Crews from multiple departments have been battling brush fires in Dutchess, Ulster, Rockland, and Putnam counties over the last few days, and there’s not much of a chance of “decent rainfall” in the forecast (Poughkeepsie recorded its third driest month ever in September with just over a 0.5-inches of rain reported) until the weekend, according to local meteorologists. Add that to a combination of low humidity levels, a forest floor of freshly fallen leaves, and gusty winds, and it’s a “firefighter’s worst nightmare.” 

If you don’t click the link to read more, just know that while a lot of these larger fires are mostly contained, due to the ongoing drought-like conditions, several smaller fires popped up throughout the region today. Several local municipalities have declared burn bans; Outdoor burning is not recommended – no fire pits, no burning leaves, don’t park on dry grass, and don’t toss that cigarette out your car window (now or ever!).

“The City of Kingston needs and wants more housing to be built,”  Mayor Steve Noble said prior to a public hearing this week on redeveloping a parcel in the Rondout.

The site – which consists of approximately 3.5 acres on the corner of Broadway and Garraghan Drive – “once contained hundreds of mixed-use structures, and was home to a vibrant and diverse community that was displaced by urban renewal in the 1960s,” according to the mayor. “This so-called Broadway East project demolished a neighborhood to make way for a mall that was never built and the area has never been fully restored…Broadway East has sat vacant for 50 years, and it is well past time to build more housing here.”

The city’s new proposal aims to acquire the property “ideally by reaching an agreement with the property owners and without having to utilize the lengthy legal procedure of eminent domain” to develop the vacant and “underutilized properties” into mixed-use housing with approximately 200 units, and 30,000-square-feet of commercial and non-profit space. 

The public hearing will take place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 6pm in the Council Chambers at Kingston City Hall. The hearing will also be live-streamed on the City of Kingston Youtube channel.

Early voting for the 2024 General Election continues through Sunday, November 3, 2024. Locations and hours vary by county, and your Early Voting poll sites may differ from your Election Day poll site. Use the poll site link to learn more: Find Your Poll Site

We’ve seen the signs. They are…confusing. While casting a ballot in the 2024 General Election, voters are reminded to flip over their ballots to weigh in on statewide and local proposals, depending on your municipality.

Across New York State, all voters will weigh in on Prop 1, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment. This is the text you’ll see when you flip over your ballot (in New York State):

“This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A ‘YES’ vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A ‘NO’ vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.”

According to the state Board of Elections: This proposal amends Article 1, Section 11 of the New York Constitution. Section 11 now protects against unequal treatment based on race, color, creed, and religion. The proposal will amend the act to also protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, as well as reproductive healthcare and autonomy. The amendment allows laws to prevent or undo past discrimination.

“Prop 1 does not address parental rights, which are governed by other developed areas of State and federal law,” the New York City Bar Association Committee stated. “Prop 1 does not change existing law with respect to parental consent, or parents’ ability to be involved in decision-making about healthcare or medical procedures for their minor children, including gender-affirming care.”

“The truth is, New York law already requires parental consent for minors to undergo any gender-affirming care procedure, and Prop 1 doesn’t alter that,” said State Senator Liz Krueger, the sponsor of the bill.

In addition, the bar association added that “Prop 1 will not change current law with respect to participation on sports teams. Prop 1 prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. Prop 1 does not change existing law and has no explicit provision relating to participation on sports teams. Prop 1 is consistent with Title IX, the controlling federal law that has already been interpreted by federal courts to require young people to play on sports teams that match their gender identity and expression.”

The Goddess Party, a 40-women, Hudson-Valley-based art choir backed by a dynamic all-female six-piece rock band, will take over Basilica Hudson on Friday night. “It is a call for women to rise to power and cast a spell on the Presidential election,” the group said in a press release. A sound bath by Cowgirls Meditate will open the show. Tickets are $25 (and may sell out).

Also this week: Halloween night with Rocky Horror at the drive-in, last chance for Afterglow at Olana, spooky tales in Rhinebeck, Native American Heritage Weekend in Putnam, an Earth Opera in Kingston to benefit Clearwater, and more:

More near-80-degree temps coming our way this week. Embrace it + Vote for your (1) favorite photo entry from the 2024 HVNY Summer Photo Contest. Winners TBA, here, in the weekly newsletter.