Cold Springs Ny Newspaper Metro North

Vermont Today: Will Vt. lose fed funds? Plus Obama on market plunge; reader ...

Your new afternoon update with the host Cristina Kumka

It's Monday afternoon and there are many new problems to emerge from Washington, DC, and from the offices of our state representatives. From the antics of the market Obama's comments, the impact of congressional action on the debt ceiling for the expansion of communications technology and medical fields, there are a load of important news break today ' Today, most have a direct impact on our daily lives.Here's a quick digest:


Obama calls downgrading of credit and economic turmoil "imminent solvable," market loses over 600 pts
President Barack Obama on Monday rejected the bulk of the first downgrade the credit rating of U.S. and machine down the stock market, trying to reassure investors and the public. He said that the leaders of the nation it suffices to show more "common sense and compromise" to tame a staggering accumulation of debt.
Seeking to demonstrate control in a volatile economic climate, Obama said he hoped that the decision of Standard & Poor would at least give the Congress a renewed sense of urgency to address the debt problems. He said that should be done primarily by taking on the politically difficult to reform taxes and social programs in the coming months.
In his first public comments on the credit downgrade, which S & P announced Friday night, Obama said that Washington had the power to set its own policy failure.
"Markets go up and down," he said. "But it is the United States of America.No matter what some agency can say, we have always been and always will be a triple of a country. "
S & P fell Government officials note of AA + from the highest rating, AAA, based on a lack of confidence that Congress and the president will be able to shake their political impasse and to make more severe cuts in long-term debt.

Storm of a Generation Heads for Our Area | Philipstown.info

  Local officials seek to coordinate emergency services and shelter 

By Kevin E. Foley

Along with much of the Northeastern United States, Philipstown and Putnam County are bracing for this weekend’s Hurricane Irene, which the National Weather Service has predicted could be the storm of a generation for the region. Locally, officials such as Town Supervisor Richard Shea and Town Board Member Nancy Montgomery and Cold Spring Deputy Mayor Bruce Campbell have been working the phones and coordinating with the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services        Officials are focused on the potential for high winds and drenching rain to create sustained power outages, flooding in low-lying areas, blocked roads, and people in need of emergency shelter. The town government will establish an emergency operations center at the North Highlands Fire Company firehouse tomorrow (Saturday) night to monitor events and coordinate with the fire companies, various police agencies, the Town Highway Dept., Central Hudson Power Company, and other services. Regionally, the Metropolitan Transit Authority has announced the shutdown of the entire system, including Metro-North, beginning at noon tomorrow.

Shelter available with the latest information the town government has on preparation for the storm.  She emphasized that the four volunteer companies have all offered to open their firehouses tomorrow evening to provide emergency shelter to residents who need it.  “At least people will have access to running water, electricity and a roof over their heads,” said Montgomery.  She praised the fire companies for their efforts and coordination with the town. “They have been eager to help and to open their doors,” she said.  Montgomery also pointed out that the Garrison Ambulance Corps has said they will have extra oxygen for people who cannot obtain their regular supplies.  Montgomery also stressed that people should use telephone numbers provided (see below) to obtain assistance or get information. “I have worked those lines and it really throws a wrench into the system when people call 9-1-1 with non-life threatening situations,” she said.        Bruce Campbell said he had already met a few times with Water and Sewer Superintendent Greg Phillips to do everything possible to prepare the water treatment plant and the storm drain system for flooding and an excess of storm water. He said he was also speaking with the Cold Spring Fire Company to better understand pumping possibilities in case of flooding in the area near the river.