12/6/2007
Dear Editor,
Save the dates!
"Resorting to Madness: Taking Back Our Mountain Communities"
a documentary film, is going to be shown Thursday December
6 at Claude's Bistro, Route 214, Phoenicia at 7:30 p.m., followed
by a discussion of the proposed Belleayre Mega-Resort. The
film addresses the impacts of the modern ski resort industry
on
mountain communities and environments. Then, the NYS-Department
of Conservation and the Developer are presenting the new proposal
for the Belleayre Mega Resort on Monday, December 10 from
6:00 to 9:00 pm at Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort in the Discovery
Lodge Conference room. The Scoping Session is Tuesday December
11, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Showing up, is good, speaking up is great!
Scoping is the forum for Public Concerns on the impacts of
the proposal.
Written comments may also be entered into the record.
What is scoping?
The lead agency (NYS-DEC) must provides an opportunity for
the public and other interested agencies to participate in
the scoping process, which is the means by which the issues
to be addressed in the (DEIS) Draft Environmental Impact Statement
are identified. Scoping (sessions) provide the public with
an the opportunity to participate in the identification of
impacts. Scoping focuses the draft EIS on potentially significant
adverse environmental impacts.
It is vital to point out significant issues at this time,
so that they be included in the review process. Anything that
concerns you about this project can be included. Be as specific
and concise as possible. Hand in the written comment to be
included in scoping on Dec 11, OR Send or Email it by January
7, 2008 to:
Daniel T. Whitehead, Environmental Analyst, Division of environmental
Permits, 625 Broadway, 4th floor
Albany, NY 12333-1750
Tel: (518) 402-9167
Email: wildacre@gw.dec.state.ny.us
For further information on what’s being proposed, visit:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/Belleayreposdec.pdf;
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/ or http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6061.htmlHere
is a Brief Overview of State Environmental Quality Review
(SEQR)
process: 1) Scoping - December 10: Developer Presents the
Plan; December 11: Public Comments on Plan's Impacts;
2) DEIS is issued (Draft Environmental Impact Statement)
3) NYS-DEC determines the DEIS is adequate (or not)
4) Public commentary period (and possible Public Hearings)
5) Issues Conference (if enough serious impacts ae raised
in Scoping that need further discussion).
Sincerely,
Michelle Spark
Phoenicia, NY
Dear Editor,
I am extremely concerned about all the money that we, as tax
payers, are going to have to put into this proposed Belleayre
mega-resort. I have included below some choice portions of
the Agreement in Principle (AIP) which raise my eyebrows,
either because they have gaping loopholes or because they
do not satisfactorily answer important issues.
Ambulance service: I have not heard any mention of the ambulance
situation or the firehouse situation. Belleayre Ski Mountain
has been using the local Shandaken ambulance, whereas other
ski resorts employ their own. Our usual local population is
a few thousand people with one ambulance; when skiers come,
the headcount rises to a few thousand or more people. This
resort boasts that it will bring 500,000 visitors per year;
that's at least 5 times the current peak number, each weekend.
The expected number of workmen needed during construction
phase is also expected to double the local population. Who
will pay for the added ambulance needs? If this issue is not
addressed, the local residents will be paying for the ambulance
and fire services; since this issue is not even mentioned
in the AIP, are we to assume that Gitter doesn't even consider
it an issue?
Route 28 upgrade: As state and local taxpayers, we will be
paying for the update of Rte 28 to make it into a four-lane
highway, as Spitzer and Gitter have plans to have Route 28
upgraded into a parkway. Whether it is converted into a parkway
or not, Rte 28 will be either a traffic jam or a speedway.
We will also be paying for the tens of millions of dollars
Spitzer has promised to upgrade Belleayre and make additional
chairlifts to bring the new tourists back to the mega-resort.
From the AIP; "In addition, Crossroads will convey, for
valuable
consideration, a permanent easement to the State of New York
.to enable NYSDEC to construct and operate ski trails and
a ski lift that will be available to all patrons of the BMSC."
This is in addition to the $14 million that will be paid to
Gitter for his parcel that will revert back to the State;
I wonder if all the landowners along Rte 28 will get a similar
deal when their properties are commandeered for the widening
of Rte 28?
Does this area really need another golf course? There are
more than 10 golf courses in the immediate area; Kerhonkson
has received PGA approval for a mountaintop golf course near
the Mohonk Spa and golf resort. Hanna Golf Resort is just
less than 10 miles from Belleayre. The Nevele golf resort
in Ellenville has beautiful views and has failed.
On Long Island golf courses have polluted their aquifer to
such an extent that all golf courses must be organic. In this
environmentally sensitive area, an area that has been the
wellspring of New York City water, how can they be allowed
to have a golf course which only has to be organic for 5 years?
Look at the section of the AIP below:
"Following five years of Wildacres Golf Course operation
pursuant to this Agreement, Crossroads may seek approval from
the NYSDEC to discontinue organic golf course operation and
to remove such requirement from its SPDES permit." Governor
Spitzer touted this golf course as organic in his press conference,
but he didn't mention that the organic practices could be
scrapped in five years. This is quite a loophole.
If we were just given 26 million dollars, as a county, maybe
we would come up with different ways to spend it rather than
this mega-resort. Why aren’t we all
involved in having a say in how our tax monies are spent?
I think a corporation with better jobs, such as the new Solar
Consortium, would be wonderful. If we had a choice as to what
to do with this money, how about a BOCES extension in the
Pine Hill - Arkville area; that way we would have better jobs
than maid service and bell hop jobs.
Neighbors, we are giving up our communities, our ability to
continue walking on Route 28 because it will be a highway;
our communities will be divided by a highway with exit ramps;
our taxes will go up with this development and we are not
even promised health insurance with these jobs. In the end,
Gov. Spitzer, embroiled in controversial use of power, just
needed to tell the unhappy residents of NY that he has job
expansion plans in every county, even if it's not the best
thing for us.
I want to remind everyone that the Belleayre Resort has not
been determined yet and we all have the wonderful opportunity
to have our say at the “scoping meeting” December
11 at 6:00pm in the upper Belleayre Lodge. Bring any concerns
you have and voice them!
Jennifer Benusis
Woodstock, NY
Dear Editor,
The time has come for someone to expose the propaganda and
fear that the "Save the Mountain.Net" is spreading
around with their full-page ad in the Catskill Mtn News, and
their little road signs.
Maybe the resort will take 8 years to build and employ 1800
workers. But the people of the surrounding area will have
the opportunity to work there for 8 years. Not all the workers
will be from outside the town. And if some workers are from
outside the town they will be from Andes, from Roxbury, from
Shokan or Kingston? What's wrong with that? They certainly
are NOT bringing their wives, husbands and children here to
live or go to school. I'm sure the remaining last few restaurants
that we do have will welcome the business with open arms.
And I really wouldn't worry about getting a pizza delivered.
I live in Shandaken and that is a complete fantasy. Who are
you kidding with who will mow your lawn? Yeah, like you people
would pay for something like that. Most of the workforce in
our town drives every day out of town to work. WHO ARE YOU
PEOPLE and what do you do for a living?
And don't even compare the resort to 34 Nursing homes end
to end. When you all were still living somewhere else and
years ago, this area was booming with huge hotels and people
coming up for the weekends or the whole summer. You just don't
want to hear it because it doesn't fit into YOUR personal
agenda. Don't try to make people think you care about them,
YOU DON'T. You care only about yourselves. But that's how
you sucker them in to support your cause.
And I think if we can provide NYC with drinking water, firefighting
water (yes, they have the drinking water flowing into the
fire hydrants) showers and what have you for millions (which
by the way, they have meters on every building in the city
and charge people for the water) we can use a few gallons
for showers and spas and watering the grass up here.
The resort IS "an economic catalyst” and is sorely
needed in Shandaken and Middletown. And if it generates a
need for more police and more fire protection and more teachers,
and more health care, and road improvements, then it provides
MORE JOBS FOR US. How stupid do you think people are?
I support the Belleayre Resort and Expansion. I will be on
the mountain on Dec 11th and I hope the intelligent (not the
self-serving) people of both sides of the hill are there also.
John & Jane Rossitz
Shandaken, NY
Dear Editor,
Imagine that you are driving off Route 28 into one of those
small country roads. It winds up and down, and you go round
the bends of the streams, following the valleys and between
the mountains. Sometimes it turns into a dirt road. Sometimes
it passes by old residences. Then, all of a sudden, you are
facing a massive development that is entirely man-made, artificially
landscaped all at one time with planted trees, that appears
to be a poor materialization of the urban consumer fantasy
about “nature”. It is out of place naturally and
culturally, in a perfect discord with the rest of the mountains...
This would break my heart.
I came from Japan. I go back there every so often. It is a
very small country, and over the past decades, I have seen
its rural areas systematically mutilated end to end by the
civil engineering that is often government-lead. The country
sides and mountains are still there, but very few, if any,
are left unchanged by the modern development. Ubiquitous paved
farm roads and passages that cut through the land. Disfigured
“flood-controlled” streams that were robbed of
all their functions but drainage. You don’t see people
playing by the streams any more. These are the Japanese examples.
They even invented a new word for it, and it does mean something
like systematical change, change of the ways. The old ways
disappeared completely. Younger people wouldn’t even
know what it used to be like. Ironically, what I call the
“nature” fantasy is very popular, as if people
feel an urge to fill this void with something. The Eastern
US is geographically more densely formed than some other parts
of the country, and because of this it is closer to Japan
by comparison. Mr. Gitter may insist that his Resort will
have a minimum impact on its surroundings. To me it appears
to be one significant step toward destruction that is not
so dissimilar to the one that already took place in Japan
and has been completed.
Mr. Gitter’s attempt to build his enterprise is dividing
people in its process. This, by itself, should be a clear
sign of warning. I wonder what he is really trying to accomplish.
Does he realize that if he does get a go, his Resort will
likely serve only one of the divided sides and those who are
in ignorance of this division?
Maki Kurokawa
Mt. Tremper/Roxbury, NY
Dear Editor,
I've been running from developers all my life. From Astoria,
NY when the City took our homes in the 40's to build low income
housing projects, a disaster. To College Point, Queens, where
after an article in the New York Times proclaimed it as a
beautiful little town 50 years behind the times, that was
a kiss of death. To Putnam County, NY where my taxes went
from $900 to $5,000 a year after the developers came in with
their condos and townhouses.
I came here almost 20 years ago after retiring from F.D.N.Y.,
where I thought I'd be safe. But now "The Grim Reaper"
has followed me to the Catskill Park, where soon our beautiful
quality of life will go down the toilet if we let it.
Developers have one thing in common, they lie, a lot. One
being that their massive projects will bring us "tax
relief" that never happens, ever.
A firm whose "Corporate Motto" is: "Don't let
the Bastards :(You and Me) beat you down," should not
get a 10-year tax incentive. They will try to push their gigantic
resort down our throats no matter what.
They should not get a tax break while our taxes will be going
up and as sure as "Death & Taxes" they will
go up and we'll be lucky if we can afford to continue to live
here.
Maybe my next move should be Alaska. Ya think? Save the Mountain!
Hap Roell
Fleischmanns, NY
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the voters of Legislative District 2
for reelecting me to the Ulster County Legislature. A lot
has been accomplished in my first term, and significant challenges
are ahead for the next two years. I will continue to do all
I can to keep the voters trust, and be a strong voice for
our district in the Legislature.
Don Gregorius
Ulster County Legislature District 2
Denning, Hardenburgh, Saugerties (voter District 9), Shandaken,
and Woodstock
Dear Editor,
To my Friends, Neighbors and Constituents, I want to thank
you for your love and kindness during the weeks prior to the
election. It is a great feeling to know how much I am truly
appreciated. The phone calls, messages left on my answering
machine and letters to the editor showed me great support.
But, above all your votes of confidence.
This campaign was an eye opener for me. I have never been
slandered and had my integrity questioned as it was during
this election, it isn't right. You can run a decent campaign
without saying things that are hurtful and untrue. It only
shows me that as I have always said KIND WORDS NEVER DIE.
Laurilyn J. Frasier. RMC/CMC
Shandaken Town Clerk
Dear Editor,
Looking for the perfect Christmas present? Something that
can put your wife way in front of all of her neighbors? Well,
you can get a C2 Taser online for $349.95 in PINK!!! I’m
not going to give you the website, because I’m still
working on a way to get my piece of the action - maybe I can
get their advertising campaign.
But seriously, you never know when she’ll need a taser
of her own. Surely, it can help take the fear way down. I’ve
been watching the video’s on traffic violators getting
tasered, and I’ll tell you, it’s truly influenced
my entire state of being.
For instance, the other day I was pulled over on the Upper
West Side. When the officer came over to my window and asked
for my license and registration, I asked him what I’d
done wrong. He told me that I was talking on the cell phone
while driving. Although this is a somewhat embarrassing thing
to fess up to, I’m going to reveal the truth here, as
I did to the officer. I said: “Officer, I don’t
have a cell phone”. He looked me in the eye and said:
“Don’t lie to me- I saw you.” Ringing in
my head was “Don’t taser me”. I couldn’t
tone it down enough to protest further. I simply reached for
my wallet and gave him the documents.
When I got to the family Thanksgiving celebration, I told
the story to about 10 adults and one came up with his story
of getting a ticket for driving without a seat belt. Since
he was parked at the time, he argued a bit, but finally decided
to pay the ticket in order to avoid the hassle of going to
court. Since then, I’ve heard a few more stories like
this- all paid up. Now, I understand the inconvenience of
standing up for right versus wrong, however, with a recession
coming, how much will we have to sacrifice in order to pay
for the Oil Companies wars?
So my friends and neighbors, I’m thinking that this
could make a good article. If you agree and have a story about
unjust fines, you can contribute to this story by writing
a Letter to the Editor here, or by writing to me. I’m
in the phone book. Oh, I forgot to wrap this up. If anyone’s
thinking of getting me a pink C2 for Christmas, I was only
kidding. I walk ants out of the house.
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY
Dear Editor,
The invasion of Iraq caused hundreds of thousands of people
to be killed, thousands to suffer horrendous injuries and
millions to be displaced from their homes.
Some have call upon Bush and Cheney to step aside for the
good of our nation and allow others, who are competent and
true to our nation’s values to take their place. Others
have called for Bush and Cheney to be impeached and removed
from office, without further delay. Some claim that the Democratic
majority cares more about political gain in 2008, than it
does about the vindication of our Constitution, the rule of
law and accountability. None of these are viable options.
Ideally,
Bush and Cheney should be impeached, but impeachment would
be a waste of time and a major distraction from dealing with
the war, health care and illegal immigration.
Our only alternative is to nominate and elect presidential
candidates in both major parties, who have not aided and abetted
the invasion and occupation of Iraq. We need candidates for
president, who will publically admit that the invasion of
Iraq was about oil reserves.
We need representatives in Congress, who will read the National
Intelligence Estimates, before voting to go to war. We need
members in Congress, who will guard Congress’s sole
prerogative to declare war. We need independent representatives
that are capable of critical thinking, who will not submit
to being rubber stamps, should a president requests a blank
checks for preemptive wars or dangerous, irresponsible, saber-rattling
legislation like the recent Kyl-Lieberman amendment.
Bush and Cheney were enabled by members of both parties in
Congress and
a pathetic mainstream news media. Ultimately, Bush and Cheney
were enabled by the 40% of the American people, who are so
ill-informed that they still think Iraq and Iran were behind
the 9/11 attacks.
Jim O'Leary
Delhi, NY
Dear Editor,
Now that the local elections are over the most important election
for this country looms close. America must change its course
or allow itself to flounder around at a very low place among
the nations of the world. We need a person at the helm of
our government who can release us from the bonds of servitude
to moneyed interests and to those who are willing to sacrifice
people on the altar of financial gain and domination of the
world. Those who are seeking nomination for president on the
Democratic ticket all support the idea of change. Some have
clearly defined their goals and the means of same. Some are
in the limelight and they will have wide name recognition,
because of frequent appearances on TV and the news. Health
care coverage and Social Security continuance are extremely
vital to a healthy future.
Dennis Kuchinich has always been a strong supporter of Universal
Health Care under the aegis of the Government. I feel that
the Health Insurance industry has contributed to his lack
of coverage.
It was very wonderful to hear what Barak Obama said when asked
at the recent “debate.” He said he would increase
taxes on that extremely wealthy sector who hold a colossal
amount of America’s wealth to support Social Security
and that he would expand Medicare coverage to all with no
use of private insurers. Billions of dollars and millions
of lives would be saved by this move.
Media coverage is ample for Hillary with her ties to the Murdoch
media power and close relationship to the corporate world.
Her health care insurance seems to always include private
insurers and health care management. Sometimes she is referred
to in the news as if she were the only one.
Mescal Hornbeck
Woodstock, NY
Dear Editor,
The Ulster County Bar Association wishes to express solidarity
with our beleaguered colleagues at the Pakistani Bar. We also
join in the efforts of the New York State Bar Association,
New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in
their efforts to publicly rally support of our Pakistani colleagues.
The suspension of law and the legal system in Pakistan, and
the repression of judges and lawyers there require that we
reflect upon the important role of lawyers and judges in protecting
our own constitutional rights.
Many lawyers have been confronted with William Shakespeare’s
quotation from King Henry VI, Part II: The first thing we
do - let’s kill all the lawyers. What traditionally
goes unexplained is the context of the quotation, which was
a conspiracy to overthrow the government. Many of us are old
enough to remember the pre-Watergate era when lawyering was
perceived as a noble profession. Our Bar Association, and
Bar Associations throughout the country, have worked very
hard to once again earn the public’s trust and respect.
It is in this spirit and in our collective oath to uphold
the Constitution of the State of New York and the Constitution
of the United States, that we publicly decry the repression
of Pakistani lawyers and strongly support their brave and
courageous efforts to defend their Constitution.
The lawyers are protesting in the streets of Pakistan because
Musharraf has suspended the Constitution “in exercise
of all powers.” The lawyers of Pakistan are risking
their lives and liberty because Musharraf has suspended the
basic rights of the people of Pakistan. The constitutional
right that no person shall be deprived of life or liberty
save in accordance with law, has been suspended. This suspension
means that the citizens of Pakistan may be imprisoned with
no protection of law. No longer does the arrested person have
any right to consult or to be defended by a lawyer.
The lawyers of Pakistan are protesting on the courthouse grounds
because Musharraf has suspended the freedom of movement. Many
Supreme Court Justices and politicians have been detained
in their houses. Numerous human rights lawyers have been made
political prisoners in their own homes.
Musharraf has suspended the right to free speech and the freedom
of press. The electronic media have been turned off. The newspapers
are no longer free to report the crimes of the regime. They
are not free to comment on the news or criticize a lawless
government. The Pakistani lawyers are marching in unison because
a nation without free speech is a dead nation and a nation
without a free press is vulnerable to gross violations of
human rights.
When lawyers and judges of the world are fearless and determined
to uphold the rule of law, the tide of tyranny can be abated.
The power of law lies in the lawyer’s commitment to
subvert injustice. Lawyers are the guardians of the law.
The lawyers and judges of Pakistan need the moral support
of lawyers around the world. They have that support from the
Ulster County Bar Association.
Robert C. Grieco, President
Ulster County Bar Association
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
Reforming the current school funding system based on local
property taxes often comes down to the basic question: Do
New Yorkers prefer to fund schools with taxes based on the
ability to pay -- such as an income tax -- or with the current,
unfair tax on the value of your home? According to a recent
poll by the highly regarded Marist Institute for Public Opinion,
the answer is resounding -- 65% of residents surveyed think
funding should be based on the state income tax to achieve
a more equitable contribution among taxpayers.
Isn't that what many of us have been saying? The Property
Tax Reform Task Force, of which I'm a member, has been saying
it. Other school funding reform groups around the state have
been saying it. Town supervisors and other elected officials
have been saying it. Equitable school funding reform is the
topic of newspaper articles and radio programs. You'd think
that lawmakers in Albany would get the message and take action.
But, no. The leader of the Assembly recently asserted -- in
error -- that there is no reform legislation on the table
or in sight. The leader of the Senate competes to be the biggest
steamroller of all and passes bills in the last days of the
legislative session that will go no where. And they all claim
to need a grassroots groundswell to support real reform. We're
all yelling at the top of our lungs to no effect.
Now there is evidence in black and white in the objective
Marist survey about public views of public education in Dutchess
and Ulster Counties. Marist documented the fact that New Yorkers
want change -- 56% of respondents think the school funding
structure needs a major overhaul (vs. 12% who think it's okay
as is). And 50% think the state should cover the cost of education
(vs. 17% who think funding should remain local, and the rest
-- go whistle Dixie! -- want the federal government to do
so).
Is that a groundswell, or what? To our elected officials in
Albany, and especially all our elected representatives in
Dutchess and Ulster Counties, I say: Wake Up And Smell The
Coffee. It is time that our representatives all worked together
in the New York Legislature and solve the problem that is
forcing so many of our friends and neighbors to move out of
state because of the huge, inequitable property tax burden.
Judith Gustafson
Cottekill, NY
Dear Editor,
The following was sent to Congressman Hinchey:
Today I am requesting that you stand with Congressmen Kucinich,
Conyers and Pascrell in demanding a wide-scale investigation
into the criminal behavior of the Bush administration.
You surely know more than I about the scope of their transgressions:
the intent to rob the American people of their freedoms and
treasure, election fraud, the callous disregard for the victims
of Hurricane Katrina, and the willingness to murder Iraqi
and American citizens alike in an immoral and illegal war
based on greed. The most recent example has been former White
House press secretary Scott McClellan’s revelation that
he was misled about the involvement of five senior executive
branch officials in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame.
I am a member of various groups who have any number of concerns
about the actions (or lack thereof) of the Bush administration.
These organizations include the Hudson Valley Impeachment
Group, the Women in Black for Peace and Justice (an international
organization), the ACLU, MoveOn.org and Russ Feingold’s
Patriot Partners. Millions of citizens in this country are
now speaking out to their legislators, demanding that Bush,
Cheney, and their henchmen be investigated for their wrongdoings.
All believe that the rule of law must be restored. That number
is growing exponentially, and is only impeded by the refusal
of the media to give any publicity to the growing dissent.
The Democratic leadership has made it their major platform
to reform government, but I believe that this Orwellian nightmare
will continue unless the unethical behavior of the Bush administration
and neoconservative movement is checked. This attempt to usurp
power, limit information, and abolish freedoms cannot go unremarked.
This regime must be called to account if any true political
reform is to occur. The numerous and blatant crimes against
democracy and humanity must be addressed even if it is to
set a precedent that no president is above the law.
Please do not delay in supporting this growing movement, because
the assault on our democracy is unrelenting (think about the
Department of Justice lawsuit against the NYS Board of Elections).
And an attack on Iran and the beginning of World War III seems
imminent under the present administration. The people are
speaking as loudly as they can with the diminishing resources
available to them. Please act now.
I find myself praying for the healing of our planet every
day. Let us work for peace and justice for all peoples.
Regina Reilly-Lydon
Wallkill, NY
Dear Editor,
Call it a donation, call it a bribe, money in American politics
is the grease that spins government’s wheels and usually
not for the benefit of people. We can blame politicians for
taking money to buy their votes, but it is the system itself
that is corrupt. There is a solution: full public financing
of elections so that politicians, who are supposed to protect
the interests of their constituents, can actually do so.
“Clean Money, Clean Elections” has changed the
face of politics in Maine and Arizona; it can work in NYS,
and when New York takes the lead the rest of the country follows.
Please call your state senator, assemblyman and Gov. Eliot
Spitzer and urge them to pass a Clean Elections bill by the
end of the legislative session.
Judith Simon
Saugerties, NY
Dear Editor,
On behalf of all of us at Breast Cancer Options I would like
to thank everyone who helped to make our recent fundraiser
at the Bearsville Theater a great success.
Special thanks to Lisa Hantes, Ellen Osgood, Warren Bernhardt,
Marc Black, Betty McDonald, Michael Esposito, David (Fathead)
Newman and the Breast Cancer Options board of directors; Food
from Armadillo, Bittersweet Bakery, Bread Alone, Cafe Mezzaluna
Bistro Latina, Deisings, Downtown Caf, Ellen Osgood, Garden
Cafe on the Green, Hannaford, Hudson Valley Dessert Company,
Hurley Ridge Market, Inka Savra, Lori’s Creative Catering,
Maxine’s Catering, Meri Puccio, New World Home Cooking,
Oliver Kita Confections, Sunflower Natural Foods, Wittenberg
Store. Thanks also to Abbie Rose for the flowers; to our fantastic
volunteers who helped to set up and run the event, and to
everyone who donated goods and/or services to our silent and
live auction.
We are a valuable community-based resource for women in the
Hudson Valley with breast cancer concerns and all the money
we raise provides free local services. As a nonprofit we depend
on our community for support and are deeply grateful for the
outpouring of support we received not only for this event
but for all our endeavors this year.
Please see our website (www.breastcanceroptions.org) for our
programs or call (339-4673) for a copy of our Breast Cancer
Resource Guide or Healthy Lifestyles Calendar.
Hope Nemiroff, Executive Director
Breast Cancer Options
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
The Ulster County Health Department will hold an influenza
and pneumococcal vaccination clinic on December 13 from 9am-
12pm at the Town of Olive Legion Hall. No appointments are
necessary, and any county resident may attend. I strongly
encourage residents of Olive, Hurley, Shandaken and Woodstock
to attend this clinic.
Residents who are at greatest risk for influenza-related conditions
are encouraged to receive the flu vaccination. This high-risk
group includes those over the age of 50, as well as adults
aged 18 and over who have heart disease, chronic broncho-pulmonary
disease, renal disease, diabetes mellitus, other chronic metabolic
disorders, severe anemia and/or compromised immune function,
and others who are at risk of influenza-related conditions.
Influenza vaccine is also recommended for home care providers
and others (including household members) who may be in close
contact with high-risk individuals.
Senior citizens who have Medicare Part B benefits will be
able to obtain their vaccinations through Medicare. The recipient
must be entitled to Part B coverage on the date of service,
Medicare Part B must be the primary insurance coverage, and
the Medicare Card must be presented on the date of service.
For those not eligible for Medicare Part B coverage, there
will be a $20.00 charge for influenza vaccination and a $35.00
charge for pneumococcal vaccination. County residents enrolled
in Medicare Managed Care programs should consult with their
primary care physician prior to presenting at one of the Health
Department’s sites.
Influenza, commonly known as the “flu,” is a highly
contagious disease. Its symptoms include fever, chills, headache,
sore throat, runny nose and body aches. While most people
fully recover from the flu in two to seven days, older adults
are particularly vulnerable to dangerous complications, such
as pneumonia, that may develop after infection with the flu.
For more information, please call the Ulster County Health
Department Flu Hotline at 340-3093. Information can also be
obtained through our web site: www.co.ulster.ny.us/health
or by visiting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
Robert S. Parete
Ulster County Legislator, District 3
Chairman, Health Committee
Dear Editor,
All that Gitters ...is not gold.
Sincerely,
Don F. Wyman
Olivebridge, NY