Letters to the Editor 9/27/2007

Dear Editor,
I find what appears to be a plan for Ulster County to spend $13,052,000 on the Ulster and Delaware Railroad Trail, $3,681,000 on Kingston/Ulster West Shore railroad crossing improvements, and $6,257,000 on all other county highway projects listed in the transportation program.
It appears that we will be spending $13 million for hikers and a little less than $10,000,000 for vehicular traffic situations. Can this be correct?
I note the commentary period for this plan expired September 17. I urge you to alert your readers to this situation so that they can be informed as to future tax burdens and the source of them.
Dexter Jeannotte
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
At last! That about sums up how I imagine most people are feeling now that an agreement has been reached on the Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park. For eight years, the public has waited for all the parties involved to come together and work towards a solution. And at long last, one has been found.
Balancing development and economic growth with environmental and community issues is a delicate task. Not one to be taken lightly and, we never have. Neither have those who opposed this project and fought hard to ensure that their voice was heard. Seeing both sides of the issues was what was needed so that the project could move forward with support from all involved. It took Governor Spitzer, along with the Governor’s indefatigable Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Judith Enck, to make that happen.
And while we were willing to come to the table in the sprit of compromise, had that table been empty on the other side, nothing would have been done. I applaud the environmental groups, lead by the NRDC's Eric Goldstein and the Catskill Center's Tom Alworth, who spent a great deal of time and energy working with us, the State and New York City to arrive at a new configuration for the project that, when completed, will be a shining example of smart, sustainable and environmentally sensitive growth. Their efforts along with those from representatives of Riverkeeper, Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, the New York Public Interest Research Group and the Zen Environmental Studies Institute, made this agreement a reality. I thank them sincerely for their commitment.
As Winston Churchill once said, "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." We have a lot of work ahead of us. I am encouraged that we will finally be working with the many groups that have been our adversaries for several years. Great things will come out of this collaborative effort.
We are sensitive to the fact that not all of the concerns of the townspeople of Shandaken and Middletown have been addressed in the present compromise. We look forward to sitting down with them over the coming months in the same spirit that has characterized this present agreement.
Dean L. Gitter
Crossroads Ventures, LLC
Mt. Tremper, NY

Dear Editor,
There are still very serious problems with the proposed development by
Crossroads Ventures at Belleayre.
First, while the total project has been reduced in size by 20%, on the west
it is actually increased by almost 45%. The original plan for the west side of the resort was for 439 units; the current plan is for 629 units. Such density would result in a range of adverse impacts: traffic congestion, noise pollution, sprawl, etc.
Second, the project still calls for construction on steep slopes-steeper than 20%. This poses the threat of extensive run-off and flooding.
Third, blasting for years to construct buildings some over 3000feet elevation will irrevocably and adversely alter the natural beauty of the mountain and would set a dangerous precedent for future development in the Catskill Park. At the same time, the blasting and clearing would endanger existing homes in the area.
Fourth, it is local people who are being asked to pay the price of this project twice. We are paying first in the incentives and sweeteners being offered to the developer to be paid for out of taxpayer money. We will pay again in higher property taxes to support an expanded infrastructure. Moreover, developments of this scale-all-inclusive, self-contained resorts
that are small cities unto themselves-never benefit the local economy as visitors buy all they need on site.
Finally, we believe that our political leaders have missed an opportunity here to set an example of the kind of smart, sustainable development next to public land that could be a model for the nation. We're sorry they did so.
Those organizations that signed the Governor's agreement gave up their right to seek judicial review of these issues in the future. On behalf of the residents of the hamlets and villages most affected by the proposed development-and on behalf of all of us who cherish the unique natural
treasures of our region-the Catskill Heritage Alliance has chosen to continue the process mandated by the people of the state.
The Catskill Heritage is committed to supporting responsible growth. We are
only opposed to irresponsible growth.
Richard Schaedle
Chairman, Catskill Heritage Alliance
Pine Hill, NY

ear Editor,
Signing on or not was not going to be the deciding factor. The Governor had made the decision to build something. There were many meetings since January but they were ordered with a gag order to not discuss in detail the negotiations between the parties. Our Lawyers did a tremendous job in saving the east side and protecting it forever forest. Roy Hochberg, our TU representative, did a great job representing us and relaying information to whomever wished updates. If parties did not agree to sign, it could have left it open to the Gov. to declare the east open and Gitter to develop. Our collective signatures took that option away. As for the future, we at Trout Unlimited haven't washed our hands and walked away. The new supplemental EIS will be scrutinized and watched. There are still cold waters on the west side but possibly less affected. By signing, does not eliminate us from entering into the review. That is a misconception that needs to be stopped circulating. In fact, TU has had consultants this week reviewing and doing work for us to the tune of several thousand dollars. One of them is one of the foremost respected hydrologists in the region. So, to say we have given up is certainly not true and hope you understand.
Ron Urban, Chairman
NY Trout Unlimited


Dear Editor,
There is an urgent need for open public debate and reasoned decision-making on Crossroads Ventures1 massive Belleayre development plan for the Catskills town of Highmount. The new plan is very different from the original for Belleayre Mountain and involves a great deal of additional building on the steep West Side slopes. As is usual in these matters, the potential economic benefits to the surrounding area have been exaggerated; local communities are indeed long depressed and deserving of genuine help, but the rule with huge developments like Mr. Gitter1s is that the bulk of the money flows out, rather than benefiting those most in need. Serious dangers to the watershed are posed by the proposed development, which should concern all New Yorkers, including those Downstate, who depend on this area1s reservoirs.
The years of blasting needed for clearing and construction could make the
area virtually unlivable, with inescapable noise, possible damage to homes, wells, natural formations and wildlife populations. This is not to mention all the problems with soil stability on a steep mountainside, unreasonable and unsustainable traffic on small and already overloaded roads, danger to streams and the Pepacton Reservoir (apparently ignored in the recent negotiations because all attention was focused on the Ashokan, which was indeed threatened), and the host of other problems that would come with this drastically overscaled project.
I am a 30-year homeowner on Belleayre and in Manhattan and thus would be directly and severely affected in myriad ways if the project were to move ahead, but I also have a much more general interest in the long-term welfare of the communities in the area and our remarkable Catskill Park. New York City has well-founded fears about the security, purity, and reliability of the Upstate watershed; its precarious position with respect to water supply is well known. In this case, as in many others, the fortunes of New York City are joined to those of the rest of the state, not opposed to them.
My own Catskill property is adjacent to the proposed development site, and the wells and springs of many of my neighbors often run dry even now: it seems
insane to plan to draw water for a huge commercial development and for so many additional dwellings from such a fragile system. Limited well testing now under way is not yet complete, and runoff is a real issue. Certainly, if the water supply were compromised, either immediately or by progressive depletion and contamination (would the testing in progress reveal this kind of slower damage?), the development could not thrive. It would be also be difficult for residents to remain, and this includes not only present permanent and part-time people, but workers at the development who might have moved to the region to avoid prohibitive commutes. What then?
It is urgent that this proposal be reexamined. Entirely too much of the recent process was hidden from view, and the 3compromise2 that has been presented in such a favorable light is nothing of the sort. It essentially moves much of the problematic construction from the East Side to the other side of the mountain, vastly increasing the amount of building there beyond the original plan. There is no reason to think that the West Side is any better able to sustain such a prolonged assault than was the East. The area1s vulnerable communities have been promised the world but will probably only reap higher taxes, over-crowded schools, overburdened roads and social services, increased congestion without significant economic improvement, and the partial destruction of the greatest real asset of the area: the beautiful Catskill landscape.
The fact that some groups have signed on to the revised proposal that was so suddenly sprung on us should not prevent the full and detailed airing of the new plans and the exploration of their possible impact on environment and people alike. In fact, it is absolutely crucial, because those signatories are now obliged to be mute, and thus cannot lend their voices to the necessary discussion. The effects on the immediate area would be many and severe, but it would be a serious error to think that the rest of the state can ignore what happens on Belleayre Mountain. It would be a tremendous shame, and a failure of the spirit of the regulatory process, to consider the problems with the Crossroads proposal to have been solved by this secretively engineered, excessive and imprudent 3compromise.2
Susan Oyama
Highmount and New York City

Dear Editor,
They all lie!
In July of this year I heard a rumor that there were secrete talks between Mr. Dean Gitter and Governor Spitzer, so I wrote to Governor Spitzer and asked for his feelings on the Bellayre Resort project and also gave him my opinion. I received a thank you response from the governor claiming that the Bellayre Resort project was not something that he was involved in and that my letter was being forwarded to the proper department.
On August 9, 2007 I received a letter from William C. Janeway, Regional Director, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 3. Mr. William C. Janeway thanked me again for contacting Governor Spitzer and explained that his agency was the lead agency for the Bellayre Resort project under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and that the required permits were under his departments jurisdiction. In his third paragraph he states,"Based on the current schedule, the following discovery and the filing of witness testimony, the adjudicatory hearing would commence in December 2007. The first issue to be addressed will be storm water impacts. Subsequent hearing dates are scheduled in 2008 for adjudication of the remaining issues. He then goes on to explain which parties can attend the meetings. There was no mention of any meetings prior to December 2007.
So what happened? Governor Spitzer, who claimed that he was not the decision making person takes the lead away from the person and agency he said was in charge, the N.Y.D.E.C. and Mr. William C. Janeway, and along with Mr. Dean Gitter convinced a small majority to sign onto a newly revised project similar to one proposed by Congressman Hinchey.
It appears that the only people standing strong are the property owners, but I guess they don't contribute enough.
I am not sure if I read the September 13th article correctly, "Gitter Gets A Go-Ahead", but if Mr. Gitter got $14 million for 1400 acres from N.Y. State, the State over paid by more than $7000. per acre. I recently bought acreage in Big Indian bordering State land with a road and a well for approximately $3100. per acre. Maybe I should contact Elliot and make a deal.
Robert E. Steiner
Big Indian, NY

Dear Editor,
Sexual harassment scandal at Emerson... The manager is accused of making "suggestive comments that employees should have sex with guests." Do you want your children working at a place like that? Since I have no children, as was obnoxiously pointed out by a supporter of Jane Todd, why should I care if employees in a hotel managed by Dean and his child are encouraged to "have sex" with the customers? Because Dean and his child intend to have a hand in managing The gargantuan proposed Belleayre resort.
You probably read about it in the Freeman and Townsman, so I will spare you some of the more disgusting quotes. But two of the four who are suing have already settled out of court with a gag order to stop discussion.
Remember the gag order imposed on the back room negotiations between opponents of the Belleayre resort, Dean and Spitzer? Well, something good came out of those negotiations. 1200 acres of trees were saved. Now let's do something for the PEOPLE who live here. We don't need 400 poverty wage jobs. We need LIVING WAGE jobs. And I don't mean prostitution. The resort as planned would draw hundreds of poor people to our area. At the same time it would drive taxes up and force local people out. That's what happened at Vail, Colorado. That's what Dean says he wants Shandaken to turn into.
At what cost? At least $60 MILLION taxpayer dollars in perks to the developer. Including buying back land at TEN THOUSAND dollars per acre that might be worth ONE THOUSAND and will likely be taxed at less than SIX HUNDRED dollars per acre. Get the picture? It ain't pretty. This abominable rip-off is just the beginning.
The Shandaken town government is responsible for the mess we're in. Super Bob and Deputy Jane turned a deaf ear and blind eye on the people. Bob is done, but make no mistake. Dean and his entrepreneurial son need Jane to grease the bulldozers for Belleayre. They will spare no expense of Emily Fisher's money to get her in. If they succeed, Jane will go the way of Bob. Disgraced and humiliated. And the expendable people of Shandaken will go down the drain for new York City's drinking water and Dean's profit. Do the words "Friendship Manor" mean anything to you, Jane?
I quote from the Kingston Freeman: Suit claims sexual harassment at Emerson By Paul Kirby, Freeman staff 09/14/2007: "We need more tits and ass here," ... In his testimony, Alex Gitter said he heard (manager) Wright use that phrase but he said it was not used in a derogatory way.
"The comment was made during a manager's meeting in front of the entire management team, in the context of explaining the need to cultivate a more well-groomed and appealing image of Emerson Place," he said."
Any comments, Jane? Do you really want dirty money financing your campaign? Your "morality squad" community character assassins have been barking up the wrong tree.
Dave Channon
Shandaken NY

Dear Editor,
As an Olive resident, I am pleased to see a new music performance space open up in Shokan. But the sign outside the new venue called, 'Adam'space', says - "Performances of Jazz / Classical and other meaningful musical styles." Hmmm. Seems to be implying that rock & roll, folk music, popular music, etc. are not so meaningful. As a musician and composer my whole life, I just hate to see this kind of labeling put on music. I studied classical music composition with John Corigliano, Ulysses Kay, and Robert Starer, and have also worked with Herbie Hancock and other prominent jazz musicians. But ya know, when John Lennon sings "Imagine" or Paul Simon sings "American Tune" - well that's just, for a lack of better words, pretty darn meaningful too! Granted, there is a lot of "fluff" in pop music, but not every piece written in jazz or classical style has the inherent ability to change the world much either.
To put your personal opinion in your public advertising is a bit pompous and inappropriate.
Anyway, it's a lot of work to start a new business or endeavor, and I hope your performance space becomes so meaningful to the community that it's still there a year from now. Live music (all styles) rocks!
Ralph Legnini
West Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
"Paint the Stream!" participants and leaders would like to thank the hamlet of Phoenicia, the Shandaken Town Board, and the following businesses for sponsoring painted panels installed along the Main Street of Phoenicia: Beechers' Boardwalk, Key Bank, M.F. Whitney Hose Co., the Nest Egg, the Phoenicia Belle, the Phoenicia Library, Phoenicia Liquor Store, Phoenicia Video Store, Riciardella's, the Shandaken Town Board, Simpsons Park, Town Tinker, and Ulster Savings Bank. Thank yous also go to Rick Altman, Chris Carter, Dave Channon, James Knight, and Rae Stang.
We would also like to thank the following for funding of the project:
Catskill Art and Office, Supplies, Catskill Watershed Corporation, NYC-DEP, Golden Artist Colors, Inc, Kids in the Katskills, Neil Grant Foundation, Phoenicia Rotary Club, and Ulster Savings Bank.
The kids explored the marvelous teeming life of the Stony Clove and then painted their panels. Everyone had a wonderful week! The paintings will be up around town for everyone to enjoy until the end of September.
Sincerely,
Michael Courtney, Stream Education Leader, Cornell Cooperative of Ulster County
Michelle Spark, Artist Leader
Christie Scheele, Artist Leader

Dear Editor,
We’ve heard from the White House and the Pentagon about the success of the surge. I thought it would be interesting to see what the Iraqi’s think about how it’s working for them. After all, they have paid much more dearly than we for our present occupation of their country. Fox news (never thought I’d be quoting them, eh?) estimated over 65 thousand lives a year ago, so, we can surely admit that it’s over l00 thousand by now. Our death toll is, at the moment 3,774 – certainly more by the time you read this.
So, do Iraqi’s feel they are safer now? Here are the results of polls, taken by ABC News, the BBC and the Japanese station: NHK:
In Anbar province 38% say it is better. In the rest of the country 70% say it’s worse, whereas 12% overall think it’s improved. Further, 57% endorse attacks on US troops. (93% of Sunnis, 50% of Shiites and 5% of Kurds.) 58% say they have no confidence in coalition forces. Nearly 1,000 more people have been killed in violence across Iraq in the first eight months of this year than in all of 2006. Where’s the bright side? Hang in there.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees reported nearly 2 million Iraqis -- about 8 percent of the prewar population have migrated to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. These refugees include large numbers of doctors, academics and other professionals that are vital for Iraq's recovery.
We’ve been told that we invaded Iraq because they attacked us at the World Trade Center; then it was to protect the Iraqi population from Saddam Hussein, then we were there to bring Iraqi’s democracy. Now we’re told that we’re protecting them from sectarian violence, caused by our being there, but they say; “We broke it, we have to fix it”. That may be true, but is our presence there fixing it? And oh, where’s all our money going? According to the Iraqi population, it’s not to providing water and electricity or to providing a functioning police force.
Now, here’s another interesting opinion poll of the Iraqi population released on August 6th. Iraqis oppose plans to open the country’s oilfields to foreign investment by a factor of two to one. Iraqis are united on this – no ethnic, sectarian or geographical groups prefer foreign companies participation in their oil resources. Hmmm. Unification?
Well, I’ve got a piece of news for all you leftie lunatics to chew on. The following announcement came out on September 10, 2007 from DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: “Hunt Oil Co. has struck a deal to explore for oil in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, signaling a new willingness by some large Western companies to bypass the fractious government in Baghdad and deal directly with regional authorities in the war-torn country.”
So, who’s the CEO of Hunt Oil? And why can he make such a deal? First of all, the Hunt family goes all the way back to Granddaddy Prescott. Second, CEO Ray Hunt was on the board of Halliburton during Cheney’s days there. More recently, in October 2001 and again in January 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Hunt to his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board in Washington, D.C. I'd like to point out that Iraq's oil minister Hussain al-Shahristani claims that this deal is illegal.
Perhaps all the fuss kicked up by a small, but somewhat growing Liberal group is working and spurring on further private deals. So, we now have two options in front of us. Once they get these deals into place, we can get out of there. Or, we can just join with the Iraqi’s on their only unified issue - deny Hunt and go home. Either way, we get out of Iraq. As I always say: “Look on the Bright Side”.
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
I write this letter as a solemn respectful commemoration to all the victims of the events of September 11, 2001, including those who have died in the wars carried out in its name. While it has been suggested that questioning the official version of events of 9/11 is disrespectful to the victims, I believe it is disrespectful not to pursue true justice and the truth. While 911 Truth is about a deeper inquiry into 9/11, it is in the larger scheme of things a deeper inquiry into the state of our society at large. Indeed it is our responsibility as citizens to hold our officials accountable.
In a September 3, 2006, Time magazine article, titled "Why the conspiracies won't go away" Time states that in polls almost 40 percent of the American people believe it is likely the U.S government had foreknowledge of the attacks or made them happen. Time magazine states and I quote, "This is not a fringe phenomenon. It is a mainstream reality."
A sizable number of the world's citizenry have looked at the evidence behind the official conspiracy theory (Osama and 19 Muslim hijackers) and found it not only lacking but totally implausible. There are 911 Truth groups in many countries around the world. Why? Because what we believe happened on 911 affects the whole world as well as the legitimacy of the U.S and its agenda. Yet despite the grassroots efforts of millions of us the mainstream still continues to buy the lie. This is largely due to the mainstream media blackout of alternative 911 info. When the mainstream media does cover it, it does so in a dismissive and factually challenged fashion.
What do former Reagan administration Asst. Secretary to the Treasury Paul Craig Roberts, Morgan Reynolds, former Bush administration Chief Economist, and Dr. Lynn Margulies, winner of the most prestigious American science award, the National Medal of Science, among many others have in common, they are all speaking out demanding the truth about 911. All acknowledge the greatest likelihood is that the attacks of 911 were orchestrated by elements of the U.S govt. not Muslim extremists.
The fact is the 911 Truth movement is not a fringe group of conspiracy theorists, it is an intelligent, aware citizenry demanding serious answers to serious unanswered questions. We will become louder and more outspoken until the mainstream media is forced to respond, as it has recently on the History channel and others.
The stakes are too high; it is the legitimacy of our very system of government which is why they must use every force in their power to repress the population's demands. Without hard questions we will get no hard answers. Hard answers might make us realize that our comfortable apathy is not only unconscionable but ultimately immoral. Our ignorance and inaction make us silently complicit in the crimes being perpetrated by our government with all of us funding the bill. You are funding this agenda.
I think a big part of why many people are resistant to looking at 911 is wanting to stay in the comfort zone. Most people want to stay comfortable and resigned to their powerlessness to change things. Why know too much, I can't do anything about it anyway. This sense of resignation and powerlessness is rampant in America today. But the truth is, a single individual can make a huge difference. Look at Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan. We must get out of our vote every four years lethargy and be active participants in our world. We must not accept the role put on us by corporate America as consumers but as The People who truly run this country and world. We must remind our government officials and the corporations that they work for us; we do not work for them.
True social justice will not happen overnight but it certainly will not happen if we all stay in our comfort zone of helplessness and hopelessness.
For the sixth anniversary of 911 there will be protests in every city in America including Washington D.C and N.Y., Be There. For info go to 911Truth.org.
Watch The Propaganda Machine every Sunday at 8 p.m. on Woodstock Cable access channel 23.
Francis Posavec
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Censure instead of impeachment for Bush and Cheney? Those who bitterly complain about Congressman Maurice Hinchey's preference here are politically naive. They are, in fact, the best friends Bush and Cheney could have in this region, on this matter. Particularly because they persistently batter Maurice, one of Washington's most effective adversaries of this horrible administration, who patiently meets with them, listens to their folly, and articulately tries to explain why his path makes enormous sense and theirs does not.
Led by a Bard professor who apparently can't count - legislative voting blocs in Congress, that is - they can't understand that a censure is possible to achieve, but impeachment is not. Maurice has a strong ally in Sen. Russ Feingold, who will lead the censure effort in tandem with Maurice's sponsorship in the House.
They also can't see past the fact that Maurice and many others in Congress agree that Bush-Cheney have committed horrible, clearly impeachable acts. Yes indeed. But why waste time, money and effort to end up with nothing to show for it but frustration, when energies could and should be applied to an achievable goal - censure.
Wouldn't it be infinitely better for Bush-Cheney to go down in history as disgraced for their deeds? And what about shorter-term benefits? Like helping to influence the very next Presidential election by letting the entire nation understand, including conservatives and Republican voters, that Bush-Cheney did not get away with their impeachable acts.
Bill Schechter
Lake Hill, NY

Dear Editor,
It’s not too soon to anticipate President G. W. Bush’s request to fund an architect to design his Presidential Library upon his leaving office next year.
I have a suggestion that would avoid adding any more money to the national debt he bequeaths to future taxpayers. We already built and are paying for a library for “Big Daddy.” Rather than build a second library to further the Bush legacy, we should ask G. H. Bush to set aside a corner of a room in his library to allow G. W. Bush to place a pamphlet rack to document his accomplishments to the world while “Decider in Chief.”
Bottom line, us taxpayers save hundreds of millions of dollars of additional debt and our President can proudly display his legacy for all to see. I’ll go one better. As an amateur cabinetmaker, I’ll build the pamphlet rack and donate it to our government. Presidential advisors, let me know if you want it painted or stained.
Ronald E. Dietl
Kingston , NY

Dear Editor,
Sometimes things can come together in what can only be described as a synchronistic or synergistic manner. The approval and green light given to the Belleayre resort in Pine Hill last week and the need to address the resulting Route 28 traffic issues may necessitate the reexamination of whether a rail link to the resort is desirable and/or feasible.
And can anyone guess what kind of rail link I'd suggest? Why, a state-of-the-art, high-speed, Maglev connection, of course. Think about it for a moment. Resort visitors could park in ample space in Kingston and catch the Maglev shuttle up to the resort. The 32 mile trip would take as little as 10 - 15 minutes. With a tie into the proposed NYC to Albany Maglev system proposed by the NYS High Speed Rail Task Force to be built over the next 25 years, a trip from the city to the resort could take as little as half an hour!
This plan would address the increase in traffic anticipated by the resort and reduce the carbon footprint of the resort as well as that of those traveling there. Not only passengers, but resort supplies and freight could be transported as well, further reducing truck traffic on Route 28. The joint projects, if carried out responsibly, could set the example for future resort, commercial and private development around the world.
And, it sure beats the "Catskill Parkway" scenario mentioned at Governor Spitzer's press conference announcing the go-ahead for the resort.
So, while Senator Bruno last week announced 22 million dollars for short term "high speed" improvements to Amtrak lines across the river, we should make sure public officials keep their eye on the long term, big picture of providing true Maglev high speed rail on our side of the Hudson.
Glenn Kreisberg
Kingston, NY

Dear Editor,
There was a recent news story about our governor and his intentions vis--vis casinos. He indicated that he will explore other options if U.S. Interior Secretary Kempthorne refused to approve placing land in trust to allow for development of Native American casinos in Sullivan County. Governor Spitzer’s current actions reflect why he was so cagey about his position on casinos during his election campaign. I guess, to his credit, he didn’t lie to us at that time—thus this news story was not surprising. Politicians see casino money as an easy fix for their budget problems.
With Spitzer and Schumer, Hillary and Maurice supporting casinos for Sullivan County (two, one at Monticello and one at Bridgeville alongside the Neversink) we, in Ulster County are not safe. Our two area state senators, Bonacic and Larkin, refuse to sponsor a bill that Cahill, Lopez and Couch were able to pass in the assembly. That bill asks that Ulster County (except for Warwarsing) be removed from a Spitzer fast track.
Sending letters to Spitzer, Hillary, Maurice and Schumer are probably a waste of time; however, if you are so inclined, letters to Bonacic and Larkin wouldn’t hurt and may help. Bonacic supposedly says that he doesn’t think the people he represents want him to sponsor the senate bill. He should hear from us, that we think it is important. If you need more information, let me know.
Susan Puretz
Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
Recently, Gary Bischoff outlined donations to Republicans from companies involved with the jail project. For the sake of fairness, I checked out contributions made to Democrats.
Here's what I found:
-Several labor unions that worked on the jail project contribute heavily to the Ulster County Democratic Party.
-David Lenefsky, attorney of Ward Todd and the Modoc Tribe, donated at least $7,500 to the Ulster County Democratic Party over the last two years.
-Barry, Bette & Led Duke, Inc., mentioned by Bischoff as being involved with the Dutchess County corruption scandal, contributed approx. $125,000 to both Democrats and Republicans in 2006. Of these donations, at least $6,000 went to Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer and at least $1,000 went to Democratic Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
-Bovis International, the company that mangled the jail project, donated $4000 to Eliot Spitzer in 2006.
-I have received information that Legislative Chairman Dave Donaldson recently solicited a campaign donation from a person the county hired to oversee final jail construction.
For years, Bischoff has railed about "Clean Money/Clean Elections." On this issue, however, Bischoff talks loudly, but carries a small stick. A review of contributions made to the Ulster County Democratic Party shows the "pay to play" system is in full force. Democrats received significant contributions from people appointed to high profile county jobs or companies that do business with the county or people/companies trying to influence policy.
It would be hypocritical not to mention that both parties are guilty of "pay to play." I do find galling, however, Bischoff's hypocrisy on this issue. It's obvious his talk about "clean money/clean elections" is just that: talk. Bischoff had no problem using the special interest money raised by Ulster Democrats in 2005. Bischoff can be a true leader by demanding that Democrats end the "pay for play" system and agree not to accept special interest donations.
In closing, I ask voters to consider the following: why did the Albany division of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), "an organization of more than 1.9 million members," donate $4,000 to Bischoff and his running mates in 2005? In all my years in the county government, there has rarely, if ever, been an issue involving SEIU before the Legislature. Was this donation about good government, or was it a funneling of special interest money to help elect Bischoff?
Joe Roberti
Ulster County Legislator, District 4
Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
Many realize that The United States of America no longer operates under a democratic government of the people, by the people and for the people, but has become an oligarchy with corporations, very wealthy people and a monstrous military complex controlling us.
Our health care is controlled by the corporate health insurance companies and HMOs as well as pharmaceutical companies. Their wealth, derived from us, is used to bribe politicians not to develop a governmentally directed universal health care system. Such a system would save billions of dollars and help boost the health status of the U.S. up to a level closer to that of other nations. Part of the corporate strategy is to teach the public untruths about universal health care. Many people still talk about socialized medicine inasmuch as that is the kind of stuff they are being fed. Sad that they can't see how vital to our society the "socialistic" educational, highway, law enforcement, and defense systems are.
We know that the Iraqi war was promoted and supported by corporate power for purpose of getting control of oil and for profit of the supporters. They have profited and everyone else has lost.
When we consider those aspiring for the presidency we should consider the candidates who go beyond the immediacy of health care and the Iraqi war; those who work for and propose measures which will help the majority of Americans, the ones who do the work of our world and on whom the corporate world depends for its subsistence, could help us return to democracy. We need to get out from under the yoke of corporate power, of control by moneyed interests, of government officials who bought their seats. This is a gargantuan challenge but possible to meet if we have the right leadership and really intelligent, responsive men and women in office who care for their country. John Edwards is a candidate who has always avowed passionate support for the principles expressed here.
Mescal Hornbeck
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
The loss of Sam Hood to the community came as a huge shock to us all - even though we knew he had been ailing for the past few months.
Over the recent years it has been my good fortune to have worked with Sam on a number of film projects, and I have rarely met a more generous person, most particularly with his time and attention, not only as a businessman. He had a rare, dry sense of humor and detested all falseness and pomposity. I also believe he did not really want to be known as a philanthropist or benefactor, and would brush away any thanks with a self deprecating wave of the hand or a smile. And he could be fierce, too, if he felt his friends or family were under threat.
At his celebration last weekend, many people spoke of how Sam had touched their lives, but I would like to add one thought. For many years Sam, along with Judy Upjohn, had watched over our Indie Program for at-risk kids in Onteora. Sam was passionate about this. Our students have made great films, been on life changing trips and won awards at festivals, but Sam had a very clear vision of what we really do, which I think gives an insight into who he was. It had nothing to do with filmmaking, and everything to do with community and our 'being there' for teenagers who have no other support. He said, "If we can give these kids just one extra inch of solid ground to stand on, make them just one little bit stronger to face the world, then we'll have done our job".
Almost none of the hundreds of students who have been through Indie ever met Sam, but even so, their lives have been changed and are being changed every day by the work and love he put into the program which gives them that 'one extra inch of solid ground.'
On their behalf, and from all of us at Indie, past and present, deepest thanks to Sam. He will be unbelievably missed.
Russell Richardson, Executive Director, Indie Programs
Boiceville, NY

Dear Editor,
It was 9/11 and it was a busy day for me. I was rushing around trying to keep up with everything I had to do, when I drove the by the Woodstock village green. There were 3 women, standing quietly on the green, holding lit candles in memory of the victims of 9/11. Seeing them made me proud to live here and feeling guilty for not taking the time to join them. We waved and smiled and I hope they knew then, that they also were standing for me, and I thank them.
Terrie Rosenblum
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
The Phoenicia Rotary wishes to thank everyone who made our September 7th fundraiser so successful.
In particular a special thank you to all the merchants and restaurants for the donated gift certificates and items for our prize baskets, especially: Al’s Seafood Restaurant, Black Bear Hollow, Boiceville Market, Catskill Mountain Pizza, Debra Jo’s, Hanover Farms, Hong Kong Chinese, Hurley Ridge Market, Miss Kitty, Nest Egg, Phoenicia Feeds, Phoenicia Liquors, Russ’s Country Kitchen, S’Creams, STS, Sweet Sue’s, Tiso’s, The Wrens Nest and all contributing friends and Rotarians.
Through the generosity of our local business owners and residents, the Phoenicia Rotary is able to continue funding numerous community needs, scholarships and charitable causes both locally and world-wide.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at our annual Rotary Ducky Race scheduled for Sunday October 7th.
Christine Baltz
Rotary Event Prize Coordinator
Shandaken, NY

Dear Editor,
We would like to thank Sheldon Hill Forestry for its generous contribution towards helping a community member in need. This resulted in a successful fundraiser that might not have otherwise been possible.
Brian and Cindy, thany you very much for your support and kindness.
The D'Errico family
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
I would like to thank you at Olive Press and Phoenicia Times for posting the announcement of my Butterfly Garden Tour. I was pleased and surprised when
I saw on page 7 of the Olive Press a large color image of the cover of my book The Spirit of Butterflies along with the announcement.
Thank you again - it was a good tour/talk - and more and more folks in Olive will be having pesticide free gardens, with more native plants to attract the local butterflies (we have about 70 species). All good for the butterflies, the health of the watershed and the environment, as well as birds and all living creatures.
We have a great community and you are an integral part of connecting us all.
Maraleen Manos-Jones
Shokan, NY