kingstonnavigator

Saving Important Programs In These Tough Times

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We are hearing a great deal about the looming budget cuts coming to the city of Kingston.  As the city looks at what seems to be a four million dollar short fall in the 2010 budget, we need to look closely at how every dollar is being spent.

I’ve read many opinions as to where citizens and the city feel the budget should be cut. But nothing much on the services that citizens cherish that are in need of protection at this most vulnerable time.

I can think of a few. Our Public Library, the programming provided by our Environmental Educators, the work of Pat Johnson through the Parks and Rec department and the Everett Hodge Center.

What do you think? Feel free to comment here. Let’s also get something going in our Ward Yahoo! Groups. You can find yours on the main page of this blog, or visit KingstonCitizens.org. I’ll work to compile your comments and provide them to the common council and the mayors office to consider this fall.

Thanks.

Rebecca Martin

Ward 9 Alderman Candidates In Kingston

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Kingston’s Ward 9 has a most interesting run this election cycle with three fresh candidates running for the Alderman seat.

There are nine wards and nine alderman – and each one is elected by the constituents in their ward. But each Alderman holds an important role that is not only ward centric but city wide as well, holding a seat on the city council. That means, you need to know who they all are no matter what ward you are in. (Did you know that the council, after the recent change in the charter, gives this government body more power than the city Mayor?)

We will post more on our upcoming candidates. Since Ward 9 has been deemed ‘the race to watch’, we’ll begin here.

Ward 9 candidates will debate on September 2nd at Kingston’s City Hall. Ward 9 residents can sign up to speak at 6:30pm. The debate begins at 7pm and is open to all city residents.

Ward 9 candidates, in alphabetical order:

Debbie Brown (Republican/Conservative)

Hayes Clement (Democrat/Independent)

Mark Halwick (Democrat)

In Search of A Few Good Pens

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I know some of you out there in the great city of Kingston are talented writers just waiting for a platform.

Do I have the perfect opportunity for you.

I am searching for three citizen’s who have an expertise in these areas:

1. Kingston’s History, past and present
2. Current Environmental Issues in Kingston
3. Socioeconomics In Kingston

I’m open to other topics, too.

I’d like to ask for a piece (around 200-300 words. Could be longer if the topic requires it) to be written and submitted every two weeks (approximately).

There’s nothing currently in the way of compensation to offer at the moment. What is certain is a fantastic monthly dinner to gather KingstonCitizens.org’s citizen journalists for a lively and rich discussion.

Let’s get the ball rolling.

Call me.

Rebecca Martin
845/750-7295

Get Your Soapbox On…

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The raciest artistic event of the summer is scheduled for Sunday, August 23rd when the 15th Annual Artist’s Soap Box Derby careens inexorably down Kingston’s Broadway towards the Rondout Creek.

This eclectic event, a project of Donskoj & Company, the City of Kingston is offering over $2,000 in cash prizes for our first, second and third place finishes in the Adult, Youth and Family Group Divisions.

The Artist’s Soap Box Derby or Kinetic Sculpture Race starts at 1:00 PM in front of Donskoj & Company, 93 Broadway, Kingston N.Y. (corner of Spring and Broadway). If you wish to join the fun the rules are simple: You must have brakes and steering ability and your sculpture must not be dangerous to yourself or to spectators. There is a $25.00 entry fee for which you get an official Artists’ Soapbox Derby T-shirt.

Can’t build a soapbox, come on down to the Award Ceremony as part of the festivities where every spectator can become a participant. Wear the loudest shirt you own and enter the Loud Shirt Contest where you can win 50 big bucks.

For more information call 845-338-8473 or visit their WEBSITE

Jazz Legends Show In Force For Local Causes

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If you haven’t yet heard, jazz legends Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette and Larry Grenadier are coming together to perform three nights at the Bearsville Theater right outside of Woodstock this weekend. All of the proceeds will be donated to several local causes that include Queens Galley and Family of Woodstock, Inc.

Tickets are still available. Click HERE to learn more or to get yours.

Below are the details from a recent press release:

BEARSVILLE, NY – Hudson Valley jazz fans will have three opportunities to attend an up-close and intimate performance by three renowned jazz legends; drummer/percussionist Jack DeJohnette, acoustic bassist Larry Grenadier and guitarist Pat Metheny. The trio is scheduled to perform on Friday, August 21st; Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd at the Bearsville Theater, Route 212, 291 Tinker Street, Bearsville NY. 12409. Proceeds will benefit Family of Woodstock, the Queens Galley and others.

DeJohnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music’s greatest drummers and is one of the most recorded drummers in music history – appearing on over 1,000 albums with most major figures in jazz history such as John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Miles Davis among many others. Grenadier is considered one of the most sought after bassists of his generation. He has performed and recorded with the likes of Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman, Brian Blade and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Metheny’s versatility is almost without peer on any instrument. Over the years, he has performed with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie. With the release of his first album, Bright Size Life (1975), he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation of players. Throughout his career, Pat Metheny has continued to re-define the genre by utilizing new technology and constantly working to evolve the improvisational and sonic potential of his instrument.

Tickets for these special performances can be purchased at the venue or online at www.bearsvilletheater.com .  Ticket prices are: $55, Golden Circle; $40, General Seating; and $25, standing room only.  The concert begins at 8:00pm with doors open at 7:00pm.  Concert goers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation at the door.

Swine Flu In Ulster County

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We’ve read that flu vaccinations this fall might mean three visits to the doctor’s office.

With the recent discussion on the progression of swine flu, it has been reported that a dose of the expected strand of flu virus this season would be followed by two separate inoculations for swine flu to help cut the risks of contracting and spreading the virus.

Vaccines are a tricky subject in general. With the rush to create a swine flu vaccine, we suggest that our readers take the time to do some very thorough research. That, and eat your greens.

Not long ago, the media reported that residents be prepared for a potential outbreak by storing at least three weeks worth of food and water. Consumption is what keeps the American economy ‘strong’. With a major slump in consumer spending…

Authorities are wishing to change the term ‘swine flu’ to the strand of virus known as “H1N1”. They want to be certain that families understand the virus cannot be transmitted through the food that they eat. It is true that you may not contract swine flu from your Easter ham, but it is well known that the conditions created through factory farming is indeed why we are in this mess.

Food for thought: Food, Inc

Got Neighborhood Watch?

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Recently, a late night attack took place in the Uptown section of Kingston on one of our fellow residents and local business owners.

You can read about it here: THE KINGSTON TIMES and THE DAILY FREEMAN

Have you considered reinstating a neighborhood watch group for your street? We think it’s necessary to take more of an active and responsible role in handling the health and safety of our city – one street at a time.

A block party is a really good way to get the ball rolling…

Our police department is doing a great job and with our help we could change the climate here in Kingston for the better.

Take a moment to speak to your neighbors about getting together, and use the KingstonCitizens.org ward Yahoo! group’s to connect and to organize (you can find your’s at the top of the page. Click on “City Wards 1-9 Yahoo! Groups”.

As always, feel free to contact us for any help or input. That’s what we are here for.

Rebecca Martin
in**@**************ns.org

Can You Blog?

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Dear Friends,

I’m sorry to report that I’ll be stepping aside from the KingstonCitizens.org blog for the time being. Of course we’ll keep the site up and running. In fact, KingstonCitizens.org founder Rebecca Martin is looking for more bloggers to report on city events. If you’re interested, contact her at: in**@**************ns.org.

Best,

Arthur Zaczkiewicz

Just Dial 511

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There’s a new service from the New York Department of Transportation that just launched, which gives motorists and commuters a quick update on traffic conditions and more via a website and free phone call. People can just dial “511” for an update on traffic and transit conditions. Or, check out the website, http://www.511ny.org, for more detailed information.

The website also has information on ride shares and includes a transit trip planner. There’s also useful links to tourism, airport and biking websites.

A Stunning View

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View of Kingston from the Ferncliff Tower
View of Kingston from the Ferncliff Tower

Last week a group of hikers were led on a short trip through Ferncliff Forest in nearby Rhinebeck by environmental educators from Forsyth Nature Center that culminated with a spectacular view of the Hudson River and Kingston from atop an observation tower.
The hike was part of a series of adult hikes that starts at the nature center every other week. Check out the program calendar on FNC’s website here for more information.
The observation tower at the preserve, which is owned by the Rotary Club, was recently rebuilt. Read more about the tower in this article.

Rain, Rain Everywhere, But Not in the Right Place…

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Steve Noble
Steve Noble

As the City of Kingston explores options to separate outdated combined sewage outflow lines, officials may want to consider including a broader storm water mitigation plan that involves installing rain barrels for homes, schools, businesses, hospitals and municipal buildings.

Why? Well, the benefits are enormous, and include reducing the volume of water that has to be treated. More importantly, capturing rain water keeps it from flowing into storm water drains along with road salts, oils and other contaminants on our city roads. And not only does this make our streams and rivers much less polluted, but capturing water reduces flooding.

This past Saturday at the Forsyth Nature Center, Steve Noble, environmental educator, gave a workshop on rain barrels and how easy it is to install one. The barrels cost about $100, and the water captured can be used to wash your car, water your garden and water your plants.

Steve said during the summer months, a rain barrel can save a homeowner about 1,300 gallons of water. If the city were to implement a rain barrel pilot program, say with 500 barrels installed, more than 650,000 gallons of water could be diverted — which saves money in water treatment costs and reduces pollutants as well as flooding.

Worth considering? And as this prior post points out, there could even be a cottage industry here in harvesting rain.

In the meantime, there are other ways that residents can help to reduce the volume of waste water in their homes. Here are some tips from Steve:

* Don’t cut your lawn grass low. Higher grass needs less water.

* Fix dripping faucets, which can waste 54 gallons per month.

* Take shorter showers.

* Turn of the faucet while shaving, washing, brushing teeth and washing dishes.

Interested in buying a rain barrel? Check out the benefits here. To purchase one, see Gaiam or check this page out.

–Arthur Zaczkiewicz

Harvesting Rainwater: A Potential Local, Green Industry for Kingston?

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In today’s Freeman (Nation/World, page B2) there is an interesting article from the AP on the first national ordinance for rainwater harvesting on commercial projects in Tucson, AZ. Half of the water supply necessary for landscaping for new business and corporate or commercial structures will need to be harvested beginning next year. 

Kingston environmental educator Steve Noble and Mayor Sottile have been in discussions for some time (on the subject of Kingston’s storm water issues). There are other important community leaders and public officials providing helpful information on what to do, too. How about some ideas and advice from the great minds of our residents? (Bring this subject to your Yahoo! Discussion group to flesh out the subject).

With the recent debate of the city of Kingston taking a ‘green pledge’ to work towards more local, green jobs for our community – could harvesting our own rainwater  help to provide a savings of resources and tax dollars while providing sustainable new jobs for Kingstonians?

What is clear is that if we don’t figure out some sort of solution for our current storm water/raw sewage problem the city is likely to be fined upwards of $37,500 a day by the DEC.  “The problem of sewage getting into the Rondout Creek has long been an issue in the city, where some sewer pipes handle a combination of storm and waste water. During periods of heavy rain, the city’s sewage treatment plant cannot handle the flow, and the overflow goes into the creek. Some pipes overflow directly into the creek.” (Taken from the Daily Freeman. The article in full is attached below).

Read on….

Tuscon Rainwater Harvesting Law Drawing Interest

Kingston lawmakers balk at bond to study revamp of sewer system

– Rebecca Martin

Garden City

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There’s much going on in Europe centering on living life without crude oil while reducing electric use and waste generation. In Germany, Great Britain, and other countries there, solar polar and clean energy are top priorities, and sustainability is not just a buzzword, but an employed strategy.

On the food front, there was a recent conference in England that focused on planning for urban farming. Speakers discussed the challenges of transforming London into a food-producing urban city. Check out this column for the full report.

For London, the hurdles are huge. After all, it’s a big city. But I wonder if such concept would work in a small place, like Kingston. In some respects, we’ve already taken the first few steps. Rebecca Martin and the garden committee of the Kingston Land Trust promote community, city and school gardens as well as Victory Gardens for homeowners. Their vision is simple: let’s have a food garden at every home and in our schools and parks.

Of course this is a long-term project that takes time, volunteers and support from local municipalities. But the seeds are already planted and the work has begun, which is why volunteering for this effort is a worthwhile endeavor — we need your help for it to grow.

In the meantime, can you imagine Kingston growing enough food to feed all its residents? I can.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz

Green on Top

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Here’s an interesting read in today’s The New York Times about the trend of rooftop gardens and how some cities give tax breaks to owners for planting them. We have at least one in Kingston, at 721 Media Center. Read about it here.

What’s the benefit? As the Times articles notes, rooftop gardens cut down on storm water runoff while also improving a building’s insulation.