HINCHEY, CAHILL & TECH CITY

Below is a portion of the press release from the office of Maurice Hinchey received through twitter:

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D), and The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) President and CEO Vincent Cozzolino today announced that solar manufacturer, Solartech Renewables, will relocate its operations to Tech City and plans to create 100 new jobs within one year.

Solartech Renewables' move to Tech City was made possible due to a variety of funding sources, including federal money Hinchey personally obtained from Congress and various sources of state funding, as well as extensive assistance from TSEC.

"Over the last three years, we've developed a strong core network of solar companies in the Hudson Valley. Solartech Renewables is a company with a bright future that will create 100 jobs in the Hudson Valley over the next year and help further our effort to develop the Hudson Valley as a solar energy research, development and manufacturing cluster," Hinchey said. "These types of targeted investments enable solar companies to come to the Hudson Valley to setup their business, create jobs, and contribute to the development of the region's overall economy. The Solar Energy Consortium has been remarkable in serving as the centerpiece of this ongoing effort, which has already had a great deal of success in our area."

Solartech Renewables' state-of-the art manufacturing facility is slated for commissioning at Tech City. The company will produce both standard and improved polycrystalline silicon solar panels. Solartech's initial production capacity of 12MW (or approximately 55,000 solar panels per year) will be operational in 2010. Additional modular expansion of the manufacturing line is planned through 2012. At inception, the manufacturing facility will start with 15,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space and the capacity for around-the-clock operations employing upwards of 50 Ulster County-area workers. Solartech's Tech City plant will be the only U.S.-owned solar panel manufacturing facility operating in the eastern United States.

"Solartech Renewables will serve as a proud producer of both standard and advanced 'Made in America – Made in New York' solar panels within the cluster of solar cell manufacturers and other solar companies developing in the Tech City complex and nearby in the Hudson Valley region," said Solartech Renewables Chairman and CEO Todd Roberts. "Congressman Hinchey and Assemblyman Cahill provide the leadership in the Hudson Valley region for solar cluster in which we will operate, and of course for the employment, economic development and intellectual capital benefits that are created and retained here in Kingston as a result of their solar energy manufacturing leadership. Without their support, our launch in Kingston would not have been possible. We thank them and Governor Paterson for the clean energy policies, vision and support that have made New York the best place in the nation to commission an advanced solar panel manufacturing facility."

TSEC is an industry-driven, non-profit organization that provides leadership, organization, resources, and support for the establishment of a major solar energy industry cluster in New York. Hinchey helped establish TSEC in 2007 and has secured more than $31 million in federal funding for the consortium and its partners to establish a solar industry research and manufacturing cluster in the New York Hudson Valley region. TSEC has partnered with more than 70 small and large companies, including nearly a dozen that have already created 200 jobs in the Hudson Valley. TSEC expects another 300 new jobs to be created in the Hudson Valley within the next year, including 100 jobs associated with Solartech Renewables. By the end of 2011, these companies collectively plan to bring more than 1,000 new jobs to the Hudson Valley.

TSEC was central to bringing Solartech Renewables to Tech City -- providing $600,000 to facilitate the company's move to Tech City. The $600,000 comes from a $2.25 million allocation that Hinchey secured from Congress as part of the fiscal year 2010 budget to help the consortium bring in new solar companies to the Hudson Valley, create jobs and further grow the solar industry in the region.

Solartech was also awarded $1.5 million in manufacturing incentives from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under its Renewable, Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Product Manufacturing Incentive Program. The company also received Empire Zone certification for its Tech City manufacturing facility just prior to the end of 2009. Approximately $1.7 million in Empire Zone credits and job incentives are expected as a result of this certification. The Empire State Development Corporation is also contributing a $2 million convertible loan that Cahill helped obtain to bring the company to New York.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY 2009

Announcing the fourth annual Make A Difference Day celebration this Saturday June 13th. For those of you who don't know, the community gets together on Franklin Street each year to bring people and programs together in a fun filled atmosphere.

The event, dubbed the Healthy Living and Community Awareness Street Festival will be from 10am to 4pm and will occur right on Franklin St like a block party.

Some 40 plus community based organizations will be on hand sharing information on "Keeping it Green, Keeping it Clean & Keeping it Healthy".

The main sponsors: Kingston Library, Kingston CARES, UC Office of the Aging and the Boys & Girls Club (pictured right) have really prepared a full day of education and entertainment. Including a DJ and live music and dance performances. Featuring our own local rising R&B star SHALEAH, right off her tour with Jagged Edge. You know the afternoon wouldnt be complete without our impressive drum troup POOK and the dazzling ENERGIZERS dancers.

This electric day of fun starts with a greeting by Ward 4 Alderwoman Shirley Whitlock (pictured with Bill Reynolds) at City Hall around 8am where the Victory Garden on the west lawn is to be reviewed by Rebecca Martin, followed by a Historical Walking Tour with Jennifer Swartz back to the street festival. Establish your parking plans early if you are joining the walking tour.

If you plan your day correctly, you can witness Assemblyman Kevin Cahill reading to the children at 1pm at the newly designated Lena Maultrie reading corner at the Hodge Centre.

There is a bike rack located at the Centre for those who wish to ride to the event.

For more info; contact Sandy Thompson-Hopgood at 331-9683

KEVIN CAHILL FUNDRAISER: ROSENDALE

Wow, another excellent day. What a perfect opportunity to have brunch with Kevin Cahill.

Oh, did I mention he had his brunch fundraiser this morning?

(Blaber, Brian Cahill, Rob Parete and Ed Paladino pictured left)

Yes, I just had to trek south to the town of Rosendale to experience the brunch buffet at the Bywater Bistro on Main Street.

Kevin's fundraiser was the initiative to try it out, and I strongly recommend sampling their menu. They are open 5 - 9pm weekdays.

The event was from 11am to 1pm and was well attended while I was there. Some attendees I havent seen in quite a while. It was so nice to catch up on life with a few. Included were MaryAlice Cahill. (pictured here with Alderman Tom Hoffay)

My time amongst the guests was limited though, I served as a guest on the liberal radio program on WKNY from 12:30 to 1:30. So, I sampled the treats and split early.

Here is a back patio picture stolent from their website.

Kevin's opponent was supposed to appear on another morning radio program today, but didnt show up. So I guess today was Kevin's Day...sunshine and all.

Bywater Bistro :: 419 Main St., Rosendale NY :: Dinner, Cocktails, Wine, Micro

CARELESS CHOICE OF WORDS

Oh Junior, what have you done now?

This war of words among Republican leaders is quite revealing. To see the end of this story play out, I need a front row seat. I better pull up another garbage can and get comfortable.

Each of the members of the Council have bad days, and we take turns pissing off other members sometimes with a vengeance. But the dirty mouth will bring you down every time.

To maintain your equanimity during all frustrating moments in any confrontation is our biggest challenge, and having any level of training in the world of public speaking, like a lawyer, should give anyone the edge on control. This tit-for-tat (I got tit in my article) between Teetsel and Cahill is unfortunate, but the hypocrisy in the timing is what gets me.

Rich, a word of advice, learn when not to jump into an issue. What is going on in DPW and City Hall regarding sexual harassment and the administration is no-longer a laughing matter. Your past comments will sting for a while, and people will snicker at you for a few months, but your source of income depends on respect in the court room.

Teetsel is correct in pointing out the double standard that Cahill has offered the public. When the allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against city employees, Rich should have stepped back and watched rather than inject himself into something no-outsider can help.

I don’t condone the actions of anyone harassing co-workers or in the home or in public, and I even recognize the harassment can work both ways, but leading the cause for the purpose of making personal headlines is sad at best.

Lets get back to what matters most to City residents…Jobs, Taxes and Safety.

REPUBLICAN CHALLENGE TO CAHILL

The political season is hardly a time for weak spirits. The New York State Assembly races are no different.

Robin Yess, of Esopus, has announced that she will run for Assembly, here in our 101st district against long time incumbent Kevin Cahill.

The district is huge, with most of Ulster County, part of Dutchess and stretching west for another hour by Rt. 28, I would say today’s gas prices are enough of a deterrent to running for such a seat, never mind the popularity of our current Assemblyman.

Yess founded the NY Property Tax Reform Coalition in 2006. If you ask around, you’ll find that taxpayers of all stripes are on board with that, including Kevin. I have a PROPERTY TAX REFORM sign in front of my house. That doesn’t make me any less progressive.

I support Cahill and expect him to keep his seat in the Assembly, he has a long history of success during his tenure, but having an opponent with financial experience in the private sector will alter the dialog in this and other campaigns.

The taxpayers are hurting, Robin and Kevin will focus on issues of the wallet this summer, and if all the members in the Assembly and State Senate feel our pain, they may have more incentive to change course in Albany.

CAHILL BRINGS SUNSHINE TO ULSTER

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill has managed to secure over $6 million in state funding for the Solar Energy Consortium. This economic development group will utilize these funds to attract Solar Energy Product manufacturers to Ulster County.

In the Poughkeepsie Journal, Cahill says:” “This funding will provide a tremendous boost to our goal of making the Hudson Valley a global leader in the research and development of renewable energy, the advancement of solar power is critical to addressing our energy and global climate change challenges. With this money TSEC can now hit the ground running to make sure that happens right here in Ulster County.”

Kevin Cahill is the Chair of the NY Assembly’s Energy Committee which has a direct effect over research and development funds which are included in the 2009 budget. The CEO of the Consortium, Vincent Cozzolino, gives tremendous credit to Cahill for his continued support.

Cahill has never wavered his support for renewable resources and the eventual placement of such a company settling down in Ulster County, so it isn’t such a shock that his fingerprints are all over this. You will remember that Congressman Hinchey acquired several million in the federal budget just a few weeks ago, so the possibility of landing quality solar manufacturing jobs in the area is quite real.

Hillary Clinton has also made it clear she will focus manufacturing jobs related to renewable resources in the upstate New York region as President or continuing as our NY Senator, so expect an economic climate change in Ulster County.

As noted in the Poughkeepsie Journal, NY Senator Larkin helped with the additional 1.5 million in capital funding to make this the stimulus package it is. Thank you Bill Larkin.

This is yet another example that Kevin is exactly where we need him…in the New York State Assembly.

Click here: New York State Assembly - Members