^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 185 | August 9, 2024

Ackert Hook Neighbors Critique the Long-Embattled Rock Ledge Project at the Town Planning Board //

The proposed 36-unit Rock Ledge condominium project on Ackert Hook Road, just south of the Village of Rhinebeck, remains a divisive and problematic prospect for many area residents, as was evidenced by the vocal turnout at the Town Planning Board public hearing this past Monday. The focus of the hearing was the presentation by the Planning Board’s traffic consultant about his review of the developer’s traffic studies.

Stephan Maffia, a civil engineer hired by the Town Planning Board to review the developer’s traffic studies, provided a presentation with his conclusions. Maffia generally concluded that the previous studies had conformed to professional standards. He went through the neighborhood group's comments and criticisms of the studies point by point and essentially denied all. He said standard traffic analyses indicated no significant traffic/safety problems, although he suggested that widening the shoulder of Ackert Hook Road in one winding place might be a wise safety move. He added that such a road improvement was not under the control of the developer, and would have to gain approval from both the Town and the County. 

Several neighbors commented that they had chosen to live in a five-acre zone and that the density of the proposed project was not consistent with that expected zoning. Maffia’s response was that disappointed expectations are “a fact of life.”

David Weiner, a spokesperson for the neighborhood group, responded to Maffia’s presentation by stating, “We look forward to the environmental review. The traffic expert has opined about things outside his area of expertise, which calls into question his objectivity."

The project, which is proposed for a historic 135.8-acre site, has been the subject of intense scrutiny by neighbors, due to concerns about everything from increased traffic to historic preservation to the environmental impacts it might have on local waterways. Local Patti Lancto spoke at the hearing about her environmental concerns, particularly the impact on the wetlands in the area. She said the project would have harmful environmental effects and asked for a "positive declaration" – i.e., that yes, there would be environmental impacts – from the SEQRA environmental review currently underway. 

Linda Kagan, a resident of Ackert Hook Road, echoed Lancto’s concerns and said, “We need information about how the environmental issues are being addressed." Town Planning Board attorney John Lyons assured those concerned that any environmental impacts would be dealt with under the SEQRA process. 

Representatives of the developer, CB Developers, were present but made no comments. The public hearing was continued until September 3rd.

RFK Jr. is Fighting to Remain on the NYS Ballot //

The Independent campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr (RFK Jr.) has been characterized, some would say dominated, by odd stories and conspiracy theories, including testimony in which he claimed his cognitive abilities had previously been hampered by a brain worm, and the truly weird and questionable story which broke on Monday about how in 2014 the candidate had collected a dead bear cub carcass off the road in Goshen, driven around with it all day in the back of his vehicle, and then decided to dispose of the carcass in Central Park, along with an old bicycle, as a “prank.” 

Focusing on more technical issues, the fact is that the candidate is currently fighting to remain on the New York State ballot for the November election in Albany Supreme Court this week. The controversy centers around his claim that he is a resident of New York State. 

Kennedy has claimed that his permanent residence is in Katonah, in the residence of a friend of his where he is said to “rent a room.” But lawyers for Clear Choice, a Democratic-aligned political action committee that is trying to keep Kennedy off the ballot, argue that Kennedy has resided in Los Angeles since 2014 (coincidentally, the same year in which he unceremoniously disposed of the bear cub in Central Park), and he hasn’t owned property in New York since then. 

This past May, the Kennedy campaign said it had turned in more than three times the required 45,000 valid signatures to get on New York’s ballot. However on Monday, Clear Choice said that Kennedy had been deceitful about his address when he circulated petitions for signatures, and that therefore the signatures on those petitions are invalid. 

If it’s found that the room Kennedy rents in Katonah doesn’t qualify as his official residence for voting purposes, it’s unclear what would become of the signatures or if he would remain on the ballot. Kennedy, who is still registered to vote in New York, said in testimony this week, “I did not want to change my voter registration to California because I’m a New Yorker.” Kennedy is currently polling around 5% on average nationally, and doesn’t have any clear path to victory in the U.S. presidential race via electoral college delegates.

This Week

DIY Creativity

Saturday and Sunday, August 10th and 11th

“Kubo & the Two Strings,” next in the “Yes &” FREE Film Series for all ages. RSVP at upstatefilms.org. Please limit request to maximum of four tickets. Next films are “Ernest & Celestine” (8/17-18) and “Wallace & Gromit” shorts (8/24-25). Presented by J. Mak Hospitality, Saugerties Kiwanis, and Mighty Donuts. At Upstate Films in Rhinebeck (Saturday 1PM) and Saugerties (Sunday 1PM).

Saturday, August 10th, 11:00AM - 12:30PM

DIY Silkscreening, Postcards & Button Making. All ages welcome. Registration requested. At Starr Library, 76 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Saturday, August 10th, 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop, plein air in a setting influenced by Chinese aesthetics. $75 including materials and admission to the garden. Demonstration, $15 including garden admission. Registration requested. At Innisfree Garden, Millbrook.

Saturday, August 10th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Opening reception for Printmaking Show, with original handprinted work by local artists. Show will run through Sept 8. At Tivoli Artists Gallery, 60 Broadway, Tivoli.

Sunday, August 11th, 2:00PM

“The Gilded Age Black Community of Staatsburg,” a presentation by staff of the Staatsburgh State Historic Site. FREE. Reservations required. At the site, off Rte. 9G, Staatsburg.

Sunday, August 11th, 6:30PM - 7:30PM

NOTE CORRECTED TIME – Brazilian Bossa Nova concert. Bring a picnic. FREE. Sponsored by the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association. At the garden at the FDR Historic Site, Hyde Park.

Tuesday, August 13th, 6:45 - 8:00PM

Rhinebeck Legion Band performs. Bring your own seating; concert canceled if it’s raining at the time of the concert. Registration requested. Outside at Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Tuesday, August 13th, 8:00PM

“Arthur the King,” movie presented by Movies Under the Starrs and sponsored by PorchFest 2024. FREE. Movies begin at dusk and the series will continue with other films through August. On the lawn at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

Thursday, August 15, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Summer Speaker Series featuring State Sen. Michelle Hinchey and just added Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, presented by the Rhinebeck Democrats Club. Sen. Hinchey will discuss the bill to create a publicly owned power authority to replace Central Hudson; including Q&A and “meet and greet.” Registration suggested because seating is limited. At the Community Room at Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Thursday, August 15th, 8:00PM

“If,” movie presented by Movies Under the Starrs and sponsored by the Town of Rhinebeck. FREE. Movies begin at dusk and the series will continue with other films through August. On the lawn at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

Saturday, August 17th

Rhinebeck Arts Walk – Art galleries, retail spaces, coffee shops, and bars; downtown Rhinebeck village is hopping with something for everyone.

Saturday, August 17th, 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Opening reception for “Ideas,” photographs by Yoram Gelman. Show runs through September 2. At Gallery 71, 71 East Market St., Rhinebeck.

Monday, August 19th, 6:30PM

“Gentrification in New York,” a roundtable discussion moderated by Nona Willis Aronowitz, with David A. Banks, Kwame Holmes, Richard Ocejo, and Pastor Rob Sweeney. Presented by Starr Library. At Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall St., Kingston.

The pond is now open for swimming at Fran Mark Park, 11AM-6PM. At the park, 337 Clinton Hollow Rd., Town of Clinton.

Now through Sunday, August 11

“Guys and Dolls,” presented by the Center for Performing Arts. Fridays and Saturdays at 8; Sundays at 3. Tickets $29. At the Center. 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck.

October 15 is the deadline for submissions to the First Annual Photography Contest sponsored by the Friends of Rhinebeck Cemetery. Two categories: adult and under 18. Send digital entries to FRCPHOTOS12572@gmail.com. Details at friends of rhinebeck cemetery.org.

Now through August 2025: “Redefining the Family: The Livingstons and the Institution of Slavery in Early America,” a new exhibit recognizing the Black descendants of the Livingston family. Details at Friends of Clermont.org. At the historic site, Rte. 9G, Germantown.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is now available for age- and income-qualifying seniors to support local farms. For details, contact the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555 or ofa@dutchessny.gov.

Rhinebeck Rotary is looking for host families, three to four months each starting December, for 16-year-old Turkish exchange student who will attend Rhinebeck High School. One family has already committed to host the student from the start of the school year to early December. If interested, contact michaelfrazier@earthlink.net.

Saturday August 13th, and 17th, 2:00 - 4:00PM

General Richard Montgomery House is open to the public. Also open by appointment. FREE. At 77 Livingston St., Rhinebeck.

Now through August 20th

“Kibbitz and Nosh; New York City’s Vanishing Cafeterias,” photographs by Marcia Bricker Halperin. Exhibit at Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.

Now through August 31st

"An Artist’s Alphabet,” an exhibit of the work of the late artist Tom Blackwell, a painter in the photorealist genre. At Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Now through September 8th

“Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence,” showcasing a new form of bead art developed by a community of women in South Africa. Complemented by a small display of four beaded costumes. At The Loeb gallery, Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie.