Cold Spring Election Date Moves to a Vote Questions Raised About
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Serving Philipstown and Beacon FREE! Textile designer Suguru Miyagi See Page 7 Friday, February 5, 2016 161 Main St., Cold Spring, N.Y. | philipstown.info Questions Raised About Putnam Tourism Office Journal News reports Libby Pataki oversaw separate fund By Kevin E. Foley utnam County Tourism Director Libby Pataki has come under scrutiny after Pthe White Plains-based Journal News reported on Feb. 3 that besides her $70,000 county job, she also receives a salary from a non-profit county tourism organization she created and controls. The article by reporter David McKay Wilson, who writes the Tax Watch column for the Gannett-owned daily, reported that Putnam County legislator Barbara Scuccimarra, who represents Philipstown, was listed as the organization’s secretary and treasurer and signed the required documents filed with the state Attorney General’s office. Groundhogs across America seemed to agree: Spring weather’s coming early. Indeed, at the Cold Spring waterfront, the grass is Scuccimarra told Wilson she didn’t re- call her involvement in the organization, green. Only the fog is white [in this photo taken from under the eaves of a house on West Street]. Photo by Anita Peltonen Putnam Tourism Corp., which has 501(c) (3) status with the IRS that allows it to ac- Cold Spring Election Date Moves to a Vote cept tax-deductible donations. Referendum will appear on change. The issue was had been discussed Budget pressure will no doubt be a fac- The Journal News report is posted at during Ralph Falloon’s time as mayor; the tor in 2018, as well. The state-imposed lohud.com. By late Thursday, Feb. 4, nei- March 15 ballot board opted to keep the March date but budget cap will allow a spending increase ther Pataki, Scuccimarra nor Putnam pay the county Board of Elections to run it. of $1,800 to $3,000 next year and Early County Executive MaryEllen Odell had By Michael Turton has said cuts will necessary. responded to requests from The Paper for Early leans toward change their reactions to the article. Both Pataki Although she has not said how she will “There will definitely be increases in he stage is set for a public vote on and Scuccimarra live in Garrison. vote on the referendum, Early speaks posi- some costs next year,” she said. “We have whether Cold Spring should stick The county tourism director job has tively of November elections. “If we can little control over salary increases. And it’s with its traditional March election (Continued on Page 5) T eliminate $6,500 [in spending], we have to difficult to eliminate positions — we don’t or move it to November, when residents seriously consider that savings,” she said. have many to eliminate.” She would also cast votes for town, state and A change of date wouldn’t take place until cited health, liability and unem- national candidates. At their Feb. 2 meet- 2018, but she said the current board is feel- ployment insurance premiums ing, village trustees approved the referen- ing pressured by its late April deadline to as likely to increase. dum for the March 15 ballot. draft the 2016-17 budget. Early feels a date change A November election would be run by could improve budgeting. “If the Putnam County Board of Elections, at residents vote for a November no cost to the village, which now pays for election it would give those the March election. Besides that savings, seated on the board more time proponents argue fall elections would give and control over the budget,” trustees more time to prepare the annual she said. “Having people vested budget. Currently at least two trustees are in the budget cycle earlier is a elected each March, with an end of April very positive thing.” budget deadline only weeks away. Those She also said planning capital in favor of keeping the March elections say spending is a challenge as part the savings and budget benefits are not of a tight budget. “We need to do significant enough to justify the loss of a a better job with infrastructure village tradition. budget needs,” she said. “If a gar- Deputy Mayor Marie Early introduced bage truck breaks down or we Libby Pataki, second from left, with participants in the idea of a referendum several months need a new police car it’s a prob- bicycle event in Cold Spring May 5, 2013 Marie Early File photos by M. Turton ago, listing the pros and cons of a date lem. (Continued on Page 3) File photo by Maggie Benmour 2 February 5, 2016 The Paper philipstown.info Small, Good Things we cannot straightly think of one without put it in All’s Well that Ends Well: “My poor foods — in this instant, beets and cara- the others. So it happens that when I write body, madam, requires it: I am driven on melized onions, cheese; the snow on the of hunger, I am really writing about love by the flesh; and he must needs go that the ground suggesting some Savoyard or Ger- Needs Must and the hunger for it, and warmth and the devil drives,” generally accepted to mean manic ideal of Alpine comfort food; the By Joe Dizney love of it and the hunger for it … and then “necessity compels” or in a modern ver- necessity of dinner. the warmth and richness and fine reality nacular: “Like I have a choice?” It’s odd to me that I could find no di- hen accusingly asked why she of hunger satisfied … and it is all one.” Then there’s this therapeutic catchphrase: rect historical precedent for savory bread wrote about food and not about I would elaborate with another thought “HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired,” an puddings, as obvious as they seem, but the important things like love or the W or two, the first referring to the headline of acronymic-mnemonic rejoinder to stop and classic gratin Savoyards, tartiflette and struggle for power and authority, M.F.K. this column, the history of which is buried be mindful of your physical, mental and croziflettes of the Savoie pointed to areas Fisher responded: somewhere in the distant past in an idi- emotional needs before taking any drastic worth exploring. So, layering custard- “It seems to me that our three basic omatic expression usually phrased, “Needs actions. (And, please, note the first reminder soaked sourdough-rye bread chunks with needs, for food and security and love, are must when the devil drives.” As The Bard on the list.) These things are very important. oven-roasted beets and sweet caramelized so mixed and mingled and entwined that When queried on my own borderline onions and binding the works with grated obsessive interest in food, I invariably re- Gruyere seemed worth a try. spond that there are few things in life you This casserole would make a fine simple absolutely have to do in order to survive, winter meal with the addition of just a let alone flourish, and eating seems to be green salad. As the basis of an impromptu a central one. Since it is so necessary to Thursday night potluck with people I love, body, mind, soul and by extension, society, it became a feast of the bread pudding, a we had best make the most out of it. cider-braised pork belly and greens vinai- How I got to this week’s recipe from grette (with one perfectly ripe pear) — not such airy thinking is both circuitous and to mention companionship and conver- direct: an emotional longing for specific sation — that I believe the participants will cherish for a while. The warmth and richness and Savory Roasted Beet and fine reality of hunger sat- Caramelized Onion Bread Pudding isfied, indeed. 4-5 medium beets; peeled, cubed, 14 ounces stale rye/sourdough bread oiled and roasted at 425 degrees (or dry fresh bread out in a 200 for 30 minutes. Reserve. degree oven) 3 to 4 large onions, caramelized 2 cups heavy cream (or combination with 2 tablespoons olive oil over of milk and cream) medium low heat, 30 minutes to 6 large eggs 1 hour 8 ounces grated Gruyere 3 tablespoons olive oil ¼ to ½ cup walnuts, lightly roasted Roasted beet and caramelized onion bread pudding Photo by J. Dizney 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and chopped roughly 2 tablespoons fresh dill for garnish 1. Prepare the beets as above. Caramelize the onions in a skillet with three tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Stir frequently for 30 minutes to an hour. Salt and pepper to taste about halfway through. Stir in balsamic just BE OUR before removing from heat. Reserve. Beets and onions can be prepared a day in advance. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tear or cut bread into rough one to two-inch VALENTINE! pieces; reserve in a large bowl. Whisk together cream (or cream and milk) and eggs, salt and pepper to taste, and pour mixture over bread. Stir briefly Join us for a romantic to coat and let soak for 15 to 20 minutes to absorb some of the custard Special Chef’s Five Course Menu mixture. Butter a 1 to 1½ quart casserole. $239+ per couple | Half Bottle Gruet Brut included 3. In the buttered casserole, alternate thin layers of the moistened bread, beets, onions and cheese (in that order) until all the bread and beets are or A la Carte available. gone. (You’ll end up with leftover onions, which will keep covered in the Call or Email Now To Make Reservations refrigerator for a week and make a nice addition to sandwiches, etc.) Pour the remaining custard mixture over all.