Category: Government

The Hill Country Observer covers local leaders, elections and elected officials, town and city councils bodies including libraries, schools, planning and other town boards, and all kinds of conversations and decisions that matter to our communities.

  • Issue:

    Sheriff faces criticism as county, ICE join forces

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    Local jail to check immigration status of anyone arrested By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer TROY, N.Y. The Rensselaer County sheriff says he’s merely buying into a federal program that could intercept a few potential criminals. But critics say the program is discriminatory and would wrongly enlist county officers in expanding a controversial federal immigration crackdown. Earlier read more

    Sheriff faces criticism as county, ICE join forces
  • Issue:

    It’s Delgado vs. Faso, Cobb vs. Stefanik

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    Democrats settle crowded primaries in two eastern New York House districts By FRED DALEYEditor   Democratic voters have chosen Antonio Delgado and Tedra L. Cobb to challenge Republican incumbents John Faso and Elise Stefanik this fall in New York’s 19th and 21st congressional districts. The results of a June 26 election settled a pair of read more

    It’s Delgado vs. Faso, Cobb vs. Stefanik
  • Issue:

    Will the blue wave reach here?

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    In crowded primary ballots, Democrats line up to challenge Faso, Stefanik   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer   With control of the U.S. House of Representatives at stake, Democratic voters will go to the polls this month to choose their challengers to two Republicans who now represent much of eastern New York. Political observers say the read more

    Will the blue wave reach here?
  • Issue:

    In green gesture, town bans plastic water bottles

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    Great Barrington voters pass new law easily; critics push for new vote Retailers in Great Barrington would be prohibited from selling plastic water bottles like these starting in May 2019 under a local law approved by voters at last month’s annual town meeting. Susan Sabino photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Supporters read more

    In green gesture, town bans plastic water bottles
  • Issue:

    Saving a shantytown?

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    In old fishing shacks, links to Hudson’s past and an unclear future State officials have concluded that a group of 17 fishing shacks along the Hudson River are historically significant, but city officials in Hudson, N.Y., have yet to decide whether to preserve any of the structures as part of a proposal for a new read more

    Saving a shantytown?
  • Issue:

    Proposal sparks debate over early voting in N.Y.

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    Vermont, Mass. show potential benefits, but some in region are skeptical Voters in Chatham, N.Y., cast ballots last month in a special election for state Assembly. A proposal by Gov. Cuomo to allow early voting in New York has set off a debate among area officials and legislators. Scott Langley photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing read more

    Proposal sparks debate over early voting in N.Y.
  • Issue:

    Big projects, few workers

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    Anita Daly, vice president of Blue Spruce Nursery in Ballston Lake, shows off photos of some of the company’s landscaping projects. Blue Spruce has come to rely on foreign laborers in recent years and is seeking such 12 workers, about half its work force, this year through the federal H-2B program. Joan K. Lentini photos read more

    Big projects, few workers
  • Issue:

    Solar siting law faces first test in Bennington

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    Developer challenges Vermont’s effort to give towns more sway A large solar-power installation along Route 30 in Sudbury, Vt., is the first in a series planned or proposed around the state by Allco Renewable Energy Ltd. The company has gone to court to challenge a new state law intended to give towns more voice in read more

    Solar siting law faces first test in Bennington
  • Issue:

    State, watchdogs urge more work on PCBs

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    Reports suggest high levels of contamination remain in Hudson River New studies show the upper Hudson River, seen from North River Road in Fort Edward, remains burdened by PCB pollution despite completion of a seven-year, $1.7 billion cleanup. Joan K. Lentini photo   By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer FORT EDWARD, N.Y. A series of new federal read more

    State, watchdogs urge more work on PCBs
  • Issue:

    Spreading solar by the share

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    Community-sponsored energy project is first for Columbia County A new 214-kilowatt solar power installation in the town of Clermont, N.Y., was built using a “community solar” concept in which local people could buy a stake in the project in exchange for credits on their home utility bills. Courtesy photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer CLERMONT, read more

    Spreading solar by the share