Come for the Protest, Stay for the Community

Every Saturday at noon for the last twenty years, people have gathered at the gazebo in Chatham Village to protest war. The wars change, the people holding flags and signs change, but the protest goes on.

The right to gather in peaceful protest is fundamental: it’s guaranteed by the FIRST Amendment to our Constitution, and that right is under assault. The Trump administration and ICE want us to be afraid to speak up, afraid to be in the street or in front of that gazebo with our bodies and our signs.

Democracy Needs Us! 

NO KINGS was a starting point, but since the murder of Renee Nicole Good, protesting has taken on a new urgency. Once every few months is not enough. Once a month is not enough. We need to be out every week, showing that we value democracy, that we will use our right to freely assemble to demand change, and that we are AGAINST what our government is becoming. When you or I or any one of our like-minded neighbors shows up, we not only let our larger community know that we stand for democracy, but we also refuel ourselves. We make friends, we exchange ideas and resources. We even have fun!

The hardy group at the gazebo has welcomed us to join them. Not all of us can come every Saturday, but we can all come some Saturdays, from 12 to 1.

Please come!  Bring a sign if you’ve got one, or use one of ours.
Democracy Needs You.

Introducing: MOVE THE NEEDLE

Taking Action in Difficult Times

The past year has been incredibly difficult. Many of us are feeling helpless, and anxious, and unsure of what we should do in response to the huge chaos that is produced daily by the Trump administration. There is a way to counter these emotions and make a difference: by taking action. Our new feature Move the Needle is here to provide the information and resources needed to do just that. Our voices drive change and make a real impact. That is how we move the needle.

How Does It Work? The easiest way to take action is this: by contacting your Members of Congress. You can call, email or write a letter — every contact is logged, including voicemail. Staffers note why we called and what we’re asking for. The more often we do it the more traction we get, the more they pay attention.

What Should I Say? Sometimes it’s hard to know, but “Chop Wood, Carry Water” makes it easy. Almost every afternoon, you’ll receive an email with a short script to follow for your calls or emails to Representatives and Senators. Like going to the gym, it gets easier the more you do it — and it only takes five or ten minutes.
Bonus: Making a call often gives you the chance to talk to a staffer. Having a real conversation provides an opportunity to make what YOU care about something THEY care about! Expressing emotion respectfully—whether it's passion, frustration, or concern—can be powerful.

The Carrot and the Stick: Taking the time to thank representatives for actions you support is just as impactful as voicing concerns. Often we reach out only when we’re unhappy: the stick. But it’s also important to offer thanks for actions we like: the carrot. When your Member of Congress does something positive, let them know! For example, Josh Riley  recently introduced a bill to prohibit foreign ownership of utilities. NYSEG, which is owned by a Spanish hedge fund, operates with profit as its main motivation rather than prioritizing serving the public.

You Choose:  So, do what you can in the way you feel most comfortable. The more you do, the better you’ll feel. Give it a try.

Making It Easy 
The Newsletter now features a Resources box with links to the websites for Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, as well as Representative Riley. There are phone numbers for each office, as well as an email option right on the site. Try reaching out to as many offices as you can. If you’re feeling especially motivated, call them all. Alternatively, use the email option. Whichever method you choose, your participation makes a difference!

Move the Needle!  

RESOURCES

Representative Josh Riley

https://riley.house.gov/contact/

https://riley.house.gov/contact/email-josh/

Senator Chuck Schumer

https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact#office-locations

https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/message-chuck

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/office-locations/

https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/

Town Board hears news on solar law, housing proposals, farmland protection and Park Master Plan 

The second Town Board meeting of 2026 was notable for news and updates on the work of various committees and boards that are part of the Town of Chatham government. Supervisor Collins kicked off committee reports with an overview of County and Town news, including some changes in leadership and membership on Town committees and boards. 

A partial report on some of the significant advisory committee news and highlights from the Community Preservation Fund Board are noted below, and more details are available on the video of the meeting.

Some highlights:

Solar Law Committee Chair Angus Eaton reported that the Solar Law Committee has been incorporating changes based on a public hearing on the law and other “substantive changes” suggested by the Town’s Planning Board in 2025. He presented some of the stipulations in the proposed law, and said the committee anticipates that the Law will be presented at a public meeting in late February. 

Eaton noted that another extension of the now 18-month long solar moratorium will be necessary to allow time for final work on the proposed solar law. The town attorney said this would be “defensible”, given the steady progress the committee has made toward a final product.