“This is an outrageous grab of taxpayer dollars at a time when every dollar needs to go county residents’ urgent needs,” said Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith, pictured top right at Thursday’s budget meeting.
A last minute gift from county legislators: $25M in upgrades for Dutchess Stadium
Amendment added to aid the home of the Yankees-affiliated Renegades
The New York Yankees are having a pretty great holiday season. Not only did they re-sign home run king Aaron Judge for a cool $360mil, but their Dutchess County-affiliated stadium will be getting those “much-needed” $25 million-worth of upgrades thanks to an amendment by legislators in the final stretch of the 2023 county budget meeting.
On Thursday night, Dutchess County legislators passed the amendment as part of a $587.7 million spending plan in the county’s 2023 budget with a 18-7 vote.
“This is the first I’ve heard so I haven’t had the opportunity to analyze the issue,” the county’s legislative council said when asked about whether adding the amendment into the budget was following proper procedure.
According to a press release from the county office, “to fund much-needed improvements at Dutchess Stadium that had been discussed earlier this year, this budget utilizes an appropriation of fund balance of $25 million to achieve savings on the project. Taking the opportunity to move the requested funds into the 2023 County Budget through an amendment, rather than bonding for the cost of the project, saves approximately $11 million in interest costs.”
“County taxpayers count on us to be faithful stewards of their hard-earned dollars – to ensure the funds they entrust to us are spent conscientiously – and we remain steadfast in our pledge to return to residents tax dollars whenever possible,” Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro added in the press release.
Before Thursday night’s budget meeting, Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois wrote an email to legislators saying the amendment “circumvents our County’s Capital Project Plan process as well as our Capital Project Policy that was put in place to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure proper oversight." She recommended tabling the request until January once more information was available to be reviewed.
“This is an outrageous grab of taxpayer dollars at a time when every dollar needs to go county residents’ urgent needs,” said Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith. “Our caucus fought for free public transportation, affordable housing, funds for early intervention for childhood education, DCC tuition funds, a Climate Smart Coordinator, and youth mental health beds, of which the county has none. Those proposals were dismissed as ‘too expensive’ – and now suddenly $25 million is available for this. A Dutchess County “Park” that is not free for our residents and that you must purchase a ticket to enter.”
Budget director Jessica White said during the meeting that the project was part of the county’s 2020 and 2021 capital plans, and had been discussed on multiple occasions with input from the public. “This administration has always said this project would be brought forward at the end of 2022.”
Legislators did not pass an amendment to the budget that would allocate $570K to cover the cost of tuition to Dutchess Community College for disadvantaged high school students. Kelly Allenwood, president of the Beacon High School PTA, said, “If only a fraction of that money could be given to help sustain this program, that would be money well spent.”
Watch the full meeting, here.
BTW: Say goodbye to the county exec
On Friday, December 16, beginning at 11:30 a.m., Marc Molinaro, newly elected to Congress, will share final thoughts as Dutchess County executive with a farewell address followed by an open house at 2 p.m. Registration required by Tuesday, December 13, 2022. dutchessny.gov/RSVP
Acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 in. Original painting. Only one available.
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Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 4 in. Original painting. Only one available.
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A 5”x 8”, Handmade, copper ginkgo leaf mounted over top of a piece of burnt, shou sugi ban cedar. The copper is untreated. It will arrive with a high shine and patina with time.
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Wooden clock with laser-etched fish design and iridescent painted finish that shimmers from blue to indigo when viewed from different angles. The small wooden fish in Wanda's belly is a lively swinging pendulum. Laser-etched painted wooden clock dial. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. (16"l x 6½"w x 2"d)
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Hand-painted wooden background with a black-to-blue fade reminiscent of the sky at dusk. Face and swinging pendulum are textured stainless steel painted with subtle crescent moons. Celestial hands are textured navy blue. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. 20"l x 6"w x 2"d
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Square background of hand-painted wood with a textured stainless steel face painted with a subtle crescent moon. Raised silver dots at the quarter hours. Textured black celestial hands. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. 12"l x 12"w x 2"d
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Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
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Hand dyed silk bandanas. Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
21”x 21”
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Hand dyed silk bandanas. 21”x 21” Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
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1:1 DTG printed garment
1 available, Size: Large
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Reproducible DTG garment
1 available, Size: Small
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Screen printed, one available. Size L/XL
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Naturally hued by wood ash and airflow, this tiny bowl measures 4.5×4.5× 1.5” and would serve perfectly as a salt bowl or trinket dish. One of a kind.
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A tall woodfired mug with warm, natural color variation and a smooth, comfortable handle. Subtle ash patterns and a small slippy drip make this piece completely one of a kind. Functional, sturdy, and made for everyday use.
16 oz capacity
One of a kind
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This one-of-a-kind handmade mug showcases delicate crystal formations and soft, natural hues developed over four days in a wood kiln. Shades of cream, pink, and warm ash settle across the surface, creating a quiet, layered palette. Subtle drips and crackle textures add depth, making this piece a one-of-a-kind example of what fire and time can create.
4 × 5.5 × 3.5”
12 oz capacity
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Custom hand-drawn graphite portraits in a variety of sizes: 5×7, 8×10, and 11×14; multiple pets per portrait available!
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Fine art print, 8.5×11
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Fine art print, 13x19
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Fine art print, 13x19
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A spooky holographic sticker for those who know how haunted the Hudson Valley is. Show off your spooky NY state pride with these weatherproof vinyl stickers that look good on anything you can stick them to. Size: 3"
Designed by: © Bee Reckless, @RecklessReads.
All rights reserved.
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Magick is within all of us! In this book, Bee Reckless focuses on ways to tap into your inner magick. Along with the magick within you, she brings spells, rituals, and more that any level of witch can benefit from by incorporating into their craft.
Featuring:
✦ Guides to tapping into your own magick
✦ Spells & Rituals
✦ Kitchen Witch Recipes
✦ Reference Information & Cheat Sheets
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If witchcraft seems overwhelming, you’ve come to the right place. In her debut witchcraft book, Bee Reckless shares spells and tips from five-plus years of dedication to the craft that any level of witch can benefit from. So, fire up that cauldron and charge those crystals… It’s witchcraft time, baby!
Featuring:
• Witchy life-hacks
• Rituals & Spells
• Kitchen Witch Recipes
• Reference Information & Cheat Sheets
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Acrylic on canvas panel. 4×6”.
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Acrylic on canvas panel. 6×8”.
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A creative book on how to use flowers and natural elements to dye fabric and paper through a process called Tataki Zome, or leaf hammering. Local author Michelle Moore discusses all of the elements of working natural dyes from pre-treatment through mordants to the process of hammering flowers. Ships directly from the author + price includes the cost of shipping
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2025. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 10 in. Original painting. Only one available.
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