DUTCHESS County needs a County Historian appointed now. We could use your help and Support. Pretty Please! More on this can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/njrhxy Can our friends, historians and genealogists, researching in Putnam and Westchester Help? Sign our Petition? http://www.petitiononline.com/hirehist/petition.html After all when Putnam County was a part of Dutchess, Dutchess and Westchester were neighbors.<smile> My own ancestors migrated from Westchester to Dutchess before 1812 - the part of Dutchess my ancestors migrated to became Putnam County in 1812. Having early ancestors from Westchester and having visited the Westchester Archives and knowing how well Westchester County treats its history, myself and other historians in Dutchess are Striving to ensure Dutchess County's rich history and historical records receive from Dutchess County Government the respect deserved, all of which a Dutchess County Historian as per our County Charter would play a key and integral part in. With much genealogical research done in government records and the sad state of records management in Dutchess without a County Historian - it is critical we force the issue now - our history and historical records are "running out of time" - imagine that. FACTS: In only 2 1/2 years of the last 18, has Dutchess County, a PUBLIC GOVERNMENT entity, had a County Historian. Dutchess County Historical Society (DCHS), a PRIVATE Non-Profit Historical Society chartered by the State of New York, and/or its President or Executive Director (if they still have one), is NOT nor has it ever been the Dutchess County Historian. DCHS gets $0 in funding from Dutchess County GOVERNMENT, a PUBLIC GOVERNMENT entity. ---------------------------------------------- PUBLIC Government Documents cannot and must not be held by PRIVATE Historical Societies which charge membership fees such as DCHS. They are PUBLIC documents. The PUBLIC must be serviced. The Utmost Praise for and Thanks go to DCHS for their great collections. Historians far and wide thank them for the work they have done. However, and of UTMOST IMPORTANCE, their is a HUGE difference between PUBLIC and PRIVATE records/collections. Praise for DCHS for their great collections, but Dutchess County CANNOT claim credit for the great work of DCHS, nor can DCHS's scope cover archiving Dutchess County Records/ Documents or fill the shoes required by LAW of Dutchess County Historian. PUBLIC GOVERNMENT documents/records belong to and must remain with the GOVERNMENT and the people/PUBLIC and must be accessible to the PUBLIC NOT held by PRIVATE societies (Like DCHS) which charge membership fees. PRIVATE collections/records belong to PRIVATE individuals or PRIVATE entities who may if they wish donate them to a PRIVATE society for their PRIVATE collections - such donations in most, if not all, cases then become the property of the PRIVATE Society. ----------------------------------- At least that is the way it works in New York to the best of my researched knowledge. I stand to be corrected if anyone knows and can substantiate differently. ----------------------------------- The On-Line 2009 Petition for a Dutchess County Historian http://www.petitiononline.com/hirehist/petition.html We Need More Signatures. Thank You to all those who have signed already. Thank You in Advance for those who have not. If your are local and available to participate. . . . . . Your attendance to voice your support for a County Historian at the Regular Meeting of the Dutchess County Legislataure on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 7 PM it would be greatly appreciated. Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items is allowed at the beginning of the Meeting. http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Legislature/CLagenda.htm Monday, September 14th Dutchess County Legislative Agenda 7:00 PM September Board Meeting a) Roll Call by the Clerk of the Legislature b) Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag; invocation by Legislator Dale Borchert; and a moment of silent meditation c) Performance Poughkeepsie High School Steppers, Stephen and Gloria Ellerby, Co-Directors d) Tribute Legislator Robert Sears e) Commendations, Commemoration and Proclamation 1. Commendation: Bruce Coneeny 2. Commendation : Kenneth Mallen 3. Commemoration: Henry Hudson's Anchorage at Hyde Park 4. Proclamation: 100th Anniversary National Association for the Advancement of Colored People f) Privilege of the Floor with respect to printed agenda items g) Privilege of the Floor with respect to non-agenda items ---------------------------------- Letters to the County Executive and Legislature from those who are unable to attend from across the state and nation but SUPPORT THE CAUSE may write letters or e-mail. This is your History too that is being advocated for. You can Contact the County Executive at: Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus 22 Market. St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Voice (845) 486-2000 Fax (845) 486-2021 e-Mail countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us copy the The County Legislature at: Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Roger Higgins 22 Market St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Voice (845) 486-2100 Fax (845) 486-2113 e-Mail countylegislature@co.dutchess.ny.us ----------------------------- TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE and PUT A STOP TO THE MISCONCEPTIONS DUTCHESS COUNTY Government PERPETUATES.