8/27/2009

Dear Editor,
Allegations of euthanasia, socialized medicine and big spending in the debate over health care reform are muddying the waters over issues of real human needs that we see every day here in Ulster County.
Health care reform is worth fighting for. Without reform, people with pre-existing conditions are frequently denied coverage. Without reform, many in our community cannot afford their prescriptions. Without reform, annual or lifetime limits on coverage and excessive out-of-pocket expenses cause financial ruin or an inability to obtain needed care. Without reform, there is a bias towards institutional care rather than community based home care. Without reform, many people who have worked their whole lives but are now disabled cannot afford health care coverage while not qualifying for government programs.
Ultimately, we will all benefit from a more rational health care policy.
Fran Wishnick, Advocacy Director
Resource Ctr for Accessible Living
Kingston, NY

Dear Editor,
The big question for me now is, will they succeed in turning We the People against each other. It clearly is their goal, since they now know that they have nothing to lose because their ideology has failed them. This became clear when they used the term Nazi for our President. This has nothing to do with philosophy, or for that matter anything remotely connected to thought. Thought is now in the past. Those of us who have not been taken over by the "brain snatchers" can argue amongst ourselves whether to bail out banks versus people, whether to finance protection of the earth versus whether to finance murderous contractors. All of that is small stuff.
No child left behind worked. All of our youth's brain functioning was taken away from science, healing, arts and philosophy, and put into Wall Street. The American Dream was theirs if they would just put a small down payment of a piece of their souls, and commit to a lifetime of numbers. To make the commitment even easier for them, they were told that they could hold on to their souls, by contributing some of their money to the needy, and get a tax deduction. What they didn't account for, is that once the erosion of the souls begin, they would eventually reach a no turning back point, just like in all the vampire stories.
To turn this letter into some more practical information, I'd like to move on to Medicare. I have a number of baby boomer friends, who actually believe that they should hold on to the private insurance that they had gotten from the office. Now, I know that my friends can't possibly be stupid, so let's use the term "un-informed", (although I'd prefer mis-informed). If Medicare is not your primary health care choice, and is instead your secondary, you have been had. FYI: There are two basic parts, (leaving out the add-ons) to your Medicare insurance. Your primary and your secondary. The primary makes the decisions and the secondary just pays 20% of whatever the primary decides to pay. So, if you have an HMO as your primary, you are limited to their choice of doctors, their choice of care, their choice of everything relating to your health care. Medicare, then adds an extra 20% of whatever they rule on. Count them out on any appeals, etc. It's not their job, when they are secondary.
On the other hand, if Medicare is your primary, they make all of the decisions. At the present time, Medicare covers 80% of just about everything you want.
For me, it covers any doctor I wish to see, for as many visits as I wish to have, in many other States, as well as New York State. So, if you want to go to a specialist in a particular disease out of State, you can travel there, and pay only for your own travel expenses. Medicare pays for all doctors that accept Medicare, which is just about all doctors that are in medicine in order to heal. (Some alternative practitioners are not included). It also pays for any tests that the doctor requires, and probably overpays for that, (but that's another story). Of course, when you chose Medicare as your primary, they pay 80% of all that I've listed, including hospital stays, re-hab, long term care, etc. Then, you get to chose your secondary. That company, (whoever is available in your area) pays the additional 20% of what's left after Medicare pays the 20%. Secondaries do not make the decisions, when Medicare is your primary.
I don't know if I've made this clear enough. I know that there are people that charge fees for trying to explain this. I'm doing the best I can, in the limited space I have in a letter. You can go to your nearest Medicare office, and get further information. The bottom line is: Let's not absorb any of the lies that are coming out about health care. Let's get to the truth and then decide. And - let's block dangerous people from Town Hall meetings, and remove any that speak out of turn and regain our right to listen and to speak to our representatives. Why are we allowing this to happen?
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
Of the nations surveyed, we rank highest in years of potential life lost to circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes. We have the second highest death rate from bronchitis, asthma and
emphysema. In another survey our infant mortality was greater than 27 other nations.
With regards to health care reform, Republican Senator Jim DeMint of
South Carolina told an attack group that if they’re “able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.”
President Obama’s responded: “Think about that. This isn’t about me. This isn’t about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking up American families, breaking America’s businesses and breaking America’s economy.”
Right-wing writer Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard told Republicans that they need to resist the temptation to work with Democrats to find a solution to our health care crisis. “This is no time to pull
punches. Go for the kill.”
Their plan is to oppose health care reform as a political ploy to weaken the President and defeat his entire agenda of change. If the American people buy into the strategy of the “Party of No” and do nothing, it will ensure more of the same. It will saddle our children and grandchildren with a burden of exploding costs and declining care that they may never overcome.
Obama has consistently argued that health care reform must reduce costs, guarantee choice, including the choice of a strong public insurance option, and ensure quality, affordable health care for all
Americans. Those principles are the key to keeping our country healthy and protecting our families, businesses, and economy from costs that are spiraling out of control. It’s the change the American people
voted for and so desperately need.
Jim O'Leary
Delhi, NY

Dear Editor,
Notice this: during Bush's Iraq war (of choice), Republicans said "Support the President!", while Democrats asked "How to pay for this?". Now during Obama's recovery (of necessity), it's exactly the reverse -- except that the Democrats actually answer the payment question: tax the rich! Typical Republican hypocrisy...
J. Andrew Smith
Bloomfield, NJ

Dear Editor,
Please correct me if I’m wrong. "Didn’t President Obama state he was going to ask the credit companies to sort of back off raising the interest rate on credit cards, or at least make a minimum that they could raise it? " I know he didn't give a date that this was to begin. I guess this is why in the past few weeks I have received letters from these companies stating that they were sorry but as of such a date the interest rate would be raised. Now I'm not talking about 1%, I'm talking about 5% for a minimum. Yesterday ( August 17, 2009) I received a letter from American Express stating that the interest rate will be raised to the present prime, plus 21.9%...That’s over 25% interest, and to add insult to injury, it will no longer be a fixed rate but now a variable rate. I know you say cancel the cards, which I did with Bank of America, but was told that this will hurt my credit rating. We (the average American) are caught between a rock and a hard place, a Catch 22 situation. But when the time comes that President Obama says not to raise the interest rate after a certain date, the credit card companies can always say, okay, cause they have already done it. In today’s economy the credit card companies should reduce the interest rate not raise it. How in God’s name can people who have been laid off from work, retired and living on Social Security or a small pension afford to pay these new rates? Okay...I'll call or write to my local Congressman or Senator and see if they could do something about it. Yeh, that would be like talking to a recording, seriously, has any of your readers ever seen a Politician drive into a gas station and fill up his car and use a credit card that he has to pay out of his own pocket or shop for food at a local store. New York Congressmen drive around in the finest leased vehicles that we pay for, and if I'm not mistaken, have credit cards issued to them by the Government for business use,etc. Wasn't it President Bush that said he didn't know the price of gasoline was that high when it was near $4.50 a gallon? In closing this article, I would like to apologize to your readers if I offended anyone by what I said, but there comes a time when people have to VENT, and this was my VENTING time.
Peter G. Polis
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
'The fate of the HealthCare System seems to be doing a balancing act", so states Ms Mescal Hornbeck in the August 13 issue of The Olive Press. She then adds, "such a shame that the powers against reform have had so much of [our] money to oppose the establishment of a single payer, universal health care reform", and so on.
Dear Ms Hornbeck; you are dismissing the US Constitution and the mechanics of that priceless document when you criticise the "balancing " act. The fate of any proposed bill for enactment into law depends on the "yea' or "nay" of those who represent us in Congress and to relegate that procedure to the trash bin after two centuries is outrageous. Further; who declared the personal resources of those in opposition [at town halls or any forum] as "our " money. I see citizens freely assembled and freely speaking [at the invitation ] of the host politician exercising their first amendment right. Then we have the spectacle of some elected folks in the congress in opposition. How dare they?
Ms Hornbeck suggests that single payer would cut health care insurance costs to half of what is being paid today while many millions are not covered. "We know that many millions who don't know what is happening and believe those purveyors of private, costly programs which make a profit with an enterprise that is vital to all and should provide huge profits to no one", she declares. Spoken like a true Socialist who would redistribute the wealth of all but hers. As Lyndon Johnson declared in a TV campaign speech, "I’m going to take from the 'haves' and give to the "have nots'". He then proceeded to go down the political "drain".
After all the criticism and advice Ms Hornbeck invites us to contact our Senators and Congressman to support the reform. Well...... can we express opposition if we choose to, Ms Hornbeck? Please?
Note: The CBO [Congressional Budget Office] opposes the proposal based on cost along with "R&D' entities who need a return for their time, education and other invested resources. There is no free lunch Ms Hornbeck; for those who aspire to achieve. Speculation and Accumulation is the basis of wealth [even in a Republic].
Just one final question; whose money did George Soros spend in trashing a Presidential candidate? his own or "ours"?
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
Mankind is not descriptive as man is far from kind and this, though the ages, has been true. The areas of unkindness are often areas of life where individuals or groups differ in viewpoint or behavior. Persons or groups which vary from the usual are targets for unkindness by the majority. Homosexuality which is inborn in 15% of the population and not a selected trait any more than is left handedness has been considered anathema by the majority and the treatment of homosexuals has been most unkind. Society has deprived them of many human rights, denied them social status and treated them as though they were criminal even though accepting their labor, their knowledge and their valor in times of war.
It is thus of great significance that they now are able to marry and enjoy and receive the benefits of what has been denied them. The roadblock to this has been the limited meaning of the word marriage. Looking at the word one finds that it means bonded united by mutual interests. The traditional marriage between a man and a woman and sanctioned by religion and society gives those married the comfort of having another person to share in the work, pleasures, responsibilities. It gives each one a person to act on their behalf in crises. It is assurance that if one is deceased the remaining one will be entitled to their part of a jointly created home. It gives social recognition and status to each. Until the justness of making marriage legitimate for homosexuals society has deprived them of a component of a full life. Please, you who object, sit back and think about it.
Mescal Hornbeck
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Less than 24 hours after Judge Deborah Schneer won confirmation as our next Ulster County Court judge, the Ulster County Republican Party predictably kicked off its mud-slinging with baseless attacks against this outstanding judge.
On the night of July 16, 2009, Judge Schneer was unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate to serve as our County Court judge. Even Kingston's own Republican state senator, Bill Larkin, voted for her. Schneer had previously been nominated by Governor Paterson after a judicial screening committee in Albany found her to be "highly qualified."
Never one to let facts get in the way of an attack, the very next day, in the face of the overwhelming bi-partisan support for Judge Schneer, our local Republican County Chair Mario Catalano issued a statement calling her appointment a "mockery" of the Ulster County Court. He then carefully mischaracterized a 20-year-old case in which a prisoner appealed having to appear in front of a jury shackled hand and foot. (Schneer did not "sue the taxpayers of New York" as Catalano claimed.) By seeking to undermine the public's faith in our judiciary, Catalano has decided to launch his campaign from the bottom of the gutter. The public can only hope that the Republicans won't dig any lower.
Not surprisingly, Catalano had not a single positive thing to say about his own candidate, Don Williams. This is telling. After all, just two years ago, the Republicans rejected Williams' bid for Kingston City Court judge. Now, they want to put him on the far more important County Court bench, despite his lack of judicial experience. Without a positive message, the Republican campaign apparently will consist of nothing but angry attacks. The citizens of this county should not elect as a judge the standard-bearer of angry partisans.
Deborah Schneer has 25 years of diverse legal experience throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, giving her broad exposure to all facets of our legal system. Her opponent spent his whole career in one job. Deborah Schneer has years of judicial experience, balancing the interests of all parties who came before her and earning respect from both sides of the aisle. Her opponent has never been a judge - never presided over a single case in his life and has only been a court-room partisan.
Catalano's is only the first of what will surely be many Republican temper tantrums over imagined flaws. The public knows better. Deborah Schneer is the experienced judge we need in Ulster County's toughest court.
Julian D. Schreibman, Chair
Ulster County Democratic Committee

Dear Editor,
It is 40 years since the historic Woodstock Festival crowned an era now associated with peace, love and rock and roll. Although the 1969 festival itself did not take place in Woodstock, but in Bethel many miles across the Catskills, the town of Woodstock, New York, nevertheless, has become a pilgrimage point for people seeking to either rekindle those years of love and music, or at the very least to buy a tie-dye T-shirt. Despite the great deal of hoopla surrounding the 40th anniversary of the famous festival, very little attention has been paid to the philosophical culture which permeated the event and its aftermath.
In 1969 the Vietnam War was a central focus for the passion of the crowd and the many songs of protest. At the Woodstock Forum, which took place August 15 and 16, well over 300 people heard and discussed the many pressing issues of our time. We are overwhelmed with on-going wars, continuing exploitation of people and resources around the world, worsening ecological devastation and usurpation of our communities for weaponry and repression. In 2009, although the name Woodstock is synonymous with "peace and love," the biggest employer in our own town is a military contractor. Given the perilous state of New York, the nation and the world, we need more than ever to discuss how to convert the engines of war for a peaceful future.
In the sessions held at the Woodstock Town Hall on Saturday we heard from historians, poets, workers, social critics and journalists such as: Peter Woodruff, worker in a Maine weapons factory; grass roots organizer, Mary Beth Sullivan; legendary activist Diane Wilson, author, An Unreasonable Woman and co-founder Code Pink; poet and teacher, Janine Vega; curator and gallery director, Ariel Shanberg; award winning journalists Jeremy Scahill and Jeff Cohen; economist Robert Pollin; historians Silvia Federici, Simon Harak, SJ, and Richard Grossman; social critics Joel Kovel and George Caffentzis; filmmakers DeeDee Halleck and Tobe Carey.
The speakers painted an ominous view of how militarism has gripped our communities, our culture and our lives.
On Sunday the Forum switched from presentations on what was wrong to reflections on how citizens could right those wrongs. A day of deliberation, contentious at times but essentially forward moving, led to the drafting of an initial statement and the framing of ways to build movements, local as well as regional and national, to carry the struggle forward.
Statement from the Woodstock Forum
We, participants of the Woodstock Forum, meeting August 15 and 16, 2009, the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival, reclaim the authority for our lives and our communities. We reject the usurpation of our rights by the military-industrial-media complex.
We reject the actions of our country to foment wars around the world and to manufacture, export and sell weapons. Weapons are the number one U.S. export. Our cities and towns have become home to industries for death and destruction.
We declare that: 1. we will map and research the military industries that control the economies of our communities, that control the minds and pockets of our government officials, that pollute and destroy our land and waters. 2. we will draw attention to these industries of death through educational outreach to local and national media and with imaginative and creative non-violent actions. 3. we will build coalitions to convert weapons-making to peaceful manufacturing and to create meaningful work in education, the arts, health care, and ecological development. 4. we vow to take personal responsibility for the products in our workplaces and in our lives.
We will not cease our resistance to the death machines in our midst and to the laws that support them.
Nicholas Abramson, Laurie Arbeiter, DeeDee Halleck, Tarak Kauff, Laurie Kirby, Joel Kovel, Helaine Meisler, Gail Miller, Fred Nagel, Katya and Paul Rehm, Laurie Sheridan

Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to Carol Shalaew's Letter to the Editor, published in the July 31st issue of the Phoenicia Times. In her letter Ms. Shalaew takes exception to an article written by Jennifer Holz, entitled "Kitty." She publically condemns Ms. Holz' character and the propriety of her column.
Ms. Holz gives abundantly and generously of her time and resources. She takes an active interest in the welfare and interests of others, including the numerous children who come to her with a desire to learn about farming and the care of farm animals.
She opens her home on a weekly basis to these children as a 4H leader. She teaches and nurtures these children. She has very high standards for 'her kids' and challenges them to go just a bit further. She is gifted as a teacher and mentor. I see the 4H children come out of her meetings feeling empowered and confident. I feel privileged to have Ms. Holz as a member of my community. She has so much love and enthusiasm for what she does and very much wants to share that with the next generation. In return for all of her generosity she receives nothing except her own personal satisfaction and the adoring gratitude of the kids she nurtures.
Additionally, I look forward to her regular column, "On The Farm with Jennifer Holz and the Chicken Coopers." Not only does she use this space to inform the community of the activities of the local 4Hers but she also provides interesting anecdotes about the lovable characters that make up our community. On occasion she garners and disseminates useful advice. Her article on chainsaw care, and winter preparedness stands out in my memory as being particularly informative. One must not lose sight of the fact that she a columnist. Her articles are the work of a writer who eloquently expresses and interprets what she observes around her.
We should celebrate the people who truly enrich our community. Jennifer Holz is someone to celebrate. She is a jewel in our community.
Kylie Brauer
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. Edmund Burke.
In Ms. Holz’s response to my letter she refutes all that she had written in her column in question, denying the existence of “kitty” and the “dying bunny” brought to her by kitty. She now changes the story to say the incident happened to someone else who laid an already dead bunny under a tree. She quotes me as saying the bunny was left alive outside to die. I was merely quoting Ms. Holz who had printed in her column, “Kitty is a serial killer. She does not kill for food. She drops her trophies at the feet of her friend , Tess, who gnaws them, or Scout, who gulps them down. The dogs love Kitty. Fatally wounded, bunny quakes at my feet. Now what?... This little bunny will rest outside. The screeching subsides... perhaps someone will take her, perhaps not.”. I see no mention of a bunny killed by a fatal blow in her “story” in question. Also, Ms. Holz, would you like to explain what exactly is the “metaphor” you were making in the preceding quote of yours. Especially the part about Tess, gnawing at kitty’s “trophies”.
Ms. Holz, what I see in your response to my letter is what’s known as a “C.Y.A” piece. Not wanting your readers to believe you actually would rather “do nothing” than try to save a dying bunny, you concoct a fairy tale about “metaphors”. And, if that entire column in question was indeed all a fabrication, then how are we to believe there is truth in anything else you write?
To Peter Bosch: what I saw in Ms. Holz’s piece was insensitivity and lack of compassion for the dying bunny. These are not traits I would want children to accept as “natural”.
To D.M. Colp: If indeed Ms. Holz had “sympathy and pain” for the dying bunny, she would not have resorted to inaction. Since she did mention in her recent response that she had met a “wildlife rehabilitator”, then she knew she could have called one of us to help the bunny, rather than abandon it “under an apple tree” as she did.
To Donald Tracy: It’s a shame you were deeply offended by my letter. Exactly what did you find to be “misleading and inaccurate” in it? You didn’t outline the so-called inaccuracies and misleading information you found in my original letter.
To George Holz: I am not delusional. I know what I read. If anything, Ms. Holz is delusional since she admits the whole piece was a fabrication. I’m also very sorry the only thing that brought tears to your son’s eyes was my letter. It’s sad he felt no emotion for the dying bunny (or “metaphor” as his mother put it).
If you read my letter and understood it, no where did I say to call the DEC to come pick up the injured animal. I did NOT say the DEC would or would not be interested in an injured animal. My suggestion was to call the DEC to obtain the phone number of the nearest “rehabber”to assist with the animal in question. This is the main reason for the DEC’s “Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitaion” program and why it tests and licenses its’ “rehabbers”. We do what the DEC does not have the time or resources to do.
As I’d also mentioned in my letter, I also co-founded the Phoenicia Cat Project... we “trap, neuter & return” feral cats as well as assist individuals with a low cost spay/neuter program for domesticated cats. I adore cats and have two of my own who never leave the house. I know the damage they can do and so does the American Bird Conservancy who states: “Nationwide, cats kill hundreds of millions of birds and more than a billion small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunk. Each year, cats kill common species such as Cardinals, Blue Jays, and House Wrens as well as rare and endangered species such as Piping Plover, Florida Scrub Jay, and California Least Tern. Unaltered cats are prolific breeders. A female cat can have up to 3 litters per year of 4-6 kittens. (Hence the need for extensive spay/neuter programs.) Cats are NOT a natural part of ecosystems. Worshipped in Egypt over 4,000 years ago, cats were introduced to Europe and the New World to control the rodent population. Ultimately, cats are not ultimately responsible for killing our native wildlife–people are. The only way to prevent domestic cat predation on wildlife, is to keep your cat indoors!”
It’s obvious you have set priorities as to which life is more precious, that of “a mouse or a bunny.” To me, Mr. Holz, every life on this Earth is precious, be it a mouse or a moose, a cat or a canary, a bunny or a bear, an elk or an elephant, a hummingbird or a human. This should be taught to our children as well. Perhaps then we’d have greater respect for one another and the world we live in.
To Josh Holz: If you truly believed my letter was a “hate” letter as you stated, then your understanding of the word “hate” is definitely lacking. My letter was an exercise of my rights as a United States citizen. Perhaps you weren’t taught in school that the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees Freedom of Speech, which I, you, and your mother have every a right to exercise. Because I do not agree with what your mother wrote does not make my opinion a “hate” letter. Time for you to read the Constitution and pay more attention in school.
To the Phoenicia Times: I suggest you institute a column written by “Wildlife Rehabilitators” so your readers will understand the options open to them when coming across an injured or dying animal or bird and to better educate the public on how to live compatibly with wildlife.
If my letter encourages just one person to keep their cat indoors, or to pick up the phone and call a wildlife rehabilitator instead of turning their back on an injured or dying animal, then I’ve accomplished my purpose as a wildlife “rehabber”.
No Ms. Holz, we have never met. Perhaps we should some day. I’d be delighted to hear more of your “metaphors”.
I stand behind my original letter.
Carol Shalaew
Phoenicia, NY
Editor’s Note: As always, we stand behind our fine columnist, as well as all of our writers’ use of metaphor, simile, alliteration and the other great literary tools we have at hand to work towards understanding, and empathy for, the complexities of life which surround us all. Maybe we should all now move to other subjects?

Dear Editor,
A recent letter written to and published by this paper called into question the moral integrity of Jennifer Holz.
As members of this community, we feel the urgency to inform area residents of the tremendous asset we have been blessed with in Jennifer Holz. For the past year, our daughter, Anna Ffrench, has been active in the Homesteaders 4-H program run by Jen at the Holz Farm. Each week, Jennifer Holz—and by extension her entire family—has welcomed area children to her home to participate in dog training, vet science lessons, and other activities including the proper care and responsibilities of animal husbandry. Jen runs this program as something each child must take on as his own, as it is in no way glorified babysitting or a diversionary leisure activity to occupy a Saturday afternoon. Rather, each child involved is fully responsible for his own schedule and level of participation. In addition, the participants help set the agenda of what the group will study, explore, and learn. Safety for the children and animals is always a concern, and made a part of each child’s consciousness. This past year, each child had the responsibility of caring for a chicken, which culminated in a presentation at the Ulster County Fair. This experience has been transformative for our daughter and has endowed her with a level of confidence and sense of responsibility that has been unparalleled in her progression from a child into a young lady. Without taking anything away from the excellence of our Phoenicia School or our own efforts and responsibilities of parenting, we believe that what our daughter has gained through her interaction with Jennifer Holz is completely and irrefutably irreplaceable. We too, have learned from Jennifer. She’s encouraged us to hold back slightly, giving Anna more responsibilities.
The growth Anna has experienced working with Jennifer is reflected in her actions and manners at home and will, we are sure, continue with her in the forthcoming school year.
It must be understood that the time and energy Jen dedicates to the Homesteaders 4-H program, and thus our children and our community, is done without any compensation other than the obvious pride and joy she expresses in seeing her “kids” grow and develop. She is a compassionate, caring individual who is one of our most valuable community members. Anyone who has spent time with Jen, watched her with kids and animals, will surely agree. We love you Jen. Thanks for all you do.
Rebecca and Jim Ffrench
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to the letter in The Phoenicia Times about the recent appointment of Paul Rakov as Director of Business Development and Marketing for the Ulster County Development Corporation (UCDC). I do feel Mr. Rakov has excellent credentials for this position. It may be of interest to know that UCDC has recently instituted a strict conflict of interest policy, which will be applied in this case as in others. And to avoid any appearance of a conflict, Mr. Rakov has already been removed from any UCDC responsibility regarding the Belleayre project and related properties or business entities. I will continue to be the responsible UCDC person for issues related to the Bellayre project. Be assured that UCDC is sensitive to these concerns and is paying attention to the economic development needs of Shandaken. Indeed, I recall Shandaken and Phoenicia coming up in at least three separate contexts this very week. We have no silver bullets, but in this challenging economy we continue to strive to be as professional, impartial, and energetic as we can in doing our work of promoting quality jobs and business in Ulster County.
Lance Matteson, President, Ulster County Development Corporation Kingston, NY

Dear Editor,
They couldn't be more mistaken:
In a careless letter to the editor of a local paper last week, John and Janet Fishkind of Big Indian erroneously implied that Save the Mountain would welcome the demise of the Galli-Curci Theatre renovation project on Main Street in Margaretville. Nothing could be farther from the truth as the Fishkinds would know if they read the information at SavetheMountain.net, or wrote, or called to ask our positions.
We know only what was reported in the local press, but we were very disappointed that what sounded like a perfectly appropriate, even model, village redevelopment project that could have added to the vibrancy of Margaretville, was apparently lost to a dispute with a neighboring store.
Indeed, Save the Mountain believes that development belongs in the villages and hamlets where the infrastructure is. Further, that scarce taxpayer money should be used to support smart redevelopment projects that help all local businesses thrive synergistically—as the theater might have. That's the very definition of sustainable economy and Smart Growth. We do not support using scarce resources and monopolizing public assets to underwrite a taxpayer-enabled, out-of-scale, speculative, private timeshare development on the top of a forested mountain where there IS NO infrastructure. The distinction should be pretty clear.
Julie McQuain, President
Save the Mountain

Dear Editor,
Taking Crossroads Ventures at its word, the developer is seeking two easements over county owned Ulster & Delaware railroad tracks for the sole purpose of increasing the appraised value of its 1215 acre parcel between Pine Hill and Big Indian. According to the terms of the Sept.’07 AIP, the state agreed to pay the developer just under $11,000/acre or a total of $13 million for the land. Real estate professionals estimate that this is at least twice the fair market value of such an unimproved large parcel. It turns out that the state can only pay fair market value for the land so the developer has come on bended knee with a request to artificially increase the value of the land- artificial because since the land would be designated “forever wild", the easements would never be used. If county legislators refuse to grant this humble request, the developer has threatened to develop the environmentally sensitive land.
You can't blame the developer for asking and these days, it doesn't have that much to lose. The state is not likely anytime soon to have the discretionary funds to make good on its commitment to expand Belleayre to cater to the high end guests of Crossroads’ proposed mountaintop spa and timeshare development. If the AIP is scrapped, those easements could prove instrumental to development east of Pine Hill.
County legislators are right to withhold action on the developer's request. They cannot take action that would increase taxpayer's financial burden simply because a developer wants to hit an unreasonable price point. In addition, granting the easements would make the land more suitable for development, if and when the AIP is formally abandoned. Since the land lies in the Ashokan watershed and is environmentally sensitive, no accommodation should be made that could easily backfire and facilitate unwanted commercial development.
Matt Frisch
Arkville, NY

Dear Editor,
This is a public THANK YOU to so many people, businesses, and Organizations who made our first Olive Fire Department Country Night such a huge success! A lot of people turned out to support our fundraiser, we thank you kindly and look forward to doing it again! We would also like to give thanks and appreciation to:
THE OLIVE PRESS and Phoenicia Times - Thanks so much Max and Brian for all of your AWESOME ads and supporting us all the time!
BRYANTS TOWING- for transportation of our fire truck!
STEVE BLAKELY- for donating ALL the rolls! Thanks, Steve.
HANNAFORD of Kingston - for donating the hot dogs.
PORTABLE COOLERS - for a discounted rate on the fridge.. "very cool"
PINE VIEW BAKERY- for donating the brownies, thanks, Pete. We can always count on you guys!
And thanks so much to everyone who donated a fabulous DOOR PRIZE...
THE BOICEVILLE INN, dinner for 2! Thanks so much Barbara and John for ALWAYS supporting community and friends!
RESERVOIR DELI - Lunch for 2! Thanks Brian for your constant support day and night!
ASHOKAN TURF & TIMBER, $20 gift certificate. Check out their Cub Cadet mowers! Thanks Warren and Bob!
WINCHELL'S PIZZA - A large pizza! Thanks for your continued support during our fire drills.
THE CRACKER BARREL- $25 gift certificate. So many wonderful gift ideas. Thanks to the Wempel family for supporting the OFD!
BOICEVILLE FLORIST- $25 gift certificate. Art always creates such exquisite floral arrangements. Thanks for your support!
BREAD ALONE: An 8" cake, Yum!
BOICEVILLE PHARMACY, "Hudson River Journey" A beautiful hard cover photographic essay on the Hudson. Thanks!
MING MOON RESTAURANT- $10 gift certificate! Thank You!
HONG KONG RESTAURANT- $10 gift certificate! Thank You!
THE MOOSE CROSSING- four $5 off coupons w/$20 purchase! Thanks!
BOICEVILLE SUPERMARKET- $20 gift certificate, always a great thing to receive!
RESERVOIR MUSIC- A tambourine to play, thanks!
SCANDINAVIAN GRACE- $25 gift certificate. Welcome to the neighborhood! Great lattes!
BOICEVILLE WINES & SPIRITS- four-Michael Collins Irish Whiskey Tee shirts.. very cool!
VILLAGE PIZZA- One large Pizza, thanks!
LIFEGUARD SYSTEMS- safety kit, always a great item to have in your car!
CLASSY CREATURES BOUTIQUE- $20 gift certificate for pet supplies or PATTIE'S POSIES for flowers. Thanks!
OLIVE COUNTRY STORE- $10 gift certificate! for fuel or the mini-mart!
A very special thanks goes to The Ben Rounds Band for donating such an AWESOME and ROCKING evening to the cause! Thanks to Tommy Lee Walker for getting the word out and giving us a great night! Thanks to Speedo (Brian) @ Speedos Paint and Body! Check him out at speedospaintandbody.com.
And MOST IMPORTANTLY, thanks to our entire community who came out in support of a good time, some country music and our Olive Roots... The 1932 USA! One of these days she'll be gracing our parades again.. and when she does, take pride in knowing YOU were responsible.
Ralph VanKleeck Jr
and The Olive Fire Department Restoration Committee

Dear Editor,
On Thursday August 6 the Pine Hill Community Center hosted a public meeting to begin a process of grassroots planning for Pine Hill's Main Street area, including exploring the possibility of designating the Hamlet an Historic District. We will schedule another meeting for September and invite all residents and property owners of Pine Hill and the surrounding area to attend, so stay tuned. The following words are my introduction to the meeting.
I would like to begin tonight's meeting with a few words about the Community Center itself and about what we are trying to do here tonight, and why. As most of you know the Pine Hill Community Center is a private non-profit. We are not funded through any municipality. Our funding consists of grants and the support of people like you. We are a non partisan organization, have both Democrats and Republicans on our Board - something that makes me proud - and as an organization do not take a stand on political issues or on the issue of the proposed Belleayre Resort. This effort, as some more embittered people may think, is not motivated by a desire to hinder or to help the development. An Historic District designation for Pine Hill would not effect the proposed resort either way. Erin Tobin from the Preservation League of NYS, who will be speaking first, can answer any questions you may have in regards to this.
What this effort is inspired by is a strong desire to pull this community together and to begin exploring the things that we can accomplish for our hamlet, both to protect its past – a past that can still be seen and felt as you walk its streets - and to carry it into the future. If we are to do this we must do it in a way that is mindful, focused, motivated by our love for the place rather than political agendas, and directed by the people who live and work here. Historic District designation is a touching off point only. Given that we already have a number of properties on the National Register and a number of others that could be, already forming a natural district if you will, it is an obvious one. We may decide, however, that such a designation is not for us. If this is the case it is our hope that we will find other things that are for us during this process. In this effort we are trying to foster motivation, cooperation, communication and foresight, and to initiate a formal process of proactive planning. Resort or no resort, we will need to take care of our community, and we need to do this together, regularly, with a strong knowledge of, and commitment to, the assets of our town and to each other. Humanity makes its greatest strides when people work together; our survival as a race has depended on our ability to do so. A small town like ours not only needs to survive, but to thrive, and can only thrive when we cooperate. Our lives and our livelihoods are too intertwined not to. I think it's time to put aside our frustrations, our anger and our disappointments, and to begin the process of reclaiming those things we love about our little Catskill hamlet, and caring for each other. We live in a small piece of paradise and, if we are planning to stay here, its future is our future. Let's ensure, then, that our future is a future in a place where mutual respect wins over divisiveness, where cooperation wins over controversy, where positive action wins over apathy, and where continued beauty is assured by our foresight and planning. The Pine Hill Community Center is here to help build community. Your comments, your thoughts, your visions, your fears and your desires are all welcome in this and in the meetings that will surely follow. It is not so much our hope that this process necessarily leads to Historic District designation for Pine Hill so much as it leads to proactive cooperation and a path of conscious, concerted effort to care for this special place that we all love.
The time is right to begin this process. Next year our streets will be torn up to retrofit a water drainage system. When this is done there are plans for repaving our streets and, finally, for proper sidewalks and designated parking, including redoing the parking lot which is in dire need of maintenance. We'll hear more about this later from Shandaken Highway Superintendent Eric Hofmeister. We will also hear from Jennifer Schwartz, Deputy Director of the Ulster County Planning Board. The Planning Board has received grant money for Main Street initiatives and Pine Hill is one of the places they wish to work with. Peter Manning, Regional Planner from the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development will also chime in tonight about the work of the Central Catskills Collaborative. This newly formed group consists of representatives from seven municipalities along the Rt 28 corridor who are working on a scenic byway designation for Rt 28 which requires what is called a “Corridor Management Plan.” As you see, there are many things happening and all of these things in one way or another involves us. I urge you to be involved and to speak with others and ask for their involvement as well. The time is now to begin being proactive about Pine Hill's future.
James Krueger, Director
Pine Hill Community Center

Dear Editor,
We're writing with a big, fat THANK YOU to the Olive Press and the wonderful residents and business owners, and musicians of the Towns of Olive, Shandaken, Woodstock, Hurley, West Hurley and Kingston who generously gave food, merchandise, time, talent and the kindest, generous spirit to our benefit for Maureen Odenwald last week. Drizzling rain didn't keep one hundred and fifty or so ardent revelers from dancing, buying raffle tickets, bidding on silent auction offerings, and even participating in the great Olive Egg Toss.
As always, we counted on the thing that people in small towns count on--each other--and this event was a huge financial and social success that we'll remember forever. Maureen was blown away by the people that showed up for her, and can face the next few difficult months remembering that she's got some great community support behind her all the way.
Thanks again for everything, everybody,
The Friends of Maureen
Darlene Beesmer Griffin
Kim Tisch Houska
Suzanne Parkes Large
Kate McGloughlin
Marian and Dorothy Odenwald
Peggy Maldonado
Siobhan Scanlan

Dear Editor,
Congratulations, Shandaken Democrats have selected a fantastic group of people to run in November!
We wish to thank all the wonderful people who came out to the Shandaken Democratic Caucus. Each one of us is important to the process. There is no where more important than right here, in Shandaken. Thank you for being there from the very start!
Now we must all get out the vote…Yes, we can!!
Susan Robertson
Michelle Spark

Dear Editor,
The Grand Canyon's view from the South Rim is spectacular, but from the North Rim (the Kaibob Peninsula) it is even more so. One sits on the patio of the old CCC-built lodge and looks out over the Canyon. The silence is palpable and awesome. The aspens are tall and magnificent. There is a little black and white squirrel, unique to the Peninsula, and one can take a mule trip out to the edge.
I hope that the Obama family's next trip to this National Park may include a visit to the North Rim, and that the President will continue to take an interest in our National Parks which, sadly, in some areas are being threatened by commercial interests.
Jean H. Hill
Concord, MA

Dear Editor,
Don't forget that I, Annie Lee Van Kleeck, will be collecting blankets and towels or toys...anything for doggies in shelters that need homes. Please bring them to Olive Day. I will be there with my Dad! Don't forget "make adoption your first option." Thank you so much, the dogs love the things that you give them!
Annie Lee Van Kleeck
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
I had to pay attention when I saw that a white American male whose paid employment was in part to protect property was arrested for trashing creative work on public display. As a result he damaged his reputation and jeopardized his employment.
I entertain the idea that he was in a state of stress and should have been treated with understanding rather than the powers that be self-righteously condemning him and casting him off. Destructivity and creativity are two sides of the same coin.
I gather he was a local fellow. Why don't you help him instead of hurting him trying to get votes from the arts community?
Bob Jacobson, painter, sculptor
Mt. Tremper, NY

Dear Editor,
I'd like to extend an invitation to everyone to turn out on Saturday August 29 for Shandaken Day at Big Indian/Oliverea. In addition to all the fun activities and events, there will be lots of booths brought to you by various groups in our community. In particular, I'd like to invite you to stop by the Phoenicia School PTA booth, where we'll provide information on our elementary school, along with Chico Bags and T-Shirts for sale. And like last year, the Phoenicia Library will be there with hundreds of books for sale. We're offering special discounts on all kinds of treasured tomes. In addition, the Phoenicia Library is hosting a free ice cream party at our Main Street, Phoenicia, location at 1 p.m. on the 29th for all the children who participated in the Summer Reading Program. Stop by for a cone on your way to Shandaken Day!
Holly George-Warren
Phoenicia Library Board
Co-President, Phoenicia PTA