Gorgeous pictures, thanks David. It should be a reminder to all of us that during these times when things get so overwhelming to take a few minutes and enjoy the true beauty that surrounds us every single day. The air is crisp, the foliage spectacular. ENJOY.
Hi, Rene, I'm glad you liked the foggy photos. Having the Mohawk River at my backdoor (and down the block) is a special treat and I'm learning to take more time for those important little moments of beauty.
Very professional pictures. Clear and crisp. They really are very nice! thanks.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
SCHENECTADY Plan for Riverside dock advances Neighborhood vote to follow decision by city BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
A dock may soon grace the shore of Riverside Park, finally opening the city’s historic district to tourists who pass by on boats. But the neighborhood is still divided over whether to allow a dock, and residents there were taken by surprise when the City Council decided Monday to move forward with the last step in the dock-approval process. If the fi nal procedures move along according to plan, the dock could be built by late summer. Residents thought they had more time to discuss the issue. After more than a year of debate, the neighborhood board scheduled a special meeting for April 22, at which every dues-paying resident will be allowed to vote on the issue. The meeting is expected to be wellattended, with passionate debate on both sides, and neighborhood leaders clearly expect the vote to have a meaningful impact on whether the dock is constructed. But the City Council is planning to make its final vote next Monday, and council members offered nothing but praise about the plan, indicating that it has their full support. It is not at all clear whether the neighborhood feels the same way. “There are both pros and cons,” said Stockade Association President Lyn Gordon. “There’s a faction that is solidly supporting it, and there’s a faction that is not.” The board has decided to remain neutral, and has not taken a vote. Those who support the dock appear to be basing some of their arguments on the fact that the historic replica of the ship Onrust will be based at the dock. Children will come to the ship for educational programs and school field trips. Supporters say the ship — which is fully operational and was built by locals last year — will fit in well with the district’s museum, historic walking tours and history-oriented festivals. “In some people’s views, the Onrust would be a big asset,” said Gordon, who spoke carefully to preserve her neutrality. Others are worried that the boat, and the dock itself, will attract large groups, she said. “We have such a parking problem here,” she said. “Some people don’t want any development of the park. They want to keep it pastoral and quiet.” Among the opponents is David Giacalone, who likes the park the way it is. “Look how nicely it’s developed!” he said. “It doesn’t need any major change. They’re going to increase the noise, increase the gasoline spills, and increase the need for other services that don’t exist.” He said he was dismayed to learn that the council is poised to make a decision before the Stockade meeting. “They really should listen to the neighborhood,” he said. .....................>>>>....................>>>>.................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00701&AppName=1
Schenectady’s City Council is set to give final approval Monday to a new dock in the Stockade, but the Stockade Association would like it to hold off until April 22, when a special meeting will be held for dues-paying members to vote on the subject. The councilmen and women should do that only if they are prepared to reject the dock if a majority of the neighborhood group votes against it — and they shouldn’t be. The arguments in favor of a dock are too compelling. The Mohawk River, of course, helped create the Stockade, but there is now no access to it from the water — or to the rest of the city, for that matter. Some Stockade residents may be OK with that, but it isn’t. It stands in the way realizing the Stockade’s potential for historical tourism, as well as the city’s overall economic development. The Stockade’s rich history is what attracted most residents to it, and a dock would attract more visitors. The plan is to make it home base for the Onrust, the handsome replica of a 17th century Dutch sailing vessel, which should get the attention of passing boaters and bring children for educational programs and school field trips. ..................>>>>....................>>>>..............................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00701&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY Stockaders rally to fight dock plan Opponents say boaters, cars could ruin park BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
The City Council sailed into a stiff headwind Monday when a dozen Stockade residents showed up to fight the proposal for a boat dock at Riverside Park. Those in favor were badly outnumbered. Only three spoke up in support of the dock, although they also read comments written by two others. The opponents produced a petition signed by 138 residents. This was not at all what the council expected last week, when Zoning Officer Steve Strichman said he knew of just one person opposed to the dock. Corporation Counsel L. John Van Norden said Monday that the city had relied on information from the Stockade Association, rather than canvassing the neighborhood. Council members said they will now consider the matter closely. “I think they raised some very legitimate issues we’ll have to look at very carefully,” said Councilwoman Margaret King, who lives in the neighborhood. If the council decides the dock will have no significant impact on the neighborhood, one vote to that effect will allow the project to begin. But the council could instead determine that concessions must be made to reduce impacts, which could delay the project or kill it altogether. No date has been set for a vote. Council President Gary McCarthy suggested that compromises may be made, citing the possibility of a modified dock or a different location. Two main issues were emphasized by the opponents: a lack of parking space and the possible loss of tranquility in the park. .................>>>>..............>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00702&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY Onrust key to state cash for Stockade dock Location for it, local resistance remain issues BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com
The Stockade dock plan that seemed to be sinking earlier this week may have been kept afl oat by the historic replica boat the Onrust — but now exists only as long as the Onrust wants to dock here. City and state officials confi rmed that a state grant for the dock includes an unusual agreement: the city can use the Onrust as its match for the grant, which otherwise would have required the city to pay $225,000 in cash. Instead, the state agreed to pay for the entire cost of the dock if the Onrust managers agreed to use it as its home port. When that agreement came together last year, the city began work again on an oftproposed plan for a dock in the Stockade, despite persistent opposition every time a dock has been considered. City and County Historian Don Rittner, who helped lead the effort to build the Onrust, said he hopes the Stockade residents will decide to allow his ship to dock near their neighborhood. But if the residents turn him away, he’s got plenty of options. “We’ve had so many offers: Poughkeepsie, Kingston, New York City,” he said. “Of course, I live in Schenectady. Most of the volunteers who built it live in Schenectady County. It will hurt my feelings if we’re not wanted here.” His best offer is from the Maritime Museum in Kingston, which offered Rittner an office, use of the workroom to build items for the Onrust, and exhibit space. The Onrust could dock behind the museum — and have free wintering space too. It’s a tempting offer, particularly since it would put the Onrust near its original route, some 400 years ago. The boat is a replica of the fi rst decked European ship built in the Americas. It explored the Hudson River in 1615. “But the Hudson already has two good ambassadors, the Clearwater and the Half-Moon,” Rittner said. ..............>>>>.....................>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01401&AppName=1
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
SCHENECTADY Compromise would put dock in Stockade for 2 years BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
A compromise is in the works that may persuade opponents in the Stockade neighborhood to allow a dock at Riverside Park — but only temporarily. Zoning Officer Steve Strichman has proposed placing the controversial dock in the Stockade for only two summers. Then, the dock would be moved to the Alco site, where a mixed-use redevelopment project is supposed to begin this fall. Under the proposed compromise, the dock would also be much smaller than its originally envisioned 300 feet, but no specifi c size has been agreed upon yet. City Council members said they would be willing to approve a smaller dock and said they were open to relocation. Opponents were not overjoyed by the proposal. “On a scale of one to five, with 1 terrible a 5, this is a 3/2,” said Stockade resident Derrick D’Amico. “I’m not pleased with it, but I’m not as unhappy as if I had to have it for five years.” Another opponent, resident David Marhafer, said the city should just scrap the dock idea. “I think it’s penny wise, pound foolish,” he said. “The whole idea of developing a flood plain is foolish.” But dock supporter and resident Karen Mallia said the compromise was the perfect solution. ...................>>>>...........................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01101&AppName=1
The thruway tolls will only be in place for 10 years.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
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