WGXC at Hudson Children’s Book Festival

WGXC's Kaya Weidman records NY State Senate candidate Didi Barrett at Hudson Children's Book Festival.

Just as WGXC’s Kaya Weidman was about to sit down and interview Fidel Mareno, who was going to talk about Native American rights and the American Indian Pow Wow Aug. 14 in Stephentown, Didi Barrett showed up. We had asked the Democratic candidate for New York State Senate representing Columbia and much of Dutchess counties (a seat held by Republican Steve Saland) to stop by our table in Hudson High’s gym, but everyone arrived at the same moment, and then a recorder failed. Indeed, it was a whirlwind day with so many folks stopping by the WGXC table at the festival, which was even busier then in its first year. Eventually we got another recorder working, and a conversation between Barrett, Mareno, and WGXC staff ensued about absentee voting, Native American rights, and other issues.

Fidel Mareno speaks with Didi Barrett at the Hudson Children's Book Festival.

WGXC's Kaya Weidman records Robert Yellow Fox at Hudson Children's Book Festival.

Later Weidman sat down with Robert Yellow Fox, and spoke about Eagleton School, a private year-round residential, psycho-educational treatment facility for boys and young men ages nine (9) to twenty-two (22) years, with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder, Communication and Cognitive Delays, Behavioral Disorders, Emotional Disorders, and Learning Disabilities. Listen to their discussion here or paste this link:
http://archive.free103point9.org/2010/05
/RobertYellowFox_HCBF_WGXC_050110.mp3

WGXC’s Emily Bennison also made recordings of children’s authors during the event. Click on the author’s name to listen to mp3 audio interview.

Anne Broyles
Ann Jonas
Barbara Slate
Danielle Joseph
Donald Crews
Ellen Jensen
Gail Carson Levine
Zetta Elliott

Saland will seek another term in State Senate

Republican Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C – Poughkeepsie) announced today that he will be seeking re-election to the State Senate for his 11th term, representing all of Columbia County and much of Dutchess County. “Despite the state of affairs surrounding state government and the failing economy, I find myself more compelled than ever to seek re-election to the State Senate. I have no intention of deserting the ship even though it has taken on an abundance of water,” said Senator Saland. “While I have found this past year to be particularly challenging – constantly battling the tax and spend policies of the current Senate Majority, I know it’s critically important that we restore a balance of power in our State Government so taxpayers outside the city of New York once again have a voice of leadership to protect their interests.” Saland and Congressional hopeful Chris Gibson will both speak at a Tea Party Protest in Otego this Saturday, April 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at River Valley Ford, which is about halfway between Oneonta and Otego on Route 7. Democrat Didi Barrett already announced her campaign to seek the seat.

Barrett campaign announcement

Didi Barrett announces her campaign for NY State Senate in Poughkeepsie, NY April 7, 2010 in the video above. Later in the day, she also announced her candidacy at the Columbia Courthouse in Hudson, with about 50 onlookers, the Register-Star reported. Barrett so far is the first Democrat to announce a challenge for the 41st New York State Senate seat held by Republican Steve Saland that covers Columbia County, and Dutchess and other nearby area.