Bank robbery bandits, property data, ballot design

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

November 7, 1935

Connecticut Band Blamed For Robbery

Similarity To Sharon, Kent Jobs Seen In Safe Blowing

Authorities are convinced that the Amenia bank robbery was committed by bandits who have been operating recently in Connecticut, although they made little headway in attempting to link the safe blowing at Amenia with the Catskill railway station mail robbery on Monday night of last week.

Corporal Edwin Draisey of the Amenia Blation, State Police, has expressed the belief that although no clues to the robbers have been found, the thieves are the same ones who recently burglarized post offices in Sharon and Kent and in other southern Connecticut communities. The similarity of the several post office jobs in recent months indicates that the same bandits are doing the work, Corporal Draisey said.

Seth Merwin Is Elected Master Of Millerton Grange Monday Night

Succeeds Tischofer; Degrees To Be Conferred At Special Meeting

Seth Merwin was chosen master of Millerton Grange at the annual election and business meeting on Monday night, succeeding Robert Tischofer. Other officers named ware: Clayton Call, overseer; Helen Deughty, lecturer; George Cook, steward; Reginald Pulver, assistant steward; Mrs. Anne Diegnan, Chaplain; Renwick Peck, treasurer; Edith Pulver, secretary; James McGhee, gate keeper; Mrs. Clayton Call, Ceres; Mrs. Bessie Mathews, Pomona; Helen Pulver, Flora; Mrs. George Cook, lady assistant steward; Elmer W. Simmons, member of executive committee for three years; Charles Brusie, member of executive committee for two years; Mrs. Roy Doughty, pianist; Mrs. Gladys Woodnutt; juvenile matron.

The Grange will hold a special meeting next Monday night when the degrees will be exemplified on a large class of candidates. Members of the Pine Plains, Washington, Sharon and Webutuck Granges will be guests at the next regular meeting of the Millerton organization.

Members of the Grange have been invited to attend the morning services of the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Nov. 17, national Grange go-to-church Sunday. Both the National and State Grange masters are urging all Grangers to attend church on this Sunday.

Arrangements are being made for a dance to be held in the near future. Renwick Peck, Helen Doughty, James Diegnan and Bernard Manning will be in charge.

Dorothy Evans Hostess At Hallowe’en Party

Miss Dorothy Evans was hostess at a Hallowe’en masquerade at her home on Elm Avenue last Thursday night. Sixteen guests were present from Pawling, Pine Plains, Shekomeko and Millerton. Games were played, followed by the serving of refreshments.

Costume Party Held At Home Of Miss Ruth Ford

Miss Ruth Ford gave a Hallowe’en costume party at her home last Thursday. Games and refreshments were enjoyed and prizes were won by Jane Silvernale, Irene Gianotti and Mary Jane Anthony. Other guests were Betty Upton, Joan McCullough, Jean Silvernale and Marilyn Kaye.

November 4, 1976

Property Update Set

A team of federally-funded data collectors will update data on property information cards for the Town of North East on Monday, Nov. 8, assessor Frank Perotti, Jr. announced this week.

Updating includes checking accuracy of existing information, adding missing information and removing erroneous information.

“This updating process has been completed in over half the townships in the county,” Perotti said. “It is a necessary first step in preparing for the complete computerization of the data collection and maintenance function of the assessment process.”

He added, “Within the next three years, the computer should be able to compare like properties and equalize their assessments based on sales and market data.”

For the computerized system to function without bias the initial data input must be as accurate as possible, he explained.

Perotti therefore urged town residents to assist the people doing the updating. Since these people will conduct on-site inspections, property owners will have the opportunity to point out any defects that affect the value of their property.

Perotti emphasized that the data collectors were not appraisers or assessors. “Any changes in assessment that may result from the data collection will be done by the elected Board of Assessors,” he said.

Anyone who has questions on the data collection should call the assessors’ office.

November 1, 2001

Ballot Design Irks Some in North East

MILLERTON When voters in North East head to the polls Tuesday they will be greeted by a ballot controversy similar to the county clerk’s dispute several years ago.

In the words of the noted philosopher Yogi Berra, in the town of North East, “It’s deja vu, all over again.” Some are claiming the design of the ballot for the town election is going to create voter confusion.

This is similar to the county clerk controversy two years ago that resulted in a protracted court battle that didn’t end until two months into the next term.

Catherine Fenn has the Democratic line as well as the Friends and Neighbors line, the only problem is her name appears 10 inches apart in the same vertical column and she said she fears this could create substantial voter confusion.

Town Supervisor Dave Sherman, who has multiple party lines, does not appear on the same line with Ms. Fenn even though both candidates have that party’s nomination for their respective positions.

The court decision in the county clerk’s case criticized the Board of Elections for not creating a so-called “flying finger” ballot which would have resulted in the name appearing on the ballot closer to the major party lines where it is easier to line up with the eye.

Ms. Fenn said it is confusing: “I don’t think they will realize that they can vote for me on the other party. At first glance, the ballot makes it seem that Richard Read is unopposed and Mr. Kaplan and I are running against one another. That is not the case.”

Dutchess County Republican Election Commissioner Dave Gamache said he does not believe the ballot will cause voter confusion.

“Besides,” he said, “if you attempt to vote for the same candidate twice, the levers will freeze up and you have to correct the error to proceed.

“It’s not at all that unusual to have someone endorsed by more than one party and it’s not unusual to find positions where you vote for more than one person. It’s just a matter of the mechanics, the way the machine is set up. You can only pull the lever once for an individual,” Mr. Gamache said.

Ms. Fenn is urging voters to carefully examine the ballot when they first enter the machine.

“After all,” she said, “this is an important election for the town of North East.”

Sole Assessor Issue

The creation of a single assessor in North East has become a hot topic of late. One thing is not in dispute; Jon H. Barrett will be the new assessor. The only candidate to appear on the ballot, Mr. Barrett has both major party (Democrat and Republican) lines.

The Town Board opted to create the single assessor and make it an elected position. Town Board member Catherine Fenn called it the right decision.

“I believe the Town Board did the right thing, the creation of a single assessor will allow the town of North East to find experienced professional help and the people still have a choice. It is, after all, an elected position,” Ms. Fenn said.

Town Supervisor Dave Sherman agreed.

“Going to the sole assessor was the appropriate thing for the town to do. It is a part-time job with the current work load. Even if it’s only one person it made nosense for a part-time position to be parceled out into to three smaller positions when the requirements for education and the need for experience is increasing for anyone to serve as an assessor,” Mr. Sherman said.

Both disputed claims that a back room deal was cut. Mr. Sherman noted “there were many public meetings including a public informational meeting with state and county real property officials presenting the case for the change.”

There was also a public hearing after the vote was conducted, at a regular meeting, with the public present.

“I believe the matter was done as openly as possible with numerous opportunities for public comment,” Mr. Sherman said. He added that the board responded to the concerns raised by the public and acted accordingly.

Election Hours

The polls will be open in the town and elsewhere in Dutchess County from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Voters will vote for the positions of state supreme court justices, town justice, town superintendent, town council (two), town clerk, town assessor, and tax collector.

State Cell Phone Ban in Effect

ALBANY — The nation’s first statewide legislation banning the use of hand-held cellular telephones by drivers went into effect today (Nov. 1).

“By requiring drivers to put down their cell phones and pay attention to the road, this new law will help make our roads safer and save lives,” Gov. George Pataki said. He signed the bill at the end of June, one week after the state Legislature approved it.

Under the new law, first-time violators of the ban would face a $100 fine. A second conviction calls for a $200 fine and every subsequent violation would cost $500.

The legislation allows for an exception for making emergency 911 calls but does not address the issue of dialing while driving.