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:

    For the love of horses

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      The thoroughbreds run at Saratoga Race Course in a scene from 2013. Photo by Joan K. Lentini   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. The first race was an hour away as fans poured through the turnstiles at Saratoga Race Course on the first Sunday of this summer’s thoroughbred meet, but already there read more

    For the love of horses
  • Issue:

    Campaign veteran returns to his roots

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    Skidmore graduate learned early lessons in local, regional races   Eric Hyers, who grew up in North Adams and studied political science at Skidmore College, became a prominent campaign strategist for red-state Democrats. Now he’s back in the area to manage a congressional campaign. Courtesy photo   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   Most people would read more

    Campaign veteran returns to his roots
  • Issue:

    Rewriting the rules for egg farms

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    Mass. legislators move to change voter-backed law   Cartons of eggs fill a refrigerated display at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace in Pittsfield. Large-scale egg producers are pushing Massachusetts to revise its pending rules for humane treatment of laying hens, though the smaller-scale suppliers of Guido’s aren’t affected by the changes. Susan Sabino photo.   By CRAIG read more

    Rewriting the rules for egg farms
  • Issue:

    NY’s shifting political ground

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    Redistricting poses risks for Delgado, Stefanik, Tonko   Mark Wilson illustration   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   The arrangement of congressional districts across eastern New York could be altered dramatically in the coming months as the state embarks on the once-a-decade redrawing of its political maps. The redistricting process, always full of intrigue and surprises, read more

    NY’s shifting political ground
  • Issue:

    Free clinic aims to fill health-care gap

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    Organizers plan large-scale event, open to all, at fairgrounds   Karen Weinberg, one of the organizers of free medical clinic planned for early October, seeks volunteers for the project at a June event at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Joan K. Lentini photo   By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer EASTON, N.Y. A large-scale free medical clinic planned read more

    Free clinic aims to fill health-care gap
  • Issue:

    New role will test Stefanik’s green positions

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    Rise into GOP leadership creates new pressures to adhere to party line By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, recently elevated to the House Republicans’ No. 3 leadership post, has a significantly more moderate record on environmental issues than Liz Cheney, the Wyoming congresswoman Stefanik replaced. That’s prompting some environmental advocates and political read more

    New role will test Stefanik’s green positions
  • Issue:

    Urban density vs. open space

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    Developer Chris Patten’s proposal to put up a 64-unit apartment in downtown Glens Falls has met a local wish for green space. By Evan Lawrence read more

    Urban density vs. open space
  • Issue:

    Third-party candidates vanishing from N.Y. ballots

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    When voters in New York head to the polls this November and next, they’ll likely have fewer candidates to choose from. By Maury Thompson read more

    Third-party candidates vanishing from N.Y. ballots
  • Issue:

    Even in victory, Stefanik raises ire

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    U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, faces resistance from a group of anti-Trump conservatives. By Maury Thompson read more

    Even in victory, Stefanik raises ire
  • Issue:

    The devilish details of legal pot

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    With New York facing a budget gap of nearly $15 billion, is this the year the state will finally legalize marijuana for recreational use? By Evan Lawrence read more

    The devilish details of legal pot