10 Years for Putnam Independent Living



The numbers continue to rise and latest statistics indicate nearly 20 percent of Putnam’s population is in need of special services. Putnam Independent Living Services, a non-for-profit in Carmel that opened its doors a decade ago, provides many of the programs needed by the disabled through advocacy that support self-sufficiency and self-determination. On the 10th anniversary of the organization, the […]

Toys Needed in Putnam for Families in Need



With Christmas less than two weeks away and Chanukah’s arrival last weekend, holiday gifts are still needed by the Putnam Community Action Program. CAP Director Judy Callahan credited the weak economy and high unemployment rate for the need this year: “Our goal is to provide three gifts for each eligible youngster and we are unsure if that goal can be […]

A Bittersweet Goodbye for Tamagna



The senior member of the Putnam Legislature had mixed emotions when bidding his colleagues farewell. Vincent Tamagna of Nelsonville has been representing constituents of District No.1 for the past 18 years and on January 1 will step down, turning the baton over to Barbara Scuccimarra, who was elected last month. At last week’s final regular meeting of the year, Tamagna […]

Chanukah Celebrated in Putnam



The Festival of Lights was celebrated by young and old alike when children enrolled in Putnam Chabad visited the Putnam Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Southeast on Sunday to spin the dreidel, light candles and entertain their hosts with song and dance. After the menorah was lit, the children and many of the elderly in attendance sang the traditional […]

Former Southeast Supervisor Arrested in Trespass Dispute



Former Southeast Supervisor Michael Rights is facing criminal charges of trespass from an alleged dispute at the World Gym in Southeast. The Putnam Sheriff’s Department reported the arrest last week of the 51-year old Rights after a female employee of the gymnasium located on Route 22 filed a complaint alleging that the former town official had complained about excessive gym […]

Saland Stops Ballot Challenges



While not yet conceding the race, State Senator Stephen Saland indicated Monday it was unlikely he would be reelected and has decided to stop the legal challenges to absentee ballot counting against Democrat Terry Gipson for the 41st State Senate seat. According to Boards of Elections in Putnam and Dutchess counties, Saland is trailing by 1,181 votes with 2,267 absentee […]

National Park Here?




The effort to turn western Putnam into a national park, perhaps beginning with Constitution Island, has gained new steam locally, with a poster of support prominent in many businesses, politicians talking about it, and the incoming Chamber of Commerce president talking it up. Much of the talk continues to involve Constitution Island, and the years-long, so far unsuccessful, effort to […]

Enterprise

The 40 Under 40 Nominees

Here are the names of 56 nominees who made it through the first round of judging for Putnam’s first-ever “40 under 40” awards, to be presented January 25 at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac. These individuals are friends and colleagues who have become prominent through involvement with our chambers of commerce. I am excited to also see names that […]

A Gift of Life for This EMT



Robert Ferrara considers himself the luckiest man on earth. The 44-year-old Southeast resident, married and the father of three children, went into cardiac arrest last month after collapsing at an after-school event on the Brewster School District campus. Ferrara recalled Tuesday how he was in the relay and obstacle course with his 9-year-old daughter Samantha when: “I passed out. There […]

Leibell in Home Confinement



Vincent Leibell is now in “home confinement” in Patterson as his 21-month sentence for public corruption heads to conclusion next month. Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesman Chris Burke said Tuesday that Leibell, who had been in a halfway house, was moved to home detention on Dec. 4. “He will continue serving his sentence in that program until January 19, 2013,” […]