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Bonnie McAlister (1953 – 2025)
POUGHKEEPSIE—Bonnie McAlister, 71, of Germantown passed away at Vassar Hospital, March 6, 2025. She was born in Beacon, June 9, 1953 to Noel and Thelma Murry. She was raised in Rhinebeck and spent some time living in California before settling in Germantown.
She worked at Columbia County Mental Health for more than 20 years. She was an active member of her community and was a proud member of the Reformed Church of Germantown. She had a strong sense of faith and connection to God. She enjoyed painting and was an avid traveler. She had a passion for learning and experiencing all life had to offer. She was often described as kind, sweet and generous. She never had a bad word to say about anyone and there was almost nothing she wouldn’t do for those she cared about. She was dedicated to helping others and involved in many charitable endeavors. There are no words to express how much she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was predeceased by: her husband, Ronnie McAlister; her son, Sean Murry; her parents, Noel and Thelma Murry; her brothers, Richard and Michael Murry; and her sister-in-law, Tammy Wyant.
She is survived by: her son, Victor Wack; her daughter and son-in-law, Sara (Matthew) Higgins; her sisters and their husbands, Deborah (Al) Kent, Valerie (James) Vaughan, and Jennifer (Jeff) Hawley; her grandchildren, Hailey Bridgham and Tyler and Logan Higgins; her great-grandchildren, AJ and Eliana Bridgham, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be at the Reformed Church of Germantown, 20 Church Avenue, from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025 with a funeral service to follow. Flowers may be sent to the Reformed Church of Germantown. Arrangements are with the Bates and Anderson Funeral Home.
Canaan has a full house at organizational meeting
By PETER FLIERL
CANAAN–The 2025 organizational meeting of the Canaan Town Board on January 13, presided over by Supervisor Brenda Adams, began with a public hearing on Public Law No. 4 led by Town Attorney Andrew Howard which lasted from 7 to 7:54 p.m. with more than 80 residents in attendance.
Whether the result of an anonymous mailing to town residents or genuine concern, the board listened and subsequently revised its plans. The legislation is aimed at discouraging or preventing purchases of several properties as business only versus residential. The intent is a balance of residential living and rentals with no short-term rentals by some residents. Discussion covered inspections to be conducted by the town enforcement officer, a complaint hotline, a 4% tax, and timing of permits and applications.
Plans for Public Law No. 4 will include revisions based on comments and advice of counsel with revisions to be sent out in a February draft and on to Columbia County in March. The revised legislation will be sent out a bit earlier to be followed by a second public hearing.
At the organizational meeting, the board went through and passed unanimously 51 resolutions covering all manner of business for the coming year, including naming The Columbia Paper as the official recipient for public notices in 2025.
Supervisor Adams reported receipt of a $110,000 CEC grant from New York State with no match required, one of many grants totaling $3,000,000 in Columbia County.
David Patzwahl reported on the transfer station with tonnage in December down a bit to 12 tons for a total of 616 tons of refuse in 2024 versus 587 tons in 2023, a 4.9% increase.
