(letters from September 14, 2006)

Dear Editor,
At the Olive Free Library in West Shokan, we are concerned that Carafini Corsa of West Shokan has not found the library handicapped accessible, according to her letter to the editor in the August 31st issue. We are a public building offering a community service, and if Ms. Corsa had ever directed a complaint, or made a suggestion, to the director or the President of the Board of Trustees, to make the library more accessible, we would certainly have tried to accomodate her. When we read her letter (which came as a surprise to us) our maintenance supervisor immediately fixed the half inch lip in the rear entrance.
The handicapped sign at the front of the building, which Ms. Corsa refers to, is not a parking sign but it directs patrons to the ramp in the rear of the building. When we paved the driveway over two years ago, the sign was put up, but we left one handicapped space in the front of the building for those who don't wish to use the ramp, but have some difficulties, so that they don't have to park so far away. The ramp is at a very slight incline to make it easier for wheelchairs and walkers.
The entire library and community room has brand new carpet, which was installed in August, so it's smooth, and wheelchairs and walkers glide easily over it. Our bathroom on the main level was made handicapped accessible three years ago, and we do have an elevator to the basement level. About a month ago, the Board of Elections sent two inspectors to inspect our building for handicapped access as a polling place, and we were told we were fine.
Hopefully, if the thought that the library is not handicapped accessible has
kept any one from visiting us, our response to Ms. Corsa's letter will illustrate that the
Olive Free Library is available to all the members of our community. We do welcome suggestions, not only are we physically accessible, but our director and staff are always accessible for comments and advice.
Ruth Anne Muller, Director
Olive Free Library Association
West Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
We applaud and thank the members of The New York State Senate and our own Senator, John Bonacic, in their wisdom in providing Belleayre with the funding so necessary to stay at the forefront of the major northeast ski areas. Anyone who has visited Belleayre recently in any season has immediately noticed the new look and the new spirit so pervasive at the popular ski center. John Bonacic has provided the leadership and the energy in Albany to make us a factor.
These efforts have resulted in major funding this year for a new high speed lift and a much needed new lodge to accommodate our increased skier visits. Skier visits have a direct effect on the merchants and businesses in our rural region and provide a powerful, environmentally friendly boost to our rural economy. Leadership in New York is easy to talk but not so easy to produce. John Bonacic not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. He produces and I thank him for it.
Joseph Kelly
Highmount, NY

Dear Editor,
The recent crackdown on prostitution in the City of Kingston led to some unfortunate consequences for people, and, at the same time, highlighted a number of issues - sex in the city, drugs, community leaders, news coverage, media responsibility, police priorities... All of the outcomes were relatively predictable. But the big surprise for me was the price point.
$500 for the service, with no other frills - "straight sex" said the newspaper. That's astounding.
Let's assume that the 8 people caught were only 25% of the available market that evening. 32 transactions at $500 equals $16,000. Assuming a 350 day year (no work on any religious holidays), that's $5,600,000 per year. Now let's tax this at the current sales tax of 8.0% and let's add a special tax. Call it an entertainment tax, of 10%. That's $1,008,000. With all of the new taxes being proposed and the various ways that the government is finding to take our money, why not this? Legalize and tax. We all know that prostitution has a long history, and has a large audience covering all age groups - (by the way, a "hats off' to the 76 year old fellow who was caught in the sting).
We would accomplish a few things if this were legalized: 1. Additional tax revenue for a local government that seems to have an insatiable need to raise taxes 2. End to the link between prostitution and drug use (the ladies would become employees of a company - Let's call it "Pleasure Inc." and Pleasure Inc. would require monthly drug tests. The company motto could be "While we say 'yes' to many things, we say 'no' to drugs".) 3. The police could move on to more serious crimes, like unsolved murders. With prostitution legalized and the drug market diminished, we might not need as many police, thereby saving tax dollars.
The problem would be the current law. I suppose that New York State would have to pass a law allowing prostitution. That shouldn't be a problem. We still have the leading members of the Axis of Taxes. Fresh from their work on the Large Parcel Law, our Assemblyman (Mr. Cahill) and our State Senator (Mr. Bonacic) could handle this. They get the law passed in Albany, allowing local towns and cities to legalize prostitution. When some of their constituents object, they tell them, as they did with the Large Parcel Bill - "we didn't do it. It wasn't us, Kingston or Woodstock or... legalized it." Cahill and Bonacic are both very good at this "shell game."
Additional tax money (probably pair with a smile), reduction of drug use, and better focus for law enforcement - there are few programs today that could accomplish all of this.
Warren Davis
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
On August 10, 2006 Marino D'Orazio performed like his old self; arrogant, self important and exactly as I would expect a lawyer to behave outside his natural "enclosure" [the courtroom]. I would
think that after a relative "new comer", David Patterson replaced him he might demonstrate some humility. Prior to Aug 10 Mr. D'Orazio had a "hissy" fit at an OCS board meeting and properly apologized. Apparently his act of contrition was just that; an act.
Then at a "Large Parcel" meeting on Aug 22 it was des ja voux all over again. Lawyer D'Orazio asks us to look at the law and then states there is no way the law will be declared unconstitutional and the Legislature will not do it. Of course not, sir. It will be a court where you do your best work.
I attended the Aug 10th meeting and I applaud all those who spoke for Olive in it's attempt to prevent others from picking our pockets. Of course the vote reflects the interest of Olive residents who have for a hundred years hosted the NYC reservoir and collected the proper and appropriate taxes on that reservoir property. Olive has always borne the expense[s] of court action to enforce the contract. Where were the "new" Olive "partners" during those encounters. I don't remember Marino D'Orazio appearing as amicus curiae or as an expert witness for Olive.
David Patterson along with other board members have it right that the OCS Board should not be debating political issues. I, for one would be about the business of attempting to include the Woodstock Golf Course in LP since it is far more marketable than the reservoirs. Wait until Gitter finally obtains his permits and other concessions from the regulating authorities. Then the whole mountain will be "fair game". I'm not sure what Marbletown has to offer since Jimmy Spina's tavern closed some time ago.
As far as cohesiveness and getting along with our neighboring towns, when did that ever happen? Growing up in Olivebridge we thought Woodstock was the "Land of Oz" and to be avoided. Just attending High School in Kingston five days a week was traumatic.
I still recommend withdrawing from the OCS system and starting from "scratch" as we did in the early 50"s. If I have a rich and benevolent uncle [tenant] that helps pay my taxes why should my neighbors feel they are entitled to some of those resources?
**Footnote; I agree with Jill Paperno this time around until I re-read and find a "glitch". Bravo, Ms. Paperno.
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
I have always appreciated the League of Women Voters' nonpartisan sponsorship of debates by candidates for public office. Whether on a local, state or national level, these debates encourage an informed electorate by airing ideas and comparing candidates' positions and personalities.
But what happens when one of the major candidates refuses to participate? The New York LWV's scheduled debate on Sept. 6th for the Senate Primary on Sept. 12th may not happen this year because Senator Clinton is ducking and hiding; she does not want to engage in substantive debate on the all-important issues her opponent Jonathan Tasini is raising: the war in Iraq, universal health care, clean elections, and policies that outsource American jobs to other countries.
Yet these are the issues that are meaningful to many voters. Come clean, Mrs. Clinton, let us know where you stand in open public debate.
Jane VanDeBogart
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Duhmockery is spreading quickly around the world. Although historians will tell you that the inception of Duhmockery is nothing new, I believe that with modern technology, it has become a threat of pandemic proportions.
I must agree that in some form, it pre-dated the Nixon/Regan/Bush Administration, however, I believe that it's present form was Kristolized in the Project for the New American Century, co-founded by Bill Kristol with the help of Rupert Murdoch's funding.
Notably emerging in the 2000 election in both Florida and Ohio, it took a firm hold in the 2004 campaign, utilizing sponsored media, with the Swift Boat campaign, unsponsored media, and finally, in the Ohio voting fiasco, altering the entire election procedure.
The recent outbreak abroad, began in Afghanistan, the country on the Eastern border of Iran. It then jumped over Iran to it's Western border of Iraq and recently, it skipped over Syria, and jumped to Lebanon. There, Hezbolla usurped it's original form and is now winning over the hearts and minds of the Lebanese population, by funding the reconstruction of that country.
For now, Duhmockery should remain concentrated back home to strengthen it's roots in Washington, at least through the November elections. Should the new voting machines fail to deliver, another war might be needed to establish new rules under a "war President". Personally, I believe that little has to be done for Duhmockery to maintain the House and the Senate. Simply a little media boosting, which is already in place with the main stream national media; and with the addition of a few hundred thousand (or a few million) dollars of local commercials for all of the at risk areas across the nation. Then just in case, it has to eliminate the possibility of legally qualified re-counts by paper ballots and there you have it.
All we have to do, is to sit back, watch tv and do exactly what the media instructs us to do on election day. Following the election, we simply have to put the tv back on, and listen to the reasons to avoid an attempt at a re-count. Perhaps a new war will put all such meanderings behind the clear and present danger of an impending nuclear attack.
On the other hand, if we want to return to the one citizen, one vote ideals of the Constitution, we may have to move away from the tv and show our numbers. I am still enamored with the idea of Democracy. After all, I lived it for most of my lifetime and trust me, it was swell. I lived through the civil rights movement where blacks and even women got to enjoy the right to the American dream. I was there during the Anti-Vietnam war movement and as many of you know, the music was good.
It's only recently that I've seen that dream turn into a nightmare. I believe and more accurately, I hope that perhaps with the upcoming election, we still have a chance to stop the rapid rise of Duhmockery over our spacious skies and amber waves of grain. But it cannot be done without the participation of everyone reading this letter and everyone reading the letters and blogs all over the country.
Duhmockery thrives on inaction and fear. However, We, the People still live under the rules of the Constitution, which gives us the right to have a say in our government. Well, I say:
DuhMockery IS a spectator sport, but Democracy is NOT.
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
Much has been said about obesity becoming a deadly national and global epidemic. It has been called an international scourge that is engulfing the entire world, as big a threat as global warming and terrorism. Especially frightening is the fact that it is skyrocketing among children, making them prone to diseases that could shave years off their lives. For the first time in history, children in this generation could die before their parents. But the harm done to individuals is being ignored; countries like Australia, Britain and the United States merely think of the effect on their economies, which is being measured at billions of dollars.
The plague of obesity, especially in children, did not happen overnight. It is the bitter harvest of decades of catering to ourselves instead of serving others. It is the fruit of a sedentary lifestyle focused on television and computers rather than the great outdoors. It is the destructive result of stressing academics, rather than the sandbox, already in kindergarten.
Ask any doctor and you will find out how huge the obesity problem is. It can only be solved if we all work together. However, not everyone in the world is obese. There are still millions of people starving in Africa and other continents. Having traveled in Africa, I am still haunted by the many children I saw in Lagos, Nigeria, with potbellies because of malnutrition.
In the end, obesity is primarily a problem in First World countries, where we have become a sick society. Yet we are afraid to face the root of this illness. Instead we give it band-aid solutions, such as banning vending machines in schools. Nobody is asking about the spiritual aspects of this problem.
Obesity is actually only a symptom of a much bigger problem confronting our nation. Our whole society is collapsing because of fear, violence and the breakdown of the family. Globalization also plays a big role. Large corporations like McDonald's and Pizza Hut have become the American way of life, driving out smaller restaurants that offered healthier foods.
Yes, we in America have it good. We are enjoying decades of wealth and prosperity. But it is not making us happy, because we have lost the most precious aspect of civilization--a sense of community, which leads people together and not apart.
We would do well to read the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. It tells how Pharaoh dreamed of seven fat cows and seven lean cows. Joseph told him that seven years of plenty were coming, during which he should gather and store all the grain he could, because these seven good years would be followed by seven years of famine.
Let us not be lulled to sleep: the famine is coming. The time of over-indulgence will be gone before we know it. We need to build a community, in which all people are treated like human beings. We must share our riches with the many who are starving. When we discover that our riches do not belong to us, but rather to all the people on the globe, then our nation will become strong again.
Johann Christoph Arnold, Pastor
Rifton NY

Dear Editor,
This week's column on the Board of Education public meeting did not report my position on the Large Parcel Legislation accurately. So I would like to set the public record straight. The article starts with the statement that the trustees that live in Olive or Hurley voted to stop the vote on the large parcel bill. I live in West Hurley and I voted against that resolution. My position on the Bill is as follows:
Funding education through some method other than property taxes would be more equitable and that is what we should be pressing the Legislators for.
Graduated income tax as an example and there are many other models.
The towns do not pay taxes, it is their citizens who pay the taxes. If you start your calculation with the idea that the total town taxes need to be proportionally equalized then you wind up with the huge differences between individuals in two different towns. On the other hand, if you start your calculation with the premise that equal value properties pay equal taxes, then the inequities disappear. That can be accomplished by using the $1,000 property tax as the multiplier and the market price of the property as the base. Then the Board would not be concerned with town revals. A town should be able to make that decision without it affecting others.
The Large Parcel Bill is faulty legislation because it pits one town against the other, it affects the way people vote on the budget and it often determines who gets elected to a trusteeship. But it does equalize the tax burden and for that reason I would have voted for it.
Herb Rosenfeld, Trustee
Onteora Central School District

Dear Editor,
I am grieving because I have lost something precious from my youth. I was a youngster during World War II. The sense of purpose and justice behind our participation in that war was supported in part by our own rule of law as a democracy, the righteousness of our cause and the evil of our enemy. That sense of purpose continued into the cold war years, again supported in part by the evil of our enemy.
I knew that the enemy was evil because the SS and the KGB used torture and violated the Geneva conventions and their armies raped and slaughtered women and innocent children.
Now, my president admits to the use of torture by the CIA and my army is investigating its own rapes, tortures and slaughters of innocents. When Congress tells my president to stop using torture, he signs a statement saying that he is above the law and free to ignore the law and our Constitution. After our courts tell him he has violated the law, he comes forward with a proposal for leave to use “harsh interrogations” (torture?) which his own administration and army tells him is contrary to the law of nations.
So I am grieving the loss of my sense of the precious beauty and nobility of my home country with its moral leadership among the nations of the world. I am grieving my loss of faith that my Constitution can assure me of my right to life and liberty because, if my government will torture anyone, they will not hesitate to torture me.
Dexter Jeannotte
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
With disturbing news, a whiff of Denmark, in the local papers of very private meetings between Dean Gitter, of Belleayre fame, and United States Congressman John E. Sweeney (New York State 20th Congressional District), and between Dean Gitter and the EPA"s Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg, it is perhaps timely to re-emphasize that there is no compelling need for Gitter's ambitions project planned for the center of New York City's watershed. That Dean, no humble man, seeks money and power is insufficient reason.
There is no compelling need for New York City to permit a development that has the potential to degrade the quality and that will certainly reduce the quantity at times of streses of the water on which the City depends for most of its supply. There is no compelling need for the State of New York to risk impairment of key lands of the Forest Preserve. There is no compelling reason the taxpayers of the region should be obligated to pay the high costs of servicing such a development, of upgrading Route 28, and expanding the Belleayre Ski Area to meet private development needs.
There is no need for us to accept the insult of a gated community in our midst.
To build this project is not his plan, Dean has stated, nor that of his backers. The plan, if approvals are achieved, is to then sell 'the package' to a developer.
It has been proposed that a compromise be struck, permitting the western half of the development. My personal opinion, for what it is worth, is that half a mis-development is better than a whole mis-development, but still to be avoided. When I first heard of Dean's dream years ago, my reaction was 'instant bankruptcy.' Our New York State Comptroller, Mr. Hevesi seems to have the same opinion based on recent analysis by his competent staff.
Sherret Spaulding Chase
Shokan, NY