7/1/2010

Dear Editor,
As a longtime reader, and longtime property owner in the region, I want to makes some comments on things I have heard in regards to 'development'. While development can be a positive thing if done well, much of it, although claiming to be "for the public benefit', is really only about the "money" benefit. I don't decry anyone making a profit, but before you let anyone tell to you about how development lowers taxes, as those signs I see along Route 28 do, take a moment to ask a (out of town) town or city planner what development actually does.
Frankly, your taxes WILL NEVER go down, and building more 'tax rate-able' buildings WILL NOT help. If that were the case, then New York City, or Kingston for that matter, would have NO property taxes at all. Think about it. Adding buildings and homes increases the need for fire, police, school, water and waste waster treatment, and other 'public works' personnel. That means 'more taxes', and that tax money, it comes from you.
Secondly, the Route 28 corridor area is a destination for tourists, and rightly so, since it is a veritable jewel of a location. Take a moment to 'google map' the city of Newark, NJ. No offense to the people who have to live there, but do you think that city is a vacation destination for anyone? How about Bergen or Essex Counties of NJ, in general? Take a drive there sometime during the week and see what it is like to have development that's been pushed along for many years as 'tax solutions'. The density of people there will
make your head spin. Then go drive down 28 and realize what a gift you have been afforded by nature.
As for 'Taxes Equal Jobs", If you need a job, then you need to go where the work is. You can't expect to sit on the side of a mountain, and wait till they build a Wal Mart a 1/2 mile from your house so you can work. At that point your neighborhood will be on the road to ruin, just like many of ours are, down here in Jersey. And it didn't take too long, but we believed the old political lie, "It will lower taxes...". Now we have wall to wall malls and highways squeezing out what were once nice neighborhoods. At town meetings, this is often called 'progress'.
I am from New Jersey, it's not a bad place to work and raise a family, but I pay nearly $10,000 per year in taxes for a 3 bedroom house on a 50 by 150 foot lot. I have a Wal Mart, 10 gas stations and 3 dry cleaners within a 1/2 mile of my house, if you think that is great, then come on down and live here. I plan on moving up in Big Indian as soon as my child is out of college, to live the later part of my life in peace and beauty.
Max Huber
Morristown, NJ
Dear Editor,
(This letter was originally addressed to Dr. Ford and Dr. O'Brien at Onteora)
I attended the meeting tonight at the Phoenicia School. Although I don't excel at public speaking, I did want my voice to be heard, so I hope this email can speak as loudly as my voice would have tonight if I'd been able to.
My son is five years old, and is currently registered for Kindergarten at the Phoenicia School in the fall. He is a very bright child, and I am confident that with the right education, he will go far in life. This is one of my most important tasks as a parent: choosing and participating in the right education for my son.
This was my first experience with this school district, and what I observed tonight at the Phoenicia School was deeply disturbing to me. I saw a dozen educational professionals stand up and passionately make a case that fell on deaf ears.
There is something here that I do not understand. The board and the teachers have a consensus. Two classes are recommended. Two classes have been approved as a part of the voted-upon budget. Since you have not taken their recommendation, there must be a third element that I don't understand. What is your motivation? If it's a financial concern, then what is it that you want to purchase with that second teacher's salary? If you have some other purpose, why would you compromise even one student's education to further that cause?
The idea of asking a single person to control and educate a class of 20-25 energetic five-year-old children, 55% of which have special needs, is beyond my comprehension. Even controlling a class of 10 children with the same challenges seems like an exceedingly difficult task for even the most skilled teacher.
On the one hand, I feel honored to have educational professionals that want to advocate for my child's education like I saw tonight. I am proud to be a part of a community that cares so much about my son. But I cannot knowingly insert my child into an environment where those professionals are being ignored. In short, I cannot send my child to a school that is so divided amongst itself.
I ask that you listen to the overwhelming consensus and reassess your position on this important topic.
ncerely,
Sara Loughlin
Phoenicia, NY
Dear Editor,
The taxpayers pay for public school to educate the children who can't afford to go to private school. Why are some taxpayers so upset about paying for the care of the elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged in a nursing home? Is it that they are discriminating against these people, or do they just not understand how the system works?
A private nursing home is in "the nursing home business" for the profit. They care for the people who have the resources to pay for care. They cut corners to save money. They hire fewer employees, pay them less and give fewer benefits than a county run facility. They keep all the profits for the rich corporation that owns the facility.
Medicare pays for 100 days of skilled nursing home care if you qualify. They pay 100% for the first 20 days then for the remainder there is a significant co-payment of $128. After the first 100 days the person needing care is responsible for the payment. Once a person spends down their money they can apply for Medicaid.
The problem the county run facilities are having is Medicare and Medicaid reimburse the private nursing homes more than they do the county run facilities. I don't understand why this is; maybe the private homes pay for lobbyists to get more payment, or the state and federal government believes that it's taxpayer money no matter where it comes from.
Where do you want your tax money to go? Do you want it to go to the people who are taking care of the elderly and disabled, or do you want it to go to the rich corporations who own the nursing home? I want my money to go to those who care. They are the ones filtering the money back into the local economy. They are the ones who deserve it. I know the county belongs in the "nursing home business."
Mrs. Laura Barringer
Olivebridge, NY
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you regarding the short congratulations to Coach Burkhardt in your recent edition of the paper. While it is nice to be acknowledged I feel that first and foremost all congratulations and honors belongs to the kids- Emily Waligurski and the girls of the 4X800 M relay team. Furthermore I did not coach spring track for Onteora this season, and while I appreciate the recognition it does not belong to me, it really belongs to Coach Lou Chartrand and Coach Betsy Wise. They were the spring varsity track coaches and I congratulate them on a very successful season.
Patrick Burkhardt
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
Although, last year Americans paid the lowest level of taxes since 1950, Republicans and Tea Party members continue to call for tax cuts and less government.
Keep in mind, that the primary reasons we've become a debtor nation is Bush's two unnecessary wars, and tax cuts for the wealthy. These folks never call for cuts to our bloated Pentagon budget or oppose tax cuts for the wealthy, because they're committed to being cheerleaders for greedy Wall Street charlatans. Driven by greed, dishonest special interest lobbyist often thwarted members of Congress from considering the common good.
Tea Party guru Rush Limbaugh wants Obama will fail, because he doesn't believe in the common good. Neither does the entire Republican caucus of the House of Representatives. That is the reason every members voted against the President's economic stimulus package, which is successfully using government to promote the common good, by restoring the economy for all of us.
Reducing taxes translates into squeezing the life out of government and could destroy the effectiveness of our government completely. Many Republicans and Tea Party members aren't for less government. They're for no government. They don't want any government regulations and don't believe in the common good. They don't believe in shared sacrifice.
When, the common good wasn't a priority, we were spending one-and-a-half times more per person on health care than any other country. Our businesses that compete internationally, such as our automakers have been at a huge disadvantage, because we don't have Medicare for everyone.
Furthermore, those with health insurance had been paying a hidden tax for those without it. It's estimated to be about $1000 per year goes to pays for somebody else's emergency room visits, and that includes undocumented workers.
Being opposed to the common good is not profitable and as far as I'm concerned its not patriotic.
Jim O'Leary
Delhi. NY
Dear Editor,
We are indeed living in Interesting Times. Interpret as you wish, but we are now unified in facing what lies ahead from the Earth Changes that we've sat back and allowed corporate greed to create. Now, we will all be victims of the ultimate in lack of vision that came from those in power who never stopped to look up from their stock quotes to observe how nature works.
The destruction going on right now in our waters, is way beyond my ability to even properly report on. So, instead, I have joined with fellow "Greenies," to see if we can at least preserve what beauty, species, clean oxygen and water that we can. I believe that we can maintain a "Safe Haven" in our precious Catskill Mountains, mostly because I believe in the people here.
Two weeks ago I received an invitation to a new group of like minded neighbors, called "Sustainable Woodstock," to come together and see if we can have our voices heard, when threats to our environment rear their heads, as they frequently do.
Although this group of writers, artists, musicians, contractors, attorneys and professors each bring their own personal passions to the table, just about all of us have one thing in common - we want our representatives to represent us. We don't want to go to "town meetings" and find that there is no time for our voices to be heard. We can stay home and watch television to see candidates well financed advertising campaigns.
Our common desires are to sustain the green environment that drew us here. We are Woodstock - (and surrounding towns) Need I say more?
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY
Dear Editor,
I enjoyed your front page article in the June 17 issue, about how Phoenicia is becoming a cultural center for the Catskill Mountains. You can add to the list of cool stuff happening in our town that Phoenicia is also the epicenter of the Leaping Trout Art Trail. Twenty-seven unique, original interpretations of a 36 inch leaping trout are on display at public venues throughout the Esopus Creek drainage. Fourteen of them are on exhibit right here in Main Street Phoenicia! The project is being organized and financed by our local Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited, with assistance from the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Plan. You can get more information, view the art collection, and access a map of the Leaping Trout Art Trail at www.theleapingtrout.com. Or pick up a printed map and brochure at one of our local exhibitors. This all-volunteer, community-based art project is the result of the hard work and talent of 29 local artists, 27 exhibitor venues, and 8 Trout Unlimited organizers. That's 64 generous neighbors working hard to make our town the great place your article spoke of. Let's make sure they get the thanks and recognition they deserve.
Mark Loete, Chairperson
Leaping Trout Committee
APWC-Trout Unlimited
Dear Editor,
I wanted to start by thanking the Shandaken Ambulance Company, the employees of the Margaretville Hospital and Benedictine Hospital for all of the support that they gave to my family and I when we lost our little girl Samantha Eve Scism to a benign tumor three years ago. In return I want to give back to so many other families who have suffered from the various blood cancers by joining the Team In Training (TNT) that raises money to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through endurance events.
I wiill be running a 1/2 marathon September 26th around beautiful Schroon Lake within the equally beautiful Adirondacks . I have started training for my 13.1 mile by wearing my TNT uniform and running around the Phoenicia area. For me running this marathon keeps my daughter's memory alive but equally important there are several of my colleagues within the HealthAlliance who are victims of these blood cancers and by supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society these victims can receive the treatments they need to win the fight against their cancer. Please join me by visiting my TNT site http://pages.teamintraining.org/uny/adiron10/rscism
Thank you
Roberta Scism
Phoenicia, NY
Dear Editor, I'm writing to thank everyone who helped make our Phoenicia Library Fair a resounding success. Though it was a rainy day, it didn't stop folks from coming out and enjoying Uncle Rock, browsing for books protected under tarps, selecting some beautiful plants, snacking on yummy baked goods, and bidding for cool items and gift certificates of all types. Our annual fundraiser did remarkably well. We are particularly grateful to those in the community who went above and beyond: Queen of the Green Thumb and her plant posse Marvella Tannenbaum, who had vowed to exceed last year's total and did so by over $150 (luckily, gardeners are used to getting wet and grubby). For helping with set-up and lugging books: The MF Whitney Hose Company, American Legion Post 950, Vince Bernstein, Sue Bernstein, Joseph Newman, Marie Stutman, Harold Jones, Jerry Neal, and Don Bucher. The very generous donors to our silent auction: Catskill Rose Restaurant; Aileen Schwartz; Threads of Time; Uncle Rock; The Nest Egg; Babytoes; Barneche Design; Tenderland Home; Frost Valley YMCA; Belleayre Mountain Ski Area; Belleayre Music Conservatory; Sweet Sue's; Mama's Boy; Skin Flower Tattoo; Cabane Gallery; Wendy Drolma Masks; Mark Loete Photo Studio; Phoenicia Pharmacy; Rebecca Barry; Zen Mountain Monastery; Brian James; Catskill Mountain Physical Therapy & Heather Roberts; Al's Restaurant; Ann Byer; Joyce and Hawley Botchford; Oliverea Schoolhouse Maple Syrup; Sundance & Tom Crucet; Mount Tremper Arts; Shandaken Theatrical Society; Peekamoose Restaurant; Ulster Savings Bank; Katherine Haber; Brio's Restaurant; Alamo Cantina Restaurant; and Ricciardella's Restaurant. And for the delicious baked goods: Nicole Holmquist, Cathy Neal and Amy's Takeaway. Apologies to anyone whose name I have inadvertently left out! We hope to see many of you at the Library this summer during such programs as the weekly story hour for young children, which runs every Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. and includes storytelling and crafts, and Kids in the Kaatskills, which runs Wed.-Fri. the last week in July and the first two weeks in August. The Library is also sponsoring a Summer Reading Program for students; and on July 12 there will be a children's workshop on microscopic life in the Esopus Creek. On August 2, there will be a drumming workshop for kids age 4 and up. Stay tuned for more information in these pages!
Holly George-Warren
Phoenicia Library Board
Dear Editor, I'm sure everyone has seen the commercial "what's scarier than being in a crash?" Not having a phone! Not everyone has automatic on star response. This is a poor county and a recession has even made it harder for people.
Today cell phones can be had with limited minutes for a low price and certain medicare members may be eligible for a free phone. It is unconscionable not to have a tower that is up and running. Especially when the reason for this is that a suggestion to give a discount to bring in a company so other phone companies will follow is being rejected because the town does not want to allow this.
You have to get the big picture, which is called progress and come into the 21st century. Step aside and let Rob Stanley do his job.
E. Sullivan
Chichester, NY
Dear Editor,
It is heartwarming to be part of a wonderful project about to take place in our beautiful town. Memorial weekend was the start of this journey with a successful yard sale to benefit the "Shandaken Dog Park & Agility Center" to be built in Glen Brook Park.
Residents donated goods to be sold all weekend. Many others gave monetary donations. Bart was kind enough to let us use the 1890 House on Main St. Tables were borrowed from St Francis De Sales, and a beautiful sign was made by Kurt. The staff at SHARP donated much time making signs and helping at the sale. Harry moved a lawn tractor into his barn every evening, Tom and Dana allowed us to sell beverages at the Phoenicia Belle. Paulette pitched-in to run the bake sale, getting donations and then selling. Friends of Snuffy made an incredible contribution that gave this project life at the start. All volunteers worked long, hard hours with many of them working all 4 days.
I feel blessed to be surrounded by such a giving community.
Thank you all for everything you do.
Jennifer Christie
Shandaken Dog Park Committee
Shandaken, NY