Vote August 23
Recent weeks have been tumultuous for our nation. The Supreme Court has repealed Roe v.Wade (and raised concern over future LGBTQ and inter-racial marriage rights); the January 6 Committee has revealed a serious threat to the integrity of elections; and gun violence continues unabated. Democrats must support Democratic Candidates and VOTE at every opportunity. This is a critical time in our democracy.
There is a special election Tuesday, August 23rd in New York. Please make every effort to get out and make your vote count!
Pat Ryan (D) and Marc Molinaro (R) are running to fill the seat representing New York’s 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Former incumbent Antonio Delgado (D) resigned after Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) selected him as lieutenant governor. The winner of the special election will serve the rest of Delgado’s term that ends on January 3, 2023.
Ryan has served as Ulster County respected Executive since 2019. A tech entrepreneur and former Army intelligence officer, Ryan’s campaign highlights his military service and business experience. Ryan is also focused on abortion, saying women should make decisions about their own bodies. “I fought to defend the freedoms of this country and access to abortion is a fundamental freedom,” says Ryan. To learn more about Pat Ryan click here: https://www.newpolitics.org/pat-ryan
Short-term Rental Law Creates Controversy
On July 26, the Town Board held a public hearing on a proposed short-term rental law. It covers rentals of less than 30 days. The best-known are Airbnb’s. There are currently 10 short-term rentals in Beekman.
The new law would make it difficult for a homeowner to offer a short-term rental. The owner would have to apply for a permit, providing an extensive site plan and documents, and wait for a building inspection. The permit would have to be renewed every year. Homeowners wouldn’t be allowed to rent out an accessory structure (a cottage or a dwelling constructed on top of a garage). Guests would have to stay in the owners’ houses, and the owners would be required to live in their houses the entire time that guests stayed with them.
At the hearing, emotions ran high. Several residents strongly favored the law because of their negative experiences with short-term rentals on their blocks. Visitors have hosted large, noisy parties and left trash strewn about. The residents want to live on a quiet street where neighbors know one another—not a street filled with strangers.
At the hearing, a married couple spoke against the new law. They said they understood the complaints, but they run an Airbnb for limited numbers of quiet, well-mannered guests. The owners have recommended local restaurants and attractions to their guests and added that they need the income their short-term rental provides. Their rental dwelling is detached from the house, which the new law forbids.
The short-term rental law is contrary to Beekman’s Comprehensive Plan. The Plan says Beekman should invite visitors to enjoy its beautiful rustic setting, with its hiking trails, farms, streams, scenic views, and historic sights. Such tourism can benefit the local economy, foster new businesses with rustic appeal, and reduce taxes. If the new rental law passes, visitors who wish to enjoy our bucolic setting would have few places to stay.
We hope the Town Board will be open to revisions in the proposed law. It should address current short-term rental problems, but also make it possible for responsible renters to host visitors. The next public hearing is August 9 in the Town House at 7 pm. Please attend or write to the Town Board to express your views.
Open Meetings and Democracy
In a democratic society the business of government must be performed in an open and public manner, while seeking input from citizens. Voters should be able to observe the performance of public officials by attending meetings and listening to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. People must be fully informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. The governmental process ideally operates for the benefit of community.
The New York Open Meetings Law provides the public with a right of access to the meetings of government bodies at the state and local level (Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board, etc.). Open meeting laws are a relatively new but important developments because they are intended to ensure the public’s access to the internal workings of government at all levels. In November of 2021, Governor Hochul signed into a law a new provision of the Open Meeting Law, which requires agendas AND documents that are discussed during governmental meetings to be made available for public review at least 24 hours in advance scheduled meetings.
The governmental boards in Beekman need to better follow the spirit of the Open Meeting Law. The Town Board has not met the 24-hour meeting deadline for posting agendas a number of times already this year. The Zoning and Planning Board agendas are sparse and they have yet to publish documentation for public review before meetings. At Town Board meetings, comments from the public are not accepted unless individuals sign up ahead of time and the public is restricted to a three-minute time limit for speaking. We believe Beekman elected officials must ensure a more informative and inclusive process during public meetings.
Newsletter Editor: Bill Crain
Associate Editor: Susan Glavich