Beacon Dispatch

More Police/City Hall Drama

The Poughkeepsie Journal is reporting today that City Administrator Joe Braun has had a suit filed against him alleging that Braun told the City of Beacon Police to, "...have [no] contact of any kind, either directly or indirectly," with two City women. These women allege that City of Beacon Police Detective Tony Rios lied when claiming to save an infant's life in November of 2004.

Kayaker hits snag in sea crossing

Looks like Beacon resident / sea kayaker Ray Fusco prepared for every contingency in his quest to paddle across the Adriatic Sea except small-minded bureaucrats. He sent this message to the Dispatch earlier this week...

> I need the power of American Press.  The local
> officials here have forbade us to attempt this trip
> under the threat of arrest because we do not have
> the proper permssion.  Unfortunatley there is no
> real proper permission for human powered craft.
>
> The local media had written several stories about
> our trip then the National Search and Rescue team
> read the stories and called the local authorities to
> hunt us down and stop us.
>
> Now we have been fighting for days to get the
> permits but to no avail we have had no luck.  The Ex
> Communist systems here along with a lack of
> awareness of what Sea Kayaking is has stopped our
> trip.
>
> We are now on a full media blitz!!  We have local
> media meeting us for a morning press conference and
> a 5pm TV interview.
>
> Could you call the local Croatian authorities to do
> a follow up to your article and ask why we can not
> go.  I am looking for a little pressure from the US
> media to force their hand.  I would need you to call
> ASAP because I am very tight on time.
>
> If this is too big a favor I understand.  Thanks and
> wish me luck.
>
> Port Authority Managing Director - Branko Gregic -
> 00385 21 390 230
> Harbor Captain Boris Matosic
>
> Ray

Rivers & Estuaries breaks ground, changes name

On Wednesday the Rivers & Estuaries Center broke ground on its first building at Denning's Point and changed its name to the "The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries." John Cronin, Managing Director of the institute explained that the change "reflects an appreciation for the organization's chosen home and its commitment to building a global center for the study of rivers and estuaries."

The 4,000 square foot "Building One" is the first permanent structure for the Institute. It will house exhibitions, educational programs, and serve as a field office and visitors center.  It is schedule to open in the fall.

Design has also started on the second building, designed to house the Center for Advanced Environmental Technology -- a 37,000 quare foot facility located in the old paper clip factory on Denning's Point. Governor Pataki announced $25 million to find this project in his 2007/07 budget.

You can read more about the Rivers & Estuaries project in this article by Jen Sipple.

More bad news for the Beacon Police

I realize there's more to talk about in Beacon than the police department, but the news just keeps getting worse. Today Dan Paulsen reports in the Poughkeepsie Journal that another lawsuit has been filed, this time against two police officers accused of beating a man while in custody in 2003.

The suit is one of "at least four federal lawsuits pending against Beacon police, including three lawsuits that name [Frank] Pompilio as a defendant." The suits all allege that defendants were the victims of excessive force while in custody.

Editorial: Chief Sassi Should Step Down

On February 8th Beacon Police Chief Richard Sassi filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Beacon. In that suit he claims that disciplinary proceedings pending against him are a response to his criticism of City leaders who have asked for more accountability from the Chief.

If the Chief feels he has been harmed in a manner worthy of a civil action, then he should pursue whatever legal means he feels are necessary to resolve those issues. But he should do so as a private citizen. The moment that civil action impairs the Chief's civil responsibilities, the only reasonable response is to step back and let someone else take the reins.

Construction Commences on the Rivers and Estuaries Center

The first in several major steps begins

by Jennifer Sipple

Over the past couple of years, Beacon residents have become aware of the expanding presence of the Rivers and Estuaries Center now located on Main Street.  Questions loom: will the future Center bring new businesses to Beacon, more job opportunities and higher real estate values?  Although the project is still in the incubation stage, the Rivers and Estuaries people and their planners have fleshed out a vision.  Here’s what they say we can expect to see in the very near future.

“Building 1,” as it is lovingly named, is the first building to be incorporated into the future Rivers and Estuaries Center.  Presently, it is just the shell of a 19th century brick building that once served as part of an old brick works located on the northern tip of Dennings Point.  It is about to undergo some serious renovation. Building 1 will primarily serve as a visitor’s center featuring educational activities and displays as well as a learning lab for academics and the public.  A second role for the building is as a living example of sustainable building design.  The structure itself will educate the public with its composting toilets, solar panels, and “green roof” comprised of indigenous plants that will slow the building’s heat gain and loss.

University Settlement Faces a New Future

by Karen Maserjian Shan

Last summer almost 150 kids attended summer camp at University Settlement’s Beacon site. In fact, kids have been camping at the Beacon campus for years.

Founded in New York City in 1886, University Settlement began as a means to provide for people in need. Nowadays, the Settlement offers early childhood services, youth and community programs, arts and other initiatives through various sites, including Beacon.

“It was a movement to help the immigration population settle into the area,” said Patrick Freeman, director of Beacon’s University Settlement site, located in the City’s southwestern corner.   

Beacon Police Blotter

Edited by Michael Daecher

From January 1 to February 16 the Beacon Police Department responded to roughly 1,540 calls. About 30% of these were traffic stops, some of which resulted in arrest. Others were false alarms. But there were also a good number of crimes involving theft or violence against a person. Some of these calls seem similar, but there are important differences. For instance, larceny is theft whereas robbery is theft with the threat of violence.

A new feature in the Beacon Dispatch, the police blotter will report the previous months crimes to help keep you informed and help you stay safe.

Date            Location            Call Type
1/4/2006    40 Rector St.      Burglary
1/5/2006    3 Beekman St    Larceny
1/5/2006    129 Main St.    Burglary
1/6/2006    27 Rector St    Robbery
1/6/2006    10 Hasting Dr    Larceny
1/7/2006    10 Larch St        Drug Activity
1/8/2006    365 Main St        Fight
1/8/2006    Mt. Beacon        Shots Fired
1/9/2006    Wodell St        Larceny
1/10/2006    400 Fishkill Ave    Larceny
1/10/2006    10 Hasting Dr    Larceny
1/10/2006    7 Delavan Ave    Assault

The Busy Cook’s Overnight Delights

Three easy dishes for entertaining that can be made the night before

by Kristine Nesslar

I’m back at work full time and while the dinner parties of the past where I prepared for 6 days are out of the question I’m not willing to give up entertaining completely.  The only solution, other than hiring a caterer or having pizza delivered, is to keep it simple and have at least one terrific dish that can be made the night before.

Following are three of my favorite “make ahead” recipes that should be prepared beforehand. These are not recipes that I make for one occasion. 

Crossing the Adriatic Sea by Kayak

by Ellen Timmer

With the Winter Olympics just having ended in Turin, Italy, we've all gotten a taste of extreme winter sports.  In local sports news however, local resident Ray Fusco is preparing to depart on a challenging journey in a sport more commonly thought of as a warm weather endeavor.  Mr. Fusco will be leaving on March 12, 2006 to paddle in a kayak across the Adriatic Sea.  Facing water and air temperatures that top out at 50 degrees and short daylight hours, Mr. Fusco says he is “prepared for all kinds of conditions, but will wear a dry suit for the long crossings.”   From the research that Mr. Fusco has done, there is no information that anyone else has made this particular crossing by kayak.