Looking back on 2011

HARLEM VALLEY — What better time to look back on what has been than at the beginning of a new year? Last year, 2011, was full of ups, downs and major events that changed lives and will continue to have an impact on the year to come. The Millerton News looked back over 2011 to summarize the most notable happenings of the year.JanuaryThe first baby born in the Harlem Valley in 2011 was Blaine Thomas, the son of Millerton residents Matt and Ashley White. Blaine was born on Jan. 3 at Sharon Hospital.The Amenia Town Hall ribbon cutting was held to officially mark the opening of the new Town Hall location.The region was hit with a large snow storm that dumped at least 18 inches of snow, which shut down local schools and businesses.It was revealed that Henry Klimowicz was not reappointed to his position as chairman of the Planning Board in North East during the annual reorganization meeting. Klimowicz had volunteered on the Planning Board for over a decade.FebruaryLocal radio station WQQQ 103.3 ended its nearly two decades of broadcasts and was replaced with an NPR affiliate station.The Pine Plains Town Board renewed the town’s 10-year contract with Cablevision.MarchThe proposal to build a go-cart track on Route 44 was refused again in North East.The Silo Ridge project in Amenia was granted a two-year extension so that the applicants would have enough time to secure necessary permits.Airman Zachary Cuddeback was killed by a gunman in Germany. Cuddeback had family ties to Millerton.Downtown Wassaic was evacuated after the river that runs through the center of the hamlet flooded much of the community. The storm that caused the flood also knocked out power across much of the region.The town of Washington adopted a vision statement, which describes the hopes for the future of the town over the next 20 years.The village of Millbrook agreed to a settlement regarding an underground oil spill at the Village Hall that affected the neighboring properties.AprilA property reassessment in North East drastically increasedthe value of some properties, causing outrage in the agricultural community.Ken Sauer was rehired as the principal at Webutuck High School.MayAmerican Legion Post 178 hosted a chicken barbecue fundraiser to help Wingdale Marine John Curtin, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan.The North East Community Center’s lease for part of the Millerton Elementary School building was renewed, allowing the nonprofit to continue using the space to offer classes and other programs.Mashomack hosted a Victorian Tea Party to raise money for the Pine Plains Free Library.St. Joseph’s Church collected goods to send to tornado victims in Alabama.The Amenia Town Board adopted a resolution to add an additional 65 acres to the Soil Mining Overlay Zoning District.The North East Planning Board announced the proposed supermarket behind Thompson Plaza on Route 44 would be a permitted use under the current zoning.JuneWebutuck investigated switching from diesel school buses to propane buses. The switch was later put on hold due to associated costs.Amenia businessman John Segalla passed away after a battle with bone cancer.Millbrook explored adding affordable housing to the comprehensive plan.Amenia resident and tree-worker Robert Jasmin died in an on-the-job accident.Millbrook hosted “A Taste of Millbrook” to raise money for grants for local schools.Whitney Ellsworth, managing partner of the Lakeville Journal Company, passed away.The town of Washington adopted a Wetlands and Watercourses Law.The Pine Plains School District budget was defeated for a second time, forcing the district to adopt a contingency budget.Webutuck Superintendent Steven Schoonmaker stepped down. He was the sixth superintendent to work in the district during the last decade. He was replaced with James Gratto.JulyThe Cornell Cooperative Extension celebrated its 100th birthday.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited Millbrook to sign a new law against texting while driving.It was revealed that ex-superintendent Steven Schoonmaker would be paid through October, despite leaving his position at Webutuck in June.AugustWassaic hosted another successful Wassaic Project art festival.Prominent community member Clyde Chase died after a decade-long fight against Parkinson’s Disease.Tropical Storm Irene swept through the region, but damage was less than expected due to lighter winds and a new culvert in Amenia that saved Wassaic from flooding.SeptemberPine Plains hosted a parade and ceremony to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.The World Peace Sanctuary located in Wassaic hosted another successful Peace Festival to invite world citizens to bring peace into their lives and their actions.Millbrook veterinarian David Hammond died of cancer.OctoberThe Pine Plains FFA hosted its annual Fall Festival to celebrate local agriculture and share farming treats and knowledge with the community.Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro visited American Legion Post 178 in Millerton to discuss his run for Dutchess County Executive. He was elected and then sworn into office in January 2012.Amenia resident John Stefanopoulos was killed in a car crash. He was the son of Peter Stefanopoulos, one of the founders of the Four Brother Restaurant chain.An unseasonable snowstorm downed trees and wires and knocked out power in the area for several days.It was announced that the Wassaic DDSO will close by 2013.NovemberThe Stissing Mountain Middle/High School was subjected to two separate bomb threat hoaxes only a few weeks apart. The culprit(s) remain at large.Robert Estabrook, a well-known journalist and editor and publisher emeritus and an owner at the Lakeville Journal Company, died.Local elections resulted in many new appointments. North East Supervisor David Sherman was ousted by John Merwin. Planning Board Chairman Bill Flood was elected as the Amenia town supervisor after Supervisor Wayne Euvrard declined from running again. Pine Plains Supervisor Gregg Pulver was defeated by Brian Coons. Gary Ciferri beat the Deputy Supervisor Stanley Morse for the position of Washington supervisor.Lois Decker, a 73-year-old Hillsdale resident, was murdered in her home. Shafiqul Islam was arrested soon after in connection to the incident.DecemberThe Amenia Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals adopted resolutions to renew the 10-year permits regarding the Sprint/Nextel cell tower located on DeLavergne Hill.Local artist Dianne Engleke’s artwork was censored when it was removed from the walls of the Sharon Town Hall Galleria while she was in the process of hanging her art show.Two trees outside of the Amenia Town Hall were lit during a special tree lighting ceremony. The trees that were lit were originally planted in memory of two Amenia girls who died in a tragic car accident in 1990.