Reader-Supported News for Philipstown and Beacon Love IS IN THE Air Page 14 FEBRUARY 12, 2021 Celebrating 10 Years! Support us at highlandscurrent.org/join Pharmacies Expand Vaccine Role CVS, Walgreens to start with 40K doses a week By Leonard Sparks he federal COVID-19 vaccination effort is expanding to CVS and T Walgreens stores and grocery-based pharmacies, as many residents, especially seniors over 65, face futility in trying to book appointments. CVS began administering 20,600 vaccine doses in New York today (Feb. 12) at 32 locations outside New York City under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. The program will initially send 1 million doses of the Moderna vaccine directly to 6,500 pharmacies nationwide each week, bolster- ing what each state is already distributing to pharmacies. Walgreens also began administering doses today under the program, allocating 18,600 doses to 187 of its pharmacies in New York City and 10,700 doses to 107 stores in the rest of the state. Retail Business Services LLC, which operates pharmacies at five East Coast grocery store chains, including Stop & Shop and Hannaford, is also vaccinating STORM SENTRY — As the snow kept falling, the farmers at the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming in Philipstown at some of its New York locations. had to ensure the animals were safe and fed and that their tunnel homes didn’t collapse under the weight of the snow. This shot Under state guidelines, hospitals are prior- was taken last week during the first storm. “Pigs are naturally playful and curious and ours do seem to enjoy rooting around in itizing their vaccines for health care workers the snow,” said Liz Corio of Glynwood. “They are more cold-hardy than they might look because of their hefty fat layer.” (Continued on Page 7) Photo by Nicole Scott/Glynwood Dutchess Approves Police Reform Plans Released Putnam, Dutchess focus on County’s Police Policy Review Panel capped More Stadium Funding a five-month process that began with a Long-term agreement with iation with the Tampa Bay body cameras, training meeting in August and involved County Rays to become a farm team By Leonard Sparks Executive MaryEllen Odell, county legisla- Renegades said to be close of the New York Yankees. tors and police and elected officials, includ- utnam and Dutchess counties each ing Cold Spring Mayor Dave Merandy and By Jeff Simms The team also moved up in the minors to Single-A and extended its season to 66 released recommendations on Feb. 5 Officer-in-Charge Larry Burke. he Dutchess County Legislature games, from April to September, although P for reforms for their sheriff’s depart- The 21-member panel, chaired by Odell, this week approved $1.43 million it’s not clear how the 2021 season will be ments under an executive order by Gov. also invited residents to provide input by T in bond funding to install energy- impacted by the pandemic. The 2020 season Andrew Cuomo. joining any of nine subgroups to represent efficient LED lighting at Dutchess Stadium was canceled because of the shutdown. The order, issued June 12, requires the interests of people of color, educators, while taking another step toward a long- The vote, which took place on Monday municipalities to study their police poli- LGBTQIA+ residents, veterans and other term agreement with the stadium’s (Feb. 8), was 23-2, with both Nick Page, cies and issue reports by April 1 on reforms constituent groups. tenants, the Hudson Valley Renegades. whose district includes Wards 1, 2 and 3 in to, among other goals, “eliminate racial The public can read the plan and submit The Renegades, a minor league base- Beacon, and Frits Zernike, whose district inequities in policing” following the video- feedback at putnamcountyny.com/policere- ball team, have played at “the Dutch” since includes Ward 4, voting yes. taped killing in May 2020 of a Black man, viewpanel until Wednesday (Feb. 17), when its construction in 1994 on Route 9D just Legislator Michael Polasek, who repre- George Floyd, by a white police officer in a virtual public hearing is scheduled, and outside of Beacon. After Major League Base- sents LaGrange, suggested before the vote Minneapolis. Beacon and Cold Spring are register to speak during the hearing, which ball began restructuring its minor leagues that the expanded season and Yankees still working on their plans. will be livestreamed. The full Legislature in 2019, the team last year dropped its affil- (Continued on Page 21) The 194-page report issued by Putnam (Continued on Page 8) 2 FEBRUARY 12, 2021 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.org FIVE QUESTIONS: JEFF MIKKELSON By Jeff Simms would operate as a single-payer system, we’ve lived under this dysfunctional system with no network restrictions, no premiums for so long. Almost every developed country in By Michael Turton eff Mikkelson of Cold Spring is a and no fees at the point of service. the world covers its residents better than we co-founder of Hudson Valley Demands do, and more cheaply. Medicare is the closest JNew York Health. How would it differ from the health thing that we have to a single-payer system. It What’s the longest insurance marketplace? runs more efficiently than the private system, you’ve had to wait What is the New York It would be infinitely simpler. The system with administrative costs that are a fraction Health Act? we have now is a mix of hundreds of of the insurance industry’s. Two large-scale in line? It’s a bill before the public and private insurance plans, studies concluded that the New York Health Legislature that would each of which has its own network Act would cover more people better than we guarantee comprehen- and terms. Under the Health Act, do now, cost less for individuals and save the sive health care to every everyone would be covered by the state billions of dollars each year. In addi- resident and full-time same comprehensive plan. Funding tion to lower administrative costs, we would Three to four hours for tickets worker in the state. It would come through money that the be bargaining collectively for better prices. to Summer Jam in New would cover primary state gets from the federal govern- York City when Chris Brown and specialty care, as well ment for Medicaid, Medicare and Why are you passionate about this? headlined. It was worth it! as mental and reproduc- other programs, and a progressive tax My mother had many health problems at tive health, dental, vision, on income. Right now, I pay the same the end of her life and was constantly trying hearing, prescriptions for a given health care plan that a to figure out whether she was covered for and long-term billionaire would. Under this procedure or that. I developed a deep care. It the Health Act, your sense of the injustice of our system. I wanted contribution would to work toward change that I thought was be based on your possible in the midst of the chaos we have ability to pay. in this country. If we could get this passed, it would impact every single New Yorker. It sounds too We could become a model for the rest of the good to be country. I’m also a small-business owner, true. and for many years, at the beginning of my That’s a career, I didn’t have health insurance. I was ~ Lamerica Smith, Beacon natural reac- lucky because I didn’t get seriously ill. tion because The bill was introduced in the Assem- bly in 1992 and has been reintroduced many times since. Why do you think My buddy and I waited this year will be any different? three hours to get into It’s picked up steam in recent years. It’s the Star Wars prequel. C & E Paint Supply passed the Assembly by large margins four Orders can be placed by phone or in-store. times and last year was one vote shy of a We provide in-store or curb-side pick-up. majority in the Senate. A lot of proponents of the Act were elected in 2020, so we have Masks must be worn in the store and, until social people coming in who want to see it get distancing is no longer required, no dogs please. done. If you look at the bigger picture, the NEW STORE HOURS: pandemic has underscored the need for Monday through Friday fundamental change in the way we admin- 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ister health care. A lot of the inefficiencies Closed Saturday and Sunday in our system have been multiplied, espe- cially in communities of color and disad- 158 Main Street vantaged areas. New York is facing a big budget crunch and the Health Act could (845) 265-3126 become attractive to municipalities unable ~ Michael Del Monte, Garrison to meet their budgets in coming years. I slept overnight on the floor at JFK airport for a AERY 20/20 flight to Puerto Rico. There was a mechanical problem. SO-OVER-COVID One-Act Play Festival 2 nights of selected one-acts (mature content) to view online and vote for your favorites! Winners will perform in the Depot's Pop Up Patio Series in the spring! ONLINE Performances: February 27 at 8pm & March 6 at 8pm philipstowndepottheatre.org for tickets and play titles ` ~ Elsa Bernardi, Cold Spring highlandscurrent.org The Highlands Current FEBRUARY 12, 2021 3 Pilates Instructor Sues Beacon Alleges mistaken identity City of Beacon and several officers who are What members are saying identified as “John Does.” led to detainment City Administrator Chris White declined By Leonard Sparks comment.