Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year as well !

Today as in all days we celebrate what one believes in and we each celebrate in our own special way-

So please take the time to enjoy life and Family the most important part of all our lives-

May your time together be shared with good health and a bit of fun- let us remember those who have come before us and what they have left for us all. Let us not forget our troops who would love to be home as well- no matter what your feelings are politically we are a great and prosperous nation of mixed nationalities and faiths, a tolerant people who believe in peace and a bright future for all. We are America as Corny as it may seem it is the best place on earth to be.

Have a wonderful Holiday season and Be Happy !!

The "Lights" before Christmas !

Join us for a grand event- The "LIGHTS" before Christmas on Saturday Nov 24, 2007 at 6 pm. The Millerton Merchants will be lighting up our Holiday tree at the corner of Rt22/44 as well as the Gazebo at "Railroad Plaza" next to the Railroad Station in Millerton.

The event is well planned and lots of fun too, kicking off the Holiday and shopping season in good old Millerton!

We wish to thank Nancy Ellis (Central Hudson regional rep as well as Member of the Millerton EMT and Fire Dept). She has spent many hours of her own time preparing the NEW electric meters at both the Gazebo as well as Rt 22/44. We thank you Nancy for all your help, care and attention to detail.

In addition we wish to thank Susan Schneider of Shandell's Lamp store on Main St- she has always had a "never say never" attitude and is a force to be recognized.

In addition we wish to thank Marti Steed for initially making the calls to finally have permanent electric meter service for all the events we will be experiencing now and in the future-

We wish also to thank John LaCurto of LaCurto Elect Amenia for providing the professional Electrical Installation abilities. (See photo above)****

We also thank Jay Scasso for having the holes for the posts to allow the installation.

A big thanks to Jeff Shelters of JJS Electric for digging trenches for the panel box installations.

Also Tom LeJeune NY State Electrical Inspector for his quick response, his time and attention to detail.

A big thanks to the Village of Millerton- John Scutieri Mayor for agreeing to have the meters paid for by the Village-

We will of course add other names as we are aware of their assistance- Our intention is to thank all who have helped and not forget anyone- If you are aware of others add them in a response to this posting.

Millerton will shine with Lights galore this season and the seasons to come- we are thankful that so many will be able to enjoy our very lovely and friendly community- You are all welcome- Please come with family and friends.

Remember to Vote----Please !!

As you know today we put our thoughts into action- Our community as in all communities needs good leadership- Millerton is growing who hasn't figured that out. Yet we must make our government accountable to our thoughts. Don't ever believe that your vote does not count- It does- many officials are put in office in this town with 1 or two extra votes. So Please excersise the most valuable right you have as an American- Vote and be heard.

Do you have a soldier's military address?

It's not too early to start thinking about the Holidays!!! We are gathering names and addresses for active duty soldiers in the hope that we will be able to organize a card, letter, goodies campaign to be sent out to them prior to the Holidays or at least by New Years Day. We would appreciate all the help you can give us. Please send your emails to millertonny@gmail.com where we will be gathering all the information for posting. Thank you for your HELP!

Send Holiday Cards or Letters to One of Our Local Heroes!

SGT Walsh, Timothy, O.

3/11 I Btry 2ND PLT

UNIT 41643

FPO AP 96426-1643

Sgt. Walsh is from Amenia, NY, this is his second tour of Iraq but first time away from home on Christmas and New Years. Thank you for your support of our Troops!! Please send more names and addresses.......

Am I a Local Yet?

You are if you think you are. Being local is about identifying more with where you have moved to than where you had previously lived.

What about the folks who live in two places? Maybe NYC during the week and Millerton/Northeast on the weekends and vacations. Of course, initially we maintain all of our usual contacts, we choose to shop in stores familiar to us and we see the same doctors until either they die or we do.

But eventually.......................we begin to adapt to our second home or our new full-time residence. We discover Sapersteins, Oblong Books and Music, the local Library, the restaurant owners begin to recognize us and we know just what we want to order. We begin to adjust to the pace and the manner of speach. In our town and the countryside in general nearly everyone waves or says hello even if we don't know each other. Not so in some other areas. That takes a bit of getting used to as well.

Do you now pick up your paper at Terni's (you can find everything there, and if Phil doesn't carry it he will order it for you), then stop at Irving's for coffee, walk over to Herringtons to look at BenMoore paint charts, and then maybe stop by Agway for your birdseed (cold weather is coming soon and your feathered friends will be waiting for you). If this routine is becoming familiar to you then beware, you are beginning to become "a local".

Write in to tell us when you first started feeling a real part of the community. What experience especially made you feel accepted in Town. Was there a special moment when you knew you were "home"? Is there something you would like to see here or some service that would make you feel more at home.

Local Iraq war veteran comes home for hero's welcome

Iraq war veteran and former local resident Stephen Valyou was honored Saturday at the fifth annual Sunday in the Country Chicken Barbecue Cook-Off at American Legion Post 178 on East Main Street.

Valyou was an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) sergeant in Iraq when, in March, he was shot in the shoulder during Improvised Explosive Device (IED) operations. He has been since confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries from the incident.

Last weekend, 43 volunteers constructed a wheelchair ramp at Valyou’s in-law’s house, the home of Rebecca and Don Totman. Valyou is visiting the Totmans with his wife and son. The family will then return to Florida, where he's been recuperating. There's been talk of the Valyous moving back to Millerton on a permanent basis.

Event organizer NASCAR Dave MacMillan said the material for the ramp was donated by Herrington’s in Millerton.

"We wanted to find a way to thank him for the service he put in for his country," MacMillan said. "The Lion’s Club and the fire department also put flags all along Main Street to welcome him home like he should be welcomed home."

Valyou served as a guest judge during Saturday’s event and was given a total donation of $4,800 raised by students from Salisbury School for an electronic chair lift to be constructed at the Totman’s home.

School employee Gina Tierney said the school’s students raised the money.
"The kids thought what he did for the country was important so we decided to go with this," Tierney said. "The kids collected $2,018 and the rest was from an anonymous donation."

State Sen. Vincent Leibell was at Saturday’s event to personally welcome Valyou home.
"I think that it’s great the community is all here to honor a veteran and a hometown hero," Leibell said. "I hope he gets better real soon because he served his country with honor and distinction."

Valyou said he deeply appreciated the community’s support.
"This is amazing, absolutely amazing," Valyou said. "I didn’t anticipate this. I originally thought I would have a quick visit with my family and go back to Florida. It’s amazing how they constructed a ramp in such a short period of time."

Valyou was a soldier with the U.S. Army, stationed out of Fort Drum in Watertown. He was sent to Iraq in November.
By SHAW ISRAEL IZIKSONOctober, 11, 2007 This short article was reprinted from the Millerton News.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a full list of local area men and women currently serving in the Military so that we can send them out holiday cards and remembrances from home. If you know of any names and addresses, please post here. There is still time before Christmas to send packages to war zones and to The Guard serving in disaster areas here at home.

The Millerton Library

The Millerton Library now has a new on-line Newsletter. It is GREAT! Because of the Newsletter I learned about a visiting author of mysteries giving a talk about how to write a "Cozy" Mystery. No, that doesn't mean the book makes you feel warm all over. Call our Librarian to give your email address, maybe ask what a "Cozy" Mystery is and VISIT the Libary, it is not just a stack of old card catalogs. I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you have not been there for a while. If your computer is on the fritz you can also check your emails there and so much more. DVD's, VCR tapes, books on tape........................

Merchants Open House

Saturday, October 20th 5-7P M Merchants support New Businesses Open House. There are 3 new businesses on S. Center Street and 4 New Businesses on Main Street. See the Millerton News for business names and more details. Merchants and Public Welcome. These are great stores!!!! While you are in the Village, why not reconnect with some of your old favorites.
Blog us back to let us know how you feel about the growth in Millerton and the general direction the Village is going.

What new store would you like to see come to the Village?

The Jewelry Store has moved from the Village to Rte. 44 just before the Super Market, check it out.

MillertonNY.com our New Web Site!

Susan Schneider is the person responsible for obtaining, designing and posting Millerton's new Web Site. Susan's foresight in registering the domain name and proactive nature is responsible for not only Millerton's first comprehensive web site; but for the recent resurgence in an active and cooperative Merchants and Business Persons Association.

Susan's Shop, Shandell's, is a working lampshade and vintage lighting studio located at 34 Main Street in Millerton NY. If you haven't been there yet, stop by soon to see what you have been missing. Hooray for Susan!!!! 518-789-6603 Thurs thru Sat 11-5pm By Chance or Appointment

Hats off to Townscape

Recently Townscape met with the public as well as with the County planners in order to consider plans for the extension of the Harlem Valley Rail through the remainder of the Village in the spring of 2008.

The hard working group is always trying to make our town look and feel better-
If you have not yet seen the plan you need to do so- your input is important and useful indeed.

Much of the plan centers around a new gateway sign at the intersection of Rt 44 and Rt 22 ( a much needed sign to alert folks passing by how much we have to offer). The balance of the plan addresses the area around the Railroad Station and the green way we all much appreciate.

The plan needs some work and ideas from all concerned. Please post your thoughts and suggestions no matter how small and idea you may think you have- I am sure it will benefit all in the future of Millerton-We want to get it right the first time so please blog in.

Thanks to the Millerton Historical Society

How many of you realize the wealth of information that is available from our wonderful Millerton Historical Society- the unsung hero's and keepers of our past- the wealth of photos as well as post cards and newspaper clippings will amaze and thrill you if you take the time to know our past-

you will also be much appreciated if you care enough to send in a few dollars to help them keep and preserve these records-they are always short of funds--Please keep these great folks in mind when visiting our town, they will much appreciate it I'm sure.

2% Transfer Tax in Northeast Millerton

How many of you are aware of the issue of a proposed new 2% transfer tax in Millerton, Northeast on all Real Estate transactions ?- the proposal has been raised and we think it will be a referendum on the ballot in town this November. The tax is to be paid by the buyer of Real Estate in Millerton, Northeast.

This proposal needs to be stopped in it's tracks no matter how good the intentions on the surface may sound. A tax is a tax is a tax.

Parking Problems in Millerton

Let's face it the town is growing and to no ones surprise we have an issue with parking ( big surprise).

The issue is who is responsible for providing this parking- is it the merchant or the village ?

Is it the responsibility of government to make certain that those who care to open a business should follow the existing laws with respect to providing their own parking or should the Village provide same ?

I believe this is an issue that needs discussing- please post your comments on this issue.

Bike New York Rail Trail Event 7/29/2007

Please post your thoughts, was the Millerton/Rail Trail event a success or not. I believe it is time to bring Sunday's events back to the Village. What are your thoughts?