Letters to the Editor

1/15/2008

Dear Editor,
As a senior citizen, until recently, there have been few reasons to visit the Phoenicia School, since I have no children nor grandchildren who currently attend. Recently, however, I’ve had the opportunity to visit; to attend teacher conferences; to speak with various staff members; to visit classrooms and to attend a pre-Christmas crafts workshop at which children made gifts for their families.
I found teachers who appeared to care about the children and the children appeared happy to be in their classrooms. Parents were treated with respect, and everybody seemed concerned with the children’s learning needs and general welfare. At the crafts workshop, teachers and parents worked together to provide an enjoyable experience for the children. The children were relaxed andhappy, and the gifts they made were useful and appealing.
Our town is truly fortunate to have such a school. The children benefit: their welfare seems foremost in the actions of the staff and parent organization, and the presence of the School in our community help to create a sense of community in us all!
If you have the opportunity to visit the Phoenicia School, please do so! You will certainly be pleased!
Eve P. Smith, D.S.W.
Town of Shandaken
Social Services Officer

Dear Editor,
Once upon a time there was a Town called Olive; an idyllic place filled with more than its share of natural beauty and tranquility. A wonderful place to live or retire filled with unpretentious folk who smile and look you in the eye when they say hello; dare I say, a slice of heaven. Oh yeah, one more thing, it was inexpensive to live. Taxes were low and affordable. Today Olive still can boast most of the aforementioned attributes except for THE TAXES!
Back in 2004 my combined School/Town/County Tax Bill totaled @ $1,200…today that figure is over $2,600.
Assessment inequities have been addressed and Watershed Tax revenues have been reallocated. (I'm being extremely charitable here) What does this mean for Olivearians?
Well the math says we/I am paying $100+ more per month in taxes. What do I have to show for my expenditure? … Basically, Nothing. Everything is the same. The Town still does a great job plowing and maintaining the roads. Everyone in Town Offices is still as courteous and efficient as ever and I still must dial 911 for emergencies and pay to get my garbage picked up.
Local Government seems to honestly be doing a concerned, concerted effort to control expenditures. The County is a disaster while the School District provides information you want to hear then when the Tax Bill comes … WHAM! The County and the School District need a harsh reality check. You Can't Spend what you don't have.
Many Oliverians are in the position of "You can't afford to stay and you can't afford to go." What has happened the last five years and most important, what can be done to right things?
Bob Nielsen
Boiceville, NY

Dear Editor,
This is an ‘Open Letter’ to the owner of the property formerly known as the Phoenicia Hotel...
How about shoveling the sidewalk surrounding that unsightly mountain of trash on Main Street once known as the Phoenicia Hotel, or is there a "Stop Work Order" on that too?
Even though it appears you don't give a damn about the safety of the residents of Phoenicia, you can at least show some regard and respect for the visitors and tourists to our fair town, some of whom may likely fall and fracture a few bones trying to negotiate that icy mess or, worse yet, get hit by a car while walking in the street trying to avoid your treacherous sidewalks.
Your indifference to a hazardous and dangerous situation is not only inconsiderate, it smacks of neglience.
Cleaning up your sidewalk just might save you from a future plethora of lawsuits.
Carol Shalaew
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
In the beginning, I wondered...why did Obama chose Hilary for Sec. of State? Why not health care, or something I might have picked for her. But then, I thought about his campaign and how he won, against all odds. I couldn't have figured out how to do that. So, understanding that he is definitely smarter than me, I began to postulate on what he might have been thinking. That went on through many of his other centrist picks. I thought, maybe things are just so tough in the country and the world now, that he knows that without
coming to the middle and including everyone, he can talk and make great speeches, but he can't get anything done. So, I continued to watch.
This week, the topic is Caroline Kennedy. Now, it's clear that he'd like her to replace Hilary, but how? Well, if he was as smart as I suspect he is, that would mean that he was in the habit of thinking
ahead. (Like not starting a war that might go on forever). Knowing how powerful the Clinton's are, maybe instead of asking Hilary: "Would you accept Secretary of Health?" , maybe he asked: "What do you want?" And, maybe she said Secretary of State, because it might be a more powerful job than even Vice-President, which is a sort of second place job, with the exception of Cheney's reign. Maybe he was even thinking, if I give her what she wants, maybe she won't stop me from getting some of what I want, like having Caroline Kennedy in the Senate.
Another less publicized topic this week, was what Bush has been busy doing. Aside from getting "shoe'd", and, I must admit, his splendid duck response, was one of his shining moments - until of course, he spoke about it. Well, he's been passing legislation called: "Midnight Regulations", a remarkable legal method of allowing an outgoing President to pass legislation without any approval. What did he do? Well, he's lessening environmental regulations on the oil and coal mining industries, reducing fire arms regulations that will make it legal to conceal and carry loaded weapons in state parks, lessening workers protection from chemical exposure, and lessening endangered species protection, by prohibiting federal agencies from evaluating the effect of new projects on endangered species, as well as eliminating it's evaluation of new projects impact on global warming.
Right after these nightmarish assaults to the environment were disclosed, Obama announced his energy appointments. He spoke of reviving our economy by putting money into environmental protection here at home. His stimulus package will provide jobs in alternative energy projects, like wind farms, solar panels and energy efficient auto's and will reduce our dependence of foreign oil. These jobs, he
said, cannot be outsourced. He also stated that he will work with other countries to help them to reduce greenhouse gas and save our planet. He closed by stating that his decisions will be based on
science and facts. Hmmm, what will I write about when my President is smarter than me? I'm optimistic that I'll find something.
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
It seems the realities of the economy have sunk in to everyone except the Belleayre Resort proponents. Just as everyone else is reading about projects being halted in mid stream as funding dries up, they are still dreaming of a bailout from New York State in the form of money to develop Highmount for mostly their own exclusive use. This project is as dead as the Bush economy. The people of this area should be giving thanks this project was delayed 10 years, otherwise we might be looking at a half-built boondoggle that could neither be completed nor sold. If it were completed, where exactly would the rich people buying into these luxury condos and time shares come from? The current real estate market tells us that the size of the upscale market was a fiction driven by speculators, as is the Belleayre Resort.
Why are the Belleayre Resort developers still pushing their product? Perhaps, like the mortgage lenders they make money regardless of the soundness of the investment which is simply passed on to other investors. Or perhaps they are trying to convince the State this is still a viable project and hope to recoup their losses in a bigger buyout of the entire property by the State. Whatever the reason, we should all breathe a big sigh of relief the Resort got nowhere.
Gabrielle Kirch
Andes, NY

Dear Editor,
As a matter of self preservation, we must examine our actions in the Middle East, which could come back to destroy us. An excellent account of this dilemma is revealed in Stephen Kinzer's book, "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq."
More than 50 years ago, Iran was establishing a government close to a democracy. Mohammad Mossadegh a benevolent hero in Iranian history was dissatisfied that the profits from his country’s primary resource oil, was not staying in Iran.
The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, which is now known as British Petroleum
was getting 93% of the profits and Mossadegh wanted a 50-50 split. The British government didn’t want to use force to protect its business interests, but America willingly took on the task of undermining Mossadegh’s tenure as president. After numerous attempts a coup was financed and led by Eisenhower’s CIA, and the Shah of Iran was installed as the leader. Our CIA trained the Shah’s goon squads, which angered generations of Iranians for meddling in their nation’s affairs.
Many Americans are to too self centered to recognize that when we benefit, someone else may suffer. Most Americans remain ignorant of how our imperialistic occupation of Iraq for its oil has rekindled resentment and anger in the entire Muslim world. That anger will continue to fester as long as our imperialistic meddling continues.
Although, these facts do not provide a moral justification for what the terrorists did on September 11, we must at least attempt to understand the source of their anger. There is no moral justification to explain the estimated one million Iraqis killed and four million displaced. Those estimates do not include those who have died because of public health problems created by our invasion. There remain many arrogant American imperialists in Congress, that defend our efforts to overthrow other governments whose actions we perceived as jeopardizing American business interests.
At some point, we’ll have to accept that acting as a bully by wrongly asserting our military superiority will eventually have serious repercussions. Americans alive today may not feel the negative effects of our foreign policy, but their innocent children will.
Jim O’Leary
Delhi, NY

Dear Editor,
Last week from Governor Paterson announced that New York faces the largest budget deficit in the state's history. While no one person or business is responsible, we must now all work together to solve the current budget crisis. One obvious solution is for the legislature to finally pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill ("BBBB"), which has almost passed for many years, but this year must succeed. The BBBB will provide greater incentives to reduce litter and recycle more bottles and cans by requiring a five cent deposit on non-carbonated, single-serve containers, such as bottled water, iced tea and juice bottles.
Passing the BBBB will also provide an important source of revenue for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) from the unclaimed deposits, which are currently kept by the bottlers and beverage distributors. Out of necessity Governor Paterson's proposed budget cut nearly every area of state spending, including the EPF. In order to fund essential programs like farmland protection, water quality initiatives, and other essential environmental programs, New York needs the estimated $118 million a year in unclaimed deposits that the BBBB could deliver.
While the Governor's budget made aggressive cuts, it is a responsible response to the lower revenues available to support all of New York's needs. Passing the Bottle Bill as an important revenue initiative will not only reduce litter and promote recycling, but it will also provide funds for important statewide programs that protect our environment.
Please contact your state senator and assembly member and ask them to pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill this legislative session.
Manna Jo Greene
Environmental Director
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Dear Editor,
I am embarrassed to say I'm a legislator from Ulster County this morning. Last night the Ulster County Legislature Democrats in a straight party line voted to refer a sex offender resolution back to committee. The same committee it was said it was sent back to in September. They didn't tell you it was September 2006 The chair of that committee hopes to be reappointed in the next few days. WHY? The problems of dumping sex offenders in Ulster County could have been avoided or we could of started the process. We will have to wait now for months and give all other counties the opportunity to dump more of their garbage in our yard. Its bad enough our state Assembly won't help by moving but now our democratic county legislator fall right in step. Remember they say the state is dysfunctional, move to Ulster County we seem to have a patent on it. I hope all the voters of Ulster County look at the votes on this and remember all the legislators are up this year for election and the sex offenders will not be living next to them but could be next to you.
Glenn Noonan, Minority Leader
Ulster County Legislature

Dear Editor,
As we prepare to celebrate the new president, Barak Obama. we should remember that this president will [or should] serve all of us regardless of political , racial or religeous association. It therefore behooves us as good citizens to support Mr. Obama as he attempts to extricate us from the economic morass we find ourselves in. Perhaps he will help rebuild the bankrupt New Orleans Power Generators as we have in Baghdad!
I have lived long enough to see fourteen presidents [do the math, 1926 to 2009] struggle, muddle and "fake it" through each term. I could offer my candidate for "worst" national steward but that would not resolve our current difficulties. It's like reviewing the last poker hand. "Moch nicht" as they say in German; ["makes no difference".]
The "talk show" hosts refuse to leave the battle ground and go home. A black man has offered himself for us to pillary and ridicule for the next four years. Many have "saddled" up; donned their armor and are headed for the nearest windmill.
I did not vote for Barak Obama and plead no "mea culpa". However, I am in full support of the man and if he stumbles I will pick him up, nourish him with positive support and criticize those who surround him like the buzzards they have been in the past.
Now we have a current civil rights situation before us. For shame! The Governor of illinois has appointed a senate replacement for the Obama seat and the champions of fairness and equality in the senate of the United States have seen fit not to seat him. The appointed senator meets all the constitutional requirements including "clean hands". I am ashamed for the first time in my adult life to be a registered Democrat. So now Harry Reid and Dick Durban have "egg" on their faces. Incidently, egg on one's face is difficult to remove. A wave of the hand or finally agreeing with the law leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. "Eating Crow" seems to fit nicely on many a politician's menu.
We are in a time of comencement or new beginning. Let us lift up those who will lead all of us to new horizons and reclaim the greatness of this nation. There is none so blind as those who will not see. God bless this nation and those who serve and defend it.
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
I'd like to add my voice to those who have called on Governor Paterson to appoint Congressman Maurice Hinchey to Hillary Clinton's vacant seat in the United States Senate.
Maurice has always had the courage of his convictions while serving in the New York State Assembly and United States House of Representatives. He was against the war in Iraq when the popular sentiment was to go to war. He voted against the $700 billion bailout and once again was in the minority. Can anyone tell me how that money is being allocated? He has been a champion of the environment and a cautionary voice warning about the dangerous precedent of concentrating media outlets in the hands of a few moguls. He has been a strong advocate for universal healthcare as well as job creation through the repair of our infrastructure. Maurice would be a clear voice within the Senate and would provide the necessary balance of representation with his knowledge of the needs of upstate New York.
What stands in Maurice's way are not his credentials, but rather the inordinate amount of money necessary to run an effective campaign for the US Senate in New York State. It is time to stop basing our choice of candidates on their ability to raise money. Barack Obama has shown the way to fund elections through the grassroots participation of millions of voters. The same formula could certainly work to elect Maurice Hinchey to the Senate.
Mike Harkavy
Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
I am writing to add my voice to those calling for Governor Paterson to appoint Maurice Hinchey to the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. As someone once represented by the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, I would be thrilled to be represented once again by a true leader who does his homework and stands by his convictions. I believe that Maurice is that person, in particular because of his early and continued opposition to the Iraq War.
Mike Harkavy's corresponding letter to the editor rightly notes that conventional fundraising considerations need no longer apply, as demonstrated by President Elect Obama's recent example (and Al Franken's too, I might add). Thus our Governor should select Clinton's replacement from the ranks of those who merit this promotion - of which I believe Hinchey is at the top of the list.
If others agree that Hinchey would be a wonderful selection for our new senator, please write, call, or email Governor Paterson immediately. Here is the pertinent contact information: Governor David A. Paterson, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224; 518-474-8390; http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html.
Let us exercise our democratic rights and voice our opinions as to who we believe should represent us in the U. S. Senate!
Jill Fisher
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
My two year-old granddaughter, Alina, was visiting over the holidays and we brought her to the family New Year's Eve party at the Bearsville Theatre. How wonderful to see laughter in her eyes and in the eyes of the other children! It was Alina's first time in the snow and so, with a sled from Houst's, we took her for a ride down the hill near my home, enjoying her delight as she cried out: "More! More!"
Yet, I wasn't totally present when my granddaughter was here. At the same time that I was watching her, I was far away. My thoughts were with the children of Gaza. I was looking into the face of other two-year olds, watching that same openness and wonder turn to incomprehension, fear, pain, death. Nothing, nothing justifies that killing. I could not turn away from this reality.
Saturday, when I stood in a vigil on the Woodstock Village Green for the people of Gaza, a woman across the street yelled at me: "Are you Jewish?" "Yes, I am Jewish!" "You should be ashamed!" Did she mean that as a Jewish person, I should be ashamed to be standing for the people of Gaza? Or did she mean that because of what Israel is inflicting on Gaza, I should be ashamed to be Jewish?
I am proud that I am Jewish. I am proud of the deep moral teachings I learn about in Torah studies at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation.
And thus, I am also ashamed. I am ashamed that Israel is carrying out unbelievably horrible atrocities. I am abashed that the United States is supplying $10 million dollars every day towards this unleashed militarism.
And I am deeply sad. Sad that we, as Jewish Americans, are not crying out in one voice - past political and nationalist agendas, above historical myths and realities. I am deeply sad that we are not crying out against the brutality of this our shared violence, crying out for the sacredness of life, of every child's life.

Jane Toby
Catskill, NY

Dear Editor,
There was a recent article in the Ulster Townsman (Dec 24) , that has several confused and incorrect statements regarding the Woodstock cable franchise. The innuendo of that rather one-sided discussion makes it clear that the article is part of a campaign to exonerate Time Warner for their attempts to strong arm Woodstock into signing the proposed franchise. Instead of accomodating toTime Warner's shoddy deal, Woodstock should sue the company for attempting to hold our citizens hostage by denying the long required educational channel until the proposed franchise is signed. For decades Time Warner has neglected to implement PEG channel requirements that are clearly set forth in state law and the original Woodstock franchise of 1986.
Instead of incriminating the efforts of citizens to uphold those regulations, the Townsman and the town board should investigate and consult with the lively and positive community that regularly makes Woodstock public access cable happen despite inferior equipment and pathetic conditions and without any paid staff.
In terms of finding a town to make a comparable assessment, I suggest you visit the facility in Falmouth, Massachusetts (http://www.fctv.org) either in person or via their web site. Falmouth Community TV has a slightly larger subscriber base, but they also have an expanded summer population that is quite similar to Woodstock. Their PEG center sponsors excellent training programs for youth and seniors. They negotiated with their cable corporation for funds to build an entire building specifically designed for their needs. Their comfortable studios and meeting rooms also provide a gallery space for local artists. They have seven paid staff and a crew of volunteers. Falmouth Community TV Director Debbie Rogers 508-457-0800 could answer any questions you might have about their procedures and discuss their own quite successful "tough" negotiations.
DeeDee Halleck
Willow, NY

Dear Editor,
In our times of joy and sadness, love and fear, it is important to remember that each of us has a choice. Know you can make a difference. You are loved. Share the love and let’s come together to build a brighter future for all.
You are most warmly and cordially invited to join in the creation of a new “Community Shool.” And, yes, it’s spelled correctly – it’s a new word! I’ve taken the “C” out of school. “C’ represents mediocre, grading, testing and negative thinking.
In each Shool, there will be no grades, no tests and no put downs. Instead there will be praise, understanding, encouragement and guidance to encourage the joy for learning and striving for self improvement, personal growth and excellence.
So what is a “Community Shool?” ‘SHOOL’ shares educational learning within its community. The ‘Shool’ is innovative and connected globally, nationally and throughout its local community.
Each Shool has its own cottage industry, pertinent for their geography, climate, commerce, and overall community needs with a mission to improve the health and well-being of each living organism and plant and our earth. That income is used to help carry the Shool’s day to day operating expenses, and for scholarships for members of its community to attend other educational programs, institutions or experiences.
The cottage industry also serves to teach all aspects of business to all members of the community through hands-on rotation to all jobs. Commerce may be within the community, with other Shools, or have a national or global reach. The cottage industry may be technologically product or service driven, all with an eye on serving positive life and health giving practices.
Healthy living for the individual and community at large is a prime factor in curriculum and day to day health practices. Each Shool will have many gardens, greenhouses, and animal husbandry projects. Gardens will include vegetable, herb and fruit gardens to feed the students, staff, teachers and share with the local community.
There will also be annual and perennial gardens, both in sun to shade. Diversity is honored, not only in our gardens, but in our community and globally. Gardens are a back drop for learning the sciences, math, as well as the literary, performing and fine arts. The gardens are a nutritional, medicinal, intellectual and creative source of inspiration, hard work, personal growth and health.
Spiritually, we are all of this earth and welcome anyone to follow their own spirituality in anyway that is fruitful, loving and positive. We honor other communities, the elders, family and life too.
Self sufficiency, health and nutrition offer motivation in curriculum, as well as short and long term projects. Leadership, innovation, logic, problem solving are all encouraged. All community members have something to offer. Through the love and support of the community, each individual in the community and the planet as a whole will improve.
Programs create learning experiences that directly can be applied using practical methods. Emphasis is on practical applications using hand-on projects, research, and quantitative thinking and planning,
One day per week all community members spend out of doors having fun, doing a project together. The community may hike, walk, bike ride, jog, ski, skate, swim, fish, garden, sail or do other exercises in keeping with their terrain and climate. On the other days of the week, everyone is outside for 10 minutes every 45 minutes for fresh air, exercise and a brain rest and revival.
Each day all community handled equipment is sanitized. This includes all door, faucet, flushing and drawer handles. Cutlery, measuring devises and other tools and equipment commonly used are each thoroughly clean and sanitized before storing. Emphasis is cleanliness, efficiency, sustainability, and health of community. These are a prime aspect of our mission. All community members rotate and take turns doing these activities.
Health policy is that you may not attend Shool if you are ill. Stay home, rest, meditate or pray, and do things that bring you joy and positive thinking to help you heal. We want to share good health.
The Shools will all be connected. The best teachers teach topics to their respective and community at large Shool’s population via internet and via postal mail correspondence. Encouraging local, national and global think tank sessions will be held regularly that tie in with students interests.
Students are not selected by age; rather they are any members of the local community within walking or bike riding distance to sessions and community projects. This kind of transportation is encouraged as long as health and capabilities allow.
We encourage walking over driving, in order to conserve fuel and break the waste and pollution cycle now used heavily with the current education system in the U.S. We encourage this daily exercise of attending the Shool, breathing fresh air deeply in and noticing the myriad of life forms, colors and patterns in nature as well as the changing seasons helps to stay connected to the health of each member and our planet.
Both adults and children in the community are welcome to attend the Shool. There are opportunities for learning in horticulture, music, fine and performing arts, sciences, language, history and business. All is done with an eye on living in the present with an eye on the health and well being of our earth and all that dwell there on, both now and in the future. We look to history for inspiration and lessons.
All members of the community rotate jobs and daily chores on a continuing basis within the framework of the Shool. This gives everyone an opportunity to find what they like and enjoy doing the most, as well as to develop appreciation for others who do the other jobs.
Community members are encouraged to learn using each one’s strengths and learning style and to understand others. Each will help teach or tutor others with a common goal of successful learning, creativity and sharing. Positive reinforcement, praise and understanding are a main mission.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Melody Newcombe, founder
‘The Community Shool’ concept
845-688-5472