COPAKE—Incumbent Democratic Town Board members Linda Gabaccia and Bob Sacks and incumbent Justice Brian Herman, also a Democrat, all won their party’s nomination for re-election in the November 3 election.
More than 100 Town Democrats met for their caucus June 20 at Town Hall.
In uncontested nominations, Democrats overwhelmingly backed Councilwoman Gabaccia and Councilman Sacks in their bids for re-election, each to a second four-year term on the Town Board.
In their acceptance speeches, the candidates both noted their accomplishments in the past four years on the Town Board and the need to continue to move the town forward, according to a press release from the town Democratic Club.
Also nominated without opposition was Town Justice Herman, who will run for a second four-year term on the bench.
In his acceptance speech, Judge Herman noted the many improvements made to the Town Court as a result of his efforts, all at no cost to Copake taxpayers.
In the only contest for a nomination, Loredana Delventhal of Copake Falls was the party’s choice for assessor. Also nominated for the post was David Gordineer, an Independence Party member, who was the Democratic nominee last November and was elected to fill a vacancy for a one-year assessor term.
The vote count in Ms. Delventhal’s favor was 79 to 13.
Ms. Delventhal is a certified paralegal, has her real estate sales license and intends to begin the assessor training course in October.
In her acceptance speech, she spoke of her great eagerness to give back to the community that has been so good to her. Ms. Delventhal is a new U.S. citizen, having immigrated from Romania, according to Copake Democratic Committee Chair Carol Sacks.
Copake Republicans will caucus Tuesday, June 30, 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
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Pot producers pop up in Copake
By DAVID LEE
COPAKE – In New York State, the recreational use of cannabis has been legal for adults ages 21 and over since 2021. As the roll-out for selling in any legal way has been slow, cannabis showcases have been conducted around the state. A pop-up cannabis farmer’s market has been held every weekend since August 17 at Empire Farm.
The farm brought together growers, processors and distributors. Growers showing their wares were Starlit420 from the Finger Lakes region, Chessworth Farm in Jefferson County on the Canadian border and Empire Farm in Copake, host of the event. All In One Processing and Manufacture showed their edibles and vape systems and Legacy Dispensaries represented distributors. Hours are Saturday from noon to 6:30 p.m. for the rest of the year.
Licensing for storefront and distribution sales has been stopped due to law suits that claim unfairness. Tessa Williams is an author, entrepreneur, and proprietor of Empire Farm and the founder of FarmOn! Foundation, a non-profit started in 2011 to foster agricultural engagement especially among young and beginning farmers.
She said, “They told us to grow. Now we have all this product and no way to market it. This is the only way for us to sell.”
A cannabis entrepreneur with a conditional license is limited to one of the three license categories: adult use conditional cultivator the farmer who grows the plants, the adult use processor who prepares the plants in the form of smoking, edibles or vaping options, and the conditional adult-use retail dispensary. A grower can not distribute or process. At the Empire Farm showcase, the various forms of cannabis can be selected for purchase from the licensed growers, but the transaction and dispensation may only be done by the licensed distributor. Consumption is not allowed on the premises.
The dispensary category has its own unique requirements. Now that cannabis has been made legal in New York, there are a lot of aggrieved people who have spent years in prison for something that is now permitted. The state CAURD Program (Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Retail Dispensary) which oversees the licensing of retail dispensaries, prioritizes people who have been formally convicted of a cannabis related offense in New York State, with the purpose of “speeding the delivery of investments into communities across New York State that were impacted by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition,” according to the New York State Office Cannabis Management.
The beast at the heart of the labyrinth is the fact that cannabis is still federally prohibited. The Drug Enforcement Administration lists it as a Schedule I substance. On a scale from I-V, Schedule I substances are defined as “drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.” Other drugs listed in this category are heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, methaqualone and peyote. The validity of that categorization will undoubtedly be put to the test in the future as recreational cannabis is currently legal and decriminalized in 25 states. There are six states where it remains entirely illegal. The remainder of states have some mixed legality such as an allowance for non-psychoactive CDB which has specific medicinal applications.
For those engaged with the growing, processing and sale of recreational marijuana everything feels conditional. Matthew Robinson is the proprietor of Legacy Dispensaries. He is a beneficiary of the state CAURD program.
“I’m one of the lucky 23, there are 400 or so that can’t get their licenses, and they’ve invested a lot of money— I’ve invested a lot of money…..Right now the CGS (Cannabis Growers Showcase) event is all we have.
“The Copake event is chill, relaxed, It has a good vibe. I always have a good time when I go down there,” he said.
Mr. Robinson spoke of the additional problem of corporate multi-state operators who he feels distort the rules to their advantage.
“I have nothing against making money, but they are trying to stop others from making money. They can do this because they have a lot of money to start with,” he said.
Mr. Robinson’s store will be in Colonie when he gets permission to build it.
Capital Region Independent Media salutes community’s Top 5 award winners
By Doug La Rocque
For Capital Region Independent Media
COXSACKIE — There were more than a few moist eyes and tears shed at the inaugural TOP 5IVE Community Changemakers Awards Ceremony at The Wire in Coxsackie on Friday evening, March 31.
The event was the brainchild of Capital Region Independent Media (CRIM) Publisher Warren Dews Jr., whose idea was to have the Southern Albany, Greene and Columbia county communities nominate people or businesses that have helped bring about a positive change in their community, uplift the spirits of those around them and generally make the lives of the people they touch happier and more productive.
It was an idea that was very well received and the communities responded with great nominees.
Initially, four categories were identified with five winners for each. According to Dews, these categories will change each year. For 2023, area youth, black/indigenous people of color (BIPOC), women and businesses were selected.
The winners were profiled in the Ravena News-Herald, The Columbia Paper, Greenville Pioneer and online at TheUpStater.com. Those selected joined with the event’s sponsors and CRIM personnel to receive their awards at a gala banquet at The Wire in downtown Coxsackie.
“I was actually holding back tears all night because being in the room with these amazing people really touched my heart,” Dews Jr. said.
Here are the award winners in each category:
YOUTH:
- Fathima Chowdhury – The junior at Hudson High School is a member of the National Honor Society, student council and president of the school’s Multicultural Club. While accepting her award, Chowdhury said it’s humbling to be recognized for all the efforts she put forth in her school and community. “I am so proud to represent Hudson and its youth,” she said.
- Alivia Ortiz — A junior at RCS High School, she excels in sports and the arts. Ortiz said she is proud to be honored but felt “it is important to recognize all in the RCS community who put forth so much each day.”
- Hunter Smigel — The Greenville High School senior is very active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs and is the student representative to the school board. Smigel perhaps summed up what many were thinking when he said, “It’s awesome to see an event like this that brings the community together.”
- Lanija Williams — The RCS junior has a special interest in art and working with children. She is a recent recipient of a national arts award from Howard University and credits her community and school “for helping me do a lot more than I thought I could do.” Williams is also a strong advocate for diversity in her community.
- Olivia Ruso — The Greenville High School senior is involved in sports, theater and community service. She hosts a Spartanville Spotlight show helping to keep her classmates apprised of what is going on in their school.
BIPOC:
- Claire Cousin — The executive director of the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition said succinctly, “I love my community and I love to be of service to it.”
- Vern Cross — The host of a popular radio show shining a light on topics as suicide, mental health and many others, Cross talked about the “all-hands-on deck” approach to helping the community deal with the important problems they face today.
- Mayor Kamal Johnson — Johnsonis the first African-American mayor of Hudson, elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. Noting the award is not about him but all of those in the city, he further stated he is “inspired by our youth and looks forward to their amazing accomplishments.”
- Elena Mosley — The Claverack resident is the founding member of Operation Unite New York in Hudson, whose mission is to produce well-rounded progressive youth. Mosley said she has found a calling in working with youth and families and urged all to “do good and have fun.”
- Pastor Victor Harris — The director of the Albany Adult & Teen Challenge in Ravena works to help those “suffering from the scourge of addiction” through a faith-based program. He wanted to “thank God for his sovereign goodness” for their success.
WOMEN:
- Dr. Elizabeth Boomhower — Raised in Greenville, Dr. Boomhower returned to her hometown following completion of her chiropractic education to open her own care and wellness practice.
- Tina Dipper — The Hudson resident is the executive director of the Perfect Ten Afterschool Program for girls in the city that includes yoga, horseback riding, outdoor nature classes and more. While accepting her award, Dipper said, “It warms my heart to see people take time to honor those who do such great work for their community.”
- Rebecca Flach — Flach currently holds leadership positions in three not-for-profit organizations in the RCS area and says she “is so thankful for all who put forth so much for the community.”
- Marilyn Peters Houghtaling — Houghtaling isactive in many programs in the RCS community, particularly Pop Warner football, and said she “is really proud of their youth programs” and urged all to “keep doing what you are doing because it’s really amazing.”
- Jennifer Moore-Warren — The Coxsackie native is involved in many aspects of her community, particularly firefighting and EMS. “I was raised to be a quiet servant. You see what you have to do and just go do it.”
BUSINESS:
- Columbia County Habitat for Humanity — The organization rehabilitates and builds homes for low-income families. Executive Director Al Bellenchia said, “We have an aggressive building plan over the next two years.”
- Plaza Diner – A staple in the Hudson area, the restaurant offers a diverse cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Manager Ally Alesi said their customers are like family and whenever we can, “We are proud to give back to our community.”
- Ravena Shop ‘n’ Save – Manager Kyle Smith was humble in accepting the award. He said, “We have so many fantastic employees working at the store. They are the ones who deserve the honor.”
- TCI of New York – Born 60 some years ago in Coeymans, the firm offers a one-stop management solution for the recycling, disposal and repair of transformers and other oil-filled electrical equipment. Company representatives told those at the gala “we are so privileged to be part of this community.”
- Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation – The 30-acre facility in Westerlo is an advocacy and rescue organization. Founder Susan Kayne said, “We have had the privilege of rescuing hundreds of horses and saving them from the slaughter pipeline.”
At the conclusion of the evening’s festivities, CRIM President Mark Vinciquerra said “It was our pleasure to host this inaugural event, which brought together 20 unbelievably deserving honorees from our publication’s area. We look forward to continuing to host and modify this event in the future.”
The gala was catered by the Firehouse Café & Bistro of Adams, Massachusetts, with the Bronte Roman Jazz and Pop band providing the music. The primary sponsors of the festivities included Shop ‘n’ Save, Lafarge Holcim and TCI of New York.
Dews said organizing and hosting the event honoring local leaders and changemakers was a rewarding experience.
“Bringing people together through the pages of our newspapers (print and digital) and in person is what I LOVE about my job,” Dews said.
Check out a photo gallery from Friday’s event at https://theupstater.com/2023-top-5/
Here are more photos from Friday’s event:
