Mark Warren Moody of Copake announced his bid for U.S. presidency to concertgoers at the Egremont Barn in Massachusetts Saturday, Feb. 17, officially kicking off his campaign.
EGREMONT, Mass. — Resolved to offer his alternative candidacy for the office of U.S. president in 2024, Copake, New York, resident Mark Warren Moody began his unorthodox campaign in earnest with an announcement Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Egremont Barn.
During a pause in a sold-out Wanda Houston concert featuring the singer and her back-up band, the Rejuvenators, Moody took the stage to make his planned announcement, beginning with a brief vocal rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The idea of a song and the choice, he noted, borrowed from the playbook of former U.S. President Barack Obama.
“I don't want this job; that’s why I should have it. We need something new,” Moody said, naming his first of three reasons for running, and noting that the name of the evening’s band was appropriate: Moody wants to “rejuvenate” the country.
He added that he fully meets the eligibility requirements for the presidency. He was born in New York City in 1970. Despite spending his school years in England, he still meets the requirements of the presidency.
Moody’s professional life is that of a practicing attorney whose office is in Manhattan, although he now makes his home in Copake, in a residence that had been purchased by his parents.
“I’m willing to die for my country,” Moody said, describing the depth of his fervor. This was provided as his second reason for running.
“I believe in the promise of America,” he said, naming the third reason that compels him to be a candidate. He recalled the words of the Declaration of Independence, saying that they were appropriate to the present day, and pointed to Thomas Paine’s 18th-century pamphlet, “Common Sense.”
“I am incorruptible,” he concluded, adding that he has “nothing more than a bunch of ideas.”
His ideas are presented in an essay on his website. Moody indicated that he has no organization or campaign committee structure.
In explaining the “betabilitarian” origins and applications on his website, Moody writes that secrets of the universe are unknowable. Avid information-gathering is all that’s possible in a search for truth.
It is not important what a person thinks, only that the person does think for themselves, Moody argues.
More information about Moody’s political philosophy is available on the website that also describes his new political party: www.betabilitarian.com
An earlier version of this article misquoted Mark Moody, who stated that one of the reasons he is running for president is that he does not want the job.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.
Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.
Teti and front seat passenger Aidan Cassidy, 63, sustained serious injuries. Teti was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and Cassidy was transported by ambulance to Sharon Hospital for treatment.
Back seat passenger Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Cassidy-Teti was a senior at Kent School. He played on the football and tennis teams.
The residence that was struck is located at 35 Amenia Union Road.
The case remains under open investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Lukas Gryniuk at Troop B 860-626-1821.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
