applied also live in Beacon, so this qualification does not seem dominant.
After City Administrator White pushed to close this part of the meeting so that it could move to a legislative vote, he mentioned that the Recreation Department needed to get back to bigger projects, like South Avenue (by Loopers basketball and tennis courts) and Wee Play (the tot park at Memorial Park that received City investment for upgrades). Of the applicants, both Land to Learn and Compass Arts work with kids and teachers at South Avenue Elementary in their programming. The financial diversity Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price speaks of doesn’t seem to be represented here, when published in his 2024 CIG Application Memo: “We have selected three applicants that we would recommend awarding funding to in 2024. This recommendation, I believe, allows for a diversity of funding across several initiatives.”
Organizations On The Recreation Department Cutting Room Floor
Bannerman Castle Trust
The Trust is dedicated to bringing together resources and funding to stabilize the buildings on Pollepel Island. The Trust raises awareness and educates the public and government organizations on the value and history of the island. The Trust raises funds for repairing the island, and creating a master plan and eventually stabilizing the structures.
Contact: Kelly Ellenwood
Purpose: 30th Anniversary Community Cruise to Bannerman Castle
Proposed Use Of Funds:
Community Outreach, Flyers, Postcards, Bulk Mailing, Community Outreach, Programming Tour guide
Requested Amount: $2,000
Common Ground Farm
Common Ground Farm supports and engages the community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture through farming, education, and farmers’ markets. Common Ground runs the Beacon Farmer’s Market, located on Main Street in Beacon.
Contact: Sember Weinman
Purpose: Common Greens Partnership
From Common Ground’s website: “Greens4Greens is a food benefit incentive program, started in 2016, that creates greater food access for shoppers at the Beacon Farmers’ Market, the Newburgh Farmers’ Market, and the Common Greens Mobile Market. Eligible state funded food benefits are matched dollar for dollar through Greens4Greens, making the farmers’ market more accessible to a wider base of consumers. The program has been completely community funded through contributions made by local businesses as well as the annual 'Soup4Greens' event. Our 2024 Soup4Greens event raised over $8000 thanks to the generous soup and pottery donations.”
Proposed Use Of Funds:
Greens4Greens coupons to be redeemed across our markets, doubling the purchasing power of many people who use benefits
Requested Amount: $6,400
Compass Arts
The mission of Compass Arts is to create healthy, just, equitable, and resilient communities through arts based classes, performances, and events rooted in exploration, collaboration, creation, and play.
Contact: Gina Samaridge
Purpose: Free Community Arts Activities Table Program
Requested Amount: $6,500
Land To Learn
Land to Learn is growing a movement for food justice and community wellness through garden-based education. Land to Learn’s in-school program brings garden-based education to 2,000 k-2 students in 10 public elementary schools throughout New York’s Hudson Valley region.
Contact: Stefan
Purpose: SproutED Program for Beacon Schools
Proposed Use Of Funds:
South Avenue Garden Revitalization Spring/Summer 2024
Requested Amount: $5,000
Roll Out FBS
(Assuming this is Foundation For Beacon Schools (FBS), but it’s not indicated on the Applicant Log)
Foundation For Beacon Schools (FBS) vision is for Beacon’s public schools to be at the leading edge in creating a learning environment in which all students are able to find and cultivate their talents, live purposeful, fulfilling, and vibrant lives, and carry their gifts into the future.
Contact: Lauren Adelman
Purpose: Community Art Event
Proposed Use Of Funds:
School workshops, community workshops, public event, teaching artists, supplies
Requested Amount: $3,500
Grant Winners
Sports Bra Project
The Sports Bra Project increases access to sports for women and girls by removing barriers to participation. They provide sports bras to athletes who don’t have access to such a basic piece of equipment.
Contact: The contact on this was an email for the generic admin@thesportsbraproject. But we we now know is Recreation Committee Member Sarah Dwyer-Shick, thanks to a newspaper article mentioned by Councilperson Amber Grant. However, Councilperson Amber did not mention Sarah’s name when she referred to the article. No one spoke Sarah’s name during the meeting.
Purpose: Sports Bra Bank
Proposed Use Of Funds:
Storage bins, bras, support and outreach materials
Awarded Amount: $7,550
Beacon Repair Café
(Located inside of the Recreation Department Office)
The Repair Café idea was born in Amsterdam in 2009 and was brought to New Paltz by volunteer organizer John Wackman in 2013. His dedication, enthusiasm and success inspired others to launch Repair Café events in their communities.
Contact: fromer@sustainhv.org (Repair Café’s fiscal sponsor is Sustainable Hudson Valley)
Purpose: Repair Café
Proposed Use Of Funds:
Materials and Supplies, lunch for volunteers, outreach
Awarded Amount: $1,000
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County
(aka Green Teen, located inside of the Recreation Department Office, but nowhere in the Applicant Log does it specify Green Teen…This was only stated in the City Council Meeting…So it is not confirmed if this is going to Beacon’s Green Teen, or Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Positive Youth Development Program at large)
Contact: jr825@cornell.edu
Purpose: Positive Youth Development Program
Proposed Use Of Funds: Youth wages, Staff wages
Awarded Amount: $9,000
Beacon Recreation Committee and City Face Scrutiny For Allocating 37% of $20,000 Community Investment Grant To Committee Member's Global Organization, Denying Food Benefits To Farmer's Market And More
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During Monday’s combined Workshop/City Council Meeting, where the Council blends two meetings into one night during the summer months (first the brainstorming Workshop meeting, followed by the voting in of some of those items discussed), the Council was presented with recommendations from the City of Beacon’s Parks and Recreation Committee on who to award $20,000 of the City’s Community Investment Program to, a program in its third year.
According to the City Administrator Chris White, half of the Recreation Committee was disinterested in this vetting and voting process, yet did award one of their own committee members 37% of the available funds. To announce the recommendations of which organizations should be awarded during Monday’s July 1st City Council Meeting, the Park and Recreation Director Mark Price, who led the process, was not in attendance. When Mayor Lee Kyriacou mentioned Mark, City Administrator Chris responded: “I think Mark forgot.” Mayor Lee asked if Chris wanted to delay the presentation, to which Chris answered: “No. We were going to award these in April or May, so we are well beyond that. I don't think this is that hard.” Chris then presented the recommendations.
The three recommended organizations were awarded just shy of the total available ($17,550):
Beacon Repair Cafe, which shares an office with the Recreation Department, received $1,000.
Green Teen, which shares an office with the Recreation Department at 23 West Center Street, received $9,000.
Sports Bra Project, run by Recreation Committee Member Sarah Dwyer-Shick, received $7,550.
The Recreation Department’s memo from Recreation Director Mark Price to City Administrator Chris states that it is up to City Council to make the final decision: “Ultimately, we know the decision to which applicants are funded lies in the hands of the Beacon City Council. In a review of all of the applications, we have selected three applicants that we would recommend awarding funding to in 2024. This recommendation, I believe, allows for a diversity of funding across several initiatives.”
City Administrator Chris told the Council that half of the Recreation Committee was disinterested in this vetting and voting process. He stated: “The Council asked that the Recreation Committee vet these applications and come back with recommendations. They did that this year. We did have trouble getting them engaged in this. About half the Committee really was not interested in this task. I do want to let the Council know. People who signed up for Recreation were probably more thinking about how to direct the future of Recreation, rather than a grant program.”
Those who did vote, voted for Committee Member Sarah Dwyer-Shick’s organization, the Sports Bra Project, which received 37% of the grant, totaling $7,550. Sarah herself did not seem to vote, according to the Applicant Log. The Sports Bra Project aims to help girls all over the world receive sports bras.
Listed on the Sport Bra Project’s website is an address of 369 Main Street #1082, Beacon NY 12508, which is the Beacon Post Office. The organization’s summary for what the money would be used for was “storage bins, bras, support and outreach materials.” City Administrator Chris stressed: “Their goal is to facilitate participation for females in sports and physical actives by making accessible sports bras. This [grant] would be for storage containers and the actual bras themselves.”
It was not clear if the organization makes sports bras, or accepts donated sports bras and ships them all over the world. Sarah’s name is also not on the Sports Bra Organization’s website.
Sarah Dwyer-Shick of The Sports Bra featured in the Highlands Current.
Councilperson Paloma Wake asked: “Can you just describe the sports bra project a little bit more? It's not totally clear to me what the program does. Probably helpful for the community to hear how they can access this if it applies to them.”
City Administrator Chris answered: “Their goal is to facilitate participation by females in sports and activities for accessibility.” On the Sports Bra Organization’s website, girls from all over the world are holding bras in pictures.
Councilperson Amber Grant stated: “I will also say that this program was featured in the Highland Currents for their work in Beacon. I just looked them up. I was like: ‘Is this a Beacon based organization?’ And they are. If anyone wants to see the article in the Highland Currents, I'm sure you can Google it.”
The article, which was published in December 2023 and the grant application process opened 2 months later in February 2024, shows Sarah in a photo with storage bins in what the newspaper says is her one-room office in Beacon in a building on Henry Street. There is one office building on Henry Street. The Beacon Post Office, which is listed as the Sports Bra Project’s address, also abuts Henry Street. Mayor Lee Kyriacou also weighed in on the Beaon-ness of the organization, by saying: "I know it's a Beacon-specific organization." Neither Councilperson Amber, nor City Administrator Chris, nor Mayor Lee mentioned at this point, or at any point during the meeting, that the organization they were asking about was founded by Beacon Recreation Committee member Sarah.
City Administrator Chris was eager to end the discussion and move on to vote on it. “We have a proposal that we have a Resolution lined up for you to vote on this. We have $20,000. We didn't quite award the whole thing. I think at this point, our Rec Department needs to move on.”
Who Serves On The Recreation Committee These Days?
Serving on the Recreation Committee are Benjamin Swanson (Executive Assistant for the City of Beacon), Larry Clark, Justin Lynch, Christina Ricottilli, Heidi Kitlas (Executive Director of Soul Ryeders, married to Highlands Current reporter Jeff Simms and hiking buddy of Sarah’s over at Soul Ryeders ), Jim Eve, Hayley Richardson, Sarah Dwyer-Shick (Founder of The Sports Bra Project and DOC of East Fishkill Soccer Club (recreation).
Of this Committee, it was not mentioned who may not have voted at all, which seems to be half of the Committee not voting. From the Recreation Committee’s Applicant Log, not voting were Sarah Dwyer-Shick, Hayley Richardson, Justin Lynch, and Jim Eve. The Applicant Log was included in the Council’s packets, but not read aloud to the public.
How Many Organizations Applied?
City Administrator Chris did not mention how many applicants applied, nor did he name them. Even though they were in the Council’s packet and on the City’s website. Only people who were digging for this information would have to find this on the City’s website and click to download it. Normally, when the Council wants to make sure something is heard, they read it to the public.
City Administrator Chris stated: “We did get enough responses, that Mark Price is recommending that we fund 3 projects.” Eight applications came in total.
Which Organizations Were Denied?
Applicants who were not awarded were organizations heavily invested in Beacon, especially the youth, and included Bannerman Castle Trust, Common Ground Farm, Compass Arts, Land to Learn, and Roll Out Of FBS.
Common Ground was voted for by those in the Committee who voted, but City Administrator Chris said that Beacon’s attorneys deemed Common Ground ineligible because it “benefits people outside of Beacon.” However, Common Ground manages the Beacon Farmer’s Market, which sets up in the heart of Beacon on Main Street each Sunday.
Common Ground’s application stated that the funding would double the food benefits that people with low income use at the Beacon Farmer’s Market. They stated: “Greens4Greens coupons to be redeemed across our markets, doubling the purchasing power of many people who use benefits.”
But, City Administrator Chris added another reason for why Common Ground was denied: “Also, this was just a gift to people.” It is not clear what a “gift” is and why a gift of farm fresh food at the Farmer’s Market landing in the hands of many people wouldn’t count, since storage bins to one person are certainly a gift to anyone, especially ones that can be purchased for $7,550.
Initially, City Administrator Chris did not mention that it was Common Ground which was denied. Councilperson Dan Aymar-Blair asked which one it was. At that point, City Administrator Chris moved to wrap up the discussion.
The Council voted unanimously to award the three organizations that the Recreation Committee recommended.
Community Potluck & Picnic for Palestine - Open To All - Tuesday 6pm
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A Statement from the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition:
Picture of picnic spot at Long Dock Park.
Dear HV Neighbors,
We would like to warmly invite you to a community potluck in support of Palestine this Tuesday July 2nd at the picnic tables at Long Dock Park. We will share food, conversation, and convene in solidarity with our siblings in Palestine. Come and meet your neighbors, contribute funds for mutual aid in Gaza, and learn other ways to get involved. Please bring your loved ones too - whether they are brand new to this work or have been at it for years, all are welcome!
What: Community Potluck & Picnic for Palestine
When: Tuesday, July 2nd at 6PM
Where: Pavilion (covered area with picnic tables) at Long Dock Park, Beacon
Access: The event will be fully outdoors. Masks are welcome but not required, and people will be eating unmasked. Free parking with accessible spaces available at the Long Dock parking lot, and the Beacon Free Loop bus or the Metro North services the nearby Beacon Train Station. Our gathering area is accessible from the paved parking lot via a wide, paved pathway. Seating available at picnic tables, or BYO chair. The pavilion area is covered. Family friendly. Porta potties are available at Long Dock.
We also wanted to share a statement below from the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition about who we are and our experiences organizing for Palestinian liberation in Beacon this year, as well as some pictures! Thank you for all the ways in which you’ve shown up for Palestine thus far, and we look forward to being in community together on the 2nd.
Statement From The Beacon Ceasefire Coalition Regarding A Permanent Ceasefire and Land Back In Gaza
A few Regulars of the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition.
We are the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition, a diverse group of local individuals who are united in our support of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We celebrate that on March 4th, 2024, the Beacon City Council voted to pass a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. As our work for a safe and free Palestine continues, we would like to introduce ourselves, and to share more about why this resolution is important to us.
The Beacon Ceasefire Coalition is a diverse, multicultural, and multi-ethnic group of individuals from Beacon and the greater Hudson Valley. We are Palestinian, Arab, Indigenous, Black, Asian, and white. We are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh, spiritual, non-religious, and atheist. We are 3rd generation Beaconites and recent transplants. We are LGBTQIA+. We are disabled. We are parents and grandparents, mentors and caregivers. We are students and professionals, business owners and day laborers.
Our beliefs are as varied and complex as our different identities, yet what unites us is the shared conviction that Israel’s war on Gaza since the Oct 7th attacks is unjust, inhumane, and must stop immediately. Our coalition’s common goal is to do everything in our power to end the death and destruction currently happening in Gaza.
Since the October 7th attacks, Israel has bombed, shelled, sniped and otherwise attacked Palestinian civilians and their way of life in Gaza. Israel has destroyed Palestinian homes, religious buildings and institutions, schools and universities, roads, bridges, desalination plants, bakeries and all other infrastructure. In addition, since Israel controls the borders of Gaza by land, sea and air, it has stopped food, water, fuel, medicine, humanitarian supplies and other aid from entering Gaza.
Currently every person in Gaza suffers from food insecurity, and people in the north of Gaza are already experiencing famine. The number of Palestinians who have been killed (over 37,000), injured (estimated over 100,000), and displaced (1.9 million) as of June 2024 horrifies us, and our work is in their honor.
We condemn the carpet bombing of Gaza, the forced displacement of its people, their forced starvation and blockade of food, water, medicine, electricity, and humanitarian aid, the constant shelling and targeting of civilians, and the humiliation and abuse of their abandoned homes by IOF. Most importantly, we believe there must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the establishment of safety and security of all Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and the right of Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. It will take action on the world stage, including the cessation of military and financial support from Israel’s many allies, to stop and sanction Israel’s war on Gaza.
We see our coalition’s work as twofold: to send a local message to our national leaders that they have a moral and professional imperative to act, and to build a community and solidarity with those locally impacted by the violence in Gaza.
In January, our coalition began working with the community in Beacon and our City Council members to draft a concise resolution that would send a strong message to our electeds that the people of Beacon want the United States to stop funding Israel’s war on Gaza. We are appalled that Beacon alone contributes an estimated $200,000+ in taxpayer revenue to arming Israel. In working towards this resolution, many of us testified at City Council meetings, sharing how our personal experiences led us to the shared goal of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
While this process built solidarity and community, we also endured injustice as a result. During public comment at City Hall many citizens who spoke against the resolution were permitted to use dangerously racist, violent, Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric. In contrast, several times, the Mayor called out our group’s impassioned speeches as violent or inappropriate even though our group was following the Council’s guidelines. The unfair treatment was jarring, and through this process, we were given a window into the Palestinian experience of invisibility and degradation.
Our goal since the beginning of this effort has been to work towards an immediate and permanent ceasefire, with the right of Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. We do not value one people over another, nor are we advocating for a particular solution to the Israel/Palestine issue. We utilized the democratic process towards passing a resolution with the Beacon City Council – and together we made it happen. We are grateful that the majority of the Council met the moment and voted for the resolution. We see Beacon’s ceasefire resolution as an expression of our community’s conviction that people everywhere from the Levant to the Hudson Valley have the right to live in peace, safety, and security. Together, we will continue our work for Palestinian liberation.
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