Radio Chatskill

Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing significant concerns over the Department of State’s recent decision to suspend the processing of passport applications that include an 'X' gender marker for non binary individuals.  

In the letter, Bruck calls the policy change a "step backward in terms of inclusivity and equality," urging the department to reconsider its decision and reinstate the 'X' option. Bruck says that this move is a deviation from established procedures for verifying identity and citizenship in passport applications, and it undermines the dignity of non binary individuals.  

The introduction of the 'X' gender marker in U.S. passports in 2021 was heralded as a breakthrough for nonbinary, transgender, and intersex individuals, providing an official document that more accurately reflects their identities. The suspension of the 'X' marker last month has sparked outrage from LGBTQ+ rights organizations and individuals alike.  

Legal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have long argued that access to accurate identity documents is essential for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people to navigate society without discrimination. 

In his letter, Bruck said that the passport application process itself does not require an assessment of gender. According to the Passport Agent Reference Guide, acceptance agents are only responsible for verifying identity and U.S. citizenship, without the need to address an applicant's gender. Bruck pointed out that introducing restrictions based on gender markers, such as the 'X' designation, places an unnecessary and discriminatory burden on passport agents, diverting attention away from their primary duties.  

According to research from the Williams Institute, the absence of appropriate gender markers on identification documents increases the risks of discrimination and mental distress for transgender and nonbinary people. Bruck said that removing the 'X' marker would exacerbate these risks, contradicting the Department of State’s commitment to fairness and equality.  

Bruck urged Secretary Rubio to reconsider the policy change, framing the decision as inconsistent with the values of inclusivity and justice upon which the U.S. was built. “The suspension of the 'X' gender marker on passports is a misguided policy that undermines the rights and dignity of nonbinary individuals," the letter states. "It places undue burdens on passport agents and introduces unnecessary barriers for applicants.”  

The Department of State has yet to publicly respond to Bruck's letter. 

Fallsburg resident Brett Budde, owner of Majestic Farm in Mountaindale, New York, says his well ran dry last summer, and he believes the ongoing development in the Town of Fallsburg is to blame. 

With the town’s population tripling in the summer months, he says the strain on water and sewer systems is only getting worse. 

Now, Fallsburg is considering zoning changes that would allow for greater housing density in agricultural areas. 

The move comes after a legal notice warned that the town’s current zoning laws may not comply with federal protections for religious land use. 

Budde appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss what these changes could mean for his farm, the community, and the future of Fallsburg’s development.

Note: Majestic Farm is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill. 

Wayne County is set to receive a major boost in mental health crisis care with the upcoming launch of a new 24/7 Walk-In Crisis Center and Crisis Residential Program at 100 Park Street in Honesdale. The project is being made possible thanks to a $5.9 million crisis grant.

John Nebzydoski, Behavioral Health Director for Wayne County, says the new facility will offer a critical alternative to traditional emergency department visits, providing individuals in mental health crises with immediate access to care in a more suitable, urgent care-like setting. The center will offer short-term services such as medication management, therapy, and discharge planning/referral services, ensuring that those in crisis receive appropriate care and support.

The facility, located in the former Women’s Health building, is currently undergoing renovations to transform the space into a modern, welcoming environment for crisis intervention. In addition to the crisis center, the site will house a crisis residential program, offering individuals a safe, supportive place to stay for a short period while they stabilize and receive ongoing care.

With the project underway, the community can expect the new center to open by mid-to-late 2025. In addition to the crisis grant, Wayne County has secured additional state and federal funding, along with grant dollars, to support both the renovations and ongoing operations of the facility.

This new initiative is expected to significantly improve mental health care access for the region, providing a much-needed resource for individuals facing mental health crises in Wayne County and surrounding areas.

Sullivan County native Edward Jacob Lang was one of the roughly 1,600 people, granted a full, complete and unconditional pardon by President Donald Trump to those convicted of offenses related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol and directed all pending indictments to be dismissed.

Lang was accused of fighting for nearly two and a half hours with law enforcement defending the Capitol’s entrance and had been awaiting trial after seeking multiple delays in his case.

Lang justifies his actions on January 6. “We stood up against a stolen election. We will be vindicated in the pages of history as patriots and freedom fighters,” Lang said in a video taken moments after his release. There has been no evidence that election fraud determined the outcome of the 2020 election.

Lang told The River Reporter he plans to return to Sullivan County and he may run in New York's 19th Congressional District, which Democratic Rep. Josh Riley won in November. 

Terri Thal was a vital presence in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music world, where she played a pivotal role as Bob Dylan’s first manager at just 21 years old.

Thal helped guide his early career, securing performances and promoting his work. She also managed other influential artists, including musician Dave Van Ronk (whom she later married), the Roche sisters, Paul Geremia, and The Holy Modal Rounders.

Terri Thal will be speaking about her book – My Greenwich Village, Dave, Bob and Me –upstairs at the Jeffersonville Bake Shop on Sunday at noon.

She appeared on Radio Chatskill with Angela Page of Folk Plus. 

A group of residents in the Ellenville/Wawarsing area recently completed a 10-week Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVRx), gaining valuable nutrition education and access to fresh produce. The program, offered through SNAP-Ed New York and supported by Ellenville Regional Hospital’s Rural Health Network, provided participants with up to $120 in vouchers to purchase fresh produce at Peter’s Market, a local, family-owned grocery store that has taken initiative in supporting the area following the closure of a major food retailer.

SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Mary Brimmer and Meghan Young,  SNAP-Ed Nutritionist with the SNAP-Ed NY Hudson Valley team based out of Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County discussed the program on Radio Chatskill.

The program aimed to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating habits in the community.  Participants, who were either residents of the area or patients of the hospital's Rural Health Network, attended weekly sessions led by SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Mary Brimmer.  These sessions covered a range of topics, including budgeting for healthy meals, managing food resources, cooking skills, label reading, and staying active.  Classes explored how food connects to personal health, the environment, social and spiritual well-being, history, culture, and experiences of joy and celebration.

In addition to the educational component, the program culminated in a "grocery store tour" at Peter's Market, where participants applied their learning in a real-world setting.  The program fostered a sense of community among the participants, who shared recipes and tips throughout the sessions.

"This class has been super helpful for me," shared a participant. "I talk about you [the program] all the time! I share the information with my daughter, and she’s been enjoying making the recipes!”

The FVRx program is a growing initiative in the Hudson Valley, with partnerships between SNAP-Ed NY, healthcare providers, and local retailers. In Ulster County, the program is supported by Ellenville Regional Hospital’s Rural Health Network, Peter’s Market, and Ulster Savings Bank. 

A new cohort of the FVRx program is scheduled to begin in February 2025. Patients of Ellenville Regional Hospital interested in learning more about the program can contact Nutritionist Courtney Jollie at [email protected] or (845) 647-6400, extension 205.

On Saturday, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance opens its 2025 Season with multiple artistic collaborations across a dizzying array of mediums, curated by DVAA Gallery & Grants Manager Tanner Simon.

Featuring local and regional artists, DVAA’s 2025 roster of exhibitions run the gamut from painting to printmaking, sculpture to performance art, and everything in-between.

Simon and artist Maria Bacha Qamara spoke about the opening exhibit on Radio Chatskill. 

Firefighting is one of the most physically and emotionally challenging professions, with responders placing themselves at risk every time they answer a call. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network reports that just the sound of the emergency tones causes a firefighter’s heart rate to increase by 47 beats per minute, highlighting the immediate stress their bodies endure even before reaching the scene.

Concerns like high blood pressure, heart disease, and mental health challenges have long been linked to the profession. Sullivan 180’s Healthiest Fire Department Challenge is designed to address these issues, encouraging fire departments to prioritize wellness and resilience both on and off the job.

Sullivan 180 Outreach Program Manager Lindsay Wheat, and Jill Holand, a Healthiest Fire Department Challenge Captain, firefighter with the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department, appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the program. 

Donald Trump kicked off his second presidential term with dozens of executive orders, many of which focus on hot-button culture war issues, from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to abortion and transgender rights.

Local LGBTQ rights advocate John Steven Hellman has voiced grave concerns over the escalating political attacks targeting the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender individuals, under the Trump administration.

Hellman says these executive orders aimed at stifling LGBTQ rights signals a broader and more dangerous trend, one that is not just a matter of policy, but a deep-rooted attack on the very existence of the community.

Hellman is also President of the Zimmerman-Peirce Democrats, a Democratic Club focused on honoring and defending the rights and lives of LGBTQ people in Pike County and throughout Pennsylvania.

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) is calling on both amateur and professional artists to participate in a design contest for the 2025 Upper Delaware Litter Sweep commemorative t-shirt. The theme for this year’s design is “Don’t Be Trashy!”—a slogan that aims to raise awareness about litter prevention and promote environmental responsibility in the communities surrounding the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
For the first time, the UDC is holding an artwork contest to emphasize litter prevention in an effort to educate against improper disposal of garbage before it becomes a blight on the river valley landscape and migrates into the waterways.

The winning design will be featured on bright safety-colored t-shirts with the “Don’t Be Trashy!” slogan. Both amateur and professional artists are welcome to compete for bragging rights, a free shirt, and publicity.

Stephanie Driscoll, Program Director for the UDC, appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the artwork contest.

Artwork specifications for screen-printing optimization are as follows:

• Hand-drawn designs must be submitted on a white 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper with crisp, clean, and smooth lines, and no shading, 
• Computer based designs must be drawn in high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) or vector file with all images embedded and fonts outlined. 
• For both styles, incorporate the slogan text and there is a limit of using four colors per overall image.
• Submit entries by 4 p.m. on Feb. 14 to [email protected]. 
• Include the artist’s name, complete contact information, and social media handle. 
• Call (845) 252-3022 with any questions.

The 5th Annual Upper Delaware Litter Sweep will take place for the entire Earth Day month of April to provide flexibility for the New York and Pennsylvania communities surrounding the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River to schedule their land-based, volunteer-powered trash pick-ups.

Image: UDC 2024 Chairperson Ginny Dudko has volunteered for every year of the Upper Delaware Litter Sweep, shown here in 2022 with trash collected near the Mongaup Fishing Access in the Town of Deerpark. (Credit: Upper Delaware Council)