 Town Clerk Becki Tompkins Elected President of Dutchess County Town Clerks' Association
On Tuesday, Town Clerk Becki Tompkins attended the first meeting of the Dutchess County Town Clerks' Association since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 19 of 20 Towns in Dutchess County are represented in the Association, which has 99% percent memberships from the New York State Town Clerks' Association.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Association held elections for executive positions, and Becki was unanimously elected President!!
Also elected to leadership positions were Stanford Town Clerk Ritamary Bell, who was elected Vice President; Town Clerk Andrea Casey of Union Vale, who was elected Secretary; and East Fishkill Town Clerk Peter Cassidy, who will serve as Treasurer.
The Association's primary goals are to promote the development of Town Clerks as administrative leaders, keep Town Clerks up-to-date with the latest information and guidance from the State on matters which may effect the position, and exchange ideas and information to enhance the performance and important position of Town Clerks in local government.
“The Town Clerks of Dutchess County are tremendously talented and accomplished individuals. I have learned so much from them in my time with the Association," Becki said. "To be elected by my peers to a leadership position as President, is an incredible honor.”
Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra spoke for the Town Board in congratulating Becki on her election.
"The residents of the Town of Fishkill are fortunate to be served by a Town Clerk of Becki's caliber," Supervisor Albra said. "Her election to President of our County Association is no more than she merits after her incredible service to the citizens of Fishkill."
Congratulations Becki, you make us proud!
 Town Board to Hear From VA, Veterans' Groups at Meeting
At the Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Town Board meeting, the Town Board will hear a presentation from the Veterans Administration, Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services, and the Fishkill veteran community.
Cullen Lyons, the Public Affairs Officer with VA at Castle Point, will join Dutchess County Veterans Services Director Adam Roche, and Fishkill veteran Virgil Capollari, who volunteers with the Dutchess Veterans Affairs Committee.
The three will speak about challenges facing veterans in Fishkill and the Hudson Valley, particularly in the face of a federal report's recommendation that the Castle Point VA Medical Center be closed, and services offered there be relocated elsewhere.
Supervisor Albra, Councilman Brian Wrye and other local officials met U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at Castle Point last week for a press conference, during which Sen. Schumer pledged to expend every ounce of his political capital to ensure Castle Point remains open. Sen. Schumer closed his remarks by emphatically tearing the federal report in half.
Councilman Wrye and the rest of the Town Board joined more than 20 other Mid-Hudson representatives in signing a letter co-authored by Supervisor Albra and County Legislator Joseph D. Cavaccini (Wappinger), uniting in forceful opposition to the proposal.
Wednesday's speakers were invited by Councilman Wrye.
"This is important on a couple of levels. The veterans in the Town of Fishkill haven't been organized, and the more-than-800 veterans who call Fishkill home deserve an organized support system to make their voices heard," Councilman Wrye said.
Councilman Wrye said he recognizes the significant role the Town plays in veterans services in Fishkill and beyond.
"We need to be cognizant of the fact that as the host-town for Castle Point, we have a real duty to be on the front lines advocating for further investment in the services and infrastructure at Castle Point, not just for Fishkill veterans but for veterans across the Hudson Valley," Councilman Wrye said.
Supervisor Albra was pleased by Councilman Wrye's initiative. A veteran, Supervisor Albra has made veterans' issues a priority since taking office, reinstating ceremonies honoring men and women in uniform and prioritizing veterans during the Town's distribution of COVID-19 supplies. Supervisor Albra applauded Councilman Wrye's dedication and expects a fruitful partnership to deliver further results for Fishkill veterans.
"Having served in uniform, I recognize the vital services that Castle Point provides," Supervisor Albra said. "I was humbled by how many leaders joined myself and Legislator Cavaccini in signing our letter of opposition to the proposed shutdown of Castle Point, and I applaud everyone who has gotten involved and taken this matter to heart. It's a team effort."
Councilman Wrye agreed.
"This is a plain and simple question of doing the right thing," Councilman Wrye said. "We're all working on this together and I'm glad to be one of many, many people in our community who will all be on this team together."
Councilman Wrye and Supervisor Albra encourage all veterans who are able to attend Wednesday's to do so and ask questions. Those who are interested but unable to attend are invited to submit questions in writing by email, at socialmedia@fishkill-ny.gov to be presented at the meeting on your behalf.
Ending Hunger Together
On Tuesday, Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra and Councilmembers Louise Daniele, John Forman and Brian Wrye joined representatives of ShopRite, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, the First Reformed Church of Fishkill and the Fishkill Food Pantry to celebrate ShopRite's Partners in Caring initiative's annual "Ending Hunger Together" event.
Fishkill ShopRite employees Miriam Ortiz and Elizabeth Alvarez were recognized for their outstanding achievement in this year's Partners in Caring initiative. The two are featured on special-edition Cheerios boxes, and both received Town Board Proclamations recognizing their excellent work, presented by the Councilmembers at the invitation of Supervisor Albra.
Fishkill ShopRite raised more than $1 million during last September's fundraising initiative, which resulted in 40,000 meals for those in need, according to Food Bank of the Hudson Valley director Sara Gunn.
|
|
The First Reformed Church, home of the Fishkill Food Pantry, received a $500 donation at Tuesday's event, to further its ongoing mission to combat hunger in Fishkill and Southern Dutchess County.
Supervisor Albra said Tuesday's event is a reminder that cooperation and teamwork between community organizations is a key step to solving problems like hunger.
|
|
 |
"We all want to see hunger end, not just in our community, but everywhere," Supervisor Albra said. "Seeing the partnerships between local organizations like the Reformed Church, the Fishkill Food Pantry and the Food Bank, with organizations like ShopRite, is encouraging as we continue this fight. I applaud Elizabeth, Miriam and everyone here at ShopRite Fishkill for their great work, and we look forward to seeing this partnership continue to provide solutions and make a difference in our community."
Also in attendance Tuesday were Village of Fishkill Mayor Kathy Martin, Town of Fishkill Police Detective Jason Betley, representatives of the Village of Fishkill Police Department and ShopRite representatives.
Fishing Season Begins Today in New York
Fishing season for a majority of waterbodies and types of fish began Friday, April 1. New York State has issued some new guidelines for 2022. To learn more about the 2022 freshwater fishing regulations, get an updated calendar and find out how to obtain a fishing license, visit the DEC website by clicking here.
 |
|
EV Charger Available for Public Use at Town Hall
The Town's Electric Vehicle Charging Station at Town Hall is now fully set up and available to the public.
For a fee of $2 per hour, collected through ChargePoint, a national EV charging station network, EV owners can plug-in and recharge their vehicle.
To use the ChargePoint charger, EV owners must have a ChargePoint account. Creating one is free and simple using the ChargePoint website or mobile app. Users can also use the app to locate other ChargePoint stations across the country as part of the company's network.
The Town owns an electric Ford Mach-E SUV for official business use, which can charge from empty to a full 200-mile range in approximately eight hours, equating to a total of $16, or about four gallons of gasoline under current market conditions.
"This charging station is another asset for Fishkill residents, and I hope they will derive a great benefit from it now and in the future," Supervisor Albra said.
|
Supporting the Fishkill Business Community
Councilman John Forman attended a spring get-together of the Fishkill Business Association at Eleven 11 on Main Street in the Village on Thursday. Councilman Forman said he enjoyed the opportunity to speak with members of the organization and was impressed with the members and their contributions to the business community. Councilman Forman looks forward to working to find more ways for the Town and the Fishkill business community to work together as part of the Town's ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting local businesses.
|
