Tent caterpillars, political showdown

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

May 30, 1934

No State Funds To Fight Tent Caterpillar

ALBANY - Appeals by the hundreds are daily being received by Conservation Commissioner Lithgow Osborne for assistance to control the tent caterpillar outbreak that is now so conspicuous, he said today. Aid, if feasible and possible, would gladly be given. However, no State funds have been appropriated for control of this pest. Hence control of the tent caterpillar is not a function which the Conservation Department can legally undertake. Furthermore, the Federal authorities have ruled against the use of C. C. C. workers for this work.

“Periodical outbreaks of the tent caterpillar are events that date back many years” declared the Commissioner. “The outbreaks in the past have increased in severity each year for a period of years until a peak similar to that which now exists was reached. Following this peak, a rather rapid decrease for a period of years was evidenced. If the future can be judged by the past, it is reasonable to look forward in the near future to a marked reduction in the population of the tent caterpillar.

Judge Mack Will Examine Power Firm Central Hudson Gas And Electric Corporation Faces Probe

The Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation which provides light and power for most of Dutchess County and a large part of the Mid-Hudson Valley, will be probed this summer by the legislative public utilities investigating committee of which John E. Mack is chief counsel. In announcing that the Central Hudson would be subjected to an examination, Judge Mack described the power corporation as one of the important operating companies in New York State.

Judge Mack did not disclose what phase of the Central Hudson system is to be examined, but it is assumed that the investigation will be confined to rates as in the case of other examinations conducted by the legislative committee. The inquiry will be part of his investigation of operating companies in the State, Judge Mack said.

May 31, 2001

Showdown Brewing in Town?

Former Mayor Eyes NE Supervisor Bid

NORTH EAST -If incumbent Supervisor David Sherman wants to remain in Town Hall, he could have a battle on his hands.

Asked Monday about his political future, former village Mayor Michael Cawley said he has been asked by the town Republican Committee to consider running for supervisor for the town of North East.

“I have been asked and I am considering it,” said Mr. Cawley, who declined to comment further.

Mr. Cawley was never seen as a critic of Mr. Sherman during the two years he served as mayor, but he is known to harbor serious doubts about the Town Board’s plan to move from a three-member elected Board of Assessors to a sole appointed assessor.

In January, Mr. Cawley, a Republican, declined to seek his party’s nomination for a second two-year term as mayor. He then mounted an unsuccessful write-in campaign against his sometime nemesis, Mariley Najdek, a former deputy mayor who assumed the village’s highest office last month.

Mr. Sherman, a Republican who is widely expected to run for re-election, was out of town this week and could not be reached for comment, but he said earlier this month he would make “a formal announcement sometime in the next few weeks.”

If Mr. Cawley wants to challenge Mr. Sherman, both men would have to circulate petitions and turn them into the County Board of Elections by XXXXXX.

Merwin Calls It Quits

But one town councilman has officially had enough. Incumbent Republican John Merwin told The Millerton News he will not seek re-election to a second four-year term.

“In a nutshell, I’m tired of being in the middle,” said Mr. Merwin, a Republican who had previously served a term on the town Planning Board. “You reach a point where someone else should give it a try.”

It is “not worth the aggravation” to stay on the board and deal with some of the more contentious town/village issues, including the fire contract and the recreation program, Mr. Merwin said.

More attention should be paid to a possible town/village consolidation.

Mr. Merwin, who supports Mr. Sherman’s re-election, also said he is not running for another term on the town GOP Committee.

Fenn Still Undecided

Republican Councilwoman Cathy Fenn said she is still undecided as to whether she will seek a third four-year term.

“I’m thinking about it but I’m not sure,” was all Ms. Fenn would say. Unlike Mr. Merwin or Mr. Cawley, she was not approached by the town GOP committee.

Town Republican Chairman John Perotti could not be reached for comment, but committeeman Bernie Silvernail said early this week no Republicans have committed yet to run for town board.

Dems Still Looking

Town Democratic Chairman Neal Rosenthal said no candidates have surfaced so far in his party.