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Race honors trooper who died in the line of duty

In News, News - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
April 25, 2023
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By Melanie Lekocevic

For Capital Region Independent Media

Cyclists make their way up the hill on Route 385 in the first day of competition in the Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial Race Series. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

COXSACKIE — The first leg of the two-day Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial Race Series took place April 22, with a couple of hundred cyclists competing.

The second and final day of the race series will hit Coxsackie and Athens streets on Saturday, April 29.

The early spring race series was formerly known as the Johnny Cake Lane Spring Series, but was renamed in 2007 in honor of New York State Trooper David Brinkerhoff.

Brinkerhoff was a Coxsackie resident who died in the line of duty at age 29 from a gunshot wound he sustained in a shootout with a suspect April 25, 2007.

The race is hosted by the Capital Bicycle Racing Club and is held each April, with exceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic years.

The Brinkerhoff Memorial Race Series is considered one of the premier early spring racing series for cyclists in the Northeast and typically draws hundreds of athletes from around the Northeast and even as far as Canada.

Saturday’s race saw good weather, unlike the first installment of the 2022 race, which drew a muted number of competitors due to heavy rains all day long. A total of 208 cyclists competed in the first leg of this year’s competition.

The race series is divided up into several fields — A, B and C, and two fields for female cyclists — depending on experience and ability. The more experienced the field, the longer the course, with more laps.

Each loop covers 12 miles, starting at Coxsackie-Athens High School and traveling through Coxsackie and Athens

There were 54 competitors in Field A, the highest ability category with the longest route — 62 miles. Cyclists Chris Prendergast and Cormac Daly tied for first place with a race time of 2:21:02, with Enzo Edmonds and Erkko Etula taking second and third.

There were 57 competitors in Field B, with a 50-mile route, with Paul Luttik taking first place, Cole Krueger in second and Jayden Li in third.

Field C had 67 racers competing on the 38-mile course, with Jacob McCarthy coming in first place, Kurt Leadley in second and Wyle Solomon in third.

In the women’s fields, which go for 38 miles, nine cyclists competed in the first category, with Lilliana O’Donnell taking first place, Finley Aspholm coming in second and Akira Edmonds taking third. Eleven women competed in the second category, with Haylee Johnson taking first, Lucie Vagnerova in second and Emily Singleton coming in third.

Female cyclists competing in the race series, which added a dedicated women’s category in 2021. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

The women’s category was added in 2021 for the first time to encourage more female entrants, organizers said at the time.

The second leg of the two-day race series will be held Saturday, April 29, with online registration closing on April 28 at 6 p.m. There will be no day-of-race registration. To register for the second day of the race series, visit www.bikereg.com.

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Soft Paws: Winterizing your dog

In Columns, Columns - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
December 22, 2022
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By Charlene Marchand

For Capital Region Independent Media

Pictured with CGHS/SPCA Adoption Counselor Kylie Hulbert, Bella is a 7-year-old Anatolian shepherd. She was surrendered in October due to no fault of her own; her previous owners didn’t have the ability to give her the proper housing or care she needed. Bella is one of the sweetest dogs you’ll ever meet! She loves all forms of affection, including belly rubs. She’s pretty laid back most of the time, but she still gets the zoomies! Bella is good with both cats and dogs, and we believe she’d be fine with little kids. Contributed photo

Many articles are written at this time of year on “winterizing” our dogs. The American Kennel Club puts out a nice resume of cold-weather maintenance suggestions for our north country canines.

Of course, we’ll add some tips of our own to this master list:

  • Provide plenty of fresh water. Use a rubber horse bucket for outdoor watering. The use of metal is dangerous – sticking tongues. Dogs cannot properly hydrate by licking snow. It is not a substitute for water. For outdoor dogs, put out really warm water in the morning, and check frequently. Check your Agway and Tractor Supply stores for in-bucket water heaters.
  • Provide plenty of food. Unless Fido is spending his days in front of the wood stove, a food increase is almost always necessary for dogs spending significant time outdoors.
  • Keep your dog’s paws dry. Salt used on sidewalks and roads can present your dog with cracked and bleeding/sore pads. Bag balm or petroleum jelly works wonders after rinsing feet.
  • Groom your dog regularly. It’s a given that dogs regulate temperature and insulate better if properly groomed. Dirty coats do not keep a dog warm. Give them a damp hot towel bath with a brisk brushing session. That undercoat needs to come out to prompt fresh and rapid regrowth.
  • Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Outside shelters should be raised above the ground a few inches and should preferably be insulated. A rubber or burlap flap in front of the opening is desirable.
  • Though many prefer straw or wood shavings for bedding, a dog can develop skin infections if forced to live on damp material, so check and change bedding frequently.
  • With very few exceptions, all dogs should come in for the evening, at least if temperatures fall below 30°F. If you bring them into garages or unheated porches, make sure they have a blanket, rubber mat, or pad to get them off the cold floor. An overhead heat lamp is not only safe for garage use, it provides an excellent climate of warmth for your resting dog.
  • Watch out for winter hazards. A few years ago, we rescued a stray dog with frostbite on the tips of his ears and on his front pads. He could hardly walk. This animal was a 105-pound full-coated German shepherd dog who supposedly could “take the cold.” I think not!

If you’re thinking of popping down for the holidays with some in-kind donations for our homeless critters, but can’t figure out what to get – here are a few ideas for items that are always on our shelter wish list:

  • Blankets/towels
  • Cat and dog food
  • Cat and dog toys
  • Cat and dog treats
  • Cat litter
  • Dish soap
  • Bleach
  • Laundry detergent
  • Paper towels
  • Postage stamps
  • Sponges and rubber gloves
  • Photo paper (8.5 x11)

Thank you!

Feel free to call us with any questions at 518-828-6044 or visit our website at www.cghs.org. Our Food Bank is open to any from the public in need of pet food or for those wishing to donate food from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Spay/neuter clinics for cats are $86, male or female, including a rabies vaccination and a 5-in-1 feline distemper combination vaccination. Nail clipping services are available every Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the shelter for a donation of $10 for cats and $15 for dogs (currently prepaid only).

Charlene Marchand is the chairperson of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Board of Directors. She may be contacted at cghsaaron@gmail.com.

$756.8M county budget adopted unanimously

In News, News - Ravena, The Ravena News Herald
December 13, 2022
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By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

The county Legislature unanimously adopted a $756.8 million budget for 2023. Courtesy of Pexels

ALBANY — The Albany County Legislature unanimously adopted the 2023 county budget Dec. 5.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy first presented the proposed $756.8 million budget to the Legislature in early October, with a levy of $99,752,250 to be raised by taxes.

Under the budget, homeowners pay a county tax rate of $3.16 for every $1,000 of the equalized value of their property, representing a slight decrease in the tax rate.

“This budget that was passed unanimously tonight represents many things,” Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said. “It is a demonstration of our priorities, a blueprint for the path forward, a promise to our residents, and an illustration of how we can work together, across the aisle to improve lives in a fiscally responsible manner.”

Over the past eight years, county tax rates have declined, he added.

“Since 2014, we’ve cut our equalized tax rate by nearly 20%, giving Albany County the ninth lowest rate in the entire state, ensuring this is a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family,” McCoy said.

The 2023 budget shows a small decrease in the tax rate but does not cut services or programs.

“We are maintaining and improving the programs and services that so many rely on each day, while investing millions into renewable energy projects through the STAGE Act and additional economic development initiatives,” McCoy said. “I want to thank the county Legislature — notably Chairman Andrew Joyce, Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham, Majority Leader Dennis Feeney and Minority Leader Frank Mauriello — for their partnership throughout the budget process as we continue to deliver on behalf of the county.”

STAGE Act — Sustainable, Technology and Green Energy Act — initiatives were allocated roughly $4 million to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in Albany County, according to the Legislature.

The budget focuses on economic development and creating a framework that will be sustainable in the years to come, according to county legislators.

“The 2023 budget makes it clear that Albany County is not only looking for new and innovative ways to help our communities and residents thrive, but is also bringing these plans to fruition,” said Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce. “The Legislature’s wide-reaching and comprehensive investments mean continued economic growth locally and essential programming for youth and historically underserved communities.”

The budget includes $250,000 in funding for the Advanced Albany County Alliance, which was formed in 2020 and focuses on attracting and retaining businesses, and workforce development. An additional $20,000 is built into the budget to establish a countywide beverage trail to support existing craft beverage businesses in the county and attract tourists and customers to the area, according to the Legislature.

Efforts continue to make Albany a film destination through a partnership with Discover Albany and its marketing and advertising initiatives.

Recreational efforts and programming support seek to improve services for the county’s youth.

“We know that certain neighborhoods have been historically underserved, which directly impacts youth and their ability to thrive,” said Audit and Finance Chairwoman Wanda Willingham. “This funding allows the county to support and partner with boots-on-the-ground community organizations that have a unique ability to effect positive change.”

Legislature Majority Leader Dennis Feeney said the budget is responsible and invests in the county’s future.

“Once again, Albany County is providing a balanced budget that ensures financial stability while addressing the needs of our residents and businesses,” Feeney said. “I am proud to support this budget that also includes various investments to ensure our future growth but doesn’t raise taxes.”

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The Ravena News-Herald is a weekly newspaper reporting on the news in the Ravena, Coeymans and New Baltimore communities of beautiful upstate New York.

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Greene County’s independent newspaper. Featuring local news, letters to the editor, upcoming events, police blotter, columns from local writers and more.

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