SamPratt.com

Power line hearing underway in Ghent

The Article VII public hearing on the proposed power line from Ghent to Stockport is underway as of 4 pm, at the West Ghent firehouse. Judging by the large turnout already, it seems likely the comments will continue well into the evening. The firehouse is located just off 9H near the Commerce Park entrance (a little south of Kozel’s).

$500,000 paid for Allen Street School

Last week, this site reported that property owner Eleanor Ambos was selling the Allen Street School to Eric Galloway, and was also rumored to be negotiating to sell some or all of her other properties as well. Ambos disputed the report, but did not respond to a request to specify about it she deemed incorrect.

There is, however, no longer any question that Ambos has sold the Allen Street School. The document pictured above turned up during this site’s periodic review of public sales records (RP-5217s) at the Columbia County Real Property Department.

This document clearly demonstates that the Galvan Initiatives Foundation paid $500,000 for the property, with T. Eric Galloway and attorney Mark Greenberg representing Galvan as its agents. The transfer was recorded on May 30th, 2013.

TCI already in hot water at the Port of Coeymans

According to an Albany Times-Union report, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has told TCI of NY to “to stop operating because they never got state permits” at its temporary location at the Port of Coeymans:

Officials from the state [DEC] told TCI of New York to immediately stop removing mineral oils and PCBs from electrical equipment for later recycling, DEC spokeswoman Lisa King said Thursday.

The firmness and alacrity of DEC’s response in Coeymans stands in stark contrast to their handling of the PCB handler’s catastrophic fire last summer in Ghent.

Nearly 10 months since that disaster leveled the company’s Ghent facility, there is no evidence that DEC has taken any enforcement action against TCI. That apparent inaction is set against a backdrop of excuses from the State for canceling planned dioxin tests, and DEC inspectors declining neighbors’ pleas for them to analyze samples of oily debris which fell on their yards, homes, decks and pools.

The disparity suggests either a welcome change in DEC’s attitude, or else that somebody with pull in Albany must have a home near—or across the River—from Coeymans.

Local, organic, both, or neither?

My piece on the farm-to-table dining trend in our area—referencing  restaurants such as Crossroads Food Shop, Grazin’, Luna 61 and more—is now live at this link at Rural Intelligence.

Quotable Neiman

Consider what you mean when you tell someone: be realistic. It’s another way to say: lower your expectations. It’s also connected with a view of maturity that holds growing up to be a process of becoming resigned.

— PHILOSOPHER SUSAN NEIMAN (IN THE BOSTON GLOBE, 2008)

Cicadas crash Columbia

The once-every-17-year interlopers were absolutely everywhere at Clermont State Historic Site this Friday.