The Extremist Next Door to Increase but Taxes Decrease, Or Vice Versa
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Reader-Supported News for Philipstown and Beacon Caw and Response Page 6 MAY 17, 2019 Support us at highlandscurrent.org/donate Beacon Assessments Jump 10 Percent Hate in the Highlands But don’t panic — your reason to panic,” explained James Gazzale, a representative for the state tax department, taxes may not go up who noted that it’s possible for an assessment The Extremist Next Door to increase but taxes decrease, or vice versa. By Jeff Simms What typically make your taxes rise is an increase in municipal or school district First Pittsburgh, then Christchurch and Poway — any property owners in Beacon spending. Beacon property owners pay taxes were surprised last week when to the city, Dutchess County, the Beacon City where does the hate come from? Mthey received the city’s 2019 School District and the Howland Public property assessments in the mail and Library District, each of which has its own discovered nearly across-the-board tax levy, or a percentage of its budget it’s By Chip Rowe chapters of TRS listeners — their increases of 10 percent. allowed to raise through taxes. gatherings are called “pool parties” — up Residents took to social media to air their In Beacon, new construction added $30 hen the four pseudonymous from four just two years ago. An offshoot of grievances; one thread on Facebook had million of assessed value, which could hosts of a popular white TRS called Identity Dixie and described by nearly 500 posts, with many people express- contribute to a tax rate decrease and W supremacist podcast produced the SPLC as “neo-Confederate” has seven ing concern that taxes would be going up. assists in spreading the tax levy across a in southern Dutchess County were chapters. Recruitment fliers promoting TRS However, that’s not always the case, larger base while giving residents more “doxxed” — or publicly identified — in Janu- have been posted at the University at Albany, state and local tax officials say. equity in their homes. ary 2017, three immediately left the show. Purdue, Kent State and other universities, “A higher assessment isn’t necessarily a (Continued on Page 17) The fourth seemed to shrug and carry on. according to the Anti-Defamation League. He began using his real name on the show “People need to understand that TDS is and made no effort to scrub his identity or more than a podcast,” says Michael Edison address from the internet. This astonished Hayden, a senior investigative reporter for a contributor to It’s Going Down, an anti- the SPLC who earlier this month posted fascist site, who wrote: “We could be deal- a video clip from a 2017 book-burning ing with someone preparing to live as an conducted behind Dunstan’s home. “They open Nazi in Fishkill, New York.” are attempting to build an on-the-ground Two years later, Jesse Dunstan, 40, white supremacist movement.” remains a co-host of TDS (a consumer- That Dunstan lives in the Hudson Valley friendly rebranding of its original name, is not widely known, which may be how he The Daily Shoah, which mocks the Holo- navigates dual identities, hating openly caust), on which he spews hatred for Jews, but not openly hated. He resides with his blacks, Muslims and gays. The show — one wife and two children in a modest home of 18 hosted on a website run by Dunstan that he has owned since 2007, pays his called The Right Stuff (TRS) — has more taxes and has played guitar in local bands. than 400 episodes. From family photos once posted on social The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), media, he appears to be a regular guy. which tracks extremists, calls TRS “one of And he used to be, years ago, when he was the white supremacist movement’s most growing up in Garrison. popular and effective [audio] propaganda hubs.” It says there are 34 loosely organized (Continued on Page 20) The owner of 15 Main St. in Cold Spring hopes to convert the building into a cafe and one-room tourist home. See Page 17. Photo by M. Turton ation of village drinking water, rather than relying on Facebook discussions. He made Mayor: ‘Go to the comments at the May 14 meeting of the Village Board. Source’ with Merandy advised residents to call the village office or Superintendent of Water and Waste Water Greg Phillips, pointing out that Water Concerns Phillips has managed the system for 25 years and has dealt with discoloration “probably Cold Spring plans to flush twice a year” throughout that time. hydrants next week “When we’ve had so much rain, there’s really nothing much you can do,” Merandy said. By Michael Turton Philips agreed. “It’s a little aggravating” to learn of complaints only through social old Spring Mayor Dave Merandy media, he said. “People should call us. We urged residents to “go to the source” C with concerns over recent discolor- (Continued on Page 17) Dunstan is shown in a video he posted to YouTube: "Ellis Island was a big mistake." 2 MAY 17, 2019 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org FIVE QUESTIONS: SETH GALLAGHER By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong an overhaul of the cash bail system. Going had experience with aspects of the law in forward, pretrial release without bail will running a business and in village govern- eth Gallagher, 54, a former bagpipes- be mandated when the offense is a misde- ment. I like solving puzzles, problems. By Michael Turton maker who served as mayor of Cold meanor, or for certain nonviolent felonies. That’s what law is. Spring from 2009 to 2013, in Febru- S The law will also give defendants access to What was the best part — and the ary was sworn in as an attorney with the the evidence possessed by the prose- Which sandwiches win hardest part? Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office. cution much earlier in the One of the best parts was you’re gold, silver and bronze? How is the job going? pretrial process, allow- spending all your time reading and It’s going great. The people I work with ing them to make more thinking and learning. There’s a take a holistic approach that includes work- informed decisions as to real luxury in doing that. The ing with social workers and dealing with whether to accept a plea hardest part? It wasn’t too diffi- offer. New York is now a (G) Italian combo on a aspects of the client’s life that are maybe cult. I sort of fell right into it. I was roll, (S) bologna and more tangential to the criminal case but leader in criminal justice surprised about that. I thought relate to trying to assist people as much as reform. it might be more daunting. Of cheese on a roll, (B) possible so they don’t have future contact Why did you go to law course, it takes a little time to come BLT on toasted white. with the justice system. I’m dealing with school? up to speed. people who are dealing with difficult situ- I’d been making instru- Any advice for someone ations; I like being able to provide help. ments for over 20 years considering a What do you like least about it? and was ready for return to It does seem the scales are often weighted a change. It’s school? against the rights of the defendant. This is a pretty soli- If you can often the case when someone is charged with tary endeavor; afford it, it’s a an offense and bail is set at an amount much I was looking great experi- higher than needed to satisfy the purpose of for something ence — to be bail — to ensure the defendant shows up at more social. able to start court. This results in people being held in And I wanted anew and try jail when they don’t pose a flight risk. Yet if something something you have money, you could get out. This issue that would different. And ~ Tommy Wills, Beacon is undergoing a huge change in New York. be more it’s never too intellec- Seth Gallagher In the last few weeks the state government Photo by Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong late! has adopted substantial reforms, including tual. I’d (G) Grilled cheese on sourdough, (S) BLT on toasted wheat, (B) peanut butter and Everyone strawberry jelly on wheat. Welcome To access the accessibility tools at highlandscurrent.org, select CTRL-U or click on the blue circle at the bottom right corner of any page. ~Gwen Gordon, Garrison (G) Peanut butter and marmalade on toasted rye, ORGANIC HEIRLOOM (S) hummus and avocado on wheat, (B) bacon, egg VEGETABLE SEEDLING SALE and cheese on ciabatta. At the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market | May 25 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM TOMATOES: Black Krim, Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Cosmonaut Volkov, Glacier, Green Zebra, Jubilee, Paul Robeson, Pruden’s Purple, Rose de Berne, Striped German, Yellow Brandywine, & more. CHERRY TOMATOES: Black Cherry, Peacevine, Sungold (Hybrid) and more. PASTE TOMATOES: Amish Paste, San Marzano, Blue Beech ALSO: Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Kale, Cucumbers, Swiss Chard, Summer and Winter Squash, basil, & more MORE INFORMATION: www.fourwindsfarmny.com | (845) 399-0788 ~ Phil Shea, Beacon highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current MAY 17, 2019 3 NEWS BRIEFS Legislators Override Veto Dutchess Gives Expand hours for wine and liquor sales Tourism Awards he Dutchess County Legislature voted Bannerman, Fishkill Farms recognized T 19-5 on May 13 to override a veto by the county executive and expand the hours for utchess Tourism, Inc. announced the sales of wine and liquor.