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NEAC Conference Honors 43 Cobleskill Student-Athletes with Scholar-Athlete Awards

Written By Editor on 8/20/18 | 8/20/18

Cobleskill, N.Y. – The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) announced today that 43 SUNY Cobleskill student-athletes have been selected as recipients of the league's Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2017-18 academic year. In order to be eligible for the award, recipients most have earned a 3.40 grade point average (GPA) or higher during the academic year. For the 2017-18 academic year, 890 student-athletes from the league's 14 full-member institutions and six associate member institutions received NEAC Scholar-Athlete honors representing 36 states, Puerto Rico and 15 different countries.

During the 2017-17, the 318 student-athletes in the Fighting Tigers program posted an overall GPA of 2.75 with 147 student-athletes earning over a 3.0 GPA for the year. This marks the most NEAC Scholar-Athlete Award honorees in program history since Cobleskill joined the conference in 2008.

"I am proud of our student-athletes for their efforts in the classroom and on the field of play," said SUNY Cobleskill Director of Athletics Marie Curran-Headley. “I am also proud of the direction and efforts our coaching staff has taken in finding and recruiting quality young people who are capable of such impressive success at the NCAA level of competition"
The 43 NEAC Scholar-Athlete Award honorees marks the most honored with the award in program history since the Fighting Tigers joined the conference in 2008.
SUNY COBLESKILL NORTH EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE 2017-18 SCHOLAR- ATHLETE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Daniel Beavers
Fr.
Cobleskill, N.Y.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Matthew Blumer
Fr.
Jordan, N.Y.
Ag. Engineering
Caliber Bolt
Sr.
Castleton, N.Y.
Bio-Technology
Anthony Bouchard
Sr.
Wantagh, N.Y.
Renewable Energy
Jacob Bunker
Fr.
Broadalbin, N.Y.
Animal Science
Nate Carinci
Jr.
Oneida, N.Y.
Business Administration
Katie Clute
Sr.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Wildlife Management
Gabrielle Danthine
Jr.
Sloansville, N.Y.
Business Administration
Sean Degnan
Jr.
Monroe, N.Y.
Information Technology
Mouhamed Diop
So.
Manhattan, N.Y.
Business Administration
Joseph Fitzgerald
Sr.
Washingtonville, N.Y.
Turfgrass Management
Alli Fortin
Fr.
Riverdale, N.Y.
Information Technology
Mike Girolamo
Jr.
Waverly, N.Y.
Culinary Arts
Jill Gordon
Fr.
Rockyhill, Conn.
Animal Science
Mary Greagan
Sr.
Selkirk, N.Y.
Wildlife Management
Will Griffin
So.
Schoharie, N.Y.
Accounting
Colin Hizny
Jr.
Endicott, N.Y.
Business Administration
Hannah Hoffman
Sr.
Troy, N.Y.
Sports Management
McKenzie Holbert
Jr.
Sauquoit, N.Y.
Early Childhood
Karyn Knaul
Fr.
Central Square, N.Y.
Early Childhood
Cody Latimer
Jr.
Maryville, N.Y.
Renewable Energy
Eric Lilland
Jr.
Saugerties, N.Y.
Psychology
Olivia Madison
So.
Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Social Sciences
Alexia Massaroni
Fr.
Worcester, N.Y.
Animal Science
Annelyse Matzinger
So.
Cogan Station, Pa
Wildlife Management
Ashley Maye
So.
Westport, N.Y.
Culinary Arts
Josh Mazur
Fr.
Terryville, Conn.
Business Administration
Ja'Quan McGill
Jr.
Brockport, N.Y.
Business Administration
Islam Mustafa
Sr.
Gloversville, N.Y.
Information Technology
Abigail O'Brien
So.
Stockton, N.Y.
Horticulture
Fred Peters
Fr.
Guilderland, N.Y.
Wildlife Management
Joslen Pettit
Sr.
Gloversville, N.Y.
Communications
Quinn Porter
Jr.
Ballston Spa, N.Y.
Animal Science
Emily Potter
So.
Fort Plain, N.Y.
Animal Science
Michelle Randall
Fr.
Mattapoisett, Mass.
Animal Science
Shannan Rooney
Fr.
Staten Island, N.Y.
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Jordan Spina
Jr.
Worcester, N.Y.
Business Administration
Stacey Sprague
So.
Grand Gorge, N.Y.
Business Administration
Samantha Springstead
So.
Staten Island, N.Y.
Animal Science
David Vosatka
Sr.
Schenevus, N.Y.
Business Administration
Cory Walton
Fr.
South Headley, Mass.
Business Administration
Katrina Weingarten
So.
Carlisle, N.Y.
Business Administration
Zach Wightman
Sr.
Kerhonkson, N.Y.
Horticulture

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SUNY Men's Cross Country Primed for Campaign

After the opening day of the SUNY Cobleskill’s men’s cross country team’s pre-season training camp, it was apparent that there were a number of new faces in the mix. After a 2017 campaign that saw the Fighting Tigers place third at the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Championships, post one invitational victory and record a pair of second place invitational; there appeared to be many questions about the 2018 season after the graduation and loss of nine lettermen.

With the departure of one of the program’s most successful classes the questions facing head coach Mitchell Tomaszkiewicz are numerous as he enters his 26th year at the helm of the program. But as usual the Fighting Tiger mentor has his own spin on the situation.

“At some point athletes are going to graduate and leave your program. That’s what they are supposed to do,” said Tomaszkiewicz. “Every year is different and this year we are most likely going to have to do more teaching and long term developmental work given our team’s composition than in recent past years. However the goal of contending for a NEAC Championship remains the one constant from year-to-year regardless of the rosters composition. This year is no exception.”

Leading the way for the Fighting Tigers this season will be junior Scott LeBoeuf, Rochdale, Mass., Leicester High School, who earned Third Team All-NEAC honors in 2017 and senior Josh Foust, West Sand Lake, N.Y., Averill Park High School, who will be looking to rebound from an injury plagued 2017 season after earning Third Team All-NEAC Team honorees and All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Team honors in 2016.

The recruiting class is highlighted by freshman Dillon VanDemortel, Newark, N.Y., Newark High School, a 2018 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class B All-State honoree in track & field in the 3200-meters and a First Team All-NYSPHAA  Class B Section V honoree in Cross Country along with freshman Britton Cook, Corning, N.Y., Corning High School, a member of Corning High School’s NYSPHAA Class A State Championship team and freshman Nick Merando, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., Walter Panas High School, who has shown promise in the early season workouts.

The Fighting Tigers will open the 2018 season on Saturday when they will host the Fighting Tiger Short Course Invite on the college’s cross country course beginning at 11:00 a.m.

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SUNY Women's Cross Country Prepares for Season

With the 2018 cross country season fast approaching the SUNY Cobleskill women’s cross country team will look noticeably different this season than in previous years with the departure of five letter winners including four runners who earned All-North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) honors during their careers and led the Fighting Tigers to a third place finish at the conference championship meet in 2017.

As he begins his 26th year at the helm of the Cobleskill program head coach Mitchell Tomaszkiewicz has an interesting take on the upcoming campaign.

“While we are clearly not the team we have been in the past, that usually includes a number of returning letter winners, we are an interesting group which has the possibility of becoming something special,” said Tomaszkiewicz. “At some point people have to graduate or move on so as a coach; you just deal with it. But the overall goal of contending for the conference title is something that remains constant from year-to-year. This year is no exception.”

The Fighting Tigers will be led by returning sophomore Katie Hotaling, Albany, N.Y., Watervliet High School, who earned All-NEAC conference honors as a freshman along with sophomore Samantha Cipkas, Granby, Conn., Granby High School, who lettered during her rookie season.

The recruiting class will feature three talented freshman in Natalie Honken, Endicott, N.Y. Seton Catholic High School, who earned All-Southern Tier Athletic Conference Track & Field honoree in the 1500 meters, Gabriella Decker, Galway, N.Y., Galway High School, an All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) selection in cross country and Ayla Erwin, Jamesville, N.Y., Jamesville-DeWitt High School, a member of Jamesville-DeWitt High School’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Class B Championship Team.

The Orange & Black will also be counting on senior Tori Stopen, Marcellus, N.Y., Marcellus High School, a transfer from Morrisville State College who placed 23rd overall at the 2017 NEAC Cross Country Championships for additional contributions this season.

The Fighting Tigers will open the 2018 season on Saturday when they will host the Fighting Tiger Short Course Invite on the college’s cross country course beginning at 11:00 a.m.



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ONC BOCES Meeting Time Changed

Written By Editor on 8/15/18 | 8/15/18


The 8/22 ONC BOCES Board Meeting time and location has been amended. The meeting will now begin at 11:45 and be held at the Otsego Area Occupational Center (OAOC) in Milford, NY.

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Grammy Award Winner Mike Farris Joining Hope Rocks Festival

Written By Editor on 8/7/18 | 8/7/18

2015 Grammy Award Winner Mike Farris will join Wild Adriatic as the headlining acts at the 2018 Hope Rocks Festival scheduled for August 18 and 19 at Cantine Veterans’ Memorial Complex in Saugerties, NY.

The Hope Rocks Festival which began last year as a “”first of its kind” community response to the epidemic of unnatural death caused by opioid addiction and suicide, takes the qualities of a music and arts festival to focus on these issues. Over 3000 people attended the 2017 event.     Free and open to all, Hope Rocks offers onsite counseling, speakers presenting their personal addiction experiences and a myriad of activities, including: approximately 30 live musical performances across multiple stages; a motorcade; softball; volleyball; basketball; tennis; pickleball; human foosball; art exhibition; and, crafters. New to the 2018 festival is a walk- and bike-a-thon, children’s area, petting zoo and t-shirt design contest.

            Farris, former frontman for Atlantic Recording Artists’ Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, a 90’s southern boogie/blues band from Nashville, has battled the demons of addiction since he was 15 years old.  Drugs and alcohol were constant companions of Farris, whose blues playing and singing have drawn the admiration of the legends of the music business.

American Country music singer/songwriter Marty Stuart describes Farris’ impact, "He's like a secret weapon — he's loaded with soul. He sings notes that would make Patsy Cline and Mavis Staples cry and shout. He's got it and that's all there is to it. He just keeps on doing his thing singing songs the way he feels them. He's melting hearts with his voice one at a time.”*

Farris recently celebrated 7 years of sobriety and has discovered a rebirth both spiritually and physically.  His solo records Salvation in Lights (2007), SHOUT! Live (2010) and the Best Roots Gospel Grammy winning Shine For All the People (2014), have coincided with his journey out of the darkness of despair.  He has used these experiences to create blues based gospel sermons of redemption and renewal which are carried across all boundaries by his powerfully mesmerizing soulful voice.    He is presently touring the country in anticipation of his latest album, Silver and Stone set to be released on September 7th and features legendary drummer Gene Chrisman, Reese Wymans (Double Trouble), Doug Lancio (Patti Griffin) and Joe Bonamassa.

Sharing the festival top billing is American rock band Wild Adriatic from Saratoga Springs, NY.  Wild Adriatic has been touring North America consistently for 5 years and has captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of fans.  Relix magazine describes them as "Flawlessly tight with infectious melodies & tons of soul."   USA Today says, “Wild Adriatic is an act to get behind.”

Joe Defino, Saugerties teacher and festival organizer feels music has an impact on the Hope Rocks mission.  “We need to respond as a community to the suffering caused by addiction and mental uncertainty.  Every member of these acts are supportive of our objective.  Along with all the other performers and volunteers, we can bring the message of hope to those who are having difficulty. Music has the power to heal and save lives.”

Festival organizers are continuing to round out the lineup which will include over 35 acts over the two day festival.  The festival is free and will run from noon to 7 on Saturday, August 18 and from noon to five on Sunday.

 For more information on the festival and its activities, visit www.hoperocksny.com.



*Rolling Stone Magazine, May 21, 2015.


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Fried Chicken Picnic Supper At Heather Ridge Farm

Fried Chicken Picnic Supper At Heather Ridge Farm
Saturday, August 18, 5-7pm


What better way to enjoy summer’s best pastured chicken than fried to perfection and accompanied by a range of locally sourced seasonal sides, sitting at a picnic table, overlooking the Catskill Mountains? Come enjoy it at Heather Ridge Farm!

Heather Ridge Farm is scheduling its popular Fried Chicken Picnic Supper on Saturday, August 18. Each piece of fresh chicken is marinated in a secret blend of spices, coated with regular or gluten free flours, and fried to order. Flat rate price of $29 includes fried chicken, many sides, farm made beverages, and dessert.

Voted finalist of the best Fried Chicken in the Capital Region in Capital Region Living Magazine along with Hattie’s of Saratoga and Chicken Joe’s of Albany.

The Fried Chicken Picnic Supper is by pre-paid reservation only. Each fried chicken picnic has been sold out in advance, so best to reserve early. The picnic supper is served buffet style, with chicken being continually fried fresh starting at 5pm through 7pm, accompanied by sides and dessert. Full menu will be posted on our website: www. Heather-Ridge-Farm.com. Please call 518-239-6234 for reservations, or reserve on Eventbrite.

In the farm store, fresh pastured chicken will be available for you to take home for your home use, as well as cuts of beef, pork, lamb, goat and other products.

The Bees Knees Café and farm store at Heather Ridge Farm is located at 989 Broome Center Road, Preston Hollow, NY. Phone 518-239-6234. The farm raises Animal Welfare Approved Certified Grassfed lamb and goat, pastured pork and eggs, as well as all grassfed beef and pastured poultry. The café and farm store are open every Saturday and Sunday year round for lunch and brunch from 11am-3pm. Special events are scheduled in summer. Menus and a calendar of events are updated weekly on its website at www.heather-ridge-farm.com

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NY-19 Decides: Election Night Live Blog

Written By Cicero on 6/26/18 | 6/26/18

11:35 PM - With all but one precinct reporting, here are the unofficial but final for tonight results:

Delgado - 7,690 (22%: won Dutchess, Montgomery, Schoharie, and Ulster Counties)
Rhodes - 6,242 (17.9%: won Columbia, Delaware, Sullivan Counties)
Ryan - 6,194 (17.7%: won Broome and Rensselaer Counties)
Flynn - 4,608 (13.2%: won Greene and Otsego Counties)
Beals - 4,608 (13.2%)
Clegg - 3,873 (11.1%)
Collier - 1,700 (4.9%)

11:21 PM - The New York Times has called NY-19 for Antonio Delgado, who currently has just over 22% of the vote in with only a few precincts remaining.

11:20 PM - With all precincts in, Rhodes has won Columbia County with 28.89% of the vote. While he has won three counties tonight, it's likely not enough to keep up with Delgado's four counties and impressive vote shares.

11:16 PM - Delgado can add tiny Montgomery County to his list of victories tonight, as he claims the county with 28.3% of the vote to Flynn's 19% and Ryan's 17%.

11:10 PM - Ryan has won Rensselaer County with 29.3% of the vote according to the New York Times. With almost all precincts in - again, according to the Times - it seems as if Delgado will win with roughly 22% of the vote.

11:04 PM - There's not that many precincts left (only 79 are still uncounted according to the state Board of Elections) and Delgado is leading Rhodes by roughly 1,300 votes. Also - roughly 32,000 Democrat votes have been counted thus far - roughly 60% more than in 2016's primary.

11:02 PM - Ulster County is finally complete and Delgado has won it by only 150 votes over Kingston native Dave Clegg. Ryan placed third and Rhodes was a close but just far enough fourth.

10:50 PM - Rhodes is the winner in Delaware County, beating out Flynn by only 32 votes for a 21.43% to 19.25% victory in the rural area. With 364 precincts in out of 458 district wide, the amount of votes left to surpass Delgado's current 4.5% lead are becoming harder to find.

10:43 PM - Flynn has won Otsego County with 37% of the vote there tonight. Delgado came in second with 15%, Ryan placed third with 12%, and Otsego County native Erin Collier could only manage 10% in her home - she is currently last overall with under 5% of the vote district wide.

10:37 PM - Rhodes is the winner in Sullivan County tonight, as the young candidate has claimed 28% of the vote there while Delgado picked up 18% and Clegg placed third with 17%. Delgado still leads overall with 22%.

10:31 PM - Delgado has carried his home county of Dutchess with 28.22%. Ryan was second with 21.59% and Rhodes was third with 19.16%. Solid result for Delgado, but if he doesn't end up pulling this off - it will be because he didn't perform as strongly as he should have in Dutchess.

10:25 PM - Brian Flynn is absolutely crushing it in Otsego County, carrying about 37% of the vote with 18 of 49 precincts reporting. Rhodes' remains ahead in Delaware while it's a four way battle in Sullivan and Clegg is inching his way back in Ulster. Delgado leads overall with 22%.

10:21 PM - Also we now know the answer to my question of "Is the blue wave actually coming?" With 207 of 458 precincts reporting - or, less than half of the district - more votes have already been counted in tonight's primary than in 2016 total.

10:18 PM - Despite there only being 46 votes tonight in the tiny sliver of Broome County that is in the 19th District, Pat Ryan has won the county with 23.9% of the vote - or, 11 votes total. However, every vote counts with how this night is shaping up currently.

10:14 PM - With 137 of 458 precincts reporting, Delgado is leading the pack with 23.47% of the vote. Ryan is stuck in the 18% range while Rhodes is farther back at just above 15%. Flynn is now leading his home county of Greene with new votes just being reported, while Rhodes is slightly leading in Delaware at the moment.

10:07 PM - I was told today by a voter in Schoharie County that he believed Delgado would win because of the amount of mailers his campaign has been sending out. I can see this playing out, because while other candidates have been to Schoharie County more, I've been receiving mailers from Delgado's camp weekly for months. Also -- with a majority of precincts now reporting from Dutchess and Ulster, Delgado is leading in both.

9:59 PM - Rhodes is leading early in Columbia County, but Delgado is leading everywhere else with the exception of Ulster, which Dave Clegg is currently carrying with 22.25% of the vote with roughly a quarter of the precincts in.

9:53 PM - With 40 of 52 precincts reporting in Greene County, Delgado leads with 24.8% while Flynn and Beals are neck and neck at roughly 18% each.

9:50 PM - Although the New York State Board of Elections website is historically slow, it currently has Delgado barely leading Rhodes with 30 of 458 precincts reporting from across the district (not including Schoharie County, so Delgado is actually in a better position than the site is reporting).

9:42 PM - Early results in Ulster County have Dave Clegg leading the pack with 8 of 79 precincts reporting - although this may all be from his home base of Kingston whilst Delgado is leading heavily with 3 of 36 precincts reporting in Dutchess County.

9:32 PM - With all precincts reporting in Schoharie County, Delgado has carried the rural county by a strong plurality: Delgado - 30.2%; Flynn - 16%; Ryan - 15.9%; Rhodes - 12.3%; Collier - 11.3%; Beals - 8.7%; Clegg - 5.5%.

9:15 PM - It's the Antonio Delgado show early tonight, as the Rhinebeck native is leading Schoharie County with 12 of 16 precincts reporting. Delgado is steady at 31.7% while Flynn has edged into second place and Ryan is barely behind at third.

9:06 PM - With the first results rolling in from Schoharie County (3 of 16 precincts reporting) - Delgado has 30.9%, Ryan has 16.8%, and Flynn has 15.4% thus far.

9:00 PM - Polls are now closed - now the fun begins. Things to watch as the smaller precincts start reporting: how much of the vote is Erin Collier going to receive in Otsego County and will it dent Brian Flynn's early momentum there?

Original Post:

Image originally used by Chronogram Mazagine
Following roughly a year of continuous campaigning, advertising, and retail politics across a congressional district larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, Democratic residents of New York's 19th District are finally choosing their nominee to stand against incumbent Republican John Faso in the fall election to come. 

With all ballots nearly cast and election workers to begin the process of reporting them soon, there are several items to keep an eye on tonight as results start coming in:
  • How will Dutchess County impact the overall race? Polls opened in Dutchess at six this morning, while everyone else in the massive district had to wait until noontime. Dutchess is considered Antonio Delgado's base of support - so how strong his margin there is could tell the story for all of NY-19. 
  • Is the Rhodes wave real? Gareth Rhodes has had a really strong final week of the campaign with the New York Times, several unions, and seemingly a wave of late support arriving at just the right time, but is it too little too late and can the wave outwork Brian Flynn's early base of support in rural NY-19?
  • Is the blue wave actually coming? In 2016 fewer than 20,000 NY-19 Democrats came to select a nominee in the inevitable primary coronation of Zephyr Teachout against Will Yandik while slightly more than 16,000 Republicans participated in the bruising fight between Faso and Andrew Heaney. If the often touted wave is coming, national and local politicos will be able to tell by comparing these primary turnout rates. 

NY-19 Decides: Brian Flynn

Written By Cicero on 6/21/18 | 6/21/18

"Only candidate running with a track record of fighting for progressive causes..." - Brian Flynn.

NY-19 Decides: Brian Flynn
By Timothy Knight


Born in Rochester and raised in New Jersey, NY-19 congressional candidate and lifelong entrepreneur Brian Flynn told the Mountain Eagle in a recent sit down interview that having four Irish grandparents formed his character because he grew up in "basically an American family, but always in the context that we were dirt poor not that long before."

Mr. Flynn, who is a graduate of Georgetown University and who is President of AccuMed, is one of seven Democratic candidates vying to challenge incumbent Republican Congressman John Faso in this fall's general election.

Describing himself as "a genetic Democrat," Mr. Flynn first became involved in political activism when his brother was killed in the Lockerbie bombing in 1988. Saying that, "I was having a great college life...when all of a sudden I got thrown into this world event," Mr. Flynn joined other families in protest and later became Vice-President of the victims organization.

"That experience kind of shaped my desire for activism," said Mr. Flynn, who has gone on to be heavily involved in Democratic politics and activism, including teaching English as a second language to undocumented immigrants, while also building a career in business. 

Although the candidate has only been a resident of Greene County for 15 years - part of which as a second homeowner, with his daughter attending the local Hunter-Tannersville public school, Mr. Flynn has become a full member of the community - a claim that is reinforced by the stream of handshakes, hugs, and "hellos," the candidate received while being interviewed at Maggie's Krooked Cafe.

While Mr. Flynn has campaigned on a myriad of policy positions, he has prominently come out in favor of Medicare for All. Pointing to health care as being the number one employer in most of the counties that make up the expansive district, he believes that his proposal can gain Republican support by making the case it will enable people to pay less while creating jobs.

Noting that there are "clear distinctions" between himself and his Democratic opponents, Mr. Flynn emphasized that he has the "best chance of actually getting something done in Congress" because of his progressive track record and his experience working to get legislation passed in Washington that placed sanctions on Iran and Libya. 

Believing the race to essentially be a dead heat between himself, Antonio Delgado, and Pat Ryan, Mr. Flynn commented "If you care about Medicare for All, then I'm the only one who actually supports it." Furthermore, in addition to his campaign staff being unionized, he is the only union member running and he knocked some of his opponents for never working outside of the government or legal sectors. 

The candidate had little if nothing positive to say about Mr. Faso, knocking the incumbent for trying to take away health care, for being disingenuous about the GOP tax law, for wanting to come after entitlements, and for voting numerous times to reduce environmental protections. 

Saying, "We're going to hold him accountable," Mr. Flynn blasted his potential fall rival as "part of the problem." "It seems like he still lives Nassau County based on how he votes, because it seems like the policies that he supports supports wealthy people in Nassau County and not people living in Schoharie County," added Mr. Flynn. 

When asked why undecided primary voters should pull the lever for him, Mr. Flynn said "I'm the only candidate with a proven track record and experience to beat John Faso." Citing his support for Medicare for All, his business background, and his union membership, Mr. Flynn further stated that his resume makes for a formidable combination, which he calls "the antidote to John Faso."

Democrats will choose their nominee on Tuesday, June 26th. 

Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of interviews with the seven candidates vying for the NY-19 Democratic nomination. All seven interviews will appear in the Friday, June 22nd print edition of the Mountain Eagle.

NY-19 Decides: Dave Clegg

Written By Cicero on 6/20/18 | 6/20/18

“I feel my responsibility is to hold the executive branch in check...” - Dave Clegg

NY-19 Decides: Dave Clegg
By Joshua Walther

Dave Clegg has a particular affinity for education, a trait that was first born when he was raised in Staten Island. Seeking a quality education, he traveled two hours both ways to attend school at Brooklyn Tech. He went on to SUNY New Paltz, and SUNY Buffalo to receive his law degree. Upon returning to the Hudson Valley, Mr. Clegg set up his law practice, and has put down many roots in the region.

Mr. Clegg is one of the seven Democratic candidates that hope for the party nomination. While he has never held elected office, he has still acquired much knowledge and experience after his 37 years in the district. He believes that this is what is needed to defeat incumbent Republican Congressman John Faso in the fall.

Mr. Clegg would focus much of his time and energy on passing the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. “By passing this legislation, profit motive would be removed from health care system, every person would get quality care, and this would be a far cheaper system then it is now.”

He will also fight as best he can to repeal the tax bill that makes the wealthy wealthier, and use that money for finding environmentally friendly energy sources, stabilize the infrastructure, and bring broadband to rural areas. Mr. Clegg believes that we can “become a national leader in food production.” He will not only work to incentivize small farm growth, but also remove the pollutants that threaten the area.

Mr. Clegg realizes that there is a growing problem with poverty and education, and they go hand in hand. The schools in the area are not being funded well enough, and this leads to students that don’t understand how to keep up with the advancing economy. He feels that both situations need to be resolved, and it is something that can be prevented in the future.

As for gun control, Mr. Clegg is adamant that reform is needed. He referred to “getting guns like AR-15 out of the streets, implementing universal background checks, closing the gun show and internet loophole, and allowing funding to studying this epidemic.” In addition, he mentioned the removal of the liability protection on gun manufacturers, which hold them accountable and motivate them to create firearms with safer technology.

When it comes to running against the other candidates, Mr. Clegg believes that he has done the most work for the community. He has founded the Darmstadt Homeless Shelter, represented many people as a trial attorney, is involved with the United Methodist Church, and teaches ethics classes at Woodbourne Prison, among numerous other engagements with the local population.  

With this in mind, Mr. Clegg feels that he is ready to represent the people of the district, and focus on their needs and desires. “It will take experience, leadership, and someone who has been ingrained in our district.” He believes that he is the one to take on this responsibility, and is confident in his abilities.  

Democrats will choose their nominee on Tuesday, June 26th.  

Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of interviews with the seven candidates vying for the NY-19 Democratic nomination. All seven interviews will appear in the Friday, June 22nd print edition of the Mountain Eagle.

NY-19 Decides: Gareth Rhodes

"People are actually looking for experience and looking for someone who knows what they're doing..." - Gareth Rhodes.

NY-19 Decides: Gareth Rhodes
By Timothy Knight 
Born and raised on a farm in Esopus, NY-19 congressional candidate and former Cuomo Administration alum Gareth Rhodes told the Mountain Eagle in a recent sit down interview that he is the most experienced candidate running because, "I'm the only candidate running with government experience here in New York State."

Mr. Rhodes, who is a Political Science major from CUNY City College of New York and who has more government experience than his opponents combined at only age 29, is one of seven Democratic candidates vying to challenge incumbent Republican Congressman John Faso in this fall's general election.

Running on a platform that is often more local than national in nature, Mr. Rhodes has struck a chord of identifying community needs in his campaign: increasing cell phone service, hastening the spread of broadband, developing public transportation, and bringing a maternity ward back to underserved communities. 

This local emphasis is due in part to Mr. Rhodes' folksy tour of all 163 towns in the district - which is bigger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined - in his 1999 Ford Winnebago, where the candidate met the Mountain Eagle for this story.

Although this technique is not new, as former U.S. Senator Scott Brown is renown for his 2010 campaign in his beat up pickup truck in neighboring Massachusetts, it represents a simpler approach in a race that has become defined by candidates spending large amounts of money on mailers, commercials, and consultants. 

"The majority of my challengers are running very much Washington campaigns, which is raise as much money as you can from out of district donors - very wealthy out of district donors - that is the Washington playbook and it has been tried in NY-19 many, many times; I'm doing completely opposite," commented Mr. Rhodes.

In addition to advocating for the aforementioned local issues, Mr. Rhodes is also campaigning on a very strong environmental message. Citing his childhood in the Catskills, he believes in fighting climate change, fully funding the EPA, and protecting air and water and farm land in Congress. 

From drilling water wells before college to protesting against the Iraq War in his youth and working in Governor Cuomo's office for five years, the candidate has a record of deeply intertwined public advocacy that is motivated by his political science bonafides. Mr. Rhodes, in particular, is passionate about health care after having lost a parent to cancer and is in favor of Medicare for All.

Describing the difference between himself and his potential fall GOP rival as, "Like night and day," Mr. Rhodes dinged the one term representative for not holding public meetings and for not showing up in his district, while saying constituents need someone who will "look voters in the eye" and put the district first.

When asked to make his final case to undecided voters, Mr. Rhodes said "Gareth is the best candidate to beat John Faso and he's the best candidate to serve this community because he has taken the time to listen and the needs of each town are the issues he will fight for in Washington, D.C."

Democrats will choose their nominee on Tuesday, June 26th.

Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of interviews with the seven candidates vying for the NY-19 Democratic nomination. All seven interviews will appear in the Friday, June 22nd print edition of the Mountain Eagle.

NY-19 Decides: Antonio Delgado

Written By Cicero on 6/19/18 | 6/19/18

We need representatives who are only beholden to the people, not special interests...” - Antonio Delgado

NY-19 Decides: Antonio Delgado
By Joshua Walther

Antonio Delgado had always felt that “education was the great equalizer”, a reality he experienced while growing up in Schenectady, New York. He was born into a working class family, though he managed to move up through Oxford University and Harvard Law School. After this, he moved to Los Angeles to begin a music company, focusing on hip hop culture and how it can bring people together.  

Ultimately, he returned to New York City to develop his legal skills, and focused on commercial issues and other work, such as cases on identity theft.

Mr. Delgado is one of the seven Democratic candidates attempting to gain the party nomination. He is confident that he can run against incumbent Republican Congressman John Faso in the general election this fall.

Mr. Delgado believes in the power of education, universal health care that’s affordable, and recognizing issues with public safety. He believes that each of these things are given rights, and will work hard to remedy these perceived problems.

While in office, Mr. Delgado also hopes to make amends to infrastructure, the criminal justice system, and protecting the environment.

Mr. Delgado ensures that he differs from his competition due to his willingness to meet with all people, no matter their political background or ideals, and said “I have a profound belief that people have trouble turning their backs on love and genuineness.”

The candidate also boasted his Diner Tour, in which he traveled across the district, stopping at local diners in towns such as Saugerties or Cobleskill, to meet with residents that were still undecided in their vote. His team also collected 6,000 petition signatures, which is more than any other Democratic candidate running against him.

At these Diner Tour stops, a topic of contention is gun control. While Mr. Delgado recognizes that responsible gun ownership is protected under the Second Amendment, he supports reforms such as banning bump stocks, which were used in the Las Vegas shooting, and prohibiting the sale of firearms to domestic abusers. Not only this, but it will be a priority to “keep weapons of war out of our neighborhoods, churches, theaters and schools.”

Mr. Delgado also called out John Faso on taking thousands of dollars from the National Rifle Association, and staying silent on topics that he felt needed to be addressed. “I won’t take a cent of their money,” he said, and promised to do his best to deliver on his word.

“We are uniquely equipped to defeat Faso in November by out-working him and out-organizing him,” Mr. Delgado closed with. He believes in both sides of the community, even those who would not normally vote in his favor. “He is going to be tough, but we have the resources to do it.”

Democrats will choose their nominee on Tuesday, June 26th.

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of interviews with the seven candidates vying for the NY-19 Democratic nomination. All seven interviews will appear in the Friday, June 22nd print edition of the Mountain Eagle.

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