And Then It Was Gone...Things To Do, Shop and Eat In Beacon Guides 11/17/2024
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Moreish New York Is Set To Move To Big Vinny's Old Space
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After publishing the article yesterday about Big Vinny’s seeming to be closed with scaffolding covering the storefront, Morish New York informed ALBB that they are the ones moving into the space. “Just saw your post about Vinny’s - we are taking over his space :) Doing renovations now and will be opening in Spring 2025.”
Moreish New York opened in Beacon inside of the Hudson Valley Food Hall, a starting place for several food brands offering flavors and inspirations from around the globe. The cafe Elixxr got their start there before renovating and opening in a small storefront a few doors down. The Himalayan spiced Momo Valley moved into the spot that used to be Joe’s Irish Pub when that building sold. Miz Hattie’s BBQ left her vendor spot to do catering only, and gave her storefront space to the dessert specialists Maggie and Ease. And the Nicaraguan favorite El Nica Spot is leaving for another space as well.
Morish New York announced their plans to move last week, saying: “8 months ago we started Moreish with a vision to bring authentic British fare across the pond - challenging the stereotypes and misconceptions Americans have about this often misunderstood cuisine. Today we are thrilled to share some BIG NEWS — Moreish is moving to its very own space on Main Street!! 🎉 While we work on bringing this exciting next chapter to life, you can still find us at the @hudsonvalleyfoodhall, serving all your favorites. We can’t wait to share more details soon, but until then thank you for your continued support - we are truly sooo excited to keep growing with our amazing beacon community! ❤️🤍💙🇬🇧”
Immediately one could speculate on where they were moving to, and now we have the answer.
Indeed, Big Vinny’s Pizza & Donnoli is Boarded Up and Seems Closed For Now
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A reader wrote into A Little Beacon Blog, asking if Big Vinny’s & Donnoli was closed. A few days after the question, the eatery was boarded up. A few days after the boards went up, scaffolding went up. The scaffolding goes across Big Vinny’s space and halfway across the church By God’s Grace Ministries. The church celebrated 23 years in 2020, as reported by ALBB at the time.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
This is the same row of buildings where Mr. Alvin Bell’s Unisex Barber Shop Salon was, before the storefront was consumed in fire and never re-opened. Neighbor John the Cobbler also endured smoke damage and was closed for several months before being forced to move out (they are currently housed in the affordable housing apartment complex behind Mountain Tops). ALBB reported on it in this article: “That Time A Lease Termination Notice Giving 3 Days Notice Was Taped To The Boards Of John's Shoe Repair Shop After The Fire Months Prior”
Miss Vickie’s Music was also located behind the shops, in a little apartment that endured no smoke damage. However, most if not all of the tenants were forced out of their homes by the landlord, according to letters they received that ALBB reviewed.
Finding apartments for the same rent was difficult for some, who tended to be elderly. Indications of renovations are up where these apartments are, as pictured here with new materials on the ceiling of the tunnel-like hall leading to the residential units.
Miss Vickie still works in Beacon at the Towne Crier managing their sound board for open mic and other performances while keeping the sidewalk clean. The phone number listed for Big Vinny’s is disconnected, and the Order link at Facebook goes to a broken page. Google says it’s open. ALBB reached out to Big Vinny’s last week but received no response.
Big Vinny’s has been popping up on Sundays at the Beacon Farmer’s Market with a vast and delicious spread. ALBB has confirmed that they were not there last week, and not scheduled to be there this week. Looks like we need to keep our eyes open for where we see Big Vinny’s next!
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Wait...What Happened To Famous Footwear And Regal Movie Theater?
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Upon arriving to the Fishkill Town Center to shop for new and affordable kids shoes at Famous Footwear, the store was gone. And so was the Regal Movie Theater. The Bass shoe-store had left long ago. The Read Scout Reservation Shop is there, as is Dogtopia with all of their dogs, but Olivia’s Barber & Unisex Salon was gone as well.
Photo Credit: Screenshot of photo from WPDH.
Inside the former movie theater, the floor had been ripped up, and renovation work of some kind looked active. WPDH reported on October 4, 2024 that Facebook users of the East Fishkill Community Forum reported that the theater had closed. According to the radio station: “The person that posted the news of the closing, Heather L. Dini, also said that the workers had just found out the week prior. No other information on the closing of the theater was available at the time of this writing.”
On October 3rd, a photo of a man in a truck working on the forever-faded Regal Cinemas sign was taken and published to WPDH, a day before they published their news article about the closure.
ALBB has not verified with Regal Entertainment Group as to when they notified employees of the closure. The media outlet also reported that the movie theater group had announced dozens of closings: “Back in January 2023, Regal Cinemas announced that they would be closing 39 theaters across the U.S. and unfortunately that included a one Hudson Valley theater, the Cortlandt Town Center Regal 'United Artist Theaters' in Mohegan Lake.”
Upon the news of this suddenly almost vacant building, readers of ALBB chimed in with different reactions. Bespoke suit tailor David Reese said: “I remember a time of chaos... ruined dreams... this wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior.”
Wearable art designer Selma Karaca said: “We are bankrupt but we have $ to supply all the wars in the other side of the world.”
Jillian Rotsky aka @therealpurpletutu said: “It's pretty dead. But there is an excellent wine store, Boutique Wines Spirits and Cider, and a great Indian restaurant!” OliveGaza and others agreed: “Gymkhana the Indian restaurant is 🔥 (esp the lunch buffet!)”
Now residents must drive further up to the Poughkeepsie Mall to find Famous Footwear and DSW for a wider variety of lower priced kids shoes. Plato’s Closet is coming to Poughkeepsie, and there are other consignment shops in the area to help with this.
ALBB readers also chimed in to say that Planet Fitness is moving in to the movie theater spot, which has been confirmed.
TOUR: Inside Hidden Rooms Of The Veterans Memorial Building - From Jail Hook To New Kitchen + Bath
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Photo Credit for all photos: Katie Hellmuth
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Days after the City of Beacon’s Swearing In Ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Building on Main Street was disrupted by local Beacon residents trying to reach Congressman Pat Ryan about the U.S. funded genocide in Palestine, A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Harold Delameter, Commander of the VFW Post 666, requesting a tour of the entire building.
Harold had been sending out press releases to raise awareness about the completion of a major renovation on the building, which ALBB reported on here. Renovations included outside work, as well as major work to the inside to not only bring dignity to the space, but to invest in it to comply with county health codes for the catering jobs the veterans book to bring in income.
Harold accepted, and a tour was set up with himself, John McEnroe, Tony Pulliam and Bob Pucher to walk through the entire building - climbing all of the staircases, seeing the restored fireplace that used to have birds in it; looking at the beams across the banquet hall that hold the roof together; checking out the new podcast studio; enjoying the new kitchen and oohing and awing over the new hood for the new commercial kitchen. “You should have seen it before,” Tony laughed. “It gave you the heebie-jeebies 3 years ago.” Most of the improvements were fundraised by the veterans, using volunteer labor where they could.
Upon stepping into the tavern-like room with the bar and helmets decorating the back, Harold explained: “This is our sanctuary. This is where we kick things around. We feel safe in here. Vets can talk to vets. We can’t talk to family members about some things. Stories have been shared that some in-laws have never heard. Guys feel comfortable.”
On the second floor is an “intake room,” where vets can come in who “need help with Veterans benefits or just need to talk,” Harold said.
“This is our sanctuary. This is where we kick things around. We feel safe in here. Vets can talk to vets. We can’t talk to family members about some things. Stories have been shared that some in-laws have never heard. Guys feel comfortable.”
Guardian Revival moved into the building a couple years ago which added another element of activity, bringing with them therapy dogs and music. “It’s very busy in here,” Harold told ALBB. “It was legitimately empty several years ago. But it is used 25 days a month. From FEMA and the Red Cross during disaster relief; AARP does taxes here; the Scouts come in.”
Funding For Any Improvements
Getting funding for improvements has always been a struggle for the veterans. The City of Beacon owns the building, but it was dedicated to the veterans 100 years ago as a memorial to soldier, sailors and marines who served in the first World War. “We are responsible for everything inside. The City put on windows and doors, put in a new boiler to convert from oil to natural gas, did the roof, painted the building, but it was a big push. It was just lip service over the years.”
The veterans have been budgeted money from the City of Beacon to repair necessities of the building, like the boiler or the roof. However, during prior administrations, deliveries on their requests were delayed.
“We spent our own money on the hood [for the commercial kitchen]. Now we can have a pancake breakfast.”
Harold and the veterans have been fighting for money the City of Beacon allocated to them for repairs and upgrades to the building. In 2018, Spectrum News reported that they came out and into City Hall to respectfully demand that the money that had been budgeted for repairs for things like required reinforcement of a retaining wall, new windows, air conditioning system replacement, replacement of the front landing which was sinking, etc. be acted upon, with repairs completed.
At that meeting, Harold, speaking on behalf of all of the veterans, pointed out to the administration at the time (Mayor Randy Casale and City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero): “Monies have been budgeted throughout the administrations for repairs to the Memorial Building. However, only a fraction of that money has been actually spent."
Spectrum News reported that indeed monies had not been spent: “City Manager Anthony Ruggiero said that in the past, there have been some financial challenges -- such as a project estimate that turned out to be too high -- that have delayed the projects. He said, this time, money is available and the projects will be completed, pending approval from the council.”
The newspaper quoted then City Administrator Anthony as saying: "[We are] bringing these back to the Council. The Council makes the final decision. These are what we're recommending. We hope to have that adopted, but the council makes the final decision."
Years later, renovation projects moved forward. “Years ago, no one even know what the building was,” Harold told the Beacon Free Press. “But now, the words VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING are inscribed at the top on the outside of the building.”
ALBB reported that Nearly $500,000 in improvements have been made to the building, which the veterans have organized. The Department of Veterans Services had awarded $60,000 for additional renovations. Some financing has come from the City of Beacon in years past, but the veterans rely on fundraising to get their work and repairs complete.
Show Us The New Stuff!
The first point of pride was the new kitchen. At first glance, ALBB could see that the veterans were really good at mixing assortments of chips. But they have the tools necessary to make anything. The kitchen was renovated “on our own dime,” Harold said. “We ripped out the old kitchen, made it all electric, nothing from the City came for this. We applied for an received grant money for it. Various companies donated equipment. We provided our own labor.”
Designed for their catering rentals, Harold told ALBB: “The new commercial kitchen and duct work lets us do cool events.” Hall donations went to the new flooring. The hood was a requirement for their restaurant permit. “We spent our own money on the hood. Now we can have a pancake breakfast.” With the permit, it gave them permission to charge for food for fundraising.
Everything is new in the kitchen. “We gutted it. New ceiling, electric, plumbing,” Harold says as he goes down the list. “The sink was used. Stove is new. These upgrades have gone a long way to the moral of the troops.”
The Recording Room From Guardian Revival
When Guardian Revival moved in, they built a sound room and recording studio. Music is part of the programming for the Guardians, called Encore, which is a free program providing opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music.
The sound recording room is located on the bottom floor, opposite of the banquet hall, behind a door you would not suspect. In fact, the door is soundproofed and doubles as a full length window so that the engineer can see performers or panelists on stage in the banquet hall as they are being recorded.
The Encore program offers free classes in Beacon called a Jam Session, where veterans can come in with their instruments or use one of the Guardians and casually play with a trained professional. The Guardians programming is based in the belief that making and hearing music helps process emotions. The studio is also a way for veterans to pursue a professional route to music if they are interested.
Harold told ALBB: “We can set up drums here; record a whole band in here; have a podcast here; lots of things. An engineer runs the podcast, with the microphones on stage and a media team producing it.” Before, Harold said, they rented out spaces which was costly, and they had to schedule a time. The recording studio gives them a place to be a media center for the whole building. “Hopefully we bring in the younger generation,” Harold said.
“For veterans who are stuck, there is Castle Point,” Harold continued. Volunteers love to come and play for the veterans at Castle Point. “Veterans see the volunteers, and they sing along. People from outside are there to experience life with them. Music is a gateway to the soul. Everyone owns it. Volunteers, players, recipients. Everybody leaves feeling better.” Sometimes a dog is in the studio, whose name is Noble.
Pictures below are of the Guardian Revival offices. Please pardon the boxes, they did not know ALBB was coming. In the middle photo, you’ll notice the black beams. These hold the roof together as internal flying buttresses. A person can turn the buckles to adjust. When putting it all together, the walls move and until adjusted. This is 100 year old engineering. Harold told ALBB that this engineering was used in the Pantheon. Before the Guardians got here over 2 years ago, this room was used as a junk room.
Harold’s Office
Once a month, a history presentation is hosted in the room Harold calls his office. This is the room where the birds used to fly out of the chimney that was repaired during the renovation. The banners for the veterans that hang on electrical poles in and around Beacon are planned here and the bios written. That program is run through the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), where the current regent and contact for banner nominations is Nancy Giordano. Banners not hung on the poles are stored in this building as well.
The “Missing Man” chair. “Nobody sits in this chair,” Harold tells ALBB.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
“It’s very busy in here,” Harold said. “The American Legion conducted an oracle contest. Boots and Paws of Guardian Revival were awarded 5 companion dogs. Lifeline screening uses the hall. Scouts come in. American Legion sponsors pack 1001. Troop 45 is sponsored by the Marine Corps League. American Legion Post 203 shares with another summit as a way to get back into civilian life. Some activity is happening here every day.”
While it is busy with people on a daily basis, there is one chair everyone sits around. “This is the Missing Man chair. Nobody sits in this chair,” Harold stated. “Guys that were MIA.” Respect immediately fills the room with this declaration.
Harold reminds any new readers that 12%-13% of Beacon served in World War II, which was about 1,704 people from Beacon who served. The VFW Post Gersi is the commander, and William B. Wilson is the first Beaconite killed in World War 1. The Auxiliary is named after him, which dates back to the Grand Army of the Civil War. “We can trace our lineage back to the Spanish American War with a charter. We have minutes with the Grand Army of the Republic.”
On the fireplace are trophies, and next to the fireplace is a display case of even more trophies. A photo of Francis Gerard Peattie is in the display case, who was a member of the Lewis Tompkins Hose Firehouse. Francis was a Navigator Bombardier whose plane crashed, killing everyone expect for one person. After many years, a group returned to the crash site to retrieve parts of the plane and donated them to Lewis Tompkins Firehouse. Harold told ALBB: “The Pettite group located the crash site and eventually located the aircrewmens graves with the help of the natives.” A plaque honoring him was in front of the firehouse, and has been moved to Beacon’s new firehouse.
When the firehouse was closed by the City of Beacon to open the new consolidated firehouse currently on Wolcott/9D, and then City Administrator Chris White would not entertain ideas on what the firefighters would do with their trophies during a City Council meeting discussing it, the veterans offered to absorb them. “We will find a home for it,” Harold told ALBB.
Bob Pucher, a U.S. Veteran who is the Commander of the Marine Corps League chapter in Beacon.
Tony Pulliam sits in the Marine Corps Meeting Room.
In the Marine Corps Meeting Room, Bob Pucher unlocked the door and took a seat behind the desk. This room used to be the Detective Division. Harold is a retired detective from the Beacon Police Department. Inside this room is also a handcuff ring on the wall. There is one on the other side of the wall as well. The Marines took over this office in 1998. “With Bob’s guidance, we fixed it up. Liberty Funeral Home donated. From December 1990-1995, it was the Detective Headquarters for the Beacon PD.”
Harold doesn’t know what to make of the Old Beacon Police Station steps away from the Memorial Building being turned into a cannabis dispensary called The Station from new owners Kamel and Lena Jamal. The irony breaks his brain a little, but he’s accepting of it.
Harold shows the flagstaff. “The moms. Lots of ladies were employed as seamstresses, and made the flag for Carmen Ramputi Detachment. Carmen was the nephew of a former mayor of Beacon, Jim Frederick, and served as a marine for 2-3 days before he was killed in combat, Harold told ALBB. “We honor his memory by the charter. Usually, the Marine Corps charter is named after a veteran killed in action.”
As for the cannon pictured below: it belongs to the Beacon Historical Society, and is on permanent loan to the veterans. “It had fallen down in grime in a cemetery. It was a wreck. We took it and restored it. We think it came from a foundry in Cold Spring. There is a mention of Robert Parrott Design on the back of the cannon.”
Banquet Hall and New Bathroom
Most people who have been into the Memorial Building for the indoor Beacon Farmers Market, or the Annual Record Store Day for crate diving, or voting, have experienced the hall, and the new bathrooms.
The Chief of Staff of the Guardian Revival, Deneen Kirsten, said about the rennovations: “They [veterans] want to come in and hang out and they realize it’s a safe place. They then ask for help.’ Deneen told the Beacon Free Press that with the various programs the organizations are offering, some of the mental health stigma is lifting.
Tony Pulliam, a US Veteran who is the Commander of the Marine Corps League chapter in Beacon, told the Beacon Free Press that where they did not have a handicap ramp before, they have it now, by raising the front porch.
The Creation Of The Memorial Building
This year, 2024, is the Memorial Building’s 100th anniversary. The Highlands Current reported that the Beacon Historical Society has record of the building being built for and gifted to the veterans in 1924. Harold told ALBB that part of the deed of gift was that the building be in service for those who survived the first World War and beyond.
The cost to build it was $60,000, which was at the time the most expensive war memorial built in the United States to date, reported the newspaper. It was the same year that the federal government opened Castle Point VA Medical Center to care for people with tuberculosis (TB) when fundraising for an opening sanatoriums was the goal to receive patients who had TB and needed fresh air an isolation from their homes, before medicine was developed to treat it. The Elks Lodge in Beacon was recognized as well.
Air Quality Returns To Green Good After Light Rain Overnight In Hudson Valley
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After last night’s rain in Beacon and elsewhere, the air quality for the Lower and Upper Hudson Valley regions is Good, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) of New York State.
By Sunday night, the Times Union reported that The Whitehouse fire in Ulster County in the Town of Denning burned across 600 acres (there are 640 acres in a mile) and that 90% of the fire had been contained.
It took the work of 139 firefighters from 18 different fire companies and forest rangers to contain, the Times Union reported.
Beacon's Mayor Issues A State Of Emergency and Extends Burn Ban Until Further Notice
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The day after Halloween, which in Beacon means the air is filled with the comforting smell of a warm fire from driveway or backyard fire pits, Mayor Lee Kyriacou issued a burn ban to protect dry yards and the area from catching fire due to the dry and windy conditions. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar issued a Drought Watch for downstate New York, as wildfires burn around the region.
The City's robo-system contacted subscribers saying: "Due to the extended dry weather and high risk of fire, the Mayor has issued an executive order, effective November 1st, banning all outdoor fires, including campfires. For more information and a copy of the executive order, please visit beaconny.gov. The order will be in effect until November 6th, at which time it may be extended, if necessary. Thank you for your cooperation."
On November 8th, the City of Beacon published a Proclamation issuing an Emergency Order under the November 1st 2024 State of Emergency, explaining the reason for the order. The Mayor stated: "I declared a State of Emergency in the City of Beacon due to extreme drought conditions, wind and an areawide increase of wildfires which threaten the public health, safety and welfare of our citizens and private property."
On November 8th, the City sated in that Proclamation that the Executive Order will remain in effect until it expires, is rescinded or further extended. After the initial Emergency Order was issued, the City announced that the order would be evaluated and extended: “The City of Beacon is extending the ban on all outdoor burning until further notice. The Emergency Order has been reissued and will be renewed every 5 days as required until the risk of fire decreases.”
The City of Beacon also published an Air Quality advisory chart, which stated that on Sunday, November 10th, the air quality in the Lower Hudson Valley region was ranked “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” which includes a warning of “fine particles” in the air. Anyone riding their bike may have noticed floating ash or other particles that were not bugs flying into their mouths.
People with asthma or people in general may want to consider wearing a mask when the air quality level is low and includes fine particles from burning ash.
Fires Rage In And Around The Hudson Valley During Warm Fall - Smoke In Air In Beacon
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"Mommy, it smells like smoke outside. Is someone burning something in their yard?"
"No sweetie, parts of the Hudson Valley forests are burning."
On November 1st, City of Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou declared a State of Emergency in the City of Beacon "due to extreme drought conditions, wind, and an areawide increase of wildfires which threaten the public health, safety and welfare of our citizens and private property." At the same time, he issued an Emergency Order banning all exterior open burning until November 6th. As of November 8th, the ban was re-issued until further notice.
This burn ban was the day after Halloween in Beacon, where fire pits are lit for driveway gatherings as trick-or-treators make the rounds
On November 2nd, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar issued a Drought Watch for downstate New York, and published on the DEC.ny.gov website: "Recent unseasonably warm weather and lack of precipitation have led to dry conditions for many counties in New York, resulting in some downstate areas being put under drought watch. Local water restrictions and educating residents about how to help conserve our water resources are crucial steps to help prevent a more severe shortage until conditions improve."
On Saturday, November 9th, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced a forest fire had been going on since 3:30am in the area surrounding the North End of Indian Lake. They said that multiple Fire Departments responded to the scene, including: Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Cold Spring Fire Company No. 1, North Highlands Engine Company # 1, Kent Fire Department, Mahopac Falls Vol. Fire Department, Continental Village Vol. Fire Department, along with Buchanan, Montrose and Verplank Fire Departments from Westchester.
Also on Saturday, fire crews were battling a 2,000 acres forest fire in New Jersey in Passaic County, which then spread to Orange County, PIX11 reported. An 18 year old New York forest ranger died while fighting that fire. Dariel Vasquez was fighting the fire in Greenwood Lake when a tree fell on him MidHudson News reported.
On Sunday, November 10th, the Ulster Sheriff's Office announced that firefighters were battling a forest fire in the Whitehouse Forest: "Our agency is assisting state and local agencies including several volunteer fire departments from Ulster, Sullivan and Delaware counties in the Town of Denning with a large forest fire in the Whitehouse Forest between the Rondout and Ashokan Reservoirs. Please limit travel in the area as there are road closures."
The Times Union reported that the Town of Denning fire is approximately 422 acres, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, based on a flyover estimate. “Some 185 firefighters from 20 agencies from Sullivan, Ulster and Delaware Counties have been involved in fire suppression efforts. The incident is being managed through the unified command system by Ulster County Department of Emergency Services, Sullivan County Division of Public Safety, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Grahamsville Fire Department,” the Times Union reported.
This area is in New York City's watershed, which "contains reservoirs that feed into New York City's water supply system," News12 reported. NYC Water issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter): "DEP & New York State Police helicopters are conducting aerial firefighting operations to assist local fire departments battling the Whitehouse forest fire ranging across 384 acres of mountainous NYC watershed between Rondout & Ashokan reservoirs in western Ulster County in the Catskills."
According to the New York Times, hundreds of forest fires have been reported in New Jersey since October 20th. Also this weekend, a brush fire in a "heavily wooded section" of Brooklyn's Prospect Park burned 2 acres, where 100 firefighters responded to contain it, the New York Times reported.
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Beacon Voters Can Vote in Any Location This Year Regardless Of Ward
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Voters in any Ward in Beacon can vote in any of the presidential election poll sites: the VFW Memorial Building on Main Street (pictured here), Rombout Middle School or South Avenue Elementary. This was first announced by City Councilmember Molly Rhodes during a previous City Council meeting, and reinforced by a robo call/text/email by the City of Beacon the Monday before voting.
In a change to make voting easier, Beacon joins a handful of other municipalities in Dutchess County to remove the polling site assignment, which some may call a restriction, as it has long plagued Beacon residents who would get confused on where to go and show up at the wrong location after waiting in line.
Other municipalities with multiple wards and locations that allow voters to vote in any location include the City of Poughkeepsie (but not the Town of Poughkeepsie), Pawling, and Beekman. See the Dutchess County Board of Elections website for information.
Voting was rolling early this morning. One reader commented that printers were down at the VFW Memorial Building at 6:15am, but ALBB confirmed with exiting voters and a volunteer that printers were rolling and voting was running smoothly.
Polling Site Locations In Beacon For All Wards:
South Avenue Elementary School
60 South Avenue
Beacon Memorial Building
413 Main Street
Rombout Middle School
84 Matteawan Road
Beacon Councilmember Silenced By City Administrator Over Traffic Safety Awareness
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City Administrator Chris White silenced City Councilmember Pam Weatherbee during the 10/21/2024 City Council Meeting at 1 hour 10 minutes, when she rose awareness about known dangers to bikers and pedestrians on Rte. 52/Fishkill Avenue, which is where Barking Frog, Stinson’s Hub, Auto Zone, Lanks Automotive, Family Dollar, Margaret’s Laundromat, Industrial Arts Brewing, and other establishments are located. It is a connecting road to numerous communities, including Groveville and the Hedgewood Home For Adults. During the meeting, he told the public that she had opened up the city to more lawsuits than the 3 “trip and fall” lawsuits they City is already contesting.
Hedgewood Home For Adults on the left on Rte. 52
City Administrator Chris’ silencing of Councilmember Pam demonstrated how important topics are talked about behind the public’s view when the cameras turn off after public City Council meetings. Some people call this “behind closed doors,” where councilmembers can speak with the city’s attorney about legislation, city employees, or other sensitive topics. It can be the reason why some councilmembers speak meekly in public on a topic, despite having strong viewpoints about it.
What Did Councilperson Pam Say?
Councilperson Pam was answering a seemingly organized turnout of bike-lane advocates, which included adults and kids, pushing for the Council to consider and implement bike lanes in different areas of Beacon, including on Rte. 52. Sidewalks have also been advocated for in this area because several senior citizens who live at the Hedgewood Home For Adults walk on the road as part of their daily activity and errands. These senior citizens are often in wheelchairs, with rolling walkers, are holding hands with one another, or are walking alone. They do not have a generous sidewalk to walk on, and often walk in the street, within the white line.
In her Report, Councilperson Pam said: "I myself live only one block from 52, and would love to ride a bike, but I'm fearful to get out onto Route 52. So I definitely hear that something needs to be looked at for safety. You know, my husband Stew has been biking lately on 52, and there's so many obstacles now for a biker, that it is shocking that nobody is killed. And it's not just from vehicles. It is from even just the how the side of the the road is for them, that it it's really…there's so many dangerous obstacles. So I would love a feasibility study. I know we keep talking that ‘we can't do it…we'd like to do it…’ Is it a reality and what could we get for it there before we start putting in new sidewalks."
City Administrator Chris was initially adverse to the creating of or fixing sidewalks in Beacon in various areas, including Rte. 52, as he said in the past that he was very busy with projects like the new Firehouse which recently completed. However, he has been paving what seems like everything in Beacon this summer and fall as he works with federal grants to pay for some of it, like the sidewalks on both sides of the streets of Fishkill and Teller Avenues crossing over Main Street and Verplanck. The City of Beacon’s Highway Department has been paving as well. Central Hudson has been doing line work underground, which has necessitated some of the paving.
What Did City Administrator Chris Say?
During Councilperon Pam’s speech, City Administrator Chris was otherwise occupied in his computer while she spoke. Until she said: “It is from even just the how the side of the the road is for them that it's really…there's so many dangerous obstacles.” With that, he looked up at Councilperson Pam from his computer work, fired up his phone, and took to the microphone to interrupt the Report session. He said:
"Mayor...Mayor can I just ask that the Council please not say things about infrastructure in the city that could come back and haunt us for a lawsuit. If [City Attorney] Nick was on [the call for this meeting]...I don't know exactly what you're talking about...but...um...you just put on the record that it's unsafe to bike, which is, I...I would challenge that assertion and I...I...I think we should be careful about what we say publicly."
Councilperson Pam persisted: “I’ll send you pictures of the ___,” her final word was muffled as City Administrator Chris spoke over her, saying: “I get that Pam, but we're in like 3 lawsuits already about trip-and-fall things, um so I, I would just ask the council if you have issues about our infrastructure, please talk to us and we can mitigate that. If you announce it in your Report, you're basically putting it on the record so that it can be used against us if somebody falls there. [City Attorney] Nick isn't on to usually say that, but I would have texted Nick to say something.”
While the regular attorney Nick was not in attendance, another attorney, Christian, from their firm was there, but did not speak at that time. Mayor Lee Kyriacou responded by saying: “Ok,” signaling his acknowledgement to move on. But City Administrator White continued: “I think you can make your point without saying ‘Our facilities are not safe.’ I've never been notified by anybody about something unsafe on Fishkill that we haven't immediately addressed. So just knowing what we're going through with the lawsuit at Teller Avenue, I would be very careful about what people say about our our infrastructure.”
What Is The Lawsuit At Teller Avenue?
The lawsuit at Teller Avenue that he may be talking about regards the grandmother, a Beacon resident Carla Giuffrida, 75 who was hit by another grandmother in Beacon, Jacqueline Milohnic, 59, at 3:11pm on a Wednesday, December 1, 2021, as reported by A Little Beacon Blog. Carla died 5 hours later from her injuries.
Jacqueline was driving her 2019 Jeep Rangler on Main Street and was turning left onto Teller Avenue when she struck Carla who was reportedly in the middle of the crosswalk. Jacqueline was ticketed for “failing to yield to a pedestrian,” as reported in the Highlands Current. According to the reporting, “Milohnic, who told police that Giuffrida had not been visible because of a blind spot caused by the front left pillar of the Jeep’s frame and sun glare.” Jacqueline contested that ticket, which Beacon City Court Judge Greg Johnston dismissed, ‘saying it would have only applied if traffic control signals were not in place at the intersection or not working correctly.” However, the paper reported that Judge Johnston did find her guilty of “failing to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian,” which is a lesser offense.
Jacqueline was due in court for sentencing, which could be 15 days in jail and up to a $500, the newspaper reported. During the trial, Detective Brian Lawrence testified that the traffic sign read “Don’t Walk” when Carla as in the middle of the crosswalk. However, back then, it was unclear if that traffic signal turned to “Walk” at all, and was broken at the time.
Readers of A Little Beacon Blog chimed in then, saying: “@janetmelissa: “So awful!! Sending healing thoughts to everyone reeling from this tragedy. Just FYI…the pedestrian lights were out at that intersection for some time. Idk if they’ve recently been repaired…but that makes an already dangerous crosswalk even more difficult for pedestrians to safely navigate!”
And @firstrun said: “Ah, my sister was seriously injured when she was hit by a car at the same intersection.”
When sentenced for her conviction, Judge Johnston fined Jacqueline $750, revoked her drivers license for 6 months, and ordered her to complete a driver’s safety course, according to the newspaper. However, she appealed that sentencing, which got reversed by an appeals court, who also dismissed the ticket.
But the pursuit for justice in Carla’s death and improved traffic safety for Teller Avenue was not over for Carla’s family. Her two children filed a civil suit in February 2023. According to reporting in the newspaper: “It names Milohnic and her husband, who is the owner of the vehicle she was driving; the City of Beacon; and Kearns Electric, the company that services the city’s pedestrian signals.”
Carla’s family’s lawsuit also pointed out the dangers of the Teller/Main Street intersection, by alleging “that between Jan. 1, 2018, and Nov. 30, 2021, there were at least 35 crashes there, at least two of which involved pedestrians. It charges Kearns and the city with failing to program the signal correctly to provide a “leading pedestrian interval” of at least three seconds before the traffic light turns green,” the Highlands Current reported.
ALBB does not have confirmation if this is the Teller Avenue lawsuit mentioned, or if there is an additional one.
Back To Councilmember Pam and City Administrator Chris:
After City Administrator Chris mentioned the Teller Avenue lawsuit, Councilmember Pam did not back down, and said: “We definitely need the Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee here because it has been recorded there.” However, City Administrator Chris tried talking over her again to drown out what she was saying.
He continued: “You can make that decision, I'm…I'm just saying, I…I would rather this the council not hand lawsuits to people because we're in 3 right now and our insurance is going up because of them.”
Mayor Kyriacou tried to move the meeting along, by saying “Okay, so let's go on.”
By the very end of the meeting, as Mayor Lee wanted to end the evening, Attorney Christian, who was there, did chime in that he agreed with City Administrator Chris.
Inside The New Old Max's - Lyonshare Public House - During Their Soft Launch Party
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We see you peeping! And it’s not at the leaves, but through the new windows of the eatery that used to be Max’s on Main, after its complete transformation under new owners and has opened its front doors to welcome you into what is Lyonshare Public House.
The once warm, dark and cozy Max’s, adorned all year with Christmas lights accompanied by live music and Karaoke in the back corner, has completely transformed its look to be an equally as warm, white, brassy, dare we say “fancy”. The “f” word in Beacon (“fancy”) is to be used carefully, as some people in Beacon like fancy but not too fancy.
Lyonshare, brought to you by new co-owner Bud Schmeling, is like a gentle hand taking yours, telling you it’s OK to step into this beauty; to surround yourself with this white marble, brass table and toilet accents, and bistro inspired lighting, with notes from a black piano rising lightly from the former music corner. There may be no TVs, but you have your hand-held mini-computer phone device to watch anything from!
This spot might be referred to “The New Old Max’s” for a little white, much to any new business owner’s chagrin. But that’s how it works in Beacon. A property is known by its former personality for a time until it settles in, makes its own roots, and spreads out.
The Soft Launch Party
Attending Lyonshare’s soft launch party were a few local business celebrities, notably Terry Williams (some may know her as Terry Amoroso Greenough) and Vince Lemma from Antalek and Moore, as well as Jon Lombardi and Janelle Cruz from Carter’s (Carter is their young son). You may recognize Atticus Lanigan from her previous work with Beacon Farmers Market and trash and recycling. She’ll now be making sure you have a most pleasant dining experience. You may recognize other faces from past eateries, like Homespun, who were happy to find work in the new restaurant.
What Is “Lyonshare”?
The name Lyoneshare, Bud explains, pays homage to Capital John Lyon, “a legendary figure who navigated the waters of the Hudson River for 71 years never missing a day,” which is painted onto the portrait of the Captain hanging near the bar. Bud tells A Little Beacon Blog that he wanted to root the restaurant in the local, and was drawn to the river.
The captain was devoted to commanding ships from a young age, and was good with people. He was known to have celebrities on his ferry, including Babe Ruth and Theodore Roosevelt. John Lyon said to Theodore Roosevelt when he was running on the Bull Moose ticket: “You should have stayed at home. You shouldn’t break up the party.” You can read more about the captain here.
Much like Max’s, Lyonshare has a literary vibe. This space may inspire wordsmiths who care to pause to read the framed articles hanging on the wall. From the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman to past media coverage in the Village Voice of Bud’s former restaurant Black Betty in Williamsburg just before the tipping point turned over that Brooklyn neighborhood. Co-owner Bud Schmeling (pictured below) is an English major, for those who majoring in English is notable and sparks a fire deep inside them.
The Bathroom
Regular readers of A Little Beacon Blog may know that we love a good bathroom in Beacon. Some of the best are at Reserva Wine Bar, Beacon Bread/WTF, and The Beacon Movie Theater (at one point StoryScreen). The bathroom at Lyonshare does not disappoint. It comes with a fancy little antique lock on the door knob, and a real fancy faucet. Notable to old time Max’s patrons are the doors of the bathroom, which once had XX and XY to indicate Female and Male bathrooms. The doors now simply read TOILET and anyone is welcome within.
The dark green walls feel like a nod to an Adirondack green, which is common in these parts. Not sure ALBB has seen a bird perched on any other toilet rolls in Beacon.
Do take note of the oyster bar! Lyonshare is not messing around. While this was a soft launch night, and these photographs did not capture anyone in action just yet, you can see the layout.
For those who loved the paper on the tables for drawing with crayons, you will still have your paper. Though paper is associated with fancy, the striped napkin rolls on the table indicate it’s OK to get messy and comfortable.
The menu for the soft launched was scratched in pen. While it was a short stay for ALBB, there was a young child who was enjoying the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Tart and Creamy Slaw and Biscuits very much.
The first menu has been released, which you can see here:
Fight In "The Willows" Halloween Night In Beacon
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Several neighbors in Beacon reported that there was a fight at “The Willows,” which is the loop after Willow Street proper jumps Verplanck. This area is known for its yard displays, usually boasting of fire pits, sometimes interactive candy games, and a temporary haunted house set up in the street. If there are any rumbles or skerfuffles, it is usually not a surprise. This is a destination spot for kids to come from all over Beacon, if kids in Beacon haven’t traveled out, like to Cold Spring or the community across from Dutchess Stadium.
Not all years are teaming with people, as the crowd ebbs and flows with the weather and day of the week. This year Halloween was on a Thursday, which is traditionally an active pre-weekend day, the weather was fine, and crisp orange leaves danced through the air with warm wind gusts. Many kids, teenagers, parents and caregivers were out.
After dark, neighbors reported hearing sirens headed to East Willow, with a report of approximately 4 cop cars plus a “blinky lights car,” is how it was described. Other neighbors reported seeing a fight between two girls, where one girl allegedly opened her jacket or cloak to reveal a gun to whoever was versing her. The neighbors did not know if it was a real gun, or if they actually saw a gun. Young neighbors did not seem surprised to see girls fighting, as they say they see girls fight at Rombout Middle School. Either they allegedly fight, or allegedly talk about scheduling one. Girls have been known to fight on Main Street, as this writer witnessed years ago between two teenage girls with a skateboard. The fight was quickly broken up by a parent, uncle or community member.
Update 11/2/2024: Video has emerged of two girls fighting. This article is not interested in the identities of the girls. This article was reporting that there was a fight, or fights. And for anyone who is surprised about fighting in Beacon, this is to report that fighting is not unusual here. Despite what anyone would like to hide as a bad look. It just happens, and people move on. Wishing, of course, that everyone is safe and the people fighting are able to resolve between themselves. Reports remain that people also saw guys fighting.
Meanwhile, kids with orbie guns were about. Orbie guns, otherwise known as Gel Blaster Guns, look like assault rifles but shoot out plastic orbie circles that never really disintegrate from the earth. Kids of all ages in Beacon have been known to carry these Gel Blasters around Rombout Middle Schools, Memorial Park, the Skate Park during adult baseball games, Loopers Plaza, and other locations where kids gather to have fun. When school let out for summer, Beacon Police Chief Figlia issued a warning to kids and parents not to carry such guns as ALBB reported, as they could be mistaken for a real gun.
Some neighbors also reported seeing what they thought to be a guy in a pig mask trying to sell drugs to trick or treaters, who allegedly got into a few fights himself.
Last year, neighbors reported seeing a man with a flame gun approaching people to shoot their toes. Apparently, he then went into people’s property. Later, some neighbors saw a picture of the man with the flame gun in a mug shot with his outfit still on.
Meanwhile, the infamous trickster guy from Willow Street was out again this year, looking for prey to scare. He stays very still until the unsuspecting person passes him, and then he begins his pursuit.
Response To Social Media Response To This Article
After this article was published, a few individuals from Beacon took to tearing it down grammatically. What is interesting is that when articles are published about fights or police activity in other areas of Beacon that are not “nice” or “suburban” areas, those articles are not picked apart as viciously as one this was.
Below are two video responses from Katie the Editor, Publisher, and Creator of A Little Beacon Blog.
Beacon Parent Asks For Palestinian Flag To Be Added To Flag Mural In Rombout Middle School Cafeteria
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After a learning-session about the 7th grade Boston trip one night at Rombout Middle School, where Principal Soltish was standing in front of the flag mural on the front wall of the cafeteria, presenting need-to-know facts about the 7th grade Boston trip to prepare parents, this parent/writer was noticing the mural artwork and flags from around the globe, but noticed that there may not have been a Palestinian flag. Or a Yemeni flag, and maybe not a Lebanese flag. Or a Syrian flag
After the meeting, this parent/writer emailed Principal Soltish to inquire if the flags were there, and if they were not there, could they be considered to be added there, since there are Palestinian Americans living in the Beacon community, as well as Yemeni Americans, Lebanese Americans, and Syrian Americans.
However, Principal Soltish did not seem to respond, unless the email went missed somewhere. During this week’s BCSD Long-Range Planning Community Survey, in the question box asking if there was anything else the district could do, this parent/writer asked for them to consider adding the Palestinian, Yemeni, Lebanese, and Syrian flags to the mural wall in Rombout Middle School. If there is such a flag mural in the High School or Elementary Schools, could such an inclusive gesture be considered as well.
On the flag mural wall in the middle school is a quote from Steven Covey that reads:
“Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities.” This quote has been attached to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, the framework you can read briefly about here, which adds more considerations.
Perhaps students in the Beacon City School District would start a petition to request this addition be made by the administration.
Last Chance To Submit Ideas and Feedback For The Beacon City School District's Long-Range Planning Survey
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There are only hours left to submit your feedback and ideas for the Beacon City School District’s Long-Range Planning Survey. The online survey closes at 9pm Monday evening, Dr. Landahl told district families by email and robo-text.
The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete, and asks questions like: “What would you like to see improve, grow, or change about our extra and co-curricular activities? (clubs, sports, art, music, theater, etc.)” and “How can we help make the district more welcoming and inclusive of all students, staff, and families?”
District families can find the link to the online survey in their inboxes or text or on the school’s website.
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