Letters to the Editor

12/18/2008

Dear Editor,
Having just come home from a regular monthly Shandaken Town Board meeting, I feel compelled to, again, publicly urge the Board to change its method of reporting expenditures.
The Town of Shandaken reports its spending in a complete vacuum, documented only by a resolution authorizing an apparently random voucher (i.e., $56,000 for the general fund or $542 for a lighting district). Though the numbers may change month to month, no one seems to know the significance of the numbers. Are we over budget, under budget or on target?
The budget process scrupulously followed by government at all levels supports the creation of a financial plan. Based on that plan taxes are levied and collected. Expenditures need to be reported in the context of the plan.
In Middletown or Olive expenditures are reported in a simple spreadsheet which begins with the budged amount, shows the total expenditures year to date, and the percentage that total represents. This allows citizens and the governing council to instantly know the financial state of the town.
At Monday’s board meeting ( Dec. 1), Supervisor Disclafani justified holding back payment of budgeted expenses because he was worried that the town lacked adequate funds. Adopting simple, informative accounting reports could avoid this worry.
This is not a Democratic or Republican problem. The lack of clear reporting has gone on for decades. January 2009 represents an opportunity for the Shandaken Town Board to easily initiate informative reporting procedures and demonstrate their real commitment to open, transparent governing. Promises need to be kept.
Martie Gailes
Big Indian, NY

Dear Editor,
In response to your article on the town budget I would just like to say that while I do not have the answers to the town’s financial woes I would like to thank Town Supervisor Peter DiSclafani for offering me, a single mom with three kids, a chance to end mine. As the recipient of the town hall cleaning job it would have been a wonderful opportunity to work within my community and provide for my family.
Twenty dollars an hour is the going rate for a cleaning service. I'm sure if you spoke with any local business, bank or restaurant owner who has someone come in and clean, you'll find they are paying that much or more. I had proposed fifteen hours a week to keep the town hall, highway department and the Shandaken Museum clean, and not just surface clean... I actually move things. I don't believe this was unreasonable or that Peter was authorizing the spending of town money unwisely.
As the holidays approach I would just like to offer Peter and the town my thanks and appreciation for the chance to work and provide for myself and children however short lived it was.
Suzan Daniels
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
I had my first ski day of the season at Hunter on December 3, early for me, but amazing how much snow they had made and how good the surface was, excellent conditions, full sun, mild, a great day. Cost me $27 on my Big Lift discount card, same price any weekday, and $27 for locals any Tuesday, even without the card. I noticed new carpet in the Hunter lodge and a rearranged cafeteria, where the price of coffee has jumped to $1.84 from $1.50. Regular lift tickets are over $50.
After the Belleayre Bruhahah last Spring, and the current budget crisis...Belleayre's monthly skier appreciation days will now be $25 instead of $15, the $10 winter festival week is now the $20 week, and Belleayre seems to have limited its printing to a cheap rack card instead of the full color magazine of yore, which Hunter and Windham still publish and give-away. Haven't been to Belleayre yet to see how curtailed their operations have become, but will get there on one of their discount days.
We need Belleayre to provide access to skiing as recreation for hard-pressed families who otherwise couldn't afford the sport.

We need the other areas to cooperate in this effort. Instead of competing with those days Belleayre offers discounts, let Plattekill and Hunter offer discounts on other days. Local people would appreciate the opportunity to ski at more affordable prices, and the areas will get bigger crowds. Belleayre's parking lots are over-full on discount days.
I was shocked to see that Whiteface in the Adirondacks has raised its lift ticket to $77 from $66 this year...although by presenting a Coke product on Wednesdays you can get a lift ticket for $38.
In all of the discussion over Belleayre, I never saw a budget line about the revenue generated by lift tickets at Belleayre. Their discount days are packed, they make money, yet the talk is always about the state contribution and how unfair it is to private ski areas. I wonder how much the public contributes through lift tickets? We need Belleayre as an affordable alternative for recreation, and an economic engine along Route 28. I'd like to see their income figures.
I took a ride alongside Windham Mountain recently, up the switchbacks alongside the ski trails where a string of luxurious, stunning homes climb the mountain. Windham boasts it has put $10 million into its lodge, which was already the nicest among the Catskill Region ski areas. Hunter has put Pinnacle condos on top of its lodge, and built a huge Kaatskill Club condo/hotel slopeside. Still small potatoes compared to big areas in Colorado and Utah, but significant for our region.
They are worried the Belleayre Resort will give them unfair competition, if the Gitter project ever gets built. That should be no excuse for bullying Belleayre as it now stands. Although I think the coffee at Belleayre is overpriced at $2.50 a cup, as I recall.
See you on the slopes.
Robert Selkowitz
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
Governor Paterson has proposed a $20 million dollar cut to library aid - a 21 percent cut to library and system funding that has been static for a decade. If you believe as I do that libraries are a precious community resource in these tough economic times, there is an easy way to register your opinion with the Governor and State Legislators. Please take five minutes to send a letter to the Governor and your State Legislators through NYLA's (New York Library Association) automated faxing program by going to:
http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page id=925. You can do this at your local library.
The Governor first proposed this cut to the 2008 New York State Budget in mid-November with only six weeks left in the calendar year. The Legislative Session that would have voted on this was canceled but the 2009 State Budget will be presented in mid-December and there will be cuts proposed to close the large budget deficit. This gives us time to register our opinions.
Libraries have already suffered severe cuts and have instituted economies. Between 1998 and 2006 libraries and library systems received no increases, while other educational institutions received additional funding and the cost of living went up. The inter-library loan system which is, in itself, an economic efficiency, is threatened with the new cuts.
Library use is up when people have less to spend: computer access, newspapers and magazines as well as tapes and DVD's are available to the community, as well as informational resources. Our President-elect, Barack Obama, used the 40th St. branch of the New York Public Library to find his job as community organizer in Chicago after his graduation from college.
Our Public Library System is the most democratic educational (information and culture) organization our nation has. It fills me with pride to see active libraries across the country reflect the interests and activities of particular communities and provide opportunities for recent immigrants to learn English. Please help and protect our libraries.
Doris Goldberg
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
For nearly eight years the Olive Press has allowed disappointed writers and other malcontents to misinform our young people; namely our High School students. The latest editions of the Press contains letters of misinformation re: the US Supreme Court decision of December 8, 2000. According to the Cornell Law School comment there was no decision unless one considers sending the petition back to the Florida Supreme Court a decision. The USSC directed the Florida Supreme Court to follow the US Constitution which under Art II states that the several states shall manage all elections except for two provisions; The candidates for President and Vice President shall not be residents of the same state. Further, The election for President and Vice President shall be scheduled on the same day/date in all the states.
The Tom Siblos and Jill Papernos have gleefully and purposely distorted the US Constitution and many students I have spoken with take those pronouncements as gospel. That is shameful. I believe it is the duty and obligation to dispute false information submitted to any publication; especially a parochial publication such as the Olive Press or the Peoria Gazette.
I wonder at times if anyone thought it was lawfull to set aside the absentee ballots of our military personnel at that time. The envelopes were not post marked with time or date as we see on all our daily mail. When it was ruled that those ballots would be counted, the Bush numbers soared [AP. NY Times, etc].
Let us be clear; GW Bush was not my favorite either time as I opposed the Iraq debacle early in the Olive Press. Sadaam Hussein did nothing to us and he would not have allowed Bin Ladin to operate in Iraq. He would have exterminated Bin Ladin and rid himself of any competition. In fact I suggested releasing and reinstalling Hussein He would have rid Iraq of all terrorists and mutants [except his own].
Now we have what many wished for. I did not vote for Mr. Obama but I would support him as he begins to unravel the economic snare we are in. He did promise change but so far he has appointed 31 "leftovers" [11-30-08]. I agree with his reasoning that "where does one go for experience?" We can certainly profit from "Willie's" savvy but don't let him into the White House [socially undesireable].
As far as not doing anything with or for the "Big" businesses let me remind the critics and haters of the wealthy that so goes Wall Street, so goes Main Street; NY State/NY City.
Don't forget our schools and other public services. An increase in our taxes is not so desireable either. Be careful of what you wish for; you may get it!.
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
This is in response to the recent Associated Press report published in the Saturday Daily Freeman dated December 6, 2008. It is hard to believe that half a million American jobs disappeared in November 2008. The United States and all throughout the global economy millions of workers are losing their jobs. Adding to the AP report the U.S. is heading to the hardest economic times since the Great Depression.
There is a lot more that both Congress and President George W. Bush could be doing now. First Main Street and under Main Street the poor are losing their food pantry's because many of the people who use to give now need food too. The money provided to poor low income worker, people with disabilities and the frail elderly has not had an accurate increase since the original welfare Reform. Food stamps find individuals who have worked all their lives receiving anywhere from $14.00 and up. The vast majority within the lower economic range is starving now and was starving for the past year according to Tim Wheeler of the People's Weekly World. Hunger is stalking the people of the United States and no one is talking about a bailout of non-Middle Class Families. The strains on the safety-net are worse now than ever before and Congress and Bush need to do something about it now.
The bail-out of the finance corporations and Banks of $700 billion is assured. $15 billion dollar bridge-back loans to prevent the Big Three car makers from going down. Why not $700.00 billion bail out for the common hard working Americans?
Special bail-out for Middle Class foreclosures but nothing those who are house poor or tenants who face eviction and high rents.
Instead, I see Wall Street, the Big Three but nothing for the have-nots who through their role in production as both workers and consumers. Those who cannot fill their oil tanks because all summer the oil monopolies were bleeding them to death. At Abe Lincoln's second inaugural speech he said clearly that the abolition of chattel slavery was one of two things he sought to reform. The second was to abolish wage slavery and this would further equality among the people of the United States. Unfortunately the assassin's bullet of John Wilkes Booth took his life before he could make that additional emancipation of labor proclamation. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X saw their dream of a better America as part of the emancipation of all working people. I am here to remind you all
Inasmuch we are all looking to President Obama to make the "change," however; one person cannot hope to do it all. He needs all of our help by getting out there visible in the streets demanding our bail out such as canceling all past credit cards debts, stop all foreclosures, stop all evictions, new jobs programs with a living wage, a national single payer health plan, hands off of Social Security it is working and give every American a fresh start!
This is the challenge we face and every working person throughout the world face the same. It is time to unite and when this happens the super rich will start to finally trickle-down while we demand to trickle-up.
Tom Siblo
Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
Everyone has had a nightmare at some time in their lives. The worst moment of a nightmare is when you just wake up. You bolt up, check to see if you're alive, try to stop the pounding in your chest, and calm down. Then, for those that have a background of psychology, you try to remember what the story-line was, and then figure out what the heck that was all about.
Well, I think that's where a lot of us are right now. We're taking a deep breath, try to release the pent up energy from our stomachs, and allow ourselves to take a break. At least that's were I've been since the election, a few light years ago.
But now, I think it's time to concentrate on the future. How can we collectively repair the awful damage that has been done to our country, to most other countries, and to our planet as a whole. It's taken me a while to figure out that now that we have a leader and I don't have to deal with the overwhelming scope of what needs to be done. I can now focus in on one or two of the issues that I feel most passionate about. Now is a time that we can each concentrate on finding our own individual area of interest and qualification.
Some families are devastated by cancer in the family, and then devote their lives to the furthering of a cure for cancer. Some have a child with ADD and devote their lives to that cause.
Some are animal lovers and do what they can to save endangered species, or some have the scientific knowledge to contribute some of their talents to green energy. I think I'd like to see a community think tank develop in our region, perhaps under the auspices of our fine representative, Maurice Hinchey.
We're facing crucial times. We're now officially in a recession. Maybe, if we coordinate our talents, we may find a local business or two or three, that could address the needs of our country and provide a living for some of us here in the area. I would bet that someone within Ulster County has a method of storing solar energy that needs help in developing it. Whaddyathink?
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
How is it possible that the baseballs used in our national game, enjoyed by millions and generating billions of dollars, are made by Haitians earning a dollar a day and starving to death? In Gonaives, 25 children recently died of malnutrition and we have seen on TV how thousands of people are forced to eat paddies made of dirt in order to barely stay alive.
After the U. S. marine military occupation of Haiti, 1915-1934, and decades of subsequent merciless dictatorships, beating and murdering those who spoke up, a president was, finally, elected, Father Bertrand Aristide. But after several coups orchestrated with our tax dollars he was finally whisked out of Haiti on an unmarked U.S. plane and dumped into a distant African country.
Will this never end? Will Barak Obama depart from the "free trade" NAFTA model, a euphemism for export by U.S. corporations with the dumping of subsidized Agribizz products that has wreaked havoc on the lives of tens of millions Haitians and Latin Americans as local farms are abandoned in the face of cheap imports, and food, then, gradually rises in price and become too expensive? Will the president elect's newly appointed economic advisors, Clinton men, change stripes and put humanity first? Or should we expect more boat people?
Haiti freed itself, the slaves rising up from France in a 12-year struggle (1791-1803). Yet the descendants of this proud and gentle people now suffer another occupation, one by the U.N., arranged by our government with our taxes. It is an oppressive occupation. The people are starving and the country is collapsing, little is done. Thousands died in from the recent hurricanes in Haiti while in neighboring Cuba, hit broadside, by the very same hurricane, only 4 died, without any U.N. presence.
Roberta Gould
West Hurley, NY

Dear Editor,
The Bush bailout wantonly loots US taxpayers for seven trillion dollars (Daily Freeman, November 26) most of the money going to a handful of bankers who are in large part responsible for the severity of our present crisis. As the economy continues its plunge to an unforeseeable bottom line, the only ones with cash on hand, taxpayer cash that was just handed them, will soon enough find the entire world on sale at fire sale prices, encouraging banks to hold their bailout cash, not loan it or offer credit to others.
$7 trillion roughly equates to $23,000 for every man, woman, and child alive in the USA. That's what each of us will pay for this bailout, not counting interest. What benefits do we reap from bankers receiving this cash?
The bailout money could instead be divided among the states, providing money to shore up state budgets, for infrastructure, green investments, and health, education, and welfare (remember H-E-W?...like it was a communist plot!) States could offer direct loans to businesses and launch a boom in alternative energy enterprises. Not only would it be a most comprehensive economic stimulus, it would take us a long way toward energy independence and serve just deserts to the bankers who played casino games with the world economy.
Liam Watt
Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
It now appears that the politicians are not going to be strong enough to say no to the paid lobbyists and special interest groups, and the Detroit Three are going to get a bailout.
Hopefully the legislation can have some strong provisions. The CEO's who "lead" their companies to fiscal ruin should first resign before any taxpayer dollars move. The legislation should provide that all bonus money is renounced, all golden parachutes are renounced, and all accrued compensation and benefits are renounced, and that successor CEO's must have prior approval of the Legislative Oversight panel before any taxpayer dollars move.
The greedy and arrogant that created this mess should not profit from their malfeasance and hopefully something can be done to help the auto workers start anew.
H. Clark Bell
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
I know both Joe Barton and Jay Debberman intimately and I am very supset about what happened on November 14 of this year. Whether one believes in the use of marijuana or not, is immaterial to this situation - these two people genuinely believe in its growing and use as a sacrament within their religious belief. To be persecuted for one's religious beliefs goes against what this country is supposed to stand for and why it is one of the reasons this country was founded.
I don't know how much money was spend by the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Team in investigating and then raiding Joe and Jay's home, but I am sure that there are really dangerous people that they could have gone after with the money spent.
As I state before, I know these two men rather well and in spite of the law, they are kind and gentle people who will, and have, helped others whenever they could. I know this because I am one of those people they have helped without asking for anything in return. They do not belong in jail! Their intentions are to help others, particularly those who can be aided by the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. And yes, research has shown that there is an efficacious effect for some medical reasons, which I will not enumerate here.
If possible, I would like you to print this letter in your letters to the editor column so that the people of Ulster County can see that these men are not rampaging monsters, dangerous criminals or marauding terrorists. They are no different than the people of Ulster's brothers, sons or nephews. They just want to follow the tenets of their own personal lives in peace.
Rev. Daniel A. Barton
Sussex, NJ

Dear Editor,
This year's political fever isn't over yet! Did someone get you on the phone and give you a chance to indicate which person of about eight possibilities you would like to see appointed as New York's Senator to replace Hillary Clinton? I'd like to see Maurice Hinchey named but there are many factors to be considered and we really can't know what some of the candidates have to offer or why Maurice is needed on the House. At least we don't have to vote - it is all up to the Governor, poor man.
Looking at the whole election process one can't help realizing that the way we elect our leaders is anything but free of the tremendous influence of money in determining outcomes of all political races and the performance of the winner in office. Clean election laws are sorely needed if election outcomes are to be based on candidate ability and integrity rather than on the money provided by special interests. Citizen Action organization is working hard to help New York have clean election laws so that public funding rather than private largesse will be available for candidates. Other measures, such as shortening the length of election campaigns could help, too, to make our elections financially realistic, not wasteful extravaganzas. Let's welcome the advent here of the Citizen Action organization.
Mescal Hornbeck
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Congratulations to Elliott Auerbach on his big win after this week's final count of absentee ballots established him as Ulster County's first ever comptroller. Elliot gained the lead and maintained his position by only 150 votes. Our new Comptroller spoke with me minutes after the final tallies and thanked Woodstock and our great Democratic turnout for putting him over the top. As with the razor thin vote to establish a charter form of government in Ulster County, it's the voters of Woodstock who can actually make things happen at the ballot. I am very proud of our voters and our town's ability to get out the vote in important elections!
Brian Shapiro
Ulster County Legislator
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Your picture of a dead deer and hunting notice on the front page of your 11/20 edition is a sad statement that your paper needs to appeal to the sickest side of our society. Are you so destitute for publicity that you must expose your readers to the sad "trophies" belonging to those who get their kicks from hunting helpless wildlife? The Dept. of Fish & Game which makes money from hunting licenses and those that hunt should be banned from this "sport" which violently kills creatures with nervous systems, beating hearts and that care for their young. Additionally there are accidents which also maim and kill unintended targets, as many hunters also use alcohol, as attested to by beer cans in the woods! When newspapers like yours, complete with photo, attempt to treat hunting as the norm and a legitimate sport, you are doing a disservice to the animal world as well as people.
Marianna Harden
Boiceville, NY

Dear Editor,
Your front page story written by “Phoenicia Times Staff about Dean Gitter’s appearance in Fleischmanns has three critical errors of fact. You say that our Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is on hold until a lawsuit brought against the state by the Sierra Club is settled. You attribute the comment to Stated Senator John Bonacic.
This is wrong on three counts.
We are moving full speed ahead on the development of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and it is not “on hold” for anything.
We called Senator Bonacic’s office and were told he was not interviewed by any reporter recently and did not make that statement.
There is, to our knowledge, no pending lawsuit by the Sierra Club. There was a lawsuit (an Article 78) filed by the Catskill Heritage Alliance, the Pine Hill Water District Coalition and Ben & Idith Korman but that suit was dismissed in September. It is possible that the petitioners have appealed, but there was no “stay” put in place that would stop either Crossroads or the State of New York, from moving forward with the studies mandated by the Agreement in Principle.
If you want to have credibility with readers, you need to get the basic facts right.
J. Lawrence-Bauer
Crossroads Ventures
Mt. Tremper, NY
Editor’s Note: It was I who spoke with Senator Bonacic by phone following the New York Legislature’s November 18 Special Session. When I asked Senator Bonacic about possible effects of the current state budget crisis on funding for the Belleayre expansion, he brought up the Sierra Club lawsuit and went on about it for several minutes. Although this was the only time we have heard of such a suit, we took the Senator at his word that something was afoot, and have since attributed all comments regarding the matter to him... including several Nov. 20 articles on the interview that were never countered by the Senator’s office. We are glad to hear that such matters are currently moot.

Dear Editor,
Invite your family and friends to Shandaken to celebrate the holidays. Shop for loved ones in any of our fabulous shops. Gather your guests around the festive tables of the many Shandaken restaurants. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that those dear to your heart are being cared for in our lodging establishments. Have all your gatherings in the place you call home. Celebrate in Shandaken. Check out the community page on the Town of Shandaken website: www.shandaken.us to see the plethora of offerings from Highmount to Mount Tremper. Proudly show off Shandaken!
Rose Dorn
Mount Tremper, NY