Andes

Andes — The site of the former Moses Earle farm, on Dingle Hill in the Town of Andes, has a special place in history. On August 7, 1845, Delaware County Undersheriff Osman “Bub” Steele went to the farm to collect rent or sell the cattle, and he never left the site alive.

That event led to the arrest of many area residents who were believed to have had a part in the incident. All of them were later pardoned, and the feudal system that brought about the system was abolished.

By Pauline Liu
Efforts to replace Andes’ seven-year-old malfunctioning wastewater treatment system could begin as soon as next year, at a cost of about $2.3 million to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP.)

Andes Town Supervisor Marty Donnelly made the announcement at last Thursday’s town board meeting, which was held at town hall.

“I was able to get the New York City DEP to agree to pay upwards of $ 2.3 million,” he said. “That means there will be little or no cost to the residents of our sewer district.” 

By Pauline Liu
Now that the primaries are over, local political races are heating up, especially in the Town of Andes, where Republican incumbents seeking re-election are facing challengers.

Last Tuesday’s Republican primary for Andes town clerk resulted in an almost 2-to-1 upset. Incumbent Janis Lynn Jacques, who has held the job since 1996, was unseated by challenger Kimberly A. Tosi.  The official results, which were posted on Tuesday and took into account absentee ballots, gave the win to Tosi with108 votes to Jacques’ 60 votes. 

Andes — The Andes Hotel will hold a Hurricane Irene benefit chili cook off on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. The entry fee for chefs is $10 and there will be a $10 tasting fee. Judging will be held at 3 p.m. There will be live music by The Honest Mistakes.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to local flood victims of Hurricane Irene. Call 676-3980 for all the spicy details.

By Pauline Liu
When Town of Andes officials held a forum on hydrofracking last Friday, they anticipated that it might run late and draw a large, emotionally charged crowd. However, the event wound up exceeding even their wildest expectations.

The marathon meeting lasted a mind-boggling four-and-a-half hours. It was held in the auditorium of Andes Central School and drew a crowd of 156 people, which is sizable for the town with a population of about 1,300. 

Andes — The Andes Sprouts Society will present an evening dedicated to exploring the lively history of the Catskills’ Down Rent War on Friday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

By Pauline Liu
In response to requests from several residents, the Town of Andes will hold what Supervisor Marty Donnelly calls “a natural gas drilling forum” on Friday, August 19 at 7 p.m. at Andes Central School.
For those who wish to be heard, there will be a sign-up sheet at the school. Each speaker will be given up to three minutes to either express their views or ask questions.

By Pauline Liu
With weeks to go before the Town of Andes and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hope to strike a deal to overhaul of the town’s wastewater treatment plant, the facility’s filtration system appears to be on borrowed time.

One of the two microfiltration units at the plant has broken down twice since July. The second breakdown occurred only a week ago.

Andes — The heat wave is over! Come and cool down in way cool Andes on Andes Community Day this Saturday, Aug. 13.

Activities start with a pancake breakfast at the firehall from 7 to 9 a.m. followed by a parade down Main Street at 10:30. The wonderful down-home traditions of hayrides, fiddlers all over town, vendors on the school grounds, lawn sales everywhere, the, horseshoe tournament (at 1 p.m. at the Weather Tite Barn on Redden Lane), beautiful baby and pet contests, continue.

Andes — Two Andes painters, Nancy McShane and Mary Davis, will be exhibiting their artwork at The Hunting Tavern Museum on Upper Main Street through Labor Day weekend.
The work of both artists is inspired by the local area and the scenery of the Catskill Mountains. The McShane paintings are executed in acrylics, and the Davis works, landscapes and still life, are done in pastels.