Newburgh Heights Association

WHAT: Taxpayer and Concerned Citizens Meeting
WHERE: St George’s Episcopal Church, 105 Grand Street
WHEN: Wednesday, January 19th @ 7:00 PM

Dear neighbors,

As many of you know, the majority of the city council voted in November 2010 to adopt a budget that raises homestead property tax rates by 71% for 2011. The reality of that increase will shortly make itself felt as our first tax installments come due at the beginning of February. Furthermore, the acting city manager’s financial plan which was submitted to New York State’s Comptroller on December 22 forecasts additional minimum tax increases of 28% and 11% in 2012 and 2013 respectively. This is so even as the value of our properties continues to decline.

The response to the tax increase (both for homestead and non-homestead) and other fiscal decisions by the majority of the city council has been strong as many, many people struggle to manage in these difficult economic times. Please see the attached letter (linked below) regarding a meeting that will be held tomorrow, January 19 at 7pm for all concerned citizens and taxpayers who want to find out what legal rights and remedies may be available to challenge the imposition of such burdensome tax hikes. Due to the importance and urgency of this issue, we have canceled our monthly NHA meeting scheduled for tomorrow to provide you with the opportunity to attend this other meeting and to obtain information that may be critical to you and your family.

As a result of the considerable response to the attached letter calling for this meeting, it will NOT take place at the Wherehouse on Liberty St. as stated. Instead, the meeting will be held at St. George’s Church tomorrow, Wednesday January 19 at 7pm. The church is located at 105 Grand Street.

Please be aware that this meeting is not sponsored by the NHA. We are merely announcing a meeting which is of considerable interest to members of the Heights community as well as many other people throughout the entire city.

Regards,
The Newburgh Heights Association Team

Download:
→ Letter from City of Newburgh resident Hansel Tulloch (PDF)

Saturday, February 5th (snow date February 19)
The Institute of Black Invention and Technology, A Traveling Museum
401 Washington St. / 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Friday, February 11th (snow date February 12)
Freestyle Café Talent Show
401 Washington St. / 7:00 PM–10:00 PM

Wednesday, February 16th
Inspirational Service; Global Community
Best Temple Church of God, 111 South St. / 7:00 PM

Saturday, February 12th (snow date TBA)
“Walk Together Children”, starring Vinie Burrows
MSMC Hudson Hall Auditorium, 330 Powell Ave. / 7:00 PM–9:00 PM

For details on all events, including ticket prices:
• Download flier (PDF)

To learn about auditioning for the Freestyle Café Talent Show:
• Download flier (PDF)

For all ticket purchases please contact Oliver Spearman:
Phone: (845) 565-1213, ext 7012
Email: ospearman@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov

It’s the season to lift up your voice and sing for hope, a new creation, and a spirit of generosity!

The Newburgh Heights Association will be caroling in the neighborhood with members of
the Heights Congregational Church on Saturday, December 18th. We will meet at the church on the corner of Liberty and Courtney Streets between 3:30 and 4:00 PM and return after caroling for a pot luck supper in the church. There will be gifts presented to the younger children at that time.

Music, bells and candles will be provided. Bring food for the pot-luck and leave it at the church. We have it on good information that St. Nicholas will be joining us as we sing our way through the neighborhood.

Attention City of Newburgh Residents:
Be a part of the plan to bring back Newburgh’s vacant buildings!

Come to a COMMUNITY MEETING to learn about policy solutions to our vacant buildings problem and join the movement to fix up Newburgh, brick by brick!

• Hear the recommendations from PACE Land Use Law Center and Center for Community Progress
• Give input into what YOU want to see included in the plan
• Come up with ideas to make sure Newburgh’s revitalization benefits everyone

Wednesday, December 15th
6:00-8:00 PM
Ritz Theater Lobby, 111 Broadway

Sponsored by Community Voices Heard and Pathstone Community Improvement of Newburgh
Refreshments & Spanish translation will be provided.
For more information, contact CVH at (845) 562-2020 or PathStone at (845) 569-0770

Download:
• Meeting flier in English & Spanish (PDF, 1.1MB)

The City Council is holding a special Budget Work Session followed by a “Resident Roundtable on 2011 Budget” tonight (10/27) at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 83 Broadway. The goal is to have input from the public regarding ideas for addressing our budget crisis and how to generate revenue for the city.

If you are unable to attend tonight, there will be another Resident Roundtable regarding the 2011 budget on Wednesday, November 3, at 6:00 PM at the City Activity Center, 401 Washington Street.

For those who have volunteered for the 104 S. Lander Street Task Force, there will be NO MEETING TONIGHT for the Task Force. If you can, please attend the Budget Work Session instead.

Please join us to discuss Phase 1 of the Newburgh Armory renovations, and plans to develop self-sustaining programs at the Armory in support of the City of Newburgh.

The Newburgh Armory, 231 South William Street, Newburgh, NY
Wednesday, October 27
5:30 PM

NHA member and Heights resident Deirdre Glen is part of a group, along with Bill Kaplan, Bill Richards, Fr. Kevin, and the new head of the business program at MSMC, Jim Gearrity, who want to share what they think will work at the Armory with Newburgh stakeholders. According to Deirdre, the thoughts center on a business plan that will make the Armory income-generating and self-sustaining.

Saturday, October 23rd
9:00 AM–Noon

Here’s what you do…
• Bring your stuff starting at 8:30 am
• Bring a table to show your stuff
• Bring bags and packing material so your customers can take it with them
• WHATEVER IS NOT SOLD, TAKE IT HOME!

Bake Sale!
If you don’t want to sell your stuff, why not bake a pie, or a box of cookies, or a cake? All proceeds go to the Newburgh Heights Association.

Cost of a selling space: $15 cash (to be collected by NHA officers on the day of the sale)
You keep the profits, unless you want to donate all or part of your profits to the Newburgh Heights Association, which is actively raising funds to improve the quality of life in the Heights.

For further information call Anne Thomas, (845) 562-6309 or Deborah Dresser, (845) 561-2555.

Join the Newburgh Preservation Association and Assemblyman Frank Skartados:
Preservation’s Role as a Stimulus for Newburgh’s Economic Growth

September 30, 2010, 6:00–8:00 PM
The River Grill, 40 Front Street, Newburgh, NY

Cash Bar & Light Appetizers · Door Prize · Guest Speaker

Speaker: New York Assemblyman Frank Skartados
Enhancing the Economic Welfare of Newburgh through the Preservation of its Historic Districts and Structures
Please RSVP by Sept 24th., Nancy Billman at 845.562.8076 or email ncbillman227@aol.com

Cost: Members $10; Guests $15

For more information about the Newburgh Preservation Association, please visit www.preservenewburgh.org

George Garrison, head of the Department of Public Works (DPW) for the City of Newbugh, will be discussing bulk item pickup at the City Council Work Session on Thursday, September 2, 2010 from 6:00–8:00 PM. The session will be held at City Hall, located at 83 Broadway.

The 2nd Annual Chain Saw Extravaganza
Sunday, September 12th
Beginning at 4:00 PM

Help us to open up the view and get our vision clear for the future of the Heights. Join the NHA for a brush-trimming party on the Bluff!

Bring a supper dish to share or something to refresh the whistle. Refreshments of all sorts will the served up in the backyards of Bay View homes.