Hudson Valley Business News + Front Page

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Wee are the world
Pint-sized village lets kids live large By KATHY KAHN

Think of it as an “Our Town” for the younger set. Two talented brothers have pooled their creative artistry and combined it with six months of labor, creating a child-sized streetscape that would make Thornton Wilder proud.

The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum unveiled its new permanent exhibit, “Rivertown,” at the end of November. The 2,000-square-foot town has

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Top Stories

	Diagnosis: red ink Reimbursement cuts could cripple hospitals By LYNN WOODS Medicare is proposing to cut its current levels of reimbursements to hospitals by 2 percent to 5 percent and re-allot the pool of extra money to those facilities that meet certain performance criteria. While none of the hospital finance chiefs this reporter contacted up and down the Hudson Valley objected to being accountable for certain performance standards, they said they were worried the initiative would result in all-around lower reimbursement rates. Hall envisions divided Iraq By KATHY KAHN The most vexing problem facing Congress is how to bring American troops home from Iraq, said U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, who questions the wisdom of forcing a unified nation on a historically disputatious sandscape. Business incubator gets a reprieve But a last-minute infusion may not be enough By LYNN WOODS As of last week, the Hudson Valley Center for Innovation (HVCFI) was about to close its doors. But an 11th-hour amendment passed Dec. 5 by the Ulster County Legislature in its adaptation of the 2008 budget is giving HVCFI a shot at survival. The amendment earmarks $100,000 in county funds for the business incubator. Increased I-87 interchange parking By BRYAN F. YURCAN The newly expanded park and ride in New Paltz was reopened last week, according to the New York State Thruway Authority and Department of Transportation (DOT). News harvest Hudson Valley Business editor earns award for farm report By ANGELIQUE CHIELLI Bob Rozycki knows you only reap what you sow, and he’s growing more than just support for the local farming community: The New York State Agricultural Society selected the Hudson Valley Business editor-in-chief to receive the 2007 Harold L. “Cap” Creal Journalism Award for his article, “Home Grown.” Why the Emmys stunk In a word: Stinky! By LYNN WOODS Mark Greene, owner of Peco Designs, a Web design, video and animation production company based in Kingston, hopes to raise awareness of global warming through a nerdy cartoon character named Stinky with buck teeth, a balding pate and black tie. That wish got a big boost when Greene’s cartoon, “Big Fun with Global Warming,” won the 2007 Emmy Award in the National Public Service Announcement/Broadband category at a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences ceremony Nov. 9 in New York City. Grant money announced The state recently awarded $25.3 million in Environmental Protection Fund grants to communities and organizations across New York to assist with waterfront revitalization projects, historic preservation efforts, expanding open space, and increasing access to public lands. Arrest made in death of restaurateur After three years, cops claim a DNA match By KATHY KAHN A three-year-old murder mystery may finally be solved owing to a DNA sample taken from a Walden man arrested on unrelated charges. Religious foundations Belief and building prove a disputatious combo By BRYAN F. YURCAN A seemingly unassuming piece of legislation passed in Congress in 2000 has led to several disputes between Westchester and Rockland County municipalities and religious organizations. A legislative Rx might prove a tonic Millions at stake in hospital groupings By LYNN WOODS The dramatic reduction in federal Medicare reimbursement rates for several hospitals in Dutchess County and one in Orange County, caused by the expiration of funding legislation in October, will result in a shortfall of millions of dollars in 2008. U.S. Reps. Maurice Hinchey, John Hall and other representatives from the region are scrambling to put together legislation in an omnibus bill that would restore the cuts and even improve the reimbursement rates, which hospital executives fervently hope will be passed into law before the new year.