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June 20, 2003 Reporter's notebook Furor-inducing art makes comeback Remember Frank Kulon's painting of three angels dropping a grenade on Iraqi children? It's the one the county took down from the lobby of the Sullivan County Government Center because it contained an anti-war statement. It's the one that sparked a federal lawsuit: The artist is suing the county, alleging his civil rights were violated. It's the one that led to the resignation of Sandee Pointer, who hung paintings in the center for years. It made an encore in the Government Center yesterday. A group called Sullivan Peace and Justice displayed the painting beneath the spot where it once hung, while handing out peace literature. The group later presented lawmakers with a petition with 100 signatures opposing the county's decision to take it down. County officials now say that Kulon can hang the painting, if he brings it back. Elections hearing postponed Sullivan Democratic Elections Commissioner Tim Hill was ready to come out swinging yesterday against county officials. He sued the county, alleging GOP lawmakers fired two elections clerks without having the authority to do so. He's asking the judge to reinstate the funding to the department and pay the former clerks back pay and benefits. But yesterday's hearing before Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Clemente has been postponed because a witness couldn't attend because of a family illness. New York legends to race It's being billed as one of the most special events ever at Monticello Raceway: 12 reinsmen from the 1960s and early '70s, who collectively won more than 34,000 driving victories and purses in excess of more than $243 million, will compete in a four-race contest Sunday afternoon at the track. Among those ready to rumble are Hall of Famers Carmine Abbatiello, Buddy Gilmour and Del Inski. At 12:15 the legends will be available for an autograph session and a chance to meet the drivers. Post time for the first Legends race will be at 1:05 p.m. Deputy hero Sullivan County sheriff's deputy Peter Ramos pulled an unconscious, 38-year-old man out of a burning apartment on June 2 at the Rosewood Bungalow Colony on Old Liberty Road. He climbed the fire escape to the third floor, dragged the man out and then put out the fire. Ramos saved the man's life and thousands of dollars in property damage, Sheriff Dan Hogue said. The deputy was later treated for smoke inhalation. Yesterday Ramos got a special commendation for his actions at the regular meeting of the Legislature. Sullivan by the numbers You might want to attend the Hebrew Day School's 46th graduation 7 p.m. Tuesday, if only to enter the school's annual fund-raising raffle. For many, the event will recognize the secular and biblical education of its graduating eighth-graders. But no one will leave before the school draws the winning raffle tickets. In addition to many runner-up prizes, the grand prize winner will have the opportunity to choose their grand prize. Hebrew Day School principal Rabbi Menachem Fruchter said, "It will be a difficult choice for our winner. They can either take home $18,000, a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser or 2003 Chevrolet Venture." Chuck's talking, no one's listening File this one under: If it's a Sunday, Chuck Schumer's got something to say. And the senior senator from New York had something to say at the New York International Air Show at Stewart International Airport last Sunday in New Windsor. But no one really seemed to listen. In fact, Notebook heard some distinct "boos" and jeers from some in the crowd. After Schumer's address about war and terrorism and military might, he walked around the grounds with an intern in tow. The intern held up a large sign with big letters that read: "Meet Chuck Schumer." Notebook didn't spy a large crowd forming. Figueroa-App seeing "20/20" Councilwoman Elsa Figueroa-App has had a busy public appearance agenda as of late. Notebook learned Figueroa-App was spied on national television on "20/20." Seems the Newburgh city councilwoman's plea to U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton on a recent visit to Washington's Headquarters to bring the troops home from Iraq was captured on film. Figueroa-App's son, Adam, is a medic stationed overseas. Figueroa-App again We told you Figueroa-App was pretty busy. This week, she also publicly honored the Newburgh Zion Lions basketball team for winning the regional championship in Rochester last month. That win advances the team to the national championships in Orlando July 25-31. Figueroa-App said she figured it was a "good time to recognize the positive contributions of the youth of the City of Newburgh." The release sent out by City Hall announcing Figueroa-App's press conference, which happened Saturday, also included how much it will cost the team to go to Orlando. The pricetag: $13,000. And the team is seeking donations. Organizers can be reached at 565-6151. Confusing signs of the times Which do you believe? A publicly-posted sign, or your own eyes? Last Friday, there were two signs posted on Drury Lane at its intersection with Little Britain Road in New Windsor – one a flashing roadside sign, the other a printed sign with red letters on a white background – both of which stated Drury Lane would be closed that day between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Aside from the fact that this was different from the information state police had (they said Drury Lane was to be closed from 1 to 4 p.m. that day, and they said their information came from the people running the air show), there was another, more obvious contradiction. The road was not, in fact, closed. Hundreds of drivers – including a Times Herald-Record reporter – were able to drive along the road during those hours. So maybe it's no wonder drivers don't take other signs, such as those stating the 45 mph speed limit, seriously. Two clerks, at your service A monthly tradition, begun in New Windsor and then followed in the Town of Newburgh, of opening the town clerk's office once a month on Saturday, continues this month, and this time both clerks picked the same day to open. New Windsor Town Clerk Deborah Green and Newburgh Town Clerk Andrew Zarutskie will open their offices from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow. For those who can't get away from work during the week, this is your chance to pick up that license or permit you've been needing, or to get that document notarized. Cuban sandwich war? Roberto Figueroa's ready for developer Gerry Sanchez's Cuban sandwich shop, whenever it opens on lower Broadway. A jar of Figueroa's mom's secret sauce is going to give his Cuban sandwiches at the Honey Bee deli at Mill Street and Broadway in the City of Newburgh an edge, he says. Can this be a Cuban sandwich war? If you're not familiar with the Cuban sandwich, we're talking a small loaf, with pork, cheese, ham, and pickles, etc., all pressed in a special machine. Delicious. But not all that common. "They're the best," says retired New York City transit cop Figueroa. "Trouble is I'm a vegetarian." He's not gunning for Sanchez's "A Taste of Cuba," which has a large Cuban menu, including suckling pig. "No, there's room for everyone," says Figueroa. Still, Sanchez doesn't have mom's secret sauce. Bigger, better Tuesday's Cornwall Library budget vote rolled up 779 yes votes to 247 saying no, probably the biggest turnout ever, when all the paper and absentee ballots were counted, according to library director Carol Connell. Walden bids farewell to Gridley's Gridley's Furniture at Municipal Square in Walden is going out of business. So the village of Walden is holding a retirement party for the Gridley family. It's Monday, July 21 at 7 p.m. on the third floor of Village Hall. Refreshments will be served. Speaking of Gridley's ... The new owners of the building, Stacey and Bernie Hillman, are happy to report that a cafe will be moving into a portion of the 14,000-square-foot storefront Notebook learned it'll be called The Square Cafe and lunch and coffee will be served, among other things. There will be sidewalk seating and the owner will also have a catering division. The cafe, Hillman says, should be open by early fall but renovations are needed so that's only tentative. Other commercial space is available in the two-floor building. Hudson Valley hot list At the Newburgh Library there's 320 holds and counting on the new Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." They've got 10 copies but they're sending someone to Barnes and Noble Friday night to get four more. Other hot titles: Newburgher James Patterson's novel about six children escaping a government experiment, "The Lake House," and "The DaVinci Code," by Dan Brown, a murder mystery involving the Louvre museum in Paris, and of course, Leonardo DaVinci. Mileo joins race for town board A former Republican committeeman turned registered Independence Party member is in the race for the Newburgh Town Board. Gerard Mileo, a retired IBM worker, announced yesterday that he'll run for councilman on the Independence line. Mileo last year tried unsuccessfully to unseat Assemblyman Thomas Kirwan, R-C-Newburgh. Mileo said the Town Board, currently all-Republican, needs diversity, and he thinks he can bring that to the table. "I don't believe in follow-the-leader," Mileo said. He said the town needs to resolve its sewage treatment situation by either expanding the City of Newburgh plant or building its own, and should put a moratorium on all building until the infrastructure to handle it is in place. Mileo joins three Republicans in the race: Councilman George Woolsey and challengers Gilbert Piaquadio and Robert Leibmann. Councilman Robert Petrillo, the other incumbent, isn't seeking re-election. No Democrats have announced they're running yet. Buy a vase, get free teeth? Janet and Steven Marin of Greenwood Lake had a garage sale June 14, at their home on 15 Woods Road and sold a little more than they bargained for. An unknown woman purchased many items including a pink glass fan vase for $5. Only problem was that four of Steven's front and side teeth caps were in the vase. He put them there for safekeeping, unbeknownst to Janet, so that he could show his dentist what was wrong with them. Janet says now they both laugh about it of course Steven just laughs with "one eye tooth" showing. If this woman would be kind enough to contact them and bring back Steven's teeth he would be very grateful since he has a dentist appointment June 24. Call 477-9420. Large turnout extends hearing After getting an earful from concerned residents Tuesday, the Washingtonville Village Board is extending the public hearing on a plan to rezone a 153-acre farm to allow a mix of commercial and residential development along busy Route 208. The plan would allow up to 250,000 square feet of commercial space on the site, along with 90 homes. Residents turned out in droves to question the plan's impact on already-nightmarish traffic, maxed-out infrastructure and crowded schools. The hearing will continue at 8 p.m. July 15 at Village Hall. Orange County's top dogs Orange County sheriff's deputies Dave Campbell and Justin Butterfield and their K-9s Max and Faro recently won first place awards in three separate competitions at the United States Police Canine Association Trials. Campbell and Max placed in the open class, while Butterfield and Faro took top honors in the novice class. Both finished first in the team competition. Seventeen other dogs competed at the event, which was held June 7-8 in East Haven, Conn. Warm sendoff for board member Departing Monroe-Woodbury school board member Donna Funaro got a bouquet and a warm sendoff Wednesday night at her last board meeting. Funaro, who chose not to seek re-election this year after serving nine years on the board, was praised by board President Claire Perez for her uniquely varied perspective as a parent, teacher, school administrator and community theater participant. "We will miss her very, very much," Perez said. Funaro will be replaced by Catherine Cevoli, who was elected – along with two board incumbents – on June 3 in uncontested races for three seats. War tales Goshen Public Library is hosting a special program this Saturday based on writer Charles H. Harrison's new Civil War novel, "No Longer Warriors." The novel was inspired by a true incident described in the regimental history of the 124th New York Volunteers. The novel's protagonist, Seth Adams, is a corporal in the unit that was recruited in Orange County and nicknamed "Orange Blossoms." The unit defended Devil's Den on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. At the program, called "The Orange Blossoms and the Battle of Gettysburg," Harrison will read scenes from the novel. He also will sign copies of his book. The event will start at 2 p.m. Man: Buying old dump wasn't a waste Who says there are no bargains left in Orange County real estate? Joseph Sotelo snagged nearly an acre of prime Town of Wallkill land for a mere hundred bucks. Sotelo was the high bidder for the property the town unloaded last week. In fact, he was the only bidder. Of course the property is only prime if you're Joe Sotelo. The land sits behind his Bisch Road home, and it doesn't have it's own road access. It's a long-abandoned town dump. "You can't really build on it," Sotelo said when reached by phone early this week. It was after his bid was accepted but before he'd been notified of as much by the town. "Basically, it's a buffer," Sotelo said. So why pony up even $100? To make sure no one else had any designs on it. Apparently, no one did. Pomp, circumstances Earnest speeches. Secret votes. Ties. Re-votes. A particularly tight presidential election? No, the selection of Middletown High School's graduation speakers. The school does not pick its speakers purely by class rank. Principal Bernard Cohen selects a top group, usually between 13 and 16 students and gives them all a shot at writing speeches. The students then give their speeches before the rest of the elite academic group. The group votes. The top two speakers win. On Monday, eight students gave their speeches. They spoke of looking forward and looking back, metaphors of mountains and starfish on the beach. Then 13 teens voted on little yellow pieces of paper. There was a four-way tie. They voted among that group. John Burke came out on top. But there was a three-way tie for second. They voted again. There was another tie. Down to two, they voted a fourth time. In disbelief, Cohen held up the final slip of paper on the final vote. The tally was 6-6. The name on the paper would determine the second speaker. "Michael Cuddy," Cohen said. In 10 years of using this system, Cohen had never had one tie, much less three. Officer in hall of fame After getting lots of local recognition for foiling a bank robbery and hostage situation last year, Town of Wallkill police Officer Charles Bodensieck is now getting national honors for his deed. Bodensieck has been honored by the town board. Last month, he was one of several officers from the area given awards by the Orange County Police Chief's Association. Then, with his wife and kids proudly in attendance at a town board meeting earlier this month, Bodensieck was again recognized. This time, the honor came from the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, Fla. He will be inducted for his actions in June, when he distracted a bank robber who was holding a hostage at gunpoint long enough for the hostage to get away. The man was arrested and no one got hurt. 40 Mulberry Street * PO Box 2046 * Middletown, NY 10940 Telephone 845-341-1100 or 800-295-2181 outside the Middletown, N.Y., area. Powered by THRNewMedia.com
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