SPEND Exit Home as Heat up Elliott a haven the oven TIME Interview with Auerbach Local Artisan Children’s WISELY quitting to take Bakery Home’s Eric with Albany job opens in Almanac Houghtaling Midtown Weekly ELECTION 2019 > 3 COMMUNITY > 6 FOOD > 4 THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019 VOLUME 14; ISSUE 19 ULSTER PUBLISHING, INC. WWW.HUDSONVALLEYONE.COM KINGSTON TIMES ONE DOLLAR FIFTY CENTS ELECTION 2019 The People’s Party candidate Ethan Scott Barnett launches campaign for mayor BY JESSE J. SMITH PHOTO PROVIDED Ethan Scott Barnett. ingston Mayor Steve PHYLLIS McCABE Noble has spent the past three years outlining a progressive vision for Kingston. But a K newcomer to city politics, Who’s a blessed dog? Ethan Scott Barnett, says he sees a gap between that vision and the reality of MARY ANN MONGELLI HOLDS 4-YEAR-OLD ZOEY, owned by Jo Anne Powell, while Pastor Jim Kordaris conducts the ragged streets, underfunded parks and a service at the Annual Blessing of the Animals at St. George’s Greek Church. (continued on page 13) THE COURTS DOWNTOWN Sue your abuser Where’s the green? Child Victims Act allows for lawsuits to be With a giant hole in the ground and filed much longer after incidents BY VIOLET SNOW clock ticking, questions remain fter years of resistance about Irish Cultural Center’s ability from New York State law- BY JESSE J. SMITH makers, the newly Demo- to pay for the project cratic-controlled legislature A he Irish Cultural Center has passed a bill that extends sion. A year ago, the group received site the statute of limitations for youthful vic- of the Hudson Valley has ap- plan approval and excavated the site in tims of sexual assault to bring suit against plied for a building permit that preparation for construction. But the their abusers and against the church, will clear the way for construc- group missed a six-month deadline to school, or other institution where the T tion of the proposed pub and secure building permits — something abuse occurred. While this change is good performance space on Abeel Street. But ICC officials chalked up to a “terrible news for people who are ready to confront questions remain about how the nonprofit mistake” — and was forced to re-do the perpetrators, the process of bringing such will finance the project. site plan approval process with the city a suit can be daunting. The ICCHV backers hope to build a planning board. Planners gave a second Kingston attorney Kris McDaniel-Mic- 16,000-square-foot facility on a vacant OK to the project and set a June deadline cio wants to help sexual abuse victims lot at 32 Abeel St. The center includes a for the group to get its building permit. take advantage of the new law, given that pub, a 171-seat theater and classroom and Meanwhile, the excavation at the site has preparation for a suit may include such program space for traditional Irish music, been cited by neighbors as causing erosion challenges as marshaling evidence, setting dance, language and sports. (continued on page 2) down detailed and painful memories, and Since the project was first proposed identifying and finding witnesses. She is in 2011, the ICCHV has struggled with seeking a venue for a workshop that would zoning issues, a series of legal actions assist with the process, in collaboration from neighbors and the since-overturned with such experts as Michael Dowd, who rejection of their plan by the city’s Historic (continued on page 5) Kris McDaniel-Miccio. Preservation and Landmarks Commis- 2 THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019 KINGSTON TIMES POLICE BRIEF police said. with the misdemeanors of third-de- Where’s the green? According to the KPD, Nathan gree assault and endangering the Felony contempt alleged Rodriguez is accused of violating an welfare of a child. Continued from Page 1 order of protection and pushing a Rodriguez was processed and A 33-year-old Kingston man was victim to the fl oor, causing an injury, arraigned in City Court and sent to arrested and charged Monday with in the presence of an eight-year-old Ulster County jail in lieu of $1,000 to a footpath linking Abeel Street to the Strand, as felony criminal contempt following a child. Besides fi rst-degree criminal bail. well as erosion damage to adjacent properties. The domestic violence incident, Kingston contempt, Rodriguez was charged DAN BARTON ICCHV has been cited twice by the city for issues re- lated to the excavation, most recently in April when a seeing this project through to completion. We believe bank loan. A “Form 990” — a federal tax document neighbor complained that her seven-year-old son had that the Irish Cultural Center is a beautiful and restor- required of nonprofit groups — shows that at the end nearly fallen into the pit after the ground beneath his ative project that will very much add to the cultural of 2017, the group listed $518,884 in assets. Of that, feet suddenly gave way. Mayor Steve Noble and City richness and economic development of not only the $464,272 is listed as land and equipment. Revenue is Planner Suzanne Cahill have both said that they would Rondout neighborhood, but also all of Kingston, Ulster listed as $58,884 while the nonprofit logged $21,597 like to see construction get underway soon and raised County and our Hudson Valley region.” in donations. the possibility that the ICCHV could be required to At least one critic of the project has expressed fill in the excavation if it did not. A long way to go concerns that the nonprofit will not be able to follow If approved, the building permit would give ICCHV But the statement does not address when construc- through on construction. Deanna Baum lives adjacent one year to complete the project. After that, the group tion will begin, or the projected cost of the project. to the Abeel Street site and claims that the excavation could apply for a six-month extension. If the project According to a 2016 project summary submitted to has contributed to damage to her patio and driveway. is not complete within 18 months, it would need to the New York State Dormitory Authority as part of a Baum was one of a group of neighbors who went to go back before the planning board for another round grant application, the total projected cost of the center court to challenge a zoning board ruling that cleared of review. is $4.68 million. The summary lists funding sources as the way for the center’s site plan approval. ICCHV representatives declined to be interviewed $2 million in state grants through the Dormitory Au- “I’m concerned about the ICC’s ability to follow this by the Kingston Times for this story. But in a prepared thority and the state Economic Development Capital project through in a conscientious, timely and profes- statement, the group wrote, “We remain committed to Program, $1.7 million in donations and a $986,000 sional manner given that we have had serious safety issues and major property damage,” wrote Baum in an email to Kingston Times. “We have already been living next to an open, eroding excavation pit for a full year.” Wholesale Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, who helped secure Sorbello’s Greenhouse & retail a $1.5 million grant for the center through the state Economic Development Capital Program, said this week that the grant, and a second $50,000 grant secured by State Sen. George Amedore had no time 22 varieties of sweet and hot peppers including Ghost, Scorpion and Carolina Reaper. limit and remained active. The grant will go towards reimbursement of ICCHV once the project is complete. 25 varieties of tomatoes including 8 heirloom varieties. “Like many in our community, we are hopeful that 4 pk. Flowers Vegetables & Herbs...$1.49 legal and logistic obstacles are in the rear-view mirror 16 varieties of herbs including Lovage, Chervil, Sorrel & French Tarragon. and the project will move forward with dispatch,” Cahill wrote in response to inquiries from Kingston Times. 10” & 12” Hanging Baskets In their statement, ICCHV officials noted that the (NOW ACCEPTING ALL CREDIT CARDS) group is a nonprofit that relies on donations and com- munity event fees to fund programs. The email also notes the grants from Cahill and Amedore as well as support Open 7 Days 9am-5pm | 845-691-7828 | 139 Martin Avenue, Highland from local contractors and licensed professionals who had contributed their time to the project. This is more than great rates This is more savings for wherever you’re going. Platinum Savings Account µÜÜãÏÚÄÓàÑÓÜâÏÕÓÍ×ÓÚÒÔÝà_`ÛÝÜâÖá % å×âÖÜÓåÛÝÜÓçÒÓÞÝá×âáÝÔÏâÚÓÏáâ r`c^^^ÏÜÒÏÛ×Ü×ÛãÛÒÏ×ÚçÏÑÑÝãÜâ 2.10 ÐÏÚÏÜÑÓÝÔr`c^^^ÝàÛÝàÓ_ Guaranteed Fixed-Rate CD µÜÜãÏÚÄÓàÑÓÜâÏÕÓÍ×ÓÚÒÔÝàÏÜ % __#ÛÝÜâÖâÓàÛå×âÖÜÓåÛÝÜÓç ` 2.40 ÒÓÞÝá×âáÝÔÏâÚÓÏáâr`c^^^ Talk to a banker for details. ÃøÓàÓæÞ×àÓáÁÏça_`^_g ¶ãá×ÜÓááÝåÜÓà Ask about our business savings rates. 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