Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Elizabeth Press speaks to Noreen McKee about her recent OpEd (https://tinyurl.com/yz2eudat) in the Times Union on voting in Rensselaer County. Noreen calls for a change to the election process and points out a few of the issues she sees on topics from ballot-harvesting through absentee ballots, the Democratic establishment abandoning its candidates, Republicans hijacking the Working Families Party, the County Executive's $20K last-minute raise, and more.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022, the Rensselaer County Legislature will have a public forum at 1600 Seventh Avenue in Troy. It starts at 6pm and people can sign up to speak before that.

An addition to the HMM production team in 2021 was Jody Cowan who talks with Andrea Cunliffe about his journey in production, his comfort zone, and focusing on artists and youth. He speaks of the value of community news and news makers at HMM, encouraging the blending of art, community, and activism.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s interview with Sally Lauletta about her recent run for Rensselaer County legislature;

Then, Elizabeth Press takes us to the press conference and protest to oppose the $20K pay raise for Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin;

After that, Corinne Carey gets the scoop on the collaboration between Capital Area Relief & Liberation and Return Brewing that is easing the transition incarceration back into the community;

Finally, Aileen Javier brings us a story on housing and speaks with Yvonne Maldonado;

2021 is reviewed with HMM producer and former HMM coordinator Alexis Goldsmith. Here she talks about her environmental activism: Norlite and and her work with Beyond Plastics. In her conversation with HMM's Andrea Cunliffe, she speaks about her continued determination to encourage environmental activism to combat climate change and keeping music and farming in her heart for 2022.

Yvonne Maldonado talks to HMM how she got involved with Manufactured Housing Action when she was dealing with her own struggle when her community was bought by a predatory corporate owner. With the help of MH Action Yvonne started her journey as an organizer, first organizing with her neighbors and now across the Hudson Valley and all NY state. Yvonne is focused on building leadership teams in the manufactured home communities. "We need to fight together. We can make a change if we band together in numbers" - Yvonne Maldonado.

For more information about MH Action please visit their website at: www.mhaction.org/ You can also visit their FB page: @MHaction. To contact Yvonne Maldonado, you can email her at: [email protected] or you can call her at (347)369-3785

Interview by: Aileen Javier

Speaking with HMM's Andrea Cunliffe, Mark Dunlea recaps the most significant environmental issues of the year focusing on the climate crisis and the somewhat inept solutions presented in 2021. He also reviews the pursuit of peace from many angles.

In this interview with Andrea Cunliffe, HMM producer Aileen Javier reviews social justice and immigration policies in 2021. Looking forward to 2022, Aileen speaks about her 5 recommendations to be active in advancing immigration and social justice policies to be alerted to.

In the last week of December 2021, the Republican majority county legislature approved a $20K pay raise for Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. This is 18% more than he currently makes. The raise happened just three weeks after he was arrested and indicted on felony charges related to campaign finances.

The Justice Center of Rensselaer County and Rensselaer County Women for Change held a press conference outside the County Office Building in Troy on December 24, 2021. Hudson Mohawk Magazine's Elizabeth Press was there. This segment starts with Democratic Legislator and Minority Leader Peter Grimm.

The Rensselaer County Legislature
 Public Forum is on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 6 pm. You can signup between 5 - 6 pm to speak.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine we bring you a holiday special, highlighting stories on musicians from the past year.,

We begin with a story by Moses Nagel about how the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs modified their music program to be covid safe;

Then, Jeremy Clowe speaks with the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall to learn how it has adapted and, in the process, strengthened its support of local musicians;

Later on, Taina Asili speaks about transforming her work as a musician during the pandemic which included virtual performances;

After that, Andrea Cunliffe speaks to Grammy Winners Richard O’Neill and David Alan Miller about creating the Best Classical Instrumental Solo of 2021;

Finally, Willie Terry interviews kalimba player, Brother Howard Underwood.

The state's investment of $200 million in climate funds for offshore wind towers at the Port of Albany has led to discussions about how the South End community might benefit. Tom McPheeters of the South End Community Collaborative discusses the need to reduce diesel air emissions from trucks using the Port; what type of local job hiring goals may be established; and whether the project could spur green economic development locally. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.