Letters 8/13/2009

Dear Editor,
I have often marveled at the levels of misunderstanding laid out passionately in these letters to the editor. To stake out a position and be able to coherently marshal the facts to support and advance that position is an art and a joy to read. The letter from Carol Shalaew representing Jen Holz as a writer whose "column
is inappropriate for your newspaper and especially for the eyes of innocent and impressionable children" strikes me as about as far from my long time appreciation of Jen's writing as possible.
Jen's commitment to children's appreciation and understanding of the care and compassion for animals is beyond question. I can assure you that Jen Holz supports and promotes animal responsibility at a level that has made a real and profound impact on my family through her devotion to animal care education, especially the 4H Cloverbud program.
I'm sure that Carols work as a "rehabber" is noble and of real service to the community and I'm sorry that she wasn't able to appreciate the nuance of Jen's piece ("Kitty" Phoenicia Times July 16th). The level of antagonism in her response however makes Carol's misunderstanding that much harder to understand.
Peter Bosch
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
Darnit Jen, you made me cry again! Jennifer Holz's columns in this paper have been inspirational, contemplational, and downright profound for the past several years. Every time I read one I learn something about farming or animal husbandry. But frequently I learn something about human nature, about the ties that bind, about that spirit inside us all that makes our heart pound or our eyes tear, about my self, your self.
I wrote that paragraph on July 17 2009. saving it to find the words to finish it. Now I find myself defensive of this pure hearted, compassionate person who was recently attacked in this letters column for that same article. The writer of that letter obviously doesn't know Jennifer or has not read her columns carefully. Yes, we all love innocent creatures. But nature takes it's course. Should we call DEC every time our cat kills a vole, or a mouse, or a rat? Maybe they're not so cute, so don't bother. Maybe they are beyond saving. Jennifer Holz is the most caring, but realistic person I know. She raises chickens and sheep and goats... and children ( one her own, and many 4H'rs). Last year a bear and foxes killed most all her chickens. Please read her column of July 16 again and feel her sympathy and pain for that poor bunny.
Cats are predators. Humans are predators. Get used to it. That's life. That's death.
This letter didn't turn out the way it started or I intended it. Read the first paragraph again please, and keep that. Forget the rest. I will.
D.M.Colp
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
The Jen Holz I know and read is one of the most loving and principled woman I know. Her commitment to her family, community, and friends is, without question, remarkable in this cynical age. Keep her columns coming!
Stephen H. Foreman
West Kill, NY

Dear Editor,
I am writing to tell you that I was deeply offended by the letter recently published written by Carol Shalaew. It was highly inaccurate and misleading. I moved from Mt. Tremper to Rural PA several years ago but read your paper weekly and have always totally enjoyed and been enlightened by the columns written by Jennifer Holz. Her columns have always been thoughtful, knowledgeable, clearly written and obviously written with a great deal of emotion and sincerity. I am certain that the vast majority of your readers feel the same way. It would be a shame if Ms. Holz ever decided to stop contributing to your wonderful paper as a result of a few uninformed letters such as that written by Ms. Shalaew.
Donald Tracy
Sherman, PA

Dear Editor,
I'm writing in response to the delusional letter by Carol Shalaew about Jen Holz's column in your last issue of the paper. First of all, she totally missed the boat on what the column was even about. It was a beautifully written story with a cat and its prey as a metaphor for life and death. Ms. Shalaew completely twisted Jen's story to fit her agenda. There is nobody that loves animals more then Jen. She and my son take loving care of at least 60 different animals each day on our farm (sheep, goats, dogs, cats, chickens etc) and the occasional baby bird that falls out of the nest that they rescue and take care of as well. During lambing season, there is usually a bottle fed lamb living in our house. She advises people all over the country on how to take care of their farm animals, She has gone out in the middle of the night to help a friend's animals in need or to bring them an emergency antibiotic. As a 4H volunteer leader, Jen Holz opens her heart and home to our Phoenicia 4H kids on a weekly basis for Dog Club, Vet Science, regular meetings and county fair preparation. She takes great pride in mentoring our youth in different aspects of farm life and animal husbandry. The kids have witnessed the beauty of birth and the sadness of a stillborn. These are realities of farm life. Carol Shalaew suggested that Jen not be able to continue writing her column anymore because the content is too graphic and scary for our children. Does this mean we should also ban James Herriot's book "All Creatures Great and Small" from the school libraries? Our kids are stronger for this dose of reality and knowing where their food comes from. The only thing that brought tears to our son's eyes was returning from a great winning week at the Ulster Country Fair full of blue ribbons and pride, only to open the Phoenicia Times and read Carol Shalaew's hurtful letter about his mother.
. As far as cats go, they hunt instinctively both inside and outside the house. Ms. Shalaew want us to keep our cat inside. We attempt to do that because we have many predators which are dangerous to them. We have lost a cat to a predator. However, our cats kill a lot more mice in the house and the barn then any rodents outside. I have a question for Carol. Is a mouse's life more precious that a rabbit's life? Should we call you the next time our cat has caught a mouse in the house? What about the countless mice caught in traps throughout our area each day? You suggested we call you or the DEC. I really doubt the DEC will come out to take care of a mouse. Putting a collar on a cat is dangerous. We almost had one of our cats strangled by getting her breakaway collar caught on a tree limb. She was dangling from the tree. The internet is full of such stories and warnings.
I do respect what a Wildlife Rehabilitator does, however I don't respect or appreciate the misguided and hypocritical written attack on my wife. Lastly, Carol Shalaew should check her facts and read Jen's columns more carefully, Jen has never killed or written anything about killing her goats. And Jen's last name is
spelled Holz, not Holtz.
George Holz
Woodland Valley, NY

Dear Editor,
I don't agree with the philosophy that anyone who wants to can just "vent" in the paper. Good journalism doesn't mean giving slander and hate the same space as intelligent writing.
I think that an intelligent, or literate observation/criticism might be welcomed, but this was very much a hate letter. Not only did this letter have quite a few lies, but it ruined our day and took up alot of energy. After all that we do for the town, the kids and our world, I don't see why we deserve this.
Josh Holz, Age 12
Woodland Valley, NY

Dear Editor,
The fate of the health care system seems to be doing a balancing act. Such a shame that the powers against reform have had so much of our money to oppose the establishment of a single payer, universal health care reform which would just about cut in half what is being paid per capita for health care insurance in the U.S. today yet fails to cover so many millions. We know that many millions of Americans want genuine reform but there are so many millions who don't know what is happening and believe those purveyors of private, costly programs which make a profit with an enterprise that is viral to all and should provide huge profits to no one. We all can contact our senators and Congressman to support the reform.
Mescal Hornbeck
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Paul Rakov was just named director of business development and marketing at the Ulster County Development Corp. (UCDC). Mr. Rakov spent years as spokesperson lobbying for Crossroads Ventures, LLC, the company behind the controversial Belleayre Resort real estate development proposal. Mr. Rakov’s appointment raises questions about the appearance of a lobbying/government agency revolving door.
It could appear that he has gone from aggressively lobbying Ulster County elected officials, employees and agency board members on behalf of his former employers (Dean Gitter, Spotted Dog, Emerson Inn, Crossroads, etc.) including UCDC and UCIDA who control grants, tax abatements, PILOT’s etc., to being an employee of an agency his former employers want something from.
No one begrudges Mr. Rakov a job—assuming he was the best candidate. But to reassure the public Mr. Rakov should be instructed to recuse himself completely from any and all conversations or meetings having to do with his former clients, or the proposed Belleayre Resort for which he lobbied so aggressively. Anything less would underscore the appearance of revolving-door government favoritism. UCDC Executive Director Lance Matteson, also CEO of UCIDA, should ensure that Mr. Rakov’s efforts do not favor his former clients and their private investors' interests at the expense of taxpayer interests, or the interests of other, less well-connected businesses and industries.
John Carney
Hardenburgh NY

Dear Editor,
The following was recently sent to Dr. Leslie Ford, Supreintendent of the Onteora Central School District...
The Onteora Central School District certainly has become a lightening rod for dissention, disruption, scandal and criticism. Of course the equal opportunity contributing groups within the District are the School Board [and members] and District management [all of you incl. Office crew]. A lightening rod is that negative point that attracts a destructive high voltage positive charge.
How dare anyone in the District Office or on the District Board with any responsibility not return a legitimate inquiring phone call to any taxpayer or resident of the District? It seems the Trustees are as perplexed as the community members. Why no written response or public [Olive Press] statement? It must be that old police adage, “when you are explaining, you are losing. Good thinking, Dr.
I am referring to folks who desired an explanation as to whose brilliant idea it was to have the school give “shot”, er; double shot glasses to the HS graduates at their prom celebration. I understand the “gift” in 2008 was a glass “goblet” for wine and brandy while for 2007 it was a glass beer “stein”. Someone stated these items of “memorabilia” were not paid for by the [District] tax payers. Pray tell, Dr. Ford; what group or individual did pay for them? Then before distributing these “Christmas” like gifts why did no one in the chain of authority or command classify them as “unfit” for teenagers below the legal [alcohol consumption] age. True; they were empty. So, who’s got the juice?
I am tempted to apply for a position on the District Board but if seated I can think of no better graduaton gift next year than a pornographic DVD or a “Drugs for Dummies” manual.
Now, let’s see. What would the Kindergarten kiddie-poos appreciate prior to entering first grade? Their graduation is an extravaganza too.
To be sure there are parents who were also asleep. But then, this was a well kept secret. Even MADD was unaware. Too bad.
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
Global warming proponents use false temperature readings.
For many years, thousands of scientists and other technical people have stated that humans do not cause global warming. Nature does.
The official record of temperatures in the USA comes from a network of 1,221 climate-monitoring stations overseen by the National Weather Service. Anthony Watts, a 25-year broadcast meteorology veteran, recruited a team of more than 650 volunteers to visually inspect and photograph more than 860 of these stations. They were shocked to find that 89% of the
stations failed to meet the requirement that stations must be 100 feet or more away from artificial heating, radiating, and reflecting heat sources.
Even worse, they found major gaps in the data record that were filled in with data from nearby sites. Their conclusion was that the U.S. temperature record is unreliable and should not be used to promote unsubstantiated global warming theories. Much more information is available at www.surfacestations.org.
Richard and Gloria Hampton
Sylmar, CA

Dear Editor, The Resource Center for Accessible Living, as a non-profit, community based service and advocacy organization run by and for people with any type of disability, is pleased to see three, new insurance reform bills pass the New York State Legislature. One new bill extends COBRA coverage from eighteen to thirty six months for workers who are laid off, spouses that become separated from the worker, workers who become disabled and children of workers who are no longer dependant. This extra time allows workers and their families a chance to find a job that provides health insurance. Another bill provides dependents the opportunity to purchase coverage from the parent’s plan after reaching the age of 18 until they are 29, become married or can be covered under another employee health plan. The children are eligible to pay for coverage under their parent’s plan even if they are no longer dependent. A third bill contains a number of new protections. It requires insurers and HMOs to provide healthcare providers with 90 days notice of any adverse reimbursement change, and allows the provider 30 days to terminate his contract with the insurer or HMO. It requires insurers and HMOs to pay claims submitted electronically within 30 days. It prohibits insurers and HMOs from denying claims because they are coordinating the claim with another insurance company. It gives health care providers at least 120 days to submit claims. It prohibits insurers and HMOs from denying claims from participating hospitals because the provider is non- participating, or from participating providers at non-participating hospitals. It provides for one day or 72 hour utilization review for home health care coverage following hospital stays. These healthcare bills are important for New Yorkers because they provide for more healthcare availability. We urge the governor to sign these bills into law. Fran Wishnick, Advocacy Director CARA Kingston, NY Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to notify seniors that New York State has increased the prices for sporting licenses for the 2009-10 season. One of the major changes is that the senior license age requirement has been increased from 65 to 70 years old. This means that the seniors who fall below the age of 70 will have to pay for a regular license. The price is $29 for fishing or $47 for sportsman license, versus the current $5. This is why I am strongly suggesting to people who fall into the 65-69 yr. age category purchase a lifetime fishing or sportsman license for $50 while they qualify. After Sept. 30, a person will have to be 70 years old and the same lifetime license will cost $65.
If this reminder is helpful, please visit your friendly neighborhood town or city clerk’s office for further assistance. We give great service. Jason Cosenza
Ulster Town Clerk
Dear Editor, I have noticed now more than before that when people sign their name it is completely and unbearably illegible. In school you were taught to write neatly and even to sign your name neatly. However, it must have went in one ear, out the other, because people sign their names however they want. While at work, I see a lot of people's signatures and they are simply little loops or a loop with a line or dash attatched. That is clearly not a way to sign your name. It is generally, though there are some women, men that do it. And if you pay close attention, the higher up in social status you go, the sloppier the signature is. Doctors do the whole loop thing all the time. Do people sign their names like this becauss they feel more important? Sedcondly, do you think the way people that sign their name with a loop or a line sign their social security card or tax information with such a mark? Quite frankly, it should be banned or unacceptable to sign like thatm, especially for banks or legal documents. While lots of people would argue that they do this because they don't have time to do it any more neatly, it only takes a second for somebody to steal your identity. Honestly, how hard is it to have your signature forged when your signature is only a circle? My 3 year old cousin could forge your signature! Well, I would just like to know your opinion. Or do you sign your name with a circle or a loop as well? Trevor Myers Saugerties, NY
Dear Editor,
The Watershed Advocate the newsletter of the Catskill Watershed Corp. in its recent edition of Summer 2009 had a front page article about the opening of the Cannonsville Reservoir for recreational boating. This was a positive article about a great step forward by NYCDEP. I do want to comment on a specific point in the article, “there have been no enforcement problems thus far, and only a small amount of trash has been generated”.
I would like it be known that when a number of Catskill Mountain Club members, including myself, went for a paddle on the Cannonsville about a month ago we noted a very large amount of accumulated trash around the banks of the reservoir. It was obvious that this trash had accumulated over the years since the reservoir was built and caused by natural flooding events. Should not NYC attend to this unsightly and potentially polluting mess? We, Catskill Mountain Club, Tremperskill Hunting and Fishing Club amongst other local groups have participated in a number of clean ups around the Pepacton. I believe that it would be incumbent for NYCDEP to initiate their own clean ups in the future and on their own dime.
A final comment, which I did not mention in my letter praising the opening of the Cannonsville, is the fact that we, all five paddlers did remove a lot of flotsam that we encountered and piled it neatly for appropriate pick up and removal at the launch site. Included in this was a plastic gallon jug half filled with used motor oil. I do hope that NYCDEP does recognize the fact that canoe and kayak paddlers do not generate trash and are not prone to discarding trash on the waters that they cherish and enjoy recreating on.
Again, thank you NYCDEP and the others involved in providing this recreational opportunity.
Jack McShane, Board Member
Catskill Mountain Club
Andes, NY

Dear Editor,
To the people of the town of Shandaken and to our regular visitors as well, The Rotary International Club of Phoenicia wishes to thank all those who supported our 20th Annual Krazy Quacker Duck Race held on the Stony Clove Stream in Phoenicia on Sunday, July 26th.
Your participation and assistance was significant to the success of this event. All of the raised funds go to our club's commitment to local community and international needs. A sample list of how those funds are used is attached.
We hope that all who attended enjoyed the afternoon of community fun together.
Congratulations to those who were the lucky winners and we look forward to an even bigger and better afternoon of fun next year.
Thank you again.
Rotary Club of Phoenicia

Dear Editor,
What's wrong with THIS picture?:
In place of the large clump of monarda I had planted for the hummingbirds in my roadside garden on Silver Hollow Road in Chichester, I found a hole, a couple of broken stems, and an empty shopping bag.
I have hung the bag from a post at the spot with a sign: "YOU have stolen food from my hummingbirds, left a hole in my garden, and left as litter your '100% recycled materials WHOLE FOODS' shopping bag. Somehow, you don't fit the profile".
Every time I try to make sense of this I am left holding my head in disbelief: someone who had a 100% recycled materials paper shopping bag from WHOLE FOODS has just stolen a clump of plants from my garden and left the bag as litter...
The next day a neighbor reported having seen an older couple in an expensive dark car pulled up alongside my garden.
As my neighbor approached them, the woman, who now had an armful of my plants, smiled and got into the car and drove off. She had brought the bag for the booty and when caught in the act, left as quickly as possible, not taking the time to put the plants into the bag or to retrieve it.
This is the third time someone has brazenly stolen plants from my garden in broad daylight.
I want to ask these people -- who could certainly afford to buy these plants -- how they rationalize stealing them instead, and especially from someone who obviously has so much less than they do. And will they be back for another go at my garden themselves, or will it only be others just like them?
Earl Hatleberg
Chichester, NY