Shandaken

By Jay Braman Jr.
“There’s a new code officer in town.”

That’s how Phoenicia resident Ritchie Stokes put it last week as backhoes and bulldozers began leveling a massive eyesore that has plagued the Oliverea Valley for two decades.

As the demolition project, on Deer Lane just a stone’s throw form the Cold Spring Lodge, moved forward, Stokes was straight faced and no nonsense when he said this was just the beginning.
“I’m taking care of Fox Hollow next,” he said, referring to the property at the entrance of that Shandaken hamlet.

By Jay Braman Jr.
As parents in the Onteora School bombard the board of education with concerns over the impacts of school reconfiguration plans, the school board is working hard to show not only parents, but all that live in the district, that they are taking the matter seriously and proceeding with caution.

Following a recent school board meeting where over 75 people attended to hear details about plans, some of which include the closure of one of the three elementary schools, the school board drafted an open letter to the public.

Main Street, Phoenicia will open its doors on Christmas Day to welcome the citizens of Shandaken to a festive “Christmas Community Dinner.”

From 1 to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day (December 25), the Ricciardella family, owners of The Sportsman’s Cantina, and a staff of volunteers will prepare and serve a traditional holiday dinner free to all residents of Shandaken and the surrounding townships, who are needy or alone, are elderly or home-bound, have no where to go, or would just like to stop by and join their neighbors on Christmas Day.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The sudden death of a Shandaken Police Officer has shocked the community this week.

Today, Wednesday, Shokan resident Travis Nissen, who was only 27 years old, will be laid to rest in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the Shandaken hamlet of Mount Tremper, five days after he was killed in a car accident on Route 28 in Shokan.

By Jay Braman Jr.
Concerns over loss of Home Rule have made the Shandaken Town Board back away from adopting what is known as the Scenic Byway Plan.

After a public hearing on the matter, Shandaken Supervisor Robert Stanley pulled the resolution from town business Monday night with the unanimous consent of the town board.
“I’d like to give it more thought,” he said, as other board member members nodded their agreement.

Route 28 approach

By Jay Braman Jr.
There’s good news in Oliverea, where a temporary bridge is expected to open for traffic later this week, but the main bridge entrance to Phoenicia may never be reopened.

That’s according to Ulster County’s Deputy County Executive Robert Sudlow, who was asked about the fate of both the trouble spots, that appeared in late August after Tropical Storm Irene swept though the region.

Sudlow gave an update on the long-closed Oliverea Road, happily telling residents that they will be able to use the road again soon.

By Jay Braman Jr.
Republican incumbent Shandaken Supervisor Rob Stanley won another two-year term in voting last Tuesday, and Republican Councilman Vinnie Bernstein was also re-elected.

Both are joined by Republican newcomer Alfie Higley, giving the GOP a sweep and maintaining the current state of affairs in Shandaken politics.

By Jay Braman Jr.
Keith Johnson hopes that the third time is the charm.
Counting this upcoming election, that is how many times he will have faced current Highway Superintendent Eric Hofmeister at the polls, trying to either keep or regain the job as Shandaken’s road boss.

“I would like the job. I can do a better job. I’m better qualified,” said Johnson, who held the position for one term in 2006-2007. Johnson was unseated by Hofmeister in the 2007 election. Johnson tried again in the 2009 election but Hofmeister held the position.

By Jay Braman Jr.
Two candidates are vying for the top job in Shandaken.

Incumbent Town Supervisor Rob Stanley, a Republican, is seeking his second two-year term and is being challenged by Democrat Kathy Nolan.

Stanley, who has three children, is divorced and lives in Pine Hill. He has lived in town for most of his life and attended college at SUNY New Paltz, where he received a BA in Playwriting/ American Literature.

By Brian Sweeney
The installation of two major bridge projects along county-maintained roadways damaged by August 28 flooding is planned for completion by January.

Officials have indicated that a replacement structure for the “Arthur White Bridge” spanning the Dry Brook stream in Delaware County is targeted for opening to emergency vehicles by December 24. The structure, which is situated about three miles from Route 28, is targeted to be open to all traffic by January 14, 2012. Work on the bridge is expected to get underway this week.